Illuminated

by Jackie Castle

  Lotari narrowed his storm-cloud eyes on the man. “You blocked the spear. You fought off those Brownies. You could have just gone along with them. I’m sure they’ll make Denovo long before we do.”

  “Right. Traveling with a horde of Brownies. Do you have any idea how bad they smell? Like moldy pond scum.” He shuddered, then turned away and busied himself with dishing out bowls of stew.

  Alyra took the jar of Marya’s ointment from her bag. “Let me put this on the dart wounds, Lot. You’ll heal faster. The cream should draw out the poison.”

  He shrugged, his focus remaining on the flames. “They’ll go away soon.” His voice broke with his pent in emotions. “Centaurs are strong creatures and heal quickly.” He squeezed his trembling fingers together. “See?”

  Alyra sat on her knees in front of him and took his hands. Tiny spots dotted his skin where the darts had lodged. She dipped the edge of a cloth in the jar and worked the cream into his rough hands and up along his furry arms.

  “That old man is a troll brain.” She laughed scornfully. “Can you imagine what he’d say if he’d learned the truth about me? I was Darnel’s apprentice. What a fool.” A lump formed in her throat, clogging her words. Dabbing at the cuts on his chest and neck, she took several deep breaths until her heart began to settle back into a normal rhythm.

  “Still, hateful words hurt, don’t they? I remember how they talked about me in Racah. If that couple had known you even a little, they would have realized you didn’t deserve to be called all those names. Not like I deserved it. I mean…” She stopped, noticing that his beard was wet with the tears streaming down his face. His head shook, as his mouth opened but couldn’t form the words.

  Her fist tightened around the rag. “I’m so angry at them! And I’m sorry he said all that to you. You’ve been so kind to me. And so has Jerin. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you two, and I’ve done nothing but act ungrateful.” She wiped the dampness from his face with the rag and added more ointment to the cuts on his cheek. “And I feel all kinds of things I don’t understand. I wish I could do something to take all your hurt away.”

  For the first time that day he smiled, and said in a choked whisper, “See? You do know how to love.”

  She blinked at the realization. “You mean, when Issah said he loved me, he feels what I’m feeling now?”

  “And even more, sweet child.” His trembling arms wrapped around her. “Issah loves you more dearly than you’ll ever be able to fathom. And because of our love for our King, we are able to freely love each other.” He held her out at arm’s length, where he could look directly into her eyes. “I love you, too. You have become my dearest friend.”

  For the first time, she allowed those words to sink into her very soul. They soothed her fiery emotions like a cool mist. How did he do it? No matter how bad she felt about herself, Lotari had a way of seeing things in a positive light. She hugged him tighter, grateful he was her friend. When she started to release him, a heavy weight hit her as another set of arms embraced them both.

  Jerin blurted, “I’m so blasted sorry. I should have told that slug to shut his mouth right from the start.”

  “Not you, too. Both of you stop beating yourselves up.” Lotari chuckled at the large boy’s unexpected burst of emotions. Even Alyra stared at him dumbfounded. Lotari patted his broad back. “I expected this reaction. Those taken over by the Dark Lord roam around causing trouble while those of us who actually serve the king hide in the woods.”

  Jerin sat back on his haunches, one big hand resting on Alyra’s shoulder and the other on Lotari who looked from one to the other as he said, “It has been a major dispute between Wyndham and myself for a long time. If people only see the bad, how are they ever going to know there is good?”

  The man and the centaur looked at each other for a few moments as if they were finally really seeing the other.

  Jerin shook his head. “When Glenn spoke out loud things I’d been taught all my life, I realized how wrong it sounded. And deep down from somewhere inside, I kept hearing, ‘It’s not love’s way, and you know that.’ Sounded like something Marya would say. And I know she learned everything from Issah. The real Prince who doesn’t sit on some lofty throne.”

  “Yes,” Lotari dried his face with the back of his hand. “He was definitely speaking. He reminded me that it only mattered what he thought of me, not anyone else. That’s what kept me from…well, never mind what I was thinking of doing.”

  Alyra gasped, “I thought I heard him too. I was beginning to wonder if what that man said was true, and then I heard, ‘Your heart knows the truth’.”

  “And you did,” Jerin squeezed her shoulder. “And the truth is that I also love you. Aly. You’ll always be able to count on me as a devoted friend.”

  She slipped her arm around the tall boy and hugged him, glad that Issah had set her on this journey with them both. Glad to finally understand what she’d longed for in the dark lands.

  Then Jerin looked at Lotari. “Please accept my apology and honor me by considering me as your dear friend, as well. I was wrong about you.”

  Lotari’ face brightened up like the morning sun. “Look at us, all hugging each other. Wouldn’t Marya be so proud?”

  Chapter 28

  Darnel stood in the center of the black marble room before a red painted circle. He turned to the child standing across from him. Brown hair cascaded down her back, tiny ringlets tickling her pinched brows and covering her golden-brown eyes.

  “But you said.” Her tiny voice trembled. “You said never glow. You said glowing is bad. You said so.”

  “Yes, daughter, I know. But just this once. Do this for Poppy like a good little girl. And I’ll never ask again.”

  “Cause my light is bad?”

  “Yes, and your light frightens people. Your affliction is our little secret.” Darnel began walking around the circle, chanting in a language she didn’t understand. Fiery smoke billowed from the center.

  The child stepped back. “Poppy, I don’t want to do this.”

  He towered over her, face enraged as the flames flickered off his silvery eyes. “You will! If you don’t, he’ll destroy me. Then you’ll be left alone. I won’t be here to protect you anymore. That is, if, he doesn’t come for you next.”

  Tears tumbled down her cheeks. She bit her lip to hold in the whimper. Poppy got angry when she showed weakness. When she didn’t obey.

  “You will wait until I tell you. Not a moment before and not a moment after. Understand? Everything depends on you not messing this up. Do. You. Understand?”

  She nodded, holding her breath. Don’t shine yet, don’t. Wait. Wait until he says, then you can glow.

  The chanting continued, his voice deepening, the floor trembling, a metallic smoke filled the room. Flames shot high toward the ceiling. Within the cloud, a form began to emerge. Darkness sucked the air from the room. Sweat tightened the curls plastered around her face.

  Don’t glow. Wait until Poppy gets what he wants.

  The monster formed from what seemed to be molten metal, red-hot and orange in color. The eyes and mouth were black, endless slits. “Whooo, calls me?”

  Darnel silently pulled out a sword made from blue steel, the color of frozen water from deep pools. He swung the blade, slicing down and clipping off a chunk of the fiery monster. An earsplitting screech poured from the beast. Black sparkling powder fell over the floor and at her feet.

  “Now,” Darnel screamed as the fire exploded knocking him backward. The sword spun across the marble floor.

  The child tried to ignite her light, but fear clamped down on her heart.

  “Now you insolent bug! Do it!”

  The beast began spinning like a dirt-devil, turning in her direction. Screaming, a burst of light filled the dark room.

  * * * *

  Alyra bolted up, gasping for air and swatting at her wool covering. The camp fire burned bright. She backed away.

  “Easy, now.” A ha
nd grasped her ankle as Lotari came into focus. His gray eyes were so wide, the whites showed. “You’re safe, sweetheart. You’re safe. Take a deep breath and calm down.”

  She sucked in a lungful of air. Her heart pounded so hard she feared her ribs might crack.

  “Alyra, look at me. Were you having a nightmare? You were… glowing, dear. Really glowing.” He looked both amazed and horrified.

  She started to draw her legs up to her chest, but he held her ankle tighter, motioning for her to come closer. As she scooted over beside him, his arm went around her shoulders. He sat up now, his horse legs stretched out before him. Perhaps he was starting to get movement back finally.

  “I’m sorry.” She clutched her medallion. “Did I scare you? I’m really sorry.”

  “It was… beautiful. What can you possibly apologize for?” He set the kettle closer to the fire and crumbled some herbs into a cup. “You were crying. I don’t suppose you were dreaming of Aloblase this time, were you?”

  She shook her head, trying to unscramble her thoughts. She’d forgotten about when Darnel has summoned the pit demon. He’d wanted the dust. The dust would embolden a creature with incredible strength, but it also blackened their heart so much, they became even more cruel and demented than Bezoar himself. She was sure the wolves had been fed the powder. She’d seen firsthand what happened to a turned creature.

  She described the dream to Lotari. The tea settled her trembling and racing heart. “I was so angry after what he’d done. When I saw what the powder did, I told him I hated him and would never call him…. Well, I no longer helped him so willingly.”

  “Perhaps this is why he stole your memories? Maybe he hoped if you forgot everything, he could try again to win you over.”

  Recalling the day she’d escaped from Racah, the page and Darnel stood at her bedchamber door discussing how frightening she was. Darnel had sent her into the dark dreams, and she’d made them go away. Had she been glowing all along unaware? He knew and maybe that’s why he kept her so close to his side.

  Alyra finished the warm tea. “I remember now. How he’d say my glowing was a deformity we needed to hide. He said my light scared people and if they found out, they’d want him to destroy me. He always acted like he was protecting me.”

  Lotari rubbed his horse legs, trying to get the movement back. He looked much better now. The tea and ointment must have begun working.

  His hand rested on her shoulder until she met his stormy eyes. “I’d wager he knew your light would drive that specter back into its fiery pit. He feared your light. He feared you, Alyra. Once you learn to control your luminance, you’ll be a formidable adversary to him. Not a deformity, understand? Ability. Gift. Something that can help people, not repulse them.”

  Alyra drifted back off into a more peaceful sleep, lulled by Lotari’s pipes and the soothing melody that calmed her nervous heart. By the next morning, he was on his hooves, walking around, though a slight trembling continued to plague his extremities.

  As soon they ate breakfast, they crossed the road to face the bramble barrier.

  “I will not leave this path,” Lotari hissed between clenched teeth. A slight trembling still plagued his extremities as he tore away more long strands of vines, taking no notice of how they scratched his arms and twitching legs.

  Alyra handed him her dagger, “Maybe this will help.” She grasped a handful of the vines, ignoring the stinging thorns and held them steady while he cut through.

  “Excuse me.” Jerin pushed past, shield thrust forward and sword hacking away the tangled briars.

  The woods hemmed them in. They gasped for air and constantly wiped sweat out of their eyes. Before long, the sweat ran down their backs like trailing snakes. Despite their exhaustion, no one wanted to stop until the forest backed off the rocky trail and they breathed fresh air again.

  Jerin did insist they rest for a mid-day break while he checked his map. They chewed on jerky and nibbled dry bread Lot kept them stocked with. He insisted the nutritional value in them would keep them going even when meat and vegetables were scarce.

  “I’m impressed at this map, Jerin,” Lot peered over the boy’s shoulder. Jerin handed him the parchment, and stood so they could look together.

  “We have to be close to Jolly Orchard. Still, I’m concerned about what we’ll find in Denovo. See?” Jerin pointed his thick finger at the line passing by the city.

  “That is strange. Denovo has always been a major trade center for the kingdom.” Lot sighed, shaking his head. “Perhaps, since the demise of The Halls of Knowledge, the town has grown wild.”

  Jerin rubbed the back of his neck, his face pinched with worry.

  Lotari handed back the map. “Let us continue and hope for the best. Though, I have no hopes of anything good being found in this wretched land.”

  * * * *

  The town of Jolly Orchard appeared out of nowhere. Nestled in the deep woods, one moment Alyra followed Lot who followed Jerin, when the trees opened up and they stood before a tall, glittering white wall. The stone path went directly up to the main gate carved out of polished oak. Like Many Rivers’ meeting hall, the entrance doors had intricate carvings surrounding the tree emblem, but among the vines and figures were the words in script letters, Jolly Orchard.

  “Strange.” Lot scratched his beard as they passed through the wrought iron gates. “The whole city is a Meeting Hall. So wide open. I like this.”

  His gray eyes took in the various fruit trees and homes constructed within the boughs of sprawling oaks. Instead of stand-alone buildings they’d seen in the other towns, the homesteads were all made from natural materials, or in some instances, built right within the trees themselves.

  They were taken to a mound of earth and led through a twisting entrance. Alyra nervously rested her hand on Lot’s back. His coat bristled at first from the enclosed space, but in a matter of a couple of minutes, they were in a large underground room lit from windows built in the ceiling.

  A chubby faun sat beside a roaring fireplace. He stood and welcomed them to the town, promising to provide anything they needed. Then he invited them to stay the evening.

  “We have dwellings you humans will be quite comfortable in.” He puffed a long, twisted pipe. “Shall I call for baths to be drawn? You all look like you’ve been through some ordeal.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Jerin seemed edgy, yet in awe over all the creatures. “We’ve encountered a few snags.”

  “I am sorry, young man. Let’s get all of you comfortable and we’ll hear your tale during the evening meal.” He turned to Lotari. “Good centaur, you will find a mineral pool located in the west groves where you can bathe and care for your injuries. I will ask a couple of my cousins to accompany you. We wish more noble centaurs like yourself lived here, but alas, your clans are few and far between.

  “Matter of fact,” the faun added, between puffs on his pipe. “The last horseman I encountered was several seasons ago. A white stag with piercing red eyes. Went by the name Talos. He came from Wilderland. Was on his way to Aloblase to seek help from the King. I assume you are on the same sort of mission?”

  While Lotari stayed and talked awhile with the mayor, Jerin and Alyra were led off to their rooms. By the time they were cleaned up with fresh clothing and a short rest, a large feast was being prepared for them in the central meadow. She was reminded of the banquet she and Lotari had shared with the Prince. She wished more than anything to speak with Issah again.

  The one thing that really caught Alyra’s interest was the variety of the inhabitants in this town. Many Rivers mainly had only men and dwarves working together, but she met fauns and sprites who loved to sing no matter what task they were doing. There was a group of Okbolds like DezPierre, who worked at setting up the many tables, but they were all happy and cheerful.

  Her surprise was mirrored on Jerin’s face.

  The townspeople gathered around Lotari, so pleased to see a centaur outside of their woods and traveling with h
umans that they treated him like a champion.

  “Oh,” Jerin shook his head in dismay. “There will be no living with him now.”

  Alyra laughed, knowing he joked.

  In the middle of the meadow, a tall, white-barked tree grew, like the one she’d seen in Many Rivers. White star-shaped flowers and red fruit filled the branches where someone had hung several lanterns. Alyra considered loading up on some of the fruit to make more tea, but remembered how Beave and Marya said to only pick the fruit when needed. Right now, they had enough.

  A group of human and creature children ran past, playing blind-man’s tag. She found Lotari watching, laughing as the children ran behind a blindfolded man, pulling at his shirt and darting away. He spun around but didn’t try to catch anyone yet.

  Standing straight, and still, the blindfolded man shouted, “I think I’ll get Gloria!”

  A fair-haired faun-child clasped her hands over her mouth to stifle a giggle as she backed to the edge of the group. The blindfolded man seemed to know instinctively where the girl would go next. She trotted around the other children, trying to keep one step ahead of her pursuer.

  “You’ll never get away from me,” the man challenged which caused the girl to erupt in a fit of giggles.

  He took that opportunity and grabbed her up lifting her high into the air and twirling her in a wide circle. Her hooves kicked with glee.

  Alyra remembered playing a similar game long, long ago. A group of children screeched with laughter, as they darted past tall colonnades and over sparkling streets. Flowers poured over curved arches, and beauty was all around. Alyra ran through those streets. Fair beings laughed and pointed to a hiding place high up in a sprawling aspen. The man pursuing her stopped below the tree looking around and acting like he was searching for her. The other children shrieked with laughter, but didn’t give her away.

  The man grinned at them and said in a serious tone, “You think I’ve lost her? Never!” He looked up. Issah! His merry brown eyes shined. “I’ll never lose my beloved girl.” He held up his arms to receive her. “Come Alyra, your parents are waiting.”