“Hey, Kiren!Elt;/span>
Kiren grinned and waved at his girlfriend. “Hey, Danica. Hey, Raven.Elt;/span>
“Hey, Shazo,ERaven answered.
“Ready to leave school for break?Elt;/span>
Danica laughed. “I’ve been ready a long time.Elt;/span>
Kiren unlocked his turquoise Accord. “Well, let’s get in the car and out of here! As soon as the buses get the hell out of the way, that is.Elt;/span>
“Hey, let’s go to the mall.Elt;/span>
“Sounds good.Elt;/span>
“Wouldn’t I just be a third wheel?ERaven queried in a dry voice.
“Aw, come on, Rave, you know we love you.Elt;/span>
“How many times do I have to tell you? Don’t call me that.Elt;/span>
Kiren grinned and hugged her. “But it’s a cute name, just like you.Elt;/span>
“RightE
“Yo! Kiren!Eamp;nbsp; Rakesh waved at them as he crossed the parking lot.
“Hey, Rakesh. Care to join us? We’re going to the mall.Elt;/span>
“Sure. Hey, Yash, we’re going to the mall.Elt;/span>
“Are we? All right.Eamp;nbsp; The blonde unlocked his sleek black Toyota. “Well, let’s go.Elt;/span>
* * *
Skye bit her lip. Let’s seeEow did she put her hands again? She held her hands just in front of her chest, palms facing up and fingers spread, forming a sort of cradle. Closing her eyes, she said sofly, Elt;i>Kashet koto.Eamp;nbsp; Fire arrow. The words had just left her lips when a ball of flame burst out of nowhere, appearing in front of her with startling speed. It rapidly converted itself into an arrow, but larger than the other arrow spells she’d learned, and it seethed almost furiously within her grasp, its red and orange hues roiling.
Why is it so strong? Skye wondered. She thought back to the dream that she’d had last night.
Elt;i>You have the strongest fire magic that I have ever seen in a beginning mage,Eamp;nbsp; Javari had told Veyome. Elt;i>You have a simply amazing aptitude for it. Remember that. Fire can easily be the strongest attack magic in the hands of the right mage. But it’s easy to lose control of it because of that, so never, ever get full of yourself.Elt;/span>
So what do I do with this now? Skye stared at the arrow in fascination. I did this. Me. And I figured all I could do was sing. She guided the arrow around her room in tight circles, careful to avoid anything flammable, which was pretty much everything in the room. Wouldn’t it be sorta funny if I accidentally burned the house down or something. Nobody would know how it happened. And nobody would be believe me if I said it was because of fire magic. They’d all think it was a freak accident.
Gaining confidence, she began pushing it around faster and faster. The arrow trailed vanishing bits of flame and a line of smoke as it went. She did not realize the arrow would graze a poster on her wall until it actually happened. She clapped a hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming in panic and violently jerked the arrow to a halt.
Then she realized that although a bit of flame was burning on the poster, the paper was not being incinerated. How does that work? Skye thought. Maybe it’s because I don’t want it to burn anything? It’s my magic, after all. Maybe I somehow told it not to burn anything.
Cautiously extending a mental finger toward the miniature bonfire, she snuffed it out. Then she carefully dismantled the kashet koto spell and let the energy flow away smoothly. I think that’s enough for today.
* * *
“Well, here’s our little home away from home for the next week or so,EYash announced, as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Everyone else looked around in amazement as they followed him.
“This some fancy shit,EKiren commented.
“I didn’t know your parents had this much money, Yash,EDanica said, sounding almost awed.
The blonde boy shrugged. “It’s not that much.Elt;/span>
Raven gently poked Jon’s shoulder. She said quietly, “Hey, man, I know you miss Skye, but you can call her as often as you want. She wanted you to come, didn’t she?Elt;/span>
“Well, yes,EJon admitted. “I didn’t want to leave her at home by herself, but she insisted that I come because I was allowed to.Elt;/span>
“So cheer up. Have fun while you’re here. You can tell Skye all about it later.Elt;/span>
“I guess.Elt;/span>
Raven glanced at Jon for a moment, frowning, then pulled something out of her pocket. Taking Jon’s hand, she placed the small photo in his palm and curled his fingers over it.
Curious, Jon opened his hand. It was Skye’s school picture. He looked at Raven, about to give her thanks.
She only winked at him and put a finger to her lips.
“What are we going to do now?E Rakesh asked.
Yash shrugged. “Well, for today I thought we could do room arrangements, put our stuff away, and then I could try and show you guys how to ski.Elt;/span>
“Yes,EKiren said. “We’ll go to Falshad tomorrow.Elt;/span>
* * *
“No, put your hands like this.Eamp;nbsp; Javari held up her arms crossed at the wrists, left arm parallel to and right arm perpendicular to the ground. Veyome, standing beside her, attempted to recreate the position.
Javari adjusted slightly the pose of the other girl’s slender arms. “There. Do you remember what to say?Elt;/span>
“Yes,Ethe young princess answered solemnly. She closed her eyes and recited the spell. Elt;i>Ke esa han sel espen sto karem hu sto Secute. Terspa e kan sto gentem este esas kas teniren.Eamp;nbsp; I am one who bears the mark of the Cross. Lend to me the power that is my birthright.
A faint crimson radiance, shot through with violet, shone from Veyome. She opened her eyes and glanced down at herself, then winced as the light grew brighter. “Is this the power?Elt;/span>
Javari answered quietly, “‘This is the power that you command as one marked by the Cross. This is the power that is yours by right. This is the power that can help save or destroy entire worlds if you so wish: the power of those marked by the Cross.Eamp;nbsp; I hope you’ll use it wisely.Elt;/span>
“This is why you’re my teacher, isn’t it?EVeyome asked. “Because you have the mark too. Virtually nobody in the world has it, at least it seems that way. You have the mark, so you know and you can teach me.Elt;/span>
Javari nodded. “Yes. Part of the reason you started learning magic rather later than usual was because your parents were searching for a mage who also bore the mark of the Cross. It took a very long time; I suppose there’s nobody else in Falshad who has the mark. It’s true that you could have simply started with another teacher, but I think they wanted you to be taught only by someone with the mark because they do things a bit differently. It’s not different by much, but I guess it’s enough.Elt;/span>
Veyome tilted her head. “Who told you what you said before?Elt;/span>
“My teacher.Elt;/span>
“What do I do with this power now?Ethe princess whispered, her voice filled with awe and reverence.
Javari indicated a wooden target. “Form the power into an arrow or spear and hit that.Elt;/span>
She ran the ten yards or so to the target and stood two or three feet to its side. As Veyome frowned in concentration, tendrils of red light unwound from about her, and she shaped them into an arrow with skillful fingers of thought. The arrow was easily as long as her arm, and within its shape vivid scarlet and tangerine-colored energy churned, bright enough that if one stared directly at it, it hurt the eyes. Squinting one eye, Veyome aimed it at the target and sighted along its length. She released it.
It sped unerringly along its path and hit the target with enough force to just pierce the surface. Javari peered at it, then calmly walked to her student. “Wonderful. Wonderful job, Veyome.Elt;/span>
“Thank you.Elt;/span>
Javari continued, “You hit the target just outside the bull’s-eye.Elt;/span>
Veyome’s eyes widened. “That close?Elt;/span>
“Yes.Elt;/span>
The ruby-hued glow around the princess faded abruptly, and she fell to her knees on the ground. “All of a sudden, I’m tired. Very, very tired.Elt;/span>
“It’s a power unmatched by any other. You’re going to be exhausted after using it for the first few times.Eamp;nbsp; Javari extended a hand to her student. “Come. Let’s go and rest.Elt;/span>
* * *
Sayla Calmark knocked on her daughter’s door. “Skye?Elt;/span>
There was no answer. Concerned, Sayla opened the door slowly and peeked inside.
Skye was deep in a troubled sleep. Sayla put a hand to her forehead and instantly recoiled in alarm. My god, she’s burning up!
Elt;i>Ke esaEanEelElt;/i>Elt;/span>
Hearing the quiet, almost feverish whisper, Sayla looked at her daughter’s pale face. Skye seemed to be mumbling something. She must be dreaming, Sayla thought.
Elt;i>EspenEtoEaremEu sto Secute.Elt;/span>
The best thing for her right now is to sleep, Sayla thought as she quietly closed the door.
* * *
“So how do we do this?EKiren asked.
“It’s very easy,ERaven said. “We only have to wish to be there.Elt;/span>
Rakesh repeated skeptically, “Wish to be there?Elt;/span>
“Yeah. That’s all. Wish as hard as you can.Elt;/span>
“All right,EDanica said firmly. “Let’s do this.Elt;/span>
“Do you really believe her?Elt;/span>
“Are you the one who went there before or is she?Elt;/span>
Rakesh grumbled something unintelligible but didn’t argue anymore. Then the case strapped to Raven’s back caught his eye. “Is that a guitar?Elt;/span>
“Yes.Elt;/span>
“Why are you bringing it? And what’s that bag you got?Elt;/span>
“Because I’ll go crazy if I have to go without my guitar for ten days or whatever. And what’s in this bag, you’ll find out later.Eamp;nbsp; Raven closed her eyes to block out the sight of everything around her. Everyone else followed suit one by one. Before he did, Kiren instinctively took Danica’s hand, pulled her body to his, and held her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. She clasped her hands over his.
Raven recalled the feeling she’d had before, when she’d wished to be in Falshad for the first time. She thought, Let me go again. I want to go. I can make a difference this time. Let me go to Falshad. She began to glow a soft, grey hue, a faintly luminous glow tracing her figure. She began to dissolve into dancing, flickering fragments of silvery light, which flew upward toward the high ceiling, spiraling and fading as they went.
Hearing the faint rush of wind, Rakesh opened an eye, then opened his mouth wide in surprise. “She disappeared!Ehe said wonderingly.
“So how about the rest of us get going?EKiren suggested before closing his eyes again.
Everyone managed to follow Raven. Enmed was the second one to vanish, followed by Kiren and Danica together, Rakesh, and finally Yash. In moments, the lodge’s front room was empty.
* * *
My god, the painEhe painEt’s going to kill meElt;/span>
Skye winced as another lance of agony stabbed in her brain, seeming to destroy her function of thought as it coursed through. It feels like I’m burning upEut at the same time, there’s windEll this wind blowing around meEnd rushing through me at the same timeElt;/i>
Flame, wild and raging, seemed to be making its way through her limbs and body, a funny tickling sensation, and it made the temperature soar. No pressure of the wind she could feel put out the fire, though it felt so cooling. The winds themselves hurried round and round her body, even as she lay in bed. They whipped through her bloodstream in a frenzy, passed through muscle and tendon and bone, and stirred up her mind and thoughts wildly. Can’t think. Too tired. Pain. Just pain.
She dug her teeth into her lower lip, biting back a tormented scream. Why does it hurt? Hurts so much. I wonder how much pain you can endure before succumbing by dying.
Skye closed her eyes and sought solace in sleep. Hope Jon and everyone else is all right.
* * *
At that very moment, Jon was sitting in the middle of a dusty road, quite understandably confused as all hell. Where am I?
He stood up slowly and stared around him, taking stock of his surroundings. The day was fading, and evening was descending in its place. The sky was painted in glorious shades of orange and crimson and violet, casting paler versions of those hues over the green trees and plant life. Creeping up on it all was the nearly-black, azure color of night.
Swiveling, he saw high walls looming in the distance, stony and grey and impervious. What’s that? he wondered. He frowned in thought. Maybe that’s the city of Camelyn that Raven was talking about? It’s possible.
Jon looked around again. So what the hell am I supposed to do now? I could go into the city, I guess, but would they let me in? Even if they did, I have no money. I’d probably have to sleep on the safest street corner I could find Eand how safe are those?
But I guess going into the city is my best bet. Better than staying out here. Who knows what creeps around here at night. His mind made up, Jon started walking toward the walls of Camelyn.
* * *
My headElt;/span>Danica thought dazedly. I think I hit it on a rock. But otherwise the ground’s kinda soft.
“Danica?Elt;/span>
“Kiren? Where are you?Elt;/span>
“Uh. Kind of under you. Could you get off me now?Elt;/span>
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!Eamp;nbsp; Danica rolled off quickly and sat up on her knees. “Are you all right? Wait, that was a stupid question.Elt;/span>
Kiren chuckled as he slowly and carefully sat up. “It’s all right, Danica, really. I’m fine.Elt;/span>
“If you say so,Eshe said doubtfully.
“Yes, I say so. SoE guess we’re in Falshad?Elt;/span>
“I would hope so. It’s where we were headed for, anyway.Elt;/span>
“Right.Eamp;nbsp; Kiren pivoted his head, assessing the new and unfamiliar environment. “Where exactly are we?Elt;/span>
Danica shrugged. “I have no idea.Elt;/span>
“Well, at least we’re on a road. All we have to is pick a direction and start walking. Either way we go, there’s bound to be a city or whatever.Elt;/span>
“Right.Eamp;nbsp; Danica pointed ahead of them. “Let’s go this way.Elt;/span>
* * *
Yash stretched lazily. “Well, I guess we’ve arrived. Nice place. Trees, grass, birds, open skyE
“And here I thought you’d be crying over missing hot showers and hair dryers and food being made for you,E Rakesh said sarcastically. “The question’s not whether or not we’re in Falshad, because we are. The question Ewell, there are two questions. Where exactly in Falshad are we, and where the hell is everyone else?Elt;/span>
“Two very good questions,EYash noted. “I have no idea whatsoever as to the answer for either of them.Elt;/span>
“SoEhat do we do, then?Elt;/span>
“You think I’ve got any brilliant ideas? I guess we could try to find a village or city or something.Elt;/span>
“Sounds good,ERakesh agreed. “The thing is, how do we find one? We seem to be in the middle of a random meadow or something. We need to get to a road that goes somewhere.Elt;/span>
“Let’s try finding a river or something,Ehis friend suggested. “If we find a river and follow it, chances are there’ll be a bridge over it sometime.Elt;/span>
“Good idea.Elt;/span>
“The only problem now is that it’s getting darkE
“Well, we don’t need to worry about light.Eamp;nbsp; Rakesh pulled his keychain out of his pocket and clicked on a small but powerful flashlight. Its beam cut through the falling shadows with ease. “I always have this just in case.Elt;/span>
“Rakesh, you’re amazing.Elt;/span>
“Save it for when we find a bridge or whatever.Elt;/span>
* * *
The young man clucked to the grey kerli. “Keep going, girl. Keep going. It’s not far to Dalean,Ehe said in a low, sing-song voice, meant to encourage. “As soon as we get to Dalean we’ll find an inn, get you in the stable, and get you nice and warm and fed.Eamp;nbsp; As he spoke, the kerli swiveled its ears backwards to hear his crooning voice; perhaps heartened by the young man’s tone, it slightly quickened its pace.
A voice, worn with age and gentle, asked from inside the wagon, “How far is it to Dalean, Hiri?Elt;/span>
Hiri answered, “I believe it is about an hour, Father.Elt;/span>
The old man leaned his head and closed his eyes, wincing slightly as the wagon jolted its way over the rough and stony path. I am getting far too old for this, he thought as he settled his robes about him. He was traveling on a journey to see his daughter and her family. Usually, his daughter visited him in the sunny, gentle land of Girala, where he had retired too, but this year she had just given birth and thus it was too difficult for her to come to him. So now he was on his way to Dalean, Falshad, with Hiri, who he regarded as an adopted son.
“Father!EHiri called.
“What is it?Elt;/span>
“I see two strangers walking up ahead. Should I offer them a ride?Elt;/span>
Naruta considered for a moment. “Make sure that they bear no weapons.Elt;/span>
“Yes, Father.Eamp;nbsp; Hiri pulled the reins, and the kerli obediently stopped beside the two pedestrians. They looked up with unwary faces, hair somewhat stringy and clothing damp from the rain that was falling.
“Good evening,EHiri greeted them courteously.
The boy answered slowly, saying something that sounded almost apologetic.
Hiri didn’t recognize the language. He turned around to face Naruta. “Father, they speak a foreign language. Did you recognize it?Elt;/span>
The old man shook his head. “I’m afraid I didn’t. Perhaps you can communicate with signals.Elt;/span>
Hiri held the lantern over the strangersEheads. They didn’t seem to be dangerous. “Do you have any weapons?Eamp;nbsp; He tried to express what he’d said by pulling his dagger out of its sheath, then gesturing with his hand at the two others.
The girl cocked her head, digesting the meaning of this demonstration, then shook her head slowly.
“Would you like to ride with us?Eamp;nbsp; Hiri pointed at them, then toward the inside of the wagon.
The two foreigners looked at each other. Then the boy nodded.
The girl gave what must have been her thanks, for her voice was appreciative as Hiri hopped down from the seat. He smiled in answer.
As the two clambered rather awkwardly up and into the wagon, Naruta asked, “Hiri, would you mind bringing that lantern in here for a moment?Elt;/span>
Hiri sprang up onto the seat again and held the lantern out inside the cover. “How’s that?Elt;/span>
“Good, good. Thank you.Eamp;nbsp; Naruta peered at their two guests.
In the yellow light, the girl pulled her long, straight blonde hair out of her eyes and tilted her head questioningly. Naruta stared at her a moment, his mind refusing to process what his mind saw. Long blonde hair and green eyesEhe clothing is rather strange, but her identity is unquestionable. “Javari?Ehe asked softly.
Naruta looked at the suspicious boy and recognized the young man that his student had once introduced as her fiancE “And Laki, too?Elt;/span>
Danica was shocked, shocked that the old man knew them, or at least knew their “other selvesE
“Who the hell is this?EKiren muttered to her between his teeth.
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I had a strange dream once –”
“Not more weird dreams.Elt;/span>
“– where I saw a little girl who was obviously Javari, and this old man here teaching her magic. Except he wasn’t this old in the dream, but then she was younger.Elt;/span>
Kiren looked at her. “Okay thenEo he thinks you’re Javari, but how does he know Laki?Elt;/span>
Danica shrugged again. “I don’t know, maybe Javari introduced Laki to him.Elt;/span>
“Well, all right.Elt;/span>
Seeing that the two had paused in their hushed conversation, Naruta tried again. “Are you Javari?Elt;/span>
Danica shook her head slowly.
Naruta was puzzled. He knew his former student hadn’t had a child, nor had she had any sisters. Who was this girl that so resembled her and yet was not her?
Hiri looked at his mentor questioningly. Naruta noticed this and shook his head. “It’s nothing, Hiri. Would you be so kind as to start driving again? The sooner we get to Dalean, the better.Elt;/span>
“Yes, Father.Eamp;nbsp; Hiri withdrew, plunging the interior of the wagon back into near-darkness.
Confused by everything happening, Danica slipped her hand into Kiren’s. He wrapped his fingers round hers and squeezed reassuringly.
* * *
Raven stood up and looked around with the air of someone who has returned to a place familiar and well-loved. Sitting on the ground beside her, Enmed also looked around, but with surprisingly obvious wonder. “This is Falshad?Ehe queried.
“Yes.Eamp;nbsp;
“We seem to have gotten separated,EEnmed noted in a dry voice.
Raven’s face was thoughtful. “I wonder where everyone else is?Eamp;nbsp; Then she suddenly swore. “Damn it! I didn’t think this would happen. I would have taught everyone the language if I’d had even the slightest idea that this would happen.Elt;/span>
“I don’t think we can do anything about that right now.Eamp;nbsp; Enmed got to his feet and brushed himself off. “SoEhere do we go?Elt;/span>
“Well, let me think about where we are.Eamp;nbsp; His dark-haired companion simply observed their surroundings for several moments. Then she admitted, “I’m afraid I don’t know exactly where we are, but if I’m correct, that road right there should lead to a village.Elt;/span>
Enmed shrugged his shoulders eloquently. “Well, that’s better than nothing. Let’s go.Elt;/span>
“Right.Elt;/span>
The two of them headed for the road and began walking. “It’s getting kind of dark,ERaven observed. “I don’t suppose you have any sort of lightEElt;/span>
Enmed shook his head.
“Well, that’s just great. It’s not gonna be easy to see the road in the dark.Elt;/span>
“I guess we’ll have to just walk as long as we can see.Elt;/span>
“Right.Elt;/span>
They walked in silence for some time. Suddenly Raven stopped, an intent look on her face.
“What is it?EEnmed asked quietly.
She put a finger to her lips in a mute order to be silent. After a few seconds, she answered softly, “Someone or something’s coming.Elt;/span>
“What makes you say that?Elt;/span>
“Listen. There are steps on the road. And a rattling sound. Wagon wheels, I would say.Elt;/span>
Enmed cocked his head, listening. After several moments he heard the sounds Raven had identified. Damn, she’s got sharp ears. “Do you think they’re friendly?Elt;/span>
“I hope so.Eamp;nbsp; At the crest of the rise behind them, the wagon stopped.
Why are they stopping? Raven wondered. Do I know them? She squinted; the sun, slipping down behind the horizon, was in her eyes, and rain blurred shapes and lines and colors, making it rather difficult to see.
Elt;i>Raven!Elt;/span>
Her face went blank with shock. “Lelem?Eshe whispered.
The little girl jumped from the wagon, ignoring her parentsEcalls, and ran to Raven. “Raven Raven Raven Raven Raven! There you are! I thought we’d never see you ever again!Elt;/span>
Raven dropped her bag, caught the squealing child in her arms, and hugged her close. “Lelem, Lelem. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you guys again. How are you? Your parents? Your brothers and sisters?Elt;/span>
“I’m fine! Happy to see you!E Lelem laughed.
“And her parents and siblings can answer those questions for themselves, thank you,ETenme said breathlessly as their wagon screeched to a stop just beside them. Enmed’s eyebrows arched in a moment for surprise as he saw the several other wagons that were behind the first.
The entire Caso family descended upon Raven all at once. Enmed watched in amazement as they all embraced her, laughing with joy.
Desem was the last Caso to clasp Raven in his arms. “I missed you,Ehe said very softly in her ear.
She simply hugged him back. “I missed all of you guys too.Eamp;nbsp;
She felt a tug on her pant leg and looked down. Wide-eyed Ensan was looking up at her. “Raven?Elt;/span>
Raven smiled, bent down and picked him up. “Hey there, big guy. Good to see you.Eamp;nbsp; Ensan laughed and circled his round arms about her neck affectionately.
With the child in her arms, Raven turned to Enmed, her face radiant as he had never seen it. “Oh, Enmed, I’m so sorry! You’re just standing there all by yourself while we’re all carrying on.Elt;/span>
Enmed shrugged.
“Come on, I bet you care.Eamp;nbsp; Raven walked up and stood beside him. Shifting Ensan’s weight to one arm, she put the other around Enmed’s shoulders. “Everyone, this is my friend Enmed.Elt;/span>
* * *
The small, red-haired child ran through the numerous corridors, sobbing. She slowed down and choked back tears in an attempt to silence herself as she heard several voices coming from a nearby room. Creeping to the door, she opened it a crack and peered into the large salon.
Her mother was chattering gaily with women of the court. Not wanting to ruin her obviously lighthearted mood, the little girl turned away from the door. However, the Princess of Falshad had already seen the wide, tear-filled blue eye that had so briefly appeared between the heavy door and its frame. She quickly excused herself and left the room.
In the hallway, she called softly, “Veyome, Veyome. Where are you?Elt;/span>
The little princess peeked out shyly around the door of an adjoining library. Princess Meneru walked to her and herded her into that room. Closing the door, the woman knelt down in front of her daughter, and tilted her face up. Veyome averted her eyes.
“Veyome,EMeneru said very gently.
With that single word, as tender as an embrace, the child’s face crumpled, and she threw her arms round her mother’s neck. “Mama,Eshe sniffled, “they were mean to me.Elt;/span>
“The other children?EMeneru quried, thinking of the sons and daughters of the court nobles.
“Yes, some of them.Elt;/span>
“What did they say?Elt;/span>
“They said since I’m stupid, you haven’t gotten a magic teacher for me yet,EVeyome hiccupped. “They said that either I’m adopted or a freak, because you’re so good at magic and Papa is and so is Kena but I’m not, and that’s another reason you didn’t get me a teacher. And they made fun of the funny little picture on my arm.Elt;/span>
Meneru simply held the weeping child close for several moments. Then she took Veyome’s face in her hands, forcing the girl to look at her. “Veyome, none of that is true. Don’t listen to them. You are a very special little girl. Let me tell you why you don’t have a magic teacher yet. You have a powerful, powerful magic inside of you, and because of that, we need to find just the right person to teach you. I’m afraid it’s taking a long time, and it will take more time still. You’ll have to wait, but you’ll be able to do magic someday, and better then all of them.Elt;/span>
The princess gently took her daughter’s hand, palm up, and pulled back the sleeve. On the small wrist was the mark of a cross overlying a swirl. She said, “This mark makes you very, very special, Veyome. It is a mark of the powerful magic that’s inside you. I know it’s hard, but you must not let their words hurt you.Elt;/span>
“I am trying, but it’s so hardE
Meneru kissed Veyome’s forehead. “Keep your chin up and be strong, little one. All right?Elt;/span>
Veyome nodded solemnly. “Yes, Mama.Elt;/span>
“Now smile.Elt;/span>
The young princess smiled tentatively.
Meneru beamed at her. “That’s much better. Are you done your studies for today?Elt;/span>
“Yes, Mama.Elt;/span>
“Then go and play.Elt;/span>
“Thank you, Mama!Eamp;nbsp; Veyome ran from the library. Meneru smiled as she heard the girl skipping away down the hallway and singing to herself.
* * *
Skye snapped into consciousness with a gasp. That dream was so realEf it was in my house, instead of a palace, I could almost say Veyome was me. It was almost like a memory. In fact, kids made fun of the mark on my wrist, just like they did to her. Skye pulled back the sleeve of her shirt and stared at the mark. We are so alike in some ways. It kinda scares me, really.
I wonder how Jon’s doing?
* * *
Camelyn’s stately, stone, defensive walls belied the activity Jon discovered within it. It was certainly a busy city, and he looked around in amazement, eyebrows raised. Well, there goes the idea that we were really just blown back to the Middle Ages. This place really is in another world. Then again, you can tell that just by looking at the clothing.
In every direction he saw activity. Crowds of urbane and well-dressed men and women filled the sidewalks, entering brightly-lit restaurants and bars for a good time. Customers bartered animatedly with merchants over assorted items ranging from house wares to weaponry.
This is all so confusing, he thought vaguely. I don’t know the language. Skye’s learning, but she couldn’t come. Raven knows it, but we seem to have all been split up.
Jon realized that occasionally, young women passing by would look at him with a certain gleam in their eyes. He seemed to be rather tall in comparison to the people of Falshad, and his black hair and dark brown eyes were rare to them. Uncomfortable, he tried to ignore the glances that seem to poke at him from every direction. If I could just find a quiet spot somewhere. I can’t get a room anywhere; I don’t have any money. I can’t do anything because I don’t know the language! What am I supposed to do? What can I do? He sighed as he walked along he street. I have to think of something. I need to find everyone else somehow.
Giggling, a young woman about his age who had apparently had a few too many drinks already latched on to his arm. She crooned words he didn’t understand, but he only needed to hear the tone to know perfectly well that she was flirting with him.
Jon sighed again. This is going to be a very, very long night.
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