28
Atonement
They were seated on rugs on the floor of a vast cave. It had a similar feel to the Great Hall in the palace at Tal, Alyssa commented. Lyam smiled. He was still trying to work out the relationship between the man called Torkyn Gynt and the former queen of Tallinor. They seemed so close —their eyes spoke droves to one another. It was all very confusing and indeed shocking to think so much had happened in their home and yet time had passed so slowly and uneventfully here.
‘I have never seen the Great Hall of Tal, your highness, but this is certainly where our community gathers. I imagine matters of State are not much different.’
The two dozen or so people who had assembled laughed politely, hoping they did not offend this woman who claimed royalty.
Alyssa nodded a bow and smiled softly. ‘True, indeed. And to let you in on a small secret, King Lorys never did like holding court in the Great Hall. He always said his best meetings were over a glass of wine in his chambers and his best decisions were made on the back of a horse.’
Now they laughed heartily, all strains of politeness gone. Tor privately marvelled at her ease amongst people, especially strangers. How quickly she had won them over and put their fears and concerns aside.
His thoughts were disturbed by a woman who bent down before him with a tray. ‘Will you share some food?’ she asked kindly. ‘You must all be tired after your journey.’
‘Marya!’ Tor cried, attracting instant attention from all.
The woman looked stunned. ‘Do we know each other?’
Tor shook his head with a combination of dismay and pleasure. ‘Not exactly. You are from Twyfford Cross originally?’
She nodded, confused. ‘That’s right.’
‘And you have several sisters.’
Her eyes became misty. ‘Yes. I have not seen them in many years, of course. But tell me how you can know this.’
He had everyone’s attention and regretted his outburst now. ‘I was at your bridling, Marya,’ he said softly.
She looked as though he had slapped her. He watched her fingers tremble and reached to take the tray as she sat down heavily in front of him.
‘I have tried not to think on it for a long time. This is my life now. And yet your mentioning it brings it all back so vividly.’ She began to weep.
Tor turned to Alyssa for help. Without another word said, Alyssa moved from where she sat and was at the woman’s side. Everyone felt suddenly very uncomfortable at hearing Marya’s soft sobs and Tor began to make gentle apologies. No one seemed to feel resentment, though the sadness in the cave was palpable as everyone began to recall their own fate at the hands of Goth and his cruel men.
Lyam shrugged at Tor’s apology. ‘It happens. A memory…some small reminder. We are scarred in so many different ways beyond the physical. My face—it is nothing to what else I lost. I was forced away from a young wife and three little ones. I have made myself forget them. I have not mentioned them in years until this moment,’ he said, great sadness in his voice. ‘I lost so much over so little. My powers are so weak as to be laughable but not to that cursed wretch, Goth. He found me and punished me.’
Tor shifted uncomfortably. He still needed to make amends. ‘Marya. It was I who made you unconscious. I could not bear him to hurt you or your family a moment longer. I cast aside your magic because it was not strong enough to hurt them but I knew it would bring terrible hurt to your family.’
She looked up from Alyssa’s arms. ‘You?’ She strained to remember him, searching his face. ‘The scribe?’ she suddenly said.
He nodded. ‘I wanted you to live. I hoped you would. The village folk, after…’ He cleared his throat. ‘After they had put you in the cart, the village folk all came up and touched you—each one— to assure you that they would take care of your mother and sisters.’
She nodded. ‘Thank you for telling me this. They should all be safe then.’
So little had he brought her, he thought. ‘Marya, we can go back. You can go back, now. You have nothing to fear any more.’
‘How can you say this!’ Lyam asked, clearly shocked. ‘We live in constant fear of the inquisitors.’
Alyssa stepped into the conversation, pouring her calm about her and soothing with her voice.
‘Lyam, Marya…all of you, listen to me now.’
She stood in the centre of the circle in which they sat. ‘Torkyn Gynt speaks the truth. King Lorys disbanded the inquisitors.’ She paused, knowing this would provoke a strong reaction and she was right. People were leaping to their feet and calling out questions. ‘Hear me out, good people, please. We have very good reason for being here, which Tor will explain, but I want you to know that by royal decree no inquisitor roams the Kingdom of Tallinor. Sentients are free to live their lives without punishment for their talents.’
She watched their expressions change from dismay to surprise. ‘Yes, talents. Lorys married a sentient and came to learn that we are not to be feared. That we are not rampaging sorcerers bent on taking over the world or destroying its people. For most of us our skills have been a burden but Lorys came to understand that these same skills could be put to good use for Tallinor. I give you my solemn word as your former queen and now as the King’s Mother, that he has officially pardoned all sentients and I have his authority to grant you your freedom.’
There was uproar in the cave. Shock, despair, elation all mixed into one loud rage of voices. She let it peter out until all eyes looked at her expectantly.
‘There are no guards outside this valley. We can lead you to freedom from here—if that’s what you wish. Perhaps some people in your community have been born here and grow happily here. They may not choose to leave but for those of you with families or a desire to return home, well…we will help you to find your way back.’
Tor could see that Alyssa was close to breaking down now. She was fulfilling Lorys’s final wish for her—that she find her people and free them.
Lyam was shaking his head in disbelief. ‘No guards? For how long?’
Alyssa shrugged. ‘I don’t know. But the inquisitors have been stamped out for several years…since their chief, Almyd Goth,’ her voice had hardened now just saying his name, ‘was captured and put on trial for his sins.’ She did not detail those sins.
This brought a fresh wave of cries and alarm.
She implored them to hear her out and when she had quiet again, she continued. ‘Goth was found guilty and sentenced to death by burning, but he escaped with a cunning companion and has been on the run from the Crown ever since.’
‘Had you never thought to escape?’ Saxon asked, in some wonderment that people could accept imprisonment so readily.
‘What was the point in fighting back? We are just peasants most of us—ordinary people. And anyway, they would persecute our loved ones if we did. We remained humble to save our families’ lives, not ours,’ Marya answered.
Lyam interjected now. ‘We were brought here and left alone. We assumed there were guards somewhere. But to tell you the truth, finding our way out seemed impossible. Several of our people tried and we presumed either got lost or died at the hands of guards. We could not risk any more of us. And our lives here haven’t been so bad. They’ve left us to ourselves and we’ve built some semblance of normality here which is more than tolerable. It is a good life. Safe from persecution. We were not to know the persecutors were no longer out there to hunt us down otherwise perhaps more of us would have tried to leave.’ He shrugged and others murmured their agreement.
Alyssa held her hand up for quiet. ‘The King’s final private message, which I’m told he sent on the night he died, was for me to find my own people. I did not understand his communication at first but now I know he meant all of you…the sentient ones. He wanted me to ensure your freedom.’ She stumbled slightly on her next words but composed herself quickly. ‘Lorys sought your forgiveness. He regretted deeply that his reign was tainted with your persecution.’
A strained silence filled the cave at these last words. Forgiveness. Could it ever be given, Tor wondered?
It was Lyam’s turn to clear his throat. He glanced around at the eyes which watched him closely. He hoped he spoke for all of them when he turned and addressed the former queen. ‘Your majesty. I’m not sure we can ever recover from the pain and loss, the humiliation and despair which we have suffered. But none of us, I’m sure, have lost our ability…no, our desire to look for the good in people. Lorys is dead you tell us and his son sits on the throne now. Hopefully he is a good man…a more tolerant man than his father; perhaps even more broad-minded and prepared to accept that as sentients we are just as loyal to our Crown as the non-empowered.’ He saw Alyssa nod, desperate for them all to accept her words as true. ‘We gain nothing by matching hate with hate. As a people we can only grow and go forwards by tolerance and acceptance of all walks of life.’ He cast a final quick glance around the cave to ensure he was reading the mood correctly and that he was expressing the sentiments of all the people gathered.
‘We accept your gracious apology. We may not necessarily bestow our forgiveness but, your majesty, we do gladly take our freedom and acknowledge your claim that we have our own place in Tallinese society.’
People began to clap. The applause resounded throughout the cavernous space and Tor stood to put his arms around Alyssa and Marya, both of whom were hugging each other. Saxon, Themesius and Figgis joined in the cheering. Gidyon stood a little apart, perhaps still in awe of his mother’s commanding presence.
Tor cast to him. She may be ailing and fragile but she’s amazing don’t you think?
Gidyon grinned back. Light! I feel proud to call myself her son.
When the celebrations finally died down, Lyam asked the question that was on everyone’s lips and Tor had hoped they would ask.
‘So what became of the hated Goth? Is he still roaming our Land?’
It was Tor’s turn to take the floor. ‘That is a tale in itself,’ he said, suggesting they all be seated again. ‘It’s why we have come here today.’
‘You have news on his whereabouts?’ someone asked.
‘I have more than news,’ he replied, gravely. ‘I have brought him to you.’
He expected an eruption of voices but was surprised to be greeted by a frigid silence.
‘Here?’ Lyam asked. ‘In the valley?’
Tor nodded. He was about to say more when Lyam suddenly stood.
‘The man at the post!’ he cried. ‘That’s Goth! You jest, surely?’
‘He does not,’ Alyssa said, calmly. ‘That is the man who destroyed your lives. We have tracked him down and brought him to you for justice.’
The silence became even heavier now. Their tormentor was at their mercy. How many times had they concocted a fantasy of how they would deal with him should they ever be this lucky?
‘Almyd Goth awaits your justice, Lyam. Yours and your people’s. He has been sentenced to death several times over and the victims of his lust for killing are no longer restricted to those who possess minuscule amounts of magical power. He now enjoys killing innocents and most recently killed a friend of mine—a young woman —in a manner so barbaric I will spare you the listening.
‘Since hearing that news, I have allowed him to live only this long in order that the sentients he showed nothing but heartless cruelty towards will decide his manner of execution.’
Alyssa could sense their terror and reluctance to take much joy in this news. ‘We realise this must be a shock for everyone here. Perhaps you would like some time to think on this matter, in private?’
Lyam nodded, as did most of the gathered.
Marya stepped forward. ‘I would gladly kill him myself if someone would hand me a blade and give me the permission. I would have no qualms.’
Alyssa took her hand. ‘I feel the same. He has done me many inhumane injustices which I prefer not to speak of now. All I will say is that Goth cannot live. His King demanded his death. He must die.’
‘And what of our King…was he not tainted with our blood as well? Was he not as guilty as Goth?’
Alyssa felt as though a blade had been plunged into her own heart to hear the accusation that she herself had felt over and again at the palace before she had got to know Lorys and all the goodness in him.
She paused, not only to gather herself but to make sure she chose the right words. She took a deep, steadying breath.
‘Lorys died alone…during a terrible storm, the likes of which I have not seen in years. He was trying to get home to me.’ She tried to smile at them but failed. ‘He had been attacked that day by a flock of ravens.’ Many in the crowd made a warding gesture. ‘Lorys knew he was a marked man. Shrouded by death, I believe he knew it stalked him for his own sin of permitting this terrible sentence to be visited upon people of his realm. His death was tragic but swift. A hand of lightning struck through his body towards the land, pointing one of its fingers directly at him as though in accusation. I saw his corpse—wept many hours over it. The lightning bolt hit his heart, blackening and shrivelling his skin on its journey towards the earth. He paid for his sins.’
‘The gods,’ someone murmured.
She nodded. ‘Yes, indeed. The gods punished my husband for his sins of which I can truly say, he had only two. One was to love me when I did not belong to him. The other was ignorance as far as sentients were concerned; to look aside from Goth’s evil doing. The gods punished him in their way and now you must punish Goth in yours. We will leave you to your deliberations.’
And with that, Alyssa, former queen of Tallinor, bent graciously to her audience and then stepped regally from the cave with Tor and their retinue following closely behind.
They had eaten quietly in a separate cave much smaller than the one they had all gathered in. It was Marya’s home which she shared with two other women, both part of the group who were making decisions on Goth’s fate. It impressed all of them that the three women had managed to make a cave comfortable—hand-woven rugs and handcrafted furniture gave it a cosy feel whilst a woven length of fabric, pulled back during the day, provided privacy and shelter from the night’s cold. Marya had brought them food and left.
The others had finished their meal and had decided to explore the valley with Cloot as a guide. Tor appreciated the time this gave him with Alyssa.
‘You were marvellous,’ he said.
She looked embarrassed. ‘Was I?’
‘Every bit a queen.’ He took her hand and kissed it.
‘I’m not sure I can honestly say I’ve ever felt like one. I’ve always believed I was some sort of pretender.’ She shook her head. ‘I still do.’
‘No, Alyssa. If Lorys was alive I think Tallinor would now be seeing its finest ever times. Nyria…’ he thought carefully first before saying, ‘well, she deferred to Lorys. They came from similar backgrounds and, as much as she had a conscience and loved her people, she was still a privileged soul who could never really appreciate how devastating the inquisitors were to those same people. She hated Goth for sure, but for other reasons. But you brought to Lorys’s reign his true conscience. You are sentient. You are from that same group who had suffered at the hands of Goth and the power he wrought. No.’
He shook his head. ‘Far from pretender, my love. Your were Tallinor’s best queen, albeit short-lived. You would have made important changes…and you still can, through your son.’
She leaned over and kissed him very briefly and then she sighed. ‘I don’t think I shall see him again.’
She tried to smile but her eyes carried such a depth of grief that Tor felt a flash of alarm.
‘What could you mean by that?’ he asked.
She moved to sit within the circle of his arms. ‘I don’t understand it either. It’s a vague but very real feeling—I sense that my time is done.’
Now Tor moved. Swiftly. He was kneeling in front of her and took her by the shoulders. ‘You must not think like this. Of all of us, you will survive this. You will go on.’ He had never felt such intense fear as he did now.
Now she did smile, fully and in love with the man who held her. ‘I love you, Tor. I always have, but you are a terrible liar. You’ve never been capable of guile.’
His voice had dropped to a whisper. ‘This is not guile. I believe it.’
‘Then this is good for all of us. But I do not feel the same way. I sense something dark and evil approaching. But it is directed at me alone.’
Tor pulled her close. He was shocked. ‘No! Alyssa you’re fearful because of Goth and all that we have yet to do. It is unnerving and I understand how easy it is to frighten yourself.’
She pushed away from him. She said nothing for a moment but stared into his remarkably blue eyes. She had not focused on them so intently for years. Alyssa realised she had forgotten how devastatingly bright they were. Truly the eyes of a god. And the line of his jaw: strong and suddenly no trace of that boyishness about him any more. He was a powerful-looking man. She touched his lower cheek and felt the stubble of a beard. She loved Tor shaved—it showed off his striking looks— but still she rather liked the rough feel of short, tough hair against her fingers.
Tor felt his mind swimming. Alyssa looked as though she was fixing his face in her mind for the last time.
Alyssa! Stop it!
Why? she asked dreamily. I don’t want to forget your face this time. I did for a while when I thought you were dead. Not this time though. I want to take it with me where I am going.
Please, he cried. Please stop this now. I don’t understand what you mean. Where are you going?
I have to face her, Tor.
Who?
Xantia.
Tor was stunned. He thought that was the name Gidyon had been about to say earlier but he had dismissed it, not wanting to probe his son for more information. But it was true. Xantia was the person Alyssa feared.
But why? How can she hurt you?
Alyssa came out of her dreamlike state. Her look was now hard, unyielding. ‘Not me. My daughter. And I will not permit it.’
‘How do you know she hurts Lauryn? How can you know that she is even near her?’ he asked, fully confused.
‘Because she baits me. She invades my dreams and laughs at me. She is calling me, Tor. And I must go. She has my daughter at her mercy.’
Tor tried to rationalise with her. ‘These are nightmares only.’
‘Stop! You believe your dreams and your visions from Lys. I know what I am seeing in mine. It is real. I feel it in the pit of my stomach. All my instincts tell me she is not so much in danger from Orlac as from the company he keeps.’
Tor did not believe it but he knew Alyssa was set on a course—a destructive one—and he could not allow her to face it alone, particularly in the bleak mood that enveloped her now. ‘Then I will help you.’
At this she turned once again to look at him and her whole expression had softened; melted back to the gentle one he knew and loved so very much. ‘You cannot, my beloved. This is my final part in this whole scheme. It is my destiny. I must face it as you must face your destiny.’
He shook his head, refusing to accept her words.
‘Poor Tor. You’ve never really understood that neither of us have been in control of our lives since Merkhud came into them. Rue the day at Twyfford Cross when you intervened and saved Marya’s life. If not for that, he would never have discovered us and we would be married and living quietly in the southern shires.’ She smiled very sadly now. ‘But what’s done is done and now we must play out our roles to their end. Lys has her designs for both of us. My mother is cunning indeed. Can you not see? She has never permitted us to be together. And she never will.’ Alyssa stood. ‘Now kiss me once more, my beloved husband, and then we must finish what we came here to do.’
Tor, too rattled to do anything but obey her wishes, stood and held her close. His feeling of helplessness was so great that he took comfort in the only thing he could—her lips and her touch. He lost himself, pouring every ounce of his love into his embrace, willing her to believe him that he would somehow save them both.
Lyam came for them and when they stepped outside, they saw that all the sentient community had gathered. Their faces were grim; none looked at ease with whatever decision had been reached. Tor understood. These were not cruel people—some of them perhaps, after all these years, were unable to feel the same hate for the pathetic man chained to the post, still cursing and snarling.
Gidyon and the others had gathered near Goth. Cloot was perched above the prisoner. It was a deliberate show of power over a man who had struck such fear into so many.
Lyam addressed them. ‘We have made our decision,’ he said sombrely.
Tor nodded. He spoke loudly so all could hear. ‘This man is guilty of so many heinous acts. It is a mercy to the land to destroy him and I promise you I take no man’s life lightly…not even his.’
He could feel Alyssa rigid by his side. Her gaze was focused on Goth, who squirmed beneath it, ranting his hate for all sentients.
‘Tell us your decision,’ Tor said finally.
Lyam cleared his throat. ‘He must burn as Tallinor pronounced he should.’
‘And may he never find the Light,’ Alyssa whispered for Tor’s hearing.
Lyam continued. ‘It must happen quickly. At sunset.’
‘Will you make the necessary preparations?’ Tor asked, his voice devoid of all emotion now. He knew this was right.
‘They have already begun. At sunset, follow Marya.’
Tor thanked the man and then took Alyssa’s hand and walked to where Goth stood. The former chief inquisitor’s fury was palpable. The sentients began to disperse, uncomfortable with the situation forced upon them.
Tor spoke now for the benefit of his own small group. ‘Be quiet, Goth!’ he commanded and miraculously the man stopped his noise. He eyed Tor balefully, his face a constantly moving canvas of hate. He ignored the others, focused on his enemy and laughed at him. ‘I do not fear you,’ he said.
‘It matters not. I want you to understand that you have been brought here to face your justice, long overdue. You are dead many times over for your deeds, Goth. This is simply the closing chapter in your vile, sad life. Tonight you will die as ordered by the royal decree of his majesty, King Lorys of Tallinor.’
‘And are you my judge and executioner, Gynt?’
‘You were judged a long time ago. I am here only to bear witness to your death.’
‘Leave me!’ Goth spat. ‘I wish no longer to see you or any of your evil spawn.’
Gidyon could not help himself. ‘We do Tallinor a great justice in ending his life.’
Themesius nodded. ‘I’ve known him only days and he makes my skin crawl.’
‘I’ve known him too long,’ Saxon said quietly and then he looked at Alyssa. ‘Tonight he will be delivered.’
As the sun began to lower behind the mountains, Marya came for them once again. ‘It is time,’ she said and everyone stood, their nerves on edge after a day of high tension.
She pointed. ‘When a Brocken dies, he faces west.’ They heard Cloot click his agreement across the Link. ‘We feel it’s appropriate that as Goth will die in the Rork’yel Mountains, he should follow the Brocken way.’
It is too good for him, Cloot replied for their benefit alone.
‘Follow me,’ she said. ‘Who will bring him?’
‘I will,’ Themesius answered. He strode towards Goth who had been strangely quiet for the afternoon.
Now the prisoner began to struggle at the sight of the approaching giant. He could see his hated enemies watching and he had been aware for some time now of a stream of people slowly and laboriously snaking their way up through the rocks on a track.
Marya looked towards that column of people now. ‘We go to the top of this mountain to pray. It is fitting he goes to the gods from this peak.’
Everyone followed Themesius, who had slung Goth like a sack of flour over his shoulder. It was done effortlessly and he walked without breaking stride, as if there was no burden.
It took them some time to reach the summit. Tor once again helped a curiously weakened Alyssa on the trek upwards. She seemed to be sinking in time with the sun to a place even Gidyon could not reach. Tor was worried for both his wife and son now. He tried to comfort Gidyon by explaining that his mother was melancholy, but even to his ears the words sounded contrived and hollow. He probed towards her and found she had shielded. Tor knew he could break down her shield, but to what end? Her wrath probably. She had somehow broken free of him and withdrawn. All he could do was keep her safe until she came back from where she was hiding and stopped being afraid.
It was a silent and bleak group that at twilight finally crested the mountain top. It was eerily quiet up there and without a breeze. The sky, appropriately aflame in the dying orange of the sun’s glow, would soon deepen to pink as dusk descended. No children were present, but as many of the community as could stomach this event had gathered and stood now to watch Goth being brought up over the rise by the giant. Themesius unloaded his cargo, which was bound and still snarling.
Lyam had decided on no further formalities. There had been enough talking. It was clear he wanted this deed done.
‘Tie him,’ he commanded of two men.
‘Wait!’ It was Marya. Her eyes were wide and burning with a fervour that those gathered could only imagine was revenge itself. ‘He must be naked, as we were. Stripped and humbled.’
Lyam nodded. ‘Do it.’
It was done, despite much kicking and shrieking by Goth. Many were appalled at the sight of his naked body. None of these people had heard of his mauling at the end of a Kloek blade. He was bound swiftly to a tall boulder which had stood in that spot for centuries. Each of the sentients filed past and threw rushes at Goth’s feet. It had been determined that each of the sentients who had felt his branding iron would play their own part in his execution. He—no longer sane it seemed—cursed every one of them, as spittle from his lips flew and his manic eyes rolled back in his head.
He looked like a demon and many of the women turned away once their rushes had been thrown down.
Tor noticed none of the rushes were damp, as they would be in the favoured method to prolong a burning for the victim. No, these people wanted their tormentor dead and gone; his ashes scattered to the winds amongst the forbidding Rork’yel Mountains.
The rushes were laid. The sun had set. Dusk had arrived…that strangely magical time between day and night when a soul could flee easily to its gods.
Lyam turned towards Tor and Alyssa. ‘Does any of your group want to say anything before Marya touches with the flame?’
‘I do,’ Alyssa suddenly said.
‘Don’t,’ Tor cautioned.
‘I must,’ she said.
She glanced towards Saxon who nodded. Have your say, beautiful girl. He took the most precious thing from you. Now throw it back in his face, he said on a private Link.
Tor wished she would not. This situation felt strangely dangerous. All the hairs on his arms had lifted. He felt an old fear grip him. Cloot arrived at his shoulder. Impeccable timing as always. The falcon’s talons, large and strong, centred him.
All right? Cloot asked.
I will be when this is done, he answered, his jaw clamping his teeth hard.
She must do what her instincts instruct, Tor…as we must, Cloot gently counselled.
Alyssa walked around to face Goth, who mustered an evil grin for her.
‘Alyssa, I’d ask you to suck my cock for old time’s sake, but as you can see, I am without.’ And he went into a fit of manic giggling.
She shivered. ‘You were created by fire, Goth,’ she said, frowning. ‘It is fitting that the flames dismantle the creature you have become and burn away your sins. Go to your gods—whichever of them will have you. You can hurt me no more.’
She nodded towards Marya, who lit a bushel of dry wheat from a nearby torch which had been carried, burning, to the peak. Everyone held their breath. Tor felt the world spin slightly. It felt to him as though an important milestone in his destiny was being reached.
Marya looked into the victim’s twitching face but Goth only had eyes for Alyssa. She touched the flame to the rushes. They caught fire instantly.
Goth began to laugh. He began to speak gibberish. His ravings and rantings had fallen into utter madness and his face contorted with the insanity which was finally taking him over.
Saxon watched him wrestle against the bindings and wondered if they would hold against his strength. He mentioned it to Figgis who nodded sombrely. ‘We should have seen to that part ourselves, I fear.’
Themesius heard and bent down to whisper, ‘Let’s hope the fire consumes him quickly.’
Gidyon had heard this exchange too and stepped towards his mother. Tor did likewise. Both of them hated her making herself so available to Goth’s eyes which were refusing to leave her. She seemed mesmerised as the flames began to engulf the pile of rushes.
Tor spoke gently. ‘Step back, my darling, please.’
She resisted his touch. ‘No, I will watch him to his end.’
Gidyon and Tor stole a worried glance at each other. Then we stand beside her, Tor said to his son privately. This is not good for her.
And so they stood and watched their enemy writhe against the heat of the flames which were yet to touch his already once-burnt skin.
A soft breeze blew through and some sparks lifted and landed against his face. Goth was shocked back to reality. They could see those sparks had blackened his cheeks. His eyebrows shrivelled and his legs seemed to be ablaze. It was horrible but still Alyssa fixed her eyes on the man she hated.
He focused on her again. ‘Alyssa!’ he yelled above the roar of the flames now. ‘I’ll always be the first man to have had the pleasure. Never forget that. It will haunt you for ever, my pretty thing. You were mine; I marked you!’
That was it. She could take no more. No more pain from this man; no more taunts or cruel words. He had stained her life with bitterness and fear and now she would rid the Land of him once and for all. Tor felt the rising wave of power but did not react quickly enough. Alyssa gathered her strength and screamed as she hurled her magic towards him. Flames exploded bright and white about Goth. Gidyon was reminded with horror of his own terror at Duntaryn, which had created a similar white flame that had burned its victims to ashes.
Goth burned quickly now. His skin melted like butter and he screamed his agony into the blackness which had stolen across the sky. In the intense brightness of the flames, Alyssa felt dizzy; she sensed herself being sucked uncontrollably into a void. And in that black space, she saw Xantia.
See what we do to your daughter, coward. Won’t you try to save her?
She saw beyond Xantia to where a huge, golden-haired man, naked and erect, was lowering himself over and into her prone child. Lauryn was sobbing and begging for mercy.
No mercy, the god yelled as he penetrated her.
She screamed her pain and despair but the god did not stop.
Call him! he ordered, as he rode her body viciously. Call him to me and I will stop.
No! Lauryn gasped, her eyes wide with agony and fear.
He arched his back and pushed harder. I can keep this up for hours, his ugly voice called to her.
I will not summon him, you devil. Orlac! Save me!
Forget Orlac. You are for my pleasures now. Look at me, girl. I am Dorgryl, your ruler…the new ruler of this Land.
Xantia’s wicked laugh could be heard above her master’s rasping voice as he lost himself in vile pleasure.
Tor watched in horror as Alyssa’s body went rigid—her eyes were staring and wide, pupils dilated and oblivious to anything in front of her. Tor grabbed her to prevent her falling, and in that moment, the burning figure of Goth began to strain against its bindings.
Hold, damn you, Saxon cast, begging the rope which held Goth not to yield.
But Goth was strong. Even as his flesh fried in the ferocity of Alyssa’s flames he found impossible strength to rip himself free and lurched, screaming his hate, to the edge of the clifftop and plunged to the valley floor below. Themesius, Figgis and Saxon rushed to the edge to watch the fiery figure drop to its death.
It was only then Saxon noticed Tor and Gidyon bent over the prone figure of Alyssa. Tor was begging his wife to listen to him; shaking her by the shoulders, screaming her name over and over. They could feel him casting powerfully, probing all around her, trying to chase her to wherever she had gone.
Gidyon was too shocked to speak. He crouched by his parents and it was Themesius who finally came and lifted the young man to his feet.
‘Gidyon!’ he commanded. ‘What occurred?’
The voice of his Paladin snapped him out of his stupor. ‘She went rigid and fainted. I know not what has occurred. Help him, help my father find her!’
Figgis put his hand on the shoulder of Tor who kept up a stream of encouraging words, begging his wife to return.
Torkyn Gynt! Figgis spoke only to him. We need you.
Tor looked into the dwarf’s face. She’s gone.
Does she breathe?
Tor did not seem to understand.
‘Themesius…does Alyssa breathe?’ Figgis asked.
The giant bent to the tiny chest and the others shooshed everyone about them.
He looked up finally. ‘Her heart beats but is faint.’
Both Tor and Gidyon found their wits. ‘Quick, Themesius, we must carry her to the Forest. We must leave now,’ Tor said, standing and running his hands wildly through his hair. ‘Is it over?’ he asked the Kloek, referring to Goth.
‘He threw himself over the ledge…his favourite trick,’ Saxon replied.
Cloot! Tor called.
On my way, the falcon replied flying high and then stooping to drop in a deep dive towards the valley floor. He would check to ensure the smouldering body was dead.
Lyam ran up. ‘What has happened to the Queen?’
Tor’s distraught expression told him there was no good news. ‘We don’t know. Goth inflicted terrible cruelty on her and her family,’ he answered, sliding around the truth. ‘She has fainted it seems, but I think we must leave here now.’
Themesius picked her up as though she weighed no more than a feather. Her body was now limp; her eyes closed to them.
‘You’re leaving now, at night?’ Lyam asked, astonished.
‘Yes.’
Saxon began walking with Themesius. Figgis followed with Gidyon who barely felt the guiding hand of his Paladin.
‘I’m sorry to leave you in this manner,’ Tor said and meant it.
Cloot arrived back. Goth is no more.
Are you sure? Tor said, his voice raspy in the falcon’s head.
He is dead.
‘Goth is finished,’ Tor said to those who had begun to gather about him. He looked at Marya. ‘We must leave. Our work is done here.’
‘You’re leaving us now?’ Her voice was full of disbelief. ‘But you promised to lead us from here…those of us who want to return.’
Tor’s voice softened. He was eager to join his friends, get Alyssa to safety, but knew he must give these people an answer…some hope. ‘I meant my promise. We will return. We will come back for you and bring you back safely into Tallinor proper.’
‘When?’ Lyam asked. ‘I’m not sure I will be one of them, but there are many who have expressed a desire to return to their homes.’
‘Soon, I promise you. I must get Alyssa to help outside this valley. We cannot take you with us through the night. Let me do what I must and one amongst us will return for you. You have my word.’
‘Keep that word, Torkyn Gynt. You owe it to these people,’ Lyam counselled. ‘We will await your coming and make our preparations.’
‘Thank you,’ Tor said, relief flooding his body. ‘I must go now.’
‘I can’t say we thank you for leaving the Crown’s business to us but we do thank you for tracking Goth down and releasing us from his hold.’
Tor nodded and offered the Tallinese handshake. ‘Until we meet again.’
Cloot flew on ahead and Tor jogged until he caught the others up. ‘Any change?’ he asked breathlessly.
‘None,’ Saxon said. ‘The Heartwood is our only hope.’
The going was difficult because it was so dark but Cloot’s instructions once again guided them flawlessly through the strange twists and turns which would bring them back out at the fringe of the Great Forest. Along the way, Gidyon tore strips from his own clothing and tied them to branches or placed them beneath stones.
‘One of us has to come back for them,’ was all he said.
No one wanted to think on the implications of why it would not be all of them.
They reached the Forest several hours later but had made good time —despite stopping frequently to check Alyssa’s pulse, which remained faint and her breathing appeared very shallow. Once back amongst the trees, Tor took her in his arms.
‘Make your way back to the Heartwood with the horses as quickly as you can. Danger approaches.’
‘And you, Father?’ Gidyon asked.
‘I can take her back to the Heartwood in my own way. Make haste!’
They watched him hold her close to his chest and then they all felt a mighty power gathering. Tiny flames burst around the pair, chiming, and then a vast rainbow light gushed around them, blinding and deafening them with the roar of its power. When they could look again Tor and Alyssa had disappeared.