Free Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie

climber. Here give me your hand. We’re almost there. I want to thank you for your help. As soon as we get back to the Manor you must let me know how I can show my gratitude.”
    They scrambled over the top and stood on a flat ridge almost half a mile wide. The ground was speckled with flat stones, some scattered, others embedded all around them. On the other side of the expanse was a drop into another valley. Rebeka made a complete circle to survey the area. A terrible tension coursed through her body. She broke out in a cold sweat as the blood drained from her face. “The stones aren’t here.” She stabbed at the ground with her staff.
    She dug in her pouch for her phone, still no signal. Silently, she started back down the mountain. Screams of anger and frustration echoed in her head. Doing a controlled skid down the steep part of the climb, she reached the spot where she found the crushed ticket. She replaced her anger with determination. Taking a deep breath, and letting out a long exhale, she continued on until she reached the wagon. Only then did she turn to the old man.
    “You knew I wouldn’t find the stones at the top of the mountain, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, Rebeka. I did. But would you’ve listened to me if I told you? No, you needed to see for yourself. Let’s continue on to the village. I’ll help you get back any way I can but I think we both need time to think through this challenge.”
    “Perhaps I can find answers at the reenactment.”
    He didn’t respond.
    Rebeka let him help her into the wagon. They rode on in silence. She closed her eyes and dismissed Doward from her mind. She imagined looking down on the sweeping parkland and Fayne Manor. Was it only yesterday? She held on to the image as long as she could. It was so inviting, so comforting. “To hearth and home,” she said softly.
    Doward stared at her, a brief expression of incredulity on his face.
    “What…” she began. But it was gone as soon as she started to speak. She must have imagined it.

Chapter Six
    It was a beautiful place, lush and full of life, and as they rode, Rebeka softly hummed, the horse’s pace marking time with her music. The melody soothed her. Perched on the wagon seat next to Doward, she cleaned her walking staff with an oiled cloth. The familiar repetitive motion anchored her. She had done all she could. Anger and frustration would only get in her way. She needed to think clearly and concentrate on finding the way back.
    Doward smiled. “Your company is a welcome change from the solitude of my travels. And you are unique. Anyone else would be disoriented, unsettled and maybe even fearful but you seem to face everything straight on. I like your energy, the way you attack a problem, take charge and own it.”
    She was thoughtful for a moment. “It’s all about maintaining control and making the right decisions.”
    He nodded.
    The forest was dense with tall trees and undergrowth. They rode on until the trail opened onto a clearing. Doward stopped the wagon and looked over the expanse.
    “What is it, Doward?” She looked out across the clearing to a willow tree standing at the far end.
    Doward stood to get a better view. “I was here only weeks ago and everything was healthy. How could the clearing change so quickly? In place of a healthy field, this clearing feels as though it is struggling to survive. The leaves on the trees are limp, the flowers on thin straggling stems, and the grass brown in spots. There’s an unease permeating the wind, the ground, everything. I can sense destruction beginning to take hold here. Soon this place will be dead.” He spoke sadly. “I wonder at the condition of the meadow beyond.” He stepped down from the wagon and waded through the tall dried grass heading toward the willow tree.
    “I’ll go with you. I have some knowledge.”
    Rebeka dug into the hard-packed ground to scrape up some earth. She examined the soil, rubbing it between her fingers, and closed her eyes