The Channel (The Gifted Book 2) (10 page)

The flies had made good time, but the local wildlife had yet to find the meal that had been left for them. He scanned the tree line for any other signs of battle. There he saw the evidence of horses but couldn't tell if they were there before or after the attack.

Bestian turned away from the gruesome scene when he heard Gauvin ride up behind him with his horse in tow.

"What happened here?" Gauvin held his hand over his nose and mouth, trying to block the smell.

"I would venture to say that these," Bestian waved his hand towards the bodies, "are the buddies of the men who gave us their horses." Bestian approached Gauvin's horse, which danced against Gauvin's grip on the reins, trying to get away from the death that was all over the place.

Bestian could understand the horse's discomfort. "Shh." He took the reins of his horse and walked the beast past the blood and gore before mounting.

Gauvin couldn't help wonder who could take out six men and escape unnoticed. He thought back to the guardian and the woman. "Do you still sense them?"

Bestian pointed off the road, northeast. "They're in there." Bestian gently steered his horse towards an opening in the tree line. "Whoever was here, they went this way and took their horses."

Gauvin couldn't help feel a twinge of concern.
Did he really want to follow in their tracks?
No. Not after the scene he'd just witnessed.
Who were they going up against?
But he had no choice. He needed his prize, and Bestian was going to get it for him.

They followed the trail, the horses made, for a while before Bestian came to a stop, quickly raising his finger to his lips. He slowly dismounted and walked his horse off the trail, tying him to a sapling. He pulled the bow and arrows from the horse's saddle, compliments of the men who didn't need them anymore.

Gauvin followed Bestian's lead. They slowly traversed the uneven ground, stepping over logs, being as quiet as they could be.

~~~

When the foursome came upon a stream, they decided to take a break. Daen led them to a small clearing a few yards from the trickling water where they dismounted and pulled their gear from the horses, leaving the saddles in place. They didn't know how fast they would need to flee if someone came along.

They each walked their horses to the stream to see if they needed water. When they reached the edge of the water, Daen looked at Rhea and then the area around them.

She understood what he wanted and closed her eyes to reach out, looking for any sign of potential intruders nearby. Of all her gifts, she was getting a lot of practice with this one.

When she opened her eyes, Daen was right next her, protecting her like he had before. She looked around before answering his unspoken question. Taulin had just finished filling his flask with water, and Randell was checking the horse's hooves.

"We should be okay for a short time," she whispered. "I'll keep checking, though."

When the horses had their fill, Daen and Rhea tied the reins to some low-hanging branches and returned to where they dropped the packs.

Randell was about to pull a plastic water bottle from his pack but Daen stopped him, simply shaking his head and glancing at Taulin. Plastic water bottles were not found in Luxatra, and they didn't need that part of them exposed ... not yet at least.

Randell hid the bottle in his coat and stepped out of sight of Taulin. He took a long drink before returning to the packs.

Daen sat on a fallen log in the clearing and reached for a saddlebag. "Let's see what our mystery warriors have left us."

Rhea and Randell did the same while Taulin watched from where he was standing near his horse. They went through the bags, putting all the food in one pile. They also found money, knives, flasks of booze and wine, and jewelry.

Rhea picked up a long strand of what looked like pearls out of one of the bags. "Somehow I don't think these belong to our so-called warriors." She looked to Taulin who was pulling something from his saddlebag. "What can you tell us about the men who attacked us?"

"Not any more than I already have."

Randell leaned forward and picked up some cheese that Daen had unwrapped, along with what looked like an apple. Rhea did the same, biting into red fruit without hesitation. It was an apple, a little tart, but still good.

Rhea noticed Taulin was keeping his distance. "You can join us if you like. Would you like something to eat?" She waved her hand to the pile of rations Daen had created. "It appears fresh."

"Thank you but I have what I need for now." He held up his own bread and cheese but joined them in their circle, sitting on a flat rock across from Daen.

Randell watched Taulin carefully. "I believe we saw you yesterday at the Green Tavern."

Taulin turned to Randell. "I believe you did," but that is all he would share.

Randell watched his aura carefully, trying not to be blatant, but at the same time, wanting to ensure the newcomer wasn't going to turn on them. Although Taulin wasn't offering any information, he still didn't look like a danger to them.

Daen picked up a small boot knife from the pile of weapons. He spun it in his hand, held it up and watched it balance on his finger. When he spoke, he didn't direct his comment to anyone in particular but kept his eye on the knife. "Secrets can save a person, and they can get a person killed."

Rhea tensed at Daen's comment.
Was he talking about her?

"Spoken like a guardian." Taulin was watching Daen now, studying him.

This small exchange got Randell's and Rhea's attention. Randell knew Daen well enough to know something was up.
Was he referring to Rhea's secret?

Daen raised his eyes from the knife to Taulin as if waiting for him to continue. "Will your secrets get you killed or save you?" Daen asked.

"It depends on one's perspective." Taulin didn't flinch, didn't reveal any emotion.

Randell and Rhea didn't say a word but anxiously watched the exchange.

Daen looked to Rhea and then rolled his eyes around the forest.

She understood his request and closed her eyes. A moment later, she opened them and twitched her head ever so slightly to indicate she hadn't seen anything.

Daen nodded.

She glanced to Taulin and found him studying her. She knew she shouldn't be surprised, he had read Randell and Daen already. She met his eyes, waiting, almost daring him to say something, anything. She knew he could see her colors; he had seen them at the tavern. What she didn't know was if he understood.
Was he like Randell?

Aurea had understood something; she had sensed meaning in what she'd seen. Her innocence allowed her to know a truth, one Rhea didn't understand yet. She wondered if Taulin would see the truth and, if so, would that truth change him?

Randell's voice broke the quiet that had fallen on the group. "What brings you to Taulomi?"

Taulin slowly pulled his eyes from Rhea's to consider Randell's question. It didn't look like he was going to answer, but then he looked at Randell and nodded. "I'm here investigating reports of Laundan warriors attacking Taulomi. And it would seem I've found my evidence."

Daen flipped the boot knife in his hand. "Does that mean you'll be returning to Laundan now?"

Taulin looked at Rhea again, but this time he appeared to be taking in all of her, not just her colors. "I am meeting my brother in Eantan to exchange information. He's working his way south while I make my way north." He reached for some dried meat that was on the pile of food in front of them, exposing his wrist and part of a tattoo.

Daen stopped his knife-play for a split second before resuming. Randell noticed Daen's hesitation and tried not to react, but he couldn't help wonder what had just happened. Hopefully nothing, but he couldn't be sure.

The corners of Daen's mouth rose slightly, and his eyes had a knowing look. Now he knew. It was all clear to him. The final piece of the puzzle he'd been trying to finish.

"As a guardian, I'm entrusted with many secrets." He looked at Taulin. "Your secret is safe with us if you wish to share it."

Taulin froze, his arm still extended, before noticing where Daen's eyes had come to rest. He looked down and sighed. He shook his head and smiled before looking at Daen. "I should have known."

Randell and Rhea whipped their glances between Daen and Taulin. Something definitely was going on ... some secret communication.

"Known what?" Randell asked.

Taulin nodded towards Daen. "Your friend here is very knowledgeable and ... wise."

Randell and Rhea looked at Daen for an explanation, but Daen kept watching Taulin, waiting for him to make the next move. Daen was keeping his secret.

Taulin rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "Are you going to tell them?"

Daen shook his head. "It's your secret to tell, but I would prefer this one not be kept from them."

Taulin locked eyes with Daen, his mind racing with the possible outcomes associated with revealing himself. After a moment of consideration, he decided. "Very well." He sat up straight, dignified. "I am Prince Taulin Mauntage of the Laundan Realm, fourth in line to the throne."

Randell raised his eyebrow. "Interesting."

Rhea gasped. "I suppose that explains your knowledge of Laundan warriors."

Taulin nodded. "Yes, that, and I'm also a Laundan warrior. My father believes that all his children should serve."

Daen nodded. "King Craen is a just man. I know him well."

Now it was Taulin's turn to raise a brow. "I know the guardians that visit my father, and you are not one of them."

Daen gave a quiet laugh. "You were only a baby the last time I saw your father."

Taulin focused on Daen for a moment before looking at Rhea. "Secrets."

Randell tensed, and Rhea couldn't help but understand.
What does Taulin know or think he knows?

"Secrets can get you killed or save you." Taulin didn't take his eyes off Rhea.

Rhea looked to Daen for help.

"Did you know you were killing impostors when you came to our aid?" Daen waited for Taulin's reaction. They all were.

"Honestly, I had my doubts. I didn't want to believe our men could do such a thing. I was relieved to find they were not ours."

Daen looked at Randell for confirmation, and Randell confirmed Taulin was telling the truth.

"What would you have done if they had been your men?" Rhea asked. "Would you have still intervened?"

"I would have done nothing different. Any Laundan warrior caught committing such offenses would be executed on the spot. If they had been Laundan warriors, by being there, they had committed an offense. By attacking civilians, they committed an offense. The fact that they were not our men brings me some relief, but it still begs the question, why were they posing as Laundan warriors?"

Randell gave Daen a nod. So far, Taulin was being open and honest, but Randell continued to watch him carefully.

Daen relaxed his shoulders, satisfied that Taulin could be trusted for now. He looked at Rhea. "It's your secret and your decision if you want to share it."

Rhea chewed her lower lip as she tried to decide what to do. "I only know what you suspect to be the truth."
Was she a channel?
She didn't have the mark. She had a feeling she might be but wasn't totally sure.

Daen nodded. "This is true, so, indeed, you might not have a secret to share."

Rhea's eyes drifted to the stream as she considered what Daen said. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Taulin chose not to watch her like he had been doing. It was as if he was trying to look like he didn't care if she shared her secret, or not.
Did he already know?
"Taulin, do you read colors?"

He turned to her and smiled. "Your colors are magnificent. I've not seen anything like it before."

"Have you formed any conclusions about what the colors mean?"

Before he had a chance to respond, Rhea caught a glimpse of someone in the woods, on the other side of the stream. She tensed, and everyone followed her eyes.

11
Trackers

It wasn't long before Bestian and Gauvin heard voices ahead.

Bestian's senses were going crazy. The power emanating from the group was overwhelming. The reward he would get for their capture ... the hooded man would pay dearly.

Three more steps and they would see their prize. There were four of them now, but that didn't matter. He had the element of surprise. Bestian pointed to the other side of the stream, indicating Gauvin should flank their prey, giving Bestian and Gauvin the upper hand.

Bestian watched Gauvin get into position before taking aim. They would take out the guardian and the new member of the group first. The one they captured before, in the world of shadows, wouldn't be a problem in an attack; he would go down easy.

~~~

Time slowed as Rhea turned her focus on the person she'd seen. She saw the arrow leave the bow and start moving through the air, straight for Daen. At the same time, she saw out of the corner of her eye another arrow heading for Taulin.

She felt fear and anger pulse through her body. This can't be! The tingling sensation rushed over her again, and before she knew what she was doing, she instinctively raised her hands towards the arrows. They stopped in midair, dropping to the ground within feet of their intended targets.

She didn't have time to wonder how she was controlling the arrows. It was like the candy bar Daen had tossed her way except this time, it was life or death versus a something small hitting her in the face.

Rhea jumped to her feet before anyone had noticed. "Stop! Leave us be! I don't want to hurt you!"

By then everyone was on their feet, swords drawn, each scanning the area for the intruders to whom Rhea had spoken. Two more arrows were released, the thump of the bows' strings echoed through the trees.

Rhea raised her hands again and stopped the arrows before they reached their mark. "Final warning! Stop and live, continue and die!" It was that odd voice again, her voice but not hers. The world around her was clear; she felt connected to everything.