Illuminated

by Jackie Castle

  Everyone stood with open-mouthed disbelief at the centaur. Jerin looked from the palomino to Lotari then back to the palomino.

  When no one answered, his voice rose in desperation. “Please. Even my groomsman whispered to me that Aloblase was real. But he’s kind of crazy. Think they’ve beat him too much. And he wanted me to share my dinner with him. The other soldiers won’t feed him cause he’s such a failure.” The centaur shook his head, stomping his hooves. “Look, I don’t know how to get there myself. And…and…if they catch me…” he buried his face in his hands. “Oh, they make traitors drink the black liquid. And if they find out that I slipped sleeping tonic into Erbon’s dinner.... I’m in so much trouble right now.”

  “Who’s Erbon?” Jerin kept his sword pointed at the beast’s chest.

  “Our Captain, the black stag, he was supposed to watch out in case someone came to rescue him.” He gestured toward Lotari. “But I knew if you managed to escape, then I’d have hope of escaping as well. So, before I took him his evening meal, I added a few drops of juice the soldiers use to keep prisoners quiet.” His white teeth flashed in a childlike grin.

  Alyra stared at the young centaur in amazement. Deep down she’d thought that had all been too easy. She and Katrina both stepped in front of Lotari and said in unison, “Yes, you can come.” They looked at each other strangely then smiled.

  Harp sounded a bit more reluctant. “I don’t know. We already have one of these ruddy beast, but now two?”

  “Maybe he’s not too prideful to help carry our stuff.” The sisters pled with their father.

  “Absolutely.” The palomino sounded eager. “I’ll carry your gear. I can hunt. I’ll do whatever you tell me to do. Just say I can come.”

  Lotari’s mouth dropped with what must have been astonishment at the youngster’s complete lack of self-respect. “You certainly talk a lot, even for a colt.”

  Alyra stepped closer. “Of course you can come with us. What’s your name?”

  “They call me Stitch.”

  Lotari snorted from behind her and muttered, “That’s no name for a centaur.”

  Alyra smiled. “Well, King Shaydon will probably know your real. But we must hurry and get going before the soldiers realize two of you are gone.”

  “I can come? Really, I can come?” He began a cantering dance around Alyra and Katrina.

  Katrina giggled and grabbed his arm to make him stop. “Yes, yes, silly one. Now we go.”

  The others put away their weapons. Frank yanked the horse’s reins to move it along. “Let’s hurry before something else happens. Everyone needs to be extremely quiet.” He shot the excited newcomer a warning glare. “At least until we get to the foot of the mountains and out of this township.”

  * * * *

  Shadowy pines towered against the black night sky like swaying specters. The travelers scrambled up the rocky slope constantly looking over their shoulder for a sign of pursuit. Katrina stumbled, sending a cascade of dirt and stones down upon Alyra and Jerin. Stitch bound to her side, helping her back to her feet. The centaurs were the only ones not having a problem with the climb, so when one of the others got stuck or fell, they were there to help them along. Alyra didn’t know if she should be grateful or envious of them.

  Frank and Harp insisted they travel all through the night to put as much space between them and Denovo as possible. The dark soldiers would come after them once they found their centaurs gone.

  Lotari protested. “I do not belong to them, sir. Nor will I ever serve them as long as breath moves through my lungs.”

  Stitch said nothing, but Alyra caught the shudder that shook him, and knew she was responsible for helping to get the black powder they’d force him to drink if he were recaptured. Her heart felt as though it’d been punctured with a large thorn. He’d also been marked with the moon and stars brand on his shoulder as if he were no more than a head of cattle. She rubbed her shoulder as he turned toward her, a quizzical expression on his face.

  When the sun peeked over the mountaintops, Christina and her daughters insisted they stop to eat and rest. Harp reluctantly agreed, even though Alyra didn’t think he had much of a say in the matter. Everyone slumped onto the rocky ground in exhaustion unable to move another step. Katrina and the sisters were too tired to even eat.

  Jerin sat upon a rock and drank deeply from his water. He’d remained silent since they’d taken on Stitch, spending most of his time at the rear of the group. He bit into one of the sandwiches Christina had packed them watching the area below.

  A throbbing ache pulsated in Alyra’s legs, though she’d become adept at walking, the constant climb aggravated muscles she didn’t even know existed. She sat next to Jerin to help watch for possible enemy advancement. By now, they should be waking to find their prisoner missing.

  After a blink of a rest, Frank and Harp insisted everyone continue. The sisters constantly complained about being tired and sore. They wanted to ride the horse, but Harp told them to hush. The horse was to carry their gear and could hold no more. Stitch, either weary of listening to them, or out of sheer kindness, allowed them to take turns riding. Lotari, seeing the other sister eyed him expectantly, darted off into the woods saying that he should scout the area. Finally, by the late afternoon, Christina demanded they be allowed to stop again.

  “We can’t keep on like this.” She explained. “Let us get some sleep, and we’ll start again tonight.”

  Frank started to argue, but her look stopped him. “Only a short rest, sister. The soldiers might be on their way as we speak.” He led the horse to a grassy area and tied it to a tree.

  Harp muttered to himself about bringing trouble by including strangers, and how no one would listen to him. Now they had those ruddy beasts to contend with as well.

  “Enough!” Frank snapped. “We’re close, I say. We’ll need to get a move on, and soon, if we’re to beat their horses.”

  They found a sheltered spot next to a small waterfall. The sound of rushing water seemed to help calm anxious nerves. They decided against a fire, so Christina prepared a simple meal of bread and cheese. Lotari’s withers twitched with apprehension and Alyra knew he was unhappy over the situation they found themselves in, but nothing could be done about it now. He ate quietly before leaving to explore the woods.

  The palomino stayed close to the camp and did everything he was asked. The sisters took full advantage of his assistance. They sent him off to gather leaves and pine needles to make their sleeping area comfortable.

  The more Stitch ran around like a lowly servant, the angrier Alyra became. So she followed him down to the stream where he worked on filling everyone’s canteen in hopes of having a little talk to him.

  “You don’t have to do that, Stitch. Harp asked the sisters to take care of the canteens, not you.”

  He gave her a toothy grin. “I don’t mind, Miss. I’m used to helping. We’re too young to fight, so we serve the elders between training sessions.” He waded out until the water reached his hocks.

  “But you deserve to be treated with respect, just like everyone else.”

  “I’m very grateful to be away from Racan soldiers. I’ll do whatever they ask for letting me stay.”

  Alyra put her hands on her hips with a loud huff. “You don’t owe anyone anything. You have just as much right to go see King Shaydon as the rest of us. Okay?”

  He sighed, while popping a cork on one of the water bags. “Ah, I can’t wait to meet this King. I certainly hope he is nicer than the Dark Lord. That one, Miss, gives me the willies, for sure.”

  “You’ve met Darnel?”

  He turned to her, brow cocked. “He came out to the training grounds and gave our unit a special visit. Said we’d been given a great honor.” He snorted, shaking his head. “Anyway, he prattled on about how we were being sent on this secret, important mission to reclaim some treasure he referred to as his precious light.” Stitch tossed the filled bottle onto the shore and began to fill another. “He sa
id this treasure would enable him to extend his kingdom all across the land. What’s wrong, Miss?”

  Alyra realized she’d been standing there with eyes wide and mouth gaping. Stitch wasn’t talking about her, was he? Darnel never consider her a treasure, did he? Yet, what other explanation was there for his unrelenting pursuit of her?

  Her breaths snagged in her throat. She swayed as her vision swam. Before she knew what was happening, Stitch grabbed her arms and led her to sit on a rock.

  “Breathe, Miss. Try to breathe.”

  She sucked in a lungful of air, but felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. Deep down, she’d known Darnel kept her alive, kept her close for some reason. Had he planned to use her against King Shaydon, and Prince Issah, like he used her to hold back the pit demon? Was she in some kind of tug-o-war she had no idea about?

  Stitch brought her a canteen and ordered her to drink. She took a couple of gulps, and slowly regained composure.

  “Thanks,” she gasped. “I’ll be fine. I am fine. I … I guess I’m really tired.”

  His eyes narrowed, boring into her. She returned the water container and offered to help him finish filling the rest, hoping that would take his mind off her recent episode. He grasped her wrist instead of the bag and pulled her closer.

  Alyra squirmed, trying to break free of his iron grip.

  “Hey, don’t—!” She kicked at him.

  His lips tightened into a thin line as he pushed her onto the sandy shore, his horse body pinning her down. She tried to scream but his hand clamped over her mouth.

  Before she could stop him, he yanked her shirt off her shoulder revealing the black crescent moon tattoo.

  “You have the servant’s mark.” He gasped, looking around wildly. “Troll’s breath! Can it be? Are you his precious light?”

  Chapter 33

  Alyra swung her free arm pounding his chest.

  “You must stop, or I can’t let you go. Don’t call the others. It will be bad if you do.” Stitch didn’t even flinch as he grasped that hand as well.

  She glared at him, knowing they’d been duped. Did Bezoar know she was traveling with Jerin and Lotari and sent this scoundrel after them? Or was Stitch working on his own, hoping to gain status for himself?

  How had she been so stupid to insist he come along? When would she remember to never ever trust anyone?

  “Be good now and don’t scream.” He slowly moved his hand from her mouth.

  “Let me go!”

  His finger touched the chain at her neck, and he pulled out the medallions. “You have two. You must be the one who set the dragon free, and the messenger.… Which is yours? ”

  She remained silent, waiting for him to loosen his hold.

  He held up the trumpet medallion. “This one must be his. Why do you have it? Didn’t he escape?”

  She shook her head no. The centaur’s weight threatened to smother her.

  “The dragon? She got him? But not you?”

  Her whole body trembled. Would Stitch take her back? Tears filled her eyes.

  “King Darnel is furious over losing his dragon. Furious.” A small smiled played at Stitch’s thin lips. “Hard to protect his mountain now without her.”

  Alyra gasped for air.

  Stitch slightly shifted his weight off her, while keeping hold of her wrist. “And he’s desperate to find his treasure.” He began to laugh, “How ironic, my groomsman has been in such trouble for not capturing you. Demoted to caring for the livestock. And I’m the one to find you now.”

  She froze, wondering if he spoke of... no, impossible. Tarek couldn’t have survived the waterfall at Many Rivers. “Tarek?”

  His eyes narrowed on her. “I see you know my groomsmen, as well. I’m right. I know I’m right.”

  Alyra thrashed her arms and legs, hoping to dislodge herself from him.

  His laughter stopped as he leaned closer, putting a finger over her mouth. “We keep this to ourselves, Miss. Any of them know?”

  She shook her head until he moved his hand from her lips. “My friends know where I come from. I’m no treasure. I’m not a precious light. Can’t be me.”

  “Oh, it’s you all right, Miss. We were stationed in Denovo to wait for you. King Darnel said there were two cities you might pass through, though lucky for you, he figured you’d take the easier southern route. His larger troop awaits you there with the Baykok Captain.”

  A toothy grin split his face. “But you slip on through. Again. And you take Stitch with you. I have you, and I’m free.” He chuckled as he backed off her, extending his hand to help her up. “I can make sure they won’t get you now!”

  She got to her feet without his aid. Did she hear him correctly?

  He returned to the river and continued filling canteens. “Lotari and the warrior boy, they are your friends?”

  She nodded.

  “The family, we don’t tell them. Not even Katrina. She has a good heart, but the less said the better for now. Those others, they are bad, Miss. I feel their badness, and I hear their bad words. Don’t let them know. Understand? Especially those little Prissy Missies.”

  Tarek had survived and was paying for his incompetence. While they filled the canteens, Stitch explained how Bezoar wouldn’t kill Tarek, but made him suffer for allowing her to escape. Stitch figured they would use him as bait if the opportunity arouse. She realized the golden-haired soldier in town must have been Tarek, and he’d seen her too but had decided to not acknowledge her. How much more trouble would he suffer for allowing the centaurs to escape?

  Worry over his fate kept her from finding sound sleep. She’d finally dozed off when awakened by a hoof nudging her shoulder. Lotari had returned and everyone rushed about gathering their gear.

  “Get up and gather your things. Quick now.” He ordered.

  Alyra rubbed sleep from her eyes. “What’s going on?”

  Jerin set her backpack next to her. “Soldiers. According to Lotari, they aren’t too far behind.”

  The centaur’s face held no expression of I-told-you-so, but rather his brows furrowed with deep concern and perhaps fear.

  Stitch scrambled around, trying to help pack the equipment despite his trembling hands. Alyra rolled up her mat and shoved it inside her bag, wondering if she should tell Lotari what had transpired earlier between her and Stitch. The urgency for speed determined she wait.

  Jerin’s voice reeked of sarcasm when he asked Lotari, “You going to tell me now this was a bad idea?”

  The older centaur’s eyes leveled on Jerin. “My opinion wasn’t sought before this decision was made. I don’t know why it should matter now.”

  Ouch, that hurt! Alyra winced, knowing she was as much to blame as Jerin. The man’s mouth snapped shut as he lowered his head.

  Lotari’s face softened. He laid a hand on Jerin’s shoulder. “Of course, how could I expect you to do that for me, when I didn’t respect you in the same manner? I should have waited.”

  Clasping the centaur’s arm, Jerin nodded. “We’ll make the best of this.”

  “Absolutely. Hope has not abandoned us.” Lotari smiled at her and winked.

  After several hours of climbing, the land leveled out. The night chill went through her cloak and touched her bones. Hoping to generate some warmth, the group walked close together. No one spoke, not even the sisters dared to whine, for fear their voices would be heard by the pursuing militia. Harp ran ahead of the others.

  Tall cliffs towered over them like black walls against the starry sky. The ground had a more manicured appearance, though completely overgrown. The rocks formed a series of stairs and barren fountains leading up to three large entrance ways in the face of the cliff.

  “This is it,” Harp exclaimed as quiet as possible. “This is where I found the tunnels.” He pulled out a map and asked for someone to light one of the torches. Frank tried, but couldn’t coax a flame.

  “Well, never mind, I got it memorized.” He stepped back and pointed toward the clif
fs just ahead. “There are three entrances to the right. But we don’t want them. We’re gonna look for the hidden one over to the left here. We’ll have to search around. It’ll be big enough for the horse to go through. If you find it, give a wave.”

  Everyone spread out and began searching along the cliff face, behind bushes, and sometimes touching the stones in case there was a secret door. Alyra looked for something else. In the dark lands, tunnels were never obvious, but rather hidden behind brush or tree. Most were up off the ground, so nobody would accidentally wander into them.

  Remembering these facts, Alyra remained standing in one spot, searching the rocky crevices. At about twenty feet up, she found an old twisted tree, its bark white like a ghost clinging to the side of the rock. Its roots dangled like long fingers gripping the dirt. Her eyes scanned for some kind of trail and found the rocks cut in a particular sort of zigzagging stairs.

  “We don’t have time to stand around, Miss.” Stitch came up beside her. “They’ll be here soon. I can smell them nearing.”

  She pointed. “Up there, I think. Right under that dead tree.”

  “I’ll go check.” He trotted up the side.

  Jerin spotted him and joined Alyra. Slowly, the others did as well.

  Frank asked, “What’s that fool doing now?”

  “We might have found your entrance.” Alyra stared at the man.

  When Stitch disappeared under the tree, she held her breath. The earth had begun to thump with the approaching soldiers from below. They all spun around and saw the glow of their torches in the distance. Hurry, Stitch.

  A few moments later, he appeared over the ledge and waved them up. Stitch’s gaze traveled down the side of the mountain, and he motioned more frantically for them to hurry. In single file, they walked up the stone steps. Even the horse had no problem with the incline. Frank and Harp tried to light the torches again. When everyone reached the landing, they waited while the men including Lotari and Stitch tried working the fire-starter Frank had purchased in town.