by Jeri Baird
He pulled her in tighter and nodded against her head. “We can all learn from her.”
Silence fell when Father Chanse turned to Merindah. “In our darkest hour, God sends light. You anchor us to the source of our power. God hold you, God keep you, God receive you. Amen.”
Merindah lifted her head. “His will be mine.”
“Do you accept this call as the anchoress of Puck’s Gulch, entering the cell of your own free will?”
She stared out across the villagers. “I do.”
“Knowing you will spend your life serving the village in the name of God?”
“I do.”
“So be it.”
“So be it,” murmured the villagers.
Alexa’s heart seized when Merindah disappeared into the shadow of the cell. She held tight to Dharien’s hand to keep from running after her.
The brick layers moved in as the priest stepped back. The slap of mortar on top of the first row of bricks jarred Alexa from her thoughts. She began to shake, and only Dharien’s arms held her upright. Surely someone would call an end to this madness. Father Chanse? God? Moira? But no one protested, and with each layer, the finality seeped into her bones.
Out of the one hole left, Merindah’s eyes sought Alexa’s. It was not joy, but sadness that Alexa saw in those eyes. She stepped forward, but Dharien held her back as the final brick was wedged into place.
The bells rang, slow and steady. God’s will had been done.
Chapter FIFTY-SIX
War Begins
Zander
Five days had passed since Merindah entered the cell. Alone in the stable, Zander paced. Four scouts roamed the gulch. The Protectors rotated guarding the edge with the catapults loaded and primed below them.
The warriors gathered in the dining hall, waiting for Zander. He’d been anxious since he woke. Couldn’t Moira pay him a visit and tell him when the Odwans would arrive? He closed his eyes and counted his breaths.
Greydon popped into the stable. “Hey, Z? You’ve got some restless warriors out there.”
“Five minutes. Send Kaiya to me.” When he’d stilled his mind, an idea had formed at the edges of his awareness.
“Not a time for romance, my friend.” Greydon said, and ducked as Zander threw a bridle at him. Greydon laughed as he left the stable, but Kaiya showed up a minute later, breathless from running, clutching a dozen rolled up canvas ribbons.
“Alexa spelled them. When they unroll, they’ll twist and flutter. It won’t last long, but maybe it’ll spook the Odwans.”
“Good. Any extra time will help.” He took her hand. He had to be careful how he worded his request. “I have a special assignment for you and Odo.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she tried to pull away, but Zander held tight. “Hear me out. You two are the strongest climbers we have. Once the invasion begins, if you can cross the gulch and climb the rock walls behind, I want you to take a message. The Odwan women don’t fight. Tshilaba says they’re sick of war, but they’ll defend their children and elders.” He pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s not a safe mission. If they shoot, you’ll be outnumbered.” He whispered the message for the Odwans.
When he felt Kaiya soften, he knew she’d agreed. She reached her arms around his neck and hugged him. “You’re a good man, Zander, Son of Theron.” She kissed his cheek. “You’d better stay alive. I have plans for you when this is over.”
His cheeks burned. “I intend to,” he said. He reluctantly pulled away. His five minutes were up.
Kaiya studied him. “You’re afraid.”
“I’d be a fool if I weren’t. The village will fall if I can’t protect them.”
“You have more courage than anyone I know, but you don’t fight alone, Zander. The warriors would follow you into hell if you asked them.”
“I hate everything about this.” He dropped his head into his hands. Kaiya was strong and beautiful. How would the invasion change her? “Even if we win, how do we recover from this?”
“Together. We do it together.” Kaiya leaned in and pulled his hands away from his face. “I’ll send Korble to tie the ribbons. The questers’ birds can unfurl them.” She placed her hand against his chest. “Now, you have a speech to make,” she teased. “It better be good.”
“It will be.” He grasped her hand, and together they walked to the stone outbuilding and entered the hall to face the anxious warriors. Kaiya joined the women. The muttering ended as Zander marched to the front. Gratified to see the men who’d left with Del standing along the back wall, he took a moment to acknowledge each man and woman. How many would die? Be wounded? The weight of his task twisted his gut. He sucked in a deep breath.
“A year ago, we were weak and unsure. We fumbled our blades, we dropped our knives. Our muscles ached, and our bodies screamed to quit. But our will was strong. We swung the blades and picked up the knives. We shot arrows until we were seeing targets in our dreams. Today we stand together as true warriors, ready to defend our village. I won’t lie. You’ll have moments when you’ll want to run. It’s how you react to that feeling that will show your true courage.”
The men and women sat taller and more than a few eyes shone at Zander’s words.
“I’ve driven you hard, and we haven’t always agreed.” A few nods and smiles greeted him. “Although the Protectors have their roles, we warriors are the key to our defense. My friends, we are ready. Fight smart, fight with heart. Fight to protect everything you love. Puck’s Gulch will remain free. We will defeat the Odwans!” He added, “May you have the courage of Zephyr.”
The warriors stood as one and roared. Fists pumped the air. They chanted, “Puck’s Gulch! Puck’s Gulch!”
And then the bells began to ring.
Zander shouted above the din. “Go! To your places. Save Puck’s Gulch!”
Chapter FIFTY-SEVEN
Alexa
The bells! The Odwans had entered the gulch. Alexa tied a bag of crystals and herbs to her belt. She grabbed her basket of embroidery squares and sprinted to the Quinary, thankful she’d traded her skirt for trousers. The bloodstone beads, the warrior’s stone, she’d braided into her hair clacked against the tiger eye beads used for grounding. When she drew near, she expected chaos, but instead found quiet determination.
Kaiya had the women off to one side, and Alexa headed there first. Bindi distributed quivers of arrows while Kaiya explained their positions in the gulch. Father stood at the back with Mother. Both heads bent, they spoke in low voices, and then Father kissed her and quickly strode away.
“Father?” she called after him.
He jerked to a stop and rubbed his eyes before looking at her.
“What will you be doing?” she asked.
“Zander gave me a scimitar.”
Alexa blanched. “Hand-to-hand fighting? Will it come to that?”
“If it does, I’m ready.”
She tied an embroidery around his neck. “This reflects the light and makes you harder to see.”
“You stitched one for your mother?”
Alexa nodded.
He gave her a quick hug. “Use your magic to protect your brother,” he said, and was gone.
Clutching her basket, Alexa joined the women. She hugged Kaiya and tied a square cloth around her wrist. The scene depicted Kaiya, bow drawn and aimed at a black X. Silver thread surrounded her to deflect the Odwans’ eyes.
She tied similar cloths around each woman’s wrist, leaving Mother for last. Alexa’s chest tightened as she tied the cloth and gave Mother a hard hug. No words could convey how she felt. She said a quick, “I love you,” and turned to the grim women.
“My magic protects, but it’s not invincible. Be brave, not reckless.” She searched each face before she added, “May you have the courage of Zephyr.” She spun and ran to catch F
ather Chanse.
Dressed in the clothes of a field worker, Father Chanse led frightened but determined questers away from the Quinary. Pouches bulging with metal scraps were slung across their chests.
“Father Chanse? I have protection for the questers.”
He helped her tie a spelled cloth to each quester, and then said, “Find Melina Odella. Convince her to help us.”
“I’m going to try,” Alexa replied as the questers headed down into the gulch.
Next, Alexa caught Gia’s group. Boys and girls, armed with slings, marched to where the bricklayers’ guild had built crenellations for the shooters to hide behind. She spent a few minutes spelling the piled stones to fly fast and true.
She approached the Protectors with the offer of a magic cloth, but one after another, insisted she give them to the ones going into the gulch. Before leaving, she said, “May you have the courage of Zephyr.”
In the middle of the Quinary, Zander coordinated the groups. Pride filled her as he stood, confident, with a bow across his chest and a sword hanging at his side. He didn’t hesitate as he answered questions and directed the troops. The amulet she’d embroidered for him lay against his chest. He glanced in her direction and caught her eye. It lasted only a second, but understanding passed between them. Their roles would not bring them together until later.
Next to Zander, Shadow stood alert, the hair on his back standing on end. Alexa had done the right thing when she sacrificed her patron to save Shadow. She’d stitched the collar he wore to carry messages. Woven with turquoise for safety and imbued with a spell for speed, she hoped it would help him survive. The mounted warriors surrounded Zander, wearing their magical cloths tied at their chests, like Zander.
She handed out the remainder of the cloths to the villagers going into the gulch. One cloth remained. The battle scene she’d stitched under trance lay in the bottom of her basket. Satisfied she’d done all she could to protect the fighters, Alexa turned toward the church. She needed to see Merindah.
Ahead of her, Eva and the healers carried boxes of supplies to the church, where the temporary hospital was set up.
Alexa sped up and slipped her arm through Eva’s. “There are herbs and salves in my storeroom. Go there if you need supplies.”
“Will you stand with Zander?” Eva’s face wrinkled with worry.
“Not just yet. I need to find Melina Odella.”
At the church door, Eva pulled Alexa in for a fierce hug and kissed her forehead, before releasing her. “Go. Do your magic and end this war.” Without waiting for a response, Eva disappeared into the church.
Stunned, Alexa stood for a few minutes leaning against the stone wall. Eva believed in her. “Do your magic,” she’d said. Alexa sucked in a deep breath. That’s what she’d do. Right after she talked with Merindah. She marched to the side of the church.
“Merindah?” Alexa peered into the shadowed cell and repressed a shudder. How did Merindah tolerate such a small space?
Her friend knelt on the woven rug. It took a few seconds before she stood and faced Alexa. “The war begins.” At the small window, she searched Alexa’s eyes. “Is Zander ready?”
“He’s sending everyone to their places.” Alexa reached through the rectangle window for Merindah’s hand. “I need your help. I must stop Melina Odella before she curses the village. I don’t understand her anger.”
“Don’t you?” Merindah’s voice was gentle, but accusing. “Father Chanse drank the love potion you intended for yourself and Paal. There were consequences to your mistake. He believed he was in love with Melina Odella.”
Alexa pulled her hand away. “You think this is my fault?”
“No, it’s not your fault what Melina Odella does. You asked why she was angry.” Merindah’s voice softened. “When Father Chanse and Melina Odella quested together, they were in love. They planned to betroth after the quest and marry after their apprenticeships. After Moira told Chanse he’d be a priest, he accepted that they couldn’t be together. Melina Odella never did. Father Chanse confessed to me his shame at how he kissed Melina Odella after drinking the potion.”
Horrified at what the priest would think of her, Alexa exclaimed, “You didn’t tell him about the potion?”
“He said he forced the cup from you. He blames only himself.”
“Melina Odella was angry when it happened, but the spell has dissipated. It no longer affects him.” It couldn’t still be potent. If the spell still had a hold on Father Chanse, then Dharien might also be influenced.
“No, but it gave her hope, Alexa. And hope crushed is a hard thing to overcome. It grew into hate.”
Melina Odella’s hatred was her fault. This information might prove helpful, but she’d come for another reason. She handed a pair of scissors through the window. “I need a piece of your hair and your blessing.”
If Merindah was surprised, she hid it. Her hair had grown enough that she snipped several strands and handed them to Alexa. “My prayers are for you and Zander. If either of you fail, the village will fall.”
A weight settled in Alexa’s gut, but determination flowed in her blood. She wouldn’t fail. She tucked Merindah’s hair in a small leather pouch at her waist. It held locks of her own hair, along with Zander’s. Then she pulled out the embroidery and handed it through the window to Merindah. “You can follow the fight. Each of last year’s questers are stitched on the cloth. I added Father Chanse, so you’ll know if he’s safe.” Alexa turned to leave before Merindah could see her tears.
“Wait.” Merindah untied the knot on her prayer beads and motioned for Alexa to lean her head against the window. She deftly wove seven amethyst beads into Alexa’s hair. “These will unite us. My prayers will fly true to you. Blessings to you, Alexa.”
“Thank you, my friend. Stay safe.”
A shadow crossed Merindah’s face. “What can happen in a brick cell?”
Alexa turned before Merindah could see her tears. She yanked her hood up and pulled it low over her forehead. From her sewing bag, she withdrew the calcite stone Melina Odella gave her for her birthday. Melina Odella had not cleansed it before she gave it to Alexa, and it still pulsed with the fortune-teller’s energy. Alexa would use it to find her. She clutched her bag of stones and herbs, and raced for the gulch.
Chapter FIFTY-EIGHT
Zander
The scouts estimated it would be two hours before the Odwans hit the gulch. Astride Helios, Zander led the two dozen mounted warriors. Greydon rode behind him, Fulk and Geno at the rear. They left the Protectors on the rim and trotted toward the eager youngsters huddling behind brick walls with slings. It was still a game for them. Zander’s chest tightened—he didn’t want even one of these children to die.
When he approached, the kids chanted, “Zander, Zander.”
A red-haired boy raced out from the others and yelled, “I’m going to be a hero like you!”
Zander pulled on the reins to bring Helios to a halt. “What’s your name?”
The boy stuttered, “M-M-Milo.”
“Milo.” Zander ran his tongue over his chipped tooth. When he was Milo’s age he’d worshiped the Protectors because one man—Del—had been kind to him. And yet, it was Del who’d attacked him late that night at the stable. The boy thought Zander was a hero, but who would he become in the years after this?
Greydon cleared his throat. They didn’t have time to chat with young boys, but Zander felt it worth another minute.
“Milo, a hero isn’t always the one getting the glory. You knew Zeph?” When the boy nodded, Zander said, “Zeph is my hero. Even before he saved my life, Zeph was honorable and brave and true to his word. That’s a hero for you to become.”
At Milo’s thoughtful look, Zander kicked his heels against Helios. He urged him down into the gulch, past the catapults, loaded and attended by hard-muscled metal smiths. Elders and peas
ants alike made up the next line of defense, bows ready and faces tense. The newly trained women turned and watched him pass.
Mother lifted her hand. “May you have the courage of Zephyr.”
“May you have the courage of Zephyr,” the others cried out.
For a moment, Zander wished Mother and Alexa and Kaiya were far away from the danger. He wished the peace of the village was not about to be destroyed. Then he mentally kicked himself. Wishes belonged to children like Milo. This was reality, and each person had chosen their role. He glanced across the mixed groups. The invasion had accomplished Puck’s dream. The tribes had united. If he survived, Zander would see that it lasted.
Out of old habit, Zander reached for the red heart he’d worn before the quest. Instead, he found the stitched cloth Alexa had given him for protection. She’d said it would deflect an arrow. He had to trust it wouldn’t have unintended consequences. He stopped at the stream running through the middle of the gulch and held up his hand. Shadow paused next to Helios. Before the warriors spread out across the bottom, he gave them final instructions.
“We fight to defend our freedom, but I offer refuge to any Odwan who wishes to surrender.” He stared at the men and women who surrounded him. “May Moira and God bless you. Go now and protect our village.”
Silently, they turned their horses and headed to their appointed positions.
Before he left for his post on the far left, Fulk said, “I’m proud to fight under your leadership. Whatever happens, know that you’re the only one who could bring the village together.” He pulled the reins to Tipper and sped away.
Greydon guided Lady to face Zander and Helios. “So it begins. We fight united, my friend.”