Double Star

by Cindy Saunders

  “He’s over here. In the corner.”

  But which corner? It was hard to breathe, never mind see where she was going. A piece of the roof gave way to her left and fear began to take hold. I might find him, but we’ll never get out of here alive.

  “Easy boy,” Adam said.

  His voice was directly in front of her. She reached out and found his pant leg.

  “Ally, he won’t listen. He’s scared.”

  He wasn’t the only one. “Adam, get on the floor. There’s more air down here.” She slowly began to stand knowing, if she lost him now, she’d never find him again.

  “But…” he said, and then fell at her feet. She could see Pollux, but there was no time now to deal with a terrified horse.

  She knelt down. “Adam!” He didn’t respond. “Oh, please...” She tried to lift him but he was too heavy. She put her arms around his waist and began to walk backwards, dragging him in the direction of the door. She glanced behind her.

  “What…?” Ally was looking at a beautiful woman standing inches away. The smoke, which surrounded and threatened to suffocate them a moment before, had disappeared. The apparition stood with her arms out. Her brown dress floated eerily behind her. Her long hair was the color of gold, and wrapped around her head was a wreath made of silver branches. She smiled, and Ally was no longer afraid. Maybe this was what happened when you died. No white light, just a woman to guide you to the other side.

  “You are not going to die, Malakai,” the woman whispered.

  “Who’re you?” Ally asked, still holding onto Adam.

  “As you inspire and watch over others, I do the same for you. Hatcha!” she said.

  Pollux walked obediently to her, and she stroked his nose. “You will do anything to ensure I come back and visit, eh, my love?” Then she looked at Ally. “There is not much time. Heed what I have to tell you. You have been given a powerful gift. Guard it carefully and use it wisely. There are those who would stop at nothing to take it from you, but, while I am able, I will help you. Sta ya.” Pollux knelt. “Take the boy and go. I will see you out of here safely.”

  Was she dreaming? There was only one way to find out. She dragged Adam onto Pollux and got on behind him.

  “Here is something else,” the woman said. She opened Ally’s hand and placed a smooth, flat stone inside. “This will help find your way home. It will deliver hope when you need it most.” She closed Ally’s fingers around it. “Bet ya.” Pollux stood. “I have missed you,” she whispered into the horse’s ear. “Continue to serve him well.”

  Then, the woman returned her eyes to Ally. “We will be watching. The magic of the forest still exists… for now.”

  “Thank you,” was all Ally could manage.

  “Hold on tightly.”

  Ally wrapped her arms around Pollux’s neck and he galloped to the back of the barn. Wouldn’t it be easier to go out the front? It was certainly closer. But the flames and smoke stayed clear of them, as if they were in a protective tunnel. She put her head down and closed her eyes.

  “Praise Artemis,” she heard Oisin call.

  Pollux stopped. And then there were arms around her, trying to pull her off. “Let go. You are safe.” Shane’s voice.

  “Adam is under me. Be careful.” Sobs of relief overtook her. She released her grip and fell into Shane’s arms. He, in turn, placed her in Liam’s.

  “Got him,” Shane said.

  “Are you okay?” Liam whispered and held her tight.

  She nodded through tears.

  He kissed her cheek and lowered her onto the ground. Shane placed Adam beside her.

  “Something is wrong with him,” Ian said.

  “Adam?” His lips were blue. “Adam!” Ally began to shake him.

  He didn’t respond.

  She straddled his body, lifted his neck, and pinched his nose. She blew three quick breaths into his open mouth and then, with her hands together, pushed firmly at the base of his rib cage. “Come on,” she whispered and repeated the exercise. She was about to start her fifth series when he began to cough.

  “Yes!” she screamed as he gasped for air. His eyes fluttered open.

  But he shouted “No!” and began thrashing about. She rolled off him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Adam. Stop. You’re okay.”

  “Make him go away! Don’t go with him!”

  “Adam, look at me. It’s Ally. No one’s going anywhere. You’re here… with your friends, look—” He bolted to a sitting position and, when he recognized her at last, threw his arm around her. “You’re going to be okay,” she said.

  “What did you do to him?” said a strange voice. She looked up. It was Marcus, the boy from the pub. He was sitting on the ground not far away. What’s he doing here?

  He eyed her with suspicion. “I asked—what did you do? You are a witch.”

  “Be quiet,” Liam said and then turned his attention to the three riders approaching from the road.

  It was Bernard and two other men. They jumped from their horses. “What happened?” Bernard asked. “I saw the flames from town as I was closing up.”

  “Barn caught on fire, Mister Bernard,” Adam replied.

  “I can see that. Is everyone safe?” Before anyone could answer, the walls of the barn collapsed, sending a flurry of sparks into the air.

  “We are satisfactory given the situation,” Liam answered.

  Bernard looked at Marcus. “Why are you here?”

  “I believe he started it,” Liam said.

  Bernard shook his head. “I should have known something like this would happen eventually.” He looked at Marcus with contempt. “Do you understand what could have happened? No, I suppose you do not. Your father will not be happy about this.”

  “His father might want to know Liam saved his son’s life,” Shane said.

  “I will accompany Marcus home and explain what happened,” Bernard said. “His father will not take this lightly, and will be grateful for what you have done. He is a wealthy man. You should think about that.”

  Liam glanced at Adam, and then walked to Bernard. “I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said, and led him away from the others.

  “I cannot believe I did not smell it,” Oisin said and looked at Ally. “And I did not see you run inside. It must have been when we were rounding up the horses. I thought you had more sense.”

  “I had no choice,” she answered. “Adam ran in to save Pollux.”

  “Your breath kept Death away.” Ian shook his head. “I have never seen that kind of magic before.”

  “Nothing magical about it,” she replied. “It’s CPR.” She turned to Adam. “Don’t do anything like that again. You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

  “But it was Pollux. He couldn’t get out—”

  “Well done,” Corm said, and put his arm around the boy. “I know Liam is grateful, but I also know he would not want you to risk your life for that of his horse.”

  “We weren’t gonna get hurt,” Adam replied. “The forest lady was there… protectin’ us from the fire… and from the bad man.”

  “Who?” Corm asked.

  “The forest lady. Ally was talkin’ to her and then the bad man showed up. He wanted me and Ally to go with him.”

  Corm looked at her. “What happened in there?”

  “I need something to drink,” she said.

  “I will get a canteen,” Ian replied.

  Ally looked into the sky. “Thank you,” she said, and opened her hand.

  Liam and Bernard walked back in their direction. “Your kindness and generosity are admirable,” Bernard said. “I know Mason will be agreeable to your proposal. In fact, he will want to do more, but I will ensure he takes care of it. You have my word.”

  “I live only a short distance up the road,” one of the other men said. “You are more than welcome to come to the house. Rain started just in time. Funny, there was not a cloud in the sky. Seems to have stopped as quickly. James Hawthorne,”
he said and removed his hat.

  “That is kind of you, sir,” Ian said, “but we should stay here. The fire might still breathe life.”

  “What about you?” Bernard said to Adam. “Perhaps you should let these kids be.”

  “But I want to stay.”

  “Actually, sir,” Corm said, “if not for Adam, this could have turned out quite differently. He was the first to wake and warn us. I would be honored if you would allow him to spend the rest of the night.”

  “I will not argue then,” Bernard said.

  “If I cannot persuade you to come tonight,” James said, “please stop by in the morning for breakfast. My wife makes wonderful flapjacks.”

  “That is an offer I will accept,” Shane replied.

  ***

  Liam and Corm retrieved the horses, which had been secured to the trees surrounding the field. “Corm,” Liam said, “when Ally was trapped within the barn, I could not bear the thought of losing her. What if she did not make it out safely?”

  “Life is full of what-ifs,” Corm replied. “The only thing you have is what is. She did make it, but I cannot say with certainty you will not lose her in the future.”

  “There is a difference, though, between those two things—” A big difference.

  Corm placed his hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Remember, I know how special she is. Liam… there is something you should know. There were two others in the barn with them.”

  “What? Who?”

  “You will not believe it.”

  Chapter 28

  Guess I’m not the only one in need of a bath now. Ally took a sip of water and looked around. Between the rain, the fire, and the mud, everyone was filthy.

  Liam wrapped his arms around Adam. “Thank you for saving Pollux.”

  Adam beamed. “Ally helped too.”

  “I have something for her as well.” Liam knelt and kissed her lips. “But,” he said, and looked back to Adam, “you realize you put not only your own life, but Ally’s in danger, as well. That was not a wise choice.”

  “Aye, was not smart but very brave,” Oisin said, “especially given the scars you bear.”

  “Pollux needed me,” Adam said. “And if I had to again? I would do the same. Besides, like I told you, the forest lady was there.”

  “Aye, Corm mentioned that. I think we are all interested to hear what happened.”

  “She appeared out of nowhere. She was tall and really pretty, huh, Ally?”

  Ally took a deep breath. “Yes, she was beautiful. It happened so fast and, at the same time, so slow. I ran in after Adam, but the fire was intense, I couldn’t see anything. I was struggling to breathe. Adam was on the floor, Pollux was in the corner frightened, and then … she was standing behind me. The fire and the smoke didn’t bother her. She talked to Pollux, calmed him so Adam and I could get on him, and she protected us on the way out. It was like a dream. And she gave me this.”

  She held out her hand and showed them the red triangular stone. An outline of a dagger was etched in black on its center.

  “That was no dream. That was the goddess Tellervo,” Ian said.

  Ally looked at him. “Who?”

  “Impossible,” Shane said. “She does not allow herself to be seen. Ally, what did she look like?”

  “She was tall, dressed in brown. And her hair… long and gold-colored. And she wore a wreath of silver branches.”

  “Well, perhaps she makes an exception every thousand years,” Shane said.

  “You know her?”

  “We know of her,” Corm answered. “Do you remember our conversation about the magic within the forest?”

  She nodded.

  “Tellervo is the goddess of the forest—the protector of the wild animals—but she has not been seen in a very long time.”

  “She is a powerful spirit,” Ian said, “and one who has taken an interest in you, it seems. May I hold the stone she gave you?”

  Ally handed it to him. “She said it would help us find hope when we needed it.”

  “I have never seen anything like this but, if it was given to you by Tellervo, it is very valuable.”

  “Adam mentioned a man was in the barn with you as well,” Oisin said.

  “I never saw a man. I’m actually surprised he saw, ah, Tellervo. She showed up after he passed out.”

  “I saw her even though my eyes was closed,” Adam said. “But I wasn’t paying attention once I saw him walk in. I seen him before. He came to get Mom and Mikey, but this time he wanted me… and Ally.”

  “What did he look like?” Corm asked.

  “Never can see his face, but he’s dressed in black. He got real close this time, he almost had his hands on us, but he went away.”

  “Who do you think it was?” Ally asked, afraid of the answer.

  “Death,” Corm said. “But he will need to wait another day to take anyone here.”

  ***

  “They should leave the forest tomorrow,” Caleb said as he looked at his underground prison.

  I will arrive early. Take her and wait for me to join you.

  “You are coming?”

  I cannot entrust this task to another. It is too important.

  “You have my word, Master.”

  ***

  The early morning light filtered into the tent. Ally grabbed her bag and slipped outside. She heard Ian say, “I am surprised the saddles are dry, given the rain we received last night.”

  “Aye, I am as well.” It was Liam.

  Shane walked from the direction of the stream and shook his wet head from side to side. “Hey, Ally, wait,” he said as she hurried past.

  “No time,” she replied. She needed to take a bath, now. She headed down the embankment and began to yank her shirt over her head.

  “Ally, stop!”

  She pulled it down. Oisin was standing waist-deep in the stream. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know you were down here.”

  “I thought Shane would have told you.”

  “I think he tried but I wasn’t listening.”

  “Ally?”

  “Yes?”

  “I am getting out now, so it does not matter to me but you might want to,” he twirled his finger in the air.

  “Oh! Sorry.” She spun around and put her face into her hands. What an idiot you are!

  He dressed, walked past her, and then turned around. “I have never met anyone like you,” he said. “I do not believe any of us has. Understand, as painful as it might be, you are one of us now.” He smiled and shook his head. “Poor thing.”

  “Could you make sure everyone else knows I’m down here?”

  “I have your back, I promise.”

  You’re one of us now. The words made her smile.

  ***

  When they rode into the yard, James Hawthorne appeared at the door.

  “Tie the horses on the side of the house and come on in. There is someone here who would like to meet you.”

  They walked into the kitchen. A woman was at the stove. “Please, take a seat. Juice is on the table,” she said.

  “I would like you to meet Mason Black.” James pointed to a tall man in the corner.

  “Pleased,” Mason replied, “but I am already familiar with some of you.”

  “How so?” asked Ian.

  “I was present at the games this year. The stake of Pembroke was well represented. I apologize for making your acquaintance under this circumstance.”

  Mrs. Hawthorne brought a plate of pancakes to the table. “Please, help yourself.” She turned back to the stove and poured more batter into a skillet.

  “Let me begin by saying how grateful I am that you saved my son from the fire,” Mason said. “I apologize for the trouble he caused. Bernard mentioned there is something I can do for you in return.”

  Adam was piling pancakes onto his plate, not paying attention to the conversation. “I will see to it he gets to Pembroke posthaste. Two men will arrive shortly to take the trip, but I need to kn
ow where to deliver him.”

  Liam nodded. “I will prepare a set of directions—”

  “What is he referring to, Liam?” Oisin asked.

  “Adam,” Liam said, “when we finish breakfast, we will take you to Bernard’s, and then you will be leaving for Pembroke today.”

  “You mean it?” Adam asked.

  “I do, but you must do something for me in return.”

  They stood in front of the pub and Liam handed Adam a letter. “I need you to give this to Thea,” he said.

  “I will,” Adam replied. He began to unbutton the shirt. “This be yours, Liam.”

  “Keep it for now.”

  Adam put the paper in his breast pocket. “Thanks. See ya soon. See y’all soon… well, except you, Ally.” He hugged each of them and disappeared inside The Oar.

  “We need to get on the road if we hope to reach Berwick before nightfall,” Ian said.

  “Aye,” Liam replied, but at the present he was more concerned about something else. He prayed the letter would reach Thea before they left the forest. He was beginning to think their safety would depend on it.

  Chapter 29

  “Liam,” Ally said as they rode side by side. “I didn’t tell you everything that happened with Tellervo last night.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Has Pollux always been your horse?”

  He looked at her. “Yes and no. Shortly after my mother died, I found him. It was as if he was waiting for me. He was the most beautiful animal I had ever seen. It took a while but, eventually, he allowed me on his back. Riding him is what I imagine it feels like to fly upon the winds. It was one of the happiest moments of my life… until I met you.” He cleared his throat. “Why do you ask?”

  “Tellervo said she missed him and, when she spoke, Pollux understood her. I think he belongs to her. If that’s true, Pollux is every bit as magical as she is.”

  He shook his head and sighed. “I am not surprised. He is an extraordinary animal. It would make sense, given the nature of Tellervo’s magic, they are acquainted. But I have to admit, until today, I thought she was a myth.”