Nora and the Sacred Stones

by Laura Hatch Rupper

  He felt her relax against him in a way that felt like progress. Maybe they could be friends. If Prince Oskal caught up to them, they would need to trust each other. Kyn tightened his arms around Nora. He would protect her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Friends

  “I need to stop at Silver Pool,” Ivin said.

  Nora could feel Prince Kyn flinch behind her. He obviously didn’t want to stop.

  “How long of a stop?” asked the prince.

  “Just long enough to rinse my arm in the lake and get a new compress on it. Ten minutes at the most.”

  “Alright. Are you in a lot of pain?”

  “I’ve been better.”

  Nora straightened. They’d been in the tunnel for hours with only one quick break. Prince Kyn kept encouraging her to get some rest, but how could she sleep when she couldn’t quiet the worries inside her head?

  But worried or not, she had decided to help Ivin, and help him she would. “I’ll make us some soup while you re-dress his wound,” she said.

  “In ten minutes?” The prince sounded skeptical.

  “Yes, sire. I can make it in five.”

  The pacs seemed pleased with the direction to pull off the tunnel trail and eagerly took the pebbly path that led down to the lake. When they got to the shore, Prince Kyn jumped off his pac and headed to the smaller pac to get bandages for Ivin. The prince’s urgency made Nora feel even more unsettled.

  He handed her the cooking tools and her knapsack. “Five minutes,” he said. “We eat it raw if it isn’t done.”

  Ivin turned his head away as Prince Kyn rinsed the wound. “I imagine you are a much better cook than the prince or me,” said Ivin.

  Nora gave him a little smile. “I imagine you’re right.” A good soup for Sir Ivin would help as much as a new compress.

  Nora quickly rummaged through their cooking supplies. It was simpler fare than she would have thought a prince would carry. Perhaps he thought of himself more as a soldier when he was on a mission.

  She squatted next to the lake and filled her flask with water. A few steps back to the range stone, a pat of butter thrown into the small pot, and the soup was in motion. With swift, practiced movements she diced an onion and dumped it into the pot. Twirling a puller over the pot with her left hand, she sautéed the onion. Her right hand threw in two spices that she had been carrying in her knapsack.

  The sound of Ivin’s shaky voice startled her. “That smells wonderful.”

  Nora offered a smile but didn’t look up. She was determined to be done before the prince finished bandaging Ivin’s arm. She dumped in some water and a diced potato root. Placing the other puller in her right hand, she called to the range stone in her thoughts, telling it of her need to hurry. The stone answered, heat bursting into the pot. The broth boiled almost instantly, and a warm aroma filled the damp tunnel air. Nora added pinches of salt and pepper and quickly filled three mugs.

  She turned to look at Prince Kyn and Sir Ivin as she waited for them to be done. Who were they exactly? Her captors? Sir Ivin had never really felt like a captor, and after hours of riding with Prince Kyn, the prince didn’t feel like an enemy. She decided she would think of them as travel companions for now.

  The prince’s attention was still focused on bandaging Ivin’s arm, but Sir Ivin was gaping at her. “How did you do that?” he asked.

  “What?” asked Nora.

  “I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s like the pullers were part of you.”

  “I’m very comfortable with pullers.”

  “No,” said Ivin, shaking his head. “That’s not just being comfortable. I’ve never seen anyone boil soup that quickly in my life.”

  Nora handed him a mug. “This will nourish you.”

  Ivin eagerly accepted it and took a slow gulp of soup. Prince Kyn, finally done wrapping Ivin’s wound, followed Ivin’s lead and dug into his own. Nora smiled. They hadn’t waited to watch her taste the soup first. They trusted her. She definitely wasn’t just a prisoner anymore.

  Both soldiers kept refilling their mugs until the pot was empty. The way they inhaled the soup was more than a compliment.

  “That was the best soup I’ve ever had,” said Prince Kyn. He set his mug down and moved back to the pacs.

  As they prepared to leave, Prince Kyn turned to Ivin. “Can you tell how fast the poison is spreading?”

  Ivin ignored the question. “I watched Nora make our dinner. I’ve seen her skill. She’ll be able to make me a revar.” He smiled at Nora and closed his eyes. “A very valuable friend to have.”

  Ivin had called her a friend. Nora’s eyes filled with tears and she turned her back to Prince Kyn. She didn’t want him to see her cry. Having a friend, at least in her situation, while heading into the unknown, was priceless.

  Prince Kyn seemed oblivious to Nora’s reaction. “Do you think you could handle a pac on your own?” he asked her, “I think Ivin is too weak to ride alone anymore.”

  Nora nodded.

  Sir Ivin protested that he didn’t need help, but the prince was insistent.

  Nora and Prince Kyn helped Ivin to his feet and walked him to the pacs. “What were you two talking about while you were riding together?” Ivin asked.

  Prince Kyn didn’t answer.

  “We were playing question for question,” Nora finally said.

  “What?” asked Ivin as Prince Kyn helped him onto the pac.

  “You know. The game where you ask each other questions and have to answer honestly.”

  Ivin looked amused. Prince Kyn wouldn’t meet Nora’s eyes. Nora looked back and forth between the two men.

  “That’s not a real game, is it?” Nora asked.

  Ivin chuckled and shook his head.

  Prince Kyn must think she was an idiot. Her face grew hot, and she turned away in embarrassment. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

  “I’m sorry,” whispered Prince Kyn, bending down slightly until they were nearly cheek to cheek. “I just really wanted to talk to you, and that seemed like a good way. You could answer my questions without worrying. You could be yourself.”

  Nora looked up at him. His nose was still bruised but less swollen. He seemed so genuine.

  “Friends?” he asked.

  Nora hesitated. Prince Kyn had chased her down, but he had also saved her from the Dolmarkians. He was her captor, but she didn’t feel like a prisoner. She finally extended her hand in the sign of the peasant class. “Friends.”

  Prince Kyn extended his own hand, but he unclenched her fist and grasped her fingers. “Friends don’t have classes,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. After a second, he dropped her hand, unceremoniously grabbed her waist and swung her onto her pac.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Scream

  Was this what it felt like to be a leader? Nothing but stress and responsibility? Kyn watched Nora’s pac scramble up the tunnel trail. They were finally to Queen’s Ladder, the steepest section of the tunnel by far. The tunnel was wide here, probably a quarry length from one wall to another. The Queen’s Ladder ascended sharply, the path curving back and forth in switchbacks.

  Nora clung to her mount as it lumbered sideways. This was a tricky part of the path. Was she alright alone on the pac? If she fell, she could get seriously hurt, but Ivin needed him more. Ivin’s breathing was getting shallower, and he kept drifting off to sleep. If the soldier died, Kyn would never forgive himself. How did his father deal with holding so many people’s lives in his hands? No wonder he was constantly in a bad mood.

  The amplified sounds of the tunnel were also troubling. It was probably just rockrats or falling pebbles, but the echoes made Kyn feel like enemies were hiding behind every boulder.

  They were two hours from the safety of the palace, where he would face questions from his father. It had been an a
mateur mistake to let Oskal escape. Kyn was not looking forward to explaining everything. He held Ivin more tightly.

  “She’s managing her pac,” Ivin said.

  Good. He was awake again.

  “Yes,” said Kyn. “She’s holding her own.”

  That might be Nora’s most defining characteristic—she certainly could hold her own. He smiled a little as he watched her navigate the switchbacks. He’d love to see how she handled his father or Lyli. Peasant or not, she seemed sure of herself. He couldn’t imagine her being intimidated by anyone.

  Something echoed through the tunnel, and Kyn flinched. “What’s that sound?”

  “Normal tunnel noises,” answered Ivin.

  “It sounded like a groan. I’ve never heard anything like that before.”

  “The rocks in the tunnels shift. Sometimes it sounds like groaning. You’ve just never been quiet enough in the tunnels to hear the sounds.”

  “It gives me the jitters,” said Kyn. “Nora says that the rocks are alive. Do you believe in that kind of stuff, Ivin?”

  Ivin didn’t answer right away.

  Kyn didn’t know a single noble who actually believed the old legends. The Four Earth festivals were something they did for tradition’s sake. The festivals were no longer about pleasing the earth as they were intended to do ages ago. Now they were just excuses to drink Creen infusions, mingle with other Houses, and make alliances.

  “I have to believe her,” Ivin finally answered softly. “Or I have no chance.”

  Kyn spurred his pac. The poor animal was going slower and slower, overburdened by the weight of two grown men. It had managed up until now, but the switchback ascension was simply too steep. He should get off, but Ivin had drifted off to sleep again and was resting against him.

  Nora’s pac was almost to the top of the switchbacks. Kyn frowned, not liking that he and Ivin were nearly ten minutes behind her. Kyn gently woke Ivin. “I need to get off so the pac can make it up this hill. Can you manage the reins for a little while?”

  “I still have one good arm,” Ivin replied.

  Kyn swung his leg over the back of the pac and plopped to the ground. He reoriented himself and looked toward the top of the ridge. Nora’s pac crested the hill, and she disappeared from sight.

  Moments later, a shrill scream echoed through the tunnel.

  “Nora!” cried Kyn.

  “What’s going on?” asked Ivin as he slumped helplessly forward on the pac.

  “Nora screamed,” Kyn said. “Nora!”

  No response.

  “I’m going on ahead to see if she’s okay,” Kyn told Ivin. “I’ll come back for you.”

  Ivin nodded. “Be careful, Prince Kyn.”

  Kyn frantically looked up the switchback trail. If he took a pac, he could make it up the trail’s switchbacks in ten minutes, but if he climbed straight up the tunnel wall, he could make it up much faster. He hated climbing. He hated heights. But Nora wouldn’t scream unless it was serious.

  Kyn pulled the spikes out from the supply satchel, ran to the steep wall, and began his ascent up the rocks. Reach with the right hand, stab the spike in, pull yourself up. Pull the other spike out with the left hand, stab it in higher, repeat. Don’t look down. What had his climbing instructor said? Your legs are stronger than your arms—use them. Kyn pushed off with his legs.

  His dagger was sheathed at his side. Would he need it?

  “Nora!” he shouted again.

  Kyn’s frantic cry echoed through the tunnel, but there was still no sound from above. He desperately pulled himself upward. Maybe some animal had startled her. No, that didn’t seem like her. He heaved himself higher. Two more pulls and he’d be to the top. He took another big breath. Maybe she’d fallen off the pac?

  Kyn hefted himself over the edge, arms shaking. Out of breath from the strenuous climb, he crawled to his feet, drew his dagger, and looked around. The tunnel narrowed here, and the path toward Toren Node was long and straight. Large boulders lined either side of the tunnel wall. There, to the side of the trail were three pacs —one of them Nora’s. But where was she and whose pacs were the other two?

  “Nora!” Kyn screamed.

  Just then, Jan, the stocky Dolmarkian soldier, stepped out from behind a boulder. The soldier stood ready for revenge, a twisted smile on his massively bruised face. Drawing his dagger, Jan moved steadily toward Kyn. One of his eyes was nearly swollen shut but the other glared.

  Kyn narrowed his eyes. Prince Oskal had been ahead of them the whole time. He must have gone back for Jan and then left for the tunnels while Kyn and Ivin were at the inn. Kyn shook his head. He should have killed Jan when he had the chance, or at least sent someone to arrest him.

  “Where’s Nora?” Kyn growled. “Where’s Prince Oskal?”

  “Safe from you,” said Jan.

  “Prince Oskal left you to do his dirty work, I see.”

  Kyn circled a little to the right, trying to find higher ground. Maybe he could convince Jan to drop his dagger.

  Kyn straightened to his full height. “I beat you once. I can beat you again. Drop your dagger and I will spare your life.”

  The corner of Jan’s mouth curled. “You’re not much of a leader, are you? You’re just a dumb boy who left a poisoned dagger behind.” He waved his weapon. “I have another chance to kill you, and I won’t miss this time. One little nick is all it will take.”

  It had been stupid to leave the dagger behind on the road. Kyn had made so many mistakes. He clenched his free hand. He wouldn’t let mercy cloud his judgement again. This was for Nora’s safety and Ivin’s life.

  Kyn yelled and ran towards Jan, his own dagger in hand.

  The Dolmarkian moved his left leg back as Kyn leaped astride the boulder in one quick move. Surprise flashed in Jan’s eyes. He must not have thought Kyn would be so aggressive.

  Jan’s dagger flashed, and Kyn jerked back, narrowly avoiding the tip of the poisoned weapon. Kyn kept his balance, though, and lunged at Jan with all his strength. Slashing upward, he sliced Jan’s right arm deeply.

  Jan cried out in pain. His hand spasmed, and the poisoned dagger fell. He and Kyn both dropped to their knees, scrambling for the dagger as it bounced toward the edge of the boulder.

  Jan stretched for it with his good arm, but Kyn was quicker. He seized the handle and thrust the bladed deep into Jan’s chest.

  “For Ivin,” he cried.

  Jan tried to speak, but nothing came out. His eyes grew wide and still. Kyn took a step back as the man’s body fell to the rock.

  Kyn doubled over, his hands on his knees. He gagged. He had just killed a Dolmarkian soldier.

  He took a deep breath of the damp tunnel air. There wasn’t time to be sick.

  He picked up his own dagger from the rock and pushed it back into its sheath. He would need it again. He was a soldier—a warrior. He was his father’s son. Mercy for those who fought fairly, justice for those who used poisoned daggers.

  Kyn looked down the trail. “Nora!” he called.

  Where was Oskal? Kyn began to run down the tunnel path. He had to find Nora quickly.

  The path stretched out endlessly in front of him. The orbs that lined the way glowed like illuminating beacons. If Nora and Oskal were on the path, they would be in view. They must be off the trail. Kyn slowed his panicked run and scanned the boulders on either side of the path.

  What was Prince Oskal thinking? What was he doing? He must know this would force Liardia to declare war. This must be about winning for the Dolmarkian prince, bringing Nora back to House Dolmark, and the thrill of the hunt. Kyn clenched his jaw. He was a leader, not some flocat trapped in a tree.

  There! A flash of red behind one of the boulders along the side of the tunnel. “Nora!” he yelled as he hurried forward with his dagger drawn.

  Chapter Seventeen
/>   The Stone’s Call

  Nora opened her mouth to yell back a warning to Prince Kyn, but Prince Oskal, who had his arm around her waist, quickly covered her mouth. Heart racing, Nora tried to kick and punch, but he pinned her arms to her sides, pulled her in front of him, and pushed her further up the tunnel wall. The uncomfortable thought crossed her mind that he seemed to be experienced in holding victims like this.

  Fear pulsed through Nora as Oskal drew his dagger and brushed the blade gently across her cheek. “I don’t want to harm you, but I will if you scream again.” His eyes glinted. He looked as though he relished the thought of cutting her. “Now, do you think you can remain quiet?”

  Nora nodded. Prince Kyn had obviously heard her first scream when she summited Queen’s Ladder and was captured. She would have to wait for another moment to warn him.

  “Soon, those Liardians will be like these stones,” he said, motioning to the boulders. “Cold and dead.” He uncovered her mouth, and Nora sucked in big gulps of air. “Liardia is nothing,” continued Oskal as he tugged her further up the tunnel wall. “You should be grateful that I’m saving you from this place.”

  Nora stumbled and fell. Prince Oskal jerked her back to her feet, and they continued their climb. Why were they going up into the boulders? Was the Dolmarkian prince just going to hide until Kyn passed by?

  No. Prince Oskal clearly had a plan to hurt Kyn. Nora’s heart thumped rapidly.

  “You are going to be an honored, important member of House Dolmark, Nora. Your concocting power will be richly rewarded.”

  Nora remained quiet. She still couldn’t piece together how Prince Oskal even knew who she was. Had he somehow found out about the Creen infusion she’d made in the canteen?

  “Together we will have great power,” he said. “You will make revars for me and my men while we fight to obtain all seven of the power stones.”

  Power stones. That’s all they were to Prince Oskal. Did he even care that they were sacred gifts from the earth?

  Wait. Nora’s heart caught in her chest. He said revar, not infusion. Prince Oskal knew she had made a revar. Who would have told him that? Who could have told him that?