The Stone of Mercy

by M. J. Evans

  The Centaur stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at his once-beautiful tail, which was now dripping water from a few spindly strands. But he was alive, and when he looked back at Carling, his eyes reflected that realization. He dropped his sword. “You saved me. Why?” he asked. “You should have let me die.”

  Carling began to open her mouth to speak, but had no words to say. She just shook her head.

  Tibbals came up to her and put her arms around her shoulders. “It’s the Stone of Mercy,” she whispered in her ear.

  Carling looked up into her beautiful friend’s face and shrugged. Something had made her save the Centaur, but she couldn’t really articulate what. It was as though she’d been moved by some magical power that had taken control of her. Something like the power that had moved her to save the Faun. Surely this was the result of the Stone of Mercy.

  Carling turned her attention to the three injured Heilodius Centaurs. “Your lives have been spared,” she said, sounding like the queen she was to become. “But there must be a balance between justice and mercy. You will have to pay for the crimes you have committed. You murdered my parents and destroyed the village of Duenton. We will take you back there to stand trial for your terrible deeds. But you will live, a gift you denied my mother and father.”

  From where he lay on the floor, Clank pushed himself up on his arms. A pool of blood was forming around his front hooves. His eyes narrowed and with clenched teeth he said, “I will never stand before your courts. You have no authority over me!”

  Tandum stepped up to him. “Oh, we don’t? That’s a fine way to show your gratitude to someone for sparing your life.”

  “I would rather die than pay venerations to a Duende,” he spat out.

  Calmly Carling walked over to stand beside Tandum. “You have a debt to pay,” she said, addressing Clank, “and we will see to it that you do.”

  “We shall see,” Clank sneered before turning away.

  Chapter 23

  The Storm

  For the next couple of hours, Carling and Higson set about tending to any wounds that had been suffered by the Centaurs. When everyone was bandaged up and the Heilodius Centaurs were restrained with hobbles, fed what little was still available, and given water and a place to lie down, the Duende and the Minsheen Centaurs set about repairing the damaged door. Using rope found in the cottage, they tied the door back in place and latched it securely shut. Content with their work, they made themselves comfortable for the few hours that remained of the night.

  Clank and his cohorts lay still and silent in one corner, speaking neither to one another nor to their young captors.

  —

  The morning sun was covered by a thick blanket of clouds. A blustery wind buffeted the cabin, waking its occupants. Soon, large balls of hail drummed against the wooden shake roof, filling the inside with so much noise Carling could hear nothing else. She looked around and noticed the others wearing expressions of concern, mirroring her own feelings. She got up and started a fire, but the wind that hurled down the chimney blew the smoke into the room. With eyes stinging and coughing loudly, she doused the embryonic flames with water from the pump. “No hot water for us,” she said to no one in particular, which was good because no one could hear her anyway.

  Higson got out of bed. “What can I do to help you?” he asked, shouting above the sound of the hail.

  “We need to find something to eat. Any ideas?”

  Tibbals unfolded her long legs and lowered her hooves to the floor. “I don’t have anything left in my pack,” she said with a frown.

  “Nor do I,” Tandum yelled from the far side of the room.

  The Heilodius Centaurs continued to lie silently in a corner of the room. Clank only glared at his captors. Apparently, they had nothing to contribute, either.

  “Well,” said Carling, pulling the pump handle up and pushing it down again. “It looks like all we have is water.”

  “I hope we don’t have to go out in this terrible storm,” said Tibbals, pulling her hair to the side of her head and plaiting the blond tresses into a long braid. The braid finished, she examined her fingernails and frowned.

  Tandum walked to a window and looked out. The trees were swaying violently from side to side; branches were breaking off and hurling through the air. Above, the clouds rolled by in anger. He turned back around and faced his fellow travelers. “We won’t be going anywhere until this storm blows over.”

  “We’ll starve if we have to stay here long,” Carling said, feeling her stomach grumble.

  “I could go out and try to hunt for something,” offered Higson.

  Tandum shook his head. “There won’t be any animals out in this weather. They’ll all be hiding in their burrows and nests.”

  Carling put a hand on Higson’s shoulder. “I would rather starve than have you out in this storm. We’ll just rest in here for as long as we need to. Save up your energy.”

  “She’s right,” chimed in Tibbals. “We’ll be on our way soon. And we’re only a day’s journey from home. Surely we can get by without food for just a day.”

  The violent storm continued for much longer than the group had anticipated, however. Wind and hail beat against the cabin windows, as though trying desperately to get inside. Occasionally a branch from a nearby tree broke loose and slammed against the side of the cabin, making everyone jump. The Minsheen Centaurs and the Duende talked about being hungry, but not about much else. Mostly, they just sat, wrapped in blankets, and waited.

  Carling looked over at Clank and his companions where they sat bound in their corner. Clank was staring at her, his eyes cold and hard. Curiosity overcame her and she asked, “Clank, why did you join the Heilodius herd?”

  “And just why shouldn’t I have?” he said with a sneer.

  “Couldn’t the Centaurs negotiate a peaceful agreement with the other races if they remained one unified herd?” Carling continued, ignoring his retort. “There is power in numbers.”

  Clank snorted. “You think you can just waltz up to a Cyclops, shake hands, smile, and walk away with the throne? If you think that, you are stupider than I thought.”

  His two companions snickered.

  “Why does there have to be just one ruler of Crystonia?” Carling asked. “Why can’t there be a representative from each race?”

  “You mean rule by committee? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.”

  “Why is it so ridiculous?” Carling prodded, sincerely wanting an answer.

  “Because committees never get anything accomplished. They just argue back and forth. Eventually, someone has to rise to the top and take the lead. The strongest is the one that obtains leadership.”

  “Or wisest?”

  “Strongest,” Clank repeated for emphasis. “And I intend to be on the side of the strongest when the power is divvied out. Now quit talking to me. You bore me,” he said, turning his head to one side.

  “We should have killed them when we had the chance,” said Tandum, shaking his head and frowning.

  Hearing this comment, Clank looked up. “That was a decision you will live to regret.”

  Carling sighed and smoothed the wrinkled tunic that covered her silver breastplate. She had a lot to learn, she concluded. Silence once again filled the room.

  —

  Late in the afternoon, Carling was dozing, leaning against Higson, when she was jarred awake by a loud pounding on the door. Everyone looked up, eyes wide with surprise and concern. Tandum unfolded his legs and stepped off his bed. Carling watched him as he slowly, cautiously crossed the room and approached the door. With his hand on the door latch, he looked back at her, as if asking for permission to open it. More loud bangs were heard by all over the howling of the storm. Crank and his friends looked back and forth at each other and exchanged sardonic smiles. Tandum raised the latch and the door burst open, pushed by the wind.

  Standing on the wooden porch, soaking wet and covered with mud, leaves, and pine need
les, were the Fauns who had captured Higson, Tibbals, and Tandum. Pik stumbled into the room. Shivering violently, he said, “Can we s-s-stay here?”

  In the next instant, a dozen more Fauns pushed their way into the little cabin, filling it with the foul smell of wet animals and covering the floorboards with mud and water. Clank frowned.

  “Pik,” exclaimed Carling, truly shocked to see him. “Of course you can stay with us. But, please, shut the door!”

  The Fauns in the back grunted as they strained to shut the door against the wind that was trying to bully them. It took three Fauns to get the door closed and bolted.

  The little cabin now held two little Duende; two Centaurs from the Minsheen herd; three Centaurs from the Heilodius herd; and twelve very wet, cold, and dirty Fauns.

  Chapter 24

  The Tables are Turned

  Carling didn’t sleep that night, having spent much of the day asleep. At first she just lay awake, listening to the seemingly endless storm. But sometime during the night, the storm ran its course. The wind, hail, and rain stopped. Carling felt her body relax with relief. But the sounds of the storm had been replaced by the rumbling snores of a dozen exhausted Fauns deep in sleep.

  “Carling, are you awake?” she heard Higson whisper.

  “Are you kidding? How could I sleep with all that racket?”

  Carling heard Higson chuckle. “You’re right there, you are,” he responded.

  “At least the storm seems to have passed.”

  “Good, that. I want to get home. I’m starving!”

  “Higson?” she said, still whispering.

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you for helping me.”

  “You know I’d do anything for you.”

  “You say that now, but what if things get even more dangerous? Remember what the Wizard said?”

  Higson didn’t hesitate. “It doesn’t matter what comes our way. We will face it together.”

  Carling smiled as she looked over at the window. She could see just a hint of moonlight weaving through the trees. For a moment, she forgot her hunger as she was filled with gratitude for her friend and his generosity. Then the warmth of that moment passed and she felt her body tighten. She clenched her jaw and curled her hands into tight fists. What am I doing to him? she asked herself. What have I gotten him into? I can’t ask him to risk his life for me. She turned onto her side so she was facing Higson. In a shaking voice, she spoke so softly that he could barely hear her. “I can’t do that to you,” she said. “I love you too much.”

  “And I love you,” her friend replied. “That is why it doesn’t matter if you ask me or not. I will be at your side, come what may.”

  —

  Everyone woke in the morning grouchy and hungry. The prospect of the long journey that awaited them didn’t make anyone feel any better. The one bright spot to the day was brought to them by the warm sunlight that sifted through the windows. Sunshine has a way of worming its way into everyone’s heart, especially after a wild, tempestuous storm like the one that had just passed.

  Carling stepped onto the cabin’s tiny porch and threw out her arms to embrace the day. Tibbals appeared at the front door. “The forest doesn’t seem as foreboding after it’s been given a good washing,” she said with a smile.

  Carling stroked her friend’s golden shoulder. “You’re right there,” she said.

  Tandum soon joined them. “So, what shall we do with all these prisoners we seem to have collected on this journey?”

  Carling and Tibbals laughed, and then Tibbals looked down at Carling. She raised her eyebrows and cocked her head.

  Carling ran her fingers through her long, thick hair. “Well, the Heilodius can keep up with us. The Fauns…they will have to continue making their way to Duenton on their own as quickly as they can.”

  Having no reason to stay in the cabin any longer and eager to get home and put some food in their stomachs, the companions set out through the Forest of Rumors. Tandum and Higson led the way, pulling on the ropes that held their three prisoners bound. Carling, on Tibbals, brought up the rear. They moved slowly through the muddy paths. The tree branches hung low, heavy with water that dripped on the travelers until they were soaked through their cloaks. It was miserable going, even with the occasional ray of sunlight that made its way through the shadows.

  As they struggled along, Carling noticed how quiet the forest was. No birds or squirrels chattered in the treetops. The only sound she heard was the sucking sound of hooves sinking into and pulling out of the mud. The silence was ominous.

  They traveled what must have been only an hour when an ear splitting crack filled the silence. With a rumble and a crash, a giant tree smashed to the ground, barely missing Tandum who had to jump back to get out of the way of its flailing branches. The trail in front of them was now blocked by the fallen tree.

  The Heilodius Centaurs, who up until this time had trudged along silently, seemed to perk up. “What’s the matter, oh great colt of a king?” said Clank, his voice thick with condescension. “You can’t let a little tree stop you.”

  Tandum ignored him as Tibbals stepped up to look over the situation. Just as she reached her brother’s side, however, a heavy net made of vines dropped over both them and their riders. A half dozen Centaurs appeared from behind the trees surrounding them and were soon pulling and tying the net tightly around the torsos of the foursome.

  As Tandum and Higson pushed at the net, Carling and Tibbals clutched at it. They were all trapped. Above the commotion that surrounded them, Carling picked out Clank’s laughter as clearly as an orchestra conductor hears an individual viola.

  “What took you so long?” Clank said once he got a hold of himself.

  “Sorry, boss,” responded one of the Centaurs timidly. “That storm yesterday really messed things up.”

  “Well, never mind. Make sure they’re tied up good!”

  Tandum and Higson continued to struggle against the net that held them so tightly. The ropes that were now wound around them all bound their arms to their sides and kept them from being able to reach their weapons.

  Carling sat quietly on Tibbals, no longer grasping the net that covered her and her friends as her mind searched for answers to this sudden quagmire. Why hadn’t she realized there would be more Heilodius herd members out here in the forest? She hadn’t even thought to inquire of her prisoners where the others they’d seen on their way to Manyon Canyon were now. Of course, they probably wouldn’t have told her, but at least she should have been on guard. Now they were captives and were greatly outnumbered.

  “Let’s get moving,” shouted Clank.

  With shouts and tugs on the ropes, the Heilodius Centaurs turned Tibbals and Tandum and their riders to the north. Pushed and prodded with the points of swords, the Minsheen Centaurs were forced to move through the forest at a trot. Even Clank, with his injuries, seemed to be having little trouble keeping up a fast pace.

  Their captors turned away from Tandum’s intended route, moving in a northern direction. The forest smelled of wet dirt and dripping pine trees. Steam arose from the ground as the sun evaporated the moisture from the storm, making the Heilodius Centaurs seem like eerie flickers of Carling’s imagination.

  “I’m getting really tired of being tied up with ropes,” said Tibbals, turning as best she could to look back at Carling and giving her a forced smile.

  Carling sympathetically patted her friend’s side. She wasn’t sure what to say. Fear was beginning to take hold of her heart in its cold, cruel fist. Tibbals’ attempt at a joke was welcome but did little to ease the flow of ice that was pulsing through Carling’s veins. Where are they taking us? What’s going to happen to us once we get there? she wondered.

  Tandum took the issue head on. “Where do you think you are taking us?” he demanded.

  One of the Centaurs who was pulling the ropes jerked on the bindings even harder before responding. “We don’t think nothin’. We know!”

  “And tha
t would be….?” probed Tandum.

  “We’re headed back to our city.”

  “You mean on the slopes of Mount Heilodius?” Tandum responded. The look on his face showed his surprise.

  “That’s the only city I know of,” sneered another.

  “But why?” Tandum asked.

  “You’ve been causing too much trouble.”

  “What do you mean, we have been causing trouble?” Tibbals added, nearly in tears. “You started this when you tried to kidnap me!”

  “Yeah. Then these two pipsqueaks had to stick their noses in where they don’t belong,” added one as he glared at Carling and poked her with a spear.

  “Leave her alone,” shouted Higson.

  “Oh, aren’t you the brave little one!” mocked the offending Centaur. “It don’t look to me like you’re in any position to protect her.” All of the Heilodius Centaurs around them laughed.

  “Enough of this banter,” shouted Clank over his shoulder. “Just keep moving.” The Centaurs quieted immediately and refocused their attention on weaving through the forest.

  At a trot, the group covered a lot of ground quickly. They eventually reached the edge of the forest. Carling looked ahead and saw the massive outline of Mount Heilodius, its peak piercing the clouds and disappearing from sight. It was the closest and the tallest peak in the ridge of mountains that formed the northern boundary of Crystonia, the region called The Northern Reaches.

  The appearance of the mountain and the open plains seemed to energize the Heilodius Centaurs, who quickly picked up their pace to a rolling canter. Tibbals and Tandum had no choice but to canter as well as they could.

  The looming mountain grew larger as they moved toward it. The details of its shape and the trees and cliffs that covered its surface became clearer. Carling had never seen such an imposing peak and wondered that it could look both ominous and beautiful. She stared at it, her violet eyes wide with wonder. The thought that she was destined to rule from this mountain was so overwhelming, she had to push it out of her head. Yet, she could not deny that some strange force was pulling her toward it.