The Binding (Chronicles of Azaria #1) (17 page)

“Interesting,” the General murmured. He sat up straight again and reached beneath his desk. He pulled out a bottle of black liquid, which had a red insignia on its neck. My eyes widened.

It was the same mark we’d seen on the flametar bottle in Ruthwall.

“I believe you may have seen this before?”

Ryan and I nodded, almost in unison.

“We found a store of flametar around a village not far from the shrine,” Ryan said. “The bottles had the same symbol on it.”

The General gave a sombre nod.

“I was afraid of this,” he said. “My men found a similar stock close to Darkdale after investigating a series of missed deliveries to the town. And all the bottles we recovered from the shine bear this emblem. It seems more people are involved in this than I thought.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Astounding how they managed to transport so much flametar without anyone noticing. The Balthanders family are notorious for their security checks at Ornixa. Whoever fashioned this scheme is certainly well connected.”

“But who would do this?” Ryan blurted. “And why would they go to that much effort to burn some ruins?”

Despite my resolve to be cautious, I risked a glance at my Bound partner. His green eyes burned, hungry for an answer, and I was soon staring at the shield again. Amazing to think I
’d survived that gaze when he questioned me in the Earthfire caves. Why was he so desperate to know?

The General leant on his elbows, resting his chin on his hands.

“So far, I have only part of an answer to that. One of the men questioned was surprisingly forthright, and claims to be a member of an organisation called ‘The Order of Amaranth’. He was very proud to take responsibility for his crime in their name.”

I watched Ryan from the corner of my eye. His
befuddled expression said it all; this information was as new to him as for me.

“Yet he refuses to tell me their objective,” the General went on. “He keeps repeating some nonsense about
‘deposing the Goddess’. While some might say the Shrines are a symbol of her power, I cannot fathom why they would waste so valuable a resource like flametar on such a nebulous aim. If this group was against the church, it would make more sense for them to target symbols of their authority. Though of course I am grateful they have not.”

He peered over his hands.

“And apart from the two of you and the troop I accompanied, very few others know anything happened three nights ago. Since I have confirmed reports that two of the men escaped, it strikes me as odd they would not spread word of their deed when they were so willing to name their Order on direct questioning.” He shook his head. “Their actions make no sense.”

I nodded, reminded of the same conclusions I
’d drawn myself. So much for Ryan’s hope we’d figure something out. Although there was still one piece of the puzzle I could bring to the table…

A strand of my hair flopped in front of my face, and I frowned, tucking it behind my ear. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I left them there. I didn
’t see how mentioning the runes would add to the discussion. None of the men had ventured into the sanctum, so they couldn’t have been aware of the mystic letters, and besides, setting fire to the ring passages would’ve brought the entire ruin crashing down, and the chamber’s secrets along with it.

Better
to stick to the role of recovering victim than hysterical loony.

“So,” Ryan said, shifting in his seat. “This
‘Order’, how long have they been around?”

“Their name is not unknown to me,” General Grants said. “Though this is the first time they have committed acts of violence. My impression is that they are a small cult who generally keep to themselves. They lurk around Dragonvale, which would make sense given the strong anti-Goddess sentiments there, though
they sometimes venture to Darkdale as well. I was most surprised they would stray so far to target our shrine.”

Ryan began fingering his collar. He tended to do that when he was puzzling something out.

I blinked. Damn, I really had to stop watching him so closely.

“Those men were quite upset to run into us,” Ryan said. “You
’re sure two of them escaped?”

“I trust the word of my men,” the General answered. “Is this important?”

“Well, we’re heading for Viens,” Ryan said, “and I was hoping to take the North East Road and pass through Darkdale, but if the Order knows who we are, then…” He trailed off.

“I see,” the General said. “My advice would be to err on the side of caution. Given your unfortunate experience, it would be wise to stay clear of the Order until we are better informed of their intentions.”

For the briefest moment, I caught alarm in Ryan’s eyes. In that instant, I was both elated and dismayed. On the one hand, we only had to brave a single night in the freezing temperatures instead of four, which was a relief. However, I had a good idea why this made Ryan edgy. Staying on the South Road—which was much more open and didn’t have the cover of the Airwater Gorge—would make it easy for anyone to track us. And with two potential enemies on our backs, it would be all the more dangerous.

My guilt bubbled to the surface, and I glanced at my feet. It was my fault we were heading for the capital, anyway. Now
that I knew I couldn’t escape the Binding, there actually wasn’t much point continuing. I could avoid all this uncertainty by speaking up. It wasn’t fair to put Ryan at risk. But my fear was too crippling, and the words wouldn’t come.

Oblivious to my inner struggle, Ryan sighed.

“Alright,” he said. “The safest way would be to keep south. We’ll do that.”

General Grants nodded.

“Then I wish you a safe journey onward,” he said. “Many thanks for sharing your information. As a token of my gratitude and as an apology for your rough time, I shall arrange for the rest of your supplies. My workman Arivannan has already repaired your horse’s equipment. He should have left it at the inn’s stables.”

“You
’re too kind,” Ryan said, giving a short bow.

“May the Goddess bless you both.”

I fought to hide my wry smile. Dear General, if only you knew just
how
Her Holiness had done so already.

We left the room and joined the waiting soldiers. They led us back into the courtyard. The shock of the cold made me grimace, so I pulled my scarf up again.

“Do you feel alright to leave today?” Ryan asked, rolling up his collar as we made our way towards the garrison gate.

I sighed. There was no reason to hang around, but the thought of being chased by two potential gangs—three, if I included Father and Adam—didn
’t enthral me, either. I swallowed, trying to dredge up some courage. Tell him the truth!

“You know…” I licked my lips. “We don
’t have to go all the way to Viens.”

Coward.

Ryan stopped at the gate, then looked at me. My heart pounded that little bit harder, but I wasn’t sure it was entirely because of the curse.

“We don
’t,” he shrugged, “but I promised, didn’t I?”

“Ryan, if we hadn
’t got stuck with the shrine fiasco, it wouldn’t matter, but I don’t want…”

Ryan pressed his finger to my lips. A hot blush flowered across my cheeks, despite the fact my scarf stopped direct skin contact.

“Eliza, please stop worrying.”

He lowered his hand and let out a misted breath. I rooted myself to the spot, determined to stop the Binding making the situation any more embarrassing.

“I’ll admit I’ve not been as careful as I should have, and made some rash decisions that weren’t fair to you. But I meant what I said last night. I’ll protect you, no matter what. You have my word.”

A bitter taste rose in my mouth. We didn
’t have to do this.

“Ryan, I…” I shook my head. “Thank you.”

Ryan smiled, before he led the way out of the garrison. Behind his back, I gripped my temples.

Why couldn
’t I just come out with it?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

‘
...and in whispered flight she departed, leaving his tears to cool upon his smited cheek.’

—
Tale of the Binding

Lanaran’s south gate was overflowing. Carts, horses, and pedestrians piled on top of each other, eager to squeeze through the checkpoint first. Many sported odd contraptions, from pocket-size boxes to enormous tanks with bits attached, and it was all we could do to navigate around them. Even with a team of Guardsmen manning the lines, only the first fifty or so people were in any order. Everyone else was left in chaos, and we were right in the middle of it.

We sat atop Cielo, stuck before the bottleneck of the hallowed queue. Two hours crawled by without much progress, but it wasn
’t the wait that bothered me. I was more pre-occupied with my seating arrangement. With all the carriages and machines threatening to knock me out of the saddle, I had to huddle close to Ryan.

And after its brief hiatus, the Binding had
not
been in a forgiving mood.

With my cheek resting against Ryan
’s shoulder-blade—and my heart fluttering like a panicked pigeon—I gazed across the crowd. We were seven carts, two riders and a family on foot away from the checkpoint, while beside us the madness sprawled. I couldn’t even see the ground through the mass of bodies. I’d been impressed with Lanaran’s size; now I was suffocating with its populace.

Maybe I was keener to get out than I realised.

Cielo blew a hot breath. He flicked his tail, agitated with the lack of space. Ryan stroked his mane.

“
I didn’t expect it to be this busy,” he said, glancing to the clock above the archway. “What’s with the rush?”

“Don
’t you know?” squawked a woman behind us, wheeling along a bundle of metal bars mixed with cogs and gears. “Dhjerba’s Inventor’s Fair begins this week!”

“Inventor
’s Fair?” I repeated, eyeing the strange device. It had a seat in the middle, and two wheels, one at the front and one at the back. I’d never seen anything like it.

“It
’s where all of Azaria’s greatest minds come together to share their genius!” the woman crowed. “My pedal cycle is sure to be a winner this year. I made a lot of improvements on my previous design. That sarper tree gum worked a treat for the wheels.” She eyed Cielo darkly. “One day you won’t need his like. Everyone will be riding my cycles instead! They don’t need half as much maintenance, and…”

Cielo snorted. The woman shrieked, and Ryan snickered. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what the fuss was about, when the line surged forward. Cielo was swept along, and I glanced behind. In the seconds before the gap closed, I spotted dark muck on the bottom of the woman
’s cloak, and I burst out laughing.

“That
’s exactly why we need alternative transport!” the woman screeched, waving her fist in the air. “Your days are numbered, horse, and your bowel movements are going with you!”

Ryan and I couldn
’t contain our hysterics. I struggled to catch my breath, my cheeks hurting from smiling so widely. Goddess, I’d needed that.

“You showed her, Cielo,” I said. Cielo flicked his ears in approval. “That thing looked like it would fall apart any second. Can
’t imagine it would ever go anywhere, let alone replace you.”

“It explains the queue, though,” Ryan said, resting his hands on the saddle. “Most of Lanaran
’s Scholars are architects and mechanics. They’d jump at any chance to show off their work.” He lowered his voice. “That’s good for us, too. If we can blend in, it should make it harder for anyone to follow.”

I nodded, though I was annoyed he had to remind me of our potential Amaranth trackers. Sure we needed to keep a close eye on our backs, but couldn
’t I enjoy a quick giggle now and then? If he stuck to being so serious all the time, his hair would turn as silver as his crossbow gauntlet.

Cielo stepped into a clear spot, and I was propelled into Ryan
’s back. My arms went rigid, keeping me tight against him, and I couldn’t pry my fingers off his coat. To rub salt into the wound, my scarf didn’t protect me from his musky scent, either, even though it was wrapped around my mouth and nose. Ugh, why did the Binding have such awful timing?

I screwed my eyes shut. Quick, think about something else. The stained glass window in the archives sprang to mind, but it didn
’t take long for the colours to blur. Even the runes slipped from my grasp. All I could concentrate on was that intoxicating smell, and how I wanted to reach up, curl my hand around Ryan’s cheek and bring his lips to…

“Present papers!”

The checkpoint guard’s cry severed the curse’s hold, and I shrank back as far as the saddle allowed. Despite the cold I pulled my scarf away, as it was now infused with that infatuating odour. Great, and just when I’d had it washed again, too.

The guard
’s assessment didn’t take long, since General Grants had provided Ryan with the necessary documents, and soon we were back on the South Road. Dense pines flanked us, and to the west the Earthfire Mountains cut through the clouds. Lanes split the road, cordoning off areas for different vehicles. It was certainly a lot more organised than the stony track we’d followed from Bane.

“Comfy?” Ryan asked, leaning back so our bodies were in contact again. His warmth was so inviting, I snuggled closer.
Wait, don’t do that!

“I
’ll cope,” I grumbled, praying I’d keep control of my arms. I was not willing for a repeat of the button disaster.

Ryan chuckled.

“Well, you should enjoy the view,” he said. “We’re going to pass Lake Breska. It’ll be frozen over, and the trees on its banks will be dusted with snow.” He sighed, scratching his nose. “It’s a shame. If we weren’t in such a hurry, I could’ve taken you ice skating.”

“Oh, I don
’t think you’re missing much,” I said. “Me and ice skates don’t mix. Not unless you want to lose a finger, or three.” That was true; I’d almost ended Adam’s career as a Guardsmen after our little adventure on the river Fende two winters ago.

The memory barely crossed my mind when my flippancy turned to panic. I clasped a hand to my head. Why couldn
’t I think before I opened my mouth? I was supposed to have come from an unhappy home. Like any cruel parent would let their child play in the snow, let alone go skating. The numb feeling in my chest returned. Already the cracks were forming in my lies. It wouldn’t be long before they came crumbling down, and I’d be left amidst the rubble.

“You just need a good teacher,” Ryan said, oblivious to my blunder. “Speaking of which, here.” He groped at his side, then handed me his hunting knife. It took a lot of effort, but eventually I yanked a hand from his waist and took the blade. “Just in case.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, fixing the sheath to my belt. I couldn’t say I’d missed the thing, but its weight was reassuring against my hip. At least with my ankle sorted, I was in more of a position to fight. Though I suspected that if it came down to it, I’d bolt for the hills before attempting to defend myself.

“You can practice that other grip I showed you,” Ryan went on. “Try not to poke me, okay?”

“That depends on how well you behave,” I replied, nudging him in the ribs. Ryan squirmed. He glanced back and grinned. Caught in his green eyes, my cheeks flushed. He rested his hand on top of mine, pressing it against his coat. I swallowed, my pulse thundering in my ears.

“And if I don
’t act up to your standards?” he asked. I clenched my teeth together, determined not to edge closer. Damn it, why did he have to do that? Just because he couldn’t match me in a battle of wits didn’t mean he could fall back on pure charm and let the Binding reduce me into a stuttering…

Cielo whinnied, as another rider came too close and almost collided into us. Ryan hauled on the reins, steering clear, and my face jerked into his spine. Tears burnt into my raw cheeks, and I grimaced. The black stallion alongside us shook its head, while its rider scowled. I caught a flash of silver beneath his sleeve, but it vanished before I got a proper look.

“Watch where you’re going!” he spat, righting his hood that had fallen off his head. I frowned.
He
was the one who’d barged into us. I took a sharp breath to tell him as much, but Ryan tightened his grip, urging me to keep quiet.

“Sorry,” Ryan said, taking Cielo to the far lane. The rider stared, his dark eyes menacing,
then turned back to the road. However, as I watched from the corner of my eye, every now and then he glanced in our direction. I wasn’t sure we warranted such attention because of a near-accident. That left another possibility; one I wasn’t comfortable with.

“Ryan, slow down,” I murmured.

“What? Why?”

“I want to check something, that
’s all.”

Shrugging, Ryan obliged. Cielo
’s steps shortened, and we drifted back as the other riders overtook. I peered over Ryan’s shoulder, waiting for the man on the black horse to gain some distance. When he was far enough ahead, I squinted at his hood. A red emblem stuck out on the back, and my eyes widened.

He was a member of the Order.

Beneath my arms Ryan tensed. He’d seen it, too.

“They didn
’t waste any time,” he mumbled, sitting straighter. “And he’s brave if he’ll show that symbol around. How did the Guardsmen miss him?”

“Must be too many people coming through,” I said. “But outside of the General
’s men who went to the shrine and us, nobody else would recognise the mark. Heck, we only know about it because of the bottle we found in Ruthwall.”

“Maybe, though it
’s not giving him much credit for his intelligence,” Ryan said. He took my hands and anchored them around his belly. “Hold tight, I’ll try and ditch him.”

The Binding liked the sound of that, and my fingers latched across his stomach. Through his coat I could feel his muscles tighten, and the memory of catching him shaving began to surface. Inwardly I groaned. I could only hope the curse wouldn
’t be too distracting, else we would be in serious trouble. Though it would provide quite the show for the onlookers around us.

Cielo picked up his pace, and we slipped into the crowd. I rested my chin on Ryan
’s shoulder, mindful of his hair that threatened to tickle my ear, and kept the man in the hood in sight. He’d stopped watching us, but he too drifted between the other riders, keeping at least two horses’ breadth away. My lip curled. What was he up to? He couldn’t attack us in broad daylight—a Guardsmen patrol would be on top of him faster than he could say ‘Amaranth’. However, if he forced us into the surrounding forest, we would be easy pickings.

This wasn
’t lost on Ryan, either. With some skilful manoeuvring, he folded back into the masses, dodging the various objects being carried around. Even then I had to duck to avoid the extendable poles, furled sails and cogwheel bars. Goddess knew what most of these things were built for. Other than to take my head off, of course.

Yet the man in the hood continued on our trail. I let out an irked growl. How did he know which way we were going when he was in front of us? Ryan, too, was getting antsy with this game of cat and mouse. He held the reins tighter, his jaw tense. I didn
’t take my eyes off the red emblem, a pearl of sweat rolling down my forehead. The same flash of silver sparkled from the man’s wrist, and this time I saw the hilt.

Uh oh.

Before I could whisper as much to Ryan, a sharp whistle of air caught my ear. The man in the hood cried out, his knife dislodged from its hiding place. His horse shrieked, stamping its hooves, which set off the grey gelding beside it. The beast reared in fright, throwing its rider and the invention strapped to its saddle. Crates and metal rods went flying in all directions, raining down onto the other horses and sending them into a wild panic.

“Whoa!” Ryan dug his thighs into Cielo
’s flanks, struggling to keep him from rearing as well. However, he couldn’t stop the horse from bolting into the trees. Every bone in my body jarred with each thunderous hoof-beat. I curled against Ryan, crouching low to stay clear of the branches. Snow splattered into my hair and pine needles showered over my shoulders as we ripped past. The frantic neighs and angered shouts died away, and soon only the screaming wind hollered in my ears.

“Cielo, knock it off!” Ryan roared.

Cielo ceased his mad rush. My forehead smashed into Ryan, and I groaned as coloured spots danced across my vision. Ryan hissed, doubling up and gripping his side; one of the saddle bags had whacked him below the ribs. I rubbed my sore head, wincing. I’d have a fine bruise tomorrow morning.

“Ryan, you okay?”

“I’m…fine,” Ryan gasped, sitting upright again. He paused, waiting for his breathing to return to normal. “What about you?”

“I
’ll live,” I said, blinking to clear the haze. When my sight returned, I glanced back to the tree-veiled path. There was nothing but a trail of shredded pines and hoof-prints. “What happened? One minute we were trying to lose that guy, then everyone went crazy. I thought I heard a shot, but…”