Page 39 of Wind and Water
The tower is big enough that it blocks out one of the moons. Well, I guess the other is a planet. At least, that’s what someone said. To me, it looks like a purple moon.
My fear for Momma is not relieved by being closer to her. The black monstrosity makes me nauseous. It seems to ooze evil. It’s the same way I feel when I see a sociopath on the news, and they tell of his or her crimes.
Liam finds me near a huge, waterlogged tree. “Come.” He holds out his hand. “Corell is questioning the soldiers on duty. You’ll want to hear.”
Threading my fingers through his, I walk to the group of centaurs seated in a circle.
I whisper, “Can’t she just look out of her tower and see us here?”
“There is magic in place to prevent our detection,” Liam says, kissing my head in a way that is very familiar and nice.
“Come sit,” Corell says.
Belloc brings over a semidry log and places it for Liam and me to join the circle.
Corell nods once we’re still. “I have news that the witch queen is indeed inside the tower. She flew via her shadow demons and landed at the very top of the tower. So, there is at least one way in.”
“Not a very convenient entrance.” I should stay silent, but my brain and my mouth are not always on the same page as my good sense.
All heads turn to stare at me.
Liam smiles. “No. Not helpful for us to enter. Maybe we don’t need to go inside at this moment.”
Frowning, Corell says, “How do we bring her to task if we don’t go inside? We should find a way in, get Birdie out, and destroy this abomination.”
I like the sound of that.
“Our goal is to save Birdie Martin. Destroying the structure, while it would be nice and satisfying, is not imperative. We don’t know what it is. We have no idea what kind of monsters she has inside. If this is an obelisk, there could be fire demons or worse behind the walls.” Liam’s voice is strong and calm. He’s every bit the son of a leader. Looking at each centaur one by one, he gauges their expressions before focusing on Corell.
“I don’t disagree,” Corell begins. “How do we get Birdie out even if we don’t destroy that thing, which looms too close to the lands of my people. Do you have some plan in mind?”
Turning toward me, Liam looks conflicted. “You will have to agree to this.”
“If it brings my momma to safety, I’ll agree to anything.” My voice is clear and stronger than I feel.
His lips barely register a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “We have only one choice. The only thing we have that the witch queen wants is Wren. To get her to come out of the tower and show us Birdie, we have to show her the prophesied human woman.”
“You would trade a life for a life?” Jadar stands and stomps his hooves.
It’s sweet the way the centaur has taken to me. I’m half afraid he has a crush and half flattered that it might be true. “I’m willing to save my mother no matter the cost, but I don’t think that’s what Liam has in mind, Jadar.”
“I want to provoke the witch queen. Venora is vain in the extreme. My parents have told me many stories of her exploits. I think we can enrage her enough to win this battle. The destruction of the tower will have to wait for another day.”
Wellon’s long blond hair is pulled back in a queue, and his thick arms are crossed over his chest. “And what if she sends her shadow demons to take revenge on our homes?”
“Farress will have the village secure.” There’s pride in Corell’s voice. “She’ll expect retaliation if we succeed, and she’ll be ready. The centaurs cannot be turned.”
Letting out a long breath, Liam slumps his shoulders. “Perhaps not, but you can be enslaved, and you can be killed. I don’t want either of those things for your people. I would much prefer our friendship to continue and to fight by your side in the coming war.”
“Elves and centaurs have not fought side by side since the old gods walked the land of Domhan.” There’s wonder in Belloc’s voice.
“Yet we are here together in a single cause.” Liam rises. “I don’t know how it came to be that neither elf nor centaurbroke the silence of these centuries, but I do not wish to return to ignorance. My people think yours are vicious killers without moral sense or caring. Now that I know this to be a lie, I’d be proud to fight with and for the centaurs.”
Wellon says, “We were taught since birth that elves care only for themselves and would not lift a hand to save a centaur were they to find one dying in the river. I know now that this is not true. There is no haughtiness in Liam, son of Elspeth Riordan, though you are the only elf we’ve ever known.”
With a laugh, Liam confesses, “I know a few elves who are ignorant and some who are haughty. I know many more elves who would be extremely happy to know centaurs are nothing like we have long believed. My mother would welcome you at her table and in her home.”
“This is dangerous for the centaurs.” Corell stares into the darkness.
