Chapter four.
"Nothing! Curse chaos! Nothing!" Alanna cried out in frustration. Onua and the four riders ignored her, well used to the Lioness' fiery temper. However, the villagers, who had just begun to move back into their homes, burying the dead animals, looked up at her in shock. Onua ignored their stares and moved closer to her friend.
"There's no sign at all?" she asked quietly.
Alanna shook off the comforting hand that had come to rest on her shoulder, striding forward a few paces, clutching the emberstone around her throat.
"Numair used his magic here." she gestured towards a disturbed piece of land several metres long, "And there are traces of his Gift all around this spot."
"At least we know they got here then." The horsemistress said reasonably, "And that they engaged the skinners."
"But we don't know how they got rid of them, or where the pair of them are now." Her companion finished.
The two women stood there, their eyes scanning every inch of ground clearly, only the sound of hooves approaching made them look up. Evin and Miri were making their way towards them, the girl leading a large spotted gelding.
"We found him in the woods, a mile or so back," Evin explained. "And their packs were in the woods, covered with Master Numair's cloak."
"We followed their tracks for as long as we could." Miri continued, slipping off her mare's back. "But too many people have come in and out of here since then. All we know is that they were heading in this direction."
Onua sighed, "Let's hope Serna and Farrant have more luck then."
The expressions of the last two to return told them everything they needed to know, and in silence the search party rode out of Greenhall and back towards Corus.
"I don't understand where they could have gone." Miri said, after a while on the road. "We know that they were there and where they were headed and now they have just vanished. Even if they had to go somewhere else, why would they leave their packs and horse? It just doesn't make any sense!"
"It feels wrong leaving, without knowing for sure that they're not here." Serna spoke up. As she had only met Daine briefly and only knew Numair by sight, she had stayed quiet until then.
"I know." Onua sighed, "But the King sent us on a swift search, and no more. Alanna's needed back at the front. The seventh riders are over their recovery time now, and need Evin back. And you two girls are also needed back with your groups. Daine and Numair are used to taking care of themselves."
None of the small party said anything more until they stopped for a lunch break. Alanna took her share of the bread and cold meats and went to sit by a tree, leaning her back against its trunk. Taking a bite, she pulled out a hand mirror from her saddlebag. Tracing her fingers over the back, and thinking wistfully of Pirates Swoop and her family, she took a bite, washed it down with water and then began gazing deep into the mirror's depths.
"What is she doing?" Farrant asked softly, watching as a violet glow began to emerge from the Champion's skin. "She's been at it for at least half an hour."
"She's scrying." Onua answered shortly, and then elaborated "She's trying to find them with magic."
"Will she be able to?" Serna questioned,
"I hope so. If they are not cloaked any way. If Numair's the one hiding them, then she might be able to find some trace of his Gift, that'll tell us he's alive, although not his position. If someone else is hiding them… Alanna won't be able to sense them."
"And if…" Miri paused for a second, before forging on, her face resolute, determined to know the truth. "If they're dead?"
"I don't know. I'm nowhere near Alanna's level. I would think she'd be able to find some trace though." With that said, Onua also walked away from the Riders, and swiftly built a fire to send the news to Jonathan.
It was stiflingly hot in the King's council chamber, even though a window was open, a small fire burned merrily in the grate. Gary looked over at the hearth often, before getting up to open another window. As soon as the war council meeting had ended, Jon had lit the fire, explaining why after several pointed looks. At once Gary and Raoul had offered to stay with their old friend to hear the news. Both had come to know Numair well since he had arrived in Corus. He had laid protection spells on the King's Own's gear and Gary had met him often in council meetings, when his knowledge of Carthak and Carthaki traditions had come in handy. They had both met Daine as well, Gary growing fond of her and impressed by her courage on the Royal Embassy visit to Carthak. Raoul had been at Dunlath when she had uncovered the plot to overthrow Jonathan.
They said very little, and the only real sound was that of the papers Gary passed across the table to be signed by the King.
A sudden crackle in the fire, and the bright red flames drew their attention to it at once. Jonathan sent some of his Gift into the fire, and it glowed blue.
"Onua." He called. "Report,"
By the very tone of her voice they knew that the scouting mission hadn't gone well at all. The Horsemistress began to explain, and then was called away. The fire still burned blue, and rough noises could be heard in the background when suddenly the flames burned amethyst.
"Jon." Alanna's weary voice said.
"Alanna, we're still here." Jon said in acknowledgement.
"'We're'?" She repeated archly. "I didn't realise everyone was listening in."
"Not everyone." Gary corrected. "Only Raoul and I are still here."
"That's useful." She let out a small laugh. "Raoul, we need a company of the Own to help sort out Greenhall, they need as much help building fortifications as any town I've ever seen. And there are rumours of a Spidren nest in the hills just west of the town too."
"Have you any more news to add?" Jonathan asked.
"I looked for their magic in Greenhall, Numair used his Gift there, that's certain. And we found some crossbow quivers, so we can assume Daine was with him. But other than that, I couldn't make out any more magic; too many hedge witches and healers running about this place. I tried scrying a while ago, and couldn't find them anywhere near here, although there was something, I just don't know what."
"Do you think a stronger mage could sense anything more?" Gary asked, leaning forwards.
"A more experienced scryer might. I don't think it's a matter of power, but of skill and training. Is there anyone in the City of the Gods?"
Jon sat in thought for a while.
"I'll send a messenger to the Master of the university there, asking for his strongest scryer to come to Corus. In the meantime, you must return."
Raoul broke in. "I'll send a company up to help with Greenhall, there are some new boys I need to take into the wildness anyway."
They heard her laugh shortly, and then she bade them goodbye.
All three men sat back in their chairs as the fire returned to a normal golden yellow colour.
"So what now?" Raoul asked.
"We try scrying again." Jon said. "But after that… we're running out of options."
The next part of his thought went unsaid, but hung in the air between them 'we're running out of hope.'
Well, I've been so busy with the Awards, that I've had very little time to spare for writing. But now it's up to the judges, so hopefully I'll be able to write more.
What did you think of that chapter? Please do let me know.
HuntressDiana