FIREFANGED

Chapter 20 (Homecoming)

Dusk had settled in by the time we entered the town of Berykholt. The journey's end raised our spirits and sped up our final strides. Our first stop was the recruits' barracks to return Hicks and Gunner and to check in with Masterson.

The sergeant crowed, "Well, look who's back! And with all their limbs still attached as promised. Recruits, you look like Hell. Please return to your bunks after a long, soap-filled experience in the bathhouse."

I had vowed to return the recruits in one piece and wanted to get a receipt. "Sergeant, could I brief you later on the events of the past fortnight and the honorable actions of Gunner and Hicks?"

My uneven tone was proof enough that I was completely spent.

Masterson seemed more than relieved at our survival, and he let me off with only one question, "Who's the dark elf girl?"

"My bodyguard."

We hurried out the door. Yseria stuck to me like glue amid all the unfamiliarity of Berykholt. As we reached the castle gate, we were met by Captain Glenn and Doctor Loeb. They had obviously been waiting just for us.

"Ara, so good to see you back safe and sound," said Glenn.

Loeb was wearing his doctor's hat. "Captain, I highly doubt anything about Ara's trip was safe, and I certainly wouldn't say that he was sound. You can see he's a bit bent, tilted even. He also has a slight limp, and if I'm not mistaken, a tinge of blood on his breath."

I was too tired to confirm or deny the doctor's words.

Yseria answered for me, "Ara just hiked a hundred miles through the Everest range with broken ribs and fresh stitching up the back of his calf. The blood you smell, well, my best guess is that his left lung is also damaged."

"Gentlemen, this is my new bodyguard, Yseria Warric." I hoped that satisfied their curiosity. It was all I had for the moment.

"Yseria, I'm Captain Glenn, and this is Doctor Loeb of the Order of the Vigil, attached to Vigil Snow. Pleased to meet you."

I rasped out my priorities, "Doctor, I'll be visiting you later tonight. Any idea where Raven might be at the moment?"

Dinner was being served at the keep.

I didn't want to walk in filthy from the long journey, wearing dried demon's blood, but I was told that Snow was expecting our imminent arrival in the dining hall. It seemed that the scouts were keeping an eye out for us and had sent a runner to the castle as soon as we were sighted on the outskirts of Berykholt.

"Good evening, all," said Glenn, leading us into the dining room.

I scanned the room and quickly found Vigil Snow and Lynda. Everyone was dressed in fine clothes. A beautiful young woman wearing an elegant blue dress stood up next to Lynda. Her dark-toned complexion highlighted her deep red lips. Her eyes were a shiny gray as they met mine.

Feeling completely wrecked and making a real effort not to stumble, I walked around the dining table to reach her. "Rae, you've recovered."

Andarion stood nearby. Where had he come from?

The scent of Rae's exhaustion was gone, replaced with an exotic combination of roses and myrrh. She smelled like a princess.

Tears rolling down her healthy cheeks, she bit her lower lip and stared back.

"You—you're beautiful." I hated the harsh sound of my voice.

She blushed.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I—it's been two days since I last slept. I have a letter for you from your father." I reached into my travel pack.

"Thank you," she said.

Her gray eyes wouldn't leave mine—her face a dream I didn't dare touch.

I took a step back and spoke to all present. "Yseria Warric is my new bodyguard and friend. It's good to be back. Please excuse me while I get cleaned up."

"Ara, welcome back," said Vigil Snow. "We've given you the entire second floor in the keep next door. We hope you find it to your liking."

Andarion led us out, with Lynda and Raven following. Across a small courtyard, we entered the keep for visiting dignitaries. It was larger than the Vigil's own. I staggered up a short but challenging flight of stairs and into a spacious living room with five bedroom doors on either side of the common living area.

"We moved all your remaining gear and clothes into here," Andy said, indicating the first door on the right. "Rae is in here, first door on the left, and I'm in the room next to her."

My bedroom was similar but even grander than the last. I still had a view of the courtyard.

"This is great. I would like Yseria to have the room next to mine." I turned to meet Lynda Snow's warm green eyes and worried expression. "Lynda, it's so good to see you. Would you please make sure that Yseria has everything that she needs tonight?"

I may have been swaying by then. "Right now, we both need a good bath."

Having helped remove my armor and weapons, Andy steered me into one of the two shared bathrooms and left me in a tub of warm water. He was soon back with a clean set of clothes and a rough towel.

"You've had a tough trip," he said as I dried off.

I nodded. "I've got some things to show you when we get a chance."

"You've shown me plenty already," he quipped with a sympathetic look.

Sympathy and shock.

With a flinch, I realized what I had done in my stupor. "Lock the door, please." I quickly pulled on my shirt.

The soft gray cotton felt great after days in chafing armor and rugged wool but did little to relieve the discomfort I felt at that moment—the secret I'd revealed—the damage that had been done. With my eyes unable to look anywhere but the floor, I finished getting dressed.

Andy remained, his back against the door.

Finally, I said, "I'm sorry. You weren't supposed to see all that. Please keep it to yourself. Orders of Vigil Snow and all."

"Well, feth it all, Ara. Does Mott Duncan know what you've been through?"

I shook my head. "I've been told the Order is keen on marking its most valuable possessions—and the demons seem more than keen on marking me back."

"How many did you face in Bastian?"

"Dozens. There was a cave with an altar—a portal from Hell." I let the news sink in. "Hell-knights."

Andy stepped away the door. "You are owed more than I could ever repay."

My head was beginning to spin, and my eyesight was running darker than normal. "I'd better see Doctor Loeb now. Would you ask him to meet me in my room?"

Loeb arrived shortly, carrying a tray of food.

I pulled off my shirt and showed him the rib damage. He applied his own smellier version of ointment and handed me back my shirt. Then he smeared another medicine on the back of my calf and wrapped it tight.

"You're exhausted," he said. "Eat what you can and lie down. Don't get out of bed tomorrow. We'll have your meals sent up."

I didn't have the strength to disagree.