Soul Magic

by Karen Whiddon

  With a cry, he buried himself in her. Hard and fast and furious, he took her. Or she took him. Fiercely welcoming, she gave as good as she got.

  They moved together, no longer separate, no longer alone. “Never alone,” he said, as he felt himself explode. In the space of a heartbeat she gave a little cry and joined him.

  Later, as they lay in each other’s arms, Alanna stirred. “I’ve got to go. I’ve asked one of your men to guard my tent. There, Ellette sleeps. I do not want to leave her long.”

  Though his chest felt tight, he nodded. She rose dressed then, placing one last, lingering kiss upon his mouth, left.

  Darrick tried to take comfort in knowing when all this had ended, he would take her to wife. Then they would not sleep apart, ever again.

  In the morning he emerged to find most of his men had risen before him. They had dismantled the camp and eaten, and merely awaited his orders.

  Alanna too appeared to have broken her fast. Tending Ellette, she appeared to glow, as though her fading magic had been restored.

  In short time he took down his own tent and ate, while his men readied their horses.

  Once mounted, Darrick waited until all sat their horses. Their silence made him uncomfortable, but he supposed words were unnecessary in light of what they faced.

  “Move out,” he said. And they did.

  Though the terrain was unfamiliar, they climbed over the hills, moving stealthily, ever cognizant of the always-watchful Gorsedd. Yet, despite their wariness (or perhaps because of it) no attack came.

  When at last they crested the final small mountain, they saw a valley spread before them. In the distance a small town. All around this town the fields were full of soldiers and tents and flags and horses. Hundreds of them. Maybe thousands of them.

  Shocked, they stared at the scene below.

  Darrick swore. “There are legions of warriors. More than the army Morfran sent to besiege Thorncliff.”

  “Enough for a war.” Grim-faced, one of his men said.

  “And not all men.” Shock rang in Alanna’s voice. “Many Fae have joined them.”

  As they stared in dismay and shock, a whirring sound like scores of birds wings came from behind them. Darrick spun, stepped protectively in front of Alanna and Ellette.

  Wynne. Shimmering into view, she stood at the head of her own army. Behind her numbered scores of sparkling Fae warriors, men and women both.

  His eyes hurt to look upon them, they were so bright.

  “I have brought reinforcements,” Wynne declared. “We are ready for war.”

  War. Where before this had seemed only an abstract, with each passing moment it became more and more real. More and more of an actual possibility.

  Darrick glanced from her group to the much larger mass assembled below. “This is your army?”

  She had the grace to look abashed. “Aye. `Tis as many as I could gather.”

  They were severely outnumbered.

  “Yes, but we still have some magic.” This time, Wynne made no bones about her ability to see his thoughts. This time, Darrick couldn’t bring himself to care. Not now, when so much lay at stake.

  He opened his mouth to tell her so. But Wynne no longer watched him. Her attention was fixed on Alanna and the silent child in her arms.

  Wynne glided forward, intent on Ellette.

  “So this is Ellette.” She smoothed the blond ringlets back from the child’s face, which was hidden in Alanna’s neck. “Will you not speak to me, little one?”

  “She has not spoken to anyone since a dragon attacked Sarina.” Shifting her weight, Alanna tightened her hold. “Geoffrey tried to save her and they both disappeared.”

  “A dragon?” Wynne lifted a brow. “You know they don’t exist. Such a creature could only be conjured by magic. How can it be you could not defend yourselves against it?”

  Alanna lifted her chin. “The fault lies with me. I failed to protect Sarina. The beast took her.”

  “Took her?”

  “Yes.” Shoulders very straight, Alanna swallowed. “And she’s injured.”

  Wynne glanced back at her troops. The motionless legions of Fae stood at attention, their glittering weapons sparkling in the dim sunlight.

  “I cannot conceive… hurt? Sarina? How badly?”

  “We know not the extent of her injuries.” Alanna’s voice was full of self-remorse. “But `tis all my fault.”

  Growling low in his throat, Darrick shook his head. Enough was enough. If Alanna wanted to try and shoulder the blame, he would share her burden.

  “I too must be held responsible.” Darrick stepped forward. “I did not think Geoffrey would deny its existence. He refused to hide and sat his horse like bait for the murderous beast. Sarina only tried to save him.”

  For a moment Wynne closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they glowed silver, like a steel blade in sun.

  “Then we must rescue them too.” She raised her voice, signaling her force. “Now. We will move on Tynwald Hill.”

  “Wait.” Darrick held up his hand. “Let us first try stealth. Alanna and I can skirt the army and enter the camp unnoticed. If we can find Caradoc and Rowena, then there will be no need for all of this.” He indicated the army below.

  Despite the fact that he made up his plan even as he spoke, Wynne tilted her head, considering.

  “What has happened to you?” She indicated Alanna. “I sense fresh magic within you, and your skin once again has the glow of power.”

  “I feel it as well,” Alanna admitted, her faint smile serene. “Mayhap `tis because I grow closer to my son.”

  Now Wynne’s gaze found Darrick’s. “I will agree to your plan. But let me offer a word of caution. As long as Alanna does not use her magic, Gorsedd will have trouble finding you. He hones in on the use of power.”

  Darrick nodded. Alanna, watching with narrowed gaze, frowned. “If he can find us by the use of magic, then he surely knows you are here with Fae warriors.”

  This possibility did not seem to trouble Wynne. “No doubt he does.” She gave a faint smile. “He’s most likely been expecting us.”

  “Readying for a war?” Anger burning in him, Darrick fingered his sword.

  “There will be no war yet.” Alanna’s touch on his arm soothed him. “We must regain Caradoc and Lady Rowena first. Then we can try and match our forces. Or our magic.”

  “What of the child?” Wynne glanced at Ellette. “You cannot take her with you. Yet she cannot be left unprotected. She is important to Gorsedd’s plans.”

  “How do you know this?” Darrick stepped in front of Alanna, blocking her and Ellette from Wynne’s view.

  “The legend. Even you must acknowledge the ancient mystery is coming to pass.”

  “She is right.” Reluctance evident in her frown, Alanna cuddled the little girl close as she moved to Darrick’s side. She looked at Wynne.

  “Will you watch her?”

  “Of course.” Wynne reached for Ellette.

  Ellette snuggled in closer. Alanna tried to pry her little arms from around her neck. Stubbornly, the child held on.

  “Please, sweet one. I must do this without you. I promise to return.”

  No response. The child clung like a leech at a bloodletting.

  Darrick’s throat ached. He shuffled his feet, wondering if he could find another solution.

  “You cannot go with us.” Tears glistened in Alanna’s eyes. “I will bring Caradoc to you.”

  At the name, Ellette raised her head. Blue eyes as clear as the summer sky searched Alanna’s face then, to his shock, turned to meet Darrick’s gaze as well.

  He saw a question in them. She wanted his assurance that they would come back for her. Hoping he did not make promises he would not be able to keep, he nodded.

  Apparently satisfied, this time Ellette did not resist when Wynne took her.

  “Are you ready?” Darrick held out his hand to Alanna.

  She glanced once more at the child, hesitating.


  “One more thing.” Sounding sorrowful, Wynne interrupted. “I must tell you both the truth of what I have seen, though you may like it not.”

  Darrick bit back a growl.

  Apprehension and resignation crossed Alanna’s mobile features. “Go ahead, Seer of Rune. I am ready to hear your foretelling.”

  Darrick wasn’t so sure, but he kept his silence.

  Wynne’s silver gaze pinned them. “Do you truly realize what’s at stake here?”

  Alanna nodded.

  Wynne raised a brow at Darrick.

  “Of course we do.” Impatient to be off, Darrick rested his hand on his sword hilt. “Alanna has told me of your legend and the consequences to the world if Gorsedd and Morfran are not stopped.”

  “Yes.” Now Wynne looked at Alanna. “But it has become more personal than merely abstract legend. I speak of Caradoc. Do you understand the risk to him?”

  Alanna lifted her chin. “He will not be in danger. We will find him and save him.”

  Wynne showed no mercy. “Yes, but even once you do, he will play at large part in what is about to happen.”

  “He is but a little boy!”

  “He is catalyst, focal point. He is of both worlds and of neither. Gorsedd has recognized this and for this reason captured your son.”

  “I will not let Caradoc be hurt.” Alanna did not back down. “I will protect him with my last breath.”

  “As would any mother. But you cannot prevent his destiny. He is to be the means for the turning point of the world. How his power is used will determine darkness… or light.”

  Taking a step forward, Alanna held out her hand. “What risk then? Tell me that much, so that I may be better able to defend against it.”

  “So much magic can be cataclysmic to the one who channels, especially since Gorsedd draws from the same pool. The danger to Caradoc comes not from Gorsedd or Morfran or even the dragon. Caradoc’s only threat is Caradoc himself.”

  * * * *

  Still Sarina slumbered, and Geoffrey could do naught but pace. He’d searched every side of the small rock island, trying to decide if he should attempt to swim across to the Isle of Man, but the waves were too fierce and the rocks too sharp and dangerous. Each time he returned to the Keeil and went immediately to Sarina’s side, hoping for a miracle. Yet always he found her still slumbering. He could do naught but give thanks that she still lived.

  The boy had gone silent and only watched.

  So Geoffrey paced, plotted and planned. And prayed. Most of all he prayed that Sarina would not die.

  Finally Caradoc, taking pity on him, made another attempt to revive her.

  “Move aside.” His sharp tone of authority seemed odd coming from such a small boy. Nevertheless, Geoffrey did as Caradoc asked, fingering his rosary beads as a sort of reserve plea.

  Standing over Sarina, Caradoc smoothed back her hair and began to speak. His words, his voice resonated with power. His pale skin began to glow.

  He chanted three words. This time, the sparks of light that accompanied each pass of his hand seemed brighter. This time, Geoffrey could have sworn he smelled smoke, though he saw no fire.

  And this time, Sarina opened her eyes.

  Geoffrey gave a strangled cry. Joy exploded in him. When her bright blue gaze touched on him, it felt like the sun had come out after months of absence.

  “Where am I?” Her gaze lingered lovingly on Geoffrey’s face before touching on Caradoc. “Caradoc? You’re here? Did we succeed in--”

  Outside, the dragon growled as the earth began to rumble.

  Sarina’s expression changed to one of horror. “The beast, it--”

  Dropping to his knees beside her, Geoffrey braced himself over her as the ground dipped and buckled. “The dragon is Caradoc’s creation, his pet. It brought you here at his bidding, believing you to be Alanna.”

  Hanging on to the side of the doorframe, Caradoc nodded sheepishly.

  “What of this? Why does the ground quake?”

  “Gorsedd.” Both Geoffrey and Caradoc answered in unison.

  “He likes it not when I use my magic.”

  Finally the earth’s motion eased.

  Taking a deep breath, Caradoc crossed to Sarina’s side. “I’m sorry you were hurt. I never meant--”

  “It’s all right.” Sarina gave him a tender smile, reaching up to brush the hair from his forehead. “I understand. You only wanted your mother.”

  “Yes.”

  “Your pet knows not his own strength.” She shuddered, no doubt remembering the way the dragon had grabbed her. Then, her expression clearing, she glanced from Geoffrey to Caradoc and back again.

  “Geoffrey.” Swallowing, she squinted at him. “Why’d you make yourself bait for the dragon, when Alanna and Darrick and I all hid.”

  “I did not make myself bait.”

  “You were a sitting target.”

  He looked away, ashamed. “I did not believe the monster was real.”

  “You didn’t believe it was real? You saw it with your own eyes, heard the sound of its bellowing. We all did.”

  Quietly, very quietly, Geoffrey answered. “Everyone knows there is no such thing as a dragon.”

  Caradoc snorted.

  Sarina, however, frowned. “Since we began this quest, I have seen many manifestations that should not be. That does not mean I would put myself in danger.”

  “Or you.” His throat aching, Geoffrey touched her arm. “My foolish actions put you in danger. For that, I know deep sorrow.”

  “But why? I still don’t understand.”

  Restless, Geoffrey stood. Clenching his fists, he gazed out at the bright sunshine. “I know you don’t understand. How can you, when I barely do myself? But for me, this dragon, this beast, was the final straw. In a moment of insanity, I truly believed if I did not acknowledge the monster, it would go away.”

  Now Caradoc giggled. “Have you not learned this world holds many wonders?”

  “I have now.” Though he glanced at the boy, Geoffrey let his gaze linger on Sarina. She stared back, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nodded.

  “This dragon… it can fly.”

  Immediately Geoffrey saw where she headed. “Caradoc has already told me he cannot leave. Gorsedd knows when he uses his magic and has threatened to harm the lady Rowena if Caradoc attempts escape.”

  “Rowena? Darrick’s mother?”

  “And Morfran’s sister.”

  She narrowed her gaze on Caradoc. “So he can sense the use of magic, right?”

  Caradoc nodded.

  “And you,” she touched Caradoc’s thin arm, “fairly glow with magic these days.”

  With a perplexed look, the boy glanced down at himself. “I don’t see--”

  “Take my word for it. You do.” Now she looked at Geoffrey, her blue eyes warming. “But you are human. You have no magic.”

  Immediately he saw where she was heading. “You want me to ride the dragon.”

  “And rescue Rowena,” she finished. “Bring her here. Once she is out of Morfran and Gorsedd’s clutches, there is no reason we can’t all escape.”

  “But isn’t using the dragon the same as using magic?”

  They both looked at Caradoc. “I used magic to create Ladde. But now he is real. He does not use magic to exist or to fly.” Caradoc’s eyes went round. “You’re right,” he breathed. “You can do this.”

  Try as he might, Geoffrey himself could find no flaw in the plan. Save one.

  “What of Darrick and Alanna? Even as we speak, they approach the Isle of Man.”

  Sarina squinted at him. “Mayhap they will see the dragon flying. And once you rescue Rowena and come back for us, we will find them too.”

  “My dragon is not so large at that.” Caradoc pointed out.

  She shrugged and grinned. “Details, details. Let’s worry about all that later. Take one step at a time for now.”

  Misgiving filled Geoffrey. Long had he been a loyal follower,
obeying Darrick’s orders without hesitation. But Darrick always knew where to go, what to do, and how to do it. Knowing and anticipating the details was what made his half-brother such a good leader.

  Sarina on the other hand…

  “What choice do we have?” Sarina asked him.

  This more than anything, decided him. Because she was right. What choice did they have? They could stay on the rock and wait like sitting ducks, or take action.

  “I will do it,” Geoffrey said.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Moving carefully, Alanna followed Darrick down towards the encampment. They would skirt the edges, he’d said, and try to learn where they might find Gorsedd or Morfran. Where the leaders were, or so Darrick believed, they’d find his mother and her son.

  This close, she wondered why she could not sense her boy. She missed him and ached for him and, especially since he was only five, she knew he felt the same. Not being able to feel him worried her. With his magic and hers both increasing, she would have thought her blood would call out to him, that her very soul would discern his nearness.

  The most frustrating part of this journey was now, when knowing he was so near, yet not being able to find him.

  And she couldn’t even use her magic to search for him. According to Wynne, to do so would be like lighting a flaming arrow to point her out to Gorsedd. Bad enough that she had to watch out for her own skin. But she worried even more for Darrick.

  Of all men, he did not blend in. With his massive build and warrior’s stance, he would never pass for ordinary. Once seeing him, other men would take note and remark on him later, to their cronies.

  Word of his arrival was sure to reach Gorsedd, which might mean nothing if not for Morfran. Morfran would realize immediately who such a giant man would be.

  It would only take a tiny hint of magic to render him less noticeable. If only… She put the notion away. Such thinking was not productive. Instead she watched Darrick rummage through Geoffrey’s saddlebag, pulling out a dark cloak made from coarse wool.

  “This will hide me.” His smile crossed his face and vanished so quickly she might have imagined it. “And now I must find garments to conceal you, for you have begun to harbor a faint glow.”