Stones of Fraine (Legacy of Fraine Book 1)

by Amy Morris

  “Enough of this talk for now, let’s get going,” Talia throws my pack at my feet. “We’ve got almost over a week on foot to get there. Sounds like it’s time to move.”

  “She’s so bossy,” Goss laughs as she passes us.

  I approach Verona to thank her for everything, and she embraces me in a tight. “Be brave, strong and remember nothing can’t be overcome.”

  “Thank you I needed that, I hope to see you again.”

  “When you succeed, you will see me in Grant Falls or Shyne my child. There’s a surprise for you all at the top of the cliff to help your journey along.” She walks with me towards the entrance then stops, “Just one other thing comes to mind. Use your powers in town but don’t overdo it, Abigail.”

  I’m not sure what she means by town, which town? Assuming it will reveal itself when the time comes, I allow Rabble to secure my harness to start the brief climb up. This climb is much quicker, as he said it would be due to wide ledges. But it could also be the fact that I’m a little better of a climber now, along with my motivation to get the Sun Stone.

  Angel helps hoist me over the edge when I reach the top but doesn’t offer any to Rabble. Upon seeing five chestnut horses not far in front of me, I forget about their animosity. “This will definitely make the trip faster,” I announce, then push the same sentiment to Verone mentally.

  “Hope you’re more comfortable in the saddle this time,” I hear as Talia mounts the one I assume she’s laid claim to.

  “Horse issues earlier in your trip, I presume?” Rabble asks while giving me a leg up onto one that Goss is holding still for me.

  “More not used to it, but I’ve improved thank you very much Talia.”

  With everyone mounted we start off to the north, enjoying the scenery below us as the cliff’s shorten and more of the green water is visible. Rabble takes the lead, being the most familiar with this region. That knowledge now makes a ton of sense due to him being its crown prince and all. Goss rides at my side before nudging her horse against mine to get my attention. “Shouldn’t one of us ride ahead with him?” she nods in his direction. For an answer I just shrug. She huffs at me then digs her heels into the horse's side riding ahead.

  I’m honestly fine with a few minutes of silence, but I can hear the others coming up from behind. Not wanting to deal with them, I nudge my horse forward as well to ride on Rabble’s other side. “So what should I call you now?” I finally have the nerve to ask.

  “What do you want to call me?” he answers, not turning my direction.

  “That’s a long list,” I quip.

  “Friend is a start and what I always will be to you, but I prefer Rabble. When I joined the rebellion, it was the name I took.”

  “So your rebel name it is then,” Goss smiles.

  “One would think you prefer Prince Kevon,” I snort. He turns to me and I see the saddest look in his eyes.

  “Prince Kevon died with my mother and sister. With what I know of my father, I’m much happier being Rabble.”

  “Won’t your father send men after you? You are his heir and all.” I ask, realizing this could definitely complicate things.

  Shaking his head, “No, he won’t. He was probably working on disinheriting me when I saw him a few days ago.”

  “Why would he do that?” Goss asks, while chewing on a muffin from her stash.

  “He remarried some time ago. You know an heir and a spare thing. Well, Anne took over his life and has done anything possible to thwart my existence. She has produced two healthy sons, so now she can replace me in the line. My presence has been a bother to her since she married my father. Now with birth of her second son she sees a way to make them heirs now.”

  “Wouldn’t they come after you as it is?” I ask, honestly not knowing the answer.

  “It’s a little different in Fraye, the king’s wife is his queen during life and afterwards. The only way Anne can be queen is if he disowns me, if not she keeps the title of king’s wife and her children stay out of the line for the throne.”

  “Does the throne matter to you still?” Hoping he says no.

  “Yes, now before you say anything, let me answer the question on your mind. I want the throne so I can change things, make them as they were. Magical folk won’t have to hide or fear their abilities during my reign.” He sighs but continues staring ahead instead of in either of our directions. “Anyone with powers should be free to use them as long as it’s not malicious. My mother’s power would have saved her, gods only know how many others have lost loved ones for the same reason.”

  “I’m sure it’s easier for peasants to use power if they have it. It’s not like a wife would turn her husband in for making their crops grow larger,” Goss suggests.

  “I’ve unfortunately witnessed just that. For the gold paid to those who turn in magic users, many do turn in loved ones. It’s not a pretty end,” he trails off as we descend the cliff on a well-worn path.

  After traversing multiple switchbacks in single file, we finally hit flatter ground. For hours we ride as a group at an easy pace, allowing conversations to flow, even a few where the animosity between Rabble and Angel seems faded some.

  The next morning everyone seems to be in higher spirits. None more than me when Goss kindly shares two muffins from her stash after I make a face at the salted fish Angel hands me. “Where’s my muffin?” Angel asks noticing Rabble has one.

  “When you stop being an ass, you’ll get a muffin,” she huffs at him.

  “I did nothing,” he answers quick before looking over the group. “What did I do?” No one answers him and he storms off towards the water away from camp.

  “I’ll go,” Talia steals two muffins on her way.

  “Trying to talk to him earns her more than two of these,” Rabble offers.

  Motion catches my attention by the river. It seems I’m not alone when Rabble and Goss turn their heads as well to see what’s going on. From our view Talia is pointing and talking to Angel, motioning our way multiple times. Angel shrugs, then also points back to camp. This goes on for a few minutes before Talia tosses something into the water and stomps back our way.

  “I quit,” she announces through a mouthful of food as she sits down beside me. “Abby, go talk some sense into him, please. I think you’re the only one he’ll listen to on this, he needs put back in his place for all our sanity.” Goss rewards her, throwing another muffin Talia’s way. “I’m so glad Verona conjured up more of these to bring and Goss’ sacrifice in carrying the bag.”

  Looking across the fire for help but Rabble just shrugs to signify this isn’t his place. I notice the glare Goss aims Angel’s way, she won’t be offering to speak to him either it seems. “Fine, I’ll go, but no guarantee I get through to him.”

  Talia snorts, “I bet you do.”

  With that, I head towards Angel, trying to figure out what she means. Is he worried about his place as a friend or protector? As I get closer, he turns to face me. I can see that whatever this conversation is, it won’t be easy, at least for me. The hope in his eyes seems dashed when he takes in the look on my face. “What’s going on, Angel?” I ask when I’m within five feet of him.

  “Glad Talia kept her mouth shut for once,” he mutters, but not answering me.

  “Are you worried Rabble’s going to take your place?” I assume it’s that or distrust for him.

  He snorts and shakes his head, “he already has.” Resting my left hand on his arm, he takes a shaky breath before continuing. “The place I’ve wanted the last couple years I can’t have, I know that now.”

  “Tell me now what’s going on, Angel. You’re still one of my protectors even if more join you know that, right? Hells you’re one of my oldest friends.” I catch my temper before I say more. “We couldn’t have made it this far without you, you know that right?”

  “I know that Abby, it’s the future that concerns me. We have a lot to accomplish, if other’s have picked up our scent our time could run out. This
task is far from simple.” He walks away from me, heading back towards camp. “To me it doesn’t matter who comes and goes, only that you’re safe. I will always be your protector, Abby.” And with that, he leaves me alone by the water. I understand now why Talia threw the muffin into the river after their talk. Why are men so frustrating, I think to myself as I return to camp.

  16

  Two days pass on horseback rather uneventfully as we cross the Shant River, then proceed towards the Groves border. There is still something bothering Angel during our ride, but he contributes to conversations and jokes with all of us, at least. Each night we make camp far from any towns we pass as to not draw attention, which for now is working.

  On the third morning Angel is the first to break the silence over breakfast. “How much farther to the Groves border? Rabble, I assume you might know that answer since none of us have any idea where are.”

  “Actually, we are just over half a day’s ride to the border,” Rabble answers. “Sometime this morning we’ll be entering a forest that straddles both kingdoms. There’s no marker, but by the time we exit the woods we’ll be in Groves.”

  Seeing the aforementioned woods not too far ahead lightens my heart. Making me just a tad anxious of being that much closer to my father. I make haste in loading my pack and mounting my horse ahead of the others. Smiling to myself, I can now completely mount a horse alone. After completing the semiacrobatic feat and settling into my saddle, I notice the smile on Talia’s face as she watches me. I wink back at her right before she mounts her own mare. Watching the rest of the group, I notice how comfortable Rabble looks doing all of his own work from tightening a saddle to cooking. Dressed in worn leather pants and a linen shirt, he fits in here with us. Not someone meant to rule a kingdom, but a person who is setting out on their own. According to Verona, he’s my most trusted protector. From what she left unsaid I could almost envision something more between us. His hair has a golden tint to it in the early sun, his eyes are pools of emerald water that mystify me still. Drawing in a deep breath, I try to erase my thoughts I don’t want him to see.

  Talia snorts to get my attention after I don’t turn immediately when her foot kicks mine. “Girl,” she whispers. “You’ve got it bad it looks like. But I can’t say that I blame you.” Turning to face her I have nothing to say, nothing will come out but a grunt. Talia laughs at this, then shoots me a wink as she whistles to move the group along.

  We start with Talia in the lead, with me close behind at a slower pace so the rest can catch up as they mount their saddles. Hearing a horse approaching my position, I assume its Rabble coming up to take the lead but am surprised to see Angel sidle up beside me instead. “I want to apologize for the way I’ve acted Abby, it was unnecessary and a determent to our task.”

  “So Goss got to you, did she?” I smile.

  “She did, I guess using the exact words that she berated me with was a dead giveaway,” he smiles back. “I just haven’t been comfortable with how easily Rabble and you have become close. And I realize that my feelings need to be put away until you fulfill the prophecy. So I promise no more distractions on my end until we’re done.”

  “According to Verona, I have eight protectors to complete the prophecy. Please don’t be a jealous jerk with the next four.”

  “I promise, but can we maybe make sure that a few of the newer ones are female?” he jokes.

  “What’s wrong with the females in this group already?”

  “Right, I’m not Talia’s type for one. The second is Goss being more like my sister than anything. And with you, it’s off limits until you restore Fraine. Just remember once that’s done you’re fair game.” He winks, pulling back on his reigns to move to his usual place at the back of line.

  I want to yell at him, I don’t feel for him that way. Those types of feelings for him existed a few years back, they didn’t even last long. He’s more of a brother to me, he should start thinking about Goss less as a sister. But the shout his direction never comes, he’s right, that’s a discussion for after we put Fraine back to rights.

  “Oh, the webs we weave while trying to deceive,” Rabble says, pulling alongside me with Goss on his tail.

  “Now don’t you start, also get out of my head please,” I ask.

  “Ho, now I need not be in your head to know what that conversation was from the look on your face my dear,” he responds with. “But he has a point, more women would be nice,” he laughs, digging his heels into his horse's flanks to reach Talia ahead.

  Goss draws alongside me, muttering something about men. I turn to her and when our eyes lock we both laugh. Finally able to see into other’s minds has become a treat, and what I saw in hers has to be a joke meant for me. “You saw that, didn’t you?” she asks while her cheeks redden in embarrassment.

  “I did. I agree that Angel could use being tied to a tree with honey smeared on him to attract woodland creatures.”

  “But only the nice ones,” she reiterates before snorting again with me joining her.

  The short ride to the forest is amicable, with banter being thrown up and down the line of riders with no malice for the first time in days. We all seem to fit together now, I wonder what it will be like when others join us. There’s no thinking otherwise since Verona clarified that I’ll have eight. Pushing aside those thoughts now, my mind turns to the dense forest just ahead and what it may present to our group besides passage into the Groves.

  Right at the entrance of the dense wood we stop for a quick lunch, not knowing the terrain once we enter. “Muffins are gone,” Goss announces as we eat the last of our fresh rations from Verona. “We’re down to dried foods again, and some bread that’s molded” she quips, tossing the offending loaf aside.

  “Declan is the closest town I know of in our path across the Groves to Cordova. Maybe two of us can sneak in and out of the market quick for fresh meat and bread?” Rabble offers.

  “I have to admit, having fresh non salted food was a pleasant change,” Angel agrees.

  “Well, that settles that than, so obviously the least recognizable person is Rabble to send. We can decide whom will accompany him later,” Goss suggests. We all nod in agreement to her comment, and I for one would risk capture to avoid eating more salted fish.

  “I’m honestly not familiar at all with this area or woods, Rabble. Do you have anything you can offer us?” Angel asks. I can see from Goss and Talia’s faces that I’m not alone in being surprised by him asking for Rabble’s help.

  Rabble sighs, “I know some, not a lot to be honest. These woods are said to be cursed. Besides that the fact that it protects us best to cross the border, I’ve got nothing.”

  “Cursed?” Goss gasps.

  “Yeah, what do you mean by cursed?” Talia asks.

  “Old story about people never coming back out, along with rumors that over friendly animals exist but can’t escape. You know standard fairy tale issue, I suppose,” he shrugs.

  “After what I know now I put stock in fairy tales Rabble, does everyone disappear?” I interject.

  “No, it’s used heavily as a smuggling route so I always assumed those that didn’t return were double crossed.”

  “Sound point, still best to be on our guard,” Angel offers.

  We quietly finish our food before jumping back on the horses to enter the mystical woods, as I think of them now. Nothing seems odd as we traverse the trail that seems well worn, so I lean towards Rabble’s theory on the smugglers.

  The quietness of the woods is often interrupted by birds chirping, small animals scurrying by, and the wind blowing gently through the trees. It really seems like a paradise with the sereneness it offers. According to Rabble’s calculations, we should only need to camp one night, just across the border in these woods.

  For hours on end we listen to the soft noises of forest life and oblige by speaking in lower tones as to not disturb our surroundings, let alone draw attention to our presence. Making camp is easy enough in a glen we find j
ust off the trail that abuts a stream of clean water. The crisp water leads me to believe it comes from a spring inside the forest and not an offshoot of Datch Lake in Madera like the Shant River.

  A peaceful night lends to a calm morning to eat and pack back up. It’s not until after lunch we see wildlife emerge from the thicket. Even still, the closeness of these animals seems strange.

  “This deer seems to follow me,” Goss offers.

  “Well, you fed it some of your salted pork Goss,” Talia answers.

  “I get that Talia, but have you ever seen a deer with violet eyes?” Goss motions towards the animal.

  “Honestly, no. Let’s take a break just ahead and see if it follows us that far,” Talia quips.

  Within an hour we stop to water the horses in the stream that winds along the path we’re on, the deer is still with us. As the horses drink we seat ourselves on the rocky bank to freshen up with a quick drink and snack. The deer is now at Talia’s side and won’t relent until she shares part of her rations with it.

  “This deer is definitely persistent,” Talia mutters as it finishes her piece of jerky. “Is now a bad time to mention that is jerk venison, you think?” she laughs. The animal's gaze pierces into Talia but makes no move to leave her side.

  “I guess she doesn’t care,” Angel offers.

  “How do you know it’s she?”

  “There're no antlers or anything extra between its legs. So common sense here, Talia,” Rabble teases.

  “Well, whatever’s going on with it, I’m not comfortable with the way it’s staring at me, that’s for sure,” Talia grunts. “Now shoo deer, shoo. You’ve gotten all the food you’ll get out of me.”

  But the friendly animal doesn’t leave her side, even after we’re back on our horses. “Just looking for more food I’m sure,” Rabble mentions as we continue on the trail. “Once it realizes there’s nothing more, it will go away.”

  We all readily agree, but the determined animal doesn’t leave her side for the next hour. The deer isn’t really a bother and we leave it be for the time being. Hitting a fork in the path, its demeanor changes though as we try to decide which was to go.