The Channel (The Gifted Book 2)

by C. L. McCourt

  Aurea eyes went wide, and she slowly lowered her spoon to her bowl. She wasn't wearing yellow. They didn't take their eyes off each other as Rhea waited for her to say something more, hoping she hadn't said the wrong thing. As the words had come out of her mouth, she had immediately regretted it. What was she thinking?

  Before Rhea's panic could elevate too far, Marc interrupted their friendly face off. "Aurea, it isn't polite to stare."

  "Papa, she has many colors." The tone of her voice seemed to indicate she felt her behavior was justified.

  Again, all eyes were on Rhea ... all eyes except Daen and Randell who were watching to see if the friendly family was going to turn not so friendly.

  Rhea tried to break the tension. "May I have some more ale?" She smiled at Bella who passed her the pitcher. "The meal is very good." Yes, that's it. Talk about anything but what the little girl had said.

  Bella seemed to relax a little. "Aurea helped me in the kitchen. She's learning how to cook."

  Rhea looked at Aurea. "My compliments."

  Aurea looked nervous but nodded her thanks.

  Daen continued to refocus the discussion by inquiring as to what Marc farmed and whether he anticipated a good harvest. They also discussed the weather, but Aurea was not appeased.

  During a lull in the conversation, Aurea asked, "Are you here to save us?"

  Rhea almost choked. Daen and Randell were stunned as well, but they forced their reaction to be nothing more than a smile.

  "What do you mean by 'save us'?" Daen glanced at Aurea but turned to her parents. "Has something happened?"

  Marc looked at Bella as he tried to determine how much to share, but Bella didn't hesitate. "Aurea feels that Taulomi is in danger."

  "Mama, something is wrong. I know it."

  Daen leaned forward and looked down the table to see Aurea. "Tell me how you know, Aurea." Daen took her seriously, and that seemed to give her confidence.

  "I feel sadness and loss. It hurts my heart." She glanced at Rhea. "But I'm starting to feel better."

  Rhea couldn't help herself. Her whole body shuddered as a chill ran down her spine, and it wasn't the good kind of chill.

  "Are you cold? I can get your coat." Bella started to stand.

  Rhea waved her hand. "No, no. I'm fine."

  Bella sat back down and placed her hand on Aurea's. "Our Aurea is the first in our family to be gifted. We've learned to trust her feelings, but we don't always know how to interpret them." She looked at Rhea. "I hope she hasn't been inappropriate." Bella looked a little worried as she glanced to Daen.

  Daen felt he understood what was needed. "We are not troubled by Aurea's observations, but we do ask that you not share what has been said or seen here." He looked at Aurea to see if she understood. "If Rhea is here to help, she must be free to do so. If the wrong people were to learn of her and what you can see and feel about her, she might not be able to help."

  "You have nothing to fear from us." Marc locked eyes with each of his family members, sending the silent message Rhea's father used to send her when she was little and got too boisterous at group dinners.

  Aurea's shoulders dropped slightly, and she let out a breath as if she had been holding it for a while.

  Rhea wondered if the little girl knew something that she would want to know, but then again, knowing one's future ... that might not be a good thing.

  ~~~

  Gaibel, Lanne, and Beth reached the guard station a few hours after evading the Laundan warriors. With the message sent to the king, they continued their mission as there was little time to waste.

  They raced toward the gray peaks of Stone Mountain. Just on the other side was the town of Eantan, the place they'd find Rhea and Daen.

  They'd reached the base of the peaks as the light started to fade.

  Gaibel brought her horse to a halt. "We make camp here." Gaibel chose this spot for two reasons, the first being the protection it offered. Tonight, they would cut their watch area in half. This was a good thing as Gaibel sensed they weren't alone.

  Another reason was the availability of water. Gaibel pointed to a small trickle of water, which flowed down the mountain, about 10 yards behind her, forming a small pool. "It isn't much water, but it's better than none." She acted as if nothing was wrong, not wanting to worry Lanne unnecessarily if she was mistaken.

  Gaibel had sent Beth not only to hunt for dinner but to also to see if she could determine if the two men she'd seen at the station were following them.

  Lanne looked at the small pools against the mountain's base and took the horses for water. She held their water sacks up to the flowing stream and refilled their own supplies.

  When she returned, Lanne leaned back to see the top of the mammoth wall in front of them. "How will we get up there?"

  "We won't," said Gaibel. "We're going through the mountain. There's a pass a few miles down this path which leads to a natural tunnel."

  Lanne's wide eyes gazed at Gaibel. "Through?"

  "You'll be fine cousin." Gaibel patted Lanne on the shoulder.

  Beth arrived just then, her hunt had been quick and successful.

  Gaibel inquired silently with her eyes, and Beth nodded, her face solemn.

  "Come on, Lanne. Help me collect some firewood." Gaibel slipped into the dense tree line that bordered the peaks.

  Lanne did as Gaibel asked and followed her into the trees while Beth prepared her catch.

  7

  Terranees

  Bella stood and started to clear the table once it was obvious everyone was finished eating. Randell and Daen accepted Marc's invitation to sit by the fire, but Rhea decided to help Bella and Aurea in the kitchen. At home, Rhea would share the kitchen chores with her parents. Those who cooked didn't have to clean, typically.

  "Oh!" Bella exclaimed. "You are our guest. You should join the others."

  Rhea picked up a couple of bowls. "We intruded on your evening. Please let me help." Not waiting for an answer, Rhea walked around the table and into the kitchen.

  Bella stepped up to the sink and started to scrape any remnants of the meal, from the bowls, into a bucket before placing the bowls and other dishes into the sink for washing.

  Aurea brought her dishes in from the table and placed them on the counter.

  "Aurea. Go get ready for bed, and tell your brother to do the same."

  "But, Mama."

  Bella gave Aurea the don't-argue-with-me look.

  "Yes, Mama."

  As Rhea set the last of the dishes on the well-used butcher-block counter, Bella paused and looked around the kitchen to see if anyone else was present. "I don't mean to pry, but you mentioned you were just returning to Taulomi. May I ask where you were coming from? Were you traveling?"

  Yikes! What could Rhea say? She couldn't mention a realm or city that she'd heard Lanne talk about. What if Bella knew of the place? She decided on a vague approach, hoping to end the question. "I was a long way from here."

  Bella stopped her cleaning and turned to look Rhea in the eyes as if searching for the answer Rhea didn't want to give her. "Are you from ... the other continent?" She hesitated, as if mentioning this other place was something she shouldn't.

  Rhea tried to hide her confusion while processing her question. Other continent? There was another continent in this world? Why hadn't anyone mentioned that before?

  Before Rhea could reply, Bella whispered, "Terranees."

  "Terranees? No."

  Bella waited for Rhea to continue, to tell her more about where she had been, but Rhea just picked up another bowl to dry, trying to pretend there wasn't any more to say on the subject.

  But Rhea's curiosity was starting to overwhelm her, and before she knew it, she blurted out, "Where is Terranees?"

  Bella's hands stopped cleaning the cup she'd been washing and gave Rhea a puzzled look. "I know folks don't like to talk about the other continent, but how is it you weren't taught about it
in school?"

  Ah, this would be easy to answer because it was kind of the truth. "I was schooled at home, and I guess the topic didn't come up."

  Bella's brows scrunched together as if she would question further but just shook her head instead, returning to the dishes in the sink.

  "Will you tell me about it?"

  Bella's hands stopped moving again, but she didn't look away from her chore.

  Rhea cringed inwardly. Had she asked the wrong thing? The woman had acted as if the other place was something she might fear discussing. Yet, she'd brought it up. Rhea waited patiently to see if the woman would shy away.

  Bella placed a spoon on the drying towel and looked into Rhea's eyes, as if trying to discern some truth even Rhea didn't know. "It's a land similar to Libritas except they don't have realms ruled by kings and queens. They have what they call domains, where they have civil rulers."

  Rhea barely heard what came after Libritas. Libritas. Libraim. Ah, the continent of the realms was called Libritas. Since she'd already revealed she didn't know about the other continent, she couldn't reveal she didn't know Libritas. Why hadn't Lanne taught her Luxatra was made up of multiple continents?

  "You mentioned that people don't like to talk about Terranees. Why is that?" Rhea asked in a whisper. When the question came out, she knew she'd gone too far. She should have waited for when she was alone with Daen and Randell, but the question was out there now.

  Rhea watched Bella wash the last bowl before turning again to consider her more closely. She could see the questions running past Bella's eyes and her inner debate as to whether she should question Rhea further about who she really was. Rhea held her gaze, trying to look as innocent as she could, waiting to see if she would answer.

  Bella considered her answer carefully.

  Rhea had a feeling she knew Bella's thoughts. She probably sensed Rhea was hiding something.

  Bella nodded after a long pause. "For one thing, it's a long hard trip to get there and back. And, I hear their beliefs are different ... maybe not compatible with ours. Because of that, little is known. That's why I asked. I hoped to learn more."

  Not compatible? What does that mean? Rhea still had so many questions, but she'd already pressed her luck. She wasn't going to push further—better to wait and change the subject. "Oh. Sorry I can't help you." She leaned in towards Bella. "Is there someplace I can freshen up?"

  At first Bella didn't seem to understand Rhea's question but then smiled. "Through the kitchen door and down the hall to your left."

  Rhea wasn't sure what to expect. This world was not unlike the world in which she was raised, just more rustic. Given the mix of architecture and services they'd seen so far, she wasn't sure what she would find.

  Their kitchen had running water, a wood-burning stove, and what looked like an antique cooler. Rhea had seen a similar cooler used as a lamp stand in a friend's house as it was an antique her mother thought was interesting.

  Bella followed her to the hall. When she pointed to a door, Rhea was relieved—indoor plumbing! It wasn't as sophisticated as the bathrooms at home, but she was thankful that it was inside. There was running water, a tub, and a toilet. An oil lamp hung on the wall, burning low, just like the lamps she'd seen throughout the house. She found it odd that a world alive with energy wouldn't have electricity.

  ~~~

  Daen noticed that Rhea had helped clear the table but hadn't left the kitchen. Then Aurea had come to inform her older brother that her mother wanted them to get ready for bed. He hoped all was okay.

  "Papa, please, just this once?"

  "You heard your mother. Go get ready."

  The disappointed look on Raumsy's face was priceless, and it reminded Daen of his own childhood, when he so wanted to sit with the adults.

  Randell sat in the chair slightly behind the pair in front of the fire where Marc and Daen were seated. The chair afforded him a better view of the home.

  This was such a new world to him, yet he felt like he knew it. So far, life in Luxatra was made up of snippets from different time from his own world: from medieval sword fighting to early 19th century plumbing. The building architecture varied as well. It was as if, over time, people from this world had visited his world and brought back designs and technology they could use. Whether that was true or not, it seemed a reasonable explanation for the diversity he had seen so far.

  After Raumsy left the room, Marc glanced between Daen and Randell. He noticed subtle differences between them, including their clothes, their accents, and their level of comfort in his home. Randell appeared intrigued while Daen was comfortable, but cautious.

  Marc looked at Randell. "Where did you say you were from?"

  Randell pulled his eyes from the details of the furnishings around him and considered Marc's question.

  Before he could answer, Daen jumped in. "We are traveling on guardian business ... you understand." Daen stripped all emotion from his face as he sent Marc his message.

  Marc nodded. "Of course."

  "On our travels, we noticed Laundan warriors riding freely across Taulomi. Have you heard such news?" Daen asked.

  "Maybe. I don't get into town much, but last time I was there, I overheard talk about raiders dressed in black attacking travelers. I didn't hear anything about Laundan warriors, but I supposed they could be the same, seein' as their uniforms are black."

  Daen glanced towards the kitchen door. "I wonder what's keeping Rhea."

  Marc started to stand to check on his wife when Rhea stepped out of the kitchen and headed for the hall. "Ah, I'm sure she'll be right back. That hall only goes two places, and I doubt she's going outside."

  Randell leaned to the side, slightly, and watch Rhea enter a small room and realized what it was. The conversation lulled while Randell and Daen freshened up. Once they were finished, they thanked Marc and Bella for their hospitality.

  Marc led his guests out onto the porch. "I'll show you where you can sleep in the barn. I sure wish you'd let us put you up in the house."

  "That won't be necessary," Daen reiterated. "We've intruded on your family too much already." What Daen said was true, but he still wasn't sure Rhea had worked out her dream issue. He needed to be at her side, and in the house, Marc probably wouldn't allow them to sleep in the same room.

  Marc escorted them to a large empty stall at the back of the barn. The floor of the stall had recently been padded with a thick layer of hay and had plenty of room for the three of them to stretch out.

  An oil lamp was secured to one of the structural posts that ran down the middle of the barn. Marc turned up the flame slightly. "When you're settled, please be sure to lower the wick." As he turned to leave, he offered, "We rise early for breakfast. You're welcome to join us."

  "Thank you Marc." Rhea smiled and gave him a slight bow.

  They waited for the farmer to leave the barn before talking freely.

  Rhea dropped her gear in the stall. "You know, if we run into any more people who can see my colors, we're not going to be able to keep my presence here a secret for long."

  Randell reclined against the wall of the barn and sighed. "I didn't sense a problem from them or from the guy at the tavern for that matter, not yet at least. But you're right. We need to figure out what's going on before the wrong people find you."

  "Did you learn anything from Marc after dinner?" Rhea asked.

  Daen was pacing the space between their stall and the one across from them, where a beautiful chestnut mare watched the strangers who had intruded on her quiet space. "We asked him if he knew anything about the Laundan warriors. He said he overheard talk of attacks by riders in black but nothing more."

  "Well. I learned something interesting. Daen, what do you know about Terranees."

  Daen stopped pacing. His face went from being relaxed to showing concern. "How did you get on the topic of Terranees?"

  Rhea shrugged. "Bella asked me where I was from. I danced a
round the subject, saying something like far from here, and she asked if I meant Terranees. Apparently, she was hoping that was the case. She wanted to learn more about it."

  Randell looked confused. "What is Terranees?"

  Before Daen could answer, Rhea explained, sharing what Bella had told her. "She mentioned Libritas. I assume that is what this continent is called."

  Randell nodded. "Yeah, I know that, but, Daen, why didn't you mention Terranees?"

  "Honestly, I don't know much about it. I know it exists. I know it's the home of the Tertusa, the Libraim's elemental counterpart. It's been known to bless the people of Luxatra with a special connection to the earth, fire, water, and wind. But there hasn't been an official reporting of a Tertusa gifted person for a long time. It just doesn't come up very often."

  "Ter-what?" Rhea's mouth hung open as she waited for Daen to explain.

  Daen shrunk a little, realizing there was a lot he hadn't told her yet. "The Libraim is the entity of energy. The Tertusa is the entity of the elements. They ... balance each other. I've heard mention of it in the past, but I have not met anyone gifted by it."

  Rhea closed her mouth and looked at Randell to see if he was learning something new as well.

  Randell's eyes were wide with surprise at Daen's reveal. "Dude. How is it you never mentioned this before?"

  Daen looked at his good friend and felt a sudden twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry Randell. It just never came up. I was so busy learning your world and then ... our lives just ..."

  Randell held up his hand. "It's not a problem my friend." He gave Daen a nod of understanding.

  Daen pulled his sword and twirled the hilt in his hand. "Care for a little practice anyone? I'd feel more relaxed if I got in some training."

  Rhea stood and pulled her sword. "I'll spar with you. I need the practice."

  Randell monitored her form and coached her, just as he'd done when she first started learning a few days ago. He had been sparring with Daen for years and had a lot of experience to share. After about an hour, they called it quits and got ready to hit the hay, literally.