The Oracle Read online

  Samantha sighed, sharing a puzzled look with Jillis, before deigning to follow Prince Lugal to the edge of the corral. Hardly private, but Samantha was quite grateful that he didn’t insist on traipsing further away.

  “As you are aware, my lady, Cristan’s actions have resulted in me being the sole King in the Gardyn’s view of the future; but they have also raised doubts over... our legend, my ability to rule...” Lugal started.

  “Does this have a point?” Samantha asked, glancing back to where her horse stood half-ready.

  “I think it would strengthen the Gardyn, and provide Enchena with the best future if, when I am crowned King, you are my Queen.”

  “Well I think... what now?” Samantha froze as his words finally sunk in. “But that would mean that we... you and I... would be married?”

  “Obviously not until after this battle, I would not want to distract you in your current role.” Lugal answered logically, “But yes, we would be married. You do have marriage in your world?”

  “Yes,” Samantha replied in a rush, the panic evident in her voice, “but it usually has something to do with love and... and commitment.”

  “Love is a luxury for the common people.” Lugal replied quietly, stealing a glance towards Jillis, “As leaders, we have a duty to provide strength and stability. Political marriages are common in the elite. Tobias Deorwine has already given his consent to the match, and I am sure the rest of the Gardyn will agree with him.”

  “Wait, he did what…?” Samantha felt her stomach sink like a dead weight.

  “In the absence of your family, I assumed that he was responsible for you. Forgive me if I misjudged.”

  Samantha suddenly needed something to lean on, and moved over to the wooden fence for support. Today was not going how she had hoped. An enemy turning into an ally, and an ally becoming a danger, not to mention the little boy that could be getting tortured as they speak. Being sold off to the future king, by Tobias of all people, was a little too much to take right now.

  “Lady Samantha?” Lugal gently prompted.

  “I... I have a mission to complete. Can my answer wait until I return?” Samantha replied uncertainly.

  “Of course,” Lugal took her hand and pressed her fingers to his lips. “May Minaeri watch over you. I pray that you return swiftly.”

  Samantha attempted a smile, but feeling numb she walked the short distance back to her horse.

  Jillis had finished tacking up Legan and handed the reins to Samantha, a curious look on her face. Tobias stood next to her, the young man’s confusion slowly giving way to a cold realisation.

  With good bloody reason; as soon as Samantha was close to him, she realised how angry she was at his damned heavy-handedness.

  “How dare you?” She demanded. “Did you agree to marry me off before or after you tried to kiss me?”

  Panic stabbed Tobias, “What? No, he was supposed to ask Ji-”

  Before he could finish, Samantha raised her hand and slapped him sharply across the face.

  Pulling her horse rougher than she should, Samantha stormed away, wanting nothing more than distance between her and Tobias.

  “I’m not letting you go alone.” Tobias called out, marching after her, rubbing his reddened cheek.

  “I’m not going alone. Jemma and her two guards will be there.” Samantha informed a stubborn-looking Tobias. “Anyway, no matter what Prince Lugal thinks, you are not my guardian.”

  “Then what will you let me be?”

  Samantha ignored the question and swung herself into the saddle with a practised ease. Jemma and the two soldiers were already mounted and ready to go. Indeed, Saxton looked like he would explode if he did not begin his son’s rescue in the next few minutes.

  Captain Rian came to see them off, stepping close to have a quiet word with Samantha. “You know that Hrafn is expecting you.”

  “Good, I haven’t had a chat with Hrafn and David for ages.” Samantha replied callously, as she checked her sword was firmly strapped to the saddle.

  Rian grasped the horse’s bridle and looked up at the young lady. “Samantha, don’t try anything... like you do. Just try and get the boy back. Samantha, this is serious.”

  It seemed that Samantha wasn’t going to reply, but then she leant down, hissing in a strained voice, “Don’t you think I know that? Do you think I want to see David’s dead image again? This is the beginning, and I am not looking forward to having to kill again.” Samantha sat up straight again. “I said you weren’t coming.”

  Tobias rode up to the group, apologetic smile flickering across his face, “And I’m ignoring orders. Something that comes quite naturally to the both of us.”

  “I would feel better if Tobias went with you,” Rian said, handing up a map of the city.

  “Fine, let’s go or it’ll be dawn before we reach the city.” Samantha growled, pulling her horse round.

  *****

  For the rest of the day, life in the Valley went on as normally as possible.

  The soldiers that weren’t on scouting duties took turns on the training field. The original Gardyn, and those returned from Caelum were being inspected by Captain Rian. Curious of the rebel training, Orion Losan shadowed his movements.

  “Soldier,” Rian stopped to correct another Gardyn, “Either keep your shield fixed or turn and drop the shoulder to deflect the blow.”

  The individual took in the information with a stern nod, then turned to his designated opponent and began again. Rian waited long enough to see the improvement, then moved on.

  “You’re too soft in your training.” Losan muttered.

  Rian halted, flinching with the desire to knock this man down. “Your army may need beating into submission, but these men and women fight willingly. I shall train them how I think best.”

  Losan’s look hardened slightly, “You are meant to be training them for a war, one in which most of them will die at this rate. How could a boy like you understand? How could you train such an important force for the Gardyn?”

  The sparring pairs closest to the two captains paused in their activities, tuning into the escalating confrontation.

  Rian ignored the sudden attention. “I am the best, that’s why. All my life I have been groomed and trained for this position; intensity makes up for my lack of years. I am the Gardyn’s answer to you.”

  “Ah yes... I remember being told of a programme and scheme to produce the perfect warrior.” Losan sneered as he looked over Rian, “You have gone down in my estimation. The Gardyn could have easily picked someone else and you would be a nobody.”

  Across the field the sound of clashing swords and shields died as everyone was drawn to the confrontation.

  Rian was lost for words as Losan cut close to the truth. With a lack of words, Rian went for action. In a split second his sword was in his hand, the sharp blade directed at Losan.

  “Put that away, boy.” Losan said, unnervingly calm. “Nobody can better me.”

  “I am you.” Rian shouted. “Give him a sword.”

  The soldiers that circled them wavered at their captain’s command, and did not respond.

  “Now!” Rian barked.

  One man moved forward quickly, handing his blade to Losan, then scuttled back to his place.

  Losan held the sword up, regarding it. He glanced back to Captain Rian, but refused to attack.

  Rian had no such reservations and lunged in with all his strength and skill. Losan deflected his first blow and dodged the second. He was unwilling to fight, but soon realised that this kid was better than he expected.

  The two captains circled within the gathering crowd of Gardyn. They would parry, block and lunge, Rian’s youthful movements opposing Losan’s tact and experience. In the whole of Enchena these warriors were the closest matched and they fought on, neither wanting to step down and admit defeat.

  Both were getting tired with the endless parry. Losan kept his cool, having been challenged so often; but Rian’s attacks became mor
e and more desperate as he realised with a furious anger that Captain Orion Losan really was as good as his legend.

  Rian was the first to falter and Losan took full advantage, managing to give such a heavy blow. Rian lost his balance and fell to his side. The younger man was breathing hard from exertion, as Losan’s shadow drifted over him, the older captain poised to strike.

  “Isn’t this the part,” Rian said bitterly, “where the legend gives glorious testimony and strikes down the fallen man?”

  Losan hesitated, then turned, throwing the sword back to its owner before walking away.

  *****

  Losan was sitting by one of the campfires, polishing his new sword. It was an overcast night and away from the firelight the Valley was shrouded in darkness. Losan did not need to look up to know who approached, the man unwilling to leave him alone.

  “You still don’t trust me.” He stated in his quiet, even tones.

  “The armoury obviously do.” Rian answered, staring at the Gardyn-made sword.

  “You still don’t trust me,” Losan repeated, “even though I let you live, when I could have killed you.”

  Rian sat down and looked at him sceptically, “You wouldn’t have killed me. You knew you wouldn’t have been able to escape the Gardyn camp, if you had.”

  “I’m Captain Orion Losan, I can do anything.” Losan replied, no hint of bragging in his voice. “Anyway, you were thinking differently when you were at my mercy.”

  “You really think you’re invincible.” Rian sneered, “You actually believe that you are the legendary figure people regale.”

  “Why not?” Losan finally looked up and met Rian’s gaze. There was no fire, no condescension, just stone cold truth. “I deserve it. Doubtless you believe in the Gardyn’s view of yourself.”

  That left Rian speechless again. He knew that he had earned every word of praise, but it was hard to believe that one mortal man could have achieved as much as Captain Losan supposedly had.

  “Who are you?” Rian asked, barely aware that he had spoken aloud.

  The light from the fire showed the hint of a smile on Losan’s scarred face. “I don’t know. The son of a great lord. The daring and unstoppable soldier. The feared leader of the King’s army. A misplaced priest. Or the Gardyn’s lifeline.” Losan took a deep breath, all sternness seemed to drop away for a brief moment. “By Minaeri, I’ve done so much, I feel that I can split it all into different people. I guess that’s how I can be true to each.”

  “So, all this time you were pretending to be Hrafn’s friend, but were really his enemy?” Rian asked.

  “No. He was like a brother to me, and I never betrayed Hrafn. Until now.”

  Rian looked at him questioningly, and eventually Losan shrugged and continued.

  “After I had met Danu, and secretly trained to serve Minaeri, I returned back to the capital as a hero. The only thing people knew about me was that I was the soldier who had single-handedly taken out a serious rebel threat. I strengthened my reputation through a few smaller missions, then during training sessions I was partnered with King Naboar’s son and heir, Hrafn. I was of noble birth and had more skill than most, so I was a very suitable sparring partner and friend for the young prince. Hrafn was a few years younger than me, but he was bright and I actually enjoyed his company. I thought perhaps that was Minaeri’s design for me – to help shape the future king so that Enchena might have a benevolent leader and an end to the conflict.

  “It seemed to work for a few years, until Hrafn was old enough to be of interest to his father. King Naboar was a brutal man and there was no refusing him. He decided Hrafn should start to deal with the politics of the land and insisted on hardening the lad - “moulding” Naboar used to call it, so that he could excel despite the blasted prophecy that he would only have half-power.

  “At that time, my services weren’t needed at court, and I was sent back to protect the empire with my sword. I became very skilled in the language of violence and death, garnering respect from my peers that had nothing to do with my family name.

  “After the death of Naboar, Hrafn called me back to court. He was preparing for his coronation and wanted those he could trust around him. When I returned, I found him a very changed man, the bright boy had been turned into someone dark and driven. At first I hoped that I could change him back, I thought I could still see some good in him. But then the Gardyn attack happened.

  “We heard from our spies that the rebels were amassing as never before, to take advantage of the leaked prophecy. Instead of being worried, Hrafn welcomed the challenge; he confided in me that he had inherited all of his father’s power, and the Gardyn would be crushed by his invincible army. After that, I tried to warn the Gardyn anonymously, but they wouldn’t listen to me. After the... massacre, I decided I had best stay close to Hrafn and whilst I hoped that I could help him, I could plan to deflect most of his damage.”

  “Deflect his damage?” Rian echoed, “You have been the single biggest threat to the Gardyn for the last twenty years!”

  “A threat that was exaggerated, I assure you.” Losan argued. “I built my reputation for ruthlessness by fighting ruffians and extremists – they were never part of the Gardyn, although I reported that they were to help my cause. It worked, too; I started to have more control over Hrafn’s army and could direct them where they would do least damage; and the fear I incited in the rebels meant that I could stop a fight without a single drop of blood spilt.”

  “So, you’re honestly trying to tell me that you’ve never killed a Gardyn?”

  Losan fell silent, acknowledging his guilt. “I am not proud of it. There have been many captured over the years. I have tried to give them swift deaths, to escape Hrafn’s torture, and getting rid of the bodies so they did not suffer being resurrected.”

  “What changed?” Rian asked, “Why now?”

  “Danu told me that the Gardyn would need me when Samantha returned for the final fight. I can no longer fool myself that Hrafn can be redeemed; the man that was my friend has long since vanished into his obsession for power and control. Also, David,” Losan sighed, “that boy has been a nuisance, solidifying his authority as Hrafn’s heir. The army acknowledge him as such, and many of the soldiers see this fresh young prince as their new hope for more glory and a stronger Enchena. The illusion is so strong that the army is fracturing, my control is not as complete as it used to be.”

  For a while, the only sound was the wind whispering in the night-time forest, and the crackle of the small fire.

  Rian frowned at his enemy, “I will never trust you. But I think I can believe you.”

  Sixteen

  The small party rode to the north of the city of Enchena, and camped overnight at the edge of the forest. Next to the camp was a mass of tumbled boulders that hid the entrance to a tunnel that only Samantha had visited.

  They were too close to the city wall to safely light a fire, but the night was overcast and warm and all five lay down to attempt to sleep.

  As the sky lightened with dawn and the sun began to show over the rooftops of the city. All five were weary but up and prepared to leave.

  “Stay here, keep the horses and camp safe.” Samantha instructed in a low voice to Tobias.

  “Samantha, I am here to be with you – to protect you. If you think I’m staying-”

  “I think you should follow orders for once, Deorwine.” Samantha interrupted, marching off before he could argue further.

  Jemma, Saxton and Angrud followed Samantha to the rocky tor, and into the dark cave. They held on tightly, afraid to lose the others in the darkness.

  Once completely within, Samantha decided she could risk a little light. She turned her mind to the unlit torch she carried and it immediately sparked and came to life. The firelight leapt up and played on the rough, narrow walls of the tunnel.

  “Come on.” Samantha said gently after glancing at the map.

  They walked slowly on for almost an hour, pausing every time
their path branched away, putting their trust in the old map that Samantha carried.

  “It’s blocked.” Jemma muttered, as they came up to a solid wall of packed earth, where the tunnel had collapsed.

  “I can see that. Hold this, would you.” Samantha spoke sharply as she passed the torch over to Jemma.

  Saxton and Angrud stepped forward, ready with shovels. Samantha and the two soldiers started hacking away at the soil, but were stopped by the sheer difficulty of the task.

  “It’s no good. It’s packed tight.” Angrud complained, throwing all his weight behind the shovel and still hardly making a dent.

  “Surely there are other routes.” Jemma suggested.

  Samantha ignored them and leant against the blockage, her eyes closed as she thought quickly. Her hand was pressed against the cool, moist earth. Her eyes flew open and she stepped back.

  “Other routes may be quicker, but this is safer. It leads to an inn owned by Gardyn. They have helped us before and are one of our last contacts left in the city.” Samantha gave a wary smile. “Stand back, I’ll ease things up.”

  The others obeyed and Samantha turned, standing square to the wall. She closed her eyes again and concentrated. A strange red light played across her extended palms. An intense heat built up, making her companions shrink even further back.

  There was a final blast of heat and the underground passage was filled with a bright white light that faded almost immediately to show Samantha on her knees, sweating, but otherwise unharmed in the scorched surroundings.

  Saxton and Angrud walked past her and lifted their shovels to the blackened earth, which crumbled to dust and fell away.

  “How – how did you do that?” Jemma asked breathlessly, “That was amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Samantha said dismissively, shrugging her shoulders to loosen the tense muscles. It had been a while since she’d used her powers on that scale.

  “We’ve found it.” Angrud called back, knocking his shovel against the wooden slats that had been revealed in the roof of the tunnel.