Ferde did to those girls. But he had assisted with Ferde’s escape from the Keep’s protective cells, and now traveled with him. Was he that greedy for power? He could no longer claim the Ixian throne. Did he want to rule Sitia instead?
I studied the moon. Waxing toward full, the bright disk lit the landscape. I wondered about the moon’s power and why certain things like the Kirakawa ritual needed the moon’s presence to work. I could feel the invisible layer of power blanketing the sky, but I felt nothing from the moon.
In a subtle flicker of the light, Moon Man coalesced out of a blue shaft of moonlight as if he had been summoned by my thoughts. He stood next to our fire without clothes or his weapon.
Are you a dream? I asked him.
Deep lines of exhaustion etched his face, but he managed a weary smile and said, Perhaps I have always been a dream. What do you think?
I think I’m too tired to discuss Story Weaver philosophy with you right now. And if you’re not real, then, at least, make yourself useful and tell me where you really are!
I am here. Moon Man slumped to his knees.
CHAPTER 12
I JUMPED TO MY FEET and ran to Moon Man’s prone form by the campfire. Wrapping my cloak around Moon Man’s muscular shoulders, I shared energy with him.
“Are you all right? What happened? Where are the others?” I asked.
“Everyone is fine. I will explain later.” He pulled the edge of my cloak closer to his face.
“Will you? Or will you just spout some vague details in typical Story Weaver style?”
He answered with a soft snore.
I suppressed the desire to share more power with him and wake him. Sleep was the best way for Moon Man to recover his strength after using magic. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sleep. I grabbed an extra blanket from Leif’s saddlebags and spread it over Moon Man. My cloak didn’t seem adequate protection for him against the chilly night air. Despite my reluctance, I added some logs and coaxed the fire into a warm blaze.
As I stared at the dancing flames, I wondered what other surprises waited for me. The answers would be revealed in time, but my ability to deal with them remained uncertain.
Even with the loud calls of shoppers and stand owners from the bustling market, Moon Man didn’t wake until the sun reached its apex. By the time the Story Weaver finished eating the meal Leif had thoughtfully prepared for him, my impatience had built up enough energy that I could probably scale a smooth tree without the aid of a rope.
“Tell us everything,” I demanded before he could swallow his final bite.
He smiled at my agitation. Weariness still pulled at his features, but his eyes sparked with an amused glint.
“And don’t try any of that cryptic Story Weaver mumbo jumbo or I’ll…”
“What?” Moon Man asked.
“I’ll hurt you. Bad. So talk.”
Moon Man glanced at Leif.
My brother shrugged. “I’ve seen her swinging that stick around. Now, if you had your scimitar…”
“Too risky,” Moon Man said. He saw the rising fury in my eyes and wisely began telling us what had happened.
“After you and Leif distracted the Fire Warper, we chased the Vermin through the jungle. And would have caught them if you had not needed my help.” Moon Man aimed a pointed stare at me. “How is the scout?”
“Alive and well,” I said.
“Back to his old self?”
I hesitated, but I wouldn’t let Moon Man change the subject. “He’s fine. Continue your story.”
“Helping you drained all my energy and I needed to rest for a while,” Moon Man said. “Marrok tracked the Vermin to the Illiais Market and then north to the city of Booruby. It is a thriving place and we lost the Vermin’s trail. Too many people.”
He shuddered. The motion reminded me of Leif’s claim that Moon Man was claustrophobic. The city was the complete opposite of the wide open space of his home in the Avibian Plains. Located at the northern tip of the Cowan Clan’s lands, Booruby’s eastern side bordered the plains, and was too far for my magic to reach.
“Where are the others?” Leif asked.
“We rented a room at one of the inns. I left Tauno and Marrok there to hunt down any information about the Daviians while I rejoined you.”
Leif looked around the campsite. “How, exactly, did you get here?”
Moon Man grinned. “A secret Story Weaver power.”
“You used the moonlight,” I said.
He beamed his approval. “I came through the shadow world. Moonlight reveals the world of shadows, allowing access.”
“Is that where you showed me the story of my life?” I asked, remembering the dark plain that had transformed into visions of my childhood.
“Yes. It is a place where I unravel story threads to help others learn from their past as they weave their future.”
“Is it a physical place?” I had been there twice. The second time Moon Man had brought Leif and me to untangle our knots of hostility and anger toward each other. Each time, though, I had felt intangible, as if my body had turned into smoke.
“It exists in the shadows of our world.”
“Can anyone with magical powers get into the shadow world?”
“So far, only Story Weavers have the ability. But I am waiting to see if there is another who is brave enough to claim that gift.” His eyes met mine, and I caught a glimpse of shadows. I looked away.
Breaking the silence, Leif said, “However you arrived, you still need to work on your transportation skills. Maybe next time you can bring some clothes along with you.”
Leif and I bought Moon Man a tan-colored tunic and pants, and we purchased supplies for the trip. Packing the saddlebags, I readied the horses. Moon Man would ride Garnet until we reached Booruby.
We went north, taking a well-used path through the forest. I scanned our surroundings with my magic, but thought the odds of being ambushed remained low because of all the other caravans and travelers crowding the trail. Leif also used his magic to smell the intentions of the Vermin, but he couldn’t discern anything.
Once we reached Booruby, we would find the others and decide our next move. I brooded over the fact we had lost the Vermin and worried about which direction Cahil and Ferde had gone. Back to the plains or plateau? Or engaging in another scheme to gain power?
Ferde had kidnapped Tula from her home in Booruby. His only victim found alive, Tula had been sent to the Magician’s Keep. I healed her body and found her soul only to lose both to Ferde. Guilt welled in my throat. His freedom ate at my heart.
I tightened my grip on the reins, causing Kiki to snort in agitation.
Sorry. I relaxed. I was thinking about Ferde and Cahil.
Peppermint Man like apple, Kiki said, referring to Cahil.
Why do you say that? I knew Kiki loved apples.
He black apple. No one wants.
I saw an image of rotting apples on the ground.
Bad. But good come.
Kiki showed how the seeds inside grew roots and became a tree after the apple decayed. Are you saying a good thing might come from Peppermint Man? Or if he dies, it would be beneficial?
Yes.
