He stood there, continuing to watch her, a million questions running through his mind. What was this girl doing? And more importantly who was she?
II
ESCAPE
Cadvan sighed to himself. There were too many questions to be asked, to many riddles here. He needed rest.
"Maerad," he began quietly. "I wish you no harm. I am tired, and I need to sleep. That's why I'm here." He passed his hand over his brow and leaned against the wall of the byre. The byre was wavering before his vision.
"He didn't see you," Maerad said in a blank voice. Cadvan focused on her. She was still milking.
"No, it is a small thing…"he murmured automatically. "A mere glimmerspell. What is interesting is that—" he paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts, "you saw me." Cadvan continued to watch the girl, but this time he searched within her, trying to decipher her mind. Could she possibly be from the Landrost, here to lure him back? But then, why would the Elidhu send someone in this guise. He realized Maerad's discomfort at his scrutiny and broke his hold, looking away into the pastures. The cows there were peaceful, grazing upon the grass, unaware of the plight that was to soon befall this land.
Cadvan could not stand any longer. All his strength had been drained from him. He sat, almost stumbling to the ground.
"I wish I were not so tired," he said, breaking the silence first. Perhaps, he could gain some answers from her. He took a deep breath and emptied his mind. "You were not always a slave?" he aside casually.
"My mother wasn't a slave," Maerad answered. Her words rang clearly in the air; she was not lying. "Gilman bought her and kept her here, when I was very little. I think he wanted to ransom her, but none came to ransom." So her mother held some worth besides being a slave. Could she have been…?
Maerad was speaking again. "And then she died." She flashed up her eyes to meet his and Cadvan remained unperturbed from the flaming anger. "What business is it of yours?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Who are you to ask me?" Cadvan concealed his surprise at the girl's defensiveness. Was she hiding something that she would not reveal? Cadvan decided to keep questioning her.
"What was your mother's name?"
"Milana. Milana of Pellinor, Singer of the Gift, Daughter of the First Circle. My father…" Cadvan had frozen. He had been right. Those were Milana's eyes. But how did she, First Bard of Pellinor, end up in such a demeaning place? As Maerad's words continued to echo within his mind, he remembered his last visit there. He had arrived on an errand from Nelac, news from Norloch. That was only a few months before the sack. And she had had a daughter then no older than six or seven. He had never learned her name.
Maerad's hands were at her mouth, and she was staring at Cadvan with astonishment.
"Oh, indeed," replied Cadvan. Obviously, she had not consciously known any of this information.
"I mean, my mother was called Milana, that's all I remember. She, she died when I was seven years old…I don't know anything about…about the rest. Did you make me say that?" This time there was no anger in her eyes, just confusion and a hint of fear.
"Make? No, I can't make you say anything," Cadvan began to explain. Like everyone, she had misjudged the powers of truthtelling. "The School of Pellinor," he mused out loud. "That was sacked, oh, years ago. It was thought all were killed." Cadvan fell silent. He had believed that himself. He had seen the destruction of the once vibrant school as it lay in ruins, serving as a grave for all those, bards and non, who had died there at the hands of the Dark.
"By what right do you come in her and say…and say such things…I could call the Thane's men…" Maerad said in a shaky voice. She was scared. Of him. Cadvan watched her for a few more seconds. Was this why he had felt drawn to come here of all places to rest? Was this the force that had driven him here?
Cadvan put his face in his hands. There were still too many questions and he had not the strength. Her mother was Milana, Cadvan knew. She could not have lied about that. He sighed in his hands.
"You can't stay here, if you are of Pellinor," he said at last. He had finally said it. There was no running away from it now. He looked up at the girl and saw the flaring hope in her eyes, making his heart sink even more. He was only going to be bringing her into more danger by "saving" her from this cot, which right now was the closest thing to a haven.
He sighed again, and this time the byre spun from the effort. He needed some nourishment.
"Could you—perhaps—spare some milk?" he asked after the room had once again righted itself. Maerad handed over the milk pail wordlessly. She was obviously still shocked by what he had just said. He felt his head clear slightly as the cool rich liquid coursed down his throats. He smiled slightly as he returned the pail. "A blessing on you, and on your house," he murmured, the customary thanks. "Will you have to come to the byre again? Today I mean." Cadvan asked. Maerad's eyes snapped up to meet his, a quick flash of suspicion flickering across them.
"Yes, I am sectioned her today. I'll be milking again in the evening. Why?" Too many questions, thought Cadvan.
"Good," he said, unable to conceal a yawn. "I'll sleep now. We'll talk later, yes, when I am less tired." But not stronger.
He lay down on the hay and instantly fell asleep, pushing the girl away from his mind for the moment.
When Cadvan awoke, the sun was lower in the sky. At first, he cringed, awaiting the cold taunting of the Landrost, before realizing that he was no longer bound. He allowed himself a small smile. But now was the problem with this girl, Maerad.
He knew that he could not let her stay here. She was of Pellinor. Despite his dangers, he knew that he had to at least offer her a chance at freedom. Perhaps take her to Innail? Leave her with Silvia? He knew Malgorn would have no objections. Silvia would love Maerad. But there was also the question of her Gift. It was powerful, Cadvan knew. And untrained. He wondered if the Landrost knew of her presence here. No, he shook his head. If the Elidhu was aware of Maerad's existence, she would not be here.
She reminded him of something he had heard before. Something from Lanorgil perhaps, he wasn't sure. Just at that moment, he heard Maerad enter.
He turned and smiled at her. His eyes traveled down to see new welts on her legs. She had been beaten. His smile slightly faded. This place was too cruel. He had to get her out of here. He stood up.
"Well, Maerad, I've had a little time to think," he said. "This is a foul noisome place; the animals are better treated than the people here. That is unjust enough." He paused, rethinking for the last time what he was about to propose. "Do you wish to leave?" He saw a sea of emotions cross Maerad's face, before finally settling on disbelief.
"Leave this place?"
"Seriously Maerad."
"I've dreamed of nothing else these long years. It's impossible. Why do you think I'm still here?"
"Nothing is impossible," Cadvan said softly, repeating what his old mentor had told him long ago. He dropped Maerad's gaze. There was something disconcerting in her eyes. "You could leave with me. But I am in a little dilemma as to what to do; it would be most unwise to take you with me. I am flying from danger into danger and I do not have my full strength." I barely have any strength. "Neither could I leave you here, if you are indeed Milana's daughter, and you indeed wish to leave. Perhaps I could come back, when I was stronger;" Cadvan began, seeing another path, before he instantly hit a block. "But I have duties I can't abandon, and I would not be free of them for months. And my heart tells me…" Cadvan stopped. He did not know exactly what his heart was telling him, but he had come here for a reason. This meeting was not by chance. "I must leave now. If you want to come with me, you may. Leaving will be a simple matter. Other things will not be so simple, but we will have to take them as they come." Maerad said nothing. "Yes? Or no?" Cadvan asked again. He ignored her protests and stared at her. Maerad gazed back, not backing down. Finally Cadvan sighed.
"There come few times in a person's life where there is a clear choice." He waited for a few more seconds, but the girl remained unmoving. "I have no time. I have made my offer. You can stay or leave as you wish. I am asking what you want. If you don't know, it is no concern of mine." Obviously, for reasons unknown to Cadvan, this girl seemed not to want to leave this dump. He turned to leave when he heard her call out to him.
"I'll come," she said. Her face was covered with panic. Cadvan glanced down at a small bundle she held in her hands.
"Is there anything you must fetch?" The girl shook her head. "Well, that is good. We'll go now then." Again, Maerad seemed to resist.
"Now? What about the cows?" Cadvan almost laughed to himself. Maerad was more concerning about the cows while the question of her freedom hangs on the point of a knife.
"Someone else will milk them tonight. I do not think Gilman will let his beasts suffer; they are too valuable," he reassured her. "Now quickly. Come here." Maerad approached slowly. When she was but a few feet away, he placed his hands on her shoulders and drew upon whatever power he could muster. He quickly spoke the spell, offering a translation to Maerad's confused gaze, picked up his pack, and left the byre. Now that they were leaving, a new sense of speed filled Cadvan. The Landrost had picked out his presence.
"We must hurry," he said quickly to Maerad. "No speaking. I cannot make us unheard as well." They hurried through the cot, quietly though so as not to awaken the guards of their presence. Cadvan contained his impatience at Maerad's slowness.
Finally, the reached the wall, the same one Cadvan had entered by. He stowed Maerad's bundle within his pack before scaling the wall. When they reached the top, he paused, sending out his hearing again. He heard someone running from the direction of the byre. Someone had already noticed Maerad's absence. Cadvan was impressed. It took them shorter than he would have credited them for. He pushed Maerad down the other side and almost simultaneously he heard a bell ring. Maerad tensed beside him and almost fell down the rest of the wall. Cadvan could not restrain his laughter.
"Now you make
the pace," he said. "I thought I'd never get you out of there."
The terror did not leave Maerad's face.
They'll send the dogs
after us!" she whispered. "There's no escaping Gilman's
hounds. They'll track a stag for a week and they can tear a grown
man to pieces in a minute." If only dogs were the worst they would
have to deal with thought Cadvan bitterly. He sighed, expressing as
much to Maerad. He saw her glance dubiously down the valley, and he
almost laughed again at her expression.
"We'll walk then," she said, turning her back to the cot and beginning their long trek. Cadvan had no choice but to follow, as the Landrost viciously began to strike down at his mind.