Alora_The Wander-Jewel Page 23

  “I’m going to bring Raelene here. Okay?”

  “Go ahead,” said Charles. “I don’t know what they’re doing, but I guess I was doing the same thing a few minutes ago.”

  Alora moved her grandmother to the clearing beside her uncle. They watched as Realene blinked hard a few times, rubbing her eyes. “Where are we?”

  “We just took you away from that group over there, Grandmother. What’s wrong? Can we run over there and wake everyone up? Or is it some kind of gas or something? Will we all go into a trance if we run over there?”

  Raelene gasped as she looked behind her at the frozen group. “This is something of Abaddon’s dark magick. I’m certain we would have all stood still while someone came to slit our throats. We’ve seen scenes of slaughter like this, but never suspected the cause.” Her face reflected her horror. “I don’t believe it’s anything in the air, but we can tell easily enough. I’ll simply attempt to wake them up, and if I go still like the rest of them, transport me out of there.” Without waiting for agreement, Raelene ran into the midst of the statue-like warriors, shaking them and yelling, with no response.

  When Raelene didn’t return to her trance condition, Alora and Charles went to help her, but their efforts were also in vain. So Alora transported each of them a few feet away, two by two, holding their hands. The transport seemed to break the spell. As the warriors came out of their dream state, they hurried to retrieve their weapons and return to the battle.

  Alora moved with Charles and Raelene back to her observation site, near Wesley. She saw the first of the formerly frozen warriors returning to the fight, and she hoped they were not too late.

  “Look, Alora!” Raelene pointed shaky fingers toward a rocky rise where Nordamen was in a standoff with the shaman he called Abaddon. Both their hands were raised toward each other, smoke and fire flying from their fingertips.

  “What should I do Grandmother?”

  “Can you move Abaddon a short distance away? It might break his concentration and give Nordamen the advantage he needs.

  I can do better than that. With all the strength of her emotions, she grabbed Abaddon and wished him to the same high canyon wall where she’d sent Graely’s attacker. She felt jubilant when he disappeared.

  Nordamen slumped to the ground, obviously exhausted. Should I transport him to me? No, he might lose an important tool or weapon if he has something made of metal.

  “Grandmother, should I transport him over here?”

  “It’s too late!” Raelene cried, her hands over her mouth.

  “What? What happened?” She turned back to find Vindrake pulling Nordamen to his feet with a knife to his neck. Vindrake shouted for attention and Morvaen whistled to stop the Stone Clan warriors.

  Alora felt tears stinging her eyes. Why hadn’t she brought Nordamen to safety while she had the opportunity? She thought of sending Vindrake to the cliff face, as she had Abaddon, but his contact with Nordamen ensured they would go together. What could she do? Even if he let go of Nordamen, he probably still had on protective iron as he had earlier in the day, so she couldn’t transport him, anyway.

  Alora thought she noticed Arista edging forward, but then she disappeared next to Morvaen. Perhaps Nordamen was shielding her so she could slip behind Vindrake.

  “I think the trees are hiding us from Vindrake’s view,” whispered Raelene. “But I hope he cannot sense your presence. If he does, he will demand a trade. And you must not take that chance even if Nordamen’s life is forfeit. If Vindrake notices you are here, you must take Kaevin and flee. Then bring your uncle and Beth and Wesley to you as well.”

  Alora nodded her head, but her mind was racing. Surely there was something she could do besides running away to safety.

  “I’m afraid we’re at an impasse,” announced Vindrake. “I intend to return to my kingdom for now, and I will take my remaining men with me. Nordamen has kindly agreed to accompany me.” He pressed the tip of the knife against Nordamen’s throat until he drew a drop of blood. “I will return him to you when you return my daughter to me.” A merciless smile bloomed on his face. “Unless, Morvaen, you wish to return her to me now?”

  “She left,” Morvaen called out, speaking the truth. “And she knows not to come back.”

  “Pity,” said Vindrake. “I’ll simply continue with my original plan. But Lena can come to me when I’m back in my kingdom. He suddenly flinched and reached behind him to grab a squirming Arista by the arm and pull her to the front, still holding the knife securely against Nordamen’s throat. “This impudent little mouse has removed my irons.” He kicked at the belt that lay at his feet and laughed. “But you see, that doesn’t matter any more. Lena is not here to transport me, so I do not need the protection. In fact, I am stronger without its limitations.”

  Arista clamped her teeth down on his finger, and he screamed, jerking his hand away. But somehow he kept his hold on her arm. He rammed her mouth with his fist, splitting her lip. Suddenly, an arrow appeared in his shoulder, and he dropped her to the ground, shrieking with fury. She disappeared, but Vindrake somehow managed to keep his hold on Nordamen, who appeared to be losing strength, sagging toward the ground.

  Alora tried to peer into the dark forest to see who had shot the arrow. Was it Wesley?

  “You’ll pay for this! You’ll pay for this with your shaman’s life!” Vindrake threw Nordamen to the ground, fisting his hand toward him. Nordamen thrashed from side to side, holding his throat, his eyes bulging and his feet kicking as he gasping for air.

  Alora concentrated, using all her will to send Vindrake crashing high into the canyon wall with Abaddon.

  Vindrake disappeared.

  Most of the Water Clan warriors seemed confused, dropping their weapons and surrendering. A few were more belligerent, but were quickly subdued. But before Alora could feel a sense of relief, a sharp stab of pain swept through her. She cried out, nearly fainting from the intensity.

  “Kaevin’s in pain. I need to go to him.” Her eyes watered from the agony. “He’s with Beth in the clearing near the horses.”

  Raelene nodded. “We’ll meet you there.”

  Alora transported to the clearing. She found Kaevin, but not as she expected. He was on his knees, with his broken hand firmly in the grasp of another’s—a man in a dark cloak and hood, with his back to Alora.

  “Kaevin!”

  The hooded man pivoted to face Alora, his hand still gripping Kaevin’s. Kaevin exclaimed again at the twisting pressure on his broken fingers, and she flinched at the flash of pain. The man’s hood fell back, and her breath caught in her throat.

  “Lena! We meet again,” said Abaddon. “I see you have not mastered your transports. You should have taken Kaevin farther away—to a safe place. I thought you had bested me when the stone did not bind you, but your inexperience betrays you.”

  “But—but I thought you...”

  He raised his eyebrows. “What? What did you think? Did you think you’d killed me with your transport?” He laughed. “Well, I must admit, my landing wasn’t very comfortable. But you didn’t move me far from here. Probably no farther than you could see.”

  Alora tried to think through a haze of pain, to stall for time. Maybe someone would come in time to save them. Wesley or Arista could shoot him with an arrow if he was standing in the moonlight. Maybe if she coaxed him forward a bit, out of the shadow of the trees.

  “I wasn’t trying to kill you,” she lied. “I just hoped you wouldn’t be able to get back so quickly.”

  “In that case, you’re more foolish than I thought, because I will not hesitate to kill you.” He took a single step toward her, dragging Kaevin with him. “And Master Vindrake was very clear. If you would not cooperate with him, he wanted you dead.”

  “But Vindrake is dead now,” she reasoned, moving away from Abaddon. “You don’t have to follow his orders any more.”

  “Vindrake? Dead?” He laughed again. “Unconscious perhaps, but certainly not dead. I would k
now the moment my bondmark left me. No—Vindrake is very much alive.” He moved forward again, and Kaevin cried out in pain.

  Alora tried to bite back her own cry at the echo of pain she felt from Kaevin, but Abaddon noticed.

  “What’s this?” he said. “Do you care so much for the boy? Perhaps we could reach an understanding after all. You could agree to use your gift for Vindrake, and in exchange, I might promise not to do this.” He squeezed Kaevin’s fingers, eliciting a scream of agony. She couldn’t help crying out in pain, as she fell to her knees, almost fainting.

  “Fascinating,” said Abaddon, smiling gleefully as he moved toward Alora, stepping fully into the moonlight. A muffled thwock sounded behind her as two arrows flew toward Abaddon. The arrows bounced back, falling harmlessly to the ground.

  Abaddon’s maniacal laugh reverberated through the air. “Oh my! Did Nordamen not advise any of you I am impervious to metal? I think you’ll find I’m quite difficult to kill.”

  He took another step toward Alora. “In fact, if you look behind me, you’ll see the other girl who thought she could kill me with a sword.” Alora gasped at his words. He killed Beth! Before she realized his intent, he grasped her hand.

  “Now, Lena. You will take us away from your friends immediately, or I will be inclined to inflict a great deal more pain on the boy. Come—stand beside me.” He attempted to pull her to her feet.

  She felt Kaevin’s intense pain swelling yet again. The agony swirled in her head, until her vision narrowed and darkened. At least if she passed out, Abaddon couldn’t force her to transport, and the warriors might be able to find some way to kill him.

  A gurgling noise pierced her hazy thoughts, and her hand was released. She collapsed on the ground beside Kaevin.

  “Alora. Are you all right?” Her uncle’s voice penetrated her consciousness.

  “Abaddon!” She choked out a warning. “He’s here. He’s alive.”

  “No, he can’t harm you anymore. He’s dead, Alora.” Uncle Charles knelt beside her, holding a bloody ceramic knife before her eyes. “Unless he can grow a new neck. What am I saying? People in this crazy place probably can grow new necks.”

  “No,” Raelene said, kneeling beside Charles. “You did it. You killed him.”

  “Alora,” called a weak voice. “Please...”

  “Kaevin!” Alora moved in front of him, placing both hands on his face, and kissed him. She breathed a sigh of relief as the pain lessened in her head. She felt him relax as their lips pressed together. “I’ve got to make some transports.”

  “No,” he said, reaching with his crippled hand to pull her back into a kiss, and speaking with his lips against hers. “You’re too weak. We’re too weak. You could kill us if we stop kissing.”

  “We’ll figure a way,” she whispered into his mouth. “Raelene,” she called, “I can take two people at a time to Laethan. But I can’t be away from Kaevin without passing out.”

  Raelene nodded. “We’ll bring them to you. Charles is holding Beth. Take them first.”

  Alora and Kaevin struggled to their feet. As her vision darkened, her head swam, but Kaevin wrapped his arms around her, his broken hands tucked awkwardly behind her back.

  “Did you see what happened to Beth?” she asked with a shaky voice. “Is she... did he kill her?”

  “I don’t know. She attempted to stab him in the back with the sword, but he twisted around and kicked with his foot. His movements were so quick, it was almost a blur. She flew backward into the tree trunk, and never moved again.”

  “She’s still breathing,” said Charles as he carried his burden to stand beside Alora. He maneuvered one hand to awkwardly grasp her arm. His mouth twisted in a wry grin. “Okay. Beam me up, Scotty.”

  Laethan jumped to his feet when he saw them arrive. Then he turned suspicious eyes to Charles. “Who is this?” he asked Alora, even while taking Beth from his arms and placing her on a bed.

  “Laethan, this is my Uncle Charles. He and my Aunt Lena raised me. Uncle Charles, this is Laethan, the healer. And this is Beth. She’s hurt.”

  He started cleaning away matted blood from her head. Without looking up he said, “When the two of you are willing to cease this unrestrained behavior, Kaevin can return to bed so I can set his broken bones. I suppose this is considered appropriate where you are from, Alora. But here in Stone Clan, we are offended by promiscuity.”

  Kaevin heaved a pained and heavy sigh. “I must be with her, Laethan, and we have more wounded to transport.” He carefully placed a broken hand on Charles’ arm. “Sir, we need to go. Can you explain it to him?”

  “Me? Explain it to him? Are you kidding me?”

  “Thanks, Uncle Charles,” said Alora, as she pressed her lips to Kaevin’s and they disappeared.

  After five more transports, Alora collapsed with Kaevin on adjacent chairs in the healing room. She was so tired she barely noticed the hard wood rungs digging into her back. She locked arms with Kaevin and closed her eyes, relishing a moment’s rest. But her eyes popped open at the sound of her grandmother’s voice.

  “I have some grave news for you.” Raelene’s face was wet with tears as she knelt on the floor and laid a gentle hand on Kaevin’s arm. “Laethan has done all that can be done for your father and Jireo. He does not believe they will live another full day.”

  Alora glanced over to Jireo’s bed, where Arista stood weeping with a man and woman who must have been her parents. Kaevin buried his face in his hands, keening his grief, and she tasted her salty tears.

  “No! This doesn’t need to happen. We’ll take them to the hospital in Montana,” said Charles. I saw Doc Sanders save guys hurt worse than this in ’Nam.”

  Raelene stood to face him. “I don’t understand these words. Nam? Hostal?”

  “A hospital is a place full of nothing but healers—amazing healers with magic medicine,” explained Alora. “But, Uncle Charles. How are you going to explain them? Their wounds? Their clothes?”

  “We’ll improvise,” said Charles. “I don’t know, but we can’t just let them die without trying to save them.”

  “Is it even possible to take them back?” asked Raelene, inclining her head toward Alora and Kaevin. “They don’t have the strength for such a long move.”

  Alora saw the desperate hope in Kaevin’s eyes. “Give us thirty minutes to recover,” she said. “We’ll have to make two trips, so Kaevin and I can stay together. We won’t go to the ranch. I’ll take us straight to the hospital. I know exactly where it is, because we went there so many times when Beth broke her leg.”

  “I’ll go on the first trip and carry Graely,” said Charles. “I’ll call Doc Sanders and tell him—I’ll tell him—I’ll think of something.”

  “We’ll come right back for Jireo, and Wesley can carry him,” said Kaevin. “But do you really think you can save their lives with your magick?”

  “I didn’t really mean it when I said the medicine was magic,” said Alora. “But the doctors can do amazing things. Right, Uncle Charles?”

  “Kaevin, I won’t make promises I can’t keep. But I have all the faith in the world in Doc Sanders. If anyone can save them, he can.”

  “What about Beth?” asked Alora. “She probably has a concussion.”

  “I’d appreciate if you’d come back for Beth, and for me as well, after you’ve regained your strength,” said Raelene.

  “We’ll come as soon as we can,” Alora promised, praying they’d be able to bring good news when they returned to fetch Raelene and Beth.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “A hunting accident?” Dr. Sanders asked, skepticism plainly written on his face.

  “Shhhh.” Charles peeked outside the curtain to be sure no other doctors or nurses were within earshot.

  “Yes.” Wesley bobbed his head. “We went bow hunting.”

  “And those two men were hit with arrows?” Doc raised his eyebrows.

  “Kind of more like knives... like big knives.” Charles scrambled
for a plausible explanation. Lord knows the truth isn’t believable.

  “You were hunting with big knives? And?”

  “Uhmm... we got an elk, and we were cleaning him, and the knife slipped,” said Wesley.

  “Twice?” asked Doc. “The knife slipped twice? Once into one man’s gut and another time into the boy’s chest?”

  Charles put his hands on Doc’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Can you save their lives?”

  “They’re prepping them both for surgery right now. It would’ve been better if we’d gotten them more quickly, but I’m not giving up.” Doc pinned him with a stern gaze. “But you understand, I have to explain this. Why can’t you tell me what really happened?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me, Doc.”

  “Try me,” he said flatly.

  Charles took a deep breath. “You remember fifteen years ago, when we got Alora? And she had that weird jewel in her belly button?”

  Doc glanced at Wesley and back to Charles and spoke out of the side of his mouth. “I thought no one else knew about that. It’s been fifteen years. Did her real parents finally show up or something?”

  How can I explain it? Charles sent a questioning look to Wesley, hoping he had an idea.

  “Don’t ask me what to say. I haven’t figured out what to tell my folks yet. My dad will be cool about it, but my mom is gonna flip.”

  “What?” demanded Doc. “Just tell me. I’ve been a doctor for thirty-five years. I was in ’Nam with you. Nothing’s going to shock me.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Wesley laughed.

  Alora and Kaevin materialized in the room, still locked in an embrace, accompanied by Raelene, who had her arm around Beth.

  “What the—” Dr. Sanders stumbled back against the wall. “Where did you come from?”

  “I’m sorry, Uncle Charles.” At least Alora had the grace to blush when she spotted Dr. Sanders. “I didn’t know you weren’t alone. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Could you please go outside if you’re going to keep kissing?”