The King of Anavrea (Book Two of the Theodoric Saga) Page 11

  Then Lirth heard Ireic approach her. Rising, she held out her hand. Ignoring it, Ireic enveloped her in a fierce one-armed hug. Tears filled her eyes as he pressed her against him. The familiar smell and feel of him filled her senses, washing away her fear for his life.

  “I am so glad you are alive.” She rubbed her cheek against the heavy cloth of his shirt.

  “Come.” He didn’t release her as he turned to the men. “We must leave now. The greater the distance we cover before discovery the better. Ipore, please open the passage.”

  Lirth heard Ipore cross the room to the far side. A muffled grinding sound brought the scent of stale air. Ireic wasted no time. “Ipore, you lead us, Aarint follow him. Lirth will be behind me. Liam, take up the rear.”

  The air filled with the smell of burning tar as the torches were lit.

  “The entrance is a ladder carved into the stone.” Ireic’s voice came from near her ear. “At the bottom is a tunnel three feet across and five feet high.” He led her to the opening. Aarint climbed down first.

  “Liam, take her hand while I climb down,” Ireic instructed. The heavily gloved hand of the personal guard closed around her right hand firmly.

  A few moments later, Liam instructed her to turn around. Guiding her backwards carefully, he helped her find the first foot hold. Cautiously, she felt for the next and slowly began her descent into the tunnel. After climbing steadily downward for a long time, she heard and smelled the torch.

  “I can see you,” Ireic told her from below. “Keep coming slowly. You only have a few more feet.” She obeyed. His hand enclosed her ankle. “There are only three more left and then you have to jump.” His voice echoed slightly. Obediently, she covered the last three foot holds and jumped. She landed awkwardly, but Ireic’s good arm steadied her.

  “Are you well?”

  She nodded shakily.

  “Good.” He turned away, but kept ahold of her hand. “The tunnel starts over here.” He guided her fingers to the cool stone rim of the opening. It was just as he described it.

  “Come. Ipore and Aarint already gained quite a bit of ground ahead of us. I can see Liam’s boots. We need to give him some room to jump.”

  He led her into the tunnel.

  Lirth followed, hoping she managed to not step on his heels or bump into his back.

  ~~~~~~

  Cold of the clammy stone wall seeped into the muscles of Ireic’s shoulders. However, his good arm was very comfortably wrapped around his wife. Ireic closed his eyes and laid his cheek against the top of Lirth’s head. Her steady breathing kept him from moving.

  They had covered what felt like miles of tunnel with only two breaks. Above them and outside the tunnel opening, Liam hid in the underbrush and watched for Aarint and Ipore to return. The pair had set off hours ago to seek transportation. Despite Lirth’s lack of complaining, Ireic could see the signs of exhaustion in her features. Even further proof was that she slept sitting up, leaning against him and warming his good side.

  Ireic leaned his head against the rough stone. His first priority was to get Lirth to a safe place. His family home, Fuge Aven, would offer shelter. Miles into the deep forest of Western Anavrea, it would discourage attack. Getting there would be difficult, but once there she would be safe. Then he could turn his mind to his crumbling kingdom.

  Frowning into the darkness, his stomach turned. It would be so much easier to just walk away. He hadn’t wanted the crown in the first place. But, if he did leave the throne, he would be leaving the country in the council’s hands. A list of the new laws that the council wanted to legislate flowed through his head. Taxes on windows and exterior doors, new laws for clearing the way for passing officials, and forfeiture of property for all manner of minor offenses were just a few of the changes the council would make. No, he could not leave the people at the mercy of these men.

  The men moving above drew Ireic from his thoughts. The cover creaked open and the outline of Liam’s head appeared against the backdrop of the moonlit sky. “Three figures approach. It looks like the ambassador and Ipore have returned with help.”

  “We will be right up,” Ireic promised.

  Lirth sat up and yawned. “They are back?”

  “Yes.” Ireic climbed carefully to his feet. His body protested, but obeyed. He offered Lirth a hand. Realizing she couldn’t see it, he crouched down and claimed her hand. “Come, they are waiting.” He led her to the rungs and awkwardly followed her up into the cool night air.

  ~~~~~~

  The breeze whispered through the trees and brushed icy fingers across Lirth’s exposed skin. From the sound, she guessed that they stood in an open space among the trees. As she stepped away from the tunnel opening she heard someone approaching from the left, tramping through the underbrush. She took another step. The ground gave slightly, the dirt loosened like it had been plowed.

  “Sire.” Ipore’s voice, slightly breathless, broke through the silence. “I present Master Thorpe, the farmer who cares for these lands.”

  “My liege.” The man’s voice was rough and raspy, as though he hadn’t used it in many days. “My land is yours. How may I serve you?”

  “I thank you for your offer,” Ireic replied. “I and my party need a place to rest in secrecy tonight. Do you have a barn where we might sleep?”

  “My house, sire, is small, but I am proud to be able to offer you what little I have.”

  “No, I do not wish to turn you and your family out. Where would you stay if we displaced you?”

  “We can sleep comfortably in the barn, sire. The hay is soft and the loft warm–” The man would have continued, but Ireic cut him off.

  “Then that is where we will stay, if you allow.”

  “But, sire–”

  “We will stay in your barn and thank you, Master Thorpe.” Ireic’s voice took on the tone of a commander.

  “Show us the way.” Ipore tried to cut off the farmer’s protests.

  “My family would willingly give up their beds, sir.” The farmer said again, turning to address his argument to the healer.

  “His Majesty knows that and is honored with your willingness to sacrifice your warm bed.” Ipore drew the man away from the tunnel opening. “However, we may be followed and the first place the king’s enemies will look is within your home. While they are searching your home, we will have time to escape to safety.”

  Lirth heard the farmer answer. Though she could no longer make out his words, his tone made it clear he was not convinced.

  “He seems awfully eager to give up his home,” Aarint commented from right beside her. Taking her hand, he led her forward. His grip and familiar manner from the days of their childhood brought memories to the forefront of her thoughts. The cold air smelled of fall, and the night resembled the many nights they crept out of bed to watch the moon from the nursery window. Homesickness for all her brothers pressed against the back of her throat.

  Lirth pushed the memories aside. She would have time to explore them later. Right now she needed to concentrate on the present.

  “Where is Ireic?” she asked. The uneven ground made going slow. She had to test each step before putting her full weight on it.

  “He is walking with Liam right behind the healer and the farmer. The moonlight makes everything decently clear. We will not lose them.”

  “I am not afraid of losing our way,” Lirth protested. “I am concerned for him. Does he look well?”

  Her brother hesitated slightly before taking his next step. His words when they came sounded cautious. “He is weary, Lirth. Healing from such a wound takes more rest than he allows himself and when he does rest, he is worn down by too many cares. I noticed a dullness to his eyes back in the study and now he holds his shoulders lower than before.”

  It was as she feared. “He carries his responsibilities with great thought and care, Aarint. He takes on all the worries of his people and forgets about himself. Trahern warned me that Ireic would find this hard. Trahern seemed t
o imply that I would need to help Ireic through whatever came, but now that this crisis has come, I don’t know what to do. If only he knew the Kurios; then he would have Someone to help him bear his load.”

  “Whoever this Trahern is, he must know Ireic well.”

  “He does. He is his half-brother.”

  “Ah, the prince who was to have the throne.”

  “What can I do?” Lirth asked.

  Aarint stopped. Taking her hands, he brought them to his lips. “Pray, Lirth. Pray and do as every good wife should, show him your willingness to help.”

  “You will pray?” Lirth knew the answer, but she needed to hear Aarint’s promise.

  “I will.”

  Turning, he continued leading her across the field.

  ~~~~~~

  The next morning, Lirth woke to the scent of hay. She stirred slightly, but her muscles immediately protested. As the events of the previous day began to flood her thoughts, Lirth remembered why she was so sore.

  “Sire, we have to talk.” The healer’s muffled voice cut through the silence.

  “Hush, the queen still sleeps.” Ireic spoke barely loud enough for her to hear.

  Lirth turned her head toward the sounds as heavy footfalls vibrated the floor beneath her bed of straw. They approached the partition between their sleeping area and the rest of the loft. Ireic took care the night before to familiarize her with every inch of the space before they retired. Lirth suspected he feared her falling from the unblocked edge of the second floor onto the packed dirt below.

  “Ireic, they are telling the people you are dead.”

  The feet stopped and silence followed.

  “I heard the first time, Ipore.” Ireic’s fatigue came across clearly in his tone.

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  Ireic sighed heavily. “Leave. We leave for Fuge Aven in two hours.”

  “Should we send word to someone that you are alive?”

  The sound of cloth rubbing against the rough wood of the partition indicated someone had slid over the wall to the floor. His next words were barely audible. Lirth guessed he was covering his face with his hands.

  “We aren’t sending word because it is too dangerous. If we sent word to an ally, it would only give the council and Lirth’s tormentor a trail to follow. I believe the council wants me dead right now. They think it would solve all their problems. They do not know that upon my death they would be dealing with Trahern, an irate older brother with less respect for their dignity.”

  “But we can’t let them go unchallenged.”

  “They have no proof, Ipore. We disappeared. The king, the queen, and the ambassador from Sardmara disappeared from a secured palace. The council holds no proof to support their claim. With no body and no king, they possess no power unless the people give it to them. Considering the council’s actions of recent years, I doubt the people will be eager to follow them.”

  “But the council claims the unpopular events of the past few years are of your making.”

  “The evidence is against them. Let them spread the lies. The truth will win out in the end. They have declared war. With the people’s support, I will respond in kind.”

  Ireic’s voice became clear as he lifted his head to look up at the healer. “Don’t worry, Ipore, I am not running away to disappear. I am running to find a safe place to regroup. When I gather my resources to fight, I will return. I am not going to leave Anavrea in the former council’s hands. They would destroy her. As tempting as freedom from the throne is, I could not live with myself if I stood idly by while they did it.”

  “I will discuss transportation with Liam then.”

  “Let Aarint know he is welcome to join us, should he wish to.”

  Lirth waited until Ipore’s footfalls reached the ladder and began to descend before she moved. Rolling to her hands and knees, she made her way slowly to the partition. Ireic had made her promise not to walk while she was in the loft. Tugging her skirts so that she could move her knees, she crawled to the end of the rough wall and began making her way toward Ireic. She located him by the sound of his breathing.

  “There is a crack in the floor about a foot in front of you.”

  “Thank you.” She reached out to check for the hole. It was about the size of her fist and easy to avoid.

  “I am sorry we woke you.”

  She settled next to him. “I was already awake.” Her heart swelled slightly as he took her hand.

  “Still, it wasn’t the most pleasant way to wake.” He brushed her fingers with his lips.

  “Do you think you can defeat the council?” The thought of losing him sent a shiver down her back, but she resisted it. Thank you for sparing him, Kurios. Please let us get through this.

  He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, caressing her fingers with its warmth. “They can’t act too overtly, but their options are many and their motivations are strong. They want power. They don’t seem to realize that I am not the only one standing between them and a puppet king.”

  “Trahern?”

  “Trahern, Eve, Seth and the child that Eve is carrying at this moment. My edicts are clear and binding. I am sorry I wasn’t able to add you to the line as well, but there wasn’t time.”

  Lirth shook her head. “I am glad you didn’t. I have no desire for power.” Only for you, she thought as he touched her face. Please keep him, Kurios.

  “You need breakfast.” He rose to his feet bringing her hand with him. He pulled her to her feet and into a warm embrace.

  Lirth savored the strength of his arms around her and pressed her cheek to his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “For what?” His breath stirred her hair.

  “For choosing me.”

  His arms tightened slightly but he remained silent. After a moment, he withdrew. “Come, you need to eat.”

  ~~~~~~

  Ireic leaned against the outer wall of the barn. Lirth conversed easily with the farmer’s wife a few feet away. In spite of the dark circles under Lirth’s eyes, she smiled and laughed with the older woman over the antics of the children.

  “She seems to be handling this well.” Aarint joined him.

  Ireic acknowledged his brother-in-law’s arrival with a nod. The ambassador looked very different dressed like a field hand. Still, Aarint wore the dirt and rough clothing with the ease of a man born to a simpler life. Ireic hoped he pulled off the appearance of a rural man with half as much comfort.

  “She is sore,” Ireic pointed out.

  “I meant emotionally. She was pretty distraught when they brought you in after the procession yesterday. She feared that you were dead.”

  Ireic nodded. “I might die yet.” Stating the heaviness that was weighing on his heart did nothing to lift it. He looked over at Aarint, who watched him with a measured look. “I assume Ipore has spoken to you about the danger.”

  Aarint nodded, his dark blue eyes solemn.

  “If something happens to me, get Lirth to the academy in Braulyn. My brother and his family will take care of her.” Ireic wanted to be clear that Lirth would not be abandoned.

  “I hope it never comes to that.”

  Straightening, Ireic stepped away from the barn wall. “Me too.”

  __________

  Chapter Eleven

  Lirth’s legs had grown numb hours ago and her joints hurt. The days of riding on the back of a plow horse were too long. She tried to insist on walking, but Ireic vetoed her plea. He insisted he do the tramping instead. Even now, she could hear him trudging along beside her mount. Somewhere up ahead, Ipore sought out their next stopping place. Aarint and Liam brought up the rear. She hadn’t heard anything from them for hours.

  “Lirth, are you familiar with the Kurios?” Ireic drew alongside her mount.

  “Yes, I know Him well.” Her heart thrilled. Is this my opportunity to share my knowledge of you?

  “So you are a follower?”

  “Yes. My brothers’ tutor introd
uced us to the Kurios and taught us about His perfect gift.”

  “The manuscripts from the Lisbrith claimed that the Kurios controls everything. Do you believe that?”

  He must be thinking about all that has happened. Kurios, help me to speak the words that will bring him comfort.

  She took a deep breath. “Yes, I do. It was the only thing that kept me from despairing during captivity. I clung to the promise that all of it was for a purpose. He would deliver me when it was time.”

  “So, you believe he sent me? I am not sure I can see that.”

  “You wanted a wife. Anavrea needed support against an increasingly hostile neighbor. I don’t believe it was purely chance my father remembered he had a daughter of marriageable age while he sat at the negotiation tables with you and your councilors. He didn’t care about me for five years. Why remember me then?”

  “But I brought you out of that into this. On the run for your life is hardly an improvement.” The weariness in his voice pulled at her heart.

  “No, I prefer this. I am not alone now. Regardless, Kurios is good and wise. He has a good plan no matter what.”

  The reins tightened as Ireic caught the harness. Obediently the beast stopped. “How can you believe that what has transpired?”

  “You are alive. I am alive. Those we love are alive. I know you have lost throne, crown, and security, but we still have each other and hope. The Kurios has promised that He will not desert His own.”

  “I am glad you can believe that.”

  Lirth swallowed back the protest that jumped to her lips. Somehow she knew now was not the time to push the subject.

  Kurios, give me the words and let me know when to say them. Let it be soon, she prayed. He needs you so badly right now.

  ~~~~~~

  How can she believe it? Ireic frowned as he glanced back at his wife. She wanted to say more. Despite the desire written in her eyes, she held the words back.