With one hand, he took Carly’s arm. With the other, he touched TM’s leg. Kayo seemed to understand and came around to rest his shaggy head against Alrick’s thigh.
Alrick spoke the words.
The rest-station, the heat, the fire, and the smoke shimmered and vanished. He knew a second of disorientation, then felt the blessed moist air of Rune. Kayo lifted his head to look at Carly and whined again.
“We’re here.” He spoke the words into the shadowed stillness of a leafy glade. Relaxing somewhat, again he checked Carly’s pulse. Though uneven, her heart still beat. He breathed a sigh of relief. Here, the Warlord could not so easily travel. Here, Carly was safe. Now to get her healed.
Kayo growled. A second later, a hunched man in a silver robe came crashing through the underbrush. No doubt notified of their arrival by the disturbance in the fabric of reality, the Mage from the future hurried over. He skidded to a halt, glancing first at TM, then Kayo, before he looked at Alrick. He gasped when he saw Carly, unconscious on the ground.
“You brought her?”
“I had to.” Quickly, Alrick explained what had happened. “She wasn’t safe.”
The older man nodded.
“Can you heal her?”
Coming closer, the Mage knelt down and examined Carly. “I believe so. `Twould appear she has hurt her head, and that can be tricky.”
“I will call my brother so we can move her into the palace.”
“I am here.” A second voice spoke from the shadows under the trees. Moving silently, unlike the mage, Alrick’s identical twin brother Cenrick stepped forward. Alrick again experienced the familiar shock of seeing himself as others saw him.
“By the Blue Matusas, it’s good to see you!” Rising, he clasped Cenrick on the arm and grinned. “Well met.”
“Yes.” Cenrick’s violet eyes, the only discernable difference in the two men, looked troubled, even as he clasped his brother back. “I see you have brought the woman here. That cannot be good.”
“She is gravely wounded. I had no choice.” Alrick let his arm fall.
“I agree, but father will not be pleased. You are fortunate he has traveled across Rune to visit grandmother.”
Alrick acknowledged that remark with a quick nod. “Help me carry her. And be gentle. She is mine to protect.”
With the Mage leading the way, together they carried Carly down the winding path. Kayo scouted out ahead of them and TM followed docilely after. Directing them to his own, private chambers, the Mage summoned another, younger Mage and his acolytes, then shooed Cenrick and Alrick from the room.
After a quick glance at each other, they obeyed.
“Where to?” Cenrick stopped in the hall, waiting as he’d always done for Alrick to lead the way.
Alrick had wondered if circumstances might have changed Cenrick in his absence. Apparently not.
Alrick sighed. While he wanted more than anything else to be named heir, he loved his twin. Often he’d tried to teach his brother to be more like him, with little success. Cenrick’s nature was different. Where he was a warrior, Cenrick was a scholar.
“Come on.” Alrick pushed the crystal door open and stepped outside. Cenrick followed. As always.
Alrick sighed again.
“What’s wrong?”
“I am weary. This human woman is…” He tried to find the right words.
Cenrick tried to supply them for him. “Special? Unique? Exceptional? Extraordinary? Astonish—.”
“Stop. You don’t even know her.”
“Ah, but I know of her exploits.”
“Future exploits.” Alrick passed a hand over his eyes. “She doesn’t even believe we have the right person.”
To his credit, Cenrick kept his face neutral. “Perhaps that’s to be expected. You did appear out of nowhere and you can be very intimidating.”
“I am not intimidating.”
With a chuckle, Cenrick shook his head. “You haven’t looked at your reflection lately, have you?”
Stung, Alrick had to admit he hadn’t. Still… “The ladies never find me intimidating.”
“Ah, but their world is so different from ours. And it follows this woman is different than ours.”
“She is. But she doesn’t appear to be afraid of me. Then again, she doesn’t exhibit fear over anything.”
“Even the Warlord?”
“She doesn’t take him seriously.”
“Even though he’s attacking her?”
A headache began in the back of his temple. Alrick rubbed with two fingers. “She’s wasn’t even sure the Warlord existed, until she saw him with her own eyes. Thus far, he hasn’t managed to transport himself completely across time.”
“Then how was she hurt?”
“He caused an explosion. This would have killed her, had she been closer. Instead, she was injured.”
Cenrick nodded.
“I must see TM settled.” Alrick started toward the barn. “And make sure Kayo is all right.”
Cenrick followed “Is TM the horse? Or Kayo?”
They’d reached the palace barn. As different from Carly’s ranch as night was from day, the immense barn was made of crystal, and could house over fifty horses.
“TM is the horse. Kayo is the dog.”
Hearing his name, Kayo leaped in the air, tail wagging. After he’d greeted Alrick, he did the same for Cenrick.
Alrick was surprised to feel a pang of jealousy. Now he understood how Carly must have felt, when both Kayo and TM seemed to prefer him.
Something must have shown in his face. Cenrick laughed. “Come on, the dog is fine. Let’s take care of the horse so we can talk. Though you’ve only been gone a few days, we’ve a fair bit of catching up to do.”
Grumpily, Alrick allowed his brother to lead the way, wondering if Cenrick was even aware he had taken the lead for once.
Finally, after settling the animals and checking on Carly one more time, they settled in the great hall, in two huge chairs near the crystal hearth. Though normally he found the sparkling beauty of the palace amazing, he now wondered if the brilliance shone overmuch, if the clear walls would feel like ice to Carly.
He accepted a cup of honey-mead from a servant. Leaning forward in his chair, he eyed his brother. “How is our father?”
“His mood has been strange since you left.” Cenrick took a deep draught of his own mead. “He says he is devising a task to test me once you have returned from your challenge.”
At this news, Alrick scowled. “Test you? Why?”
“I know not. I have told him over and over I have no desire to become King.”
“Still he will not listen?”
“No.” Draining his mead, Cenrick grimaced. “You know how our father is. Once he gets an idea, he fixates on it. After you left, he tried to forbid me my studies.”
Now this was not good. All knew Cenrick lived for his piles of dusty books and his parchment. Alrick couldn’t imagine what their sire had been thinking.
“What did he want you to do instead?”
“Who knows? At least he didn’t make some big proclamation out of it. He came to my chamber late one night while I was burning the midnight oil, and asked me.”
“Asked you? Not ordered?”
“Asked. Nice as you please, to knock off with the books.”
“Such actions are unlike him. What did you say?”
“Equally polite, I told him I would consider his request. Then I promptly ignored him, of course.”
“But he gave no reason for asking?”
“No, though I think he wants to stir things up. Rune has been rather quiet with you gone. You always liven things up around here. I think since our father decreed you must travel to the future, he is taking his boredom out on me.”
“Boredom?” Alrick forced himself to relax. “If that is all it is…”
“Worry not, brother.” Correctly interpreting him, Cenrick shook his head. “I have no desire to take your place. Father knows this. He
knows you are meant to be king. Shades of Hathling, brother. We all know it.”
Alrick pretended to be interested in his drink, though he was pleased. He had been born first, and technically the older twin was always named heir. Simply because his father believed in giving each son equal rights did not make Alrick’s burning desire to become ruler less. If anything, his father’s stubbornness made Alrick desire the title more.
Cenrick finished his mead and signaled for another. The serving girl, a wispy fae maiden with hair the color of moonlight, brought them each a second cup. Alrick watched her drift away, thinking dispassionately how lifeless her hair seemed compared to the vibrant red of Carly’s.
“Any other news?”
“Oh yeah. I wasn’t finished, by half. Father wants me to find a bride.” Cenrick’s glum tone spoke of how well he’d received this order. And, knowing the King, this request had been an order.
A bride! Things got worse and worse. Alrick began to wish he’d never left. “What?” He clenched his fists. “If he wishes you to marry, that means he will also start on me. Any idea why?”
“No.” Waving his hand at the empty room in general, Cenrick grimaced. “He’s threatened to bid all woman of marriageable age to compete for me.”
“Is he joking?” Usually it was the other way around. The men would fight for the woman. Their father knew this.
“I don’t know.”
“He must be. Alrick breathed a heavy sigh. “Worry not. He’s toying with you, brother.”
Cenrick looked hopeful. “Do you think so?”
“Why else? Women competing for your hand? That’s ridiculous.”
“I don’t know. He seemed serious enough.”
“Put this worry out of your head,” Alrick advised. While he had no idea what his father the King was up to, he supposed this was another attempt at amusement. He could see no reason for him to force Cenrick to marry. Especially since Alrick himself, whom all knew to be the rightful heir, was still unwed. The King had never mentioned anything about finding a wife to him. Nor had he made any such threats.
“I’ll try.”
Alrick watched as Cenrick shifted in his chair, visibly trying to relax. Alrick tried to do the same, inhaling deeply.
Expression troubled, Cenrick stared at the hearth. When he lifted his head to meet Alrick’s gave, his face was inscrutable. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about you. Tell me more of the human woman.”
“Carly?”
“Yes. She is comely, is she not?”
“Comely?” Alrick thought for a moment. “Her flame colored hair is unusual, yes. And her face is pleasing, if you like freckles. Her form—.”
“Freckles? You have been so close to her to notice that?”
“Of course I have.” Alrick hadn’t meant to sound so defensive, but he wasn’t sure what his brother was implying. “And yes, she may be comely, but it’s not for me to notice. Nor you. Remember, she is to be the mother of our some miracle child.” To his surprise, he found he liked it not that his brother found Carly attractive.
Cenrick laughed again. “No fears, brother. I do not lust after your woman.”
This was how rumors got started. “She is not my woman.”
“You forget how well I know you. You’ve never been able to pass up seducing a pretty woman.”
“That was here and now. This is then and there. I have a task to complete, a job to do. I must keep Carly safe. Nothing more.”
“I see,” Cenrick mused. “Hmmm. So you don’t desire her, eh? I’m certain she must look favorably on you.”
Alrick shrugged. “We’re Fae. All humans find us desirable.”
“You more than me.”
“We look exactly the same,” Alrick growled. “You know that.”
“True, but most women seem to prefer you.” A grin tugging at his mouth, this time Cenrick merely lifted his cup for more mead.
The teasing bickering was familiar – and welcome. Lifting his own glass, Alrick grinned back. “Not all women. Some prefer the challenge of your bookish ways.”
“True.” Cenrick’s grin widened. “But most desire only the fierce warrior. You. The man who will be king.”
Was that a trace of bitterness in his twin’s voice? Alrick studied Cenrick closely, but saw nothing but amusement in his face.
No matter. He concentrated on drinking up. He had a task to do and, once Carly was healed, they could return to her world so he could complete it.
“When will you return?” Cenrick’s question echoed Alrick’s thoughts.
“As soon as she is better. I thought to keep her on the move to make it more difficult for the Warlord to find us. He found us anyway.”
“Will you still go on the run?”
“Unfortunately, since our pickup – the machine we used to travel – has been destroyed, I see no choice but to return us to her ranch.”
“A pickup?”
“Don’t ask.”
“You don’t ride the horse?”
“He is a young stallion, not yet trained. I could manage him, but I can not risk Carly.”
“You need another mount, then both of you could ride.”
“She does not have another. TM is her only horse.”
Cenrick shrugged. “You have plenty of mares here in Rune. Take one back with you.”
Take one back. Alrick brightened. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He liked the idea. “Since I have to use magic again to return us, bringing along another horse wouldn’t be difficult. I will. Thank you, brother.”
“You’re welcome.”
They both lifted their cups and drank in companionable silence. But Cenrick wasn’t finished. Alrick should have known better than to assume he would be.
“Tell me, what is your plan?”
Alrick shook his head, returning his attention to his suddenly serious sibling. “Plan?”
“Yes. How do you plan to vanquish this Warlord? Obviously, hand to hand combat is out.”
“I have to wait until he is able to transport himself fully. Then we’ll fight.”
“How?”
“I’m working on that.”
Cenrick’s violet eyes widened. “You don’t know?”
“Not yet. I’m still considering the man. I haven’t been able to scrutinize him yet.”
“Scrutinize him? Just kill him.”
“It’s not so simple. This Warlord appears to be fearsomely powerful. Before I can even sense him, he strikes.”
“I can’t believe you have no plan.”
“Do you want to take over this task?”
Cenrick blinked. “No. But I think you should have a plan.”
“Really?” Alrick set his cup down on the floor with a thunk. “Then enlighten me, oh wise one. How should I take this Warlord down?”
Cenrick snorted. “Don’t try to get me to solve your problems for you. We’re not schoolboys any longer.”
“That means you don’t know.”
“I haven’t had the opportunity to study him. You have.”
“I just told you I haven’t.”
“Pretty damned powerful, is he?”
Alrick grimaced. “Appears to be. He has me worried.”
“You? Worried?” Clearly enjoying himself, Cenrick leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs at the ankle. “That’s a new one. You’ve always been a magical master. Some said you could have become the next mage if you weren’t in line for the throne.”
“As you know, there are restrictions. Magical use in the human world causes shifts in their weather. But the Warlord doesn’t seem to care.”
“Of course not. Bad guys never care about anything but themselves.”
“Your highnesses.” The mage’s sonorous voice made them both look up. “The woman—.”
Immediately, Alrick pushed himself to his feet. “Carly? Is she awake?”
“Yes.”
Trying to read anything in the Mage’s serene expression was futile. After all, they didn’t even k
now the man that well. “Will she recover?”
“Yes.” The older man tilted his head. “She asks for you.”
Alrick’s heart skipped a beat. “Why didn’t you say so?” He started down the hall without a backward look.
* * *
What now? Gazing at glittering walls that appeared to be carved entirely from ice, Carly shivered. A cold, cold place. Where was she? Had she died in the explosion and gone to some sort of purgatory? Or perhaps the Warlord had finally gotten her, and taken her to his stronghold? Everywhere she looked, she saw sparkling glitter. Diamonds or ice, crystal or frost. Where was this place?
She had no idea. Worse, Alrick wasn’t around for her to ask. That tended to make her think the worst. When she’d opened her eyes and croaked Alrick’s name, the wizened old man bending over her had hurried off.
Closing her eyes, huddling under the white, down quilt for warmth, it seemed a second slipped by, though it must have been longer. When she next opened her eyes, squinting into the overly bright room, Alrick stood at her bedside.
Relief flooded her. “Alrick? What happened? I remember the explosion, but…” she tried to sit up and failed. “Where’s Kayo? TM?”
“Safe.”
“Not hurt?”
“No.” His dark eyes seemed warm. “Not like you.”
“Where are we?” Her lips felt cracked and chapped.
“Rune.” He handed her a cup that appeared to have been made from ice, though it was warm to the touch. “Drink.”
Ah, water. She was so thirsty. Gratefully, she raised it to her lips and took a deep drink. And nearly sputtered all over the place. “What the… wine?”
Alrick took the cup and peered into it. “Well, it’s common here, and good for healing. I forgot you didn’t drink it.”
“I drink it. Just not when I’m sick. Or in the morning.” She said grimly. “Do you have any water?”
He looked horrified. “No.”
“Juice?”
With a slight dip of his head, Alrick motioned to someone standing just outside the crystal door. “I will have some brought here for you.”
“So this is Rune?” Trying to raise her hand to gesture at the shining wall, she found to do so required too much of an effort and let her hand fall back to the bed.
Lone Star Magic Page 7
