Chapter Ten (Pt.2)

Now fully awake, the settlement folk had drifted into one of two groups: those who’d gone to the warriors’ aid... and those who hadn’t. Still recovering from the brigand attack, the warriors had been ordered to form a barrier between the two groups.

Having taken Evalan to the elder’s house where Maeve had tearfully enfolded him in her embrace, Leah watched as Edmon conferred with Brosh, the settlement elder. The tension in the air was apparent, as was her father’s anger. Gradually, the sound of someone crying intruded on her consciousness. Turning slightly, Leah noticed an older woman sobbing uncontrollably; two others were trying to comfort her, but they also were weeping. A man stood to the side, his expression one of anger and fear.

Satisfied that Evalan was unhurt, Leah began to make her way out of the house, knowing she’d have to wait for an explanation. She didn’t dare use her magic to fathom the mystery; her heightened emotional state was making it difficult for her to shield herself from the flurry of thoughts of those around her.

As she got to the doorway, the angry man came striding up, pushing past her. Sensing trouble, she hurried after him as he ran towards the knot of people who’d helped against the brigands. Her entire focus on him, Leah quickened her pace as the man launched himself at the nearest man, screaming hoarsely. Grabbing hold of him, she managed to wrestle him off with the help of two warriors.

They half-dragged him away as he kept struggling; Leah stared, a deep frown creasing her brow.

“You’d better get that seen to.”

She started for she hadn’t noticed Daven who was now standing by her. “It’s nothing.” Her hand stole to her neck, sticky with blood.

“That may be so, but I’d rather hear it from a physician.”

“What’s going on, sir?”

“I’m not sure, and I’m not saying anything until I have all the facts.”

Leah had to fight her desire to use magic to find out; instead, she made her way to the physician’s tent.

A few warriors were still milling around by the entrance, their wounds already bandaged; they appeared to be in a daze. Kayla emerged from the tent and looked around as if unsure which way to go. Her gaze met Leah’s; she stared then slowly shook her head, her hand covering her mouth.

Covering the distance between them in a heartbeat, Leah grabbed her by the arms. “What is it?”

She seemed unable to do anything except shake her head.

Before she could stop herself, Leah ‘read’ her friend and gasped. “Harlan? Dead?”

She nodded.

“How? When?”

“When? Leah, don’t you remember? He was covering you...”

She shut her eyes tight as the memory flooded back: she had heard Harlan cry out, but her entire focus had been on reaching Evalan. “But... Harlan could easily have bested–”

“I’m not sure how it happened. Harlan was about to attack from the front, Conor grabbed the man from behind–”

“Conor? He was under guard–”

“Oh, Leah, I don’t know the details. Conor’s injured as well, they’re still bandaging his arm.” 

*          *          *          *

The morning dawned clear and cloudless with the promise of a beautiful, sun-filled day. But nothing could brighten the settlement, wrapped in its dark cloak of grief, and divided against itself.

Standing away from the main body of warriors, Deputy Commander Daven faced his two remaining commanders: Kayla and Leah. “We know the truth now. A brigand managed to insinuate himself into their homes and gained their trust. We believe he was sent to find out which settlements were chosen for our nightly stays. When he found out this was one, he stayed, convincing them that he was originally from Orenheart and had decided to travel the land. He then forced them to do the brigands’ bidding... to help them get Evalan.”

Leah frowned. “But he was only one man against an entire settlement–”

“He got close to one of their daughters.”

“The man who attacked the other–”

“The girl’s father,” said Daven, nodding. “The brigands have her. If their plan succeeds she’ll be returned, but if it fails...”

“Goddess, no.” Kayla’s hand strayed to her throat. “How awful for her... for them.”

“We must do something,” said Leah. “They should have told us. We can find her–”

Daven placed his hand on her arm. “Where would we start?”

“But we...” Leah stopped, unable to deny his words, unable to admit that she would know where to start. Unable to run the risk of her secret being exposed.

“The brigand who’d tricked them has been identified as one of the dead; he’d stolen out to lead the others to Evalan. But, as you’ve probably realised, not all the people could go through with the plan. And we owe them a great deal. They’ve set themselves against their fellows...” His shoulders slumped slightly as he sighed heavily. “We will post warriors around the outer perimeter of the settlement wall. If the brigands make another attempt, they will find us ready for them.”

Leah watched as Kayla strode purposefully towards her with Edmon and Brosh following. Silently, she signalled the two warriors, still holding their horses’ reins, to withdraw even as she stepped away from the blanket-covered bundle on the ground.

“They have found her,” said Brosh.

Edmon nodded, seemingly unable to speak.

The old man moved with difficulty, his wrinkled face already starting to crumple. Kayla darted forward and stayed him with a hand on his arm. “It’s not... she’s...”

His gaze never leaving the body, he whispered, “I must.”

She hesitated then crouched down and pulled the blanket back, but only as far as the naked shoulders.

Tears blurred Leah’s vision as Brosh croaked unintelligibly.

The girl’s too-young face was barely recognisable, testament to the numerous blows she must have endured. And what else had she endured, so alone and defenceless?

Brosh was on his knees, his hands fluttering over her, but unable to come to rest. “Poor child... my poor child. This will kill your mother. What do I tell them? Gods help me, I cannot let them see.”

Nostrils flaring, Edmon drew his lips back. “Clean her, Kayla. Wash her, dress her... do the best you can. Her parents will not see her like this.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“We delay leaving another day.”

Leah watched her father help Brosh to his feet and gently lead him away, his one good arm around the old man, supporting him. Her gaze returned to the body as her features twisted with self-loathing.

“Leah?” Daven’s soft voice broke through her revulsion.

“I should have done something,” she whispered.

He sighed as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “We all feel that way, Leah. We all feel we have failed the child. When I found out, in the early hours, that she was being held captive, I had to silence the part of me that wanted to mobilise the warriors to ride out and find her, but I knew that was foolish; everything was against us.”

“We should have tried–”

“Sometimes... sometimes we have to make decisions we’re not happy with, but which seem to make the most sense at the time. And then we have to live with the consequences. Come.” He patted her shoulder. “We still have much to do.”