Tyler's Story (Tales of Quelondain) Page 9

  Tyler sat up and blinked at the sight of her standing by the window, the long sleeved tunic hanging almost to her knees. She looked up and out the window, awe plain on her features. She looked at him and back outside.

  “That just floors me.”

  He made his way to her side and looked out as well. “What’s that?”

  “The moons. There are two of them here.”

  Tyler gazed at the two moons, the smaller one slightly hidden behind the big one, both of them full tonight. He smiled at her yawn.

  “Get some sleep.”

  Heidi turned and leaned back against the window then looked up at him. “I still don’t quite understand why you insist on helping me, but thank you.”

  He smiled and made his way to the chair by the fireplace. “If you wake up and I’m not here, don’t worry. There’s something I need to do. It won’t take me long.”

  She nodded and got into bed. She was somewhere between awake and asleep when she heard the door open and close. The next thing she was seeing was Tyler’s deep brown eyes flashing angrily in her dream as he held his dagger to the innkeeper’s throat. There was something dangerous about him, she thought to herself with a shiver as she drifted back to sleep.

  Chapter Four

  Tyler ordered three breakfasts of eggs, fruit, and bread from the waitress and took a sip of his water. He smiled at the memory of Heidi waking to find the dagger he’d gone out to buy her while she slept. It had been like she couldn’t make up her mind to be fascinated, scared, or pleased. He’d placed it in its dark brown scabbard on top of her folded clothes on the chair next to the bed. The silver hilt with gold vines running over it had stood out beautifully against the blue of her tunic.

  As if she’d known he’d been thinking of her, she appeared in the doorway, her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, her new dagger strapped to her hip. He pushed the chair next to his away from the table with his foot and smiled as she sat down.

  “Tyler, I’ve been thinking about it, and I don’t think I can accept this dagger.” She frowned as his grin widened. “Why is that funny?”

  “Because I’m not taking it back, it’s yours. Think of it as a souvenir if you will.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “A souvenir from where? What am I going to tell Blake when he asks me where I got it from?”

  “Tell him it was a gift from a friend.”

  “He’s going to wonder where I was while I was gone. God, I hope he doesn’t think I left him. What in the world am I supposed to tell him?”

  “You could tell him your friend gave you the dagger after he found you up a tree trying to avoid a tiny meat eating mammoth and a little blue person with wings. Oh, and don’t forget to mention that this was after he turned into a wolf in front of you.”

  Heidi smirked. “Are you sure this isn’t just a dream or a joke?”

  John chuckled as he sat down. “Well, to some women, Tyler seems to be a dream.”

  Tyler rolled his eyes and Heidi laughed. She remembered her dream as his deep brown eyes met hers. She tried to hide the shiver that ran through her, the memory of the anger and pure power she’d witnessed making her stomach flip.

  He looked at her questioningly and was about to ask if she was alright when the waitress returned with their meals.

  “Alright, then,” he said and took a bite of his eggs. “Here’s how a displacement stone works. We’ll all have to hold hands and think of Swandern. If everything goes well, we’ll simply be transported there.”

  Heidi took a sip of her coffee. “But I’ve never been there. How can I think of it?”

  “Just thinking the name is enough. I haven’t been there either. John?”

  John raised an eyebrow, his hazel eyes full of the amusement he felt. “Oh, for sure! I used to travel there at least three times a year.” He rolled his eyes. “By the moons, Tyler, I’d have been dead long before you met me if I’d ever entered the Sandsea.”

  Tyler grinned. “I was just asking.”

  John grunted. “Ask a stupid question and I’ll give you a stupid answer.”

  Heidi giggled at the two of them. Once their plates had been cleared and their drinks were gone, they made their way outside and out of town.

  He pulled the displacement stone from his pocket and Bird chirped. He saw a picture of her in his pack.

  “You want to come along?”

  She bobbed her head and flew into the open pocket of his bag.

  “Alright, but be sure to think Swandern just in case it doesn’t carry over to you.” He looked at Heidi and John. “Remember, just think Swandern.”

  John nodded.

  “Would it work just to think of home?” Heidi’s voice was full of hope.

  “Sorry.” Tyler took her hand and John reached for the other. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.”

  “Is it going to hurt?”

  John shook his head. “I’ve heard it’s like falling off the edge of a cliff. One second you’re on the ground and then the next it’s gone.”

  Heidi took a deep breath. “Ok. Swandern.”

  Tyler smiled as she repeated the word over and over under her breath. John grinned and closed his eyes. Tyler felt the heat from the displacement stone warm his hand, travel up his arm and quickly spread over his entire body. John’s hand jerked in his as it crossed over to him and Heidi gasped at the feel of it. One second, he could feel the dirt under the soles of his boots and the next, true to John’s description, he felt as though he’d jumped off the edge of a cliff. His heart jumped into his throat and he was vaguely aware of Heidi screaming his name. Just as quickly as it had started, he felt solid ground under him once again, though the heavy feeling in his chest remained. He opened his eyes at John’s chuckle and relaxed.

  “Heidi, I can’t breathe. Could you loosen your grip a bit?” He wrapped his arms loosely around her and waited for her to relax. He could feel her tears soaking into his tunic, could feel her shaking against him. He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Heidi,” he whispered softly. “It’s alright. We’re here; it’s done.” He felt her take a few deep breaths.

  “Never again, do you understand?” Heidi’s voice was a shaky whisper.

  He tightened his arms around her. “Never again, I promise.” She relaxed and leaned into him giving a small shake of her head.

  “That was the worst feeling ever.” She took another deep breath.

  John started to laugh and Tyler glared at him.

  “What? She’s right, no? That was horrible!”

  Tyler grunted. “It won’t become my favourite thing to do any time soon,” he agreed.

  She looked up at him. “You didn’t like it?”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “Have you met anybody who likes falling off of a cliff?” He was rewarded with a small smile that disappeared behind her arm as she finally let go of him to wipe her face dry.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to squish you. I started to feel like I was falling and…” Heidi stopped short and blushed. “Never mind.” She looked around and frowned. “Are you sure we’re here?”

  The three of them gazed at the rocky desert they stood in.

  “I knew Swandern was a deserted village, but I didn’t think it had been totally destroyed.” John frowned. “Well, wherever we are, it’s not my fault. I thought Swandern and nothing else.”

  “That goes double for me.” Tyler took a deep breath. Bird, who had flown off once they’d arrived, made her way back and settled on his shoulder. Tyler and John looked in the direction she’d just come from. “Alright, let’s go see if you’re right.”

  It took a nerve racking ten minutes to reach the cave the bluebird had found and once there, none of them were entirely sure how to proceed. After arguing about the best strategy to enter the cave without being killed by whatever was inside, Tyler finally held up a hand and everyone stopped talking.

  “I’ll go in first with Bird. If it’s safe, she’ll come get you. If something happens to
me, she’ll let you know.” His attention focused on John. “If something happens, you get Heidi out of here, understand?”

  John nodded, though it was obvious he didn’t like the plan. “Stay safe.”

  Tyler turned and stopped short at the feel of Heidi’s hand on his back.

  “Tyler…” She frowned, unsure what it was she wanted to say. He smiled and kissed her forehead then shifted and trotted in. She squatted and stayed with her hands over her mouth, her eyes trying to adjust to the darkness he’d disappeared into.

  “He’ll be fine,” John tried to reassure her, though he wiped his hands nervously on his pants. “When it comes to fighting and that type of thing, Tyler is… well, unbelievable.”

  She thought back to the speed with which he’d drawn his dagger and pinned the bartender to the wall, how he’d managed four of the five guards on his own. Again, she shivered with uneasiness at what she’d seen in his eyes.

  “Do you think he’s dangerous?” She glanced back and saw John nod.

  “Deadly.” He smiled at the shock on her face. “Not to us, Heidi. Tyler’s a good man. If push comes to shove, however, I have a feeling he doesn’t lose very often.”

  They waited quietly for what seemed to be hours to Heidi. She gazed at her surroundings. For as far as she could see, sand and rock covered the land. The sky was grey though there wasn’t the smell of rain in the air and she wondered if it was simply the color of the sky here in the Sandsea.

  She looked back into the cave. “Do you think he’s alright?”

  “I haven’t heard anything, so I’m going to assume yes for the time being.”

  “Why hasn’t Bird come back?”

  John shrugged and tried to look nonchalant, though he was starting to worry also.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Bird chirped softly from her perch on his shoulder and he nodded. He could see the light starting to show at the end of the tunnel. He drew his dagger, ready to defend himself should he need to.

  “There’s no need for that, nephew of the Chosen One.” The voice was old with and undertone of screeching dragons.

  Tyler frowned and kept his blade ready.

  “Come in, come in. It isn’t often someone braves the journey to come see me.” The ancient Wedelven magic wielder turned from her shelves and grinned at him, her toothless smile sending a shiver down his back.

  “Unfortunately, I do not have in my possession the object which you seek.” She set a steaming cup of tea on the table and gestured for him to take it. “Drink.”

  “How do you know what it is I want?”

  “Drink.” Her unseeing white eyes met his and he swallowed hard. He reached for the cup and took a sip.

  “Sit.”

  He did as he was told.

  “It isn’t very often a person seeks out a cross gem, young Tyler. This young woman means a lot to you.”

  He shook his head. “I made a promise. I keep my promises.”

  The old woman snorted. “He’s blinder than I am, Bird.” Ignoring Tyler, she took the cup he’d had a drink of and took a sip herself. She let the tea sit in her mouth for a few seconds before swallowing it. Her white eyes closed and she went still.

  Tyler glanced at Bird, unsure of what to do. It seemed as though she’d fallen asleep. He looked around the small cavern. The walls were covered with shelves which were in turn covered in books, herbs, stones, and parts from various animals and insects. He wondered how she managed to keep her supplies stocked. His gaze fell back onto the old woman. Asleep. He stood slowly and turned to leave.

  “Stop.”

  Tyler jumped as her skeletal hand closed on his forearm.

  “You will have to choose.”

  He frowned. “Choose what?”

  “Which will be the lesser of your evils…” Her grin widened as he took his seat.

  “Tell me.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Heidi jumped at a distant screech to their left then lost her balance and fell back at the sight of the large grey wolf which had materialized before her from the darkness.

  Tyler shifted and helped her to her feet. “Let’s go.” His deep brown eyes were narrowed, his jaw clenched. He started north at a jog and the others followed.

  “Was she there?” John glanced at his friend, worried by the strange look on his face.

  “She was.”

  Heidi was scared to ask. “Did she have a gem?”

  Tyler’s features softened. “I’m sorry, Heidi. She didn’t.”

  She swallowed hard a few times to get rid of the lump in her throat. He slowed and stopped so he was facing her.

  “Hey, it’s alright. I promised I’d get you home and I will.” He took a deep breath and turned to John. “I need you to listen carefully.”

  John nodded.

  “If something happens to me, it will be up to you to get her home.”

  John opened his mouth to protest but stopped at a shake of Tyler’s head.

  “If something happens, you need to get her to Sageden. There’s a clearing just north of it. Find Jasper and Hayden. Tell them you are a part of my pack and that I promised Heidi I would get her home. They’ll know what to do.” He glanced up at the sky and got them moving again.

  “What happened in there, Tyler?” Heidi put a hand on his arm and watched his clenched jaw relax.

  “Nothing. She claimed to be a dream seer.”

  “What did she tell you?”

  “Nothing. Come along. I want to reach those trees before dark so we can set up camp.” He looked into the sky once more.

  “Tyler…” Heidi stopped her protest as something dark moved into his eyes. Almost as quickly as it had appeared it vanished with a blink, swept away by long dark lashes.

  “Heidi, please. You once said you trusted me. What we need to do is get out of the open and somewhere where we won’t make easy prey should a Zerpanay fly overhead.”

  Her head snapped up and she looked at the sky. Without another word, the three of them started off again, this time with a bit more speed.

  By the time they reached the woods, they were all breathing hard. Heidi doubled over under a large aspen-like tree, the stitch in her side past the point of moderate, the pain spiking with every attempt she made to suck in air.

  Tyler looked her over. “Are you… alright?” he asked between gulps of air.

  She nodded, unable to speak. John collapsed onto his back and lay with his arm over his face.

  “John?” Tyler walked in small slow circles in an attempt to slow his heart. His friend gave a small wave to show he’d be fine.

  John peeked out from under his arm at the sound of Tyler grunting. “By the moons, Tyler, give me a minute and I’ll help you.”

  Tyler ignored him and pulled another long dead branch to where he had placed the first one. He glanced up at the sky. John groaned and pushed himself off of the ground, went deeper into the woods and returned pulling two more long branches. Tyler nodded his thanks, took the branches and placed them over the others which were now leaning against the lowest branch of a large pine-like tree. Heidi forced herself upright and found her own branch to add to the pile. Her grey green eyes met Tyler’s deep brown ones as she handed it to him and her heart jumped. His lips, which had been in a tight straight line while he worked, softened and curled slightly. She blushed.

  John’s arrival with more branches caused the softer look to disappear and Heidi watched the hard and determined look take over Tyler’s features. She frowned and went to find more branches.

  When they were done, the makeshift hut was nicely camouflaged amongst the trees and shrubs around it. Tyler laid his blankets on the ground inside of it.

  “Sorry,” he said and turned to Heidi. “We can’t risk a fire tonight.” He dug into his pack and pulled out the dark brown tunic he’d lent her before. “If you need, take the grey one too.”

  “Wait! Where are you going?” Her chest tightened as he left the hut.

  He peeked back inside. “I’
ll be right outside.” He smiled and disappeared. She glanced at John who was lying on his stomach.

  “One of us has to stay on watch.” He gestured to the door. “Tyler will wake me halfway through the night and we’ll switch positions so he can get some sleep.”

  Heidi felt the chill of the night creep through the two tunics she was already wearing and decided to take Tyler up on his offer to borrow another one before settling under his blankets. She thought of Blake, how he kept his curly hair short because he hated it, how his dark blue eyes would crinkle in the corners when he smiled at her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the green bandana, clutched it to her heart and tried to stay quiet as the tears ran down her face. If John heard her, he seemed to know she wanted to be left alone. With the stress and exhaustion of the past day weighing heavy on her, she fell into an uneasy sleep.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  “So, are you going to tell me what’s going to happen?”

  Heidi stirred at the sound of John’s voice outside of the hut.

  “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get Heidi to Sageden.” Tyler sounded exhausted. “Look, the woman might have been completely out of her mind for all I know.”

  “Does it happen here?”

  Tyler must have nodded.

  “So why not use the displacement stone to leave, and don’t give me that ‘I promised Heidi’ crap. I’m sure if it came to a choice between you dying and having to feel the effects of displacing again, she’d like for you to live. The moons know you’ve done enough for her since you found her.”

  Heidi frowned. Was Tyler willing to die because of a promise he’d made to her? She was about to get up but stopped as he started explaining to John what he’d been told.

  “We can’t displace, John. The old woman gave me two scenarios. Neither one ends well.”

  “So if we stay on the path we’re on now, you’ll die?”

  “Zerpanay,” confirmed Tyler.

  John grunted. “And if we displace?”

  “Something goes wrong. We don’t end up is Sageden which is where we’re heading. We wind up in the middle of nowhere in the midst of a pack of rogues.”