Now the jungle had covered everything, winding limbs and huge fan-size leaves blocking out buildings and ruins from one end to the other. Branches snaked out of glassless windows, dried leaves and detritus littering the ground. Low lying buildings were choked in vines, barely visible through the sinuous branches. Here and there cracked and broken pools held murky water filled with moldering layers of scum and rusty wire. The smell of decay permeated everything. This had once been a spectacular city with parks and pools and sidewalks and roads. I could almost see the shiny water-powered cars moving along the roadways. Something pulled in my solar plexus, causing me to head down a side alley.
“Gertrude, I found you.” Before I could turn away Brandubh had grabbed hold of my arm, pulling me into an embrace. “If you want to see your son alive, you’ll do as I say,” he whispered, his breath hot in my ear.
I was horrified by his closeness, fear flooding my body. “Where is he?”
“Mother has him. Don’t look so worried, it’s her intention to raise him as her own.”
“Then why did you say…?”
“Because I want to help you. The child is ours, yours and mine. I want us to be a family.”
Was the man delusional? “I don’t think that’s possible, Brandubh.”
“Why not? We made him together. I have no love for my mother, despite the fact that she brought me back from the dead. All I’ve thought about these past months is you, our life together, our…”
“What life? What are you talking about? You were horrible to me.”
Confusion passed over his features. “We lived together in the Otherworld—don’t you remember? You became pregnant with our child. I remember it all so clearly. We had a full life. We love each other.”
“I remember the Otherworld, but you were killing people, and…”
He pressed his hand to my mouth as voices drifted toward us, pulling me with him behind a pillar. “If you give me away I won’t be able to help you,” he whispered. “Please give me a chance to prove it.”
“It seems she knew we were coming,” I heard Gunnar say. And then a second later an arrow whizzed by my ear.
“Who would have warned her?”
The answer to Kafir’s question was lost as I wrenched free and rushed toward the two men. Gunnar was in process of nocking another arrow, a surprised expression crossing his face when he saw me. “I thought I told you to stay put.”
Kafir took hold of my arm, his gaze heading into the trees. “What happened?”
“Brandubh’s here—he caught up with me back there. They have Rifak.” I pointed toward the pillar and the trees behind it. Before I could say anything further I had a vision of Brandubh holding my baby, his face lit up in a bright smile of devotion.
The druid turned from where he’d been examining some prints in the soft dirt along one side of the house. “I heard him. It’s why I shot. I could have killed you.”
I ignored the stern look Gunnar gave me. “Brandubh said he wants to help me.”
Kafir made a derisive sound. “If he was telling the truth then why has he disappeared?”
“How would you like being shot at? Maybe he doesn’t trust you and Gunnar.”
Gunnar raised his eyebrows. “And well he shouldn’t. His mother and I are very old enemies.”
“The sorceress is afraid of you?”
When Gunnar’s gray eyes met mine I saw worlds within worlds, eons of life growing up and disappearing and then growing up again. It was like a sped up movie swirling through my brain, leaving me breathless. He was hundreds of years older than Adair and would be here long after Kafir and I, and even Rifak were gone. I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of his life, what he knew and what he had seen. I couldn’t speak.
“We need to find shelter. This is no place to be after dark.”
The light was fading quickly and a prickling sensation started along the back of my neck. “What happens at night?” I whispered.
“You don’t want to know.”
Although I was frantic to find Brandubh I followed Gunnar back the way we had come, heading up a narrow road filled with broken bits of pipe, cement and broken glass. I had tried several times to convince him that Brandubh might be telling the truth, but neither he nor Kafir gave it any credence. Merlin trotted beside him, the druid’s hand occasionally resting on the dog’s head. “We have to go quickly,” he said, his wary gaze searching. “I’m strong but I can’t combat the evil that exists in this place.”
When Gunnar quickened his pace I broke into a jog. I was sweating, fear making my heart race, my breath coming in gasps. In the darkness beyond the trees I heard snuffling and an occasional cat-like roar. When we reached the tower I was weak with relief, desperate to get back inside.
“We’ll stay here until morning,” the druid told us after leading the way upstairs. “At first light you and Gertrude will go and find Ella and your sons while I search out the sorceress.”
“But why can’t we go with you?”
“It will only impede my progress.”
I stared at Kafir, willing him to look up, but his gaze never left the floor. So far I couldn’t get the men to even consider my opinion about Brandubh. Merlin sat by the window like a sentry as the three of us settled in for the night.
Chapter Twelve
Far Isle-2451
Gunnar left early the next morning, heading into the trees with Merlin while we
climbed a steep trail in the opposite direction. Every step I took seemed like a betrayal. From the few minutes I spent with him, this Brandubh did not seem the same man who had held me captive in the Otherworld, where his greed and cruelty made him impervious to anything. And he didn’t seem to have any memory of what he’d done—no one could be that good an actor. I sensed that being around Rifak had given him hope of another life. I also knew that to go against his mother’s wishes would take a tremendous amount of strength. But every time I tried to bring this topic up to Kafir, he shut me down, his entire focus on finding his own sons.
“Leave it to Gunnar. And please try to let go of the fantasy you’ve developed about Brandubh. He’s just as evil as Adair.”
“But Rifak is his son, Kafir. How could he…?”
“Trust Gunnar and let him handle it!” he finally roared.
***
It took several hours to reach the mountainous haven where Ella and Kafir’s sons were sequestered. I felt worse and worse the further we got away from Amalthea, sure that if I had stayed with Brandubh I would be holding Rifak in my arms by now. Kafir’s blowout had created a palpable tension between us and we made the trip in silence. Kafir stayed ahead of me working with his knife to clear the overgrown trail. Twice I had seen snakes slithering into the darkness under the trees, their patterns and colors melting away and disappearing. If I had been anywhere else I would have headed out on my own, but this place felt dangerous and unpredictable, not safe for a woman on her own. I cursed my weakness, trying to get hold of my rampaging emotions, but all it did was make me feel worse.
Once we were close, Kafir put his fingers to his lips and whistled, a bird-like sound that brought Ella running. In the next second she was in his arms, her head buried in his neck.
“I was afraid something happened to you!” Without a glance toward me she took Kafir’s arm, smiling up at him. “You must come and see your sons. They have grown so since you’ve been away.” Glancing my way, Kafir raised his eyebrows for a moment before letting her lead him along the path. “Is the dwelling still intact?” I heard him ask as they disappeared around a bend in the trail.
My inner sense told me that Ella wanted Kafir back and that neither Faden nor Dughall were on the scene. I didn’t trust her and felt bitter anger as I imagined Rifak in Brandubh’s arms while I wasted time here.
“Father!” The deep voice surprised me and when I drew closer I was surprised to see the broad-shouldered young man leaning in to embrace Kafir. Behind him was another boy a few years younger, honey-colored hai
r tangled around his smooth face.
A babble of conversation followed, laughter ringing out as the boys chattered with Kafir. Ella stood to one side, an expression of pride on her lovely features. I stayed back feeling unwelcome, but it was only a few minutes before Kafir turned.
“Gertrude, come meet my sons!”
A frown of displeasure crossed Ella’s features as I came forward, her mouth turning down in a sour expression. I ignored her, taking Bran’s proffered hand and noticing how much he took after his father. Clary, the younger of the two, was much more like his mother with his straight hair and less sturdy build. They were unfailingly polite but I sensed that they considered me an intruder in this tender reunion.
“Where are Dughall and Faden?” I asked Ella.
Ella turned from where she’d been regaling Kafir with some story that made him laugh. “Faden left and Dughall is not here.”
“Dughall was never here,” Clary added. “We think he went after the people with the torches.”
“The people? Wasn’t it the sorceress and her son?”
Clary stared at me and then gazed toward his mother. “I only saw men with dogs—I thought they came from Glanstgo. They certainly had the look of mercenaries.”
Ella shook her head dismissively. “It doesn’t matter who it was, now does it? They still burned down my home and my husband is missing.”
“Why would men from Glanstgo come here?” I asked. “Did they take anything?”
Ella turned toward me, her face reddening in anger. “Are you questioning me? I told you what I saw.”
“Berserkers,” Kafir mumbled. “I fear for Dughall. Did he have enemies from your time in Glantsgo?”
Ella looked down, her hands folded demurely on top of her large belly. “Dughall is a weak man. He didn’t stand up for us and that’s one of the reasons we left. As far as enemies, I can’t imagine why anyone would single him out. I hope you will stay, at least until the baby comes. Without Dughall I have no one to help me through the birth. I’m not as young as I once was,” Ella added, gazing up at Kafir from under her thick lashes.
“I…I would love time with my sons but…” he glanced toward me, a frown of confusion on his face. “Gertrude and I are on a mission to find her child. He’s very young and in the clutches of the sorceress.”
“But surely you can wait until after the baby comes. It’s only another fortnight or so and then you can do whatever it is…” she finished, waving her hand as though finding Rifak was the most unimportant thing in the world.
Heat rose into my cheeks but I held the anger back, waiting to see what would happen. I tried very hard to imagine what Ella must be going through without her husband. And Kafir had told me that her first two births had been difficult. I didn’t want to ask if there had been a midwife in their village. She needed him.
Kafir turned to Bran, wrapping an arm around the young man who was nearly Kafir’s height. “Show me what you’ve done to the shelter,” he said, ignoring Ella. “I want to see your improvements since the last time I was here.”
“You’ve been gone for a long while, Father. It is much changed.”
When Bran and Kafir headed away, Clary glanced toward his mother. “I’d like to go with them.”
“Fine, fine,” Ella said, waving him away. “I’ll be along in a minute or two.”
Once Clary was out of earshot Ella turned toward me. “You must realize that Kafir loves me. We have two children—did he tell you everything we’ve been through together? I’m sure you will understand if he decides to stay with me. Kafir is not your child’s father, is he? No, I didn’t think so. Families need to stick together. I think you should search for the boy’s father first and then the two of you can find your baby. Allow Kafir the pleasure of his own boys after being away for so long.” She pulled her long blonde hair away from her neck, lifting it to catch the breeze. “My goodness it’s hot today, isn’t it? I will be happy to have this little one come.” She patted her belly, smiling at me sweetly as she let her silken hair fall.
I didn’t speak for several long moments, summoning my wits. When I finally addressed her I managed to maintain a calm and level tone. “I’m sorry about everything you’ve been through, Ella. But I’m in a similar predicament. Thank the goddess that your sons are here and safe, mine is not.” I waited to see her reaction to this but I heard her humming under her breath as though I hadn’t spoken. “I’ll understand if Kafir stays to help you through the birth. But I hope for all our sakes that Dughall shows up.”
When she looked up there was something dark in her eyes, an expression that frightened me. Her lips moved but I couldn’t hear the words. When a sharp pain went through my chest I remembered Kafir telling me she was a witch. She smiled, watching me closely before turning her back to follow Clary. I felt very sick and weak after she was gone, a deep despair creeping over me. Tears slid down my chapped cheeks before I could stop them. Without thinking I picked up my pack and headed along the trail that I hoped led to the boat. Despite what he’d told me, Kafir still loved her and she loved him. I had to accept this. When I came to a fork in the trail I didn’t know which way to go. I was so hot I felt I might throw-up, with a searing thirst at the back of my parched throat. I pulled out the water bottle, drinking deeply, but it didn’t do much good.
Dense foliage blocked the sunlight, bringing a gloom to this part of the forest. The route we had taken earlier was not the one from Ella’s village and I only hoped my internal sense of direction would lead me back. I felt dizzy for a second realizing that my thirst and the fact that I hadn’t eaten were probably catching up with me and making it difficult to think clearly. I would allow myself a short rest, I decided, sitting down and leaning against a tree. I took out the cards, trying to focus on them, but all I wanted to do was sleep.
When I woke later everything was waving and moving in and out of focus. I was pretty sure I had a fever. This time when I closed my eyes I saw Adair, her hungry open mouth coming toward me, my baby held tight in her arms. I screamed but by then she was sucking my breath, draining me of my life energy. I shook myself to release the vision, struggling to maintain consciousness, but I couldn’t prevent the veil that crept over me.
Chapter Thirteen
Far Isle-2451
I heard whispering, musical voices floating in the air. I didn’t know if my eyes were open or closed, only that there was an intense darkness that prevented me from seeing.
“Where am I?” I asked, but there was no answer, only a silence that was more disturbing than the voices had been. Was I blind or in some horrible dark pit? “Kafir, are you here?” My voice echoed, but there was no response.
I didn’t know how much time had gone by when I heard a man’s voice whispering in my ear. “My dear, I knew I’d find you sooner or later. Our son is here.”
The gurgle of a baby had me reaching out and just for a moment I thought my fingers touched soft baby skin. “Brandubh, is that you? Is Rifak with you?”
There was no answer and as time ticked by I thought perhaps I was dreaming—either that or I was dead.
***
I was sick for three months with a fever in my soul that refused to heal. The priestesses at the Temple of the Moon told me that an older gray-haired man had brought me there after finding me near death in the forest. I had been cursed, apparently, a hex that not only made me sick but also made me doubt myself. It was only through their kindness and healing ways that I was able to recover and shed the darkness that had clamped down around my heart. I had little memory from those early days. When I asked about Kafir they shook their heads and turned away. Men were not allowed in the Temple of the Moon.
They re-named me, as was the custom, according to what they noticed of my disposition and physical attributes. Not surprising, my new name was Gypsy, my heritage obvious in the color of my skin, hair and eyes. Rain and Alder tended to my physical needs, bringing me the fresh vegetables raised in the gardens as well as eggs prepared in var
ious ways. Their chickens were prolific layers and eggs became my main source of protein. The two women were young and cheerful, their bright smiles a welcome sight in the pre-dawn mornings. When I asked the origin of their names, Rain told me she had cried every day of the first month she was here. “They were tears of happiness,” she told me. Alder was thick and tall, like the tree of the same name, with a stoic and calm demeanor.
Ultimately it was Dancer who brought my spirit back to life. A decade older than I, the tall, lithe woman was aptly named, her unusual golden eyes regarding everything with wisdom and clarity. Dancer was the high priestess, the one who everyone sought in times of struggle, and following in her shadow was a young woman called Fire. Her role was personal assistant, filling Dancer in on what was happening in the minds of the priestesses, whether there was discord or worry. It didn’t take long to discover the origin of her temple name, her volatile temper flaring on more than one occasion.
When I asked the high priestess about my future she said, “You must be in service until you have found the strength of body and mind to search out the man who brought you here. He is the key to finding your son and ridding the world of the sorceress.”
“Is his name Brandubh?” I asked, but she didn’t know, only that these visions had come to her right after my arrival.
During those first months I wandered the temple, reveling in the beauty and peace within those smooth walls. The structures had been built around courtyards, columns of pale stone holding up the low-roofed rooms where spare dark wood furniture stood against whitewashed walls. The floors were smooth marble, cool on my bare feet—none of the priestesses wore shoes. The architecture seemed a mixture of Greek and Roman with several Chinese touches that lent grace and elegance. The courtyards held peonies, roses, and low clumping grass, with willow trees and bamboo leaning gracefully over shallow rocky pools filled with goldfish and water lilies. Statuary ranging from Fu dogs to Guan Yin as well as statues of Athena and Diana stood in various places within the walled space. It was pleasant to sit on benches under the trees during the warm afternoons.
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