“Tree nymphs...” Sarah repeated.
The old man nodded. “Yes and our loyalties stand with you, Sarafina”
“That’s good news to hear,” she said and sighed. “It’s hard to find good friends these...Solar!” In all the chaos Sarah had forgotten about the injured dragon. She placed a hand on the old tree. “Please, you have to help me. My friend, she’s in trouble...“
“Shh.” The man placed a small wooden hand on Sarah’s head. “She is taken care of.”
“How? Who’s taking care of her?” asked Sarah.
The man smiled. “A friend. Trust me, my child. You are family like any of my other children. I would not put you or one you care for in harm’s way.”
Sarah’s heart practically burst. It was such a relief to not have to be scared, to not have to fight, to be at peace. Sarah could feel herself holding onto the old tree in search of a familiar comfort, only to find this comfort mingled with sadness.
The elderly tree man looked down into her eyes. He chuckled. “It only took one touch, did it?”
“You have lost so many.” Sarah released her grip and stepped back.
He stared at the hand she had held. “In every conflict innocents are lost. When this battle is over more of my children will sprout from Lyrica. I have hope when I think of that day.”
“That day will come,” Sarah said.
“Yes...yes...” He looked away toward the sky, and his mind seemed to drift somewhere else.
“Please, sir,” she said, “can you show me out of this forest and back to my friend?”
“I could, but why tell you what you already know,” he pondered. “You are a part of Lyrica just as we are. You know her well. Listen to yourself.”
Sarah sighed, and her shoulders slacked. Why aren’t things ever easy?
“Do not give up yet. There is still one more battle to fight, my child,” said the old man. “But do not worry. You are strong enough. Save Lyrica, save my children. Goodbye for now.”
“Goodbye, Sister,” the others said in unison. Then, the nymphs sunk back into the trees, leaving Sarah alone in the forest.
As Sarah made her way through the forest, she felt the barks of the trees and frowned. The trees were softening. Every day the signs of death in the world grew stronger and Sarah fought to ignore them. The stone ached in her chest, and she scratched the place where it rested. It could feel the pain, as well.
She continued on walking, but her trip was cut short when she fell to the ground and landed flat on her face. Dirt smudges covered her, and blood decorated her chin.
Perfect, she thought as her eyes searched for the culprit root. Instead of a dirty brown root, there was a blue tail. Sarah poked the tail. It continued to swing, so she tugged on it until Solar poked her head through the trees.
“Sarah? Is that you?” The dragon looked down in search of her lost companion.
“Solar! Yes, it’s me!” Sarah waved enthusiastically.
The dragon’s eyes fell on the girl. She smiled. “I was wondering where you had gone.” She stepped across the trees and lowered to the ground, so they were at eye level.
Sarah wrapped her skinny arms around the dragon’s broad neck. She was glad to hold onto something familiar. “I went to get water for you, but –”
“What happened?” asked a voice. Sarah peered past Solar to see Nettle fluttering behind her head. Her face lit up.
“Nettle!” She held out her hand for the fairy to land on. “Where have you been all this time?”
The fairy smiled and fluttered her wings. “I was called back to the land of the fae, so I had no choice but to leave. My family said it was urgent.”
“The land of the fae?”
“Yes, a special part of Lyrica where only my kind resides.”
“Well, why did they call you back?”
The fairy turned away. Her wings stopped fluttering. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. My people weren’t sure if they believed in you or not. They didn’t want me to get involved unless my safety was a guarantee, so, they called me back home. That’s why you haven’t seen me since the well.”
Sarah nodded. She couldn’t blame Nettle’s family for being worried. Serwa and Alexander hadn’t lived the safest life since joining up with her. There was always a constant threat of danger.
The girl thought of her own parents. How would they feel knowing the adventure she was on?
“I understand why your family would be concerned,” Sarah said.
Solar lowered her body to the ground and laid her wings flat against her back. “What type of trouble were you saying you ran into, Sarah?”
“Oh, right. I left to find some water to heal you. I was coming back when the siren that took the stone appeared.”
Solar snapped her eyes to attention. “You have it with you again?”
Sarah broke her friend’s gaze.
“Where is it?” the dragon asked.
“I’ll get to that,” Sarah said. “She returned the stone to me, and then these black wolves came out of nowhere and –”
Nettle twirled. “You have the stone! That’s all that matters. Where is it?”
Sarah frowned. She exhaled and fiddled her thumbs. “Well, I do, but I don’t have it so much on me as I have it... in me.” She peered up from her thumbs to see their reactions. Confusion was plastered on both their faces.
“What do you mean it’s in you, exactly?” Nettle asked studying her.
Sarah blew out a breath. “When the black wolves came, they told me to give them the stone. I couldn’t let them take it. I was getting angry and instinct took over, and before I knew it I was pushing the stone into my chest.”
“You did what?” Nettle asked, her wings fluttering so fast they emitted a light buzzing noise.
“Stay calm,” Solar said. “Sarah’s right. It’s better in her than with the... who were these wolves?”
“I think they’re the same ones from that night I met you in the woods. Do you remember? I crashed into you.” Sarah would never forget that night. The ache in her shoulder wouldn’t let her.
Solar repositioned herself on the ground. “I don’t actually. I was sleeping when it all happened. I saw something chasing you, and that’s why I attacked.”
“Well, these wolves had black coats and they kept telling me to give them the stone. They had a leader, and he was talking about a curse and –”
Solar stiffened so swiftly both Nettle and Sarah stopped to look at her. The dragon’s eyes became slits and a low rumble erupted from deep inside her. Smoke blew from her nose as she spoke. “I think we need to get to Serwa right now. She’ll know more about this than me.”
“What are you thinking, Solar?” Nettle asked buzzing around the dragon’s head.
She didn’t answer. “We should head back to the clearing. Jacob and Serwa are probably searching for us. Come on.” The dragon lowered fully to the ground and Sarah hopped on her back.
Sarah wasn’t sure what about the wolves had spooked her friend, but the look in Solar’s eyes said there was no debating, so she climbed on.
“After you left, Nettle found me and patched me up a bit,” said Solar. “I still have some bruises, but they don’t hurt as much.”
Nettle hovered beside Sarah. “Nothing a little fairy magic can’t take care of.” She tossed out some golden dust and smiled.
Sarah grinned. “I’m glad you showed up. I could have gotten back to Solar sooner, but the wolves got me all lost.”
“How did you escape them? And what happened to the siren?” asked Nettle.
Sarah thought for a minute. “I’m not really sure what happened to the siren. After the wolves appeared, she disappeared. She told me that she was returning the stone because her people have grown sick from it.”
“What about the wolves?”
“They chased me through the forest. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. Then these tree nymphs fought the wolves off. I spoke to their elder, and he told me t
here was one last battle before the stone would be returned.”
Nettle nodded. She closed her wings and took a seat on Solar’s head, facing Sarah. “Sides will be chosen at this battle. It will be easy to distinguish between friend and foe,” said Nettle.
Sarah arched a brow. “How did you know about the battle?”
She shrugged. “Nymph, elf or fairy, we are all fae in the end, so we keep in contact. I was home when I found out about the sirens’ plan. The elder tree nymph contacted my grandmother and told her of his vision. Sarah, this battle isn’t going to be like the ones you’ve encountered traveling with Alexander and Serwa.”
Sarah hardened her face, yet the new tension was obvious in her eyes.
Nettle gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t be scared. This is the reality of the situation. You may not have encountered many commoners since you have been in Lyrica, but word travels fast and creatures everywhere know who you are. They know it is time for them to choose sides. Either they will fight with you or against you.”
Sarah groaned. She hoped they would chose to fight with her or else this battle was going to prove to be difficult. She looked at Nettle and Solar. She knew they would be fighting by her side no matter what. Her thoughts drifted to Jacob and Serwa...and Alexander. He was still a friend despite the distance separating them.
Her tension eased. There were at least a few who were guaranteed to aid her.
Chapter 23
Serwa’s golden eyes shrunk in concentration as she listened to Sarah retell the story about the wolves. The others sat around listening as well.
“Then, I found Solar,” said Sarah finishing the tale.
Serwa nodded. She uncrossed her legs and took in a heavy breath. She flashed her eyes open wide, and Sarah swore there were tiny flames flickering within them. The witch huffed and bit her lip.
“Before we even discuss that, let’s talk about you completely disobeying my orders and throwing yourself between two elementals in a battle! Let’s talk about that, Sarah. Do you realize you could have died? Then, what would we have done? We would have never found the stone, and Lyrica would have died along with all those who inhabit it. Look,” she said and stood up, “you must realize you’re special, as much as I hate using that word. You’re important, and we can’t lose you. Besides Solar, the only reason you survived that attack is because you made a territory with your magic, and no, I will not explain what that means right now. From this point on you don’t do anything rash, not without discussing it with the group, first, agreed?”
Sarah couldn’t deny she was feeling guilty and that everything Serwa had said was right. Though she didn’t want to toot her own horn, Sarah was a necessity in finding the stone and returning it to the mountain. It was idiotic to place herself in danger so often. She stopped her fidgeting and looked at her friends.
“I’m sorry,” she said to all of them. She looked directly at Serwa. “I’ll think before I act from now on.”
The witch gave her a curt nod. “Good. More thinking is the only way we’re going to survive.”
“Wait, what about the stone? How are you going to get it out when we get to the mountain?” Jacob’s eyes were so big with curiosity and concern, Sarah thought they’d fall out.
“Another rash decision made,” Serwa said glaring.
“Do you know how to remove it?” Nettle asked.
Sarah could feel a lie coming on. There was no way she could tell them she had no idea how to remove the stone and was kind of hoping when the time came it would just remove itself. They would panic and delay the journey to the mountain until they found a way to ensure the stone could be removed safely. The problem was, Lyrica couldn’t wait that long. Sarah could feel it dying. Each day it was slipping further into some sort of darkness, slowly disappearing from existence. This was a beautiful world and Sarah refused to allow it to die. Its survival was first priority. Plus, she had made a promise to the tree nymphs, Dasi, Skuntz, and the whole tribe. What was that old saying?
The needs of many outweigh the needs of the few.
“I can take it out when I need to, but right now I think keeping it close to me would be the best idea.” The lie came out quick and without hesitation.
Jacob furrowed his brows. He squinted his eyes and watched Sarah watch him.
“I trust that you wouldn’t break a promise or lie to me,” he said. “So, I’ll believe you.” He rubbed her back and smiled.
“Then, take it out now.” Serwa crossed her arms and glared at Sarah.
The redhead stumbled. “W-what?”
“Take it out now,” the witch repeated. “You’ll just put it back in once I’m convinced you can.”
Sweat formed on Sarah’s brow. “It’s very tiring, Serwa. Don’t you trust me? And the stone told me to do it. It felt right.”
It isn’t a complete lie.
“Serwa,” Solar said speaking for the first time since they rejoined. “Sarah is the Chosen One, so she will be our leader. We have to trust her and trust that the stone would never harm her.”
“I agree,” said Nettle. “If we can’t trust one another, were as good as a group of bandits holding knives behind our backs.”
Serwa raised her shoulders with a deep breath then lowered them with a slow exhale.
“Fine but only because I trust the stone, and I want you to know I trust you as well, Sarah. Despite recent actions.”
She gave the child a pointed look.
Sarah nodded, ignoring the ball in her throat.
“Okay,” Serwa said, keeping a level gaze on the girl, before clasping her hands together. “Tell me more about these wolves. What do you think they were?”
Relief washed over her, but Sarah held in a sigh. “I’m not sure. Werewolves, maybe.”
The witch shook her head. “But you said they could talk, correct?”
Sarah nodded.
“Then, they couldn’t be werewolves. While in wolf form lycans have no human speech. Not to mention werewolves, like my kind, are scarce and spread thinly across this land. There are a few packs, but none with such high numbers.”
“They kept talking about a curse, too, if that helps,” said Sarah.
“Yes, I didn’t forget that fact. There is no other explanation. Solar, your assumption must be correct. These wolves are the kuna: the cursed ones.”
Solar growled low in her throat.
“No,” Nettle peeped and flew around as her wings jittered awkwardly.
Serwa picked at her clothing. She rubbed out some dirt smudges. “If the wolves are involved, things could become complicated, more than they are I mean. It makes sense why the tree nymphs warned of one final battle.”
“I had hoped they had gone into a small corner of Lyrica to stay forever,” Nettle chirped and hugged herself.
“I don’t understand,” said Sarah. “Why are they cursed?”
The witch stretched in her seat. “Long ago there was a very powerful witch, who was the sorceress of an entire clan. It is said she was so powerful she had direct communication with the spirits she worshipped. This was in the early days of Lyrica when my kind was much more organized and united. This sorceress met and fell in love with a werewolf. Despite the difference in their races, the sorceress was willing to give herself completely to her love. She married him and performed the ritual la reath y rah, which links the two souls. The werewolf was ignorant of the ritual and agreed to it without knowing what would happen. As they united, he saw all her memories and she all his. She was forced to watch his infidelity. These memories would forever be imprinted into her mind. She would always be able to read his lustful thoughts. The sorceress became so infuriated that immediately after the ritual was finished, she ran from her lover and cried for days.”
Sarah listened, bug-eyed and hardly breathing. She felt like a five-year-old girl again with her father sitting beside her reading from the book of fairytales. Her heart ached for the poor sorceress. She knew what a cheating man could do to a good woman
. In her small home-town, Mrs. Martin was the local widow, but the thing was, her husband wasn’t dead—he’d abandoned her for a younger lady. After that, Mrs. Martin became very sad and stopped speaking. Everyone felt bad for her, so no one judged her...not openly at least.
“Eventually, she found that her broken heart would cause her eternal suffering as long as she resided on Lyrica,” Serwa continued. “She wanted to be free of the pain, so she chose to free herself from life, but not before assuring her old lover would suffer forever. She left the woods and headed back to her people. He was still there waiting for her. As she approached, he rose to greet her, but she didn’t want to hear any of his lies. Before he could say a word, she called on the spirits and placed a curse on him. There before her people, this man turned into a wolf with the darkest fur and the deadliest eyes. He tried to change back only to find that he couldn’t.
His attempts resulted only in agonizing pain. He asked the sorceress what she had done to him. To this she replied, ‘I have stripped your wolf and human side from you and replaced it with something of a darker breed that, like you, will live forever. You are cursed to walk this land for eternity and endure through the suffering caused by age and living with such a evil thing inside you. I want you to feel the pain as I have felt it from your betrayal.’ With those final words, she used all her magic to fade into the spirit world.”
The story left Sarah with an eerie feeling. “Her lover, what happened to him?”
Serwa’s eyes turned to Sarah, full of malice as if she had changed into the sorceress herself. “What the curse intended. He walks Lyrica still this day, suffering.”
“It sounds like a story,” Sarah responded.
“That’s what most people try to claim it as because it was so long ago,” Solar cut in, “but anyone with some sense will know it is much more.”
“But she only cursed him,” Jacob said and moved his head to the side in thought. “How could there be so many like him?”
The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone Page 22