by Emmett Swan
“Maybe,” said Jessica. “But for all we know, Keeva lives there.”
Conall shrugged. “It could be.”
“Has anyone noticed how hot it is here?” asked Riley, pulling his collar away from his neck.
“Aye,” said Meyler. “The air is close.”
“And humid,” added Jessica. She felt a layer of moisture all over her body. Her clothes were already sticking to her skin.
“Hark!” whispered Laughlin, stooping down. “There are people on yon road. Strange looking beings, I would say. But people.”
They all stooped low in the trees and watched a group of three Derfarians stroll down a road, which passed a mere stone’s throw from their wood. The road wound through an open area toward the royal compound. All three were tall, with pale skin and loose white clothing that flowed behind them in the light, sultry breeze. The tallest of the three had yellow and silver markings on his white clothing. His hair, long and pure white, flowed behind him. The group kept low on the pine straw as the Derfarians passed by without incident. They watched their progress until they passed through the main gate of the compound.
“Such strange garments,” said Meyler.
“And the people look weird too,” added Riley. “So pale.”
“We would stand out like a sore thumb if anyone saw us,” added Jessica.
“Like a sore thumb?” asked Conall, looking at his thumb. “Yes, I suppose an injured thumb is obvious. Your expressions amuse me.”
Jessica smiled at Conall’s reaction. “All I’m saying is we had better use the invisibility elixir before we search for Keeva.”
“Agreed,” said Conall. “Again, I thank you for your diligence in copying down the runes back at Thallach’s workshop.”
“It pays to note the details,” said Jessica, pulling out her notebook and waving it in the air.
“That’s my Jess,” said Riley.
As Jessica copied the runes onto their skin, she felt a surge of confidence and self-assuredness. She let it buoy her. She hadn’t felt this useful in a while, but her experience with the Kyne brothers was beginning to remind her of good things about herself. Details were important, and if she hadn’t gotten these runes, they would have been lamenting away in the forest awaiting the inevitable. But now, because of her, they had options.
“But it’s a big place,” said Meyler. “How should we proceed?”
“Well, there are three of us,” said Conall, rubbing his chin and surveying the compound. “We can cover more ground if we separate.” He peered at the feeble sun and back at the compound. “The gate facing us is obviously the main gate into the compound. Using the sun as our guide, we will call that the east gate. Hopefully, there will be some way into the compound on the south wall, close to that tall building.”
“Why did you say there are three of us?” asked Jessica.
Conall didn’t acknowledge Jessica’s comment. He turned to Laughlin. “I’ll head around to the south side of the wall and look for access. Laughlin, you enter through the main gate. And Meyler, you go check out that little servant village. And remember, we just observe. No interaction with these Derfarians. We all meet back here in two hours to report what we’ve found.”
“And what about us?” asked Jessica, her hands on her hips.
“You both remain here, out of harm’s way.”
“Forget about it,” she replied. “You may need our help, so we aren’t waiting here. We’re going with you. Right, Riley?”
“Um, right.”
Conall shook his head. “It’s too risky. It is true that being invisible helps us escape detection, but if we are discovered, we will be identified as being connected to Panagu, for only they have the invisibility elixir. Remember, Panagu is at war with this place. So we could be executed as spies.”
Jessica bristled. She wasn’t afraid and felt she could even be valuable. She had already proven that. A proper heroine didn’t hide when danger was near.
Besides, we’re going to be invisible. What could happen?
“Maybe,” she replied. “So we just need to avoid detection.”
Conall blew out an exasperated sigh and shrugged. “You have risked your lives coming this far. Yet you insist on continuing to do so. I cannot say I have ever met a woman like you.”
“Sorry I baffle you,” said Jessica, smiling at him. “But it’s the way it is.”
“Okay then. Jessica, you come with me so I can better protect you.”
“Uh-oh,” said Riley.
“Protect me?” cried Jessica, her face flushed red. “Protect me! Who said I needed protection? You mean so that I can protect you!”
Conall opened his hands with a shrug. “I do not understand. Are you offended?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“In my day, many a lass would have welcomed my protection.”
“Yeah, well, this isn’t your day.”
“I am sorry for my offense. Very well. Jessica, will you please accompany me in order that you may protect me from harm?”
“That’s better,” replied Jessica. “Yes I will.”
“Thank you. Laughlin, dear brother, you are on your own. Riley, you join Meyler in investigating yon village. But remember, we have no clear notion of how long this invisibility elixir will work. Two hours and no more. Is that understood?”
Everyone nodded.
Jessica felt strangely warm inside. For a dude from back in the olden days, Conall was pleasantly and surprisingly progressive. He seemed willing to share the responsibility of potential danger with her while still admitting her value. But she did sort of like the way he took control. They made a good pair. Another fleeting thought crossed her mind. She wasn’t even sure what it was. But there was no time to analyze, so she set it aside.
Conall reached into his pocket and pulled out the red vial of mirclair. “Everyone, attend to the fact that I hide this ampoule under the dead litter beneath this tree. I can’t risk being caught with it. Also, if some of us don’t make it back, the others can return home.”
He looked at Jessica. “We had better begin. Time works against us.”
Jessica brought out the vial of norl and her marker, then she opened her notebook.
“I need to draw two runes on everyone’s arm. One for becoming invisible, and a second for returning to visibility in case the elixir lasts longer than we think.”
She proceeded to draw the runes on everyone’s arm, including her own.
“Wave your arms so the ink will dry faster,” she suggested. She pulled out the applicator from the vial. “Laughlin, you first.”
“Me again!” exclaimed Laughlin. “I was the first with the mirclair.”
“Such a womanly sentiment,” jibed Conall.
“I know you guys are from the dark ages,” fumed Jessica, “but in our day, we have come to realize that women are just as brave as men.”
Conall bowed before Jessica. “Aye, it is true. Forgive me my archaic ways. I now know better than to underestimate your fortitude and courage.”
Jessica looked at Laughlin. “But that being said, don’t be such a sissy. Extend your arm, please.”
Laughlin shook his head but held out his arm. Jessica held the applicator over his rune and a glowing green drop of elixir fell squarely in the middle. There was an immediate swirl of green light, a brief rush of wind, and then there was no Laughlin.
“My brother, are you there?” asked Conall. “Ouch!” he blurted, holding his stomach.
“That’s for all those beatings I received as a child,” a voice said.
“You can’t remain invisible forever!” said Conall, but a smile on his face assured Jessica he was kidding.
“Okay, enough play,” she said. “Who’s next?”
Riley extended his arm. “Me, I guess.”
Drops of elixir rendered Riley and then Meyler invisible.
“I don’t know why, but I assumed that once invisible I would be able to see other invisible people,” said Ril
ey. “But it doesn’t work that way.”
“Riley, I know that’s your voice, but it’s boggling not being able to see you,” said Meyler.
“And now you Conall,” said Jessica. Conall nodded and he disappeared in a swirl of green. Only she was left. She looked at the vial. “Just a couple of drops left, guys.” She let a drop fall on her arm and was engulfed in a confusion of green light, and then all was normal. Except, of course, that she could no longer see her legs, or her arms, or any of her clothes. Even the vial of norl was now invisible. She placed it under pine straw by a tree near the mirclair.
“Okay, let’s do this,” she said and felt Conall’s hand wrap around hers. “Conall! Is that you? Is holding my hand really necessary?”
“Well, milady, we cannot see one another. We must hold hands if we are not to lose one another.”
“I guess,” replied Jessica, wondering about her suspicious reaction.
“And you, Meyler, find Riley’s hand and hold it,” added Conall. “Speak as little as possible, or you will alert the locals of our presence.”
“I’m here,” said Riley.
“Ow,” said Meyler. “You poked my side.”
“Just trying to find your hand. Okay, here it is.”
“Do not let go,” said Conall. “Once you lose your partner, you may not be able to find them again without speaking, which could endanger you. And I state again that we have no idea how long this potion lasts. So be ready to hide should it wear off. If that happens, just make your way back to these trees as well as you can.”
“A sensible plan,” said Laughlin.
“Now, is everyone okay?”
“We’re fine,” said Meyler.
“Yep,” said Riley.
“We are, for now, just looking around. Take no action. Once we meet back here, we will know the lay of the land and plan our course of action. Everyone understand?”
“Aye,” said Meyler and Laughlin.
“We got it,” added Riley.
“We’ll see everyone back here in two hours. Fare thee well.”
Thirty-Seven
Conall led Jessica out of the woods and into the cleared area of land alongside the road to the compound. She immediately lost track of the others. There was no sound from their footfalls nor could she see footprints in the thin grass. But she knew where Conall was. His hand felt warm and comforting in hers. She felt guilty for enjoying Conall’s touch. More than guilty. She felt irritated, almost angry.
She squeezed her other hand tight into a ball. It was wrong. She shouldn’t treat Curtis that way. She felt a surge of conflicted anxiety and wanted to release Conall’s hand. To free herself from the guilt. But she couldn’t. She was forced to hold it and to enjoy the warmth. And though she could hardly stand to think of letting Curtis go, the anticipation of more with Conall moved her. If only she could turn off her feelings. If only Conall hadn’t kissed her.
She felt a sudden tight squeeze from Conall.
“Ahead!” he whispered.
Two men walked toward them along the road, having passed through the main gate of the compound. They had empty packs draped over their shoulders, and their white clothing was blotted with stains. Jessica assessed them as farmers, perhaps selling their produce in the town and now heading home.
Conall tugged on her hand and they moved to the side of the road.
“Be careful not to stir up dust with your feet,” whispered Conall.
The two men walked past them without a glance in their direction. Jessica and Conall stood quietly for a minute, watching the two men walk further down the road.
“The elixir seems to be working,” said Conall.
“So far, so good,” returned Jessica. “But if we get close enough to other people, they may sense we’re near, so we have to be careful.”
“Just stay close. Do not release my hand.”
“I’ll hold on tight,” she said and gave him a reassuring squeeze. She did like the security of him next to her even though they were invisible. And his strength reassured her. It wasn’t that she liked being dependent, but this was a vulnerability she felt comfortable embracing while invisible. It felt like she had someone to count on.
Weird. I don’t need someone to count on. But I want someone to count on. Is that weakness?
The remainder of the half-mile walk to the compound was free of encounters with other travelers, so there was no danger in openly speaking to one another.
“God, it’s so hot and humid in this place!” said Jessica.
“Aye. But it is bearable.”
“I guess. But I am so sweaty. And what’s with all this mist?”
“By the way, I want to thank you for once again putting yourself at risk for our sakes. You and Riley.”
Jessica couldn’t see Conall’s face, but by now she knew it would have an expression of honest simplicity. She liked that about him. There was no pretense with Conall. Nothing fake.
She placed her other hand on top of Conall’s. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” she said. And she meant it. Visiting a strange, mysterious world with new friends, she felt something that had been buried for a long time starting to awaken. She had to admit she was afraid and concerned for the welfare of Conall and his brothers, but she felt alive and even enjoyed the risk. Something she hadn’t done much of. If only she had a minute and a piece of paper, she would have written a poem about it.
They left the main lane, which led into the compound through the main gate and crossed over a field to wind their way to the south wall. As they rounded the corner to the south side of the compound, the tall four-story structure they had spotted back in the woods loomed over them.
They were relieved to find a small gate on the south wall. It was open and no one was standing guard, so they entered through it without issue. As they stepped through, the tall building was on their immediate right. To their left was what appeared to be a modest residence with a small pond near its front entrance, and beyond it was a work yard with stables on its far side.
Jessica looked up at the towering, glittering roof of the imposing building. It clearly had the look of a palace, or at least it looked like the elaborate residence of someone important.
“If I were the king’s daughter, I would live in there,” she whispered.
“It does stand out from these other buildings.”
“Since time is of the essence, let’s go straight in,” suggested Jessica. “If we find her, we report back to the others in the woods as planned.”
“Agreed. Unless a great opportunity presents itself.”
Jessica wasn’t sure what would constitute a great opportunity. Spotting a full vial of blue elixir in Keeva’s hand as she napped, and snatching it away? Yeah, that would work.
They followed the edge of the palatial structure to its front facade. Several tall Derfarians milled around in the courtyard that lay before the main entrance. A flight of stairs went up to a large doorway with massive stone doors made of sandstone and bordered with bands of silver-colored metal. A guard was standing on the top step in a stiff pose, wearing a solid yellow tunic with strange symbols on its front. Standing a few steps below him, two other men talked with him. They wore the normal white robes of the Derfarians.
Even invisible, attempting to enter the royal building by passing up the steps was risky. Not only was there little room to pass between the men standing there, but the Derfarians on the lower steps were animated in their conversation, moving about as they spoke and waving their arms.
“Better not chance it,” said Conall. “If Thallach spoke truthfully, these people are in a state of high alert.”
“Okay. Shall we look around at these other buildings in the meantime?”
“Nay. I am confident we need to go inside this structure. Let’s quietly wait. These men surely have something better to do than banter all day long. They will leave the staircase eventually.”
So they stood and watched. They stepped to the side of the path t
o avoid bumping into passersby. Several Derfarians walked close enough for Jessica to reach out and touch them. They were also close enough to the men on the stairs to hear their boisterous conversation and eruptions of laughter. The men standing on the lower stairs discussed a martial competition the guard by the door had participated in, finishing second. His buddies felt like he had been robbed of first place and were explaining why.
As they waited, Jessica once again became aware of Conall’s hand. Since they weren’t moving, she could justify dropping her arm to her side. But she didn’t want to let go.
“Conall, I have to tell you something,” she whispered in his ear. “That kiss. Your kiss. Was the first time anyone has kissed me since…”
“Since you lost your man?”
“Yes. Since Curtis drowned.”
“And you’ve been true to him ever since.”
“Yes. Ever since.”
“How long is that?”
“Um, more than a year.”
“That’s a long time. But I know, when one is feeling the loss of someone, it is not so long. I can still remember my mom and dad like it was last week.”
Jessica placed her other hand on Conall’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you lost your parents.”
“And I’m sorry I surprised you with a kiss. I shouldn’t have. It was instinct.”
Inside, Jessica felt herself screaming, “Don’t be sorry!” But her lips uttered nothing. She wondered if Curtis was in heaven watching.
The invisibility elixir made Jessica feel completely comfortable, as if she could be blamed by no one. Then she spoke, unable to hold the words back anymore. “There’s something else I need to tell you,” she whispered. Conall said nothing but squeezed her hand, so she continued. “It was…my fault Curtis died. He died because of me. He told me he loved me—that very day. And I didn’t—couldn’t—say it back. He was hurt by that and started acting stupid because of it. He was showing off in front of Sylvia and flirting with her. I think he was trying to make me jealous. He showed off and he drank too much. So he drowned. He drowned because of me.”