The Heartwood Crown by Matt Mikalatos

Author:Matt Mikalatos
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Epic, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2019-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

22

PATRA KOJA

The Good Gardener said, “I shall call you Patra Koja.” (Patra Koja means, in the language of that day, “Bringer of Peace.”)

FROM “THE GOOD GARDENER,” AN ALUVOREAN STORY

They had fallen into an easy rhythm. The yak-like urudap pulled Gilenyia, who remained alive but unconscious. They had bound her wound as best they could and laid her on a litter that Lin had made of branches and vines. The Aluvorean woman stayed ahead of them, guiding the urudap gently through the trees, for the creatures required a great deal of direction.

Madeline rode on the third urudap, and Shula noticed how ragged her breathing had become. No doubt she would need to use another leaf of Queen’s Breath soon, but Madeline wanted to spread them out as far as possible so she wouldn’t be caught without any in a moment of crisis. Shula walked alongside her, giving her encouragement and pushing her back up when necessary. David trailed somewhere behind, keeping an eye out for any who followed them.

“Patra Koja,” Lin had said, “lives in the swamp in the eastern part of Aluvorea. Few of us go there. The Elenil do not like us to wander too far from the safest parts of the forest.”

Shula wondered about this. It sounded suspiciously like the words of the occupiers in her own home city. “Who are the Elenil to decide where you can and cannot go?” she asked.

“It is for our protection,” Lin said. “Their people patrol these woods often enough. Too often, I think. But these woods are the source of magic, and the Elenil fear their destruction. So they send their people to protect us.”

Shula was not so certain, but she was new here as well. They had been walking for about an hour. She called to David, asking if there was any sign of pursuit. “Not yet,” he called back.

Madeline needed to rest. There was a small clearing ahead, with a sheltering tree and some fresh water running alongside. Shula suggested a break.

“Gilenyia . . . needs help . . . soon,” Madeline said.

“If you faint, we’ll only go slower,” Shula said. “I could run ahead to this Patra Koja if Lin can give clear enough instruction. Or you could wait here so we can move faster. Or you could use another leaf of Queen’s Breath.”

“Fine,” Madeline said. “Fine, we’ll . . . rest.”

Shula, satisfied, helped get Madeline settled against the trunk of a large tree. David said he would keep watch. He didn’t need a break, not yet. Lin climbed a tree with easy grace, disappearing into the leaves. She returned with a large, orange-yellow fruit, which she broke in half and offered to Shula. It was creamy and tart. Madeline ate a few bites but then refused to take more.

“Tell us . . . about the Heartwood . . . Crown,” Madeline said.

Lin took a leaf of the Queen’s Breath from Shula and wet it, then pressed it against Madeline’s neck. She resisted putting it on, but such relief came onto her face when she took it.

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