Rider (Spirals of Destiny) (28 page)

Laurel nodded, “I’ll go with the scimitar.”

“That’s what I’d do in your place as well.”

Kayleigh sulked, already trying to picture Meghan Lynch’s excuses. No doubt she’d make up something that sounded perfectly acceptable to everyone else. They went to Lieutenant Townsend. The woman was crouched in front of the injured nomad, who was leaning back against the bottom of the overturned wagon.

“Look at his eyes,” Amanda said. “Don’t they look strange? Is he under some kind of a spell?”

Annabeth thrust her hand forward and touched Rheysurrah with the other, her conjured flame lit the area. The nomad shrunk back from it, but everyone could see that there was no white in his eyes, just large oval pools of black.

The lieutenant didn’t care about his unusual eyes. Instead, she said, “I’m getting tired of asking you the same question. Why did you attack us?”

“You intrude on the Master’s domain.”

“You’ve already said that. Who is this master? What were you doing with those trolls? Where is your army now?”

“The Master is our god! You walk upon his land. He … he will …” the man broke off in a fit of coughing before spitting up blood. He winced in pain. “I go to him now, but I know he will come for you and your heart will beat for him, or you … you will suffer … a thousand days of torture.”

Two more fits of coughing came and went before the nomad ceased breathing. Weary, the lieutenant stood and looked at them. “See if they have any usable water and food. Unhook the horses and let them go. Move quickly, ladies, we are running out of nighttime and the sooner we can leave this desert, the better.”

“What about the things he said, ma’am?”

“Never trust the words of a fanatic, Edwards – a dying one even more so. It’s cause for concern, but we can assume much of what he was saying was a lie. My guess is this god of theirs is nothing more than a powerful wizard. Look at his eyes now … back to normal.”

Kayleigh looked at Annabeth and she shrugged, “I’ve never heard of a compulsion strong enough to turn a troll into a thrall. Then again, I know precious little about this species of trolls.”

It took only a few minutes to find what little the nomads had to offer. The small amount of food and water found was added to their meager supplies. Townsend stared at Kayleigh and said, “I assume your unicorn disregarded my orders.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Both of you did a good job, but you dragged the rest of the trainees along with you. I can accept that Majherri and, by extension you, aren’t going to listen to me. That said, be mindful of the others. I will make it clear to the others that if you decide to go solo again they are to leave you on your own. Anyone who can do what you just did doesn’t need a bunch of trainees in the blast area. Are we clear on this?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Drained and exhausted.”

“Alright, I’ll put Welsh on point. You deserve a break, but we can’t afford to stop now. Anything within a few miles probably saw your explosion and might decide to investigate. We need to be moving.”

His rider was more exhausted than she let on. She sagged in the saddle as their trek in the cold night continued. Kayleigh had done something extraordinary. Let them try to deny both of them status! His showered her with pride and comforted the tired girl.

The other unicorns moved alongside of him and some of them actually acknowledged him. That was what power could do.

“
Do you all still consider me an exile? What will you say about me when you return to the Sacred Island?”

Strangely, he no longer felt the desire to run away. Perhaps it was Kayleigh and her doubts, asserting their way over the bond. He wasn’t certain, but at this moment, he wanted to see their faces. Though they were well behind enemy lines, Majherri felt the touch of destiny. This time he would emerge from the desert in victory.

Hours went by and the group moved on. As the sun began to rise, Kayleigh was barely awake. In contrast, Majherri felt strangely alive. He wasn’t tired at all and still felt full of power.

Welsh helped Kayleigh from the saddle as the humans and the other unicorns retreated to what little shade and shelter the desert provided. He did not. He would not. When they left here, he would be vindicated. Those who had wronged him would hang their heads in shame and beg for his forgiveness.

Perhaps I should insist that T’rsa not be allowed to participate in the next mating season.

Majherri circled in the sand as these thoughts went through his mind. He searched for a few plants to slake his thirst. Wandering far, he felt something in the distance calling out to him. It was a whisper in the corner of his mind … so very familiar. His destiny was out there in the sands, pleading for him to come to it.

“
Majherri, are you well?”

“
Rheysurrah? Oh yes, I have never been better. Why the sudden interest, you foolish creature?”

“
Foolish? You are the one walking away from the encampment. I had to gallop to get to you. Come back and get in the shade. You’re delirious.”

“
No! For the first time in a long time I can see clearly. I warned you! I told you something was wrong in the west! Did you listen? Of course not?”

The idiot blocked his way.
“Fine Majherri, you can gloat all you wish when we get out of the desert. Right now, you need to come back to camp.”

Majherri was barely listening to Rheysurrah. His words meant nothing … less than nothing.
“Go away, you stupid child. Your words grow tiresome. Leave my presence and go crawling to that wretched bovine who calls herself my sister.”

The fool continued to stand there, blocking his path, so Majherri trotted around him.

“
Your rider is back there, Majherri. She needs you. Slow down. Will you stop!”

“
Never, you jealous little males and envious females are always trying to stop me! Look at your weakling of a rider! She is a sad excuse for a fire maiden, but what else should she expect with a thin-blooded unicorn like you.”

The youngling continued to demand he stop. He had no intention of stopping, ever again. He would be corralled no longer. Rules were for the weak, but he was no weakling.

“
For the last time, Majherri, stop!” Rheysurrah butted into him.

“
Stop? Stop? Never again!” Majherri spun and kicked the interloper. I’ve heard enough from you!

For a moment, Rheysurrah lowered his horn like he would attack. Majherri had no such hesitation. It was long past time he settled this score. The other was immediately defensive. Their horns smacked against each other as each fought for leverage. The weakling danced away and would not reengage.

“
Majherri! We should not do this. You need help. I’ll retrieve your rider.”

“
Coward! Stay and fight me. Isn’t this what wanted? To prove yourself to my sister?”

“
If I thought you were sane Majherri, I’d gladly fight you, but this is wrong.”

“
Bah! I’ve wasted enough time on you. Cross me again and I will kill you. Nothing will get in my way.”

Majherri watched Rheysurrah run away back to the camp – probably to spread more lies. It was nothing to concern himself with. The whisper was getting louder. It reminded him that there was a reason for everything and offered encouragement. It told him that he had journeyed so far and was so close to the end. The voice begged him to travel faster.

He paused by some plants and ate. It hurt when he bit on some of the stickers. He was careless, but this was a waste of time and he only needed enough to get him to where the voice told him he needed to go.

The sun beat down on him and threatened to make him delirious, but he increased his speed. There would be no further interruptions. It was just him and the sand flying out from under his hooves.

Cresting another large dune, he saw a group of riders and a trio of wagons waiting below. Men skulked around in the shadows provided by a group of rocks. The rational part of his mind warned him to the danger, but he was certain that they meant him no harm. He wanted to laugh and scream to the sky. His heart filled with joy and sorrow. The warriors watched him, but one figure waved them aside and moved toward him. The cloaked human walked with confidence and wide-open arms.

His pace quickened until he was almost in a full gallop. He spotted the bullwhip hanging from the belt and almost collapsed. His footing became uncertain. The world began to spin around him. Confusion seeped into every facet of his being, but there was a calming hand in his soul. It was like a firm grasp on his reins. The serenity centered him. Doubts began to vanish and they were replaced with assurance and calm. Nothing but the figure mattered. His entire world shrunk down to the space separating them.

The outstretched hands were female. They peeled back the hood and his heart hammered away. The hair was sun-bleached and the smile on the woman’s face beamed at him. It was a look he swore he would never see again.

This doesn’t make sense! It isn’t possible.

The woman regarded him and was at his side stroking his mane. He did not flinch at the contact. She fished around in her pack and produced a peach, Majherri’s favorite fruit. He greedily bit into it, savoring the trickle of the juices down his throat.

She laughed at him and said, “Hello, boy. It’s been a long time and I’ve missed you.”

“Reese … Reese! Get up!” Someone was shaking her awake.

Kayleigh struggled to focus. She had been in a deep sleep and fought to figure out where she was.

It came back to her in a rush – the desert and the danger. “What is it? Are we in trouble?”

“We’re not sure. Majherri ran off. He was behaving strangely. How do you feel? Whatever was happening to him may also be affecting you.”

“I don’t feel anything,” she replied.

“That’s good.”

“No Annabeth, I don’t feel Majherri – at all! It’s like the bond isn’t there!”

She was panicking and her friend knew it. “Easy there, Kayleigh. On your feet, we’ll sort this out, but first let’s make certain that you’re okay.”

The others crowded around and it felt like everyone was pressing in on her. The lieutenant ordered everyone back. “Close your eyes and clear your mind, Reese. Search for your unicorn. If he’s still alive you should be able to feel it.”

Taking deep, calming breaths, Kayleigh tried to block everything out except for Majherri. “I don’t feel him. Wait! It’s faint and in that direction!”

Annabeth nodded and said, “That’s the way Rhey said he ran off in. Lieutenant, I’ll take Reese and go get her unicorn.”

Townsend shook her head, “I’ll be able to ride faster, even with the extra weight of another rider, and you’re the best fighter we have. You stay with the rest of the riders. If we’re not back by sundown, break camp and keep heading east.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rider Welsh answered. She didn’t look like she cared for the orders, but acknowledged them just the same.

“Good. Reese, take only what you need – the less weight, the better. Leave the rest here, we can retrieve it later. Your unicorn has a good ninety minute lead on us, but Osalon and I know how to cover ground in a hurry.”

Kayleigh grabbed only a few items; her sword, the Yar knife, her helm, and the two canteens of water. “I’m ready.”

“Alright, help me get up into the saddle and let’s get going.”

Annabeth helped Kayleigh get the injured warrior into Osalon’s saddle and Kayleigh clambered up behind the woman.

“Good hunting,” Rider Welsh called out as the sped into the desert heat.

For Kayleigh, it was a strange experience riding with the air maiden and her mount. She felt like an intruder. Concentrating, she searched for Majherri, but the presence of a bond right next to her was interfering. Oddly, she could actually feel the bond between Sandra Townsend and Osalon.

“Whatever you’re doing, Reese, stop it. It’s making Osalon and me uncomfortable. He’s considering throwing you.”

“Yes, ma’am. I was just trying to find Majherri again, but the bond between the two of you is all I can locate.”

The woman looked over her shoulder and back at Kayleigh. “You can sense the bond between another rider and her unicorn?”

Kayleigh shrugged, “Yes. Sorry it’s the first time I’ve ever doubled-up with another rider.”

“I’ve never heard of that happening before, Reese. Make certain to tell this to Captain Sycroft when we return to The Academy. What about when you tend to the unbounded younglings? Do you feel anything with those unicorns?”

“A little. The younglings are like a rope or a string that’s frayed on one side. With you and Osalon, the frayed ends of each string are joined and form a knot. It’s just like my bond with Majherri. I thought all of us could do this.”

“No. We can’t, Reese.”

“Oh,” Kayleigh felt embarrassed. It never occurred to her to ask anyone else if they could feel the younglings. “Do you have any idea what this means?”