CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The Road from Kyros to Escator, the Central Kingdoms

M aximilian had left Malat in Kyros without any clear idea what to do. He felt completely, stupidly useless. His wife had been taken from him, and he had no idea how best he might save her. Egalion had organized the Emerald Guard into a search of the area between Kyros and the inn, but they had discovered nothing. Maximilian was not surprised. Ishbel and her kidnappers must be far, far away by now.

But in what direction?

And who?

What could he do?

Nothing. Nothing, and that infuriated Maximilian more than anything. What a worthless husband he was!

He could not protect his pregnant wife and keep her safe. He could do nothing to rescue her. He was leagues and leagues from home and friends, and, because of the series of events from Margalit to Kyros, no one wanted to lend him aid, or even a sympathetic ear.

And Ishbel didn’t even have her ring.

If Ishbel had been wearing the ring, then Maximilian would have had a good sense of where she was, in which direction. The rings bound each other and their wearers.

But Ishbel had given hers back to Maximilian.

From hopelessness, Maximilian succumbed to anger. Why had he not insisted she wear the damned ring?

From anger, Maximilian swung back to guilt as he remembered how badly he’d treated Ishbel after Borchard’s death. She had not been responsible. She had become yet another victim.

What memories would she have to carry her through her ordeal? His hard, judgmental face?

Everyone in his party left Maximilian alone as much as they could. Not even Garth dared engage him in conversation.

After three days of useless snarling and hanging about the inn from where Ishbel had been taken, Maximilian made the decision to return to Escator as fast as possible. He could do nothing here, and at least in Escator he’d have more resources, plus the advice of Vorstus, who Maximilian realized he needed to speak to very badly, as much as he disliked and distrusted the man.

And he’d be home.

If without his wife.

Maximilian and his party had just reached the western fringes of the Kyrrian lands when, at noon on a lovely warm day, eight Icarii landed on the road before them.

“StarWeb!” Maximilian cried, dismounting and striding out to meet her. He grabbed her shoulders, hugged her, then kissed her on the cheek.

“Thank the gods,” he said.

“Maxel?” she said. “What has happened?”

“Ishbel has been taken. Gods, almost three weeks back. I have no idea where she is. StarWeb, I need you to—”

“Maxel! Stop a moment…what is going on? I am here because not a week ago Lixel rode into Ruen with a tale that none of us could believe. Murders, accusations against you…and now Ishbel? Taken?”

Egalion and Garth had now joined Maximilian, and both greeted StarWeb and the other Icarii warmly.

“Ishbel was kidnapped from my side almost three weeks ago,” said Maximilian, “by men pretending to be Malat’s soldiers. I have no idea where she is, but now that you’re here—”

“That woman is nothing but trouble,” StarWeb muttered.

“She’s pregnant, StarWeb.”

StarWeb glanced sharply at Maximilian at that, but did not comment.

“We can use your wings and eyes,” Egalion said. “If you—”

“Almost three weeks?” said StarWeb. “She’s likely to be dead by now.”

Maximilian winced. He finally seemed to realize the presence of the other Icarii behind StarWeb, and greeted them, apologizing for his tardiness.

“You are distracted, Maximilian,” said one of them, a blue-and-silver birdman called BroadWing EvenBeat. “Remembering your manners is surely a low priority right now.” He looked at Egalion. “This is a mess.”

“Aye,” said Egalion. “Please, if you can aid us—”

“We will do what we can,” said BroadWing, “and be glad of it. You have made a ground search of the area about Kyros, yes?”

“Yes,” said Maximilian. “I do not think her anywhere near Kyros.”

“Then where?”

“Either north or south,” Maximilian said. “They would not take her toward Escator, and I think it unlikely they would take her back toward the troubles in the Central Kingdoms. But which? I can’t decide which way to—”

“We will divide up,” said BroadWing. “I will lead four of my fellows south, and EverNest can take two north. Maximilian, try not to worry. One of us shall find her.”

“Ishbel is trouble,” said StarWeb. “Too much trouble.”

“For gods’ sakes, StarWeb,” Maximilian said. “She is pregnant. Does that mean nothing to you?”

Garth thought Maximilian’s judgment of character had been severely clouded by his anxiety if he thought he could speak such words to his only-barely former lover. StarWeb didn’t like Ishbel, was jealous of her, and would resent the fact she was pregnant. Icarii found it difficult to achieve a pregnancy, and that Ishbel had managed it so quickly would not endear her to StarWeb at all.

Suddenly Garth wondered if it was a good idea sending StarWeb to find Ishbel, after all.

“Maxel—” he began.

“We’ll leave immediately,” said BroadWing. “Maximilian, we will do all we can, I promise.”

Maximilian nodded, but there was no hope in his eyes. “Thank you,” he said.

[ Part Five ]