Lone Star Magic

by Karen Whiddon

“Mexican food. Chips and queso. Cheese enchiladas with white sauce.”

  They ate their simple meal, all the while imagining other foods.

  When they’d finished, they retrieved the horses and continued north, skirting the ranch house, breaking the lock on a gate to leave their land, and crossing a dirt road only to find they were blocked by a fence on the other side.

  “Now what?” Hot, dusty, and exhausted, she wanted to scream.

  “We can jump it.” He eyed the earth on their side of the fence. “We’ve got the advantage of a slight rise. We shouldn’t have any problem.”

  “Jump it? Are you crazy? TM doesn’t know how to jump.”

  “Yes he does. Instinct. He only needs Merry to show him how.”

  “Show him… Right. What about me? I’m not sure I could stay on while she leaps over that fence.”

  Alrick spoke with quiet confidence. “You can do it. From what I’ve seen so far, you can do anything.”

  She eyed him dubiously.

  “I mean it, Carly. You won’t have a problem in the world.”

  “Why not?” Muttering under her breath, she turned Merry and trotted down the road to give the mare a running start. “Hell, Lance’s mother shouldn’t have a problem with anything.”

  They went at the fence at a gallop. Merry soared over with room to spare. Leaning over her neck, Carly held on to the mane and prayed. They landed heavily, but with all four feet on solid ground.

  “See, that wasn’t so bad.” From the other side of the fence, Alrick gave her the thumbs up sign.

  With a tight smile, she motioned back. “Now it’s your turn.”

  She watched as TM effortlessly cleared the top rail. Alrick rode up to her, grinning. “Let’s go.”

  The hills grew steeper the more they rode, and the sparse trees a little more frequent, though nothing like the earlier forest. The sun hovered on the eastern horizon, before slowly sinking in a blaze of fiery glory.

  Since they were so isolated, Alrick built them a small fire. Above in the velvety sky, the crescent moon and stars were clearly visible, unhampered by city lights, but providing little actual light.

  Carly’s sank to the ground gratefully. Her entire body ached and even though she was used to working out in the sun, without sunscreen, the day of riding had given her a bad case of sunburn. Though the night air, while only somewhat cooler without the heat of the sun, remained warm, she had chills.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Sunburn. No problem.” Clenching her teeth to keep them from chattering, she attempted a smile. “It’ll turn to tan tomorrow. Always does, though the first night is always miserable.”

  “Here.” He handed her a cloth bundle of some kind – a cloak or shawl or lap blanket – and she took it gratefully.

  “I saw some aloe vera growing over there. Let me get you some.” Disappearing, he returned a moment later with a large aloe vera plant. Squeezing the long, spiky leaves, she began spreading the sticky gel on her shoulders and arms. “Thanks.”

  He placed the remainder of the plant on the ground beside her and retreated to the other side of the fire. “You’re welcome.”

  Conscious of him watching her, she ignored him. When she’d finished coating herself, she said goodnight and grimly set about the business of trying to get some sleep.

  She’d barely closed her eyes when she heard a familiar sound. “What’s that?”

  Alrick cocked his head. “Barking. Probably some ranch dog.”

  Listening hard, she heard the bark again. “That sounds a lot like Kayo. Really like Kayo.”

  More barking, closer this time.

  “That really could be Kayo.”

  “But how can you be sure?”

  “I can’t.” She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “If that’s not Kayo, do you suppose the Warlord…?”

  “Gained control of some dog? I doubt that. Besides, this is only one dog, not an army of them. How much damage could one dog do?”

  Evidently he’d never seen Cujo. She sighed. “If Kayo’ back, I wonder if the boy will be with him.”

  Bark, bark, bark.

  “I’m gonna go check it out.” Dusting off her hands on her shorts, she pushed herself to her feet and started forward, wishing she had a flashlight.

  “Wait.”

  Turning slowly in the direction of his voice, she waited. He came around the fire and crossed to her side, moving catlike and sure-footed in the darkness. “Take my hand.”

  “What?” She squinted up at him.

  “Take my hand. We’ll search together.”

  She looked back over her shoulder, even though she could see nothing but their small fire. “The horses?”

  “They’ll be here when we return.”

  The barking came again. Two short barks, then silence. She slipped her fingers into his. “Hey, you said you can understand animals. If that’s Kayo and even if it’s note, what are the barks trying to say?”

  Alrick’s short laugh was low-pitched. “I didn’t say I could talk to animals in their own tongue. I merely said we understand each other.”

  “Semantics.” Disappointed, she tugged them forward towards the sound. “Can you see anything at all?”

  “No, I—.” Alrick stumbled, nearly wrenching her arm. Somehow, she held on and was able to offer enough support to keep him from falling.

  “Are you all right?”

  He mumbled a definite curse.

  The barking came again, this time one long series of barks, joyful, excited, happy.

  “Kayo!” Carly wrenched her hand free and ran blindly forward.

  “Wait!” Alrick gave another muffled curse. “Carly…”

  “I’d know that bark anywhere,” she called over her shoulder. “It’s Kayo! Come on.”

  A gurgled sound came from the darkness behind her.

  “Alrick?”

  No answer.

  Carly felt the first prickling of uneasiness. In her rush to find her dog, she’d run a good distance from Alrick.

  In this all-encompassing darkness, that wasn’t good.

  Stupid. He was right. She’d wait for him to catch up and they’d go together. “I’m here, I’ll wait.”

  Nothing.

  “Alrick?”

  Silence.

  “Alrick?”

  This time, the barking came again, louder this time. Closer too.

  “I’m positive that’s Kayo,” she said. “Quit playing games and come with me to go get him.”

  “He’s not playing games.”

  Carly jumped, a small scream escaping her. The boy from before stood a foot from her, the same boy who’d taken her dog to begin with. Carrying a small lantern, the light cast a pale glow around him. As he had before, he looked eerily familiar.

  She stared, speechless. Then, barking joyously, Kayo bounded up, jumping on her and leaping. With a strangled cry, Carly wrapped her arms around his wiggling body. Then, she focused on the boy. “What do you mean Alrick’s not playing games?”

  “He’s in trouble.”

  “Trouble?” The gurgling sound. “What do you mean? What kind of trouble?” She turned circles in the darkness, still unable to see. “How? Where?”

  “The earth has eaten him,” the boy spoke gravely. He whistled and her dog ran to sit at his feet.

  “That doesn’t make sense. No.” She shook her head. “That’s not possible. So there’s no way…”

  The boy shrugged. “I don’t ever lie. Please, come with me. We must help him. He’s in grave danger.”

  “How do you know this?” she demanded.

  “I just do.” He turned his back to her, carrying the lantern out before him. Though she couldn’t see him clearly, she heard confidence in his solemn young voice. What the hell – since this journey had started, she’d seen stranger things than the earth swallowing someone. For all she knew, there could have been a sudden mudslide.

  “Take me to Alrick. I’ve got to help him.”

  When
the child slipped his small hand into hers, she felt an unexpected rush of familiarity. Brushing the sensation away and holding tight, she allowed him to lead her through the darkness. Kayo, bounding alongside, gave her a confidence she hoped wasn’t false.

  “Listen,” the boy said, stopping.

  Carly did as he asked. She heard nothing save the harsh sound of locusts mingling with the ever-present crickets. Normal night sounds.

  “I don’t—.”

  The boy ignored her. “Come.” Tugging on her hand, he pulled her forward. Finally, she heard running water.

  “A stream? This is too far. I didn’t run this far from him.”

  “No, but magic clouded his mind.”

  “Magic?” Her voice sounded sharp. “From the Warlord?”

  “No. This was my fault. The magic I used to come here made him go the wrong direction.”

  “Magic brings bad weather.” Frantic, she peered around. “There’s no telling what will happen now. The weather always reacts.”

  “Not the weather.” He continued to tug her along. “The earth. She reacts now.”

  “Either way, something’s bound to happen.”

  “Something already has. That’s what’s happened to Alrick.”

  “How do you know his name?”

  Instead of answering, the boy pulled on her hand. “We have to cross the stream.”

  She continued to resist, fear stabbing her. “What’s happened to Alrick?”

  “We have to cross the stream.”

  Kayo barked, running swift circles around them.

  “Your dog knows. He is trying to make us hurry.

  The whole setup stank, reminding Carly uncomfortably of the old “have a piece of candy little girl” switch-and-bait tactic. But was this real – or not? She had no choice. “Let’s go,” she said.

  Splashing through water, they followed Kayo, Carly clutching the small hand. The plain truth was she didn’t trust him not to run off, leaving her in a trap, though her instincts made her like him. Something about him was imminently likable. Never mind that he’d stolen her dog – something she fully intended to discuss later – she fought to keep from liking him. For all she knew, he could be the Warlord’s henchman.

  And it was so damn dark. She still couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her.

  “Stop.” Alrick’s voice, muffled. “Don’t come any closer.” Carly instantly froze.

  “Look.” Holding out his lantern, the boy pointed towards the ground.

  Alrick. Buried up to his neck in what had to be quicksand. And sinking fast.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “STAY BACK, where it’s safe.” Alrick grimaced as he struggled to keep his chin above the muddy sand.

  Kayo even seemed to sense the danger, remaining cautiously at the edge of the oozing, bubbling mud.

  “Use magic,” Carly told him. Seemed simple to her. “Say a couple of words and you’ll be out of trouble.”

  “I would if I could.” Alrick dashed that hope. “There’s a counter spell here – it kept me from sensing the quicksand and won’t permit any magic at all to work.”

  “Damn. The Warlord is getting better. Not good.” Frantic, she peered around her, dropping to her knees and crawling into the underbrush, blindly groping in the

  darkness.

  “Carly, what are you doing?” Alrick made a strangled sound. “Help me.”

  “A stick. I need a stick. Then I can pull you out. I’ve seen this in the movies.” She tried to project confidence, but her voice cracked.

  “No sticks,” the boy said beside her. “I already looked.”

  “No sticks. Okay, then a rope.” Pushing to her feet, she took off in the direction they’d left the horses and ran blindly into the darkness. God, she hoped they had some sort of rope somewhere in their supplies. The lead ropes. Those would have to do.

  Suddenly the boy was running with her, his bobbing lantern lighting their way. They made it in seconds. TM and Merry lifted their heads curiously, but didn’t spook.

  She grabbed the lead ropes from their halters. Not very long, but they’d have to do. Turning on her heel, she tore back to Alrick. The boy kept pace.

  From his position at the edge of the sinkhole, Kayo barked once to warn them.

  “Catch.” Carly tossed Alrick the rope. He struggled, but managed to bring one hand out of the mud to catch it, then grabbed on with the other.

  “Ready.” He spat mud out of his mouth.

  Stepping back, she wrapped her end around her hand. Then, using both hands, yanked hard.

  And felt herself sliding towards the quicksand.

  “Slowly,” Alrick told her. “Back up and pull slowly.”

  “Let me help.” Positioning himself behind Carly, the boy grabbed a length of rope.

  They pulled in unison.

  Alrick’s shoulder came out of the quicksand. The mud sucked at him, attempting to keep him.

  “Again.”

  They pulled again. This combined strength finally won. Inch by stubborn inch, he moved free of the quicksand. Finally, he pushed himself forward, up and out, before he let go of the ropes, collapsing on safe ground.

  “I’ll take these back and check on the horses,” the boy said, snatching up the ropes and backing away. Without even glancing at Carly, Kayo followed.

  Correctly interpreting Alrick’s quick look, she shrugged. “My dog sure likes him.”

  “So I see.” Breathing heavily, Alrick rolled over onto his side and up to a sitting position. He looked like a refugee from a mud treatment at a fancy, Austin spa. “The beast is a good judge of character.”

  He grinned at her, mud cracking on his face, no doubt thinking of how well Kayo had liked him too. “Plus, there is something about this boy…”

  Surprised, she stared. “You feel it too?”

  “Yes. Maybe it’s his eyes. They remind me of yours.” He shrugged, not an easy task covered with so much drying mud. “Whatever the reason, he seems okay. And I don’t sense any evil around him.”

  “Do you think…,” Hesitant to ask, she had to clear her throat before continuing. “It’s possible my son might travel through time as well?”

  Alrick met her gaze, his own sober. “Anything is possible with magic.”

  She caught her breath. “We need to ask his name.”

  “We will.” He pushed himself to his feet, slightly unsteady.

  Barking, Kayo dashed out of the trees. Close on his heels ran Merry and TM – with the boy perched on his back.

  Alrick looked at Carly. She stared back. After a moment of stunned silence, he laughed.

  The boy brought TM to a stop and hopped down. “What?” He looked from one to the other. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing.” Carly shot Alrick a glare. “He’s having delayed shock from his near-death experience, that’s all.”

  That was the best she could come up with? He shook his head. “And I need to get this mud off.” He picked at his chest. “It itches like mad.”

  The boy pointed. “Hey, we crossed a stream earlier. The water’s warm. You could wash there.”

  “I’ll do that, in a minute.” Alrick crooked his finger, motioning the boy over. “Come here, lad. It’s past time we talked.”

  Obediently, the boy slid from TM’s back. Panic flickered in his eyes as he looked from Alrick to Carly. Even Kayo sensed something, sidling up to the boy’s side. Ears back, he bared his teeth and growled.

  “Growling? At me?” Using the old tongue, Alrick chastised the Border collie. But, though the dog fell silent, he appeared unrepentant, taking a seat at the boy’s feet.

  The boy. Alrick was tired of calling him that. “What’s your name, lad?”

  Instead of answering, the boy backed away, shaking his head. “Can’t…”

  The air crackled with energy. The hair on the back of Alrick’s neck rose. The boy’s image wavered and then poof – flickered out.

  Gone. Again. And like before, he’d taken Ka
yo with him.

  “Damn,” Carly cursed. “I might as well give that dog to him, whoever he is.”

  With a resigned grimace, Alrick looked around the small clearing. “We’d better get ready for the weather.”

  “Great.” Carly sighed. “I suppose it’s inevitable. Let’s see, what haven’t we had? You know, it’d be nice if we could get a break.”

  “Listen.” The tree leaves rustled as the wind began to blow. “Whatever it is; it’s coming.”

  “And, once again, we’ve nowhere to hide.”

  In seconds the gentle breeze became a gale. Howling like a cat in heat, the wind bore down on them, bringing dirt and debris – sticks and small stones and whatever else it could tear loose.

  “Here.” Facing her, Alrick sheltered her from the worst, using his body as a shield. TM and Merry panicked, spinning, running, trying to dodge the wind but failing to escape the invisible menace. Finally they huddled together behind a small grove of trees, heads down, facing away from the wind.

  Carly and Alrick followed their example, staying low to the ground and taking shelter behind a large mesquite tree.

  “This wind’s hot.” She leaned into him. “Like the Santa Ana’s in California.”

  “An inferno.” Though barely a foot away, Alrick had to shout to be heard over the shrieking of the gale. Dirt swirled in the air, slashing at them, coloring the sky, making breathing difficult and visibility impossible.

  “Dust storm.”

  “Too much magic. The earth’s off-balance.” Alrick winced as the stinging sand peeled flecks of dried mud off him.

  The wind shrieked. The temperature increased, blasting them like some demonic oven.

  “Much more of this and there’ll be a fire.”

  “That’s all we need.”

  As abruptly as the storm began, it ended. All at once, the wind was gone, the air still full of dust.

  “I have grit in my hair, grit in my teeth,” Carly groused. “If this is over, I’m all for finding that stream. It wasn’t too far from here, if I remember right.”

  Alrick stood, great chunks of dried mud peeling from him with every movement.

  Eyeing him, she shook her head. “You look terrible. Come on, let’s both go get cleaned up.”

  Easily, they found the stream. The water wasn’t deep, maybe three feet in the middle and debris from the windstorm washed past them, though the water moved rapidly, keeping it fairly clean.