The Heartstone (2 page)

She woke up parched. It was late afternoon. She was still alone. By now, Ariana would have welcomed some company, even the mysterious kidnappers. Birdsong filtered down through the treetops. Was she the only person here? There was no traffic noise. There wasn’t the slightest sign of any human habitation. Standing up, weaving on her feet Ariana moved out of the burned circle and walked around the perimeter of the clearing.

How had she been brought here? There was no way any vehicle could have gotten through the tangled underbrush. Ariana looked for tire tracks anyway. She was beginning to doubt her kidnapping theory.

There was a narrow track barely wide enough to pass through. She started down it a few steps then stopped, looking back. She had to get back to civilization, staying in the clearing wouldn't help. Resolute she turned and walked away.

The bushes rustled. At every noise, Ariana expected something to crash through the underbrush. But nothing attacked. Walking was a slow progress; brambles caught on her clothes. She clambered over deadfall. Sweat stung her eyes. The trail grew slippery with mud then dead-ended at the bank of a stream.

Ariana knelt and rinsed out her mouth. The water was frigid. She drank greedily until her teeth tingled, feeling her mind clear. Finished, she washed some of the grit from her face; finger combed her hair, and felt marginally better. Sitting down on a large rock on the shore Ariana tried to decide on her next move.

Follow the stream. It was her only guide. At least she'd have water. Plus there were usually towns near rivers and streams. Tonight she'd need shelter. She doubted there was a Holiday Inn nearby. The thought of being alone in this vast forest chilled her. She'd heard of people being lost for months in the Adirondacks. If only she had her cell phone. Her stomach rumbled.

Some of the small blue and green birds had congregated around a berry bush nestled on the far bank, she stone-stepped over to it. The berries were crimson and fragrant. She tasted one, juice squirted into her mouth. Ariana stripped a few from the nearest branches and devoured them. Distracted, she didn't hear the rustling in the bushes behind her.

A deep male voice called out. Ariana turned, dropping the berries on the rocky bank. A dark haired man slipped from the underbrush. He held a bow; a quiver was slung over his shoulder.

Ariana screamed and fled, splashing through the rocky streambed almost twisting her ankle sliding on algae covered rock. She stumbled, water spraying as she righted herself. Reaching the bank, she flung herself up the steep muddy shore.

She stopped as an arrow impaled the muddy bank in front of her. The arrow quivered in the dirt, inches from her fingers. She flinched back with a cry.

Carefully Ariana drew her hands back and stood up. She could feel her heart pounding waiting for the next shot that would hit between her shoulder blades. Slowly keeping her hands in the air Ariana turned to face the bowman. She froze. Another arrow was notched on the string, pointing straight at her heart. He gestured for her to move away from the bank. The cold water numbed her feet but she didn't dare disobey. This guy was tramping around the forest like some crazy Renfest reject. Ariana didn't want to set him off.

"Listen," she started, "What's going on? Is this a joke or something? You could really hurt somebody with that thing. Just let me go and I promise I won't tell anybody, I mean the authorities or the government or anything."

He looked baffled. Wow he was in really deep. It was just her luck to meet up with some wacko para-military group. She'd never get away. Ariana started sweating. Heat spread through her body radiating out from the gem under her sweatshirt. It felt like a nail was being hammered into her skull. She felt faint.

"Who are you?" He had a thick accent. She could barely understand him.

"Where am I?"

"Why are you in the domain of Kievran Lord of Dun Caer?"

"What?" This guy was crazy; her palms started sweating. "No, really, what state is this? I don't have time for games. I just want to get out of here."

"I am Jarod of Dun Caer who asks. What is your title and clan?"

"Listen if you just point me in the right direction I’ll leave you all alone."

"What do you do here?" His finger tensed on the bowstring.

"I’m lost," she said quickly.

"What is your title and clan?" She thought for a second.

"My name is Ariana Cameron."

"Whence came you?”

"New York,“ she waited.

He didn't respond no sneering about the big city or anything. There was no recognition on his face at all. Her heart sank. Until that moment she'd hoped this was all just an elaborate prank.

"You’ve never heard of New York?" He ignored her comment.

"Come with me."

"No, wait a minute. I don't think so."

"You have no choice. You will come willingly or not." He drew the bowstring taut.

Ariana stood still. He would shoot her. She knew that. Walking up to her he looked her over. She caught the glint of silver from the intricate silver brooch holding his cloak and the torc around his neck. The icy water was soaking up to her knees. Her jeans were soggy around her legs. Looking at her clothes there was a question in his eyes. But he remained silent.

"Give me your word you won't run and I won't tie you up." She nodded.

"Come." He gestured with the bow. She didn't move. "Follow."

"Where are we going?" Her voice quavered, she coughed to cover it.

"Dun Caer." He strode away.

Ariana reluctantly slogged behind. The crushed berries stained the mud like blood and the birds swooped down to feast. They followed the trail that serpentined through the forest. Her heartbeats were loud in her ears. Questions buzzed in her mind like the midges swarming around their heads. This was just too weird. How had she gotten here? Where was here? Ariana tried to discard the wild thoughts that sprang into her mind. Jarod walked briskly and stopped impatiently to let her rest.

"How much further is it?"

"Not far." He gestured for her to keep walking.

"Listen, I didn't mean to trespass or anything. Please let me go. I promise I won't..."

"Be silent."

He glided over the trail. He walked with his head up yet didn’t make a sound. He blended into the forest. He wore a dun tunic, leggings and brown boots, the only splash of color the swath of dark green and blue wool over one shoulder. His brown hair was braided back from his face with a simple leather thong.

When she walked leaves crunched and her wet jeans flapped against her sodden sneakers. At least he held branches aside so they didn't smack her in the face. He hadn't tried to attack her but Ariana didn't trust him. She looked for an escape route; but the underbrush was thick along the trail. Even if she did get away he'd use the bow. Plus he was the only person here.

It was either stay with him or face this wilderness alone. Ariana shivered. She'd always loved the woods, but it had been in national parks along pruned semi-tame trails. This was different. The forest here was wild, dangerous. Ariana felt eyes on her as she followed Jarod like a beacon. The forest thinned, they reached the edge of a settlement.

This was no modern town. She'd hoped to find somewhere with a gravel road or a phone but no. Wooden buildings huddled between the trees, they looked hastily constructed and some leaned perilously. There were great rents in some of the walls and thatched roofs gaped with holes. Nearby a small patch of cleared land was filled with small gardens on one side and sheep and goats nibbled on the underbrush on the other. Blue smoke from cooking fires drifted into the sky. Pigs, dogs and children raced around.

Closer to the center of the large circular settlement, the buildings were larger. Colorful woven cloths waved in the windows and intricate carvings bordered the doors. Here the buildings were made of bright painted plaster and wood and the roofs were in better repair. People bustled about finishing the day's tasks.

They nodded and smiled at Jarod, but stopped and stared when they saw her. All the attention was unsettling and she kept her head down. As they passed, they gained quite a following of curious onlookers. Ariana glanced at the people surrounding her.

The men all wore the same type of clothes as Jarod but their plaids were more muted with plain brooches. The women wore simple cotton shifts with plaid overdresses held by elaborate pins. Ornate silver hairpins and combs threaded through their long rippling hair. Self-consciously Ariana pushed her straight dirty blonde hair behind her ears. Word spread about the newcomer and the crowd grew. Jarod turned.

"Are there no tasks waiting for you? You must plague me with your curiosity? Let be."

The crowd dispersed but eyes still furtively studied the pair walking to the fortress that dominated the town.

"Dun Caer" said Jarod.

A wall of reinforced logs encircled the fort. The Dun itself was made of stone. Every windowsill and doorway was covered in carvings, animals, and trees and entwined knots danced all over the fortress. They walked into the front courtyard; beaten earth packed flat from countless generations. A grand archway ornamented with interlacing dragons led to the great hall. Around the arched doorway the walls sprawled over a huge expanse. They walked past the carved oak doors that were the Dun's defense; the carved dragon sentinels peered at the intruder.

Inside the main hall was vast and dark. Torches sputtered in sconces along the walls. The sunlight shafted in through the windows but failed to relieve the gloom. The stone floors were swept, timber posts carved with stylized dragons held up the ceiling. Tapestries brightened the walls.

Tables were being set up in a horseshoe shape in preparation for an evening meal. On the far side, a fire roared. Servants gaped at them but looked quickly away at Jarod’s frown.

Jarod led her to a small chamber. The only furniture was a desk covered in scrolls and maps and a straight-backed chair. The room was dim fitfully lit by the sunlight streaming through the mullioned windows and the candle on the table.

In the chair with his back to the door a man sat studying a map. His broad shoulders were bowed over the table and his whole body was rigid with concentration. He was a large man and he filled the room with quiet power.

"Sir?" Jarod said softly.

The man turned, "I said no interruptions." His voice was deep and used to giving orders.

He peered at the intruders from deep-set brown eyes. He stood up, six foot three or more; long white hair tied back with a gold fillet. He obviously enjoyed his meals. His dark tunic draped with a fur-trimmed cloak didn't hide his girth. But he looked light on his feet for a man of his weight.

There were dark circles and pouches under his eyes and despite his florid coloring he looked wan. The impression lasted only a second. When he saw her he straightened, a mask of reserve falling across his face.

"Well my boy, what is this?" The man said, the gold torc around his neck glinting in the light.

"Sir, I found her at the northern boundary."

Shrewd brown eyes pierced Ariana. "Why are you in my lands?"

"Well, um sir" she said.

"Lord Kievran." He gestured for her to continue.

"My name is Ariana."

"Whence are you from?"

"New York, listen I don't want any trouble I just want to get back home..."

"How did you get past our scouts?"

"Well, I-."

"We must be more alert, Jarod." He interrupted. "We can't afford any more mistakes like this one.

"Yes, sir." Jarod said.

Kievran turned back to Ariana; he wore an ornate golden dragon brooch that seemed to watch her with its jeweled eyes.

"Well, how did you get here?" He demanded testily.

"I don't know. I didn’t mean to trespass; which I tried to explain to him.” She gestured at Jarod. “What I want to know is- what's going on? What is this place? Where am I?"

"Don’t be insolent, girl. Answer the question. How did you come into my lands?"

"I’m not being insolent, sir." Ariana started to get irritated. "I really don't know."

"That’s impossible. You're hiding something." His eyes grew hard. "Are you one of Rhysin’s spies?"

“Who?” She asked.

Jarod's hand went to his sword. If Ariana didn't figure out some story in the next two seconds there'd be a corpse on the polished veneer floor.

"No, I’m no spy." Her mind raced. "On my mother's grave I swear."

Lord Kievran looked at Ariana, pondering. Sweat beaded above her upper lip and her knees trembled. She locked her knees and bit her lip to stop the quiver. This might be her last few moments but she wasn't going to die with her head down. Ariana squared her shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. He saw her gesture and a slight smile touched his lips.

"Do you think she's a spy Jarod?" He asked. Jarod's green eyes were analytical as he judged her. He shook his head. "I don't think so. She would tell a better tale.”

"I agree. Give her time to think. Take her to the keep."

"No please..." Ariana said.