Ch 54: The Fleeing Of The Two Flames

Astasha and Helia had rode in silence as fast as they could for as long as the horses could handle, their senses on high alert, watching, listening, and feeling for any sign of an enemy. It was difficult going between dodging trees, and avoiding fallen logs and large rocks, not to mention there was little way of knowing exactly how far they had gone not having the road to follow.

Light was just beginning to creep into the world when they finally slowed to give their steeds a break. Neither could sense anything to cause immediate worry, and so they dismounted by a small stream and let the horses rest and drink.

“How far do you think we are from Brecken?” It was the first Astasha had spoken aloud in hours and her voice was dry. She dipped her hands in the water, bringing it to her mouth before splashing the rest on her face. She didn’t know how long she had been awake, but it was only a matter of time before the adrenaline of everything wore off and exhaustion set it.

Helia joined her at the stream. “It’s a day’s ride by road, so we should be there by midday.”

Astasha sighed. Broad daylight was the last thing they needed when they reached the little farming village. Alas, there was nothing that could be done about it. They were still too close to the castle to set up camp and wait until dark. They needed to get to the watch post Talib had told them about. There, they could put up protective wards and warnings, and they would have the river between them and anyone coming.

“I know it will add time, but we should take a wide berth around. No doubt Alaric will have watches posted at every town within a day’s journey of the palace.” Continued the older fire witch.

She was right, of course. There was no doubt the High Council would use every resource available to find them. They could only hope that Calder would find a way to convince them to put their efforts toward the true enemy instead. And since there was no way of knowing if he had, this was the way they would have to continue indefinitely.

Cal. She had been trying desperately not to think about him as they rode, but she couldn’t help but feel the magical tether from time to time, pulling behind her. The emotions she had felt had been so overwhelming, she didn’t know where hers ended and his began. But now was not the time to give into them.

“We should get going then.” She said, trying to push her thoughts aside. “Otherwise we’ll be crossing the river in the dark.”

Helia simply nodded in agreement.

The sun was indeed high in the sky when the trees started to thin. They turned their horses Southeast, following the forest line for a ways, before daring to break through the line out into the open. North of them they could make out the little farming community. And East of them, open plains and fields for as far as they could see.

“Right.” Said her companion. “We ride hard and don’t stop until we reach the river. Should worse come to it, you go on, no matter what.”

Astasha looked at the woman next to her. To think not long ago she had dared to believe she could be the enemy. Now here she was, ready to sacrifice herself to give her a fighting chance.

“Then let us hope it doesn’t come to that.” Was all she said. If it did, she knew Helia was right, though she couldn’t bring herself to outwardly admit it.

The two spurred their horses and were off, bolting into the sunlight and through the grasslands.

For a short moment, Tasha dared to think they might make it without notice. But the screech of a hawk overhead drew her attention behind her and her heart sank. Trackers.

Three mounted men were behind, racing after them at breakneck speed. Though there was a distance between them, she knew they had no chance should they continue their pursuit.

She had to think fast.

“Helia! Behind!”

The older woman turned her head to see. “I sense no magic! Must be hired hands.” She called back. “I’ll stay and hold them off.”

“No!” Yelled Astasha before Helia could rear her steed. “I have an idea.”

There was no knowing the extent of the damage it would cause, or the hardships it might put upon the villagers, but a good earth sorcerer could help mend the harm should they ask, and she knew the King would send one. At least that was what she told herself to ease her conscience.

“Their horses are rested, they will gain on us. We must act now.” Said Helia.

She knew she was right. The poor beasts that bore them were foaming at the mouth with fatigue already. There was nothing else for it. They needed to stop their pursuers.

“A wall of fire. Two flames, opposite directions. We start here and split off, spreading it outward before we meet back together.” The fields were lush, but the grass would still burn from a witch’s fire.

The other sorceress thought for a moment. “It might delay them, but not for long.”

“Long enough to get to the river if we enchant it.”

Helia shook her head. “Only another sorcerer could put it out.”

Yes, the damage would be immense by that time. The foundations of Astasha’s morals begged her to surrender, to spare the villagers the torment she was about to unleash upon them. But a small part of her mind whispered of what might befall them if she couldn’t stop this dark mage and her demon pets. They were far enough from any homes, only crops would be in danger.

“Let us hope they find one quickly then, but not quick enough to catch us before we have made our crossing.” Her mind was set. She couldn’t leave Helia behind, but she couldn’t risk being caught. This was the best solution without more time to think.

“We’ll have to send the flames onward, or they’ll just ride round them.”

Tasha nodded once and then adjusted her grip to hold on with one hand, using the other to draw her power to her fingertips.

Both sorceresses called fire to their palms, and with a nod to one another, unleashed it behind them, veering off from one another, a burning barrier erupting as they went.

Once she had gone a decent distance, she released her spell, and watched for a moment as the fire continued to spread, before turning back to reunite with Helia.

Curses and the whinnying of horses could be heard behind them and they knew their plan had worked.

Glancing over her shoulder, Astasha could make out the three men attempting to find a way past the flames, but to no avail.

“We should break South now, while they are distracted, then turn back East to cross the river closer to the post.” Said Helia.

“Let us just hope they don’t think to look there.”

They turned South, hoping their change in course would throw the riders off their trail, and continued on.

When finally all they could see was smoke in the distance, they veered back to their original direction.

The horses were beginning to falter, and Astasha found herself praying to the Goddess and Gods that they would make it before they refused to gallop any further, or worse, collapsed altogether.

The sun was growing low when she felt the surge of energy from a water source nearby.

“We’re close.” Helia must have sensed it too.

Before much longer, the river came into view, and they dared to slow as they searched for a spot they could cross.

Finally, they found an area where the waters were calmer. It was wider in berth, but shallower, and they urged the animals down the embankment.

“Pity Sorceress Norelle isn’t with us. She’s a tiny thing, but her powers are strong enough she could probably slow the waters to a crawl.” The older fire witch said as she chuckled lightly.

They took the crossing slowly, and once or twice Astasha feared she would find herself submerged in the river as her mount stumbled. Eventually, however, they made it safely to the other side and paused to let the poor animals drink.

“How much further do you think the post is?” She asked.

Helia shook her head. The light was almost gone, making it difficult to see far ahead. “Can’t be much. We couldn’t have ridden past it.”

The exhaustion was beginning to set in, and Tasha’s entire body hurt from riding so hard for so long, but she forced herself to hold on as they urged the horses to continue.

Time had become warped for her, and she tried to piece together all that had happened in what she realized was such a short amount of time. She thought back to that morning, when Cal had returned, and it seemed like the far distant past. Just as he seemed so far and distant from her now.

She felt the tether pulling her back, toward him, and she longed to be in his arms, to be hidden away in the Queen’s chambers, free from the shackles that bound them apart.

What a different life that would be, had her mother bore her of a different man, free to love the one she wished, to live how she desired. But dwelling on that wouldn’t change where she found herself now.

It was all too much. She felt the burden of it all weighing on her, pulling her down, and she longed to simply give up.

But as the despair began to settle, and the thought of giving in and surrendering to it began to take hold, a looming mass appeared in the darkness before them.

The guard’s post.

They had made it.