Chapter Twenty-Three
A bird song awoke her, a simple tune that eased Kara from a deep sleep. Her eyes peeked open, adjusting to the sunlight. Jesset sat next to her bed, keeping vigil.
“What happened?”
“No questions. Just stay still. Your shoulder and arm are pretty torn up.”
Those words triggered a flood of memories, with all the pieces not quite put together.
“Where’s—” But again Jesset shushed her.
“I’ll tell you everything, or at least what I can. Let me get the others.” He stood, his smile warming her heart. “But don’t move.”
Kara gave a small nod, starting now to feel the numbness of her left shoulder and arm. Prickles of pain fluttered through her, as the rest of her body came awake.
Jesset had only been gone a moment before the whole house shook with the joyful sound of her name.
“Kara!” Snow smothered her in a hug that came in quick but was entirely gentle. She went to return it and a sharp pain pulsed through her injured shoulder.
Snow sat where Jesset had been. Kara could tell she had been crying, a lot. That memory piece locked into place and she remembered Dante’s fate. “I’m sorry.”
Snow gave a nod of thanks, but she barely held back her grief.
Hambone came in, smiling. He didn’t hug Kara for fear of hurting her. He stood behind Snow, a reassuring hand resting on the were’s shoulder.
“I’m glad to see you smiling.” The dwarc said, and instantly brought a smile to Kara’s face. Jesset came in and stood at the foot of the bed. Kara looked around at all her friends, as if waiting.
“Where’s…Grace?”
Snow’s and Hambone’s gaze jumped to Jesset, who looked at them in uncomfortable surprise. “I haven’t told her anything.”
All looked back at Kara, and she could tell it wasn’t good news.
“What do you remember?” Hambone asked and sat next to her.
Her eyes became wide, unsure of what was going on. Confusion danced in her head making any memories blurred. “I think I remember Grace losing her glow.”
Knowing looks passed between Snow and Hambone.
“Sprites can’t survive long without their glow, their magic. We did our best, but….”
Kara’s mouth dropped; the calm that filled her when she awoke quickly drained out of her. “But…but surely the wizard…?” Her words trailed off as she saw Snow’s expression go from sad to mourning.
“The wizard…” Jesset began.
“Is he dead too?” She moved to sit up, but the pain spike halted that movement.
Hambone reached out a hand to motion for her to stay put.
“He’s alive, but…sleeping.” Jesset said, and quickly continued. “It’s a deep, deep sleep. Almost like hibernation. His body is repairing itself.”
Her mind tried to take in all the information. “But he was fine during the fight.”
Snow laid her hand on Kara now. Her grey-brown eyes were watery yet a true friend spoke from behind the veil of tears. “His last spell saved your life. The captain’s sword was headed for your neck.”
Kara was speechless. Ynob, the rude magician who really didn’t want anything to do with her, had used one last spell to partially block her attacker.
Tears for Grace came, which brought forth the memory of Dante. More tears for her fallen friend trickled from her eyes, and her body shook with slow mournful sobs. Snow’s emotions broke also, and they both cried together. Snow’s head lay on Kara’s chest. Jesset and Hambone watched, their grief wrestling inside a hard exterior. They remained strong for the others.
It was a nice cry, and when enough tears and sadness had poured forth, both clasped hands, smiled and then laughed. Kara wanted to sit up, and with help from Hambone and Jesset, she managed. Jesset ran off to fix food, and a moment later Hambone went to help.
Snow sat next to Kara, her arm around Kara’s waist. A few more tears came, and a few little laughs before anyone spoke again.
“I really don’t remember much.”
“Well, you defeated the evil.”
“Hooray for me…ow.” Kara went to lift her arms in mock cheer, but the pain reminded her she was one of the wounded. Snow squeezed her tighter, and let out a small laugh.
“So the princess, the evil is dead?” Kara asked, looking directly at Snow. Their foreheads touched.
“The princess…she’s alive…but the thing that was inside her…is gone.”
Kara pulled a bit apart from Snow to try to read her expression. “You don’t sound sure.”
Snow looked right back at Kara. “I’m not. When you cracked the mirror with the necklace—”
“I cracked the mirror with the necklace? I sort of remember that.”
“Don’t interrupt. It’s confusing enough without you asking questions…at least right now. When you cracked the mirror, a pulse of dark blue light rippled out.” Snow looked to Kara to see if she understood.
“The princess creature, whatever, fell as the light hit her. She crumpled as if her legs and arms gave out on her.”
“And the captain, his sword hit you, but then he also collapsed. You were out cold. I thought you were dead too. There was so much blood.” Snow paused and smiled. She drew Kara in for a hug.
“Okay, but what happened next?”
Jesset appeared suddenly. “Food is on. Do you want it here or at the table?” He looked at Kara and then at Snow when they both didn’t respond. “Or do you want it later after she finishes telling—”
“No…I need to eat…I think.”
Snow stood and helped Kara to her feet. It felt as if she hadn’t walked in weeks, but soon her legs were getting the hang of it. Hambone was finishing setting the table.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
Paws scampered quickly toward her and she felt the familiar hello lick from Birch. She leaned down gently to ruffle the dog’s fur. “Birch!”
“I told him he could come see you now that you were up. I don’t think he slept much all night. He wanted to be in bed with you, but I didn’t think you needed that yet.” Jesset said, helping guide Kara to her chair.
“Father!”
At the table sat Kirt. He smiled weakly. Kara made her way over and hugged him. They both shivered from their own pain, but endured it.
Once all found a seat around the table, they dug into the fresh bread and vegetables. There were eggs and huge flapjacks that exuded a hint of cinnamon. All ate as if they were hungry farm animals, stuffing it in and not caring if they caused a mess.
After an intense food war, all sat back satisfied. Kara tossed scraps to Birch and laughed as he tried unsuccessfully to catch them midair. Hambone was last to finish, making sure there were no leftovers to worry about.
“So, how far did you get with the tale?” Jesset asked, nodding at Snow.
“Not very far. But the food was worth the interruption.”
Jesset was about to speak again, when his eyes caught sight of Birch. The dog had gone stiff, listening intently toward the door. He growled a low ruff. Kara looked down at Birch and then at Jesset who held almost a similar expression.
“Horses.”
Panic rose in Kara as her eyes stared at the door. The horses were now right outside. They came to a halt.
“Have they come back?” Kara said in a panicked whisper.
She looked to her friends, but all had a look of shock on their faces. Kara looked back at the door. Taylon came first through the door.
Kara stood up, ready to run, but her heart instantly froze when she saw the next intruder. Euphoria glided through the door. She stopped a few feet in, and looked at the small group seated there.
The bat pendant hung around the princess’s neck. It was softly glowing.