On Fallen Wings

by Jamie McHenry

  “Will you go to your secret place?” asked Leila. She twisted her question to tease.

  Sean choked on his bite of bread.

  “Leila!” Mother saved me. “Where they go to play is their own business.”

  Sean coughed again and his face changed to violet. I wondered what color mine was.

  “Where’s the secret place?” asked Ethan. He sat straight on his bench.

  “It’s nowhere you need to know.” I glared at my sister.

  “You two are closer than I thought,” said Sean. His face changed from violet to a warm red. He turned to Leila. “How did you know about our secret place?”

  She smiled. “Rhiannon talks in her sleep.”

  The table erupted in laughter. Blood boiled into my face. I made pleading glances at my parents for help, but found none. Even Mother covered her mouth to hide her amusement. I shifted to leave the embarrassing attack; however, Sean’s warm touch on my hand encouraged me to endure the moment.

  “Have you heard about the bandit?” asked Ethan, suddenly serious.

  I smiled at my brother, appreciating the change of subject, despite the somber mood that covered the room like a swift cloud.

  Leila cut in before Sean could answer. “He was here, just two nights ago, in the village.”

  Sean took a small bite of biscuit and turned to Father. “For certain? I hadn’t heard. Neal, is that true?”

  My father leaned back in his chair. “Yeah,” he said, moaning with the chair. “He’s back. And blood will find him if some of the Elders have their say.”

  “Why is that, Father?” I asked.

  “There’s no place for strangers in Aisling,” he answered, “especially for someone looking for trouble.”

  “Where do you think he’s from?” asked Sean. He tugged on a strip of pork with his teeth. “Morgan?”

  “Why should every bad person come from Morgan?” said Mother. “I suppose they must say the same about us? It’s ridiculous, really.”

  “Not if it’s true,” grumbled Father. “They’re uncivilized and ancient. You know, I’ve never traded a horse to a man from Morgan. They won’t ride them. The men across the lake are nothing to us.” He leaned forward and covered half the table.

  It was rare for my parents to argue, especially about matters with the Elders. I took a drink from my goblet and waited for the awkward turn in conversation to pass.

  As if realizing my discomfort, Mother left her chair and walked behind Father. She leaned over him and stroked his beard. “I’m certain that you and the other Elders will rid Aisling of our troubles.”

  Ethan and Leila giggled as Father leaned back and purred.

  I squeezed Sean’s hand tighter. “Hurry and eat,” I said. “I’d like to finish the chores before midday.”

  ~ O ~

  The sun was shining bright and high by the time Sean and I finally managed to escape my family.

  “At last!” I let our front gate slam behind me. “I thought Father would never stop demanding more work.” I pulled Sean along the road.

  “It’s because I was here to help,” he told me. “I don’t mind. At least your father likes me.”

  “He adores you.” I stopped walking and hugged Sean tight around the waist. “Along with Mother—and me.”

  “I know you do.” Sean kissed me softly. “I’ve been waiting to do that all morning.”

  “I was here all morning,” I said, returning his affection. “Why didn’t you kiss me sooner?”

  Sean stopped his friendliness and turned to look back at my house. He pointed up at Leila’s window. “Because of that.”

  When I turned, a pair of heads dropped out of view.

  “Those little demons!” I grabbed Sean’s arm and pulled him away, leading him swiftly down the wide dirt road away from my home. “Come on. I’ve had enough family nosiness for one day.” When the road turned, and we stood out of view from Leila and Ethan, I grabbed Sean and kissed him right. “I’ve been waiting to do that all morning.” I embraced him again.

  Sean held my hand and led me through the village. Our walk through Aisling was quiet and perfect. We were a real couple, grown up and officially engaged—worthy of respect and honor. Even the breeze seemed to summon away falling leaves, allowing us passage without interruption. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

  “Sean?”

  “Yes, dear?” His voice was warm and endearing.

  I smiled. “When will you leave?”

  Sean chuckled. “We’ve been engaged less than a day, and you want me to go—already?”

  “I’m not trying to send you away,” I insisted. “I promise. I only want to know if—”

  Sean laughed. “I know. I was teasing.” He turned to face me and held my hands in his. “You want to know when I’ll leave to find your marriage requirement, the white horse.”

  “Yes.” I didn’t dare say more. My face was warm enough.

  “I want to marry you as soon as possible,” he said, grinning. “And I hope to find your horse.”

  “You must find one.” I interrupted him without intention. “Otherwise, I can’t marry you.”

  Sean nodded. “I’ll find a white horse. You are worth the quest, I promise. I’ll leave during Moon Season and, with good fortune, I’ll return quickly. We can marry in the spring.”

  Love and devotion flooded into me like a rushing river as I stared at my betrothed. Moon Season was coming; the ceremony to mark its arrival was only a few weeks away. I pulled him close and gave him a kiss that would have made my parents blush.

  “I love you,” I said, and then repeated it for good measure. “You’re wonderful.”

  Sean held me firm, accepting my embrace. Then he let me free. “It’s as I said. You are worth the quest.”

  ~ O ~

  On the other side of Aisling, near Taylor’s Ridge, we turned down the twisting narrow trail toward Sean’s home. Instead of stopping when we arrived, we cut into the trees and wandered south. Our path was difficult, although familiar. This was the way to our secret place. I released Sean’s hand and batted away the sharp branches of overgrowth, steadily weaving my way toward the river.

  As we approached, the water’s deafening rush filled the air around us, and tiny droplets covered the ferns and trees. This place was different from the rest of the village. It was special. The soil was wet and red, and each step closer covered our feet in thick mud. I didn’t care, and I knew that Sean didn’t either. We loved this place—it was part of us.

  The trees ended, revealing an open gorge and the high cliffs that defined Taylor’s Ridge. White mist—that cooled everything—filled the air like a bright cloud. Sean walked toward the cliffs while I stood at the edge of the gorge and stared at the falls. Cascading down in three thin, powerful columns, they screamed from the jagged mountain high above, only to end in the peaceful pool below.

  “Do you dare to race me?” Sean wandered to an old spruce with a thick rope tied around its trunk. Gripping the rope tight in his hands, he leaned his back over the edge of the cliff and disappeared.

  I grabbed another rope from a nearby tree I knew well. “You’ll lose,” I yelled back at him, turning for position.

  Sean was always kind, but I had never known him to give up anything out of chivalry. I clung to the rope and launched myself over the edge of the cliff.

  The rope allowed a slow descent to a wide ledge, not far below. Still, the danger was thrilling. If I timed the jump wrong, I would miss my landing and crash into the jagged stones. Sean was already removing his boots when I met him on the rocks. While I unlaced my sandals, he undressed and dove over the edge. A loud splash announced his victory. With a groan, I slipped out of my dress and followed him.

  “Hey!” Sean managed to yell one word before I smothered him in the water, burying both of us in the depths.

  I had never been a great swimmer, although I was good enough to manage. I kicked my feet against the rocks at the bottom of the pool and glided back to the surfa
ce. Shortly after, Sean’s face appeared. He reached toward me and dunked my head. I barely had a chance to close my mouth.

  After struggling for a moment, I lifted my face above the water and gasped for air. “No, you don’t,” I yelled, noticing Sean escaping toward the cliff. I swam after him and caught him—he must have let me; Sean was a great swimmer. I grabbed one leg and held it with both hands, preventing him from escaping. “That was rude.”

  As I twisted his ankle to force him underwater, Sean splashed my face with his free foot. I coughed and sputtered before releasing him. This time Sean didn’t hold back. He left a tiny wave while dashing across the pond. I splashed with my arm; however, the water never reached him. Realizing that catching him was useless, I took another deep breath and ventured toward the cascades.

  “Hey, be careful,” yelled Sean, from the other side of the gorge. “There’s an undercurrent. The falls will pull you under.”

  “It’s no worse than you,” I retorted, playfully. “You’ll have to stop me.”

  My plot worked. As I neared the columns of falling spray, Sean emerged from beneath the surface in front of me.

  “I told you to be careful,” he said, wiping his dark hair back and away from his face. He was beautiful. He was panting. “I’m sorry.”

  “I know you are,” I answered, smiling at his handsome features. “And—so am I.” Without warning, I dunked his head underwater.

  Sean re-emerged with a wide grin. “You’re beautiful.” He wiped his face again and reached around my back, pulling me close to kiss. Then he stopped.

  “What are you doing here?” he yelled, peering over my right shoulder.

  I turned in time to catch a glimpse of Cael, Sean’s younger brother, diving shirtless into the water’s edge. Sean held me around the waist and pressed a quick kiss to my ear. Cael emerged in front of us.

  “Hello, Rhiannon,” he said, shaking his hair with confidence. “What are you two doing?”

  I glared while Sean answered.

  “We’re enjoying a day alone,” he said, emphasizing the last word. “You can leave.”

  Cael laughed and floated on his back. “I want to visit with you, Sean—and with you, Rhiannon.” He splashed with his feet, sending a spray of water into my face.

  “Stop it, Cael,” I ordered. “How did you know we were here?”

  Cael didn’t answer. Instead, he floated across the pond on his back.

  “I’m sorry,” said Sean. “He’s been annoying lately. Do you want to leave?” He nudged me back toward the cliff.

  Cael turned in the water and swam after us. “Where are you going?” he asked. “Let’s play.”

  “We’re leaving, little brother.” Sean kept moving toward the cliffs. “Have fun.”

  Cael dug his arm into the water, sending a large wave over us. I saw it coming and turned away. Sean caught a mouthful of water.

  “Don’t call me that!” Cael was two years younger than Sean was, though every bit as tall—and stronger. He had always acted as if he was the eldest and seemed to fill his days trying to prove he was just as capable. “Rhiannon, are you certain you want to marry someone so rude and inconsiderate?”

  I felt Sean tensing underwater, preparing to thrust forward. I knew he loved his brother, but Cael always seemed to get under his skin. Unwilling to provoke additional confrontation, I reached around his waist and whispered into his ear. “Don’t, Sean. Let’s leave.” I felt his body relax.

  “Goodbye, Cael,” Sean pulled me with him. “I hope you had a laugh.”

  We scuttled across the pond, cautiously looking back for sudden attacks from Cael. When we reached the cliff, Sean helped me climb up onto the rocks before leading me along the trail back to the ledge and our clothes.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, snatching his shirt from the stone after donning his pants.

  I smiled weakly, trying to hide my exhaustion as I slipped into my dress. Getting down to the pool had always been easy; the climb back up was exhausting. I looked over my shoulder and down at the pool. Cael stood in the center, the water up to his waist, watching us. “I guess there’s no escape from family.”

  “No, there’s not.” Sean forced a laugh. He wouldn’t say it, but I knew his moods well enough to guess that he was annoyed by Cael’s interruption of our afternoon. He handed me my sandals and quietly laced his boots.

  At the top of the cliff, I heaved myself over the edge and collapsed on the grass. My arms and lungs burned. I lay on my back and stared at the trees and steep falls.

  Sean flopped to the ground next me and smiled. “You’re tough. I barely made it up.” He had never been good at deceit.

  I smiled and decided to oblige his gesture. I held up my right hand and allowed the sleeve of my dress to fall to my shoulder, revealing my bare arm. I flexed it for him to see. “I’m stronger than I look,” I told him. My lungs burned and my words broke apart with pause. “Working with horses makes you tough.” I took another deep breath. “You’ll find out.”

  Sean leaned on one elbow. Then turning to his side, he propped up his head. “What do you want to do, now?”

  “Dry off,” I answered.

  Sean jumped to his feet and offered his arm to me. “Let’s go to the house,” he said. “I’ll cook for you.”

  “Oh, no!” I covered my eyes in mock horror. I didn’t have to pretend much; I had never known a man in the village who could make a meal worth stomaching; Mother had spoiled me. “Do you know how?” I asked.

  “Oh, yes.” Sean laughed and then, without my approval, grabbed my arm and pulled me up. “How do you think I grew this mighty? Good cooking and great water!”

  Screaming with surprise, I swung my arms forward and grabbed him for balance. Sean hugged me tight.

  “This should be exciting,” I said, teasing. “I’ve never met a man who could cook anything other than roasted meat.”

  Once steady on the ground, I let go of him and started walking through the forest. Sean grabbed my hand. Then together, we strolled through the ferns and the trees, dripping all the way back to his home, one of my favorite places in Aisling.

  Sean’s home reminded me of stories my mother had told me as a child. He lived in a little stone cottage nestled gently against the trees where deer would come and graze in the long grass. There was a sloping hill behind the house, toward Taylor’s Ridge, where Sean and his father spent their days harvesting vegetables for the village. A cobblestone path connected Sean’s home with an identical house across the clearing. That’s where Sean’s uncle lived.

  When we arrived at the clearing, I grabbed the old rocking chair from in front of his house.

  “May I relax out here and dry off?” I asked, dragging the chair to the stone well at the center of the grass. “Or will you need help with the meal?”

  Sean laughed. “Stay out here, if you wish.” He kissed my forehead before trotting across the courtyard. “I’m certain you’ll be impressed.”

  I leaned on the chair and allowed my hair to hang back to the ground. “I am impressed,” I teased, yelling back at him. I rested my feet on the edge of the well. “If your cooking is half as good as your boasting, we’ll enjoy a feast, tonight.”

  Sean’s laughing followed him inside his house.

  “Hello, Rhiannon.”

  Startled, I rocked forward.

  A short wrinkled man with long white hair, balding at the top in a circle, hobbled toward me. He wore a dirty gray shirt with long sleeves and denim trousers, supported by frayed suspenders that wrapped over his shoulders. Sean’s uncle always dressed strangely.

  “Hello, Eldon,” I said, standing to address him.

  “No—no, sit down,” he ordered. “Let me pull you a drink.”

  “Thank you, sir.” I returned to the chair.

  Eldon grabbed the metal handle attached to the overhead housing of the well and began whistling while he cranked it. The long rope around the spinet unraveled to the dark abyss, while the rhythm of his tune m
atched the pace of his turns.

  “What’s the song?” I asked, watching with curiosity.

  Eldon stopped turning the handle. “It’s the weep of the departed,” he answered. “A woeful cry offering peace to those left behind.”

  “It’s beautiful,” I said. “You could have been a bard.”

  Eldon smiled. Then he cranked the handle in the opposite direction. As he turned, he repeated the tune. His music echoed from the surrounding trees. I closed my eyes and allowed the melody to envelop me; its tone was soothing and peaceful. When he stopped, I opened my eyes. The rope revealed a bucket. He poured it into a round metal cup.

  “Here you go, beautiful faerie,” he said, offering me the cup.

  “Thank you.”

  I had always liked Eldon. He was quiet and kind to everyone. Travelers often went out of their way to visit him and accept his offerings. Eldon had been married to a faerie long ago. He told me once that his wife had blessed the well before she died. The Bauer Well had the best water in the village.

  As I drank, the cold water replenished my senses and filled me with energy. I allowed the sensation to travel to my fingers and toes before drinking a second time.

  “When will you two marry?” asked Eldon. He sat on the edge of the stone well.

  “Once we’ve given our required gifts,” I said proudly. “We hope to marry in the spring.”

  Eldon nodded his understanding and scratched the bald spot on his head. “What did you demand from my nephew?”

  Surprised, I paused before answering. Eldon should have been at the Promise Ceremony. “Were you there,” I asked, “last night?”

  “No—no.” Eldon shook his head earnestly. “I never leave the well. It’s too valuable. And—” he paused and looked around “—today, I heard talk of a stranger. A bandit. I won’t allow anyone to come and ruin the water. A good Well Guardian never does.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, “and I’m sad that you missed it. I asked Sean to find me a white horse.”

  Eldon gasped. “Is there such a thing?”