“I can’t believe I did that.”
Gan stepped beside her. “You see? Your power is in direct communication with your body. Come with me, oce ehsn eno.”
She gestured around the clearing. “This is our home. We are the Southern wood elves of Lyrica, and you are the Chosen One. The child from earth, correct?”
“Um, well I am from earth.” She looked around the village.
“It is always those who think they are not that are,” said Gan.
“With age comes wisdom” was what Sarah’s father always said, and this woman was very, very old. Her face fell into folds of wrinkles and every hair was beautifully tan. Sarah suddenly felt like she was way out of her league, a chicken among hawks.
“I knew you were coming.”
Sarah arched a brow. “I didn’t even know I was coming. How could you?”
The woman’s eyes twinkled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Sarah nodded, her mouth gaped open in confusion.
Gan laughed. “I’m just joking. The Ega Art Asi Iprt told me.”
“Who?” Sarah asked.
“It means great spirit. Our language has many long words.”
She bobbed her head. “Okay. So like God?”
“Something like that. I like to think of the Great Spirit as a piece of God.”
“What about Gan? And Skuntz? What do they mean?” The foreign names were strange on her tongue, but Sarah enjoyed the odd sounds as they came from her mouth.
“Well, aren’t you curious, my friend. Gan means grandmother. I am the eldest member of this tribe; therefore, they call me grandmother. Skuntz means one who lives in the forest. You must have met Dasi’s son.”
“Yes, I saw him for a while. Dasi brought me here? The one who was standing beside me?”
“Yes. I apologize for his hard exterior,” Gan said. “He is not always so cold.”
“It’s fine,” she replied and shook her head. “I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Child, your heart...” Gan stopped walking and placed a chubby hand on Sarah’s shoulder. Her face was full of satisfaction, and her eyes searched Sarah’s own. “It is such a good heart. The Spirit has truly blessed us by choosing you.”
Sarah broke their eye contact. She had never been normal. Her mother had made that fact clear, but here they called her “the chosen one,” as if she belonged.
“Oh, child.” Gan held Sarah’s face in her hands. “I can see your thoughts. A soft heart also makes for a soft head sometimes, doesn’t it? Why do others define you? Why don’t you choose?”
Sarah’s blue eyes became wide at the woman’s words.
“You will understand one day. For now, follow me.” She turned from the girl and began her stride again.
Sarah walked slowly behind her. “Gan, I don’t want to bother you but...where are my friends? Jacob, Nettle –”
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Gan stopped in her tracks. “Do you want to see them right now? I promise you we didn’t harm them. It took some restraint with the vampire, but we eventually calmed him down. Serwa is a frequent visitor and an honorary member of our family.”
“She visits you? But she said that...she acted like...”
The old woman laughed. “Serwa is one for tricks. It’s just her way of showing affection.”
Sarah bobbed her head though she didn’t understand.
“But, they’re okay?” she asked.
Gan raised her right hand. “I swear to you, they are fine. I was hoping to show you the Great Spirit before you see them. There are urgent things we must discuss, Chosen One.”
“I guess if it’s important, we should.”
“What do you know about the stone you carry in your right pocket?”
Sarah came to a stop. “How did –”
“I could feel its power as you entered our land.”
“Why do you want it?” Sarah asked narrowing her eyes.
The woman shook her head. “No, you misunderstand me. Some of my young ones think it would bring us great power, but it was not meant for us to hold. Lyrica chose you to possess the stone and with you it should remain.”
Sarah stared at the woman. She had only admitted her feelings of ownership over the stone to herself. The stone was the only true friend she had right now, always sending her soothing waves when everything and everyone around her was on edge. It had protected her when she was in danger, and now she wanted to do the same for it until they parted ways.
“Well, the stone –”
“Never mind that, though.” Gan waved her hand. “Let me tell you about why my people need you to complete your task. Do you remember Dasi? I told you that he is not as hard as he appears now. Sadly, due to recent events many of us have changed.”
The old elf hung her head. The wrinkles in her face deepened.
“Did someone attack your village?” Sarah thought of how everyone was very alert when she came.
“The stone disappeared centuries ago following the wars, but the major effects of the loss are recent. After the stone disappeared, our home, slowly, began to die. The worst of it has been recent. Trees are falling, and the ground is turning into mush. The other elders and I have been keeping our home alive only by performing rituals every night.”
Gan’s eyes glazed with tears. She held a hand to her head and covered them. “Still, even with our nightly rituals, crops have stopped growing and food to hunt has become scarce. Famine is slowly settling in. Along with this so is a plague.”
Sarah pulled at her red hair. Famine was how her parents described their childhoods. During that time, there wasn’t much food, and no one could afford the food there was. Sarah thought back to the elves she saw in the village. “But everyone seemed so healthy.”
“I know,” the woman said. “We try to separate the sick to stop the plague from spreading. It doesn’t help. Someone develops a fever every day. Dasi’s wife, Skuntz’s mother, was one of the first to fall ill. That is why he is so full of anger. She is the love of his life, and he can do nothing to help her.”
Sarah imagined how her father or mother would be if the other was ever on their deathbed. Mama would cry a lot. Daddy would probably die a little bit on the inside.
“So far fifty have fallen to this plague. I don’t want to wait to see more die.”
Sarah could feel that lump growing in her throat again. “What can I do to help?”
“You can do two things: first, you can speak to the Great Spirit then you can return the stone to the mountain. That is the only way.”
“Okay.” Sarah took in a deep breath. “Where is the Great Spirit?”
“She is right here, Ife dn.”
Sarah had been so deep in their conversation she didn’t even realize Gan had led her from the village. They now were in the middle of the forest, where a huge tree stood with roots ten times larger than Sarah. The roots grew in and out of the ground like waves, waiting to trip an unwary traveler. On the trunk of the tree were the deep carved lines of an old woman’s face.
“I’ve been here before. I’ve seen this tree,” Sarah whispered. “I think it was in a dream...or maybe –”
“It was no dream, child. You traveled here in spirit form.”
“How’d you know?”
“I felt your presence before. I was meditating here when you came and saw the mother.”
“I hope I wasn’t...intruding or something.”
Gan shook her head. “Child, she called you here. If anyone were intruding, it would have been me. The Great Spirit, the mother, has chosen you as our champion. It is up to you to save us, to save Dasi and Skuntz.”
The girl looked at the tree trunk, staring into the face of the old woman who rested within it. If she failed, the trees would die. If she failed, the Great Spirit and all her people would die. The forest elves were a family, and the forest was their home. Without a home where does a family go? Her mind wandered back to the many times the bank had threatened to take the farm. How scared she�
�d been as a little girl seeing the foreclosure sign outside.
“I’ll help you,” Sarah said to the Great Spirit. “I’ll save your family.”
Again the blue light appeared. Sarah could feel herself being swept off her feet and taken out of her body. The spirit of an old woman stretched forth from the tree and smiled.
“Hello, Chosen One.” Her voice echoed like she was all around Sarah.
“You’re the Great Spirit,” Sarah said more than asked. The vibrations Sarah was feeling from her were enough to answer the question.
“Yes, I am. I am here to speak with you.”
Sarah tried to stop her mind from racing. “I’m all ears.”
“Lyrica is going to die. The night rituals grow less and less effective every day. If our world is not healed soon, I, along with all the great spirits that have taken refuge here, will be forced to leave Lyrica to return to the spirit world. Then, Lyrica will finally perish.”
“I won’t let your home be taken,” Sarah said. “I’ll return the stone.”
“Yes, but this will be no easy task. I see many obstacles in your way and many enemies to face. Are you truly ready for this journey, child?”
Sarah realized she was tugging at her hair and forced her arms by her side. I always read about heroes. I never thought I’d be one. Maybe there’s a time for everything...
She looked at the Great Spirit. “My Mama always says that fear ain’t nothing but a dirty word people use when they’re scared.”
The Spirit smiled. “I am glad our champion is so brave.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“I am beyond satisfied. With you in hand, we are sure to survive this time of pain.”
Sarah’s stomach fluttered. She had to keep her promise. “Great Spirit, do you know how long I have? How much longer can Lyrica hold on?”
“The time is in your hands. Good luck.”
And like a swift kick from a horse, Sarah was knocked back to Lyrica. Gan caught her as she swayed and dizziness settled in on her.
“Did you speak to –”
“Yes,” Sarah said catching her breath. “It’s time to get my friends. All of them.”
Chapter 12
“Sarah!” Alexander shot up from the hut floor, grabbed her by the shoulders, and examined her limbs. “Are you all right?”
She patted his back. “The Kama Enee are our friends.”
He arched a brow. “The what?”
Sarah lifted her chin and smiled. “Gan taught me a few words.” She winked at the old elf standing beside her. Gan returned it with a grin.
“Well, look at that. She’s a regular elf now isn’t she, Serwa?”
“Something like that,” the witch mumbled.
He turned back to Sarah. “When are you going to sprout your ears?”
The child touched her round lobes. What would she look like as an elf? The thought made her giggle.
Gan placed an arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “Child, I am afraid we have bad news. I wanted to tell you, but I thought it would be best to hear this from Serwa and Alexander.”
The girl’s stomach dropped. “What happened? Jacob, Solar...are they –”
“We don’t know,” Alex said, all playfulness gone from his face. “It was some of the younger elves that shot Solar out of the sky and kidnapped Jacob thinking he had the stone. This was all done without Gan’s knowledge. A few days ago, the vampires attacked this village and kidnapped your friends.”
“V-vampires?” Sarah breathed the word out.
“We’re not even sure how they found us, but with the forest so thin now our home must have become easy to spot. I had just found out my children had taken them,” Gan said. “By then the vampires had already started their attack. I am so sorry, my friend.”
Sarah felt her body go cold. “The vampires have them?”
“Calm down, girl,” Serwa said.
“But...but...what about....” Sarah looked at Alex. Her eyes were round with worry. “What if they –”
“Listen to me, Sarah,” he said and squatted down by her side. “They won’t kill them if they know Jacob and Solar are your companions. They’re using them as leverage.”
Sarah shook her head. “If they die, it’ll be all my fault. Jacob only came because of me, and Solar was just doing as she was told.”
Alex took a seat and patted the floor space beside him, and Sarah fell there like a plank of wood. She stared at the hut wall, her hands shaking. “What if they do what you tried to, Alex?”
He winced at the mention of their encounter only a few days ago. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I swear, on my life, we will save them.” His eyes illuminated. “I am your guardian and guide in Lyrica. Leave the task to me.”
Sarah’s blue eyes stared into Alexander’s red. She nodded.
“You will need this, child,” said Gan as she walked to a small closet in the hut. From the closet she pulled a bow and a sheath of arrows and handed them to Sarah. “These weapons were made from the bark of the Great Spirit. They hold strong power. I am handing them down to you. Use them to defeat all who stand in your way.”
“I can’t –”
“Do,” Gan wiggled a finger and smiled, “what I allow myself not to. Take the arrows. It is foretold.”
Sarah gulped. She hesitantly accepted the weapon, fully knowing she had never shot an arrow in her life. But as she touched the weapon, its spiritual energy bonded with hers. Light strands of a green aura rose from the bow and arrows and tangled around Sarah, twisting and turning through her hair. The air suddenly smelled like spring and wet grass, a scent that she recognized well. She leaned into the strands of green and breathed deeply, their essence now running through her. It was as if the weapon had always belonged to her, as if their spirits were one. And with them in hand, Sarah felt stronger.
The bright blazing fire danced in the center of the village. It swayed from left to right, from right to left, hypnotizing all the watchers. The circle of elves was silent as Gan rose from her seat to speak.
Alex and Serwa sat on either side of Sarah. For a moment Gan stared into the fire, her eyes reflecting the flames. Then, she said, “Today, our long prayers have been answered, my children. Today, the Child of Legend, the Chosen One, has come to our home. For months now, our land has been plagued by illness, disaster and despair. Many have died. The other elders and I have been using all our power to keep our land alive, but now we need fear no more. With young Sarafina, oce ehsn eno, our people and Lyrica shall both survive this time of horror. Let us rejoice, my people. Let us thank the Great Spirit for all her blessings. Let us dance!”
There was a roar of cheer around the campfire. Drums and flutes begin to play melodies that moved through the body in an enchanting way. Some got up to dance around the huge fire, holding hands, spinning, chanting to the beat as the moon gazed down on them, while others watched with shy smiles.
“Now, this is my kind of party.” Serwa jumped to her feet. Alex and Sarah only watched her. She smiled down at them as the flames played delightfully in her golden eyes. She unstrapped her robe and revealed she had adapted, not surprisingly an outfit very similar to what the female elves wore: a short linen dress. The witch offered a hand to Sarah.
“Dance with me, child?”
Sarah shook her head and grinned. “Oh, no, no. I’m not much of a dancer.”
The witch shrugged. “I thought you’d say that. Is it that you can’t dance, or are you afraid to?”
“What?” Sarah stumbled for a respose.“I just...I’m –”
Serwa snatched Sarah up using one hand and tossed her into the circle of dancers. The elves joined hands with her and the witch on either side. Serwa leaned down by the girl’s ear.
“Don’t think. Just feel and do. The music will take care of you. It’s like magic.”
Sarah relaxed; the stone pulsed in her pocket. She repeated the words in her mind: The music will take care of you. She stopped thinking,
stopped trying and let the music possess her like the familiar spirit before. Soon she was jumping and dancing around freely with everyone else, her hair bouncing wildly like the fire.
“Come on, vampire, you can have some fun, can’t you?” Serwa shouted at Alex who was still sitting like a log.
“I don’t dance,” he huffed and continued to stare into the fire. The witch glared at him and swore under her breath as her eyes glowed with anger. Sarah laughed and sent him a friendly smile.
The circle of elves continued to move around the fire, until people began to pair off. Elf boys would dance with elf girls and Sarah was left standing around the fire, her cheeks flushed. Her eyes searched for Serwa, but the witch had disappeared into the crowd.
She thought of Jacob. Before all of this, he had asked her to the school dance. She wondered if this would have been how the dance ended—her standing alone while he danced with Elaine.
“Excuse me,” a small young voice came from behind her. Sarah spun around and looked down where she found the tiny Skuntz grinning at her.
“Hi,” she said and smiled.
He turned to the ground, clenched and unclenched his bare toes. “Would you like to dance with me, Chosen One?”
Sarah’s heart nearly fell from her chest. A boy actually wanted to dance with her. He was a young elf boy from another world but a boy nonetheless!
She nodded. Skuntz’s smile grew as he took her hands in his. She spun and jumped with him, having trouble matching his fancy footwork. Still, Sarah was enjoying herself. She watched with glee as his dark braids bounced around with her red curls.
She hadn’t even realized the music had stopped until Skuntz bowed to Sarah, a hand over his heart. The girl looked around; all the male elves were bowing toward their female partners.
“Thank you, Chosen One,” he said and rose to stand upright. “You’re the best girl I’ve ever danced with.”
Sarah could feel her legs turn into jello.
“Thank you,” she said and the red rose from her cheeks to cover her entire face. For a minute Skuntz looked shocked, and then blushed himself before running back to his friends in a joyous bout.
Everyone returned to his or her seats. Sarah sat beside Alex.
The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone Page 11
