Chapter 5

"Are you enjoying living in Mura so far?" Lira asked Persimmon the next morning. The traveling party made their way to Kasculbough Castle, where Persimmon would be spending some time with Medea next. Rhys showed up this morning and now led the way atop his huge silver snowflake horse that was grey with white spots. The steed was like nothing she'd ever seen before. She was sure it was rare or mayhap just common here in Mura, although she didn't see another. Lira and Persimmon rode in a wagon being pulled by one normal-sized horse.

"Oh, yes, I am enjoying myself," Persimmon answered her newfound sister. "Everyone has been extremely kind and nice to me." Then she thought of the way her father had been treating her and mumbled under her breath. "Almost everyone."

Rhys escorted the women for their safety, relaying to her that they weren't far from his castle. He also told Persimmon that there were a lot of bad people who couldn't be trusted in Mura. One of those to be leery about was the evil King Sethor of Macada Castle. It was a place she had yet to see and wasn't in a hurry to visit.

"Uh oh. There seems to be a problem up ahead," Rhys called over his shoulder, stretching his neck to look down the road. "It appears to be some kind of trouble. Stay here. I'll check it out." He sped forward atop his horse, unsheathing his sword as he rode.

"What do you think is going on?" asked Persimmon. Lira pulled on the reins and stopped the horse, waiting on the road for Rhys to come back for them as ordered.

Lira shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's probably bandits."

"Bandits," Persimmon repeated, pulling her crystal orb out of her pouch. Running her hand over the smooth surface, she hoped to be able to see something that would help them. After all, her mother always used this orb to scry and help those around her when they needed guiding. Why in the world wasn't it working for her? When she looked into the orb she saw nothing. She was about to put it away when she thought she saw those same swirling colors again that she'd seen last night. But it was just a quick flash, and once again she doubted herself. Persimmon felt as if she had no power to scry and never would. A little voice in her head reminded her that she was only a half-sorceress. Perhaps that just wasn't enough power to let her see the future, and she'd only ever see a quick flash of color and nothing else.

This wasn't at all what she'd been hoping for. She sighed deeply, letting go of all hope. Then, in her mind's eye she saw two bandits attacking an older couple on the road up ahead and then running away. The thought or vision, she wasn't sure which, disappeared as fast as it came. It wasn't clear to her if it was a premonition or her imagination. Still, she felt strongly that this must have something to do with the trouble up ahead.

"Oh, nay!" she cried out, so shocked that she had finally seen something, even though it wasn't from scrying, that she almost dropped her crystal ball.

"What's the matter? What's wrong?" asked Lira in alarm, combing the area with her gaze, looking for bandits approaching.

"We must hurry. There is no time to lose." Persimmon tucked the globe back into her pouch and pulled the string closed on the velvet bag. "I think there is an old couple up ahead on the road. It must be what Rhys went to investigate. They've been robbed and beaten and will be close to dead." Persimmon grabbed the reins from Lira and urged the horse to move quickly down the road. She didn't stop until she saw Rhys. He was down on his knees leaning over the prone couple.

"We're too late," she cried, stopping the wagon and jumping off. "They were robbed and beaten and are near death," she called out to Rhys. The information spilled from her lips although she didn't really know if it was true. She ran to join him. Persimmon looked down at the victims who were an old man and old woman just like she'd seen in the vision in her mind. Falling to her knees, she used her hands to feel for pulses, shocked to see so much blood. "Oh, no. This isn't good." She shook her head. "They are severely wounded and their pulses are faint."

"I'm afraid we're too late," said Rhys. "They'll be dead before we can bring them to the castle and find help."

"Nay! Nay, we have to help them," cried Persimmon, wondering just what she could do. She didn't have the power of healing. She didn't even know how to administer the type of help that these two wounded people needed.

"What is going on here?" Lira ran up to join them, stopping in her tracks when she saw the prone, bleeding couple on the ground. She gasped.

"They need healing immediately," Rhys informed her.

"Rhys, don't you have healing powers you can use?" asked Persimmon. "After all you are half-fae, aren't you? That is what your wife told me."

"I do have the power of healing," he answered, looking sad instead of hopeful for some reason. "Unfortunately, it only works on myself. My power doesn't work on others."

"Damn," she whispered under her breath, feeling her heart go out to this old couple. Persimmon didn't like to see others suffer. She wasn't about to give up trying to help these two right now. "How about you, Lira? Is there something you can do to help them? Is there an elven power that heals?"

"Oh, sister, I wish there was, but I don't think so," she answered. "You see, my elven powers are more suitable for war, not healing. However, I do know a little about how to heal using herbs. Unfortunately, I don't have any supplies with me. Besides, that is more the skill held by the fae folk."

"Yes. We need the help of the fae," agreed Rhys. "They will know what to do and how to heal them. Sampson, call for Murk. Quickly."

"Sampson?" Persimmon looked around them, not seeing anyone else there but them. "Who are you talking to?"

"His horse is named Sampson," Lira informed him.

"He talks to his horse?" Persimmon thought this was a little strange. "Does the horse talk back?" She wasn't trying to be snide, just honestly didn't know how things worked in Mura.

"Nay. He doesn't talk to me. Just to Murk." Rhys busied himself trying to wrap the wounds of the injured couple with some cloth he'd brought from his travel bag.

"Murk?" Why did that name sound familiar? Once again, Persimmon looked around but saw no one with them. When she turned back, Lira was pointing at the sky.

A large black raven swooped down from the air, landing on the saddle of the horse. It opened its beak and let out a few short squawks.

"Ah, Murk. Right?" Persimmon whispered to Lira, remembering hearing this bird's name mentioned at the table yesterday.

"Yes. Murk is Darium's bird," she answered.

"Murk, get Talia-Glenn," ordered Rhys. "Tell her we need her healing powers. We'll be at Kasculbough with the wounded. And tell her to hurry. They are near death."

"Wait," interrupted Lira. "Wouldn't it be better to call for your mother instead? She could get to us faster than Talia can."

"Yes. The Fae Queen will know what to do," agreed Persimmon. "Call for her. Please."

"Of course. You are right," said Rhys. "Murk, go to my mother first and then find Talia. Hurry!"

The raven shrieked and headed up into the sky.

"I'll need to get these two onto the wagon to transport them," Rhys told them.

"Do you need help moving them?" Persimmon asked him.

"Rhys has super strength," Lira informed her. "It is one of his powers."

"I see." She watched Rhys pick up the man easily, heading for the back of the wagon.

"I think I can help make things move faster." Persimmon used her power of telekinesis to assist him. Holding out her hand and focusing on what she wanted, the unconscious woman levitated and floated over to the wagon. By moving her fingers slowly, Persimmon was able to lower the old woman gently into the back of the cart.

Rhys looked up in surprise, helping to settle the old woman.

"I can move things with my mind," she explained. "I've had the ability since childhood."

"I see that," said Rhys with a nod of his head. "Thank you. Now, let's get to Kasculbough before these two die."

Stone followed Fang through a field of tall lily-type flowers, trying to find the nearest town. Even though he was a good tracker, no prints could be found. He did find a few broken stalks and knew someone had passed through the area. But this land was so clean that it even smelled beautiful. Taelgonoth stank from end to end.

Glad to be out of the cave, he had hoped the strange elf man named Elric would assist him and Aithrod, but he hadn't. It seemed as if Elric was greedy and only thought about himself. As soon as they'd exited the Quamm Caves, the elf had disappeared leaving them alone in a strange land.

"I hope we won't come across any other beings like those pesky gnomes," said Aithrod rubbing his backside as they walked.

"Or no more like that irritating, greedy little elf," added Stone.

"Mmm, these flowers smell nice." Aithrod stopped to sniff one of the lilies that was as tall as them.

"No time to stop and smell the flowers," Stone told him. "We need to keep tracking Rancor and whoever might be with him." Something made Stone stop walking to take a big sniff of one of the flowers as well. It was if the scent was starting to control his mind. Oddly enough, he started to feel randy. That's when he realized these plants must have an aphrodisiac effect on people. Something about the scent was awakening something inside him that he didn't want woke up at the moment. "Let's move faster," he said picking up the pace.

As soon as they exited the field of tall flowers, the effect thankfully wore off. They saw a small village up ahead. Colorful cottages dotted the beautiful green rolling hills. There was a creek with several arched bridges leading across the water. Blooming trees and lots and lots of lush plants and extremely large flowers covered the entire area. The air was filled with sweet smells. Butterflies and dragonflies buzzed and flitted around their heads cheerfully playing in the warm sun. Fang snapped at a butterfly and then sped across the greens chasing something that reminded Stone of a bee but was much bigger, almost the size of a bird.

"This place surely is magical," commented Aithrod. "Everything seems to be so happy and peaceful here."

"Mmmph," snorted Stone, always suspicious and never believing anything he saw. Especially when it seemed too good to be true. "Rancor and his friend could be hiding here so don't get too relaxed. We need to stay on alert at all times."

"Of course. You're right," agreed Aithrod as they crossed a bridge, trying to catch up to the hound that was running in circles in the front yard of one of the cottages.

"Fang, come back here," called out Stone. As soon as they got close to the dog, the door of the cottage opened and a woman in a flowing pink gown walked out to greet them.

"Greetings," she called out with a wave of her hand. "Are you boys lost?"

"Hello," said Aithrod, smiling and walking right up to meet her, already forgetting to remain cautious.

"We've been told we are in Mura, but that means little to us," Stone relayed the information.

"I see. I didn't think you looked familiar, even though I can't say I know everyone in Mura."

"We're from Taelgonoth and arrived here through a portal," Aithrod blurted out, making Stone cringe. Stone wasn't sure they should be providing so much information to a stranger they'd just met. After all, it was evident that they couldn't trust the elf so why should this be any different?

"You came here through a portal? Really?" asked the kind lady, seeming very much interested in what they had to say.

"Stay quiet," Stone warned him, speaking from the side of his mouth. "We don't know if we can trust her."

"Where was this portal?" asked the woman in curiosity.

Aithrod looked over to Stone, raising his eyebrows.

Stone let out a puff of air from his mouth and shrugged. "All right, I'll tell her. It was in the cave," he said, hoping this woman would be helpful instead of a hindrance like Elric or the gnomes. "A crazy elf told us they are called the Quamm Caves."

"Oh, my. The Quamm Caves are dangerous," said the woman. "Did you have any encounters with the gnomes?"

"You could say that." Stone rubbed his behind that still hurt from being poked and pricked.

"Yes, we did. Thankfully, Elric helped us to ward them off," answered Aithrod.

"Did you say Elric?" The woman cocked her head. "What was he doing in the caves?"

"Pardon me, but we are parched and famished," said Stone, not caring to talk about the elf right now. "Would there be a chance of getting some bread and ale?"

"Silly me. Where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself," said the woman. "I am Alaina, Queen of the Fae."

"Fae? As in fairies?" asked Stone. "I didn't think they really existed. Of course, I shouldn't be surprised since I didn't think I'd ever see anything like those gnomes either."

"Yes, fairies are the fae folk, and we do exist," Alaina told them. "Actually, I am also an elemental."

"That's nice," said Stone, not caring at the moment what being an elemental even meant. He just wanted something to eat and drink and to be on his way to track down Rancor.

"I'm Aithrod and this is Stone," Aithrod introduced them.

"And who is this?" Alaina hunkered down and pet the dog, not at all afraid of him. "So nice to meet you, Fang," she said before they could tell her the hound's name.

"How did you know my dog's name?" asked Stone suspiciously. He scanned the area, still looking for the men he tracked. "Did Elric tell you?"

"Nay, I haven't seen Elric," she answered. "Fang told me."

"What?" gasped Aithrod.

"I am a fae," she continued. "The Fae Folk all have special powers. I am able to communicate with animals. Fang tells me you are bounty hunters tracking down a dangerous man."

Stone let out a deep breath. So much for keeping cautious. "I didn't know I had to tell the hound to be discreet, too. This land surely isn't like ours at all."

"Is there magic where you come from?" asked Alaina.

"Nay, we don't have magic in Taelgonoth," Aithrod quickly answered.

Alaina stood. "I'd like to know more about you and from where you come."

Before Stone could respond, a large raven flew overhead, squawking like crazy.

"What is it, Murk? What's wrong?" asked the woman, looking up at the bird that landed atop the roof of her cottage. "Oh, no. That is horrible. Yes, go to Talia and tell her. I will leave at once."

"Excuse me," said Stone, not liking to be left out of the conversation. "What is going on?"

"I'm sorry, but I must leave you now. There are injured people who need my help. I'll just collect my bag of herbs and be on my way."

"What about our bread and ale?" Stone felt so hungry and thirsty that he couldn't think straight. He also didn't like to be ignored and left to fend for themselves in a strange land.

"Oh, yes," she said. "I'm afraid I haven't been much of a hostess. I suppose it would be better if you just came with me and got something to eat and drink there."

"Go with you? Where?" asked Stone, following her to her cottage. She went inside and picked up her bag and returned.

"To Kasculbough Castle."

"Is that nearby?" asked Aithrod. "We don't have horses to use for travel. They didn't come through the portal with us."

"Nay, the castle is not close. It is on the other side of the Picajord Mountains." She pointed to high mountains far in the distance.

"How long does it take to get there on foot?" asked Stone.

"On foot, it would take days I imagine."

"Do you have horses we can use as well?" he asked.

"Nay, I don't have any horses. However, I have a very fast way of getting there."

"How?" asked Stone.

"I can show you. But you might want to hold on to your dog so he doesn't get scared."

"Scared? Of what?"

"I am an Elemental of the Air," she told them, but it meant nothing at all to Stone. "Hold on to your things." Alaina lifted her hands and the air started swirling all around her.

"Egads, we must be in the middle of a cyclone," said Stone, bending down to grab Fang.

"Not a cyclone. Or not exactly," stated Alaina. "I can control the air. It will give us a lift to Kasculbough in no time at all."

"Naaay," shouted Aithrod as his feet left the ground and he shot up into the air.

"Oh, crap," mumbled Stone, holding the dog tighter. Fang whimpered and the dog's feet went wild as both Stone and Fang left the ground next, rising up into the sky. Higher and higher they went until the little cottage was nothing but a dot below them in the far distance. Stone's head spun. His stomach lurched and he felt as if he were about to vomit. "Hang in there, Fang," he told the dog. "I'm afraid this one is going to be an even harder landing than before."