Don’t toy with me,
growled the normally quiet voice.
I jest not, my friend. I promise you, Saxon has emerged.
Tell me
, the Keeper whispered in awe.
Saxon the Kloek—to us, the Sixth—is now Alyssa’s travelling companion. You need not know the details; only that he has been reborn and is with her.
Saxon…
Nanak wanted to repeat the name over and over. The brave, mighty Kloek who had withstood the pain so long; withstood the onslaught of Orlac’s whisperings and powers over decades…only to fall.
Merkhud gave him silence for a while. He knew what this meant to the Keeper.
Then he said,
Saxon is in a circus. Apparently he’s very good.
It was the first time, Merkhud thought, he had ever heard Nanak laugh. It was a lovely sound. He prayed he would hear it again someday.
They’re coming back, Nanak. All of them—I promise you this. I understand it now. They flee Orlac to surround those who will save us. You must hold strong. Beg, cajole, command that Figgis and Themesius and especially Arabella hold for me. I have work to do yet; I must have the time to shape this plan.
I will give you that time, Merkhud. We all will. And promise me—you will speak to this falcon they call Cloot and you will tell him that Nanak is proud of him. Tell him the Paladin are proud of him.
But, Nanak, he does not speak. He has shown no sign of any power.
Say the words to him, Merkhud. He will understand if he is Cloot of the Paladin.
The link closed but this time with a sense of true hope for the first time in several centuries of despair.
It was two moons before Cirq Zorros arrived at Bebberton on the fringe of the famed city of Ildagarth. It had been a happy and uneventful journey; they had performed in some of the smaller towns and enjoyed a new level of success wherever they appeared. The shock of the fire was not fully behind the troupe but the healing had begun and the spirits of all were lifting. Word of their losses had spread around the Kingdom swiftly and audiences had been generous.
Zorros was convinced that the circus would be able to replace some of its precious animals by Newleaf and he had already commissioned new canvases and awnings to be created, such was his optimism. Everyone was thrilled when the Mayor of Ildagarth welcomed the circus and insisted it must stay as long as it pleased—at the city’s expense—
in the area known as the Crook, a beautiful meadow barely an hour’s journey from the city centre. This was an unheard-of generosity.
The Mayor presented the circus with a letter from King Lorys himself, who had been made aware of the tragedy at Fragglesham and was adding his own personal welcome to Ildagarth.
Saxon was astonished by all the goodwill. ‘He’s a good man,’ he said of the King.
‘Oh, you’ve met him?’ Alyssa teased. Her comment even brought a brief smile to Greta’s normally pinched expression.
‘No. But I know it. I’ve seen him, watched him. He cares about his people and this proves it.’
They were watching Zorros make formal acceptance of the King’s letter. People had turned out to cheer them and they were forced to shout over the applause.
‘I’d consider him a far better King if he’d stop persecuting people,’ Alyssa yelled.
Some of the others nodded. ‘He could so easily overturn the ancient law which allows people like Goth to rampage anywhere they want in the Kingdom, maiming and killing anyone he thinks doesn’t fit into his idea of society. There has been no sanctuary offered for such people.’ More people nodded. Alyssa continued. ‘If Goth and his thugs decide your family’s talent on the high wire is magically inspired, he could hide behind that law and disband you at best and kill you if he pleased. Is that a good King who allows this?’
Alyssa knew she should stop. Sorrel had touched her arm in a gesture meant to prevent her saying any more so she was relieved when Saxon backed down.
‘Well, you’re right of course. I don’t understand that law.’ He switched to the link.
Hopefully, with Goth dead, his troop of cowards may be disbanded.
Then I would think highly of our King.
She smiled to let him know she held no grudge but added:
Until then, I despise him.
Alyssa’s mood was low. The moment she had been dreading had arrived: she just did not know how to say farewell to Saxon and the circus she had called home these past months. Sorrel had explained they would part company with Cirq Zorros this morning. Their final destination at Caremboche was just a half day’s walk from Ildagarth but it might as well have been an eternity away for Alyssa. Even if the circus stayed in the city for many weeks, she knew this was probably the last time she would be close to Saxon.
‘Well, my girl,’ Sorrel said matter of factly, breaking into her cloudy thoughts, ‘we must continue our journey now. Better not prolong our farewells.’
Sorrel beamed at those around her and began her goodbyes; hugging those she had come to know well and thanking others for their kindness. Alyssa felt sick. She followed Sorrel, trying to put on a brave face. She could see their few belongings piled on Kythay’s back. He was flicking his ears, anxious to leave the noise and smells of Bebberton.
People hugged her and even Caerys finally plucked up the courage to kiss her. She didn’t have to look to
know where Saxon was. Alongside Greta was where she knew he would be; standing at the back of the crowd, grinning his wide smile, encouraging her to be brave.
Then it was the turn of the Fox family. They all stood quietly, facing one another, not knowing quite what to say. Alyssa was sure that if she had to look Saxon square in the eyes she’d lose her little remaining composure.
‘Goodbye, Oris.’ She gave him a tight squeeze. Milt bent to take his hug but she impulsively kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you, Milt, for being so good to me.’ She was surprised he did not seem as overwhelmed as she felt at this moment, particularly as she knew he carried a torch for her. He grinned shyly.
Sorrel and Alyssa gave the younger children bear hugs and made them squeal and then thanked Greta genuinely for her various kindnesses to them at a time when they had no other place to turn. Alyssa hugged her warmly, despite her misgivings, and again was surprised at the almost smug manner in which Greta accepted their parting.
Finally, there was only one person left to thank.
She could not help herself. Raising her eyes she looked at Saxon, wanting to hate him for the broad grin and his insensitivity to how hard this was for her. She shielded, refusing to allow him to enter her head.
Sorrel spoke to him instead. ‘Saxon, you’ve been our saviour. Alyssa and I—’
‘Don’t.’ He stopped her with a hand in the air. ‘No need.’
He bent low and picked up the little old woman in his hug, making her shriek and beg to be put down. It melted Alyssa’s resolve and she despised her eyes for betraying her as they loosed their tears. By the time he had turned to her she was sobbing.
‘By the Light, girl…what’s all this?’
‘Come on now, Alyssa. A quick farewell is the best sort,’ Sorrel grumbled, making tracks towards Kythay.
Saxon watched Sorrel push by and looked back at Alyssa.
‘Why are you crying?’ he asked her.
She could not help but notice Greta’s smirk. She cleared her throat and started to follow Sorrel. ‘I’m just sad, that’s all. I’ll miss you all very much.’
She hurried to Kythay and helped the old woman to climb on the donkey. She could do this, she knew she could. She was already moving Kythay forwards when she chanced her luck by turning back to wave once more. He was still smiling broadly; tall and handsome, his eyes blazing mirth. She tore her gaze from him and flashed a fake grin at the others.
But he called out, ‘What, no hug for me?’ and clasped his hands to his big chest theatrically. His family burst into laughter.
This was the final straw for Alyssa. She dropped Kythay’s rein, ran back towards Saxon’s outstretched arms and began punching him. She tried her hardest to hurt him but, laughing, he quickly tied her in knots, pinning her arms behind her. There he kept her until her fury was spent and she stopped struggling.
She was breathing hard, tears coursing down her cheeks.
He put his mouth close to her ear. ‘I’m coming with you,’ he whispered, then let her go.
She spun around. ‘What?’
‘You heard. I’ve been sent—remember?’
Alyssa heard his words but it was as though she could not understand their meaning. It was dear Caerys who shook her to her senses.
‘It’s true. ’E’s given up ’is position at the circus. ’E says ’e ’as to stay wi’ you.’
Now everyone was laughing. Sorrel heaved herself back down off Kythay to find out what the delay was. She hoped like fury that Saxon was not suggesting he go with them. She looked at Saxon then back at Alyssa and did not need an explanation to work out what had passed.
‘He says he’s coming with us,’ Alyssa said, still full of disbelief.
‘With your permission, Sorrel?’ Saxon looked at her but she knew that couched behind the polite words was something far from a request. He was simply paying her the courtesy.
‘Well, Saxon, this is a shock. We are going to Caremboche and I have no idea what the situation will be there for us, let alone for a male companion. Um…I’m not sure we can—’
‘Let’s worry about that later. May I accompany you to its gates at least?’
Sorrel’s eyes narrowed. ‘You know of Caremboche?’
‘Yes. Anyone who has travelled this Kingdom as widely as I has heard of its stories, its legend.’
All her old anxieties about his intentions resurfaced. It was Alyssa, though, who raised the most obvious objection.
‘But what about Greta and the children? You can’t possibly leave them.’
‘We don’t need him,’ Greta chipped in, not unkindly. ‘We have someone who will take care of us.’
She grinned mischievously. Alyssa had not thought she had such playfulness in her.
‘I don’t understand any of this!’ she cried.
Caerys couldn’t help himself. ‘Greta’s marrying Zorros. ’E’s loved ’er for ever!’
‘It’s true,’ Greta confirmed when she saw the disbelief in Alyssa’s face. ‘He has loved me for many years but I’ve always refused his affections, clinging too tightly to memories of a dead man.’ She sighed.
‘But the children need a man in their lives and it’s not fair to make Saxon live his brother’s responsibilities. Lute made his own decision; he knew the risk and took it. We lost him. No one is to blame. At last Saxon has found what he wants in his life—can’t say I blame him, you’re very beautiful—and I’ve decided to give in to Zorros and his romantic notions about us. The children adore him so I know that part of the arrangement will work well.’
Alyssa could hardly believe the gorgeous smile which suddenly lit Greta’s face.
‘But what about the act?’
‘With the circus owner for a husband, who needs to perform anywhere but between the sheets?’ Greta winked. ‘Milt and Oris may want to continue but the little ones will live a life outside of the arena if I have my way.’
Zorros had arrived. He put his arm around his wife-to-be. ‘I gather you’ve been told. Are you not going to offer us congratulations?’
‘Of course!’ Alyssa said, still wondering when the dream would end and she would wake up walking next to a donkey and an old woman along a lonely road bound for a strange sanctuary.
They covered the few miles to Caremboche quicker than they had expected. Sorrel rode Kythay whilst Saxon and Alyssa walked briskly beside her. The time passed uneventfully and it was a beautiful journey as they could see one of the fingers of the Great Forest in the distance.
Sorrel had decided to accept Saxon’s presence. From his travels he must already know that this was not a place for men but something could be worked out, she was sure. Thinking about it during the ride, she realised his companionship could actually be a blessing. Alyssa was clearly thrilled that he was still with them, which boded well for the difficult adjustments which might need to be made to fit into life at the Academie.
Sorrel had explained to Alyssa that it was a place
of sanctuary and would bring them complete security for a while. If she enjoyed her time there, she might like to become an acolyte. This decision would be left entirely to Alyssa. She had been told of the archalyt disc and what it meant to accept it. The girl was bright. She understood and had even said solemnly that she would consider such a future once she had lived it for a while. For now the Academie meant rest and recuperation. They had been on the road for a long time. Sorrel knew too that the solitude of the Academie would suit Alyssa. But, more than this, there was friendship awaiting her there. Girls of her own age would probably welcome her warmly and perhaps Alyssa could start to build the new life she talked about.
Walls appeared along the side of the road with orchards spreading behind them. They had arrived on the outskirts of the Academie.
Kythay obligingly halted for Sorrel to speak. ‘All right now, the gates are not far from here. What say I go on ahead and make our introductions? You can follow later, when your shadows lengthen before you.’
It was not a request; they both nodded at Sorrel who gave Kythay a gentle prod with her foot to speed him on. For one of the rare times in his life he obeyed her and was soon kicking up dust.
They moved to the hedgerow. It had been a mild day and their dusty walk from Ildagarth had brought a light sheen to their faces. Alyssa wiped a kerchief across her forehead and looked around her.
‘Do you think they’d mind if we took some of those plums?’ She was already climbing over the stile nearby.
‘Would it matter if they did?’ replied Saxon, amused. He followed her.
‘You’ll miss them dreadfully won’t you, Saxon?’ she asked, finally saying out loud what had been gnawing at her.
He chewed on a plum, the juices running down his chin and into its slight cleft.
‘The family? Yes. But Greta has made a wise decision and Zorros loves her, that’s for sure. He will take excellent care of them, particularly the youngsters. It’s true, they really don’t need their dead father’s brother hanging around.’
‘Oh, don’t. I’m sure you’re more memorable than that,’ she said, throwing a plum stone in his direction.
‘Aye, perhaps. I do worry about the older lads though. Milt and Oris are at that awkward age and they need a firm hand, a father’s time and wisdom. I wonder if Zorros will provide that.’ He shook his head. ‘I had to threaten them with a whipping if they tried to follow us.’
Alyssa was taken aback. ‘They wouldn’t, would they?’
‘No doubt at all.’ He laughed briefly. ‘Either that or die of broken hearts at being separated from the lovely Alyssa.’
She smiled sadly. ‘But how would they follow us?’
‘Love can be a cruel master, Alyssa. They would not hesitate to steal a cart and follow our trail. They
even know roughly where Caremboche is from previous travels.’
Alyssa did not want to think any more about the boys and their loss of the man they loved as their father. ‘Shall we go?’ she said.
‘Er…let me go first, Alyssa.’
‘No! Why? We go together.’
‘Oh, call it an old man’s hunch. I’ll just check all is well before you arrive. I won’t take long, I promise, just enough to look around first. You can pick some more fruit,’ he suggested hopefully.
Her eyes narrowed. ‘Has your friend Lys warned you of something?’ She felt the first tingle of fear creeping up her spine.
‘No, not exactly. Just something she mentioned has made me cautious, that’s all. It’s nothing, Alyssa, really. But I feel safer taking the precaution, that’s all.’ He stood.
‘All right but I’m already counting,’ she said, beginning to count aloud as he broke into a run.