“Uuuh, I say we swim for it,” Necoli shouted as he took hold of Nimua’s wrist and pulled her under the water.
Iviana wondered why he felt it necessary to make such a desperate escape when she realized the knights had been joined by a bowman who was sending arrows after them. Without another thought, the remaining three dived beneath the frigid water. As they swam toward the other end of the lake, Iviana made out Marquen’s form as he reached for Darist to aid him with his Swimmer’s gift and Iviana knew Necoli and Nimua were safe, for Necoli was also gifted with breathing underwater, but she wondered how long she would be able to remain below. That was when Iviana halted her swim, for she realized the reason she had not needed to break the surface.
Iviana searched for signs of the Swimmers with her, wondering if they were aiding her without her realizing, but found she was alone. Truth be told, she was surprised neither had thought of her well-being. Nevertheless, she was breathing underwater. This was certainly a new development. She had never been able to breathe beneath water before.
Knowing the others were far ahead by now, she could not help but linger, basking in the knowledge she could stay below as long as she wished… whenever she wanted. How was it possible?
She was aware she should be hurrying to the shore, for their pursuers weren’t going to wait while she took in this new discovery. Even so, she could not bring herself to move until she realized she might also have the Swimmer’s speed. Making certain she was facing the correct direction, she shot forward, cutting through the lake as swiftly as the Swimmers did. It was exhilarating, comparable only to flying with Tragor.
All of a sudden, she collided with another speedy being. Finding herself well and whole, she was immediately concerned for whoever she’d crashed into. But the man before her—who appeared at first worried and then surprised as he realized what she had only just discovered—revealed himself to be Necoli. He wasted no time in gesturing for her to follow as he led her to the shore.
Iviana was beaming when they reached it, even as Nimua squealed her fears that they’d lost her. Iviana attempted to explain, but once they were clear of the water, the group fled the lakeside. So caught up in the discovery of her new gift, Iviana could scarcely recall from what they fled.
This wasn’t the first time a gift had appeared without warning. She had grown up a Healer, not even aware of the supernatural abilities it entailed. But she had later discovered she was a Seeker as well as a Seer. Iviana caught herself grinning over how infuriated the council would be if they found out about this.
The group continued on until Necoli was certain they had lost their pursuers. Even so, he repeatedly re-covered their steps, creating false trails and covering signs of their direction. When at last he allowed them to rest, Nimua embraced Iviana.
“Oooh, I was so frightened when you didn’t appear at the lakeside with the others. I could have slain these Swimmers for helping me and Darist while forgetting you.”
Necoli’s eyes widened. “Hey, you’re handful enough, lady love.”
Marquen only smirked at Iviana until Nimua was forced to ask what secret he kept.
“I think Iviana should answer that.”
Iviana blinked. “How do you know?”
“I rather expected it to turn up. Not to mention I sensed something... different... in the lake.”
“But you went in after me anyway. I saw you coming up when we did.”
Uncharacteristically, he shrugged. “I could have been wrong. Couldn’t live with that on my conscience, friend.”
“What are the two of you talking about?” Nimua asked at last.
Iviana grinned. “I, um... it turns out I can breathe underwater now.”
Nimua’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? You’re a Swimmer, too?”
Iviana nodded, knowing Nimua felt as she did about the gift.
“So, you’re all Swimmers now?” Nimua cried. “It’s not fair...”
“Hello?” Darist waved to her.
“Oh, you don’t count,” Nimua answered flippantly.
Darist looked to Iviana with a questioning smirk.
Iviana patted him on the back. “Guess you don’t count anymore.”
“He doesn’t count because he can pull a tree up by the roots,” Nimua clarified.
“Well, you’re a Seer, remember?” Iviana replied laughingly. “That not enough for you?”
Nimua shrugged. “It’s better than nothing, but I don’t really see much.”
“You saw those men chasing us,” Marquen put in.
“Seriously?” asked Necoli. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Uh, I only saw it a few moments before you came tearing through the forest,” she defended.
“Well, that was handy,” Darist teased.
“So you see my point.”
“But hold on, Marquen,” Iviana interrupted. “How did you know my being a Swimmer would ‘turn up?’”
He smiled knowingly and said, “You’re Iviana.”
11
Iviana
The travelers were desperately exhausted by the time they entered the FairGlenn wood. And rightly so, as they had spent the entirety of their day escaping one foe or another, constantly peering over their shoulders in fear of some enemy.
Additionally, in their escape from the knights and the bowman, they had spent far too long traveling in the wrong direction, forcing them to make a wide circle back in hopes of missing their pursuers. With nerves overstrung, not one of them had found the capacity to eat. Needless to say, they were bone-weary and hungry, which did not make for the most pleasant traveling companions even among the best of friends.
At last, deep into the evening, Iviana raced ahead of the others as the small one-room cottage of her childhood came into view, set aglow by moonlight. Making her way up the walk that was now overgrown with weeds and garden, what was left of the climbing roses waved their sweet scent in welcome. Swinging the door open, she swiftly lit the nearest candle and lifted the sconce to look about the large room.
Everything was as she had left it except for one old toy on the floor beside the fireplace. Iviana stooped to pick it up, wondering where it could have come from, then checked for dust about the room. Finding none, this was her answer. The toy belonged to the child of her dear friend Merri, who had kept the cottage clean in Iviana’s absence. This was a sure sign Merri had not turned on her.
How Iviana wished she might visit her, but she could not alert anyone to her presence; she could not even leave a note, for fear others would learn she was in the area. Even so, Merri would likely guess if she noticed things moved.
Presently, the others entered, looking rather ragged. Iviana quickly set about making them comfortable and preparing a quick, filling meal. It was unfortunate there were only two small beds in the place, for the young men would have to sleep out in the shed. Thankfully, it would be filled with piles of dry hay.
Iviana chanced the fireplace to fix a meal of cooked oats, dried fruit and fresh cream from the cow that had been well milked in her absence. There was a possibility someone would see the smoke billowing from the cottage, but at this late hour, it was unlikely. Besides, they needed a warm meal after their day of fleeing the troubles of their worlds. Cool glasses of freshly dipped well water were added to the quaint meal, satisfying every one of her companions.
“Ivi, this place is so cozy,” Nimua commented contentedly as she stretched her lanky body across one of the beds.
Darist nodded vehemently. “It’s too bad we can’t stay a while.”
Necoli and Marquen nodded their agreement.
Iviana grinned, thoroughly warmed by their compliments. She had often longed to show her home to Nimua, Darist and Flynn, knowing they would love it as she did. But, of course, Flynn was missing. And what a mess everything had become. Being in the cottage and away from the Greater Archipelagos suddenly made her long for his companionship. But as there was nothing she could do about it, she determined to rid
her heart of him.
“Are you all right, Iviana?” asked Marquen.
Iviana made herself smile. “Only tired.”
“Then we’ll leave you ladies to sleep,” said Necoli. “I noticed you have a decently roomy shed. Don’t suppose you’ve tried it for sleeping?”
Iviana shook her head. “But I imagine it’ll be fairly comfortable. Let me get you some bed things.”
“Don’t trouble yourself,” said Darist. “We brought them along, remember?”
Iviana nodded. “I’m still not letting you sleep in there without all the necessities of household living.”
She proceeded to fill a pitcher of water that they would have ready drink at any hour. She then found an armful of extra quilts and pillows she and Naphtali had made through the years. Finally, she left some candles and the leftover dried fruit in case they grew hungry in the night. At last, Darist pushed her into the house and closed the door firmly that she would enjoy some much-needed rest.
“I’ve been going through some of these night things,” said Nimua, rummaging through a trunk. “I don’t suppose you’ll mind my borrowing something. Nothing I brought is really warm enough for this climate.”
“Of course not. I can find you something of your grandmother’s, if you like.” Pulling a long pink one from a chest of drawers, she held it out for Nimua to see. “You should keep this. I know she would love you to have it. It was her favorite. She said it made her feel like a lady in a castle.”
Nimua’s eyes began to water, but she quickly blinked the tears away and dressed herself.
“Thank you,” she said with meaning.
Tears were nearly drawn to Iviana’s eyes as she realized it had been some time since she had really thought about Naphtali; she still missed her deeply.
Laying claim to the bed she had chosen earlier, Nimua said, “Now, shall we chat about things girls do when they sleep over with one another? Being so far away from my mother makes me feel like gossiping.”
“That’s because your mother doesn’t abide it.”
Nimua nodded. “Lets see... have you any beaus here you haven’t spoken of? Of course, if there is anyone you haven’t told me about, I’ll be terribly irritated, but do spill.”
“Oh, no, there’s no one. It’s a small village and I certainly haven’t been looking. Besides, I was an outcast here most of my life, remember?”
“But you said that changed.”
“Yes, but there’s still no beau.”
Nimua frowned. “You’re dull,” she said with a yawn. “Oh, never mind. I think I’ll sleep. Be sure and wake me in plenty of time to spruce for Necoli.”
Iviana made a disbelieving noise. “As if you need sprucing. You awaken looking just as angelic as when you fell asleep.”
There was no reply but the deep, steady breathing of her slumbering friend. Iviana chuckled and tucked herself into the bed that had been her mentor’s. Falling into much needed sleep, she breathed in the scent her mother-like friend yet present in the sheets, though they had been washed many times.
Soon, Iviana was astonished to find herself standing across the garden from Naphtali, who was in her gardening apron and gloves. The woman turned and gave her a look as if Iviana had been daydreaming again instead of doing her work.
Iviana shrugged, smiling, and began pulling weeds.
“You’ve neglected this garden,” said Naphtali.
Iviana looked about and wondered why she had done so. She could not understand why her heart was pained with this. “You are right,” she replied sorrowfully. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It means you have begun to truly live and I so want you to live a full, love-filled life. It was not fair I allowed you to grow without companions your own age and I am sorry for that. We should have started over elsewhere.”
Iviana shook her head fervently. “I needed no friends. You were more than enough.”
Naphtali stopped her gardening and appeared thoughtful. “I believe you. Still, I’m glad you’ve made friends. I see you no longer need me and I’m glad.”
Iviana ran to Naphtali and took hold of her wrists. “Of course, I need you! I’ve needed you since the day you left me.”
Naphtali gazed deeply into Iviana’s eyes with her own stormy gray ones. She brushed the stray hairs from Iviana’s face and caught the tear that escaped her eye. “I was so lucky to be given you for a daughter. I can’t wait until you join me here in Paradise. We will have marvelous times, we two, but you have much to do and it will be some time before we are reunited. I love you, my sweet girl.”
Iviana was shaken awake.
“Ivi, you must wake up,” cried Nimua.
Iviana reluctantly peeled her eyes open. “Oh, what is it? I’m dead tired.”
“But it’s nearly noon and there’s someone here.”
Iviana anxiously sat up. “Noon?! Who?”
Nimua gestured to the young woman who stood smiling at the foot of her bed.
“We all slept in, it seems,” said Nimua regretfully. “I don’t think the others are even awake yet.”
Iviana smiled widely at her friend Merri and quickly stood to embrace her. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I might ask you the same,” Merri replied. “I came to use some of the old hay from your shed and found a group of men there. I thought about shewing them out, but decided it had been an understandably cold evening and I would make them a little breakfast instead... but here you are. I’m so glad you’re back. We’ve a good deal to talk about. Honestly, I can’t believe you’d even chance coming here, but I’m glad you did. The village has decided to stand beside you in this silly witch-hunt. We want to protect you, if we can.”
“Oh...” Iviana gasped in her surprise. She had not expected such loyalty from the town. “Everyone?” she asked a little skeptically.
“Every last man, woman and child of speaking age. We love you Miss Ivi and won’t have anyone taking our healer away. Of course, when you were gone so very long, we often wondered if they had already nabbed you, but when the search continued, we were comforted you were yet free.”
Iviana was overwhelmed by this news. The Great One certainly worked in mysterious ways. “Truly, I don’t know what to say,” she admitted.
“Say you and your friends will remain here, if you like, and we will guard you and be certain your presence is not discovered.”
Iviana hesitated. “I don’t know. I will have to discuss it with my companions.”
Merri grinned. “Of course. Now, I think my little ones have just gone to awaken the strangers in the shed now they have learned they are your friends, so I’ll start on a meal for you all. Sleeping in so late, you must be famished. Where have you come from, anyway?”
“Oh… we ran into a little trouble elsewhere.”
“My goodness, what an adventurous life you must lead. And staying at the house of the famous Sir Retrom and his Lady Laurel, attending banquets and balls and the like—from what we’ve heard in rumors. I’d have never thought it of you when we were growing up, at least not since you returned after Naphtali’s death.”
Merri prattled on while she began the meal, but that name gripped Iviana’s heart agonizingly. If only she had not been awoken, she might have had more time with Naphtali, even if only in dream. It had felt so real.
“You look pale, Ivi,” said Darist as he and the other young men entered with armfuls of children. “You should sit down.”
Iviana did not obey. Rather, she stole a few garments for Nimua and herself and drug her out to change in the shed.
“Your friend is very agreeable,” Nimua commented. “And how wonderful are your FairGlenn people? What a change from what you said you grew up with... and from what we’ve just fled.”
“Yes,” Iviana replied absently.
“Are you all right? Darist was right; you do look pale.”
Iviana shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s just hard being back here.”
“It’s mak
ing you think of Naphtali, isn’t it? It is me, too. I wish I’d have known her. My mother has told me so many stories about her. She must have been exceptional.”
Iviana nodded, but said no more.
Upon returning to the house, they were met with the scene of Darist, Necoli and Marquen playing a game with Merri’s four adoring children. The twins, a couple of lovely red-haired girls, ran to Iviana and embraced her legs, exclaiming how much they’d missed her. They then turned to the stunning Nimua and embraced her as well. The slightly shorter of the two asked to sit on Nimua’s lap. Upon consenting, her lap was full of children.
Iviana aided Merri with the meal of thick, hardy carrot and potato stew, a tray of freshly baked honey rolls and a large bowl of various dried fruit and nuts with honey to spoon over. Iviana was relieved there was no meat to be had, as Merri would not have known her friends did not consume it. As it was, the group of other-worlders loved the stew with its fresh Kierelian herbs. It pleased Iviana to see them enjoy the humble offering.
After they’d finished their meal, Darist quietly pulled Iviana aside. “Your friend seems very nice,” he said, “but what are we going to do now? Shouldn’t we get out of here while we can?”
“I was meaning to speak with you all about that,” said Iviana, turning so the room could hear. “Merri has told me the villagers have taken my side in this ordeal and they will tell no one I am here. If you all agree, I was thinking we might remain here―at least until we can find other arrangements.”
Darist’s face brightened. “Well, that is wonderful news! I, for one, would love to stay a while.”
Nimua had, of course, already been informed of the news, so it was the affirmation of Necoli and Marquen that set the plan.
“How wonderful that we can stay in your house,” said Nimua when it was agreed. “I was afraid we would be camping around like the last time.”
Seeker's Revolution Page 10