Altered Destiny (25 page)

Jaden sat under a large fir, the gentle scrape of his knife against wood the only sound save for the sigh of wind through the branches above. He appraised the newly formed arrow shaft, tested its weight and placed it in a growing pile by his side. A gust of wind blew bits of decaying leaves and needles around him and strengthened the biting scent of the surrounding evergreens. He narrowed his eyes to ward against the grit pummeling his face.

Even this far south, the summer nights grew chilly but he wouldn’t risk a fire. Jaden weighed his stack of arrow shafts against a supply of heads. He probably should have taken some of Nathan’s arrows, if only for the tips. After jumping the fortress wall he’d searched the area for Svistra arrows but didn’t find as many as he hoped. And unfortunately he had no time to look for the kind of stone or feather he needed.

An owl hooted upwind. He tensed before deciding it was only a bird—a good and bad sign. Owls avoided his people. The Svistra’s scent drove away their prey, and his people used the owl’s call to communicate with one another in the forest. This owl meant there were no other Svistra in the area. Why? And where were they?

Jaden used more pressure than he intended and the new arrow shaft snapped in his hands. He threw it down at his feet. The nights were hardest. During the day he occupied his mind with the tasks of staying alive and tracking the Svistra. At night…Jaden glanced up at the stars. At night it all came back and like the fool he was he welcomed it.

He consumed his memories of Selia in small bites, with the self-control of a man savoring his last meal. He remembered how it felt to hold her in his arms, the weight of her head on his chest, the contour of her body. She had fit there as if made for him. It didn’t make sense, really, how by doing such a simple thing he could feel so much, but he did. Closing his eyes, he relived once again her first tentative kiss and then the scent of her body awakening to him. The spice of passion. His lips tingled with the memory.

In the dark they’d let the currents between them flow. It had taken every bit of self-control he possessed to pull away. How could he make love to Selia when he was leaving? Jaden wondered what she’d think if she knew they’d already shared a more intimate ritual. The voluntary giving of blood, of nourishing another, was a sacred joining rite among his people.
Mine.
But he could never claim her. What did he have to offer? A life on the run from both their kind?

Besides, she hadn’t known what she was doing when she gave her blood. He wouldn’t hold her to the promise.

Jaden opened his eyes. That Selia returned his feelings should have thrilled him, but it didn’t. It only meant she’d have to bear the weight and the futility of those emotions along with him.

The night deepened and the owl took flight, its nearly soundless wings beating in a steady rhythm as it climbed. Jaden concentrated on the sound of wind over feathers as it dove, soon followed by the truncated cry of the bird’s dinner.

After stowing the arrow shafts, he wrapped his cloak around his body and curled into the tree trunk. He welcomed sleep, where Selia waited for him. Where he’d once again feel her weight against him, smell the lavender of her hair. He shouldn’t welcome the dreams, but he did. They kept the memories sharp enough both to comfort and torture him.

Selia sat up and threw the bed covers aside in frustration. Wrapping a blanket around her shoulders she tiptoed into the hall and slipped into the room that had been Jaden’s. There were no longer soldiers guarding the door, but she still moved with stealth so as not to attract the attention of the night patrol.

It was silly. Jaden had stayed there only a short while, but in his room she felt closer to him. Cold seeped into her bones. She adjusted the blanket around her shoulders and moved to his bed. Nathan hadn’t needed the room and it was just as Jaden left it. If she concentrated she could still catch the scent of musk and sandalwood lingering in the air. The bed was slightly wrinkled in the middle where she’d sat the previous nights.

On impulse she pulled the blanket down and climbed under, scooting down and pulling the cover to her nose. She breathed deeply.
Jaden.
She welcomed the ache that scent brought. The blankets proved a shallow imitation of the feeling of his arms wrapped around her.

Her life was full of missing those she loved. Her mother, Oren, Jaden.

Though she didn’t know how, that night with Jaden had changed her. She was more and less than she’d been before. Although the contradiction didn’t make sense, it felt accurate. Her instinct told her she wouldn’t be whole again until he returned. If he returned.
Where are you now?

Is this love? This aching emptiness?
If so, it was overrated. But then she remembered being in his arms and the rightness of it, the completion. As though she’d found something she’d lost but forgotten about—and now having found it, she couldn’t bear to let it go.

Do you remember, Jaden? Are you out there thinking of me?
In that moment, Selia felt her power and her own helplessness. She knew with certainty he was thinking about her, hurting as she was, and she couldn’t reach out to comfort him any more than she could be comforted.

The contradictions ran through her emotions until she felt broken into two people.
And one of me is far away.

Nathan rounded the corner. The sun’s rays brought a thin film of sweat to his brow, but he didn’t stop to wipe it clean. Nodding to a few of his men, he glanced around the courtyard. He hadn’t seen Selia since Jaden left. At first he hadn’t thought twice of it. He’d been busy. But when she didn’t show up for breakfast again he decided to go find her.
Did she follow Jaden?

He stopped and his heart slowed. Selia sat on an old rotten stump, petting one of the rabbits. He watched her for a moment. She’d seemed sad since Oren died. Sorrow had become a part of her.

Slowly he stepped into the garden. She looked up then and smiled. He was too far away to see if the smile reached her eyes but he doubted it. He closed the distance while she put the rabbit back in its cage.

“You really did want a pet?” he asked.

She laughed a short burst, as though there were not enough air in her lungs. “I set the others free. This one is tame.”

It wasn’t an answer to his question but he let it drop. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“And you found me.”

“You weren’t at breakfast.”

“Is that a requirement? I wasn’t hungry.” She paused. “You’ve been sending out a lot of riders lately. Is something about to happen?”

Why did he think she was actually asking if he’d heard from the Svistra? He hadn’t been gone more than three days. “Yes and no. I’m preparing my men.” He hesitated, eyeing the place next to her.

She followed his gaze and scooted over.

Nathan sat. “I want my soldiers to be ready so that when I give my command, there will be no hesitation.”

“And that command will be determined by what Jaden tells you.”

“Yes and no. I can’t wait too long for Jaden to return, and he’s already given me vital information. I’ve sent a message to King Leisle but he’ll want to speak to me before he acts.”

Selia gazed across the courtyard. “So you’ll be going to the castle at Newhaven?”

“We leave for the castle at Newhaven in five days’ time, whether or not Jaden returns. The men must be ready. We’re taking no wagons, only the provisions we can carry. Speed is critical.” Nathan’s mind wandered to the tasks still yet to be done. He had his men gathering and drying berries and smoking strips of meat while the new cook prepared small flat oatcakes.

“Did he say how long he’d be gone?”

“We didn’t discuss it. Maybe we should have. He knows the situation is urgent.”

“He can be trusted.”

Nathan narrowed his eyes. The conversation with the healer had opened his eyes and caused him great unrest. He was much more comfortable in a world that was black and white. To find a thousand shades of grey was disconcerting to say the least. “I know.”

Her eyes smiled.

“You’ll need to be ready too.”

“I don’t have much.”

Nathan reached over and briefly placed a hand over Selia’s. “I’ve spoken to the healer.”

“Oh? You appear to be in excellent health.”

“He’s an interesting man and has many remarkable tales to tell. Perhaps you’d like to hear them?”

Her eyes gleamed with the first spark of interest he’d seen in a long time. “I would like that.”

“Good. Tonight after supper he’s coming to my office for tea. Please feel free to join us.”

“I think I will. Thank you, Nathan.”

Someone approached. No. Many someones. Jaden froze midstep to check the wind then examined the surrounding forest. Although the trees grew close, the undergrowth was sparse and low. No shelter. He reached for a gnarled branch at shoulder height. These trees were old. Needles littered the forest floor and gathered on the bottom branches. Carefully Jaden pulled himself up so as not to jostle the branch and dislodge the needles.

After climbing until the branches thinned and would no longer hold his weight, he surveyed the forest below. Movement to the southeast. Definitely Svistra. If the wind didn’t shift and he didn’t make any noise, he’d remain undetected. From below, the thick boughs of evergreens should keep him from view if any of the Svistra happened to look up, which he didn’t think they would. They seemed to be in a hurry.

Jaden counted twenty-two as they passed under his tree. Definitely warriors, and on their way somewhere. He glanced to the sun then down at the last Svistra now fading from view. He didn’t dare follow them on the ground, but there were other ways to travel the forest.

Jaden climbed down to a sturdy branch and walked its length before jumping onto the next tree. Tree walking was a talent many of the Svistra had forgotten. Jaden’s father had been old-fashioned, training his sons in the old ways. A trait Jaden thanked him for now.

A moment of pain distracted Jaden, and he almost lost his footing. When he’d accused Keldar of killing their father, it had been a leap of intuition. But Keldar’s reaction had cemented the idea firmly in Jaden’s mind.
How did you do it?
He certainly didn’t challenge Tinlor. It could only have been treachery.
Oh, Father
. Guilt and sorrow weighed on his mind. Jaden tried to focus on the next branch and moving quietly through the trees.

As dusk fell, he caught up with the Svistra. They made camp in a grove of old oaks. Jaden smiled. Obviously none of them were healers. The oak was a tree of power, and a healer knew better than to camp beneath their boughs. Of course, he doubted these Svistra would attempt to heal or scry into the future.

He kept well back, away from the light of the fire they kindled. The flame surprised him; they camped only a few days from Eagle Rock, yet they appeared confident of their position. After checking to make sure the wind hadn’t shifted—although the scent of one more Svistra shouldn’t alarm anyone—Jaden found a branch that might prove reasonably comfortable and settled down against the trunk of the tree to wait. He could clearly hear the voices in the camp, but so far they’d said nothing of interest. That would come later when their bellies were full. He’d have to spend most of the night in the tree, which didn’t bother him. Perhaps tonight he would not sleep deeply enough to dream.

Jaden watched the camp with a kind of detached interest. These were his people, yet he felt no connection to them, only a vague melancholy. He was half dozing when his brother’s name brought him instantly alert.

“You really think he’s going to do it?”

“He’s gotten this far hasn’t he?”

One of the Svistra, possibly the first, snorted.

“What? You don’t want our lands back?”

“It’s not that. Rumor is that Keldar plans to make himself king.”

“So?”

“That’s not the Svistra way.”

“Things change, get used to it.”

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

“Hey, if we get our lands back, we owe Keldar that and more. I’ll put the crown on his head myself.”

Murmurs of agreement rippled across the clearing.

Someone yawned. “I’m getting some sleep. It’s a long way to Briar’s Point.”

“It’ll be a longer way to Newhaven.”

“Yeah, but that’ll be more fun.”

“I’ll wake you when it’s your turn to stand guard.”

“Don’t remind me.”

The sounds quieted until only the even breathing of the Svistra below and the occasional footsteps of the lone guard could be heard. Briar’s Point? That was north and west of his location. And then Newhaven. Jaden let out his breath slowly. Keldar planned to attack the castle and make himself king. He closed his eyes. The brutality that would fall upon human and Svistra alike was staggering.

With the North king’s forces spread out, from a tactical standpoint, it wasn’t such a bad idea. Except that sieges took time, time enough for Nathan to gather his army and catch Keldar’s men between the castle walls and a spear point. Not if Keldar had allies. The southern king. With King Josiam’s help, Keldar had a chance of overrunning the castle walls and, failing that, King Josiam’s soldiers could keep Nathan’s men busy long enough to render them useless.

It was time to go back. The thought was bittersweet. He’d made up his mind about what he had to do. It was not fair to make her suffer. He’d give Nathan the information he needed to protect Selia and hopefully end this.

The sky to the east gained luminosity. It wasn’t a drastic change, only a faint lifting of the gloom between the trees, but Jaden imagined the light first flushing the Wastes with color before stretching its rays out to the living lands. Toward him; toward Selia. Would every sunrise bring the memory of their parting?

Without breaking stride Jaden swung up onto a tree, looked back the way he came and listened. A sound vibrated through the still air. He wasn’t alone in the pre-dawn forest. It wasn’t a Svistra, too much noise. His nostrils widened as he breathed deep. A human—a sweaty human, he amended, on a sweatier horse. Quite a feat in the early morning chill.

The light crested the horizon and touched the trees. For a moment they shone with the glory of a newborn sun. As he watched, the light aged and mellowed into day. The road and the human lay to the west just over the next rise and in the opposite direction as his destination. He wanted to get his mission over with as quickly as possible, but his curiosity was piqued.
What’s a solitary human doing this far north?

Jaden didn’t know. But he decided to find out.

Nathan surveyed their hoard. Strings of dried meat, stacks of biscuits and containers of dried berries occupied most of one room. Divided among his men it wouldn’t be much, but it would suffice. Besides, at the height of summer, the forest teemed with wildlife. He’d already mapped his course with care. Now all he could do was wait. He sighed. Easier said than done.

He hated waiting. Not only did it try his patience, but inactivity brought to mind how much he risked on the word of a Svistra and his own instincts.

The die is already cast.
Matias had left with the missive one day after Jaden, suitably disgruntled by his necessary attire. Nathan hid a smile. He’d looked like something that belonged on the forest floor. Surprisingly Matias hadn’t smelled bad. Nathan had to walk close to catch any scent at all and then he’d only detected the biting aroma of the geranium and pine. He hoped the ruse worked.

By now the other fortresses would have received his orders to abandon the northern frontier and meet him at Newhaven. He could well imagine how the captains would react to the news. It was a good thing they had no way of knowing he’d issued the order without the king’s approval. Nathan ran the fingers of one hand through his hair. It was a risk he had to take but he’d feel better knowing where the Svistra were located.

What if Jaden doesn’t return?
Would he, in the Svistra’s place? He didn’t want to think about that question too much. Although they had never spoken about it he guessed Selia had her doubts too.

Nathan backed out of the room and shut the door. Everything was ready. All that was needed was a word from him and they’d abandon Eagle Rock and the northlands.

Jaden snorted in disgust. The man was riding the horse too hard. Foam flecked off the creature’s withers, and red-rimmed nostrils flared in an attempt to feed its lungs. Poor animal. The man must have ridden it all night. Dangerous, even on a well-known path.
Must be urgent.
Jaden crouched on a low branch, waiting. As the horse galloped abreast, he lunged at the rider, unseating him from the saddle and using him to cushion their fall on the other side of the road.

With a frightened neigh, the horse used its remaining strength to run a short distance ahead before slowing to a walk, too tired even to flee. The slow clip of hooves echoed in the distance.

He turned his attention back to his prey.

The man stared at Jaden with unseeing eyes. “Don’t kill me,” he whimpered.

Jaden pulled him to his feet and held him steady, his feet brushing the ground. “Why not?”

The man swallowed. “Please. I have a message for your leader.”

Jaden bared his teeth. A wet stain spread from the man’s crotch. “Are you a soldier?”

“Y-y-y-yes.”

“And you wonder why we’re winning?” Jaden tapped the man on the temple with the heel of his hand and let him go as he crumpled to the ground. A quick search revealed no message. He pulled the man to the road. He’d have a memorable headache when he woke, but he’d live.

Jaden sighed. He had a horse to catch.

Noe stood just inside the entrance of the tent, her head bowed in submission, but Keldar still refused to acknowledge her presence. She clenched her teeth against the pain in her neck and remained immobile. Rumors had been flying through the camp. Not only had he assigned her tasks like a menial servant, but Noe had learned she would be fighting in the coming war. All Svistra children trained with a sword and bow and she was no exception, but she’d never excelled at the skill. Her weapon of choice was intangible, but just as successful in its own way. She knew what Keldar planned to do with her. She knew, but she hadn’t known what to do about it. Until now.

“Come.”

She slowly raised her eyes to focus on Keldar’s chest. She felt him hesitate. He wasn’t used to such deferential treatment from her. She’d have to be careful not to take it too far.

“My lord.” She took a hesitant step forward.

“What do you want?” His voice carried a hint of weariness.

Interesting.

“I bring news.” She decided to skip a second “my lord.” Overkill.

“Well?”

He’s curious. Good.
“The gods have shined upon you…and upon me.” She stepped farther into the tent and met his gaze. “They have gifted us with a child.” She placed her hands on her belly and fought to keep her features in a subservient expression as emotions flickered in Keldar’s dark eyes. When triumph glistened in his dark irises she knew she’d won.

“A son.” Merely a whisper, but filled with the pride and ego of a man who’d managed to reproduce himself.

“Yes, my lord. Your son.” And if it wasn’t a boy she’d deal with that when the time came.

Keldar’s dark eyes examined her, suddenly calculating. A tendril of fear tickled her spine.

“Well done.” A smiled stretched his features.

Her sense of victory slipped.

He walked slowly around her. “I don’t know how you did it, but well done.” His laugh was cold and cruel. “An excellent maneuver. Jaden would have bored you after a while. He was no match for your wiles, my sweet.” He stopped before her, grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. “A tactical success. I will honor it. But if you’re lying I will slit your throat and leave you to the death birds.”

Noe swallowed past a fear-numbed tongue.

“Very well.” He pulled her close. “We will celebrate both my coming victory and my future son.”

Nathan walked into his office and froze. Jaden sat at his desk, seemingly relaxed and examining one of his maps by candlelight.

“Do I even want to know how you got in here?”

Jaden shrugged.

“Whoever is on the walls tonight has latrine duty tomorrow.”

“What are you going to say? Your Svistra spy got by them?”

“I’ll think of something.” He waved toward the chair. “Do you mind?”

Jaden rose from behind the desk and moved past Nathan to sit in the room’s other chair.

“I assume you have news.” Nathan settled on the still-warm wood.

“You have interesting maps there. Fairly accurate.”

“News?” Nathan repeated.

“Did you know Eagle Rock was once inhabited by Svistra healers?”

It didn’t surprise him, but he didn’t think that’s what Jaden came to tell him.

Jaden leaned forward, and the light in his eyes intensified. “The Svistra troops are heading north to Briar’s Point.”

Hope stirred in his chest. Were they going back?

“They’re gathering there in preparation.” Jaden paused. “Before they attack the castle at Newhaven.”

“They wouldn’t!” But he’d feared that very thing.

“Why not? You have to admit it’s a bold and tactically wise move. Your forces are spread so thin that when word of the attack reaches you, it would be too late.”

Nathan stared past Jaden to the stone wall. There were at least three villages between Briar’s Point and Newhaven. “How long?”

“You have until the new moon.”

Only that long. Nathan swallowed. It wasn’t enough time to gather his troops, evacuate the villages and get to the castle. It was barely time to get to the castle. He could divide his troops, but that would mean sending them to their deaths. It was his entire army against the Svistra or none at all. His best hope was to gather his men and head to the castle.

His gaze found Jaden’s. “And the Darmin army?”

“One would assume they’d be waiting to attack from the south.”

“I’ve not heard from the westerning.”

“There hasn’t been time.” Jaden leaned back into the chair. “Your best bet is to reinforce the castle. If the western king cooperates, your flank will be covered, but if he does not—” Jaden stopped midsentence, his spine stiffened.

Nathan opened his mouth to ask him what was wrong when a knock came at the door. Nathan turned to Jaden. The Svistra’s face was inscrutable.

“Who is it?” Nathan asked.

“Selia.”

Nathan relaxed. She’d said she might stop by for a cup of tea before she went to bed. “Come in.”

Selia opened the door then froze, staring at Jaden. She quickly stepped inside and shut the door. “When did you get in?”

“Just after full dark.”

Nathan glanced to Jaden. His voice had no inflection.

Her face dimmed. “I see. How long will you be staying?”

“After I brief your commander I have other duties I must perform.”

Selia looked puzzled.

“I’m sorry. I forgot about the tea,” Nathan said to fill the silence. Why the sudden tension?

“It’s fine. I know how busy…I’m sorry I interrupted.” She nodded to Nathan and avoided looking toward Jaden’s downturned gaze before leaving the room.

What had just happened? The Svistra continued to find something on the floor of interest. “I’ve spoken to our healer here,” Nathan said.

Jaden remained silent.

“He’s confirmed many of the things you’ve said.” Nathan faltered.

Jaden turned fierce eyes on him.

It was all Nathan could do not to flinch.

“Do you wish to apologize? Seeking absolution perhaps?”

The words felt like daggers and were not the reaction he’d expected. “No. But I understand a little better why the Svistra fight.”

“It is always a good thing to know your enemy, Commander. Now I believe I have fulfilled my end of the bargain. Am I free to go?”

“Will you take up arms against us?”

Jaden’s mouth turned up at one corner. “Will you continue to fulfill your end of the bargain?”

“Yes, I—”

“Am I free to leave then?”

How did the Svistra manage to keep him forever off balance? “Where will you go?”

Jaden’s smile had a hard edge. “By your leave I’ll scent out the fortress to avoid your men, hide in the room that was once mine until the guards change right before dawn. At that time I’ll sneak back over the wall and journey to Briar’s Point, where I’ll challenge my brother.”

Nathan leaned against the desk, ignoring for a moment how easily Jaden had breached his defenses and planned to again. The enormity of the weight resting on his shoulders settled all at once. “And if you win?”

“Then I will be the new commander of the Svistra, as my father always wished.”

“And if you lose?”

“Well, then I bought you more time.” He rose with a fluidity that was unsettling. “One more thing. I found this on the way. It might be of use to you.”

Jaden dropped a rolled piece of leather on his desk. Nathan untied the bindings and stared at the intact seal on a letter bearing the mark of the southern king. He looked up into Jaden’s face.

“I don’t know what it contains. I suggest you leave it sealed. The messenger was in quite a hurry to deliver this to my brother when I intercepted it.”

Nathan’s jaw still hung slightly open when the door had closed and Jaden was gone.

“Jaden.”

His hand on the door to his room, Jaden tensed and then attempted to still a shudder as Selia’s warm fingers settled on his shoulder. It had been easy to sneak down to the lower hall. Most of the men were in their chambers, and those on duty focused on keeping intruders out of the walls. Even if someone had seen him they would have assumed he was shadow, there and gone.

But he hadn’t heard Selia or even caught her scent until it was too late. Was it their bond or something else that robbed his defenses from him?

He took a breath and turned to face her.

She backed up a step when she looked into his eyes. A knife piercing his chest wouldn’t have hurt more than the pain in her gaze. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I have honored the bargain you made for my life.”

“That doesn’t answer the question. What aren’t you telling me?”

“There are many things I cannot tell you.” The strain of keeping his voice even built to a crescendo.

Emotion flickered in her dark gaze. “Why?”

He dropped his gaze. He couldn’t look into her eyes for another heartbeat. “I have duties I’ve long neglected. Forgive me.” He turned, opened the door and shut it behind him.

Selia stood, reaching for the door, then dropped her hand. Her body hollowed as her strength drained. He’d acted as though their last night together had meant nothing. No, he was acting like she was a stranger. She reviewed the conversation over in her mind.
Your commander. Duties I’ve long neglected.
Words designed to separate, but it wasn’t just the words, was it?

A sudden revelation almost buckled her knees.
He’d never meant for me to know he was back.
He would have come and gone without seeing her at all. She swallowed the sob that built in her throat and placed one hand against the wooden door. It felt cold and lifeless beneath her touch. She’d thought…what had she thought? That he loved her? That somehow they’d be together? She’d been a fool. Anger burned away the pain.

Selia turned and headed up the hall.

As soon as the door shut, Jaden’s body slumped against the wooden frame. She was just outside. If she knocked or came in he wouldn’t have the strength to turn her away. A part of him willed her to open the door and step inside, but a stronger part sighed in relief when her footsteps retreated down the hallway. She was angry. He could tell by the staccato of her feet against the stone floor. For some reason that detail comforted him. Her rage was much easier to deal with than her sorrow. He moved to the empty grate and stared into the blackened stone.