Chapter Three

“Come, little one.” Ruby took the dark-haired boy by the hand and led him along the track that flowed through the forest. He had come awake soon after they’d stepped into the mortal realm, the sleep spell having worn off.

“We are going on an adventure to meet some people who will care for you.”

He slowed, pulling back slightly.

Pushing back the hood of her fern-green cloak, Ruby looked down to find him staring at her, his brows drawn together, his mouth turned down. Even though her heart wept for him, she smiled. “There is no reason to be afraid, my lord Avlar. These are good people, they will keep you safe.”

He continued to stare at her before shifting his gaze slightly to stare at nothing. Finally, he answered with a small nod and they resumed walking.

Did you see your parents die? thought Ruby while she hummed a soothing tune. Did you witness what Marlis did to your sister? I pray not. If I could take those memories from you, beautiful boy, I would. I would have you live a full, happy life, free of the sorrows of this day.

Although a cool breeze rippled through the trees, it was pleasantly warm, for which Ruby was grateful as Avlar only had a jacket over his pale blue tunic and brown trousers. Sunlight winked through the leaves, turning them dark. Ruby surmised it was early afternoon. The only sound, apart from the rustling leaves, was the calling of birds. It was easy to imagine no one else existed and yet the feeling was one of peace.

“Are you hungry? Let us sit awhile and eat.”

He remained silent, following her as she led him off the track to sit against a wide-girthed tree, its boughs heavy with leaves.

“This is a pretty place.” Undoing her cloak, she laid it on the ground. As she lowered herself to sit cross-legged on it, she hitched up her long, russet tunic, glad she’d decided to wear trousers. Looking up at Avlar, she patted the space next to her. “Come, sit.”

She wrinkled her nose at him as she produced a small packet from her bag and unwrapped it. “The food is not at all exciting, I am afraid. It is traveller’s bread, nourishing but with little taste.”

He took a piece and bit into it, chewing methodically. Just then a small cream and blue bird flew past; a soft gasp escaped him.

Ruby’s smile widened, glad at the spark of interest, no matter how small. Realising he’d stopped eating, his hand frozen part way to his open mouth, she followed the direction of his stare. A mottled brown rabbit was staring back at him, its v-shaped nose twitching.

A small frown appeared on her brow as she directed calming thoughts at the rabbit. Magic here required a little more effort. Gently taking Avlar’s hand, which still held a piece of bread, she turned it and held it out towards the rabbit.

Ears pricked, it sat up on its hind legs, revealing its lighter coloured underside. Slowly, it lowered itself and approached, still wary. Its nose touched Avlar’s fingers, sniffing the bread. It seemed to think about it before taking the bread in its mouth and hopping away to eat it. But it stayed within sight.

Ruby had to swallow her delighted exclamation when Avlar turned to her with a smile. It was a small smile, but he was smiling.

They stayed there longer than intended for the rabbit was happy to let the boy touch it. After a while, it climbed up to sit on his leg while it groomed its ears. When it finally hopped away, Ruby stood and brushed her dark grey trousers down. Adjusting her tunic and the dark red sash she had wrapped around her waist, she glanced at Avlar; he was watching her but seemed more at ease.

“I have not introduced myself, have I? Lord Avlar, I am Ru–” She stopped, smiled and continued. “My name is Lenya.” She’d decided to tell him her true name, the one she’d had before she’d become the gem elf, Ruby.

Nodding, his gaze flicked up and down before coming to rest on her hand. He reached up and slipped his hand in hers.

An unfamiliar sensation blossomed in her heart, a warmth and need to protect and care for the child.

They continued on their way, the round-cheeked gem elf and the orphaned elf lord. The part of the forest they were in was more open, but still there were many trees. The land possessed a primal beauty that Ruby hadn’t been expecting. She breathed deep of the reassuring earthy smell of the land combined with the fresh, slightly sweet fragrance of the leaves. It was good to feel so at ease.

Gradually, another smell entwined itself with the perfume of the land, a smell which shocked Ruby into stillness, the rotting smell of death. Avlar’s other hand crept to hers so he was clinging to her with both hands.

On her guard, she hooked the edge of her cloak over her shoulder with her free hand and rummaged in her bag. When she found her wand, she rested her hand on it, ready to whip it forth if needed.

Keeping Avlar behind her, she stepped into a small clearing. Against the trees, as if it was hiding, was the smallest hut Ruby had ever seen. There was no one around, but something drew her to the cottage.

The door was slightly ajar. She eased it open with her booted foot; inside appeared to be as dark as night. The only sound was the buzzing of flies. The smell was too much, Ruby turned to leave. And stopped.

A rasping moan sounded over the flies, so soft she’d almost missed it. There was life in this place of death.

Silently, she motioned Avlar to stay by the door. When he wouldn’t release her hand, she smiled reassuringly, bent forward and kissed the top of his head. Holding her wand before her, the ruby on the end lighting the room in a bloody hue, she made her way towards the sound, sensing more than seeing.

Her mind struggled with the sight before her; she squeezed her eyes shut. At first, she couldn’t be sure if she was looking at a woman until she noticed the long hair and dress.

Although partly covered by a blanket, the woman’s leg was uncovered. There appeared to be dried blood on her leg, surrounding a wound. Sensing no life in the body, she wondered if she’d imagined the sound. Then Ruby covered her mouth, not because of the smell, but because of the too-thin infant lying against the woman.

Struggling to understand the sad sight, blinking back tears, Ruby shook her head. Had this woman been so alone she had no one to help her and her baby? She could only hope that death had claimed them both quickly.

Stepping away, she quickly turned back; there was that sound again. Reaching over the body, Ruby carefully pulled the blanket back and almost dropped it in shock.

A small boy, not much bigger than Avlar, lay curled against the body. Alive, though his breathing was soft, ragged.

Ruby lifted him up and quickly carried him out, whispering for Avlar to follow. She gulped in clean, clear air and lay the boy on the patchy grass. He was so thin, his lips dry and his pallor, ash-pale.

Holding her wand, Ruby placed both hands on his body and closed her eyes. He was not injured but was so poorly, he was on the verge of joining his mother in death. Opening her tear-filled eyes, she stroked the boy’s dark brown, greasy hair. She glanced at Avlar. He was staring at the boy, his arms curled around his stomach as if in pain. And she knew what she had to do.

When she thought of it later, Ruby wasn’t sure why she’d done it. Was it to spare Avlar more death? Or was it because she herself couldn’t bear witnessing the death of a child?

Focussing her awareness inward, Ruby breathed deeply, slowly. Summoning a fragment of her essence, she contained it in a breath, which she held. She leaned over the boy, opened his mouth and, with her lips close to his, exhaled her essence into him. Praying that it wasn’t too late, she watched the boy closely, watching for signs that her essence had mingled with his.

Gradually, his breathing got easier; colour crept into his skin. His eyes fluttered open. He tried to speak, but his face crumpled in confusion.

“Hush, little one. Give yourself time. You will be better soon.” Ruby looked at Avlar, who was staring at her, wide-eyed.

“Now you will have a companion, my lord,” she said with a smile.

He looked back at the boy and nodded.

The boy’s gaze darted around and stopped at the hut. He whimpered, tears running down to disappear into the ground he lay on.

Avlar took the boy’s thin, dirty hand in both of his. “Hush,” he said.

Ruby shut her eyes against her sudden tears.