by Jenn Nixon
He nodded without meeting her eyes, took the book, and darted up the stairs while Rune went down. Never one to delay a group, Cyndra picked out a new shirt for the day, quickly washed up in the lavatory, and had all the perishables securely tied up in a business jacket when Zorin came back down empty handed.
She took out one more item from her backpack, shoved it in her pocket and eyed the pile on top of the table as Zorin picked it up. Without a word, he carried it downstairs, leaving her alone to give the living area one last glance for anything else they needed.
After securing her sai on her hip, Cyndra dashed down the stairs, finding the storage room empty and exit open. She gave the room a proper search, finding plenty of large items that would catch a hefty trade price, but nothing small or legal enough to take with them.
Rune came around the side of the lighthouse as she exited. He had a peapod and a tiny tomato in his hand. Couple more days and we’ll have a proper garden.
“That is way cool,” Cyndra said, grinning as he snapped the pod in half and handed it to her. She popped it into her mouth and sighed. “Heaven.”
Makes me wonder if the…non-caster humans will accept us if they know what we can do.
“I’m not even sure how we’d find out if any of them are starting to remember. I’ll tell you this, there’s no way I’m starting that conversation with someone.” Cyndra chuckled, shook her head, and walked with him toward the docks. “Can you even imagine?”
It would be interesting for sure.
“More like super weird. I’m Cyndra, by the way, I can conjure fire…”
Rune smirked and slowed as they neared the boat. Zorin already had the duffle bag stuffed, and the engine running. Cyndra jumped in first and sat on the bench behind the boat controls while Rune went to Zorin’s side to have a chat.
She pushed the gas can with her foot to see how much they had left, surprised it was half-full. They could make it all the way to Southzone, but they’d never make it back without a resupply. That wasn’t a risk she wanted to take.
Ten minutes into the ride along the coast of the EZ, Rune came to the back of the boat, asking if she wanted to practice again.
“Sure. Oh, did I tell you, I made a fireball yesterday?”
No, that’s amazing. Did you figure out how to throw it or do anything with it?
Cyndra shook her head. “Why don’t we try that? Seems a great starting point.”
Rune nodded, shifted slightly so she could stand and face him. He grinned and lifted his hand, breathing deeply as the palm-sized fireball appeared above his hand. When Cyndra evoked her fire, her entire hand lit up. It took her a moment to shrink it down and control the flames enough to ball them together.
What now?
Shrugging, Cyndra turned to face the back of the boat and tried to throw or push the fireball into the water. Instead, the flames sputtered and encased her hand. Rune’s attempt just made his fireball extinguish.
Their second and third attempts had the same results.
During the tenth try, Rune’s frustrated sigh caught her attention. He shook his head and flicked his hand down at his side. The fireball slammed into the boat floor and exploded up, creating a fiery barrier between her and Rune for a couple seconds.
Cyndra shrieked and stepped back, then gasped and giggled when it evaporated. “What the shit?”
The boat slowed.
Rune shrugged despite his goofy smile.
“What happened?” Zorin asked, glancing over his shoulder and wing.
“Uh, try it again,” she said, taking another step back.
Rune created his fireball again. You sure?
Cyndra nodded.
Rune snapped his wrist toward the floor. The fireball exploded upward, shielding the caster with a warm orangey-red glow, and then faded a moment later.
Zorin’s eyes widened and his brow dipped in confusion.
“You’ve never seen that?”
“No, but I’ve heard of it. A casterguard, it’s a protective barrier created by the elements, very advanced casting. Each element has a variation. I’m sure it’s in the book,” Zorin said without much fanfare before turning back to the controls. “Considering you come from one of the strongest caster families, it’s not a surprise.”
Were you able to do it?
“I never tried,” he answered, restarting the boat.
Although Cyndra wanted to ask why, Zorin didn’t seem to be in the mood to answer questions so she shrugged at Rune and practiced for another half an hour creating fireballs and trying to make the casterguard.
Only Rune made it appear.
Cyndra would have to find another way to protect herself. Trying to create the shield with her flare took too much concentration to attempt now. She returned to her seat ready to settle in for the rest of the boat ride to Norfolk Beach, more than happy neither of her companions was in a talkative mood for once.
Ten miles from their destination, Rune asked to drive the boat again. Zorin knew the caster rarely had ulterior motivations, this time, however, seemed to be one. Rune glanced toward Cyndra at the back of the boat and jerked his head.
Ignoring his attempt, Zorin gripped the windshield and studied the port town appearing on the horizon. He vaguely remembered what Norfolk and Virginia Beach had looked like before the war destroyed much of the coast. Now, it was a conglomeration of stilted buildings, adobe style houses, and salvaged structures pieced together making up the rest. The thick, ghostwood forest lining the south side of the coastal town offered enough cover until the casters procured a vehicle.
“Once we reach the shore, we risk running into the soulless again,” Zorin said, taking over the controls and glancing back slightly. “I can scout the area south while you head into the town. I’d suggest no casting.”
“Yeah, that’s a no-brainer,” Cyndra replied as she approached. “Not really something I’d do in the middle of town. We’ll check to see if anyone has gas.”
Are there many traders here?
“A ton, yeah, maybe even some for your coins, but be careful, they’re smarter than they act,” Cyndra said and turned toward Zorin. “I’ll get the solar car and pick you up on Route 13. Bumpy, but it takes us right into the heart of the Carolinas, from there we can get on the highway for a couple dollars.”
“I will find a secure place for the boat,” he replied, taking the controls back from Rune as they neared the coast.
“Can you bring the bag?” Cyndra asked, for help, for the second time since they’d met.
He nodded, instantly sensing her overpowering irritation. Zorin gripped the steering wheel and gazed toward the town, seeing too many people for his comfort. He guided the boat closer to a vacant shore, needing to backtrack to secure the boat where humans wouldn’t find it.
“We shouldn’t risk getting closer with me driving, I will let you off here,” he said evenly, knowing Rune would easily agree, and did with a happy nod.
“Got everything you need?” she said to Rune, ignoring him yet again.
He hadn’t even brought the boat to a full stop before he heard a splash. When Rune patted his shoulder, Zorin didn’t need to look, but did, seeing Cyndra halfway to the beach, her left hand twitching as she waded through the water. “Be safe, Rune. Watch each other’s backs. I will be near.”
I know, he replied while smiling up at him. Our bond is growing, too.
“For that, I am grateful, my friend,” Zorin said, offering his hand.
Rune shook, tilted his head. I am your friend, Zorin. That means I’m here to talk, whenever you need me.
“Thank you,” he replied, dipping his head. “I may take you up on that.”
Good, Rune projected and squeezed Zorin’s hand before letting go. We’ll see you soon.
The caster followed Cyndra into the water and toward the shore. Zorin tore his gaze away when he caught sight of her standing on a large rock, surveying the trees and paths in front of her. He guided the boat around a protruding bank o
f land and a quarter mile back until he found an empty beach surrounded by thick ghostwood trees.
After he secured the boat and picked up the duffle bag, Zorin climbed atop a disused electrical tower and circled back to the port town with a wide berth over the ocean, fighting the temptations on two fronts now. He had to put Cyndra out of his mind. Yet every word, every shared look had a different meaning now. He needed her energy, her fire, yes. Only now, he wanted her. Even more terrifying, she seemed to want him too.
Zorin extended his wings to catch the air and rise higher. The wind and salt would ease his mind. Nature was its own healer for casters, something he’d taken for granted when he was human. Riding the air, Zorin didn’t need to sense or siphon casters to feel energized.
Satisfied the calm had returned, he directed his approach to the shore, following the casters slight trail into the woods north of the port town. Ensuring their safety, he descended to the treetops, and glided over them, catching a stronger sense of both casters.
He altered his flight path slightly to the left, toward town, frowning at the lack of regrowth within the woods.
A hundred yards from the town, Rune and Cyndra’s power seeped into the air. Neither had evoked their elements, but they certainly seemed ready to. Zorin swooped down, searching for a road or path, but seeing none.
He dove between two thick half-trees and landed in the middle of the charred forest. Zorin dashed toward the town.
Cyndra’s words stopped him midway.
“Zorin said not to use our elements, besides, it’s only one. We can handle it. Go left,” she said, appearing between two trees a few yards ahead, with her sai in her hand.
She vanished from his sight a second later. Fearing a soulless or wraith had found the casters, Zorin tucked his wings and pressed into the woods hearing a wild animal growling.
“Now!” Cyndra shouted.
The dense woods made it impossible for him to reach them in time. An animal squealed and darted past Zorin. He stumbled back and fell, losing sight of the casters by the time he got to his feet.
Aware Cyndra sensed his presence, he stayed behind, allowing her the distance she obviously wanted, given her rapid escape.
With a new place to explore, the casters would end up being in town longer than Zorin liked, allowing him more time to glide over the area. Alone, with too much time to think never suited him. Zorin needed a diversion, something to take his mind off all the lies and confusion and the new sensations clouding his judgment.
He only had two tasks: protect the casters and uncover the truth.
Cyndra wiped the blood from the tip of her sai, happy she didn’t have to kill the mut-wolf in the forest. Poor starving thing was just trying to feed its oversized body. Thankful Rune agreed to just scare it off and never questioned her need to get to town quickly, the ‘getting things off her chest’ was starting to sound like a good idea. Making sure Zorin wasn’t around was even better.
Although she had a handle on her firecasting to an extent, her energy was starting to give her shit. Her hand tingled around Zorin again, leaving her feeling odd when he was away, and tempting her to evoke the element knowing it’d draw him near.
She needed someone to talk to. Maybe help her figure out if she was crazy for even thinking about admitting what she wasn’t even sure she was feeling. Rune, a master at reading body language, leaned closer as she slowed down to read the town rules posted near the entrance.
“What?” she said, pausing and shielding her eyes, pissed she left her hat in the duffle bag.
The three of us have been spending a lot of time together, Cyndra. I know when something’s wrong. What happened this morning?
Cyndra dropped her shoulders and nodded. We can talk after we look around and get a car. If we split up, we can cover more ground. Do you need dollars?
No, he replied, opening his satchel and happily handing over two Zonecoins like it was no big deal.
“Are you sure? These really are valuable,” she said, glancing toward the town, finally feeling Zorin’s energy evaporating.
She put the coins in her left pocket with the other Zonecoin and pre-war coin she found in the lighthouse. Subconsciously tapped her right pocket full of dollars and headed straight for the town, once again glimpsing at the rule board.
Rune fell in step, looked up, and frowned while reading the sign. What’s a wacker?
“Leader of a riot gang. They usually pose as a trader or customer and subdue an owner, then their crew comes in and ransacks the place.”
That’s terrible.
“Worse living through it.” Cyndra frowned. “Milo had just left, so he called the ZoneGuards when he heard me trying to fight them off. They didn’t get away with anything, but destroyed half my stock during their escape. The ZGuard always punish the leader the worst.”
Rightfully so. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.
“Yeah, me too.” She smirked and paused again when they passed through the minimally used entrance to the town. “Trade shops are closer to the coast. Goods and eateries should be the rows of trailers on the far side of town if I remember correctly. All the room and items for rent are on the posh side, north of the general market place.”
Main town isn’t as big as I thought.
“There’s a lot crammed in at the port, you should get going. It’s still early, I want to get a bigger solarcar if I can, with Zorin and all.”
Rune nodded. I will meet you back here in an hour.
“Happy trading,” she said, watching him smile and head in the opposite direction she was going.
Her first stop was to one of the two ubiquitous buildings in every town, the postmaster. Using two dollars to send messages to Milo and Pristy’s friend Stally, simply to tell them a lie so they wouldn’t worry, seemed the least she could do. She had no idea when she’d be going back to her village.
On her way to the solarcar rental, Cyndra sensed Zorin flying overhead. Same as Baltimoretown, no one glanced up at his shadow. Unwilling to tempt either one of them, she kept her eyes forward and focused on her pitch to rent the car. Most traders and business runners thought asking questions and showing interest was a good sign of service. Normally, she’d agree, she’d done it plenty. When the truth sounded weirder than two headed bison running around the darklands, Cyndra liked to come up with a story when needed.
The distraction lasted the entire walk to the shop and even got her a discount when she offered to rent the older, revamped vehicle, something he called a jeep.
“It runs well, faster than most solarcars, but no doors or roof. I rent it more in the summer for off-roading,” the clerk, Ernie, said as she put away her ID badge. “One coin and three dollars is my lowest offer.”
“And the drop offs?”
“Any town or village with a postmaster, as far as you can get in two days,” he replied, smiling harder than needed. Cyndra knew a bargain when she got one. “The monitor shuts the car down, five dollar fee if it’s not at a drop-off.”
“Seems fair. And it runs on bio-d and solar? How much gas do I get?”
“Quarter-tank, a hundred miles give or take. Two extra dollars for a half.”
“Good trade,” she said, extending her hand holding the coins and dollars. He handed her the keys with the awkward monitor and then his hand to shake. “I’ll pick it up in half an hour.”
“It will be ready.”
“Thanks,” she said, clutching the keys.
“Pleasant afternoon, Miss Raine.”
Cyndra ducked out of the shop feeling like she won the monthly ration bonus. She couldn’t wait to share the good news with Zorin. With no doors or roof, he’d easily be comfortable in the vehicle, no matter where he sat. Having rented it for two days, Rune may even get a chance to learn to drive it. He already had the steering part down.
She spent the last fifteen minutes of her hour walking through the general market in the middle of town, where most of the local people from the nearby villages traded and gathe
red and from what she’d seen so far, had a little bit of fun. Certain tented sections were lounge areas and screening rooms, she even saw a gaming tent full of people.
When she reunited with Rune, she hurried him back to the shop, more excited to show him the jeep and tell him the deal. He tugged out of her grasp when they rounded the rentshop and into the fenced off section with two solarcars, the jeep, and another three-wheeled vehicle.
“Check it out,” she said, pointing to the dark green jeep with a dusty windshield, solar panels on back, and minimal interior padding. As she got closer, she knew the bucket seat in back would hold Zorin, and just as promised, it was automatic shifting. “And we still have two coins left.”
You’re a much better trader than I am, Rune said with a frown as he handed her a small paper bag. I picked up some dried fruits, a packet of seeds for the garden. No one to trade my coins.
“You’ll have better luck in the south,” Cyndra said, reaching in and pulling out a small apple chip. “Besides, we don’t really need anything right now. Better to save what we have for when we do.”
Rune nodded, approached the passenger’s side of the jeep, and hopped up. Cyndra figured she’d be driving most of the way and got in, adjusted the driver’s seat until she was comfortable, then started it the old-fashioned way, not with a push button like the solarcars.
There was only one way out of the yard. Cyndra followed it west of town, heading for the main hub of roads that ran the length of the EZ. At the first juncture, Cyndra guided the jeep slowly down the dirt ramp toward Route 13.
You’re good at this, why don’t you steer the boat? Rune asked, holding the bar attached to the windshield as the ride got bumpier.
“You guys seemed to enjoy it more,” Cyndra said with a shrug, keeping her eyes ahead, unfamiliar with this part of Virginialand. “This is my preference, on the ground, there’s more control. Silvio had an old truck, it was home more often than I’d care to remember. There weren’t many safe places to go right after the flare. If an area wasn’t charred it was contaminated by the radiation. He refused to take us to one of the government camps. I knew he was wrong, but we didn’t have anyone else.”