The Mirror Sliver

by Constance Wallace

  “If it be that witch openin’ the spell, then we best be gettin’ along to Crag Cairn,” Lamfada stated.

  “I agree. Miranda, would you mind getting Sonya?”

  “Yes. I’ll carry her for a while. If someone else could help afterwards.” She turned to Thomas. “Don’t worry. We’ll come back and find Ned. I promise,” she whispered. “We’ll come back.”

  Lug gathered the makeshift travois he had made earlier and nodded to Thomas and Miranda. “Why don’t you let me take the first shift?”

  “But your arm and all. It’s still bleeding a bit,” Miranda said. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “I’m not as weak as you think me,” Lug replied.

  Thomas watched the strange exchange between his cousin and the innkeeper’s boy. He waited until Lug was far enough away before he grabbed Miranda by the arm. “Gee whiz. What’s going on with you two? You make lovey dove eyes at each other all the time. I thought you liked Matt.”

  Miranda lowered her head. “I love Matt. There’s nothing at all goin’ on between me and Lug.” She quickly darted up to the front of the group and walked beside the wizard. Thomas felt even more alone. “What’ll happen when we get to Lismort?” he asked the leprechaun behind him. “Do ya think the captain and his men will be waitin’ on us?”

  “Aye, lad. But best you mind the mixed-up emotions startin’ to take ya over. They can muddle a head, ya know. Then ya won’t be thinkin’ straight and makin’ the wrong kind of decisions.”

  “What do you know about my emotions?” Thomas asked. His anger was slowly starting to take over him.

  “I be knowin’ that losin’ Ned wasn’t no accident. Divide and conquer. Ever hear of that? Best ya start thinkin’ about how Uthal wants ya to be angry and makin’ all sorts of wrong decisions. Easier that way, if ya be askin’ me.”

  Thomas regarded the leprechaun. “Gee. Ya mean you don’t think this was an accident? Losing Ned was planned?”

  “Divide and conquer. Best remember that.”

  Thomas followed Lamfada, his anger subsiding. He hadn’t thought about the fact that Uthal would purposely cause Ned to disappear. But it did make sense. If one or more of the legendary four of the prophesy either disappeared or failed to make it to his fortress, then it would be less likely that Keltrain’s visions would come true. “What a jerk,” he said to himself.

  “Eh? Did ya say somethin’, lad?” Lamfada turned and looked at him.

  “No. I was just talkin’ to myself.”

  “First sign of crazy, in me book.”

  “I was kinda of agreein’ with what you said.”

  “Hm. Funny way to agree. Talkin’ to yerself.”

  “People do it all the time on Earth.”

  “If people be doin’ it here, then we say they be a might touched. By the way, I’m glad yer back to yerself. Need a level head here on out, lad. Dangerous business at Crag Cairn.”

  Thomas nodded. He now understood what the leprechaun had meant. Ned was separated from them on purpose. If Miranda was right and he wasn’t dead, then Ned could be in trouble if one of Bera’s henchmen had him. It made Thomas even more determined to get to Uthal’s fortress.

  Thomas regarded the distant peaks of the mountains in front of them. Their destination was somewhere up there. Would the group be able to forge the rugged terrain? They looked formidable. Thomas shook his head. It seemed like a difficult task, but there was too much at stake for them to give up, and he wanted to find his brother and Matt.

  The snow had begun to fall faster and heavier. He shivered and drew his white cloak around him. Keltrain’s magic, still in the wool, enveloped his body with warmth. The sense of well-being in its shelter helped his mind work.

  What lay in store for them? They had already battled Babda and her Ravens, the black water dragon, and the Brollachan at the Nuada Findi outpost in the Great Pine Forest. The Slaugh had taken Matt and now Ned had disappeared, perhaps at the hands of one of Bera’s henchmen. What was Uthal going to throw at them next? And would they be able to fight back? It was just him and Miranda, along with the others. Is this what Uthal had been planning all along? Separating them one by one? Morrigana’s words came back to him. Don’t doubt, she had told him.

  He started formulating several series of plans, the first being to find Toby, Caitlin, and George. Inwardly, he knew Miranda understood her role and he felt that his was just beginning to take form. Don’t doubt, he kept telling himself. He had finally drawn a conclusion about the experiences that had been hurdled at him. It made sense now, when he applied Morrigana’s instructions, along with what the leprechaun had said. He had felt alone because he had doubted everything—the quest, the magic, the legend, and most importantly, himself. The children would be his primary concern, and keeping his promise to Matt to get them back to Earth his focus. His power lay in the fact that he never should doubt his importance or what Green Isle was asking of him. Morrigana had been right. Don’t doubt.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Lug dropped the travois and rubbed the shoulder of his injured arm. He insisted that he carry the cat the whole distance to Lismort. The pain helped to keep him focused and his mind shuttered. No one must know who he was. It got even more dangerous the closer they got to Crag Cairn. Miranda’s power was getting stronger. He didn’t want them—especially her—to know about his past or his future. Miranda’s gifts were growing and soon she would have an extensive sight of those she met. Seeing their journeys and their destinations. Besides, the time wasn’t here when they would be joined as husband and wife. He must protect them both until then and that meant keeping her from his secret.

  “Wizard. We be alone,” Lamfada said when they reached the ruins. “No captain. No men.”

  “They may not have made it here yet, my friend.”

  DaGon stuck his snout in the air and took a deep breath. “I don’t smell them. They haven’t come this way.”

  Lug glanced at the dragon. “Could it be that they fought the Wurm further out? Or even at another location? I’m sure that we would have seen some of the captain’s men washing up on shore along with the wreckage.”

  “The boy’s right,” DaGon said.

  Lily lifted herself from Keltrain’s front pocket and looked at the dragon. “DaGon dear, do you think you could fly above the tree line to see if you spot them?”

  “Let’s rest. I’ll do that when the snow subsides a bit.”

  From under the cloth on the travois, a small but clear meow caught Lug’s attention. “I think the cat’s awake.”

  Miranda rushed to Sonya’s side and uncovered her. “Oh my, how are ya feelin’?”

  “The jarring of being dropped on the hard, cold ground would wake anyone. I’m not bad but there is still dreadful pain at being mishandled,” Sonya yowled. The cat blinked several times. “How long have I been out? Wizard? I’m sure this is your doing. Where are we?”

  “On Black Isle,” Miranda responded. Lug could hear the gentleness in her voice.

  He watched as the cat examined the group. He knew she didn’t fail to notice that two were missing. This was another one he would have to be careful with. She had more ancient magic than the wizard and that of the sword. He could feel her past had mingled with the druids of the old world.

  “Where’s Matt and Ned?” she inquired gruffly. “Why aren’t they here?”

  “It’s been somewhat of an adventure,” Thomas replied. “The Slaugh caused Matt to fall overboard and he was lost at sea. And then someone, or something, purposely trapped Ned. He fell into a large cavern. Uthal wants us divided and conquered. At least that’s what Lamfada believes, and I believe it, too.”

  “And our ship was destroyed by a black water dragon. I managed to get you off safely with Lug’s help and all. Before the Wurm tore apart the ship.”

  “You didn’t stop this?” The cat hissed at Keltrain. Miranda’s words didn’t seem to faze her.

  “Things were beyond my control,” the wizar
d retorted. “Besides, this journey has taken a toll on us all. There’s no reason for your attack on me.”

  “You’ve forgotten your true magic. Being that fish. And now we’ve lost two important individuals in this quest against Uthal.”

  “Would you allow me to search the ruins and see if we can find any sign that the captain and his men may have already passed through?” Lug asked in an attempt to change the subject.

  “Yes. Please. Thank you. Take Lily, Thomas, and Miranda with you. Sonya and I need to have a private discussion. DaGon and Lamfada can take the opposite direction. Don’t tarry long. Who knows what other surprises may hide in the shadows.”

  Lug was only too happy to oblige the wizard. Listening to those two argue wasn’t helping the situation. He could feel the others’ hesitation and it was affecting the mood of the group.

  “What do you think they’re going to talk about?” Miranda asked once they were out of ear shot. “I really get the feeling that they don’t like each other very much.”

  “I think Sonya has an expectation that Keltrain could’ve saved Matt and Ned,” Lug replied. He held his arm as they walked through the ancient ruins. The cut was throbbing now and the bandages showed fresh dark stains. “I don’t see how it would have been possible. Keltrain doesn’t seem to have the power to hide the Slaugh’s prey from them. Isn’t that why you had been wearing the elf pins?”

  “Yes. The Fairy Queen placed a spell on them. But Matt fell and cracked his. That’s why the Slaugh could see him. It was unavoidable. I hate to say it and all, but it’s nothin’ anyone had any control of. Fate, maybe? Although Keltrain believes that what happened was his fault because it’s not what his visions had told him.”

  “The universe has a plan. While we have free will to choose our paths, it always has a way of bringing us back to where we’re supposed to be. Matt’s destiny may not have been with us. It’s the legend of the four. But who’s to say what four will reach Uthal and what four will continue the fight.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way. I guess you could be right and all.”

  “Lamfada said to keep in mind that Uthal is trying to divide and conquer us,” Thomas interjected. “I kinda agree. Gee, I hope Ned’s okay.”

  “Ah, yes. Picking us off one by one. To separate us, and of course, make us demoralized.” Lug looked at Thomas. He liked him. He hoped Thomas losing his brother wouldn’t keep him from making the necessary decisions for their success against the dark one.

  He watched as the flower fairy enclosed herself in her golden bubble as the wind picked up speed. Lug could feel her energy. She carried a light of innocence and had the makings of becoming a guardian. Perhaps one day she would be.

  “I’m worried, my dears,” Lily said, shivering slightly. “I hope we can find the captain and his men. Because I think that if we don’t, it will affect Keltrain the most.”

  The friends grew silent as they crunched through mud and snow. Lug understood what she meant. He didn’t want to come outright and take leadership of the journey, but he knew that he could persuade the wizard if he needed to. He didn’t want to use his magic because that would give away his presence. Trying to find any trace of the captain and his men, he quickly scanned the ground. He wanted to find something, anything, that would suggest they weren’t alone. Instead, his ears caught a muted sound in the distance and he turned toward the direction it came from.

  “What was that?” Miranda asked.

  “Gee, I didn’t hear anything.” Thomas turned and scanned the mountain above them.

  “It was a cry of some sort,” Lug stated. “It was very far away. I don’t hear it now.”

  “It’s a Wulver,” Lily whispered.

  “I don’t think so,” Lug replied. “But I can’t be sure.”

  “I heard Keltrain mention them back in the Great Pine Forest. What are Wulvers?” Thomas inquired.

  “They’re a hybrid Bera helped to conjure up in the Second War. They have the large body of a warrior, but the head of a wolf. Their strength is unmeasurable. They’ll strip the flesh from your bones while you are still alive. Anyone who has met them face to face never lives to tell about it.” Lily darted behind the three and then hovered. “They show no mercy to anyone.”

  “If it was a Wulver, maybe we should tell Keltrain,” Miranda said. “I hope that the captain and his men didn’t run into them and all.”

  “Gee whiz. What next? We’ve already had to deal with a lot since we came through the portal. I’m not up to dealing with some kind of new beastie.”

  “Unfortunately, you’ll probably have a lot more to deal with before this quest is finished,” Lug said.

  “I’m not sayin’ that I’m scared, but I’m not wantin’ to deal with anything new right now. Can we just hurry and finish?”

  Lug nodded. He looked back at the mountains. The scream had seemed human. He was sure of it. But he also couldn’t dismiss the Wulvers. Inwardly, he agreed with Thomas. Coming face to face with the Wulvers wasn’t what they needed right now. Another battle with Uthal’s henchmen would mean more casualties, and Lug knew that the possibility of losing more of the group would only incite panic. They all needed to keep their wits about them as they drew closer to Crag Cairn.

  When Lug brought the others full circle, he saw that DaGon and Lamfada had already made it back. They stood talking excitedly to the wizard.

  “They’re not too far from here. Near a road that branches in several directions. Only the footprints stop long before the road divides,” the dragon stated with agitation.

  “This is a dilemma. We need to decide which way to go so that we can catch up to them.” Keltrain sighed. “A fork in the road means we have a fifty-fifty chance of being correct.”

  Lug noticed that Sonya was sitting upright next to the wizard, licking her wounds. The sleep medicine Keltrain had given her back at Partholon, along with the healing salve, seemed to have worked. Most of the deep cuts were now fading and the fur had started to re-grow. He wished the salve hadn’t been lost beneath the waves. It would have done his arm good to have some healing.

  “Let’s just go there. Perhaps I can smell the scent of who passed that way,” she demanded. “Sitting here talking about it isn’t getting us any further along.”

  Lug smiled slightly. Her attitude matched the deep magic she carried. She may become an ally once he could sense her intentions better.

  “You should know that we heard a strange howl while we were looking through the ruins,” Lily stated. She fluttered next to the wizard’s head. “It sounded like a Wulver.”

  “But the sound could’ve been anything,” Lug interjected. “I agree that it was unusual, but it was too far in the distance to make out its source.”

  “Even more reason to git on with the travelin’!” Lamfada exclaimed. “Aye, if there be Wulvers runnin’ around, there probably be other foul creatures lurkin’ with ‘em.”

  “Yes, my friend. I think you’re right. Let’s go to the place you and DaGon found. As much as I hate to admit it, we’ll have to trust Sonya to find a scent to determine our next direction of travel.”

  Lug was glad the wizard had been quick to decide. It didn’t take them long to get to the fork in the road. The rocky path was barely visible in the snow, hidden by huge dark pines, but the contours of the land still showed the outlines of the road.

  Sonya sauntered over to the byway and lifted her nose in the air. She paused for several moments, her feline instincts taking over. “The right seems to carry the scent of several things. I smell fur. Ewww. Like that of a dog. And humans. And an elf, if you can believe it.”

  Lug drew back slightly. An elf? What was an elf doing here on Black Isle? He looked at Miranda. Her brow wrinkled as she stared at the cat. What was she thinking? Or feeling? He wanted to reach out to her mind again, but was afraid that it would open himself up to the old hag who had visited him before.

  “Wulvers are animal and human. Should we go that way, Keltrain? I thin
k we need to go left. What if that elf was being hunted?” Lily fluttered around Keltrain’s head.

  “But what if the captain and his men have a dog with them? And the elf could have been sent by Erulisse. We would be making a mistake if we assume the worst.” Making a motion with his hand, the wizard continued, exasperated. “It’s been too long since this city thrived and I don’t remember the way to Crag Cairn. That’s what three thousand years does to you. Erases any useful memory. I would send DaGon flying, but the weather is getting worse and I don’t think he would be able to see much through the clouds. Especially with the cover of the dense trees hiding anything below. I’m at a loss as to how we should proceed.”

  “I don’t think this was the captain and his men,” the cat replied.

  “How would you know that, Sonya?” Keltrain asked. His brow furrowed. “You seem to always want to do things your way. If I recall, some of your choices haven’t been very wise.”

  “I followed you most of the way from your river. I was there at the outpost, so I know what they smell like. Dirty and pretty much unwashed. You can dwell in the past or live here in the now. The choice is yours. But I’m telling you, this wasn’t the captain and his men.”

  “You were with us the whole time?” Miranda exclaimed.

  “Most of the time,” Sonya replied. “We need to go left. For once, trust me. This smell to the right is unfamiliar. There’s something different about it.”

  The wizard took a deep breath. He regarded Sonya with what appeared to be reservation, but Lug wasn’t sure. “At this point, I’m afraid we must follow Sonya’s instructions. DaGon? Did you happen to smell anything different?”

  “I’m picking up the same scents. It’s very unfamiliar. I’m not quite certain if the elf is one of Erulisse’s. If she sent someone, it would have been from Kille Calle, and this elf doesn’t have the scent.”

  “See. I’m right,” Sonya stated.

  To Lug, it felt like they were making the wrong choice. Yet, he couldn’t let his magic help right now. He didn’t want to chance being exposed. For him, getting to Crag Cairn without discovery was the most important element of his involvement. He fell into step with the others and watched Miranda from behind. He must complete his mission at all cost and bring her back to Partholon when they were finished.