Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (7 page)

              The girls left, shutting the door behind them. Arwenna locked it and put the key on top of the dresser while Y’Dürkie sat down in front of one of the platters. They began to eat in silence.

              Pushing away the clean platter, Arwenna sipped her mead while watching Y’Dürkie mop up the last of the gravy with the bread. Between the fire and the meal, she finally felt the late winter chill leave her body. All she needed now was a bath and she would almost feel alive again. “I suppose you’re going to insist on standing guard outside the bathhouse while I’m bathing, aren’t you?” She raised an eyebrow at Y’Dürkie. “It would be much simpler, you know, if you were to ask that they put two tubs in the room and we bathe at the same time. You need it as much as I do.” Arwenna sniffed the air, teasing Y’Dürkie a small bit. Watching her go from a scowl to nodding in agreement in the span of a few mouthfuls brought a grin to Arwenna’s tired face.

              “You are probably right,” Y’Dürkie conceded. “Vhen I can smell more of me than the meal, it is time. Might as vell take these down vith us,” she gestured at the empty platters.

              Arwenna grabbed the key and put it in her small pouch after locking the door behind them. She and Y’Dürkie headed downstairs towards the bathhouse.

              The common room was fuller than it had been earlier, few chairs stood empty tonight. A pack had been left on the bardic stage. Perhaps there would be music tonight after all. Arwenna glanced at Y’Dürkie; they needed to decide if they wanted to listen when they were done bathing.

              As promised, the bathhouse had plenty of hot and cold water by the time they arrived. Y’Dürkie located a second tub and dragged it near the first one as Arwenna began to fill it. Once the tubs were both full, they folded their travel-stained clothing into a pair of baskets and started to wash the dirt from the road off themselves. Without thinking, Arwenna dunked her head into the water and washed her hair. The water changed color from the dye Y’Dürkie had made. “So much for being blond!” She spoke aloud, her voice reverberated in the silence. There was no response from Y’Dürkie. Looking over, she saw her companion leaning back in her tub, sound asleep. Sighing, Arwenna leaned back and let the hot water soak into her travel-weary body.

              A scream of rage from Y’Dürkie startled Arwenna. Searching for the source of the attack, her eyes focused on Y’Dürkie. She leaned over the edge of her tub, searching for something. The frantic search ended abruptly as she stopped and fell back in the tub again. Arwenna’s questioning gaze met with a very angry one.

              “He is playink vith my dreams!” She snarled. “There is no honor in vhat he asks of me, he should know better!”

              “Who’s asking you…what?” Arwenna looked at her, puzzled.

              Y’Dürkie took a moment to wipe water off of her face. “It vas Senyan. He came to me in a dream, vanted me to abandon you and just go home to my clan. Started promisink me all kinds of treasure if I vould. He should know better than to ask me to do that.” She swatted at the water in a futile gesture of defiance. “I do not think he is himself any more, Arvenna. I think ve are going to find him fightink for the other side.” Y’Dürkie locked eyes with her, sadness over Senyan’s fate written on her face. “I do not vant to kill a friend, but he may be the exception.”

              Arwenna’s weary fingers massaged her temple, understanding what Y’Dürkie was feeling all too well. “Let’s go back inside. The water’s gone cold, my hair’s dark again, and we need the rest.”

              They both rose and dried off before putting on the clean clothing they’d brought with them. Arwenna looked over her gown, wondering if there might be a tailor in town. There were more than a few worn spots and patches. Just to be safe, she wrapped an extra towel around her dark hair to hide it.

              As they returned to the inn, the sound of music being played wafted on the breeze. The inn was so crowded that no one looked their way except for Master Ian and Grenda. All eyes in the common room were focused on the bard performing. He wasn’t the best they’d ever heard, but his voice carried well. The crowd enjoyed him. On the way to the stairs, Arwenna got a quick peek at him. Long, dark hair hung loosely down, obscuring most of his face as he bent to play the harp in his lap. Something about him tugged at a lost memory. The memory slipped away as she felt Y’Dürkie pull at her sleeve. Silently, they slipped up the staircase.

              Once back in their room, a quick perusal made Y’Dürkie confident there had been no visitors since they left. The voice of the bard, could be heard from downstairs and provided a calming feel to the room. Arwenna curled up under the blankets on one of the beds, leaving Y’Dürkie to lock the door and stoke the fire. It did not take her long to fall asleep.

              Y’Dürkie sat up for a while longer, tending the fire and tossing her dream around in her head. She checked over Arwenna, deep asleep. She struggled to imagine some of the things Arwenna had been through lately. Yet she remained here, fighting.
I wonder if Senyan’s afraid
, she thought.
He’s afraid of something, or he
wouldn’t be trying to get me to leave her alone.
She stared at the fire, but no answers came to her. The bed began to call to her weary body, and she checked the lock on the door one more time before settling in for the night.

Chapter Eight

            
 
A
rwenna chuckled as Y’Dürkie leapt out of bed, reaching for her great sword as the door creaked shut. “It’s just breakfast, Y’Dürkie!” Arwenna placed the platters onto the table as Y’Dürkie stretched while replacing her sword to its resting spot. Steaming plates of sausages and eggs reminded them both how hungry they were.

              About halfway through the meal, Arwenna took note of the time. “I was beginning to fear you were going to sleep all day. It’s at least three hours past dawn.”

              “Eh, vas tired.” Y’Dürkie muttered between mouthfuls. “Vhat time are ve going to see this elf that the servink vench mentioned last night?”

              Arwenna swallowed some milk before answering. “Grenda told me this morning that she’s arranged to introduce us. We just have to let her know when we’re ready to go.” She scooped up some more eggs.

              Y’Dürkie’s sideways glance betrayed her concern. “You goink to go out vithout dyink your hair again?”

              Leaning back in her chair, Arwenna considered her options. “I’ll put the hood up on my cloak and keep it off my face. It should be fine. Grenda noticed this morning, but didn’t say anything. I’m hoping that garnet I gave her will keep her quiet. Either way, we could just say it was something from travel that got into my hair. Something tells me we’re not going to be able to hide who we are, anyhow.” She leaned back, hoping that would be enough to put Y’Dürkie at ease.

              Nodding in agreement, Y’Dürkie turned her attention back to her breakfast. “Vhat is in there?” she asked, gesturing towards two small bundles at the foot of Arwenna’s bed.

              “Our clothes. Grenda brought them back up for us. She’s got a friend who’s a seamstress. We may be able to get some new clothes before we leave town if necessary. Something a little less worn would be nice.” She got up and started to unwrap the bundles, tossing Y’Dürkie’s clothes onto her bed.

              It didn’t take long before they were heading downstairs. Arwenna took care to ensure that her hair, and the comb, remained hidden within the folds of her hood. Master Ian looked up from his cleaning as they walked down the stairs. Turning his back to them, he disappeared through a side door. The muffled sound of his voice calling for Grenda barely reached their ears.

              The common room stood empty, some of the chairs still rested on top of the tables. Master Ian must have opened up a short time ago. The bard slept on the stage, a cloak pulled tight about him. If her luck held, Arwenna would be out the door before he stirred.

              Grenda emerged from the back room, followed by Master Ian. She pulled a cloak around her shoulders as she entered. “All ready, then? Great! I’ll take them to meet the elf and come right back, Ian.” She smiled at the innkeeper and gestured for them to follow her as she walked out the front door.

              “They’re wood elves, not river elves like you are, but really nice people. It’s a good thing that wandering bard didn’t show up tonight. He was good enough for last night, but I’ll be happy if he’s gone when I get back. He kept watching women all night, even the married ones, like he was looking for someone in particular. And he didn’t even sing well!” Grenda’s chatter continued as they walked down the cobblestone street.

              The town, while fair sized, remained small enough for Arwenna to be certain she could find her way back to the inn. The building Grenda led them to was a small one, with a sign promising a variety of goods. There seemed to be living quarters on top of the shop itself. Arwenna and Y’Dürkie exchanged looks of caution as Grenda opened the door.

              A small bell announced their arrival. “Just a minute, I’ll be right out,” called a deep male voice from a hidden corner. Arwenna looked around, taking in everything. The shelves were well stocked and maintained with a variety of goods, everything from bolts of fabric to tent stakes and shovels. Some items locked in a case near the back exuded an aura of magic. Curious, she crossed the room on silent feet to examine the objects.

              “Finding anything interesting, miss?” a deep voice behind her made her start.

              Wheeling around quickly, her hood fell from her head. The stranger’s eyes widened as they took in her elven features and the comb in her dark hair. Arwenna’s hand dropped from the attempt of raising her hood again.

              “Master Dreven, these two are staying at the inn. They wanted to meet you.” Grenda’s voice made the tall man turn her way. Arwenna kept her eyes focused on the man in front of her as Grenda rambled on. “Except, well, I never found out their names. But I thought you’d want to meet them anyhow, seeing as you’re both elves and all. Anyway, I’ve got to get back to the inn before Master Ian thinks I’ve run off.” She waved at no one in particular as she exited. The bell over the door chimed as she went out, jarring the silence.

              Arwenna took note as Dreven turned his attention to Y’Dürkie, sizing her up as she slowly walked closer to Arwenna. Tall and thin, he stood as if unaware he was being watched. Long hair more white than silver ran down his back, held in place by a clasp worked in silver and gold. His head bobbed, as if understanding something, and turned pale blue eyes back to Arwenna.

              “I am honored, Daughter of Hauk. How may I be of assistance?” He bowed slightly before Arwenna.

              Arwenna blinked, momentarily taken aback. “You know me?”

              “I know of you, yes. The comb you wear is proof enough. But, come. Let us retire to my parlor and get comfortable. Explanations are best over tea. And you can let your guardian know that I’m not planning on running off with you.” He smiled over to Y’Dürkie, acknowledging the mistrust evident on her face. “Aye, I know who you are as well. Come, there is much to share with each other,” he moved a curtain aside and waved them into the back of his shop. Arwenna met Y’Dürkie’s concerned glance with one of her own before she stepped through the curtain.

              The room was well lit and comfortably furnished. A small door stood open enough for her to see stairs leading up. Dreven waved a hand to indicate they should sit as he put some water into a kettle and placed it near the fire. An uncomfortable silence blanketed the room. “Well, I’m sure you have far more questions for me than I do for you, so start when you wish. I can prepare tea and talk at the same time.” He began to reach for tea cups in a cupboard.

              Arwenna watched him for a few moments, unsure of where to start. Sensing her caution, Dreven turned and leaned against the counter to face them. “I suppose I could start. I recognized you from your comb. There aren’t many followers of Hauk hereabouts, but I can hear it call to me. Not many are given such an artifact, Daughter. And something tells me it was lost from you for a time.”               The kettle began to whistle. Arwenna jumped slightly at the sound. She absently rubbed at the palm of one hand as Dreven took the kettle off the fire. “There’s a story that has been told for many years now,” he continued as he made a cup of tea for each of them, “of a Daughter of Hauk that was lost to us during a raid. That her Gift was great and, should any of us ever come across her, we should aid her in any way possible. Considering the scarring on your comb, I would surmise it has been through a great fire some time ago. And that it only recently found its way back to you.” The direct look he gave her over the rim of his teacup spoke volumes.

              Arwenna took a deep breath, not certain how much to tell. “It was in a fire. It got left behind as we tried to run from the attack.” She reached up and pulled the comb from her hair, tracing the design with a slender finger. “I’m not sure about having a great Gift, though. The training I did receive was,” she hesitated, “directed you could say.” Clearing her throat, she continued, “Those who took me in did so for their own reasons that had little to do with caring for me and more towards making me a pawn in their game.” Her hand shook slightly as she reached for her teacup. The spoon rattled slightly against the rim as she lifted it to her mouth. She felt Y’Dürkie’s eyes as her attention moved between her and Dreven. That she could be so easily detected wasn’t sitting well with either of them.

              Aware that Dreven was watching her, she tried to keep her emotions in check. “Well, be that as it may, you’re back with us now.” He chose his words carefully in an obvious attempt to put her at ease. “Regardless of what motives
they
had, Hauk didn’t desert you as much as you may have thought. You are still his Daughter, and a fellow elf. Tell me what you are in need of and we’ll see if I can’t help you.” Arwenna sensed he was restraining himself for some reason, holding something inside. With Y’Dürkie sitting so near, she didn’t concern herself too much.

              Footsteps on the steps sounded loud in the tense silence. Sword at the ready, Y’Dürkie quickly leapt up before Arwenna could stop her. Someone entered the room, but Arwenna couldn’t see past Y’Dürkie.

              “I ah, I’m sorry…I didn’t know we had guests…” a melodic voice reached Arwenna’s ear. She shifted slightly in her seat, getting her first view of the person.

              It was an elven girl, her hair a match for Dreven’s. Her eyes, wide with both curiosity and caution, were a slightly darker blue. Her slender hands gripped a well-made harp tightly.

              “It’s alright. This is my daughter, Emrys.” Dreven crossed the room and put his arm around her. “She’s not going to hurt you any more than I would. Emrys, these are some new friends that I’ve been expecting.” He looked expectantly at Arwenna and Y’Dürkie.

              Arwenna felt Y’Dürkie’s eyes on her and knew what she would ask. One way or the other, the decision about trusting these two needed to be made. A barely perceptible nod from her was enough to prod Y’Dürkie. “My name is Y’Dürkie Zinkey, of the Veasel Clan. This is Arvenna Shalian.” She paused and sat back down next to Arwenna. “Vhat ve need most right now is information. Two of our companions vere last known to be heading this vay and ve’re doink our best to catch up to them. It vould have been an odd pair. He is a half orc, she is elven. They vould have been here a month or more ago.” 

              Dreven and Emrys looked at each other, then Emrys spoke up. “I think I know who you’re looking for. She had red hair, wasn’t easy to locate sometimes. Almost like she could hide in plain sight. The other one, the half orc …he was a warrior like you.” She tipped her head in Y’Dürkie’s direction.

              Arwenna tried to temper the flare of hope that had sprung up within her. “That well could be them. Do you recall when they were here, where they stayed, if they said anything about where they were going?” 

              Emrys’ brow wrinkled slightly as she tried to remember. “The redhead, she was here in the shop for a while. Picked up some healing potions, remember?” The look on Dreven’s face confirmed her story. “I only saw the big guy once. They were sitting together at the Dancing Fairy as I got ready to play. About all I remember was that she was very interested about any orc enclaves nearby. He said something to her at dinner, something about someone preparing for a war against him.” She shrugged. “Something happened right after they left town, though. That orcish enclave I told the woman about started working on all sorts of siege engines and such. The local militia were concerned they were going to lay siege here, but I heard today that a large army of orcs and humans is heading this way. I just hope they’re working together and not fighting a war so close to us.”

              Arwenna looked at Y’Dürkie, the glimmer of hope gradually growing. “How far away is this army, the really big one?” Arwenna asked quickly.

              “Only a day or two away by now, I’m pretty sure. One of the farmers was telling me last night that they’d bought a bunch of their crops and hauled it away a few days ago. They’re probably getting ready to set up some kind of base camp in the pass to the east. It’s about a day’s walk, less if you have a good horse.”

              No longer able to hide the hope she felt, Arwenna’s face split into a grin. She looked up at Dreven. He spoke before she could ask, “I know the spot. I can lead you there. Head back to the inn and get your belongings. Emrys and I will meet you there with horses. Between the four of us, we should be able to find your friends.”

              Arwenna quickly agreed, anxious to get moving. Even Y’Dürkie couldn’t keep the grin off her face. They’d found Barek and Mialee, she was sure of it! She had to restrain herself from running back to the inn. She kept to a brisk walk, keeping her hood up. The common room had a few people inside, none of which bothered to look up when they entered. The stage was empty. Arwenna left Y’Dürkie to settle things with Master Ian while she practically flew upstairs. Tears stung her eyes as she threw their belongings into the packs. She’d feel safe again once Barek and Mialee were with them.
Besides
, she thought with a laugh,
it’s always better to travel with more protection than less
. Within minutes, she was back downstairs. Tossing a pack at Y’Dürkie, Arwenna anxiously scanned the street for Dreven and his daughter. A look at Y’Dürkie gave her the assurance that she was just as hopeful, though a bit more guarded.

              The pair arrived soon after Arwenna and Y’Dürkie exited the inn, each leading a horse. Mounting her horse, she nodded to Dreven to lead the way.