by J. R. Castle
“He lives, but barely. His markings have dimmed. What are we to do?” Worry etched deep lines across her forehead.
Darnel shook his head. “I have no idea. But we need to put as much distance as possible between us and Goia. We’ve lost that town, too, it seems. That dirt digging herbalist was of the Kingdom, she had a medallion.”
Anwynn snorted. “I snuffed out her life, and she is no more. Good riddance.”
Part of him wished to say that about Fajer. Instead, he said nothing.
“Darnel,” she lightly touched his shoulder. “I see the marks on your hand. You’ve bonded yourself to him. You’ve done this. Will you really allow him to perish? For if he does, we are at the mercy of the Brethren. If they even suspect we had anything to do with Fajer’s demise, they’ll….” She shuddered. “I don’t want to think of what they’ll do to us. I know many of them hunger for my weapon skills. What do you think they’ll do to you if they find out the truth about what you are?”
He closed his eyes, having wondered that many times, too.
“Fajer is our protection against them. For better or worse. He’s powerful and smart.” She shrugged. “Most of the time. I still don’t understand what happened, but we have to do what’s necessary to bring him back. His heart still beats, Darnel. I know… I’ll wager… that you can help him.”
As she coaxed, his Logorian mind started organizing brews he could make to strengthen and heal. He gave a nod. “We still need to get somewhere safe. Do you think we should return to the Brethren’s compound? Or keep this between you and me? I fear what they’ll think once they learn he failed so miserably.”
It was her turn to nod. “You are right. He wished to go to Osas next. Let us head in that direction. When it’s safe to stop, we’ll tend to him. In the meantime, I’ll make him comfortable.”
Darnel flicked the reins to get the horses walking again. “Sounds like a plan, elf. I’ll find a safe spot off the road. The land between here and Warton grows thick with woods. I’m sure I can find somewhere to park where we will be out of sight of travelers.”
Most of the appeal of this Province to the Brethren was that it lay unprotected. No White Paths crossed the land between towns, though a few of the largest ones had streets lined with the protective stones. The King’s paths didn’t hurt him, but they did make him uncomfortable.
Riyah had the power to create more Paths. That was how he’d managed to get into Tarest. If the Elderad had a chance to travel the land…first, he’d need the Regent’s permission. And the Regent would need the agreement from his governing body.
They had time. But they’d need to move fast and hope Fajer’s new plan would bear fruit. So far everything he’d tried withered. But if Darnel put all his efforts into helping…maybe their situation would turn around. This would be the first step in rising to power. If he had to spend his whole existence striving to overthrow that Light King, he’d consider it time well spent.
Anwynn seemed satisfied with his answer. She smiled and bobbed her head, causing her tight curls to dance around her flawless face. “Agreed. We are all each of us have, Darnel. We must stick together, right? We are like a family. That is what I feel, even if we bicker like siblings. I’m glad to be traveling with you, and Fajer.” She disappeared like a bird taking flight. The back door closed with a snap.
Oh, he didn’t need to hear that. Now he’d have to wrestle with his heart all over again.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kardia floated on a bed of clouds one moment and plunged into the depths of icy coldness that left her shaking to her bones the next. Voices came and went. She tried to move her arms, her legs, but pain slammed her back down over and over.
“She’s lost so much blood,” Said a gruff male voice. Mr. Tillus? Everything sounded garbled to her ears as if spoken through a pool of water.
A frantic female voice pleaded, “There must be something…”
Kardia sank back into darkness, not caring what that something might be. She was so tired. The effort to force her eyes open was too much. A small part of her knew if she did manage to open her eyes sadness waited at the door to pounce. No, she was fine in the floating world.
“Had a feeling you’d try coming here, child.”
That voice she distinctly remembered. Miltie! Her dear, solid rock, Miltie. Finally, her eyes opened to find a shower of lights falling around her. Kardia stood before a shimmering wall of too many colors to count. It was as if someone collected all the various shades of colors in all the world and splattered them on the moving and waving wall before her.
“Isn’t a wall, my dear, but the entrance to Everlasting.” Miltie stood beside her, looking like her normal self, yet not exactly. She wasn’t as hunched over as usual, and the skin under her eyes didn’t sag from the years pulling at her skin.
“So, I died?” Kardia asked. “If I get to pass through with you then—”
“NO!” Miltie barked, then her voice calmed as she moved between her and the curtain. “It isn’t your time, dear heart.” She waved her hands in a shooing motion. “You need to get on back and wake yourself up.”
Kardia shook her head. “It hurts, Miltie. And…and I lost something. I’m sure of it. Something important.”
The older woman shook her head. “Nah, sometimes we need to let go to gain more. I can see it now that my eyes are clear from life’s circumstances. I can see all the wonderful things your future has waiting for you to walk into.”
“I don’t understand.” Kardia tried to peer around her friend and noticed someone standing at the base of the curtains. That must be the entrance. What lay beyond? Oh, but she wanted to know.
“Don’t you want to know what your life holds for you, first?” Miltie asked. “My dear, it’s not your time to pass through. You have a whole life to live. So many adventures awaiting you. Be brave, as I know you can be, child. Your heart…the world needs your kind heart. Don’t deprive the Kingdom of your greatest gift, Kardia dear.”
She glanced down at her hands, but they were hidden in shadows. She felt like she was only partly standing there before her friend. Was this real or a dream? Perhaps she was in the midst of a fever and hallucinating.
“Perhaps,” Miltie chuckled. “Perhaps not.”
“Will you come back with me?” Kardia tried to reach for her friend, but her arms refused to move. “Please?”
Miltie patted her cheeks. “Oh, sweet child, we’ll see each other again. But my time is finally done there. A new adventure awaits. My Tarlton,” she glanced over her shoulder, her smile broadening. “He’s waiting to welcome me on the other side of the curtain. I’ve missed him so much.”
“Of course, Miltie. I know you have. But—” Kardia wasn’t so sure she wanted to go back. “I’m afraid.”
“Don’t be. The King has his eyes on you, dear one. Don’t ever forget that. You’ve yet to meet him properly.” She started moving back toward the shadowed figure waiting for her. With each step, her wrinkles disappeared. Her frame narrowed, and her hair darkened and wound up into loose curls. “Go back and walk out your life. Trust me, it’ll be worth the pain. I love you, my gold-hearted girl. I’ll see you again.”
And with that, she turned and ran into the embrace of the man waiting for her. “My Miltie, you’re finally here!” He exclaimed in a jovial voice as he spun her around. “Are you ready for a real adventure, my curious, beautiful girl?”
“You bet I am. Let’s go!”
“Miltie? Miltie!” Kardia called out.
“There, there, Kardia girl,” answered another voice. She managed to open one eye to find Mr. Tillus standing over her, his hand resting on her forehead. In a louder tone, he said, “Fevers broke, praise Shaydon! She’s waking up, she’s going to pull through.”
Mother was at her side, her stern face pinched with concern and perhaps pity. “Oh, my daughter. I was so worried.” She kissed her cheek and brow.
Dadda stood at the foot of the bed, his fist pressed to his lips.
He said nothing as his jaw trembled and his red-rimmed eyes flooded with unshed tears. Slowly, he shook his head, turned and left the room.
* * * *
Leon insisted on riding Stormbolt into Rodon. As they crossed the long bridge spanning the Leukos river, his breath caught at the sight of the grand city sitting upon the rise of the hill. The Province lay at the foot of the Augazo Mountains. The Meeting Hall, where he was supposed to reside, rested at the topmost plateau of Rodon. The city had grown out around it, rising up in several layers of streets lined with homes and shops of various trades. He loved his city but did not regret taking the tour of the Province.
He was so eager to get down to some serious work.
Once they reached the Meeting Hall, he asked the squires to take his belongings to his private cottage.
“You still insist on living in that garden hovel, my son?” the Regent Mother asked as she greeted him with a kiss on each cheek. She wore a modest brocade dress the color of plums. She looked well, not in the least weary or concerned about anything. “I must say, traveling has done wonders for you.” She squeezed his bicep, then patted his cheek with a chuckle. “You look well. I’m eager to hear all about your adventures. Your letters were too short and to the point. Dinner will be served shortly. We’ve been expecting you.” She turned to head down the corridor toward the dining room when he grabbed her hand to stop her.
“Mother, you must tell me why you insisted I return so quickly. Riyah said Issah is here. Why could you not ask for his help in whatever delicate matter you were dealing with?” He hooked his fingers at the word delicate. “Please tell me what’s happening.”
Her mouth opened, but she seemed utterly perplexed. “Leonard, whatever are you going on about? I’d written that I was eager for your return but understood if you needed to tarry longer. Making sure the towns were left in good standing was the major reason for your tour.” She patted his hand and smiled. “Whatever your reason for returning, I am so happy you are back. I’m ready to enjoy my retirement. I’m hoping you did as I said and kept your heart and eyes open. I’d like to spend my remaining years spoiling a horde of grandchildren.”
Now it was Leon’s turn to be shocked. “Mother! No… I mean… I did…oh never mind. I’m glad everything is running smoothly. We’ll speak more after dinner.”
“Very good son, now go clean yourself up. We are hosting the Prince of Alburnium tonight. I expect you to look and act like a respectable Regent.” With that, she hurried off toward the kitchens where she’d most likely check in with the staff to make sure dinner preparations were going smoothly, as well.
Leon headed for his cottage to find Riyah, sitting on the bench by the front stoop, admiring his garden. Another man dressed in a white coat trimmed in gold walked amongst the pear trees and helped himself to a couple of ripe ones.
Leon stopped and glanced at his restful adviser, then to Issah. “Are they ready for picking, Sire?”
Issah rubbed one against his jacket. “Ready enough for me.” He tossed the second to Riyah who easily caught the fruit. Pointing to the tree, he silently asked if Leon wanted one, too? At his nod, he searched the branches then reached up and pulled down one with red tingeing the skin.
Leon caught it and sniffed deeply of the sweet fruit. “What a nice welcoming committee I have here.” He patted Riyah’s shoulder. “I’ve missed my garden. And my home. Mother seems a little put out that I still refuse to live in the Meeting Hall.”
Issah joined the Elderad on the bench. “It matters not where you live, Son. Are you ready now to take up your position?”
Leon bit into the sweet fruit. The juices flowed over his tongue, refreshing him. He didn’t think there was anywhere else in the Province where pears grew as sweet. Swallowing, he nodded. “Yes, but I’m perplexed. Mother did not recall asking me to return home. I’m going to need to find where I put that letter to prove it to her. But she is eager for me to take over. Who can blame her?”
“It’s a great responsibility,” Issah said. “How do you feel now that you’ve seen the condition of your land?”
Leon’s shoulders drooped. “Like I have a lot of work ahead of me. Does the King’s Highway even pass through my province, Issah? I saw a couple of towns had the white stones lining their main streets, but… for the most part…” he shook his head. “And I agree that we should invite more creatures into the land. That is another missing piece I’d never realized was so needed before.”
Issah winked at Riyah. “You were right, my friend. His head is bursting with ideas. I wonder how he keeps it intact upon his shoulders?” The Prince’s chuckle brought a smile to Leon’s face.
“How long will you be staying, Issah? And what about you, Riyah? Now that I’ve returned… I’d hoped you would stay…but understand if you have other places to go.”
Riyah stood and tossed the pit of his pear high into the air. A bird passing over swooped low caught it, then sailed off over the river. “I plan to stay and help you with choosing your new advisers. Then, if everyone is in agreement, I will need to depart for a while. You did wish for the King’s Highway to pass through Rodonal?”
Leon’s face brightened. “Yes, I do! We’ll have to get it approved, but I can’t see why anyone would be against it.”
Issah stood and placed his hands on Leon’s shoulders. “Well, I’m all for it. I’m eager to see what you are able to accomplish by the time I pass through again.”
“I have so many ideas. Let us hope the governors are willing to help me implement them.”
* * * *
A couple of weeks passed before Kardia was strong enough to leave her room, not that she cared to go anywhere. Faded spots of blood trailed up the stairway that hadn’t been scrubbed away. She braved a look out the front windows that faced the common area but couldn’t bear to look upon Miltie’s dark home.
She considered moving into the homey cottage but wouldn’t be able to care for the plants properly with her damaged hands. Mr. Tillus said she was lucky to still have half her thumb. At least she’d be able to grasp some objects. Eventually.
For now, Mother doted over Kardia, making sure to spoon feed her broth, then later cutting her meals into bite-sized portions. “You have to at least try to find a way to hold a utensil, my darling.”
Now Mother called her by pet names and spoke kindly to her. Sometimes, Kardia wondered if she hadn’t awakened in some kind of alternate world where she was closer to her mother than her father who couldn’t even remain in the same room with her anymore.
“Is Dadda home?” she asked taking a seat at the table that only had settings for two.
Mother helped push the chair to the table. “No. He is trying to find a way to send a message to Rodon. He insists on writing the Regent and asking that he appoint a real Prior to Goia. He feels he is not able to manage the town in the way it needs. I realize… well, I agree with his choice to return to our old cottage. All the Sorcerer’s gold vanished when they ran away in their cart. I hope he’s dead and gone for good.” Her fingers pushed a strand of Kardia’s golden hair behind her ear. “At least you are now free from him, precious.”
Free, yes. But severely damaged. She’d overheard her parents talking the other night after they’d thought she’d gone to bed. Dadda said he’d condemned her to be marked as a thief. Kardia remembered the boy who’d wasted the gold he was to supposed to purchase livestock with. He’d spent it all in a tavern. He’d lost his hands too, at Mother’s command. She hadn’t seen the boy since then and often wondered what happened to him.
Silvie wouldn’t come anywhere near town since Mother beat her.
People shunned Kardia’s family after learning the truth about where their wealth had come from and the danger they’d put the village in. They were lucky to not have been run out of town, but Mr. Tillus and Andres the Tavern owner spoke on their behalf, along with a few other folks who’d enjoyed the stories that Kardia and Miltie told on the Commons.
People were wary of
them but couldn’t really blame them. They’d accepted the gold, too. Everyone agreed it had been used to revive the town, but now they all had to work extra hard to earn back what was lost from the breached contract.
“Please, dear,” Mother coaxed. “At least try to hold the spoon and feed yourself today. I know it hurts, but try?”
Kardia had no place here. Finally, she was free to cross the bridge, and something pulled at her to do so. Somehow, she had to find a way to take care of herself. She couldn’t stand Mother’s doting after all that had happened, nor could she stand Dadda’s avoidance. Or the pity people gave her when they stopped in to visit.
Holding up her bandaged hand, she allowed Mother to gently set the fork between the stump of her thumb and what was left of her hand. Mr. Tillus had promised to bring her more medicine to ease the pain. She hoped he wouldn’t forget.
“There you go, that’s it. Take it slow. Once the bandages are removed, you’ll have more movement.”
Kardia didn’t know if she wanted to see what was beneath the strips of cloth.
Mother, sensing her worry, patted her arm. “It’s not as bad as you think. Not as bad as it could have been.”
Right. She could have been taken by the Sorcerer. She’d been set free but had lost her Sano gifting. And lost her best and dearest friend.
Yes, she definitely had to leave here and find a new life somewhere. Somehow. The spoon wobbled on its way to her mouth, dripping the thick broth from the stew over the bowl and the front of her shirt. Luckily, Mother had tucked a towel around her neck. After trying three more times with little success, she dropped the spoon and used both arms to hold a slice of bread. At least she could manage that.
“Patience, my dear.” Mother scooped a bit of stew and held it to her mouth. “You’ll find a way in time.”
Kardia shook her head. “I’m not really hungry.” Setting the bread down beside the bowl, she had to ask, “What about Miltie’s cottage? What’s to be done with her garden? And her…belongings?”
