by Unknown
Careful to secure the door to her room, she followed Zeal into his and Master Ice’s cabin. Although identical in size and arrangement to Tulip’s, the chamber seemed darker, more enclosed. The light given off by the cabin lanterns was dimmer. They discovered Zeal’s pack resting on his travel chest.
Zeal retrieved a box from his pack, and they sat on the floor across from each other as he inspected the container. He soon found the release, and the top popped up. Nestled inside was a small sack identical to the one she’d received.
As he fiddled with the pouch’s strings, she was about to reach over and assist him when he finally got the bag open. He removed another amulet on a chain, both made of gold. One side of the amulet held the symbol of the Temple, but the opposite, unlike hers, had a feline in full pounce embossed on the surface.
Tulip rubbed the front of her tunic but was unable to feel her gift underneath. “That’s interesting. Mine has a sword and yours has a cat. I wonder why a sword for me?”
She saw Zeal’s features sadden as he placed the chain over his head.
He stared longingly at the cat. “This image is much what I imagine Kit will look like, once she is fully grown.”
It does? Show me! I want to see.
The surprise Tulip felt matched the look she saw on Zeal’s face. She sensed the speaker was behind them. Together, they quickly rose to their feet and turned. Two eyes stared at them from the shadows on the cabin’s upper berth.
She saw Zeal’s body trembling. His mouth opened and closed several times before he spoke just above a whisper.
“It’s Kit.”
“I can see that. Zeal, I heard Kit speak, as well, but inside my head.”
Well, let me look.
He took Kit from the berth. After kissing her on top of the head, he sat on the floor and placed Kit in his lap. Then he held the amulet in the light so she could see the image for herself.
Kit studied the likeness then used her paw to turn the medallion to view the opposite side. Yours, Tulip? May I?
Tulip reached inside of her clothing, removed her gift, sat next to Zeal, and held it out to Kit.
While Kit inspected Iris’s amulet, Tulip glanced toward Zeal. He looked surprised, excited, and confused. His hands were shaking and he couldn’t stop touching the Shadow Cat.
He asked, “Kit, how did you get here? I thought I was leaving Arlanda forever and would never see you again.”
I brought her. She is yet too young to Step by herself.
Tulip jumped and squealed at the sound of Essmee’s voice.
So engrossed with Kit, Zeal hadn’t noticed Essmee leave the darkness and move into the light of the room. He snatched his hands to himself and said, “I wish to thank you, Mother Essmee, for bringing Kit to the White Swan so that I could have a chance to say goodbye to her.”
Kit looked up at him. I am not leaving. Mother brought me so that you and I can be together.
Tulip leaned forward. “Zeal, don’t sit there with your mouth hanging open. Close it and say something.”
Essmee made a noise that was like a loud rumble. Zeal is thinking all that needs speaking.
Zeal sat straighter. “Thank you, Mother Essmee. I will take care of Kit.”
Kit harrumphed. I can look after myself. You, on the other hand…
Essmee padded over and rubbed her face on Kit’s. Remember, be gentle. She turned her gaze to Zeal. Kit has much to learn from me still. I will return to this den often.
Tulip coughed. “You said earlier Kit couldn’t walk yet. How soon will she?”
Essmee made the rumble sound again. It sounded like a laugh.
I can walk but not Step, Kit announced.
Zeal glanced toward Tulip. “We don’t understand.”
Kit has yet to learn to use shadow to travel, but she will when she is older. We moved through shadow from Feneas’s den to this one.
Zeal leaned toward Essmee. “Can you get all the way to Havensharth?”
I go where I want, even to your Havensharth.
Tulip licked her dry lips. “Why not wait until Kit is older and can move around by herself to bring her and Zeal together? What’s the rush?”
Zeal is MINE!
Kit’s fierce appearance surprised her. The Shadow Cat’s twitching tail, front claws extending repetitively then retracting, and hair bristling on her back confirmed to Tulip that Kit wanted to be with Zeal as much as he did her.
Wait, little one, these two have yet to hunt. Tulip, when Zeal and Kit first met, Kit claimed him, as I did the Feneas.
Tulip nodded. “I remember Master Feneas’s tale.”
For one of our kind to bond is rare. For a cub to bond is unknown. I took Kit to the Pride Elders to become imprinted with our ways.
As she listened to Essmee, Tulip wondered what Kit and Zeal being together would mean for them.
Kit needs to learn how to defend herself when I am not near. Now that she will be with Zeal, I have two cubs to teach and watch over. Essmee tilted her head and studied Tulip for several heartbeats. Possibly three.
Tulip turned to Zeal. “Kit can’t stay hidden in this cabin the whole voyage.”
“She won’t have to. I’ll just introduce her to everyone and let them know Kit is coming with us.” Zeal leaned forward and hugged Essmee with one arm. “I love you both. Thank you for everything.”
Essmee’s tongue caressed his face. Then, after giving Kit the same treatment, Essmee stepped into the darkness and disappeared. The light in the room grew stronger as Essmee took most of the shadows with her. Her voice came to them as if from a distance. You are welcome, and we love you, as well.
Kit nudged the hand Zeal used to grip his amulet. You should wear as Tulip does.
Zeal placed the chain inside his clothing. “Let me put my stuff away, and we’ll go up on deck.”
He sat Kit on the floor. The ship shifted as he stood, causing him to momentarily stumble before regaining his footing. The box from Iris slid toward him and stopped bumping against his boot. He knelt and picked it up.
Tulip was positive it had been empty so was surprised to see Zeal discover something else inside.
He removed the contents and held up a small chest for the others to see. The chest’s lid had a word written in silver letters on the top:
KIT
“Well, open it,” Tulip excitedly demanded as she moved closer to him.
Kit padded to him and sniffed at the chest as Zeal carefully opened it and removed a large gold ring. He held it so that the three of them could inspect it together. The plain band was engraved on the inside with the symbol of the Temple and a Z.
“This is for you, Kit. You have a ring to wear instead of an amulet.” Kit’s tail twitched out of reach as he tried to grab it. “Hold still a moment.” Kit twisted to watch him thread her tail through the ring. When the ring was midway down her tail, it began to glow then shrank till it fit her perfectly.
Kit pulled her tail out of Zeal’s hand and swung it back and forth. The ring had anchored itself in place. I like the gift from one called Iris.
Tulip bent forward for a closer look. “Zeal should take you to meet Iris, so that you can thank her. Zeal, Kit hasn’t a discreet way for her to wear her gift.”
What is discreet? Kit asked.
Tulip put her hand on her chest. “Zeal and I can place our amulets under our clothing, so no one can see them. How are we to hide your ring?”
Oh, I understand. Kit stared intently at the object that had affixed itself to the middle of her tail. The ring glowed brightly for several heartbeats, and then, as the glow dimmed, the ring faded from view.
Zeal and Tulip felt the tail where the ring had been.
Tulip’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Amazing! All I feel is fur.”
Zeal scratched Kit under her chin. “Kit, how did you that?”
Told it what Kit needed.
Zeal laughed. “I need to learn your way of doing things. Let’s go show you the ship and say hello
to Master Ice.”
EPILOGUE
DUSK ARRIVED EARLY in the mountains, and the light was failing rapidly. Clouds had gathered during the day, bringing with them the threat of rain.
He had been walking since midday because the poor excuse for a horse he had stolen had thrown a shoe. It hadn’t dawned on him before he’d killed the animal out of spite that he would have to carry his belongings himself. He estimated it would take at least three suns to get through Keir Pass to a village where he could obtain another mount. His feet, back, and shoulders ached; he needed to find a place to rest soon.
When he stopped to adjust his pack, he heard the notes from a mouth harp being played to the left of the trail. The bawdy ditty was one he easily recognized. He quickly hid his gear, taking care to mark the location with a branch and stones so he could find the spot on his return, and then eased into the trees to investigate the source of the music.
He knelt behind a clump of bushes in the tree line, closely studying a blue-clad merchant who was dining on grouse and drinking from a bottle that his observer was sure he could put to better use.
He peeked through the branches in an attempt to confirm that the merchant was indeed alone in his camp. The tradesman sat in front of a smokeless fire with his tent behind him. Shadows, made by a cot and kit, were thrown on the tent wall by the light of a lantern inside. A hobbled horse silently chewed on fodder with bulging saddlebags on the ground near his feet.
At last, a bit of good fortune. It was wonderful, he thought, the way life provided for him. Here was the horse he needed. Once the current owner was disposed of, there would be time to see what treasures were amongst his possessions. If the merchant had wanted to keep his belongings, he shouldn’t have travelled in the wilds alone.
The only weapon that his target had in reach was a small knife he’d used to cut a hunk of cheese and peel a stone fruit. The trader appeared to earn reasonable coin, since he was able to afford stone fruit out of season.
Should he wait for the fellow to go to sleep or rush him? The ground between him and the gentleman was a little over thirty paces. He could have his blade at the weakling’s throat in short order. The wind was blowing toward the camp. If he wasn’t careful, the horse would catch his scent and alert his quarry. The situation would be easier to deal with if he waited. He decided to circle around, find a place nearby to hide, and sneak back when his mark was sleeping.
A branch snapped underfoot as he began his retreat. The sound carried to the merchant, who stopped eating, stood, removed his blue hat, and stared toward the trees. “Hello? Is s-s-someone there?”
Laughably, the fool spoke with a stutter. He wouldn’t be much of a challenge. The watcher drew his knife, held it out of view behind his back, and then stepped out where he could be seen. “Mind if I join you, kind sir? The night will be chilly. Two can enjoy a fire just as easily as one person alone.”
The tradesman rubbed his face with a blue pocket square. “I-I-I don’t know. W-w-who are you and w-w-what are your intentions?” The light from the fire illuminated the indecisive look on the mark’s face.
Smiling broadly in an attempt to seem harmless, he took a couple steps forward. “What is a merchant doing traveling alone in these parts?”
The man’s eyes widened with fear. “You are one of the men who kidnapped those girls in Arlanda. I saw a picture of you posted by the W-W-Watch before I left the city.”
Surprised by the fellow’s announcement, he stopped moving. He hadn’t known he had been identified and was wanted in Arlanda. As soon as he could, he needed to get to another port city and find a ship that needed a crew member. He forced himself to focus on the task at hand. “Yes, I am. Unfortunately, the girls were rescued, and I had to leave town in a bit of a hurry. Why do you care?”
“Because o-o-one of the girls you took was family to me. W-w-we were happy she’d suffered no harm.”
“Aye, the captain wouldn’t let us play with them, but once away from port, I figured to have a bit of fun without the captain knowing.” He pulled the knife from behind his back and licked the blade. “It’s like this—why don’t you allow me to take what I want and I might leave you alive. Otherwise, I’ll just play with your corpse, since I wasn’t able to have my way with your girl back on the ship.”
The man responded by throwing and actually hitting him in the chest with the half-eaten grouse from his plate. “You go away, you n-n-nasty man. I-I-I don’t want you here.” The fellow spat.
The spew formed into a globe and flew unerringly, striking him in the face. “I am going to kill you!” Fury filled him and he rushed forward, blind with rage.
The merchant raised his arms, crossed them as if to protect his face, and screamed in terror at his assailant’s approach.
Light glinted from his knife blade. His lips drew back, exposing yellowed teeth. Spittle escaped from the corner of his mouth and glistened down his chin. His eyes, open in anger, suddenly opened wider in surprise. Twelve paces from the forest’s edge, Stinky dropped from sight, his angry yell turning into a cry of fear before trailing off and suddenly stopping.
Qwen, held aloft by two of his companions, returned his hat to his head and then gestured with his hand to end the illusion he had built. The tent and ground he’d sat on disappeared. The fire, which was in reality a crystal glowing with an inner light, floated into the air at his feet. The end of the bluff no longer appeared behind him, but ended eighteen paces in front of him. Stinky had run off the edge.
Qwen tucked the carved toy horse into his pocket, brushed the soil and twigs from his lap, and flew downward. The use of the horse as a prop had made the illusion believable. He glanced at his companions. “Shall we take a look?” The crystal followed close beside him, providing illumination. At the rock-strewn bottom he could see that Stinky’s neck was twisted unnaturally. The man was indeed dead.
The crystal floated toward Qwen, positioning itself on the band of his hat. Its light dimmed slowly before going out. Assuming elemental form, Qwen called his companions to him and then joined with them.
“It’s time to go home.”
Stinky had been difficult to trace. It seemed his prolonged bath in the bay and change into clean clothes had wiped away his distinctive odor. Qwen was grateful for Watch Commander Sloan’s aid. Together, they had chased through the reports of theft and break-ins of the first few days after Liddea’s rescue. It was a robbery and mugging of a lone traveler, his horse, and possessions that had given Qwen his first big lead. On inspecting the site of the assault, he and his companions had detected traces of Stinky’s scent. It had been a quarter of a moon since Liddea’s rescue. Each day that the man didn’t bathe had made it easier for them to track him. Finally, when Stinky’s travels led to Kier Pass through the Darc Mountains, Qwen had planned this meeting.
Qwen hadn’t enjoyed taking the life of another. As he flew, he considered that, if Stinky had shown any hint of goodness, he would have given the man a warning. He abruptly stopped his inner debate. Stinky wasn’t worth the remorse.
The clouds parted, allowing the moon’s luminescence to shine on Stinky’s corpse and announce to the scavengers nearby that dinner was served.
Qwen’s spirit was soon lightened by his four companions’ playful exuberance. In the Zephyr aspect, he saw his body sparkle as their swirling forms refracted the moon’s light. Periodically, as they flew, one and sometimes all of the companions would dance away then return later to share a new discovery.
Qwen, who, for the moment, soared alone, was ready to get back to his kitchen and the apprentices. Liddea’s talent needed further investigation as did the chamber where she had been imprisoned. He wondered if it would be possible to discover the identity of the Rune Master who’d conjured the cell and learn why it was done.
While he thought about testing the apprentices, Tempest joined him, thereby becoming privy to his thoughts. Qwen doubted any of the children would have the spark to become a Practitioner of the Arts.
The boy’s breath tastes much like yours, Qwen. Tempest flowed away to rejoin the other Zephyrs.
What did Tempest mean? And which boy? He moved toward Tempest, who was now involved in a game of tag with his brethren and kept dodging away. He decided to question Tempest when the Zephyr was in a less playful mood.
Alone once again with his thoughts, Qwen elected to study the stars as they traveled back to Arlanda.
Coming Soon
Book 2 in The Phosfire Journeys series:
Practitioner of the Arts!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I WISH TO START by thanking Dr. Janice Lovelace, who is my biggest inspiration and toughest critic, for challenging me to do what I have always wanted but put off for many reasons. You lovingly challenged me to write.
Thanks to the readers of manuscript drafts, Dr. Lisa Murphy, Sharon Castillo, and Lara Lovelace-Macon, William Root, Nathan Shelby, William Rutherford, and Tamara Ellefson for daring to read and then generously voice your opinions.
Special thanks to my writing group: Karen MacLeod, Kay Morison, Dr. Lisa Murphy, and Cindy Wyckoff. You took me in and helped me to grow as a writer.
I want to thank my editor, Kathryn F. Galán, for your direction.
Thank you all for helping me to share my dream.
About the Author
James D. Macon is a physician who lives and works in Washington State with his family. Although he spends most of his time caring for others, he also has a strong desire to share his stories.
His next novel is Book 2 in The Phosfire Journeys series. Practitioner of the Arts.
Visit the author’s web page at:
www.JDMacon.com.
