This was unexpected. And sobering. Colby had hoped once he’d proven his usefulness to his father school would be indefinitely postponed, if not permanently canceled.
“Father, couldn’t I just finish this one task? And then go back to school?” he pleaded uselessly.
Jurekai shook his head as he spoke. “You have done the hard part. The rest of this task will simply unfold. Finishing your schooling is just as vital as any task I have ever asked of you. I want you to be ready for your future, and there are things you have not yet learned.”
Colby sighed. He knew no amount of pleading would change his father’s mind. But back to school? He despised the thought of being stuck behind a desk and books. There had been a time when he had enjoyed school, but that was when his mother was allowed to teach him. She was gone now. He had not seen her in three years.
“I have found a new teacher for you,” his father continued. “I think you will like this one.”
“Great,” Colby replied with fake enthusiasm. With each new teacher, he was never sure whether to prepare to be relieved or petrified. His previous teacher had been impatient, mean, and demanding, but mostly, she had smelled old and musty.
“Your new classes begin tomorrow morning. Nine a.m. sharp.”
“Yes, Father,” answered Colby.
It looked like his task, and any fun outside the estate, was finished for now.
CHAPTER 4
Meghan Jacoby awoke, confused by her surroundings. Nona’s head lifted down by her feet and the memories came flooding back in. First night in the devastated encampment.
“You’d think after more than a year of being on the move, I’d be used to waking up in strange places.” Meghan lay on a cot inside a tent, alongside Jae and Mireya Mochrie.
Colin had opted not to sleep in the tent, but rather outside, underneath the stars. Of course, this had nothing to do with his desire to sleep outdoors, but only to do with Catrina Flummer. Sharing a room with three others, with one of them being Mireya, unaware of Catrina, made him uncomfortable. Therefore, he opted to sleep outside where he could speak to Catrina whenever the coast was clear.
Meghan’s body begged her to return to slumber, but outside the tent, footsteps already bustled across the camp, and voices echoed into the tent boosting her curiosity.
The noise awoke Jae and Mireya as well.
Meghan sighed, pushing off her blanket. There was no need to dress as she had not bothered to undress the night before.
“Morning guys,” she muttered sleepily.
Mireya answered back before scurrying out of the room, asking her mother if she needed any help. Meghan overheard but did not listen for the reply.
Jae sat on the edge of his bed, looking as ragged as Meghan felt.
“So Jae, will we have any part to play in figuring out what happened to the other group?”
“Don’t know actually. I assume they’ll keep us busy doing something.”
Whenever Meghan and Jae happened to be alone together, she could not help but try to prod him into talking; still hoping he might divulge whatever torment he was hiding, and finally put an end to the nightmarish visions she kept having about him.
“Creepy, isn’t it?” she suddenly said with a shiver. “Finding out three months passed while we were in Limbo. It felt like three hours.”
Jae perked up the littlest bit. “Especially since Banon Blackwell didn’t even know about that,” he added. Which he and a few others had found surprising, but just because she was their leader didn’t mean she knew all. And Jae shut down again, a perplexed glower on his face as he headed into the outer room to join his family.
Foiled again! Meghan would have to try getting him to talk, later.
“Good, you’re up,” Sheila said upon seeing Jae. “Mireya and I are about to go help serve breakfast, and after that, I’ll need you to keep watch on your sister while your father and I attend a zone meeting.”
“Sure, Mom. I got it.”
She gave him a quick pat on the shoulder and a smile and departed with Mireya at her heels.
Meghan’s stomach growled. “I always get so hungry when the weather is cooler,” she complained.
“You know, I’m starving this morning, too. Maybe our bodies know we’ve got three months’ worth of eating to catch up on,” Jae suggested, his mood brightening at the idea of gorging on food.
“Let’s go before it gets too crowded.” Meghan bounded out of the tent into the daylight. If you could call it that. The foggy haze had not lifted, leaving the grayness hovering in the sky above, like gloom.
There was already a line forming in the cantina. Sheila and Mireya served food alongside Billie Sadorus. An ashy smell fought hard to overpower the cooked food; fires still smoldered here and there, serving as a constant reminder of the eerie task ahead.
Meghan glanced around for Colin but did not see him. She searched in her mind for his thoughts and located him sitting behind a large boulder near the edge of the clearing.
“Morning Colin,” she sent him, quickly adding, “Catrina too.”
“Join us once you get breakfast,” Colin sent her.
“So maybe you don’t look like you’re talking to yourself,” Meghan jested impishly.
“Very funny, Sis! And hey, grab a little something extra for Catrina. I think she needs to eat more.”
“Okay. See you in a minute.”
Meghan explained to Jae.
“I’ll grab a little extra too,” he offered.
As Meghan and Jae were about to hop into the back of the line, rushed footsteps hurried alongside them, pushing them out of the way and cutting in.
“Darcy,” muttered Meghan. “And Dulcy.” Daveena was not with them.
The duo pushed aside two other younger children, grabbed a plate of food, and pushed their way out of the line. As they walked back by Meghan and Jae, they stopped.
“I don’t wait in line behind ditch-witches,” sneered Darcy.
She did not permit her eloquently spoken friend to add what would have surely been a witty retort, and instead, shoved a piece of bread into Dulcy’s mouth, motioning sharply for her to follow.
Meghan and Jae shared a, whatever, eye roll, and grabbed breakfast, making a beeline for Colin. Midway there, Meghan had to stop when a woman blocked her path. It was the same woman who had discovered the blanket the previous day upon entering the clearing. An item she had apparently not let go of and was still clinging to as if her daughter’s life depended on it.
“You’re a Firemancer,” the woman said as if to start a conversation. She added nothing more. Her tired eyes bored into Meghan’s searching for the answer to a question she had not yet asked.
“Um, yes,” Meghan finally returned, unsure how else to respond.
“Can’t you see what has happened here? Can’t you tell me what has happened to my daughter?”
The air sucked out of Meghan’s lungs.
“Please, tell me. I must know,” the woman begged.
The crowd quieted, all eyes staring intently at Meghan.
Is this something I could see? Is this what is expected from a Firemancer?
Was everyone waiting for her to see something?
Wouldn’t they all be expecting this from Juliska? Their leader?
Jae came to her rescue. “You know that being a seer doesn’t work like that. Besides, you know if Meghan did see something it would be directly reported to Banon Blackwell.”
This answer did not quench the woman’s desire.
“Why can’t it work like that? I want to know what’s happened to my daughter,” her voice started to shake. “Why won’t you just tell me?” she beseeched Meghan.
“I’m sorry,” said Meghan, stepping back.
Just then, two members of the Balaton came running around the corner.
The woman began to cry.
“Let me take you to your husband,” one of them said calmly.
“I just want to know,” she sobbed.
He smiled understandingly and took hold of her, gently walking away from the cantina.
“Go back to whatever you were doing,” the second Balaton ordered the onlookers, at the same time motioning for Meghan and Jae to wait.
“Sorry about that,” he aimed toward Meghan. “Husband says she’s been inconsolable all night.”
“It’s okay,” Meghan stated. “She’s upset.”
“Don’t think twice about it,” he added with a wink. “Just let us handle it. Keeping the peace, that’s what we do.”
Meghan nodded. She and Jae continued onward, joining Colin and the invisible Catrina, taking refuge behind the rock at the edge of the clearing.
“Can you really do that?” Colin asked her.
“See what she wants about her daughter? No. I don’t think so anyway.”
The incident left her appetite dulled.
“Don’t worry about it,” her brother insisted. “None of this is your fault.”
“He’s right,” agreed Jae.
Regardless, Meghan handed Colin most of her food for Catrina, no longer hungry. It was strange to see food disappearing into a mouth only Colin could see.
Meghan snapped her head, fixing her gaze on a spot just into the woods behind them.
“What?” Colin asked.
Meghan relaxed her gaze. “Nothing. Jumpy I guess. Thought I saw a shadow. There’s nothing there though.” She nodded in the direction she’d been looking.
Colin, Catrina, and Jae each looked as well but saw nothing.
Jae cleared his throat. “Not to change the subject or reiterate points we already know,” he lowered is voice, “but, be careful. I think the Balaton are spying on people.”
“I thought they weren’t using magic,” Colin brought up, having seen the Balaton walking through the clearing, rather than popping in, as usual. He had hoped this would make it simpler to keep Catrina hidden.
“Not supposed to be, but times are crazy. I just wouldn’t rule it out.”
Colin nodded that he understood, sighing deeply. Catrina grasped his hand and squeezed. He had to figure out a way to keep her safe. Even invisible, it was still dangerous.
“Ouch,” winced Meghan. A leaf hit the side of her head and fell into her lap. There was a message on it.
“Like I said,” Jae stated. “Always know how to find us.”
Meghan picked up the leaf and read the message to herself.
“Well, I am outta here. Jul… The Banon would like to see me,” she told them all.
“You can stop calling her Banon,” smirked Jae. “You don’t have to call her that on my account.”
“Sorry, I was trying to stay formal when I talk about her in public.”
“Yeah, but she’s your teacher now, too. I get it.”
“In that case, I’m off to see Juliska,” she restated.
Meghan swore she saw Colin shudder from the corner of her eye as she walked away.
CHAPTER 5
Meghan made her way through the smoldering clearing to the opposite side, where Juliska’s tent had been raised, and as usual, being guarded by Jelen and Jenner Wandrer. As Meghan arrived, Pantin Hollee came skirting out of the tent’s entrance.
“Oh, good! You got the Banon’s note. You can see yourself inside, she’s waiting for you.” Hollee scurried away.
Before entering, Meghan wondered if she should say hello to Jelen and Jenner, but decided against it. Something about their steely poses gave her a chill.
She had expected to step inside the tent and see a lavish space and setting, mirroring the magical insides of the gypsy wagons, but instead, the setting was intimate. The furnishings sparse and simple: a long table with chairs, and a stove, which still threw off warmth even though the fire had clearly died, leaving behind just smoldering embers.
No one else had magic tents either, but being the Queen, Meghan had assumed she’d require more space. The tent had just two other rooms, both with closed canvas doors. Through the one on the right, Juliska’s head popped out.
“Would you please join me in my room, Meghan,” she spoke, getting immediately down to business. “There is something I wish to discuss with you.”
Meghan followed her into another sparsely furnished room, which included a bed covered in thick blankets, and three large travel trunks. One sat, closed, at the foot of Juliska’s bed. The second was sitting vertical, and open, serving as a closet. The third was also vertical, and oddly, had two ornate doors on each side.
That has to be a magical space. Wonder what’s in there? As if to answer Meghan’s question, Juliska stepped toward the trunk.
“The door on the right remains locked. However, the one on the left I believe you will find of great interest. But first, there is an urgent matter of which we must speak.” She sat on the edge of her bed and motioned for Meghan to join her.
She did so, fidgeting a little waiting for Juliska to speak.
Which she did not do.
She made to begin a few times but nothing came out.
The longer the silence continued, the more Meghan’s nerves fluttered, turning her thankfully empty stomach upside down.
Had the Balaton discovered Catrina?
Was he in some kind of trouble because he’d killed the Scratcher?
What would this mean for her brother?
Her heart skipped, but she tried to keep a straight face as she waited for Juliska to speak.
“I am afraid…” the Banon began and stopped, swallowing hard.
This can’t be good! Meghan’s thoughts raced quickly, debating whether she should speak up first, and admit that they brought Catrina back with them from Eidolon’s Valley.
“I am afraid,” began the Banon again, “that I have a difficult favor to ask of you, Meghan. But I would not ask unless I had exhausted all other options.”
Meghan’s heart slowed back to a normal rhythm for just a moment. This could not have anything to do with Catrina, or her brother. Not that it sounded any less frightening.
Juliska bounced off the bed, pacing her room.
“I must stress the importance to you, Meghan, that anything we discuss here in this room is strictly between the two of us. No one else. No one.”
Meghan’s eyes were wide with petrified curiosity now, her heart reclaiming its quickened pace.
Juliska’s body deflated. “I am completely freaking you out. I’m sorry, this was exactly what I wanted to avoid.” She took her seat again. The bed, stiff, barely depressing with the Queen’s weight.
“This room is my safe room. It is magically protected. Anything I say, or do, cannot be seen, overheard, or witnessed by anyone not in this room. In addition, to enter, you must be invited by me. Few people have this honor.” Another reminder of the importance of the moment.
Meghan nodded that she understood but was unable to find her voice to speak.
“The truth is, I need your help, Meghan. The kind of help only a Firemancer can offer. What I am about to tell you is a secret I have kept for many long months. Not even my loyal Pantin has been told.”
Meghan’s stomach did a lurch. What secret could Juliska possibly want to tell her, that she could not, or would not, tell another soul?
“I have not had a vision in over a year.”
Meghan had no response other than shock.
“I do not know what has caused this, but my visions have simply vanished,” Juliska continued. She let go of Meghan and started pacing the room again.
“I did not realize it was possible to lose them,” Meghan whispered.
“Nor did I. It is a first, as far as my knowledge is aware. Perhaps this lifestyle we lead is…” Juliska did not finish, her hand waving into the air like the answer might just pop into her mind. “Regardless of the reason, Meghan, when I discovered you were a Firemancer, I knew instantly I would come to rely on your visions if mine continued to fail. I am afraid to admit I have been rather selfish in my cause. My lack of vision is why I pushed your training along so quickly. Th
is is why I allowed you to be Ivan Crane’s Learner Companion in Eidolon’s Valley. I will point out, that I would not have pushed if I was not one hundred percent confident you were up to the task.”
“I never feel that confident,” Meghan replied honestly.
“Which is what will make you a great Firemancer, Meghan.”
“How?”
“It shows me that you are not arrogant, and will not abuse the power that comes with being a Firemancer.”
Meghan’s heart nearly stopped. Power? What power? She saw visions. So far, mostly terrible visions about Jae Mochrie.
“Meghan, breathe, please,” pleaded Juliska.
Meghan did so, unaware she’d been holding it in.
“I know a thousand equally frightening and confusing thoughts are rushing through your brain right now. Would you like some time?”
“No,” exhaled Meghan. “I’m okay. Just, definitely caught me off guard. This was not what I expected in the least. Not that I expected anything specific, I just…”
“What I am about to ask of you, is again, too much, and certainly not simple. Moreover, I understand you have much yet to learn. We are living in desperate days, Meghan. Without my visions, I fear for the survival of my people. I need you to be my eyes. I need you to see what I cannot. Our very existence may well rely upon it.”
“That’s not adding any pressure or anything,” Meghan blurted without a second thought.
Juliska covered her mouth as if not to laugh.
“Sorry. Sometimes things just pop out.” Meghan hoped she had not offended. Juliska responded with an amused smile.
“I could have handled this much better. I’m lucky you didn’t run out of here and call me crazy.”
“You might be crazy,” Meghan responded despondently. “If you really think I’m ready for this.”
“I have complete confidence. You know, I was about your age when I began an apprenticeship with my own teacher. I wasn’t far past my fourteenth birthday myself. To be fair though, you are still new to this world, and I was aware from a young age what I was.”
Broken (The Stones, The Vampyres, and The Cursed Child) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 4) Page 3
