“You move objects with you mind,” he repeated. “Well, that sounds pretty impressive to me. Plus, you can talk to spirits and see the future using that crystal ball of yours. Right?”
It was almost as if he were testing her. Or setting her up to catch her in a lie.
The horse stumbled a little, and he gripped her tighter in his embrace to keep her safe. “Steady, girl,” he said, talking to the horse, but at the same time it was like a little voice in her ear warning her not to open up her life to this stranger too fast.
She wanted to tell him that she’d had her mother’s crystal ball for a month now and it wasn’t until she got to Mura that she’d ever even seen anything in it at all. Then, she decided not to divulge that information just yet. She wanted to appear to him to be a strong woman, like Medea or Alaina or Lira. Like women who impressed her and whom she respected. Sadly, she didn’t feel strong in any sense, but didn’t want to be viewed as weak or naive. Not answering his question, she remained silent as they rode.
“Whoa,” she heard Darium from up ahead.
The travelers stopped and waited for Stone and her to join them. Fang panted and wagged his tail, almost looking as if he were smiling. The castle before them was majestic, fortified and made of stone. Thick walls made it look like it was an impenetrable fortress that no one would ever be able to escape. It sat high on a cliff overlooking the water. Flags fluttered in the breeze from the tall turrets at each corner of the citadel. It was an amazing yet at the same time a terrifying sight.
“The gate is down, so they are already wary or know we are coming,” Darium announced to the others. “We’ll go up the drawbridge on foot, walking our horses.” He held out one leather-clad arm. His raven flew down from the sky and landed atop it. “We’ll seem less threatening that way.”
“Good idea.” Stone slid down from the horse, holding out his arms to help her dismount.
“Thank you,” she said, putting her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her from the steed. His shoulders felt strong and sturdy under her fingers. His grip was secure yet not overwhelmingly tight. He set her on her feet, and for a brief moment their eyes interlocked. Everyone else faded away as she gazed into his steely orbs, feeling as if she could see all the way to his soul. At first, she sensed nothing but curiosity about her in his eyes. But then in the reflection of his orbs she saw something that frightened her immensely. A battle. Capture. And imprisonment. She gasped, never having seen a vision in someone’s eyes before! This went far beyond what she saw in her mind or even scrying with the gazing crystal, if she had been able to use it.
“Is something wrong?” Stone asked her.
“I’m not sure.” Fear coursed through her for more reasons than one. She worried for their safety, but at the same time doubted that she’d truly seen the future in the reflection of a man’s eyes. How could she? This must be a new power. One which she had no idea how to control.
“We need to keep on our toes,” warned Darium. “I’m not sure if we’ll be welcome here.”
“Once we’re inside the castle walls, I’ll search for Rancor and his counterpart,” offered Aithrod.
“Fang can pick up his scent. Keep him at your side,” said Stone.
“What about you?” asked Aithrod. “Won’t you be searching for Rancor with me?”
When Stone glanced over at Persimmon, this time she saw a sadness within his eyes that she couldn’t explain.
“Nay. I’ll stay with Persimmon and help her find Gregor instead.”
“But you’re the bounty hunter, Stone. It’s your job to find the thief,” she told him.
“I feel my job is to protect you now, and that is what I’ve decided to do.” Stone sounded firm with his decision. “I am not leaving your side while we are here, sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, feeling choked up that this man who was naught but a stranger to her would put her safety over the importance of a job he needed to do for his king. She wasn’t sure why he had decided this, but figured she would ask him about it later. Right now, she was basking in the fact that he had just called her sweetheart. Again. It made her feel important. Special. Pretty. These were things she had never felt before now.
“I will try to keep King Sethor busy and also from killing us.” Darium adjusted the sword on his back.
“Won’t we seem too threatening with weapons?” asked Aithrod. “I only have throwing knives and a dagger, but Darium, you and Stone have swords. Stone even has a crossbow and staff. Mayhap we should leave the weapons behind.”
“Nay!” cried Persimmon, having seen the battle. “We need to be able to protect ourselves if they should draw their weapons on us.”
“She’s right,” agreed Darium. “I wouldn’t enter the castle walls without protection.”
“And I don’t go anywhere without my weapons,” Stone assured them. “However, I am not sure it’ll matter. Once we are inside those castle walls, we could very well have an entire army opposing us, all with weapons drawn. If they decide to attack us, we won’t be able to ward them all off. Still, I’d feel better if you took my staff for protection, Aithrod.”
“I will,” said his friend, reaching out and patting the staff that he was already transporting on the side of his horse.
“I won’t let it come to that,” Darium assured them. “Besides, Sethor realizes that if they attack me, my brothers will both come with their armies in full array and he won’t stand a chance against them. He also knows that there are magical beings in our family now willing to help us. He won’t harm us.”
“Let’s hope you’re right,” said Persimmon, feeling her nerves shaking now.
They walked over the drawbridge, leading their horses and were stopped by two guards from the wall walk above.
“What do you want, Sin Eater?” called out one of the guards.
“I thought you gave up that nasty habit,” said the other with a chuckle. “No one called for your services, Blackseed. Go home.”
“I am not here to sin eat,” explained Darium. “I come with my friends to seek an audience with King Sethor.”
“He’s not expecting you,” said the one. “Go away. Send a missive instead.”
“Let us pass,” Stone commanded. “It is vitally important that we speak to your king. We have information he will want to hear.”
“Tell us your information,” said the one guard. “We will decide if he wants to hear it or not.”
“Men, let them in,” came a voice from behind the closed iron portcullis. “Raise the gate, anon.”
Persimmon saw a man appear with an entourage of soldiers in his wake. He was an older but tall man with graying hair and a hooked nose. He wore a crown on his head, and was dressed in a fur-lined cloak and kingly attire. An assortment of jeweled rings decorated most of his fingers.
“Is that King Sethor?” she whispered.
“I am guessing so,” Stone whispered back. “Whatever you do, don’t leave my side. And be sure not to speak before you are spoken to.”
“You are expecting trouble,” she mumbled, thinking of the vision she’d glimpsed in his eyes.
