Redemption of Thieves (Book 4) (15 page)
Read Redemption of Thieves (Book 4) Online
Authors: C.Greenwood
Tags: #Legends of Dimmingwood, #Book IV
“Is this ‘nothing’ anything to do with the dark stranger up ahead?”
Hadrian nodded toward a tall figure loitering beneath the signpost that marked the first branch in the Selbius Road. The stranger’s hood was pulled up against the wind, the hem of his black cloak swirling around his boots. There was something secretive about him. He appeared to be waiting for something or someone.
“He’s just another traveler,” I said to reassure myself as much as Hadrian. “He’s nothing to do with us.”
I’d spent too much time running and fighting for my life lately. That was all. Paranoia made me jump at shadows, made me fearful of plots and betrayal at every innocent encounter. Even now as I looked at this hooded stranger, I remembered the Praetor had executed innocent people in the past, people who were on his side. Who was to say he couldn’t do it again?
As we drew nearer the fork in the road, the stranger turned his head away, concealing his features. The casual gesture made me think of a Praetor’s spy. Or an assassin sent to ensure I didn’t live long enough to enjoy the year of freedom the Praetor had promised. Had he had second thoughts about our deal? Decided he had no use for me after all? No one knew better than I that the man who was both my enemy and my uncle was capable of anything.
My mouth went dry. Without the bow, I felt suddenly helpless. With my weak knives alone was I capable of protecting myself and Hadrian? With sweaty palms, I gripped the handles of my knives.
Hadrian must have sensed my jumbled emotions because he cleared his throat.
“In the interests of saving this poor fellow’s life, I should probably mention he’s no footpad, but an acquaintance of mine.”
Relief washed over me. “You could have said as much.”
“A thousand apologies. I met the fellow yesterday, and upon learning he intended to travel our way, I invited him to meet us outside the city and join our party.”
I snorted. “Just what we need. I suppose your new friend is too frightened to travel alone? Concerned about thieves, is he?”
“Something like that.” Hadrian’s lips twitched. “Perhaps we should hasten to assure him he’ll encounter no such scum while in our company.”
I didn’t respond to his banter. We were closer to the stranger now and it struck me forcefully that there was something familiar in his height and bearing, in the shape of his shoulders, and the glint of a sword revealed each time the wind tugged open his cloak. If his hood fell down, I wondered, would I recognize the familiar, stubborn set of his chin too?
No. It couldn’t be.
Nevertheless, I felt myself moving forward and realized with the sound of my pounding feet that I was running.
“Terrac,” I cried seconds before throwing myself into his arms with a force he could hardly have expected. He reeled back a few steps and together we crashed into the signpost.
Laughing breathlessly, I clung to him.
“Whoa, there. Go easy on an injured soldier,” he laughed, steadying himself as his hood fell back to reveal the teasing violet eyes I had come to love. “You know it was only days ago I was flat on my back, recovering from the Praetor’s healing.”
“So what are you doing here now? How did you get away? Are you sure you’re recovered?”
He winced under the flow of words, but I didn’t care as I grabbed his injured hand and examined the bandage critically.
“This is sloppy work,” I said. “Our old healer Javen could have done better. But never mind, I’d soon fix it.”
“I’ve no doubt you will,” he said with a hint of amusement. “But the fingers are gone. Even you can’t heal that. Not to worry though; the rest of me is good as new. At least it is now that I see you.”
He cupped my chin affectionately in his good hand but I wasn’t ready to be distracted. Not yet.
“You haven’t answered my questions. How did you get away from the Praetor? Don’t tell me he released you willingly from his service?”
He tilted his head to one side. “There was no need for that. I simply reminded him what a valuable asset you’ll be to the province in the event of any more trouble from the Skeltai and pointed out it would be a great loss to him if any harm befell you on your travels.”
“A loss
to him
?” My breath caught. “You aren’t saying you told him about…?”
“Of course not,” he reassured me quickly. “The true relationship between you is for you to share if you ever decide to. Or for him to figure out for himself. It’s not my secret to give away. Speaking of which…” He removed something shiny pinned to his collar. “This is not mine to hold onto either.”
“My old brooch.” A wealth of emotions flooded through me as he dropped it into my palm. I turned the brooch over, reading the inscription on the back.
Fidelity and Service.
The motto of the Praetor’s family. Of
my
family.
For an instant, a memory came rushing back: my mama pressing the thing into my hand and telling me it would protect me. Maybe in a way it really had? At least it had protected the man I loved.
Terrac fastened the pin to my collar and I realized he was still talking. “I suggested to the Praetor that it would be a shame if we were to lose you and your many skills to an attack of roadside brigands. Especially when such an inconvenience could be so easily prevented by sending one of his most trusted men to accompany you as a bodyguard.”
“And he believed that? That I, of all people, need protection from brigands?” I tried to exchange a look of disbelief with Hadrian but my priest friend had hung back to grant us privacy.
Terrac said, “To tell the truth, I think he was more concerned you wouldn’t honor your word to return at the allotted time. I have instructions to see that you do.”
I narrowed my eyes, the old combative spirit stirring within me. “Will you now? I’d like to see you take me anyplace I didn’t want to go.”
“Then you’re going to be disappointed because it’s actually you who’ll be taking me places. I met Hadrian yesterday and settled everything. I’m just an extra member of your party under orders to follow you to the ends of the earth, should you choose to visit them.” He smiled. “Somehow I don’t think I’ll mind that.”
And looking at him, I knew I wouldn’t mind it either.
I roll over, trying to find a position on the hard-packed earth where rocks and sticks won’t dig into my flesh. Terrac sleeps peaceful and oblivious at my back, emanating a warmth and sense of safety I don’t think I’ll ever grow fully used to. I smile, thinking how much I love him and wondering what the future holds for the two of us. It’s still too dark in these early morning hours to see, but I hear Hadrian snoring heavily somewhere nearby. Another source of reassurance it may take me awhile to grow accustomed to—that of a loyal friend.
It was all very hard at first. I worried about my magic and whether it would ever come back or if I had burned myself out forever in my battle with the Skeltai shaman. I wondered if I had done right in not telling the Praetor I was his blood kin. What if he ever found out the truth?
Most of all, every night like this spent camped alongside the road, I was tormented by dreams of Brig, Rideon, the Praetor… Often I would wake with a start and reach for my bow, always so close to my side. Only it wasn’t there. Not anymore.
But by day the weight on my heart gradually grew lighter with each passing mile of our journey. I learned to be at peace with my questions, content to discover the answers if and when life led me to them. And then this morning came. I lie here waiting for dawn’s first light to creep into the sky and I realize the old seductive whisper in my head, the voice of the bow, has faded to nothingness. At last all is still.
Want more fantasy from C. Greenwood? Look out for the exciting new
Catalysts of Chaos
series, coming to Kindles everywhere in late 2014.
Dear readers, thank you so much for following along on Ilan’s journey through the
Legends of Dimmingwood
series. I hope you’ve enjoyed this world and characters as much as I’ve loved creating them! For those of you wondering if Ilan’s story is truly over, the answer is yes… and no. Observant readers may catch a brief glimpse of Ilan during her travels in my upcoming
Catalysts of Chaos
series.
Until next time, happy reading!
~ C. Greenwood
C. Greenwood is the fantasy pen name of author Dara England, who lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two young children, and a Yorkshire terrier. To receive updates on future books, visit
www.CGreenwoodAuthor.com
and sign up for her newsletter.
Legends of Dimmingwood Series
Magic of Thieves ~ Book I
Betrayal of Thieves ~ Book II
Circle of Thieves ~ Book III
Redemption of Thieves ~ Book IV
Other Titles
Dreamer’s Journey
