Dirt (The Dirt Trilogy) (21 page)

I
’m in a moment of weightlessness as we’re transported. Then,
I feel the ground support me once again. Taylie looks dazed. We’re
relieved Ruis left the portal unlocked awaiting Straif’s return.

The night sky glows with a magnificent pink hue as the
lavender moons shimmer above us, reminding me where I am.
Rowen searches the area to make sure we’re alone. There’s no sign
of The Thorn, at least not now.

Rowen watches the tree for any sign of his brother.
“I’m going
back for him,” Rowen says.
“Give him a few more minutes,” I plead knowing deep down
Rowen isn’t going to leave his brother behind and I know he
shouldn’t. The thought of being alone at night in Durt is unsettling.
What if he doesn’t come back?
“Ashe, you know I can’t leave him there.”
“I know.” I hold on to him for a moment, letting him go with
trepidation. Approaching the doorway, the bark glows a brilliant
gold with light enveloping the tree. Rowen
stops as a figure
protrudes beyond the light. Coll steps through the Doorway of
Feda. He’s made it, but a little worse for wear. His clothes are
disheveled and he has a rather brilliant black eye.
“I was coming back for you. What took you so long?” Rowen
says grabbing his brother up into a big bear hug.
“The other guy looks much worse. I think I knocked him out. I
wanted to make sure he didn’t try and follow us.”
I’m not sure, but I thought Coll gave Taylie a weird look and
not an ordinary Coll expression. Then I remember how he hates
humans, how he hates anyone who isn’t his kind.
We head to Ivy’s house. It’s dark. There are sounds in the
woods of this land I haven’t heard before. Sounds that are peaceful
and sedating and others that will make your skin crawl. I hold on to
Rowen and think about getting somewhere quiet, somewhere safe.
It’s comforting to know, however, Straif is gone and I can relax on
that account.
Taylie, on the other hand, isn’t saying much. Actually, she isn’t
saying anything and that isn’t like her at all. I know she has to be in
shock. I’ve been through the same thing once before. I check with
her every once in a while, reassuring her we’re with the protectors
who’ll do just that. She only nods. I don’t like the fear I see in her
eyes. I feel deeply for her, but really, there’s nothing I can do to
make things better. Only time has the power to give her comfort
now. I’m going to be here for her because now it appears we’ll
never go back to Montana.
We’re exhausted. Right now, I only want to get somewhere to
rest. So, when I see Ivy’s house I’m elated. “Thank God we’re
here!” I shout.
“Shhhh.” Coll says. “You’ll alarm Ms. Ivy. She won’t be
expecting us.”
“Who’s Ivy?” Taylie ask. That’s the first thing I’ve heard her
say since we arrived.
“Oh, sorry Taylie. She’s my great aunt. My grandmother’s
sister.”
As we approach the house we notice the extreme darkness
surrounding it. As we get closer, we see the front door lying on the
ground.
“Stay here,” Rowen says as he gently pushes me away from the
house.
We wait outside for a few minutes and I then my patience gets
the best of me and I follow in after him.
“He said to wait here,” Coll blurts with derision. I ignore him.
The house is in shambles. Broken bits of furniture lay formless on

the floor. Windows are busted out.
“Rowen,” I call out. The house is abandoned. I hope Ivy is in
safe-keeping.
“What are you doing in here?” Rowen asks without surprise as
he walks into what was once a beautiful living room.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know, but I have an idea. I can’t bring myself to say
it.”
“Ruis,” Coll says as he steps through the dismantled doorway.
Taylie walks in behind him.
“We’ll have to stay here tonight and decide what to do in the
morning,” Rowen says.“Tomorrow you’ll need serum. I’m not
letting you go days without it again. It’s too risky. I hope Henry has
succeeded with the serum by now.”
Rowen and I stay in Nuin’s room, while Taylie and Coll find
beds that haven’t been totally destroyed. Right when I think things
are looking up, my hopes vaporize.
I thought this would have been a sleepless night, but turns out I
slept better than I have in a long time. No dreams, no voices. The
silence is tranquilizing.
The beautiful sun beams through the stained glass window,
waking me up at dawn. Rowen sleeps soundly and the house is
quiet except for the angelic voices of birds outside the busted
window. I imagine the trauma and torment causing the broken pane
and my heart sinks as I began to worry about Ivy and Dad. We have
to get to Acrimony, but I don’t know how that’s going to happen.
Quietly, I go to the kitchen and sit at the table, worried and
confused. I know Rowen will take care of it. But this is his world
and I’m not sure where I belong. I’m more confused now than I’ve
ever been in my life. I sit here with my face in my hands, and then I
feel the warmth of his lips on the back of my neck sending electric
fire through my body. He releases his touch and takes the seat
opposite me.
“You all right?” he asks as he bites into an apple that’s fallen
from the fruit bowl.
“Worried about Ivy, Dad ....everything.”
“We have to get to the castle,” he says taking another bite.
“Do you have any suggestions?” I ask.
“Coll and I will figure something out.” He’s always so calm
and collected which helps me worry less.
“Did you hear that?” he asks as he stops chewing.
“Hear what?”
“Shhhh.” I listen intently without hearing a sound. “Listen.
There it is again,” he whispers.
Rowen jumps from the chair and runs outside. I chase after
him.”Ruamna!” he yells as he heads to the field of knee high
brilliant green grass. Butterflies fly amongst the blooms painting
the horizon. “Ruamna!”
Coll comes running out. “What’s going on?”
“Listen,” Rowen says.
Coll’s eyes grow big. “I hear them. Mugwort!” he calls.
“Who is Mugwort?”
“His black stallion,” Rowen says in a lower tone that isn’t quite
a whisper.
As we stand in the middle of this beautiful meadow, I hear a
whinny. Then the ground starts to tremble as two horses burst
through the forest wall heading straight for us. I stand behind
Rowen, worried they won’t stop. The stampede ends short of us, as
Ruamna and Mugwort walk up. The brothers are so glad to see
them, rubbing their faces into the shoulders of the massive equines.
“I guess we have our way to Acrimony.”
“Yes, we sure do.” Rowen smiles.
We walk back to the house, the horses following behind. Taylie
stands in the doorway.
“What in the world?” she says. Her look of shock is probably
no different than mine the day I was greeted by four of the same
magnificent creatures.
“Don’t be
worried. They’re
our flight to
the
Castle
of
Acrimony,” I say.
“Acri...what?”
“It’s where my grandfather lives. We’ll be safer and more
comfortable there,” I say hoping I’m telling her the truth.

We clean ourselves up and pack what
’s left of Nuin’s personal
things. Taylie still isn’t saying much. Her life has been turned
upside down and I’m to blame. At least I still have my father and I
have Rowen. She’s lost her family, her home, her entire life. I’m
going to do whatever I can to make her time here the best it can be.
In grade school, there were many times Taylie took up for me. It’s
my turn to take care of her.

Rowen and Coll are waiting for us outside.
“Ready?” I ask her.
“I don’t know.”
“Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”
As we walk out and I can tell Taylie is terrified although she

Rowen sits on Ruamna. I take his hand and he pulls me up as if
it’s nothing.
“Give me your hand,” Coll says. Taylie is hesitant.
She approaches with caution, as Mugwort gushes air through
his nostrils.“Don’t be afraid. He won’t hurt you,” Coll says. She
offers her hand and he lifts her swiftly. She holds onto him for dear
life. I’m worried because she doesn’t know it, but she hasn’t seen
anything yet.
Wait until we are in the air.
We run through the meadow for a few strides, then the horses
leave the ground. Their wings fill the sky.
“Hang on,” I yell. Taylie’s eyes close tightly and then she
buries her face into Coll’s back. She remains this way for quite a
while then slowly opens her eyes and squeaks a peek. Me, on the
other
hand, this has
become my
perfect delight. I’ve finally
overcome the rollercoaster.
Acrimony comes into view. It’s as beautiful and inviting as
usual. I recall the tension during our last visit. I hope Arcos sees
things differently now that Straif is dead.
We land by the stables. Marvin and Lucinda are waiting for us.
How they knew we were coming, I have no idea. As soon as we hit
the ground, both of them come running. The boys dismount and
help Taylie and me to the ground. Lucinda hugs me as soon as her
arms can reach me. Marvin shakes both of the boys’ arms.
“How did you know to send Ruamna and Mugwort?” Rowen
asks.
“I knew when you returned Ivy’s would be the first place you
would go. So, I sent them there.” Marvin explains.
“Exactly, what happened?” Coll asks.
“Ruis. He’s gone mad. He dismantled Ivy’s cottage looking for
the muck, looking for anything. He’s crazed for power.”
“Are Ivy and Dad okay?” I ask.
“Yes, dear, they’re both fine. Ivy escaped to the woods where
she was found later and your Dad is still safe in hiding, under the
highest protection. I see Ashe’s young friend has traveled with
you,” he comments raising his bushy red eyebrows that look like
giant red caterpillars.
“I can explain. We have great news and not so great news,”
Rowen adds as we follow the Birches to the castle.
“Let’s wait until we meet with His Majesty. He’ll want to be
the first to hear,” Marvin suggests.
I
wrap arms with Taylie
and walk with her. She’s still
overwhelmed. “Don’t be afraid. It’s my grandfather.”
“I’m not afraid. I miss my family,” she says solemnly.
After entering, we’re lead to a grand sitting room with large
plump sofas and oversized chairs. The atmosphere is much more
welcoming than the last time I was here. Taylie and I plop down on
one of the sofas while Coll and Rowen recline in armchairs. We
gaze at the enormity of the room. I marvel at the exquisite Baroque
style
paintings scaling
the walls. This
room
has a
home-like
presence, but on a bigger scale. We sit quietly for a minute when
the door opens and I cannot believe my eyes.
“Dad!” I haven’t seen him in what seems forever. Two large
men follow behind him. I dart to him realizing how much I missed
him.
“Ashe,” he says holding me tight. “We have serum.” He’s
proud. I should have known that would be the first thing out of his
mouth.
“Good, because I’m due a dose.”
“How long has it been?” he says with obvious concern.
“A couple of days,” I answer. He shoots out of the room, his
mind redirecting him with the two body guards chasing behind him.
Arcos and his entourage meander around him and make their way
through the door. Rowen and Coll jump from their chairs to a
standing position and bow at the waist.
“Sit,” Arcos instructs and we all take our seats. He turns to
Rowen looking at him as if to say what have you done now, but
instead he asks, “Who have you brought with you?”
“This is Taylie. She’s Ashe’s closest friend.”
“Hello, Taylie,” Arcos greets. “What brings you to Durt?”
Taylie looks at me, at a loss for words. “Straif. He killed her
family. Her entire family.” Arcos’s face goes beyond the pale he
usually wears. “She had to come with us. We...we...” I stutter
unsure of what I’m supposed to say. She’s human, but I guess that’s
a step up from being a bithling.
Arcos puts his hand up in the air to silence me. I shut my
mouth rather quickly to keep from saying anything that might make
things more awkward.” I’m so sorry for you, Taylie. You are
welcome here.” He turns to Rowen whom quickly shares the events
of Montana.
“So, Ashe, you were able to control your powers enough to
destroy
Straif?
I’m very
proud of
you. It
appears you are
succeeding with self-control.”
I feel relieved that he’s beginning to accept me.
“There have been disturbing events here as well.” He rubs his
hands together slowly. “Ruis.”
I began to feel sick to my stomach.
“Ruis,” Arcos continues. “He’s gone mad, running reckless
across
the
land
of
Acrimony,
threatening
the
stability
of
Congramaid. He’s even terrorized the village of Skewantee, killing
and maiming.” My mind immediately goes to Scout and his family.
First Straif, now Ruis. Is this insanity ever going to end?
Arcos stands, stroking his long braided beard.“We need to
reassemble what is left of the brethren. We need every force, every
sentry available. Alder is on his way back from Congramaid and
will discuss with you plans needed to protect our future.” Arcos
leaves the room his group surrounding him.
“What’s wrong now?” Taylie asks. I feel so sorry for her. She’s
been thrown into this entirely new existence without a clue about
what is going on. She’s never been this closed up and quiet. I hate
we’ve taken her joy. We’ve taken everything from her. All I really
want to do is help her find the part of her that used to make her
glow, that part that made her Taylie.
The door burst open and Dad has a glass full of muck. “Here,
drink up.” I do as he says and I’m glad to have my medicine again.
“We have plenty now. Don’t forget to take it. Do you understand?”
I hug him.“I love you, Dad.”
He doesn’t know what to do with the affection. Awkwardly, he
hugs me back. “Don’t forget,” he says adamantly and he lightly
kisses my forehead.
“I won’t.”
“I’ve got to get back to work,” and he darts away.
We’re escorted to separate rooms. Rowen and Coll are down
the hall from Taylie and me. She’s in an immaculate space covered
in white linens right next door to me. The moon beams through the
stained glass window lighting the room with gold and green hues.
“Are you going to be okay?” I ask.
“I’m feeling so empty, so lost,” she says. Her voice is vacant,
without life.
“It’s going to take time.”
“I know, Ashe.”
“I’ll be next door if you need anything, anything at all.” I go to
my room which is as beautiful as Taylie’s. A huge bed stands three
feet off the floor with lush pink and yellow pillows.
I want Rowen with me, but I know while we’re in Acrimony
we’ll have to be discreet. Arcos has apparently accepted Rowen
back into the brethren and I’m not going to do anything to agitate
the situation.
I
think of
the loneliness swallowing
Taylie’s heart.
I’m
thankful for what I have. Thankful for all the crazy things that have
become a part of my life and I’m not going to take anything for
granted, not ever again.
I wake the next morning to Rowen’s soft sweet kiss. He leans
over me as I wake. “Alder will be here soon. I’ll come and find you
when we’re through.”
“You’d better not be all day,” I say jokingly. He gives me a
look reeling me in, closing the door behind him. Things have
calmed down in Durt, but I don’t know how long this period will
last. Rowen and I are together, Dad is safe and he’s here, Arcos has
accepted us; well, maybe not completely, but he’s more accepting
than he has been. I know he only let Rowen back into the Order of
the Brethren out of necessity, for the safety of Durt, but reason
doesn’t matter. We’re together making me feel complete. But I feel
guilty for the bit of contentment I have. Taylie’s world has been
destroyed.
We have a bit of breakfast and spend most of the morning
roaming
the grounds. Taylie
and I
take
in all
the beauty of
Acrimony. “So, what does one do here?” she asks.
“Well, my time here has been one of survival. I really haven’t
had a chance to enjoy any of this.”