From Darkness Won

by Jill Williamson

  “How close to the Evenwall is this cabin, anyway?” Noam asked.

  “Never wanted to know.” Harnu scooted to the edge of the bench and squinted ahead. “Any moment a stream will enter the south side of the Sideros. We’ll cross just past the fork and follow the stream into the forest. It’s not far then.”

  It happened just as Harnu had predicted. The fork came, then a rocky ford. Averella floated right over the gurgling water. After crossing the river, they followed the creek into a thick forest. A bird squawked. Not a pleasant chirp or birdsong, but a caw, like a bird of prey circling a carcass.

  Averella looked up. A black bird stared down from a wiry poplar branch, its dark eyes fixed on her. How could a gowzal see her when nothing else could?

  When she looked back, two more birds had joined the first. One cawed again. Averella floated to the other side of the cart, keeping it between her and the eerie birds.

  Sparrow? Where are you? a man said.

  Averella’s ears itched suddenly, as if mosquitoes were biting her. She tried to run her hands over her head, but they only passed through. Her skull suddenly squeezed, as if someone were pressing against both sides with their hands. Sparrow, please. I must know if you’re safe. We’re all very worried. You’ve been stormed. Please answer me.

  Master Cham again. I am here, Master Cham. Though I doubt you can hear me.

  Sure enough, he did not reply. Averella fought back tears. If only she could understand what it meant to have been stormed. She had some knowledge of herbs and healing, but she had never heard of such an ailment.

  The sun vanished behind a cloud, and a chill clapped onto her arms. The forest was so thick here, it seemed like dusk. A branch snapped on her right. Or perhaps it had been a pinecone or acorn falling from a tree.

  Thick fog grew around her ankles. Beads of perspiration hung from Master Poe’s chin. Kopay sniffed, ears pointed high, eyes peeled wide. Something concerned him. There were no snakes in this forest. Perhaps a cham bear or wolf? Or perhaps he didn’t like the gowzal either. Averella drew closer to the cart and scanned the forest.

  Noam snapped the reins. “Come on, boys. Not far now.”

  The horses trudged on, though their hooves danced as if eager to turn and run.

  “What’s wrong with them?” Gren asked.

  Noam struggled with the reins. “Something’s spooked them.”

  Harnu reached back into the cart and lifted a sword. “This won’t do much against a cham, so we’d better pray to Cetheria it’s something smaller.”

  Then, as if Arman had closed a lid on the land, everything went black.

  Gren screamed. The horses whinnied. Averella groped for Kopay, useless when she could not feel or see anything.

  “The gods have cursed us!” Harnu cried. “We should’ve left Lady Averella with Lord Nathak.”

  “Don’t be a fool!” Noam said. “It’s only Darkness. I told you it looked closer.”

  “How do you know it’s Darkness?” Harnu asked.

  “Think, man. What else would it be?”

  Silence stretched on until a bird screeched. Something in the trees above clicked like two sticks of wood striking one another.

  “Grenny, there should be a lantern back there,” Noam said. “Can you find it?”

  The wagon creaked. Metal clanked against wood. “I’ve got it. Just a moment.”

  A firesteel sparked. Once. Twice. Three times. On the fourth try, the lantern glowed. The cart swelled into Averella’s view, right where it had been. She still hovered beside Kopay, though her hand had passed into his middle. She pulled it back and folded her arms.

  “What should we do?” Gren asked.

  “We can’t go back,” Noam said. “Not with Lady Averella in the cart.”

  “We could take her to Carmine,” Harnu said.

  “No!” Gren’s urgent tone suggested some secret knowledge. “She does not want to go back there. She wants to follow Achan.”

  Averella frowned. It seemed very unlike her to follow a man anywhere. Especially a man she did not know. Although hadn’t Gren told the old man that Averella was betrothed to this Master Cham? None of this made any sense.

  “The cabin is close,” Harnu said. “I say we stick to our plan.”

  “You mean stay in Darkness?” Gren said. “Harnu, do you know what people say about this place?”

  “I’ve met people who lived here,” Noam said. “They train themselves to stay calm. Not let it get to them.”

  “It’s already getting to me,” Gren said.

  “Well, I can’t think of anything else,” Harnu said. “At least let’s go to the cabin to talk about it. This forest is unnerving.”

  “Agreed.” Noam cracked the reins and the horses lurched forward.

  The horses moved faster than Averella would have liked. Perhaps they could see better than she could. The lantern cast so little light. But the idea of losing sight of it kept her moving.

  “There!” Harnu shouted.

  A dark structure built of logs loomed into sight. It was bigger than the cottages in Sitna Manor. Lantern light glinted off the iron hinges on the shuttered windows on either side of the front door.

  Noam stopped the cart in front of the cabin and climbed down. “I’ll take care of the horses if you and Gren will unload the cart.”

  Harnu jumped down. “There’s a shed ’round to the left. You can put the horses there.”

  Noam unhooked Kopay first and led him away. Averella loathed to see Kopay go, but she did not want to leave the lantern. Harnu hung it on a post outside the door. He and Gren began to carry things into the cabin. Averella wanted to go in but stayed with the wagon until Harnu carried her body inside.

  The musty smell grabbed her as she followed Harnu through the door. Inside, Gren had lit another lantern, which hung on a hook over a square table in the middle of a timber room. Gren stood there, taking things out of a crate and piling them on the table.

  Harnu carried Averella’s body to a small room. He settled her on a pallet and left. Averella could see nothing in the darkness except the end of a sideboard lit dimly by the light from the lantern coming through the door. The air felt damp, as if Darkness carried moisture. She stood with her body for a long while, then explored the small cottage and wandered out to where Noam had stabled Kopay. When she returned, Harnu and Gren were engaged in a heated discussion.

  Harnu stood halfway between the entrance and the table. “It would solve everything. Why can’t you see that?”

  “Because I don’t think of you like that,” Gren said, standing at the table, her voice thick with tears. “I can’t. The things you did.”

  Averella drifted inside the cottage.

  “You forgave me.” Harnu’s voice held a tinge of exasperation. “Said it didn’t matter.”

  Gren twirled a bundle of linen in her hands. “It doesn’t matter because there’s no future for us.”

  “But you came back.”

  “Only for help. I’m not going to live in Sitna.”

  “You plan to stay in Armonguard for good?”

  “Perhaps. It depends.”

  “On what?”

  Gren set down the bundle and met Harnu’s gaze. “On who.”

  “Achan? You think he still wants you?”

  Gren clicked her tongue. “Achan loves Lady Averella, Harnu. He and I will only ever be good friends.”

  “You worry for Lady Averella, then,” Harnu said. “Gren, I’m sure she’ll wake soon and then—”

  “His name is Bran Rennan.” Gren lifted her chin. “He’s a squire, due to be knighted any day. I think he means to marry me. After the war, of course.”

  Averella gasped and drifted toward the table, examining Gren anew. Bran Rennan marry Gren? Merciful heart! Of all the ridiculous notions. For Master Rennan was secretly engaged to Averella. Wasn’t he?

  Harnu’s eyes swelled. “A knight? Marry you?”

  “And why not?”

  “Because he is betroth
ed to me,” Averella said, though no one heard her.

  “I—” Harnu closed his mouth. A smart move, for Averella was certain nothing he could say would please Gren. He sighed. “I’m going to go catch us some dinner.” The walls trembled with his footsteps as he crossed the room and stepped outdoors. He slammed the door behind him, one last bang followed by a blanket of silence.

  Gren fell into the chair and buried her face in her arms.

  Averella watched Gren a moment, but it only made her angry, so she returned to her body, staring into the surrounding darkness, pondering what Gren meant about Bran. A long time passed until another yell pulled her back to the moment. Averella moved to the doorway of her room.

  “I thought we might want to eat something warm and fresh.” Harnu again stood in the middle of the room. His trousers were wet from the thighs down. He held a fat trout under the gills with his fingers.

  Gren stood at the front of the table, glaring. “That smell!” She clamped a hand over her mouth. Her shoulders heaved.

  Noam stepped into the cottage carrying the lantern that had hung outside. “What’s the matter?”

  “Gren?” Harnu inched closer, staring as if he thought she might be dying. “Are you well?”

  She ran past him, bumping his arm so that he twisted around to watch her run out the door. Sounds of retching reached back inside the house.

  “Think she’s ill?” Harnu asked Noam.

  “She’s with child,” Noam said. “Weird things happen, or so I’ve been told.”

  With child? Averella’s thoughts jumbled together.

  Harnu took the lantern from Noam and carried the fish toward the door, then started back the other way. “I’ll take this out the back.”

  “Smart plan.” Noam walked to the cluttered table. “You truly care for her?”

  Harnu paused before a door at the opposite end of the room. “For as long as I can remember.”

  Noam grunted. “Probably shouldn’t have beat her friends on a regular basis, then. Achan especially.”

  “Think I don’t know I was a scoundrel? A fool to follow Riga like a dog? I’ve begged her forgiveness a dozen times over. She says it doesn’t matter. What else can I do?”

  “Nothing, if she won’t have you.”

  “There must be something.”

  Noam sat at the table and stretched out his legs. “You’ve kept her house. Now you’re going to feed her. You’ve helped her with her friend’s body. Be patient. Maybe she’ll come around.”

  “But what of this knight she speaks of? Has she lost her head? Could a knight have pledged to marry a widowed peasant? One already with child? It’s madness.”

  Averella had to agree. Unless the child were Bran’s. The thought made her knees weak. Bran would never…

  “Nothing would surprise me these days,” Noam said.

  But Harnu shook his head. “Despite what happened with Achan, Gren’s no lost princess. I don’t believe a knight would woo her with pure motives.”

  “Why not? If you were a knight, you would.”

  “That is not the— Enough of this!” Harnu wrenched open the back door and took his fish out into the Darkness.

  Averella’s head spun. It was simply impossible. Bran would never take advantage of a woman. He had the purest heart of any man she had ever known.

  Gren inched back in the open front entrance, her posture sheepish.

  “He took the fish out back,” Noam said. “Make an effort to eat it. There’s nothing else.”

  “But it smells horrible!”

  “Gren, can you hunt for us? Because I know nothing about killing animals or fish. Without Harnu, we starve. Think of your child. It needs the food as much as you.”

  “I’m not saying I won’t eat it. I just don’t like the smell.”

  “And I am simply suggesting you try to be a little kinder to our provider, lest you drive him away. I know the situation is awkward, but…”

  “I’ll try, Noam. For you.”

  “Thank you, Grenny.”

  Gren brought in a lantern and pulled a fresh blanket over Averella’s body, as if she were merely napping and not infected with a storm. Averella hovered by the sideboard, staring at a pitcher of water, suddenly extremely thirsty. How many days had passed for her without food or drink? Would her body die without nourishment?

  A shadow fell over the bed. Averella turned to see Harnu standing in the doorway like a sentry guard.

  “We should talk of what to do if she never wakes,” Harnu said.

  “Don’t say that!” Gren said. “What if she can hear you?”

  Harnu shrugged. “How could she possibly hear me?”

  “She’s only sleeping, you know. If she hears she’s dying she might give up the fight.”

  Harnu looked like he was making an effort to stay calm. “Gren, we can’t stay here forever. My father needs me.”

  “Your father. Everything is always about you. What about me?”

  “Gren, I’ve done everything I can for you. I finished your cottage. Stood by while you married my friend. Stole this lady from Lord Nathak’s wagon. Unless you agree to be my wife, my responsibility is to my father.”

  “So if I marry you, you’ll help me. That’s what you’re saying?”

  “I’m helping you already. What more do you want?”

  “I want you to leave me alone, Harnu. Go away.” She turned her back to Harnu and straightened the blanket around Averella’s chin.

  Harnu stared at the back of Gren’s head until he finally said, “Good night, Grendolyn.”

  • • •

  The following morning, Averella, restless with boredom, followed Gren and Noam outside. Noam went around to the stable. Gren knelt at the water’s edge and washed her face. Noam appeared a moment later with Kopay and led the horse to the stream.

  A bird squawked, drawing Averella’s attention to a tree across the creek. A gowzal perched in the branches, facing her, its eyes black and hypnotic. You have lost your way, my lady. Come with me and I will take you home.

  Averella stared at the creature. Had it just spoken to her?

  Do not fear, my lady, it said in a familiar humming voice. I have been sent to help you. Lady Nitsa awaits your company. The bird flapped its wings, quickly at first, hovering in the air above Averella, then it flapped slowly and rose above the roof of the cabin.

  Averella floated up over the cabin and after the gowzal, eager to see Mother. The creature led her through a black void. How could it see in the dark? For that matter, how could she? By the time the questions occurred to her, she could no longer see the lantern glow at the cabin.

  She hardly had time to panic for fear of losing sight of her guide. They flew a long time, occasionally passing over pricks of light below.

  Suddenly, hundreds of sparks came into view like a swarm of fireflies. A city loomed ahead. As they neared, the sparks grew into torches perched along mismatched stone sentry walls, reflecting on oily water below. This was not Carmine, but Mahanaim. Averella had been here before with her mother. It must be time for another Council meeting. For that was the only reason Mother would be here.

  The creature flew up to the central watchtower and entered an open window.

  Averella slowed as she approached the window. She ducked her head, though her legs passed through the stone wall beneath the windowsill.

  The bird soared into the open door of a birdcage and perched inside. It nipped at a dead mouse.

  Averella stood in a circular room at the top of the watchtower.

  The room was empty but for an elderly man wearing a black hooded robe, asleep on a small cot, and the birdcage on a marble pillar. A lone candle on the floor flickered, burned down to a stump of wax.

  The man groaned, a long, keening sound. Averella backed against the window. Why had the creature brought her here? She did not want to meet this man. She wanted her mother.

  The man lowered his feet to the floor and sat up. “Good, you are still here.” His dron
ing voice was the same one that had come from the bird.

  He stood, shuffled to the birdcage, and closed the door, latching the creature inside. The hood of his cloak covered his head, but she could see his face clearly. His skin had the color and leathery texture of oyster mushrooms. His eyes were grey, but stared at her in the same knowing manner the bird had.

  “The problem, my dear, is simple. You have died.”

  No. That could not be. For she had just left her body in the cottage, and, last she saw, it had been breathing.

  “There is nothing you can do to put things back the way they were.”

  Why, then, did you bring me here? Averella asked.

  “We can help one another.” His voice was like the lowest string on a harp. “I have the power to reunite you with your body.”

  What do you want in return?

  “Your eyes.” His eyes drilled into hers, pale and moist. She wanted to look away, so horrible was the chill his gaze inflicted. “Join with this gowzal. Fly where I need you to. Report to me what you see. When I am satisfied, I will put your mind back in your body.”

  It wasn’t until he replied again that she realized he could hear her! Still, she didn’t like his look. How can I know you will fulfill your side of this bargain?

  “You cannot, my dear. But you have no other choice. Do not worry. I shall be more than fair.”

  Averella stared at the caged creature and saw it had a fuzzy black beard. It is a male bird?

  The old man chuckled. “That does not matter. Simply concentrate on the creature. Look out through its eyes.”

  Averella wrinkled her nose. The bird was so hideous that looking at it twisted her stomach. How could she bear to share its mind? What if it bit that mouse again?

  But she so wanted to return to her body. Could this truly be the only way? She focused on the creature, felt herself draw nearer. Something dark gripped at her heart.

  Sparrow, please speak to me. Tell me you are not in that coffin. Please?

  Master Cham’s voice pulled Averella away from the bird. Master Cham! Can you hear me?

  She waited, glanced from the old man to the bird and back to the old man. Master Cham had mentioned a coffin. Had he followed her trail from Sitna? Come upon Lord Nathak’s procession? He seemed intent on finding her. The idea of such devotion filled her with familiar warmth.