by D. E. Morris
Tasarin paused and looked down. It was a rare moment to find those of the elven race appearing anything but calm and collected. Even in the midst of battle, there was a quiet peace about them. In this moment, however, as he spoke of the past, it was clear to all who were close to Tasarin that his breathing was not as even as it usually was. The muscles in his jaw clenched and his throat moved as he swallowed. Though it had been five years ago, the pain and the loss of losing his homeland was still a deep wound. As all looked upon them, Luella strengthened her grip on his hand and took the lead.
“From this day forward, the four kingdoms of Caedia, Siness, Braemar, and Ibays stand together to declare our countries safe for Gaels and dragons. Killing, hunting, and harming them in any way is forbidden. Any person or persons found taking part in such illegal acts will be dealt with swiftly and severely.” She lowered her gaze only slightly, looking down at the lesser royals standing before the grandstand, their faces turned up toward her. “It is not only a standard that will be upheld in the capitals, but in the lesser kingdoms as well. As the men and women in charge of your realms, do you vow to uphold the standard set by your high king and queen? Before you answer, think on it for a time, for if you take this oath and fail to uphold it, the consequences set for you are just as perilous.” Her threat made some of the royals before her look down, their eyes shifting in uncertainty. “Go now, and let us finish this week of fun and frivolity with a positive outlook on our futures and a heart of kinship, not division. After all, we are all Celts, and we are all part of one another.”
“Huzzah!” hollered Niam again. This time, others within the crowd echoed. This seemed to only add fuel to the burning fire within him. He stood, his feet on the bottom rail of the fence and his legs resting back for support against the top rail as he threw his fist in the air, shouting once more. His enthusiasm was infectious, and soon enough, the entire crowd was chanting their support.
“Well,” said Ashlynn as everyone in the grandstand found their seats, “whether it's hive mind or true compliance, Niam certainly has people showing their willingness to support a cause.”
“We could use that,” Jaryn told her seriously. He watched the boy, his face glowing as he kept the cheer going. “We need men like him on our side. This will not be over so quickly. Tasarin and Luella made a pretty speech, but a great deal of defiance will come from it.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I'm not sure yet,” he admitted.
Ashlynn cocked her head to study her husband's face. “You're so serious, my love. It's an odd look for you.”
He breathed as though needing fresh air in his lungs, and took her hand to kiss it. “When it comes to the safety of my family, I couldn't be more serious.”
How the years had changed him. Jaryn used to be able to make a joke out of anything, especially if it was to make Ashlynn laugh. Now, while he was still quick to add levity to any tense moment, there was a maturity about him that was so attractive. She felt safer with him than she ever had before, even with the world in the state that it was. Touching the side of his face, she ran a thumb over his bearded cheek until he looked at her. “We're going to be okay, Jaryn. You, me, Lochlainn...all of us. We're going to be okay.”
He gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. “I know.”
Tasarin turned his head to look over his shoulder at them. “Are we ready to commence with the joust?”
“Aye,” Jaryn growled with forced enthusiasm. “Let's see some broken lances!”
In was a welcomed change to have the grandstand full with the royals from all of the higher kingdoms in attendance. As the jousters paraded themselves across the now empty arena, friendly bets were placed upon who they thought would win, lose, and be unhorsed. Though Fionn and Alanna had been the least social among the group, Fionn offered his own thoughts on certain men, especially if they were Ibayish. He was older than Jaryn by almost ten years, the tired look of his eyes aging him even more, but when he relaxed and allowed himself to be a part of the group, to participate in conversation and even make a joke or two, he seemed almost friendly. Alanna was quiet as ever. She only spoke when spoken to, and her answers were usually rather straightforward. It wasn't until the next day, after all four of the high queens had gotten together for lunch, that Luella suspected the woman's demeanor might have something to do with how controlling Fionn was. She'd seen her own mother's spirit broken by Tadhg and recognized the look of a woman who had been mentally and emotionally abused. While they were all sorry for the woman, they recognized that there was little they could do about it. A woman simply didn't leave her husband. It just wasn't done.
On the final day of the games, only the best were left to compete in the last joust. Both Connor and Killian had won their matches, each coming away with a new horse of their own. Elas joked about needing to extend the stables when they got home, making the others laugh. As was his way, Killian was humble in each of his wins, making sure his competitor wasn't hurt too badly and congratulating him on a good match. Connor, on the other hand, could hardly contain himself when he won. He didn't purposefully gloat, but he certainly wasn't quiet in his victories.
“You are making a fool of yourself,” Lilia chided when she found him during the break. The field had to be cleaned before the final match, giving everyone a chance to get any last-minute shopping in that had been put off all week.
“I don't care,” Connor laughed, adjusting the armor over his horse's head. “All week long I have been wanting to go up against Killian, and now I get to. I'm not only going to unhorse him, but I'm going to hit him so hard that he's not going to be able to get up in time and the match will automatically go to me.”
Lilia lifted a brow and crossed her arms. “It's a shame you don't have more confidence in yourself.”
“I have been training for this for a year. I'm a good jouster, Lilia, - great, even.”
“Really? Then why is it that we will be sailing home with five new horses to your two?”
He scowled at her. “Pure luck.”
“I suppose we shall see.” She casually eyed the horse. “It seems he's as ready as he needs to be for now. Ashlynn has given us some time to ourselves to wander. Come walk with me.”
Connor only shook his head. “I can't. I need to stay here and keep focused.”
Sticking her bottom lip out in a pout, Lilia's brows lowered. “You would choose the company of a smelly old stallion over mine?”
“Today I would. I have to, Lil.”
“Fine.” Lifting her chin, Lilia turned. “Good luck in the joust.” She started to walk away, but Connor grabbed her arm and spun her back around, planting a kiss on her lips. She leaned into him for only a fraction of a second before her head cleared. Forceful, she pressed the palm of one hand against his armor and pushed him away, her other hand arcing through the air before landing a slap against his cheek. “Connor!” She looked around quickly, scandalized. It didn't seem as though anyone was even paying them attention. With a flushed complexion, she pushed him again and stalked away. She was only halfway out of the competitor's area when she looked back at him. Connor watched her with a sloppy grin. Try as she might to hold onto her anger, Lilia couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face before she hastened away.
In the market, Vala and Mairead walked side by side, each with a basket draped over their arm to carry any purchases they might make. For a while they had walked with Jaryn and Ashlynn, but eventually the royal couple had gone off on their own, leaving the girls to wander until it was time for the final match at the arena. Though there weren't that many years in between them, Mairead knew that her tastes were far different from Vala's. The shorter girl was attracted to anything that she deemed beautiful, whether it was people or things. She was practically shaking with excitement, wanting to get to a ribbon stand much farther into the market than they were. Mairead's pace was slower; she wanted to take everything in instead of rushing through and bouncing from one merch
ant to another. Though she tried to be patient, Vala's high energy was starting to wear her out. She suggested they split up, and almost before the words passed her lips, Vala hurried on ahead. With subdued amusement, Mairead walked slowly over to a stand full of oils and herbs.
Only that morning, Cailin had found her in the hallway and told her of an ointment she'd been using from this particular vendor. She suggested the younger woman seek him out in an effort to find something to help soothe her scarred and puckered skin. The elixir Tasarin made for Elas so many years ago never worked for her, and it had long since worked for Elas as well. If she could possibly find something that would do something for both of them, make them more comfortable with their own reflections, it would be an answered prayer.
She spent a great deal of time in smelling things, trying them in small patches on the back of her hand to test thickness and potency. The merchant was kind and gentle when he looked at her skin, suggesting this thing or that. It was likely that he was trying to get her to buy as much as he could, but Mairead was hopeful and only too happy to pay for the things he had worked hard to make and procure. As she was filling her basket, someone bumped into her from behind, nearly knocking her into a full stand of oils. Curiosity more than temper flared within her and Mairead turned to see a young woman. Her long, straight black hair hung down the back of her simple shift of undyed wool. She smiled at Mairead, an odd expression that made her slanted eyes little more than slits. There was no word of apology offered, no contrite motion indicative of someone who had made a mistake, just that strange smile. There was something oddly familiar about her, but before it could be questioned, the girl reached into a basket she carried and moved past Mairead to give the vendor a small purple flower. With a smile for him as well, she moved out into the street and walked on.
Something didn't feel right about the exchange. Mairead set her basket on one of the open shelves and stepped away from the stand to watch the girl as she moved through the market. Her pace was slow, usually a sign of someone not having a care in the world. A few other vendors were given flowers, and Mairead shook her head, silently chastising herself. The girl was no threat. Perhaps she didn't even speak Caedian and was simply giving out flowers to be friendly. With a quiet laugh, Mairead shifted on her feet to go back to her purchases. Just as she did so, she glanced at the girl one more time to see her stopped up ahead, standing in the middle of the bustling street. Her hand fell to her side and something slipped through her fingers. It was small, perhaps the size of a marble, and landed with a small puff of dirt clouding around it. The girl walked on as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
She disappeared around a bend before the entire market lit up in explosions.
Chapter Five
It was nearly impossible to see anything. There had been no rain for several weeks, making the ground dry and dusty. When the dropped marble exploded, subsequently setting off every flower that had been handed out, stalls and small hastily constructed shops blew apart, sending wood, wares, and in some cases, bodies, flying. Showers of sand and clumps of earth flew high, only to come raining back down on everything and everyone that was left stunned and injured underneath.
Mairead was crumpled on the ground far outside the oils shop, unmoving. She had been right by the entrance, but now she was at least twenty feet away from where the shop had been. Try as she may to breathe, it felt like sand filled her lungs. She coughed and tried to move, testing her body for injury. Her right arm burned and when she looked at it, she could see charred skin where fabric had been, patches of gauzy lace seared into her shoulder and forearm. Everything swam before her as she tried to push herself to a sitting position. There was chaos all around her, the ringing in her ears so loud that every other sound was muted. She had to get up. Her number one priority, as it had been for the past six years, was Ashlynn. She knew she and Jaryn were somewhere in the market and she had to find them to make sure they were alive. Gathering her legs under herself, Mairead rose first on her left leg, her vision swimming. When she put weight on her right leg, she cried out and fell forward, but strong arms caught her before she could hit the ground again. Muffled, someone said, “I've got you,” but she didn't care who had her.
“Ashlynn,” she breathed, wincing in pain as whoever gripped her gently lowered her back down. “I have to find Ashlynn.”
The arms that were around her let go so that hands could take her face and make her look up. She didn't recognize him for a moment and if she'd had all her strength, she would have thrown herself from him. All she registered was the eyes, slanted like the girl who'd set off the explosions, yet as he held her there, looking her over, checking her injuries, she realized the corners of his eyes were upturned and narrow, where the girl's eyes were wider. As small bits of clarity broke through her haze, she realized it was the young man from the assembly, the one who'd roused the crowd into their final cheer.
“Mairead!” Someone else joined them now, scuffing dirt and dust as they rushed into a crouch beside her. Niam's hands came away from her face, and there was a frown on his lips as he looked at the person beside him. Jaryn's breathing was rapid and his eyes wide as he, too, looked her over. “Are you all right?”
“She needs a healer,” Niam answered for her, “quickly, before anything gets into those wounds.” He didn't wait or ask for permission before scooping her up like she was nothing but a child.
“Ashlynn,” she repeated, looking at Jaryn. “Is she safe?”
“She's fine,” he promised. Running a hand through his hair, he shook his head and took in the madness around him. “I have to find the boys.”
“Jaryn!” From somewhere that sounded far away, Ashlynn's voice could be heard in a soft cry through Mairead's haze. Relief washed over her so strongly when she saw both Ashlynn and Nuala hurrying her way that she nearly cried. “Mairead! Oh my heavens.”
“Where are the boys?” Jaryn demanded.
“They're fine. They're safe. The nannies had them napping inside.” Turning to Niam, Ashlynn pointed back in the direction from which she and Nuala had come. “Head that way. My sister and her husband are down by the piper's stage. She'll be able to help.”
Niam nodded but before he could run her off, Mairead gripped Ashlynn's arm. “Vala.”
Confused, Ashlynn shook her head. “I don't...I haven't seen her.”
“She was in there...she was farther back...she wanted ribbons...”
Jaryn swore under his breath and took off in a run, launching himself into the middle of the confusion and danger to see if he could locate the missing girl. “We'll find her,” Ashlynn promised. She gave Niam a nod, and he held Mairead securely as he hurried her away from the bedlam.
Structures still burned and there were cries of pain and agony everywhere. If she'd only still had the connection to her Element, then Ashlynn could douse the fires with just a simple thought. As it was, she knew standing there and wishing for things to be different would help nothing. She looked around for anything solid that would still hold water, both surprised and thrilled to find three buckets that had survived the explosions nearby. “Help me,” she told Nuala, rushing to pick up the buckets. “There's a pump behind that stand back there. With any luck, it will still be intact.”
The two women sprinted toward the water pump and filled buckets as quickly as they could. Though they didn't do much, it helped to calm some of the smaller fires and let them enter a few of the closer shops to find anyone who might be injured. Together, they were helping a man who was missing an arm out of the wreckage of his stall when suddenly, all of the fires went out. Cavalon ducked under what was left of the man's other arm, taking over for Ashlynn. They didn't need to voice their plans to one another, even when Badru showed up only minutes later. They each went through the debris and shattered store fronts to extract the injured and the dead. More and more people showed up, elves with the gift of healing and mortal men and women doing all they could to ease the pain of those who were bleeding and br
oken. It was a relief to see that more people had survived than didn't but having anyone die was too much.
“I need help!”
Ashlynn's head snapped up at the sound of her husband's cry. She saw him as he rounded the bend, quick as he could with a limp Vala in his arms. Now that the confusion had passed, both Ashlynn and Badru rushed to meet Jaryn halfway. “She's alive,” he reported when they were close. “Her breathing is shallow and she doesn't appear to have any wounds.”
“Give her to me,” Badru instructed gently. It was a tentative exchange, neither of them wanting to risk further injuring the girl.
Ashlynn watched her newest lady being carried away, fingers to her lips and eyes wide. Jaryn's hands on her shoulders made her turn and wrap her arms around him as tightly as she could manage. “Jaryn,” she whispered, “you were just here, moments before this happened.”
“I know.”
“You could have been hurt. You could have been-”
“But I wasn't.”
“But you could have been.”
He pulled back from her just enough to look down into her face. “Remember your promise to me just the other day, that we would all be okay? We are. I am.”
“I could have lost you.”
“But you didn't.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, refusing to let her go. “What am I always saying to you? What did I tell you on our wedding day? I'm not going anywhere, not ever, Ashlynn.”
As more and more people began to filter in, either out of curiosity or want to help, guards had to form as wide a barrier around the market as possible. No civilians were allowed in unless they had medical knowledge. Every man in armor not surrounding the village jumped in to help with the wounded without having need be asked. It took some time, but the core group found one another and made sure they were all whole and well. Thankfully Luella had gone back with the children to rest, and had been the farthest away from the explosion of any of them. Kenayde and Badru worked together to organize a simple triage to sort out the injuries that needed immediate treatment from those that could wait. Her gentle spirit led her to sit with several receiving palliative care, giving them mixtures and herbs that would help ease their pain, knowing there was no way they could be saved.