Phoenix Gift

Chapter Fourteen

Xavier did not tarry. Nine rode, including Alexis. Natalia drove the remaining wagon, loaded with provisions. Except for the carthorse, all their horses were Milagrian bred and, as such, were faster and stronger than other equines. It was the dream of most royals to own just one horse bred from Milagrian stock, but according to Milagrian law, horses could not be traded. Therefore, it was rare for any horse to leave the island. They were brought for their speed and endurance, both of which Xavier needed.

Their pace was quick, despite the inferior carthorse. To complete their task quickly, they often continued well into the night, after Alexis fell asleep and lay in the wagon. Cadmus curled up next to her, guarding her. Camps were erected in moonlight and knights took turns standing watch while the others slept before setting out at first light, when the largest sun appeared over the mountains.

Five nights after leaving the castle, Xavier realized it was the night of a full moon. He knew the Fay on Milagros would celebrate the moon all night. It was on nights like this, when the wind was right, the sounds of light, airy music drifted through his chamber windows. His throat tightened as the image of Akina dancing across the moonlit room to the threads of music emerged from the depths of his mind.

There were some nights he joined her. Though he could barely hear the sounds, Akina seemed in perfect tune with them. There were few Fay left on the rest of Nuwa and the shimmering music in his mind was the only thing he heard as a night breeze swept across the grassy plain. It was oddly melancholy and felt wrong. Not for the first time, Xavier wished he was home where the memory of his wife was fresh enough that he could close his eyes and almost forget his loss.

“It is a quiet night, is it not, Your Majesty?” M’zuzi asked, reining his brown and white mare near Xavier’s golden destrier.

“It shouldn’t be.”

“I dare say the Fay have retreated underground, back to the realm from whence they came.”

“I fear you are right,” Xavier agreed, “but that is not why you wish to speak, is it?”

“We are being followed, Your Majesty,” the wizard whispered.

“Is that so?”

“Aldous reports riders following our trail. He says they appear to be knights, though they wear peasant clothes.”

“Sent by Harrod no doubt,” Xavier sighed.

“You do not sound surprised,” the wizard raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not.”

“Shall I alert the others?” M’zuzi said with a slight tremor in his voice.

“There is no need to raise alarm,” Xavier remained calm. “Harrod warned me of rebellion. If he sent the knights, he did so to ensure that we completed our task and appease the rebels. We are safe enough for now, but tell your familiar to keep an eye on them.”

They traveled on, making camp when the moon was high. Xavier laid Alexis to sleep on a bed of warm blankets. He spent the night with his own thoughts and did not fall asleep until late in the evening.

In the morning, M’zuzi’s worried inquiries roused him from exhausted slumber. Rubbing his tired eyes, Xavier rose and stepped out of his tent. Waiting for him, M’zuzi stood with his familiar perched on the jeweled teardrop top of his staff. Also waiting for him, Tavel looked anxious.

“News of our shadows, M’zuzi?” Xavier asked.

“Aldous found the place where they camped,” the wizard explained. “But the camp was deserted. He saw none of them.”

“They might have taken to the forest and are trying to get ahead of us,” Xavier guessed.

“No, Your Majesty, you misunderstand,” the wizard shook his head. “The camp was still there, their supplies and their horses. It was only the men that were missing.”

“Do you think they went hunting?” Tavel asked, though he did not seem to believe his own words.

“They are not hunting,” Alexis said, crawling out of the tent. Startled, the men froze as she stood. “They went into the mist. They followed floating lights and singing voices.”

“How do you know this, Alexis?” Xavier asked, kneeling so he could face her.

“I dreamed it.”

“I thought the Fay had left Nuwa,” Tavel said.

“Apparently there are still some about,” Xavier answered, though his mind pointed to a different culprit. He did not speak his suspicion aloud, having sworn never to reveal the secret. Still, he was glad the watcher followed.

“Should we alert the others?” M’zuzi asked.

“Inform Park, but leave the rest for now,” Xavier stood, releasing Alexis to join the others for the morning meal.

“Are you sure that is wise, Your Majesty?” Tavel inquired. The wizard’s eyes searched him for answers he rather not reveal. Xavier ignored the stare and forced his mind out of the past. His promise meant nothing if the wizard was able to read his mind.

“Whether Alexis is right or wrong, we will use this to our advantage and increase the distance between us and them. Keep a look-out, but there is no reason why we should panic the others. Let’s eat and be off.”

Xavier left them before they could question him further. As he joined Alexis with the others, his gaze automatically searched the surrounding foliage for the creature he knew had to be near. He was not surprised when he did not see it.

By midday, they reached Crawford, where the two rivers birthed from one. Crows filled the sky, their calls deafening. Cadmus growled at the large black birds. Alexis called the dragon to her to prevent him from chasing after the birds. He crawled into her lap where she covered him with a corner of her cloak.

Keeping the Koukalaka on their left, they traveled south. After they left the noisy birds behind, the little dragon fell asleep in Alexis’s lap. She wrapped her cloak around him. Shortly after leaving the fjord, they met a band of traveling performers resting under the midday suns.

“Biervenido,” Xavier called as they approached the outskirts of the band, the last remnants of gypsies. A gray-haired man rose from the fire to meet them. He walked with a pronounced limp. Though he and his band appeared harmless, there was no reason to reveal their purpose.

“Greetings to you, strangers,” the old man nodded, standing a short distance away equally cautious of them. “And where are you journeying?”

“We are following the river of black stones,” Xavier answered. “My name is Xavier.”

“Ah, and the little one?” the old man smiled at Alexis.

“My daughter, Alexis.”

“Biervenido, Guyon samir,” Alexis smiled. She was not shy towards him, though he was a stranger. [1]