Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (22 page)

              All three were dressed in clerical robes, the sunburst of Hauk prominently displayed on the chest. The oldest of the three had a beard almost as gray as his hair. The other two appeared clean-shaven with dark hair, though nowhere near as dark as her own. The taller of the two stared at her with an intensity that made Arwenna’s skin crawl. She would have to be careful around that one, as his interests weren’t always going to be best for her.

              “Greetings, Chosen One,” the older priest greeted her with a bow. “Welcome to our city. How may we be of service?” He looked at her expectantly.

              Arwenna curtsied in response and waved them to take a seat. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. May I ask what your names are?”

              The three men took seats near each other on a long divan. “My apologies. I should’ve introduced us. My name is Father Tinian. This is Damir and Cabal,” he gestured to the dark haired men with him, “fellow members of our local order.”

              She nodded to each in turn, still uneasy with the directness of Cabal’s stare. “I was planning to stop by the temple while I am in town, if it won’t cause much of a stir. I’ve been on the road for quite some time.”  She kept her attention on Father Tinian. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Y’Dürkie keeping an equal focus on Cabal.

              “I’ll do what I can to make sure we keep you from being overwhelmed,” he replied with a smile of his own. “Now, how long do you intend to remain in the area and what assistance can we give?”

              A quick glance at Barek so he had an idea of what she was about to say, Arwenna jumped in. “We’re only here for a day or two. We have business on a small island near here. There is information buried with someone there that is much needed. The island itself is called “Hector’s Island” if I remember correctly. Do you have a map by chance that we could look at so we have a better understanding of our direction?”

              Father Tinian nodded, “Yes, I think we can help you somewhat. I don’t know of any maps of the area, but there’s someone back at the temple that has traveled that way recently. I’ll have her make a sketch for you. I’ll give you warning, though. The island isn’t a pleasant place to go. There are many restless spirits there, few of which take kindly to intruders.”  His face conveyed the seriousness of his words.

              “We do not go there lightly, Father. There is a spirit there we need to converse with. It’s not something I like to do, but necessary to our success.”  Arwenna shivered, glad for the fire.

              The elder priest took note of her shivers. “There is one staying with us that you may wish to speak with. He is not a cleric of Hauk, but rather someone who is lost and looking for either solace or redemption. We haven’t been able to figure out which. He is experienced in conversing with the dead, however. He may well be able to assist you.”

              Arwenna glanced up at Barek, catching his small nod of approval before focusing on the priest again. “I’d love the chance to talk with him, Father, and see if he can help us. Do you think tomorrow morning would work?  I’m still tired from the voyage. We could easily come to the temple tomorrow and check on both the map and this cleric you mentioned.”

              Father Tinian nodded, rising up as he did. “We won’t keep you from your rest then. We’ll return to the temple and wait for you to come tomorrow. I’ll do my best to keep your visit as low key as possible.”  With a fluid bow, he led the other two out of the room.

              Arwenna watched them leave and Barek bolted the door behind them. “Well, that was at least somewhat useful, don’t you think?”  She didn’t ask any one of them in particular.

              “Yes, but I do not like the vay that one vas vatchink you. Barek and I are goink to be vith you at all times tomorrow, Arvenna.”  Y’Dürkie held up a hand to stall Arwenna’s protest before she could give it voice. “Do not bother. I am not givink vay on this. I am villink to let you have some freedom, but
not
around that particular individual.”  Arwenna leaned back into the couch, a hand rubbing at her temple in a weak attempt to lessen the headache she felt building.

              “Fine. I’m not too thrilled about him, either. But that doesn’t mean that you do my talking for me.”  She leveled a direct look at Y’Dürkie.

Barek’s stomach growled loudly, making them all laugh. “I guess that means we should think about eating,” was all Arwenna said. Her own stomach let her know that it felt neglected as well. “I say we go down to the common room. It’s going to be the best place to pick up casual rumors that we may need later on.”  With a nod from Barek and Y’Dürkie, Arwenna rose from the couch, following them downstairs.

              The common room was clean and well lit, with a large assortment of tables and chairs to accommodate up to fifty people at a time. They found a table in a corner near the door leading back to their rooms. There were about fifteen or so other people in the room, some eating while others toyed with the tankards in front of them.

              Food was brought to them fairly quickly, a wide assortment of dishes for them to choose from. Barek and Y’Dürkie dove into the large roast placed in the center of the table, while Arwenna started on some of the steaming vegetables. Half laughing, she made periodic attempts to dive into the roast as well before finally managing to snag a piece. The mood around their table was light as they ate. Finally, they settled back in their chairs with goblets and tankards in hand to let the food digest.

              “I see you can still put down the better part of the meat on the table, Barek.”  The voice nearby made them all jump in their chairs. Barek was up, sword in hand, before Arwenna could react. Y’Dürkie wasn’t far behind, one hand on the back of her chair.

              A shape formed out of the shadowy corner nearest to them. It took a moment for her to recognize the face. “Gabby? Is that you?”  Arwenna asked in stunned disbelief.

              Barek and Y’Dürkie relaxed and, after sheathing swords, greeted their old friend. After the initial confusion, Gabby finally took a seat at the table.

              “Where’d you run off to?  It’s been too long!”  Arwenna sipped her wine, amazed that their former companion would be found out here at the edge of civilization.

              “I went to find Bah’Laush. He left so suddenly that one night, I wanted to make sure he was okay. It’s taken me a while, but I finally tracked him here. He’s holed up in some temple trying to atone for killing someone. You remember how he was….thought we should just knock everything unconscious and leave them tied up. I’m still not sure if he’s all right, but at least I know where he is now.”  She took a long drink of ale from a tankard.

              “Wait…he’s holed up in a temple? Here?” Arwenna’s eyes went wide, then her face split in a grin. “I think I know which one, and we’re heading there tomorrow. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure he comes out with us.”

              “What have the bunch of you been up to, anyhow? And where’s Senyan and Mialee?”  Gabby leaned back, silently taking in the long tale as Barek and Y’Dürkie filled her in on most of what had happened. Leaving out some of the more unbelievable details seemed best for now.

              The common room had filled almost to capacity by the time they were done, the hour long past dark. A female bard began to tune up a lute on the stage near the fireplace. Pleading tiredness, Arwenna made her excuses and headed upstairs, leaving the others to talk and reminisce.

              Taking the time to rummage through her healer’s herbs, she found the ones she wanted and started putting them together for a tea. Once the tea was ready, she poured herself a cup and curled up on the couch. The fire had an almost hypnotic effect, making her mind wander.
I wish you had lived long enough to at least have known
of the child, Joss. I think it would’ve made you happy.

              Of course it would have, Arwenna
. His voice echoed in her mind, the faintest hint of laughter touched it.

              Arwenna jerked her head away from the fire; her eyes searched the room for the source of the voice. “Joss? Is it really you?” Her voice was a whisper. But there was no answer to be heard. Silently, she drank the last of her tea and made her way to bed.

              When she came out from her room the next morning, Gabby was trying to start the fire. “Went out while I was sleeping last night, thought I’d try and get it going again,” was all the explanation she gave.

              Arwenna got a cup ready for tea and hung the kettle on the hook near the fireplace. “It’s not that chilly this morning, though. I don’t think anyone else would’ve noticed it went out.”  She noticed the blanket and pillow lying about the divan. “Did you sleep out here?”

              “Yeah, I did. Figured that, if I was going to be helping you all again, I might as well stick close by. No sense in spending the time trying to find me.”  The grin on Gabby’s face was contagious.

              “Hehe, this is true. You can be notoriously difficult to find when you want to be, Gabby.”  Arwenna grinned back, moving the kettle back away from the fire and made her tea.

              Gabby busied herself with folding up the blanket she had used during the night while Arwenna settled herself into one of the chairs with her tea. “I’m sorry to hear about Joss, Arwenna. Y’Dürkie says you were quite close to him.” 

              Arwenna sipped her tea, taking the time to compose a response. “I was very close to him. Probably closer than I was with anyone else. If there’s a good side to it, though, I’m very determined to stop Senyan now. That was one of the biggest mistakes he could ever have made.”  She took another sip of the tea, the herbs doing a wonderful job of keeping her stomach calm.

              Gabby looked at her a little askance. “I don’t remember your being a big tea drinker, Arwenna. When did you start that up?”

              “Not that long ago. I’ve found that the right kind of tea can do wonders for keeping me focused. It’s also far less likely to get me in trouble compared to wine.”  She said the last with a sly grin on her face. Gabby grinned back, and the two of them started to laugh.

              The chatter kept up as they waited for the rest of the group to wake up. A serving girl appeared around mid-morning with a tray laden with food. The aroma of breakfast brought the rest of them out in short order.

              “I take it we’re heading to the temple today?”  Arwenna managed to say between mouthfuls.

              Barek nodded, “That seems the best thing to do. I want a look at that map so I know where we’re going. Do you really think it’s Bah’Laush they’ve got holed up in there?”

              “I do. And I think I know exactly how to bring him out of seclusion.”

              In due time, the group gathered down in the common room of the inn. The temple of Hauk was a few blocks away and easier traveled to by foot. The cool air felt good to them, and the cloudless sky promised a warm day ahead.

              The temple was a large white structure, with more windows than could be counted. Impressive stone arches and steeples stretched up towards the sky as if to touch the very surface of the sun. A wide set of stone stairs beckoned worshippers toward the set of massive hammered copper doors. Two liveried guards stood on each side of the doors and opened them as they approached.

              Inside the temple itself, a large copper and brass sunburst dominated the wall on the far side, above the altar. Beautiful stained glass windows lined the sides of the temple proper, depicting Hauk bestowing miracles. Some of them showed other individuals performing works of great magic.

              “Those are some of the Chosen Daughters and Sons of Hauk,” the quiet voice of someone behind her made Arwenna jump. She turned to meet the intense stare of Cabal. “It remains to be seen if
you
will join them.”

              Before Arwenna could reply, Father Tinian approached. “You must forgive Cabal, Chosen One. He is still learning the finer points of respect.”  The direct look he gave Cabal told Arwenna that she was not the first one Cabal felt had risen above his station. “Come; let me give you a tour of our temple.”  He gestured down the hallway from where he had come and waited for her to move that way.

              “I fear we really don’t have much time, Father. Is it possible to have a brief tour on our way to see the cleric you spoke of yesterday?  Barek here,” she motioned to her friend, “would love to take a look at the map you mentioned.”

              “Of course, of course. I completely understand. Cabal, why don’t you show those who would like to accompany you to Sister Brierley. I’ll take the Chosen One to our visitor.”  The look on Cabal’s face showed his displeasure at being dismissed. Bowing stiffly, he led Barek and Gabby down a different hallway.

              “I really must apologize for Cabal’s behavior, Chosen One. He comes from a noble household in this land and feels strongly that he is above most people. His family is currently in power, but he will not share in that.” Father Tinian drew a deep breath. “Enough of that. Shall we?” He once again gestured down the hallway, waiting for Arwenna and Y’Dürkie to pass.

              Father Tinian kept up a steady stream of chatter about the building and their particular order as he led them around the temple. Arwenna nodded on occasion, as she could tell the priest was hoping for some kind of reaction. A small courtyard opened up before them, with a well-manicured garden in the center.