Set in Stone (57 page)

Lilias surprised him out of his reverie by taking his hands in her warm grip. He hadn't even noticed her rise from the table. She drew him to it, pressed him down into a chair, and passed him a mug.

He started to raise it to his lips, but paused and frowned at Jean. "Is this your grandmother's tonic?"

"Of course not. You don't need that yet. It's just water."

He sighed. Water tasted so bland after power rocks. He was tempted to drop a bit of marble into the mug to spice it up.

Lilias sat across the table from him, her gaze intense. "You're sure the Grandurians aren't watching the town?"

"I didn't see anyone."

"All right. They must be counting on everyone cowering in their homes."

"That's not a bad idea," Hamish said.

She patted his hand. "No, Hamish. We have to leave. All of us."

Jean leaned forward, her blue eyes glittering with excitement. "Are you sure we should?"

"Yes. I doubt we'll get another chance this good. You both know the plan. Small groups. We'll gather in the wood beyond the Lower Wick."

Hamish's throat felt dry and he gulped more water. They were really going to do it. He gripped his sword and rose. If Connor could be brave, so could he.

Before they separated, Lilias said, "No lights. Keep everyone quiet. Be quick." She gripped Hamish's hand and then hugged Jean.

While Jean ran to tell Mhairi, and Lilias moved toward the west side of town, Hamish bolted for his own home. He'd start with his family and, with the help of his seven siblings, gather the eastern side of town.

Ten minutes later he returned to the square after sending several groups toward the wall gate. No cry of warning had sounded. As soon as he met up with Jean, they'd head to the meeting place together.

The square lay empty, cloaked in shadow. While he waited, he reached for his belt pouch and felt for the tiny pieces of stone Verena had given him. She'd taught him so much, praised him for figuring out how to tap marble, and had taught him how to adjust the amount of power, and even how to shut it off again.

She'd explained that the more of a stone's power he unlocked at once, the greater the effect, but it would burn out more quickly. Once a stone's power was consumed, it crumbled to dust. He'd been surprised at the pang of sadness he'd felt as remains of the piece of marble he'd been practicing with had blown from his hand.

Lilias appeared across the square with Jean, followed by a group of a score of villagers. He moved to meet them.

"Did you get everyone?" Lilias asked.

"Everyone that would leave."

She frowned. "We can't force anyone to take the risk for freedom. All we can do is give them the chance."

She raised her voice. "Listen to me, everyone. We don't have much time. The battle may be over soon. Stay quiet, stick together, and follow Hamish."

"I don't think so."

A universal gasp swept the group as a bright light appeared above the rubble where Lord Gavin's pavilion had stood, held aloft by Captain Ilse.

Limestone. It had to be.

Despite the flash of fear at knowing they were discovered, Hamish couldn't help but wish he could get a piece of limestone. Verena had told him a little about it, but they hadn't had time to practice with it.

Lights blazed to life in each of the entrances to the square, illuminating more than a score of Grandurian soldiers. Hamish drew his sword with a shaking hand. He would fight to protect these people, but he'd hoped to actually learn how to use the sword first.

Then his heart sank as everyone he'd sent toward the wall gate trudged into the square, herded by yet more Grandurian soldiers.

How had the Grandurians found out?

Captain Ilse raised her voice, "You people will return to your homes immediately. My men are positioned along the wall and at the town gates. Anyone caught attempting to leave town will be executed along with their entire family."

Many villagers cried out in fear, and most of them broke for their homes without further urging. Hamish wanted to shout for them to stop, to stand together, but could not. His parents ushered the rest of his family toward their home, and he very nearly ran to join them. His father glanced back once, and in his eyes, Hamish saw terrible fear.

Hamish was one of the leaders of the revolt. He could not run with the others, could not abandon Lilias.

She was right! They couldn't just give up.

He and Jean both drew closer to Lilias, who stood like an island of calm in the center of the rapidly emptying square.

Beside Captain Ilse walked Cinaed. In the blue-white light of the limestone, the blocky woman's red-blond hair looked like blood. Behind her walked Stuart, looking uncomfortable.

"I told you I'd see you fall," Cinaed said to Lilias.

"How did you know?"

Hamish wanted to drive the woman through. How could she be so mean? They'd purposefully left her for last. While he and Jean were to lead the last group toward the wall gate, Lilias had planned to invite Cinaed to join the exodus. They had figured that even had she wanted to thwart them, it would have been too late.

"You're not the only one with spies in town," Cinaed gloated. "You would have sacrificed our husbands, risked Daor for everyone! I will guarantee everyone remains safe."

"You can't promise that."

"I can!" She pointed at Captain Ilse, who stood nearby, her face impassive. "She promised. As long as everyone obeys me, I will save this village."

"You're a fool," Lilias said. As Cinaed sputtered with rage, she spoke to Captain Ilse, "I hold you responsible for what you've unleashed upon this town."

"I do what I must, and I cannot allow insurrection here." She gestured at Lilias, and two soldiers carrying shackles moved toward her.

Hamish brandished his sword and jumped in front of Lilias. "Stay back, or you're dead!"

They dropped the shackles and whipped out their swords. Hamish tried to hold his ground, to set his weapon like they did, but he couldn't keep the tip from shaking. Actually, it looked like he was trying to point it at both of them at the same time, so he snarled and pretended that was what he intended.

His hand started to cramp, and his legs shook. His mouth had gone dry, and he struggled to breathe normally.

Behind the soldiers, Stuart looked shocked that he'd stand his ground, and the sight of the big traitor bolstered Hamish's courage. If only he'd hit Stuart with more than manure earlier.

Captain Ilse said, "Boy, you don't want to die tonight."

"I won't let you hurt her."

"If she comes quietly, she will not be harmed. She will join her husband at the manor house."

Lilias pushed his sword gently down. "Thank you for standing with me, Hamish, but I will not allow you to suffer in my stead." She pulled him close and kissed his forehead. "I assume full responsibility."

Jean drew Hamish aside, and he let his arm drop to his side. He didn't dare try to sheath it. The soldiers would just laugh at him. He fingered his belt pouch.

Should he unleash his new-found powers on them?

Jean pulled him closer and whispered, "Stop it, Hamish. Trust me."

He could not deny her, and squeezed her hand. It broke his heart to see Lilias shackled.

Cinaed gloated. "You've fallen, Lilias. You're through. I've been granted full authority here!"

Lilias looked upon her with pity. "You think tyranny leads to salvation? Your ignorance is going to kill us all."

Cinaed laughed. "Who's in chains?" She turned from Lilias and pointed at Hamish. "Boy, give me that sword!"

"No!"

Cinaed glared, but Jean spoke first. "I'll deal with it."

"You? You've betrayed me," Cinaed said to Jean. "I had such high hopes for you."

Jean took the sword from Hamish's surprised grip and moved toward Cinaed. "What choice did I have until now? I couldn't stop her. All I could do was hope you'd set things right."

"What?" Hamish exclaimed. He stared at Jean in open-mouthed astonishment. "How can you say that?"

She gave him such a look of scorn that Hamish retreated a step. "You're such a fool, Hamish. Did you really think we could escape?"

"Yes." His voice sounded weak even to him, and he hated her for it.

"That's why I couldn't confide in you." Jean turned to Cinaed. "I know all about their plans. I can help you make sure no one tries anything like this again."

Cinaed grinned, "Well done, Jean. You really are worthy."

Jean made a little curtsy and moved to stand beside Stuart. He tentatively draped a meaty arm across her shoulders and she grinned up at him.

Hamish couldn't take any more. Lilias in chains, their plan ruined, Jean and Stuart together!

Jean's betrayal burned through him like a piece of swallowed marble tapped wide open. He'd risked his life for her, swore to protect her from all harm. He'd never dreamed she'd do this.

Even as he struggled to comprehend how she could betray them, how he'd missed seeing her for what she was, Stuart said, "Better run home, Hamish, before you get hurt."

It was too much. Hamish bolted.

Stuart's laughter followed him out of the square, but Jean's words cut like daggers through his heart.

"Stuart, you're so brave. I'm glad you're here."

Chapter 64

Connor descended from the ledge, and had to help the boy over some of the bigger rocks. The lad had a strong, sure grip, and he walked unafraid, scanning the area as if trying to take in as many details as possible.

As they headed back to camp, his thoughts and emotions whirled. How could Carbrey accept so much death and pain, all to keep a little boy prisoner? Even the wonder of the flying wagon faded under the onslaught of questions.

Verena sat near a small fire in the center of the camp, her broken leg extended awkwardly, her face set in a mask of pain. Rory sat on an upturned log across the fire from her. Twenty soldiers, including two of Rory's Fast Rollers cordoned off the area, but they let Connor through.

Connor crouched next to Verena. "You were right all along."

She shook her head slowly and grimaced with pain. "Oh, Connor, I wish you'd believed me sooner."

"Hasn't the Healer looked at your leg yet?"

Verena snorted. "Not hardly."

Rory said, "Lots of good people died and were wounded tonight. The Healers are swamped. It'll be a while."

"If ever," Verena said. "I don't blame them really."

Seeing her in such obvious pain tore at Connor's heart. She was their prisoner, and he shuddered to think what would happen to her. He'd done this.

All she'd been doing was trying to save a little boy.

He could help. Connor reached for her leg with one hand, and pulled the sandstone sculpture from under his shirt with the other.

Verena cringed and grabbed his hand. "So this is how the torture starts, is it?"

He gently pushed her hand away, "You know me better than that, Verena."

"Do I?"

Her wide blue eyes seemed to glow in the firelight, and the honest question in her gaze saddened him.

"I'll show you."

He placed a gentle hand on her leg again, and this time she did not try to push him away. He gripped the pendant, closed his eyes, and drew heavily upon its warm healing power.

"Is that sandstone?"

"Shush."

Healing power rolled through Connor's arm, and buoyed by its gentle tide, he focused on her leg. His senses expanded, and he could see the jagged break and multiple cracks that spiraled through her bone. He slid his healing sight along her ripped tendon and bruised flesh.

He surrounded the wound with healing power and guided it inward. The bone began to fuse, cracks faded, and the tendons sewed themselves together.

Verena gasped and placed her hands over his. The warmth of her skin seemed to magnify the heat of the healing power, and rolled back up his arm.