Bane and Balm: A Fae Tale of Eile
Part Two
By Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, Coastal Dunes Branch
(This teaser is part two of an excerpt from Bane and Balm that just came out on February 12th in the ONCE UPON A QUEST anthology. You’ll find Part I in the March edition of socalwritersshowcase.com).
Claire’s pale gray eyes narrowed, and her mouth hardened.
“Oh no, I know that look,” her aunt lamented. “You are going through with this hare-brained scheme, and there is nothing I can do to stop you.”
Claire smiled and crossed her arms. “I am glad you have finally realized there is no point in arguing with me when I’ve made my mind up.”
“But darling Claire, that forest is dangerous.”
“I know,” Claire sighed, sinking onto the mattress beside her aunt, “but what choice do we have? I will not sit here and watch you waste away when the water runs out. Not when there is a chance to help you.”
Claire reached out a hand and pressed it against her aunt’s cheek when she noticed tears glistening in the other woman’s eyes.
“I will be fine, Aunt. I’ll be careful and keep my eye out for faelah.”
Ethne grasped her niece’s hand, squeezing it hard. “I know you will child, I know. But you will take Onyx with you.”
Claire flicked her eyes to the corner where a small crow perched atop a tree branch. She had found him in the spring when he was practically a hatchling and brought him home to be a companion to her aunt. He had twisted his leg in the fall from his nest, so he limped around the cottage, cawing dolefully and begging for food most of the time. But he was a good lookout and a fine flyer.
“Who will keep you company while I’m gone?” Claire asked.
“The sheep, of course!” Ethne piped with a laugh.
Claire grinned. “They are outside, you know.”
Her aunt shrugged. “I have enough strength to walk across the room and sit outside in the fresh air. It will do me some good, and like you said, the weather is still fine enough.”
Claire kissed her aunt on the forehead and made ready for bed. She would be leaving in the morning and needed to get an early start. Despite what her aunt said, she feared the source of their stream might be deep in the heart of Dorcha, and she didn’t know what obstacles might slow her on her quest.
But Claire would not be daunted. She had always been a brave child, and she would not lose her nerve now.
Just keep your wits about you, Claire, and your ears and eyes sharp.
She hoped that would be enough.
Read more about Jenna Elizabeth Johnson on her blog/website
Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, jennaelizabethjohnson.com.