The Dragons Egg : XIV : White Bay : Maethilda: Draft

XIV

White Bay

Maethilda

The salty sea air of white Bay stuck to Maethilda’s skin and hair as she bent low upon the thick white sand, her feet bare, her long golden hair free and her sparkling piercing eyes upon the great outline of Merelle City of in the far distance. She could feel the thin layer of material touching her calves as she penetrated the great coastline of Taer. Close to her she heard the joyous laughs of her young friends, playing together with their wooden swords and shields. Turning her eyes she caught sight of Evalean, Aabe and Morad, all jumping over the great waves, the warm rays of the sun upon them.

“You’re quiet today,” a soft voice declared. Maethilda turned her bright green eyes around and found Anvin staring down at her, his eyes tender and keen. “Why are you not playing with your friends?”

“I am finding it hard to summon the emotion of pleasure today,” the young Maethilda replied with a faint groan as she plunged her small hands into the sand.

“Why ever for?” Anvin returned, his arms now crossed before him, long tresses of his greying hair swaying in the light breeze.

“Sometimes I feel…sad.”

“And what is making you sad today?” Anvin asked as Maethilda brought herself up onto her feet, lifting her head slightly as she looked up at the tall wizard. Without a word she lifted her right index finger and pointed it in the direction of Taer. Anvin followed her gaze and closed his eyes briefly.

“I cannot explain the pain I feel when I am close to her,” Maethilda whispered, hot tears welling in her eyes. Anvin stepped forward and lifted the small child up into his strong arms, both their gazes upon the coastline of the great Kingdom. “I have never laid my eyes upon her, but I feel her here,” Maethilda said painfully, placing a small hand upon her heart. “Am I silly?”

“No, no child you have never been silly,” Anvin smiled kindly into her eyes. “You are a bright young girl with a keen gaze and wise soul.”

“They have a family and I have no one,” Maethilda said pitifully, dabbing at her wet stained cheeks.

“They are your family,” Anvin said sternly. “We are your family.”

“But sometimes….sometimes I don’t feel it…I feel…alone.”

“As do I,” Anvin admitted with sigh. “Even the most loved child in the world can feel alone.”

“Why do you feel alone?”

“Being the barer of such responsibility can leave you lonesome and isolated,” Anvin returned as he stepped forward, his bare feet now awash in the water. “Everyone who is dependent on me constantly fixes their gaze in my direction and sometimes when I am unable to meet their needs, I feel as though the whole world has turned from me. But when I am surrounded by my little family, I feel as though the cooling fire within awakens. I never want you to feel as though we love you less because we are not bound by blood, love is a greater and deeper bond and transcends the bond of blood.”

“Morad says he will avenge his parent’s death when he is older,” Maethilda said with wide eyes. “Can I avenge my parents?”

“I think you are too bright to seek such a thing as vengeance, it is not what your mother wished for your life,” Anvin said seriously. “She wished you to be safe and happy, to be without pain and suffering and to know the goodness that dwells within the soul of man. There is no relief in vengeance, there is no goodness in spilling blood. Your mother would wish you to use your skills for good, to see you grow into a content and happy woman, free from the bonds of war and strive and so I will endeavour to keep my promise to her and to protect you as best I can and keep you from harm. Morad is older, he watched his parents die and so his bloodthirsty need for vengeance comes from a dark and confused place within. You were spared such a scene and the fire drenched lust for revenge that it brings, do not fall victim to the jaws of deceit.”

“Did she…love me?” Maethilda whispered as she wrapped her arms about Anvin. Anvin smiled deeply, the lines around his eyes rising softly.

“She said to me upon placing you into my arms, that she had been a fool in love until she had brought you forth into the world,” Anvin said, his eyes sincere and true. “She said that you had given her hope for the future and her kingdom.” Maethilda held Anvin’s gaze as large tears fell silently from her eyes before lowering her head down upon his shoulder for comfort. “You are in her image child as it should be and as she wished it to be.”

*

The winter sun now edged its way above the horizon as Maethilda sat quietly upon the sand dune, sharpening arrows for Evalean, who lay asleep with the rest of the company, all of whom lay around a small and dwindling fire. The sea breeze was heavy and cold and for the first time in her life, Maethilda’s head felt bare and sore. With a thick shawl wrapped about her slim frame, she kept her eyes on the beach, keeping an eye out for any of the competing groups. It had taken them a day to ride from the summer hills south, passing by the great lake of Ormo in which they let free the horses that they had taken from Muta and his companions the night before. She knew that he wouldn’t submit himself to the degradation of being outwitted by a group of woman, he would surely seek her out and have his revenge, but Maethilda wouldn’t allow the fear of Muta’s wrath to dent her focus, she would find the next flag and lead her friends to victory. Yet as she scanned the length of the beach she found no evidence of a flag and wondered whether it had already been claimed. Setting down another arrow upon the cold sand, she lifted her eyes to the great stars above which still shimmered brightly against the rising sun. It was now easy for the naked eye to find the great stars of Ungilith, Maglorn and Zuenaye. There was no need to use a telescope, the light of the aligning stars large enough for even the muddiest of eyes to see. Anxiety tripled through Maethilda as she assessed the stars, it seemed to her that they had moved rather quickly in the last week, too quickly for her own liking. It had been accepted by the priests that the stars would come together as one in four weeks, yet by her judgement, Maethilda concluded that they would soon unite before the accepted date and this worried her greatly. The world and in particular Summe, was not yet prepared for the arrival of Celestine, if the prophecies were indeed correct. Ships were still to be built, ports still to be secured and the northern coastline to be defended. The air was too still and world too quiet, a sign to Maethilda that the tide was soon to change. With her, Celestine would bring with her great change and disruption and Maethilda wasn’t quite sure if she or her people were ready for what was to come soon. As she studied the sky above her she heard a faint song not too far away and turned her head to the west and found her eyes falling upon a group of women, each dressed warmly and bearing spears and baskets. Casting her knife to the sand, Maethilda stood up and closed her eyes briefly to the beautiful song.

Ardu, Ardu ghran lu Gutha,

Rise, Rise sun of Gutha,

Uda, Uda la sacha lu ane,

Over, over the seas of time,

Bannaith, a la jul lu la earrie fla.

Blessed, are the jewels of the earth’s floor,

Un Bannaith, a la ays tha sur.

And blessed are the eyes that scour.

Ra lu guld, ra lu rad,

Rays of gold, rays of red,

Tracht ude or lam un hnamh la faa,

Come guide our hands and make them fetch,

Fee lu gren, sil un blu.

Fish of green, silver and blue.

Tu fil or muths un cam ar wyes.

To fill our mouths and calm are ways.

Surprised by the beautiful singing and the group of women, Maethilda, sure that her companions were safe, made her way down the side of the sand dune, her feet bare and her cheeks cold. Sifting through the sand she made her way to the sea and watched on as the women hitched their thick dresses up to the knees, each taking one part of the dress and tying it to another, to keep it from falling down. When finished hiking up their dresses, they opened their baskets and entered the sea, all of them whimpering and dancing about as the cold waves washed over them. Most of the dozen women were middle aged but for two young women, who’s long golden hair shone brightly against the rising sun. With their large spears they began to scan the sea and throw their spears down into the waters below. The women who fished upon the beaches of Summe were called hoppers, due to the way in which they hopped about in the sea, whilst crying aloud and singing. Her stomach rumbling, Maethilda made her way closer to the women, one of whom spotted her.

“Come here boy!” the middle aged women cried out, waving Maethilda over with her free hand. A little surprised at being addressed as a boy, Maethilda shrugged and congratulated herself on her excellent plan of mismatched identity, which seemed to be working.

“May I help, myself and my friends are hungry and need food!” Maethilda cried back as she stood now a few feet from the joyous women, most of whom were oblivious to her presence.

“You may share my lot, if you catch the fish and put them in my basket, fair?” the lady ordered as she wiped beads of sea water from her hard face, lined with years of suffering and poverty.

“I shall gladly fetch for you!” Maethilda returned happily, thankful that she would be given some food for breakfast, knowing her friends would be starving.

“Do you come from the village?” the lady enquired as she lifted her spear out of the water and grabbed the slithering fish now caught, throwing it to Maethilda who caught it firmly in her hands.

“I am from Summe!” she replied back, dropping the still moving fish into a nearby basket.

“What is your business here?”

“My friends and I are taking part in the games!” Maethilda hollered back, her throat dry and salty.

“You seek the flag yes?” the lady returned as she caught another fish and threw it to Maethilda.

“Yes, but I cannot find it, do you know where it may be?” Maethilda asked with a burning hope in her eyes.

“The soldiers have retired for the night, they will come shortly to the beach and take you to the flag,” the woman said with a hardy smile.

“How strange!”

“The sea was too perilous last night, so we offered them shelter.”

“Have any other groups been this way?”

“No, you are the first!”

Maethilda breathed in a sigh of relief at the woman’s words, and found her shoulders relaxing a little as she fetched a rather large fish. Again the women began to sing as Maethilda watched on with pleasure, her face now warmed by the rays of the sun and the soaring spirits of the brave women. After a while the woman who had spoken with her came to the shore and quickly plunged her spear into the sand before drying her hands over the thick brown material of her dress. For a moment she stared at Maethilda hard, her own hard green eyes curious.

“You are a boy yes?”

“Yes,” Maethilda lied, her heart beating rapidly. The woman stepped forward and lifted Maethilda’s chin with her rough skinned fingers.

“Such pretty eyes for a boy me thinks,” she pursed to herself allowed.

“So I have been told,” Maethilda said as she deepened her voice. The woman let her fingers slip away from Maethilda’s face and chuckled.

“You may take five fish from the basket,” the woman said with a frown. “And be on your watch, if your are who I think you are, then you should know that even the soldiers are against you claiming a flag.”

“Sorry…what?” Maethilda coughed, her skin instantly burning with shame.

“Your eyes give you away,” the woman said with a wink. “They are too beautiful and feminine to be masculine.”

“But I…”

“There is no need to explain yourself to me, now take the fish and go back to your companions, the soldiers will be here soon enough,” the knowing woman said as she pushed Maethilda towards the basket. Embarrassed, Maethilda picked up five fish and settled them within the curve of her arms before turning to the woman.

“Thank you,” she said before turning on her feet and walking away whilst the rest of the women came to shore. The smell of the fish filled Maethilda’s senses as she walked through the thick sand towards the dunes. The smoke of the fire was rising thinly as she mounted the dune and heard the soft voices of her friends.

“Maethilda there you are!” Evalean cried out as Maethilda slipped down the side of the dune towards the camp.

“You went fishing?” Mairina asked aloud as she struggled to get into her leather boots.

“Kind of, in a way,” Maethilda said with a shrug as she brushed past Evalean and set the fish down near to the fire.

“Any sign of the flag yet?” Innis said in between a yawn as she stretched her long legs out before her.

“I met a group of hoppers down by the sea, they said that the soldiers took refuge in their village last night and should be here soon,” Maethilda returned as she found her knife and walked back to the fire, to begin gutting the fish.

“Good because we need to get moving as soon as possible,” Sabia said, taking two fish and stabbing a small knife into the first, her eyes on Maethilda, who was quiet and full of thought. “What’s the matter?”

“I was speaking with one of the women, and she alluded to the fact that the soldiers are working against us,” Maethilda said as she skinned a fish.

“Well we knew that didn’t we?” Evalean interceded, taking the already prepared fish and piercing them with a stick, setting the long stick into the fire.

“Yes…” Maethilda mumbled under her breathe.

“You’re worried that they have alternative plans up their sleeves yes?” Innis said as she stood guard upon the dune top, her head turned to the group.

“Maettie, we are prepared, I mean you sat up for half the night redrawing our plans, so why are you anxious all of a sudden?” Evalean enquired calmly, her large hazel eyes alarmed.

“I’m not anxious, just a little unsettled that’s all,” Maethilda returned, giving the last fish up to her friend. “At first I stupidly believed that our competitors would play by the rules, upholding their oaths. But now…now I’m not so sure.”

“Then we do as we always do,” Sabia said with a mischievous smile. “We hide, observe and plan. Whatever they have planned, we can take it.”

“I thought the flag would be easy to claim on a beach,” Mairina said, now lacing her boots. “But were the hell is it?”

Maethilda was just about to reply when she heard the sound of hoofs upon the beach. Beside her the companions stopped what they were doing and fell to the sand quickly, crawling their way up the side of the dune until they came to the top. The blue sky was now giving way to dark and heavy clouds.

“It’s Morad and his group!” Evalean said heartily, her eyes alight with warmth.

“Do you think they know about Muta?” Sabia asked Maethilda.

“It’s possible,” Maethilda returned as she spotted the heavily clad Morad.

“Do you think he would aid Muta?” Innis asked as she rubbed her eyes, trying to rid them of the grains of sand now dancing about due to the rising winds.

“I doubt it, they hate each other with a vengeance,” Sabia replied with a dark look upon her face.

“If they’re here then how are we possibly going to get at the flag first?” Mairina asked Maethilda with a concerned look upon her face.

“I don’t know,” Maethilda said darkly as she rolled her body about until her eyes were upon the darkening skies about. Smelling the fish, she tightened her hand about the hilt of her sword and swore under her breathe.

“A diversion!” Innis announced. “We need to divert their attention away.”

“Morad is too quick to be diverted from his plan,” Maethilda said with a grunt.

“Not if someone he loves is in danger?” Evalean said with raised brows.

“Do explain.”

The women turned away from the male group and huddled together about the fire, taking the cook fish away.

“We cannot have our cover blown by Morad, he would know us in an instant, short hair and all,” Evalean said with defiance. “I love my brother, but I’ll be damned if he beats us, for all the grievances I have had to take from him these past six months!”

“Anyway were not only doing this in order to gain victory as women, but we are doing this for all the women on this island that have been mercilessly treated by Morad and his gang of flirtatious fanatics!” Sabia said with a disgusted look upon her face.

“Whilst I agree with you, we must also agree that most of the young women who throw themselves at my brother and his friends are a little lacking in intelligence, wouldn’t you agree Maethilda?” Evalean asked, turning her hazel eyes to Maettie.

“It would be unwise to disagree with you friend,” Maethilda laughed deeply. “What is your plan?”

“Morad likes to think he is the most manly and masculine soldier in Summe, what with his ability to down goblets of laman without vomiting, or his unearthly ability to shoot a bird from three leagues without fail, or his inapt ability to…”

“Evalean get to the point,” Maethilda said with a roll of her eyes.

“Right yes, the point…” Evalean said, her eyes now turning up to the sky in thought.

“Soldiers have one inconsolable weakness….”

“There inability to keep their co….” Sabia interjected, her words falling away as the women looked at her with marked expressions of disgust. “Yes well you know what I mean.”

“Anyway as I was saying,” Evalean said, her tone thick and deep. “Soldiers love to come to the rescue of distraught women who are unable to defend themselves.” Sabia and Innis burst out laughing before shortly quietening down. “What if I am to be such a women? My brother would be unable to disregard my cries and screams for help, don’t you think Maettie?”

“Morad is clever enough to see past such a ploy I’m afraid Evie,” Maethilda said with a sigh.

“We need to do two things if we are to succeed in getting the flag,” Mairina said as she got up onto her feet and began to pace to and fro, her right index finger straightened before her as though she was commanding the clouds above. “We need to get rid of Morad and his group of henchmen and then we must do away with the soldiers. If they recognise us then they will surely tell the other men. Now this plan has already worked before, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t again.”

“I wonder if they survived?” Innis mused to herself.

“We cannot allow Morad to see us either,” Sabia said thoughtfully.

“I think I may have a plan,” Maethilda interrupted with a flawless smile upon her face.

“Yes?” Evalean enquired.

“The women upon the beach, we can use them as a distraction,” Maethilda said as she too got to her feet and walked around the fire, picking at her cooked fish, her stomach growling with pleasure. “I have a sneaking suspicion that they may just aid us in our quest.”

“How?” Sabia enquired.

“Just you wait and see!” Maethilda replied as she quickly picked up her cloak and flung it about her body, covering her face before picking up her sword and placing it into its sheath. “Stay here and keep yourselves under cover and wait until I return.” Without a second glance, Maethilda set off into the dunes, making her way over their mounted peaks with pace. Keeping her head down and her feet as quiet as possible she ran west until she came to the group of women, now drying their legs and feet with cloths. Flinging herself down upon the sand once again, Maethilda scoured the beach. Morad and his group were busy talking a league or so away in the east and so with a beating heart, Maethilda got up from her position and calmly walked down the side of the dune and made her way over to the group, in particular the lady of which she had met. Breathless, Maethilda found herself before the group, bent over with her hands upon her hips.

“You’re back again,” a familiar voice said aloud, forcing Maethilda to fix her gaze. Looking up from the sand she found the face of the woman and smiled.

“I need your help.”

“You need more food?”

“No, no I need you to divert that group of men away from here,” Maethilda said quickly, aware of the hardened stares she was receiving from the rest of the women.

“That would be cheating would it not?” the women said with sparkling eyes.

“I would argue that it’s simply initiative,” Maethilda said politely, now straightening her back and releasing her hands from her hips.

“And what would we receive in return?” a younger women asked eagerly. Maethilda frowned.

“We have horses….”

“Your words be burned!” the elder lady said to the younger woman. “We will receive an even greater gift than that of horses.” Maethilda felt at a loss, her breathing slowing down. “We will have the satisfaction of leading the men to their defeat and aiding our own kind to victory, what could be more satisfying than that?”

“Summe needs more women like you,” Maethilda smiled deeply, seeing the mirth in the woman’s eyes.

“We are not all believers in the traditional roles of women,” the woman said with a firm gaze. “Now go and we will divert your opponents away before the soldiers get here.”

“Thank you so much!” Maethilda grovelled, wrapping her arms about the small and stout woman before relieving herself. The women picked up their full baskets and made to leave as Maethilda turned on her bare feet and walked back to the sand dunes. Rarely had she ever met a woman older than herself who was a true female patriot, to do so warmed her heart and gave her the confidence and courage to tackle the problems ahead. When she eventually made her way back to her company she quickly told them of her plans.

“Look its working!” Sabia announced with gladness. “The women are leading the men away!”

“I can’t believe they actually fell for your trap Maettie,” Evalean smiled as she hugged her friend.

“The soldier’s better hurry before the clouds burst open and all hell breaks loose,” Marina said as she picked up a leather satchel of water. “Until then I am going to water the horses.” Maethilda watched Marina leave before making for her own bag. Sitting down she took a deep gulp of laman from her satchel and closed her eyes briefly.

“Will the soldiers just hand us the flag do you think?” Innis asked as she sat down beside Maethilda, running her fingers through her short brown hair.

“I doubt it would be that easy, especially when it is us claiming the flag,” Maethilda replied with a downtrodden look.

“What do you think they will make us do?”

“I don’t know.”

Maethilda felt herself quieten down as her friends readied themselves and talked amongst themselves, mainly reliving the adventures of the last two days. Sharpening her sword, Maethilda felt the first drop of water fall from the clouds above and sighed, this would not be an easy day, she had awoken feeling the uneasiness and now felt it take a hold of her.

“Maettie look it’s the soldiers! They’ve arrived!” Evalean cried out, forcing Maethilda away from her dark thoughts.

“What are they doing?” Innis said with an air of confusion. Maethilda got up and walked over to Evalean who was now standing upon the dune, looking down at the sea. Maethilda followed Evalean’s gaze and felt her eyebrows rise abruptly.

“Why are they sailing out to sea?” Evalean asked as she turned her eyes to Maethilda.

“There is one boat upon the shore, why do you think that is?” Innis added. Maethilda knew instantly what it was that she and her friends faced. The soldiers rowed out to sea, their small boat shaking heavily against the raging waves.

“We are to row out to claim the flag,” Maethilda said as she brought her hood forward, holding it tightly against the strong winds.

“Well that isn’t so bad is it?” Evalean said with a slight smile, her anxious eyes betraying her.

“It wouldn’t be if we knew how to swim,” Innis said with a grunt. “One activity we have yet to practice.”

“But there is a boat…,” Evalean interjected, her eyes wide.

“It’s just too simple,” Maethilda murmured under her breathe.

“And it’s too small for all of us to get into,” came the serious tone of Mairina from behind. Maethilda turned to her most trusted advisor and nodded. “Well I suppose two of us should go down and the rest should stay here and keep an eye out.”

“I can swim a bit,” Evalean said as large droplets of water soaked her face, pale and clear.

“And I am the captain, so I suppose we will both have to go,” Maethilda said. “Come let’s not waste time.”

“We will be watching,” Innis said with a nod as both Maethilda and Evalean made their way down the side of the dune.

“Do you have our flag?” Mairina asked Maethilda. Maethilda opened a pocket and produced their flag which had upon it the green and yellow leaves of Summe. Maethilda and Evalean walked in silence until they came to the small boat. Out to sea they could see just ever so slightly the shape of the soldier’s boat and the flag which was raised high in the air for all to see.

“You should take your boots and cloak off in case we fall into the sea,” Maethilda said as she reached out for the boat and brought it over to her. Evalean quickly did away with her cloak and boots before jumping into the boat and sitting down.

“Were are the oars?” Evalean asked as she searched the boat. Jumping in beside her, Maethilda looked around.

“I should have guessed that they would leave out the oars,” she said with a sigh of disgust. “We will have to use our arms for oars.”

“That’s a little shallow even for soldiers, don’t you think?” Evalean asked her friend as she rolled up the sleeve of her left arm and plunged it into the cold water.

“Nothing is too shallow for our opponents. You must never underestimate the enemy remember?”

“Yes I remember,” Evalean said, her teeth chattering wildly against the harsh winds. Together they forced the boat onwards using their arms to steer them. Great waves of freezing water washed into the boat and soaked both Maethilda and Evalean as they sailed onwards towards the flag. Her feet still bare, Maethilda felt the ice cold water cover her feet and bite at her toes. The harsh crosswinds cut at her skin and bite at her nose and lips as she rowed with all the energy she could muster. Another great wave swept over them both and hurled their boat off course.

“Hold on Evalean the waves are getting bigger!” Maethilda shouted as she spat out a mouthful of sea water and coughed wildly. For the first time in her adult life she was filled with fear, the fear of drowning. She could see the fear in her friend’s eyes and tried to offer her a smile of support but found her lips to frozen to move. “We are nearly their Evie, just focus on the flag okay?”

“My body is freezing Maettie! My fingers and hands are without feeling!” Evalean cried out as another large wave hit them both roughly, forcing their boat and bodies backwards. Maethilda felt her stomach turn violently as she grabbed the edge of the boat and pushed herself up, her throat retching as she tried to hold onto Evalean. Rubbing her eyes with her arm, she could see the flag within distance and searched for one more drop of courage.

“Were nearly there!” Maethilda said to Evalean, who was drenched and shivering. “That’s it, come on we can do this Evie! Let’s show them that we are stronger than they believe us to be!”

“I’m scared Maettie, the waves, they are larger than I expected!”

“I won’t allow anything to happen to you Evalean that is a promise do you hear me?”

“I hear you!” Evalean screeched as another wave rushed over them. “What will you do with the soldiers?”

“I don’t know!” Maethilda replied as she wildly rowed with her arm, the boat now a few feet away. She could see that the soldiers were struggling, both holding onto their own boat for dear life. Their eyes upon her, the soldiers brought forth their bows from behind and aimed them in her direction. “Bastards!” she cried out as Evalean turned to her in desperation. “Stay down Evalean!”

“They are shooting at us Maettie!” Evalean cried out as she bent her body down, the large waves protecting her. Maethilda found her knife and turned to her friend.

“Stay in the boat do you hear me?”

“What are you doing?” Evalean cried out as Maethilda flung herself into the violent waters.

“I made you a promise!” Maethilda said as she struggled in the waters, the weight of her clothes pulling her down.

“Not at your expense!”

“Stay in the boat!” Maethilda shouted again before turning away and swimming towards the soldiers. Her legs without feeling and her arms heavy, Maethilda pushed herself onwards, struggling for breathe as she was plunged under the weight of a ferocious wave.

“Some people are born into the world with a mission, I believe you are one of those people…”

Maethilda opened her eyes, and felt the sting and burn as she search the depths of the sea for the boat, stray arrows piercing the waters close to her. The words of Anvin rang in her head as she soared upwards and felt the cold air, her mouth opening wide as she drew in a deep breathe. Behind her she could hear the cries of Evalean and before her she saw the boat within reach. Once more she plunged under the water and swam to the boat, swimming under its belly until she was behind it. Her hands now without feeling, she tried to find the rim of the boat, her hands unable to fix themselves to the boat.

“When you were born the stars shone so brightly that those who slept were brought forth from their dreams, believing the sun to have risen…”

“I am nothing…my life means nothing…”

“Not to those who still believe you to be alive…to them your life means hope...”

Above her Maethilda saw a great streak of lightening as she rose to the surface of the water and fixed her hands to the swaying boat. The red flag danced about roughly as the soldiers were busy striking the waters before them with arrows. With all the energy she could muster, Maethilda swung her knife into the back of the first soldier and heard his cry before striking the other, this time plunging the knife into his back. The second soldier fell from the boat into the water as Maethilda made her way around the rim to where the flag was positioned. Once again using her knife she cut at the rope until the flag came loose and took it within her hand, pushing it into her mouth, her teeth slamming down on the wet material. As she dropped down into the water she felt something strong hit her head, forcing her to fall deep into the water once more, her arms and legs lifeless. As she fell, her lungs aflame she heard the cry of Evalean and tried to lift her hand to reach out, finding she could not she struggled to keep herself alive, her throat widening and her heart beating fast against her chest. As she fell deeper she saw a great white light pierce the waters and with a thud she hit the sea floor, the water suddenly parting away from her body.

*

Her eyes opening slightly, Maethilda felt a pair of strong arms beneath her body as a heady gust over wind passed over her.

“Maettie can you hear me?” came the soft and anxious voice of Evalean. Maethilda opened her eyes once more and found them locking on a pair of brown eyes.

“Aabe?”

He didn’t speak, his face angry and dark, he simply carried her from the parted sea until they came to the beach. Carefully she was lowered down onto the cold sand below.

“I don’t understand how…” she could hear Evalean saying to Aabe.

“There isn’t time for arguments Evalean, help me,” Aabe said sternly as he brought forth a bag. “Do you see the small yellow bottle?” Maethilda could hear Evalean as she shuffled through the bag.

“This one?”

“Yes, give me it quickly,” Aabe commanded, taking the small bottle from Evalean. His eyes fierce, he looked down into Maethilda’s face. “Open your mouth.” Maethilda tried to open her mouth but found she couldn’t. “Here let me,” Aabe soothed as he gently opened her mouth. “Drink this, it will help.” Unable to argue, Maethilda watched as Aabe poured the golden liquid into her mouth. A sudden burning sensation filled her mouth and throat and caused Maethilda to cry out such was the pain. “I know, but it will help you, I promise,” he soothed once more. The burning beginning to fade away, Maethilda felt her body instantly warm, her bones, muscles and skin softening.

“Thank….thank…”

“Quiet now,” Aabe instructed as he turned to Evalean. “Here take a sip.”

“Maethilda! Evalean!” came the cries of Marina, Sabia and Innis as they ran across the beach and too her side.

“Aabe? What the bloody hell are you doing here?” Marina demanded loudly.

“I will explain later, help me to carry Maethilda to your camp quickly,” Aabe returned as he once more lifted Maethilda into his arms. “Keep your weapons drawn.” Maethilda locked eyes with a worried Evalean, who clasped her dangling hand into her own cold hands. It wasn’t long before they reached the camp and Maethilda was once again lowered down onto the sand. Turning from her, Aabe waved his hand over the dead fire and a sudden burst of light and warmth erupted, causing the women to screech with fright. Her body warming, Maethilda sat up, her hands still shaking.

“How…” she began as Aabe turned to her.

“A promise,” he said quietly, his eyes turning to Evalean. Maethilda saw the look that passed between them and understood, he would never have left her, knowing the danger she faced and she was a fool to think he would.

“The flag?”

“ I have it,” Sabia smiled as she brought a satchel of laman over, giving it to Maethilda, who drank deeply from it, coughing hesitantly as she dropped the satchel.

“You have been following us all along?” Innis quizzed Aabe severely.

“I never meant to intervene, but there was no other choice,” Aabe said as he came to Evalean and wrapped a cloak about her, wiping away the strands of short hair that were stuck to her eyes. “Your hair…”

“You don’t like it?” Evalean said quickly, her lashes fluttering anxiously. Maethilda watched on in silence, her own heart pounding with pain.

“It matters not to me if your hair is long or short,” Aabe said quietly as he laid a hand upon her side gently, his other hand upon her face. Maethilda turned away and wrapped her own cloak about her heavily.

“We need to leave this beach before anyone else arrives,” Marina said to Maethilda.

“Yes,” Maethilda whispered under her breathe.

“What you did out there…it was incredibly brave of you…” Marina said gently as she placed a hand upon Maethilda’s shoulder.

“Yes.”

It didn’t take long for the horses to be readied, and soon the company were once more mounted upon them, Aabe riding with Evalean, who had her arms wrapped about his waist and her head lowered upon his shoulder.

“Were to now?” Sabia asked as she lifted her hood over her face and guided her horse through the sand dunes.

“We make for the city of Nor, and to the dungeons of Balem,” Maethilda announced. “Which should take us two days if we ride hard.” Taking the red flag, Maethilda shoved it into her pocket and kicked her stallion Art into a fierce gallop, overtaking Aabe and Evalean, great droplets of water falling upon her head heavily.


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