ILLBORN: Book One of the Illborn Saga, page 52
‘Arion, it’s me!’
‘Who the fuck is this?’ asked Donnus, addressing the question to Allana. He then turned back towards the shape of Arion. ‘You! Leave us the horses and then fuck off!’
There was no answer from Arion for a few moments, before Allana heard a swishing noise. A sound which she had often heard when the Septholme Castle guards were practising their skills; a sword being drawn from a scabbard. Arion spoke up again, his voice surprisingly calm. ‘Allana, who is this man? Do you want him here?’
Allana heard Donnus uttering a curse, and witnessed the brutish Guard moving towards Arion. She had no time within which to consider her answer, and she instinctively shouted, ‘No! He’s going to try to kill you, Arion! Kill him!’
Whatever happened next, it occurred too quickly for Allana to properly register it in the dim light. There was a closing of the distance between Arion and Donnus, a lightning quick sound of metal clashing, and then a stifled scream. In the midst of that contest, for just a moment, she thought that she could feel a surge of energy emanating from Arion. Then Donnus had collapsed to the ground.
She watched as Arion leaped down from his horse. He effortlessly lifted the limp form of Donnus, dragging it into the nearby grove of trees. Arion then ran back to his mount.
‘Quick!’ His voice was sharp. ‘Get on the spare horse!’
‘Is he d-’
‘He’s dead. We must get away from here. Get on!’
‘I can’t ride! I’ve never ridden a horse!’
There was a pause, suggesting that this was an obstacle which he had not anticipated, before he spoke again. ‘Come here, then. Ride in front of me.’
–
Then they were riding away from the fork in the road. Following the road east, and putting distance between themselves and the fortress. Leaving behind the three people who had died that night, including Donnus’s body in the grove of trees.
You’re not to blame, Lana. None of this was your fault. Donnus was a murderer. He killed the others. And Arion had to protect himself from Donnus. You just did what you had to do.
Arion had one hand on the horse’s reins, with his other arm wrapped tightly around her stomach as she sat in front of him. She could feel her back pressing against him, with his breath hot against her ear. And she felt renewed and alive in his presence. Intoxicated by his proximity, and by the sensation of an aura of vitality around him, which she could feel enveloping her. Her heart was beating fast within her chest.
She had never ridden on a horse before, and she felt some nervousness even at the steady canter at which the animal was moving. However, she felt sure that the muscular arm across her stomach would not allow her to fall. Arion would protect her. He would keep her safe.
He had initially enquired as to whether she was being pursued and then, once she had responded, for an extended period they did not speak. They continued to follow the road eastwards in silence through the night hours, covering a distance of ground at a fast pace. The second horse cantered along beside them, loaded with saddlebags which appeared to carry whatever possessions he had brought with him. She had earlier tucked her knife into one of those bags.
Eventually, she broke the silence between them. ‘Arion, thank you.’ He did not answer, and after a few seconds she added the words, ‘Thank you for coming for me. For saving me.’ She turned her head slightly, and from the corner of her eye she could see his chin, close to her. So close, and so tempting to turn and to kiss it.
His answer surprised her by being curt. ‘I made a promise.’
She felt a little wounded by the brevity of the response. ‘Even so,’ she replied. ‘Thank you.’
He did not respond, and his continuing silence elicited a first flicker of doubt within her. One which she tried to suppress.
He is here, Lana. He came for you, as he promised. And he’s right to concentrate on your escape. There will be much time for talk. Later, when you’re safe. Time for talk, and also for other things.
–
They covered miles of ground as the hours of night passed by. He drove the horses hard, and at one point he stopped to allow them both to switch to the second mount. At that time, he also lit a lantern attached to each of the saddlebags, and led the horses from the main road onto a much smaller side trail. This smaller path was on the left of the main track, and appeared to wind northwards.
‘Where are we going?’ Her thighs and calves were aching as she swung down from the first horse, his hands on her waist to assist her. There had still been little conversation between them, and she chose this moment to attempt to renew their connection, trying to look into his eyes as she spoke.
He was peering back along the road behind them, rather than at her, as he answered. ‘This trail is not well known. Certainly, Aiduel’s Guards wouldn’t know it. It runs parallel with the River Road, to the east.’
‘And where does it lead?’
‘It runs north. I need to get you as far away from Septholme as I can, tonight. You will need to go north.’
He said you, Lana. Not we.
She tried to shake that thought away as they mounted the second horse. But the doubts were becoming more prevalent within her as they rode along the thin trail, travelling for a further extended period.
The lantern provided the only illumination of the verdant countryside in the lands around them. There was still no glow of dawn in the sky, at the point when Arion finally stopped their mount. Allana estimated that they had been in the saddle for over three hours. Again, Arion assisted her down from the horse.
This time, after she had dismounted, she came and stood before him. ‘Arion,’ she said. ‘What’s the matter? Arion, please look at me.’
It was not her intention to use her powers against him. She merely wanted to peer into his eyes, even in the murky light, and to better try to divine his thoughts.
For a moment, he looked away. Then he turned towards her, still not meeting her eyes, his expression stern. ‘I’m sorry, Allana, I can’t come with you. I must leave you. Here.’
‘What? But your promise-’
‘My land has been invaded, Allana. We’re at war. I must go to lead our armies. Tomorrow – sorry, today now – we march north. I can’t abandon everything, and everyone, that I love. For you. However much that I may want to.’
His tone of voice was different to that which he had used, back in the fortress. Lower, more reserved, more stoic. But with a noticeable tinge of shame. And still he was not meeting her stare.
‘But what would you have me do, Arion? You would abandon me, instead? Here? In the dark, in the middle of nowhere?’
‘I have to go back, Allana. I have to. But you can still escape. In these bags, I’ve brought clothing for you, and money which you can use to travel north.’
‘But how?’ She tried to keep the despair and pleading out of her voice. ‘I don’t know where I am. My accent will betray me, anywhere I go. You promised to help me escape, Arion.’
‘I’ve helped you escape! I’m doing this, right now, Allana, when I have no time. I should be resting or planning for war!’
‘That isn’t what you meant! You know it isn’t! You promised!’ This time the plaintive upset was clearly evident in her voice, and she was aware that she must be sounding childishly petulant. Still he avoided meeting her eyes, clearly embarrassed by his actions.
‘We’re over thirty miles from the fort, now,’ he said, after a pause of a few seconds. ‘No one will pursue you, Allana, other than Aiduel’s Guards. The concerns of my brother and House Sepian are far greater than you, now. And even if Aiduel’s Guards have dogs, you have a big lead over them.’
‘But Arion-’
‘I don’t have much time, Allana! I have to get back to Septholme before dawn! I need you to listen! Will you listen to me, Allana? Now?’
She was stung by his sharp words and rebuke, but she nodded and whispered, ‘Yes.’
‘Listen to all of this, carefully. Remember it, all of it, and you will escape. Keep moving. Always keep moving. Go east across these fields.’ He pointed to signal the direction. ‘Keep going straight. In less than two miles you’ll come to the River Road. Follow that north, always with the Canas River on your right. Within another two miles you’ll come to the town of Eastholme, by the Third Bridge. The bridges will all be closed now, but there are regular horse-drawn carriages that you can get on from there which run the whole length of the River Road. One will be ready to leave, going north, shortly after first light. Get there before dawn! Be on that carriage, and stay on it, but for no further than Canasholme, the Sixth Bridge. Sleep on the carriage. Get some rest. After that, get off the main roads, always keep moving, and stop and rest as little as possible. And steer clear of any armies. Well clear. This land is at war now. But go north, keep going north, and get out of Western Canasar. Get to Rednarron, there’ll only be a handful of Aiduel’s Guards there. Get there, find a safe place, and wait. Then write to me, at Septholme Castle. I’ll come to you as soon as I can, when the war is over. Please believe me.’
‘Believe you?’ There was a hint of derision in her response, but despite her upset about his intentions, she was trying to retain everything that he was saying. ‘What about the money? And clothes?’
‘In these two bags.’ He lifted the bags off the saddle, and placed them in front of her. ‘In here are clean dresses, which were yours at the castle. I suggest that you change into one, in case Aiduel’s Guards are looking for the colours of your current dress. There’s also money in a purse in the bag. More money than you could need. And food.’ He then reached into the pocket of his tunic, and passed a sealed letter to her. ‘And this is a letter carrying the seal of House Sepian.’
‘Saying what?’ She pocketed the letter as she asked the question.
‘Saying that the bearer of the letter is carrying out business for House Sepian, and that she should be given any assistance she requires, to get to Rednarron. Only show it if you absolutely have to, but if the need arises, use it.’
He has planned all of this so carefully, Lana. Has given so much thought as to how he is going to leave you. But he must not leave you.
‘Thank you, for what you have done. But you’re set on leaving me?’
‘Yes.’ Again, his response was curt and cold.
She had to do something to change this. Had to attempt to restore and reignite whatever emotions had been enflamed within him, when they had met in the fort. She stepped closer to him, and placed her hand on his cheek, forcing him to look towards her. ‘Arion. Please look at me.’
His eyes focused upon hers, the first time tonight that their gazes had locked together, and at last she could detect the barely contained emotion which he was holding within. There was still desire there. He still wanted her. She was suddenly certain that his icy demeanour was an act, an effort to keep her at bay. To maintain his stated resolve when what he really wanted to do was to flee with her. To become her lover. All was not lost.
She could also sense the powerful aura around him, as she had sensed it when in the fort. Alive. Vital. Full of energy. Pulsing.
And then time slowed down around her, and invisible tendrils started to sinuously emerge from her thoughts, snaking towards him. And she began to speak to him.
You want me, Arion. You want me. And you can ha-
But then the tendrils touched the aura around him, and dispersed. Harmlessly, and ineffectively. As if they had never been. He continued to stare at her, his face a tormented mixture of desire, shame and duty. But he was untouched by her power. And she realised then that she had never truly enchanted him during their first meeting, in the fort. At least, not in the way which she had imagined.
No, on that occasion he had allowed himself to be seduced and to fall under her power. But she had never really dominated or controlled him, not in the way that she had done with others. His will was too strong.
She knew now that he had simply chosen to fall under her seductive spell, inside the fortress, and to make his promise to her. And now he was choosing to break it.
She tried one last time, her voice as soft and appealing as she could make it, given the circumstances. ‘Please don’t leave me here, Arion. Please come with me. I know we were meant to meet. Meant to be together. To be lovers. Soulmates. You know it, too.’ She inched closer towards him.
But he abruptly moved backwards, taking her hand from his cheek, and then his face hardened. ‘I have to go, Allana. Now. I’m nearly out of time.’ He then turned away from her, and jumped back onto the saddle of his horse, creating distance between them.
She watched his action, then lowered her head to hide the tears that were forming in her eyes.
‘So, that’s it? You’re really leaving me here? Knowing that I’m going to be hunted, and that you’re sending me into a war?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry. I’ve done everything that I can for you. But I have to go now. I’ll follow a different return route which circles back to Septholme along the western coast road, and I’ll hopefully lead off any pursuit. But keep moving, do the things that I said. Stay safe. Get to Rednarron. Then write to me at the castle. Please.’
‘OK. Go then.’
‘Goodbye, Allana. May The Lord protect you.’
She did not answer, turning her back on him, and shortly afterwards he and the two horses had departed. The lantern which he had left for her cast a small radius of light, and the shape of him was quickly swallowed by the darkness outside. Leaving her alone, in an unknown countryside in the middle of the night. She reached into the bag before her, pulled out a dress, and started to change.
She took a deep breath, forcibly trying to maintain her calm, despite the unknown threat suggested by the surrounding blackness. He had abandoned her, despite his promise. And her upset at his decision was quickly hardening into anger, tinged with a trace of fear.
But she had been in worse situations than this, and she had survived. She had saved herself from Ronis. Had escaped from Sen Aiduel. Had made it to Andar. Had survived torture. And only tonight, by her own efforts she had escaped from certain death from within the fortress of Aiduel’s Guards. She had survived it all. And she would survive again. With or without him.
You will escape from here, Lana. You’ll use his plan, and his money, and his letter, and you’ll get to Rednarron. You will escape, and you will survive.
And after that? After, you’ll remember the choice that he made here, on this night. You will always remember it.
31
Arion
–
Year of Our Lord,
After Ascension, 769AA
In the hour before dawn, four days after he had departed from Allana, Arion was standing outside in the open air. He was cold, but he was completely alert.
He had much time to contemplate matters, within the blanketing darkness. However, his thoughts were drawn towards the radiant external presence located somewhere to the north-east. Pulsing towards him, from the direction of the Elannis army encampment.
He had been feeling this presence for all of the night, and even now it continued to stimulate his senses. And every time that it radiated outwards again, it energised and revitalised him, and was helping him to remain fully awake despite the unsociable hour.
It was the same sensation as when he had first become aware of Allana dei Monis. This presence therefore had to be the Dei Magnun girl who had so entranced him, and that realisation made his stomach knot with anxiety. Despite everything that he had done, despite all of his efforts, could she somehow be there right now, a captive in the midst of the enemy camp?
Four days and nights had passed since he had parted company with Allana, and had abandoned her by the side of a little-used trail. He could clearly recall the look of anguish and fear on her face after she had realised that he was determined to leave her. And he could picture the way that her distress had gradually hardened into something else until, at the end, her expression had appeared closer to bitterness.
He knew that he had done everything that he could for her, in the circumstances. Without his intervention, she would undoubtedly have been captured within a couple of miles of Septholme. He had given her a significant head-start over her pursuers, had gifted her the money and provisions which she would need, and he had provided her with a plan of escape.
And yet, in those last minutes together, she had looked at him as if he was a betrayer and a breaker of promises. She had ignored all of the things that he had done and was doing for her, and she had focused purely on what he was not doing. Not escaping with her. Not fleeing together.
Lord preserve me. I had only just met her. I saved her. I killed a man for her! How could she have expected more?
But he knew the answer to that question. In the meeting at the fortress, he had promised more. And he had wanted more. Even now, just thinking about her in these darkness hours, made him imagine the tantalising possibilities if he had decided to go with her. If they were together, right now, sharing a bed. Making love under thick warm covers, and feeling cocooned in each other’s embrace.
Rather than standing outside in the cold of the night, and counting down the hours until he would be in mortal danger.
Being in her presence on that night of escape had again flooded him with energy and vitality. He could clearly remember the way that her body had felt as she had pressed herself back against him, on his horse. It had made him want her even more, even amidst the danger of their escape, although he had battled within himself to suppress those feelings. He had reached such a level of inner crisis, during that flight from the fort, that he had been unable to look at her lest his willpower break. He had been relieved when he was no longer holding her, and had even tried to avoid speaking with her.
But he could vividly recall some of her last words to him. ‘I know we were meant to meet. Meant to be together. To be lovers. Soulmates. You know it, too.’
