by David Ekrut
That had been the first intelligible word from Elwin all day.
Feffer leaned back against the tree. What could Elwin be dreaming about? What could Wilton have done? It was probably just a fever dream. He was probably thinking about a time when they were younger. Wilton always tattled on them when he caught them setting up a prank. Where was Wilton? What he wouldn’t give to see his brother right then.
Feffer hadn’t realized he had dozed off until his eyes popped open. It took only a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dark. Something moved in the trees behind him. He gripped the hilt and shifted his position to see around the tree at his back. A fox darted off in the other direction.
He let out a sigh and leaned back against the redwood. He dozed more than slept through the remainder of the night. Several more times, he woke, grasping the hilt of his sword. But he never saw another target. His eyes were already open when the morning light came through the trees.
Ignoring the ache in his legs, arms, and back, Feffer stood. Each slow breath Elwin took held a wheeze. He shook Elwin, gently.
His eyes lulled open. “Feffer. Just a little bit longer.”
Then, Elwin closed his eyes.
Feffer let Elwin rest for another hour before giving him another shake. Elwin did not rouse.
“You are going to be alright, Elwin,” Feffer said. “Somehow, we are going to make it.”
Once more, Feffer lifted Elwin into the saddle and continued north. He felt tears stinging his eyes.
Chapter 21
The Fate of the Accused
Zarah was more than a half hour early, but she was not the first to arrive. In the front row, in the place where she sat yesterday, was a woman. She wore a black dress with red trim. The fabric was a shiny silk. Her long, blond hair flowed about her shoulders.
It was the same woman as the day before.
As Zarah walked to the front, the woman’s head turned toward her. Blue eyes regarded her with the casual dismissal one gave a servant. Zarah almost missed a step.
Zarah’s silk dress had an embroidered hem. The design was a more modest cut across the bosom but was obviously not that of a servant. Not even one of the nobles’ house heads would have dismissed her so. She walked in front of the woman and sat on the seat next to her, despite the ample seating choices. The woman’s cool eyes regarded her once more. Her brow was raised and her lips were tightly pursed.
Who was this woman? She could have been of a noble family from the countryside. Perhaps she was from Paradine. The city was west of the River Serene. The Lord of Paradine sometimes forgot that he was the king’s subordinate. Perhaps the nobles there were no different.
Zarah ignored the woman’s stares.
Soon after, Biron’s family entered and filled the first three rows. The same dark haired boy carried the toddler. Zarah was almost glad to have the woman as a shield between her and the boy’s dark eyes. Zarah looked ahead, toward the empty doorway behind the chairs. That was where the inquisitors would come and tell her of Elwin’s fate.
She had not seen much of Mother since the trial the previous day. After the conclusion, Mother had returned to meet with the White Council. Zarah had not gotten the chance to say more than a few words to her in the shadow realm that night either.
Mother had met with Linadria, the only other elementalist to remain in the city. Linadria was not as gifted in the Elements as Mother, but the older woman had trained Mother. Now, Linadria was always her mother’s first choice for advice in all matters.
They were discussing Elwin, so Zarah had wanted to be present. But Mother had said no. Linadria and she needed to discuss matters that were none of her concern.
None of her concern? Even if he was a bumpkin, Elwin was her only real friend. Sure, there was Emmi and other nobles’ daughters that she could talk to at socials, but Elwin was different than them. They could never understand her like he could. They would never know what it felt like to tame the Elements and the burden of wielding so much power.
Movement from the door pulled her attention. Soldiers lined the walls, bearing the crest of the Guardians of Life on their tunics. Soon, all the seats were filled, and people stood next to the soldiers. The soldiers scanned the crowds with their eyes but did not seem to move beyond that.
Again her mother entered and stood at the front of the room, adorned in her ceremonious robe. As if queued by Mother’s stance, the other inquisitors entered the room, followed by Jorus. Behind their chairs, they stood above the crowd until all the whispers quieted down.
Three times the shepherd’s crook struck the floor. This time, the robed figures remained standing.
“Let us all, under the Lifebringer, bear witness to this judgement. His righteous truth has been delivered to us, in regard to the fate of the accused.
“Based on testimony of Jasmine Lifesong, we have concluded; Elwin Escari, is found not guilty on the charge of willfully ending the life of Biron Onderhill of Justice by way of the Elements. We, the Guardians of Life, Seekers of Truth, pass judgement under the Lifebringer’s wisdom.”
Three times the crook struck.
Several people began to murmur, and Biron’s family began to cry openly. The boy with the dark hair yelled, “No! This isn’t right!” But his voice was muffled with the shouts of others. There were a few people arguing for Elwin and defending Mother. But most shouted protests.
“How could you betray us?”
“Kill the witch!”
“This isn’t right.”
“What about Biron’s family?”
“We want justice!”
Zarah heard the woman, next to her say, “Fools.”
She couldn’t be sure to whom the woman was addressing, the crowd or the inquisitors.
The crook struck several more times before Zarah could hear Jorus speaking, “Order. I will have order.”
The guards began hitting people with the butts of their halberds. She heard voices saying, “Silence,” and, “Respect the High Inquisitor.”
People covered their heads in defense or cradled wounded friends. But silence followed soon after.
“However,” Jorus said, as if there was never an outburst. “We also must consider the testimony of Gond Forsithe. Elwin Escari has been seen consorting with a murderer, and he must stand to witness for the events of Benedict. He will be put to the question concerning his relations with the dark man, of which Gond Forsithe spoke.”
“Jasmine Lifesong,” Jorus said. “How long until you can return Elwin Escari from training?”
“I will be leaving on the morrow to retrieve him from his current location,” Mother said. “But it is imperative that he finishes his current training. I will inform you upon our return.”
“See that you do.” Jorus said. “Until then, may the Lifebringer shelter you all in His loving hand.”
Jorus struck the crook three more times. Then the inquisitors exited.
Although somewhat muffled, the arguments that had been raised before continued. The soldiers began to usher people out. Only a few used the butts of their halberd poles.
“Are you alright?” Mother said.
Zarah nodded. She was about to ask who the woman next to her was, but the woman was nowhere to be seen.
Where had she gone? A dress like that would have stood out in the crowd. The only other way out was through the dark hallway.
Mother ushered Zarah toward the exit. The evening sun was a few hours from the horizon, and only a few white clouds hung in the sky. Standing upon the steps of the temple, she noticed that the crowd in the square was facing them.
Zarah felt her mother tame Air next to her. An Air shield solidified in front of the two of them in time to deflect rotten cabbage and tomatoes.
“Let us go,” Mother said. “Follow close to me.”
Zarah let Air fill her and tamed her power
of flight. She could feel her mother doing the same, while angling the Air shield to deflect the rotten projectiles.
When they were safely out of range, she felt the Air shield move in front to provide a buffer from the rush of wind.
“Why did you not call the guards?” she asked her mother.
“I could have,” she said with anger in her voice. “But some of them might have been injured. The last thing we need is a riot.”
“What’s going to happen with Elwin?” Zarah said.
“I must meet with the king,” Mother said. “Then, you and I have matters to discuss before we depart. Follow me.”
Her mother tamed more Air and flew ahead of her.
Another delay. Zarah let out a sound of frustration that sounded too much like a shriek in her own ears. She tamed more Air and followed her mother.
Elwin felt himself being bounced up and down. Every bounce sent fire into his left shoulder. A foul odor filled his nostrils. It smelled of wet fur and old sweat. He opened his eyes but squinted at the brightness of the light.
His heart lurched as panic gripped him. Zeth. He had been captured. Wait. No. Feffer had saved him. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep in the forest. But why hadn’t he entered the shadow realm? He forced his breathing to calm until his vision came into focus.
Elwin recognized Haven’s coat. She needed a groom almost as much as he needed a bath. Before moving into the palace he only had a bath a couple of times a month, but he had grown accustomed to having one before bed every other day.
He craned his head to look around, and his head reeled as if all his blood had rushed to his head. For several moments, he held his head in an attempt to reorient himself. Once he thought he could move without losing consciousness, he raised up to look about.
Just overhead, the sun warmed his skin. He could see no sign of trees from this angle.
Haven moved at a slow but steady pace.
Elwin tried to ease himself from the saddle, and his ribs twinged with pain. Without invitation, a groan escaped his lips.
The horse stopped. A moment later, Elwin felt hands wrap around him and lower him to the ground. Tall green grass surrounded him.
Then, Feffer’s face filled his vision. He had light sun freckles on his nose. Or was that dirt? His face had muddy finger smudges, wiped between unshaven hair buds.
His lips moved, but the words seemed foreign at first. After a moment, they made sense to him.
“Can you hear me?”
Elwin’s mouth and throat were dry. “Yes,” he whispered.
“Elwin, are you awake? Can you see me?”
“Feffer,” he croaked, “where are we?”
Feffer disappeared from his vision but returned a moment later with a leather pouch. It was a wineskin. Feffer placed the opening of the wineskin to Elwin’s mouth and squeezed the pouch. Several drops of water wet the inside of his mouth. The water was warm, and there was not enough to swallow. But it was good.
Elwin began to sit forward, but it was more difficult than it should have been. His shoulder screamed in protest, and the rest of his muscles didn’t want to work right.
Feffer assisted him.
Once he was upright, the grass spun, as if someone had struck him with a club. His stomach heaved, but nothing came out. Elwin coughed for several moments.
“Are you alright?”
“I can’t move my left arm,” he told Feffer.
“Do you remember what happened?”
“Yes,” Elwin said. “You saved me.”
“The wound in your shoulder,” Feffer said, “it isn’t healing the way it should.”
Elwin looked at his shoulder. It had a bandaged wrapped around it, but it felt wrong, somehow. And there was something else, he couldn’t place. He felt a foreign power around him. It was everywhere. He could feel it in the grass and air, but that wasn’t the source. Emanating a dozen paces away, he felt something pulsing with energy.
“What is that?”
“What is what?”
He tried to stand, but his legs refused him.
“Whoa,” Feffer said. “You need to rest.”
“No. It’s not that. Help me up.”
Feffer frowned, but he complied. He wrapped his good arm around Feffer’s shoulder for support and pushed with his legs.
Across the field of grass were rows of tall trees all of an even height. Their bark shimmered in the sun light as if from a glossy sheen. The edges of the large leaves began to turn red and yellow, announcing the beginnings of autumn. The trees. The pulse came from the trees.
It was like …
“A heartbeat.”
“What?” Feffer said. “Alright. You need to rest.” He eased Elwin back to the ground. The soreness in his ribs protested the movement.
“Something’s different with the trees. Can’t you feel it?”
Feffer’s frown deepened and his eyes glistened in the noonday sun.
“Did you not hear me before?” Feffer said. “Your wound. It’s not right. The Death Element was used to make your cage. Maybe it is keeping your arm from healing. Or maybe it’s doing something to you.”
“I feel better now,” Elwin said.
“You’ve been unconscious for days,” Feffer’s lips quivered. “I didn’t think you would wake up again.”
“Days?”
Feffer bit his bottom lip and nodded. Elwin knew that look. He had seen him make it when talking about his mother. She had died when he was young. Feffer was trying not to cry.
“I’m alright, Feffer,” he said in the most cheerful voice he could summon. It might have sounded better if it hadn’t come out a croak. “I feel better.”
His lips felt cracked and his mouth was beyond dry. He was sure his ribs had been pummeled by pair of giants, and his stomach felt as if it had shriveled to a raisin. But he wasn’t dizzy and his shoulder felt more numb than painful, so it wasn’t a complete lie.
Feffer squatted next to him. “Some of the color has returned to your face.”
“Where are we?” Elwin asked to change the subject.
Feffer watched him a moment before responding. “We have several days until we reach the mountains, then the Lifebringer knows how long to pass through them. Then we will be in wilderness. Once we exit the mountains, I won’t know if we have traveled too far east.”
Elwin nodded. “Maybe we can find a pass through the mountains instead of over?”
Feffer just stared at him for a moment. “How does your shoulder feel?”
He started to say he was fine, but he flexed it and pain stole his words. Flame traveled up his neck and down his arm, and he felt a moment of dizziness. He closed his eyes for a moment and calmed his mind in an attempt to alleviate the pain. That’s when he felt a sense of loss.
He could feel the Air around him and sense its power. But there was something wrong with his essence. He tried to open his essence to let Air fill him, but he might as well have been trying to catch the fog with his hand. Focusing on it, he could feel it just above him, but he couldn’t will it to move. That hadn’t happened to him. Ever. Even before he had learned how to go through the forms, he could at least fumble around. His essence didn’t respond.
“Elwin,” Feffer’s voice sounded near to panic. “Elwin!”
Elwin opened his eyes and looked at Feffer. He could see the fear in his friend’s eyes, so he almost didn’t tell him. But the words came out. “I can’t tame the Elements.”
“What does that mean?” Feffer said. “You still can’t fly?”
Elwin shook his head. “No.”
“Is it the wound?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I haven’t been to the shadow realm for days. My essence must be depleted still. Maybe that’s all it is. But, if that’s the case, I shouldn’t be conscious at all.”
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Elwin could still feel the pulse of energy from the trees. Did that have something to do with it?
“Do you think you can eat? I have a few rose berries and greenfoot nuts. Maybe once you get your strength back, you’ll be fine.”
The thought of food made Elwin’s stomach churn. “I don’t think I should do that yet.”
“You haven’t eaten for days. You need something. Here. Wash it down with this.”
Feffer handed him the berries and wineskin. Elwin looked at them for a moment. The idea of eating made his stomach lurch. He held his breath for a moment, then popped the berries in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed before his gut was aware. He took several chugs of the water to keep the food down. Only then did he let himself breathe.
He handed the wineskin back to Feffer. He felt the bottom of it and grimaced, then he placed the cork in without taking a drink.
Elwin felt a stab of guilt. He hadn’t even thought about conserving the water.
“How much is left?”
“Enough,” Feffer said. His voice sounded confident, but the grimace never faltered. He glanced up at the sun. “Can you walk? We should try to get under those trees. Out of the sun.”
“Help me up?”
Feffer helped him onto legs that wobbled. He had to lean on Feffer with most of his weight.
“Help me try a few steps,” Elwin said.
Feffer wrapped his arm around Elwin’s waist and assisted him with several steps. The ground didn’t offer the support he remembered from the last time he walked on his own two feet. It was as if the earth pushed off of each footstep with different force.
It took several paces for the ground to feel right again, but he didn’t let go of Feffer until he was a few paces away from the first tree. He had been too distracted to realize it, but as he grew closer to the trees, his legs felt stronger.
“Let go,” Elwin said.
“Are you sure?”
As a reply, Elwin let go of Feffer’s waist. When Feffer released him, Elwin stumbled the first few steps, but he was able to stay upright the remaining few steps to the first tree. The moment his hand touched the bark, he felt his essence give a start and move as if waking.
