Whisper and Rise

by Jamie Day

  Cael stumbled back. “I lost my brother. I tried to save him.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us what you knew?” asked Colin. “Even after Sean’s death, you should have said something.”

  “I swore an oath.” Cael stammered. He tripped and struggled to remain standing.

  “To who?” demanded Owen. “Tell us the name of the man you honored more than the suffering of this poor child.”

  I was angry that he called me child, but glad someone was standing up for me.

  “I was threatened.” Cael’s voice turned soft.

  “Who!” Owen yelled.

  Cael pointed at the hut.

  “You’re lying,” I screamed. “I remember now. I saw you two, the night I took the scrolls. You were both there. You laughed and joked as if you’d been friends forever.”

  “That’s not true.” Cael yelled back. “He’s an enemy of Aisling. I’m as much a victim as you are. Don’t forget, I lost a brother. You lost a—”

  “I’ll kill you!” Jory cursed as he dashed from the hut toward Cael, flashing a short sword in the night. He swiped once at Cael, lunging with a thrust that could have struck him through, but Cael scrambled to the side and slashed with his own blade, barely missing him.

  I jumped back, terrified. Owen and Colin rushed behind the fire, next to me.

  The blades flashed red and orange, catching the light from flames as the men slashed and twisted at the night.

  “You’ll die for your lies,” Jory told Cael. He caught his shirt with a back slash. “I shouldn’t have trusted you.”

  “Drop your blade and I promise not to hurt you,” answered Cael. “The Elders of my village will treat you fair in their punishment.”

  “Our punishment.” Jory cursed again. “You’re a part of this as much as I am.”

  “Shut up,” said Cael.

  “Steal,” said Jory, “and there will be war.” He jabbed again. “Those were your words.”

  Cael rolled in the dirt and sliced Jory’s leg enough to make him scream. “And those are yours, I hear.”

  I remembered the spears, buried in the dirt by the trees, and rushed to grab one. The danger was real, the blood flashing against the dark, as were the fighting words of the two men shouting revelations in the night. The spear I chose was buried deep, but I managed to pull it free. I held it, my arms shaking, as I returned to the side of the Elders.

  “Burn is the word I’ll use.” Jory tossed dirt into Cael’s eyes and lunged.

  Cael snapped back his wrist.

  Jory pushed him toward the fire, sending us all sprawling out of the way. “Burn and there will be war. That’s how you put it.”

  “We’re close to war after what you’ve done.” Cael cradled his arm and stumbled toward Jory. “Aisling won’t wait forever. Your attacks on us will spark revenge. I’ll see to it myself.”

  Cael jumped sideways, faster than I’d seen a man move, and shoved Jory from his back into the dirt. He buried the short sword in his side, yelling as he twisted the blade free. Cael wiped the blood on Jory’s leg, who screamed so loud I wanted to cover my ears. Then Cael turned toward us, red flames in the black of his eyes. He glanced at me before lunging at Colin.

  I didn’t know what to do. Colin stepped backwards, but Cael kept coming. He was almost upon him, anger raging from his yells. I thrust the spear and stabbed Cael in the back of his leg. He fell right away, screaming like the man on the other side of the fire. What have I done? I released the long spear and gasped.

  Colin jumped away. Owen brushed me aside and tackled Cael, pinning him down.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, stepping back. “He was going for Colin.”

  The screams were horrendous. Both men’s voices filled the forest with agony and spite. Their curses split the air.

  “Get something for him,” yelled Owen. “Colin, take his blade.”

  Colin stepped on Cael’s wrist, causing another flurry of curses, and snatched the short sword meant to harm him. “Go, Rhiannon. Look inside for some rope.”

  I spared a moment and glanced at the leg and the wound I had inflicted. Black in the dark, blood covered his leg and soiled the dirt around him. I dashed around him and past Jory. He twisted in the dirt, struggling to stand. I ignored him and kept going, almost reaching the low steps to the shack.

  “Rhiannon!” The Elders’ voices shouted at me.

  I turned to see Jory lunging forward, pain in his face, death in his eyes. He thrust the blade in his hand toward me. I stumbled back and fell. He could kill me like this.

  He didn’t.

  I heard the arrow coming as the short sword dropped to the dirt. The bone barb passed through Jory’s neck before the man fell to the dirt. I knew he was dead. Nothing could live through that. I turned around and ran into the hut, not knowing who shot the arrow.

  It was dark, but flickers from the firelight sifted through the window, allowing me to see. The room was small and nothing looked like rope. I kicked over a chair, moved a small table, and threw a blanket inside.

  Nothing.

  A flash of bronze in the corner stopped my frantic search. I knew the design, but it didn’t belong there. Confused and dizzy, I lifted the shield and held it up.

  Someone near the fire called my name, but I didn’t answer.

  Why is this here? I caught myself not breathing and forced a gulp of air as I examined the shield I had given to Sean as a promise gift. Then I choked when I looked at the corner from where I had taken it.

  The Fae Scrolls. The leather was unmistakable. I dropped the shield.

  “Rhiannon, are you all right?”

  I wasn’t all right. I started crying. “I’m not injured,” I replied, choking a half-truth.

  I snatched the leather and cradled the scrolls against my chest. I forced another breath and fell down, refusing to drop the scrolls. The force of my weight struck my knees as I hit the floor. How many of Cael’s words had been lies? There wasn’t an answer. I lifted my shoulder and wiped my eyes.

  “Rhiannon?”

  I stumbled out of the hut with the Fae Scrolls in my arms. I was met by another surprise as I saw who had shot the man and saved me. Taya stood over Cael, binding his legs with rope, twisting them with skill that didn’t surprise me. Colin crouched low and held Cael’s hands together.

  Owen was the first to look up. He gasped. “Are those the Fae Scrolls?”

  Colin dropped Cael’s hands.

  “Hello, Rhiannon.” Taya smiled as she gave Cael’s bindings a hard tug. In that moment, I felt a bond of sisterhood with her. I didn’t even notice her crooked teeth. In such a short time, she had become a friend, and much more. I owed her my life.

  I stepped over the dead man and walked to Colin. As he looked up at me, with the same look of surprise that I must have shown, I handed him the leather bundle. Then I dropped to my knees and stared at the struggling Cael, who glared at me. “You had the scrolls?” I asked.

  He moaned and turned away.

  Taya twisted his neck, forcing him to look back at me. “Answer the woman,” she said.

  Cael didn’t speak. Taya grabbed the handle of the spear in his leg and wrenched it.

  Cael screamed. “Stop it! Yes, I had them. Stop.”

  “Why, Cael? Why?”

  “I didn’t think you’d actually get them,” he said, gasping. “I thought you’d fail and give up on Sean. I wanted you to love me, not my brother.”

  A season of pain and cold enveloped me and held me down. I stopped breathing. This wasn’t the answer I had been searching for. The danger had always been close to me. When I wanted to save Sean, the person I trusted had been the demon I should have feared. Father had been right: there was more to this that anyone understood. My choices had been wrong, all wrong. I hung my head and stared at the soil. While the energy inside drained through my arms, a hand pulled me to stand.

  “I’m sorry,” Owen whispered, squeezing me close.

  The warmth he offered was overwhelming
. I had never hugged him before, and immediately understood where Madeline got her gift of warmth. I had always thought it was from her mother. Owen’s skin was soft and he smelled clean, like berries. The scent added to the comfort. I let him hold me and let the tears fall. I had never imagined this. If it hadn’t just happened, I wouldn’t have believed it.

  “Demon,” I whispered with all the strength that remained. I didn’t care if Cael heard me.

  Colin spoke to Taya, but I didn’t pay attention. I stood, wrapped in Owen’s arms, accepting his gift, releasing the emotion of the moment. Part of me left when Sean had died; another part faded as I realized his brother had been involved in killing him. I still didn’t know how, but I didn’t care. Cael knew something. All along, he had known. The man had convinced me to help him, but never saved his own brother.

  As images of regret flashed through my vision, I remembered the red-feathered arrow. I turned my head; I had to be certain. The lifeless body, just a few steps from the hut, lay with its face in the dirt. The stem of the arrow and its feathers pointed toward the stars. Brown feathers, not red. Of course not. Cameron was the only one who used those.

  “I’ll report to the Elders in the morning,” said Owen. His voice felt warm in my ears. “As a witness. This man will pay for his crimes.”

  I choked again and wiped my eyes on the leather of his coat. “I want you to see something,” I said. I left him and returned to the hut. I grabbed the shield I had dropped and scanned the cluttered corner. Certain as I expected, the helmet was there too. I lifted Sean’s helmet and returned to the fire with the set of armor.

  “What are those?” asked Owen.

  I shoved my arm into the straps of the shield and put on the helmet. “These were my gift to Sean,” I answered. “We had everything to marry. Cael took it all from me.”

  Colin came closer and hugged me. He was warm, but not the same as Owen. I smiled at the gesture. “He’ll answer in council for this.” Colin raised the scrolls. “And we’ll return these where they belong.” He released his hug and nudged me toward the forest. “Leave with me, away from this horrible place.”

  I let go of him and smiled, though weakly. “Allow me a moment.” My head felt light and drained. While the length of the day and my travels had made me weary, the emotions had stolen my strength. I removed the helmet and walked to Taya, who grinned back at me while pressing Cael into the dirt.

  “Great strike in the leg,” she told me. “This type of wound could kill a man.”

  “You never left?” I asked. “I thought you’d be far away, by now.”

  “I told you there is good hunting on this mountain,” she answered. “I wouldn’t leave that so soon.”

  I nodded my understanding.

  “The men almost found you.”

  “What men?” I asked,

  “Last night. They almost reached the cave.”

  “You were watching us?”

  “Of course. I shot one for you. He tried to steal your horse.”

  “You saved Gwenn?”

  Taya nodded. “She got away.”

  I bowed. “Thank you.”

  “I’m just looking for a good adventure. I’ve never been able to hurt a man and get away with it.” She offered me her hand. “Now, we’ve both had the honor.”

  I looked down at Cael and stared at the scar across his neck and ear. “Did Sean give you that scar?” I asked.

  Cael didn’t blink.

  “Did he?” As I spoke, Taya twisted her arms, forcing Cael to wince.

  “Yes,” he answered, coughing from obvious pain. “He cut me the night we took him.”

  I wanted to press my foot against the wound I had caused in Cael’s leg. I wanted to make him scream. The man had stolen my love, my life. He wasn’t worthy of another thought, nor another glance. “Now you’ll have a scar from me.” I turned from Cael Bauer and patted Taya on the shoulder. “Thank you.”

  Taya reached out her hand to me and grinned.

  I accepted her offering and shook her hand; her skin was coarse and broken, and her grip hurt, but it felt good, the hand of a friend. “You’ll always be welcome at my fire.”

  Return

  Our footsteps made tiny breaks in the night, though my thoughts kept me occupied. I remembered the day, the night prior, Darian and Cael. I thought a lot about Sean. Long ago, he had played a part in this day that lasted so long. It wasn’t over, yet.

  I carried Sean’s helmet and shield while Owen held the rolled scrolls close to his chest. He kept examining the cover, tracing his fingers over the designs etched into the leather.

  “Had you ever seen the scrolls,” I asked him, “before tonight?”

  Colin smiled before looking at me to answer. “No, Rhiannon. Owen and I were the first Elders to see them—that I know of.”

  “Then tonight is special. It’s sacred. You are an Elder like no other.”

  “These belong to the Fae. The scrolls weren’t meant to be seen by men. Out of respect and reverence, I won’t open them and look inside.”

  I could tell he was curious, but I didn’t press him. The same as the emerald had been for Darian, the scrolls were my key to returning home. When Colin and I passed the trail to Stone Meadow, the golden flash of light that had preceded Darian’s disappearance returned to my memory.

  “Colin?” I asked, unsure how to phrase the rest of my question.

  “Yes?”

  I stopped walking and collected my thoughts. “Have you seen a crystal with golden lines before?”

  Colin stopped. He lowered the scrolls to his chest. “How do you know of such a crystal?”

  I smiled and pointed toward the meadow. “I’ve seen one,” I answered. “An emerald. It glowed when Darian took it close to the Season Stone.”

  “What happened?” Colin grabbed my wrist and pleaded with his eyes. He leaned close to hear my words.

  “Darian walked through the hole in the stone. There was a flash of light and then he disappeared.”

  Colin released a sigh and stared at the sky. Then he lowered his face to look at me. “You saw this happen? It’s not a story you’ve heard?”

  “I saw it true,” I answered, “though I’m not certain what happened.”

  Colin glanced around, examining the darkness, and leaned close to whisper. “Don’t tell anyone else about what you saw,” he said, warning me with another squeeze of my wrist.

  “What is it? Where did Sean go?”

  “That emerald—” Colin’s voice was so low, I could barely hear him.

  I leaned close as he continued.

  “—is a key.”

  “That’s what Darian said.”

  Colin ignored my interruption. “It’s an ancient secret, as old as Stone Meadow.” He raised the scrolls. “These hold its mystery.”

  I leaned closer, suddenly interested in looking within the leather. I took a quick breath, aware that I hadn’t been breathing while I stared. “How do you know of it?” I asked.

  “The Fae Scrolls aren’t the only record of Aisling. The Elders keep their own words, though there’s no ceremony or dancing.”

  “Are your records sacred?”

  “No, they’re barely legible. Most Elders can’t read, much less write. I’ve also heard stories about the stone. Ancient tales called it one of the Stone Portals.”

  Stone Portals. I repeated the name in my mind. “What are they? Will you tell me?”

  “Not tonight,” answered Colin. He gripped the scrolls tighter and resumed his march along toward home.

  We didn’t speak again, but questions swirled around my mind about how much Colin knew. Where was Darian from? What are Stone Portals? How are the Elders and the Fae involved? When we reached his front door, my head hurt from thinking. My mother rushed out and grabbed me, almost knocking me to the ground. I dropped the armor.

  “I was worried.”

  Father appeared in the doorway. I saw a smile part his beard.

  “We found a few precious
things,” said Colin. He held up the scrolls.

  “What are those?” Mother turned to look, puzzled.

  I reached across my mother and took the scrolls from Colin’s hand. Then I held them out for my parents to see. “These are the Fae Scrolls,” I told them. “Cael Bauer had them.”

  “Cael?” Mother covered her face, but failed to hide a gasp.

  Colin took the scrolls back from me. “I’ll return them to the Fae,” he announced. “Cael and his men will be punished for multiple crimes.” He turned to my father. “We’ll hold council in the morning. Owen will serve as Rhiannon’s witness.” He motioned to me and grinned. “Your daughter saved my life tonight.”

  “Oh, Rhiannon.” Mother sobbed as she gripped me again. She offered me her warmth, but all I could think about was the scrolls. There was something I wanted to do.

  “Colin, I need to return the scrolls.”

  “You have. I’ll present them to Madeline when she returns from the temple.”

  “No.” I told him. I covered my mouth in shame, but stood taller to face him. “I took them from the temple. It’s my duty to return them.” I turned to my parents to explain. “I never wanted to take them, but I was desperate to save Sean. As soon as I had done it, I wanted to put them back. I couldn’t.”

  “Guilt doesn’t entitle you to honor,” said Colin. “Stealing the scrolls was still a crime.”

  I nodded. “I know, sir. The scrolls belong in the Faerie Temple. You can’t take them. It’s something I must do.”

  Colin looked skeptical. Mother frowned.

  “You can’t go to the temple,” she said. “The Faerie Temple is a sacred place for faeries. You don’t belong there.”

  I glared at my mother. Finally, she revealed the truth of her thinking: I wasn’t good enough to be a faerie. I wasn’t worthy of her love. She admired my passion—at least, that’s what she had said, but I wasn’t a faerie anymore, and anything less than perfection wasn’t good enough.