Kyla’s heart felt heavy. I remind myself that I have done this for love, Bella. I had no choice. My heart led me to the Governor and I couldn’t turn away. Please, do this to save all of us. The consequences of my decision have been far bigger than I ever thought they could be. I am begging you to do this for me.
Bella was silent and Kyla strained to follow her as she flew around the room. For a moment Kyla thought she left, but then caught her out of the corner of her eye. Bella rested on Kyla’s shoulder, tired from flying around, tired of missing Kyla.
Please, Bella, please.
The Great Yashwa is devastated that his favorite daughter has done this unthinkable thing. The other sisters won’t even think of you because they are angry that he is so devastated at your selfishness. It is almost as though the Great Yashwa has abandoned all of us because of you.
Kyla’s heart was heavy with the sadness of all of her sisters weighing on her. She had not thought about how her decision would affect all of them. I am so sorry, Bella. But what’s done is done, and I cannot go back and change anything. My heart hurts for the devastation I have caused, but I didn’t have a choice then and I don’t have one now. I had to choose him. I don’t expect you to understand. But I am asking, as your sister, to please do this one thing for me. Please harvest now so the People of Tamaryn will live. I am begging you.
Kyla could feel Bella’s willingness to please her in her own heart. She knew Bella would do it for her, and for a moment she felt gratitude deeper than she had ever felt before. I will do it for you, Kyla. I will do this thing for you if it means you will be happy and you will have love. I promise, I will do this for you.
I wish I could hug you, I wish I could fly with you once more.
I wish it, too. Bella flew away from Kyla slowly. I don’t know if I will see you again, Kyla. And I will miss you.
I will call for you again, dear one. We will see one another.
As Bella flew away, she dared not look back. She hid from the others, the intention of her heart, as she realized Kyla must have done before she abandoned the Pyto and the Yashwa. She knew that by upsetting the balance of the harvest, she would also upset her internal balance as well. Kyla does not know what she asks me to do, but I will do it. I cannot return to the Yashwa after I have changed the cycle of life. Neither they, nor the Great Yashwa will forgive me for what I have done.
Bella flew to the crops and looked over them. She breathed on them one by one, awakening them slowly and commanding them to grow. One by one she sang to them and felt the life stirring in them, from the very life inside of her. It wasn’t time for them to produce and as Bella breathed on them, she realized she would have to give them far more than the essence of her breath, more than she would normally give. She realized she would have to sacrifice the very essence of herself to fulfill the promise she made to her sister.
Bella thought about Kyla’s words. “I am so sorry, Bella. But what’s done is done, and I cannot go back and change anything. My heart hurts for the devastation I have caused, but I didn’t have a choice then and I don’t have one now. I had to choose him. I don’t expect you to understand. But I am asking, as your sister, to please do this one thing for me. Please harvest now so the People of Tamaryn will live. I am begging you.” She reasoned that she was simply saving her sister, and saving the People of Tamaryn at the same time.
Bella’s wings were tiring as she approached the last set of crops. She had been able to cultivate on her own for the first harvest, the season before, without tiring at all. But her vessel was far emptier than it had ever been. As she breathed on the last of the Land, she saw the last of her life’s essence fly out and land on the last of the depleted stalks.
Bella smiled as she realized she had fulfilled the promise she made to Kyla, her happiness unaffected as her tiny body fell weightlessly to the ground without sound or ceremony.
30
THE CHILDREN
Ava fought the anger that welled up within. She was hungry and thirsty, which didn’t help, but it was more than that. There was an emptiness within her that was only replaced with a deep rage that had always been a part of her, though well hidden.
She walked along behind the others, stealing glances into the woods around her. The dead trees no longer camouflaged the hidden children as well as they once had. She could see them out of the corner of her eye as they followed them, staying far enough behind, but close enough not to lose them. She felt exposed and unprotected, unsure as to why they were being followed, yet nobody in their little group seemed alarmed or even aware of the others.
“Don’t you see them?” she said quietly to Jakob.
“See who?” Jakob whispered back.
“The other children?” Ava asked.
“No. Are they here?” Jakob looked around, straining his neck to see if he could find anyone. All he saw were trees.
Ava stared blankly at him. How can he not see them? She stared at Kell, Anabel and Saiya who travelled as they had been, not seeing any of the children who were staring at them with hollow, hungry eyes. Only Brooke seemed to be on high alert, her head high and dark brown eyes wide as she looked around at everything. Brooke looked Ava in the eye, and Ava seemed to read her thoughts. Don’t alarm them, the others are not a threat.
Ava wasn’t so sure that the others weren’t a threat. She kept her hand on her scabbard, ready to pull it out at any moment. Part of her wished for a fight and was ready for it, yet it remained peaceful despite her deepest wishes.
“What do you remember?” Jakob’s voice cut through her longing, startling her for a moment.
“What do I remember about what?” Ava asked, briefly struggling toward composure.
“About anything, about any of this?” Jakob said, staring at her questioningly. He had been watching her and noticed how her dark eyes darted anxiously from side to side, and how her hand remained glued to her scabbard. He wondered what was making her so jumpy.
“I remember you.” Ava said, flatly. “You, Kell, and nothing else.”
“Do you remember where we came from or anything else that might be helpful?”
“No.” Ava’s answers were short and to the point, making Jakob almost sorry he bothered to ask her anything. Did we even get along? I can’t imagine we did with how miserable she is.
Jakob consciously pursed his lips so that he wouldn’t say something he would regret. He was unhappy with her attitude, but knew they were all under a great deal of strain. She’s your sister, you must like her, he told himself.
They walked on for a while, all of them tired and getting hungrier.
Saiya’s stomach was growling non-stop and she moaned, miserably.
“It’ll be okay,” Anabel tried to comfort her as she tried to ignore the painful gnawing in her own stomach.
“No, it won’t be okay! I’ve been hungry for days and I need to eat, NOW!” Saiya’s voice was rising angrily.
Kell spoke gently, “Don’t worry, Saiya. Jakob will find something. He will take care of us.”
Jakob looked quickly at Kell and narrowed his eyes. “Kell!” He said, his voice sharper than he meant it to be. He knew Kell believed in him, but not even Jakob believed that he could keep Kell’s promise. There hadn’t been an animal to be seen for days.
Kell looked at Jakob, desperation in his dark eyes. Jakob knew Kell was hungry too, as he fought not to let his own misery get the best of him. Sometimes Kell’s complete belief in him could be exhausting. I wish Kell didn’t believe so completely in me. What if I can’t provide for all of them? What if I can’t find anything to eat and everyone starves?
“I’ll try,” Jakob sighed, the doubt heavy in his voice.
They walked on for another hour in silence.
Suddenly, Ava motioned for everyone to be stop and be silent. She looked hard at Jakob and pointed straight ahead. In the clearing was a deer, grazing on the only patch of grass they had seen for miles. In one fluid motion she pulled something out of her belt and thre
w it toward the deer with a quick, sharp motion. The deer fell to the ground immediately and before anyone else could react, Ava ran toward it with Jakob close on her heels. Brooke leapt after them, all stopping short of where the deer lay perfectly still, blood oozing from its neck, it’s soft eyes glazed over in death. Ava pulled a small dart out of its neck and put it back in her belt. Jakob was confused how a single dart could take down an entire deer, but he dare not question it based on their situation.
“We will set camp here,” Jakob said, looking around. They were in a clearing, and it seemed as good a place as any to rest their heads, almost as though it was meant for them. “We’ll need a lot of wood.”
Anabel, Saiya, and Kell scrambled for wood.
Without saying a word to one another, Ava and Jakob went to work, cleaning the deer and building a fire. They worked together so naturally that Anabel felt as though they must have done it numerous times before. Anabel, Saiya, and Kell watched in silence, the savory smell of the meat wafting through the air. Kell’s mouth was watering as he tried to contain himself and wait for it to cook.
“I wish there was water to drink,” Kell said absently, but then was immediately ashamed, knowing he was hoping for too much. Saiya looked at him and nodded her head slightly in agreement.
They heard Brooke’s bark from deeper in the woods. Kell looked around, surprised that the dog was not closer to them as she usually was. He ran a short distance in the direction of her bark and stopped when he got to her, just short of a small freshwater stream. I must be seeing things! Kell rubbed his eyes and looked again, amazed at the clear sparkling water that flowed before him.
“Anabel, Saiya, come here!” He yelled excited. The girls came running and squealed with happiness at the sight of the stream.
“Is it real?” Saiya asked, in disbelief. “Is it Kell? Is it real?”
Kell dipped his fingers gingerly in the water, and was pleased with how cool it was. He dipped his head close to it and hesitated just for a moment before drinking from it.
“Ahhh,” he sighed, enjoying the coolness on his tongue. He lapped up as much as he could until his belly felt like it would explode.
Brooke, Saiya, and Anabel drank as much as they could as well. When they had their fill, they sank back on the bank, no longer thirsty.
They heard Jakob calling them and they scrambled back to where they were almost finished cooking the deer meat.
“It’s ready,” Jakob said, smiling for the first time that he could remember in a long while.
They all stood silently, staring as Jakob cut up the meat and handed a large piece to all of them. Everyone devoured it hungrily, their hands and mouths juicy and greasy and they immediately felt better.
They sat on the ground, full and happy for the moment.
There was still plenty of meat left, even after they had eaten their fill. Jakob prepared to wrap it up and save it for later in the leather pouch that was attached to his belt. Suddenly, he froze. He had an eerie feeling that he was being watched.
He cautiously stepped backwards toward his little group and motioned for them to be quiet.
Everyone stood up and brushed themselves off, careful not to make too much noise. Jakob pointed carefully to the woods, and they all strained to see what he was pointing to.
Before he realized what was happening, they saw several figures moving out of the woods toward them, cautiously. Brooke stepped in front of the younger ones and Anabel, as if to shield them as Ava and Jakob stood with their weapons out, ready to fight. As the figures got closer, they realized they were only children, smaller and younger than Kell and Saiya, hunger and pain etched deep into their tiny faces.
“Hi,” the tallest girl whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m Claire.”
Ava and Jakob immediately put their weapons back on their belts and stared at the children before them, both of their mouths wide open in surprise. Ava had known there were children all around her, but she hadn’t seen them up close, yet. These were the only ones who even dared to come close, though she suspected there were others out there somewhere. The children that stood before them had suffered a great deal. They were dirty, their clothing torn, and tearstains streaked down their cheeks. Two girls and two boys, all under the age of ten.
Anabel pushed past Ava and Jakob who stood simply staring at the children, two little redheads, one with dark brown hair, and one with light blonde hair, all with bright green eyes. Claire’s were the brightest of them all.
“Let’s get you some food and water,” she said, grabbing the two youngest children by the hand and leading them toward the creek. How in the world could these little ones have survived on their own?
Saiya followed her, grabbing the other two with Brooke close behind. Several long moments later, they returned with all four children whose faces were a little cleaner, and their thirst finally taken away. Anabel fed them some of the deer as Kell and Saiya looked on. The children ate hesitantly at first, but then more eagerly after the first couple of bites.
They looked at Anabel with big, round eyes, grateful.
“Where is our Mama?” the littlest boy asked Anabel, hesitantly.
“Mama?” Anabel asked, unsure of who he was referring to.
“Mama. My mama.” he repeated, his voice full of longing. “I need her.”
Anabel, Jakob, and Ava all looked at one another, their expressions blank.
“We don’t know who ‘Mama’ is,” Anabel said gently.
“I do,” Kell said, to Jakob’s surprise. “I know who Mama is. All of the Youngers know who Mama is.”
31
THE VISIT
For the first time since the Darkness, Will was completely alone without Kyla by his side. Aldo was swift to take advantage of this, as Kyla’s constant presence hindered them from taking him to see what was happening in Tamaryn.
“I just don’t understand what kind of hold the Governess has over him. It’s unlike anything that has ever happened to him before,” Aldo had said to Milo the day before, careful as always to speak in hushed tones to ensure nobody would hear them.
Milo had nodded in agreement, stroking his long beard as he often did when he was perplexed about something.
But now Will was alone in his chambers, staring blankly out of the large window into nothingness.
Aldo was still unaccustomed to his friend’s lack of interest in anything or anyone. He was so disturbed that he had taken to following the Governor and Governess without them knowing, but he had been unable to discover anything he didn’t already know.
“Come, Governor,” Aldo said, grabbing Will’s arm firmly and pulling him along. “This is a great day to see Tamaryn and your People.”
“Kyla wouldn’t like it if I went without her. I should find her and let her know where I’m going,” Will said, though he allowed Aldo to pull him along as though helpless.
“I’m sure the Governess wouldn’t mind. After all, it has been over two weeks since you’ve even left your chambers. It is important you make your presence known to the People. It will give them peace.” Aldo kept an eye out for Kyla as he led Will down the stairwell and down the front stone steps of the Governor’s House toward Aldo’s horse and carriage.
He put Will into the carriage and gave the driver directions that Will couldn’t hear.
A few moments later he joined him.
As they drove out of the large metal gates and away from the great stone wall that protected the house, Will sat stone still and did not move. Milo studied him to see if he would look out of the windows, but Will sat, looking lost and alone.
Aldo spoke to him about the People and about how the harvest had come early, just as Kyla said. He talked about how the People were storing the food, and were less restless than they had been. As he spoke, he wasn’t sure if Will was absorbing his words or if they were simply bouncing off of him into the walls of the carriage. Aldo often felt that Will no longer heard him when he spoke, which was disheartening. Friend
s since boyhood, Will was the one person Aldo always felt had heard and valued him. He couldn’t put his finger on the moment it had changed, but Will was no longer the person Aldo had always known. He was someone else entirely.
“Governor, did you hear me? The People are no longer hungry, which is a very good thing. I don’t know how she did it, but Kyla got the Yashwa to speed things along so we could harvest early. The People will no longer starve.” Aldo spoke cautiously, as not to allow suspicion creep into his voice. Will must think I am in her corner.
“Yes,” Will spoke for the first time, his eyes animated and his voice excited. “Kyla did a wonderful job with the Yashwa. She is an incredible Governess, don’t you think?”
“Yes, sir.” Aldo said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. He had hoped Will wouldn’t notice. “She is incredible.”
Will seemed to notice where they were for the first time. “Where are we going again, Aldo?”
“We are going to visit some of the People. I thought they should see you, and you could put them at ease over the changes that are going on in Tamaryn.” Aldo chose his words carefully.
“Changes? What changes?” Will asked, curiosity touching his voice for the first time.
“You’ll see.” Aldo said, looking straight again.
After riding in silence for a while longer, the carriage stopped with a sudden lurch.
“Here, put this on.” Aldo said, giving Will a heavy coat lined with animal fur.
“Why?” Will asked. I didn’t need one at the Governor’s House.
“You’ll need it here,” Aldo said, as though reading his mind.
Will shrugged and put it on as Aldo wrapped himself in the blanket he had been sitting on.
As they opened the door to the carriage, Will was hit with an icy blast of cold air. He stepped outside of the carriage and slipped, going down to the ground hard.
Aldo jumped out of the carriage and helped his friend up, careful not to slip on the ice. He looked around after he pulled Will up and noted that it had gotten worse since the day before when he had been this way.
The Forgotten (The Lost Children Series Book 1) Page 11
