Echoes of Fae: Book One of the Divine (9 page)

              Finally, he continued,              “I did not find out much more after that, but I had my suspicions. I am not a young man and I have dealt with many situations involving married couples. You both know what happened to Acacia, but what you may not see is the beginning of this. She fell in passionate love with a man who she did not get to know before she married him. When they were married, he became a different person, he took ownership of her and this is not a proper marriage. Seeing the desperation and fear of a battered woman, you begin to recognize it. I saw the lady Callfah and I knew she was suffering at the hands of her husband.” Andover looked displeased as he considered his lack of action at the time. He considered his position, and taking action against abusers. He had been considering it since Melody became old enough to realize why Acacia had been imprisoned.

              “Why did they do nothing for her?” Melody asked poignantly. Andover sighed knowing his daughter would catch him.

              Thane rescued his father as he said, “Mel, imagine the humiliation of being victimized by the person you trusted most. These women must accept help before we can do a thing.”

              “We did investigate it, but we turned up with only questions and no answers,” Andover confessed. “Serendipity worried for her friend, but if she did not seek our help, our hands were tied. When she brought her boy, I knew I had to keep an eye on them. I have had many spies on him since and I plan to revisit the reports as soon as we finish here.”

              “Jax has scars on his body,” Melody said with a blush, “I saw them at the collar of his shirt. They were deep wounds which may not have been treated properly.”

              “I saw them, too,” Thane supplied, “They are all over his back and front and probably the rest of him. They look like lashings, but they could have more severe origins.”

              “The question I think we have to ask now is - should we be worried about the elder or the younger Callfah?” Andover mused. Melody looked at her father and brother, discomfort plain in her features.

              “I know you both think that I work only in emotions, but I honestly believe Jax is more good than bad. I think his father may have broken him. When we spoke he would begin thoughts involving the man and stop abruptly refusing to continue or elaborate,” Melody supplied, “He seems so sad, I struggle to imagine he is going to hurt any of us.”

              “I trust your instinct with his character, my dear, but pain and torture can do odd things to people,” Andover said, “We need to be cautious.”

              “I promise, Father. I would have kept what I knew to myself if I were being anything but cautious,” Melody assured her family.

              “For the time being, this information is privileged and I trust it will remain between the three of us. I believe discretion will maintain order and safety in our household. Until we have empirical proof that young Callfah is a danger we will continue to treat him as a favored guest,” Andover concluded.

              “He left,” Melody told them. Thane and Andover both looked surprised. Then they looked at Melody curiously.

              “It was not me!” She argued, “We had a nice walk in the garden and he told me he had to take care of some business. He seemed certain he would return.”

              “That is curious as well,” Thane said, sharing a glance with their father.

              “I thought so, too,” Melody decided, “But Thane, you should remember your diplomacy. Jax is my friend. I like him. I want to help him because I think something is wrong. While I must be cautious, you both must behave rationally. You are protective.” Melody stopped and eyed her father and brother before continuing, “This is a bias we cannot tolerate in this situation. Jax must be given a proper chance.”

              “Wisely stated,” Andover replied, smiling. He clapped his son on the shoulder and said, “We will be cautious of ourselves as you will be of your friend.”

              The trio parted amicably, a plan formulated for the handling of their concerns.

The Tracker

              Melody stared at the same paragraph in the book she had been reading for half an hour. Thane sat across the room in a desk. He read
A Book of Sorts
. She laughed at the way his nose twitched when something interested him.

              Melody thought of Jax. It had been a few days since he left them and she was anxious to see him again. She wanted to sort through her conflicting feelings. He was so kind and gentle. She sighed with frustration - Jax was an animal sibyl – he had to be gentle. Natural prey trusted only the softest spirits. Melody looked up and grinned when she saw Thane standing impatiently in front of her. The Healer waved a scroll in front of her face.

              “Dearest sister,” he said while the laughter in his eyes belied his serious demeanor, “Are you going to read this?”

              “I forgot about it,” Melody said, blushing. She took the scroll and opened it.

              She read it aloud. “'
Pramacretine of Agoura,'”
Melody quoted,
“'my name is Jennifer Mortyer. I am writing this to you to indulge you in some information. My first memo is to announce my arrival in a fortnight at your residence. Likely, it should occur shortly after you read this letter. I would also like to alert you to some activity I have witnessed in my travels here north of the Divide.

              It appears, to my utter dismay, that there has been an awakening. I cannot write more, as I risk interception, though I will hope it not so, since the messenger is my dear friend’s son and apprentice. It is doubted that it will be, but I will take every precaution.” 
             

              Melody looked up at Thane curiously as she said, “The letter was signed by Jennifer Mortyer. She also asked for her courier be housed for only a short time so he may be escorted back to his home.” Melody smiled at the last line, since she had hoped to have him escorted back anyway. The Fae forest was very dangerous.

              Melody sighed. She did not find anything very urgent or informative about the letter. She wondered why the woman would send a messenger to announce her. Also, why add a mysterious message in the middle that she felt too imperiled to explain? Melody shrugged. Thane shrugged also and went back to his reading. A moment later Haroah burst into the room.

              “My Lord and Lady,” he sputtered. Melody looked startled. Thane looked curious.

              Melody stood quickly, concerned. She walked to him and grabbed his hand. Haroah panted a bit, as he tried to compose himself. Melody asked, “What is it, Haroah?”

              “Someone sent word that my family’s home in Krin has been burned down, my mother and younger sister were inside. My sister was not found in the home, but it was evident she had been injured. They do not know where she is,” Haroah exclaimed with barely a breath. Melody gaped.

              “You have family? Were you forced to work here?” Melody whispered. Most of their younger staff members were orphans.

              Haroah looked around impatiently before he replied, “No, my lady, my father came here begging for the guard to take me in, but I was too young still. The Pacretine offered me the task of footman and though my father declined, I begged for the opportunity. The salary I earn here I send to my mother and sister now, since my father passed. I make a fair amount every fortnight and I am able to keep them quite healthy,” Haroah explained quickly. He was desperate when he cried, “I do not understand what has happened at their home, but I must find my sister!” The young man stared at Melody helplessly. Melody hugged him compassionately.

              “Haroah, we will find your sister and we will find out what has happened to your mother. I promise. How old is your sister and do you have a-” Cutting Melody off, Thane suddenly gasped from behind them.

              “Jennifer Mortyer!” the Healer cried. They all looked to the door before he continued, “no, no! Mortyer is the name of a famous tracker. I have never heard the name Jennifer with it. The famous tracker is a woman?” Thane smiled, “How different!” Melody stared at the fire. After a long stretch of time, she looked at Haroah.

              “This will work out,” Melody decided aloud, “evidently; a famous tracker is to grace us with her presence. We will solicit her assistance and set out as soon as she agrees to find your sister.” Haroah smiled gratefully, tears littered the corners of his eyes.

              “You are everything they say you are, my lady and more. I owe you my life,” Haroah said, standing again. Melody shook her head but Haroah stood regardless, pricked his finger and offered it to her. Melody realized how many gifts from people she had been declining and how Haroah’s culture demanded this one. She opened her palm and allowed him to press his finger into it. She knew the custom. Though he did not look the part, with his lack of wings, Haroah was part of the remaining Helacorn who had pledged allegiance to Agoura. He did have a small black horn in the center of his forehead.

              The blood he placed in Melody's palm had spread out to look like a map. It was purple when wet, but then shortly turned into a normal blood red. Haroah knelt and kissed her palm, where his blood dried. Melody looked uneasy, but Thane noted the humble nature in which she took Haroah’s gift. Her brother recognized her reluctance, but was not sure why she had not protested as she normally would. He was proud of her. When Haroah straightened there were tears running down his cheeks.

              “Haroah,” Melody croaked, she cleared her throat and looked up at him, “I need you to do something for me.”  Haroah was about to announce that he would die for her but Melody held up her hand.

              “Please, go to the Pacretine, as a royal guard and tell him we are receiving a visitor quite soon and inform him of your plight. Divulge to him our plans, please, so we may proceed,” Melody requested gently. Thane watched his sister as she stood facing the door in thought. The Healer could see a discernible alteration in her stance, as if she were at battle facing an oncoming hoard. His sister was growing and he could see the strength in her that he knew she would need.

              “We should find Alastaf,” she said, turning to Thane. He saw the pinched look she made when thinking of their eldest brother.

              “Why?” Thane asked.

              Melody shrugged before answering, “I know how we have been in the past, but I think given my own tumultuous future and these newcomers it is high time we become unified. Have not our difficulties been largely trivial?” She asked him, her face full of the need for reassurance. Thane put his hands on her shoulders and steadied her.

              “Dearest sister,” he said, “I have never been more certain of anything than I am of your ability to lead.” Melody smiled and hugged her brother.

              “Only with you on my side,” she replied as they left the library.

              “Alastaf is probably in counsel,” Thane informed her. “When he came of age, Father had him sit in his counsel while he receives requests and concerns from our citizens.” Melody nodded.

              “Should we intrude on this?” Melody asked her brother. Thane sighed as he thought.

              “I think this warrants the intrusion,” he replied. As they entered the reception hall, Melody looked around at the visitors. The Pacretine and Macretine sat listening to a young woman who looked to be just a bit younger than Alastaf. She had long coppery hair tightly plaited behind her head. It still appeared as if it would explode from the braid at any moment. She appeared to be taller than Melody but not as tall as the Macretine. Though the woman seemed normal, both Melody and Thane noticed that where her braid ended a tail protruded from her riding trousers. The tail lifted and fell absently. Melody’s eyes widened. Infelines were very rare and she was their first. Infelines had feline features such as the tail, or their catlike pointed ears. The Infelines were a Race that did not survive well during the time of Fae, as it was their nature to be very independent. They did not take to being slaves so the Helacorn, for defiance, constantly executed.

              Where most Fae would travel in groups, most often they would travel alone and be outnumbered. With their otherworldly features and uncanny gift for hunting, the Infeline were conspicuous people.

              Rumor had it Infelines lived numerous lives and the Helacorn would tie them to a stone and drop them into deep waters. Each time the catlike creature would revive, they would slowly die once more until they could no longer bring themselves back. As Thane and Melody stared at the Infeline woman, a very large troll bombarded them.

              “Oy, Pramacretine, I ‘ave not ‘ad the chance to meet you!” The troll announced, “I’ve ‘eard some great things about ye and I’ve been ditherin’ ta meet ye. I ‘ear ye’re the greatest swordsman- Er, woman ‘round,” the troll thundered. Melody smiled as she shook his hand, which was five times as big as her own was.