by J. R. Castle
Silvie ran out the door and tumbled down the steps. The bare skin on her arms was covered in red welts. Tears flowed down her pale cheeks. She covered her head as Mother descended on her, a switch raised in her hand.
Kardia yanked free of Dadda’s hold and raced over to the servant girl. She stood between her furious mother and the frightened girl. “Stop this. How cruel you’ve turned, Mother! Where is your heart?”
Asmita dropped the rod, her eyes widening as if she’d been pulled out of a trance.
Kardia nudged Silvie with her foot. “Go. Run now. Go home and have someone tend to you.” Why hadn’t she thought to find the girl right away and warn her to leave for the day? Mother had been so out of sorts that morning.
But Kardia had had her own worries and fears consuming her once realizing how much the mark had changed.
“Asmita,” Dadda’s tone was so filled with sadness and disappointment. “The Regent will be just in replacing us.” He glanced up at his wife. “Go pack a bag, my dear. I’ll need you to take our daughter deep into the woods and hide her.” His gaze leveled on her. “Remember the plan I shared with you a while back? It’s time.”
Mother shook her head. “No, you didn’t mean it, Wilhelm. You’ll not give up—”
“Visitors!” A boy shouted from down the road, running toward them. “A fancy caravan. Not like the Regent’s but it’s crossing the bridge now. Heading this way.” The young boy of nearly seven summers stopped in front of them, panting. “You asked me to keep my eyes open, Prior. I did exactly that.” He held out his hand.
Dadda reached into his pocket and dropped a few coins into his palm. “Go tell everyone to get inside their homes and lock their doors until the visitors leave. Nobody should be out. This is not a welcoming visit Rayford. Hurry and do as I say.” He handed the remaining coins to the boy. “Take them all. They’ll do me no good now.”
When the boy ran to do her father’s bidding, Kardia reached into her pocket and withdrew the stone. “There might be a way,” she began, backing away from her parents. Searching for a flat spot on the ground, she found a patch of dirt near the tree where Dadda had been chopping wood.
Kardia held up the white stone to show him. “This will protect me. There’s still hope, Dadda. We mustn’t give up hope. Not yet, right?”
“No, you both must leave—!”
She bent to her knee and drew a wide circle around herself. When she reached the starting point, a flash of light shown up around her like a glittering wall. She gasped, holding what was left of the stone in her hands. Tears flowed down her face again. It was real. The Lightman had given her something real. She was sure it would keep the Sorcerer from touching her.
Relief flooded her heart. Her tears flowed down her face, falling onto her hands. The stone began to crumble, turning into a powder that covered her fingers and palms with glistening dust.
The colorful caravan rolled into town, passing the common grounds and stopping before the Meeting Hall. A bald man wearing a dark red cloak hopped down and looked around with a satisfied smile. That must be Fajer. Red markings covered his head and part of his face. They resembled the one on her shoulder.
A younger man with dark, wavy hair remained on the driver’s seat, reins in his hands as he stared forward.
Kardia wasn’t surprised to find that he’d not dare to look at her after his trickery.
“Come, Darnel, my friend, in case I need your assistance like last time.” The red-cloaked Sorcerer waved the younger man down from his perch. From the back of the wagon, another person disembarked, a female, Kardia assumed, though she wore brown pants and a long, blue jacket that hugged her trim form perfectly. There was something different about the woman. Her fluid movements and light step made Kardia wonder if she was even human.
When the graceful woman turned to take in the town, her pointed ears gave away her lineage, even though Kardia had never seen a real elf, she knew immediately, and her heart saddened. What was one of the fair folk doing with rebel sorcerers?
Fajer’s dark gaze landed on her parents. “Ah, here are my miller friends, waiting expectantly to greet their benefactor. I noticed you had a …um…guard watching the bridge.” His grin carved lines into his face as he chuckled and turned in a circle, arms held out wide. “And I see you’ve used my gift to improve your station considerably. Very good. Very good, indeed. Since you’ve advanced from my generosity so greatly, you’ll be good about holding up your end of the bargain. Correct?”
Mother glared at him, then turned toward Kardia, her eyes wide with amazement. They narrowed as a slow smile thinned her lips. “There she is. Try to claim her. If you can.”
The sorcerer’s smug grin faded as his thick brow scrunched in confusion. “What’s this?” He moved closer.
The younger man, Darnel, stayed at his side. Finally, his gaze moved toward her, and he seemed perplexed for a moment. Then his mouth opened as if he was hit with understanding. “Where did you get…? Wait.” He turned toward her parents, anger contorting his fair face. “I told you to lock her inside, did I not? I told you to keep her hidden.” Reaching out his hand, his eyes turned red moments before Dadda collapsed onto the ground, screaming as if in pain. “You allowed the Elderad to see her, did you not?”
Mother knelt at his side. “Stop it! Don’t hurt him. We did as you said. One of the servants left her door unlocked. Wilhelm, my love!” she crooned, trying to soothe his pain. “Stop hurting him. We do not even know what you speak of.” She wailed.
“No! Dadda!” Kardia almost moved out of the circle but stopped herself.
Fajer laughed and nudged his apprentice. “More. We’ll draw her out of that shield one way or another.”
Darnel turned his spell onto Mother next.
Kardia covered her face. She couldn’t watch. Couldn’t allow them to be tortured like this. “Stop,” she begged. “Please stop!” Riyah had said the stone would keep her safe. She should have drawn a circle around all of them, but it was her that Fajer wanted. Not them.
A movement from across the road caught Kardia’s attention and nearly stopped her heart. Running toward them as fast her old, creaking legs could carry her, Miltie charged toward them holding a round disk in her hand. The medallion she always wore around her neck!
“In the name of King Shaydon, you depart from this town, you filthy thief. Leave, I say. By the Prince, you have no hold on this town.”
Kardia’s breath caught. Her gentle plant loving friend emanated complete power and authority. Something stirred in her heart. Hope burned like a blazing fire.
The Sorcerer turned to take in the interruption. A beam of light hit Miltie’s medallion and fell across his face. He screamed and turned away, backing up against the younger man who also cringed, breaking his spell on her parents.
“Make her stop,” Fajer shouted. “Anwynn, make her—”
A bow appeared in the elf woman’s hands, loaded with a sharp-tipped arrow. A whistle from the arrow flying toward Miltie sucked the breath from Kardia. She had no time to warn her friend.
Miltie’s eyes widened upon impact. The disk slipped from her fingers as she tumbled forward, landing on her side.
“Nooo!” cried Kardia. Forgetting her place of safety, she bolted from the circle and was at her dear mentor’s side in an instant. “Miltie, what do I do? I…” the arrow was embedded too deep for her to pull out. “I’ll heal you, I’ll—try.”
Miltie’s eyes rolled closed. Her fingers found the medallion and closed around the disk as she slightly shook her head. “Can’t.” Her voice sounded garbled. “Don’t give in. He can’t take…what you don’t…give ‘em.”
“Miltie, hang on, I’ll…” What could she do? Mending a broken leg had taken everything from her. The old woman’s eyes glazed over, and she grew still.
Kardia wept bitter tears. Miltie had meant so much to her. So much. If only she’d remained in her safe cottage. This hadn’t been her fight.
“See what happens when y
ou go against Fajer?” He congratulated the elf woman on a clean shot. “Now, enough of this. We made a bargain. Come along, girl. Unless you want more of your loved one’s blood spilled.” He reached down to grasp her arm, then jerked back as if jolted by an electrical current. “What’s…this?” He shook his hand and took a step back. “Darnel, why can’t I touch her?”
The young wizard took a cautious step forward. “Her hands are covered with…some kind of dust.” His brows furrowed as he glanced at the circle, then back at her. “Dust from a White Stone. You’ll not be able to touch her while it’s covering her hands.”
Kardia crawled away, trying to get back to the circle. A blow to her side flipped her over onto her back. Fajer yelled out, dancing on one foot.
“Fajer!” Mother was back on her feet and marching toward him. “Fajer, take me.”
The Sorcerer stopped a moment, then laughed at the absurdity of her request. “You? Whatever for, woman? A baker? The Miller’s wife? What good are you?”
She straightened her back, placing herself between the Sorcerer and Kardia, drawing his attention and giving Kardia a chance to move farther away. To her dismay, the circle had stopped glowing and the chalky outline scattered in the breeze.
Dadda crawled toward her. His face was a pasty gray and sweat dripping into his red-rimmed eyes. The pain must have been excruciating.
“Dadda.” She reached for him, but he fell back onto the ground, growing weary.
Mother faced the Sorcerer, arms held out at her sides. “I have a strong gift of persuasion. I can talk anyone into doing what I wish. I talked the town’s elders into allowing us to take over the manor. I swayed them into appointing my husband as the new Prior without a vote. If I had made the trip to Aloblase, I’m sure I would have become a King’s Messenger. But I’ve used my gifts to help myself. They’ve done well for me, as they will for you. Take me. The girl isn’t worth all this trouble, trust me.”
Fajer’s eyes narrowed as he glanced around her, his gaze boring into Kardia.
“Look,” Mother waved toward Miltie’s still body. “She couldn’t even heal her dearest friend. She let the old woman die. She cannot mend or heal anything. Why? Because she’s powerless. We’ve suppressed her gift to protect her…from the likes of you.”
Kardia had almost reached Dadda when Fajer shoved Mother aside. “Enough of your words. You might still be slightly persuasive, but you do not hold the kind of power I hunger for. The kind I need. Darnel, hold the woman and if she speaks again, cut out her silvery tongue.” He stormed toward Kardia. “But you, my little Sano, do. I know you healed the Regent’s broken leg. I was watching.”
From the corner of her eyes, Kardia noticed people were starting to come out of their houses. Her breath caught. How powerful were these wizards and what would they do to the town if she didn’t comply? She couldn’t lose anyone else. Poor Miltie. Poor brave Miltie.
“Question is,” Fajer went on, standing over her, but not daring to touch her, “what am I to do with you?” His gaze moved over her. “Your hands. It’s all over your hands.” Pointing at Dadda, he ordered. “Get up, Miller. Grab your ax and cut them off. Right now. I don’t need her whole to get what I want from her.”
Dadda slowly rose to his feet, shaking his head. Several children came running from their homes to see what was going on. No, she couldn’t allow any more to get hurt.
“Do it Miller, or your wife’s blood will spill next.” He snapped his finger and Darnel withdrew a small dagger from his belt and pressed it to her neck. Trickles of blood seeped from the blade and soaked into the collar of Mother’s dress.
“Asmita!” Dadda cried. “Don’t move, my love.”
Kardia sat up, clutching her hands together at her chest. Her hands? They were her source of healing. The power always came through her fingers, didn’t it?
Parents were following their children, calling them back home. Mr. Tillus and Ellis the Carpenter ran toward Miltie, crying out her name.
Fajer leaned toward Kardia and called to the elf woman. “Anwynn, bring me a rope. Her father will tie her hands, and I’ll hold them over the chopping block. I will take you, my Sano. Piece by piece if necessary.”
Shoving the ax at her father, Fajer said, “Do it or lose everything you’ve worked so hard for this past couple of years. Here come the children of your town. My elf will start taking them down, as well, one by one.”
Kardia shook her head, fists clenching. “No!” She shouted, causing the sorcerer to turn back toward her. “You cannot have what I’m not willing to give. Do you understand? I know about King Shaydon!” He flinched when she said the King’s name. “And maybe you bought your way into this town. Tricked my father into trading my life by your lies, but I’m telling you that you cannot take from me what I am not willing to give.” She placed her hands on the chopping block, her gaze locked on the Wizards. “Go ahead, do it yourself if you want them. Do it! I’d rather be maimed than allow you to hurt one more person of this town.”
“Wilhelm!” Mother screamed.
Darnel started to shake his head. “No, Fajer that’s where her power is! Do n—”
“Do it!” Kardia shouted again. Darnel was right. Her hands were her source of power. Without them, she doubted that she’d ever heal again. The Sorcerer was trying to scare her. To get her to come with him willingly. Well, she wouldn’t. She’d rather be without her gift and be free than to be with him and have her power. “Come on, Wizard. You want them, take them yourself.”
A look passed between the Sorcerer and his apprentice, who continued to shake his head in warning. Fajer seemed to notice the growing crowd. He glared down at her, fury in his gaze. Would he give up? Would he try again later? She’d almost rather lose her hands than have to worry about him coming back for her. “Do it you snake!” she challenged.
Fajer’s eyes widened. His hand went up as he started to shout, “No—”
The thunk as the ax hit wood sounded in her ears. Fire shot up her arms. Kardia screamed and looked down to see the ax embedded in the stump. She couldn’t see her fingers. Red pooled around what was left of her hands. Her gaze traveled along the handle to find her father at the other end.
“Forgive me, my daughter. It’s the only way,” he sobbed.
Shouts sounded all around her. A bolt of energy surged from her and outward. The Sorcerer cried out as he was thrown backward. Her shoulder burned like it was on fire, then stopped. Black dots clouded her vision before everything went dark.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Darnel shoved the woman away from him. She ran to her husband who still stood over the girl. Blood covered her hands and dress. He quickly turned away to find the whole town descending upon them. Several were shouting out the King’s name, each shout hitting him like the hard blow of a sharp rock.
“We have to get out of here,” he yelled at the elf. “Get in the wagon!”
She pointed toward Fajer. Darnel turned to find his partner spread out on his back. Was he dead? Would he be rid of Fajer so easily? But Anwynn wasn’t going to leave her master behind and was already at his side, pulling at his arms.
“Come help me, Mutt! He’s not dead, but you’ll wish you were if you tuck tail and run away!”
Blast, he knew she was right and hurried to help her drag Fajer to the back of the wagon. Quickly they deposited him on the floor. He shoved Anwynn inside. “You take care of him while I get us out of here.”
The shouting of the light King’s name was starting to cloud his thinking. He had to get them out of there and quick. Bolting into the driver's seat, he brought the whip down hard on the horses’ rumps. They lurched forward. Another swat spurred their hooves into a gallop. He didn’t even try to drive around people if they didn’t get out of his way, he didn’t care.
But they did hop aside, but not without pelting him and the carriage with rocks and sticks. He had to duck and cover his head with one arm while directing the reins with the other. Buildings flew by in a blur, th
en trees and finally the bridge.
He started to breathe again. A pounding came from inside the caravan. Darnel ignored it. He had to keep going. He had to put more distance between himself and the town. He’d realized too late, and not until the Sano offered her hands to Fajer, that her power most likely resided in her touch. Perhaps they still could have sapped her gifting. The core of one’s gift came from the heart, from the deepest part of a person. But the Sano’s manifested itself in her touch.
And by giving it away willingly, the curse she was under was hurled back upon Fajer.
Darnel wondered if he’d survive the ordeal.
Was the pounding from within Anwynn trying to tell him that their master was gone? Part of him wished to be free, but another part liked having Fajer to travel with. For the first time, he’d begun to believe that he belonged somewhere. To someone.
He glanced down at the bond mark circling his hand, the faint line that had been embedded when they made their vow to not harm each other. It still remained, so did Fajer.
An aching throb stabbed at his chest, and he fought back against it. “Don’t feel. I don’t care what happened to that girl. I hope she’s dead, it’s what she’ll deserve. Fajer, too, for being too ignorant to know how giftings work. What a fool insisting her hands be removed.” He pressed his palm to his breast and breathed deep. “I’ll not care. I won’t.”
Slowly, the pain subsided as his heart burned to ash and stone. The less fleshly feelings remained, the better for him. He refused to be wanted, or needed by anyone. Fajer was a means to an end. Nothing more. The girl…she was another thorn he hoped would soon be plucked from this land. Perhaps she’d bleed to death, and he’d never have to see or think about her again.
Fine with him.
That’s what needed to happen.
Drawing in a long breath, he slowed the horses to a stop but didn’t bother to get down from the seat. The back door banged open, and Anwynn was sitting beside him as if she’d flown up the side of the buggy.