The Blood Forest (The Tree of Ages Series Book 3) Page 5

  Iseult gazed at the stormy sky above them, tasting the rich scent of damp earth on the back of his tongue. He did not believe things would be anywhere near over once they found the Faie Queen’s shroud. Finn still did not have her memories, and he believed the loss of her child in her previous life was the reason. Her devastation had caused her to lay a curse upon his people before she retreated, never to be seen again . . . until now. There was great power within her, and he could only hope her memories would not change the bond he shared with her, lest his quest end in his death.

  BEDELIA SWATTED at the branches catching in her shoulder-length hair. While she was glad to be back on dry land again, she found everything a constant source of rage. Keiren didn’t care if she lived or died since she had failed so horribly in her quest. No one cared.

  She sighed and swatted at another branch as Rada, her black and white horse, carried her further down the trail. The animal also seemed relieved to be back on dry land after sailing all the way to that forsaken island just for her owner to spy and burn down a tree.

  Thoughts of the island where the Archtree resided brought thoughts of her recent, short-term friendship with Finn. Unlike Keiren or anyone else, Finn cared. She’d heard Finn question Maarav about her well-being. After knowing her only a short while, Finn cared if she lived or died. How cruel that she was now set out to harm Finn even further. Keiren had already taken Àed away, and Bedelia knew just how much the old man had meant to Finn. Now she was supposed to take away even more of Finn’s support.

  The trees grew sparse as she neared the Sand Road, her final destination, for the time being. Keiren had informed her that Finn would cross her path within the day, though the estimate was anything but solid. Keiren still couldn’t see Finn clearly with her arcane gifts. She’d thought it was Àed keeping the girl from her, but now he was gone, turned into a tree, and Finn still eluded Keiren’s ever-watchful eye.

  Good. For the first time in many, many years, she was glad Keiren was unhappy, and she almost hoped being near Finn again would block her from Keiren’s sight too, not to mention Òengus. He’d been given another mission, since Finn and her companions would never be foolish enough to trust him like they hopefully would Bedelia.

  Reaching the Sand Road, she crossed it, then dismounted. Soon enough she had built a small fire, and had begun roasting a rabbit she’d snared in the woods. She sat in the dry grass and propped herself up with her arms while Rada snuffled the ground for something to eat.

  She sighed, looking up at the gathering clouds overhead. A cold rain would be a welcome distraction. Perhaps it would wash away her memories of the past few weeks. Still gazing upward, she resituated her once injured leg. Though the wound caused by a Faie wolf had healed over, lines of black still ran through the veins beneath the skin, currently covered by her deep green woolen breeches and light plate armor. Even with the potion that had allowed her to heal, she still might die from the aftereffects of the bite.

  At times, death seemed a welcome reprieve, but she couldn’t actually accept such a fate. After all she’d endured in her often tumultuous life, it couldn’t all just end. She had loved once, but now knew her love was never truly returned. Her past years of service had been for nothing. She had to make the future ones count.

  She shook her head and patted Rada as the animal stepped a little closer and snuffled near her lap. No, she could not allow herself to die. She would see this thing through, and see where she ended up. Keiren had made her feel worthless. Now, after all this time, she was determined to reclaim that worth, one way or another.

  EVENING WAS FAST APPROACHING, and tensions were high. Maarav knew his confrontation with his men had not gone over well with anyone, especially Iseult. Unfortunately, he’d had little choice. If he would have let the men go, it would have entirely undermined his standing in the city he would always consider home, not to mention it would have been an unwise strategic move in his current situation. He knew he was the odd man out. This journey centered around Finn, and she did not trust him. He had little doubt his brother would side with her over him, and might even side with Kai and Anna too. While Iseult had expressed little love for the pair, he technically knew them better than he knew him, not to mention Finn was in favor of their presence.

  Maarav knew better than to let himself become so grossly outnumbered. He had many reasons for remaining with the party, and could not risk being ostracized.

  He glanced back at his brother, walking beside Finn and her little dragon. Just as his own motivations had remained hidden, so had Iseult’s, though he obviously cared a great deal for Finn. The reasons for that were a mystery. Maarav knew the histories, and he knew just who Finn was. She had cursed their people . . . although, he didn’t fully view it as a curse. He’d always been highly proficient at his job, somehow faster and more stealthy than others. Sometimes it was as if he could even hide in plain sight. Perhaps souls just served to weigh their hosts down, and he was better off without one. Better off, until he died, at least. He was not sure just what would happen to him then. If one stuck strictly to the lore, the souls of his ancestors were stolen. Trapped someplace in between the worlds, never able to live or die . . . or whatever actions souls actually experienced.

  He and Iseult were different. They’d been born into this curse. Perhaps they were just empty shadows, never meant to truly be men. He’d always known there was something that held him apart from other people, and his mother had explained just what that was, but it was still difficult to fully comprehend.

  “Someone ahead near the road,” Tavish muttered beside him.

  Maarav narrowed his eyes, peering into the distance to see the subtle glow of a fire. “Scout ahead,” he ordered quietly.

  A moment later, Tavish and Rae were off, moving silently through the growing shadows. They should have made camp before the sun finished its retreat, but it seemed everyone was reluctant to do so. He supposed he couldn’t blame them.

  He chuckled, thinking of the Faie spell that had so fully ensnared Ealasaid. It hadn’t affected him, but he’d been glad to play along. He’d been planning on letting her know in the morning, viewing it as a grand prank, but the girl had been so utterly embarrassed, he didn’t have the heart to tell her. He hadn’t expected her to react so negatively.

  He walked on in silence, straining to hear Finn and Iseult’s hushed conversation behind him, yet they were a bit too far off. It had been that way all day, and he couldn’t help but feel they kept their voices low on purpose, just to keep him from hearing.

  A few moments later, Rae and Tavish returned.

  “Just a lone woman with her horse,” Tavish explained. “I doubt she’ll give us any trouble. Perhaps she’d even care to share her fire. I’d rather not venture back into the woods tonight.” He eyed the trees to their right warily.

  Maarav shook his head, ashamed that his men had fallen so quickly to Faie tricks, though honestly, he suspected his curse had more to do with his immunity than anything else, as Iseult also seemed immune.

  His mind made up, he continued walking, and his men followed. Soon the fire came more clearly into view.

  Iseult and the others quickly closed the distance between their groups.

  “Just a lone woman,” Maarav explained once everyone was within earshot. He flicked his gaze to Iseult. “Do we want to risk setting up camp in the woods again, or should we perhaps ask to share her fire?”

  “We can decide once we’ve reached her,” Iseult replied, then turned to Finn. “You should cover your dragon.”

  She nodded, then scooped the little dragon up into her arms, wrapping her in a cloak. The dragon purred happily, likely just as cold and tired as the rest of them.

  Soon enough they reached the woman, lounging by her fire with a serene expression. Maarav thought it odd at first that the woman should be so relaxed, but then he recognized her. He quickly debated his next course of action in his head. Finn already knew that Maarav and Bedelia were acquainted, so it wou
ld not do to pretend he didn’t know her, but that would of course bring about many other questions, most from his overly suspicious brother.

  He was saved from further action as Bedelia acknowledged their presence, and Finn squealed and began to dart toward her, then seemed to remember the dragon in her arms. She quickly passed the creature off to Kai, then finished her approach, lunging for Bedelia, who stood as she wrapped her in a fierce hug.

  Bedelia, however, didn’t seem to know what to do with the sudden attention, and awkwardly patted Finn’s back until the woman released her.

  “I’m so glad you’re alive!” Finn exclaimed while everyone else watched on. “Maarav told me he delivered the potion for your illness, but I’ve been so worried. I’m sorry for leaving you, it was not my choice.”

  “Slow down,” Bedelia chuckled, glancing past Finn toward the rest of their party. “It seems you’ve acquired quite a few friends along your journey, or are these the ones you were looking for when we met?”

  “Well you already know Maarav,” Finn replied excitedly, much to Maarav’s chagrin. If everyone hadn’t already caught the first mention of his name, they would surely catch it now. Hopefully they would not feel compelled to ask for further explanation past Bedelia and Finn staying at his inn.

  “And this is Iseult,” she continued, gesturing to the tall, ominous figure at her side. She went on to introduce everyone else, including Tavish and Rae. “We’re still looking for my friend Àed,” she added sadly.

  Was it just Maarav’s imagination, or had Bedelia’s expression tensed at the mention of Àed? He pursed his lips in thought. He’d have to ask Bedelia later, once he managed some privacy. There were many things he wanted to ask the woman, as he didn’t believe for a moment her appearance was mere happenstance.

  Finn continued to chatter on, and soon enough, everyone was seated around the fire. Bedelia was formally introduced to Naoki, letting Maarav know how much Finn trusted her friend. He found himself almost glad Finn had the ever-suspicious Iseult around to keep her from trusting every person she came across. She was obviously a poor judge of character.

  It didn’t take long for Ealasaid to join in the conversation, and even Anna, who seemed to slowly be forming some sort of bond with the other women, another surprise. He’d known of Anna and her reputation as a heartless smuggler for years, and she knew of him as, well, a man of many trades, though the two had rarely crossed paths. He was surprised she’d form an allegiance with women as seemingly nice as Finn and Ealasaid, but he supposed it was a wise move on her part. He knew he should be making allegiances of his own.

  Their conversations went on late into the evening, until everyone was ready to fall asleep. Bedelia’s presence seemed to have lifted a measure of tension in the group, and Maarav was grateful. Iseult and Anna took first watch for the night, while everyone dozed off, including Maarav. It was odd, resting easy around such a large group. He knew he had little to fear from any of them, save perhaps Bedelia.

  It would be unfortunate if he later needed to betray them, but he’d always done what he must. The present was no different.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  T he next long stretch of travel went by easy enough as far as Kai was concerned. Camping near the road with a large fire seemed to keep the Faie at bay, and several times they came across traveling caravans willing to share a bit of warmth and merriment, at least for those willing to accept it. Iseult had mainly kept to himself, watching over Naoki to allow Finn the comfort of warm meals and a toasty fire when they shared camp with strangers. The last caravan had even shared a bit of brandy, bringing deeper sleep to those who’d partaken. Needing to sleep doubly well, Kai had sipped a bit more than necessary.

  Still, he could hardly wait to reach Port Ainfean. According to the travelers they passed, the port town was yet unharmed by the Faie, or An Fiach, for that matter. In fact, little had been heard of the uniformed men since some massive battle up in the North. Few knew much about the battle, save Iseult, Maarav, and Ealasaid, who’d all been present. He had learned from Iseult that An Fiach had marched on a small settlement of refugees, led by a Reiver from the far North. The Reiver had been collecting magic users, and the initial battle had been bloody, but no one knew just what had happened since Iseult and the others left the battlegrounds behind.

  Yet, that was not at the forefront of his mind. Lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the light drizzle of rain, he watched Bedelia, silently leading her horse while glancing warily at the rest of their party. Finn’s new friend, he’d learned, was the woman she’d traveled with after she’d been kidnapped . . . if being pulled through the earth by animate roots could be considered kidnapping. He found it odd that Bedelia had been readily willing to travel with Finn to Migris back then, just as he found it odd that she’d happily joined them in their travels now, claiming she was heading south, the west all the way to Sormyr. He would have to keep an eye on her. He knew what Finn, Iseult, and Anna sought was exceedingly valuable, and he would not put it past Bedelia, Maarav, or any of the others to try and steal it. A few months prior, Kai himself would have tried to steal it. Now, he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, besides trying to help Anna. Yes, that was his primary goal, or so he kept telling himself. Risking life and limb to chase the gray shapes out of Anna’s head.

  He let out a sigh of relief when the spires of Port Ainfean came into view, illuminated by large fires in the watchtowers, even during the rainy day. Hopefully there they would all find hot meals and warm beds within the port town. In the morning, they could attempt to acquire more horses, and their journey would become much easier. It was a long way between Port Ainfean and Garenoch. Horses were nearly a necessity.

  Finn and Ealasaid where walking together on the other side of the road, whispering and glancing his way every so often. He had no doubt Finn was regaling the girl with the story of their last visit to Ainfean, when Finn had imbibed a bit too much, only to sneak away the next morning, leaving him behind.

  Ealasaid let out a loud chuckle, probably amused at what a fool Kai was.

  His mood turning sour, he picked up his pace, eager to reach Malida’s tavern where he would procure a nice dram of whiskey . . . or two.

  Ealasaid laughed again.

  Or three.

  They eventually reached the gates and passed through unhindered, though the guards looked each of them up and down with thoroughly disapproving glares. It was well known that Port Ainfean was a den of smugglers and thieves, so the guards were more in place to keep out the Faie, or any humans who would hope to enforce the laws of the realm.

  Finn surprised Kai by moving to his side as they walked down the wide dirt road, lined on either side with vendors bundled against the cold. She had her dragon once again wrapped up in her arms, covered by the cloak. She had to be rather heavy to carry that way, though at least the dragon seemed content to remain hidden, likely pleased to be so near her mother’s warmth.

  “Will we be seeing Malida on this visit?” Finn questioned casually, lifting one arm from her dragon to tug her hood over her hair.

  Kai raised an eyebrow at her. “I intend to see her. I didn’t know I was part of any we.”

  Finn scowled at him from the shadows of her hood. “She was very kind to me, and I’d feel wrong if I did not at least stop by to offer my thanks.”

  He sighed, glancing at the rest of their companions surrounding them. “I suppose that means Iseult will be coming as well.”

  Finn bit her bottom lip, curled into a soft smile. “Yes, he seems reluctant to let me out of his sight.”

  He snorted at the understatement. “Yes, I’m not sure if the man has even slept since we reached dry land.”

  Finn laughed and nodded, eyeing a vendor’s table filled with various pies and freshly baked breads, covered with sheer cloth to keep off the road dust and occasional drizzle of rain.

  “Ready for a proper meal?” he asked, not quite ready to let the semi-private conversation end.

 
She nodded. “Oh yes, though I’m worried about Naoki.” She glanced down at the bundle in her arms. “She’s doing quite well now, but I’m terrified of what might happen should she see something to excite her. I’ve a feeling it will not end well if she decides to burst forth in the middle of a tavern.”

  “Perhaps Malida will allow us to take our meals in privacy,” Kai suggested.

  Finn turned her gaze to him, her dark eyes suddenly filled with hope. “Do you think so? That would be wonderful. I’m not sure if the bounty for me still exists, but I imagine it’s best if I don’t draw attention to myself either.”

  Kai’s eyes widened. He’d entirely forgotten about the bounty on her head, even though he and Anna at one point had kidnapped her in an attempt to claim it. “Yes,” he replied. “We should hurry to Malida’s.” He glanced around the street warily. “Suddenly I feel perhaps we were safer out in the wilds.”

  Finn smiled, seemingly not as worried as he suddenly was, but at least she was smiling at him.

  FINN EXHALED in relief as they reached Malida’s tavern. She had assumed they would go around to the back entrance like they had previously, but Kai led them through the heavy wooden doors of the front entrance instead. She supposed their extra party members had something to do with it, especially Anna. Malida had made it quite clear she didn’t care for Anna.

  Finn scanned the mostly empty room as they entered. She knew the establishment would fill up come evening, but it was still early enough in the day that few patrons filled the low chairs surrounding the round wooden tables. Her gaze moved next to the woman at the bar, not Malida, but her daughter. The girl’s eyes lit up as she noticed Kai, then narrowed into a glare as she spied Finn with her draconic bundle in her arms. Unperturbed, Kai and Finn moved toward the bar with Iseult in tow, while the rest of their party took up seats around a vacant table.