Broken (3 page)

“Wake up mother,” asked Fazendiin gently.

Light then emanated through the window, and the woman opened her eyes. She sat up, looking stern, nodding slightly at her son. She then noted Colby standing a few feet away.

“My grandson, home at last!” she spoke, understanding their appearance before her.

Fazendiin then knelt to the floor. Colby repeated his father’s actions.

“I swear vengeance upon those that have done this to you, Mother! One day I will find a way to free your soul.” Fazendiin then arose.

Colby followed.

“I know that one day you will fulfill your promise, my son. Now enter.” She outstretched her arms as an orange and gold light shined forth from her body. Fazendiin stepped into the light, followed by his son.

They stood inside an oval, fire lit room. There were two chairs sitting on each side of the fireplace. Fazendiin sat in one of them, motioning for his son to sit in the other.

Colby, eager to announce his news, did not wait for his father to ask how his venture had gone.

“The Svoda arrived at the destroyed camp earlier today, just as expected,” Colby informed his father. “They’re definitely sticking around for awhile.” Fazendiin’s voice was aged but acute as he replied.

“You have done well, son. Soon, we will not only have our hands on the Magicante, but the Projector as well!”

Colby beamed. A happy father was a good thing indeed. However, Colby’s happiness was short-lived.

“Now that the plan is in motion, I believe it is time to let the others play it out. You have been absent from your schooling for too long now.”

This was unexpected. Colby had hoped that once he had proven his usefulness to his father, that school would be indefinitely postponed, if not permanently canceled.

“Father, couldn’t I just finish this one task? And then go back to school?” he pleaded.

Jurekai shook his head as he spoke.

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“You have done the hard part my son. The rest of this task will simply unfold. Finishing your schooling is just as vital as any task I have ever asked of you. I want you to be ready for your future, and there are things you have not yet learned.” Colby sighed. He knew no amount of pleading would change his father’s mind. But back to school? He despised the thought of being stuck behind a desk and books. There had been a time when he had enjoyed school, but that was when his mother was allowed to teach him.

She was gone now. He had not seen her in three years.

“I have found a new teacher for you,” his father then said, interrupting Colby’s thoughts. “I think you will like this one.”

“Great,” Colby replied with little enthusiasm. With each new teacher, he was never sure whether to prepare to be relieved or petrified. His previous teacher had been impatient, mean and demanding, but mostly, she had smelled old and musty.

“Your new classes begin tomorrow morning. You start school again at nine a.m. sharp!”

“Yes Father,” answered Colby.

It looked like his task, and any fun, was finished for now.

4

Meghan Jacoby awoke, confused by her surroundings. Then she noticed Nona at her feet and the memories came flooding into her mind.

“You’d think, after over a year of being on the move, I would be used to waking up in strange places.”

Meghan lay on a cot inside a tent, alongside Jae and Mireya Mochrie.

Colin had opted not to sleep in the tent, but rather outside, underneath the stars. Of course, she knew this had nothing to do with his desire to sleep outdoors, but only do to with keeping Catrina Flummer safely hidden from the Svoda Gypsies.

Meghan’s body begged her to return to slumber, but outside the tent, footsteps already bustled across the meadow, and voices echoed into the tent boosting her curiosity.

The noise awoke Jae and Mireya as well.

Meghan sighed, pushing off her blanket. There was no need to dress, as she had not bothered to undress the night before.

“Morning guys,” she muttered sleepily.

15

Mireya answered back and then scurried out of the room. Meghan heard her ask her mother if she needed help with anything, but did not listen for the reply.

Jae sat on the edge of his bed, looking as tired as Meghan felt.

“So Jae, will we have any part to play in figuring out what happened to the other group?”

“Don’t know actually,” answered Jae, sleepily. “I assume they’ll keep us busy doing something.”

Whenever Meghan and Jae happened to be alone together, she could not help but try to prod him into talking; still hoping he might divulge whatever torment he was hiding.

“Creepy, isn’t it?” she then said. “Finding out three months passed while we were in Limbo.

It felt like three hours.”

Jae perked up the littlest bit.

“Especially since Banon Blackwell didn’t even know about that,” he added.

He headed to the outer room. She would have to wait to try and talk to him again.

“Good, you’re up,” Sheila said when she saw Jae. “Mireya and I are about to go help serve breakfast, and after that, I’ll need you keep a watch on your sister while your father and I attend a zone meeting.”

“Sure, mom. I got it.”

She gave him a quick pat on the shoulder and a smile and then departed.

Meghan’s stomach growled.

“I always get so hungry when the weather is cooler,” she complained.

“You know, I’m starving this morning, too! Maybe our bodies know we’ve got three months worth of eating to catch up on,” Jae said, excited at the idea of gorging on food.

“Let’s go before it gets too crowded,” added Meghan, leaving the tent and stepping into the meadow.

The air was crisp and the sky gray.

There was already a line forming in the cantina. Jae saw his mother and sister serving food, alongside Billie Sadorus.

Fires still smoldered throughout the meadow, serving as a constant reminder of the eerie task ahead.

Meghan glanced around for Colin but did not see him. She searched in her mind for his thoughts and located him sitting behind a jutting rock, near the edge of the meadow.

“Morning Colin,” she sent him, quickly adding, “Catrina too!”

“Join us once you get breakfast,” Colin replied.

“So maybe you don’t look like you’re talking to yourself,” Meghan joked.

“Very funny, Sis! And hey, grab a little something extra, for Catrina. I think she needs to eat more.”

“Okay. See you in a minute.”

Meghan then explained to Jae.

“I’ll grab a little extra, too,” he offered.

As Meghan and Jae were about to hop into the back of the line, rushed footsteps hurried alongside them, pushing them out of the way and cutting in.

16

“Darcy,” muttered Meghan.

“Dulcy,” added Jae.

Daveena was not with them.

The duo pushed aside two other younger children, grabbed a plate of food, and then pushed their way out of the line. As they walked back by, they stopped.

“I don’t wait in line behind ditch-witches,” sneered Darcy.

She did not permit Dulcy to add what would surely have been a witty retort, and instead, shoved a piece of bread into Dulcy’s mouth, motioning her to follow.

Meghan and Jae grabbed their breakfast and tried to make a beeline for Colin, however, Meghan stopped when a woman stepped in her path, blocking her.

It was the same woman, who had discovered the blanket the previous day, upon entering the meadow.

“You’re a Firemancer,” the woman said as if to start a conversation. She added nothing more. Her tired eyes bored into Meghan’s searching for the answer to a question she had not yet asked.

“Um, yes,” Meghan finally spoke.

“Can’t you see what has happened here? Can’t you tell me what has happened to my daughter?”

Meghan lost her breath.

“Please, tell me. I must know,” the woman begged.

The crowd quieted, all eyes starring at Meghan. Is this something I could see? Is this what is expected from a Firemancer? Her thoughts overwhelmed her. Was everyone waiting for her to see something? Wouldn’t they all be expecting this from Juliska? Their leader?

Jae came to her rescue.

“You know that being a seer doesn’t work like that. Besides, you know that if Meghan did see something, it would be directly reported to Banon Blackwell.” This answer did not quench the woman’s desire.

“Well why can’t it work like that? I want to know what’s happened to my daughter,” her voice started to shake. “Why won’t you just tell me?” she beseeched Meghan.

“I’m sorry,” said Meghan, stepping back.

Just then, two members of the Balaton came running around the corner.

The woman began to cry.

“Let me take you to your husband,” one of them said calmly.

“I just want to know,” she then sobbed.

He smiled understandingly and then took hold of her, gently walking away from the cantina.

“Go back to whatever you were doing,” the second Balaton ordered the onlookers, at the same time motioning for Meghan and Jae to remain behind.

“Sorry about that,” he aimed toward Meghan. “Husband says she’s been inconsolable all night.”

“It’s okay,” Meghan stated. “She’s upset.”

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“Don’t think twice about it,” he added with a wink. “Just let us handle it. Keeping the peace, that’s what we do!”

Meghan nodded.

The Balaton grabbed a slice of toast and then darted around the corner of a nearby tent.

Meghan and Jae quickly joined Colin, and the invisible Catrina, taking refuge behind the rock at the edge of the meadow.

“What was that all about?” Colin asked.

“She wanted me to see for her, and tell her what happened to her daughter,” Meghan told him.

“Can you do that?” he asked.

“I hadn’t really thought about it. I don’t know.”

Meghan handed Colin her extra food, which was most of her plate. She had lost her appetite. Colin then handed some to Catrina, insisting that she eat.

Meghan snapped her head, freezing her eyes on a spot just into the woods.

“What?” Colin asked.

Meghan relaxed her gaze.

“Nothing, jumpy I guess. Thought I saw a shadow. There’s nothing there though,” she said, while nodding in the direction she had been looking.

Colin, Catrina and Jae each looked as well, but saw nothing.

“Not to change the subject, or reiterate points we already know,” Jae said after a bit, “but be careful.” He lowered his voice so only they could hear. “I think the Balaton are spying on people.”

“I thought they weren’t using magic,” Colin noted, having seen the Balaton walking through the meadow, rather than popping in, as usual. He had hoped this would make it simpler to keep Catrina hidden.

“Not supposed to be, but times are crazy. I just wouldn’t rule it out.” Colin nodded that he understood, sighing deeply. Seeing his concerned face, Catrina took hold of his hand and squeezed.

Just then, a leaf hit Meghan in the head and fell into her lap.

“Like I said,” Jae spoke. “Always know how to find us.”

Meghan picked up the leaf and read the message.

“Well I am outta here. Jul… The Banon would like to see me,” she said.

“You can stop calling her Banon,” smirked Jae. “You don’t have to call her that on my account.”

“Sorry, I was just trying to stay formal when I talk about her in public.”

“Yeah, but she’s your teacher now, too. I get it.”

“In that case then, I’m off to see Juliska,” she said. Meghan swore she saw Colin and Catrina shudder from the corner of her eye as she walked away.

18

Meghan made her way through the smoldering meadow to the opposite side, where Juliska’s tent stood alone, and guarded, by Jelen and Jenner Wandrer. As Meghan arrived, Pantin Hollee came skirting out of the tent’s entrance.

“Oh, good! You got the Banon’s note. You can see yourself inside, she’s waiting for you,” said Hollee as she scurried away.

Before entering, Meghan wondered if she should say hello to Jelen and Jenner, but decided against it, seeing their stern faces keeping watch over the tent and the surrounding meadow and woods.

She had expected to step inside the tent and see a lavish space and setting, like the magical insides of the gypsy wagons, but instead the setting was intimate. The furnishings were sparse and simple: a long table with chairs, and a stove, which still threw off warmth, even though the fire had clearly died, leaving behind just smoldering embers.

The tent had just two other rooms, both with closed canvas doors. Through the one on the right, Juliska’s head popped out.

“Would you please join me in my room, Meghan,” she spoke, getting immediately down to business. “There is something I wish to discuss with you.” Meghan followed her into another sparsely furnished room, which included a bed covered in thick blankets, and three large travel trunks. One sat, closed, at the foot of her bed. The second was sitting on its side, and open, serving as a closet. The third was also on its side, and oddly, had two ornate doors inside. That must be a magical space. Wonder what’s in there?

As if to answer her question, Juliska stepped toward the trunk.

“The door on the right remains locked. However, the one on the left I believe you will find of great interest. But first, there is an urgent matter of which we must speak.” She then sat on the edge of her bed and motioned for Meghan to join her.

Meghan sat, facing Juliska, waiting eagerly for her to speak.

Juliska inhaled deeply, but said nothing. The longer the silence continued, the more Meghan’s nerves fluttered, turning her thankfully empty stomach upside down.

Had the Balaton discovered Catrina? What would this mean for her brother? Her heart skipped, but she tried to keep a straight face, as she waited for Juliska to speak.

“I am afraid…” the Banon began and then stopped, swallowing hard.

This can’t be good! Meghan’s thoughts raced quickly, debating whether she should speak up first and admit that they had brought Catrina back with them, from Eidolon’s Valley.

“I am afraid,” began the Banon again, “that I have a difficult favor to ask of you, Meghan.

But I would not ask unless I had exhausted all other options.” Meghan’s heart slowed back to a normal rhythm for just a moment. This could not have anything to do with Catrina, or her brother.