The Oracle Page 10

  Samantha grimaced, she didn’t like thinking about England. “It was a different life. Enchena is my home now, with you. And Jillis, of course.”

  Tobias’ eyes fixed on a loose lock of hair, and he reached out, gently pushing it out of her eyes, his hand lightly brushing the side of her face. “One day this war will be over, and we will be free to make what we wish of this life. We’ll go anywhere you like; visit the foreign lands and see everything this world has to offer.”

  Samantha’s skin seemed to burn where he touched her cheek, and Tobias’ words fed the fire within her. She turned to face him, completely aware of how close he was. She bit her lip as he leant forwards, her pulse racing and panic rising as Tobias tilted his head towards her-

  “Lady Samantha, I-” Someone burst into the tent. “Oh, I’m sorry to intrude.”

  Samantha took a deep breath, feeling both relieved and cheated. At the entrance a messenger hovered uncertainly, looking scared at barging into the scene.

  “What is it?” Samantha asked irritably.

  “My Lady, the oracle Miss Jemma has arrived. You did ask to be informed.”

  Samantha almost groaned and stood up. “Yes, of course.” She made her way out into the cool evening, but paused to look back at Tobias, “I’ll... see you later, I suppose.”

  Tobias sat for a few minutes immobile, then sighed and looked up. “You really don’t like me, do you Minaeri?” He asked through the canvas roof to the heavens.

  He stood up and ran a hand through his black hair, then shook his head and stepped out of the tent.

  “So, what happened?”

  Tobias bumped into his sister as soon as he was outside and looked down to meet her curious gaze.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Really Tobias, I make myself scarce all evening so you and Samantha are alone and you ask what I mean?”

  Tobias felt a stab of embarrassment. He was only just coming to the realisation that he cared for Samantha, and he didn’t like the idea that Jillis knew about his feelings before he did. He looked down at his annoying little sister, “No, none of your matchmaking. Why don’t you look to your own future? Have you decided which of the princes has taken your fancy, or do you intend to string them both along a little longer?”

  Jillis expression cooled after her brother’s unusually cruel remark. “I will not be taking relationship advice from you, Tobias. And just so you know, I have been nothing but friendly towards our new allies. Nothing less, nothing more. It is not my fault that men mistake friendship for romantic intentions when a pretty face is involved.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Tobias sighed, feeling guilty. “I should be going, I want to speak with Rian and Rinar before dinner.”

  *****

  After taking the briefest possible meeting with the oracle and her guards, Samantha strolled towards the corral, keen to stretch her legs and... honestly, to put off being in her tent with Tobias for a little while longer. She still hadn’t worked out what it all meant when Alina trotted up and interrupted her thoughts.

  “Samantha, have you seen Sundance?” The grey unicorn asked.

  “He ran into the forest earlier today and I haven’t seen him since.” She glanced about and lowered her voice. “We were talking about Nmirr – Sundance didn’t know the truth about David, did he?”

  Alina was startled. Her slowly forming thoughts were reluctant to be shared, but eventually ashamed thoughts echoed in Samantha’s mind. “There was never a right time, after all that has happened. Then in Caelum he grew so angry with the world I thought it kinder, safer, to let him think it was nothing more than a group of skilled hunters, killing for their own profit and amusement.”

  Samantha reached up and ran her hand down the length of Alina’s smooth neck, trying to sooth the unicorn; she could almost feel the stress resonating through her. “Do you think he went to Wentra? Or perhaps your old herd grounds?”

  Alina nickered, “Yes, it’s possible. I worry about him being alone.”

  “Sundance is smart and fast even faster than you now, he’ll be alright.” Samantha replied, “But if you’re worried, you can ask Siabhor to help you track him down.”

  Alina flicked her tail, the tension starting to fade. “You are right, I am over-reacting. If you see him, tell him that I wish to speak to him, to explain.”

  “Of course, Alina.” Samantha replied, “I’ll get Captain Rian to alert the scouting parties, they’ll find him in no time.”

  *****

  Sundance didn’t care where he ran. As the forest darkened and chaotic thoughts ravaged his mind he surged along unknown paths. Eventually, even the adrenaline leant to him by his fury burnt out, and he came to a stop far from any place he knew. His lithe golden frame was darkened with sweat and stinging cuts from clawing branches. His head was so low that his pearly horn almost touched the ground.

  A fading part of Sundance felt anxiety and a need to seek his friends, but the gloom and shadow of the overcast night told him that he was all alone. His thoughts raced and turned his anxiety to confusion and anger. All he knew for certain was that his friends were false, feeding him lies to keep him complacent and even helping those that had killed his father.

  Dark claws seared his heart and tore at his soul. He had been betrayed. The rawness of his hatred filled his exhausted body, it came like a fever to his mind and Sundance did not attempt to dispel the feeling, but nurtured it.

  A unicorn’s ability to communicate with the mind is a powerful thing and the intense despair and anger that Sundance felt seeped out like tendrils into the dark forest, subtly calling forth a certain type of creature.

  The black unicorn stallion emerged from the trees like a wraith, formless and silent. As he stepped out of the shadows, the only part of him clearly seen was he pearly horn that protruded from his forehead. The darkest and most dangerous of unicorns, the infamous Dark Being.

  “Who are you?” The stallion’s oily thoughts reached out to the young palomino, both demanding and curious of the intensity of the individual.

  “Nobody.” Came the shallow, dejected reply.

  “That is probably true, but I asked for your name.” The Dark Being lowered his horn, his muscles tensing, ready to attack.

  At this point, Sundance lifted his handsome head and met the Dark Being’s fiery gaze. “Then kill me, I have nothing to live for.”

  The two stallions stood face to face. The Dark Being was old, but he had not diminished in strength nor presence, his sharp mind had not dulled with age.

  “You do not know fear. You encourage dark thoughts so strongly that it could call me forth.” The black stallion bowed his head slightly, “May the night bless thee.”

  Up to this point, Sundance had remained detached from everything, but the Dark Being’s final thought made him shiver. May the night bless thee, the formal greeting and acceptance into the herd of dark hearts.

  Sundance’s gaze did not waver, the Dark Being’s herd was known for choosing to fight rather than flee and were famed for chasing down any wandering humans, and it was for humans that Sundance’s intense hatred burnt.

  “Name yourself and follow me.”

  Sundance felt the last of his uncertainty ebb away, being replaced by a new strength. “I am Torment.”

  He did not feel nervous or afraid as he followed the sure strides of the Dark Being. Torment, as he now called himself in his heart, felt a strange nothingness. His body owned no heat, his skin couldn’t feel the breath of wind nor the branches that raked his sides; no thoughts disturbed the dark abyss of his mind.

  As Torment and the Dark Being moved through the midnight forest, the young palomino noticed they were no longer alone. He caught fleeting glimpses of bright eyes, or pearly horns, momentarily coming together in the form of a unicorn, before dispersing into shadows. Torment would have dismissed it as his imagination, if it weren’t for the thoughts that leaked out of their control; half-formed wonderings and curses that threatened
to cloud the peaceful emptiness of his mind.

  “Torment,” The Dark Being called. The black stallion had come to a more open area and the faint moonlight gleamed against his sleek back.

  The palomino stepped forward, sealing the fact that he was forever more Torment and that his title of Sundance was as dead as his father. Torment joined the Dark Being and both looked upon a gathering of unicorns. The night leeched the colour from their coats, the chestnuts, bays and black unicorns that lifted their heads at the return of their leader. It was not too different from the herd of the great Nmirr, except there was not a single individual that did not bear a scar across their beautiful hide.

  Torment no longer cared enough to be curious about why.

  “Answer to me alone and live free. Take whatever mare you are strong enough to keep and control.”

  Torment barely nodded his acknowledgement of his new leader’s words. He went to step down among the herd, but was called back again before he had got too far.

  “And Torment, know that in darkness and despair you found me. I alone can guide you, you belong to me now.”

  The Dark Being watched the young stallion move away. “Say what you will, you snivelling excuse of a beast.”

  The grating thought was directed to a rather small and ugly bay stallion that had shadowed him from the meeting of Torment, and now sidled out to stand beside his leader.

  “My lord of night, saviour of us all.” The bay unicorn’s grovelling, wheedling nature dominated his thoughts, “Why do you bring a colt made for the sun to our herd of perfection? This Sundance, this Torment is not one of us. Many will not tolerate a son of Nmirr.”

  The Dark Being swung his entire body round in one fluid movement, his horn scythed the air to meet the flesh of the insubordinate stallion. The bay’s legs buckled as he stumbled back, his throat filling with blood.

  “Weasel!” The Dark Being snorted as the angry thoughts escaped him. “How dare you question me?” He ignored the fallen unicorn, not caring whether he survived or not, and instead opened his thoughts to the others that had shadowed his journey. “He is proof, that even a son of Nmirr can be… educated. Still, he is not to be trusted yet; watch him closely.”

  Eleven

  Jemma had spent a restless night in the main camp of the Gardyn army. After arriving the evening before, Jemma had been daunted by the number of people, and how many stared at her. Their gaze was curious for the most part, attracted to her bright ginger hair. There was also a hunger in their eyes, an expectation. Did these people think that she was going to do something extraordinary, just because she came from the Lady Samantha’s homeland? Just because they tagged her with the title of Oracle?

  Jemma stayed inside the guest tent as much as possible. Thankfully her night was without dreams, and she was summoned in the morning, alongside Saxton.

  Angrud had already gone to get the horses ready, and he was stood holding the reins of three sleepy-looking beasts. The young man hovered close to a group that was busy assembling. Jemma recognised Lady Samantha, Captain Rian and a couple of the men she thought she remembered from the council meeting at Treefort. There were also the two princes, who looked exactly as they had in her vision.

  Amongst a few other soldiers, Jemma spotted a dark-haired young man and possibly the most beautiful girl that Jemma had ever seen. Obviously Angrud agreed with her, as he was standing mesmerised when Jemma and Saxton approached.

  “Are you alright, Angrud?” Saxton asked, taking the reins of his horse.

  “Yeah.” He grunted.

  A moment later, the black-haired girl came towards them, she looked a couple of years older than Jemma, and had large, kind brown eyes. The two men bowed at her approach.

  “Lady Jillis.” Saxton greeted.

  “I am sorry that I didn’t meet with you yesterday.” Lady Jillis said warmly, “Are you all ready? Samantha and Rian are determined to get going without a moment to waste.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Jemma replied, “We are. I am looking forward to seeing the city.”

  Jillis gave a soft smile, dipped her head and carried on past them to where her own horse was waiting.

  “Who was that?” Jemma asked Saxton.

  Before Saxton could reply, Angrud spoke, “Lady Jillis Deorwine. She was one of the youngest and most successful Gardyn spies; and now she’s a close friend to Lady Samantha. Not to mention she’s one of our best archers.”

  Jemma was shocked that Angrud had said so many polite and useful words towards her, but had a niggling idea as to why. “So, an encyclopaedic knowledge of Lady Jillis, and being unable to speak in her presence… I wonder what that means?”

  Angrud went bright red and refused to dignify her with an answer. He did proceed to throw her up into the saddle, perhaps a little rougher than necessary.

  Jemma just chuckled as she gathered her reins. She had no idea how long today’s journey would take, but it was suddenly more palatable, if she could spend those hours getting her own back, teasing Angrud about Jillis, just as he had teased her reaction to Captain Rian.

  Jemma’s laughter was quickly stifled as she caught the eye of Lady Samantha. The young woman was so very plain compared to her companions, but there was something fierce and confident in her air. Her green eyes were cold and detached as they fixed on Jemma. The lady frowned, and turned away, shouting to the group to move out, as she kicked her own white horse into action.

  The ride went smoothly, with their scouts checking out the surrounding forest and reporting nothing of concern. The group of Gardyn still rode quietly, and on alert, not wanting to risk attracting any of the King’s scouts.

  Jemma jumped as a brown shadow shot past her foot and ran alongside the horses. A mallus. Jemma was still not used to the monsters, despite the time she had spent with Siabhor. She envied the horses, surprised at how relaxed they were at having a predator for company.

  Jemma watched the mallus settle into an awkward walk beside Lady Samantha and her horse, towards the front. Jemma assumed that the mallus was Siabhor, but to be honest, they all looked the same to her. She marvelled again at the strange companionship between the monster and Samantha; how could anyone even think to be allies with one, never mind friends. And this was the lady that Gran wanted her to help, this lady that entertained monsters and gave her the cold shoulder. How was Jemma supposed to do… anything?

  “Miss Jemma, do you mind if I ride beside you?”

  Jemma turned in her saddle to see Lady Jillis’ brother riding his horse closer. He shared his sister’s dark hair and big, brown eyes, and was subtly handsome in a pleasant way. “Of course, my lord.”

  He gave a tired smile, “Just Tobias, I am no lord.”

  Jemma’s brow creased, and she looked to Lady Jillis.

  Tobias caught her look and hurried to explain, “We are baseborn, mere commoners. Over the years, my sister has done many accomplished things and continues to win the hearts of the Gardyn. As far as they are concerned, she is their Lady Jillis, and they will not have it otherwise. Meanwhile I… I have yet to work out my role.”

  Jemma liked the sound of his voice, and open attitude. After this brief meeting, and that of his sister earlier, she was no longer afraid of these Gardyn ‘nobles’.

  “I hear you are our new oracle, Miss Jemma.” Tobias continued.

  Jemma shrugged, “I guess so, but I don’t know what it really means. I’ve just had a couple of visions that… I just feel that, if I hadn’t had them, everything would still have happened the same. Samantha would have still returned, likewise with the two princes. I haven’t done a single thing that’s… special.”

  Tobias smiled and sat quietly for a minute. “Minaeri would not have sent you, if she did not have a bigger plan. Perhaps this has all been a warm-up for something more… special?”

  “Perhaps.” Jemma replied, a little sullen. “But how am I supposed to help if… Lady Samantha… she doesn’t like me. I know that she’d send me home if she had half a chance.”<
br />
  “Samantha doesn’t dislike you, Jemma.” Tobias replied quickly. “She doesn’t know you yet; I’m sure when she does, it will all be fine. But for now, you’re the girl from home.”

  “Why should that be a problem?”

  “Because just when she was putting all thoughts of homesickness behind her, you appear and make it all come rushing back.” Tobias answered honestly, “It is also a harsh reminder of what she has been through. She has killed, and watched friends die; she was betrayed and broken; then you come as an innocent reminder of what she used to be. It is easier for her to keep you at a distance.”

  Jemma rode along, absorbing it all. “You know her really well, don’t you?”

  Tobias looked up to where Samantha rode up front, “She’s become one of my closest friends, I can’t imagine life without her. She’s like a sister.”

  Jemma watched as he gave only the slightest hint that his final comment was a lie, but she said nothing, not wanting to embarrass the guy when he’d been so friendly and otherwise open with her.

  The journey was an interminable scene of trees and tracks, but eventually they came to their destination.

  They stayed in the perimeter of the forest, safely out of sight to any that looked out from the city.

  The forest ended and the land dipped down steeply, rising again to meet a high, defensive wall that completely encircled the capital city. Above the wall, only the tops of the tallest buildings could be seen; turrets and towers for the important court of Enchena. Only the palace could be seen more clearly, sitting imposingly on top of a hill, casting its shadow over the city.

  Jemma stared with amazement at her first glimpse of the city. It was beautiful, and daunting, and she suddenly wished for the safety of Treefort.

  “It looks just as it did two hundred years ago,” Prince Lugal said, with a note of relief in his voice, as though he was glad something in this mad world had stayed the same.