Grishma (Necoh Saga) (25 page)

Boonum flopped down next to Ryder’s feet and rolled on his back, exposing his stomach. Ryder sat down next to the animal and scratched his belly. Boonum swooned and the purring sound got much louder.

“I bet you’re hungry,” said Ryder. “I know I am.”

He reached into his pack and pulled out some dried meat. He gave a tough strip to Boonum and then began chewing on one himself.

After they finished their snack, Ryder took a swig of water out of a flask and then poured some in his cupped hand for Boonum to drink.

“Boonum, what are we going to do?”

Ryder looked back at Alexia. Her pale skin and shallow breathing caused his anxiety to rise.

He and Boonum kept a vigilant watch over Alexia throughout the day and into the early evening. After the sun had set, Boonum’s ears perked up and Ryder heard the sounds of galloping horses. He unsheathed his sword and once again stood guard over Alexia’s body.

A few moments passed, then four soldiers burst into the clearing.

“Stay back!” warned Ryder.

“What are you doing here?” shouted one of the guards.

“We’ve been attacked by Grishma and my friend is seriously injured,” Ryder said, motioning to Alexia’s limp body on the forest floor.

The guards looked at one another and shared a few terse words.

“Why in all of Necoh would you challenge Grishma?” asked another guard.

Ryder crossed his arms, “Revenge.”

“Revenge?”

“Yes, Grishma killed my father and kidnapped my mother and sister.”

“So what happened?” asked the fourth guard.

“I attacked Grishma and managed to inflict some injuries before she threw me to the ground. I was out of breath and about to die when my friend,” he motioned to Alexia’s still body, “stabbed her with a paralyzing potion. Before she could back away, Grishma slashed her open and managed to escape.”

The guards conferred amongst themselves. “Which way did Grishma go?” asked the third guard.

“If I tell you, will you please help my friend?” asked Ryder.

“Yes, two of the guards will take you and your friend to Dratun. Our healer will be able to fix your friend if she survives the journey.”

Dratun! That must mean Brooklyn and Price Algid made it there safely!

Ryder motioned toward the swiftly flowing creek. “Grishma went that way. The paralyzing potion was only temporary. It may have worn off by now, I can’t be sure.”

Two of the guards jumped on their horses and raced off in the direction Ryder had indicated.

The other two guards helped Alexia up. One of the men swung himself onto his horse and reached out for Alexia’s body.

“Please be careful!” urged Ryder.

The other guard nodded and then slapped the horse’s flank. The horse whinnied and took off racing through the woods.

“Son, I’m going to need to take your sword and tie your hands together,” said the last guard.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Ryder replied.

“I can’t risk it.”

Ryder dropped his sword and held out his hands.

The guard picked up his sword, secured it to his waist, and then tied Ryder’s hands behind his back.

Boonum yelped.

Ryder looked over at the animal. “Can Boonum come with us?”

“If he can keep up,” replied the soldier gruffly.

The soldier whistled and a fifth horse trotted out of the woods. He secured the horse’s reins with a long rope tied to his own horse’s saddle.

“Don’t try anything stupid, this horse follows my command and my command only! Understood?” barked the solider.

Ryder nodded.

The man mounted his horse and then pulled Ryder up on to the other.

Ryder looked down at Boonum. “Come, boy! You’ve got to follow us!”

As they approached Dratun, the air became remarkably colder and Ryder shivered as his horse trotted dutifully onward. He looked over his shoulder. Boonum was still within an arm’s reach of the horse’s massive hooves as they pounded the frigid earth.

Alexia hadn’t regained consciousness, but she had managed to survive the trip so far. Ryder prayed they would make it to Dratun’s healer in time.

They had only stopped twice since starting the journey and exhaustion set in. Ryder found himself nodding off into restless sleep, jarred by the cantering horses.

“Wake up!” shouted a guard, “We’re almost to Dratun.”

Looking up, the icy gates of Dratun loomed in the distance. Relief and fear spread through Ryder’s body like wildfire.

Several guards greeted them before they were allowed to pass into the city.

Ryder only heard snippets of their conversations.

“They were attacked by Grishma. The girl is near death, we must get her to the healer immediately if she is to have any chance of survival,” said the guard carrying Alexia.

“What were they doing in the middle of the woods? And so close to where we found the royal carriages?” asked another guard.

“We shall let the King sort this out. We have taken the boy’s sword. They carry nothing else but food and water,” replied the guard closest to Ryder.

“Very well. Come, we better get these two inside before they freeze to death,” said the guard, pointing to Ryder and Alexia.

Massive snowflakes began to fall from the ominous gray sky as they entered Dratun. Ryder had never seen anything like it. He looked around in amazement, watching people scurry around outside, covered in thick fur coats and warm wooly mittens.

The guards halted the horses and everyone climbed off. The guard escorting Alexia carried her in his arms and disappeared into a doorway.

The castle, which had been carved out of an enormous mountainside, was absolutely stunning. Precise stonework had turned the once dull rock into an intricate masterpiece, filled with striking columns, statues of past royalty, and delicate archways.

Large icicles hung overhead in the main hall. Ryder thought back to his own humble home in the caves beneath the Kadin forest. His heart instantly filled with pain and sorrow.
I hope everyone made it there safely.

“Are they taking her to the healer?” asked Ryder.

“Yes, they will try to save your friend. In the meantime, you will need to explain yourself to King Zandel. He will not take it lightly that you were following so close to the royal carriages.”

The guard turned and pulled the rope tied to Ryder’s wrists.

They wound their way through several hallways before they found their way into a vast room. At the far end sat the King, on a large golden throne, surrounded by guards, a jester, and several beautiful women. As soon as King Zandel saw Ryder and the others approaching, he clapped three times and everyone scattered.

“So this is the young man who challenged Grishma?” boomed the King’s voice through the open room.

“Yes, Sire,” replied Ryder in a shaky voice.

“What is your name, boy?”

“My name is Ryder, Your Highness.”

“Ryder, I hear you saved my son and daughter-in-law’s life. You are very brave.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Ryder.

He inspected Ryder with wary eyes and took a long gulp from a jeweled goblet. “I will forever be in your debt.” He paused. “But I must know, why were you following the royal carriages so closely? Did you wish to steal from my son?”

Ryder hands shook. “No, Your Grace. I have been hunting Grishma since she murdered my father and kidnapped my sister and mother. My friend and I followed her from Sumner into the woods. We attacked when we realized she was about to kill again,” said Ryder.

The King’s eyes narrowed and his voice was filled with suspicion. “You wouldn’t dare lie to me, boy, would you?”

“No, never, Your Majesty,” responded Ryder solemnly.

His face broke out into a smile. “Well then, the people of Dratun owe you and your friend many thanks. You may stay here as long as you please and we shall celebrate your bravery!”

Ryder bowed. “Thank you, Sire.”

The King’s smile faded and he looked into Ryder’s eyes. “We shall see that your friend makes a full recovery from her injuries. We have the best healer in all of Necoh right here in our castle.”

Ryder sighed. “Thank you, Sire.”

“I shall arrange a feast in your honor tomorrow night. I presume tonight you would like to rest and get cleaned up?”

Ryder smiled. “Yes, nothing would please me more. Oh, Your Highness, I have one favor to ask of you.”

King Zandel looked surprised. “Yes?”

“An animal followed us here, his name is Boonum. May he please accompany me to my quarters?”

The King looked amused. “I don’t see why not. Guards, bring the boy his animal at once. Anything else?”

Ryder shook his head, “No, Your Grace.”

Two large doors behind Ryder opened and Boonum bolted into the room, making his way directly to Ryder.

Ryder patted the furry animal’s head and smiled.

King Zandel clapped twice and two women instantly appeared. “Yes, Your Highness?”

“Sazian and Julisa, please escort Ryder to the east wing. He may have any room he pleases.”

Ryder bowed one last time. “Thank you, Your Grace.” He followed the two women out of the room.

Feeling like he was almost in some sort of trance, Ryder and Boonum followed the women through the castle until they reached the east wing.

“Which room would you like?” asked Sazian.

The empty hall stretching out in front of him was lined with doors on each side. He looked at the door closest to him and said, “This one will do just fine, thank you.”

Julisa opened the door and walked into the opulent bedroom. “The washroom is right through that door,” she said, pointing across the room. “I shall have someone fetch you something to eat and some clean clothes.”

“Do you need anything else?” asked Sazian.

“Yes, I would like to visit my friend. She’s with the healer. Could you please bring me to see her later tonight?” asked Ryder.

“Of course,” replied Sazian.

The women excused themselves and exited the room.

Ryder’s knees felt weak and he had to steady himself with the help of a nearby wardrobe. He wanted desperately to crawl into the cozy bed sitting in the middle of the room, but he was covered in Alexia’s blood and he smelled like a horse.

He pushed through the washroom door, peeled off his filthy clothing, and threw it in a basket in the corner. Next, he turned on the taps and ran himself a piping hot bath. Once the tub was filled to the brim, Ryder carefully lowered his aching body into the heavenly water.

Laying his head back, he closed his eyes and stretched out his arms and legs. Every muscle felt like it had been pushed to its breaking point.

The edge of the tub was cluttered with jars containing colorful bath salts and satiny substances used for bathing. Ryder grabbed a bar of soap that smelled like almonds and oatmeal and began to scrub the blood and dirt caked on his skin.

After he felt sufficiently clean, Ryder pulled his weary body out of the bathtub and wrapped himself in a plush white towel.

He walked back through the door leading to his bedroom and was pleasantly surprised to see that while he had been in the bathtub, someone had lit a roaring fire in a fireplace in the corner of the room. He smiled when he spotted Boonum curled up on a comfy blanket basking in the warmth.

I wonder if Brianna and Brooklyn are comfortable here in Dratun? I hope my mother and the others made it home safely to the caves.

Several trays of food and a large selection of warm clothing had been laid out on his bed.

Ryder selected a black pair of pants and a grey wool sweater. After getting dressed, he picked up the rest of the clothing and placed it in the wardrobe.

His stomach growled as he approached the mouthwatering spread. He picked up a large white plate and began filling it with Dratun’s finest delicacies. He placed his plate on his bedside table and poured himself a large glass of cranberry-colored juice.

Ryder managed to eat three full plates of food and drink two glasses of the refreshingly sweet liquid before passing out in the divinely comfortable bed.

He slept throughout the remainder of the night and well into the next day before he awoke to Sazian calling his name.