Raven's Game

by Kerry Adrienne

  She eased the picnic basket under the cart seat. Her mom had filled it with goodies for the road, knowing it was useless to try and talk her out of going to Wildhold. Raven had stretched the truth a bit, not wanting to worry her mom any more than usual. Her father hadn’t said much of anything, but she knew he worried, too.

  “I think this one will be all right. Cozy, but it will do the job.”

  The cart was close to full, maybe leaning a little to one side from the weight of their stuff, but it would be fine.

  A thrill zinged through her.

  I’m leaving Lorkhit Ka.

  She closed her eyes to breathe in the moment. One day, she’d look back on this as the beginning of a big change. She could feel it, like she was on the edge of a precipice, and all good things expanded out around her.

  A faint chill wended through the breeze, along with the tangy scent of flowers in the herb garden. Her family sold herbs in small quantities at the market throughout summer as a small source of revenue, and it was about time to pick the last crop of the season. Her younger sister was in charge of collecting and prepping the leaves and flowers and their attic was full of herbs drying on screened racks and hanging from the wooden rafters from cotton strings.

  A pinch of guilt and anxiety tugged at her for leaving when her sister needed help. Her siblings could pitch in and get the herbs up to dry. Raven was embarking on an adventure that would make all their lives better.

  No wonder her mother was more worried than usual. Excitement bloomed over the guilt and Raven’s face flushed.

  Adventure waited. She hadn’t realized how restless she’d become in the small town, doing small-town things and talking small-town talk. The chance to travel outside of Lostmere was almost as exciting as the game itself.

  She tossed in the pile of blankets her mother had insisted she take with her, knowing they’d have to sleep in the cart on the way. Two of the blankets were warm baca wool—more than they’d need in late summer. Ben said it might be colder in Wildhold, and since neither of them had ever been, better to be safe than sorry.

  “I think she packed enough food for a week.” Raven set the jug of water into the cart beside the picnic basket.

  Her father had insisted they carry a few jugs in case they couldn’t find fresh water on the way to Wildhold. He’d made the trip when he was younger and had told stories to Raven and her siblings about the floating mountains, the fire cliffs, and the rocky shore with waves that towered over the beaches. She’d never seen the sea and couldn’t imagine the power her father described. Everything about Wildhold seemed larger than reality.

  In truth, it seemed larger than dreams, too.

  “She’s doing her mom thing.”

  "Yeah, Mom is good at mom things.” Raven paused before lifting the other water jug into the cart. The gods had blessed her with a good family, there was no doubt about it.

  “She is a great mom. And we may be gone a week. I told my patrol that I’d be back when I got back and train without me.”

  “They’re afraid of you.” Raven smiled. “In a good way.”

  “They respect authority. As they should.” Ben set the last water jug in the back of the cart.

  Raven leaned against the warm wood. “I’m surprised my parents didn’t try to stop me from going to Wildhold.”

  “They know better. You’d have gone anyway, so they wanted to show support.”

  “I guess so. I’m glad they took the seamstress news so well.” She searched Ben’s face for signs of understanding. Having his support meant more to her than he’d ever know. “They’re getting used to my failures. At least it wasn’t as bad as the innkeeper coming to tell father what a disgrace I was.”

  “Stop thinking about the past. Besides, the innkeeper’s a jerk.”

  “I know it’s the past, but it still hurts.” She sighed. “And I did doodle all over the inn’s guest register.”

  “There’s that. But you learned your lesson.” He held back a smile, but his lips curved at the edges. “And it wasn’t the end of the world. In fact, it really wasn’t a big deal at all.”

  “I did learn. Maybe one day I can make things up to him. Right now, I’m more concerned about my mom and dad. I want them to be proud of me one day.”

  Like a third parent, the moon loomed overhead, ready to guide her on her new journey. Raven shook off the remains of anxiety. She’d keep it pushed down and focus on the task ahead. Everything was going to be okay.

  Ben leaned in and kissed her forehead.

  “Your family loves you. They don’t think you’re a failure, and they know that one day, everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.” He tossed his bag of clothing into the cart. “They’ll always be proud.”

  Raven peeked into the back of the cart. His stuff took up less than a fifth of the room in the small space, but he was used to traveling light as part of his training with the sentries. The guards camped and hiked the village perimeter, sometimes gone for days as they practiced maneuvers and drills. Ben knew how to make the trip to Wildhold comfortable, even without a tent.

  And with his light load, Raven’s stuff fit in the cart.

  “I will show them that I can be successful. Like my sisters. I’m going to win this game.” She crossed her arms against the wind.

  Wearing pants was already proving to be a good decision, though her mother had held back her comments on that, too. She was used to Raven’s unconventional attitude, but that didn’t mean she agreed with it. It was obvious when she disapproved, though she rarely spoke up.

  Ben hugged her tight. “You might just win.”

  Her family poured out of the house in a hum of chatter, mom in front, siblings and father bustling behind in a blur of family. Her mother rushed to Raven, arms outstretched.

  “Please be careful.”

  “I will, Mom.”

  “It’s not as safe out there as it used to be.” She pushed a small drawstring bag toward her. “Before the dragons came. Now, it’s dangerous.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom.” Raven took the bag. “What’s this?”

  The pouch jangled as it danced in her fingers, the drawstring knotting around her thumb.

  “A few solari.”

  Her sister gasped. “No fair,” she whined. “Why does she get extra money?”

  Raven ignored her sister. “For what?”

  “I couldn’t bear the thought of you not having enough money while you’re in Wildhold. Consider it a safety net in case something comes up.”

  “Mom…I have enough. Ben and I figured out expenses. We’ll be fine.”

  Her father cleared his throat. “Mery, the bag is not going to let Raven go.”

  Her mother winked at him then patted her hand and the drawstrings released. “Well, if you don’t need it, bring it back. But take it with you just in case. I’ll feel better knowing you have the means to pay for what you need while you’re in a foreign country.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” Raven slipped the little bag in her pocket and she felt it shrink up into a tight ball. Her mom still had a little magic left. Raven patted her pocket.

  She and Ben were taking money for food and an inn, but it was true that they didn’t know how long the game would last. Having extra solari was smart—at least until she won. Then she could pay her mom back and more.

  Her father spoke up, his eyes veiled. “Ben, take care of my daughter.”

  Raven turned her back toward her father and pretended to arrange stuff in the cart. She rolled her eyes. Her father could be so archaic in his gender roles.

  She could take care of herself, mostly, and he knew it. And that mostly part had nothing to do with being a girl. She and Ben made a great team with their varied skills.

  Now was not the time to call her father out on his biases. He was stressed and worried and certainly wasn’t going to change his mind because she pointed it out again.

  “I will.” Ben’s voice boomed over the fairies. Even in his human form, his voice w
as low and deep—a centaur’s. The deepness sent shivers through Raven.

  “We’ll be fine,” she said.

  “I hope so. There are rumors that the dragons are increasing their activity on this part of the continent. Being out on an open road isn’t the safest place for you to be.”

  “We’ll be vigilant, I promise,” Ben spoke with an even tone.

  “We better get going.” Raven put her hands on her hips, trying to look confident even as fear and anxiety swirled through her insides. “We need to be in Wildhold day after tomorrow at the latest, and we don’t know how busy the roads will be.”

  She didn’t bother to tell them she’d be going to one of the floating cities. That would bring up a host of other questions and she didn’t want to have to detail every little bit of her trip.

  “We’ll make it on time.” Ben kicked at pebbles on the ground. “We’ll ride a while tonight then make camp.”

  Her mom’s eyes rounded. “I will be waiting on you to return.”

  Raven’s siblings crowded around her with hugs and kisses and goodbyes. Raven giggled. “I’m not moving away. I’ll be gone a few days, but then I’ll be home, and you won’t have realized I was even gone. It will be that quick.”

  They acted like she was leaving and never coming back. They didn’t realize that no matter how far she traveled or how long she was gone, she’d always come back to family. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

  She loved them all, desperately.

  “What if you see a dragon close up?” her tween sister asked.

  “I have my armor and sword, and I know how to use them.” Raven made the motions of air-slashing with her sword and the younger kids laughed.

  “It’s not fair that she gets to leave Lostmere.” Her youngest brother pouted. “I want to go with her. I’m so tired of this boring place.”

  She tousled his hair and kissed his forehead. “Not this time, Leniel. I’ve got to do this myself. Ben’s along for the ride and to make my tea, nothing more. This is my quest.”

  Ben shook his head but said nothing.

  After hugging and kissing everyone goodbye, Raven turned to Ben. “I’m ready.”

  “Take care, Raven. And be careful.” Her mother dove in for a last hug. “May the prophets guide you and bring you safely home.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her mother pulled back and reached into her apron pocket. She pulled out a gold necklace and held it out to Raven. “I almost forgot. I want you to take this.”

  “Grandmother’s necklace?” Raven gasped. “Why?”

  “It will keep you safe. Please wear it.” Her mother’s eyes held reverence.

  The necklace, gold with a few sparkling stones, was a series of teardrop shapes. But it didn’t mean sorrow. On the contrary, it meant blessing bestowed through generations. Safety and protection.

  Family.

  “Of course I’ll wear it. I just hope I don’t lose it.” Raven pulled her hair out of the way. “Can you clasp it on?”

  Her mother moved close and held the necklace out. “The necklace is charmed with very old magic. You won’t lose it, as it can’t be lost. It’s meant to be comfort in time of need. Hold on to it and think of family, and you’ll be at ease.”

  “I will.”

  She clasped the necklace around Raven’s neck and twisted the pendant to the front. “There. All set. Don’t take it off.”

  “I won’t.” She kissed the pendant for luck. “Thank you.”

  “Please hurry back.”

  Her siblings nodded and murmured, repeating her mother’s words. Hurry back.

  “We will.” Raven turned to Ben. “Let’s get moving. I’d love to see the mountains of Wildhold in the distance when we wake tomorrow.”

  She climbed into the cart and sat on the hard, wooden bench that served as a seat then waved at her family. They waved in return. Ben climbed in beside her, rocking the cart a bit as he moved, then sat beside her, the warmth of his leg alongside hers.

  Excitement bloomed in her chest and she took a full, deep breath.

  “Ready?” He grabbed the reins and crop.

  She took the reins from him and laid them across her lap, then pulled the crop out of his hand. “I am now.”

  A wolf howled somewhere in the distance, its long, warbling call undulating across the dry plains spread out in front of them. Raven yawned. Steering the horse out of town had been the extent of wanting to lead, and she’d given the reins to Ben before they’d passed the river outside of the village.

  She’d been fighting to stay awake most of the evening, but the rocking cart and steady clip-clop of the horse lulled her into an almost trancelike state.

  They rambled over the plains to Wildhold, steadily making their way. Even with the lantern lit on its post, the land sprawled out black in front of them. Somehow, the horse managed to stay on the dirt road, not bothered by the darkness.

  “Ready to stop for the night?” Ben’s voice cut through her musings.

  He slowed the horse.

  Raven nodded, then realized he wouldn’t see her in the darkness. “Yeah, whenever you are.”

  “Let’s stop in that stand of trees up there on the left. Looks like a good sheltering place for the night.”

  She squinted. “What trees? I don’t have centaur eyesight.”

  “It’s right up ahead. We’ll be there in a couple minutes.”

  “Okay.” Raven rested her head on Ben’s arm and half-dozed. Exhaustion had crept in to every muscle and oozed through her senses like a thick fog. The rhythm of the wagon lulled her deeper and she clasped on to Ben to keep from falling. Her excitement about travel had muted and she wanted rest more than anything.

  Adventure would have to wait till morning.

  They stopped in an island of trees that seemed to pop up from the flat plains like a bump on a hag’s back. Ben unhooked the horse and secured him to his long travel lead so he couldn’t wander away then fed him his feed and water and left him to graze and rest up for the morning. Raven watched, her exhaustion aching down to the tips of her toes.

  She gazed up at the stars dotting the sky through breaks in the leafy treetops.

  “We should be fine here for the night.” Ben secured the cart brake even tighter.

  “Good. I’m so tired.” She yawned. “Think we’ll see any dragons?”

  All around, lightflies blinked on and off in their impenetrable staccato code. What did they talk about? They were probably sending signals to the biteflies that there was a new feast available.

  She climbed over the bench into the back of the cart and rearranged things to make room for their bed. Some things had to be stacked high, but she could rearrange them in the morning. Ben moved the lantern to the hook in back of the cart then hopped in.

  “Not likely in the night. They seem to prefer daylight bullying.”

  “How close are we?”

  “We made good progress. We should make it to Wildhold before sunset and to Cliffhold early evening.”

  “Great.” She spread the fluffiest blanket on the cart floor. “I’m tired.”

  Ben moved their clothing bags to the top of the bed for pillows. “Want a snack before we sleep?”

  She shook her head and lay down, then pulled another blanket over her. She didn’t bother to take off her shoes. Her body rocked like she’d been riding a horse all day and she closed her eyes to quell the motion. The rocking worsened.

  “You need to at least have some water.”

  She sighed. She was thirsty but the idea of getting back up was just out of her comfort zone. She stretched then sat up. “Okay.”

  Ben unwrapped a sandwich and the scent of edo cheese wafted toward her. “I’ve got to have some fuel so I can sleep,” he said. “Want me to get you some water?”

  “Please.” She tossed her shoes into the corner of the wagon.

  Ben’s sandwich wrap crinkled as he set his sandwich down. “We cross another small river before we head into Wildhold. We can refi
ll the water there.”

  He filled a small metal cup with water and handed it to her.

  Raven sipped the tepid water. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Ben grabbed his sandwich and began eating.

  “You sure the horse is tied up well?”

  Ben scanned the trees. “He’s already asleep.”

  He finished up the sandwich in two quick bites. Raven set the cup down and lay back on her sack of clothes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so tired.

  Maybe she hadn’t ever been this tired.

  Ben crawled over her and lay down. The boards of the wagon were hard under the blanket, but Raven was used to the discomfort. Her bed at home was old and nearly flat.

  “Ben?” She closed her eyes.

  “What is it, Raven?”

  “I hope there aren’t any dragons.”

  “Goodnight, Raven.” He kissed her on the cheek.

  “Goodnight.”

  Raven?

  Raven stirred. She didn’t open her eyes but stared at the vista forming in her mind, like a misty dream or maybe a hallucination. Mountains, tall and rocky, loomed over her, and the clouds settled around the peaks like soft fuzz. Heavy forests blanketed the sides of the cliffs and rocks jutted from barren spots.

  Can you hear me?

  In her mind, she spun, searching for the source of the voice. The landscape wavered and dipped from under her, and she held her arms out to steady herself. Where was the voice coming from?

  You are headed into a dangerous land and into even more dangerous company. Wildhold isn’t kind to fairies.

  “Who are you?” she whispered, now alert. She peeked, and the rising sun pierced her vision with sharp pinks and yellows. She slammed her eyes shut again.

  I’m going to help you win.

  “How? Who are you?” she repeated.

  The ground rumbled underfoot, and pebbles rained down from the cliffs in a splatter of sound. A large boulder rolled off a cliff in front of her, slamming into the soft ground with a thump.

  You know me.