The King's Executioner Page 8

  “Paine!”

  He turned and looked past her. The Drust would have had to travel all night to have caught up with them, unless... Were there more following them than the troop that had passed them?

  Anin turned to Paine. She did not say the obvious—there was no place for them to run.

  His arm shot around her. “Wrap your arms around my neck and bury your head against my chest and do not let go.”

  As she did, he shouted something to Bog, then his arms clamped tightly around her and he pitched them to the side, sending them tumbling down the ridge. She squeezed her eyes closed tight and kept her head buried against his chest. His legs captured hers in a tight grip once they went over the edge, stopping hers from flailing about.

  Her body was battered by stones, twigs, and forest debris, though not as badly as it would be if Paine was not locked tightly around her. She held on with all her strength, fearful of being ripped away from him.

  They finally rolled to a stop, Paine asking anxiously, “Anin?”

  Not sure how she felt, though knowing they had no time to waste, she gathered her wits and breath about her and said, “I am good, and you?”

  “I am fine,” he said, getting quickly to his feet, then reaching down to help her up. He held her steady as he glanced up along the hill to the ridge. It had been a long fall, but a necessary one. The Drust warriors stood along the edge, staring down at them.

  They were a foreboding sight, their whole bodies covered in drawings with cloths wrapped around their waists, being their only garments. Some held their long spears high while others rested the weapon by their sides, but all eyes glared down on Paine and Anin.

  Anin’s glance had followed Paine’s and she stood shocked at the frightening sight. “Where did so many come from?”

  “I do not know, but they are determined to see that we do not reach Pictland.”

  “Why do they stay where they are? Why do they not run down at us?”

  “They will not follow where we go.”

  “Why?” Anin asked, knowing there were areas in the Highlands no one dared to tread, not even the bravest of warriors and the thought sent a shiver through her.

  He nodded behind her.

  Anin turned. A short distance away was the edge of a forest and carved in the trees were symbols, warning anyone who approached to stay away, not enter. None were welcome there. It was the home of the Giantess.

  “They wait,” Paine said, nodding up at the Drust warriors. “We either fight them or enter the forest.” He stretched his hand out around them. “You can see there is no way out except through the forest or back up the hill to the ridge and the waiting Drust, though their spears will stop us long before we reach the top.

  Anin looked around the small clearing where they stood. They were trapped. To one side rose thick rock that reached to the top of the hill, while the surrounding area was all forest.

  Anin had heard tales of the Giantess, a not so benevolent divine being, and her home. Her father would sometimes tell tales to all in the feasting house. She recalled one such tale. It would always begin with her da saying that King Talon’s strength was beyond that of any mortal man. All would nod their heads in agreement. Her da would go on to say how the King could tame the wild beasts, calm an angry sea and that the land would tremble in fear when he walked upon it. Some joined in shouting out how the King could split a man in two with one single blow of his mighty sword and that he rode a beast of a stallion that no one could go near but him.

  It was, however, the tale of King Talon surviving his time with the Giantess that impressed everyone the most.

  “Is it tale or truth that King Talon entered the home of the Giantess and survived?” she asked Paine.

  “Truth. That is why some believe him more a God than mortal man, for they feel the Giantess blessed him with remarkable powers and allowed him to walk among mortals. Others believe she spared him, but cursed him for intruding on her home.”

  “What curse did she place on him?”

  “You can ask the Giantess yourself if you are unlucky to meet her.” Paine took her arm, cast one last look at the Drust warriors staring down at them, and hurried her along into the forest, Bog following behind, his ears back, his tail down, and a low growl rumbling in his chest.

  Chapter Ten

  Paine did not have to tell Anin to remain close. She pressed herself so tightly against his side that he wondered if he would ever be able to remove her. He could not blame her. The forest was denser than any he had ever passed through. Even if there was not an overcast sky, the trees and foliage was so thick he doubted the sun could break through them. That made it difficult to determine direction and with none but King Talon, that Paine knew of, having traveled this way no clear path had been forged.

  “How do you know where to go?” she asked as his confident steps took them deeper into the forest.

  “There are signs.”

  In her fear, she had forgotten about the signs that could guide you on your path. Her mum had taught her about them and she had learned quickly. Her mum had been proud. What she had not told her mum was that the woods had more secrets to share. The trees whispered to her and the birds and animals helped to guide and warn. Even the spiders helped, spinning their webs on the south side of trees. She never feared getting lost in a forest, but then that truly was not her present fear.

  She feared the Giantess and feeling no such fear in Paine, she asked, “Do you not fear the Giantess?”

  “No. She either allows us to pass or I slay her.”

  She felt not a trace of fear or sorrow in him. He would kill without thought, without repentance. That was his task. To take the last breath from a person and it seemed not to disturb him at all.

  Bog walked beside her, his steps cautious and his eyes watchful.

  She remained silent as they continued on and was reluctant to let go of Paine when he stopped every now and then. When he squatted down to examine several rocks, she knew what he was looking for... how thick the moss was on one side. The side that got the least sun would always have the most moss growing on it and that would be the north side. Though, with little sun getting passed the dense trees it might be difficult to tell.

  While Anin waited, she decided to silently call out to the trees and request their help. She would do the same of the animals and birds. Though, before she did, she decided it was only fitting to acknowledge the person whose home they had entered without permission.

  Anin closed her eyes and spoke silently. Giantess, please forgive us for intruding on your home. It was a necessity or we would not have been so rude as to enter without your permission. We wish you no harm nor do we wish to disturb your peaceful dwelling. We would be most grateful if you allow us to pass through without incident. Blessings to you.

  “What are you doing?”

  Anin opened her eyes to see Paine standing directly in front of her. “Making a silent offering to keep us safe.”

  “You were not silent.” He took a step closer, keeping his voice to a whisper. “You did not speak in your familiar tongue.”

  Her brow wrinkled. “That is not possible. I know no other tongue.”

  “It was unfamiliar to me.”

  “It was probably nothing more than mumbles.”

  Paine did not argue with her. She had spoken clearly and he had heard her clearly. He would think on it when there was time since it was another piece to the secret that was Anin. Her mum had been too anxious to keep Anin from wedding the King. The Girthrig Tribe had always been loyal to the King and it should have been an honor for Anin’s mum to see her daughter become Queen.

  He would gather what pieces he could on Anin and present them to the King. It would be the King’s decision after that. Why did that thought disturb him?

  Paine shook his head. “We need to keep going and be out of these woods as soon as possible.” He instinctively reached out for her hand.

  Anin took it without hesitation and continued on,
Bog keeping close to Anin’s side.

  Anin always felt the trees whispering to her whenever she walked in the woods, but these trees did not merely whisper. They were clear voices, guiding her.

  Watch where you step.

  Go to the right of the large oak.

  A stream waits ahead, passed the hedge and around the pine.

  Drink your fill, then rest.

  Anin tugged at his hand to go right at the towering oak tree. “We must go this way.”

  “Why?” Paine asked, stopping.

  Anin remained silent for several moments, wondering how to explain to him what she was hearing, when Bog began to sniff the air. “I thought I heard a running stream and I believe that is what Bog smells.”

  She tugged at his hand again and he followed. His curiosity grew as he watched as she turned at a hedge, as if she knew her way, and went around a large pine to bring them to a flowing stream.

  “How beautiful,” Anin said, admiring the graceful curves as the stream meandered along stone banks with lovely purple heather hugging the stone. Slim birch trees were plentiful and an overcast sky seemed like a brilliant sun after the darkness of the surrounding forest.

  They heard Bog lapping up water and saw that he had followed a path that took him to a sandy section where it met the stream.

  Paine and Anin hurried along to drink of the cool water.

  He finished before Anin and waited until she was done before asking, “How did you know this was here?” When it appeared she was not sure how to answer, he reminded her of what she had once told him. “You favor the truth from me, so I ask the same of you.”

  If she trusted him, why did she hesitate to answer him? She could not say and that troubled her all the more. Since meeting Paine, things had begun to change. Her secret, as her mum called it, was growing stronger and she no longer could hide it away... and she did not want to. She was beginning to realize that the secret was a natural part of her. How or why, she could not answer, but perhaps one day that secret would be revealed to her.

  “Your delay in responding makes me think you keep something from me or is it that you do not truly trust me?”

  Bog’s head turned at the same time Paine’s did.

  “Footfalls,” Paine whispered and Bog growled.

  Fright gripped Anin. “Could the Drust have followed us?”

  “Anything is possible, though I doubt they follo—” He suddenly pushed her flat on the ground, going down with her. “Drust.”

  She saw his lips move more than heard his whisper.

  He used his hands to tell her to stay there that he would be back for her. She thought it odd that she did not argue with him that she felt safe with him leaving her there. She nodded and kept her eyes on him as he disappeared into the dark forest.

  She waited, not moving, and listened for any sounds.

  “What are you doing there kissing the ground?”

  Anin bolted to her feet at the sound of the raspy voice and was shocked to see a short, slim, old woman, leaning on a wooden staff a head taller than herself. Her gray hair was sparse and hung untamed around her face and shoulders and her garments were worn. Her round face was abundant with wrinkles, yet her blue eyes appeared young and vibrant.

  “Hiding,” Anin responded and quickly asked, “Who are you?”

  “Who are you hiding from and I am a guest here, are you?” the old woman leaned heavily on her staff as she shuffled over to a flat rock on the stone bank and sat.

  “The Drust,” Anin said, wondering how the old woman could be a guest of the Giantess. It was not as though the Giantess welcomed with open arms.

  “Bah,” the old woman said with a wave of her hand. “The Drust are too afraid to come here.”

  Anin was relieved to hear that.

  “Are you a guest?” the old woman asked again.

  Anin shook her head. “I am sorry to say we entered without permission, which we never would have done if there was any other way.”

  “That was rude of you.”

  Her scolding tongue had Anin wincing. “It was rude, and I am sorry, but we were left with little choice, and I mean no harm to anyone here.”

  “What of the warrior with you?”

  “He intends no harm as long as no harm is done to us.”

  “Why would harm be done to you? I told you the Drust fear this place. So who would harm you?”

  “I am unfamiliar with this forest, so I cannot say what might await us here.”

  “Why did you not speak the truth to the warrior when he asked?”

  “You heard us speaking?”

  “I hear everything,” the old woman said with a cackling laugh.

  Anin wondered who the woman was, though she had a feeling that the woman did not intend to tell her.

  “Why not tell him the forest speaks to you?”

  Anin eyes turned wide. “How do you know?”

  The old woman ignored her question and demanded, “Why not tell him? Do you fear what he will think? What he will say?”

  Did she fear how he would respond? She sat on a rock beside the old woman. “My mum warned me against speaking about it.”

  “Bah, pay her no heed. She knows not what she speaks.”

  “She is my mum. She cares about my well-being.”

  “Then she should encourage you to discover yourself, not hide away.”

  “I do not hide.”

  The old woman laughed again. “You hide from yourself. You hide from how you feel for the warrior, you hide from how you have yet to understand and accept how you feel about him, and you hide how you rely on the warrior to protect you when you have the courage and skill to protect yourself. You hide from everything instead of embracing everything.”

  Anin stood and snapped, “You know nothing.”

  The old woman laughed. “The truth will find you whether you want it to or not.” Her laughed suddenly died. “Though, the truth is not something we always want to hear.”

  A chill settled over Anin and she shivered, rubbing her arms.

  “Careful with your foolish fears,” the old woman snapped with annoyance, “or they will lead you to foolish decisions.”

  Annoyed, Anin demanded, “Who are you?”

  “Who are you?” the old woman commanded like a stern Queen.

  Anin obeyed like a dutiful servant. “I am Anin of the Girthrig Tribe and future wife to King Talon.”

  “Are you now? Well, Anin of the Girthrig Tribe and future wife of King Talon, remember what I told you... foolish fears lead to foolish decisions or you will hide and keep secrets for your remaining years.”

  Curious that the woman spoke as if she could see the future, she asked, “Are you a seer?”

  “I am no such lowly creature,” she said offended.

  It struck Anin then, her eyes turning wide as she stared at the old woman. Was it possible? With nervous breath, she said, “You are the Giantess.”

  “Finally, you realize who I am, unlike that fool Talon.”

  “I would think the King expected—”

  “A giant woman,” she snapped. “And the fool thought he would subdue or slay me and forever be remembered in endless tales, proving his prowess. He learned well his mistake. I gave him more prowess with his sword than he needs.” She grinned pleased with herself.

  Another shiver took hold of Anin. Did the Giantess know Paine thought to slay her if she did not let them pass through?

  “Do not worry over your man. I will not harm him. I have no interest him. Death walks too closely to him.”

  “Yet you have made yourself known to me. Why?”

  “You will discover why when you allow yourself to be who you truly are.”

  “Your words make no sense to me.”

  “One day they will make perfect sense.” The old woman stood. “When you find your true courage it will help the executioner find his courage.”

  “Paine has much courage.”

  The old woman laughed. “We shall see. Your
time here will bring you no concerns as long as you harm nothing here. There are plenty of berries to sustain you. Now go drink your fill from the stream. It is a distance to the next one.”

  Anin turned to the stream, her mouth once again parched. She turned back around to extend her gratitude to the Giantess, but she was gone. She shook her head. It was all so strange.

  She heard footfalls approach and she looked to hide, but Bog appeared and she smiled, knowing Paine would follow and he did.

  “So strange,” Paine said, shaking his head.

  Anin almost smiled, hearing him voice her own thought.

  He approached Anin. “I thought for sure I saw Drust warriors, but I could find no signs of them.”

  She was about to tell him of her encounter with the Giantess, but stopped. Why did she hesitate? She had thought she trusted him. Had that changed? She did not believe so, then why not tell him of her meeting with the Giantess?

  She had no answers to her troubling questions and it disturbed her even more that she remained silent, not sharing what she had learned.

  “You saw or heard nothing?” he asked as he passed by her to stoop down and take another drink from the stream.

  Anin stumbled for an answer.

  Paine was suddenly in front of her, taking firm hold of her chin. “You hesitate to answer me. What do you hide from me?”

  Hide.

  Again she was reminded of hiding. Had the Giantess been right? Did she hide more than live?

  “It is not a difficult question,” he said, keeping hold of her chin and forcing her to keep her eyes on him.

  It was more his eyes that held her than the grip on her chin. There was patience in them, as if he would wait forever for an answer. She felt a catch in her chest when he spoke as if he read her thoughts.

  “I am a patient man. I will wait as long as it takes for an answer.” He might wait, but it would not be an easy wait. It was difficult to ignore how much he favored being close to her or how a simple touch of her chin stirred him. Then there were her lips, softly inviting with a touch of moisture that made him want to taste them. How would she taste? Sweet? Potent? Delicious?

  His stirrings soon turned to an arousal, something that was happening much too often when she was near. He should keep his distance, yet he ignored his own warning and foolishly brought his face closer to hers and whispered, “Tell me your secret, Anin.”