Chapter Fifteen:

Navihm had refused to return to the Nomad’s camp on the journey back, not wanting the face Ira, so the small group were headed directly back to the school. They had been on the road for less than an hour when Navihm stopped them. Something was bothering him. He realised that he had unconsciously been feeding a small amount of his awareness into the earth, drawing from the ground’s strength and comforting solidness. It had been an exhausting few days. They’d stayed at the Ninth for almost a week after the battle. Navihm had been tending to the wounded, healing non-stop since the death of Bohan. Keeping busy had helped distract him from his grief and guilt and the exhaustion he’d pushed himself towards everyday meant that he slept as soon as he lay down, without nightmares.

While connected to the earth with his elemental magic, Navihm had sensed a disturbance, much like when someone crossed a ward.

“Someone is coming,” he said when his cousin questioned why he stopped so suddenly.

“How do you know?” Hart asked.

“Look at the cloud of dust,” he replied, pointing to a thin haze of dust, visible behind them. He neglected to mention that he only looked for the telltale signs of passage through the desert because he was monitoring his surroundings with a strange blend of his elemental and spirit powers. He hadn’t even known that was possible. Perhaps it was simply intuition, not his magics, warning of approaching danger.

The group spread out to meet the incoming riders. As they got closer, it became apparent that it was a lone rider, moving quite swiftly. Pushing a horse that much in the desert meant only that the rider didn't mean to go very far. There wasn't any settlements in this direction, Navihm’s group could be his only destination. Still, one rider hardly constituted a threat and Navihm couldn’t sense any malicious intent from his aura. They let him approach.

“Enfeitar Navihm!” the rider called out. Now that he was upon them, Navihm could see he wore Nomad clothing. He recognized him as a messenger for Sachem Ahmet.

“What is going on?” demanded Hart.

“I have a message for Enfeitar Navihm,” said the rider. “It arrived at our camp by bird. It is urgent.” He dismounted and offered a piece of paper to Navihm. The rest of the group followed his example and dismounted.

Hart watched his cousin anxiously as he read the message. He knew it had to be important if the Sachem felt the need to send a rider out at full speed during the hottest part of the day in the desert. Hart didn't think it would be good news. This suspicion was confirmed as he watched the colour drain out of his cousin’s face and rage thread through his aura.

“Nav?” Hart placed his hand on Navihm’s shoulder. “What is it?”

Navihm’s only response was to shove the letter towards Hart, draw his sword and stalk out into the desert. They watched silently as he march off furiously, hands clenched so tightly around his sword hilt that his knuckles were white.

Hart skimmed the letter, going as pale as his cousin.

“Navihm’s mother and his betrothed have been attacked by assassins,” he said gravely. “They survived, but we don't know if they will be attacked again.”

“Why would they have been attacked?” asked Professor Ward.

“They are the only family Navihm has in the First,” said Hart, re-reading the letter. “It must be because of him. The only reason someone could have for attacking them both is revenge against Navihm for his part in what happened during the invasion.”

“That captive did escape,” said the Professor, remembering what Sachem Ahmet had said in the war council meeting. “The enemy would be aware of what Navihm did.”

“I don't understand,” said Rose. Hart turned to look at her. “Navihm’s engaged?”

Hart was struck dumb for a few breaths. “You’ve been traveling with him for over a month and attended the same school for weeks and you didn't know he was engaged?” he said when he finally found his voice. “How many times has he been congratulated on his bonding? What did you think that meant?”

Rose shrugged helplessly.

“You didn't think to ask?”

“No.”

Hart pressed his palms into his eyes in frustration. “Navihm is engaged to be married to Regina Kaia of the First, daughter of Rei Amias of the First,” he explained slowly. “She was just attacked and almost killed, along with his mother, Prophet Healani of the First.” Hart could hardly believe that he needed to spell this out so plainly. Everyone else seemed to be aware of these facts. Not one other member of the small group of Ianterrans looked the slightest bit shocked at the news of Navihm’s engagement.

“Navihm’s engaged to a Princess?” said Rose, bewildered by the turn of events. Hart threw up his hands. This stupid Lowlander seemed to focus on the most ridiculous things. She didn't seem the in the least bit concerned about Kaia and Navihm’s mother being attacked. He got the impression that Roses priorities were completely skewed towards her own self interests. He didn't have time to deal with her. He left the others to talk amongst themselves and walked over to where Navihm was. He was crouched on the balls of his feet with the tip of his sword driven into the sand and his forehead resting on the pommel.

“I am not okay, if that is what you were going to ask.” Navihm didn’t bother opening his eyes. Hart looked at the way Navihm was grinding his teeth together and taking in deep calming breaths.

“I can see that,” he said, crouching next to Navihm. “This isn't your fault, you know.”

Navihm glared at him out of the corner of his eye. Hart could tell that he didn’t believe that. He put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“This isn't your fault,” Hart repeated. “You know that your mother and Kaia would say the same thing.”

“They were almost hurt, or worse because of me,” Navihm said quietly, staring off at the horizon.

“It wasn’t because of you Nav. You did the right thing.” Navihm didn't quite finch at his cousin's gentle tone.

“Maybe if I-”

“This isn't your fault, Nav,” Hart cut him off. “Stop trying to take on this responsibility. The only thing we can do now is go home and make things right. The Rei’s letter said that he was unsure that all the assassins were caught, we need to get back to the First and make sure they are safe.” Navihm nodded. The sharp lance of fear had settled to a dull ache of worry, nestling itself behind Navihm’s tired eyes.

“We should head along the coast,” he said. “It will be a much easier ride than the desert and we can comfortably push our horses harder. We can catch a boat from the Tenth and travel upriver almost to the First’s doorstep.”

“Good idea,” said Hart, standing up and shaking off the sand that clung to his knees. “Take a few minutes on your own, I will go and tell the others the plan.”

Hart walked over to where the others were milling about, looking nervously over at Navihm, and explained their change in destination.

“I understand if you need to return to your school,” he said to the Ianterrans. “But Navihm and I won't be able to escort you.” Professor Ward took out a map, tracing the route Hart described.

“This doesn't actually go too far out of our way,” said the Professor. “Not if you take into account the time it would save travelling along the coast and by boat. I think it would be best if we accompanied you. It is not a good idea for us foreigners to travel through your country without a translator or guide. Besides, I think we are all worried for the safety of Navihm’s family.” All the guards nodded in agreement. Perhaps they could be of some assistance in keeping his family safe.

Navihm chose that moment to return to where the others were standing.

“We are going with you, Navihm,” said Hue, mounting his horse.

“Thank you,” said Navihm, bowing deeply in gratitude to each member of the group.

“There is no need for that, my boy,” said Professor Ward, mounting up also. “We need to get a move on!” Navihm nodded and took the lead towards the North coast.

It was a long way to the First and Navihm wasn’t going to waste any time getting there.

Three days later, Hue and Navihm found themselves alone by the campfire. Most of the others had already disappeared into their tents, exhausted by the hard travel. It was Hue’s turn to keep watch and he was making himself comfortable in his wadded up bedroll. Navihm liked to keep at least one person on guard during the night; there were plenty of people around these parts who would recognise his wards for what they were. There was always a chance that one of these people would be powerful and skilled enough to break his wards without alerting him. Thus, the guard schedule.

Navihm was busy making up a new ward. It was taking him much longer than usual to tie the bits of red fabric on the ends of the twigs. He was struggling to force his tired eyes to focus and his fingers were clumsy with fatigue. He’d made a ward at the beginning of their journey three days ago but it was already dead. His wards usually lasted a week and when questioned by the others, he’d said that this particular ward had died quicker because there wasn't as much life in the desert foliage he’d used.

The truth of the matter was that Navihm was tired.

He was bone weary and his magic dwelling in his wells was running lower than he’d ever sensed before. He’d been constantly drawing energy from his surroundings but it wasn't enough to keep up with the rough travel and sleepless nights he’d been enduring.

Navihm fumbled, dropping the stick he’d been working on. Before he was able to pick it up Hue was there, handing it to him.

“Thank you,” Navihm said, grateful for more than just the stick. Hue had always been someone Navihm could rely on, but the past few days, he’d stepped up, seeing Navihm’s need. He’d taken on extra duties around the camp, kept Rose from causing too much trouble with the very personal questions she wanted to plague Navihm with and helped Professor Ward keep up with the others. He’d been struggling with the extra travel they were forced to do each day. The watch Hue was doing that night was actually originally the Professor’s, but Hue had elected to take it so the older man could get some more sleep.

“How are you feeling?” Hue asked Navihm, noting the dark circles under his eyes. Hue picked up a stick and began helping him.

“Worn,” Navihm said. That was putting it mildly. Hue doubted he had gotten a full night’s sleep in the last week. He looked like death warmed over.

“Are you close with your mother?” Hue asked, changing the subject. Navihm had said little about his mother and betrothed the last few days, even though they were the reason for their journey.

“Yes.” Navihm smiled fondly. It was his first smile in days. “Very close. I don't have a father, you see. It has just been me and her.”

“My father left a few years back,” Hue said softly. The two just sat together for a moment in melancholy comradery.

“I miss my mother,” said Hue finally. “I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to her or my sisters before I left. They live three days ride from the school, you see.”

“Do you get many chances to visit?”

“No. The school guards only get one day off a week. I’ve only gone home once since I started work.” Navihm placed one hand on Hue’s shoulder. “The mages say that little Abilene is gifted. She’s only fourteen but I needed to start thinking about how we can afford her tuition. Being a guard at the school will help her get in.”

“Is Abilene your sister?”

“Yes.” Hue smiled and added a piece of wood in the fire. “She will be turning fifteen in the winter.”

The two were silent for a moment before Hue deliberately shook off his homesickness.

“Tell me more about your mother,” Hue asked Navihm. Navihm chuckled softly.

“Where should I start?”

I couldn't find a good place to break this chapter up so its going up as one piece again.

Let me know what you think of the direction the story is taking. Did you see this coming?