Curses and Warfare

by Jeri Baird

  “It’s not a burden, Mother.” Alexa grabbed Mother’s arm. “It’s an honor.”

  Zander swallowed. Alexa sometimes saw things more clearly than he did. She was right.

  Moira honored them with this responsibility.

  Chapter FIFTY-ONE

  Alexa

  Zeph was dead.

  Alexa couldn’t process it. The others had left, but she didn’t feel like making the trek to Melina Odella’s cottage. She’d have to pass Zeph’s home and know that she’d never see him again. Instead, she’d found herself slumped on a bench under one of the trees supporting the Quinary, holding her head in her hands. She’d taken Zeph for granted and missed so many opportunities to tell him how much his friendship meant to her.

  The bench shifted, and Dharien put his arm around her. He looked as miserable as she felt. “I’m so sorry, Alexa. I know Zeph was your friend.”

  “What about Lash?” Her words came out harsh and bitter. “Wasn’t he your friend?”

  “No,” Dharien’s voice was low and tortured. “He wasn’t. I pretended to be his friend because I knew he’d cause problems. But I swear I didn’t know he’d try to kill Zander.”

  “If it wasn’t for Zeph, Zander would be dead.” Alexa started to shake.

  He pulled her into his chest, and she sobbed. When the tears slowed, she stayed tucked in his arms. Some conversations were safer when you didn’t look at the person you were talking with.

  “Dharien? I–I . . .”

  His arms tightened around her. “Whatever it is, you can say it, Alexa.”

  Her heart thudded. “I thought you’d changed after the quest, and then when I heard you were helping Lash steal from the merchants, I thought you hadn’t. I’m so mixed up, I don’t know what to believe.”

  “I didn’t help him steal. I knew about it, but if I’d told Zander, he would have kicked Lash out, and then I wouldn’t know what he planned.” Dharien rested his chin on her head. “Terrec’s up to something. Lash almost told me before he disappeared. I saw him once after that.” When she tensed, he added, “It was after Zander got out of jail, I swear, Alexa.” She relaxed and he went on. “Lash said I needed to be ready to switch sides. I thought he was deluded, but now I’m not so sure. I’ll tell Zander to be careful.”

  “It’s a little late, don’t you think?”

  He stiffened. “Alexa, if I’d had any idea Lash would try to kill Zander, I would’ve warned him. I swear it.”

  “I believe you. I hate this.” She sighed. “Two people are dead, and the war hasn’t even started.” How many more would she lose?

  “It won’t be easy.” Dharien played with the ends of Alexa’s scarf. “You don’t need this. The scar doesn’t matter. You’re beautiful.” He hesitated. “I know this isn’t the best time, but Zander’s right. We don’t know what’s going to happen. I need to tell you something.”

  She pulled away, wondering what could be so important. When she saw his eyes, she knew what he’d say.

  “Alexa . . . I love you. Whatever happens in the next week, I want you to know that.” He stared at the ground. “You hate your scar, and mine is worse. I know you can’t love me, but . . .”

  She placed her hand on the jagged scar on his cheek. Every doubt she’d had about him flew away. “I do love you.” She leaned forward and kissed the scar. “This reminds me every day of how brave you were in the quest.”

  He pulled her in and held her against his heart where it thumped as hard as Alexa’s. He kissed the top of her head. “Thank you for believing in me,” he whispered. “I need to find Greydon and Zander. It’s past time I was honest with them.”

  He held her another few seconds and then rose and walked briskly away. As he stepped off the Quinary platform, the Knight of Cups card hovered over his head. Romance. But there could be none until they won the war. It would have to wait.

  She stayed on the bench. Zeph was dead. Dharien loved her. The two things twisted round and round in her head until she was sure she’d never think of one without thinking of the other.

  A flash from the side of the church drew her attention. Frowning, she stood and haltingly walked toward it. What was it? Another flash. She walked faster and caught a glimpse of someone she hadn’t expected.

  Melina Odella.

  Alexa ran, but the fortune-teller disappeared. Alexa halted at the back of the church and glanced from side to side. Melina Odella reappeared next to Elder Nhara’s gate, where she slid open the bolt and dashed behind the wooden planks. By the time Alexa slipped past the open door, she was just able to glimpse the back of Melina Odella’s black robe before she rushed out of sight on the twisty path. Alexa reached the turn as Melina Odella disappeared once more around a bend.

  She sped up, rounded the turn, and skidded to a stop when she found herself face-to-face with Melina Odella, Elder Nhara, and the old woman Alexa had seen with her teacher in the Yapi alley. The village bells rang, summoning the villagers to Zander’s meeting. It seemed she’d be late.

  Melina Odella held up her hand and muttered words Alexa couldn’t hear. The Elder and old woman opened their hands and funneled energy to the fortune-teller. The spell hit Alexa’s chest and immobilized her as invisible ropes tethered her to the ground. As unprepared as she was, Alexa managed to utter her own spell. It was the one she’d copied from Melina Odella’s book when she wasn’t looking. Not exactly a spell, but an antispell.

  Undetectable to Melina Odella, the ropes loosened, and Alexa had access to her magic. The situation was dire, but now Alexa had hope.

  When the magic settled and Melina Odella thought she was safe, she snarled at Alexa, “Who’s stronger now? You think I didn’t know you hid your power? You believe you’re smarter than me? Without my teachings, you’re nothing but a second-rate, tag-along nobody, unworthy of being anything more than a baker.”

  Magic swirled through Alexa and gave the words power. They wound into her mind and released fears she’d buried deep. Mother always busy. Father a drunk. The mistakes she’d made using her embroidery. Almost killing Kaiya and Zander with her spells. Feeling too young for the position of village fortune-teller. Zeph’s death—if she hadn’t befriended him, he’d never have joined the warriors.

  She dropped to her knees, head bent.

  Melina Odella’s ragged laugh rang through the air. “Finally, you understand your position.”

  In that space of hopelessness, a light began to shine behind the brooch Zander gave Alexa on her birthday. The garnet pulsed against her heart and pushed away the evil, protecting her. The quartz stones transmuted the dark energy and rendered it harmless, while the gold amplified both stones’ effects. Her thoughts cleared, and she understood the difference between her and Melina Odella. Alexa had her family, she had friends. She knew true love.

  She experienced that love as a red flame. The garnet fed it, and Alexa let it fill her until the fire consumed her. The vastness of her soul opened and silver energy surrounded her.

  Alexa stood and lifted her arms. The red mixed with the silver and spread in a circle around her.

  The sneer on Melina Odella’s face turned to fear. She backed away and whispered, “No, you cannot be this strong.”

  Elder Nhara gasped. “You promised you could control her.” She spun and ran.

  Almost gleeful, the old woman clapped her hands together. “I warned you she was powerful. Kill her now, Melina Odella, and allow her energy to disperse and strengthen us.” Was the old woman also a fortune-teller? Confusion turned to resolve, and words flowed from Alexa without conscious thought. “You deserted your calling, but it’s not too late for repentance.”

  Melina Odella shook her head. “I cursed you and Zander. You’ll fail and all will die!”

  The curse from the consecration wound up around Alexa’s arms and chest. With a shake of her hands, it released, and she sent it into the
earth at her feet. A small smile crossed her face. She’d broken it. The village had a chance.

  “You have no power over me, Melina Odella. Moira’s strength lies within me now.”

  The fortune-teller pointed her hands at Alexa and began to mutter.

  Even then, Alexa couldn’t hate her teacher. She saw herself in Melina Odella. Not so long ago, she’d have done anything for Zander. She’d cheated, she’d put his safety over the other questers, she’d tried to control his future without his permission. Alexa had already hidden away in Melina Odella’s cottage. If she didn’t make changes, she’d turn bitter and cold like her teacher. No matter her future, she wouldn’t let that happen.

  Alexa expanded her energy until it included her teacher. She sent love, acceptance, and forgiveness in a three-strand rope connecting her heart to Melina Odella’s.

  Melina Odella collapsed, screaming, “No, I don’t want it.”

  Alexa knelt next to her. “I give it freely. You can accept or refuse, but you can’t make me take it away.”

  Confusion washed across Melina Odella’s face, and then her eyes hardened. “I refuse. Leave me.”

  A mist rose from the ground, disorienting Alexa. When it dissolved a few seconds later, Melina Odella and the old woman were gone.

  Chapter FIFTY-TWO

  Zander

  During the two-hour break, Zander met with Greydon, Fulk, and Geno. The villagers needed time to absorb the news, and he needed a plan. Back at the Quinary, the villagers, with grim faces, trailed in to surround him.

  Behind them, the Raskans were packing their wagons. Earlier, Tshilaba had come to explain why her tribe was leaving.

  “This isn’t our war,” she’d said, and Zander understood. Out of the six tribes, the Raskans were the one who’d never been at war. “It’s not our way,” she’d added. “We don’t know how to fight.” Then she’d hugged him and asked him to tell Alexa goodbye and that she’d see her soon. The problem with talking to fortune-tellers was their reticence. He had no idea what she meant. It would be six months before the Raskans returned to Puck’s Gulch.

  Dharien’s confession had been a surprise. He’d interrupted the strategy meeting with his suspicions that Terrec was helping the enemy. Greydon’s relief that Dharien wasn’t against them was evident. His brother wasn’t a traitor.

  But two traitors did remain—Terrec and Melina Odella. He’d sent Protectors to arrest Terrec, but he wasn’t at his estate. Lash’s body had been taken to the church. It galled Zander that he lay next to Zeph. In two days, there’d be a service for both. Terrec had to show up sometime.

  At the Quinary, the villagers waited nervously for his instructions. Kaiya and Merindah spoke quietly with the group of women they’d been training. Greydon and Dharien stood with a group of elders. It was good to have their support. All but Terrec and Elder Nhara were in attendance.

  He squinted, looking for Alexa. He needed her to explain how magic would help. Dorothy rubbed her back against one of the oaks supporting the Quinary, but Alexa wasn’t with her.

  When the murmurings grew louder, Zander raised his hand. He’d have to start without her. Before he could speak, a wave of disorientation swept through him. He grabbed at Shadow to steady him as magic swirled around him.

  Merindah ran to his side and whispered, “Did you feel the unbinding? Alexa has broken Melina Odella’s curse.”

  If Alexa was with the fortune-teller, was she in danger? Helplessness washed through him. Events were running out of control. He took a moment to compose himself before he turned to the startled villagers. “Any who can shoot, go stand with Greydon.”

  It took awhile to separate the confused villagers into groups, sending some with Fulk, some with Geno, the women with Kaiya. And there were still plenty he didn’t know what to do with. As he stood contemplating how to use the willing, but feeble elderly, Zander felt Alexa’s energy. At a collective gasp from the villagers, he spun in time to see her step up onto the Quinary platform. Silver light surrounded her, and from the looks on the others’ faces, he wasn’t the only one to see it.

  She walked slowly toward him, hands held out at her side. The silver faded until it was just Alexa standing before him.

  To Zander and Merindah, Alexa whispered, “I’ve come from Melina Odella. She no longer has any power over us.”

  “What about your vision? Will she curse the village?” Merindah asked.

  Alexa laughed, deep in her chest. “Oh, she’ll try, and I’ll stop her.”

  Zander grasped her hand and pulled her to stand next to him. “The villagers need to know what you can do.”

  She faced the crowd. “Melina Odella intends to curse us.”

  Startled gasps filtered through the crowd.

  “She’s a traitor. If you see her, she’s not to be trusted.” Alexa opened her energy and the silver shone again. “I will stop her.”

  Merindah joined their hands, and the three stood linked in a triangle, back-to-back. She cried out with the fervor of one consumed with conviction, “God will fight with us, but the outcome is not assured. It’s time for me to assume my destiny as the anchoress.”

  Zander felt an energy build, starting in his chest and flowing outward toward his hands. As golden light engulfed him, the silver returned to Alexa, and copper pulsed around Merindah.

  The villagers stepped back. Many shielded their eyes.

  Father Chanse stepped forward and said, “Don’t be afraid. These three are consecrated by God. I attest to their favor. Our hope lies with their powers. I urge you to release your fears and follow their leadership. Unite, my friends, unite!”

  When Merindah and Alexa loosened from his hands, the energy faded, but Zander felt it deep within. He tested it and found he could bring it forth at will. He formed a ball of gold energy and held it in his palm.

  Alexa whispered, “Gold, the masculine energy of the day, and silver, the feminine energy of the night, combine with the copper of the anchoress. Together, we cannot be stopped.”

  His sister had truly become the fortune-teller.

  “I’ll be at Melina Odella’s cottage.” Alexa spun and strode away. Dorothy followed, moving faster than Zander had ever seen her.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. He had one week to prepare for war.

  Chapter FIFTY-THREE

  Alexa

  Uttering long pathetic brays, the small gray donkey trailed behind Alexa. Dorothy missed Zeph. So did Alexa. Was Dorothy now her patron?

  She slowed at the shack houses where Zeph had lived. Small faces peered out the doors. Did they know of Zeph’s death? They must recognize Dorothy. Another hurt toppled into her heart. She hadn’t followed through on her pledge to bring them food. Determined, she quickened her pace to the fortune-teller’s cottage. She had time to honor her promise.

  She led Dorothy to the back garden with a strict warning. “Don’t eat the plants behind the brick wall.” At Dorothy’s plaintive cry, Alexa hesitated. Poor baby. She spent a few minutes brushing the donkey’s back and sides. Satisfied Dorothy would be all right, Alexa shut the gate and walked to the front door, feeling an unaccounted dread as she drew closer.

  The moment Alexa stepped through the door, Melina Odella’s angry energy swirled at her feet. She stilled for a moment, sending her energy through each room to confirm the fortune-teller was gone. Alexa followed the anger into the stockroom and found broken glass littering the floor. She gagged at the odor of the pooling liquids.

  She replaced the unbroken bottles on the shelves and swept away the glass, careful not to touch the herbs that had mixed. She sprinkled cornmeal on the soupy spots on the floor. After the shelves were in order, she discovered the foxglove and aconite jars were gone. Alexa rubbed the carved foxglove pendant that Merindah had given her for her birthday. Foxglove could be used to heal or to kill. Aconite, known as the queen of all poisons, had onl
y one use.

  To calm her mind, Alexa went to the kitchen. One week until war. She tied on a soft green apron and opened cabinet after cabinet searching for ingredients. The kitchen was surprisingly well stocked.

  She hefted a large kettle of water onto the wood stove and threw kindling on the coals. After cutting up the two rabbits left earlier by Zander, she dropped the pieces into the boiling water. She added cubes of potatoes and carrots from the basement along with fresh basil and spring peas.

  As the aroma filled the kitchen, she turned to another task. She measured out flour, baking soda, and salt. She cut in lard and stirred in goat’s milk until the ingredients stuck together. She dumped the dough out on a floured counter and began to knead it. With each turn, her sorrow eased. Maybe baking was how Mother survived when Father left with Zander. It was a revelation that doing something she’d hated for so many years could be soothing.

  She rolled the dough into a one-inch thick slab and cut circles with a metal ring. After arranging them in rows on a shallow, earthenware tray, Alexa sprinkled sugar across the top. By the time four dozen biscuits sat cooling on the counter, the stew was tender. Alexa stirred in a little flour to thicken it and pulled it to a cool spot on the stove top.

  Good, hearty food for hungry children. How would she get it to them? She remembered seeing a small wood cart with peeling green paint buried in the corner of the shed holding pots and chunks of wood. After digging it out, she hauled it into the yard and brought Dorothy out through the gate.

  “Think you can pull a cart, Dorothy?”

  The donkey raised her head and stepped backward.

  “It’s to honor Zeph.”

  Her ears twitched at Zeph’s name.

  “Come on, girl. Let’s get you hitched up.”

  Dorothy shifted from side to side, but she allowed Alexa to harness her and strap the cart behind. Alexa led her to the front door. “Wait here.”