Whisper and Rise (21 page)

“Far away,” he answered. “It’s a place you can’t reach without magic—magic that’s in the stone I lost.”

“Magic?”

Darian nodded.

“I’ll take you there to get the emerald.”

“Is that your horse?”

I smiled as Maeia nudged the back of my neck with her nose. “This is Maeia,” I told him. “Would you like to ride her to DarMattey?”

Dry air and dust clung to my lips as we rode Maeia down the mountain. I squinted to see—an effect from cave life—and when a bright flash of sunlight met my eyes, I winced and covered my face with my hand. The heat affected Maeia, too. She ducked under the shade of a tree and stopped walking. There, a thin breeze enveloped us like a soft flower petal.

“Is that the place?” asked Darian, sliding down from his place behind me. They were the first words he’d spoken since our argument at the top of the ridge. He pointed at the square buildings in the distance.

“Yes,” I answered, scratching my throat with the word. “That’s DarMattey.”

We walked the rest of the hill and when we reached Sianna’s store, I led Maeia to the shaded corral on the east side. She buried her face in the trough of water and lapped up deserved refreshment. I felt like joining her, but returned to Darian at the front of the building.

He had leapt onto the promenade. “Is the emerald inside?” he asked, peering against the window.

“No, these are friends of mine. I stayed with them for a few days after—”

“After what?” Darian jumped to the road, spilling dust in a cloud around him.

I shook my head. I didn’t want to tell him that I was sent here to escape from him. “I’m certain we can get food inside,” I told him, trying to avoid the question. “And there’s a river out back. It’s good water. Aisling is on the other side.”

“Really?” Darian peered around the corner of the building and stared at the trees. “I can’t hear it.”

“You have to walk a while,” I explained. “There are cliffs and waterfalls. From there, you can climb straight into my village.” My heart smiled as I told him. Watching him react to my words was a pleasant change. The journey down Taylor’s Ridge had felt so lonely. “The old ones talk about a bridge that used to cross the river. An ancient storm tore it away.”

“A bridge?” Darian was still watching the woods.

“It’s not there anymore.”

He dusted his pants and flashed a grin. “It’s good to hear your voice again.”

“When I’m not yelling?”

Darian shrugged. He reached for my hand and led me along the road. “Where can we find the emerald?”

I smiled at his reconciling words; my cheeks felt warm and tight. As I followed him my steps barely reached the dirt. “It’s at the end of town,” I said. I allowed my hand to sway with his.

Though hungry, parched, and tired, I was filled with contentment as we wandered through the crowded road. Nothing could ruin the moment. Nothing—except for the three men who stepped in front of us.

“Welcome back, faerie,” said the tallest one.

Whatever smile I had left me with a shiver. I nudged Darian toward the opposite side of the road. “Come on,” I told him. “This way.”

“Hey, where are you going?” The middle man moved to block us. He sneered at Darian. “Here for a lover’s walk through town?”

“Leave us alone,” I said. I released Darian’s hand and clenched both fists in anger.

The man held his arm out while the two others stepped behind us. I shot frantic glances around us, wary of their intentions.

“What do you want?” Darian’s voice lost its comforting tone.

“We’ve no business with you, stranger,” said the largest one. “Leave your girlfriend with us. We’ll take care of her.” The laugh at the end of his words was sharp and twisted.

“If you have business with her, then you have business with me.” Darian turned to me. “Who are these men?”

“They’re trouble,” I answered. My voice shook. “Let’s go.”

Someone grabbed my dress from behind. Once there was a time when I would have cowed before these bullies. But after being captured, burned out of house and home, and living like an exile in a cave, I was no longer that timid, quiet girl. Swatting the hand away with ferocity that even surprised me, I turned to confront the bully.

As I turned, the fighting started. With a flash of blue, Darian dodged a blow from the middle man and elbowed him in the back, knocking the man to the dirt. Darian spun to face me and caught a large fist in the back of his head. It happened so fast, my cry of warning still rang in the dusty air as Darian fell forward, on top of the man he had elbowed. That man stood and threw Darian to the dirt. Someone grabbed my arms, holding them back, squeezing the life from them. I struggled furiously, but couldn’t break free.

A kick into the dirt snapped Darian’s head back. Blood and filth covered his jaw. He rolled on the ground. The tall man stomped toward him, but jumped back when Darian scrambled to his feet. Through the dust, Darian pointed the end of the blade my father had given us.

“Leave us alone,” he said, stabbing the air between him and the men.

The man squeezed my arms tighter. I responded by snapping my head backwards, and was gratified to hear a grunt of pain.

“Afraid of a fair fight, eh,” said the taller man. He reached toward Darian, then flinched back to cradle his hand.

“I’ll do what I need to get home,” said Darian, snarling as he took another swing with the blade. “Let her go.”

“What’s going on?” Through the cloud of dust, the wagon maker stepped forward. “What’s this trouble?”

As my arms dropped free, I rushed to him. “Thank you, sir,” I said.

“It’s a fight, Wayne,” said the taller one. “He threatened us with a knife.”

“I see it’s a fight.” Wayne glared at Darian. “Who are you?”

“I’m Darian.”

“He’s my friend.” I squeezed Wayne’s arm. “They started the trouble.” I pointed at the three men. “We’re going to see Oscar Schill.”

Wayne grabbed Darian’s hand and snatched the knife in one motion. “Get this thing out of the street,” he said. “You’re gonna hurt someone.” He shoved Darian forward.

“Sir, please?” I tried begging.

“Both of you, go to your business if it’s here, and then leave with your troubles.”

“We tried to stop them,” said one of our attackers. “They wouldn’t listen.”

“You drunks get out of the sun,” said Wayne. “And go soak in the tavern some more.” He stomped toward his shop and took my knife with him.

“Let’s go,” I whispered to Darian, pulling him as he wiped his chin.

“Who is that?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Who were those men?”

“Don’t worry.” I shoved him again.

Darian stopped walking. His face was strewn, bloody, and awful. He wiped it with his sleeve, but only smeared the red more. “This place
is
worse than Aisling,” he said. “How did my emerald end up here?”

“It’s a long story,” I said.

“How far is the walk?”

While we walked to the end of DarMattey, I told him about Nia. I told him about her wedding, my visit there, and the little shop of glass. Darian listened, but seemed more interested in his cut lip than my words. I offered to wipe his face clean, but he refused. I didn’t finish my story, because sooner than I had expected, we stood in front of Oscar’s shop and the brilliance of his windows.

I tugged on the door handle. Locked. My heart stopped beating.

“What’s wrong?” Darian tried the door. “Oh.” His word sank with his countenance.

“I’m sorry,” I said, gasping to breathe. “I thought he’d be here.”

Pressing his face against the glass window, he peered inside. “Who?”

“The little man. He’s the one who showed me the emerald. It was in there.” I stepped from the porch and sat on the promenade. Out of ideas, I covered my face and allowed the exhaustion of the day to reach me.

The glass on the door rattled. When I looked up, Darian was tugging and pulling as if trying to break the lock. Flashes of reflected sun bounced and jarred in every direction, but the door held.

“You’ll break the door if you do that,” I told him, shying back in fear of breaking glass.

“That’s the idea.” He yanked the handle again.

“Don’t shake it that hard.” I leapt onto the porch and grabbed his arm. “We’ll find a way inside. Perhaps Oscar is away for the afternoon.”

Darian shoved my arm away and glared a reproach that made me cower back toward the road. “I’m this close to home and no piece of glass is going hold me back.” He retreated, chose a large round stone from the center of the road, and aimed the rock high.

“No!” I grabbed his arm again as he drew it back to throw. “The shop is beautiful inside. Don’t ruin it.” I pulled on his shirt, prying his face toward me so he could see my pain. “I’ll help you,” I pleaded, “We’ll get inside. Please don’t break the glass.”

Without looking at me, he dropped the stone and rushed to the door. “Someone’s in there.” He pounded the glass with his fist. “Hey! Hey, let us in.”

I wiped my eyes and squinted to see. The reflection was still too bright. The room was dark and hidden, but I saw a shadow cross.

“Oscar.” I jumped onto the porch and pressed my face against the window. “Oscar, it’s me, Rhiannon.” I smiled and waved, trying to catch his attention.

The little man grinned at me before hobbling to the door. “Just a moment,” he said, his words muffled through the glass. He fumbled with a key. “Just a moment.” Then he caught sight of Darian and stepped back. Eyes wide and mouth gaping, Oscar tucked the key back into a vest pocket.

“Let me talk to him.” I nudged Darian from the glass. “Oscar, it’s okay,” I said. “Please let us inside.”

After a brief hesitation, Oscar took the key back out and unlocked the door with a mechanical click.

“My girl, how are you?” Oscar took my hand and motioned to his store. “It’s such a pleasure to see you again. Please come inside.” As I stepped past him, he bowed to Darian. “How are you this fine day, sir?”

I smiled as Darian paused.

“I’m getting better,” he answered. “Thank you.”

Oscar’s store wasn’t dark or dim—it was brilliant and magical. Colors danced in the air while a tiny chime whispered a high-pitched song that bounced off the glass and never ended. I didn’t want to talk, or breathe, or disturb the perfection that dwelt inside this exceptional place.

“Oscar,” I finally asked, “do you remember the emerald you showed me?”

“Oh yes, of course. Have you come to make a trade?”

“Trade?” Darian turned back to me.

“Yes,” answered Oscar. “I deal with rare beauty. What have you to offer me?”

“I—I don’t have anything.” Darian stepped between us and glared at the man. “Where is my key?”

“
Your
key?” Oscar stumbled against the case at the rear of his store. “I’m confused.”

“You told me it would be here,” said Darian back to me. There was a fire in his face that I had never seen before. He turned back to Oscar. “I’ve come for my—” He shoved Oscar to the floor and clawed at the glass case with his fingers. “Open this,” he demanded. He pounded the glass with a fist. “Open it.”

“I won’t,” said Oscar. He clung to my waist and cowered behind me. “You’ll not take anything without paying, sir.”

Darian was frantic. He flung his arms and threw himself at the case, in vain. The glass was too strong. “Is there an arrangement we can make, sir?” he asked. “I need that emerald.”

“Go,” said Oscar. He pushed me toward the door. “There will be no trade today. Please leave.”

“I’m not leaving without my key.”

“Calm down.” I pressed my hands against Darian, trying to hold back the anger from each bulge of his chest. “Perhaps there’s another option.”

“No, I’m sorry, Rhiannon,” insisted Oscar. He remained against the case, guarding us from its view. “You must leave now.”

“But sir?”

“Please?” asked Darian. “I’ve nothing to trade today. That emerald.” He pointed past Oscar. “It belongs to me. I need it. You must understand that I need it.”

“No!” Oscar’s face turned as red as a berry and appeared to expand with anger. “I paid for this. If you have something to trade, then I may consider your offer. Otherwise, leave my store now.”

Darian moved me aside. “I have nothing.” He took a deep breath. “Will you give me my key?”

“Leave now.”

“Come on, Rhiannon.” Releasing a sigh that exposed dejection I had never seen in him, Darian took my hand and turned to leave, but stopped as shadows covered the road outside the store.

The three men from our fight glared from the other side of the windows. One of them grinned at us before launching a giant rock at the store. I ducked and my ears popped as a million shards of light split the air and screamed toward us.

The floor snapped and cracked under my knees. I covered my face as bits of glass cascaded from my hair.

Oscar groaned and rolled to his side. Glass poured down his back into a pile. “My goodness,” he said, his eyes searching as he shook his head. “What a disaster.”

“Are you all right?” Darian asked, wincing as he plucked bloodied glass from his hands.

“No,” he answered. “No.”

“Come on out, stranger,” called one of the men from outside. “We’re not done with you yet.”

Darian helped me up. “Are you able to walk?” he asked.

I nodded. “You can’t fight them again. What do you want to do?”

A crowd of people gathered near the doorway behind the men who had shattered the glass. They glared and pointed, as if we were the enemy.

“I—I don’t want trouble,” said Oscar, his voice trembling.

“Neither do we, sir. But it looks like a lot of trouble has found us.” Darian pointed at the case where the emerald sat protected. “We’ve only come for the stone.”

“Take it, then. Take it and go,” said the little man. “Leave before my shop is completely destroyed.” He fumbled with his key and opened the case. Thrusting the emerald into Darian’s palm, he took a fleeting glance past us and then ran to safety behind a door at the back of the store.

“He’s hard of hearing, that one is,” growled one of the attackers. He stepped into the store, crunching glass under his boots as he approached.

“Can you get to your horse?” whispered Darian.

“What are you going to do?”

Instead of answering me, Darian rushed at the man in the doorway, knocking him to the dirt with his shoulder. “Run, Rhiannon! Run.”

I dashed out the door, forced myself past the crowd, and fled toward the mountain. When I reached the store, I turned back to see how Darian had faired. He had escaped the crowd, but the men were chasing after him.

I ran around to the corral and let my horse free. “Come on,” I told Maeia, leaping onto her back with all the skill I possessed. Back on the road, Darian was caught in another scuffle. I led Maeia toward him, hoping to chase the men away or to somehow free him and allow him passage with us.

Darian looked up at me, took a blow to his jaw, and pointed. “Go, Rhiannon. Get out of here.”

I circled Maeia, refusing to leave. I didn’t want to leave my friend.

“Go!”

Reluctantly, I dug my heels into Maeia’s ribs. She took off so quickly I had to cling to her neck. I had forgotten; Maeia was a fast runner. She climbed and ran, weaving between shadow and sunlight over the mountain toward home. Sooner than I wanted, she slowed to a trot. She was tired and I was too weak to prod her anymore.

The cuts on my hands stung, my body ached, and my stomach longed for food. My lips had cracked and my tongue felt like it was covered with tiny bits of sand. When we reached the meadow at the top of the ridge, the sun was far in the west.

That’s when my imagination betrayed me.

I was too late. I had to be. The day had been long. If the men from last night wanted trouble, all they had to do was cross the horse meadow. By now my family had faced the fate I feared and Darian was suffering an unknown doom. I had wasted the day. If I had the strength to cry, I might have. Instead, I pressed my head against Maeia’s neck and listened to her breathing.

“Tell me, friend,” I whispered. My voice cracked from dryness. “Where do you want to go?”

I don’t know what I expected to happen, but the voice in my head was my own.
What if the men waited and intended to do something at night?
My heart pounded fresh fear into my chest. I lifted my face and stared at the sun. Night was close, but I could make it home soon.

“Go,” I said to Maeia. “Let’s go home.”

We raced down the mountain; faster than I thought was possible. Dust flew everywhere, and branches broke against my shoulders as we passed. Maeia darted, dashed, and carried me to the village of my birth. She wanted to stop. I could feel her struggling, but I urged her on.

“Keep going,” I commanded. “We’ll rest at the bottom.”

We didn’t make it far before Maeia stopped running. She had done well. Dusk hadn’t come yet, and we were near the outer homes of Aisling. We would make it home before dark.

“Nice work, girl,” I told her, rubbing her neck. I scratched behind her ear to thank her more. “You did wonderful.”

I leaned on her mane and closed my eyes to rest for a moment. Her heartbeat was rapid, but soothing, like a lullaby. Hungry and thirsty, I was dreaming about the Bauer well when his voice woke me.

“How was the mountain ride?” Cael’s voice chilled me unnaturally.

When I looked up, seven men stood in the road, blocking us. Maeia stopped.

“What do you want?” I asked. The men were a rough lot, many armed with spears, a few with short swords. I knew what they wanted—me.

Cael walked toward me and grinned under a filthy beard.
When had he grown a beard?
“Where’s the bandit?” he asked.

When I glanced back up the mountain, Cael motioned to the men. Two of them nodded and ran past me, wielding steel in their hands.

“Darian’s not up there,” I told them, enjoying a brief moment of satisfaction.

“Darian?” Cael chuckled in a low voice. “Have you found comfort with that man?”

“Don’t say that.” I spit my words at him. “You’re mocking my memory.”

Cael drew his sword from his scabbard. “You’re mocking my brother. Where is the bandit?”

I shrank from the harshness of his tone, but refused to tell him the truth. “I don’t know. He left.”

“That’s not something you’ll be doing.” Cael stepped toward me.

“Go!” I kicked Maeia in the ribs and pulled her mane hard to the left.

She obeyed and darted toward the trees. As we leapt into the cover of branches, spears followed us, striking the wood. One tore my sleeve but missed my arm. Maeia twisted and turned while I ducked low behind her neck. Still, the branches stung as they whipped my face and cut my shoulders. The men yelled and chased us, but stopped to retrieve their spent weapons. We quickly left them with their curses and plenty of distance between us.

My heart didn’t stop pounding. “Good girl,” I cried as I led Maeia through the trees and eventually toward the main road through Aisling.

My fears had been confirmed; Cael was a part of this.
When did I become his enemy?
I tried searching for answers but my mind wouldn’t think past getting to my family. I wished I had some help. I wanted to tell someone what was happening, but the road was empty.

The village felt abandoned and distant. No one walked the streets. There were no children playing. No dogs. No chickens. Not even the call of a distant bird announced that everything in Aisling would be okay. I sensed that it wouldn’t. Arriving back in Aisling was nothing like I had expected.

Dry tears dappled my cheek as Maeia carried me. Charred black stumps of trees that still smelt of death reminded me of the horror of the day of Solstice. Since there was no sound, my mind haunted me with the memories of cries and screams in the smoky air. My own voice had been a part of that terror. I wiped my face and shifted. The silence was unnerving and Maeia’s steps echoed off the trail. I leaned my head low to listen to her breath. I needed the sound of something living.

“Are your memories unkind, child?” David Dunn’s voice struck me like ice across my face.

I clung to Maeia’s neck and opened my eyes. Standing in the road, directly in front of me, Cameron, David Dunn, and his son, Michael blocked the way. Cameron was armed with an arrow in his bow; its red feathers spoke of death. Michael held a short sword. David Dunn held his arms wide, as if to welcome me to a hug.

“I’m tired,” I said, trying to sound indifferent. My voice shook and broke, betraying my intentions.

“Of course you are.” David Dunn walked toward me, his open arms reaching.

“Stop.” I whispered to Maeia. I collected a breath of courage and spoke to the men. “Don’t come closer,” I told them. “I intend to go home.”

I never hated laughter more.

“You don’t have a home anymore,” said Cameron, aiming his arrow to the ground as he continued his mocking laugh.

I kicked Maeia in the ribs, harder than I should have, but enough to jolt her into a running. “Go!” I yelled, but it sounded like no, which was a fitting word for the moment.

We dashed toward the men and I kicked Cameron in the face as I passed him. Michael waved the blade of his sword as we approached, forcing us left.

“Back into the trees,” I whispered into Maeia’s ear, though it was obvious where we were headed.

She chose the closest path.

I thought I heard the arrow, but it struck me before I could react. Pain flashed with an explosion of light behind my eyes. At the same time, I heard the faint thump of the arrow sinking into a tree. My scream pierced the night as something wet trickled down my side. The arrow must have only grazed me, but my ribs burned like I’d been struck a mortal blow. Maeia continued running.

Around a corner, past more trees—I wanted trees—and into the forest. I knew this forest. We were on the trail to Evermore. The burning in my side continued, and the blood reached my legs.

“No, don’t go in there.” I pulled Maeia’s mane before she could enter the clearing.

I saw the mounds and their markers. Long stems and yellow flowers rose from them, except for a few mounds of freshly turned soil.

We turned right where tree branches assaulted my face and arms. This wasn’t a trail, but Maeia kept running. Behind me, I could hear men’s voices fading away. Still, arrows carry far. I reached down and touched my side. My hand came back bloody. I wiped it on Maeia’s neck as I clung again for support.

We arrived at Stone Meadow. A man was running across the grass, straight toward the stones. He looked back at me, seemed to falter, and then kept running. I yelled when I saw his face.

“Darian!”

We caught up to him fast. I tried running at his side, but he moved away from us, seemingly intent to continue running toward the towering stones at the center of the meadow. I spun Maeia around and, when we were near enough, I leapt from her back, grabbed him, and let him hit the ground first.

“What are you doing?” he yelled as we rolled against one of the outer stones.

My side screamed with pain. I lay in the grass for a moment and then struggled to stand.

Darian brushed himself off. “Are you crazy?”

I grabbed Darian and hugged him. “You told me to leave. I didn’t want to, but I did. I thought you were lost. I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I’m okay,” said Darian, panting. “What happened to you?” He wiped blood from his cheek.

I released my hold and stared at him. “Darian, I’m here. Climb onto Maeia. Come with us.”

He hung his head and took a deep breath before answering. “I can’t go with you,” he said. “I’m sorry. It’s time to go home.” He pulled me to him and held me close. He was warm, so warm.

“Men are chasing me,” I told him. “We can’t stay here.”

Darian released me and stepped around the stone toward the center of the circle. “No, we can’t stay.”

“Then let’s go.”

“You’re strong, Rhiannon. You’ll escape them.” Darian took another deep breath. “Get on your horse and ride. Leave me here.”

“I don’t want to leave you again. I want you to come with me.”

Darian pulled the emerald from his pocket. Its mysterious golden lines glowed and pulsated, as if to expand and tighten. The light pulled me close and stole my breath. This was no ordinary crystal. The green flashed against Darian’s face, giving him new color, new life. I stared with amazement.

“Magic?”

“This is my way home.” Darian’s voice quivered. “You’re beautiful, Rhiannon, as beautiful as a sunset. If circumstances were different, I’d come with you. But I can’t, not now. I’ve been trapped here for so long, away from my parents, from my brothers. Every day, I’ve missed them. Now I have a chance to see them again.” Darian pulled me close and held me again. His heart was racing. “I want more than this. I want to spend days and nights together with you.”

“I want that too.”

Darian squeezed me again and then let me go. He walked to the Season Stone, turning back to reveal the smile that reminded me why I had trusted him in the first place. “I know you are worried about your family. I’m sure they are worried about you, too. Ride to them. Escape this madness.”

“Will I ever see you again?”

“I’ll return as soon as I can,” he answered. “To see you.” Then he stepped through the hole and disappeared.