by S A Edwards
“You remember the soul you encountered in the Shadow Realm that refused to pass on?”
“The one with unfinished business?”
“That’s the one.” He didn’t speak again, his feet barely crunching on the stones and dry leaves.
“Do you know what it was?” I asked.
He cast a questioning glance my way.
“The unfinished business,” I said.
A frown creased his expression. “A war is coming. I have done all I can to deter those responsible, but they’re as stubborn as their ancestors.”
“A war? Why? Are we safe?”
He raised his eyebrows at me.
“Right,” I said. “The Seekers. Silly question.” My gaze flitted through the shadows, and my nails dug into my palms. If only there was a way to skip out the journey to the Capital. I’d be safe behind the protections, and the Seekers couldn’t get to me.
I grabbed his arm. “You can move around the land using your Shade smoke, right?”
“You can’t transport to the Healer Capital yet,” he said.
I released him. “Why not?”
“You have to have been there before.”
“But Vitora said I’ve lived six times.”
“They were different lives. Your current body hasn’t been there. Only your soul.”
“But you could –”
“I’m not a githincrow,” he said. “You are the Guardian. If you don’t experience life and learn to get out of trouble, you will be of no use to anyone.”
We walked in silence, his words ringing through my mind.
“So, that’s it then?” I asked. “You’ve done your part, and now you’re just going to leave me to struggle.”
“After all these years, your youth still shows so clearly. You can call me anytime. I hear when I am called, but whether I am free to come is another matter entirely.”
Bitterness coursed through me. “Right.”
Voices sounded ahead, and I sped up a little, eager to reach the village. If it was anything like home, the stalls would only just be packing up, working later with the nearing harvest festival. It would be nice to find some sense of familiarity.
When I turned the next corner, the village emerged, market stalls lining the street on the other side of a low, rickety stone wall. A crumbling arch broke up the wall, weathered and worn, nothing like the pristine condition of the Capital.
Purple smoke billowed in my periphery, taking with it the unhelpful Shade.
Bread and herby smells drifted on the air, and my mouth watered when I passed through the arch and on to the cobbled path. Careful to keep to the shadows at the path’s edge, my fingers tugged on my cloak hood.
Crates full of vegetables and fruit piled in large wooden carts. Villagers swarmed the road in plain and tattered clothing. Land workers.
My stomach fluttered. I had never encountered so many people in one place. Or perhaps I had and couldn’t remember. Considering the current circumstances, denying it became more difficult with every passing hour.
An elderly man stood apart, sweeping dust from a doorway.
Two huge, muscular Elck pulled the cart. Judging by their heavy breathing, they were overworked. I’d learned of the Elck, but never seen one up close. Their small, black eyes focused on their masters, paying no attention to the hustle around them. Faded, ivory horns curled from their heads.
I swallowed, not keen on getting any closer to their gleaming horns.
A range of things covered the stalls: material, tools, unusually shaped bottles, clothes, even jewels of sorts. Homemade by their appearance, they held a certain charm, though nothing compared to Vitora’s.
The number of stalls and items on offer was fascinating. We had a small market at home, but nothing in comparison to this. Even so, a wave of nostalgia coursed through me.
I paused at a stall with bread, cheese, meat, fruit, vegetables, jars of jam and honey, and some kind of broth set on wooden platters.
An elderly woman beamed at me, crinkles framing her pale eyes. “What will ya ‘ave?”
“Some of the broth, bread and a napkin full of silberries, please.” I dug into my bag for some money.
“That’ll be five yona. Ya new round ‘ere.” She gathered food into a dish.
“I’m just passing through.”
“Where ya headin’?”
“The Main City.” Afraid to meet her gaze, my eyes stayed on the bread.
“You stayin’ at th’ inn?” she asked.
“No, I’ll sleep on the road.” I could make good headway through the night, and the sooner I reached the Healer Capital, the better.
She narrowed her eyes. “Ya take care, mind. ‘Snot safe travelling at night.”
“Why not?”
“Cause o’ th’ Cursed, o’course.”
I bit my lip, curiosity screaming to be released. “What are they?”
She blinked. “Goodness, where ya bin, not knowin’ o’ th’ Cursed? Where ya come from?”
“Oh, I … quite a way from here.” My heart pounded.
Her lips tightened. “Hmm, well, th’ Cursed roam the woods at night, don’t they? Attack anyone dare go near. No one gets away. Best stick to th’ day.” She wrapped the dish, bread and napkin in paper and passed it to me, taking the money with a nod.
I gave a small smile, and then moved away, mouth dry. First the Seekers, then the Corrupted, and now the Cursed? What next? I wondered how much of her warning was real, but I didn’t know what to believe anymore. If the comets existed and the Mage, why not the Cursed?
I surveyed the villagers, searching for a familiar face, though knowing I wouldn’t see one. Who was I to meet? Knowledge of my hunters closing in made my chest tight.
Despite the sights, I pushed on through the village until the low wall bordering it came into view, and then slipped back into the shelter of the forest. Foolishness tugged on my mind. I shouldn’t leave without my guide, but no one had come forward to meet me, and I couldn’t risk attracting too much attention.
Only one path led from the village. The Capital shouldn’t be too hard to find.
With my new sight, it wasn’t difficult to make out each root and bush, though the darkness made me uneasy. Conjuring my flames, I relaxed a little at the cool orange light flickering on my palm. I guess my time with Vitora had done some good after all, though somehow, they didn’t feel as comforting as the blue flames. Holding them close, the warmth was welcome, but the dancing shadows carried a burden of eeriness.
Thoughts of the unseen eyes of the Seekers, watching me, and the Cursed played on my mind. My breathing was loud in my ears, amplified in the darkness, until an hour had passed, and weariness invaded my strength.
I wandered a short way off the path, heading east, easily manoeuvring the rough terrain. The moons slid across the sky, creeping through the canopy in places, pooling on the weeds. Leaves crackled under my feet, glistening in the gathering late night dew. Pain stabbed at my stomach, and the scent of the cooling broth mixed with the damp dirt in the air.
I stumbled into a small clearing. Two fallen logs lay parallel with each other. Desperate to rest, I grabbed some large sticks and piled them between the logs. A flick of my wrist had them burning under orange heat, so I sank down to eat in the low light.
The sweetness of the sauce and juiciness of the vegetables contrasted perfectly with the crunch of bread. I saved the silberries for last, savouring the taste of home. All that was missing was Charlie’s laughter and Lallana’s gentle voice and unmatched kindness.
Reaching for my flask, I sipped the last of the water, and then curled up under my cloak, eyes heavy. I would rest, just for a moment. My fingers ran over Charlie’s string, the texture rough on my skin, and I inhaled the scent of dirt and grass in the warmth of the fire. Vitora’s statement about keeping my fire in constant practise played on my mind whilst the flames danced before me.
I jolted awake.
The feeling of being watched set my
heart racing, and I stood, peering round but seeing no one. My neck prickled. Goose bumps rose on my arms.
The flames burned low, barely feeding off the last of the sticks.
How long had I slept?
Thoughts of Seekers hiding in the darkness stabbed at my fear.
The fire died.
12
My breath caught in my throat. Cold wrapped round me with the lack of my flames, and my legs barely supported me.
A stick snapped, but the intruder stayed hidden in the darkness. The logs and surrounding trees crept into sight with my fast-adjusting eyes.
My hands trembled. Thoughts of Seekers and death invaded my mind, preventing my legs from fleeing.
Heavy breathing cut through the silence. Leaves rustled underfoot. I didn’t want to die like this, alone in the blackness, but if I ran, I might be seen.
“Clara?”
I yelped, heart hammering. Blue flames sprang to life on my palms, writhing like snakes.
Shadows danced on Charlie’s young face, dimples chasing his grin.
Lallana stood behind him, her lavender scent drifting on the breeze.
I grabbed Charlie, losing the light of my flames, and pulled him into a tight hug. “Charlie, I can’t believe it. Are you,” – I pulled back – “you’re taller.”
He squeezed me. “Only a little.”
I tugged Lallana into my embrace, mind whirling. How could they be all the way out here?
She giggled, burying her head in my chest. “Erm, Clara? Can we have the light back?”
I smiled in the darkness and leaned away, returning the fire to my hand.
Lallana beamed. “That’s better.”
I studied her face. “You’re different, too. Not taller, but … older.” Her features held more elegance and shape than they had three weeks previously, and fresh sorrow lingered in her eyes. I wondered if she still mourned for Matriarch. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
Her smile faded.
Guilt stabbed at me. “I’m sorry about Matriarch.”
“She died for something important. It’s how she would have wanted to go … Really. I’ve come to terms with it. But Clara,” – she squeezed my arm – “don’t feel guilty. Don’t feel bad. I know she was on the overhang with you, but the Seeker would have got her anyway. It wasn’t your fault.”
“It feels wrong, having survived when she didn’t.”
“Lots of people died that day. Some of us escaped. We were lucky.”
It didn’t feel that way.
Charlie dropped his backpack, grabbed a handful of sticks and threw them on to the burned remains. A glance from me set orange flames billowing from the damp bundle.
“Cool.” Charlie perched on the edge of a log and stared at them. “So, this is what you’ve been doing for three weeks?”
I shrugged and sank down beside him. “It’s not all that exciting.”
“You can walk through a fire and not get hurt. That’s pretty exciting,” he said.
I watched the light in silence for a time, suspicion running through my mind. “How did you find me? You’re meant to be with the Beasts. Are they –”
“They’ve been patrolling the Refiner border and the surrounding woodland,” Lallana said. “When it was time for you to move on, Custos sent us to travel with you.”
“All the way out here? I’m not even on the path.”
Lallana dropped her pack beside Charlie’s, then sat cross-legged on the floor, her cloak wrapped around her. A papilion settled on her knee, the firelight mixing with the silver glow of its wings. “Custos taught us to track.”
“Well, where is he now?”
“In the forest somewhere, watching for Seekers.”
Charlie nudged me with his elbow. “Let’s see some fire action.”
“Seriously?” He could joke at a time like this? “So, we’re safe? The Seekers can’t get to us?” I asked.
“They can. Depends whether they get through the Beasts.”
“Are there a lot of them?”
“A few. But there are just as many Seekers. One for each of them. And one for each of us.”
My fingers ran along the bridge of my nose.
“What’s wrong?” Lallana asked.
“The Seekers.” I peered at her. “As long as they’re hunting me, you’re not safe. You should leave. Stay in a village. They couldn’t –”
Charlie tapped his toes together, his focus on the ground. “They’re hunting us, too.”
“Only because you’re with me.”
Charlie shook his head. “They wanted me before I came to the village.”
I gaped. “How can that be possible? You were only seven.”
Lallana watched him, green eyes reflecting the firelight, her brows drawn down.
He fiddled with a loose thread on his tunic. “Did you know the Beasts used to live in the villages?”
I shook my head and gritted my teeth. How would I? Matriarch concealed everything from me.
“Yeah,” he said. “Ages ago. They helped with the land and building the cottages and stuff. Then, they disappeared.”
“Why? What happened?”
Lallana shifted closer, her sleek features enhanced in the orange light. “You happened. Custos said they left everything they had and lived in the forest.”
Charlie peeked at Lallana. “Attacked people going to their territory.”
“But they never really hurt them,” she added. “Just shook them up a little.”
“Yeah. Got what they wanted, though. Made people scared. Kept them away.”
Lallana absently stroked the wings of the papilion. “People started calling them the Cursed instead of Beast Mage. ‘Course this was years ago. Now only the Beasts and a couple of others know their true name. The rest have forgotten.”
Charlie’s lips pursed, the way they always did when he was deep in thought. He cast me a sideways glance. “You know why they left? They became the Guardians. Guardians of the Guardian.”
Lallana giggled. “It’s a funny name.”
“Custos said you’re the Guardian,” Charlie pressed.
“So I’m told.” My teeth grated together. Yet more responsibility I didn’t want.
Lallana knelt, her movement startling the papilion into flight, and pulled her cloak further from the fire. “What are you the Guardian of?”
I shrugged. “Magic.”
“That doesn’t really narrow it down.”
“No, I guess it doesn’t.” From what I’d seen so far, magic covered a broad range of things, things I didn’t understand and knew nothing about. How did I go from being chosen to lead the village to having to protect all magic? Responsibility seemed impossible to avoid. I just wanted to go back, to undo this so it never happened. Now fear clung to every fibre of my being, and I couldn’t do a thing to change it.
I bit my nail. The fire crackled in our silence. Sparks spat from the base, glowing against the dark backdrop, yet a chill brought shivers across my arms. I snapped my fingers, bring blue flames to life in the centre, flickering and mingling with the orange.
Charlie grinned.
“Charlie, what has this got to do with what happened to you?” I asked.
His grin failed, and he kicked the dirt under his feet. “My parents died. Were killed. These strangers came one night, two of them. Wanted Pa to do them a favour. ‘Cause Pa was a Seeker.”
“He what?” A lump rose in my throat.
Charlie gave a little smile. “A powerful one. But he was good. Really kind. He said no and …” His eyes glistened, and his smile faded.
I pulled him close, mind buzzing with the new knowledge of his heritage. What if he had inherited his father’s gift? In three years, he would turn 18, and it would activate. Would we become enemies? Pain tore through my chest. “You don’t have to tell me.”
He shook his head. “One of them used his magic on Mama, threw her against the wall. Pa tried
to help her, but his staff was out of reach and…” A tear slid down his cheek. He wiped it away, expression hard. “I don’t remember anything after that. When I woke up, they were gone, and Mama and Pa were …” He sniffed.
Lallana crawled forward, placing her hand on his knee. “I’m so sorry, Charlie.”
“Yeah. Well. The villagers said they didn’t see anyone else near the cottage. I was covered in blood, and they figured that I …” His hands shook. “But I didn’t. I would never …”
I squeezed him against me. “It’s okay, Charlie. We know. Wait,” – I pulled back – “You came to the village when you were seven.”
“So?”
“So, they actually thought you killed your parents? You. A seven-year-old. Kill a powerful Seeker?”
“What else would they think if they didn’t see the other guy?”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
His gaze shifted to the string holding my crystal. “Mama was a seamstress.” His finger touched the fraying edge of the string, and a small smile flickered over his lips. “When they called the Seekers, I ran for the forest. Custos found me and brought me to the village, but I still had some spare string in my pocket from helping her earlier.” His eyes met mine. “That’s the only part I have left of them.”
A lump rose in my throat. “Oh, Charlie, I shouldn’t keep this. It means so much to you.”
He grasped my hands, preventing me from reaching the string. “I want you to have it. You’re my family now.”
“But –”
“I mean it, Clara.” His eyes bored into mine.
I nodded, and he relaxed.
Silence engulfed the clearing, broken only by the crackling of the fire.
“I’ve never been to the Main City,” he said. “Do you think we’ll see much of it?”
“The City?”
He nodded. “We have to pass through it to get to the Capital.”
Lallana frowned. “There’s no forest near the City. We’ll be vulnerable there.”
“That’s okay. I can control my flames now, and if all else fails, you can always pull the Seeker’s robes off.”
She giggled and shoved me in the arm. “So, what are we –” She tensed.
Charlie sat bolt upright.
I peered between them with a growing sense of unease. “What –”