Forest & Kingdom Balance (31 page)

The memories of when she first learned to change
flooded back to Catherine as she rode away.
“If
my mother only knew! She would have fainted at all the wild stunts
I pulled. There were a few broken bones, and worse, but a quick
flash and I was right as rain.”
Catherine thought of all the
wildness Angela will get into over the next few days and it made
her want to try a few herself. The excitement she felt made her
reconsider her original opinion.
“No, Mom
wouldn’t have fainted, she would have given me some
ideas!”

Catherine was still lost in her daydreams as she
rode up to Danielle and Edward’s farm when a blur caught her eye.
It was Raphael at full speed coming to meet her. Edward followed
him at a more human pace.
“Edward, how do you
keep up with him?”

“I don’t, I just consider him a
free spirit and let him run.”
Edward said in his mind.
“Of course with his natural speed and Danielle’s
cooking stoking the fire, anything can happen!”

Raphael arrived and gave Catherine a formal bow,
“Welcome Sentinel Catherine.”

“If you continue to bow to me young man, I swear
I’ll hug and kiss you until you ask for mercy!” She got off her
horse and gave him a demonstration. “How are you settling in?” She
asked once he was thoroughly doused with affection.

“It’s like a dream but I don’t wake up.” He hugged
her. “Thank you.” He turned quickly, a bit embarrassed. “The cow!”
He remembered. “Please excuse me Catherine, I left a bucket under a
half milked cow.” Instantly he was at full speed toward the
barn.

Catherine greeted Edward, and Danielle who had come
out of the house. “I can only stay a minute, I’m on my way to
Dionara.” She looked to the barn. “How is Raphael adjusting?”

“He’s made of stout stuff, that one.” Edward told
her. “He worries about his family of course, I don’t think it
bothered him as much when he was on the trail with Tre, but now
that he has a home it’s on his mind. He doesn’t say anything, but a
parent knows.”

Danielle came over and gave Catherine hug, “Thank
you, he’s wonderful.” Catherine could feel her happiness. Thoughts
of Raphael’s family reminded Danielle of the coast, and the Knight.
Catherine felt her concern come to the fore. “Is it almost
time?”

“Yes, one way or another, the fate of a great many
people will be affected. Your granddaughter has become so much more
since you last saw her, if anyone can turn the tide, she can. Did
she contact you this morning? I haven’t contacted her since the
trouble at the way station. I don’t want to interrupt her or the
Caretaker if they’re involved with the Knight.”

“Not yet, the last few day’s her contact has been
irregular.” Danielle’s worry intensified.

“Don’t worry,” Catherine reassured her, “If anything
major had happened, the Caretaker would have told me. I think the
reason her schedule changed is that the Knight is aware of us now
and she has to wait for him to let his guard down. She and the
Caretaker are learning all they can, the more we know, the better
our chances. If you hear from her, please tell her why I haven’t
contacted her and that I’m bringing supplies. I’ll be there the
morning after tomorrow.”

They waved good-bye as she rode off. Catherine
touched her horse’s mind and that was the last she’d need to
concern herself with the ride.
“You know the
route better than I do, don’t you.”
She stroked the horse’s
neck,
“Now all I have to do is not fall
off.”
She reminded herself.

Relaxed in the rhythm of her horse’s gate, her
awareness went out. She could sense Dionara, but didn’t even get
close to the Vale. The Elites were on schedule. She laughed at
John’s disbelief as Tre told him one of his stories. As always, the
Caretaker’s presence was never far from her thoughts. She could
feel him soar as he shadowed the Knight.

“And now we wait.”
She
reached out again.
“Good morning! You three are
making good progress.”

“Thanks to you and the Caretaker.” Yamikura replied.
“Good Morning!” Atheria, Simon, and Yamikura said in perfect
unison.

“Did you three rehearse
that?”
Catherine’s worries of a boring day on the trail
evaporated in a chorus of laughter.

Two days later Catherine released herself to join
with Spirit’s Vale.

She had camped only a few hours away the night
before so that she could join Dionara fresh and rejuvenated. As
soon as the Vale came into view, she dismounted to find balance and
allow the Vale to heal her anxiety.

A short while and a lifetime later, she returned to
individually.
“I wonder if this is where she
sat?”
Catherine asked herself that every time she stopped at
the entrance. She often thought of the young woman who first found
this valley, her direct ancestor and the woman she was name after,
the original Catherine.

Reality returned as she rode to the chalet.
“Four days.”
The thought felt like an
anvil that hung from her, and each day it weighed a bit more. She
couldn’t imagine what Dionara was going through. Her first chore
was to unpack the supplies, and then she’d peek in and see if
Dionara was involved with her work.

“Catherine!” Dionara ran out and hugged her.
Suddenly Catherine felt as light as air, and didn’t have a care in
the world. Her natural joy bubbled up and mixed with the happiness
that flowed from Dionara. “Finally, someone to swim with.” The
princess ran off shedding clothes as she ran, “Come on, the
supplies can wait.” Catherine heard Dionara’s voice fade as she
ran. She dashed after her with a smile from ear to ear.

She felt like a teenager again, and quickly learned
that not only could Dionara swim like a fish, but was not above
dunking someone from behind. Between the laughter and water play,
it seemed like Catherine was transported back in time. Once or
twice, she looked at Dionara, but saw her friend Diana.

Eventually the two ended up floating near the shore.
“You would be amazed, he keeps his memories in tiers.” Dionara
explained, “We search and see nothing until we find the key to the
tier, and then the memories open.”

“Then you have a plan?” Catherine hoped the answer
was yes.

“Froggy and I agree, the more of a plan we commit to
ahead of time, the less likely we’ll succeed. The near tragedy with
Yamikura proved that.” Dionara inched closer as she spoke.
Catherine readied herself for another splash fight. “The solution
must be created dynamically.” Dionara made her move but her splash
only met water. Catherine had pushed off the sandy bottom and
glided away from the shore. She swung her arms across the surface
and a great wave caught Dionara from the side.
“You may have youth, but I have experience.”
Catherine
basked in her triumph.

IV

The column of Elites wound into a clearing where
five horses grazed. “Well met gentlemen!” Yamikura walked up to the
riders. “You would be John and Tressan, it is an honor to meet you
both.” The two men dismounted.

John signaled the Elites to make camp and pointed to
the east side as Tre shook hands with Yamikura. “I understand that
you wanted to speak with me,” Tre smiled, “If I had know I would
have waited for you.”

“It was a pleasant ride. I wasn’t in a hurry.” He
shrugged then bowed to John. “It is truly an honor to meet a
Sentinel of the Forest. I request to join your company sir, to
provide what service I can.”

“You are most welcome to join us,” John responded,
“although I believe that if we were to ask Catherine, she’d say
that we were joining you.” John gave the new comer a warm smile,
they shook hands, and the three moved to join the Elites. “Where
are Atheria and Simon?” John looked around.

“Off gathering wood.” Yamikura pointed to the
trees.

“They need to be on their way soon, the Knight is
less than a day’s ride. If he decides not to camp, he could be here
as early as late tonight.” John called Peter over. “Please bring
the supplies for the Mindow and have someone round up their horses.
We need to get them saddled and packed.” John heard a whinny behind
him and turned. Four of the five horses that were grazing stood
behind him. “Thank you Catherine.”

Atheria and Simon came running across the field,
they stopped and bowed to John.

“Wait,” Tre turned to John, “if everyone we meet is
going to bow to you. I’ll just go get some food.”

Atheria gave Tre a hug. “Thank you for what you did
for Raphael, Tressan of the Palace Guard.” She and Simon bowed to
Tre.

“Well now, that’s what I call friendly!” Tre
announced, and the group laughed as one.

John tilted his head. “Yes Catherine, I know. I was
getting to that.” John untied a package from his horse and handed
it to Yamikura. “This is from Catherine.”

Yamikura opened the wrapping and saw cloth of deep
forest green. The clothing was simple in style and expertly
crafted, the fine pattern of embroidery was subtle from a distance
but intricately detailed. The fabric had the feel of silk, with the
strength and substance of riding gear.
“Thank
you.”
He whispered in his mind as his warmth flowed to
her.

“I’m so happy you like
them!”
Catherine’s happiness joined with his
appreciation.

“We missed you the last few days,
are you all right?”
Yamikura tried to keep his thought
light, but could not mask his concern.

“Yes, nothing new has
arisen.”
Her reassurance accompanied her words.
“The Caretaker and Dionara needed my undivided attention for
a little while, that’s all. I’m back now.”
The depth of his
concern touched her.
“You’ll learn more tonight,
John will let you know.”
Catherine opened her awareness to
the group.

John turned to Atheria and Simon, “There’s fresh
clothing for you two also, go with Peter and he’ll get you a meal
before you go. Come and say good bye before you head out.” Peter
and the teenagers went off toward the Elites, the horses
followed.

In a short while the Elite camp was set up and his
men had started to assemble the table and chairs for the
negotiation area that would be placed in the middle of the
clearing. John was inspecting the area when three riders
approached.

“You two look a lot less travel warn,” John greeted
the teenagers, “and no belts I see. Are you comfortable on
horseback now?”

“Yes sir,” Simon answered, “We haven’t needed the
belts since the third day we were free.”

“During the day and a half with the Caretaker in the
lead at full gallop, we learned fast.” Atheria added.

John could imagine. “I bet you did!” He smiled. “It
will take you another eight days or so to get to the Kingdom. Tom
will take you to the castle where Princess Dionara has assigned you
quarters and asked one of her councilors to get you settled.
Hopefully we’ll only be a few days behind you.”

“Tom,” John spoke to the Elite. “Get as much
distance as you can today and an early start tomorrow. I know you
would rather stay, but keep in mind that if all does not go well
here, you may be the only Elite Guardsman left, the Kingdom will
need you to rebuild the Elites and prepare for what comes
next.”

“Understood sir.” In one way Tom felt that it was
wrong to leave, but he also knew that what his Captain had said
could very well happen.

The small group left the clearing headed east, and
John returned to his inspection.
“Did you know
that I can feel it when you think about me, even when we’re not in
contact?”
Dionara’s essence poured into him, she purred with
satisfaction at his response.

“Hello my love.”
John
immersed himself in the joy they shared.
“Yes, I
do.”

“Here’s the plan. We tell that mud
in the well, no fun, Red Knight to go dunk his head in a bucket and
you get back here as fast as you can. He interrupted our
anniversary, and I’m not happy!”
She sent him an image with
her arms crossed and her lower lip stuck out.

“Yes my love.”
He chuckled.
“I’m not sure that would completely eliminate the
problem, but it will show him that we are resolute in our
determination.”

“I think that should be enough,
don’t you?”
She inquired.

“Yes my love, more than
enough.”
He looked up and watched the Elites run their
exercises.
“Do we know if he’ll arrive tonight,
or tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow, early. He told his
captain to find a camp about an hour away.”
Dionara and John
shared their hope interwoven with the knowledge that, for good or
ill, their lives will change tomorrow.

John exhaled as he saw Tre and Yamikura approach.
“Duty calls my love.”

“Think of me often!”
And
John did.
“Mmmm, do it again, do it again, do it
again.”
Dionara’s voice trailed off.

Tre and Yamikura heard John’s laughter as they
walked up. Tre took one look at John’s face and shook his head.
“Did I mention that you were cruel? I seem to recall mentioning
that.”

V

Early morning vapor rose from the wet grass as
luminescent fog drifted across the clearing into sunlight beamed
through broken clouds. The Royal Guard Elite stood, the precision
of their ranks delineated in crisp shadow. John, Tre, and the
Caretaker stood next to the pavilion at the center of the field as
the Red Knight’s company rode in and veered to the west. The Red
Knight, Kalibra, and Deminar dismounted and walked to the
pavilion.

The Knight stood behind the chair to the west and
motioned Deminar to the south chair. Tre moved to the eastern chair
and motioned for the Caretaker to take the north. Kalibra and John
stood on their respective sides, just outside the canopy. Tre
nodded to the Caretaker.