Emergence (Book 2) (11 page)

Bolin heard Ciara's quick intake of breath and wished she hadn't followed. She came up beside him, her face contorted with concern. He couldn't make himself meet her eyes, and willed her to be gone. If he had any sense left, which recent actions suggested against, he'd tell Garek to take her elsewhere. When she laid a hand on his arm he jerked away, and put the table between them.

"A poison she can obviously use as a way to slip past the wards and enter the Greensward undetected," Bolin said.

"That creature was the same as the one I saw in the doorway of the healer's hut," Ciara said. "Isn't it possible it never left?"

Bolin shook his head. "I won't take the chance."

"Then we head out today?" Garek asked.

"
I
head out today," Bolin corrected. "Nialyne can lead you to the border. I'll meet you there."

"With all due respect, General...no."

"It's not up for debate."

Garek stepped forward. He spread his fingers and drummed them softly on the table top. "I'm afraid it has to be. Has it not occurred to you that's exactly what they want? To draw you out alone where they can get their hands on you? It's a little ploy most folks commonly call 'a trap'."

"I can--"

"--take care of yourself. Aye. No doubt. But you've other responsibilities besides your own hide. General."

Ciara's jaw dropped open, and Nialyne looked about to say something then wisely changed her mind. Bolin clenched his fists at his sides. Garek remained impassive, a hard glint in his eyes.

"And before you decide to lose that tightly controlled temper of yours," Garek said. "Need I remind you that my orders come directly from the Emperor. If you leave, I'll be going with you, which will put my men and these two lovely ladies in the hands of my lieutenant. Not that Sully's not extremely capable, mind you. He's just not familiar with the area." He shrugged. "But it's your choice, General."

Bolin wet his lips and eased his hands open, flexing his fingers. He addressed Nialyne without taking his eyes off Garek. "Danya, will you and Ciara give us a moment?"

Nialyne looked between the two men
, and when she would have objected Bolin leveled a look at her that brought her head up sharply. Her shoulders rose as she inhaled deeply. The severity of her expression told him he'd have hell to pay later, but she took Ciara by the arm and left the study.

The door clicked shut and Garek held up his hands before Bolin could open his mouth. "You'd like to punch me in the face, I know. I'll let you have a swing if it makes you feel better. I just want you to keep in mind that I'm responsible for those men out there. One of whom has disappeared by means I won't even pretend to understand. And while you outrank me, the Emperor outranks you, whether you care to acknowledge that or not." Garek gusted out a breath and dropped his hands. "So."

Bolin could have chewed nails. "The Emperor made a good choice in sending you. There are very few alive with the audacity to talk to me like that." He kept his voice level only with effort. "One other, actually, and she just left."

He walked slowly around the table
, and Garek stiffened to attention as Bolin put himself toe to toe with him. Garek stood half a head taller than Bolin, and easily twice as wide. They'd come to blows on an occasion or two, in their younger days, when the brawls typically ended in a draw followed by drinks at the local tavern.

"While I always appreciate and welcome your counsel, Commander, if our familiarity ever causes you to lose your sensibilities in company again, I'll see you're back to cleaning leather in the armory. Is that clear?"

Garek's beard rippled as he swallowed. "Aye, General. Now, since the company's gone, can I ask if you intend to maintain this snit all the way to Nisair?"

Bolin's arm twitched back. Had there been enough room between them to swing his fist, he would have. Garek grinned, and Bolin's anger expelled itself in an exasperated growl. "Goddess's blood, Garek."

The big man laid a hand on Bolin's shoulder, and his expression grew somber. "Brothers to the end, wherever it finds us, but I can't allow you to leave. It may have been years since we've seen one another, longer still since we've fought side by side, but do you honestly believe I don't know what you're thinking? You've no time to hunt the enemy down, so why not deliver yourself into his hands and hope to the Goddess you can kill him."

"It would make your journey much safer."

"
Our
journey. But you don't see yourself coming out of it alive, do you?" Bolin averted his gaze and Garek's hand tightened on his shoulder. "I'll put you in chains. I swear by the Mother herself, Bolin. If you give me any reason. You know I'll do it. Whatever I need to answer for after that, I'll do in the Emperor's presence."

"If I don't do this, we won't make it to the Emperor."

"And if you do it and fail? You are capable of failing. I'm not sure you're aware of that."

"Well aware," Bolin said.

A knock preceded the door swinging inward. Nialyne stepped across the threshold, but came no further. She addressed Garek without looking at Bolin. "Commander, if you would care to accompany me, I have the supply cart waiting. I'm quite sure we can be loaded and ready to leave before dusk."

"Excellent." Garek slid Bolin a warning look, and lowered his voice. "That horse of yours will be
under watch as well. Any excuse whatsoever, General, and I fetch the shackles."

CHAPTER NINE

Ciara waited until Nialyne and Garek left, then poked her head into the study. Bolin stood with one arm folded across his chest, supporting the other as he stroked his chin and glowered at the crystal in the center of the table. He turned that look Ciara's way and she thought about leaving, but the expression softened.

"You should be preparing to leave," he said.

Ciara came all the way in and closed the door, leaning back against it. "I don't have much to pack."

"I'm sure Nialyne could use your help."

"She's coming with us?"

The glower returned full force. "Not by my choice."

"What Nialyne said about a poison…are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

He retreated a step for every one Ciara took towards him until she finally stopped. "Why are you doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Running away from me."

"I'm not."

She stepped. He moved. Ciara arched her brow. "No?"

"Is there something specific you want, then?"

Oh, many, many things.
"Since you asked, yes. I want to understand what happened to the guard. What that creature was. Why you think you're responsible. I want to not be scared in my own skin, or worried about Donovan finding me. I want you to stop shutting me out." She looked away, biting the inside of her cheek to keep her mouth closed. Her tongue had gotten the better of her on that last one. She shook her head. "I'll go help Nialyne."

Ciara turned toward the door, her steps slow. She kept waiting for Bolin to call her back, to stop her before she left the study. Her fingers closed around the latch and she pulled the door inward.

"I made a grave mistake," Bolin said.

Ciara held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

"I took in some magic, most of which is now held in that crystal. I shouldn't have brought it here."

"Most of it?" She swiveled to look at him, keeping hold of the door.

He rubbed his left arm, just above the elbow, and fixed her with a bleak stare. "Most of it."

"You can't get rid of it, however it is you do that?"

"It's not--" He sucked in a breath and scrubbed his face. That usually meant the conversation had reached its end, but he went on. "I can't find it. It isn't like other magic and I don't know where it is, but somehow it's linked me to her."

"Her?"

"This Dominion witch. Donovan's new pet." His lip curled, and anger flashed in his eyes. "I've put everyone here in danger."

"Anyone who travels with me is already in danger, aren't they?" Ciara desperately wanted to go to him, but she held her place, Konly's words r
inging in her ears.
Sometimes we just have to let them come to us.
"You're right, you know. It probably would have been best to kill him. Donovan that is. Then we wouldn't have anything to worry about. But at least we know to watch out for him. We know to be prepared. And now you know about this witch, so we can be prepared for her as well."

Bolin gave her a curious look, his brow furrowed.

"What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. I want you to promise me something."

Ciara took a deep breath. "I'll try."

"Do more than try. From now until we reach Nisair, I need you to follow Garek's orders as my own."

"You do realize what you're putting him in for?" Ciara smirked. "I don't often follow your orders very well at all."

"You need to start."

She sighed. "I'll try," she said again.

"Good," he said. "Then go help
Danya
Nialyne."

A thought occurred to her before she made it out the door. "You aren't going to sneak off without us, are you?"

He slid his gaze to the window, then back. "Garek has me under house arrest."

Ciara's eyes rounded. "He can do that?"

"He apparently thinks he can."

"I like Garek," she said, and left to find Nialyne.

***

Dusk found the yard bustling with activity as the escort made ready. Garek moved among the men, issuing orders, checking ropes and knots on the supply cart, sharing a joke or an exchange of pleasantries here and there. Bolin watched
the scene over Sandeen's back as he tightened the saddle's girth. Four soldiers remained out of the six that had accompanied Garek to Galys Auld. A small group could move with less notice, but could also be easily outnumbered. Bolin just wished he knew what Donovan was likely to throw at them.

"Duff, get those extra mounts secured to the cart," Garek ordered, as he detached himself from the group and headed toward Bolin. He drew in a deep breath, nostrils flaring, and hooked his thumbs behind his belt. "A fine night for travel. Balmy breeze, no hint of rain, and the promise of stars to guide our steps." His gaze cut from the sky to Bolin. "Still sulking?"

"I don't sulk."

"Says you." He let out a low whistle
, and Bolin turned to see what had caught his attention.

Nialyne and Ciara were headed toward the
m and even Bolin had to do a double-take. He couldn't recall Nialyne ever wearing britches. They were loose and billowing, deep brown, and tucked into boots that came partway up her calves. Her green tunic, edged in gold, and belted at the waist, hung down to mid-thigh. From the belt hung a slim dagger and several leather pouches of various sizes. Her long hair had been pulled back into a single braid down her back, like Ciara's but much tidier. Ciara wore a similar outfit of russet, a color that complimented her hair and eyes. Eyes that landed ever so briefly on Bolin and then skittered away.

"Now that's a sight will keep a man going for a good long while."

Bolin opened his mouth for a reprimand, but Garek had already headed toward the women. He bowed low when he reached them, sweeping first Nialyne's and then Ciara's hand to his lips. He lingered with Ciara's, and even from a distance Bolin could see the slight curve of her lips as they pulled into a smile. He also didn't fail to notice how every one of the men had ceased moving, and were staring at her as if they'd never seen a woman before. Sully caught his narrowed gaze and hastily cleared his throat, which had the effect of breaking the spell and sending them all back to work. Or pretending to work, as much as furtive glances would allow.

Nialyne approached him carrying something about half the size of his fist and wrapped in cloth. His lip curled
in a visceral response he couldn't control. Even without touching the crystal, the black magic in its center caused bile to rise in his throat, and the familiar burn to crawl up his arm. He held out his hand without comment and Nialyne placed the crystal in his palm. Bolin suppressed a shudder. When he made to drop it into the bag off Sandeen's saddle, the grey shied sideways, his eye showing white as he craned his head to see behind him. Bolin secured the bag despite the stallion's obvious objection and turned back to Nialyne.

"You're sure?" he asked.

She nodded, and reached up to touch his cheek. "You may need me along the way. And when we reach Nisair, Ciara will definitely need me."

"
If
we reach Nisair," Bolin corrected.

"We will," she said with a certainty he wished he felt.

Bolin led her to where a pair of stocky, bay mares stood waiting near the front of the column. "We'll get a few leagues under us tonight, then start out again late morning."

Bolin held her stirrup as
Nialyne swung easily onto the mare's back. He laid his hand on her knee as she gathered up her reins, and slipped into Galysian. "Alyne, promise me you'll keep yourself safe, above all else. If things go badly, turn and leave."

She smiled down at him. "I am not as fragile as you like to believe. Save your worries for other matters." She indicated Ciara with a nod of her head.

If only Nialyne knew how much Bolin already worried about Ciara. He turned and the men launched into a sudden flurry of motion. He'd forgotten what it was like to be among a group of randy soldiers, and his temper flared.

"Mount up," he snapped.

They flinched, but they moved, without question or delay. Bolin swung onto Sandeen's back, waiting for Garek to come alongside of him. They started out of Galys Auld, Bolin and Garek in the lead, Nialyne and Ciara behind them, the supply cart next, and the rest of the mounted men bringing up the rear.

He felt Garek's eyes on him as they rode, a barely suppressed grin on the man's round face. "What is it you find you just can't contain, Garek?"

"Oh, nothing." The Commander tried looking innocently at the trees and failed. "I'd just forgotten what a moody bastard you can be."

"And you find humor in that?"

"No, sir, not at all." He chuckled. "But I'm sure I will."

***

There were no roads through the Greensward, but the gentle landscape made for easy travel regardless. The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the interlaced boughs overhead and flooded the forest in a soft, green glow that lingered even after the glimpses of sky became laced with stars. Having been raised in the Greensward, Bolin took the gentle glow for granted, though he heard the men marvel at it.

Beside him, Garek gave a
n exaggerated shudder. "Spooky stuff. Don't know how you deal with it."

The way Sandeen felt like a coiled spring beneath him, Bolin guessed the stallion had no appreciation for the much spookier stuff in his saddlebag. He tossed his head and pranced, and Garek's horse s
idled sideways, ears pinned back.

"What's got him all bothered?" Garek asked with a look Sandeen's way.

Bolin reached out to stroke the stallion's neck. "My baggage."

"That explains nothing."

"You really don't want a more involved explanation."

Garek caught his meaningful look
, and rolled his eyes. "I'll not avoid it on this trip, will I?"

"Not likely."

"Well, you can keep it." He dropped a hand to his sword. "Me and the lads will trust sinew and steel."

"Let's hope those will suffice."

Garek edged his horse as close to Sandeen as it cared to get, and leaned toward Bolin, lowering his voice. "Begging the General's pardon, you might want to consider how your mood will affect the morale on this trek. I can only spread so much cheer for so long before your dour countenance turns it to shit. The lads already have reason enough to worry. One man wounded, one man dead and his body missing, and a whole bunch of nasties likely waiting for us as soon as we cross the border. Sully and Berk I've no concerns about. They've plenty of grit, and see things for what they are. Salek and Duff are no slouches, but this is their first tour. They've got the image of a night attack and a torn out throat haunting them. I realize it's unnatural for you to actually smile, but for the love of the Goddess, Bolin, remember what you are."

Bolin's jaw ticked. Sandeen gave a snort and bucked beneath him, and Bolin growled under
his breath at the both of them.

"I'm going to ride ahead," he said. "Sandeen needs to get some of this out of him, and I need to work past wanting to lay you out cold."

Garek grunted. "You've tried that before. It hasn't gone well for you if I recall."

Bolin glowered at him. "You're in charge, Commander. There's a good place to make camp about three leagues from here. Flat ground beside the river. Danya Nialyne knows where it is. I'll meet you there."

That got him a jaunty salute. "Aye, General."

Bolin shook his head. He had only to relax his hold on the reins and Sandeen leapt forward.

***

Ciara coaxed her mare up next to Garek
's horse. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing a cask won't cure," he said, frowning as he watched Bolin ride away.