The Oreans

Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The True Traitor

A voice was calling her name, familiar, mellow, troubled.

Reihan?

There was another voice, a little higher, also familiar. She stirred, but at the least motion, pain shot through her. She opened her eyes fractionally, then fully. Her brother and her apprentice's faces swam into focus.

"Master ..." Alen's eyes had tears on it.

"Rei? Oh my sister!" Reihan burst, embracing her, making her feel better. But at the sight around her, she recalled why they were there.

"Clartea, we have to get her," she wheezed out as she freed herself from him and tried to sit up.

"Rei, that can wait till you're better," her brother argued, preventing her.

Though a wave of dizziness was engulfing her again, she pushed him away. Memories of the day's event besieged her, filling her with a desire to rage, boosting her somehow. "We can't let her get away! She has to pay. Lilicad ..." She felt something like lead drop in her stomach as the distressing picture in the cabin asserted itself. "Divan ... It's all her doing!"

"I know. We know. But, Rei, you have to calm down; you are not—"

"She also knows where Wilmore is."

"Wilmore?" Reihan stared at her.

"She said he's under her control."

"No, Rei, she only said that to lure you."

"I overheard her talking with Troydes." She struggled to rise, but her legs could barely hold her up. Reihan steadied her.

"But that doesn't make you fit to go. Look, Rei, you can wait here with Alen, and I'll go after her myself."

"No!" she said harshly. "I'll be better in a while. My purse, Alen... Hand me my purse."

Alen took the tiny pouch tied near the sheath of her sword and put it in her shaking hand. She brought the opening to her lips and emptied it into her mouth, hastily chewing its contents. Swallowing caused her more pain, but this vanished in an instant. She felt her body heal itself all at once and some of her power return to her.

"What's that?" Reihan asked, taking the pouch.

"A recently discovered remedy," she replied, brisker than she meant, "a very effective one."

She straightened herself, declining further support, thinking of nothing else but catching Clartea.

"Which way did she go?" They heard the distant neighing of horses and the screech of wheels and had the answer. "She's escaping. Come on."

"Rei!" Reihan tried to stop her, but she fled from him. Out of the room, down the staircase and across the great hall, she flew, Reihan and Alen's footsteps echoing behind her.

"There are horses in the stable," she told them when they emerge into the courtyard. "We can still catch up with her."

Calling out in her mother's language, she accidentally met Alen's eyes. The boy nodded at her, not at all surprised even when horses came thundering out of the darkness and halted right before them.

They mounted without further ado and started off in full gallop. They have not gone far though when they were forced to stop. Parked yards from the gate, barring their way was a carriage. The curtains were drawn over the windows, but a lamp was lit inside, casting into silhouette a figure seated at a strange angle. Exchanging looks with her two companions, Reishina knew they shared the same misgiving: a trap.