The Caste Marked

by Mariah Esterly

  "How can you be sure?" A boy who stood with a very straight back asked. "You can't guarantee anything."

  Serra's eyes flickered to where the boy’s Caste Mark was revealed by his torn shirt. She'd seen one very like it before. "You're Luc. Your brother, Rian, is looking for you."

  Luc almost immediately sagged, leaning against the wall and running his fingers through his hair in the same manner as his brother. "You know Rian? How?"

  "I'll tell you in a moment." Serra strained her eyes to see into the black shadows that surrounded them. "Is there a dryad here? Mhairie?"

  The faces around her fell. "What's happened? She didn't... that witch didn't take her, did she?" Serra's heart hurt at the thought that Sylvan would never see her sister again.

  But Eva was shaking her head. "No, she's still here."

  "Where?"

  "This way." Luc led her to a small alcove in the wall. Huddled under a thin blanket was a dryad who looked like Sylvan had when Serra had first met her. But her hair which should have been a deep green had turned brown like grass when it doesn't get enough water in the summer. Her mint skin was turning a yellowish green, her lips were chapped and cracked.

  Serra knelt by her side and regarded her silently. Luc took the torch from her and Serra took both of Mhairie's hands in hers, willing whatever power she could into the sick child. "Can you hear me? Mhairie?" The dryad opened her eyes and looked at her groggily. "Sylvan's coming for you. You'll be home soon."

  She smiled softly, but didn't speak. "She hasn't said a word in days." One of the children said. "We take turns sitting with her, just so she knows she's not alone."

  "She’s sick because she isn’t around trees," Serra murmured more to herself than anyone else. They left the dryad in the hands of one of the older children and returned to the larger cave. Serra considered the possibilities of how to move forward. She knew that the older children would need to know what was happening, but the younger ones? She had no wish to frighten them, but they also had a right to know, didn’t they?

  “Serra? What do we do?” Eva asked. “There’s no way out.”

  Serra squeezed her arm. “It’s going to be okay. Trust me.” She raised her voice. “Sit down everyone and I’ll tell you what’s been going on.”

  Chapter 33

  RIAN

  The remaining companions could not get a boat out of Port Luna any sooner than the next day. An unexpected storm had swept in from the ocean and was wreaking havoc with the ships. That coupled with the disease that swept along the harbor left them out of luck.

  They sat in Sylvan's room at the Three Candles Inn and tried to strategize. "I think we should go for a full on frontal attack." Rian said. "She's got to know we'll be coming anyway, hiding won't help."

  "No, but a full on frontal attack will leave us completely out in the open." Sylvan said her voice weary. Rian gave her a worried glance. She hadn’t slept since they’d discovered Serra was missing. He’d tried to tell her that exhaustion would not help Serra and the children, but she’d snapped at him. She’d apologized immediately. But the memory still stung. "She could wipe us out in a second."

  "We don't even have a way to get there." Vaughn pointed out.

  Reks slammed his fist down on the table making the others jump. “This is so damn frustrating,” he yelled. “Serra's not more than five miles from here and we can't do anything to help her.”

  “Let’s steal a boat.” Sylvan said. “It’s the only way we'll get out there in time. We have three days and then it will be all over for Serra and for us.”

  "It's the only plan we have. It'll have to do." They were silent as they considered the other possibility. The sound of muffled voices broke through the silence. There were loud footsteps on the stairs and moments later the door was thrown open. The companions were on their feet in an instant, weapons drawn.

  They were greeted by the sight of a large blond man. He looked tired and drawn, stubble covered his cheeks and chin and there were large black circles under his eyes. "Where is she?" He spat.

  Not one of them spoke. "You will answer me. Where is the witch Serra Ashworth of Malvern's Ward?"

  "You're too late, mate. She's gone." That came from Reks.

  "You're lying. No ships have left since you entered the city and no one has seen her exit the city gates." He was getting angrier by the minute. "I am Lord Arseno Valin, Grand Lord of Thorndike, and you will tell me the truth."

  There was the clink and clang of metal as the Grand Lord's guard stomped up the stairs. “She's not in the Inn, my lord."

  Rian glanced at his friends. Reks looked like he would tear Lord Arseno apart with his bare hands and Vaughn had that deadly calm that smoothed his face just before he started killing. He sheathed his sword and stepped forward, holding out his hands. "Do you recognize me?"

  The Grand Lord's tired eyes focused on Rian's face. It took a moment, but soon recognition registered and he bowed his head slightly. "Your Highness."

  Rian nodded. "Would you care to put your weapon and join us? We would be happy to share what we know about Serra and the disappearance of Lady Evalyne Senillion.”

  The Grand Lord listened in amazed silence as they told them what they knew and all they'd experienced in the last few months. It became apparent to them that he had been following them for as long as Serra had been with them and that he had fared little better than they.

  When they told him of Valaine he snorted his disbelief, but his own encounters with the death muxins brought him around. When they’d finished telling their tale, the companions leaned back and let Lord Arseno consider.

  The haggard man thought for a moment, and then said, “I have a hundred men waiting outside the city gates. Where should I tell them to go?”

  “We’re waiting on word from Mikhail and the rebel sylphs.” Reks said, running a hand down his face. He looked as though he hadn’t slept in a week. “I sent them a message yesterday. We should hear from them soon.”

  “What we really need are ships.” Rian said. “We have to get out to that island somehow and this bloody sickness has all the captains spooked.”

  Lord Arseno leaned forward in his chair. “I would think at a word from you, Your Highness, that they would give you what you need.”

  Rian nodded. “Yes, I’m sure that they would, but then word would spread of where I am, and it is bound to get back to my father. I would like to keep him out of this for as long as possible.”

  Looking determined the Grand Lord said, “I will procure us ships. We should set up camp on the beach one mile east of the city.” He pointed at a place on the map. “There is an inlet that will allow for them to anchor. Once we have the boats we can make a plan.”

  The companions nodded their agreement.

  “Lord Arseno?” Sylvan asked. “You’ve been following us for two months, and you haven’t told us why.”

  Lord Arseno pushed his blond hair back from his forehead. “Lady Evalyne and I are to be wed. I met her some months back and loved her at once. She agreed to marry me then, but we had to wait for her Maiden’s Day, for it to be official.” His blue eyes grew hard. “She is mine. And I will get back what is mine.”

  Chapter 34

  SERRA

  Several of the children were crying softly by the time Serra had finished telling them her tale. They had listened intently during the telling and when Serra mentioned Reks several of them had shouted that they knew him, knew he would come for them. But when Serra talked of who exactly it was that was holding them, they couldn’t help but sob. Serra couldn't blame them. She'd felt like doing the same when she'd found out.

  "But everything is going to be okay. I promise. I'm going to make sure it is." A thought occurred to her. "Do all of you have metal bracelets on your ankles?"

  Eva shook her head. "Only some of us do. What are they?"

  "They keep you from doing magic. Who doesn't have them?" Only the youngest of the group raised their hands. "If we can figure out how to get thes
e bracelets off, then we'll be fine." Serra crouched down in front of a little boy who had tears on his cheeks. "What's your name?"

  "Marcus Bleath."

  Serra filtered through the list in her head, as she gently wiped the moisture from his cheeks. "Marcus Bleath from Friela, right?" He nodded. "Marcus how would you like to be a hero to everyone here?" He nodded again. "Great. I want you to think real hard, okay? Think about the best way to get this bracelet off my foot. Imagine that your finger is the best way. Put all of your thinking and energy into the tip of your one pointer finger." Marcus closed his eyes and focused hard. The tip of his finger began to glow slightly. "Good job, Marcus. Now touch your finger to the bracelet."

  Serra bit her lip as he touched the silver metal. It grew hot, but did not fall apart as she had hoped. Marcus began to cry again. “Oh, sweetie, it’s okay. We’ll try again in a little bit, okay? Don’t cry.” Serra stood up again. “All of you who don’t have bracelets keep trying what Marcus just tried, okay. If we can get these off, Valaine won’t stand a chance.”

  Chapter 35

  REKS

  The camp on the beach was buffeted by strong winds all day. The canvas tents did very little to keep out the cold and hold in the heat. Reks hoped that wherever Serra was, she was faring better than they, though he had little faith in that.

  The war council was being held in the largest tent in the center of the encampment. Reks couldn't help but snort at the idea of it being a “war council.” A group of seven half frozen individuals hardly counted as a council and they could barely agree on any course of action.

  Reks himself had opted out of several of the meetings, strategy had never truly been his strong point. Even back in Brencis, when he’d been required to take Strategy in Battle, he’d only just scraped by, much to the dismay of his father. He preferred doing, rather than planning. So, while Rian, Vaughn and Sylvan joined Mikhail, Lord Arseno, and Lord Arseno's captain of the guard, Stuart, in the big tent, Reks walked along the beach, eying the three ships that would carry them across the water.

  Snow fell lightly, swirling in the wind, landing on the gray sand to be lapped up by the waves and made water once again. He hunched his shoulders against the cold and looked out to sea. He thought he could just make out a small dark speck where the Isle of Eyes should be, but knew he was just seeing things, the snow and waves would keep him from seeing anything.

  His body ached from the months of travel, but nothing hurt so bad as the ache in his chest when he thought of Serra. She was in danger and he could do nothing to stop it. If only they could make up their minds about what to do, but Lord Arseno defied them at every turn and held up the process.

  Time was running short.

  There came a scuffling from behind him, but he didn't bother to turn. "How is the war council?"

  He heard Rian sigh. "Lord Arseno is still being stubborn. He won't even consider the possibility that some of his men might die. Until we have the perfect plan he's not willing to move forward."

  Sylvan looped her arm through Reks' and stared out at the sea with him. "He knows we have little time and it doesn't seem to truly matter to him."

  "What say you, Vaughn?"

  "I say that we can't afford to wait any longer. We can sail one of those ships pretty well ourselves and we can leave the other two for them. If Lord Arseno cares to join us he can sail the other ships. If not, then we go and get Serra and the others out alone. The snow will give us decent cover so we might be able to get closer than we had originally thought. I say we leave tonight."

  "Here, here," Rian said, clapping his friend on the back.

  Reks turned and faced his friends relieved that they had come to the same conclusion that he had. "I'll talk with Mikhail and see where he and the other Sylphs stand on this."

  Sylvan nodded. "We should gather what supplies we can and begin to load them on the ship. We'll need food and blankets. Who knows what state the children will be in."

  The others dispersed, Sylvan giving Rian and Vaughn orders on what needed to be done. Reks turned back to the water, his eyes focused on the spot he imagined the Island to be. "Hang in there, Serra. We're coming."

  Chapter 36

  SERRA

  Serra was, at that moment trying her damnedest to break the circle of metal that kept her from doing magic. She sat on the ground her leg stretched out. The metal anklet was pulled as far as it could go to one side. Eva crouched above her, a large stone held in her hands. "Do it, Eva. It may be the only way."

  Her friend was shaking her head. "What if I miss? What if I crush your foot?”

  “You won’t. I trust you, Eva. Do it now!” Serra tried to make her voice commanding like Vaughn’s when he taught her to use a sword, but it came out wrong to her ears. It did, however, have the desired effect. Eva brought the rock down hard and the metal ring stayed intact. So did Serra’s foot.

  “Damn it!” Serra’s balled up fist hit the ground. “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”

  “Language, my dear, language.” Valaine’s voice came from behind them. Serra spun and was on her feet in the blink of an eye. Valaine moved toward them and every one of the children pulled back, inching as far from the witch as they could get. “I see the little shifter has been filling your heads with stories. Must I remind you that I am the only way that you will get out of this cave?”

  Her eyes fell on the numerous torches they’d made. “Who has made the fire and given you the gift of light?”

  No one said anything, but a few of the children looked to Serra. Valaine moved toward her and Serra held her ground. “You? You made fire? But you have an anklet on.”

  Serra shrugged. “Obviously, it doesn’t work as well as you’d hoped. Or maybe I just have stronger power than you thought.”

  Valaine took a deep breath, sniffing the air around her. Serra wished she’d stop doing that. It was creepy. “Yes,” Valaine said. “I can smell it radiating off of you. You’ve grown in strength since you’ve been here.” Valaine was looking at Serra with her pale grey eyes, considering. Serra thought she saw a glimpse of fear in their depths, but it might have been a trick of the light.

  The witch stepped back from her and clapped her hands together. “Now, little shifter, you must make your choice. Who will be going home today?”

  Serra shook her head, her stomach in knots. How could she possibly choose? “I-I need more time. I haven’t made my decision yet.”

  “It’s not an easy choice, is it?” Valaine caressed the head of a shrinking child. “I always have such trouble picking who it will be.”

  “Then it’s good it’s not your choice this time, isn’t it? I will make the decision, but I need more time.” Serra crossed her arms over her chest. “Besides you’ve just had a meal. You don’t want to gorge yourself before the feast, do you?”

  Valaine laughed. “Cleverly put, little shifter, cleverly put. You can have more time. I am that kind. I am so kind in fact, that I will narrow down your choice for you. You will pick between the sickly little dryad, the stout young prince and your own dear friend.” Valaine turned toward the exit of the cave. “You had better hurry, the feast will happen tomorrow.”

  As the witch left many of the children started to cry. Serra did her best to calm them, though she also felt like crying. She wished she could just sit down on the rocky floor and sob to her heart’s content. She had never asked for this power, for this responsibility. She just wanted to go back to being Serra the servant and Eva’s friend.

  When the children had quieted, Serra sank to the ground to think. Eva sat down next to her, put her arm around her. After a moment, Eva said softly so no one else could hear, “You should pick the dryad.”

  “Eva!” Serra hissed.

  Eva shushed her and continued in her quiet tone. “Serra, she’s so sick anyway, she wouldn’t even know what was happening. She won’t last much longer and if sacrificing her can save myself and Luc for another day, I’m willing to do that.”

  Serra fel
t sick to her stomach. Had Eva always been this callous? Had Serra just not noticed? Or had being taken by Valaine altered her so drastically? Serra shrugged Eva’s arm from off her shoulder and said, “I wouldn’t sacrifice anyone, not to that witch. I’ve seen what she does, Eva. I’ve seen it. And I would never condemn someone to that fate. Even a sickly little dryad, who also happens to be the sister of my friend.”

  Eva looked at Serra, her blue eyes wide and brimming with tears. “So, what are you going to do then, Serra? Give me or Luc to her?”

  Serra shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

  Chapter 37

  REKS

  The sea was choppy, tossing the small boat to a fro. The storm that had kept the companions from hiring a boat was now making it difficult for them to sail the one they had. It was doubly difficult for Reks, as he had never in his life sailed a boat.

  Thankfully, Rian had spent a good portion of his youth sailing up and down the Lynse River and Vaughn with him. Reks did his best to be helpful, pulling on ropes and adjusting the sails when the two other companions told him to, but he felt useless. And he hated it.

  Even Mikhail’s rebel sylph friends, were more helpful than he was. They flew above the ship, scouted ahead and reported back what they saw. Reks recognized many of them and a most of them remembered the son of the beloved General Kiritan, but he didn’t feel as though he were one of them. And he resented their usefulness.

  He stood at the prow of the ship and looked up, wondering how Sylvan and Mikhail were faring. Thistle too. They were above them somewhere, flying toward the village where they suspected Valeria slept.

  It was the hope of the companions that Sylvan would be able to break through the spell and wake Valeria. If Sylvan could break the force field, if she could wake Valeria and if Valeria would throw her power behind the companions against her own sister they would be able to stop Valaine for good.