The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  Clouds rolled across the sky, the ground still soft and damp from Elaine’s thunderstorm. Malachi wound down a dirt path. The woods here were wild, untamed. A thatched roof could be seen among the brambles and overgrown foliage, but the front door was obscured from view.

  “I take it instinct wants me to meet Ester.”

  “It would appear so. Do you think she is home?”

  I nodded, certain she was.

  “And how do you know this, Light?” He stood atop a log and held out his hand to help me across.

  “Because I can smell her.”

  He froze. “Please explain.”

  I’d been so certain he knew about my strange quirk that his reaction surprised me. But as all streams searched through memories of my time with Malachi, I realized we hadn’t discussed it.

  “I can smell the essence of the Alfar.”

  Malachi’s cheeks tinged with the thought that I would know something so intimate. “And how long have you had this gift?”

  “Always. Well, since I first met Gavin, at least. When he introduced me to his clan, I noticed they each had a unique scent, but I was so overwhelmed with trying to create the blue shield it was at the bottom of the list of weirdness—if you know what I mean.” I rambled on, my stomach becoming tied in knots.

  “Yes.” Malachi cleared his throat and started forward again. “That is a good way to detect someone, but now let’s try exploring the energy. Can you sense a life presence in the home? Search with power.”

  “Oh, okay.” I closed my eyes, feeling her instantly. It was just like finding the portal at the bottom of the lake. “She’s in the back room.”

  We headed toward the small stone path leading to her front door. Vines and underbrush blocked the way in spots causing us to veer off the trail. The air became crisp from a lack of sunlight; I grew uneasy.

  This home was different from the other well-maintained cottages of the land. The basic structure was the same, but the dilapidated exterior had been patched with mud and straw. Smoke rose from a cracked chimney, the smell of burning cedar warmed the air. We walked past the broken gate hanging by a hinge. Malachi stopped a few feet from the entrance and gestured for me to do the honors. I took a deep breath and knocked. A familiar small frame with wild white hair answered immediately.

  “Come in, Princess Nora. I’ve been waiting for you.” Her frail high-pitched voice and strange golden eyes stirred memories, and a shiver ran down my spine. Ester didn’t acknowledge Malachi but turned away and tottered into the front room.

  I took a moment to think. What was the purpose of this visit? Why was I here? Malachi’s curiosity swirled, and I decided I would thank her for repairing Edna’s quilt and for her gift. We’d keep it simple.

  “You coming?” I asked, watching Malachi’s conflict stir. Ester stood in the middle of her sitting room, waiting.

  “Ester, thank you for your kind invitation, but Malachi’s promised the Prince I’ll be protected while I’m with him. Can he join us?”

  She became aggressive. “If he must.”

  I placed my hand on Malachi’s arm, and we entered the small home together.

  “I stopped by to thank you for mending Edna’s quilt,” I said, getting right to the point. “It was Edna’s last Christmas gift, and it means the world to me.” Sincerity warmed my heart, and I watched for signs of discomfort. Ester seemed to be all right, but what if the energy was too much? I had no indicators as we were no longer in the mountain, and there was no webbing. The second in command started funneling energy; the amulet grew uncomfortably warm.

  I looked around, noting the strange decor. It seemed every color imaginable was here. Hues from the vibrant and bright, to muted Earth tones, soft shades of gray, even stark black and whites blanketed every cloth surface in the room. It was like someone covered the entire space in a crazy quilt pattern.

  “You have a very festive home.”

  She smiled. “I don’t like waste. Every piece of cloth represents a project I’ve worked on. For example,” she pointed to a small snippet on the couch cushion. “This is a scrap from the Prince’s baby quilt.”

  I giggled as Gavin’s incredulousness swelled. That did interest me.

  Seeing my approval, she held her arms out in an open, friendly gesture.

  “Would you like some tea?”

  “Thank you. I’d love some.”

  Ester’s feelings gushed with joy as Malachi and I sat on her memory-covered couch. She disappeared into another room, and a few minutes later brought me a chipped cup on a mismatched saucer, never offering Malachi a drink. I took a sip. It had the tang of sweet tea spiced with orange and a strange flavor I’d not tasted before, but it reminded me of nutmeg. I swallowed, feeling it warm all the way to my stomach.

  “This is the best tea I’ve ever had. What is it?” I asked, feeling the tension drain from my body.

  Ester smiled. “It’s a special blend of my own making.” She leaned in as if to impart highly confidential information. “The secret is in the ginger and hibiscus.”

  I smiled, sipping my tea while Ester pointed out bits of cloth, telling the stories behind them. My insides tingled, and my arms felt a little heavy. I set the empty cup down on the most unusual coffee table. The entire piece was made of glass. An oval sheet of amber balanced on a clear base that reminded me of an upside-down bowl.

  “What is this made of?” I pointed to the gold material encased under the table.

  “It is a leftover swatch from the Queen’s coronation robe. I made several bolts, and it stayed protected for centuries. It’s been only recently that I’ve used it again.” She glared at Malachi before turning back to me. “I placed it under the table, so it would not wear.” She put her cup down, positioning herself, so her back stayed to Malachi.

  Ester chattered on while she finished her tea. I nodded at the right times, ignoring the fact that my head felt like it was made of lead. Looking down, I blinked several times, pretending to study the material beneath the table. “That looks like the stuff lining the box you gave me.”

  Ester looked confused until I pointed.

  “You know, that gold cloth under there.”

  “Very good, Princess. The material is rare.” Her expression took on a slightly maniacal look. “So, you still are in possession of my gift then? The Prince hasn’t hidden it from you? And are you still in possession of the quilt?”

  Malachi tensed.

  “The quilt is in my bedroom, and the yes, box made it safely home. I put Gavin’s tiny little animals in it.” I snickered. Of course, I hadn’t seen it since then, but hey, the statement was true enough. “And I really like those jewels on the top. Look just like Edna’s quilt!” My voice rose a bit too enthusiastically for polite conversation.

  Ester didn’t seem to notice. “I learned how to shape stones long ago when the ancients were still in power. I could teach you if you wish.” She patted my knee.

  “Sounds like fun.” I rubbed my eye with the palm of my hand, wondering why the pressure felt so good. Realizing they both were staring at me, I put my hand down and blinked. “I’d love to, but I’m super busy right now ...” my voice trailed away as I giggled. That was the understatement of the century. I caught my tongue between my teeth. It felt thick. Ester glanced at Malachi, and I straightened up, trying to be serious. The room started spinning, and sweat beaded across my nose. I blinked a few times. “Ester, I gotta go. Thanks for the tea.” I started to stand, but suddenly my feet felt like they’d been put on the wrong legs. I looked down, watching my shoes swim in and out of focus.

  “Princess? Are you all right?” Malachi’s voice sounded like he was in a tunnel.

  I opened my eyes as wide as they’d go, sloppily patted his arm. “I’m fiiiiine.” A chill crept across the room, and I shivered.

  “You’ll catch a cold. Here, take my shawl.” Ester went into the back room and came out with an embroidered wrap. Thousands of golden stitches created an intricate design that was fille
d with embroidery thread.

  “Man ... now, this must’ve taken a reaaaally, stinkin’, long time to make.” My attempts at not swaying failed, and I leaned back, allowing the couch to support my weight.

  Comprehension flashed in Malachi’s eyes. He jumped up. “Ester I demand you show me what you put in that tea.”

  Her gold eyes deepened in concern. “All right, I swear there’s nothing I haven’t used before. Come to the kitchen, the ingredients are in the pantry.”

  Ester tossed the shawl next to me, and she and Malachi made their way to the kitchen. Another giggle escaped my lips. They should date. They’d make a cute couple. The air grew colder, and I reached for the shawl.

  The minute my fingers touched the cloth light exploded in my head. I collapsed on top of the embroidery, helpless to do anything but watch the images unfold.

  Purple haze filtered through the trees. Their trunks twisted as if they’d fought their entire existence to find some light. Brown leaves covered the ground, but in the pale purple moonlight, they looked black as coal. The fog brightened in a clearing up ahead as if we were in the deepest part of the loam. An ancient yew stood in front of me. Its large roots left triangular spaces between the trunk and the ground. Gnarled hands dug under them, frantically searching.

  “Yes,” her hushed tone carried across the haze.

  “What’s that dear?”

  Her eyes darted to an elderly man, staring at her.

  “Nothing. I found what I’ve been looking for. Bring the cart.”

  He turned to walk away, and the hands clawed at the ground again. The moonlight broke through the clouds, cutting across the autumn branches. Gold gleamed in the limited light. Ester fought to free the large stone, digging grooves around the edges until the land loosened its hold. She hoisted one end up and rolled it away from the roots. Another lay under it, larger than the first.

  “Here we are,” he said, pulling a small wooden cart to the tree.

  Ester looked from the stone to the cart and back again. “The other’s too big. We’ll leave it for now.”

  The old man strained to pick up the first stone while Ester buried the second. She placed a large, carved rock as a marker over the ground and scattered leaves around it to make it seem as no one had disturbed the soil. Hooves rumbled in the distance, and ...

  Someone jerked me off the couch.

  Chapter 16

  The Ancient Yew

  “I’LL HAVE YOUR HEAD for this!” Gavin thundered as Ester and Malachi came back into the room.

  The keepers swarmed the small cabin, the guard lined the outside.

  Gavin looked at Ester. “And if you want to live past the next five minutes, I suggest you tell me the contents of the swill you allowed her to drink.”

  Malachi held out a jar. “It is fermented hibiscus. I believe humans use something similar in wine, but ours may be stronger. Fermentation does not affect the Alfar as it does man. I’m going through Ester’s stores now to make sure she did not add anything else.” He headed back to the kitchen.

  Gavin’s palm illumined to silver. He lifted my shirt and pressed on my right side. Heat streamed throughout my limbs.

  “Thanks.” I giggled, laying my head on his shoulder. Eventually, the room stopped spinning.

  Gavin stood, his expression murderous. Rune came through the door, his feather ruffled, his eyes bright blue.

  Ester panicked. “I ... I didn’t know ... I swear it.”

  “Take her away before I put her head on a stick,” Gavin growled.

  Weylin pushed past Rune. “Are you all right, my Princess?” His turquoise eyes didn’t miss a thing. I nodded, unnerved yet again by his brashness. He grabbed the top of Ester’s arm and jerked her toward the door. She didn’t struggle until they were within a few feet of me.

  “You must know where the box is at all times!” She screeched. “Remember my warning!”

  Masculine rage boiled within. Weylin clamped his hand over Ester’s mouth and lifted her like a struggling rag doll. He unceremoniously carted her out the door.

  “I don’t think she meant to hurt me.” My head throbbed, and I was thirsty but other than that, I was all right. Gavin pressed his palms along my temples smothering the headache and Elaine brought a large glass of water.

  “Aye. I’m agreein’, Lass.” Rune closed the front door, so the rest of the guard couldn’t hear. The keepers gathered around the couch.

  “I’m believin’ the shallow one wasn’t understandin’ the extent of your gift, now was she? Otherwise, she’d never be givin’ ya that shawl.”

  Malachi, who had been occupied in the kitchen, came around the corner.

  I rested my head on the back of the couch. “How did you know?”

  “The Prince’d be sharin’ what that shaw’l be containin’ as soon as yer fingertips touched it. We’ll all be knowin’ what you’ve been seein’.”

  “We need to find the stone,” Malachi said.

  A quick look around the room and Malachi made his way to the coffee table. He placed both hands under the amber top, flipping it easily from its base. The loud crash of shattering glass made me jump. I froze, looking at the dome underneath.

  The base was part of a Sfera.

  “Find the other half,” he ordered.

  Gavin looked in the front room, insisting I sit for a while. Rena and Tark scoured the kitchen. Elias and Elaine went outside to look through a small makeshift shed.

  “I found it.” Rune’s voice bellowed from Ester’s bedroom. He brought back the remaining half, which must have housed the liquid because smears of thick gold lined the inner surface. Even with that small amount, energy came off the stone in waves. “There’d be a trap door under her bed. Clever old goat, she is.”

  “It seems our Light has managed to uncover in one afternoon a mystery I’ve been trying to solve for over a century.” Malachi looked around. “When Ester started seeing visions, she could not explain her sudden new talent nor the fact that after her mate died she was stronger, not weaker as she should. But as the Sfera are only housed in the mountain’s protection, I discounted the idea that it was her new source. How she knew of the ones buried in the forest, I don’t know.”

  “Jayril had access to the mountain.” Elias’ usual brassy voice was hushed.

  “I don’t understand.” I stood, grateful to have my balance back. “If this isn’t the memory Ester had when she made the shawl, how did I see it?”

  “It must have been what she was focused on while she created the thread, which is tedious work. She was solving the riddle of how to get the second one here undetected, as her mate had already died.”

  “But why could I see it at all? This isn’t a sculpture or painting.”

  Malachi smiled. “Your gift must also work on functional art.”

  I never stopped to consider that. “Why can’t I feel the counterpane on the bed, then? Or the beadwork on my dress?”

  Malachi scratched his chin. “I believe it may have to do with the intent. If the work was originally made to express, you can see. If it was simply meant to serve a purpose, you cannot.”

  “But why did she ask if I still had Edna’s quilt?”

  “We can be figurin’ that out later,” Rune grumbled. “There’d be another gold rock out there, just waitin’ to be dug up, now wouldn’ there? What in thunder are we goin’ to be doin’ about that ruddy stone? And where in blazes is it?”

  “I know where it is.” Elaine’s husky voice carried across the room. Her eyes looked down, and she reached for Elias’ hand. “I’ve seen that marker before. It is in the oldest part of the forest.” The room became tense, but Elaine forged on. “It’s several hours by horse from here. If we leave now, we can make it there and back before nightfall.”

  From the emotional current churning in the room, Elias and Gavin didn’t think it was a great idea.

  “Listen,” I sighed, trying to control my frustration. “The fact of the matter is we are the only ones who kno
w about the Sfera. We can’t send the Elite Guard. They won’t know where to find it and what if it breaks open? Are we willing to risk harming them? We can’t just send Elias and Elaine. What if there’s trouble? And I feel it in Gavin; he won’t let everyone else go without him, and I won’t let him go without me.” I looked at each one of them before my gaze landed on Gavin. “If we go, we go as a clan.”

  Rune’s feathers ruffled. “I’m not likin’ it, but the Lass is right. The Prince shouldn’t be goin’ anywhere without her.” His eyes illuminated to a dusty blue. “Be knowin’ this, Sire. She’ll not be takin’ a step without me bein’ next to her. If yer decidin’ to go, don’t be forgettin’ the Princess’ll have an original Keeper of Light protectin’ her. Unless we meet every Dokkalfar there is, I’m believin’ I can protect her.”

  “And if you can’t, I’m certain I can.” Rena nodded, her eyes alight with purpose.

  Malachi put his hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “Sire, tell the Elite Guard to sweep the area before you go but have them avoid the tree. I’ll order a hay cart harnessed to our fastest horse. Once you find the stone, cover it in the hay and bring it out of the woods.”

  “Won’t that look suspicious?” Tark asked.

  Malachi shook his head. “Not if the keepers are disguised as villagers. Wear brown wool cloaks and stay in a group. From a distance, no one will suspect.”

  Silence shrouded the room.

  Gavin finally spoke. “So be it. Rena, get the cloaks, Tark, meet us by the practice fields with the horse and cart. We’ll wrap the two halves of the Sfera in Ester’s quilts and go through the mountain.”

  “What’s going to happen to Ester?” I asked.

  “The Queen is dealing with her now.” Gavin’s voice held a hard edge to it that made me shudder.

  Tark and Rena took the guard with them as they headed to the path leading to the castle. We waited until they were gone before Elias and Rune bound the Sfera in two blankets. We left by the back door and into the woods.

  “Elaine? How do you know where this tree is?” I asked.

  “I went there to meditate many times.” Her voice trailed away, and I linked my arm through hers.