The Fog of Forgetting (26 page)

In front of him, Evelyn tripped on a small rock and fell. Chase stopped to help her up. When he looked at her he was alarmed. Her lips were blue and her teeth were chattering. He chastised himself for forgetting that as thin and ill-suited as his and Knox's clothing were, hers were even more so. She was out in the mountains wearing what amounted to pajamas. He unwrapped his robe and tied it over her.

“Here. You're freezing.”

She looked at him gratefully, then pointed to her feet, clad only in sandals and thin socks.

“It's my feet. I don't think I can go on much farther without warming them up.”

Chase yelled ahead to Knox, who turned around. They stood a discreet distance from Evelyn.

“We have to make a fire before she freezes to death, and we have to do it while we still have enough places to find tinder and fuel,” said Chase.

“What about Dankar?” asked Knox, shivering.

“Death by Dankar or by freezing are pretty much even in my mind. I think we should risk it.”

Knox nodded. “Let's make a fire here; we can warm up, then carry a coal with us. I think I can figure out how to make an ember chamber.” He surveyed their immediate surroundings, stony and cold and silent. “It might not matter, anyway—we'll probably starve before we get much farther north.”

“Perfect,” said Chase sarcastically.

“Hey, the mountains were your idea—” Knox started to say, but cut himself short.

Evelyn offered to begin the fire-making process if they could find sticks and tinder. They brought her enough dry grass and small sticks for her to begin.

Using a sharp rock to gouge a narrow cup into a flat stick, she inserted a pinch of dry grass and poked another, longer stick into the cup. Then she chafed the end of the long stick between her palms, rubbing it back and forth as fast as she could. She was weak and tired and the effort quickly exhausted her, but she kept at it. Back in Melor, she had watched Mara make fire this way within minutes, but she had never tried to do it—or even thought she would need to. She remembered how they all had complained in Melor; how unfair it had seemed then that they would have to stay at Seaborne's cabin. Now, she would give anything to be back there, with Frankie and Teddy and Seaborne, forever. She was too cold and miserable to cry, but a tiny voice inside her began to chant:
Please, please, please
. She wasn't even sure who or what she was appealing to. It didn't occur to her to ask for anything more. A fire would be enough.

It didn't happen right away. Knox came back with an armful of dried grass and more twigs. They were having difficulty finding larger pieces of dry wood. She barely heard him through the sound of the chant in her head and the effort of rubbing her palms together. She was aware of the heat emanating from the tinder. Then, with a small crackle, the tinder began to smoke. Bending down, she blew gently over the flat stick, feeding the spark. It glowed with heat and she removed the friction stick. She cupped her treasure in both hands and transferred the starter to the nest of dried grass that Knox had built on one of the flat rock tables nearby. She nursed the starter, feeding it with small twigs until a flame began to blaze. By the time the boys returned, laden down with wood, the fire was crackling along well. The sky grew darker and a dry mist descended in the valleys between the mountains, seeping slowly across the foothills.

Knox gave an appreciative bow. “Looks like we have a fire starter in the family.”

Evelyn flushed a little; but it was true—they did feel like family. Broken and filled with gaps, but a family nonetheless. Knox held out his hands to warm them and snuck an expectant look at Chase. Evelyn caught it and eyed both boys suspiciously.

“What?” she said, wanting in on the secret.

“Should we tell her, Knox?” Chase asked.

“Well … I dunno.” Knox pretended to stall. “Okay, I guess.” Then he ran off. When he returned, he held three dead birds upside down by the feet.

“Dinner!” he crowed. “And it's not bugs! They were just sitting there, like they were waiting for us! I threw a few rocks and they keeled over, just like that.” He began plucking feathers vigorously. When the birds were clean, they speared them and stuck them over the fire to cook. Their scent filled the air. They could barely wait for the meat to cook before tearing into them.

“I'm so happy, I don't even care if Dankar finds us,” said Knox, licking his fingers.

“Well, you would, lad, if you had half a brain,” said a deep, gravelly voice from down the hill. “I hope you've left me something!”

Seaborne's familiar shape came striding into view. He wore his long, tattered officer's jacket with the stained sleeves under a thick, fur-lined coat and leather boots. His eyes danced. Chase, Knox, and Evelyn were on him in a flash, tackling him to the ground.

“How did you find us?” Knox asked, a broad grin splitting his face.

“Well, I had some difficulty, I must admit, until you lit that fire—I smelled it right away and then, when you started roasting the birds, well, the hounds led me straight here in a dead run.”

“The hounds?” cried Knox.

Seaborne whistled, and within seconds Axl and Tar were bounding into their midst, each pulling a small sled with wheels on the bottom. Seaborne freed the dogs, and when they had been sufficiently hugged and patted, he unloaded the sleds.

“Mara and Calla thought you might be able to use these,” he grunted, and threw each of them a pair of leather boots. Then he unpacked blankets, fur-lined clothing, ponchos, and, finally, two baskets of food. Chase, Knox, and Evelyn quickly donned the familiar Melorian clothing, not bothering to remove their Metrian garb. Evelyn sighed gratefully as she put on her boots.

Seaborne sat down by the fire and offered food from the baskets. He looked at the three of them in turn, slowly chewing a strip of smoked meat. Chase couldn't tell if he was annoyed or proud of them—maybe a little of both. Finally Seaborne spoke.

“Well, I'll hand it to the three of you. Not many on Ayda would disobey one Keeper, then steal from another. It's no wonder you ran away. I'm questioning the choice of the mountains, though. Not very well thought out. I thought we'd trained you better.”

Knox protested; Seaborne waved him off.

“Good thing you're well-liked or you'd find yourself in a pretty pickle. When Rothermel heard what you did, he was half-ready to let Dankar have you.”

An uncomfortable silence followed, lightened only by Axl, who groaned happily as she stretched her back to the fire. Evelyn was nestled deep inside the hood of her poncho.

“Why didn't he?” she asked quietly.

“Rysta intervened in your favor, and you had a few other—fans.”

“
Rysta
intervened,” Chase repeated, surprised. “Did you know about—”

“About your
brother?
” Seaborne finished, his voice rising. “Aye. Fine job that was, taking a small boy out on the river like that.” He glared at each of them, then he stretched out his legs and yawned. “Well, I suppose he's better off than you are at the moment.”

“We were headed back to Melor,” blurted Knox, trying to explain.

Seaborne sniffed. “As if we'd have you.”

“We didn't mean it to happen. We didn't mean for Teddy—”

“DIDN'T MEAN TO!” Seaborne yelled, with a force that made them all start. “What did you think would happen if you crossed a Keeper? You think she'd let you prance off with her necklace, right as rain, straight into the hands of the enemy? After everything she and Rothermel told you? You three have always been a little thick in the head.”

“Is Teddy okay?” Chase whispered, looking at the ground.

“No thanks to you lot. Rysta didn't want him killed by your stupidity, so she sent the sea turtles to collect him.”

“He's with Rysta, then? Alive? You're
sure?
” asked Chase, meeting Seaborne's eye.

Seaborne gave a quick nod. Chase felt the heavy knob in his chest break apart, replaced by a swooping sense of joy.
Teddy was alive!

“Wait,” said Knox. “I don't get it. Rysta let us go? With the necklace?”

“You really haven't learned anything, have you?” replied Seaborne. “The necklace is valuable, and not something she'd be pleased to tender, but the greater loss to her would have been the four of you. Did you really think she wouldn't know what you were up to? Do you think she couldn't guess?” He shot a severe look at Evelyn, then bit into his meat with an exasperated snort. “She's a mite older than you, for starters, and she's seen a thing or two. You thought you were being so tricky, sneaking off after that song and dance. The fact is—she
gave
you the necklace. She knew from your thoughts, particularly yours,” said Seaborne, gesturing at Evelyn, “that you were determined to confront Dankar. She knew if you had the necklace she could protect you in some way. If you had it, she could use it to guide and advise you—did you not sense that? The necklace is of little use on its own without Rysta. She's connected to it.”

Chase nodded vigorously. “The skiffs—it was like they steered themselves. I thought it was Teddy, you know, his thoughts, or something! He was wearing the necklace and I thought it followed his wishes.”

“Yes, well, that was her error. She didn't plan on the little one wearing it. She thought Evelyn would keep it. Even so, she could not let you take Teddy to Dankar, so she stopped you.” He glared at them again. “To the end of my days I will never understand what overcame the three of you. Taking a little boy on the river with nothing but the clothes on your back. Madness.”

Seaborne shifted over and removed a large, wrapped bundle from one of the sleds. “But to your credit, you shook things up. Something has happened that has not happened in—” He began to count on his fingers with an absentminded expression, then shook his head. “Let's just say in a very long time.” He cradled the bundle in his lap and whistled softly under his breath.

“What?” Knox cried, unable to bear Seaborne's attempt at suspense.

“There was a meeting,” he said solemnly.

“What kind of meeting?” asked Evelyn.

“A secret meeting between Rothermel and Rysta—and a bittersweet reunion it was, I'm told. I was not there myself.” His expression clouded over for a moment. “But not many were. It was brief.”

“And it was about—us?” asked Evelyn.

Seaborne nodded. “Yes, to be sure, but not just you. Since Tinator's daylights were sent back to their source, there has been a growing restlessness in Melor. The scent of revenge lies thick in the Wold—it has led to some impetuous and foolish acts,” his eyes darkened. “Not unlike your little adventure here. At the meeting, Rothermel and Rysta took brief counsel with one another. The idea of open war was dismissed, but your idea of using some precious gift as a negotiating tool was examined and determined to—ah—have merit—”

“—not a stone?” Evelyn gasped.

“Of course not,” Seaborne scoffed. “But it was discussed that perhaps something else would do. Something Dankar wants very much.” He grew quiet, allowing his words to sink in.

Chase understood immediately.

“You mean us.”

Seaborne nodded. “I was told that your decision to abandon Rysta and the comfort and protection of Metria was seen as a declaration of willingness to expose yourself to the enemy. After much argument, it was decided that this could be used to Ayda's advantage: Rothermel would agree to turn you over to Dankar in exchange for a truce with Melor.”

“But … but … he knows Dankar is a liar and a cheat!” Knox sputtered. “Why would Rothermel ever expect him to honor a truce?”

Seaborne's lips clenched into a tight line.

“There would be some guarantees: You would be given to him one by one. If the truce were broken, the exchanges would cease.”

“That's slavery—no better than Dankar would do himself. I don't believe it! I thought the Keepers were under oath to protect us, not offer us up as live sacrifices!” objected Evelyn, flushed with outrage.

“That is the same argument Rysta used. But the case was made that you already accepted that fate—by your actions. You had been told of the danger, yet you chose to run away.”

Evelyn stood up and stared down at him. “Is that what
you
think? We should be sacrificed to Dankar as … as punishment for trying to find my sister? Do you think that's justice?”

Seaborne shook his head. “Nay, Evelyn, calm yourself. I do not agree with the council. Nor do the few others who know of it. But there is great peril in Ayda, and some wonder if you were not sent to us for this very reason.”

“To be offered to Dankar?” Evelyn sneered.

“Aye.” Seaborne's voice was heavy with the truth. “I've been told to collect you and bring you back to the Wold. You are of no use to anyone if you are caught here in the wild.”

Evelyn, Knox, and Chase stared at Seaborne disbelievingly. On instinct, they gravitated toward one another. Knox reached for one of the logs by the fire to use as a club.

“There's no need for that, Knox. I told you when I first met you, I'm not your enemy.” Seaborne gave him a wan, exhausted smile.

“I'm beginning to wonder if there's much difference between a friend and an enemy here,” said Knox.

“I was sent here to collect you, true, but I didn't say that was what I'm going to do.” Seaborne stood and gave them a smile so familiar and endearing to the three of them that they almost dropped their guard. As he took a step forward, they stepped back as one, away from him.

“Come now. Have you lost all faith in your old friend, Seaborne?”

They did not respond.

“Maybe this will change your feelings.” With a flourish he lifted one of the remaining bundles from the sleds and opened the flap. To their astonishment an assortment of weapons fell to the ground: Chase's sword, Knox's knives, Evelyn's dagger, and an assortment of slingshots. Then, Seaborne drew out Tinator's massive crossbow and a quiver full of sharpened bolts and hefted it onto his shoulder. “I'll be using this, if you please. The others, I think, belong to you.”