Chapter 40
Afiona pulled herself on to Daric's bareback. She had her pack of supplies and those that Leander had packed on her back leaving Medren free to wield his sword.
"Are you sure you can make my horse head back later?" Medren asked as he swung into the saddle. "We don't want her alerting them."
"Medren, she won't be a problem, we have to move quickly." Afiona reminded him. "There are just a few more candlemarks until sunset and they will be back to full alert."
"And Daric? He's a little eye catching." Medren reminded her.
:Tell him I'll hide until you need me.: Daric answered. Afiona quickly relayed.
"You could stay here and I can go get him." Medren suggested.
Afiona ignored him as Daric started out of the camp and towards the woods. The same stretch of trees the Karsites had used to sneak up behind them just a few days earlier.
She had no doubt they had several sentries posted in the woods, but she had the advantage of having near invisible spies to alert her to their presence before they were discovered.
Medren was so tense his horse became nervous.
"Relax." Afiona suggested. "I'm an animal mindspeaker, they will tell me where the strangers are before we get close."
"Sorry, I am just thinking I'd rather write the ballad for this than participate." Medren grumbled.
Afiona ignored his complaints, worrying more about Lance.
"You know your friends are all worried about you. Mia thinks you are working yourself into an early grave, Shain does too actually." Medren commented.
"It's a war, almost everyone is working towards an early grave." Afiona said dismissively.
"Nice try, they're right. You're as thin as a corn stalk." Medren pointed out. "I know enough about Powers to know that's not healthy."
"Medren, now is not the time to start getting all protective again." Afiona snapped.
"I think it is." Medren urged his horse up next to Daric.
"Medren, I am no longer the spooked little shadow that lived with Tashir. I don't need a protector anymore." Afiona said seriously. "I am capable of much more than you think."
"Like what?" Medren challenged.
"Medren, a Healer knows everything about a body. Including how to damage it. I have killed with my Gifts before." Afiona admitted.
"So why am I along?" Medren asked.
"Because I don't want to repeat the experience." Afiona admitted. "And I am going to need help getting Lance out. It's better you than Shain who has only practiced sword fights."
"Where as I have managed to talk myself out of a few confrontations?" Medren asked. "Stef is better at fighting dirty. Any of the Heralds would have been better."
"There is also no one else I trust as much as you except Lance." Afiona said softly. "You've always been there. Ever since before my brother tried to kill Tashir you have been my dearest friend."
Medren's face softened at the memories.
Afiona stopped Daric. "If we hurry back maybe we can find someone else."
"No, it would take an act of the gods to get me to turn back." Medren assured her.
:Strangers…: A bird's voice sang her head. :Back.:
Afiona turned back and watched for the strangers. They could be Valdemaran.
"What is it?" Medren whispered and slipped from his horse's back and moved back down the path they had been following.
There was only a rustling of leaves before the two dark skinned young men Afiona had rescued just days earlier appeared.
"Lady Healer." The taller one stopped in his tracks stared at Medren.
"Relax, they're my friends." Afiona said to Medren. "Ulther and Esrich."
Hearing their names and seeing Medren go back to his horse they relaxed.
"Esrich dreamed that you will need us." Ulther explained.
"You should go back to the camp." Afiona suggested strongly.
Esrich shook his head violently. His eyes were wide and she could sense fear from him. "I dreamed there will be much blood for you if we don't help."
"It must be Vkanda's Will." Ulther said. "Tell her what else you saw."
"I saw you and the Sleeping Priest." Esrich explained. "He does not wake often, but when he does the Fires are fed."
"Sleeping priest." Afiona repeated to herself in Valdemaran.
"What?" Medren asked impatiently.
"Esrich has foresight. When he dreams it's sometimes of the future." Afiona explained. "He said that there is a sleeping priest and when he wakes they feed the Fires."
:Sleeping priest… that could be a Priest in a trance.: Daric suggested. :Which would explain why the shields never falter as they would if he had to actually sleep. He can probably go for weeks without rising for food. And our defenses would not affect him. I bet you he also watches their camp for the Gifted which is why the Fires are more active when he wakes up.:
Afiona nodded. :But a trance that deep will take a while to wake from. Several candlemarks.:
"Lady Healer, we must go with you." Esrcih said desperately. "If you die there is no safe place for us."
"Did you see that as well?" Afiona asked.
Esrich nodded.
"Medren, they are joining us." Afiona said.
"What?" Medren asked in disbelief.
"We are going to need them." Afiona explained as she motioned for the boys to mount, one with her and one with Medren.
Riding double the would-be rescuers quickly reached the Karsite guards. The two that were reached first were standing close together, darting glances back towards the well lit camp that could just be seen through the trees.
Afiona gestured for everyone to be silent as she listened to the small wildlife that had not yet been hunted as food or chased off.
:Now what: Daric asked after several tense minutes.
:Wait for it.: Afiona assured him.
Suddenly both men crumpled at the knees and slipped to the ground as she used her gifts to plunge them into a deep sleep. Medren glanced at her but quickly dismounted and gestured for the others to do the same. He quickly tied up both guards and gagged them before hiding them in the bushes.
:What are you going to do about the Sleeping Priest: Daric asked as she and Ulther dismounted.
Afiona frowned. Her mind was filled with worries for Lance but Daric was right, this was probably the mage that was the one blocking the Heralds. It was her duty to deal with him and end his threat.
"Ulther, Esrich, where's the Sleeping Priest's tent." Afiona asked in a whisper.
"In the heart of the camp." Ulther answered quickly. "Esrich and I were assigned as guards there once before."
"What are you thinking?" Medren asked in a hissed whisper.
"He's what's stopping the Heralds." Afiona said sounding much more certain than she was. "He is in the heart of the camp, that's where Lance is."
"Everyone is in the tents to worship except the guards." Ulther said as if he understood the direction of their conversation, which was all together likely considering his budding gifts.
"The camp is nearly deserted." Afiona told Medren. "No guards in the camp while everyone is in the tents. We have about a candlemark before the ceremonies end."
"So which do we go for?" Medren asked.
"First we get Lance." Afiona said as she started towards the camp. "Then…"
:Then for King and country let's flatten that bastard.: Daric suggested.
:If we can get Lance out first.: Afionainsisted.
:Afiona, you go see to Carmia.: Daric suggested. :Medren and the lads can take care of an unconscious mage.:
:They're not warriors.: Afiona pointed out.
:Also, there are other Valdemaran captives here.: Daric reminded her. :We can't leave them.:
Afiona stared at the lowering sun for a second. It had taken a mere second for the entire conversation. "There are others we have to rescue." She informed Medren. "Other Valdemarans. Daric will lead you to them."
"I am going with you." Medren reminded her.
"No. Only one person is going into the heart of the camp." Afiona corrected him.
The boys stared at her until she repeated herself in Karsite.
Esrich quickly shook his head. "I am going with you. I saw what will happen, I can help and then none of us will die."
:If I recall the prisoners are kept near the animal pens. Think you can arrange a few horses: Daric asked. :If we time it right you can be hidden in the heart of the camp when it goes insane out in the pens. Release everything big enough to do damage…:
Afiona pulled off her pack and pulled out two round, greasy objects, the insect killer. It caused massive amounts of smoke. :I was thinking to use them to distract. If we toss them in the shrine it will be an evil omen. That, with the animals causing chaos may cause confusion long enough…:
:Sounds good.: Daric said in approval.
"Go to the southern side of the camp, there are pens with animals and prisoners tied to posts." Afiona explained. "Undo everyone and undo all the gates for the animals. Tell everyone to get a horse and ride like hell for Valdemar when the horses want to run." Turning to Ulther she gave him the oily balls. "When the horses start screaming and running throw these in the shrine's fire if you can then get a horse and go back to Valdemar."
Ulther took the insect repellants and nodded.
"Medren, when the horses start running grab one and ride." Afiona ordered. "And make certain you release Carmia."
Medren did not look pleased with the plan.
"Please, Medren." Afiona pleaded.
"Just remember you have to hightail it too." Medren said as he started around the edge of the camp with Ulther hot on his heels.
"Esrich, show me where the Sleeping priest is." Afiona requested.
Esrich nodded. "I dreamed this."
Afiona hoped it was a good dream.
-
Lance lifted his head and stared at the setting sun. It was a large dome on the horizon now.
"Shhh." Someone hissed behind him as his bonds were cut.
Turning too swiftly and earning the screaming reproach of all his muscles he saw Afiona.
:I am used to being silent and unnoticed.: Afiona reminded him before he could chastise her. :Can you stand.:
Lance struggled to his feet and looked around, the only other person he saw was a young Karsite.
:My friend.: Afiona explained. :Carmia will be here soon.:
At the south end of the camp hundreds of horses stood calmly despite the open gate as prisoners swung onto their backs. Dogs milled about silently eager for a chase.
:What are you doing: Lance asked.
:When Carmia gets here mount up and get Esrich out of here.: Afiona ordered. :I have something to do. And you are in no shape to help.:
Lance traced one hand down her cheek. :Be safe.:
Afiona turned her face towards his hand. :I will be.:
Carmia, moving as swiftly and as silently as a ghost cantered into the small square at the center of the camp. :Oh thank the Gods.:
:Ride.: Afiona reminded him as she pushed him towards the Companion and gestured for Esrich to come forward and mount up as well.
Esrich had to help Lance up onto Carmia but soon both were seated and Carmia started off at an inhuman pace.
:Now: Afiona shouted to Daric. In the south the horses and dogs burst into action as if the world had suddenly gone mad. Afiona ducked into an empty tent and listened as men charged out of the large worship tents towards the commotion. At the same time the prisoners mounted on fresh horses charged straight through camp and swatted at Karsites with makeshift weapons of logs. Few of the Karsites were quick enough to think to pull the prisoners from their horses but those who did quickly found themselves the focus of attention for the dogs who were trained to attack and maim, if not kill.
Afiona waited and watched with her farsight as the priests shouted orders to men, to capture the prisoners. Then they noticed the thick black smoke pouring from their holy fire. Still she waited as they milled about in more confusion than the horses and dogs that had already fled the camp.
Around the camp priests shouted prayers and men fell to their knees praying.
Fanaticism wasgood for her in this case.
Slipping from the tent Afiona saw no one.
The tent door of the "Sleeping Priest" was thrown aside as he staggered out and blinked up at the sunset.
Now that he was awake Afiona could sense him as clear as day. It took only seconds before he spotted Afiona.
"You…" He growled. "You're the watcher."
Afiona ignored everything he said as she stepped closer. Her only weapons where her mind and a knife she always carried but was not adept with. She just needed to distract him here long enough for Daric to arrive with his lethal hooves and teeth.
:Magic: Daric warned her.
Afiona dove to the side as the priest drew his arm back and flung a hastily made fireball. His aim was off as he had yet to completely emerge from the trance and it collided with a tent.
Rolling to her feet easily, one of the few skills she had learned from Rissa's teachings, she waited for the next attack.
In the chaos Daric jumped over several prone Karsites in his race to Afiona. Behind him screams of white demons joined the fervent pleas for forgiveness from the Sun God.
Racing through the burning tent he saw the burst of fear on the mage's face as Daric jumped over his beloved Chosen and landed between them. If the slimy bastard thought he was going to harm a single hair on Afiona's head he was in for a surprise.
Raising his hand for another fireball the mage aimed for Daric.
A quick shadow behind the mage was all the warning they had before Esrich leaped from the shadows with his sharp curved dagger at the ready and aimed for the Mage's heart.
"Esrich!" Afiona shouted as the dagger arched down. The mage turned at the last second and the dagger slid into right shoulder.
Esrich jumped free as the mage priest staggered back and he ran to Afiona. "We must go. More come."
Daric spun about to see the confusion had turned against them. :Afiona, we have to go.:
Afiona pulled herself up onto Daric's back and helped Esrich up behind her. Shouts made it clear that the army, desperate for something to blame, had found the trio in the center the perfect target.
:Protect Esrich.: Afiona commanded.
She felt Esrich vanish to her senses as Daric engulfed him in his shields and Afiona lowered hers. Digging into her deepest memories for the ones she could never leave behind, the ones that still sent her, an adult healer, into a full panic she let the emotions they held overwhelm her.
Afiona's vision wavered as the present wavered and the past reared before her eyes.
The last thing she saw was the Sleeping Priest's face as the pain and fears of her childhood slammed into him. Digging deeper yet she unearthed another memory.
This one, so real, the ceaseless dark, the twisting pain, the silence, made her scream with fear. It was a memory of when she had gone exploring and had stumbled into her father's workroom where a demon had been held captive. It couldn't kill her, bound as he was, but had nearly succeeded in scaring her to death.
Beneath her Daric lurched forward as men, forced to a child's point of view to witness the awful power of the demon, crumpled and screamed for mercy.
Esrich wrapped his arms around her waist and held her on as the Companion pushed and fought his way out of the camp. More than a few times He had reared and his silver hooves had lashed out to kill a Karsite who had gotten in his way.
Once started the memories would not retreat and nor did she want them to. She could feel the screaming panic of the Karsite soldiers and priests. Letting herself feel the fear she broadcasted it back out.
She started to feel herself being devoured by the emotions and pain surrounding her and filling her as her grip on herself loosened
:Hold on to me.: Daric commanded.
Afiona seized hold of his mental presence.
:Afiona: Lance called to her desperately.
Afiona reached for him. On Daric's back her body went limp, only Esrich's tight grip on her waist kept her astride.
Afiona, her present and past confused, saw the mage's face as he struggled to create a strong enough shield to hold off her broadcasting of fear, and was failing. In her mind the mage, with his dark eyes and hair, became her father in spirit if not looks.
:No more.: Afiona screamed at him. From his expression she knew he had heard her.
:No more: Afiona shouted again. :It's over.:
In the priest's chest his heart started to spasm madly as he made out the form of a small child before him, as substantial as smoke but the most fearful creature he had ever witnessed.
As he clutched his chest and fell to his knees Afiona found herself snapped back into her own body. Opening her eyes she saw glowing orbs dancing madly and her headache was gone.
The orbs grew together until her vision was blotted out by the glowing white lights and she slipped towards true unconsciousness.
:Mama-afi: Nico's young voice in far off Haven reached her as the white became black and everything was silent.