Encircled

  Despite my long legs, I wasn’t cut out to be a cross-country runner. I jogged for a time, then slowed to a brisk walk. Nothing seemed to follow in pursuit, but every scurrying squirrel and clattering twig made me flinch.

  The broad, leafy oaks and maples gradually gave way to towering pines. The trees were spread farther apart here, the terrain rockier. But still no sign of human civilization.

  Or civilization of any kind.

  I walked on in an increasing daze, barely taking in the passing scenery. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening...

  “An’ where do you think you’re going, miss?”

  I jumped and tripped on a rock, catching myself before my knee scraped the ground. A short, stocky man in a long jacket, button-up vest, and pantaloons stood amid the rocks. Between his attire and the long, brown hair he had pulled into a tidy ponytail at the nape of his neck, he could’ve marched straight out of a Revolutionary War reenactment. In miniature—barely taller than my waist. With a cute little beard.

  “I... I was just passing through. Sorry.”

  “No need for apologies. We don’t see many humans round these parts.” He bowed and tipped his tricorn hat.

  We? As I straightened, six more similarly-garbed figures filed out from behind a boulder.

  “Oh.” I took a step back. While I was several heads taller than these petite men, I was definitely outnumbered. “Who are you?”

  The first one chuckled, the sound reminiscent of a rock skittering down a ravine. “Never seen a dwarf before, eh? Sir Lennox, at your service.”

  The rest stepped forward and introduced themselves, all as “Sir” such-and-such, performing the same bow and hat tip as Sir Lennox. In other circumstances, the rigid similarity of their movements would’ve made me giggle.

  “Sir Teppen.” The last one’s bow was the deepest yet. “And who might you be, lass?”

  “Umm. Melia.”

  “An’ what brings you to the Dwarf-Lands, Miss Melia?” asked Sir Teppen again.

  “I want to go home, but apparently I can’t get back through the same portal I came in.”

  “Mmm, portals ’re a tricky business.” Sir Teppen clicked his tongue. “Is there trouble? You seemed to be tryin’ to escape.” The others shifted behind him, all their eyes on me.

  I bunched my skirt in my fingers. “A dryad led me into the forest beyond the portal. He intended to—to do me harm, but then he changed his mind and insisted I escape the dryad realms.”

  “Dryad?” Sir Lennox gave Sir Teppen a perplexed look. “Odd, that. Usually keep to themselves. Not that I’m doubtin’ your word.”

  “I fear nothin’ in the Dwarf-Lands’ll get you back to your fellow humans.” Sir Teppen scratched at his short, neatly-clipped beard. “Why don’t you come inside, and we’ll sort it out?”

  Inside? I glanced around, but nothing resembled a dwelling of any kind.

  “The rest of you can move along to the forge.” Sir Lennox motioned to his peers. “Sir Teppen an’ I’ll join you there ’n a bit.”

  Following murmurs of agreement, the other five shuffled off. While none appeared unfriendly, it was a relief to face only two small men instead of seven.

  “Now, follow us, lass.” Sir Teppen motioned to me. “Watch your head. You’re a bit tall for the Dwarf-Lands.”

  He led us toward a rocky cliff. For having such short legs, the dwarves were surprisingly nimble picking their way across the stones.

  I gasped when we reached the cliff face. What had seemed from a distance to be a fissure in an otherwise flat sheet of rock turned out to be the opening of a vast cave. I paused, torn between entering the cave and continuing my flight.

  Sir Lennox twisted to face me. “You’ve nothin’ to fear from us, Miss Melia. I don’t know what the dryads’re about, takin’ arms against an innocent human, but we mean you no harm.”

  In part due to his earnest expression, in part my exhaustion, I believed him. My mouth fell open as I followed him inside.

  Tables and chairs carved from stone. Crystals glowed from indents in the walls, creating eerie, colorful light. Even their mattresses perched on large slabs of stone. Along one wall, shelves hewn into the rock held stacks of pewter dishes and utensils. A fountain bubbled in a corner, surrounded by a large basin.

  “Pardon the mess. We spend nearly all our time ’n the forge these days. Doesn’t leave much time for tidyin’ up.”

  I tore my eyes away from my surroundings to glance at Sir Teppen. He threaded and unthreaded his fingers, a pink tint flushing his ashen skin.

  Further inspection revealed dirty dishes clustered in uneven piles on one edge of the makeshift counter. Discarded clothes littered the floor near the beds, which were in a state of disarray.

  “I don’t mind. Really.”

  “Well, take a seat.” Sir Teppen rested his hand on the back of a chair. I sat, the stone cool against the backs of my legs through my skirt.

  Sir Lennox chose a chair across from me, while Sir Teppen rummaged in the shelves behind us.

  I shifted against the hard stone. “So you work in a forge? Do you make weapons?”

  “Aye, shields ’n armor, as well.” Sir Lennox removed his hat and placed it before him on the table. “There’s war comin’ to the Dwarf-Lands.”

  “War?”

  “Dwarves’re a power-hungry people.”

  “An’ a gold-hungry people,” Sir Teppen added from behind us.

  Sir Lennox nodded his agreement. “They’re askin’ for weapons ’n armor faster’n we can make ’em.” He passed a hand over his hair. “But that’s not a problem for today. Why d’you think the dryads mean you harm, Miss Melia?”

  “They don’t all mean me harm. At least, I hope not. But the dryad who led me through the portal said he worked for the Queen of the Eastern Realm.”

  “Queen Espina.” Sir Lennox hissed out the name. “Not right in the head, that one.”

  “Downright paranoid, she is.” Sir Teppen joined us, setting a bowl filled with broth and what appeared to be chunks of potato and meat before me. “Here, lass. You must be hungry.”

  My stomach gurgled. “Thank you.” I took a bite. The soup, if you could call it that, was room temperature, the strange meat chewy. Good thing I was ravenous, or I’d never have gotten it down. “What is she paranoid about?”

  “She does ’ave her reasons.” Sir Teppen spread his stumpy fingers on the table. “Her claim on the throne’s tenuous, at best. If they ever find an heir of the true royal family, she’d be ousted ’fore she knew what hit her.”

  “But why would she feel threatened by me? I’m not even a dryad.”

  “Who’s to say?” Sir Lennox shrugged. “She’s the type who strikes first, asks questions later.” His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized my face. “You’re a right pretty one, too. Won’t do you any favors with the queen. She never did like rivals.”

  She wanted to kill me because I was pretty? Suddenly the girls at school seemed downright cordial.

  “I really just want to get home.”

  They exchanged a look I couldn’t decipher.

  “It won’t be easy.” Sir Teppen patted my hand. “But we may be able to find a portal leadin’ back to the human world.”

  “You’re going to help me?” My spoon clattered to the table.

  “O’ course, Miss Melia. We’ve no complaints against humans, and an enemy o’ Queen Espina’s likely to be a friend of ours. Besides, tisn’t right for a creature to be separated from ’er own kind.” Sir Lennox rose. “But for today, we must be off to work. Tomorrow, Sir Teppen ’n I...”

  “You’re needed at the forge, Lennox.” Sir Teppen also stood. “I’ll take Sir Alban along.”

  Sir Lennox pressed his lips together. “So be it.”

  “We’ll depart first thing ’n the morning. The nearest portal’s likely to be in satyr territory.” Sir Teppen turned back to me. “In the meantime, you’d best stay hidden here. With any luck, the queen won’t think to
look for you in the Dwarf-Lands any time soon.”

  Hang out in a cave all day when my parents could be in danger? No, thanks. “Couldn’t I start searching for another portal myself?”

  Sir Teppen shook his head. “Too dangerous, lass. I’m sorry. Couldn’t risk it, not with Queen Espina after you. An’ without any o’ the magic of our world, you likely wouldn’t be able to spot a portal even if you walked right past it.”

  I forced my foot to stay in place rather than kick the table. Sit around uselessly, it was. “Well, you’d best head off to work, then.” I rose, not wanting to risk any disrespect. “Thank you for offering shelter. And your help.”

  “You’re welcome, Miss Melia. Tis our pleasure.” Sir Lennox bowed. “Now, don’t step one foot outside this cave, you hear?”

  I nodded.

  “Stay safe, lass.” Sir Teppen waved as they disappeared beyond the cave entrance.

  “What happened?” A screech tore from the queen’s throat.

  The flawless face and figure of the girl floated on the surface of the reflecting pool, mocking her. The girl was traipsing about the Dwarf-Lands, of all places.

  She looked to her line of remaining sentinels, who cowered under her glare. Weaklings, every one.

  The girl lived on, with Aiken nowhere to be found. The child must possess powerful magic to overtake the queen’s top sentinel.

  Splashing at the water’s surface, she rose from the moss lining the lake’s edge.

  She didn’t need Aiken. She didn’t need any of them. It was time she took care of this pretty little usurper herself.

  Chapter 5

  HMM, WHAT NEXT? I surveyed the broad space, stooping to straighten mussed blankets and pick up stray socks as I went. The day before, I’d swept, dusted, and tackled the pile of dirty dishes, much to the delight of my hosts when they returned late in the evening. At least, I assumed it’d been late in the evening. It was nearly impossible to tell from the tiny shaft of natural light peeking through the hidden opening to the cave. Sir Teppen and Sir Alban had departed for the satyr territory almost as soon as we’d all risen this morning, pausing only to gather supplies and eat a hearty breakfast of potatoes and the same tough meat from the day before. Soon after, the other dwarves had set out for another day at the forge.

  I tossed the socks and other miscellaneous articles of clothing onto the growing heap of garments. What they really needed help with next was laundry. But did I dare? As they left, the dwarves had repeated their stern warnings to stay within the cave. I could wash the clothes at the spring, but they’d never dry in this damp space.

  I gathered an armful of clothes. If I worked quickly, I could lay them outside to dry for most of the day, then bring them back in before the dwarves returned. Popping outside for a few minutes could hardly cause any harm.

  An hour later, I wiped a hand across my brow. I’d never take our washing machine for granted again. Assuming I ever got home. Wincing, I gathered the clean clothes onto a large blanket and hefted it to the mouth of the cave. Apparently, dwarves had never heard of such a thing as a basket. Warm, bright air beckoned me from the entrance, stirring my senses. I couldn’t have asked for a safer, more hospitable place to stay in this strange world, but after one day in the cave, I longed for trees, sunshine, and a fresh breeze.

  Squinting into the sunny morning, I emerged and took a deep breath. The Dwarf-Lands were populated by more rocks than plants, but the air still held a crisp, clean scent. I placed the blanket carefully on the ground and flexed my fingers. No tree branches nearby, so rocks would have to do.

  I set to work stretching shirts, trousers, and socks across the flattest surfaces I could find. A song came to mind, and I sang quietly. I could almost be in a good mood, were I not cut off from the human world, the subject of a random dryad queen’s ire, and powerless to protect my parents.

  The song died on my lips.

  “Keep singing, child. You’re quite good.”

  I gasped and straightened, dropping a shirt in a wet lump. A woman stooping over a cane crested the top of the hill. Despite her hunched back, she was still taller than me, and her skin and hair were earthy tones of faded brown. Even in her old age, she held an ethereal beauty reminiscent of my would-be killer. Dryad.

  “Excuse me, I’m heading inside.” I moved slowly, careful not to draw her suspicion by running.

  “That’s not where you want to be, though, is it?” The woman continued her unhurried approach, her cane scratching against the rocks.

  “Of course it is. Good day.” I ducked into the cave’s opening, praying she wouldn’t follow.

  “No need to hide from me, child,” she called. “I’ve come to help.”

  I glanced back, considering her words. Who was she? I could hardly put much stock in the trustworthiness of dryads. But she’d been covered in rag-like weeds, giving the effect of a ratty shawl. Surely not the attire of a queen.

  Curiosity got the best of me. “Help with what?”

  I stepped out enough to see her.

  “Ah, I thought you might want to hear what I had to say.” She tapped her cane, or rather, polished branch, against the ground with satisfaction. “You need help getting back to your own people.”

  “How did you know that? Who are you?”

  She raised her hand in an innocent gesture. “Just old Lilith, a lowly dryad from the Southern Realm. It’s obvious you don’t fit in here, child. Humans don’t belong in Bradaigh.”

  Fair point. “But why are you here? And how could you help?”

  “Yes, yes. Some welcome for the poor, ancient dryad who’s come to your aid.”

  Guilt from her reprimand warred with the alarm bells still ringing in my head. I didn’t respond.

  “That boy who took you into our realm walked you right past my tree, and I sensed he was up to no good.” She heaved a sigh. “I’ve been trying to track you ever since, but these tired legs don’t move very quickly. Especially so far from my source. And before setting out, I had to make this.” She withdrew a gleaming silver apple from beneath her weedy drapings.

  My breath caught, and I resisted the urge to move closer.

  “Ah, now I have your attention.”

  “What is that?” Despite its color, it looked impossibly like a real apple rather than a replica fashioned from silver or nickel.

  “Your passage home.” She made a sound that might’ve been a cough. “An apple infused with Darach. One bite, and you can find your own way back to the human world.”

  I couldn’t form any words. She knew a lot about me, but I had no idea if she was telling the truth.

  “Well, child, don’t you want it? Or have I wasted my trip?” Lilith shifted her weight.

  “No. I mean, yes. I’ll take it.” I ran forward and snatched it from her hand.

  “One bite.” She nodded, blinking slowly. “You’ll be home in no time.”

  I retreated to the cave entrance. “Not yet. I’d like to say goodbye to the dwarves first.” I wasn’t sure I trusted her enough to take a bite at all. But no need to tell her that.

  “A good friend, then. And a smart girl, to be cautious.” She started to walk away, then turned back. “But know this. The magic won’t last forever. Ends at midnight this very evening. By tomorrow, that fruit will be an ordinary apple once more.”

  “Good to know.” The apple seemed to grow heavier in my hand. “Thank you.” I waved and hurried inside.

  Setting the apple on an empty shelf, I rinsed my hands in the spring. The peculiar fruit could be full of strange toxins. Still, it did hold a strong appeal. I turned to study it from across the cave. Aiken had said silver indicated dryad magic. And old, haggard Lilith hardly looked like the type his vain queen would associate with. Surely she just wanted to help me get home.

  I shook my head. There was obviously a lot about the dryad realms I didn’t understand. Best to wait for the dwarves to return.

  I spent the remainder of the day trying to keep busy. Trying to keep my
mind off that apple. I organized and re-organized the shelves. Peeled a mound of potatoes I found in a sack. Straightened the dwarves’ sheets and blankets to perfection, until coins would bounce off of them. But the apple drew my gaze like a magnet. It almost glowed in the cave’s strange lighting, calling to me.

  I could be out in the forest right now. Searching for a way home, with some hope of succeeding. Lilith had said I only needed to take one bite. If she were trying to poison me, wouldn’t she encourage me to eat the entire thing? Unless the poison was that lethal…

  Venturing out to retrieve the dwarves’ almost-dry clothes, I peered around. No sign of them, or Lilith. Back inside, I folded the clothes neatly, arranging them in several piles. I studied the unusual glowing stones around the room, then sat in a chair, kicking my feet against the table’s solid base.

  I peeked outside again. Nothing. Though I couldn’t guess the specific time, the sun sagged in the sky like a wilting flower.

  Enough.

  I marched back into the cave and plucked the apple from the shelf. No one could expect me to sit around, wasting so much time, when a solution was easily within my grasp. Giving the apple one last once-over, I took a bite.

  A strange, metallic taste mingled with the apple’s sweet juice on my tongue. With a satisfied smile, I stowed the remaining apple in the pocket of my skirt and set out toward the mouth of the cave. A twinge of guilt prodded my heart at the thought of leaving without saying goodbye. But I’d done all I could for the dwarves. Now it was time to help myself.

  I strode out the cave entrance, this time never to return. Stepping into the waning sunshine, I opened my arms to my new-found freedom. The tingling sensation running through my veins had to be a sign of Darach.

  Then I stumbled, and everything went dark.

  He removed his hands from her limp arm and turned to the figures watching his every move from across the bed.

  “I think I can extract it. But as I warned you before, I fear—”

  “We understand.” Her father dragged a hand down his face. “There doesn’t seem to be any other way.”