Gav Thorpe - The Crown of the Conqueror

"And Pretaa, yes?" said Meliu. "It would be lovely to see her in less trying times. She seems such a lovely lady."

"Yes, Pretaa too," said Allenya, smiling at the picture she was painting in her mind. She squeezed Meliu's hand and leant over to kiss her sister on the cheek. "I have been such a misery. I am so sorry for ignoring you lately; it has been as hard for you as it has been for me."

"Do not think it a moment more," said Meliu. "I am glad to see you happy again. It has been torture, to see you so sad and knowing that I could do nothing to help. Do you think Ullsaard has changed at all? I bet he has been winning lots of battles and doing great things."

They talked in this way for some time. Now and then they looked back for a sight of Laasinia or Noran, but saw nothing of them. After a mile or so, Allenya grew worried about this.

"Should we stop and wait for them?" she suggested.

"Laasinia said to keep moving," replied Meliu. "She seems a sensible person, we should listen to her."

"A short break would be all right, I think," said Allenya. "Just a little while to give them the chance to catch up."

There were tracks winding away from the road, leading to farms and villages. Copses of blossoming trees and dark-leaved bushes broke the grasslands around and it was to one small stand that Allenya now walked. The sky was filled with clouds and the sun was not strong, but after the effort of walking, it was nice to slip into the shade for a moment. The pair found a spot on the edge of the copse free from undergrowth and sat on the grass.

"We should have brought some food," said Meliu. "We have not had breakfast yet."

Allenya did not reply. Her attention had been attracted by a group of men a little further up the road. They sat around a small fire, and were constantly watching the carts and people. Now and then one or other would stand up and pace a little way from the camp, looking towards the city. They had two abada carts with them. It struck Allenya as strange that such a group would make camp so close to the city. It was well into morning now and any person with normal business would be moving towards or away from Magilnada, not simply staying by the side of the road.

"Do you think they are Anglhan's men?" said Meliu, leaning across Allenya to see what had distracted her. "Or are they Ullsaard's? How do we tell?"

"They could be anyone," said Allenya, but she felt uncomfortable. "You are right. I think they are looking for us."

"I did not see any soldiers passing us on the road," said Meliu. "Do you think word will have been sent from the city so quickly?"

The men on the other side of the road seemed to have spotted the two women and were paying close attention. Allenya did not know how to react. If they did harbour ill intent, the worst thing to do would be to attract more attention.

"We should get going again," said Allenya, standing up. "Two servants dawdling under the trees might look odd."

"Wait!" said Meliu as she clambered to her feet. She pointed back towards Magilnada. "Is that them?"

Allenya looked and about half a mile away she saw a man and a woman, walking at some speed. They certainly looked like Laasinia and Noran. Allenya's dilemma deepened and she glanced over at the watchers. Three of the men had walked down to the road and were heading towards them.

"What should we do?" said Meliu, moving close to Allenya. "We cannot outrun them."

Allenya had no answer for her sister. There was nothing they could do but wait. The three men crossed the road about fifty paces away and came straight towards the trees. One held up a hand in greeting. The small group wore shirts and kilts rather than trousers, marking them out from the Salphors, but Allenya took no reassurance from this. She stole a glance back up the road and was sure it was Laasinia and Noran that she had seen. They were still some distance away.

"Can we help you?" she called out.

The men stopped about a dozen paces away and eyed the two women. They held a whispered conversation before the one who had waved stepped closer, arms held out from his sides.

"I'm sorry," he said. "We didn't mean to frighten you. I am Second Captain Luurha, and these are my men. The king sent us to find you."

Tears of relief welled up in Allenya's eyes and she saw Meliu sway for a moment. Her sister then dashed forwards and threw her arms around the surprised captain's neck. He laughed and looked to Allenya for help.

"Leave him alone, sister," Allenya said with a smile. Meliu took a few faltering steps back. "Tell us captain, how far away is our husband?"

Luurha smirked, turned to raise a fist to the rest of his men along the road and gestured for the two women to follow him. One of the other men set off along the road at a jog, heading away from the city.

"A lot closer than Anglhan thinks," he said as they walked towards the road. "Does anybody know that you have left the city?"

"We have to wait for our friends," said Meliu. She pointed up the road again. "There they are."

"Is that Noran Aluuns?" asked Luurha. "Okay, we'll wait."

"We do not know if anyone saw us leave," said Allenya. "We thought perhaps we were being followed, but we have seen no chase."

They waited in silence until Noran and Laasinia had caught up. The nobleman was looking very tired, his face drawn, and the sallow hue had returned to his skin. He waved away Meliu's attentions and squared up to Luurha.

"Who is this?" he asked warily.

"I was sent by the king," Luurha answered. "You must be Noran. Thank you for getting the queens out of Magilnada, the king will be very pleased."

"I am sure he will," said Noran. He laid a hand on the captain's shoulder and seemed on the verge of collapse. "Have you any water?"

"Yes, of course," said Luurhan. He pulled a skin from his belt and offered it to Noran, who drank sparingly, eyes closed. "Are we safe from pursuit?"

"For the moment," said the nobleman. He turned to Allenya and laughed nervously. "The guards did not know who we were. They were after us for leaving the cart blocking a passageway. They thought I had stolen it."

"What did you do?" asked Meliu, slipping an arm across Noran's back to help him stand.

"You owe Laasinia a couple of Askharins," said Noran. "A lie and some coin eased their concerns."

"We should move away from the city," said Luurhan.

"I think the excitement has got to…" Noran's voice was a croaking whisper.

Allenya turned to see the noble crumpling to the ground, slipping out of Meliu's grasp. Meliu crouched over him, a cheek to his mouth, hand on his chest.

"He is still breathing," she said, looking desperately between Allenya and Laasinia, tears forming. "Is he going to be all right?"

V

Crouched over Noran, Ullsaard thought he saw his friend's eyelids flicker. Lakhyri stood behind him, arms crossed, watching Noran intently, probably more fearful for his own life than the nobleman's. Askhos had drifted away, literally; he had professed a lack of interest and faded from view like fog in a strengthening wind.

There was another twitch in Noran and Ullsaard looked over his shoulder.

"Is that good or bad?" the king asked. Lakhyri gave no response. "You don't know?"

"You should," replied the priest. "Your energies and his are connected. Do you feel nothing?"

Ullsaard concentrated but was unaware of any change in himself or his friend.

"Nothing," he said. "What should I feel?"

"I do not know," admitted Lakhyri. "My only experience is the sensation of gaining power through this world, not relinquishing it. Perhaps it is good that you are unaware of it."

"Perhaps?" Ullsaard stood and rounded on the high priest. Lakhyri backed away a step, one had held up. "You have been guessing all along, haven't you?"