Jack glanced at the sky. “We need to be going. Someone could be tracking us.”
He swung up into the saddle.
“You’re riding?” asked Anna. “You believe me?”
Jack reached for her hand and nodded. “We need to ride hard.”
Chapter 8
The urgency in Anna’s heart stifled the beauty of the forest. To the steady beat of Avery’s hooves, Anna told Jack about Farley, the race, the night of the thunderstorm, and how she’d ended up in Lord Anwar’s house. She told him, too, what she remembered of the prophecies spoken.
“It was something about the white city falling and something else about a freed prisoner.” What she remembered most was the horrible voices in her head and those wicked red eyes and claws ready to rip her to shreds. And the choking. She tightened her grip around his waist. His muscles tensed.
“A prisoner escaping? He will be on our tail,” Jack said, nudging Avery forward. The honest horse increased his pace. “We don’t know how the magic gems work,” Jack said. “He may be able to track us.”
“It was actually a blessing they dyed my hair,” said Anna. “If Anwar had had any inkling of who I was, he’d have kept me for ransom, or perhaps worse.”
“Open war would have begun, and many men would have died to get you back,” Jack said.
“I’m afraid war is coming either way,” Anna said.
Anna marveled at how well Avery picked a trail through the overgrown forest. Jack cantered him through the clearings but couldn’t go any faster than a walk through the thickets. It was after mid-day when the forest broke open to a small village, surrounded by farmland.
Jack slid off the horse.
“Water Avery back at that stream,” he said. “Keep under cover. I’ll go buy our supplies.”
“Can’t I just go with you?”
“If there are spies here, they’ll be looking for a man and a woman together,” he said. “Plus, they may recognize my horse. You stay here.” He handed her a long dagger. “Just in case. I won’t be long,” he said, touching his finger to the end of her nose. With one last glance over his shoulder, he ducked through the trees and was gone.
Anna stood for a moment rubbing her nose before turning Avery toward the creek. While she waited, Anna led Avery to patches of grass and watched the horse greedily tear off the tender shoots. After a long time, she heard footsteps behind her. Thankfully, it was Jack, leading a smallish dark grey mare. She had a narrow chest and walked with a slight spring to her step. Atop her slightly arched neck sat a beautiful set of small ears, flickering this way and that. Her head was wide at the eyes, dipped in the middle before flaring out into large nostrils. Her large brown eyes settled on Anna.
“She’s pretty.”
Jack handed her the reins. “Her name is Kokabi.”
Anna peeked under the mare’s forelock and found a splash of white. “I’ll just call her Star,” she said.
He laughed.
“What?”
“I think that is what Kokabi means.”
Anna shrugged. “So I’m not all that original. Did you bring anything to eat?” She stroked the horse’s silken neck. Anna might not love the land in this part of the world, but they produced incredible horses.
“Hey,” he said, tossing her some bread. “I think you ate last.”
Anna laughed. “But I hadn’t eaten for a long time before that.”
They dug into the bread, cheese and apples he had bought. Then they watered the horses and set their path for the day. Anna held out her apple core for Star, who gobbled it down. Avery nickered, and Jack offered his.
“You’ll have these horses spoiled.” The right side of his mouth always pulled up into the smile first, giving his half-smiles a lop-sided look.
“Star will work for me because she wants to, not because she has to,” Anna said.
Along with the horse and food, he’d brought trousers for her to wear under her dress for riding and a dagger, which she belted to her waist.
Jack gestured over his shoulder. “We’ll be heading north now, in the open,” he said.
Jack shrugged, and Anna moved her mare behind him and Avery. He alternated walking, cantering and trotting along the way. Star was the sort of horse who could go at this pace all day. She wasn’t even breathing hard. At nightfall they camped near some large bushes. They ate, grazed and watered the horses before settling down for another night under the stars. The warm air cooled off just right for sleeping. Anna mused if the danger hadn’t been so great and her desire to get home so urgent, she would be thoroughly enjoying herself. She was finally getting the adventure she’d always wanted. She chuckled to herself, and Jack glanced her way.
“Something funny?”
“No. It’s just the irony that I used to want to get away from Sunderland. Now I’m trying to get back as fast as I can.” Color rose to her cheeks as she realized her mistake.
“Why would you want to get away from Sunderland? Are you betrothed?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s a long story.” She sighed, and they sat in silence for a moment. Anna met Jack’s thoughtful stare. “Seeing all this beautiful, dangerous country kind of makes me wish I had paid more attention to my geography lessons.”
“I can’t imagine you giving your tutors a hard time,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“I was appalling.”
“That bad?”
“Father hired five—no six tutors for me. They all quit.”
Jack laughed. “Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow we will cross a small section of the desert. Make sure you drink enough water because it will be hot.”
“I thought we weren’t going over the desert.” Anna frowned.
“We’re not. This is just a thin finger of sand that points to the east. It will take a day to cross, and then there will be more grassland and trees leading to the mountains. We will come to Sunderland from the east after we cross the ridge.”
That night Anna tossed and turned in the cool night air. When she finally slipped into sleep she dreamt of a huge sand-colored snake slithering toward her. It was large enough to swallow a baby goat whole. Small horns rose from its head over its red eyes, which were marked with black stripes feathering out from the corners. It moved closer. With purpose.
Anna couldn’t close her eyes. She couldn’t move. She opened her mouth in a silent scream as it rose up before her, staring at her with murder in its eyes.
It’s just a dream, she told herself. The words brought peace. Just relax and it will go away.
“Yessss. Relaxxxx. It will all be over sssoon,” hissed the snake.
Just a dream. Snakes don’t talk.
She was no longer afraid of the coming death. It was only a dream. Her heartbeat slowed.
The snake reared back to strike, and Anna tried to close her eyes, but her eyelids wouldn’t move. As its head lurched forward a long dagger came out of nowhere and lopped it off just inches before its fangs hit her neck.
She woke up to Jack shaking her.
“By the gods, you were in a trance.”
“I had a horrible dream.” She propped up onto her elbows, saw the snake’s head resting in her lap and let loose a piercing scream startling both horses. She leaped up and watched as the snake’s body shrank from its twelve-foot length to a normal four-foot desert viper, which was horrible enough.
“What was that?” Anna asked. Her whole body trembled.
“I don’t know,” Jack answered. Not comforting words.
“Let’s get out of here,” she whispered to Jack.
“Agreed.”
Jack’s hands shook as he wiped the blade clean.
“Can we ride in the dark?” Anna asked.
“The moon is almost full and even if it weren’t, I’m not staying here.”
Jack helped saddle Star, and they packed up camp. Anna couldn’t get away fast enough. Even steady Star was a little jumpy.
They mounted and rode side-by-side into the desert,
and before long, the sun climbed over the long, flat horizon on their right. They were headed north. Anna felt like death—like she hadn’t slept for weeks and now wasn’t sure she would ever sleep again. Every time she blinked she saw that snake—and those eyes were the same murderous eyes that had haunted her in the closet. She shivered in the cool morning breeze.
When they stopped a few hours later she was already sweating. Anna was amazed how the sand reflected the heat. She was melting. Jack managed to find a stream, but it was almost dry. The horses wasted no time in drinking from the bottom. Anna sipped from the canteen. She realized now why they couldn’t cross the whole desert. They mounted again, and the horses jogged on. After some time, Anna’s eyes lost focus. She was hypnotized by the constant jingle of the bridle. Hot horse, hot air, hot saddle, hot self. Jing, jing, jing went the curb chain. Sweat poured from her forehead and burned her eyes. She appreciated the white head covering Jack had given her. It seemed to reflect some heat.
When she thought she could go on no more, Jack slowed Avery to a walk. Motioning for her to dismount, he did the same and loosened the horses’ girths. Anna wanted to flop onto the sand, but it would scorch her skin. It was burning her feet through her shoes. She didn’t know how the horses stood it. Poor Star was breathing hard and sweating profusely. Jack let Anna have a drink from the canteen and then to her astonishment, poured a whole one out into a special leather pouch for the horses to drink. He let Avery take more than half and then poured more from the other canteen. Star consumed it as well.
“Is there any left for us?” Anna asked.
“I didn’t know it would be so dry already,” Jack said, frowning. “The last two watering holes were empty. We’re pushing on.”
Anna hadn’t even realized they had passed any watering holes. The terrain was an ocean of brown sand.
The horses grunted as they remounted. Jack let them walk for about an hour, then pushed into a trot. The sun was now directly overhead. Jack stopped again and let the horses finish off the water. Anna’s tongue was thick. She longed for just one swallow.
“We need to find shade,” Anna said.
Jack shrugged. “There is none. We will have to make it.”
At last, as the sun tipped over toward the west, Anna made out a gray shape on the horizon.
“Jack,” she gasped. “What is that?”
“Trees,” Jack said. “We’ll be there within the hour.”
Relief pulsed through her, but Anna didn’t waste her strength on a reply.
True enough, in about half an hour, patches of brown grass appeared under the horses’ hooves. Hard earth and rocks shot up through the sand. Jack slowed the horses to a walk. The trees overhead finally offered relief from the scorching sun. They rested there about an hour before thirst drove them on. The horses were cool now and could be allowed to drink. Too much cool water on a hot horse’s stomach can kill them. She felt the dried sweat on her mare’s chest as she walked beside her. She was no longer heaving for air.
“What a good girl you were today,” she whispered to her weary horse. She didn’t know how much longer the poor thing could make it. Just then the horses quickened their pace. Star nickered. Trickling water! The horses had already smelled it. Star pulled on the reins, plunging forward down the bank of a stream. Plenty of fresh, cool water bubbled up here from the earth. All four of them sank their faces into the stream. Anna stood and took her horse’s bridle off, leaving the reins around her neck. The two horses drank for a long time, pressing their lips down and drawing long, cool, delicious mouthfuls. Anna dunked her head in the water and let her hair run down her back. Oh, a bath would be so nice. She glanced at Jack, who had finished splashing his head with water and began filling the canteens.
“What’s the plan?” Anna said, yawning. She could sleep for a week.
“I told you we’d make it,” he said, playfully splashing her.
“Hey!” Anna cried. “You don’t want to start this!” she said, splashing him back.
Jack laughed and climbed out of the creek, leading Avery. “The horses need to rest,” he said, stripping his horse of his saddle and packs. Anna did the same. Then they led the horses back to the creek where they drank again. Her mare got down and rolled in the stream. Anna laughed.
“You’ve bought me a silly little mare,” she called to Jack, who laughed at her as well.
“She was more like priceless today, yes?” He winked.
Her heart warmed. She owed him.
They put halters on the horses, tied them to ground stakes and let them find what grass there was. Anna sat down beside Jack.
“You know, you will be greatly rewarded when we return,” Anna said. “I am truly grateful.”
He nodded.
“I know you spent a lot of money on the horse and gear,” she added.
“I’m not doing this for a reward,” he answered. “You must know that.”
“I do.” Anna bit her bottom lip. “I just, well…wanted to thank you anyway.” Anna lost her words. How could she convey her appreciation? Conversation with Jack was easy. Being with him was easy. He treated her with kindness and respect, was quick to smile, yet she knew instinctively he’d fight to the death for her. Even with the fear of the coming attack on her kingdom, she was happier than she’d been in a long time. She had a purpose, and that felt good.
She lay back in the grass, exhausted, and closed her eyes. She wanted to put the feeling into words for Jack, but found herself speechless. It probably didn’t matter, for on some level, he probably felt the same way. She opened her eyes and found him watching her. There was care and concern mixed with grim determination in his blue eyes, so bright against his tan skin. Her cheeks pulled up into a smile as her stomach flipped. She could lose herself in those eyes. “So we rest here?”
Jack glanced up. The trees were quiet. Not a bird singing or a branch rustling. “I’d like to move on a bit. Anyone following us will come here first. It won’t do to have them find us napping. Not that I can get a lot of sleep after that snake.”
So it had bothered him, too.
“Do you think someone is still following us?”
Jack frowned.
“Or something? I don’t know,” he said. “But I’d rather be safe.”
They moved the horses to the edge of a small clearing where they could either eat or rest in the shade. Both chose to nibble and then dose, nose to rear, heads hanging down.
Anna leaned back against a tree. She closed her eyes, but all she could think about was getting her sticky, stinking body back to the stream. Jack appeared ready to drop off. Do I wake him?
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I wanted to let you know I’m going back to the stream to get a real bath. If you’d like to stay here,” she said, standing up. “I’ll be right back.” She picked up her dagger and started walking toward the stream. I’d like to at least wash out some of these underclothes. They are soaked with sweat. He jumped up.
“You’re not going back there alone.”
“Well, I’m not exactly comfortable bathing with you standing over me!” she said irritably. “Surely I can be trusted for ten minutes.”
“It’s not a matter of trust,” Jack caught her arm. “That is the first watering hole off the desert. Someone, anyone, could see you.”
“So, I’ll go a little further downstream, closer to camp.” She pulled away from him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”
He stared at her. “Make it quick,” he finally said.
She rolled her eyes. “Jack—you advise me on what to do every second we’re together. Please leave me alone for once. I’ll be fine.”
He scowled as she marched off. She immediately felt bad for what she’d said. She talked to herself as she went. It’s just a quick bath. I can take care of myself for ten minutes.
“Anna!” he called to her. “Come back for a second.” Her irritation grew worse. Perhaps the hot sun had drained all the courtesy out of her.
“W
hat?” Anna called back in a sharp tone she was surprised to hear come out of her mouth. He ran up and tossed her a hard chunk of something. She smelled it. “Soap!” She flashed an embarrassed smile and tromped off.
Anna had intended to bathe closer to camp, but as she reached the stream, she realized the original point was the only good place for getting down the banks. She headed through the trees and down the bank to the edge of the creek. Immediately, she took off her clothes and dipped her body in. She had to lie on her stomach to not touch the bottom. She lathered up and let the small current carry the soap and dirt away. Ah, heaven! Anna could have stayed there all day, but remembering her promise to be quick, she climbed on a rock, dried for a moment and pulled her dirty outer covering around her. I wish I could wash all these filthy clothes, she thought. At least she dunked her underclothes in and swished them in the clear water.
Just then, she heard a splash behind her. She sat up straight. A small creature swam toward her. It was the size of a medium dog with a mouse-brown coat. A beaver? Anna jumped up when its head came out of the water. Their eyes met. Its face was like a seal’s with long white teeth protruding out of its mouth. It squealed and dove under the water, splashing its large, webbed front feet.
Anna was already backing up out of the water when another one emerged—five times the size of the first. Its mother? Clutching her clothes to her chest, Anna scrambled up the bank and bolted toward camp.
With a leap, the thing was after her, snarling and slapping its giant webbed claws through the water as it raced behind her. It was as fast as a bear. Anna ran through the underbrush, screaming as she went. By any god in heaven, please help.
“Jack! Help!” was all she could manage as she crashed toward camp. Every time a branch scratched or pulled at her she was sure the creature’s claws were grabbing her. “Jack!” It was catching her. She dared not turn around, but felt its weight pounding the ground after her. She dropped her clothes as she scrambled over a fallen tree—where was camp?
As she screamed again an arrow whizzed over her head. Then another, and another, and another. Anna glanced over her shoulder. The creature stumbled to a halt and shook its head. It snarled a last time and headed back to its wailing young one she heard in the distance.
Gems of Fire: A Young Adult Fantasy Page 9