On Lonely Paths (Earth and Sky Book 2)

by Jann Rowland

  She found him standing beside a stream, watching as the glistening water trickled over stones.

  Tierra stopped to observe Canyon, whose attention was fixed on the water to the exclusion of all else. Remembering how she had felt when Skye was about to be executed and she had sat beside Terrain’s water in the castle, Tierra understood how soothing such contemplation could be; that the little stream was in no way comparable to the Pool of Terrain did not matter.

  “Why are you not dancing?”

  Though Canyon had not lifted his head or looked in her direction, she suspected that he had known the moment she came near him.

  “I noticed you leaving,” Tierra said. “It seemed strange that you would separate yourself from the rest of the company.”

  Canyon turned and looked at her, his countenance giving away nothing. “You have seen me dance for Terrain before. Do you question my devotion?”

  Had Tierra thought he was offended, she would have hastened to placate him. His manner, however, suggested no such affront, so she spoke with ease. “I have witnessed your willing participation, yes. But I do not understand you. You seem . . . different from the others, though I cannot explain it.”

  “I am only a man, Your Highness, and one who at present follows another. I do what I must, just as we all do in pursuit of our own goals. Quicksilver is not so different from me and you in that respect. But I am different in some ways. I will admit that. Unlike Quicksilver, I do not automatically assume your prince is evil simply because he is a member of a race with whom worshippers of Terrain have always been at odds.”

  “He is king now,” Tierra murmured, correcting him as to Skye’s position. “And I am happy to hear those words from you. If more of our people would understand that the Skychildren are not inherently evil—and if the Skychildren understood the same of us—much strife could be avoided.”

  Canyon’s eyes glittered in the rapidly deepening night, but he did not respond to her words. Instead, he returned his contemplation to the water moving over the rocks on the streambed. Tierra and Canyon stood in silence for some time, each immersed in a sea of thoughts that were personal, not the sort that poured out in words. Tierra’s focus was on a tall Skychild of her acquaintance who was joined to her with unbreakable bonds by the grace of Terrain’s water.

  Finally, Canyon broke the silence. “We do wish to protect you, Your Highness.”

  “From what?”

  “From yourself.”

  Tierra scoffed. “I am able to take care of myself, thank you.”

  “I am certain you are.”

  Annoyed at his short words, Tierra glared at him, deciding to take a different tack. “Is that why I am being spirited away?”

  “That is part of it, yes.”

  “And the rest?” she asked.

  He only shrugged, his gaze still concentrated on the water. Then he asked, “Do you ever wonder if you are doing the right thing?”

  The question caught Tierra by surprise. “Pardon me?”

  “I was simply wondering whether you are confident in your course . . . or if you experience doubts. You are, after all, engaged in a highly controversial dalliance with a Skychild. Such a thing has never happened in the history of our people. One would need an unshakable conviction to believe what they were doing was correct in such circumstances.”

  “I am confident,” Tierra responded without hesitation. “There is no question in my mind that for us to progress as a people and for our lives to become better, we must make peace with the Skychildren. That I love my fiancé is only a part of this certainty.”

  There was a long moment in which Canyon watched Tierra impassively, seeming to judge her with his eyes.

  “Then you are one of the lucky ones,” Canyon finally said. “There are many others who cannot feel as you. They question everything around them. It must be sublime to have no doubts about what you do.”

  Then the man bowed to her and stepped away, moving back toward the camp. Tierra stood there for some time, thinking about their conversation, wondering whether he had been trying to tell her something. Tierra did not spare more than a desultory thought for his words concerning the rightness of her cause. Her love for Skye could not be a mistake. The world would be a better place for their efforts, if they could only find others with enough vision to assist them along the way.

  Tierra did not know what Canyon was about, but she felt warmly toward him. Perhaps she could have an ally in him.

  The days after the combined attack of the harpies and Groundbreathers were tense. For the first time, Skye felt his party was fractured, and he struggled to handle the situation. Gusty was as supportive as ever, and Skye valued his friend’s infectious enthusiasm.

  The cheery attitude Griffin had once displayed had been subdued by the deaths of the three guardsmen, and Vesper continued to do as she was told, remaining outwardly supportive at least. The most noteworthy reaction, however, was that of Nimbus, who continued to grumble about their mission.

  After recovering most of the griffins, they had continued with their quest, but the griffins’ bad tempers grated on the mood of the entire party, and Skye had begun to wonder whether it was worth having them. Strix’s comments the night after the attack had been beaten back did not make the situation any easier.

  “You do realize,” the bird had said, “that if you had unleashed me, I could have beaten back the entire attack without trouble.”

  The fact was that Skye had not wanted to use the Fenik for several reasons, not the least of which was his desire to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

  When Skye remained silent, Strix had told him, “Your efforts at remaining hidden are not precisely effective. You stick out like a Groundbreather in the sky, and those beasts ridden by your company are even worse. Why not make it easier on yourself?”

  “Because I don’t trust you.”

  “You do realize that I have to do what you say since you are now the king, do you not?”

  “That might be so, but I would not wish to lose control over you.”

  “The lives of the Sentinels are yours to spend. Just remember that there may come a time when you will not have a choice.”

  The words haunted Skye, more so because he knew the Fenik was right. Skye might have scraped by in the skirmish with the harpies and the Groundbreathers, but he had lost good men while doing so, and there were surely greater challenges to come. Had he used the Fenik in the recent battle, he might have saved those who were lost, but he would have brought even more Groundbreathers down upon them due to the obvious destructive path that would have been left behind. If they were forced into another battle, they might have no choice but to use the Fenik now that their numbers had dwindled. Yet Skye did not wish to kill Groundbreathers by unleashing the Fenik’s powers. Though Strix had professed that Skye was in control, Skye had no confidence in his hold over such a powerful creature.

  A few days later, they came upon a town that appeared to be in the general vicinity indicated by the hand-drawn map Skye had received from the Groundbreather Reed. In the forest a slight distance away from the town, Skye looked at Vesper, Nimbus, and Griffin. “The three of you should stay here with the griffins, Stardust, and Strix. Gusty and I will see whether we can find a Groundbreather or Groundwalker willing to talk to us. If we’re lucky, we’ll finally find some good information on Queen Sequoia.”

  “Are you sure you do not want one of us to go with the pair of you?” Vesper asked. “I fear the dangers we face will only increase.”

  Even though Vesper had phrased the question more diplomatically than Nimbus or even Griffin would have, the answer remained the same as it always was. “We stand out enough as it is, but thank you for your concern.” He turned to Gusty and jerked his head. “Let’s go.”

  They hastened toward the town before Nimbus or Griffin could make any protests.

  “While I know it’s better for just the two of us to go, maybe you should let one of them come next time,” Gusty su
ggested. “It could improve morale. I think they’re getting frustrated that there haven’t been any results.”

  “With any luck, we’ll find the queen soon and get some answers about where Tierra is being taken,” Skye said. “In the meantime, let’s hope Celesta grants us all patience.”

  When they entered the town, they were met with the stares and whispers of those who noticed them. They did not capture immediate attention thanks to their Groundbreather clothes, but anyone who glanced at them and noticed their hair and height could not help but be curious.

  “See anyone who looks promising?” Gusty murmured to Skye.

  The Skychild king gazed around. Unfortunately, no one would meet his eyes, so he continued to move forward, hoping an opportunity would present itself.

  It was another small town, barely big enough to be called a settlement. The Groundbreathers in evidence went about their daily tasks with seeming contentment. As Skye was walking through the central square of the village, looking around with interest, he suddenly impacted with a solid object and was only just able to maintain his balance. With an outstretched hand, he steadied the young Groundwalker woman he had run into, but the basket of apples she carried was not so fortunate. The red fruits spilled out of the basket and toppled to the ground.

  With a muffled curse, Skye knelt and began to gather up the produce. “Sorry about that,” he muttered.

  The woman also knelt, and as she assisted in re-filling the basket, she quickly mumbled some words to Skye which he had to lean forward to make out. “The treaty with the Skychildren has been revoked. You must leave immediately. Tonight, two hours after sunset, go to the forest on the northeast side of town and wait by the boulder shaped like a garm. Someone will meet you there.”

  By that point, the apples had all been gathered, and the Groundwalker woman hurried off before Skye could even thank her. He looked at Gusty, who had missed the exchange, and then he glanced around at the assorted Groundwalkers and Groundbreathers going about their day.

  While Skye felt belligerent upon hearing that Wisteria had dissolved the treaty, he realized that the Groundwalker’s suggestion that he leave the town was a wise one. As he looked closer, he realized that many of the people watching him and Gusty appeared worried or uncomfortable. Even if they did not support Wisteria’s decision, they could soon decide they did not wish to risk her wrath.

  Skye tugged on Gusty’s arm. “Come on.”

  That night, Skye’s party waited in the area of the forest indicated by the Groundwalker. The only Skychild missing was Nimbus, whom Skye had instructed to wait at a distance with the griffins. If Groundwalkers or Groundbreathers were going to help him, Skye did not want to scare them away with Nimbus’s irascibility.

  It was a good opportunity for meditation, but Skye did not want to be caught off-guard, so he remained alert. He was studying the long boulder mentioned by the Groundwalker—which really was only a crude approximation of a garm, with a dip to make a head-like protrusion that had indentations for eyes—when the rustle of leaves from behind reached his ears. He turned and nocked an arrow, poised to sending it flying if necessary.

  From out of the shadows of the trees, a Groundbreather stepped forward. He was one of the tallest Groundbreathers Skye had ever seen—perhaps even as tall as Skye himself—and his bearing was that of a seasoned soldier. The front part of his brown hair was pulled back, but the rest of it fell down beneath his shoulders. It lent him a look of contained wildness, and the glint of his dark brown eyes in the starlight only served as further confirmation that he was not to be trifled with.

  “Are you the Skychild king?” he asked. His voice was deep and commanding, and it demanded respect.

  “I am,” Skye said evenly.

  The Groundbreather’s eyes dropped to the arrow that Skye still had pointed at him. “Are you going to shoot me with that thing or put it down?”

  With some reluctance, Skye lowered his weapon. “Who are you? Why have you sought me out?”

  A slight smile played at the man’s lips. “Those are rather accusatory questions for someone seeking my help.”

  “I find it odd that I am seeking assistance from someone whose name I do not know,” Skye said.

  “You might as well tell him your name,” Gusty spoke up, addressing the stranger.

  The Groundbreather raised an eyebrow. “And why is that? I am not the one he seeks, but I know who is.”

  “Just like a Groundbreather,” Griffin muttered. “Always speaking in riddles.”

  “You are looking for Queen Sequoia, are you not?” the Groundbreather asked.

  Skye gave him a sharp look. “You know where she is?”

  “She said you would come, though I doubted her. Sometimes, I think she even doubted herself, but she held on to hope.”

  Skye suppressed a smile, feeling as though the balance of power had shifted. “If that is the case, then you must have need of me. So why don’t we stop these childish games and start speaking together in a straightforward fashion?”

  “Fine,” the man said. He gave a bow with a trace of mockery in it. “Jasper, at your service. I am here to guide you to the queen. While I may not agree with her determination to receive you, I am bound to do as Her Majesty requests. Her daughter’s soldiers are looking for her as well, so it would be best for her to remain hidden, yet she seems to have other ideas—ideas that are unfortunately wrapped up with you and your kind.”

  “Would you care to tell me what in the blazes is going on?” Skye growled, his patience wearing thin.

  “Queen Sequoia will need to tell you that. It is not my place to do so. I am afraid you will have to wait.”

  “Then lead me to her. I do not have time to waste.”

  “Neither does she,” Jasper murmured.

  But not all was done according to Terrain’s design.

  Celesta the sky goddess besieged the great globe with a multitude of tiny lights she called “stars” and marred its night sky with a large white sphere she called “the moon.”

  “Why have you defied my commandments, sky goddess?” asked Terrain. “I have created a world of order, but you have reintroduced chaos.”

  His countenance was fearsome indeed as he glared upon Celesta.

  “Their purpose is not chaotic, O Great Master,” answered she, smiling with pride at the work of her hands. “They are merely beautiful to look upon.”

  “But why make them? They have no purpose.”

  “Because the world is also beautiful. What I have done will enhance that beauty.”

  Terrain was aggrieved by such frivolity and felt uneasy with the way Celesta had overstepped her bounds. But he forgave her this presumption, for she had aided in the formation of the sun and the skies as he had asked.

  CHAPTER

  SIXTEEN

  Unease

  Unfortunately, Skye could not leave the camp without any fuss. Once again, the protest was provided by Nimbus, who, since the loss of Nightwind, seemed to have taken it upon himself to oppose Skye’s every move.

  “With all due respect, Your Majesty, Gusty is not a trained guard. He can’t be expected to give you the kind of protection you’ll need if someone recognizes you.”

  “Who will recognize me on the ground world?” Skye scoffed.

  “It doesn’t matter whether they know who you are exactly. They’ll know you are a Skychild, and given what you have learned, simply being a Skychild in a Groundbreather town is now dangerous.”

  “That might be so,” Skye replied, “but Gusty has something the rest of you do not. He has my complete trust.”

  A trio of gasps met the declaration, but Skye held up his hand to forestall any protests. “I’m not saying anything against your characters or your loyalty. But you must understand that Gusty and I have been through a lot together, and we’ve become close because of it. And since Gusty already knows Queen Sequoia, it makes sense for him to accompany me. We don’t know what state she’s in or what she’s been through, and
I’d prefer not to bombard her with the appearance of five Skychildren when she doesn’t even fully trust me.

  “Furthermore, harping on every decision I make won’t cause me to trust you any more than I do now.” Skye gave a pointed look to Nimbus, who colored but remained silent. “The decision is made. Gusty will go with me, and the rest of you will wait. There will be no further discussion on the matter.”

  With a firm set to his jaw, Nimbus turned on his heel and stalked away, ostensibly to deal with the griffins, who had become agitated by the sound of raised voices. Skye watched him, his own expression set in a dark line, annoyed that the man could not simply follow orders. It was clear Skye would have to do something about it at some point.

  “Now that your little Skychild fracas is over, shall we depart?”

  The amused drawl Jasper used did not improve Skye’s mood at all, and the king turned to glare at the Groundbreather, prompting a bland look in response.

  Signaling to Gusty, Skye did a quick check of his quiver, bow, and sword, wanting to ensure everything was in order before leaving. But his escape was not complete, as Griffin stepped forward and eyed Skye, determination evident on his brow.

  “Your Majesty,” Griffin said in a tone which appeared to be meant to show his deference, “we all understand your authority over this mission, but I’m troubled by your mistrust in your guards.”

  Skye sighed. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, Griffin, though I’ll admit that Nimbus questioning my every move doesn’t help matters. I am well aware of your role in saving me from death at the Seneschal’s hands. But Gusty and I have come to know one another well, and we can generally anticipate each other’s reactions. You should also know that I have full confidence that Gusty will trust my lead and do as I ask. I don’t have that assurance with anyone else here.”

  The significant look Skye directed toward Nimbus did not go unnoticed by Griffin, who followed Skye’s gaze and nodded, though abruptly. Nimbus was currently muttering to himself as he tended to the griffins, making the persistence of his anger more than obvious.