The Search

by Susan Leigh Noble

  As she hit the ground, Lina gasped, her eyes flying open.

  Her heart raced. She sat up, breathing fast. She pressed her hands into the soft mattress below her as she looked around. A small table separated her bed from another narrow bed. A dresser and a table with two chairs completed the room’s meager furnishings. The room was vaguely familiar.

  Lina? Are you all right?

  The gentle voice of Tosh filled her mind. Her eyes quickly scanned the room, stopping on the small grey cat lying on the table. This was not her room. She shook her head slightly trying to clear her mind, trying to piece together what had happened. Then it came back to her. Harmony. The trip with her father. She glanced at the motionless form in the other bed. Good, I did not wake him, she thought.

  Tosh’s yellow eyes glowed as he jumped onto her bed, his paws sinking into the thick mattress. Was it the dream again?

  “Yes,” she answered, silently. “And the feeling has increased. I don't know how much longer I will be able to ignore it, Tosh.”

  Lina shook her head. The feeling, or “calling” as she had recently begun to call it, grew slightly each time she woke from the dream. Her pounding heart began to return to normal. She tried to recall what scared her, but the dream was already fading from memory. It was like something dangling just out of reach. Now all she could recall was the feeling that she had been falling. She sighed. The dream and the calling had to be linked. They had not only begun at the same time but whenever she had the dream, the feeling drawing her north increased ever so slightly. There must be a connection. But what? She rose from the bed, moving toward the window.

  As she and her father had traveled north toward Harmony, the feeling had strengthened. It was as if she was destined to go north. Lina looked out the window at the moonlit street below. She still could not get over the fact the city was made of rock and mortar. So different from home, she thought. Her mind flashed back to her first sight of the capital of her homeland. The grey stones had risen impressively out of the lush green Grasslands. She had seen more of the beautiful countryside on this trip than ever before and her love for her homeland had grown to a new level.

  “I can't leave, Tosh.” She turned to look at the cat sitting on her bed. “This is my home. It is where I belong. But this feeling...I don't know how I will be able to ignore it if it gets any stronger.”

  There must be a reason for it. Tosh replied calmly. Maybe the answer is even here in the city.

  Lina nodded. She hoped he was right, but she feared that the answer wasn’t here. The urge to go north still pulled at her.

  She climbed back into the thin bed, listening to her father’s steady breathing. She wished she had not had the dream. Not tonight. It had been at least three days since the strange dream had woken her. Now on her first night in the city, when she was already tired from the trip, she had been robbed of her sleep by the dream. She lay in the bed knowing there was no chance she would get back to sleep now.

  Her mind turned to the city and the mere thought of exploring the capital filled her with excitement. She had been ecstatic when a month ago her father suggested she accompany him. He had to attend the Record Keeper's meeting, so why shouldn't she come, he said. Her father felt it would be good for her to visit Harmony, since she would be going to school nearby this coming harvest. They were to visit the school on their way home.

  Her mother of course had not approved of her going on the trip. But then again, her mother rarely approved of anything she did. She thought Lina should be searching for a husband like many of the other young women her age. Eighteen years old and she should be settling down, her mother would say. She sighed. Her mother was old fashioned that way. She constantly complained about the soft leggings and white shirt Lina usually chose to wear. A dress is more proper for a young woman her mother would tell her. Her mother did not even like the fact she went by the nickname Lina rather than her full name – Karlina.

  So it came as no surprise that her mother also did not think Lina should be going to school to become a Land Keeper. She had certainly never understood her daughter’s desire to explore. But Lina had always wanted to be a Land Keeper. When she had passed the entrance exam, something so few people were able to do, she and her father had been thrilled. Her mother was not. Lina knew this career choice would allow her to travel and explore her homeland and maybe even one day to visit the other Lands. Then why, she thought, does the idea of leaving her homeland to follow the calling seem so wrong. Why, if she wanted to see the other Lands, was she reluctant to go now? She knew the answer. She was scared. But she wasn’t sure of what.

  Maybe you are afraid of what is out there. Or maybe you just don't want to go alone.

  Lina glared at the cat beside her. “Can't you keep out of my thoughts?”

  If you were not thinking so loud, I would be asleep right now.

  She pushed away her uncertainty and began thinking about what the next day would bring. Her father did not have a meeting until the following day, and he had promised to show her the city. The glimpses she had seen when they arrived earlier in the evening flashed before her eyes. And her father's warning echoed in her mind. “It is very busy this time of year, Lina. Both the High Council and the Record Keepers are meeting now. You must be very careful.”

  Then when they had reached the city gates, the guards had questioned her father intently and even searched the wagon before allowing them to enter. She knew there must be a reason for these precautions but couldn’t understand who would want to hurt the High Council for that was the reason her father had given for the guards' search.

  “Lina, even in our time of peace, there are those who disagree with the High Council's rulings.” Her father's words echoed in the night. Though her father insisted it was only a precaution, the thought still troubled her.

  Lina! Please go to sleep.

  She sighed. Sometimes Tosh was as bad as her mother.

  ***

  Lina and her father stood in the middle of the street. The sun was high and heat rose from the paving stones. The market square lay before them. Booth after booth lined the rows. Everything imaginable seemed to be for sale. At the closest booth, women and men crowded around bolts of fabric. They touched and lifted the different bolts of fine velvets, lace and silks under the watchful eye of the large man behind the counter. Women at his side measured and cut the cloth as a tall, thin man haggled with the customers over the price. At the next booth, pots and pan, buckets, tins and many things she could not name were piled. Here too people gathered around, eagerly haggling for the goods. Other booths held meats, fruit, glass items, shoes, saddles and even livestock. The crowd moved swiftly; servants overburdened with packages trailed finely dressed women, tired looking mothers tried to keep track of their children as they pushed their way through the crowd while carrying small children or their purchases.

  Lina glanced at her father. He was a well-built man in his mid-fifties. His brown hair had begun to grey in the last few years, and he had begun to put on a little weight. But she still remembered him as he looked when she was a child, a tall man with a closely trimmed brown beard and deep humor-filled brown eyes. Her father turned to her and smiled. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the mayhem. She swung her head from side to side, as she tried to take it all in. A bright blur of color caught her eye, and she turned. A group of men and women, dressed in vivid reds and blues, stood behind several booths. A young woman no older than Lina stood on a wide wooden bench dancing to lively music. Her skirt twirled wildly as she spun. Intrigued, she turned toward the booths.

  “No, Lina,” her father said sternly as he grabbed her arm. “Not that part of the market. I do not even know why the city lets people like them in here. No telling what they are selling.” He moved off in the other direction pushing Lina in front of him. “Next thing you know they will be selling women and children.”

  “Who are they?”

  “Gypsies.” Her father put a certain amount of
disgust behind the word.

  She stared at him. He had never spoken that way about anyone. “Gypsies?”

  “Homeless, traveling men and women who will sell, swindle and do just about anything. You stay away from them.” He waited until she nodded before pulling a list from his pocket. He eyed it. “Now what did your mother say she wanted?”

  He turned and almost disappeared into the crowd. Lina hurried after him. She felt odd wearing the long summer dress her mother had packed for her. However, as they went to the first booth, she knew she blended in with everyone else. She watched admiringly as her father expertly haggled for the goods her mother wanted. It didn’t take long for her to understand why Tosh had not wanted to come. Lina loved to walk and explore the Grasslands but Tosh always detested walking great distances. That is what she and her father did all afternoon. They covered the great square at least twice before her father was sure they had everything they needed. Finally, he declared they had everything. He dismissed the man he had hired to carry their purchases back to the inn. The market was no longer busy though a few still argued over the bargains as her father glanced at the sky.

  “The afternoon is almost over. I should stop by the Head Record Keeper’s office I suppose.” Her father considered that as he rubbed his beard. “Yes, I should go make sure everything is ready for tomorrow.”

  They walked toward the center of the city. The buildings became more spaced out. Ornate carvings were etched in both the stones and heavy wooden doors. Finally, they reached the tall two-story building that housed the offices of the Record Keepers. They entered through the huge wooden doors into a large, open room. Evenly spaced thick pillars rose to the high ceiling. Large windows allowed the fading sunlight to light up the room. The room was empty except for a lone person working at a desk near the far wall between two doorways. Wooden benches lay against the front wall. The remaining walls were decorated with vivid pictures of the Grasslands.

  “Stay here, Lina. I will be right back,” her father said and crossed the room, exiting through the doorway on the right.

  Lina sat down on one of the benches beside the front door. She watched as men came in carrying large boxes. She guessed they were filled with the records that would be gone over and filed away by the Historians. Her father had brought his records in this morning while she had bathed and dressed.

  Quite a bit of time passed before her father returned with another tall, thin man. A dark beard that had begun to grey at the tips covered his youthful-looking face. He stopped before her and nodded as her father introduced her.

  “Branagan and I have some things to go over. One of the Record Keepers died since our last meeting and the man who replaced him has the records in quite a state.” Her father frowned. “We'll walk you back to the inn.”

  The sun was almost set by the time they neared the inn. Her father stopped when it came into sight. “We have so much to do. We will leave you here,” her father said as he hugged her. He slipped something hard into her hand. “Get something to eat and some sleep. I don’t know how long I will be.”

  Lina watched as he walked down the street with Branagan. They had done so much walking today that she was eager for the chance to sit and rest. She studied the coin her father had given her. The small metal coin gave her a slight thrill. She had never had any money of her own. There never had been a need. Thoughts of a warm meal and the chance to sit down filled her mind, and she eagerly began to walk toward the inn. She had only taken a few steps when a dark object dashed across the street a few yards in front of her.

  “Tosh?” She called out silently as the creature slipped between two garbage barrels.

  Lina?

  She saw two bright eyes staring out at her as she neared. Then as he recognized who she was, Tosh crept out and walked toward her with his tail in the air.

  “Where have you been all day?” She knelt down, scratching his head.

  Oh, about. He leaned into her scratching. A little lower. Yeah, that's good. He closed his eyes, purring with contentment. Actually, I was trying to find out what might be causing your strange feeling or if there were any other strange occurrences happening.

  Lina stopped scratching. “And?” she said aloud.

  Nothing. I found only one other STAC here. Strange. There should be more in a city this size. Anyway, he was old and his thoughts were a bit rambled. He knew nothing. I even listened into several conversations around town and still nothing that will help us.

  She sighed. “Father and I went by the north gate this afternoon. I had to fight it, Tosh. The feeling got so strong that I almost turned and walked out the gate.” She picked him up. “What is this? And why me?”

  I do not know, Lina. But we will figure it out. He rubbed his chin against her face causing her to laugh as his whiskers tickled her nose. We should get out of the evening air.

  She set him down and began walking toward the inn. Suddenly, a tall, skinny man stumbled out of the shadows. His clothes were smeared with dirt. He leered at her as the stench of ale assaulted her nose.

  “Where ya going in such a hurry?” He staggered forward, grabbing Lina's arm. He pulled her toward the dark alley behind him.

  “Let me go!”

  The man laughed as he used his other hand to pull her close. “How 'bout you give me a kiss?”

  The man lunged for her mouth. Lina turned her head, feeling his lips brush her cheek. She pulled back but the man held her tight.

  “Tosh, help me.”

  What do you want me to do? Bite him?

  The man took a step backward, dragging her with him. Lina had had enough of this. Her body began to tingle as she felt the power begin to race through her like adrenaline. She forced herself to calm down and stop struggling. She focused her energy, releasing the heat through her skin. The man jerked away.

  “They’re burning,” he cried. He stared at her with wide eyes and then at his hands.

  Lina quickly turned and ran for the inn with Tosh at her feet. She didn’t look back. She could hear the man yelling at her. She dashed inside the inn, slamming the door behind her. She leaned against it, breathing hard. Her father was correct; the city was a dangerous place.

  You didn’t really burn him, did you?

  “No. It was just a little heat.” She picked him up. “You didn't help. I seem to remember you saying you were going to keep me out of trouble.”

  I did say that. But you handled him pretty well. I didn't see any need for me to jump in and lend a paw. He gave his paw a quick lick. You know that is the first time I have seen you use your powers on another person.

  “Yes and I hope I never have to do it again.”

  Just be careful, Tosh warned. You do not want to call too much attention to yourself. People can be fearful of that which they don’t understand.

  Silently, she agreed.

  ***

  Lina never knew when her father came back to the inn. When she awoke the next morning, he had already left for his meeting. He had left a note on the nightstand. Again, he warned her to be careful and to stay on the main roads. He also left a few coins for her to buy breakfast and lunch. She leapt out of the bed and quickly washed her face, ignoring the sting of the cold water. She ran a comb through her long honey-colored hair until it shone. Pushing a strand behind her ear as she glanced at the mirror, her green eyes stared back at her. Her cheeks were flush with excitement. She pulled on the clean shirt and long skirt her mother had packed. As she turned to leave, Tosh rose from his place on the bed.

  “You don't need to come.” Lina reached down and scratched behind his ears.

  He looked up at her. I know better than to let you go alone.

  She grimaced. “If you insist.”

  Outside, the city was already pulsing with life. Wagons and carriages whisked by. The aroma of baking bread mixed with the strong odor coming from the nearby stables. Children shrieked in play as the last shop owners unlocked their doors. Lina strolled down the main s
treet with Tosh at her heels. She explored the shops closest to the inn, fascinated by the goods they offered. Never had she seen such riches. She went into the next store and then the next. The stores were so huge. Many were larger than her home. She walked down to the main street, stopping at the corner to watch the people bustling about. Before she knew it, the morning slipped away, and she was farther away from the inn than she had meant to travel.

  Here the streets were narrower and lined with trash. The few people on the street hurried by with their heads down. Lina noticed a thin man watching her from across the street. Her mind flashed back to the scene last night. Quickly, she turned and walked back the way she had come. A few minutes later, she realized nothing looked familiar. The road had bent and split several times, and she was not sure which way it was back to the inn. She stopped at the corner. She stared at the roads but they all looked the same.

  “Tosh, I don’t know which way to go.”

  She glanced down but the grey cat was not beside her. Her eyes quickly looked up and down the street. The tall thin man was a few buildings closer and Tosh was nowhere to be seen. Lina turned down the closest street.

  A fat, bald man stepped out from the shadows, blocking her way. A foul stench assaulted her nose, and she took a step back.

  “Excuse me. I need to get by,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

  “Now Zack!” cried the fat man.

  Someone grabbed her from behind. She struggled but strong hands held her. She kicked, her feet hitting something. The man holding her stumbled. She jerked her head backward, hitting something solid. She cried out as pain exploded in her head. Dizziness overwhelmed her. Her feet threatened to slip out from under her but the man roughly held her up. A sweet-smelling cloth was forced over her mouth and nose. As she breathed in, a burning sensation filled her nose and lungs. Before she could even call to Tosh, darkness overcame her.

  To finish this story, please purchase Summoned and then continue the adventure of Lina and Tosh in Quietus and Destiny.