The Fallen - Chapter 5

A fire was crackling merrily beneath the boughs of the giant fir and Rachelle marveled at the ingenuity of nature.  Who would have thought nature would create a tree that one could light a fire within?  Though Rachelle had to admit to herself, had she but looked at the size and shape of the tree, it only made sense that a small fire under the sheltering branches would be possible.  But she had been dead tired when she stumbled beneath the branches – she was lucky she had been able to do as much as she had before collapsing.

Rachelle had been pleased to learn Royan was teasing when he asked what was for dinner.  Happily, he had a brace of hares that he had taken while hunting earlier in the day and this served as dinner.  She had greedily gobbled up her share and then looked forlornly at what was left of Royan’s.

Royan sat patiently watching Rachelle take in everything around them.  He admittedly was rather bemused by the girl.  Having taken the time to covertly watch her, he had to admit that it was likely she was within a few years of his own 19 years.  But at this point he was not about to abuse her trust by asking her age.  Or by pointing out that they were of a generation – he suspected that her confidence in his ability to protect her would evaporate at the slightest suggestion that perhaps he didn’t have experience commensurate with his confidence.

Moved by curiosity – always known to get him into more trouble that it was worth – he offered, “You can have what’s left of my rabbit if you tell me what brings you to this part of Gallia.”

Stunned shock crossed Rachelle’s face so quickly he almost missed it.  Though clearly still hungry, she curtly shook her head refusing his offer.  She stared miserably at the ground instead.

Never one to let matters lie, he probed, “You looked shocked what I said Gallia.  You didn’t know you were in Gallia, did you?  Where did you think you were?”

Rachelle continued to stare mutely at the ground at her feet.  He noticed that she was fingering her hunting blade again.

Cheerfully he went on, “Come on, Rachelle…  Number one – quit fingering that blade!  You are enough to make a man nervous about going to sleep for fear of waking to find his throat slit!”  Royan was relieved to see one corner of her mouth quirk in an unconscious smile.  “Second – you haven’t the kind of face that easily hides a secret.  Or much of any thought for that matter.”

Rachelle looked at Royan speculatively.  He could see her mentally trying to come to terms with something that had to do with being in Gallia.  And it seemed a rather large thing to come to terms with whatever it was.

Uncertainly, Rachelle dropped her eyes back to the ground and began, “You’re right.  I was…shocked when you mentioned Gallia.  I certainly never imagined that’s where I was…  I had hoped – at best – to get out of easy reach of the village.  You have to understand, the village I was raised in was a steady week’s ride from Edgemont.  I only left home last night.  It was shortly after dawn that I awoke astride Bella at this clearing…  How could I come to be here so far from home?”

Royan gaped at Rachelle.  There was nothing he could imagine saying that would change the shock either one of them felt.  This clearing was a good two weeks ride from the White Witch range.  Add that to the week from Edgemont at the foot of the Witches to her home village…  That was impossible.  Wasn’t it?  But perhaps not for a young woman who seemed to sweat magic from her pores…  He had never been around another person whose magical aura seemed to crackle with so much life…  And she wasn’t even slightly aware of it.

Royan abruptly stood and walked to the log where Rachelle was sitting.  Before she could protest, he settled beside her on the log – close enough to offer comfort, but not touching.  He sensed the physical closeness was not something that was in her to withstand at this time.  Clearly a tale for another night.

Looking closely at her frightened face he began, “Rachelle…  Perhaps there is a way.  I don’t know a lot about magic use, but I do have sensitivity to those that carry it in their blood.  And there is such strong magic swirling around you.  It makes my hair feel as if it’s standing on end…  There are documented cases of strongly Gifted individuals who, in times of undue stress or extreme personal danger, have been capable of performing miracles.  And I would say that crossing a distance in one night that would normally take at least three weeks would constitute a miracle…  Do, Can you talk to me about what happened?  Tell me if there is a danger I need to worry about?  I can’t protect you if I don’t know what we are facing.”

Rachelle shook her head and sighed, “If we are that far from home, I really don’t think there is anything to worry about.  They will assume I’ve been killed when they don’t find me.  And none of the villagers certainly has the ability to search this far from home.  They can’t be away from the farms and flocks for that long.”

“Is there anything else you want to share,” he asked.

Shaking her head ruefully she answered, “No.  I can’t talk about it right now.  Maybe another time we can discuss it.  If it becomes necessary…”

“For what it’s worth Rachelle, I pledged my aid to you.  That extends to matters of the mind and heart as well as the physical.  If there is anything that I can do to ease your pain and fear, you have only to ask.  I think you need a friend.  And I have been told that I make a wonderful friend.”

In spite of herself, Rachelle laughed at his persistence, “You are quite a piece of work, you know that m’Lord Royan?  Quite a piece of work…  I don’t know how to have a friend, much less be one.  But I do appreciate your kindness.  I will do what I can to repay you when I have the ability to do so.”

Embarrassed, Royan flushed.  “I don’t do what I do for repayment.  And I’ve had a thought…”

“A thought?”

“Yes, a thought.  You have this tremendous gift that could be dangerous to you if it remains untrained.  I could take you back to the city with me and perhaps we could find you a trainer.”

Rachelle shook her head, “I haven’t any coin to pay for training.  Back to the city?  What city?”

Royan explained, “Those with the Gift don’t charge those they train – aside from their assistance with their craft – it’s an apprenticeship.  You would be taught to harness your Gift and during the teaching, you would assist your mentor with a variety of mundane and magical tasks.  All in keeping with your skill level.  And the city of which I speak is Gallia City proper.”

Rachelle choked, “The capital city?  Well you don’t do things by halves, do you?…”

Royan only smiled and thought to himself, You don’t know the half of it little one.

Rachelle cocked her head and said, “Did you hear something?”

Royan flushed again and promised himself to think more quietly.  Light beyond but this girl had power…  Aloud he asked, “So what say you?”

Shyly and nervously Rachelle nodded, “I guess we have a plan.  Or at least as close to one as I’ve had since I left home last night and lost my life.”

A soft, sad smile on her face Rachelle stood and went to prepare her bedroll.  She felt a hundred times better than she had when she first awoke, but she was still exhausted.  After everything she had been through, she felt as if she could sleep for days.

Royan watched as Rachelle settled into her roll and drifted off to sleep.  There was something about her.  He couldn’t quite place what it was, but he was sure there was something he was missing.  Something that would answer so many of the questions that he had about her.  He just wasn’t sure what the right question to ask was that would unlock the mystery.  He had only to figure out what it was…

Resolving to tackle the mystery of Rachelle another day, he added wood to the fire and began to prepare his own bedroll.