by Lana Axe
Pia tried to calm her nerves, though the boy’s manner was imposing. “My name’s Sekai,” she said, trying to hide the trembling in her voice. Reminding herself that these children were unaware of her past, she forced a smile. “I’m new in town.”
The older boy looked her up and down. “Where you from?” he asked.
“Althez,” she answered. They needn’t know the truth.
“Never heard of it,” one of the girls said. “You planning to stay here long?”
“Depends,” Pia replied.
The group exchanged glances as if deciding what to do with the newcomer. Pia felt like a dog applying for membership in a pack of wolves. Had she made a mistake?
“I’m Sherl,” the oldest girl said. Reaching out for Pia, she placed her arm around the shorter girl’s shoulders. “You want to join us for some fun?”
“What sort of fun?” Pia asked.
The girl removed her arm from Pia and shrugged. “We were about to head to the shops. Maybe buy a few things.”
“I don’t have any money,” Pia said.
“You won’t need it,” Sherl said with a grin. “Come on.”
They moved along the streets, the older kids in front. Pia stayed in the middle of the group, just behind Sherl. The older girl fell back, taking Pia by the hand.
“Have you ever stolen anything?” she asked.
Pia shook her head. Her father would have whipped her for that. The thought never even entered her mind.
“You’ll have to learn,” the girl said. “None of us ever have money either,” she went on. “But that doesn’t stop us from getting what we want.”
Pia didn’t reply.
“The trick is not to get caught,” Sherl explained. “I can teach you a few tricks.”
“I’m not sure I want to,” Pia said.
“Then go away,” Sherl said, stopping in her tracks. “The road goes two ways.” She gestured over her shoulder. “You can come with us, or you can go looking for different friends.”
“She won’t find any,” one boy said. “Look how filthy she is. She looks like she’s been running through mud. Those rich kids won’t want anything to do with her.”
“She can beg along the streets,” one girl said, laughing hysterically at her own words.
Pia understood. If she wasn’t willing to steal for them, then they would cast her out. There was little choice. In order to leave, she’d need supplies. Those cost money. The only way to get it was to steal. “I’ll do it,” she said. “If you show me how.”
Sherl smiled and took her by the hand. “It’s easy,” she said.
When they arrived at the market district, they were met by unpleasant looks. Two shop owners warned the children not to come near or he’d call the city watch. Sherl gestured rudely to both of them. Pia’s heart thundered in her chest. What had she gotten herself into?
Determined to make her own way, she listened to Sherl’s every word. Pickpocketing was no good. It would take too much practice. But shoplifting would be easy if she avoided notice.
“See that shop is busy?” Sherl said. “They probably won’t even see you’ve come in. You could take whatever you want.”
Pia looked toward the shop. Five customers were crammed into the tiny booth, filling it to capacity. She’d have to crouch to fit inside it. Scanning the goods, she realized there was nothing in there she wanted. Nothing useful, only trinkets. Carved figures made of wood and stone—some painted, some plain. She had no idea what they were or how much they might be worth.
“Go for one of the blue-green stones,” the girl told her. “Those are worth the most. Pretend you’re admiring it, and slip it in your pocket while no one’s looking. We can sell it later.”
When Pia hesitated, the girl said, “Go on.” Then she gave her a shove.
Taking a deep breath, Pia started forward. Reminding herself to stay calm, she approached the shop. One customer walked out, leaving the other four behind. There was enough room for her to step inside and browse. From the corner of her eye, she saw the shopkeeper. He eyed her suspiciously but turned his attention back to the customer in front of him.
“This one deters evil spirits,” she heard him say.
“I need one at each door, correct?” the female customer asked.
Pia didn’t hear a reply. She wondered what evil spirits might be threatening these people. The woman seemed frightened.
Lifting a wooden trinket, Pia admired the carving. It appeared to be some type of animal, with long arms, its legs folded into a seated position. One hand was placed over its left eye. She’d never seen anything like it.
When she set it down, she bumped the man behind her with her elbow. “Sorry,” she mumbled. The man barely acknowledged her. His arms were loaded with statues he intended to buy. Apparently they were popular among the citizens of Sentella. That meant it would fetch a good price if she managed to make off with one.
Scanning for a stone figure in blue-green, she spotted one farther inside the stall. Inching toward it, she tried to make herself small and invisible.
“Not to worry,” the shopkeeper said. “Those dark spirits won’t bother you again.”
Again? That gave Pia cause for worry. Did that mean this woman had actually encountered an evil spirit? Could it have been a wraith? Whatever was happening in this city, she didn’t want to stay long to find out. She needed to get as far from here as possible. As soon as she had a little money, she would leave. Hopefully her new friends could help her find a ride, or at the very least, give her directions. She had no idea where in the world she was, or where she was going.
In one quick motion she grabbed the blue-green statue and tucked it away in her pocket. Letting out the breath she’d been holding, she felt a surge of relief. She had done it. Now the other children would accept her, and she could afford some food for her journey.
When she turned to leave, the shopkeeper shouted after her. “You! Come back here!”
There was no time to think. She ran, heading straight toward Sherl and the other children. They shouted to her, beckoning for her to run faster. More shouts sounded behind her, but she ignored them and continued to run. She had to get away.
Halfway to her friends, her pace slowed. They were turning away from her. No longer calling out to her, they were fleeing instead. Why were they abandoning her? Strong arms landed on her shoulders, a second pair tugging at her arm. She looked up to find two armed guards.
“Where do you think you’re going, little thief?” one man said.
“I…I’m not a thief,” she protested. “Let me go!”
The second man reached into her pocket and pulled out the stone statue. “Is this yours?” he asked.
He wasn’t asking Pia. The shopkeeper appeared behind the guard. “Yes, that’s mine,” he said. “Nasty little thief.”
Pia flinched as the man spit at her. Luckily, it didn’t hit her. “Please,” she said.
“Quiet,” one guard said.
They dragged her toward the center of the marketplace and onto a wooden dais. “We’ve got a thief!” one guard announced.
Dozens of people stopped what they were doing to witness the event. They gathered around the dais, their expressions ranging from curiosity to delight.
Pia’s heart pounded in her throat. Her ears felt hot, her fingers freezing. No wonder her new friends had abandoned her. They didn’t want to be punished alongside her. One guard pulled her right hand forward and held it down against a wooden block. The other unsheathed a large knife.
They’re going to cut off my hand! Panicking, she tried desperately to pull away, but the man held firm.
“You all know the penalty for stealing!” the guard shouted, brandishing the knife before the crowd.
The people cheered, urging the guard to carry out the gruesome sentence. Pia felt the color drain from her face. She had to do something. Squeezing her eyes shut, she focused on the hands that were holding her. Find the heat. The warmth was everywhere. No
t knowing what else to do, she called it into herself. Immediately she began to sweat. It was too much. But the guard’s breathing suddenly changed, and she knew she had to keep going.
Pulling at the heat, she forced it away from the guard. He sucked in a raspy breath before crying out in pain and terror. The onlookers grew silent, their eyes wide. Pia looked at the man holding her, panic written on his face. He pulled his arms toward him in a slow, stiff manner. They were dark red, almost purple. Spots of black appeared on his fingers. Where he had touched her, red marks rose on her arms.
The man tried to speak, but only a cloud of mist came out of his mouth. She had frozen him. Not solid, but cold enough for frostbite and extreme discomfort. Realizing she was free, she broke into a run. Shocked, the crowd parted, creating a path for her escape. None of them were brave enough to touch her. For once, the talk of evil spirits was on her side.
She ran in a blind panic, looking back to see if anyone was following. They weren’t. The second guard moved to assist the injured one, but neither pursued her. Fleeing for her life, she ran straight ahead. More guards appeared in front of her, and she darted down an alleyway and onto a cross street. She had no idea where to go. Without any sense of direction, she ran on, hoping to find a place to hide.
Too late. Guards mounted on horses surrounded her, their swords drawn. Lifting her arms in the air, she pleaded for mercy. “Please don’t hurt me,” she said. “I can explain everything.”
Two men dismounted and grabbed her by the arms. Wrapping her with ropes, they placed her behind a third guard, who spurred his horse forward. Pia wanted to reach for her magic, but she was too frightened to concentrate. Her head slumped toward her chest, and she wept. Taren! Help me!
Chapter 14
The trio stopped at the crossroads. Embyr spun around, looking in each direction as if she might catch a glimpse of Pia. There was no one on the road.
“Which way do we go now?” Leko asked.
“Split up,” Embyr said.
“No,” Taren said. “She went to the city. We follow the road to Sentella.”
“Are you sure?” Leko asked. “I guess that’s a stupid question,” he added.
Taren felt a sudden twinge of fear. Not his own, it was coming from Pia. “We have to hurry,” he said. “She’s in trouble.”
They raced along the road, hoping to reach the city before Pia’s troubles grew worse. Taren could not see the source of her distress, but it was growing stronger. Whatever was happening, she needed help now.
Hoping that someone with a horse would pass by, Taren kept his senses alert. He could charm the creature long enough to make it to town. He needed speed, but transforming into a dragon would only bring more trouble. He knew the people of Sentella were a suspicious lot. They detested magic, a symptom of their proximity to the wastelands. Tales of the sorcerers’ misdeeds were told nightly among these people. They despised anyone who showed the slightest inclination to magic.
As a result, most mages avoided this area. That left the citizens ignorant to the fact that magic could be used for good. Their imaginations went unchecked, and stories of evil wizards ran rampant. If they’d seen Pia perform any sort of spell, they’d likely apprehend her. He hoped she’d have the strength to break free from her prison. Otherwise, she’d be executed. This information he withheld from his companions. They were already worried enough.
Not one horse or wagon came within sight, so the trio were forced to continue on foot. By the time they reached Sentella, they were completely out of breath. Sheer force of will kept them going.
“She’s here,” Taren said. Pulling up his hood to hide his face, he began moving through the city. The presence of magic made itself known, its unique scent barely perceptible on the wind. Either Pia had cast a spell, or there was another mage around.
Pausing a moment, he focused his magic. Without giving any outward signs, he turned his mind inward, connecting his thoughts to Pia’s. She was calling for help. “This way,” he shouted to his companions.
The town bustled with activity, citizens hurrying in every direction. “Where do we look first?” Embyr asked.
Taren’s eyes scanned the city before him. It was large, and there were plenty of places for a girl to hide. Without knowing her exact situation, he couldn’t guess where to look first. “Maybe someone has seen her,” he said. “She has a unique look for this area.” The citizens of Sentella tended to be dark of hair with an olive skin tone. Pia’s silver hair and pale skin would make her stand out. Or so he hoped. The city was large enough to attract visitors from many lands. If visitors similar to her were common, then no one would take notice of her at all.
His mind searched for Pia. Where are you? he projected. A sense of urgency was his only answer.
The ringing of bells distracted him enough to break the link. They continued, growing louder, with more bells joining the first.
“Warning bells?” Leko guessed.
“They’re sounding all over the city,” Embyr said. “Could it be Pia?”
Dozens of citizens followed the sound of the bells, making their way to the center of Sentella. Taren and his companions were among them, making their way to the front of the crowd.
In front of a wooden dais, a pyre had been erected. Three uniformed guards placed bundles of kindling at its base, a central wooden pole awaiting the condemned.
“They’re adding fuel,” Leko said, as the guards dumped a black substance over the wood.
Embyr turned to Taren, her eyes filled with fright. “Please tell me your magic is strong enough to take on this crowd.”
“We’re going to need a serious diversion,” Leko said.
Straight ahead, a silver-haired girl was being led to the pyre. There was no doubt as to the girl’s identity. Pia was about to be burned alive.
* * * * *
All I wanted was to choose my own path, Pia thought. And this is where fate has brought me.
A man dressed in an opulent burgundy robe, its collar lined with fur, paced back and forth in front of her. With her hands bound, she posed no threat, but the man kept his distance. She could smell his fear.
“Will you proceed with the execution, Magistrate?” a guard asked.
The man narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing every inch of the girl. “She certainly doesn’t look dangerous.”
“You saw the marks she left on that man,” the guard said. “There’s no doubt what she is.”
“True,” the magistrate said. “Do you enjoy harming people?” the man asked.
Pia swallowed past the lump in her throat. She shook her head.
“Hmm,” the man said. “A dark witch. You’re the first I’ve seen. I admit I was expecting something far grander. Surely a witch could alter her appearance.”
“What are your orders, sir?” the guard asked.
After a silent moment, the magistrate said, “Burn her.” Calmly turning his back, he walked back to his horse and climbed onto the saddle.
“No!” Pia shouted after him. Taren! Where are you?
* * * * *
The crowd grew angry, shouting curses at the condemned girl. They didn’t know her crime, and they didn’t care. The magistrate had declared her guilt, and that was enough.
Taren searched his mind for the appropriate spell to free her. The problem wasn’t getting her away from the guards, it was getting away from the crowd. They would tear her to pieces if they could, and her companions with her. No magic shield could withstand such an attack while still protecting four people. Even with the symbol’s power, it was too much to ask. His human body was too weak for such magic.
With no other alternative, he dropped to the ground, initiating the change in his body. Alarmed by his transformation, the crowd moved away from him, their focus turning from Pia.
“Let’s go!” Embyr shouted. She sprang forward with Leko at her side, heading straight for Pia. The guards holding her were also watching the spectacle of Taren’s magic, giving them the opening th
ey needed.
Leko drew his knives, prepared for a fight. But he wouldn’t get one. A massive black dragon, scales glistening beneath the dim sunlight, lifted from the ground behind him. Pressing down on the guards, he sent them fleeing for their lives. Only Pia stood her ground, tears spilling from her eyes.
She dropped to her knees as Embyr reached for her hand. Pulling her to her feet, she waited for Leko to cut the ropes that bound her.
“Can you run?” Embyr asked.
Pia nodded. There was no time to waste. Taren swooped low, his talons exposed. The crowd scattered, fleeing in every direction. Dodging between panicked citizens, Embyr led Pia toward the city gates, never letting go of the girl’s hand. Screams of terror sounded behind them as the citizens looked upon their own death. The trio continued to run, never looking back.
Though angered by their ignorance, Taren had no wish to harm these people. From above he saw Embyr and Leko leading Pia to safety. No one followed them. And none would dare attack a dragon, for fear of their own lives. He continued to circle for over an hour, the once-busy streets now deserted. Pia and the others would be far enough by now. Taking to the air, he flew away from Sentella, seeking his companions.
Taren found the road empty, and was glad of it. Leko had likely led the other two back into the woods as soon as he was able. It was a slower way to go, but far safer. Talk of evil magic and dragons would find its way to any travelers, and they would be on edge. He didn’t want Pia anywhere near the road.
Soaring above the treetops, he scanned the forest floor. Reaching out through magic, he homed in on Pia with little effort. This time she wanted to be found. He spotted them moments later, surrounded by dense woods. There was no room for a dragon to alight.
* * * * *
Pia’s heart was still racing. It hadn’t stopped since her escape from the city. She clutched at Embyr’s hand as if she might lose her if she let go.
“There’s a clearing ahead,” Leko said. “We can wait there for Taren.”
They emerged into the clearing, and Pia thought it rather small for a dragon. But Taren was an able flyer, and she expected he would not have too much difficulty landing. That was assuming he was coming. She hoped he would show himself soon.
