Page 34 of Wind and Water
Shaking his head, Dollan winces. “It was as if they flew us straight through the evil thing. It hurt and burned at the same time. Then the pain stopped, and we were in a room. There was no light. We found each other and huddled on the floor rather than succumb to the total darkness.”
Farress’s voice is strained, and her arms are wrapped around her waist. “Centaurs have excellent eyesight even in the dark of night. Wherever the witch queen held them must have been pitch.”
“Did they hurt you?” Wren asks gently. “I mean, beyond the entry and what must have been terrifying.”
“Without sun or moon, we lost track of time. We were neither fed nor given water. It was as if they planned to starve us. No one touched us once we were in the tower.” Dollan’s voice cracks.
“They were there for two days.” Corell looks ready to go into battle. His fists are clenched at his sides, and he stomps a hoof, bringing up dust.
Two days without any contact with light or basic needs. “The witch queen never came to you?”
They shake their heads.
“What happened when you came out of the tower?” I ask, looking for some clue, anything that might help.
Dollan shrugs. “There was no pain. One moment we were in the dark, and the next, blinded by sunlight and lying in the waters of the lost lands. We didn’t know what had happened until later, when Father told us of Birdie Martin’s sacrifice.”
The filly with red hair stammers, “I-I am Lassa. May-maybe it’s not important, but there was a sound. The tower hums, and the humming is constant. When we were transported, the sound grew loud enough to hurt my ears.”
That could mean there’s a power source. What would Verona need power for? What is she doing in that cursed tower? “It wasn’t the same noise the shadow demons make?”
She shakes her head. “No. This was deeper and steadier.”
“I appreciate all you have told me. You have been very brave.” I need time to think about what we know and what we don’t know, but the longer we leave Birdie in Venora’s hands, the more unlikely it is that we get her back.
“Thank you.” Farress hugs her son and leads the children away.
I hate that I must ask my next question. “Wren, how long can your mother survive the conditions they described?”
“If she was able to keep her backpack, she had at least one sandwich and a few bottles of water. She probably had a few protein bars stashed in there, too.” Sorrow fills her eyes and breaks my heart. “The darkness would not be great, but she’s strong. Maybe five days, depending on how much water she has and if she has rationed it. Maybe longer.” Shoulders sagging, she looks ready to break.
As much as I want to comfort her, I have to stay focused on the task. “Corell, am I correct in believing you planned to attempt a rescue regardless of finding Birdie’s daughter? I see weapons and armor being made and mended.”
He nods, and his tail flicks against his side. “We planned on trying to find you for three days. Tomorrow was our timeline to return to the tower. We could not forsake her after her sacrifice. I told her I would find a way, and she told me to get the children to safety.”
“We’ll continue with your plan.” I bow. “Somehow we have to get Birdie out without giving anything or anyone in return.”
“She’ll want me.” Wren’s voice is soft but strong. “The witch queen doesn’t really want Momma; she wants me. She needsto stop what you and the elves are doing. If the prophecy is followed, she could lose. She’s afraid, maybe for the first time.”
Gut in a knot, I nod. “I cannot and will not trade your life for your mother. I care deeply for her, but that trade will not be made, Wren.”
Fire flares in her eyes. “Find another way, then, elf.” She stomps inside the centaur’s home and doesn’t look back.
Corell lets out a long breath and sits on his haunches. “She is much like her mother. You have a lot to deal with, son of Elspeth.”
It’s clear he’s teasing me, but he’s not wrong either. “How do I teach Wren to use her magic at will?”
“First, you must find the source of her magic. How is it realized? Until then, I don’t see how you will teach control.” The centaur leader watches his son walk through the center of the gathering space.
The boy’s gait is slow, his chin tucked, his tail hangs still, and his fists are tight at his sides. As the son of a leader, he should hold his shoulders back and his head high.
“Dollan is strong. He will recover. He needs time and to know that the one who caused his distress is no longer the greatest power in Domhan.” It’s painful to admit that Venora rules my world when it was my mother who lost that power.
“You want me to say that the centaurs of the west will join forces with elves in the coming war?” Rising, Corell paces away from me. His tail swishes hard against his side. “Keeping to ourselves has kept my herd safe for many generations.”
“That was true in the past.” Farress returns and sits close to her mate. “Venora Braddish took our children. She has declared war on the centaurs.”
“You have the right of it, sweet one. We will not let her actions go unchallenged.” Corell threads his fingers through Farress’s.
