Kaija: Queen of Stone

19

Mara

The sun dropped hours ago, fading behind us. My stomach wrenched in hunger as my legs begged to wake from the pins pricking my flesh. My backside hurt the most. Grinding against the leather saddle for hours was not the most comfortable.

I shifted as my eyes scanned the trees, trying to keep my mind on the task at hand. We had to find the way to Kaija before the Rabaka made their move and attacked Udan while away. A kingdom overrun with monsters and bloodied corpses. I gulped, it was my worst fear.

I searched for a landmark, some kind of depiction to prove we were progressing toward the river. I overheard from Tiroa that beyond the river was Kaija. From Lenox's constant exclamations from the map, it appeared we were moving the right way, but something awry. Each time we arced to the left or right, the itch dormant in my flesh would prick my skin with gooseflesh.

"It's odd to be out of Udan," Rodi said from atop her horse. "I never imagined I would be outside of its walls."

"Neither did I," Dari agreed.

"Though a new beginning is coming, I can't help but think of the past," she replied, staring down at the ground. "It's a shame that the past had to be in order for change to come."

It reminded me of my conversation with Qia. "We can't alter time," I answered. "But we can do our best to make new memories."

She smiled. "But I could never replace the memories with Qia and Tiroa," she defended. "It would be a crime to do so."

I smiled at her. "What memory would be your favorite?"

She relaxed her grip on the reins. "Oh gods, there are so many," she began, her voice elated and soft. "I think it would be my first encounter with them."

"I would love to hear about it."

"After my parents passed," she began. "I was wandering the village, looking for food and water. I had gone days without it and knew I was close to death. Before Qia and Tiroa were servants, they worked in the marketplace."

"Qia offered healing magic to those who paid for it. I thought she could heal my hunger away so I approached the two of them. As young as I was, I didn't know what healing magic was and what it could do. When I approached, my stomach tied and I was nervous. It was an honor to be in their presence. This was the seer of the world, and healer of life; two people who I never thought would transform my life. I begged for their help and they gave me more help than I asked for. Tiroa took me in and raised me as her own. Qia and I were like sisters. I felt a part of a family once more."

"What a beautiful memory."

She smiled wider. "I'd love to relive it."

The call of a bird sang through the trees flanking from the left. I racked my mind, remembering a bird call when I was in the stream. I stopped my mare, craning to get a better idea of where the sound was coming from. It chirped once more, singing around us like a distant memory.

Rodi paused with her steps back. Her concerned voice resounded. "What are you doing?"

"We should have hit the river by now," I explained in confusion. "Before I was taken to Udan, I was in the river. I heard that exact call of this same bird. This time it sounds further away. But in the river, it was clear, almost next to me."

"You did?" she inquired, staring at her through the growing darkness.

"Yes," I replied, listening once more. "That is certainly it."

Arawn butted in, drawing to our side in a trot. "We should adhere to the bird's call, then. Map has us traveling around in circles it seems."

"No," Dari hissed from in front of them. "We should stay true to the map. After all, it was drawn by someone who has constant visions. Tiroa is one of the wisest of Udan, I say we listen to her."

Arawn tossed a look in Dari's direction. His fingers tightened against the reins. His eyes glowed as his face shadowed.

"Can we stop for a moment?" Lenox called out from the head of the pack, drolling his head to the side. "My arse is hurting!"

"We can take a break," I declared, dismounting my horse. The ground under my feet passed under as if I was standing on top of fast moving water. Each step I took was harder until the pain shot up my back like a bundle of lightning.

I'm never riding a horse again.

Lenox plunged down, holding his hand to his arse. He sat down hard on the ground, lying on his back. "It's not even nightfall, and we are stuck in the woods," he stated with a prolonged groan. "Maybe we should follow the bird's call after all."

Dari spoke against this. "I know Queen Mara has given out the idea, and I respect it and her, but I believe something is not right with that call."

"How do you know?" Makaio demanded, stretching his back as he walked away from his spotted horse. "You are a farmer's boy."

"I just have a feeling," he answered, rolling his eyes. "Most of the time, my feelings aren't false."

Arawn bounced down from his saddle, landing with a thud. "And the other part of the time when you are wrong?"

"It's a chance I hope everyone will take," he explained, narrowing his eyes at Arawn. "Even if I am."

"I don't want to follow orders from a runny nose small brat," Arawn hissed. "I say we follow the bird and Queen Mara's word."

Dari fumed, approaching him. "I may be short but I have a fist of iron."

Arawn guffawed. "I doubt it, sprout."

"Okay, let's calm—" Dari cut off Rodi.

"I don't think you have a right to call me that," he spat. "After all, you are a fat, lazy, slob from the looks of it."

Arawn launched forward, wrapping his fingers around Dari's throat. They fell to the ground, tousling. Even though Dari was smaller, he was right, his fist was leaded with iron. He climbed on top of Arawn and landed a few punches, busting his nose. The crack of cartilage rang through the wood, replacing the bird's call.

Blood gushed from his nostrils in rivulets. I sat back, unentertained, watching as Rodi leapt to her feet, trying to pry them away from each other.

"Stop it you two!"

"He will pay for calling me small!"

Amid the argument, Dari's first flew, landing on Rodi's chest.Her mouth fell open. I stood, disgusted with their behavior. Storming forward, I pried both men from each other.

"That is enough!" I shouted, feeling as if the earth quaked. "There are plenty of things that could kill in this forest, I don't think we need to add each other to the list!"

Rodi placed a hand on her chest, wincing. Dari rushed forward, trying to make sure she was all right. She turned her back to him.

"Leave me alone," she whimpered. "I don't require a man like you, harsh and violent, to take care of me. I've taken care of myself for so long, I can still do it!"

Rodi wandered over to the fallen stump and sat. She nursed her breast, glaring at Awarn as he tended to his nosebleed. Awarn took off his blouse and pressed it to his nose. He lifted his head up toward the canopy of trees.

"Childish," Makaio exclaimed. "So childish."

"Shut up, Grandpa," Arawn hissed.

Makaio rolled his eyes. "Keep it up and you'll get more than a bloody nose."

Lenox curled upward, standing to his feet. He shuffled over to one satchel on his horse and pulled a vial, then strolled over to Arawn and held it out to him.

"Here," he stated. "This will stop the bleeding."

"Since the sun is going down, we should arrange a camp for tonight," I said with a sigh. "I don't expect it's wise to continue on with your blood-soaked clothes and the wounds we've collected in just mere seconds."

"If we had found the river, I could wash them," he stated.

"I think Queen Mara is right," Rodi agreed, ignoring him. "Stopping here would be the wisest."

"I'll gather wood for a fire," Lenox declared.

"And I'll gather the blankets and ration the food," Makaio added.