by Isaac Crowe
“Knowledge, what do you mean? Who are you?”
“My apologies, I am Alexandra.”
“I didn’t mean your name. Those in the camp told us that. Who are you that you can manipulate the spirits so willingly?”
“You should not be so rude, acolyte. I suppose; however, that we need to get to the business at hand. First, some more light would be nice.”
Torches at the darkened end of the building flared to life, fully lighting the figure. Max’s mouth dropped open.
“You’re the girl from the alley!”
Max drew his sword, ready to defend himself and the others. Alexandra spread out her arms, the open palms of her hands facing them.
“That will not be necessary, Maxwell. I have no intention of attacking you again.”
“How can I be sure? I don’t even know why you attacked me the first time, or how? One moment you stood at the far end of the alley, the next you had a hold of my box. And, how do you know my name?”
“Unfortunately, in the alley I did not know who you were. I mistook you for a thief. You see, I had a box similar to yours taken from me. When I saw you with that box at the tavern I thought it mine. I jumped to conclusions and overreacted. I apologize for my rashness.”
Alexandra walked to within a few feet of Max and curtsied. “Now that I know who you are I certainly mean you no harm.”
Free of the shadows, Max studied Alexandra’s appearance. Her face was the soft, round face of a child’s. Her hands, like her face, were unusually pale; together they gave her the appearance of a fragile porcelain doll much like the ones a villager in Swiftwater made from the river’s clay. Max feared that if he touched her she would shatter. He sheathed his sword.
“What about the rest? How did you get from one end of the alley to the other without me noticing?”
Melody fixed her gaze on Alexandra. “If she can heal a bone with that much ease, I imagine there are a lot of things she can do; mesmerizing you long enough to attack being only one of them.”
“But she can’t be over, what, eleven years old?”
“I am nine, actually. To your credit, you did much better than most in resisting me.” Alexandra gingerly rubbed the side of her face. “I certainly did not expect you to backhand me.”
Max shuffled his feet. “You did attack me.”
“I am not looking for an apology. You fought back as, you should have. I misjudged your abilities.”
Max straightened. “What about my name?”
“Ahh, yes, Maxwell Laskaris, son of Lieutenant Peter Laskaris.”
“How do you know that? You’re not old enough to have met my father.”
“I have many resources. I also know about the rest of you: Lysander, Melody and Evangeline.”
Lysander crossed his arms. “I assume, by resources, you mean that rabble out by the fire who are in violation of the law by not wearing collars. We also have reports of theft and other trouble in town. Where are your parents, Maxwell and I need to speak with them concerning all of this.”
Alexandra’s pale cheeks flared red. “The lacarnians are not pets! I will not have them wearing collars as if they were. As for the trouble in town, that has nothing to do with us. Those in my camp pay for what they bring here and are strictly prohibited from fighting or doing any harm.” Alexandra took a deep breath. “As for my parents, they are long dead. I run this camp.”
“Do you expect me to believe a little brat is running this place?”
The fire in Alexandra’s cheeks rekindled. Her hands tightened into fists. “You are here by my invitation, or you would not have made it through the forest.”
Max stepped between the two. “Why did you invite us here?”
Alexandra turned from Lysander. “I need your help.”
Lysander crossed his arms. “Why would we do that?”
“Because I have information about things you all want, things like the Lifestone.”
Lysander snickered. “Lifestone? That’s a myth.”
“Perhaps, but the head of the Protectors has quite an interest in it nonetheless. If the Lifestone isn’t enough, I also know of a person who can open your box, Maxwell.”
“Really? Where?”
“The forest of Urania.”
Melody shook her head. “Urania’s a forest that was once the home of all lacarna. Now, though, it has grown so thick that none can navigate it. That, and no one knows what dangerous creatures still live inside of it. You can’t go in there, Max.”
“But, if there is someone there who can get this box open...”
Alexandra nodded. “There is and it is the same place I need to go. I know the path through the forest, but I am too weak to go alone. I had hoped both the possibility of opening your father’s box, Maxwell, and getting information about the Lifestone would be payment enough for your escort.”
Eve clapped her hands together. “Sounds like fun to me. I’ll go.”
Max shook his head. “A mysterious and dangerous forest; why am I not surprised, Eve? I’ll go too. I have to get this box opened and find out what my dad felt was so important.”
“Melody threw her arms up. “Me too, I can’t pass on the chance to see Urania, few in my order could.”
Alexandra stepped past them and opened the door. “Very well, then. I have supplies waiting for us at the camp.”
Lysander blocked Max’s path. “Hold it, Maxwell. Lord Avram sent us here to investigate the trouble with the town then report back, no extra field trips.”
“He also mentioned to keep an ear out about a mysterious stone. What other stone could he have meant other than the Lifestone?”
Eve smiled at Lysander. “Max has ya there. Besides, you’re outnumbered.”
Alexandra looked at Lysander. “Well, Protector?”
“If you are lying, I will put everyone in this camp in prison, including you, regardless whether their crimes are valid or not.”
“Fair enough. Now, go back down to the camp. There you will find new backpacks for each of you, pre-packed with the necessary items. I will follow in short order.”
The four walked back to the camp where the lacarna were waiting for them, backpacks in hand. As the lacarna helped them with the packs, Melody took the chance to speak with the young girl helping her.
“Tell me, how long has this camp been here?”
“I don’t know, since before I came.”
“Then, how long have you been here?”
The girl thought for a moment then shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I don’t know that either.”
“How do you not know that?”
The girl grew frightened and moved away from Melody. The old woman who had examined Eve came over.
“Time is a hard thing to keep track of here. Nothing ever changes except the members of the camp.”
“But, you go in to town for supplies.”
“Only a few go, and they only speak to Miss Alexandra of what they see.”
“It sounds like you are prisoners here.”
“Nonsense! She may choose who can enter, but, when we are ready to move on, she allows us to do so. While here, we are free to live as we please with the Miss asking little in return.”
“So you never question her on what happens outside of this meadow?”
“No, Alexandra has a kind soul and keeps our best interests in mind, but she does not like to be bothered.”
“You said she asks little in return. What does she ask for?”
“That is not your concern.”
The old woman left Melody’s side, returning to her seat by the fire. Lysander stepped behind Melody.
“Were you, like me, trying to figure out how a nine year old girl organized a camp that feels as though it has existed for years?”
“It certainly doesn’t add up very well.”
“You said what she did for Eve took a lot of skill. How much?”
“Far more than any little girl should have. As I said, only the Revered Mother could hea
l broken bones.”
“What about this glade? The old woman said Alexandra controlled who entered it.”
“I’ve read of a few people in the history of our order who had the ability to do such a thing, but only for a short time. There are; however, tales of feats similar to this from a time before our order, from another group of people.”
“Who?”
Max spoke from behind Lysander. “The Immortals, right?”
Lysander jumped and stepped aside. “Where did you come from? I thought we were alone.”
Eve slipped around from behind Max, pointing to her ears. “I could hear you guys from the forest if I wanted to, and, by the way, so could they.”
Eve nodded at the lacarna watching them. The four grew nervous from the cold stares. To their relief, Alexandra arrived and broke the tension.
“Are you ready?”
The four turned to find Alexandra facing them, wearing her own small backpack.They replied with eagerness.
“Yes!”
“Then let us be on our way.”
Alexandra walked towards the spot where they first entered the camp, stopping at the edge of the meadow. She faced the camp and addressed the old lacarnian woman.
“Remember, Lycoris, my agreement with the spirits will end when I leave. In a few days the camp will no longer be hidden.”
“We will be careful, Miss Alexandra. In the meantime, we will await your word.”
Alexandra turned towards Max and the others.
“Come.”
Alexandra stepped into the forest. Eve, not the least bothered by the entire incident, followed her without question. Max shared a glance of concern with Melody and Lysander before going in himself.
Eve had filled him in on Lysander and Melody’s discussion as she listened in. I wonder if Alexandra could really be an Immortal.
Max laughed to himself. That was too much to believe.
At the very least, I hope she’s telling the truth about knowing a person who can open this box.
Behind him, he heard Melody and Lysander step into the forest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Alexandra led them along a narrow path for only a short distance before abandoning it to forge her own path between the trees. While she and Eve moved effortlessly past tree limbs and roots, Max struggled to keep from tripping.
Maybe she really does control this forest.
Luckily, following Eve’s bright red tail kept him from hitting anything too big. Behind him, Melody followed with less trouble, but a string of curses flowed from Lysander as he walked into everything from roots to tree trunks. A particularly loud thud made Max cringe.
“Blasted trees! Couldn’t that brat at least follow the trail back to town first?”
Alexandra’s small voice came from the front. “No.”
Distracted, Max failed to duck a small limb that whipped back after Eve pushed by it. I didn’t think she was paying attention to us.
Lysander raised his voice. “No? No! All I get is no!”
“I need not explain myself to you, Protector. However, if it will shut you up, I will say that the town has too many curious eyes and ears. Now, stay quiet, or I will send you back to town by yourself, never to see me again. You no longer have the brooches after all.”
Except for the occasional curse caused by a run-in with a limb or root, everyone remained silent until they exited the forest an hour later. Max breathed a sigh of relief when he saw open ground again.
“Thank goodness that’s over with.”
Lysander stumbled out last, rubbing his forehead. “I’ve been in brawls that hurt less.”
Max broke out laughing. Lysander had twigs, leaves and other brush sticking out from all sorts of places. Standing in the moonlight, he looked like a forest monster from a child’s story.
Max swore he saw a smile flash across Alexandra’s face when she spoke to Lysander. “You will recover; we are still too close to town. When we stop at dawn, you can complain all you want.”
From the forest they headed out across several small hills before reaching the plains where the walking became easier. When dawn arrived, they were well ready for a break. Alexandra came to a stop and faced them.
“We will rest here for a few hours. At late morning, we will move again until early afternoon. Then, we will stop until after the sun sets.”
Lysander plucked a lingering twig from his hair. “That’s not much rest.”
“We need to keep moving. I have no doubt the Protectors are trying to follow us. I intend to keep ahead of them.”
“You are very determined to avoid the Protectors. What do they want with you?”
“It is not so much me they are after, but where I am taking you and what lies there.”
“I intend to make a full report anyway, so what’s the difference?”
“Time. If I have time, I might be able to change your mind.”
“Doubtful.”
“The truth can be a powerful thing, even for the likes of you, Lysander.”
“What truth?”
“You will have to wait to find out. Now,” she extended her hand, “hand me my tent.”
Lysander stared at Alexandra blankly. “Tent, I don’t have your tent.”
Alexandra had a smug look on her face. “Yes, you do. I had them put it in your backpack. You are, after all, the biggest one here.”
Lysander took a step forward. “If your tent is in my backpack, then what are you carrying?”
Alexandra didn’t flinch. “Things too important for a klutz, such as you, to carry. Now, give me my tent.”
Lysander crossed his arms. “And if I don’t?”
Alexandra gave a slight flick of her wrist sending the tall grass around Lysander wrapping around his feet and ankles. Another flick and the grass jerked him to the ground, face first, where more grass swarmed over his body, binding him in place. She bent over Lysander, opened his backpack and pulled out a piece of black canvas and four short poles.
“I do not recommend saying no to me.”
Alexandra moved a little ways away from the others and extended the poles to three feet in length. She then placed each one on the ground, the grass winding around them as she did so. She then stretched the black canvas over them, the sides falling level with the ground. With her makeshift tent completed, she crawled under, leaving Max fascinated.
“Wow, Melody, is that why the garden at your Church has grown so much?”
Melody shook her head. “No, no one at the Church has that kind of control over the spirits. All we do is provide a rich, caring environment where the spirits can be happy. I have never seen anyone control plants with that much ease.
The grass binding Lysander released, allowing him to stand.
“It may be a neat trick, but someone needs to teach that little brat to respect her elders.”
Melody gave a nervous laugh. “Good luck with that.”
Eve smirked. “If she is an Immortal, like you guys were saying, wouldn’t she be your elder, Lysander?”
Max slid off his backpack and sat on the grass. “About that, I thought all the Immortals had disappeared?”
Melody sat next to Max, kicking off her shoes and laying back on the soft grass. “All except the cursed ones, the Spirit Leeches.”
Lysander shook his head. “Even those were hunted down by the Protectors. One hasn’t been seen in years.”
Lysander sat down across from Max and Melody. Swinging his backpack around, he began to shuffle through it.
“I wonder what else of hers they stuck in here.”
Eve flopped down on the other side of Max. “But what if she is one?”
Lysander looked up. “Then Max and I will arrest her and take her to headquarters for judgment.”
Max gave Lysander a blank look. “Why would we do that?”
“The Spirit Leeches are criminals. They prey on the innocent, draining them of their spirit energy, killing them.”
“But, who are they?�
�
“They are Immortals who betrayed their own kind and were cursed for their crime.”
Max waved his hands.” Whoa, wait a second. She’s only nine. How could she have betrayed anyone?”
Melody nodded. “I must admit, there is nothing recorded from our order concerning Spirit Leeches of such a young age, but I can’t explain the power she has either.”
Lysander glanced at Alexandra’s tent. “And that has me worried. Your order knows more about this stuff than anyone, and you don’t even know what to make of her. What I do know, for sure, is that she’s dangerous. Stay alert, Max.”
Eve huffed. “You guys are being too dramatic. Leave her alone. Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Max rolled his eyes. “And you’re having too much fun, Eve.”
Eve laughed merrily, causing the others to put the topic aside for the moment. Sitting up, she rummaged around in her backpack.
“Hmm, guess we don’t get a tent. Ooo, they packed cheese for Spook.”
Eve took out a small piece of cheese. Spook, hearing her name, popped out of her satchel, spied the cheese and quickly climbed over Eve to snatch it. This time, Max and Melody broke out laughing. Lysander shook his head and resumed shuffling through his pack.
“Seems I get all the heavy equipment: rope, spade…what the?” Lysander pulled out a dark purple colored parasol.
Max pointed at the parasol. “Hey, that’s the parasol Alexandra carried when I saw her in town.”
Lysander grunted. “Well at least one of us will look fashionable. What am I, her servant?”
Eve stood and walked over to Lysander. “Give it here, I’ll keep it.”
Looking at Alexandra’s tent, Max shook his head. “I don’t think it has anything to do with fashion. Didn’t you notice how pale she is? She must burn easy in the sunlight.”
Lysander handed over the parasol. “That is a condition commonly found in Spirit Leeches. Careful how friendly you become with her.”
Eve sat back down in her spot. “Spirit Leech or not, she’s a peach compared to you.”
Lysander’s face grew red. “We better get some rest while we can. We move again in a few hours.”
While they knew Lysander was simply trying to stop the conversation, they still took the advice. It had been a long night. They each found the softest patch of ground they could and laid down for a nap.
