I stand when he reaches me and he gives me an apologetic look.
“Sorry, I’m sure you saw the demons and orcs come by this way? I knew you were safe because they didn’t have your scent on them. I thought the coast was clear but then two humans also went by. By the looks of them, I believe they’re from Pathen. Did you recognize them?”
If Tolan realizes who the two humans are, he would chase after them. I have to give Julia her chance. So I lie for the first time to my future brother-in-law.
“It’s too dark, Tolan. I can’t see very much of anything.”
Tolan nods as he takes out a canteen and opens it. And then he sees Cessa. He stops and stares at her, then back at me.
“Any problems while I was gone?”
“No, just a precaution when I heard them coming,” I answer him as casually as I can.
I take the canteen from him and drink deeply. “Thank you so much, Tolan. I really needed that.” I return the canteen to him.
Tolan continues to look at me and then up ahead after the group. I tug at his coat but he continues to stare ahead.
“Yes, Lily.”
“Can we keep Cessa with us? I miss her.”
Tolan looks back at me with a small smile. “Of course, Lily. We can always use another pair of eyes.” He reaches forward and gives Cessa a rub. “Especially if they belong to this one.”
I let out a slow sigh. Julia will have her chance, but if she reacts as she did back at the hospital, then Tolan will take care of business. Frank and Chris are nothing but bullies; big muscles, big egos, arrogant and just plain mean. Tolan will crush them.
“Will having them ahead of us slow us down?” I ask, changing the subject.
“No. There’s another alcove just ahead which is an entrance to another route. We can take that one all the way to the city harbor. We’re the only ones who know about that passage, so we should make good time once we reach it.”
He takes a drink and gives me the canteen. He cups his hands before Cessa and nods at me to pour what water is left into his hands. Cessa drinks greedily but once she is done, Tolan gives her a command to go ahead of us.
I give the canteen back to him. “Does Cessa take anyone’s command?”
“No, just Tharin and me.” He glances at me, saying, “And you, of course. We’ve been in many situations where she and I had to trust each other. Does it bother you?”
I smile, answering, “No, just asking.”
“Good. Let’s go. We should be at the harbor in another hour or so. We’ll be there before morning light. The sooner we get there, the more night we can use as cover.”
Tolan takes my hand, pulling me forward as my thoughts run to Julia. Suddenly, something Frank said hits me; something about getting paid. I feel a mixture of anger and fear when I realize he is going to use Julia to get to me. Damn him.
~ * ~
Chapter Twenty
~ Tharin ~
I reach the harbor without any further incident. Before taking the hidden path to the south side of the falls, I quickly check out the harbor from across the lake. The area near the fishermen’s boats is in complete darkness; in fact there are no panswa lit anywhere in the city. A sure sign that father is not in the tower.
I struggle to distance myself from worry for my father’s well-being and move further west to get a better look at the tower. There is light in several windows, but not from any panswas, torches or man-made lamps; the tower has been overtaken. I head back to get another look at the harbor and note the warships have not been called from beneath the island. Father and Ka have either escaped or died before being forced to call the ships from beneath.
I scan the harbor one last time and note there are no guards posted, at least none visible. I send my senses across the water and seek the shadowed areas and find at least twelve hidden. If there were five at the bridge gates, then there are probably more at the gates to the city. I hope the others made it through without incident.
With one final look, I turn and make my way to the unseen path to the falls. I keep clear of the few scouts my senses pick up and stealthily make my way to the caves.
A half mile before reaching my destination, I spot movement near another opening. A large demon leads a mixed group of demons and orcs toward the harbor. Following close behind are two men dressed unlike any here in Velesi. By the looks of their clothes they could only be from Pathen.
I watch them closely noting their distaste of the company they are keeping and the surrounding area they are in. Neither of the men looks familiar and although they are heavyweights based on their brawn and thuggish demeanor, they seem diminutive next to the demons and orcs. But then again, I have been fooled before. There are reasons why they are here and none of them good.
I continue for another hour before reaching the opening Tolan and Lily will emerge from. Here thick oak surrounds the opening, creating a thick umbrella of leaves protecting the small grove area from the rain. I hurry into the grove, looking forward to getting out of the rain as I reach out to Tolan.
“Tharin, it is good to hear from you, brother,” greets Tolan. They are less than a quarter mile from the opening.
“Any problems?” I ask, knowing if they were in trouble, he would have already called me forth to meet them. I choose a tree from several of the oaks surrounding the opening and leap to the lowest branch. I sit against the trunk looking forward to a little rest before their arrival.
“None whatsoever. Just taking a little night stroll, isn’t that right, Lily?” asks Tolan.
“Yes, that’s true,” replies Lily. “And I’m getting my exercise for the next two years while we’re at it.”
The sound of her voice in my head lifts my spirits and knowing she is close calms my fears. I chuckle at her obvious joke to cover the fact her legs must be hurting from the long hike through the tunnels. I will remedy that once they appear. I will carry her all the way back to the harbor, through the tower and to my suite. I mean...the queen’s suite.
Something brings me out of my reverie.
“Tolan, wait,” I order.
I feel him come to a standstill, holding Lily back. I keep our connection open as I scan the area again. Whoever he is, he's good. I can barely make out his breathing, but his presence is strong enough that I know he is here – hiding in the dark, waiting. No one knows of this entrance, no one but family: Alorn, Mellis and Ziri, including Tolan and I. Once again I correct myself as I think of Nameth?
I land without a sound and step toward the opening, exposing myself to my opponent.
“It’s been a long time, cousin,” I say quietly.
His feet touch the ground lightly, but I make out the subtlety of his landing. Dorlan casually walks into the moonlit area, facing me from a few feet away. It doesn’t escape me that he has planted himself between me and the cave opening.
“Well done, Tharin. I see you’re all grown up and soon to be king, I understand,” he says with a slight bow of his hooded head.
“Why are you here?”
He laughs, a low and dangerous sound. “To meet you, of course.”
“And you just happen to know I would be here, at this time?”
“I’ve been following you since the gates. Oh, and don’t worry about Alorn. I’ll be meeting up with him once I’m done here with you.”
“He doesn’t know about the cave or about you and Lily. Stay back until I take of care of this,” I instruct Tolan.
“All right, Tharin. But remember Lily is here. If she thinks you’re in trouble I won’t be able to stop her.”
Great.
Dorlan turns and takes a couple steps before saying, “We got word Mareck and her brothers got away, helped by two elf warriors.” He stops and turns back to me. “I took the chance it was you and Alorn. I reached the gates only minutes before you did.” He looks about him. “I almost forgot about this place.” He turns behind him looking about for an opening then turns back to me. “Waiting for someone?”
&nb
sp; I mirror his steps, turning back to him. “Tell me, how do you suppose Harlu and Kolinest will open the doorway without the queen of Velesi? Without me she won’t sit on the throne as the realm’s queen.”
“I’m not concerned how they will remedy that little dilemma, that’s not my problem. I have my own agenda to follow.”
I watch him steadily. “You’re not here to take me out.”
“No, I’m not. Kolinest is bringing two men from Pathen. Somehow they have a connection with your queen. By now you’ve probably guessed it wasn’t you we were after at the park.”
I look him over, cocking my head to one side. “Why are you telling me this?”
He waves his hand lazily. “I like it here. I don’t have any future plans to leave.”
“Come home, Dorlan.”
I can feel his inner turmoil, even though his hood hides his face in shadow.
“And what? Be thrown in a cage until the king banishes me to the UnderRealm? I don’t think so, little cousin. I think I’ll pass on that homecoming.”
“You must atone for your crimes, Dorlan, for the death of your sisters” I say. “There is no other way around it.”
“You don’t know anything about what happened to my sisters, but your father does,” he says cryptically.
I mull over his words. “My father? Are you saying you’re innocent? What about Alorn beaten close to death?”
“I will tell you this,” his voice once again low, “I never laid a hand on my brother.”
“That’s not how he told it. Why did you join the Sithide? Why ally yourself with the dark elves?”
He chuckles, as if to himself. “It’s been so long now there are times when I forget why. That no longer matters. I’ll do what I can from the inside, you need to take care of Kolinest before he destroys Velesi, and me with it.”
“You want me to take care of the guy who is trying to destroy the realm so you can destroy the clans later? Did I get that right?”
He nods, shrugging. “Nailed it.”
“Why not now,” I say quietly. “Without me there is no queen of the realm.”
“There are circumstances in play and I want to see them played out. Besides, you’ve always been full of yourself, Tharin. But don’t worry, we’ll meet again, until then...”
I shift my shoulders to one side as a blade shoots pass me, aimed for my throat. I lift first one foot, then the other as two more blades are buried where I once stood. I let loose two Shadika blades; one he quickly evades but the second lodges in his shoulder. Dorlan throws a cloud of blue dust at me and I spin to the left covering my nose and mouth with my arm. I turn to face him only to catch a glimpse of his coat fluttering as it disappears into the trees.
“Tharin, we’re coming out,” calls Tolan.
“Be careful, Tolan, he threw some kind of dust at me. Give it another second before you come out. It should dissipate by then.”
I follow the direction Dorlan took off to, sending my senses as far out as possible. Tolan and Lily appear at the opening and Lily lifts her hand. She waves at the blue dust, sending it out into the rain. I turn as she throws herself at me and I catch her, lost in her kiss. It only takes me a second to realize the kiss is desperate and unsure.
I pull away to look at her as she stares back at me expectantly. “I missed you, too,” I say with a grin.
A sigh of relief escapes her and her face lights up with a smile I can’t seem to get enough of. I kiss her again, making a mental note to always say I miss her when we greet each other. That smile is damn well worth it.
I hug Lily to me as she lays her head against my chest, seeming content to remain this way. Tolan scans the nearby trees, the Odessa chains in his hands. When he catches my eye, he pockets the chains and makes his way over.
“Who from Pathen was he talking about?” he asks. “And can we trust anything that son of a biscuit eater says?”
Lily raises her head and smiles at Tolan for using her favorite saying.
I really hate that expression. I understand she got it from Marilyn, but if we live through this, I am going to find its creator and eliminate him for ever uttering the phrase.
Tolan catches my expression of patience and grins.
Lily looks up at me, asking, “Are we safe? Will he come back and follow us?”
I pull her close. “For now, but we should get moving. We can take the east path back to the tower, but no matter which way we take, it will lead us back to the harbor and right into Dorlan and the Ange.”
Tolan thinks for a moment before turning to Lily. “We can swim to the grotto and get in through the naval yard under the lake. It’s a mile from the harbor and we can make our way to the tower from there. Will you ask Jarhan for help?”
A sadness overcomes Lily’s face and she moves away from me.
“What is it, Lily?” I ask, pulling her back.
“Jarhan is gone. Harlu poisoned her.”
I hug her gently. “I’m sorry. Did you speak with her?”
“She told me how she was killed and she said that your father and Ka are waiting for you at the Willow.”
“Harlu. That son of a bitch,” says Tolan. “I swear I will kill him.”
“Get in line,” I reply. I rub Lily’s shoulders, comforting her.
Tolan takes a calming breath. “The grotto is still our best bet.”
“I can’t swim,” interjects Lily. Tolan and I look at her, surprised by this new information.
“But how did you swim to Mirnuk’s lair?” asks Tolan.
“I didn’t. He had a hold of me,” she answers honestly. “I was about to blackout when suddenly we were in his home.” She looks up at me, saying, “I don’t think I can hold my breath that long. I know I live in San Diego, but Julia and I never went to the beach. It just wasn’t our thing.”
Tolan leans his head to one side and asks her, “So, Julia doesn’t know how to swim either?”
“Oh, she knows how. Her mom used to take her to the Y for swimming lessons before she disappeared. Julia kept going until she couldn’t hide her bruises anymore,” she says.
Now curious I have to ask. “You didn’t go with her?”
“Yeah, I went but I didn’t go into the pool. Are you kidding me? There were kids there peeing everywhere. No thank you.”
My brother and I exchange looks and I finally say, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Let’s get going, we still have a ways back.”
We end up standing behind the tree line a mile east from the harbor. There is about an hour of night left before the soft hailing of morning light spreads across the darkened skies. Yet, we wait and watch for signs of the Ange, demons, orcs and whatever else escaped from the UnderRealm.
I turn to Tolan and Lily. “We can’t risk waiting any longer.” I take Lily’s hands. “Are you ready?”
She nods nervously, but takes a breath and we quickly make our way to the water’s edge. Despite the cover of night and rain we move cautiously. Tolan turns and nods before wading into the water and disappears under. Lily and I walk in after him, treading water until the ground beneath us falls away. I move in front of her so she can wrap her arm around my shoulders from behind. We take it slow, trying not to draw attention to our location. I know Lily’s coat is keeping her warm, but it won’t for long, especially without extra cover on her legs. The water is freezing and the rain doesn’t help; and I can feel her shiver against me. I start to worry about hypothermia and quicken my pace without drawing too much attention.
We slice through the water smoothly. I get into a rhythm when I hear someone slip into the lake. I stop, looking west toward the harbor and see nothing along the shoreline.
“Lily, keep still. Don’t move or make a sound,” I command. She replies by nodding against my neck.
The rain continues to pelt us and I grow anxious about the morning light peeking over the giant oaks surrounding the lake. I send out my senses and when I find who it is, I sigh with both relief and annoyance.
r /> “Mellis, what are you doing here?” I ask as I continue swimming toward the island shores.
“I got lonely,” he answers. “Ziri and Glynnis aren’t speaking and Julia’s no fun when Tolan and Lily aren’t around.”
Mellis swims over and keeps pace alongside me as he looks at Lily. I feel her lift her head and nod at Mellis.
“Lily?” I call.
“I’m okay, Tharin,” she answers weakly. The cold, and the long trek through the caves, is taking a toll on her. It has been a long trip and she must be exhausted. I pick up the pace again while Mellis keeps up.
“The shoreline is clear,” reports Mellis. “They have the harbor and the bridge heavily guarded. How did you bypass the mercenaries?”
“I took them out. What made you come this way?” I ask, keeping my mind on Lily’s arms. They are starting to go limp on me. She has been quiet for awhile now.
“I knew Tolan would approach the tower from the harbor. When I saw Dorlan there with a small army of demons and orcs I decided to scout the shoreline for him and Lily. I only spotted you because I was looking for you, otherwise, they can't see you from the harbor.”
“What of the others?” I ask, trying to keep my mind focused. The cold is starting to numb my chest. When Mellis answers, I feel the strain on him as well.
“It took some convincing,” he continues with chattering teeth. “But Julia finally agreed to head off to the Willow with Ziri and Glynnis,” he answers with a chuckle. “I had to tell her that she was still a guard of the king and it was her duty to go and protect him no matter what.”
I mentally nod at that. Julia is stubborn but she has a sense of honor and loyalty. I have no idea why, but the two men from Pathen I saw earlier pop to mind.
“Lily?” I nudge gently.
“Yes, Tharin?” I feel the exhaustion in her thoughts.
“Did you see anyone in the caves?”
“No, but I heard them. It was dark and Cessa was with me.” Even in thought her words are sluggish. I gauge the distance to the shore – almost there.