When Twins War: Book I

Chapter Nineteen

Turrik had carried out Tarkanyon's instructions while Drius and Tarkanyon stayed with the woodsman's family. Arrangements were made for Tarkanyon to sit in the baby's nursery with the parents, while Drius was just outside. Evening came. The darkness felt thick and imposing. It was still and silent, but not peaceful.

Tarkanyon refilled a lamp with oil while the mother decided to leave the room for a few moments. A few minutes later the father decided to also step out, after explaining he needed to relieve himself. Tarkanyon was left alone with the child and waited, his bo placed firmly by his side.

Tarkanyon's thoughts went over the events of the last two days. Why was Bahula looking for the Wealth from him? Was Ay telling the truth about her? Why would she ask for him by name? He remembered her icy fingers in his head... so cold, so desperate. None of it made sense. How could the Wealth be in someone? What could it possibly mean that the Wealth would come with a child? And surely not here, in a mere wood cabin, with this innocent child. And not now?

But if the Wealth had come, then so would the Moncoin. The Twin Cities being at war was strange, he admitted that. But was the Moncoin involved in that? Surely not. It all seemed so... quick. Surely--

Suddenly he heard a small crack from outside the window. He sat up. But after a few minutes nothing more stirred and he relaxed.

Then again a loud crack, this time as if there was a bump against the cabin. Immediately he was up, expecting Drius or the parents to enter the room or go investigate. But no one stirred. He moved over to the window and looked outside, but he dare not open it. He waited for a few moments for someone, but still nothing.

He opened the nursery door and noticed it was very dark. No one could be seen in the passageway.

"Drius!" he cried. There was no response.

At once the window in the room flew open and a strong breeze gushed in, snuffing out the lamps. Tarkanyon ran inside the nursery but his eyes couldn't adjust to the sudden darkness fast enough. His heart raced all the more as he heard scuffling in the corner.

"Halt!"

Something was in the room! Remembering his bearings he moved swiftly to where the cot was, looking frantically for the child.

But he found nothing.

"Halt!" he cried again. "Drius! It is outside!"

Fumbling he ran towards the window and lifted it higher, jumping out. He saw a dark figure moving through to the front of the house. He chased after it, watching in horror as it came into the moonlight. Nearby stood its black horse, neighing and ready to gallop as soon as it was given word.

"Halt!" Tarkanyon screamed again as he ran towards the figure, wondering to himself where Drius and the parents could possibly be. The figure kicked its horse which jumped into action. In the moonlight Tarkanyon's fears were proved true – the infant was in its arms. He stood wide eyed for a moment before getting his wits about him and running into the house.

The front door was locked tight so he smashed through it, immediately seeing the woodsman, his wife and Drius lying on the floor. Quickly he felt the woodsman's pulse, who was closest to him, and he realised that they were in a deep sleep.

"What dark magic is this?" he cried confusingly as he sprang outside, running to the other side of the house and into the small stable attached to the home. He cut Polin's ropes with his small knife and mounted. He plunged his horse forward in hot pursuit of the kidnapper.

Polin was swifter than the kidnapper's horse, who was following the path in the wood closely, but riding hard. Tarkanyon saw the kidnapper look back at one stage and kick the horse harder.