The Heartstone (7 page)

A metallic screech shattered the quiet. Starfall shied violently. Ariana grabbed her mane. “Stalkers!” Jarod dug his heels into the white-eyed stallion. Branches whipped around Ariana’s face. She bent low avoiding the branches trying to sweep her from the saddle. Her fingers tangled in the reins and the reek of horse sweat filled her nose. The mare’s labored breathing pounded her ears. A screaming snarl and a large body crashing through the undergrowth sounded behind them. She glanced back; a shadowy shape sped toward them. She leaned forward, gave the mare her head and prayed for speed.

Jarod swerved between trees, and then dropped from sight. Ariana wrenched Starfall after him. They plunged down a creek bed. Ariana hoped the mare could balance on the rutted trail. In two bounds, the horses splashed through the water and up the far bank. A barricade shimmered silver in the branches. Jarod charged into the underbrush, passing through easily. Ariana urged the mare after him. Sparks crackled rebuffing them. Starfall reared. The snarling closed in. Starfall’s ears flattened. Her nose went down and her back humped. Ariana wrenched the mare’s head up digging her heels into tender ribs. Again sparks crackled around them.

The growls grew louder. She pushed against the barrier. It resisted brightening as her hands touched it. Malevolent yellow eyes glared from the forest. Loud snarls filled the woods. Frantic, she pounded her fists against the barricade. White sparks waterfalled from her blows. A huge clawed paw swiped at them. Screaming Starfall lunged forward. The Heartstone burned against Ariana’s breast, the sparks died. They were through.

The panicked mare galloped away from the barrier. Ariana urged her forward. After a moment she realized the pursuit had stopped. They outstripped Firestorm. They burst through the trees into a meadow. A few more steps and the exhausted mare stumbled to a stop. She stood panting with her head down. She was lathered and trembling. Ariana felt no better. Her hands were clenched around the reins and mingled with the sweaty black mane like a vise. Jarod dismounted and came over to help her down. She almost fell out of the saddle. He steadied her as she slid off. He peered worriedly at her face. “Are you hale?”

She nodded, unable to speak. She looked around. On the right a waterfall, cascaded into a pool ringed by willows. Past the pool nestled a thatched house with a blue door. Around the back Ariana glimpsed a tidy herb garden.

Jarod looked at Starfall’s flank and whistled. “He got her a good one. Come on.” They turned to the cottage. The door opened and a tall slender man hurried over, gray hair tied back in an intricate braid. He wore a slate blue robe with silver embroidered stags on the cuffs, hems and collar. Cerynus was in his mid forties, younger than she’d expected. His pale scholar’s face calmly regarded the world. His eyes belied the serenity; deep-set, they devoured the world with intensity and fervor.

He barely spared them a glance, “Hurry get inside. There’s salve in the paddock.” Jarod nodded his mouth tight.

“Hurry up. I cannot hold him off all day.” Cerynus snapped.

He swept past them. The hair prickled on the back of Ariana’s neck as she heard a sizzle and smelled ozone followed by a loud feline squall. They hurried to the paddock Starfall stumbled a few times and seemed to favor her left hind leg. Jarod frowned. They quickly untacked both horses and found the salve Cerynus had mentioned Jarod cleaned Starfall’s flank. Ariana stood at her head. The mare rolled her eyes and snorted but stood still under his sure hands. Ariana tried not to look at the blood.

They walked to the cottage. Blue gray smoke rose from the chimney and ivy twined around the stone walls. A gray cat sprawled on the sunny flagstone on the threshold. It blinked at them from jade eyes, stretched leisurely and moved off into the long grass. They went in and hurried down the small hall into the main room. Whitewashed walls and bright rugs on the stone floor created a cheerful sanctuary dominated by the crackling fire.

They sat down wearily. Finally Ariana could take a breath. She sighed. After a few minutes, Cerynus joined them. They stood.

“You are welcome to my hearth.” Cerynus turned to Ariana with a gentle smile. He bowed deeply then straightened. His gray eyes stabbed her; there was a shock of visceral recognition. Cerynus turned away. She felt dizzy from the intensity she’d glimpsed before he veiled it.

“Jarod.” he bowed, slightly.

“Cerynus.” Jarod barely nodded in answer. Ariana wondered at the tension. Cerynus said nothing, gesturing for them to sit. After a moment Jarod sat. Ariana sat on a stool near the fire. Cerynus sat opposite her, studying them. “This is certainly an unexpected honor. So what brings you to my humble home?”

“We need your help.” Jarod muttered.

“So you barge through my shields? Leaving me unprotected while you continue on with the absolutely vital task your father sends you on. What is it, a large stag in the forest?”

“It is important. If you’d listen for a moment…”

“How does it feel to be a messenger Jarod? I’m surprised the great lords of Dun Caer would deign to speak to such a lowly scholar. I am honored.” Cerynus smiled; there was no humor in it.

“This affects more than Dun Caer,” said Jarod. “It was a long time ago….”

“It will never be a long time ago to me,” Cerynus uncovered his right arm, twisted and useless.

“What happened?” she asked, they ignored her.

“I can never forget what my beloved kinsman did or didn’t do.”

Jarod looked down,”It was an accident.”

“An accident? I can barely function.”

“Stop it! You dwell on your wrongs too much, it was long ago.” Jarod stood looking at the fire then turned to Cerynus. “We need you.”

“Why?” Cerynus pierced them with his gaze.

“You are the last mage still free.”

“So? Your father holds magic in contempt and me in particular. What is so important?”

“Dun Caer is under attack, our forces have fallen. Gareth is dead.” Jarod stopped for a moment. Cerynus’ mouth tightened and pain spasmed over his face.

“What can I do? I am no warrior.”

“You are the only one who can help.” Jarod continued doggedly.

“Oh now you come to the heart of it. After all your taunts you come to the weedy scholar eh? Where were you when I lay screaming under the tusks of the great boar? Where was your father boy?”

“He did what he could. He saved your life.” Jarod shot back.

“Better he let me die than leave me a cripple. I am useless.”

“Only if you make it so, we don’t have time for old hurts.”

Jarod turned to Ariana, “Show him.”

She took the stone from under her tunic. His eyes widened. Awe wiped his face of all expression. He closed his eyes. “Put it back.” He spoke calmly although the pulse at his temple throbbed skittishly. He rose and paced, then stopped looking at the fire.

“You are the only one who knows how to teach her to use the Stone.” Jarod said. “We need your help.” His voice was low pleading,

“Please Uncle…”

Cerynus winced. “How long?”

“We need to leave while the weather is still good. One moon at the most.” Jarod said.

“Impossible, I need at least six moons to teach her the bare essentials.”

“We don’t have that luxury.”

“Always hurrying, the great clan of Dun Caer, trampling over everyone else," Cerynus sneered. “Boy, what do you know of the magic arts?”

“Dun Caer, saved your family, the clan Dyffd from withering away. A once proud house of learning and grace puttering along...a house so lost in vitality there is only one son left.“

“Who was maimed by your father,” interrupted Cerynus. “Don’t forget your mother Dana, sacrificed...”

“They loved each other.” Jarod protested hotly.

“The white stag and the gold dragon both live in you, boy, don’t forget it.”

“I forget nothing… But you live in the past.” Jarod said.

“This is getting us nowhere.” Ariana said. “What was that thing that chased us? Is it gone?”

“You are right Stonebearer. Our family squabbles have nothing to do with the challenge at hand and should be put aside for the greater good.” With visible effort, Cerynus calmed himself.

“Peace, for now?” He put out his hand.

“Peace.” Jarod took it warily.

“I have been a negligent host, forgive me.” Cerynus forced a smile. “You need something to wet your throats after your long journey.” He went into the small kitchen. He returned a few minutes later with bread, fruit and cold ale. They ate silently, lost in thought.

Cerynus turned to Ariana. “First we must shield the Stone. The pull is incredible. The times to come will tax all our strengths but for you especially, the challenge will be great. We begin tomorrow. I must go create the shield spell and think on the best way to proceed. So if you will excuse me? Everything here is at your disposal. Your rooms are at the end of the hall. I’ll see you on the morrow.”

Cerynus left them with a smile for Ariana and a nod for Jarod who nodded back. Ariana looked at Jarod.

“What was that all about?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I need to know what is going on.”

“It was before I was born.”

“Alright... I know it must be painful. But...”

“No you are right. You deserve to know why Cerynus has no love for the house of Dun Caer.” Jarod sat down and looking stoically at the wall told her the story.

“When my mother Dana was pregnant with Gareth, she went to be with her mother. Father came with her. He felt cooped up. So he planned a hunt to pass the time. Father taunted Cerynus, into joining the hunt. It was two summers before his naming day. He was no warrior but had a promising future as a mage.

All went well, the hunters found spoor easily, and after a long chase the hounds cornered a wild boar. The boar charged. Bleeding dogs flew. Men scattered. Cerynus fell. The boar caught him by the arm. Father rushed back and killed the boar.

Healers saved Cerynus’ life, but couldn’t save his arm. With only one arm Cerynus couldn’t become the lord of Dyffd or a full mage. As soon as he could he left Dyffd and stayed here in seclusion at Shady Vale. He still blames my father although his life was spared.”

No wonder he’s bitter, Ariana thought, left alive but deprived of his dreams. “It’s not your fault.” She put out a comforting hand.

“Cerynus forfeited his lands. I swore. I’d never leave my people. But here I am.” Jarod rose sighing.

“Jarod, wait.” He turned back. “You’re going back to Dun Caer aren’t you?”

He froze, trying to deny it. “I made a vow to my father to protect you. But I have a duty to protect my people. Which is the honorable course?”

“Jarod, disobey him. You have the right to defend your home. I’ll be fine here.”

“Two seven days, that’s all I need. Whatever happens; The Heartstone is more important than Dun Caer.”

“For two weeks then, Jarod. I’ll be fine here. Besides I have your dagger. But be safe, I don’t want to have to come get you.”

“I’ll be safe. Don’t worry.” He smiled.

She hugged him. He held her tight for a moment. She closed her eyes and clung to him praying he’d be safe. His arms loosened.

“Goodbye, Jarod.” She tried to smile.

“Fare well Ariana.”

He let her go and turned abruptly, striding out the door. Ariana was surprised at how cold she felt. She stood there for a moment looking at the doorway.

Later in her bed, Ariana tossed and turned. She didn’t have the strength for this. She didn’t believe in magic. The image of her mother’s face came to her. Her mother had been young and scared too. But I’m not strong like her, she thought, I can’t do it. The figure of the man crept into her mind. She shivered. He frightened her more that anything else. His eyes were so cold and flat. The night crept by.

At the first blush of dawn, she went down to the deserted kitchen to find porridge bubbling in a cast iron pot on the hearth. Beside it was a small teakettle. Ariana looked dubiously at the cereal. She wasn’t hungry. But she supposed she’d better eat. On the white oak table a crock of sweet milk, butter and a bowl waited for her. Dutifully Ariana ate. The more she ate the better she felt.

After breakfast, she went up to Cerynus’ study. At the top of the stairs a round window looked out over the mist rising from the meadow. The trail Jarod had taken through the dew-covered grass was dark in the rising sun. Jarod was her only ally here. Cerynus had been abrupt last night. Ariana wasn’t sure about him. He reminded her of Dr. Farrell her freshman lit professor. He’d been the hardest teacher she’d ever had, very fond of pop quizzes. But it had ended up being her favorite class. She opened the door and walked in.

Books filled the shelves lining the walls and the overflow piled unevenly around the room, papers scattered and stuffed among them. The large window facing the waterfall was partially obscured by books and scrolls. Dominating the center of the room was a polished oak table. On the table were a small pile of books, a white candle in the center and an unrolled parchment. Cerynus sat reading in the window seat. He looked up with a smile. She sneezed. Papers ruffled.

“I’m sorry.”

“No my dear it’s a mess. I’m not a good housekeeper.”