The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone

by Natasha D Lane

  “Dear Spirits. Please, I humbly ask of you, protect my family while I am absent from their company. I will do any of your bidding if you please allow us to live through this hardship to see one another again.” The cave air became frigid.

  Alexander smiled. “I guess that’s my sign.”

  “You can’t sleep?” Sarah sat cross-legged beside Serwa, who was sitting with knees pulled to her chest and staring into the fire unblinking. Jacob and Solar snored lightly a few yards away from them.

  The fire cast half of the witch’s face in shadow, but Sarah had set on the side that was illuminated. She could see dried streaks down Serwa’s cheek.

  “Serwa, I’m sorry about Al –”

  “Do you miss your family, Sarah?”

  The girl hesitated. The answer was obvious, the question unexpected. She began to pull at her hair, but stopped herself and forced her hands in her lap.

  “Of course I miss them,” she said. “I’m worried about them too. I’m trying to keep up with how long I’ve been gone but... I keep losing track. Why’d you ask me about my parents?”

  “Because you keep talking about them in your sleep. In terms of time, there’s no point in trying, child. Time on Lyrica is different than time on earth.” Serwa finally looked away from the fire. “Sometimes it’s faster than on earth, other times it’s slower. Not to mention the time it took you to travel here.”

  Sarah suddenly felt hollow. What if I get back, and they’re gone? What if by time I get back, Mama and Daddy have left me? The thoughts made an airy panic whirl up inside her.

  “Sarah?” Serwa’s voice was like a steadfast arrow puncturing the twister.

  She looked at the witch.

  “Be strong,” she said.

  Sarah nodded. She dug her nails into her thighs until the thoughts perished.

  I will see them again. Even if I have to find a spell to reverse time.

  “Understand, what I said about time is mostly theory. Centuries ago, adventurous Lyricans would leave for earth to conduct research and return with their findings. The difference in time was hotly debated.” Serwa moved her legs so she was sitting cross-legged like Sarah. “Hardly anyone can travel between the worlds anymore. Well, until you now. Beings like Solar and Nettle can more easily create and cross through portals without the aid of water, though it’s a skill that’s now rare even among them. Only very powerful Lyricans have managed to find a few portals or pay someone to find it for them.”

  Sarah chuckled.

  “What are you laughing about?” the witch asked.

  She shrugged. “I never thought of myself as powerful until now. It feels good.”

  Serwa smiled. “Well, you are, Sarah, and you should be proud. Granted, Solar being there helped you, what you have is a gift, not a curse. Your power is of natural origins. Curses are otherwise. You understand?”

  Sarah nodded and scooted a little closer to her friend. “I know you don’t want me to say it, but I’m gonna because you like honesty. Alex is coming back, Serwa. I trust him.”

  The witch inhaled sharply and turned away from the girl. Sarah could see the tension build in Serwa’s shoulders then ease as she looked back into the fire.

  “Sarah if there is one thing life has taught me, it is to never put too much weight into promises.”

  Sarah shook her head. “You have to trust someone. You can’t do everything alone.”

  “Life has taught me that, as well.”

  The girl listened for Jacob and Solar. They were still snoring away. “Well, it’s just us now, Serwa. You can tell me.”

  “About what?” The witch raised a brow.

  Sarah took a deep breath and straightened her back. “About you, your life. We have the whole night.”

  Serwa watched her with wide eyes full of confusion and a wrinkled brow. Finally, she started laughing.

  “What?” Sarah asked.

  The witch leaned back and looked up into the moonlight, the last few giggles leaving her.

  “I don’t want to tell you that story, Sarah.”

  “Why not?”

  Serwa sighed, but it was a happy one because she was still smiling at the moon.

  “I don’t want to give you nightmares. Nor am I one for spreading tragedies.” She looked at Sarah whose mouth hung open, eyes wide.

  “Good night, Sarah,” Serwa said and crawled into bed.

  Chapter 21

  They had been traveling for a week now but had found no traces of the stone. They stopped in several villages and followed strings of rumors. Nothing had given a good lead. Some said the sirens still had it locked away in an underwater cave. Others said that many sirens had been murdered and the stone stolen. There were sightings everywhere yet no hard facts.

  Sarah had become restless. On the first night outside of the Alclian’s domain, the damage to Lyrica had been obvious. After a week, Lyrica was basically screaming at Sarah for help to the point where she could hardly sleep. The land had begun to die. Once beautiful vast forests had now shrunk to scarce shrubbery. The ground had softened to sliding mud. Lakes and seas had shriveled. Even the air didn’t feel right, like it was thick with death and decay.

  “The world is off balance,” said Serwa as they flew along the coast. “Lyrica’s patience wears thin. The stone’s power may be nearly drained because it’s been out of the mountain so long. We’re reaching a critical stage.”

  “How long were we locked away?” Sarah asked. “It couldn’t have been that long. How could all of this have happened in that time?”

  “The process may have sped up because you don’t have the stone,” Serwa said. “Remember, you’re its keeper. Without you, it’s left alone.”

  Sarah cursed herself for letting the siren take it. She placed her hand on a the daggers she had retrieved from the vampires. “I need to get the stone back. I promise I’m going to fix this.”

  The witch nodded. “That’s something we all can agree on, but you won’t bear the burden alone. It’s our duty to make things right again.”

  “With or without Alexander,” Serwa added quietly.

  Jacob placed a hand on Sarah’s shoulder. She glanced at him, and he smiled. “You know I got your back.”

  She nodded. “Thanks, Jake.”

  “Hey, Serwa,” Jacob said, his stomach growling, “maybe we should stop for lunch. I think some warm food will do us good.”

  Serwa huffed and clenched her fists. “Eat what we have packed.”

  “Oh, come on,” he said tossing up his arms, “I think we all deserve a hot meal after what we’ve been through. Not to mention, we’ve been traveling this entire week.”

  The witch glared at him. “Listen, I want to see if what the woman in the last town said is true. If the village north of here –”

  “The village will still be there if we stop for lunch,” he offered.

  Serwa tightened her hold on the reins.

  “Think of Sarah,” Solar whispered. The witch looked back at the girl. Sarah pretended not to hear them, but she knew they were right to be concerned.

  She had noticed it when they were released from the dungeons. There were bags under her eyes, and she looked pale even by her standards. It was evident she had lost weight. Her red hair had lost its luster, and her eyes had dulled. She was listless. It seemed as Lyrica was decaying so was Sarah, a thought she hid away in the deep recesses of her mind.

  “Fine but we’re not staying the night. Grab something fast and let’s keep moving.”

  Jacob held his stomach. “Thank you, I re – ah!”

  Serwa sent Solar spiraling down toward a thin acre of trees. A few feet from the ground she pulled up on the reins, and the dragon landed gracefully in a clearing. She and Sarah pushed their hair from their faces and hopped onto the ground. Jacob, remained on Solar’s back, gripping the saddle with both arms and taking in shaky breaths. His eyes were round and watery as he glared at the witch. She only smiled in return.

  “What were you doing? Tr
ying to kill us!”

  “No, no. Not us, just you. I was hoping if I scared you enough –”

  “Serwa, please be nice,” said Sarah as she rested against the dragon. Jacob hopped down beside her, still shaking.

  “Do you need someone to carry you? You sure you can stay steady on your feet?” Serwa laughed.

  Jacob shook his head and smiled. “You can pretend to be mean all you want, Serwa. I think you actually like me a little. Maybe we’re even good friends now, right, cell mate?” He winked.

  She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Believe what you want.” With that, she turned and began walking out of the forest.

  Jacob followed behind her, stifling a laugh.

  Before following her friends, Sarah turned to Solar. “We’ll be back. Do you want me to get you anything?”

  “There is no need. I can go much longer than you without eating.” The dragon lay on the ground, wrapped her tail around herself and shut her eyes.

  Sarah smiled and patted the dragon on the head. “Have a nice cat nap.”

  She ran after Jacob and Serwa. Together they broke through the small area of trees and followed a small dirt path to the town that could be seen in the distance. It was quiet for a small town so early in the afternoon. There were no horse hooves clapping or shop bells ringing, signaling the start of a new day.

  Serwa’s eyes moved from left to right as they approached the town entrance. She kept her hands by her side, close to the concealed blades she hid there.

  “Do you feel that?” Sarah asked catching up to Serwa.

  The witch nodded. “This town has reached its end.”

  The streets were nearly empty except a few broken carts, beggars and desperate merchants trying to sell spoiled goods. The old, fading buildings had boarded up windows. Tiles were scattered across the street, and the ground was muddy, free of grass. There was no sound, no movement and no life in this town, which appeared to have a permanent gray cloud above it.

  “This death is spreading fast.” Serwa took in the town’s condition. “I had hoped this town would have persevered a little longer.”

  “Serwa. What’s the name of this place?” Sarah asked.

  “Carrington, according to the map. It’s a little merchant town.”

  “For a town, there aren’t many people,” said Jacob frowning at the empty streets.

  “They’re here,” said Sarah. “They’re just hiding.”

  “You felt their vibrations?” The witch raised a brow.

  The girl bobbed her head, and Serwa placed a hand on her shoulder. “Good. You learn fast. Now I want you to reach out again and tell me what they feel.”

  Sarah closed her eyes. She stretched her senses out and felt for others around her. Waves of life sprang from the houses and buildings. The waves were short and tight and came in sporadic frequencies.

  “They’re really scared,” she said, opening her eyes. “Maybe they think the death is a plague.”

  The witch nodded.

  “I’m guessing strangers coming to their town dressed like vampires doesn’t help either,” Sarah added in.

  “I have to admit you’re probably right. Let’s hurry and get what we can,” said the witch. “I don’t know if a hot meal is an option. Follow me.”

  Serwa approached the nearest cart. The elderly vendor narrowed his eyes at the trio. “Can you direct us to the nearest inn? We’re looking for hot food,” she said.

  He snorted. “If it’s hot food you want, then Carrington isn’t the place. What you see out here is all we have.”

  Sarah stepped toward the cart. “Look, he still has some apples. It’s not a hot meal, but it’s not bread either. How much for an apple?”

  The old man stood from his stool. “One bronze nickel,” he said.

  Serwa gave him the money. “I’ll take ten. Do you know where we could get any cheese, Sir?”

  He pointed behind her. “The only place in town now. Watch out for mold, though.”

  Jacob peered around him and shook his head. “It’s kind of hard to believe. If this is a merchant town –”

  “What do you think?” the old man shouted. “Are we supposed to be immune to the destruction? Everyone knows the stone is lost, and now they’re saying the child has disappeared, as well. Without the stone, the world is unbalanced. It’s dying. And now the dragons –”

  Serwa spun on her heels, turning away from the cheese shop. “Dragons? What dragons?”

  The old vendor banged his fist on the cart. “Who else? The elementals, you fool! They –”

  A booming roar ripped through the sky. A chilling wind swept through the town. Serwa looked up, her eyes searching above her.

  The old man jumped. “If you want to live, you should run now. They’re here.” He grabbed his cane and wobbled to a nearby house.

  Sarah’s could feel a nausea rising in her stomach.

  “What’s going on?” Jacob asked, as the wind grew even stronger. A shrieking roar bellowed in the distance, and two creatures emerged in the sky.

  Serwa’s breath caught in her throat. “Hide!” she yelled.

  “What?” Sarah asked, having trouble hearing over the deafening wind. The witch didn’t bother to respond. She grabbed Sarah by the arm and pulled her behind a booth.

  “We can’t let them see us,” the witch hissed.

  “Who are they exactly?” Jacob grunted.

  “The elementals.” She peeked out from behind the booth. “Dragons representing one of the four elements. They usually rest in the mountain along with the stone but... why are they out? They never leave the mountain. It’s been over a thousand years since they were last free.” She turned to Sarah who stared at her with recognition.

  “It’s the stone,” Sarah stated. “Lyrica is reaching its limit. Nothing’s right, so neither are they.” As the words fell from her lips, a blast of fire spiraled through the market place.

  Sarah, Jacob and Serwa covered their heads and shrunk to the ground as the flames flared above them. The booth beside them broke into a million pieces, and the three had to cover their eyes from the debris.

  The flames stopped and Sarah took the opportunity. She looked from behind the booth. Her eyes widened as she saw an ocean blue dragon smashed against a stonewall, held down by a dragon covered in fiery orange scales. The blue dragon swung its tail upward and slapped its opponent in the face leaving a large gash. The beast howled and fell backward as the other animal charged forward. They continued to claw at one another while the trio stared, eyes doubled in size.

  “Why are they fighting?” Jacob asked.

  “For dominance,” Serwa replied. “It has been too long. The elements are no longer equal since the stone is gone so, they have to fight for supremacy. It’s their instinct.”

  The red dragon’s spiked tail came smashing down on the ground a few feet away from their booth. His spike broke through the wood, narrowly missing Jacob’s back. The boy looked at his friends.

  “We have to get out of here.”

  “That’ll be a little bit difficult since they basically take up the whole place.” The witch glanced behind herself at the brawling beasts.

  “They’re much bigger than Solar. This booth isn’t going to last long,” he added.

  The dragons crashed into another building, their claws at each other’s throats.

  “Make a run for it,” Jacob offered.

  The witch nodded.

  “Now!”

  “No,” Sarah shouted.

  “What?” Serwa and Jacob raised their brows, their bodies mid-motion.

  “This is my fault,” Sarah said her hands clenched at her side. “I lost the stone. I let that creature take it. I have to stop this now.”

  “Sarah, don’t be stupid,” the witch hissed. “You can’t –”

  “I can,” the redhead jumped over her friends before they could grab her and ran out from behind the booth. She saw Jacob lunge out after her, but Serwa pulled him back.

  Sarah had
to do this alone. This time it was going to be her fight.

  The two beasts were digging into each other with their fangs. They stood on their hind legs, eyes glowing with the heat of battle. Ash fluttered in the air, stinging Sarah’s eyes and drying her mouth. Her heart was burning as if the flames themselves were running through her body. She fell to the ground as a tail swung in her direction. The once muddy earth was now dry cracked dirt. Sarah crawled between the roaring beasts and stood. She raised her arms out to her sides, feet pressed firmly on the ground.

  “Stop!” she yelled though her voice was inaudible over the dragons’ roars. “Please, you have to stop, now!”

  They continued to growl, not noticing her presence.

  “Listen to me,” Sarah exclaimed, but they were already swinging claws at each other again. The dirt from the dry earth rose in the air like smoke.

  “I said listen!” Again she had to fall to the floor as a claw came inches from tearing her head off. She stood from the ground, covered in dirt, and watched as the animals tore into one another. Her heart raced. She wanted to make things right, but they wouldn’t allow her. The blood ran through her veins boiling hot and her hair stood on end.

  Sarah stomped her foot on the ground and stared at the beasts in front of her. Her eyes darkened and with her anger her magic rose.

  The roaring came to an end and silence fell around the girl. The smoke began to clear, and Sarah coughed trying to clear her own throat. Her eyes were watering. She wiped the tears away so she could see and a ball formed in her stomach. The dragon with the ocean blue scales had its head leaned down right beside her. She could feel the air move from its nostrils. It felt like a lake breeze in the summer. Her breathing became rapid as she looked into the big eyes of the creature.

  Though apprehension consumed her, Sarah couldn’t help but notice how human the animal’s eyes seemed. They were the most beautiful blue she had ever seen, and she was sure that she could have gotten lost in them if the beast’s pearly whites weren’t showing as well. A low growl snuck from its lips.

  Sarah began to wonder if she should have stayed hidden.