by Brindi Quinn
I looked around. There wasn’t a farmhouse or windmill in sight, just our lonely group and two tents strewn over the wet grass. Rend was crouched over Nyte, who was lying down. Was he awake yet? I couldn’t tell. Kantú was rummaging through our tent for something, while Scardo and Grotts attempted to start a fire on some wet kindling. They weren’t having much luck.
“Scardo? Where are we?”
“Aura!” Kantú backed out of the tent tail first and came bounding over to me. “You’re up a couple days earlier than we expected!” She felt my forehead.
Grotts and Scardo threw the kindling down and hurried over to us.
“How do ya feel?” asked Grotts, propping me up.
“I’m all right. Just a little tired.”
“I’m terribly sorry we put you through such strain, Miss Heart.” Scardo bowed low. “Deepest apologies!”
“It’s okay, really. I’m just glad we’re all okay.” I looked over at Nyte, hoping he was included in the ‘all okay’ part of my statement.
Grotts set his eyes on Rend and said, “Alright, ya two, Aura’s awake. It’s time for yer explanation.”
You two? That was good.
Against their protests, I pushed myself to my feet and staggered over to the injured Elf. Rend hunched over him protectively, daring me to come closer.
“Miss Havoc?” Nyte sat up and pushed her away.
She let out a ‘tch’ and turned her back to us.
Ignoring her, I fell to my knees and examined Nyte’s bandage, relieved that the blood was dry. I was about to change the dressing, but he grabbed my hand from his arm and pulled me close to him. I blushed deeper than ever before.
“Thank you,” he whispered, pulling me in closer.
My heart wanted to leave my body.
“What’s with you all of a sudden?” I looked away, embarrassed.
Grinning, he released his grip and straightened up. “Guess your powers of Havoc come in handy every now and then.”
I rolled my eyes, glad that he was back to normal, but my heart continued to pound in the aftermath.
“Most worrisome captor,” I muttered.
Rend’s back trembled. She was trying extremely hard to restrain herself. I felt guilty at the sight and quickly leaned away from Nyte, leaving him to look confused.
“Ahem. If you would please tell us what happened now, so that we may decide how to proceed from here on.” Though Scardo’s words were polite, his manner indicated that he was in no way asking.
“Of course,” said Nyte, melancholy.
Rend jumped up with a flustered expression. “I am leaving to look for dry kindling.” With that, she turned her back to us and stomped off.
What’s with her?
Nyte watched her leap away and then turned to us and took a deep breath.
“As you may have guessed,” he said, “it was Rend.”
“Whaddaya mean it was Rend?” said Grotts. He looked like he hadn’t ‘guessed’ and was about to lunge after her.
“It was not her fault, though. Rend has a condition.”
“A condition?” asked Scardo.
“Her magic becomes unstable under strain. It is common amongst young Elves that have not yet mastered their power.”
“Unstable?” That was weird. She’d always seemed so bold and confident when using her power.
“Yes,” said Nyte. “She felt unwell, so I suggested she draw some water from the pump. I . . .” – he paused – “stepped away for a moment, and when I returned she looked ready to collapse.”
Stepped away?
I’d been too distracted by the recent happenings to think about the strange encounter I’d witnessed from the mercantile window, but now the scene came rushing back, bringing with it that sick feeling.
That robed figure. Should I bring it up now?
No, it wasn’t the time. I didn’t want to throw around accusations now, with so much going on. I’d ask him in private.
Nyte continued, “I ran to steady her, but as I did, she unintentionally cast an attack. Thank Creator, it was only my arm,” – he ran his hand over the bandage – “but another shot straight for the inn.”
“So what?” said Kantú. “The people of Cana haven’t ever seen Elven magic before?”
It wasn’t all that unlikely. After all, the people of Farellah hadn’t either.
Nyte nodded. “It is as you say. The people yelled out ‘demon’ and scurried into the pub, calling out a challenge to us as they did.” He looked at his feet. “That is when you encountered us.”
Grotts remained silently mulling it over.
Scardo finished his mullings first. “Very well,” he said. “Retrieve your cousin. We’re ready to deliver our decision.”
Nyte nodded and went to fetch Rend. Scardo and Grotts huddled together, talking in hushed voices.
“What do you think they’re gonna do with her?” asked Kantú, rubbing her cheeks. “I bet she’s going to be in soooo much trouble!”
But my response to the situation was something different.
“She must be so ashamed,” I said, “knowing we’re all talking about her right now. Think how this hurts her pride.”
I watched Nyte fetch Rend. She appeared hesitant, her posture unusually meek.
Rend.
“Aura!” scolded Kantú. “Are you actually feeling bad for her? She’s such a meanie! And she caused this whole mess. She deserves whatever they do with her!”
Did she?
I said nothing, but watched Rend finally nod at Nyte’s urging. She followed him back to the tents, head hung in shame. Their silhouettes were long against the dusky horizon, their pace slower than I’d ever seen it. When they reached us, she said,
“I am ready to accept my leave. I have earned the dishonor it will bring from the elders.”
“You are placing the Heart of Salvation in danger by being here,” said Scardo, “I insist that you immediately retur-”
“No,” I interrupted, my voice stern.
“Excuse me, Miss Heart?”
Rend was bitter and mean and frustrating to be around, but she was important to Nyte, she was part of this team, and she’d helped protect us. They couldn’t just send her away! The way she’d fought that creature in the tunnel . . .
“No,” I said again. “Rend will not return.”
Rend’s eyes erupted with fury. “Pity me not! I will not accept any sympathy from you.”
“Rend!” Nyte reached for her shoulder, but she rejected him coldly.
“It’s not pity!” I shouted, trying to make myself sound authoritative.
Rend was taken aback; at least, her cold eyes wavered somewhat.
“We need you. You’re an asset to this guard. It’s in my best interest to have a magic-wielder like you along. Scardo, Grotts, I refuse to cooperate without proper protection.” I folded my arms and turned up my nose.
I hoped I looked convincing enough to at least fool Scardo. It was pretty difficult to play demanding.
“Miss Heart! Are you quite sure?”
I nodded, and Rend stared at me in disbelief.
Kantú knew me well enough to know I wasn’t at all thinking about my own protection, but attempting to save Rend from her dishonorable fate. She opened her mouth, but I stopped her with a threatening jaw flex.
I know you hate her, but don’t say anything or so help me!
She chittered uneasily, and a small grin crept across Grotts’ face.
Uh-oh.
He could see through the charade. What would he do, send Rend away regardless? I struggled to maintain a posture of authority.
But instead of giving me up, the great man’s eyes twinkled.
“Scardo, ya know we gotta do what she says. If she quits cooperatin’ it might be us that’s caught in a rainstorm next.”
Really? Thank you! Even though he knew as well as I that said rainstorm would never occur.
Scardo widened his eyes. I tried to look fierce.
“V-
very well,” he said. “You may remain in the guard, but only at the request of the Pure Heart.”
I’d have to thank Grotts later.
Rend ground her teeth and bowed before escaping into her tent. Kantú scrunched her nose in disappointment. Nyte exhaled deeply.
“Glad that’s settled.” Grotts clapped his hands together.
Scardo rubbed his temple. “Settled? I suppose . . .” He sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the outcome. “Anyway, we should retire. I’ve plotted out a new route for us. We’ll reach the Stable of Y’ram tomorrow.”
“Stable?” I asked, looking at Kantú. She shrugged.
“We’ll proceed through the rest of Rendalt on osterflit-back.”
Osterflit? I tried to remember if there’d been anything like that in the records of Farellah. Nothing came to mind.
“What’s an osterflit?” I asked.
“Damn brainless birds,” muttered Grotts.
“Birds?” I said. “We’re going to ride birds?” But how could a bird support a person’s weight? I pictured Grotts flying through the air suspended by dozens of tiny twitfoots. There was no way.
“Osterflits are domesticated land birds,” said Scardo, still rubbing his temple. “You will see for yourself tomorrow. Excuse me.”
He retreated into the tent, looking thoroughly worn out. I felt a pang of guilt for giving him the ultimatum, but then I thought about Rend’s face when she’d offered to take leave – so ashamed – and I was sure I’d done the right thing.
“Land birds? Like kluckoos?” Kantú became hopeful. “Do they lay eggs?”
“Yep, but chances are we’ll be usin’ the males fer travel.” Grotts looked cross at the thought. “Idiotic birds!”
He stomped after Scardo into the tent, still grumbling.
Kantú, Nyte and I were left alone in the moonless night. It was growing increasingly chilly, and the wet ground did little to help make the atmosphere more comfortable. Rend hadn’t returned with any dry kindling, so any hopes of a warm fire to guard the tents wouldn’t see fruition. It looked to be a dismal night.
“You two should head to bed. I will take first guard,” said Nyte, gesturing to the tent.
“But you only just came to!” I said. “Your arm-”
“I am all right.” He looked into my eyes. “Actually, might I speak with you alone for a moment?”
Alone? Goose-bumps rand down my arms at the thought.
Kantú winked at me with a sly smile and said, “Night, Nytie! Night, Aura!”
She was still looking at me knowingly when she backed tail-first into the tent. I shook my head and rolled my eyes, but I was grateful she wasn’t holding a grudge that I’d come to Rend’s aid.
“Anyway . . .” I turned to Nyte, curious as to why he’d called the meeting; not that it bothered me, of course.
He rubbed the back of his neck and leaned forward. “I thank you for what you did for Rend.”
I resumed the haughty stance I’d used on Scardo and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was only watching out for myself, you know.”
“Right.” He narrowed his eyes and smirked. “As is to be expected from the dreaded Heart of Havoc.”
“Hey!”
He leaned in closer. The drafty night air ruffled the hair around his ears, making him look like some stranger of the night. My heartbeat quickened.
Why do I always get so nervous in these situations?
I stared into his eyes. They looked black in the now-darkness. It was getting hard to breathe again.
“You are a curious captive, are you not?” he said. He reached out his hand toward my face like he was going to caress my cheek, but at the last moment he looked away, stuck out his finger, and instead poked me in the cheek playfully.
“W-what’s that supposed to mean?!” I brushed his hand away and rubbed the spot where he’d touched, frustrated that I’d let his teasing get to me.
“Going out of your way to rescue someone that has been so hostile towards you.”
“What happened was an accident. She shouldn’t be punished for something like that.”
He stared out into the darkness. We were alone. Now was my chance to bring up that robed figure. Should I?
It was probably nothing . . . But what if it wasn’t?
“Nyte, who were you talking to when you ‘stepped away’ from the mercantile?”
My question took him by surprise.
“Oh, you saw that?” His voice was hushed. He looked over his shoulder at the tents. There didn’t appear to be anyone stirring inside.
“Yeah, I saw.”
“Spying, were we?” He grinned.
I looked away, embarrassed. “It was an accident, sort of,” I muttered. I hadn’t really meant to spy or anything.
He looked amused by my response. “It was a messenger from Elder Pietri. He came for a status report.”
“A messenger? Why didn’t he just talk to everyone? And how did he even know where we’d be?” We’d only traveled to Cana by chance, after all.
“He had been trailing us for a while. Elder Pietri sent him in secret to ensure the guard was sufficiently doing its job. There was no reason for him to meet with anyone else, since it would only cause distrust amongst the party.”
So that was it. But the thought was far from reassurance.
“Wait, so you’re saying no one noticed he was following us?!” It made me lose a little faith in my guard. “That’s really bad.” If the messenger had gone unnoticed, who could say that a Druelcan spy would not as well?
“I did, of course, but Elves are very stealthy by nature and can easily stay hidden if they so desire.” Nyte had proven that point on several occasions.
“What happened to him during Rend’s outburst? Did he witness it all?”
Nyte shook his head. “He was already gone by that time. Elves can also be quite swift when they are not burdened, you know.”
“Hey! Who’s a burden?!” I folded my arms.
He chuckled and stared off into the night. We sat in silence a moment.
I’m glad that’s all it was.
I was contented by his explanation. It made sense. Everything made sense now. The sick feeling finally lifted.
“You should rest. From what Rend said, your song was very powerful. It must have taken a lot out of you.”
“Rend said that?” I dropped my jaw in disbelief.
He laughed at my expression. “She can be all right at times. I only hope she treats you more kindly from here on.”
I wasn’t getting my hopes up.
He was quiet. Everything was quiet.
I stared into the blank sky. “Too bad there’s no moon tonight,” I said in a murmur.
“We should be encountering the eastern moon soon.”
I tilted my head, confused. “But it’s not the season for that right now.” The eastern moon wasn’t due for several more months.
“Not in Farellah, maybe. But in this part of the world it is the western moon that is out of season.”
My beloved moon. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
Nyte placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “Do not look so sad. The eastern moon is beautiful as well, even if it is not your secret lover.”
I smiled and nodded. He’d remembered my comment. What a strange person this Elf was, able to make me feel embarrassed and nervous and carefree all at the same time.
“Goodnight then,” I said, pulling myself away from his hand before it became too tempting. “Thanks for telling me everything.”
But when he replied, the words sounded strained. “Goodnight . . . Aura Rosh.”
Huh? Why was his voice so dispirited all of a sudden? My imagination, or . . . ?
I glanced back at him, but his back was turned to me, his face concealed.
Maybe it had just been my imagination.
I fought the desire to stay by his side a little longer and returned to the tent, settling in next to Kantú. Rend was lying on her si
de, her expression stern even in sleep. Would her hatred for me ever cease? Could we ever become friends?
I fell into uneasy sleep.
Chapter 10: The Mole
“Aura!” My sister’s peppy voice cut through the meadow.
“Illuma, I’m here!”
The air was hot and thick and filled with the buzzing of trundlebees. I was sitting under the cherry trees, but they were abnormally still in the stagnant air.
“There you are! I was looking for you!” She slumped down next to me.
I groaned. “It’s too hot today. I can’t move.”
“I felt them again down by the beach. Their eyes were peering at me.”
“It’s in your head.” My voice came out sluggish. Normally, I’d play along with her drama, but today was just too hot.
“Ugh! I shall be captured by those peepers, and you don’t even care!” She threw her arm over her forehead dramatically.
“And just who are these mysterious people you feel watching you every so often?”
“How should I know? They’re probably goons from across the great ocean! Or worse . . . thugs!”
“Oh, you know there’re no such things as thugs. That’s just a silly legend they tell kids so they don’t go swimming alone.”
She scowled. “All legends are based in truth. Thugs do exist!” She jumped up and stomped off dramatically. Her angry footsteps made a series of dull thuds across the meadow.
I woke up. The dream had been a memory of one the only fights Illuma and I’d ever had. I hadn’t bothered to follow after her that day, convinced she was over-reacting. But she’d been right. How I wished now I’d believed her. The memory haunted me, coming out in only the darkest moments of brood or nightmare.
Illuma, will you forgive me when I find you?
“What’s wrong?” asked Kantú, rubbing her eyes. She was sitting up in the covers, her hair a mess from a night of tossed sleep.
“It’s nothing,” I lied. “Didn’t sleep so great, huh?”
“I think I had a bad dream, but I can’t remember it.” She scratched her head.
You too, huh?
“Kantoo?” Grotts’ husky voice sounded from outside the tent.