by Zora Marie
She shivered against his warmth, and he held her tight. His breath smelled of honey as he hummed, just as he had done when she was an infant.
A twig snapped, and Alrindel paused to see who it was.
“Zelia. I’m so sorry,” Vainoff started. “I did not mean to scare you. You are so strong and good willed that I sometimes forget how broken and young you really are. Please forgive me.”
Ca... can I forgive him? She sat for what seemed like an eternity, willing the answer to come to her. “I forgive you.”
He breathed a sigh of relief before she had finished.
“Though I fear I shall never trust you.”
She glanced at him and his age showed as he stared at the fallen leaves.
“I understand. If you are willing, I would like the chance to earn your trust back.”
“Maybe someday.”
She leaned her head against Alrindel’s chest and pulled in the honeyed scent of his breath.
“Maybe someday is better than never, so I’ll take it. Now, it’ll be getting dark soon. You three should come inside and put that away, Skylar. You know very well you can’t hit me with an arrow.”
Once Vainoff had gone, she wiped her dry eyes and put on a smile. She stood and turned to Alrindel with a hand outstretched.
“Come on. We’re supposed to celebrate the lives of those lost today.”
“There’s that smile I’ve missed so much,” Alrindel said, though the tone in his voice told her he saw through the facade.
He took her hand, but hardly used it as he stood.
“So, where are Kafthry and Saria?” she asked as they walked back towards the castle.
“Yeah, about that.” Skylar rubbed his neck and shoulder. “Saria had to return to the Drakeon Empire to report, and Kafthry volunteered to go with her. I think he’s smitten with her.”
She kicked a small stone as she walked.
“I’m glad he went. It’ll be good for him to get a fresh start and I know Saria could use the company.”
“I’m sure you’ll cross paths with them again. Your fates are intertwined.” Alrindel put a hand on her shoulder, and she leaned against it with a heavy sigh.
38
When they reached the edge of the crowd, a young girl stumbled and fell at Zelia’s feet and all eyes turned to her. The music and dancing turned to a deafening silence. The tip of a quill could have been heard hitting the stone walkway. Candles flickered, and the breeze died down as she fought the urge to shrink away.
She could feel Alrindel’s warmth at her back, and she drew a deep breath. You can’t let them fear you, or you fear them. They’ve been through enough already. She talked herself up in her thoughts and offered the girl a hand. As she helped the girl to her feet, she did the only thing she could think of. She began to sing:
Oh, how the stars shine bright
On the starry night.
With the moon casting
Shadows on the ground.
Dance around we must
In the light of the night.
With the stars above our heads
And the hearts of those lost with us.
Celebrate their lives
As they look down at us.
For they dance
Among the stars.
In the halls of Yargo
And about the grounds of Niflheim.
No longer mourn their deaths
Celebrate their lives.
Set free your worries and woes.
For tonight, we dance under the stars.
The crowd was still silent when Alrindel took up the song with her. A couple lines in Skylar, Koin, and the other Elves joined in, followed by King Gregory. Soon everyone sang, some added extra verses here and there as their voices rang out into the crisp night air.
As the song repeated, she noticed something flutter near the front gate and she slipped away to investigate. In the middle of the alley stooped a huge bird that resembled a cross between a golden pheasant and a peacock.
The phoenix bowed his head and cawed, “My lady. I thought I should introduce myself while I wait on the others. They should be reborn in another day or two. Their ashes were spread out more than mine. I am Flits, the second in command of The Phoenixes.”
She returned his bow. “Nice to meet you, Flits. Your help was much appreciated. Would you like to meet the people you helped save?”
“I don’t know.” Flits preened the feathers under his wing.
“Come, they’ll be glad to meet one of the brave souls who saved their lives and they’ll miss me if I’m gone for too long.” She waved him to follow.
Flits hesitated, then flew after her as she sifted through the crowd.
She found King Gregory on the balcony and stopped to address him first. “There’s someone whom I think you and everyone else should like to meet.”
He stared at her for a moment, seeking her intentions. “Alright, let me get everyone’s attention.” As he stepped closer to the edge of the low balcony, he cleared his throat and the crowd quieted.
She moved to his side. “There’s someone I would like all of you to meet. He’s one of the creatures who gave their lives to save all of you.”
She raised her hand towards the long black silhouette above their heads. “Meet Flits, the second in command of The Phoenixes!”
Flits landed beside her with grace, and his long tail trailed behind him. He puffed out his chest and bowed to King Gregory. “Your majesty.”
She translated, and King Gregory bowed back to the fiery red and yellow bird. “We owe you and your friends many thanks for your help in The Battle for The Hold. If there’s anything we can do for you or your friends, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“Silly man! I only come to see you, Zelia. I need nothing from him!” Flits flapped his folded wings.
She couldn’t help but laugh at Flits reaction.
“What’s so funny?” King Gregory asked.
She shook her head and quieted her laugh. “Nothing, Flits appreciates your offer, but he doesn’t need anything.”
“Translate properly or don’t do it at all.” He eyed her jokingly, though she could tell he wanted her to repeat him.
“Fine, I’ll translate it word for word. What he said is, ‘Silly man. I only come to see you, Zelia. I need nothing from him.’” She held up her hands with a shrug. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“We only came to aid another phoenix. To save those she loves.”
Her smile faded when she translated and looked down at her friends who had gathered around the bottom of the stairs. She ran her hand across Flits’s silky feathers as she passed in front of him. “I’m done translating for the night.”
Flits hooked his curved beak over her shoulder.
“I guess I’ll be off then. Know that if you ever need us all you must do is ask the wind, for it is the carrier of the birds.”
Flits let out a happy caw as he took off and disappeared from view.
She sat on the stairs a few steps from the ground so she could look her friends in the eye.
“So, what are we going to do now?”
Koin walked up with perfect timing.
“We will help the villagers on our way home. We hoped you would come with us.”
His green eyes searched hers with a silent message. He knew she had to go with them. The arrowhead in her side had become infected, and she needed Eadon’s healing skills, but he was kind and kept this to himself in front of the others.
She nodded and let out a long yawn. Seeing that, Skylar pulled her to her feet.
“Come on. I think it’s time for you to get some rest. You still look like hell.”
“Thanks. How’s your shoulder?” She patted his shoulder, and he messed up her hair.
“You little squirt.”
“Sibling-like already, I see.” Once at the top of the stairs, Alrindel spun around them and walked backwards. He held up his hands up as if framing a painting. “With a little work, p
eople might believe you two are related.”
Zelia and Skylar exchanged a glance before all three of them burst out laughing. Her laugh cut short with a spike of pain from her side, but she hid it with a yawn.
“I guess not.” Alrindel shrugged and spun to continue down the hall with them.
The next morning, a loud sawing snore from across the room pulled them from sleep.
“Shh, let’s get ready. No need to wake him.”
Alrindel grabbed his stuff and ushered her out of the room.
Once they were clear of the sleeping chambers, Alrindel hummed as they went to fetch water for their trip home.
She sat on the edge of the well as he pulled up a pail of water.
“Alrindel, you know the Darkans didn’t do this on their own, right?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“The Darkans. Their timing is all too convenient. The other wizards, they know I’m back, don’t they?”
“Yes, but don’t worry about that. We won’t let them take you again,” Alrindel assured.
“You can’t stop them.”
“Maybe not on our own, but we’re not alone. More importantly, you’re not alone.” He picked up her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Come, let’s watch the sunrise before we head home.”
Home? She froze. Yes, it is my home, so long as you and Skylar are there.
“Zelia? Are you okay?”
“Yes, Alrindel. I was just thinking.”
“Sometimes you think too much. Come, let’s go watch the sunrise.”
Koin already sat on the balcony when they got there, and he patted the floor for them to sit with him. They watched the stars fade and the sun rise in the distance with Koin. Someone walked up behind them and Koin glanced back before settling against the pillar.
“You Elves sure spend a lot of time looking at the sky,” Gregory said as he stood behind them.
“No matter how many times I see the sunrise or the stars in the night sky, their beauty never ceases to amaze me,” Koin said.
Gregory grunted as he sat beside them.
“See that bright star there?” She pointed to a star straight above them, its light still blazing through the lightening sky.
Gregory nodded.
“That’s Hyperia. I would suggest smiling and saying hello, Lumid’s gaze is upon us.”
“Who?” Gregory shifted his weight and stared at her.
“The all-seeing, all-hearing gatekeeper of the bridge between realms. A statue of him used to grace the halls of this castle...” she trailed off, not wanting to ruin the good will Koin had come here to build.
The stars disappeared as the sun broke over the tops of the tallest trees in the distance, sending streaks of pink across the sky and lining the edges of the clouds in white light.
“Well, we really must be going.” Koin sprang to his feet.
Gregory got to his feet, the battle and his age catching up with him as he creaked into a standing position. Skylar appeared in the doorway as Gregory thanked them for everything they had done.
Gregory rambled on when Skylar walked up and hugged him.
“Oh, shut up you old coot. Next time if you need help just ask.”
Koin turned back to face them. “Skylar is right. Our hand is always here if you need something. Do not be afraid to ask, consider our alliances here in the east stronger than ever.”
“And friends can be found wherever you look, even in the most unlikely of places,” Zelia said with a glance to Skylar.
Gregory shook his head. “The four of you have more wisdom in a drop of your sweat then than I possess in my entire body!”
Skylar patted him on the shoulder, guiding him from the balcony. “Believe me when I say it’s not just the years that make them wise, but their outlook on life that does. Spend a few years with them and they’ll rub off on you.”
Gregory laughed. “Maybe my youngest boy should go with you if that’s the case!”
Skylar walked down the hallway with him. “Tell him to practice with a bow and then maybe in a few years he can tag along with me for a while.”
“We might just take you up on that offer some day.”
Their voices faded as Alrindel and Koin jumped down from the low balcony. Bête Noire waited for her, so she lowered herself onto his back.
They were already at the front gate when Skylar caught up with them. A few dozen Elves followed him. Many wore bandages or walked with limps.
The Elves sang a cheerful song as they moved along.
After a while, Koin egged her on, “Come on, sing with us. I know you know the songs. You may fool them, but I know better. Share that beautiful voice of yours!”
The others clambered in agreement until she gave in. “Fine, I’ll sing one song.”
Birds tweet, their sound so sweet
As their wings flutter.
At morning’s first light
Their songs can be heard
Ringing through the air
For all who might hear.
Nothing comes and
Nothing goes
Without their music
going to and fro.
Nothing sweeter can be heard
In all the wood among the land.
The Elves broke in:
That is except for Zelia’s voice!
As it carries across the winds.
Loud and sweet to the ear,
Nothing but a soprano here!
He he, ha ha!
Though winter creeps in
Spring feels near
With Zelia’s song!
Now they all sang together, even Skylar joined:
Birds tweet, their sound so sweet
As their wings flutter.
At morning’s first light
Their songs can be heard
Ringing through the air
For all who might hear.
Nothing comes and
Nothing goes
Without their music.
Nothing sweeter can be heard
In all the wood among the land,
but Zelia that is!
On we go to home,
To the Elven kingdom
Of the east!
They all moved a little faster as they sang their cheery tune. Zelia shook her head every time they added her to their song. They continued to sing well into the evening and stopped when they came to the edge of the first village along their path.
39
Smoke rolled up from a smoldering thatched roof at the other end of the village. Random belongings were scattered across the dirt paths. The Elves set to work helping put out the few fires that still burned.
Koin stopped Zelia and one of the other Elves, but waited for the rest to disperse into the village before he spoke.
“You two are to rest and do not lie to me Lighnif, I see your limp getting worse. As for you young lady,” he turned to face her, “we are not taking any chances with that infection. We should have left long ago, but we were afraid to move you any more than we did.”
“Go ahead, I will keep an eye on her,” Lighnif offered and ushered her towards a tree.
“What, so now we’re babysitting me?”
“If we have to,” Koin replied.
“Thanks, love you too Koin.”
His expression softened, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please, just go rest.”
“Alright, we will. You should go make sure Alrindel and Skylar don’t get in trouble.”
With a heavy sigh, Koin headed off into the village and Zelia eased down against a tree.
Lighnif sat next to her with a sigh of relief. Blood seeped through the bandage wrapped around Lighnif’s thigh, and when she touched it, she cringed.
“Here, let me.” Zelia pulled a fresh bandage from her pack and sat up on her knees.
Lighnif leaned her head back against the tree with her eyes closed as Zelia untied the bloody bandage. It was a clean wound, but it had broken open with the long day�
��s walk.
“So, tell me. How long have you had a crush on Alrindel?” Zelia asked.
Lighnif’s cheeks flared with a cherry glow as her eyes flashed open. “Does he know?”
“No, even Elvish men are quite oblivious.” She cinched the bandage down to stop the bleeding and Lighnif cringed. She tied the bandage off and sat back against the tree.
“Have a lot of practice at this I take it?”
“Yes, no one else would do it for me.” She chewed the inside of her lip and watched the fallen leaves rustle in the breeze.
“Of all the times I saw Asenten over the years, not once did I ever think him capable of anything as evil as what he did to you. How do you move on after living through something so horrible?”
Her shoulders sagged with the weight of the topic and she leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.
“You just have to take it one day at a time. You can’t let what you see every time you close your eyes dictate your every waking moment. Not a day goes by that I don’t struggle with what I have done and seen. It’s just something we all must learn to live with.” A spike of pain emanated from her side, and she held it.
“How’s your side? Koin told me about you getting shot, I had to reopen it because it got infected. Your bandage probably needs changing.”
Lighnif rocked to her feet without putting any weight on her injured leg.
“Come, there’s a hut around the corner that has a fire going so I can get a better look.”
They knocked on the short hut’s door.
“Come in,” a voice called from inside.
A little old woman shuffled around the single-roomed hut, putting her house back in order. The comforting smell of a well-tended fire spread about the room.
The woman stopped and turned towards them, the firelight casting deep shadows across her wrinkled face.
“What can I do for the two of you?”
“I need someplace to change a bandage.” Lighnif motioned towards Zelia.
