by L. R. W. Lee
Imogenia held up her hands. “Okay, I concede. I acted in a manner unbefitting the dignity of royalty...but I don’t want the curse broken.”
“I understand, but the daughter I know would never have considered stooping to such treachery. Honey, your hatred has changed you,” the king observed.
Andy studied Imogenia, anticipating a fiery reaction. He was surprised when she nodded then added, “I’ll admit, what I did has weighed on me. I surprised myself.”
“I’m the one you have issue with,” the king interjected.
Imogenia raised a silvery eyebrow.
“I’m the one who wants to break the curse…for the sake of my subjects. I stated that at the beginning. The boy is just the messenger. Leave him be.”
“But that’s just it. I can’t leave him alone. If he succeeds, Kaysan’s punishment will be over and I’m still not convinced he’s truly sorry for killing me.”
The three exchanged frowns.
“Then we are at an impasse,” the king concluded.
“Imogenia, please consider your father’s admonition. I fear for you.”
The castle room faded and Andy now found himself crouching at the mouth of a cave. Had he not been kneeling, his head would have hit the ceiling. Night had fallen and the moon peeking between shifting clouds cast slow-moving shadows on the grassy plain before him. Dim firelight danced on the stone wall behind. He reached for Methuselah but discovered his companion absent.
Good thing I’m dreaming.
He crept around the bend and meandered along a corridor between fallen boulders. Rock slabs lay at sharp angles forming a peaked roof through which he could occasionally glimpse moonlight. The firelight grew brighter as he continued, and he finally emerged into a somewhat larger space that permitted him to stand erect. He found a girl with long blonde hair seated cross-legged before the fire. After a time, she stood and retrieved another log for the hungry flames. She wore the same filthy yellow dress he had seen the first time she entered his dreams. Her ratty white headscarf lay neatly folded nearby, next to a stick fashioned into a crude dagger. She sat back down and stared into the flames for several minutes. Just as Andy grew bored, the girl’s form began to shake, tiny tremors at first that grew into quaking. She brought an arm up and wiped her eyes.
“Mom. Dad. I miss you so much.”
Tears always made Andy feel uneasy, and he scanned the cave for something to comfort the girl, to no avail. After several minutes his dreams finally faded to nothingness and he slumbered.
With Hans feeling time was of the essence, the group set out at dawn in a thicker-than-usual fog. Andy’s imagination began running wild. Every creak of the trees, every crunch of rocks underfoot, every whistle or hoot nearby intensified his unease.
Squish, squirch, squirch, squish, sang Andy’s sneakers.
Imogenia knows I’m back. Will the bellicose know, too?
Andy fingered the bark and vine holster that Hannah and Alden had woven for Methuselah the night before and that now hung from a belt loop. To lessen some of his uneasiness, Andy recounted his dream about the princess to his companions. Hans welcomed the news and hastened the group’s pace.
Mid-morning found the nine scaling yet another tall mountain. Andy held his side trying to staunch a persistent stitch.
“Take deeper breaths,” Hans instructed while walking next to Andy, whose nearly dry sneakers were now content to fulfill their duty in silence.
As they crested the summit, Alden called out from behind, “Look.”
Everyone paused and Andy eyed a welcome sight. More forested mountains stood as imposing obstacles in their path, but the thick mist ended abruptly in a towering wall. Unencumbered sunshine bathed the sight in clarity, and Andy felt his unease diminish. Smiles broke out on everyone’s faces.
“We’ve reached the border of Oomaldee and Cromlech,” Andy deduced, remembering the clear skies he and Alden had experienced when they traveled into Hadession on their way to the dragon’s lair.
“That’s correct,” Hans confirmed.
More trudging up and down mountains consumed the rest of the day, but by late afternoon, as shadows grew long, the last peak rose behind them and rolling hills and grassy plains spread before.
“We’ll camp here tonight,” Captain Baldric announced. “Before us lies the territory of the karkadann, and I, for one, don’t care to meet one of those in the dark.”
No one objected.
The first rays of warm sunlight roused Andy the following morning, and in no time the nine had packed up camp. Before they ventured forth the captain warned, “We need to remain silent as we cross the territory of the karkadann lest we provoke them. As our gnome friends so aptly showed us, angering one of these beasts is something to be avoided at all cost.”
Andy, Alden, and Hannah shared looks. Hans stood stoically, expressionless. It seemed he already knew.
“Any questions?” When no one had any, the captain finished, “Then let’s move out.”
Glad my sneakers are dry.
Waist-high tufts of wild grasses sparsely adorned the rolling ground they traversed. Compared to the mountains towering behind, the walk proved easy and they covered the area with haste. They encountered several copses of trees randomly clustering the area. Hooh-hrooo, hooh-hrooo sounded from many of these, and the officers pointed and gestured the company around, giving each area a wide berth. Each time Andy squinted, trying to make out any large white beasts that might linger in the surrounding foliage and exhaling when he located none.
By late afternoon, Captain Baldric pointed out the beginning of a series of rock outcroppings jutting up haphazardly in the distance and marking the end of karkadann territory. The group sighed collectively, hurrying their pace to clear the area by nightfall.
As they wound a wide path around one of the final groves of trees, in the open plain rested a ring dove. Hooh-hrooo. Hooh-hrooo. From this distance, all could see a reddish-brown substance streaking the bird’s limply hanging outstretched wing. Alden crept closer despite cautioning gestures from Sergeants Fulk and Ranulf. Hannah watched, grimacing. Andy scanned the area as his best friend knelt and spoke softly to the creature. Alden stroked the dove, then carefully picked it and approached the group.
“It’s injured,” Alden whispered. “We need to splint its wing.”
Alden knelt and Hans joined him. Then Hans whispered, “I think you can handle this one on your own.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
Alden removed his backpack and located materials suitable for the task. He cleaned the wound with water from his canteen while Hans tore several strips of material from a spare tunic and handed them to his apprentice.
As treatment proceeded, the officers turned their backs to the medics, their expressions deadly serious. Everyone else scoured the surrounding area, hoping.
Alden carefully wound the material around the dove’s wing, then secured it against the bird’s body with several more loops, leaving the uninjured wing free.
“Looks good,” Hans whispered, receiving a smile from Alden.
Hooh-hrooo. Hooh-hrooo. The ring dove cooed as Alden finished doctoring.
“Okay, put it back,” Captain Baldric requested.
“If that bird is to mend, it can’t just be left here,” Hans cautioned.
“Are you saying we have to bring it with us?” the captain questioned.
Hans and Alden nodded.
Alden picked up the bird and settled it on his shoulder, eliciting more coos.
“This is a bad idea, Alden,” Hannah objected, glancing about.
No sooner had the words crossed her lips than the group felt the ground ripple under their feet. Everyone looked quickly about. Another stronger tremor shook the ground seconds later, and the company, eyes wide, drew their weapons and assumed ready positions.
Hooh-hrooo. Hooh-hrooo.
“Shhh…” Alden encouraged his companion.
An even stronger quake rattled everyone.
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Andy spotted the great white beast first and pointed. The hulking animal lumbered forward, eyeing its adversary. Fifty yards. Twenty-five yards. Ten yards. It spotted the ring dove and stopped.
Maybe we’ll get lucky and it won’t attack? Andy hoped.
The karkadann scratched the ground with a front hoof, stirring up dust.
Then again, we may not be that lucky.
It raised its head and bellowed loudly, then lowered its jet-black corkscrew horn and charged.
We’re gonna die for that bird!
Seven yards.
Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop, sounded from Alden’s shoulder. Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop.
Five yards.
Weapons ready.
Terwit terwoo, oop-oop-oop.
The beast screeched to a halt two yards in front of Alden and snorted.
No one moved.
The karkadann and ring dove glared at each other. Time stopped. No one flinched.
Finally, the white monster shook its head and pawed the ground once before turning and ambling off.
No one so much as shifted until the creature vanished from sight.
Hooh-hrooo. The bird broke the spell, and one and all sighed with relief. Without thinking, Andy grabbed and embraced Hannah who had weathered the storm beside him. Hannah blushed and stepped away, causing Andy to realize what he had done and his cheeks to flush. Hans stepped close and squeezed Andy’s arm, providing a welcome escape to the awkwardness as Alden stepped forward, the patient still perched on his shoulder.
“Perhaps you should be a bit more selective in the animals you choose to help,” Hannah admonished.
“Are you suggesting we should have left this bird to die?”
Hannah did not respond.
“I’d do the same again,” Alden asserted. “I’m not going to stand by and watch an animal suffer when I can do something about it.”
Andy wrinkled his brow. I’ve never heard Alden so defensive.
“You put the whole company, not to mention our quest to find Princess Yara, in danger,” Hannah huffed as she turned and strode off.
Alden rolled his eyes and sulked off in the opposite direction.
“A lovers’ quarrel,” quipped Hans, smiling.
Andy was not going to touch that comment, so instead he remarked, “That was close, too close. I agree with Hannah, he acted recklessly.” Andy chose not to add “and you encouraged him,” although his brain screamed it.
“Seldom do we consider the impact on others of things we are most passionate about. Personally, I’m not surprised Alden acted as he did.”
“Really?”
“Over the past year Alden has taken quite an interest in learning how to mend wounded animals. I’ve been showing him a thing or two.”
“Really?”
Hans nodded, adding, “He’s got a knack for it, too.”
That night, Andy sat down next to Alden on a log near the fire as Hannah took her turn at preparing dinner. Hans put himself to use helping her.
“What happened earlier? Why’d you do that?” Andy queried.
Alden stroked his patient who sat in his lap. “What, save this dove?”
“Yeah.”
Alden frowned. “Look, I’m sorry I put us all at risk. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that when I saw it lying helpless in the road…I couldn’t leave it there to die.”
Andy did not respond, so Alden continued, “I felt like we stumbled upon this bird for a reason, and I knew I could help it. I won’t ignore an animal in pain. It’s not right.”
Andy heard the passion in his friend’s voice. “I knew you cared for animals…”
“I think it all started back when I rescued Optimistic from an early end just because she was born too small.”
Andy remembered Alden telling him how the cavalry planned to put her down because she was a runt. His pegasus was certainly no runt any longer.
“Then, when we rescued Daisy, it was so cool when the cavalry and I flew with her to her new home. It felt really good to help her.” Alden smiled, remembering.
“I think I’d been pulled back home before then,” Andy recalled.
Alden nodded. “Then I had the opportunity to rescue that kappa from the steel trap it got its foot stuck in.”
Andy remembered the situation and how he had felt. “I thought the kappas would attack, but you sensed something different.” His friend had extricated the creature, and as a reward, the kappas later helped save them from the sea monsters.
“When we removed Jada’s and Naria’s horns, I felt so helpless. While you steered the troll away from the clearing, Hannah and I headed back to protect them. They were so weak. I’ll never forget it.” Alden sighed. “After that, I asked Hans to teach me how to mend wounds. He’s started showing me some medicines now, too.”
Andy smiled. “Well, I think you’ll make a good veterinarian.”
“A what?”
“A veterinarian.”
“What’s that?”
“A healer who treats injured animals.”
“Oh. Hans just calls me an animal healer.”
“Well, then you’ll make a good animal healer.”
Hooh-hrooo.
The boys laughed and Andy added, “Looks like your patient agrees.”
“I think I’ll call him Calum.”
Andy smiled, but Hannah’s frequent glances and glowers had not escaped his notice as they talked.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Hungry Grass
Hannah’s pout persisted the next morning, and she walked by herself behind Hans, Andy, Alden, and Calum, refusing to talk about the matter vexing her. Andy had tried engaging her in conversation, but since he had implicated himself around the campfire the previous evening by talking to Alden, he too had earned the silent treatment.
Hannah’s mood contrasted sharply from the rest of the company. Between clear skies and no karkadann threats, Sergeant Fulk began whistling. The other officers picked up the tune and added harmony to his melody. Hans, Andy, and Alden smiled, then cracked up when the dove cooed hooh-hrooo in time.
“I didn’t know your bird had rhythm,” Captain Baldric joked.
“And I didn’t know you all were so musical,” Andy kidded back.
“One of our many hidden talents,” Sergeant Hammond jested, bowing.
“We’ll have to have you perform at the next dance my father hosts.”
Everyone but Hannah laughed.
They stopped for rest and a midday meal several hours later.
We need to discuss the next clue.
But when conversation returned to the joking of the gnomes, the thought evaporated.
The land began to gradually change as they set off. The scattered clumps of waist-high grasses gave way to a more densely populated meadow. From each blade of grass hung spikelets that reminded Andy of wheat except the grains were white.
Several paces into the new growth, Andy began feeling… uncomfortable. Several more steps and his stomach began grumbling.
I just ate, how can I be hungry?
Andy took several more steps and a rapidly growing stomachache made its presence known. Andy reached to massage his belly and looked at his companions. Alden held his stomach and wore a pained expression, and Hans, while still stoic, was grimacing. Andy glanced back at Hannah.
“What are you looking at?” she snapped.
Andy raised an eyebrow as Hans looked back, sharing Andy’s surprise.
As Alden turned to see what the problem was, Captain Baldric, who led the company, raised a hand motioning everyone to stop. Hans, Andy, Alden, and Hannah approached while the other officers held their positions, scanning the area. When the four reached the captain, Hannah followed the officer’s downward gaze and gasped. A man lay on his back, frozen, with eyes open, grasping his stomach. Captain Baldric felt for a pulse but shook his head a minute later.
“What do you suppose happened?” Alden queried, still holding his stomach.
“No idea,” the captain replied, looking for signs of a scuffle.
“Well, we can’t just leave him there,” Hannah snipped.
“What’s wrong with you?” Alden questioned indelicately. “Look, I know you’re upset with me about what I did yesterday, but that’s no reason to take it out on everyone.”
The question jolted Hannah, and a puzzled expression coursed across her face. After a minute of consideration, she finally replied, “I’m sorry. I get crabby when I’m hungry. I know we just ate, but I’m starving.”
“Me too!” Andy exclaimed.
“Me three,” quipped Alden, frowning and rubbing his stomach.
The other four soldiers made to join the group, but Sergeants Ranulf and Hammond stopped short and called, “Captain, you’re going to want to see this.”
The captain and the rest of the company approached. Another man lay in a fetal position on his side, eyes wide.
“He’s dead,” Sergeant Ranulf announced.
“I don’t know what happened to these guys, but I’ve got to eat!” Hannah declared. With that, she took two steps and sat. “I could eat a karkadann!” she exclaimed as she opened her pack, grabbed the first edible bits she found, and began gobbling them down.
Hans wrinkled his forehead and rubbed his pepper-stubbled chin.
Andy met Alden’s eyes, chuckled, and nodded toward Hannah, unsure what to make of her unusual behavior.
Ummm. Mmmm. Ummm. Hannah murmured as she stuffed her mouth, barely chewing. She gagged, coughed violently, then continued wolfing down food.
“Don’t forget to breathe,” Andy joked. This is crazy! What’s she doing?
While Andy felt famished, he held himself in check. A glance at Alden and the others told him they felt more than a little hungry as well.
“Should we all eat?” Andy threw out the question.
The inquiry seemed to provide Hans with the missing piece to his quandary, for his curious expression shifted to deadly seriousness as he matter-of-factly declared, “No. We need to move. Now.”
“But what about the dead guys?” Alden questioned.
