Kaliel frowned. The prospect of friends was out of the question. “Has she ever had apprentices?”
“Yes, many of them.”
“Where are they now?”
“The Lands of Men,” Desaunius said.
Kaliel twisted in her hands in her lap, unsure what to think. She was curious about the affairs in the Lands of Men, but not curious enough to leave Avristar. “Do they ever return?”
“Sometimes.”
Kaliel stared at the roof of the carriage. Orlondir was so vibrant during the festival season; it seemed so cold in between. The Beltane Festival had just ended, and so it would be many moons before Samhain. A pang of nerves hit her as she realized if she was patient, she might see Krishani again. She peered out the front of the caravan. The horse’s tails swished back and forth as they pulled towards the bridge and the moat. She caught them out of the corner of her eye and her senses perked up, the sadness draining away.
“Is that—?” she asked, pointing at the stone walls around the castle.
“Aye, we have arrived,” Desaunius said.
The horses pulled through the wide, heavy gates and trotted into the courtyard. Desaunius yanked on the reins and pulled them to a stop.
Kaliel paused in the back of the carriage, and waited for Desaunius to come around back and assist her. The girl who showed herself a moment later wasn’t Desaunius. She had long brown hair and eyes, pointed ears and a bland linen gown.
“Greetings,” the girl said with bright eyes.
“Greetings,” Kaliel said.
The girl held out her hand and Kaliel hopped off the back of the carriage, landing on the cobble-stone walkway. She winced at the hard stone against her slippers, but shook away the discomfort. She went to get her bag, but the girl already had it on the ground. Kaliel quickened her pace and reached for the little box with the birthstone. It was the only memory of home she had.
Desaunius rounded the carriage and pulled Kaliel into her embrace. “Be well, child,” she whispered into her hair.
Kaliel was unsure how she would feel when the moment came, but now that it was here she was sad. “I want to go home.”
Desaunius laughed. “Be strong,” she said, then whispered, “And wild.”
Kaliel pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered. She glanced at the servant girl for a moment, hoping she would say something, but she stayed silent.
“Give Atara my regards,” Desaunius said.
The servant bowed her head and struggled to sling the bag over her shoulder. “This way, Kaliel.”
Kaliel followed her, but turned, watching Desaunius pull the carriage out of the courtyard and over the bridge. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
“It gets easier,” the servant girl said.
* * *
10-The Witches
The servant girl, who had introduced herself as Melianna, returned hours later when Kaliel had settled into her quarters. It was a tower room in the west wing, circular, a green embroidered rug stretching to the edges of the room, leaving a thin strip of stone bare. To the left was a chest that opened to reveal various compartments. Kaliel put the birthstone in one of the hidden drawers for safekeeping. The rest of the room was typical: a bureau sat to the right side, the wide bed in the center, the nightstand beside it. There was nothing else but a cloak stand.
“Lady Atara is ready to see you,” Melianna said with a knock at the door. She never crossed the threshold, patiently waiting in the hallway.
Kaliel emerged, her hair tied up in a ribbon for a change, her ivory dress traded for the green flowing one she had worn the day after she saw the Great Oak.
“You look pretty,” she said as she led Kaliel to the lower west wing. Even when Kaliel lived in Evennses she knew the joined quarters of the Lord and Lady were across from the balcony that hung over the Grand Hall. When they reached the door Kaliel noticed a shimmer-like glow to it that made her nervous. “Lady Atara is very kind. You shouldn’t be afraid,” Melianna said. She knocked on the door and waited while it swung inwards. “Farewell,” she chirped as she left Kaliel to her own devices.
Kaliel gulped as she crossed the threshold into the room. A soft scent tickled her senses and she breathed it in. Lavender, she thought with triumph. If Lady Atara had plans to resume her study of herbs, she was confident she could impress. She passed the small atrium and followed the soft glow of the candles. Burgundy throw pillows were arranged around the room in various patterns for sitting. On the left was a fireplace, to the back was an altar, and on the right was a bureau.
Kaliel noticed immediately the room was bereft of a bed, but she assumed the lady didn’t sleep there. She felt an odd sense of calm wash over her as Lady Atara turned from the bureau and looked her over.
“Brilliant,” Atara whispered.
Kaliel found herself speechless, her tongue caught somewhere in her throat. She shook her head and stammered on her words. “Greetings.”
Atara raised an eyebrow. “Desaunius warned me of this. Daydreaming again?”
Kaliel flushed as she dropped her eyes to the ground. She shook her head, unsure what to say.
“Come, please have a seat.” Atara gestured to a cluster of pillows in the far corner and Kaliel reluctantly sat. She bit her lip as her eyes met Atara’s. They were a beautiful hazel.
“Do you know why you’re here?” Atara asked.
Kaliel nodded. “It’s what the Great Oak said.”
“Yes, exactly. Do you understand the parable?” Her eyes filled with compassion and curiosity.
Kaliel hugged her knees to her chest. “It had to be wrong,” she mumbled, thinking of the weed that sprouted at the tree’s feet in Evennses. It was easier to believe there was a mistake than believe she would bloom into anything, much less a flower or a weed, than take the Great Oak’s words as truth.
“Excuse me?” Atara asked. She sounded offended.
Kaliel gulped. “I mean, I’m not special. I’m not destined for greatness, or a chosen one, or anything. I’ve always been shy.”
Atara let out a short laugh. “You do not see what the Great Oak sees in you.”
Kaliel shook her head.
“Do you distrust its wisdom?”
Kaliel continued to shake her head. She didn’t know what to think being in the presence of Lady Atara. The woman was so different than Desaunius it was unnerving. Her direct questions and piercing gaze caught Kaliel off guard. Atara wasn’t scrutinizing her, she was wondering at her. That didn’t calm Kaliel at all. “No,” she said immediately. “I distrust … myself.”
“We will work on that. You can trust me, Kaliel. I’m only here to help you with your abilities.”
Kaliel looked up from her knees, panic triturating through her. “Abilities?”
“Things you can do that the other kinfolk cannot. Have you had any experiences like that?”
Kaliel sighed, thinking back to her childhood. Every occurrence was something no other kinfolk had experienced. Her mind traced over the flowers and the conversations with the trees, and the merfolk. She scowled. Why was Pux still in Evennses if he could manipulate nature? That was unique. Atara continued to eye her and Kaliel knew she had to answer.
“Yes, I have experienced things like that.”
“It will help me more if you would explain.”
Kaliel straightened and smoothed out her dress and avoided eye contact. She wanted to answer truthfully, but she also wanted to keep her secrets, like her best friend and his abilities. “I have trouble remembering things,” she said, hoping she had expertly diverted her elder’s attention.
Atara narrowed her eyes and shifted her position on the pillow. “What do the trees think?”
Kaliel scoffed without realizing it. “They are too cheeky sometimes, they call me names and they think I’m a fool.” She glanced at Atara, who wore a knowing grin, and clapped her hands over her mouth. She wanted to stuff the words back into her mouth.
“And do you not think that
makes you special?”
“It makes me different, and swimming with the merfolk gets me in trouble.” The words just came out. She covered her mouth again, willing herself to stay strong, to keep something to herself. Being kinfolk made it impossible to lie but there were always ways around telling the whole truth.
“The merfolk?” Atara repeated; her voice pitchy and uneven.
Kaliel shot her a sideways glance. “Yes …” she said slowly, carefully monitoring her words.
“How did you—?”
“With my thoughts?” Kaliel tried, tension coiling her muscles. She hoped the merfolk at the waterfall hadn’t left, too. She wished Atara wouldn’t ask her more about them.
Astonishment crossed Atara’s face. She nodded and stood. “Right. We will begin our study of meditation tomorrow.” She seemed to force a smile on her face.
Kaliel felt the tension thicken as the meeting came to an end. She followed Lady Atara to the door. “Did I do something wrong?”
Atara’s expression warmed. “No, not at all. You are very special, Kaliel, remember that.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled as she exited the room.
• • •
Kaliel found herself alone in the corridor, crystal torches illuminating the burgundy carpet. She tried to find her way back to her quarters. Melianna had given her a full tour, but it wasn’t as simple in practice as it was in theory. She passed the lavatory and saw the continuous marble floor stretch across the Grand Hall. The fountain loomed in the distance and she realized where she was.
As she passed the archway into the room she heard a whisper. Her heart raced, startled by the subtle noise. She treaded across the floor towards the staircase and heard it again. She paused; it was coming from the lower east wing. She furrowed her brow and crossed the floor, passing another archway and went down a long corridor towards an unknown part of the castle. Melianna hadn’t toured there.
The whispers grew as she neared the door. A thin strip of light cascaded across the floor, showing off the cream-colored carpet. She stopped and listened for the whisper again.
“You are still missing something for the brew.”
“We can do without it.”
“Begin the incantation.”
Kaliel’s breath caught in her throat as the whispers formed words. Fear pricked at her insides as she tried to pull herself away, but the door swung open.
She froze as she took in the three women inside. They all had long hair, black, brown and blonde. The blonde one wore a blue dress, the one with black hair had a black dress, and the one with brown hair had a white dress. There were strings and strings of beads hanging from their necks, and each one of them had wrinkles around their eyes. They turned to stare at her, their sharp gazes digging into her.
“Look at what we have here,” the one in black said.
“A trespasser,” the one in blue replied.
Kaliel took a step away from the door. “I …”
“Don’t be rude, standing in doorways. Come in,” the one in black said.
Kaliel felt her feet move without her permission as she entered the room. The door shut behind her and she suddenly felt claustrophobic. She ran her hands along the folds of her dress, trying to calm her nerves.
“Are you sure you want to play this game?” the one in blue said as she inspected the girl.
“What game?” Kaliel asked.
She smiled. “None of your concern, child.”
Kaliel looked at the floor, unsure what to say next. She desperately wanted to retrace her steps, choose to go to her quarters and stay away from the east wing. She understood all too well why Melianna had avoided it.
The women exchanged wary looks between themselves. “Why did you come here?” the one in black asked; her eyes hard.
Kaliel shuffled back and forth. “I heard your whispers,” she muttered.
The one in black let out a squeal and clapped. The one in white continued to stir the brew and Kaliel inhaled the heady scent. It made her dizzy. The one in black composed herself as the one in blue moved towards the witching wall on the opposite end of the room. “You could be very useful to us,” she said.
Kaliel glanced behind her at the door. “I could?” Her insides felt like sand, her mouth dry.
The one in blue turned back from the witching wall, carrying something in her hands. She shot a warning glance at the one in black. “Pardon our manners,” she said coolly. “I’m Shimma, and this is Kuruny and Kazza.” She indicated the woman in black as Kuruny.
Kaliel let out a sigh as she stared into the oceans that created Shimma’s eyes. Even with the wrinkles that circled them, she was beautiful.
“Come now, where are your manners, trespasser? Who are you?” Kuruny said.
“I’m Kaliel of Evennses,” she mumbled, her hands clasped behind her back.
Kuruny smiled. “You’re Atara’s new apprentice.” She spat out the word “apprentice” like it was a bad thing.
“Aye.”
Shimma glanced at Kuruny, and without another word grabbed Kaliel’s arm and pushed up the sleeve of her green dress. She whipped out a needle and began inspecting the area she would puncture. Kaliel’s eyes went wide as she tried to pull her arm away, but Shimma was stronger than her.
“It’s better not to struggle while she takes your blood,” Kazza said, her voice full of disdain.
Kaliel felt like a sheet of ice. Her pulse quickened as she struggled against Shimma. “Why do you want that?” she asked; her voice thin and airy.
Kuruny shrugged. “For the brew. You’re a virgin.”
Kaliel had never heard of magic like this; it was foreign and frightening to her. She watched helplessly as Shimma turned her arm over and inspected it closely, holding the needle above her.
“Her veins are so faint,” Shimma said with a scowl.
Kazza shook her head. “Use an athame. Must you always be so sterile?”
Kaliel let out a scream as Shimma poked her here and there, but no blood oozed out of the wounds. It pinched and made Kaliel feel like she could melt into a puddle.
Kuruny shot a warning glance at Kazza and the older sister turned from the cauldron and grabbed the athame. Before she returned there was a loud bang and the door swung open with a gust of wind, Lord Istar filling the doorway.
“You will stay out of the affairs of Avristar, so help me!” he roared at Kuruny as she shrunk away.
Shimma dropped the needle and apparatus on the floor and scurried into the corner.
Kaliel’s arm dropped to her side and she rubbed it, trying to sooth the pain. She darted behind Lord Istar and waited.
“We caused the girl no harm,” Kazza said as she approached with the knife in hand.
Istar glowered at her. “And what is the knife for?”
Kazza smirked at him and cut her own hand, holding it over the cauldron and letting her blood drip into the brew. She smirked. “Blood.”
Istar’s cold blue eyes blazed at her. “You will leave Kaliel alone. She is not your business.” He put a hand out and the liquid inside the cauldron evaporated, causing both Kazza and Kuruny to let out a protested cry. He slammed the door shut and turned to Kaliel.
“Are you well?” he asked, his voice only slightly gentler.
Kaliel nodded, and stood straight. Istar stalked towards the west wing. She followed, his long strides making it hard to keep up.
“Who were those women?” she asked when they were far enough away.
“My daughters. They returned from the Lands of Men, and they no longer follow the traditions of Avristar. They call themselves ‘witches.’”
“Oh,” Kaliel said quietly as they passed the crystal fountain and found the staircase to the west.
Istar looked her in the eyes. “I advise you not to speak with them again.”
“Will they hurt me?”
Istar nodded, and she shuddered. “They know no difference between sacred and profane.”
Kaliel nodded. “I unders
tand.” In truth, she was more afraid than ever. Orlondir wasn’t providing any comfort; it was becoming a dangerous land to her, laced in mystery.
“Well, goodnight then,” Istar said. He took off towards the lower east wing and Kaliel slumped on the stairs.
* * *
11-The Waterfall
Part of her wanted to crawl under the covers and attempt to sleep, but she was afraid of nightmares. She was also afraid the witches would come into her room and try again.
She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. She felt the familiar restlessness in her bones. The waters—they were the only thing that calmed her. The stone castle was so unfeeling compared to the forests she had lived in her entire life. Her heartbeat thrummed as she closed her eyes and remembered the waterfall. As much as she fought to avoid it, there was no use. She had to see if the merfolk were there. A muddle of knots rested in her as she thought of Krishani. The wait to Samhain was too long, especially if there was only a slim chance he would come.
She ducked through the archway and into the courtyard. It was breathtaking with the moon casting light on the ivy plants crawling over the stone and statues. She quickened her pace and pushed open the gate. Closing it behind her, she hopped over the moat, smiling to herself as she breathed in the night air.
The path was longer than she remembered, winding and twisting through the forest. Her insides shook as she took careful steps. It’s just a waterfall, she told herself as she heard the rush in the distance. Butterflies crawled in her stomach as she turned the final corner.
It was better than the first time she had seen it. She drifted towards the pond, its surface littered with ripples and foam. She knelt and squinted. She never questioned the light illuminating the pond, but in the darkness, it was mystifying. She watched as one of the creatures swam along the stony floor, its finned head and webbed hands pushing water out of its way. She breathed a sigh of relief. Not all of them had left. She reached up to untie the ribbon in her hair. Even if she couldn’t see Krishani again she wanted to swim with them.
“What are you doing here?” someone snapped, their voice deep and uncomforting.
Kaliel shrieked as she turned to face whoever it was, her eyes wide and her heart faltering. She lost her balance as she came to her feet and felt herself careening into the pond. Her eyes found the bushes and the mountain; they seemed to find everything but the person confronting her. Her arms flailed as she braced herself for the ungraceful splash.
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