“Una! What’s wrong?” Marsh ran around the tree to find me on my side, my trousers around my ankles. “Let me help you,” he offered. I opened my eyes to find everything around me just as it should be.
“What’s the matter?” someone yelled.
“I think she just fell,” he hollered back. “What happened to you?”
I rushed to pull myself back together. “Marsh, we’ve got to get out of here!” I grabbed him and ran toward the field. “This is all going to collapse!” I screamed. I glanced back into the valley. If this ridge gave way, it would fall right onto the houses below, burying it all in an instant.
My eyes shut tight, and images of the two boys playing in the yard at Talium heated my mark. If it weren’t for their father, I might not have found the game trail that led me home. They, and everyone else, would be crushed when this ridge gave way.
And Pantis!
I ran to Rebel and flew up into the saddle. “Get back!” I ordered the team. “Go back to the road! Don’t come back out into this field!”
“Una, what’s the matter?” Lark tried to calm me.
“This whole thing is going to collapse into the village!” I cried. “I just saw it!”
“What are you doing?” Marsh touched my leg.
“I’ve got to warn them.” I shoved his hand away. “I’ve got to go. There are children down there!”
“You can’t leave; we need you with us.”
“Paw can take you to the Nobu.” I grabbed Rebel’s reins, turning him around. “I’m sorry, Lark. I have to do this.” I kicked Rebel and took off across the field.
* * *
He’d never run with me so fast. We soared past my parents’ home and made it to the main road before I even felt Rebel’s feet touch the ground. The first time we eased up was to make the turn that led to the valley. As we rode, I saw a family in the distance, making their way up the hillside. They shouted something at us as we sailed past them. I didn’t slow down to listen; I didn’t care. They were going uphill.
The road we traveled was lined with tents and makeshift homes for displaced Citizens. The flooding forced hundreds of them to take refuge here as they waited for the waters to recede. They were cramped along the edge and tucked into the woods beyond. Even in the rain, I smelled the putrid aroma of human excrement and rotting vegetation. There was an abundance of homeless, starving Citizens, begging for food. Some ran out toward me with outstretched hands as we approached the new road into the village.
Rebel slowed to a stop for the two well-armed Authority men standing guard at its entrance. “You cannot pass without authorization.”
“I have authorization.”
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m Lord Reinick’s granddaughter. I’ve come to see him,” I announced, trying to sound like someone important.
“If that’s true, he wouldn’t want you here, of all places.”
I leaned down. “I brought him his lunch.”
“Let us see it,” he demanded. I turned slightly and unbuckled the side purse to display the food inside. “Proceed.” He waved me in.
“Have you seen Lord Calish?”
“Lord who?” He tilted his head.
“Never mind.”
Rebel calmly walked several paces, picking up speed after he put an adequate distance between us and the guards. The Authority were not the ones we should have been most concerned about, however. Along the grasses at the edge of the construction lay conspiring men, ready to pounce if given the opportunity. A kick or two was all it took to get Rebel to go fast enough to outrun trouble. Judging by the Citizens we passed, there were only two types of people there: thieves and victims.
Finally, at the west road, I found the hedge-lined drive to Pantis’s house. His house was my first stop. If I would be judged by my intentions, they would be of noble purpose. It’s not that I owed Blue. I respected his grandfather. I quickly dismounted Rebel and ran up the steps of his house. Pounding on the door, I hoped Pantis would open the door, only to come face-to-face with Marquette.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. “Where is Blue!”
I pushed myself past her, calling as loud as I could for her husband.
He responded, and I ran down the pristine hallway to find him in the kitchen. “Pantis!”
“Una?” He stood at the sink, dropping a cup in exchange for a towel to dry his hands. “Una? What is it? Has something happened to Blue?”
“No.” I hugged him. “He’s fine. We both are, but you are in danger.”
“What are you babbling about?” Marquette spat from beside the dining table.
I glanced over at her but had no intention of addressing her at all. “Pantis, you need to listen to me. Get what you can carry, and get out of here. Go up the hill, past my road. You have to go right now.”
“What, so you and your family can rob us blind?” Marquette snorted.
“Una, what is this about?”
“The ridge is unstable. It’s going to collapse. Everything down here will be swept away or buried underneath it. You need to leave, now, or you won’t make it out alive.”
“But this is our home.” He smiled.
“I’m telling you, there will be nothing left of it.”
Pantis glanced up at his wife. “Who told you this?”
“I saw it this morning. I rode straight here to warn you.”
“You saw what?” Marquette yelled. “You’re just a piece of trash with a thirst for more drama. How about this,” she approached me and grabbed my cloak, “you bring back my Blue or I will bury you alive!”
I shoved her off, and she fell backward onto the floor. “You stupid, drunken, power-hungry bitch! I’m trying to save you. The only reason I’m here is because your husband and your grandson have tried to help me and my family despite your best efforts to thwart them!”
“Shut up!” she cried, holding her hand as if it broke during the fall.
“Let me tell you a little secret.” I crouched down to her. “I’m a Seer.” She gasped. “You didn’t see that one coming, did you, you arrogant sow? So, you can leave here and live or stay and die. I don’t give a shit about you, Marquette. In fact, I’m not sure anyone will miss you at all.” I stepped over her and headed for the exit.
Pantis stopped me. “Are you sure?”
“There’s a camp two days’ walk up the east road. Blue is there. If you’re approved, you can stay. It’s a good place. You don’t need to pack anything, just go, please.”
He braced himself against the counter, his eyes sweeping across the counters of his kitchen. “Will there be anything left?”
“I don’t think so.” I held his stare, determined to be clear. “Don’t stay here.” I glanced down at the old woman on the floor, meeting her condemning eyes as I made my way out of the house.
I mounted Rebel, and together we made our way to the end of the road. The bluff stayed intact for now. The torn edge, decorated with heavy grasses, towered above the neighborhoods, watching like a silent killer planning its attack. I kicked Rebel with the intention to start at the houses farthest away and work my way back to the river. As we rode, I warned everyone I passed to leave. Unsure of how many would make it out, I knew if I didn’t try, I’d never forgive myself.
People aren’t as trusting as they ought to be. Time was not on my side, but rushing people from their homes didn’t seem as effective as I assumed it to be. Explaining what was about to happen usually made the person slam the door in my face. One man thought he’d been set up as a practical joke. When I got frustrated that he wasn’t taking me seriously, I put my foot in the gap to prevent it from closing. I cried, begging him to heed my warning. His wife held her children tightly behind him, refusing to listen. He pushed me out of his house and slammed the door in my face.
“No! Don’t do this!” I banged on it with both fists so loudly that his neighbors came out to investigate the commotion. I wiped the tears from my eyes and warned them abo
ut the ridge. “You need to leave, now!”
Uninterested in my message, they retreated into their homes and locked their doors.
“What’s wrong with you people?” I screamed. “You’re going to die here. You cannot stay!”
I hopped over the low fence between the yards and banged on another neighbor’s door. They didn’t answer either. Knocking on their window, I watched their irritated faces disappear behind the closing curtains. House after house denied me an audience. Pulling Rebel from a grassy patch at the corner house, I caught a group of young men peeking around to watch me. They were scheming together, that much was clear. Their snide remarks and jokes at my expense sailed across the road as if I were standing next to them. Still, I refused to be discouraged.
Their gang traveled behind me, teasing as I continued my efforts. They snickered, calling me ill, a crazy loon who took the wrong herbs.
“Stop laughing!” I finally screamed, my arms straight, fists clenched tightly at my side. “This isn’t funny!”
“This isn’t funny,” one of them mocked.
Why won’t anyone believe me?
I mounted Rebel and rode to a neighboring street. If I acted more official, more calm, the residents might trust me. Unfortunately, it ended with the same result as my initial efforts. In a desperate attempt to draw their attention, I stood in the middle of the road, screaming as loud as I could. When the neighbors came out, I addressed them all at one time, warning them about the landslide. I even told them I was a Seer. Amused and uninterested, they ignored my warnings and retreated back inside their houses.
I was almost about to give up when an old man and his wife asked me to come in to help them collect a few things for the trip.
“Finally.” I smiled. “Finally, someone believes me.”
“Of course, dear. No one would have the passion you do if it weren’t true, now would they?” the old woman asked. “Can I take my dog?”
“Yes, take only what you can carry,” I said. “As much as I want to help you pack, I need to warn more people.” My purpose renewed in their interest.
“Well,” the husband took my hand, “why don’t I come with you?”
“Really?”
“Sure, I know a lot of our neighbors. We’ve lived here a long, long time. We can tell them what to bring.” He led me next door.
I didn’t know what I said to convince him, and no one else, but I was thankful for his help. Together, maybe someone would act.
As the old man promised, his neighbor answered the door and invited us in.
“This young lady says that the ridge is about to fall and we need to move up the east road.”
“Oh my,” the other man said calmly.
“I know it may seem like a stretch, but I believe her,” the old man said.
“Well, what should we bring?” Before I answered, he asked, “Would you like some tea?”
“Tea?” I scanned the house, sizing up the people inside. They showed no sense of urgency, no panic, no sadness that all they had would be lost. “What’s going on?” I stepped back.
“We’ll pack.” The neighbor filled a delicate cup atop a matching saucer. “Here you go, dear.”
The brew had an odd smell of herbs and rare oil. Placing it down on the counter, I suddenly felt uneasy. “You should bring only what you need, nothing else. Tell your neighbors. I must let others know.”
The old man reached out to take my hand as I would expect a loving grandfather to. “I’ll go with you.”
Accepting his offer, but not for the reason he assumed, I took his hand and read his thoughts. My lips pulled across my face but not as a smile. He hugged me as I cried, but he wasn’t trying to be helpful. He was waiting for the Authority to arrive. His neighbor sent word, and they were probably already on their way.
I should have known better!
He led me to the door. “Which way should we go, dear?”
“That way.” I pointed to the right.
“Very well, then.” He opened the gate and let me through.
As soon as I was free, I whistled for Rebel. He leapt over the fence, slowing on approach. Grabbing the horn of the saddle, I shoved my foot in the stirrup. “Go! Go!” I yelled at him. He’d already started to go as I struggled to get on top of him.
The neighbors reacted, stirring the interest of those who were unaware of the plan. Law-abiding Citizens, worried that I might actually be a threat, or wronged the old couple, gave chase. Thankfully, Rebel’s speed proved we had the advantage and left them shouting and waving their fists in the air.
I watched over my shoulder as the distance between us grew. Would they have time to regret their decision or would the hill come so quickly that they’d never know? With the angry voices of the small mob drowned out by the falling rain, I came to the woeful conclusion that no one would heed my warning. Even Pantis, a man I knew, didn’t run when I begged him to leave.
What benefit is knowing the future if there is nothing to be done about it?
Patting Rebel on the shoulder, I let him ease back, thankful to be out of sight of the old man and his conspiring friends. Wiping my face clear of mist and emotion, I resolved myself to the impending reality. Nik said we all returned, which meant I still had time to ride to higher ground. What gave me the privilege? Too busy feeling sorry for myself, I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. Letting one’s guard down proved the ultimate folly of martyred Reclaimers. I should have known better but remembered Father’s words when the burning sensation spread in my upper arm. There, stuck through my cloak, bobbed a dart with a brightly colored feather at its tail end. With every step Rebel took, my torso hunched forward until I lay against his wet and wiry mane. I tried to kick my heels, but my feet hung lazy in the stirrups. My eyes grew heavy, and I lost the tingling sensation in my arm as it conquered the will of my body and mind.
* * *
I peeled back my dry eyelids, seeing nothing but an obscured view caused by their lack of moisture. Squeezing them tightly forced the tears to come, making it easier to identify the animal cage I was crumpled in. Unsure of how long I’d been out, I tried to clear my head and restore my vision. Despite my capture, I didn’t care to find a way free. Nothing here was cause for panic. The accommodations may have been a bit cramped, but if it weren’t for my thighs pressing against my tightened abdomen, I might not even have noticed. Tiny, twinkling particles of green smoke hung in the air, waiting patiently for their turn to catch a ride on my breath.
I’ve not seen Sakenbrush since the Atchem Festival. It’s so pretty.
I tried to trap some in my hand as the man in the cage next to mine also licked it from midair. I giggled at his reaction, and he greeted me with a sound that resembled a lamb’s bark.
“Cluck-cluck,” I replied, knowing he’d understand the language fluently.
Reaching through the bars of our neighboring cages and holding on to my foot, he stuffed his free hand in his pants, stroking something between his legs slowly. Curious, I watched him, afraid if I blinked, I would miss something important. Did he have a tiny lamb in there? Perhaps his bark-like greeting was not for me. I straightened up the best I could to see the miniature pet he kept hidden. An attentive host would show me the creature.
Why won’t he let me see the lamb?
Turning my attention from my greedy friend, I massaged the puncture wound on my arm. The wispy tips of my hair brushed the back of my hand, inviting me to play. Taking a few strands between my thumb and forefinger, I moved them together in a circular motion, discovering its divine softness. Desperate for more, I forced my fingers wide into my hair, massaging my scalp, scratching it ever so slightly with my fingernails. Tingles spread across my back like thousands of tiny caterpillars running from my spine, and I moaned with unexpected pleasure.
The man next to me chewed off my shoe, putting my naked foot in his mouth. His tongue tickled me and discovered the areas hidden between my toes. My head relaxed against the side of the cage as I pus
hed it further into his mouth. He grunted like a beast, yet still loving his little lamb tenderly beneath his clothes. His enjoyment hesitated, and he gasped for air. I folded myself in half, squinting over my knees, worried about the little pet.
Did it bite him?
The Authority guard pulled back the drape, and sticky fluid lobbed in his direction.
That wasn’t a lamb! It was his—
Excretions shot from the head of the man’s second stroke as he groaned with welcomed relief. The wad of goo splattered on the guard’s boot, not that he aimed for it.
The guard cursed the man and kicked his cage in an attempt to dislodge the contribution. What he accomplished, however, was even funnier, at least to me. A snail-like trail ran off the side of the polished leather, making it glisten in the sun. Once he realized the prisoner didn’t care, and threatened me to stop laughing, he spoke to the air. “Here she is, sir. She’s the one I told you about.”
Two.
Two pairs of black boots.
He has an extra set of boots?
Perhaps he’s a four-legged man! I’ve never seen anyone with four legs.
Except Rebel.
And Rain.
And…
Following the pants of one seemed more difficult than it should be, but four legs would be hard to keep track of for anyone. Pants had no knees, not unless they were bent, but pants had belts, and that pant had a shiny belt. I would have looked further up him, but my messed hair fell in the way as I kneaded my scalp. Of course, the shiny belt twinkling at me with the light of all the stars of the heavens didn’t help.
“Get her out of there!”
“This one’s crazy, sir. Are you sure?”
“Get out of my way!” The glimmering belt lowered, folded into a blanket of darkness. The cage door opened, and the belt called me by name. “Una, take my hand.”
Season of Hytalia Page 27
