Chapter 19
A Meeting at the Crossroads
The companions burst through the trees and into the light at a reckless speed. A waterfall cascaded down a rugged cliff. The pond it poured into was almost at the very edge of the clearing. Shimmer dug all four hooves into the dirt and tried to slow down, but her momentum forced them into the water.
Echo found herself flung from Shimmer’s back and thrust headlong into the base of the waterfall. She had only a split second to take a breath before the surging water forced her under. The thunderous sound of the waterfall shook her core as the churning water pushed her deeper. She frantically kicked her legs and flailed her arms, attempting to swim out from under the falls. But the force of the water kept pulling her back. She was running out of air!
A pair of ghostly hands wrapped around her waist and yanked. Echo shot out of the water like a flying fish. Her rescuer released her as she flew over the pond and then landed hard on the shore. She gasped for air and would’ve lain there, but Shimmer’s scream forced her to rise and draw her weapons. The doons were still in pursuit.
The brightly lit area slowed the dark creatures, although they were still able to slither between shadows in the grass and behind rocks. Echo and Shimmer faced them, even knowing they knew they had no way to defeat them. The doons were close enough to reach toward them, ready to grab them and drag them back to Belzac.
A giant orb of water descended before them. It reflected the sunlight like a great mirror, blasting the doons with flashes of light. The shadows screeched and then broke apart, their forms tearing like delicate fabric. And then they were gone. The orb crashed to the ground, splashing Echo and Shimmer.
Echo spun around and faced Cage. She was so happy to see him she laughed. Her joy was quickly thwarted at Cages’ expression. His scowl was deep and his nostrils flared, his jaw muscle contracted as he clenched his teeth. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Echo gaped at him and Shimmer set herself firmly between Echo and Cage. The wraith’s unnerving voice sounded from the other side of Shimmer’s form. “Tell her to move. Now!”
Reluctant to face the angry wraith, Echo hesitated. But, knowing she’d have to talk to him sooner or later, she asked Shimmer to step aside. The horse slowly stepped back. Echo kept her eyes on the ground, afraid to look at Cage. She could hear him breathing hard, as if he were attempting to calm himself. She didn’t think it was working.
Cage spoke through clenched teeth, “You could have just been captured or killed. Do you realize that? Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you are causing? What happens if you die? You won’t be able to help Brecker. You won’t be able to help me.”
Echo suddenly felt her anger. Her eyes snapped up as she scowled at Cage. “You wouldn’t care at all what I was doing if you didn’t want to use me. I’m doing what I have to do in order to help Brecker.”
Cage shook his head, his lips were a thin line. “What are you doing to help Brecker? Seeking a Fate? You seek a Fate, you seek worse than death. No matter what you ask, she’ll find a way to use your request for her gain and your loss.”
“And you would know, I suppose. Have you ever asked help from a Fate?”
“No. I’m not that stupid! You need to turn around and get back to Thildin. You are completely exposed out here. Belzac knows where you are, obviously.” Cage stared at her. “Everyone knows where you are, Echo. Did you really think you’d fool anyone?”
Cage’s words felt harsh, but Echo held her ground. “If everyone knows where I am, then why hasn’t anyone, besides you, come after me yet?”
Rolling his eyes, Cage answered, “You’re with one of the fastest horses on the planet, for one. Plus, Dorian felt you needed this journey for some stupid, elvish…” Cage’s mouth screwed up as he tried to think of the right word, “thing!” he spat. Echo would’ve laughed if she hadn’t been so irritated.
“Well, then, if Dorian thinks I need it, I probably do. Besides, Palmaero said my help would be needed along this path, so I’m not going to stop now.”
Cage gaped at her. “Palmaero? He talked to you?”
“Actually, to us,” Echo replied and patted Shimmer on the neck. Shimmer raised her head proudly.
Cage ran his fingers through his hair. “Fine. Whatever. But I can’t save you every time you get into trouble. In fact, I have to go.” He pointed his finger at her, “Keep yourself safe--stay in the light as much as possible and keep a fire going at night. I still think you’re making a big mistake.” He paused and his face brightened as a sly smile crossed his lips. “Of course, I could force you to come with me, you know. I’ve kept people alive under the water further distances than from here to Thildin.”
Echo gulped. She knew she was too weak to resist Cage’s spells. On a desperate hope, she put on her most confident smirk. “You could, but you won’t. Because if you do, I promise, I will never help you or anyone associated with you--ever!”
She felt a little childish speaking that way, but it felt good to see Cage’s smile fade. He growled in frustration and then dove into the water and disappeared. Echo was relieved and mortified at the same time. As much as Cage had irritated her, he had saved her life--and now, she and Shimmer were alone again.
The pair traveled at an urgent pace for the remainder of the day. That night, neither of them slept as they suctioned themselves to each other next to the bonfire Echo had lit. The flames leapt high and burned hot, threatening to consume the forest around them. But Echo wasn’t about to let it dwindle. She’d made a pile of twigs and logs as tall as Shimmer and placed it close enough to them that she’d barely have to move to add more to the fire. Owls, howling wolves, moaning breezes, and groaning tree branches helped fuel Echo’s wild imagination. She had to force her mind to think positively to keep her fears at bay.
Her thoughts went directly to Keebo and Cage. She dreamed about them both with her eyes wide and staring at the fire. The dancing flames transformed into dancing bodies--first her and Keebo, then her and Cage. They were so different. Yet she felt strongly about them both. She’d known Keebo forever. She knew his little quirks and knew his features so well, she could almost see him before her as if he were really there. His laugh sounded in her mind, helping her to relax; that cheerful laugh that reminded her of spring rain. She knew that was weird, but she didn’t know how else to describe it; maybe it was because Keebo’s laughter gave her a sense of peace, same as the rain.
But Cage, he was adventure. So mysterious, handsome, and--as she’d found on several occasions--strong. The fact that he was an expert horseman intrigued her even more. Especially since his horse was a kelpie. Her heart pounded, thinking about his alluring eyes and the spell he’d put over her the first time they’d met. Even his voice was exciting.
Echo continued with her reveries, back and forth between Keebo and Cage. Thinking about them kept her calm, and it was refreshing to think about something other than Brecker, Belzac, or the Fate.
The next two days of travel were miserable. Shimmer kept to cleared pathways, as the sun shone brighter there than in the trees. Echo was positive someone was following them and jumped at every sound, however minute. Neither horse nor rider slept except to doze off for a minute or two at a time. And both were in desperate need of nourishment as they’d been too scared to even stop and find food. Shimmer nipped at leaves and grass along the way, and Echo occasionally snatched a handful of berries. But it wasn’t enough. Her stomach growled at her like an angry bear woken from hibernation.
“Shimmer, I think we’d better stop. I need food,” Echo said wearily. Shimmer stopped immediately and, after Echo slid from her back, went directly to a patch of grass and clover and proceeded to graze hungrily.
“Not too much clover or you’ll get a belly ache,” Echo warned. Shimmer grunted and kept eating.
Echo knew she needed protein. The thought of killing a rabbit or some other cute, fu
zzy creature didn’t sit well with her, though. She nibbled on some freeze berries as she searched the ground for clues to certain roots that would give her what she needed. She didn’t find any. The silver berries were cold on her tongue and their juice was refreshing.
Not wanting to stop for too long, Echo lifted rocks and found insects and worms scurrying in every direction in fear of their lives. She thought of Dorian eating worms. She’d been revolted by it before, but with her stomach threatening to jump out of her throat, the prospect seemed suddenly acceptable.
Echo scooped up a handful of wriggling worms and rinsed them off with water from her canteen. Before she gave herself time to think about it, she stuffed the worms in her mouth. The first bite almost made her vomit. Shimmer paused from her grazing, looking to Echo with concern. She raised her hand and nodded, signaling she would be okay.
Okay, just chew fast and swallow! she told herself. The texture of the worms was soft and chewy at the same time. It was the squirting of their insides that made it horrifying. Echo shoved more freeze berries in with the worms, attempting to fool her brain into thinking the squirting was berry juice. The berries did help the taste, but her mind wasn’t fooled at all.
Finally, Echo had chewed enough to swallow. She took a long drink of water to wash it all down. Then, she sat on the rock she’d taken her meal from and stared at the ground. She was waiting for it to all come back up.
It didn’t. In fact, she felt a lot better. Her stomach stopped churning and she felt a little stronger for the food in her belly. She looked at the other rocks that lay scattered around them. No. One handful was more than enough! She ate more berries and chewed on the bark from their branches, which was good for boosting the immune system. Not that she expected to get ill, but it couldn’t hurt.
After Shimmer had had her fill, the companions walked side by side to continue their journey. Their moods had improved and Echo even felt hopeful. That is, until the all-too-familiar creeping sensation prickled her neck and scuffling noises sounded along the path behind them. Echo mounted Shimmer. “I think we need to move faster again!” she stated. Shimmer was already in a gallop before Echo had finished her sentence.
They ran for a long time, burning away all the food they’d just eaten. The sun was hanging in the western sky, beating down on them with relentless heat. Lather had formed on Shimmer’s neck and body when they came to a cross roads and stopped.
Echo dismounted and looked at the path behind them. She listened as intently as she could through her and Shimmer’s heavy breathing. The forest was quiet but for a few birds and squirrels.
Echo walked with Shimmer in a big circle to cool her down. They had to have gone several miles because Shimmer didn’t usually get tired after shorter distances. The thought astounded Echo.
“You’re amazing, Shimmer. That was quite a run!”
Shimmer responded by snorting. Echo sensed the horse wasn’t impressed with herself. Echo tried to disagree, but Shimmer’s focus remained negative.
Echo’s thoughts wandered to the cross roads they were walking around. Which way was the right way? They looked identical, except for a slight variation in the trees. Just what I need, Echo thought sarcastically. She was tired and grumpy. Did this mountain ever end?
A soft voice sounded, nearly causing the two companions to jump to the tree tops. They spun around as Echo drew her daggers. What Echo first noticed were the eyes. Large, almond-shaped, dark, and more beautiful than any eyes she’d ever seen. They were set in the delicate face of a girl with pale, smooth skin and long, jet-black, shining hair; pointed ears shown in contrasting white against her hair.
Her long, white robe was trimmed with bright shades of blue, red, and yellow. A circular ornament dangled from a red ribbon near the bottom of the robe; it carried a symbol that Echo didn’t recognize--dark and light swirling against each other as if chasing one another around the circle.
“I am sorry,” the girl said softly. Her words were crisp and clearly pronounced. “I did not mean to frighten you. Please, I will show you what I am, so that you will no longer fear me.”
Echo kept her blades pointed at the figure. She stood in awe as a pair of wings unfolded on the girl’s back; the tips had been pointed toward her feet, keeping the wings hidden behind her body. They now stretched upward, unfolding like a fan until the sharply pointed tips nearly touched above her head. The effect was angelic with the girl’s head haloed by the curved insides of her wings. They were as bright and colorful as her clothing.
The fairy smiled at Echo and Shimmer so brightly, Echo knew she was in no danger. She lowered her blades and the girl spoke, “My name is Song. I am a woodland fae. And you, my friends, have been sent to help me.”