The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) (53 page)

Phantom placed his neatly packed
saddlebag against the back wall of the tent before turning to look at her,
‘Saul will blame himself for you leaving and the others probably will too.’

‘Well he has, sort of.  I’d
probably have wanted to leave before the festival had finished anyway, but I
couldn’t stay now even if I wanted to.  It’s just so –’

‘Awkward?’  Phantom
suggested.

Mistral sighed, ‘That’s one way
of putting it.’

‘Of course it’s awkward
Mistral.  Unrequited love is rarely anything but awkward.’  Phantasm
interjected, adding with a thoughtful frown.  ‘I must admit, he’s being
incredibly persistent.’

‘And brave.’  Phantom added.

‘Oh!’  Mistral suddenly
exclaimed.  ‘Cain!’

The twins looked at her,
chorusing impatiently, ‘Yes?’ 

‘He had a flask of that manticore
liquor.  We had some before the race – I bet he gave some to the others
too.’

Phantasm scowled, ‘He has a lot
to answer for with his wretched brewing antics!  No wonder poor Saul found
the nerve to proposition the wife of Mage De Winter!’

Mistral nodded but kept
quiet.  Cain’s wretched brewing antics had saved Fabian’s life not that
long ago.

‘So, let’s go over the plan
again.’  Phantom prompted in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

‘Yes Phantom, let’s.’
 Mistral rolled her eyes.  ‘It’ll only be for what, the third time?’

‘Perfect planning – ’

‘Yes!  Yes!  Go on
then!’

‘We help with dinner, eat, chat,
ply the others with wine, don’t drink much ourselves ... I’ll have the
waterskin on hand so it’s not obvious that we aren’t drinking –’

‘We could raid Cain’s saddlebag
for something to help them sleep.’  Mistral suggested.

‘No, I don’t think so.  We
might get it wrong.  Cain’s not famous for labelling his inventions is
he?’

‘No.’ Mistral admitted.  ‘He
usually goes by bottle colour.’

‘And how did that work out on the
cyclops hunt?’

‘Not well.’

‘Shh!  Here they come! 
Remember to be cheerful!’

Mistral shot him a black look and
turned to face her brothers, plastering a wide smile on her face.

‘Don’t overdo it!’  Phantom
hissed. 

Xerxes and Brutus came staggered
back along the path first, both looking decidedly sorry for themselves. 
Saul and Cain were just behind them.  Cain had a distinctly guilty look on
his face and Mistral was willing to bet that he realised what had given Saul
the courage to make a fool of himself. 

‘Let me treat you.’  Mistral
offered brightly and reached for her medical kit while Brutus and Xerxes walked
over stiffly.  ‘Tell me how you did.’

‘Oh, you know.’  Xerxes
winced and lowered himself carefully into a sitting position.  ‘Not
bad.’  he reached for a wineskin and took a long drink before submitting
to Mistral dabbing ointment on his various cuts.

‘Grendel?’  Mistral offered
by way of explanation.

Xerxes took another drink and
nodded sourly.

‘Well, on the bright side, the Ri
now have two winners in the last event.’  Brutus held his arm out for
Mistral to clean a long wound running the length of his forearm.

‘How did you get that?’  she
exclaimed.  ‘It was an unarmed event!’

‘Tell that to the dirty, cheating
elf that had a knife stuck up his sleeve!’  

‘Brutus!  That’s no way to
talk about your kinsmen.’  Mistral chided while she looked more closely at
the wound.  ‘I think it’ll need stitching.’

‘Whatever.’  Brutus
responded wearily.  ‘Pass me a wineskin someone.’

‘So where’s our champion
now?’  Phantasm asked casually while he passed a wineskin to Brutus.

‘Probably in the nymph tent
again.’  Xerxes muttered moodily.

‘No, he’s not!  Look, he’s
coming down the path now –’

They all looked up to see Grendel
lumbering wearily towards them.  The huge warrior looked exhausted.

‘Congratulations Grendel!’ 
Mistral called cheerfully. 

Grendel grunted and collapsed
heavily onto the floor beside Brutus.

‘So how come you’re not
celebrating with the nymphs?’  Xerxes asked jealously.

‘Tired.’

‘Huh, run out of money more
like.’

Grendel yawned and closed his
eyes, ‘Didn’t charge me.’

Xerxes stared at Grendel while he
began to snore loudly, ‘Didn’t charge him?  I don’t believe it!  They
wouldn’t even give me a kiss last night unless I paid them a gold coin apiece!’

‘You’ve either got it or you haven’t
brother.’  Mistral smiled and concentrated on finishing off Brutus’
stitches.

Xerxes made a disgusted noise and
abruptly stood up, ‘Going for a wash.’

‘Watch out for Columbine!’ 
Mistral called after him.  ‘Mind you, I don’t think she charges!’

They all laughed, watching Xerxes
stagger away bad-temperedly giving rude gestures over his shoulder.

‘You’re in a good mood.’
 Brutus said quietly while Mistral packed away her kit. 

‘Shouldn’t I be?’  she
shrugged lightly and avoided his gaze, focussing her attention on rolling up
the canvas pouch and tying it securely.

‘We know what happened.’

‘Just a misunderstanding. 
It’s all cleared up now.’

‘So.  Does that mean your
Mage won’t kill Saul for daring to suggest you should leave him then?’

Mistral hesitated before lifting
her eyes to meet Brutus’ anxious gaze, ‘I won’t volunteer the details brother,
but if you’re asking me to lie then I can’t... but I will tell him that Saul
was not … himself … you know, over-confident.’

He regarded her for a moment, his
gaze serious, ‘You think Saul only had the courage to tell you how he feels
because he had some of Cain’s manticore potion?’ 

‘Of course I do!  Why else
would he do something so stupid?’

‘Because he loves you.’

Mistral stared at him, ‘Are you
saying that he didn’t have any potion this morning?’

‘Whether he did or not, he’s been
planning to talk to you for a while now.’

Mistral glanced over at where
Saul was sitting with his back to her while Cain tended to his injuries.

‘Is he insane?’  she whispered
incredulously.

‘I think that love is a form of
madness, yes.’

Mistral drew in a deep breath and
looked at Brutus, ‘What would you do if you were me?’ 

‘Honestly?’  Brutus
smiled.  ‘Wear a dress more often.’

Mistral gave a short laugh, ‘You
know what I mean brother.’

Brutus shrugged, ‘You’re probably
handling it better than any of us would.  Having said that, Xerxes did
have a wager on you not being here when we got back.’

Mistral shifted uncomfortably and
avoided his gaze.

Brutus sighed heavily, ‘I knew
it.  You’re going aren’t you?’

‘Um, yes.’

‘When?’

‘Tonight –’

‘Alone?’ he asked, frowning
sharply.

‘No.’

Brutus’ face abruptly clouded
with anger, ‘Of course!  The twins probably knew what was going to happen
before Saul even opened his big fat mouth!’

‘Please don’t be angry with
Saul.’  Mistral implored him quietly.  ‘It’s not really his fault I’m
going.  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stick around for the whole festival
in the first place.’

Brutus began to stand up, ‘Well
you’re not going alone.  We’ll all go with you.’

Mistral quickly pulled him back
down, ‘No you won’t!’  she hissed, shooting a wary glance over at where
Saul and Cain were still sitting, apparently oblivious to their whispered
conversation.

‘Why not?’ 

‘Because I’ve heard you talk
Brutus!  I know this festival means a lot to you and Xerxes, and I’m not
going to be the one to ruin it!’

‘No.  Saul’s done that.’

‘No he hasn’t.  He’s said
his piece and I’ve said mine and it’s done with.  Admittedly, it’s a bit
uncomfortable –’

Brutus raised his eyebrows, ‘Just
a bit!’ 

‘But it’ll smooth over. 
Drag him to that damned nymph tent and he’ll soon forget about me!  And
think of the look on Cain’s face when he realises that he’s in the winners’
event by default because I’m not here.’

‘He will be slightly pleased with
himself, the jumped up hob.’  Brutus agreed then frowned.  ‘But are
you sure you’ll be safe enough with just the twins?’

‘Course I will.  I’ve
already decided to use them as bait if we get into any trouble.’

Brutus laughed, ‘They always were
more ornamental than useful.’

Mistral looked over to where the
twins were preparing dinner, her smile more affectionate than mocking. 
She turned back to Brutus, the smile still lingering.

‘You’re all my brothers, you know
that don’t you?’

‘Easy now sister or I’ll start
crying.’

‘What’s that Brutus?  Did
she do the stitches too tight?’  Cain called.  ‘You should’ve asked
the Qualified professional, not the apprentice!’

Mistral turned and stuck her
tongue out at Cain, who laughed then winced, clutching a hand to his ribs,
‘Damn!  That hurt!’

‘Ha!  You’re so going to
have to ask really
nicely if you want me to check you over now!’ 
Mistral grinned.

By the time Xerxes had returned
from his wash night had begun to fall and the cool air was full of the rich
smell of the rabbits the twins were roasting over the blazing fire. 
Xerxes was full of gossip about the various squabbles he had witnessed during
his walk and keen to share.

‘You remember Magnus don’t you
brother?’  Xerxes reached for the wineskin and helped himself to a long
draught.  ‘Well he’s here … along with Silas
and
Phoenix!’

‘No!’  Brutus exclaimed,
looking suitably scandalised.  ‘Didn’t they hate each other and swear
blood oaths to kill the other on sight?’

‘That’s right!  Xerxes said,
nodding enthusiastically, ‘Well it turns out that –’

While Xerxes went on to describe
a long family feud that would have bored even Mycroft Casterton to death
Mistral quickly turned to the twins and muttered under her breath.

‘Brutus knows we’re going.’

Phantasm nodded, not taking his
eyes from the rabbit he was slowly turning over the flames. 

‘And?’

‘No objections.’

‘Good.’

‘Fancy a game of knuckle
bones?’  Phantom asked loudly and soon everyone was involved in a long
game with Brutus, Xerxes and Cain being overly cheerful to cover up for the
fact that Saul had barely spoken a word all evening.

‘Dinner is served.’ 
Phantasm announced grandly, pulling a roasted rabbit from the fire with a
dramatic flourish.

‘Should we wake him up for
something to eat?’  Mistral asked dubiously, eying the snoring mountain of
Grendel.

‘No, leave him.’  Cain said
quickly.  ‘He’ll need his strength for later.  I bumped into the
nymphs earlier, they’re looking for him.’  

Xerxes choked on his rabbit, ‘I
knew it!  He hasn’t paid his bill and they’re after his blood!’

‘No brother, that’s not what they
were saying … in fact, I really don’t want to repeat what they were saying
while we’re eating, it’s a bit stomach turning to be honest.’

Xerxes stared at him, ‘I don’t
believe you,’ he finally muttered and took an angry bite of rabbit.

Mistral hid a smile.
 Xerxes’ famous pride had taken a serious knock but she was sure it would
recover once he was reunited himself with his army of village sweethearts back
in the Valley. 

The Valley.

Mistral’s fists clenched
impatiently at the thought of going back.  She stole a quick glance at her
brothers.  They looked tired.  She wondered if suggesting an early
night would be too obvious.  Probably, she decided with a sigh and resigned
herself to waiting it out.

The evening passed with agonising
slowness.  Every second felt like an hour while she forced herself to
laugh and joke her way through endless games of knucklebones. 

‘Ah, I think it’s time to call it
a day.’

‘Oh come on Xerxes, one more
game!’  Cain demanded.  ‘I need to win back some of that money!’

‘No, sorry brother.’  Xerxes
yawned widely.  ‘Sleep beckons.’

‘I’ll go check the horses before
we turn in.’ Mistral hurried over to the enclosure, taking the opportunity to
check that Cirrus, Jupiter and Mars were sound enough to be ridden. 

The twins’ horses were in perfect
condition having not been raced that day but Cirrus still looked weary and
there was a little heat in one of his legs.  Mistral frowned and ran her
hands over his leg again, feeling the tell-tale softness of a bruise. 

‘Damn it!’ 

Mistral sat back on her heels and
felt the crushing weight of disappointment fall on her.  She was so
desperate to leave that the thought of staying another night was unbearable. 
She racked her brains, thinking of a way around her lame horse.  She could
take another ...

She quickly discarded that
idea.  Leaving Cirrus was out of the question.  Maybe if they just
walked, she could even start on foot … at least then she would actually be
starting her journey back to the Valley.  Back to Fabian.  Her
decision made, Mistral stood up, feeling relief and purpose flood through her,
washing away the chafing anxiety.  They would be gone within the
hour.  She would hear Fabian’s thoughts again in just a couple of short
days.

She walked quickly back to the
tent to find the twins sat alone around the camp fire with Prospero sitting
next to them, gazing alertly at her.

‘Are the horses ready?’ 
Phantasm asked quietly.

She pulled a face, ‘Cirrus is
off, but if we travel lightly he should recover quickly enough.’

Phantasm nodded and retrieved
their three saddlebags from the deep shadows at the side of the tent. 
Hoisting them onto his shoulder he slipped quietly away towards the horse
enclosure.

‘Here.’  Phantom quickly
passed over her swords.  Mistral took them with murmured thanks and
strapped them on, trying not to make any noise.