The Heartstone (12 page)

“Leave me alone.”

A small shudder ran through her rigid shoulders. She sniffed. Jarod pulled her around to face him. He looked sincerely remorseful.

“I’m sorry Ariana. I didn’t mean it. You’ve never been anything but good to me. I don’t think you’re an outsider. I don’t know why I lashed out at you.”

She pulled away waiting for the angry tears to stop. Ariana wondered whether to trust him. A final tear trickled unheeded down the side of her nose. He wiped it away.

“Don’t cry. Don’t ever cry. You do understand. You only wanted to help. Please forgive me.”

She nodded.

“Are we friends again?”

“Yes.” He smiled; relieved she wasn’t angry anymore.

“Jarod, all you can do is keep going on. Stop fighting us. We aren’t the enemy.”

“I’ll try.”

“OK that’s all I ask.”

Silently, they started back to the campsite, afraid to break their fragile truce. Something buzzed in Ariana’s mind, itchy, like someone watching her. She looked around. The feeling strengthened, a red-hot needle keening in her mind. Ariana stopped. The woods blurred in front of her. The Heartstone throbbed.

“What is it?” He looked at here intently.

She reeled. Jarod caught her. “Ariana?”

“I don’t know.”

She closed her eyes to stop the dizziness. It didn’t help. Jarod settled her at the base of the rock they’d just left. Vaguely she heard him hurry away for help. Heat radiated from the Heartstone, danger coming. The birds had stilled there was no noise in the trees.

Her perspective shifted and she was part of something else. Four pawed, trotting along on grizzled pads. Seeing the forest in black and white, sounds grew crystal clear and the trail’s redolent musk lapped in her nose like a rank wave.

A low bubbling snarl broke the silence. A screeching howl answered. Something rustled in the thicket in front of her. Dumped from the trance, she grabbed a large branch to hit whatever came into range. Growls and hissing screeches shattered the morning stillness. The snarling combatants erupted in a writhing ball from the thicket. Broken branches and leaves scattered everywhere. On the bottom a copper panther with diamond claws and fangs, on top a silver tipped black wolf lunged relentlessly for the creature’s throat. But the metal withstood honest teeth and claws.

The wolf backed away, keeping between Ariana and the creature. The others came running and pulled Ariana behind the tree.

“Stalkers.” said Jarod.

“Do something!” said Ariana.

“There’s not much we can do Ariana.” Jarod said.

“What?”

“They are magical creatures, dearest,” said Rua. “That poor wolf is no match for it.”

The wolf lunged for the Stalker. But it was weakening and the ruby red eyes glittered with malice as the great cat waited for the first mistake.

“Cerynus? There must be something we can do.”

“If we can destroy the collar, we can destroy the Stalker.”

“OK what do I do?”

“We need to use the Heartstone as a focus to destroy the collar. Take my hand.”

Ariana unshielded the Stone and took his hand. Closing her eyes Ariana strove to focus. She saw the Stalker radiating a virulent red glow. Cerynus’ mind guided her, creating a conduit drawing energy through her but not actively engaging it. She tried to remain passive, the Heartstone’s energy building up behind the reservoir of her control. She felt a sharp tug and suddenly the energy flared out in a spear hitting the cat full blast. It flared bright white for a moment then abruptly extinguished.

She opened her eyes. The Stalker had disappeared. All that remained was a puddle of molten copper. The wolf sniffed the puddle and lifting his leg peed on it. Then it deliberately turned and scraped dirt over it. Finished showing his disdain, he melted back into the forest. Ariana stood trying to see him, faintly feeling a link with the wolf as he loped away.

“Amazing,” Rua said. “You have the power of the forest in your hands lady.” Ariana blushed.

“We don’t have time to sit here congratulating ourselves. We just killed a Stalker. The beacon will go off any minute.” Cerynus said.

“Damn.” Jarod said.

“What are you talking about? If the Stalker’s dead it can’t hurt us right?” Ariana said.

“Stalkers are the advance scouts for Rhysin. The collars link them to their handlers. When they’re killed an alarm sounds, all troops in the area are alerted and the handler comes to the last spot the Stalker was.” Rua said.

“So let’s go.”

“We may have been seen before the Stalker was killed.” Cerynus said.

“How will we know?”

“We won’t.” Cerynus said. He was ashen, trembling, sweat pouring down his face. She reached out to him as he crumpled at her feet. They stumbled torturously back to the campsite, supporting Cerynus’ semi-conscious body. Jarod’s shoulder wound opened and blood stained his tunic. Despite his incoherent protests they unrolled the bedding and settled Cerynus under the tree where they’d slept the night before. Rua picked out the proper herbs from Cerynus’ saddlebags, making a rejuvenating tea. Ariana took one of the rabbits they were saving for dinner to the forest’s edge, as a thank you.

Cerynus had settled into a fitful sleep his color creeping back but in no shape to continue. Rua was trying to get him to drink some of the tea. They had survived their first battle, barely. “I guess we aren’t going anywhere soon.” Jarod grinned wryly.

“No, I guess not” Ariana agreed. Jarod turned to her and winced.

“Come over here. Let me look at it.” Ariana said.

“It’s fine”

“No it isn’t. Stop being so stubborn.”

He came over and hunkered down next to her. She opened the leather tunic, pulling the bloodied linen shirt away from the bandaged shoulder. Jarod hissed as she gently took the mangled bandage and dressing off. Her hands trembled slightly. As it came away Ariana closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened her eyes timidly dreading to see a bloody mess. It looked better than she’d expected, but the stitches wept pus and blood was seeping out again. Ariana picked up the clean cloth from Cerynus’ bag and gently cleaned his shoulder. Jarod closed his eyes, sweat beaded on his upper lip.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“No, go on” he muttered through clenched teeth. Concentrating on the wound Ariana was surprised and pleased to find she didn’t feel faint. Gently she tied the new bandage on and stood up to get some tea. Jarod stopped her with a gesture. “Thank you, Ariana.”

For the first time since his father’s death some of the anger and sullenness eased a little. With a tired smile she handed him a cup of tea and they settled down to recuperate from their first battle and the birth of a true alliance.

But that night under the stars and the rustling leaves she wept. Jarod’s words had conjured her life back home. She hadn’t thought about her other life for weeks. Suddenly she was homesick again. But there was nothing Ariana could do about it. She had to survive in this world. Unbidden the image of the wolf entered her mind. She’d been given a gift; the wild creatures accepted and needed her. Her hand stole to the bag holding the Stone, as long as she had the Stone she belonged. She fell asleep holding the Stone tightly in her hand.

Ariana woke up, startled. Someone had called her name. Instinctively her hand crept to the Stone under her linen shirt. It rested there warmed from her body but not pulsing a warning. She sat up disoriented. Jarod was a few feet from her wrapped in his blanket. Rua was still awake, sitting next to Cerynus. She had a wet cloth to sponge him. He was delirious, flushed, sweat dripping down his face. He thrashed and a slight whine came from between clenched teeth. Ariana got up and came over to Rua. “How is he doing?”

“I’m doing what I can but the fever is strong.”

“There has to be something.”

“Ariana, I don’t know if he’ll live through the night. I’ve seen this fever before. There’s nothing I can do to help him. Even if I was a healer, I’m sorry.”

“We have to try Rua.” She felt helpless. She had been depending on his leadership to get them through the forest.

“It’s the magic Ariana; it’s eating away at him.” Ariana thought for a minute. If magic had hurt him magic could help him. “Keep him warm and don’t interrupt me. I’m going to try something.”

Her fingers trembled as she unshielded the stone. She took his hands in hers going easily into the trance he’d taught her. But she didn’t know what to do next. She visualized Cerynus questioning, and then guiding her mind to the proper channel. She merged with the Stone, suddenly aware of colors swirling around in a maelstrom of energy. Great swirls of red and bilious yellow rose from Cerynus’ body. That was the fever. She pushed through the swirling masses of fevered energy trying to suffocate her into the cool rational depths of his being.

He was slate blue and dark green, calm with diamond brilliance flashing. She went deeper, midnight blue, patience shot through with vestiges of bitterness. She went down another level and hit a barricade; before it crashed down she felt a light violet she couldn’t identify before it closed off to her. She wasn’t meant to see that part. She followed the tide of colors until she reached the sickness, red devouring leaving black ash in its wake. If the sickness reached his heart Cerynus would die.

Concentrating she felt white light radiating in all directions into the swirling colors. She formed the light into a wall pushing the sickness away. It resisted. She focused; it gave way slowly, tar on your shoe on a hot summer day. Sticky and hot it lingered as her cool white force pushed it back. She gloried in the sense of power and accomplishment, pulling more force in to sweep the sickness out. It retreated. Passing through the barren gray areas it had infected she sent small tendrils of light to restore balance. They reached the surface. She soothed the fever with the healing light. When all remaining was tranquil she retreated.

Slowly she opened her eyes. The forest emerged from night into the light of dawn. Her back stiff and arms sore from holding so tightly to Cerynus’ hands, she looked down at him. He breathed naturally and the awful sweat pouring off his face was gone. With a relieved sigh, she let go. The slight movement unbalanced her and she fell backward. Warm hands grasped her elbows and helped her up slowly. Vaguely she realized a blanket covered her. Stiff and chilled from being in one position Ariana shivered pulling the blanket closer.

“Are you all right? I didn’t dare move you. You were so still and then the white light....” Rua sounded awed.

“Do you want some tea? What can I do for you?” Jarod rubbed her arms and back with the blanket to help her warm up.

“Tea” she croaked. Jarod thrust the steaming mug into her hand. “Thanks” she mumbled cradling the hot cup in cramped fingers. Rua and Jarod helped her up. She sat down next to the fire to warm up. Aside from exhaustion she was physically fine. Somehow she’d been able to combat the toxic magic with the Stone. Could she heal non-magical wounds? I’ll find out later. Right now, time to sleep. Pleased with herself she pulled the blanket close around her: falling into a deep and dreamless sleep.

The next thing she knew Jarod gently shook her. “We have to go” Muzzily she sat up, mid afternoon the shadows starting to lengthen from the trees. She looked over to Cerynus sitting up, pale and weak but alive. Rua caught her eye and grinned. They had done it. Together the two of them had saved Cerynus. She got up and stretched, still tired but she could make it.

“We’ve got to make the time up now. Rhysin’s forces could be after us,” said Jarod. She nodded. He gave her some tea.

Slowly she sipped feeling rejuvenated almost immediately. She walked over to Cerynus sipping his own tea. “You saved my life. We are now kin, you are now of my clan, my own heart's blood links us.”

“I couldn’t let you die. You’re my friend.”

“Ariana, I’m honored. But you took a grave risk; the Stalker’s magic could have destroyed you. Never take such a risk again.”

“I can’t promise you that.”

Cerynus just looked at her, gray eyes unwavering. They reminded her of the wolf’s eyes. She looked down. “All right I’ll try.” Cerynus nodded, satisfied.

“Rua was also there. If she hadn’t woken me up...” Ariana shuddered.

“We have to hurry.” Jarod interrupted them, “We’ve lost too much time, and Rhysin’s scouts could be on our trail.”

They doused the fire scattering the ashes. Gulping down their cooling tea, they rolled up their bedding, packed their bags and mounted up. Ariana’s legs protested as she swung into the saddle. “How far are we from the town?” she asked.

“A two-day journey north.” answered Jarod. “We’ll ride until dark. Let’s go.”

They trotted down the trail. Ariana’s mind wandered, she wasn’t sure how she felt about being part of Cerynus’ clan. She’d ask Rua when they had a moment. She wasn’t sure where she belonged, Ledrith or New York. They both felt strange right now.