Unbound (Kayla Blackstone)

by Adriane Ceallaigh

  “Can you hold her until Kayla has time to see to her?” he asked.

  The tall, lanky Wer nodded grimly as he took her. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again, little one,” he whispered over her as she snuggled closer in his arms.

  Gannon watched, knowing he’d made a good choice in trusting the man, though wishing he had time to put on some pants. No one else seemed to notice the man’s condition.

  Gannon could feel the Hunters drawing closer, knowing there was no time to find a different hiding place. Now that there weren’t any more collars standing in the way, with some misgivings, he shifted the room and all within to the T’ween.

  Many doubts arose as he gave up his safe place, but he pushed them down. He needed to protect Kayla for her sake and for the rest of his world’s, finding hope where there’d been none. He didn’t yet know if he should tell the Resistance about Kayla, not until he knew how deep the infiltration ran. But, for now, he knew these young ones needed his help.

  Knowing no one had yet realized their world had shifted, he went to speak with Kayla as she bent over the first Mage they’d found.

  “I need to get help for those extremely hurt,” he said. Staring down at the battered face, horror dawned.

  “Surely you’ve seen worse?”

  “Yes, I’ve seen worse. But not on the face of my child” He brushed her hair aside. The heat of her fever burned to the touch. He stood.

  Kayla laid a hand on his arm. “She’s yours?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  “I don’t know. I have to be, don’t I?”

  “If you need a minute…”

  “No, I… I know someone I can trust, someone whose loyalties lie only with me.”

  Kayla’s mouth bent into a slight frown as she looked at him. “Okay.” She sounded doubtful. “If you think it best. But do you think you could help me get us…” she nodded to the group, “…somewhere safe before traipsing off and leaving us unprotected?”

  He leaned in close and rubbed her arms reassuringly. With his lips a breath from hers, he whispered, “We already are.”

  “What?”

  Gannon let the walls fade.

  Roo growled to silence the startled MoonSkins who cowered before him.

  “I need to go now. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Until then, do what you can for them.” He felt reluctant to leave her alone. “Jubi, do what you can, but don’t let any of them stray too far from the falls, okay? And send someone to check on the Urisk."

  20

  Gannon stepped out on the other side of the gate and paused, leaning back against a nearby wall. He rubbed his face, taking a moment to himself after all the chaos of the past few days. Glad to be on firmer footing now that he had some vague idea of a plan, he moved off towards Rosen’s house.

  Her house sat back in a small lot between two larger apartment buildings. Opening the front gate, he moved through the gardens that turned a small patch of ground into a hidden world out of place in the middle of a city block. He walked up a moss covered flagstone path toward a small green door framed by climbing rose bushes. Their heady fragrances wafted about him as he knocked and waited.

  The faint sound of bare feet against the hardwood floor came towards the door. He found himself excited to see her again, yet sad that it had been so many years since he’d visited last; he really should get out more. Sighing, he knew they all had their paths in the war. Her place was here while his was in the world between worlds.

  “Who is it then?” called a voice, strong still after the long years.

  “It’s Gan, Rosen.” He worried she wouldn’t open the door.

  “Can’t be. My Gan would never leave his post for something as frivolous as a visit to an old woman.”

  Gannon flushed with guilt, realizing that he had hurt her with his thoughtlessness. “Rosen…I need your help. There’s a situation that I can’t deal with on my own.” He started squirming like a child again under her disapproval. Forcing himself still, he waited for her to decide.

  The door swung open, revealing a small, slender woman, her hair graying to white. He frowned, realizing she was thinner than he remembered.

  “Why didn’t you say so? That changes things. Come in while I gather my things. As long as you can step over the threshold, that is.”

  He didn’t trust the mischievous look in her eye as he stepped in and received a sharp zap. “Ow,” he gasped, holding his tender rear. He danced in a circle as the pain dissipated.

  She burst out laughing. “Serves you right, staying gone so long. Now come here, me boy, and give old Rosen a hug.” She smiled, opening her arms wide. He approached her cautiously, not sure if she had any more surprises in store for him.

  He gathered her up in his arms and smelled the familiar scent of roses and cookies. His stomach rumbled.

  “Put me down, you big brute.” She slapped his arm as he set her lightly on her feet. “Haven’t you been feeding yourself?” she scolded him and turned towards the kitchen.

  “Not much of late, I’m afraid. As I said, there’s something I need help with. By the way, what would that spell have done if I hadn’t been myself?” he asked, curious about her type of magic as always.

  “Oh a bit of this and that. You wouldn’t be sitting here talking, that’s for sure. Now about your problem?”

  “Covington’s gone over to the other side.”

  “No!” She put a cup of tea on the table near Gannon.

  “I wonder how many of us he’s taken. He had children down there in those darkened rooms, doing who knows what to them.”

  “I don’t know, my dear.” Sorrow tinged her voice. “We’ve got to concentrate on getting those young ones well again.”

  Gannon watched her turn back to gathering her things. The many herbs she used in conjunction with her healing gift brought back memories as different smells wafted in his direction. While witches weren’t collared like Mages, it was a near thing.

  Most witches’ powers were gleaned from years of study, while a Mage had inborn powers, though they both took many hours of practice to perfect and a dedication to one’s magic. The magic at its core was different and that difference let the witches escape the slavers’ collars. Though given enough time, he knew they would find a way to enslave all the magic users, powerful and weak.

  Gannon didn’t think he would tell Rosen much about Kayla, wanting her take on the girl untainted by his preconceptions.

  “Well, shall we go then?” she asked.

  “Yes, why don’t we?”

  A smoky gray cat wound around Rosen’s feet as they walked out the door. Gannon held her pack while she settled it on her back. He watched as she closed the wards around her house. He knew many people walked by without a thought to what sat between the larger buildings. Most people saw nothing but a vacant lot.

  Gan passed the buildings until he stopped at the base of one of the walls and opened a gate, He stepped through, holding Rosen’s hand and wasn’t surprised that Kayla had everyone doing something useful at the waterfall. Karn was still naked and he began to think the man preferred it that way. Or maybe he just didn’t have any clothes to change into.

  * * *

  Karn strolled over, unabashed in his nudity. “The first one has taken a turn for the worse. Kayla doesn’t know what else to do for her.”

  “Show me,” Rosen said.

  “Rosen, a moment.” Gannon stopped her before she could follow Karn. Gannon shuffled his feet, trying to decide how to tell the woman he looked to as a mother that the girl she was about to see was one she considered her granddaughter. Swallowing, he heaved a sigh.

  “Well out with it boy. We haven’t got all day,” Rosen said sharply, impatient with the delay.

  “It's Catrine,” he spat out before his courage failed him. The blood drained from her face as she turned and rushed after the man.

  “I need fire, and water,” Rosen barked.

  * * *

&nbs
p; Kayla looked at the ground near where she sat, seeing a small fire pit. Kayla stared at it with deep thoughts of fire and the warmth it brought. The pit burst into blue flames.

  Gannon stood behind her, and put a hand on her shoulder squeezing. “I’m going to check on the Urisk and get Karn some clothing. I can’t bear to watch her being worked on. You going to be okay here?”

  She nodded, not taking her eyes off of the woman. “Rosen, I’m going.”

  “I understand Gan. Come back soon. I think Catrine will pull through.”

  He turned away. “Karn, would you come with me please?” he asked the tall, naked man. Shaking his head, he walked into the woods. Gannon thought they were close enough in height that he had some old clothes that would fit Karn, even if they would be a bit baggy. He set a steady pace, comfortable in the silence.

  That, in an instant, was shattered, “Does she know about the dog?”

  Gannon stumbled on a loose limb in the path, turned and looked at him, wondering how Karn had known. “No, and you’re not to tell her if you know what’s good for you.” Gannon let out a sigh, wondering if he was making a mistake, “How did you know?”

  “I knew the second we accepted him as our leader. I don’t know what the others know, but he’d made it clear he’ll kill any of us if we tell her. And what were we to do? He’d just slaughtered all of the leaders. I’m not sure exactly what he is, but he could kill any of us in a second. Same goes for obeying her without question because he does, though it’s not our practice to obey a woman. There’s something about this whole thing that doesn’t add up.”

  “You’re telling me. I don’t think either of them are what they appear to be. Oh, and you might want to tell the others that if a black cat wanders out and starts ordering you around, to do exactly as it says.” Gannon almost laughed at the look on Karn’s face.

  Karn stopped in the middle of the trail. “You must be joking.”

  “‘Fraid not.”

  “What is this place?” Karn asked, staring at the cottage ahead.

  “You’ll find out in good time,” Gannon replied, not wanting to tell the strange Wer too much before knowing if he could trust him.

  Gannon trotted the last hundred yards, wanting to get the errand done and get back. He hadn’t wanted to stay and watch Rosen’s face as she worked on his only daughter.

  He went to a small trunk and dug through it until he came up with one of his smaller shirts from when he was younger. He could still feel some of the spells woven in. He concentrated briefly, strengthening the old magic, wanting to protect this Wer, but unable to understand why. He handed Karn the shirt, then turned back to the trunk. He found a pair of leather pants, probably from the same era as the shirt. He tossed them to the Wer.

  “Sorry there aren’t any shoes. When you’re ready, we need to start back. I have a friend to see on the way,” he said, leaving the cottage.

  * * *

  Karn followed Gannon out. He had a lot on his mind with everything that had happened at Covington’s building. He felt it disturbing that the whole pack could be moved from one place to another without any of them knowing. He was willing to accept his new leaders, but he would no longer blindly follow.

  They made their way through the woods at a faster pace than they’d left, finally arriving back at the waterfall. He expected to stop but Gannon kept going, focused on something straight ahead. All Karn could see was the waterfall.

  Debating on whether or not he would follow, or stay with the others in camp, Karn decided he would go with Gannon. He watched the man splashing through the pond until he rounded the falls, and hurried to catch up.

  Gannon stood at the foot of the cave, water dripping off his wet clothing. He called out, but got no response.

  Karn’s night eyes let him see deep into the cave. He saw a flickering light. He followed Gannon as the darkness enveloped them.

  He could hear weeping as he drew nearer. A young Sprite knelt beside the still form of a creature. Seeing the sweet creature’s deathly pallor, he feared the worst. In the flicker of the Sprite’s light, he saw a faint gleam of sweat beading the creature’s brow. It could only mean the being still clung to life. The Sprite hiccupped and he could hear the mumble of words.

  “I have failed…what will I do?” She cried into her hands, her whole body quivering. “I’ve let the clan down…I’ve let the master down. What will Jubi think of me now?”

  Gannon made his way to the small creature and, in a soft voice, he whispered, “There, there now Seri don’t cry so.”

  Karn felt his heart wrench at the sight of the friend in distress.

  She looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I just don’t know what to do,” she sobbed “Zhuhai keeps fading in and out of consciousness, mumbling about something he was supposed to protect. I can’t understand. Please don’t tell Jubi I failed. He’d be so disappointed I let him down.” She pleaded, covering her face with her hands as she flew off, her light flickering.

  Karn frowned after her wondering why she was so distraught. He turned and saw the being’s eyes were open a crack. The creature licked his lips and whispered a single word. “Water.” Karn looked around in the dimness. The light from the cave mouth barley reached them in the depths.

  He located a water skin and handed it to Gannon, who poured it into the creature’s mouth. He drank greedily. “Thanks Gannon, but I meant all of the water, there’s…” A fit of coughing interrupted his words. “…something in the water,” he whispered before he lost consciousness.

  Karn was more puzzled then before. “Gannon what is this creature?”

  “He’s a Urisk. They’re water Guardians. He’s gotten really sick. He needs Rosen’s help. Could you go get and bring her here? I hope she’s done with the rest of the wounded. If you could, stay with Kayla until I can rejoin her. I would be grateful.”

  “Sure.”

  * * *

  Karn walked towards the water, the tainted smell growing. He turned back to Gannon, to say something, in time to see the creature he bent over begin to convulse.

  “Hurry!” Gannon shouted, holding the creature down. “I don’t think there’s much time.

  Karn decided his observation about the water could wait. He dashed out of the cave and burst through the waterfall, startling all of the people on the pool’s bank. He stopped in front of Kayla and Rosen. “Gannon needs you quickly There’s a creature in the cave that needs medical attention.”

  “The Urisk?” Kayla started towards the water.

  Karn stepped in front of her “I’m sorry, Kayla, but Gannon asked only for Rosen. I’m to stay here with you and look after the wounded.”

  “Rosen, please hurry! If Gannon sent for you there might not be much time.”

  * * *

  “Alright, I’ll go. This one needs some tending to. Make sure he stays lying down and calm. As for the others, monitor them for any change.” Gathering her things, she tied a knot in her dress to keep it from getting wet. Taking a deep breath, she entered the water.

  A slimy, crawly feeling seeped over her skin as the water slid over her legs. Worried for Gan, she gritted her teeth and plunged through, moving quickly. She thought of a simple spell that momentarily parted the waterfall and she entered the cave, satisfied and dry.

  The dimness within bothered her so she made a Mage-light, but it sputtered and went out. She got out a candle nub and sparked it to life. It held the flame, wavering as she walked the short distance to the crouched figure of Gannon.

  He turned around, his eyes haunted as he clenched the hand of a dear friend. “I’ve put a shield around his mind to keep him from the pain. I think it must have failed.” The Urisk’s body convulsed.

  Rosen dropped to her knees beside Gannon. “What happened to him?”

  “He was attacked by a construct. Kayla and I fought one here this morning.”

  He continued to hold the Urisk’s hand while Rosen examined the creature.

  “I can’t find any
outward signs of injury. Gannon, can you tell me anything else?”

  “Karn and I found him lying unconscious, so I don’t know what happened. When I got here a few moments ago, Seri said Zhuhai was supposed to be guarding something, and he keeps mumbling about water.”

  Rosen studied the Urisk. She’d rarely seen one. They were creatures of myth, yet here one lay. She thought about what Gannon had told her and kept coming back to the conclusion that it had something to do with the water.

  Remembering the slimy feeling when she’d waded in to the pond, she shuddered. “I wonder, Gannon, if there isn’t something poisoning the water. It felt odd.” She got to work stabilizing Zhuhai’s blood and leached what poison she could from his veins.

  Rosen hummed a soft healing song under her breath as she worked, hoping to stave off the rapid poisoning of his body. “I think he’ll make it if we find the source of the poison.”

  The creature’s eyes opened, looking deep into hers. Rosen knew with absolute certainty that what she had suspected was true. He took a deep breath and his breathing relaxed. She would find what ailed him. She could hear his soft whispered words in her mind.

  “Gannon, how much about Urisk lore do you know?”

  “They are water Guardians who live in falls. They’re friendly enough, but their appearance scares passersby.

  “Well, it would seem they guard more than water. Zhuhai says he was attacked because he guards something. From what I can understand, the object protects itself.

  “Only someone with a pure heart can touch the object and remove it from the protective shield. Seems something’s tampering with it and tried to remove it by other means. The object is leeching energy from the Guardian to protect itself.

  “It will eventually kill him if we don’t find it and safely remove it. I don’t know where it is, only that it’s in, or near, water and I can’t discern what it does. He’s still too weak to tell me anything of much use.”