Dark One Rising(61)

They reached the boulders. He caught up to her and leaned over to get her attention, then pointed toward them.

“Go between them and keep going until I say it’s okay. Don’t look back and don’t slow down, no matter what.”

She nodded her understanding and kicked her heels into her mount, urging it to push harder. She passed between the boulders and continued straight ahead, not looking back. She didn’t feel Alekzand’r next to her or just behind her, and she was getting frightened. What if something happened to him? What if he was caught, and she was alone? What if Fallon’s men, and that thing, caught her?

She tried to shake the fear that was creeping up by concentrating on the trail ahead. The forest was dense, but the trees were strangely different now. They were older looking, fatter in the base, with limbs that were gnarled. A light green veil of moss hung down from most of them, and their trunks had a yellowish tint rather than brown. The sun shone through the open boughs and cascaded light down on her face. She moved too fast for it to warm her, but she was amazed at how fast the clouds had moved past. The rain had stopped almost instantaneously, and there were actual shafts of sunlight shining down on the forest floor. If she wasn’t so scared she might have enjoyed it.

She felt a hand reach for her, and she started, looking beside her. She saw the face of Alekzand’r and let out a breath of relief.

“You can slow now; we’ve lost them.”

She glanced over her shoulder now and saw nothing but trees. No one was chasing. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, they have lost our trail.”

“How’s that possible? They were no more than a quarter mile behind us.”

“Yes, I know. We’ve entered a different wood now. Trust me.”

She pulled back on the reins and slowed her horse, who was breathing heavy and snorting her disapproval at being relentlessly pushed. Melenthia reached down and patted her, soothing her with soft words. The horse snorted her reply but continued forward at a steady walk. They rode like that for a good hour, Alekzand’r beside her. He kept glancing at her every now and then. She caught him from the corner of her eye and looked over at him smiling. “What?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I haven’t seen you since you were a small girl, no more than three. You have grown into quite a beauty. You look a lot like your mother.”

“Thank you. Kevaan has told me the same thing many times. But I’ve also been reminded more times that I don’t act like my mo-ther.”

“Well that’s because you’re not her.”

“My father wishes I was. I’m sure Kevaan does too, although he has not said it out loud.”

“Your brother is very fond of you and loves you like no other. He wants only happiness for you.”

“He doesn’t understand my defiance when it comes to men of nobility. I don’t think anyone ever will.”

“I would bet that there is a purpose for you in this world, a reason you were born into this life. You’ll figure it out.”

“Despite what people think, I really don’t want to be lonely.”

“No one wants that. I’m sure things will come to light soon.”

She changed the subject. “I don’t understand how we lost them. They were so close to us. How did we just vanish?”

“We are traveling in the Sorcerers Wood now. Just passed the boulders was the door into it. Once we went through, it closed behind us, leaving the men to chase nothing.”

“The Sorcerers Wood?” She looked around in awe. “I didn’t think it existed, much less knew anyone who could find their way into it.”

“That is the prize for having a great sorcerer as a friend. Only those who have a map, or already know where it is, can enter. I have a map.”

“He gave it to you?”

“Loaned it actually. It’s not something he would hand over to just anyone. I told him of my mission and he knew the importance of it. If we would’ve been able to keep far enough ahead of Fallon’s men and they were unable to pick up our trail, I wouldn’t have had to use it. I prefer not to have done so, but here we are anyway.”

“Is it unsafe?”

“There is a chance that you can get lost in here, that the door out will remain hidden, even with the map, but I will remain optimistic so that I don’t worry myself into a frenzy. I felt it was worth the risk. We were still over a week and a half out from Azlyn and the king, and the sooner we get there, the better.”

“He’s expecting me?”

“Yes, I sent a message to him about your arrival. I didn’t go into too many details, and I kept the message cryptic in case it fell into the wrong hands, but he’ll understand its meaning.”