by Peter Wacht
Thomas flung the whip to the ground in disgust and walked over to the rundown stall, rummaging through several wood boxes until he found what he wanted. The bear waited calmly for his return. Taking hold of the chain, Thomas lifted the links onto the head of the steel stake, then swung down with the spiked hammer he had pulled out of a box. The chain shattered with a single stroke. The crowd gasped in fear, inching backward ever so slowly. The beast now loose, freed by this boy.
“You can’t do that!” yelled Falsuto shrilly. He had still not found his voice, but at least he could speak again. “That’s my bear!”
The bulky man fumbled at his side, trying to find the hilt of the sword that hung at his hip, but having a hard time because of the many folds of fat that hung over his belt.
Thomas stared at the man with cold eyes. “If you draw your sword, it is the last thing you will ever do.”
Thomas’ voice was filled with a cold certainty. Falsuto immediately dropped his arms to his sides. Pulling the purse that he had won in the archery contest from his pocket, Thomas threw it at the man’s feet.
“For your trouble. I suggest you choose another occupation, Falsuto. If I see you selling animals again, I will test that whip on you next time.”
Falsuto gulped in fear, yet was greedy enough to take his eyes off Thomas and the bear for a few seconds to reach down and grab the bag of gold coins. It disappeared in one of his many pockets.
Thomas looked at the crowd a final time, making sure that no one intended to interfere, before he and the bear walked past the broken-down booth and toward the trees at the edge of the Festival. The bear walked slowly beside him, its head right up against his side. The animal was tired and hurt and was not about to let his new friend out of his sight.
Kaylie watched the whole thing in amazement. Yet, strange as it may be, seeing the bear walking beside Thomas seemed right to her, though she couldn’t figure out why. Thomas turned around quickly when they reached the trees and smiled at her, a smile which she returned, and then he disappeared into the forest, the bear trudging along at his side.
The crowd stood still for a moment longer before breaking out into a gaggle of excited whispers, still unable to believe their eyes. Kaylie knew that the story would make its way around the Festival in a matter of minutes. She was debating whether or not to follow after Thomas when someone grabbed her arm. She jumped around in surprise, her hand automatically going for her dagger.
“No need for that, young lady. Now what’s this I hear about your running off with a boy? When I found Erinn and Lissa they couldn’t stop talking about how you were so taken with him.” Gregory stood in front of her with a dozen soldiers behind him.
“Father, you’re not going to believe what I saw.”
She quickly filled him in on her entire day, from going to the archery contest to spending time with Thomas. She kept her experience with magic to herself, just as Thomas had requested. Her father had a hard time keeping up with her excited explanation.
“Slow down, lass. Slow down.” Gregory held his hands up in mock surrender. “You say this boy’s name is Thomas? Are you sure he’s the one?”
“Yes, Father, absolutely certain.”
Gregory’s expression turned thoughtful. “It’s getting late, Kaylie. Let’s head back to the castle.”
As they made their way through the crowds, Kaylie went over her day in more detail, yet Gregory’s mind was elsewhere. If this boy shot with the accuracy Kaylie spoke of, then he had little doubt that it was the same person who had helped them against the Fearhounds. Only a handful of people could shoot like that, if any. He would have to meet this Thomas. There were several questions he wanted to ask him. In particular, the name of his grandfather.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Plan Set in Motion
“You have done well, Ragin. Better than I expected. Is this boy really the one we want?”
“I’d stake my life on it, Father.” Ragin’s face glowed with pride, thinking of how his sister would react to his latest coup. “His green eyes glowed when I saw him in the shadows of the forest. He has to be the one you had mentioned.”
“You might have to,” said Rodric harshly, turning to Lord Chertney, whose very presence chilled the room. The proximity of the man, who had arrived earlier in the day, seemingly out of nowhere, set him on edge. “Will my son’s plan work?”
“Even a strong will can be manipulated, if you know how to do it properly,” he replied. “I shall provide Ragin with exactly what he needs. Then we can determine if this boy is truly the one we want.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Rendezvous
Kaylie examined herself in the mirror for the tenth time that morning, her expression thoughtful as she searched for flaws in her appearance. She had tried on more than a dozen riding dresses, finally selecting one in a dark purple that accentuated her eyes. Not that that was important, of course. She just felt like looking her best today. That was all, she confirmed to her image in the mirror once again.
Yet each time she said it, Kaylie found it harder and harder to believe. Still, she clung tenaciously to that belief. She refused to admit to herself that Thomas had affected her in some way. It just wouldn’t be proper for a princess to fawn over a boy. All she wanted was another lesson in magic and nothing more.
Kaylie had thought about Thomas constantly since talking with him the day before, finding it almost impossible to get his flashing green eyes out of her mind, as well as the feeling she had experienced while learning more about this natural power. The remarkable incident with the bear had taken up most of the conversation the previous night, that and the archery contest, much to Ragin’s chagrin. Everyone in the Palace was talking about it.
Unfortunately, her father would not allow her to go off on her own, and she certainly didn’t want him to come along. He had shown far too much interest in Thomas, which made her distinctly uncomfortable. Every time this forest boy came up in conversation, a strange look came to her father’s face, as if some long-lost memory had sprung free.
Biting her lip, she spun around a final time to make sure the dress fit her just the way she wanted. It would just have to do. Slipping her dagger into her belt, she stepped out into the large sitting room of their suite.
“My, my Father. You certainly do look dashing this morning.”
Gregory colored slightly, not used to receiving compliments for his wardrobe. He normally wore grey or blue in simple cuts. Clothes did not make a king after all. Ability was the most important factor — at least in Fal Carrach. Because of that, the clothes he had chosen made him slightly uncomfortable. His deep blue trousers and clean white shirt were not that bad. But the red sash around his waist that matched his red and blue striped jacket seemed a bit much. Though his sword looked out of place, he had strapped it on out of habit.
“Are you sure I look all right?” he asked with worry. “This jacket just doesn’t feel right.”
“You look very debonair,” Kaylie answered with a grin. “Almost swashbuckling.” Her father blushed even more. It certainly was fun, and easy, to torture him.
Gregory immediately began pulling off the jacket.
“I was just kidding, father,” she said, putting the jacket back over his shoulders. “You look very elegant.”
And he did. This wasn’t like him at all. He normally didn’t care too much about his appearance, yet he had even combed his beard this morning.
“What’s the occasion?”
“Sarelle wanted to discuss some trade agreements before going down to the Festival,” he said sheepishly.
Kaylie chuckled softly. She doubted that the topic of trade would even come up. “Have fun, father. I’m off so see some of the vendors’ wares at the festival.” She walked quickly to the door.
“Hold on, young lady.” The way she rushed out the door put Gregory instantly on alert. “Who are you going with?”
“No one. I feel like having some time to myself,” she said innocently.
Gregory watched her for a few seconds. She was holding something back, but there was no sense in trying to get it out of her.
“And you will be back before dark?”
“Yes, Father.” She knew he was going to ask that question. “I’ll be back well before dark.”
“All right,” he said. “Just be careful. And watch out for Ragin. There’s something about that boy that sets my teeth on edge.”
“Don’t worry, Father. He does the same to me. Have a good time with Sarelle.”
Kaylie quickly stepped out into the hallway, glad that she had escaped her father so easily. If he hadn’t been so distracted by the attentions of the Queen of Benewyn, he probably would have sent a troop of soldiers along with her.
Her suspicions about Sarelle’s intent were instantly confirmed. The Queen of Benewyn stood just outside the door in a beautiful green dress. Her blazing red hair pulled into a bun surrounded by a modest circlet of silver looked magnificent. Obviously, trade agreements were the last thing on her mind.
“Ah, Kaylie. So good to see you.”
“And a pleasure to see you, Queen Sarelle.”
Was Sarelle nervous? Perhaps, but Kaylie couldn’t tell for sure. The Queen of Benewyn was always so confident — she had to be considering men ruled all the other Kingdom — yet Kaylie could pick up the distinct traces of a few minuscule breaches in her facade. She was absolutely certain that Sarelle had no intention of talking trade today.
“My father is just inside. He’s anxiously awaiting you.”
“Excellent,” beamed Sarelle, her smile radiant.
“I hope you and father have a good time at the Festival,” she said, walking down the hallway toward the stables.
“I’m sure we will,” answered Sarelle. “I’m sure we will.”
There was a mischievous gleam in her eye. Kaylie laughed softly as she turned the corner. She hoped her father knew what he was getting himself into. Once Sarelle had him tied around her finger, he’d never succeed in unraveling the string. Then again, perhaps he wouldn’t want to.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Thrill of Something New
Arriving at the clearing from the day before, Kaylie dropped the basket on the ground. She had visited the kitchens after getting past her father. The Dunmoorian cook had certainly been thorough, packing a wine cask, several different cheeses, some cold chicken and ham and a dozen different sweet tarts.
Coming to a stream, she followed its bank for a time, watching the water ripple across the rocks and branches beneath it. Maybe coming out here was a bad idea. Thomas had probably left for his home already, wherever that home may be. Off to the east somewhere. She had failed to pry anything more than that from him.
Feeling her irritation rise to the surface once more, she waded into the stream and stared down at the water. Remembering how she had connected with nature with Thomas the day before, she concentrated with all her might on the water flowing beneath her, trying to push her consciousness into it, to expand her senses and discover what lay beneath the surface. She remained where she was for several minutes, doing all she could, but nothing happened.
“You’ve almost got it,” said a voice behind her, feeling a light touch on her hand. “Try this.”
In a flash she was beneath the surface and coasting along the bottom of the stream. Excitement surged within her. She could hear the rush of the water and taste its sweetness. Instead of just swimming in it, she felt as if she were actually part of it. As if her essence had mixed with that of the stream and the two were inseparable. The fish and crayfish were a part of it, too, even the rocks and sand that formed the streambed. The power of nature was in everything around her, and as she raced through the water she could feel its pulse.
The entire experience contained a sense of awesome responsibility, but it also offered freedom — a freedom she had never felt before. Just as quickly as she had been beneath the waves, she was back on the streambed, her hand released. Yet she could still hear the constant beat of nature in her ears.
“What is it called?”
Kaylie asked in wonder. She kept her eyes closed, trying to ward off the encroaching dizziness from the rush of leaving the stream.
“The Talent,” replied Thomas, stepping around Kaylie so he stood next to her. “It is the life force of nature. If it disappeared, then the world would end, for nature would be dead. Yesterday you worried that its source was Dark Magic. Actually, Dark Magic comes from the Talent, but in a perverted form. That story is neither here nor there, though. Did you enjoy the ride?”
“Yes, very much,” replied Kaylie, turning to look at Thomas. His eyes twinkled with delight as he took in her cheeks flushed with excitement and broad grin. “The protector of animals and people returns.”
Thomas blushed at Kaylie’s pronouncement, scuffing his foot in the dirt, unsure of what to say. Kaylie found his discomfiture quite appealing.
“You almost had it, you know,” said Thomas, trying to change the subject.
“What was I doing wrong? I tried to do exactly what you showed me yesterday, but I kept running into this wall that I couldn’t pass through.”
“That was the problem,” said Thomas, who began walking along the stream with Kaylie following after him. “You kept trying to push your way through the wall. Next time, instead of banging your head against it time after time, stay relaxed and focused. Try a gentle but persistent nudge. If you do it right, the wall will crumble. It’s all just a matter of concentration. Once you do it, once you break through the wall, you’ll never have that problem again.”
“That’s very easy for you to say, you know,” said Kaylie. “You can already do this.”
“Maybe,” said Thomas with a smile. “But I rarely get the opportunity to teach anyone something. Usually I’m the student.”
Thomas leaped across the stream to the other side. Kaylie considered joining him, then decided against it. She had chosen her riding dress to impress him. Unfortunately she’d probably get tangled in all its folds if she tried jumping across. Falling face first into the stream was not what she had in mind. Instead she studied his face.
He was not as handsome as Ragin or Maddan, but there was something else there that she found even more attractive. A strength, perhaps, or a sense of purpose. Though his eyes flashed with merriment, there was always an underlying seriousness to them. Duty. Responsibility. She had never thought such qualities would appeal to her. She shook her head almost imperceptibly to clear her mind. What was she doing? Acting like Lissa or Erinn, or even worse, Jenna? She came here to learn from Thomas, not fawn all over him. He simply wasn’t her type.
“How is the bear?”
Thomas smiled. “He’s fine. He was cut in several places by the whip, but I cleaned out his wounds and applied some balms. He should be back in the Highlands by now. I told him to stay in the upper passes, so he won’t have to worry about people like Falsuto.”
Thomas spoke as if it was the most normal thing in the world to do — speak with animals. The whole thing astonished her. How could a human being talk to an animal? Yet that bear, ferocious and angry one minute, was as docile as a pet as soon as Thomas approached him. It was the most remarkable thing she had ever seen.
“You told him to stay in the upper passes?”
“Yes, I did,” said Thomas, jumping back to her side of the stream. “Kaylie, just because someone says something is impossible, or it seems impossible, doesn’t mean it is.”
She liked the way Thomas said her name. She liked it a lot, though she tried not to admit it to herself.
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“Would you walk with me?” he asked, offering her his arm. His voice was confident, but his eyes uncertain.
“It would be my pleasure,” she replied, taking his arm and steering him farther down the streambed.
They walked in silence for several minutes, simply enjoying one another’s company.
“I assume that what
happened yesterday got around the Festival quickly.”
Kaylie laughed with pleasure. She was having more fun than she had had in a long time.
“You could say that. Within twenty minutes the story spread all the way to the Palace. You know, Thomas, you really have a particular knack for getting under people’s skins.”
“Oh, really? What do you mean by that?”
“Well, not only did you beat Ragin in the archery contest, but then you help win a bear’s freedom? Everyone was talking about you, and Ragin doesn’t like it when people are talking about someone other than himself.”
“Yes, well, I could see how he might get upset.” Thomas’ sarcasm was as thick as molasses. “I’ll have to apologize to him the next time I see him.”
“Yes, you really should,” said Kaylie with mock seriousness. They both laughed. “What’s that on your arm?”
Kaylie ran her hand over his forearm. The wrist guard was twisted around, revealing what looked to be a mark of some sort, though she couldn’t quite make it out. Thomas quickly adjusted the wrist guard, covering up the mark.
“Just a scar,” he said. “I got it when I was very young.”
Kaylie glanced at Thomas. Was he telling her everything? She didn’t think so. Then again, he had been particularly nimble at avoiding her questions yesterday. Nevertheless, the mark tugged at the edge of her memory. As she tried to remember where she had seen it before, the image of the raptor soaring above the plain appeared in her mind. The scar resembled the claw of the raptor. She’d have to get a better look at it to confirm her suspicions. Now why would something like this stick in her mind?
Thomas’ heart leapt into his throat for a moment. Thankfully, he didn’t think she had recognized the mark. He attempted to change the subject.
“So how long will you be in Tinnakilly?”
“For a few more days,” said Kaylie. “To be honest, I can’t wait to get home. I thought it would be fun to go to the Festival, but I’m growing tired of it — and particularly the company.”