N. Walters - Fabric of Fate

Their motions were fluid as they dipped and swirled, their chests glistening with sweat. The deadly weapons flashed in the sunlight as they circled one another.

She’d shucked her coat as the day warmed and sat back on the beach with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching them. A sense of contentment enveloped her and she never wanted the moment to end.

But, like all good things, it had come to an end. The men eventually put away their weapons and pulled their tunics on for the ride back. A wild wave rolled in, hit her sandcastle and dissolved it in a flood, washing it back out to the ocean. Her eyes had welled with tears, which was stupid. A sandcastle wasn’t meant to be permanent, much like her stay here. Soon Javara would be nothing but a cherished memory.

Now she was sitting in front of Heroc and they were riding back toward the keep. She’d wanted to ride with Abrah again since she’d spent much of her time on the beach with Heroc, but he’d turned away from her, mounting his horse and starting out ahead of them, leaving her no choice but to ride with his brother.

His obvious rejection had hurt more than she’d thought it would, constricting her chest and making it difficult to get a breath. But she couldn’t fault him for it. He was protecting himself and she understood that.

He was the oldest brother, the one who carried the bulk of the responsibility, even though Heroc took on as much of the load as Abrah would give him. She and Abrah were alike in that way. She’d shouldered responsibility for herself and her mother when she was still a young woman, burying her own dreams in order to do what needed to be done in order to survive.

What did Abrah want from life? What did Heroc want?

Being born to be the future lords of Dannon Keep came with tons of responsibility. There were so many people who depended on them for food and shelter. The workload was tremendous, but she’d never once heard them complain about it. To them it was simply what they’d been born to do and she knew they’d never want any other life.

What must it be like to have such a secure place in the world? To know your place in the vast scheme of things.

The rolling movement of the horse and the warmth from Heroc at her back combined to make her drowsy. She yawned and leaned against him.

“Tired?”

“Yes, but it’s a good tired. I had fun today.” It was important they realize she would always treasure this day. “Thank you so much. Both of you.” Her health had improved quite a bit in the short time she’d been here. Her headache was but a memory, her queasy stomach had settled and she no longer had any dizziness. Overall, she felt wonderful. Better than she had in a very long time.

Heroc gave her a gentle squeeze but Abrah remained silent as they left the woods behind them. The keep came into view and she studied it with a critical eye. It wasn’t a huge castle, but it was certainly an imposing sight. Dark gray stones rose to meet the sky as if to proclaim its right to be here. A grouping of smaller buildings was strategically placed inside the high wall that surrounded the keep. The mountain protected its back, making it very defensible.

Single-story stone houses with thatched rooftops dotted the landscape and she could see the fields and orchards beyond. It truly was a beautiful place, like something out of a fairytale. She was realistic enough to know life here wasn’t perfect. It was very different from what she knew but its very simplicity appealed to her.

Abrah veered off course, taking them away from the entrance of the keep to a rockier side near the mountains. She didn’t like this place and a shiver of dread raced down her spine. “Where are we going?” Wherever it was, she wanted no part of it. She wanted to go back to the castle.

She gripped the horse’s mane to anchor herself. Not that she needed to, not with Heroc holding her so close. She could feel his tension mount and his muscles clench even through the layers of their clothing. He didn’t like this place any more than she did.

Sweat beaded her brow and her stomach roiled leaving Audrey wondering if she was going to have another anxiety attack.

Abrah stopped and swung down from his mount, his movements fluid and incredibly graceful for such a large man. He stood over an indentation in the ground. Carn sniffed the area and trotted over to her side.

It was then she knew.

“This is where you found me, isn’t it?” She started to get down but Heroc tightened his grip on her. “I have to see it.”

Audrey didn’t think he was going to release her at first, but gradually he lowered her to the ground. She walked on unsteady feet to the small patch of ground and stared down at it.

She remembered bits and pieces of that night—the cold and driving rain, the blustering winds that had bitten into her flesh. She’d probably never remember all of it and that was fine with her. She could have easily died here and likely would have if they hadn’t found her.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

“Save your thanks for Carn. He’s the one that found you.” Abrah turned, strode back to his horse and swung up onto its back. “Come. It is time to go home.”

Audrey closed her eyes as pain engulfed her body and soul. Home . Had she ever had one? Maybe when she was a young child and her parents had still been together. But she’d been too young when her father had left to have more than one or two memories of that time.

She blinked back tears and headed toward Heroc. If she believed what they’d told her then it was almost time for the tapestry to appear, time for her to go home. Soon this place and these men would be nothing more than a memory, like the sandcastle, like this day.

She stumbled and would have fallen but for the strong arms that rescued her, keeping her from taking a header into the rocks and hard ground. She didn’t have to see behind her to know it was Abrah who caught her. Anger radiated from the man, searing everyone and everything around him. She could have handled it if he’d yelled, stomped around and berated her. It was his quiet acceptance that made her ache. She didn’t want him to hurt, didn’t want him to be angry, but didn’t know how to change the inevitable.

Her chest hurt but she knew it wasn’t due to any illness—mental or physical—but was because her heart was breaking for Abrah and Heroc and for herself. The ride back to the castle was short. Abrah kept her close but said nothing. She wished he’d say something. Anything.

“I have to go back.” She had to make him understand.

“Why?” His deep growl vibrated through her body, giving her goose bumps.

“Why?” she repeated.

“Why do you have to go home? What is there waiting for you?” He swung down off the back of his mount and stared up at her.

“My life.” She’d believed that only days before but the words no longer rang as true.

“Then you will do what you must do.” Abrah lifted her off the horse and set her on the hard-packed ground of the stable floor before leading the animal way. She watched him go, totally confused and bewildered.

“Come inside.” Heroc wrapped his arm around her shoulders and turned her toward the door. “You’ll want to get cleaned up before we eat the evening meal.”

She went with him, but looked back. In the shadows, Abrah was standing by his horse, watching them.

Abrah lifted his mug of ale and drank deep, watching his men-at-arms and the others who had joined them for this final evening meal with Audrey—his people, his responsibility, the only life he knew. One he’d hoped to share with Audrey.

He took another drink, tasting the bitter ale on his tongue before swallowing. He wanted to get drunk even though he’d never been in such a state in his life. Maybe strong spirits could drown his sorrow and make him forget the woman sitting next to him.