Chapter Twenty-Four
It had been two days since he’d left Genna’s village. In that time, Daroth had regretted his haste and lack of planning. Having seized his first chance to get away, he’d found himself in the forest with little food. Only then had it occurred to him that he had no idea where to begin looking for Lamorna; for all he knew, she could have doubled back to return to her home village.
That had been his first dilemma – which mounted party to follow? The one heading away into unfamiliar territory, or the one heading in the direction of home? His apprehension wanted him to choose ‘home’, but his instinct pushed him in the opposite direction. That and the fact that the solider leading the search in that direction was the cruel one who’d beaten Genna. Daroth did not want to chance Lamorna having to face that one with no protection.
He’d managed to delay the soldiers by throwing small stones at their horses, aggravating the beasts, which, in turn, irritated the riders. This tactic had not slowed them all that much, but it did give him a small sense of satisfaction. By adding to their annoyance, he hoped, in some way, to interfere with their search.
At the end of the first day, Daroth was confident he’d worked out the soldiers’ route. They appeared to be travelling along the road that connected the villages, moving from one to the next, in their search for Lamorna. He wondered if they had considered, then dismissed, the thought that she might go through the forest, believing it an unlikely option for a young girl on her own with a baby to care for.
Now that he’d managed to work his way ahead of the soldiers, Daroth sprinted towards the next village.
“Who are you, boy? Why the haste?” A large, bearded man with an axe hoisted over his shoulder blocked Daroth just outside the entrance.
“Please, sir...” Daroth fought to catch his breath. “Your village elder. I must speak with him.”
The man regarded him through narrowed eyes.
“Please. It is important. A young girl’s life may be in danger.”
The man lowered his axe, but only so he could balance it in both hands. Stepping to the side, he motioned for Daroth to walk ahead. By the time they stopped by one of the houses, they’d amassed a sizeable crowd.
“Eldon.” Daroth’s escort addressed the portly man sat outside the house, repairing a stool. “We have a visitor.”
From the way the man stared at him with raised brows, Daroth could only imagine the dishevelled state he was in.
“You must have had a... hard journey, my friend.”
Aware that the soldiers were probably not that far behind, Daroth had not the time for niceties. “Forgive my rudeness, elder, but has a young girl passed through your village, maybe seeking sanctuary?”
Eldon regarded him silently before slowly shaking his head.
Glancing around the crowd, Daroth could see the same indifference mirrored in their half-hearted shrugs.
“Who is she?”
He hesitated before replying. “A friend.”
“Is she in trouble?”
Unsure about how much he should divulge, he started with the pursuers. “Soldiers are after her–”
“You led them here?” Eldon was on his feet, moving faster than seemed possible for such a rotund man.
Daroth took a step back, hands held up before him; he felt the axe against him. “They are not aware of me, but they are heading in this direction.”
“What has this girl done?”
“Nothing to warrant being hunted by soldiers. She seeks to protect her brother from the priests. Is that so wrong?”
“So there are two young ones then?” The small-built woman who had been standing in the doorway of the house moved closer to Eldon; she laid her hand on his arm.
Daroth nodded. “Her brother is newly born.”
Gasps sounded around him as the woman touched her throat, shaking her head.
“They are orphans.” Daroth ploughed on, hoping the villagers’ sympathy would work in his and Lamorna’s favour. “The priests want the baby, but she will not give him up.”
“The poor lambs.” Obviously distraught, she turned to Eldon.
He patted her hand. “Hush, my dear. Sadly, young man, we have not seen them.”
Daroth’s shoulders slumped. “Then I shall move on to the next village.”
“Wait.” The woman hurried back into the house.
Eldon turned to his people. “Best not stand around like this. Return to your work, act normally. If the soldiers stop here, we do not want to arouse their suspicions.” He looked at Daroth. “Leave from there.” He pointed to the left, towards the rear of his village. “It leads into the forest. There isn’t much daylight left. Hide there. You can find your way back to the road when the sun rises on the morrow. Keep the sun on your left and move straight ahead. You will come to the road.”
The woman reappeared and pressed a bundle into Daroth’s hands. “A few supplies, not much, but it will help.”
Humbled by her kindness, Daroth ducked his head. “Thank you, mistress, you are most kind.”
Warning shouts sounded from the entrance of the village.
“Go. Quickly,” said Eldon.
As he moved away, Daroth heard the woman say, “Goddess watch over you... and them.” Pausing momentarily, he frowned before quickening his pace. Despite the urgency of the situation, Daroth had to smile. Warmth suffused his being, triggered by the kindness of strangers.
* * * *
The next morning, as the sun’s rays began to filter through the leaves, Daroth oriented himself and started towards the road. He wondered if the soldiers were already travelling, and if they were farther ahead of him now.
Noticing the road, he paused. Head cocked to the side, he heard nothing apart from birdsong. Moving slowly, his breath catching, he stepped out onto the road. There was nothing ahead. He looked back but where the road curved away, his view was limited. He moved farther out, to the middle; his eyes widened.
The soldier sat motionless on his horse, staring at him.
Daroth fled into the forest.
“Stop!”
He could hear the horse galloping after him... or was that the sound of his heart beating fast enough to explode? More shouts. He kept running, arms up against branches that kept whipping him, slowing him... He tripped, heard the sound of his tunic ripping. He hit the ground, suppressed a cry. Scrabbling to his feet, he glanced back. The horse loomed large. Sunlight sparkled on the drawn sword. He ran.
The soldier loudly urged his horse on. His shout was drowned by the horse’s scream.
Daroth turned. Slowed, his eyes wide.
The horse was down with the rider under it. It was struggling to regain its feet, its eyes rolling in agony. The soldier was crying out.
Daroth hesitated, torn between wanting to help, wanting to run. He took a step towards them. The sound of approaching horses stopped him. He ran.
* * * *
Standing just inside the tree line, Daroth stared at the village. From the position of the sun, he could tell it was only mid-morning; it felt much later to him. His mind kept replaying the chase through the forest; his heart yearned to go back and do things differently. He shook his head, struggling to focus on the task he’d set himself.
What if this is all a waste? he thought. All for nothing? What if Lamorna isn’t even travelling in this direction? He clenched his jaw. But I can’t stop. I must see this through to the end, make sure she is safe. I promised.
The memory of his last sight of her, so vulnerable yet so determined, tugged at his heart. “I should have gone with her,” he said softly. “Why did I not? Father is right, I am a fool.”
Tightening his fists, he pushed his shoulders back and began walking towards the village, praying to a god he still desperately wanted to believe in that these people would also be kind. Too late, he saw the mounted riders making their way out of the village.
He raced back to the safety of the forest, warning shouts following him. But he was no match for horses out in the open. Whichever way he turned, a horse was there to block him. Until finally, he was surrounded.
Still he darted this way and that, trying to escape. Laughing, the soldiers manoeuvred their horses around him, taunting him, jeering.
Spying an opening, Daroth ran between two horses. The forest was tantalisingly close. A booted foot struck him in the face; he knew no more.