The Children of the White Lions: Volume 02 - Prophecy (43 page)

Motioning in the direction of the castle that loomed to the east, Khin said, “I had arranged for people to meet us in the commons. I do hope they are still there. I had not expected today’s lesson to take this long.”

Kenders cheeks flushed red.

“I am sorry, Khin.”

“Do not be,” replied the aicenai plainly. “You are learning.” Khin shifted his gaze back to the castle. “Let us go. You have a celebration to attend and I must begin my afternoon meditation.”

Shaking her head, Kenders said firmly, “Not today, Khin.
You
are coming with
me
.” Lifting up the wrapped tart, she added a friendly threat. “You would offend me ever so deeply if you did not try some of your gift.”

A small smile stretched over his thin lips as he inclined his head.

“I accept your offered hospitality.”

The pair turned and strode through the mist, back toward the castle.

Kenders and Khin arrived shortly after midday meal was over to find the commons nearly empty. The tables with people at them had only a few souls each, except for the one favored by her and her brothers. That table was almost full.

Sabine and Helene were there, as was Jak, of course. Zecus, Joshmuel, and the other Borderlander, Boah, lined one side of the table, too. Commander Aiden was there when she arrived, but excused himself in short order to attend afternoon drills. Jak and Zecus rose to go with him, but the soldier effectively ordered both to stay and sit with Kenders. He offered her good wishes and left, carrying a slice of grape tart with him.

Lady Vivienne surprised everyone by making an appearance to “convey my desire that you experience a joyful yearday.” Once Kenders gracefully accepted the kind words, the baroness gave a curt nod and hastily exited the room, leaving a table full of people with raised eyebrows and hidden smiles. She did not take any of the grape tart.

The tomble White Lion, Tobias, was there as well, apparently at the behest of Khin. He sat at the far end of the table and remained quiet, keeping to himself. He was not overtly rude—if someone asked him a question, he would answer it—but he seemed content to remain in a contemplative silence. More than once, Kenders caught the White Lion’s eyes on her, staring. It reminded her of how Broedi watched her and Nikalys the first week or so after he had found them.

Khin spoke fewer words than Tobias even. After a time, she wondered if he had chosen to complete his afternoon meditation during the party.

Despite their shared quiet, the celebration was by no means dull. Jak spoke enough for five souls during the gathering, striving to share every embarrassing story about Kenders he could. She winced with each humiliating revelation, carefully watching Zecus’ reaction and hoping the tales were not affecting his opinion of her. Thankfully, the stories seemed to bring a smile to the handsome Borderlander’s face, but there was a strange tightness to every grin, a twinge of downheartedness coloring every laugh. Zecus’ mind was elsewhere.

They spent the bulk of the afternoon there, and for brief moments, Kenders forgot about the troubles facing them. Unfortunately, as is often the case, the revelry was short-lived.

Joshmuel and Boah excused themselves first, leaving just as the first of the Shadow Mane soldiers began to arrive for eveningmeal. A quick, purposeful look passed between father and son that no one but Kenders seemed to notice. She pretended she did not either, acting as though she was terribly interested in Jak’s current embarrassing tale: an account of when she had accidently sewn an apron she was working on to the dress she was wearing.

Soon thereafter, Helene fell asleep in her sister’s arms. Sabine explained to the table that the girl had been sleeping poorly since Nikalys’ departure, but Kenders knew better. Jak offered to carry Helene back to the sisters’ lodgings, an offer which Sabine accepted after a moment’s hesitation. Whether or not Jak noticed the pause, Kenders did not know, but she certainly did and it surprised her. To her eye, Jak and Sabine had been getting along exceptionally well as of late.

Khin and Tobias left at the same time as Jak and Sabine, both claiming they had other things that required their attention. Everyone’s sudden departure left Kenders alone at the long, wooden table with Zecus across from her. The empty tart dish, filled now with nothing more than pastry crumbs, rested between them.

A few moments of quiet passed. The pair exchanged an uncomfortable smile or two as Kenders glanced around the commons, trying to think of something about which to speak. The large room was close to being half-full now, yet none of the Shadow Manes sat near the same table as her and Zecus. The low din of conversation filled the hall, broken occasionally by an outburst of laughter here and there. The aroma of chicken roasting with Harvest onions and kives filled the room.

Kenders peered at Zecus.

“It would seem we are having chicken this evening.”

Zecus nodded.

“Yes, it would.”

She smiled again, unsure what to say next.

“Ah. So how is your training going?”

“Well enough. I am still having trouble with the long blade.”

Kenders nodded.

“Yes…yes, I heard…”

Another few uncomfortable moments had passed when Zecus leaned forward to rest his arms on the tabletop.

“And your studies? How are they?”

Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “Well enough.” She smiled. “I am still having trouble with Khin.”

Nodding, Zecus grinned and said, “So I have heard.”

They shared a quiet chuckle before both going quiet again. Kenders had been less uncomfortable when she had met the two duchesses than she was now. She was a moment away from claiming the need to work on Khin’s meditation exercises so she could escape when Zecus cleared his throat and spoke.

“There is something I must tell you.”

It felt as if a lump of lard suddenly appeared in her stomach. Thinking he was about to share his feelings for her, she leaned forward quickly. She should respect his tradition. She should speak first.

“Zecus, I—”

“I am leaving the enclave.”

Kenders stared at him with her mouth frozen open, unsure she had heard him correctly.

“You’re…you’re leaving?”

Zecus nodded once, keeping his deep brown eyes fixed on her.

“Yes. With my father and Boah.”

“What—” She cut off and shook her head. “No, why? Wait—no. When?”

After a moment’s pause, he murmured, “Tonight.”

Her eyes widened a fraction.

“Tonight? You’re leaving tonight?”

“Yes,” said Zecus, his tone firm. “You heard what happened to Gobas. Chaos’ army is marching east, towards Demetus. Towards our families. And when they reach the city, they will do to it what they did to Gobas.
My
family is there, Kenders. Alone. Wondering if father is coming back, if I’m alive or dead.” He shook his head. “We will
not
leave our families to die.”

Kenders sat in silence, unable to argue with what Zecus was saying. He did not need to explain the primal urge to protect one’s family. She admired his bravery and dedication, yet a large part of her wanted him to stay. And before she knew what was happening, that part took over.

“But I don’t want you to go.”

The moment the words escaped, she wished she could grab them and stuff each one back into her mouth. It was an incredibly selfish thing to say.

Zecus bristled at her comment. She could see his shoulders tense.

“I must.”

Shaking her head, Kenders tried to explain.

“I know you do. I’m sorry. I simply meant that…I…ah…”

She trailed off, afraid to give voice to what needed to be said. Steeling herself, she set her jaw and spoke.

“Zecus Alsher, I have feelings for you.”

For a moment, he did not move. In fact, he did not react at all. He continued staring at her blankly, his mouth parted slightly. Her heart was pounding so hard, she wondered if he could hear it over the din of the dozens of conversations in the commons.

Worried that she had committed some breach of tradition, she whispered, “Zecus? Did you—”

He reached across the table and touched the back of her hand.

“I am fond of you as well.”

Her shoulders slumped and she let out a relieved sigh.

“Oh, thank the Gods.”

Hearing Zecus speak the words aloud meant everything to her. Countless assurances from Sabine, Jak, Nikalys, and even Joshmuel did not compare to the quiet declaration.

His touch lingered for a few moments before he withdrew his hand. A slight, almost, bittersweet smile touched his lips.

“However, our feelings change nothing. I still must leave tonight.”

Nodding quickly, Kenders said, “I understand. You do not need to tell me how important family is.”

His grin turned grateful, his eyes swelling with relief.

“Thank you. Knowing that will make the long journey almost bearable.”

Her cheeks flushing, she dropped her head, letting her gaze fall upon the pottery tart plate. As she stared at the crumbs, the impracticality of what Zecus was about to do struck her. Glancing up, she asked, “How do you plan to get there?”

Zecus gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.

“How else? We will walk. At least two of us will while the other rides Simiah. We shall take turns so we do not grow tired.”

Kenders’ mouth fell open.

“You’re going to
walk
all the way there? That’s a poor plan! No, pardon me. That’s not a poor plan. It’s a mad one!

“What else can we do?” asked Zecus. “We will
not
leave our family to die.”

“It will take you at least four turns to reach Demetus! Perhaps five! Chaos’ army will have reached the city long before you!”

“I will not sit here and do nothing, knowing they are doomed to die!”

“At least take two of the stable’s horses. Surely Lady Vivienne would not mind.”

“Perhaps not, but we will not ask her.”

“Please don’t tell me this is some sort of Borderlands honor thing.”

“Not at all,” replied Zecus. “We simply wish to slip away without anyone knowing. We do not want to give anyone the chance to say no if we ask to leave. None of us enjoyed being a piece in the nobles’ games in Freehaven, despite the results.” His eyes grew hard. “My life is my own.
I
will not have another choose my fate.”

“Then why are you telling me? Aren’t you afraid I might go tell Lady Vivienne myself?”

A sly smile touched Zecus’ lips.

“Will you?”

“No. Of course not.”

“And that is why I decided to tell you. I trust you. I could not simply disappear without saying goodbye.”

Kenders pressed her lips together, grateful for that. She could not imagine waking up tomorrow and discovering Zecus was gone.

Eyeing him carefully, she asked, “Are you going to come back?”

Zecus shrugged his shoulders.

“I cannot answer that question any more than I can answer if it will rain on Thonda’s Leisure Day three years from now.”

“Do you want to come back?”

Zecus drew in a deep breath, dropped his gaze to the table, and exhaled.

“At the moment? Yes. But I do not know what fate Greya has in line for me.”

“So I might never see you again?”

He glanced up, a worried scowl on his face.

“War is coming. Things will get…confused.”

Kenders pressed her lips together.

“That sounds like a ‘no.’”

Zecus forced a brave smile but remained quiet. Kenders stared at him, wondering at the cruel irony of the situation. For weeks, she had fretted over what to do about Zecus, and now that she had finally told him how she felt, he might be leaving her life forever.

She set her jaw and shook her head. This was not something she was leaving to fate. Or the whim of the Gods and Goddesses. She slapped the table with an open palm, startling Zecus, and stood.

“I do
not
accept this.”

Zecus stared up at her and said firmly, “We
are
leaving tonight, Kenders.”

“And I will not stop you.” She leaned forward, rested her hands on the wooden tabletop, and spoke in a firm, quiet voice, “I want the three of you in the courtyard an hour before third watch begins. Against the southwestern wall.”

His eyebrows drew together.

“Pardon?”

“You heard me. An hour before third watch, Zecus. Be there.”

Before he had a chance to reply or question her, she turned, stepped over the bench, and quickly strode out of the commons, leaving him gaping after her. As she passed through the commons’ entryway, her mind ran through the long list of things she needed to do before tonight. She was about to make a great number of people angry with her, but her mind was made up.

Tobias strode across the battlements, his walking stick sending a sharp crack through the courtyard below with each halting step. Using his free hand, he pulled his heavy cloak tighter, trying to stave back the evening’s steady breeze from burrowing into his clothes.

“Blasted Winter.”

He hurried his pace, staring at the lone wooden door situated in the tower ahead. Beyond, the sky was clear and clean, a mixture of rosy reds and soft oranges filling the western horizon. Mu’s orb had only just dropped below the bare treetops and the air was already chillier. Tobias would have never named the days here at Storm Island warm, but he certainly preferred them to the icy nights.

A frown on his face, he murmured, “Why here, Miriel? Why not someplace warm?”

Tobias reached the door in the tower and stopped. An old, weathered statue of an ancient Imperial soldier stood guard. Tobias eyed it briefly before turning his full attention to the door. He lifted his hand to knock but hesitated, wondering if this was his best course of action. Broedi had said the aicenai could be trusted, yet Tobias was still wary. Some things were better left to fate. He was still standing there, wavering, when the door opened.

Khin stood, framed in the doorway, and stared down at Tobias. A single, soft mage light hovered in the air behind him, illuminating the stone room within.