Chapter 6

The Dreach-Dhoun forest was quiet. It felt different. The tree leaves still glistened with evening dew above their heads and the grass was still supple under the horse’s hooves, but something felt wrong. Changed from the forest they had just passed through in their own lands. Rissa glanced around as a chill grazed her neck and a slight shiver ran over her.

For the past week they’d ridden hard, but even through her exhaustion and sore behind from riding all day, Rissa was still aware of the change in their surroundings. Dreach-Sciene’s world had reawakened.

Then they crossed over into Dreach-Dhoun. She hadn’t noticed the difference at first, but the farther they ventured, the more obvious it became. No one spoke of it. Not Davi or Ramsey, Edric or Rion. She hadn’t even heard a mumble from any of the soldiers, yet every single one of them had grown quiet, less talkative. Like they knew something wasn’t right, but they couldn’t put a finger on it.

Even the lack of enemy soldiers didn’t feel right. War was brewing between the two lands, but the only soldier presence they had seen on the border was their own. The border should have been crawling with Calis’ men, but they had yet to encounter a single one. Where were they?

She tried to talk it over with Davi earlier, but any fragment of the old Davi she thought she had seen at the palace disappeared the closer they got to Dreach-Dhoun. He retreated more and more into his shell and brushed off every form of conversation Rissa tried to pull him into. He rode ahead of her now, back stiff and exuding an aura that said, ‘stay away.’ She fumed, staring after him riding like he had a stick up his ass. She wanted nothing more to hurl a puff of magic at his back and knock him off his horse, and in the process knock some sense into his head. But she didn’t. Instead, she focused her attention on the forest, trying to unlock it’s secret. Without physical contact however, she deduced nothing. Sighing in frustration, Rissa turned in her saddle toward the man riding behind her left.

“Where are all of Calis’ soldiers?”

Ramsey startled at her question, like he had been lost in thought himself and unaware of her presence. A furrow marred his otherwise smooth brow, and Rissa was struck not for the first time by the incredulity that this man was really her grandfather. He looked no more than ten years Trystan’s senior, yet he was their mother’s father. The strangeness of the Tri-Gard’s appearance was sometimes hard to comprehend.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing myself,” Ramsey answered as he pulled abreast of Rissa’s mare. “These woods should be crawling with men, trying to keep us out and his own people in.”

Rion pulled alongside her right flank. “The border patrol told me that the rebellions in Dreach-Dhoun have been steadily getting worse. Maybe he pulled his forces back to quell the uprisings?”

Rissa nodded to herself at Rion’s words. “That would make sense. But even that is not the most important question right now. None of us have said anything, but I know you can all feel it. Maybe not as strong as I can, but you feel the unease? Something is wrong with the land. And the closer we get to the castle, the more I feel it. Ramsey, do you know what it is?”

“Without my crystal I cannot say for certain. You have more of a connection with the earth with your tenelach than I do at the moment. But if I were to guess—”

“He’s pulling too much power from the earth.” Davi’s voice floated back at them from his position of point.

“He speaks!” Rissa yelled to no one in particular, but Davi ignored her sarcasm. It frustrated her to no end.

“Calis, you mean?” Rissa shouted out to him. He didn’t answer. “Dammit, Davi, stop and talk to us. You’ve barely spoken a word and we are getting closer to the castle. At least tell me you have a plan.”

Her cry must have gotten through since he reined his horse to a halt and dismounted. Rissa and Ramsey followed suit and were soon joined by Edric and Rion. The other soldiers fanned out around them, still on horseback, watching the ever-silent forest for the slightest of movement.

Rissa knelt to the ground and dug her hands into the dirt, like she’d been itching to do all morning. The sweet sounds of harmony and the feelings of peace she had grown accustomed to were inexplicably absent. The magic still flowed, but it was faint and barely detectable. It was scarcely enough for her to draw from. She dug her fingers in deeper, and a dull ache pierced her forehead. She concentrated, reaching out in desperation, trying to locate her connection to the earth, to fill her need for the magic. A faint sound reached her ears, and she tilted her head, trying to comprehend what it was. The sound intensified, rolling toward her as the ground trembled beneath her fingertips. Within moments the slight sound escalated into a piercing shriek, hurtling toward her with the speed of a jungle cat. Pain shot through her ears, so intense she feared they were bleeding. She tried to pull back, to pull away from the ground, but her fingers refused to let go as if they understood the earth was suffering and needed her help. Immobilized, she couldn’t move even when her own screams joined with the shrieking in her head.

“Ri!” Davi yanked her up hard by her arms, severing her connection and bringing her blessed relief. “What is it? Why are you screaming?”

He yelled over her fading cry. She shook her head trying to gather her wits, confusion replacing her pain.

“Did… did you not hear that?”

“Hear what?” Davi asked, almost shaking her in frustration. “All we heard was you yelling.”

Ri swallowed the fear that still coated her tongue, staring back at the four men who were regarding her as if she’d just grown a second head. “The earth. It was screaming. There was so much pain. So much anger.”

Ramsey stepped between his granddaughter and Davi, prying Davi’s fingers off Rissa’s arms and gently wiping a lock of hair away from her face. “No, we were spared that. You experienced it because of the tenelach. Can’t say I’m jealous you possess such a thing at the moment. Are you hurt?”

Rissa ignored Ramsey’s question and turned her gaze back to Davi. “You think Calis is behind this? All of this? Why is he draining the earth of magic? And how? How can one man hold so much?”

“It’s him all right,” Davi muttered as he wiped a weary hand over his face. “And Briggs too, most likely.”

“Ah, yes.” Ramsey nodded in agreement. “If anyone can find a way to store magic again, it’s Briggs Villard.”

“But why?” Edric shook off his shock enough to join in. “Why drain his own lands when he wanted magic back into Dreach-Sciene?”

All heads turned to Ramsey as if he held all the answers.

“I see you all expect me to know? Very well then. If I were to guess I’d say it is not only Calis and Briggs draining the magic. They are planning a mass execution to be witnessed by thousands. The condemned will not have access to the land to fill their own magic, but those left outside that care for them will. Calis and his whole slew of soldiers need to be at full power to control the crowd, will they not? If it were your loved ones about to be executed, would you not try everything in your power to save them? Calis is preparing for the barrage of the desperate. That’s my theory.”

“Or he’s finally gone stark raving mad,” Rissa whispered.

“I’m afraid he passed that mark a long time ago, my dear.” Ramsey replied.

“Be that as it may.” Edric’s eyes filled with worry. “If Calis and his army are pulling magic, what does that mean for us? Can we go up against such power?”

“No,” Davi said bluntly and Edric grimaced at the reply.

“Then what are we doing on this stupid rescue?” Rissa’s concern escalated into anger at his candor. “Do you at least have a plan? Or were we just going to march into your father’s castle and ask nicely for him to hand Lorelai over?”

“Of course I have a plan,” Davi snapped and Rissa’s eyes widened in surprise at his tone. She’d never heard Davi speak that way before. Ever.

“Boy isn’t as stupid as he looks,” Ramsey interjected, ignoring the glare Davi hurled his way. “Go on then. Tell us how we’re to get the girl back?”

A startled “Princess!” echoed through the trees, interrupting whatever Davi was about to say. Rissa glanced in the direction of the voice just in time to see the two soldiers stationed nearby, sail through the air and land in a groaning heap on the ground. Instinct had her tearing her bow from her shoulder even though her gut screamed magic.

More soldiers were hurled around as Rissa and the other three stood back-to-back, forming a circle with weapons raised.

“Show yourselves!” Davi demanded, just as a wave of energy shimmered through the air, ripping leaves and branches from trees as it moved toward them. Rissa dropped her bow and fell to her knees. Palms flat on the ground she allowed the magic already stored inside of her to flow free, encapsulating them in a protective barrier. The attack hit, but it was weak, and Rissa’s barrier held fast.

“I said show yourselves.”

Davi’s order was followed by a few moments of silence before figures emerged from the shadows. The large men and women covered in furs and carrying blades was sight enough to make Rion gasp, but recognition set in for Rissa right away and her heart thumped in her chest. This was the same group of border patrol that had captured her and Trystan, Avery and Alixa on their first journey into Dreach-Douhn. The ones that had taken them to the castle. Calis’ people.

The two groups stood staring at each other in stony silence. Finally, the big brute leading the pack stepped forward and the muscles in Rissa’s back tensed in preparation for the attack. The man came closer, headed toward Rissa. Davi moved to flank her side immediately.

“That’s close enough.” Davion threatened as he pointed his blade. The bear of a man threw his sword to the side as he stepped closer. So close Rissa could see the gray hairs in his scraggly beard and the dirt encrusted wrinkles on his face. All that stood between him and them was her barrier. He pulled a knife from the sheath at his side, and Rissa sucked in a breath, but some instinct made her hold Davi’s sword down as he tried to raise it higher.

The stranger studied the barrier in front of Rissa, oblivious of her and the threat of Davi’s blade. He tapped the tip of his knife against the magic barrier and the jolt was enough to send the dagger flying out of his hand. Sparks flew and the man shook his hand as if he’d been zapped by the energy as well. His gaze shifted to Rissa and a toothy smile erupted across his face, enhancing the wrinkles already there.

“You are powerful. How are you doing this when the rest of us can barely raise enough magic to wipe our noses?”

“Why do you lie?” she asked. “We just watched you disable all of our soldiers with magic.”

He nodded, not denying the accusation. “But they are fine. We just knocked their asses out of their saddles. No harm done.”

She looked around finally, to see he was telling the truth. The men and women of their contingent were picking themselves up, with no apparent injuries.

“Why would you do that?” She asked in confusion. “We gave you no reason to attack.”

“There is an old saying, better to be safe than sorry. We did not know who you were. Which leads to the question, who are you? You travel with no sigil or house colors. That tells me you are somewhere you shouldn’t be and do not wish to be found.”

“You don’t remember me?” Rissa asked, her eyes narrowing.

The old man raised a brow. “Should I?”

“Well considering you captured me and my brother and delivered us to Calis just a few weeks ago…”

The corner of his mouth lifted again. “Forgive me, Madame, but we’ve captured so many in the name of King Calis.” He studied her a bit more. “Although that red hair does seem familiar.”

“It doesn’t matter who she is,” Davi interrupted the man’s perusal. “What matters is that you attacked us unprovoked.”

The man spread his hands wide. “But that is what we do. We don’t need a reason. And normally we would have robbed you all by now and gotten away with our wares. But the girl’s magic intrigues me. I wish to know how she is so powerful when the rest of us are fading.” He returned his gaze to Rissa. “You can drop your shield. No need to waste magic. We mean you no harm. I just want an answer to my question.”

“You expect us to believe that when the rest of your people look like they want to skewer us on their blades?” Davi growled. “Tell them to drop their weapons.”

The man’s smiled widened, but he said nothing as he waved a hand and his people obeyed, their weapons tumbling to the ground. The Dreach-Sciene soldiers made haste and moved them out of reach.

The old man studied Davi with his piercing eyes and Rissa knew the moment recognition set in by his sharp intake of breath. “The girl draws a blank, but you I do know. You are the dark king’s son. Prince Davion. Some say you’re dead. Obviously not true. Others claimed you left Dreach-Dhoun, choosing to pledge your allegiance to the prince….” His gaze switched to Rissa, “…and princess of Dreach-Sciene. Am I correct?”

“Ri, don’t answer his questions,” Davi said.

“Yes,” Rissa ignored Davi’s exasperated sigh.

“Princess Renauld.” The man gave a mock bow. “I do remember you now, and your capture.”

“So, you understand our reluctance to face you without my magic barrier?”

“Understandable, yes. But no need to worry. As I’m sure you can tell by our pathetic attempt earlier to penetrate your shield, your magic is much more powerful than ours at the moment.”

Ri examined the wrinkled face staring at her. Even though the capture they had experienced at his hands remained fresh in her memory, she saw no deceit in his eyes. She suspected he was telling them the truth. At least she hoped so as she released the pulse of magic still surging from her and the barrier disappeared.

“I’m trusting in your word, Sir…?”

“Bowman,” he offered.

“Sir Bowman. Please don’t make me regret my decision.”

Davi flexed his hand on his sword and pointed the tip Bowman’s way. “The Princess may believe you, but I do not. One wrong move and I cut you down.”

Instead of taking offense at Davi’s threat, the man laughed. “I believe you. If even an ounce of your father’s blood runs through your veins, then our fear of your threat is justified.”

“Davi, please.” Rissa reached out and lowered the blade sticking in the old man’s chest. Davi grunted in disapproval but allowed her to do so.

“Tell me, Sir Bowman, what is wrong with Dreach-Dhoun’s magic? When my tenelach connected with the earth earlier all I felt was pain. There’s barely any magic left.”

The old man arched his bushy brows. “Tenelach? Ah, so that explains why you still have magic while the rest of us can barely squeeze a drop from the earth. Even here in the middle of the forest, Calis and Villard’s greedy tentacles have taken root. They’ve stolen so much, the rest of us are left starving.”

“Why?”

“Does Calis need a reason? Because he can. The man does what he desires. Which, being mercenaries such as we are, never bothered us. As long as he paid us in full, we did his bidding.”

“So, what has changed?”

“You’ve heard of the mass execution he has planned?”

Ri nodded, ignoring Davi’s glare telling her not to say too much.

“That’s what has changed. The man has truly earned his title of the mad king. He is prepared to kill hundreds of innocents for the sake of proving a point.” Bowman pointed his chin at his motley crew. “Most of my people have family: mothers, fathers, children among the hundreds of prisoners. We, as well as others, aim to put a stop to the madness, but Calis is always one step ahead. He’s drained the lands. Him and his sorcerer have figured out a way to keep the rest of us from attaining any decent amount of magic. To stop him, we will have to battle with weapons alone. A battle from which many of us may not return, but we are willing to take the sacrifice.”

“The magic still runs strong in Dreach-Sciene.” Ramsey stepped forward, deciding on the old man’s honesty as well. “We can get you past the border guards so you can fill your power.”

Bowman tapped his nose and grinned at Ramsey. “You think like us, good sir. We had considered that idea. If we are even to stand a chance at saving our families, we need magic. But then a messenger stumbled back to camp this morn with news.”

“What news?” Ri asked, even though the cold knot of fear in her belly was telling her she did not want to know the answer.

“Calis’ men have finished the gallows ahead of schedule. We don’t have time to get to Dreach-Sciene and back since the execution has been moved ahead. As we speak, the people in the surrounding villages are being herded to the castle to stand witness to this atrocity. Everyone will be put to death two days hence.”