Chapter Four

“Ah, good. You are better able to walk now.” Ruby straightened up from where she’d put the boy down, having carried him since they’d left what had been his home. She kept a hold of his hand for he wasn’t as sure on his feet as Avlar and kept stumbling.

Ruby had already used a small amount of magic to clean the boy and his soiled trousers. There wasn’t much she could do about his bare feet and torn shirt, but Avlar had put his own dark blue jacket on him.

The elf lord walked on the other side of Ruby and put his hand in hers. Her smile widened. “I am sure the people who will care for you, my lord, will care for this young one too.”

I wonder, she thought, if I had turned from my calling as Linnet did, would I have had children? This is something I believe I could get used to. Then she shook her head, unable to imagine not being a gem elf.

Yet, she was aware that the closer they got to their destination, the more she slowed her pace. With their stops becoming frequent, Ruby kept telling herself she was giving the children time to become more comfortable with one another.

She felt humbled by their resilience, seeming to find comfort in each other’s presence, and she marvelled at their ability to make a game out of anything. When she handed them pieces of traveller’s bread, they fed each other, even though it was the same food. Walking was more than simple walking; hand in hand, they took elaborately large steps, then shuffled, kicking up small puffs of dirt before hopping like rabbits. They clumsily tried to adorn Ruby’s braid with leaves and twigs. And when they began to laugh, hesitantly at first, she thought her heart would burst with happiness, sure that children’s laughter had to be the most beautiful sound in any realm.

When night fell, Ruby set her wand to warn of intruders and slept lightly, with a child in the crook of each arm. She slept with a smile as they snuggled against her, holding hands across her belly.

The next morning, knowing she should get them to their new family, still Ruby did not hurry.

They’d been walking for part of the morning close to the forest edge when she spied a herd of deer grazing in a clearing. Quietly drawing the boys’ attention to them, they crouched by the trees to watch.

The gem on Ruby’s circlet flashed. She stiffened and drew in a sharp breath. Garnet’s voice sounded clearly in her mind.

Ruby, we have found Marlis. Beware, sister, she is there. In the mortal realm.

The boys had their backs to her and didn’t turn at her sharp intake of breath. She pressed her lips tightly together, glad their attention was fully on the deer. Her reply was silent, projected from her mind. How is she here? None can cross without magic.

Garnet didn’t reply straightaway. The acolytes have studied what Girasol had said, they found signs that Marlis has been. She…

Ruby frowned; it wasn’t like Garnet to be so reticent.

She tapped into the forbidden way, Ruby.

She couldn’t help the soft “What?” that fell from her lips.

We do not know how she fathomed it, maybe Girasol helped.

Do you know where she is?

We are close to discovering that. But do not use magic; that will make it easier for her to detect you.

Closing her eyes, brows drawing together, Ruby did not respond.

Ruby, did you hear me? Do not use. Lenya, please tell me you have not used magic.

She couldn’t reply, knowing her silence would confirm her sister’s fears.

We will be with you soon, said Garnet. We will find Marlis, and I will be with you.

Do not worry, sister. I am not far from the family–

You have not reached them yet?

No, there was–I will explain when I see you.

Then hurry. Protect the young lord. And protect yourself.

I will. Ruby got to her feet. “Come, children. We must go now.” Grasping their hands, she walked swiftly along.

She started to silently admonish herself for constantly delaying then stopped for there wasn’t time to wallow in such reproach. Her goal was now to immediately conceal Avlar and not leave anything to chance.

Trusting her instincts, she sensed threat drawing near. She looked at the boy, still nameless. Aware that magic in this land didn’t flow as easily, she knew she wouldn’t have enough power to conceal him as well. Refusing to simply abandon him, she wracked her brain before exclaiming softly. “Shall we play a hiding game?”

Smiling, they looked at each other and nodded at her.

“Good. First, I will hide you…” She lifted the boy in her arms and looked around for a hiding place. Spying a copse, she settled him in it. As an afterthought, she removed her pendant and looped the chain around his neck. “This will keep you safe,” she said softly.

He looked down at it, large in his small hand, then looked at her with trusting eyes.

“Close your eyes,” she said with a smile. Placing her hand on the pendant, she whispered, “Sleep.” And he did.

Straightening up, she was about to turn away. Instead, she unwound her dark red sash from her waist and covered him with it.

“Now, my lord Avlar, I must conceal you.”

Frowning, he turned his mouth down, making it clear he was not happy about leaving his companion.

Aloud, she said, “We will return for him, my lord.” But her silent words were, I pray we will.

They walked some distance before Ruby stopped by a large tree surrounded by bushes at its base. “This will be a good hiding place. But first.” She took out her wand to perform the concealing spell. Without her pendant, she had to concentrate harder.

“Shadow of the sun
Shadow of the moon
Gather around this one
Shield him, hide him
From those who seek him
From their sight, from their senses
No matter their search
No matter how earnest
Keep him hidden so he is not found.”

Sweat had formed on her brow. “Now, my lord, you must stay hidden and not come out. Be brave and stay quiet. I will come for you or my sisters will come for you.” Then she sent him to sleep too. “And now, I must distance myself from them.”

Ruby headed into the forest, moving deeper, senses alert for any signs out of the ordinary. Aware of how quiet it had become, she sucked in her breath as a prickling sensation crept over her scalp.

Focussing inward, she reached mentally to… Garnet. She is here. I am alone, she finished to deflect any mention of Avlar in case Marlis sensed their silent communication.

We are coming, was Garnet’s near-instant reply.

“I know you are here, Marlis,” said Ruby, her wand held loosely in her hand. “There is no need to hide.”

It took some moments before Marlis emerged from behind a cluster of trees.

Tightening her grip on her wand, Ruby fought to hide her shock. Dressed in a simple linen dress, the colour of wheat, Marlis held a long, gnarled bone. But what made Ruby’s stomach quiver was the sight of strange symbols drawn in brownish-red across her brow and along her cheeks, and down her bare arms. The gem elf feared they had been drawn in blood.

Marlis scowled at Ruby. “Why are you here?”

She managed to keep her tone light. “I thought it interesting to travel through this realm. I see you had a similar thought.”

“Do not mock me. Girasol did not know I could travel between realms, how did you know I would be here?”

Ruby shrugged, keeping her expression neutral. It would appear Marlis believed Ruby’s presence was solely because of her.

“You think to stop me? You will not succeed. Did you know there is magic here still?” A shrill laugh fell from her twisted mouth. “I have found it, and it is so like the magic that you fools no longer use.”

“The forbidden way is forbidden for a reason, Marlis. Our ancestors found, to their loss, the distressing price of practicing magic in exchange for blood and life.”

She snorted. “You are one of the chosen eight; of course, you would deny such raw power. Power that anyone can have instead of only those who answer the call of that stone.”

“The Great Gem represents benevolent magic, not the vindictive–”

“This is not a discussion. Know that you will not be able to hide Linnet’s children from me. I will find them, and I will have them. Then my powers will surpass even yours.”

Ruby shook her head. “That is a foolish notion, but I realise there is nothing I can say that will make you believe otherwise. But this I will say, Marlis. You will never have them.”

“You may think yourself clever because you have chased me here. But you cannot hide them forever. I doubt you would have hidden them in the gem caverns.” Narrowing her eyes, she peered hard at Ruby, as if attempting to see through her. “Tell me where they are.”

Ruby allowed herself a small smile. “Never.”

With a growl, Marlis threw her attack at Ruby, both hands on the twisted bone.

Although she deflected it with ease, Ruby staggered back, feeling the sting of the attack. She realised, with some surprise, that she was still weak from performing the concealing spell. Only then did she grasp her folly at giving away her pendant.

Marlis’ eyes slowly widened as the same realisation came to her. Laughing wildly, she pressed her attack, demanding Ruby reveal the children’s whereabouts.

Sweat beaded Ruby’s brow, her breathing grew heavier, ragged. Yet, silently, doggedly, she persisted in holding off Marlis, hoping, believing her sisters would appear. Unable to shield herself, her body absorbed each attack. Pain wracked every part of her. Gritting her teeth, breathing heavily, she summoned the last vestiges of her depleted essence.

The ruby on her wand shattered. The gems on her circlet flickered, lost their gleam. She fell, her last thought, Forgive me. Armina…

About to leave the hidden realm, Garnet stiffened and clutched her chest. “Lenya.” Her sister’s name fell from her in a gasp as she fell to her knees. In the next instant, the other six gem elves cried out as they, too, felt the loss of their sister.