Chapter 20
One and the Same
Bronwyn raised his sword and held it vertically in front of him. He stepped back and allowed the blade to fall midway before swinging it horizontally. When it reached the extent of his range, his wrists twisted and reversed the direction of the weapon in one smooth motion. He repeated the action to give the twenty-five men in front of him time to see the steps he’d taken.
The sergeant ran his favourite drill thrice weekly, taking a different group of men each time and working on skills needed to be a good swordsman. Given his experience with the weapon, his peers considered him the finest swordsman amongst the guards. Bronwyn cherished the distinction and strove to keep it.
“Spread out,” he said. “Give yourself lots of room. We don’t want to trim anyone’s hair today.” Movement at the far end of the courtyard caught his attention. Lord Mulryan headed straight for him. Great! What is it now? Is he going to reprimand me again for this morning’s outburst?
Lord Mulryan looked at a nearby guard. “Corporal, take over the drill.” He pointed a finger at the sergeant. “You, come with me.”
Bronwyn sheathed his sword and followed in silence.
When they reached the edge of the courtyard, Mulryan stopped. He studied the dwarf in silence before he spoke. “I’ve known your dad a long time. He’s a good man. I suppose it’s why I’ve put up with his tenacious son for so long.”
Bronwyn cast his eyes to the ground.
“Knowing your family like I do, makes what I’m about to say more difficult.”
He braced himself. Mulryan had decided to order him to accept the quest, ignoring Sanderson’s recommendations. He thought of the provisions he’d need to put in place for Isla before he left. Official papers already existed to make Alaura her guardian if anything happened to him. Still, he needed to discuss things with Alaura. His heart sank as he thought about leaving them both.
Mulryan put his hand on the sergeant’s shoulder as if to brace him for a fall. “There’s been an incident on the road to Linden Lake. Bandits attacked a waggon.” He paused. “Your dad’s.”
Bronwyn’s mouth gaped open.
“He’s alive, but he’s not good. A crofter brought him to the Infirmary.”
“And Isla?”
“What about her?”
“She had gone with Dad to make deliveries.”
“The report mentioned no child.”
Bronwyn’s breathing became laboured. If not with his dad, where was she? Lost in the forest? Injured? Or...He shook his head to clear the dreadful thought.
“Go to your dad. I’ll question the man who brought him in. Maybe he knows more.”
Bronwyn turned and ran towards the Infirmary. The steady beat of his heart drowned the sound of his boots hitting the stone floor. Thumping filled his head, and pressure pushed against his temples. As he passed others, he saw mouths move but heard no sounds. He sprinted faster, feeling he wouldn’t reach the Infirmary in time. He thought of Isla, alone in the forest. The worst images possible passed through his mind, and he quickly forced them away. He had to find her before darkness set in. His thoughts went to his dad and the beating he had taken. Would he draw his last breath before he reached him?
His mouth went dry. He couldn’t swallow. His throat burnt from the exertion, but he didn’t slow his pace. He took the steps leading to the Infirmary two at a time. When he flew past the front desk, the attendant yelled at him, but he didn’t stop. He frantically searched the rooms for his dad. When he found him, he halted near the foot of the bed.
Lord Layne Nevell looked up from the patient when Bronwyn rushed in. The attendant followed on his heels. The lord waved him away and motioned for the dwarf to come near.
“He’s received quite a beating.” The human spoke in a smooth, sympathetic tone. “There are several bruises about the head and his midsection. A club or similar weapon inflicted the wounds.”
“Will he…will he live?” Bronwyn gasped for breath. He touched his dad’s arm and stared at the bruises and cuts on his face.
“He’s responding well to treatment.” Lord Nevell hesitated, but when Bronwyn looked to him for more, he said, “But I’m uncertain if he’ll fully recover. He took a severe blow to the back of the head. But your dad is a strong man. He has a fighting chance.” Nevell brought the small white dish he held to Gaven’s nose. “He gathered these herbs. He has an eye for quality and harvests only the best. Your dad plays a vital role in my ability to treat my patients.”
Bronwyn’s parents’ herb shop made deliveries to the castle, but he hadn’t known to what extent. He assumed the Infirmary depended on various shops in the town.
“I dispatched a messenger to notify your mum,” said Lord Nevell.
“Has he awakened since being brought in?”
“He mumbled a few words but has been incoherent since he arrived. Rest is needed to aid the healing. This herb will help him do so.”
Bronwyn reached over and gently guided the dish of herbs away from his dad’s nose. “I think I’d like him to wake.”
“Sergeant, sleep is best.”
“My daughter travelled with him.”
Lord Nevell stood upright. “No one informed me of this fact.” He placed the herbs on a nearby table.
“I need to know if he can tell us what happened, and if he knows where Isla is.”
Lord Nevell assembled several herbs on the table and set out another white dish. “I’ll gently nudge him awake, but if his body refuses, it’s vital he sleep.”
“I ask only that you try.”
The lord mixed the herbs then brought them to Gaven’s nose. He moved the dish in a circle to stimulate the aroma of the plants. With his hand, he waved the medicine into the nasal passages.
Bronwyn watched and waited. If his dad couldn’t provide clues to Isla’s location, it made his task much more difficult. His dad’s chest rose as if he gasped for breath. Then it settled. Should he stop the wakening for his dad’s sake?
“The man who brought your dad in didn’t mention a child.” Lord Nevell interrupted Bronwyn’s thoughts. “If I had known, I’d have acted accordingly.”
“I know.”
Gaven’s head moved from side to side. He opened his mouth for a big breath of air.
Lord Nevell kept the dish near his nose. “We can keep him awake only a short time.”
“I understand.” He leant close to his dad’s ear. “Dad, can you hear me?”
Gaven slowly opened his eyes. He stared off into the distance as if confused by his whereabouts.
“Can you tell me what happened? Where is Isla?”
“Isla?” Gaven’s voice trailed off. His eyes found Bronwyn, and he stared at his son. “Isla.”
“Where is she?” He gripped his dad’s hand, urging him to answer.
“The waggon. A gnome.” Gaven closed his eyes. “Run, Isla.” He choked on his spit. When he managed to catch his breath, he glared at his son. He grasped his son with the little strength he had and drew him near. “Keiron.”
Bronwyn’s eyes widened. What did Keiron want with Isla? “Dad, did Keiron attack you? Please, hold on.” He watched him slip into unconsciousness. “Dad! Dad!”
Lord Nevell came to his side of the bed and pulled Bronwyn off Gaven. He held him by the shoulders. “He can help you no further. He’s too weak.”
Bronwyn clasped the lord’s forearms. It horrified him to think of Isla with Keiron. The man had inflicted unimaginable mental and physical abuse upon her. It had taken months of his and Alaura’s continual care for her to come out of her shell. With her back in the hands of that thief, she’d face the abuse all over again.
“Who is this Keiron he spoke of?”
“He’s a thief, a vile, ruthless criminal.” Bronwyn scowled.
“Why would he want your daughter?”
“Because…because…I don’t know.”
“What is their connection?”
“Isla spent the first five years o
f her life with him. But I’m Isla’s legal guardian. In all sense of the word, I’m her das.”
“Keiron is her blood sire then.” Lord Nevell released his hold on the dwarf. “He has returned to claim what he believes is his.”
“She’s my child. He has no right to her.”
“Bronwyn.” Maisie rushed in the room and into the arms of her son. “How is he?”
“He’s resting, Mum.” He hugged her tightly. His oldest sister, Molly, came in behind her. He guided his mum to the bedside.
Maisie went to Gaven and hugged his chest. Bronwyn watched in silence. His mum kept the family together with her determination and courage, but the source of her strength stemmed from his dad. The same held true for him; Gaven would be lost without Maisie. They had met in their late teens and together became a force to be reckoned with. He learnt from them how two people who were meant for each other could overcome all obstacles to be together. It didn’t matter how small or how large the problem, the fire they carried for each other always saw them through. He had asked his dad once what attracted him to his mum. His first comment joked about her beauty. Then he got serious and said, A man knows when he’s met his best friend, son. He also knows when he’s met his match. When he realises they’re one and the same, he knows he’s met his life mate.
Molly slipped her arm around Bronwyn’s waist and rested her head on his shoulder.
He pulled his sister near. “He’s going to be okay. He has to be.” He wanted to stay and support his family but realised every minute spent here meant one more minute not knowing Isla’s fate. After a few moments, he pulled Molly aside. “I have to go.”
“Where?”
“To find Isla.”
Molly gasped. “She was with Dad. Where is she?”
“I don’t know. The person who found Dad didn’t mention anything about a child. She…” his voice cracked. “She’s missing.” He gripped her hand as tears stung his eyes. “I think Keiron took her.”
“What would he want with her?”
“I’m going to find out. I’m taking a company to search the area. If she’s not there, we’ll track the thief. We’ll find her.”
Molly pulled her brother near and kissed the side of his head. “I know you will. May the forest nymphs bring you a swift return.”
“Sergeant.” Everyone looked to find Lord Mulryan at the entrance. “Come with me.” He nodded at the rest of the Darrow family.
“It was Keiron,” said Bronwyn as soon as they entered the hallway.
“Keiron Ruckle? The hauflin who stole the research maps from the castle several years ago? Isn’t he Isla’s dad?”
He nodded. “But I’m her legal guardian. He has no right to take her.”
“The Law of the Land grants you possession.” Mulryan motioned him down the hall and towards the exit. “I questioned the man who brought your dad in. He found no sign of a child at the attack site.” He paused. “If your hunch is correct then Isla was the target, not your dad.” Once out of the Infirmary, Mulryan headed for the guardhouse. “The men are preparing to leave. It appears we’ll need a few more than I anticipated.”
“I’m leading the search party.”
Mulryan glanced at him sideways. “I expected nothing less.” They entered the guardhouse and found Sanderson and several other men in the midst of preparations.
“My Lord, we’re almost ready.” Sanderson stood upright.
Bronwyn felt his stare, but the captain of the guard didn’t say anything to him. Remarks made during their earlier quarrel replayed in his mind.
“I’ll need six good men for this mission,” said Lord Mulryan.
“Sir, I believe these two guards will suffice to investigate an attack on a citizen.” Sanderson stood next to two privates.
“There are new developments indicating additional men are needed.” Mulryan gestured for Bronwyn to stand beside him to appear in front of the men he’d soon take command of. “You four over there. Come here.”
Two dwarfs, a human and an elf joined the small group.
Lord Mulryan continued. “A twelve-year-old girl travelled with Gaven Darrow in his waggon when the attack occurred. She’s still missing. We believe a notorious thief, Keiron Ruckle, is behind the crime.”
Sanderson shot Bronwyn a concerned glance. He rubbed his chin and let his gaze drift around the guardhouse.
“This hauflin man is ruthless. What makes this more difficult is the girl, the sergeant’s ward, is his blood daughter. We believe Keiron attacked the waggon only to capture her.” He put a strong hand on Bronwyn’s shoulder. “But the law recognises this man as her dad. We’ll do everything in our power to reclaim her. But your mission is two-fold. I want the thief brought in at all cost. He’s a menace to castle security. It’s time to end his escapades.”
The man in charge of the livery entered the room. “Sir, the horses are ready.”
“We need a few more,” said Sanderson. “Saddle seven horses with provisions for a week.”
“Make that eight.” Farlan came to an abrupt stop as he entered the guardhouse.
Sanderson and the corporal stared each other down, each waiting for the other to say something to cause a disagreement. Bronwyn had witnessed many senseless spats betwixt the two and hoped one wouldn’t erupt here when calm heads were needed. Sanderson’s stance eased. He nodded at the livery hand. “Eight.” He motioned the men to the tactical room where a large map covered most of one wall.
Bronwyn looked over the map of Ath-o’Lea. He had never before realised the immense size of it. His small daughter being lost out there made it seem vast.
“Here is where the attack took place.” Sanderson pointed to a position on the map. “Given the location, Ruckle has only a few options. He can double back and head towards Ellswire, but he’d have to pass within view of the front gates. He can continue north, through Moon Meadow and onto Petra. Or he can head for the Foothills towards the Colgan Pass. Or,” Sanderson looked at the group, “he might try and bushwhack a trail to connect with the road to Ellswire. If that’s the case, you’ll have no problem following him.”
Sanderson looked at the dwarf. “Is there anything else we should know?”
Bronwyn stepped forward. “Keiron’s not alone. My dad mentioned a gnome, but I’m sure there’s more. The scoundrel’s not a coward, but he knows there’s safety in numbers.”
“Men, we’re dealing with a slippery cuss who’d sooner have his throat cut than surrender,” said Sanderson. “Don’t let down your guard. The welfare of an innocent girl depends on the success of this mission. Use any means necessary to bring the thief back to Maskil: dead or alive, it matters not.”
In a gesture of support, he rested a hand on Bronwyn’s shoulder and in a lower voice said, “Bring Isla home to where she belongs. Whatever needs to be done, do it.”