Illuminated

by Jackie Castle

  Jerin followed, lips pressed in a tight line and a scowl on his face. “How hard could that be? You sleep like a log. Especially when it’s your watch.”

  “Really? You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

  He simply glared his silent answer.

  “He’ll show up soon. Let’s keep going.”

  They walked along in silence for a short while before Jerin took up his ranting again.“Fine. I don’t like it, but fine. What if we have problems? What if…”

  “I have complete confidence you can handle any problems that come our way.” She soothed with an accommodating smile.

  He smirked, not taking the bait. “He’s a wild creature. I want to know we can trust him.”

  “Do you think Issah would have sent him along if he wasn’t trustworthy?” Prince Issah. She still couldn’t get over that realization.

  Jerin grew quiet as if considering her words. He said no more as they headed toward the rising sun. The woods were filled with the songs of birds. The grass dampened their leggings and a slight chill nipped at their skin. Taking in a deep breath, she relished the earthy scent of the trees and wildflowers growing along the sunny patches.

  “You’ve had a couple of chances to talk with Prince Issah, haven’t you?” Jerin broke her peaceful thoughts.

  “Yeah.” She remembered walking to Marya’s house with him.

  He’d asked her to trust him, to be his friend. The ruler of Alburnium. He wanted to be her friend. She couldn’t comprehend such an oddity.

  Jerin didn’t respond right away, and she wondered what was on his mind.

  “The first time I really saw him, when he came to our aid in that last battle, I thought he was so awesome. He looked so… powerful… so… dangerous. The enemy seemed to lose their nerve the moment he stepped out onto the field.

  “But then later, when I was passed out, I heard him calling me. It was so dark, and I’d been scared. Everything hurt. I remember his voice. I’d thought he didn’t seem so dangerous after all. I felt such peace when he called me. I tried hard to find my way to that voice.”

  Alyra waited to see what his point was. He seemed to be struggling with something.

  “It’s strange you know?” Jerin said with a soft laugh. “I keep thinking about how you said he wrestled in the water with the centaur. And that feast where he danced with you. Or how he found us when we’d drank from the bad water. I didn’t even realize, until you reminded me last night.” His brows furrowed as his face reflected the turmoil within. “I guess I find it… I don’t know…. How could the ruler of this kingdom take time to wrestle with a centaur? To stop for a late night meal or offer to share some fish with us?” He kicked at a rock on the path and when it didn’t move, he cringed with pain.

  Alyra’s breath caught. “I was just thinking the same thing. Darnel would never ask anyone to be his friend. You either followed him or he discarded you. Fed you to the dragon.”

  Jerin shuddered. “Life there must have been frightening there.”

  “Darnel had his kind moments. When I wasn’t fighting him or being contrary. If I wouldn’t have been so repulsed over how he treated his subjects, we probably would have gotten along wonderfully.” She breathed out a deep sigh. “You know what Jerin? Never in all my time in Racah did Darnel ever say the words Issah has said several times.”

  “What?”

  “That he loves me. I’m not even sure what that means but it felt nice to hear all the same.”

  “You don’t know what it means to love someone?”

  She shrugged, feeling embarrassed and stupid. “I suppose it means you care. I just wonder… the word love. I don’t remember ever hearing anyone say that word. So how can I know what it feels like?” She watched his brows rise in question. “It’s hard to explain, so never mind.”

  She could feel Jerin staring at her, but she refused to meet his probing gaze. Instead, she focused on the trees and the way the morning sunlight filtered through their shimmering orange and yellow leaves.

  After a few minutes, he finally responded. “I bet you understand more than you realize.” He grew silent again for a while, and absently grabbed at a low hanging branch, snapping the leaves off. “You’re so fortunate.”

  She did look at him then, confused at his remark. The sound of hooves clattered up behind them.

  “I hate admitting this.” His chuckle had a nervous edge. “I was kind of jealous over your stories of how well you and the centaur got along with Prince Issah. I’m probably being stupid. It’s just that the only time he ever talked to me face to face was right before we left. And that was only to tell me he wanted the centaur to come.”

  Jerin continued to stare out ahead of them as he ripped the leaves into shreds. Alyra glanced over her shoulder and noticed Lotari had finally caught up. The centaur’s eyes locked on the boy’s back. She stayed quiet, not wanting to interrupt Jerin’s train of thought and miss what he struggled to say.

  “Maybe I’m being a bonehead after all.” He cut a wry look at her. “But, I’m taking this trip, you know? I’m going to Aloblase like General Marcel told me to. What I wanted was to go back home and help clean out my town so we could live peacefully again. But no, they said, ‘You go with the girl and see King Shaydon. He will determine if you can fight with us.’” He shrugged and kicked again at one of the sparkling rocks. It stayed firmly in place, and he winced at the pain in his foot. Anger edged his voice. “I’m aware how dumb this sounds to say I feel jealous. I know it, yet I’ve given up a lot, too. I’ve done what they told me to do, but...” He shook his head; a pained expression tightened his face.

  “But what?”

  “Why does he seem so much friendlier with you? And the centaur? What more does he want from me?”

  Lotari clomped closer behind them. “Your heart, human. And not under compulsion or because you think it’s what’s right. He wants it willingly and completely.”

  * * * *

  For the next week, they traveled at a steady pace. Lotari continued to come and go, much to Jerin’s irritation. Yet, by time they stopped for the night, the centaur returned with a catch from his hunts. During the day, Alyra kept her eyes open for wild fruits and vegetables they’d collect along the way. Water remained plentiful, much to their relief.

  The green, vibrant woods thinned into wide plains with few homesteads. When they did eventually come upon a home directly on the path, Jerin wanted to stop and see if they’d help with supplies.

  “You still have those coins?”

  Alyra nodded. “Why?”

  “Just in case they aren’t as free-giving as Many Rivers. That can’t possibly be the norm.”

  “Marya said it was. If the town was inhibited by true kingdom folks.”

  They stopped before the gate leading to a sprawling log dwelling. A woman stood in the front yard, hurling feed to a flock of chickens. When she spotted them, she set her bucket down and waved.

  “Welcome travelers. Can I interest you in joining us for a meal?”

  Jerin’s eyes widened. “That would be wonderful, Ma’am.” He introduced them, saying they’d not met anyone along the path since leaving Many Rivers.

  She nodded, explaining that not many cared to make settlements out in the open as they were. “A bit more risky, but we love the wide-open lands and have a knack with livestock. Matter-of-fact, my husband’s out at the smoke house now preparing meats for the winter months. We can stock you up on some jerky for your journey.”

  “Much obliged, Ma’am,” Jerin’s relief soothed his stiff stance. “I don’t mind doing a few chores to pay—”

  “Tut! None of that now. You should know better if you’ve traveled far on this road.”

  He ducked his head. “I’m still getting used to people’s generosity. I do appreciate your kindness.”

  She reached to open the gate, but stopped, her eyes widening as she focused on something behind them.

  Alyra spun around to find Lotari trotting along
the path.

  A fearful whimper escaped the woman as she waved them to hurry into the yard. “How can that beast touch the white stones? Oh, get inside quick.” She yelled toward the house, “Vernie! Quick, get your bow. There’s a beast heading our way!”

  Jerin stared at her dumbfounded, until he noticed Lotari’s approach.

  “No,” Alyra gasped. “He’s with us.”

  She glared at them. “What trickery is this? I’ve never seen...”

  A man dressed in leather leggings and vest rushed from behind the house, bow aimed toward the centaur. Seeing the threat, Lot had his own bow loaded faster than Alyra could blink her eyes.

  Jerin jumped between the man and centaur’s line of fire. “Stop, there’s been a mistake. He truly is with us.”

  Alyra ran out of the yard and down the path toward her friend, urging him to put down his weapon. He shook his head, arm muscles tight and ready to release the bow if necessary.

  She stood in front of him, hoping the man wouldn’t shoot anyway.

  “Sir,” Jerin tried again. “Please, the centaur is from Many Rivers. He is traveling to Aloblase with us.” He then faced Lot and commanded, “Stand down, Lotari. Now. Prove you mean this family no harm.”

  To her surprise, Lot actually lowered his bow, pointing the arrow toward the ground. The expression on his face tore her heart. Beaded sweat covered his forehead, plastering his wildly brown curls around his temples. His gray eyes clouded with despair as he shook his head. The bow slipped from his hand and clattered against the stones.

  “I’m so sorry, Alyra. I knew this would happen.” He reared, turning from the path and bolted away.

  “No, Lot, this isn’t your fault,” Alyra called after him. But he soon disappeared when the land dipped. She figured he’d not stop until finding the shelter of trees again. “Lotari!” She tried again.

  Jerin came to her side, picking up the abandoned bow and arrow. He took her hand and pulled her along the path, past the log house. The man and woman were gone now, probably hiding in the safety of their home. Jerin said nothing as they walked, and for a long time, didn’t release her hand as if worried she would bolt as well.

  Of course, she couldn’t. Fear over what she might encounter if she left the Highway’s protection kept her glued to the stony path, even if her heart pulled her to chase after Lotari. Wasn’t this the one thing he feared the most? That people wouldn’t help them because of him?

  He was right, after all. Wasn’t he?

  Chapter 26

  “I don’t understand. We should be farther along by now.” Jerin flicked his map against the breeze bending the parchment. “I was so careful in my research.” He finally resorted to spreading the parchment across a fallen log. His thick finger followed the line he’d drawn of the White Road as he muttered about how they should be out of the plains by now.

  “We’re supposed to pass through another forest before we come to a town called Jolly Orchard. From there, we’ll be near the foot of the mountains.” Shading his eyes, he searched the horizon. Scrubby hills surrounded them, dotted with clumps of low-growing sprawling trees. Aside from a few edible root-type plants, they were hard put for any kind of vegetation to complement their sparse meals. “I see no sign of forest or mountain in the blasted land. Perhaps we got off on the wrong path?”

  “Impossible. You heard what Carah said. Others might meet this one, but this one will never divide or split in different directions. They all head straight for Aloblase.”

  Wistfulness crossed his blue eyes. “I remember.”

  Alyra dropped her pack beside the base of an elm, then climbed up into the branches.

  “What are you doing, monkey?”

  “Getting a better view, slug.” She grinned down at him. Reaching as high as she dared, she saw only more hills in the hazy distance. “Hey, if we hurry, there’s a stream we can make camp at. At least we’ll have fresh water and hopefully find something for dinner there.”

  Jerin helped her climb back down. “No mountains? Forest? Anything?”

  “Nope. Too hazy to see very far.”

  He shoved the map back into his shoulder bag. “So much for all that planning.”

  Once they reached the river, Alyra wanted a bath. At first Jerin argued with her, but she promised to stay close to the bridge. He finally gave in, and walked a ways upstream where he could also cool off.

  She wondered if Lot would be back anytime soon. He’d taken to staying away most of the day, and meeting up with them by sunset. Jerin hated how the centaur disappeared for such long stretches of time. Since they were able to get help easier without the centaur’s disturbing presence, he didn’t complain much.

  Jerin seldom accepted people’s invitation to stick around for meals or to stay the night. Sometimes, he would remain long enough to help an elderly couple chop wood. If someone was sick, Alyra tended their ailments to the best of her abilities. She missed Lot’s knowledge on healing. She missed having him around to talk to period and wished he’d stop being so distant and sullen.

  After bathing, she changed into her spare outfit while the other dried. Sitting next to the stream, she brushed the tangles out of her hair. In the clear water, three large trout swam lazily along the bottom. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of grilled fish for dinner instead of the bread and cheese left over from the last homestead they’d stopped at. The tinderbox in her pack held hooks and string. If she could fashion herself a rod, like she’d seen Jerin do before, then maybe, just maybe, she could contribute something besides greens for a change. She took her dagger and cut off a long, slender limb from the tree, then searched for bait. In Racah when Tarek fished, he’d catch bugs or dig up worms to use as bait. She searched the tall grasses until she found a small grasshopper. As the hook slid through the green body, she feared losing every meal she’d eaten in the past day.

  The twitching insect stayed afloat at first, struggling to get free. She looked up at the trees, the darkening sky, anything to avoid watching the bug. A silver streak broke the surface, and the stick jerked in her hands. She gasped and pulled, unsure what to do next. Below the water, a fish swam in zigzagging circles, yanking and pulling against the string.

  “I got a fish!” She yelled to no one. “Oh, now what do I do?”

  She lifted the pole high over her head. A trout flew up, flopping at the end of the bent limb, nearly smacking her face. Carefully, she took hold of the wet line and swung the fish toward the shore where she let the stick and everything fall to the ground.

  “I caught a fish!” She whooped, dancing a victory dance. “Ya-huh, I did it! Ya-huh! All by myself! Ya-huh!” She sang and danced as the fish flopped back toward the stream. She pounced on the pole and pulled her catch farther from the water.

  “Okay, now how do I get the hook out?” She knelt in the mossy grass, willing herself to grab hold of the slick silver body.

  Where were those pesky boys now when she needed them? She peered through the trees and found that the camp remained deserted. Taking a deep breath, she shook out her hands. Just grab it and pull out the hook. Just do it. Go ahead, do it now! How hard can this be?

  With one quick motion, she grasped the fish. “Ewww!” Wet… slimy… cold. “Ew, Ew, Ew!” With her free hand, she yanked out the hook, the grasshopper still attached. “Oh, oh, ewww! Yuck! Disgusting.” With a flick, she tossed the fish away from her. It flopped around a couple more times before growing still. She tried to shake the slimy feeling from her hands. Never had she felt so elated and so disgusted at the same time.

  “What’s all the yelling for?” Jerin’s shaggy blonde hair was slicked to his head, and pieces of grass and pebbles stuck to his cheek. He’d probably fell asleep after taking a swim.

  Waving her arms with a flourish, she nearly squealed. “I caught a fish. Look. By myself.”

  A wry grin split his face. “If you can catch two more around that size, there might be enough to make me a decent meal.”

  “Why do you hav
e to ruin my moment? Why?” Her hands perched on her hips.

  Laughter shook him so hard he bent over, clutching his stomach. When he stopped long enough to breaths, he gasped, “I’m sorry... I don’t mean...” A fresh peal of laughter knocked him onto the ground.

  “Well, there’s enough for me, thank you. Catch your own. Oh, and you laugh like a girl.”

  He stopped, sitting up, eyes narrowed. His serious face didn’t last very long. In a matter of seconds, he was chuckling again. “That’s fine. You can gut and skin your fish.”

  Now her grin went slack like a wet noodle.

  Still laughing, Jerin went for his pack, then returned and fashioned his own fishing pole. They sat on the bank together, catching several for their evening meal. Jerin seemed in a much better mood, despite his map failure. They joked, talked about life in Many Rivers, and wondered what Aloblase would be like. After he set the fish over the fire, he gave her a few lessons on shooting with his slingshot. She had a natural ability to hit what she aimed for.

  “I like this better than a sword or dagger.”

  He nodded. “Good. Keep it handy. I’ll make myself another one.”

  Two short whistles pierced the air, signaling Lotari’s return. Jerin responded with one long whistle to let him know all was well. Three short whistles signaled trouble.

  Lot trotted right down the bank, tossing a dead rabbit and his gear beside Alyra. Without a word of greeting, he trotted into the river and laid down, horse legs folding so the waves washed over his sweat drenched body. As he splashed water over his head, he sighed, “That does feel nice. This day is quite humid.” He dunked his head and came up brushing his long, tangled hair out of his face. “Good news. We are nearly to the woods you’ve been looking for, human.”

  “Really?” Jerin grew excited as he pulled the crumpled map from his bag. “How far would you say we are?”

  “Oh, another day or so of two-legged walking. I would have reached the woods by tomorrow’s nightfall if I’d kept going.”