8. Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
Rawn
R awn knew he was dreaming when he found himself listening to Aerina’s dulcet voice, reading to herself on the terrace. He stood at his post in his Castle Guard uniform within the courtyard below. King Leif, his King’s Guard, and his father walked past, discussing garrison report. Generally, a topic of interest while he was bored on duty, but his attention was focused on something else now.
“Princess,” Aerina’s lady’s maid called. It’s time for your Magi studies.”
“Coming!” Her soft footsteps pattered away as she went inside.
He sighed.
A sudden force swept Rawn’s legs out of under him. He hit the ground with an oomph . Pushing up his helmet, he glared up at his sister.
Nisa grinned, looking rather pleased with herself in her imposing Royal Guard uniform. Her blonde hair was pulled away from her face in a coronet braid, exposing the Greenwood emblem of a dynalya flower tattooed on her cheek.
When an elf came of age, they chose where to place their tattoo, and his sister had proudly chosen her face.
The sound of boisterous laughter had him glowering at his best friend standing behind him. Sylar held his stomach as he laughed, the sunlight catching over the golden embroidery if his grand, velvet green Magi apprentice robes.
“Oh, find this amusing, do you?” Rawn tripped him, and Sylar fell beside him, still snickering.
Nisa helped them up. “If you had been alert instead of swooning over the princess, you would have heard me coming.”
“I think you mean I would not have notice Sylar use magic to conceal your presence.” Rawn brushed the dust from his armor and shook out his dark green cape. Not that I was not swooning.”
“He was swooning.” She nudged Sylar. “Was he not?”
“Desperately.”
Rawn feigned to strike him, and Sylar ducked behind Nisa. As annoyed as he was, it was fortunate they didn’t tease him in front of the princess. Worst yet, their father. God of Urn, he could only imagine how his father would react to learn Rawn dared pine after her like a lovesick fool.
But he was never confused about his place in the world.
“How long do you plan to remain a castle guard, Rawn?” Nisa leaned against the wall next to him. “You should be a captain in the army now.”
“At best, second lieutenant,” Sylar added. He posted beside him on his other side. His warm brown eyes caught the light as he shrugged, his hair resembling the color of acorns. Sylar had more delicate features that gave him a graceful beauty the court ladies both envied and admired. “You surpassed all of us during training. You don’t belong here.”
“If that were true, I would not be here.” Rawn tried not to show how much it bothered him. To be demoted from a sergeant to a low rank castle guard in front of his entire unit was a disgrace, but even more so for it to be done by his father. “The General deemed it so.”
“You allowed Father to send you here.” Nisa crossed her arms. “You are a fine warrior. It is clear to all who have seen you wield a blade. One day you will be a part of the Ranger Regiment, but until then, you belong with him on the battlefield.”
The irony was that Rawn had never dreamed of becoming a soldier. Nonetheless, that was the card he drew in life when born to a military family who loyally served Greenwood for centuries.
His father already deemed him a disappointment when he entered the world at the expense of his mother’s life. Rawn had worked hard to please him, to train until the blade was an extension of himself. But when he had been at last promoted to lead a garrison, it had been at the expense of many lives.
Rawn shook his head. “Soldiers died, Nisa…”
The garrison had only stood for one day beneath his command. How could he have known that red elves would attack in the middle of the night? Most of his men died in their beds before ever realizing what had happened.
Nisa looked out at the sky. “We all die one day. A warrior’s wish is to die well.”
Sighing, Sylar leaned his head against the wall. It exposed the edge of the emblem tattooed on the back of his neck. “Such is the life of a soldier. The cost of war is always blood.”
Better it had been his own.
Rawn had been the only survivor, simply because the spear had missed his heart by two inches. Sometimes, he dreamed of that black spear coming for him, yet he could not see the face of the one who threw it. “If the General believes I best serve the King guarding the castle, then that is what I will do. I will not disgrace the Norrlen House again.”
His sister scowled. The only disgrace I see is?—”
She and Sylar abruptly stood at attention at the approach of Princess Aerina, prompting Rawn to do the same. She strolled past the open veranda that faced the garden with her lady’s maid. Rawn and the others quickly bowed.
He listened to the soft sounds of footsteps as they entered the courtyard, her slippers coming to stop before them.
“Good morrow,” Aerina’s light voice greeted. “How is your mare doing, Nisa? I heard she gave birth to a colt a fortnight ago.”
“She did, your highness,” Nisa said. “A strong one, too.”
“That’s wonderful. I see you’re back on your feet after your magic skirmish in training yard, Sylar. Has the burn on your leg healed?”
“It’s healed up perfectly thanks to your poultice, princess. Thank you.”
Rawn felt it when her gaze landed on him next. “Good day, Rawn.”
A shallow breath caught in his lungs at the sound of his name. He bowed deeper. “Princess.”
A long pause followed as he felt her gaze linger on his downturned head. He didn’t dare look up.
“I will escort you to the study hall, princess,” Nisa said after a pause. “Magi Master Eldred must be waiting.”
“Yes, lead on. Will you walk with us, Sylar? Tell me more about your studies on the Melodyam Falls.”
“I would be glad to.” He joined her. “I was able to retrieve samples last week. I aim to prove those waters have absorbed the natural magic found in the earth there. I believe it has to do with…”
As their voices faded, Rawn straightened. But to his surprise, Aerina had lingered by the archway into the hall. Her light green gown fluttered in the passing wind as she looked at him. Waves of gold-spun blond hair pinned beneath her circlet of gold. The sunlight danced in her blue eyes with her smile, leaving him frozen there like a fool.
“Ser Norrlen.” A guard marched forward and saluted to him as though he still held rank. “You have been summoned.”
Rawn frowned, wondering what for. He pondered on it as he walked through the castle and worried what it could mean. The scent of the dynalyas flowers wrapped around the terrace columns kept him company until he came upon the heavy doors of the throne room. The castle guards posted there opened the doors for him. His father stood by the short set of stairs leading to a platform of stone that faced the room. Upon the throne, was the King of Greenwood.
Rawn woke with a soft start.
He slowly straightened up where he had been napping on the dining room table. Speaking about Greenwood and emblems had stirred up old memories. That had been so long ago. He had barely been a man then.
Rawn sighed down at the page filled with script. It rested beside two envelopes.
He took a deep breath and rose to his feet, feeling some weight lift off his shoulders. His pack was already prepared in the chair beside him. He had been up early before dawn, too restless to get much sleep. So he had come down to write one more letter.
He stared at his handwriting. The last line was heavier than all the rest.
Sincerely yours.
Were letters truly enough anymore?
One year, he had told her.
It would only take him one year to find the Dragon’s Fang.
How na?ve he had been.
Time was plenty for their kind. Rawn had assumed he would return before harvest, right as his son would take his first steps.
It was that heedless confidence that led him to accept such a mission. Or perhaps he was eager to show his gratitude toward King Leif for allowing him to marry Aerina.
Whatever his reasons, Rawn gave an oath to not return until he found the sword. He never imagined it would inadvertently force him away from home for this long. His wife was left with the burden of their estate, left to raise their son alone. Raiden was a young man now. If he lost his place in Aerina’s heart, she had reason.
The door to the dining hall creaked open and Lucenna peered inside. “Ah, I found you, Lord Norrlen.”
“Pardon, were you looking for me?”
“Yes, we are all ready to go.”
That was all he needed to hear for the damper on his thoughts to lift. He was at last leaving Skelling. He would make it home this year. Even if his wife and son resented him, he would see them again.
He would come home.
Rawn couldn’t help smiling at the thought.
“You’re happy to leave, aren’t you?” Lucenna said.
“Aren’t we all?” Zev stepped in with Dyna.
“Enough time has been spent here,” Rawn said, and they all glanced at the large open windows displaying the forest behind the manor, clear of snow. When they arrived, they were different people. After nearly four months here, they were leaving stronger. “Skelling Rise gave us shelter when we needed it, and we are thankful for that. Nevertheless, yes, it is time to continue with our journey. There is much to be done.”
“Then why are we standing around here for?” Zev chuckled. “Let’s go!”
Lucenna laughed. “Right behind you.”
Rawn gathered his belongings and tucked the envelopes away in his cloak. After what happened last time, he didn’t want to risk opening another portal. It was best to get ahold of a crystal so he could open one himself.
They headed out into the hallway together. Zev and Lucenna stepped out the front door but Dyna lingered behind. She gazed into the grand hall a moment. Rawn assumed she was perhaps remembering the day King Yoel had arrived, or another memory of the one she regretted remembering.
No … it wasn’t that.
Leaving this manor behind was the last connection she had to Cassiel. It was where so much happened. Good and bad. It was bitterly nostalgic.
Because he’d known, secretly, some part of her must have been waiting for his return. But Cassiel knew they would eventually leave this place when spring arrived. So if he didn’t return by now, he never would.
Dyna wiped all emotion from her face and turned toward him. She was dressed in her leather armor, strapped with a short sword, knives, and her bow.
Gone was the Maiden.
In her place stood a warrior.
Dyna strode past him and went outside without looking back.
A weight settled in his stomach like a stone. The indifference on her face, the remoteness of her presence, saddened Rawn see it shadow the spirit of the one who used to shine like the sun.
This should have been a good day. A happy one even, but the cloudy sky matched the mood.
Gale, Tavin, and Edyth were waiting to say goodbye. They each hugged Klyde.
“When will you return?” Tavin asked him.
“Only the Gods know, lad. Perhaps within the year, at best.”
Rawn heard an echo of him saying the same and inwardly winced. At least Klyde had not made any promises.
“I don’t understand why I can’t go with you.”
Klyde mussed his hair. “You’re not finished with your training yet.”
His nephew jerked his head back. “This isn’t a mercenary mission, uncle. You’re not off to fight in someone else’s war, so it’s hardly dangerous.”
“It’s the trolls I’m worried about, Tavin.”
The boy’s mouth pursed. “I’m the best cadet on the squad. You’ve said so yourself. I can hold my own out there.”
The captain shook his head. “One day you’ll be ready to cross the Bridge, but not yet. For now, I need you to keep the town safe while I’m gone, aye?”
Tavin stormed away into the manor.
Edyth smiled apologetically. “That is his way of saying he will miss you.”
“I know,” Klyde sighed. “Keep an eye on him.”
“We all will,” Gale said, handing Eagon a sack of food when he approached. He kissed her temple and the sleeping baby in her arms.
A unit of mercenaries on horses waited for them by the path into town. Zev helped Lucenna and Dyna climb onto two spare horses as Klyde went to Onyx.
At Rawn’s whistle, Fair cantered over, and he mounted the saddle.
“We will escort them to the west gorge,” Eagon told his wife. “I will return in four days.”
Crossing the bridge on horseback would significantly cut down their travel time. It would also make it easier to escape the Horde, if needed.
She smiled at him shakily. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
They shared a long embrace before the lieutenant pulled away and mounted his horse next to Klyde’s. At his signal, the men rode out and the girls followed with a black wolf on their heels.
The captain spared one last look at the manor. Rawn followed his stare to one of the windows where Tavin was watching them.
The boy’s pale eyes were hard. Resentful.
For a moment, he saw the shadow of his own son standing there in the window, scorning him for leaving him behind.
Klyde lifted his hand in a wave, but Tavin turned away and vanished into the shadows.
Sighing, he gave Rawn a nod. They rode quick to catch up to the others, kicking up mud as they took the main path through town. The mercenaries on the wall blew the horn in farewell as they rode through the gates, at last leaving Skelling Rise behind.
They rode steady and quietly on the Bridge, careful not to make more sound than they needed to. The mercenaries were on constant alert, communicating with nothing more than a look or hand signal.
Rawn had been warned that spring was one the most dangerous times to cross Troll Bridge, for the beasts have woken and they would be famished.
Klyde led them on a detour an hour south to the cascades where Rawn had fallen to search for their lost gold. They would need it to fund the rest of their journey. Unfortunately, when they arrived, there was nothing left but a few scattered coins.
“Bad luck, mate,” Klyde said. “Must have been carried off with the current. It’s been claimed by the sea.”
“What do we do now?” Dyna asked.
Rawn rubbed his jaw, exchanging worried looks with his companions. He had some gold left, but it may not be enough to purchase seats on a boat for everyone to the west coast.
“We will pull our reserves together once we camp,” he told them. “It will have to make do until we reach Dwarf Shoe.”
They nodded and continued with their journey. There was a second option, but it was risky. Rawn had plenty of gold he could request from the bank, but as a wanted man, he stood to be caught before he ever received it.
However, Dwarf Shoe didn’t permit extradition. That would provide them protection from bounty hunters.
If they could make it to the free state without further trouble.
Trouble found them by the second day.
Rawn was jostled awake. Klyde lifted his hand from his shoulder, bringing a finger to his lips. Feeling his pulse climb, Rawn sat up in his bed mat. Zev was seated beside him, his bright yellow eyes staring off into the trees. The hour was early, dawn not yet on the horizon.
The mercenaries were all awake and quietly arming themselves. Then the captain crept to the girls and gently woke them, motioning for them to keep quiet.
They held still, bracing themselves to fight. Nothing surfaced other than the rattle of the trees, but Rawn felt eyes on them.
Watching.
“What is it?” Lucenna whispered after a long stretch of stillness.
“There is something there,” Klyde said faintly.
I don’t see anything.”
“Trust me, they are there.” He glanced at his lieutenant. “There are three in front of us. How many behind me?”
Rawn perked his ears, listening as closely as Zev was. His sharp sight locked onto the still shapes in the shadows.
“Five, captain,” Eagon whispered.
Klyde drew out his blades. “Ready?”
They all nodded.
The mercenaries leaped to their feet with a cry, yanking out their weapons.
Trolls burst out of the trees.