Hot. She gasped. She was within a forest fire. Sparks hit her singeing her dappled flanks. She bounded away. It was behind her. She heard the enemy panting through the flaming night. She stumbled through ashes, legs trembling, Gasping and coughing through the burning forest. She had to keep going.
This was fire without any regeneration. No fresh young shoots would grow after this blaze. It was death and it was after her. She leapt over a rotten tree. Snap! Her foreleg twisted in a hole. Rising she limped slowly toward sanctuary, a small pool scummy with floating ash. Her head reached forward to the pond and cool relief. Molten claws pulled her back toward the deadly fireworm. Beating her hooves against the flames she threw herself into the water.
The water hissed as scorched brown flanks became scaled silver as she entered the water. She flashed through the water, streamlined muscles pushing her on. It cooled her for a moment, and then she was overwhelmed by the foul stench. She knew the enemy still pursued her. Large yellow eyes blinked open and an electric eel shot forth to swallow her.
She sped away, through the water and hid under a rock. She was trapped. The eel kept coming, huge neon eyes peering at her. She burrowed deep under the stone until there was almost no water left just some damp mud which had her gasping and flapping until the hole opened and she fell down into a cave.
She couldn’t see. Her eyes were closed, but she knew the enemy was still coming after her. Her small scaly feet skittered wildly on the dry rocks as she fled. It was quiet here and dark. She sniffed out her path by flicking her tongue, feeling vibrations chasing her. A huge serpent slithered after her. It would crush and swallow her whole. Closer and closer it came, ready to strike.
She felt air above her, hissing back at the snake she scurried up the small rocks up to the surface. She reached the end of the tunnel and felt jaws close on her small scaly tail. With a great wrench she was free. Her tail flexed wildly in the jaws of the snake. It distracted him for a second and she was free.
Dusty scaled armor turned to sleek feathers as she flew. She screamed in triumph, shooting up into the sky, banking to watch the opponent down below. A raven burst up from the small cave like a black tornado. She dodged and flew away. The larger bird was no match for her agility. Looking below her she realized he was gaining. Her wings beat frantically, but the larger wingspan of her pursuer was telling on her. Its red eyes blazing, the great black beak pierced through her beating wings and stabbed at her left side. A burning pain bloomed between her ribs. Feathers flew as she lost the rhythm and started to plummet. She spied a small yellow boat. Diving through the clouds, the wind screaming through her pinions, she claimed sanctuary.
Ariana bolted upright, fists clenched, heart thundering in her ears. She looked out the porthole expecting black wings and malevolent red eyes. Nothing… She sighed. The sun was almost directly overhead. She’d slept the entire morning. Pulling her sweaty hair back into a loose braid she rose. She looked out into the hall, empty. She automatically checked the stone. It was still resting quiescent between her breasts. She left the room feeling confined and overheated. Cerynus opened his door and saw smiled when he saw her.
“Ariana, I was just coming to get you… What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just woke up is all”
“Oh, yes of course. Until you wake up you’re a badger.”
They went down the hall into the small galley. Jarod was already there, sitting at the table studying the map. He looked up and smiled at her. She sat across the table next to Cerynus.
“Hey sleepy-eyes, I hope it helped.” Jarod said.
“Yes it did.” She smiled at him, reaching for a piece of cheese. She winced as a pain shot up her left side.
“What is it?” said Jarod. Cerynus turned and looked at her.
“Nothing, I must have slept funny.” She cradled her left arm against her side.
“Let me see your side Ariana,” said Cerynus.
“No I’m fine.” Sweat beaded on her forehead, she started shivering.
“Ariana?” Jarod rose crossing to her. He looked at Cerynus in alarm. Ariana’s teeth started chattering. Jarod sat down and put his arm gently around her.
“What is it Cerynus?”
“Take her to her cabin.”
Jarod picked her up. She was barely aware of him. Her eyes were fixed on a point behind his head. Sweat poured off her body. Her left arm was clamped to her side like a vise. They put her on her bed tried to look under her arm. She burst up like a wild animal, teeth bared.
“Ariana, we need to look at your side.” Cerynus said. She thrashed on the bed. “We have to see what’s wrong. Jarod, restrain her.”
“I’m sorry, dear heart.” Jarod caught her by the arms and pushed her down on the bed. Gently Cerynus exposed her left side. There was a deep puncture wound right under her breast between her ribs. Crimson streaks radiated out from the deep black wound.
“Oh gods,” Cerynus moaned.
“What is it? Let me see.” Jarod went pale. “Ariana.” He gripped her hand. “How did this happen? Cerynus?”
“It’s the Dreamdeath. If the streaks reach her heart she dies. It’s my fault; the safeguards change over water. I forgot to warn her.” Cerynus sank to his knees.
“Do something Cerynus. You can’t let her die.”
“Let me think.”
“We don’t have time. If she dies… No, you’ve got to save her. She saved your life. Don’t give up you cold-hearted coward. You’ve got to save her.”
Jarod grabbed Cerynus to shake him. Alarmed gray eyes looked at him then a jolt of energy threw him back two steps. “Don’t you ever touch me like that again. I’m trying to think and you’re distracting me. Be still!”
“We’ve got to hurry. Don’t you care?”
“Of course I care, you idiot. Let me think, it’s her only chance.”
Jarod looked at Ariana on the bed. She was white and still. Her eyes were open and staring. But they saw nothing. He knelt and took her hand. It was cold. “The streaks are widening.” Jarod clutched her hand, tears welling in his eyes. He put his head down on the bed next to her and sobbed.
“I’d kill a thousand enemies to protect her. I’d die if it would help. But I don’t know anything about magic. There’s nothing I can do. Please help her.” Cerynus put his hand on Jarod’s shoulder. “I have an idea. It’s risky but...”
“Do it.”
“I’m going to try to create a link to the Heartstone using the link Ariana created when she healed me. That will take all my concentration.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“You need to hold her hand and follow her into the Dreamworld. I’ll try to guide you as much as I can, but it’s up to you. Use your love to find her and call her back. Then she can use the power of the Heartstone to heal. You pride yourself on your hunting skills well here’s a real test.”
“I’ll bring her back.” Jarod said.
Jarod held Ariana’s cold hands in his; Cerynus’ hand gripped his shoulder and held the blackening Heartstone in his wasted hand. Sweat beaded his forehead and a nimbus of pure white light surrounded them. There was an electric shock as the energy of the Stone surged through them.
* * * * * * *
Everything was fuzzy. Her head hurt, her side felt tight and achy. The room swayed slightly. She was in a boat lying prone on a bunk. Every time she took a breath it hurt. A great weight pressed down on her chest. Her hand flapped weakly by her side. She opened her eyes. Jarod’s arm was resting across her chest pinning her under the blankets. He slept, head turned away from her and she noticed his hair was wet with sweat.
She squirmed a little under the dead weight of his arm. Immediately Jarod woke raised up and looked at her. His face was pale, strained. Lines she’d never seen before bracketed his mouth. When he saw she was awake, joy wiped out the exhaustion on his face.
“Ariana! Oh Ariana,” He held her so tight she thought she’d pass out. “Jarod, dearest I need to breathe.” He loosen
ed his grip but held her hand tight in his.
“What happened?” Gingerly sitting up, she discovered her left side was bandaged and sore.
“Cerynus, come quick.”
Cerynus rushed in. He looked bent, aged. He saw she was awake. He straightened up, “Thank the spirits.” He whispered looking at her with such joy she thought he’d dance in the small cabin. He gripped Jarod’s shoulder fiercely with his good hand. Jarod held Cerynus’ hand tight. Ariana couldn’t interpret the look the two exchanged. She felt left out
“What happened?” She repeated.
“Well you were hurt.” Jarod said.
“Hurt? Hurt how?”
“Um, well…” Jarod floundered.
“While you slept Rhysin’s agents attacked and wounded you in the Dreamworld. We saved you.” Cerynus said. “I wasn’t sure it would work.”
“I don’t understand. How did you do it?”
“I used your connection to me from the healing to build a connection to the Stone. I used the Stone’s power to hold the portal open. Then Jarod traveled into the Dreamworld and called you back. It was very risky all three of us could have died.”
“Oh my God.” Ariana said. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.” She felt tears threaten. Vague, chaotic memories surfaced, menace, terror and being pulled back to the path by love. She’d never thought to love anything the way she loved these two men and the power of it almost overwhelmed her. They were more than family to her.
“But now you must rest and use the power of the Heartstone to regain your strength.” Cerynus said.
“But how did he get to me?” Ariana said seeing the strain in Cerynus’ face despite the joy. “That was my fault.” Cerynus said, “I never taught you the safeguards over water. As soon as you regain your strength, I’ll-”
“Today, right now.” Jarod said, “She must be safe.”
“I’ll go get the proper materials.” Cerynus left, almost dancing in his joy.
Jarod looked haggard but with a peace in his eyes that she never seen before. She put her other hand out to Jarod. He gripped them so tightly she winced. He eased the pressure off slightly.”
“Ariana, I thought I’d lost you.”
“You’ll never lose me, Jarod.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“You’re all I have. I don’t care about my honor.” Jarod kissed her hands, face wet with tears. “When I thought I’d lost you life was worthless.”
“Jarod, I’ll never leave you. I promise.” She squeezed his hands.
“I don’t care about the journey. I want you safe. Get rid of the Stone. I don’t want you in danger. We’ll find a way. I’ll take the Stone. I’ll do it instead of you.”
“Jarod, you’re talking crazy. You know it’s impossible. It’s mine, from my mother. It’s my responsibility.”
“I know. It’s just that...”
“Jarod, I know how you feel.” Gently she kissed his cheek. “You know it’s impossible to take off till we get to Galancarrig. Besides…” She hesitated.
“Yes?”
“You promised your father. I know how much that means to you. You’d hate yourself if you failed him.”
“But…”
“No. It’ll all be fine. The only way is to get the stone to Galancarrig and defeat Rhysin.”
“You’re right.”
“How long was I sick?
“It took a day and a night to draw you back.”
“My God, no wonder you were worried.” She said. “Well where are we?”
“We’re still a few days from the fork. Then we get to Talaith, disembark and continue into the Serenvale Mountains and then to Galancarrig. Hopefully we can get there before the autumn storms.”
Cerynus came in with a scroll. “Ariana I’m going to teach you all the safeguards. Jarod if you’ll excuse us.”
Jarod kissed her goodbye on the cheek and left. Cerynus spent the next half-hour teaching her all the safeguards and wards he knew.
“Always use these. The closer we get to Galancarrig the more danger there is. I should have realized it. I am sorry.”
“It’s alright. Thank you for saving me.”
“I’m just happy we were able to do it. But you need your rest.”
“But I’m not tired.”
“Sleep Ariana” ordered Cerynus putting his hand on her forehead. “When you wake up you can eat.” Sleep overtook her, she knew it was Cerynus’ compulsion and fought it briefly, before giving in.
She woke up ravenous. It was morning and the sun streamed in through the porthole. Cerynus came in with a large bowl full of hot soup. He looked rested and smiled brightly at her when she saw she was awake.
“Good morn. I have some food for you. But eat slowly.” he said putting it in front of her.
She barely heard him. Savory broth, the filling starch of potatoes and tender meat filled her mouth. She gulped it down. She broke the crusty bread and sopped the last of the broth stuffing it into her mouth. Finished she settled back on her pillow with a sigh.
“That was great.”
“Are there no drops of gravy left?”
“Very funny.”
“How are you feeling?” asked Cerynus.
“Much better.”
“Mayhap tomorrow you can get out of bed.” He turned to leave then stopped and turned toward her. “I’m glad we’re alone. Things are going to get harder for you. The closer we get to Galancarrig the stronger the Stone becomes. Be vigilant. If the Stone gets out of your control it could be deadly. I’ll let you rest now.” He left taking the bowl.
Ariana lay back. The food that had tasted so good a few minutes before roiled around in her suddenly acid stomach. The Stone was trustworthy. It had to be. It was the only guide she had. If she stopped trusting the Stone she was lost. Besides, he had never worked with the Stone. He was working from theory. Comforted, she settled down. Drowsy from a full stomach and a laden mind she fell into uneasy slumber.
She stayed in bed, growing more impatient every moment. Finally on the second day her zealous captors said she could get up. It was sunset. Jarod sat looking out the porthole. The sunset was glorious; streaks of orange and magenta stretched over the dark river. It turned his chestnut hair to flame and washed his face blood red. Suddenly his face turned pale and blood dripped down his brow. She blinked and the vision shifted.
Ariana was filled with unexpected fear. “Jarod.” She said softly
“Yes,” He rose smiling. “What do you need?”
“I just wanted you close.” She smiled not wanting him to know she’d been frightened. She took his hand. It was warm and real. He was all right. He sat down next to her in the bunk. She dismissed her momentary fear.
“Your arm’s all better?”
“Fine.” He smiled. Their fingers interlaced. His thumb caressed her palm. He gently kissed her fingers before letting her go. She wished the bunk were larger. “I’ve got to get out of bed or I’ll go crazy. I need some air.”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“Please. I’m dying of boredom.”
“Very well, I can refuse you nothing.”
He helped her onto shaky legs and they went outside onto the deck. Cerynus was already there. “How do you fare?” He asked.
“Better.” She leaned back against Jarod and he held her tight for a moment. He hadn’t left her side for a moment since she woke. With Jarod’s arms around her the fear she’d felt earlier faded. She’d been foolish, over imaginative. The landscape had changed to sparse woodland and rolling hills. The river was narrower here and deep. It looked black in the dimming light. Ahead of them the river had carved a deep gorge filled with foaming white water.
“What’s that?” She asked.
“The Dragon’s Teeth, it be very treacherous so we anchor here tonight.” The captain had come up behind them. “In a few minutes ye’ll oblige me by going below.”
He walked away. He seemed more relaxed now tha
t they were far from civilization. Ariana wondered what the ship was smuggling. She turned to look at the pass again. It was growing darker, the indigo of twilight forcing the light back. She thought she saw a flicker of light ahead within the pass.
“Cerynus, did you see that?”
“What?”
“A light ahead in the gorge, it flickered once then went out.”
They all peered intently into the gloom. The flicker came again. There was an answering flicker from behind. The crew yelled. They weighed anchor and jumped into furious motion. A black vessel pursued them. The sails were crimson and black with a large stylized claw.
“Ambush!” Jarod said.
“It was a signal.” Cerynus said.
“On my God, What do we do?” Ariana said frantic.
“Stay calm.” Cerynus ordered.
Feverishly the crew hoisted the sails up and sped off. But Rhysin’s ship was larger and soon the gap closed. Ariana saw the dark figures of the soldiers and even a coppery red Stalker. Fiery arrows rained down on the deck. One caught the blue and yellow sail and flames spread across the cloth. Jarod ran to grab his quiver and bow.
The Stone was white hot in her hands. Jarod knelt and fired at the enemy. Ariana grabbed her bow and shot with him until all the arrows were gone. A dark cowled figure walked slowly to the prow of the ship. Languidly he pushed the hood back. A corpse gray face gazed across the dark water; dark pitiless eyes gleamed red in the reflected firelight.
“They’ve got an adept.” Cerynus yelled. The adept raised his hands and a bolt of red flame pulsed toward the smaller ship.
Cerynus raised his arms deflecting the adept’s strike. His face grew pale with strain. “Ariana, get us out of here.”
Ariana concentrated and a gale sprang up. The vessel leapt forward under full sail as the wind threw it downstream. For good measure she shoved the river currents back against the ship. A huge wave crested behind the fleeing ship. Dark green and foaming, the wave crashed down behind them swamping Rhysin’s ship. It gained them a few yards.
The Riverblossom shot forward like a thoroughbred mare given her head. They had gone only a few hundred yards when a great roaring filled their ears. “Oh Gods,” whispered Cerynus going pale. “The Dragon’s Teeth.”
The Heartstone Page 12
