Araman

  Chapter One

  The small, young female washed her hands in the pool of icy water she had dug out earlier that day. Raliena had arrived in Attashar sooner than she had expected. Avoiding the main roads to the Kingdom meant that she had been able to travel directly to Attashar, cutting a good quarter off the journey.

  Now, she was forced to wait in this secluded part of the woods until sunrise, when it would be easier to enter Attashar castle unnoticed and disguised as a servant.

  A well groomed, strong brown horse stuck its head next to hers curiously then wedged his large muzzle into the pool and lapped up the remaining water.

  Raliena tusked and patted the horse on the neck, who breathed out heavily in answer before walking back to where Raliena had set down the saddle and bags.

  A cold breeze rushed past her still body as Raliena thought carefully about what she had come to Attashar to do.

  Only a month ago she had been named Araman.

  This had made it very difficult for her to get out of Verxia, the Kingdom where she lived, without being noticed.

  Araman were as important as the King himself, if not more, due to the spiritual sensitivity that surrounded them. It was an honour if King Baynil of Verxia saw you fit to become one; a fact that had made it impossible for Raliena to refuse the post.

  It was one of Verxia’s oldest traditions. Every new knight to the King’s court was expected to slay a Unisayan and take its horn as a trophy.

  Unisayan were ancient creatures said to be part of the Earth itself. They resembled large horses but were always white with silver manes and hooves like clear crystal. Their main distinguishing feature, and a valuable prize, was the horn that protruded proudly from their heads, ever pointing towards the heavens.

  Araman acted as the bait on such hunts, they accompanied the new knights to Canah forest, where Unisayan were known to live. These seemingly intelligent creatures were drawn to their death by ‘pure’ maidens and unnecessarily slaughtered for their horns.

  A simple trinket brought by the death of something so pure and beautiful.

  Raliena was against the tradition; which is why she still couldn’t explain why she had travelled all the way to Attashar to save the very man who was to perform the deed in less than a month.

  Drying her hands on her dress and running them through her long curled hair, Raliena also breathed out heavily and joined Fahge under a canopy of leaves; to keep out the sharp winter breeze.

  She had been riding hard for three days to get to Attashar and both horse and rider were exhausted.

  Fahge collapsed his heavy body against the trunk of a large oak and settled his head on the grass, keeping his big brown eyes focused on Raliena and the bag she was rummaging through.

  The General Kassen of Attashar was to be Raliena’s first call of duty in an attempt to join the two kingdoms - Verxia and Attashar – together in an alliance. The Knighting ceremony was to be a show of good will before the formal treaty. Attashar did not share in the same tradition and Unisayan had not been found to travel as far North as the Kingdom.

  Rumours had quickly spread across the villages and towns that King Baynil wished to name the General his heir to Verxia, once the alliance was settled. Not having any sons, since the Queen and her child had both died during the birth, left the King without a successor and the General was said to be close to the royal family in Attashar.

  So news of an illness striking the General, only weeks before the alliance was to be made, had put both kingdoms under strain as each were eager to finalise the treaty between them.

  However, they had decided to wait until General Kassen was better, as King Dagerten of Attashar would not send another envoy to Verxia to complete the accord; which is how Raliena had found herself racing to Attashar.

  Setting them close to her horse for warmth, Raliena pulled out her blankets and wrapped herself in the woollen covers.

  Leaning against Fahge’s heated body, the Araman stared up at the peeking eyes of the stars through the leaves of winter, thinking.

  It had taken her all but thirty seconds to take Fahge, her favourite horse, from the castle stables and ride in secret to the General’s aide.

  A messenger from Attashar had come to retrieve the Verxian healer and King Baynil had insisted upon them leaving that night.

  “The General Kassen’s condition has gotten worse.” The messenger had said in the confines of the King’s study. “We fear for his life and beg for assistance, your highness.”

  Raliena had been present at the time, as the messenger had interrupted the meal she had been sharing with the King and his close associates.

  “Of course, we must waste no time.” King Baynil announced and had waved for a servant to fetch the Lady Nanerter, the King’s personal healer. Baynil was not about to give up his only chance to join the kingdoms.

  “Sir, perhaps I should accompany them also?” Raliena offered as the King paced in front of the fireplace. “It would show that we are keen for this alliance to proceed.”

  The King nodded thoughtfully, his short beard twitching as his bit the inside of his cheek. A habit brought on by nerves.

  What Raliena had said was true, but it had also been a way to travel to Attashar and assist the General herself. Raliena was privy to many of the happenings in the Kingdom, not just from being included in the King’s meetings, but also from listening to the servants talk, and the illness that ailed the General was far from benign.

  None of the other healers King Dagerten had sent for had been able to heal the General and his strength was failing. Raliena doubted Nanerter’s knowledge could assist anymore than theirs could and the Kingdom could not afford to wait for this alliance. Especially with Lord Lishini from the West threatening their territories, raiding and destroying outer villages and towns.

  The General had to be healed swiftly and the easiest way for Raliena to do that, without the knowledge of others, was to travel to Attashar also.

  “I do not think that will be necessary.” The King’s adviser had said. “The very act of sending our best healer is ardent enough.”

  Raliena had struggled keeping her composure. The King’s advisor always sought to overthrow her opinions. Whether for personal gain or simply to smite her, she knew not.

  It would have been easier to tolerate if the King did not always follow his advice over any other. And this had been no exception.

  So, she had waited a day and then made an excuse to be away from people for a week and headed to Attashar after the healer.

  Raliena sighed and settled under her blankets, using her arm as a pillow. She would need all her strength to attempt healing General Kassen and she first had to enter the castle without being seen by anyone of import as she was sure to meet them again, once the alliance was settled. Having to explain her presence at Attashar during the General’s illness would be difficult; more so if she could not save him. She risked being blamed for his death but it was a risk Raliena had to take if she wanted peace.

  Finally, she fell asleep and began to dream of a memory long ago that was soon to be her future.