Heart Stone

by J. A. Culican

  Gwen and I finally had a chance to spend time together. For the most part we walked quietly. Just being near her was enough to cause my heart to sing. Sel seemed to be okay, his normal, silent self as he gazed at the landscape and eavesdropped from his spot in the middle of the group.

  The next day, Nyalla helped us build a fire. This time, our shelter was a sandy outcropping near a rocky dune. It didn't have the benefit of a roof, the way the caves had, but she showed us a type of dried twig-like shrub, the same one which had rolled across the sand and accompanied us during our trek made a suitable kindling. Both Gwen and Sel were fascinated and barraged her with questions.

  As I watched them, the key on my chest felt warm. It seemed to almost pulse, making its presence known and as it did, the same uncertainty about Nyalla rose again. Perhaps it was merely jealousy. I watched Gwen laugh at something and tried to brush the thoughts away. But the suspicion bothered me. Which was worse? If I was jealous, or the key was trying to warn me Nyalla was not all she seemed?

  Will, of course, had an almost dreamy expression on his face as Nyalla talked.

  I rolled my eyes when he passed her some brush.

  Gwen noticed and frowned before coming to sit beside me. "Is everything okay?" She kept her voice low as she searched my eyes.

  I forced a smile. "Yes, of course." I pressed my lips together, not wanting to divulge my foolish insecurities.

  She tilted her head and looked at me, her eyes warm and inviting. "What's going on? I've never seen you act so hot and cold before." She bit her lip, pausing as they widened. "I didn't do anything, did I?"

  I shook my head, putting my hand on top of the one she’d placed on my knee when she'd sat next to me. Tiny sparks of electricity seemed to shoot between us. I felt the heat warm my cheeks as her touch affected me the same way it had since the ship.

  "No, it's not you. I don't know. I just…" I bit the inside of my cheek, letting my gaze wander to where the boys sat laughing at something Nyalla said. When I looked back at Gwen, comprehension had replaced her worried expression.

  "Something about her, isn't it? On the one hand, she's been extremely helpful, and nothing but friendly. And yet…"

  Relief swept over me as I realized she had the same reservations I did. I leaned closer, bringing my lips to her ears. "I don't trust her motivation but now I’m wondering how much of my ill will is jealousy."

  I watched as the point of her ear lifted and was filled with the urge to nibble on it. I blinked and managed to stop before I did. Our relationship hadn’t progressed to public displays of affection, and I wasn't sure how she felt about biting.

  Our faces were now only a few inches apart and I saw a flush highlighting the porcelain skin of her cheeks as she took a shuddering breath. Her eyes darkened. "You don't need to be jealous of her. I only have eyes for you."

  I leaned closer, about to take her up on the clear invitation I was receiving when Sel's head popped up beside mine.

  "Is everything okay here?" His eyes were wide and his face so open I forced my irritation down and smiled reassuringly as I pulled back from Gwen. He was becoming quite observant but had sadly missed the private signals between us.

  "Everything is fine. I’m tired from all the walking and the sand, of course, but otherwise doing well. We were just talking about how lucky we are Nyalla knows so much about the Northwestern Lands and the Desert of Souls."

  I could tell he didn't completely believe me, but he didn't press. Unfortunately, Will's ears perked up at Nyalla’s name and he nodded emphatically.

  "I've never met a woman who knew so much before," he gave her an appreciative glance.

  Nyalla chuckled. "If you’d lived here as long as I have, you’d know a thing or two as well." She brushed his praise aside easily, but I could see she was pleased at his words.

  A yawn escaped me unexpectedly and I clapped my hand over my mouth. "Oh dear! I'm sorry. Apparently, I’m more tired than I realized." I looked longingly at the ground sheet we’d put out to avoid becoming any dirtier while sleeping.

  Gwen stood and extended her hand to me, smiling. "Why don't we try to catch some sleep?"

  "That's a good idea. But we should take turns standing watch. That way, we won't be surprised by wild animals or the Oubliee if they've managed to catch up with us." Nyalla looked around, shrugging. "As you can see, we're far more exposed here than at the caves when we stopped to sleep last time."

  "Absolutely,” Gwen agreed. “Do you think we need two at a time?"

  We all looked at Nyalla, who narrowed her eyes as she considered the question, before finally shaking her head. "No, it's probably fine to have one guard at a time."

  "I can take first watch if you want. I'm not tired yet," Will offered.

  "Fine with me. Wake me up when it's my turn. But give me a few hours first. I can hardly keep my eyes open." I muffled another yawn.

  Gwen gently led me over to the rough sheet on the ground which would serve as our bed, and I happily curled up against her shoulder with the wolves providing comfortable, cushioned heaters that swiftly lulled me to sleep.

  Chapter 17

  I woke to the sound of muffled conversation. At first, I couldn't remember where I was. The soft feel of fur next my face reminded me I’d been sleeping beside Gwen. The wolves were still there, but she was missing.

  Will must've woken her up for watch. That was probably who I’d heard. But as I listened, I realized something strange was going on. I sat up, spotting Sel sleeping beside Damio. Gwen’s youngest wolf had become fond of him, and I smiled at the two snuggling before looking toward the fire.

  Both Will and Gwen were beside it and Nyalla’s sleeping form was a few feet away on another ground cloth.

  Gwen cast a glance over and caught me watching them. She gestured for Will to follow and crept over to where I was sitting. I waited, motionless, my sense of curiosity and confusion from waking up to such a strange interaction making me almost think I was dreaming.

  She knelt beside me and in a low voice told me what happened. "I don't know what to do," she looked between us. “Will woke me for my turn to be the watch, but when it was my turn to hand it over to Nyalla, she started talking funny, saying she was someone completely different."

  I looked at her, my eyebrows shooting up. “What?”

  She blew out a long breath, running her fingers through her hair in an abrupt, frustrated gesture. "I know it sounds crazy. I didn't know what to do, so I told her I’d made a mistake and it wasn't her turn yet. She went back to sleep, but he heard us talking and woke up. I was just telling him when I noticed you were awake. Something was different about her. I just don't know what."

  I examined him, trying to determine if he believed what she was saying after his earlier efforts to woo Nyalla, and was surprised to see a similarly confused, worried look on his face.

  "I'm not sure I would have believed her … except I caught the tail end of it." He shook his head, brow furrowed, looking almost as bothered as her.

  "What do you mean, she was acting different?"

  "Well, for starters, she told us her name was something else. Y’serra someone? And her voice was different, less throaty; more musical." She screwed her face up as she recalled it. "It's almost like she was a different person. It still doesn't make sense."

  As she struggled to understand what she'd seen, I thought of something I'd read. The name was there, just on the tip of my tongue if I could just remember where I’d read it. Nyalla stirred beside the fire. Gwen’s eyes widened with fright.

  When I looked over, Nyalla’s eyes caught mine. I knew instantly even if she hadn't heard what we’d been discussing, she was awake and aware we were having a conversation.

  "Is it my turn yet?"

  The sound of her voice made something inside me turn cold and still. It was exactly like they’d said, it was different. While I would describe it as musical and soothing, it was not the same voice I’d become accustomed to.

  "No, they
came to wake me up for my turn. You can go back to sleep."

  She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You seemed quite tired earlier."

  I shook my head as I gestured for her to lay down, then shot a warning look at Will and Gwen. "No, I'm fine now. Everyone else should go to sleep. You'll need your strength for traveling tonight."

  The other two reluctantly followed my lead, curling up on the sleeping pallet with Sel and the wolves. Nyalla had chosen to sleep on her own, which is why she was on the other side of the fire. At the time, I hadn’t thought it was strange. Now I wondered if the reason I'd been feeling so uncertain of her motives was tied to why she’d kept herself at a distance.

  As I sat by myself in front of the fire, bits and pieces of what I remembered about the name Y’serra came back. The key around my neck began to pulse a familiar warning, so I focused with diligence. Y’serra, Gwen had said. When Nyalla had spoken in a voice so unlike hers, it had suddenly come back to me.

  It was a name I’d only seen once, in an old writing about the Dark War. She’d been known as the Great Betrayer and was the reason Onen Suun had chosen to sacrifice himself in the first place. The book explained it was when she had abandoned him on the eve of their wedding, he had chosen to sacrifice the nine dragons to defeat and imprison Dag’draath. It was the final magic which had supposedly also imprisoned Beru and destroyed this land.

  I looked out into the daylight, recalling the history books describing this land as a lush paradise, and saw nothing but sand and emptiness by the harsh light bleaching the desert. How much was true, I wasn’t sure, but it was generally agreed at one point, Y’serra had been Onen Suun’s betrothed and beloved. Her defection had directly preceded his disappearance and Dag’draath’s imprisonment.

  I had no idea how long I sat there, staring into the fire while I let my brain work on answers. I was grateful my memory was as good as it was, but at times like this, I wished it was even better. Perhaps if I knew more, I could tie Y’serra to Nyalla.

  I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep anymore, but I woke Nyalla after I thought I’d been awake for a few hours. It would have been strange if she didn’t have a turn, and at least this way, I’d be able to watch her from the sleeping mat. Then Sel would have the last shift which usually meant a good breakfast. He was the best cook amongst us.

  I no longer felt comfortable allowing her to be our sole watcher while the rest of us slept. Hopefully, I could discuss a plan with the others to avoid that happening again without her overhearing.

  Even though I hadn't been sure I trusted her before, I’d made the mistake of letting down my guard around her for no reason other than she’d been so kind and so helpful. Now I’d heard the name Y’serra, I’d never be completely able to trust her again. If she could betray her love for the dark one, we could never be truly safe with her.

  Nyalla woke easily, her eyes blinking open as she smiled. She sat up and stretched, giving a dainty yawn before standing. "Any concerns? Did you hear or see anything outside the fire ring?"

  I shook my head, noticing her voice was back to normal. There was no evidence it had ever sounded different. Had it been a dream? No, others had heard it as well.

  I refocused on her question. "No, nothing happened except … well, it's nothing. Let me know if you need anything. It's Sel's turn next, and I’d recommend waking him before you get hungry." I forced a smile, trying to act normal. "He's a great cook."

  Nyalla nodded and took my place beside the fire, poking it with the long stick she'd taken from the cave. After using it for finding water, she had decided it was useful and had been using it to poke things and walk with as well. "I certainly can. Enjoy your rest, see you soon."

  I waved a hand as I walked over to the others, forcing my eyes to remain on the ground in front of me.

  She sounded and acted as if nothing had happened.

  I planned to ask her about it as soon as the others were awake, but not yet.

  We needed to know what we were up against, and the best way to do that was to make sure we were all there when she explained herself.

  I rolled over, assuming a position allowing me to keep my eye on her without her noticing and waited for dusk to fall.

  Although I’d been on edge for her shift, Nyalla didn't do anything suspicious. She merely sat by the fire, which was unnecessary save for the fact we’d use it to cook with before we departed and stared into the desert.

  How could she possibly be Y’serra? She would be several hundred years old, and she didn't look much older than her mid-twenties. Hardly someone who would have been around during the Dark War, unless there was magic at play.

  I was in the process of beating myself up about not knowing more about her back story when she came and gently shook Sel awake. I’d only had about four hours of sleep, but I knew it would be impossible to sleep any longer right now.

  It was hard enough sleeping during the day, but once one added in the distraction of a traveling companion who could potentially be the second evilest villain in the history of Lynia, sleep eluded me entirely, even after she'd switched with Sel.

  After trying a little longer, I gave up and joined him at the fire. I debated telling him what had happened during the night while helping with breakfast but decided to wait until everyone was awake.

  Once we had the food was ready, we woke everyone.

  The wolves left under instructions to return within the hour.

  I wasn't sure if they were hunting, or just bored and needed a chance to roam freely, but they'd returned every night prior to our journey through the desert, so I wasn’t worried.

  "Man, I wish you were in the barracks with us. You could get a job as the mess cook, no problem." Will’s mouth was full of food as he spoke, but his intentions were clear as he went back for seconds.

  Sel gave a modest smile before returning for his own seconds.

  Although our water stores had been low, the amount of food Nyalla had packed in each bag should be enough for us without needing to hunt for at least a week. When I’d told her where I thought the temple was, she'd been confident she knew the general location and had promised it should only take us about that long.

  To be on the safe side though, Gwen had the wolves bring back some of wild game they found. Due to the more unfamiliar terrain she had relieved us of our hunting duties, which I was grateful for.

  "I'm a Low Forest hunter. Although the general principles are the same, the wolves will do a better job in unfamiliar territory by instinct, and I'm not trying to torture you into usefulness the same way I was when you were a sheltered princess-scholar."

  I would've taken offense except immediately after she delivered her announcement, her eyes had heated. I knew she was thinking of our stolen kisses and lingering touches when no one else was around.

  It was a good thing we wanted to develop a relationship slowly, because otherwise, we both would've been frustrated beyond belief.

  We slept in a giant pile, so even though my skin burned from the proximity to her each time we laid down, our embraces were chaste and fully clothed when anyone else was near, which seemed to always be the case.

  Will sighed as he leaned back, patting his stomach with an expression of satisfaction. "You are a surprisingly good cook. Especially considering the tools you have to work with."

  Nyalla added her own vote of approval, although she’d stopped with only one portion. I understood why Will needed more, as he was a lot bigger than the rest of us, but it was an eternal mystery to me where Sel put any of the food he ate. His skinny status had only been emphasized further by our travels.

  When everyone was in a comfortable and relaxed frame of mind and the sun was setting beautifully in the distance, I decided it was an appropriate time to chance asking Nyalla about what we’d seen during our daytime rest.

  "Nyalla," I began, then hesitated. I caught Gwen's expression and I knew she was worried about what I would say next. But it needed to be discussed prior to reaching the lost t
emple. If Nyalla did mean us harm, I didn't want to hand her anything which could make her more powerful.

  "Yes?" Nyalla's voice carried an edge of impatience.

  I realized I hadn't finished my sentence, instead letting myself trail off in thought. I shook my head and gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I forgot what I was going to ask for a moment. It's back now."

  Nyalla looked curious but unworried, unlike Will and Gwen, who were both tightlipped and fidgeting.

  "When you were sleeping, you woke up before it was your turn for watch. You were acting funny."

  Nyalla raised her eyebrows. "Funny? I'm not sure I know what you mean."

  Sel frowned and I remembered he’d slept through the episode. For his benefit, I reviewed. "When Gwen and Will were trading off the watch, you woke up and started to talk.” When Nyalla leaned forward, shrugging her shoulders, I continued. “You were talking to them, but you sounded like a completely different person. When they said your name, Nyalla, you told them you were someone named Y’serra."

  Her eyes widened but before she could object, Gwen cut her off.

  "Yes, you seemed to know who we were, but you were very insistent you weren't Nyalla. You were … different." she crossed her arms, lowering her head as she watched Nyalla’s reaction.

  Nyalla turned to Will and when he nodded in confirmation, she sighed. "I'm sorry. I was really hoping that wouldn't happen again. In fact, it’s why I was being careful to sleep a little apart from the rest of you."

  She gave us a half smile, allowing her eyes to linger on Will as she directed the next words seemingly to him. "I didn't want you to think any less of me, but my whole life I’ve felt this strange connection to Y’serra." She looked down, shaking her head as if reliving a painful memory before she looked at me again.

  "I don't know why or how it happens, but sometimes I lose time. I can't always tell what I’ve done or where I’ve been. Sometimes I get the sensation I'm dreaming when it happens, but other times, I have big gaps in my memory. I'm afraid one of these times, I won't wake up again and this other person, Y’serra, will take over completely."