Goth laughed through his pain. Even now he impressed himself at the effect he managed to have on people. ‘Like my gift?’ he asked. ‘I wish I could have brought you a trophy of the pirate’s wife. But most of her is lying in a puddle providing a feast for the scavengers,’ he said. ‘Pretty body. Plucky thing, told me nothing; didn’t even give me the satisfaction of a scream when I slit her belly open.’
He was able to say nothing more. Locky’s boot connected so hard with his head, Goth was unconscious and motionless on the floor a moment later.
Alyssa’s chest heaved up and down with the effort of staying calm as she and Saxon rushed to Locky’s side. The lad buried his face in Alyssa and she soothed him as best she could. His sobs broke everyone’s hearts.
‘She was all I had,’ he kept repeating.
Kythay reappeared, strolling towards the prone body of Goth. He shocked all gathered by urinating on the former chief inquisitor’s head. It had the desired effect. The burning, acidic liquid brought the hated man back
to consciousness, but only just. He groaned and the donkey strolled away into the undergrowth. It was a comic gesture but no one smiled.
‘What now?’ Goth said, his mind very blurred and his body in pain.
Torkyn Gynt’s blue gaze of wrath burned into the mauled face of Almyd Goth and answered the question with two words. ‘Your death.’
It was no surprise to Alyssa when Sallementro appeared a few hours later; another dishevelled and distressed rider. He refused all sustenance but asked for a few minutes to catch his breath. He had ridden, without stopping, until he reached the Great Forest.
He began to explain the situation back at the palace. Alyssa hushed him, explaining that they knew about the Regent Sylc.
‘Sal, listen to me now,’ she said to her babbling musician. ‘Sylc is not whom he pretends to be. We believe he is Orlac.’
Sallementro’s mouth opened and closed and then his eyes grew wider. ‘Impossible! How can that be? He was amongst us!’
Tor nodded. ‘Can you describe him?’
The musician gave a detailed summary of the man he knew as Regent Sylc and with each word Tor felt his already battered spirits spiralling downwards.
‘It is him,’ he said.
‘How did he get her away without a fight?’ Alyssa asked, seeing Tor’s crestfallen expression.
Sallementro told them all that they had gleaned and managed to piece together. ‘Gyl is wrathful. He has already left for the north with Herek and a full retinue of the Guard.’
Tor shook his head. ‘He has no idea what he’s dealing with. They are all doomed.’
‘A boy is dead and if Sal’s interpretation is right, then the woman he may love has been stolen from his own palace. What do you expect him to do? Cringe and hope someone else rescues her?’ Alyssa sounded angry.
‘No, I’m sorry, Lyssa. Of course he’s doing the only thing he can do.’
‘That’s right,’ she said. ‘If only to save face. I warned him about this, though. He is not completely ignorant.’
‘Does he believe it?’
‘He’s sceptical but there’ve been too many strange occurrences for him to ignore the story I gave in colourful detail. If we could just intercept him somehow.’
‘I’ll go,’ the musician volunteered.
‘No, I will,’ Locky said. ‘I insist, Tor. I know the north better than most and I’ll wager I’m a better, faster rider than the singer,’ he said, his chin jutting towards the everpresent lute strung on the singer’s back.
Sallementro did not have the strength to bristle at the insult. And Alyssa spoke to him.
He is young. He is not careful with his words…and he’s just learned that his sister and her husband have been murdered.
Tor asked Sallementro how long ago Gyl had left for the north.
The musician shrugged. ‘We all left the same morning. He headed for Caradoon and I made for the
Forest. I would estimate he is still two, possibly three days away.’
‘Then I can make it back there in time,’ Locky said. ‘If I leave now.’
Tor walked away from the clearing. He needed to think. He hated the thought of Locky racing off alone to who knows what.
He is safest with the King’s Guard.
Cloot’s reassuring voice entered his head.
I know…and it’s everything he’s ever dreamed of doing.
Let him go. Let him feel he is doing something towards avenging his sister’s death.
Tor turned back to Locky. ‘All right. Head off now.’ He saw Sarel’s face crumple. It could not be helped. ‘I hope Gyl believes you.’
‘Here,’ Alyssa said, pulling something from her pocket. ‘Give him this, Locky. Then he’ll know you have come from me.’ She handed the lad a small green disk.
‘What is it?’ he asked her.
‘Something I will never need again. But the King will know you have come from his mother and that what you say is true. Tell him everything you know, including that we have Goth and will deal with him and that he should remember everything that I warned him about is coming true.’
She saw Sallementro cast a glance towards the bundle of black on the floor. ‘Is that the famous Goth?’ He had not noticed him until now.
‘Not for long,’ Tor said, his voice as hard as anyone had ever heard before.
‘He’s alive still?’
‘Just,’ Alyssa replied. ‘His life must be ended, Sal. He is evil.’
‘Oh, I agree. I was just thinking that it might be a waste to kill him here and now.’
Locky busied himself checking the saddle on a horse which between them Kythay and Solyana had managed to coax beneath the trees.
‘What do you mean?’ Tor said to the musician.
‘Well, several years ago I was travelling through the furthest northern climes. Don’t ask why, it’s a hellish place. I met a man who said he had once worked for Goth and knew some of the secrets. I think he may have been a man on the run because the inquisitors had been disbanded.’
He saw irritation cross Alyssa’s face and knew to get on with his tale. ‘Anyway, I was on the run too from my family and we ended up getting drunk together and he said he wanted to show me a place. I thought it wouldn’t be far but we ended up travelling for two days into the mountains and there I witnessed the most incredible thing.’
Alyssa thought she might have to slap her Paladin if he drew this tale out much longer.
Sal, people could be dying whilst you tell this story, certainly many lives are in peril. Can you get to the point!
He shrugged. ‘Apologies, I tell stories with my music. Habits die hard. The man showed me the place where all the sentients are taken who didn’t die from Goth’s torture or bridling process. It just occurs that those survivors should have the satisfaction of seeing Goth’s end.’
Apart from the noise of their surprise at his suggestion, both Tor and Alyssa took steps forward. He thought both were going to hit him.
‘Sallementro, where is this place!’ Alyssa said. ‘Could you tell us how to find it?’
‘Um…’ He looked thoughtful. ‘Yes, I think I could, though we would need someone who knew the mountains well.’
‘You need Figgis!’ Saxon said. ‘If only we could make contact with him and Gidyon.’
I could fly to Brittelbury,
Cloot suggested.
Tor noticed Locky was ready and keen to leave. ‘Let’s see Locky on his way and we’ll make decisions.’
Locky left without further delay. He hugged Hela and bowed low to Sarel before kissing her hand, promising they would see each other again. The Queen had gathered her composure, Hela was glad to see, and was showing that she had the mettle to make a strong monarch. Alyssa too had hugged him hard. Although they hardly knew one another she remembered the numb feeling of abandonment and loneliness, with everyone you love dead. Locky seemed to understand this, accepting her affection with a sad grin. Saxon wished he could go with the lad but his place was now at Alyssa’s side and together with Sallementro they would put her life before theirs.
‘Don’t forget all I taught you on our first journey here,’ he said, squeezing the boy in a bear hug. ‘Remember me to Herek…perhaps you can make an impression on the man and make your dream come true.’
‘I intend to,’ Locky said. ‘You watch me, I’ll be Prime one day.’
Arabella and Sallementro hoped the Light would guide him safely and then only two remained to farewell.
Locky stroked Cloot and said something just for the falcon which he knew the bird could hear.
‘He says likewise,’ Tor replied on behalf of Cloot.
‘Tor, we will avenge her, won’t we?’ Locky suddenly urged.
‘I promise you, Locky, what you do now is part of that vengeance. Goth is merely a pawn in this much bigger game. Forget him. You get word safely to the King and Herek and you will have single-handedly made a major mark in helping to save Tallinor. I give you my word, Eryn will not have died in vain. She saved three lives by her incredible bravery and sacrifice…one of those lives is a Queen’s. Quist too. His courage had no bounds when it mattered—he also gave his to save your life. Both of them will be remembered by the gods.’
Locky felt the grief gather and constrict his throat. But he also felt pride that he was part of this now and he would not fail them—as Eryn and Janus had not failed him.
‘May the Light guide you, Locky.’
‘And you,’ he replied, hugging Tor. ‘We’ll meet again soon.’
He climbed onto the horse which seemed curiously refreshed and noticed his saddlebags were bulging with fresh stocks for his journey. He looked towards Tor.
‘The Heartwood provides,’ Tor said with a shrug and then Locky was turning his horse and moving away from them. He cast a single glance back for Sarel and waved once. Then he was gone.
He’ll make it.
Cloot said.
I believe he will,
Tor agreed.
He’s a brave lad.
Everyone gathered around a meal which Arabella insisted they eat.
‘No good decision can be made on an empty stomach,’ she cautioned and despite their low spirits, they all tucked into the food which had miraculously been laid out beneath a tree near the pool.
As they ate, they talked softly. Tor reached over and took Alyssa’s hand. It was then that he heard Solyana’s soft voice in his head.
It is time.
He turned and saw the wolf. She wanted them to follow her. He squeezed Alyssa’s hand and when she smiled gently at his touch he told her.
My love. I believe our son is due.
He was amazed at how steady his voice sounded whilst his heart thumped against his chest.
Alyssa’s eyes immediately misted.
Where?
Her voice was not so steady.
Come. Solyana wishes us to go with her.
They stood and when the others looked towards them, he explained that the wolf had come for them. Saxon, Sallementro and Arabella nodded with understanding.
‘We shall wait for you here,’ Saxon said.
As soon as Solyana saw them approaching, she turned and led the way. Tor knew Cloot followed silently amongst the trees and he was glad. He dared not look at Alyssa. She held tightly to his arm and willed herself to stay calm. They walked, without talking, for what felt like a long time until they were in a part of the Heartwood neither had seen before. Tor commented on this to the wolf.
The Heartwood retains many mysteries
, she replied.
Now we wait
.
Tor was holding his breath. The anticipation of this moment was too great and he expected it was the same for his wife whose fingers were digging into his arm as she clutched him close.
Cloot landed gently on his shoulder. They waited.
Orlac dismissed her two servants, telling them to take Lauryn to the baths and get her cleaned up.
‘I shall see you soon,’ he commanded before turning to Adongo and speaking quietly. ‘Remember your role. I must have her trusting you. I don’t want to see you leaving her side.’
‘As you wish, my lord,’ Adongo said, bowing low and thanking the Light for this stroke of luck.
‘Where is Juno?’ Orlac demanded, as his long legs took the beautiful flight of marble stairs two at a time.
A servant curtsied. ‘She awaits the girl, my lord.’
‘Send Juno straight up when she is done,’ he ordered and disappeared onto a landing.
Adongo immediately fell in alongside Lauryn.
What now?
she asked.
A bath. You’ll enjoy it.
When does he mean to see me again?
He’ll wait for a while. He’ll need to keep Xantia happy.
Xantia?
As beautiful as she is dangerous. We need to keep her away from you.
And Juno?
You’ll meet her now and we shall be complete.
He smiled and it was a wonderful broad smile which lit up a face normally devoid of expression.
One of the servants who led them noticed his smile. ‘What are you grinning about, Adongo? Was the trip with him that good?’
‘No.’ He did not elaborate and they wisely let it alone. Adongo was strange and they accepted his curious ways.
The girl pointed. ‘Here we are, then. Good luck, Miss Lauryn. If you are a favourite of his, then perhaps you’ll be safe. Just watch out for her.’
‘Who?’ Lauryn asked, guessing the answer.
‘The bitch, Xantia. The whore who thinks she’s now royal. I pray for the child of our Queen Sylven. She got away, brave thing. Didn’t think she had it in her but perhaps one day she can return and save us.’
She was probably going to say more but Adongo hushed her. ‘I shall take our guest from here. Thank you.’
The two women disappeared.
Come now, my lady,
Adongo said kindly.
Let us complete the Paladin.
I don’t understand.
You will.
The Flames of the Firmament appeared, one by one winking into existence around them, increasing in speed until dozens turned to hundreds and flared into life, their chimes making their very own special music. They danced around the trio who waited.
They love you,
Alyssa said.
They love the Heartwood and what belongs to it.
Do you belong to it?
I suppose I must.
Could you live here for ever?
Yes.
They know this. It is why they love you.
I keep wondering what they are…they talk to me sometimes.
Alyssa was going to say more but she felt Tor tremble. She could not see anything but held the Link open and remained silent.
Tor had felt the enormous surge of power before the air around them became brittle. He thought he could feel his hair standing on end.
He comes,
whispered Solyana.
The shimmering intensified as did the thrum of a mighty magic being wielded. The song of the Flames had changed to a familiar welcome as their god, Darmud Coril, appeared.
And so we prepare to welcome back our son,
the god said.
Tor, Alyssa and Cloot heard him and gave silent thanks. They watched the shimmering which now seemed to be focusing itself towards a great old oak—by far the largest they had ever seen in the wood. The
shimmer began to change into a light which became stronger, splitting into thousands of colours and beginning to throb in time with the chanting of the Flames. Tor was reminded of the day he witnessed Cloot transform from man to falcon and felt sure the bird echoed his thoughts though he dare not whisper a word across the Link.
The light now blazed so sharply and so brilliantly white, they had to look away, closing their eyes tightly and in that moment of looking away, Rubyn was delivered…returned to Tallinor. The deafening song of the chimes and the equally penetrating hum of the magic stopped instantly, creating an intense silence.
It was not Darmud’s voice, nor was it Solyana who spoke. Nevertheless the voice Tor heard was so familiar. The voice of a man whom Tor thought he may never see again.
‘Tor. Meet your son, Rubyn,’ said Kyt Cyrus.
Tor looked towards the tree to witness the amazing sight of a young man emerging from the trunk of the oak. It seemed to unwrap layers of itself as branches lifted away and up to give him back to them. Rubyn raised his head to look upon his true parents for the first time. And they wept. He was the perfect combination of both. Where Gidyon was the duplicate of his father and Lauryn echoed her mother so strongly, Rubyn melded both. Tall, with honey-gold hair and soft grey eyes with flecks of green, he smiled tentatively and there was his father echoed strongly in that face.
Neither parent could speak, they were both so consumed by love and relief that their boy was safe.
‘He has made a long journey to be with you,’ Cyrus encouraged, understanding their churning emotions. ‘We both have.’
Tor looked at his old friend. As their eyes locked much was said in a glance whilst still more remained to be said and explained.
But for now, the child was everything and Cyrus turned to his charge. ‘Go to your parents, Rubyn.’
They all moved at once and Rubyn found himself caught up in a fierce embrace, his mother reaching him first; she put her arms around the child. At that moment the love she felt for Tor and for her three children, and her determination to protect them all, overwhelmed her.
Tor’s long arms wrapped around his wife and his boy and his tears flowed freely that he was safe and that he was found.
Welcome back, precious boy,
Tor whispered across the Link.
Cyrus looked up into the trees and grinned towards Cloot, who flew to his shoulder.
They both had the same thought.
And so the Trinity is found.
Inside the villa dedicated as a private bath house, the day’s light was softly diffused through various pastelcoloured panes of glass. A great haze of steam lifted from an exquisitely designed pool from which the scent of lavender and gardenia, mint, jasmine and orange blossom wafted. The deliciously mingling fragrances immediately soothed Lauryn and calmed
her anxiety. Inhaling them, she looked about her and saw that the walls were adorned with gorgeous murals of the gods at play. The pictures had such arresting perspective that Lauryn could imagine strolling down one particular pathway through the perfectly painted archway covered with a pale pink climbing rose and into a sprawling orchard.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ she said.
Adongo encouraged her to step further into the villa and then he locked the door behind them. Lauryn looked about the bath house with wonder and finally noticed a young woman, older than her but nevertheless still young and striking, standing in the middle of the pool. She was covered by a light shift for modesty but its dampness showed off a very neat and lovely figure.
‘I would like you to meet Juno.’
She is your Paladin.
‘She will look after you and we will both see to your needs.’
Adongo saw Juno query his use of the Link and he nodded. They could see relief flit across her face.
Lauryn, I have waited many years to greet you, child. I will not leave you now, until death.
With those few words—as the final member linked with her bonded —the Paladin together felt a strange opening of their minds as the ten guardians and their five charges were finally linked.
Tor broke free from the embrace as he felt a shift within.
Did you feel it?
It has happened,
Cloot said.
Do you hear me, Cyrus?
I hear you, bird,
the former prime said dryly but reached to touch the falcon, showing his wonder at the moment.
Tor, we are complete. The last of the Paladin has linked with their bonded.
Alyssa had heard all of this.
Do you think it’s Lauryn?
Tor answered.
I’d guess it is. So this means Themesius and Juno are amongst us.
‘I’m a little hurt you haven’t formally introduced us,’ Cyrus said, approaching Alyssa.
Tor ran his hand through his hair. ‘Light! I’m sorry. Alyssa, this is the famous Kyt Cyrus.’
And you well and truly surpass the beautiful woman he described,
Cyrus said privately to Alyssa as he raised her to her feet. He bowed. ‘I am privileged to meet you at last and honoured that your special boy was put in my care.’
‘Cyrus, I want to hear every last detail of your tale but first, Rubyn, let us welcome you back to the Heartwood,’ Tor said, extracting Alyssa from the handsome soldier’s gaze.
Stealing my thunder, are you?
Solyana said to Tor affectionately, and Rubyn looked up at her voice.
‘Solyana!’ He broke free from where they stood to lope towards the wolf and bury his face and hands in her fur. She permitted it and even nuzzled him herself, her huge tail thumping, for she was his bonded Paladin and in no small state of joy that he was returned to her.
Let us sit here and share Rubyn’s past,
she suggested.
Cyrus, you begin.
Alyssa felt instantly drawn to the tall, handsome
soldier. She had heard so much about him from Tor and she knew how distraught her husband had felt when he lost Cyrus to the Heartwood. Now they had the reason why he was taken. She listened to the story of her son unfold.
Cyrus explained how he was escorted that night by Solyana to a special place in the Heartwood where he was greeted by Darmud Coril, the Flames of the Firmament and all the creatures of the Forest.
‘I was told I had a special role to play,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t know what it was at the time. I just knew it was right. That this was where I belonged and what I had searched for since my family’s death.’
‘So you didn’t know you were Paladin?’ Tor sounded amazed.
‘No. Not until the moment this large oak here, miraculously bent its branches down and handed me a newborn baby and Solyana told me that I would have to raise him, teach him everything I knew about his father and all that I learned of the Heartwood.’ He looked at Alyssa. ‘I was never permitted to see you when you lived here, more’s the pity,’ he said, appreciating her radiant smile. ‘But Solyana told me all about you and of course Tor had bored us senseless with every minute detail for most of the journey to the Heartwood anyway.’ He paused because his audience was laughing at Tor who shrugged and took Alyssa’s hand.
‘How could I not?’ he asked.
‘Indeed,’ Cyrus replied looking towards Rubyn. ‘He was such a fragile soul. I worried so much about you.’
‘You still do,’ Rubyn said.
That’s a Paladin’s job, child. I worry constantly about your reckless father!
Cloot said into their minds.
I could tell you some stories to make your hair curl.
‘I think not,’ Alyssa said, pretending to glare at the falcon.
I would like to hear those stories some time,
Rubyn said, shielding and talking just to Cloot. He heard the bird’s chuckle in his mind.
Cyrus continued: ‘Anyway, between Solyana and myself, as well as the constant vigil by Darmud Coril and even the damn strange donkey who kept suddenly appearing, we kept Rubyn alive. And then, to my astonishment he began to thrive and grow. We knew he would be safe and that’s when Darmud Coril told me it was time to leave the Heartwood.’
It broke my heart to let Rubyn go but I knew Cyrus would keep him safe. He needed the influence of his own kind around him too,
Solyana said.
It was Rubyn who picked up the tale. ‘And so the trees absorbed us, didn’t they, Cyrus?…and took us to another world.’
The soldier nodded. ‘That’s right. We travelled not knowing where we were headed but we arrived at a place not so different from Tallinor and made it our home.’
‘How did you live?’ Alyssa asked incredulously.
Cyrus shrugged. ‘Much the same as we do here. We found a disused cottage near a forest. It suited the lad to be near the wood and I certainly prefer a quiet life and there we lived.’
‘We had chickens and a goat, ducks and Cyrus even gave me my own pony. Then I grew too big for him and
we bought a foal and raised her so I could ride to school each day,’ Rubyn said.
‘The local priory encouraged any gifted students they stumbled upon with an education. I think they hoped Rubyn would go into the priesthood. I didn’t say anything which might sway that belief. I was happy he was learning his letters and numbers. I think he can even read!’
The last was said with deliberate irony. And Tor and Alyssa noticed the shove Rubyn gave to Cyrus and the obvious shared private joke at the soldier’s comment. They were clearly very close…and why not, they both acknowledged privately on their Link. Cyrus was effectively the only parent Rubyn had known for all of his life. They, his parents, were the strangers. Tor urged Alyssa not to feel sad about this. It was natural for their son to feel this way about Cyrus.
They would have to earn his love. She agreed, of course, but all she wanted to do was hug him and never let him go. She wished she could gather up all three children and do the same.
Cyrus continued. ‘Our lives were happy and blissfully uneventful. Until of course that day Rubyn collapsed and then not so long afterwards, a messenger appeared and told us we had to return to Tallinor.’
‘Was her name Yargo?’ Tor asked.
Rubyn answered. ‘That’s right. She was very lovely and said she had been travelling a long time to find me. She said you had summoned me.’
Tor nodded. ‘I did. But I thought I was calling back the two children I knew of. She never told me about you, Rubyn.’
Cyrus and Rubyn looked puzzled. ‘Who are these other children?’ Cyrus asked.