Heiress: Birthstone Series Book Two (13 page)

From behind, I struck the man who engaged him and spun
toward another coming at me. I sliced at his middle too quickly for him to
block my advance. In the moments before they fell, they looked surprised I knew
how to fight.

Around us, I saw townspeople begin to join the battle. They
threw stones and debris at the king’s soldiers, forcing them to take cover or
protect themselves. Aluce’s blade flashed in and out of sight as she fought in
her concealed form. Several homes away, I caught sight of Gil, a stolen sword
in his hand as he fought with one of the crew members by his side.

Alongside my father, I spun and twisted, parried and dodged.
With every hit, I bloodied my sword. I tried not to think about what I was
doing. I worked to maintain focus only on the green gem as it fed my abilities.
I couldn’t think of the wives and children to whom these soldiers meant
something.

Once my mother’s arrows were spent, she grabbed for a fallen
man’s sword and began to fight. She was always close, her blade raised to
defend me at all times. The three of us, my parents and I, stood with our backs
together, battling those who were left, too caught up trying to survive to
wonder when one of us would finally fall.

We were still outnumbered but the villagers’ attempts to
assist helped. Still, I knew we fought a losing battle unless I allowed the
gems to take over. I could save my parents’ lives but there was a chance I would
lose my own and cause more devastation.

“Don’t lose yourself, Aylen,” my mother said. I didn’t
understand how she knew my thoughts until I realized tears were running clean
streaks down my filthy cheeks. “Just keep fighting. We won’t leave your side,”
she promised. Her sword clanged into an enemy’s.

But I was so tired already. The force from my necklace
flowed hot through my body. It begged to be put to use. I felt my strength
waning, my resolve failing. I was sinking into the gems’ power.

“Aylen!” my mother screamed.

The urgency in her voice jerked me from my stupor. I turned toward
her and followed her gaze up to the sky.

Above us, swooping out of the trees and gliding out of the
clouds was a legion of what looked to be giant armed birds.

No, I realized. They were men and women. And they were
winged.

Each one was armored in a pale material that blended in with
the sky. Their wings were all different colors and shapes, from leathery to
translucent to feathered, but they looked powerful and resilient.

As they drew closer, arrows rained down upon the soldiers,
hitting one after another until they began to run for shelter. I stood in
silence with my parents as I stared upward. The sounds of battle seemed to
fade, replaced with hundreds of thuds as slender arrows found their marks.

When it was over, my parents and I were the only ones left
standing. Aluce was still in concealment and Gil, the ship's crew, and the
villagers had found cover. The soldiers who had avoided being hit had fled into
the trees and the rest lay injured or dead in the cobblestone center of the
town.

I didn’t dare move as the strange flying people landed on
the beach where it was clear of debris and bodies. My mother and father each
took one of my hands and gripped my fingers as we waited for someone to speak.

Finally a man in pale, silver armor, dark gray, webbed wings
blossoming from his back, stepped toward us. His eyes flicked over me briefly
before he flashed a radiant smile.

“Tereg and Paelor,” he said to my parents, his eyes still trained
on me. “The sky dwellers would like to meet the Heiress.”

I sat, hunched in front of a blazing fire, wrapped in a
frayed but warm homespun blanket while I silently thanked the heavens I hadn’t
destroyed every building in the town.

I heard someone approach from behind and turned to the woman
who had opened her home to me.

“This should help,” she whispered and held out a clay mug
filled with something steamy and dark. Her hand shook and I wondered if my
presence was the cause of her unease.

“I’m sorry,” I said as I wrapped my fingers around the cup.
“I ruined your town. All those homes.” I looked up at her as she stood over me
and held her gaze for several moments. Her graying brown hair had partially
fallen out of what had likely been a neat bun and her slate colored dress was
covered in grime and dust from the battle. But her green eyes flickered with
compassion in spite of what had been done to her village.

With a nearly inaudible sigh, she settled onto the hearth
next to me. I sipped at the drink, relishing the musky, slightly bitter flavor
as it warmed the rest of my body.

“This must not be easy for you,” she said.

“Was my near loss of control an indication?” I asked before
I could stop myself. Immediately I apologized again.

After some thought, she smiled. “Did you know there aren’t
any in Fydalim who can use gems of power? Everything here is done by our own
sweat and work. It’s something we take pride in.” She paused, considering me
for a moment. “It’s difficult to be ruled by a monarch who carries so much
power we can’t understand or compete with, especially when our little town gets
caught in one of his battles.”

“We should never have tried to come here,” I murmured but
she silenced me with a wave of her hand.

“Oh, you had to go somewhere. Our town is strong. After we
have been broken, we always rebuild. Again and again. And we always will
because we find strength in each other.” As she leaned toward me, her eyes
glinted in the firelight. “But those whose souls are broken by gems cannot be
rebuilt when the very thing they found strength in is what destroyed them.”

I stared at her, realizing she pitied me. I had more power
at my disposal than anyone in the land and the greatest collection of gems ever
to be found, but still she pitied me. Unable to stop them, shameful tears
leaked from the corners of my eyes.

The woman drew closer and put an arm around me. She didn’t
hesitate to pull me close “I can see you fighting to hold on to yourself,” she
whispered, her voice filled with compassion. “So young to face such a battle.”
She rubbed my shoulder and drew away to look at me. “This will be your greatest
fight of all, I think.”

“I’m not sure it’s one I’ll win,” I admitted.

She was silent for a time, her lips pursed. Finally, she
turned her eyes to the fire. “A lot of ships come through Fydalim, often
looking for somewhere to rest during a storm. When a ship arrives in our port,
the captain drops anchor and the ship stays planted until the storm has passed
or until it is safe to leave.”

I remained silent while I waited for her point. She smiled
at me and stood. “Like any strong vessel with a heavy load, you must have an
anchor. Something to help you stay firm, no matter how rough the storm. You
can’t go adrift if you find something strong enough to keep you still.” As she
turned away, she added, “You may come out a little broken, but you won’t lose
yourself.”

I watched as she walked toward the doorway. Only then did I
see my father propped against the frame. He offered me a tight smile but I saw
the unspoken worry that flickered in his eyes.

“Are you ready to join us, Aylen?” he asked. “It’s almost
time to leave but we need to meet with the Fydalim council and the sky dweller
ambassador in the trading post.”

“I’m ready,” I stood and folded up the blanket before
offering it back to the woman.

“You keep it,” she said. “You’ll need something warm on your
journey.”

I wrapped my arms around the fabric and hugged it to my
chest. “Thank you,” I breathed.

She watched me leave, my father’s protective arm draped over
my shoulders. It wasn’t until we were almost to the trade post that I
remembered I had forgotten to ask her name. After the battle, my parents had
insisted I’d needed to calm down and step away from the wreckage while they
discussed what our next move would be. I knew they’d wanted to protect me from
the aftermath but I’d argued that I should be able face the disaster I’d helped
create. It was then the woman had stepped forward from one of the broken
buildings. She’d been gentle, quiet, and she’d had a blanket which she’d
wrapped around my shoulders. She promised my parents she would take me
someplace warm where I could gather myself together.

And she had.

“Who was she?” I asked my father as we walked, careful to
avoid the rubble scattered in the streets.

“I think I heard someone say her name was Ylira.”

“She says no one has any gem bloodlines in this town.”

“I’m not surprised. The majority of cities and towns are
filled with those who don’t. They suffer the worst when those of us with gems
come through.”

“What will happen to them? The king will find out they
helped fight off his soldiers.”

Dad sighed and hugged me closer. “They’ll have to leave.”

“The entire town? But Ylira told me Fydalim always
rebuilds.”

“They probably will, just someplace else this time.” He
steered us toward a small stone building. Outside, several of the sky dwellers
had gathered, only now they were wingless. They looked like everyone else with
the exception of their clothing, which was much more form fitting than the
heavy fabric everyone else wore. Most of them watched me curiously and when I
gathered the courage to stare back at some of them, they unabashedly returned
my gaze instead of looking away.

“How did the soldiers find us?” I asked my father.

“The king sent small armies to every port town along this
coast. They would have been waiting for us no matter where we went. But news of
our arrival also made it to our friends. When the sky dwellers realized traps
were set for us, they sent their own small armies to assist. They were just a
little later than the king’s.”

The sky dwellers moved aside so we could enter the building.
Inside I saw my mother, Gil, and Aluce seated with a few of the Fydalim council
and someone I guessed was the sky dweller ambassador. Everyone stood when I
entered.

“Feeling better, Aylen?” Aluce asked. She moved toward me
but my mother laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

“Come and sit,” Mom said and motioned to the seat next to
her. “There’s much to discuss.”

Dad nudged me forward and I took a few cautious steps in
their direction before halting. Something was wrong.

I turned back toward Dad when I realized he had stayed by
the door. He made no move to join the others.

“What’s happened?” I asked. I looked from face to face for
reassurance. Only cold resolve stared back.

“Aylen,” Aluce began, but once more, my mother stopped her
with a look.

“Aylen, we are so pleased you’ve come,” the ambassador said,
stepping forward. “We’ve looked forward to your arrival for many long years.
This land needs you.” He clasped my cold hands in his and beamed. I took in his
smooth, slender features and long, bound ebony hair. In a way, he looked almost
birdlike.

“Thank you for helping us today,” I stammered, firmly
withdrawing my hand.

“It’s our pleasure to help the Gem Heiress,” he said. “My
name is Iolar. I’m the head emissary sent from our land to welcome you and
ensure your safety. Our home in Et Loedin is considered one of the safest
places in the kingdom. Because of its location, it can only be reached by few.
We would like to offer you refuge there while you learn to use your gems.”

I glanced around at the nervous faces of my parents, Aluce,
and even Gil as I waited for the catch. When nothing more was offered, I asked,
“Are my parents and friends invited as well?”

This time, my father stepped toward me and placed a hand on
my shoulder.

“Everyone is invited Aylen, but I’ve chosen to stay behind.”

Moments passed as his words rattled around my brain. When
they finally made sense, my knees nearly buckled. The blanket fell from my
shoulders as I whirled around and grabbed his arm.

“You’re not serious.”

He gently pulled himself from my grip and wrapped both arms
around me, a shield from the worried stares of the others in the room. “I’m
needed here. This entire town has to flee and they can’t make it to safety alone.
I’ve offered to help them along with some of the sky dwellers.”

“But what about after they’re safe? You’ll come back to us
then, right?”

Dad pulled away and rested his hands on my shoulders. “When
we chose to come to Miranasch, we knew each of us would face certain
responsibilities. Mine take me away from you and your mother.”

I staggered backwards. “What greater responsibility is there
besides your family? What could possibly be so important that you’d abandon us
as soon as we arrive?”

“Aylen!” my mother warned.

“I’m afraid this is my doing,” Iolar said. He took several
steps toward us. I turned my glare on him but he continued to smile gently
which only made my cheeks flush hotter with rage. “Our people have received
word that a traitor to the king has discovered vital information that could
help our cause. This informant is still acting as one of the king’s most
devoted confidants and has gone through much to conceal the information until
it could reach the right people. He’ll only offer it to the Gem Heiress herself
or those closest to her.” He took one more step toward me, his hands out in
supplication. “You cannot be risked. Your mother would face instant death if
she was caught by any who supported the king. But your father still has friends
who can help him. The informant can’t leave the king long enough to travel and
meet us, but your father has the best chance of being able to find him and
retrieve the information.”

“How could this be anything but a trap?” I asked.

“Because,” my mother broke in, weaving around Aluce and the
other quiet observers to take her place next to Dad, “I’ve known the informant
my entire life.”