Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (5 page)

              The sentries were next to them now, looks of caution on their faces. One gave her a once over, then said something in Orcish to Barek. He responded, and the sentry grunted dismissively. As the sentries began to lead their horses, he whispered, “I had to tell that one that you’re my slave. He was thinking you needed to be chained up near his bed.” Mialee’s eyes widened at the implication. “If nothing else, it’ll guarantee your safety. Unowned women aren’t safe in an orcish camp.”

              A short time later, they entered the bustling enclave. The camp was relatively new and buildings were still being constructed. The ring of a blacksmith at work mixed with the sounds of construction. They were led to the front of a long house and motioned to dismount.

              Mialee sized up the situation and made sure to walk behind Barek to keep the illusion going. Most of the orcs were ignoring her, but a few stopped to stare. The animal hide that was being used as a door was pushed aside and they were motioned in.

              The long house was well lit with about a dozen or so torches. A central fire pit surrounded by benches dominated the room. Seated in a larger chair on the opposite end of the pit was a large orc. He stood as they entered and bellowed something at Barek. Barek bellowed back. Satisfied, the orc leader sat back down and motioned for him to come closer. He looked back at Mialee, silently willing her to stay there.

              Barek rose, his discussion with the leader concluded. As he headed back to Mialee, she straightened and followed him out of the long house. An orc led them to a small tent while most of the other orcs headed towards the long house.

Once inside and alone, Barek started to tell Mialee of his conversation with the leader. “They’ll join up. His original plan was to take out that town we just stayed in, but he likes raiding Tanisal better. They’re going to work on siege engines and catapults while we head up north and find more fighters. He gave me directions to some other enclaves on the way. He wants us to stay the night, though. You need to stay in here at all times. He wasn’t happy that I was letting you wander about unchained, and that was the only thing I could get him to agree to that didn’t involve putting one on you. We’ll be able to leave at first light.”

              Mialee sighed. “Barek, how am I supposed to get information for us if I can’t leave here?”

              “Would you rather I lead you around by a slave collar and chain? Or let one of these things decide to do that for me? Once an orc collar is put on, it’s almost impossible to break. They’re welded shut by the blacksmith! I’m trying to keep your neck out of a collar and your body out of one of their beds!” He stared her down. “This is the best way to keep you safe right now. By the time we encounter the next town, we’ll have a better idea of how to deal with orcs and you. We can pick up any accessories we might need then.”

              “I can take care of myself, Barek! Or do you forget who opened that jail cell and let you back out?”

              “There are over fifty orcs out there. Do you really think you can keep each and every one of them off of you when they’re coming at you all at once? Each one of them is at least as strong as I am. I’m very aware of what they would do to you, Mialee. You wouldn’t like it at all.”

              Mialee looked at Barek and gave up the argument. “Fine,” she said, sitting on the cot. “I’ll stay here. But you owe me for this.”

              “I know, Mialee. And you won’t let me forget it either. Try and rest. I hope I won’t be long.” He tightened his jaw resolutely before he left.

Several hours later, Barek returned to the tent.               Mialee opened her eyes, but did not get up. “Having fun yet?” she asked sarcastically.

              Barek sat down beside her. The cot creaked under his weight. “No, not really. This just reminds me how much I don’t miss being around other orcs.” He sighed. “Except for the bridge, I’ve never really had much of a home. Being with you and the others was the first time I’d ever felt part of something. I just hope we can get them all back.” He looked off, not really seeing the tent walls.

              Mialee reached up and put a hand on his arm in reassurance. “We will, Barek. One way or another, we will.”

              They left at first light, both of them ready to put the orc enclave behind them. They rode in silence, lost in their own thoughts.

Chapter Five

            
 
B
ohrs strode through the corridors of the keep, a satisfied smirk on his face. The staff scurried to get out of his way. His father would be pleased with what he had learned. This would go far better than the first time he was called to his father about that elven wench. He remembered that conversation well.

              “You called for me, Father?” Bohrs entered his father’s study cautiously. He had learned much while away, including that it was better to approach his father with caution and respect rather than fear.

              Curtis raised his head and motioned his only son into the room. He had learned how to control his anger, he thought, but he still had much to learn about what he could and could not do. “Sit. I would not have expected the need for this discussion so soon after your return.” His eyes were heavy with disappointment.

              “And what discussion would that be, Sir?” Bohrs looked up at him defiantly. There was no hint of remorse or regret in his eyes.

              “About how a guest in this house is treated!” He slammed a hand down on the desk. “That child is here for a reason, Bohrs. And I will not have you treating her like a servant.”

              “That elven whelp?” Bohrs snorted. “That’s all she’s good for! I don’t even know why you and mother are treating her like you do. She needs to understand her place in this world. Or does that place now stand above your own son?” The look of hatred on his face was clear. There was jealousy there as well.

              “We took her in because she had nowhere else to go, among other things. She’s a good child, who actually listens to what is requested of her. And you will start treating her like a sibling! The Order has something in mind that only she can do, and we need to give her the illusion of being cared for or she won’t accept the task we need her to take on.” Curtis stared at his son, hoping he was finally old enough to begin his own tasks.

              Bohrs considered his father’s words for a few moments, a realization began to dawn on him. “She’s the one, then?  The sacrifice that he needs?” He rose out of the chair and paced a little. “What do I have to do to make the little brat happy?” The emphasis he put on the word conveyed a myriad of emotions.

              Curtis watched his son pace the room, finally understanding the last pieces of the puzzle. “Treat her as a sister, Bohrs. Make her think you will love her and protect her until she is dead. Do this for me, for him, and she can be yours once we are done.”

              The pacing stopped as Bohrs reeled around to face his father, the longing no longer hidden from his face. “Mine? You promise me this? Once Lord Corse has no more need of her, she will be given to me to do with as I please?” He spoke slowly so that there could be no mistake.

              His father nodded his head. “You will need patience, Bohrs. She is years away from what we need her for. But, yes, we will bring her back so you may play with her until you cast her away like all those others.” He gave a knowing look in response to the shock on Bohrs’ face. “I know about the others, Bohrs. I know all about those merchant daughters you’ve been amusing yourself with over the last few years. I’ve even had to pay reparations towards some of the more insistent fathers. I know your appetite, Bohrs. You need to restrain it when it comes to Arwenna…at least for now. The time will come.” He rose and began to lead Bohrs from the room. “Now, go make your apologies in front of your mother or she’ll be after you until you do. And don’t let her see you mistreat Arwenna again.”

              “My Lord?” The sentry guarding the door looked at him expectantly. Bohrs came back and saw the door to his father’s rooms being held open for him. “Lord Curtis is waiting….” the guard’s voice trailed off as Bohrs finally walked into the room.

              Curtis did not look up from his desk. He continued his writing as the doors closed and Bohrs made his way to a chair in front of the desk. There was a self-satisfied air about his son that he’d never cared for. It had been useful, though.

              Bohrs lounged back in one of the ornate chairs in front of his father’s desk, carelessly draping one arm across the back. He waited, the news he had too wonderful to rush through.

              After a few minutes, Curtis finally looked up at his son. “Well? It is done then?” he asked expectantly.

              “In a way you wouldn’t even imagine.” He laughed a bit. “Would you believe the little minx went and fell in love with Senyan? To the point that she even slept with him?” He tilted his head back and roared with laughter at the look of shock on his father’s face. “Lord Corse has had his sacrifice for months, and she’s beyond beaten now. You should’ve seen her face, Father, when I told her how she’s been used all these years just to get Senyan in the place he’s at now. She was crushed to find out she was the instrument of betrayal. It was almost better than raping her.” The last bit came out as almost an afterthought.

              Curtis took the information in and considered the options open to them now. “That would break her, now wouldn’t it? Considering how we raised her to believe she could save people. Good, good.” He rose from the desk, Bohrs jumped up quickly to match his movement. “I’ll have to pass this information on to Lord Corse and see how he wants us to proceed. You’ve done well, my son.” He came around the desk and clasped Bohrs’ hand. “Go see Father Morgyn and tell him where you want him to bring the corpse. He’s preserved her body well. Let him know where you want the ritual done and he’ll see to it. It’s time for you to collect your reward for such devoted service.” 

              Bohrs bowed to his father, excitement danced in his eyes. “One more trip to visit her first, I think. I’d rather like to be able to tell her about the life she’ll be coming back to.” The look of hunger in his eyes bordered on something frightening.

Curtis waved his hand in dismissal as Bohrs all but ran from the room. He made a stop in his bedroom after speaking with Father Morgyn. He dug into the back of his wardrobe for a small silk pouch. He opened it up to find the leather collar he’d commissioned months ago. There was a spell on the clasp. Once he put it on her, he was the only one who would ever be able to take it off. He smiled once again before placing it beside his bed. It would be put on her as soon as she drew breath again.

              He took a moment to orientate himself to the area after he stepped through the portal. Scanning the area, he could see the back of the marker for Hauk. The ropes were still there, but he could not see her head.
That’s fine
, he thought.
She should learn early that she’s not my equal.
He walked carefully over the broken ground towards the marker.

              “Ready to come back to serve me, Sister dear?” He stopped in front of the marker and stared. It stood empty except for the nails and ropes used to secure Arwenna. He began a frantic search of the area, looking for any indication of what may have happened to her. After several minutes he stooped down and examined a stone directly in front of the marker. There, neatly carved into the rock, the sunburst of Hauk stared back at him. Howling in rage, he picked up the piece of stone and hurled it at the marker before storming back through the portal. His only thought now was to let the others know.

Chapter Six

            
 
S
enyan took in the view of the courtyard and the bodies of his former companions. Sending Barek and Mialee away was no accident. An inner calm descended over him as the sword slashed through his spine. The last sound he heard was that of his raven, Corse, calling out a lament of his death.

He opened his eyes, hoping that his mind was finally his own. The plain before him lay barren, littered with broken pieces of stone and cracked ground. The perpetual twilight took a moment to get used to. He could sense something nearby, something familiar.

              “More illusions, Corse? I do not doubt what you are capable of. Why continue to test me like this?” Senyan spoke in the silence of his mind.

              He heard a reply, one that came more from behind his ear than within his head. “I’m not worried about your trusting me, Senyan. Just checking the measure of control.” The familiar voice was but a whisper, but heavy with command.

Senyan’s eyes widened as he realized the voice no longer echoed in his head, but from without.               “Where are you?” He whispered to no one he could see.

              “We will meet soon enough, Senyan. You are here to watch and learn. Once you have learned what you need, I will have you brought back so that your reign may begin,” came the hushed reply.

              Senyan blinked, startled at the implication. Something had changed then. Before, he had felt like nothing more than some pawn in a giant game of chess. Forces beyond his comprehension moved him for their own gain. Power was always a carrot dangled before him.
Perhaps now
, he thought,
that has shifted
.
I must be
careful
.

              The sound of sobbing brought his mind back to the rock strewn plain before him. There was a woman not far from him, tied to one of the markers. No, not just tied. Nails had been driven into her hands and feet. There’s something familiar about her. Some memory that was just out of reach. He started to move closer, hoping a good look at her face would jog the memory. A flash of light flared to his left. Startled, he melted back into the shadows as a man stepped through the portal. His eyes widened a bit, this person he recognized.
He’s the one who killed me
, he mused silently.
And her, he killed her as well
. Moving silently, he glided forward to a place where he could overhear.

              “Still hating me, Arwenna? How appropriate. I prefer you start with hate. You will appreciate me more when I am in the mood to be kind.” He approached her suspended form and slowly unsheathed one of his knives.

              Senyan started back, the name given the woman on the marker flooded his mind with memories. A cleric of Silas, one of the ones who tore him open. One of the ones who bound him to a bird that slowly corrupted not just his mind but his very soul. One of the ones who turned him into this creature he now was. His eyes narrowed in hatred as he watched the paladin ravage her. It’s not much of a revenge, but perhaps he could take his own form of revenge once the paladin was gone.

              Senyan’s ears perked up when the paladin uttered his name. “How would he know me?” he asked silently.

              Corse replied, “Do not ask questions, just watch. Watch and learn. Your time for revenge will come, and you will want this information.”

              His eyes widened as he heard the confession from him about how she was set up from day one. Maybe it wasn’t her, after all. He would keep an eye on this paladin, though. He could prove quite useful later on.

              “Was it really her fault, Corse?” There was no answer. It wasn’t the first time Corse had failed to answer.

Not the first time you have left me Corse…..how odd that you would choose now…I wonder what takes you away.

Senyan continued to watch as the paladin verbally assaulted Arwenna’s tortured soul. The man eventually left through the portal, his words more damaging to Arwenna than raping her had been. Shoulders dropped in defeat, the only thing holding her upright were the nails in her hands and ropes on her wrists. Her shoulders heaved from the silent struggle within her own soul. He glided towards her, her forlorn form too wracked with guilt and grief to hear him. A hand reached out, ready to strike a deadly blow, when something caught his eye. There, on her shoulder, a mark of Hauk peeked through what remained of her dress. Curious, he traced the mark without touching her.
She
really wasn’t one of them,
he realized.
She never
had been.               He took a step back and began to cast a simple spell to mend her clothing. Perhaps he would kill her someday, but it wouldn’t be today.

              Another flash just outside of his field of vision, and a presence that he did not recognize but still knew to fear began to approach. Quickly, he melted away into the darkness. His mind struggled to decide if what he saw was real or just another one of Corse’s illusions.

              He awoke in a room, not unlike most rooms. This one felt very much his somehow. The furnishings were finely crafted but not ornate, a small fire burned in the fireplace. It gave off no heat, though. Yet the room remained neither hot nor cold. As he looked around, the door opened and a group of men walked in. The paladin was with them. He had a look of someone who had lost something. A priest stepped forward. Senyan blinked his eyes, trying to remember where he’d seen him before.

              “Welcome back, Lord Senyan. We are here to take you to Lord Corse.” The priest looked at him expectantly.