It wasn't until the next day that Flindra and Leudh had a
chance to speak with Dakra without the twins listening. The boys were outside tending to the barn
chores. The task would keep them busy
for at least an hour so the adults were reasonably safe from interruption. Brehwan wasn't needed to watch over the twins
so she joined the gathering.
The four adults sat in front of Dakra's hearth and sipped
some freshly brewed rosehip tea, which was sweetened with a touch of honey.
Leudh looked out the door to make sure his sons were out of
earshot. He glanced at his mother with a
concerned look. "Were you told
anything when Flindra was left here? Any
reasons why she was taken from her family?"
Dakra leaned her back against the warm stones of the massive
fireplace and rested her cup of tea on her knee. "Kewero told us that Flindra needed to
begin her life here. She said little
more even when Eghero questioned her.
All she would say was that the Spirit had chosen us to care for the Heir
of King Meldh."
Flindra and Leudh looked at each other. Thus prompted, she told Dakra and Brehwan of
the evil presence she felt in the crystal and in her dreams. No one spoke when she was finished with her
story. A worried glance passed between
Leudh and Brehwan while Dakra simply closed her eyes.
"It would make sense to hide you with us if there was
any evil hunting you," Dakra finally said.
"Maybe that's why Kewero brought you here and why she was so vague
with her explanations. I think it's time
for you to try to find her. She, alone,
can tell you about your past and what you need to do for your future. We can't provide you with any more help, my
little one. It's up to others to take
our place."
Flindra dropped her head in mute agreement with her
mother. When she raised her eyes, she
looked at her brother - silently seeking his advice.
Leudh understood her silent entreaty. "It's not clear to me that you're
actually in danger. I'd be willing to
guess that the evil you sense is only some strange effect of the crystal. Even so, it's time for you to go. You need to consider that winter comes
swiftly in the Northern Reaches. You
have a race with winter in trying to reach the old woman."
Dakra shook her head in disagreement. There was a look of genuine worry on her
face. "No Leudh, I feel in my heart
that the evil searching the world for Flindra is quite real. A mother can sense such things."
Brehwan looked at Flindra.
"It's not only time for you to go, but I think we should be
prepared to deny any knowledge of your whereabouts, should anyone ask. We'll have to tell the twins and swear them
into secrecy."
"I feel as if I'm leaving all of you in great
danger," moaned Flindra.
Brehwan shook her head and said, "I'm afraid, Flindra,
that any danger will follow you. We're
not at risk."
Flindra took a swallow of her tea and looked into the
fire. "Will you help me get ready
to leave tomorrow morning? I don't want
to risk your safety any longer than I have to."
"I have almost everything ready," Dakra said as
she took Flindra's hand in her own.
"It gave me something to do while you wandered in the forest."
"You should stay in the house and we can get the rest
done today," Leudh added. "If
any unfriendly eyes watch this clearing, we can hide the fact that you are
leaving."
Flindra sighed.
"It's decided then. I'll
leave before dawn tomorrow."
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