“You’re heartless. If you can tell me what to do, I’ll do it.”
I roll my eyes.
“I know you’ve chosen a darker path, but it’s never too late to correct your actions. I choose to save lives. And I’m going to be as thorough as I know how. What do I do?”
“There is nothing to do. We wait.” I observe her for a moment, enjoying the panic she’s experiencing from not being able to do anything. “You know… I know another control freak like you, but he would’ve just let her die and considered the situation controlled.”
“There has to be something we can do. What about suspending the tissue around the bite? It will help, right? I’m going to try.”
Without hesitation, she preps Jaymes’s cheek. Astor rips a piece of cloth from her tattered cloak and dabs around the wound. A weak cleansing without properly sterilized water. It does nothing. Astor’s wrists remain bound together, but she manages to work through it and palms Jaymes’s cheek with a gentle squeeze. She leans in as if she’s going to take a bite, but stops short. Her eyes are closed as she focuses.
Jaymes comes to life with a burst of energy and rolls onto her side. Expletives spill from her mouth. And with the sudden jerk, Astor falls forward, catching herself before smashing her face into the ground. “Whore! I’m not interested. You need to gain control of yourself. And you!” She scowls at me. “You sit back and watch? What’s happening? Why are my pants down? Again!”
I can’t withhold a large grin from spanning ear to ear. The look on Astor’s face is priceless. She lets out a gentle squeal of delight, but her face is beet red. Astor creates distance from Jaymes as more curses spill from her youthful mouth.
I gather my composure so I can get both these girls and the situation under control. We’re losing good daylight and have a great distance to travel yet.
“Quiet, Jaymes! Stop acting like a child and pull your trousers back up. Your lady parts are only going to entice her more.” I can’t resist taking a jab at Astor when the opportunity presents itself.
“What? Entice? I… I… I’m not… I swear… I would never force myself on… A bad coincidence. I was only trying to help. I swear it.” Astor’s face brightens even more as her eyes dart between Jaymes and I.
Somebody should tell her gay doesn’t mean the world is ending. If she prefers to fondle a breast over a set of balls, so be it. A breast is more pleasant in the palm anyhow. I should take a detour to the Carnal Islands and sell her to the Amorous Artillery. That would open her mind a bit. After a week or two fulfilling the unimaginable fantasies of the scum of Vedora, she’d be begging to pleasure a woman. Or perhaps a house of women.
I force the two of them to their feet. “Let’s get moving. We’re not going to make it to the Crimson Capital until autumn at the rate you two travel. It’s time to pick up the pace.”
“But what about her bite? Shouldn’t we do something more for her?”
“It was a mere sol spider. It’s harmless.”
“But the infected flesh on her rear?” Astor’s voice remains delicate even though her words speak urgency.
“It’ll recede. Get over it. I’ve never heard of anyone dying from anything native to this wood. The sol spider can leave a nasty scar and cause some pain, but it’s not the culprit of her collapse. Likely exhaustion. We’ll take care of that soon enough. We have another hour of daylight and then we’ll rest.”
Astor grimaces and folds her arms tight, standing tall with her chin up. A protestor’s stance. “She needs help now. The poison, it’s spreading.”
Her meager attempt to control every situation drives me mad. Patience. We’ll be rid of her soon enough.
“A cat bite could do worse. You should see what it looks like when a death adder gets yah.” I whip out my kukri and swiftly strike her arm. Astor shrieks and nearly falls to the ground. Mother of Susy, if I do that again, I better commit and go for the throat, or her tongue at least.
Astor stares at me as though she’s imagining what it feels like to stab me in the heart. No. No, that’s not it. It’s motherly. Disappointment maybe. Nothing I’m familiar with.
“Jaymes!” I stroke Persia’s soft fur and pat her back, gesturing for Jaymes to climb up. “You need the rest.”
Jaymes, suspicious of my generosity, hesitates as she moves closer to the cat. Once she’s within arms distance, I attempt to assist her, and she recoils. I acknowledge her fear with a thin smile and insist. She consents, and I help her climb aboard.
Once again, we trek on with Astor in tow several paces behind.
“You know, Jaymes, you and I are nothing alike.”
“I’m aware of that,” Jaymes replies flatly.
“Of course. You’re an adolescent who is ready to take on the world. What I mean is…you have potential. We come from two different worlds, but you can follow in my footsteps and possibly farther. You can rule this land as the Taoiseach’s Shadow. But you must learn to control it. All of it.”
“I don’t want to follow in your footsteps. Roaming the lands, looking for innocents to murder.”
“You want to dethrone the Taoiseach.”
“There is no throne. Harris is an elected official.”
“Believe what you want. The darkness is where he prefers his subjects, but ultimately that’s not a terrible thing. The goal is to follow the darkness until you find its source.”
“What do you mean? You want me to follow you to the Taoiseach and kill him?”
“Kill him? I didn’t say anything about killing him. Maybe you are like me. You would fail miserably if you tried. He is far too powerful and intelligent to let a stupid girl get the best of him. Plus, he’s not an awful man as most have painted him. It would be a shame to off a mind so great.”
Groups congregate. Believers of the nameless man, which has been deemed the Hybreed. But they are not true believers. It is more of a perversion. They seek facts about this man. They demand something tangible. They need truth. There is still work to be done.
16 Elder
Seven seasons earlier…
“S
tone, stop! You’re going to kill it.” I call out and nudge him. But not too hard. I don’t want him to think I’m angry. I just don’t want him to kill it.
“Elder, do you really think my aim is that good? I’m not going to kill it. I couldn’t shoot a grizzly bear if it were five paces away. I’m not going to hit that tiny squirrel from fifty paces out.” The slingshot snaps. The rock flies.
“Stone! See! I told you!” The squirrel drops from the oak and bounces on the leaf-covered forest floor. “We have to save it.”
“Mother of Susy. I really hit it,” Stone whispers. “Brilliant!” He stands still, arm outstretched with the slingshot in hand. He doesn’t move for several clicks. His slack mouth morphs into a shining grin.
I must admit, it was a nice shot for a homemade slingshot.
“Stone, com’on! We gotta save it before it dies.”
“Oh, alright. Let’s go.”
We dash to where the squirrel dropped from the oak. I hope the damage isn’t too severe. If it’s minor, then Stone will be able to mend the injuries on the little guy. If it’s anything more than some broken bones, then we may have to put it out of its misery.
“Is it dead?” I ask.
“Umm…yeah. I think so,” he says. “Nailed it right in the jaw. See?” He grabs the squirrel by the tail and displays it a hand’s width from my face. Its motionless, with haunting almond eyes. Its lower jaw is dislocated.
“Let’s try to bring it back!” I suggest.
“What? Not a season ago you were hesitant on the idea.”
“Well, I was thinking…you remember how I told you death is tied directly to the revolution of the seasons?”
“Oh, that nonsense again?”
“Yeah, well I was thinking. I’m not fond of death. And I’m not fond of winter. And if death turns the seasons, then we can delay winter too.” My voice unintentionally squeaks higher a
s I continue. “We can save lives and stall the winter solstice. Right?”
“That’s stupid! You can’t stop time by saving lives.”
“Not time. The seasons. If you can believe in some magical god that created and controls the seasons, then why can’t I believe in this? It’s not stupid.”
“It is stupid.” Stone grins. “But it’s a good enough reason to try.”
He’s going to attempt to bring it back to life. My body lights up with excitement. Is it possible? Will he be able to do it? The squirrel has only been dead for a click. It must be possible.
Stone places the limp squirrel on a bed of leaves and cradles his hands around it. He closes his eyes.
First, the muddy brown leaves around the squirrel give way to an olive green, which then brightens until they’re as vibrant as a spring sprout. Grass and clovers bloom around the squirrel, and it is soon lying in the middle of a lively green patch of forest floor that started as a decaying pile of fallen leaves. Stone’s hands ebb away as he opens his eyes. We stare and wait. Several clicks pass, and nothing happens. The excitement in my heart fades. I was hopeful. I genuinely believed he could do it. We both look down on it with shrugging shoulders, then the squirrel twitches. We look at one another, eyes wide in disbelief, making sure the other witnessed the same thing.
“Stone?” his mother’s voice calls. Wicked timing. “Stone, what are you doing? It’s time for worship.”
Stone checks back in to reality with a distraught look on his face.
“Dang! Your mom ruined it. Did you see it? Did you feel it? The squirrel was right there. It was coming to life. What did it feel like? Could you feel its soul? Were you talking to it? How does it work?”
“I-I’m not sure what I felt. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel good. I’m glad my mother disrupted it.”
Shae steps off the stone pathway that meanders away from their home into the oak forest and heads in our direction. She’s dressed in a pale-blue, silk evening gown.
Before she reaches us, Stone ruffles the leaves and partially covers the squirrel, trying to conceal as much of the lively green patch as possible. I don’t think he has reason to hide it, but it’s clear he feels ashamed of what he’s attempted.
“Lady McLarin, you look beautiful this evening…” I say to her. “…but the boots aren’t really working with the dress.” I can’t resist. She dons bulky bearskin boots under her knee-length, elegant dress. Even a youth of ten seasons is aware she looks ridiculous.
“Thank you, Elder. And yes, I realize the boots are an eyesore. I had to flee the stone pathway to come find you two out here. I did not want to soil my flats.” There is irritation in her stern voice.
“Sorry, Mother,” replies Stone.
“Sorry, Lady McLarin.”
“Come on, you two. Let’s get back to the house to clean up before the festivities. The rest of the family is nearly ready, and you two have been hiding out here doing only Susy knows what.” She glances around, and Stone wiggles in front of the dead squirrel so she doesn’t see it.
After washing up and donning our formal attire for the evening, we make way to the foyer, where the remainder of the family is waiting. Most everyone wears garb according to the color of their race on a day-to-day routine, but because this is a formal event, it is not merely for style, it is an expectation. Being a Dihkai, I’ve donned a black jacket and matching trousers, which I’ve borrowed from the McLarins, along with a white button-down shirt and black bowtie. Stone had to assist me with the tie. It’s a fashion for the privileged. They also lent me polished black shoes so shiny I can see my reflection. My family isn’t awarded the luxury of formalwear.
Naturalists accept the fact everyone has their own beliefs. And Naturalists don’t partake in lavish clothing, which is why the McLarins have extended their generosity to me. And, although I find the clothes over-the-top, the parties dedicated to Susy are always memorable.
Stone wears a plaid pattern of midnight and sky blue. He’s also donning a matching flat hat and bowtie. I’m not an expert in fashion, but I find myself jealous of what he’s wearing. I have nothing to complain about, though. At least they invite me to these parties and provide me with the proper attire.
“We’re ready,” Stone says to his mother as we parade down the staircase.
Everyone appears as if we’re heading to meet the Taoiseach. Shae now has matching stilettos to go with her pale-blue evening gown and a platinum necklace lined with sapphires. Stone’s father, Arden, is dressed in a midnight-blue three-piece suit with a crisp light-blue shirt underneath. Even Jaymes, at the age of eight, looks beautiful in her charcoal-grey jumper with white lace at the bottom and white stockings. All of them have the crest of the Lahyf pinned on them in some form. Stone and Arden have cuff links in the shape of three raindrops, and Shae has three platinum raindrops dangling from each of her ears. Jaymes, however, the only Dihkai in the family, has a charm bracelet with three toadstools dangling from it. I would feel like the odd man out with my black suit and toadstool buttons if it wasn’t for Jaymes.
“You two look adorable.” Shae reaches for her own neck, gesturing to Stone. “Straighten your bowtie, son.”
Arden pats me on the shoulder. “Thanks for coming along, Elder. Stone and Jaymes both appreciate your company, as do Shae and me, of course. Are you sure your parents are okay with you celebrating with us on the Autumnal Equinox? I know it’s a holiday most families prefer to spend together. We can always take a detour back to Farrow on our way.” Shae narrows her eyes at her husband. Arden shrugs his shoulders in return.
“Of course, sir. My parents have already threatened to punish me if I didn’t accept every opportunity to come enjoy myself at one of your extravagant festivals. Believe me, they claim no issue with me being here. In Farrow, we don’t celebrate the way families of the Seezuhn religion do.” I shrug my shoulders, then quickly add, “But that doesn’t mean we don’t like to enjoy ourselves.”
“You’re right. We’re all just trying to put a smile on our faces, aren’t we? It’s part of being human, I suppose. And speaking of putting smiles on faces, Stone…” Arden pauses and looks at his son. It’s a look of pride. “…I’ve a surprise for you.”
Arden disappears momentarily and returns with a long, narrow box with a blue ribbon on it. He hands it to Stone, who accepts it with a befuddled look.
“What’s this, Father?” He runs a curious hand over the box.
“Open it!” Arden urges him.
Stone unties the bow and lifts the top, peaking into the box. His eyes light up, and he tosses aside his manners. He throws the lid to the ground and reaches into the box, letting the box itself fall to the ground as well. He wields two identical swords sheathed in light-blue leather scabbards with brushed silver pommels adorned with sapphires in the shape of raindrops. The pommels and light-blue coloring both symbolizing the Lahyf heritage, of course.
Stone unsheathes one of the blades. The silence while he withdraws the blade and the sparkle of the untainted polished steel send shivers down my spine as I envy his new treasure.
“Wow!” Jaymes cries as she moves to grab it. Stone, tapping into his sibling instincts, slaps her hand away. Both of his parents overlook it.
“So…what do you think, son?” Arden asks. His smile beams with pride.
“It’s amazing, father. Thank you.” Stone embraces his father, then steps back, looking slightly puzzled. “But…may I ask what the special occasion is? And…a sword! Is it mine?”
“Not just a sword. Those blades are part of the family. An heirloom passed down from father to son for generations. I think it’s time Life Bringer gets handed down to its new owner.”
“Th-thank you, father. I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you is enough. Now, go ahead, see how they fit.”
I look to Shae, and there is worry in her eyes, but she defers to Arden on this matter. She wouldn’t have let it happen without a discussion with Arden first, but her moth
erly worry is visible on her face. Her son has just been given a pair of blades. At age ten, he’s plenty old enough to start training.
Stone retrieves the harness that fell to the floor when he ripped the blades out of the box. His father helps him wiggle into it and fasten the light-blue scabbards to it. Stone, dressed in his plaid formalwear with two hilts protruding from his back, looks like one of the Noxelite ready to attend a ball. He’s always wanted to be a member of the Noxelite, and he’ll be there someday. I’m sure of it.
Stone looks at his reflection in a nearby window. A gleaming smile tears across his face. “Thank you, father.” He turns to embrace his father once more.
“It is a mere formality. Please remember that. I don’t intend for you to use them on anything, or anybody. It is not a plaything. And you will need to prove to me you can handle the responsibility of keeping them safe. Understood?”
“Understood, Father.”
“And I’ve already arranged lessons for you. You can’t claim responsibility if you don’t know what it is you’re responsible for, now can you?” He lays a hand on his son’s arm and pulls him in closer.
“Wh…why have I never heard of…Life Bringer?” Stone unsheathes one of the blades and admires it. “Before now, I mean. You’ve never mentioned it before.”
“Life Bringer isn’t a prize to boast about, Stone. In fact, I intend for you to maintain its secrecy. Elder here is like family, so we can trust him.” Arden winks at me. “This is a priceless family heirloom with history in the McLarin family. I have kept its existence concealed because there are many who would find much value in what our family considers priceless. I’m sure you’d like to know how it acquired the name Life Bringer?” All three children, Stone, Jaymes and I, all nod our heads, eager to hear the tale.
“But that will happen at a later date,” Shae pipes in. “We have an Autumnal Festival to attend.”
“And you know, son…” Arden grins and pats him on the back. “…in the right hands, you never know, it may just hold true to its legend.” He draws a hard pause as his grin fades. He shakes off whatever he was pondering. “Alright. We’ve spent too much time admiring the prize. It’s my fault, I know, but we need to be on our way as your mother suggests. Shall we?”
Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Page 17