Earth Bound (20 page)

Brianne looked around the small room Conal had brought them to. “Where’s my grandad?” It was the foyer of a house that seemed to have missed most of the fighting.

“Here.” Conal held out a letter.

“Wasn’t he organising the attack on the Holy City?” Brianne took the letter, not even glancing at it. “Have they attacked yet?”

Conal gestured towards the letter. “Read it if you want an explanation.”

She stared at Conal a moment longer before she decided she wouldn’t get any information from him. She read the first paragraph, turning to Talon with a grin, relief rushing through her. “They’ve taken the Holy City. Zinervie and the other two with her are safe and still have their wings.” She reached for his hand, her grin firmly in place.

“That was all he wanted?” Talon looked from Brianne to Conal. “I thought you said he wanted to see us.”

“Read the rest of it.” Conal gestured towards the letter Brianne still held.

“I can’t believe she’s safe. I want to see her.” She couldn’t stop grinning, relief making her feel almost giddy.

“Read the letter.” There was a sharpness to Conal’s tone.

Brianne sent Conal a half hearted glare, the effect ruined by her grin. “All right. Don’t be so impatient. Let me have a moment to celebrate.” She turned back to the letter, her grin evaporating the moment she read the next paragraph.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Talon reached for the letter.

Brianne dropped her hand to her side, crumpling the letter in her fist. “Elden escaped. He had his own personal escape tunnel and left his people behind to cover his retreat. He’s headed towards the mountains. Grandad wants us to join a group of people Conal is organising to hunt Elden down.” She was tired, desperate for sleep and could only imagine Talon felt the same.

Talon nodded. He turned to Conal. “When are we leaving?”

“In about half an hour. I’ve gathered most of the people already. Bellamy and Lyle will join us along with a handful of Caelians. We’ll be moving fast. Have something to eat, get cleaned up and I’ll meet you back here,” Conal said.

At the reminder of food, Brianne’s stomach growled. “Eating sounds like a good idea.” Particularly since she hadn’t been able to eat before the attack on the towers. “But we need sleep too.”

“No time for resting now. There’ll be regular breaks where you can have a nap. The rebels have food and medical help set up at the front gate. Don’t take too long,” Conal warned.

Brianne wanted to argue. Instead, with a nod, she headed outside. Talon walked beside her and she looked up at him. “I can’t believe he got away.” She threw her letter into a burning house they passed further down the street. “We’ve got to capture him. He can’t continue to escape.”

“We’ll get him. There must be nowhere left for him to hide.”

Brianne nodded as they reached the front gates. “I hope not.” She stifled a yawn.

It didn’t take them long to eat, have Talon’s wounds attended to and head back to the house where they were to meet Conal, finding Bellamy there too. They were introduced to the Caelians that were to join them and were soon soaring through the sky towards the Feronian Mountains. Brianne was passed between Talon and Conal at each short rest stop and they reached a garrison by midday where a message awaited them.

Leaning against Talon, Brianne watched as Conal read the message, crumpling it and throwing it back to the boy who’d given it to him. “Burn it.” He turned to the group watching him. “First Officer Ewyn is leading a group that has been tracking Elden from the Holy City. They believe he’s now headed for the coast. Somewhere around the border. They’ll leave a message at the Tersten capital to let us know if there’s any change in direction and where they’ll send the next message.” Conal’s wings snapped out. “Let’s go.”

Brianne bit back a groan, wanting to demand they rest longer. She looked up at Talon. He looked as exhausted as she felt. Holding her bow, she turned her back to Talon, waiting for him to wrap his arms around her.

“We need to go faster.” Talon pulled her against him.

“What we really need is a rest.”

“No, we need to be there when Elden is found.”

She wanted to argue his words. But she couldn’t. Elden had to be stopped and she wanted to be among the ones who caught him. “Yes.” She felt his arms tighten around her before he shot into the air.

Talon headed down the side of the mountain, aiming for the capital, pulling out ahead of everyone. “I’m going to sleep for a week when this is over.”

She was tempted to agree, but a week was a long time. Especially after years of waiting. “No you’re not. You’re going to keep an eye on the doctors so they don’t mess up my operation.”

“You’re going through with it?”

Brianne tilted her head so she could see Talon. “Yes.”

Talon remained silent a moment before he answered. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”

They fell silent as they continued through the skies, Talon keeping up the faster pace, the others matching him. When they reached the capital, Conal collected the new message and told them nothing had changed. They were still headed for the coast. After a short rest, Conal strode to Brianne, waited for her to rise and turn her back to him so he could carry her into the sky.

Late evening found them taking a break at a farmhouse several hours from the coast. They gathered at a timber table set under a tree in the house yard, a lantern and the full moon lighting the table. Brianne ate the meal the farmers provided, sitting beside Talon who looked worn out. She reached out to rest the back of her hand against his cheek, relieved to find his skin a normal temperature.

“What?” Talon took her hand from his cheek, holding onto it.

“You look wrecked.”

“It’s been a long day.” He shot a look across the table at Bellamy. “But I guess it’s better than being carried.”

Bellamy laughed. “Don’t worry Talon, when you’re too exhausted to do anything but fall at Elden’s feet I’ll take care of him for you.”

“Watch it, dirt walker,” Lyle said. “I might accidentally let you go next time we take to the sky together.”

“Enough talk,” Conal said. “We have three hours rest before we head out again. The quicker you eat, the longer you get to sleep.”

Silence descended and the meal was rapidly finished. They were shown to a barn and given blankets to help make the hay more comfortable. Brianne spread her blanket out next to Talon’s, falling instantly asleep the moment she lay down near him.

When Conal shook her awake, Brianne groaned, looking blearily up at him. “I’m awake,” she muttered when he continued to shake her shoulder.

“Then get up. We need to move before Elden disappears.”

Brianne struggled to sit up, hearing Talon groan from beside her as he sat up too. “Surely he can’t have covered as much ground as we have.”

Conal ignored her comment, talking to Talon. “Your turn to carry Brianne.”

Talon nodded and rose to his feet as Conal left the barn. “Come on. We’ll be at the coast before daybreak at this speed. Once Elden is caught we can focus on trying to get you your own wings.” Holding out a hand to Brianne he grinned. “I swear you’re gaining weight by the hour.”

Grabbing her bow, Brianne swatted his hand away with a halfhearted glare. “Or you’re getting weaker by the hour.” Rising, she strode ahead of him as they headed outside.

Talon reached her side. “Not likely. Turn around so we can get this over with.”

Hearing the exhaustion in his voice, Brianne stopped and reached up to check his temperature again, relieved his skin still felt cool.

“I’m well. Stop worrying.”

“You’ve been pushing yourself. Of course I’m going to worry.”

Conal bellowed, “Everyone in the air. Time’s wasting.”

“Turn around,” Talon said again.

She held her hand against his cheek a moment longer before she turned away, pressing her back against him. “The only thing keeping me awake is the thought of putting an arrow in Elden.”

Talon leapt into the air, taking Brianne with him. “Don’t make it a killing shot, I want him to feel my bolt too.”

“Deal.”

When they were still a couple of hours from the coast, they caught sight of a squad to their left, also headed for the coast. They changed their direction, catching up with them before they all landed on the ground.

“Zinervie.” Brianne raced towards her friend the moment Talon let her go. She wrapped her arms around her, relieved when Zinervie’s arms did the same.

“I’m so sorry,” Zinervie said. “I’m the worst friend ever.” She pulled back slightly. “Who is that?”

Brianne turned to see Talon behind her, watching Zinervie. She smiled at him, letting him know she was safe. She took a step away from Zinervie. “This is Talon.”

“Talon.” Marshall pushed past the rest of the squad to join them. “I’m glad you’ll be with me when we take Elden down.”

“No killing him,” Ewyn ordered, reaching their group. “We’ll leave you behind if you can’t remember to keep your promise.”

“I won’t. I want to, but I won’t.” Marshall turned to Talon. “Did you see my sister?”

Talon shook his head. “No. Sorry. Maybe she wasn’t in Taeranelle. There’s other cities. She could be at one of them.”

“Maybe.”

Brianne could see the disappointment and worry on Marshall’s face. “We’ll help you find her.”

Ewyn spoke to Brianne before Marshall could answer her. “You’re unharmed? Ailis told me I was to check on you the moment I saw you.” He grinned.

Brianne fleetingly answered his grin with one of her own, knowing he hadn’t taken his sister’s concerns seriously. “I’m fine.” Exhausted and needing more than a few hours sleep, but he wasn’t interested in hearing that. “I can’t wait to catch Elden. We are allowed to shoot him, aren’t we? As long as it’s not a lethal shot.”

“Legs or arms only if necessary, but no filling his limbs with arrows so that he bleeds to death. We need him alive to question him,” Ewyn said. “Time to go. I want to catch them before they reach the coast.”

“Them?” Brianne turned so her back was to Talon.

“My turn.” Conal walked over to them as Talon started to wrap his arms around Brianne.

Brianne nodded, stepping away from Talon so Conal could carry her. “Uncle Ewyn? Them?”

“The tracks we’re following are from four different horses.” Ewyn shot into the air. “Hurry up. Day is coming.”

As much as he would have hated to say it, Talon was glad it was Conal’s turn to carry Brianne. He was utterly exhausted and glad he could see the coast in the distance. He flew beside Conal, keeping an eye on Brianne.

“I see something,” one of the Caelians called out, pointing off into the distance.

Talon looked to where he pointed, seeing a cloud of dust hanging in the air, a figure on horseback, three horses trailing behind him on lead ropes. Exhaustion fell away as adrenaline hit him and he increased his speed, like his companions did. They were soon close enough for Talon to see Elden, the hood of his black robe thrown back, glancing over his shoulder, setting free his extra horses.

“He’s headed for a boat. Don’t let him near it,” Ewyn called out.

Talon grabbed his crossbow, readying it as he continued to fly towards Elden, trying to keep up with the speed of the Caelians. They were slightly ahead of him, but he let off the first shot. The bolt flew past Elden, who tried to get more speed from his horse as arrows rained down around him. One arrow grazed the horse who reared, throwing Elden to the ground.

He was instantly on his feet, running to the rowboat pulled up on the shore, trying to push it towards the sea. He barely managed to get it to move before he was surrounded. Talon kept his crossbow trained on Elden, fighting the urge to shoot the man in front of him. Now his feet were on the ground he’d have better aim.

An arrow struck Elden. “Whoops,” Brianne said, her tone sounding anything but apologetic.

Talon momentarily grinned, even more tempted to shoot Elden. He stared at the man who had caused so much pain for their people. The black robed man was light skinned with sandy brown hair and hazel eyes. An ordinary man who looked more like someone who’d help people rather than send them into slavery.

Ewyn pointed to a handful of soldiers. “Check the ship that’s waiting offshore.” He turned to Elden. “Taeranelle has fallen and we’re helping the rebels take back Iralen. Where did you think you were going to hide?”

“Prilonia. They’ll send ships to recapture Iralen. You’re fools if you think being at war with my people will be any better than fighting each other,” Elden sneered.

Talon couldn’t help it. He shot Elden in the leg before he stopped to think about it. The man roared, staggering.

“Hold your fire.” Ewyn held up a hand.

“Fighting in a real war is better than being tricked into a fake one regardless of what we face,” Talon said.

Elden laughed. “You’re a fool. Even your father thought so.” He looked around at the soldiers who encircled him. “You’re all fools.”

Talon’s hands tightened on his crossbow, but a look from Ewyn kept him from firing another bolt at Elden.

Two of the Caelians who had gone to check out the ship, flew back swiftly, remaining in the air as one of them spoke. “They’re firing on us, sir.”

“Looks like it’s already begun,” Elden said, a smug smile forming.

Ewyn raised his fist as he launched across the short distance to Elden, knocking him to the ground, continuing to hover. “Brianne, Marshall, Bellamy. Take care of the prisoner. Everyone else to the ship.” He rose into the air, heading out to sea.

Talon shared a look with Brianne before he followed Ewyn, wishing he could take her with him. His last glimpse of the three of them was Brianne and Marshall keeping their bow and crossbow trained on Elden while Bellamy tied him up.

As they flew, Ewyn split them into groups, giving them orders about the direction they were to attack from. Talon was put in the group that was ordered to land and attack with swords. That suited him. He was much better with a sword.

“Kill where necessary, subdue where possible,” Ewyn said before the groups separated to attack.

Talon quickly reached the ship, the sailors returning fire with their bows. He slung his crossbow on his back, out of the way of his wings and drew his sword as he landed, attacking the nearest sailor. It didn’t take him long to realise that hovering as he attacked was better than trying to work with the rolling movement of the deck and he put into practice some of the moves Brianne had taught him about fighting with wings.

The early morning was filled with shouted orders, cries of pain, the ring of metal and the thud of bodies on the deck. Talon swung his sword, able to put more force into his attacks with the help of his wings driving him forward. Energy sang through him as he fought one sailor after another, feeling alive. Completely focused on the sailor he fought and his immediate surroundings, it took him several minutes to realise the word truce was being called over and over again.

He held the point of his sword towards the sailor, his gaze scanning his surroundings. All around the deck sailors began to drop their weapons, hands raised above their heads.

“Tie them up,” Ewyn ordered several soldiers. “The rest of you keep your weapons at the ready.”

As soon as the sailors were tied up, Ewyn ordered half his soldiers back to shore. Talon was relieved he was one of them. He wanted to make sure Brianne was safe. Conal was also sent back.

Talon landed beside Brianne, smiling when he found her with her bow still trained on Elden. The man wasn’t going anywhere. He was well tied and lay on his side in the dirt, glaring at Brianne. “Your uncle will be upset with you if you kill him.”

“I’m not planning to shoot him.” She paused a moment. “But accidents do occasionally happen.”

“I’ll swear it was an accident,” Marshall offered.

“Put your bow away,” Conal said to Brianne before turning to the soldiers beside him. “See if you can round up the horses that escaped.” Then he faced Brianne. “Find shelter where we can take a break before we return to the capital.”

“Which capital?” Talon asked.

“The Caelian one,” Conal said.

Bellamy joined the conversation. “The Caelians aren’t the only ones who have a claim on him.” He indicated Elden with a sharp gesture from his hand. “We deserve the right to help decide what happens to him too.”

“We’re discussing locations for a permanent meeting place on the border, but for now, our capital is secure and closest. The Tersten leaders will get to have their say regarding Elden,” Conal said.

Brianne slid her hand into Talon’s. “You want to help me find shelter before this conversation turns into a political argument?”

Talon nodded. “Sure.” He felt too exhausted to say more and almost envied Bellamy’s lack of exhaustion. Thinking of his recent fight, Talon smiled. No, he didn’t envy Bellamy’s lack of wings. He’d never fought better.

“What are you thinking about?” Brianne asked as they left the group behind, several Caelians and Marshall joining the heated discussion.

“Wings.”

Brianne stopped walking to stare up at him, returning his smile. “I’m right, aren’t I? They’re worth it.”

Images flickered through his mind. Instead of the usual pain filled ones he associated with his wings, they included having his arms wrapped around Brianne as he carried her. Fighting with the advantage of the power of his wings. Crossing the land at an unbelievable speed. “Yes. They are.” He turned back in the direction they’d been walking. “Let’s find some shelter so we can have a rest then take Elden to somewhere more secure. I don’t like how open and unprotected we are here.”

Brianne nodded. “No point in taking unnecessary chances.” She picked up her pace.

Talon nearly asked her to slow down, but he forced himself to match her speed. Not long now and he could take a rest.