Note: I don't own any characters/places/ideas etc. from the Elenium/Tamuli they belong to David and Leigh Eddings.
Thank you to my reviewers, your input is very, very much appreciated! Without further ado,
Chapter 3: Help
Talen knelt beside his brother. Kyyis remained unconscious, but he was still breathing. Talen looked down the alley, he knew at least one of his attackers was still down further, but if he left the alley he would leave himself and his brother open to the crossbow shooter. He would have to get to that cellar, and quickly.
Talen heaved Kyyis' uninjured arm across his shoulders and lifted his brother's limp form. Strengthened by their dire circumstances, Talen barely felt the knight's appreciable weight as he slowly made his way down the alley. With stark relief he reached the cellar window. Talen propped Kyyis against the adjacent wall and crouched down until he was level with the window, which was locked. That wasn't any particular problem for Talen as his nimble fingers set to quickly pick the lock.
Just as the last tumbler fell, Talen heard rushed footsteps coming from further down the alley. With a muttered oath he rose to his feet and unsheathed his dagger just as the first man came at him. He parried the attacker's swipe aided by his opponent's lack of maneuvering room. Talen parried another thrust but it left his forearm throbbing. Suddenly, another man was upon him. Talen dodged sideways avoiding another swipe by the initial attacker, but the second man had anticipated his move, intercepting him as his first opponent careened forward, overbalanced by his sword.
Holding on to his side-moving momentum, Talen deflected the second attacker's hit, simultaneously reaching behind to unsheathe another dagger. The second attacker came at Talen again, throwing a mid-blow. Talen met the hit with his right dagger and stabbed his left one straight into the man's chest. He heard the whistling of a sword slicing through the air, but couldn't disengage from the dying man to dodge the incoming blow. Talen was only able to turn partially and he felt steel bite deeply into his side. On the bright side, the first attacker was having trouble disentangling his sword from Talen's flesh and mail, giving Talen the opening he needed. Talen drove his dagger into the first attacker's throat and the man sagged to his knees and pitched forward.
Talen's side was wet and sticky with blood. Dizzy and lightheaded, he tried desperately to focus on where he was and what he needed to do. His entire side was beginning to numb as he made his way back to the window and pushed it open. He lifted his brother's arm and hooked his own under it. Dragging Kyyis over to the small window, he pushed him inside where Kyyis dropped unceremoniously to the cellar floor. His strength waning, Talen slid himself into the window, falling in beside his brother.
Like most cellars, this one was cool and damp with the faint scent of mildew hanging in the air. Talen propped himself against the wall as another wave of dizziness assailed him. Vaguely he wondered if he would die here. What a way to go, bleeding to death down a dark alley in a stinky cellar. A groan next to him broke Talen's morbid musings as he looked to his brother's shivering form. Talen shook his head to clear it. A thief and beggar might deserve to die like this, but Kyyis deserved better. Talen would never forgive himself if he allowed anything to happen to his brother. He was the one who dragged Kyyis into this mess. He would get them out.
First things first, though. Taking a shuddering breath, Talen incanted a spell to deflect any passerby's notice of the injured knights. His trembling fingers reluctantly making the correct symbols, Talen incanted a second spell, the simplest one all Pandions learned. With the last of his strength Talen released the spell for help. Barely holding on to consciousness, he momentarily glimpsed two grass-stained feet before darkness overtook him.
--
In the cozy, opulent bedroom of the royal apartments, Sparhawk was reading aloud the evening's correspondence as his wife brushed her long blond hair. It was the royal couple's usual evening ritual before they retired. His wife laughed, her rich, vibrant voice filling the room as Sparhawk read through the latest letter he had received.
"It sounds like our friend has his hands full" she said.
"Indeed he does, he says here that he would prefer the company of a troll."
Ehlana turned from her vanity mirror, and expression of mocking horror on her pale face.
"Surely she can't be that terrible!"
"Ulath seems to think so, he writes:" Sparhawk picked up the letter and read verbatim, "Truly I would prefer the company of a troll, a troll does not throw a tantrum over trivial things like the color of a gown, it doesn't pout, and it never giggles."
Ehlana put her hand over her mouth, but couldn't stop her laughter from spilling over.
"And I thought Ulath would remain a bachelor forever." she sighed, turning back toward her vanity.
"It seems he had no choice in this particular matter," Sparhawk said, folding the characteristically short letter and returning it to the envelope to reply later.
Just then, the door burst open and two yelling, rambunctious children stormed into the room.
"Please help me Uncle Sparhawk! Eluen is going to hit me!" and adorable little girl with long brunette braids and two missing teeth cried, flinging herself into Sparhawk's arms. Sparhawk gathered the little girl to him as he held out his hand to stop the child who was chasing her.
"Uncle Sparhawk, she took my special pendant! The one father gave me! Make her give it back!" said a little boy with the same shade of hair as the girl.
"I didn't take your pendant! You left it in your horse bag!"
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
It went downhill from there, until Ehlana abruptly told them to both stop and demanded they apologize to each other. Shamefaced, the children muttered apologies and looked up guiltily as Kalten walked in with Alean.
"Eluen! Kida! What do you think you're doing?" Kalten demanded. "You mother told you to wait downstairs!" he said.
"Welcome home!" Ehlana said rising and running over to Alean, where she embraced her former maid. After everyone shared hugs, Kida and Eluen ran off to find Danae while the adults settled down in the sitting room to catch up. Kalten gently helped his wife, who was carrying their third child, take a seat.
"Please tell us everything!" Ehlana asked, her face alight, "How fares Mirtai and Kring? Did sir Tynian come back with you?"
"Aye, Tynian would not pass up the chance to visit, he had to send a messenger out to let Sarathi he would be delayed arriving at Chreyllos, but he should be up soon," answered Kalten.
Sparhawk studied his boyhood friend, who was more like a brother to him. The big, blond knight had put on extra weight; no doubt due to Alean's delicious cooking. He and his quiet wife were both tanned from the recent months they spent visiting with the nomadic Peloi.
"Mirtai is her usual self, daggers polished and ready to gut anyone who offers her any slight whatsoever," Kalten continued, "But truly that Taieg is growing like a weed. Do you know he's over five feet already? The lad's only seven years old!"
Ehlana's laughed. "Mirtai must be bursting with pride!"
"Aye, and so is Kring, especially when Taieg took highest rank at the Diagma" interjected Alean.
"Diagma?" asked Sparhawk, confused.
"Oh…did I pronounce it wrong? Alean said blushing and looking in askance at Kalten. He shook his head.
"No, not at all, sweetheart" he said smiling down at his wife. "Sparhawk isn't familiar with the term."
"Diagma is a Peloi custom, a joust or tournament, of sorts." said a voice from the doorway.
Everyone looked up as sir Tynian strolled into the room. Sparhawk rose, greeting the Alcione knight and invited him to have a seat. Tynian crossed the room and took a seat beside Kalten.
"Tell us more about this Diagma." Ehlana asked curiously.
"It was an older custom among the Peloi during the off season for cattle drives, before the Peloi began hunting Zemoch ears for fun and profit. Naturally, Mirtai found out about it and insisted on reinstituting it."
"With some hand-to-hand modifications, I am sure." Ehlana said with a knowing smile.
"That she did. Interestingly enough though, she didn't participate," said Tynian.
Sparhawk expression became puzzled "Why? I've never known Mirtai to back down from a fight." Indeed, the Atan warrior was one of the best soldiers, male or female, that Sparhawk had ever known.
Kalten answered Sparhawk's inquiry. "She only stayed out to let that cub of hers get a chance to flex his claws. Taieg is a dangerous one. Not only did he beat all the contestants in the camp, he barely broke a sweat. Did I mention the lad is only seven?" Kalten said with a sullen expression.
"It does tend to make one feel a bit inadequate," Tynian observed.
"Truly," agreed Sparhawk.
Ehlana crossed the room to sit beside her husband. "Dearest Sparhawk, surely the preeminent knight in all Elenia and savior of the world is not threatened by a mere child?" she said taking his hand, her eyes luminous. Her voice began to crescendo to epic proportions, "…Surely eons from now bards shall sing of thine exploits and how thou lifteth up thy blue jewel, Bhelliom, and how thou smote mighty Azash, and anon when thou evil adversary Klael, the accursed one soughteth to enslave thine world, thou brought thy jewel and banished evil …"
"Ehlana please stop; I get the point." Sparhawk said, interrupting his queen before she built to the climax of her impromptu speech
"Oh well," said the queen, her voice quite normal "As long as you are done feeling sorry for yourself." She smiled impishly and turned toward Tynian.
"Why are you going to Cheryllos?" she asked.
"I need to speak with Sarathi." Tynian replied.
Ehlana waited.
"Ah…It isn't very important, your majesty," he said.
Sparhawk raised an eyebrow, "If it's sensitive, we won't press you about it. Will we, your majesty?" Sparhawk said, sharing a glance with his wife, who pursed her lips and nodded reluctantly.
"Of course not sir Tynian, I just thought we might be able to help." Ehlana said, not quite able to keep the curiosity out of her voice.
"Ah, no Sparhawk it's nothing like that." Tynian said, looking very uncomfortable.
Kalten laughed. "Tynian happened to make one of his famous 'suggestions' to his preceptor and Darrellon ran with it."
"What kind of suggestion?" Ehlana asked, leaning forward.
Tynian sighed, beaten. "I suggested that perhaps we modify the Diagma for our own uses. Some of the Church Knights of my order have been getting restless, as there are only so many Rendors to carve up. I figured it might be useful for the Alcione knights to participate in a tournament to keep us fit and occupied during this outbreak of relative peace. So I mentioned it to Darrellon, and he liked the idea." Tynian said.
Kalten took up where Tynian left off. "Darrellon thought it was such a great idea that he figured it would be even better to include the other three orders and make the tournament more inclusive. So he sent Tynian to ask Dolmant for his permission to organize it."
"A tournament is an excellent idea, sir Tynian!" Ehlana exclaimed, her eyes taking on a distant gleam. "I can already imagine! We could set up right outside the city gates, of course, we would have to clear away several acres of those woods, but that would not take too long…"
"Er, queen Ehlana?" Tynian interrupted, looking even more uncomfortable at the queen's excited smile.
"Yes, sir Tynian?"
"Well, you see, your majesty, it rains half the year in Elenia…Darrellon and the other preceptors already agreed that we should hold the tournament in Diera."
Ehlana's eyes widened and her face fell in abject disappointment. "Diera?"
Sparhawk put a consoling arm around his wife's shoulders. "Don't worry Ehlana; surely the light of Elenia will outshine all the world, even when another country is chosen to host the largest tournament in a century."
"That is not funny, Sparhawk."
--
Sir Tynian left three days later, amidst a torrential downpour. While Ehlana had not quite forgiven him for depriving her of the tournament, she and Sparhawk were both sad to see him go. Once they had said their farewells, the royal couple returned inside to check on Danae. The young princess had fallen ill as was her wont from time to time. Sparhawk suspected what caused his daughter to turn lethargic and semi-comatose, and although Danae might deny it, he knew it was fatiguing for the child-goddess to be in multiple places at once. As a result, he worried as much as Ehlana when their daughter fell ill, albeit for different reasons.
In the corridor leading to Danae's suite of rooms, they ran into Ensen. His brow was knit as if in deep thought and did not look up at Sparhawk and Ehlana until they were directly in front of him.
"Good morning, Ensen." Ehlana greeted the earl's nephew
Ensen looked up and smiled at the beautiful queen.
"Good morning ye majesty, ye highness…" Ensen paused, "I wonder if I might have a word with ye, Prince Sparhawk, when ye free p'haps? I dinnae want to interrrupt if ye are visiting her highness," he asked Sparhawk tentatively.
Sparhawk put his hand on the young man's shoulder and nodded, "I will catch up with you later then, Ensen."
"Thanks mate. I'll be in the archives for the next few hours," he said, walking off.
Danae was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed, an indecipherable expression on her face. She looked up and smiled wanly when Ehlana and Sparhawk walked in.
"Are we feeling better?" Ehlana said sitting on the edge of the bed and pressing her hand against her daughter's forehead.
"I am fine, mother. I was just tired earlier, I feel much better now." Danae said, smiling again.
"All right, darling," Ehlana said, not quite convinced. "I think I will talk to physician Adrium in either case."
Danae wrinkled her nose. "But mother, he will make me drink that awful concoction he makes! I really am feeling much better," the young princess pleaded, her eyes wide and imploring.
"That's nice dear," Ehlana said absently, as she rose to fetch the physician.
When Ehlana was out of earshot, Danae looked up at Sparhawk as he studied her gravely.
"What is it, Sparhawk?" the child-goddess asked petulantly.
"Would you like to tell me what happened?" Sparhawk asked quietly, a slight edge in his voice.
Danae heaved a great sigh, "Elenes," she muttered under her breath. "Talen and Kyyis got waylaid in Cheadin," she said.
Sparhawk felt a stab in his chest at the mention of Kurik's sons.
"Are they all right?" he asked carefully.
Danae frowned. "Kyyis is fine. The bolt that hit him was venomous, but the poison was fairly easy to counteract…"
"And Talen?"
If not for the grave situation, Sparhawk might have laughed. It was very rare that he saw the Styric child-goddess look uncertain. Right now her uncertain look caused a shiver to run down his spine.
"He was wounded, and he bled a lot before he was stitched up, but he should be okay."
"Should?"
"There's nothing wrong with him, Sparhawk. I don't know why he will not wake up." Danae said; frustration and concern plainly written over her face.
Sparhawk looked at his daughter, "I seem to remember you brought Atan Engessa to your 'special place' and let him heal there. Why couldn't you do the same with Talen, and find out what is wrong with him?" asked Sparhawk.
Danae's eyes became shuttered. "I can't."
"Why?"
Danae buried her head in her hands and murmured, "I wish my sister were here."
Sparhawk crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the child goddess.
"Don't you love me anymore, father?" she asked looking up, tears forming in her eyes.
"There is no need for that Danae," Sparhawk said sternly, kissing his daughter on the brow. "But you still need to tell me what is going on. This is the third time this month you have fallen ill; it worries your mother to no end, and I also have my share of concerns." he said.
"Well," Danae started wringing her hands, "When I decided to be incarnated in this form I had to get permission from the Elene god. You have no idea how fast I had to talk to pull that one off, but I did do something nice for him once…"
"Danae," Sparhawk interjected, "What does this have to do with you getting sick?"
"I was just coming to that, Sparhawk" fixing him with a withering glance.
"The Elene god consented, but with some restrictions. He said that in this incarnation, I would have to age and die like a normal mortal."
"And you agreed to that?"
"Of course, Sparhawk. I figured I would have to pretend to age and die anyway, so I didn't think anything of it. I did not consider that he would take care of my mortality personally. He is so tedious; I really would have done it myself." Danae grimaced.
Sparhawk sighed, he had asked after all.
"Anyway," Danae continued, "I still can do everything I did before, but this body wasn't designed for some of the things I can do, so it tends to become exhausted easily, especially when I have to split my concentration."
Just then, Ehlana returned with Adrium, the court physician, cutting Sparhawk's conversation short. Sparhawk excused himself to go see Ensen in archives, while a miserable-looking Danae was given her medicine.