“I want you to bring word of the Altair girl’s escape to all the villages in the vicinity. Anyone who can bring her in to Valcré either alive or dead will receive one thousand gold pieces, and anyone with useful information will receive five hundred.”
Tane gave a low whistle. “That’s quite an incentive.”
“As I said, she is a dangerous fugitive. Make sure all are aware of this, and the reward.”
Tane must have nodded because he said nothing. Satisfied, the men returned to their horses. In another minute, they galloped on down the road. Kyrin didn’t move until several minutes later when Tane called her out. Crawling from the bushes, she stood with shaky legs.
“That was close.”
“Too close,” Tane murmured. “It’s probably best we take to the forest from here. It will slow us down, but we don’t want to run into them again.”
Full darkness had fallen nearly two hours before. Tane scanned the grounds of Marlton Hall, the home of a retired knight, before he motioned for Kyrin to follow him from the shelter of the forest. All lay still and quiet except for the nighttime bugs and frogs from a nearby pond. Nothing stirred, but warm light glowed from one window of the large house.
They moved in silence through the yard and up to the back door. Glancing over his shoulder once, Tane tapped lightly on the door, and they waited a moment. Before he had to try again, the latch lifted. The door opened a little, and a thin stream of light speared across the threshold, landing on Tane’s face.
“Tane,” a deep male voice murmured in surprise. “I thought it might be Trask.” The door opened wider. “Come in.”
Tane stepped inside. “No, not Trask, but we’ll need to speak with him. I’ve brought the first refugee for his camp.”
He motioned to Kyrin, and she walked into a warm living area. Her eyes landed first on the strong-bodied man who had let them in, and then on a woman nearby. Both were in their late fifties and looked on her with curiosity.
“This is Kyrin Altair,” Tane said, laying his hands on her shoulders. “Kyrin, this is Sir John Wyland and his wife, Lady Catherine.”
Kyrin gave them a smile and clasped her hands to keep from fidgeting. “Pleased to meet you.”
Sir John repeated her name. “Are you related to Jonavan Altair?”
“Yes, he was my grandfather,” Kyrin answered, uncertain as to whether she should feel apprehensive or not. His voice lacked the scorn the name typically evoked.
Sir John’s eyes shifted back to Tane. “What brings you here?”
“Father?”
The voice drew their attention to the stairs, where a young woman descended as she wrapped a robe around her nightgown. Dark hair fell in large curls around her shoulders and down her back.
“Annie, I thought you were asleep,” John said.
“Not quite.” She looked at the talcrin. “Hello, Tane.”
“Anne,” he replied.
Her eyes rested on Kyrin, deep blue and kind, yet hinting of strength. She couldn’t be more than a few years older than Kyrin. Tane promptly introduced her as John and Catherine’s daughter, Lady Anne. They traded smiles before Tane returned to the matter at hand.
His expression more serious than usual, he looked at Sir John and said, “I’m afraid it’s starting. Kyrin was scheduled for execution at dawn yesterday in Valcré for refusing to worship Aertus and Vilai.”
Lady Catherine’s hand fluttered to her throat, and Sir John closed his eyes for a moment. A shiver still passed through Kyrin at the mention of it. She’d be dead now if not for secret friends at the palace.
“How awful,” Anne murmured as her gaze fell on Kyrin again. “Are you all right?”
“Thankfully, yes.”
With a deep sigh, John said to Tane, “So it has begun, as you say. But thank the King it didn’t go according to the emperor’s plans.”
“Indeed,” Tane replied. “Sam and Aric suggested I bring her here. They thought Anne could help her prepare to go out to the camp.”
“Of course,” Anne said. “I’d be glad to help.” She gave Kyrin a warm smile.
“Have you ridden all day?” Sir John asked.
Tane nodded. “We had to cut through the forest. We met some of the emperor’s men this morning and didn’t want to risk running into them again.”
“Come, both of you, and sit down,” Catherine invited and motioned to the couch and chairs near a large, dark fireplace. “I’ll get you something warm to drink. You must be exhausted.”
In a short time, everyone was seated with mugs of tea, and Kyrin and Tane relayed all the events back in Valcré. Once they’d discussed it in full, Tane focused on Anne. “Is Trask ready to receive anyone?”
“I haven’t seen him in a few days, but last I heard, progress on the cabins was going smoothly. He should be about ready. If not, I’m sure it’ll be no trouble for Kyrin to stay here.” She looked to her parents for affirmation.
“Of course,” John replied, facing Kyrin. “You may remain here as long as you need. We’ll just have to keep you out of sight from Goler’s men.”
“We’ll manage,” Anne said. “They haven’t been hanging around quite so much lately.”
“Thank you,” Kyrin replied, unsure how to express her full gratitude.
Sir John nodded and said to his daughter, “Annie, why don’t you show Kyrin to a room?” He rose from his chair. “Tane, I can help you with the horses and then we’ll see about getting you a comfortable bed for the night.”
Tane smiled his appreciation, and the rest of them stood. Kyrin followed Anne upstairs into a spare bedroom where the young woman lit a couple of candles that cast a warm light.
“I’ll get you a nightgown and something to change into in the morning.”
She disappeared across the hall, and Kyrin’s eyes wandered over the room. A pang of longing stabbed her. Something about it reminded her very much of home—of her own room, simple, but filled with her dolls and toys and everything she’d ever loved. Kaden used to come in and run off with them, but he always gave them back if she started to cry. A quiet laugh broke from her squeezing throat.
Anne returned and draped a nightgown across the bed and laid an extra set of clothes over a chair. She turned to Kyrin. “My room is just across the hall. If there’s anything at all you need, please ask.”
Kyrin worked out a smile, though her cheeks were heavy. “Thank you.”
She just stood after that, not quite sure what to say or do. The thickness in her throat pushed up toward her nose and forced moisture to her eyes. She blinked against the stinging pressure.
Anne placed her hand gently on Kyrin’s arm. “It’s all right to cry.”
With that permission, the tears dribbled over Kyrin’s eyelids.
“I don’t know why I’m crying,” she murmured. “I’m so thankful to be safe, it’s just…”
“Overwhelming?” Anne supplied. She rubbed Kyrin’s arm. “I can’t imagine.”
Kyrin wiped trembling fingers across her cheeks. “I just wish my brother were here. We’re twins, and we were brought to Tarvin Hall when we were very young. We’ve faced everything together except for what has happened recently. I just want to know he’s safe.”
“It’s always difficult when we fear for our loved ones. I’m sure your friends in Valcré will do whatever they can to protect your brother, just as they did you. The best thing we can do is pray and trust Elôm to bring him out.”
Sniffing, Kyrin nodded. Trust was the only thing she had.
Rayad left the tent and stretched. A still and quiet mist shrouded the forest. He scanned the campsite, but Jace was nowhere in sight. He barely saw him these days, but he still showed up in camp every night. For now, that was all Rayad could ask.
His eyes drifted to one of the recently completed cabins. A little smoke curled from the chimney. Camp had gained its first female member the day before—Lenae, the mother of one of the young men. Widowed, she’d been living in Landale Village alone, but Trask
had asked her to move out to the forest with her son.
Rayad smiled in spite of his estrangement with Jace. Lenae’s presence was good for camp life. Everyone enjoyed her kindness and mothering. She’d even cooked up a delicious supper for everyone the night before. Some of the men were a bit jealous that Jeremy, her son, would get to enjoy her cooking regularly. Rayad chuckled. He wouldn’t mind that himself. He could cook up a good meal, but it just never tasted quite the same as a woman’s cooking.
The soft, muffled sound of hooves drew Rayad’s attention to the trees. It couldn’t be Trask, since he’d spent the night in camp. Warin joined Rayad just as a tall, brown horse appeared through the fog. The sight of the rider’s dark skin surprised Rayad. He hadn’t seen a talcrin in years. Most who still lived outside of Arda kept to the big cities where the universities and libraries were plentiful.
“It’s Tane,” Warin said with his own tone of surprise.
Rayad looked at him in question.
“He brings most of the news from Valcré,” Warin explained. “He must be here to see Trask. I wonder why he didn’t wait at Landale Castle.”
Drawn by the growing commotion, Trask emerged from one of the tents and met the talcrin rider. Rayad and Warin both moved to join them, curious what news he brought. They reached the pair just as they concluded their greetings.
“You must have important news,” Trask said.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Tane paused with a glance at Rayad and Warin before refocusing on Trask’s intent expression. “The emperor has made his stand public. It’s now a crime punishable by death to worship any god other than Aertus and Vilai.”
Rayad’s stomach sank like a bag of rocks. Of course, they all knew it was coming, but part of him hoped it wouldn’t be within his lifetime.
Trask’s head dropped as he let out a sigh, but then he looked back up at Tane. “Was someone executed?”
“Nearly. We got her out the night before her execution.”
Trask’s brows rose. “Her?”
Tane nodded. “A young woman from Tarvin Hall. Kyrin Altair.”
“Altair,” Rayad repeated.
The talcrin’s silver-blue eyes came to him. “Yes, the granddaughter of Jonavan Altair. She has very unique abilities. The emperor requested her specifically to serve him, but my uncle led her and her brother to knowledge of Elôm while at Tarvin Hall. Daican must have suspected her and tried to force her to bow before the idols in the palace temple. She refused.”
“Brave girl,” Trask said.
“Very brave,” Tane replied. “And your first refugee. I don’t know if you’re ready to take her. She’s at Marlton Hall right now.”
“Lenae, Jeremy’s mother, just moved into the finished cabin. I’m sure she’d be happy to have Miss Altair stay with her once she’s ready.”
“Good. My uncle will be glad to know she’s well looked after.”
Kyrin awoke to a sound she had not heard in the morning for years—birds singing. Robins warbled, and somewhere a sparrow gave an exuberant trill. For a long moment, she didn’t move, relishing the beauty of it. Anne had told her to remain in bed as long as she needed. A novel thought that was. There had been no sleeping in at Tarvin Hall or the palace. She lifted her head to peek out the window. Judging by the brightness of the sun, it must be well past when she usually rose.
She ducked her chin back under the warm covers, but the new surroundings beckoned her to get up and look around. After all, this was the first stop in establishing her new life. Her insides fluttered, and she pushed away the blanket. The cool air sent a tingle through her exposed arms and feet. She slipped out of bed to wash up and change into the clothing Anne had left. At the mirror, she brushed through her short hair, frowning at the chopped, uneven pieces. Still, the important thing was she had escaped with her life.
The savory smell of bacon set Kyrin’s stomach to rumbling as she descended the stairs. She would never complain about food after her time in the dungeon, but something other than porridge and simple trail meals would be wonderful. Kaden would agree…if he were here.
At the bottom of the steps, she came upon a servant girl bent over a broom and dustpan. The young woman straightened as her bright eyes rose. Kyrin paused. Did the girl know the Wylands had a guest? One that so happened to be considered a traitor by the Arcacian government? Thankfully, Anne walked in.
“Good morning, Kyrin,” she greeted. She then smiled at the maid. “Sara, this is the guest I told you about, Kyrin Altair.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Altair,” the young woman said sweetly.
Kyrin smiled, and Anne asked, “Sara, will you please get Kyrin’s breakfast?”
“Right away, my lady.”
She hurried out of the room, and Anne led Kyrin to the table.
“You don’t have to worry about the servants,” she told her. “They’re aware of the situation, but would never give you away.”
Kyrin breathed freer with this knowledge.
“How did you sleep?” Anne asked as they each took a seat.
“Very well,” Kyrin was happy to answer. Better than her nights at Auréa. “It was just what I needed.” She looked around. She and Anne were the only two present. “Where’s Tane?”
“He left around dawn for Landale. He wanted to talk to Trask and see if he has a place ready for you in camp.”
“So, it’s in the forest?”
Anne nodded, and Kyrin considered this. Living in the forest would be a different world compared to life in Arcacia’s largest city. But it sounded peaceful. Not too many people, and no need to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. Exactly what she and Kaden had dreamed of.
“I’m sure they’ll have you living comfortably in a cabin.” Anne smiled mischievously. “In fact, I’ll make sure they do.”
A wide smile broke across Kyrin’s face. She liked Anne a lot. She liked her strength and spirit.
Through a delicious meal of fresh eggs and bacon, Anne remained with Kyrin at the table to talk. Lady Catherine joined them as well. The three of them were deep in a conversation about Tarvin Hall when a gentle knock came at the back door. Anne rose to answer it.
“Well, look who decided to show,” she said with a smile in her voice.
She opened the door wider. A man in his late twenties with chestnut-brown hair stepped inside. He wore a grin, his eyes twinkling down at Anne. Tane walked in behind him.
“So, you finally came to say hello?” Anne asked as she raised an eyebrow.
“Actually, I came to meet Miss Altair,” the man answered.
“Oh, so it wasn’t for me?”
“I didn’t say that.”
He bent a little closer as if to kiss her, but Anne just grinned and turned away from him. “Kyrin, this is Baron Grey’s son, Trask.”
Kyrin rose to meet him, and he greeted her with a kind smile. An endearing air of mischief and good humor sparkled in his eyes. Any fears she had about meeting new people without the support of her brother were quickly vanishing.
“Tane told me about your ordeal in Valcré,” Trask said. “We don’t often see bravery like that these days. You’ll be very welcome in camp. The mother of one of my men just moved out there. She was delighted when I asked if she would share her cabin.”
“It sounds very nice,” Kyrin replied, and she meant it. It would take some getting used to on her part, but if the woman was as kind and accommodating as the Wylands and Trask, it wouldn’t be hard. She’d never had a good relationship with any of the female instructors at Tarvin Hall. In fact, she had never had a good relationship with any older woman. Hopefully this would be the first.
“Then, whenever you’re ready, I’ll come and take you to camp,” Trask said.
“You can give us a couple of days,” Anne told him. “I’ll get her clothes and see she has anything else she needs.”
“Sounds good. I’m sure Lenae will have the cabin ready for two people by then.”
Before they could go on, the sound
of hoof beats came from out front. Lady Catherine hurried to the window.
“It’s Goler and his men,” she said in a hushed but urgent voice.
Kyrin’s heart took a hard stumble. If the emperor found her here, she wouldn’t be the only one to pay the price.
“Not again,” Anne muttered. She faced Trask. “All of you, in the kitchen, quick. He won’t go in there.”
Tane motioned for Kyrin to follow, and they hurried toward the kitchen. Trask, however, lingered behind.
“Go,” Anne urged him. “It won’t do any good for him to find you here.”
Kyrin glanced back. Trask’s relaxed expression had gone hard, but he followed them into the kitchen. The servants there just looked at them and quietly went back to work. Tane started to close the door, but Trask held it open a little so he could see out into the dining room. Loud footsteps sounded on the porch outside, followed by a forceful knock. A moment later, the door opened.
“Captain Goler,” Catherine’s voice filtered into the kitchen, “what brings you here this morning?”
A deep, yet smooth voice replied, “Is Lady Anne in?”
Following a brief silence, Anne answered, “Yes, I’m here.”
Boots clomped on the floorboards with the faint jingle of spurs. Kyrin leaned forward to peek through a small crack in the door planks. A man stood near the table facing Anne. The sight of his gold and black uniform wound Kyrin’s insides into a tight coil. He was average height, a little on the heavy side, and had long, dirty-blond hair. Though she didn’t have a view of his whole face, she caught sight of a long scar starting at the bridge of his crooked nose and trailing down his right cheek. He certainly wasn’t a handsome man, though the way he held himself suggested he believed he was.
“How are you this fine morning, Anne?” he asked with a wolfish smile, displaying surprisingly white teeth.
“Lady Anne,” Trask muttered to himself.
“Very well, thank you,” Anne answered primly.
A pause followed in which Goler clearly took pleasure in the sight of her. Trask tensed and his fists clenched, but Tane put his hand on Trask’s shoulder and shook his head.