From Darkness Won (39 page)

Achan’s thoughts drifted to his uncle. “Has Prince Oren been warned?”

Sir Gavin nodded. “He has.”

“How will we be getting our army to Armonguard, then?” Inko asked. “Will we be riding on the boats?”

“Captain Chantry’s ships have not yet reached the isle of Nesos,” Sir Eagan said.

“And we cannot afford to tarry,” Sir Gavin said. “We’ll travel east of the king’s road, stay in Light as long as possible. We can move faster that way and avoid the bulk of Esek’s army. Perhaps we may even pass over the eastern Reshon Gate before they realize what we’ve done.”

“Won’t we be seen?” Achan asked. “Does not Esek also have bloodvoice scouts?”

“He likely does,” Sir Gavin said. “But at least this way they won’t sneak up on us in the dark.”

“I am thinking it is being safer to be waiting for the boats,” Inko said.

For once Achan agreed with Inko, but for a different reason. “Why don’t we just fight and be done with it?”

“Because Armonguard is the prize, not Mahanaim,” Sir Eagan said. “If we engage Esek now, we could lose too many men to stand up against Esek’s southern army. But if we can slip past at the eastern Reshon Gate while he awaits us in Mahanaim…”

“We stand a chance of beating his northern army to Armonguard,” Sir Gavin said. “Even things up a bit. Do you approve, Your Highness?”

“I do.” As if there were any other options. “We draw aim toward the eastern Reshon Gate. If there’s nothing else…?” No one spoke, so Achan said, “Meeting adjourned.”

Sir Caleb waved Achan to follow him. “Sir Shung is a worthy Shield, but he is not as useful if he never eats or sleeps. I’m sure you’ve noticed how tired he’s been of late?”

Shung always wanted to sleep, but Achan hadn’t considered the reason might be because of his position as Shield.

Sir Caleb held open the tent flap for Achan to exit. He ducked outside and found two guardsmen waiting.

Sir Caleb stopped before the men.
With your permission, Your Highness, Sir Gavin has assigned these men. They’ll work in pairs with Sir Shung and Kurtz, alternating schedules so you’ll have two Shields at all times.

Achan considered the soldiers. Both were in their early twenties. One was tall and thin with blond hair slicked back into a tail. The other had light brown skin, shaggy dark hair, and a flat nose.
If Sir Gavin trusts them, then of course I give permission. Thank you.

Sir Caleb set a hand on the blond man’s shoulder. “This is Cortland Agros, my nephew. He escaped Allowntown’s siege because he was in Mitspah on an errand.”

Cortland bowed his head. “An honor, Your Highness.”

Achan took in the resemblance between Sir Caleb and his nephew, smiling at how Cortland had tamed his hair.

Sir Caleb motioned to the brown-skinned man. “And Manu Pitney came to us from Nesos. He is, in fact, your cousin, as your mother and his father were siblings.”

“Your father is Lord Pitney?” Achan asked.

“No, Your Highness.” Manu’s voice was a lower pitch even than Shung’s. “Lord Pitney is my uncle. My father was the youngest of the family.”

“Pleased to know you,” Achan said. “I should like to meet all your family someday.”

Manu bowed. “That would be an honor, Your Highness.”

Clearly Manu had been taught every shred of decorum Achan lacked. Perhaps in time his cousin would become more friendly, like Shung.

The idea of friends made Achan think of Sparrow. He hoped that time would loosen Sparrow’s knots as well. That she would not only remember, but that things might go back to the way they were before.

P
A R T 4

THE WAYS OF WAR

16

“But why would I run from the man I love?” The reason seemed obvious to Averella. “Perhaps I do not care for him as much as you say I do.”

Gren shook her head. “Oh, no. On our trip from Carmine, you cried yourself to sleep each night thinking about him.”

Averella sat up in the bed where she had awakened. Gren sat on the edge beside her. Though Averella’s mind and body had reunited, her memory had not returned. Gren told her that she had spent nearly a year dressed as a stray boy, that she did indeed love the man called Achan Cham, who was the real Gidon Hadar, Crown Prince of all Er’Rets, and that—for some reason—she had run away from him.

And apparently cried herself to sleep over it. None of this made sense. “After having been away from home for so long, I would have been heartbroken to leave again.”

Gren cocked one eyebrow. “I saw you in his chambers after he’d been hurt. You held his hand. Sang to him.”

The very idea tickled Averella. “There, you see? My voice is not equipped for song.”

But Gren went on. “Something about pity for your heart from the day you saw his face. I can’t remember the tune.”

Averella stiffened at the words. It was the song Master Cham had sung at the Pearly Gate. “Regardless, until my memory returns, I must do what is best for my reputation, which is to return to Carmine. According to Lady Fallina, I have disgraced myself.”

“But what of Achan?” Gren asked.

Averella could not imagine loving anyone but Bran. “You say that Master Cham does not know that I am me.” She shrugged. “Let things be. If at some point he courts me the proper way, perhaps our relationship will… change.”

“But you want to serve Prince Oren’s army as a healer. You can’t do that from Carmine.”

“Gren, I know a great deal about plants, but not enough to be a healer. And an army is no place for a lady.”

Gren frowned as if Averella was a child who misunderstood her. “I beg your pardon, my lady, but you simply don’t remember. Just last week you set a broken arm, removed arrows, bandaged severe cuts. I was amazed at your skill. To be a healer in the war—this is what you wanted.”

“Well, I want it no longer. We should set off for Carmine as soon as possible.”

“No!” Gren jumped up. “I must go to Armonguard. Noam and Harnu agreed to see me safely there.”

“And why must
you
go to Armonguard?”

Gren’s cheeks flushed. “In light of the circumstances with your memory, my lady, I’d rather not say.”

“Do not be difficult. Tell me the truth.”

Gren swallowed. “I wish to be near Master Rennan once the war is ended.”

“
Bran
Rennan?” Averella struggled to keep the emotion from her voice, but she recalled Gren telling Harnu about this. She glanced at Gren’s stomach, recalling also that the girl was with child. “I am trying to be patient…” She took a deep breath and her voice quavered. “But in my mind, Master Rennan is betrothed to me.”

Gren patted her hand. “You were away so long. Both of you… changed. Your parting was mutual.”

Mutual? Averella could not imagine such a thing. “Did not Harnu’s father say Achan once loved you?”

“He did.”

“So we have exchanged suitors?”

“I suppose we have.”

Averella rubbed her temples. “This discussion wearies me. Please go. I must attempt to bloodvoice my mother. She will advise me on what is best.”

Tears pooled in Gren’s eyes. “Very well, my lady. I’ll go.” She curtsied and left the room.

Remorse welled up inside Averella. She had not meant to be rude, but Gren was a peasant. Society dictated that Averella’s conversations with Gren were already far too personal. They both needed to remember their place. And she was Lady Averella Amal, heir to Carm,
not
Vrell Sparrow, some ridiculous stray girl in hiding.

She concentrated on her mother’s face, uncertain how she knew bloodvoicing was done this way.
Mother? Can you hear
m
e? This is Averella. I am attempting to message you by means of bloodvoicing, though I feel slightly mad to even attempt it. How does one know if they have succeeded in making contact or are merely talking to themselves?

Averella! Praise Arman you are back!

Tears stung Averella’s eyes.
Mother! What a relief to finally speak with you. Yet praise is debatable.

What do you mean? Have you returned to your body?

I have, though it seems that part of my memory is gone.

Mother’s voice softened.
How much have you forgotten?

How could one know what one has forgotten, Mother? Last I recall it was early winter. Master Rennan and I had approached you about our engagement.

Oh, dearest! That was over a year ago! So much has happened since then.

Averella sighed.
So people have been telling me. Is it true? Have Master Rennan and I
broken
our engagement?

I am afraid so.

The words caused Averella’s heart to crack.
And I am in love with this mystery prince? And
he
whom we both believed to be Prince Gidon was an
imposter
all these years? How could any of this have possibly come to pass?

Mother explained what she knew of the past year, but Averella could scarcely believe it, for it sounded like a long tale penned by a minstrel. She did not realize she had been weeping until her nose dripped liquid onto her lap.

She sniffled and looked for a handkerchief.
To think I have become so deceitful. I hardly know what to do.

Dearest, I do believe you kept the truth from the prince too long, but you have grown in many ways since you left for Walden’s Watch. I am very proud of you.

But I have forgotten all of this growth. Gren tells me I am a healer. Master Cham tells me he loves none but me, that he is to be king and wishes me to be his queen, yet he knows me only as a stray named Vrell Sparrow. You tell me my father is not Duke Amal but a prisoner from Ice Island. And no one is here to tell me how I feel about any of this, so I must discover it all again, if such is even possible.

It will take time, my dear, but most people’s memories return eventually. Come home, and I will help you.

I would like to, but it seems I promised to take Gren to Armonguard. She hopes to be there for Master Rennan once the war is over. She thinks they are to be
…
married.

Really, Averella. How do you expect to make such a journey? Especially now that Darkness has spread so far? Besides, Master Rennan is imprisoned in Allowntown with Sir Rigil and
Sir
Jax. You told me yourself.

I did?
Averella must not have mentioned this to Gren.
I need time to think this over. I will let you know when I have determined my next course of action.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, dearest.

Averella did want to go home, but she doubted being there would help her memory return. She must have had good reason for going to Armonguard, no matter how awkward the idea of Gren and Bran being together made her feel. She could not trust her emotions for Bran. They were based on a past reality, apparently. Mother had confirmed it. But if Bran were imprisoned in Allowntown, going to Armonguard would not help him.