The Channel (The Gifted Book 2) (33 page)

~~~

The door to Taelr's cabin opened as they approached. A tall, slender man stepped out onto the wood-planked porch that spanned the length of the one-story home. It wasn't until they drew closer that the fine lines and gray hairs were noticeable, indicating he was an older man.

If Rhea were still in the other world, she would guess late fifties, but given Daen was over a hundred and looked not much older than she, she surmised he was at least two hundred, or maybe more.

"Welcome! Please come in." Taelr waved for everyone to join him inside.

Huntr introduced Taelr but didn't provide any titles of those in the party. Before they had arrived, he suggested this approach, the assumption being, the less Taelr knew, the less he has to tell if the spies happened along.

When they entered the cabin, the aroma of fresh baked bread and coffee greeted them. They sat at a large wood-plank table in the main room and enjoyed Taelr's hospitality and stories about his travels through the realms.

After about an hour, Taelr grew quiet and looked Huntr in the eyes. "Although I appreciate the company, you didn't bring these fine people all the way out here to visit an old man and listen to his tales. What is it you need from me?"

Huntr bowed his head slightly. "It is always a pleasure to hear of your stories, Taelr. And, in fact, that's why we're here. I'm hoping one of your adventures will help us find something." Huntr looked at Rhea. "Rhea has something she wants to show you."

Rhea handed Taelr sketch, torn from her journal. "Have you ever seen a building like this on your travels?"

Taelr studied the drawing, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Rhea became concerned. His expression said he didn't recognize it. "It's not very good, I know."

Taelr waved his hand. "It's quite all right. I'm just trying to remember." He tapped the page. "Where have I seen it?"

Rhea could barely contain herself. She wanted to shout, "Where? Where?"

Taelr stood and walked to an old trunk on the far side of the room and started to pull out items. A blanket, a book, some clothes, it seemed like he emptied the entire trunk's contents onto the floor.

When it looked like there couldn't be anything else, he hesitated before reaching in and pulling out a painting. He held the sketch up to the painting and nodded. "I knew I'd seen it before."

He returned to the table and laid the painting and the sketch next to each other for all to see. The painting was of a beachfront property; at the center was the stone building. The background looked as if the building sat at the base of a cliff.

"Is this the place?" Taelr asked.

Rhea bent over to get a closer look. The image the Libraim showed her flashed in her mind. The likeness was too much for the painting to be of another place.

Daen looked over her shoulder. "Is that it?"

Rhea nodded before stepping back to allow the others to see. "Do you know where this is?"

Taelr shook his head. "No, but I know who painted it. He lives not far from here." He turned to Huntr. "You know him, Thaen Cauldr."

Huntr searched his memory. "Ah. Sure, I remember him."

Rhea's heart was pounding in her chest. They were so close. "Can we go see him? Today?"

Huntr shrugged. "We can try, but don't get your hopes up. He might not be there." He turned to Taelr. "In case Thaen isn't home, is there anything you can tell us about the painting?"

Taelr lowered himself to the bench at the table and shook his head. "He called the painting Solitude. When I asked him why, he just shook his head. He wouldn't say."

Huntr hesitated before asking his next question. Taelr's home and life had been one of solitude ever since his wife had passed away.
Coincidence?
"May I ask why he gave it to you?"

Taelr simply shrugged. "I helped him fix the roof on his house. He tried to pay me but I refused. He wasn't going to let me leave without something that showed his gratitude so he gave me that." He pointed to the painting on the table.

Rhea's insides were jumping up and down yelling, "let's go! let's go!" but she maintained her cool exterior as she turned to Taelr and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Taelr. This means a lot to me."

He handed Rhea the painting. "Here, you keep it. It means more to you than it does to me."

"But ... I couldn't."

He pushed it into her hands.

"How can I repay you?"

Taelr laughed quietly. "On your way now. I can tell you are anxious to see if old Thaen's memory is going to be helpful." He motioned towards the door, and Huntr ushered them out.

34
Memories

Thaen lived northeast from Taelr's, on an indirect path back to Cauhill, which was convenient, Rhea supposed. It could have been worse; he could have lived in the opposite direction. They rode at a faster pace compared to their leisurely ride to Taelr's, concerned that the extra trip would delay their return to Cauhill until after dark.

About an hour after leaving Taelr's, the terrain changed from open grassy plains to a dense forest with a narrow trail, forcing them to slow their pace and ride in single file.

Huntr maintained the lead, followed by Daen, then Rhea. Randell was next with Taulin close behind. Bandon took up the rear, keeping a watchful eye for anyone who might try to take them by surprise.

Just as Randell ducked his head to avoid bumping into a branch, a small explosion erupted against the tree a few feet to his right. Randell's horse spooked and took off down the trail with Randell holding on tight and trying to calm the animal

His friends gave chase as quickly as they could.

Little did they know what lay ahead. As they cleared the tree line, riding into a small field, they were immediately surrounded. Masked men and a woman rose from the tall grasses, with swords drawn and crossbows cocked, ready to put a bolt into their hearts.

Randell's horse reared, throwing him to the ground. Huntr's horse barely missed trampling him as he lay breathless
, the wind forced from his lungs. The others pulled up quickly, coming to a halt before further damage could be done.

"What is the meaning of this!" Huntr demanded.

As if on cue, Daen and the others reached for their swords. Before they could draw, the sound of a bolt being released and striking the hard leather pommel of Huntr's saddle echoed around them. Daen slowly move his hands away from his weapon, as did his friends.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The gruff but sultry voice came from the tree line they'd just passed through.

Heads turned, bodies shifted, each searching for the source of the voice.

Slowly, a woman, whose face was half hidden behind a cloth mask, stepped from behind a tree, her crossbow hanging by her side.

Rhea tried not to laugh at her arrogance. She had no idea who she was messing with.

"What is the meaning of this?" Huntr demanded, once again.

"Isn't it obvious? We are here to collect a toll."

Several of the robbers laughed at their leader's sense of humor.

"Silence!" The woman glared at her minions, demanding order.

"You really don't want to pick this fight today," Huntr advised.

"And why is that?"

"Because you'll just end up dead. If not here in this field, it will be by hanging. I suggest you let us pass without further incident."

The woman raised her crossbow and aimed it first at Huntr and then at each person in their group, coming to rest on Randell, who now stood apart from the others, his horse grazing at the far side of the field.

"You! Strip your friends of their wealth and bring it to me. Now!"

Randell folded his arms across his chest, banking heavily on Rhea not allowing anything to happen. He shook his head. "I don't think so."

Rhea watched the scene unfold in slow motion. The woman's finger slid to the trigger and squeezed, releasing the bolt. She remembered Daen's lesson on not revealing too much too soon, so she sent a gentle wave of energy at the bolt, forcing it down and burying it at Randell's feet.

Randell's muscles flinched, but he maintained his cool.

The woman's eyes blazed with fury. "So, you think you're clever?"

Randell kept his eyes locked on the woman and just shrugged.

"Fine. You can stop my arrow, but I'll wager you can't stop them all. Take them!"

Rhea looked to Daen for a sign. She knew she could end this with little effort.

Daen shook his head ever so slightly, indicating that she not do anything significant.

Bolts exploded from their crossbows but quickly fell to the ground. Rhea had barely moved as she gripped the bolts out of the air and dropped them.

Before the robbers could reload, Huntr and his party drew their swords, ready to fend off the robbers.

"Back off!" Huntr ordered.

Before anyone could react, one of the robbers pressed a blade to Randell's neck. "Drop your weapons!"

Rhea involuntarily reached for her neck, to the spot that once had a blade pressed against it. Daen had been there to save her then, but there was no way he could do the same for Randell now.

She remembered his words, his advice for the next time she was caught in that predicament. If she could just get close enough ...
Would they think she was a threat if she got off her horse?
She needed to convince them she wasn't to be feared, but how? Then, it came to her.

"I said, drop them!" The masked robber jerked the knife closer to Randell's neck causing a trickle of blood to seep from under the blade.

Rhea sheathed her sword. "Wait! Wait! I give up." Doing her best to fake tears and hysteria, she dismounted. "Please don't hurt me." She held up her hands. "Please don't hurt my husband." Playing the grieving wife, she stumbled passionately towards Randell.

"Rhea! Don't!" Taulin shouted.

Daen cast him a quieting look, warning him to hold his tongue.

Huntr was stunned silent, not believing what he was seeing.

In seconds, she was grabbed from behind, placed into the same predicament. The robber dragged her next to Randell, positioning her for all to view. It also put her in reach of Randell's captor. She looked up and locked eyes with Daen, signaling him to be ready.

Daen didn't take his eyes from hers as he tipped his head forward a fraction.

The woman's eyes smiled from behind her mask at the stupidity of Rhea's actions. "Ah. The heart can make you do stupid things." She laughed sadistically. "Does anyone else want to join her?"

Huntr, Daen, Taulin, and Bandon remained silent but ready for battle.

Before the woman could give another order, the two men holding Randell and Rhea captive fell to the ground.

Rhea and Randell drew their swords and spun to face the robbers near them, ready for an attack.

Daen launched an energy ball at the leader, hitting her square in the chest, launching her off her feet. He quickly formed another. "Who's next?"

"I warned you. This is your last chance. Back off!" Huntr fought his desire to engage the robbers, but he knew he didn't have time. If the robbers would just back off, it would be their lucky day.

Rhea and Randell slowly backed up to Sedare who had maneuvered himself closer to Rhea. Rhea mounted first, followed by Randell.

Moans could be heard from the tall grasses where the leader of the robbers lay incapacitated.

A tense moment passed before the robbers slowly created an opening, allowing Huntr to pass, followed by the rest of his group.

The group stopped long enough to retrieve Randell's horse, and they were off, creating as much distance between themselves and the robbers as fast as they could. No one spoke as they weaved their way through the forest on a narrow animal trail.

Huntr wanted them off the main road, away from other potential threats. He also needed to make up for lost time. If they didn't hurry, they would be traveling in the dark when they left Thaen's home.

Rhea let Sedare have the reins to do what was needed as her mind replayed the scene they'd escaped. She glanced over her shoulder at Daen, her face expressionless.
Had she done the right thing? It had worked, but did it reveal too much?

Daen could see the question in her eyes and returned a nod with a slight smile, letting her know all was fine.

Rhea shifted forward again, just in time to duck beneath a low branch. She wanted to scan the area for other robbers or spies, but if she closed her eyes, she was liable to get knocked off her horse.

She regretted not having seen the ambush coming. If she'd just spent more time keeping watch! She definitely needed to learn to use her gift with her eyes open.

~~~

It took about an hour for them to get to Thaen's. Huntr dismounted and knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

Rhea felt disappointment start to press on her chest.

Huntr peered into a window. "There's a small fire and a kettle hanging over the flame." He turned to his companions. "He has to be close. He wouldn't go far and leave dinner cooking."

Rhea remembered a friend of hers who spent a lot of time in her backyard. It had gotten to the point where Rhea didn't bother knocking on her door if the weather was nice. She simply went to the back yard. "Maybe he's out back?"

Huntr nodded and proceeded to step around the side of the cottage. He saw what he needed to and waved for the others to follow.

They found Thaen in a field, painting the scene in front of him.

Huntr waved as they walked towards him. "Thaen Cauldr! Hello! It's Huntr Nauylor."

Thaen turned slowly from his work, holding his hand over his long, white hair, preventing the wind from using it to obstruct his vision. He watched the group cross the field.

Rhea thought it must have been a sight, seeing six people walking towards him, five of whom he didn't know.

As they got closer, Thaen took a few steps towards them. "Yes, Huntr, how are you? How is your family?"

"We are well, thank you. How do you fare?"

"For a man my age, I fare well. What can I do for you?"

"We've just come from Taelr's where he showed us one of your paintings." Huntr presented Rhea. "This is Rhea, and she has a question regarding its subject."