The Awakening (24 page)

Torrell actually flushed at the dragon’s words and as they settled, she made sure to sit in the couch furthest from his corner of the room. Jahrra sat in the chair closest to her guardian with Dathian and Senton sharing the largest sofa in the middle of the room.

For a long while they merely watched the fire. Eventually, Senton cleared his throat and asked Jaax a few questions, some about being the leader of the Coalition, some the typical questions dragons received from those not of their kind. Jahrra watched Torrell, listening intently as she pretended to glance around the shadowy room.

Neira came stumbling in some minutes later, blushing profusely and making to scurry up the stairs to her room so that she would not disturb anyone.

“Nonsense,” Jaax said, “you will join us until sunrise. Why shouldn’t you?”

The housemaid gave a shaky curtsy and pushed her loose hair out of her face. It was then that Jahrra noticed she was wearing it partly down and had on a nice dress, nothing like her work attire.
So
, Jahrra thought with a grin,
Neira was out with her own friends enjoying a night off as well.

“Very well then, but at least let me bring out the sweet fruit cake I baked this morning and the apple cider made from Jahrra’s apples.”

She disappeared through the small door leading to the kitchen and Jahrra rose to help her, leaving her friends in Jaax’s company.

By the time she and Neira returned, she was pleased to see that Torrell had finally gotten over her fright or awe of her guardian and was having an in-depth discussion with him and Dathian as Senton rushed over to help carry trays of food.

After they had managed to polish off the last of the small sandwiches and crackers, the six of them merely lounged in the glow of the fire, nibbling on Neira’s fruit cake as exhaustion from the long night took over.

At dawn, a carriage arrived to return Senton, Dathian and Torrell to their respective homes, and Jahrra, Jaax and Neira sought their own beds. As she drifted off to sleep, Jahrra replayed the night in her mind: Senton’s new interest in a girl other than herself, Kehllor’s opening up about his past, and Jaax’s polite and genial conversation with her friends.

All in all, a rather excellent night in Jahrra’s opinion. But something was keeping her from fully relaxing and she couldn’t quite put her thumb on it. She knew it had something to do with Kehllor and what he had told her, some inkling of a suspicion or a secret Jahrra had locked away somewhere. Unfortunately, her brain was too weary to drag it up.

I’ll think about it later
, she told herself,
when I have the time to
. Finally, her mind settled and she fell fast asleep as the first rays of morning poured through her window.

-
Chapter Fourteen
-

The Spirit Stone

The excitement and atmosphere of Sobledthe gradually fizzled away as the start of the dark half of the year settled in. Jahrra felt the encroachment of the winter season more and more as each day passed. Classes were winding down as well because, just before their Solsticetide break, they would be taking exams and then signing up for new classes for the spring term.

Jahrra wasn’t as stressed about her University exams as she had been for the ones in Oescienne. She thought maybe it was because the classes at the University were more enjoyable and therefore the finals didn’t seem so daunting. That and the fact that Lidien had, over the past several months, given her a great sense of safety and belonging. It wasn’t that she hadn’t felt safe with Hroombra, but she seemed to have less on her mind now, as if somehow learning she was human had answered so many riddles that had distracted her before.

Jahrra took a deep breath and looked up from her journal. She was sitting at the stone table on her rooftop patio, enjoying the warm morning sun while she could. She examined her apple trees as she did so, their fruit having been completely collected and preserved; turned into cakes and pastries days ago by an ambitious Neira. The leaves that still remained on their nearly naked boughs were lemon yellow and Jahrra couldn’t help but reflect on the time that had passed. It couldn’t have been only six months ago that she and Jaax had stumbled off of that barge to start this new life in Lidien, but the change of the seasons around her didn’t lie.

Blinking against the sun, Jahrra got back to what she had been writing in her journal. She never really kept any of her daily thoughts in there; it was mostly for the things that she saw and sketched and wrote descriptions for. But every now and again, through the years, she had been compelled to write certain things down that had nothing to do with the bird or plant she had seen while walking through the woods.

She skimmed over the advice Denaeh had given her on several occasions, smiling at the memory of the Mystic and wondering if she was still cultivating mushrooms in the Black Swamp. She glanced over the runes she had recorded from Ehnnit Canyon and the few words she had copied from the pirate’s journal she and her friends had found in the Ninth Cove. At the present, however, she was jotting down what had happened the weekend before, about what Kehllor had told her about his troubled dreams and how it seemed familiar to her, like a famous quote out of a fairytale; familiar but lost in the depths of her memories.

Jahrra chewed the end of her quill, furrowing her brow and trying hard to come up with a reason for her overabundant curiosity. She didn’t have much time to contemplate the matter much further however, for Neira was calling up to her that breakfast was ready. Jahrra slammed her journal shut and scooped up her extra blanket. She hurried downstairs once both blanket and book were safely stored back in her room.

“What time are you expecting your friend?” Neira asked as she poured fresh milk into a cup and set it on the kitchen counter next to a plate of warm biscuits and eggs.

Jahrra took a seat on one of the tall stools and yawned. She threw her braid over her shoulder and stabbed at her breakfast with a fork.

“In half an hour or so,” she answered around a mouthful of eggs.

Neira gave one of her motherly looks and tsked. “Best be hurrying with your breakfast then.”

Jahrra smiled and finished within ten minutes. She piled the dishes into the big stone sink and dashed back upstairs. She pulled on her most comfortable pants and an old tunic, ran a brush through her hair after unbraiding it, and tied it up with a leather strap. Double checking that her door was closed, she pulled out the top drawer in her dresser and reached for the stone in the wall behind it. Wiggling it loose with little effort, she poked her fingers into the space left behind and smiled when they brushed against the large velvet pouch she had hidden there. She pulled it out and brought it over to her bed then replaced the brick and drawer.

The pouch was dusty, but Jahrra didn’t mind. Carefully, she opened it and poured its contents out, counting the coins up in her mind. All of her winnings from the practices in which she took on challengers, including the sizeable sum from the Harvest Festival. It was more money than Jahrra had ever seen in her life. Enough to get Torrell, Senton, Dathian, Neira and Jaax a Solsticetide gift each. A thrill of joy shot through her as she carefully put the money back. For once in her life she would be able to afford something nice for her friends.

The sound of a carriage coming up the drive forced her to her feet and once again she was tearing down the stairs, shouting a goodbye to Neira and Jaax as she flew out the door. Torrell stood up in the coach when she spotted her friend and grinned.

“Nothing like a day of shopping,” her friend remarked. “Just us girls. No boys to ruin things.”

Jahrra laughed and climbed up into the carriage and before long they were on their way. As they traveled, Jahrra tried to think what she would get for each of her friends. Neira, she knew, would appreciate a new bonnet to go with the lovely dress she had been wearing on Sobledthe Eve night. Senton was getting a dagger, Jahrra decided. Nothing too fancy, but he would much appreciate the gesture, especially since he had been doing so well with his training. Dathian . . . maybe she could find something imported from Dhonoara for the elvin prince. Torrell might like a pair of earrings or a bracelet. Jaax . . . Now Jaax would be the hardest of all to shop for. Not only did she not have any idea what the Tanaan dragon might like she was worried about his reaction the most. He had always been so good about managing to get gifts for her and she hadn’t the faintest clue as to what to get him.

Jahrra cast her eyes around, hoping the answer would appear out of thin air right in front of her. After several minutes of scanning the passing scenery, she gave up. She cast a defeated glance at her friend and found herself distracted by Torrell’s necklace. She had seen it on her several times before but it was usually hidden beneath the collar of her shirt. Frustrated with her inability to think of a proper gift for her guardian, Jahrra decided to inquire after the necklace.

“Torrell, what type of stone is in your pendant?” she asked.

Torrell blinked and drew her chin in close as she pulled the delicate chain away from her neck. The tear drop gem slid and glinted in the sun. It was the most unique color; red and orange and gold, nothing like Jahrra had ever seen.

“This? It’s a spirit stone. Have you never seen one before?”

Jahrra shook her head.

Torrell grinned. “Ah, they must not have these in Oescienne then.”

Jahrra shot her a slightly harassed look and Torrell just laughed. “The elves make these, since they are the only ones with the magic to do so. They are stones created from a piece of a loved one.”

Jahrra’s eyes went wide and she flinched back. “What do you mean, a piece of a loved one?”

That sounded quite morbid to her.

“No, nothing like that,” Torrell waved her hand, “though some people have stones made from a bit of their own blood. Usually people use hair, or fingernails. Others just spit into the cauldron, which in my opinion, is rather disgusting.”

She shivered and let the spirit stone drop back in place.

Jahrra blinked, her curiosity growing. “Well, what is the purpose of these spirit stones?”

Torrell grinned and folded her hands over her crossed knees. “To keep a friend or family member close.”

Jahrra furrowed her brow.

Seeing her friend’s confusion, the other girl grinned and said, “This stone was made from a drop of Renaya’s blood. She thought when I went away to University that she wouldn’t see me every day and wanted me to have a part of her with me.”

Torrell held the stone up again and looked at it lovingly. “Every stone is unique, made up of its own colors that represent the spirit of the person it came from. I’m also told that the colors and their intensity are supposed to represent how the person is feeling at the moment the stone is created, but that’s just a theory.”

Torrell shrugged.

Suddenly, Jahrra’s face lit up with thought.

“What is it? You look as if you just discovered the secret to being a successful alchemist.” Torrell sat back and eyed Jahrra carefully.

“No,” Jahrra waved her hand nonchalantly, “I’ve been wracking my brain on what I should get Jaax for Solsticetide. He always manages to get me something really good and I haven’t been able to think of a single thing.”

Jahrra thought about the dragon’s gifts over the years. Once he had given her one of his scales, laced on a chain. Another time he had sent her a very nice saddle for Phrym. It was time she returned the favor.

“That sounds like a rather daunting task. Your guardian doesn’t seem the type that’s easy to find a gift for.”

Jahrra nodded grimly. She just assumed it was a sign that perhaps she didn’t know him as well as she thought but now she felt a little better. A spirit stone would be perfect. After all, she had a piece of him hanging around her neck, why shouldn’t he have a piece of her, well, a piece of her essence?

Grinning, Jahrra pulled the stony scale out from beneath her shirt. She never took it off, not since leaving Oescienne. She knew it was silly, but she felt it stood as a reminder that no matter how domineering Jaax may be on occasion, she could still stand up to him.

Torrell shifted forward as their carriage turned a corner, bringing Jahrra’s attention back to the present.

“What’s that?” Now it was her turn to be curious.

Jahrra smiled and thrust the glittering scale forward.

“This is my charm. A scale from Jaax’s toe. I managed to break it off when I was eleven.”

Torrell’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? How did you manage that?”

Although Torrell had finally managed to speak with Jaax the last time she was over it was still a far cry from being openly friendly with him.

Jahrra laughed. “It was his own fault. He didn’t visit me often as a child, but one time when he paid us a visit he insisted on testing my fighting skills. Of course, I’d had no training whatsoever, but he demanded that I spar with him anyway. The fact that I managed to remove this scale was a marvel.”

Torrell sat there, gaping, but after a few moments she shook away her disbelief and said, “You never told us that story!”

At first she looked a little perturbed, but after a moment she leaned forward again. “May I get a closer look?”

Jahrra nodded and leaned forward, pulling the necklace away from her neck once again.

Torrell narrowed her eyes and looked closely at it. “I never realized how beautiful dragons’ scales were,” she said quietly.

Jahrra nodded. “Like polished granite, with many different flecks of color.”

Torrell swallowed and sighed.

“I think this might be much better than a spirit stone. Anyone can get a spirit stone made, but acquiring a dragon’s scale?” She shook her head.

Leaning back against her seat, Jahrra smiled and said, “Well, since I already have a dragon scale I would like to get a spirit stone. Do you know where they make them?”

“You’re lucky you’re in Lidien. I know of one shop where you can get one made but it could be expensive, depending on what type of metal you get it set in.”

Jahrra swallowed. She had a small fortune resting at the bottom of her bag at that very moment. But would it be enough to purchase a spirit stone worthy of a dragon?

“I might have enough saved from my winnings,” she admitted eventually, grinning insecurely at Torrell.

“Huh,” Torrell answered, crossing her arms in mock annoyance. “I think you just might.”

“So, where’s this shop of yours?”

Torrell flashed her best grin and turned to give the driver directions.

For the remainder of the day the two young women wended their way through the city, taking their time as they searched out the shop that crafted and sold spirit stones. As they walked or rode in one of the many carts for hire, Jahrra thought about what she would use to create the stone. Torrell had explained the process as best she could but Jahrra was still unclear on how the stone was actually formed. The elves who created the stones did so by combining certain ingredients and heating them in a cauldron, using a specific amount of magic to aid them. Whatever part of a person that was to be crafted into the spirit stone would be added only when directed by the one mixing the potion and adding the ingredients.

Jahrra asked Torrell that if a bigger piece of a person should be thrown in, would it result in a bigger stone. Torrell told her no but oftentimes warriors would come home from battles after losing an appendage and would hang on to it to create a spirit stone from it for their families and loved ones. The thought of someone throwing a finger or an arm into the magic cauldron, especially after keeping it on their person for who knew how long, made Jahrra shiver in disgust. Yet, it seemed a good way to do away with such an important part of oneself.

“I don’t think I could spit in the cauldron,” Jahrra mused as they walked past the University buildings, now relatively quiet for the weekend. “It seems more of an insult than a charm.”

Torrell nodded.