Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (26 page)

              “Sounds good to me. Let’s get moving. I’d rather not spend the entire night in a cave with a dragon skeleton if I can help it.”  Arwenna tried to make her voice sound casual, but a knowing look from Lexi told her she wasn’t as good at it as she thought. The hour was getting late. She would have to make up her mind soon about Senyan’s offer.

              It took them about three hours of descending in relative darkness before some small glimmer of light appeared ahead. The smell of sea air rejuvenated sore muscles and the pace quickened. The tunnel opened up to a small cavern. A small beam of light shone through a hole in the rock barely large enough for one of Arwenna’s arms to fit through. Evidence of a cave-in was everywhere.

              “Well, there was an exit at one time.”  Arwenna examined the huge pile of rubble in front of them. “Barek, will you and Y’Dürkie be able to move any of this?”

              Barek went up and began to examine the pile of rubble, pulling at a rock here and there. Glancing up at the ceiling of the cavern, he motioned for Y’Dürkie to climb up on one side as he scaled the other. “This is doable I think. There doesn’t seem to be any damage to the structure of the cavern itself. It’s going to take a while, though. I doubt we’ll get clear through before nightfall. We can clear a good portion of it, spend the night, and finish in the morning.”  He climbed back down the rock pile and started heaving boulders off to one side. Y’Dürkie climbed down as well to lend a hand.

              The pace was slow, almost agonizingly so. Arwenna watched the fading light anxiously. The space was growing larger but she hadn’t been able to forget what would happen when she finally slept. It wasn’t until Lexi made her stop rubbing at the palm of her hand that she even realized she was doing it.

              “Worried about going to sleep tonight?”  Lexi sat next to Arwenna on another large boulder, keeping her voice low.

              “Wouldn’t you be?  Corse has finally found a way to defeat me. He’s trying to force me to make a choice that I can’t win no matter how I choose.”  Arwenna picked up a small pebble and threw it towards the far wall of the cavern. “I suppose I could head back up to the dragon bones and keep walking. If I’m not alive, I won’t have to choose.”  The depression and anxiety in her voice were heavy.

              Lexi quickly moved in front of her, as if afraid she would jump up and start running. “I won’t have talk like that, Arwenna!  Not after all the trouble I went through trying to find you the last time you were dead. Hauk won’t let you, either. You’re as much his instrument as your own person. I think you’d find a sudden cushion of air keeping you from falling. Don’t be thinking of killing yourself, period!  I’ve got an idea in my head that should work.”  She held up a hand, stopping Arwenna from asking for details. “Just trust me, please. If all goes well, you won’t have to make any decisions.”

              “You’re asking a lot of me, Lexi. I’m scared out of my mind and all you can give me is to trust you?” Arwenna’s voice cracked as the strain threatened to overtake her.

              “If I tell you more, Senyan or Corse might get wind of it. This needs to take them completely off guard if it’s going to work. Do whatever you can to stay awake tonight, stall as long as you can once he pulls you in. I’m going to go talk with someone about a favor.”  Before Arwenna could protest, Lexi vanished.

              Arwenna closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. She could hear Bah’Laush’s startled exclamation at Lexi’s disappearance, followed by something muttered from Y’Dürkie. Finally clinging to some shred of control, she opened her eyes. Barek and Y’Dürkie were still hard at work on the rubble-filled exit. Gabby pulled a few odd candles and makeshift torches out of one of the packs, lighting them one by one until the room became illuminated. The light that had been streaming into the cavern when they entered had faded to twilight. Full night was not far away.               Taking a resolute breath, Arwenna moved away from the rock and began to help Gabby put together some sort of evening meal.

              She huddled up in her cloak, doing as much as she could to stay awake. The others had been asleep for over an hour. Bah’Laush set a ward about the place that would alert them to any intruders in the night.
There will be an intruder
,
Bah’Laush, but you won’t know he’s here
was Arwenna’s thought.               She adjusted her seat on the rock, making sure her body was as uncomfortable as she could stand. The tangy smell of the sea reminded her how close to the ocean they are.

              “It’s time, Arwenna.”  The sound of Senyan’s voice made Arwenna’s head whip around quickly.

              He stood in the cavern. Irini was just behind him on his right. Arwenna could see her face marred with black lines just under the skin. Joss was lying on the stone altar to Senyan’s left; a dagger hovered a few feet above him.

              “Why, if it isn’t Corse’s little errand boy. Still doing fetch and carry duties, Senyan?” Arwenna tried hard to keep her voice calm. Perhaps, if she could antagonize him enough, that would give Lexi the time she needed.

              Irritation flashed across Senyan’s face for a moment at her comment. “You’re stalling, Arwenna. It’s time for you to make your choice.”

              “And what choice would that be?  One where I obliterate you now or a year from now, perhaps?”  Arwenna desperately tried to quell the fear rising in her stomach. She would be forced to make a choice, and soon, if Lexi did not interrupt them somehow.

              “Don’t play the ignorant fool with me, Arwenna!”  His voice snapped. “You know damn good and well what choice. Spend a lifetime with your lover, or have him chase you down as a cleric of Corse.”

              “I sent his soul to Hauk when he died. I did the rite myself. He cannot be touched unless you get Hauk to agree to it, and I’m certain he won’t be willing to negotiate with the likes of you.”
 
Arwenna put the last shreds of her faith into the words, willing them with all her heart to be true.

              “You’re no match for me anymore. You are willing to bet his soul on those meager little spells you perform? You know as well as I do how a curse works. It’s still there, lying under his skin, waiting to be awakened.” A small smile crossed his lips. “I think I’ll enjoy watching him bring you back to me on a leash, Arwenna.” He slowly raised his hand towards Joss. Arwenna’s eyes bulged in terror as the dagger lowered towards his chest, black ooze all but dripping from the point.

              “Really, Senyan. Did it ever occur to you that Arwenna’s not nearly as alone as you think she is?”  Lexi’s voice cut across the cavern. Arwenna held her breath as the dagger stopped just above Joss’ chest.

              “Well, well. I was wondering if you were going to show up. You’re nothing but some fleeting thought in the dandelion fluff mind of the fey, Lexi. Go back to counting flower petals for them. You have no powers here.”  Senyan waved a dismissive hand towards Lexi and dropped the hand guiding the dagger, watching Arwenna’s face as he did so.

              The echo of the dagger clattering to the stone slab rang loudly in the suddenly silent chamber. Arwenna watched in wonder as Joss’ body disappeared from the slab right underneath the dagger. The look on Senyan’s face confirmed the hope rising in her chest that the form she sensed behind her was Joss.

              “You aren’t the only one who has grown in power, Senyan. The difference is I have allies that will make even Corse cower in fear. Run back to your master now and tell him how miserably you failed. Joss is off limits. He is under not just Hauk’s
protection, but mine as well. He will be returning to Arwenna’s side all right, but as encouragement to send Corse back to the hell he crawled out of. Not as a way to keep her on a leash.”  Lexi walked towards Senyan as she spoke, the full beauty that was her Goddess form filled the cavern with a bright blue light. “You’re dismissed, Senyan.”  With a wave of her hand, the glow intensified to the point that Arwenna had to shield her eyes. A pair of arms engulfed her, protecting her from the brightness.

              Senyan’s flat laughter echoed dully. “Good try, Lexi. You caught me off guard with that once before. I’ve learned quite a bit since then. You’re not as immortal as you think.”  He disappeared, the sound of his dead laugh lingered.

              Arwenna clung to Joss’ chest, unwilling to let go. Even if it was just a dream, she thought, I want to stay here.

              “It’s okay, Arwenna. You can let go of him now if you want to.” Lexi’s voice was gentle.

              “If it’s all the same to you, Cousin, I’d just as soon stay here for a while. It’s not often nightmares turn this wonderful.”  Arwenna’s voice was muffled slightly by Joss’ chest.

              “He’s going to be here when you wake up, Arwenna. Whole and alive and without a drop of the curse that killed him. Hauk and I had a long talk. Joss was given the choice to come back, and he took the conditions placed on him willingly.”  Lexi’s voice was soft, almost coaxing.

              “Conditions?” Arwenna raised her head to look at Joss’ face. “What sort of conditions, Joss?”  A feeling of dread came over her. “I won’t let you come back if I have to lose you again before this is over.”

              Joss gently pushed a stray hair away from her face and kissed her forehead. “Nothing that severe, I promise you. I will be allowed to live out a normal lifespan. I just had to change allegiances is all.”  He pushed the sleeve of his tunic up slightly. There, on his arm, was a glowing blue bow.

              Arwenna looked at the mark, then quickly at Lexi. “He’s yours now? That was it?” Her voice cracked slightly as she realized the implications of the mark.

              “Yes, he’s the only elven cleric of Lexi. The fey will be having a field day with the bunch of you. Expect lots of interesting visitors once you’re settled after this business is over and done with.”  The smile on her face began to fade, giving the worry in Arwenna’s stomach time to start building again. “I’ve got to go for a while, though. Senyan and Corse aren’t going to take this lightly. I’ve got to get my followers moving before they strike against them. Don’t worry about the group; I’ll make sure to explain it all to them while they’re sleeping. They’ll know Joss is back and healthy in a way that even Barek won’t be able to question.” Arwenna reached out to squeeze her cousin’s hand in mute thanks, the hand fading away within her own
.

              Arwenna woke with a start, the cool breeze reminding her it was still night. The first thing she saw was the cavern entrance, cleared of rubble. A form stood in the entry. The cloud in front of the moon shifted, bathing the figure in moonlight. With a barely audible cry, she darted up and ran into Joss’ arms. She held him tight, reveling in the sound of his heart beating in her ears. The soft kiss on her head made her look up. Without a word, she met his lips with a kiss of her own.

Chapter Thirty-One

            
 
H
ushed voices roused Arwenna in the morning. She opened her eyes, watching Joss and Y’Dürkie talk not far from her. She and Joss had returned to the cavern to sleep a few hours ago. The feeling of his arms wrapped around her gave her a sense of safety and hope that she had not had for a long time.

              Joss smiled at her in greeting. Sitting up to stretch, she looked around. “Where’d Barek and the other two go?”  The question wasn’t asked to any one in particular.

              “They should be back soon. Barek vent to get the horses and the rest of the gear ve left behind. Bah’Laush and Gabby vent to help him. Joss and I vere startink to vonder if you vere goink to sleep all mornink.” Y’Dürkie’s eyes sparkled with amusement for some reason. “Then again, from the story I got from both Lexi and Joss, you had a busy night.”

              Arwenna flushed slightly, but quickly regained her composure. “It was not normal, that’s for certain. Dare I ask what Lexi told you?”  She gratefully accepted Joss’ offered hand and rose, melting into his chest.

              “It vas odd. She pulled us all into a dream, I think. Barek, Gabby, and Bah’Laush vere there vith me. She told us she had to leave to protect her followers, and the threat Senyan had made to you. She let us know that Joss vould be here vhen ve voke up and that he vas fine now, all traces of the curse gone from him. At that point, she looked very hard at Barek and said, ‘He’s one of the good guys, Barek, and very much in love with Arvenna. Deal vith it.’ After that, she put us back to sleep.”  Y’Dürkie paused, absently cleaning her fingernails with the tip of a dagger, “Vhen ve voke up, Joss vas sound asleep next to you and the cave vas open. Barek took one look at him and decided he vas goink to go get the horses.”

              “Dare I ask what you told her?”  Arwenna muttered to Joss, keeping her voice from carrying to Y’Dürkie.

              “Not much else, really. Just about the mark and the choice I had to make. I certainly wasn’t going to discuss anything you and I talked about last night.”  The impish tone to his voice made her blush a little more.

              “Good. I hadn’t said anything to them about the baby yet.”

              Joss pulled back slightly and looked down at her, surprise in his eyes. “Baby?”

              Arwenna blinked, “I thought you knew, you said so back at the inn…” her voice trailed off. Quietly, she related hearing his voice at the inn back in Oranji.

              He pulled her close again, whispering quietly, “That wasn’t me, Arwenna. I don’t know who or what it was, but it wasn’t me. I am happy about it, though.”  She felt his lips kiss the top of her head. “We’ll have to find some time soon to talk about it more.”

              Closing her eyes, she tried to calm herself. If it wasn’t Joss she heard in the inn, she didn’t like the other possibilities. Senyan had made it clear he knew, which meant Corse must know as well.
We
have to put an end to this, and soon. I don’t want to have to raise my child to constantly look over his or her shoulder.

              The sound of horses approaching reminded Arwenna that they were not alone and she reluctantly moved away from Joss to start packing up a few things scattered about the cavern. Between the three of them, everything was packed up before Barek and the others appeared at the entrance.

              Gabby’s voice called out a greeting as the horses approached. “It’s just us. Anyone awake in there?”

              Arwenna took Joss’ hand as they followed Y’Dürkie out into the early morning sun. The shadow of the mountain behind them loomed large, shading the area. Gabby, Bah’Laush, and Barek were off to the left of the entrance, each leading a horse for the three they had left in the cave.

              Quick introductions were made as Arwenna and the others mounted up onto the other horses after securing their packs. Arwenna glanced at Barek, his face unreadable. Without a word, he led his horse back towards the road.

              Less than a day from the main road, Bah’Laush rode up next to Arwenna. There was a peacefulness about him that she hadn’t seen in a very long time. “I won’t be returning with you, Arwenna.”  His voice was quiet, but even. “There is something I still need to do here. Gabby has agreed to help me with it. Go back, do what you must. If luck is with us all, we’ll meet up after all is done.”

              Arwenna nodded, not certain how to respond. “I can respect that, Bah’Laush. I don’t think I ever really expected you to come back with us. You did that which I needed you most for, and I am grateful.”  She reached out and gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze.

              Reaching into the pouch on his belt, Bah’Laush pulled out the Gem. “It’s ready to spend some time with you now.”  He reached over and placed the green gem in her hand. “Listen when it talks, Arwenna. There’s knowledge and wisdom to be learned, and other things.”  He paused, the struggle to find the right words plain on his face. “I can’t explain it. Just…listen. When it starts talking, you’ll understand.”  With a nod, he turned his horse and headed back to where he had been riding alongside Gabby.

              Arwenna blinked, taken aback by what Bah’Laush said. The Gem sat in her hand, a warmth slowly penetrated through her riding gloves.
Not now, but soon
. Jumping at the voice slightly, she turned to catch the speaker. Joss was next to her, a look of concern on his face. The voice whispered again. Her eyes were drawn to the stone. A small flicker of light danced inside, almost like a wave on the ocean. Swallowing slightly, Arwenna carefully placed the relic inside a small pouch.

              “Everything okay?”  Joss’ voice was quiet.

              She nodded, not really trusting her voice. The overwhelming sense of intelligence she felt in the stone was still with her.

              Suddenly, Barek’s horse wheeled around and his massive shield deflected the arrow aimed towards them. Joss grabbed at her horse’s reins to keep it from bolting. Men on horseback emerged from the forest, surrounding them within seconds.               Barek moved to the other side of Arwenna, looking back to check on Y’Dürkie and the other two.

              The group of archers immediately in front of Arwenna stepped aside to admit another man on horseback. It took her a moment to recognize the man from the makeshift inn back in the village.               From the corner of her eye, she saw Barek slowly loosen his huge sword in its sheath.

              “It is good I find you here. Transactions often get messy and prolonged when the law is involved.”  The man shifted slightly in his saddle. “I have come to demand the return of my property. Do so immediately or my archers shall make sure you do.”

              “And just what property is it you think we stole from you?” Barek’s deep voice rumbled with a dangerous undertone.

              Shoadin pursed his lips in a tight grin and raised his hand, pointing a finger directly at Arwenna. “I lay claim to her. Return her now. I have fifty men surrounding you. The odds are not in your favor, especially when over half your party does not know how to fight.”

              Joss’ hands were a blur as he sent an arrow just past Shoadin’s ear and into the tree directly behind him. The
thunk
it made as it buried itself deep into the wood echoed loudly in the silence. “This woman is my betrothed. My heir sleeps beneath her heart. You will stand down and allow us to pass or I will make you move.”  The cold, controlled sound of his voice left no doubt that he would make serious on his threat.

              Arwenna slowly got a solid grip on her reins, ignoring the startled sounds from her friends at Joss’ announcement. She started gathering her magic inside, readying it for the battle she knew was coming.

              A cold laugh escaped Shoadin’s thin lips. “You have no authority in these lands. My reputation will make any who would question my right to her fall silent. Besides, what can you do?  You can’t even hit your target.”  He laughed again, his men joining in.

              Arwenna heard Joss speak a word under his breath and felt the spell he placed in the arrow as it was released. The mocking laughter of the troops around them faded as the rustling of leaves and vines overrode it. Horses whinnied in terror as the vines and branches near them ensnared their legs, slowly winding up, grabbing hold of the men riding on them.

              With another whispered command from Joss, the vines moved some of the riders aside, giving them a path out. Staring at Shoadin’s terrified face, Joss spoke. “I warned you. You did not listen. The plants will not harm you unless you mean to follow and do us harm. They will know your heart. I suggest heading back to your village over death, but that’s your own choice.” He reached out for Arwenna’s reins and walked her out of the ring. She heard the others following on their heels.

              Once out of earshot of their attackers, Joss dropped his hold on her reins. “I suggest we move pretty fast. I have no idea how long they’ll stay put, but I think having some distance between us is a good thing.”

              Everyone nodded in agreement, urging their horses to a gallop. They reached the main road after thirty minutes, pausing to let the horses catch their breath.

              Barek was the first one to speak up. “How’d you do that, Elf?  And what was all that about the plants killing them if they meant us harm?”

              Arwenna watched Joss take a long drink from a water flask before answering. “Something Lexi brought out in me I guess. I didn’t even know I could do that until the situation was in front of me. The lie about the plants killing them was something I added. I thought it might make them think long and hard before coming after us again.”  He passed the flask over to her.

              “Well, it worked so far. We’ve still got a good hour or so of daylight left, but there’s no way we’ll make it to the city before the gates close for the night. We should try to keep moving and get the extra distance just in case.”  Barek glanced over his shoulder back towards the direction they had just come from. Satisfied, he moved his horse into a trot and led them towards the city.

              Arwenna kept riding alongside Joss, hoping to talk to him. Y’Dürkie quickly got in step on her other side, however, making private conversation very doubtful.

              “And vhen vas it you vere goink to tell me, Sis?  Or vas that little part a bluff as vell, Joss?”  The slight hurt in her voice was mixed in with more than a little excitement.

              Arwenna glanced over at Joss, her eyes meeting his. With a sigh, she turned back towards Y’Dürkie. “It wasn’t part of the bluff, Y’Dürkie. I just thought we were going to keep it quiet for a while. I’ve got more to do, regardless of anything else.”

              Y’Dürkie considered her words before nodding in agreement. “I guess I can see your point, though I still vish you vould have said somethink. Explains vhy you vere seasick for so long.”  She gave Arwenna a sidelong look. “This is a good think, yes?”

              “Yes. A very good thing in our minds. The timing may have been off but we are both happy with the idea.”  Arwenna reached out to squeeze Joss’ hand as she replied.

              “That is good. Vhen this is over, ve vill go back home to the lands of Veasel and have a proper veddink.”  Y’Dürkie turned her horse around and headed back towards the rear to check for pursuit.

* * * * *

              Bah’Laush and Gabby left the next morning as soon as camp was broken. Quick goodbyes were given, as Arwenna could tell they were anxious to get on the road. “Remember to listen to the Gem, Arwenna. You’ll be happier if you don’t argue much.”  Bah’Laush reminded her again as he mounted his horse. With a wave, they disappeared towards the north.

              Arwenna and the rest reached the city walls of Oranji around noon. “Barek, do you remember where Captain Wolfgang told us we could find him?  The three weeks he gave us is about up and I’d prefer to sail back with him if possible.”

              “Think he said we could leave a message for him at an inn called The Red Lotus. Want to just find a room or two there?”  Barek responded.

              “Might make thinks easier if ve vere already there. It vas near the docks, right?”  Y’Dürkie piped up.

              Nodding in agreement, Arwenna said “That’s what I remember as well. Let’s get going. I’d rather not stay here much longer than we have to.”  Her mind went to what they had left behind, and shuddered away from the thought of what Senyan might be doing to D’Mitta and the rest of the barbarians if he found them.

              In a relatively short amount of time, they came across the inn. A weather-beaten sign above the door proclaimed the inn’s name. “I’ll go in and look for our captain. Joss, see if they’ve got rooms for us in case he can’t get us on board right away. Y’Dürkie, keep an eye on Arwenna.”  Barek started giving orders before he was fully dismounted.               Arwenna stuck her tongue out at him at the last, making him chuckle.

              “Do you ever think Barek’s going to believe I can survive without an armed guard?”  Arwenna watched as Barek and Joss disappeared into the inn.

              Y’Dürkie smiled, “Probably not. At least not until this whole business is over vith. Right now you are the best hope ve have to vin this. Add to that the amount of times you have gone disappearink on us over the last year and I can see vhy he is as protective as he is. Though I think Joss is capable of guardink you, he has not proven himself to Barek yet.”