Flame Singer (Fire Sower Book 2) Page 15

  The sun broke over the horizon, bathing the grasslands in light. As the travelers entered the outer villages, they could see that everyone was already awake and about their day. Idris assumed that many of these villagers worked in Koyo, so they had to take into account the time needed to walk into the city.

  Idris studied his surroundings with interest. He had never traveled before becoming a member of the Royal Guard, and every new place he visited was exciting. He marveled at the similarities of Breen to Calaris, as well as the differences.

  His eyes passed over a vaguely familiar face, then whipped back to fix on it. The man stepped back out of sight, but not before Idris had gotten a good look at him. The man’s square face and blocky features might have been ordinary enough to blend into a crowd, but the broken sword at his hip was unmistakable.

  Idris brought his horse to a sudden halt, his heart racing and his eyes darting over the area. Cowan noticed his sharp movement, moving his horse closer to speak to the young man. “What is wrong?” he asked quietly.

  “I saw the man I fought in the mining town,” Idris blurted.

  The captain of the Royal Guard was immediately on alert. He looked in the direction Idris was facing, scanning the crowd for signs of danger. “Are you certain?”

  Idris nodded, swallowing hard. “The Hunters have caught up with us.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Escape

  The group drew together into a tight huddle. “What should we do?” Hildar demanded in a low voice.

  “We need to get away from all of these people,” Kurag insisted. “I do not want them to get hurt.”

  Cowan held up a hand. “That is exactly why we should stay. From what I understand, the Hunters do not wish to harm innocents either. If we stay in the city, we have a better chance of avoiding open conflict.”

  “Are you certain of that?” challenged Kurag with a haunted look in his eyes.

  Cowan hesitated, but only for a split second. His expression firmed as he began issuing orders. “Princess Lenora needs to send that message if we are to enter Roshum without being challenged. Hildar and Idris will accompany her to the Wordway, keeping her safe from any potential dangers. The rest of us will travel straight through the city, and wait for the others at the northern gate. With any luck, the Hunters will wait until we have left Koyo to attack. If not, perhaps they will ignore the group with the princess and focus on Kurag.”

  “I would rather be in your group,” Hildar protested.

  Idris felt the same, but probably for different reasons than his comrade. He wanted to be where he could be the most useful, of course, but he also still felt the urge to avoid being in Lenora’s company. Not that he would admit such a thing.

  “It would be best if Hildar stays close to me,” Kurag supported, to the surprise of the others. “We share a purpose now. Our hearts and minds need to develop a connection with each other, which is best done with proximity.”

  Aherin appeared skeptical. “Are you saying that you can do something like that just by standing next to someone?”

  Kurag turned his powerful gaze on Aherin, which caused the young man to shift from foot to foot. “I am saying that it is easiest to learn to work together when in the same company.”

  Aherin flushed and muttered, “Of course.”

  Captain Cowan made an impatient gesture. “Aherin will go with the princess, Hildar will come with me. Now, move!”

  Kurag, Hildar, and Cowan broke away immediately, disappearing down a side street. Idris and Aherin were left staring at Lenora expectantly. “Which way, your highness?” Aherin prompted.

  Lenora clicked her tongue at her horse, setting it into motion. “This road is the most direct into the city.”

  Idris found himself studying the growing crowds of people nervously. The Hunters could be anywhere—he didn’t know what most of them looked like. Lenora’s unhurried pace made Idris feel antsy. He wanted to draw his weapon as a precaution, but he refrained.

  The princess glanced at him with amusement. “We cannot go galloping through the city without drawing attention to ourselves.”

  Idris pressed his lips together, knowing she was right. Aherin, riding on the other side of the princess, leaned over to enter the conversation. “We kind of stand out anyway,” he pointed out. “No one else is riding a horse.”

  Lenora nodded. “That will change once we pass through the city gate. Once we do that, we can try to lose whoever is following us.”

  Idris’s heart gave an anxious jump. “Are you certain we are being followed?”

  “Of course,” the princess answered calmly. “They will not lose sight of us if they can help it.”

  Idris started to turn around in his saddle, hoping to catch a glimpse of their pursuer, but Iona’s sharp voice reprimanded him. Do not turn around! Your behavior is drawing attention to your group, farmer. Act calm and keep your eyes forward.

  Idris did as he was told, but he itched to take action. Our enemies could be right behind us, his thoughts grated.

  They could be in front of you as well, Iona replied unsympathetically.

  Idris’s level of anxiety increased again. He could feel his heart pounding against his ribs, and a fine sheen of sweat appeared on his face.

  Calm down, Iona snapped. I will protect you against unseen attacks.

  “How far is it to the Wordway?” Aherin asked Lenora.

  She reached up a slender hand to brush away some strands of red hair that had blown across her face. “It is in the center of the city, next to the administrative offices.”

  Idris jumped into the conversation, eager for a distraction. “I have never heard of a Wordway. What is it?”

  “It is a center through which one can send messages,” Lenora explained. “They keep a special breed of carrier pigeons that are faster and smarter than average, with better endurance as well. A Wordway pigeon could carry a message two hundred leagues in a single day, if necessary.”

  Idris’s eyes widened. “That is amazing,” he exclaimed. “Why do we not have Wordways in Calaris?”

  Aherin grinned at his enthusiasm. “A Wordway is a public resource here in Breen. In Calaris, only wealthy families have a collection of birds to use for sending messages. The king has one, but he prefers to use human messengers.”

  Princess Lenora inclined her head. “The royal messenger birds belonged to the king’s mother while she lived. My great-aunt was a skilled trainer, and took them with her when she married King Lukas.”

  “It seems a shame that King Nikolas does not use such a valuable resource,” Idris observed.

  Aherin shrugged. “Perhaps he feels that human messengers are more trustworthy.”

  The conversation dropped off as the three companions approached the city gate. The walls surrounding Koyo were made of stone—huge blocks carved from a nearby quarry. The gate itself was a curious contrast to the security of the wall, for it was little more than a large door made of wooden planks. It was as if the citizens of Koyo were more concerned with people sneaking into the city without permission than an actual attack on the city.

  The wooden gate stood open, with two city guards monitoring those who passed through. The people walking past the guards each held up a square token, which was apparently proof that they were allowed into the city. Anyone without tokens was stopped to be questioned by the guards.

  Lenora nudged her horse through the crowd of people, ignoring the glares she got in return. The guards seemed startled as they looked up. “Your highness,” stammered one of the guards. “What an unexpected pleasure.”

  The mass of people parted around Lenora’s horse once they realized who she was. The princess smiled politely. “These two are with me,” she said, waving her hand toward Idris and Aherin.

  “Yes, of course, your highness,” bowed the second guard. “Would you like an escort to the King’s manor?”

  Lenora made a soothing gesture. “No, thank you. I am only passing through today.”

  There was much
bowing and scraping as the three companions passed into the city. Lenora didn’t seem to give it a second thought as she urged her horse up one of the streets that climbed the massive hill on which Koyo was built.

  There was a small scuffle in the crowd behind them, drawing Idris’s attention. He caught sight of a cloaked man pushing his way past the guards. Urgent whispers were exchanged before the man was allowed through. This allowed Idris to get a good look at him.

  The man looked to be in his mid-twenties, with feathery hair the color of a mouse. Everything about his face was long and thin, making him appear more anxious than he probably felt. His dark eyes darted in Idris’s direction, then, seeing he was being watched, the man ran down a side street.

  “Well?” Lenora asked quietly, not turning her head.

  Idris returned his attention to her. “Hmmm?”

  She sighed. “Despite what you may think, I do not make it a habit of being rude just because I am a member of the royal family. I forced our way through the line of people entering the city so that our pursuer would have to do the same. Did you spot someone?”

  Idris’s eyebrows climbed up his forehead. “That was a very good idea…”

  “Thank you,” she smiled.

  “And?” Aherin urged.

  “I did see a man push his way through,” confirmed Idris. “He went down a side street.”

  “Which means he will be waiting for us at the next intersection,” concluded Lenora.

  “I could waylay him,” Aherin suggested. “Stop him before he has a chance to follow you two.”

  “You do not know what he looks like,” Idris argued.

  Aherin shrugged. “You could describe him to me.”

  Idris immediately shook his head. “No, I should be the one to go.”

  Aherin started to protest, but Idris dismounted his horse and tossed the reins to Lenora. “With any luck, he will not notice I am not with you until it is too late.”

  Lenora’s face looked strained. “It sounds dangerous, Idris.”

  He tried to laugh off her concern. “All I have to do is distract him long enough for you two to slip away, right?”

  Idris didn’t wait for either of his companions to answer. He turned and jogged up the street where he could get a good view of the nearest intersection. He took his partisan from the holder on his back, leaning on the polearm as if it was a walking stick. He loosened the ties that held the leather cover over the head of the weapon, but he didn’t take it off.

  Do you know how to fight when there are bystanders potentially in the path of danger? Iona asked with a measure of uncertainty.

  “Not exactly,” Idris murmured, “but I do not plan to go in throwing balls of fire.”

  What one plans to do is rarely a problem. What actually happens once a fight begins is an entirely different matter.

  “I will be careful,” he assured her.

  I believe that you think that is true, Iona responded solemnly, but what if you feel that Lenora is in danger? What if you have to choose between saving her and saving a bystander?

  Idris didn’t answer her query, but he shifted uncomfortably. That was a situation he had never found himself in before. He had always been given orders to protect a specific person, and never had been required to do so while endangering innocents. True, in the past he had unfortunately brought harm to others while fulfilling that duty. But this time he was walking into a situation knowing the danger he could cause.

  Idris’s train of thought came to a sudden halt as the young Hunter stepped into view. He busied himself by perusing a merchant stall until Lenora and Aherin rode past, just a few moments later. Then, the Hunter began to follow.

  What is your strategy? Iona asked.

  But Idris was moving before Iona spoke, acting off of impulse. He hurried up to the Hunter, making to grab the man’s arm. Before he could contact, though, the Hunter twisted out of his reach and whirled to face him.

  The man didn’t hesitate once he recognized Idris’s face. He balled his hand into a fist and punched Idris as hard as he could in the sternum. Idris’s breath was forced out of him with the impact, then again as he fell flat on his back. He laid there for a moment, stunned. Meanwhile, the Hunter dashed away from the crowded street.

  Get up, Iona snapped. He is escaping.

  Idris stumbled to his feet, still gasping for air. Clutching his chest, he ran in the direction the Hunter had disappeared. The road was perpendicular to the one Lenora and Aherin were still on, meaning one side of the street was higher on the hill than the other. It gave Idris a disoriented feeling, running on a slant.

  Somewhere along the way, Idris lost the leather cover that protected the head of his partisan. The glittering jewels in the sunlight made the young soldier even more conspicuous, which was not good when in pursuit of an enemy. Idris was still scanning the surrounding area for his opponent when Iona’s voice rang in his mind. Look out!

  The Hunter came at him from the side, wielding two long knives. He slashed Idris’s right upper arm just as the young Royal Guard was turning to dodge the blow. The blade didn’t cut as deeply as it would have if Idris hadn’t been warned, but it still sliced through cloth and flesh.

  Idris’s frantic attempt to get out of the way caused him to ram into a stranger, who happened to also be walking down the street. The man was thrown to the ground, looking shocked and angry. Idris didn’t have time to apologize. He switched primary hold of his weapon to his left hand, using it to sweep at the legs of his opponent.

  I warned you to be careful, Iona reprimanded him. Find a way to take this fight to where there are fewer people.

  The Hunter easily danced back out of harm’s way. He then leapt forward, his blades glinting in the sunlight. He moved past the head of the partisan, but Idris simply used the butt of his weapon to jab the Hunter in the stomach. The end of the polearm was tipped with steel, making the attack even more effective.

  The Hunter’s breath was knocked out of him with a grunt. Idris followed up his attack with a spin of his partisan, bringing the blade upward to slice across the man’s chest. The Hunter cried out in pain, but his eyes lost none of their determination.

  The Hunter’s left arm curled across his chest, instinctually covering the wound. He jumped to the side with several quick movements, which made it difficult for Idris to follow him with his eyes. The Hunter made as if to slash at Idris’s face with the knife in his right hand. However, while Idris used his weapon to block the attempt, the Hunter used his left hand to drive his blade into Idris’s side.

  A flash of light from Iona diverted the point of the knife at the last moment, but the dampening effect that the Hunter had on weapons of power prevented her from stopping it altogether. Idris still felt the flesh over his ribs part painfully.

  In such close quarters, Idris wasn’t able to use his weapon as he’d been trained. So, he did the first thing that came to his mind instead—he wrapped his arm around the Hunter’s neck in a hold that he had learned as a boy for wrestling tournaments in his home community.

  The man flung his head back, breaking Idris’s nose. Idris was proud of himself for not letting go, in spite of the pain. Unfortunately, he did lose grip of his partisan, which clattered to the ground.

  Idris redirected all of his strength to tightening his hold around the Hunter’s neck. When the man shifted the knives in his hands, though, Idris had to let go to avoid getting stabbed again. The Hunter paused for a brief second, gasping for breath and coughing. Idris used the precious time to snatch up his fallen weapon and attack once more.

  He lunged forward in a simple motion, forcing the Hunter to back up as he parried. Idris repeated this several times, maneuvering his opponent off of the main road and down a more secluded alley. Idris felt a pulse of brief satisfaction as he noted that there weren’t any bystanders in harm’s way now.

  The Hunter also seemed to notice this fact, which made him nod to Idris with appreciation. The small gesture gave Idris pause.
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  “Why are you trying to kill us?” he blurted to the stranger.

  The Hunter bared his teeth. “If you do not know that answer to that question, then you are a fool as well as a danger to this world.”

  The man flipped one of his knives around so that the blade was facing up his arm. Then he rushed forward to attack, each movement smooth and precise. The Hunter moved so quickly that it took all of Idris’s concentration just to fend off each blow. There were a couple of times that he wasn’t quite fast enough, resulting in several stinging nicks to his skin.

  “We are not hurting anyone,” Idris shouted, once the barrage stopped. “We are trying to right a wrong.”

  The Hunter shook his head. “You cannot right a wrong by committing another wrong.”

  Idris gritted his teeth, preparing his partisan for a spinning attack. “Not all Forgers are evil. Some of them dedicated their lives to helping fight the dark arts.”

  The Hunter jumped out of the path of Iona’s blade, his eyes widening into a wild expression. “They are an abomination,” he shrieked. “Every single one of them!” He emphasized each word with a clanging strike of his knives against the shaft of Idris’s polearm.

  Idris made one last desperate attempt. “We do not need to be enemies,” he pled.

  The Hunter gave a feral snarl. “My brothers and sisters will give every drop of blood in their bodies to see you and your kind destroyed. As will I!”

  Ignoring the danger of the weapon he faced, the Hunter barreled into Idris, knocking him to the ground. For a split second, Idris was convinced that his life had come to an end. His heart stuttered with terror, and he suddenly wished he had apologized to Lenora before leaving her.

  “You there! Halt!”

  The unfamiliar voice sounded from the mouth of the alley, followed by the tromp of several pairs of boots. The Hunter apparently judged the situation to be against his favor, for he promptly turned and fled. Idris laid on the ground for another moment, hardly believing that he had survived that final attack.