Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls (70 page)

It had been agreed that the small army of the
Edenwhood
would meet with Rema and whatever forces he was able to muster by the ruins of
Fellonshead
, three leagues north and east of the mysterious mountain called the
Vaudim
within six days. Anderlorn had given the five companions a
caller,
a small and intricately carved Orax horn
,
so named for it gave the one who used it the magical ability to bring one of the eagles from wherever it soared. One horn for each eagle, and the horn which was given called only
Estreedian
, the one which bore Rhyander who was the son of Rhynos. Such a thing could only be used by the
Edenwhood
for the magic was given to them alone, and so it was Reigin who was chosen to bear it.

‘The Eagles will watch the enemy by day,’ Anderlorn had stated, ‘they cannot fly at night, but should you need to know their number or in what direction they travel, this small tool will be a great boon. Use it wisely.’

Reigin had accepted the horn with deep emotion for it seemed that this small token was also given as an acceptance that he was one of them; one of the
Edenwhood.
At last he had a home.

The Western Gate was deeper and wider and more cleverly hewn than the one by which they entered AlGiron, but it opened in a similar manner into a deep and hidden cleft in the base of the massive cliffs where the forest still grew thickly for several leagues down to the plains below. There they had taken leave of AlGiron and using the trees for cover had ridden hard for
Wildwood.

Rema found it difficult to concentrate on the travelling for his mind was now well ahead in
Wildwood
with Sylvion, and for the first time in his relationship with her, he felt an anxiety which he could not resolve no matter how he tried. He knew that she had been through great trials without him, and had done amazing things. Reigin had recounted their fantastic escape from the Vault as they sat on the balcony of the Elder’s Hall two nights before, and he had realised that she had abilities beyond anything he had previously understood. He felt a pang of jealousy in that she had shared with Reigin and not him in that amazing and dangerous adventure. For the first time then he had begun to think upon the implications for their future, for he realised that Sylvion’s claiming of the throne of Revelyn loomed ahead like a crossroad from which only two paths led onward. Either they would die in battle and their life together destroyed before it began, or else she would become the Queen of Revelyn and would live in Ramos, and he had only ever wished to live simply in the Highlands. And with these thoughts and understandings he felt a growing pain in his heart, and no matter how he looked at the future it seemed darker and unknowable. He was troubled further at the edges of his mind, by the knowledge that somewhere in the land he had a brother; one who had loved and cared for him until violent events tore them suddenly apart. It pained Rema that he had no memory of this lost brother who had at last come to look for him and had never returned. Since riding out of
Waterman
he had formed the unconscious habit of reaching up and touching the small whale bone sword which hung at his neck, as though to remind himself that wherever his brother was there was still something of his family remaining.

 He rode now with a grim look upon his face which was not missed by Serenna who travelled at his side.

She had stood alone with Rema on the Great Platform of the Elders, not three days past and in the clear night air had savoured his presence and lost herself in the moment, for it was all she had, but she too feared for the future. She had declared her love for him aboard the
Scoria
that ugly night Lethyne Tyne had played his hand for her and lost, and yet Rema had not seemed moved at all. Indeed she was glad, for he was loyal to Sylvion and this was how it should be, but her heart ached for his love and she knew that the days ahead would change all their lives forever. She had left him once and she doubted she could bear losing him again, even if it was to the most wonderful woman in all the land. She held no vain anger in her heart towards Sylvion Greyfeld, she just wished so desperately that it could be different.

Serenna did not know that as she had stood there, leaning on the parapet and gazing with Rema out across the land, he too had struggled hard with many emotions. He knew now that the beautiful woman with whom he had experienced so many adventures was not his cousin and this changed everything. At times found himself entranced by her, but his heart lay elsewhere and he knew that all his energies must be focused on saving Sylvion. When he had learnt from Reigin that his help had not been needed, that she alone had crafted a most daring escape and carried it off, he felt in part proud and elated, but also less needed. He had placed an arm around Serenna and she had enjoyed the closeness, until unable to remain like that, so close and yet so far apart, she had turned to him and lifted her face to his. She had kissed him lightly on the lips and whispered.

‘Rema I do not know the end of all that is to come, and I fear many things, but we are different people now, and I cannot walk out of your life again.  Death I do not fear, so wherever the fighting is hard, I will be there, for I care not what happens to me from this moment on.’

And she had left him then, standing alone with those words of doom echoing in his ears, and had gone off to prepare for what was to come. She gave him no chance to reply, for there was nothing he could have said; she had spared him that powerlessness.

Scion rode as one who had done little of such an activity. His life spent on the sea, he had no skill with horses.  With mighty thighs he held to his poor steed with a vice like grip to ensure he did not fall. He found the motion rough and unpredictable, so unlike the gentle motion of his old mistress, the ocean; but he had no regrets at leaving that which had called him when just a boy. The mystery of the sea for him had finally played itself out in that last and violent storm when he feared they would all perish, and now he knew his life lay elsewhere. He had quickly fallen under the spell of those with whom he travelled. The quest which had somehow taken him in seemed strangely exciting, and his new friendship with Rema and Serenna had transformed his otherwise predictable life. Deep down he was unsettled by talk of war, but he had faced death and believed he would give a good account of himself, and his thoughts found comfort in a better future for himself.

Why not fight for such a cause as that which now lies before me. If in the end of things we win, then perhaps I will find a more settled life; surely some good woman in this land would lie with one as black as me?

Scion rode awkwardly on, but as a man at peace with himself.

Ofeigr was quietly focused as always. He had learnt long ago as a child to hide his feelings, for his violent father had taken too much pleasure in his cries of pain and pleadings, and so he trained himself to bear the pain in silence. Instead it had festered into a great hatred which still boiled within his breast, and which to this day had not been given resolution. Despite his outward inscrutability, he had greatly enjoyed his time since joining with this Rema Bowman, brother of Refr, his childhood friend. He had greatly admired Rema’s skill with the bow, watching in stunned amazement when from a league distance he had brought down two of those who tracked them. He too carried a bow, and with it and his sword had slain many Norz. Ofeigr admired any who could best him in the skill of battle, and Rema Bowman was one such man.  Travelling through AlGiron had been as though his dead mother’s childhood stories had come to life, and for a brief time he was able to put aside the pain and violent memoires and breathe anew. But his mind was never far from his own secret and deeply personal quest, and he rode with a deep conviction that in the end he would find the man he sought, Refr Cantira. And when he did he would have some things to do and words to say, all of which he had long rehearsed, for he had carried a bitter secret and a scar which would not heal; his betrayal by Refr many summers past still burned like a hot  blunted knife twisting always within his heart. There was a voice which spoke within and which for many years had travelled in short circles in his mind.

I will be revenged Refr, your redemption is coming and then I will be released to live in peace.

Ofeigr rode on in grim silence, looking to his own future. For now he was happy to travel with these new companions, and when it was all over and the battle won, for he never doubted this, then he would find his man, and in Rema Bowman fate perhaps had gifted him the key.

Reigin rode behind the group, and upon a new horse which Elder Anderlorn had given him. It was a beautiful black steed with an eager nature, alert and wanting to gallop almost all the time, as though it seemed to sense that life was for celebrating and the great energy it possessed should not be held back by mere cantering. Reigin too felt like celebrating. His life had changed so dramatically since fate had brought him to Sylvion Greyfeld, and since then so many revelations had almost overwhelmed him that he could hardly recognise himself, so different now from the cold and calculating
Wolver
which once he was. The coming battle held no fears for he was supremely confident with his skills, and should death surprise him it would be quick and in a cause which held a purpose for good, and this was something new as well, this understanding of right and wrong and choosing either for oneself. Reigin also looked to the future for he had been given a glimpse of something beyond, for he had sworn to himself that when the fighting was done he would find a way to save his clan and return them to AlGiron.

That too is worth fighting for
, he thought, as the powerful beast beneath him carried his huge frame effortlessly on. He thought too of Cordia of the
Edenwhood
and smiled.

They camped the first night in the forest but a stone’s throw from the open plains. They had travelled many leagues with but a span’s rest at noon, and so fell exhausted by the fire which Reigin had quickly readied. The night was mild and warmer than the heights of AlGiron, and Rema spoke of his plans to gather what forces they could in
Wildwood
and march them south to the Plains of Amrosi and make a stand with the
Edenwhood
somewhere before the
Vaudim
mountain so that they were protected from the rear, since none would penetrate that mess of rock and brambles as El-Arathor had described it.

‘The army we saw from AlGiron is moving north across the plains,’ he said with great seriousness, for the mention of these matters carried the prospect of many deaths. ‘They are looking for us. If we can reach the
Vaudim
, the army will have to come to us and we can prepare well. It should help even out our lack of numbers.’ They all thought then upon the  vast army that they had witnessed like a small town upon the plains and knew that they would only number in the hundreds whilst arrayed against them would be the might of Revelyn and thousands of men at arms, well trained and willing to slay whoever crossed their path. It brought a sombre silence down upon the group.

‘Sylvion spoke to me of the
Equin
,’ Reigin said after a time, ‘are these creatures real, for I have only heard of them in legend.’ At the mention of this name it seemed that the bushes round about them rustled slightly and for an instant all before the fire froze and listened.

‘The
Equin
are real enough, but I have never seen them,’ Rema replied thoughtfully when the moment had passed. ‘Sylvion has told me something of them, but what they are willing to offer us is beyond my understanding of these creatures. She used to visit them in the forest as a child. I have never thought them more than that which might have entranced a young girl...’ His voice faded away as Reigin interrupted.

‘And yet this woman has surprised us all in recent times, perhaps these
Equin
may yet offer much to our cause.’

Rema looked at the huge man and as their eyes met across the fire they both knew that each had a special relationship and understanding of Sylvion Greyfeld who was at the heart of all which was to follow.

‘You speak truly Reigin,’ Rema whispered after a moment. ‘I hope that you are right and that her knowledge in these matters provides us all with something greater than we can imagine.’

At that moment the bushes rustled gently once more and suddenly Reigin sprang up in a blur. So fast was his movement that the others had no time to react for in an instant his sword was drawn and he had disappeared like a sabrecat into the shadows. As they sat stunned by this unexpected act, there was a scream close by followed by a shout and the sounds of several creatures fleeing through the forest; then another scream and an oath which clearly came from Reigin. Rema was now on his feet and stood with an arrow to his bow for he had laid it within easy reach. He knew however that in the firelight he could see nothing of what went on in the deep shadows round about them, so he would not see to shoot and so took care to not send an arrow after Reigin.

‘Reigin, what is happening?’ Serenna called out in fear, ‘are we attacked?’

At that moment the mighty soldier appeared. In one hand he effortlessly carried the strange body of a slight and wiry man with enormous eyes. He threw the dead man down by the fire; in the other hand his deadly sword dripped bright with fresh blood. He spoke urgently.

‘We have been discovered. This man of stealth and such large eyes is a
gatherer
, they are spies and few can see so well or move about so soundlessly as these, not even
Wolvers
. There were three of them. If they are here then there will be one, possibly two
Wolvers
close by, for they have been sent out to roam the path before the army and seek out whatever they can of any who might cause a threat. By luck they have come upon us. They will have seen and heard all we spoke of. Our plans are revealed.’