My Lady Mage: A Warriors of the Mist Novel (8 page)

He could only shrug, wishing they didn’t have to trust to magic they didn’t understand. “No, Lady Merewen only said that Kestrel would know where to take us.”

His friend blinked twice and then chuckled. “I guess that makes sense in a land where the horses pick their own riders.”

They both glanced in Kane’s direction. He was deliberately maintaining some distance between his stallion and the other horses. Gideon noted all three mares made sure to say on Kestrel’s other side. He had to assume that was deliberate and probably accounted for why the two stallions seemed to have declared a momentary truce.

For now, Gideon concentrated on refreshing his memory of the lay of the land. This area seemed familiar, although he was fairly sure that the last time he and the others had passed through, it had still been heavily forested. If he was right, then they should come to a river crossing just ahead. Unless things there had changed drastically, it was shallow enough to make crossing easy.

Just as he expected, a short time later he heard the
sound of water, and the grassland quickly gave way to a rocky shoreline. Kane and his mount immediately waded out into the river, the water barely coming to the horse’s knees. The gray paused midstream long enough to drink before moving on. The other horses followed suit. Kestrel then led them the rest of the way across the river to a small meadow on the other side.

Upon reaching the center of the clearing, the stallion stopped and refused to go another step. In fact, none of the horses would budge.

“It appears that we have arrived,” Murdoch said as he looked around. “I find it most strange to move at the whim of horses.”

A feminine voice responded. “Ah, but these are not your usual horses, Sir Murdoch.”

All five men drew their weapons but sheathed them again when Lady Merewen stepped out of a stand of trees, leading the same horse she’d ridden the previous day. When her eyes first sought out Gideon, he nodded by way of greeting as he studied her face for any sign that her uncle had further abused her. But no, she looked rested and far less haunted than she had when he’d last seen her.

Good. The man could live for another day.

Her gaze had moved on as she offered each man a smile, but it faded as soon as she spotted Kane. Her eyes widened in obvious shock, although Gideon could detect no fear in her expression. As usual, Kane’s first reactions were suspicion and anger.

“Is something wrong?” the testy warrior demanded as he dismounted.

Gideon started forward, not about to let his friend take his usual bad temper out on Merewen. He’d intervene if necessary, but it would be better for everyone involved if she learned to deal with all five of the warriors on her own.

For now, her expression had slowly brightened again, and she actually smiled directly at Kane. “Not at all, my lord. I apologize for staring, but seeing you on Rogue caught me by surprise.”

“And why is that? Am I not good enough for one of your horses?” Kane sounded defensive, but he’d had good reason to question people’s motives in the past.

Merewen dropped her mare’s reins and headed directly toward Kane. “Forgive me, but I truly meant no insult to you. It is just that to my knowledge, Rogue here has never before had a rider on his back, not even me. I had no idea that he would accept a bridle, much less a saddle and rider.”

She walked right up to the gray and patted him on his scarred shoulder. The horse sidled away from her, but she only laughed. “Go on and pretend you don’t like me, you big baby, but I know better.”

Then she pulled out a small apple from the pouch at her side and held it out to the huge horse. Rather than chase after him, she waited patiently. After only a brief hesitation, the horse stepped closer and delicately accepted the apple from the palm of her hand.

Then she took out several more and offered them to Kane. “He has a strong fondness for these.”

The warrior accepted the gift and immediately offered the horse another. “Rogue seems a fitting name for him. Is there a story behind it?”

Although Kane rarely talked to anyone outside their close-knit group, Gideon liked that he made the effort with Merewen. He also admired her courage as she stood next to the warrior without any sign of fear or hesitation. Both of them focused their attention on the horse.

“My father had a true talent for seeing the potential in a horse. He said Rogue shared not just the color of the rock that forms the backbone of the mountains, but also
its strength. While Rogue might never appeal to those who look only for surface beauty, he would be an excellent mount for the right person, one who appreciates heart and strength more than looks.”

She shot a quick glance at Kane before continuing. “When Rogue here was but a two-year-old, he’d already grown to his full height but had yet to fill out to match his bones. Winter that year was a bad one, and the snows lasted well into the spring after the mares had already foaled. A hungry mountain cat ventured down to our winter pastures looking for an easy kill.”

She traced the deep scars on Rogue’s side. “I was there when the cat went after the new foals. The mares were screaming in fear and doing their best to save their young. The cat got past their guard and was closing in on a foal that had barely found its legs when Rogue jumped the fence and charged to drive the beast back. Before the guards could draw their bows, the cat attacked Rogue and buried its claws deep in his shoulder, shredding these muscles.”

Her voice thickened with emotion. “Somehow Rogue managed to dislodge the cat and stomp it to death, saving who knows how many of our other horses. Unfortunately, when the stable master attempted to treat the wounds, Rogue was out of his mind with pain and terror. He struck out, breaking one man’s arm and another’s leg.”

Kane fed the horse another apple. “I’m surprised they didn’t put him down.”

Merewen nodded. “Most of them wanted to, hoping to offer him a kinder death than what he’d face from the infection that was sure to follow. I begged my father to spare him. He finally agreed, but only if Jarod and I could coax Rogue into letting us treat his wounds.”

Gideon joined the conversation. “I’m guessing that was an uphill battle.”

“It was, but Rogue eventually let us care for him. Even though his wounds healed, the experience taught him that it hurt when people touched him. That spoiled him for any kind of normal training.”

Rogue snorted loudly and shook his head, as if he’d been following the entire conversation and agreed with her conclusion. Even Kane’s mouth quirked up in a small smile.

She gave him a considering look. “I am exceedingly glad that you and Rogue found each other, Kane.”

The warrior seemed at a loss how to respond. In fact, if Gideon had to guess, he suspected his friend was actually embarrassed by all the attention, and so intervened.

“Lady Merewen, perhaps it is time we make plans.”

She looked up to the sky, probably to guess how much time had passed. “Yes, we should. My uncle knows that this is my usual day to check on the outlying herds, but he expects me to return in time to serve the evening meal.”

Gideon frowned. In his experience, the lady of the manor had the duty of choosing the menu and overseeing its preparation. She certainly wasn’t expected to do a servant’s work. It was obviously just one more way her uncle had found to humiliate Merewen in front of his men and any visitors to the keep.

His men knew it, too. They had crowded close, their expressions fierce enough to have Merewen looking apprehensive. He felt an unexpected urge to plant himself firmly between her and his friends, and even took a step in that direction despite knowing full well they would never lift a hand to harm her.

Duncan shot him a questioning look. “Lady, perhaps you’d like to sit down.”

He offered her his arm and gestured toward a downed log near the water. She allowed Duncan to lead her in
that direction, leaving Gideon no choice but to follow. He wasn’t particularly happy with Duncan right now, but it was for the best. They’d all learned a long time ago to maintain a certain distance when it came to the people they were called forth to serve.

Emotions only clouded judgment. Besides, their time was limited, and friendships made it that much harder to return to the cold loneliness of the river. Anyone they’d met would be long dead by the time Gideon and his men returned to walk once again among the living. He knew better, but something about Merewen was bringing out every protective instinct he had.

All five men arranged themselves around her, each keeping a wary eye on their surroundings lest someone had been sent to spy on her actions. Even the horses stood facing outward, watching both the river and the woods with their ears pricked forward and listening. They didn’t seem anxious, merely vigilant.

Although he suspected he knew the answer, Gideon asked the question anyway. “Did your uncle learn that you’d been out of the keep when he returned?”

Merewen shook her head, but as she did, her hand immediately started rubbing her other arm as if soothing a sudden pain. Her uncle might not have beaten her, but either he or someone else had treated her roughly. Gideon noticed Kane’s hand had strayed toward his sword, as if ready to defend her.

“He suspected I was lying to him but couldn’t prove it. I did learn why he thought I had disobeyed him and left the keep. One of his men, Olaf, had checked my bed during the night and reported me missing.”

Murdoch joined the conversation. “Your uncle sent one of his men unchaperoned into your bedchamber?”

Merewen blushed as she stared down at her lap. “Yes, and it wasn’t the first time. I’ve only ever left the keep during the night once before. He’d turned out one of my
servants, and I was trying to bring him enough food and coin to find a new home.”

Gideon hated the remembered pain in her expression as she continued speaking. “I don’t know what my uncle suspects me of doing now or how often he has someone check. When Olaf saw that my bed was empty, my uncle immediately unleashed the dogs to hunt me down.”

Gideon’s temper was fraying around the edges. “What happened after you returned?”

His question brought out a small smile on her face as she quickly described her confrontation with her uncle.

Once again she was rubbing her arm. “Although I did not witness it, I heard that Uncle Fagan beat Olaf badly in weapons practice. Certainly, the man was moving slowly when I last saw him. I would be glad of that, except Olaf already hates me. This will likely only make matters worse.”

Kane, always the first to seek battle, drew his sword and snarled, “I say we ride in and kill both Olaf and her uncle and end this.”

Gideon shared the sentiment, but there was too much they didn’t know. If all the trouble could be solved with a simple stroke of a sword, the gods would not have responded to Merewen’s plea, no matter how heartfelt or justified. Past history had taught him that the Damned were called to do battle under only the most dire of situations.

He placed his hand on Kane’s sword arm. “Not yet.”

Merewen was now staring at both of them with that same fearful look she’d worn at their first meeting when he and the others were fresh from the river. Clearly she was wondering what horrors she’d unleashed on the world. It was too late to turn back the tide of events that were now in motion.

Her fear scented the very air, leaving a bitter taste upon his tongue. In the past, he had cared little or not at
all what the people he had to champion thought of him and his men. For whatever reason, Merewen’s opinion mattered.

“Why not, Captain? It’s a simple-enough matter,” Kane continued, crowding closer to Gideon. “But wait. You also chose to hide from her uncle and his men in the woods. Why? Has the river washed away your courage?”

Gideon snarled back. “Would the gods have answered her call if it were that simple? Think beyond your taste for killing.”

The warrior’s expression turned to stone. “Killing is what I was bred for. If you no longer have the stomach for bloodshed, then stand back and let me do what we were sent here to do.”

Gideon drew his own sword with one hand and shoved Kane back a step with the other. “Do you wish to challenge me? Is that truly what you want?”

The air around them shimmered with a cold energy as if lightning were about to strike. The image was all too appropriate if the gods took offense at their actions.

Murdoch pushed his way into the discussion, planting his considerable bulk firmly between them. Rarely did the big man let his temper show, but right now he was furious.

“Stand down, both of you. Now.” He glared first at Kane and then back over his shoulder at Gideon himself. “Not only do you risk offending the gods with your actions; you are frightening Lady Merewen.”

Gideon’s anger drained away slowly, and he kept his eyes locked on Kane’s until the other man blinked and lowered his weapon. Fine. They’d reestablished the order of things. That left Lady Merewen to make peace with. Gideon sheathed his weapon, but when he moved to walk around Murdoch, his friend sidestepped to block him.

Gideon arched an eyebrow and stared into the other man’s eyes. “You have something to say?”

“No, but if you scare her again like that, we will have words.”

His words were spoken softly, even calmly, but the threat was still there. Gideon flexed his hands, praying for patience.

“Murdoch, step aside. I know my duty and will see it done.”

When the warrior retreated, giving Gideon room to move, room to breathe, Gideon made eye contact with Duncan and Averel as well. Both nodded, acknowledging his leadership. With that settled, he approached Merewen. She had left her seat on the log to stand next to her mare, the two of them clearly on the verge of bolting.

He moved slowly, not wanting to spook either the woman or her horse. Both stood their ground, but their uncertainty showed in the way they shifted from foot to foot and the tight grip that Merewen had on the reins.

Pretty words always came more easily to Duncan, but Gideon gave it his best effort, striving to keep his voice low and calm. “My apologies, Lady Merewen. Perhaps we can take a walk and discuss our plans.”