Things Unseen: (An epic fantasy adventure series) (The Caris Chronicles Book 1) (4 page)

“Let me come too.” She turned to see Janen staring at the sergeant.

“No” the word escaped her lips. Everyone turned to look at her.

The sergeant asked her, “Have you something against this man, that he shouldn’t be allowed to accompany us?” Caris felt herself going red. What could she say? She didn’t want him to come because she wanted to escape everyone who knew how she had failed her mother, because she couldn’t stand the rebuke in their eyes, because seeing Janen every day would only remind her of her worthlessness.

The sergeant stared at her intently. She stared back, her reddened cheeks, her only reply. Turning to Janen with a small smile, the sergeant said, “You may come”.

He turned away and began dismissing people to various tasks. Caris tuned out what he was saying. She considered leaving and making her own way after all, but that idea no longer felt appealing. There was a purpose, in belonging to The King’s Army, she desired. She knew the Dark Lord was amassing his followers and The King was holding them back on the frontier.

Fighting for her King would be a good thing to devote her life to. Perhaps that was what had caused her heart to jump within her. Perhaps she would even get to see The King. She had experienced a brief moment of a new kind of emotion, before Janen had interrupted it. She hadn’t had long enough to focus on it and work out what it meant, but she knew she wasn’t willing to give it up yet. Whatever this new feeling was, though only brief, it had been stronger than her shame. Caris determined to ride with this small band and discover if there was a future for her in The King’s Army. She would avoid Janen as best she could and when they finally met up with the army, it would become easier not to see him.

Turning to the two new comers, the sergeant offered them his hand and a smile. “I’m Crispin, glad to have you along.” He paused as if waiting for something. “What are your names?” he asked.

Caris felt herself blushing again. “I’m Caris,” she stammered, while Janen quickly offered his name as well.
He must think we’re idiots who don’t even know how to introduce ourselves. And if I can’t stop blushing I’ll die of shame.
Caris checked her thoughts, she knew there were worse things to be ashamed of than looking like a blushing fool.

“Well, we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other on the road. Grab your stuff and head over to the camp. You’ll find Bonny with the horses; tell her I said to give you mounts. There were a few quality horses here we’ve bought up, so if you’ve got a preference for one you know and like, just tell her so.”

“I’ve got my own mount sir,” Janen said, sounding a bit defensive. Caris looked at him quizzically. While true, his family did own a few horses, they certainly were not good quality as far as The King’s horses rated. She could not understand why he would want one of them instead of a King’s mount. She dismissed his peculiarity, figuring he must be attached to his own horse, and went back inside to grab her gear and a handful of food to break her fast with, then headed over to the soldiers camp.

Caris walked over to where the horses were picketed and introduced herself to the young woman brushing them down. Determined to put herself forward as sensible and able, from now on, she spoke clearly and to the point. “Hi I’m Caris, sergeant Crispin told me to ask for Bonny.

“Hi” Bonny replied in a friendly, almost questioning tone that brought a smile to Caris’ lips immediately. “I’m just brushing down the new mounts now, there’s some real beauties here. I can help you choose one that won’t be too spirited. Have you done much riding?”

“I’ve done enough to hold my seat on most horses” Caris replied modestly, looking around the familiar animals. With a small exclamation of pleasure, she noticed Indira. Caris weaved through the horses with care to keep in front of them. As she approached her sister’s horse, it gave a small wicker of welcome. She scratched behind Indira’s ears as her horse nuzzled into her chest.

Bonny followed her over “You know this horse? She’s quite feisty. I’d probably recommend her to someone with a strong hand.”

“This is Indira, my horse whenever I go... went... riding with my sister or my older nieces and nephews. She was a bit of a handful when I first started riding her but we’re good friends now.”

“Well, she’s yours if you think you can handle her, but we’re going to be many days on the road and you don’t want to be fighting a horse the whole way.”

“She won’t fight me” Caris replied, rubbing Indira’s nose.

“OK, well, she came with all her gear, it’s over here,” said Bonny, focusing on her task, “I’m in charge of the horses in general but it’s each individuals job to look after the daily feeding, grooming and cleaning of their own horse and tack.” She continued leading Caris over to where Indira’s saddle and bridle lay. Having finished organising, she turned to Caris with a big smile, “I’m so glad you’re joining us!” she said in her musical voice and surprised Caris by wrapping her arms around her in a big hug. Caris stiffly patted her on the back, but when Bonny released her, Caris was smiling.

It didn’t take long before the small band were ready to continue their journey. As they rode out of town, Caris’ eyes lingered on the home she would never see again. Unable to prevent them, tears silently slid down her cheeks as she remembered all the hugs from her dad, all the hours spent sewing alongside her mum and Cherri while they laughed and joked about trivial things, and all the evenings spent around meals discussing the happenings of the day. Caris rode in silence, lost in her memories, and the others in the small group of a score and two, sensing her mood, left her to herself.

The next morning, she awoke to an excited Bonny shaking her and saying, “It’s time to get up. . . Here.” She offered her a steaming cup of tea. Groggily, Caris accepted it. She looked around the small camp and realised, with relief, she wasn’t too far behind everyone else. Some sat over a hot cup, some were packing up their bedding, a couple were preparing a hot meal for everyone, and a couple were heading over to the horses.

“Thanks for waking me and for the tea.” Caris mumbled to Bonny still half-asleep.

“You’re welcome” Bonny replied with a huge smile. She patted Caris on the hand and jumped up to go see to the horses.

Over her hot morning meal, Caris took time to observe the others in the group. Bonny was beautiful with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a ready smile. She was happy, enthusiastic and affectionate to everyone. Caris had never come across someone before who was so eager and friendly, and every time she looked Bonny’s way, she found herself smiling.

Crispin, though young, moved and talked with an air of authority that those around him seemed to take comfort in. He was friendly, relaxed, laughed at the jokes around him, and didn’t act haughty at all, but when he gave an order, people jumped to carry it out. Caris found some of the tension draining from her shoulders as she watched him and the way the group interacted. She was safe
,
she realised. She hadn’t realised that her fear hadn’t left with the departure of the derks.

They had not only terrorised her with death but had robbed her of all her security, her family, friends, home, and in fact, everything she knew. Though still unsure of how she would fit and what role she could take amongst these strangers, Caris could tell by the way they interacted with each other that they would somehow make a place for her.

Two others caught her attention as she ate her eggs, bacon, and mashed potato. Caris had grown up in a village where she and her aunt were the only women who didn’t have blonde hair, so she found her eyes repeatedly turning to Kalen with her long black hair, dark olive skin, and startling green eyes. Kalen was quiet and serious, and unlike Bonny who seemed to be aware of what everyone was doing at once, Kalen sat, sharpening her hunting knife, seemingly oblivious to those around her. Caris wondered whether she was sad and lonely.

The other person to pique her interest was Syngar, one of the older men in the band, Syngar looked a few years short of two-score. He had a thin face with a sharp nose and wry smile. He watched the conversation around him with quick intelligent eyes, often smiling in amusement to himself. He seldom spoke but when he did, it was to make a witty observation that had everyone either laughing or rubbing their heads trying to figure out his meaning.

They finished their food quickly. Caris wandered out of the camp and scanned the area. She spotted a squird not far away. The cactus-like plant had disinfectant qualities, and was just what she needed. She sliced the end off a branch, carefully removed the outer layer so as not to prick herself, and took the remaining handful back to use in cleaning the plates.

Within half an hour of waking and without anyone having rushed, they were preparing their horses to depart. Caris surreptitiously tried to stretch her sore muscles out while saddling Indira. Though a good horse woman, she was not used to spending an entire day in the saddle. The previous day had left her sore and she was dreading how she would feel tonight. She smiled around her however, determined not to let on she was in pain. Syngar offered her a knowing grin, which instead of causing indignation made her laugh at her own foolish pride.

The first half of the day was quite enjoyable. The weather was not too hot for a change and the company was good. They stopped for a quick bite and stretch around midday but apart from that, they kept their saddle the whole day. By midafternoon, Caris was finding the pain grating on her nerves, she clenched her teeth against a developing a headache. Bonny’s good-natured chatter started to become irritating and the sun, that had been pleasant in the morning, was now blinding.

Caris found herself praying that sunset would come soon. She wanted a reprieve from the heat, and to get off her horse, but she also wanted to be alone. Caris was used to a few hours of solitude a day and now she was finding the constant interruptions to her thoughts unbearable. She needed time to process what had happened two days ago, to think about these people she found herself with, to overcome the pain in her rear and thighs, and time to rest her mind from the thoughts and questions of others.

When they finally came to a halt as the sun was lowering on the horizon, Caris breathed a deep sigh of relief. She sat a moment while the others dismounted, contemplating how she was going to go about getting herself to the ground. Garner, a handsome, well-built man, who couldn’t have been more than a score, appeared at her knee. With a brilliant smile and a quiet “may I?” he lifted her down from her horse.

“Uh, thanks,” Caris said, flustered.

“Not a problem,” he said with a breathtaking smile, before returning to unsaddle his horse.

Caris attended to her horse in a daze of exhaustion. When she was finished, she stood looking toward where dinner was being cooked and tried to figure out what she could do to help, but her mind wouldn’t work.

Finally, realising she had been staring without thought, she decided she wasn’t doing anyone any good and did what she most desired. Heading for a small rise twenty paces from camp, Caris sighed in relief at the thought of snatching a few minutes to herself. She topped the head high mound and sat down gingerly on the other side. Though she could still hear everything happening at camp, it was easy to ignore it and focus on the beautiful quiet that lay before her. The coolness of the evening air caressed her face, she took a deep breath and leaned back to let the space of the vast land wash over her.

Her irritability had just begun to fade when Janen came up behind her and made to join her. “Not you” she said, at the end of her rope.

Shock filled his face. He turned and left. Caris stared guiltily at the horizon.
He didn’t deserve that,
she knew.
He hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s me that stuffed up so irrevocably. He doesn’t deserve to be punished for my failure
. Part of Caris wanted to chase after him and call him back. She didn’t want to hurt him, he was such a good man and had always been a very close friend. Part of her just wanted to sit with him and draw comfort from him as they mourned together. But the very things that made her desire his company also made him the last person she wanted around to despise her.
Why does he have to be here?

Stones rattled behind her.
Oh, don’t let it be Bonny. I don’t think I could bear her cheerfulness now.
To Caris’ surprise, Janen reappeared.

He didn’t make to sit down this time but took up a position in front of her, and with fists held clenched at his side demanded, “What have I done? Why didn’t you want me to come on this journey with you? Why are you angry with me? What did I do?”

“Nothing,” Caris pleaded lamely.

“What do you mean ‘nothing’? Caris, this isn’t fair! I haven’t done anything to deserve such contempt.”

“No, you haven’t.” Suddenly angry herself, Caris retorted with, “But why do you care? Why would you want to be around me anyway?” She watched him standing there, his face red, staring at her without replying.

Finally, calming a little, he sat down beside her saying, “Caris what has come over you, we were always friends, why do you hate me now?”

Turning to him, she yelled, “Because you know! You were there! You saw! Don’t you understand? I can barely live with the shame of it. I wanted to get away from everyone. Why did you have to come? Why do you have to be here? We were friends, and that just makes it so much worse to know what you must think of me now.”

“Caris,” he said gently “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”