The Ring Keeper, page 47
The sick guard nodded. “Thanks,” he said, sitting at the base of a tree, wrapping a blanket around himself, and dozing off.
Last night, Callonen had seen several guards. Now he saw only one that was awake.
Nothing else moved, and the camp was silent. Instead of slumping comfortably where he could watch them, the guard disappeared. He returned with two saddled horses and looped their reins over a branch. Then he approached Allia.
Callonen could sense she was frightened as the man drew near. Callonen pulled at the ropes. If the man wanted to harm Allia, what could he do about it? The guard was a big man, powerfully built. A beard and long hair hid his face. His blue uniform was old and stained.
If not for the extra perception granted by the Warding, Callonen might have yielded to the urge to yell at him to leave Allia alone. Instead, Callonen didn’t make a sound. He could sense the man wanted to help her. Why?
As the man spoke softly to Allia, Callonen sensed her fear turn to surprise and then relief. She knew the man.
He cut the ropes binding her and caught Allia as she collapsed. He supported her back to her feet and over to the horses, then helped her into the saddle.
Approaching Callonen, he began sawing at the ropes. His presence felt so familiar. In the dim light, Callonen couldn’t see him well, but he knew him.
“Talon?” he whispered. “Is it really you? How can it be?”
“I didn’t think you’d recognize me, Cal,” his long-lost friend said. “When I escaped from Ara, I joined the army and followed Allia here, waiting for the chance to help.”
“I didn’t recognize you. I wouldn’t have known except for the Warding. It’s coming back.”
“Good,” Talon said. “It will keep the demons back and give us a chance.”
Talon finally cut the ropes holding Callonen up, and his injured leg buckled under him. Pulling Callonen’s good arm around his shoulders, Talon helped him to the horse. He couldn’t put any weight on his injured knee without pain jolting through him. Supported by Talon’s shoulder, he set the bare foot of his good leg in the stirrup and, with help from his friend, pulled himself onto the horse. Talon mounted behind him. They slipped out of the camp, heading back toward the city.
The motion of the horse sent searing pain from Callonen’s injuries at every stride. Although he tried to focus on the woods and farmland they rode through, the landscape blurred together. He didn’t even know he had passed out until he woke up again. Talon had kept him on the horse. Now they had stopped beside a rocky outcropping in the woods.
“We’ll stop here and rest. I remember this place,” Talon said as he dismounted.
Leaning on Talon, Callonen swung his leg over the horse and slid to the ground. Talon supported him again, and they passed through the narrow entrance of a cave. He saw a large space with a sandy floor before everything blurred again.
When Callonen woke, he saw daylight filtering in through the cave mouth. The room had a lofty ceiling, and it was big enough that Talon had even coaxed the horses inside. Someone had wrapped Callonen in a blanket, and he was grateful for the warmth. He didn’t try to move. His arm hurt less than it had, but still throbbed.
He felt a warm weight on his shoulder and the silken texture of hair brushing his bare skin. Looking down, he saw Allia’s head resting against him and her hand on his chest. He could feel the warmth of her body all along his side.
Tears welled in his eyes. Allia was here, alive. They had escaped from Haldreth and his men, who weren’t going to hurt her anymore. She lay still, her breathing slow and gentle in slumber.
No one had ever slept beside him like this, not in his whole life. He’d rarely allowed himself to dream of her next to him. Even after years had passed, the wound left by her absence had refused to heal. But how could she ever forgive him? His uninjured arm cradled her closer. She sighed in her sleep, and he felt her warm breath against his skin.
It was the most amazing sensation. He had wanted this more than anything else and had thought he would never feel it. The silken softness of her hair, the touch of her fingers against his chest. Callonen remained there for hours, still and silent, doing nothing more than enjoying that she was here.
Callonen sensed Talon returning. He came through the mouth of the cave and saw Callonen awake. “Can you swallow some water?” Talon asked.
Allia stirred at his words and sat up. She had cleaned the blood from her face, but two red lines remained atop a darkening bruise. The cut on her arm was neatly bandaged. His own injuries had been tended to as well.
Now she helped Callonen raise his head enough to drink.
Moving sent stabbing pains through his body, and he gasped. But the water eased his dry mouth. “Thank you,” he murmured.
“Can you eat?” Talon asked.
Callonen shook his head. “Not hungry. Can’t move my jaw much.”
“Try a little.”
Allia fed him, and he accepted a few bites. Finally, he lifted his good hand to stop her.
He looked up at Allia. “Is there any news of Cirana?”
Allia nodded. “I saw her in Ara. After all these years wondering if she was safe, she found me a few weeks ago. She told me that you’d taken care of her all this time. She was so brave and beautiful. But Haldreth said he killed her.” Her voice trailed off into a whisper. Pain filled her expression.
Callonen shut his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. “My fault again,” he said in an agonized whisper. “I never believed he could reach her. I thought I could keep her safe.” He felt as if his heart had turned to stone in his chest. “I can’t fight anymore. Ana is dead. Haldreth has the throne. Both my army and the Aran army answer to him. He controls the Shekkar. And with them at his side, we have no way of fighting him. It’s over.”
His defeat was total. Ana, lost. Sarine, finished. His empire had crumbled. There was nothing else he could do but fade away into oblivion. It was the only chance of keeping Allia safe.
Talon seemed as if he wanted to object, but he said nothing. Maybe Allia wanted to protest too, but instead, she brought another blanket from the saddlebag and wrapped it around him. He felt her fingers gently brush his cheek.
“How can you tolerate me?” he murmured. “I’m nothing but a curse to everyone I love.” He allowed sleep to take him, but the pain pursued him there.
It began as a dream. Callonen was back in the city, in his private dining room. Morning sun streamed in the windows, and he sat across the table from Ana. She laughed with him, her face carefree, her smile warming his heart.
Suddenly, fear crossed her face. She was in danger. In the dream, she looked up at him. “I’m searching for Zarek. Please help?”
Callonen woke with a start that disturbed his injuries and sent pain flaring through his body.
“What is it?” came Allia’s urgent whisper beside him.
“Ana!” Callonen opened his eyes and saw only darkness.
“A dream?”
Callonen took in a deep breath and searched his feelings. “I was dreaming of her. But now… I think I sense her.”
“Could she be alive?” Allia’s voice contained a desperate hope.
Callonen searched his mind. The Warding continued to expand gradually, not yet back to its original strength. Ana. Warmth grew in his chest.
“I can feel her,” he said. “Ana’s alive. She’s alive! And inside the Warding, not far away.” He wanted to get up and shout.
Callonen concentrated on her again. “She’s afraid. We have to help her!”
Talon struck a spark and lit a bit of wood. In its light, he stared at Callonen. “You said you were done fighting.”
“I don’t care what I said.” Callonen struggled to push himself into a sitting position. “We have to help her. There’s someone with her…” A familiar presence, but one he hadn’t sensed for years. “Zarek. Talon, Zarek is with her.”
Talon grinned. “Good. Then get dressed. We’ll find them.” He went to the saddlebag and pulled out a blue uniform, tossing it to Allia. “I stole these before we left.” He took a second one to Callonen and helped him into it.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Year of Warding 42, Sarine’s Countryside
Ana
ANA AND ZAREK RODE at a steady pace as the stars turned above them. They headed south toward the city. The chill night was quiet around them, and they saw no sign of danger. Ana clung to him. He was here with her, alive for the moment.
“I love you,” she murmured, tightening her hold. He placed one of his hands over hers.
“Ana, I love you too,” he said. “I always have.”
“You need to hold on until we get to the city. No matter what.”
“I’ll do my best.”
As dawn came, the sun warmed the frosty air. They passed fields, farms and villages. The land appeared deserted. People were hiding, or they had fled to the city for protection. With only a few short breaks, they rode on into the afternoon. By then, Ana could feel Zarek swaying in the saddle.
“We should rest,” she suggested, expecting him to argue, but he didn’t. They stopped in the shelter of a boulder.
Moving slowly, Zarek dismounted, leaning heavily against the saddle. Ana slid down after him.
“I can… take care of the horse,” he mumbled.
“Don’t worry about that now,” Ana said. “Just rest.”
Instead of protesting, he sank to the ground with his back against the rock.
Ana wasn’t sure she could resaddle the horse by herself when they were ready to go on, so she left it in place, but hauled the saddlebags over to where Zarek sat.
“Are you all right?” he murmured, looking up at her, his gaze unfocused. “I should… keep watch.”
But already he slumped to one side, and she wrapped a blanket around him. “Rest.” She kissed his cheek.
She cleaned the wounds on his arm and back and found a piece of cloth and used it to wrap the gashes.
Zarek’s eyes were closed and beads of sweat stood out on his forehead despite the rapidly cooling evening.
The night was chill and the ground cold. She took off her helmet and curled up beside Zarek. She’d intended to stay awake and alert, but when Ana opened her eyes, it was dawn.
Zarek hadn’t moved, and when she tried to wake him, it took a long time for him to respond. Finally, he blinked and opened his eyes. “Ana? Where are we?”
“Still trying to get to the city. We’re not far away. If you can get back on the horse, we should be there later today.”
“I can’t.” He shook his head. “I love you… You should leave… Get yourself to safety. Haldreth’s army is coming.”
Her eyes widened. “No. I won’t abandon you! You wouldn’t leave me behind when the demons were coming.”
A slight smile crossed his face. “I guess that’s true.”
“Besides that, we are going to find the ring, and I need you close by when I do.”
He nodded slightly, but didn’t speak again.
Ana brought him food and water, but he wouldn’t eat and took only a few swallows. His skin was burning hot.
When she heard the sound of an approaching horse, Ana grabbed her helmet and put it on, tucking her hair into her collar. She picked up her sword.
The rider came into view, a lone Aran soldier.
Ana stood her ground and glared at him. “Get out of here,” she shouted, holding the blade ready.
She had no training with a blade, and she’d never hurt anyone before in her life. But dying here was better than going back to the king’s dungeon. She would rather try than give up. The blade was heavy, and she gripped it with both hands despite her wound.
He scrutinized her for several moments, then raised his empty hands. “Cirana?”
Everyone in Ara knew her name, and many would recognize her. “Who are you?” She didn’t lower the weapon.
He dismounted and took a step nearer.
“Stay back!” she warned.
“I’m Talon. Callonen sent me to help you.”
She stared at him in disbelief. Talon strongly resembled Zarek, even down to the uncut hair and blue uniform. “You’re Zarek’s father?” How was that even possible? She lowered the sword slightly.
“Callonen is just over there.”
“Here? Why isn’t he in the city?”
“Haldreth captured him and took his place.”
Ana’s stomach twisted into a knot. “So Haldreth is there now, pretending to be Callonen?” She took a deep breath and put the sword down. She knelt beside Zarek and touched his forehead. He remained unconscious.
Talon bent beside her. “What happened?”
Ana’s eyes welled with tears. “Demons.”
“We have to find the others,” Talon said. “Help me get him on a horse.”
“Talon, thank you. I was so afraid an Aran patrol would find us. Zarek is hurt, and I couldn’t fight them by myself. They would take us to the king, and I never want to be in Haldreth’s power again.”
Zarek’s father placed his hand over hers and gripped it reassuringly. “Let’s go. Can you bring the horse?”
Ana obeyed, while Talon knelt beside the unconscious Zarek and got him into a sitting position. Shifting behind his son to lift under his arms, Talon pulled him to his feet and leaned him against the horse, facing the saddle. He turned Zarek to face the animal. “Grab his arms and pull,” Talon instructed.
From the opposite side of the mount, Ana gripped both Zarek’s hands and pulled him while Talon pushed from behind until the unconscious man lay across the saddle.
Talon led the horse with Zarek on its back. Ana climbed onto her own mount and followed him as they made their way through the rocky hills. She urged her horse forward until she rode beside him.
“Thank you, Talon. I couldn’t get Zarek back on the horse.”
He smiled at her. “I’m happy to help. I’ve actually been waiting for a chance to thank you.”
“Me? Why?” What had she ever done to help him?
“We’ve met before,” Talon said. Turning to face her, he sang a few lines of an old song about a blacksmith.
For a moment, his voice took her back to a dark cell beneath Hakvere. Black memories surrounded her. She drew in a deep breath. “So it was you in the cell next to mine… I hoped you escaped, but I didn’t know.”
Talon’s voice was thick with emotion. “By the time you found me, I had nothing left. My body was ruined, my mind broken. Life was a torment, and yours was the only voice I had heard in twenty years. When you spoke to me, I began to remember that I had been a person once. And you were locked in the dark just as I was. Why did you help me?”
“I had to!” Ana said. “When you told me the king had left a way out in sight, but forever out of reach, I knew he hated you. And when you tried to help me, I knew you were a good person.”
Talon’s steady gray eyes, so like his son’s, met hers. “You don’t know what it means to me to be standing here, walking, breathing fresh air, looking up at the sky. It wasn’t just my legs. The ring healed my mind and my spirit. I had hope again and the will to live. I called out to you, but you didn’t answer. So I climbed out. After I stole weapons to take care of the guards and tools to open the lock, I came back looking for you. The room you were in was empty. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get you out too.”
Ana reached down, and he took her hand and gripped it. “It’s all right. Zarek got me out. We never have to go back there again.”
Talon released her hand, and they moved on until they came to a patch of forest. Between the trees, Ana saw a hidden hollow containing two horses and two people. One of them called her name. “Ana!”
She knew Callonen’s voice, though she would never have recognized him. Bruises and dried blood covered his face; his head was wrapped in bandages. “Callonen! What have they done to you?” She rushed to him and carefully put her arms around his neck.
Heavy splints covered one of his arms, but with the other, he pulled her close. “I thought you were dead. I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Her eyes filled with tears. She noticed Allia then and reached out to include her in the hug. “Mother. You’re here.”
The three of them held each other and cried.
The overwhelming events of the day had almost made Ana forget why she needed to speak to Callonen so urgently. She turned back to him. “Callonen! You have to know, Zarek stole your father’s sword back from Hakvere, and when Haldreth sent the demons after us, Zarek killed them.”
Callonen gasped. “Can it be true? All? Did he kill all of them?”
“Yes, but they poisoned him. Please tell me you know where the ring is. We can’t let him die!”
“You’re right,” Callonen said. “We have to get back to the city. Gavin is there with your ring. And Haldreth is pretending to be me. Ana, the news you bring is vital. With the demons gone, there’s hope.”
“Can’t people tell the difference?” Ana exclaimed. “He does look like you, but… if they spent any time with you, couldn’t they tell?”
“I hope so. But I don’t look like myself anymore,” Callonen pointed out. “And everyone knew the Warding fell. They don’t know it’s back. I am still the emperor, and I still wield its power.”
“I will tell them who you are,” Ana said. “I’ll make them see he isn’t you.”
“What if they don’t believe you?” Allia protested.
Ana squared her shoulders. “I am heir to the empire of Sarine, and I will make them believe.”
“It’s a dangerous plan,” Talon said. “We’ll be totally in his hands if we fail. There will likely be fighting, and Callonen and Zarek are in no condition to defend themselves.”
“But we have many friends there,” Ana said. “They’ll help us. If the ring is there, it’s our only chance to get it back in time to save Zarek. Come on!”
