Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart (15 page)

THE JOURNEY HOME

Sir Orland began giving commands to his knights, and the work of recovery and restoration began. First he gathered the guards and Vincero Knights and completely disarmed them. He offered all of them an opportunity to rejoin the cause of the Prince, but none did. Then he assigned a contingent of knights to escort Drox’s henchmen to Chessington, where they would stand trial before the Council of Knights.

As soon as the guards and Vinceros were subdued, Dalton, Carliss, Koen, and Si Kon helped the other knights tend to the wounded prisoners and gather the others, explaining to all that they were free to leave. Those who had come to free the imprisoned knights were shocked when some of the prisoners refused to leave. The fear of Drox’s final words still held them in invisible chains of bondage, and they could not break free. Even many of those who agreed to leave the prison seemed nearly overcome with apprehension.

“Even if we bring them out of this pit, there is only one way to truly free them,” Dalton explained to Sir Orland as they discussed their options.

“What is that?” Orland asked.

“We must strengthen their hearts for the Prince and train them again,” Dalton said as he recalled his weeks with Master Sejus. “I’ve been where they are, and only His healing power and belief in the King can overcome this.”

Orland nodded. “I agree. We will take those who so desire to havens that will do what you have said. There are too many for one haven, however, so we will split them between the havens at Bremsfeld, Varlaken, and Salisburg.”

Dalton, Koen, and Carliss exchanged concerned looks as they thought of the haven at Salisburg. Sir Orland seemed to understand their hesitation. “Not to worry. I’ve spoken to the Council of Knights at Chessington, and they are sending new leadership to the haven at Salisburg. The new trainer will arrive tomorrow. Sir Dornan has already been dismissed.”

It took many hours to prepare the knights for the journey. The wounded were placed on horses and sent to Salisburg under the escort of Koen and five other knights. Dalton and Carliss remained to help with the final preparations for the others.

Carliss was adjusting the harness of her horse when Dalton found her. He tapped her shoulder, and she turned around to look at him. She seemed surprised. She wiped a few strands of hair that clung to the sweat on her cheeks and gazed at him with eyes that he now saw manifested a truly noble and courageous soul within.

“Carliss, I haven’t yet thanked you.”

“For what?” She loosed a brief smile, then quickly resumed her previous activity, rechecking the harness she had finished adjusting just a moment ago.

Dalton grabbed her arm, and she stopped. She looked up into his eyes.

“Thank you for saving my life…numerous times.” He smiled at her. “You’ve quite the eye with that bow.”

Dalton expected her to shy from the compliment as usual and nonchalantly resume her duties, but she did not. Instead she met his eyes with a direct gaze.

“My father taught me.”

“Then I shall thank him too,” Dalton said.

Carliss’s eyes seemed to search his soul, and now it was Dalton who wanted to find something to occupy his hands. He realized he was still grasping her arm, and he let loose.

“I guess I’d—”

“Dalton,” Carliss interrupted before he could turn away.

“Yes?”

“What will you do now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Where will you go, and what will you do?” she asked plainly.

For a moment he thought it odd that she would even care. She was such a quiet lass, and he never could tell what she was thinking.

He looked away, realizing he hadn’t thought that far ahead. For the past few weeks he had been preoccupied with this very day, and now that it was gone, the future ahead seemed so open.

“I guess I will return to Salisburg and help train the knights,” he said as he looked at the hundreds of knights who were preparing to leave.

“And?” she prodded.

Dalton thought of Lady Brynn. With new leadership coming to the haven, he hoped that her zeal to serve the Prince might grow. That was truly his desire.

“Lady Brynn waits for me,” he said. “At least I hope she does,” he added.

He looked back at Carliss. She seemed to stare through him and into the horizon behind. She nodded slowly and forced a corner of her mouth up into her signature subtle smile.

“What of you, Carliss? What will you do?”

Carliss turned back to her horse, all business once more.

“I am going with the group to Varlaken to help there.”

“Varlaken…Does Koen know?” Dalton asked.

Carliss was now on the opposite side of her horse and glanced briefly across the animal’s nose at Dalton. She was her elusive, serious self again.

“No, please tell him and my family for me.”

“Are you sure, Carliss? I don’t think Koen—”

“I’m sure.” Carliss looked at Dalton with determination, and he knew she could not be swayed.

He nodded, a little confused. “I’ll tell them.”

The entire entourage of knights traveled east together until Carliss and one group turned southeast toward Varlaken. Half of the remainder would turn south to Bremsfeld under the command of Sir Orland, and Dalton and the other half journeyed north to Salisburg.

Something disquieted Dalton’s spirit as he watched Carliss disappear over a knoll. Varlaken was not that far from Salisburg, he told himself. He and Koen would travel together in a week or so to bring her home.

He comforted himself with this as his thoughts turned to Lady Brynn and the hope of their future together.

They arrived at Salisburg on the eve of the following day, for most of the freed knights had to walk and their progress was slow. Dalton met with Koen at the haven and conveyed Carliss’s message.

“Varlaken?” Koen said, concern on his face.

“Yes, she asked me to tell you,” Dalton said, feeling a bit as though he had let his friend down. “I’m sorry, I should have insisted she return with me.”

Koen looked at Dalton and nearly laughed. “Not much chance of that happening. Once my sister has set her mind to something, there’s little chance of changing it. It’s strange for her not to tell me, though.” Koen thought for a moment and seemed to understand. “Working at
another haven for a while will be good for her. She’s been a bit sullen lately.”

“Is she all right?” Dalton asked.

Koen forced a slight smile. “She will be. I’ll ride to Varlaken to fetch her in two or three weeks.”

“Let me know when you go,” Dalton said as he mounted Chaser. “Perhaps I’ll join you.”

They saluted, and Dalton rode toward town. He was joyfully greeted by his family; then he ate and cleaned up. Tomorrow, before reporting for work at the haven, he planned to visit Lady Brynn. He wasn’t sure what to expect, since his last visit had not been what he had hoped for. They had shared their future dreams a hundred times over the past few years, though, and living them together seemed only right…or did it?

Dalton had to acknowledge that something had changed. His recent enthusiasm for his call as a Knight of the Prince seemed to push the two of them further apart. He didn’t fully understand why, but since he was the one who had changed, he felt all the more responsible for making their relationship work.

He fell asleep that night with a mind full of uncertainty. He reminded himself of one of Master Sejus’s proverbs and told himself that the morning always refreshes the body, soul, and spirit. Dalton found himself humming the familiar tune, and the words of his master fell softly into his mind as he drifted off to sleep.

LOVE LOST

Dalton arrived at Lady Brynn’s home in the beauty of a summer morning. She stepped outside the doorway and onto the veranda before he had come to the steps. This encouraged him, for she seemed to have anticipated his visit.

“I picked these for you,” Dalton said and offered a medley of brightly colored flowers.

She gave him one of her dazzling smiles, accepted the bouquet, and leaned over to inhale the delicate fragrance. Dalton watched her and was nearly entranced with her magical movements. Her beauty radiated in the morning sunshine, and the flowers seemed dull in comparison.

So why did he feel that something was missing?

They walked to the back of her family’s manor and into the garden. Hardly a word was spoken between them, and Brynn seemed content with this. Dalton finally stopped and took Brynn’s hand. He turned to face her and looked deeply into her eyes. His heart began to sink as he slowly came to face the truth.

“Brynn, I came here to ask your father for your hand in marriage.” He sighed. “But we both know that isn’t meant to be.”

Brynn’s eyes saddened. She pulled her hand from his and turned away. After two steps, she turned back.

“You’ve changed, Dalton.”

Dalton nodded. “I have.”

“Why, Dalton? Why did you have to ruin…us…our future?”

Dalton stepped toward her. He took her hand in his once again. “Because it was a future void of passion for the Prince.” He ached for her to understand…to change with him.

She shook her head. “You’ve become a fanatic. It’s all you talk about, all you care about.”

Dalton couldn’t deny it. Serving the Prince now made the rest of life seem dull by comparison, and he was filled with this passion to serve Him. Brynn’s simple statement of truth conveyed with finality the incompatible condition of each of their hearts.

In that instant, his romantic feelings for her snapped. It was a revelation that both saddened and freed him, but with each passing moment his heart lightened. He could not join to one who did not share his convictions and zeal to serve the King and the Prince wholeheartedly.

“You are right, my lady, and it is something I cannot change…nor would I ever wish to.” He gently let loose of her hand and stepped back.

He looked at her once more and smiled. “I wish you all the joy and happiness you seek, Brynn.”

He bowed and slowly walked away. She did not call for him, and there were no tears, only a small ache for dreams not lived.

Dalton mounted his steed and set his course for the haven. With each mile he traveled, the strings that tied him to unimportant matters of the kingdom seemed to stretch and break, falling behind in the wake of Chaser’s strides. The kingdom felt big and vast, and he was thrilled to be part of something even greater than himself

What would come next?

He was beginning to have an inkling of what he would
like
his future to hold…but he served at the will of the Prince, and he was content to let the future unfold in its own time.

Back at the haven, Dalton found there was much work to be done in retraining the recovered prisoners. He offered his services to help until his next assignment was decided.

While working, he often wondered how the havens at Bremsfeld and Varlaken were doing. He was particularly curious as to how Carliss was faring. In moments of solitude, he often found himself smiling as he thought of her.

He saw Koen frequently at the haven, and they set a day to ride together and bring Carliss home. But one day well before that time, Koen failed to appear at the haven. He was absent the next day as well, so Dalton rode out to his farm to check on him.

Koen met him at the front door and stepped outside. Dalton could see by his countenance that something was wrong.

“What is it, Koen?”

Koen rubbed the back of his neck. “Father has fallen ill. Mother is quite concerned, for he runs a high fever.”

“I’m sorry,” Dalton said. “Is everyone else all right?”

“Yes, but I’m sure Carliss would want to know, and I can’t leave mother and my younger siblings right now.”

“You don’t need to say another word, my friend,” Dalton put a hand on Koen’s shoulder. “I’m on my way.”

They walked toward Chaser and heard another rider coming up the road that led to their farm. As he neared, they recognized Sir Orland. He greeted them with a smile until he realized that not all was well.

“What’s wrong?” Orland asked as he dismounted.

“Father is ill.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. How serious is it?” Sir Orland asked.

“I’m afraid quite. Dalton has agreed to ride to Varlaken and bring Carliss home.”

Sir Orland glanced at Koen with a puzzled look. He shook his head as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “Carliss?” he asked.

“Yes, she’s at Varlaken,” Koen said slowly as if to help jog Sir Orland’s memory. “Helping with the retraining?”

Sir Orland looked as if he’d just been told an enemy was coming over the hill.

“I’ve just come from Varlaken. They told me Carliss left for home four days ago.” Sir Orland’s voice was tense. The ride from Varlaken was at the very most a two-day journey.

The three men stood in silence for a brief moment as the reality of this news sunk in. A dozen possible calamities raced through their minds. A sense of urgency swelled within Dalton.

“Are you certain?” Dalton asked.

“Sir Porvan and Lady Beda both told me,” Sir Orland said.

Koen opened his mouth, but nothing was spoken. He looked back at the doorway to his home. He paced a few steps away and then returned. Dalton had never seen him so sick with concern. He looked at Dalton and Orland with eyes that pleaded for help.

“Koen, you need to be here with your mother,” Dalton said as he set a foot in the stirrup. “I’ll leave for Varlaken immediately.”

“And I will go to the haven here and gather a search party,” Sir Orland said as he too mounted.

Dalton looked down into the concerned face of his friend. “We will find her, Koen. I promise.”

Dalton reared his horse and galloped at full speed toward his home, where he packed a few supplies and then set off for Varlaken. He pushed Chaser as hard as he dared, looking for any sign of Carliss along the way. His mind went wild with the possibilities of disaster, and with each episode he imagined, he pushed the horse harder.

He made the trek in record time and arrived late in the evening. He immediately met with Sir Porvan, the leader of the Varlaken haven, and
Lady Beda, a prominent knight there. Their concern was evidence that something was indeed amiss. They too were organizing a contingent of knights that would search the road and country from Varlaken to Salisburg the following morning.

Dalton talked with anyone else who had any association with Carliss. He spent a restless night and then spoke with more people at the haven. A number of the knights had seen her depart for Salisburg, but that was all. After that, she seemed to have vanished. Everyone was alarmed and concerned by her disappearance.

Dalton was frustrated by his lack of discovery. He packed his horse to join the contingent that had left earlier to search the country between Varlaken and Salisburg. Just as he was ready to leave, he heard a voice call to him.

“Sir Dalton?”

He turned about to see one of the female knights who had been rescued from Drox’s prison coming toward him.

“Yes.”

“My name is Raylin. I know Carliss.”

Dalton looked at her and knew there was something more to come.

“Yes?” he asked.

“I didn’t see her leave, and I don’t have much to offer you, but I did notice that one of the other female knights left the same day. That’s not so unusual, though, since a number of the knights have departed over the past week.”

“Does she know Carliss?” Dalton asked.

“Yes, we all do,” Raylin said. “Carliss has been so strong and helpful to all of us. Lady Salina seemed particularly drawn to her.”

“Lady Salina?” Dalton asked.

“Yes, the woman who left the same day.”

“Where is Salina from?”

“I believe her home is a farm near a small village north of here. Her
brother came to visit last week, but she did not leave with him.” Raylin looked sad. “Carliss is an extraordinary young woman. I hope you find her.”

“I will,” he said and turned to mount Chaser, but the woman grabbed the horse’s bridle.

She looked forlornly at Dalton. “There’s something else you should know.”

Dalton cocked his head, waiting for more.

“Carliss came to Varlaken because of you.”

Dalton was stunned. “What do you mean by that?” he asked.

Raylin hesitated, struggling to find the right words. “I first saw her at Drox’s prison, just after you spoke to her. She was bandaging my arm, and I saw a broken heart in her eyes. At first she denied it, but I am able to discern the hearts of people.”

Dalton’s eyes slowly widened as he considered what Raylin was implying. “I…I had no idea.”

Raylin looked sadly at him. “There is no pain greater than that of unreciprocated love.”

Unreciprocated love.
Dalton felt his own heart lurch. He had been so focused on Brynn that he had never considered anyone else. And yet over the past two weeks he had found himself thinking of Carliss again and again…

Dalton swung into his saddle. “I must go.”

“Where will you look?” Raylin asked. “The kingdom is vast.”

“If I have to go to the Isles of Sedah and back, I’ll find her!” Dalton said.

Raylin nodded and let loose of the bridle. He thanked her and then set his course northeast, pursuing a fellow Knight of the Prince, a friend…and perhaps something more.

There was much to accomplish for the Prince, but in his heart he knew that this mission just might be his greatest.