That said, Ovir nudged his horse forward to charge the fifty-plus yards to the portico of the Sivas manor house. He started the motion to step down from the horse before the mount completed its stop and strode into the manor house at a determined gait.
Lillian, Braden, Wynn, and Mariana were close behind, but Ovir had found the door to the basement by the time they caught up with him. Two men clad in the rough homespun garments of day laborers flanked the door and stopped them as they approached.
“We do not intend offense, but perhaps, it might be best for you to wait here,” one of the two men said as the other lifted his left hand in a ‘stop’ gesture.
Lillian started to push past them, saying, “Gavin is our friend, too.”
“Yes, he is, but do you want to see him naked and bleeding?”
Lillian made an abrupt stop. “Oh. No, I’d rather not.”
“Thank you for helping us preserve his dignity.”
Ovir blanched just a bit as he stepped into the room and laid eyes on Gavin. After setting aside his shield and mace, Ovir approached the two pillars.
“Thank Valthon he’s still alive,” Ovir said.
“Indeed,” Declan said. “I was reluctant to start releasing him until you were on-hand. It amazes me that he’s still alive…in all truth.”
Ovir nodded and said, “We need to get him out of those manacles, first. Do you have a key?”
Declan gave Ovir a flat look.
“Oh, of course. Sorry.”
In a matter of moments, Declan unlocked the manacle around Gavin’s right wrist, moving on to pick the lock of the one holding his left wrist, and Ovir took Gavin’s arm to ease it down. He did the same for Gavin’s left arm. A few moments more, and Gavin was free of the chains.
“Good,” Ovir said. “Now, let’s carry him to a clear section of floor and lay him down, but we need to lay him on his side.”
Declan helped Ovir lay Gavin on the floor and looked to Ovir for the next step.
“We’re going to have to do this slowly,” Ovir said. “I’ve seen situations where healing a person this injured came with bad side effects.”
In a clanking and creaking of armor and leather straps, Ovir knelt at Gavin’s side. He closed his eyes and prayed. Soon, a soft gray nimbus surrounded Ovir’s hands, and Ovir placed his left hand on Gavin’s neck and his right hand on Gavin’s waist. The soft gray radiance suffused Gavin’s form, obscuring the insensate wizard from view. When light faded, Gavin’s wounds looked as though they’d had about three days to heal.
For the first time since he had found Gavin, Declan saw him start to stir.
Chapter 53
Gavin rolled onto his back and released his breath in a heavy exhalation. For the first time in what seemed like ages, pain did not dominate his awareness. All he could remember of the recent past was pain. How long had he hung in this basement?
Gavin’s memories of a time before the pain seemed faded and distant, but there was something else. The gray fog that seemed to swirl at the edges of his awareness seemed weakened, less substantial. For the first time since waking in this world, Gavin could almost grasp the memories of who he had been.
Gavin blinked open his eyes and frowned at the sight he beheld.
“Ovir?” Gavin said, his voice a fraction of its normal strength. Movement to his left caught Gavin’s eye, and he swiveled his head, frowning again. “Declan?”
Gavin’s head cleared, a thought floating to the forefront of his mind, and he said, “Where’s Lillian?”
“What?” Declan said.
“Lillian, Declan! Where is she? Is she safe?”
Declan pointed overhead, saying, “She’s upstairs with the others, Gavin. All four of your apprentices are surrounded by warpriests and…my associates.”
Gavin laid his head back and exhaled. “Good. That’s good. He said he was going to take her.”
“What do you remember, Gavin?” Ovir said.
Gavin rolled his head to look at Ovir, saying, “Too much.”
Declan opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing.
“As bad as I feel,” Gavin said, “I must have been close to dying.”
Ovir said, “Yes, we think so, but don’t you worry, Gavin. We’ll have those wounds gone in no time.”
“Declan,” Gavin said, “do you think you might be able to find me something to wear? Trousers of some kind, at least?”
Declan nodded once and stepped away.
Once Declan stepped through the door, Gavin turned to Ovir, saying, “I couldn’t stop him, Ovir. I couldn’t feel my power in those chains, and…and…I couldn’t stop him from hurting Lillian.”
“Lillian’s safe, Gavin,” Ovir said, laying his hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “All this is over. Now, let’s do something about those wounds.”
When Declan returned, Gavin stood under his own strength. Declan could see faint tremors in Gavin’s legs from time to time, though, and he presented the fruits of his search.
“I’m sorry, Gavin,” Declan said as he approached. “All I could find were these homespun trousers.”
Gavin laughed, a large smile splitting his face. “Those seem oddly appropriate. I wonder if I’ll turn every milestone in my life wearing homespun trousers.”
Gavin accepted the garment and stepped into the trousers, pulling them up to his waist and tying the cord that served as a belt.
“What’s the situation up top?” Gavin said. “Did you lose many people in the battle?”
“What battle?” Ovir said. “The captain of the guard surrendered the estate to the Warpriests of Tel. There were a couple guards who didn’t get the message, but none of our people were injured that I am aware.”
“That’s rather fortunate. I’m grateful for the rescue, and I’m even more grateful that there wasn’t a pitched battle to do it.”
Gavin took a moment to look around the room one last time, taking a deep breath and releasing it as a sigh. He walked to the door but stopped. Gavin turned and pointed his left index finger at the chains that had held him.
“Declan,” Gavin said, “I want the manacles that held my hands and the chains that go with them.”
Gavin exited the manor house to a cheering crowd of Wraiths, Warpriests, and his four apprentices. Gavin couldn’t keep the smile from his lips, nor the blush from his cheeks. He waved and nodded his thanks.
At last, the cheers faded, and Gavin said, “Thank you for what you’ve done on my behalf. I appreciate the rescue more than you know, and I shall not forget this.”
Two warpriests and two wraiths pushed through the crowd, pulling two people: a man and a woman. Gavin recognized Iosen Sivas right away, and he guessed the woman’s identity based on her companion.
No trace of malice or satisfaction could be seen in Gavin’s expression as he faced the man responsible for his torture. In fact, Gavin spoke just three words, “Find an axe.”
Four Wraiths stepped forward, presenting axes. These axes were intended for timbering, but they had been well cared-for, their blades shiny from recent sharpening.
“Kneel, Sivas,” Gavin said.
Frowns and glances filtered through those closest to Gavin like a wave.
“Gavin-” Ovir said.
Gavin turned to face his mentor’s closest friend, saying, “What are you going to do, Ovir? Un-heal me?”
“This is wrong, Gavin,” Ovir said. “He’s unarmed. He’s not a threat. You’re a private individual. This isn’t a legal execution; it’s murder.”
It was then that Declan joined the group. He carried the two manacles with their chains coiled through them. Gavin didn’t ask how the bard had done the job with such alacrity, but he did notice one end of a chain still bubbled.