The Channel (The Gifted Book 2)

by C. L. McCourt

  "Can you eat with your cloak on?" Randell asked. "No one seemed to notice the crest in the first town we passed through because you kept your cloak closed."

  "I'll try." If Daen wore a coat, it would be easier to eat and hide the crest, but a cloak was easier to discard if he needed to defend himself or someone else, quickly.

  Rhea gave Daen a confident smile and turned towards the road. "Let's give it a go."

  "If you need to take your cloak off, we'll deal with whatever happens," Randell added.

  As they got closer to the building, Randell noticed that the rear of the tavern extended out the back further than one would expect for such an establishment. "Is this an inn?"

  "The Green Tavern and Inn." Daen confirmed. "The road that leads off to the east splits in three directions. One split takes travelers to a pass in the Kinling Mountains and into Laundan, one into the Libraim territory, and the last runs south along the base of the mountains and into the Sentran realm. This is a popular intersection."

  When they reached the tavern, they had to pause to allow a large group of travelers to exit before Randell could grasp the door, allowing Rhea and Daen to step inside.

  Rhea's first observation was the aroma, if you want to call it that. She could detect stew, bread, spirits (fresh and stale), and bodies. It was the body odor that she had a hard time with, that and the stale ale. It reminded her of a frat house after a big party, with its floors sticky with spilled beer. She looked at Randell for his reaction, but he didn't look like he was breathing. Daen didn't looked much better.

  Daen leaned close to Rhea and Randell. "I've been away too long. It's hard to imagine ever being used to the ..."

  "Aroma is the word I think you want." Rhea tried to casually place her hand over her nose, but it didn't do any good.

  Daen laughed. "That's putting it nicely."

  The proprietor of the establishment motioned for them to sit where they wanted, so Daen chose a table in the corner, close to the front door but out of the main flow. He took the seat against the wall, facing into the room.

  Randell had seen him do this before. If he could, Daen would position himself with easy access to an exit, a view of the entrance, and nobody behind him. Randell learned a long time ago that this practice had saved Daen's life on several occasions before being sent to Randell's world.

  A young woman stepped up to the table. She wore the customary woman's attire: an apron covering the front of her blouse and skirt that had seen better days. As she took note of Randell and Daen, her frown did a flip, and her eyes grew wide with interest, but as she finished her scan of her new patrons, her smile faltered slightly.

  Rhea couldn't help being amused by the change in her demeanor. Daen and Randell were attractive men, but seeing a woman with them certainly cast doubt as to their availability or possible interest in her.

  The young woman's eyes danced between Daen and Randell once more before asking to take their order.

  "What are our options?" Daen asked.

  Their choices were to eat or not. They each opted to eat. Rhea just hoped the meal would be something … not too unusual. Daen warned Rhea and Randell not to drink the water, so they each requested ale.

  The food arrived in short order. It wasn't too bad—some type of stew, possibly venison, with potatoes and carrots. About halfway through the meal, the front door to the tavern opened, and a tall man dressed in a fine cloak and fine attire stepped in.

  Randell reacted first, causing Daen and Rhea to seek what had caught his attention.

  At first, Rhea didn't notice, but then she saw it too—his aura. It was strong and vibrant. It was an unusual shade of green, a blue-green, with tiny flecks of gold.

  "Randell, what do you see?" Daen asked as he watched the man cross the room.

  "Besides the fact that he's not dressed like anyone else in here, his aura is strong. It just caught me by surprise, that's all."

  Daen nodded as he watched the man choose the table in the opposite corner from where they sat, near the fireplace. He, too, positioned himself with his back to the wall. There was something familiar about him, but whatever it was, it eluded Daen. He let the feeling go and returned to his meal.

  Rhea hadn't taken her eyes off the stranger, for more reasons than his aura and nice clothes. He was confidently attractive, she thought as her cheeks warmed.

  ~~~

  As Taulin settled at his table, continuing his survey of the people in the room, his breath caught. She was beautiful, but that's not what held his attention. When he was home, he allowed his gift to stay dormant most of the time. It was distracting to see people haloed in colors. But, he wasn't at home and he was alone, so he'd kept his gift active, using it to identify those who might be a threat. What he hadn't expected to see was her and the dizzying array of colors that dance around her. He'd never seen anything like it before.

  The woman spied his reaction, he was sure of it.

  He quickly reined in his reaction to what he was seeing.

  She gaze darted in his direction, then away when he focused on her more intently.

  She leaned towards the men in her company and whispered.

  Taulin wondered what she was saying.

  ~~~

  "He sees my aura." Rhea's mind raced with questions. What else can he see? Was he like Randell? Can he see my emotions, my intent? She cringed inwardly at the possibility that he could see her attraction for him.

  It took Daen but a few seconds to see the interest the stranger was taking in Rhea. He didn't like the intensity in the man's expression as he stared at her. Was he a threat? Or was his interest due to the simple fact that Rhea was attractive? "Randell, can you see anything?"

  Randell tried to casually glance across the room at the stranger in the corner, but it didn't do any good. Between patrons coming and going, as well as the serving girl, he couldn't hold a look long enough to get a true read on the man. "I don't see anything obvious. His colors aren't dark, but that's all I can tell. Of course, I can see that Rhea has captured his attention, but I assume you see that too."

  Had this been another time, Daen would not have avoided looking at the man. Anyone brazen enough to stare as he was would have earned himself Daen's full attention. However, they needed to remain unnoticed, and that wasn't happening.

  Wanting to see if he was still looking, Rhea casually glanced around the room, feigning interest in the people around her and the pictures on the walls. When her eyes passed over the stranger in the corner, she had her answer. "He's still looking."

  Daen glanced at the stranger once again. "Finish up. We need to get out of here."

  Randell and Rhea looked at Daen, each wearing a worried expression.

  Randell couldn't see the man unless he turned away from Daen. "What's happening? Is he coming over here?"

  Rhea tensed.

  "No. I just think we should be on our way. No need to draw any more attention."

  Rhea ate the last bite of her stew, downed her ale, and grabbed the chunk of bread to take with her. Randell did the same. They stood at the same time, picked up their gear, and walked calmly to the door.

  Daen stopped and paid the young woman for their meal and followed Rhea and Randell out.

  ~~~

  Taulin watched the woman leave with the other two men. He couldn't help wondering who they were to her. He stood and crossed to the window, watching as they walked north, glancing behind them as they went.

  He wondered why they rushed their meal and left so quickly, why they were now looking behind them. Were they running from someone? If so, they weren't going to be hard to find, traveling on foot, as they were.

  The idea of her on foot gave him a sudden pang of concern. They were perfect targets for the band of black riders reportedly raiding travelers in the area.

  He returned to his table to find his meal had arrived. As he ate, he wondered if he should go after them, warn them. Had they heard of the bl
ack riders? He shook his head, casting off the feelings of concern. They were not his problem.

  An image of her face crossed through his mind as he scooped up his first bite of stew. The corners of his lips twitched as he refrained from smiling. She may have been someone he'd like to get to know better, but there was no time for such encounters, assuming she didn't already belong to one of the men with whom she traveled.

  No. He pushed those thoughts to the side. He would get a room for the night and spend the rest of the day and evening listening to the tales of travelers, focusing on his mission to find the truth behind the black riders.

  ~~~

  As Rhea, Randell, and Daen headed north, they looked back every now and then to see if anyone was following.

  "Did you see him?" Rhea asked.

  Daen and Randell each glanced back at the inn.

  "I don't see anyone," said Daen.

  "He was in the window, watching us." Rhea looked back again, but the window was empty. "Well, he was there."

  Randell smiled and gave her a nudge with his shoulder. "He liked you."

  "Randell." Daen gave his friend a look, warning Randell not to teaser her.

  Randell shrugged. "From what I could see, he didn't appear to be someone we need worry about."

  "Let's hope you're right," Daen responded.

  They walked as fast as they could without drawing attention, quickly distancing themselves from the tavern.

  "Keep acting normal." Daen whispered as he scanned the road for anyone else who might take notice.

  "How far will we travel to meet Lanne and Gaibel?" Randell asked.

  "We should be there in two or three days." Daen's voice was strained. He was concerned. First, the Laundan warriors and now someone of means taking notice of Rhea. This couldn't be good.

  They had been walking for about a half hour before Rhea glanced at Randell and noticed he looked like he had a lot on his mind. "What's up?"

  "That guy back there, his energy was strong, but yours is much more than his, even more than what it was at home. If he can see what I can see," he shook his head, "he might tell someone. I'm concerned that word's going to get out, and you'll become a prize for someone who wants to know more about your abilities, someone who would try to," he paused, "I don't know, but it can't be good."

  Randell thought about Bestian and Gauvin kidnapping him, trying to force Rhea to turn herself over to them. "We already know that someone's looking for you."

  Rhea had been feeling only a little nervous a moment ago. She looked over her shoulder, straining to see if anyone was following. "I suppose I can hide."

  Daen looked over his shoulder and then scanned the area to the left and right of them. "You've been seen with us. If you disappear, it might draw more attention." Daen forced a smile and tried to reassure her. "We'll just need to keep a good lookout. Keep scanning the area for anyone who might be approaching."

  Although Daen tried to appear calm, Randell could see that his old friend was still distracted and a little concerned.

  6

  Farmer

  The light was fading. Darkness was settling in around them.

  "We need to find a place to sleep." Daen scanned the area as they walked.

  Off in the distance, Rhea could make out the tiny flicker of light shining through the window of a farmhouse. "Do you think the farmer would mind if we crashed in his barn?"

  Daen looked around. "What barn?"

  Rhea pointed to the horizon, off to the left. "Over there."

  "Is it customary for strangers to ask for space in a barn?" Randell asked.

  Daen paused and considered the small light flickering in the window, wondering if it would be safe to approach. He didn't know what he was looking for, just looking to see if anything seemed out of place or odd. "It isn't unheard of, or at least that was the case when I last lived here."

  Daen remembered the life of a farming family could be difficult at times, with money often tight. He surmised that some form of compensation would motivate a positive response. "I'll offer to pay him. Hopefully he needs the money, and he won't question who we are."

  They stepped off the road into the tall grasses and started across the field towards the farmhouse. It sat halfway up a small hill, skirted by a creek fed pond.

  It didn't take long to reach the house where they climbed four steps of the front porch.

  Daen turned to Rhea. "Stay behind me and Randell in the event those on the other side of the door aren't friendly." He pulled his cloak closed before knocking.

  A moment later, a tall husky man opened the door, his demeanor non-threatening. "Can I help you?"

  "We're wondering if you wouldn't mind renting us some space in your barn for the night," Daen asked.

  The husky man stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind him while he looked them up and down. "What brings you this way? Why would you need to sleep in a barn?"

  Daen gave an answer he hoped would sound credible. "We've recently returned to Taulomi and have misjudged how long it would take to travel to our destination." Given the man seemed pleasant, Daen stepped aside to reveal Rhea. "We travel with a woman and hope to keep her safe through the night."

  It took everything Rhea had not to roll her eyes. She wasn't totally helpless, or at least that's what she hoped. She played along, offering a smile and a simple wave of hello.

  "Stay here. I'll be right back." He stepped into the house and shut the door.

  "What do you think he's doing in there?" Randell tried to see in the small window next to the door.

  Before either Daen or Rhea could reply, the door opened again, but this time the man stepped back and invited them in. Behind him stood a woman and two children, a teenage boy and a young girl.

  "I'm Marc and this is my wife, Bella. And these are my children, Aurea and Raumsy."

  Daen gave a shallow bow. "I'm Daen, and these are my friends Randell and Rhea."

  Randell and Rhea followed his lead.

  "We were about to sit down to dinner. Please join us."

  Daen waved his hand to decline, surprised at the farmer's willingness to invite them in. "We don't want to disturb you. We have provisions. We just need a place off the road and out of the path of potential overnight trouble."

  Marc nodded with understanding but wouldn't accept Daen's decline. He wasn't going to tell them what his daughter had said the moment they'd knocked. He simply offered, "We have plenty. Please join us. I insist."

  Daen glanced over his shoulder to Rhea and Randell to see if they would object. Randell and Rhea both shrugged 'why not.'

  Daen bowed slightly again. "We thank you and accept your kind offer."

  They placed their gear by the front door and stepped into a combination living room and dining room. It reminded Randell of a scene from an old western movie, where the homesteader had a simple home with simple furnishings.

  There was a plank table with benches on both sides and chairs at each end. Bella was setting three more bowls and forks on the table while Aurea set out additional cups.

  Bella held out her hand. "May I have your cloak and your coats?"

  Daen hesitated at first but then slowly removed his cloak. This was going to be the test. He would know in a moment whether their hosts would ask them to leave. Raumsy noticed the crest first and gasped, his reaction catching the attention of everyone else.

  "A guardian. You're a guardian. Why didn't you say as much when I answered the door?" Marc appeared to be nervous, yet pleased.

  Daen looked humble. "I don't believe in taking liberties simply because of my station."

  Raumsy was grinning ear-to-ear. He'd never met a guardian.

  Daen could see that he was about to bubble over with questions but was refraining from asking, probably fearing he would be scolded for being nosy.

  Marc presented the table as he tried to keep from smiling too much. "Please sit." His daughter had been right.
Their visitors were special.

  They all took their seats, and Bella started serving, but everyone remained quiet. The excitement and tension in the room was hard to gauge. Aurea passed Rhea the pitcher, and when Rhea thanked her, Aurea put her head down, shying away from the attention.

  When she finally lifted her gaze from her food, her eating slowed and her eyes widened slightly as she looked across the table and saw something that intrigued her.

  At first Rhea didn't notice, no one had, but as the meal progressed, she sensed the attention. She wouldn't have been concerned if the little girl had been looking directly at her, but she wasn't. Aurea was looking around her.

  Rhea looked at Randell who was sitting diagonally from her, trying to give him a subtle message to look at Aurea. His posture stiffened when he caught on to what Rhea was signaling.

  How can this be happening twice in one day? Rhea needed to know what Aurea was seeing, but that meant drawing attention to herself when maybe she shouldn't. It also meant she needed to get the girl to talk. Her last attempt had sent the little girl's eyes down to her bowl.

  Aurea was apparently shy, and Rhea didn't want to scare her. Deciding it was better to know than not to know, Rhea wondered if a compliment wouldn't draw Aurea out of her shell.

  "Aurea, that's a lovely dress you're wearing."

  Aurea looked down quickly, hiding her face.

  Dang. Rhea looked around the table to see if anyone noticed the little girl's behavior.

  "Please excuse her," Bella interjected. "She's quite shy."

  "I don't suppose having three strangers at your table is very comforting." Rhea looked at Aurea. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

  Aurea shook her head and then looked at Rhea again. "Your colors are pretty," she whispered.

  Rhea froze and slowly moved her eyes to Daen and Randell. It was just as she'd feared—another aura seer. Everyone at the table was looking at Rhea; it was obvious the cat was out of the bag. Rhea tried to appear calm and casual as if it were just another normal day. "Thank you, Aurea."

  Rhea's next thought was to comment on Aurea's colors but wondered if that would be a good thing or a bad thing. But, before her brain could stop her mouth, Rhea added, "Yellow suits you."