Five Corners: The Marked Ones

by Cathi Shaw

  "We've had nothing but bad luck," Caedmon told the happy Innkeeper as he ordered them a room and a two hot baths. "First the carriage broke down, then when I went to find some help, the two horses ran off. We were forced to walk across country, sleeping in the woods last night."

  The Mistress Clare tutted and shook her head.

  "My new wife is not too pleased with me," he confided. "You see she didn't want to go on this trip to begin with as she's going to have to meet my mother for the first time. My mum is a bit difficult at the best of times," he acknowledged wryly. "And to be honest, I expect her to be even worse this time as she's none too pleased about me marrying outside the Outlands."

  He turned and pretended to study Kiara. "Now tell me, as an unbiased judge, Mistress Clare, what is your first impression of my wife? I confide I find her too fetching to be able to judge."

  Mistress Clare seemed flustered for a moment. "I don't think it's my place to make any such judgment on your lady's appearance, sir."

  Kiara could tell the woman didn't want to make trouble with her guests but it was clear what she thought of Kiara's appearance. She instantly liked Mistress Clare for her tact and politeness.

  "Oh, don't worry, she won't take it to heart. I just want to know what another motherly woman might think of her looks. She's a beauty, yes?" Caedmon asked, really getting into the role of moonstruck lover.

  "Well," the Innkeeper paused as she studied Kiara's filthy appearance. Then she licked her lips and answered carefully, "She is very pretty, anyone can see that but her style of dress is not precisely what a mother might want in a daughter-in-law." She lowered her voice a bit. "A woman wearing trousers, you know."

  Caedmon narrowed his eyes and then smacked his forehead. "Of course. I was so accustomed to seeing her in such clothing that I didn't think twice about it but you're quite right. I knew something was off."

  Suddenly he looked very glum. "But how can we fix that problem? We're due to meet Mum the day after tomorrow."

  The Innkeeper brightened up. "Why my sister's a great seamstress. I could put in a word to her. And a little bath and clean up, after your horrific experience in the woods, mistress," she said kindly to Kiara, "Well, that would put it all to right. We'd be happy to give it a try."

  Caedmon looked thrilled as a boy in a candy shop. Kiara refrained from rolling her eyes at him.

  After they'd gone up to their room, Kiara shook her head at him.

  "I think you missed your calling as a play actor, Caedmon."

  He shrugged, "You think so?"

  She laughed. "Well, I'm not sure but I do know I'm taking first turn at that bath you've ordered." The maid had filled a brass tub behind a screen in the corner of the room.

  Caedmon laughed good-naturedly. "Fine, you go ahead. I'm going to scout around and see if I can't find a place to purchase some new clothing for myself."

  After they'd both bathed and eaten a full supper of roasted mutton, vegetables and tiny delicate cherry tarts Mistress Clare had insisted on bringing to their room. Kiara patted her stomach in appreciation.

  "I don't think I've felt so warm and full in years," she moaned softly.

  "Or so tired?" Caedmon asked with a smile as her eyes began to droop more.

  Kiara nodded in agreement and looked longingly at the big bed.

  "Too bad it's your turn to take the floor," Caedmon jibed.

  Kiara sat bolt upright "Caedmon, that's not fair!" she protested.

  "I believe it was you who set that deal," he reminded her.

  "Oh but we've been sharing the sleeping roll for weeks now," she pointed out. "Besides the bed is surely big enough."

  Caedmon relented. But before Kiara drifted off to sleep that night, with Caedmon's big body lying next to her in the sheets, she couldn't help but question her reason for wanting to share the bed. She was afraid that the truth was she had become so accustomed to sleeping with Caedmon's arms around her that she didn't want to back to sleeping on her own. And a little sick feeling started in her stomach as she wondered what would happen when they reached Séreméla.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Despite her worry about Teague and the mysterious illness that had claimed the lives of the other Halfling children, Thia was excited at the possibility that she might learn to control her seizures.

  Celeste had warned her that it could take some time until she’d perfected the knowledge. There was also the problem with Thia’s age. She was much older than The People’s children were when they were taught to control their lifeforce. But Thia was determined to learn how to do so.

  Celeste introduced her to a woman who could have been Celeste’s clone. This is my daughter, Delphine. She will act as your guide.

  Delphine sent soft encouraging emotions to Thia and Celeste left them.

  Do you really think it’s possible for me to learn to control my seizures and visions? Thia asked the woman in front of her.

  A soft smile came to Delphine’s face. It doesn’t matter what I think, Thia. You must believe that you can do it. If you don’t, then control will not be possible.

  Thia nodded. She had seen incredible things in the Underground. She remembered how Celeste had healed Teague’s injuries. What was considered a miracle aboveground was simply the way of life in the Underground.

  How do we start?

  ****

  Thia was mildly disappointed when they started the training with what Delphine called meditation.

  The key to learning how to control your lifeforce is to become aware of it. And that starts with clearing your mind.

  Thia had expected something more challenging than merely sitting quietly in her room. But when she tried it, she found it amazingly difficult to clear her mind of all thoughts and worries. Delphine had her focus on her breathing.

  They started with very short sessions several times a day. By the end of the first week, Thia was able to sit quietly and free her mind for more than an hour at a time.

  When she told Teague about his lessons he wasn’t surprised. We did similar exercises with the Draíodóir, he explained.

  Do you think that’s why the Underground way of communicating is so easy for you? Thia asked suddenly.

  Teague shrugged. Maybe. But I know learning to sit quietly was never easy for me. It took me several years to master the practice. The fact that you’re already able to sit for long periods is amazing, Thia.

  She smiled, pride filling her up.

  After the first week, Delphine said it was time to introduce the energy work into their sessions.

  Energy work? Thia asked, intrigued by the name of it.

  Delphine nodded. First, you must become aware of your lifeforce. Only after you can sense it, can you control it. But you have used energy before, Thia.

  Thia looked at Delphine wondering what she meant.

  I can sense it. Have you used it in healing?

  Thia thought of how she would try to ease the discomfort of her patients by soothing the energy she felt flowing through their bodies. She nodded. I think I have. She explained to Delphine what she’d felt with the injured she cared for. But it was instinctive. Brijit said it was an ancient art, she also would practice it at times but she always said I was better at it than her.

  Then learning to control your lifeforce will be easier for you. What happens when you have an attack?

  Thia thought of how she felt when a seizure was coming on. The loss of control she experienced and how she almost felt as if she left her body. I feel unwell usually. Then I see strange things, usually purple swirls in my eyes. It’s hard to explain. And then I lose consciousness and fall into a vision.

  Delphine leaned forward. What do you mean a vision?

  I see things that are going to happen. But then never make sense at the time.

  Delphine was quiet, considering Thia’s words. If you gain control of your lifeforce, I believe the loss of control will cease completely. But it is possible that you will still have visions. They will probab
ly come to you in your mediations instead of in the attacks. She smiled suddenly. Don’t you see, Thia? The attacks may have been how the visions forced themselves upon you.

  Thia thought about it. It did make some sense. To be able to control her visions as well as avoid the seizures seemed impossible. Her heart leapt. This was more than she had ever hoped could be possible.

  ****

  Thia, now sense the light.

  Thia let Delphine’s calm thoughts intrude on her meditation. She opened her eyes and saw the purple swirls that indicated a seizure was coming.

  Don’t let it take control, Delphine urged, you are controlling it. See it. Hold it. Embrace it as part of you.

  Thia’s heart sped up as the purple light encompassed her entire field of vision.

  Breathe.

  Thia took a deep breath, calming her panic, pushing those thoughts back. Then for the first time she embraced the energy. She noticed the beauty in the swirls.

  Delphine held out her hand, and Thia lifted her own hand and let the purple light intermingle with the pale pink glow that was coming from Delphine’s skin. It was as if a loved one was embracing her.

  Happiness engulfed Thia and she didn’t know if she was sending out the emotion or Delphine was.

  Slowly Thia let the energy ebb and calm until it was just a faint glow from her fingertips. She smiled at Delphine.

  I did it!

  Delphine nodded and returned her smile but then horror suddenly engulfed her face. Thia!

  Thia looked at her surprise. What was wrong?

  Your nose.

  Thia reached and touched her face. Her fingers encountered something warm and sticky. She pulled them away and stared at them. Blood.

  Delphine was looking at her in her alarm.

  Thia tried to smile. It's just a nosebleed, she assured her with a weak smile. We have these Above Ground occasionally.

  We don't get nosebleeds Underground.

  Thia felt fingers of fear closing over her heart.

  The others did, didn’t they? she asked thinking of the seven Halflings who had died Underground.

  Sadness emanated from Delphine and she nodded.

  Fear chased the euphoria of the session away.

  ****

  Celeste found her by Teague’s bedside later that day. It is time for you to return to the surface, my child.

  Thia shook her head. Not without Teague, she insisted.

  Celeste looked at the immobile Teague. He is not responsive, Thia, we have to assume that he won't wake. You may have a chance at life on the surface. Here you will die.

  I'm fine, Thia insisted and suddenly Celeste bombarded her with a series of images that clearly illustrated what had happened to the Halflings who had died.

  We have all come to love you. We have decided that a return to the surface is worth a chance. It could save your life.

  Did any of the others – the seven like us – return to the surface?

  Celeste shook her head. They deteriorated faster than you have. For most of them death came within hours of the bleeding but you have shown no sign of getting weaker. We’ve decided that it is at least worth the effort to try to return you Above Ground.

  And Teague? Thia asked, sensing that they would not let him go.

  We feel we should keep him here.

  Thia shook her head. No! She was not going to abandon Teague to certain death.

  Teague has no symptoms. Perhaps his condition is protecting him. Moving him would be an onerous task and one we will not undertake unless he is showing signs of illness.

  Celeste was calm. I will give you tonight. They both knew it was a gift – a final dreamwalk in which Thia could say her goodbyes.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Mistress Clare and her sister descended on Kiara. The seamstress had brought several of her dresses based on the description of Kiara. She ultimately decided, with the strong opinion of her sister, on a deep blue dress of velvet, trimmed with satin ribbon. Kiara refrained from making a face – it was not the type of clothing she would ever choose for herself. She just hoped she'd be able to get some new leggings and a tunic when they reached Séreméla.

  As the older woman worked away measuring and pinning the dress, she explained to Kiara that usually she would make a new dress for a client but since time was so short they would just have to make do with the dresses she had in stock.

  Kiara ignored the idle chatter from Mistress Clare and her sister. When they realized she wasn't going to gossip with them, the sisters took to catching up on the topics and people that were important to them. Kiara tuned them out and let her thoughts wander. She wondered how Caedmon was going to pay for such a fine gown. She had no money of her own since the little she'd had for the journey was lost with her pack in the mountains. Caedmon had been paying for their food and lodgings for the entire trip so Weylon must have given him some money or perhaps he had money of his own. She just hoped this fancy dress didn't deplete their resources completely.

  Then it occurred to her that she didn't know how close they were to Séreméla. She never paid much heed to maps in her lessons. All she knew was that Revuover was the closest city to Séreméla. She'd have to remember to ask Caedmon how much further their journey would be.

  After an abundant amount of time, wasted in Kiara's mind, spent on adjusting the dress, Mistress Clare and her sister finally laced Kiara into the gown. Kiara, who had never been in a laced gown in her life, and after this experience could not understand why any woman would want to wear such a garment, was impatient and irritable when they turned her toward the mirror. But her mouth fell open when she saw her reflection.

  "Why you truly are a beauty," Mistress Clare said with awe. "That soldier boy has better taste than I first gave him credit for." Then catching herself she looked quickly at Kiara. "No offence meant, my dear, but you were quite bedraggled when you arrived."

  Kiara smiled, still a bit stunned by her reflection. "I think you're being generous in your description," she said with a smile.

  The Innkeeper suddenly looked a bit shy. "Would you mind, dear, if I perhaps took the time to tidy up your hair?"

  "Oh, yes, do!" her sister exclaimed. "Before Maggie married old Mr. Clare, rest his soul, she worked as a maid in one of the great houses and used to do all the gentleladies' hair."

  Kiara took a deep breath. She was not one to fuss with her hair. She liked to keep it sheared short and close to her head. But it had grown an incredible amount while they were travelling. And cutting it while making camp and hunting hadn't seemed a practical use of her time. Cleaning it up a bit couldn't hurt.

  She nodded. "Alright. I usually shear it close."

  Mistress Claire gasped. "What?" she asked in horror. "Oh, your hair is so short already. Just a little clean up will do I think," she said firmly.

  Kiara resigned herself and sat still while the older woman began to snip and comb her hair. Again after what seemed like an immense amount of time spent on one's hair, Mistress Clare led her to the mirror once again.

  Kiara stared at her reflection in surprise. With the ragged ends trimmed from her hair, it now fell to just below her ear lobes. Mistress Clare had tied an extra ribbon from the dress trimmings in her hair. The blue dress and ribbon brought out the color of her eyes. Kiara, for the first time, was mesmerized by the pretty reflection in the mirror. She was sure it couldn't be herself.

  "See, my dear. You are lovely,” Mistress Claire murmured.

  After a day of primping and preparing her, Mistress Claire made a big production of showing Kiara off to Caedmon, who was waiting in the great room of the inn. Kiara stared at him for a moment. He'd found himself some clean clothes as well and this was the first time she’d seem him dressed in anything other than soldier’s clothes. Kiara’s mouth went dry as she took in his gentleman's clothes of a linen shirt, trousers and a fine dark coat. His long hair was pulled back to the nape of his neck and secured with a leather cord.

  As if sensing her
presence, Caedmon turned when she entered the room and froze, his gaze dropping to the hem of her skirts and then slowly traveling up to her face. He openly stared at her.

  "You see, dear! I knew he'd be impressed," Mistress Clare gushed, her laugh filling the room.

  Caedmon walked over to her, a stunned expression still on his face.

  "Do I look okay?" she asked nervously.

  He reached out and caught a black lock of her hair between his thumb and finger. "You look like a girl," he said in awe.

  Kiara glared at him and was tempted to kick his shin. "I am a girl," she reminded him testily.

  Caedmon laughed, "Ah, it is you under all the polish."

  Kiara suddenly felt hot tears prick her eyes for no reason. She looked down to her feet and felt her face heat in embarrassment as she fought to control this sudden stupid wave of emotion.

  Then she felt Caedmon's finger under her chin, lifting her face so she had to meet his eyes.

  "You look beautiful, Kiara," he said solemnly.

  Kiara suddenly couldn't look anywhere but into his dark eyes.

  Caedmon stepped closer to her, lowered his mouth and gently brushed his lips against hers. Kiara’s heart began to pound.

  The Innkeeper clapped in delight, not realizing that it was their first kiss.

  Kiara closed her eyes as his lips continued to gently press into her own. Then abruptly he stepped away. And Kiara felt a wave of panic sweep over her. She didn't know what all this meant. Suddenly she was afraid to meet Caedmon's eyes.

  Mistress Clare, unaware of the tension between Kiara and Caedmon, led them to a table in the far corner of the room. She had arranged for them to have a dinner and this time she'd gone to great trouble with the menu preparing them an elaborate meal of fresh fish and greens with tiny potatoes, carrots and onions.