Nora and the Sacred Stones

by Laura Hatch Rupper

  “That could take weeks.”

  Sir Ivin nodded. He didn’t seem troubled by the task.

  The sun beat down on them with little shade to be found. Staring down the crowded road, Kyn adjusted the sash of his thick, olive-green uniform. This mission would certainly be easier if he didn’t have to wear such heavy clothing.

  Brightly colored shops that sold everything from fishing hooks to stone paper fronted the stone-paved streets. Poorer merchants who couldn’t afford a store lined the streets with their handcarts and called out their wares.

  “Berries picked yesterday!” hollered a peasant girl wearing a bright red kerchief.

  “Flowers! Fresh, fragrant flowers!” called an old woman with a cart full of bright yellow arleysums.

  “It’s like finding a pebble in a quarry,” muttered Kyn, looking down the busy street.

  Sir Ivin laughed. “A very elusive, red-headed pebble.”

  Kyn squared his shoulders. He was the leader. He needed to be calm and optimistic. “Let’s work our way down the street.”

  “Did you get a look at the younger boys who were with her?” Ivin asked.

  “It was dark,” said Kyn, shrugging his shoulders. “We’ll find them, though. I have to find them.”

  Suddenly, Kyn grabbed Ivin’s arm. “Look!” Kyn pointed at the large window of a store front. There, just past some orbs for sale, was a flash of red hair. Kyn rushed into the store, Ivin close on his heels. Kyn pushed past customers and ducked through the assortment of orbs that floated around the store like soap bubbles. In between the orbs he caught glints of red. Elbowing his way through, he finally got to the back of the store.

  Kyn reached out and grabbed the red-haired woman by the shoulder. She spun around rather abruptly, and Kyn’s stomach sank. The red hair belonged to a shopkeeper. She was much older than Nora and had a stockier build. In fact, the only physical quality the two women shared was their red hair.

  “Excuse me, ma’am. I thought you were someone else.” Kyn’s shoulders sagged.

  “Prince Kyn,” gasped the woman.

  Kyn nodded and extended his arm in greeting. “You have a beautiful store here.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness.” She extended her arm palm up in the greeting of the merchant class.

  Ivin took a step forward and extended his own arm palm down.

  The orb’s glass reflected the woman’s hair and reminded Kyn of the way Nora’s hair had looked when he chased her into the library. “You have lovely hair, ma’am,” said Kyn.

  “Thank you, sire. If you wish to choose a glass orb, I’ll fill it myself with gas, so it’ll be as fresh as possible.” She glanced at him, her face a bit flushed. “Our filled orbs are always fresh.”

  “You are very kind, ma’am, but perhaps another time,” Ivin said. “We are actually here looking for a young girl. We believe her to be around sixteen years old.”

  “She has red hair like yours. Her name is Nora,” added Kyn.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I know her, Your Highness,” she said.

  He thanked the shopkeeper for her time and made his way back out of the store to the sound of a customer whispering his name.

  On to the next merchant. Someone had to have seen Nora.

  “You haven’t been that excited since we started our journey,” Ivin said, breaking the silence.

  “What do you mean?” asked Kyn.

  “When you ran into that store thinking the woman was Nora, your eyes lit up.”

  “I just want this mission to be successful.” Kyn felt Ivin’s gaze on him and turned his head away.

  “It seemed like there was something more than that.”

  “Something like what?”

  Ivin squinted at Kyn. “I think you might be enamored with the girl.”

  “I’m not enamored with Nora,” Kyn declared in a loud voice.

  Ivin didn’t exactly smile, but one side of his mouth twitched. “If you say so, Your Highness.”

  “I barely spent ten minutes with her.”

  Ivin offered no comment as Kyn stepped into the street.

  “I mean, yes, I found her rather pretty, and yes, she was brave. But that doesn’t mean I’m enamored. It sounds like a grandfather word anyway. Who says enamored anymore? I’m not enamored.”

  Ivin grabbed Kyn’s arm and jerked him back from stepping in some pac manure.

  “Thanks,” said Kyn. “I’m not enamored,” he added for good measure.

  “Five,” said Ivin.

  “Five?”

  “Five.” Ivin smiled and crossed the street toward the next store.

  “Five what?” asked Kyn.

  “You said enamored five times. I guess you’re someone who says enamored. Maybe it’s not a grandfather word after all.”

  “You’re counting how many times I say enamored?” Kyn shook his head. He was sure that no leader in history had inspired so little fear.

  “Six,” responded Ivin.

  Kyn rubbed his chin and straightened his spine. There was nothing to do but to stop talking. Interactions with his father had taught him that when you couldn’t win an argument, it was best to just change the subject.

  “We’ll find her,” muttered Kyn, as Sir Ivin opened the door to the next shop. The mineral smell of stone paper filled the store, and a sign at the front claimed that the shop had the best paper in Clove.

  A portly woman was stocking shelves while a man who looked to be her husband spoke to a customer. “This paper is made with stone from the Glynlea Quarry. The animals they use there grind the rock to a very fine pulp, so there are absolutely no lumps in the paper.”

  The customer held up a piece of beige colored paper. “What’s the thickness?” she asked.

  “Three crays,” said the man, with pride in his voice. “It’s the best quality anywhere in town. Go ahead and try to tear a sheet.”

  The customer tried to tear the paper but couldn’t. Kyn watched with amusement as she put it in her mouth and attempted to rip it with her teeth as a last resort.

  The female shopkeeper turned to stock more paper and gave the typical gasp when she saw Kyn. “Your Highness,” she said and extended her open palm. They touched palms as Kyn met the woman’s open, upturned hand with his own extended arm.

  Kyn walked toward the shelf she had been stocking and flipped through a stack of rose-colored paper. What gave it its soft color? It must be made from finely ground corden rock.

  Kyn listened as Ivin gave his usual explanation. “We’re searching for a young girl by the name of Nora. She has red hair. Do you know anyone with that description?”

  “Are you talking about Nora Shelli?” asked the woman.

  “Unfortunately, we do not know the girl’s last name, but we believe that she’s about sixteen years old.”

  “Yes, that sounds about right,” said the woman.

  Kyn dropped the stack of papers in his excitement.

  “This girl also has a brother named Limar,” said Ivin.

  “Of course,” beamed the woman. “They are some of our best suppliers. We see them here about twice a year.”

  Kyn stepped up eagerly behind Ivin. He wanted to jump in and ask questions but decided it would be more princely to let Ivin do it. Kyn bounced from foot to foot while Ivin continued his inquiry.

  “Do you know where Nora is from?”

  “Yes sire. She’s from Glynlea Borough.”

  “Glynlea? That’s up near the quarries, right?”

  That made sense. Nora had climbed down the palace wall with the confidence of someone who was an experienced climber, someone who had grown up around rocks.

  “Yes. It’s a good eight-day tunnel walk from here, or about three days by pac. But you’re in luck if you want to catch Nora. She and Limar are here trying to earn some silver at
Cameel’s Canteen on the west side of town.”

  Kyn wanted to kiss the woman, or at the least give her a big hug, but he restrained himself and offered her a sincere smile instead. Ivin thanked her, and they left quickly before the woman could ask questions.

  Kyn and Ivin fell into step next to each other and began walking faster. Three days ago, Kyn would have interpreted the look on Ivin’s face as expressionless, but these last couple of days together had schooled him in Ivin’s idiosyncrasies. The twitch in Ivin’s mouth was barely noticeable, but it meant that he too was excited.

  Chapter Eleven

  Capture

  Nora burst through the door to the scullery, carrying all three knapsacks. Her mind was racing as she thought out their next steps. How long did they have before someone figured out that she was responsible for Cameel’s intoxication? That she had touched yet another sacred stone? This feeling of panicked escape was becoming too familiar.

  “I have the silver,” Nora whispered to Limar and Beck. “We have to go right now. I’ll explain later.”

  The boys threw their rags into the dishwater and grabbed their knapsacks from Nora. Limar creaked open the swinging door that separated the scullery from the rest of the kitchen, and the three of them peered through. Nora took quick note of the exit options. Their best choice was to hug the right side of the kitchen, pass through the dining room, and escape out the customer entrance in the front. That would lead them right into the main town square and set them on a quick path to the tunnels.

  “What’s wrong with Cameel?” Beck asked.

  Cameel staggered down the left side of the kitchen. He grabbed a handful of raw bread dough, threw it in the air, and giggled when it splatted on the floor. The kitchen workers were frozen in place, confused at the change in their boss’s behavior.

  “Drunk,” Nora explained.

  “Wait, what?” Beck asked.

  “How?” asked Limar at the same time.

  “I said we’ll talk about it later. Right now, we need to move.”

  The icing had been much more powerful than anything Cameel could have created. The small buzz from his fruit spurt was a cheap alcohol for those who couldn’t afford to pay for a real infusion. But Nora had pulled enough Creen to make Cameel stone drunk, no question.

  “Follow me,” Nora said. She darted through the kitchen, avoiding Cameel, who was singing and helping himself to more cake. Was he going to eat the whole thing himself?

  Beck and Limar were right behind her. They reached the archway leading out of the kitchen and moved into the west side of the dining room.

  The place was absolutely packed. There didn’t seem to be an empty seat in the room. The sound of laughter and clanking dishes filled the air. Nora and the boys pushed their way toward the front door. Nobody seemed troubled by manners, and there was a general feeling of warmth and liveliness in the room. Nora shook her head. What chaos. Still, it would be something to cook for a group this large every day.

  They were halfway to the door when someone tapped Nora’s shoulder. As she turned, she hit the person with her bulky knapsack. “Sorry,” she mumbled, looking at the chest of a soldier’s uniform. The buttons were silver—an officer of the noble class. The soldier grabbed her firmly by the shoulders, and Nora’s eyes moved to his face. Her heart sank, and for a moment she couldn’t breathe.

  “Prince Kyn,” she gasped.

  This couldn’t be happening. Not when they had the silver. She was so close to making it out of Clove and getting home with Dani’s miracle.

  Nora frantically looked around the room. Another soldier in a Liardian uniform stood behind the prince. Beck and Limar stood frozen in place.

  “We need to talk,” said the prince, pointing to the door.

  No. She couldn’t go anywhere with him. But what could she do? She looked desperately at Beck and Limar again. Their eyes were huge.

  “Sire, please. I need to get home,” Nora said in a shaky voice.

  “I’m afraid that’s not an option,” Prince Kyn said firmly. His grip on her shoulders tightened.

  Nora hesitated, then came to a quick decision. She swung her knapsack as hard as she could, but Prince Kyn side-stepped her attack and the knapsack fell to the ground. As the prince moved, he bumped into a diner, causing the man to drop his bread. The annoyed man started to yell, but quickly choked it back.

  “Your Highness,” he gasped. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see who you were.”

  Prince Kyn turned and apologized to the man. Nora looked to the boys and yelled. “Run!”

  She bolted toward the door, looking over her shoulder to see the prince and the soldier right behind her. Springing to the tabletop, she ran down its length. Gasps and curses rang through the canteen as Prince Kyn and the soldier followed her onto the table, sending cups and platters flying as they ran.

  Nora had almost reached the end of the table when the prince threw himself at her, tackling her from behind. They fell together, their momentum knocking more dishes over and drawing additional yells of surprise. Nora, her face pressed into the rough stone of the table, heard customers scurrying away. The weight of Prince Kyn’s body pinned Nora to the table, her arm resting awkwardly on a plate of food.

  “We meet again,” said Prince Kyn. “And in the same way.”

  Fury surged inside Nora. The prince thought this was funny. This was her life. It was no joke.

  Prince Kyn climbed down from the table and, holding Nora’s arm in a viselike grip, pulled her down behind him. Nora scooped up a mug from the table as Prince Kyn pulled her unceremoniously toward the door. Swinging her free arm as hard as she could, she hit the smug prince square in the face. In for a pebble, in for a stone—she might as well fight.

  Prince Kyn swore but didn’t lose his grip. The remaining diners gasped and moved back further from the scene. The other soldier gripped Beck and Limar by their tunics. She blinked back tears of frustration.

  “You’re under arrest,” growled Prince Kyn, his nose bleeding.

  The blood from his nose was almost to his chin, but she couldn’t manage to feel sorry. Maybe sorry would come later in a cold, damp prison cell, but all she felt now was anger and frustration. She had been so close to getting the revar to Dani, only to have the prince foil her plans. Again.

  “Your Highness, please,” said Nora as Prince Kyn twisted her arms behind her back. He took off his cloth sash and tied her hands tightly with it. The canteen was quiet. Nearly everyone had filed out, eager to leave before they had to answer questions or become involved. The few remaining seemed to be there because they were too afraid to move.

  “Please, let my brother and his friend go. They had nothing to do with this.”

  Prince Kyn paused. “Why should I do you any favors? I probably have a broken nose thanks to you.”

  Nora looked at the ground. What could she bargain with? She had nothing he didn’t already have. Her only resort was begging. She pushed her anger down. Beck, Limar, Dani, and Mama all deserved her best effort. She would grovel.

  “Please!” Nora kept her eyes down, trying her best to look humble. “My family needs my brother for the family business. I beg of you. They will starve without his help. These boys had nothing to do with any of this. It was all my idea and my plan. They’re too young to know we were breaking the law. Please have mercy, sire.”

  She looked up to find the prince studying her, his brow furrowed. He turned to his fellow soldier and then back to her.

  “You’re coming back to the palace with us.”

  Her spirits dropped. It was one thing to go on trial and serve jail time in Clove, but it would be even worse to be hauled back to the palace. Her family wouldn’t be able to afford the long tunnel journey to visit her in a palace prison. How would they run the business without her help? Anger swelled inside her, and she pulled as far away from the prince as the makesh
ift rope would allow.

  Prince Kyn pulled tighter on the sash around her wrists, but his focus shifted from Nora to Limar and Beck. The prince’s eyes softened, and Nora heard him take a long, deep breath.

  “Ivin, release the two boys. They’re free to go.”

  The older soldier immediately released his hold on the boys.

  Nora turned her head away from Prince Kyn and met Limar’s gaze. She flicked her eyes to the far end of the table where she had been when Prince Kyn first grabbed her shoulder. She tried to use her eyes to show Limar where she had dropped her knapsack. Limar followed the direction of her eyes, spied the bag, and gave Nora a quick nod.

  Nora stood up straighter and gave her brother a shaky smile. She wouldn’t trade him for anyone. Limar might be the most overconfident boy in the world, but he was resourceful and brave. Dani was his priority too. He would get the revar home.

  It looked like Limar was trying to say something, but the words never came out. Her little brother’s hands were shaking as he slung the knapsack over his shoulder and looked back at Nora, Beck by his side. She didn’t want the boys’ last image of her to be of Prince Kyn dragging her out of the canteen.

  She swallowed hard and said, “I love you, Limar. Tell Mama and Dani that I love them too.”

  Prince Kyn loosened his hold just a bit.

  Limar’s eyes were filled with tears. He nodded. She’d never seen terror and sadness like that on her brother’s face.

  “Go,” she insisted. She watched the two boys disappear out the door of the canteen.

  Just as quickly, Ivin came over to Nora and grabbed her right arm firmly.

  “I’ve got her,” said Prince Kyn. He tightened his grip and proceeded to half drag, half carry her toward the front of the canteen.

  Whispers from the few remaining diners followed them. Nora felt her face heat with embarrassment and frustration. She had just been trying to help Dani. How had she ended up like this? Like a criminal?

  “Shtop. Shtones.” A staggering, drunker-than-ever Cameel careened toward them.

  “Excuse me?” asked Ivin.

  Cameel pointed at Nora with his large, meaty finger. “She . . . she cooked cakes,” he hiccupped. “Not right.” He stumbled. “Pullers.”