Draynon angrily shushed Russ before gathering himself enough to form a sentence. “What did you just say?”
Astrid tore her poisonous gaze from Russ and looked across to Draynon. “Me? Oh, nothing much. Just that it’s my choice. Sir Kenward was quite right when he said that your way is the long way around.” She went back to wiping her hands across her dusty and web covered clothes to remove the worst of the dirt.
“It is safest to stay here.”
“Is it? Are you sure? I insist on going, and taking my friends with me,” she added as s
“I... in the t... tent,” Mary stammered, still clutching Lakon’s arms while he caressed her raven hair as he tried to comfort her.There was movement at the tent flap and Astrid emerged, a disgusted look on her pale face. She wore only a long shirt that reached mid thigh and did nothing to hide her long, shapely legs, but her scantily clad state was not what caught everyone’s attention. In one hand she held her dagger that was covered in a dark yellow slime, and in the other hand, a creature from nightmares. It was the same size as a large cat, with pink and wrinkled skin showing through thick black hair that appeared more like bristles. It had no eyes with
The wind howled, but now there seemed to be a second howl nearly hidden in the wind. The knights readied themselves in accordance to Hrodgar’s instructions. They hid themselves behind outcrops of rocks, and stayed downwind as much as they could. The howl grew louder. A second joined the first. Hrodgar stared to swear quietly to himself, his harsh face growing darker with anger. Having a brother killed by such a beast will do that to a man. The first beast rounded the corner. Growling and slavering, its starving bo
Astrid stopped eating. “I really don’t know Serra,” she whispered. “He may survive, he may not. He has lost so much blood, has been unconscious and unable to eat. His wounds are very deep, so an antiseptic may not go deep enough. His lack of blood will make it very hard for his body to fight infection. I’ve done everything I can. All I can do now is watch and wait.” Serra nodded. “Where did you learn so much about medicine?”“Mother had a boyfriend for a while that was a doctor.
Astrid found herself being woken up by Serra. Why was everyone incapable of leaving her alone to sleep for just half an hour? Serra plunked herself down on the opposite bed and started muttering to herself. Astrid could hear the echo of Kenward’s laughter.“Kenward again?” Astrid asked, with one raised eyebrow, her eyes cracking open slightly. Serra gave her a dark look.“He just does it to wind you up. You do know that?” Serra gave her another dark look.“He likes you.”Serra’s look spoke of impending violence.“What’s wrong with him?”
Everyone climbed into their saddles and began to ride for the southern most gate of the capital of the Kaltharian continent, the intersection of the great North-South, and East-West roads, the throne of Kalash power, and the ancestral home of the Katrall’s. Kothmar did not know that her true heir was about to return home. Kothmar also did not know that her true heir was far from impressed. Astrid stared at the soaring Palace as they rode through the great southern gate, supported by thick, looming walls that stood three stories high. Astrid frequently gave little gasps of disgust.“Disgraceful,” she said at one point, unable to suppress her opinions any longer.
Hrodgar and Lakon pushed past people as they talked.“After that, I heard that Sigwulf knocked Berry senseless. I’ve asked him and he refuses to admit to anything, but he doesn’t deny anything either.”“Berry?” Hrodgar asked.“Yes. Apparently, Astrid nearly cracked three of his ribs. But then I heard that it could have been Sigwulf or even Draynon.”“Astrid did? Our little Astrid tried to crack a man’s ribs?”Lakon nodded. “I don’t know the truth if it, but it certainly looks that way. She punches above her weight.”Hrodgar la
“I said, no touching,” Sharlett cried loudly at one persistent suitor. “Let go of my arm.” Hrodgar strode up to the man who was accosting Sharlett. “Miss Sharlett, is this, er,” he looked at the slender man with greasy hair and pale features. His clothes were gaudy and the violet tunic clashed horribly with his green hose. “Butterfly,” Hrodgar continued. “At least I think that’s what it is. Is this butterfly pestering you Miss?”Sharlett tried again to shake the hand loose. “Yes.”“Let the Lady g
Astrid watched Sigwulf pace up and down the room a few times. He finally stopped in front of her.“Kemp told me,” she said quietly. “He told me that she was your wife.” Sigwulf’s eyes were downcast as he sat on the bed next to her.“Will you tell me about her?” Astrid asked with concern.Sigwulf looked at her without truly seeing her as there were tears standing in his eyes but not overflowing. “She was a lot like you in some ways,” he smiled as he remembered, his eyes distant and misted. “Funny. Smart.
Astrid coughed in the smoke. She sank to her knees. The air was choking her and the flames were so hot. The floor swayed beneath her. She wanted to sleep. The floor dipped and swayed again. Glass exploded all around her as the stained windows burst. Her vision clouded and she sank to the floor, not caring as the flames reached for her. A loud cracking sound signalled that the church roof had begun to collapse. Her hearing failed, replaced by a low ringing.Sigwulf ran through the burning church
Sigwulf jumped back and ran for his clothing. “Astrid,” his voice was crisp and authoritative. “Wake the women. The procedure is that all women go into the church. There is a backdoor in the cellar that leads into the forest. Do you hear me? Wake them quietly.” He pulled on his hose and tunic. “Do you have that?”Astrid nodded curtly as she too began to dress. “Wake the women quietly.
Astrid woke late that night to a light tapping on her door. She lit her bedside candle and climbed out of bed, pulling on a robe.“Who is it?” She whispered through the door. “You’re expecting some other late night visitor,” the familiar voice whispered the query. “I’m crushed.”Astrid grinned and silently opened the door. She pulled Sigwulf in and shut the door behind him. Sigwulf unexpectedly grabbed her waist and burrowed his face into her neck. She gasped with surprise and wrapped her arms around him.“I feel li
The door to Draynon’s office opened and the four people walked out. Astrid bumped into Sigwulf who was waiting outside.“Astrid?” He said softly, taking one of her hands in his. Astrid and Zela stopped.“Zela?” Astrid asked. “Can you make sure Redswift and Hengist get to the men’s wing without killing each other please.”Zela nodded. “Can I go back to your room after that?”“Of course,” she handed Zela her key. “If you get lost, any of the women will give you directions.Zela turned
“How do you manage to hide all of this from other Humans?” Redswift asked as Sigwulf led the group of eight who walked their horses to the stables.“Ghost stories,” Sigwulf replied. “Scary fantasy is our main defence. Plus we have men in all of the main offices in the Hawthorn Palace. Archives, Law, Justice and Complaints, which is my position.”“I thought Kalash Priests held those positions?”Sigwulf gave him an appraising look. “You Elves keep right on top of things don’t you?”“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. We try to keep abreas
Astrid sniffed again. “Let’s begin this meeting shall we?” She added then pulled out her pendants from under her clothing so that they were aggressively on display as she sat down. Reil, the leader of the Elves glanced at his wife, the co-leader, who was coughing in an attempt at smothering a smile as her shoulders shook very slightly with tightly suppressed mirth. Realising he would be getting no help from his convulsing wife for the moment, he took the lead for the meeting. Reil leaned towards Astrid. “At last,” he said. “An heir who can prove legitimacy.
Sigwulf sat there and stared at Astrid with satisfaction that he was finally sitting.“Did you mean what you said?” She asked softly.“Probably. What did I say?” He asked with aplomb.“When you were talking to Lakon he asked why so happy. Then you said if she goes the Galadon’s are lost. Why else. So is that the only reason?”Sigwulf’s expression became serious. “It is just one reason, but I think you can guess the main reason why I was happy. It’s just that we’ve not announced anything yet.&rd
Kemp lagged behind them, lost in his own thoughts and memories. Something impossible caught his eye and he yelled at the others to stop. Kenward walked back to Kemp and stopped in his tracks, frozen in the same way as Kemp. When the knights reached Redswift and Zela they quickly sketched out what had happened. The Elf and Dryad immediately took action and Zela led them to the Elven village. Redswift explained the situation to his leaders and the Humans were admitted entrance. Zela left to inform Heartwood of the events. The knights were given one of the treetop huts to sleep and rest in.&n
She slapped his hand away as he reached for her. To his horror she stood on the flagstone and calmly stepped onto another one. She waited for a moment, then stepped onto another, moving slowly along the tunnel in front of the arrow holes. She turned back to face him with a smile on her face. The pendant was glowing brightly.“It glows brighter and pulls me towards the flagstones that are safe. Follow me.”Sigwulf had no choice. He stepped onto the first flagstone. Nothing happened and no arrows riddled him with holes. They cautiously made their way across, Sigwulf stepping o