by Unknown
And there was no mistaking those eyes, that hair, that face. She had to be my sister’s child.
The spell reoriented itself and I drew back to strike the girl. Oh goddess, not again!
Out of the corner of my right eye, up towards my sword, I saw a brief white flash and heard a sound like water sizzling on a hot iron. Then I heard a deafening voice....The voice of my dead sister, “Stop Huntress, my dearest Kerrin,” it said calmly. “By my command, I say stop.”
And the spell suddenly released. The hair which anchored my hunt drifted free from my wrist.
I lowered my sword and cradled it in disbelief. What had just happened? Then I saw. On the blade just shy of the guard, one of the two tear stains was gone.
My world suddenly wheeled. Faydra had saved them! I stumbled to a bench and sat down on it heavily. I laid my sword across my lap and put my head in my hands. Exhaustion was heavy on me, as was usual for when the spell completed. My mouth felt as dry as high summer, and my stomach felt unsettled and hungry at the same time.
I considered the pair before me. Some of the terror had left the old woman’s eyes, and the little girl watched me warily. She was the spitting image of her mother. I guessed her to be three or four years old. Her hair was lighter than Faydra’s, but definitely her mother’s red hue. She was dressed in a plain blue dress with feet bare and her hair loose. There looked to be flour on her nose.
I never knew that Faydra had a child. She had stayed with her husband for almost a year, before he mysteriously died. Her husband’s brother took the throne of that kingdom, and about the same time, Faydra vanished. Father refused to talk about her and would not allow me to hunt for her. I feared her imprisoned or dead. But a year after her disappearance, I received a lone letter saying very little except she was alive, well, and unable to return. There had been no mention of a baby.
Which meant she fled the new lord, afraid for her child. That also explained why she hadn’t returned home, since our Father would have either quietly killed the child, or used her as an excuse to challenge the new lord’s power.
I slowly stood and sheathed my sword. “I’m sorry for breaking into your home,” I said to the woman as I stood. I reached down and began to gather the things I had knocked to the floor in my rush to enter. “The girl is Faydra’s daughter, isn’t she?”
The older woman’s eyes went wide and her mouth drew into an ohh before she nodded.
The little girl scooted out from behind the woman and wagged a finger at me. “Don’t be mean to Nanny. That’s not nice!”
I couldn’t help but smile. The girl had her mother’s temperament too. I went to one knee in front of her to bring her more to eye level. “And pray tell, what is your name?”
The girl stood up straight and pushed her hair out of her eyes. “Veretie. And what pray tell is yours?”
I nodded at the direct question. “I am Kerrin. I was your...”
“You’re my aunt! My mother’s sister!” she blurted out. She stepped forward a huge smile on her face. “She told me stories about you. I especially liked the one where you were hiding in the stables and got stung by bees.” She emphasized the point by pinching the air.
My heart twisted in my chest. She was so much like her mother. And I nearly killed her. If it hadn’t been for Faydra’s magic, she would be dead. Why would father consider the girl a traitor?
One thing was sure, I couldn’t leave her here. Father’s guards were not too far behind and they would report my failure. I looked to her guardian and knew there was no way they could run fast enough to get away even with my help. And if I tried to run with them, the Huntress Collar would drag me back.
No, there was only one path forward. I had to take Veretie to my father and pray I could convince him something had gone wrong.
I leaned forward and ruffled the girl’s hair. “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
A week later, I strode into my father’s court holding Veretie in my left arm. I had been walking much too fast for her so I just scooped her up and carried her. She did not complain and instead, rode on my arm in silent dignity, as if she were the queen and I her mount. I had stopped outside the castle and changed her into her finest dress (a long light green one) and matching slippers. I had pulled her hair back in tight braids just like Faydra had worn in her youth. To me, she looked like a vision of the past.
Unfortunately, I found the throne room was completely empty. Strange. Father would normally be in court at this time of day. “Where is my father?” I asked the guard by the door.
The guard glanced to the child, clearly curious. “He is likely in his chambers. He’s been ill since you left.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
The guard shrugged. “No one knows. Rumor says poison.”
I thanked the guard, and with a growing sense of unease, went to my father’s chambers. I had expected an argument before I could enter. But I found two new guards outside father’s door, ones that I knew were loyal to my brother.
“Prince Cavan is expecting you, Mistress Kerrin,” said one. They made no comment about the child I held in my arms. I set her down and placed her against the wall next to the guards. “Stay right here,” I ordered. “And don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
She grabbed my hand. “Promise?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Promise.”
She stepped to the wall and put her back against it, seeming to settle in for a wait.
The inside of father’s room smelled of sickness and I could see him lying in his bed. Even in the two weeks I’d been gone, he looked thinner and very pale. Cavan stood by the room’s fireplace playing with his dagger. His special one. Swords had never really thrilled him. They were too big and bulky for his liking. But daggers....They were the weapon of royalty. He always carried three, one on each side of his belt and one in his boot. The one in the boot was coated with poison.
His eyes went up when he saw me.
I ignored him and went to my father’s bedside. “What’s wrong, Father? What happened?”
Father turned yellow eyes to me and tried to talk. But only garbled sounds came out. He raised his head weakly from his pillow and pointed a wavering arm at my brother. He held it only a moment or two before it fell to the bed. My father panted with the exertion.
I turned to Cavan. “What happened? He was well when I left.”
Cavan stepped toward us, repeatedly flipping his dagger end over end and catching it. He ignored my question. He seemed angry. “Did you complete your mission? The servants say you have a child with you.”
I turned to look at father. “The child was my mission. Apparently, there was another mistake and the anchor was wrong. There is no way she could have been the target.” I looked back to him as he slowly approached, flipping the dagger end over end. His expression made me uneasy.
Cavan stopped his incessant motion and pointed the dagger toward the bed. “Father’s dying. The physician thinks it’s poison.”
“Then why isn’t the physician trying to make an antidote?”
My brother shrugged. “He tried, but it didn’t work. I finally dismissed him.”
“Then do you know who did this?”
He grinned. “Yes, I do.”
Suddenly I knew without a shadow of doubt...my brother was behind it. And as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t touch him. I began inching toward the door.
He gave the dagger a flip and pointed it in my direction. I knew what he was going to say. “Huntress, extend your arm.”
The spell immediately seized me. I fought it, but it won as always. Slowly my right arm lifted.
He went to father’s bed and pulled a ring from my father’s hand. Then grinning, he slipped it on my finger.
“Don’t....” I pleaded.
He looked up at me innocently. “Don’t what? Kill father? I’ve come too far to stop now.” He shook his head. “I think you’ve realized by now that I made up the rebel story and substituted Faydra’s sca
rf. I brought the girl’s hair too. Father was just taking too long to declare me his successor. I think he was afraid I would kill him. I can’t believe he distrusted me so.”
I felt my anger swell within me. “You made me kill Faydra when she was innocent. Our very own sister?”
He put his special dagger away and reached down to pull one from his boot. The poison one. “Oh yes. Father knew where Faydra was these past few years.” He stepped toward me. “He was even thinking of forgiving her for her past failures and inviting her back. He’s really gotten soft in his old age. But I couldn’t have her competing for the throne...nor her child.” He leaned in close so I could feel his hot breath. “And by the way, it was my suggestion to use the Huntress Collar on you. I had to take care of the bastard too.”
He then plunged the dagger into my right shoulder, leaving it embedded in my flesh. I groaned at the searing pain. And the poison...I could feel it burning as it spread through my blood. In minutes, I would be dead.
“You’ll be the perfect scapegoat.” He switched to a falsetto voice. “Oh it was terrible. She went berserk and killed father. I only saved myself by catching her with my dagger.” He leaned forward again and dropped back to his normal voice, deadly serious. “And don’t worry. I’ll entertain our little niece after you’re dead.” He smiled wickedly. “By my command, seek and kill. Huntress.”
The ring on my right hand slid up tight.
Despite the pain in my shoulder, the spell forced me to draw my blade and I turned toward the bed. I summoned all my resolve and willed myself to stop. Slowly, like some living statue, I ground to a halt.
“Kill him,” my brother shouted from behind me, concern creeping into his voice. My sword began to waiver and sweat beaded on my forehead as I struggled. But the poison was making me too weak. I wouldn’t be able to hold out.
I glanced at my sword and saw the remaining tear drop stain. “Faydra,” I whispered aloud.
Immediately there was a brief flash of light and....
I was standing in a field dressed in my best shirt and vest. I could feel a gentle breeze, scented with spring flowers, tugging gently at my hair and rippling across the grass. Faydra stood before me wearing the same green dress she wore the day I killed her. She smiled at me and tears sprang to my eyes. It was so good to see her. And yet, I knew this was just a vision. This wasn’t really her.
Faydra smiled at me. “My sister, I have just a moment with you. Know that I love you and will keep my promise. You are not responsible for my death, no more than a sword is guilty of how its owner chooses to use it. Feel no guilt over my death.”
“But...” I started.
She held up a hand stopping me, her expression serious. “Time is too short. Cavan had used a spell of silence on the scarf, and as you approached, it would have prevented you hearing my counter command. It was a deadly trap. I had no way out, except to kill you. And I couldn’t do that. The scoundrel was to be rid of at least one of us.”
Faydra shook her head and moved closer. “But I am not innocent either. I will protect my child, and so I too must use you, just as Cavan did. I pray you forgive me. And with our father’s death and my final command, I give you your freedom...And a choice.” She reached forward and touched my cheek. “Please take care of my daughter. You’re the only one strong enough to do it.”
Suddenly, I was back in my body still straining against the spell. I heard the sound of water dancing on a hot iron and saw the tear drop stain melt away.
Immediately, my body burned white hot. Every fiber of my being burned in agony. Then just as suddenly, it was gone and I knew the poison had been magically removed. Then in a loud voice, I heard my dead sister’s command: “Huntress, stop. Instead, by my command, seek and kill Cavan.”
The spell immediately reversed and the dagger in my shoulder drew in tight. Then for once in my life, I willingly worked with the collar as I focused on my new target. Cavan panicked and stepped back, but it was already too late. Before he could open his mouth, my sword found its new target and my brother died.
Panting, I dropped my sword and I fell to my knees; the dagger slipped from my shoulder of its own accord. I clamped my hand over the wound to slow the bleeding, but found it had already stopped. Another gift of Faydra’s healing.
Hearing the noise within, the guards burst into the room with swords drawn. They saw my brother’s body, my wounds and bloody sword. They were quick to figure out what had happened, and being my brother’s men, I expected them to kill me on the spot.
Behind me came a soft whisper, but despite its weakness, it held the voice of command. “Do not...harm her...,” said my father. “Cavan...poisoned me.” He paused to swallow. “Get...captain....”
Seizing the opening my father had made, I reinforced the order. “You heard him! One of you fetch his captain, now!” They glanced at one another and realized where their best chances lay. One of them left out the door while the other covered my brother’s body with a nearby cloak.
Father tried to raise his hand towards me. And I shuffled over on my knees to be closer to the bed. I took his damp hand in mine. “Rest, father, I’ll get the physician.”
He almost imperceptibly shook his head. “Too late...”
I heard little steps just before I felt a tiny body lean on me and wrap her arms around my neck. Veretie had disobeyed and came to find me.
I stood and despite my fatigue, I raised her in my arms. Father’s tired eyes tracked me. He gazed at her seeming to drink in her likeness. “Faydra’s...?”
I nodded. “She’s your granddaughter. Her name is Veretie.”
Father swallowed painfully. “Pretty...like her.”
Just then the captain came running in, followed by several more guards. “Sire, what happened?”
Father weakly motioned him over. “Witness....” he commanded in a whisper. He aimed a trembling finger in our direction. “Faydra’s...daughter...my heir....” And then he turned his tired eyes on me. He took a labored breath. “Kerrin....” His eyes closed and the last word came out so soft, I was the only one to hear it.
“Regent.”
And then father died.
I closed my eyes and couldn’t help the sudden wetness filling them. This was the man I despised. I hated. And as I was discovering, somehow loved.
I blinked back tears and turned to the men in the room. “All of you witness King Liam’s last order.” I raised her as high as I could in my arms. “Veretie, daughter of Faydra, King Liam’s oldest daughter, will be the new ruler of this land.”
The captain nodded his understanding. “I so witness it.” He and his guards all bowed formally to her. Veretie seemed to take the move in stride and bowed back to them from my arms.
Unable to hold her any longer, I placed her on the floor and sat down myself.
Veretie gave me a serious look, clearly concerned. “What will happen now?”
At first, I wasn’t sure how to answer. Faydra had said I had a choice. And I had to admit I was a little angry with her. She had used me to spare the life of her child and place her on the throne. In that respect, she wasn’t any different from Cavan. Now that the curse had run its course, I could walk away. For the first time in my life, I was truly free.
Then I remembered the laughter of my sister’s voice and the friendship we had shared. No, it had been different. I found I didn’t mind her last command, nor her last request.
I looked at Veretie’s gentle face and realized that for me there was only one choice.
“I’m going to take care of you from now on,” I said. “Or at least until you’re old enough to rule. So don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
The child broke into a huge grin and threw her arms around my neck. “Mother said you would.”
A Variation in Silence
by Rebecca G. Eaker
My favorite place to vacation is a Benedictine convent, so I’m familiar with silence. I even prefer it when I write, unlike some authors who can actually
make up playlists for what they listened to while writing their books. In this story Rebecca has come up with an interesting use of both silence and music.
When I asked for her biography, she sent me this:
“Growing up, I watched my father, Jessie Eaker, write several stories for SWORD AND SORCERESS. It seemed liked the coolest thing in the world to me and, to this day, I still treasure my signed copies of his work. It seems only fitting that now my first publication is in SWORD AND SORCERESS alongside my dad.
“I have always been a writer. At a young age, I started writing fantasy, recruiting friends and family to read my work and even making my little brother perform in a play I wrote. This love of writing carried into my high school years, when I would stay up long past my bedtime, just to pen a few pages. I later became a more serious writer, studying English and creative writing at Longwood University in Virginia, where I am now also working on my master’s degree.
“I currently live in Richmond, Virginia, with my loving boyfriend, two cats, and one very noisy pug. I am now in my fifth year of teaching tenth- and twelfth-grade English, a career which certainly makes each day a unique sort of adventure.”
For the girl who lived above the inn, all the world was dark and silent. She had never glimpsed the sunlight flickering among the trees in evening or heard the staccato song of crickets at nightfall. But she had been born this way—unable to see, unable to hear—and so darkness, silence meant nothing to her. For the girl, color was the golden smell of honeysuckle just outside the window and music was the wind that danced across her nose.
She spent many of her days one and the same, waking and sleeping when she pleased, later exploring her small corner of the world. With hands extended, she’d prance about the room, feeling rough cracks in the floorboards or soft folds in the bed’s quilt. Sometimes her mother put lilies on the dresser and the girl held the flowers to her nose, tracing the papery leaves and silken petals with her fingers, tasting the fragrance in the air. Other times, she was content to wallow in the scents that drifted up from the inn below—meat and ale, grease and spice—and to feel the human rumblings that reached through walls and ceilings. But most of all things, she loved to stand by the window, feeling wind or rain or warm sunlight pass by, each like an old friend, each whispering of a world beyond the reach of her grasping fingers.