ElvendorOn the highest level of the of city, above the waterfall sat a great courtyard surrounded by many gardens, its halls without ceilings, open to the sky and the only shade that of the fruit trees that grew scattered across this level of the city. The Chateau that gave the city its name was a rambling structure that encircled the courtyard and gardens in a thin square. High turrets and balustrades rose up from these walls, the highest in the city and here Elmonte the Wise lived, ruler of the fair people of this valley and the guardian of the Waters of Healing. The wisest and most honorable men in the world met in this courtyard under Elmonte’s instruction and watchful eye and listened to his knowledge and were refreshed. Here also, those broken in body and spirit, traveled from every corner of the earth to receive restoration from the power of the waters and be given a new life of knowledge.
To those who knew of this place, or to others who had heard of such a place, it was a paradise on earth, a place evil had never touched, an Elysium of peace and rest, but to others…they knew better than that…and for one girl it was the end of her dreams and the death of her heart.
But at the top of the city, in the Courtyard of Elmonte everything was not calm and tranquil. The slim and feminine form of a young woman could be seen rushing at a headlong pace through the immense maze of halls and smaller courtyards within. Her stride was angry and her flashing blue eyes were filled with tears that she frantically wiped away as she ran. Her feet were barefoot, as were everyone’s who live in Bordeaux, and she was clothed in a flowing white dress, girded at her waist with sliver belt and her long golden hair flew behind her like a mantle of sunbeams.
Suddenly she came to an abrupt halt at the observation veranda just above the edge of the waterfall.
Sucking in her breath, both from her run and her extreme emotion, Hahira Nyssa Anaheim gazed down below. She hardly saw the magnificent fountain of water spraying out below her feet. Every nerve within her was taut with emotion, every thought anguished and heated.
It wasn’t true! It couldn’t be! I would feel it in my heart if it was so, she thought frantically. It is not possibly logically for him to be alive… but he is not dead!
Her father’s words only moments before flamed her pale cheeks even brighter.
“Sol has brought some devastating news my daughter,” Elmonte said, eyeing her tenderly and almost sorrowfully,” Ariel has disappeared into the desert.”
Hahira had glanced from Sol, a broad-shouldered youth, who stood to one side in her father’s private courtyard back to her father before her, alarm spreading across her features.
“What are you saying, father?”
Elmonte dropped his gaze to look at his hands for a moment,” He was supposed to regain contact six months ago.”
Elmonte fell silent shaking his great head, gray eyes sad, almost regretful.
“There has been no word.”
Hahira shook her head, denying what she knew her father was trying to tell her,” I don’t understand.”
“It was very foolish of him, Hahira. Everyone knows that those who enter the desert never come back alive.”
Hahira swallowed hard,” Not Ariel, father.”
Elmonte stretched out a closed fist towards her.
“He is dead, Hahira. Sol found this at the edge of the forest one month ago.”
Hahira’s eyes widened in horror as her father open his hand revealing a delicate golden pendant necklace. Only one person in the entire world wore one like that…Ariel.
Hahira took it shakily from his hand, cradling it in her own, fighting back tears.
She glanced up at her father,” This is not evidence that he is dead. He could have lost it.”
“It was his most valuable possession. Do you think he would have parted so easily with it?”
Hahira pressed the necklace to her chest, eyes suddenly flashing.
“Would you give up on him so easily, father? He was like a son to you.”
Elmonte bowed his silver head in undisguised grief.
“I wish it were not so, but I know in my heart it is.”
“Well I don’t!” Hahira stated emphatically, slightly raising her voice,” He is not dead, I refuse to believe it!”
Turning on her heel, sobbing, she had fled their presence, blindly seeking solitude until she had found herself here, above the waterfall.
For a moment she was confused why her steps had led her here, then suddenly she knew…and a face she was beginning to believe, despite her brave words to her father, she would never see again, flashed before Hahira like a vision. His laughing blue eyes, and flashing smile, sent an aching stab of pain through her gut. Hahira closed her eyes letting the memories wash over her like tidal wave…the waterfall…evening sunset…Ariel…
"Don’t Ariel, please, you’ll break your neck,” thirty-year-old Hahira pleaded, stepping backward as if that would draw the young, bare-chested youth away from the top of the waterfall. The evening rays of the sun glinted off his gold-chestnut hair, which just brushed his shoulders, bound back by a single leather thong away from his forehead. A delicate golden necklace swung from his neck.
“The water will catch me, Hahira,” he explained calmly gazing down below him, his eyes wild with excitement.
“How do you know,” she questioned, anxiously,” No one’s ever done it before?”
“Well now someone will,” he said, giving her wink and raising his arms to dive.
“Wait!” she hollered,” This is crazy, I wasn’t really serious. It was just a dare.”
“Too late now,” he replied and jumped, sending her into a hysteria of screaming as she rushed forward to stop him. Far below Hahira saw his slim body diving in a graceful arc and split the waters of the lake. She held her breath, frightened to death that he was dead.
Suddenly a dark wet head popped up, flinging water everywhere and laughing in delight. Ariel turned his face upwards towards her and shouted,” That was breathtaking! It feels like you’re really alive!”
“Ariel Galloway, you frightened the wits out of me!” she shouted back, relieved to see him living but angry.
“You need to do it!” was his reply.
Horrified, Hahira, stepped back,” No!”
“It’s quite safe, see!” Ariel shouted splashing water about him.
“No its not, it’s a miracle you’re alive! Fate won’t be so kind a second time!,” she hollered at him.
“Don’t you trust me?” he questioned.
“No!” she shouted back.
“You know you do! Jump!” he replied.
“No I don’t!”
“I’ll tell you my secret,” he said.
That silenced her for a moment. Hahira had been trying for a week to find out what his secret was. A secret he continued to flauntingly taunt her with.
“You don’t have a secret!” she threw at him.
“Oh, yes I do!” he shouted forcefully.
“You promise?” she queried, creeping closer to the edge. Perhaps it really was thrilling…suspended in nothing but air.
“I promise…I’ll even catch you!” a grin split his gleaming wet face in an ivory smile.
“No you won’t! I’ll knock the wind out of you at this distance!” she shook her golden head.
“You won’t know unless you try!” he shouted,” Trust me!”
Hahira took a deep breath, gazing down at the calm waters and at the churning fountain beneath her feet.
This was absolutely insane…but suddenly everything within her wanted to jump, because she did desperately want to know Ariel’s secret. Closing her eyes she did just that, feet first.
Adrenaline rushed to her head, as only air met her body. Hahira didn’t dare open her eyes, but she felt the mist of the waterfall fly past her and heard the pounding beneath roar louder. She was too frightened to scream and too thrilled all at once to know what to do. Her body hit the water with a loud splash and Hahira went under, the water enveloping her with it’s electrifying chills…it felt wonderful. Instead of going straight down, like she expected, the minute her head went under, the water flipped her body up and she went shooting towards the surface. She came up gasping, eyes open and laughing gaily…Ariel was swimming beside her, laughing also, his head thrown back; eyes dancing.
“You didn’t catch me!” she accused splashing him.
He laughed, splashing her back,” “What did I tell you? Wasn’t that exhilarating?”
She giggled and splashed him playfully,” What’s the secret?”
His only answer was to dive under and swim away.
“You liar!” she shouted dismayed, before ducking under after him. He led her on a merry chase through the waters, the healing waters of the
Almost a little drunk with so much pleasure, Hahira was pleased when Ariel finally stopped swimming like dolphin and crawled up on the rocks near the waters edge, just below the walls of the first level of the city. Gardens sprawled on all sides, vines of flowers creeping along the rocks, searching for the waters edge. Apple orchards threw dark shadows of shade with the approach of evening.
She followed, her aqua dress wet and dripping, clinging to her with every step. Ariel reached down and gave her a hand. He helped her climb higher until they gained some rocks halfway up the waterfall, where the sun’s rays were still shining so they could dry.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Ariel?” Hahira declared as he flopped down on his back across the rock. A mysterious grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. She sat down beside him, spreading her drenched skirt across her knees.
He only laughed, his bare chest shaking with mirth.
Hahira, unexpectedly felt her face flush with heat. What was she thinking sitting out here alone with this boy, who had no shirt on? Her mother would be scandalized.
She turned her face away, looking towards the western sky, which was growing red with the setting of the sun.
His laughter ceased and she felt him sit up beside her.
“What’s the secret?” she queried, trying to distract her other thoughts.
He said nothing, but she felt his hand creep over hers.
“You.” He said shortly as if that explained it all.
“Me, what?” she asked, feeling unsure of why her head had suddenly gone light-headed.
“You are the secret,” he said quietly.
“How can I be a secret?” she queried, confused
His voice was so low and quiet, she barely heard the answer,” Because you have captured my heart.”
She turned her head, heart pounding, only to find his face inches away. His eyes said everything, she didn’t need to guess further.
He bent and kissed her softly, lips lingering and then pulled away, a chuckle reverberating deep in his chest. Hahira knew better than to say anything, words weren’t needed. She dropped her gaze as Ariel released her hand and pulled her closer, wrapping one arm around her waist. Hahira rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. They sat the entire evening that way, not a word said, as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon and the stars popped out one by one…
Hahira opened her eyes, tears streaming down her face, the present came crashing back around her with startling clarity. She could still feel Ariel’s arms around her and the tender touch of his kiss…she could hear the love in his voice and remembered his last words four years ago when he had said goodbye.
I’ll be come back for you, Hahira. I swear it…if I have to move heaven and earth to do it I will. One day you will be mine..
Releasing her clenched fists, Hahira let the necklace fall into her lap. She believed him then, with her whole heart she had…and she did now. Fingering the tiny pendent gently she gazed down at it with curiosity. It was in the shape of a shield, round at the top and square at the bottom. A sword was engraved at its center, entwined with the graceful vine of a mighty rose.
He’d never explained to her why he wore it and she had never asked. But now she wished she had. What secret was there about this boy who had claimed her heart? Who was he?
Ariel had come to this valley with several knights when he was thirty, six years ago, and had lived among them for almost two years. Elmonte told her he was in Elvendor to study the histories of the earth and to be tutored under her father of the Law, the set of rules that governed all the People. The answer had sufficed then, but now…she wasn’t so sure. Once she’d caught Ariel staring towards the north fingering this medallion, tears in his blue eyes. He’d quickly wiped them away when he realized she was there and pretended nothing was wrong and she’d believed him, letting it slip away in her memory. But now she realized it was strange and unnatural. Sorrow was a real thing here in this valley, everyone knew that, but what she had seen in Ariel’s eyes was much more, it was like a part of him wasn’t even there, almost as if his gut was been wrenched out of him and was aching to be made whole. There had been a longing there, deeper than sorrow, more poignant than joy, as if he was being pierced through. What was it?
With effort Hahira swallowed her tears and picked up the necklace to put around her own neck and that was when she saw the letters engraved on the back of the shield.
She gasped and drew it close to read the small words
Withering flower fades, but its seed bears life thrice over. Broken helm was shattered, yet renewed it wields terrible power.
Puzzled Hahira ran the words over and over in her mind. What could they mean? Why were they on the back of this pendant? A funny tingling danced through her belly, almost like excitement or expectancy.
What in the world was that for? She questioned herself, pressing one hand against her waist, to silence the fluttering. Bewildered Hahira lifted the necklace and clasped it around her slender neck. Until its owner returned to claim it she would make herself its keeper…if only to keep her belief alive that he was alive.
Footsteps came towards her left and Hahira stood up, startled. She turned towards the sound.
It was Halfred, her guardian, a powerful hulk of man around his one-hundredth & eleventh year. Since the day of her birth he’d sworn to protect and defend her…even to the death. Faithful, like a loyal dog, he shadowed her every move. But he was more than a dog, much, much more. To Hahira, Halfred was her confidant and closest friend, a rock of security and comfort. Next to Ariel, he knew her better than anyone, even her own mother, Alassia.
As he approached her, his usually impassive face was contorted with concern, which was evident also in his quick lumbering stride…he normally walked slowly and evenly.
“I thought I might find you here,” he said, a small frown tugging his weathered, aging face.
Hahira groped for the right words.
“Father had visitor today.”
“I know, I’ve already talked to Elmonte. I’m sorry, I know you cared for him greatly.”
Hahira set her jaw, defiantly, eyes flashing,” He’s not dead!”
She stomped past him, picking up her skirts, but Halfred grabbed her arm, halting her in mid-step.
She tossed her head, daring him with her eyes. Most servants weren’t allowed to touch their mistresses with such familiarity, but Halfred had long ago passed the bonds of such restraint, towards Hahira and all of her family. He was a father, uncle and elder brother rolled into one.
“Why do you say that?”
Hahira dropped her eyes,” because if he was dead, I would feel it, know it deep within me.”
She paused gazing off towards the walls of the city and the forest,” I don’t feel it and I know he is alive.”
Halfred’s grip on her arm relaxed and dropped altogether, he bent his graying head, observing her sharply.
“If that’s what you believe, than so do I.”
Hahira looked up at him, eyes suddenly shining with tears, several trickling down her pale cheeks.
“Thank you, Halfred.”
He reached up his big hand and wiped away the tears with his thumb, and gazed down at her with gentle brown eyes.
“You know I would go find him if you just said the word.”
Hahira’s lower lip trembled.
“I know, but he promised to come back and I believe him. We just must wait.”
Halfred nodded understanding.
For a moment Hahira turned her gaze back out over the city and then turning on her heel she made her way down the stone walk and without a word Halfred followed.
Something stiff, but soft brushed her face and Vickie grunted rolling away from it. She knew was waking up from a deep sleep, and faintly realized she was lying on powdery sand. For several long moments she didn’t care nor bothered to wonder why.
Then a voice spoke, not audibly, but in her head, yet it wasn’t her own thoughts, because she recognized it as unfamiliar voice.
“Awake, awake, my daughter!”
Vickie’s eyes flew open, as anyone’s would do with something as strange as that, and what she saw made her wake up so abruptly and so suddenly that she jumped to her feet in fright and screamed. A huge, monstrous eagle had been standing over her, his golden eyes glittering with an intensity that had frightened her more than his overpowering presence. She hurriedly backed away, tripping over own feet and falling on her backside. First the huge mountain lion and then this eagle; where were all these animals coming from? Just knowing this thing was going to eat her, she screamed again kicking sand in its face.
“Do not be frightened!”
She swung around frantically trying to find who was speaking. No one but the eagle was in sight. He extended his wing towards her; brushing her face…Vickie recognized the feeling from what had first wakened her.
“Leave me alone,” she cried out, trembling.
“Do not be frightened,” the voice repeated,” I have been sent to give you a message.”
Vickie, disbelieving but having no other evidence before her, decided the voice must be coming from the eagle.
She straightened and stared up at his sharp hooked beak, apprehensively,” Why should I trust you? You’re big enough to eat me if you wanted.”
“But I do not want to eat little girls.”
Now she knew for sure it was the eagle that the voice belonged to. With a suffocating feeling, like when you are trapped in small place with no way out, Vickie realized she was no longer in the friendly woods of Colorado, just up the hill from her house. This was another world! Like Narnia or Middle-earth…only she wasn’t reading a book she was living it. She just stared in mute shock up into the eagle’s golden eyes…which did not seem as vicious as they had moments before.
“Where-where am I?” she ventured to ask, her voice faltering.
“You are in the
“Really?” Vickie queried in disbelief, then sarcastically asked,” And who are you?”
The eagle stepped towards her and to Vickie’s surprise his beak moved as he spoke,” I am Rion, counselor to Lord Elmonte.”
Vickie had no idea who lord what-ever-his-name was, but she suspected he was important. The eagle spoke his name with great respect. Brushing the sand from her dress she pushed herself to her feet and glanced around. For the first time she realized that she and the eagle were standing on a high riverbank overlooking a great river, more clear and clean than she had ever seen before. A vast forest lay directly behind them, with tall towering trees and open space underneath, lit by patches of sunlight from above. Across the river was another forest, exactly like the other. Returning her gaze back to Rion, the eagle, she pursed her lips in thought, obviously this other world was real, unless she was dreaming…but no, this was not a dream. But still logic continued to argue hotly against her five senses. Who ever heard of such things?
“So how did you find me?” she asked.
“I was told you were coming?” the eagle replied shortly.
Vickie shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant about it.
“Who would know I was coming? The last thing I remember I was in drowning in a creek and now I wake up and I find myself here. Can you explain that?”
“It is not for me to explain, only obey. I was told I would find you here by the river and here I have found you. Now I will give you the message I was given to tell.”
Twisting his noble head high, his white neck feathers ruffling slightly in the wind he began to speak,” You are Vickie St. John, daughter of Light, handmaiden of
Vickie wanted to laugh loudly, but she didn’t, instead she giggled,” That doesn’t make any sense, Rion. I know better than to believe in such nonsense.”
“Nonsense!” the eagle’s voice rose and his golden eyes suddenly did glitter fiercely, but then they faded and he calmly continued,”
Not silenced yet Vickie replied,” I do not know this
The eagle shook his head sadly,” I’ve never questioned before, but now I wonder. Not know
Vickie thought he was a rather weary looking bird anyway, but decided to keep her mouth shut. Obviously she didn’t know a thing that was going on, which scared Vickie, though she tried to hide it. And where was Daniel? Had he found himself here as well in, what had Rion called it…Elder-earth.
“Come,” the eagle motioned with his wing,” ride on my back and I will take you to the Chateau Bordeaux .”
Vickie shook her head. She had a terrible fear of heights.
“No, I-I don’t want to.”
The eagle squawked in impatience,” I must take you to the chateau. You’re hungry are you not?”
Reluctantly Vickie nodded her head in agreement. Her stomach was rumbling.
“I thought so. At the chateau there is food, clothing,” he eyed her school dress suspiciously,” and soft beds and even water for a bath.”
Vickie began giving way,” How far is this chateau?”
“So many questions,” Rion croaked this time in exasperation,” just over this forest. Not far at all.”
“What is this Chateau Bordeaux?”
She grinned, knowing she was getting on this big bird’s nerves.
He squawked again,” It’s the home of Lord Elmonte and the citadel of the Great Waterfall.”
“Very well,” she huffed walking towards him,” How do I get on your back?”
“Gently please,” the bird said,” I do not enjoy loosing feathers. I’ll bend down and you hop up.”
He did so and with some frightening slipping and sliding along his sleek feathers, Vickie managed to haul herself up. She sank into the feathers like they were a soft feather bed. It’s lovely, she thought.
“Hold on tight,” he warned as he lifted his wings. Vickie felt no sudden jolt or abrupt lift, but the ground dropped suddenly away, river, forest and sand. It stole her breath and made her stomach flop and she gripped the feathers around her in fright. Vickie squeezed her eyes shut and prepared for a long journey, wishing she’d never agreed.
Hahira was brushing her long golden curls absently with her fingers and staring vacantly out through her window to surrounding city below when the knock came on her door.
“Come in,” she said without turning around. She heard the door open and footsteps. A man cleared his throat as if to request an audience. Hahira turned and seeing Halfred, smiled tenderly and stepped towards him her hands outstretched.
“I was hoping it was you,” she greeted warmly.
He took her hands, squeezed them and bowed his head in respect.
“I have been sent by Rion,” he explained.
Hahira rolled her eyes,” What does the old bird want this time?”
Halfred cleared his throat again uneasily,” I’m afraid it’s a bit complicated. I think I should bring you to see it.”
Despite her own gloom, which had foreshadowed anything else since early that morning, Hahira couldn’t help being curious.
“What do you mean?”
“If your ladyship would be so kind as to accompany me, I’ll explain all.”
“Very well, you intrigue me.”
Halfred turned on his heel and led the way down the hall and through the many rooms of the large chateau until the he stopped at one just above the gate that led to the second level of the city.
“She is in here,” he hinted, shoving open the door so Hahira could enter before him.
Hahira stepped in and looked about as he followed her. She recognized the comfortably furnished room as an observation post that looked out over the gates into the lake and misty waterfall. Soft couches, elegant draperies and silk cushions adorned the room. Awkward contraptions for gazing at the stars and far away mountains stood peeping through the wide bay windows, supported by metal frames. At first she saw no one, but then movement caught her eye and near one of the wide windows, nearly hidden by the drapes, stood a young girl, several years younger than herself. She was dressed in a strange brightly patterned dress that shockingly revealed her bare white ankles and over that she wore a very short jacket. Her hair was long, straight and a light brown, her skin a bit fair, very much like Hahira’s own. And she was very small and petite. Her big brown eyes were wide with open admiration and wonder as she gazed at Hahira. She shyly clasped her hands behind her back. Hahira glanced at Halfred for the promised explanation.
“Well Halfred what is this all about?”
“Rion found her by the river. She was all alone, bewildered and lost. She doesn’t seem to have family or relatives or anyone. Knowing of her ladyship’s kindness and compassion for the orphans he brought her here.”
Hahira turned back towards the slender girl and stepped towards her, arms opened wide,” Oh, my dear, I am so sorry.”
She took Vickie hands in her own,” What is your name?”
“Vickie,” the girl replied, and then she added,” I’m not an orphan.”
Hahira frowned and threw a glance towards Halfred, waiting with his big arms crossed at the door.
“The poor thing seems to be half out of her mind, my lady. She keeps saying she’s from another world and swears she came here through the river.”
Hahira wrapped an arm around the girl’s thin shoulders.
“You must be so tired and scared, my dear. Why don’t we get you cleaned up and into fresh clothes and find you some food.”
Vickie nodded, but couldn’t help saying,” Rion believed what I said.”
Hahira half-laughed, her voice tinkling like bells,” I’m sure he did. He’s a prophet Vickie, and they’re always strange.”
Vickie didn’t reply, but couldn’t help stiffening in anger that these two extraordinary, medieval looking people refuse to believe her story. Rion had warned her they would, before he brought her here to Halfred. Just humor them, my girl, their eyes are only half open to the truth. One day they will see all. Vickie, after spending almost an hour on the great eagle’s back had grown use to the strange way he talked, but she wished someone besides a bird believed who she was, instead of thinking of her as half-starved waif and orphan. She of course hadn’t believed it at first either, but with every passing hour she remained in this odd world Vickie had no other choice.
Hahira took her hand gently and led her out, ringing for servants as she did. The huge man, Halfred, disappeared and Vickie had no time to wonder as she was whisked away to a steaming, sudsy bath, which she couldn’t help enjoying, despite the disgusted way the elegantly dress maidservants clucked over her outlandish robes, as they put it. They discarded both the dress and jacket with apparent dislike. They were quite dirty and smelly, Vickie had to admit; a mixture of river water, musty sand and an eagle. Then came the new dress, a gorgeous pale green silk, that fell to her feet, just brushing the floor, and drew up to her waist very gracefully into many folds, tucks and seams. Creamy white ribbons, tied in dainty bows fell from a high princess waist, delighting Vickie’s girlish soul. Then two the maids set her down and brushed her wet hair until gleamed like satin. Meanwhile Hahira herself brought food and set it before Vickie on a small table.
“Really my lady, you’re treating me like a princess,” Vickie protested.
“Nonsense, child,” Hahira fussed, dismissing the maids when they had finished their task. She seated herself beside Vickie urging her to eat.
Vickie was famished, but she was also very curious and a little in awe of this beautiful young woman who had so swiftly taken her, a stranger, under her wing. Now that the activity around her had quieted, Vickie eyed her secretly while she ate, not failing to also appreciate the succulent, ripe fruit she had been given and then finely roasted meats and tangy cheeses.
Hahira was quite a bit taller than Vickie, who was rather short any way for her age, but she carried herself with noble dignity and such strong strength, that Vickie would have imagined her much older if she hadn’t given the girl a closer look. Hahira’s long golden hair flowed freely over her slim, straight shoulders. Her face was creamy and smooth and her eyes a startling sapphire blue. She wore a pure white simple dress, tapered around the waist and falling in elegant folds to her ankles. Her feet were bare, a fact which Vickie noted, was the way of all the women she had seen thus far, but Hahira had them properly tucked under her long skirt. A golden pendent swung around her neck, glinting with the mid-afternoon’s sun that shone through the open windows.
She was talking again, her full pink lips, flashing a white smile here and there.
“You must not fear of want again, my child. My father will most gladly take you into his household as he has many others, at least until we can found out who you are. Do you remember how you came to find yourself in this valley?”
Vickie nodded,” The river brought me, or at least I think.”
“Right, you already told me that,” Hahira bit her lip, gazing at the girl compassionately and patiently,” What about before that, do you remember anything.”
“Oh, yes of course,” Vickie popped a grape in her mouth,” I was with Danny. We had been walking in the woods, going home, when a huge lion attacked and chased us into a mountain stream. That’s when I fell in and I-I think I blacked-out,” Vickie shrugged,” When I woke up Rion was standing over me. Freaked me out something awful.”
Hahira nodded, a little bewildered by the small girl’s odd words, such as blacked-out and freaked, but she replied,” This Danny, the friend you speak of, do you think he is here also in this valley?”
Vickie shook her head and looked away from Hahira,” No—no I don’t think so. I—I don’t know where he is.”
Hahira wrapped a tender arm around the girl,” It’s all right, we’ll find him.”
Vickie raised a trembling face to the Hahira, the food forgotten,” Everything is just so sudden, my lady, I don’t know where I am, I don’t know anyone here, except you and Rion of course, and I—I’m not even sure I could get back to my family.”
”Oh, of course you can my dear…but enough of that for now. You are exhausted I can see that. No more talk until morning. Finish eating and then lay down right here on this couch. I’ll see to it that no one disturbs you.”
Rising, very gracefully, she smoothed Vickie’s hair and then left, softly closing the door behind her. Quickly, on her bare feet she ran to her mother’s room to tell her of this strange little girl and ask her what they should do. The poor thing was terrible befuddled and confused. So focused was she on this young girl’s plight, she failed to realized that her troubled thoughts of Ariel had slipped away in her zeal to care and serve another.
