The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (27 page)

“I find no humor in it at all, really.”

“Then why do you laugh?” she scoffed. “Do you think Faustine would dare interfere with correspondence directed to a member of the royal family? The thought alone is preposterous. My mother would have made sure I received word from you, had you actually written.”

“Believe what you will, Aiva. There is nothing I can do to change your mind. At least it eases my own, to a degree. I will look into it more when we return to Tanispa. Not that it will matter then,” the smile on his face faded, replaced by an expression of absolute misery. “It may be too late, but I would feel better knowing that you could at least read the words I wrote. To know that I was thinking about you.”

“I am not a fool,” Aiva stated calmly, stepping away from Callum to return the supplies to the horses. She wasn’t going to let his pathetic excuses sway her anger. There were no letters; therefore she had no reason to feel sympathy for him. Though she couldn’t deny his acting was rather impressive. Had she not known better, she might have believed him to truly be suffering. “You should wake the others,” she announced, anxious to change the subject. The effort it took to bear Callum’s company was becoming tiresome. Without a second glance, she turned away, moving toward the wagon with determined strides. She was done with him for now. There would be time for her to endure more of his lies once they had Shaelyn safely back in Tanispa.

Overhead the sun burned brightly. The closer they came to Palinon, the less life existed in the landscape, preventing Gadiel from utilizing the energy to successfully uncover a steady track. They continued blindly, assuming the enemy to be heading toward the southern desert; hoping it was the right course, though it mattered little. Callum knew they would have to reach Luquarr one way or another. The only option for their troops to get there was through Palinon where Edric would be waiting.

Paused on the road, Aiva watched while Callum and Gadiel looked over their map, occasionally gesturing in a direction before returning to their conversation. Their words were difficult to make out yet from what she could hear, it sounded as if the Palinoen border was getting close. If they kept up their current speed, they would be there before nightfall.

“I shouldn’t admit this, but I’m a little nervous about crossing into that territory,” Kaemin stated, coming to stand near the horses where Aiva had positioned herself. Grateful for his company, she cast a slight smile in his direction, nodding in agreement.

“From what I gather, we will not be able to travel during the evening hours once we pass into the Palinoen desert. That will set us back.”

“Not as much as chancing the dark would,” he chuckled, the sound strained in his attempts to remain lighthearted. “The Feh Noq are nocturnal. If we keep to the roads by day and lay low at night, we might be able to pass through their country without notice.”

Curious at the thought of seeing the desert creatures, Aiva shifted her gaze away from Callum and Gadiel, focusing her attention on Kaemin. “Have you any idea what they will look like? Do you think they are anywhere near as dangerous as people claim?”

“Very much so,” Kaemin nodded. “Where appearances are concerned, I really don’t know what to expect. But I have heard enough about their culture to know they are not a people to be trifled with. I have even heard stories of travelers being kidnapped and sacrificed to their strange deity.”

Through her peripheral vision, Aiva noticed Callum motioning them forward again, pressing onward into the desert. Falling into step beside Kaemin, Aiva folded her arms across her chest, staring ahead into the distance. “With my luck, it would be me who got us all taken hostage by them. I have a tendency to screw things up for everyone else.”

Kaemin frowned to hear the dejection in her tone. “Are you still beating yourself up over the bridge incident yesterday?”

“I’m beating myself up over a lot of things, but yes – the bridge does continue to be at the forefront of my mind,” she sighed. “Kaemin, I nearly got Callum killed. I almost got
myself
killed. I know I have been less than pleased with Callum of late, but I don’t want to see him injured… Or dead.”

“It was a pretty heroic rescue on his part, though.” He started to laugh, the humor fading almost as quickly as it had come. It was difficult to find comedy in something so frightening. “The man is incredible. Most of us can only hope to be anything like him some day. It’s why we all expect he’ll be granted the position of General when his father chooses to retire. No one would think it special treatment. He has proven himself well-deserving of the prestige.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better about nearly causing his death.”

“Right – I meant to say something about that,” Kaemin quietly chuckled to himself. “If it makes you feel any better, no one blames you for it. We all know how important Shae is to you. To all of us. You, however, have more of an attachment. Attachments make us more emotional and on the battlefield, emotions tend to cause mistakes. Lapses in strategic thought. It’s part of the reason why everyone was concerned about you being here with the Captain. To his credit, he hasn’t shown much distraction. I don’t know how he does it. If Calie were here, I would be an absolute wreck. He must have a lot of faith in you to handle yourself.”

Aiva smiled in spite of herself to picture Calie in the desert. It was a funny thought. Any of the girls in Tanispa would be completely out of place there. Much the same as Aiva felt herself. “Calie would hate it here,” she chortled. “Can you just see it? All the sand and sweat. I can hardly stand it. What I wouldn’t give for a warm bath and a nice clean dress.”

“The pants fit you well,” he grinned. “Can’t say I have ever seen you in such attire before.”

“Nor will you ever see me in it again once this is over. Something tells me my current fashion would do little in catching me a new husband. Not very lady-like,” she let her words trail off, casting her gaze down to the ground. It was uncomfortable to talk about seeking the affection of a man when Callum was so close to her. She prayed silently that he hadn’t overheard the comment. “That is irrelevant,” she added distractedly. “I never thought I would say it, but I think I miss the stiff corsets and frilly skirts.”

With every step forward they took, Aiva became increasingly aware of Gadiel and Callum slowing their pace until they were almost in line with her and Kaemin. The two men looked somewhat uneasy, though managing to smile through the uncertainty.

“Well, there it is,” Gadiel motioned to the land in front of them. “Are you both ready to cross into the great unknown?”

Kaemin glanced over to Gadiel, the surprise clearly noticeable on his features. “We are nearly to Palinon? I suspected us to be close, but not quite so.”

“We have made impeccable time. My only concern lies in what we will find once we pass over the border,” Callum nodded. “In all my father’s years of service, he has been to many different lands, but never has he set foot on Palinoen soil. I’m not sure how I should feel about seeing it myself.”

“You could be afraid; like the rest of us,” Kaemin simpered.

Callum chuckled, shaking his head in disagreement. “I am not allowed to be afraid. It’s in the contract once becoming Captain.”

“And what of the Princess?” Gadiel smirked. “Is she afraid of the desert?”

“Our Princess is fearless. She will tear the Feh Noq to pieces if they cross our path,” Callum replied, not giving Aiva a chance to speak. “Those which she cannot take down physically, she will verbally abuse into submission. We could then claim their land as our own.”

“You are a prince now, you know,” Gadiel nodded to Callum. “The two of you could rule the south while the King and Queen maintain the north. Just think. Your own kingdom of sand.”

Callum’s expression fell. “I am no prince. Someone else will have to rule over this forsaken landscape.”

“Perhaps we could choose a different topic,” Aiva cut in, no longer comfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. She hated knowing that others were aware of their personal issues, though she knew it was her own fault. It had been her mouth which provided the information to their friends. “You were asking my opinion of the desert,” she forced a smile, her attention directed toward Gadiel. “I cannot say I am afraid of it. Curious, perhaps. Maybe a bit uneasy. But that could simply be the heat.”

“Yes, the heat is atrocious,” Kaemin laughed uneasily. “It is ruining my complexion. Poor Calie will not recognize me when I return to Tanispa.”

“A little color is not so bad. I am rather enjoying mine,” Aiva held out her hands, admiring the unusually rich bronze tone of her skin. “If only my outfit was more accommodating for such. Right now I imagine I have the most unattractive tan lines.”

Snickering to himself, Gadiel started to speak, pausing to move teasingly out of Callum’s reach before letting his words form. “If you would like to even them out, I do not think the men would be opposed to you wearing fewer garments.”

“That is tempting,” she nodded in false agreement, continuing with the joke, her expression straight, lacking indication of the humor hidden within her words. “It would be a bit distracting, don’t you think? After all, I am the only female the troops have seen in over a week now.”

“Other than the barmaids in Carpaen. In comparison, you are the only real woman they have seen in days. It might be too much for them,” Kaemin chortled.

“Now I think it is my turn to request a change in subject,” Callum frowned. “All personal reasons aside, it doesn’t seem appropriate for us to discuss our Princess flaunting her body around a bunch of soldiers.”

“Come now, Captain,” Gadiel gave a sympathetic pat on Callum’s back. “It’s all in good fun. And you know if she were to do so, you would enjoy the view with the rest of us.”

Amused by the thought, Aiva glanced over to Callum, her eyes meeting his in an awkward stare. Through the sun-darkened surface of his skin, she thought she saw his cheeks brighten to a reddened hue before he looked away, avoiding her gaze. “It might be best if I not confirm or deny that assumption,” he mumbled.

Behind them, a sudden commotion caught their attention, a loud whinny echoing through the area from the horses. Prepared for the worst, the four drew their weapons, alert, scanning the landscape for what might have caused the animals to react in such a way. “I don’t see anything, Captain,” Gadiel stated, his guard lowered, yet still tensed. Ready to attack if anything approached.

“Keep an eye out,” Callum directed sternly. “Watch the sand as well. Some of the most dangerous creatures in the desert are also the smallest.”

Cautiously, Aiva stepped around to the other side of the wagon. Grip tightened on her sword, she froze to find herself staring into a pair of glowing yellow eyes a few feet in the distance. “What about medium-sized creatures on all fours with very sharp teeth?” she exhaled, slowly stepping back toward the safety of the wagon. The animal moved with her. Slow. Calculating. It appeared to be a large cat of some kind, though the face was flat, widening at the nose. The jaw was squared, lips curled into a menacing snarl, looking almost like a grin, teeth barred, threatening. A show to intimidate its prey.

Upon noticing the creature, Kaemin pulled Aiva backward, directing the others to its location. “I think Aiva found the culprit.”

“What is that thing?” she breathed in disbelief. It was unlike any animal she’d seen within the borders of Tanispa. Hissing loudly, it began to circle the group. Each step brought it closer, sizing them up. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce.

“The humans call it a calynx, though I’ve never seen one with my own eyes before,” Gadiel replied, his voice quiet. Not wanting to startle the creature into attacking prematurely.

Callum took a half-step backward, slowly holding his hand out to one of the men near the wagon. “Maran,” he stated calmly. “Retrieve my bow. I will take it down from range.”

Doing as instructed, the soldier turned to the horses, grabbing the longbow Callum indicated. No one dared take their eyes off the animal, anxiously awaiting the bow to be in Callum’s possession. Through the stillness of everyone’s held breath, an unexpected twang sounded from beside the wagon. Instantly, the calynx was in motion, its muscular hind legs carrying it forward with incredible speed. Aiva cried out in surprise at the sudden charge, not registering right away what had sparked the attack until she saw the creature leap at one of the men, a bow falling from his hands to the sand below.

Without hesitation Callum burst into action. The calynx had the man pinned to the ground, snarling wildly. At Callum’s approach it lifted onto its hind legs, lashing outward with its claws, narrowly missing Callum’s hands.

“Captain, be careful!” Gadiel shouted, rushing to Callum’s side, sword raised defensively. Callum was already striking at the animal, unable to land a blow through its powerful legs, deflecting every thrust of his blade.

Aiva watched the scene in utter horror. Blood was visible on the creature’s teeth, though she couldn’t tell whose it was. The soldier remained underneath the calynx while Gadiel and Callum valiantly fought to get it away, the massive paws striking at them with incredible strength. Fearfully she backed away. In her mind it was easy to consider herself a skilled fighter, but when faced with the frightening possibility of being struck by a creature like this, she found herself doubting her own ability. There was a substantial difference between fighting the calynx and the simplicity of training with a wooden sword. The calynx was without doubt deadly. And she wasn’t prepared to come so close to death a second time.