Embers in the Ashes

Chapter 10

That guard wouldn't stop glowering at them. He eventually walked off muttering about pampered witches. Sure, pampered, he'd complain non stop if he had to sit in that dingy piece of dirt.That feeling of being watched never faded. Irene's gaze flickered uneasily about the cell. "Who's there?" A squeak sounded. They followed the noise to a blonde furred, orange eyed bat hanging from the ceiling.

Sonji held out her hand. The creature flew down, it paused before landing on her arm. There was a curved ladder like symbol etched into its chest. Sonji tilted her head observing the animal. It clearly wasn't natural. Irene gently stroked its head, the fur was silky under her finger. "Who are you?"

It hopped down and they watched transfixed as the mark glowed and in a shower of shimmering dust a gangly boy sat in its place. He smiled hesitantly at them. His pants were torn and he wore no shirt. The girls could count every rib and there wasn't an inch of him not covered in filth. He gave a brief wave.

"Hi."

"Hello."

He startled slightly hearing Sonji and hunched his shoulders, but didn't look away. Irene inched closer and though he tensed, he didn't retreat. "I'm Irene and she's Sonji. Don't worry you get used to hearing her," She leaned forward to talk to him in what was probably meant to be a whisper, "Sometimes you don't even want to."

"Hey." She smiled sheepishly, but didn't retract the statement. 

She repeated her question, "Who are you?"

"Berry."

"It's nice to meet Berry. Can you turn into any animal?"

"Flying ones."

"How long have you been here?"

"Two years." The girls gapped, that's the longest they had ever heard someone being in service. The boy seemed to take their silence as another question, in a way, it was.

"Imma good spy."

"Why'd you never leave? If you could fly, surely you had the chance?"

"I got nowhere to go." He turned his back and returned to his bat form effectively ending the conversation. The girls took the hint and settled down to sleep.

Jayr woke to an empty room. A note was folded on the pillow. 'Thank you for being there last night. I'm going for a walk; I need to clear my head. I'll be in the gardens if you want to meet for lunch, you can bring Ray. - Cahira'

The sun was just over the horizon. He had some time before noon. He had no real destination in mind, but his feet brought him where they always do. The forest was shaded, but light drifted through the leafs enough to see and that was all he needed.

"Jayr!" he turned and Ray was jogging toward him. Hw waited for him to catch up.

"I was hoping I'd catch you. Was everything alright yesterday? Cahira seemed...off."

"Just a hard night, she's alright." He glanced toward the woods, "I'm going for a walk, would you care to join me?"

"And spend some time with my favorite healer? Certainly. Can't let someone else snatch you up."

They walked for miles until they happened upon a cave. Jayr's hand shook as he touched the stone. Jayr stopped him before he entered, "Could you wait out here? Please."

"Of course."

He kneeled before a tombstone. It was still shining and flowers were sprouting through the earth in spite of the limited sun. "Sorry it's been so long Maitea. You wouldn't believe what's happened. A girl came to the kingdom. She's changed everything. I don't know what's going to happen now." He ducked his head, rubbing his neck. "She reminds me of you actually. She's a fighter. I'm going to help her in any way I can, I won't make the same mistake again, I promise."