Wilde's Meadow

by Wade, Krystal

  “What was that about?” I think, looking up at Arland.

  He stares after his cousin. “Your mother has helped Flanna control her grief for Lann.”

  “Morning will be here before you know it; you three should get some rest, too.” Mom pats my shoulder. “I will come by your rooms and wake you for breakfast.”

  I wrap my arms around her, soaking her in one last time before we head off into a battle that will certainly change us forever. “I love you, Mom.”

  She squeezes back, nearly expelling all the air from my lungs. “I love you, too, Kate. Take care of your sister.”

  Brit joins our hug, stealing my breath.

  I gasp.

  “Sorry.” She steps away and laughs, staring at the floor.

  “Arland”—Mom reaches out her hand—”bring my daughters back alive.”

  He takes her forearm instead and pulls her into a hug. “I promise they will both return with their lives.”

  Tears trail down Mom’s cheeks and hang from her chin. “Thank you. I know you will try. Good night, and sleep well.”

  “Good night, Mom,” Brit and I say together.

  Arland hooks his arm through mine, and I Brit’s. The three of us walk in somber silence down the hall, pace slow, heads down, staring at the strange package in my grip, all lost in a jumble of unreadable thoughts. When people are confused, scared, or blocking what I’m trying to read from them, their thoughts are like illegible words scribbled on paper. Impossible to comprehend.

  My sister kisses my cheek. “Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  Arland and I enter our room, lock the door behind us, then head straight for bed, removing our clothes and allowing them to drop to the floor along the way. I keep the tin with me, clutching it to my chest, wondering what odd help it may hold. He settles into bed first and holds up the covers. Crawling next to him, I snuggle my head on his shoulder and tuck Mom’s gift under our pillow.

  “Are you afraid?” He asks the question as though he already knows the answer.

  “Yes.” I think that’s why I didn’t want to dance, didn’t want anyone to see us, and didn’t want to celebrate; this war has only just begun. Everything I hold dear, everything I love more passionately than I imagined possible, could be lost.

  “If we die, we die fighting.”

  I close my eyes. “Together.”

  He draws the silken covers up to my chin, then secures his arms around me, clasping his fingers over my shoulder. “Until I draw my last breath.”

  Unease settles in my stomach, makes my legs ache, chest constrict, and eyes water. I breathe in, deep and ragged, memorizing this: Arland, love, hope, a bed, covers … things I may never have after this war ends. “Until I draw my last breath.”

  Chapter Three

  Thump, thump, thump.

  I hate that stupid door.

  Burning from lack of sleep, my eyes flutter open. I rub them, but my effort does little to help. Arland’s arms are still wrapped around me, and if it weren’t for us needing to get started before 5:00 a.m., I’d ignore the knock at the door and stay in my husband’s arms forever.

  “Kate, we’re waiting for you guys in the hall. You’ve already missed breakfast.” Brit’s ability to jump into my mind grows more powerful. No longer do we have to search or force our thoughts onto each other; now we just talk, much like my connection with Arland, but without the magical bond. “Cadman, Perth, and Flanna are getting annoyed—and Arland’s dad wants to say goodbye.”

  I haven’t seen High Leader Maher since the night Arland and I were Bound. My father-in-law has worked tirelessly to prepare Willow Falls for the arrival of the other Draíochtans from the Gorm Mountain range base. He wants everyone in a single location in case we need more soldiers for the war; plus, Mom claims it will be easier to make sure everyone returns to their proper home if we leave from the same place.

  “Why’d you wait so long to wake us up?”

  “We figured you’d want to … .”

  Sucking all the warmth from the rest of my body, my face radiates like an efficient space heater. I would like to do exactly that, but we’ve been asleep. “We’ll be right there.”

  I snuggle into Arland, breathing in his warmth, then place my lips on his chest.

  “Arland, we have to go. Apparently everyone gave us alone time, and we used it to sleep,” I whisper, drawing my leg over his.

  Arland groans, releasing me from his firm grip, but his hands don’t part with me for a second. He tickles my arms with his fingertips, creating goose bumps along my skin. “I am awake. I have stared at you for the last two hours, watching you take each of your breaths and your eyes flit with your dreams.”

  What did I do to deserve him? Almost two months ago, I was a college girl home for the summer, worried about dreams of a man who didn’t exist. Now I’m with that man—Bound to him even—and he has no idea how his words make my insides sing with joy. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  “You looked too peaceful.” He kisses my forehead, then nudges me to get out of bed. “We should get dressed. My father promised to see us off, and I do not wish to keep him waiting.”

  Lifting the covers, I get to my feet—the cold stone makes my bones ache—then find my clothes on the floor between the bed and table.

  “Brit said he was waiting … and the others were getting annoyed since we weren’t there.” Fastening my belt around my waist, I shake my head. “I wish you would have woken me up.”

  Arland dresses, then doubles back for the bed and looks over his shoulder. “Kate, I promise you that we will have plenty of opportunities for love and holding each other close. Can a man not watch his bhean chéile—or wife as you keep calling yourself—while she sleeps?”

  He slides his hand under the pillow, then pulls out the tin. “We would not want to forget this, whatever it may be.”

  I rush across the room and snag it from him, shaking the small package next to my ear like a gift at Christmas. “Huh, not even a hint of what’s inside. Where should we keep it? Seems pretty important.”

  “I believe your armor should have a pocket over the heart.” Arland points at the pleated suede filled with lightweight metal resting on a chair.

  Running my hands inside the lining, I laugh. There’s an opening the perfect width for my sandwich-sized tin. “How did you know?”

  He flashes his palms. “We always add pockets to our armor. Nothing special. No secrets being kept from you. And if it is any consolation, I believe you look adorable.”

  “Adorable?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. I slide the ridiculous armor over my head, then glance down myself. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously. We need to go now.”

  I look around the room, searching for anything I may have forgotten, anything I might want to take with me, but nothing here belongs to us. Nothing here but memories, some good, some bad, some standing right in front of me. “I’m ready.”

  Arland grabs my hand, and we pass through the doorway. Walking down the hall with our heads held high, we climb the stone stairs illuminated by warm candlelight, nod to Deverell and Cyric as they open the giant doors to the great room, and then we stop.

  I gasp at the size of the crowd before us. “What is this?”

  Every chair is occupied. Soldiers line the walls. Children laugh and mingle with each other. Leaders stand by my mother and the rest of our small group about to venture off into war.

  High Leader Maher smiles, the wrinkles around his green eyes deepening. He’s so much like Arland: warm, strong, willing to do whatever it takes to save his people. I used to question his father, used to wonder why he allowed the Ground Dweller’s Leader to walk all over everyone, but then I realized he had to. For whatever reason, it was my duty to bring all Draíochtans together, just like the war between Encardia and the no-longer-immortal god is my responsibility. My purpose is to kill Dughbal, to bring Light to this world. I may never understand why me, maybe no one will, but we all play our
roles well.

  “Son.” Arland’s father crosses the room, dressed in his normal tunic and leather pants, except today he wears armor. The same armor I wear. “Daughter,” he says, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Today you embark on a journey greater than any other known to our kind. Our world relies on you—every world relies on you—to succeed. Millions have died already; more lives will surely be lost now. You are family, friend, Leader, fear céile, bhean chéile”—Leader Maher turns to Flanna, Cadman, Perth, and Brit, then motions for them to join us—”you are hope. Laws have been broken, eyes opened, rules changed, but you have done these things while on the path of Light. Seek out this god, kill his minions, kill him, and when you do, we will occupy The Meadows again and reorganize our political structure.”

  Raising his arms, Kimball faces the crowd. “These six standing before us all today will lead us into a new future. Join me in seeing them off. We will follow these brave few to the edge of the perimeter, wish them speed, good health, good spirit, and a safe return.”

  Anna and Marcus jump from their seats first and run to Arland and me. They wrap their arms around us.

  Leader Maher laughs, leaning forward. “Take your bhean chéile’s hand, Son; lead her, protect her like you were born to do, and by all means, love her. Flanna, you take Katriona’s other hand. Brit, you take Flanna’s. Perth, you take Brit’s. And, Cadman, my dear friend, my son’s greatest soldier, my most trusted companion, I have known and fought by your side my whole existence. You guarded my son when he was just a boy. You protected Katriona when you knew more about her than even Arland. You protected Leader Wilde and Brit, remaining true to your path—”

  Arland stiffens and squeezes my fingers. He looks at his most trusted soldier, smiling and shaking his head as if he’s not sure what to make of Cadman. He’s known everything about me since I arrived. He saved me, pretended to know nothing; Cadman has played the game better than anyone.

  “—guide them now, friend. You have seen this world in light, and you have traversed it through Darkness. You know all the ins and outs of Encardia better than anyone.” High Leader claps Cadman’s shoulder. “I have something for you, all of you. Rhoswen?”

  The short, blonde dresser hobbles her way toward us from the center of the crowd. She carries pleated armor similar to mine over her left arm, wearing a smile on her face, skin rosy and warm, eyes a light shade of green. “I am here, sir.”

  Leader Maher takes one of the suits, then slides it over his son’s head. “Our gifts are not much but will provide you with one more layer of protection. Magic is stronger, however while we are still learning control, not always reliable.”

  Arland winks at me.

  Rhoswen hands another vest to Leader Maher; he slides it over Flanna’s head. “You have worked so dutifully to create protection for Katriona, to ensure her safety; Leader Dufaigh thought you all should wear one.”

  Flanna blanches, her color resembling a puffy cloud. “Thank you.”

  I search the faces, search the people attending our send-off, and spot Leader Dufaigh standing near my mother beside the exit. He meets my gaze, eyes still an unearthly shade of white. After I turned Dufaigh into a tree and lost control of my emotions, all the Ground Dwellers’ eyes gained color, their skin took on a glow of health, their weak structures appeared stronger as if they’d been working out with the best personal trainer money could buy, but not Perth’s father. Aside from his attitude, he hasn’t changed.

  Dufaigh smirks, raising the hairs on the back of my neck.

  Shaking my head, I return my attention to my father-in-law. He’s finished placing armor over Brit, Perth, and Cadman.

  “One last thing.” Leader Maher tips his head toward Rhoswen.

  She rushes back to the center of the room, limping on her still injured right foot. Perth glares at her; he doesn’t want to believe the girl was honest regarding her feelings about Dufaigh being a poor Leader. I wonder if Perth’s refusal to see any good in his people is because he’s hoping to see good in his father—and maybe tearing down everyone else helps with that. But I pray for all our sakes there is good in his father.

  Returning with a grin and an armful of leather, Rhoswen giggles—an odd sound to hear coming from a Ground Dweller. “When we heard of the hounds and how they attacked you, we realized chest and back armor would not be enough. These were difficult to procure, as we have not forged these types of protections in ages, but we feel they will be helpful. Please, wear them.”

  She hands a forearm guard to Leader Maher, then he slides them over our arms one at a time.

  Glancing down our line, I take in the sight of our matching armor, our matching expressions of awe and fear, and our matching thoughts. Old magic has not been invoked, yet I hear Flanna, Cadman, Perth, Brit, and Arland’s mindless chatter passing through my head. My breaths quicken, heart pounding out of control. This is it. Once we leave, safety, security, family, friends, life—these things could cease to exist as we know them forever.

  Anna and Marcus are still at our legs, gaping at us with huge smiles. Mom sniffles, alerting me to her emotions. Rhoswen clasps her hands together and holds them under her chin. Leader Murchadha and his wife wrap their arms around my mother. The gathered crowd draws closer, making my small army take a few steps toward the exit. Leader Maher doesn’t speak, doesn’t instruct anyone to do anything; our procession takes place naturally.

  Arland tugs my hand, and I tug Flanna’s. Passing through the exit leading to the door in the earth, my knees wobble, my muscles twitch, and both of my hands receive squeezes.

  “Sorry,” I whisper.

  Flanna leans next to my ear. “This is the easy part, Kate. Take a deep breath.”

  The first step groans under Arland’s weight. I follow him and bump my shoulder into the wall, feeling as though the earth is closing in on us, warning us to stay in, stay safe. Two lit candles in sconces create dancing shadows and remind me of the Darkness we’re about to submerge ourselves in. I trip up the stairs, and my boots clunk on the wood, echoing in my ears along with the beat of my heart.

  Arland releases my hand, unlatches the locks, then slides the bar off the door. Pushing open the old wooden barrier between us and the rest of the world, he steps into the bright moonlight, then reaches for me. “The gods have given us yet another gift.”

  Three days ago, on the night of our Binding, the stars and moon disappeared shortly after we returned inside the base, but on this night, the moon shines high above our heads, casting a chilling glow through the trees. My breath clouds in front of me, warming my cheeks for an instant, then floats away to wherever used breaths go. A light, white frost covers the ground, and twigs crunch under our feet as we move closer to the edge of the perimeter. The inhabitants of Willow Falls follow.

  Come to us. Protect us. Guide us.

  Glowing sprites peel themselves from the trees, floating toward us like detached brown leaves in the fall. Pinecones spin on the ground then zip into the air, similar to small, sparkling fireworks on the Fourth of July. Bright blue ice crystals descend from the sky, clinking together like wind chimes, creating a soothing song for our journey into Darkness. From above, below, in front, and behind, Light appears. Magic caresses our skin, lifts our hair, whispers well wishes in our ears, and illuminates the tree-lined path guiding us toward the river.

  We walk beyond the Willow where Arland and I Bound our lives together, further upstream, then closer to the falls. Water crashes onto the rocks, and frigid mist sprays into the air, occasionally landing on my skin. I shudder.

  Climbing up a steep hill beside the falls, I struggle to maintain footing on the damp soil, but Arland grasps my hand, pulling me up and forward.

  “We are nearing the bridge to cross the river,” he says.

  I look ahead. The sprites bob above thick rope railings of a footbridge over the river. “Is that where the perimeter ends?”

  Arland nods. “Once we step foot on the ground on the other side, we will b
e outside this base’s protection.”

  Flanna leans next to my ear. “While I am not looking forward to fighting, I am looking forward to my cousin being in charge again. These old people get on my nerves.”

  “Only you, Flanna. Only you.” I laugh, wishing I could give her a hug, but keep moving forward.

  We reach the crest of the hill, then stand before the bridge. We’re six soldiers, family, husband and wife, former enemy turned friend, ready to give our lives to save this world.

  Leader Maher positions himself behind Arland and me, breathing heavily, and squeezes our shoulders. “It is time to say goodbye for now. May we meet again under the light of the midday sun, may we share happiness and not dwell on our losses but on our successes. May you all be blessed with full lives and not be changed by what you see on this journey. If you find the battles are too harsh, if you find you need any help at all, contact us. We will have Watchers in the communications room twenty-four hours a day.”

  Turning, Leader Maher faces everyone gathered on the side of the hill. “Brice, please retrieve the horses and their gear.”

  The young soldier runs back toward the rear of our procession.

  “If anyone would like to come up and speak any well wishes, please, do so now.”

  So many shake our hands, kiss our cheeks, pat our shoulders, or wish us good luck, but there are only three little children who matter to me right now: Keely, Anna, and Marcus. All three allow tears to roll. Bending to my knees, I open my arms for them. The children run to me and then knock me back with the force of their hugs. Keely buries her head in my neck and tugs Arland’s tunic. He takes a knee as well, then wraps his arms around all four of us.

  Anna kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Kate. Please, come back for us. Please … .”

  “Please, bring her back, Arland.” Marcus props his hands on his hips, staring at Arland with a look too mature to be worn on an eleven-year-old boy’s face. “She is family.”

  Arland offers Marcus his hand, and the boy takes it. They make some sort of agreement over me.

  “She will return for you. Take care of your sister and Keely, Marcus; they are family as well,” Arland says.