The Academy Volume One

by Maxine Mansfield

  In the middle of Miss Kitty’s chest, between her now-flattened breasts, was a hole almost the size of a fist. Air swooshed out in a rush.

  Leeky Shortz’ wail rent the air.

  “Nooooooooooooooooooo! Lord God Draka, don’t take her from me.”

  Sarco and Midan looked at each other, wrapped their lips around the stems sticking out from the deflated nipples, and blew. Hard.

  Leeky dumped the remaining patches on the middle of Miss Kitty’s chest and lathered adhesive in a thick coat. Slapping on layer after layer of rubber cement and plastic film, he diligently fought to stem the flow of air and halt further damage.

  Briar kicked furiously. Her toes soon scraped the bottom, and she half-pushed, half-dragged everyone onto the waiting shore.

  Leeky sat in the dry sand and rocked Miss Kitty—her body now limp and airless—in his arms as he sobbed.

  Still catching his breath, Midan fumbled in his sporran for flint and tender. He quickly made a fire from driftwood, and even fashioned a torch from an almost-straight piece.

  Briar knelt next to Leeky and helped cradle Miss Kitty’s head. Her eyes were still the same dark blue and with the surprised gaze they’d always had, but now the twinkle was missing. Her mouth no longer opened in invitation, and her lips, though still red, no longer appeared as if she was on the verge of speaking.

  The gnome’s tears dripped from his face and ran down his doll’s still-rosy plastic cheeks, as if they were Miss Kitty’s own.

  Briar placed an arm about Leeky’s shoulder and hugged him. How did one comfort someone who’d lost their…their everything? How did a person even continue on after such a tragedy? Was this an omen of what was to come? Tears clouded her vision.

  No, I will not lose Uthiel now. Especially not after the sacrifice that has been made to save him.

  Midan finally broke the silence with thirteen soul-wrenching words.

  “She’s beyond repair, my friend. You’re going to have to let her go.”

  Leeky hugged the blow-up doll even tighter. “What the short-and-curlies on the ball sac of a hermaphroditic troll transvestite are ya talking about? I can’t let her go. Miss Kitty’s been my one true friend for almost nine hundred years.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “You’ve got to say something. His feelings will be hurt if you don’t.”

  Sarco scowled. “It was a plastic doll, Briar. Not a person. I’m not going to eulogize it.”

  Briar looked over her shoulder and watched as her father draped an arm around Leeky. Both men stood silently in the middle of a grassy mound high up from the beach, and stared at the small, upturned patch of rich, dark soil beneath their feet.

  “She did save our lives,” Briar gently reminded him.

  Sarco took a deep breath and blew it out between pursed lips. “VoT, Briar, it was just a blow-up doll.”

  Tears stung her eyes and her voice cracked, “I know Miss Kitty was a blow-up doll, and you know she was a blow-up doll, but to Leeky she was much more, and he loved her. Don’t do it for the doll, Sarco. Do it for the gnome.”

  Briar glared at Sarco then glanced back to Leeky. She lifted her eyes toward the stormy, darkening skies and wished for the tenth time in as many minutes they could simply be on their way. But knowing in her gut none of them would be going anywhere until the plastic doll had been laid to rest, she made an effort once more.

  “Please, Sarco. If not for anyone else, do it for Uthiel. If we don’t get moving soon, we’re going to be stuck here all night.”

  He shrugged and gestured in the direction of the waiting funeral party. “All right, all right. I’ll think of something to say when the time comes. Let’s just get this over with.”

  ****

  Briar smiled. As far as funerals went, this one was starting fairly well. With torches held high, a few of the passengers from the lifeboats had made their way along the shoreline to join them and to pay their respects. Even the captain himself promised to speak.

  Midan had dug a swallow grave, and Briar sighed as she scattered wildflowers around and down into the dark hole. Off to the side, the ship’s first mate reverently played a hymn on his mouth harp.

  It was time. Briar nodded at the captain to begin.

  The sea-weathered, bearded old gentleman’s voice rang solemn and sincere as he addressed Leeky and the rest of the group.

  “Though we’ve both lost something today we loved-you your, umm, life-partner and I my ship-I thank our God Draka that they were the only casualties of this unfortunate incident.

  “Without the quick thinking and swift, efficient actions of the crew and those in your group, Mr. Shortz, it could and would have been much worse. I, for one, consider you and your companions to be heroes for the aid you supplied, and I’m sure the rest of the crew and the passengers do also. We are all very, very sorry for your loss, Mr. Shortz.”

  Murmurs of agreement floated through the small crowd.

  Midan stepped forward. His shoulders slumped and his voice crackled with emotion. A single tear trickled down his cheek.

  “I didn’t get the opportunity to know Miss Kitty long or well, but I’m proud to have known her at all. She was never one to complain or harp. Always quiet and unassuming, a truly gentle spirit. Ever ready to do whatever was asked of her. In the end, what was asked of her was the ultimate sacrifice, and she willingly did what she had to do to save the rest of us. She will be sadly missed and never forgotten.”

  Midan Tumbleweed stepped back and patted Leeky affectionately on the top of his almost-bald head.

  Briar searched the crowd for who planned to speak next on behalf of Miss Kitty. No one stepped forward. She glared at Sarco, but he simply looked the other way. There was no escaping it. She was going to have to take her turn now.

  “I wish I could have gotten to know Miss Kitty better. What I did know of her though, I will never forget. She was a wonderful example to me. She always stood by Leeky’s side. With a little help from him, of course. I mean, she couldn’t really walk, but she stood by him just the same, or was carried under his arm…”

  Her voice cracked and trailed off. A fine sheen of perspiration broke out on Briar’s upper lip as warmth crept up her face. She struggled with what to do with her hands and settled for nervously wringing them together.

  “But that’s not the point. The point is, Miss Kitty was always there for him. I knew her to be a snappy dresser, a fine dancer and, most importantly, a wonderful flotation device. Oh, and I never once heard her say an unkind word to or about anyone. I, for one, will genuinely m-miss…her.”

  Tears flooded Briar’s eyes as her voice faltered. She stepped back and poked Sarco hard in the ribs.

  He stepped forward.

  “What more can be said about Miss Kitty’s bravery and goodness than the words we have already heard today? The Scrolls of the Ancients tell us there is no greater sacrifice that can be given, than to lay down your life for another. Miss Kitty was a friend to many, a savior to us four, and a lifelong companion to Leeky. If there is a place beyond here where those who are plastic go, I’m sure she’ll find her reward there.”

  Sniffing loudly and dabbing at his tears, Leeky Shortz bent down on one knee. Reaching deep into a pocket, he pulled out his pale pink pair of soft, fuzzy gloves and gently placed them on top of the airless, plastic body now resting silently in the grave.

  “I’ll miss ya, lass,” he said. And nothing else.

  After that, chaos took hold.

  Leeky was like a gnome possessed. He herded Briar, Midan, and Sarco off the beach and up the road.

  “What the puckered red hemorrhoids of a transvestite troll in a blue ball gown is wrong with ya people? We’ve a paladin ta find and save, don’t we?”

  ****

  Briar winced. Muscles ached she hadn’t even been aware she had. For the majority of a day and a half, they’d trudged mile after mile, rarely stopping to eat or rest, barely speaking, and certainly not bothering to complain about the un
ending storm that had soaked and chilled them all to the bone. They knew any complaints would fall on deaf gnome ears.

  Across another stream, dropping into yet another small valley, up one hill, across a ravine, then down again―over and over they repeated the process until all the landscape looked the same. And still they trudged on.

  The pace was grueling, and even the effort of swatting the pesky insects nipping at her tender, exposed arms and legs took more energy than Briar had left. Her feet hurt, her head was heavy, and her throat was raw and parched.

  Just when she believed she could take not one more step, she saw them.

  Thank the Lord Draka!

  There, peeking their ice-capped heads through the early morning mist, were the majestic twin mountains she’d seen so vividly in her dreams.

  “Uthiel!”

  Briar didn’t realize she’d spoken his name until the three men stopped and faced her. She pointed toward the mountains.

  Gripping the gemstone resting between her breasts, she gasped. It pulsed so slowly and was so cold, with barely a hint of energy. They couldn’t be too late, not now, not after all they’d been through.

  She sprinted to take the lead, no longer caring about such insignificant things as sore muscles, thirst, or hunger. Her mind raced with only one thought―the overwhelming urgency to be reunited with the man she loved.

  Though it took more than a couple turns of the hourglass, as soon as the sight of the tower rising in the distance and the blue-and-gold flag came in view, Briar knew her quest was almost at an end.

  Not caring who followed, or for her own safety, she broke into a dead run, stumbling on rocks as she went. She passed the silent stone guardian at the entrance to the courtyard, and stopped only when she reached the base of the tower.

  Clutching the Dragon Heart Opal in her hand, Briar closed her eyes and allowed the living stone and the memories from her dreams to guide her.

  “Up there,” Briar called to the men not far behind. She pointed excitedly toward the stairs leading into the tower. “He’s up there. I know he is.”

  The stone about her neck pulsed even more slowly, stopped completely, then resumed its slow beat.

  Briar took off. She didn’t bother to look back, knowing Sarco, her father, and Leeky would follow her. She took the narrow, steep tower steps two at a time.

  Her dreams had told her exactly where she’d find Uthiel, so Briar didn’t even glance in any of the other doorways or hallways. Gasping for breath, she slowed down when she reached the third floor.

  She picked up speed again as she ran down the hallway, the sound of the footsteps of her father, Sarco, and Leeky reverberating from somewhere below.

  At last she stopped in the open doorway to the final chamber. Once more she grasped the stone about her neck, and, panting, stepped inside.

  There he was. Briar’s heart pounded to near bursting as she rushed forward. She knelt by his side and placed her arms about the unmoving figure of the man she loved.

  “He’s cold. So very cold.” Her sides heaved but her heart stilled.

  From somewhere behind her, Sarco’s voice trembled, “Is…is he alive?”

  She closed her eyes and laid her ear against his chest.

  Thank Draka!

  Briar replied with a small nod. Her voice was more a sob than actual words when she said, “Yes, but barely.”

  She took a deep breath and stiffened her resolve. Uthiel would not die. Not today, not here, not if there was anything she could do about it.

  Briar faced the three men still standing just inside the doorway and issued orders. “We need a fire built, and I need water. Now.”

  The room came alive with activity as all three men jumped to do her bidding. Within the space of no more than the dropping of a few grains of sand through the hourglass, they were well on their way to completing their tasks.

  Leeky grabbed the empty container lying close to Uthiel’s body and hurried down to the river to refill their water supply. Midan rounded up wood and started a fire in the long-unused hearth to eliminate the chill from the room.

  Sarco helped Briar remove Uthiel’s clothing and search for his wounds.

  Briar fashioned a makeshift bed for her injured man from her own cloak. Then she set a broth to brew over the hearth fire.

  Pus and blood oozed from a deep, angry gash in his shoulder, and Briar grimaced as she cleaned the area as best she could.

  Sweat beaded her forehead and trickled in tiny rivulets down her neck. She ignored it as she placed herbs into her mortar and ground them. More than once her hands shook so violently, she was forced to stop what she was doing and rub them together. Closing her eyes and clearing her mind of fearful thoughts, Briar continued.

  She made a poultice of sphagnum moss, white willow, and mugwort, then added two pinches of ground powder of Dak Forest mushrooms. Gently, she applied it to Uthiel’s raw, swollen slash on his shoulder.

  Closing her eyes, Briar chanted, “Spirits of the forest, spirits of the dale, spirits of the valley, spirits prevail. Guide my heart, guide my hand, and guide the healing of this man.”

  She rested a hand on Uthiel’s chest, just over his heart, and held her half of the Dragon Heart Opal tightly with her other hand. Focusing her mind and energy on the man lying so still before her, she willed her life force to flow from her and into him.

  The grains of sand slowly filtered down the hourglass, and still Uthiel Stoutheart did not wake.

  ****

  After more than two turns of the hourglass and Briar’s nonstop chanting over the paladin, Midan Tumbleweed was on the verge of dozing off.

  The room suddenly grew brighter―much brighter―and uncomfortably warm. His eyes flew open and his mouth dropped as he leapt to his feet.

  His daughter glowed. Uthiel glowed. Why, the whole damn room was glowing.

  The fine hairs on Midan’s arms stood up, and the skin on the back of his neck tingled. He took a step toward Briar and Uthiel but a sudden flash of brilliant, blinding white light exploded before his eyes with an earsplitting boom.

  Sarco and Leeky caught Midan a mere second before he would’ve hit the floor.

  “Guess we should’ve warned ya about the possibility of something like this happening,” Leeky said sheepishly.

  Sarco laughed, “He wouldn’t have believed us if we had. Briar at work is something you have to see for yourself to believe. She’s getting better at controlling it, though, you’ve got to admit. From this distance I can’t tell if Uthiel does, but at least we still have our hair.”

  “B-Briar…? Is-is that really you? It is, isn’t it? I…I knew you’d come.”

  The lad was awake and talking! Midan gasped then grinned. Not that he’d doubted Briar’s abilities for a minute, he chuckled to himself. After all, he was the one who had raised her.

  ****

  Though his eyes were still too heavy to open, Uthiel knew Briar was there and had somehow saved him.

  “Briar?”

  “Shhh. Don’t try to talk. I’m here now. Just rest, my love.”

  Uthiel smiled. The sound of her voice settled deep into his heart, into his soul, conveying with it a sense of serenity he’d never before known. She had come, she had found him, and she was really here.

  At last he felt strong enough to open his eyes.

  His prayers had been answered.

  God Draka, she looked just like an angel with her fire-red curls framing her elfin face and her moss-green eyes filled with love for him. She’d always been beautiful, of that there was no doubt, but she’d never been lovelier than she was this very moment. Uthiel’s heart pounded as Briar touched him. It was the one thing he’d missed above all else.

  She cradled him and helped him rise enough to sip cool, soothing water from a pitcher. Then she helped him swallow an aromatic broth. It quelled his immediate hunger pains.

  Though the soup burned his mouth and hit the bottom of his long-empty belly like a rock, Briarlarn Tumbleweed’s lo
ving hands spoon-feeding it to him was enough to make it taste like a feast.

  How many days had drifted past since he’d first arrived at the castle? Three, four, a week, possibly two weeks? How many turns of the hourglass had he lain here since the red demon had scored its hit upon his shoulder and infected him with its poison?

  A lifetime, at least, he thought wryly as he fell asleep, his tummy full and his shoulder pain eased.

  ****

  Uthiel awoke once more. The nightmare was over.

  Or was it just beginning?

  Lifting a finger to the soft skin of Briar’s cheek, Uthiel whispered, “You shouldn’t have come, my lady. It’s much too dangerous for you here. I knew you would, though, my stubborn Briar. I knew you would.”

  “Shhh, save your strength. There will be time later for talking.” Her honeyed voice flowed over him, coating him like a balm to his soul.

  Uthiel leaned back, full and contented. He’d been bathed, fed, pampered, and fussed over. Tomorrow he would explain all that had transpired. Tomorrow he would continue his pursuit of the dragon. Tomorrow he would finally see an end to the torment his life had been since Deleny’s death.

  But for tonight, he would rest. Uthiel’s eyes fluttered shut, and sleep took him once more.

  ****

  Night settled about the castle and all four men now slept soundly.

  Briar, though, could find no rest for herself. At least not yet. She couldn’t stop looking at Uthiel, watching him, assuring herself he still breathed.

  Her own breath caught in her chest, and she covered her mouth to prevent the sob from escaping. So close…she’d come so close to losing him forever. Never again would she allow him to ride off into danger without her. Kneeling, she kissed his forehead, relieved the fever was gone.

  Men. Ha! They were such stubborn creatures. Why could they not accept the fact they were not immortal? Why did they expect their women to sit idly at home, waiting? Sometimes waiting for a return that never happened.

  She wanted to hit him. Or wake him up this very moment and yell at him for the remainder of the night. How could he have done this? How could he have gone off dragon-hunting without her and gotten himself hurt?