The Deceiver (The Way to Freedom Series Book 8) Read online

  The Deceiver

  The Way to Freedom

  Book 8

  H.M. Clarke

  Sentinel Publishing

  Copyright © H. M. Clarke 2018

  All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner

  First published in The United States of America in 2018

  Sentinel Publishing LLC, Dayton, Ohio

  Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design

  The moral right of the author has been asserted

  Also by H.M.Clarke

  The Way to Freedom Series

  1: The Kalarthri

  1.1: The Cavern of Sethi

  2: The Dream Thief

  3. The Awakening

  4. The Enemy Within

  5. The Unknown Queen

  6. The Searchers

  7. The Whisperer

  8. The Deceiver

  The Complete Season One – Books 1-5

  Coming soon

  9. The Great Game

  John McCall Mysteries

  1: Howling Vengeance

  The Verge

  1: The Enclave

  Coming Soon

  2: Citizen Erased

  The Order/Ravensdale

  1: Winter’s Magic

  Marion: An ‘Order’ Short Story

  DEDICATION

  As always, this book is dedicated to my two beautiful children, Keith and Ariadne.

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Others Books by H.M. Clarke

  About the Author

  “If I am not for myself who is for me? And being for my own self, what am ‘I’?”

  -A Saying of the Pydarki

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE SURROUNDING FOREST was silent and dark. The trees stood tall, black and mysterious and the smell of pine resin clung tightly to the cool night air. Not even the light projected from the moon and stars above touched the landscape that lay beneath those trees.

  Though silent, both Dearen and Hauga could hear and ‘hear’ the sounds of a heated argument coming through the trees before them. What they heard did not bode well. At least for someone.

  ‘There is a large group of people in a clearing ahead of you.’

  Dearen glanced up through a small gap in the tree canopy to see the dark silhouette of Adhamh hovering above.

  ‘We can hear them. Adhamh, Trar, pass on to the others that they are not to enter the clearing with the twelve She Oaks around it. By law, it means death if they do.’

  ‘Will do,’ Trar responded.

  ‘Tell Asnar and Kral to tell the Lieutenant and his men to stay back here until we call. A large group of Bareskins entering Councilmeet might trigger an unwelcome response.’

  Dearen patted Hauga on the shoulder to get his attention.

  ‘Let’s make our presence felt Hauga,’

  The Dymarki gave her a nod and she caught the flash of one of Hauga’s fangs as he grinned.

  ‘We’re going ahead. Wait for our call.’ Dearen called up to the Hatar’le’margarten.

  ‘We will,’ Trar replied.

  ‘Just be careful,’ Adhamh added.

  Dearen ignored him. She had nothing to worry about from her own people.

  Squaring herself, Dearen strode purposefully through the trees and she could feel Hauga’s comforting presence behind her, protecting her back.

  It was a fair hike and it was a good twenty minutes before the two started to see the fringe of the large Dymarki crowd circling Councilmeet. It seemed that the entire population had come out to witness tonight’s meeting.

  Some of the crowd turned and looked at them as they approached and the news of their presence quickly spread like wildfire through the crowd and they parted like water to the stern of a ship for Dearen and Hauga’s passing. The crowd funneled them straight to where they wanted to go. To the center of Councilmeet. It was the only place in the forest this night where the moonlight was able to touch.

  The heated discussion that Dearen first ‘heard’ was still going strong and it seemed that those within the circle had yet to be told of her approach.

  The clan leaders stood in the center of the clearing all trying to stare each other down. Raga was standing in the group aligned with the Claw of the West. His position was not lost on Dearen and definitely not Hauga, whose snarl as they approached the clearing finally caught the attention of the gathered clan leaders. Dearen caught a glimpse of Otteren and Drusa standing on the edge of the clearing by the she-oak planted for Clan Mufista.

  ‘The Cearc! The Cearc has returned!’ One of the Clan leaders shouted out and the call was quickly taken up by the others. All except for Raga who was noticeably silent.

  Dearen and Hauga strode out onto Councilmeet and only stopped when she stood directly in front of the Claw of the West. The leaping ram carved magically into the stone surface shone brightly in the moonlight, matching the mark she bore on her cheek. A stark reminder to all here that she is their Leader, she is The Cearc, by right of all that the Dymarki hold sacred.

  ‘We are very glad that you are back Cearc,’ Ulsta of Clan Metra said. His relief that she was here was very plain to see on his face. The expression was mirrored on the faces of the other Clan leaders. At least they were glad to see her.

  ‘Of course, I am back. I have never been very far away.’

  ‘Where did you go?’ Raga suddenly asked. ‘Drusa and Otteren told us some tale that you were hunting for help.’

  Hauga took an aggressive step forward and Raga took an involuntary step back but then caught his reaction and stood his ground.

  ‘We were looking for something. And we have found it. We also found more of the Northern Bareskin’s atrocities.’

  A startled murmur rose from the Clan leaders and the crowd at Hauga’s words.

  ‘The Northerner’s have attacked one of Clan Mufista’s northern camps and have killed all there. With some help, we made that northern group pay for their barbarism,’ Dearen called out to all who could hear.

  ‘Another camp attacked?’ One of the Clan leaders asked.

  ‘And after we issued our challenge?’ another spoke up.

  ‘The northerners we destroyed told us many things. One is that there is a group of the Northern Bareskins that want to have no part in meeting with us on Hatten’s Field. They want to systematically wipe us off of the face of the Earth.’

  ‘That is not news Dearen,’ Raga spat back at her. ‘The Bareskins have always tried to kill us. And this does not tell us why you and Hauga left without a word.’

  ‘We did not leave without a word. We informed Drusa and Otteren and that is all you need to know. The Cearc’s business is her own!’

  ‘Hauga. Calm yourself,’ Dearen said taking a step forward and laying a hold on her brother’s shoulder to try and put him at ease. She stared at each of the now silent Clan leaders and waited for the mental murmuring of the crowd to die down to nothing. Dearen was now the focus of everyone’s attention.

  ‘We went North as I received some information that we might find help for our cause. And I did. We have some new allies that also have cause to hate the Northerners.’

  ‘We have Allies? Other than the Pydarki? I find that hard to believe,’ Raga cut in only to be roundly s
tared down by the other Clan leaders.

  ‘Yes. We have allies. But the allies we already have seem to expect us to take most of the burden of war on our own shoulders. In my opinion, this is an unfair burden. Asnar has told us that the Pydarki support us and want us to claim these lands back for the Dymarki and the Pydarki. But they have yet to take any real action in this fight except to hand us pretty words which in the end do nothing for our people. I think it is about time that they have their actions match their words and send their warriors out to help us protect our people and our lands.’

  Dearen’s mind voice fell silent and she keenly felt all eyes on her. Everyone in Councilmeet stood still and expectant.

  Then Ulsta’s voice broke the stillness.

  ‘That was one of the things we were just discussing. And it is one of the few things this council agrees on. If the Pydarki wants our help to protect their land, then they need to help to protect our families. Before the Great Exile, the Pydarki and the Dymarki were one, but the centuries apart have changed them.’

  ‘Yes. The Pydarki need to step up and send us their warriors,’ Raga said. ‘But what about these allies you mentioned? Where are they? Will they help when we need them? Can we trust them?’

  ‘They are coming and we have bought Asnar of the Pydarki back with us.’

  Murmurs rose from the council members. And then Raga spoke again.

  ‘Asnar is here? Does that mean that the Pydarki will fight with us?’

  ‘No. We need to send a delegation to see the Pydarki council at Daegarouf to ask them for aid, for if they want our help to free their lands, then they need to help us as well.’

  ‘A delegation to plead for aid?’ Raga’s laughter cut through Dearen’s words. ‘We are not beggars. And why do we need to plead for help? You could just snuff them all out with a thought like you did to those who attacked Councilmeet.’

  ‘Raga. I will not tell you again,’ Dearen’s gaze seared the rest of the council so that there was no mistake that she was including them in her words. ‘I may not be able to do that again. And I cannot summon it at will. It only comes when I am in danger. Which is why we need allies. We are a proud people but we know when we need help. We cannot put all our faith in something that might not come forth when we need it. Our teeth and claws are real, and we can always rely on those to be there when we need them.’

  Appreciative roars rose up from the Council members and the surrounding crowd.

  ‘Good choice of words Dearen,’ she heard Hauga say.

  ‘I thought so. Call to the others and have them come in.’

  ‘Even the Hatar’le’margarten?’

  ‘Especially the Hatar’le’margarten. Tell them to land at the North end of Councilmeet.’

  ‘Yes, Cearc.’

  Dearen turned her attention back to the council members. She noted that Raga had stepped back to his own Clan position in the circle. At least he knew when to know his place and to keep his mouth shut.

  ‘We are going to Daegarouf and our new allies are coming with us as they also have their own business with the Pydarki. They will be joining us very soon. Do not be alarmed by their appearance. Remember they are our allies and wish us no harm.’

  It was at that moment that both Adhamh and Trar dropped from the sky and landed on the large clearing north of Councilmeet, just outside the Cearc’s quarters. Gasps and murmurs rose up from the crowd and Ulsta turned to Hauga.

  ‘Hatar’le’margarten? Are our allies the Hatar’le’margarten?’

  ‘No. Just these two, and their riders. The rest of the Southerners are coming in with the Pydarki.’

  ‘Southerners? Bareskins? Our allies are Bareskins?’ Raga exclaimed.

  ‘Yes, Raga. Our new allies are Bareskins. They are my people and they are here to help me and those who look to me and who I care for. Which means they are here to help the Dymarki. If you have an issue with that, then you can take it up with the Hatar’le’margarten.’ Dearen pointed towards the north end of Councilmeet towards Adhamh and Trar.

  Raga turned and looked towards the Hatar whose heads towered above the buildings and stones. Their sharp, white teeth were very noticeable in the reflected light. Raga turned back to Dearen and shook his head.

  ‘I have no issue.’

  ‘Then it is settled. The Bareskins and the Hatar are here as our guests and will be traveling with us to meet the Pydarki Elders at Daegarouf.’

  ‘Who of us is going with you to Daegarouf?’ one of the council members asked.

  ‘Hauga is one. Raga is another and I will be the third.’ She saw Raga look up at her in surprise. ‘If the Cearc of the Dymarki and two prominent Clan leaders who want the Pydarki to join us ask them for aid, then they cannot refuse us.’ Dearen then focused her gaze on Raga. ‘This will also give you time to get to know these Bareskins better Raga.’

  ‘Yes Cearc,’ Raga said giving her a bow. What Dearen had given him was a great honor, and she was also showing the Dymarki that those holding an opposing view will not be shut out or silenced.

  ‘Let us all prepare tonight for we start our journey to Daegarouf in the morning.’

  CHAPTER TWO

  “I’M WALKING AGAIN. I’m always walking, walking, walking,” Dearen muttered to Tayme and Hauga who walked on either side of her.

  Raga and Asnar marched not far behind her and behind them came Lieutenant Peana on his horse and three of his men. The rest of his company, he had sent back to the river bend camp to wait for his return. Staying in a whole community of Dymarki made the Bareskins very uncomfortable.

  The mountain forest around them was made up mostly of conifers and ash with splashes of mountain ferns and thorny blackberries mingled in between their rough trunks. The sky above was blue and clear and the sunlight managed to stream down on them in dappled splashes even through the tree canopy. The slight breeze bought her the smell of pine resin and sap. The path they followed was not wide but it was clear and looked well used.

  “You do have the option to fly you know,” Tayme replied a little coyly.

  “So do you Flyer,” Dearen retorted, annoyed that Tayme would not stop pushing his view of the world on her.

  “I am choosing to walk with you and Hauga.”

  “Uh-huh.” Dearen made sure that her disbelief at this dripped from her words. Tayme is a good looking man and might even be considered decent company if only he would let this Kalena thing alone. At least until she was ready to discuss it.

  “I am. I need the exercise.”

  ‘Yes, you do. You’re starting to get heavy.’

  Dearen sniggered a little at Trar’s comment.

  ‘Come on Trar. Give me a break once in a while.’

  ‘I did give you a break. Five years ago. The next while hasn’t come yet.’

  Dearen burst out laughing and Tayme gave her a sour look.

  “It seems that my desire to get exercise is going unappreciated among my present companions, so I’m going to take my bulky form and fly with Trar to scout ahead. Adhamh can fly above you and keep an eye on anything coming towards you from around here.”

  “Suit yourself. The rest of us will keep walking,” Dearen replied making sure Tayme saw the smile on her face. The more time she spent with him, the more she grew to like him. He was funny, made her laugh, and on occasion he made her feel good about herself. Because of this, Dearen could almost forgive him for believing her to be this Kalena person. Almost.

  Tayme gave her a smile back and then left the group as Trar came down in a red blur to land in a nearby clearing. Moments later Dearen saw Trar lift off again and with a few sweeping wing beats, rise above the trees and quickly head North.

  As soon as Trar and Tayme disappeared from sight, Asnar stepped forward to take Tayme’s vacated spot beside her.

  “Dearen, you should not be wasting time on going to Daegarouf. We should be making our way to join the rest of the Dymarki warriors at the mustering point.”

  A low growl started behind her a
nd Dearen knew without turning that Raga was voicing his disapproval of Asnar.

  “For the final time, we are not going to the Muster point Asnar. We are going to Daegarouf to meet with the Pydarki Council. If what you have been telling me all this time is true then they should be happy to support us and will gladly send their warriors to help us,”

  ‘If what you have told us is true...’ Raga said.

  Asnar pointedly ignored the Clan Chief’s comment. “You are just pandering to these bareskins by going to Daegarouf because they want to go there.”

  “We are going to Daegarouf because I want to go there.”

  ‘The Pydarki need to shoulder their share of the defense of our lands Asnar. Unless the Pydarki has become so weak during the Great Exile that they are unable to protect their own.’

  “That is not true Raga,” Asnar snapped at him.

  “Raga is still right that the Pydarki need to aid in the defense of the Bhagliers because, at the moment, the Dymarki are taking all of the casualties.”

  “We are just not ready-“

  ‘Not ready? You say that while the innocent of Clan Trisqa and Mufista are being decimated?’

  “Raga, I didn’t mean that-“

  “Then what exactly did you mean Asnar?” Dearen cut in. “Why should we not go to Daegarouf? What are you not telling us?”

  Asnar threw his hands up as if trying to still her, clam her. “There is nothing. It’s just that the Pydarki are not ready to help. We are still preparing-“

  “If that is so, then I will hear it directly from the Pydarki Elder Council.”

  “Dearen!”

  Dearen was about to answer when she felt Hauga’s hand on her shoulder.

  ‘Asnar, that is enough. The Cearc has made her decision, and you as an outsider need to respect her authority as the leader of the Dymarki.’

  “Hauga-“