Poe laughed as he began unwrapping my left leg. “I bet”
“I already filled them in.” Jonas came over to my side.
“Good. Ren is gathering a few things but should be gone soon.” He looked up at me. “No pain or itching?” Poe asked.
“None.”
I hoped the bruises would be almost gone and maybe the hematoma drained and flat, but I was shocked to see a shell of dead skin covering the part that had been wrapped.
“What the heck is that?” Torin came over for a closer look.
“Dead skin. Nasty, right?” Poe answered as he took out a washcloth from his pocket and wet it with a small water bottle. “Yell if it hurts.” He looked up at me for a moment before rubbing the wet cloth on my leg. The shell cracked and fell to the floor, revealing healthy, unmarred skin beneath it.
“Holy…” I stared at the smooth even colored skin. “Poe, I think you need to come back to Michigan and live with me. I could use someone with your talents to fix me up on a regular basis. With my fragile nature, you’d be one busy guy!”
Poe laughed. “It looks great. For someone who breaks easily, you also heal better than most.” Poe looked to Jonas. “Is that a thing with his condition? Quick healing?”
Jonas shook his head. “No, not typically. In fact, healing usually takes longer in vEDS patients.”
“Well, glad I could help. I’ll come let you know when Ren is off. Sit tight.” Poe gathered up the bandages and debris before heading out of the room.
Jonas lifted my leg into his lap to inspect my skin. “This is remarkable. There is not a single blemish on your skin. What did he do to you in that room? I’ve seen you after a week at camp, but you looked a hundred times worse yesterday. I don’t understand how he healed you in a day.” He examined it from all angles. “Nothing!”
“He used some sort of light energy from his hands and then wrapped the legs with some gauze that had some special liquid on it.” Unfortunately, I didn’t know any exact details about how Poe had healed me. I wondered if living near Poe and his healing powers would make me less anxious and scared of my disorder. Jonas had always patched me up and had reassured me that, if we had enough time to get to the right surgeon, I could survive a vascular event. Unfortunately, some of the patients I had met in the online support groups thought otherwise. In fact, sitting here while my fragile body healed got me thinking about my friend, Nick, and the aortic dissection that had ended his life only a few days ago. I was hard not to lose hope when a tragedy strikes so close.
I had logged on to a vEDS Facebook group to ask about a strange thing that happened with my eye. The next post that came through on the newsfeed read “Prayers for the Mitchell family. Their son Nick passed suddenly last Friday.” Passed suddenly… My heart broke and I felt like vomiting. There never seemed to be a decline with vEDS. I had talked to Nick on Thursday, the day before he died. He had gushed over this girl he had fallen in love with and had talked about asking her to marry him. Nick had graduated college a year ago and was the only guy near my age in the vEDS online group. I had never met him in person, but we had grown close from chatting often online. I couldn’t relate to the girls in the group or the mom’s that were scared to lose their kids, so Nick and I became fast friends.
Nick had told me to take care of my body, listen to what it was telling me, and had encouraged me to fight to get Lauren back in my life. I had dismissed his advice on Lauren and joked that he was a lovesick fool. But he persisted and reminded me that love, true love for someone, made getting out of bed and facing the day, the disorder, and all the crap that came with it all worthwhile. Love for this girl made him want to fight past the physical pain and push aside the self-doubt that nagged in the back of his head. She had inspired hope in him and I secretly wished I could find someone as he had.
But the news of his death had sent me into a depression. My hope for a happy and semi-long life died with Nick that day. And ever since that day, I felt like a ticking time bomb, worried that any little thing, even a sneeze, would set me off and be my end. Nick took the meds, saw the docs, and followed the same protocol I had been instructed to follow, and still he died.
I felt lucky for having people who got me. Leo and Lauren had never accused me of faking my disorder; they also didn’t treat me different than others my age.
I closed my eyes, thinking of the kiss Lauren and I had shared. She looked beautiful, with the afternoon sun creating the perfect lighting to show the yellows and blues that made Lauren’s eyes a gorgeous hazel color. My fingers found the pendant. “Virale.”
“You have a Guardian’s charm.” Jonas sounded surprised.
“My parents gave it to me.”
He pulled his out and showed me his and smiled.
“Jonas, how did you know the barrier spell was gone?” He nor my parents mentioned how they found out it was time for us to return.
“Live satellite image website. This site is updated daily. I check it daily and one day it was not there, the next day I could see the village. I watched it for a few days to be sure it wasn’t a temporary change before mentioning it to your parents.”
Knock Knock Poe peeked into the room. “Ren is gone and Fenick is waiting. Let’s go.”
We grabbed our bags and followed Poe to the clearing behind the shop where a large, greenish dragon stood watching us.
“He’ll take you past the outer oaks, to the farthest boundary of your village, but he will not stay with you. Head north and you find the king’s stronghold.” Poe escorted us to a rectangular metal frame with what looked like a two-by-four bench across it. Ropes dangled down from the top bar for us to grip. This contraption sat a few feet away from the dragon. Poe sat on the bench and demonstrated how to hold on. He wrapped his arms around both ends of one of the ropes. “Your job is to hold tight. It’s not high tech, but it’s the best we have and the fastest way to get far distances fast.”
We took a seat on the bench with our packs on our backs. Poe helped ensure we were tethered in as best we could. Fenick, in dragon form, watched Poe, and when he gave the signal, Fenick took flight. He batted his wings hard to gain altitude, then banked right, heading back toward us. Poe stepped back and advised, “Don’t, let go.” Fenick swooped down, opening his claws and grabbing the top of the frame. In an instant, we were airborne.
Soaring high above in this open structure was a cold and terrifying experience, especially without seatbelts to hold us. Everytime Fenick banked, my bottom slid to the end of the seat, forcing me to hold onto my arm restraints a little tighter. The frozen wind stung my face and made my eyes water. The others seemed to be having the time of their lives. Torin let out an excited holler and Jonas had the biggest grin on his face. I could only guess that I looked as horrified as I felt.
Fenick, thankfully, did not fly wild. He made careful moves as he gracefully changed direction. The terrain below was a sea of mini-lakes and evergreens.. The further we flew away from the shop, the colder the air temperature became and unfortunately, it was not a quick flight.
“You doin’ okay over there Raynar?” Jonas asked.
“I’m okay. Leave me be.”
Torin chuckled from my left. “You’re doin’ great Cross.”
Jonas added, “I see the outer oaks up ahead.”
I glanced down and saw what looked like a partial ring of broccoli crowns. “You mean that dark green curve?”
“Yep,” he answered. “Be ready and hold on tight as we land.”
I didn’t think it was possible to hold on any tighter.
Fenick circled and flew us along a narrow shore of what seemed to be a dried up riverbed before lowering us toward the ground. I closed my eyes and braced for impact but it never happened. Instead, the movement of air around me slowed and shifted. The soft sound of feet hitting sand drew my attention. Torin and Jonas stood beneath me, as Fenick hovered me above the drop point. What the hell? This was too high to jump. I’d end up covered in bruises or worse.
&nb
sp; “Come on Cross, jump!” Torin urged.
“No. I can’t.”
Torin looked from me to the ground and back again. I expected him to comment on how I should try it and that it really wasn’t high at all, but he bit his tongue. “Fenick, can you lower down further?” The dragon descended a few more inches. “Cross, I think that’s as low as he can get. Jump and I’ll catch you.”
“No. You can’t. You’ll squeeze my organs.” This had been embedded in my brain—stay safe, no matter what.
“I won’t. I promise. Jump and I’ll be a soft landing for you.” Torin encouraged.
“It’ll be alright Raynar, there’s no other way down.” Jonas urged. “Tuck in on yourself to keep your mid-section safe.”
I looked around, and there truly was no other way down. Anxiety flooded me and the inner voice that advocated for me in dangerous situations screamed for me to stop and not do this stupid thing. Was there another option? Yes. I could return to the shop with Fenick and wait for Torin and Jonas to return. But wasn’t the point of the trip for me to meet my biological father? And who the hell would help me disembark once I got there? Jonas was one of my physicians that knew my disorder and the restrictions, still he urged me to jump. I swallowed hard and released my grip on the ropes, curling in on myself as advised.
I felt the impact as I collided with Torin’s hard body. Oomph! Torin lay on the ground, and my body rolled off of his. Jonas rushed to our side. “Raynar, Ray, are you okay?”
I rolled over and sat up. “Yes, I think I’m okay.” I shook my finger at Torin. “You are not a soft landing.”
Torin laughed as he sat up. “And you are like a friggin’ cannonball.”
Jonas checked me for injuries while Torin waved to Fenick’s winged figure retreating above the foliage.
“Jonas, I’m good. I know my body and nothing feels off.” How did I come out of that jump unscathed? I’d jumped from shorter distances and ended up at the hospital getting scanned and accessing the hematomas that quickly grew. But somehow I was fine. “Let’s go.”
Jonas stood. “Fair enough. Torin, let’s head out.” Jonas found which way was north and lead us northeast into the thick forested area. We walked for almost an hour on terrain that seemed easier than the previous hike. “This used to be a tributary that fed into a larger body of water. The Yardinians planned to export and import good from here using boats. But a difficult winter altered the waterways and this once flowing river was turned into what you are currently walking on.”
Torin bent down and rubbed the sandy soil between his fingers. “So the import/export business?”
“The dreams for a successful port town dried up with that river bed.” Jonas stopped and held his hand out “Hold up, I see something.” He scaled the short tributary wall and jogged over to a tree that seemed to have an old cotton sash tied around the trunk.
“This is the boundary to the village.” He called to us and motioned for us to join him but once we got close he held out his hand again halting us. Jonas took careful steps beyond the tree. “Years ago, this place had a spell around it, trapping all within these boundaries. The people and buildings within it had been cloaked so that they were hidden away from the world.” He motioned for us to follow him. “Seems it’s gone.”
“How come you weren’t trapped inside with the others?” I noticed other trees yards away with a similar sash marking the boundary.
“I got lucky. Your Guardians, sorry, I mean parents, and I were on a mission outside of the boundary. We came back and it was as if an invisible shield encapsulated the village. We couldn’t get in, and they couldn’t get out.”
“What about Torin and me?” I presumed we were infants when this happened, and since we were the king’s sons, we were probably kept close to our parents. “How did you get us out of the village and to Midland? Does the barrier not work on us or somethin’?”
“I’m not at liberty to tell you all the details. That is something for your father to tell. All I will say is that neither of you were within the village boundaries when the spell was cast.”
I looked to Torin who shot me a confused look that probably mirrored my own. Why were we not with our parents at that time? And whatever happened to our mother? “Did you know our mother?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t say I knew her.” Jonas said nothing more are he picked up his pace leading us northeast through the woods.
Torin matched my pace as I trailed farther behind. “Is he always so vague?”
Torin chuckled. “When he’s talking about our history and this place? Yes. Glad I’m not the only one annoyed by his short answers.”
“Right? It’s like ‘Jonas, how was the Earth made?’ And he’d answer, ‘Very carefully.’”
Torin laughed harder than I’d seen him laugh before.
“Shh. Keep it down you two.” Jonas shushed us as we caught up with him. “I think we’re getting close; I smell a fire.” I could make out the faint smoky scent on the next breeze that whooshed past.
“Watch out for traps.” Jonas tossed a medium sized stone toward a pile of leaves and the leaves flew into the air as a large rope net scooped up the stone, suspending it from the lowest branch of the large tree. “They set more traps closer to the village. Stay close.” Jonas advised. “I know what to look for as I helped set the traps when I lived in the village.” As we continued, the smoke scent grew stronger and we could hear murmurs of voices.
Jonas came to a stop and looked narrowed his eyes. “It’s not changed one bit.” He muttered. I came up next to Jonas and looked past the furthest tree, where the thatched roofs of a few buildings could be seen.
“Come on. Welcome to Yardis!” Jonas exclaimed as he smiled and led us toward his childhood home.
Chapter 10
As we walked past the first wooden building, we came to a common area that resembled a marketplace. People with shaggy haircuts and tattered clothes sat crafting different items such as necklaces, knives carved from bone, and various textile goods, while others packed up carts with cloth bags and various household items. We looked out of place in our neat and colorful modern clothes. It didn’t take long for the villagers to notice us. Work stopped and eyes turned to us in curiosity.
A man who looked a few years younger than my dad came over and squared up with Jonas. Jonas did not cower; he stood firmly in place, his eyes trained on the approaching man. His body tensed the closer he came. The man had six inches on Jonas and, based on his physique, appeared to have more upper body strength. His face had a deep scar from his eye to his chin and his hand rested on the hilt of the sword that hung from his waist.
Torin looked ready to pounce as he stared down the man, clenching and unclenching his fists.
“Jonas.” It wasn’t a question. The approaching man recognized Jonas. “After all this time, you’ve found your way back to Yardis. I thought you had long since forgotten us.” There was a bitter edge to his words.
“Kaden, you haven’t changed one bit, just as ugly as I remembered. Except now you’re a lot bigger.” Jonas looked Kaden up and down. “And stronger.”
Kaden’s mean expression melted as he suddenly burst into a hearty laugh and clapped his arms on Jonas’s shoulders. “Indeed, I am! I’m afraid I can’t say the same for you. You look pretty much as I remembered, except I see a lot more skin where hair used to be.” Kaden eyed Jonas’s receding hairline and chuckled, “It’s good to see you my friend.”
“Good to see you too.” Jonas pulled him into a hug. Torin relaxed his stance and I took a breath, relieved there would be no altercation.
“Who are these two lads?” He nodded toward Torin and I.
“Their parents are Yardinian. But these two were born in the outside world. When I learned the barrier had been taken down, I promised to take them with me to see Yardis. Hopefully they will better understand the history of their people.” Jonas had twisted the truth, but I wasn’t surprised as he had previously twisted other tales and omitted info
about Yardis and its people. The challenge was deciphering what was fact from fiction.
“Who are your parents? Perhaps I know them.” Kaden approached Torin who seemed unsure how to answer.
“We are twins; our parents are Jaron and Lysa Cross,” he answered, which surprised me. Why did he claim my Guardians as his parents instead of Jonas? Perhaps it was the simplest answer to stop the line of questioning.
“They were Guardians, weren’t they?” He looked toward Jonas who nodded. “Sorry, I was a teen when the barrier occurred. Well, welcome to Yardis. Come, we’ll have a drink and meal. There is much to catch up on.” Kaden started off toward a large building and Jonas motioned for us to follow. Some villagers continued with their work while others followed us with their stares. “How different does the village look to you?” Kaden pushed open a large wooden door, revealing a dimly lit tavern.
“The buildings look the same, perhaps more worn, but that’s expected with time. How are your parents? Your father was part of the Guardian watch with me,” Jonas asked as he set his bag down and took a seat on a wood bench.
“They both died along with many others. A sickness spread through the village the winter after the barrier cut us off from the world around. Our medics worked to save those infected, but we had limited resources within the boundary and some of the medicinal herbs had become scarce. King Vintras ruled that no more of medicines would be used to fight the infection, they would only use them to keep the patients comfortable. Those that were weak died, and those that were strong lived,” Kaden explained.
“I’m sorry about your parents.” Jonas said.
“Thank you.” Kaden continued. “Living in this bubble for all these years has been challenging. Those that were young or born after the barrier had been placed fared the best as they’ve known no different than the life they already lived. But the older generations have suffered. Many lost hope and failed to accept the invisible walls that held us from the rest of the world.” Kaden motioned for the barmaid. “You know, it’s a strange thing that happens when you cage those that had once been free. But stranger still, when you set them free again; anxiety and depression are often found in place of their once strong spirits.”
Myths & Magic: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Collection Page 251
