“Everything… everyone is fine, Dad. It is good to see you. Meg is enjoying the fair with Sara and her father.”
“Ah. I remember my first time at the fair. It is truly an unforgettable experience. Speaking of which… have there been any changes since I last saw you?”
Liam shook his head.
“Your time will come.” They began to make their way through the crowd. “Ascencia’s mark has never been wrong, but the waiting is the hardest part, no?”
“Aye.”
“How is everything at home? How is Althea?”
Liam thought of his feisty grandmother and smiled. “Thea is well. She wanted me to tell you to be careful. The wind has changed direction.”
“Thea’s premonitions are not to be taken lightly.” His father twisted the band of silver on the middle finger of his left hand. “We have encountered a few… complications of late. Nothing we cannot handle and nothing I want you to worry about.”
Liam knew it would be futile to press for more, so he said nothing.
“Who is here with you?”
“Corm, Oisin, Shane, and Ian,” Liam replied.
“Very good. And how did they fare in their contests today?”
“Corm earned gold, Oisin relinquished gold, and Ian… Ian did not medal. Shane has yet to have his match.”
“Pembroke secures gold, finally! Shane’s contest should be starting soon.”
“I am on my way there now.”
“Do you mind if I join you?” He put his arm around Liam’s shoulders and they walked to the arena. Liam easily spotted his friends outside. It was hard to miss Shane, but there was a new addition. Standing with them was Olivia.
Chapter 6
“Olivia, my love, how are you?” Jon asked and gave her a hug. “Are you keeping my son out of trouble?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied with a forced smile.
“And how are your parents?”
Liam ignored the exchange of pleasantries and thought back to the fortuneteller’s predictions. Was his relationship with Olivia about to change?
His father turned toward the pealing of a bell. “I am sorry. I must return to the tent. Corm, congratulations today. Liam, please stop by before you take your leave. I need you to carry a letter to Althea.”
His friends filed into the Gladiator’s Arena, and he and Olivia were left standing alone. The afternoon sun reflected in her long, blonde hair and it looked golden in its light. She was wearing a blue dress that reached her ankles, laced up the front and gathered at the bodice. The wide black belt around her waist accentuated her perfect figure. “Would you care to go for a ride tomorrow?” he asked. “I would like to talk to you.”
She hesitated.
“Please,” he said, and put his hand upon her arm.
“Yes. I will come by your house in the morning,” she answered and, before walking away, she smiled ever so slightly.
The amphitheater was nearly full and Liam took the empty seat next to Corm.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Wilford shouted. He stood inside a large circle painted on the packed earth in the middle of the arena. “May I have your attention? Welcome to the final physical challenge of this year’s games. I would like to congratulate all who participated and those who walked away with medals.” The audience began to applaud. “As you know, the Challenge of Atlas, or the Gladiators challenge, is often the most anticipated event. This is the test of brute strength. May I have the Ursidae on the field?”
Four boys surrounded him. Shane had always been large compared to Liam and the others but among his own, he was not so intimidating.
“The rules of this challenge are quite simple. When a contestant is forced outside this circle, he is disqualified. Do you all understand?” The boys nodded. “Please, take your marks.”
Shane looked into the stands, removed his hat, and a grin spread across his face. His hair had turned lighter when he first experienced the Shanyo, but nothing prepared Liam for what he now saw. Shane’s short-cropped hair was pure white.
“Whoa,” Ian said. “I think I know why he always wears a hat—”
“Muutos!” Wilford shouted.
The four boys changed into enormous bears, but Shane was the only one white in color. Upon their transformation, they dropped from their hind legs to all fours and began to circle one another. Shane was smaller than the rest, and one of the bears moved in his direction.
“Trying to take out the weaker one first, smart move,” Ian said.
“Or so they think,” Corm replied. “Shane’s size might be deceiving.”
The bear approached Shane and rose onto his hind legs. He waved his arms in the air and Shane did the same. Within a moment, their arms were around each other, as if they were hugging… or dancing, while monstrous growls filled the air. Shane peered around his partner at the couple behind him who were engaged in the same intense promenade. He placed his right foot behind his opponent’s and gave him a ferocious shove. It caught the bear by surprise. His arms flew to the side as he attempted to maintain his balance. He fell into one of the bears behind him and they both landed outside the circle.
“You are both disqualified!” Wilford cried.
“Unbelievable,” Ian said. “He took out two at the same time.”
Shane lumbered around the perimeter of the circle and glanced over his shoulder. When he was sure the other bear was following, he picked up his pace. He continued for a few rotations, reversed direction, and confronted the bear head-on. Both stood on their hind legs, and then Shane placed both paws under the bear’s arms, rubbing up and down with his claws.
“What is he doing?” Ian asked.
Corm’s eyes narrowed. “I believe he is… tickling him?”
Shane’s opponent fell on his back and rolled out of the circle. When he morphed into his human form, he was still laughing. He got to his feet and put his arm around Shane’s white, furry shoulder. The stadium erupted. Shane transformed, picked up his hat, and waved it over his head.
“The winner,” Wilford said, holding Shane’s arm high. “Shane Carson from the stake of Pembroke.”
“No one said you had to use brute strength,” Shane said when he joined them outside the tent, the medal around his neck. “Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand. Two golds for Pembroke on this fine day. I suspect the Bacchanalia will be quite a celebration for us this night.”
Liam and Corm shook their heads at the same time. “I need to get back home,” Corm said.
“And I need to return to Pembroke with Meg,” Liam said. “That is one aspect of the fair she does not need to experience.”
“What about you, Ian? I need someone to revel with,” Shane said, his eyes pleading.
Ian bowed. “I would be honored to be part of the attention you will receive tonight.”
Shane smiled. “It is settled then. And I propose a challenge of our own tomorrow, at the creek. What do you say?”
“That is an invitation I will accept, but I cannot join you until midday,” Liam said.
“Wonderful. To the ale tent, then. First pint is on me… and then there is a pig’s arse that has our names on it.” Shane led Ian away. “Life does not get any better than this.”
Corm turned to Liam. “Are you ready to make the journey home?”
“Aye. I just need to find my father first.”
They took an alternate route to his father’s tent so Liam could avoid the North Star. He did not want to hear any more about his future… or his past.
Two men stood on either side of the entrance to the dignitary tent, looking exceedingly bored. One guard eyed Liam with suspicion.
“I am here to see my father, Jon Cheveyo.”
His father walked from the shadows. “It is all right. That is my son.”
“Why the need for the sentry?” Liam asked. He never knew the council to require watchdogs.
“Simply a precaution. Thea was right about the winds, but I fear they changed direction some time
ago and have developed into a squall. Congratulations on your win today, Corm.”
Did he forget praising Corm earlier? It was not like his father to forget.
“Thank you, sir,” Corm said.
Jon pulled a piece of parchment from his breast pocket. “Please, give this to Thea for me. And I would find comfort if you and Meg were home before sunset.”
Liam took the letter and nodded. “We will be leaving now.”
His father put his hands on Liam’s shoulders. “William, take care of Meg and Thea. I shall be home soon, until then stay safe. I love you.”
Meg was in front of the stables with Sara, her father, and two boys. “There you are!” Meg said, seeing Liam. “Where have you been?”
“I was talking with Dad,” Liam answered, and smiled at Mr. Acrisius.
“You saw Dad?” Meg did little to hide her disappointment.
“Meg,” Mr. Acrisius said, “I am confident your father never could have caught up with us, given all the sights we attempted to see. Cormac Jeuter! Congratulations on your victory.” He shook Corm’s hand. “Let me introduce my nephews. They kept the girls company while I attended the challenges represented by our stake, but we all took in the final match of the day.”
Meg looked around. “Where is everyone else? Are they not leaving?”
“No, they are going to remain,” Liam replied. “So it is just the three of us.”
“I still cannot believe I did not see Dad,” Meg said after they rode a short distance.
“Meg, I have no explanation for his behavior.” He did not like making excuses for his father, especially when he was unsure as to why. “He has a lot on his mind right now.”
She pouted for a moment then her face brightened. “Shane’s match was fantastic, do you not agree? He really is something!”
“Do you know what other match was unforgettable?” Liam asked.
She looked at him, confused.
“Corm’s.”
She turned around to look at Corm, who was riding behind them. “I know. I am sorry I did not get to see your match, Corm. Although I did hear all about it. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Corm, Meg might be interested in seeing some of your maneuvers,” Liam said, hoping to keep her mind from returning to their father.
Though he might not have sensed Liam’s motive, Corm was happy to oblige.
“Hold this for me, would you?” Corm pulled up next to them and handed Meg his medal. His horse, Lightning, was suddenly without a rider as a huge hawk rose into the air.
Corm’s wingspan exceeded three meters and, at one point, his wings stopped beating and he seesawed on the winds.
“Very nice,” Meg said as the current took him out of view.
“What did you spend your money on today?” Liam said.
“Oh! I bought a beautiful journal. It even has a lock.”
Not necessary. He could not imagine any curiosity about the drivel his sister would write.
“And I bought some perfume for Thea.”
Another wise purchase. “Meg, Thea never wears—”
Corm screeched loudly overhead. Liam looked to the sky. Corm circled above the trees to the right, dove into the forest, and reappeared a moment later. He continued to cry out and disappeared a second time.
“What is he doing?” Meg asked. “And why is he making all that noise?”
Corm flew into their sight again and Liam sensed it. Corm would not be going to all this trouble to entertain Meg.
“Whoa, Pollux,” he said, pulling on the reins. “Meg, stay here.”
“But…”
“Stay!”
He jumped from Pollux and walked into the woods, careful to step over the roots of the twisted junipers while he kept his head low to avoid their branches. “Corm!”
“Over here!”
Liam pushed his way through the brush and followed the sound of his friend’s voice. A few moments later, he stepped into a small clearing. Corm looked at the ground and Liam followed his eyes.
At Corm’s feet was the body of a girl.
Chapter 7
“She is alive,” Liam said, seeing faint movement in the girl’s chest. He looked around and saw no sign of a struggle. In fact, if not for the blood on her face, he might have assumed she had merely paused to take a nap. He met Corm’s eyes. “How did you ever see her?”
“The silver around her neck flashed in the sunlight. She has lost some blood and needs to be properly tended to.”
Liam glanced back to the ground.
“We cannot leave her,” Corm said.
“Aye. Allow me then, since you have done your share of exercise today.” Liam bent down and lifted her into his arms.
“Who is that?” Meg asked as she leaped from Shilo. “Is she…?”
“I do not know and, no, she is not dead but she is hurt.” Liam laid her on the soft earth along the side of the road.
“What are we going to do with her?” Meg asked.
Liam thought about their limited options. “I have no idea.”
“We could bring her to our house,” she said. “Thea will know what to do.”
But how to get her there? They each had a horse but this girl was in no condition to ride or even be laid across a saddle, by the looks of it. Corm stared into the sky.
“What are you thinking?” Liam asked.
“I could fly back to the fair and get assistance from your father. Or go to your house and come back with the wagon. It will not take long to go either direction, but it will take more time to return.”
The celebration of those from Pembroke would continue long after sunset and, though his father hadn’t shared them, Liam knew he had pressing matters to deal with. “Go to my house, if you will.”
The girl began to stir and then, she opened her eyes.
***
The world was on its side. Actually, she was on her side—and staring at three pairs of shoes. Correction: one pair of dance slippers and two pairs of boots. Disoriented, Ally turned her head and looked above. Two boys and a young girl were staring down at her like she was from another planet.
“Who’re you?” she asked through clenched teeth, trying to keep the panic in her voice to a minimum.
She fought to put this scene into context with the last thing she remembered. Interview… crappy GPS… overlook. She was standing at the overlook, taking in the view, when she’d fallen over the edge. And then, the images assaulted her.
Her body had cut through the air as she tried to grab onto something, anything. She screamed, struggled to breathe, but couldn’t. And then, she defied gravity. It was as though she’d bounced off a trampoline and was no longer falling down, but up! Light had surrounded her before she landed, face first, on the ground. What had happened? And how could she be here, in what looked like a… a forest?
She sat up and put a shaky hand to her forehead. There was blood on her fingers.
“How are you feeling?” one of the boys asked. He was on one knee in front of her, his brown hair fell around his face. His suede pants were not stitched at the sides, but up the front, and were tucked into leather boots held up by a long strip of rawhide, tied many times around the boot top. He wore a long, beige-colored shirt with wide sleeves. She looked at the two who stood beside him. They were all dressed in clothing from some kind of medieval fair. Well, except the girl. She was wearing...
“Where am I?”
“You are in the stake of Kenyon,” the boy answered.
“The stake of what?”
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“No. How’d I get here?”
“We discovered you in the woods.”
Woods? In Sedona? She looked past him. Three horses stood in the dirt road. She shook her head and closed her eyes, hoping that when she opened them, this scene would be erased. No such luck. Where the hell was she?
The other boy went to one of the horses. When he returned, he hunched down in front of
her and held out a leather pouch. “Would you care for a drink?”
“Yes, thanks.” She looked into his eyes. They were the most amazing color. Not blue, not green…
It can’t be.
She couldn’t recall the dream, except for the eyes. In it, they’d always seemed so unreal. But here they were, looking into hers. The pain in her ankle and the throbbing in her head were much too intense for this to be an illusion.
Okay. Not a dream. Now what? She tipped the pouch and water trickled into her hand. It was cool, wet, real. She took a sip and her stomach began to flip-flop. Please don’t let me puke. She turned away and put her head into her hands. A moment later, she heard a familiar cry overhead. “What kind of bird is that?”
The little girl looked to the sky. “That is not—”
“That is a hawk,” the boy with the eyes said.
She lifted her head. She remembered hearing, seeing a bird, just before she passed out. “I think that’s the second one I’ve seen today.”
“They are quite common in the forest,” he replied.
The other boy was no longer with them but all three horses were still in the road. “Where’d your friend go?”
“Corm went to get the wagon,” the girl said. “We will bring you to our house.”
But where’d he go? Something was off. She could feel it. They seemed harmless enough, but still… “Where’s my bag?”
They looked at her and shook their heads.
She must have dropped it somewhere. “Okay. When I get to your house, I need to use your phone. I’ll call my mom and she can come get me.”
“What is a phone?” the girl asked.
This can’t be happening. Was Kenyon so far off the map they hadn’t even heard of a phone? She knew some of the Indian reservations around Phoenix couldn’t afford nor had use for luxuries of the twenty-first century, but she was sure they had heard of them. “Seriously? Never mind.” She shook her head and winced. It felt like a gardening tool was impaled in her skull.
“What is your name?” the girl asked.
Double Star Page 4
