The Rabbit and the Raven: Book Two in the Solas Beir Trilogy (15 page)

David’s eyes grew wide as he stared at her. “There’s blood in your hair.” He pulled his hand away from her head—there was blood on it too. “Abby, you’re hurt—the back of your head is bleeding. Did you fall?”

“What? No, I…”
Did all that really just happen?
she asked herself.
Was that a dream?

“It’s okay, sweetheart—I’ve got you now. You don’t have to talk. There’s a stone here with your blood on it. You must have fallen and hit your head. Stay very still for a moment,” David urged, supporting her body in the crook of one arm as he placed his other hand over the wound, applying gentle pressure.

He closed his eyes in concentration and she felt heat come from his hand. The dull ache at the back of her head faded, but she noticed that he winced as her wound was transferred to him. He ran his hand over the back of his own head and it came back bloody.

Abby felt guilty. “David, you didn’t have to do that—I’m sorry. I would have healed in no time with just a bandage.”

He shrugged. “Eh, it’s fine—I heal fast. The blood’s already stopped, and I can hardly feel the pain. That was just a small thing—I’d go through a whole lot more than a knock on the head to heal you. Besides, I need practice. Healing is much harder for me than flying or even transformation—there’s more visualization involved in focusing my energy to repair a wound, and more of a personal price paid for using power. But don’t worry about me—I can handle it. How are
you
feeling?”

“Much better. Thanks,” Abby said. She smiled. “You’re kind of handy like that, you know. I think I’ll keep you around.”

“Good—I’ll hold you to that.” David frowned. “I’m worried about how confused you were when you came to—maybe you were having a vision or something. Let’s get you home and make sure you’re really okay. I think we need to talk to my mom.” He scooped Abby up in his arms and started back toward the castle.

“You don’t have to carry me—I can walk. I’m fine. Really.”

“Shh,” David said. “I was
trying
to be romantic. You’re stepping on my hero moment here, woman.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She kissed his cheek. “You may proceed.”

He grinned. “That’s more like it.” He held her tightly as they headed homeward.

Abby looked back over David’s shoulder. The ground seemed flat, but there was something strange about it—something she wouldn’t have noticed at all if she didn’t know what to look for—something better seen from a high vantage point. Slightly raised above the rest of the meadow were small mounds of grass, mimicking the pattern of the labyrinth.

“Shouldn’t they be back by now?” Marisol asked.

“I would think so,” Cael agreed. “Come, let us do a bit of tracking ourselves.”

Cael changed into a wolf and sniffed the ground, picking up a trail. Marisol followed him into the woods. When they came to the stone ledge over Jon’s hiding place, Marisol silently signaled for Cael to stop, running her fingers through his fur. Placing a finger to her lips, she pointed to the scuff marks on the ground below, and then to where she thought Jon might be hiding.

The wolf seemed to smile, then nodded. He launched himself off the ledge, letting out a vicious growl as he landed on all fours in front of the entrance to the alcove.

Marisol heard Jon’s involuntarily yelp, and she began laughing so hard she had to sit down on the edge of the stone lip for fear of losing her balance. When she saw Jon storm from his hiding place and glare up at her, she rocked back and forth, laughing even harder.

“Not funny, you guys,” Jon said. “Not funny at all.”

Cael changed back and chuckled. “I am sorry, Jon. We simply could
not
resist.”

“
Great
hiding place,” Marisol grinned. “You did much better than I did. David found me right away.”

“Thanks,” Jon said, grumpily crossing his arms.

“Your trail was very clever, Jon,” Cael remarked. “I commend you—you seem to have outwitted the Solas Beir.”

“Not you though,” Jon said.

“Actually, I only followed your scent. It was Marisol who caught on to your trickery.”

“Knew there was a reason I went for the smart girl,” Jon muttered. “Even though she is
incredibly
mean.”

“Sorry,” Marisol said, smiling. She hopped down from her perch and pecked Jon on the cheek. “Forgive me?”

“I suppose,” Jon said. “So where are David and Abby?”

“That’s what we were wondering,” Marisol said.

“I saw David pass by some time ago,” Jon said. “He crossed the stream and then took off. Maybe he smelled Abby and went to find her.”

“Where did he cross?” Cael asked.

Jon pointed, and Cael changed back into a wolf, sniffing the ground. He crossed the stream and circled the area, and then raised his head and bounded off into the trees.

“Guess he’s caught their scents,” Marisol said. “Come on.” She took Jon’s hand, and they ran after Cael.

When Abby and David arrived at Caislucis, they saw Eulalia making preparations for the new Western Oracle’s confirmation ceremony. Dressed according to tradition for affairs of state, she was wearing an elegant white gown and her delicate silver tiara.

She was accompanied by several aides who were clad head-to-toe in white and feverishly taking notes. A petite Asian woman Abby had never seen before was talking with the queen. Her scarlet shift and black leather leggings seemed very bold among all that white.

“What happened?” Eulalia asked, hurrying over when she saw David carrying Abby into the Great Hall.

“She had a little accident during the training exercise,” David said. “She fell and hit her head on a rock in the meadow.”

“Let me see,” Eulalia said.

“It’s all right,” David said, setting Abby on her feet. He kept his hands around her waist as if he still weren’t certain she could stand on her own. “I healed her. But she seemed a bit disoriented when she came to, so I wanted her to take it easy.”

“I’m fine.” Abby stepped away from David’s protective embrace to prove it. “Really—I just blacked out, I guess, and had some kind of dream, or vision, or something.”

“What was your vision?” the newcomer asked.

“I…uh…it’s difficult to remember,” Abby began, suddenly unsure if it was the best idea to share her vision in the presence of a total stranger.

“Forgive me.” Eulalia beckoned David and Abby to follow her to the center of the hall where she had left the woman standing. “Introductions are in order. This is my son, the Solas Beir, and our cai aislingstraid, Abigail. David and Abby, this is the Northern Oracle.”

David bowed formally, and Abby followed suit with a respectful curtsey.

“Welcome, Northern Oracle,” David said. “We are greatly honored by your visit.”

The Northern Oracle smiled. “A bit surprised too, I
imagine. I must apologize for the lack of notice that I was coming.”

“It’s a very pleasant surprise,” David said. “I am sure that the new Western Oracle will be honored to have you here as well.”

“The queen has been telling me of your choice for the post—I think you have made a wise decision. I have not met Nerine yet, but of course the tale of how she rescued Cael has been told across the kingdom,” the Northern Oracle commented.

“As have the tales about you and your people,” David said. “Your valor in battle is legendary.”

“You flatter me, Solas Beir,” she said.

“Not at all,” David said. “If not for your intervention at the Gauntlet, Cael would not have been able to obtain the Sign of the Throne, and I would not be here. I am eternally grateful to you.”

The Northern Oracle smiled. “You have done well with your son, Eulalia. I can see already that he will be a gracious king, revered by his people.”

“Thank you,” Eulalia responded, beaming. “I am very proud of him. David, I was telling the Northern Oracle of your plans to visit each of the oracles.”

David nodded. “Yes, I had intended to visit you in the north soon, but it seems you have spared us a long trip in coming to Caislucis instead.”

“Indeed—it is quite a long journey. I had hoped to meet with you sooner, but I was delayed in coming. Nevertheless, let me assure you, Solas Beir, that we of the north have been ever loyal to the Light and will remain so,” the Northern Oracle said.

“Thank you. We could not ask for better allies. Having you with us will go a long way toward an alliance with the Southern and Eastern Oracles,” David said.

“We can hope,” the Northern Oracle replied. “That is actually the reason for my visit. In the time just before you became Solas Beir, we were met with a series of attacks on our fortress, which is why I was unable to attend your coronation. The Kruorumbrae seemed to rapidly gain in numbers and strength. We were managing to hold them off, and then, suddenly, they vanished. Since then it is as though there were a veil over my visions, and I can no longer see my brothers to the south and east. I fear they too have been under attack.”

“I hope all is well in their regions. We have had our own share of attacks, but it seems it is not just the Kruorumbrae we need to worry about,” David said. “We believe that one of our villages was ravaged by the Daughters of Mercy.”

The Northern Oracle frowned. “Could it be that they were pursuing the Kruorumbrae? I cannot imagine the Daughters of Mercy would attack someone who had committed no wrong.”

“We fear that they did just that,” Eulalia replied. “It is unprecedented, but they have taken captive a number of the villagers, seemingly without cause.”

“I fear these are not isolated events,” a musical voice echoed though the room. Abby turned to see a woman with smooth grey skin and long white hair entering the Great Hall.

“Nerine,” David called, smiling. He walked over to the mermaid, who looked graceful in a sweeping white gown, having temporarily transformed her tail into legs. He took both her hands in his. “Thank you so much for agreeing to serve as the Western Oracle.”

“I am honored by Cael’s nomination, and happy to serve,” Nerine said as she and David rejoined the others in the center of the hall. “And I am pleased to finally meet the Northern Oracle.”

“Welcome, my sister,” said the Northern Oracle. “Do you bring us news as well?”

Nerine nodded. “I do. There seems to be a great darkness rising once again, even from the sea. It is as it was in the days when the sirens preyed on my kind. Some of my people have gone missing, and there are tales of a beast that takes them. One with a serpentine tail.”

The creature I saw watching us,
Abby thought, in a flash of insight. “I think I’ve seen it. After David’s coronation, he and I flew to Lone Tree Island. When we were leaving the island, I glimpsed something perched on the rocks, like it had been spying on us, but all I saw was a black-and-white striped tail as it slithered back into the sea. But if all the sirens are dead, what could it be?”

“I do not know,” Nerine frowned, “but my people are very frightened. They say the old Western Oracle has risen to take her revenge.”

“Surely that cannot be,” Eulalia said. “Abby—what of your vision? Is there anything you can tell us?”

Abby looked from face to face, suddenly very uncomfortable to be in the spotlight. “Not exactly. Nothing related to the Daughters of Mercy or the sea. In my vision I entered a labyrinth and Tierney was there, waiting for me.”

Eulalia and the Northern Oracle exchanged a dark look and returned their gazes to Abby. She felt her face grow red, which made her feel even more self-conscious.

“Did he try to hurt you?” David asked, taking Abby’s hand.

David’s familiar touch steadied her. Abby felt the flush in her cheeks fade as she met his gaze. “Surprisingly, no,” Abby said.

“Well, what did he want?” David asked.

“He just…he said he just wanted to see if the stories about me were true. If the Shadows had underestimated me. And what’s even weirder is he kept calling me Rabbit. Whatever
that
means,” Abby finished.

“
Hmm,” David mused. He looked perplexed.

“Yeah. I know,” Abby shook her head. “Weird.”

“Abby, did you say there was a labyrinth?” Eulalia asked.

Abby turned to look at Eulalia. “Yes, I did. Why?”

“Because,” Eulalia said, “there used to be one in the meadow. But it burned to the ground the night David was taken.”

“All right then,” Abby shivered. “I am officially creeped out.” She caught herself, realizing she might not be speaking as formally as required, considering her audience. “On that note, please excuse me, but I’ve got to get ready for the ceremony. See you soon, Nerine. It was nice to meet you, Northern Oracle.”

“I need to change as well,” David added. “Nerine, Northern Oracle, thank you again for coming. I’m looking forward to the confirmation and the banquet. Please, if there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, you only need to ask. We will see you again very soon.” David placed his hand on the small of Abby’s back and walked her to the corridor that housed their chambers.