Chapter 33: Rash Decisions

Third Company of the King's Own had stopped after hours upon hours of riding. They were still at least three days from their destination and soldiers and commanders alike were next to silent. There was a grim mood hanging over the warriors, making them all feel tense and apprehensive for the battle they rode out to face. The gaps between trees were continuingly getting smaller as they rode nearer the Grimhold Mountains. The black robe mage was secured in a safe house which was hidden somewhere between those looming trees, not to mention all the Maren soldiers that were waiting to attack them. Justin Grenike had set up the best defence possible, in order to secure Numair Salmalìn's Gift.

Kel was sitting next to Dom, eating dinner. There was an unnatural silence to the men; she had never known them to be quiet, even when travelling into battle…especially when going into battle. She scanned the dark clearing and recognised the faces of the men. Two faces that were not present were painfully obvious to her. Numair and Adalia.

Numair's face had remained the pale white that it had been when she had greeted him at the gate of New Hope. He had said nothing, although he had been using magic all day to clear the road. She noticed that he had been using it for relatively small things, as well as large. It was obvious that he was trying to make them go as fast as possible. Kel could see the pain it was giving him to have to attack instead of simply giving up his Gift. It meant that there was a very high chance of Rye being killed. Kel also knew what they had promised not to tell Adalia; Rye was being tortured. It made them all go at a hard pace and only stop when their mounts had been about to collapse. Kel bit her lip. She hated having to stop, but she had the sense to know it was necessary.

Kel glanced towards the pale form of Adalia. She had been pacing up and down ever since they had stopped, and adamantly refused food. Kel understood what she was going through; she couldn't imagine what she would be like if Dom was kidnapped, but she wished she would act a little bit more like herself. Usually, her presence made everyone more at ease, happier somehow. You couldn't help but be drawn into it. Now, it seemed like her own worry and fear for Rye was creeping into the soldiers; creating the grave atmosphere and enhancing everyone's need to keep moving. Kel wished she could force Adalia to rest, but past experience proved that Adalia was too stubborn.

Kel wished that she knew what Adalia was thinking. Then she may be able to help.

.xXx.

Adalia was pacing in an attempt to diffuse some of her worry for Rye. She was nervous and irritable and frustrated. We're going too slow! Rye is in danger and all they can think about is eating and sleeping. What is happening to Rye? Why won't they tell me anything?

Adalia couldn't bring herself to stop, even when more and more of the men retired to their tents. She noticed that Numair hadn't moved either. Rubbing her head, she was just about to go over and talk to him when she spotted Kel and Dom giving him a meaningful gaze, indicating that he should follow them. Adalia's brows snapped together, although she turned on the spot, continuing to pace. Now I can learn something.

Adalia waited until they had gathered in a small clearing away from the tents. She recognised the other sergeants of Third Company that were there as well. Adalia silently climbed a tree to get a good vantage point of the meeting. Making her breathing soft, she watched carefully.

Kel looked at Numair and nodded.

He seemed to tense as he pointed at a few branches that had been piled in the middle. Dom patted him on the back, and then said, "We need to know how he's doing."

Numair nodded and Adalia could see the anger, frustration and apprehension in his body language and eyes. She knew he felt worse than she, as Justin had only taken Rye to get to him. He waved a hand at the fire and what Adalia saw next turned her blood to ice.

.xXx.

Rye was slumped against a stonewall, and it was possible to see deep red blood oozing sluggishly from an open wound on his arm, under a ripped tunic. It looked like he hand been burned in numerous places.

A large arm grabbed the front of his shirt and it shoved him to the stone floor, creating a sickening sound as his head hit. His brown hair looked shades darker, and grey eyes that usually held a spark of mischief was almost totally devoid of emotion, aside from an elusive glint of defiance.

Those watching recoiled in horror as they saw his beared back.

Remnants of his shirt stuck to the numerous injuries on his back. They were long gashes, seeming to be made by a whip. It seemed that the person who had slammed him to the ground had left him. The many wounds were covered in blood, both fresh and old. Blood covered the floor. He slipped into unconsciousness, uttering one word that was impossible to hear.

.xXx.

Suddenly the vision dissolved into embers, and Numair fell to the ground. The sergeants had seen what Rye had been going through over the past week, and the sight left them cold. They needed to get there sooner rather than later. Luckily, they were only a day away, thanks to Numair. They couldn't leave Rye for much longer, or else the torture would kill him.

Having to witness his son being tortured was killing Numair. He would kill Justin Grenike for what he had done if it was the last thing he would do.

.xXx.

None of them had been prepared for the murderous sixteen year old who dropped in on their conversation.

She started pacing and ranting. Anger was heavy on her voice, so much so that the grown men and woman stepped back. They caught phrases such as, "Why didn't you tell me?" "What if he died?" "I should have known!"

After she seemed to have gotten everything off her chest, she stopped and turned to glare at them. Tears were silently streaming from her eyes. Her glare cut them. You could see the anger, and also the desperate need to go and save him. In the sudden stop, she seemed to be thinking something over.

Inspiration hit and she gazed at them and said calmly, "I'm going to get him."

This pronouncement seemed strange. The men still hadn't got over the shock of watching Adalia totally lose her composure, but Kel managed to say soothingly, "We are already going, and we'll be there later tomorrow."

Adalia shook her head, "No, I'm going now."

Numair went up and hugged her, pulling her in tightly. Tears were glistening in his eyes, "We are going."

Adalia stood stiffly in his embrace, "Numair, I'm going in. As a crow."

His eyes shot open. "We already talked about that. It won't make a difference because there's no way you would be able to get him out without us outside."

Adalia grit her teeth and ducked out from his arms, starting to pace again, "That doesn't matter. I'll find a way! I can't leave him on his own. Not when he's suffering through that."

Kel started forward, "NO! It will be all for naught if you get killed! Then you have no chance of helping him!"

Adalia narrowed her eyes and her voice cracked as she said quietly, "I can't do nothing."

And with that, she leaped high off the ground, changing into a crow at the height of the jump. It cawed and then swooped away, towards their destination.

Kel swore loudly. This was bad. Really bad. This was the reason they didn't tell Adalia what was happening to Rye. With this rash action, she could easily get herself and Rye killed before they got there.

Numair quietly gathered up the girl's clothes, daggers and sword that had fallen to the ground. He knew that there was a big chance she would die, but he had to hope. Hope that Adalia could rescue his son.

.xXx.

OMG! Best news, readers! My writer's block disappeared after the second paragraph! Very, very, very bad situation, but I can't help but being excited about that!

The reason I posted this so soon after my last was because here in Aus, the school year starts in 2 days. I am in yr 12, our last, so I don't know if I'll have time to write. I will try to post every Sunday, but I make no promises. Homework is a bugger. Anyways, lets all keep our fingers crossed that they both get out of this alive! If you want to read more about Ady and Rye, they are in Blaire Pleads Insanity, so look that up!

Peace. Skyflyte12 : )