Rise of the Sparrows

by Sarina Langer

  “What do you want to try?”

  “My lesson. Let's try focusing again.” With new purpose, Rachael closed her eyes and tried to find the place within herself she knew did not exist.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Cephy shut her eyes and listened to the sounds around her. Aeron had taught her how to focus all of herself on her gift, and when she did it well she could sense the slightest of movements around her without needing to see. Without a problem she found the place within herself where her magic resided, and let that spark feel out around her. The faint sound of water crushing down on rocks and muddy soil below. The flapping of bird wings above her. A squirrel working hard to crack a nut. It all sounded like they happened right next to her.

  Cale's place sure was nice. She knew they were close to the White City, but their little spot inside the forest made it feel like they were miles away. Ailis was nice, too. She let her help with the cooking and other household chores, and Cale even allowed her to accompany him deeper into the forest when he went out to hunt for game. He taught her how to use a bow, and she even got to swing his sword a few times. Ailis taught her how to cook the most delicious things—delicious things she was proud to have made herself. Maybe, if things had turned out differently, she could have been a great baker like her parents. Instead she had been born with the spark of magic, and her father had cast her out like the rest of the rubbish, to rot forgotten in the curb beside the house. If it had not been for Rachael, Cephy knew she wouldn't have survived the winter.

  But she had gathered all her courage, and had approached Rachael. She knew from gossip around town that Rachael was dangerous—her own father had talked badly about her many times—but Cephy had found that the opposite was true. Rachael was real nice to her, and had even helped her escape from town.

  Of course, they wouldn't have needed to escape if the White Guard hadn't come after them. Who had called them in? Was it a stranger or could it have been her own father? She knew what he was capable off, and did not put it past him. He hated magic as much as anyone—

  Apart from Cale and Ailis and Arlo. They'd been real nice to her, too, and Arlo had even fixed her hands! The tincture he had used on her charred skin had been magic in itself, the way it had worked on her blisters and burned flesh. Her bandages were finally off now, and she could see her hands for what they were again—still a little rough in places, but healed.

  She hated Aeron for what she had done to her, for how easily she had cast them aside. She also loved her for having taught her. If Aeron had really wanted them gone, why teach her? She had been so indifferent when Cale had taken her and Rachael away, almost relieved even, but she had taught Cephy how to control her magic. If it had not been for Aeron, she would never have found that place within herself, where her magic slept until she called it. If it had not been for Aeron, the sound of the squirrel cracking the nut would be silently hidden away to Cephy, but instead she was able to hear every hit.

  Cephy grimaced. If it had not been for Aeron, her hands would never have suffered like this. Aeron had told her that sacrifice was necessary if Cephy wanted to accomplish anything, but she had taken it too far. Her hands had hurt beyond anything Cephy had ever felt before, and would still be hurting if Arlo hadn't intervened and if Cale hadn't come to save them from the evil Mist Woman.

  Still, Cephy could not hate Aeron completely. It was beautiful here, in Cale's house and garden, but all they did was focus on Rachael. Ailis spent so much time teaching Rachael how to find that place within herself, which Rachael struggled with beyond compare but which Cephy could tap into so easily. Even when she helped with dinner, even when Cale taught her how to hold and shoot the bow, their priority was Rachael. Cephy couldn't help feeling like the unwanted tag-along. She was sure that, if it hadn't been for Rachael, she would still be lost in the woods near Blackrock, trying to fend for herself, or otherwise dead and half-eaten by wolves.

  Their lives revolved around Rachael and this prophecy. No one cared what happened to her. In a way, life with Cale and Ailis was not that different from her old life with her parents and siblings.

  Maybe Aeron would take her back. The Mist Woman had been closed to Rachael while they had been there, but she had been open with Cephy. Maybe, if she went back now, Aeron would teach her once more. She wouldn't be in Rachael's way then. Hadn't Aeron said that she was welcome in her home any time? All she needed to do was find the way.

  What King Aeric did to people like her was terrible. She hated him and his people's loathing for her kind. If they hadn't run—if, if, if. Cephy was getting tired of it. There were too many unknowns, too much was left to chance. She knew the Sparrows were trying, but their numbers were virtually non-existent compared to the White Guard. They would all be wiped out before they even got a glimpse at King Aeric. And then what? People like her would forever be left to suffer.

  Rachael was trying, too. At night, after they had gone to bed, they often talked about their days. Rachael still couldn't sense the magic inside her, and Ailis was beginning to lose faith. She hadn't said so but she looked more exhausted with each time she left Rachael's room. Cephy agreed that the King had to be killed, and she was happy that Rachael had agreed to help, but Rachael was not making any progress. And where did that leave her?

  If this war were to be won, they needed to take more drastic measures. It was risky, but she wanted to find Aeron and ask the Mist Woman to train her. Aeron wouldn't turn her down if she went back now. She had said herself that Cephy would always be welcome in her home.

  Cephy only hoped that her instincts were correct.

  Rachael could only make out hazy shapes. There was red, and black and different shades of grey, but she couldn't tell what they belonged to. Mostly it was dark. There were sounds, too, somewhere in the distance. They were muffled and unclear, as though she wore something thick over her ears and had just been hit over the head. She thought they were screams, but they were too garbled for her to be sure.

  All she knew without a doubt was that they made her skin crawl. Whatever this was, it was wrong and her heart nearly doubled over itself in fear of what was to come. There were distant bangs, like explosions or a door slamming shut.

  There was the feeling of recognition, and the terrible emptiness only a lack of hope could bring.

  Finally, there was pain, searing through her and burning into every corner of her being.

  She sat up with a start. She was soaked in sweat and cold from the dampness of her shirt, but she was fine.

  Confused she looked around. She was safely tucked away in her bed, in Cale's cabin. It was silent outside save for the soft cooing of owls, and it was silent downstairs. Since it was the middle of the night everyone would likely be asleep.

  Trying to calm herself, she got up and busied herself looking for a cloth to dry her sweat and fresh clothes she could change into.

  It didn't make any sense. The dream had felt like a vision, but it had been too unclear to be one. Her visions had always been lucid—there had never been a doubt about their meaning. This had been nothing but a blurred, confused mess of colours and sounds. The distinct sharpness of her visions was lacking, but it had felt like every other vision she'd ever had. It had left her disoriented, her head throbbing and her heart racing. She couldn't even tell if this dream had been about her or about someone else; whether it was something that would happen here, in the forests, or somewhere nearby. There had been no details, but she couldn't shake the familiar feeling of her visions. Something terrible was coming, and she was completely defenceless. What good was a warning when all facts were missing?

  Knowing she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep for a while, she went downstairs for some fresh air. It would be cold outside but the cool breeze would be perfect for her racing mind.

  She was surprised to find Cale sitting in a corner by himself.

  “Are you all right? Why are you up?” He sounded concerned. A part of her had started to belie
ve that his worry for her was real, but she couldn't convince herself to be so careless. For all she knew her dream had tried to warn her about him. Until she knew for sure she would be as careful as she had always been.

  Despite his kindness and everything they had done for her, she still barely knew him or Ailis. Cephy was the only one she really trusted, but Cephy had earned her trust. Cale was a long way off if he wanted the same.

  She shrugged, not wanting to discuss it. “I can't sleep. Why are you up?”

  A small candle lit his sitting figure and dipped him in a warm light. “It's complicated, Rachael.”

  “Try me.” Her whole life had been complicated. She had got good at it.

  He sighed, but she thought she saw him smile, too.

  “I'm thinking about the Sparrows, and this war. How many have died. How many will still die, if we can't figure out a way to stop King Aeric.”

  Remembering her conversation with Ailis, she decided to ask. “When can I meet them?” Cale kept telling her how relieved they were that she was alive, how much they supported her and believed in her, yet he stalled every time it was brought up. How could they trust someone they didn't even know? How could they just believe in her, without knowing her? She had to meet people like that, people who put their faith so blindly in a stranger.

  “It's difficult. There are things to prepare, the White Guard is always watching. I can't risk them finding us. The time isn't right.”

  “I can sneak without being seen. You always say that they want to meet me, so take me to them.” She had no idea what she would say to them, but she was curious. These were people who fought the King and his men, to defend people like her. They were people who trusted her to set things right, who were committed to creating a better future for gifted people.

  They were people who had sworn that no one else would have to go through what she and Cephy had gone through.

  How couldn't she be curious? Even if she had nothing to say to them, she had to see for herself that people like that existed. She had to see if they were genuine, if their hearts were in this fight. She didn't know what difference it would make if they were, but she had to know.

  “All right.” Her heart jumped when he agreed. “But you need to give me some time. I'll need to make sure that our route will be clear. Are you okay to go at night?”

  She nodded. “I've always searched for food at night without anyone spotting me.”

  “That was different, Rachael, you were in Blackrock then. There were no White Guards looking for you all the time.”

  “There were the night we escaped, and the people there always looked for me.”

  “You're right. You should meet them—you're their hero, after all.”

  She blushed. People had never been overly nice to her. How could she be someone's hero? “They don't even know me.”

  “They know enough. Trust me, Rachael—they'll be happy to see you. We can't go tonight, I need to prepare things first. Get some sleep, I'll let you know when it's time. Maybe in two, three days. Just be prepared, they are... excitable.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Are you ready?”

  Rachael barely made out the dark hooded figure ahead of her, which had just come to a stop.

  Drenched from the heavy downpour and struggling to see in the harsh light from the oil lamp, she walked up next to Cale. Darkness had always provided a sense of safety for her, but now the lack of light made it difficult to move forward in the unfamiliar surroundings. The heavy rain nearly blinded her and, despite her protests, Cale had led her by her hand for most of the trip. They couldn’t stop anywhere for long or else a guard on patrol might spot their silhouettes in the shadows. Dreadful as this weather was in the dark of night, it provided perfect cover. Cale pulling her onwards had been the best solution, whether she liked it or not.

  Two days after their conversation he had told her it was time, and to be ready. She thought that she had been prepared, but now that they were here her mind was racing. Behind that door were the people who had invested all their hopes for their future in her—all that blind faith, all the unjustified belief. What was she supposed to say to them? There was nothing she could offer but the truth, and they’d drop her in an instant when they learned that they had the wrong girl. Cale had assured her that they wouldn’t abandon her so quickly, but she found that hard to believe. Since she had left Blackrock a lot of strange things she hadn’t thought possible had happened, but blind faith wasn’t meant to last past betrayal.

  It was impossible to tell how long they had walked for. She wasn’t familiar with her surroundings and couldn’t judge time by the distance between buildings. Since they had left the forest and taken the main road through the gates and into the city walls she had been on edge, seeing every movement in the shadows as a potential threat. They'd been safe so far, but she didn’t trust this place which had sent armed soldiers after her. Even though the Sparrows' safe house was just within the city walls the trip there had been slow going. It could be a new day, for all she knew.

  Now that they were finally at the Sparrows’ hideout Rachael's clothes were soaked, her mind on edge. The cold rain had dampened her skin through the thin fabric, making her shiver.

  “I’m fine. Let’s go.” She was nervous to meet the people who held her in such high regard. One month ago they had arrived at Cale's house. One month ago, Ailis had started her lessons. That she was still unable to find the source of her magic inside herself was frustrating but it came as no surprise to her. Ailis assured her that if she kept trying, she would find it eventually. Rachael wasn't sure that there was anything for her to find.

  “Remember, I'll be right here with you if it becomes too much. We can leave at any time” Cale said, giving her a reassuring smile. His warning that they were excitable came to mind, and she wondered just how bad it could be. These were all grown-up people who had seen their friends die. They were people who had been hunted for their beliefs, or for having magic. Little children were excitable, screaming and bouncing when they received new toys. She struggled to picture a group of adults acting in the same way—because of her, no less.

  He knocked on the door in a strange sequence Rachael knew she wouldn’t remember, and smiled as the door opened barely wide enough for the smallest sliver of light to leak into the night.

  She heard a gasp from the other side, moments before the door flew open and a young man threw his arms around Cale.

  “You made it!” The man pulled away, grinning broadly as he gave Cale a once-over. “We were worried that something had happened when it was getting later.” Satisfied that his friend wasn’t hurt, the man turned his attention to Rachael. “You must be her. Rachael? It's so good to finally meet you in person, Cale hasn't stopped talking about you since he got back! Come on in. The others are waiting.” Feeling a little overwhelmed already, Rachael followed Cale inside and waited as he shut the door behind her. Cale had been right. If the others were anything like this man, then excitable was a good description.

  Rachael stayed close behind Cale as they walked through a faintly lit corridor, while Cale's friend filled him in about everything that had happened since the last time Cale had stopped by. He didn’t seem to need to breathe, and Rachael stopped paying attention to him.

  The building had looked old and abandoned from the outside, with barred windows and moss growing on the walls. On the inside it didn’t look much better. The staircase didn’t look safe with holes in several steps, and some of the doors were either hanging off their hinges or had been taken off completely. The floorboards creaked with every step, and the smell of mould and rot filled the atmosphere.

  It was easy to see why the White Guard hadn’t searched this place. Apart from a lack of dust it looked like it hadn’t been lived in for years.

  “Everyone, Cale is here!” The man opened a wide oak door to a bright chamber, his voice nearly failing with his excitement. “He brought the Sparrow!”
Sudden cheering from the other side told her that the room was filled to capacity. Cale gave her a wide smile, and led her inside.

  “Remember” he said as they entered, leaning into her so his friend wouldn’t hear. “We can leave any time if this becomes too much.” His words barely registering with her as she tried to stay calm, she nodded.

  Every corner of the room was stuffed with people, and every last one of them greeted her with a smile wider than the last, and joyous cheers. They looked like they had come from all backgrounds across all ages, men and women alike. Some of them looked barely older than Cephy but there were no children in the room that Rachael could see. Some of their heads were greying, their faces marked with deep wrinkles and the spark of wisdom only a long life could bring. Most of the clothes looked worn and patched by hand where hard work had torn the fabric, but others were of finer materials and adorned with lace stitching and even some jewelery. All of them stood together, their social standing no longer important. Cale had given them a cause to unite under. Whether they were from noble families or farmers didn't matter.

  There must have been fifty or more people in the room, and all their eyes were fixated on Rachael.

  She'd never felt this immediately accepted or loved in her entire life. The trust these people had in her was overwhelming, and her stomach sank. How could she tell these people that she wasn’t able to help them? She had expected them to be upset, depressed, beaten and mourning their fallen friends. Instead, they were celebrating. Because she was here.

  “Rachael, these are the Sparrows. My family.” As if Cale had given them a secret signal, everyone got up at once, forming a circle around them which was buzzing with whispers and names. Everyone seemed to be talking at the same time, filling the room with an impossible to understand chatter. “Calm down!” Just like that their chatter died down, but it did nothing to their wide smiles.