Silver and Light

by J. R. Castle

  She was locked inside the boundary! In its fury, the demon lunged, drawing her into its fiery arms. Anwynn screamed. The flames consumed her whole.

  Darnel cried out, pitching forward but was too late.

  Fajer cried out triumphantly, throwing out his arms as the demon returned to its realm, satisfied by their sacrifice. A cloud of glittering dust fell upon Darnel and he felt Anwynn, like when he’d held her in his arms. Her scent like the damp earth and rain-drenched grass filled his senses. For a brief moment, his heart threatened to burst with the love he’d allowed himself to give to her.

  The moment faded, along with the glittering dust.

  Fajer stood on the edge of the circle, laughing as he produced balls of light between his hands, then reached behind his back and pulled out a dagger. “Wonderful! Where are our prisoners?” He searched the area, the dagger still in his hand.

  Darnel made no move to stand. He buried his face in the dirt, fighting back the black cloud descending over him. He’d not protected her. He’d cowered. He’d let Anwynn be taken by the demon. He’d failed her. He’d failed himself.

  “She’s gone,” he moaned. “She’s gone.”

  Fajer grabbed the collar of his cloak and yanked him up to a sitting position, this knife pressed to his face. Darnel knew Fajer couldn’t cut his throat, no matter how much he wished the sorcerer could. “Fool! They’ve escaped, and they’ll have the guards after us. We cannot even return home now. We’ll have to flee. All because you’re a whimpering grunt. You’ll always be a grunt!” He shoved Darnel away. “Get up and grab a horse. We’ll have to ride hard to reach the ferry before we’re spotted.”

  Darnel fell back to the ground, staring up at the brilliant blue sky. He didn’t care if he couldn’t go back to that blasted farm. Everything he needed he kept near him nowadays. He’d planned to leave with Anwynn. He’d wanted to leave Fajer. After meeting up with Emmalyn he’d realized his plan wasn’t going to work. He’d been found and would need to go back into hiding.

  Except, he’d never had a chance to explain all that to Anwynn.

  Now she was gone.

  He’d lost her.

  It was all his fault.

  Fajer grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him to his feet. “Get on that horse this instant. I hear shouts coming from below. They’ll send you back to Aloblase if they catch you here.”

  That was all Darnel needed to get him moving again. The only thing worse than losing his love was his fear of being taken back to the Light King.

  * * * *

  Leon tried to keep up with the faun, but upon the faeries’ urging, he ran at an extraordinary speed for a hoofed creature.

  “Little Bit!” Jael shouted. “Little Bit, over here. We’re over here!”

  Then Leon spotted Kardia and the younger girl who often followed her around when she herded the geese. Kellie the Illuminate. Praise Shaydon they’d both somehow managed to escape.

  Kardia stopped, her expression startled overseeing the faun racing for her. Yet, she smiled and ran into his arms. “What are you doing here, Jael? Amalite, she helped us. I can’t believe—”

  “Long story, little dear. I’ll explain everything soon. But I’m a new faun. I’ve mended my ways. You called me friend, and I wanted to make sure I deserved that title.” He hugged her again, then pulled back and said, “You’re hurt. Poor dear. And your little lightning bug friend. She’s bleeding. Regent! Regent, we must get them both to a Healer.”

  Kellie ran into her sister’s arms.

  Leon dismounted and first checked on the younger girl who was crying against her sister’s chest. Blood caked her long, yellow hair but she seemed fine. He hurried to Kardia, wanting to hug her as the faun had, but knew he needed to restrain himself.

  “How are you, Kardia? Are you hurt?” Her face was scraped and bruised. She also seemed to have suffered a blow to the head. “Do not fret, my dear, we’ll get you tended to right away.” He turned to General Gailad. “Are there Healers in this area?”

  “I’m sure Sir, however, most folks are in the city for the festival. I’ll send two of my men back with you. The rest of us, Sir, should try to track down the imposter’s.”

  “Yes, yes, go! Find them and bring them straight to me, dead or alive, I care not. Just take care. We’ve faced such men before.”

  Jael waved to the faeries that fluttered around him. “Go and help find those blasted conjurers. You’ll know what to do with them.” He waved his hands. “Go, go. Amalite, your charge is in good hands now. The regent will take care of her. I see on his face he cares deeply.”

  Leon almost protested the accusation, except that the faun spoke the truth. He did deeply care about Kardia. She held her gloves to her chest. He took them, finding they’d been tied with a silver rope. He tried cutting it, but his knife wouldn’t slice through the fibers.

  It took Kellie to order the rope to release before it fell to the ground, freeing the mechanical gloves. Leon helped Kardia put them back on, then picked up the rope and tucked it into his pocket. He’d send it to Brock to check out.

  “Come and let’s find someone to tend to your injuries. Nellie, you and your sister can ride upon my horse.” He motioned for one of the guards to allow Kardia to ride with him while Leon climbed on behind the remaining guard. “Back to Rodon. There is a Healer in town who will care for them.”

  He watched Kardia as they rode back to the city. She held on to the rider and closed her eyes to the passing scenery. Praise Shaydon. Once again, she’d managed to escape from the Wizards. His heart ached for her and a sense of needing to keep her safe rose up within him. Leon realized, he more than cared for her, he was starting to fall in love.

  Yet, he couldn’t let his feelings hinder her from her true purpose of being in Rodon. Now more than ever he realized that he must get her safely to Radiance so she could travel to Aloblase and meet the King. And he would, even if it meant severing his heart to do so.

  * * * *

  Later that evening, Kardia was pleased when Hilda arrived at the Healer’s cottage with a warm pot of stew for everyone. The mother fussed over both she and Kellie, making sure they were comfortable and had everything they needed. The Healer named Beatrice seemed slightly offended that Hilda would question her care.

  Leon sat in a chair in the corner, refusing to leave for some reason. Kardia smiled at him, trying to reassure him that they were safe and would be fine. He was so kind and had been gentle and caring while helping the Healer check over their injuries. Regent Leon was going to make a fine ruler, Kardia had no doubts now.

  Jael also refused to leave her side. While Beatrice stitched the cut on the back of her head, Jael kept her distracted from the sharp jabs of the needle with his lively story about how the faeries had flown him over the wide river. “Nobody told me there was a dragon guarding the waters. Good thing. They’ll not get my hooves off the ground again, let me tell you.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh as he acted out his adventure. Then he told them about his reformation while serving those who visited the Lady of the Wood.

  “You don’t cross Emmalyn, I daresay,” Jael stated. “Why, I’ve never seen her in such a fit as when that wizard passed through her domain. I thought she might call down thunder and lightning after he escaped.” He stomped around the room, his hooves hitting the wood floors and sounding like thunder. Even Kellie giggled at him.

  “Aw,” Kellie gushed, “he’s delightful. Regent, why aren’t there more creatures like him allowed in Rodon?”

  Leon, who sat in the corner chair, his sword resting across his knees, simply said, “They are allowed. I’ve sent out the decree. All they need to do is come. I hope the word will spread soon.”

  Jael turned toward the regent. “Our Little Bit says she’s going to see the King in Aloblase. Do you think I’d be allowed to accompany her?”

  Kardia gasped. “Really, Jael? You wish to meet Shaydon, too?”

  “Absolutely.” He threw out his chest w
ith a nod of his head.

  Kellie sat up in her bed. “I’m going, too. Ma! You have to let me go now after all that’s happened. And Nellie, you’re going with us. That’s final.” She also bobbed her head.

  Hilda gave no argument and neither did Nellie.

  The Healer hadn’t needed to stitch Kellie’s wounds. Though there was a lot of blood, she was unable to find a cut anywhere on her scalp and had assumed the blood must have come from somewhere else.

  Kardia sank back into the pillows cushioning her back, relieved to know so many people she cared about would be making the journey with her. And relieved that perhaps, despite what she’d thought, she still had her Sano gift. A trembling smile tugged at her lips.

  * * * *

  Soon after the sun had set and the festival had begun to die down outside the Healer’s cottage, General Gailad arrived with news. “We followed the trail of two men on horses. They made quick time reaching the portion of the river where the shores are close together. We found lines for a flatboat people have used to get across the channel. We even located the owner of the barge and have him in custody. The ropes were cut and I’ve stationed guards there to keep watch.”

  Leon stood outside the Healer’s house while Gailad gave his report. A few people were still meandering about but most had returned home. “I would like for you to send men across to scout the area.”

  “Yes, Regent Sir. Riyah has arrived. I thought you’d want to know. He could see where the Wizards have gone, but I’m afraid that they will depart before my men reach them. There were only two men that crossed. I assume the elf met her end when they released the under-worldling.”

  Leon’s breath caught. “Well, I believe it was her arrows that struck Koloman and his drivers. A just end, I suppose.” He shook his head. “I want guards stationed around the Healer’s house. Send word to me if anything happens. I’m going to find Riyah. I’ve been eager to see him.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Leon made his way through the town center, his steps slow and weary from the day’s events. Wizards in his capital city. Even worse was that they’d managed to bring forth such a monster inside this realm. He shuddered, then rubbed at his forehead. There was so much work he’d need to do. As he entered the courtyard, lights from the lanterns lining the walkways shown down on Riyah who stood before a wall of water coming up from the fountain.

  When he approached his guardian, Riyah merely said, “Darsiderous has escaped me once again. He will soon fade into the landscape, and I’ll lose this temporary connection.”

  “One of these days, you’ll have to explain who this person is. I’ve heard that name before.”

  Riyah let the water scope fall back into the fountain. “It’s a name we will hear again and again if he keeps sliding from between our grasps. He’s turned his back completely on King Shaydon so until he breeches our territories, we are unable to sense his presence.”

  “I assume, then, that you know what happened today?” At Riyah’s nod, Leon sat wearily on the edge of the fountain. “Were these the same wizards that tried to take Kardia before?”

  Riyah sat beside him. “Yes. She is a resilient young woman. Strong of heart. It bodes well for her.”

  “Not many but you see her in that light. And me. I completely agree with your estimation of her. She’s a special…”

  Riyah’s hand rested on his shoulder. “I’m pleased you’ve taken notice, Leonard the Lionhearted.”

  “Riyah… I fear—”

  “That’s never a good emotion to hold onto. You are a son of the King, Leonard. You have nothing to fear. You are under Shaydon’s cover, my dear friend.”

  Leon sighed. “I understand what you are saying, Riyah. My concern is that the people of Rodon will not accept her. They see her deformities. They question her past. Her station. They don’t see her gentle and giving nature, as I have.”

  Riyah patted his back and stood. “Trust your heart, my friend. I’ve told you this before.”

  “Riyah, I was so easily duped by Koloman and that…she was an elf and I never saw it. She’d …enchanted me and I couldn’t even sort out truth from falsehoods. How can I trust my heart when it was so easily tricked?”

  Riyah faced him, arms crossed. “Easily? Are you serious? If you were so easily tricked, I would be returning here to stop a wedding. You were not easily tricked, Leon. She could not break you, despite how hard she tried. You are a son of the King, Leon. Trust in this.” Riyah’s gray eyes locked on him. “Deep down, you knew something was wrong, didn’t you?”

  Leon nodded.

  Riyah continued. “Trust your heart and trust me, as well. I never would have brought Kardia here if I did not see something special in her. Now, let us go inside. Do you suppose the kitchen is still open to late night visitors? I rushed back here so fast after receiving your message, that I’m famished.”

  “If you rushed back, why didn’t you follow us instead of remaining here?”

  Riyah chuckled. “You had things well in hand, Regent Leonard. When your people were threatened, you fiercely protected them, chasing down those wizards, despite the danger. Well done, my Lionhearted friend. There’s more to you than meets the eye, as well. As we’ve said all along.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Healer Beatrice!” Nellie burst into the cottage early the next morning as Kellie and Kardia were sitting down to breakfast. They were to be released to return to their homes. Beatrice was pleased over how quickly Kardia’s head wound was healing. During the night, she’d given it a little help.

  “My dear, Nellie, what is all the fuss? You may take your sister home soon as she’s eaten some of my porridge. I add a bit of fruit from the White Tree for flavoring and to promote one’s energy and healing process. Eat up, my loves, it’ll do you a world of good.”

  Nellie rushed to the table. “But that’s it. The Healing Tree. Something terrible has happened to it. The roots, they look as if they’re dying and its leaning to the side. The branches are starting to darken and turn gray.”

  Kardia had just taken a bite of the sweetly scented mush and as it hit her belly, a most pleasant sensation radiated through her body. Until she heard Nellie’s news.

  Kellie was out of her seat. Beatrice pushed her back down, ordering her to eat. “But—”

  “It’s nonsense,” The Healer chided. “There’s no possible—”

  “I saw it with my own eyes. I even tried to figure out what’s going on, and from what I can tell, the roots have been tampered with. There’s some kind of smelly black liquid poured around the tree’s base. The regent’s been called. People are just standing around, panicked. You are the one who is able to pick the fruit, Beatrice, can’t you come to see what you might do?”

  The Healer’s eyes widened as she blustered about the kitchen, setting the porridge pot off the oven, then grabbing her shawl and shoes.

  Kellie and Kardia’s gazes met and they hurried out the door after the other two women.

  When they reached the center of town, Beatrice had to push her way through the growing crowd. Kellie and Kardia followed close behind her. Regent Leon and Riyah were already there, examining the damaged tree.

  Kardia’s heart melted at the sight. It reminded her of the poor dying tree back home in Goia. She wondered about the tiny sapling Miltie had planted in the Commons. Had it survived? She’d tried to offer it a bit of her healing energy, but at the time, it made little difference. The people of Goia hadn’t cared about the Tree.

  Yet, the people of Rodon cared a great deal and many wept over the loss.

  Beatrice fell to her knees before the tree, weeping until her tears soaked into the darkening wood of the trunk. “Who would do such a thing? Who?”

  Leon and Riyah glanced at each other. Kardia had a feeling they knew who might be responsible, but Riyah said, “The one responsible has been dealt his justice. What is needed now is to find a way to repair the damage. Before it’s too late.”

  Leon’s advisers s
tood with their heads together, pointing at the tree and shaking their heads as if trying to work out various possibilities. Nellie and Beatrice sat on each side of the trunk, examining the broken roots and drying leaves as they also, tried to puzzle out an answer to this disaster.

  “Kardia,” Leon beckoned her to come closer. When she stood beside him, he bent toward her. His words flowed into her ear and froze her insides. “You know what this reminds me of?” he asked. “I can still see you sitting at my side, your eyes blazing as you mended my broken leg. I believe you can be of use here, dear Kardia. Would you please give it a try?”

  She looked down at her mechanical hands, wondering. Last night, she’d touched the stitches on her head and this morning, Beatrice said the cut was nearly gone. The poor Healer was nearly in a fright over the oddity until Kellie revealed that she was a Sano.

  “Ah, well that explains everything, now doesn’t it?” And Beatrice removed the sutures for her. They weren’t needed anymore.

  Kardia stared up at the regent’s light brown eyes, kind eyes, imploring eyes. “Will you be very disappointed if I can’t mend the tree?”

  He’d done so much for her, she hated to fail him. And all she’d ever managed to do was to repair simple breaks. This was a tree! A Healing Tree, no less.

  “I’ll only be disappointed if you don’t try. Your gifting is who you are. It’s your given purpose in this life. To deny it is to deny the person you were meant to be and to deny the one who gifted you with your special talent. At least try, Kardia. That’s all we ask.” Regent Leon reached up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Such a gentle touch that sent a pleasant shiver down to her heart.

  “I’ll try.” Kardia removed her gloves and handed them to the regent. “Please hold these for me. It’s better if I can feel the injury.”

  * * * *

  Leon clutched Kardia’s gloves to his chest. She’d looked so frightened, so small, as she walked away from him. Yet, she would try, despite those fears. His admiration for her only grew with each encounter.