The Blight of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood 2)

“Do you see the size of these? I’ve never tasted one so sweet. Here, try one.”

“No, I want a plum. They are rare. I want to take a few with me when we go to the ships. I have never seen one so big.” The branches hissed as they were disturbed for the fruit.

Find Ellowyn. She is missing. Lia pushed the thought again.

“Do you see the Aldermaston or the girl?” one of them asked. “Do you think everything is all right?”

“What is wrong?” Ellowyn whispered in Lia’s ear.

Lia raised her hand to silence the girl, focusing on the two men. She stared at them, directing her thoughts fiercely towards them. Go look for her!

The two men plucked at fruit from the garden. One looked towards the alder trees. “I do not hear them.”

“Hear what?”

“I do not hear the Aldermaston or Ellowyn. Where do you think they went?”

One spoke with a mouthful of fruit. “The vineyard. I told you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Why are you worried?”

“I do not know. I just am. Let us go see where they are.”

The other grunted noncommittally.

“No, we should go see. Come on.”

“All right. Let me grab one more.”

Lia watched with growing dread each moment they lingered in the garden. Then they went out past the main ledge of the garden and walked towards the trees. Lia closed her eyes, grateful. When she opened them again, Colvin had slipped over the wall in front of her, landing in a crouch. She was relieved to see him. After fetching a pinecone, she tossed it towards him, drawing his attention to their location. He kept low and joined them in the woods.

“Colvin!” Ellowyn gushed, throwing herself at him and hugging him fiercely. She pressed her cheek against his chest, her eyes squeezed shut and the look of pure delight and relief on her face. He stared at Lia helplessly, his hands opening and clenching awkwardly, looking at her with bewilderment. Lia gave him an exasperated smile and mouthed, embrace her, as if he were the biggest idiot in the world. One of his hands patted her back gently. She was much shorter than him. She gazed up into his face adoringly. “You came for me,” she whispered. “You came, just as you promised!”

He nodded, still looking conflicted about her surge of emotions. “I promised you I would. But I could not have done it without Lia’s help.” He glanced at Lia. “Where is the Aldermaston? You did not…harm him, did you?”

Lia grinned at the question and shook her head. “No, he let her go. The daylight is fading. We must climb the mountain even in the dark. We cannot stay here.” Lia grabbed Ellowyn’s arm. “I hope you are you ready for your task. This is not the only mountain we must climb together. There is so much I have to tell you both.”

* * *

The moon was bright in the sky and Lia was exhausted. Sweat drenched her face even though the night was cold. She used every trick she had learned from Martin. Backtracking to disguise their trail. Crossing over rocks when possible to not leave a mark. Leaving false trails in another direction. When the darkness closed in, she stayed near Colvin and Ellowyn, retreating often to mask their passing as they ascended the mountains.

It was clear they were being pursued.

The glow of torches shone as pinpricks in the dark, moving and wending up the mountain pass behind them. Lia knew they would not stop. When she needed to use the orb for direction, she would shield the light between their bodies, or go inside a hollowed-out trunk of a giant redwood. It seemed that no matter what they did, the train of torches was never far behind.

Lia puffed with the exertion, weary to the bone but knowing they had to race Martin and the others back to the village where Pen-Ilyn waited with his boat. With water separating them, it would ease their pursuit. Martin would not know of their plans, though he might guess at it. She looked up at the moon and saw it ringed with frost. She could see the breath coming out of her mouth as she panted. Cold settled in around her. Fog began to form in the air, gathering in wisps.

Oh no, she thought with dread. It was starting again.

Hurrying forward, abandoning her makeshift broom, Lia caught up with Colvin and Ellowyn. It was not difficult, for Ellowyn was staggering with weariness and Colvin had a hold on her arm to keep her on her feet. He soothed her with encouragement and looked at Lia as she advanced.

“The mist,” he said flatly.

“I know,” she replied. Fear began to squirm inside her. The moon was veiled in gauzy vapors that seemed to rush in from every direction.

“I am cold,” Ellowyn whimpered.