Eternal Spirit

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Eternal Spirit

Part 17

The Regent made her way around the last bend of the valley, her eyes scanning the grounds for Tarra. “Where did she run off to?” She smiled thoughtfully at her mare while gently rubbing its neck in a soothing motion. “Some day it has been hasn’t it Milliron?” Her horse whinnied pawing the ground with her front leg. “How easily things can go from bad to worse.” She sighed heavily.

Tarra watched in amusement for a brief moment and then lead her horse forward towards Ephiny. “Talking to that horse of yours again, eh?” She teased good-naturedly.

Ephiny grinned. “Sometimes I think she is the only one that understands me.”

“Oh the rest of us understand you alright.” She laughed.

Ephiny cocked a brow in Tarra’s direction and smirked. She leaned over bringing her mouth close to her mare’s ear and whispered something not audible to the Amazon. The horse whinnied loudly kicking dirt with her front paw. Ephiny leaned back in her saddle and chuckled.

Tarra shook her head lightheartedly. “C’mon oh misunderstood one lets head back to the village and check on things.” She smiled as she nudged her horse forward. “Next you will be telling me that crazy horse of yours talks back.”

Ephiny challenged her with a stare and then broke into laughter. With a soft nudge her mare broke into a full gallop towards the village stopping shortly after before the children’s hut. Ephiny dismounted her horse and secured her to the nearby post. She turned her attention to her fellow sister. “Seems a little too quiet around here. Usually you can hear Gabrielle’s stories clear across the barn from this hut.” Tarra smiled in amusement and followed the Regent inside the hut.

The hut to their surprise was relatively empty. One of the older caretakers was picking up an array of scattered toys. An uncomfortable presence settled over the Regent. She cleared her throat grabbing the attention of the older Amazon. “Kindra, where is everyone?”

Picking up the last of the toys the old Amazon stood up, her left arm braced behind her back for support. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and walked towards Ephiny and Tarra. “Good eve. Tonight was an early night. The Queen said she was not feeling well and would not be telling stories tonight.” She smiled innocently. “I suppose these old bones aren’t as entertaining to the young as the Queen’s wild adventures, so they headed off to bed.” Their conversation was interrupted by the excitement of a squealing child.

“Ephiny! Tarra!” She shrieked happily and jumped into the Regent’s arms giggling.

The old woman laughed and shook her head. “All except this one that is.” She playfully tickled the young child.

Ephiny embraced the young girl and smiled mischievously. “Ah, why doesn’t that surprise me Lea?” She raised a brow questioningly at the giddy girl.

The child’s smile faded and her face grew very serious. “Is momma or Ren home yet?”

Ephiny gently set the child before her and crouched down to her level. She stroked her cheek tenderly with the back of her hand. “No love Solari and Serenity are not back yet. But they will be soon.” She smiled reassuringly.

“But you said that last time Eph.” She whined. “It’s been a long time. I miss them. I wish they were home already.” She scuffed her feet impatiently.

“I miss them too. But soon they will be here, ok?” She raised the child’s chin with her finger.

Lea rolled her eyes. “Okay.”

“Now don’t be giving Kindra any trouble.” She looked sternly towards the young child and then turned to Tarra. “Let’s go check on Gabrielle and see how she is feeling. With the circumstances she has probably worried herself sick.”

As they turned to go Lea tugged on Ephiny’s arm. “But Eph how come she wasn’t sick when I saw her before? Maybe she was mad with me and didn’t want to come and tell stories tonight.” Her eyes brimmed with wet tears.

Tarra looked at Ephiny for understanding but found the same confusion spread on her face. “Lea why would she be upset with you?”

The old woman turned the child to face her. “Never you mind about that. What were you doing outside of this hut by yourself let alone over by the Queen’s hut?”

The Regent stepped in taking a deep breath. “Alright everyone calm down.” She knelt down before the child who was now shaken with streaks of tears raining down her cheeks. “Lea, its alright. Tell me what your talking about love. When did you see Gabrielle and why would you think she was upset with you?” She brushed the loose strands of wet hair from the child’s face tenderly.

Lea sniffled and wiped her face with her hand. “I saw Gabrielle tonight. It was about a couple candle marks ago I think. I…”

“What in the name of the gods were you doing out so late by yourself Lea?” The Regent’s tone came out harsher than she intended.

“I’m sorry Ephiny. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to really. I was only just not far from here and then I had something urgent I had to bring to Gabrielle and…” She choked back her tears.

“Lea calm down. I can’t understand you when you are crying. Come on take a deep breath and calm down for me.” She stroked her hair in a calming manner. “I definitely don’t like the sound of this. If Solari were here…Oh by the gods.”

The child stopped her uncontrollable wailing and relaxed slightly. Ephiny smiled warmly at her. “Lea what was so urgent that you went in the dark alone to see Gabrielle? Tell me.” Her voice was stern but gentle.

Lea shook her head. “I’m not supposed to tell. I can’t. He said not…”

“He? He who?” Panic rose in the Regent’s voice. “Lea I need to know what is going on and I need to know right now.” She held the girl by the shoulders. “No matter what someone has told you it is not good to keep secrets like this. Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise.” She met the child’s gaze firmly. “Tell me exactly what happened Lea.”

Tarra knelt beside the Regent. “Lea this is very important. We are not angry with you but we need to know what is going on.”

Lea exhaled deeply still a little hesitant. “I was walking not too far from here and I heard someone calling me over by the trees. It was a man. He talked a little funny. He said he was going to get in big trouble for being on Amazon lands and so he had to hurry and go but that he had a very urgent message that had to be given to the Queen right away.” She shifted in place uncomfortably still unsure of revealing anything to the older Amazons. She sighed heavily and continued with her story. “I told him that I would bring it to her and that way he wouldn’t get in any trouble. He said he was lucky to have a big girl like me to deliver the message and that it was very important that no one else sees it except the Queen. He said to take it right to her! Then he ran away.” Her teary eyes held fear as they bore into the Regents.

“Lea what were you thinking? You know better than this but now is not the time.” She took the child’s hands within her own. “Lea what did this man look like?”

The child thought for a moment. “He was a little taller than Gabrielle but had green eyes like her and light hair. He talked really funny like his mouth was full but it wasn’t.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Okay let us put this aside a moment. Why did you think Gabrielle would be upset with you? What was this letter all about?” Tarra questioned softly.

Lea lowered her head slightly. “She got upset I was out after dark by myself and because I was talking to a stranger that was not supposed to be in the village and didn’t tell nobody. But then she said to go to the children’s hut and play and didn’t seem so mad anymore. But then she didn’t come and I know she wasn’t sick because she was all fine when I saw her.” She ran her sentences together nervously.

“Well little one she is right about that. You know better than to be out late like this. I am very disappointed in you Lea.” The old Amazon scolded.

“And the letter?” Ephiny questioned getting back to the matter at hand.

Lea shrugged her shoulders sniffling. “I don’t know Eph honest. I just know it was important and had her name written on the front. I just brought it to her like I was supposed to. Honest.” Tears streamed down her face.

Ephiny rose and patted the child on the head. “We have much to talk about Lea but for now you stay here with Kindra and stay out of trouble, understand?” She waited for the child to nod her head in acknowledgement. “Tarra I am going to check the hut for Gabrielle. You go check the barn and see if any of the horses are missing. Meet me back at the hut.” Tarra nodded and they both exited the room running.

Ephiny barged into the Queen’s hut. “Gabrielle?” She scanned the room finding it completely empty. “Damnit! What the hell is going on around here?” She hurriedly flipped through the scattered papers about the room looking for the letter but found nothing. Her eyes moved to the wall by the door. “Her staff is gone.” Sudden acknowledgement swept through the Regent. At that moment Tarra came darting through the door out of breath. “Well?” Ephiny questioned impatiently.

“One of the horses is gone.” Tarra stammered between breaths.

“She is gone. She took her staff. There is no time to lose. I don’t know what the hell is going on but I am damn sure going to find out. Stay here with Lea.” The Regent stormed out of the hut and mounted her horse.

Continued In Part 18