“I’d be a lad when everythin’ changed.” His eyes brightened to a dusty blue as he stared blindly out into the cave. “Our home’d be past the centaurs’ land, and we were livin’ there for many a year, not botherin’ nothin’ or no one. But then the darkness came.” He growled a bit tossing a pebble far into the cave, listening to the tick of it hitting distant rock. “Now water’s a Urisk’s greatest pleasure, an’ when the land started weakenin’, the water flowin’ from the centaurs’ place became sick, killin’ all the creatures that lived downstream. Me clan knew that we’d be dyin’ if we stayed, and so we made our way across the Great Plains, not knowin’ we’d be havin’ t’ pass through the badlands. Sensin’ our presence, the darkness lashed out, weakinin’ my clan. The unicorns livin’ to the east felt us strugglin’, and they came and carried us t’ Kailmeyra.” Rune took a deep breath and then continued.
“They’d found some caves a while back, and when they left us there we were weak as babes. The waters flowin’ from the heart of the mountain helped, but our leader feared it’d only be a matter of time. We spied on yer kind, fearin’ that you’d be what was causin’ the centaurs’ s’ much trouble. The Alfar’s intent was shallower ‘n a stream tricklin’ uphill. Twas then we heard Asteria was travelin’ to another realm. Tales of the power flowin’ there left us thinkin’ it’d be strong enough for our kind t’ be survivin’.”
He smiled. “We found a beaut of a place in Pictavia. The water there’d be cold and clear. Tis no better caves in all creation, I’ll tell ya that.” He grinned. “Yep, me clan flourished, it did.” He sighed, his feathers quivered. “I’d grown into a lad, and I’d watched me Molly grow from a tike. She’d be a fair bit younger as she’d been born on Earth. Twasn’t till she’d grown, when her feathers turned from silver to black that she caught me eye.”
“One day some human fell off a horse.” He half smirked at the thought of such poor balance. “I’d been watchin’ her tend to him, carryin’ him to a place the villagers was sure to find him. She hid in the rushes, makin’ sure he’d be all right. He’d be claimin’ that some creature helped him, but the others figured he’d done addled his brain after takin’ a knock on the head. Now, our leader’d be in a right tiff, he would. He’d not be believin’ that she’d done somethin’ as dunderheaded as allow herself t’ be seen. But she’d set her feathers on fire ‘afore she’d admit she’s wrong, and that’s when I knew she’d be mine.”
He grinned, lost in thought. “I tol’ the leader I’d be trainin’ her. She’d make a good warrior. She didn’t take t’ the idea at first. Fought me all the way, she did. But then she found losin’ t’ me’s not so bad.” He cleared his throat and seemed to remember where he was. “Molly and me, well, we were gonna to be mates. But the leader, he’d be thinkin’ he’d discovered where that darkness was comin’ from. He said he’d not be givin’ his blessin’ until we’d gone and gotten rid of the whole blasted mess. Some thought he was right, others thought we ought not t’ go.” Rune raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t stop to be thinkin’ we’d be walkin’ into a trap, now did he?” He smiled a hard, cynical smile.
“So, he ordered us t’ fight, and fight we did. Me and me Molly, side by side.” He looked down. “I’m still not knowin’ jus’ what happened. All I’m rememberin’ is seein’ them devils run at us. Black ... nothin’ but black, and me killin’ more’n I ever have. The next thin’ I know, me brother’s tendin’ me wounds here. He’d found me half dead and figured we’d heal, and then head back. Jus’ as we’d started that way, the King of this realm, well, he’d be closin’ the portals.” He paused, his voice becoming rough. “It’s been centuries, and I’m still hopin’ she’s there.”
“I’m so sorry.” I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Did you say Molly?” Elaine’s voice seemed huskier than usual.
“Aye.” He tilted his head. “Did ya’ meet any of me clan?”
Elias shook his head. “I haven’t, but I believe the Princess knows someone who has.”
Rune’s shoulders stiffened as his eyes narrowed on me.
I shook my head, confused. “What are you talking about?”
She leaned forward. “The night you saved Sophie at the carnival, remember?”
I thought back to six-year-old messy brown ringlets and bright blue eyes.
“... Do you know where the shadow went?” Gavin asked. She searched his expression, and a smile lit her freckled face. Gavin smiled back, and she pointed her dimpled finger towards the dark corner.
“My friend chased him away.” Her little voice quivered.
“What friend?”
“I call her Molly. She is gray and has black feathers for hair.”
My eyes flew open as Rune’s alarm ran through the room.
“Molly?” he croaked, and I knew Gavin had shared the memory with him. Rune’s ears lowered. He turned to Elias. “Did ya see her?”
Elias shook his head. “I’m sorry. No one else saw her, although a gray creature almost caused Nora to have a car accident a few days before, but she didn’t see what it was. We have only the account of the girl.”
Rune stood, his eyes turned the color of liquid pewter. “If you’ll be excusin’ me.” His voice grew raspy, and he walked away.
“Where is he going?” I asked no one in particular.
“To the energy field,” Malachi said. “This conversation drained him more than you know.”
Chapter 15
Cottage in the Woods
MY DEAREST MIA,
There are gifts most do not know about. Gifts that can help determine the future. Some have waned over the centuries and no longer exist, but others are merely rare. Until recently, only the Ancient One held the gift of prophecy, but now there is another.
The Ancient One is most frustrating. His desire to focus on the future guides his every decision. He will not speak unless it serves this purpose. Sometimes he won’t help at all. And so, I was pleased to discover Ester, a seamstress, who lives beyond the castle’s walls. She acquired the gift of prophecy in the latter stages of life and foretold the death of your father. When her prediction came true, I sought the Ancient One’s counsel, but he refused my request.
A few days ago, Ester warned that I must remove you from the Prince’s quarters right away. She fears your growing dependency on the Prince and feels it imperative you have your own dwelling. I’ve designed a small cottage just off the gardens—a place where plants flourish, where you can learn to explore your talents.
It has been a hard decision. I worry the move will weaken you further, and I know you fear Gavin grows weary of your demands. He does not, my dear. Your father’s death affected us all. Still, in the most difficult of times, decisions must be made. Leadership means finding the best solution, even if it is not the most popular.
Ester has proven her gift is compelling in its insight, I now trust her council almost as much as the Ancient One. Tomorrow, the carpenters start on your new home. I hope in time you’ll understand.
Discernment is the lesson we need to learn this day. Do not let tradition close your mind to other possibilities, my future Queen. It is not wise.
Sunlight poured through the windows as we sat at the table. Gavin closed the book, and we started down the stairs.
“I never understood why Mother made that decision. It seemed when Mia needed me most, she sent her away. I cannot deny I felt relieved. Even though Mia was never allowed in my bedchamber, we shared a common room. I would often stay upstairs for hours while others played, simply because I didn’t want to be with her. And then I felt selfish because she needed me, and I wasn’t there.”
“At least now I understand why you never confided in your mother. Her feelings pour off the page. She really did love Mia as her own.”
“Yes, she did.” Gavin’s voice grew wistful.
“I know you feel it’s hard for me to read this, but sometimes I think it’s more difficult for you.”
“I don’t know. I
n some ways, I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to share this with you.”
I was so focused on our conversation I failed to realize we were heading toward the front of the castle. “Where are we going?”
The sun rose over the empty courtyard. The morning chill still clung to the air.
“There is something you need to see.” Gavin reached for my hand. “Since Elaine and Rena have learned to harness energy, Malachi has suggested a more practical approach to the clan’s education.”
Puzzled, I glanced at him.
We were now at the far end of the courtyard; the place where Mia’s house once stood. My feet slowed, and Gavin adjusted to my pace.
After Mia’s escape, Gavin ordered her cottage be destroyed, and he created a sanctuary for those struggling with despair.
A gated arbor stood in the middle of a high trellis wall, which was covered in vines. Large flowers bloomed, hiding the sanctuary from the rest of the courtyard. The stone path still wound to the left, but instead of leading to a small home, it ended into a grove of magnolia trees.
“I don’t remember these being here.” Massive boughs that held heavy blooms the size of dinner plates stood in a line. Edna always wanted a magnolia tree, but she never planted one because they took so long to grow.
“They’re new. Malachi’s been giving them extra energy to help them mature.”
Cobblestone gave way to grass. This place was beyond beautiful. A creek wound its way down the mountainside, streaming along the back edge, rushing toward the kingdom’s protective wall.
“The water collects into an underground cistern, where it is distributed in channels to the cottages down the lane,” Gavin explained.
Flowering plum trees combined with magnolias, perfuming the air in a pungent fragrance. The sedge and rush of the wet meadowland told that the water left its banks more often than not. River birches with their white papery bark played in contrast to the dark green moss growing on the bell trunks of the tupelo trees.
“Ironic that Mia originally developed the concept.” Gavin glanced at me, one eyebrow raised. “She adored the wetlands and spent hours cultivating this place, trying to recapture its beauty. I’m glad the Queen decided to keep it as secluded as it is.”
“Why?”
“Let me show her!” Rena ran from the trees cascading down the mountainside and stopped on the bank where the water tumbled into the creek bed. Tark had his pants rolled up past his knees, standing in the rushing stream. Gavin and I walked towards them.
Rena pushed her sleeves up past her elbows. “As you know, we are responsible for tending to the needs of the land. But we also have been given the ability to defend it.” She motioned us forward. “Until we learned how to harness energy, we did little more than study. But now, watch what I can do!” Rena looked back at Tark. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” He said with a grin. Rena closed her eyes. The water tupelos growing at the creek’s edge started to sway. Birds flew as the sounds of bending boughs cracked through the air. The branches swooped down, cocooning Tark in large waxy leaves.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s great, Reen!”
“You think that’s something? Watch what Tark can do!” Rena proudly chimed, releasing Tark from his cage.
“I’ve only tried this twice, so you might want to back up.”
Rena laughed, jogging over to join Gavin and me.
Tark held out his hands, his head bowed in concentration. The water rose from its banks. It was as if the energy kept the liquid in an invisible container. Small creatures floated throughout, thoroughly disinterested in the fact that they were several feet above the ground. Tark looked over at us and grinned as he redirected the stream, circling around him like a giant liquid lasso.
“Very good.” Elias’ voice boomed from behind me, Tark lost his concentration, and the water came crashing down around him soaking him to the bone. Laughter pealed off the trees. Tark wiped the hair out of his eyes and grinned.
I looked at Elias, his face bright with unspent laughter. “What have you been working on?”
“I’ve been training the predators on strategies of war. I would show you, but I’m afraid the villagers down the lane might get spooked if panthers and bears came through the gates.” Elias’ grin widened. “And I’d rather you see what my mate can do.” Elaine’s cheeks warmed to a deep rose.
“Let’s see it then,” Rena said. “I bet it’s something fabulous.”
Elaine took a deep breath and walked away. Most of the wetlands were covered in shade, but the center held an open space where the long branches of the trees couldn’t reach. Sunshine bathed Elaine in a pool of warm light. She looked up, raising her hands overhead, palms to the sky. The trees swayed in a sudden north wind, chilling the air. Leaves drifted to the sedge and rushes below. Thunder rumbled in the distance as clouds rolled in.
“Is Elaine doing that?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“It would appear so,” Gavin grinned, his hand warming my back.
The wind whipped through the trees like the waves of the sea, starting in the distance and then crashing down around us. Elaine smiled as it circled around her in a mini-cyclone before making its way to the clouds. She calmed the air rushing around us, but the clouds remained.
My jaw dropped. “Elaine, that is fantastic!” I squealed running toward her and hugging her. “I can’t believe it!”
She smiled a warm smile as the others made their way to her, congratulations all around.
A great boom of thunder caused us all to jump.
Gavin took my hand. “Perhaps we’d better make our way back to the castle. Elias and I have a meeting with the Queen anyway.” Fat raindrops splattered across the courtyard as we ran to the front steps. Everyone went their separate ways as soon as we hit the foyer. It seemed Gavin and I had only started talking about the Keepers new practice fields when we found ourselves next to the blue sheet of energy.
“You tell Malachi to behave. If he wants to travel outside the mountain, he is to wait until I come with you.”
I looked at him and smiled. “You could tell him that with your mind.”
“Oh, I already have. But I wanted you to tell him as well, just so we everyone is on the same page.”
“Malachi worries about my safety almost as much as you do. We’ll be fine, really.”
Gavin started to say something but thought better of it. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
Malachi stood by the energy field, his face lighting up as soon as he saw me. “I take it you enjoyed your visit to the sanctuary?”
“Why didn’t you tell me? And as the Keeper of the Ancient Power, what can I do?” I couldn’t imagine, what else was there?
Malachi smiled. “That is a lesson for another day. Today, Light, we are learning how the mountain collects energy from the animals and other living creatures.”
“Gavin asks that we not go outside the mountain without him.”
“So he has said.” Malachi didn’t smile but sighed. “Two halves must be equally strong to create balanced whole.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that, and so I kept quiet.
We took a smaller passage, one less worn. The ground became rocky beneath our feet.
“It seems we have come to a fork in the road.” Malachi stopped, his expression intense. “One path leads to the knowledge meant for this day, the other leads to Ester’s house.”
Gavin’s anger roared, taking my breath. Malachi’s eyes blanked, and I could feel Gavin trying to control his frustration.
“Did you just yell at the Prince?” I asked.
Malachi’s eyes glinted. “Something like that. I wish for you to explore your sense of instinct. It has always been strong, but I suspect it has grown more powerful since you’ve found your source. Still, it must be developed. You do not know which path leads to what lesson, for both contain information you must understand. Which do you choose, Light?”
I calmed my mind. The way became clea
r. “I believe we must go left.”
Malachi’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“That’s what instinct tells me, and so that’s what I’ll follow.”
He sighed. “Left it is.”
Gavin grew pensive.
Do you have any idea where I’m going?
Malachi glanced at me before sighing again. “He does not know.”
That quieted both my mind and Gavin’s feelings, except for the wild child in the back screaming that maybe I should have brought breadcrumbs, so Gavin could eventually find me.
Weak sunlight angled just ahead, hitting the cavern wall.
“I promised Gavin—”
“Princess, I agree that your safety is of paramount importance. That is why the captain of the guard has swept the forest twice. You are protected.”
Gavin’s frustration burned through me.
Gavin, I’m fine. Look through my eyes; you know where we are.
Malachi tapped his walking stick aggressively on the floor. “Princess, you must stop speaking with your mate. It does this exercise no good. He may as well have come with us.”
I blushed, a tad bit embarrassed. “Sorry.”
“It is challenging to teach both halves at the same time,” he grumbled.
“Please understand, Gavin can hear everything we’re saying, and I’ve grown so used to having him in my head, I don’t know any other way.”
Malachi gave me an irritable glance. “That is acceptable if your intent is not to try and communicate with the Prince.”
I started to squirm as his eyes narrowed.
“However, if you intend to ask him questions, to try and gain knowledge, you are doing what I am requesting you resist.”
I patted his hand. “All right. Focus on what we’re doing, and no questions for the source. Got it.”
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