Chapter 32

Wyl worried at not fending Elspyth. By nightfall his anxiety had tripled yet he dare not risk a fire, which might attract Cailech’s scouts or worse, a curious zerkon. He hoped Elspyth would have the same sense. He decided to find shelter before darkness closed in completely. One blessing was that he was already in the lower levels of the Razors so the air was far milder and breathing was normal again.

His fighter’s hearing and instincts combined to sense danger before he saw it. The noise came from behind and his sword was out of its scabbard and pointing at Elspyth’s throat in a blink.

“Shar’s Wrath. You’ve cut me.” she complained, although the wild look in her eyes suggested she had intended far worse for him with the thick branch she was carrying. “I thought you were one of the scouts. Thank the stars you’re safe.”

He slid the sword back. “Let me see how bad it is.”

“It’s fine, really,” she said and he could see it would stop bleeding very quickly. She looked as weary as he felt. “Where’s Lothryn—is he coming?”

This would not be easy. “No.”

Elspyth dropped the branch and balled her fists instinctively. “Dead?” she asked, her face without any expression.

He shook his head.

Now she just looked beaten. “He made you leave, didn’t he. like he made me run?”

“Lothryn is too brave for his own good. We had a chance at escape but he wouldn’t agree to my killing any of his people. He chose to face Cailech.”

Her shoulders slumped and she sat on the leafy ground amid the small grove of trees they found themselves in. She wept quietly, her wound already forgotten.

Wyl knelt and put his arms around her. “I know you were fond of each other.”

“Cailech will execute him.” she muttered through her tears.

“I don’t believe so, Elspyth. I can’t promise you that but as I sense with Gueryn. I think Lothryn might be more useful to the King alive…if he can get past his rage, that is.”

“He will hurt him. though.” she muttered.

“Perhaps, but he is strong. He will survive. I know it.”

She wiped her face, trying to gather herself. “So we just leave?” she said flatly.

“For now.” he offered as gently as he could. “But I give you my oath. I am coming back for them.”

She turned to him now, her wet eyes searching his for any sign of guile. “Swear it!”

“I do swear, on everything I consider precious to me. I will return, I promise.”

“With other men. you mean?”

“With a plan and when I am equipped to deal with Cailech.”

“And so what happens between now and then?”

Wyl had not thought beyond escape. Now that freedom seemed very real for them he considered his options. Elspyth waited while he thought, digging in her pack absently to fill the silence. It was Lothryn’s pack. She had mistakenly grabbed it in her flight. In it Elspyth found a little food. She was no longer hungry. She offered it to Wyl.

He had no appetite either but obliged, chewing as he spoke, tasting nothing but knowing his body needed it. “All right. This is my plan for us now. As soon as we enter Morgravia we split up. You must not go home, Elspyth. It’s too dangerous right now. They know where your cottage is—”

“But my aunt.” she protested.

“They have no quarrel with her. If she is dead…” He saw how the words cut her. “Forgive me but it must be said. She may be dead. And if not. she is safe. You are not.”

“So where do I go?”

“Travel to a place called Rittylworth.”

She nodded. “I’ve heard of it. There’s a monastery there, is that right?”

“Yes. Good. That’s where you need to go. Brother Jakub will help you. But you mustn’t linger. Promise me.”

“I promise.” she said, confused. “So then what?”

“My sister. Ylena Thirsk, is at the monastery. You must take her with you. Tell her and Jakub that Romen Koreldy insists. Mention nothing of Wyl Thirsk. Do you understand what I say?”

She bristled. “You’re speaking our language so of course I do.”

“Apologies. I am worried for Ylena as much as I am for you. Travel northeast. Under no circumstances allow her to return to the Thirsk family home in Argorn. You need to get to Felrawthy. I will tell you what to say to the Duke when you get there. It is important you give him some information—I’ll write it all down in a letter for him. He will offer the protection you both require for different reasons.”

“I’m confused.”

“Just trust me.”

“And where are you headed, may I ask?”

“Into Briavel. I made a promise to its Queen that I must fulfill.”

She crossed her arms and eyed him suspiciously. But he was offering no further information.

“I need you to keep my secret. Elspyth. No one is to know that Romen Koreldy is really Wyl Thirsk. especially Ylena. No one will accept or even try to understand—the fact that you do is some sort of miracle. You will be safe and anonymous at Felrawthy so long as you keep our secret. I will send word as soon as I can and I will not break my oath to you. I need you to be patient.”

It was toward dusk of the next day that they found themselves at Straplyn. The path, as Lothryn had said, was little more than a deer track, which by Wyl’s estimation cunningly entered Morgravia in the northwest. Energized by their success at getting this far, neither felt tired enough to sleep and agreed to press on through the night until they could establish exactly where in Morgravia they were. It was a clear moonlit evening and very mild in comparison to the chill of the Mountains.

“It even smells like home.” Elspyth commented absently.

“Will you be all right?” Wyl finally asked the question.

“Yes, you’re not to worry about me. I have been alone, save for my aunt, most of my life. Lothryn and I never did get the chance to speak of how we felt but we felt it all the same. If Shar decrees we be together, we will be.”

“You’re wonderful, Elspyth, do you know that?”

She stole a glance and grinned, obviously flattered by his words.

“No, truly,” he said. “You’re courageous and honest, you’re resilient and loyal. You and Lothryn share many qualities and you deserve each other.” He reached out to take her hand as they walked. “I won’t let you down. If he lives, I’ll get him back for you.”

Elspyth squeezed his hand, finding his touch comforting and filled with friendship.

“And you’re very handsome, Romen Koreldy, but I prefer the man inside… Wyl Thirsk.”

It was Wyl’s turn to be evasive. “Romen helps me be all that I can’t, though,” he admitted.

“I’d like to have met Wyl, the man. I saw you fight at the tourney. You are a magnificent swordsman.”

“I was a bit short, though, eh?” he said, as ever unable to handle a compliment from a woman as Romen might.

She laughed. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. They say there’s someone out there for each of us.” she said. “After all, look at Lothryn and myself What an odd match we are—him so huge and me so tiny.”

“I believe in love at first sight.”

“Is there anyone you love, Wyl?”

“Yes.” He could not help being honest. Now that he was free, getting back to Valentyna meant everything to him. “But she is untouchable. Way above my station. An impossible relationship…and probably one that exists only in my mind. Doomed to be an unrequited love.” Wyl finished with a dramatic flourish of his hand, hoping to turn his comments into something more lighthearted.

“Ah, the Queen,” Elspyth said intuitively.

He looked at her. shocked to admit she had learned his other secret.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” she said, tapping her nose. “A woman can guess these things. Does she know?”

It was a loaded question. He shook his head gloomily. “No and no. She knew me as Wyl and thinks he is dead but she has never met Romen Koreldy.”

“Wyl…may I call you that?”

“Of course.” It was refreshing to hear his own name spoken.

“Can I suggest you take a look in a mirror sometime? At the risk of understatement, the body you live in is very pleasing on the eye. You have no idea right now how she may view you.”

“I don’t know about that but what I do sense is that she is in terrible danger. I must get back to Briavel.”

“I understand your motives better now. Thank you for telling me.” She pointed to a milestone ahead. “There. Wyl! Now we can see where we are.”

“Sharp eyes.” he commented and they hurried to the small stone pillar. “D four miles.” he read out. “Where’s D, would you know?”

“Has to be Deakyn, which means we’re about twenty miles from Yentro.”

“And several days from Rittylworth for you. Can we get horses at Deakyn?”

“Yes, I should think so. It’s only a village but it’s on a main road which feeds south. It has an inn called the Penny Whistle and I imagine horses should not be a problem.”

“Our problem, of course, is paying for them. They took my purse when Cailech had us imprisoned. Damn!”

“But they didn’t take mine.” she said, reaching beneath her skirts.

Wyl could not help but hug her. It was good for them both to hear each other laugh.

“Right, I’m happy to keep going,” he said and saw her nod.

“You can spend the time telling me all about Wyl and how he turned into Romen. I must know the whole story…in detail this time.”

They had hidden their cloaks to rid themselves of all links with the Mountain People. The travelers standing before the innkeeper were dusty and disheveled but thankfully the man did not so much as bat his sleepy lids when they arrived at the Penny Whistle in the early hours of the next day. It was still dark outside and he was too burdened with yawns to be even mildly curious. They had coin to pay and that was enough. Wyl and Elspyth shared a room to avoid drawing attention to themselves, and there they slept.

After cleaning and tidying themselves later in the day. they enjoyed a hearty midday meal, having missed breakfast. Elspyth then spent all her money on a horse for Wyl’s long journey.

“Thank you for this.” he said, after she turned from paying the stableman. “Ylena has money. Use it. Remember what I said about how fragile she is—she may not be ready to care properly for herself anyway and your companionship will be a blessing.”

Elspyth had slept only lightly. Wyl’s story had left her mind reeling with possibilities and no little terror. Ylena’s story touched her heart. She wanted to believe that Lothryn would survive his ordeal but to hear of Ylena’s husband so brutally murdered made her shudder.

“Now, have you got that letter for the Duke?”

She tapped her skirt pocket. “I could hardly forget it, having watched you labor over it this morning.”

Wyl grinned. “I’m better with the sword.”

“Are you leaving now, then?” she asked. She did not mean for it to sound so sad.

He nodded. “I must.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you!” Elspyth suddenly said, reddening at her oversight. “I overheard some travelers in the inn this morning. They were from Pearlis. Apparently the King is preparing to make a state visit to Briavel.”

Wyl looked aghast. “When?” he asked, grabbing her tiny shoulders.

“I don’t know. I got the impression it was imminent, if not already happening. They seemed excited, talking up a possible union between the realms and peace at last.”

“I have to go,” he said, his mind racing. “Do your best to travel with people. If you get the opportunity just link up with others headed south. A woman traveling alone is vulnerable.”

“Wyl, I’ll be all right. Just send word as you promised. I have no money to give you for your journey.”

“I’ll be fine,” he said, his thoughts already in Briavel. He leaned down and kissed her and was delighted when she suddenly hugged him fiercely.

“Be safe, Wyl.”

“You keep yourself and Ylena out of trouble. Just get to Felrawthy. I’ll meet you there.”

She nodded and let him go, mustering a brave smile as she waved.