by Mike Shelton
Shaeleen closed her fist and put the gemstone in her pocket. As much as she hated the thing, she couldn’t give it up—at least not yet. She needed to find out more about it.
“You can’t tell anyone, Cole. No one, not even Father. Please,” Shaeleen begged. “This isn’t one of the five.”
Cole rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “How do you get yourself into these messes, Shae? Can’t you just leave things alone?”
“I didn’t go looking for this, Cole.” Shaeleen stood up, planting her hands on her hips. “She found me, a keeper from Verlyn, and she made me take it and told me I had to save all the other stones. Until I find out what that means and how to do it, you must tell no one.”
Cole paced the room. “But, Shae…”
“No, Cole. Promise me,” Shaeleen said. “Your honor can take this one hit…for me.” She dropped her hands to her sides and lowered her head. “For me?” she asked, the words softer this time. Raising her head up, she met her brother’s eyes. She knew her own were filling with tears once again. “Please honor my will this time.”
Cole seemed to go through a quick internal argument. Then he eventually nodded his head once. “For now, I will, Shae. For now. But, if you are in danger or get into trouble, let me help you.”
Shaeleen smiled up at her brother. “Thank you, Cole. You are a good brother.”
Cole’s lips curled up into a crooked smile. “You might need more than a good brother to get through this mess, Sister.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“Shaeleen!”
Hearing her father shouting her name from his carpentry shop, Shaeleen closed the small book on her lap and let out a puff of breath into the warm morning air. The late spring was quickly turning toward summer so to stay cool she had been sitting under a sizable pine tree a hundred feet or so behind their home.
Shaeleen wrapped the book up and put it into a pocket inside her homemade yellow cotton dress, wondering, What does he want? For it was only the day after her confrontation with her father and her conversation with Cole.
She had just been reading about the history of the gemstones, much of which she already knew. But bits and pieces had added new light to her meager education. She couldn’t bring herself yet to turn to the journal section in the back of the book. That was still too much to think about.
“Coming, Father!” she yelled out so he would know she’d heard him. He was a fair father, but not very patient when he wanted something.
As she entered the back of his shop, a small smile came to her lips. The scents of freshly shaved wood, varnish, and paint were as natural to her as the scent of the sea air, which surrounded the peninsula that Stronghaven sat at the end of.
Her father stood up from behind a newly finished bureau of drawers. The wood was exquisite in its shine, and the carvings at each corner were so detailed and delicate that Shaeleen knew it was one of her father’s finest pieces yet.
“You’ve outdone yourself again, Father!” Shaeleen exclaimed. This was no false boast and therefore brought her no pain at all. Maybe learning to tell the truth would be refreshing.
Her father watched her with a brief look of concern. They hadn’t spoken since the previous day, but he forgave easily. And his concern soon turned to appreciation at Shaeleen’s words.
“I need your help today,” he said. “This is the first commissioned piece for Lady Judith. I need you to go with me.”
The words of Melindra came back to her—‘Lords and ladies will want to be your friends’—and she groaned out loud.
“It won’t be all that bad!” Her father laughed. “Afterward, we can take a walk on the shoreline and get a sweet roll for you.”
Shaeleen laughed. “You know me all too well, Father.” She did love something sweet. “I would be happy to go.”
A twinge of pain throbbed in her temples at these last words. She turned to the side to keep her father from noticing. Well, maybe she wasn’t all that happy to go, but she was willing. That should count for something, shouldn’t it? Maybe that’s why she was only feeling a minor pain in her head rather than the gut-wrenching heave in her stomach that she’d experienced the previous day.
“Go and tell your mother we’re leaving.”
Shaeleen ran into the house. But before seeing her mother, she went into her own room and shoved the book from her pocket into the back of her dresser drawer. She stopped for a moment and looked at the other wad of fabric there. The TruthStone. She reached her hand toward it and then stopped and glanced behind her. Finally, with little thought, she grabbed it and stuck it in her pocket. She didn’t know why, but she felt drawn to have it with her. As she took it, she realized she had felt the pain of her own lie earlier, even without the TruthStone on her person. Was just being its owner enough to feel pain from lies? Either way, she felt better having it with her for now.
Shaeleen headed to the kitchen, where her mother, Gleda, and her younger sister, Alva, were making bread. She smiled at the two. They were so alike. Her sister was thirteen and almost taller than Shaeleen. Her coloring—a little darker than Shaeleen’s—took more after their mother’s. They seemed happy making bread—something Shaeleen had found quite boring and tedious.
“I’m going with Father to deliver furniture to Lady Judith,” Shaeleen informed them.
Her mother looked up and smiled. “This is a big opportunity for your father. If this piece goes well, he will have made an inroad into the nobles’ community: something he has been trying to do for years.”
Alva turned to Shaeleen with flour speckling her face and apron. “Maybe you can befriend a noble’s son, Shae.” Alva’s brown eyes sparkled as she laughed musically.
“Alva!” Shaeleen rolled her eyes. “Boy crazy at thirteen, are we?”
Alva blushed and got back to kneading her dough.
Shaeleen just laughed. But, as she stepped toward the door, the words of Melindra came to her mind once again. She stepped outside, frowning at the thought that she was being manipulated by the stone.
“Why the scowl, Daughter?” her father asked. He had brought the horse and wagon around back and was ready to load the piece of furniture.
“Nothing,” Shaeleen said and then felt the familiar pain in her gut. But she had braced for it this time. Maybe that’s what she would have to do—just get used to the pain—for her lies were only small and didn’t hurt anyone.
She helped her father lift the furniture into the back of the wagon and then set blankets all around it before her father secured it with soft ropes so it wouldn’t fall over. Then both of them climbed up on the seat, and they began the ride to the nobles’ quarter. They waved at a few other merchants. Heading out with their own goods, a seamstress, a fuller, and an ironsmith joined them on the road that headed closer to the sea.
Soon she could see the white spires of the castle, reflecting the morning sunlight. The building was hundreds of years old and had been the ruling center of King Wayland’s empire before he split it up for his children. Now it was the capital of Galena, a kingdom on the east side of Wayland, and people worked on the castle daily, keeping it bright and clean. It rose up six stories in the air, with the spires reaching even farther into the blue skies, and multiple balconies, walkways, and parapets stretched around its perimeter.
Shaeleen let out a breath of wonder.
“Someday you will see inside of it,” her father said.
Shaeleen laughed. “That is doubtful, Father. What reason would the prince or regent ever have to meet me?” The old woman’s words came back to her once again: Kings and queens will clamor for your attention.
“You’re scowling again, Shaeleen,” her father pointed out. “Seems to be happening a lot lately. Is something bothering you?”
Shaeleen was about to say no and deny that anything was bothering her. But she knew that, if she did, the pain would come once again. So, instead, she spoke the truth: “Just trying to figure out something.”
“Well, let me know if yo
u need any help,” her father offered. “I’ve been through quite a bit in my life.”
Shaeleen laughed. Her father had no idea what she was going through. No one did.
“I don’t think you would understand,” she mumbled back.
Soon the roads became smoother and the shops and homes nicer. Lawns began appearing inside fenced properties with oversized mansions settled back behind gardens and trees. Due to the sea air, most of the homes were a light color—white, yellow, or even a faint coral. The wagons that passed theirs held covered areas for the nobles to sit in. Some had drapes drawn closed; others enjoyed the morning sun shining through.
Soon her father slowed down in front of one of the larger estates. A guard stood at the entrance and asked their purpose. Then they were directed to pull their wagon inside the property and down a smaller lane.
Shaeleen was mesmerized by the many bright spring flowers—highlighted by the round, purple allium blooms and crimson geraniums—and bushes cut into the shapes of dolphins and birds. She couldn’t imagine anyone having so much wealth.
Pulling around to a side door, Shaeleen’s father slowed the horses. When he and Shaeleen dismounted, they were met by a servant.
“The lady will attend you once the piece is inside,” the man said. “It is quite too warm out here for her today.”
Shaeleen knew that was a lie. Her head throbbed, but not badly. Lady Judith just wanted them to attend to her.
They took the furniture from the back of the cart and carried it carefully inside.
“In here, please,” the servant said, directing them into a room almost as large as Shaeleen’s family’s entire home. It was a sitting room of some sort, filled with chairs and heirlooms, and had a beautifully constructed fireplace at its center.
Then the servant left to retrieve Lady Judith.
After waiting for about half an hour, Shaeleen finally stood up and started walking around the room, looking at artifacts and artwork that were more amazing than she had ever seen before.
“Shaeleen,” her father whispered. “Sit down. Don’t be snooping around.”
“I’m not snooping. I’m admiring,” Shaeleen said. “How can they afford all of this?”
Shaeleen’s father shook his head and, with a laugh, said, “I don’t know. But, if Lady Judith likes the piece, maybe we can drain some of this wealth from her and her friends.”
As Shaeleen laughed with him, it felt good. She hadn’t laughed much in the last day.
After another hour of waiting, the servant finally returned.
“I’m sorry for the wait, but Lady Judith has been detained on some business with her husband, Lord Gregory,” the servant informed them.
Shaeleen felt a churning in her stomach, but different than before. The man wasn’t lying, but there was more to it. She was sure he was holding back.
“Should we come back later?” Shaeleen’s father asked.
The servant shook his head. “No. No. I don’t think so. It shouldn’t be much longer. I will have some food brought in for you.”
“Thank you,” her father said.
A few moments later, tea and biscuits were brought in for Shaeleen and her father. They ate in silence, for Shaeleen could tell her father was very nervous. This sale meant a lot to him.
Then Shaeleen could hear voices being raised, off somewhere in the house. She regarded her father, and he just shrugged.
After another long hour, the door opened again. It was the same servant. Shaeleen and her father stood, expecting to see Lady Judith behind him. But he was clearly frazzled and seemed not quite sure what to say.
Finally, he said, “Lady Judith sends her apologies, but—”
Before he could say anything else, a commotion ensued outside of the door.
“I’ve told you the truth, my dear,” came a man’s voice. “Have you told me the truth?”
These words made Shaeleen cringe, and the pounding started up again in her head. She tried to keep it from getting too bad.
A woman’s voice followed: “Gregory, you are mad. I have not done anything wrong.”
Then a man burst into the sitting room angrily. “Is this where you’re hiding him?” Shaeleen stared at the man. Is this Lord Gregory? He was about ten years older than her father, but about three inches taller and at least a foot wider. He had graying hair and fleshy jowls, but exuded strength.
Coming up behind him with quick steps was the woman. Probably Lady Judith. Her hair was up, and she was dressed immaculately, in a deep green gown with a lighter green sash tied around her middle. Although she appeared to be about the same age as the man, the years had treated her much better than they had treated her husband.
Neither Lord Gregory nor Lady Judith seemed happy. And the woman’s eyes were wet with tears. She stopped short in front of Shaeleen and her father.
“Is this him?” Lord Gregory said.
“Is this who, Gregory? What did you think this was?” Lady Judith snapped at him.
Shaeleen glanced back and forth between her father and the bickering couple. This was very awkward.
Shaeleen’s father took a brave step forward and gave a short bow. “Sir and madam, I am Seth the carpenter. This is my daughter Shaeleen. We have brought the piece you commissioned, my lady.”
Lord Gregory’s eyes went wide, and his face reddened.
Lady Judith pointed toward the bureau drawers Seth had made and said, “This was to be a present for you, Gregory. Now I might just use it for firewood.”
Shaeleen looked at her father. His face had turned as white as a ghost’s, and he took an absentminded step toward his creation.
“L-Lady Judith,” Seth implored with a slightly wavering stutter. “We can come back another day if that would be better.”
“Another day won’t make any difference, with my husband’s dalliances. He has accused me of impropriety, when it is he that has been unfaithful.”
Shaeleen doubled over and groaned. This was too much for her to handle. Too much in Lady Judith’s statement had hurt her. Too many lies.
“What is wrong with her?” the woman asked Seth.
Her father moved to Shaeleen’s side to see what was wrong. She took a few deep breaths and then stood up straight once again.
“I have done nothing wrong here,” Lord Gregory said. “You accuse me falsely. It is you who has been untrue to me.”
That was true. Shaeleen knew now that Lady Judith hid behind her own accusations. She realized the lack of pain in signifying the truth was as clear to her as the pain of a lie.
“I most definitely have not been unfaithful to you, Gregory,” Lady Judith cried out.
Shaeleen almost fell over in agony, her father catching her just in time. She couldn’t stand it anymore. “Stop it,” she said. “Stop the lies. He is right. You have been unfaithful, Lady Judith.”
All talking in the room stopped abruptly, and they all scrutinized Shaeleen.
She stared defiantly at the woman and then whispered, “It’s true. Your husband is right, and you know it.”
Lady Judith’s eyes bulged wide, and spittle dripped out of a corner of her mouth as she said, “How dare you insult me in my own house. You have no right to interfere with our business. Out! Out of my house right now, and take that cursed piece of furniture with you.”
Seth stepped forward and said, “My lady, I apologize for my daughter’s outburst.” He glared over at Shaeleen, disappointment and anger written all over his face. “Let me keep the piece here and return another day. You are correct: this is none of our business.”
The woman turned to the servant and said, “Pay the man for the piece he has brought.” Then, turning back to Shaeleen’s father, she continued, “But don’t bother returning. There will be no more business for you in my household or in any around mine. I will make sure of that.”
The servant gave a purse of money to Shaeleen’s father and then used his arms to shuffle the two of them toward the door. Passing by the woman, Shael
een glanced up and was met with a feeling of vehement hatred. She couldn’t find it in herself to apologize, but she did feel horrible for embarrassing her father. Before leaving the room, she also caught the eye of Lord Gregory. His face was harder to read. She thought there was a hint of relief and thankfulness there, but she wasn’t sure.
Soon they were ushered out the back door and to their wagon. Climbing up next to her father on the seat, Shaeleen watched him grab the reins and give the command for the horses to move. Her father’s jaw was set hard, and his eyes flamed with anger and disappointment for several minutes.
“Do you know what you have done to me?” he whispered about ten minutes later. His voice held such pain and hurt that Shaeleen couldn’t bear to look at him.
She hung her head down and tried to control the ache in her gut. Tears filled her eyes, and she wiped them away angrily and berated herself for the earlier outburst. She got in trouble when she lied and when she told the truth. It didn’t seem to matter.
Peeking out of the corner of her eyes, she saw her father’s jaw begin to relax. The anger was subsiding—he was always quick to forgive. But did she deserve his forgiveness this time?
She would fix it somehow. She vowed she would.
CHAPTER FIVE
That night, Shaeleen sat in her room reading the TruthSeers’ Journal. Alva had gone to sleep hours before, and the candle now burned low. There were some introductory notes about the gemstones themselves, but Shaeleen gave them only a perfunctory glance. She continued to turn the book’s pages until she came to a section actually titled TruthSeers’ Journal. With trepidation, she turned the page, wanting—and at the same time not really wanting—to read about the former TruthSeers.
Nothing was there. She turned a few pages more. But the entire rest of the book was blank!
What kind of book is this?
The TruthStone, which was in her pocket still, began to feel warm through her dress. She reached her hand in and pulled it out. A green glow spread out from the Moldavite stone and filled the room.
