by Jill Cooper
My fingers ran through the wet material. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” As I started to wind the cloth around my burned palm, I felt a strange calmness wash over me. “Tomorrow we start to find Temptress’s ever moving tower. I thought getting the remnants were hard, but what we have coming… it’s going to take a miracle.”
“Exactly what you are. At least in my mind.” Sebastian scooted closer to me. “We’ve come so far. I have to believe we’ll find a way.”
I bit my lip. “Temptress expects I’ll hand over the remnant. I won’t, but I have to go in under the guise I will. Give you and Ella time to get the children out of the tower.”
Sebastian raised his eyebrows. “So that’s your plan?”
“Of course it is. What else did you think I was going to do? You didn’t think I’d really turn it over, did you?” My voice rose a bit.
Sebastian shook his head. “Of course not, but if we get the kids out, they will need to be escorted home. I can’t abandon you or the quest we’re on, Tarnish. No matter what the reasoning.”
I gave a sigh and wrapped my arms around my knees, staring into the fire. “We have too many objectives. I rather we stay together but we might not be able to. For the good of the people of the free lands and the civilized, we might need to separate.”
Sebastian’s jaw edged out and the flames from the fire flickered in his eyes. “I don’t like it. Not one bit.”
“I don’t, either, but we might not have a choice.”
Sebastian fell quiet and so did I. We sat together and watched the flames as they sputtered away. Slowly, we drifted off and I finally lay down for a good night’s sleep.
****
I slept hard until morning when dust was kicked in my face. Coughing and spluttering, I sat up and wiped my face clear. My eyes burned and I rubbed some grit free. “Ella!” Sebastian scolded.
“What?” Ella asked with a smirk. “She’s up, isn’t she?”
I scowled. “Morning to you, too.”
“We have a lot of ground to cover if we’re going to get to the tower.” Ella crouched beside me, bright-eyed and energetic again. My fears that she’d be permanently changed from our ordeal faded away. “It’s northwest of this place and there it shall remain for three days. It will bring us to the dried-up river beds. Scoundrel territory if ever there was.”
My stomach twisted at her words. “Sounds dangerous but I’m glad you’re with us, Ella.”
Her eyes darkened. “Whatever, little princess. Have some breakfast so we can move.” Ella stomped off past the protection of the bridge and crossed her arms, as if she were watching for something. Either she sensed something or she just hated having to share space with me.
The words of the Temptress came rushing back. Temptress tilted her head at me and handed over the crystal and my bag with elegance. “Once you learn the location of my tower, you’ll no longer need Ella as your guide. She’s not welcome. Ditch her. Or kill her. I can’t wait to see what you choose.”
I couldn’t kill Ella, it was out of the question. Grating as she was, Ella proved valuable from time to time. I had to wonder if somehow Temptress was scared of Ella. If that was true, then it was important to keep her around.
And find a way to get her into the tower unnoticed.
Sebastian welcomed me with a plate of cheese and dried meat, plus water from our canteens. “Almost time to push off, sorry about Ella.”
I chewed my food thoughtfully. “Well, I was the one who wanted her to return to normal.”
“How are your hands?” Sebastian asked with concern.
I opened my palm. “Healing nicely, but the burn has left behind a strange collection of marks, almost like pin pricks.”
Sebastian gently stroked my hand. “Curious. Does it hurt when I touch you?”
“A little bit, but not as bad as yesterday.” I finished my food in record time. Once I cleaned my plate, I stored it in Sebastian’s backpack. With my own bag at my side, I grabbed my staff and we were well on our way to starting the day’s journey.
I only hoped it would lead us to where we needed to be.
****
We stopped by the old fort on the way out of DC to collect Robbie and his crew. While Sebastian and Ella greeted them, I made my way over to the collection of rocks piled on the ground where my old friend, my only friend from Rottenwood, was buried. Solemnly, I knelt by it and placed my hand on one of the smaller rocks.
Dear Margret, I wish there was something I could do or say that would make everything better. The fact I left Rottenwood and had started my quest, brought this to her and to our beloved town.
I sighed and closed my eyes tight. Grief was a powerful thing and I was unable to do anything but wade in it.
Standing back up, I made her a promise. “I’ll make it right. I’ll save everyone from Creighton. Only wish I had been able to save you.” Biting my lip, I wiped tears from my eyes and returned to the group.
Sebastian turned as he heard me coming. He gave me a sad smile and slipped his arm around my shoulder when I got near. He didn’t say anything, but I enjoyed the simple comfort of being with someone who cared. Beatrice nodded her head at me.
“Curator, it’s good to be by your side again. We didn’t get to say so before, but each of us is sorry about what happened to your friend.”
I nodded a simple thanks. “We should press on. There’s a lot of ground for us to cover and not a lot of time to do it. Everyone gather your things, and let’s hope the wind has the back of our sails.”
Robbie startled and Sebastian scratched his head, but it was Ella who spoke. “What are you going on about?”
“I read it in a book,” I said with a smile. “When reading about boats and pirates, it means let’s hope we travel fast.”
“Boats?” Ella rushed after me. “What in the blazes is a boat?”
“I heard of one once,” Robbie proudly puffed out his chest, “but I thought it was the thing of rumors and myth, like astronauts.”
“Boats were real once. Back when the oceans weren’t barren puddles. When lakes were plentiful and not dried up old river beds,” Sebastian said. “I’ve seen depictions of them on walls and scroll work.”
“What were they?” Ana asked.
“Vessels that would sail on water,” I said. “Wooden and they carried people who navigated by the stars. Back in the most ancient of times, they were powered by the wind and used cloth as sails on giant poles.”
Beatrice scowled. “People did this on purpose? Floating on water seems like a death wish.”
Robbie grunted. “I prefer to be on my own two feet on solid ground.”
“Someone’s been pulling your leg,” Ella said with a stomp. She nudged my arm and rolled her eyes. “If you put something big on water, it’ll sink. Everybody knows that. Stop trying to scare me and stop trying to impress the new merry members of our gang with your cursed superstitious knowledge.”
I was impressed with her string of large words, that wasn’t what I had grown to suspect from Ella. “I’m not trying to scare you. It’s true.”
“Madness and legend,” Ella shook her head. “I’d feel bad for you if Temptress wasn’t going to eat you for lunch.”
“Ella,” Sebastian warned. “Let’s try to get along.”
“She’s the one who brought up the stupid boats.” Ella tossed her braids back and we continued our march in silence, but I caught sight of Robbie snickering and Beatrice covering up a smile with a hand across her mouth.
“I’m glad you’ve joined us,” I said to them. “There’s strength in numbers. It makes me feel better.” Plus, now I was less outnumbered with Ella.
“We’re honored to be here,” Robbie said.
“Yes,” Ana’s eyebrows rose. “To travel with the curator, Tarnish Rose herself. I never would’ve dreamed when we took up arms that we’d get this far—or get to meet you.”
Their words made me blush and I felt a rush of humility. “Where are you from originally? Were you b
orn in the free lands?”
Up ahead, I heard Ella complaining. “Do you need to know everyone’s life story for goodness sakes?”
“It’s the job of the curator, a thirst for knowledge. She can’t help it anymore than you can help who you are,” Sebastian said.
Ella scoffed. “Why do I feel like you just insulted me?”
“We’re from the same side of the barrier you are,” Robbie glanced to Beatrice and took her hand. It was the first time I had seen outward affection between them, and I wondered if they were married. “Originally from Efflestop, but moved to Beantown once I reached of age and wed the lovely Beatrice.”
She blushed and I enjoyed watching the looks that passed between them. It reminded me of George, and that soon I might get to save him—I prayed that I’d get to save him. “It’s nothing but a cesspool now, I’m afraid. Riddled with disease and filth. I fear it won’t be long before Creighton gets rid of Beantown, like he’s done with so many others.”
Sebastian turned his head toward us from the front, but said nothing. Meanwhile, I felt queasy and a rush of contempt. “Others? What others?”
“Wipplemount, Pepperstation, Rosebarn, do you know these places?” Robbie asked.
I shook my head.
“Towns of the old age,” Sebastian explained. “Right after the war.”
“What happened to them?” I asked and felt a tightening in my chest.
“Creighton rid the world of them. Rumor has it, the people became rebellious or the ground no longer grew crops. Whatever reason, Creighton decimated it. Productive people were moved, but not many. The rest he destroyed and used to fuel his own power.”
“His domain is getting smaller,” Beatrice said. “A good thing, except everyone that’s left now will be dead. He and his ministers, the hunters, will one day be all that’s left.”
“And then it’ll truly be over,” Robbie added, squeezing Beatrice’s hand tighter.
It left me feeling so lost, so alone. The full weight of my quest threatened to crush me as I thought of all the people I left behind, and so many I didn’t know.
“How long will Beantown last?”
“They are hearty folk. They’ll hold on until he comes, and when that will be, no one can guess,” Robbie said.
“He’s strong,” Ana said. “It’s why none but you can oppose him. We were lucky to get out when we could.”
“It’s why we joined the rebellion,” Beatrice said. “And the rebellion force in Beantown is strong. There are those loyal to the ministers, but few and far between. Hidden and underground, if the ministers suspect, it’ll hasten their demise.”
Tarnish nodded. “One day, I hope I get to meet them. I hope I get to thank them for everything they’ve endured.”
“They’ve endured a lot. Something about the water there makes you barren. It made me barren,” Beatrice said with sadness. “The only new life Beantown can get, are ones who are pregnant before they get there.”
Robbie and Beatrice both held their heads lower to the ground and I felt sadness for them. Clearly, they wanted children and something happening in Beantown made that impossible. I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing. Instead I slid my arm around Beatrice’s narrow shoulders and we continued our walk in relative silence.
Silence, but inside, my thoughts and passions raged. I was ready to end Creighton and his rule. To do that, I would need to face him, but first I had my eyes set on Temptress and everything she stood in the way of.
I picked up speed and hurried along. It was time to bring her crashing to her knees.
RottenWood: Dark Lord Creighton
A happy town, Rottenwood once bustled with activity and commerce. The ministers grew richer thanks to the hard work provided by the citizens of the town and life marched along. Life and prosperity came to a screeching halt when the traitors to the Dark Lord Creighton were discovered.
A librarian in the bloodline of the curators and her husband, both allowing their daughter, who fulfilled the prophecy, to escape town.
The Dark Lord Creighton’s hammer struck Rottenwood down hard. After days of worship, he unleashed his death hunters on the crowd. Those killed in a matter of seconds fueled Creighton’s power source. He felt stronger and more fortified than he had in centuries.
Those citizens who remained feared him, quaked in front of him, and that fear fueled him further. Soon, he’d be strong enough to cross the barrier into the Temptress’s land and he’d be ready to not only destroy her protective tower, but kill the curator.
They called her Tarnish Rose, but he knew her real name. Abby Taylor, a simple girl who lived a simple life, but who had nothing left tying her to the civilized world. Her father dead by the hands of the death dealers, her mother executed by the hands of Evelyn Richardson, Abby Taylor was alone in the world.
Which was a dangerous thing for her, and a great thing for the Dark Lord Creighton.
The roads of Rottenwood smelled of flowing blood. Black cloth on sticks was erected at the train stops, at the trading post, and at the city gate warning other citizens off. Trade was no longer possible, it was a death trap for all that entered. The people of Rottenwood would get minimal food, no support, and they would work their fingers brittle until they died.
Their deaths would fuel Creighton and their torture would amuse him. He would win the fight now. He’d put an end to Temptress, claim the Unforgiving Lands for himself, and his power would finally be complete.
And Rottenwood would be destroyed.
The Dark Lord Creighton surveyed the town’s square from the Minister’s of City Affairs capital building in an adjacent tower. Men pushed wheelbarrows of mud, trying to clean up the remains of the citizens that had been destroyed by the hunters. Satisfied, Creighton sighed and rested his skeletal hands on the balcony, making sure all those in the square were aware of his lofty presence.
When they looked up at the tower, shuddering with their devotion and servitude, Creighton grew taller and the talisman he wore around his neck glowed brighter.
Heading back into the minister’s office, the Dark Lord Creighton ducked through the entryway, something he never had to do before. The Minister of City Affairs sat at his desk, going over papers and reports, Creighton floated by and stopped in front of him.
The minister glanced up. “The new couple has settled nicely into Beantown. The farm… is going to be hard for them to run, as you requested, my Lord.”
Creighton detected more weakness in his minister than he usually did. Something had changed between them and the dark lord despised it. He detested weakness, but he needed the Minister of City Affairs to manage relations in the cities.
It is their lies and treason that motivate my actions. It’s not as unnecessary as you may think it is, Minister.
The minister glanced down and his lip trembled. “Forgive me, my Lord, for ever questioning your motives. If you know of their lies, why then allow them to live?”
If ever we are to snuff out the rebellion in Beantown, what better people to do it than those already with so much to lose?
“You are wise as ever. What is our next move?”
Sit back and wait. Disease in Beantown will be our ally once more. Creighton laughed as he floated through the office and headed for the door. He had much to do, and it wouldn’t get done here. The minister’s receptionist, out in her office, quivered with her head down as he drifted past. Creighton stopped in front of her, his vacant eyes burrowing holes through her.
Fear me?
Her hands shook, so she placed them beneath the desk. “Yes… yes, Lord.”
Say my name and pledge your allegiance.
“I pledge my allegiance to the Dark Lord Creighton. He is great in his majesty and deserving of my praise.” The receptionist cried, but she didn’t dare wipe her tears away in his presence.
His bony fingers gripped the top of the desk and he leaned across it, the hood of his cloak was touching her face. She squeezed her eyes shut and Creighton
fed off her fear like a fire feeds off oxygen. Creighton liked this human. He thought he might need to keep her around.
Come with me.
****
“No, please!” Sandra cried with wide, bloodied eyes. “Don’t do this, Evelyn! Don’t!”
“Sandra!” Evelyn screamed as she awoke in her living room. Slowly, she blinked as she brought in her surroundings. The candle was long burned out and on the table in front of her was a row of completed baskets, and one she had still been working on.
Evelyn hated this new work. It was far worse than sewing had ever been. Her fingertips felt raw, the basket weaving materials rough and callous. She hated it more than anything she had ever done. Plus, the dreams weren’t making anything better. No, the horrible, horrible, dreams…
Outside, a scream drew her attention. Evelyn stood and hurried to the window, pulling the shade to the side. Smoke wafted up in the distance and flames danced against the horizon. Rottenwood was burning and she thought that’s the way it would be, until Creighton won. Until he placed them all in the grave.
“What’s going on?” Mitchell asked from behind her. Evelyn heard him as he stumbled around, but she didn’t answer him. “Evelyn….”
“What do you think is going on? Don’t be such a dimwit.”
She might’ve been scared and in mourning, but still, Evelyn couldn’t stop from making biting comments at him. Far as she was concerned, this was all his fault anyway.
Mitchell slammed something down onto the table and Evelyn jumped. She saw the half empty bottle of wine sitting there as Mitchell wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Where did you get that?”
“Cold closet. It was one of the bottles we were going to open for Timothy’s wedding to Abby.” He laughed and tears shone in his eyes. “Stupid, isn’t it? How you snubbed Abby behind her back. Sure as hell would’ve beat this, though.”
Evelyn silently agreed. “My judgment was misplaced. Timothy’s now gone, wed to your mistress whore and the child Abby… well, death would be a reprieve for what Creighton has planned for her. And we’re stuck here, living like… paupers.”
