by T B Phillips
“You aren’t from here?”
“No. I am from far away.”
The boy named Johan finally broke his silence. “Are you from the Southern Continent?”
“No, young man, I am from…”
Kali cut her off before she could finish. With wide understanding eyes she marveled, “You’re from Astia?”
Once again shocked by the girl’s words, Pearl inquired, “How do you know of Astia, dearie?”
“The old man in Logan told me about it. He said that the Falconers farm emotants for our powers and kill those with powers they don’t want awakening.”
“That’s very true, Kali.” Pearl could not believe her ears. “Where are you two headed, dearie? Where were you traveling before Madelyn killed your fox?”
“Estowen’s Landing.” Johan said the words before Kali could answer, earning him a threatening look.
“Why Estowen’s Landing? The Fjorik raiders depopulated the town over thirty years ago. Now there’s nothing except abandoned streets and a crumbling pier.”
“That’s not what we believe. We were both told that there’s a place for us and other emotants. Like a school even.” The boy had ignored the girl’s protests, obviously quicker to trust strangers than she.
Pearl suddenly felt worried. If Samani were gathering emotants then Estowen’s Landing was ideal. She motioned for the teens to sit on a fallen log nearby. “You’re welcome to journey with us. We’re what’s left of Diaph and we’re headed to Middleton. I have a sister there who I need to contact.”
Johan asked, “Why not go to Eston? Isn’t that closer than Middleton?”
“It is, but these people are not safe there. The city is doomed to fall when the rebellion occurs.”
Kali broke her recent silence, “How is Middleton safer?”
“It’s too far and dangerous for the northern navy to sail that close to The Cove. And right now, the Pirate’s Guild also wars with the Fjorik King.”
Shouts of alarm interrupted their conversation. Pearl’s attention turned to Madelyn who quickly grabbed her bow. Soon five men clad in dark green entered the camp, empty hands raised peacefully. Pearl shouted, “What is the meaning of this?”
One of the men answered, “Peace, Mother.” Despite his words, the rifles on their backs sent panic through the old woman, as she quickly realized how deeply Samani had already interfered in the rebellion. Another of the men tossed a bag down near the kettle.
Pointing to the sack the first man continued, “We brought you supplies that we’ve foraged to aid your journey. We know what happened in Diaph and only want to help you along your way.”
“How would you know, unless you were the outlaws who aided Braston in his own raid on our city?” Pearl demanded.
“Aye, we’re those outlaws.” The man confirmed. “But when we raided, we attacked only the Falconers and the soldiers who fought against us. Your city was destroyed by another whom we are sworn to defeat.”
“If that is true, then we owe you thanks for the supplies. Now leave so that we may also continue along our way.”
“We actually hope to lead you to Estowen’s Landing, Mother. We have resources to put you all on a ship and can take you wherever you’d like. But this forest is dangerous, and many of you won’t make the journey down south.”
Pearl turned and stared at the children to whom she had been speaking. They were listening to the exchange with wide eyes and whispered something between them about Falconers. Then movement caught her eye near the fire. Although the ladle rested on a stump nearby, the stew slowly stirred inside the pot as if by a ghostly spoon. Her attention snapped to Johan and she immediately understood. Turning back to the outlaw she responded, “I too think it’s best that we travel with you to Estowen’s Landing. A boat ride would accommodate my old bones nicely.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Braen paced the room anxiously, awaiting the election results with growing impatience. Eusari and Sippen waited with him while Gelert slept curled up at his master’s feet. Sebastian also napped on a sofa nearby. The boy had been tied to Braen’s hip as much as possible.
The team had been using the network more frequently, and, With Marita in Eskera, Eusari had grown accustomed to Caroline and helped her fine tune her craft daily. The girl was a fast learner, although quite obstinate. Eusari liked the girl who currently napped next to Samani in the counting house. She would relay his messages to Sebastian.
Someone had started calling the children “Dreamers” although no one could remember who. It seemed fitting since they passed their messages in a sleep state, so the term stuck. “You won district one, Braen.” The boy muttered Samani’s words. “Eusari came in second, and Amash third. Creech won fourth and nothing for Nevra. Things are working out as planned.”
Braen took a drink to settle his nerves. “That’s good news.”
Sippen remarked, “Only fuh… four more duh… districts left.” Although not in the race, he was as nervous as his lifelong friend.
“District two is in” Sebastian mouthed. “Eusari took first with a sweeping margin followed by Braen and Amash. Creech was again fourth and Nevra had one vote.”
All three adults let out a long breath. So far things were going well. The two districts had been the smallest, so they settled in, knowing that it would be some time before the other three reported. Eusari broke the silence, “Any more word from Amash and Alec?”
“Not a thing. Last I heard the prince still won’t speak with me. He thinks that it’s a trick, and that we are trying to kidnap him, or something worse. The damned kid’s paranoid.”
“He’s an Esterling, Braen. They don’t trust anyone, and he thinks you killed his mother.”
“We need him on our side. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, and we need to help him win his war.”
“That’s not our fight, Braen. It doesn’t matter which of the whelps win, either one will have to accept you in Fjorik after Skander is dead.”
“No. I don’t think Marcus will ever tell the people the truth about Crestal’s death. Our best hope is Robert.”
“Cinder’s crack, Braen, there’s a problem.” All eyes shot toward the sleeping boy. “Our switch boxes didn’t make it to the rest of the polling sites. Some of Creech’s men interfered and the crew had to dispose of them.”
Eusari shot Braen a hot stare. “Switch boxes? What did he mean by that?” When he didn’t answer she stood and set down her drink. “Dispose of what, Braen?”
He immediately realized that he had let her down. He cringed as he answered, “Fake ballots.”
“What?” Her angry eyes reflected both shock and disappointment. Gelert rose from his nap growling low and deep.
“Creech closed the gap in several districts so Samani packed some boxes. He planned to switch them out before counting.”
“You promised me that the elections would be honest, that if we won it would be the will of the people.”
“I did.”
“I trusted you. After everything that you know I’ve been through, you still lied to me?”
“Samani insisted…”
“Samani only does what you tell him, Braen!” She was so angry that she shouted, “Hell, he worships you and thinks the prophecies foretold your coming, for Cinder’s sake!” She stormed out of the room and shouted over her shoulder, “This is on you!” The door slammed behind her and the wolf with a definitive crash that woke Sebastian.
Sippen slowly rose from his chair and set down his glass of wine. “Buh… Braen. I nuh… never thought you’d stoop so luh… low.” He shook his head at his friend and the large captain felt his heart break at the disappointed look. “I need air.”
Braen’s eyes followed his best friend from the room, anxiety strong in his gut. I screwed this up, he thought, I should have talked to them both before I acted.
&n
bsp; From the sofa Sebastian yawned and stretched, “What made them angry, Captain Braston?”
“I did something I shouldn’t have, but it’s going to be okay. Family forgives.” But in his mind, he thought, except Eusari. She’ll hold a grudge for decades. “Can you sleep? We’re waiting for more news from Samani.”
“I can try.” The boy settled down and soon drifted off. “Two more districts reported. District five picked Creech first, you second, Eusari third, and Amash fourth. No votes for Nevra.”
Braen closed his eyes and breathed. Creech had won the market district. Despite his campaigning, the old money had made a statement.
“District four is in. Creech, Braston, Thorinson, and Horslei in that order. Two votes for Nevra.”
Braen picked up a quill and parchment and scribbled calculations. That made Creech and Amash tied in third with one district left to report. Thankfully the voters had eliminated Nevra, but Amash had to beat out Adamas. He took another deep breath and thought about Eusari. She may be consoled to know that she was elected fair and square, after all, but he doubted she would. The fact that he even attempted to rig the votes would push her far away. He hoped she would speak with him soon.
The boy on the couch stirred in his sleep, snapping Braen from his private thoughts. He watched Sebastian with concern. Something about the way the boy slept had changed. He seemed restless and less relaxed, almost as if experiencing a nightmare. Braen walked over and placed his hand on the boy’s forehead. His skin flushed hot and sweat beaded along his hairline, but he could see that his shivering arms had formed tiny bumps of chicken skin. Something was wrong.
He tried to wake the boy, but failed and the child groaned and shifted positions. As he rolled over Braen saw that his back had drenched with sweat through his tunic. Alarmed, he shook the boy but stopped when he heard him cry out with pain from his deep sleep. He ran to the door and called for help.
Sebastian and Caroline sat across from each other in the dream world. They and the other Dreamers had learned how to construct the world however they wanted. Caroline perched atop an enormous mushroom while fairies flitted around her. Sebastian rode atop a giant luminescent salamander. Strange looking trees and flowers towered over them and birds resembling chickens flew overhead or rested on branches.
“Braen pissed off Eusari. She stormed out of the room.”
“She’ll forgive him.” Caroline hugged her arms around her chest and mocked the adults, “She’s in love with him.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because I catch them kissing all the time. Also, he sneaks into her room at night and they get naked together.”
“Ew! That’s gross!”
“No, Silly. Its romantic! They’re going to get married and have babies and someday she’ll let me babysit.”
“All the way naked?”
“Yes. That’s what grownups do to make babies.”
“Really? That’s all?”
“Pretty much. They get naked and roll around in bed and then nine months later a baby pops out of the woman.”
“That’s grosser than gross. Wait, where does the baby come out?”
“I think the belly button, or from down below. I’m not sure.”
Sebastian pondered that for a while, thankful that only women had babies and relieved that he wouldn’t have to squeeze one out from “down below.” Of course, he remembered an old man in his village who peed out rocks sometimes. He heard him say one time that it was like giving birth. “I think you’re right. I think they come from your pee hole.”
“Probably.” Caroline relayed a message from Samani and went back to playing with the fairies.
Sebastian passed it on and tried to teach the salamander to rear up like a horse. So far, he was largely unsuccessful at anything except standing in one place. Finally giving up he turned his attention back to his friend. A woman stood behind her in a feathered hood and with arms crossed. “Why did you create a Falconer here, Caroline?”
“I didn’t, Silly. Why would I do that?”
He pointed behind her and she turned, letting out a bloodcurdling scream at the sight of the specter. Instantly she was gone from the dream world, probably awakened by fear. Sebastian continued to stare at the strange feathered lady. “I know you aren’t real. You can go away now.”
“How can you be so sure?” Her voice was creepy and without emotion.
“Because everyone knows that Falconers are men.”
“I’m not a man, yet I’m a Falconer.”
“A made up one in the dream world.”
“I’m real. I have the same powers as you and can travel here as well.”
“You don’t have the same powers. You swallow beads and steal our powers. Braen told me that you make the beads by farming us in your rookeries.”
“Why are you not afraid of me, child?”
“Because I’m stronger than you are.”
“Are you sure of that?”
“Yes, I am. Marita is the only one stronger than me, and she can divide her power fifteen times without hurting.”
“That is impressive. How many times can you divide? What about the others?”
Sebastian suddenly grew suspicious at the woman’s questions. “I’m not telling.”
“You already told me that the most any of you can wield is fifteen separations of power. That tells me plenty, child.”
“I’m done playing here and I think Caroline isn’t coming back. Goodbye.” Sebastian tried to return to Andalon, but suddenly realized that he had lost his pathway back. Panic gripped him as he tried to focus on his body in The Cove. The specter continued to watch him with eerie calm as he wrangled within his mind. Beneath his legs, the salamander transformed into a crocodile, biting and chomping at the boy on his back. Sebastian reacted quickly and wrapped its powerful jaws with ropes of air. Then he leapt off and ran into the forest.
Above his head the flying chickens turned into piranha fish that bit at his flesh as he ran, chasing him deeper into the dream world. One of them latched onto his arm and tore a chunk of meat from his bicep. The wound pulsed with pain as he ripped the monster free and tossed it aside. Another bit at his leg and ripped a chunk from his calf muscle, causing him to tumble onto the ground. He was soon overtaken by the fish who latched on and munched their way to bone.
All at once they were wrapped in net of air and pulled away in a single movement. Looking up Sebastian recognized Marita standing over him. She flashed him a thumbs up, letting him know that he would be fine. Afraid that he would bleed out on the ground, he scanned his wounds only to find that they had fully healed. He scrambled to his feet and stood next to his friend.
“What are you doing here?”
“I brought a friend to talk to Braen.” She pointed over her shoulder and a young man standing behind her.
“That’s Robert! You found him!”
“It turns out that he’s King Robert, and his full name is Robert Esterling.”
“You’re Robert Esterling?”
“Yes, I am.” He looked around in amazement. “You kids built this place?”
Marita nodded her head. “We’re working on it, but it’s a lot of work.” She turned to Sebastian. “Why were you running?”
He felt his stomach drop when he thought about the strange woman. “There’s a Falconer here.”
“Here?” Esterling scanned the woods for threats.
Marita frowned. “Why didn’t you just wake up, Silly?”
“I… I couldn’t. I think she had me blocked somehow.”
“She?” Robert seemed confused. “You saw a female Falconer?”
“Yes. That’s why I thought she was make-believe at first. I thought one of you other Dreamers put her here as a joke.”
“Take us to her.” Esterling motioned for him to lead and Sebastian took them
back to the clearing. The crocodile had turned back into a salamander and the woman was gone. “She was right there.”
“Well, she appears to have left. Can you try to get back to The Cove? I need to speak with Captain Braston.” Robert leaned against the mushroom and Marita hopped up on a rainbow- colored rock nearby.
“I can try.” Sebastian closed his eyes and reached into his mind. White lights coalesced around him, resembling stars. He focused on the space between the glowing orbs and felt outside of his body with his mind. Soon he found a pathway that led to a familiar spot. He flowed along the ether until a clear image emerged of his feverish body and Braen kneeling beside him. Other people stood around the room while Sippen held his wrist. With a rush he rejoined his physical husk.
The boy’s eyes shot open and he gasped a deep breath that caused Braen to jump. “Calm down, Sebastian. You gave us a fright for a moment.”
“I need you to come back with me.”
Braen turned to Sippen who appeared as concerned as he. “He must still be feverish. There’s no way that I can travel with him.”
But Sebastian insisted, “I think there is, Captain Braston. But we need to hurry, Marita is there and so is Robert Esterling.” Every adult in the room looked at Braen.
Chapter Thirty
The walk to the mines took the pair longer than they had hoped. Taros insisted that they circle around several times to ensure that they weren’t followed, and they rested twice when Flaya felt cramping in her womb. When they finally arrived, they were shocked to find the roadway unwatched and not guarded. The path to the opening wound around a creek, filled but not full after the recent rains. A makeshift wooden bridge led up and over, but not too steep that workers couldn’t push carts with ease.
At least fifty mules were corralled nearby. They brayed alarm at the sudden appearance of the Pescari teens, some kicking and snorting in protest. The commotion forced the pair to duck behind a watering trough and wait. Just as Taros feared, a sleeping watchman had been resting nearby.
