Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (23 page)

“
Yes, Corrille, she is.” Avruellen tried to force down a fruit tart, for appearances. It caught in her throat and only made it to her stomach on the following swallow of tea.

“
Do you need to get anything more before we leave?”

“
No, Bronwyn. Augustine told me to take whatever we needed. I’ll leave her some money. It’s not far to Vellonia, a few days at the most.”

Corrille pushed back her chair, stood and stamped her foot.
“Are you mad? That’s the dragon city. No one goes there. We’ll be eaten alive. If you think I’m going with you, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Avruellen cursed herself for her loose tongue. She didn
’t have the energy to argue with her niece’s rude friend so she spoke to Bronwyn instead. “You never mentioned that your friend was a coward. I guess we’ll have to go without her.”

Bronwyn saw what her Aunt was doing and played along.
“I know. It’s a disappointment. Oh well, I suppose we can’t expect everyone to be as brave as us. Don’t worry, Aunt, I’m happy to go.” Bronwyn looked up to see Corrille staring wide-eyed at them. “Is it OK if we leave you here? We’ll have to take your horse of course, since my Aunt paid for it. I’m sure Frederick could get you a job as a tavern wench or something. Maybe you’ll end up marrying one of the farmers around here, having a few kids, and helping on the farm. That would be a nice life.” Bronwyn knew full well that her friend would not last one day living on a farm. She wanted to meet a handsome, rich young man and spend her life being spoiled and adored.

Corrille weighed up her options, deciding she would go only as far as she felt comfortable. Maybe she would run away from them just before Vellonia.
“OK. I’ll come, but you must promise the dragons won’t hurt me.”

“
I promise I will protect you, however, I can’t make a promise on their behalf.”

“
What do you mean,
on their behalf
.”

“
Dragons are sensitive, thinking creatures, just as we are. They are intelligent and make their own decisions. If I tried to tell one what to do it would probably burn me to a crisp. Be happy with my promise of protection. It’s the best offer you’ll get.”

Bronwyn nodded in agreement.
“Come on Corrille. When we return to Bayerlon, as surely we must one day, what a grand tale we’ll have to tell all the young nobles. They could not help but be impressed by a young woman who’s brave and worldly enough to say she’s been to Vellonia. I bet none of the other women they’ve met have been there.”

“
You’re probably right. It would be rather impressive, wouldn’t it?” Corrille was now happy with the arrangement as she imagined the admiration she would reap from recounting her adventures.

They spent the time until lunch resting and preparing for the next leg of their journey. Avruellen sent the girls to groom and saddle the horses whilst she packed food and precooked their dinner. Tonight would be spent under the stars. Avruellen was itching to leave. On arrival she had brought only good memories of this place. Now she would take away bad. She was desperate to discover what had gone wrong—if she couldn’t work it out, it might happen again. She couldn’t risk Bronwyn. If they lost her, they lost everything.

Last night had been the first time Avruellen had heard the voice of a Gormon. The memory sent uncontrollable shivers cascading down her body. It could be a sound they would have to get used to. What was to become of them? She had felt useless, standing right there within touching distance, and still unable to act. The helplessness she felt whilst watching her friend die was something she never wanted to repeat. What good were their powers if they couldn’t use them when it counted the most, to save a friend?

Lunch was a silent affair. Immediately after lunch they collected the horses and made their way to the gates. The guardhouse was still in the grip of phantom fear, and Avruellen had to ask them to open the gates. This was done quickly, the closing even quicker. They rode around the outskirts of Pollona and continued south. The land rolling in front of them was gently hilly and verdant. Close to the city a patchwork of farms lay neatly, their lush square paddocks sewn together with low stone walls. By the time the cool, late afternoon air caressed their faces, the farms had thinned considerably and were eventually replaced by forest.

Flux rejoined their party at the southern end of the city where Avruellen stopped and jumped off her horse. She embraced the fox, drawing comfort from her longtime companion.

What
’s wrong dearest sister?
Flux’s concern stemmed from the fact that Avruellen was not emotionally demonstrative, and he had felt some distress through their bond the previous night.

We partly activated the quartz.

That’s a good thing, isn’t it?

Yes, and no. A Gormon priest somehow managed to tap into Augustine
’s corridor of power. It consumed her. The only thing left was her skin. It was horrible. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.
She buried her face in his soft fur.

I
’m sorry. You know we’re all destined for death, one day. It is just a matter of how and when. You will meet her again
. Avruellen nodded.

Corrille and Bronwyn had ridden a small way ahead.
“What’s wrong with your Aunt? She seems, well, not quite herself today.” Corrille was quick to sense when others were vulnerable and take advantage.

“
I don’t know. She seems OK to me; her usual tough self.”

“
Tough?”

“
Yes. You are seeing her other side today—she can also be sensitive. Maybe Augustine’s situation brings back memories for her. I know she must’ve had family somewhere, but I’ve never seen them and she never speaks of them. I guess they all died and the memories are too painful.”

Bronwyn was referring, in part, to her own parents, whom she couldn’t remember. Even after everything that had happened they were still on her mind. Had they known Avruellen was a realmist? Would they have approved of what Bronwyn was?

Avruellen resumed the lead and they continued riding until dusk. There were plenty of places to set up camp with an abundance of trees. They chose a spot a few metres inside the tree line. It was slightly elevated and gradually fell away on the other side to a small stream. They resumed their routine with a minimum of fuss. It wasn’t long before they were sitting around a cheerful fire, enjoying the smells of a pre-prepared dinner warming up, which gave their camp a homey feel.

Corrille was not as comfortable with travelling and sleeping outside as her companions, and Bronwyn noticed she jumped from the most benign noises.
“Do you think there’s any truth to that rumour about the wild beast?”

“
There’s usually a smidgeon of truth to any rumour, but also a lot of exaggeration. I wouldn’t worry too much. Not many animals would bother eating humans, except, maybe a bear.” Bronwyn almost smiled as she remembered her Aunt’s story about Millie.

“
What if there’s a bear out there?”

“
If there’s anything out there Flux will warn us in plenty of time.”

Shortly after dinner everyone sought their beds. Avruellen had put Minx in the tea, an herb renown for its ability to relax and assist sleep. Neither woman wanted to hear the evil laughter in their dreams, or watch Augustine die again and again. Flux stood guard while they slept. He was used to going days without sleep. It only happened when they travelled, besides, today he had slept from dawn until Avruellen had left the city.

He sat a few metres from the sleeping women, his ears attuned to the resonances of the forest. The scratching of small rodents ferreting around, and nocturnal birds brushing the leaves as they swooped past in search of food, reached the fox’s ears. Occasionally there came the sound of a larger animal slowly pushing its way through the undergrowth. One sound that caught Flux’s attention was the barely audible pad of four careful paws. He pointed his nose in the direction and sniffed, not believing what he sensed. If his nose was right, which it always was, he smelled an animal that did not exist in Wyrden—or even Veresia any more. The animal had been extinct for years, hunted to death for its luxurious black coat.

Flux dropped low. The animal was coming in his direction. If it really was what he thought, it would be larger and far stronger than him. It was possible it was the man-eater Corrille was afraid of. He was loathe to notify Avruellen immediately, as the animal might pass without taking any notice of the sleeping humans. If Flux woke them, they would definitely make enough noise to attract the beast
’s attention.

Flux lay still, heart beating quickly. He waited, the scent intensifying. The creature did not change course. Flux rose into a crouch and backed quietly toward the campsite, carefully waking Avruellen. He invaded her sleep with his mind voice, tender and calming.
Avruellen, wake up quietly. Something is approaching
.

She opened her eyes, remaining still.

I think it could be the mysterious beast you heard about at Pollona. I haven’t sighted it, but it smells like a Zamahlan Panther
.

Avruellen sat up carefully. It would certainly explain the ravaged cow carcasses the Pollonians were worried about. The Zamahlan Panther was half again as large as a normal panther and could easily have killed and devoured two large animals.

Avruellen was wondering how to handle the situation when Flux started growling, a low grumble in his throat. He was looking past Avruellen. She stood up and strained her eyes through the gloom. A large black beast, head twice as big as hers, white fangs protruding below its top lip, entered the camp. It stopped just beyond the light from the dying fire. Standing almost chest high, it was huge. Yellow-green eyes reflected the light, regarding Avruellen and Flux in equal measures. Flux growled louder.

Corrille woke to see Avruellen standing, and Flux with hackles raised. She looked in the direction they stared, and saw a vague outline of the huge creature. As soon as she saw its large, yellow eyes she started screaming.

Bronwyn, yanked from slumber, sat up in a sleepy confusion. It took a few seconds for her to understand the situation. She grabbed her sword and scrambled to her feet while Corrille continued to scream—her shrill voice grating. Avruellen yelled at her to shut up, but the hysterical girl just screamed louder. No one moved. 

Through the din, Bronwyn
’s eyes met the great cat’s. She heard his voice in her mind.
So, you are the cub I must train. Can you get that girl to shut up before I kill her?
Avruellen and Flux also heard the Panther and stood, mouths gaping. Bronwyn calmly turned to her friend. “Be quiet. Be quiet!” It didn’t make any difference. In fear of what the beast would do, she slapped her friend across the cheek. The crack rang out, returning silence to the night. Corrille gingerly touched her red cheek, sobbing in shock.

Bronwyn turned back to the beast. 
Is that better?

Yes, thank you. Now, as I was saying
.

Hang on. What do you mean you
’re going to train me? Train me for what?

I
’ve been sent to bond with you
. Bronwyn blinked and slowly shook her head. From what Avruellen had always said, the realmist chose whom they would bond, not the other way around. Not only that, but this animal was communicating with her in a way that should not have been possible given Bronwyn’s lack of experience. This animal was not normal.

Who sent you?

Drakon. He thought you might need some help, especially after last night. If you agree to abandon your pride forever, you may join mine. If not, you will all die. So, young cub. What’s it to be?

Bronwyn stared at her Aunt. She was being presented with an awful choice. Never see her loved ones again, the woman who had sacrificed so much for her, and go with this mysterious creature. Or stay and be the cause of everyone
’s deaths. It wasn’t much of a choice. She would definitely sacrifice everything she had for the safety of her family and friends. She hoped the panther was being truthful and this wasn’t just a ruse to separate them. She looked at her aunt for reassurance, but all she saw was a mirror of her own confusion. Bronwyn knew she had a lot to learn about the Realms, and that without her aunt’s guidance she would struggle, as she was doing now. The biggest decision of her life and it had to be made within minutes. She drew a deep breath.

Avruellen looked at her niece and back at the beast. Her shock had subsided and she considered the practicalities of the situation. If this beast took Bronwyn they would be unable to complete the task set for them by Agmunsten. They would fail before they had barely begun.  Surely Drakon would not exact his promise in this manner if he knew? Avruellen spoke to the beast, mind to mind, so not even Flux could hear.
You may not take my niece now
.

Don’t speak foolishly old woman, Drakon has ordered it. I will take her now. Do you forget your promise?

Of course not. We have an important journey to complete. When it is done, Bronwyn will be free to fulfill the promise.

The panther stood for a moment, head cocked. He seemed to be listening to something. His head straightened.
The time is now. Drakon offers no apologies or explanations. He will be obeyed.
Avruellen tried to argue but found she could not form words mentally or physically. Enraged, she realised she had been muted either by the panther or Drakon. How dare he interfere! Avruellen’s distress was obvious to those around her.