Chapter 8

"Come on, Fang," Stone called to his dog as he mounted a horse that King Rhys had offered.

"I should come along with you," said Rhys. "My strength might come in handy."

"Nay, Brother, that's not a good idea." Darium mounted a horse as well. "There are already too many of us in this traveling party. Your presence as King of Kasculbaugh will only put Sethor on defense. If he sees you, he'll order an attack before he even knows why we are there. I am not as big of a threat to him as you are. I have also done sin eating for him before, so hopefully he'll trust me enough to at least let me in the gate and listen to why we are there. So you see, I am the one who needs to go."

"We'll tell him he might have a thief hiding inside his walls," said Aithrod from atop his horse. "Any king would be anxious to catch such a person."

"Not this one," said Darium in a low voice. "Knowing King Leofric Sethor, he'd probably side with the thief you are searching for. I wouldn't doubt your hunted man will be convinced to do the king's bidding while he is here in Mura."

Stone saw Persimmon just standing there, doing nothing to prepare for the journey. "Please hurry, Persimmon," urged Stone. "Mount your steed. We need to leave at once. Time is of the essence."

Persimmon stood there staring at the horse, not even touching it. Then her body stiffened. "I can't," she said from the ground, making Stone believe she had changed her mind about going along with them.

"That's fine. I understand, if you changed your mind and don't want to go. It's all right," he told her. "You can stay here where you're safe. It's better that way."

"Nay, I do want to come with you. That's not what I mean at all."

"Then what is it?" asked Stone. "I don't understand."

The girl shifted from foot to foot, seeming very uncomfortable.

"I can't ride," she finally mumbled.

"Oh, you want a lady's saddle?" asked Rhys who was there to see them off. "I can arrange that. My wife likes to ride astride so I'm just used to saddling all the horses that way." He raised his hand to call over the stable boy, but Persimmon stopped him.

"Nay, please, don't bother. The saddle won't help," she told him. "I have never ridden a horse before and I'm not even sure I can do it."

"What?" Stone laughed, thinking at first she was jesting. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, he realized she was being serious. "Oh, you really can't ride," he said, clearing his throat. He had never heard of anyone who was as old as she who had never been atop a horse before. It seemed ridiculous to him. Then again, he was in a strange land now. He wasn't sure if sorceresses, or whatever she was, could even do such things.

"You'd better stay here then," suggested Darium.

"Nay. I need to accompany you. The old couple insisted I go to find their son," protested Persimmon.

"They insisted?" asked Stone. "How? Through the gazing ball?"

"It doesn't matter how I know," she said, her voice cracking. "All I can tell you is that it is very important that I accompany you on this journey."

Stone could see the turmoil on the girl's face. He could tell it was really important to her to do as the dying couple wished. Or what she thought they wished, anyway. Stone wasn't sure he was buying any of this about the girl being able to see the future or talk to dying people through that damned ball. Then again, if not, he wasn't sure why Persimmon would make up something like this that could actually get her killed. However, joining them on the trip to Macada Castle didn't seem to terrify her half as much as the thought of getting on a horse.

"She can ride with me," he told the others, reaching down for the girl. "Grab on, and I'll pull you up."

"I'm not sure," she said, being hesitant to take his hand. Stone didn't give her a chance to object. He grabbed on to her and lifted her up in front of him atop the horse, wrapping his arms around her waist, still holding the reins. Fang barked and ran in circles below them. "We're ready," he told the others with a nod. "Let's go catch our thieves."

If Persimmon wasn't already nervous enough being atop a horse, now she was feeling even more uncomfortable sitting with her back pressed up against the handsome stranger's chest. Stone also had his arms around her waist. Never before had she been so close to a man that they were actually touching. She could feel his body heat against her back. His scent of leather, the outdoors, and woodsmoke filled her senses, oddly bringing her to life. Persimmon had led a very sheltered life living at the convent, and never before had she been as intimate with a man as she was at this very moment.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you," came his voice in her ear. His cheek was pressed up against the side of her head. When he spoke she could feel the vibration of his deep voice rumbling in his chest. His breath whisked past her ear, causing a delicious shiver to spiral through her.

"I am relaxed," she told him, not wanting him to know how affected she was by just being in his presence.

"Your back is as straight as a rod and even your words are stiff and forced," he replied. "What is it about me that makes you so nervous?"

The man was very observant, she'd give him that. She supposed it was part of his training to be observant, being a bounty hunter. "It's not you making me nervous," she told him, even though he made her knees quake. "You see, when I was a young girl I was thrown from a horse and almost died. I haven't been riding since." This was the truth. She had been just a child at the time. It had happened right before her mother sent her to live at the convent. Since the nuns didn't ride horses, she never had the opportunity to get atop a horse again, only making her fearful memories stronger.

"Didn't your mother make you get right back on the horse?" he asked.

"Nay. My mother didn't spend a lot of time with me when I was growing up."

"You are different from the other women here," he said his thought aloud.

"It's because I am a stranger to this land," she reminded him. "I have never been anywhere besides Lornoon. I admit, I know very little about the land of Mura or its people."

"The same goes for me," he replied. "I am a stranger here, too." She shifted atop the horse, trying to make space between them. "Does that worry you?"

"I don't know you at all so I am not sure what to think about you quite yet," is all she said, having learned to always be cautious and to trust no one. Still, she felt protected in his embrace and that couldn't be a bad thing.

"I'd like to change that, Persimmon. Mayhap you can tell me a little more about yourself and the land you come from."

They continued to ride. Aithrod talked with Darium who was leading the way. Fang was up front as well. Stone and Persimmon brought up the rear.

"I'd rather you told me about yourself and where you come from instead," she said, not wanting to talk about herself since she felt she was naught but a boring girl.

"All right," he agreed. "I am Stone Nightstalker as you already know. I come from a land called Taelgonoth. I cannot tell you where it is from here since we came through a portal and I am not sure how we got here."

"Yes. So, you've said."

"What else do you want to know?"

"Are you married? Do you have children?" She looked up from the side of her eye, waiting for him to answer, hoping he didn't have someone back home waiting for him.

"Nay to both. How about you?"

She let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Me? Married?" She couldn't help but smile. "No, I'm not married and I don't have children."

"That seemed to amuse you," said Stone.

"No one has ever asked me that question before."

"Why not? A beautiful woman like you back on Taelgonoth would have been married for years and have at least a half dozen children by now."

"Really?" She turned and looked over her shoulder at him which only made their faces even closer. Mayhap she shouldn't have done that. It seemed to be such an intimate move. "Are all the women in Taelgonoth beautiful?" she asked, needing to know.

"I think every woman, no matter where she comes from, has beauty in one way or another," he answered. "But you, my lady, are by far the prettiest one I have ever met."

"Oh!" That took her by surprise. No one had ever called her beautiful before. "Please, don't use a title when you refer to me. I am not a lady," she pointed out.

"Well, your father is also father to Queen Lira, so doesn't that make you a noble, too?" he asked, which made sense. "Or at least a half-royal?"

"I believe Lira's mother was the royal one, not our father," she said, as the thought caught her off guard. "I have only just found out I have a queen sister, so I have never thought about that before.

"Speaking of your father, tell me something. Why doesn't the elf seem to like you? It strikes me as odd. I mean, you are his daughter."

"I really couldn't tell you the answer to that." Persimmon longed for the attention of Elric, especially since her mother had passed away and she had no other living relatives that she knew of. Except Lira and her brothers, as she'd just found out after getting here. "It is almost as if he despises me, but I don't know why or what I could have done to turn him against me."

"Mayhap you frighten him," said Stone.

She smiled again. "I don't think so. I'm not a very frightening person, am I?"

"Not to me, you're not," he told her. "However, you do have magical powers and mayhap it has something to do with that. Why he avoids you, I mean."

"My father has powers of his own, so I think naught."

"I see."

"Stone, I have to admit to you that I am not as powerful as you might believe."

"You are the daughter of a sorceress and an elven sage. I'd say you are very powerful indeed, sweetheart."

"If so, I don't know much about my powers."

"Didn't your mother ever teach you about them?" asked Stone. "Or isn't that how it works? Since we don't have magic on Taelgonoth, I'm not certain I understand it."

"I can move objects with my mind alone," she blurted out, not even sure why she was telling him this. Since she'd just met the man, she wasn't even sure she could trust him. Still, a part of her wanted to talk to someone about this. She couldn't dismiss the fact that she wanted to say something to make him like her or respect her. Mayhap this was wrong. She no longer knew. "I have had the ability ever since I can remember. No one taught it to me. It just came naturally."

"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.

"Just explaining court etiquette to you, sweetheart," he answered. "I don't want you doing anything to sour this man's disposition."

"I understand." She moved closer to Stone as they approached the gate. The men atop the wall walk worked the pulley and gears. With a loud creaking noise the heavy iron gate slowly lifted to allow them entrance.

"Leave all your animals outside my castle walls," commanded the king, raising his hand as they started forward.

"Why?" Darium demanded to know.

"I've seen what that fae wife of yours can do, Blackseed, or are you forgetting," sneered the king. "I won't have animals attacking me again. Especially not that damned bird of yours."

"My bird stays with me."

"Then you both can stay outside my walls. So leave."

"Nay, we can't leave," Persimmon told the king, rushing into the courtyard. She heard the rest of the men following after her. Panic filled her, thinking she wouldn't have the chance to find the old couples' son. She had seen how important this was to them. If they left now, she'd have to tell the dying couple that she'd failed. Persimmon didn't want to fail. And she certainly didn't want to let anyone down.

"What did you say?" growled the king.

"Dammit, I told you to stay by me, and not to speak," Stone ground out, coming up behind her.

"I can't leave before I find Gregor Lithum," she told the king. "His parents have been attacked by thieves and are close to death. Is Gregor here?"

"Who are you?" snapped the king, not even acknowledging her question.

"I am Persimmon Burroughs from Lornoon," she told him, followed by a curtsy. She looked at Stone from the corner of her eye, wanting him to know she was trying her hardest to follow court etiquette.

"Lornoon?" The king's hand moved to the hilt of his sword. "You come from the land of magic. You are a witch, aren't you?"

"Is that a bad thing?" she asked, her eyes flashing from the king to Stone and then over to Darium who had entered the courtyard but without his raven. If looks could kill, she'd be dead right now by all three of them.

"I don't like this," shouted the king. "This is a trick to take over my kingdom. Men, seize them and take them to the dungeon!"

"Go, Murk. Get help," shouted Darium, pulling his sword from the scabbard on his back. Stone drew his sword as well. Aithrod held out the staff with two hands. Fang snarled and showed his teeth as the raven squawked from atop a turret and took off into the sky. The men stood with their backs to each other, their weapons at the ready. Stone reached out and pushed Persimmon to the middle of their circle.

"Stay close, and don't think of disobeying me this time," Stone commanded.

"I can help," she said, but no one would listen to her. Swords started to clash as a battle began.

"It was a bad idea to come here," shouted Darium.

"I agree to that," said Aithrod, using the staff to ward off a blow from one of the king's soldiers.

"We were fine until the girl decided to open her mouth." Stone was not happy with her at all, and she hoped they'd live through this so he could forgive her later. A soldier ran toward them. Stone stepped in front of Persimmon, keeping her from being hurt.

"Everyone, start moving toward the gate," instructed Darium. "I hate to have to do this, but I'm going to use my fae power to blow them back and keep them away from us."

"I can help, too," Persimmon said again, but still no one listened to her.

They slowly moved toward the gate. Darium lifted his hand and started a whirlwind, keeping the men from moving closer.

"Get to the horses," shouted Stone. "We'll have to try another approach later."

Darium's fae power of controlling the wind was working to their advantage. They were almost out the gate and to the horses when Persimmon realized the pouch holding her crystal orb had fallen from her waist band during the struggle. She looked around and saw it laying on the cobblestones inside the courtyard. She couldn't leave it there. It was precious to her and the only remembrance of her mother.

"Get on your horses. Now," shouted Darium. "I'll try to hold them off."

"Let's go," Stone told her, turning toward the horse to mount.

"I can't leave it," she muttered, going after the crystal ball instead of following the men to safety.