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Chapter Eighteen
Melisandre
Of course, I followed him.
The call of duty, the grave responsibility on my shoulders, overrode all other concerns, including my own safety or that of my lover.
I waited a decent interval, stoked up the fire to keep stray animals out of the cave, then slipped into the shadows, pulling my coat tight around my chin. We were high in the mountains where the nights grew cold.
Stars glittered in the heavens, and a light dusting of snowflakes reflected their light as they fell to earth, covering the ground. Under other circumstances I’d have stopped to take in the beauty.
Though Magnus was nowhere to be seen, I was able to follow his footprints in the snow by the light of the Seven Stars. They shone brightly, and I said a silent prayer to the Goddess, thanking her for their comforting presence and asking her blessing on this night.
Sound carries on a still night, so when I heard hushed voices ahead, I hid behind some rocks. A ragtag group was making their way single-file down the mountain, their progress slowed by the old and sick among them. My warrior had been true to his word. He’d freed the villagers.
I stepped out where they could see me clearly. Held up my hands to show I had no weapons drawn. “I’m a friend of Magnus,” I said softly.
An older woman started to come toward me, but the lad at the head of the line blocked her way.
“How do we know it’s not the Dark One in disguise? He has many faces,” the young man muttered.
I knew he’d never believe me if I said I was his queen. Instead, I took a knee and recited aloud the oath my subjects offered when came before my throne. “The Lord of Darkness would never pledge his loyalty to his sworn enemy, even to trick you,” I finished.
“She’s right.” The woman approached, stretched out a hand. “I am Rianne. Any friend of Magnus is a friend of mine.”
I clasped it in mine. “Praise the Goddess you’ve escaped. I’m…I’m Meli.” Fortunately, she didn’t notice my hesitation. Claiming to have the same name as their regent might have stirred suspicion of me anew.
My heart sank at how few there were. Antonius said our enemy had taken an entire village captive. I expected to see dozens fleeing, not a handful. Were more survivors on the way? I didn’t know how to broach the topic without causing her grief if this small band was all that remained.
“You must be tired. And cold.” Their clothes were in tatters, and the temperature was still dropping. “Magnus and I took refuge in a cave about half a league down the mountain from here. There’s a fire burning in front of it and food hidden inside. Go there. Warm yourselves. Eat and rest for a bit before you go on.”
She inclined her head. “Thank you, my lady. We will wait there for the others to join us.”
So others had survived as well. “Thanks be,” I murmured. She was shivering, so I took off my coat and wrapped it around her shoulders, ignoring her protest. I was younger and stronger, able to withstand the cold better than she could.
After a promise to watch out for their comrades, I headed the way they’d come. Following their route was easier than trying to retrace Magnus’s steps. He’d stayed far from any path, taking the steepest, hardest route to avoid being seen by any sentries who might have been posted.
I passed the remains of a fire. The ground around it was disturbed, and dark patches under the newly fallen snow told me there’d been bloodshed. I knew Magnus was all right. He couldn’t have freed the villagers if he’d been badly injured or… My mind wouldn’t allow me to finish the thought.
Heavily trod ground ahead led me to the mouth of the cave in time to find another band of villagers fleeing. Once again, I introduced myself as a friend of their rescuer and told them I’d already met their comrades. I gave them directions to the cave and said they must all leave it before dawn, whether we returned or not. If Magnus and I weren’t victorious, the evil one would send his soldiers after the prisoners to punish them for escaping.
An elderly man with stooped shoulders told me the Dark One’s followers had just found the door to the temple they’d been searching for. “The ones who aren’t busy digging away the rubble that blocks it are so busy congratulating each other, they never noticed when we snuck away.”
“Thank the Goddess. You must go now,” I said. “Your friends are waiting. Hurry!”
“What of you?” He grabbed my arm, his weary eyes suddenly wide with alarm. “You cannot go in there. They’ll make you a prisoner like they did us. The evil one is unspeakably cruel, and his followers do his bidding without question.”
I patted his hand. “Thank you for your concern. I may not look like a warrior, but I’ve been trained by the best. By Magnus himself. I have to be there to fight at his side.”
The old man studied my face. “I see determination in your eyes.” He sighed. “Long ago, I’d have gone back in with you but I’m too old and feeble now to be of any use in battle. Besides, I’m the last of the village elders. These people need my skills and my knowledge if we are to rebuild. There’s only one thing I can do for you.” He moved his hand from my arm to the top of my head and recited a blessing. “May the Goddess protect you and keep you from harm.”
I kissed his wrinkled cheek. “Thank you.”
It was eerily quiet inside. The old man told me to bear right when the passage split. He said the Dark Lord’s followers were celebrating, so I expected whoops and hollers to echo off the stone walls as I ventured deeper into the mountain. Instead, as I made my way along the dimly lit corridor, I heard faint voices, whispering like the wind, becoming louder with every step I took.
I rounded a corner and stopped dead. A scene of utter chaos lay before me. The passage opened into a huge cavern, littered with bodies. Magnus stood in their midst with his back to me, sword hanging by his side. He seemed frozen in place, not even trying to defend himself as a horde of men attacked him, trying to drag him to the ground. Here, their voices were deafening. Shouting, pleading, cursing. I heard some speaking in the ancient tongue, but I couldn’t make out their words.
His attention was centered on the far end of the cavern, where a huge bronze door stood open. The chamber beyond was lit with an unearthly red glow. I made out a shadowy figure next to a stone altar but all else paled in the radiance thrown off by a huge gem lying atop it.
