Illuminated

by Jackie Castle

  Grins spread across both their faces as they looked at each other with relief.

  “Yes!” Jerin pumped his fist. “I was hoping you’d decide to come.”

  Her breath returned. “I was worried you’d rather go without me.”

  He slapped the table with a loud chuckle. “I thought the same, especially when you didn’t say you’d go, too. Oh this is great! We have so much to do.” He jumped from his chair and began pacing as he spoke. “The shoemaker in the village has promised to make me new shoes and a new traveling outfit. They were so kind. I never knew a town could be…well…I just didn’t know.” His hands waved about excitedly. “I think he would have given me the shoes off his feet except they weren’t big enough.”

  Marya gave him a motherly hug. “Such is the way of Shaydon’s Kingdom, you’ll see.” She began gathering up dishes. “Yes, we have much to do. I think we’ll make a trip to the village tomorrow so Jerin can get his things. They will provide traveling food there. Think about what you’ll need Alyra, and we’ll get that too. I can trade my preserves for supplies.”

  Chapter 23

  Moonlight shone through the small, open window. Alyra dangled the chain with the two medallions in a shaft of silvery light. They spun first one way, then the other. The messenger emblem. The fiery emblem. Messenger, fire, messenger, fire. Illuminate.

  Since arriving in Many Rivers, her life had fallen into a series of mundane days, each one passing with nothing significant or frightening happening. Including no lighting rocks or other things up. Tomorrow, she’d leave the mundane behind. Her heart flip-flopped between relief and disquiet.

  She sighed, letting the chain slip from between her fingers. The disk hit her chest with a muffled thump. Not that she didn’t cherish the reprieve Many Rivers had provided her. Still, since she’d made her decision to continue, an eagerness to seek the answers to her many questions escalated. She wanted to find her real home, her family, and the truth about who she really was.

  First she had to get past telling Lotari good-bye. He’d promised to meet her when the moon crested the spruce. She peered out into the velvety indigo sky splattered with thousands of sparkling stars. The crescent’s tip barely peeked above the forest line. She stood, deciding to head down early. Marya had a cauldron of the healing fruit stewing. A fresh batch, she’d said, for them to take along on their journey.

  Downstairs, Jerin still sat at the kitchen table, his map spread out as he made notes in a small book.

  He looked up from his work, brows knit as he gazed out the darkened window. “Kind of late to be heading out. Off to meet with your pet?”

  She scowled. “Why are you so hateful toward him? Is this how you are with everybody who’s not just like you?” She headed for the back door. “And don’t you ever call him my pet again! Understand?”

  His eyes widened, as if realizing he’d gone too far. “I’m sorry.”

  She ignored his apology.

  “Aly.” He’d taken to using Beave’s nickname for her. “Really, I am sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t speak of your friend in such a way. Please come back here a moment.” He stood, his big hands motioning for her to take a seat. “I want to show you this. Before you go.”

  He seemed sincere, so she took the chair next to his.

  “Be quick. I don’t want to keep him waiting. And I need to stir the cauldron.”

  He nodded, moving the candle closer to the parchment. “I’ve managed to recreate this map of the whole land. I’ve charted where all the known Kingdom roads are and which towns we’ll encounter along the way. Marya said some of the settlements have probably changed. New ones get built and, as we know, many get destroyed. But look here.” He pointed to a spot in the middle. “This is Many Rivers. See how all these rivers converge in the farm basin? See this line?” His finger traced a gold-inked line that ran from one corner of the paper down to the other where Aloblase lay. “This is the King’s Highway. What I found amazing was how it goes all the way to Racah. Did you know that?”

  Alyra followed the gold line to the east. The gold line on the map practically went right up to the Dark Lord’s doorstep. How could that be? Perhaps they’d covered the white stones?

  “I never saw anything white there.” Even the snow was always gray and dirty. “So this is how you’ve spent your time on all those trips to town.”

  He shrugged. “Most. I’ve also helped people with stuff, like farming. Worked off a few things I wanted, like a shield and new sword. They are happy to give me supplies, a new pack, and clothes. But I worked for the extra items.”

  She was impressed. He’d not wasted his time here at all. She, on the other hand, had taken little thought to where or how she’d travel. Dean’s pack always seemed to provide what she needed. She stared at Jerin’s map. He’d drawn in rivers, towns, and the regular roads running across the land. They would know exactly where to find good water. He’d even written little X’s on places they needed to avoid.

  “This is amazing.”

  He sat up straighter, a satisfied smile tugging his thin lips. “The White Road will take us to the Semitamon Mountains. There is a town at the foot of them, where we can get supplies for the climb. I sure hope they aren’t too blasted steep. You know, this road leading south seems shorter and we wouldn’t have to climb over those peaks.”

  The line he pointed at wasn’t drawn in gold. “Is that the White Road?”

  Biting his bottom lip, he shook his head.

  “We’re not supposed to get off the highway, Jerin.”

  “But it looks quicker.”

  “Maybe, but haven’t we had enough experiences to know better?”

  Jerin’s face clouded as he stared at the flickering candle flame. He rubbed at his forehead, and his brows relaxed, as if he’d managed to rub the troubling thoughts away. “You’re right. We’ll do our best to stay on the path.”

  “You’ve been in a big hurry ever since we started. You really that eager to start warrior training?”

  “Yeah, well.…”

  “What?” Alyra rested her elbows on the table, propping her chin in her palms.

  Red crept up over his cheeks, starting from his neck and traveling up to his forehead. “I just… I… uh… well, I admire General Marcel. I’d like to be part of his unit. But he said he wouldn’t take anyone who hasn’t seen King Shaydon first.”

  From his stammering and his flushed face, she had a strong suspicion there was more he wasn’t willing to say. Then she remembered the warrior maiden he’d been so taken with. The one who’d stood up on the rock and encouraged the fighters on with her song.

  “Wait. Carah belongs to that unit, right?”

  Beads of sweat formed along his temples. He shrugged with a heavy sigh. “Umm, I think so. But… well, I… maybe she is.” He balked at her impish smile. “Stop looking at me like that.” He tapped his fingers on the map. “Thing is, we are halfway there. Even if we do stay on the white path—”

  “Which we will.”

  “Of course we will. I think without any major mishaps we should be there by the next full moon.”

  “You really think so?” Alyra’s heart soared.

  She hoped beyond all hope his figures were true. Aloblase sat right on the other side of the mountains. Her heart raced. Hopefully, the King wouldn’t cast her out. Tarek even said there was no place for people like them there. She sighed wishing the knife-like pain in her chest would ease whenever she thought about him.

  “It’s not perfect.” Jerin broke her discouraging thoughts. “But at least we’ll have some idea of our progress. I’ve already wasted so much time.”

  She smiled, glad to be traveling with him. Sure they had their disagreements, but he had a good heart, as Marya said, and foresight to plan ahead.

  Jerin extended his hand. “Let’s make a promise. From now on we work as a team. If we both don’t agree on a decision, then we find another way. Okay?”

  His big hand nearly swallowed hers as they s
hook.

  “Agreed.”

  * * * *

  The bubbling cauldron sent off a warm heat against the chilled night. Alyra added more wood to the fire and peeked inside. The thick liquid had the color of river rocks and smelled like dirty feet. She crinkled her nose and set the lid back on top.

  The air was heavy with moisture, which meant rain might fall before morning. She sat close to the warm flames and poked at the bright red coals. Had something deterred Lotari?

  The grinning moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by dark clouds gilded with faint silver. Crickets chirped. Leaning back against an old oak, she closed her eyes and listened to the peaceful sounds. A slight wind bent the top branches and caused the other trees to do a slow swaying dance. The rain would do the vegetables a world of good. She’d miss tending the garden. If the chance to settle down ever came, she’d plant her own. Her eyes grew heavy and she allowed them to close for a bit, yet she found it harder and harder to fight off the sleep that kept creeping over her tired body and mind. Not wanting to wake up drenched in a downpour, she slowly forced herself to stand.

  Maybe Wyndham had caught Lot trying to sneak out. Her heart sank. Hopefully, he’d visit before they left in the morning. Feet dragging, she headed toward the house.

  A voice echoed from the woods. She stopped. Had soldiers finally found her? She quickly dismissed the idea, knowing the path and river kept them far away from the Healer’s cottage. Turning, she walked down to the water’s shore. Through the trees, she spotted two shadowy figures, and one of them sounded distressed. Lotari! Was he arguing with Wyndham again?

  Anger boiled in her stomach. She hated the way the elder centaur treated him. Wyndham had no tolerance for differing opinions.

  They were next to the river. If Wyndham was giving him a hard time, she’d tell him off. She stormed down the footpath leading to the shoreline, fist clenched and jaw set on a thorough tongue-lashing. As the white-foamy water came into view, her steps faltered as the size of the hulking centaur filled her mind. The path opened into a sandy clearing. To her relief, Lotari argued, not with Wyndham, but instead with... Issah?

  Moonlight broke through the thick boughs and shone down on both of them. The moving water sparkled in the soft light. Lotari paced along the shore as the man stood with arms across his chest and feet slightly apart. His intensely familiar gaze, the one that felt as if he saw right down into your very core, calmly followed the centaur.

  “They need your skills, my friend.” Issah’s voice sounded deep and stern as the night when he’d helped her see the banquet table. “Darnel realizes she will not turn back so easily. Once they begin their journey, the danger increases.”

  Alyra crouched behind a tree and peered through the tall ferns.

  “He’s a soldier.” Lotari cried. “Let him fight for her.” He turned to face Issah “How will he react if I go? You saw how he treated me when he was injured. I’ve not seen any indication of him changing his opinion. He despises me, and anything like me.” Then he added in a quieter tone, “As do most others.”

  Issah continued to stare silently at him.

  Lotari went on, desperation growing in his voice. “There must be someone more qualified to go, Sire. They could be turned away from help because of me.”

  Issah remained still as a marble carving.

  “Please, this makes no sense!” Lotari’s voice cracked. He stomped his hooves like he often did when agitated.

  Finally Issah repeated, “They need you to go along. She needs you. I need you, as well, my friend.”

  Lotari spun away, wiping his face. He shook his head in response. “Why didn’t I listen to Wyndham? He told me not to get caught up in affairs too great for me. Oh why didn’t I heed his words?”

  “And why didn’t you, Lotari? What possessed you to disobey your elder? What drove you to endure his threats and beatings just so you could help a human girl, of all beings?”

  Lotari shrugged not answering for a long while. He stared down at the foaming water rushing past, before he finally turned to Issah. “Not once has she ever looked at me with disgust.” His voice was gravelly, yet dead serious. “That first day, when I followed her, listening to her ranting, she sounded so frightened, so angry and so alone.” His hooves stomped the ground. “And she… she… made me feel... like maybe I really did have something to offer….” He shook his head. “I’ve never felt like that before, except with Marya. But Marya loves everyone, even the enemy soldiers, for goodness sake.”

  Issah chuckled. “So she does. She is one of a very few who actually understand.” He laid a hand on the centaur’s shoulder. “You do have a lot to offer, my friend, and you have more to teach Alyra. You have already endured much for this friendship, have you not?”

  Alyra’s eyes filled with tears. Her fingers dug into the rough tree bark. She wanted so much to run over and hug Lotari tight but didn’t dare to move from her hiding place. Eavesdroppers got severely punished. She’d been whipped once because Darnel thought she was listening in to his private business.

  “Sire, my clan…they will never allow me to leave…. They—”

  “If I send you, Wyndham will not stand in the way.”

  Lotari looked at him long and hard as the dim moonlight illuminated his distraught expression. His bare chest rose and fell with deep breaths. Issah returned his stare with a calm, expectant gaze.

  “This is madness!” Lotari finally exclaimed. “Wyndham is right, I’ve been such a fool.”

  Issah began to laugh. “That is what your elder says, my friend. Tell me what your heart is says.”

  “I … I’ll lose everything. He will banish me from the clan.”

  Issah moved closer until they stood face to face. His hands rested on the centaur’s shoulders. “You have read King Shaydon’s book many times. You know those who cling to their lives will lose it. But for those who are willing to give everything up—”

  “They will save it,” finished Lotari. “And they gain even more.”

  “Indeed they do, my friend.”

  Alyra held her breath wondering if this meant he’d come with them. Oh, she hoped so. But how would Jerin take the news?

  Then Lotari spoke again, but in such a whisper she had to strain to hear. “Sire, about her medallion. I’ve pondered about her account in the Dark Lands. And I’ve wondered … is she perhaps the one—the light child?”

  Issah held up his hand, index finger extended as if to silence the centaur’s question. His penetrating gaze aimed in her direction, right at her hiding spot. Alyra hunkered into the sand. There’s no way he could have spotted her behind the fern and tree. Could he?

  “It’s for the King to decree each one’s purpose. It’s also up to that person to choose to accept their purpose. I believe that is all that needs to be said concerning this matter.”

  Scooting away on hands and knees, Alyra moved far enough into the woods to stand and run back to the cottage. She hurried, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping. Yet, a happy relief flooded her. Even if Lotari didn’t go, which she had a feeling that he very well might, she knew the centaur was a true friend who really cared about her. She’d never had that before. Before opening the door, she decided to keep this information to herself.

  Inside the cottage, Jerin was asleep on the couch with a book open on his chest.

  How would he respond to Lotari joining them? She’d promised they’d do nothing unless both agreed first. Yet, if Issah insisted, he’d have to go along. Wouldn’t he?

  Chapter 24

  Alyra checked over her supplies one more time. Marya had made the white tree fruit into a healing cream for use in treating minor injuries. The healer had also provided several packets of herbal teas to help with aches and pains.

  “You’re medallion might not say you’re a Healer,” Marya helped Alyra pack. “But knowing other skills helps you to be well-rounded and knowledgeable, sweet-pea. From Jerin, you can learn to fight, and you can teach him what you know about heal
ing herbs. Iron sharpens iron, as they say.”

  The people of Many Waters provided her with a new dark brown cloak, along with another new pair of shoes, since the others had worn through. Carah’s dagger was strapped to her waist, something Jerin insisted on. She looked around the homey cottage, her chest aching over leaving the comfort and security she’d enjoyed there. Yet Marya insisted they would meet each other again, sometime in the future.

  “I want you to know you’ll always have a place here whenever you’re in need. Always.” She kissed her cheek. “Always.” She kissed her other cheek. “Always!” She ended with a peck on her nose.

  Alyra slid her arms into the straps of the backpack, then secured her cloak, fearing her heart would shatter if she didn’t leave soon. Taking a deep breath, she headed outside. The morning sun glistened off the wet ivy covering the porch railings. The flowers growing along the walkway sparkled as though they were made of glass. The tall, green grasses wept tears she fought hard to hold back.

  Jerin waited beside the road. His new shield, adorned with the emblem of the white tree hung over his shoulder covering his backpack. A chainmail vest peeked out from beneath his pale blue shirt and a new sword strapped to his waist. She hoped they wouldn’t get into any battles, but at least he was prepared if they did.

  Her chest hurt so bad she could hardly breathe. She didn’t want to have to do the good-byes. She searched the yard and woods, still not seeing Lotari anywhere. Perhaps he felt the same way.

  “Ready to go, Alyra?” asked a voice from behind her. She turned to see Issah walking up from behind Marya’s cottage.

  “I guess.”

  He stopped in front of her, and cupped her face in his hands. “When you are part of the Alburnium kingdom, you’re part of a huge family. You never say good-bye forever. It’s more of a, ‘I’ll see you again, some future day.’”

  “Will I see you again along the road?”