Lachlei (19 page)

CHAPTER Forty

“An army approaches from the south,” Cahal announced as he rode to the front lines. Lachlei reined her horse and considered his words. They had followed the
Silren
army for two days without any sign of Areyn’s army being willing to fight. It looked as though they could drive the
Silren
back through North Marches and into their own lands.

The sun had already set and twilight had shrouded the land. Lachlei raised her hand to halt the weary
Chi’lan
. The pursuit was wearing on her troops and still they had not caught up with Areyn.

“Army?” she asked. “Whose army?”

“
Laddel
,” said Cahal. “They have fifteen thousand warriors total.”

“Where’s Rhyn?” Lachlei said. “He said the
Laddel
were coming to reinforce us.”

Cahal stared at her. “Reinforcements? How?” He shook his head. “The
Laddel
have always been our allies, but why would they come to aid us now at a mere
Chi’lan’s
word?”

“I don’t know,” Lachlei confessed. “There is more to Rhyn than he has told us.” She paused. “Where is he?” She scanned her ranks of officers, but did not see him among them.

“He’s with the archers,” Cahal said. “I’ll get him.”

Lachlei nodded and watched as Cahal rode towards the back of the army. She had only seen Rhyn twice since he left her tent. Those two times he had seemed subdued, no doubt due to her overreaction.

The pursuit had given her time to think. It was natural that she would be drawn to him as much as he was attracted to her. They had worked closely together
—
closer than even she and Fialan had worked when they were
Chi’lan
. Yet Lachlei was surprised at the intensity of her reaction; she had never felt so driven by desire. It frightened her.

Cahal rode back with Rhyn riding beside him. Rhyn met her gaze steadily, forcing her to look away. “Cahal tells me your
Laddel
are here.”

“I know,” he said.

“Commander, I want you to come with me when I meet with them, since you have a better understanding of this alliance than I do,” Lachlei said, finally meeting his gaze. “I’d reprimand you for not telling me about your
Laddel
contacts, Rhyn, but we may need them. I want you to tell me about those connections.”

“Blood,” Rhyn said without hesitation.

Lachlei stared. “You’re part
Laddel
?” She gazed at him in wonder, but could not see any
Laddel
features.

Rhyn shook his head. “Not exactly. I have some close relatives who are, though.”

“Really?” she said. “If they were in North Marches…” Her voice trailed off. “I’m sorry.”

“North Marches is
Laddel
concern, if not
Laddel
territory,” Rhyn replied. “I had sent a messenger to Caer Ladren the night we left Caer Lochvaren. I couldn’t guarantee troops.”

Lachlei smiled wryly. “You’re not as good a liar as you think,” she replied. “But I will accept that explanation
—
for the time being.” She turned to Cahal. “Can we outrun them, if necessary?”

“Outrun them?” Cahal asked, puzzled.

“Despite Rhyn’s assurances, I can’t consider any army that large to be anything but a threat until I meet with their commander,” Lachlei said, glancing at Rhyn. “The
Laddel
have no love for the
Silren
, and I trust Rhyn’s judgment, but my instinct tells me to be wary.”

“Wise in any encounter,” said Rhyn. “But I think you’ll find me right in this.”

“Let us hope so,” she said. “Our warriors are weary from the chase and need rest. They do not need a battle.”

*****

Mani, the third moon, had risen and brought its baleful glow on the two armies when the messengers returned from the
Laddel
army. Lachlei had lined her chase-weary
Chi’lan
ready for battle, if necessary. Over a rise, the
Laddel
army stood ready as their messengers rode forward. They bore the standards of the wolf and the silver and green colors of Ni’yah’s kindred.

Lachlei rode out to greet them, flanked by Rhyn and Cahal. She decided to not have extra guards as they would do little good should the
Laddel
attack. She halted her steed, and Rhyn rode up beside her on his gray warhorse. He looked relaxed, much to her chagrin.

As the riders came forward, Lachlei saw that they were not messengers, but nobility. Three warriors rode together with four guards. One warrior caught her attention. His wolf-gray mane, flecked with white, and brass eyes were unmistakable. His armor and surcoat bore the mark of the godling.

“Is that who I think it is?” Lachlei said, gazing at the warrior. “Is that Laddel, himself?” She glanced at Rhyn, who nodded.

“Wasn’t your mother from the
Laddel
kindred?” Cahal asked.

“Ladara was Laddel’s granddaughter, but I’ve only seen Laddel twice,” Lachlei replied. She paused and considered the other two warriors. One she recognized as Ladsil, Laddel’s son. But the other
Laddel,
she didn’t recognize. She stared at him for a moment and back at Rhyn. There was a familiarity about the warrior.

 “Something is wrong, Lachlei, to bring a godling here,” Cahal said, interrupting her thoughts.

“The warrior on Laddel’s right side,” Lachlei said. “Who is he?”

Rhyn hesitated. “That would be Telek,” he said. “First-blood.”

Lachlei stared at the
Laddel
. There was a familial look between Rhyn and Telek that couldn’t be disguised, despite Rhyn’s
Lochvaur
features and Telek’s obvious
Laddel
countenance, hair, and build.

Lachlei steeled herself and clapped her legs against her horse’s sides. Cahal and Rhyn rode with her.

The
Laddel
guards parted and circled the three
Lochvaur
. Laddel rode forward, his brass eyes glowing in the oncoming night. “Lachlei,” he said with a smile. “Daughter of my granddaughter. Please accept my condolences on the loss of Fialan. He was a great warrior-king.”

Lachlei nodded. “Laddel,” she said, smiling. “What brings the children of the wolf-god to Lochvaren?”

“The same thing that brings you to this place
—
Areyn Sehduk,” he said.

Lachlei stared. “Areyn Sehduk?” she repeated in confusion. “The death god is here?”

Laddel considered her and then glanced at Cahal and Rhyn. His eyes rested on the warrior god. “Did you not tell her our true adversary, Rhyn-?”

“Rhyn,” Rhyn’athel said firmly. “I suspected a demon…”

“But he did not know,” interrupted Telek, his brass eyes holding Laddel’s gaze for a few moments.

Lachlei recognized a private exchange in mindspeak between the two
Laddel
warriors, but could not eavesdrop. Instead, she met Laddel’s gaze. “You say our quarry is none other than the death god?” she asked. “If that is so, he chooses his battles poorly. The
Silren
are twenty miles north of here
—
we have them on the run.”

“Areyn knows there is the Truce to reckon with,” Telek spoke up. His wolf eyes glittered in Mani’s light. “He fears the warrior god’s involvement and therefore remains covert in his actions. But once he destroys the
Lochvaur
, he will seek out the
Laddel
.”

“Telek is right,” Laddel said. “Don’t underestimate your foe, Lachlei, for he will destroy us.”

“Then if Areyn Sehduk is here,” she said. “Where is Rhyn’athel? The warrior god wouldn’t leave us to fight alone.”

“For the time being, he has,” Laddel said. “The war is only between the
Silren
and
Lochvaur
. That may change if we do not fight now.” He smiled. “But this is not the place for council. You and your warriors will be the
Laddel’s
guests tonight while we plan our strategy.”

Lachlei tilted her head in a short nod. “I accept your hospitality and the hospitality of the
Laddel
.”

CHAPTER Forty-One

Fialan awoke to the cold dawn. He had refused to return to Lochvaur’s fortress, and Eshe would not leave him. She had lain beside him during the night, and he had wrapped his cloak around them both. Fialan held her during the night, conserving what little heat their bodies had between them. She was pretty, he thought, and much stronger than he had given her credit for.

Yet his mind was still fixed firmly on Lachlei. Fialan had known that Lachlei might remarry if he were to die before she did. Such remarriages were not uncommon among
Eleion
, especially
Chi’lan
, whose lifespans were long, but who frequently died in battle. But Fialan had never considered how he might feel about it when he was dead
—
if indeed, he had any feelings about the matter. He had relegated death to the back of his mind.
If
, not
when
.

Fialan knew his jealousy was unfounded. He was, after all, dead, and the vows he and Lachlei had taken were dissolved. Yet, couldn’t Rhyn’athel have saved him from Areyn? Lochvaur hadn’t thought so, but Lochvaur was Rhyn’athel’s son.

“There will be a day, Areyn, when I will exact my revenge.”

“Really? Or will you let your brother do that?”

Fialan recalled the words between Lochvaur and Areyn. The barb Areyn shot at Lochvaur was exquisite. Painful and yet cut to the point. Would there even be another son of Rhyn’athel now that Areyn knew that Lachlei was the crux in this war? Fialan knew Lachlei would never consciously give herself to Areyn Sehduk
—
but he could deceive her or even rape her.

Fialan shivered in the cold, pulling Eshe closer for warmth. Eshe’s eyes opened and she smiled. She sat up. “That’s the first time I’ve slept alone with a man fully clothed,” she said wryly.

Fialan sat up with her still in his arms and, feeling his face flush, began laughing. “I’m afraid this is my first time sleeping with a beautiful woman without taking advantage of the situation.”

“Really?” Eshe said. She twisted around in his arms and kissed him.

Fialan pulled away. “Eshe, I can’t…” he began.

A scream interrupted him. They scrambled to their feet. A large demon with the head of an eagle loomed over them. Like Flayer, the demon had the torso of a man with bat wings, but had the lower body of a bird of prey. Eshe flinched and buried her head in Fialan’s chest. Fialan pushed her away gently and drew the ghost blade. “What do you want?”

The demon grinned, showing sharp teeth within the beak. “Areyn needs fighters,” he said. “You and Eshe
—
by Lochvaur’s own orders.”

Suddenly, the world fell around them. Darkness closed around Fialan and dragged him down. He tried shouting for Eshe, but his voice made no sound. Instead, all he could hear was roaring of the wind as it rushed by him. Then it stopped and he collapsed to solid ground.

Fialan felt sick. He had dropped the
Fyren
ghost blade and now lay in the mud. The light was blinding. Strong hands grasped him and pulled him to his feet. He could see little save dark figures. They weren’t rough as they helped him regain his balance.

“Fialan!” Eshe called, her voice near panic.

“It’s ok, Eshe,” Fialan said. “I’m right here.”

“I thought you’d be used to it by now, having gone through it once,” Lochvaur’s voice said wryly.

“Where are we?” Eshe said.

“We’re in
Elren
,” Fialan said. “Back in the world of the living.”

*****

Do you think that was wise, Lachlei?
Cahal asked in mindspeak as they followed the
Laddel
king back to their army.

Lachlei glanced at Rhyn, who seemed at ease with the arrangement.
Why?
she asked.
They are our allies.

They could capture and ransom you,
Cahal replied.
We could do naught.

They could have destroyed us with their army and chose not to,
Lachlei replied
. I sense no deception and nothing in my Sight indicates a danger.

The Sight is not infallible,
Cahal said.

Rhyn doesn’t seem concerned,
Lachlei replied.

Rhyn brought them.

You don’t trust Rhyn?
Lachlei asked.
I thought you were good friends…

We are,
Cahal said.
But he may not see the danger.

Lachlei chuckled. “That doesn’t sound like Rhyn,” she said aloud.

Cahal shook his head. “No, it doesn’t.”

Rhyn had been riding in front of her, conversing with Telek. He glanced behind at the mention of his name. She caught his gaze and smiled and he grinned wryly. Telek noted the exchange with interest before returning to talk with the
Chi’lan
.

*****

“Cahal is wondering if this is a trap,” Ni’yah remarked.

“Is it wise to speak with so many first-bloods about?” Rhyn’athel chided him. He disguised their conversation so it would not be understood, but he still believed that Lachlei might notice.

“Why not? They’re on our side,” Ni’yah said. “Laddel knows who I am already, and so what if Lachlei figures it out? She knows about Areyn now.” Despite his disguise as Telek, Rhyn’athel noted that Ni’yah refused to take on a mortal body.

“That wasn’t wise,” he replied. “You shouldn’t have told them about Areyn Sehduk.”

“Why not?” Ni’yah’s eyes glowed. “They’re going to learn, regardless, brother. It’s a matter of when, not if. It’s better that the
Lochvaur
know now.”

Rhyn’athel glared at him. “You’re dragging me into this war.”

“You’re already in it, brother, or need I remind you who was so eager to become mortal for the sake of a woman? Areyn’s demon steed didn’t die of fright. The
Lochvaur
certainly wouldn’t be pursuing the
Silren
if you weren’t here.”

Rhyn’athel said nothing. Instead, he stared ahead as they rode towards the
Laddel
encampment. “Areyn knows I’m here?”

“Most likely,” Ni’yah said. “Your confrontation was impressive
—
Areyn will have to think you are behind this.”

“Who knows about me?”

“Just Laddel. He will tell no one until I release him.”

“Don’t,” Rhyn’athel said. “We may be able to discourage Areyn Sehduk enough to stop this war now.”

Ni’yah met Rhyn’athel’s gaze. “Do you really believe that? My brother, this is Areyn Sehduk we speak of, not some minor deity. You and he are opposites; he will never rest until he has destroyed everything you have created. If that means razing
Athelren
to its very foundations, he’d do it
—
if it weren’t for you. You’re the only thing he fears.”

“Perhaps,” Rhyn’athel said.

Ni’yah considered him. “Your mortality is affecting you,” he said at last. “I didn’t think it could happen, but I think it is.”

“What?”

“You’ve never been this indecisive,” Ni’yah said. “Careful, yes. But not like this. Your mortality is affecting your judgment.”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“Am I?” Ni’yah said appraisingly.

“That doesn’t sound like Rhyn.”

Rhyn’athel turned at the sound of his name. He met Lachlei’s gaze and grinned at her smile.

“Not affected?” Ni’yah snorted. “Smitten.”

Rhyn chuckled. “This was your idea, brother.”

“Unfortunately, not one of my better ones.”