On Fallen Wings

by Jamie McHenry

  “No,” I said, drying my fork with a terry cloth. “This will be good for me. I need the energy of the stones.” I patted her shoulder. “And I’ll find you during the ceremony.”

  “Then we’ll catch up with you later,” said Father, grabbing a biscuit from the center of the table. “Leila, don’t run off at the meadow. You stay close to Rhiannon.”

  “Yes, Father.” Leila was already halfway up the stairs when she answered.

  I bundled up near the fireplace and met her in the hallway. After another round of goodbyes, we were finally out the front door and pushing its bulky weight shut behind us.

  “Finally,” said Leila, running to the gate. “I thought we’d have to wait forever.”

  “Why the big hurry?” I asked, hustling toward her. “We have all afternoon.”

  “Michael Dunn is coming to the Promise Ceremony,” she said, dragging the gate open. “I’m hoping he’ll arrive early.”

  “Does he know that you’re going early?” I wondered how she had managed to communicate with him. Leila hadn’t left our land in weeks.

  She revealed a mischievous grin beneath her innocent smile. “He knows.”

  I closed the gate behind me and shook my finger. “Leila, don’t sneak out, it’s dangerous.” I began a sisterly lecture, but she ignored me and galloped off like one of our spring colts. I ran after her and didn’t catch up until she was already at the bend in the road.

  When we reached Stone Meadow, Leila searched for Michael, but we remained the lone guests at this hallowed ground. The grass was soft and still wet from recent rains, but the sun was out, and its warm rays fought the chilly air. I ignored Leila’s calls toward the forest and stared at the stones while walking absently toward them. Reaching the circle, I traced one hand around the nearest giant and glided casually around it once. I lifted my face, hoping for inspiration from the sun, and stepped lightly toward the Season Stone.

  A Day of Promise.

  I thought about Nia. Was she as excited as I had been? What was she planning to ask from Thomas? My head spun as my efforts to connect with her and the special day collided with memories of my own celebration. My world had changed so much since that joyous day. It was long ago, it seemed. Too long. I thought about Sean and the last time we stood in this circle.

  I touched cold face of the Season Stone and emptied my mind. I caressed the tall white granite with my fingers and walked around it. Reaching the center hole, I traced its edge in an arc above my head. “How do you suppose this was made?” I asked. “The Season Stone—it’s so mysterious.”

  Leila interrupted me. I never saw her coming. “It’s the unknown that makes the stones special and precious—and pure. Don’t you believe in their power?”

  “Of course,” I said, defending myself. “But I’m curious how such a marvelous thing could come about—so long ago. Why did the magic disappear?” I examined the wall of the hole, allowing its rough texture to stimulate my fingertips with icy contrast. “The mystery gives me strength.” I sighed. “But the season weakens me.”

  My sister draped an arm around my waist. “What’s bothering you?”

  I brushed her away and continued tracing my finger along a wavy black line in the rock. “Nothing.” I emerged outside the hole on the opposite side of the flat face. “Why must I be bothered to ask a question?”

  “You’re defensive,” said Leila. “I know that you’re worried about Sean. I hear you in the night. Are you having nightmares?”

  I stopped moving.

  Leila was right. My nerves spoke to me in night dreams. They filled me with fear, and horror, and stole the eternal promise I had been given at this place.

  “Yes,” I said. I cursed Leila in a whisper. “I am worried. Why wouldn’t I be? What would you do if you were me?” The emotion I had been holding back for weeks suddenly broke free. Tears flooded my face. I fell to the ground and grabbed at the cold grass.

  Leila moved closer.

  “Stay away,” I warned, before she could touch me. “Let me fight this for a moment.”

  I spent my energy battling the sorrow that engulfed my body. Leila stood back and I saw her lean lower, eager to console me. Facedown and helpless, I abandoned my strength to fate.

  “What are you telling me?” I screamed my question at the towering stones around me. I wanted them to feel my pain. If they couldn’t help me, I wanted them to bleed. “What have I done?”

  No relief came.

  Forced to endure my anguish, I lay face down on the grass while releasing the pain through my tears. I hated it, but I needed this. I needed the relief, I needed the exhaustion, and, most of all, I needed to let the world know how I felt.

  When I calmed down and stopped wailing, Leila stroked my hair from the top of my head down to my back. “I’m sorry this happened to you, Rhiannon,” she said, whispering close to my ear.

  I turned, not expecting a mature and nurturing response from my young sister. As I looked at her, I saw a tiny version of myself in her moistened eyes. “It isn’t your fault,” I said, embarrassed now that my storm had abated. “Thank you for understanding.”

  “I miss Sean, too.” She continued to stroke my hair. “I hope the Elders find him.”

  I took a breath, daring myself to reveal my secrets to her, but then held back, unable to convince myself to burden her innocent face with my troubles. I sat and sighed, relaxing in the sunlight at the center of the standing stones. Leila brushed my hair with long strokes of her fingers. Together, we watched the shadows stretch eastward until they overtook us.

  I stood and looked around. “Michael never came,” I said, motioning across the meadow.

  “I didn’t think he would come this early,” said Leila, standing next to me. “His mother keeps him busy.”

  “But you hoped that he would,” I said.

  Leila blushed and nodded.

  After that, we weren’t alone for long. Colin and Madeline arrived at the meadow, pushing a long handcart full of dead branches and long sticks. We rushed to assist them, but Colin refused any help setting up the fire; he quickly arranged a circular pile of wood almost as high as Leila stood.

  We chatted with Madeline for a while, until more people arrived, and I suddenly found myself surrounded by curiosity. I answered awkward questions about Sean to the swarming women, and tried my best to present a friendly smile, though the attention annoyed me. I was the gossip of the moment, and their casual apathy to the information they sought was shocking. I believed that they meant no ill; however, each mentioned word of my grief jabbed like a dagger at my heart, and required a hardened deflection. Thankfully, when Nia arrived at the meadow, everyone rushed to her with questions and praises, allowing their concerns for me to fade like the setting sun.

  Sianna, Nia’s older sister, and Madeline’s younger, had traveled over the mountain for the celebration. I hadn’t seen her since the Summer Solstice. She brought her husband, Jake, who stood apart from the villagers. Not only did he dress peculiar—his wide brimmed hat and tall boots always garnered attention, but also his size demanded a second look. Jake was almost as large as Father stood. He towered over everyone. Leila played with Sianna’s two young children, who chased her around the meadow, until she discovered a new distraction.

  Michael and his mother walked through the trees.

  Leila ran toward him like a bee to a flower. I watched them from a distance as they talked stiffly; unsure of what to say and shifting nervously as Sianna’s young children circled them and teased.

  I turned away and wandered casually toward Thomas and Owen, offering a polite greeting as I approached.

  “Hello, Rhiannon,” replied Thomas, displaying a large grin. He looked peculiar wearing a tall shiny hat and straight coat.

  I offered him a hug, but he shivered when I pulled him close. “I’m happy for you,” I said, offering my warmth as a gift anyway. “And I’m happy for Nia.”

  “Thank you,” he answered, pulling away from me as if embarr
assed.

  “Rhiannon!” Nia shoved me into her father as she squeezed me around my waist. “Can you believe it? It’s my Day of Promise!”

  I grinned, realizing why Thomas had backed away. “Hello, Nia,” I said, grabbing her to prevent her from falling. “I believe it. This is a special day.”

  Nia stepped back and twirled in place. “What do you think?” she asked. “My father bought me this dress.”

  Nia was beautiful. Her dress was burgundy and orange with dark leather stitching, traced with white silk and tiny green beads around the bodice. Nia’s black hair, pulled tight around her head by a matching scarf, drained toward the middle of her back.

  We visited for a while; I listened to Nia mostly and realized how much I had missed her. Her excitement was exhilarating. Between quick chats with curious relatives and friendly villagers, she filled me in with all of the details of her engagement—information, she told me, she hadn’t trusted to send with the young messenger. While she shared stories about her courtship, and the many trips she had taken over the mountain, I forgot about my worries. I savored the love she and Thomas shared. It felt good. I needed the moment.

  As more villagers joined us at Stone Meadow, the shadows of the day lengthened their dominance and announced the coming of dusk. I wanted to talk to Nia, but so did everyone; the crowd of eager guests ambushed her and soon pulled her away to celebrate. Her happy laughter rang out through the crowd. Nia was my best friend, and we had giggled and dreamed about our engagements since walking age. As quickly as the sun left us, Madeline rushed Nia and Thomas toward the stone circle.

  The villagers surged forward, closer to the towers, and I found myself standing behind them and looking over their heads toward the center fire. I looked for a place to squeeze into the crowd, but found none; too many people blocked the way. As I wandered the outskirts of the gathering, someone tugged on my shoulder.

  “Rhiannon.” Cael’s voice whispered.

  Fear. It surged from my toes to my face, numbing me. I stood still, terrified.

  He grabbed my hand and pulled my arm back. “Come here.”

  Frantically, I looked around to see if anyone saw me. Every villager in front of me faced the stones and the fire. No one seemed to notice the sudden interruption behind the crowd.

  “Leave me alone,” I said, louder than I had planned.

  A mother to my left shushed and scolded me as she gripped an infant tight in her arms. She turned back to face the celebration, ignoring my watering face, and left me alone at the back of the crowd. As I turned to face Cael, everyone erupted in roars and yells; Nia was presenting herself to Thomas.

  “What do you want?” I said, glaring at Cael.

  “I need to talk to you.”

  I turned back toward the celebration. I could see Nia standing at the center of the circle. She stared at Thomas. Her lover was there, in front of her—in the flesh and present. He whispered something and she laughed. My heart collapsed and longed for Sean.

  “Okay,” I said, turning around completely to face Cael. “I’ll listen.”

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me way from the crowd. “Come with me.”

  I yanked my hand back, but followed him across the grass to the nearest trees. Behind me, cheers and yells filled the night air, and waving shadows from the fire seemed to shake the forest ahead, warning me to return to the ceremony. Still, I followed him. When we reached the trees, Cael chose a large rock and perched on top like a cat. I couldn’t see clearly and tried to focus on the shadows around us.

  “Do you have any news?” I asked, whispering, even though we were out of earshot. “Is Sean safe?”

  Cael pulled a knife from his belly sheath and twisted its point into the trunk of a small tree. “He’s safe,” he said, “but his captors are getting desperate. They want the scrolls.”

  “How do you know?” I asked, defiantly. “Why are you the only one with information? The Elders have heard nothing.”

  “The Elders are weak,” said Cael, digging the blade deeper. “Rance is risking a lot to keep me updated. While they ignore the truth, I’m trying to save my brother.”

  I reached forward and poked Cael in the chest. “Then why did you refuse to help find him? You could have sent the search party to Morgan. You’re not trying to help—you’re not doing anything.”

  Cael chuckled. “That hurt. You’re not allowed to cause pain, Rhiannon of the Fae.” His sarcasm twisted my name.

  “Stop it!” I glared back at him. “You’re teasing me. Answer my question.”

  Cael pulled the knife from the tree and examined its blade in the firelight. “I’ve been looking for the temple,” he finally said. “I need the scrolls.”

  “You won’t find it.”

  The spite inside me grew and gave me courage. Cael had taken a part of me the last time I saw him, and I felt determined to let him know. Behind me, another eruption of cheers carried across the meadow.

  “Will you help me?” he asked. “If we’re going to save Sean, I’ll need you to tell me where the temple is.”

  “Why are you doing this?” I yelled. “Go to the Elders. Tell them where Sean is.”

  Cael leapt from his perch and swiped his blade in the air. He tossed it in the air and caught its handle with obvious skill. “I thought you cared about Sean. I thought you could help me.” He turned and walked away. “Without your help, he is going to die! I wasn’t willing to accept that, but obviously, you are.”

  I was confused and angry. Nothing made sense. I watched him walk toward the nearest trail. Behind me, my best friend was enjoying the happiest moment of her life, and in front of me, I faced a horrible ally—one who could bring back my happiness and love, or destroy everything I believed. I turned back to look at the celebration at the Stones. The ceremony was over; cheers and waves covered the firelight. I had missed everything.

  “Cael, wait.” I said, running after him. “Wait!”

  He turned to face me. “I took a chance when I told you what I knew,” he said, wiping his face. “I can’t save Sean without your help.”

  “What do you want me to do?” I asked.

  “Help me get the scrolls.”

  I shook my head. “You don’t understand. You’ll never find the temple, and I can’t tell you where it is. I’m bound by my word, just as you are bound by yours.”

  “Then, how do I get them? How do I save Sean?” He rubbed the back of his neck as if seeking relief. “I didn’t think it would be this hard. This is a nightmare.”

  I scoffed. “It’s a nightmare for you? How do you think I feel?” I said. “Sean is everything to me.”

  He lowered his head. “I’m sorry that this happened. You shouldn’t have to suffer.” He kicked the grass. “It pains me to see you upset.”

  “Then why did you kiss me?” I asked, boldly.

  He looked at me, but I stared at him sternly, forcing him to shift his gaze to his feet. His weakness gave me courage.

  “I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. He looked at me somberly. “At a weak moment, I needed a friend.”

  He was being honest. As the kindness in me returned, I felt bad for Cael and wanted him to know it.

  “Do you remember your mother?” I asked.

  Cael nodded. “I have a few memories. Once she was chasing Sean around the clearing.” Cael pointed south. “I don’t remember which celebration it was.”

  “And the others?” I asked. “What else do you remember?”

  Cael shook his head and turned away. I could tell that he was fighting off tears.

  “Cael?”

  “That’s all I remember.”

  I turned to look toward the Stone Towers, allowing him a moment of pride, and remembered a moment when I saw Maeia, Sean’s mother. She had been a beautiful faerie. Her dark curly hair and gorgeous eyes could mold a man into anything. I remembered her laughing and playing with both of her young boys. She had died when Sean was only seven, during the terrible winter that that t
ook many of our villagers. That was when Nia’s mother had also passed. I had been too young to understand it completely, but remembered the sadness in my parent’s eyes. The memory of those dark days washed over me, and I suddenly knew that I could not lose Sean without trying everything in my power to get him back.

  I took a deep breath. “I’ll get them,” I said, my voice quivering. “I’ll get the scrolls.”

  Cael placed a hand on my shoulder. “Are you certain?”

  I nodded and turned. “Yes. I’ll do anything to save Sean.”

  Cael smiled and looked like he wanted to embrace me, but I stepped back and wiped my eyes. He glanced over my shoulder. “Your sister is coming,” he said, with a quiet voice, “and there is someone with her.”

  I turned. Leila and Michael Dunn were walking casually toward us. Leila saw me and waved her arm.

  “Rhiannon!” she said, calling out to me. “Father wants to leave.”

  I turned back to Cael, panicked. There was more to discuss. “I know where they are, but I can’t take the scrolls,” I said. “I need a key to get to them.”

  “Okay,” he said. “Where is the key?”

  I turned back; Leila and Michael were almost at us. “It’s a crystal,” I said quickly. “Gaelle has it.”

  “Will she give it to you?”

  I shook my head. “No, she’s the guardian. It’s her duty to protect it.”

  Cael glanced over my shoulder. “If I get you the key, will you get me the scrolls?”

  “Rhiannon, hurry up.” Leila yelled to me. “We’re leaving.”

  “I have to go,” I said, whispering to Cael.

  He reached out and touched my arm. “Will you meet me tomorrow afternoon?” he said. His eyes pleaded with desperation. “We will work out the details, then. I’d like to visit you again.”

  While I stared back at him, unsure how to answer, Leila pulled on my sleeve. “Could you hear me?” she asked.

  My heart pounded in my ears and my face was hot like fire. “Yes, I heard you,” I said, turning to look. I couldn’t breathe. “I’ll only be a moment longer.”