The pillars of creation

"It's called a Grace. They have been drawn by those with the gift of magic for thousands of years-some say since the dawn of Creation itself. The outer circle represents the beginning of the eternity of the underworld, the Keeper's world of the dead. The inner circle is the extent of the world of life. The square represents the veil that separates both worlds life from death. It touches both at times. The star is the light of the gift from the Creator Himself-magic-extending through life and crossing over into the world of the dead."

The fire crackled and hissed as Jennsen's mother, like some spectral figure, towered over the two of them. Sebastian said nothing. Her mother had spoken the truth, but it was truth used to convey a specific impression that was not true.

"My daughter has drawn this Grace as protection for you as you rest this night, and as protection for us. There is another before the door to the house." She let the silence drag before adding, "It would be unwise to cross either without our consent."

"I understand, Mrs. Daggett." In the firelight, his face showed no emotion.

His blue eyes turned to Jennsen. A hint of a smile came to his lips, even though his expression remained serious. "You are a surprising woman, Jennsen Daggett. A woman of many mysteries. I will sleep safely, tonight."

"And well," Jennsen's mother said. "Besides the dinner, I brought some herbs to help you sleep."

Her mother, holding the bowl full of fried fish in one hand, collected Jennsen with a hand on her shoulder and guided her around to the back of the fire to sit beside her, on the opposite side of her from Sebastian. By the sober look on his face, their demonstration had had the desired effect.

Her mother glanced at Jennsen and gave her a smile Sebastian couldn't see. Jennsen had done well.

Holding the bowl out, her mother offered Sebastian some fish, saying, "I would like to thank you, young man, for the help you gave Jennsen, today.»

"Sebastian, please."

"So Jennsen has told me."

"I was glad to help. It was helping myself, too, really. I'd not like to have D'Haran soldiers chasing me."

She pointed. "If you would accept it, this one on top is coated with the herbs that will help you sleep."

He used his knife to stab the darker piece of fish coated in the herbs. Jennsen took another on her own knife after first wiping the blade clean on her skirts.

"Jennsen tells me that you are from outside D'Hara."

He glanced up as he chewed. "That's right."

"I find that hard to believe. D'Hara is bordered by impassable boundaries. In my lifetime no one has been able to come into, or leave, D'Hara. How is it possible, then, that you have?"

With his teeth, Sebastian pulled the chunk of herb-coated fish off his knife. He inhaled between his teeth to cool the bite. He gestured around with the blade as he chewed. "How long have you been out here alone in this great wood? Without seeing people? Without news?"

"Several years."

"Oh. Well, then, I guess it makes sense that you wouldn't know, but since you've been out here, the barriers have come down."

Jennsen and her mother both took in this staggering, nearly incomprehensible news in silence. In that silence, they both dared to begin to imagine the heady possibilities. For the first time in Jennsen's life, escape seemed conceivable. The impossible dream of a life of their own suddenly seemed only a journey away. They had been traveling and hiding their whole life. Now it seemed the journey might at last be near the end.

"Sebastian," Jennsen's mother said, "why did you help Jennsen today?"

"I like to help people. She needed help. I could tell how much that man scared her, even though he was dead." He smiled at Jennsen. "She looked nice. I wanted to help her. Besides," he finally admitted, "I don't much care for D'Haran soldiers."

When she gestured by lifting the bowl toward him, he stabbed another piece of fish. "Mrs. Daggett, I'm liable to fall asleep before long. Why don't you just tell me what's on your mind?"

"We are hunted by D'Haran soldiers."

"Why?"

"That's a story for another night. Depending on the outcome of this night, you may yet learn it, but for now all that really matters is that we are hunted-Jennsen more so than me. If the D'Haran soldiers catch us, she will be murdered."

Her mother made it sound simple. He would not let it be so simple. It would be much more grisly than any mere murder. Death would be a reward gained only after inconceivable agony and endless begging.

Sebastian glanced over at Jennsen. "I'd not like that."

"Then we three are of a single mind," her mother murmured.

"That's why the two of you are good friends with those knives you keep at hand," he said.

"That's why," her mother confirmed.

"So," Sebastian said, "you fear the D'Haran soldiers finding you. D'Haran soldiers aren't exactly a rarity. The one today gave you both a scare. What makes you both fear this one, today, so much?"