Double Star

by Cindy Saunders

  The sound of thunder in the distance made her jump. “So why didn’t the gods take care of Cepheus? Kill him or something.”

  “They were too involved in their own struggle to be concerned with what was happening on this earth. When they finally recognized the danger, it was too late. They were imprisoned, helpless to do anything, or so the tale is told. Why were the words familiar to you?”

  “I don’t know. I must have heard the story before.” And then it came to her… the freak wind storm… her dream… the wolf. Had someone been trying to warn her? What really happened on that cliff in Sedo—?

  “Have you ever been to Pembroke?”

  “What?”

  “Pembroke. Have you visited it?”

  “No,” she said and looked ahead of her. “Don’t tell me that’s it.” Although, she should have known.

  Chapter 13

  She hadn’t envisioned Phoenix, but she had pictured something a bit more contemporary. A town where there might be a bus stop or a police station. Not some podunk village. All right, stop being so negative. It was really quite... quaint. Stone shops lined either side of the cobblestone street, their roofs varied in color from light pink to brown, and smoke from chimneys trailed lazily into the sky. Windows, made of small panes of stained glass, were framed with colored shutters, and flowers spilled from the window boxes.

  As they passed, she looked at the painted signs that hung above the shops. “The Wooden Plank,” that advertised, “Custom Casks, Caskets, and Barrels,” and stated the owner as “Witton Pouncy, Cooper.” Whatever a cooper was.

  Others were pretty straightforward: “Hermes & Son, Blacksmiths”; “The Pewter Pot, Michael Ferry, Tinsmith”; “Stevens Tack & Livery.”

  Okay, it’s cute. But how do I get out of here?

  “Olivia, where is it you need to go?” Liam asked.

  “I need to stop by Sophie’s for a fitting.”

  “Okay,” Liam said. “Meg, you and Ally go to Stearns. But get only what we need.”

  “And where will the rest of you be?” Olivia asked.

  “We will be at Doc Whitman’s. I am curious as to what he is tending to these days. I will ask him about Jade as well.”

  “I see. I will meet you at the general store when I am finished then.”

  She rode away and Liam lowered his voice. “I think we should split up. We can cover more ground.”

  “Aye,” said Corm.

  Shane grinned. “I suggest starting at the pub. You get more information from those ready to loosen their tongues.”

  Liam nodded. “You three head to the Black Water Tavern. Corm and I will ride out to Doc’s.”

  Meg dismounted Shilo and began to walk toward a cheery-looking shop. “Come on, Ally.”

  This sign read: “Stearn’s General Store, Everything You Need and More.”

  Yeah, let’s hope so. Ally climbed from Chestnut and looked into the sky. Dark storm clouds were beginning to move in from the east. “What do they sell here?”

  “Oh, they have everything, but we cannot buy much since we do not have the wagon. I know we need lamp oil, sugar, and flour.”

  “Okay.” Please, have a phone at least.

  Meg opened the door and a tinkling sound announced their arrival. Ally winced. The store smelled like a medicine cabinet. An older woman was on her hands and knees, wiping a greasy-looking spill from the wooden floor.

  “Oh, Meg.” The woman sounded relieved. “Not your normal day to come to town.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Stearns,” Meg replied. “We need to pick up a few things. What happened?”

  “A bit of an accident, but that should do it.” She wiped the floor a final time. “How is Thea?”

  “Fine. This is Ally. Ally, this is Mrs. Stearns.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Ally said.

  “And you as well. New to Pembroke?” She wiped her hands on her apron.

  “Just visiting.” Meg disappeared down one of the crowded aisles and Ally looked behind the counter. “I need to use your phone, please,” she said quietly.

  “My what, dear?”

  “Your phone.” Ally placed the pinky of her right hand to her lips, her thumb to her ear.

  Mrs. Stearns took a step back. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  Great. She thinks I’m going to attack her. Well, that might happen any minute. What the hell was she going to do? She was not leaving this town until she found a way home. “How about maps? Do you have any of those?” she said, hoping to undo whatever damage she might have done.

  “No, but if it is a map you need, you should visit Daniel Roberts. He lives just outside town. He knows as much about the area as anyone. Trying to get somewhere?”

  “You could say that.” Maybe she could walk or hitchhike. Heck, she was ready to steal Chestnut if it came to that. It was a sad day when stealing was an option she was actually considering. Hey, whatever it takes.

  She joined Meg, who was holding a long blue quill, awe and longing on her face. “What I would not give,” she whispered.

  “How much is it?”

  “Too much. I look at it every time I come in. One day, I am afraid it will be gone. I am saving enough to buy it.”

  “Do I have enough?” Ally pulled the pouch from her pocket and dumped the coins into her hand.

  “Yes,” Meg said, “and then some.”

  “Well, let me buy it for you.”

  “Really?”

  “Why not? Consider it a thank-you for being so nice to me… and an apology for getting you into trouble yesterday.”

  “You mean it? Wow! Thank you.” Meg nearly knocked Ally over as she threw her arms around her.

  “You’re welcome,” Ally said, and looked over her shoulder. Mrs. Stearns was gaping at them with more than a bit of curiosity. “I’m, uh, going to look around.”

  She walked up and down the aisles and found soaps, sachets, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and barrettes. Dark bottles with hand-written labels read Croup Tea and Clove Oil – To Relieve the Pain of Tooth Worm. Tooth worm?

  Wooden barrels were filled with flour, oats, cornmeal, and spices. Ally finished her inspection and found nothing that could help her. She caught up with Meg at the counter.

  “What do we owe you for this?” Ally said.

  “Twenty-five drachma,” Mrs. Stearns answered.

  Drachma? Ally pulled the coins from her pocket and looked at Meg. Was each of these a drachma? Meg took one of the silver coins from her hand.

  “Thank you,” Meg said.

  “Please tell Thea I said hello.” Mrs. Stearns looked at Ally. “And be careful, Meg.”

  ***

  Liam and Corm headed to Doc’s ranch, which was two kilometers west of town. “You are awfully quiet, Liam,” Corm said after they traveled half the distance in silence.

  “Sorry. I am a bit preoccupied.” He and Olivia had talked during the ride into Pembroke. First it was about Jade and then, the conversation turned to Ally. Liam explained how he and Corm found her, and Olivia asked many questions, to which he had no answers. She was probably confusing his ambiguity with… what? ‘People do not just appear out of thin air, Liam,’ Olivia had said. He was aware of that but when Olivia asked about the sudden trip to town, he thought it best not to tell her what happened yesterday in the forest. He was thankful they did not discuss their relationship. He was tired of weighing the pros and cons as if deciding which saddle to purchase.

  They rode into Doc’s compound and found him in the barn, tending to a small terrier.

  “Liam, Corm, nice to see you.”

  “What is the matter with him?” Corm asked.

  “He was caught in a trap. I thought those were an evil of the past. I would love to get my hands on the one who would set such a thing. Could easily have been a child it ensnared.” Doc shook his head in disgust.

  Liam squatted beside the little dog. “Will he be okay?”

  “He will survive, but he will never be the same. Would you? Ah
, but what brings you out here today?”

  “Well, I am not sure how to ask this,” Liam began, “but have you seen anything… anyone unusual?”

  “You mean other than this? As a matter of fact, I have. I had another visitor today. A boy, a bit older than you, stopped in. He wanted something for fever. When I asked for what kind of animal or where it was, he avoided my questions. I offered to accompany him, but he claimed that was not a viable alternative. I suggested he visit Stearns’, that perhaps he could find something there that would help.”

  “How long ago?” Liam asked.

  “Not more than an hour. In all my days, I have never seen anyone like him. His face was covered with tattoos, two small gold hoops hung from his nose… right here.” Doc pinched his right nostril. “But the most unusual thing was his eyes. The whites of them were inked and, when he closed them, there was a red eye drawn on each of his lids.” The vet shuddered. “Why would anyone do such a thing? Why do you ask?”

  “Yesterday, Ian fought with a Shayeen cat… one who was about to attack Meg.”

  Doc shook his head. “First traps, then Shayeen attacking humans? What is becoming of the world? I can tell you this boy was not Shayeen. But he was something.”

  “Thank you,” Liam said. “And good luck.”

  “Aye,” Doc replied.

  “Meg and Ally are at the General,” Corm said as they mounted the horses.

  “I know. Ian said the cat was Shayeen. I am confused.”

  “Do you think it is the same boy?” Corm asked.

  “I do not know, but we should hurry back.”

  Before Liam reached the general store, Meg was running toward him. “Liam, look what Ally bought me.” In her hand was the blue quill.

  He sighed with relief. “You finally have it. But you should not allow a stranger to buy such things for you.”

  “She also paid for the flour, sugar, and oil.”

  Liam climbed from Pollux and nodded to Ally. “Thank you, but it was not necessary.”

  “It’s my way of saying thank you… for your hospitality.”

  “How is Mrs. Stearns?” Corm asked.

  “I think I made her nervous.”

  Corm grinned at her. “That would not be hard to do.”

  Liam walked into the store. “Oh, Liam. I am glad to see you,” Mrs. Stearns said. “Though I am afraid I am going to sound like a foolish old woman,” she added, wringing her hands in her apron.

  “That is not possible,” Liam said. “Did you receive an unusual customer today?”

  “Oh, you already know about him.” She lowered herself into the rocking chair in front of the potbelly stove. “But there were three, and the most peculiar bunch I have ever seen.”

  “Three?”

  “Yes, and they looked like hooligans. They wanted something for fever. I showed them what I had. At times like this, I wish Ernest was still around.” A lock of white hair fell over her eyes and she brushed it away. “Anyway, they had no money. And, the one with the devil’s handwriting on his face took a bottle. Before he left, he asked if I had seen a new girl in town. When I told him no, he picked up a tonic and threw it on the floor. The other two did not say a word, but one had cuts all over his face. The boy warned if I mentioned their visit to anyone, they would be back. And then Meg walked in with her new friend, and I was afraid to say anything. Are they looking for Ally?”

  “I am not sure,” replied Liam, “but I am looking for them. Do you have any idea where they might have gone?”

  The white lock sprang out again, and she twirled it around her finger before tucking it behind her ear. “He wanted to know if there were any seers in town. I told him there might be a few of those gypsies from the fair still at Clover Meadow.” She looked up at him. “I just wanted them to leave. Did I do the right thing?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Stearns. Thank you. Your husband would have been proud.”

  “Well?” Corm asked once Liam rejoined them outside.

  “He was here but not alone,” Liam said, thinking. “There are three, and they are leaving quite an impression. They were in search of a seer. Mrs. Stearns sent them to Clover Meadow.”

  Olivia rode up and began to dismount her horse.

  “Hold on,” Liam told her. “We are going for a ride.”

  “You can go wherever you want,” Ally said. “Just tell me how to find Daniel Roberts.”

  Corm turned to her. “Why do you need Daniel?”

  “Mrs. Stearns said he’s familiar with the area, that he might be able to help me.”

  “That he is,” Corm said, “when he can remember. His farm is in the direction we are heading. We can go together.”

  “I am a little confused,” Olivia said. “Where are Ian, Oisin, and Shane?”

  “They went to the tavern,” Liam answered.

  “At this hour?” Olivia’s disapproval was clear.

  Liam shrugged his shoulders and mounted Pollux. The tavern was behind the haberdashery on the outskirts of town. If he detoured from Main Street, he might miss the strange trio again. “We can meet up with them on our way back.”

  Olivia shook her head. “Well, where are we going?”

  “I need to check on something. It will not take long.”

  ***

  The shops at the opposite end of town were replaced by houses, and then by farms and fields. Ally was frustrated. The only thing this trip had confirmed was that her situation was beginning to look bleak. This Daniel guy better know how to get back to Phoenix. If not? Then what?

  Olivia fell back to ride beside her and Meg.

  “I hope Jade feels better,” Meg said.

  “Aye,” replied Olivia. “I have no doubt Thea’s medicine will help. By the way, how is Thea?”

  “She took a trip to Podegar’s,” Meg replied.

  “Really? Liam did not mention that.”

  Ally winced. Oops.

  “He must have forgotten,” Meg said.

  Olivia looked at Ally with narrowed eyes.

  Oh brother. Ally held up her hand. “No worries here.”

  Olivia ignored her and turned back to Meg. “When is she returning? Perhaps I should come by and look after things—”

  “Thank you,” Meg said, “but there is no need. She should be home today.”

  “I will mention it to Liam anyway.” Olivia nudged her horse and caught up to the boys.

  Meg rolled her eyes.

  What does he see in Olivia? One look, though, answered Ally’s question. Boys could be so blind sometimes.

  A green pasture became visible not more than a quarter-mile away, its color more vivid due to its contrast with a red tent not far from the road. A colorful wagon stood nearby, kept company by two horses and something else… a cow maybe. Corm pointed to it and Liam nodded. They brought the horses to a stop.

  “What are we doing?” Olivia asked.

  Liam took a breath. “Ally and Meg were nearly attacked in the woods yesterday by a Shayeen cat. We are trying to determine why. That is the nature of our visit to town today.”

  “Thank you, Liam,” Olivia said. “While I am glad no one was hurt, you should have told me the truth. And what is it you hope to find here?” She waved her arm toward the meadow.

  “I am not sure.”

  Olivia shook her head. “Do what you need to do then.”

  “Corm and I are going to pay a visit to our gypsy guests. The three of you, please, stay here.”

  The clouds, in the distance only a short time ago, were overhead now, and the first drops of rain spattered on the dusty road.

  “And you suspect this might be dangerous?” Olivia asked Liam, her eyes on the sky.

  Probably more worried about her hair. Ally stifled a grin. It might be interesting to see what she looked like soaking wet. Stop it… not nice.

  “Just stay. Do you understand?” Liam said.

  ***

  He and Corm left their horses on the road. Near the tent, a campfire burned within a stone circle
and voices could be heard from inside.

  “Hello?” Liam called out.

  “Yes, what is it you want?” a girl’s voice answered.

  “I need a moment of your time.”

  “I am busy. You need to come back.”

  “It will not take long, I promise.”

  “Please, do as I request.”

  Liam looked at Corm. His friend’s expression confirmed that he felt it as well. Something was wrong.

  “Pardon the intrusion,” Liam said. He and Corm began to walk away and then stopped. The voices inside picked up, louder this time. It sounded like an argument and, ignoring all he had been taught about respecting the privacy of others, Liam turned and boldly marched into the tent.

  It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light but he made out a table with two chairs near the center pole, one of them occupied by a young girl. Her face, though, was too shaded to see but her eyes were wide as she stared at them.

  Two boys stood behind her, their arms crossed in front of them. Liam followed the eyes of one as he looked to the corner of the small compartment. An older man was on the floor, his hands bound behind his back, his ankles tied in front of him. Seeing Liam, he tried to speak but his lips would not part. The man’s eyes darted to the opposite side of the room, accompanied by repeated head thrusts.

  Liam looked back to the girl. “What is —?”

  “Someone needs to teach you some manners.” A third boy walked from the shadows and rubbed his chin, as if trying to come up with a solution to a difficult problem. “Well, Ariana, I had no idea what a popular girl you are. Surprising, given your limited abilities.”

  “My talents are only limited when trash like you is involved.”

  “Coming from gypsy scum, I find that amusing.”

  “Ariana?” Liam said, finally recognizing her as the girl who read his cards at the fair.

  “Ah, you two are acquainted,” the boy said. “Well, I am going to make my own prediction.” He put his hands to his temples and closed his eyes. “You are going to regret your decision to come this way today.”

  Liam had no doubt this was the boy Doc had described. His long, greasy black hair could not hide his face, which was covered in a maze of black triangles, squares, and circles. And when the boy closed his eyes, Liam saw the bizarre tattoos on the lids, just as Doc had told them.