The Search

by Susan Leigh Noble

  When the wagon pulled up to the gates of Altron’s capital, Talus, the guards thoroughly checked the wagon. The High Council had just ended their annual meeting. Security at the gates was always heightened during this time. But the guards didn’t even give Tosh a second glance.

  Once inside the gates, Jonah and Ethan parted company. Tosh sat on the side of the street as Jonah thanked and said good-bye to Ethan. The old man waved as he drove away. Jonah sat down next to Tosh.

  “I guess this is where we part ways too,” he said, running a hand down Tosh’s back. “I would take you with me but training to be a healer is hard work, and I just don’t think I will have time to take care of you. You will do much better here than out in the woods. I am sure you can find a nice home.”

  Tosh purred softly. He wished he could tell Jonah how grateful he was that he had rescued him, but he wasn’t about to start talking to him now. Tosh rose and started down the street. He paused once to look back. Jonah was staring after him with a worried look.

  Tosh pushed thoughts of Jonah out of his mind as he walked toward the center of the city. As he walked, it became increasingly busy, and he had to avoid being stepped on a number of times. As he neared the center square, Tosh paused for a moment to watch the people scurry about their business. The ladies wore finer clothing here, and the carriages gleamed in the sunlight. The houses were ornate and Tosh wondered what it would be like to live in the soft riches of these homes instead of traveling and wondering where you would be spending the next night.

  Tosh?

  He turned to see a white cat sitting on the front porch of the closest house. A black spot covered his left ear and as the cat rose, Tosh saw another black patch on his right hind leg.

  Agon, I didn’t know you were in Talus.

  Yep. Been here for the past twelve years. Caden has never even used his power, and I doubt he ever will, but it is an easy life. The white cat cocked his head as he studied Tosh. What are you doing in Talus? Last I heard years ago you were heading south for Remington.

  I was. Tosh walked over to the porch and sat down next to his old friend. Then I ran into Nolan and spent the last six years following him around.

  So where is he now?

  Dead.

  Too bad. Are you planning to stay in Talus?

  Tosh shook his head. Thought I would go north for a while. He didn’t mention his idea of giving up on The Search. Agon wouldn’t understand.

  Going home?

  No, I don’t feel like returning to Carna. I thought maybe I would try Zena.

  Dragon’s fire, Zena is a large country. You use to hate to walk.

  Tosh laughed. Still do.

  Suddenly, two boys ran by laughing.

  “Val, Dallen, get back here now,” shouted an older girl.

  Tosh turned to watch as the girl, carrying a small child, trudged after them. Another boy, a few years younger than the girl, followed her.

  “Sal, watch Tasha,” she said, handing him the little girl. “Those two are going to make us late.” She turned back toward the two boys who were still racing around the square. The girl stamped her foot. “Come back here right now.”

  Well, if you want a ride for part of your trip north, there is your ticket, Agon said, indicating the children as the girl finally was able to drag the two boys toward a nearby carriage. High Council family returning to their home in the Blackwick forest.

  I guess I could hop a ride on the back of the carriage. It would beat walking.

  Or ride in the comforts of the carriage in that little girl’s arms. Agon indicated the young girl who probably was no more than three years old. She stood silently watching as her older siblings pushed and shoved at each other outside of the carriage.

  Ugh, no. I try to stay away from small children. They have a tendency to pull tails.

  Agon chuckled. Have it your way.

  A tall man strolled purposely across the square. After a quick word with the younger two boys, the family climbed into the carriage.

  Guess I had better go. See you later, Agon.

  Good luck, Tosh.

  Tosh dashed across the square and leapt on the luggage rack at the back of the carriage. He climbed to the top and turned around to watch Agon as the carriage started north.

  Chapter Four

  The next few days blurred together. The swaying of the carriage lulled Tosh into a sleepy state. He made himself a nice bed on a soft bag that was nestled between two trunks. The only thing that made the trip uncomfortable was hearing the overbearing, bossy older girl ordering her siblings around. Her loud voice carried quite well to where he lay hidden. Occasionally, the father would say something and the girl, Miya, would back off for a while, but it never lasted.

  Miya reminded Tosh of his brother Tell whose obsessive need for planning and rule following left Tosh exasperated at times. Thinking of his brother, he recalled the first time he had listened to Tell rather than his own instincts.

  They had been sitting down by the lake waiting for Tobias to show up and teach them that day’s lesson. The distant sound of laughter broke the silence. Tosh and his brothers and sisters watched as two boys ran out of the woods and toward the water. The older child appeared to be about five years old and his brother about two years younger. Tosh couldn’t see any adults with them.

  They shouldn’t be out here alone, he said to his siblings.

  Not our problem, Tanny said.

  We are supposed to stay right here, Tell agreed. Tobias will be upset if we leave.

  I could be down there and back before he gets here, Tosh said, judging the boys were only a few minutes run from where he sat.

  Tia looked up from washing her paws. And what would you do? she asked curiously.

  Warn them to stay away from the water. Or look for their parents and let them know their children are in danger.

  But, Tell objected, Tobias said not to talk to anyone. You remember the stories he told of STACs being killed, don’t you?

  This is different, Tosh said as he watched the older boy jump from rock to rock.

  It is best not to get involved, Tell said.

  Tosh didn’t answer but watched as the older boy leapt onto a rock further out into the water. His younger brother began to follow him. The boys laughed as they jumped from one stone to the next. Tosh began to worry about them as they moved away from the shore. Suddenly, the younger boy missed the next rock and tumbled into the water. He disappeared from view and then came up coughing and wildly waving his arms. His brother leapt into the water after him as the boy went under again.

  Tosh ran toward the lake, ignoring Tell calling for him to come back. His feet flew as he charged down the narrow shore. There was nothing he could do to help the struggling boys, so he tore toward the forest frantically looking for the children’s parents. As he ran, he saw no one. Then he heard someone yelling. He skidded to a stop and cocked his head as he listened. It was definitely someone calling out a name. The voice was coming from the direction of the lake. Tosh ran back the way he had just come.

  As he neared the lake, he heard several people frantically yelling. Tosh skidded to a stop as the lake came into view. Two men were already waist deep in the water. One of them held the limp body of the younger boy. Tears rolled down the man’s face. A woman sobbed as she waded toward the man. She took the boy, pressing him to her chest. Resting her head upon his, she let out a wail of despair.

  Tosh watched as the other man scooped the older boy from the water. He administered a few quick blows to the boy’s back, and the boy couched up some water. He was alive, but his brother had not been as lucky. Tosh had waited too long to decide to help. If he had followed his instincts and went for help earlier, things could have been different. If only he hadn’t listened to Tell and had not been concerned about what his grandfather would think. The thought of his grandfather caused Tosh to realize he should get back for today’s lesson. He turned to leave and found himself face to fac
e with his grandfather.

  I’m sorry, grandfather, Tosh said, hoping his grandfather wasn’t mad at him.

  What for? Tobias asked.

  For disobeying your orders. I didn’t stay where you told us to meet you.

  No, you didn’t, Tobias said and turned. He started walking, and Tosh fell into step beside his grandfather. What had you planned to do?

  Find their parents. Get them help before it was too late.

  So you would have spoken to them even though I told you never to do that?

  Tosh hung his head. Yes, he answered meekly.

  And you would have been right to do so.

  Tosh looked at his grandfather in amazement. What?

  You saw two little boys in trouble and wanted to help them. That is more important than following my rules. You followed your instincts instead.

  But I was too late.

  Yes, but next time you won’t doubt yourself, and it could make all the difference.

  The carriage hit a rock. Startled, Tosh looked around. It took him a moment to realize he wasn’t with his grandfather but alone on the luggage rack. But the feeling of sorrow at the death of the little boy remained with him. And with that depressing memory in his mind, Tosh fell into a restless sleep.

  ***

  The next few days passed, and Tosh stayed in his melancholy mood. He spent a majority of his time sleeping. The brief periods he was awake he dwelled upon the deaths of not just Nolan and the young boy, but every Elemental he had ever known. Even the death of Tobias, Tanny and Tubbs bore down on him. He had no appetite and so instead of hunting most nights he just stared off into the dark or slept.

  He thought today he might pass out from hunger so when the carriage stopped for the evening, Tosh roused himself enough to venture into the forest for food. After a meager meal of a small mouse, he curled up and drifted off to sleep. A short time later, the shrill voice of Miya woke him. He would have ignored her, but he heard the panic in her voice. He rose, arching his back. The smell of burning wood hung in the air as he jumped to the top of the carriage.

  “We have to go find her,” Miya cried. She whirled around, pointing at the oldest boy. “You were supposed to be watching her, Sal.”

  The boy shrugged. “It wasn’t my turn. It was Dallen’s.”

  “Was not.”

  “Children, stop arguing,” their father said. “She couldn’t have gone too far. We have only been here for an hour. We will split up into pairs and look for her. Miya, you stay here with Max, in case she wanders back.”

  Tosh saw the old man who drove the carriage nod. As he surveyed the scene, he realized the youngest girl was missing. He watched as the father took his youngest son with him and left the two older boys to search together. They headed out in the opposite direction.

  Tosh looked off into the woods. He knew the forest could be a dangerous place, especially now that nighttime was quickly approaching. The girl had probably just ventured too far from camp and couldn’t find her way back. His mind flashed back to the young boy who drowned in the lake. He was about the same age as the missing little girl. He hadn’t acted fast enough back then but maybe he could today.

  Once the others were out of sight, he leapt to the ground. The carriage door stood open. He jumped inside. The seats were lined with plush fabric. He rose up, putting his front feet onto the padded seats. He sighed as he momentarily imagined sleeping on this soft stuff. Agon was correct. Riding in the carriage would be nicer. He pushed that thought aside as he sniffed along the seat searching for the girl’s scent. There by the window lay a doll that he recognized as belonging to the little girl. He jumped on the bench and sniffed the doll.

  Once he had her scent memorized, he leapt out of the carriage, scenting the air and ground as he tried to determine which way she went. He ducked around the carriage, carefully avoiding the older man who brushed off the horses that were picketed away from the camp. He ended up nearly circling the camp before he found her trail. The father had gone off in almost the same direction. With any luck, he would find her before Tosh did.

  Tosh ran, pausing occasionally to make sure he was on the right path. The forest grew dim as the sun sunk below the tree line. He pushed aside thoughts of wolves and other predators. He hoped the activity around the camp had scared such beasts away from this area.

  Then he heard the soft noise of someone crying. As he entered a clearing, he saw her. The little girl sat hugging her legs against her chest. Her head rested upon her knees with her dark-brown hair reaching almost all the way to the ground. In the fading light, he couldn’t see any injuries. Probably just scared, Tosh reasoned as he tried to decide what to do next. Speaking to her or her family was out of the question. He had never once broken Tobias’s rule about talking to non-Elementals. But he couldn’t leave her out here alone. So he did something he hadn’t done since he was a kitten.

  He meowed.

  The sound came out very softly. He tried again. This time he produced a much louder sound, but it was so foreign to his ears he couldn’t decide if he had done it correctly. The girl raised her head and stared at him. He meowed again and took a hesitating step toward her.

  “Kitty,” she said softly as she brushed tears from her cheeks with her hand.

  She didn’t move as he approached. He butted his head against her knee, purring softly. The girl reached out hesitatingly to pet him. Tosh leaned into her hand and then walked to the edge of the clearing. He looked back. She still sat in the same spot, so he repeated the action hoping she would understand and follow him. On this third attempt, she finally rose and began to follow. Tosh moved down the path, stopping again to make sure she followed. He sighed with relief when she did.

  They continued down the path and then Tosh heard someone calling for her. The girl cried out and as Tosh heard crashing in the bushes, he quickly disappeared into the brush. From there he saw the father and youngest son rush to the little girl. Her father scooped her up. Tosh couldn’t hear what the man said, but soon they were striding back toward the camp. The girl looked over her father’s shoulder and called out “kitty” one time before they disappeared from view.

  Chapter Five

  The days continued to blur together as they traveled through the forest. If at nightfall they were near a village, the family would opt to stay at an inn but more often than not, they pitched two large tents and camped under the stars. Soon the forest gave way to rolling grassy hills. But Tosh didn’t pay too much attention to the surrounding areas. Instead, he thought about giving up on The Search. Part of him yearned for the freedom the decision would provide, but then he would picture Tobias. His grandfather would surely be disappointed if he were still alive. And disappointing him was the last thing he ever would want to do, even if he was nothing but a memory. Tosh struggled with what he should do as he reasoned for and against the idea of giving up The Search.

  He looked up from his musings when the carriage pulled to a stop. The land to either side of the road was nothing but dirt. A few dried stalks of grass and one tree stripped of leaves were all that remained.

  Tosh watched as the father and his children climbed out of the carriage. They stood staring at the desolate area.

  “What happened here,” Miya asked her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Lokee must have been here,” her father replied, his voice solemn.

  “Lokee?” the youngest boy asked.

  The driver, Max, nodded as he came to stand by the boy. “Them is insects about this big,” he said as he held his forefinger and thumb apart about half the distance of the width of his palm. “Those nasty creatures fly in a large swarm and strip whole areas of all plant life.”

  The boy looked around with a worried expression on his face. “They are not still here, are they?”

  His father smiled and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. “No, Val, the closest village would have sprayed them with poison. Even if they were still here, they wouldn’t harm
you. They only eat plants.” He shook his head as he looked out at the barren area. “Lokee use to be a big problem in Altron but with the use of poisons, they have been kept to manageable levels. Since we don’t see them, it looks like the people of Elwood have already taken care of the swarm that did this.” He nodded toward Max. “Best be on our way.”

  The children climbed back into the carriage but then hung out the windows to stare at the vast barren area. Tosh too gazed at the wasteland. He considered himself well traveled, but he had never seen anything like it. The sight left him with a sad, empty feeling.

  That night, the carriage pulled into the village of Elwood. As the father settled the children into the inn, Tosh wandered through the town. Even though he had been thinking of giving up The Search, he found it hard to break the habit of seeking out those with power. He had nearly completed his walk through the village when he felt the first tremor of power. He looked around, spotting the cottage set back from the main road. Almost hidden by some trees, it was hard to see in the fading light. Slowly, Tosh approached. A woman sat on the porch knitting. He walked closer sure the power emanated from her.

  He should turn and go. He didn’t want another Elemental. He had all but decided he would take a break from The Search. He couldn’t bear to bond with someone else only to lose them again.

  The woman was old. Her gray hair was pulled into a long braid that hung down her back. Her wrinkled hands firmly held the knitting needles. She hummed to herself as she knitted. And then as if sensing someone watching her, she looked up. Her grey eyes narrowed in on him as he sat in the bushes.

  “Hi there,” she said as she set the knitting down. She rose and with slow steps, walked toward him. She stopped a few paces in front of him. “Haven’t seen a STAC out here since Cal passed away.”