Free Bliath: Shattered by Theresa Caligiuri Page A

mittens.  She looked up and whispered, “I taught you better than lingering in doorways, are you better?”  Vance crept in the room.  “Mother, is it safe to go back into limbo, I have an idea and a plan.”  “It isn’t the smartest idea right now, Leo is just asleep, not drugged, what is this idea of yours?”
    Vance explained his using energy theory to Desree, she thought it made perfect sense, but now was not the best time to try it because of Leo.  Vance got a slight pained expression, “Mom, the other part is, I have to go with her when she leaves, I can’t explain it, but I just know, please forgive me.” He dropped his head.  “My dear boy, I knew you could not stay with me forever, don’t get me wrong, I would love to have you always near, but I knew from the moment I helped bring you into this world, this day would come.  Where are you going?”  Vance went over to the only open chair and sat down, on the opposite side of the bed from Leo, and ran his hand through his dark hair, “The Northern Dwarf Clan, she is the granddaughter of the King, the Mountain is safe and I think she is not a pawn to them.”  Desree nodded, “I understand, but why do you think she is a pawn?”  Vance sighed again, “Well, her uncle hunts her.  My assumption there is because he wants her dead to wipe out the competition, or use her to bargain with her grandmother, the High Queen.  Again, assuming of course, the Queen wants her for an heir and will use her against her Uncle and possibly the Dwarfs, being a first born, she can challenge for the crown there, giving her power over all races.  She is a dangerous weapon to them all I guess.”  Desree beamed at him, she knew he was a smart boy, and could piece everything together, but some of the pieces were missing and not in the right order, but she knew he would get there.  “So, when are you leaving?”  “As soon as I can get her to stay conscious enough to ride, her horse knows and will for the most part cooperate, so in a few days?”  It sounded more like a question, then another thought popped into his head, “Mom, did you know Larin can talk to animals?”  Desree laughed, “Yes and if you paid attention you could have picked up on it sooner.” 
     
    Fera delicately moaned, snapping Vance’s attention on her, he went to grab her hand but stopped himself.  “Mom, if I go to limbo can you pull me out if I am not back and Leo starts to stir?”  Desree nodded.  Vance felt slightly embarrassed and nervous about crossing into limbo with his mother sitting in the room, but he knew this was the only time he might get with her, while someone having his back.  He gently took her hand and the pull eased him into limbo.
     
    The meadow was still intact, but it was no longer sunny, it looked more like a haunted forest, he thought to himself, this can’t be good, he called out for Fera but no answer.  He turned around, and saw her, curled up into a ball and the ground.  He went over to her, kneeling down in front of her, he gently put a hand on her shoulder, thinking she might be asleep.  Her eyes opened and fixed on Vance.  He saw the dark lines under them, her whole frame screamed out delicate.  “You”, she whispered venomously to him.  Vance couldn’t figure out where this anger was coming from, he didn’t do anything wrong.  So he put up his hands showing he meant to harm, “Yes me, I told you, I would be back, I am sorry it took a little longer than I hoped, but...” Fera cut him off  “You left me, I begged for you to come back, I screamed for you until my voice left me, I don’t understand I am so tired, and I can’t sleep, and I feel hunger, but I can’t eat, and you left.”  Her eyes were burning holes into his.   Guilt rolled over Vance like a heavy fog, he helped her to sit up.  She was clearly waiting for an explanation.  He sat in front of her with her hands in his.  “You remember when I said you were in