Taylon Page 10

  “Bua…who...” Words sputtered out as he stared up at the lovely beast. She had a bowl of something that she offered to him.

  “Sweet child. Drink up. This’ll heal those lungs of yours.” Her voice did not fit her visage. Deep, but feminine, and curled with a hint of a lisp. Fret obeyed her command and sipped the liquid offered.

  Warmth trickled down his throat and immediately spread through his body. He rose up to cough, but no fit came forth. Strength infused his muscles, as his mouth wanted more.

  “More…please?” His eyes studied her smile as his ears rang with her infectious laugh. Another spoonful was offered and eagerly taken.

  “Dare, dat should do you just fine. Need to save some for da others.” And she was gone. Fret quickly sat up, or at least tried to with his newfound strength. His body still ached. It took him three tries to get to a sitting position.

  The blonde woman-creature retreated, her skirt swaying behind her, barely covering her hooves. Fret had to look again, but Hambone was in the doorway studying him, a big smile on his face.

  “Yea, I remember that look. Ginger will do that to you without even trying.” He let out a chuckle.

  “Ginger?” Fret said shaking his head. He looked around. “Where am I?” And after that question, came another. “What happened?”

  Hambone came farther in the room and sat down on a seat opposite the bed. “Full of questions. I don’t know everything, but I will try to fill in the pieces for you.”

  Fret looked around, again. He noticed on his right hand, Ynob’s ring sparkled, the blue stone a dark solid color. He had a sudden urge to pull the thing off, but another idea cajoled to keep it on. Hambone began speaking, not noticing that Fret’s attention had drifted.

  “It was as I was coming back from my place that I noticed the smoke from Snow’s house. As I ran closer, Gantha ran past me. I did try to call out, but he kept going. I hurried on and found Ra’na collapsed against a tree. Snow followed her, shaking uncontrollably. I ran to the blazing house where you were dragging the wizard.”

  Fret looked away from the ring when he heard himself mentioned. “I pulled the wizard out.” His thoughts drifted back. “Yeah, elves attacked us. One shot Ynob with an arrow. I think Ra’na called one of them Kerlick.”

  “Yes, I didn’t see him There was another assailant about to finish off Ra’na. It was just lucky that I found a log. I picked it up and hurled it at him. Smashed his head right in. If I had been a second slower.” The Dwarc trailed off.

  The boy stood up and put a hand on the Hambone’s shoulder. “They were trying to kill us. Don’t feel bad.” As he said this, the ring on Fret’s hand glowed a light blue.

  “I know….”

  Suddenly the goat lady was at the door again. “Hambone, she waking up.” Without another word, the Dwarc stood and left. Fret followed, unsure of what she they were talking about.

  The room they left reminded Fret of Snow’s house, but the one they went to looked nothing like anything he had ever seen. He had to do a double take to make sure they were still inside.

  On a bed that appeared like the forest floor, Ra’na lay. A canopy of vines stretched overhead forming a flowering quilt of purple and orange flowers. The floor had grass growing, but not normal field grass. It looked perfectly manicured. The short, thin blades looked like they would be soft on bare feet.

  Hambone stopped partway in and looked down at Ra’na. When she smiled, he moved in closer and sat on the bed. Ginger stood in the doorway with Fret.

  “She’ll be fine, Hambone. A little sore, but otherwise just fine.” Hambone gently embraced Ra’na.

  Ginger guided Fret out. “Give them a moment.” It took a second for him to realize that he was alone with the beautiful creature. His head became all swimmy and his eyes clouded over in a dream-like state.

  “Ginger. I am of da satyr race.” The words were pretty much meaningless to Fret, and he smiled stupidly to show it. “Ah, I forget my effect on mortal races. Come to da kitchen.” She led him through the house.

  It took him a moment to come to his senses as they moved past a few more doors and into the kitchen. Night peeked in through several windows. Jesset sat at a table, a mug of some warm liquid in his grasp.

  “Fret.” his eyes lit up as the boy came into the room.

  “Jesset, would you mind kindly to get Fret some drink. Ra’na has awoken and Ham is in there with her now. I’ll just check on da others.” Ginger trotted off. Both humans stared at the empty space where she had been a moment before, Jesset recovering quicker.

  “Sit down and rest. It has been one crazy night.” As Fret claimed a chair, Jesset brought forth a mug, dipped it into a simmering pot on the range, and set it in front of Fret. The boy stared at it for a moment, unsure. Inside his cup was a greenish liquid.

  “Um, what is it?”

  “Mulled apple wine. Don’t mind the color. It is fantastic.” Jesset demonstrated with his own by taking a drink. Fret followed suit. It was delicious, so much so that he almost finished his whole cup.

  “Hold on. Ginger said don’t drink it that fast or it will go right to your head. I wanted to do the same as you when I first tried it.”

  Disappointedly, he set the cup aside for a moment. “So how did we get here?”

  “It wasn’t easy, that I can tell you. You and the wizard are pretty heavy.” Jesset chuckled a bit.

  “Where is Ynob?”

  Jesset made a face, which was half-hidden with his cup of wine. “He’s in another bedroom. Not doing so well from the sound of it. Ginger thinks that the arrow was tipped with some poison or disagreeable substance. The head is still buried in his shoulder.” Jesset stood to refill his mug. Fret quickly gulped his down and extended the cup out. The old man winked as he refilled the boy’s.

  “And the attackers?”

  “Don’t know. Hambone showed up and we knew we needed to get you away from the fire. Plus, night was coming. The Dwarc thought of Ginger and we quickly set off.”

  “So, the rebel elves just ran off? Snow’s house is burned to the ground?” Fret struggled to keep the anger from his voice.

  “There was no stopping the fire by the time you emerged. We didn’t know how hurt you or Ra’na were. Gantha had run off, so we didn’t even get to look for him. I think one of the attackers was still inside the house as it burned, and I am sure the one the wizard shot with the fireball is out of commission. But I don’t know, Fret.”

  Both sipped from their cups again, letting silence fall. “Gantha didn’t come.”

  Jesset shook his head. “We aren’t sure where he went.”

  Ginger appeared back in the doorway, an urgent look on her face. “You two better come. It doesn’t look good for the wizard.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  They made their way quickly and quietly through the woods, Warren directing the way. Kara was worried about the wolves, but so far none had come stalking. After what seemed an hour, they stopped by a tree, which on closer inspection, had a ladder that climbed into its branches.

  “Up,” Warren said in his commanding monotone. Kara looked at the brownie for a moment before ascending. Five rungs higher, she came to a platform barely big enough for her to sit comfortably. The ladder didn’t go any farther up.

  “Here.” Again with his same flat voice.

  “Here? I think I can just barely sit down.”

  “You will be fine. Morning will come and then you can go.” Warren still held no emotion in his words.

  Kara decided to try the platform out. Carefully she tested it with a firm hand. It was pretty sturdy. With a glance at Warren to make sure it was not some sort of joke, she pulled herself onto it.

  Once she had a better view, more wood floor expanded in between the branches. It looked like the floor of some house that was never completed. A bit small for a human, but a small brownie could have been comfortable.

  The brownie climbed off Kara’s shoulder. He stood, unmoving for a long time. Kara watched
, not sure what to expect. Finally, when Warren turned around, there was a hint of a tear in his eye.

  “Is everything all right? Did you get a splinter?” It was the first thing to come to her. Kara often got splinters with wood because she liked the feel of rubbing back and forth against the grain.

  Haunted eyes looked up at the human, a slight glimmer of emotion. “Thank you for bringing me here.” The words sounded lighter than his usual dull drone.

  “I should be thanking you. You helped me escape, and I was taking your directions.”

  “But you carried me here. I would have easily been eaten by the wolves had you not come.” Warren found a spot and also sat.

  Kara thought about this. She didn’t want to take any credit, but she had to admit he had a point. “You’re welcome… Warren is it? My name is Kara.” She felt like extending a hand, but she held back to watch the brownie’s expression.

  Warren looked away, ignoring her. He looked at the tree and then the floor. “This was going to be my home.” His voice returned to its blandness.

  “Really? Did Melina capture you before you could complete it?”

  Silence. Kara grew annoyed by his nonchalant attitude. She waited, but the brownie stared at the ground. A wolf howled in the distance—a muted, faded cry. Kara looked out among the trees and then glanced up. Tree branches blotted some of the sky out, but a full moon glared from above.

  The moon had always intrigued Kara. No one knew what played in the night sky, or at least no one knew she asked. But that added to the mysterious quality and made it ever so much more enchanting. At home with her father, they would stare up into the sky together, making up stories of what it could be.

  “A full moon. Lives won and lost by it. Future foretold by it.” The brownie stared skyward, an almost longing on his face.

  “Do you know what it is? The moon?” Kara asked, praying she would get an answer.

  Warren remained silent until he turned to look at her. “It is the bringer of the night. The wolves’ mistress. We think it brings magic during the dark hours, but a full one spells danger.” Kara started to lose herself in his poetic words. This was not typical Warren. Even if he wasn’t making a lot of sense, Kara preferred a talking brownie to a silent and sad one.

  “So what does it bring us?”

  “Memories of the past.” As soon as the words left the brownie, Kara had flashes of her house burning, her father screaming, being lost at market, being kidnapped… Her eyes glazed with tears, but she fought hard not to cry. If this small brownie could show no emotion, then she would be strong too.

  One tear escaped. It ran and dropped to the wood floor. Warren saw it go. It seeped into the grain and was gone. He slowly looked up at her.

  “I was a slave for almost five years.” His voice changed. It wasn’t the dull, uncaring voice.

  “What?” She wiped away her forgotten tears.

  “Van, Melina’s helper, captured me. A gnome catching a brownie.” Warren spoke as though Kara should know what he was talking about.

  Kara was still surprised at the change in Warren’s attitude. She wanted to know what caused it, but was afraid to ask. Silence passed between them as they both stared at one another. He looked away first, studying a far tree.

  “I had been on my way to get medicine for my love. She had eaten some poisoned willow root.” The emotion drained from his words. It sounded like a lecture instead of an impassioned memory.

  “You never made it back?” Kara felt for the little brownie, even if he didn’t feel for himself.

  “Slavery was my penance. I failed her. I failed them.”

  “Warren, you did not. Them?”

  “Yes I did! I was responsible for her and my child-to-be! I failed!” Raw emotion burst forth from the little man. Anger and self-hatred shot out from his eyes like sunlight. Kara almost lost her balance due to her shock. But as quickly as the uprising had come, it disappeared. Night swallowed up and coated everything with a blanket of silence.

  Kara wanted to be comforting, but she was at a loss for words or even advice that sounded coherent. Warren looked up at the moon, his face showing no signs of remorse—or anything for that matter.

  “This was to be her gift. A new home.” Warren stood, his eyes still gazing upward. “If I had not been here, she would be here.” He looked down and met Kara’s eyes. The cold stone gaze reflected back in his eyes.

  She started to speak, but the brownie shook his head before she could start. “No more. It is done. You should get some rest.” The brownie walked away, in his never-to-be house.

  ***

  The morning dawn caught wafts of campfire smoke as fires were extinguished and men suited up to move out. Word passed down that today they invaded the Territories. Euphoria had a plan, and the new captain was going to lead them to victory.

  Even though it was early, the men were ready. They had been for almost a week now—since the wall had come down. A few had ventured into the forest for some minor combat, but today they would all get a piece of the action.

  Euphoria was already prepared and ready. She had feasted upon a lost squire and a soldier’s mistress that had snuck into camp the night before. Another officer told the soldier his ladyfriend had been sent back to the castle. He had unknowingly brought the queen a meal.

  The armory cast plate mail specifically designed for Euphoria upon her command. Usually most kings stayed toward the back of an advancing army, queens rarely ever went. But Euphoria chose to lead the group. Her new captain would make it so.

  Figaro and Daisy had light armor as well, which they seemed to dislike. It was more for show than protection. But the new shielding made the cats look scarier than they had been before. To top it off, Daisy growled as she walked behind Euphoria through camp. Soldiers leapt out of her way.

  Nonk stood overlooking the wall, or what remained of it. Lust for blood—revenge—pulsed through him, not so much for the Territories or its creatures. This is why Euphoria liked him. Nonk wanted to kill anything. He had a hatred for life, and needed to stomp it out in any form he saw. She saw this clearly radiating from him, and enjoyed it.

  “This shall be a glorious day,” Euphoria said beside him. Nonk quickly turned and bowed. The tigers sneered.

  “Your majesty, the men should be ready soon and we shall begin the march. Scout estimates say the market is about two hours away. About three for the army.”

  A wicked smile creased her face as she turned out to face the non-existent wall. So much power, and soon there would be so much chaos.

  ***

  Da’Lynn was sick of marching. The elves had already come a day’s journey and still had more to go just to get to Aladedas. She questioned her own commands, wondering if this was the right choice.

  Unlike the human queen, the elves treated their mistress as if she were one of them. There was no special tent or treatment for Da’Lynn. With Katrena gone, her feeding became increasingly difficult. The night before, she had feasted on four different elves because each came upon her while she was feeding on the previous one.

  But she had control of the army, so the power was there. These elves were just a tad smarter than the humans.

  “Mistress Da’Lynn. The army is ready to move out,” a scout came to report.

  “Good. And how long until we reach Aladedas?”

  “About four hours, maybe more.”

  Another four hours of marching only to get them closer to the enemy. She needed chaos and confusion soon or she was going to be bored out of her mind.

  “Have we come across any of my special force group?” Kerlick’s rebels were now her special force group. The other soldiers seemed to accept it. She had sent Kerlick and his band out to clear up a loose end, but they had yet to report back.

  “No, ma’am.” The scout saluted and moved off.

  Da’Lynn’s anger grew a shade redder knowing that the wizard and Gantha were still out there. It was possible they could ruin what she had here, but it was
unlikely.

  Beneath her armor, her fragment necklace glowed bright. She still had another month until the power of the Palace of Nine was hers. After that, she could rid herself of the elves and any other influence she cared to throw away.

  ***

  What the hell was happening to him?

  Fret rocked back and forth in one of Ginger’s bedrooms. He picked a dark corner hoping he could shake away the visions.

  “He’s dead…dead…” Words came out in a mumbled mantra as he held his knees. The stupid ring on his finger sparkled even though no sunlight hit it.

  “You’re just going to have to accept it,” said a voice behind him.

  “But why me?” Fret didn’t bother to turn and direct his question. He rocked and stared blankly at the wall.

  “Resurrection….”

  Ynob had died that evening, right before midnight. The poison had turned his veins black as his blood dried inside them. All had been present, staring down upon the magical man lying prone in the bed.

  “I’m sorry, there’s nothing else I can do.” Ginger sighed.

  Snow wept upon Ynob’s chest, which barely rose with each breath. His eyes were open, yet glazed. Ra’na stood behind Snow, doing her best to comfort. Jesset and Hambone stood at a distance, not sure what to do with themselves.

  Fret stood at the foot of the bed, staring down at the man. He had never experienced death like this, of someone he knew. There were a few times Fret thought the wizard recognized him and was ready to say something, but the moments passed quickly.

  When death came, it was silent. One moment the wizard was breathing and the next, he had stopped. Fret felt the need to take the man’s lifeless hand in his. There was a faint squeeze, and he was gone.

  Snow wailed. Tears came to Ginger and Ra’na. Fret noticed Hambone and Jesset look away, wiping their eyes before standing strong in the corner. Hambone led Ra’na out of the room and Jesset helped Ginger.