Symbol Maker's Daughter by Clare Gutierrez

Author:Clare Gutierrez
Format: epub

CHAPTER 7

BY NOW, THE SUN’S LIGHT JUST BARELY GRAZED the cliff trail. The sound of someone approaching drifted to the women. The narrow trail would not allow anyone to pass. The sound came closer and closer. “Nicola, what do we do now?” Allie whispered hoarsely, frightened. Nicola was frightened too, but there was nothing she could do. Just then, a man’s voice came to her. He spoke so softly that she could barely hear him.

“Lady Nicola?”

“Yes?” Nicola answered.

“My name is Lord Keaton. We are the Guardians. We can take you safely the rest of the way.” The voice was firm, confident. As he came into view, Nicola could see the man was tall and muscular, and he carried himself with an air of confidence and control. Relief washed over Nicola.

“Who is it?” Allie’s voice trembled.

“I do not know, but they have offered to help,” Nicola replied. Gladly, she handed the reins to Keaton when he came nearer. He bowed and, with a wave of his hand, sent her ahead. And so they walked, one man in front of Nicola, who was followed by Keaton leading her horse. Allie followed while another man, leading Allie’s horse, brought up the rear. Their descent was much faster. The sound of the waterfall that marked the trail’s end grew louder and louder, until nothing else could be heard. Following the man ahead of her, Nicola maneuvered behind the cascading water. The party continued farther back, deep into the cavernous tunnel, coming to an area where the sound of crashing water plummeting down the cliff face was not so intense. A fire was already blazing.

Voices bounced off the walls as the man with Nicola’s horse called to someone near the fire. In short order, a meal was cooked, everyone had eaten, and sleeping places for the women were prepared. Keaton, though clearly the leader of the Guardians, had only introduced himself. The men had moved closer, some sitting or leaning against the cavern walls.

Allie sat down near the fire. “Nicola,” she whispered, “you do not know these men. We should go back, please. Why are we doing this?” Allie looked around fearfully.

Nicola could not eat. She sat in silence, staring at the dancing flames.

When she finally spoke, the sound of her voice filled the cave. “I do not understand any of this. However, I am certain I would not be allowed to live, Allie. I am afraid of the men in my father’s house.” Nicola looked at Allie, then back at the fire. “I saw my father. It was awful. He had been tortured, horribly.” Nicola shuddered at the picture embedded in her mind.

“He could not have been tortured. No, you’re wrong,” Allie insisted, no longer whispering, her face anxious. “He was not tortured!”

Keaton whirled around toward Allie, but she was watching Nicola.

“Allie, I saw him. His face was bruised and bloody. He could open only one eye and he had burns all over. I could see other places on his body where he was beaten severely.

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