Flea’s shoulders dropped and she lifted her eyes to Julianne's. Lips still clamped tightly together, she nodded.
"Can you show me?" Julianne asked gently.
Flea nodded. Her eyes took on a similar shine to Julianne's and a butterfly—this one a flickering orange—drifted in on the gentle breeze that brushed past them. A moment later three more appeared, then the air exploded.
A hundred butterflies, each a different color and having a different delicate pattern across its wings, dove and wove and fluttered in a sparkling cloud.
Julianne crowed in delight. She lifted her face and dropped her shields so that she could feel the full effect of Flea’s magic. The butterflies’ wings tickled her cheeks, and Julianne felt the tiny feet when one landed on her nose. Another settled on her finger and she raised it to examine it closely.
The body wasn't anatomically correct; it was too small, and its wings lacked the delicate structures that provided form to the insect in real life. Instead, this butterfly flew using a sparkling translucent web that had an ethereal quality.
Julianne didn't know if the butterflies’ differences were caused by Flea’s imagination or simply her lack of knowledge about the finer details of their anatomy. Regardless, the spell demonstrated a talent that was incredibly rare.
"Flea, where is your mother? May I speak to her?"
The butterflies vanished and the suddenly-clear air pressed down on Julianne when Flea turned her head away with a sad, silent frown.
Pain lanced Julianne's heart when she realized how deeply she had stuck her foot in it. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"Most of the children here are orphans," Megan explained. "Flea was one of the first to lose her mother. She's...not dealing with it well."
"I don't think there is such a thing as dealing well with the loss of a parent,” Julianne said quietly. Seeing that Flea had moved out of hearing range, Julianne decided to press on with her inquiry anyway.
"Once we have found you all new homes and gotten you settled in, I would like Flea to come back with me." Julianne raised a hand to forestall any argument. "The temple is the safest place she could possibly be. If she comes back with me, I’ll arrange for her to get the training to bring her gift to its full potential."
She didn't mention that Flea, given enough time and adequate training, would be able to hone her power of illusion into something that rivaled even Zoe’s. She certainly had the potential to outstrip Julianne, though a strong talent in one area would likely mean she would struggle in others.
That had been one of Julianne's biggest benefits when she was training as a mystic. She was quite strong in all areas, but no particular spell came easier to her than the others. She had to work equally hard in each area of mental magic, so she had avoided the temptation of focusing her time and effort on whatever was easiest.
"It'll have to be up to her," Jackson said from behind Julianne. "You would be taking her away from everything she knows. Bah, after what she's lost, perhaps being away from the constant reminder would be helpful for her."
Julianne nodded. "I understand. I certainly wouldn't want her to come with me if the benefit doesn't outweigh the drawbacks. Megan, would you bring it up with her? It might be easier coming from someone she knows. But do let her know that I won't ask for a decision until this is all over, and I won't pressure her in any way."
Megan considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. So far you’ve shown good intent. As long as you’ll respect her decision if she wants to stay."
Julianne nodded, smiling. "Thank you."
The hour grew late, and one by one their hosts moved into the cottages, carefully closing their doors behind them. Though only a few of the villagers had been brave enough to speak to Julianne and her friends, the air of unwelcome had dissipated.
"We did the right thing by coming back,” Polly said. "Didn't we?"
Julianne nodded. "I'm glad you did. I'll rest a lot easier knowing these people are safe. Even traveling the open road with us they will be safer than staying here alone."
“That girl has some pretty powerful magic, Jules,” Danil said. "Do you think she’ll come back with us? We’re in desperate need of recruits, and someone like her would go a long way toward filling the gaps."
Julianne contemplated the prospect. "I hope she does, but at the same time I hate to be the one pulling her away from everything familiar after she's lost so much."
"It won't be easy for her at first," Danil agreed, "but just think, Jules… Where better to heal from that kind of grief than in the temple? They say a grief shared is easier to bear, and the mind links will literally lift that weight from her shoulders if she needs it."
Julianne's mind drifted back to the warm and inviting home she had left and she nodded. "You're right. We certainly have the skills to help her deal with the trauma. And I know that I'm biased, but I really can't think of a nicer place to live."
"It sounds wonderful," Tansy said wistfully. "Danil, I know I said I wanted to travel, but will you take me there one day?" Tansy gave the mystic a nudge. “Danil! Pay attention!”
His eyes, which had flashed white for a moment, cleared. "Sorry," he said with a grin. "I was just talking to Bastian. He wanted to know how we were doing."
"Any news of Tahn?" Julianne asked, trying to stifle a rush of guilt. She knew she had been lax about touching base with Bastian. Of course, I had a pretty good excuse, she thought as she looked around the battered village.
"Sounds like they’ve got it tough," Danil said with a mournful expression. "Late-night parties, dancing, music. I just don't know how he can stand it." His eyes sparkled with a wicked mirth and Julianne laughed.
"I'm glad to hear they're doing okay," she said. "I just hope the town is still standing when we get back. I know how the people of Tahn like to celebrate."
As the fire shimmered and died, Julianne's mind was pulled toward a more recent past: the home she had found in a tiny farming village turned refuge for the masses. She tried to decide which one pulled at her more. When her head touched the pillow that night and her eyes finally closed, she still hadn't figured that out.
Chapter Seventeen
Julianne regarded the huddled villagers in front of her.
"We're going to move as fast as we can," she explained. “You’ll be able to rest once we reach the next town. Anrock is a day and a half's ride away if we go at a reasonable pace."
"We’ll have to spend the night on the road?" a timid voice called.
She nodded. "Yes, but we’ll keep you safe. We've had experience fighting the remnant, both the normal hordes and those bound to Skrima. You’ve seen us fight, though. You know we can handle it." Julianne injected a note of cheerful confidence into her voice.
Jackson waved a hand to get her attention. "You keep saying that word ‘Skrima.’ What does that mean?"
Julianne took a breath and blew it out slowly. These people had been through a lot, and they were about to face a difficult trip; she didn't want to scare them. However, they needed to know what they might be up against.
"All across Irth, rifts have been opening; portals that lead to other worlds. Skrima are the red beasts that come through. There are several types: some small, some enormous, and some even seem to be friendly."
She waited, running her eyes over the small crowd as her words sank in. One bonus of her audience being so terrified they could barely breathe was that there really wasn't room for greater fear. They seemed to take it in stride. “The remnant we fought today had Skrima attached to their brain stems. The Skrima were controlling the remnant.”
"The wee beasties make the remnant faster, but that don’t mean we can't smash ‘em on their heads," Garrett said confidently. "Ye just have ta be quick on yer feet. Aim fer the head and smack!" Garrett smacked his hands together, and his display made more than one person flinch.
"Thank you, Garrett," Julianne said, her voice flat.
Garrett grinned. "Yer welcome!"
"The rules once we’re on the road are simple," Marcus said, stepping forward. "Stay together, keep up, and make sure you speak up if there's a problem. We would rather stop as a team and deal with anything that comes up than have somebody lag behind and we have to circle back." He too ran his eyes over the crowd, stopping to look each person in the eye. "We leave no one behind, you hear me? No one."
Marcus's words seemed to inject some confidence in those watching. Julianne felt the blanket of fear lift just a bit, and their audience stood a little taller.
"Are we ready?" she called.
Heads nodded, and she heard a few grumbled cries of “yes” and “will do.” Not the rousing agreement she’d hoped for, but it would have to suffice for now.
Jackson stepped out from amongst his people and turned to face them. "We owe these people more than our lives. We owe them our pride. They came back after we sent them away and offered their lives for ours. We owe it to them to do as they ask and to take this chance they're giving us."
He turned to Julianne, though he continued to address his audience. "After all this is over we may even be able to come back. We’ll return to our little village and rebuild. We’ll paint our houses, play in the streets, work the fields, and remember what it's like to live. I for one am done hiding in fear, and it's thanks to these people."
There was a smatter of applause and Julianne smiled. Though she could have gotten the same reaction through magic, the platitudes would have meant nothing. To see it happen organically lifted her spirits like nothing else could have.
"Okay, people, let's go!" Marcus called, waving his arm to direct them along the path to Anrock. The crowd moved out, shuffling at first but picking up speed when they reached the open road.
Julianne pulled herself up on her horse and nudged it over to ride beside Polly near the head of the group.
"How's the leg?" she asked.
Polly shrugged. "I don't think it's as bad as I thought it was, since I can move my foot now. I just hope I don't end up with some revolting disease from the remnant’s slimy teeth." She shuddered at the idea.
"Polly, you said you didn't kill the remnant you fought. Tell me again what happened." Julianne listened intently as Polly told her about the remnant who had run into the forest after Polly killed the Skrim that had controlled it.
"It wasn’t like looking into the eyes of a remnant," Polly finished. "I could swear it understood. Like there was a mind behind the crazy."
Julianne nodded absentmindedly, her attention soon fading from the girl beside her as she embraced her magic. Her eyes glowed as she channeled a spell through the glittering bracelet on her wrist.
Margit, I want you to find everything we have on the remnant.
The what? Margit's voice was laced with irritation and she sounded distracted.
I think the Skrima are somehow affecting the remnant. I want to know if it can be replicated, and most of all I want to know if it's something that can give us an edge against these alien assholes.
Margit transmitted a mental sigh. Oh, all right. I'll put one of the initiates to work in the records room. Margit paused when her attention was diverted.
Julianne waited for a moment, then gently prodded the old woman again. Are you busy? If you are I can go.
Busy? Of course I'm bloody busy. I'm doing your job, remember?
Julianne allowed her mirth to pass through their bond. And you know how much I appreciate that, don't you?
Enough to rush back to the Heights and relieve me of it? Margit asked eagerly.
Julianne chuckled out loud when she heard that. Despite the old woman's complaints, she sensed the renewed sense of purpose that Margit felt and her enjoyment at the challenge she had been set.
I'm tempted to leave you in charge permanently, Julianne sent, then followed it with a burst of laughter. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t really do that to you. It’s just that you seem to be enjoying the clerical side of things much more than I do.
A burst of mock horror flooded the transmission, quickly followed by a resigned sigh. I am quite good at it, aren't I?
You are. Having you there to look after that side of things leaves me free to travel the countryside, Julianne replied.
You don't want to come back, do you? Margit asked dryly.
It's not that I don't want to come back, Julianne explained. But I’m really enjoying my freedom. If there’s a chance I can keep traveling, I’ll take it. Oh, Margit, the places that I have seen. The people on this side of the Madlands are so different from those in Arcadia and the Heights.
Well, you stay out there and have your fun for as long as you need to, Margit told her. I've got things in hand here, and although we miss you, we seem to be getting along okay without you.
Julianne did her best to send Margit every ounce of the gratitude that suffused her. Hearing the old woman's words was like a balm to her heart. It eased Julianne’s anxiety about leaving the Heights again so soon after returning and staying away for so long now.
Though she knew she would have left the Heights even without Margit's assistance, Julianne felt privileged to have such a capable, kind woman looking after things while she was away.
Thank you, Margit.
You're welcome, Margit replied primly. If I come up with any new information I'll be sure to send it along straight away.
“Who were you talking to?" Polly asked, bringing Julianne back.
Julianne jumped. She had almost forgotten she had a companion.
"One of the mystics on the Heights,” she explained. “I asked her to track down information about the remnant, though I don't think there's anything back there we don't already know."
Polly looked at her skeptically. "So, you don't think I'm crazy?”
Julianne grinned. “I know you're not. I can tell, remember?"
Relief spread across Polly's face and she returned her attention to her horse.
The steady clop of hooves approached and Julianne looked back to see Garrett heading toward them. He rode past the long line of travelers with a deep scowl on his face.
"Garrett, you look miserable!” Polly called.
His scowl deepened and he gestured for her to be quiet.
"Keep yer voice down. Ye don't want ta be scarin’ the locals," he warned her in a low voice once he was closer.
"You're worried," Julianne guessed.
Garrett nodded. "We’re travelin’ wi’ an awful lot of people. This group is a big fat target. How’re we goin’ ta keep everyone together if we’re attacked?"
"You think our biggest problem will be people running off?" Julianne asked.
Garrett nodded again. "When people are afraid they do stupid shit like runnin’ off inta the bushes alone where they'll be eaten by hungry bears. Or remnant. Or tigers, wolves, lice—”
"We get the picture." Julianne laughed. "I can't do much about the lice, but I can stop people from running away.”
Her eyes glowed white as she sought the other mystic, who was riding at the very back of the procession. Danil, you need to listen to this, she sent. A moment later she felt his presence in her mind, watching through her eyes and using her ears to listen.
"If ye use yer magic ta keep everyone in one place it’ll be much easier for us ta keep ‘em safe," Garrett said. "Though it might make the lice problem even worse."
Lice problem? What lice problem? Danil sent in alarm.
Never mind that. Garrett is worried that if something attacks, people will try to run off. He has a good point. If something happens, I’ll need you to work with me on this.
Sure, Danil sent. Shouldn't be too hard. This lot aren't exactly known for their mental fortitude.
You might be surprised, Julianne sent.
He thought of Annabeth and her bravery in the face of the earlier attack. You might just be right there.
How is she doing? Julianne asked gently.
Danil sent her a view of the young woman riding a short way ahead of him. She was riding one of the fe
w horses that had been left in the town and clutched the saddle horn warily. She was exhausted, but still had a set to her shoulders that suggested she wouldn't be giving up anytime soon.
She is in pain, but dealing with it surprisingly well, Danil sent. I eased it as much as I could, but unless she finds a druid... His thoughts trailed off, since he was unwilling to go so far as to blatantly point out that her face would be ruined.
You might care more about that than she does, Julianne said gently. Annabeth is no flighty young girl. She is smart enough to value a quick mind and a steady hand over good looks…just like you do, she added pointedly. Julianne felt the heat rise in Danil’s face and dropped the subject, satisfied she had made her point.
Oh, she knew Danil would be just as in love with Polly if she wasn't a tiny thing with a beautiful face. Polly’s take-no-prisoners attitude, smart mouth, and strong personality were what had drawn Danil to her, even if the man hadn’t known it. Still, it didn't hurt to remind him of that every so often
"If ye can bunch the people up in the middle,” Garrett said, oblivious to the fact Julianne’s attention had shifted, “we can have one group fightin’ from the front and one group at the back. That is, if we're surrounded. But even if an attack only comes from one end, we need to make sure we've got someone watchin’ at the other."
Julianne nodded. “Good point. If Danil and I are at opposite ends at all time we will be able to communicate instantly. Our fighters can go where they’re needed, but Danil and I best stay separated for now.”
Garrett nodded in agreement. He had lost the ferocious scowl, which Julianne pointed out.
“A man can't relax unless he has a good plan ta follow," Garrett said. “Even if he hopes he doesn’t have ta use it…luck be willin’.”
“I think our luck has run out,” Julianne murmured quietly. Her eyes glowed as she stretched her magic out farther. “There’s a mass of static up ahead, and they’re moving toward us.” She stood in her stirrups and shaded her eyes with a hand, but the tightly-intertwined foliage of the forest and a tight bend in the mountainous road meant she couldn't see more than a few hundred meters ahead.
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