Had I actually found the Druid's temple? It was probably another dead end. But gods, it had potential.
He'd supposedly disappeared after The Fall, but other relic hunters like the Reapers Guild had searched for his last resting place for hundreds of years, hoping that with his body, they would find some of the powerful relics he'd supposedly collected.
Cautiously excited, I moved my pack to my back, then crept over the furry bodies, deadly claws twitching in their sleep, until I reached the back wall.
Finally in a position to take a closer look, I bent down and inspected the altar. The tree trunk seemed to be growing from inside the broken stones …
Carefully, I pulled away small pieces of loose stone, setting them quietly on the floor.
Once I'd removed enough to see better, I bent down and peered inside.
My heart sank. The hidden cavity of the altar was empty save the tree growing from it.
I examined the korra again and gasped. The relic seemed to extend … inside the tree?
That made no sense.
I bent closer and reached inside, examining the base of the tree there. Sure enough, the tree's thick roots had engulfed a small wooden statue. No. The tree seemed to be growing from the statue!
Holy hells.
I sat back on my heels and stared up at the spindly tree. The whole thing was the relic, its korra no longer constrained to the small statue it had been tempered into.
It must have reverted to its natural form! But what kind of tree had a korra strong enough to be a relic?
I pushed the thought away and studied it closer, disappointment twisting cruelly in my chest. It was strong, but natural relics were unusable without tempering — the magic too wild to lend its power to anyone.
In the Mage Era, Forgemasters could temper magical plants and creatures with non-living substances to make them usable relics, but after The Fall, there were almost no mages left, let alone Forgemasters. So now the relics had to be cut and trained to the shape mages wanted.
I traced the smooth wood, enjoying the feel under my fingers.
It might feel nice, but it was completely worthless to me. Even twisted relics had more value in the Empire's black market.
I pulled my hand back and clenched it at my side. Aunt Grace would be so disappointed …
No. I forced my hand to relax. I couldn't think like that right now.
I just needed to get to safety.
Besides, I'd just sell my gear, and she'd never know. It wasn't even the first time I'd done it.
Everything would be just fine.
A commotion to my left drew my attention, and I looked over to see a small female gremlyn staring at me. Her purple hair reached high above her head and her green eyes were wide with fear.
Gods be damned.
An angry gremlyn was terrifying, but a scared gremlyn? Especially one with young nearby? They were fucking deadly. The scar above my brow ached at the memory of those razor-sharp claws.
2
Kaiya
My heart lurched as I searched for an escape. The light coming through the roof was just a small crack in the ceiling, nothing big enough to crawl through. The only other exits were the way I'd come and the tall door behind the little gremlyn.
It lead to the main hall where the rest of the pack was hopefully still sleeping, but crawling back the way I'd come would be too slow. She'd be on top of me in seconds.
I stared at that tall wooden door. Did it even work anymore? Gods, I hoped so!
Heart racing, I picked my way over the sleeping bodies, hands held up high to ward the gremlyn off as I crept to the doors. This close, I could see the cracks and decay, as well as several small holes the gremlyns must use to move between rooms.
Eyes wide, the female gremlyn lifted her lips to hiss at me, those sharp teeth warning of her next action.
Praying this would work, I slammed into the door with all my strength.
It creaked loudly, then broke into pieces.
Well. Any gremlyns who weren't already awake would be now!
Gods. This was a terrible fucking idea!
The altar room behind me echoed with a piercing scream that was repeated a dozen times from other parts of the ruins.
Were all the ruins in this cliff infested with the damn gremlyns?
Breaking into a sprint, I dashed through the broken doorway and into what must have once been the main hall of the temple. More cracks let in light here, letting me see the hundreds of little gremlyn bodies in various states of waking up. The poppy root had done its job, but I was out of time.
My mouth went dry, and my scar ached.
I could still remember the feel of claws slicing through my face … the blood, the fiery pain, and the sterile smell of the medic center. The moans of the patients fighting the plague …
There was no way I'd survive this!
Aunt Grace's worried eyes popped up in my mind and I clenched my jaw.
She needed me. I had to survive.
Pushing away my fear, I moved faster, jumping over groggy gremlyns. A group of three moved to intercept me, and I pivoted to run around them.
The entrance loomed brightly ahead, but my terror climbed at the sound of claws scraping against stone behind me. The sound seemed to grow louder with each step I took.
I pushed myself harder, ignoring the sharp pain in my side and my numb legs as I tried to outrun both the gremlyns and my own memories.
The statue in the cove was visible now. I couldn't give up when I was this close!
A weight landed on my back, sharp claws digging into the skin around my shoulder straps and sending fire through my back. I yelped and unclipped one strap to push the gremlyn off as I ran.
My breath came out in heaving gasps.
Sharp claws dug into my legs over and over. I pushed them away with my pack, but the movement slowed me down.
Finally, I passed the last set of stone columns. A pile of fallen rubble stood to my right, and I pulled rocks from it as I passed. The sound of falling stones was deafening.
Would it be enough to slow them?
I stumbled into the fresh air and sunlight, gasping for breath, as my legs gave out. The light made my eyes burn, but I didn't care.
If I could get up that cliff, I would be free …
I'd barely caught my breath when a rock rattled behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see the gremlyns pouring out of the tunnel.
Gods! Did they never give up?!?
I stumbled to my feet, cursing under my breath at my burning muscles.
The purple-haired one led the pack and opened her mouth wide to let out another of those high-pitched screams. The sound echoed around the cove as dozens more gremlyns poured out of small caves on the beach, quickly surrounding me.
I cast a glance at the cliff and the rope hanging there, back-up bait ready. Almost. I was almost there!
A cawing sound drew my attention to the sky. A gorgeous blue revyn, all four feathered wings spread, swooped towards me. Its hooked, orange beak stood out starkly against the grey skies behind it as it extended two feet full of sharp talons straight towards me.
The sight sent a surge of fear through my chest.
What was a revyn doing here?
Heart racing, I covered my head and braced myself, ready for those sharp talons to tear into my skin.
Instead, a loud splash sounded to my right.
I looked up in time to watch the revyn latch onto a gremlyn, carry it to the water, and drop it in.
My jaw dropped.
A revyn to the rescue? What in the seven hells?!?
The rest of the gremlyns screeched furiously, confused between which enemy they should chase.
I took the opportunity and sprinted to my rope.
Who knew why the revyn was helping me, but damn if I wouldn't take advantage of it!
A loud screech made me look over my shoulder. The whole throng of gremlyns had split themselves into two groups.
One hal
f was rushing at the swooping revyn while the other half chased after me again!
The gremlyn's angry chattering grew louder as I leaped onto the rope and climbed up to where the bag of fish hung. I slipped the knife from my sleeve and tore it free.
Gouging open the side, I tried not to gag at the stench as I threw the contents as far as I could into the ocean.
Gods. I hope the guards were right!
The gremlyns didn't even pause. They moved up the rock wall faster than I could climb the rope. Within seconds they were close enough that the small red veins in their bright white eyes were visible.
The purple-haired one was the closest to me. She let out a low growl and jumped up towards my feet.
Yelping, I pulled my legs up just in time to send her flying towards the wall. She caught a root and swung there for a few seconds before using it to pull herself back up.
I climbed that rope as fast as my exhausted body would take me.
Come on. Come on! I needed to move faster!
Teeth and claws ripped into my shoes and pants, shredding the leather like it was butter.
I kicked wildly, but a few clung tight.
This wasn't going to work! And my back-up plan didn't seem to be working, either!
A splash in the water drew my attention. Oh gods. Had they actually come?
A large, white, scaled head emerged from the water, then three others, their horns protruding in a crown-like shape above their large, faceted eyes.
The vrytra were here …
The smaller horned sea serpents dove for the fish scraps while the leader opened its jaws wide enough to show the rows of sharp teeth inside, and let out a bone-rattling roar.
Its sinuous body slashed through the water as it sighted the gremlyns and took off after them. They were way more tempting than rotten fish scraps.
The pain in my legs ebbed as terrified screams echoed across the cove and the gremlyns dropped what they were doing and fled, scrambling over each other to get into the caves.
Unwilling to be the vrytra's next meal, I resumed my climb. It was so much easier when I wasn't pulling up the weight of a few gremlyns with me.
Finally, I cleared the top and collapsed onto the grass, chest heaving.
I survived. I'd actually survived!
Staring up at the heavy grey clouds, I thought back to that tree in the ruins. I'd heard of relics going wild before, but this was the first time I'd actually seen one. It was so beautiful and free!
Is that what all relics were like when they weren't tempered?
On one hand, I was happy that it had found freedom — but on the other, I was bitterly disappointed. It might not have been one of the Druid's relics, but it had obviously been powerful. Before reverting, it would have been worth a fortune!
Instead, I was at the same place I'd started.
I'd need to sell my gear.
Letting out a deep breath, I sat up. Lying around moping wasn't going to fix anything.
I needed to gather my gear and take it to the Harlsteds to sell. Aunt Grace had orders coming in and she needed those supplies.
I removed my torn and stained trousers, careful to avoid the open scratches, then slipped them in my pack and traded them for my skirts. They still weren't fancy, but at least they were proper.
Properly attired, I pulled a folded up paper out of my sack and unfolded it. The map of Gleyma with all its ancient ruins was covered in small x's. I filled in the last blank section with one more.
That was it.
The Druid's relics would not be found by me.
3
Kaiya
Rain darkened the cobblestones beneath my feet as I sprinted to the general store. The heavy clouds had moved in after I'd left the cove, and the streets were empty.
It was quite fitting for my mood — as though the gods felt my frustration and empathized.
I tugged my shawl tighter beneath the shoulder straps of my pack so it would cover the dirt on my bodice.
At least I'd taken the skirts off before climbing, so they weren't quite as dirty.
I pressed on the tall glass door and it opened, letting out the scents of freshly baked bread and spices — my home away from home. Quiet conversations filled the air as shoppers chose their items, and light from the picture window to my right streamed in.
Mrs. Harlsted smiled at me from behind the glass counter, a wide grin making her eyes crinkle at the sides. She had one of those smiles that made everyone smile right along with her.
"Kaiya, dear, take a look at the jobs and I'll be with you in a moment!"
The two women she was helping, both Ridge ladies I recognized from dinners we'd attended, snickered behind their fans and let their eyes slowly drop to my frayed hems before turning away dramatically.
I just nodded and waved, pasting an obnoxious smile on my lips, before turning to the job board.
It bothered them more when I feigned ignorance.
The board had Reaper permits for three different zones, but they were the same ones that had been up for months. The guild would probably drop the price again soon. Maybe even low enough that I could buy one.
If I ever gave up my "thieving ways" and joined the guild, that is.
The reward sheet stood out in the center. Reverted relics like that figure in the gremlyn nest were worth next to nothing.
Even a basic tempered relic would have paid for our supplies. Unfortunately, the Reaper guild had cleared most of those out long ago, though.
It was just the few in unknown, hard to reach, or dangerous places that they left alone. I'd found a few over the years, but never any of the valuable types.
"Come on over, Kaiya!"
I cast one more longing look at the board, then turned to the counter. It had been a pipe dream, anyway. If I hadn't found a trace of the Druid's relic in the shrine, it didn't exist.
Or if it did, it had gone wild long ago.
Mrs. Harlsted stood there smiling, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I smiled back at her, letting all my stresses disappear for just a moment.
"You should stay around! My nephew just got into town and I think you'd really get on."
Visiting with her fresh-faced nephew was the last thing I wanted right now, but I couldn't tell her that. So I pasted a smile on my lips and nodded. "I'd love to. You know how it is, though, with the Season coming up. Perhaps after the Magistrate's Ball?"
Her lips pursed, and she poked at my stomach. "You have to eat, don't you? Why don't you and your aunt come over for dinner later this week? We can introduce you, and maybe you'll even hit it off." She winked. "His family has ties to …"
My stomach clenched as I stopped listening. She was always trying to set me up with one young lordling or another, but it wasn't like I could tell her I hid a secret magic that would get me and everyone I loved imprisoned if anyone discovered it.
No. As usual, I'd just deal with him for one dinner, then avoid the man. He was probably an ass anyway — those young lordlings always were.
Her words dropped off, and I smiled. "Just let me know when, and we'll be there."
"That's just wonderful," she said, leaning into the counter, "You won't regret it, I swear."
I highly doubted that, but I'd play along for her.
"What did you need, dear?"
The moment I'd been dreading …
I grimaced and slid my pack of climbing gear across the counter. "How much could I get for these?"
Her eyes widened. "I thought you'd be fine after the last Season? The shop seemed to be bustling! Unless — did she raise the rates on you again?"
My fists tightened on the straps of the bag, but she continued before I could respond. "Of course she did. What am I saying?" She clucked her tongue and grabbed the bag. "Well, how much do you need to last until the gown payments come in?"
"We won't take your charity, Mrs. Harlsted. You know that. I'd like to sell these for now, then perhaps come back to buy them once we have the money? If
they haven't sold, that is."
Her eyes were sad, but she nodded as she searched through the pack. She may fight it, but we'd done this enough times now that she knew the drill.
The climbing axe was the last item out, and she spun it a few times, testing the weight. The freshly oiled handle gleamed in the lyphos light.
My heart ached, but I pushed the pain deeper.
This was just temporary.
Finally, she looked back up, eyes tight. "How are you going to join the Guild without it? You've dreamt of it for so long, and you'll finally be old enough to test!"
"I'm not."
Her gasp made me grimace. This was almost harder than the actual selling of the items.
"What would your uncle say?" She asked, eyebrows raised. "You know how hard he worked to get you set up."
Her words were like an arrow to my chest. "I — I just can't do it this year. Maybe once the debt is paid. They're pushing hard, though, and I can't leave Aunt Grace to train or even to hunt anymore. They need me at the house."
She froze. "I'm so sorry. That was uncalled for. I know you wouldn't do this if you didn't have to. He'd be proud of you, dear. Please don't listen to me."
Chewing on her lip, she grabbed out a piece of paper and started writing out amounts, then looked up at me, her brown eyes serious. "Why don't you just bring us more relics? We have contacts and could pass them through …"
I put my hand out to stop her. "Absolutely not. You can't put yourself in danger like that again. Even last time was too much. Besides, I found all the relics I could." My eyes slipped to the job board again, and I desperately wished I were lying. But it was true. "I've risked discovery enough times already, and you know we couldn't afford the fine."
She tsked, but let it go. "Well, let me ask Mr. Harlsted about the axe. You know he's the expert in these things."
"Ahhh." A low voice sounded from the back, as though he'd been listening for her to request him the entire time. He probably had, the old troublemaker. "That's right, beautiful wife of mine. Let me hear it again! An expert, you say?" He finished on a chuckle, and Mrs. Harlsted rolled her eyes before slipping through the door.
Forsaken Secrets: A slow-burn new adult fantasy romance (Isle of the Forsaken Book 1) Page 2
