Dirt (The Dirt Trilogy)

by K. F. Ridley

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “I know we probably didn’t get off to a very good start. I want to give you something only I can give you.”

  “I’m sorry about yesterday,” I say.

  “As am I,” Ivy responds. “Yesterday, I felt as if I was talking to Nuin. You are so much like her. More than you know, Ashe.”

  She places the cube in her palms and visions of my mother begin to appear on its surface. “Hold out your hands,” she instructs. I unfold my hands, palms facing up. “What is it?”

  “Close your eyes,” she says placing the cube in my hands. “Empty out your thoughts.”

  “What is this supposed to do?” I ask.

  “Shhh,” Ivy sounds. I try to clear my thoughts.

  With my lids shut tight, visions of my mother began appearing in my mind. I see her as a child with my grandparents. Images of her and my dad getting married surge through my brain. She’s happy and joyful. I don’t know how long I remain in this state, but when my mind goes dark I open my eyes. The thoughts are still in my head as my own, not as if someone told me these things. These memories are as if I experienced them myself.

  “Memories. My gift to you.”

  “Thank you. Nuin, is so real to me now.”

  “It is my gift. I can store other people’s memories, but only if they are given to me. This is a memory cube, much like a CD in your world, except that it can record memories and copy them from one mind to another.” She slips the cube back under her robe.

  “After Straif locked the Door of Feda, I never saw Nuin again. So I don’t have any memories of her after that. Those were sad times for her and not something you would want to recall. I’m not sure exactly what memories will surface, but overtime more of them will be known to you.”

  Ivy gets up from the bed. “You need to get ready. We’ll be leaving within the hour. Oh, and don’t forget to take you medication.”

  “Thanks, Ivy, for everything.”

  “You are welcome, child. Don’t forget I will always be here for you.” She eases out.

  I clean up, change my clothes, and go to the kitchen where I smell something ridiculously wonderful. Ivy made muffins and fresh squeezed juice. Although it’s orange in color it isn’t orange juice. I finish my breakfast and drink the muck.

  “Thanks for breakfast. It was delicious,” I say as Ivy enters.

  “You’re very welcome, my dear.” She’s gracious.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask.

  “Tending to the horses and getting ready to go. It’ll take most of the day to get there.” Ivy wraps up what is left of breakfast and packs several jars of my medicine. “We have to pack as light as we can. We have a long day ahead of us. You will need to carry a few changes of clothes. I don’t know how long we will be there.” Ivy hands me a canvas bag.

  “Thanks,” I say as I head back to my room and pack what I can.

  “Everything all right in here?” Rowen asks.

  “Better now,” I say. He walks up behind me while I pack and puts his warm arms around me, kissing the back of my neck with a softness I didn’t want to end. I turn around to face him wanting more.

  “It’s time to go,” he says.

  “That isn’t fair,” I say a little irritated. “You can’t come in here and start something you can’t finish.”

  He kisses me again slow and long, but not nearly long enough for me. “They’re waiting. We’ve got to go, Ashe.” He takes the bag off the bed and we head out.

  Ruamna kneels down on her front legs, bending her knees to the ground for Rowen to mount. He reaches for my hand swinging me up. Ivy rides on the back of Alder’s palomino. We take flight, heading straight up almost vertically and my throat sinks to my stomach and I experience the rollercoaster once again.

  As we fly, I glance down over the forest and villages. No interstate, no highways, only green vegetation. The homes blend into the scenery and are sometimes hard to pick out. Occasionally, when we glide low enough, people on the ground wave as if they know who we are. Alder and his crew are kind of like celebrities.

  “So, how do you like Durt so far?” Rowen asks.

  “Well, besides being tortured for several days and being on the hit list of a psychotic, demonic faery who wants to sacrifice me so he can have immortality and universal domination, I guess it’s pretty good. After all, I do have you.”

  “I’m being serious, Ashe. Do you think you could live here?” he asks apprehensively.

  “I don’t have a home to go back to, except for…”

  “Except for what? Your father?”

  “Yes, I worry about him. What would he do without me? How would he manage?”

  Ruamna dives down a few feet and I squeeze tighter around Rowen’s waist. The wind blows my hair into my face, and Rowen reaches behind and brushes it away.

  “He’s here, Ashe.”

  The wind rushes across his words. “What?”

  “Your father is here.”

  “How could you keep that from me?” I slap him on the back.

  “Did you say something?” he chuckles.

  “Is he okay? Why would you keep something like from me?

  “He’s fine. I’m telling you now, because I found out before we left Ivy’s. No one knew. His place of hiding is highly confidential, for his safety and for yours.”

  “Where is he?”

  “I don’t know exactly.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  His lips curl enough to make me want him. “Yes, you do.”

  He’s right I do believe him. I trust him explicitly. But he doesn’t realize how helpless Dad can be. When I was in first grade social services visited our house. Someone reported that my father wasn’t sending me to school with proper meals and no lunch money. What they didn’t know is that he didn’t send me to school with lunch at all. I grabbed whatever was in the kitchen and took it to school. I didn’t realize I had to eat certain things to be “acceptable.”

  Dad wasn’t purposefully neglectful. He was different and I realized that early in life. I heard what others said about him, but I knew he was agood man. I knew after the social worker’s visit I was going to have to take care of myself and make sure I made things look “normal.”

  We fly for hours, floating through white clouds that wrap around us like warm blankets. I’m getting tired. I rest my head on Rowen’s back never really falling asleep, but as comfortable as I’ve ever been. Being close to him is the most wonderful feeling in the world. If Taylie could see me now.

  “Ashe, wake up,” Rowen says.

  I’m only daydreaming. “What is it?”

  “We’re here.” In the distance I see an enormous structure made of white stone. The bright sky reflects against it making it glow against the green grass.

  As we descend, I hold my breath. The drop is steep and it makes me queasy. We hit the landing hard and I hold on as the ground trembles. A crew of rather short men and women gather around us and take hold of the horses as we dismount. They’re stocky with wild fire engine red hair and freckles. As they bow to each sentry, they give me a look of uncertainty.

  “Hello, Master Rowen.” One of the Birches look-a-likes bends at the waist, greeting Rowen.

  “Bendel.” Rowen returns the gesture as we head for the castle. Bendel looks rough, with his bright red beard braided down to his knees. He wears a pair of overalls and laced up boots.

  “They all look like Marvin and Lucinda,” I whisper.

  “Leprechauns.”

  “Do what? You mean Marvin and Lu…?”

  “Yeah. The human world has distorted who they really are. They do have powers for fortune, but they are probably the kindest of beings. Nuin became ill, and Straif decided to unlock the doorway, but she was too ill to return. Marvin and Lucinda were sent to help. After she passed away, they decided to stay and help raise you. Henry wasn’t in any shape to raise a child after Nuin died.”

  I look behind me as we walk away from the stables
. The little people scamper about busily tending to the massive creatures and unloading our bags. I think of the Birches and about how much they’ve done for Dad and me.

  Continuing toward the towers, I notice the clean fresh air that has been a part of my experience. Butterflies, the size of dinner plates, and massive dragonflies swarm around us in a peaceful state of flight. Unfortunately, the tranquility around me isn’t enough to calm my nerves. I’m about to meet my grandfather, the king. Rowen holds my hand as we follow Ivy and the other sentries. We ascend up the white stone stairs leading to magnificent wooden doors. They open on their own as we approach.

  The white marble floors glisten. Enormous ceilings are supported by massive marble pillars crowning the room. As we enter a leprechaun hurries to meet us. “Master Alder, Ms. Ivy, welcome to Acrimony. Please follow me. His lordship has been expecting you.”

  His short legs waddle down the hall keeping a pace equal to ours. My hand trembles in Rowen’s, as we enter a dining hall with a table that seats twenty.

  “Please.” The man pulls out a chair, and gestures Ivy to sit. “Everyone have a seat and his lordship will be with you momentarily.” He bows and exits the room. We sit at the table waiting in silence for quite a while. The awkwardness and boredom become annoying.

  “What do we do now?” I whisper to Rowen.

  “We sit and wait.”

  “For how long?”

  “Until he lets us leave.”

  “Excuse me?” I ask.

  “Arcos is here. He’ll reveal himself when he decides. Be patient,” Rowen calmly instructs. I sigh in attempt to stay calm. What are we waiting for? He called us here. Is he watching us?

  Moments later, food is brought in and we’re served a warm soothing soup, fresh baked bread with butter. Vegetables and fruits release their scents as they are placed on the table and everyone eats intently.

  No one says a word and I follow along. At the far end of the table, a man appears sitting in the chair farthest from us. He slurps soup from his bowl. His white hair is braided in one long strand and reaches to his waist along with his braided beard. Still, the room is quiet except for the slurping and clinking of utensils against china. No one looks at him except for me. He sits in an elaborate armed chair and no one seems aware of him. I peer into my bowl eating the last spoonful. When I glance back down at the far end of the table, the man is gone.

  “Looking for me?” a deep-throated voice asks.

  With the blink of an eye, the peculiar man is sitting at the end of the table closer to us. Everyone continues eating, as if they were in a trance totally oblivious to the old man and oblivious to me.

  “Are you my grandfather?”

  “Yes, my dear, I am.”

  “What’s wrong with everyone? Can’t they see you?”

  “Not yet, they’re enjoying their meal. I’ll invite them to join us in a moment.” His grey eyes stare at me with a tenderness I’ve never felt before. “You don’t look anything like your mother, but then I can see her in every inch of you.”

  I don’t know what to say, so I sit here unsure of what is to happen.

  “My dear, Ashe, I’m truly sorry for the situation we’ve put you in. I’ve tried to protect you, but it seems The Dark Thorn wants your blood as much as I want your safety.”

  “What will become of me?”

  “Of that I am unsure, but I can promise I will do everything in my power to protect you.”

  “The soup is delicious,” Ivy comments uneventfully. She’s coming out of whatever spell she’s in and the others begin to join reality.

  “How long have you two been talking?” Rowen whispers in my ear.

  “Long enough to introduce ourselves, Master Rowen,” Arcos answers.

  “Yes, my lordship.”

  “I’m sure you know why I have summoned you here. The Dark Thorn is thirsty for the blood of my granddaughter. Her protection is of the utmost importance. However, there’s been a breach in the code of sentries which has placed her blood at risk.”

  Coll gapes at Rowen, with a grin of delight. Everyone knows what Arcos is referring to.

  “In order to protect Ashe, in order to protect our future, we must face Straif head on. We will not be able to depend on one sentry alone to protect her anymore. This will have to be a group effort.”

  “My lord, I …” Rowen stops midsentence by the raising of Alder’s hand.

  “The celebration of Congramaid is in five days. We’ll be there with Ashe. Straif will come. We’ll take him and his men down,” Arcos says with confidence. “I’ll prepare our people and those at Congramaid.”

  “Master Rowen… Ashe, I wish to speak to the both of you alone,” my grandfather orders. As we leave, those remaining stare down at their plates avoiding eye contact as if they know something we don’t.

  We follow him through a long corridor, into a room of green and gold. “Sit,” he instructs as he points at two high back chairs covered in green velour. He sits facing us.

  “Master Rowen, do you know the gravity of the trespass you have committed?”

  “Yes, my lord, I do.”

  “What a great disappointment this is to me. Look at her. My daughter, my own daughter, broke the laws of nature, and my own granddaughter will possibly be the destruction of the world. Have you not learned from this? Have you not learned from anything?” his voice thunders across the room.

  “Hold on. I’m sitting right here. I thought you cared about me, Grandfather. I’m your flesh and blood.” The old man can’t look at me, breaking my heart even more.“Have I brought that much shame on you?”

  He turns away. I want his acceptance, but I want Rowen more. “I’m Nuin’s daughter. I didn’t ask to be born. I didn’t ask for any of this, but I love Rowen and I won’t let him go.”

  “He has been removed from his position.” He faces Rowen as he gives his orders, but the old man avoids any eye contact with me. “Rowen, you are exiled from the brethren. You must leave at once.” Rowen isn’t at all surprised.

  The door opens and two men stand waiting. “Come with us.”

  As Rowen walks away, he turns and gives me a reassuring look. I know this isn’t the end of things. This isn’t the end of us. I want to scream, but I know my ranting would do nothing to help. I feel exactly as I did in the first grade. Alone, but totally responsible.

  The man they call my grandfather, is nothing more than a coward. He doesn’t want to hear our side of the story. He doesn’t want to understand anything more than his mind already believes.

  “You couldn’t control my mother and you can’t control me.” I say as I get up from my chair. He looks down to keep from facing me.“Can’t you even look at me?” I’m not about to beg for his acceptance, nor his approval, law or no law.

  A small, redheaded woman in a floral dress and apron meets me at the door. “This way,” this she says as she escorts me to a massive white room, with floors covered in white, marble. I lie on the bed and gaze out of the stained polished glass window. I realize wherever he is, Rowen is looking at the same two lavender moons adorned by the same beautiful stars in the same sky. I’m tired of living my life as if I exist for everyone else. I realize now what happens to me can affect the existence of everything and everyone. But if I’m going to live, there has to be something in it for me. That something is Rowen.

  The door rattles. “It’s me.” Ivy enters, but I continue to stare at the walls with indifference. “Ashe, you know he loves you?”

  “Who?”

  “Arcos, your grandfather.”

  “He couldn’t even look at me.” I turn my eyes toward the night sky. “Where did he send Rowen?”

  “To be with his family. A week’s ride from here.”

  “To face humiliation,” I add.

  “He’s old and set in his ways, but he does love you. You remind him so much of your mother. He doesn’t want to lose you, too.”

  “He can’t lose something he’s never had.”

  Iv
y knows I’ve had enough. I’m tired of listening to excuses. At this point, I don’t care about anyone else’s feelings. I’m being selfish and it’s about time.

  “Get some rest, dear, and we’ll have tomorrow to prepare for Congramaid.” She kisses my forehead with a mothering gesture and leaves me to fester in the annoyance of my circumstances.

  I know he’ll be back for me.

  15

  The castle bustles as everyone prepares to leave for Congramaid. Coll won’t leave my side. I’m vexed by the way he hovers over me, as if he has something to prove. He’s exactly where he wants to be, in Rowen’s place. No one will ever have the space in my heart that’s filled by my true defender.

  “ You’re in good hands,” he says smirking. I do my best to ignore him, but his pride covers him like mud.

  “You keep your hands to yourself,” I respond. I make sure he knows where I stand.

  He towers over me, his beautiful blond hair strapped in a ponytail like a strand of velvet. “I’m here to protect you. Nothing more.”

  “Rowen will protect me.”

  “He’s in exile. He can do nothing.”

  “We’ll see,” I say with poise as I lean back against the barn. My lack of commitment to the mission and to the brethren’s plight rubs him the wrong way.

  “Rowen broke the law. You have no idea what it means to be a sentry.” Coll’s jaw clinches as he stares down into my face.If he’s trying to intimidate me it’s not working and I think that angers him even more.

  “And you have no idea what it means to be in love. And you will never know, because you are so in love with your laws.” The skin on his face tightens. “I feel sorry for you, Coll. You are empty and you’ll always be alone.”

  Fury builds in him like a volcano. If steam could come out of his ears, smoke would fill the barn.

  “You bithling,” he says with degradation.

  “I may be a bithling, but apparently my blood has the power to destroy you and everyone else,” I remind him.