by Mike Shelton
They nodded and everyone settled back down around the fire, either sitting on the ground or logs.
“My name is Genevieve,” the older woman said. “Harold is my husband, and Aaron is our son. His wife is Marianne, and their young son, our first grandchild, is Tad.” She had said her grandson’s name with a sense of pride.
Shaeleen smiled at each in turn. “My name is Shaeleen, and this is Orin.”
At Shaeleen’s introductions, Orin’s stomach rumbled.
Genevieve laughed. “Aaah, young boys. Always hungry.” She dished out some stew in two bowls and, grabbing a chunk of bread, gave both Shaeleen and Orin a portion.
Harold and Aaron still stood off to one side. Both had strong builds and dark hair, though Harold’s hair was speckled with gray. He also sported a beard and a mustache, while Aaron was clean-shaven. Aaron had a broad stature, and muscles bulged under his shirt.
Definitely a portion of the StrengthStone in these two, Shaeleen thought.
Both men continued to look out into the forest with wary expressions.
“Come back over here, you two,” Genevieve ordered. “There’s nothing else back in those woods.” Turning to Shaeleen and Orin, she asked, “Is there? You all alone?”
“It’s just us, ma’am,” Shaeleen said.
“And caught in the sea, I would guess, by the looks of you.” Genevieve
Shaeleen knew the woman wanted to know more about them, but she’d had the good graces not to push it. By the previous conversation, the family obviously thought Shaeleen and Orin were brother and sister. Shaeleen knew she would have to tell them something. And she would have to tread carefully. She took a few deep breaths and braced herself for pain.
“Our ship was traveling from Portsmouth to Riverton, when some men boarded us from a larger ship,” Shaeleen said carefully, not telling any lies.
Then Marianne spoke her first words: “Pirates. Filthy things.”
Shaeleen didn’t contradict her and held back the small pain from the inferred lie.
“Pirates are bad, miss,” Orin said, swallowing down his last bite of bread.
Shaeleen knew he was trying to tell the truth as much as possible while avoiding the real story. She smiled over at him to continue.
“We barely escaped over the side,” Orin continued. “Then landed on the shore all alone.”
“And your parents?” Harold asked, still glancing back at the forest. He didn’t appear convinced that this wasn’t a trap of some sort.
“Our parents were not with us,” Shaeleen said with truthfulness.
“Such a shame,” Genevieve said.
For the first time, Shaeleen took time to look at the wagon with its team of horses, standing off to the side of the group.
Genevieve noticed Shaeleen’s gaze. “We are traveling merchants,” she said. “My husband carves figures out of wood, and we sell them in the villages. Would you like to see one?”
Harold scowled at his wife, but she waved him off and walked to the wagon. She returned a few moments later with a small figure. Bringing it into the light, she handed it to Shaeleen.
She took it reverently and ran her hands over it. It was a carving of an eagle. The detail of the wings was exquisite. “It’s beautiful.”
Harold smiled for the first time.
“And to make it out of walnut. That must be difficult.” Shaeleen marveled at the piece. “But it will last a long time.”
Harold opened his eyes wider. “You seem to know your woods, young lady.”
“Oh yes, my father is a carpenter,” Shaeleen said with a broad smile. “He makes large furniture pieces. But your carvings are so intricate. It really is amazing. And the stain brings out the grain in just the right places.”
Genevieve frowned. “You said your father is a carpenter?”
“Yes…” Shaeleen wondered if she had said something wrong.
“Is or was?” Genevieve asked with some suspicion.
Then Shaeleen realized they had assumed their parents were with them and had been taken by the pirates.
Orin jumped in to save her. “We do hope our parents are safe and we will see them again.”
Shaeleen was really amazed at how deftly Orin had gotten used to saying things without lying.
Genevieve relaxed, and Harold stood and brought back a few other pieces for Shaeleen to look at. He became more relaxed as he talked about his craft. Shaeleen was delighted to share her knowledge of wood with him. It did make her miss her family, though. She thought about her younger sister and her mother also. But thinking about her brother, Cole, brought a frown to her face.
“What’s wrong, Shaeleen?” Marianne asked, moving over closer to her. She held her young son in her arms. His eyes were closing, and he was just about asleep.
“Just thinking of my family,” Shaeleen said. She wondered what Cole was doing and how he was getting along without her. She had no doubt he could protect himself physically; however, he was not a very social person and was quiet around others. “I hope they’re each all right.”
Marianne leaned over and put an arm around Shaeleen, giving her a small hug. The sudden gesture of kindness brought tears to Shaeleen’s eyes. She reached her hand up onto Marianne’s arm. The physical contact brought a sense of Marianne’s mind to her own. These were good people.
“Thank you,” Shaeleen said after a deep breath.
“You two look exhausted,” Genevieve said. “Aaron, grab them some blankets. They can sleep under the wagon tonight.”
Moments later, Shaeleen climbed under the wagon and closed her eyes. Orin lay next to her on the ground. She could feel the heat from his fever still and worried about him. She was so exhausted. The food had restored some measure of strength to her body, but she knew it would be several days before she was feeling like herself—whatever that was anymore.
I have changed. No. The stone has changed me. With those last thoughts, Shaeleen drifted off to sleep.
* * *
The next morning, Shaeleen discovered that Harold and his family would be making their way to Riverton, hoping to arrive for a popular summer festival the next week. Orin’s fever was still dangerously high and he barely stayed awake. She herself still felt weary to her bones and didn’t know how they would make it on the road.
“Why don’t you two stay with us a few days,” offered Genevieve. “Orin can stay in the wagon, but I’m afraid there isn’t enough room for you,” she said to Shaeleen.
Shaeleen nodded. “I can walk.” Thought she wondered if she really could.
The day passed by almost like a dream. Shaeleen’s mind and body was numb from walking. All she could think about was putting one foot in front of the other. She would periodically check on Orin, but he slept most of the day away. Upon inspecting his wound that night, it was pink, but didn’t look infected.
“You are healing quickly,” Harold said to Orin that night around the fire. “Must be your age.”
Shaeleen gave Orin a questioning look, but he just shrugged his shoulders – then winced. Shaeleen wondered if his power of speed had something to do with the quick healing. She knew so little about the use of the power of the stones.
The next two days were similar to the first, though each day, Shaeleen’s stamina increased, and Orin’s wound grew better. By the fourth day Orin joined her on the road. His fever had broken and he looked remarkably well.
Taking a coastal road eastward, the family with Shaeleen and Orin passed several other people on the road. Some of which Harold and Genevieve seemed to know.
Later that day, a few hours before sunset, they stopped at a small town and set up their wagon in the town square as they had done on previous days. Aaron helped Harold bring out his goods, displaying them on a blanket on the ground. A few townspeople appeared, but not as many as Shaeleen had seen in previous towns.
Orin grew bored and became antsy after lying down for so many days. He wandered around the town as any young boy would and bought some new cloth
es for himself and Shaeleen—at least, Shaeleen hoped he had purchased them and not stolen them.
It was a typical small town, though smaller than Shaeleen was used to back home. A single street was lined with a dozen or so small shops and a few inns for travelers on their way to and from Riverton, along the southern coast of Gabor. The houses further off the main street were well kept, with flowers blooming in window boxes and small vegetable gardens just starting to show spring growth.
“How’s your shoulder?” Shaeleen asked, noticing that Orin still favored it slightly.
“Better.” Orin moved his arm around. “But still can’t lift my arm all the way up.”
Shaeleen took a quick look at the wound; it was almost completely healed over. She wished she had the power to heal—but the pink Azeztulite HealingStone resided in Shema and she didn’t know when she would get there.
“Another day or two and we’ll both have our full energy back,” Shaeleen said with a smile. “Then we need to get on to Riverton quickly. I’m anxious to get back to Cole.”
Orin gave her the clothes he had purchased for her and then headed back out into town. Shaeleen stayed behind the wagon with Marianne and her child. The little boy was just learning to crawl and entertained them with his squeals and small discoveries. Shaeleen wondered how their lives could be so simple and removed from the dangers lurking in the world. She found herself feeling envious. It was a nice reprieve, but one that Shaeleen knew couldn’t last long.
Later, she heard the footsteps of a group of people enter the town square on the other side of the wagon, where the carvings were being sold. A few voices were raised, and she grew concerned. She walked around the side of the wagon.
Aaron stood facing the largest man in a five-man group—the power of the StrengthStone has definitely spread throughout the kingdom of Gabor.
Harold moved out to join them. “What seems to be the trouble here?”
Aaron turned to his father. “These men are asking for protection money, Father.”
“Protection from what?” Harold asked.
The largest man stepped forward. “There are bandits around here. We will help to protect you from them.”
Shaeleen felt her stomach lurch, and she grabbed onto the side of the wagon. The noise caused a few men to look her way. Seeing only a simple young woman, they turned their attention back to Harold and the largest man.
“What about the local sheriff or constable?”
“We are the law here,” the man said.
Another pain racked Shaeleen—this time in her head. The statement held a notion of truth, but the undertones certainly didn’t feel right. Shaking her head, she resumed listening to the conversation.
“I won’t pay protection money for something that should already be protected by the law,” Harold stated. “This town has always been safe for traveling merchants.”
One of the five men moved his foot and kicked one of the carvings. “Ooops,” he said. “My mistake. I guess I’m just clumsy.”
Aaron moved over in front of the carvings. “You did that on purpose. You owe us for that piece.” He put out his hand for payment.
The largest man stepped closer to Harold and said, “If you pay up, I’ll be nice and deduct the price of that piece from the payment.”
But another bout of pain let Shaeleen know he wouldn’t keep his end of the bargain.
Suddenly, Orin was at her side.
She jumped. “Don’t do that.”
Orin was breathing hard. “The city leaders are being held in the town jail, Shae.” He saw the five men threatening Harold and his family. “Those men are bandits trying to take control of the town.”
Shaeleen nodded. Then she moved back behind the wagon for a moment. She found Genevieve, Marianne, and the little boy and told the women to get inside the wagon. They’d heard the raised voices, so they agreed to do so.
“Orin, I want you to go and free the city leaders,” Shaeleen said. “Can you do that?”
“Of course I can do that.” Orin grinned but then furrowed his brow at her. “But should we get involved here? You’re always telling me to not use my power so often.”
Shaeleen scowled at his words. “This is the right thing to do. The town needs to know the truth. Please just speed in and unlock the lock. They will do the rest, I hope.”
Orin laughed. “Sounds fun. I was bored anyway.”
After Orin left, Shaeleen walked toward the bandits. They were in the process of threatening Harold again when she walked up.
“Shaeleen, get back in the wagon!” Harold ordered her. “This is men’s business.”
“Seems like it is the town’s business, Harold.” Shaeleen stood up as tall as she could—which, unfortunately, was still a foot shorter than most of the men there. Why couldn’t I be taller?
One of the men moved closer to her, but she paid him no attention.
“These men are lying, Harold,” she continued. “They are not offering protection. They are the bandits themselves and will take your money and your goods.”
Shaeleen noticed that a group of townspeople had begun to gather around the fringes of the town square.
The oversized bandit leader glared at her. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the law here. What does a young girl know anyway?”
Shaeleen gritted her teeth against the pain from his lies, but she pushed forward nevertheless. “Do you deny that you have jailed the rightful leaders of this town?”
The eyes of all five popped in surprise. She could tell they wondered how she could have known that. Harold looked at her and tilted his head, as if asking if she had spoken the truth.
“Yes,” Shaeleen said. “These bandits have put the leaders of this town in jail and now try to steal from you and all of its citizens.”
Someone in the back of the crowd yelled out a curse of anger toward the bandits.
“She doesn’t know what she’s saying,” the bandit leader said.
“Oh, I assure you that I know the truth of everything, sir,” Shaeleen said.
The townspeople moved in closer. A few of the bandits looked around nervously.
Then one of them spoke softly, but Shaeleen still heard him. “You said this would be easy, Joss,” the bandit said to the leader.
Joss pulled his sword and pointed it at Harold. “Pay up now, or I will kill your wife.”
One of the bandits must have somehow sneaked around to the back, for he now brought out Genevieve.
Shaeleen couldn’t tell if Joss would indeed kill Genevieve or not. Shaeleen’s head ached, and she felt a small twinge of pain in her gut. It must mean he hasn’t decided yet. But this was still a dangerous situation.
“Now pay up!” Joss yelled at Harold.
“Shae! Shae!” Orin’s voice called from behind her.
With the crowd’s attention on Joss, Harold, and Genevieve, Shaeleen took a few steps back toward the wagon, and Orin came around the corner.
“The constable and mayor and their men will be here soon,” Orin said.
“But it may not be soon enough,” Shaeleen mused out loud. “Orin, when I signal to you, I want you to take that large man’s sword and then knock down the man holding Genevieve.”
Orin opened his eyes wider at her and nodded.
Shaeleen walked back into the crowd, putting on the bravest face she could, and stopped in front of Joss. He glared at her while still pointing his sword at Harold.
“Leave now!” Shaeleen ordered Joss, her heart pounding so hard she thought the whole town could have heard it. She had been struck with this sudden idea, which might or might not work.
“Get away from here!” Joss yelled at her.
“You must think the strength of the Red Jasper stone only flows through those who look strong,” Shaeleen said, loud enough that all had heard. With that, she brought her hand up toward his hand—the one holding the sword—and, with a brief hand signal to Orin to throw the sword to the ground, proceeded to grab t
he man’s hand.
The sword flew through the air and landed on the ground. To the crowd, it had appeared as if Shaeleen had done this.
Joss stood with his mouth open wide, apparently not knowing what to say.
Then Shaeleen moved toward the man holding Genevieve and, with a quick nod to Orin, pushed a hand against that man’s body. At the same time, Orin came speeding in, pushed the man himself, and then disappeared back behind the wagon.
The man fell to the ground, to everyone’s surprise.
The crowd cheered.
But Joss began taking a few steps back. “She—she’s a witch,” was all he could say.
And then the crowd laughed.
All five bandits were backing away, out of the growing crowd, when the town leaders rode up on their horses. The bandits tried to get away, but, with a sudden blur that only Shaeleen knew the cause of, each bandit tripped and fell to the ground. This brought hysterical laughter and claps from the townspeople.
All of a sudden, Orin stood next to Shaeleen with a big grin on his face. “A little extra fun.”
Shaeleen nodded her head a few times and clapped her hands. “Well done, Orin. How are you feeling?”
“Hungry.”
Shaeleen laughed but continued to give him a questioning look.
Orin took a deep breath and then put a hand out against the wagon to steady himself. “And quite tired.” He admitted.
“You still need rest,” Shaeleen said as they walked over to join Harold and his family.
Harold leaned over and said to Shaeleen, “I don’t know how you did that, but I am grateful.” Then he stood with his arm around his wife.
Shaeleen smiled and felt good inside. She had used her powers for something good—This is what my powers should be used for—to help others.
Then the townspeople surged over to examine Harold’s goods.
“Looks like you have some new customers,” Shaeleen said.
Harold beamed, and then he and Aaron went out to meet them. In the next hour, many of their carvings were purchased.
Later that night, their group camped off the road in a clearing just east of the town. After a warm meal, they settled in for the night. Shaeleen fell asleep in moments, with a smile on her face.
