Freya's Freedom (The Tower and the Eye Book 3) Page 5

  The Aracan Katuvana listened to the shouting and cursing that filled the air for several moments before snapping his fingers. The heavy oak door shut with a crash, dulling the noise. He moved back to the window showing the Paladin reach the palisade around Jinra.

  As the Aracan Katuvana watched, a horde of dragon spawn swarmed out of the surrounding woods, overpowered the Paladin and was about to carry him away when Sir Grald rode into the horde’s midst.

  * * *

  “So he freed me and we defeated the Dragon Spawn together,” Vrenstalliren boasted, downing his tenth cup of Copperberry wine. “Must have been nearly two hundred of them. I accounted for at least half of the bodies.”

  “There were seventy and he killed twenty,” Grald murmured to Freya.

  She giggled and laid her head against his shoulder, sighing happily.

  “I’m glad you’re here, brother. I was worried about you.”

  “When have I ever let you down, Lil Sis?” Grald slipped his arm around her and kissed her forehead. “I’ll always be with you from now on.”

  Vrenstalliren poured another cup of wine and toasted Grald with it.

  “Here’s to Sir Grald, a veritable powerhouse of a knight, with the loveliest sister in existence.”

  The whole common room cheered and cries of “Sir Grald!”; “Sir Grald the Brave!”; “Sir Grald and Lady Freya of Jira!”; “To the Lovely Lady Freya!” rang off the rafters.

  Freya blushed rosily.

  Grald grinned at his sister’s expression.

  “Thank you, Prince Vrenstalliren. Both for your compliments and the care you have taken of my sister on her journey north from Jira.”

  “’Twas nothing, Sir Grald. She is a wonderful travelling companion.” Vrenstalliren burped, coloured and looked surprised as he slid off his seat.

  Freya laughed. “Maybe you ought to take him up to his room, Grald.”

  “Probably a good idea,” he said and then lowered his tone. “Will you be okay with these two?” He flicked one finger at Lin and Kraarz, who sat on the opposite side of the table.

  “Of course I will. Besides, they saved my life,” Freya frowned at her brother. “That dragon would have had me for lunch without them.”

  He shrugged and got up, retrieved a lightly snoring Vrenstalliren from the floor under the table, slung him over his shoulder and carried the elf up the Cuddly Cub’s stairs.

  With the two heroes out of the room, the common room settled down again. Freya sipped her mug of mulled wine and looked at Kraarz.

  “Is Vrenstalliren’s story true?” she asked, her voice loud enough to carry to the Urakh’s sensitive ears.

  “I was wondering that too, your Highness,” Lin said.

  “I shall find out, My Lady.” Kraarz closed his eyes and began to hum a strangely compelling melody. Lin watched the crowd around them with wary eyes, one hand on her long knife.

  Kraarz opened his eyes and Freya held in a gasp. His eyes were emerald green from edge to edge.

  “A Horde of Dragon Spawn attacked the Paladin as he alleged,” Kraarz said, but it wasn’t the Urakh's voice.

  “Vox?” Freya whispered.

  “In Kraarz’ flesh, indeed it is me. You are even more beautiful in the physical realm than your soul is in the Otherworld.” Vox/Kraarz winked.

  Freya was speechless.

  “So the Paladin is telling the truth. Excellent. What of Sir Grald?” Lin asked. “Did he really just arrive at the right moment?”

  “That is the truth, Lin, but all else is lies. He has made a pact with the Dark Gods.” Vox/Kraarz told her. “Freya, you must leave here immediately.”

  I can’t believe that. My brother is good! Freya shook her head.

  “I will not leave my brother’s side.

  “I shall remain with you then. You are far more important than you realise, or Calliale would not be trying to protect you,” Vox/Kraarz said. “Look for my arrival tomorrow morning.”

  Kraarz closed his eyes again and when he opened them, it was to reveal his normal white ones. “What did my friend say?”

  Lin quickly related the conversation.

  “I see.” He sighed. “I do hate it when Vox does this. He always manages to hinder more than he helps.”

  “Well, I’m going to have a bath and go to bed.” Freya stood up.

  Lin stood quickly. “I have sworn to serve you and serve you I shall. A bath sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  Kraarz laughed.

  “If you two are going to retire, then I will also. I fear that without your positive presence in the room, I may be in danger.”

  The three of them headed for the stairs.

  Grald was in the process of coming down.

  “Going to bed already, Freya? I was hoping to catch up with you. I have lots of news.”

  “I’m tired and I need a bath. Lin and I are sharing a room, so I will be perfectly safe with her.” Freya smiled, stood on her tiptoes and kissed Grald’s cheek. “I will see you in the morning. Good night, Graldai.”

  * * *

  “You humans take forever to wake up.” A small voice by Freya’s ear shocked her into wakefulness.

  She turned her head to find a small, silver-furred Flixen cub with emerald green eyes curled on the pillow beside her. “Vox?”

  “How many Flixen do you know that talk?” the cub licked her cheek with its pale pink tongue. “It’s four hours after dawn.”

  Freya yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. If it weren’t for those tiny little wings, Vox might get mistaken for a kitten. O’course, Flixen aren’t exactly well known animals outside of Elysia, but I’m not sure where I’ve seen them either. The gap in her memory made her frown as she sat up.

  “Time for breakfast then.” She pushed back the covers and swung her feet around. Lin wasn’t in the room, but her bed had been made. “Lin must be downstairs.”

  The Flixen watched while she washed.

  “You have a definite resemblance to your father and your mother’s shape is far more appealing on you than it was on her.”

  Freya ignored the comments.

  “Do you want me to call you by name?”

  “You might as well. Lin and Kraarz will know who I am, but your brother and that blind Paladin who insists on protecting you, won’t.” Vox stood up and stretched like a cat. “By the way, Korettln is feeling rather lonely. How about we go for a ride this morning?”

  Freya smiled.

  “I can’t see why not. After all I have two heroes, an Urakh Shaman and an elite Elysian warrior to protect me.” She pulled out one of the riding dresses she’d bought in Jiren and slipped into it, smoothing the tight bodice over her toned abdomen. “Would you like me to carry you?”

  Vox turned a somersault.

  “That would be wonderful. This creature form may have wings, but until the body matures, I can’t fly.”

  Freya finished dressing quickly and swung a thick woollen cloak around her shoulders before she held her hands out. The fox-eared animal jumped into them and scrambled up her arm, the tiny cat-claws gripping the thick woollen material until it reached Freya’s shoulder.

  “Thank you,” Vox purred into Freya’s ear, swiping its bushy tail up under her long plait around her neck like a scarf.

  The dancer smiled and left the room.

  The common room was half-empty. Lin and Kraarz sat at the same table they had occupied last night. Grald and Vrenstalliren were nowhere to be seen.

  “Good morrow, Lady Freya. Vox informed me that you were awake and what to order for you to break your fast.” The Urakh smiled.

  Freya was mildly surprised to find that she no longer thought of Kraarz as strange looking. “Thank you, Kraarz.”

  “Your brother and the Paladin have gone out to inspect Korettln. I think Vrenstalliren is still trying to get you what he calls a more suitable mount for a maiden.” Lin told her, looking mildly amused.

  Freya laughed.

  “I suspect that Kore will have someth
ing to say about that.” She sat beside Lin and thanked the barmaid who brought her porridge over.

  A comfortable silence settled over the table as they ate. Even Vox seemed disinclined to say anything.

  “Freya!” Grald burst into the room.

  She looked up.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Your stallion has gone crazy! I’m going to get the local Farrier to put it down,” her brother said.

  Freya rolled her eyes and looked at Vox who had curled up in her lap.

  “Vrenstalliren is trying to ride Korettln. Korettln is trying to unseat him.” The Flixen purred.

  “Don’t tell me. Vrenstalliren is insisting that Korettln is an unsuitable mount for a delicate maiden such as myself and decided to try and ride Kore to prove his point.” Freya sighed. “Don’t bother with the Farrier. I’ll deal with this.”

  “Freya, the animal is frothing at the mouth. It’s mad!” Grald tried to block her as she picked up Vox and made for the stableyard door.

  “That horse is as intelligent as you or I, Sir Grald,” Kraarz said. “The Lady has proved on more than one occasion that she can control him.”

  “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Urakhiiz,” Grald snapped.

  Lin’s hand dropped to her sword hilt, but Kraarz shook his head at her and shrugged.

  “Urakhiiz? I haven’t heard that one since I was an Urakhling,” he laughed.

  “Come on, Grald. Let me show you what I can do, before you decide to have my horse put down.” Freya pushed her brother aside and strode out.

  In the stable yard, the Inn’s grooms and stableboys had gathered to watch the show.

  In the centre, Korettln was on his hind legs and Vrenstalliren held on grimly.

  “I’ll tame you, beast,” the elf prince snarled.

  “You’ll do no such thing,” Freya called out, noticing that the Paladin had spurs on and there was blood on the points. Her eyes narrowed. “Get off my friend.”

  Korettln dropped to the ground, sparks flying out from beneath his hooves.

  “I’m glad you’re here. Can I get rid of this pest please?”

  “Yes, you can. Just make sure he lands somewhere soft,” Freya replied.

  Korettln tossed his head.

  “I have just the place.”

  The black stallion spun his mane, tail and feathers flying out. Vrenstalliren gasped and tried to keep his seat, but as he slipped sideways, Korettln bucked sharply.

  Vrenstalliren sailed through the air. He landed face down in the Inn’s manure pile.

  The watching crowd burst out laughing and cheered as Korettln settled and trotted over to Freya. He nuzzled her hair.

  She examined his flanks.

  “At least these are just scratches.”

  “I have a wonderful ointment that will soothe them,” Kraarz said. “And if I use a small incantation, he will be as good as new in a few moments.”

  Freya stroked Kore’s nose. “Will you let him?”

  “Yes. Just don’t let those two brutes near me again.” Korettln neighed and bared his teeth at Grald who took a step back.

  “Go with Kraarz and Lin please, Korettln,” Freya said aloud.

  Lin took Korettln's reins and the three of them went back into the stables.

  Freya waited until the crowd had dispersed and then she rounded on her brother.

  “I am not four anymore, Grald. Since you left I have had to protect myself and I can do without all this male intervention.”

  “Vrenstalliren wanted me to approve your horse. I didn’t touch him!” Grald held his hands up palm out.

  “That’s not the point.”

  “Hah. It was him who suggested the spurs,” Vox said.

  Freya shuddered. “Spurs, Grald? It was always you had to use spurs to control horses when we were children. Not me.”

  Grald said nothing.

  “Now, as soon as Kraarz has finished healing my friend, I am going out riding in the woods. You can come along too; if you think you can keep up.” Freya left him and headed for the stables.

  Grald’s jaw dropped open for a few seconds, and then he snapped it shut. Who knew you had such a strong will? He smiled and a thin ribbon of gold surrounded his pupils. However, little sister, you have given me the perfect opportunity to advance my Lord’s plans. He turned and went into the inn.

  * * *

  “Well now, Lord,” the Jar said with a pleased smile. “It seems that Sir Grald has managed his mission so far with aplomb.”

  The Aracan Katuvana nodded, watching the girl, Elysian, Urakh and freshly bathed elven Paladin ride out of the village palisade. Another window showed Sir Grald as he rode out of a secret gate at the back of the village.

  “Do you wish to add anything to the mix? A little surprise for our Emperor’s sister?”

  The Aracan Katuvana considered the suggestion, head on fist and hood turned toward the girl’s window. Then he shook his head.

  “Very well, Lord. This promises to be an interesting ride anyway.” The Jar turned its gaze back to the windows.

  * * *

  The sunlight filtering through the multiple autumn hues of the leaves above dappled Lin’s white mare with golds and reds. The birds sang of winter and berries as the group passed along the track, heading towards a small waterfall that the Mayor had told Freya about before they set out.

  “This is dangerous, Lady Freya,” Vrenstalliren said sullenly.

  She ignored him, stroking Vox who had draped itself on Korettln’s neck. The air around here is so fresh and clean. So different to Jira’s dirty streets.

  “I see no threat,” she said at last.

  “So the horde of dragon spawn that attacked me yesterday isn’t a threat?” Vrenstalliren moved up beside Freya. “There has to be a nest around here to have so many attack that fast.”

  Freya looked at him and batted her eyelashes.

  “I have you to protect me.”

  He groaned and pulled his horse ahead of her.

  “Can I bite him?” Korettln asked, lunging slightly as Vrenstalliren’s leg passed his head.

  Freya held him back. “Don’t you dare!”

  Korettln snorted.

  Kraarz exchanged a look with Lin, who had dropped back to ride beside Freya, allowing Vrenstalliren to take point.

  “He has a point, Lady. These woods are supposed to hold a Dungeon of Doom.”

  “What’s that?” Lin asked.

  “You know about The Black Tower War don’t you?” Kraarz sounded surprised.

  Freya looked at Lin.

  “I know it didn’t reach beyond Jinran, but that was because the Empire protected the border.”

  “Oh yes, we are taught about it in school. Sadly, none of my teachers mentioned anything about Dungeons of Doom,” Lin shrugged.

  “They were the Aracan Katuvana’s strongholds and staging points for his invasion. I believe the furthest east the Aracan Katuvana achieved was Jisira.” Kraarz looked around. “There was supposed to be one around here that had been created as part of the Aracan Katuvana’s northward thrust.”

  “Why don’t we go look for it?” Freya asked. It’s bound to be more exciting than a normal ride.

  “Freya, that’s a bad idea. Not all the dungeons were cleansed. Some just had their Custodians destroyed,” Vox said aloud, patting Freya’s hand with its paw.

  “Shush. What happens if Vrenstalliren hears you?” Freya tapped Vox’s nose gently with one finger.

  “He can’t. He’s in a cave.” Vox pointed with one paw. “Behind the waterfall over there.”

  “Can you sense a dungeon around here, Vox?” Kraarz asked.

  “The Dark Gods shield them from the likes of me. Only a true Deity would be able to tell you.”

  “Look, let’s just go find out why Vrenstalliren is in this cave. He’s supposed to be protecting me, not exploring.” Freya nudged Korettln in the direction that Vox had indicated.

  The cave began to one side of the waterfall. The fal
ls themselves were just as pretty as the mayor had said, so Freya and Lin left their horses with Ohtár who cropped the grass under a large oak tree.

  “He doesn’t look after his animals properly,” Freya murmured, taking the war stallion’s saddle off and spreading Ohtár’s blanket out over his back. Ohtár snorted and tossed his head.

  “I thought you were scared of him,” Korettln snorted.

  “I was at one point. Then I met you.” Freya finished by stroking Ohtár’s nose. “He’s tame compared to you.”

  “He says thank you,” Korettln told her as she made him comfortable.

  Lin did the same for the mare.

  “I hope they’ll be safe here.”

  “I’ll look after them,” Korettln told Freya. “Just hurry up and come back would you? I don’t like this place.” He stamped and snorted.

  “Korettln is right. There is a peculiar taint in the air and I can see a strange aura around the cave mouth.” Vox jumped to her shoulder, its green eyes glowing slightly. “We need to hurry.”

  Lin and Kraarz moved in front of Freya as they entered the cave. The ground was damp and in places where moss had grown, the footing slippery and difficult.

  “Vrenstalliren! Where are you?” Freya called out and her voice echoed. Of the Paladin, there was no sign.

  “This isn’t a cave, it’s a tunnel mouth,” Kraarz murmured. “The echoes are too distorted to be just a cave.”

  They walked further in. As soon as they got away from the entrance cave, the floor became dry sand and muffled the sound of their footfalls. There was a pale light emanating from the walls.

  “Where is that coming from?” Lin reached up and ran her hand along the wall. It came away dusty and when Kraarz looked at Lin’s hand he frowned.

  “That’s the scales of the Cloud Moth. They often inhabit deep caverns in the mountains and they’re poisonous. You’d best wash your hand.”

  Lin rinsed the scales away with some of her water.

  “Thank you. I had a friend who died of Cloud Moth venom. It’s not a pretty death.”

  “What death is?” Freya murmured.

  “You have a point,” Kraarz said.

  Lin shrugged. “I’d prefer a quick and painless stab to a lingering death while your insides liquefy, any day.”