Trask seemed to understand his concern. “Don’t worry. There are others with her. They’ll keep her safe.”
“We need to make certain the Altair girl is in the area,” Richard said as he reclined at Goler’s table. He took a bite of the dry beef the captain offered and almost scowled. It was dreadful compared to the fare at Auréa. One more reason to get things done quickly.
“I’m sure she is,” Goler replied with irritating confidence.
Richard peered at him and made the captain squirm. “I’ll believe that when I see her.”
He took a sip of wine and grimaced. Next time he had to leave the city, he’d bring his own. “You say you believe there are others working with this Trask who may be harboring the girl now?”
“No doubt. He’s purchased and disappeared with supplies for more than one person.”
“Do you have any idea who these people are?”
Goler shrugged. “A couple of troublemakers and outcasts have disappeared from the village. I think the villagers know more than they let on. They have strong loyalty to him.” Bitterness leaked into his tone.
Richard pinned him with another hard look. “That could present a problem for His Majesty. We won’t tolerate these rebellious factions. I trust you’ll see to it that this rebelliousness is subdued and extinguished.”
“Of course.” Goler licked his lips, speaking with care. “Actually, I thought, perhaps, should the current baron prove uncooperative, the emperor might consider me a viable replacement. He wouldn’t have to worry about any rebellion under my watch.”
Richard eyed him. A bold move for this sorry country captain, but it could be of benefit. He considered him a moment. “You don’t think the baron is loyal to the emperor?”
“With his son as the instigator behind all this, I think he too knows more than he will tell me. I have no proof, yet, but I have no doubt something would surface with a bit of pushing and digging.”
Goler waited, breath held, and Richard left him in suspense for several seconds. Once he was satisfied, he said casually, “If this proves true, I suppose I could put in a word with the emperor on your behalf.”
Goler’s lips upturned a little, and a spark of glee lit in his eyes.
“But,” Richard said, effectively squelching some of that delight, “you would have to make good on your promises to destroy any rebellion if it isn’t finished when I’m through here. Even a couple of rebellious outcasts can embolden others.”
“You can count on it.”
Richard took another sip of sour wine and focused again on the matter at hand and his desire to return to civilization. “Now, about the girl. I want to see her. Tomorrow, send men into the village. Let it be known that I have her brother and I want to speak with her. If the villagers are in on this, as you say, word should reach her. I will set up and wait for her outside the barracks. She can either choose to give herself up, or I can make it clear to her what will happen should she refuse.”
“Do you think it’s a trap?”
Kyrin looked at Rayad, who scanned the area from their hiding place in the trees. An open field stretched out a couple of hundred yards before them and met the barracks’ palisade. About a hundred yards from the barracks itself, a group of soldiers milled about a dark coach. One man reclined in a high-backed chair while the others waited on his every need.
“I don’t think so,” Rayad answered. “They’re in the open and don’t have any men hiding in the trees. They know we can easily make our escape back into the forest. No, they just want to talk and are overconfident in your choice.”
Kyrin sent a glare across the distance to Sir Richard, but her eyes switched to the coach. Kaden. No doubt he was inside. “So, I go down and talk to them then?”
Rayad gave a slow nod. “Yes, but just to talk.”
Kyrin glanced at him, and then at Jace. She’d had to convince them to let her come. Whatever happened during this meeting, Kaden would still be a captive. That wouldn’t change, but, regardless of the outcome, she had to go out there. Though she didn’t want to face the thought of it, this might be her one and only chance ever to see her brother again. It would be difficult not to give in to Richard’s demands with Kaden’s life on the line, but neither one of her friends would let her do it. Whether or not she was glad of this was too soon to tell, but she couldn’t trust her own emotions under these circumstances.
“All right. Let’s go down,” she murmured.
They turned to where the other men waited with the horses.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Tane asked.
Kyrin looked up into his eyes. His presence would bring added comfort, but she shook her head. “No, you’re still needed in Valcré. We can’t let them see you. Besides, the less men they know we have, the better.” She sighed. “I’ll be all right.”
She mounted up with Jace, Rayad, and Warin. The three men would be enough to offer her immediate protection and counsel, while the others could cover their escape if necessary. Just before leaving the forest, Kyrin whispered a plea to Elôm for strength and guidance.
She stiffened her spine and nudged Maera. The men followed her out into the open. Commotion rose among the soldiers the moment they appeared, but Kyrin’s eyes stayed fixed on Richard. Though difficult to tell at this distance, she was sure of the wicked smile on his face. She could almost feel it. When they drew nearer, he rose from his chair, and his men, including Goler, took up defensive positions around him.
Several yards away, Kyrin and her companions dismounted. She reached back for her bow, needing the confidence boost of being armed. To her right, Jace gripped his. He met her eyes and gave her a reassuring nod. She forced a quick smile, though it barely touched her lips, and turned to face Richard again. They walked a couple of yards closer to talk, but maintained adequate room for escape.
Richard’s satisfaction was plain now, and mingled with loathing. “Miss Altair. You’re looking well, though I can’t say that with any pleasure.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Kyrin replied.
“Well then, let’s dispense with formalities and get down to business.”
He motioned to the soldiers. Two of them opened the doors of the coach. Kyrin pressed her free hand to her stomach and held her breath. A moment later, they dragged out both Kaden and Trev. Tears flooded her eyes at not only seeing Kaden’s face, but the blood and bruises too. She ached to rush over to him, but held it together even though her voice broke when she gasped his name.
“Hey,” he replied with a small smile.
She nearly burst into sobs. After so many weeks apart, she couldn’t even give him a hug. Struggling to gain better control over her voice, she looked between him and Trev and asked, “Are you all right?”
“We’re fine,” Kaden answered.
Of course he would say that.
“Now that you’ve seen them, Miss Altair,” Richard cut in, “let’s discuss their fates.”
She tore her eyes from Kaden. Her stomach rolled. She was not at all ready for this.
“Here’s what I have to offer,” Richard said as if it were nothing more than a simple business transaction. “Hand yourself over to me, and the emperor will consider showing them leniency.”
Kyrin let out a short, mirthless laugh, strangled by threatening tears. “You’re lying.”
Richard shrugged. “If you return to Valcré, you’ll be able to plead their cases. It’s a better chance than they stand now.”
It was all lies. As if Emperor Daican would listen to a word she said. He’d sooner use her brother and Trev as means to torture her.
Richard took a step forward, and his voice changed immediately to hard-edged cruelty. “Let’s put it this way. If you don’t give yourself up, I will take those two back to Valcré, and they won’t just be killed. No, I’ll make it my personal mission to see they are tortured—long, slow, painful torture—until they have only enough life left to be dragged into the square and executed in front of the whole city.??
?
With each vicious word, Kyrin’s chest heaved. Such horrific images left her cold and without strength. The malicious hint of a smile crossed Richard’s lips, and he pressed his advantage.
“You know I’ll do it. So spare them that, at least, and give yourself up.”
For that brief, horror-induced moment, she almost did it—almost threw down her bow and offered herself up, but Kaden’s voice cut into these fear-driven contemplations and pulled her eyes back to him.
“Don’t do it.” Their gazes fused, fueled by the determination lighting his eyes. He strained against his guard. “He’ll just torture and kill us anyway. You know that. Don’t believe a word—”
The soldier punched Kaden in the stomach, and he sagged to his knees with a groan. Kyrin let out a cry and instinctively reached for an arrow.
“I wouldn’t,” Richard warned with a voice like steel. “Neither you nor your friend.”
Kyrin glanced over at Jace. He too had a hand to his quiver.
“You can’t kill all of us. Not before your brother reaps the consequences.”
At the hiss of a blade, Kyrin’s focus darted back to Kaden. The soldier pressed the tip of a dagger under her brother’s chin, and she lowered her shaking hand back to her side.
“Now, Miss Altair, what is your choice? Will you abandon them to torture, or will you do the noble thing and give them a chance for mercy, or at least a mercifully quick end? It’s up to you.”
Kyrin’s eyes never left Kaden as the crushing pain inside begged her to do whatever she must to save him. But Kaden shook his head, his eyes intense, pleading even. She glanced at Trev and found the same urging in his expression. A hand grasped her shoulder. She flinched and looked back at Rayad.
“I think we should go,” he said gently, but firmly.
Kyrin just stood and looked between him and Kaden with her muscles locked in indecision. Wisdom tugged her one way while her heart pulled her in the other, and right now, her heart was stronger. Kaden needed her. After all the bullies he’d fought and beatings he’d taken on her behalf, how could she just walk away? They’d never abandoned each other. Her eyes locked with his again, and he mouthed, “Go.”
Clenching her teeth and fighting every instinct she possessed, she backed slowly toward the horses.
“Miss Altair.”
She paused at Richard’s razor-edged tone.
“I won’t wait indefinitely for you to think this over. Every day you refuse to show up here in surrender, they will neither eat nor drink, and when I come to the end of my patience, which you’re already trying, I will begin torturing them here.” A monstrous glint flickered in his eyes. “I can send bits and pieces of them to the villagers to give to you. Maybe then you’ll change your mind.”
Kyrin’s stomach nearly emptied, and cold washed over her. The ground tipped underneath her but righted when Jace took her by the arm. She looked up at him, though her vision wavered with tears. Shared pain and sympathy filled his eyes, but also immovable determination.
“Come, Kyrin,” he said in a low voice.
Nearly paralyzed, she followed along numbly as he led her to her horse and helped her mount. She settled in, and Jace sent a searing look back at Sir Richard. Gripping the reins, Kyrin sought Kaden’s face again.
“I’m sorry,” she could only whisper as tears welled until she could hardly see him.
He shook his head. He wanted this as surely as she would in his place.
Before Richard could say another word, Jace took hold of Maera’s bridle and led her around with Niton. With Rayad and Warin covering their back, they rode for the forest and joined the others.
“Let’s get back to camp,” Rayad said. He cast a concerned glance at Kyrin.
Everyone turned, but Kyrin looked back to the field. The coach containing her brother and Trev was just disappearing into the barracks. She couldn’t breathe, and a strangled sob worked its way free. Elôm! She covered her mouth and struggled to retain the last failing grip she had on the torrent rising inside her. She forced herself to turn away and found Jace waiting for her. His strength gave her just enough will to prompt Maera forward.
Caught up in a dark, sinking daze, Kyrin saw nothing of the ride back—only Kaden and Trev’s faces and the threat of what Richard would do to them. When they arrived in camp, she slid down from her horse, her stomach a roiling pot she fought to keep down. Those who had stayed behind gathered for news, but Kyrin brushed past them and stumbled off to the far edge of camp. Here, she surrendered to the overpowering weight of despair. Her tears let loose and streamed down her cheeks. She felt as though someone had reached in to crush her heart between iron fingers. Her body convulsed with choking sobs, and she begged Elôm with all her soul to save them.
Kyrin’s mournful cries carried to everyone across camp, but Jace made the first move to approach her. He moved slowly, uncertain. It was the first time in his life he was in the position to offer comfort to another. But he understood her pain and grief, and it hurt him deep inside to see her, his true friend, in such agony. The last three weeks he’d spent with her had reminded him that some things in life were worth living for. She shouldn’t have to suffer so much after everything she’d done for him.
She must have sensed him coming and looked up. Her lips trembled as tear after tear rolled down her cheeks. She shook her head, nearly delirious with emotional pain.
“I want to give myself up.” She choked out the words. “I do, I really do. I can’t bear knowing what will happen if I don’t.”
Jace grimaced, but spoke as gently as he knew how. “Kyrin…you can’t.”
She squeezed her eyes shut as another heart-ripping sob broke free.
Jace took a step closer. What might happen if he couldn’t get through to her? “Your brother was right. Richard will torture them regardless of whether or not you give yourself up.” He shook his head, knowing too well the truth of his next words. “Men like him love inflicting pain. He won’t keep his word. If you surrender yourself, it will only give him more pleasure in hurting them.”
“I know,” Kyrin cried in utter despair. Deep sobs gripped her again.
Jace ached to know how to help her. He glanced skyward in desperation. I don’t know what to do. It was such unfamiliar territory. Hesitantly, he put his hand on her shoulder. The next thing he knew, she had her arms around him, crying desperately into his chest. He stood stunned for a moment, but then wrapped his arms around her. It felt right to offer her this comfort. How many times while growing up had he longed for someone to do the same for him?
He didn’t say anything, just held her and closed his eyes. Elôm, I still don’t know for sure if You can hear me, but I hope so, at least for this one prayer. Please, rescue her brother and Trev, and protect them from further harm. And stop men like Richard from inflicting such pain. He swallowed down his hatred for the emperor and his men.
Evening fell, matching the darkness in Kyrin’s mind. She stared at the flames of the campfire, but found no comfort in them. Endless scenarios for rescue spun her mind in circles.
The men gathered for supper, but she didn’t respond to any of them until someone offered her a bowl of soup. She looked up, and her eyes found Jace. Her stomach recoiled at the mere idea of food, but she took the bowl anyway as he sat down beside her.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
It didn’t escape her notice what he had done for her today and what a feat it was for him. His quiet concern meant more to her than all the other condolences she’d received. Despite her lack of appetite, she ate the soup just to satisfy him.
Long into the evening, she remained at the fire, and Jace never left her side, even as most of the camp turned in for the night. They didn’t say much, but Kyrin welcomed his presence. After all they’d been through, she didn’t mind him seeing her brokenness.
Sometime near midnight, after a long reign of silence, Jace said softly, “You should go in and try to rest.”
Kyrin turned we
ary eyes to his. Her mind dragged more heavily than her body, but sleep would surely elude her tonight. Yet sitting here served no purpose. She knew too well that wishing wouldn’t rescue Kaden. She nodded.
“I can try.”
Jace rose and helped her up. He stared at her, clearly struggling for more to say.
“Thank you for what you’ve done,” she told him. “You’re just the friend I need right now.”
His expression eased. “If there’s anything you need, I’ll be right here.”
Letting her head hang, Kyrin huddled on her bed until the slow-growing light of morning sun drew her attention. Sleep had come in only short periods. The rest of the time she’d tossed and turned while straining her mind until her skull felt as if it were being pried apart. At that point, she’d dissolved into silent, wracking sobs that left her utterly spent. But it was in that darkest moment that the first tiny threads of hope began to take shape. She’d spent every minute since then in prayer.
Now, with the first bird trill outside, she threw aside her covers and dressed. Her body reacted sluggishly, though she tried to ignore it and the persistent throbbing in her head. She descended the ladder quietly, but Lenae was just getting out of bed.
“How are you this morning?” she asked. Her eyes were shadowed with concern and lack of sleep.
Kyrin let out a slow breath, congested from all her tears. “I’m not quite sure yet. I have to talk to Rayad and Warin.”
She walked to the door and let herself out. The forest was still dim, but a glow came from the flicker of small flames at the fire. Jace still sat there with Tyra, just as he had promised. The warmth of this sight soothed her. Tyra met her as she approached and nudged her face into Kyrin’s hands. Kyrin rubbed her head and sat down next to Jace.
“Have you seen Rayad and Warin yet?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. It probably won’t be long though.”