Etania's Calling, page 20
“Where were you last night?” Jakin questioned.
“What are you, my mother?” Damien retorted. “Where I went is none of your business.”
“I suppose not,” Jakin said, “but if I disappear while you’re gone, I’m sure that Jazel wouldn’t be too happy.”
Damien laughed.
“I doubt you could move, let alone escape, with two dragons guarding you and the curse consuming you. Besides, if you were going to escape, why didn’t you?”
“Perhaps I was curious what estate you brought me to,” Jakin glanced around at the ruins. “Not the most homey of places.”
“I was ordered here,” Damien grumbled. “Trust me, it wasn’t my first choice.”
“Oh, so that’s where you were last night,” Jakin said.
“What?” Damien growled.
“You were seeking more comfortable accommodations. Gotha is a day’s ride from here. You could easily get a bed at the inn.”
“That’s not what I was doing!” Damien snapped. “I was asking King Victor and Prince Xavier if they had...” Damien shut his mouth and glared at the Lehrling. “Just eat your breakfast.”
Jakin obeyed, knowing he could push the man no further, but secretly smiling in triumph. Based on Damien’s visit to the Pyros royals, he was probably looking for information about Zaden. If such was the case, that meant they didn’t know where Etania and her companions were. His daughter must be safe!
Even though he felt grateful, he knew they would eventually use him as bait to lure her here. Before that happened, he had to escape. But how? Damien was right. He was no match for two dragons—he was too weak.
He had to think of another way. Looking around, Jakin saw little to work with. The ruins of the mansion were unlivable. The roof had collapsed, and the bedrooms inside weren’t intact. They were camping out in the “garden,” surrounded by a stone wall. Overgrown cactus and other desert plants were scattered throughout the garden, adding to the barriers that Jakin had to overcome. Gotha would be too long a walk for him to get help.
One of the still-sleeping dragons stretched its neck, tucking its head underneath its wing, and snoring loudly. How does Damien control them? Jakin wondered. The Skazic lost his powers when Etania defended herself. He looked over at the dragons, trying to discern whether their behavior differed from the usual. At first glance, they seemed normal. Then, he remembered when one dragon had shaken its head from his hammer blows. Ever since that day, that dragon seemed reluctant to obey Damien’s orders. In fact, Jakin had even seen...
Aha! he realized. Damien’s sword controls them! A black smoke cloud would emerge from his weapon and surround the dragon that was disobedient. That smoke must have been from Narak. If I can get a hold of the sword, Jakin mused, I can disable him... and possibly ride the dragon out of here.
But how could he get the sword away from the Skazic? Damien was very watchful, and any mistake could mean facing the dragons instead of the man himself. He would have to see if he could antagonize Damien into facing him one-on-one. Still, Jakin hesitated. He was making a big gamble.
I’ve always found a way to annoy people, he thought. His plan solidified.
WHEN ETANIA AWOKE, she had to blink a few times to remember where she was. No longer did the rocking of waves move beneath her. No call from Cam sounded to have Zaden help him with the sailing. She could still feel the slight sway of a boat as she rose. She dressed, grateful that the Equus had let them grab their things before Cam and Bayanna left.
Bouncing on her heels, she walked out of the tent, knapsack slung over her back. Her eyes widened as she took in the camp. Servants packed up the tents, putting out fires and placing supplies into carts pulled by unicorns. The guard at her tent flap had to catch up with her as she strode toward Keyel’s tent.
“What are you so happy about?” Keyel questioned, meeting her halfway. Etania held up two fingers.
“One, you said you would give me a decision about marriage today. Two, we get to ride unicorns! Aren’t you excited?”
“I don’t know if excited is the right word,” Keyel said. “However, I’m grateful to be riding an animal that is a bit more... stable.. than a dragon.”
Etania giggled, prompting Keyel to ask, “What?”
“You didn’t even realize it, did you?” Etania said.
“Realize what?”
“Stable...in connection with unicorns!”
Keyel smiled, and Etania felt warmth blossoming in her chest.
“So... what was your decision?”
Keyel smoothed down his shirt. “I’ve decided—to trust you with my heart and my life.”
Etania quickly wrapped him in a hug.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I will do my best to be worthy of that trust.”
Keyel returned the gesture, resting his head on hers and wrapping his arms around her waist. Etania needed only to wait until he could speak to her father to make it official. She smiled widely. That was enough for her. He’d finally committed!
A guard cleared his throat, reminding them of his presence. They quickly separated.
“This way,” the guard interrupted. “You’ll be joining Zaden and riding near the King.”
“Alright,” Etania said, following the Equus through the busy camp. Keyel walked beside her. Everywhere she looked, Etania saw servants—usually young boys, apprenticed to the surrounding warriors—tearing down tents. The older men saddled their unicorns for the journey ahead.
“I’m surprised so many of you are leaving with the King and his daughter,” Keyel commented.
“A small contingent will stay with General Erik,” the guard explained, “but we always travel with the King in this manner.”
“Why?” Etania asked. “There aren’t any wars to be fought.”
The guard sighed, as if Etania’s question was the most burdensome thing in the world to answer.
“The unicorns need to be fed, and traveling between grasslands ensures we do not overtax the land.”
“That is why the fire is so damaging to us,” a guard near Keyel put in. “We rely on the land to sustain our mounts. We grow crops near Hovhan that feed our people, but the grasslands feed our unicorns.”
Etania nodded. She understood why the Equus needed an alliance with the Pyros. Did they have to make an alliance by marriage, though? Particularly, the marriage of Gwen and Zaden? Etania could sense that Zaden didn’t love Gwen, despite their past relationship, and she wasn’t sure how Gwen felt about Zaden. One night’s feast was not enough for her to figure out the woman. Gwen was too quiet for Etania to properly understand her feelings.
Maybe that’s something I can do to help, she thought. I can talk to her and find out the truth.
“I don’t like that look on your face,” Keyel remarked.
“What look?”
“That mischievous one,” Keyel said, “like you’re going to get involved in something you don’t need to.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Etania teased.
Before Keyel could pester her further, they came to where King Brandt, Gwen, and Zaden stood.
“Good morning, my—” Zaden began a romantic greeting, only to realize that he was being observed by King Brandt. Etania choked back a laugh.
“Good morning,” she said.
“These are your mounts,” King Brandt said. He gestured to three unicorns: two gray and one white. “They have both been fed achnatherum grass. Unlike other animals, this will not put them to sleep, but will keep them peaceful under the saddle.”
“Thank you,” Etania said.
Brandt and Gwen mounted their unicorns, Keyel and Zaden following suit. All around them, most of the Equus prepared to ride out. Etania offered a hand to her unicorn. The animal sniffed it before sighing loudly, as if carrying a non-Equus was boring. Giddy, Etania swung onto her mount. The clear smell of grass and water hit her nostrils as she clucked her unicorn forward.
The Vexli almost lost her seat as the unicorn took off. It went at a pace no horse could achieve, even though it seemed to walk. The ride felt incredibly smooth, as if the unicorn was floating on air.
Beaming, Etania observed the others. Keyel was smiling, but the others looked stoic. They were too accustomed to riding a unicorn to be thrilled by it. Goosebumps slid along the back of her neck as she saw the guards join, likewise on unicorns. The entire group moved in one massive way of gray and white, smooth and swift as they traversed the grasslands.
She nearly forgot about her resolution to speak to Gwen by the time they stopped for lunch. After dismounting and allowing the unicorns to eat, Etania took her serving of soup from the cook and searched for Gwen.
She found the brunette woman sitting on one of the wooden chairs they had transported with them. When she approached, Gwen smiled slightly and beckoned one servant to bring Etania a chair. It looked like Keyel and Zaden wanted to join them, but King Brandt called them away. Probably to discuss “men’s business”—or something ridiculous like that.
“So,” Etania began, “what do you think about all of this?”
“What do you mean?” Gwen asked.
“About getting married to Zaden,” Etania said.
“I will do whatever my father wishes. I am his only heir, and must do what is best for our country.”
“I understand that,” Etania said. More than she likely realizes, she thought. Why else am I chasing Jazel, if not to protect Tamnarae?
“I guess what I mean is...” Etania hesitated. “Do you love Zaden?”
“Once.” Gwen fiddled with her sleeves.
“Once? So you don’t anymore?” Etania asked.
“Shhh. Lower your voice. This isn’t a conversation the men should hear.”
Etania tilted her head to one side. I didn’t think I was talking *that* loud, she wondered. Am I turning into Bayanna?
Gwen scooted closer to Etania.
“I had an intimate relationship with the Prince one time,” she whispered.
Etania flinched, moving her hand to her chest. Her fist clenched and her mind reeled as she processed this. She had always known Zaden trifled with women’s emotions and had seen how many relationships he’d had. Yet, she’d never suspected that he had sullied a woman’s honor.
“I thought he loved me,” Gwen said. “When he left with my prized unicorn, Destro, I wasn’t so certain. The pain of his betrayal...it makes me wonder if I can love again.”
“I am so sorry.” Etania placed her hands over Gwen’s. “I did not know Zaden was capable of such a thing.”
Gwen nodded once and looked into Etania’s eyes.
“What is your relationship with Zaden? This morning, when he was about to greet you... perhaps I was jealous. Forget I asked.”
“Zaden may be a flirt, but he doesn’t mean it,” Etania explained. “Plus, I’m courting someone else.”
“The Leici?” Gwen suggested. Etania blushed.
“I’m glad it’s still obvious. We’ve had our difficulties lately.”
“You may be in conflict,” Gwen said, “but your eyes shine with love for one another. I only wish I had seen such genuine affection before being involved with Zaden.”
“Maybe Zaden will look at you like that one day,” Etania suggested.
“I don’t know.” Gwen bit her lower lip and looked away.
Etania wanted to reassure her, but the words wouldn’t come. A call sounded for lunch to end and for everyone to return to their unicorns, so Etania and Gwen both rose. Servants took away the furniture and loaded it into carts. Etania was turning to go back to her unicorn when Gwen spoke up.
“Etania,” she said.
“Yes?”
“I can’t tell what the future will hold for Zaden and I. But, I know Zaden enough to see that he is hiding something from you. Be careful around him, or you may end up like me.”
Etania frowned, uncertain how to feel about Gwen’s words.
“Thank you for your compassion,” she added. “It means much to hear from another woman with such a big heart.”
“You’re welcome.” Etania offered her a smile, despite her inner turmoil. She wished she could hug the woman. Gwen nodded and mounted her unicorn, leaving Etania to do the same. Once Etania and her companions were on the road again, Keyel drew up beside her.
“What did you talk to Gwen about?” he questioned.
Etania hesitated. She was still processing what Gwen had told her and didn’t know if telling Keyel was the best idea. After all, her suitor already hated Zaden. However, he had trusted her with his heart and she couldn’t lie anymore.
“Gwen and I talked about her relationship with Zaden.”
“And?”
Etania sighed. “She told me not to trust him. What did King Brandt want to talk about?”
“Don’t change the subject,” Keyel countered. “I’m glad that Gwen is on my side about Zaden, though it’s sad that she doesn’t support her fiance.”
“You won’t hear me disparage you when we’re engaged,” Etania reassured.
Keyel shared a happy gaze with Etania. When one of their guards came too close, he cleared his throat and fixed his eyes back on the road.
“King Brandt wanted to show us his map,” Keyel said. “Although I enjoy analyzing maps, I don’t enjoy being lectured at.”
“I understand that,” Etania agreed.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a pleasant conversation between them. Etania was having such a good time with Keyel that she didn’t have time to ponder what she would do with Gwen’s words. Finally mulling it over, she determined one thing: she would find out what Zaden was hiding.
Right after she dealt with Jazel.
JAKIN WAITED ALMOST two days before he acted on his plan. He didn’t normally do so but, with his injuries and the curse, he needed to gather strength. Plus, he needed an opportunity and a subject with which to antagonize Damien. When Damien once again returned to camp from Gotha, his mouth compressed in a line, Jakin knew just what to pick.
“No news of where my daughter or Zaden are, eh?” Jakin said.
“How do you—” Damien snapped his mouth shut. “Shut up, Lehrling.”
“You know, it is quite amazing that a Skazic such as yourself never learned how to track anything. Or was that more left to the Toothbreakers, since lizards don’t have superior noses?”
“Soacroni can smell better than any Toothbreaker,” Damien growled.
“Oh, then why are you struggling right now?”
“You know why. Your daughter made me powerless!”
“She made you without a brain, too?” Jakin taunted. “Is that why you can’t find her?”
“That’s it!” Damien launched himself at Jakin, pinning him to the ground. The man was heavier than Jakin remembered, and he held back a cry of pain as Damien crushed his ribs. Jakin kneed Damien near the crotch, and the man rolled over. The Lehrling leaped for his sword, but Damien attacked Jakin again. Gripping his shoulders, he tried to wrestle Jakin to the ground.
“Is this it?” Jakin said. “I would’ve thought one of the top soldiers of Toren’s Praytor knew how to wrestle better!”
“Old man, I’ve got moves you haven’t even seen yet,” Damien snarled.
He kicked at Jakin’s feet, making him slip and fall to the ground once more. He pinned his elbow on Jakin’s collarbone. Jakin grunted with pain, coughing and trying to keep tears at bay. Sharpness ran through him, but he continued to reach for Damien’s sword.
“Old?” Jakin said. “Speak for yourself! What are you, forty... fifty?”
“I’m thirty nine.”
“Really?” Jakin choked out. “With your bald head, I’d swear you were older.”
At that insult, Damien pressed down even harder on Jakin’s collarbone, crushing it beneath his weight. Jakin cried out... just as his hands reached the blade’s hilt.
Oh Jakin! Narak’s voice floated into his consciousness. You really shouldn’t have done that.
Coldness slithered down his arm. The curse that was already present in his body worsened. He wheezed as blackness lined the edges of his vision.
I... failed.. again, he thought, and all crashed into darkness.
Chapter Nineteen
Bayanna accidentally veered toward the riverbank as she tried to obey Cam’s instructions.
“There you go!” Cam said. “Now, gently turn it to the left.”
Bayanna moved it, and Cam cried out.
“Too far! Too far!”
Grinding her teeth, she eased it back to the right.
“There we go, steady, steady,” Cam said.
Bayanna worked on keeping herself calm, breathing in and out and trying to match the serenity of the water that surrounded them. Cam walked from the prow of the boat to the stern, where Bayanna struggled to navigate smoothly down the river.
“I knew you would get used to it,” Cam praised.
“Yeah, well, handling a rudder is a lot harder than Zaden made it look,” Bayanna grumbled.
“What are you talking about? For a woman that handles a sword like a sewing needle, you sure are struggling with this.”
“Well, a sword is a lot less delicate than a rudder.”
“Yet, you are understanding it. Soon, you’ll be able to help me unfurl and hoist the sails.”
Bayanna didn’t reply. Even though she wouldn’t let it show, she was pleased that he wanted her to learn how to sail with him.
If only it could be like this all the time—freely exploring the unknown, she thought.
“My lady, I don’t like that look on your face. What are you thinking about?”
“Once we’ve gone to the council, Cam, what are you going to do?” Bayanna questioned.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, are you going to go back to trading your weapons?”
“I guess so,” Cam shrugged. “I have to make a living somehow.”
Bayanna’s head drooped, her shoulders slumping.
“What is it, my lady? You avoided my question earlier.”
