The Nature of a Curse (Volume 2 of the Year of the Red Door)

by William Timothy Murray

  • • •

  "I wonder what's gotten into him?" Sheila commented. "He looks as though he's tried unsuccessfully to wash away the wine, too. Did your bath help?"

  "Yes, I believe so. And now I am warm and dry again, thank you," Esildre replied, eyeing Sheila curiously, noting again the similarity of their appearance.

  "Some have made comments about the two of us," she said. "About how we resemble each other."

  "I know," replied Sheila. "But they are silly."

  "Do you think so?"

  "Don't you?"

  "We could be related," Esildre suggested.

  "I don't see how."

  "The bloodlines of Men and Elifaen are mixed from the time Men first came to these shores. All offspring of this mixing are not Elifaen, yet many are connected to the Faere race from times and ancestors that are forgotten. Or purposefully lost to memory. Take Ullin Saheed. He is not Elifaen, though his father was. His cousin, Robby, however, is Elifaen. Or, that is, he will be once he is Scathed, for his mother is Elifaen."

  "My mother was not, though," said Sheila bluntly.

  "How do you know?"

  "Because I was told that my parents both died of yellow plague when I was tiny."

  "Yes, only Men are susceptible to it. But you survived."

  "Besides," Sheila continued, "I do not think my mother had the Elifaen sign. On her back. At least, I do not recall it."

  "Still. She may not have gone through the change as those born of Men-sires must. Or, perhaps, a distant relation of ours," Esildre trailed off in thought.

  "When does the change come?" Sheila glanced at Robby's sleeping form across the Foyer in the shadows beyond their nearby lamp.

  "None can say of those born of Men-sires. For each it is different. For those others born of both Elifaen mother and Elifaen father, the change comes within the womb, upon conception. But not for those like Robby, whose father was not Elifaen. Often the child of such a union does not survive birth. Sometime after birth, the change comes. Usually while they are still very young, but sometimes, rarely, it comes after the body has already matured into adulthood. And, sometimes, the change does not come until old age, even until the throes of death. When the change does come, Robby will cease to age in the eyes of Men. But when might it come? I cannot say."

  "What will happen to him when it does come? How long does it take, once it begins?"

  "It will be like a storm. A trial for him. It will come suddenly, perhaps fired by some spark of passion or some crisis. Or, it may come during a time of peace. One that I know of had it happen while she slept. She went to her chamber of one race and emerged at sunrise of another race. It will be painful. It always seems so for males. I have known some who, after the change, were so weakened of spirit that they wasted away to nothing, though their bodies had been strong. Others, whose bodies were weak and frail beforehand became as strong as their spirit and afterwards became mighty warriors or enchantresses without equal. Ullin's father was one such, I have heard. Truly, few men were as strong or as handsome as he, it is said, nor as brave and bold in battle. Yet, so it was told, Lord Tallin was a sickly child."

  Esildre looked at Sheila.

  "He will need his friends about him. Even though he may see them as strangers and desire to shun all company and endure his pain in solitude. But my heart tells me he may need protection during that vulnerable time."

  "Protection," Sheila repeated to herself. They sat in silence for a few moments before she spoke again.

  "How long is an Elifaen child carried in the womb before birth? That is, children born of both Elifaen mother and father?"

  "They grow fast. No more than four months. From the beginning of one season to the coming of the next," Esildre told her. "You have the look of something explained."

  Sheila shook her head. "No. Just curious."

  Again, silence fell between them. Earlier, when Sheila returned to the cave and found Esildre still drying from her bath, she hesitated to approach. It seemed to Sheila that the aspect of Esildre's manner had changed since just a short while before. As Sheila sat nearby and loosened her blouse, she watched Esildre, staring into the empty passageway, as one might stare into a fire. She absently ran her hand across her shoulders and down her arms, as if wiping away dripping water. And—was it just Sheila's imagination?—or did Esildre seemed less distant, as it were, vulnerable? Girlish, even. When Sheila got up and approached her, Esildre's demeanor instantly changed. Esildre smiled and patted the blanket beside her, and so Sheila sat. They had been chatting for a while, about nothing in particular, until Ullin's arrival. Now they felt a strange attraction for each other, a closeness and a cautiousness. While they did not fully trust each other, they felt such kinship that nearly anything could be said. Now, while Esildre remained contemplative, Sheila grew more agitated, more restless.

  "There are always signs that one is Elifaen, even well before the change. Sometimes, the signs are known only to a few, and sometimes the signs are not seen for what they are."

  "What kind of signs?"

  "In the stars, perhaps. In nature, or in the person. And in those Elifaen of mixed unions, the power of each race is multiplied by the blending. Some special ability is not unusual, some skill, difficult to control or direct. Sometimes a sort of sight or way of knowing the world. Like the Melnari. Like Collandoth, who is neither Man nor Elifaen. Sometimes the Elifaen has power over others, through their voice or words. Some, it is said, may even shift their shape from the likeness of one person to another, as easily as casting off one robe and putting on another. Some may even take the form of an animal or even a plant. But most, it seems, have abilities that are more subtle, less apparent."

  Esildre smiled. "Now you are wondering if I possess any such power. Yes, I do. But I will not say what it may be, for he who boasts his power the gods so take it away. I think you know more of these things than you let on, and by your questions you feign ignorance greater than you have. You need not protest; that is your affair. I only warn you to be cautious. Such things are easily lost or mishandled. Like a beautiful vine, if obsessed over or ignored, it will spread throughout the garden of your spirit, choking out all else. One must pay attention to it, but pay it not too much attention!"

  "You give me too much credit," said Sheila, thinking about her conversation at Tallinvale with Lyrium.

  "Do I?"

  "Yes. Where do you go from here? Have you decided?" Sheila changed the topic abruptly. Esildre sighed, understanding that the conversation was at an end.

  "I go to Janhaven, I think," she answered, sensing Sheila's sudden distance. Rising, she said, "You should sleep, as your companions do."

  "I shall do so. And you? You must be tired from your journey and all of this evening's celebrations."

  "Perhaps, later. I go for another walk. To think more on today's events."

  Esildre turned to go and stopped, looking at Ullin's prone form in the shadows. He was asleep, now, though he tossed about uncomfortably. She moved to the cave opening.

  "Are you a witch?" Sheila blurted out. "As some say of you?"

  A breeze puffed into the cave, stirring Esildre's hair. Without turning, she answered in a light voice, "No more and no less than you, Shevalia."

  Sheila watched her step out into the night and disappear.

  • • •

  The following morning, Ashlord urged everyone up, and they made ready to depart. The Elders, most having made their goodbyes the night before, sent representatives to bring them breakfast and to see them off. Many of the townspeople came, too, including Eldwyna and all her family, including her grandfather, Eldwin. It was a hearty gathering, full of joyful talk, well-wishing, and more questions, too, for each of Robby's company pertaining to all the matters they had already discussed and more. They went back and forth in little groups to the Treasure Room to give the travelers a last gaze upon the splendors there. Robby, busy chatting with so many of the kind folk, was the last to make the walk through th
e passage to the Room, and Eldwin accompanied him. The turns of the passageway had the strange quality of quickly closing off the room from the noise of the Foyer, and as the two walked through the opened gates and thoughtfully looked over the wondrous jewel-encrusted goblets, the same mood of reverence overcame them. It was as if by touching these things they touched the past, great and magnificent, deep and mysterious. Even the helmets, black steel with threads of silver coursing over their surfaces, seemed not so much utensils of war as pieces of art.

  "Ye may trust that I will do all that I can," said Eldwin to Robby, "to protect this treasure an' to see that we do as Ullin Saheed directed us."

  "I know you will, Eldwin. Though I had no idea there would be any conditions placed upon you, I have every confidence that you and your people will do what is right."

  "Thank ye, sir."

  "In fact, you have done admirably well, these past days. I think anyone would say so. I regret the rough handling I gave you when we first met, and I now release you from any obligations to my service, to do as you, yourself, may see fit."

  "Thank ye. But I would rather not give up me newfound loyalty. What I mean to say, sir, is that I will consider meself yer friend, if ye would have me as one, an', if I may ever be, yer servant. It is all that I have to give in gratitude for what ye've done for me family an' me people. Even though ye will soon part from us, I shall do as I think ye would have me do."

  "That goes for me, too," spoke Millithorpe from behind them.

  Surprised, Robby turned and saw the sincerity of Eldwin reflected on Millithorpe's face. His heart was gladdened by their words and their earnestness, yet he suddenly felt a strange weight of obligation, a sense of responsibility, as if these were his own family or his own people. Somewhat embarrassed, he saw Ashlord standing just beyond, emerging from the shadows of the passageway, coming to tell him they were ready to depart. From Ashlord's smile, Robby knew he had overheard the last exchange.

  "You do me too much honor," Robby said. "I'm afraid that I am only starting to learn my way."

  "Then we are no different," Millithorpe said. "At least when it comes to that. In a manner of speaking, that is."

  Robby nodded and smiled, and they left the Treasure Room.

  "Then perhaps these will help you," Robby reached into his shoulder bag and pulled out several folded packets and gave them to Eldwin. "These are maps. I doubt if I'll find much use for them from here on out. But they will show you the way eastward, toward Tallinvale. Study them. Make copies."

  "Thank ye. Study them we shall."

  Eldwin suddenly stopped and turned to Robby.

  "Oh, sir! I almost forgot to ask. If we are able to go to the aid of Tallinvale, who shall we say sent us?"

  They stopped, looking at one another, and Robby considered the question. Before he could answer, Ashlord spoke.

  "Tell your people to say this, and no more: You serve the King."

  "The King?"

  "Yes."

  "But," Eldwin looked from Ashlord to Robby and back, "shall I give the name of the King?"

  "How can you?" Ashlord smiled. "For none knows his name. Let it be a mystery to all but your own people, but share not our names with any until the time is come for you to use them, among trusted people. Then it will be safe for you to do so. You will know when."

  Eldwin's face went white, then reddened as he nodded in silent understanding of the authority with which Robby declared the Treasure returned to its heir, and of the danger Robby and his companions faced.

  "My Lords," Eldwin bowed. "I will not ask where it is ye go. But, pray, do not forget us."

  Robby took his hand and said, "We shall not forget you. And, should fortune favor our quest, we shall not neglect your people."

  • • •

  Instead of popping over to the Toll Road, they chose to ride through town, led by the group of Elders on foot. Robby and Esildre rode first, with Esildre's great-nephews following, then Ibin leading the packhorses and the others behind them. The people of Nowhere lined the streets and ways, cheering to them and calling out good wishes as they passed by. Never had Robby felt so honored, though he did, in fact, feel some pride—something like the day he so proudly rode out to Boskland on Anerath in his new armor and colors. Today, however, the feeling was more genuine, full of care, true, but his heart was lifted by their gestures. They took the winding way that led back up the steep hills, encountering more groups of well-wishers at switchbacks and lined along overhanging banks until at last they made the Toll Road. There, Esildre and her companions turned to go eastward.

  "May you find what it is you seek, Robby Ribbon," called Esildre to him as she turned. "And may you all!"

  "Fare thee well, Esildre. May we meet again, someday," he said back to her.

  "Well may we! And well we may!"

  Robby's party watched the three Elifaen disappear eastward around a bend, then they turned to go westward toward the bridge at Redwater Gorge. As they neared the junction where the Toll Road met the road running along the east side of the gorge, the Elders turned away, some to take their leave back to Nowhere town and others, Eldwin among them, to watch from the same place he and Ullin had viewed the bridge the day before. They popped away, one by one, Eldwin waiting the longest. At last, he waved and smiled, saying, "Good luck an' fare ye well!" His words seemed to linger and dissipate as did the glow of his departure.

  Robby's group moved on, and Ullin loosened his sword and pushed his cloak away from the hilt. Robby did likewise, and put his hand on Swyncraff about his waist just as the last bend was turned. The roads joined and the gorge yawned open and the narrow bridge with its towering columns loomed before them. He had never seen such a gorge before, much less one so stark. It was wide and deep, so deep that when he looked down to the distant stream far below, he became somewhat dizzy and gripped his reins more tightly. Twisting around in his saddle, he saw the others behind him were equally impressed with the gorge and the graceful bridge ahead. They could not yet see its supporting spans, and it seemed to float across the chasm, longer and higher than the one at Passdale by four or five times, but just as narrow. Still, in spite of its size, it was a tiny work compared to the gulf it spanned.

  "How deep is this place?" Robby asked.

  "Oh, I'd say about three or four furlongs along here," said Ashlord over his shoulder. "This is the deepest part of the gorge. And the narrowest."

  Ahead, two guards emerged from their shack and scrambled to the gate, trying to put on their helmets and pull down the gate at the same time. They were grizzled and dirty, in unkempt array, dull-looking and crude, Robby thought. As the company neared the two, Robby could see similar activity on the far side of the bridge.

  " 'Ewe gaws thar!" called the grubbier of the two guards.

  "Six to cross," Ullin replied.

  "A Kingsmun, eh? A Duin'er mun? Whut's yer busyness?"

  "We have writ of passage," answered Ashlord, handing down the document Lord Tallin had prepared for them.

  "From Tallinvale?" The guard eyed the document carefully, squinting up at Ashlord and then at the others. Likely, he could not read, but recognized the Tallin-Fairoak seal. While he took his time, the other guard slowly went down their line, looking at the horses and their saddles, the packs, and each rider in turn. Robby caught a whiff of hard liquor as he passed. Ibin grinned stupidly, but the guard only glared back at him and moved on. Billy, who had slung one leg up over his saddle and sat chewing a blade of grass, nodded at the guard.

  "How do?" Billy greeted. The guard only grunted in return, making a show of visually inspecting the pack animals before moving on. Billy's expression changed to wariness as the man walked slowly around Sheila at the end of the line. There, he paused, then stepped around the other side, staring at her with a look of curiosity and clear vulgarity in his face.

  "What's yer name, missy?" he asked as what he hoped would pass as a grin crossed between the few black teeth he still had. Just then, Billy gently tugged
on his reins and his mount backed up a step or two.

  "Aye! Watch out!" the guard scolded Billy. "Keep a handle on yer animal, mind ye."

  Billy shrugged and smiled, backing again.

  "Did ye hear what I said?" the guard said as he was bumped.

  "Sorry!" shrugged Billy.

  The guard up front looked around at the second, handing up the document to Ashlord.

  "Well, it looks alright to me," he said. "But it's for the Capt'n to say, ain't it? Aye! Quit yer foolishness an' get this here gate up!"

  The other one glared at Billy and walked back to the gate and pushed down on the counterweight to lift it. He continued to glare at them as they went by, gawking at Sheila when her turn came. Once onto the landing, Ullin, who had been watching the other side, urged those behind to keep close.

  "Don't know if I trust this bridge," Billy commented, peering down past the knee-high banister into the rocky depths below.

  "It's sturdy enough," Ashlord assured him. "In spite of being ill-kept."

  "I don't care for the bridge, either, Billy. But it's the keepers I worry more about," Ullin said nodding toward the far side. There, a number of soldiers were gathered and began coming onto the bridge in front of a big man, obviously their captain by the way he ordered them about with violent gestures. By now, the company was onto the wooden suspension and though the heavy beams below creaked, the bridge did not sway or sag. Midway, a strong breeze blew through the gorge, and, far below, they could see several waterfalls upstream, each at least a hundred feet high by the looks of the trees around them, looking very much like a watery staircase made for giants.