“They’re mixed like us.” Ev stared up at her. He squeezed her hand. “We think…Kwe and me, we think this is where they were going to put us. It’s where they had Marie.”
Rage replaced all other emotions.
She hadn’t wanted to kill the humans. She had been so stupid.
“Release them. Then, check the ship for any remaining humans,” she stated. “We don’t want any getting away, alright?”
The boy nodded. “I think we got them all. I’ll check for food, too. I bet they’re hungry.”
And in pain.
“I’ll send Bo and Kwe to help you. When we’re done, we’ll make sure everyone’s patched up.”
He smiled, then walked to the first plank and snapped the chains. Sarah headed above deck.
They had already moved the bodies to the sea. Kwe and Bo stood a single level above at the ship’s wheel. Based on the glares they were giving, both twins wanted to steer the ship. But none of them had time to waste, especially if they waited for a breeze. They still needed to pick up the youngest children before starting their journey.
“Both of you?” She turned to them.
“Hm?”
“Just hold it still.”
Sarah turned her back on her niece and nephew. She took a long breath, then reached for air and pushed it’s current into the sails. Water sloshed along the ship’s base as it moved ahead and the wind whistled in Sarah’s ears as she moved the children to, what she hoped would be, safety.
Chapter 13
Sarah stood at the head of the ship and gazed out at the water. The sea had led them to the river, which was wide enough for the ship to fit through. But when it narrowed at the corner, they’d have to abandon ship. Then she, Kwe, and Bo would take the lead. If they managed to get close enough to the Southern Wood Elves’ home, they’d be captured and taken to Gan. Just like before.
Except this time there was a war going on. None of them knew if the elves were still holding the humans off. It was the last word delivered to Serwa before their home was taken, but that was not certainty. Still, it was all they had.
The air shifted behind her.
“Did you see anyone, Ev?”
“No. No sign of the humans,” he replied, stepping beside her.
“And you didn’t fly too high, did you?” She glanced at him.
“No.” He shook his head. “I stayed low, so I don’t think anyone would have noticed.”
Sarah released a breath. The last thing they needed was a surprise attack. But if that was what awaited them on shore, she’d give herself up. Then it would be up to Bo and Kwe to save everyone.
She chewed on her lip. They had to survive.
“Ev?”
“Yes?”
“Make sure everyone’s prepared.” She eyed the land around them. “It won’t be much longer until we leave.”
“Yes!” The little gargoyle tossed his hands into the air. “I can’t wait to get off this thing.”
“You don’t like the boat?” Sarah chuckled, smiling at him.
Ev stuck out his tongue and shook his head. “No, this thing is horrible. It never stops moving. I don’t know how anyone slept.”
“I think everyone found it peaceful maybe,” she replied.
He scoffed. “Yeah, and dragons blow dandelions. I’ll tell everyone your orders.” With that, the boy spun and walked away.
Sarah found herself grinning and shaking her head. There seemed to be good and bad to having siblings. She felt like it was mostly good after her time with everyone.
The trees had started changing since they took the ship. From thin trunks with arched tops to wide stems of wood with rounded bushes above them. Lyricans may have been at war with the humans, but at least the world was balanced with itself. The elementals remained caged, forests continued to grow, and water flowed.
Sarah straightened her back at the sight before her.
The ship’s tread slowed, then came to a jolting halt. It was time to go.
“Alright.” Sarah pivoted on her heels just as the children came up on deck. Since releasing the others there were now twenty-one of them. That was more people depending on her to protect them. But there was strength in numbers, too.
“Have we gotten as much as we can carry?” Sarah’s eyes fell on Kwe.
He bobbed his head. “All the food and blankets are packed. We found lots of knives and swords, too. All the older ones have a weapon.”
“Perfect. Was there one—”
“Here, Auntie Sarah!”
Bo appeared from the lower deck with a short sword raised above her head. She grinned from ear to ear and handed it to Sarah.
“It’s not much. I found it under a floorboard in the captain’s room. Perfect for our own captain.” The young girl beamed up at Sarah and rocked back-and-forth on her toes.
“Thank you, Bo.” Sarah squeezed her shoulder. “Are you ready?”
The child elongated her nails. “Now I am,” she chimed.
Together they lowered the draw and set foot on land after several days on the sea. As they planned, several of the older children carried the youngest on their backs. Marie clung to her brother’s neck while her eyes searched the unfamiliar land around them.
“Bo and Kwe up front. Everyone else link arms and follow,” Sarah said. “We won’t be stopping until the evening. Let’s hurry.”
The twins took the lead while Sarah walked to the end.
She didn’t know it the first time she stumbled her way into Lyrica, but she must have been close to the river. The sea fed the river, so if she had walked along the shore she would have found it. Instead she had found Alex and heded deeper into the woods.
Her heart hammered in her chest. If they walked perpendicular to the river, they’d be in wood elf land, near Serwa’s cottage.
Was it even still standing or had it been lost in the conflict?
Sarah pushed the thought away.
As they traveled deeper into the forest, the woods thickened. Aside from small patches of sunlight, there was only shade. Still, with their heavy packs and some carrying the youngest, their group was soon huffing.
Sarah reached out with her magic, feeling for anything heading in their direction. It only seemed to be them, the trees, and forest animals.
“It’s fine, Gharet. Just stay with me.”
Sarah stretched her neck out to see who had spoken. It was a short blonde boy, Thobias, she believed his name was. Directly next to him was his much taller other half.
Gharet had at least a foot on Thobias. His eyes were a bright pink and his skin was paler than even Sarah’s. His hair was a short curly bush atop his head.
“What if the elves are gone?” Gharet asked Thobias. “Or what if they turn us away? I don’t want to go back on the ship.” He shuddered.
Thobias patted his shoulder. “We’re definitely not returning to the ship. The elves will accept us. Sarah believes in them. We should, too.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
Sarah averted her gaze. They were all depending on her. They all believed in her.
What if I fail?
Taking in a sharp breath, Sarah clenched her fists and stared ahead. She couldn’t let her doubts or fears get to her. She needed to remain focused.
The group continued their journey. As a whole they moved steadily behind Bo and Kwe, keeping a good pace. Despite their efforts, the sun began to dip and the sky changed to a light pink.
Sarah internally groaned. She had hoped the elves would appear before the sun set. She hadn’t sensed anything since they left the ship, but Sarah didn’t expect that to last long. The humans would come at some point.
She tapped the child in front of her. “We’re going to rest for the night. Move it up the line.”
He leaned closer to the girl in front of him and passed on the message.
Starting with Kwe and Bo, the line gradually came to a halt. Sarah moved from behind the others and made her way up front.
&nbs
p; “It’s getting dark and—”
The hair on the back of Sarah’s neck stood to attention. Based on the looks Kwe and Bo wore they felt it, too. Their entire group was surrounded.
Sarah placed a hand on her sword while she peered at the trees around them. She couldn’t see them, whoever they were. She could feel them though. They had created a large circle around the group and their numbers continued to increase.
She glanced at the twins. They nodded.
Just as Sarah took her first step backward, a branch snapped and a child was snatched away into the trees.
Sarah grinned. The elves had found them.
Bo and Kwe raised their arms up and were quickly lifted into the sky, as well. Sarah went to mimic their movements. The sound of gasps and whimpering stopped her.
“What’s happening?”
“Where did they take them?”
“Who are they?”
“Sarah!”
She lowered her arms and turned to the remaining children. “Shush now, alright? Everything’s fine.” She ushered them together. “This is how we’re going to get to the elf village.”
“Can’t we walk?” Gharet asked, glancing at the treetops.
Sarah shook her head. “That’s not how they do things around here.”
“Are they using nets?” He quivered. “I don’t want them to use nets.”
Thobias grabbed his friend’s hand. “It’s fine. They’re not the humans. If they’re using nets, I’ll stay close by so they’ll catch us together. Hm?”
Sarah sent the young man a grateful smile. He had better words to comfort Gharet than she did. Considering what he had been through, his fear made sense. There was no fault in it.
The mass of children huddled together until one-by-one they were lifted away. When they were gone, the only hint they had ever been there was a slight rustling in the trees followed by an unsettling silence.
Something sliced the air and Thobias disappeared. Gharet’s hands grabbed nothing. He turned to Sarah.
“I just…I just—”
As Gharet was slung into the air, he reached for Sarah. She tried to find a hold, hoping they’d be caught together and she could keep the young man calm.
No such luck.
He disappeared and his screech was all that Sarah heard before being lifted herself.
Though her heart shot into her throat, she smiled as the air moved past her. She had missed the opportunity to be taken by the elves last time. Now was a time to correct past mistakes.
Suddenly her movement jolted. She bounced upward into the tree branches, then tumbled down. Her feet were what they had caught, she realized, so on the second bounce she prepared herself.
When she penetrated the tree’s leaves and the branches scratched her sides, Sarah reached out and grasped the nearest hold. She looked down at where she had stood a moment ago, then at the branch she held.
She sighed. Her timing has been perfect.
The branch she gripped shook. Two eyes stared at her in the shadows.
Like she was an old potato sack, the elf pulled her up by her collar. His nose was less than an inch from her own. No smile decorated his face.
Sarah fought the urge to grab her sword.
“Wait.”
He sounds familiar.
He stepped farther out with her still in grasp. Patches of sunlight poured in between the leaves. She narrowed her gaze at the short-haired elf.
“S-Sarah?”
“Skuntz!” She lunged forward, stretching out her arms to wrap around him.
Her green-skinned friend found himself pressed against the tree with her plastered to him. Heavy breaths fell from her. She turned up to meet his gaze, a huge grin tugged at her lips while complete shock covered his face.
“I knew we’d find you.”
“You did? I didn’t know I’d find you,” he replied.
“Ugh. You just don’t know what we’ve been through!” She wiped her hands over her face and shook her head. “I never thought I’d actually get them here safely.”
“You mean the children you had with you?”
“Yes! Oh, we need to hurry to catch up with the others. Let’s move.” She slammed her hands on his chest., still grinning and awaiting a response.
Skuntz glanced between himself and her. Sarah followed his gaze, then stumbled back when she realized her position. Elf or human, her parents would have scolded her for touching a young man the way she had.
“Sorry. I got too excited and ah!”
Skunts had wrapped his hand around her wrist while the rest of her dangled in the air. She tried to meet his stare again but found her cheeks were burning too much to complete the act.
“I’ve got you.”
“Thanks,” she whispered and he raised her up once more, positioning her away from the edge.
Skuntz released a breath. “Let’s try this again, hm?”
Sarah blushed.
Holding onto Skuntz for dear life, Sarah closed her eyes and jumped. Together they zipped down a tree, the air tangling her mess of curls, until Skuntz brought their descent to a gentle halt.
She peeked one eye open.
“You’re alive,” he said.
“Thank heavens.” She slumped to the ground. The blades of grass tickled her nose.
Skuntz chuckled. “You didn’t scream when I caught you. Why so scared now?”
She placed her forehead against the cold soil. “There is a difference between going up and going down. And you didn’t say anything about jumping without a rope.”
“There was a vine a few feet down. The rope wasn’t long enough.”
She scoffed. “I don’t exactly sail through the sky every day, ya know?” She lifted her head and glared at him.
Skuntz puckered his lips and stared upward. “Hm. You should try it more often. Gets you places quicker.”
Her jaw dropped. He smirked.
“Auntie Sarah!”
Her niece and nephew rushed toward her. Concern decorated their faces. Sarah ran for them without thinking.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s Gharet. He won’t stop shaking and screaming. We can’t find Thobias.”
She looked at Skuntz, who said, “We never drop at the same location. He’s here but I don’t know where exactly.”
She took a hard breath. “Take me to him.”
The three made their way to the camp’s center. As the distance closed, the young man’s shouts became more audible. Sarah ran faster.
Soon she could see his figure. He was rolling around on the ground, covering his head with his arms. The elves surrounding him offered their hands only for him to push them away.
“Stay back, stay back!”
“Gharet.”
His pink eyes found Sarah. She moved toward him and encircled him in her arms. He was taking in jagged breaths.
“We were only trying to help,” said a woman.
Sarah nodded and gave her a smile.
“Is he well?” Skuntz asked, standing behind her.
Gharet shuddered.
“We’re going to need some space. He only needs a moment.” She didn't believe the words even as she spoke them.
Still, Skuntz began to disperse the crowd that had formed.
“What’s wrong with him?”
“The boy seems like he needs help.”
“Some sort of madness?”
Sarah clamped her mouth shut.
They mean well. They mean well.
“The boy apparently is to weak for a good tree run.” Several men laughed and Gharet covered his ears.
The scolding words were poised on Sarah’s tongue.
“They locked him in a jar!” Bo screamed. “It’s from when they captured him. He turned into air and they locked him in a jar, so stop all your gossiping right now!” She stomped her foot and met the eyes of anyone who dared look.
Kwe stood by her side, matching her scowl.
The dispersing crowd fell silent. E
ven Skuntz looked back at them with eyes full of surprise.
Sarah pulled Gharet closer to her. “You’re alright,” she said. “You’ll be alright now.”
Thobias squeezed Gharet’s left hand while Sarah held his right. Shadows decorated the hut walls as the sun began its final descent.
Gharet took a long breath. His eyes fluttered closed and Thobias’ eyes watered. The medicine had finally drifted Gharet off to sleep.
Sarah licked her thumb, then pressed it against his cheek to remove a dirt smudge. Probably from rolling on the ground. She shook her head.
“I should have held on tighter,” Thobias whispered. His eyes were cast down and he still held onto his friend’s hands. His lips trembled. “If I had gotten to him sooner, I…” Thobias took a sharp inhale, then pinched his eyes closed. When he finally cleared his throat, he didn’t meet Sarah’s gaze.
He said, “Kwe and Bo, they tell me Queen Serwa was—she is—friends with the elves?”
Sarah nodded. “And she trusted their medicine. It’ll help him sleep, Thobias. I promise.”
He turned his neck and peered around them. Sarah followed his gaze around the hut and toward the opening.
She gave a small smile. “We’re alone. Everyone else is at dinner.”
When Thobias finally turned back to her, he released a large sniffle. His face contorted, wrinkling upon itself as slow tears raced down his cheeks.
“I am so sorry, Thobias,” she whispered.
Though Sarah wished Gharet was better, seeing the healer’s hut empty eased some tension around her heart. The first time she traveled to Lyrica, the elves had fallen ill to some plague. Now she was returning in the middle of a war, yet she had only seen a single man with a crutch.
Despite the war, they were prosperous.
She gripped Gharet’s hand at the very thought, causing the young boy to groan.
“Oops!” She let his hand go and placed it on his rising abdomen. “Sorry, Gharet. Got too excited.”
“Thank you, Sarah,” Thobias said in between sniffles.
“Don’t thank me.”
“I have to.” His thumb traced circles along Gharet’s palm. “You could have left us. You already had ten others with you.”
The Pariah Child- Sarafina's Return Page 11
