Warrior

by Jana LaPelle

  I shake my head, “I’m not a freshie, not in the sense that you mean. I didn’t die in The Otherworld. Luc brought me here as compensation for a soul that was raised from the Underworld. He said something about a soul for a soul. The wounds were inflicted by my captor before Luc demanded my release and deposited me here.”

  The boy narrows his eyes as he contemplates my answer. Shaking his head, he asks incredulously, “Luc? As in the Prince of The Underworld. That Luc? Well, I ain’t never heard of nothing like that happening before, but I believe you. Come on Mister, we need to move. I’ll take you to my mother, she’s a healer.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the underground borough, it’s much nicer than the surface. You’ll see.” The boy smiles back up at me before turning to walk down toward the tunnel that branches off to the right.

  “What’s your name? And you didn’t answer my question from before, are you an imp?”

  “Of course, I’m an imp. You act like you ain’t never seen one of my kind before. My name’s Pipperton, but everyone calls me Pip.” He peers back up at me and smiles a toothy grin. That’s when I notice his sharp teeth. Not so angelic looking after all.

  Deciding to trust this child, I say, “Well Pip, I most certainly have never seen an imp before, you’re my very first. Can you answer another question? I thought The Underworld was strictly inhabited by the dead. How is it that there are living creatures here?”

  “Mister, you got a lot to learn about The Underworld. Come on, we have a ways to walk before we get to our borough. You can ask me as many questions as you want, seeing how yous ignorant of this world.” The little imp just shakes his head and takes off down the passage.

  His attitude is one of someone many years his senior and I have to ask, “How old are you Pip?”

  “What do you mean?” He looks up at me with wide eyes.

  “Well, how many birthdays have you celebrated?”

  “What’s a birthday? I ain’t celebrated no birthdays. Don’t know what you mean.”

  Okay, now I’m concerned, and the question that begs to be asked is, “How do you track the passage of time here in The Underworld?”

  Pip gives me an odd look before he asks, “Why would I need to track time?” He cocks his head and gives me a penetrating stare, “Mister, what’s your name?”

  “I’m sorry, Pip, I should have introduced myself, my name is Alaric, and I’m from The Otherworld, and I really need to get back there. My kindred is there, my children are there, and war is brewing. My family needs me.” I see no reason why I can’t tell him the truth.

  “You’re a father?” Pip’s huge eyes stare back at me.

  I nod, “Yeah, my kindred and I have twins, Lachlan and Lillie.”

  Pip’s little face scrunches in concentration, and for a moment I look around me. The tunnel has some sort of natural illumination. I can’t help but think of Ash and her aversion to tight spaces. She would hate it in here. Although, this is much more spacious than the cave leading to Drayiel’s lair and King Arthur’s final resting place. Pip’s response takes me by surprise, “My father left me with my mother. He wanted to win the slave games to give us a better life. He died in the games. I never knew my father.”

  Pip continues as if there is nothing wrong with losing his father in what must be a game to the death, he rounds a bend and we come across a large open cavern, the floor narrows to massive stairs that are carved into the stone floor leading down. Here the cavern is somewhat darker, and I swallow hard as I look down into a dark abyss on either side of the stairs. There are no handrails, and in my weakened state, my head begins to swim. I lean against the stone wall to steady myself. “Pip, can we take a break for just a moment?”

  “What’s wrong, Mister?” Pips bright blue eyes seem to glow like headlights in the dark.

  I chuckle at his calling me mister, “It’s Alaric, you can call me Alaric. I just need a minute. How much further?” I close my eyes and as I do so the bone-deep exhaustion that I’ve been carrying with me for days seeps into my very soul.

  “Mister, you don’t look so good,” he pronounces as he peers up at me. “Wait here for me, I’ll go get help. I can glide most of the way down to our borough and be back before you know it.”

  Leaning my forehead against the cool smooth surface of the cavern wall, I nod, “That may be a good idea. I’m glad I met you Pip. Thank you for helping me.” I look back up briefly to smile tiredly at the little imp, “I just need to rest for a bit.” I close my eyes as I lean against the cold stone, I’m so hot. My eyelids suddenly feel too heavy to lift.

  From a distance, I hear Pip, “Hang in there Mister. I’ll be back with my mother and my uncle.” I just grunt as darkness swallows me.

  Exhaustion plagues me, but I rouse to feel as if I’m falling in the darkness. Above me, I hear the beating of wings. Wings? Where am I? I’m so hot, and I can’t seem to open my eyes. I must be dreaming. My last thought is that I need to get back to Ashlinn and the twins.

  As I try to break through the fog in my head, I hear a little voice, “Momma, Mister has been sleeping for a long time. Are you sure he’s okay?”

  “Pip, who’s the best healer in the borough?” The voice is female, and her tone is gentle and patient. Soft, cool fingers lay across my forehead before trailing down to my back to lift a soft weight from it. I groan when there is a pull to the tender wounds on my flesh. The voice says, “Ah, there he is, Pip. See I told you he would wake soon enough. His fever had to break, and his body just needed time to begin the healing process.”

  Groaning again, I realize that I’m lying on my stomach. I try to move my arms, but they won’t budge. Clearing my throat, I try to speak, “Why can’t I move my arms. Am I being restrained?” I rasp out.

  “Easy,” I hear from over my shoulder, a gentle hand stays my movement.

  Pip’s face is in front of me as I blink away the last remnants of my sleep, his toothy grin is slightly scary with all those razor-sharp teeth, but his eyes are twinkling, “Mister, I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up. You’ve been sleeping forever!”

  I try to move again and swear, “Why can’t I move?” My voice is scratchy and gravelly, my mouth is bone dry.

  “I’m sorry, my brother insisted on restraining you. He wouldn’t bring you here otherwise. Please don’t struggle. The wounds on your back are finally beginning to knit together. Pip insisted that you were friendly. You must understand that we don’t see a lot of friendlies around these parts. My son knows better than to bring strangers to the borough. I apologize if you are not comfortable. I’ve done my best to position you so that you would be relaxed when you woke. You have been sleeping for over two cycles. Your back is beginning to heal nicely, but it will take some time yet for you to heal completely.”

  Sighing, I ask, “May I sit up? Please?”

  “Pip, go get your uncle.”

  “I promise I mean you no harm.” I say as I try to turn to get a glimpse of Pip’s mother, but she remains outside of my line of sight, “May I ask what your name is?”

  “Paynga, my name is Paynga. My brother is… intense. He doesn’t trust easily. It has nothing to do with you, per se, but rather strangers in general. After my mate was taken, he’s been rather overprotective.”

  That doesn’t make sense as I recall what Pip had told me before I blacked out, so I ask, “Pip said his father left you and died in the slave games.”

  “Oh, he did die in the games, but not how Pip believes it to be. I fabricated how he ended up in the games. I’m trying to protect him from the truth for as long as I can. The truth is that the Princes are always looking for fresh meat to put into their deranged tournaments. You want to avoid the games at all cost. Once you walk into the arena the only way you walk out is if you win, and the only way to win is to kill the opponent you are pitted against. All that death and mayhem for the amusement of the Princes,” her tone rings of bitter loss and contempt. Paynga finally comes into view. Her
coloring is different from Pip’s, his skin tones are pink lending to red and Paynga’s is the absence of color. She is porcelain white with some gray shading. Her black horns have grown forward before curving back over her head to eventually curve skyward. Her elongated pointed ears have multiple piercings, her hair is a lustrous silver with streaks of black, her crystalline blue eyes are piercing and remind me of Pip’s, and her large wings are pulled in tightly against her back and easily touch the ground. She possesses an innate grace and as strange as her appearance is to me, she is an exotic beauty. She sits beside me and pins me with her penetrating gaze before she points her talon-like finger to the cuffs that bind me and says, “I have heard talk of these, grant it, not for a very long time. You are not what you appear. Are you? You are a god that doesn’t belong here in the realm of The Underworld. Why are you here? I can’t allow you to bring attention to us in this borough.”

  Before I can reply, Pip burst back into the room, “I found him, Momma. He’s on his way. Hey Mister, you better? Maybe not all better, but at least you’re awake now.”

  I can’t help but grin at the nickname that I have been bestowed, he’s a cute kid. I struggle with my restraints and groan again when I realize how weak I feel. I can’t remember when I ate last. If I’m going to survive, I need nourishment and decide to voice my thoughts. “Paynga, I promise that we will continue this discussion a little later, but I want to reassure you that I would never bring unwanted attention to your home, not intentionally. For now, I’m at your mercy. I’m in no condition to travel a realm that I know little to nothing about. I haven’t eaten in days, twice as long as I’ve been here, probably longer. All I know is that I’m starving and extremely thirsty. I promise I will make it up to you and Pip. I’ll trade manual labor for your help. I’ll do whatever it takes to repay you for your generosity. On my honor, you have my solemn vow.”

  “You will be on your way as soon as you are fit to travel. Strangers are not welcome here. Your being here puts us all in danger.” The voice is deep, masculine, and at the very least… hostile. Red-skinned talon like hands appear in front of me to release my restraints, before he continues, “It goes against my better judgment for you to be here at all, but Pip insisted. He also insisted that you don’t belong here in The Underworld and that we need to help you.” He pulls back, and I struggle to sit up. I’m definitely unsteady, my arms shaking with the effort. I hang my head as I gather my strength. I can’t remember ever feeling so vulnerable and weak. How the hell am I ever going to be able to take care of Ash and the twins? If it weren’t for these accursed cuffs, I would be healed by now and back to myself. It has not escaped my notice that I’m utterly useless at the moment. I look up to see Pip’s uncle. He is… intimidating, just as Paynga said. His appearance is full of contrast, his skin is red, almost crimson, his horns are black and menacing, his eyes are a startling crystalline blue, and his hair is long, wild, and unruly, and it’s white. Then there is his stance, his leathery wings are extended and threatening.

  Pip breaks through my self-loathing and silent assessment of his uncle, “Uncle, leave Mister alone! You’re being mean! Mister needs our help.”

  I look up to see that Pip is standing sentry between his uncle and me. I have no idea as to what I have done to inspire such devotion that this little guy would go up against his blood relative. A slight smile tugs at the corner of my lips, and I reach out to grasp his little hand in my own, gaining his attention, “Pip, your uncle is only trying to protect you and your mother. He’s not being mean, he’s just trusting his instincts, and his instincts are screaming to him that I’m bad news. Hell, he may be right. I have no idea as to why Luc brought me here and stranded me in the Fields of Punishment. I can only be thankful that you found me, and saved me from the nocturbeast, Pip. I have no doubt that I would have been history if it had not been for you. I owe you my life.” My entire being begins to shake. I’m all but quaking as I struggle to remain sitting upright.

  “Mister, are you okay? Momma?” Pip’s face pinches in concern beside me.

  “Now, now, Pip, he’s shaking from hunger. We’ll get him fixed up in no time.” Paynga gently holds a cup of water to my lips so I can take slow, small swallows. Next, she holds a cup of broth to my mouth, and I welcome the nourishment. Although, I have no idea as to what kind of creature was stewed to make the broth that I’m being fed. At the moment, I would eat or drink just about anything in order to regain my strength.

  I nod and look up at her gratefully and smile, “Thank you, Paynga.”

  Chapter 6

  (Ashlinn)

  The meadow surrounding the ruins on the Isle of Tears is just as it was yesterday when I was here in my dream walking state, with one exception, Alaric and Luc are not here. I’m surrounded by my chosen Guardians as we prepare to travel through the rift to The Underworld. Getting Alaric back is now my primary focus. Last night was difficult because Jasmine refused to even look at me, much less talk to me. I really needed my bestest sprite friend in the worse way, but how could I expose her to this dark realm we are about to enter? I had no idea that she would take my decision to leave her behind so hard. I’m going to have a lot of groveling to do when and if I get back. She was a no-show this morning as well, as we prepared to leave, which I thought was odd because I thought she would at least come to hang out with the twins. My heart was in dangerous territory, with Jasmine’s absence and my leaving my babies for I don’t know how long. That, by the way, is never going to get any easier, because I never want to be parted from them. My heart has literally been ripped into two pieces. One half of my heart has been left with my children, and the other half resides with my kindred. I certainly hope that Dagda is right about the time between the realms, I don’t want Lillie and Lachlan to fuss over me being gone for too long. They are already missing Alaric. I had hoped that Jaz could help entertain the two as I slipped away this morning after getting them settled in our Twilight Realm, but that was not to be. When I asked Camoryn if he knew where she was, he said that she got up early to go visit the sacred meadow where I first met her, the very same meadow where The Tree of Life resides. Evidently, she was still supremely pissed at me and didn’t want to be around when we took off without her. Lexie told me that she would talk to her when she got back. When I left, Lexie, Dagda, and Nemus were immersed in making plans for an anointing ceremony that will officially name Nemus Luminary of the Druid Order of Faerie. Hopefully, we will be back in time for when that takes place. I know that Alaric would really hate to miss seeing his good friend ascend to his rightful place within the druid order.

  My Guardians and Tarron are patiently waiting for me to take the lead. Looking around, I once again sense that all forms of life have fled from this area. The rift seems to pulsate from below, and I’m at war with myself. I no longer know if I’m doing the right thing by taking these brave souls with me to Hell. My indecision must be clearly written across my face because Tarron takes a step closer to me, gaining my attention.

  “Mo solas, don’t think for one moment that we will allow you to embark on this journey alone. That is not a scenario we will allow to happen.” Tarron’s tone brokers no room for argument.

  Looking around my little band of Guardian’s I sigh and shoulder my pack. I’m wearing my brown combat leathers and boots; I have my crossbow strapped across my back and quite a number of daggers and throwing knives strapped to my person. My Guardians are all similarly attired and all heavily armed with their weapons of choice. Sighing, I say, “Let’s go bring Alaric home.” Lifting my chin, I march forward in determined strides to the opening of the crypt.

  From behind me, I hear Tolin, “There she is. She’s back. Let’s go conquer The Underworld.”

  I hear grunts of approval, and everyone falls in behind me. We quickly make our way down the winding path to the bottom of the underground tomb. I slow as we get to the shadows below. As I enter the spacious chamber, I notice that there are several sentries stationed here guarding the r
ift. They nod in acknowledgment of us, and I smile back at the males before assessing the rift before us. The fissure has grown overnight. It’s now broader and taller than before. It seems to feed off of the lingering dark majic and pulses with life. The eerie red glow has intensified, bathing the chamber in a crimson light. I suspect that as the rift grows it is becoming more. More? What I don’t know, but I fear it will begin drawing on more energy and majic of this realm. The fear of the unknown has just gone up a notch or two as I stand here contemplating how to traverse the rift.

  Tolin and Tarron flank me on either side. T leans down and speaks in a hushed voice, “We do this together. Okay, Ash? Tarron takes point, you follow closely behind, and I’ll follow you. Everyone else brings up the rear. Be ready to take action, we have no idea as to what is waiting for us on the other side.”

  I nod, “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  Together we walk toward the rift. It’s large enough now that we can walk right into it. Tarron smiles back at me and winks before freely walking into the unknown before me. He’s so cocky, I smile at the thought. Then the rift’s eerie reddish glow swallows him up. I look up into Tolin’s gaze and smile before walking into the rift before me. I’m instantly sucked into a vortex that I’m helpless to control. Entry into the realm of the dead and demons is one hell of a ride. I’m spit out beside Tarron and stagger to gain my footing. Tolin and the rest of my guard are beside and behind me in an instant.

  “Easy, mo solas, it would appear that we are to be escorted to Luc’s abode. They have been expecting us.” Tarron quips as he reaches out to steady me.

  “Of course, he’s expecting us.” I retort and turn to look at the rift from this side. Instead of seeing an eerie pulsating tear between realms I see a beacon of light, and I mutter, “Well snap. Good luck keeping this under wraps here in this dark and desolate place. It won’t be long before this attracts the attention of every being here. It’s like a get out of jail free card.”