Broken Earth Read online

  David shook his head, trying to rid himself of the bit of sadness that always crept into his heart when he thought of Jade, so far away. Perhaps not so far as she could have been, true – but far enough. It took a toll on their father, as well. He was getting on in his years, and was not always well. On those days when he could not get out of bed, David wished even more for Jade’s skilled hands about the farm.

  He expected to find a letter from Jade at the post, telling him of whatever reason she had not come to the farm, but was disappointed to find a lack thereof. There was only one thing for him. Written across the front of the envelope were the words: “David Misaria, Lormar Post.”

  David ripped open the envelope at the counter, pulling out a small bit of paper with words slightly smudged. He read it once, and then twice; and then he put it back into the envelope, thinking furiously. He eventually took the note out again, staring at it as though the paper might reveal something that the words written upon it had not.

  David,

  I am writing to inform you of a string of unlucky events. You need not know of them all – for what could you do with that unpleasant knowledge? I tell you only that none of us will be home again for quite some time – so do not come to the house.

  To tell you simply that we are off in search of adventure, with no malevolent force fueling our departure, would be a lie; but I cannot be more specific. Your sister has gone on first, and Heidi and I are in pursuit. Do not come running after Jade, gallant gentleman that you are! We will send word, when we have learnt enough to be of more use to you.

  Written in haste but with all due seriousness,

  Dera Black

  David folded the note, and crammed it into his pocket. He clutched tightly to the counter, and stared hard at the wall.

  “Are you all right, sir?” asked a small woman behind the counter.

  “Just fine,” said David, unable to look her in the face. He turned away from the counter, and walked quickly from the post.

  XII: Two Move Closer, One Falls Back

  The Kala was only a few miles off when Jade knew, with absolute certainty, that she was being followed. She had left the protection of the city, and was passing now through the open land that lay before the river. She was on her own in the pitch darkness; and she could feel those eyes upon her again, watching her every move.

  She pushed Buck, who had been meandering along sleepily, into a gallop. She could feel a malevolence behind those watching eyes. It fell all over her, filling her with doubts and suspicions. She laid a hand on the hilt of her sword; but what happened next came upon her so suddenly, she had hardly the time to pull it from its sheath.

  Buck gave a whinny of fear, as moving shapes appeared in the darkness. They came seemingly out of nowhere, there one moment but not the one before. Jade pulled up on Buck’s reins, bringing him to a halt.

  It seemed that the figures were multiplying. First there were three; but then there were six. Jade watched with suspended breath, as they stepped forward into the faint light of the stars.

  Tall men they seemed to be, thin but sinewy-looking. They stood all in a row, blocking her path.

  Jade could see others to the left and the right. Suspecting, of course, only more of what she had already seen, she was surprised to find that the additions were in fact large beasts, walking on two legs as a man would do. They grouped themselves around the row of men, two of whom, Jade now saw, were actually women. Six humans; six beasts.

  Those in front moved nearer, five of them falling behind a single man. He came directly to Jade, and gave Buck a pat atop the head, which made him scream in fright.

  “Good evening,” said the man, looking up at Jade.

  Jade said nothing. She watched the man in anxious discomfort, taking in his features and understanding, a little more each moment, that he was no more human than his wolfen counterparts. His face was deathly pale, but his eyes shone with a cold light from within. He smiled at Jade in what seemed to be amusement, revealing a set of white, pointed teeth. One of the women behind him snapped her own at Jade, smirking deviantly.

  “I am sorry to have interrupted your travels,” said the man. “For the sake of civility, shall we introduce ourselves? I already know who you are – so do not feel obliged to speak just yet.”

  “Best not to speak at all,” said one of the others.

  “Hold your tongue,” said the first man, his hand still poised above Buck’s shaking head. The horse backed a few feet away, pondering escape.

  “Control your beast, Misaria.”

  Jade stroked Buck’s neck, and leaned down to whisper into his ear. His trembling decreased, and he ceased to move away.

  “Thank you for cooperating. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. The introductions. I am the only one whom you shall need to answer to – so it should follow that my name will suffice. I am Biscayne, the third hand of the Sorceress.”

  “And I am meant to fear you?” said Jade, holding her sword aloft by her side.

  “You would, if you were wise.”

  “Perhaps I am not.”

  Biscayne grinned. “Perhaps you are not. But I am inclined to believe, unlike my brothers and sisters, that you are wiser than the others. Stronger, too.”

  “There are no others.”

  “Do not insult me. I was amongst those who slayed she who was called Josephine; and the Sorceress has already divined the location of the remaining two. So, please: let us be honest with one other, eh?”

  Jade felt her very blood begin to boil in her veins. Her vision blurred, and her teeth clenched painfully.

  “Oh, my,” said Biscayne. “I am afraid I have been insensitive. This must be a very difficult thing for you to hear. Tell me – how are you feeling?”

  There was a round of sniggering from the others.

  “It was no real undertaking, of course. She was the only one without Power. Can you satisfy my curiosity, and tell me why you kept such a defenceless creature amongst yourselves?”

  Jade resisted the inclination to take her sword to his throat.

  “Ah, there is such violence in your eyes; and such terrible thoughts behind them! What, would you try to slay me? I will save you the time and energy, and assure you that I cannot be killed by the likes of your weapons. Your Power, too, would not be enough to contend with the twelve of us.” He clucked his tongue. “It is a shame you were left all alone.”

  “If you were sent to kill me,” said Jade, “then have at it.”

  “I am afraid that those are not my orders. It is something you will like far better, I think.” He moved closer, so that he might lower his voice to a near-whisper. “Now, if it were up to me, I should have rather serious reservations, in bestowing such a gift upon a maggot like yourself. But I do as I am bid; so thank your fortunate stars.”

  He stepped back, and the others moved forward.

  “Get down from your horse,” he said. “Or I will kill it.”

  Jade climbed down from the saddle, but kept her sword close.

  The beasts howled in unison. Buck turned and ran.

  “It seems that you cannot escape,” said Biscayne. “Surrender to me now, or this will be very painful.”

  Jade stepped forward, and raised her sword in answer.

  As twelve angry shapes bounded towards her, she dropped to the ground, and rolled to the left; yet there came a great wolf upon her in an instant. The blade of her sword pointed upwards, and he fell heavily upon it. His heart was pierced; and as his chest filled all up with blood, there came a great torrent of it from his mouth, what fell down to the dusty ground like a bubbling river. Jade pulled the blade from his hide, and then moved her arm through the air, to cast the beast away from her.

  “Oh – good for you!” cried Biscayne. “I must commend your skills.”

  Jade leapt to her feet, and was entirely prepared, as two more beasts ran forth. She moved right to thrust her blade into the first; and dodged left to plunge it into the second.

  “My, my,”
said Biscayne. “It seems that I was right all along. These creatures are utterly useless!”

  “Watch your tongue, Biscayne,” said a beast from behind. The largest beast, it seemed.

  “Peace, Kellin! If you wish to avenge them, go forth now.”

  But the beast did not move.

  Biscayne stepped forward, and pushed Jade down to the ground. His incredible strength took her by surprise. Her sword fell from her hand; and a look of triumph flashed across his face.

  One of the women flew forward, determined not to waste that moment of opportunity.

  “Bein doma,” said Jade. The woman fell down upon her, and must have thought that she was very safe indeed; so she was quite surprised when the sword, flying up from the ground without the help of a hand, fell down upon her neck, and severed her head from her body.

  “Comm doma,” said Jade, as she gained her feet once again. Before anyone could intercept it, the sword returned to her, and she took it firmly in her right hand.

  Biscayne was looking down at the headless woman. “Well,” he said. “I certainly was not expecting that.”

  Jade moved away from the dead bodies, and put a bit of distance between herself and her eight remaining opponents. But they had seen her tricks, and were moving much more warily. Their eyes were fixed to both her and the sword; for they knew now that neither one was dependent on contact with the other.

  “Come, then!” she cried, brandishing the blade. “Come for me, cowards!”

  They all came as one, and she was overwhelmed. This time, when she lost grip on her sword, one of the men came to hold her arms fast behind her back. She could not shake free of his strength, and could not call back the sword.

  “I do hope you enjoyed yourself,” he hissed into her ear. “There will be no more of that.”

  Biscayne came to stand before her. Despite the fall of four of his comrades, he was still smiling. He studied Jade’s face for a long moment.

  “I must admit,” said he; “you have verily impressed me. I thought you much weaker.”

  “You had better kill me,” said Jade. “If you fail, I shall kill all the rest of you – sure as the sunrise.”

  “I am sure that you would try. And I would honestly enjoy watching you, if it were not for what I have already sworn to do.”

  Fear began to thrill through Jade, as a cold and unpleasant wind; but she stood quite as tall as she was able, what with the wrenched position of her arms behind her back.

  “Perhaps you shall make a better addition than I thought,” said Biscayne, motioning to one of the others. “Come, Zana. You shall complete the task.”

  The second woman stepped forth from the ranks; and came to Jade in a single, fluid movement.

  The clouds had rolled away from the moon. The land was bathed now in silver light; and the woman’s hair glistened with it. Her black eyes shone like dark diamonds, and pierced Jade as heated pokers.

  “I admire your efforts,” she said, her voice smooth but earnest. “I am inclined to agree with Biscayne – and do believe that you shall make a worthy sister.”

  Jade tried heartily to remain defiant; but found herself hypnotised by the woman’s eyes. They punctured Jade’s breast, and saw through to the heart behind, as if there were no obstruction between what lay within and without.

  “I thought that I would be filled with disgust, and with hatred,” said the woman. “I thought that this would be unbearable. But there is something inside you – something that is not so different from me.”

  “I am nothing like you,” spat Jade, breaking her gaze with some difficulty. “I killed she who was like you.”

  The woman smiled thinly. It was different, though, from Biscayne’s sneer. It was almost sympathetic, and almost sad.

  “She whose head lies now at your feet – she was not like me. I am who I am, and I ask no leave to be. Neither do you.”

  Jade could say nothing in return.

  “Perhaps this would be easier for you,” said the woman, “if I give you something in return.”

  She moved a bit closer. Jade’s eyes were again fixed unwaveringly upon her face; and she watched in amazement, forgetting her fear, as that face began to change shape.

  “Is it me you want?” the woman asked. But her voice was different now, as different as her face.

  Jade watched, transfixed, as the woman disappeared, and Heidi came to stand before her.

  “No,” she whispered, turning her face away. “It’s not real. I won’t look.”

  But as the face came nearer to her own, and a hand came to lay upon her cheek, she could not dispute that it was all quite as real as she hoped it was not. The lips brushed her ear, and the voice spoke aloud.

  “I am as real as you wish me to be.”

  It was Heidi’s voice – and she could not deny it. She shut her eyes, and tried to keep her face averted; but the voice kept on, and she could not close her ears.

  “This is what you know,” it said. “Is this not what you trust? Trust me now. Trust me again.”

  Jade felt herself go limp. She sank down to the ground; yet her arms were yanked painfully, by the man who held them still.

  “Let go,” said the woman. Said Heidi.

  The man released her, and her arms fell down to her sides. She could have fought; she could have taken back her sword. But she only listened, only waited.

  “Open your eyes. Open your eyes, and see your destiny.”

  Jade could not but do what she said. She looked again into her face, indeed forgetting altogether who she truly was. Her mind was no longer her own; and all she could see was Heidi, kneeling there before her. She lowered her face to Jade’s neck – and her lips were cool and gentle.

  “Welcome to the Lumaria,” she said.

  The lips opened, and Jade felt the pressure of sharp teeth against her skin. But she did not fight, because it was still Heidi’s hand in her own; it was still Heidi’s hair, soft against her face. The teeth bit down, so deep, and drew blood from the skin. But she could feel no pain.

  All of the strength went out of her, and she slumped forward onto Heidi’s shoulder. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

  “Shhh,” said Heidi, holding her tightly as she sank down to the ground. “Sleep now.”

  Jade was overcome by sudden drowsiness, and could not help but close her eyes. A hand came down upon her face, and lingered for a moment, to stroke her cheek – but then it was gone.

  All was silent. She could feel no one around her; and could hear no voices above her. She fell down, and down, into a sleep deep as death.

  ~

  The sun fell, for the second time since they had allowed themselves to close their eyes, and they continued to move steadily across the plains. Heidi felt a strange heaviness settling over her. The moon was playing wild antics, one moment hidden behind a mask of murk, the next sliding back to shine its cold light upon the ground. She almost preferred the darkness, for when she found that she had been suddenly illuminated by that grey radiance, she felt all too visible.

  “I don’t like this place,” she whispered, keeping close to Dera on the narrow road.

  “Nor do I,” said Dera (in a voice quite equally soft, as if it feared hearing by an unknown entity). Her eyes flicked back and forth, from the left to the right, and searched for malevolent shapes in the gloom. “Again I feel eyes upon us. Eyes no longer blind.”

  “At least the coyotes have kept away,” murmured Heidi (though she did peer about after she had said this, for fear that to speak of the thing which had not happened, might verily cause it to happen).

  “Coyotes?” said Dera loudly. “You said nothing of coyotes.”

  “I would say,” said Heidi, “that perhaps they were sleeping; though I would begin to fear that you had roused them all.”

  “Or perhaps they have already eaten,” said Dera, in a voice much quieter this time.

  Even in the wide open space, the air felt thick and heavy, and clung to the skin like the heat
of summer. Yet it was terribly cold.

  “It feels not as it should,” said Heidi. “Even as I speak, I can hardly breathe.”

  “A tightness of the chest?” asked Dera.

  “Exactly.”

  “If I could not see for miles on end, and did not know almost without a doubt that we are alone, I would guess that something walked nearby. Something with unfriendly eyes.”

  “You and your eyes,” said Heidi – though she looked all about nonetheless. “Sometimes I think that you only imagine them.”

  “I know what I feel.”

  “And I know what I feel. I don’t know about you, but I can’t go any farther tonight – not without a bit of sleep.”

  For a great tiredness had only just come upon her, dragging her limbs and weighting her eyes. The darkness became thicker, and the moon moved away for what seemed the last time, taking its disconcerting glow away with it.

  “I don’t want to stop here,” said Dera.

  “You intended to go a hundred miles without stopping?”

  “Well, no – but now that I think of it . . .”

  “That’s ridic –”

  Heidi’s words were cut short; and she fell forward in the saddle, as if something had shoved her from behind. She clasped tightly to Eriah’s neck.

  “Heidi!” said Dera, swinging to the side to take hold of her arm. “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t –”

  As he felt her begin to fall, Eriah came to a stop at the side of the road. And it was less, then, like falling asleep, and more like being rendered unconscious. She felt a thick cloth being tied round her eyes, and felt a distant pain, not of that moment and not close to her mind; she fell from her horse to the cold hardness of the road, and knew no more of what was taking place for a long while.

  She was in a dark place; even darker than the road she had left behind, and without that strangely luminous quality that is always present in the sky. She concluded, therefore, that there was no sky, and that there must instead be a roof. She was lying on her back, so it was not difficult to try and inspect; but there seemed such a distance between herself and the ceiling, she could see only what was directly before her.