Aloft

by J F Rogers

  The temple door opened. Soon-to-be King Abracham stepped in, coughed, and waved the dust away. Dust settled in his Merlin beard. “When you’re through, we could use your help.”

  I surveyed the disaster before us. “Shouldn’t we clean this mess first?”

  Abracham shook his head, his face somber. “This can wait. No one needs this temple anymore. The whole thing should come down. I doubt God wants it restored even for His purposes. I’m sure He’d rather we build a temple dedicated only to Him. But that’s for King Aleksander to decide another time. Right now, we need help with the kids.”

  “Kids?” I walked toward him, swiping the dust from my hair and clothes. The others followed. “What kids?”

  “The fasgadair didn’t want to exhaust their food supply.” Abracham’s frown deepened. “They left women and children trapped in their homes.”

  “That’s awful.” Those poor kids. How long were they trapped? Did the fasgadair feed them? Or only feed on them? My heart squeezed, and I forced the welling rage down and questioned Alastar. “Did you know about this?”

  He sucked in a breath, then hung his head.

  “Don’t be too hard on him.” Abracham placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. “He’s the one who alerted us to check for captives the moment the castle was secure.”

  Alastar’s Adam’s apple bobbed as I shook my head at him. I followed Abracham into the courtyard. Good thing I’d released so much pent-up anger on the idols. Forgiving Alastar would require a lot of strength.

  But was I innocent? I’d made my own share of mistakes. Didn’t I want others to forgive me? And if he was anything like me, he probably beat himself up more than I ever could. Yet even more guilt compacted in my gut. Why did I have to make him feel worse than he already did?

  I’d need to deal with that later. For now, I needed to be strong for the kids.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ◊◊◊

  WE WALKED THROUGH THE villages. Soldiers carried dirty children along the stone path toward the castle. Matted hair clung to grimy faces. Eyes squinted in sunlight they probably hadn’t seen in… How long were we away? Two months at least.

  The path thinned as the cement homes grew closer together and stacked. We wove through homes, climbed stairs, and traversed atop other homes. Abracham better not leave us. I feared getting lost in this maze. The doors we passed had been ajar. But here, the doors were closed.

  “Check that one.” He pointed to a closed door. “Check all the closed doors until you have a child to bring to the castle or every home is cleared. Leave the doors open as you go so others will know it’s cleared.”

  As I entered a dark house with Kai so close behind, his breath wafted my hair. It took a moment to adjust my eyes in the dim lighting. There were no windows. And nowhere to hide. A ratty carpet and a low table were the only furnishings. I peeked under the table before moving to another door in the back. Half the room was open, overlooking the land and sea beyond the kingdom’s protective border. A cook stove dominated the small space. Soot caked the surrounding walls. I’d never complain about my bedroom or how little my grandmother provided for me again. I was rich compared with whoever lived here.

  I snooped over the edge of the wall—two stories high at least. The scent of sewage wafted up, ruining an otherwise beautiful ocean view. Had the prior residents dumped their chamber pots outside the wall too? Or just the captives? Flies buzzed, and I ducked back inside to a different stench, probably from mold.

  To the right, we found another room. This one had a dresser with a chamber pot and a sleeping mat. Something stirred. I inched closer. Children, huddled in the corner, squeezed tighter to each other and whimpered.

  I couldn’t tell how many. Not wanting to frighten them, I squatted. “You’re safe now. The fasgadair are gone. We’re here to bring you to the castle to get you some food. Are you hungry?”

  They rustled. Someone whispered. Then a child emerged from the shadows. Greasy hair hung in clumps. She splayed her hands as if ready to protect the children who followed. Her eyes narrowed at me as she cocked her head. “Fallon?” she asked, her voice weak.

  A lump formed in my throat. The small face was familiar. A bit older and haggard. But could this be? “Colleen?”

  “It is you!” She flung herself into my arms.

  I fell backward onto my butt. She burst into heart-wrenching sobs as I rocked her, smoothing her hair. As much as I wanted to know what happened, I couldn’t traumatize the girl by making her relive whatever horrific events had taken place here. This poor kid. She’d started as an orphan, left to die from the Treasach, rescued by the Cael. She must’ve escaped Notirr and spent the last year in this place only to live in fear for all these months as fasgadair terrorized the city. I kissed her head, not caring how dirty it was. I tried to blink back my tears, but a few escaped, landing in her hair.

  Although I had my parents until I was three and my grandmother raised me, I, too, was an orphan. And my heart broke for this poor kid who had experienced so much more heartache than I had at such a young age.

  Three more kids emerged, one crawling.

  As if sensing them, Colleen stood, swiped at her eyes, and smiled at the kids. “It’s okay. We really are safe now.” How old was she now? Five or six?

  I moved to my knees. Two of the other kids seemed a little younger than Colleen… three or four. The other couldn’t be more than two. Had she been caring for them all this time? My eyes welled up again.

  I shimmied toward the littlest and held my arms out. “Can I carry you?”

  The toddler searched Colleen, then crawled into my arms when she nodded.

  Turning to the other two, I pointed to Kai. “This is my friend, Kai. He’s very nice. Would it be okay if he carried you?”

  When they approached him, Kai squatted, wrapped his arms around each one, and stood. The kids eyed each other as they rose into the air and giggled. I’d never seen him look more attractive than with a filthy child in each arm.

  I grabbed Colleen’s bony hand. “Are you okay to walk?”

  She wiped away more tears, still smiling.

  ****

  That night, before heading to the bonfire, I returned to the room I’d shared with Rowan. I held my breath as I nudged open the door. The bed had been made. Everything had been straightened. I vaulted over to the dresser and yanked the top drawer open, then sighed at the welcoming sight of familiar items: jeans, T-shirts, underwear, the selkie dress… I could thank God I’d only had time to shove Rowan as a raccoon in a pack with a few other things before I was kidnaped. And thank Him my friends didn’t grab much before they set sail.

  I rummaged through my stuff. Where was the rest of it?

  I crossed the room to the bathroom. My brush, toothpaste… all my toiletries were in a basket by the tub. Thank You, God!

  “Whoa!” My mirrored reflection was frightening. Grimy from cleaning the castle and holding Colleen, I looked like an elderly person with mostly gray hair from plaster dust. How had she recognized me? I wouldn’t have come to me if I’d been her. Then again, after what she and those poor kids had been through…

  I choked down the thought. My overactive imagination wouldn’t make things better for her. They were being cared for now. And it would be quite the job after months of uncleanliness, despite Colleen’s efforts. And I’d come in close contact.

  My skin itched. I desperately needed to scrub myself.

  After cleaning up, I headed to the bonfire feeling better than I had in a long time despite my exhaustion. My friends sat on a grassy mound. Peaceful, warm firelight flicked shadows across their faces. They smiled and waved, motioning for me to join them.

  I ran my fingers through the soft grass and reflected on all that had transpired. The kids were clean, fed, and tucked away snuggly on their cots, which, at first seemed meager. But now, after seeing their clean faces and smiles nestled in blankets, they had what they needed. And I had extra j
eans and T-shirts again. And the selkie dress. I’d need that for our mission.

  No. I wouldn’t spoil the mood by thinking about that now.

  People played flutes while others beat drums. Many danced around the fire. The scene reminded me of the celebration at Notirr when I first arrived in Ariboslia. The warmth from the fire and memories filled my soul.

  And, unlike our last stay in Bandia, we no longer felt separated by race or culture. Bandia may not be our home, but we were connected. United by our experiences and faith.

  How did I get here? A confused, lost girl with only one friend, raised by a grandmother who hated her. I had been so lonely, miserable to the point of cutting myself. What a difference to be sitting here with friends and family, my heavenly Father among us and within us, uniting us. I was so blessed.

  King Aleksander handed Kai a stringed instrument. “It’s not a torman-ciùil, but perhaps you can play it.”

  How did King Aleksander know Kai played a torman-ciùil?

  Kai accepted the instrument, placed it in his lap, and plucked the strings.

  “You’re supposed to hold it—”

  The beautiful sounds coming from Kai’s plucking stopped the king’s correction.

  “Or play it like that.” King Aleksander smiled and closed his eyes, his head floating to the melody.

  Kai’s song fit right in with the flutes and drums. Sounds of pure beauty drifted into the night sky and my soul. I half expected the warm fuzzies inside me to burst from every pore as if my body couldn’t contain such bliss and wanted to share it with everyone around me.

  I leaned back, bracing myself on my palms behind me, and breathed in the fresh air. The fire’s flickering light mesmerized me. Shadows danced. Sparks swirled and popped like fireflies. How could something so dangerous be so calming? I sat up, wiped the grass from my pockmarked palms, and placed a hand on Declan’s arm, no longer fazed by the electrical charge. “I’m curious… ”

  “Hmm?”

  “When we left Kylemore, a fur—no, a fire dragon—spit fire at me. The flame split in two. I could never figure out how that happened. Was that you?”

  He gave a sheepish grin.

  I nodded. “I thought so.”

  His emerald irises reflecting the firelight as if to confirm his control over it, his face grew serious. “I wasn’t trying to stalk you. Morrigan wanted you followed. I volunteered to keep you safe. Another fasgadair might have given in to temptation and killed you. I don’t think Morrigan wanted anything to happen to you either.”

  That made no sense. She tried having me killed before I was born. Then Aodan attempted to kill me, which I’m sure was part of her plan. Why would she want to keep me alive now? She must have something worse than my death in mind. I shuddered. Best not to dwell on whatever evil schemes she had brewing. For now, something else piqued my curiosity. “What happened? How did you become a fasgadair?”

  Declan folded his arms across his knees, then hugged them close. “Your mother, Cahal, and I went to Diabalta. We planned to unite with the pech and Ain-Dìleas to reclaim our lands. To succeed, we needed to know what we were up against. But we never made it near the city. We passed burned villages along the way, searching for anyone who might still be alive. We didn’t find anyone.” He dug his chin against his right knee, pain contorting his face and glazing his eyes as he gazed into the fire. “Though we kept to the woods, a fasgadair pod found us. We fought them off… for the most part.”

  My hand slid off his arm. Even as I shied from causing him pain, the question escaped. “What do you mean?”

  “One got me. It sucked my blood until I was nearly dead. While Cataleen and Cahal fought off the others, that one dragged me away.”

  “I tried tracking him.” Cahal’s deep voice boomed behind me.

  I jumped, and my hand rose to shield my pounding heart. “You scared me.”

  Cahal sat, and we shifted to include him in the conversation. Sitting higher on the hill, he loomed well above us. Alastar moved next to him.

  “I protected Cataleen. Once she was safe, Declan was… ” He squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed hard. Then his remorseful gaze fell on Declan. “Gone.”

  Declan patted Cahal’s shoulder. “You did the right thing. Everything worked out according to God’s plan.”

  A man of few words, Cahal tipped his massive head and quirked his lips, acknowledging Declan’s forgiveness.

  “So, how’d you become a fasgadair?” I asked.

  “The fasgadair didn’t give me a choice. He poured blood into my mouth while I was half-conscious. I thought I’d go berserk like the stories I’d heard.” He quirked one side of his face in a mixture of pain and disgust. “But I never killed anyone. God spared me from that. He never left me, even in that demonic state. I was a believer first, converted against my will, and He protected me, helping me not to give in to the temptation.”

  He lifted his face. His intense sea-green eyes delved mine. “That’s why I didn’t want you to change me. I believed God allowed me to be changed into a fasgadair so I could rescue you. I never could’ve predicted God’s actual plan.”

  I snickered. “It’d be nice if He let us in on His plans, wouldn’t it?”

  “Sometimes He does.” Declan shrugged. “Through Sully and others. Sometimes He speaks to us directly.”

  True. And sometimes we don’t listen.

  “We need to remember what He’s done for us already when we confront seemingly impossible odds.” Declan stretched his legs out before him and drummed his hands on his thighs.

  Right. And a nagging feeling told me it wouldn’t be long.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ◊◊◊

  I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT to expect at the stronghold or during the upcoming war. So, I attempted to prepare for everything. In a twisted way, it reminded me of high school. Each day was so regimented. I developed a strict routine in two weeks. The schedule comforted me.

  Before heading for breakfast, I stepped outside into the courtyard.

  “Fallon!” Colleen raced to me, blonde curls bouncing. Her face had filled out, and her cheeks were rosy from fresh air.

  I crouched to receive her hug, inhaling the calming lavender the Ain Dìleas infused into their soaps. Her charges fell in behind her, squeezing themselves in for a giant embrace. Though they had adults to care for them now, they still followed Colleen around as if she were their mother. So cute. Seeing them each morning warmed my heart. They provided the strength and determination I needed to push myself. My little reminders of what I was fighting for.

  They backed away, offering breathing room.

  “Was breakfast good today?”

  Exaggerated nods bobbed their heads.

  “Something with apples and cinnamon.” Colleen rubbed her stomach and rolled her eyes as if in ecstasy. “So good.”

  I smiled at the return of her little overly dramatic personality. And she’d always been a mother hen. Almost as if God knew what would happen and created her for that purpose. My eyes teared up. More evidence He was always near, going before us, providing everything we’d need to get through troubles ahead.

  “What are the guardians doing with you today?”

  Colleen’s blue eyes grew big as she closed in, invading my personal space, her breath warming my face. “They’re taking us up the mountain.”

  “Wow. Are you strong enough to hike the mountain?”

  “Aye.” One of her charges, Corwin, flexed his muscle. “We very strong.”

  Her other older charge, Nialla, beamed with confidence. “Colleen will help us.”

  I pointed to her youngest, sitting with his thumb in his mouth. “And what about Beagan? Will someone carry him?”

  Colleen confirmed by sending her curls bouncing again. “The nurse has a sling. She attaches him to her back.”

  “Well, that sounds fun.” My stomach rumbled, and the kids laughed. “I guess it’s time for me to eat.” I hu
gged them once more and kissed their sweet, lavender-scented heads. “Have fun on the mountain.”

  A spicy scent met me as I entered the foyer. I dragged the heavy dining room doors, and a blast of cinnamon, fresh-baked bread, coffee, clinking china, and conversation launched through the crack. My stomach rumbled again. It had grown accustomed to a fabulous meal this time of day. I swooped to my usual spot with Wolf, Cahal, my mother, Declan, Alastar, and Maili and found my empty seat, next to Kai. King Aleksander and King Abracham sat at the head of the table.

  How was King Aleksander managing without Rowan? I know I missed her. I lost my roommate, traveling companion, and confidant. But the king had only just found her after believing she was kidnaped. And now he’d lost her again.

  The familiar guilt clenched my gut. If only I hadn’t lost Turas. Rowan and Evan would be here. The selkie would be here. The stronghold would be ours already. And we’d have access to more resources.

  At least I was back with my friends and family.

  I scraped my chair out along the tile. Kai turned from his conversation with Declan and flashed me his dimples. Would I ever grow tired of that smile? Doubtful.

  “What’s on the menu this morning?” I grasped my chair seat and hopped it forward until I was close enough to the table. “I hear there’s apple and cinnamon. It smells wonderful.” I glanced around at the waitstaff serving plates, making their way toward this end of the room.

  Kai shrugged.

  Declan leaned forward to see me past Kai. “It’s ‘breacag’.”

  Okaaay… I grimaced. “That doesn’t sound as wonderful as it smells.”

  “It is, trust me. It’s been so long since I’ve had any.” He licked his lips.

  A servant came by with a carafe. “Care for coffee, miss?”

  “Yes, please.” I grabbed the cup resting upside down on a saucer and held it for her to pour the steaming liquid.

  She filled the cup and curtseyed.