MOONDOCK (14 page)

Windland

“Will she be alright mother?”

“I’m not sure Bella. The fever isn’t coming down. We should know by morning.”

Bella ran the damp cloth over Melane’s heated skin. For two days the fever raged inside the girl. Melane’s ramblings were incoherent and told them nothing of what might have happened to her. Though no one spoke of it, they all believed Melane suffered at someone’s hands. Even her father handled her arrival with caution. Bella overheard him send Tremer to Moondock, not to announce Melane’s presence, but to spy and gather information.

Bella leaned closer to Melane, “You are safe here Melane, please get better.”

“I doubt she can hear you, Bella.”

“Maybe not mother, but if so I want her to feel safe.”

Gallen’s frown deepened as he watched his daughter tend Wylan’s wife. Something terribly wrong happened to the beautiful Melane. He hoped that Tremer returned soon with answers. Gallen didn’t like keeping her whereabouts hidden from Wylan, but until he knew who did this to her it was best to keep her hidden.

Most of the girl’s ramblings concerned her home, Cibrac. Gallen grew impatient to know about this society of elamies. He didn’t pay much attention to the rumors while in Moondock, now he wished he listened better. At the time his concern rested with Bella.

Studying his daughter he wondered if she were truly over that thieving Selam. More and more of Wylan’s men tried to take elamies from Windland. If Wylan didn’t start to control his people they would end up in a war.

Gallen’s attention turned to his wife as she approached. He’d been right in getting Bella away from Moondock and Gorman.

“Did they work?”

“No Gallen. I’ve tried every herb we know of, none of them have relieved the girl’s fever.”

“I know I heard Tarra mention that leaves healed her after she collapsed from fighting Dragon.”

“I too recall Tarra mentioning them. It seems she must have used her powers again to be so ill.”

“Maybe so. Keep trying my wife, a brew may be the only thing to save her.”

Gallen left the room not wanting her to see his mounting concern. “Tremer, you best hurry.”

Once he learned what caused her flight he could act, until then Gallen wouldn’t risk letting them know she was here. No, he knew well of Wylan’s temper and he didn’t think his nephew would be very calm where Melane was concerned.

~*~

The light intruded once again on the battle Melane waged against the Kibras. Noise too seeped into her dreams until the voices broke through.

“Wake up Melane. Oh please open your eyes. Rolley is in a foul mood this morning and I can’t calm him.”

“Rolley?”

Bella jumped out of her chair and thankfully swallowed her squeal of surprise. “Melane? Oh joy, talk to me, Melane, it is I, Bella.”

“Bella? Gallen’s daughter?”

“Yes! Yes, you remember!”

Bella couldn’t sit still, she raced away and then back to the bed. “Stay here, I must get momma!”

Through the clearing haze Melane watched the excited girl race away. “But, Rolley…”

As if Rolley heard her, his great bellow sounded throughout the walls. “Rolley, sweet Rolley.” Her smile cracked her fever-dried lips, causing Melane to wince. With the pain came a slow awareness of her surroundings. In tempered deliberation her hands moved over the sheets and bed she laid upon. A wave of dizziness quickly ended her attempt to move.

“Not yet Melane, you are too weak to move about.”

It took her a moment to focus on the familiar face. “Gallen?”

“Yes, your Rolley found his way to Windland.”

“Is he all right?”

Gallen didn’t miss the apprehension coming over the girl and he knew it went beyond the animal. “Yes, Bella has nursed his wounds and made a great friend of your beast. You need not worry over him.”

“Thank Bella for me.”

Gallen smiled into the most intense eyes that spoke in silence where words failed.

“It is all right Melane. You are safe here, no one knows where you are.”

She started to struggle to rise, but Gallen’s gentle yet firm hold stilled her efforts. “Not yet Melane. You have been very ill. In fact, we worried you might not recover until we found the right brew.”

“My leaves?”

“No child, but the sea moss has been just as effective.”

Melane closed her heavy lids, lacking the strength to keep them open any longer.

“Papa?”

“She is sleeping Bella.”

“She is better though?”

“Yes, of course, the old witch knew what she needed.”

“I’m surprised she helped us.”

“Hmm, she didn’t, she helped one of her own.”

Bella’s gaze fell to Melane. “She is not a witch.”

“Ah, but she is Bella, just not an ugly or harmful one. She has the powers though, my child.”

“She’s never hurt anyone with them. Tremer said so.”

“True, but let’s not make her angry.” Gallen tried to make the warning light hearted, but it was a concern. After all he learned Melane was not to be taken lightly, “She has powers, many powers.”

~*~

“Aah! Yieka!” The boulder flew up into the air and shattered into a hundred pieces from the force of the hit.

Taking a controlled breath Melane forced the weakness away, “No more leaves, no more moss! I will be strong!” For a couple of months, Melane pushed herself to master her skills and overcome the dangers of using them. She learned how to use the power in her grasp. The biggest accomplishment for Melane was in conquering the weakness that plagued her when she exerted those powers.

She began slow and eventually built up her strength. The weakness remained a threat she always needed to conquer. Never did she want to be as vulnerable as she was before. No one would ever again have that kind of control over her.

Concentrating on the scattered remains of the boulder Melane gathered up the stones into a nearby pile. A shy smile eased her stern lips. At least Gallen enjoyed his new source of stones for the fortress wall. It was a fair trade for the protection he gave her.

Ever since her recuperation from the illness, Gallen remained her closest confidant. She told him of the events that brought her to his kingdom, all but the last event.

“Wylan.” Just saying his name made the blood rush in her veins. Nothing would ever change the force of her feelings for him. At first, she knew she pushed herself to conquer her power and the weakness, it was all she could think of doing. Still, he remained a part of her life.

In a protective gesture, her hand moved across the growing evidence of their union. Strange, how it was Gallen that told her of the child growing in her womb. He was not like any Selam she knew.

As the child of Wylan grew, her powers seemed to become stronger and more intense. Melane knew she was right to believe that the child and her increasing powers were connected. Because of what she believed she couldn’t help but wonder if her powers would leave her and go to her child at birth. Did she take her birth mother’s power when she was born? Was that how Narmar was able to kill her mother, was she left powerless?

Melane hoped this wouldn’t happen. She needed both the power and her Lamar training for what laid ahead.

Her gaze scanned the cliffs. There, she saw Boller checking the other side of the cliffs and she found Ponter, her two shadows. Closing her eyes Melane concentrated on the distant laughter, “Bella.”

Smiling, Melane wondered what new skill the girl learned from Rolley today.

Shaking her head, Melane laughed over the jealousy she first felt towards Bella because of Rolley. They were quite a team and Bella gained Rolley’s love as deep as her own tie to the Kaymog. Melane realized now that she had nothing to worry about where Rolley was concerned. He’s prowess and strength were as great as ever, and nothing would ever break the tie they maintained. Melane learned as she honed her powers that Rolley did indeed understand her. They communicated by thought, stronger than ever before.

“Great Gods, let me keep the powers. Let me share them with my child.” The request could mean her and her child’s life. She wanted this child to have all she possessed. She would also train the child to be a Lamar. “The blending of sects.”

Melane would need both strengths to keep the child safe until she could take care of herself. Never would she give the child up. “His customs are not mine! They never will be.”

“Ayi! Ya!” The ground shook from the boulder she sent flying into the cliff.

Boller’s cry made Melane spin around. The man was falling down the cliff! The boulder strike must have caused him to loose his footing.

Melane’s hand came out and she focused all her force on Boller as if the world slowed down Boller ceased to fall. Very slowly Melane lifted him through the air and brought him to stand before her. “You are too clumsy Boller.” Melane tried not to smile, but failed under the rush of curses coming from the man.

“You are too dangerous to be anywhere near!”

“That’s not true, I just saved you.”

“Right, and that boulder just hopped up and slammed into the cliff all by itself?”

“Hmm, is that what happened?” Before he could scream at her, “Would you like help going back up?”

“No thanks! I can manage.”

She covered her mouth to avoid laughing at the man stalking off in anger. She watched him to be sure his anger didn’t cause him to be careless on his climb up the rocks.

“You can stop worrying now, Melane!” Boller called down to her from the top of the cliff, she waved back.

She felt relieved to hear the humor back in his voice. She didn’t think she would get used to anyone but Boller watching her all the time. At first, she’d been livid over his presence and Gallen’s order that Boller and Ponter would always accompany her. She felt like a prisoner, but that was far from the truth. Without these two, Melane’s presence would have already been known by all. More than once the two of them prevented riders from stumbling upon her. It was Boller that discovered this cove for Melane’s practices, as he called them.

Boller and Ponter also came to her, on their own, and pledged their loyalty to her. Still unsure of how to perceive this side of a Selam’s mannerism she didn’t quite understand the extent of their pledge. Melane learned that these two Selams would forfeit their lives to protect her. Though Melane would never ask for such a sacrifice, she did respect the strength of their loyalty. Her respect of them, and to all of Gallen’s family went as far.

Gallen offered Melane her own house here in Windland. The memory made her laugh. Everyone knew Gallen’s offer was one of self preservation. Oh, yes, the man’s home was being devoured by one very large Kaymog!

“He must go! There is not a tree left with bark on it, and my wife is still carrying on over the flowers he’s eaten.”

They rode nearly a mile up the coastline before Gallen felt it a safe distance. “Here, here you can build your house and pen for the beast.”

Boller and Ponter came with the house that day, for Gallen feared the roving bands of Selams from Wylan’s Moondock. Melane learned that the Selam raids were increasing and though Wylan swore to stop them, the lure of elamies became stronger than their king’s decree.

If asked, Melane wouldn’t admit how safe her shadows made her feel. She knew her powers were formidable weapons and she could take care of herself should any marauders show. What Melane feared more, was having Wylan discover her presence.

They all tried to protect her from the knowledge that both Majok and Wylan were searching for her. Dear Bella was not one to keep a secret. Majok’s search parties didn’t go on for long. Wylan was another matter and Melane had no desire to face him again. She truly feared what he might do if he learned of his child she carried.

The house went up quickly as Gallen put many Selams working on it. Melane never expected anything as grand as the cliff house they erected. Already the walled courtyard for Rolley was nearly finished. Rolley had the forest to forge in for food and he’d gleaned a strong liking for seaweed thanks to Bella. The girl decided it would save trees if they could find a different diet for Rolley.

Bella became a permanent resident with Melane. The rift between father and daughter seemed smaller from a distance. Melane enjoyed the girl’s company. Bella enjoyed Rolley and pampering Melane. She was truly the mothering kind, she seemed more excited than Melane over the pending birth.

It felt rather strange how much the child changed Melane. The physical changes to her body were hard to deal with, yet fascinating to Melane. What she didn’t like was the enlightenment she gained. Melane no longer held any credence with the casting of Nemow’s sects. As Shemon told her, not all the rules were good ones or true. If Melane doubted it before, she became living proof of the society’s errors. She’d thought long and hard on changes the Nemows were going to face when the Selams enter their world.

At this very moment, Gallen would be meeting with his council to discuss Cibrac. He asked Melane not to show herself at the meeting, and she respected his wishes. She couldn’t help but feel anxious over the news of their decision. Gallen felt confident that the council would vote to help Cibrac, if nothing else the lure of a whole race of elamies wouldn’t hurt.

~*~

“What are you saying Gallen?”

“Melane is here and under my protection, Wylan. This will not change.”

“You cannot expect me to accept your decree.”

“But I do, Wylan. She is no longer under your control and neither will she allow it.”

“We’ll see…”

“No, we won’t!” The man’s hand hit the table. “You agree to these terms now, Wylan, or get out of Windland!”

Gallen stood his ground before the furious Wylan, relieved that he insisted on keeping Melane away from the council meeting.

“I will not accept this!”

“Then leave the council, but before you do, realize what you are giving up for your kingdom. One Elamie for a whole society of Elamies? No more fighting Wylan, no more will the Selams want for Elamies.”

“She told you…”

“Melane asked for our help. Wants our protection and in return, we will combine our worlds. It seems like a good trade.”