To Bind in Blood

Chapter 18

Loose dirt and rocks shifted under Wrell's feet as she took the final steps to the top of the cliff. It was quite a hike, but one of the palace guards had promised it was worth it when she learned General Aelider had recommended it. The kind young woman had been one of the few guards who did not view Wrell with suspicion, and for that Wrell was inclined to like her.

Ignoring the burn in her legs, she hobbled to the edge and peered over, the plummeting depth making her dizzy. She eased back, finding a large, flat rock to sit on. It had been a while since she'd climbed to such heights; she'd traversed Black Vale's rolling landscape many a time back home, but here in Sardin, there was little to do but accompany the Great Lord to his meetings and tours and dinners.

Today, however, the entire Quellen party, along with a few Viannic guards, had decided to go on an outing to one of Sardin's lesser-known cliffs to watch the sunset. It was an escape from the anxiety and wondering and the idleness that had come of late. While the Great Lord and the empress had been busy, the other Quellens had been growing restless. At least they were to return home soon-a small reprieve from the weight of waiting.

From the corner of her eye, Wrell searched out the Great Lord. He stood a distance away, wrapped in conversation with Commander Odair, and whatever they were discussing was serious. Lesser Lord Talo occupied another rock, entertaining a group of younger soldiers with a tale of his younger days. Apparently he had been quite the daring one, and reckless too. She could hardly imagine it, knowing him now, but the sparkle in his eyes hinted at the truth.

Mist settled on her skin, the ocean's spray reaching her even up here. A deep melancholy spread through her. Loss and loneliness was something she was accustomed to, something a part of her embraced, if only to feel something. Even when she had been surrounded by people, good people like Gaelin and his family, she had been unable to shake the pervasive sense of wandering and isolation she felt deep in her bones.

Even the dull roar of the water below was a relief from the constant chaos of Sardin. She drew her knees to her chest and let the noise drown out the chatter of her hiking companions, still keeping her senses attuned to Jurion. The sound of water crashing against the rocks reminded her of Gaelin. She wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was because he had been like the waves, a sweeping force that drove forward again and again, refusing to give in. His mother, Ria Calustus, had been like the sun now setting over the horizon-warm, wise, bright.

Wrell missed them. She had no mourning period to observe, no rituals to keep since she was not family, but she was reminded of them often. Every day, no matter how small. She imagined the Great Lord was reminded of them often, too. He had foregone the traditional mourning rituals, save the prolonged engagement, due to their present circumstances while in Sardin.

Something shuffled behind Wrell, but she did not have to turn to know who it was. "Great Lord." She struggled to her feet, but he motioned for her to remain where she was.

"May I join you?"

She gave a faint nod, and he remained standing a short distance from the rock she sat upon, on the side where he couldn't see her scars. He held out his hand. She recoiled at first, then realized he was offering her one of the strange fruits she had seen so many of the soldiers eating.

"Liyem saw some along the path and recognized it from the market and the palace. There's enough to go around. I'm told they are incredibly nutritious."

She took it with a bewildered thanks. It always caught her off guard when he did things like that. When anyone did anything like that, because her mind would churn as she tried to determine the motivation behind even simple actions like giving her a piece of fruit. Not everyone wants to use you, she reminded herself. Least of all him.