I studied his wrinkled face. “How do you…know my name?”
He smiled, waving a withered hand. “I’ve followed you for quite some time, and those pariahs have been following your trail ever since you entered the Arborenne. They may be cursed but they’re not fools, being outnumbered by such a talented escort. They tried luring her away from your protection to take her to Gaia knows where. I’ve been waiting for them to do it. Would have had them too if they weren’t so skilled at that ‘vanishing back into the earth’ act.” His brow furrowed in frustration.
Tran stepped past our group and knelt beside a pile of ashes—all that remained of the creature. His brow furrowed as his hands sifted through the debris and he stopped. Inch by inch he drew out a golden chain until it ended in a round metal object. It was a medallion.
Strange symbols were engraved on the surface, like the medallion the Del Contes had used to transport themselves to my home in Fresno. Was that only a few days ago? It seemed like ages.
“A magical device?” I asked.
“Yes, and your intended transport, I believe.” The man gazed at the object, deep in thought. “Here, Aegis Cicero, I believe I will leave this in your possession. Perhaps it will aid you in your investigations.”
“Shouldn’t you keep it?” Cicero asked. “With your power, you could destroy the problem now.”
Tran rubbed his chin, head tilted as he studied the object. “No, I doubt this will lead us straight to our man. Better just keep it safe for now. Once we know more, you can use it. Until then, it isn’t safe and your lives are too valuable to put at such risk—especially hers.”
Everyone seemed to agree with that answer.
“Thank you, Master Tran.” Cicero took the medallion and tucked it in his pocket. “I’ll wait and see what Alaric thinks we should do with it.”
Tran nodded in agreement.
“There were two of them. Where’s the other?” Alex studied the shadows.
“I’m afraid he got away.” The old man stood to his feet. “Which means whoever—or whatever—they serve will soon be aware of my existence, which is rather unfortunate. I do enjoy having most of the realm thinking I’m dead.” He grinned, glancing into the night. “But come. Currently, my home isn’t far from here, and I insist you stay with me. After so many years, I know there is much to discuss.”
“I’m sure there is.” Cicero glanced at his wife.
Sonya smiled, nodding. Whatever doubts Cicero had about this man’s true identity, Sonya’s complete confidence swayed them. But they didn’t sway Alex’s. His grip was still tight on my shoulder, so tight, in fact, it was starting to hurt. “She still can’t walk.”
“Right, right,” Tran said, fixing his eyes on my legs with a frown. “Skinny things, I’m surprised they get you anywhere really. We’ll have to fix your ankles at the house. Terribly young to have such health problems. Alexander? How about carrying our invalid?”
Not this again. “I don’t need anyone to—“
“To do what, child?” Tran asked. “Carry you? Did that root wrap around your brain? You can’t walk! No, no, let Alexander be a gentlemen. I’m sure he doesn’t get much of an opportunity with a spirit like yours.”
Well, if he was trying to gain Alex’s trust, it worked. Alex’s amusement was already filtering through me, but at least his grip on my shoulder ceased.
Thunder clashed overhead and the breeze stirred.
Calyx. He would be furious if I left him alone in this. “What about the horses?” I asked.
“Grool will fetch them for you,” Tran answered.
My hearing must’ve been affected during their fight with colored laser beams because I thought he said “drool.” “Who?” I asked.
“You’ll meet him soon enough. Come, come, the rain will be here any moment. You can’t come down with a cold on top of broken bones. Then our dear Alexander would have to spoon-feed you, and I know how much you would love that.”
Alex raked a hand through his hair and Tran’s smile spread from ear to ear. I suddenly wasn’t sure if I liked this old man.
Alex crouched beside me and slid one arm around my back and his other beneath my legs. “Ready?”
“Do I have a choice?” I mumbled.
He smiled. “Seems fate is bound to make a damsel out of you.”
I scowled. “You’re not helping.”
He lifted me off the ground, as if I weighed no more than a feather, and held me tightly against his solid frame. I was acutely aware of him, the scent of pine and musk and woodsmoke on his skin, the feel of his arms around me. I felt safe and protected, like any friend would feel, right? Except I liked being in his arms more than I thought I should.
“Shall we?” Tran asked.
We followed Tran Chiton, Master Tran, the Black Bard—whoever he was. The very man I had been set on not finding. The very man I had thought Thad lied about. As it turned out, Thad was the only one telling the truth. Mostly.
Chapter 21
The Black Bard
I couldn’t see anything beyond the golden halo of Tran’s lantern. Not the trees, not the ground—not even Cicero and Sonya, even though I knew they were close. I could hear them talking. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I knew it wasn’t bad because I could feel their surprise and disbelief, unlike Alex, who was unusually tense—even for him.
And it wasn’t that he had a problem carrying me. In fact, he almost seemed to be enjoying himself. He just didn’t like having his sword-hand occupied.
What did he think Tran was going to do? Wag a finger and make me grow a fifth limb? Alex’s parents didn’t seem too worried, and if there were anyone besides my dad that would overreact, it would be Cicero. Besides, Sonya somehow already knew the man. He was like Gandalf’s hippy brother, the one that was full of all goodness and magic and wisdom, but probably spent a little too much time behind the pipe—and no telling what he put in it.
But none of that seemed to matter to Alex. His grip around me was tight and protective, and his eyes remained fastened on Gandalf’s forgotten, slightly deranged twin.
“Tran Chiton is dead.” Alex’s deep voice reverberated through his chest and in my ear.
His statement was so simple, so confident, I was surprised to see Tran grin in response.
“I am sorry to disappoint you, dear boy, but life hasn’t chosen to end my time yet. I suppose Gaia still has need of me. However, I’m sure once I’ve fulfilled my purpose, you shall most definitely have your wish.”
Rain began whispering on the treetops and cold drops splattered on my skin. Alex pressed me tighter against him and I was grateful for his warmth.
“I don’t wish that,” Alex continued. “It’s just that everyone says you died. Years ago.”
Tran wagged a bony finger, and to no one’s great surprise, I still had only four limbs. “And it is that which has kept my life intact. Ironic how it works out, don’t you agree?”
“But people say you were…are evil,” I said. He didn’t need to know by “people” I meant Thad.
“Do they?” The old man chuckled. “Oh, my. I suppose it depends upon whom you ask. If I’d destroyed your life, you would think me evil. But if I’d destroyed the life of your enemy, I would be quite the hero by your standards.”
Suddenly, Tran stopped, and we were saturated with rainwater.
Alex adjusted me in his arms and I could tell he was poised to reach for his sword.
Tran moved the lamp forward and an old wooden door appeared, right in front of us. Windows popped into view, the golden light behind fuzzy and distorted from the thick film that covered them. I couldn’t see the rest of the home because trees and overgrowth concealed it. Even though the house just appeared out of nowhere, it looked like it had always been there. Like it erupted from the ground and nearby foliage gathered around to form walls and a shaggy roof.
I heard a soft creaking, and we were guided through the door.
The interior was not what I expected. It w
as carefully constructed, with wooden beams and perfectly laid stone—no traces of forest. A fire blazed in one corner and the air smelled sweet and yeasty, like freshly baked bread. There were thick rugs decorating the wooden floorboards, a comfortable looking sofa and a couple well-kept chairs. Sort of what I expected a Bed and Breakfast to look like. Minus the location and Gandalf’s twin.
Along the far wall was an enormous bookshelf. Half of it was lined with shimmering glass vases and the other half was stuffed to the brim with thick, worn books. And beside that was a wall of macabre-looking metal objects, like hooks, pickaxes, and warped rings with barbs sticking out all over.
Okay, so maybe Bed and Breakfast meets Frankenstein’s lab.
Who—or what—is this man?
“Please,” Tran said. “Make yourself at home.” He started to turn away from us when he paused. “Great mages, I almost forgot!”
He placed his hands on Alex and me. The water in our clothing began gathering into little beads. Larger and larger they grew until they looked like glass marbles and fell to the floor in a single shower. The beads rolled along the wood, soaking into the grain until they disappeared completely.
I gasped. “How did you do that?”
Tran smiled, patting my arm. “No spoon feeding for you this evening. Alexander, would you lay our invalid down on the sofa? I’ll return shortly. I’ve got to ask Grool for the medicine.”
That name. So my ears weren’t malfunctioning. He didn’t say “drool”, he said “grool.” Who in their right mind would call themselves something that sounded like rotten food?
Assuming that person was in their “right” mind…
Tran went over to Cicero and Sonya, dried out their clothing, then disappeared down a narrow corridor.
Alex carried me to the couch, very carefully set me down, and placed a hand on my leg. I winced.
He searched my face. “You okay?”
I took a deep breath, pushing back the pain. “How’s your arm?”
A creature suddenly appeared, about half the size of any normal person. His skin was tinged a light brown and scraggy tufts of hair were piled between two prominent pointed ears. His eyes looked like two black marbles, glaring at our group like we just ruined his life. A potato sack covered his scrawny frame with holes cut out for his head and gaunt, knobby arms, and he had two brown stilts for legs supporting it all. A dark leather belt hung at his waist filled with sharp, maniacal looking tools, similar to the ones on the wall.
Little Frankenstein scuffled right towards me, pushing through Sonya and Alex until he was at my side. A glass jar was in his hand, filled with something black that looked like tar and smelled like ammonia, only worse. And I thought growing up on a farm was bad.
The creature dug his gnarled hand into his over-sized potato sack pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with clear liquid. With his fingernail, he scooped out some of the black paste and dipped it into the flask. But the liquid didn’t turn black. It bubbled viciously for a few seconds and turned a puke-green. The smell made bile rise in my throat.
He thrust the flask inches from my face and spoke in a grinding voice, “You drink!”
There was no way I was going to drink that.
Alex bent his head so that his lips were at my ear. “It’s for your ankles. It’s not going to kill you.”
“Yeah, but the smell might.”
Alex sighed and backed away, and the creature held the flask before my nose.
Even though the vial smelled like death, I knew one fact for certain. If there was one thing Alex didn’t lie about, it was my safety.
Hesitating, I took the mystery flask from Little Frankenstein’s hand. His round, black eyes followed my every move, scowling liked he was completely insulted I was taking so long. As I lifted the flask to my lips, the little creature grunted loudly for emphasis—just in case I missed his visual demonstration.
Very slowly, I tilted it until the liquid touched my tongue, and gagged. Right over Little Frankenstein’s scrunched face. He clenched his fists at his sides as a frothy mixture of green liquid and spit dripped from his wrinkled brow and nose.
“That’s disgusting!” I wiped the residue from my lips.
Alex arched a brow. “Well, your highness, it’s not hot chocolate.”
“All right, Mr. Protector,” I grunted. “Why don’t you give it a try then?”
“Grool,” Alex turned to the fuming creature. “Do you have a cure for obstinacy? She’s desperately in need of one.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could say a word, Little Frankenstein had pinched my nose and shoved the flask to my lips.
The liquid burned. I felt like my throat was dissolving, then my stomach, and the burning continued down, through my limbs, into my legs, through my ankles, all the way down to my toes.
My ankles. There was no more pain. I wiggled them to be sure. Nothing.
The creature ripped the flask from my lips and shoved it down in his belt. And just as I thought he was going to leave, he paused before Alex. He glared at Alex’s arm with wide eyes, and scrunched his face in disgust. Pinching the large flaps of his aquiline nose, he fixed an icy glare on Alex and scurried away.
“Your ankles are healed, I see.” Alex lifted his hand from my leg.
Now that we were safe and sound in the confines of Frankenstein’s Bed and Breakfast, his hesitation was gone. All I felt was his anger—for leaving them.
Maybe I should’ve pretended my ankles were still broken.
“What happened?” Sonya came and sat beside me.
All three of them stared, but Sonya’s gaze was the only one tender enough to give me confidence to answer.
“I just…needed some air, so I went for a walk—“
“Was the air so different a hundred yards away?” Cicero’s face was bright red, and that vein started bulging in his neck again.
I fixed my features. I wouldn’t let them make me feel guilty. Not after all they’d lied about. “Yes.”
“You’re lucky you weren’t killed!” Cicero continued. “You have no idea what’s in this forest. Don’t ever walk away like that again, do I make myself clear?”
I glared at the fire. Any clearer, I’d be looking right through him. It wasn’t my fault I was ignorant about the dangers in this world. It was theirs. They’d never bothered telling me.
Tran lingered in the doorway with a large cloth covered basket in his hands. There was a sad smile on his face, but it warmed his features and erased any hesitation I’d had with the man. I’d never known a grandfather, but if I had the choice, I think I would’ve picked someone like him.
He left the shelter of the narrow doorway and walked towards us with the basket. The smell of sweet bread was so strong that my mouth started watering. And I was anxious to rid myself of the taste of Grool’s rancid liquid.
“Oh, wonderful.” He smiled. “I see your bones are healed.”
Tran pulled back a cloth, tempting me with a steaming treasure of enormous fluffy rolls. I dove into the pillage. They were warm and doughy, falling apart in my hands as I shoved a bite in my mouth. It was almost better than Thad’s brownbutter loaf. Almost.
“Grool informs me you’ve received a rather nasty injury.” Tran looked at Alex.
Alex waved it off. “It’s fine.”
I was just about to tell Tran that Alex was lying when I caught myself. If I said that, then they’d ask how I knew and I’d have to explain how I’d been sensing their feelings. And I didn’t want them knowing that.
“I restricted the poison to the wound,” Sonya said. “His health has been strong ever since.”
Tran smiled, leaning towards Alex. He reached out a withered palm. “May I?”
Alex was wary but didn’t argue. Tran’s movements were slow and deliberate as he rolled back Alex’s shirtsleeve.
I had to keep myself from gagging. The scab oozed, threads of his shirtsleeve were stuck to it, and the skin around it was bright red. I felt a surg
e of immense pain from Alex, but when I met his gaze the feeling disappeared. He’d been suppressing more pain than I realized. “You carried me with…that?”
His expression was unreadable.
Tran ran bony fingers over the scab, brows fixed in concentration. “Sonya.” He glanced up. “I’m surprised you had any strength left after this.”
Cicero clutched his wife’s hand between both of his.
“I did everything I could,” she said.
Tran’s smile was proud. “And you did a marvelous job. This should have killed him.”
I almost choked on my roll. “Killed him?” I coughed. “Alex, what were you thinking?”
“He was thinking he wanted you safe,” Tran said. “Barghest poison is one of the deadliest. It’s almost impossible to cure, but I believe—” he examined the wound “—after your mother’s excellent care, I should be able to rid you of it for good. It is fortunate you have such a talented mother.”
Alex met Sonya’s tender gaze.
Tran shut his eyes. He trailed his fingers along the wound, his lips barely moving. At first nothing happened, but as I watched, the scab started changing. It fell away and disappeared into thin air, piece by small piece, and in its place was a patch of new skin. The last piece fell, and a black wisp of smoke curled into the air. A horrible barghest cry pierced through the room so loudly I covered my ears. The smoke began to disappear, like a black thread being pulled into a vacuum, and suddenly vanished, taking that alien shrieking with it.
The room was silent.
When I looked back at Alex, his arm was as good as new, aside from a faint pink scar.
“There.” Tran rested his hand on Alex’s arm. “I think that should do the trick.”
“Thank you.” Alex looked respectfully at Tran.
Tran smiled. “I’m afraid that scar will remain a permanent addition to your physique. Hope that’s not a problem?”
For some reason, Tran was looking at me.
“By the way, child, you fought well against that Pykan.”
“That thing back there was a Pykan?” I didn’t know what I expected them to look like, but the picture in my head was definitely something more…human.
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