Kwin Page 2

  “I’m not suggesting sending a group of soldiers. I intend to go alone.”

  “Over my dead body,” Gareth said. “If you are foolish enough to do this, I am coming with you.”

  Kwin’s reply was cut off by the king. “I cannot and will not agree to that. You may be a skilled magic user, Kwin, and from what I have heard your second-in-command here is becoming quite adept as well, but experience has told us that that will not prevent you from being taken prisoner and sold into slavery the moment you set foot in Wayvern. We have sent magic users before and never heard from them again.”

  Gareth didn’t like the smile on his friend’s face. “I have no intention of avoiding capture. I intend to become a slave then escape. If I don’t let them know I have magical abilities, they will not do anything to suppress them.”

  “Are you insane?” Gareth couldn’t stop himself from blurting out. “You have no idea what will happen to you. As far as you know, they automatically suppress magic in everyone they capture. The few who have managed to escape and get back across the border weren’t able to tell us anything other than that the enemy know some of us have magic and have found a way to prevent us using it.”

  “I know,” Kwin said. “I am willing to take that chance.”

  “I’m not sure I am,” the king said. “You lead one of the most efficient battalions we have. Your soldiers have killed more of the enemy and saved more of our people than any other. I need you to remain here.”

  “The men and women under my command can function just as well without me. Gareth can lead them as well as I can.” Gareth glared at him. “As can a number of the squad leaders,” he quickly added.

  The king did not look convinced. There was an emotion in Kwin’s voice Gareth had never heard before when he continued. “It is my bride we are talking about rescuing. I have the right to at least try.”

  “Very well,” King Tarkel finally said, though he did not look pleased about his decision.

  “Thank you your Majesty. I will leave as soon as I can.”

  “We will leave as soon as we can,” Gareth said, emphasising the ‘we’.

  The king nodded. “Take whatever provisions you need from the house. Lord Flint won’t mind.”

  “There is one more thing I will need from Lord Flint,” Kwin said. “I have no idea what Lady Shona looks like.”

  Lord Flint began to describe her but Kwin stopped him. “I need to see her. Will you let me look into your mind?”

  Lord Flint paled, but nodded. He flinched when Kwin put his hands on either side of his head and closed his eyes. “Just think about your daughter.”

  Gareth watched in fascination. He was aware of what Kwin was doing but had yet to be taught how to do it. He saw Lord Flint flinch once more, then relax.

  It didn’t take long for Kwin to get what he needed and he soon opened his eyes again. He didn’t thank the lord, he simply turned his back on him and approached Gareth.

  “Your turn,” he said. “If you insist on coming with me, you will need this information as well. Have you ever done this before?” Gareth shook his head. “Then I will have to push the images to you instead of you taking them from me.”

  Gareth felt a trace of apprehension run through him when Kwin took his head in his hands. Both men closed their eyes and Gareth felt a push against his mind, as if someone was trying to get in. He let down his mental barriers and an image appeared. It was of a laughing young lady, riding a horse. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, only a few years younger than Gareth and Kwin, and was as beautiful as he had been led to believe. Her long blonde hair flew behind her as she galloped forward, blowing in the wind. Her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke. Her voice was soft and delicate and Gareth found himself wishing she was speaking to him, not to her father.

  All too soon the image disappeared. Gareth would recognise this woman if he saw her again, of that he had no doubt.

  “Don’t get too hung up on the details,” Kwin said when Gareth opened his eyes. “Remember her face, the rest is irrelevant. Her captors may cut or dye her hair. They would be mad to as I’m sure she will get a better price as she is, but you never know.”

  He ignored Lord Flint’s sharp intake of breath.

  “Understood,” Gareth said.

  Kwin then turned to the king. “With your permission, we will leave immediately.”

  “I’m not happy about this,” he said, “but I won’t stop you. I would say good luck, but you’re going to need more than that. Just try to stay alive.”

  Nothing more needed to be said so the two men left the room.

  “A thank you would have been nice,” Gareth said as they descended the stairs. “I’m glad he’s going to be your father-by-marriage not mine.”

  Kwin smiled at him, but there was no happiness in it. “He’s been through a lot. Don’t judge him too harshly.”

  Gareth grunted in reply.

  Before heading to the back of the house to raid the kitchen, the two men sought out Fen, the man Kwin wished to take over command of the Western battalion while they were away. The words Fen used when he found out the reasons for his instant promotion were not ones to be used in front of ladies.

  It didn’t take long to fill their saddlebags with enough food to last them a few days. They would reach the border before nightfall, but had no idea how long it would be before they were captured.

  They rode in silence, each man lost in their own thoughts. They were less than a league from Wayvern when the sun began to set and they decided to rest by the river for a while. They would attempt to cross the border once darkness had descended and a meal and some strong coffee would go down well while they waited.

  “Fen is right about one thing,” Gareth said as he blew on his hot beverage. Kwin raised a questioning eyebrow. “We really are bloody idiots.”

  Chapter 3

  As the flames of the cooking fire burned, Kwin looked across at Gareth. When he announced that he wanted to try to rescue Shona, he hadn’t expected Gareth to volunteer to join him, but he should have done. They had known each other since they were boys and always had each other’s backs.

  He wondered if he was doing the right thing. He had no illusions that he would definitely make it out of Wayvern alive. There were many things that could go wrong. He could be killed instead of taken prisoner, he might not be able to escape and could end up spending the rest of his life as a slave. Even if he did, by some miracle, find himself a free man, he had no idea how to track down Shona or how to get her away from her captors and safely out of the country. It was a fool’s dream and he was dragging his best friend with him. ‘Nothing new there’, he thought to himself.

  He found himself contemplating the other man. His junior by only a year or so, he was much more of a ladies man. While Kwin concentrated on defending his country and rarely indulged in the pleasures of the flesh, Gareth slept with every woman he could entice into his bed. And they didn’t take much persuasion. His good looks and fit body caught their attention, then his charm kept them interested. The chances of him not being sold as a sex slave when they were captured were almost non-existent. Kwin found himself wondering if Gareth would enjoy it.

  “What are you smirking at?” Gareth asked when he raised his head and saw Kwin smiling at him.

  “Just thinking about how much more you are going to go for on the auction block than me.”

  “You never know. There might be some rich widow there who is blind and insane.”

  Kwin laughed, but not for long. It was time to get serious and make some plans. “Thank you for doing this. You are risking your life for a woman neither of us have ever met.”

  Gareth shook his head. “No, I am risking my life to make sure you don’t do something stupid and get yourself killed.”

  “When have I ever done anything stupid?” Kwin thought for a moment, his mind replaying some of the situations he and Gareth had found themselves in. “On second thoughts, don’t answer that.”

  Gareth l
ooked away from the fire and into the darkness. “I suggest we stay here for a while longer before getting closer to the border. Do you think you can teach me how you put Lady Shona’s image into my brain while we wait?”

  “I can try. It all depends on how slow a learner you are. Experience has taught me that you aren’t the fastest of students in regard to picking things up.”

  Gareth growled at him, making Kwin laugh. Both men were tense and teasing each other was a good way to release the tension.

  Kwin moved closer to Gareth then instructed him to place his hands on Kwin’s temples. “It’s easier if you close your eyes.” Gareth obeyed. “Now think about something you want me to see. It doesn’t have to be a real image, but it’s easier if it is.”

  Kwin saw a sly smile grow on his friend’s face and suddenly hoped that he would fail in his attempt. He had no idea what image Gareth was drawing from his memory, but he wasn’t looking forward to seeing it.

  “When you have the picture firmly in place, push out with your mind. Think about me, but don’t lose the image you want me to see. You should feel your mind pushing against something.”

  “I can’t feel anything,’ Gareth said. “Maybe your mind is too small.”

  “And maybe you should concentrate more.”

  Gareth did as instructed and soon Kwin could feel a presence in his mind. He let down his barriers and a picture of Sofina took shape. Kwin felt like he was looking down on her. Her face was distorted, as though she had something in her mouth. As soon as he realised what it was, he opened his eyes and the image disappeared.

  “That wasn’t funny,” he said. “I feel sick just thinking about you being in bed with a woman let alone having to see it.”

  Gareth grinned at him. “You’re just jealous. When was the last time you used your cock for something other than pissing?”

  Kwin didn’t answer. Instead he went on with the lesson. “Now try and take a picture from my mind. I won’t resist to begin with, but people usually do so you are going to have to learn how to forcibly extract what you want.”

  “Sounds easy enough.”

  Kwin watched as Gareth closed his eyes once more then he opened his mind. Gareth would be able to easily see into his mind, but only what he wanted him to see. He ran through image after image until he found the one he wanted. It was of a young lady. She had long curly brown hair and a bosom which was fighting to get out of her bodice, which she was unlacing as she licked her lips suggestively. He felt Gareth’s presence in his head and let the picture fill both of their minds.

  Gareth’s hands fell from Kwin’s head. “You bastard. What exactly did you do with my sister and when?”

  “Revenge is sweet, isn’t it.”

  Gareth glared at him, making him laugh. “Don’t worry. Nothing happened. I turned her down.”

  Gareth grunted, obviously doubting his sincerity.

  “I mean it. I’m too scared of your mother to get involved with your sister.”

  “Let’s just get on with this shall we?” Gareth did not sound happy, which made Kwin grin again.

  “Alright. This time I am going to try to stop you. Don’t try to force me. A full frontal attack won’t work. Probe the edges of my barrier. Attempt to find a way to sneak in.”

  Gareth returned his hands to Kwin’s head and closed his eyes. Kwin didn’t. He was used to blocking his mind so he didn’t need to concentrate. In his head, he felt Gareth probing. He was frowning as he did so. Then Kwin felt the full force of Gareth’s mind slamming against his. If he had not been trained to withstand such an assault, his barrier would have shattered, and his mind along with it.

  “Stop,” Kwin cried out. Gareth instantly obeyed.

  Kwin took a few moments to regain his composure. “I told you not to try to force your way in,” he said once he had calmed down.

  Gareth smiled. “I know. Which is why I tried it. I thought taking you by surprise would work.”

  “It would have on most people, but you would have destroyed their mind.”

  The smile fell from Gareth’s face. “You mean I could kill someone just with my mind?”

  “Kill? No. Reduce them to nothing more than a blubbering imbecile? Yes. Magic is dangerous if misused. This is why those of us who are born with it need to be trained. Now try again, but do it my way.”

  This time Gareth took it easy. He probed the edges of the barrier Kwin had erected in his mind, looking for gaps or weak areas. As he had been taught how to shield his own mind, Kwin hoped he knew what to look for.

  It took a while, but eventually Gareth managed to find a way in. This time the image Kwin allowed him to see was of a farm. Gareth’s parents’ farm. They had spent a lot of time there when they were growing up and Kwin made sure he visited as often as he could, though he did still have to try to avoid Gareth’s sister, despite the fact she was now married.

  “It will get easier the more you practice,” Kwin said. “And an untrained mind is easier to read. You didn’t do too badly for your first attempt.”

  “We should head off soon,” Gareth said, though he didn’t sound enthusiastic.

  Kwin nodded. “There is one more thing I have to do first. It’s unlikely that we will both be purchased by the same buyer, so we need a way of keeping in touch. I’m going to create a link between our minds so all you have to do is think about talking to me and the link will be activated. I will then be able to see and hear anything you want me to. It’s a two way link so I can contact you in the same way.”

  Kwin placed his hands on Gareth’s head. “Let me in,” he said when he felt Gareth resisting. Gareth relaxed and Kwin entered his mind. This time, instead of placing an image there, like he had Shona’s, he placed a marker.

  “I can still feel you in my head,” Gareth said once Kwin had removed his hands.

  “I know. You’ll get used to it. Try to talk to me with just your mind.”

  “I’m going to be speaking to my sister about you when we get home,” Kwin heard inside his head.

  “If we get home,” Kwin silently replied.

  “Does distance matter?” Gareth asked out loud.

  Kwin shook his head. “No. You could be on the other side of the world and you would still be able to contact me. There is a way to break this link, but I won’t show it to you. At least not until we are back in Tippet.”

  The two men fell silent as they set about packing up their belongings and putting out the fire. They were as prepared as they could be for their journey into Wayvern.

  There was no physical border between the two countries so they could cross anywhere. There were regular patrols on the Tippet side, but none had ever been seen in Wayvern. There was no need. Nobody in Tippet knew how, but all Tippetians who entered into Wayvern lost consciousness before they managed to get too far into enemy territory, or at least that is what the few who managed to escape claimed.

  This was the reason Kwin knew beyond any doubt that he and Gareth would be enslaved. It’s impossible to evade capture when you’re unconscious.

  The two men had set up their temporary camp just outside a small wood, using the trees to hide any sign of their presence from anyone who might be located on the other side, the Wayvern side. Before entering the wood, both checked their weapons were easily accessible. Neither man believed that they would be given the opportunity to use them, but there was no harm in being prepared, just in case.

  Without speaking, both men stopped just before they reached the last of the trees. As soon as they stepped out from under their protection, they would be in Wayvern.

  “Shield yourself,” Kwin said. “Not that I believe it will do much good.” He willed an invisible shield to form around him, clinging close to his body. He could sense its presence and it gave him a little reassurance. He assumed that Gareth had also taken the necessary steps to protect himself as there was no way for him to detect if the other man had a shield in place or not without testing it, which he didn’t want to do in case anyone was watch
ing them.

  The shields would protect them against attack, repulsing all weapons, but would only remain in place while the creator was awake. The moment they lost consciousness the shields would disappear.

  “Ready?” Kwin asked then stepped out into the night before receiving an answer.

  The scenery was no different in Wayvern than it was in Tippet, other than the bright red flowers that never seemed to spread between the two countries. Even in the moonlight they were easily discernible. An unobservant traveller could easily cross the border without realising.

  Kwin and Gareth moved quickly, making no attempt to hide their presence. Once they were out of the trees, there was nothing to cover them and they weren’t expecting to get much further anyway.

  “How are you feeling?” Kwin asked a short while later.

  “Fine,” Gareth said. “Maybe the shields are protecting us.”

  Kwin shook his head. “I wouldn’t pin my hopes on that.”

  It didn’t take them long to find a road and they decided to walk along it. All roads had to lead somewhere and it was better than stumbling along through fields. It was a hot night, but the cool breeze that was blowing kept the temperature low enough to make the journey comfortable, if not pleasant.

  They had left their horses at the last village they passed before leaving Tippet, not wishing to risk them falling into the hands of the enemy. It meant they had to walk, but both men were fit and were used to that sort of exercise.

  “I think I see signs of life up ahead,” Gareth said, spotting light in the distance. “Looks like we might be coming up to a village. What do you want to do?”

  “Avoid it if possible.” Gareth nodded his agreement.

  They were only half way to it when they began to feel dizzy. Gareth was the first to collapse. Kwin only managed to move a few more paces before his legs gave way. He crumpled onto the ground and let the darkness take him.