|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 9: Journey to Thalandor

How had it even happened? For 12 years I had evaded the Empire, never been caught, never been held captive by any other. It had been what I prided myself on – my ability to remain concealed from those who wanted me most. And in this past week alone I had been caught no less than three times. I glared at Cedric. It was his entire fault, him and his father’s. They had dragged me into this. If they had just let me die I wouldn’t be in this mess. Hell, if I had just hardened up and ran away from it all I wouldn’t be in this mess. Why hadn’t I just left him? Who cared if he was killed?

“How did you find me?” I snarled at Cedric, “How the heck did you, of all people, find me?” he sat on a horse walking a few feet across from me. The soldiers had put him on a separate horse after I had managed to push Cedric of the back of mine, earning him a splash of mud over the left side of his face.

“The bird.” He answered softly, still not looking at me, “It led me straight to you.”

“The bird… the bird?” I spluttered, “And why the hell would a bird help you?” I thought back to that bird I had almost shot, with the blazing orange eyes. If I had just killed it there and then, I would not be a prisoner to these soldiers; I would be free to run, free to go. Frustration and anger simmered beneath my skin, threatening to boil forth.

“My father has always had an affinity for birds.” Cedric shrugged, “And I can’t deny that it is a mutual feeling. He must have known we would split up and sent one of his birds to watch us.”

“What a shocking idea!” I gasped spitefully, “You and me? Split up? Never!” I rolled my eyes and shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. I had never ridden a horse before, and at the moment I planned on never doing it again. It didn’t help that my bound hands were tied to the pommel in front of me, keeping my back at a permanent, aching slump. Cedric gave me a side glance and a crooked half-smile.

“Uncomfortable there, are you?” he chuckled. I glared at him. He better be thankful my hands were tied, or he might lose a certain part of his body; his head would look rather nice on a backboard.

“Why yes I am.” I snapped, “Glad my discomfort can be a source of amusement for you.” Cedric’s smile broadened and he looked down at his hands, also tied to his saddle. I looked at him slyly. His back was bent, far more than mine due to his height, and his blonde hair fell down, shading his face from the sun. He was humming good-naturedly, but when he glanced up for a moment and caught my eye I saw worry in his face.

“Why are you staring?” he asked, a corner of his mouth curling up. The worry had disappeared, but it didn’t matter – I had seen it.

“I wasn’t staring.” I snapped, “And why are you pretending to be so cheerful? I thought you were pretty dull, but even you have to have noticed we are prisoners.”

“You were staring.” Cedric winked, causing my stomach to turn and my frustration to peak, “And I’m not pretending to be anything. Yes we are prisoners, but we’re not dead. And I see no reason to be unhappy about that.”

“You. Are. So. Dense!” I growled, “We’re not dead yet but at any moment we could be! Cedric, we are not being taken back to your father. We are being taken to Thalandor! To his enemies! The ones he paid me to keep you away from!”

“And a fine job you’re doing.” Cedric said, ice creeping into his own voice.

“We wouldn’t be here if you weren’t so useless!” I snapped, “You couldn’t just do as I said! Couldn’t just resist the urge to be a bleeding show off!”

“By Apvidus’ blood, will you shut up!” one of the soldiers shouted, turning in his saddle to glare at us. I looked at him, then past him to see the shoulders of the dark archer a horse ahead of him. He slowly moved, turning to stare into my eyes with a horrible grin on his face. I felt the same fear as last night. A moment later he had looked away and the fear left me. The soldier who had shouted faced the front once more and silence ensued.