Free Have 2 Sky Magic (Haven Series 2) by B. V. Larson
Authors: B. V. Larson
your homes bolted and stocked with weapons and supplies? Go now, and see to your families!”
There was a stirring at the back of the crowd, and even before he had finished it was clear that many had quietly deserted Old Tad. They fell back, muttering among themselves, some arguing that it was indeed almost twilight, others claiming that they were being bluffed and that trickery was afoot. Old Tad, who had been unable to speak, regained his voice and screamed that he had been enchanted, that Gudrin was a witch and a Faerie to boot.
Things might still have gone poorly, had not a knot of folk including a squadron of the Riverton Constabulary appeared in the road. They were marching down from Riverton, and were being led by several of the Fobs, Telyn’s relatives.
Tylag lay his hand on Brand and Corbin’s shoulders and spoke with urgency. “Go now, my lads, while you have the chance. Farewell and good luck to thee,” he said, squeezing them with almost painful force. Brand thought to see his eyes mist over with tears, but he didn’t weep. Then they had broken through the evaporating mob and were headed to the docks. Modi, Gudrin and Telyn walked with them, their steps hurried.
Quietly, they boarded their skiff. They swiftly unloaded their packs from Tator and turned him loose. “Go home, that’s a good boy!” said Corbin, slapping his rump. The horse trotted upslope a ways, then turned as if to see them off, tossing his head.
And so, with few words spoken between them, the four young River Folk and the two Kindred slipped into the waters of the harbor and out into the open river, turning north. The winds were up and their sails billowed full, catching the early evening breeze. To the west the sun was setting, and its dying light turned the waters to jet-black, shot through with dancing threads of silver and gold. The western sky was orange and lavender, while in the east it turned to blue then finally black as night stole forth.
Thus they left Stone Island to the unknown fate of nightfall, and their hearts were heavy.
* * *
That night they made it to the big fork in the river, one leg of which led up to Rabing Isle, the other of which led to North End. They swung northeast and headed for North End. Brand stared long and hard to the northwest where his home lay just a few miles off.
“It’s time we found a place to camp,” said Gudrin after a time.
“Yes, it’s dangerous to sail the river at night, even for those of us who know it so well,” agreed Brand. “But where can we stop and camp that would be sheltered from the Faerie?”
Telyn spoke first. “Skydrop Falls! They are quite near—we will be hearing them soon. They are surrounded by the Haven Woods, where there are no fairy mounds.”
“Still, I would not like to sleep exposed beneath the stars if we can help it. If a pack of rhinogs came upon us we would be lost,” said Corbin.
“We can sleep under the falls,” said Telyn. “Remember, when we were kids, we would go on hiking trips through the Haven Woods? There is a big cave behind the falls. We can camp there, where the Faerie may hesitate to enter.”
The idea met with approval, and Corbin, who sat at the tiller, set course for the falls. In time the roar filled their ears. When they could feel the water move faster and cold mist touched their faces, they poled swiftly for the shore. Brand leapt to the land and made the skiff fast with heavy ropes. They all climbed out and walked beneath the dark canopy of the Haven Wood.
Burning lanterns and walking carefully, the group slipped behind the falls and entered a wide, flat cave. The walls were wet with mist, but the sandy bottom was dry enough for comfort. They lit a small fire and Corbin cooked a fine dinner of leeks and toasted shellfish with a dessert of dried peaches prepared during the summer.
“I’ll say this,” Modi chuckled, slipping a notch on his belt. “You River Folk certainly know how to feed yourselves.”
“At
There was a stirring at the back of the crowd, and even before he had finished it was clear that many had quietly deserted Old Tad. They fell back, muttering among themselves, some arguing that it was indeed almost twilight, others claiming that they were being bluffed and that trickery was afoot. Old Tad, who had been unable to speak, regained his voice and screamed that he had been enchanted, that Gudrin was a witch and a Faerie to boot.
Things might still have gone poorly, had not a knot of folk including a squadron of the Riverton Constabulary appeared in the road. They were marching down from Riverton, and were being led by several of the Fobs, Telyn’s relatives.
Tylag lay his hand on Brand and Corbin’s shoulders and spoke with urgency. “Go now, my lads, while you have the chance. Farewell and good luck to thee,” he said, squeezing them with almost painful force. Brand thought to see his eyes mist over with tears, but he didn’t weep. Then they had broken through the evaporating mob and were headed to the docks. Modi, Gudrin and Telyn walked with them, their steps hurried.
Quietly, they boarded their skiff. They swiftly unloaded their packs from Tator and turned him loose. “Go home, that’s a good boy!” said Corbin, slapping his rump. The horse trotted upslope a ways, then turned as if to see them off, tossing his head.
And so, with few words spoken between them, the four young River Folk and the two Kindred slipped into the waters of the harbor and out into the open river, turning north. The winds were up and their sails billowed full, catching the early evening breeze. To the west the sun was setting, and its dying light turned the waters to jet-black, shot through with dancing threads of silver and gold. The western sky was orange and lavender, while in the east it turned to blue then finally black as night stole forth.
Thus they left Stone Island to the unknown fate of nightfall, and their hearts were heavy.
* * *
That night they made it to the big fork in the river, one leg of which led up to Rabing Isle, the other of which led to North End. They swung northeast and headed for North End. Brand stared long and hard to the northwest where his home lay just a few miles off.
“It’s time we found a place to camp,” said Gudrin after a time.
“Yes, it’s dangerous to sail the river at night, even for those of us who know it so well,” agreed Brand. “But where can we stop and camp that would be sheltered from the Faerie?”
Telyn spoke first. “Skydrop Falls! They are quite near—we will be hearing them soon. They are surrounded by the Haven Woods, where there are no fairy mounds.”
“Still, I would not like to sleep exposed beneath the stars if we can help it. If a pack of rhinogs came upon us we would be lost,” said Corbin.
“We can sleep under the falls,” said Telyn. “Remember, when we were kids, we would go on hiking trips through the Haven Woods? There is a big cave behind the falls. We can camp there, where the Faerie may hesitate to enter.”
The idea met with approval, and Corbin, who sat at the tiller, set course for the falls. In time the roar filled their ears. When they could feel the water move faster and cold mist touched their faces, they poled swiftly for the shore. Brand leapt to the land and made the skiff fast with heavy ropes. They all climbed out and walked beneath the dark canopy of the Haven Wood.
Burning lanterns and walking carefully, the group slipped behind the falls and entered a wide, flat cave. The walls were wet with mist, but the sandy bottom was dry enough for comfort. They lit a small fire and Corbin cooked a fine dinner of leeks and toasted shellfish with a dessert of dried peaches prepared during the summer.
“I’ll say this,” Modi chuckled, slipping a notch on his belt. “You River Folk certainly know how to feed yourselves.”
“At