Eleanor (92 page)

“He has a destiny?” he asked, confused.
 

“What? Did you think you were the only one?” Eleanor snapped at him. Hurt flashed through his eyes. It stabbed at her but she ignored it and pushed past him towards the gate, drawing earth’s energy as she walked. She had barely come to a stop when she released her explosive force at the gate. An almightily splitting crunch rent the air, the gate fragmented and bits of wood blasted in all directions. Being careful of the jagged edges she had left, Eleanor stepped through the hole and out into the street. She had taken fewer than ten steps when five men surrounded her. From behind them came a red-headed woman, and Eleanor smiled in recognition.

“Avatar of Earth, my father sent us, please come,” Leda said.

“Who is this?” Will asked warily, the Dwarfish heavy with suspicion.

“A friend, we need to move quickly,” Eleanor said.
 

They moved as fast as they could through the quiet streets. Will was struggling to carry Amelia and move at any speed, but he refused to let anyone else help him. Leda led them to a small building that looked like a warehouse. Inside were their horses, packed and ready to go.

“We will take you to the city gate. The Protectors there are in my father’s ‘debt’ so they will allow you to pass, but we must hurry before reinforcements arrive from the stronghold,” Leda said.

Eleanor hugged the startled woman. “Thank you, Leda, and thank your father.”
 

Leda smiled and handed her two thick white envelopes. “It’s the information you asked for and a letter from Remic. It has been an honour to be of service to you, Avatar of Earth.”

They mounted, Amelia waking enough to get on her horse but still looking tired and pale. Moving as fast as they dared through the cold, icy streets, Leda guided them to the city’s gate, her red hair streaming behind her. True to her word, the Protectors opened up for them; they did not even have to slow down. Leda and her men pulled their horses to the side. Eleanor gave Leda a wave as they shot past, heading for the open countryside and freedom.

The Beginning

They had run with the assumption that every Protector in Mydren would be chasing them, but after several days it became apparent that this was not the case. Conlan and Will circled back frequently, but there were no Protectors in sight. Nevertheless, Conlan pushed them hard. For the first two days and nights they ate up the miles, moving as fast as the track and horses would allow, adrenaline keeping them conscious and in their saddles. After forty-eight hours, even Horse and Meran were flagging and desperate for rest. Conlan pulled them off the track and led them out into the wild beauty of Mydren. The lack of sleep was making it difficult to think. Eleanor wanted to talk to Conlan, but there was never a moment. She caught him looking at her occasionally and smiled. There would be time to talk later, when they were safe, but for the moment she had to concentrate on staying awake and on her horse.
 

Eleanor sat slumped in her saddle, the freezing morning rain drumming down on her. She was soaked, ice-cold and exhausted, and her bent posture was giving her backache. She rode in a daze as the countryside slid past. She had a vague idea they were heading south. Not that it mattered, as any direction away from Katadep would have been fine with her. The days and nights were merging into one long uncomfortable nightmare. She had watched another sunrise from her saddle and she knew she was going to have to rest soon or she was going to collapse. Horse’s tried, trudging plod kept lulling her to sleep and she would wake with a start as she felt her body slipping from the saddle. Freddie was slumped in his saddle. Amelia rode at his side, helping to steady him. He had not complained or fallen behind, but his exhaustion and pain were plain in his face. He was not going to be able to keep going much longer either. As the unseen sun marked time across the grey sky, Eleanor watched Freddie deteriorate, until he collapsed against Pal’s neck, reins dropping from his hands. Will and Conlan had left to do another check, to make sure there were still no Protectors following them. Eleanor felt herself start to slip from her saddle and Amelia moved her horse up to her side. She lay a hand gently on her head.
 

“Eleanor?”
 

Eleanor shuddered and pulled herself upright, the world spinning.
 

“Let me hold you for a while, Eleanor, let me help you” Amelia said softly. Stubbornly shaking her head, Eleanor tried to sit more upright, to give the impression of a strength she no longer possessed.
 

“Help Freddie,” she said, her voice a thin whisper. It sounded alien to her.
 

“I can help you both, if you’ll let me,” Amelia said, an edge to her voice. She raised her eyes to Amelia’s and steel grey regarded her, seeing straight through her facade. Slowly, Eleanor nodded and Amelia smiled, the soft mothering look returning. Carefully, as if she was indeed holding a sick child, Amelia helped Eleanor across to her horse and wrapped a blanket around her. Sighing, Eleanor relaxed. Amelia urged her horse forward again so she could walk at Freddie’s side, a hand through the waist of his trousers to stop him from falling. Eleanor entered their horses’ minds, carefully explaining what was happening and that they could not move at anything faster than a walk without risking Freddie falling off, but that was fine by them, as they were just as tired as she was. Eleanor closed her eyes, the gentle movement and comfortable warmth soothing her into a pleasant doze.

Eleanor heard the pounding of hooves behind her. She hoped it was Conlan and Will, but she would gladly have welcomed screaming hoards of Protectors, if they would let her stop and sleep. A horse was brought to an abrupt halt beside them, but Eleanor could not bring herself to open her eyes.

“Eleanor is not your burden to carry, Amelia,” Conlan said irritably.

“Eleanor is
not
a burden, Conlan. She is a tired, battered friend in need of my help, as is Freddie,” Amelia told him, the hard edge back in her voice.

“If they needed help they should have said something,” Conlan persisted.

“No, they shouldn’t have to say anything; you should have seen what I did and offered. Have you any idea what they’ve just suffered for you?” Amelia snapped back.

Silence.

“Maybe we should stop for a while and get some rest?” Will ventured. There was more silence.
 

“OK,” Conlan agreed softly. “Give Eleanor to me.”
 

“I can handle Eleanor, Conlan, but if you want to move faster than a walk, Freddie is going to need your help,” Amelia said, the edge still in her voice.

“You’ve been through the same torture that they have, Amelia,” Conlan said, choking on the words. “I’ll help Freddie, but let Will hold Eleanor, you need a break.”

“You told me I was strong, Conlan,” Amelia said. “Don’t change your mind just as I was starting to believe you.”
 

There was another heavy silence.
 

“Freddie?” Conlan said quietly. “Freddie... I know you’re tired right now, but we’re going to find somewhere to rest. I’m going to get on your horse behind you, to help you stay in the saddle, OK?”

There was no answer. Soon they were off again and Eleanor once more relaxed into the comfortable fog. The sounds and even the movement around her seemed distant. Only Amelia’s warm body was real. Behind closed eyelids, Eleanor knew the daylight was fading. She heard the muted whisper of wind through trees, and memories of her first night in Mydren came back to her. She felt the world close in slightly as they moved across the boundary of the forest Conlan had brought them to. She could imagine the trees standing around them in blank regiment as the sun sank into night – ominous to some, but she felt only comfort and sanctuary.
 

Amelia pulled her horse to a stop. Eleanor heard Conlan and Will try to ease Freddie gently from the saddle. His soft groan reached Eleanor clearly in the chilly air.

“Sorry,” Will said.

“I’m just glad I’m off my horse,” Freddie murmured.

Drifting now, her eyes closed and her body limp, Eleanor felt herself lifted from Amelia’s arms.
Conlan.
He held her close, his stubbly cheek gently brushing her face as he whispered.
 

“Maybe now you’ll let me carry you for a while.”
 

Eleanor could hear the love in his voice. She wanted to say something, but she had no idea what, and exhaustion dragged her into darkness before her tired mind could think of a response.
 

Five seconds later she was awoken by gentle shaking. She was warm and comfortable, and she knew that strong arms were holding her close.

“Go away,” she mumbled, not opening her eyes. “I’m asleep.”

“We have to keep going, Eleanor. Come on, get up, and wake Freddie while you’re at it.”
 

Surprised, Eleanor opened her eyes. It was day, just, the light still grey. Conlan was stooped over her. The arms wrapped around her were Freddie’s. Confusion knotted her brow. Why was Freddie holding her? Why did Conlan not want to hold her? Lifting her head she could see Will and Amelia asleep behind her.

“I think we need more rest, Conlan,” Eleanor said, still not moving.

“You can have all the sleep you want in a few days’ time when we have some distance between us and Katadep.” Glowing green eyes held hers, expectant, waiting for her to complain, which made her want do the opposite. She wondered if Conlan knew this. She nodded and Conlan smiled slightly, before moving to wake Will and Amelia.

“Freddie?” Eleanor said, rubbing the arm wrapped around her waist.
 

“Just a few more minutes...” he murmured, and despite his injuries he tightened his grip around her.

Their day-and-night headlong dash became a monotonous, endless trek. Travelling from sunrise to sunset, they barely had enough strength to eat before dropping into oblivious sleep. Eleanor’s eyes often closed before her body hit the cold, damp earth, not caring if she had a blanket or not and just wanting sleep’s release. Without fail they were woken what felt like moments later, to have the waking nightmare continue. Eleanor was a little hurt each morning when she woke to find Freddie’s arms around her. Conlan seemed different around her, careful, like he did not want to get too close. He hugged her when she asked for it, eventually giving in to her requests and holding her while she slept, but as soon as he knew she was awake in the morning, he was up and off. She made several attempts to kiss him and he gently rebuffed her, looking pointedly at the others asleep around them. She was hurt and confused; she knew he loved her, so why was he reluctant to touch her? Why was he keeping her at arm’s length?

After eight days of travel, Conlan felt they were far enough away that they could stop for a few days’ rest and make some plans. The light had begun to fade and the temperature was dropping, and a steady, freezing drizzle had soaked her through again. Another wood, more trees, cold, damp earth. Eleanor did not care. She dismounted and took Horse’s saddle and bridle off, dropping them to the ground with her bags and folded herself down on top of them, something in her bag digging into her chest. It hurt, but not enough for her to bother moving. The darkness was calling and she rushed to embrace it.

When she woke, there was a warming fire blazing in front of her. Her blanket was draped over her and Conlan’s jacket was folded under her head. She lifted herself slightly. Will and Amelia were next to her, Will’s arms wrapped protectively around Amelia’s body even in exhausted sleep. Freddie was sat across from her. He saw her stir and smiled.
 

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked drowsily. Her throat was dry and her mouth felt like something had died in it – her tongue, perhaps. There was a water skin lying next to her head. Grateful for someone’s thoughtfulness, Eleanor grabbed it and took long, slow swigs until she felt better.

“Three days,” Freddie said, watching her drink.

“Where’s Conlan?” she asked, looking round as she put the stopper back and lay the water skin down where Will and Amelia would see it when they woke up.

“Collecting firewood.”

Eleanor slowly sat up. Pulling Conlan’s jacket on, she smiled. She could smell him on it and sighing she hugged it. It was like having him wrap his arms around her, and a warm glow pushed out from her stomach and through her tired and battered body, somehow making everything seem better.

“Cold?” Freddie asked.
 

She shook her head. “Just makes me feel safe.”
 

Freddie gave her a long look, an odd expression on his face; it made her guts twist in apprehension. She felt an energy string brush against her and she pulled it in.

Did I do something wrong, Freddie? You seem… unhappy.

Not unhappy, thoughtful. I thought I knew what love was, but if you had done to me what you did to Conlan, I wouldn’t have been able to look you in the face again, let alone forgive you. I love you, Eleanor, but not like he does.

I’m sorry, Freddie
,
Eleanor whispered, feeling awful for him.

No, Eleanor, don’t feel bad
,
he insisted.
It’s OK, I’m glad you’re happy. I’m just not looking forward to being the odd one out. I liked having you around. I didn’t feel quite so lonely, but if I’m honest you scare me quite a bit, and you deserve better than that.

Eleanor felt tears welling up in her eyes.
I scare you? I wouldn’t hurt you, Freddie…

Yes you would, if it was necessary; you have a ruthless, brutal streak in you. That’s not a criticism, Eleanor. You have no idea how glad I am you’re on our side, but it does frighten me and that’s my weakness… Conlan doesn’t have that fear.
Wincing, Freddie slowly and painfully stood, moved to her side and wrapped his arms around her. There was no obvious hesitation or fear in the move, which made her feel a little better. Resting her head against his chest she sighed, wiping her tears away.