Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [50]
‘This is Treeon Temple.’ Nell stroked the horse’s neck, directing her answer to Shane.
‘Yes, of course. I meant, what do you call your world?’ Rosette asked.
‘You don’t know the name of the world?’
‘There could be some confusion, yes.’
The girl shortened her reins and sucked in her breath. ‘This is Gaela,’ she said at last, presenting the entire landscape with a graceful sweep of her arm.
‘What year?’
‘212 AD.’
‘AD?’
‘After destruction,’ Nell answered.
‘Destruction of what?’
‘All the temples, of course.’ Nell stared at their blank faces, then turned her horse around. ‘I’ve got to go,’ she said, looking back over her shoulder. ‘But you can pose your questions to the temple guards or even High Priest Corvey, if you get an interview. They are on their way to greet you.’
‘Thank you.’ Rosette was too stunned to say anything else.
Nell broke into a canter, putting distance between them as she raced down the road. Rosette watched the girl ride away, the golden horse galloping along, smooth as butter, Nell’s henna red hair streaming out behind her. She pressed her forehead with the palm of her hand and looked at Shane.
‘I take it we aren’t quite where you had anticipated.’ Shane’s voice brought her back to the present.
‘Not even close,’ she answered.
‘What now?’
I suggest we get out of here, Maudi. Those guards are armed and charging.
They can’t be. This is Treeon, not some blood-hungry Corsanon temple.
See for yourself, Maudi. They’re charging, swords drawn, and we are the target.
Rosette shut her eyes, opening her inner vision to the Treeon Temple guards. Something about them was peculiar. A dozen sentries mounted on bay and black warhorses were galloping up the hill in tight formation, following their captain. He rode a dappled grey horse, lighter in build than the others though equally fit. All were armed with swords and shields. Four at the front had crossbows slung on their backs. The faces of these men were set and grim. It didn’t look like a welcoming party, and it didn’t look right.
Something’s strange here, Drayco.
I agree. Why are these men charging us?
That’s it, Drayco. That’s what is so strange. They are all men.
Maudi?
There’re no women among them. Not a one.
GAELA & EARTH—TIME: FORWARD
CHAPTER 12
Maudi! They’re nearly cresting the hill.
‘Here they come!’ she said, opening her eyes, blurting out the warning to Shane.
‘Where?’
‘Up the hill!’ She gripped her sword hilt and faced the temple. A sudden gust blew over the lip of the valley, sending leaves scuttling across the road. They whisked over her boots and around her legs. ‘Stay alert,’ she said. ‘The captain’s sword is drawn, but we don’t want to fight them.’
‘How can you tell?’ Shane said. ‘All I see is a dust cloud.’
She didn’t answer. ‘That little witch…’ she mumbled to herself. ‘What did you say to them, Nellion Paree? That we were demons from the underworld come to assassinate your High Priest?’
Nell had ridden away, acting the part of the enthused and admiring apprentice—a hoax. She’d been calling up the temple guards the whole time and whatever she’d told them, they looked ready to cut first and ask questions later. Rosette could hear the riders approaching, the sound of the horses’ hooves pounding over the road, the clatter of it shaking the ground as the animals galloped up the grade. Drayco’s muscles were taut, and a low growl rumbled from his throat. Rosette kept a grip on her sword, straining to catch an actual glimpse of the riders below her. The wind swirled, bringing with it dust and the smell of sweat, leather and aggression.
‘Maybe it’s a welcoming party,’ Shane said, looking at the cloud that preceded the riders. ‘This is your coven, after all.’ His voice trailed off as the sun disappeared behind a cloud. He shivered. ‘Isn’t it?’
‘Not here. Not today,’ Rosette said. She pulled him off the road into the cover of the trees.
He didn’t resist. He may not have her vision skills but he knew when danger was about to run him down. ‘What do you