Illuminated

by Jackie Castle

  Chapter 30

  Lotari’s voice grew grave as his shoulders slumped. “I had no idea. No wonder you hated me. No wonder people are so intolerant of me. How could they know the difference?” He clomped over to the window and collapsed, as if his legs had given out. His forehead rested against the pane. “I understand so much now.”

  Jerin pulled a chair next to him and sat. “You’re right, Lotari. If they aren’t running wild, then they are being harnessed and used for the Dark Lord’s purposes.”

  Alyra dropped her pack on the floor and went over to her big friend. He seemed so crestfallen, her heart broke. She’d told Lot of the dream about the black powder and wondered if he’d made the connection yet. Guilt and repulsion weighed so heavy on her conscious, she couldn’t find words to speak.

  His focus remained outside the window instead of on them. “I knew there were herds of centaurs running wild and causing trouble. Several of us had wanted to try talking sense into them, but Wyndham refused to let us.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “Wyndham is merely an excuse though. If enough of us had banded together and decided to go, he couldn’t have stopped us. Deep down, I always knew that, too.”

  Jerin crouched, elbows on his knees. “Perhaps Wyndham knew the Dark Lord sought out centaurs as slaves and was concerned you’d be caught if he allowed you to go.”

  Lotari blinked, considering his statement. Then he turned to Alyra. “The boy is a paradox. One minute he talks foolishness, and the very next he speaks with the wisdom of a philosopher. You humans never cease to amaze me.”

  Jerin chuckled as he grasped the centaur’s head in his big hands.

  “You mule.” He jibed. “But I suppose, if I had a pet, you’d make a right decent one.”

  Lotari’ eyes flew open in shock. He threw his arms around the man’s waist and knocked him down to the ground.

  “Hey you two!” Alyra jumped out of the way. “There’s not enough room for your horse playing.”

  Both burst into a fit of laughter. Jerin twisted as he tried to wrestle the strong centaur’s hands loose from pinning him down.

  “You’ll break something,” she tried again.

  Jerin managed to get back to his feet. “Ah ha! Got you now, you mare.”

  She grabbed her backpack and the other set of keys from the table and left them to their tussle. Her room was right next to theirs. As she settled in, a crash sounded through the wall followed by more boisterous guffawing.

  After bathing and putting on a clean set of clothes, Alyra washed her traveling outfit, and then went over to the boys’ room to eat. Jerin joined her at the small table. Lotari remained in the corner, staring out the window.

  Alyra asked if he’d eaten.

  “A little. I guess he’s still fuming over being called our pet. Plus the fact I finally wrestled him down to the floor.” He winked over his cup. “No small task, but one I’m obviously up to.”

  Lotari gave a disgruntled snort. “Well, you’ve managed to guess wrong again, farmer boy. I allowed you to win. I do so hate seeing you sulk all the time.”

  She was glad to see him in a better mood, though Lot still seemed distracted by something.

  After clearing the dishes and setting them outside, Jerin broached the subject none of them wished to discuss. “We’ll have to be extra careful with the soldiers in town. They might be here scouting the area, Alyra.”

  She remembered the bag of fruit in Darnel’s kitchen coming from Denovo. Evidently, the town had been trading with Racah for some time. Why hadn’t she made that connection before? She sighed, rubbing her aching forehead. Perhaps Jerin’s statement was on mark. Perhaps they were here for trading and nothing more. Her gut churned knowing the soldiers most likely had been warned to keep an eye out for her. No matter what their reason for being in town was.

  Jerin added wood to the fireplace. “I’ll go in the morning and purchase what we need. Then we are leaving this blasted place as soon as possible.”

  Alyra slumped in the chair next to where the centaur lay. “If Bezoar is here, I’m done for.”

  Lotari reached out and tugged at her sleeve. “Not so, child. He has no more power over you than what you allow him to have.”

  “You’ve never seen him, Lot. He swore he’d slit my throat if he caught me again. Jerin knows. He saw him.” Fear gripped her chest, making breathing difficult.

  “Twice.” He stared at the roaring flames as an obvious shudder ran from his shoulders and down his arms. “The troop we came up against before I was brought to Many Rivers was led by him. He’s evil for sure.”

  “Evil, yes. Powerful?” Lotari cupped her chin with his finger and thumb so her eyes met his. “Not unless you allow it. Understand?”

  She didn’t but said nothing. Lotari, like Issah, had a strange way of talking. He stared intently at her for a few seconds, as if knowing she didn’t truly comprehend his words. His hand fell away, as he obviously decided to let the matter drop.

  Lotari stood and clomped over to one of the small beds. He chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed a blanket and returned to his corner, next to the window. “I am going to miss the crickets singing to me tonight.” Once he settled himself, he added, “I do not understand your complaints over not having such nightly accommodations. It is stifling in here. There are no comfortable grasses to rest on, and this place has a stench.” He arched an eyebrow at Jerin.

  “Hey friend, don’t look at me, I had my bath.”

  Alyra went to her room. Jerin followed and built up her fire after checking to make sure everything was safe and locked down. When he left, she climbed beneath the warm blankets which hugged her into a cushy softness. Lotari could have his damp grass, if it pleased him, but she’d really missed sleeping in a comfortable bed.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Jerin left for town after they’d eaten some sweet bread brought to them in a basket by the innkeeper. Alyra sat on her bed and busied herself by organizing her knapsack. The task kept her mind off what was going on in town. They were supposed to be ready to leave as soon as Jerin returned. She looked at her medallion again, light dancing off the carved flames. A light would come out of darkness the prophecy had said. Flames produced light. The coin turned in her hand to the side with the tree.

  A memory of a house built around an enormous tree popped into her head. Rich wood railings rubbed against her hand as she jogged up the winding stairs and came into a brightly lit bedroom. A woman with long curly hair, the same reddish brown as her own, greeted her with open arms.

  The dream-woman wore a medallion also with a flame emblem. Closing her eyes, Alyra pictured her again. She had a warm smile, and long, reddish-brown hair like hers. The woman must her mother.

  “Okay, honey.” Her mother grasped her hands. “Concentrate and do like me.” A bright glow surrounded them, and its source came from her chest.

  A crash came from next door, followed by a muffled yell. Alyra jumped and looked around the small dingy room. She shook her head, wondering if the memory had been real. Had her mother really been able to glow, like Lotari had said she’d done?

  Lotari swore as something else banged loudly. He had begun to find the close quarters claustrophobic. She wondered if he’d ever been indoors before. Closing the flap on her backpack, she decided to go over and sit with him. Maybe they could distract each other.

  When she entered his room, he was trying to put a lamp back together. His face had a deep red hue, and his eyes were wide and wild looking.

  “Let me get that.” She moved the lantern to a dresser far away from him. “I bet you’re ready to get out of here.”

  He nodded and returned to the window. “I found the Meeting Hall,” he said as she came to stand next to him. “Just up this street and around that corner.”

  “Good to know the town actually has one. There’s hope, right?”

  “That’s where we should seek aid for help in getting over the mountain.”

  “What makes you thin
k they’ll help?” She peered through the dirt-smudged glass in the direction he’d indicated. Peeking over the top of the shops, sparkling white turrets stood out against the gray starkness of the township.

  “They are supposed to.” Then he sighed. “However, I’m finding there’s much I don’t understand about the world outside my forest.

  “Do you regret leaving?”

  “No.” He smiled down at her. “I suppose I’m experiencing a pride dilemma over finding I don’t know as much as I thought. So hard for a perpetual know-it-all.”

  “Aw, Lot, you’re the smartest person I’ve ever met.”

  “Considering you’ve not met many people on your travels, my dear child, your sentiment doesn’t help much.” A smile played across his lips

  “Smart-alack. Fine, if you’re going to be that way…” She turned to go.

  He laughed. “Such a feisty girl. Don’t leave yet, I have an idea.”

  She stopped at the door and waited for his idea.

  “I believe we should visit the Meeting Hall while Jerin acquires our provisions. Perhaps they will know the path’s conditions and what to expect as we travel over the mountain.”

  “He told us to stay here.”

  “I’ve told him many things as well, but he listens to only half of them.” He shrugged. “If you think it’s a bad idea—”

  “No, no. I like the idea. Especially the part where we can get out of these smelly rooms. We’ll leave Jerin a note to tell him where we’ve gone. But what about the soldiers?”

  “I’ve taken that into consideration. I realize a disguise won’t keep you completely hidden from them, but perhaps you’ll be less conspicuous long enough to reach the Meeting Hall. You’re already dressed like the townswomen. They wear bright colors and scarves. We’ll cover your head in the same manner and you can go along like you are shopping. If any soldiers come near, duck into a shop until they pass.”

  “You really think this will work?” She returned to the window and watched the people below. The women did wear bright clothing. She’d put on the yellow outfit that the Logorian, Meghan, had made for her. The long sleeves and warmer material would hopefully protect her against the falling temperatures. The Logorians had most likely known she’d need such clothing.

  “So, what do you think about my plan?”

  “Let’s do it.”

  “That’s my girl.” He patted her cheek. “First we’ll need to take care of a couple of things.”

  He had her sit in a chair while he braided up her long, brown curls and tied a torn piece of his blanket around her head as a scarf. She scribbled a note to Jerin telling him where they went.

  “What about you? Will you be safe?”

  “Absolutely,” he said. “I do not belong to their unit. They have no claim on me.”

  “I’m just thinking about what the attendant said.”

  “Oh yes, the one who mistakenly thought I was your pet.”

  “You are not going to let that go, are you?”

  He handed her the basket their breakfast rolls had come in. “I’ll be right behind you. If anything does happen, you run for the meeting hall and wait for Jerin. I can take care of myself, understand?”

  Alyra nodded. Lotari stood before her, placed his hands on the sides of her face, and pressed his forehead against hers. “Blessing and protection upon you,” he whispered.

  “And upon you.”

  “Stay alert, Alyra, and don’t forget what I told you.”

  “I won’t. Meet you at the hall.” She said before slipping out.

  No one gave her a second glance as she went downstairs and exited the inn. Outside, she found a group of women walking beside the shops and followed close behind them. When they stopped to examine a fruit cart, she stopped as well. They were so busy chattering to each other, they didn’t even notice.

  The pounding in Alyra’s chest eased as she began to relax and actually enjoy the sights around her. The shop windows contained a beautiful assortment of trinkets and goods she’d never seen before. She stopped before a bookstore, face pressed against the glass as she gaped at the enormous selection of tomes contained inside. Oh, how she missed the library in Many Rivers!

  The scent of roasting sausages, breads, and sweets filled her nostrils. One particular store sold small colorful candies, and she wanted one so bad she almost regretted giving Jerin all her coins. Then she remembered the plan to get to the Meeting Hall and quickened her steps.

  A glance over her shoulder told her Lotari still followed. He’d taken up with a dwarf and the two fauns who she’d seen playing music at the bar the night before. When she turned back toward the Meeting Hall, she spotted two soldiers clad in black standing across the street. She did a double take, noticing a bit of golden hair peeking from beneath the helmet of one. No, she had to accept Tarek was probably gone. And if he was still with the Racan soldiers, she certainly didn’t want to be caught in the middle of town by him. Up the road away, Jerin walked toward her, his eyes focused on the soldiers.

  She quickly faced a window full of various candles and watched their reflection in the glass. Both soldiers had Tarek’s build. Would Bezoar give him another chance? Had he somehow managed to survive the waterfall?

  She gritted her teeth, biting back those hopeful thoughts. Tarek was gone to her. Either way, he had made his choice. And she had made hers.

  The soldiers hurried out of her field of vision. She went on down the street. Jerin nearly walked past her, too, but she reached out and caught his arm.

  “Hey, I’m not interested!” he yelled before recognizing her. “What are...?”

  “We’re heading toward the Meeting Hall,” she pulled him off the walkway, ducking into the candy store’s doorway. “It was Lotari’s idea.”

  He jerked free. “Well, it was a bad idea!”

  She noticed his empty arms. “I thought you were shopping for us.”

  “I did. The goods are back at the Hall. I’ve already been there and was coming to tell you what I found out.” He kept his gaze glued on the soldiers. Suddenly, his eyes widened. “Oh, no.”

  Alyra turned to find the Racan men standing on either side of the angry centaur, swords drawn and pointed at his chest. The dwarf and fauns had run off in different directions, leaving him alone.

  Jerin grabbed Alyra by the shoulders and commanded, “You get to the hall. Run! I’ll get Lotari. You stay there until I get back.”

  She hesitated, not wanting to leave him.

  “No, Aly. Please do as I say this time. There is a group of people who are willing to help us. Go up the stairs and to the right. They are in a room with a black door on the second floor. Tell them what’s happened.”

  He gave her a shove toward the white building and as she started off, he disappeared into the crowd.

  Chapter 31

  Alyra raced for the Meeting Hall, its white exterior gleaming in the morning light. A glance behind her showed more soldiers closing in on Lotari. Ropes bound his neck and three of the black-clad men struggled to get his arms tied. The fourth lashed a whip at his back, but the centaur didn’t stop struggling until one of them poked a spear against his face.

  One fighter remained at the edge of the group, searching up and down the street until his gaze locked in on where she stood on the steps. He quickly looked away, ducking his head.

  Jerin was nowhere to be seen.

  Her foot caught on a loose flagstone. Tumbling forward, she righted herself before smacking her face. Ignoring the dull pounding in her knees, she hobbled up to the arched doors. Carved into the gleaming wood, like all the other Meeting Halls she’d encountered was a tree with the star shaped leaves.

  She pushed through the two massive oak doors. The white building towered three stories above her, and she figured there must all kinds of activity going on. Yet, when she entered, the inside was nearly empty.

  Straight ahead rose a spiraling staircase. To the right, a room where she found neat rows of cushioned benches su
rrounding an ornate stage. A few people sat quietly, listening to solemn music played by a solitary flutist. In the opposite wing were several other smaller room, all deserted as well. She searched for vendors, children, or any other people, beside the somber group in the music area, but found no one.

  “Excuse me,” she whispered, hating to interrupt. “I—”

  An elderly woman sitting on a back seat put a finger to her mouth and hushed Alyra.

  “—need help.”

  Nobody else turned her way or made any indication they cared whatsoever. A clicking on the spiral metal stairs caught her attention. Alyra hurried toward the sound, nearly colliding into a pale, black-haired girl with delicate features like one of the Logorians. Yet she was small, as if she’d only seen ten summers, though her deep, cobalt-blue eyes looked like they’d seen a hundred or more.

  “Excuse me, I need some help. My friend is in trouble.” Alyra couldn’t help but gape at the girl, though she was unable to put her finger on why.

  “Trouble?” Her voice had a strange lilt.

  “Yes, he’s a centaur. We were heading this way and ran into a couple of black soldiers.”

  “Centaur?” Her delicate hand went to her mouth. “You are Jerin’s friend, no?”

  “Yes.” Alyra gasped with relief that the girl knew of her. “Are you one of the people he said were willing to help us?”

  “Yes.” She made such jerky nodding movements, her whole body bounced along with her head. “My name is Katrina. You come with me, yes? The others are very eager to meet you, too.” She grabbed Alyra’s hand.

  “Will someone be able to help Jerin with our friend? He went after the soldiers, but I don’t think he can fight them all by himself.”