Illuminated

by Jackie Castle

  “He must not fight the soldiers!” Katrina dragged her up the steps and down a long corridor that ended at the black door. “Jerin says you have trouble with soldiers. They look for you, yes?”

  “You could say that.” Alyra wondered just how much Jerin had revealed about their situation. She decided to proceed with great care until he returned.

  Katrina knocked at the door three times, waited a moment, and knocked two more times. The bolt turned and they entered. Five others sat around the spacious room. Two men and a woman stood at a long table looking over a map, while two girls, not much older than herself, were on a brocade couch knitting.

  “Is this Alyra?” The woman at the table asked.

  She had the same golden hair as the two younger girls, and Alyra supposed she might be their mother. One of the men looked similar to the woman, as well, and the second man had darker features with brown hair and a long, grizzly beard. Yet Katrina’s features favored none of the other people. She wondered whom the young, black haired girl with the dusk colored eyes might belong to.

  “Yes, yes.” Katrina spoke with excitement. “I think there is trouble, no? With the centaur, right?” She gave Alyra a questioning look.

  “Yes, he’s a centaur.” She waited to see if any of them might make a remark or derisive gesture.

  If they had a problem with Lotari, none showed it. Jerin must have already filled them in. She quickly explained what happened in the street.

  The woman nodded to the men, and the one who favored her immediately grabbed his coat and dashed out of the door saying, “I’m on it. Back in a bit.”

  “Don’t worry, dearie. They have most likely taken him to the stables with the others.” She extended her hand. “I’m Christina. This is my husband, Harp.” She pointed to the tall, bearded man. He had a friendly face, and looked like one who stayed outdoors most of the time. “The one who just left is my brother, Frank. I see you’ve met Katrina. She joined up with us a month or so ago when she heard we were looking for a way to Aloblase. Says she’s been waiting for someone to travel there with.”

  Alyra considered Katrina, wondering if she might be the one Issah had spoken of. She turned to the others, perhaps they were to join with the whole group.

  Christina continued, “I’ll let her tell you her story later. Anyway, over here are my two girls, Ella and Sue. They are making scarves and hats for our trip through the mountain. The nights are starting get quite chilly.”

  Trepidation churned Alyra’s stomach. She tried to shake the feeling off by telling herself these people were willing to help.

  “Why don’t you come over here by the map and let us explain our plan. That way, when Jerin returns you can make a knowledgeable decision.”

  Alyra stepped closer to the table. Christina ordered Katrina to heat a pot of tea. Harp pointed to a spot on the map, explaining the various trials leading throughout the mountains.

  “The White Road, heads straight up and then down.” His weathered hand rose, then plunged downward to make his point. “This path we tried back in the fall, but it just wound round and round the mountains. And this one…” he pointed to another black line heading due north. “It takes you completely around the tallest peaks and back, but you’d be traveling for months.”

  Katrina brought them a tray laden with cups of tea. She served Christina first. Adding sugar and cream to the second up, she handed it to Harp.

  “Cream?” She asked Alyra. “Sugar?”

  “No thanks. I’m not thirsty.”

  Katrina moved on to the girls. Finally, she returned to a chair in the corner and sipped her own cup. Was Katrina their friend or servant?

  Alyra asked, “Have you ever tried the white path?”

  “Eh? No, of course not.” Harp laughed. “Why one look and you know what they say is true. It’s a tough climb. The King’s Highway isn’t really supposed to be an easy trek, right?”

  She shrugged. Sure they’d found some hard spots, but had managed to chop through the overgrown part. Hard at times, perhaps, but not impossible.

  “So how many times have you tried to cross the mountains?”

  Christina rolled her eyes. “Six. But don’t let that get you down. I think this time we are definitely on to something…”

  “Six?”

  “Well, you don’t know until you try, right?” She defended. “You all are more than welcome to climb over those steep peaks if you’d prefer. We know there’s a better way.”

  Alyra couldn’t believe her ears. She chewed on her bottom lip, keeping her silence and hoping Jerin returned soon with Lotari.

  Harp pointed at the map again. “This trip will be the one, I say. We’ve found a series of tunnels.”

  “Tunnels?” Shivers tickled down her back as she wondered if they were like the ones Lord Darnel built below Racah?

  “Yep, right smack through Semitamon’s belly. Carved hundreds of years ago, I figure. If my calculations are correct, it’ll take us two day’s travel to reach the entrance and perhaps a day, maybe a bit more, to get to the other side.”

  Katrina spoke up from her corner chair. “The tunnels are said to have been built by the ancient Wisdom Keepers. They are all gone now.”

  Alyra studied the strange girl for a long moment before finally asking, “Where will the tunnels come out?” She wished Jerin would hurry back. The minutes passed like waiting for bread to rise when you’re starving.

  Harp’s beard puffed around his grin.“The other side, of course. Then one just rejoins the white path and off they go.” He pointed again and leaned down close to the old, yellowed parchment. “See? It’s not too far at all to where the King’s Highway comes down from the eastern peaks.”

  Alyra plastered on her fake intrigued face. She remained silent, not wishing to express her real feelings and get them in more trouble.

  “I have a good feeling,” Harp went on. “And just think if we find an easier way, people will be thrilled. We’ll make a bundle of coins letting them in on our secret passage.”

  Christina patted her husband on the back. “He’s so smart, isn’t he?”

  Katrina returned with another steaming pot and refilled everyone’s tea. Alyra decided to accept a cup, wanting to wash the bad taste forming in her mouth.

  The girl’s blue eyes bore into her, as if trying to read Alyra’s inner thoughts. Slowly, her gaze moved down and settled on the medallion hanging outside her shirt. Alyra quickly tucked the disk back inside.

  Hurry up, Jerin! She really wanted to get out of there.

  “So,” Christina said, “Now that you’ve heard our plan, what do you think?”

  “Um, well…I’ll need to talk to Jerin and Lotari.” She knew the centaur would never agree to such a plan.

  “Of course,” answered Harp. “Such dedication to your friends is something to be admired.”

  Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait much longer. By the time she finished her tea, the men returned. Jerin sat at the table while Frank hung his coat on the peg.

  Jerin turned to Alyra. “They’ve chained Lotari up in the stables.” When she started to speak, he raised his hands to stop her. “Frank knows the stable keeper. Luckily, the keeper hates the soldiers and knows Lotari doesn’t belong to them. He’s promised to help, but we have to wait until tonight. And we’ll have to get past the livestock guard. The keeper seems to think he’ll be easily swayed into turning the other way when we go to release Lotari.”

  Frank added, “We need to be prepared to go. Soon as the Racan soldiers find out, they’ll come after us. Centaurs are quite valuable to them.”

  Alyra hoped he’d stay calm until they came for him. But if they had to leave tonight, would they be forced to go with these strange people? She looked at Jerin questioningly. The others had moved away to give them privacy. Jerin motioned her to follow him outside into the hall.

  As soon as the door closed behind them she ranted in a harsh whisper, “What’s their deal and how did you meet them? You and I
both know Lotari isn’t going to agree with us leaving the path to travel with these…these…well they’re just strange. Harp plans to charge people to take the tunnels. If his plan even works. Lotari will have a hoof-stomping fit.”

  Jerin stood silently looking down at the sparse group below.

  “Issah couldn’t have meant for us to join with this family.” Then she added, “This place is really dead.”

  He nodded and started walking toward the stairs. “Yes, I know. Frank said the main crowds only meet once a week. His family lives here in return for keeping the building clean.”

  Alyra followed him toward the rear of the building. They came out beneath a portico. In the center of the courtyard grew one of the white trees. A pile of the star shaped leaves lay on the ground, all brown and twisted. The pale branches held only a few of the blood red fruit, but they didn’t shine brightly as they should. A brisk breeze scattered the dead foliage across the yard. The few remaining leaves fluttered as if hanging by a thin string.

  Jerin sighed and rubbed his head, looking completely worn down. “I don’t particularly like this family either. But there’s something about Katrina that I just can’t put my finger on yet.” He grew silent for a few minutes.

  Alyra was about to tell him she didn’t want anything to do with any of them when he said, “But the thing is, we are in a bit of a mess, especially now Lotari’s been taken prisoner... on top of everything else.”

  “What else?”

  “This city is swarming with soldiers.” Jerin sat on the stone wall and indicated she should join him. Her head swirled, causing her to feel sick. He leaned close. “After we’d done all we could for Lotari, I walked outside of town with Frank. We found a group of soldiers outside the gates, close to the white path. I heard Lotari state that he belonged to Shaydon’s kingdom. I’m sure the soldiers are being extra diligent now.”

  Alyra felt as if the floor dropped out from beneath her. “What are we going to do? They must know I’m here then. What will...?”

  “What can we do?” He snapped, cutting her off. “I think we should go with these people now. Neither of us will be able to break Lotari out by ourselves. The keeper would only speak with Frank. I had to leave so he could talk to the man privately. Besides, we’re safer in a group. If this tunnel really exist, we’ll go on through with them, and then be on our way.”

  Alyra leaned against one of the columns. Seemed they had no choice.

  Jerin went on, “Frank is willing to help us get Lotari out. He didn’t have to, you know. To be honest, I’m grateful for their help”

  Her shoulders slumped. Jerin was right.

  “What have you told them about me?”

  “Only that we’d had a couple of run-ins with the solders and needed to get out of town without them seeing us. They seemed satisfied with that.”

  “Let’s not let them know any more, okay?”

  He nodded. “So are we agreed?”

  She didn’t answer right away. “Lotari won’t go for it.”

  He took a deep breath. “I promised not to do anything you didn’t agree to first. If you say no, then I’ll do my best to find another way. Under the circumstances, he needs to go along with what we decide.”

  She couldn’t think of another solution, so in the end, she agreed. They headed back inside to tell the others who were quite glad to include them. Everyone moved into action, Harp planning on what to carry along and discussing with Frank how they’d get the centaur released. Jerin and Katrina returned to the inn to get their gear.

  While the men went out to get supplies and a horse secured from the stable keeper, Alyra busied herself helping Christina pack food and blankets for the trip. One of the girls who still sat on the couch knitting suggested they use the centaur to carry their load.

  “He’s not a pack animal.” Alyra replied.

  “Well,” said Ella, “he sounds prideful.”

  “Or lazy,” added her sister, Sue.

  “No he’s not,” Alyra shot back, defensively. “He hunts, cooks, and scouts the area to be sure we’re safe. He’s not lazy at all. He’s very wise and loyal to his friends.” Unfortunately, she wasn’t feeling too loyal herself at the moment.

  Chapter 32

  With a waning moon providing a dim silvery light, Alyra followed seven cloaked travelers through the dark streets of Denovo. All carried a hefty pack of provisions strapped to their back. When the group reached the stables, Frank tapped twice on the keeper’s door. From within the weathered, gray-boarded shack came the sound of muffled grumbling, something scraping the floor and then metal rattling against metal. A rectangular beam of light fell across the yard. One eye peeked from the opening, and a ring of keys flew out the doorway into Frank’s waiting hand.

  The keeper hissed, “Yorn mount all ready behind me house where they won’ takes notice. The beastie is in da last corner stall. Toward’n the rear side. Toss me keys inta the woodpile when ya leave.” The door closed and they were left in darkness again.

  The women waited outside behind the stables. Alyra insisted on being the one to get Lotari. Jerin approved, hoping she’d have a better chance than he of convincing the centaur to agree to their plan. Harp waited near the entrance with Jerin.

  Frank entered the spacious building with her, putting a finger to his mouth as he pointed to the first stall. Inside slept a very large centaur, much taller than even Wyndham. He was glistening black, like a stallion, with black wavy hair flowing down his back and a curly beard covering his chin. He laid in his stall snoring loudly, a bow across his shoulder and a jagged-bladed sword secured around his waist. She shivered clutching her medallion and sending up a silent plea that the fierce-looking centaur wouldn’t wake.

  Frank handed Alyra the keys. “I’ll get the horse. You find your friend.”

  She made her way toward the back walking slowly and trying her best not to make too much noise. Still, her boots on the straw sounded like firecrackers in her ears. Each of the stalls slept at least two adults. One held four young males, their coloring varying from chestnut red, white speckled, and earthy brown. The nearest horseman was a palomino with tan curly hair and slight fuzz on his chin. He wore a leather necklace of small shells and stones and had a couple of feathers dangling from behind his ear. Her heart ached for the youths, wondering what they’d possibly use such young centaurs for. They couldn’t be old enough to fight.

  Remembering she needed to hurry, she went on to the last stall. The sound of chains rattling confirmed it must be the right one. Carefully, she opened the gate and slid in. Lotari rested in a corner, pulling at the shackles attached to his wrists. She hurried over and threw her arms around his neck.

  “Are you okay?” She whispered against his ear. “Did they hurt you?”

  “Oh, my pride more than anything else.” He whispered back. “Did you see all of them? Did you see the little ones?” His voice cracked as his arms hugged her so tight, the iron shackles dug into her shoulder blades. She nodded, as he continued, “They should be running though the woods with the hinds and cougars.” He trembled with rage. “I’ve never been caged like this.”

  Hoping to quiet him, she hugged tighter. “Listen to me. We have to get out of town right now. You’ll need to trust me and Jerin, please? Promise you’ll come along and not kick up a fuss. Can you do that?”

  His breath felt like flames on her neck as he said, “This is going to take us off the white path, isn’t it?”

  She straightened and stared at his red-rimmed gray eyes, holding her own gaze firm. “Only until we get through the mountain.” Her hand clamped over his open mouth. “Please Lot, we don’t know what else to do.” She silently begged him to agree. His shoulders sagged as he nodded in resolution. She took the key and unlocked the shackles from his wrist. A few welts covered his arms and back, but her ointment would fix those. At least he wasn’t bleeding.

  “Climb on and let us go. I won’t protest.” He whispered in a resigned voice. “I have much to
tell you when we are safe.”

  He helped her onto his back and then headed out making less noise than she did. He paused next to the stall with the young centaurs and shook his head. The palomino seemed to have shifted and now slept leaning against the sagging boards. Alyra nudged him to hurry. They’d already tempted fate beyond measure. He trotted outside and around to the back toward a cluster of trees where the others waited.

  Jerin grasped his hand in a shake then hugged him quickly before turning to the family and introducing them. They each bowed a greeting. Alyra slid off, took her pack and gave Lotari back his weapons and travel bag.

  Harp pointed toward a trail disappearing into woods. “We’re going to follow a footpath up to a series of caves. That’s where we’ll find the tunnel that leads though the mountain.”

  “Tunnel?” Lotari gasped.

  Alyra placed a hand on his arm to remind him of his promise to her. His lips turned white in his attempt to clamp them shut.

  The group headed into the forest at a casual yet intent pace. Frank suggested they travel as if they were in no hurry in order to attract less attention. Since Denovo was a trade town, people traveling in and out at different times of the day and night was a common occurrence.

  The colorful buildings had nearly disappeared behind the cover of spruce when the sound of hooves pounding over the earth sent panic through the whole group. The sisters started to run in different directions, but their parents stopped them short. Jerin pulled out his sword and Frank withdrew a crossbow from the horse’s pack. Harp stood in front of the girls with a long dagger. Lotari strung his bow and blocked Alyra and Katrina.

  The pursuer bound into their midst, sliding to a stop at the sight of all their weapons. The young palomino centaur held up his hands in surrender. “I’m alone. Don’t shoot me, please.”

  Frank and Lotari both lowered their arrows.

  “Take me with you.” The youth eased nearer to Lotari, his green eyes wide and pleading. “The others were all afraid to trust you. But I thought if I went to see the King myself and if what you say is true…well? Then I can come back. I’ll tell them what I’ve seen. They’ll have to believe. Right?”