Ever Shade (22 page)

“What, what is it? What do you see?” She whispered. Her heart jumped in her chest as she waited, straining to hear a sound. The birds were singing and the rustle of leaves swayed above the like an ocean wave. She saw and heard nothing that would be considered off. Irritated she turned towards Ursad but he had a hand up to stop her from speaking.

“Look.” He pointed out in front of them. She stared out into the woods and narrowed her eyes. The vegetation was thicker here; small bushes, vines and flowers everywhere, covering the forest floor. Tall grasses shielded the dirt from light and made travel just that much more difficult.

Shade scanned the area but shook her head. “I don’t see anything.”

Ursad placed a finger to his lips, pointing again slightly further to the right.

“There, do you see them, right there in the rays of light that sun has casted near the stream.”

Shade looked again, not really expecting to see anything when she did. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.
Unicorns! She
watched the three creatures prance around the small stream. One was drinking up the water, licking it up with its large pink tongue; its coat was a shiny brown, with both a stark white mane and tail. The other two were all white, like the crystal snow in winter. Their coats shone almost like diamonds. Shade exhaled a breath in amazement and smiled widely.

Ursad was also smiling, admiring the creatures with awe.

“Are they actual…unicorns? I thought that they didn’t exist. Wow!” She turned back to watch them after Ursad nodded. One of the white ones nuzzled the brown white mane one and sipped the water too. They neighed happily, unaware of the watchers before them. Their long legs made them tall and graceful in the tall grasses. Their glistening horns were like swirls of a candy cane sticks. Shade wanted to touch one, almost like an uncontrollable urge. Her fingers itched as she clenched her hands into fists as she fought to stand and walk straight towards them. She didn’t want to frighten them.

“Come on Shade, unicorns like their privacy, they’re a rare sight. I’ve seen these three many times but that’s only because I live near here. I thought you might like them. It’s quite a gift that they are allowing you to see them. We have to get going; it will be dark all too soon.”

Shade shook her head. “But I, can I touch them, Ursad? They are the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Let me touch them, please!” she cried as she went to move forward and was filled with child like excitement.

Ursad had a hold of her arm and tugged, shaking his head no. “Shade, look at me, their beauty is unparalleled that is part of their appeal; but if a human touches them it could prove fatal. They will charm you in but then stab you through the heart. Only a winged unicorn would ever accept a rider, and as you can see, these are not that breed. We must move on, Shade! It’s just a spell; let it go, will it away.” He tugged again.

She felt herself wanting to walk towards them but followed Ursad until they were out of sight, and the overpowering urge subsided. “What was that Ursad, why show me the unicorns in the first place, if they can kill me? Really, what was the point if you were just going to pull me away? She felt suddenly depressed as tears glistened in her eyes. Her weakness seemed so obvious and she hoped he wouldn’t laugh.

“The unicorns are gorgeous and they might seem harmless... but like the sirens in mythology, they lure you to your death. It’s best if you do not think of them anymore. I just thought that it would be good that you saw them so you could see and feel the weight of their pull and just how dangerous they can be. If you had been by yourself…who knows what would have happened. ” He cut down the tall branches around them as he spoke; the forest’s greenery thickened as they progressed, it was almost jungle consistency now.

“Well, thank you Ursad. It’s weird to be drawn to an animal like that. I feel strange, like I’m waking up from a drugged sleep or like I’m hung-over. Not that I really ever have gotten drunk or anything like that…you know, it’s just an expression.” Shade yawned and pulled out her flask of water, the cool sweet fluid met her lips and always seemed to chase the sadness away. She felt instantly better and revived.
I wondered why my energy comes and goes. S
he thought about how she felt drugged at Ursad’s cottage. A moment or so later she shrugged off her slight concern;
I’m probably not healed completely.
It was still shocking to her that she jumped into a raging and rushing waterfall.

“Ya well. Not everything in Faerie is what it seems. Beauty can be evil and kindness can be a trap. Eating food in faerie could trap you here forever.” He paused, glancing back at her for a moment before continuing. “Dancing to music in Faerie could make you dance until you die. Sprites and pixies can be quite devilish and conniving. The faerie courts may be glamorous but everyone has their own agendas at heart. Goblins can be kind or wicked, friend or foe. Depends. Mountain or whole dwellings can be just under your feet and you wouldn’t even know it. Just remember Shade, trust no one and you will be alright.” He swung his machete like sword again, slicing the underbrush out of their way.

“Does that apply to you too?” She watched him turn and grin for a moment. He continued to clear the underbrush. She watched him, wondering what he was thinking. “So is it true Faeries cannot lie?” Shade dodged a fallen log and turned into the slim openings of the grass that Ursad had made.

“Tell a lie? Well, fey have a funny way of stretching the truth. Most you’ll find, try to be honest. You can also frequently run into the type that gets off by messing with your mind.” He paused, rubbing his arm and breathing slightly hard. He obviously wasn’t used to so much physical activity. He probably preferred to hang around his cottage as opposed to traveling. “We are almost to the small faery town of Genoden. It’s about a half an hour away. When we get close, use the cloak that I gave you and pull your hood over your head. We don’t want any unwanted attention.” He continued through the brush as she pulled her cloak out.

It was dirt brown and very plain in design. The brooch clip at the neck was like a wing of a bird, the bronze simmered in the sunlight. She draped it over her arm and hugged the bulk of it to her chest. At least this would definitely not make her stand out. She walked behind Ursad, as he cursed the hard labor, crunching on the fallen twigs and debris; and focused on what he told her about Faeries and lies, but more on the part of unwanted attention. Her mind pushed on to the thought of Genonden and what possibilities lay ahead for her there.
‘Fey have a funny way of stretching the truth,’
Ursad had just told her. The part about them messing with the mind alarmed her the most. As they traveled closer to the town of Genoden she didn’t know what was waiting for her, but she didn’t think an old hooded cloak was going to protect her. Yes, Shade knew it was probable that she was going to get attention, wanted or not.

The faeries dressed in any and every color, vibrant to drab, the brighter the better. Some were without cloaks, showing off their thin pale, perfect and muscular bodies. Ears and necks adorned with glittering jewels and beads. They had long hair in braids and adornments of gold and silver. Most had eyes like Blythe, large, insect like but there were many that used glamour to appear human. Some lived in a nearby human city and just got used to staying in glamoured forms. Shade nodded in acknowledgement of Ursad’s quick lessons of fey culture. She had scanned the faces in the crowd for her friends, without any luck. Then something about what Ursad said began to bother her.

"Why can some live in human cities and some fey can't?" She asked, thinking about Jack and Soap; she always wondered how they could get away with roaming the iron cites longer than the other fey.

“As you might know, most can't stand the iron in the buildings, it makes them sick. Only a few fey are immune. Being part human helps and some type of faeries are made to withstand it."

"Like the Teleen faeries?" Shade replied with better of understanding of fey culture.

"Yes, exactly," Ursad answered with a firm nod.

They passed by stands of fresh fruit and vegetables, collecting a bag full of groceries. The day was fading quickly and the late afternoon sun burned down on them as it was setting behind some houses. Ursad whispered the need to find shelter for the night and said he would take her to one of the local inns for travelers where they could freshen up. She was quiet and nodded again, in awe of the folks around them to say anything. The air was filled with so much noise and excitement.

They reached the Inn. It was nestled on the town’s main street. Ursad checked in, paying the innkeeper behind a bar counter without so much, as a glance from her. She was plump and had her long red hair bound into a tight bun at the base of her neck. Long strands hung from it like it had lost its tightness throughout the workday and lay draped down her shoulders and back. Her locks were a fiery red, with a touch of orange. Shade had never seen anyone with that color hair, at least not naturally. She wore a work apron over her plain-jeweled blue dress. She handed Ursad a key and waved her hand towards the stairs at the left of the backside of the bar area. Ursad nodded and thanked her. He waved towards Shade to giving indication that she should follow. They ascended the stairs quickly, before anyone could notice them.

Shade reached the room and fell against the door as it closed. She sighed, happy to be out of the crowded bar. The room had felt like everyone’s eyes were staring right at her, even though they probably weren’t. She wondered if anyone knew whom she was and what she was trying to do. After being ambushed and attacked (twice) in such a short period of time since the beginning of this quest, she was starting to feel somewhat paranoid.
I need to just relax; they probably weren’t looking at me and have no idea who I am, or what I’m doing.

“You alright Shade?” Ursad stood by the window, watching the crowds swirling below. He looked up at her, with his green eyes reflecting the last streams of sunlight.

“Yes I’m fine, just tired I guess, I was just wondering what happened to my friends. I thought they might have found me by now… but I don’t know where they are.” She stared at the single bed in the center of the room. Pressing her lips together, she felt the blood rush up to her face. She kept her eyes low and knelt down to rummage through her backpack.

Ursad watched her, a small smile played on his lips. “You can take the bed; I’ll be taking that couch over there.” He motioned to the average sized dark green couch with worn and loose threaded upholstery.

Shade frowned and shook her head at it, almost letting a laugh escape.

“Wow… that looks mighty comfy! Not gonna fight you for it, it’s all yours, Ursad,” she said sarcastically, failing miserably to suppress a laugh.

Ursad rolled his eyes but his smile widened. Shaking his head, he walked over to it, pushed on it to test its strength and laid out on it like a large, lazy lap dog.

Shade continued to laugh and pulled out her pajamas. She headed to the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She had been tired but now the joking had recharged her. She breathed in and relaxed her shoulders; staring at the mirror, she studied her own thin and pale face. The journey was taking a toll and her and her exhaustion seemed permanently stamped on her face. Her face was gaunt and thinner than before and she didn’t like her reflection. Disturbed, she looked away. It seemed like a chore just to put on her soft flannel pajamas and suddenly she was drained again. She closed her eyes and thought about everything and everyone. Ursad had turned out to be a good friend but she worried about her entourage.

Where are they? Are they even looking for me? Maybe they think I’m dead and have retreated to the Guildrin caverns after all,
she thought almost feeling defeated.
And what about Dylan?
Her mind pressed with urgency. She wondered if their blood ties had affected him when they were separated. She hadn’t felt anything at all but hoped he was at least ok. She sighed, feeling a slight ache in her chest for her friends. Even Dylan’s annoying presence had turned a little more personal. She felt his loss even more.

She scratched her head and squeezed her eyes shut.
Darn that Blythe! What the hell does she want with me?
Shade’s eyes flew open remembering what the Dryad queen had said about dragging her to the Lonare’s Queen. What did she want with her? They probably want the magic of the Santiran fountains for themselves. Why else would even bother with her?
Maybe they just wanted to find out to have some sort of advantage over the Guildrin court.
Shade sighed and rolled her head around, massaging her neck and easing out some knots.

Shade looked back at the mirror and felt an odd sense of déjà vu. She reached her hand out towards the smooth surface but pulled back, feeling her heart racing. The mirror did nothing; its still hard surface lacked the ripples of Darren’s mirror. Nothing but her careworn face stared back at her, and her feelings of shock and fear were evident.
I can’t believe I’m afraid of mirrors now.
She was scaring herself. Darren was far, far away now. No one knew where she was, not even the one with the powers of mirror travel.