Wielder of Tiren (The Raven Chronicles Book 3) (3 page)

Chapter Five

A
rwenna clawed at her cloak, pulling it closer to her chilled body. It was Joss’ cloak, too big for her. But she needed something of him around her. Hugh threw another piece of wood on the campfire but it wasn’t enough to ward off the chill in the air.
I should be home, sitting in front of the fire
, she thought.
Joss should be next to me. We should be laughing, catching up. Not sitting on some fallen tree on the road again.
The memory of Joss falling, his blood pouring from the gaping wound in his neck intermingled with the nightmare of his hand coming out of his grave. The need for vengeance rose in her, chasing the cold with an icy resolve. She clung to it, basking in the sense of purpose. Staring into the fire, she sent out a silent warning.
You can run, Senyan. But you can’t hide. Not from me. Not forever.

              Liam sat next to her, calmly removing an iron tripod from a sack. The clink of metal on metal blended with the crackle and pop of the fire. “We’ll be in Almair tomorrow,” his deep voice barely above a whisper. “Sera’s not going to take the news well.”

              Arwenna sighed, letting go of the need to kill for a moment. Protecting her children had to come first. “No, she won’t. Nor will she like what’s going to happen next. But I have to be sure you’re both safe before I go after Senyan.”

              “What happens next? For Sera, anyway? I’m coming with you, after all.” Liam kept an even tone. He sounded so much like Joss it hurt.

              He rose from the log and
deftly placed the
assembled stand so it hung above the small fire. He started to hang a small cooking pot from the ends of the chain. “I mean, it’s only right. You’re going to need me before this is over.”

              “Liam, I don’t need to be worried about what’s happening with you while I do this. I’ve got Y’Dürkie and Hugh. There’s very little they can’t handle. And I’ve got all this magic your Grandfather instilled in me. I think it’s far better if you both go stay with him. There’s no way Senyan can find you in his realm.”

              She watched him adjust the chain so the pot didn’t hover too close to the fire. They wanted a hot meal, not a burned one. “That’s not going to work, Mom. I don’t know what I’ve got to do, but I have a part in this. I know it.”

              A luminescent blue glow darted at the edge of the surrounding brush. Arwenna and Liam exchanged a look. She rose, and the two moved toward the glow.

              Krilln crouched just inside the overgrowth, trying not to be seen. “Your son is right, Arwenna. He will be needed before this is over. Lexi does not know why, and I did not ask.”

              Arwenna cursed under her breath. “I can do this myself, Krilln. My children need to be kept safe. This is my war, not theirs.”

              The Aeshor’s eyes bore into her soul. “War or not, Daughter, he
is
necessary. Your daughter is a wild card; keep her hidden if you must. But there is something that must happen that only Liam can do.” Krilln turned his head and looked up at Liam. “Lexi still awaits your decision. It is not wise to keep her in the dark. There is much she needs your help with.”

              Arwenna looked at Liam. “What decision? What does my cousin demand of my family now?” An edge of anger tainted her words.

              Liam didn’t look at her, but simply placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Tell Lexi that I said no. I have another job to do now. One given to me by my father. She can offer me all the riches and power of the world, but I will not be her Summer King.” With that, he turned and walked back toward the camp.

              Arwenna watched him, emotions warring inside of her. Shock and anger that Lexi would ask that of her son, and pride and curiosity in his refusal. “Krilln, when did she make that offer?” her words came out in a whisper.

              “The night you told him of Joss’ passing. She tried to tell him it was his duty to continue his father’s work. I tried to talk her out of it, but Lexi still asked him. If anything, I admire him more for refusing. It’s no easy thing, to tell a Goddess no.” The leaves rustled slightly as he retreated back into the forest.

              Slowly, she walked back to the fire. The whole time, she kept her eyes on her son as he helped Y’Dürkie
with the dinner preparation. Something in her mind shifted. The figure at the fire wasn’t a child any more. He was a man, almost full grown. One who had begun
to make decisions without her.

              “What job, Liam?”” She hadn’t planned to ask him, but she had to know.

              He straightened his back, and looked at her. “I’m not sure I should tell you. You probably won’t like it.” He turned back to the pot, stirring the contents.

              “There’s a lot of things I don’t like, Liam. Secrets are one of them.” Her tone was harsh, scolding.

              Movement caught her attention and she glanced to her right. Y’Dürkie stood, curiosity on her face. She wouldn’t interrupt, and Arwenna knew it. But they both wanted to know.

              Liam shrugged. “It’s not as big of a deal as you think, Mom. He just...he asked me to watch over you. Be there if you needed something. Protect you.” He turned his head and glanced up at her. “And I mean to do that. I know, you’ve got enough magic to level the world at your disposal. That doesn’t mean someone won’t try to kill you.” He rose and shifted to stand in front of her. “That’s why I turned Lexi down. Things aren’t going to go away, even if we kill this guy. There’s always someone who’s going to think they can beat you in some way. I’m not going to do what Dad had to do and abandon you for six months every year.”

              Arwenna shook her head, “Liam, you don’t understand what that means. I can’t ask you to turn your back on your life before you’ve lived it. I like the solitude! You can’t abandon your apprenticeship, your future, just to make sure I don’t stub my toe or get a splinter!” Anger flared in her. “I forbid it!”

              Liam folded his arms across his chest, waiting for her to finish. “The apprenticeship’s been over for a few months now. Hugh’s told me that there’s nothing more he can teach me. And it’s not like I can’t build a forge near home. There will be visitors. If Hugh has one or two promising students more than he can take on, he can send them to stay with us. I know Y’Dürkie’s been talking to you about taking on a few who are talented in healing. It’s not the bustle of Almair, but we won’t be alone. Sera can have the city life. I like the quieter one.” He paused, “I’m old enough to make the decision, Mom. I will honor my father’s wish, even if you don’t like it. Now, get a bowl out. Dinner’s ready.” He turned his back to her.

              Arwenna drew breath to resume the argument, but stopped when she felt a light touch on her arm. “Do not, Arvenna. He is a man now. You vill not be a good mother if you undo his choice for him. Accept it.” Y’Dürkie muttered under her breath. “Besides, you vill be better prepared for vinter vith a blacksmith around.”

              Sighing, she nodded once.
Maybe after a winter of isolation, with just me for company, he’ll rethink his decision.
Her stomach growled loudly, so she gave up and went to find her bowl.

* * * * *

              The afternoon sun blazed across the white marble of the ducal palace, drawing Arwenna like a beacon. Sera would be there, safe. Hala at her side. The message she sent to Frances specified that Arwenna wanted to be the one to tell her about Joss’ death, just to keep her safe. Senyan’s final jab rang in her ears. He did not make hollow threats, and would fulfill any promises he made. She trusted Ramberti and Frances. Security in the ducal palace was high. Sera was as safe there as anywhere, she told herself.

             
Only she didn’t really believe it.

              The small sense of dread Arwenna had been shoving aside for the last day exploded into full blown fear when she saw the riders galloping toward them. Ramberti’s banner, a white phoenix against the purple of the royal line, announced him long before the troops came close enough for her to recognize his armor.

              “Somethink is not right,” Y’Dürkie spoke, her voice even. “He vould not come to meet us like this if everyone vas safe.”

              Arwenna nodded. She was right. The greeting would be more formal, at Court. She reined her horse into a stop and waited for the Duke’s approach.

              “It’s going to be fine, Mom.” Liam halted his horse next to hers. “Even if it deals with Sera or Hala, they’re fine. It could be a precaution. His Grace is almost as protective of you as Dad was.”

              She knew he was trying to reassure her, but it wasn’t working. Something was wrong. She could feel it. But she’d have to wait for the news.

              “Arwenna!” Ramberti’s deep voice called out as his horse charged toward her group. “Thank the Gods you’re safe! Soon as we got your message, we got ready to ride. Things are uneasy enough in the world…” he maneuvered his horse to come to a stop right in front of hers. “Last thing we need is for you to go disappearing.”

              “Sera and Hala? How are they? Do they know?”

              Ramberti pulled his helm off. The sadness and worry on his face did not reassure Arwenna. “Frances had to tell them. There was an attempt made to take Sera. Hala held them off, and one of the gang was apprehended. We put them in a sealed room, just to be safe.”

              Safe? There was no such place, not on this world. That one attempt was made reinforced her belief.

              “There’s more, Arwenna.” Ramberti’s voice dropped, and he cast a worried glance at Y’Dürkie. “Hala was hurt, but not bad. The dagger she carried, however. It was lost in the scuffle.”

              Y’Dürkie’s eyes widened and Arwenna knew why. “The Gem?”

              “The Gem of Tiren is gone.”

Chapter Six

A
rwenna hurried through the halls of the palace, the need to see Sera growing with each step. Y’Dürkie, her armor rattling, jogged to keep pace with her and the Duchess. Ramberti had filled in some details during the ride back to the city, but there were pieces missing. Questions only Sera and Hala could answer. Like how Sera
knew this boy, why she was so certain he was innocent. And just how a trained warrior could lose a dagger, especially one with a sentient stone in the pommel. Tiren would not have let herself be surrendered easily.

Frances kept in step at her side, leading her through the maze of hallways toward her daughter. “Soon as we found them both, I had Sera brought here. It’s the safest room of the palace, outside of the dungeons. There’s no way in and out without notice. Once Hala’s wounds were treated, she joined her.”

              Nodding, Arwenna kept her voice low. She didn’t need the entire staff knowing her concerns. “Thank you for that. Those two are close. Sera will need her when I tell her about her father.”

              Frances’ hand encircled Arwenna’s arm. Stopping, she turned toward her friend. “Arwenna, don’t be mad. I had to tell her. She was adamant she saw her father in the alley just before the attack. Since I knew it wasn’t possible, I had to tell her. She wasn’t facing reality well, kept saying the man we arrested wasn’t part of the ambush.” She paused, “It wasn’t until she saw Hala’s face, the bruises and cuts, that she thought what I said was true.”

              Arwenna frowned. “Why was she so certain the man wasn’t a part of the attempt?”

              Frances started to walk again. “She and Hala had gone to a hat shop to meet him. Apparently, he and Sera had been corresponding for some time. She’s convinced he didn’t have anything to do with it, claims they love each other. Hala says the pair seemed to get along fine, and is
not entirely certain he would hurt Sera. The nature of the ambush and the timing
put his motives into question.”

              They stopped before a plain-looking door. Had it not been for the six armed guards outside the door, plus another four or so trying hard not to be noticed, Arwenna wouldn’t have thought twice about the room. She placed a hand on the knob, turning it. Much as Hugh and Liam wanted to see the girls, she insisted on this first visit being between mothers and daughters. There were things the two girls would tell them that they wouldn’t tell their brother or father.

              Sera sat on the bed, her back to the door. Her head turned as Hala jumped up from a chair on the other side. Arwenna kept her attention on her daughter, taking in the changes both visible and unseen. Sera shifted, sitting up on the bed. Her body had grown. Her face showed a new maturity beneath the grief and confusion. She wasn’t a girl any more. No more so than Liam was a boy. Her gray eyes, rimmed with red, but determined. She was more like
Arwenna than she wanted to admit.

              Arwenna sank onto the bed, embracing her daughter, “I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered. Even to her ears it sounded hollow. She was barely dealing with her own grief; how could she really help Sera through it?

              Sera didn’t pull away immediately. “Where’s Liam? Does he know?” she asked, breaking away.

              She stroked Sera’s dark hair. “He does. He and Hugh came with us. Had I known Senyan would go after you first, I would’ve come here instead.”

              Sera leaned back a bit. Reaching out a hand, she spoke, “Mom, what they say he did. He didn’t. Hala will tell you. She was there. Kial’s innocent. He wasn’t trying to hurt me, but protect me.”

              “Who is he? Why were you there to begin with?”

              “We met about a year ago. We never saw each other without Hala nearby. He’d just gotten an apprenticeship to the shop. I was going to introduce you to him last time you visited, but he insisted we wait until he’d found a ‘respectable’ job. More than anything, he feared you wouldn’t approve if he didn’t have a decent future ahead of him.” A blush colored her cheeks. “I love him, Mom. And he loves me. I know it. There’s no way he was trying to hurt me.” The words tumbled out of Sera’s mouth in a rush.

              Arwenna paused, not sure how to respond at first. “Sera, I hear you. And I promise that Y’Dürkie and I will see this Kial of yours. And he will be given a fair hearing.”

“Sister, ve have a problem.” Y’Dürkie’s voice interrupted the conversation.

              She looked over where her friend stood next to her daughter, Hala. “What is it?”

              Hala looked her straight in the eye, “I did not lose the dagger and Gem. I was told to let them take it.”

              Arwenna’s forehead creased in puzzlement. “Told to let it be taken? By who?”

              “Tiren.”