by Karen MacRae
“Blue, you’re going to have to stand up,” she told him. “You need to stand so I can see.”
The horse gave a soft whinny and a small shake of his head. He couldn’t get up. Too much was broken.
“There has to be a harness or something we can use?” she asked Spider, tears running down her cheeks.
Spider shook his head. “They walked on. The ship’s got a ramp.”
“We have to get him out of there. Go get the others, anything you can find to make a sling and lots of rope.”
Anna knelt by Blue, watching the twist in his aura. As soon as she could see its pattern, she gently pushed against it until it slowed and then stopped, taking his pain with it. She knew she couldn’t send white blindly into the green to Heal whatever was wrong. Her aching arm was proof enough of that. She was going to have to get someone to break it again so she could Heal it properly and she couldn’t do that to Blue unless there was no other option.
Finn was first to arrive, almost distraught at the thought of losing his long-time friend. “What can I do?” he asked.
“Get Rojoch and Hero saddled. They’re going to have to pull him out.”
Anna kept Blue’s aura still as the others worked together to fashion a pulley their two biggest horses could power. Seleste and Spider squeezed down either side of the cubicle and covered Blue’s chest and sides with blankets so the ropes wouldn’t cut him then lowered the makeshift pulley in place. There was no space for Sy and Jimmy to walk their horses forward so they went in opposite directions at a snail’s pace. Slowly, inch by inch, Blue came clear of the cubicle, a trail of blood following him. He fell onto his side as soon as his shoulder cleared the upright.
A crowd had gathered and whispers circulated that the poor animal would have to be put down. Finn heard them and looked at Anna in a near panic.
“No way, Finn. Not if it takes me everything I’ve got. Not Blue,” she promised. She stroked the gelding’s big head and spoke to him softly. “I’m going to make you better, Blue. Don’t you listen to the scaremongers.” She looked around for Spider. “Any luck with a sling?” she asked.
“I borrowed a spare sail. Just got to get it folded right.”
“Best make it for two… no, three horses to hold either side. They might have to keep it still for quite a while and it has to be balanced. Put Rojoch and Hero in the middle. And can someone please reassure Hope.”
Anna kept up Blue’s pain relief while the others fashioned a sling strong enough to take his weight. A wave of fatigue hit her hard and the room spun. “Seleste, I’m going to need some of that Pyrjeon herb.”
The assassin took one look at the Shaper’s grey face and dashed off to their cabin. She got back as Finn was carefully easing the homemade sling under Blue. “You can’t be making a habit of this, Anna,” she warned. “It’s nasty stuff.”
“It’s for Blue,” Anna argued, knocking back the small cup of aromatic liquid Seleste held out to her. The drug kicked in just as Blue became airborne, his body nestled in the homemade sling. His rear end was a mess. Blood was oozing from a piece of ragged bone sticking out from his side, his hips were askew and his legs were dangling all wrong. His aura was more black than green from his hips to his knees.
“I’m going to knock you out, Blue. When you wake up you’ll be as good as new. All right?”
Anna pushed the horse’s aura and his head dropped, asleep. She scooted back under the ropes and tried to find an angle she could see all the black from. She tried not to panic when she realised the best she could do was about sixty percent. She’d just have to keep moving.
Seleste saw the blackness thin until it was a mist over Blue’s emerald green. The protruding bone had withdrawn and the wound had closed, but his hips were uneven and his legs weren’t straight. Anna darted up and down, left and right, muttering to herself all the while. Seleste couldn’t see exactly what she was doing, but Blue’s body slowly untwisted, the mist thinning a tiny bit each time. Then Seleste realised Blue was swinging in his sling with each wave.
“Stop! He’s moving!”
Anna froze. She’d got so used to the feel of the ship’s motion, she’d forgotten about it. She realised she’d have to wake Blue and let him guide her final touches. She ducked under the ropes and put a hand on his nose, trickling just enough white energy into him to wake him, but not so much to Heal everything. She knew she’d probably have to fracture some new growth regardless and felt awful for breaking her word.
“I’m sorry, boy, but I need your help. I’ll try to keep the edge off the pain, but I need you to show me where things feel wrong. We can’t have you limping, can we? Do you understand, Blue? Help me? Where is wrong?” Anna could see the trust and understanding in Blue’s big, intelligent eyes. “We’re going to lower the sling now. Just enough for you to feel the ground. Tell me where’s wrong.”
As soon as Blue’s hooves touched the ground, his tail flicked up and left. Anna inspected the aura by his hip and saw a ripple in the green where it shouldn’t be. She eased it flat and Blue’s tail whipped over to his right knee. Anna couldn’t see anything wrong, but Blue insisted all was not right, flicking his tail there again and again. Anna ducked under the horse and spotted a thicker patch of grey covering a distortion in his aura. Everyone heard the bone break as she straightened it. Anna took the pain away as soon as she could, but she knew he’d felt it. Despite that, he sent his tail over to the next defect almost immediately.
It seemed every adjustment caused another three to be needed, but they were finally done. Anna visualised what was left of the mist flying off into the crystal and Blue’s emerald green shining as gloriously as ever and it was over.
The sling was let down to the ground and Finn and Beitris slid it away from Blue’s legs. As soon as he was free, the horse turned to nuzzle Anna in thanks. The audience broke into applause as Anna hugged her friend. “You are amazing, Blue. Absolutely amazing,” she told him.
They were putting the horses back into their cubicles when the “Land ahoy!” shout went up. No one was more relieved than Anna. She was pretty sure she never wanted to see a ship again. The drug might be keeping her awake, but she was absolutely exhausted.
Up on deck, the team looked across calm blue seas to the bump on the horizon. Captain Alexander and his First Mate stood with them. “The storm cost us two men, including the Healer, but it saved us almost a day. We’ll be there in a little under four hours,” the Captain told them. He turned to the Shaper and held out a small golden pin. “Miss Northcott, allow me to present you with this. It’s a small token of our appreciation for your help last night. The shipbuilders did an incredible job on Lealta’s hull, but we might not have made it without you. Present the pin to any honest sailor and he’ll do your bidding.”
Anna blushed and murmured her thanks. She turned the pin in her hands. It was beautifully worked in the shape of an anchor, ‘For Valour’ inscribed on its back in tiny lettering. She noticed the First Mate smiling at her and realised he was the sailor who’d made that mad journey across the deck with her yesterday. “I think this belongs to you, Brodie,” she said.
“Not at all, miss,” he replied with a smile. “I’d have been a fat lot of good up on the platform. You saved the day, no doubt. I’m only glad I could get you there. Anyway,” he laughed, “I’ll drink out on it for years.”
Finn had turned his mind to finding the Stone Elder. “Beitris, what are the chances of people helping us find Kendrick?”
Hew slapped Beitris on the arm to get her attention. She was still deaf. Anna moved over to touch her. Beitris took a step back and shook her head. Anna pointed at Finn who nodded firmly. It was an order. The guard sighed and stood still, letting Anna remove the blocks. “I can always put them back, Beitris,” Anna said consolingly once the guard’s hearing was restored.
“What are the chances of people helping us find the Stone Elder?” Finn repeated.
“Honestly, I don’t know. They’re a closed bunch, but
mostly loyal to the King as far as I remember. It’ll help if we talk to them in their own language, make it known my aunt lives there and I’ve visited before. It’ll also help if we offer to buy peristone for a fair price. Money’s always tight on Shae.”
Finn and Blue were first to disembark, Hope and an anxious Anna close behind, watching with an eagle eye for anything out of place in Blue’s walk. All seemed well.
Half the team had made it onto the pier when the bell started ringing in the centre of town. Seleste noticed its subtle repeat. “That’s no normal tolling for a ship in port. It’s some sort of announcement,” she said.
The Islanders were the last from the Lealta. Finn waved Beitris and Hew over. “The bell,” he said. “Should we expect a good or a bad reception?” The guards shook their heads. They didn’t know. “Then we prepare for both. Unclip your weapons. Spider, take the lead. Sy, Jimmy to the rear. Anna, in the centre.”
It soon became clear that most of the residents didn’t know what the bell meant either. People spilled from homes and shops, looking around for a reason why the bell that hadn’t rung in years was suddenly making a racket. The King’s team were only steps away from the harbour when the first man knelt. It wasn’t hard to read the body language of the people around him and the man’s shrugs. It seemed he didn’t know why he’d knelt either, but others started to follow his lead.
“Why are they kneeling?” Finn asked Hew.
“Not a clue, sorry Finn. They’re not throwing stones though, that’s got to be a good sign. They’re way too good with a slingshot around here.”
The Shaens fell in behind the group as they made their way to the town square. They stopped there, encircled by around two hundred locals at least sixty of whom were kneeling at the front. The bell stopped and silence fell.
“Over to you Beitris. Spider, on full alert, please,” whispered Finn.
“Tha sin mat,” began Beitris, holding out her hands in the universal gesture of calm. A muttering went around the crowd. “I hope I’m making sense!” whispered the guard. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Tha sin mat. Seaal Kendrick, soneil chlach morra.”
A belly laugh took everyone by surprise. Out of the crowd walked a wizened old man, a gnarled hand clasped on an ornate stone walking stick. “That’s a new one,” he said in perfect Standard. “I’ve never been called an old boulder before. But why would armed strangers be asking for Kendrick after prancing into town on fine war horses and out of the grandest ship ever seen in these parts?”
Finn took over. “Stone Elder, we meant no disrespect. This is Beitris Donathie from Dornie. Her aunt is a neighbour of yours. We were uncertain how many here spoke Standard so I asked Beitris to use what she could remember of Shaen to ask for you. The King sent us. We have need of your help.”
The old man leant on his stick, considering his response. “Why do you hide the Aura Shaper?” he asked.
Finn had no reply that wouldn’t insult a friend so he stayed silent.
“You fear us, warrior?” the old man asked.
“The King’s Shaper is precious to us,” Finn finally answered.
Anna and Seleste were watching auras. There was no threat here, only curiosity. “It’s safe, Finn. No one means us any harm,” Anna said quietly. “His aura is asking me to come forward. I don’t know how I understand, but I do. It’s some sort of weird connection.”
“Carefully. The rest of you, all eyes on the crowd.”
Anna dismounted and made her way through her friends to stand in front.
To her astonishment, Kendrick bowed. “Truly a White. I thought there were no more,” he said in wonder. He raised his voice and shouted, “Cumadie geala! Briseada fosgailtie nas baraillea!”
The crowd cheered, hugging and back slapping those still kneeling.
“Beitris?” asked Finn.
“I think we’re about to have a party. Something about opening a barrel?”
“Sounds good to me,” grinned Spider.
CHAPTER 22
T he townspeople transformed the square with tables and chairs as three huge barrels were rolled from a nearby tavern. Numerous musical instruments appeared as if by magic and a local folk tunes filled the air, accompanied by an excellent group of singers. Dancing broke out in the big space between the tables, men throwing women around with great shouts and screams of laughter. Shae knew how to throw a party.
Anna and Finn were led to the table of honour, curious stares and whispers following their every step. Seleste followed along uninvited and took the seat next to the Shaper before any could question her presence. The locals may seem happy to follow Kendrick’s lead, but she wouldn’t be complacent. There could be archers hiding on the rooftops.
“We’re honoured, Stone Elder, sir,” Finn said to the old man, “but I’m afraid we have little time. Our enemies can’t be far behind and we cannot allow them to be successful.”
“What do you need, young man?” asked Kendrick, sipping at his frothing mug.
“They’re coming for peristone beads, especially black.”
The old man’s face darkened. “As always, where there is white, there is black,” he whispered, shaking his head. He looked at the King’s man. “Who is the Black Shaper?”
“A man called Nystrieth. He has control of most of the continent. Calls himself Emperor and God. He’s as evil as any Black Shaper from history. Kills without conscience or mercy. We have intelligence that he plans to invade The Kingdom as soon as possible. We estimate two to three years. He has some sort of vendetta against the gifted and sees The Kingdom as a vipers’ nest because we have so many. We’ve seen what the King’s Shaper can do with peristone. We need to stop Nystrieth from getting any.”
“King’s Shaper, eh?” Kendrick said, turning to Anna.
“Anna, please, sir.”
“You’re young to have so much responsibility on your shoulders, child.”
“Yes, sir, but I do so willingly.”
“Aye, you would, child. You would. It’s part of your birthright,” the old man mused. “I see you wear peristones on your wrist. Fine, old stones. I doubt you’ll find better on Shae. Where did you find them, I wonder?”
“I grew up in Straton, sir, in the south east of The Kingdom. I saw them on a market stall. Something drew my eye to them although they were dusty and mostly hidden.”
The old man nodded, smiling. “Aye, peristone will choose the wearer, not the other way around.” He fell quiet for a moment then turned back to Finn. “Master Braxton, most of the homes on Shae have peristone in them in one form or another, but good beads are rare and guarded like the finest gold. You have a plan to persuade our people to give them to you?”
“We’re happy to pay a fair price for them, sir.”
The Elder nodded. “Aye, that might do it. Shaens are proud of their heritage though. They’ll not give them up easily if they’re not keen on you. And that doesn’t mean you can throw that gift of yours around, Master Braxton. You’ll find it doesn’t work on any with Stone Crafter blood.”
Finn looked shocked. “But… how… I haven’t, sir,” he spluttered.
“Ach, you can’t help it, boy. It’s in the air around you whether or not you put it there deliberately. It’s of no concern. Most folk’ll not notice.” The Stone Elder chuckled. “You all have a good time this afternoon, join in and show willing. Be ready with your offer when I give you a nod. You’ll have my help. I’m loyal to our King and no fonder of a Black Shaper than yourselves. You realise, though, that there are beads at Deas and more dotted around the island?”
“I do, sir, and time is short. I would send men to Deas right now, but I doubt they’ll deal with us without your support. Would I be right?”
The Stone Elder thought for a moment then waved over a young man who hovered protectively nearby. “My great grandson, Euan. Euan, this is Finn Braxton and Anna, the King’s Shaper,” he said. “Euan raised the alarm earlier. Took one look at you, Anna, and knew what you were. He�
��s as strong a Stone Crafter as I was myself.”
Kendrick’s great grandson stood perfectly still before them, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Anna. She felt herself blush. His long red hair shone like fire in the rare sunshine and, while not as handsome as Finn or Malik, there was a strength about him that seemed to call to her. It was his aura that took her breath away though. A gleaming cobalt blue with flecks of yellow that glinted in the sun, it was the most spectacular aura she had ever seen not least because he hid nothing from her gift. He was fascinated by her.
“Euan, go find your sisters,” the Stone Elder instructed. “Our friends have need of their help.”
The young man gave an abrupt nod and left. Anna had to drag her eyes away from his back.
“Sir, can I ask you a question, please?”
“Of course, child.”
“Do black and white peristone exist?”
“Ach, now, that’s a complicated question. The proper answer is yes and no. I know of none your enemies can find any on this island though. Be assured of that.”
Finn looked suspicious. The Stone Elder played with words.
“Master Kendrick, I’m not sure how to ask this, but I feel you’re the only one who might answer it.”
“Yes, child?”
“What is this… link… this connection I’m feeling with you and… with some of you?”
The old man laughed. “The black and the white are two sides of the same coin, Shaper, but we are the metal that forges it.”
“I don’t understand,” Anna said, her eyes finding the Stone Elder’s great grandson once again.
“It is your gift that reaches out to ours, child. They know each other. The stronger the gifts, the stronger the link.”
Anna watched as Euan broke into the gaggle of young women surrounding Malik. He pulled aside a pretty redhead with a green aura and pointed towards their great grandfather. She stood with hands on hips for a moment, clearly not happy at being ordered away from the best-looking man she’d ever seen and Euan’s aura flared with familial irritation as he spoke to her again. Whatever he said worked because the redhead reluctantly began to stomp around the outside of the dancing towards the head table. Euan, meanwhile, was looking around for the other sister. He caught sight of familiar long, red locks whirling in the centre of the dancing, but there was no way in without causing an accident. He caught the Stone Elder’s eye and lifted his hands in apology. Kendrick nodded then turned to Seleste who sat quietly brooding on Malik’s willingness to surround himself with maidens rather than sit with her.