The Heartstone (15 page)

It was already crowded. Throngs of people walked from booth to booth fingering the merchandise, prodding the livestock and haggling. Ariana was glad she hadn’t come alone. It was all a little overwhelming after the forest’s solitude and Cerynus’ small house for so long. She walked along the perimeter stopping and feeling the delicate texture of a length of silk or the roughness of sturdy woolens. She stopped to sniff a vial of perfumed oil on a table covered in silken scarves. As she turned to ask the price, Alcydar interrupted her with a gesture.

“You have no need of his paltry concoction. There is better further down the way.” His nose wrinkled in distaste.

“Not so Ser Alcydar, it is the finest perfume brought from over the sea at great expense and danger. Fit to grace the greatest ladies in the land as well as the fairest like your companion.”

Alcydar snorted and the haggling began in earnest, both complaining about robbery and the swindling ways of the other. But Ariana noticed as they left the table without the perfume but with two silk scarves that both the merchant and Alcydar smiled well satisfied.

“There is not a merchant living who can best me.” Alcydar swaggered. Ariana looked up realizing the sun was directly overhead. She had to get back to the Inn.

“I have to go.” She told Alcydar hefting her basket holding out her hand to shake his.

“It has been a pleasure, Good luck to you.” He said with a courtly bow. He held out his hand. In his palm was the vial of perfume. He pressed it into her hand.

“For you, my dear.”

“But where...did you?”

“Ask no questions, fair one. Just accept the thanks of Alcydar.” With a final smile and wink he kissed her lightly on the cheek. She turned to go and realized her waist felt lighter. She looked down. Her purse looked flatter. She thrust a hand inside it was empty. She’d been robbed. She looked for Alcydar. She started after him. He saw her and melded into the crowd like a chameleon. He was gone. Amazing, someone so tall could melt away like that. Ariana knew she wouldn’t see him again.

Chastened she walked back to the White Hart. She’d been stupid. She couldn’t hold it against him. Where were her New York smarts? She took out the perfume and smiled. He was a charmer. She quickened her pace. Ariana spied a familiar yellow cloak. Rua was strolling down the street greeting people and bowing to the watch. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Ariana. She kept sauntering until she reached her.

“My dear child, Cerynus and Jarod are livid. They came back and found you gone. Stay here with me. I’ll help you get out of this coil.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What possessed you?”

“I’m tired of being treated like a child.”

“Then don’t act like one,” Rua’s voice was sharp though her smile stayed in place. Ariana was shocked. Rua noticed and her face gentled.

“I’m sorry, my dear, but you were reckless. You let your anger rule your reason.”

“I’m sorry.” Ariana said.

“But I don’t approve of bullying people. So I will help you.”

Two familiar figures strode down the street in her direction. Jarod saw them first. His worried look changed to a deep scowl.

“Is this how you obey orders?”

“I…”

“Ser Jarod“began Rua.

“No excuses. If you were one of my men you’d be whipped for disobedience.” He grabbed her arm and shook it, his green eyes blazing. Ariana broke away.

“Well I’m not one of your men. You don’t own me. You have no right to treat me like this!” All her guilt changed to anger at his arrogant attitude.

“We need to get back to the White Hart,” said Cerynus.

Rua put her arm in Ariana’s and clamped down. “Smile my dears, Rhysin’s spies are everywhere” They plastered smiles on their faces.

“We’ll discuss this later.” Cerynus said.

“I’m not going to be dragged down the street.” Ariana protested, smiling, through gritted teeth.

“Be still!” snapped Cerynus. Ariana shut up; she’d never heard that note in Cerynus’ voice before.

They reached their rooms in record time. Ariana sat down and waited for the storm to break. Jarod paced muttering to himself. Cerynus looked ready to throttle her. Rua was the only calm one.

“Well?” demanded Cerynus.

“I was mad. So I decided to go see the town. I’m sorry.”

“You could have been hurt.” Jarod turned to face her. “Rhysin’s soldiers could have found you. You know what happened to Rua.”

”Rhysin’s men are looking for us. Rua found out there’s a reward being offered.” Cerynus said.

Ariana went ashen. She sank down onto a stool. “I wasn’t thinking. I was just mad and I needed to get out for a while.”

“Well she’s back safe now. No use crying, after the dice are thrown. Did anyone see you my dear?” Rua asked

“Well I went to the market. This man named Alcydar was showing me around.” She stopped.

“Alcydar, that old reprobate, is he still around?” Rua said, “Did he spare your purse?”

“No.” Ariana said. Jarod cursed. Rua nodded resigned.

Cerynus sighed. “Ariana, you should have more sense.”

“I know him of old, absolutely no scruples. Once he knows there’s a reward for you, we’re lost. But he owes me a few favors. Let me go and collect.” Rua said.

“We need to leave tonight.” Cerynus said.

“I’ll go find us a boat.” Rua said, “I know some people. Ser Cerynus they aren’t looking for you yet. You should see if you could trade the horses. Ser Jarod you and Ariana stay here. We’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Good idea, Ariana try to stay inside. Jarod keep her here.”

They left. Ariana was alone with Jarod. The silence stretched out. Finally she looked up. He was looking out the window.

“I’m sorry.” She said. “I really messed up didn’t I?”

“Yes.” He said shortly. He looked over at her, his face gentled. “I’m sorry I was harsh. But I kept seeing you hurt or ravaged or dead. I couldn’t bear it.”

“I understand. I wasn’t thinking. I was just mad at you two, it won’t happen again.” Ariana said.

“I’ll try not to get so angry again. Peace?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He smiled at her. “So what did you buy before you lost all your pence?”

She smiled back. “This is for Rua,” She pulled out a calfskin bound sheaf of parchments. “So she can write down her songs. Jarod nodded. “This is for Cerynus,” His gift was a leather pouch with many pockets perfect for dried herbs and small bottles. She stopped. Jarod looked at her quizzically.

“Nothing else?” He asked.

“Well there is this.” Shyly she held out a leather belt, inlaid with the shapes of entwined dragons.

“It’s beautiful. I’ll put it on right now.” Jarod said. He took off his old worn belt and proudly put the new one on. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He held out his arms and she hugged him. He gripped her tight. He kissed the top of her head and murmured something.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing. Just don’t worry me like that again. I couldn’t stand it.”

“I really am sorry.”

“I know.”

She sighed and settled closer to Jarod. He didn’t pull away. She closed her eyes. “This is good, just being together.” He held her tighter. He was about to answer when she felt him stiffen.

“What is it?” she asked. He was looking out the window with what she called his hunter’s look.

“Shh.” She looked outside. A small troop of Rhysin’s men walked down the street. They were knocking at each door, questioning people.

“Oh my God.” Ariana said. “What’ll we do?”

“Gather your things and go down the backstairs to the stables. Stay with the horses. I’ll meet you there.”

“But what about Cerynus and Rua?”

“They will care for themselves. Hurry now.”

Ariana rushed into her room and stuffed everything into her bundle, tied it shut and threw it over her shoulder. She picked up Rua’s neatly packed rucksack and scanned the room. Quickly she crept down the back stairway and slipped into the stall with Firebrand. She covered herself with some straw. Firebrand came over and nosed at her. She petted the velvet nose hoping he would say quiet. He stood in front of her filling the doorway. She pulled the straw around her waiting.

She crouched hidden under the fragrant straw. Where was Jarod? Had he been captured? What about Cerynus and Rua? She shivered in her cloak, clutching the Heartstone and trying not to think of what had happened to Rua. The Heartstone was quiet in her hands. No danger yet. Her frustration grew. But maybe she could do something. Cerynus had said they were linked from her healing him. He had said not to use the magic within Amathwyr’s walls but this was an emergency. They had to be warned.

She focused on the Heartstone and pictured Cerynus’ face. She felt a tenuous connection growing stronger as he recognized her and opened his mind to the call.

“What is it?”
He asked.

“Danger, the troops are close to the inn.”

“Where are you?”

“In the stable.”

“Bide there. I’m coming.”

The connection terminated. Ariana felt the smallest pulse of pain behind her eyes. She ignored it and reached out to Rua. This time it was harder because Rua had no magic. But Ariana sent an impression of urgency and danger. She fell back into the straw sweating from the effort. Her head pounded and nausea threatened. Firebrand looked back at her and swished his tail.

Suddenly she heard movement outside the stable door. She stiffened and crouched down with her dagger in hand. Footsteps came quietly down the row of stalls and stopped in front of Firebrand’s stall. There was the stealthy drawing of the bolt and the thud as two packs were thrown to the floor.
“Ariana?” Jarod whispered crouched low beside Firebrand.

“Jarod, Thank God.” She clutched him for a moment. “What’s going on?”

“We have to leave now.”

“But where are we going?”

“I don’t know.”

“What about Rua and Cerynus? We can’t leave without them.”

“We must.”

“No.”
“We have no choice.”

The door opened. Jarod turned and pushing Ariana behind him drew his sword. Cerynus and Rua hurried in breathless from running.

“So?” Cerynus demanded

“Rhysin’s men are coming. I saw them at the end of the street.”

“I spied them. They’re getting closer,” Rua said. Her face was drawn. Cerynus glanced at her and patted her hand. Ariana could feel panic rising.

“What do we do? They’ll catch us.”

“No they won’t.” Rua said. “Follow me. We have to leave the horses.”

“No. Firebrand comes with me.”

“We don’t have time for arguments.” Cerynus said. “You made a vow nephew, let the horse stay, He’ll be well treated.”

“I’ll see to it myself.” Rua said.

“But you’re coming with us.” Ariana interrupted in alarm.

“No my dearest; I can be of more service here, confusing your trail and helping the resistance.” Rua answered.

“But Rua...” began Ariana her mind in turmoil.

“Hush, say your farewells and let us go.” Rua said with a gentle look at Jarod. Jarod was standing by Firebrand, absently twirling the stallion’s forelock as he minutely adjusted the bridle’s headstall. Ariana walked up to Starfall, put her arms around her soft warm neck and hugged her. She felt so safe here against the warm fur, partially hidden under the mane. Tears pricked her eyes. Pulling back she planted a kiss on the velvet soft muzzle, and straightened the tousled forelock. She looked intently into the brown eyes beneath long lashes. A great wave of hay scented breath wafted over her. Starfall snorted into her cupped hands. She turned away quickly before she burst into tears.

Jarod was standing in the stall with Firebrand, hand resting on his withers, face hidden in the red curve of the stallion’s neck. With a final pat, he turned away. Firebrand pawed at the floor knowing something was wrong. The stallion squealed ears pinned back. Firebrand’s haunches bunched, ready to kick or rear. Jarod hurried back to him and whispered in Firebrand’s ear. The stallion calmed but snorted, ears flicking nervously, knowing this time was different. Jarod turned away and joined the others outside in the yard. Ariana went over to him and out her hand on his arm.