Pledged

by Gwynneth White

  At last he stumbled.

  As soft as a whisper, a black and white crow fluttered down onto the ground and hopped along beside him.

  Two more joined it.

  As a fourth crow arrived, Seth collapsed onto his knees. He looked down, but it took a moment for his bleary eyes to see that the pan crust had collapsed, sucking his boots into a porridge of mud.

  With a shimmy of black, one of the crows landed in front of him on the pan. It cocked its head to one side, its eyes challenging. Cawing together in raucous disharmony, the other crows hopped over to join it. One flew up, flapping its wings at Seth’s face.

  “The sword. Get the damn sword.” His spirit sounded frightened.

  It jarred Seth into action, but as he reached for the scabbard the crow powered down, sinking its claws deep into his forearm. He tried to shake it off, but it tore a chunk of flesh from his arm with its beak. Using his free arm, he grappled for the sword, lashing the blade wildly at the crow.

  Almost like magic, the sword veered towards the bird, slicing it in two. A frenzied screeching erupted from the two bloody halves as if, impossibly, the bird was still in pain. Before they hit the ground, they lurched, shook, and reformed before Seth’s unbelieving eyes into two new crows.

  Now there were five of them. Seth fell backwards as they flew at him, raking razor-sharp claws and beaks across his face and his body.

  * * *

  Back in the Mists of Time, Gideon turned to Erin. “You’ve chosen to stay?”

  She pulled her eyes away from the spot where Seth had vanished. “How could I do otherwise, after all I’ve seen? But I think you know that, Gideon. Just as you probably know my reasons for agreeing to take part in this insanity.”

  Gideon nodded. “I do. And that’s why we allowed you to experience some of the nastier things that have happened in your life. Hard as they were to endure, it was those sorrows and losses that have made you what you are today. Brave. Loyal. Determined. Ready to take on almost anything.” Erin blushed, biting her lip with embarrassment at Gideon’s assessment of her. He gave her a gentle smile. “Now you have a challenge before you.”

  “I’m painfully aware of that.” Erin looked at the pedestal where Seth’s and her spirits were floating. They had vanished. Nathan and all the other spirits had gone too. She was alone with Gideon. “What if Seth doesn’t choose me? To be honest, Gideon, although you call me brave, I’m scared.”

  “You’ll be helped. But only if you ask for it,” Gideon said. “Now it’s time to send you back to the pans. But before you go, would you like me to heal you?” Erin nodded. Gideon ran his hands over her grazes.

  Her skin tingled as the wounds healed, and when she smiled, she felt no pain. “Thank you.”

  Gideon pointed to the Seer-Stone. “Take it with you. Hang it around your neck.” He waited until she obeyed; then, with a hand that shone with brilliant light – the way her father had always described angels – he parted the crystal walls for her.

  With one step she was back in the campsite. She looked for Seth, but he was not there; his absence hurt as if a part of her body had been sawed off. She called and called, but the answering silence was overwhelming. Except for the heat waves shimmering into the bronzed-sky, nothing moved.

  Half-remembered fragments from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, one of her favourite childhood poems, came to her: Alone, Alone, All all alone, Alone on a wild, white sea . . . She pushed the thought away and continued to search the horizon for Seth.

  It was only when the sweat running down her torso and the backs of her legs became unbearable that she went into her tent. “I only hope my untravelled soul mate knows enough to protect himself from the African sun,” she prayed.

  It was only a little cooler in the tent. She grabbed a towel and wiped her face and neck. “Gideon, I could ask for help but that seems silly seeing as I’ve just left you. Still, any advice would be appreciated.” When there was no reply, she sighed and picked up her journal, flipping to the page where Sophia had written the Lightning Bird poem.

  A new line of calligraphy had been added:

  Search the Seer-Stone, for therein lies your answer.

  Surprised, she took the diamond from her neck and dangled it before her face. Dark shadows flickered in its heart. She leaned in closer, fascinated by a ballet of dancing forms; they waved, dissipated, and reformed into an image resembling a baobab tree. Then the shadows raced forward, sweeping her towards someone lying on the pan.

  Her heart stuttered. It was Seth.

  Four crows stood before him. “The crows – no!” she cried out as one of the birds flew at Seth’s face. “The sword . . . he’s remembered the sword.”

  She watched Seth slash the sword, and saw the blade slice the crow in two. Before she could sigh with relief, an agonised screech escaped from a wraith-like creature gushing from the dead crow’s body. Like rags in the wind, the spectre vaporised and disappeared. Before the dead crow hit the ground, two new wraiths appeared, each rushing into one of the severed halves. Blood-soaked feathers spiralled upwards, and, with another shriek, two new crows appeared. Five crows now resumed the attack.

  “Gideon, stop them! Help Seth. Please, I beg you.”

  “Touch the Seer-Stone, Erin,” a voice suggested in her head.

  She plunged her hand at the Stone. The ground shuddered beneath her feet; she looked down in panic. The campsite was slipping away from her. She was falling, tumbling out of control.

  * * *

  Erin landed in a clearing in the bush. She started to run, calling left and right, desperate to find Seth – straight into the waiting arms of a thorn tree. Its barbs gripped her shirt, sinking into her skin as she struggled to escape.

  “If you just stopped wriggling, it’d be easier.”

  She couldn’t see the hands working to release her – but that voice she knew. “Seth! You’re here.” Free, she spun round, throwing her arms wide to hug him – and stopped. “And not a scratch on you. But I saw you on the pan, dying.”

  Seth was about to embrace her, kiss her even with pure relief when he remembered the conflicting promises he’d made. With a face like an ice statute, he stepped well clear of her. “I’m still trying to figure that out myself. One minute I’m fighting for my life, next I’m here with you. I don’t get it.” He started walking away from her.

  The delight in Erin’s eyes faded; he was so cold, so different to the Seth she knew.

  Someone chuckled. “You wouldn’t get it, would you?” Nathan was sitting on a fallen tree. “For once I’m right on time. I just wish Gideon was here to see it.” He sighed. “Ah well, one can’t have everything.” With one stride, he loped over and grabbed Seth’s arm before he could stray too far. “Welcome to Shenaya.”

  “Shenaya?”

  “Shenaya. The land where Reuel and his Lightning Bird reign supreme. Or so they like to think. We, of course, still maintain a foothold, as you will see as you go forth.” Nathan gave a breezy wave of his arm.

  Seth grabbed the front of Nathan’s gleaming robes. “Go forth? What’s that supposed to mean? We’re not going anywhere until you explain what’s happening.”

  Nathan gave a throaty laugh and disengaged Seth’s hands. Patting his robe flat, he said, “Then you’d better sit.” He waited, tapping his fingers against his thigh, while they both perched themselves on the log, Seth putting a good bit of distance between him and Erin. “You’re both tied to the Seer-Stone with a bond that only death can break. Erin touched the Stone, and, in so doing, brought you here.” Nathan fixed his eyes on Seth. “I think a thank you is called for, don’t you?”

  “I owe you one,” Seth said, almost indifferently.

  “And that’s it?” Seth’s spirit demanded. “She saved our life. The least you can do is smile at her.”

  Seth bumped Erin with his shoulder.

  Erin bumped him back, laughing, and then asked Nathan, “But why isn’t Seth sunburnt? When I saw him he looked like someone had taken
a blowtorch to him.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Seth murmured.

  “Well, it’s true. And Nathan, what were those crows?”

  “Ah . . . I would so love to give you an expansive answer, but time presses. So a simple one will have to do. You’ve gone back in time. It’s 998AD here, and the people – the Gefallen – who’ve been trying to kill you aren’t yet dead. So, now they can’t harm you.

  “But that makes no sense–”

  “It makes perfect sense, Seth. When you understand time. But I’m not here to teach physics. It’s a history lesson you need.” Nathan assumed his lecturer pose by hooking his thumbs into his girdle. “Remember when I told you about our forefather, Ishmael? Well, he and his very large family lived in relative peace when they arrived at the lake. But Ishmael was old and wise; he knew it wouldn’t survive his death, so he divided the land around the lake amongst his sons. Since then, leadership of each Family has rested in the hands of the eldest son.”

  “You say ‘Family’ like it’s a title,” Erin said, hearing the implied capital letter in Nathan’s tone.

  “Each Family has grown so big that they are almost like tribes. Hence the capital.” He gave Erin a toothy smile. “As you’re clearly fond of details, you might be wondering what happened to the Seer-Stone.” The fate of the Seer-Stone hadn’t even crossed Erin’s mind, but she didn’t tell Nathan that. “It was too precious to be trusted to anyone but the purest in heart. So Ishmael gave it to his youngest granddaughter, Shenaya. When she died our Family adopted her name.”

  “You speak of her with such respect,” Erin said.

  “And so I should. She was a prophetess who foresaw the day when an ambitious military leader would destroy Shenaya. Of course that could have applied to anyone, so through the ages no one really paid her prophecy much heed. Except for Gideon. He believed. So it was no surprise to him when Reuel sought power. That was when Gideon pulled together our little army of Free Men. That was the battle I showed Seth in those visions which brought you both here.” He waved his hand at a hill to the north of them, rising above the leafy canopy. “It was on that escarpment, which we call Mount Sidon, that we waged that final battle.” Nathan stopped pacing and looked at them. “As you know, we were defeated. I escaped the battlefield with the Seer-Stone. The others – my friends – weren’t so lucky. And Gideon . . . well, you know what happened to Gideon.”

  Moved by the emotion in Nathan’s voice, Erin and Seth sat silent. Finally he stirred. “Reuel’s cursed descendents have now ruled Shenaya for hundreds of years. They’re cruel and barbarous. Worse than that. They worship him as a god, which is exactly what he wants.” Nathan’s face crinkled into an unexpected grin. “But now all that’s about to change! And the two of you will have the best seats in the house to watch the action. You’ll pass as shadows, flitting like the wind through the minds and hearts of all in this age.”

  Erin smiled at Seth. “How cool is that!”

  “I guess.”

  Erin groaned at his lack of enthusiasm.

  Nathan leaned over and wagged a warning finger at them. “Before you get carried away with your exuberance, you can’t change the course of history. What is, will be. Come what may.” With a flourish, he pulled Erin’s backpack out of the air and handed it to her. “The journal and pen are already in it. Put the Seer-Stone in too. Keep them safe.”

  “Now that’s what I call cool!” Seth said, smiling for the first time. “Will we be able to do that too, when we die?” He took the backpack from Erin and slipped it onto his own back.

  “Your job is to try and stay alive long enough to fulfil your mission.” Seth couldn’t resist a snigger, which Nathan silenced with a withering look. “That’s why Shenaya’s the safest place you can be. Here, almost all who want you dead can’t see you. In fact, none of the mortals will even know of your existence. Unless Reuel chooses to alert them to your presence.”

  “Reuel? You mean he can see us?” Seth asked.

  “He already knows you’re here.” Nathan indicated to a spot between the trees. Seth and Erin saw nothing in the tangled bush.

  “Is he there? Watching us,” Erin whispered.

  Nathan gave a brief nod.

  “Great. An invisible enemy. Just what we need.” Seth paused. “Can he hurt us?”

  “He and his Gefallen can’t read your minds the way we Guardians can. But that won’t stop him from trying to destroy you.” Erin and Seth frowned at each other. As usual, Nathan didn’t notice. “And you’re about to meet a particularly nasty mortal. I would advise you to be very wary of him, because he works for Reuel. And I have no doubt Reuel will tell him you’re here. Reuel might even decide to let him see you. That would not be good.”

  “Who is he?” Seth demanded. “At least forewarn us.”

  “You’ll recognise him by his actions,” Nathan replied, with uncharacteristic unhelpfulness. “Now, let me send you on your way.”

  “Wait.” Seth jumped up and grabbed his arm. “There’re still so many questions I need answered.”

  Nathan raised an eyebrow.

  “When we leave here? What then? These people will all be dead, so will they be at the pan, trying to kill me?”

  Nathan pulled a face. “I’m afraid so.”

  “So I have to hang around here with Reuel and his vicious pet, whom I can’t see, watching me, while I check out these people, knowing that some of them – if not all of them – are back there on the pan, trying to kill me? And I can do nothing about it? How’s that fair? I didn’t sign up for this.”

  Nathan pursed his lips. “I beg to differ, Seth. I was there–”

  “I never agreed to this.”

  “I was there too – and I definitely heard it,” Seth’s spirit added.

  Seth waved his arms about in frustration.

  Nathan poked him in the chest. “Seth, as Gideon said after your dramatic departure – your better half made that decision. But, you’re free to go any time you choose. Touch the Seer-Stone with the intention of leaving and you’ll be back on the pan – with the crows.”

  Seth buried his face in his hands. “Please tell me I’m going to wake up. Please tell me this is just a nightmare.”

  “This time it’ll be different,” Erin said. “I’ll be there with you. We’ll take them on together.”

  “Why would you do that?” Seth demanded. “So some demon-possessed, indestructible birds can rip you apart too? Forget it. I’m not having that on my conscience.”

  “So you want me to just watch them kill you?”

  “Erin, you’ve known me one day – one day. Why would you risk getting killed for me?”

  “After everything, you’re still asking why?”

  “Yes!”

  She looked down at her feet, embarrassed to say this. “I told you, I want to belong, to be part of something special . . . something enduring.”

  “And how long do you think you’ll endure if you’re ripped apart by crows?”

  Nathan made a point of clearing his throat, as if reminding Seth that the dead live on.

  Seth scowled at Nathan. “Do you mind? I’m talking to her.”

  “Okay, Seth,” Erin replied, “maybe I need to explain a few of my home truths so you’ll understand. My father abandoned me and my mother, even though he promised her at the altar he’d stand by her through all the trash life throws. He now lives in Australia with his new wife. And his new, improved daughter. Every time I’ve tried to contact him, he’s rejected me because his new wife doesn’t want any ‘encumbrances from the past’ spoiling her happy-ever-after.”

  “What’s this got to do with anything?”

  “And Frank?” Erin continued as if Seth hadn’t spoken. “He’s my stepfather. He’s also promised my mother that he’d be faithful until death-do-us-part. That was until he decided to run off with his receptionist. Oh, and did I mention that she was just one in a long line of girlfriends he flaunted at us? But if my mother ever even looked in the direction of a Y-
chromosome, she’d get her face plastered over the wall. Have you ever tried defending someone you love from an animal who doesn’t care if he smashes you to kingdom come too?”

  Seth’s spirit nudged him. “Please hug her. Tell her we’d never hurt her like that. Ever. We’d never lie to her either. Tell her that if there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s to keep promises.”

  Sure! I’ll tell her that. It’s bound to improve things – when it’s a promise that’s at the root of our conflict, Seth replied, sarcastically. To Erin, he said as gently as he could,

  “I’m sorry. Really I am. But those guys were your mother’s choices. Not yours. You don’t have to make those kind of mistakes yourself.”

  “Oh, you think! Then explain how my first and only romantic encounter ended in–” The blush scorching her face stopped her from humiliating herself further by telling Seth the sorry tale of her first boyfriend. He was everything she thought she’d ever wanted in a guy. She was so sure he was different to her father and to Frank. Until she’d brought him home. Mia, her blonde fluff-ball of a stepsister, had immediately muscled in, and the romance was over in a blur. She was still to forgive Mia for that. “All you need to know, Seth, is that I want someone to love me forever. And, like it or not, right now you’re the strongest contender. I saw that in the Mists of Time.”

  “She’s absolutely right. And I have no problem loving her forever,” Seth’s spirit said. “So get over yourself and tell her that.”

  Irritated with his spirit, Seth rolled his eyes. “This has got to be the stupidest day of my life. Erin, you also saw me leave. Or have you forgotten that? I chucked myself through a glass wall precisely because I’m not your soul mate. And I never will be,” he added, more for his spirit’s benefit than for Erin’s.

  His words winded Erin. She waited to absorb the shock, thinking that the spirit Seth would never have spoken to her like that. Just like she knew her spirit would never have tolerated it. But here she was, stuck in this place, needing the mortal Seth’s help to survive. So she hid her pain. “I admit that you weren’t exactly heroic back there, Seth, but I’ve seen another side of you. The guy I know, the one who protected me from the storm and hyenas, is worth fighting for.” She thumped Seth on the chest. “I know he’s in here somewhere and I intend to find him.”