Tokens and Omens

by Jeri Baird

  Why had she asked for the potion? Alexa dropped her head as Melina Odella continued.

  “It changes nothing. What you’ve set in motion cannot be undone.”

  “But the curse of the twins. You said one always sacrifices for the other. What if Alexa dies?”

  “Zander’s the one without any tokens.” Melina Odella hesitated. “Do you want the truth? Most of your group will not survive. Moira loves the number thirteen. The last time there were thirteen questers, only six returned. You have Zander’s tokens. Your chances are better than the others. It’s in Moira’s hands. What is to happen, will happen.”

  Dharien’s voice sounded desperate. “I have one more demand.”

  Alexa bolted down the hall. She had to tell Zander that Dharien had his tokens. Maybe Zander could steal them back. And with the news that half may not return, Alexa’s plan became more important.

  When she burst from the church, Zander was gone, and Merindah stood next to the wall crying.

  “Is it true? Did Melina Odella steal Zander’s tokens?”

  “Yes, and it’s worse. We’re all in trouble, Merindah.”

  Alexa searched for Zander in the stables and then ran to his—no, their—father’s house. He wasn’t there either. She found Cobie with the peasant cousins at the market. No one had seen him.

  Feeling defeated, Alexa returned to her room where she found Zander and Shadow asleep on her bed. Alexa hated to shatter his peace with the news.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Zander

  After the shock of Melina Odella’s betrayal, Zander hadn’t been surprised to learn of Dharien’s involvement. As Alexa shared the news, he slumped on her bed.

  “I’m not going back to class. I can’t sit there and pretend I don’t know what they’re planning.” Zander hated the sympathy he caught in his twin’s eyes. He didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for him, not even his sister. “I’m going to the stables to pack my things. I’ve paid my debt, and I don’t want the job anymore. I don’t belong there and after the quest, Moira will put me where she wants. I can’t stay there with Dharien plotting against me.”

  “Where will you go? To our father’s house?”

  Zander shook his head. “I’ll camp in the forest for awhile. I feel safe there.”

  “You could stay here.”

  “No.” Zander flashed a wry grin and rubbed his tongue over the chipped tooth. “I need time to think. I do best in the forest.” Out of habit, Zander reached for the heart token, patting at his chest where it usually hung under his tunic. When he realized his mistake, anger replaced the calm he sought.

  Alexa knelt at her dresser. She stuck her hand deep beneath it and pulled out a large cloth. When she unfolded it on the bed, Zander gasped at the stitched scene. It was beautiful. He traced the green trees in the forest around the edges, and couldn’t help but grin at the blue ponds that didn’t belong.

  He turned the cloth in a circle as he recognized each quester poised to enter the gulch. Thirteen of them. Would they be unlucky as Melina Odella predicted?

  Anger seized him when he saw Shadow stitched on the cloth. He jabbed his finger at the likeness. “Take him out. Now, Alexa. I won’t use him.” He shoved the cloth at her. “Cut the stitches.”

  His twin’s eyes flared in fear, but she quickly cut the stitches and pulled them out. “I didn’t mean you would use him. But it might be helpful to know where our patrons are.”

  He took a deep breath. He hadn’t meant to scare her. “It doesn’t matter where they are. They have to come if called. And I won’t call Shadow.” He picked up Fiona and held her in Alexa’s face. “Will you call Fiona? Knowing she’ll die?”

  Alexa jerked back. She straightened her shoulders and glared at him. “If it’s the only way to live, then yes. I’ll call her.” She blinked back tears. “I can’t lose you. Please call for Shadow if it’s your only hope.”

  Guilt stabbed at Zander’s heart. “I’m sorry, Alexa. I can’t do it. Not even to save my life.” He pressed his palms over his eyes. But he would do it to save hers. He hoped he didn’t have to choose Alexa’s life over Shadow’s.

  Alexa sniffed and knotted a loose thread from her signature. Birds flew through the sky, wind rustled the trees, and the questers moved. The black panthers threw themselves against the gold bars of the cage. It stopped when Alexa unknotted the thread.

  She quietly explained, “I’m not ready to set it in motion. Not until the quest starts.”

  “How will you use it?”

  “I’m still thinking, but if we all work together and the panthers stay locked in the cage, we should be fine. The rest of us can help you fight the omens you don’t have tokens for.”

  “I don’t know.” Zander rubbed the back of his neck. “We risk Moira’s ire if we cheat again. We’re to go alone to the quest. That’s the rule.”

  Alexa’s eyes gleamed. “We will go alone into the gulch, but then we’ll have a meeting place. I’ll use the cloth to find anyone who’s lost. There’s no rule against that.”

  “Let me think about it, all right? I’m not sure you and I should work together. There’s still the curse of twins.”

  “If you don’t earn enough tokens, it’s your only hope, Zander.”

  Zander caught his twin’s eyes. Her secret had changed. Her greatest desire now was his survival. Disturbed at what he’d learned, Zander stood. “Alexa, I need to go. Don’t worry about me. I’m safe in the gulch even with Puck whispering his nonsense to me.” He wiggled his left eyebrow up and down, and Alexa giggled. “As long as I have my bow and no omens to fight, I’ll be fine.” He gave her a one-armed hug and tugged at one of her braids. “I’ll return in a week. We can talk more about this plan of yours then.”

  One thing he would never agree to—he wouldn’t allow her to be in danger for him. Not ever. Even if it meant using Shadow to save her. Even if that meant his heart would break.

  ~

  At the stables, Zander packed his bag. He’d come with little and hadn’t added anything but the sword. He shoved it far under the bed against the wall. It had been a foolish purchase. It would be of no use to him. Everything else fit. He threaded his bow over his shoulder and hooked his quiver to his belt, next to his almost empty bag of tokens.

  “Where are you going?” Fulk leaned against the door frame.

  Zander met the marshal’s eyes. No secret hid behind them. Only respect.

  “I’ve paid my debt to Elder Warrin. It’s best I go.”

  “And let the twerp win?”

  “What?”

  “Dharien. I’ve seen the way he bullies you. Muck in your bed and tearing apart your room. I overheard him brag to Lash about stealing your tokens. I’d say something to Warrin, but he turns a blind eye to his son’s escapades.” Fulk spat at the floor. “At least stay until the quest, and let Fate sort it out. You can earn tokens here as well as anywhere else.”

  “I need time to think. I can’t do it here.”

  “I’ll give you seven days before I say anything to Elder Warrin.”

  Zander held out his hand, and Fulk grasped it.

  “Thanks, Fulk. I’ll let you know.”

  Zander stopped at Helios’s stall and offered him a carrot. “You let Greydon ride you, you hear me?”

  Helios whinnied and pushed his nose in Zander’s chest. Zander scratched the horse’s head and whispered in his ear, “I’ll miss you, you rotten excuse for a horse.”

  Time to go. “Come on, Shadow.”

  Zander walked out the door, not knowing if he’d ever be back.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Six Weeks until the Quest

  Alexa

  Alexa sat in class and glared at Melina Odella. No one mentioned Zander’s absence. Not the fortune-teller, not the priest, and not one of the questers.

  Her mind drifted as
the priest lectured yet again on the importance of gaining tokens. Was the fortune-teller right? Would Moira allow only six to survive? She glanced at each quester. They weren’t all her friends, but she didn’t want them to die. She shuddered. If Merindah didn’t make it, what would she do?

  The priest rapped his knuckles against the table. Startled, Alexa glanced up and caught the fortune-teller’s eyes on her. She glimpsed sympathy until the fortune-teller’s gaze hardened.

  The priest cleared his throat, and then he stammered. The priest never stammered. “I . . . I have some news.”

  Across the table, Dharien tapped his fingers against the table and kept his eyes glued on the priest.

  A sheen of sweat appeared on the priest’s forehead. “The date of the quest has been moved up. You will enter the forest next Tuesday at noon and return Saturday morning. This Sunday we will have the blessing of the questers during morning service.”

  Alexa stumbled to her feet. “No!”

  Stepping back in surprise, the priest’s face darkened. “Sometimes Moira makes changes to the rules of the quest.”

  Melina Odella’s skirts swished as she paced the room. “Moira has chosen this year to test your resiliency by surprising you with this change. You have a few days yet to earn tokens. You’ll be ready.”

  As she stared at the shocked faces of the other questers, heat flushed through Alexa’s body. She sucked in her breath. “Zander won’t be fine, will he, Melina Odella?” She scowled at the fortune-teller. “Not since you stole his tokens and gave them to Dharien.”

  Dharien’s face twisted in rage. “You lie.”

  When disbelief colored the other questers’ faces, Alexa realized she’d have to be careful with what she said next. With her heart racing, she stood and faced Melina Odella. “Tell the class what I overheard you say to Dharien. The part about Fate taking half of us because we’re unlucky to have thirteen in our class.” She stepped closer and whispered, “Tell them, Melina Odella, or I’ll share the secret you’re so desperate to hide.”

  Resolve hardened on the fortune-teller’s face. “Sit down, Alexa.” A long, low sigh escaped her. “The last time there were thirteen was the year Father Chanse and I quested. Only six returned. It doesn’t mean it will happen this year.”

  Merindah burst into tears while the others sat in stunned silence.

  “We’re not prepared.” Alexa searched each quester’s eyes. “But I have a plan. Come to the bakery when the market closes today if you want to survive. Bring your patrons.” She rushed out the door without waiting for an answer.

  As she raced from the building, Alexa chose not only to control her own destiny, but the destinies of every other quester. She had a plan for Zander’s safety. She would expand it to include the others. But first, she had to find her twin. He needed to know the quest started next week.

  Since she’d left class early, Mother wasn’t expecting Alexa’s help yet. She snuck up the back staircase. Safe in her room, she pulled out her embroidery and knotted the loose thread. Zander’s figure moved deep in the forest. Even if she could find him, she wouldn’t return in time for the meeting.

  She helped in the bakery while her mind whirled with questions. Could she control the quest? Would the others attend the meeting? What would they think of her plan? She made so many mistakes, Mother dismissed her early.

  As she waited in her room for the other questers, Alexa stitched on the gulch scene. Lost in thought, Alexa startled at the knock on her bedroom door. She pricked her finger and scowled as a drop of blood fell on Zander’s figure and the cloth absorbed it. What did that portend?

  When she opened her door, Merindah stood with the other questers lined behind her. Alexa motioned them in. They sprawled across the bed and sat on the floor. Eleven teens filled the space in her small room. Odo’s kitten hissed at the dogs. Bindi’s cat stared hungrily at Merindah’s sparrow. Maybe bringing the patrons wasn’t such a great idea.

  Paal leaned against the door as if ready to bolt at any time and stated, “Dharien said he doesn’t need your plan. He’s not coming.”

  “What is the plan?” Kaiya asked. “Odo and I need to know more before we decide.”

  The others nodded.

  “It’s easier if I show you something first. Did Moira give any of you your favor early?” After they shook their heads, Alexa tied the knot on her embroidery. The teens studied the cloth and recognition flicked through their eyes as they followed Dharien’s figure moving around his estate. Zander trekked across the gulch. Eyes widened as the scene continued to change until all their figures crowded together in the bakery.

  Merindah gasped. “You’re using your favor to control the quest?”

  “I don’t know if I can control it, but I’m doing what I can to help us.”

  Odo pointed at the black panthers. “Why did you stitch those?”

  “Zander and I both have one. I hope the cage will hold them during the quest.” She held out the black panther omen. Their stricken faces told her they understood the danger.

  With a quiet voice Cobie asked, “Why would Melina Odella steal Zander’s tokens and give them to Dharien?”

  “Dharien knows a secret about the fortune-teller and the priest. He’s blackmailing them. I think it’s why they changed the quest.”

  Paal crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Why would Dharien do that?”

  “He hates Zander and wants him to go into the quest without his tokens.” Alexa’s eyes swept the room. “Zander has three tokens. That’s all. If you have any you can spare . . .” She wiped at sudden tears before continuing. “There’s something else that makes this quest more dangerous for Zander and me, but you have to keep it a secret. We’re not supposed to know.” She swallowed hard before continuing. “He’s my twin.”

  Kaiya gasped while the others sat in stunned silence. One by one they pulled out their bags and cautiously contributed tokens they believed they could do without. None of the tokens would fight the more dangerous omens, but loaves of bread, a dove, and a tiny silver star dropped in a pile on the bed.

  “Thank you.” Alexa pointed to Zander’s figure in the gulch. “Cobie? I need to find Zander. Do you think you can help me? He doesn’t know the quest starts next week.”

  Studying the embroidery, Cobie appeared thoughtful. “Yes, I think I know where he is, but it’s too late to start today. I’ll go first thing in the morning.”

  Paal left his post at the door to stare at the cloth. “It’s too far to walk. I’ll take you. My father will let us ride our horses.”

  Grateful for their concern, Alexa nodded. “Come here first, and I’ll check the cloth in case he moves.”

  Searching her eyes, Paal said, “Alexa, I think you need to come too. Our chances of finding him are better if we have the cloth.”

  Her heart softened at Paal’s concern. She was glad he hadn’t drunk the potion. She no longer wanted to trick him into falling in love with her.

  Paal turned to Cobie. “Meet me here at sunrise.”

  They clasped hands.

  “Can I go?” Kaiya asked so softly, Alexa almost didn’t hear her.

  Surprised that Kaiya cared, Alexa hesitated before agreeing. “Can you bring four horses, Paal, or is that too many?”

  “Father’s hunting with the Protectors tomorrow. If you’ll ride with me, Alexa, she can come.”

  After seeing Kaiya’s hopeful face, Alexa couldn’t say no. “It’s settled then. Now, let me tell you my plan.” She stood at the door next to Paal. “On the day of the quest, they’ll send us in into the gulch at different points. After we go in, we have to find each other. If we work together, we have a better chance to survive.” She pointed to a large oak tree she’d stitched with bright yellow flags flapping in the breeze across the branches. “This is the tree due north of the market. We’ll meet there. I’ll have my clo
th, so I can see where you are if you get lost. Those who go in closest to the tree can help find the others.”

  Merindah whispered, “You can’t take the cloth with you. You heard the priest. We can take our clothes, our journals, a water skin, and our bags of tokens and omens.”

  Alexa grabbed her scissors and slit the embroidery to the middle, careful not to cut through any stitching. She cut a circle from the center, wrapped the cloth around her waist, and pinned it. When she pulled her tunic down, the embroidery was hidden. “I’ll wear it.”

  “Alexa? Is it cheating?” Merindah paled. “I can’t cheat.”

  As she thought of the black panther omen, Alexa hesitated. “I’m not sure, but if it is cheating, then it’s my responsibility. I’ll accept the consequences.” She hoped it wouldn’t be another panther.

  “I’m not convinced we need to work together.” Paal chewed his lip. “I’m not worried about surviving the quest. Why should I share my tokens?”

  “Remember last year when Saul died the first morning of the quest?” Alexa glanced around her room and made eye contact with each of the questers. “He had plenty of tokens, but the snake struck him before he could throw one out. If he’d had help, he might have survived.”

  “Saul was my friend. He didn’t deserve to die.” Cobie took a deep breath. “I say we work together.”

  “What about Moira?” Merindah asked. “Won’t she keep us from changing the rules?”

  “I don’t know.” Alexa chewed on a fingernail. “I don’t see any other way. We have to try something.”

  Odo scratched his forehead. “My uncle says once we begin the quest, we’re on our own. We won’t earn tokens or omens, and Moira only watches. She won’t get involved.”

  “Father says you can’t cheat her,” piped up Bindi.

  Waku, who hardly ever spoke said, “My granny says Moira’s already chosen who lives and who dies.”

  “Stop.” Alexa crossed her arms. “There are lots of stories about Moira. We have to do the best we can to survive. Melina Odella called us the unlucky thirteen. We have to help each other. There’s one other thing.” She glanced around nervously and felt for Fiona in her pocket. “We all love our patrons, but if it means the difference between living and dying then we have to call for them. Do we agree on that?