Alosha

“A tree can’t do much to protect itself,” Steve said. “It can only stand there.”

  “Or it can fall on you and kill you,” Cindy said.

  Ali was annoyed. “A tree didn’t fall on Ted and he’s not going to die.”

  “Okay, don’t get mad,” Cindy said. “I was just talking.”

  Karl put his hand on Ali’s shoulder. “There’s nothing we can do here,” he said. “We’d better keep going. Whoever was in the tree—I’m sure he would want you to go ahead with your mission.”

  Ali felt terribly alone. Nemi had swept into her life like a dream, told her she was fit for brave deeds and magical acts. Now that he was gone would the magic leave her as well?

  They got back in the cab, drove farther up the road. The others chatted easily but Ali sat silent, lost in thought. Her resolve to reach the Yanti was not as strong as it had been a few minutes ago. She had wanted to close the Yanti to make Nemi proud of her, she realized. Now there would be no pat on the back at the end of the job; it made her sad. At the same time she realized how childish she was being. Closing the Yanti could save the whole world. She had to push her small desires aside, do the job and shut up.

  She felt she had done little else since her mother had died.

  They came to the end of the road, got out. Unpacking took only a few minutes. Karl tried to give Frank a tip, but the guy waved away the extra cash.

  “That’s okay, Karl,” he said. “The hundred on the meter is enough.”

  That sounded like a lot to Ali.

  Frank left. As the taxi went out of sight, and the noise of its engine faded in the distance, the silence of the forest deepened. At last, she thought, they were cut off from civilization. They had cell phones, true, but it was not as if they could call anyone if they were attacked.

  Finally, their adventure was about to begin.

  CHAPTER NINE

  A path led away from the end of the road, and there was an outhouse. They all used the latter, Paddy included. He seemed to like human toilets. A comfort to the bum, he called them.

  Karl had remembered to bring a map. Before they left the road, he spread it out for them to study, pointing out landmarks.

  “It’s just after twelve,” he said. “It’ll be light till nine. We have nine hours to hike. Before then I want to reach this spot, it’s called Overhang. It’s a great place to camp. The cliff sweeps overhead—it’ll keep the rain off us if the clouds are pouring.” He added, “And it’s an easy place to defend.”

  “If we’re attacked, you mean?” Steve asked him.

  “Yes.”

  “But we have nothing to defend ourselves with,” Steve complained.

  Karl and Cindy exchanged a look. Ali caught it.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” Cindy said.

  Karl pointed to a line on the map. “This path is called Treeline. It starts twenty feet behind us. It follows the ridge above the Mercer River. We should stay on it for today.”

  “If there are elementals in these woods,” Ali said. “They might be on the path. Maybe we should avoid it.”

  Karl shook his head. “We can’t. We’ll lose too much time trying to cut through the trees. They’re thick around here. We have to risk the path.”

  “How far is Overhang?” Steve asked.

  “Twelve miles from where we stand,” Karl said. “It’s at an elevation increase of four thousand feet. Right now we’re more than a mile above sea level. The higher we go, the harder it will get to breathe. Twelve miles in nine hours doesn’t sound like a lot but we’ll be lucky to reach Overhang by nightfall.”

  “It sounds like a lot to me,” Steve said.

  “ ’Tis a nice place to sleep,” Paddy remarked.

  “You were there?” Ali asked.

  “Yes.” Paddy added quickly, “Maybe.”

  “Paddy,” Ali said. “You have to be straight with us. We’re partners on this adventure. Haven’t you ever had a partner before?”

  “Aye. Clyde McDogal. We were partners two years, until he stole me gold.”

  “He was the only partner you ever had?” Ali asked.

  “Aye. A born thief. Gone my own way since Clyde.”

  “A bad role model,” Cindy muttered.

  “Won’t we have to break for lunch?” Steve asked Karl.

  “We can take short breaks,” Karl said. “But nothing more than a few minutes.” He gestured to the trailhead behind them. “We better get started.”

  They lifted their packs onto their backs. Karl gave Ali a hand. Once again she found the weight difficult. Karl knew more about packs than Steve. After he adjusted her shoulder straps, she at least felt balanced. Paddy, for his part, carried his whiskey and tobacco in two brown paper bags. She suspected he could out-hike any of them.

  They said goodbye to the road. The first part of the trail was a delight. The dense trees formed a tunnel, twenty feet overhead, the branches wrapped together like old friends. An occasional drop of water, from the drizzle and the dew, splashed their faces. The path was dark—light barely filtered down from the sky—but the dim added to its mystery. The ground rose slowly; they did not have to fight for breath.

  The others walked ahead. Ali, thinking to save her energy, stayed in the rear with Paddy. His paper bags had handles but she feared they would wear out. She told him as much.

  “Paddy can always put the bottles in me pockets,” he said.

  “Your pockets are that large?”

  He patted his coat. “Aye. All leprechauns have large pockets.”

  “How many leprechauns came through the Yanti with you?”

  “Two others, Missy.”

  “What are their names?”

  “Mickey and Frankie.”

  “Friends?”

  “Distant relatives, Paddy would say. Not the best of friends.”

  “Have you seen them since you got to town?”

  “No.”

  “Do you think they’re in town?”

  “Don’t know and don’t care.”

  “Do you mind answering my questions?”

  “You’re the boss. Have to listen to the boss.”

  “Why do you call me the boss?”

  “It is what you are. You have the power.”

  “Did I hurt your arm when I grabbed you this morning?”

  “Aye. A bit stiff it is.”

  “I’m sorry. I won’t hurt you again.”

  “Matters not.”

  “What does matter to you, Paddy? Besides gold and food?”

  He glanced up at her, his eyes bright beneath his bushy eyebrows. “Humans do not know leprechauns. Leprechauns do not know humans. It is that way, Missy, you cannot change it, even with all your questions.”

  “But I want to understand you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’re traveling together. We should get to know each other.”

  “Why?”

  She wanted to know him better to see if she could trust him.

  But she did not want to say that.

  She noticed something odd about their conversation. Since entering the woods, Paddy had begun to speak in shorter sentences, more abruptly. He was not the smooth-talking salesman that had first approached her outside the supermarket. She suspected it had something to do with him reentering his natural habitat. After all, leprechauns were supposed to live in the woods, not the city.

  “Tell me about Lord Vak. Who is he?” she asked.

  “King of the elves. A powerful warrior.”

  “I thought elves were sweet little creatures who just liked to play in the woods?”

  “They are friendly until you make them mad. Then they can be nasty.” Paddy added, “They’re not so little.”

  “Are they bigger than you?”

  “Yes. Most are.”

  “Bigger than me?”

  “Some.”

  “They carry weapons?”

  “Aye. Bows and arrows. Sharp knives. When they’re angry they don’t mind kil
ling.” He added, “They’re angry now.”

  “At humans?”

  “Aye. Lord Vak has vowed to wipe them out.”

  “Why? I mean, why now? Humans have been polluting the Earth for a hundred years.”

  “Don’t know, Missy. Leprechauns try to stay out of such business.”

  “Does Lord Vak control the Yanti?”

  “Aye. Him and Lord Balar.”

  “Who is Lord Balar?”

  “King of the dwarves. Grumpy old beard.”

  “I thought dwarves and elves were usually enemies?” The comment was kind of silly, she realized a second after she said it. The various fantasy books she had read could not be taken literally. Yet Paddy nodded at her question.

  “Sometimes they are enemies, sometimes they are friends. But they have agreed to fight together against the humans.”

  “But you don’t know what’s stirred them up?”

  “No, Missy. Never spoken to them.”

  “Who let you go through the Yanti?”

  Paddy hesitated. “Lord Balar and his people.”

  “Why did they send you?”

  Paddy lowered his head. “Don’t know, Missy.”

  “Paddy?”

  “Aye?”

  “You’re lying again.”

  His head jerked up. “No, Missy. Paddy does not know.”

  “Did they want you to report back in?” she asked.

  Paddy chewed on his lower lip, not answering, his head still down.

  Ali could see he was ready to clam up. She changed the subject. “Have Lord Vak and Lord Balar ever fought in the past?” she asked.

  “Many times. There was the Tree War and, a hundred years before that, the Rock War.”

  “Were you alive during these wars?”

  “Aye. Paddy has been alive a long time.”

  “How long? How old are you?”

  “Do not know, Missy. Do not count the years.”

  “What was the Tree War over?”

  “The dwarves ran out of coal. They needed wood for their furnaces. That is what they said. They began to cut down trees in the elves’ forest. The elves fought back.”

  “Who won the war?”

  “The elves. Lord Vak drove the dwarves from the woods. He killed Lord Balar’s son, Makle. Cut off his head.”

  “That must have angered Lord Balar?”

  “He was already angry. He just got more angry. But the elves won—what could he do? He lost Makle and half his kingdom.”

  “Did he ever find more coal?”

  “After a time.”

  “What happened in the Rock War?”

  “The elves hired the dwarves to help them build castles in their woods. The dwarves worked many years, raised many stone buildings.”

  “Then what happened?” Ali asked.

  “They wanted to live in them. They wouldn’t leave. Lord Vak drove some out, but not all. In that war he almost lost his son, Jira. But later, in the Tree War, Lord Vak won back all that the elves had lost.” Paddy added, “Lord Vak is clever.”

  “Is Lord Vak close to Jira?”

  Paddy gave her a look. “He was.”

  “Was?” she asked. “I thought you said he almost died?”

  Paddy continued to stare. “Jira died later.”

  “How?”

  Paddy shook his head. “Lord Vak never got over losing Jira.”

  He had not answered her question, but she decided to let it pass.

  “Did the leprechauns fight in these wars?” she asked.

  “Tried not to. Did not want to get involved.”

  “Did the fairies fight in these wars?”

  “No.”

  “Do the fairies want to wipe out humanity?”

  Paddy gave her another strange look. “Don’t think so. Except for the dark fairies. They would hurt all people if they could.”

  “Who are the dark fairies?”

  Paddy shuddered. “Best we don’t speak of them.”

  “But . . .”

  Paddy raised his hand, made a sign as if to ward off evil.

  “We do not speak of them,” he repeated.

  “Okay.” His reaction made her uneasy. Once again, it was as if she remembered part of the history he related. Certainly the names Lord Vak and Lord Balar sounded familiar. If only she could ask Nemi these questions!

  Paddy’s mention of the dark fairies reminded her of her dream two nights ago: the shadow growing on the horizon; that strange word—Shaktra. She wanted to ask Paddy about the latter but feared he would get spooked again. Maybe later she could bring it up.

  “Tell me about the good fairies,” she said. “Are they on humanity’s side in this upcoming war?”

  “Fairies do not take sides. They are like leprechauns.”

  “Are they really like leprechauns?”

  He stuttered. “Well, they are the same and they are not the same, if you see what Paddy is saying. A few fairies have great powers, more than any of the other elementals.” He nodded to himself. “Those are the ones you have to watch out for.”

  “Do fairies and leprechauns get along?”

  “After a fashion. Best to keep a distance from fairies, though, that’s what my pa used to say. Never know what a fairy will do if it’s in the mood.”

  “Have any fairies come through the Yanti?”

  “Don’t know.”

  “How many trolls have come so far?”

  “Don’t know. Heard about the three who attacked you.”

  “Who told you?”

  He froze. “Heard is all.”

  “Paddy?”

  “Don’t remember! It’s not important!”

  He was lying, it probably was important. What did she expect? He had been an elemental all his life. Why should he suddenly side with humans now that war was coming? Karl might be right, he could betray them all.

  “Paddy?” she said.

  “Aye?”

  “I talked you into coming with us. You might feel like I forced you. But if you want to leave us now, you have my permission.”

  He looked distressed. “Missy not like Paddy anymore?”

  “I just want you to have the freedom to stay or go. That’s all.”

  He was sad. “Paddy’s not welcome anymore. Said the wrong things.” He turned around, took a step back down the path. “Go now, Missy. Sorry.”

  She stopped him. The others had pulled farther ahead. The two of them were alone. The trees hung low where they stood. If she stood on her tiptoes, she could have touched the branches. A drop rolled off the leaf of a vine, touched her face. Another fell on Paddy’s cheek. Or was that a tear? She did not know if leprechauns cried.

  “No, I’m the one who’s sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that what we’re doing is important. I have to get to the Yanti and close it before lots of people, on both sides, are killed. Do you understand?”

  “Aye. Paddy understands.” He stared up at her with his big colored eyes and blinked. In that moment he could have been a huge animated doll, something she had been given as a present at Christmas. That was part of her problem, she realized. She did not see him as a person yet. Or maybe he was right and humans simply could not understand leprechauns.

  Yet she heard sincerity in his voice when he spoke next.

  “Paddy will not hurt Missy,” he said.

  Ali smiled and leaned over and gave him a hug. “I believe you, Paddy.”

  She meant it, at least at the moment.

  The path led out of the green tunnel and into the open forest. The ground began to climb steeply. Ali heard Mercer River on their left, the same river the trolls had thrown her into. It was below them in a deep gorge, out of sight behind rocks and trees. But she knew they would have to visit it soon to refill their water bottles.

  The hours went by. Ali began to sweat, they all did. Up front, Karl continued to plow ahead. They were in danger of losing sight of him. Steve and Cindy had to keep stopping to catch their b
reaths. Ali felt tired as well. What a difference the altitude made! A slope that would have been a cinch to climb at sea level drained away their strength. Finally, with Cindy and Steve falling way behind, Ali called to Karl to slow down.

  “Time for a break?” he asked as he strolled back down the path. He had on hiking shorts; his legs were muscled, very tan.

  “Yes,” she said, easing the pack off her back. Paddy bent to catch it but Ali stopped him. Now the leprechaun was anxious to please; she couldn’t figure him out. One thing was clear, though, the hike was not tiring him. He looked the same as always.

  Karl nodded in the direction of Steve and Cindy, who had stopped fifty yards back. Steve, in particular, looked beat. “I think I should take his backpack,” Karl said.

  “You can’t carry two backpacks,” Ali said.

  “Do we have a choice? Steve’s slowing us down, and we’ve just begun. He’s only going to get worse.”

  Ali glanced at the others. Steve had taken out a chocolate bar and was munching away, and Cindy was drinking a can of Coke. Heaven knew where that had come from. She made a mental note to tell her friend not to litter.

  “It’ll embarrass him if you carry his stuff,” Ali said.

  “I can carry it,” Paddy said.

  Ali chuckled. “What’s worse? To be embarrassed by the hotshot guy at school or by a leprechaun?”

  “I’m not such a hotshot,” Karl said.

  “You are and you know it,” Ali said. She spoke to Paddy. “The exercise doesn’t bother you?”

  “No, Missy. Not as long as I have me drink and smokes to give me strength.”

  Ali thought a moment. “Okay, Paddy, I’ll ask Steve if he wants to give you his backpack. Even if he doesn’t, I appreciate your offer.”

  “I can take Cindy’s backpack then,” Karl said.

  Ali groaned as she looked down at her own backpack. “You can take mine. Just teasing! How far are we from Overhang?”

  “At least seven miles.”

  “We’ve only walked five? You must be wrong. Look at your map.”

  “I just did.”

  Ali groaned again. She held up her empty water bottle. “We need to hike down to the river.”

  “Not here, the gorge is too steep. A mile up ahead there’s a better place.”

  “You really know these woods. I thought I was the only one who came up here.”