From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [167]
“Jax and I are taking turns watching for them,” Sir Eagan said, “though animals were never my strength. Sir Gavin is the Great Whitewolf, not I.”
“I sense there are two ahead on the trail,” Jax said.
“Can you storm them?” Averella asked, thinking of her mother.
Jax shook his head. “I’m not trained to storm.”
“I could try, but not until we stop somewhere safe,” Sir Eagan said. “I cannot see, and it will take some time for me to locate them in the forest.”
Noam stopped on the trail beside Gren. “If the wolf is ahead of us, should we leave the trail?”
“That would seal our deaths,” Peripaso said. “Wolves like to send their prey in circles until they tire.”
“But we’re already tired!” Gren said.
“That’s why we must press on,” Peripaso said. “The sooner we reach Noiz, the better.”
Noam put his arm around Gren and gave her a side hug. “What is Noiz, anyway? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Noiz is a sanctuary for the royal family,” Sir Eagan said. “The king retreats there for leisure or refuge.”
“Won’t the wolves follow us there?” Gren asked.
“Wolves avoid crowds,” Peripaso said. “Once we reach the settlement, we’ll be safe.”
“But can’t we rest a bit?” Gren asked.
“Allow me, Madam.” Bran stepped forward and hoisted Gren’s pack over his good arm.
Gren wilted with relief. “Oh, thank you, Bran.”
Averella’s heart warmed to see Bran step in to help Gren. Her gaze met Gren’s, and Gren looked away. Averella knew not how to behave around Gren in light of Bran Rennan’s presence, knowing his true feelings for them both.
They continued on. Wolves howled around them. Sometimes far away. Sometimes so close the hair on Averella’s arms bristled. The forest path became rocky and mountainous. Sir Rigil took Gren’s pack from Bran. Not even Jax could keep up Peripaso’s pace.
They came upon a deep cave in a rocky cliff. After a thorough search, Jax pronounced it safe, and they made camp inside. Though all were exhausted, the men devised a schedule for watch, and everyone else went to sleep.
Averella woke from a nightmare of Esek striking her. Had that been dream or memory? It was difficult to tell with the tricks of Darkness and the horrors she had apparently been through this last year. She lay awake, sorting recent thoughts.
Achan had rescued her from drowning in the Mahanaim canals. Jax had confirmed that. She also recalled Achan carrying her on his back to keep her out of the dark waters of Arok Lake. There had been leeches in the water. Horrible little slugs that drank blood.
She shivered. Maybe that had been a nightmare.
Mother told her that some man had discovered she was a woman and had attacked her. So her dream of the man called Polk must have been true. Or was that the attack by the man called Khai? In any case, Achan had used his mind to control some man and stop him from going too far.
And Achan had also rescued her from Esek’s tent. Mother confirmed the truth of this. But Averella had also dreamed about Achan carrying her, lifting her onto Dove’s back.
Dove? Oh, it was a horse. Who did Dove belong to?
That mattered little. The point was that Achan had rescued Averella again and again. Put himself in danger for her sake. Why had she run from such loyalty? Who would not want to marry such a man—especially since he was to be king?
She rolled over. Jax, Bran, and Sir Eagan lay sleeping around the fire pit. Two moths fluttered above the campfire, casting their shadows on the rocky ceiling of the cavern.
Sir Rigil sat staring into the flames, arms propped on his knees. For being one of the best groomed knights in Er’Rets, he was a mess, even after a swim in the plunge pool. A smudge of dirt darkened one cheek. His bangs hung in greasy strands, curling around his ears. He had grown a short beard too. It made him look older. Tired.
“Why so glum, Sir Rigil?” Averella whispered, propping her head on one hand. “We are almost to our destination.”