The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (17 page)

Clearing his throat, Edric’s voice cut through the silence which had settled over the room, bringing the focus back to the task at hand. “Commander Varik can accompany me. He has sufficient experience in naval operations. I have no doubt that he is skilled enough to command the ship to Luquarr, though it will not be necessary. Callum will be with us when we leave Palinon,” Edric nodded, patting Callum’s shoulder confidently. “General Cadell can remain with the King. We will be fine.”

“Very well,” Cadell nodded, facing the center of the room to announce his final decision. “Callum will choose his men and leave tonight. We can’t risk giving the pirates much of a head-start when they will already gain ground in Palinon, if that is their intended path.” He shifted his attention to the King with a respectful nod. “You and I will take our leave to Siscal first thing in the morning. It will take less time to traverse the Nahpoa Sea. We can take this evening to gather a unit for Edric and also provide transportation back to Sivaeria for the rest of your family. The palace walls there are more secure. We cannot risk anyone else being taken.”

Her head reeled. She didn’t know what to do. Nothing of this nature had ever befallen her family before. It was frightening. Exciting, in a horrifying way. Everything around her felt surreal. Like something out of a book she’d read as a child. She couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Her mother had no choice but to remain in Tanispa, however, there was nothing keeping Aiva there. Her marriage was a joke. Worthless to her family. There was no chance of her providing an heir. The Queen could remain in Tanispa and raise little Sidonie and Ehren to take over the throne if anything happened to Aiva. This was her one chance to do something with her life. Something to help her family instead of hinder them.

At the sight of Edric moving out into the hall she hurried after him, grabbing his arm to get his attention, pulling him off to one side, out of the way. “Edric,” she hissed. He was her only hope. If he would let her come with him…

“What is it, Aiva?” There was concern in his eyes.

Shaking her head, she tried to focus. “Edric, take me with you.”

“What?”

“Please. I have to come.”

“I will do no such thing, Aiva,” he stated in disbelief. “You need to stay here with Mother. Someone has to look out for her while Father and I are gone. Besides, you would get yourself killed.”

“But I know what is going on. I can help get Shaelyn back. If you leave me here, Callum will…” her voice faltered. Edric’s gaze hardened at the mention of Callum’s name, narrowing his eyes at Aiva, irritated.

“Callum will what?” he demanded loudly. Aiva’s back straightened, nervous at the volume he used to speak. The others would hear him. Frantic, she waved her hands at him to be quiet. “No,” he argued. “Tell me, Aiva. Callum will what? Betray us? Is that what you are going to tell me? That he is working with the pirates? Have you not moved beyond that yet?”

“He admitted it, Edric!” she gasped, trying to pull Edric further away from the door to avoid being overheard. “You told me to get Callum’s side of the story, so tonight at the reception I asked him – and he confessed to having been involved with the Esai spy.”

The expression on Edric’s face faltered slightly. He tensed, glancing over to the door before settling his gaze on Aiva once again. “You are unbelievable, Aiva,” he frowned. “I am not going to let you anywhere near Callum until you cease these ridiculous games. You are not going to stop until he is destroyed and beheaded for these fictitious deeds you have concocted in your mind. Use some sense! Learn to be a Queen. Impartial. Just. Right now, if you rule over our people in the judgmental fashion which you look upon
your husband
then we are all doomed.”

In a flurry of motion he moved away from Aiva, leaving her to stare after him. She cursed to herself. Angry with her family for not trusting her. They were walking into a trap and she was the only one who could stop them. The only one who could save Shaelyn. If no one would willingly let her come along, she would have to find some other way, and quickly, before Callum was able to get out of Tanispa again. He would be brought to justice for what he’d done. She would see to that.

.

Chapter Six

Clutching a small bag against her chest, Aiva sat, hugging her knees tightly to her body at the back of a supply wagon. All around her she could hear the shouts of the men in preparation to set off on their journey. She’d traded her wedding gown for a pair of pants stolen from Edric’s room and an oversized doublet. Suitable enough for what she needed. Dresses would be out of the question on a trip like this. She would need the freedom to move when it came to fighting. Right now, her biggest obstacle would be getting away from the palace without anyone learning of her absence.

Outside she heard Callum’s voice, passing orders to his unit. She was surprised by the small number he chose. Aiva had counted only about ten men. Fifteen at most. Among them she recognized Kaemin. The other voices were harder to place. Nameless soldiers who took orders from a traitor.

At the thought, she felt her anger start to rise again. If she ever got her hands on him – but no. It would be a difficult task if she tried to take Callum toe-to-toe. He was a far better fighter than she was. She would have to be more clever to defeat him. More deceptive. Something he wouldn’t expect. And from her hiding place, she would get a better idea of what kind of leader he was. For a man caught in a torrid affair with the enemy, the other soldiers seemed to love him. They respected him. Whatever he told them to do, they did without hesitation.

“The trail shows them to be heading southeast,” Callum’s voice sounded through the fabric over the wagon. “They will try to find water to cover their tracks. The humans operate under the impression that we will lose them that way. We have the advantage of knowing otherwise. In the direction they travel now, the first major river they will cross is the Sovehu between Tanispa and Carpaen. They will need to stop for supplies by the time they reach it, which leaves Kaipoi the most likely city for them to rest. We will start southeasterly on the roads and check their trail again at morning. By then we should have a clearer idea of their intended course.”

“Just be cautious.” She recognized Cadell’s voice. He was nearby, the sound of his words quiet, directed solely to his son. “I know you want to get her back, but don’t push the men too hard. If you wear them out, they will be useless in a battle.”

“I know, Father.”

Callum’s voice was muffled. Leaning forward, she struggled to hear more of what was being said. “We’ll meet up with you in Luquarr,” Cadell stated, the clarity of his words lost once again. Straining, Aiva was able to regain the sound. “The safest port is in Dackdyn. Rally there if the King and I have not yet arrived.”

Despite her fear of the situation, Aiva was excited by the thought of getting out of Tanispa. She was going to see lands to which even her mother had never before traveled. It would be an adventure. And when she came back, everything would be made right again. Shaelyn would be safe and enough evidence would have been collected to revoke the marriage between herself and Callum. Edric would see that she’d been right all along and have no choice but to admit that he was wrong.

Something was being thrown into the wagon. A final load of supplies. She had to crouch to avoid being seen, surprised at the pain caused by the movement. The blow she’d sustained during the earlier attack was more severe than she liked to admit. A concussion was very possible, though the physicians had directed their attention more urgently toward Herryk, as well they should. He had been in rough shape. He deserved proper care for having rescued her from the hands of a pirate. Aiva shuddered to think how the battle would have ended if Herryk hadn’t been there to pull the man away. She could have been killed.

Reality was a difficult thing for her to grasp. Death had never been a threat before. Her parents kept her safely inside the palace, the most freedom she’d ever experienced from their watchful eyes having been during her time at Lady Faustine’s, if the tight hold Faustine kept could be called freedom. This was the first time she’d seen the horrors that existed in the world around them. In the back of her mind she couldn’t rid herself of the image ingrained there of Herryk’s face when he collapsed into her arms, bloody and barely conscious. It was too easy for her to think herself invincible. The frightening truth was that she was extremely vulnerable. She knew nothing of what she was up against. Leaving with Callum’s men would have her in over her head with no way to back out if she changed her mind. Suddenly it didn’t seem like such a good idea after all.

Before she could consider climbing to her feet and out of the wagon, she felt it shift into motion. Stricken with doubt, she straightened her back, searching for a way to get over the crates and to the opening. It wasn’t too late. She could still stop them.

What are you thinking?
She couldn’t get out now. It was possible. There was no concern in her mind that a single shout from her wouldn’t immediately halt their progress and allow her to get off. What stopped her was the thought of Shaelyn. Trapped with those disgusting men. She knew nothing of how to defend herself. They would torture her. Aiva didn’t want to consider all the horrible things that might befall her. And all because of Aiva’s foolishness in running away from Callum.

Resigning herself to the journey, Aiva laid down as best she could amongst the crates, propped up on the uneven edges. If Callum didn’t intend to stop until they reached Kaipoi, it would be a long trip. At least two days. Maybe less if they traveled without pause. From where she was tucked away, there was little else for her to do but wait. Closing her eyes, she blocked out the drone of wheels along the gravel road, smiling to herself in spite of everything. She’d been successful. She was on her way to war. By the time morning came, she would be too far from home for anyone to stop her. And she had no intention of letting anyone turn her around if they tried.

Aiva passed the next two days in a sleep-filled haze. Her stomach growled, hunger pangs shooting through her with a ferocity she’d never experienced before. Food deprivation was something a princess didn’t have to concern herself with. Every miserable second that passed, she regretted not having eaten at the reception. It had been three days since her last meal. She was dehydrated. Starving. Tiny dots of color pulsed in front of her vision. Her arms and legs were weak. By the time she felt the wagon come to a stop, she was convinced it was a dream. Could they really be in Kaipoi? She could only hope.

It took significant effort to lift her head, listening to the sounds beyond the wooden planks. There were other voices chattering, wheels crunching over the gravel, laughter coming from somewhere nearby. They were in a city. Someone outside was giving orders to tie the horses off. Food. They were stopping for food.

Relieved by the notion, she forced herself to sit up. Once the men had left the horses unattended, she would be able to slip out. No one in Kaipoi would recognize her. Especially not while dressed in her brother’s clothes. With enough care, she could even pass for a young man. Less reason for anyone to be suspicious. If a young woman wandered into the streets looking the way she did, it was bound to draw attention.

She passed her hands over the clips in her hair, making sure they were securely in place, pinning the long ebon waves tightly against her head. She positioned a wide front-brimmed hat atop the mass of hair to conceal most of her face from view. She could almost pass for a soldier. Her downfall was the tremble so noticeable throughout every part of her body, nerves mixed with hunger and illness. Clumsy in her motions, she started to climb over the crates, nearly falling from the top of them as she reached the front of the wagon. Peering through the opening of the fabric which enclosed the vehicle, she scanned the area for anyone who might notice her sneaking out from inside. A few stray soldiers remained amongst the horses, their attention diverted to the other side of the street. Seizing the opportunity, she slipped out and leapt to the ground, straightening her doublet to make sure there were no visible wrinkles. It was loose, but that was something she would have to deal with.

Tugging up the tops of her knee-length boots, she took a hesitant step forward. The city looked daunting. She knew nothing about the area, or the people in it, hopeful that their customs might be similar to those of the Vor’shai. Humans were not quite so different from them. It seemed as if it would be simple enough to blend in.

Delicious scents filled the air around her, wafting to her nostrils from a nearby tavern. It was late. From the stories she’d heard of human culture, any fine dining establishments would be closed for the night, leaving the streets in the hands of the drunkards and thieves to roam about. She recognized a man standing outside a well-lit building to be wearing the Tanispan military uniform.
How fitting
, she rolled her eyes. The first place they stopped along the way and it happened to be a tavern. So far it was exactly as she expected. Edric would eat his words when she saw him next. He didn’t know their soldiers as well as he liked to think.

Intent on making her appearance more masculine, she moved across the street with a pronounced strut. Men didn’t move with the same fluidity as women. She would never pass for a man if she glided along the ground with all the grace forced upon her while growing up. If only Faustine could see her now! Her heart would burst in shame and vexation. Aiva chuckled quietly at the thought.

Pushing open the tavern door, Aiva couldn’t mask her initial surprise at what she saw there. It was a mess. Dirty. Tobacco smoke hung thick on the air, choking her with the smell. Near the back she caught sight of Callum seated at a booth, surrounded by his men. Overcome with curiosity, she strode forward, slipping into a booth not far away, head angled down to avoid anyone seeing her eyes. Kaemin or Callum would see through her disguise instantly. Any of the others she might be able to fool.

“You have to let us buy you at least one drink,” a man laughed, patting Callum jovially on the back. “You are a married man now!”

“Yes, which is exactly why I should not be here.” Callum looked dejected. Annoyed by the banter being passed along the table among the men.

“He’s just in a foul mood because the wedding night was interrupted.”

“Captain, they didn’t at least give you a few minutes with the bride?”

“You need more than a few minutes with a woman like that!”

Aiva looked away, disgusted. They were talking about her! Those filthy, no good, rotten scoundrels. She was their Princess! Not an object for them to think of in their perverted fantasies. Callum remained silent through most of the uncouth comments before finally breaking in, his tone firm. “That is my wife you are speaking of. And your Princess. Have a bit more respect – and maybe some class. We are soldiers. Not bandits.”

She was happy to hear him stand up for her honor, though it came as a surprise to hear him speak in her defense. After everything she’d said and done, it seemed fitting for him to allow their vulgar conversation to continue. He had no reason to do otherwise. Besides, he was a man, and a military man at that. She expected him to have as many things to say about her as the others, or worse.

A human waitress came by the table, smiling down at Aiva. Her red hair was cropped short, the neck of her blouse open, revealing. Scandalous to Aiva’s eyes. “You look like you could use a drink.” Aiva blushed, embarrassed for the woman. She wanted to put some clothes on her. To cover her from the eyes of the men seated around the room.

“I – ” she paused.
Damn
. Running her hands along the pockets of her pants, she realized she had no coins. In her haste to leave the palace in Escovul, she’d neglected to bring any money. She’d never had need of it before. Her parents had always seen to anything she’d ever wanted which required purchase. She wasn’t sure Tanispan currency would even be accepted in Carpaen. “Maybe later,” she sighed, dismissing the waitress with a sharp wave of her hand, ignoring the disdainful scoff she received in return.

This was a nightmare. She was trapped on a journey with a group of military dogs who called themselves soldiers. No food, no money. How could things possibly get any worse?

Out of the corner of her eye she could see someone standing up from the table where she’d found the men. Horrified at the possibility of being discovered, she ducked her head down, recognizing the figure moving past her table to be Callum. When he passed, she let her eyes follow. Curious. He looked sad. Lost. There was no sign of enjoyment in his expression the way she could see on the other men, laughing and joking, their lewd remarks sparking flirtatious laughter from the barmaids. In a way she felt sorry for him. He appeared absolutely wretched.

Sympathy or not, she couldn’t go to him or do anything to comfort the troubled thoughts in his mind. He couldn’t know she was there. That – and she hated him. His depression was likely caused by his guilt. Shamed by the fact that he’d been discovered.
Let him suffer. He deserves so much worse.

As long as he was away from the others, he was a danger to Aiva’s ruse. There was no one there to distract him from looking around the room and seeing her. Rising from her seat, she began to inch toward the door.