“What? No!”
Despite Keelor’s protests, Atty took the baby from her and
settled the infant into her carrier.
“Atty, you’re going to get yourself killed! And the baby,
too!”
Atty halted to face her sister. “I don’t expect you to
understand, Kee. Yulen is my life. He is my reason for living.”
“But why take Mistelle with you? She’ll only weigh you
down!” Keelor wrung her hands in frustration and looked to Paxton
to help back her. “This is crazy talk! Warren, tell her she’s
going to get of them both killed!”
Something in Keelor’s voice made Atty pause. Turning, she
glanced at her sister, then at her second to find them exchanging
glances. An undercurrent of emotion flowed between them, and when
realization hit her, it struck like a club to the side of her
head. But instead of saying anything about it, she went back to
making sure her saddle was cinched up tightly on the mare.
“I may question Atty’s actions at times, but I’ve never
doubted her motives,” Paxton informed the young woman. “If she
says Yulen’s in trouble and called to her for help, I believe her
one hundred percent. And I’ll be right beside her to go after
him.”
“But, to take Mistelle? Why would you deliberately
endanger your child?”
Atty abruptly turned to confront her sibling once more,
making sure Keelor saw and understood her determination. “How do
we know for certain that Bloods won’t infiltrate or overtake this
compound while I’m away? I have a connection with my children
almost the same way I can feel my husband. I cannot be miles away
fighting for him and with him, and be struck with the knowledge
that my baby has been killed. Don’t think I made this decision
lightly, but I trust my instincts and my abilities to protect this
babe far better than if I left her here. Plus, she still needs my
milk.” Atty tapped her chest for emphasis. “Not long after Mattox
was born, our compound was overtaken by Yulen’s half-brother. I
sent our son away, thinking it would save him, but we both
suffered. I can’t begin to explain to you how much we both
suffered. I will never make that mistake again.”
“Atty!”
A shout drew Atty’s attention to the Mutah warrior running
up to her. “Word is you’re leaving Wallis to go after the Battle
Lord.”
“That’s right, Serphus. Did you get your orders saying
we’re leaving you in charge of the troops here?”
The man bobbed his head. “Yes, but I’d rather be going
with you.”
Smiling, Atty grabbed the man’s arm and gave it a squeeze.
“I would be honored to have you with us, but I need someone I
trust to handle the reinforcements here. If Balinkar feels you are
best qualified to lead our hunters and warriors in his absence, so
do I. Can I count on you?”
The man gave another nod. “I’ll not let you down. Safe
passage, Atty. To you and the Battle Lord.”
She thanked him as Paxton motioned behind her. “We’ll be
at the east gate when you’re ready.”
“I won’t be long,” she promised and turned back to Keelor
as the second hurried away.
The two sisters stared at each other for several seconds,
until Keelor held out a small package. The young woman was trying
not to break down, but her trembling lower lip betrayed her
feelings.
“Here’s extra nappies and another outfit. Trusha made it,
and I think it’ll be too big on Mistelle, but at least you have
another clean outfit for her.” Before Atty could put the items
into her saddlebag, Keelor wrapped her arms around her sister and
held her tightly. Her whole body shook as she fought the tears. “I
can’t lose you just when I found you.”
Hugging her with one arm, Atty placed a kiss on the
woman’s cheek. “You aren’t losing me.”
“You don’t know that. You can’t promise me that.” Keelor
reared back to stare at her accusingly. Her eyes were red with
unshed tears. “You’re all the family I have left.”
Atty tried to give her a comforting smile and tucked a
strand of hair behind one fairy-winged ear. “Kee, whatever fate
holds for us, we must face it with dignity and bravery. But beyond
that, we must fight for those we hold most dear. For those we love
beyond measure. Yulen is my heart and my very existence. He is my
deepest and only love. You, Mattox, and Mistelle are a part of me,
and I will give my life to protect you. But you must understand
that I cannot sit idly by when my husband calls to me, no more
than I could ignore the cries of my children when they are hungry,
or hurt, or need my attention. You will stay here until it is safe
for you to come to Alta Novis. I don’t know how long that will be,
but when it is, I will send someone to fetch you and bring you
there.” Giving her sister a kiss on the forehead, she disengaged
herself from the woman’s embrace, wrapped the reins around her
hand, and led the mare to the east gate where Paxton and the
others were waiting.
“Which direction?” her second inquired. “Are we heading
for a specific compound? Or going straight to Alta Novis?”
She glanced over to where a guard stood beside the side
doorway which opened out into the wide expanse of cleared ground
surrounding the outer walls. “I’m sensing in the direction toward
Alta Novis, but I’m not so sure—”
Pain sliced through her with burning agony. Atty cried
out, unable to keep herself from falling as she fought to remain
conscious. Darkness fogged her vision as her knees gave way. There
was a hard jerk on her arm when the reins she still clutched
stopped her descent to the ground, but her mind was not aware of
her physical reaction.
More pain, sharp, knifing, went through her. She moan as
she waited for more to come. She didn’t have to wait long. When it
struck her again across her back and bare buttocks, she threw back
her head and screamed.
Arms wrapped around her. Voices filled with concern spoke
to her, yelled at her. Hands shook her. It wasn’t until Mistelle’s
wails filtered through the layers of anguish that she managed to
reemerge into the present. Someone held her up as the reins were
unwrapped from around her wrist, then she was gently sat onto the
ground.
“Atty! Atty!”
She wrapped her arms around her daughter and buried her
face in Mistelle’s sweet warmth. In her baby scent. In the total
innocence squirming in her embrace.
“Atty!” Paxton tried to shake her shoulder. “Atty, speak
to me!”
Shakily, she finally managed to hold up a hand, signaling
for a moment or two to steady herself.
She wiped her face and eyes on the baby’s blanket, but her
emotions remained attuned to wherever her husband was. To the
torture he was enduring. It had felt so real, she wouldn’t be
surprised if she bore superficial marks on her body.
Clutching Mistelle closer to her, she opened herself again
and tried to send Yulen whatever comfort she could, however
small. I’m here, my beloved. I’m here, but not for long. I’m
coming for you. Just hold on. Keep fighting. Stay alive, Yulen!
Stay alive! |