Mercy's Prince (34 page)

The
man riding lead today held up his hand and shouted, “Whoa!” All in their party
halted. Caelis rode forward to confer with the man.

“What
is it?”

He
didn’t answer, merely pointed ahead.

From
their vantage point, the garrison and the Plains of Mohorovia stretched beyond
to the east. Caelis watched, disbelieving, while the plains crawled with an
innumerable company of the Horde. They swarmed toward the garrison as if they
were so many warrior ants attacking a helpless worm.

The
Mohorovians made living siege ladders, allowing the others to crawl upon them
to the parapets. Shortly the gates opened, and the flood of creatures poured
into the garrison. There were so many of them! It would have been easier to
count the grains of sand on the seashore than to count these monsters. Where
had they come from?

The
men in the garrison could never have survived an attack like this. Fear gripped
Caelis by the throat, making his heart pound so hard he suddenly felt
invincible. He wheeled his horse back toward the rest of the men.

“We
must ride to the Keep as fast as we can and warn the king the Horde have
returned!”

“What
about the men in the garrison, Sir Caelis?” The scout came alongside him.

“The
garrison is lost, and we will be too if we don’t get past the Horde.” Drew and
Rafael watched him, clearly frightened, as were the rest of the men. Caelis smiled
grimly. “Come, follow me.”

When
Merry awoke, the darkness was fading. Kieran snored beside her, but Valerian’s
place was empty. Startled, she stood and wondered where he had gone. She decided
to go look for him when he stepped from the trees. He held out a hand to her.

“Come
into the light so I can
See
you.”

Merry
followed him to the edge of the bluff. The sun’s light glowed pink below the
horizon, pushing back the night. She gazed into Valerian’s eyes.

Did
you sleep at all last night?

“Very
little. I felt I should stay awake to make sure no one took us by surprise
again.”

That
wasn’t your fault. I’m just thankful they did not succeed in their evil plans
. Merry swallowed.
I’m
trying to remember what you said. I think even Gabriel would not have thought
me guilty of breaking my Oath
. She lowered her head and tears dripped from
her eyelids.

“I’m
sure you are right about that.” Valerian gently lifted her chin as the sun
peered over the horizon. “Gabriel would have been as pleased with your courage
and quick thinking, as I am.”

Why
would anyone want to kill you?
She hugged Valerian fiercely and he returned
the embrace. He was so good and gentle. Was that the reason evil men wanted him
dead? Because evil could not abide that which was good?
Oh, God Most High
,
she prayed.
Please watch over this prince who wants to do what is right. The
land needs him. And so do I
.

Kieran
cleared his throat, and Merry let go of Valerian when the squire approached.

“Pardon
me for interrupting, Sire, but the horses have wandered off. My guess is they
went tae the river.”

“Then
we’d best go after them.” Valerian grabbed Merry’s hand.

            *         

Within
the hour they were riding southeast, following the river. It grew wider the farther
they traveled. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the air grew a little warmer.

Since
they were no longer on the road, they had to ride single file with Kieran in
the lead and Merry following him. When they reached an open field, Valerian
pulled up alongside Stripe and met Merry’s eyes.

“Do
you need to stop?”

This
looks like a good place for a rest
.

“We
can water the horses and refill our water flasks. Kieran!”

The
squire halted and brought Gilly around.

“Yes,
Sire?”

“Do
you think we’re getting close to the garrison?” Valerian dismounted and helped
Merry down.

“The
last time I could see through a break in the trees, I caught a glimpse o’ the
border cliff. We must be close.” Kieran slid down from Gilly’s saddle. “We
should probably cross the river before it gets any wider. I remember it came
out as a waterfall down the cliff, so the closer we get tae that spot, the
faster the water will move.”

Merry
led Stripe toward the river. Here, at least, the current moved sluggishly, but
the contour of the land and many fallen trees had made almost a pool of this
section of the river. While Stripe drank, Merry kicked off her boots. Even
though the water was cold, she wanted to wash her feet. She knew Valerian and
Kieran would think her silly, but they were used to wearing boots or shoes and
Merry had always gone barefoot.

She
found a shallow place downstream from the area where Stripe now grazed. Here
was a small sandy bank between thick patches of reeds. An overhanging branch
gave her a hand hold. Merry had just stepped into the water when she heard a
roar and a scaly head burst from the water. She had time only to glimpse the
open jaws and jagged teeth before the monster lunged at her.

***

When
Valerian heard the roar, he spun around. A river dragon was attacking Merry! He
ran toward her, drawing his sword just as the monster clamped down on her leg. Before
it could drag her into the water, Valerian swung the blade around and drove it
into the dragon’s eye. It bellowed, showing bloody teeth as it released Merry’s
leg. Valerian lifted the sword and chopped down with all his strength upon the
creature’s neck, partially severing its head. Green blood spattered Valerian
before the remains sank beneath the water.

Kieran
was there, pulling Merry away from the river. Blood gushed from her leg, and
Valerian pulled off his belt, removing the scabbard. He tightened it around
Merry’s thigh with a grunt, slowing the blood flow but not stopping it.

Behind
them, other river dragons exploded out of the water to fight over the carcass.

“Kieran,”
Valerian shouted. “We have to stop the bleeding!”

Valerian
lifted Merry and carried her to the far side of the clearing, into the trees. He
laid her on a bed of leaves while Kieran brought the horses. The squire took
Merry’s carry sack off Stripe’s saddle and set it on the ground.

“I
know the lass has needles and thread in here,” Kieran muttered. He searched the
sack. “She showed them to me. Ah.” He pulled out a packet and opened it. “I’ll
sew the gash if you’ll wash it out first.” He threaded a needle while Valerian
grabbed a water flask and flushed the deep gash in Merry’s thigh just above the
knee.

She
was lucky her leg was so slender and the dragon’s teeth were so widely spaced. Otherwise,
it would have bitten off her leg. Still, she had lost a lot of blood. Too much
for someone so small.

Kieran
sewed the gash as quickly as he could. Blood still seeped between the stitches,
and he pressed on it with a cloth. Merry didn’t even flinch, she was so deeply
unconscious.

Valerian
had a difficult time finding a pulse in Merry’s neck. Her face was pasty white.
Just like Waryn’s had been when he’d died in Valerian’s arms.

“Kieran.”
His voice caught in a sob. “She’s dying.”

“I’ll
get help from the garrison.” Kieran jumped up and grabbed Gilly’s reins. He
swung up in the saddle, wheeled the horse around, and galloped back across the
clearing.

Valerian
lay close to Merry, half on top of her, to give her warmth. He took her head
between his hands and touched his forehead to hers.

“I
can’t Heal you,” he whispered. “But I’m going to hold you here if I can. Merry!
Don’t leave me!”

He
tried as he had the night before to reach out with his Sight and touch Merry’s
soul with his own. She was fading, he could
See
that, and he surrounded
and supported her, filling her with his strength. He was willing to give his
life for hers.

Most
High God, hear me! You’ve kept her through so many trials. Please don’t take
her now. Please, let me save her. Please
.

He
poured his vital force into her and didn’t let up until he
Saw
that she
grew more substantial and he
knew
she wasn’t going to leave him. Then he
slipped into nothingness.

The
next thing he knew strong hands were lifting him away from Merry.

“No!
No!” He struggled against them.

“Your
Highness! Prince Valerian! It’s me, Kieran. We’re taking you to the garrison.
Sir Walter has sent help.”

Valerian
forced his eyes open. Kieran’s face hovered above him. They were in a wagon.

Panicked,
Valerian sat up. Merry lay beside him on a pallet of furs. Though still not
conscious, she had more color in her face.

“She’s
alive.” His voice was hoarse. “Praise the Most High!” Then Valerian fell back,
utterly spent.

Merry
opened her eyes and wondered where she was. She lay in a small bed facing a
window with glass panes. The setting sun cast a rosy glow in the room. Her
right leg throbbed and she forced herself upright, hissing through her teeth. Kieran
sat in a chair beside the bed. When he saw her confusion, he smiled.

“I’ll
bring Valerian here, Merry. He’s sleeping in the next room.” Then he went out
the door.

Merry
pushed back the cover. Beneath her torn riding skirt, a bandage encircled her
right thigh. Only then did she remember the river dragon’s teeth and its red
eyes and its roar.

Valerian
and Kieran entered the room. Valerian sat beside her on the bed. He appeared so
worn she grasped his hand in concern.

Are
you injured?

“No,
but you were. Kieran used your needle and thread to sew you up.”

“I
hope you dinna mind, Merry.”

She
turned to Kieran and out of habit answered him as if he could hear her too.

Of
course I don’t mind. You may use my sewing kit any time
.

“She
says you can use her sewing kit any time,” said Valerian.

Kieran
cocked his head, frowning.

“How
did you know the lass said that, Sire? She was looking at me.”

Merry
met Valerian’s gaze. He stared at her, his eyes wide.

“I
didn’t
See
you, but I heard you just the same.”
Can you hear me now?

She
nodded, her head spinning, which caused the wound in her thigh to throb again.

I
hear you the same whether you speak out loud or in your mind
.

Kieran
broke the silence.

“What’s
happening?”

“I
don’t know,” Valerian said quietly. “Somehow I can hear Merry without having to
See
her, and she can hear me, too.”

“Mind
to mind.” Kieran’s voice was reverent. “Just like the great dragons.”

“You
were dying,” Valerian said to Merry, “and I managed to hold you here. Could our
minds somehow have become joined?”

Yes
, Merry agreed,
remembering. Y
ou were with me.
She closed her eyes
. You are still with
me now, much more than flesh and blood
. She tightened her grip on his hand.
We mustn’t speak without including Kieran, though I would like to explore
this connection further. Just think, I can speak to you even in the dark now.
She
smiled happily.

“Merry!
That’s a real smile, lass.” Kieran grinned.

Please
give him my thanks for helping me be merry after all. And would you ask him how
his head is feeling?

Valerian
told him what she said, and Kieran nodded.

“Thanks
to you, my head feels mended and whole, though me Da would tell ye ’twas ne’er
whole to begin with.”

Valerian
laughed, and his joy mingled with her own. How could either of them ever marry
another?
After all
,
we are already one in heart and soul and mind. All
that remains is to become one flesh
.

Yes,
I was just thinking the same thing
. He brought her hand to his lips.

She
gasped, and her face grew warm.

I
did not mean to share that thought with you. We’ll have to learn how to control
our mind speaking, won’t we?

He
nodded with an understanding smile.

“Merry,”
said Kieran, “are ye hungry?”

Yes,
I am, and I’m sure you are hungry, too
.

Valerian
told him what she said. Kieran shrugged.

“You
know me well, do ye not? But I was just wondering if ye felt up to eating in
the hall with the others.”

What
others? Where are we?

“We’re
at the Southern Garrison. After you were attacked, Kieran rode ahead to get
help.”

“Sorry,
Merry, I forgot to tell ye that part.” Kieran shrugged.

I
don’t know if I can walk. I do need to use the necessary, though
.

Valerian
glanced under the bed.

“No
chamber pot. I’m not surprised, since this is an all-male garrison.”

“I’ll
find something for ye to use.” Kieran saluted Merry with two fingers. When he
left the room, Merry sighed.

My
love, what are we going to do?

“I
know for certain I will never marry Lord Reed’s daughter.” Valerian’s stern
expression softened. “I
will
speak to my father when we reach the Keep. You
are, after all, a royal cousin as well as a southerner, so he can have no
objection.” He smiled.
This is not how I envisioned proposing marriage to
you
.

Nor
I
. She
took a deep breath.

Then
why don’t we wait until you recover and I will do it properly
.

Agreed
. Merry liked this
mind-to-mind communication. It was much faster than spoken words.

Kieran
returned carrying an old bucket.

“The
steward says you can have this.” He set it on the floor beside the cot and
frowned. “Are ye going to be able to use it?”

She
nodded, laying her hand on his arm. Valerian stood.

“We’ll
be just outside the door until you’re finished,” he told Merry.

And
now I can let you know, even from another room.
She waited until they
closed the door after them.

Slowly
Merry swung her legs over the side of the cot, sucking in air at the burning
pain in her thigh. She managed to use the bucket, but her leg was throbbing
worse by the time she finished. While sitting on the edge of the cot, she
started to remove the bandage.

I
have finished
,
she told Valerian.
I’m looking at the wound now
.

He
and Kieran came back in as she exposed the injury. The stitches ran all the way
across her thigh.

Please
tell Kieran he did well with the stitches
. But Merry was alarmed at the angry red
striation on the skin, which indicated infection.
Do river dragons have
poison in their mouths?

Valerian
examined the skin.

I
don’t think so. Does it look like poison?

It
may just be infection. Even so, it can be serious. Is my carry sack here?

“Where
is Merry’s carry sack?” Valerian asked.

Kieran
took it from a peg behind the door.

“Is
something wrong? Are my stitches too tight?”

“No,
she says you did a good job. But there’s infection spreading. River dragons
aren’t poisonous, are they?”

“No,
Sire. Only scavenger dragons have poison in their mouths to help them eat
rotting flesh.” Kieran frowned in concern. “Can I help you, Merry?”

I
need a cup of hot water, not boiling
.

Valerian
told Kieran what she needed, and the squire hurried from the room.

Merry
took out a bundle of dried tongues-of-fire, one that Valerian had taken down
for her when they first met.

Do
you remember?

How
could I forget? I knew you were something out of the ordinary from the
beginning, but I had no idea how much you would change my life
.

For
the better, I hope?

In
every way
.

Kieran
came back with a cup of steaming water. Merry crushed the dried leaves into the
water and let them steep.

“Are
ye making a tea?” When she nodded, Kieran asked, “is that tongues-o’-fire?”

Yes.
How did you know?
Valerian
told Kieran her question.

“When
I was a wee lad I almost died from a fever. I remember my mother giving me teas
made from this herb. Is it for fever as well as infection?”

Merry
nodded, smiling at the image of Kieran as a small boy with tousled black hair.

Tell
Kieran he will soon be a Healer himself
.

After
Valerian relayed her words, Kieran shook his head.

“Never
like you are, but I am interested in learning how tae help sick and hurt people.
And animals.”

Through
Valerian, Merry explained that by the color of the infusion the tea was ready. She
drank all the liquid and then pressed the sodden leaves directly on the gash.

This
, she explained,
will
help draw out the infection
. She took a clean cloth from her carry sack and
made a fresh bandage. When Kieran’s stomach growled, he laughed.

“This
is hungry work, Merry. Will ye be able to go with us, do ye think? ’Tis nearly
time for the evening meal.”

Merry
glanced down at the torn riding skirt.

This
skirt is so shredded I don’t think it can be mended.

“What
about one of those dresses Shannon gave you?” Valerian said. “They’re in my
pack in the next room.”

Merry
sighed when she remembered there were laces in the back.

“What’s
wrong?”

How
are your lacing skills?

Fair,
but why?

I
can put on the dress, but I can’t reach the lacing in the back
.

Oh,
Merry, I’m not sure I trust myself
.

You
wouldn’t hurt the dress even if you managed to break one of the lacings
.

That’s
not what I meant
.
He swallowed, and she felt the intensity of his emotion.
If I were to lace
up the dress, I would later have to unlace it for you to take it off, wouldn’t
I?

Yes,
but
. She
stopped, and her face grew hot.
I see what you mean now
.

“I
have an alternative.” Merry was sure Valerian spoke aloud for Kieran’s sake as
well as to dispel some of their more intimate thoughts. “If Kieran and I carry
you to the hall in a chair, you could hold the riding skirt together. Once you’re
seated at the table, it won’t matter if the pieces come apart.”

“This
one I’ve been sitting in would fit under the table,” said Kieran, slapping the
arm of the chair beside the cot.

Merry
had a thought and covered her smile, but she couldn’t hide the thought from
Valerian.

“So,
Kieran, it appears you and I have been demoted to throne carriers.”

Kieran
bowed low and scooted the chair closer to Merry.

“Then
arise and be seated, Queen Merry, and us lowly throne carriers shall take you
to your subjects.”

Valerian
chuckled while she sat in the chair.

Queen
Merry,
he
said
. I like the sound of that
. He took one chair arm and Kieran took
the other. While they lifted her, Merry held on to the chair with one hand,
leaving the other free to hold her riding skirt together.

***

When
they entered the hall, many of the men were already seated at the trestle
tables. Their conversation ceased at the unusual sight of a young woman coming
to join them, and the even more unusual sight of the prince and his squire
carrying her in a chair. Every man present stood while Merry’s chair was placed
at the head table. Sir Walter grinned and bowed.

“You
certainly know how to make an entrance, Your Highness.” The knight regarded Merry.
“And who is our lovely dinner guest? I was told that your squire came for help
earlier today.”

Valerian
took Merry’s hand and cleared his throat.

“Sir
Walter, may I present Merry from the Village of Peace, who we have discovered
to be my royal cousin. I am taking her with us to the Keep.”

“A
royal cousin? How interesting.” Sir Walter took Merry’s hand and lightly kissed
it. “Welcome to the Southern Garrison, my lady.”

He
called me ‘my lady.’  Why did he say that?

It’s
a term of respect. And since you are a royal cousin, it is technically what you
should be called. Lady Merry
.

Oh
. She smiled at the
knight.

“Are
you recovering from your injuries?”

She
nodded. Sir Walter turned to Valerian with a puzzled look.

“Merry
is unable to speak, Sir Walter. However, she is able to speak to my mind, so if
there is anything you’d like to ask her, I can relate her answer to you.”

“Your
Highness? Do I understand you correctly that you and the lady can speak mind to
mind? How is that possible? I thought only the great dragons could so
communicate.”