Shadow Blades (The Cimmerian Cycle #2)

Chapter 22

                  

Chapter 22

Cormac woke up days later, unsure of where he was. As he opened his eyes he instantly had a pair of arms wrapped around him.

"Thank the Ancestors," Isabel said softly, "you're alive."

Cormac could faintly feel the pain in his stomach and shoulder but it didn't bother him. The sheets he was in were soft and warm. He guessed he was in the palace because of the blue walls. A thin ray of sunlight poured through the window.

"Isabel," he said weakly, trying to push her off, "You're choking me."

"Oh," she released him and he inhaled deeply. He felt light headed.

Cormac could smell the aroma of a cup of tea which was on his bedside. He sat himself up. Isabel was sitting in a chair by his bed. He rubbed his eyes and looked around.

He was in some secluded corner of the palace. The rose garden was visible from his window.

"What happened?" he said thickly.

"To you, me, or Hidefield?" Isabel asked.

He stared at her, still feeling bewildered.

"Tell me everything," he said.

Isabel shook her head and smiled, "I ran from the city as fast as I could that night. I was just about to get in a row boat and try and get across the river when Leo and the twins showed up." She explained how they had crossed the river. Cormac listened in silence, content at the sound of her voice.

"After Seapond we rode to Rosefall. We knew they were following and couldn't stop. The twins waited outside the town to ambush the assassins and Leo and I went to the prince. It was dawn and the prince's convey were about to leave." She took a deep breath. "Leo talked to the prince and they agreed on a plan to lead a false trail. They made it look like he was going west."

"Did they fall for it?"

"Sort of," she sighed, "There was two of them so they split up. Both are dead now."

Cormac looked at her pointedly but she refused to elaborate.

"So, what happened next?"

Isabel regained herself and continued her story, "We got to the city a day later and were hailed with rumours. A group of guards took us from the harbour to the palace. I've been here ever since... waiting for you to wake up." Her cheeks went a little red but Cormac took no notice.

"What about Hidefield?"

"The king arrested him and if he is found guilty he will be executed. Unlike you, he will get a trial." She added bitterly.

A sense of justice fell upon Cormac. At last Lord Hidefield was going to pay. Cormac had not acted for nothing.

"And the Island?"

For as long as he knew it had been owned by Hidefield's family but now that he was as good as dead it would belong to no one.

"Because Lord Hidefield has no family the king has given it to Lady Kiayani and Lord Mik. Oh, I forgot, they were married yesterday. After Mik nearly got killed, Kiayani decided the she couldn't wait. The island was a gift from the king."

Cormac took this in. Kiayani and Mik deserved each other. Cormac did not deserve anyone. The island was rightfully theirs. It already felt right.

Another thought occurred to him.

"What about the guild?" he said, scratching his chin.

Isabel didn't respond for a few moments, staring at the opposite wall.