Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (15 page)

              “I suppose I’m under house arrest again?”  Arwenna tried very hard to keep irritation from creeping into her voice, with limited success.

              “We didn’t add on all of the rooms, the cots are right over there. There’s a spot to change or bathe, but I’m going to insist everyone does so with someone else in shouting distance.”  He stepped in front of Arwenna, a thick finger pointing at her face. “You don’t go out of my reach for a long while without good reason. Do I make myself clear?”

              Arwenna couldn’t resist sticking her tongue out at Barek before standing up and giving him a hug. “You’re a damn sight better big brother than I’ve had in the past, Barek. But I’m going to need some space here and there.”  She darted her eyes towards Joss for a moment to give Barek a clue to her meaning.

              She tried to take a few unsteady steps on her own, then gladly leaned on Joss and Irini as they helped her back to the cot. Glancing towards her right, she smiled as she saw Joss take the one right next to hers. Sleep wasn’t long in coming.

Chapter Nineteen

            
 
T
he sound of paper rustling woke Joss the next morning. His eyes first focused on Arwenna’s now empty cot. Concern building in him, he sat up slightly and scanned the room. The rest of the cots lay empty as well, but he finally made out Arwenna’s form at a table, her back to him. Judging from the stack of papers, she was working on the healing logistics again.

              Moving quietly, he got up from the cot and slowly made his way over to her. Without thinking, he started to reach his arms around her waist. Her body twisted violently, causing him to back up rapidly to keep his footing.

              “Arwenna!  It’s just me.”  The look of panic on her face alarmed him. He stood back, waiting for her to recognize him.

              It took a few seconds for the fear to leave her eyes and she dropped back down to the bench. “By Hauk’s grace, I’m sorry. I’m a little jumpy this morning. Surprises aren’t my thing right now.”

              Joss nodded in understanding. “My fault. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.”  He sat close enough that he could touch her, but giving her some space as well.

              “Where is everyone?” he asked, trying to dispel the tension.

              Arwenna’s attention was back on the sheets of parchment in front of her, but she answered his question. “Lexi’s taking care of her mount; Y’Dürkie and Barek are talking war strategy with D’Mitta outside. They moved the map table to another area so they wouldn’t wake the rest of us up.”

              Joss took in the information. “What are you doing?”

              He watched as she rifled through the stack of parchment. “Checking to see how strong the clerics we have are against undead. We might need them to do most of the fighting for us.”

              Shifting in his seat slightly, Joss searched for a way to get past the awkwardness he felt between them. He reached a tentative hand towards her. “Arwenna, I didn’t mean to frighten you like that. I just…”

              Her hand came over the top of his, squeezing it ever so slightly. “I know you didn’t, Joss. I’m jumpy today is all. It may be a while before I stop looking over my shoulder all the time and realize he’s really dead.” He took a long look into her eyes, seeing both guilt and fear. He slowly drew her closer to him, until his arms had her folded into his chest.

              “I love you, Arwenna. And I’ll be patient, you have a lot of healing to do yet I think. Some of which won’t happen until this war is over and done with. I’m not asking for you to love me in return, but I’d like to help you in any way you might want me to.”  He could feel her body twitch as she began to sob quietly against his chest. Holding her even tighter, he stroked her hair gently until she was done. He loosened his hold on her as he felt her raise up slightly from his chest.

              She started to say something, but he stopped her with a finger to her lips. The same finger followed the tracks of her tears, gently wiping away the last of them. Ever so slowly he began to kiss her. Her response was slow and very tentative. But it slowly grew as the kiss continued. A slight cough not far away alerted him that someone else had entered the pavilion. He broke off the kiss, looking for a moment in Arwenna’s eyes. Being watched could be difficult indeed.

              He raised his head slightly, happy with the feel of Arwenna’s head resting on his shoulder. Barek stood just inside the doorway, his face unreadable. “Y’Dürkie was wondering if you had any idea on the clerical strength versus Undead yet, Arwenna. She’s just outside. Irini thought you might like some fresh air, so there’s a table and chair set up for you if you want it.”

              Joss reluctantly released his hold on Arwenna as she moved to gather her mounds of paper. “That sounds really good, Barek. I’ll be right there.”  Joss rose and helped her up off the bench.              

As they reached the door, one of Barek’s huge palms stopped Joss from following Arwenna out the tent flap.

              “It’s bad enough, what she’s had to go through. I won’t have someone in this camp hurting her as well.” The look he gave Joss went beyond menacing.

              Joss took a deep breath and met Barek’s gaze. “I love her, Barek. And I’m willing to wait for her to decide what happens when. The last thing I want to do is hurt her, no matter what.”  Joss watched his words sink into Barek. He seemed satisfied with the answer. Barek moved back the tent flap and Joss headed out into the mid-morning light.

Chapter Twenty

            
 
T
he bright sunlight caused her to blink for a moment, but the warmth felt good. Arwenna noticed a small wooden table and chair set off to the side. It was far enough away from the tent to give her some sense of being outside, but close enough that she could go inside quickly if necessary. Sighing, she took a seat. She really needed to talk with her friends about this overabundance of security.

              She settled into her chair and started working her way through the mound of parchment in front of her. The battle ahead was going to need careful use of the healing resources they had. Spells would need to be cast on weapons before the battle, ones that would grant additional damage, with enough time after the castings to let the healers rest so they could be full of magic before the battle actually started.

              Arwenna kept to the task at hand, barely registering the small plate of food brought to her. She nibbled at it slowly, mainly because she was told to eat or else. Finally, after several hours, a manageable schedule began to emerge.

              Leaning back in her chair, she stretched as the soreness in her back wormed into her consciousness. Y’Dürkie and Barek were still working on the battle plan; Irini sat doing some needlepoint in a chair not far away. She couldn’t find Joss. Slowly twisting in her chair, she started scanning the nearby area.

              “He went to find some dinner is all.”  Irini smiled at her as she looked up from her embroidery.

              Arwenna chuckled slightly. “I suppose that’s a good thing. He does need to eat every now and then.”

              Irini started to say something else, but the sound of a small group of people approaching stopped her. Barek and Y’Dürkie looked up from the map table as well. With annoyance, Arwenna noticed two guards suddenly appear behind her as she rose from her chair.

              It was a small group, mainly healers and clerics from the looks of the clothing they wore. Lian was part of them, which made Barek and Y’Dürkie visibly relax.

              “I hate to interrupt, Lord Barek. Word has gotten around the camp about Arwenna’s abduction and rescue, and the rumors flying are far worse than the facts as I understand them. These folk have come to me,” she paused and indicated the people behind her, “hoping to have a moment or two with her, so that they can let the truth come out. It would help morale, as there are a number of people thinking she has either been killed or deserted the camp altogether.”

              Before Barek could answer, Arwenna spoke up. “I’d be more than happy to talk with them!  Perhaps we can talk and do a walk through the camp?  If rumors are going around like that, seeing me up and walking would quell them quickly.”  She stepped towards Lian and the group behind her.

              Barek’s sigh was full of irritation. “Fine, but I’m sending guards with you.”

              Arwenna looked him full in the face. “No, Barek. You’re not. This is the army we’ve raised. Having me surrounded by guards isn’t going to let me be seen, nor is it going to do anything towards reassuring the people down there that I’m okay.”                She took a deep breath. “Bohrs is dead, Barek. And I’m not going to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.”  Before he could object further, she turned on her heels and joined Lian and the others.

              About halfway down a small path, the questions started from those walking with her. She did what she could to answer them without much detail.
No sense
frightening them too much
, she thought.
Knowing they will be fighting undead is enough for
now
.

              As they meandered through the camp, Joss jogged up to them. Arwenna halted as he caught up to them. “And just how is it you got Barek to let you out without a guard?”  His tone was both chiding and amused at the same time.

              “I didn’t give him much chance to argue, that’s how. Besides, it’s our camp. If I can’t walk freely here, then we have a much bigger problem than what’s on the other side of that forest.”  Arwenna linked her arm in his.

              The tour took several hours. She was stopped more than a few times as people asked the same questions over and over. They slowly made their way down through the main military camp and into the family areas. It surprised her just how many families had come to war with their husbands and sons. Women were doing what they could to keep the tents that were now homes for them clean. Small groups of children ran about here and there, all thinking this was nothing but a grand adventure.              

The cries of babies were heard. Every now and then, a mother stepped forward and asked for a blessing for her child. Arwenna did what she could, trying not to overdo herself. Still, there were so many more than she expected. By the time the group returned to the command tent, she was more than ready to sit for a while.

              Barek’s face was full of barely controlled anger and worry. “Took you long enough,” he said through gritted teeth.

              “There’s a lot of people down there, Barek. It was your idea to set me up as a figurehead of sorts. This means they need to see me on occasion to remember why they’re here.”  Arwenna tried her best to keep her weariness from showing. “It’s not like I was really alone, you know. Lian and Joss were with me, as well as about ten others.” 

              Y’Dürkie jumped in quickly as if to avoid some argument. “There vere some scouts that came back vhile you vere gone, Arvenna. Senyan has his army on the move. They are vithin one or two days of the clearink.”

              Arwenna instantly switched gears. “Really?  I wouldn’t have expected him to march towards us so fast. I’ll have to get the healers working on the weapons tomorrow, then.”  She started to walk out from under the awning when Irini put out a hand to stop her.

              “Send a note, Arwenna. Meet with them tomorrow. As your healer, I’m telling you to get your own rest now. You’re by far the strongest of us, which means you’re going to need as much rest as the rest of us. You’re not fully recovered from the last few days, either.”

              Glancing around at her friends, Arwenna realized that fighting with them would get her nowhere this time. She had won the battle over guards earlier, but they wouldn’t let her win this one. “Okay, okay. Off to bed I go.”  She called good night over her shoulder as she retreated back into the tent.

Chapter Twenty-One

            
 
A
s she emerged from the tent the next morning, Arwenna noticed a flurry of activity above the normal camp bustle. Messengers darted everywhere, handing Y’Dürkie and Barek all sorts of notes. Answers were quickly scribbled down and the messengers sent off again.

              “What’s happened?” she asked quietly as she approached the two of them.

              “He’s here. Showed up overnight.”  Barek’s voice was even.

              “Senyan’s in the camp?” Arwenna asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

              In reply, Barek pointed a finger towards the valley floor without looking up from the map table. She moved towards the edge of the awning, looking in the direction he pointed.

              A large white pavilion had been erected on the valley floor. Banners bearing the image of a raven flew from the corners. It hadn’t been there last night when she went to sleep. A feeling of intense evil emanating from the forest made her stomach churn.

              “What now?”  Her voice was almost a whisper.

              “Get your clerics moving, Arwenna.”  The reply from Barek made her jump. She hadn’t heard him walk up behind her. “Most likely, he’s going to want to talk first. That’s probably why the tent is there. Not that talking’s going to do any good. Tomorrow. Tomorrow we fight a war.”

              A rider on a horse, carrying a pole with a white flag of truce, came riding out of the forest towards their encampment. Arwenna and the rest watched him approach. Barek turned towards her. “You
will
be guarded while he’s here!”   

              Nodding, she replied “Fine. But I’m going to hear what this emissary has to say. And I’m going to go to any discussion we have!”  Arwenna found a chair and pulled it near the map table. Joss moved to stand behind her, and more guards encircled them at a signal from Barek, while others removed the map table.

              The atmosphere under the awning was noticeably chilly when the emissary entered, heavily guarded.
At least he’s human
, Arwenna thought with relief.

              “What do you want?”  Barek’s voice broke the silence.

              “Lord Senyan sends greetings to you, and requests a chance to discuss conduct of our two sides prior to meeting on the field.”  The man’s voice was steady.

              “And just when and where does he suggest this take place?”

              “A pavilion is ready now, as I’m sure you have noticed. He promises no weaponry or magic, and that no more than three will accompany him to the table. The time is your decision. Will you parley with Lord Senyan?  Or do you plan to withdraw like the cowards you are?”  There was no mistaking the challenge in the speech.

              “Tell your master we aren’t going anywhere. I’ll bring no more than three with me, no weapons or magic. But we won’t head towards the tent until I see him enter it. This army will not fire on him, unless provoked by his side.”  Barek took a step, looming over the emissary. “If my companions and I are not back here within a set time, however, my clansmen will act accordingly. Be sure to tell him that.”

              Bowing stiffly, the man retreated to deliver the message.

              Arwenna took a deep breath to calm herself. “Who is going with us, Barek?”

              “Y’Dürkie, for certain. And I think…” 

              Joss spoke up, interrupting him. “The fourth will be me, Barek. I’m not letting her go into that pavilion without me.”  Even Arwenna couldn’t miss the note of challenge in Joss’ voice.

              She saw a shadow cross Barek’s face as his jaw clenched like he wanted to explode. A quick glance at her, however, seemed to relax him. “Fine. You go. But you don’t talk. If anything starts going wrong, get her out of there. Y’Dürkie and I will do what we can to hold him off.”

              Y’Dürkie’s voice called out to them all, jarring Arwenna’s attention away from Barek and Joss. “There are three horses vith riders headink to the back of the tent.”

              Rising from her chair, Arwenna took a moment to steady herself. “Sounds like it’s time for talking.”  She followed Y’Dürkie out to the waiting horses. Joss and Barek came out a moment later; both looking like a thunderstorm was brewing.

              They kept the horses to a slow walk towards the pavilion. “How long did you tell them, Barek?” Arwenna asked quietly.

              “Told them to give us thirty minutes at most once we were in the tent. If we’re not out of there by then, attack. I don’t think it’s going to take that long for us to agree to terms.”  Irritation was written all over his face.

              Arwenna turned her focus to the tent ahead. The distance wasn’t great, and soon it loomed in front of them. A quick scan gave her pause.               “There’s evil in there, and undead. We need to be very careful. Don’t touch anything. I don’t put it past him or Corse to curse any of the food or drink they offer. Once it’s in your system, you’re going to end up under Corse’s control.”  The warning was the best she could give them.

              Trying to do her best to quell the dread in her stomach, Arwenna dismounted at the same time as her companions. She took in a deep, calming breath and followed Y’Dürkie and Barek into the tent. A warning hand from Barek stopped her as she entered. Her eyes focused in the dim light. Fear began to rise as she looked around the tent.

              A long table stood in the center, covered with a simple cloth. Four chairs were arranged on the side closest to them. Lit candles cast ominous shadows in the gloomy interior. Senyan sat across the table, the raven Corse on his shoulder. Mialee sat to his right, her face unreadable. It was the person to Senyan’s left that caused the fear to rise.

Swallowing hard, Arwenna did her best to steady herself as she looked at the ashen face of Bohrs. The face was impassive, but some small amusement aimed at her was present in his dead eyes.

              A squeeze on her hand made her realize Barek was trying to get her to sit in a chair next to him. Joss took one on the other side of her. Mialee sat across from her, her one-time friend’s green eyes unreadable. Y’Dürkie had taken the position across from Bohrs, giving him a stare that would have made most people recoil in fear. Senyan’s voice cut through the silence, in some small way helping her control her fear.

              “It’s been a while, Barek. Glad to see you’re doing well.”  The tone was conversational.

              “Well enough, all things considered. What’s that doing here?”  He jerked his head towards Bohrs. “It was my understanding you had killed him.”  His voice was pleasant enough, but Arwenna recognized the iron buried within.

              Senyan’s reaction told her he had taken note of it as well. “Yes, but he’s a fairly useful creature as long as you keep him properly controlled.”  He raised a thin hand, drawing her eyes to the collar around Bohr’s neck. Arwenna began to rub her own neck, remembering how it had felt to have that same collar around her. The reassuring touch of Joss’ hand on her shoulder made her jump slightly.

Joss’ gesture wasn’t lost on Senyan. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “Found yourself a new little toy already, Arwenna?  Does he even know what you’re capable of?”  The hatred in his voice was thinly veiled.

              Arwenna leveled an even gaze at Senyan. “What I’m capable of would surprise even you, Senyan. Do you really hate me that much, to bring that thing back around?”  She gestured with her head towards Bohrs. “I know what he can be like, Senyan. I’m not sure even you can control him.”

              Senyan returned her gaze. “Yes, yes I think I do hate you that much Arwenna. If not for you, I wouldn’t be what I am now. Perhaps I should be thanking you instead. After all, I’ve got resources at my disposal now that would make you wish it was only Bohrs hunting you.”  A small chuckle, filled with malice, escaped his throat. “But don’t worry, Arwenna. He may be leashed now, but he still believes you will be his little pet one day.”  A look of amusement crossed Senyan’s face as Arwenna lost the battle to keep her fear hidden.

              What do you want, Senyan?”  Barek’s voice was quiet but filled with determination. “We’re not going away, and I don’t think you are either. There will be a fight tomorrow, or we can fight it out right now.” 

              “Just agreeing on the normal formalities for now is fine. You know, we let each other rest at night instead of going on and on.  Ethical treatment of prisoners, keeping combat to the field and not taking it to the camp followers, that sort of thing. And no direct involvement by any deities.”  Senyan’s voice went back to a conversational tone.

              “Does the little feathered friend on your shoulder agree to that?”  Y’Dürkie’s voice was as cold as Barek’s has been.

              “Corse? He’s not a deity. Not yet, anyway.” Senyan’s voice had a bit of an edge to it.

              Arwenna took a moment to look over at Mialee. She lounged in the chair; intent on Senyan’s every word. She turned her head to look at Arwenna and a flash of something unreadable crossed her face. Giving Arwenna a shrug of dismissal, Mialee returned her attention to Senyan.

              “We’re done, then. Unless we meet on the field tomorrow.”  Barek rose from the chair, helping Arwenna up at the same time. Still feeling Bohrs’ eyes on her, she kept her attention on Barek.

“And, should we meet on the field that will be your last day.”  Barek moved the tent flap aside.              

Arwenna was glad for Joss’ steady arm across her shoulders leading her out. Without a word, Joss helped her mount her horse. The ride back towards the camp was silent.

              Arwenna started to dismount her horse almost before it came to a standstill outside the command pavilion. The fear she’d kept contained in the tent rose in waves, threatening to engulf her as she ran inside, seeking a place she could be alone.              

Throwing herself into a chair, she grabbed a nearby pillow and used it to muffle her screams of panic. A pair of hands slowly worked the pillow out of her tightly clenched fists. The gentle touch on her chin brought her tearstained face up to meet Joss’ concerned eyes. She all but fell out of her chair, collapsing into his embrace, sobbing with terror.              

After a while, the fear began to subside and her tears lessened. She let him pick her up, her body still shaking slightly, and put her onto a cot. “Don’t go, “she whispered softly as her hand reached for his, pulling him closer to her.