“It smells good, what is it?” The child looked at the drink in her hand as she sat on the edge of her small bed.
Latisha knelt on both legs and sat on her feet. Holding the small wooden cup out to the child, her eyes went wide at the wonderful smell coming up from the warmed liquid. Taking the drink with both hands, the child took a deep breath of the steam and a huge smile crossed her face.
“A sort of tea. Something of my own design. It will help cleanse your body and get you a good night’s rest. Do you have any flasks or water skins around the house?” Latisha asked politely.
“I have my day skin over by my bed. I don’t let dad use it for his drinks.” The girl turned to a small water skin hanging on the wall just off to the side of her bed.
“Perfect. Why don’t you drink that tea and I can tell you a story?” Latisha’s question was greeted by another large smile.
The child’s happiness looked to be something she had not felt in a long time. Pulling her legs up under her to sit on, the girl took little sips with both hands and watched Latisha.
“Sorry my lady, but you are exposing yourself, I didn’t mean to look.” The child blushed and crumpled up her face in an exaggeration of her embarrassment.
“It’s ok little one, I wasn’t being a lady.” Latisha shuffled slightly and pulled her dress down and sat back down on her feet. “Not use to wearing dresses these days.”
She let out a childish giggle and unwrinkled her face back to her childish smile.
“What kind of story would you like to hear?” Latisha asked.
“Something about a far-off place and adventure.” The child giggled.
“Alright. Let me think.” The room fell silent as Latisha rolled ideas around in her head. “Ok. Are you ready, how’s your tea?”
“Yup. It’s almost gone.” She looked down at the contents of the cup and smiled. “It is very good.”
“This story begins with a beautiful young girl name Elliena, who was trapped in a dark prison by some very mean people.”
“Oh no.” The child giggled her words.
“It was a scary place, and she did not like being there at all. With her annoying cell neighbours and the unknown nature of the day, she couldn’t rest. Finally, one day, a group of rag tag heroes broke into the prison and rescued the beautiful girl. But, before she left, she had to find a special medallion.”
“This medallion was only the one in all the lands. It was her way to talk with the Immortal Twenty and it was taken from her long ago. The only way she could get it was to break into one of the other cells where it was hiding.”
“With her heroic friends behind her, she got into the hiding place of the medallion and rescued it from its dark confines. On her way out of the prison, she ran into her old enemy, Rubio Darkenstone. She knew it was going to be hard to escape him with just being in prison, but she had her friendly band of heroes at her side.”
The girl let out a big yawn and rubbed her eyes, almost dropping the empty cup. Latisha rolled up to her knees and helped the child slowly down to her pillow before placing the rabbit in her arms to cuddle with.
“Quickly getting away from the horrible man, the beautiful girl barely escaped as a horrible monster swooped down in the middle of the battle, picking her up into the sky.”
Latisha looked down at the child who had fallen into a deep sleep. With a smirk across her face, Latisha stretched her neck up and opened her mouth wide to expose a set of extended canines. Leaning over she bit into the child’s neck sucking in the blood as it quickly came from the artery.
After a few mouthfuls, she reached over to grab the water skin from the wall without looking. Unlatching herself from the girl’s neck, she pushed the opening of the water skin against the child’s skin to collect the rest of the blood oozing from the wounds. The crimson liquid rushed out and quickly filled the flask, too much for it to hold. With one last mouthful, Latisha let the rest flood into the clean sheets which began to fill around the girl.
“Your essence will be used for my own adventure child. Now go quietly, escape this horrid place.” Latisha gentle whispers filled in the messy space as she stroked back the young girl’s hair behind her ear and cleaned the blood from her lips.
• • •
The dying sun bathed its final warmth across the fields, flowers stretching as high as they could to get that last little cleanse before the night flooded in. Sky Pedestal’s mountainous peaks could be seen in the distance, grasping at their own little bit of sunshine. A young elvish girl sprinted as fast as she could through the tall grasses and flowers, determined and focused on her target that was lost to the sunset.
“Be wary young one.” The voice in Gemini’s head echoed behind her once again.
Gemini watched from their resting place as the young girl sprinted her line across the horizon. Being so far from her and perpendicular, it didn’t look like she was moving that fast.
“Your leg alright to keep going?” Gemini questioned Mara with a bit of urgency while supporting her as they hobbled along.
“I should be…” Mara tripped a little bit and yelped against the sharp pain spiraling up her leg.
Gemini checked on the runner to witness that she heard Mara’s cry and had slowed down slightly to see where the noise had come from. The running elf came to almost a complete halt before taking a sharp turn and continued her sprint towards them.
With the intensity that the girl had in her step, Gemini knew this was not going to be a friendly encounter. Her speed was faster than expected and she came in fast, without hesitation, struck at Gemini with a small dagger. Pushing Mara to the side and to the ground, Gemini used the leverage to dodge the attack.
“I won’t let another one get away.” The young elf had a strangely distorted voice. Along with the blood on her dress and her red filled eyes, there was an instant feeling of dread coming from the child.
The second attack came just as fast. Gemini was barely able to get out of the way by hopping backward from the swing, the knife kept coming, determined to find its mark. With how wildly the strikes were coming, there were so many openings for retaliation that presented themselves. Gemini took one of these openings and grabbed the attacker’s shoulder with a fistful of her dress and tossed her backwards, sending her to the ground.
“What in Necrolin’s name is wrong with you child?” Gemini spun around with the toss, keeping her wings from swinging close enough to get cut.
“Thorn has been released from her bounds and the contracts shall be fulfilled.” Thorn picked herself up from the tall grasses and readied for another attack.
“Strange name for a child but there is one thing you should know.” Gemini slid her foot back into a fighting stance.
“There is no time for your misguided words, your ilk shall be…” Before she could finish the sentence, a crystalized shadow collided into her that erupted a shockwave and knocked her back to the ground. “There is a Dragoon following us.”
Gemini was ready for the air burst, keeping her footing well enough to scuttle back to Mara and get her to her feet. The scream from the Dragoon Spirit echoed across the flowery field as its dense airy weapon came down toward Thorn. Bringing up her dagger to defend herself, another barrage of air shot out from the impact, making the tall grasses wave around like they were cheering them on.
“We have to keep moving while we can. It seems a bit more focused on her.” Gemini had slid under Mara’s arm and was almost lifting her from the ground as they ran towards the Sky Pedestal mountains.
Looking over her shoulder, Gemini braced herself by holding Mara’s body closer with each impact from the shockwaves of air as they put some distance between them and the battle. The fortuitous encounter with the little child running into them was just what they needed to get free of the Dragoon Spirit. A furrowing curiosity about the girl, Thron, mentioning letting another one get away picked at her mind.
“Looks like we may be in good fortune.” Mara leaned around her own
shoulder to check on the battle slowly fading into the flowers and tall grasses.
“If we keep our pace up, we should be able to get to Sky Pedestal just after nightfall and finally get some sleep. Something tells me that the girl will likely come out as the victor.” Gemini glanced over her shoulder.
“What makes you say that?” Mara pulled her scythe up to help with their pace.
“She looked like something else, something demonic that would be a formidable foe. Gave me the same feeling as Needle did. She might be a Neightur.” Gemini glanced over her shoulder again.
“Yvane had mentioned them a few times. They are easily some of the more powerful mages in Vulthrodin.” Mara said as she limped along.
The bursts of air coming from the battle were small breezes by the time they reached the two escapees, tickling them gently to let them know it was still raging on.
“What do you think she meant by another one getting away?” Mara asked. “Not like there are other Spiri running around out here.” Mara chuckled through her words.
“No idea.” Gemini shrugged.
The evening light faded with their conversation as they trudged along through the meadows of the center province. The mountains in the distance grew faster and faster with each step. Gemini could feel Mara fading against the pain in her leg as the night crept across the horizon. A beautiful pastel canvas of a sky smeared itself above them.
Night finally set in as the two alluring and tired winged warriors trudged along as stars twinkled above, smiling down at them. Their fortune of survival was gifted by the shining moon to illuminate their way.
The walls of Sky Pedestal towered above them, casting a darker shadow across the fields than the night itself. A feint torch light could be seen off to the left, pulsing against the night with a solo guard standing tall next to sign post. Mara pointed without a word toward the light and Gemini helped spin her to the light.
Now with the battle far enough behind them, they were able to slow their pace and keep their focus on the torch light. The winds had stopped for a while now, meaning that there was likely a winner and they would take some time to get caught up.
“G, g, good evening l, l, ladies.” The guard, awe struck with seeing two winged women clad in an aggressive armour blindly went into a habitual greeting.
“We seek accommodation for the night.” Gemini spoke with an authoritative tone.
“Th, there are in, n, n, inns up in, n, n.” The guards stutter sounded more of an everyday thing than an intimidation. “Town.”
“Thank you, sir.” Mara nodded at him before they limped their way past and into the passage up.
Before they disappeared from the soldier, they could hear him talking to himself about their wings and how beautiful they were. Gemini shook her head and laughed under her breath, pulling Mara up along with her.
The path was well lit with torches on either side of the trail, extending up into the night from their poles. All the way up to the peak of the trail, there was no one else they ran into. A wave of uneasiness flooded the group with the lack of presence the trail had. The eerie emptiness this early into the night kept them on guard but still allowed them to focus and limit their surprises.
“Going to give it another try.” Mara pushed herself off from Gemini’ and put some weight on to her wounded leg.
“Alright?” Gemini reach out with her hands just in case.
The wince in her face spoke volumes about the discomfort she was in, but still not enough to be debilitating.
“I can manage.” Mara leaned back into her scythe and kept up a good pace. “How are we going to find a place without any coins?”
“There might be a spot that we can go. Somewhere that my sister and I frequented when we were younger. Hopefully they remember me after the change.” Gemini kept an eye on the other woman who limped along beside her.
“Here’s hoping.” Mara said.
Brightness from the city filled the breach of the mountain path, making for a welcoming gesture as they crested the rise. The city below stopped them by the magnificence of the panorama that they had to stop to take in the view. Mara’s mouth opened slightly at the wonder of the city as it glittered against the night.
“It’s floating.” Mara gasped.
Gemini laughed.
“Not quite.” Gemini pointed up to the statues that were connected to the gigantic chains. “There are chains holding up the earth that it sits on.”
Mara eyes stayed wide as she analyzed the city from side to side.
“The place we are looking for should be close on the right. Let’s try and get there without causing any disturbances.” Gemini waved Mara forward and continued to the bridge.
“Might be hard with how we look. I don’t think anyone has seen a Spiri since we were trapped in the valley.” Mara plucked at some of Gemini’s feathers as they moved along the wooden planks.
Gemini rolled her eyes and waved her on with her head.
The bridge was barely wide enough to fit them side by side with their wings out, forcing them to curl them in behind their backs. Mara’s head was on a swivel, taking in as much as she could of the city as they hobbled closer and closer. The creaking bridge and stretching ropes tried to distract her but the shuffle of the city was far more alluring. As they reached the other side, a drunk burst through a nearby door, laughing as he fell to the ground.
“I’ll tell them that tomorrow.” The dirty man hiccupped and blinked up at the two Spiri. “Am I dead?”
“Just dreaming. Go to sleep.” Gemini patted his head before he collapsed to the ground. “Let’s move before more come out. Surprised the streets are this empty.”
Gemini pointed off toward a darker lane to their right and Mara spun against her scythe for the corner and limped into the shadows. Following behind, Gemini looked over her shoulder at the bar door a final time and slipped in behind.
The side street limited light made for a perfect route through the buildings. No one else was around save for the small rodents and critters moving about or feasting on the spoils of the day. A single dangling lantern hanging from the edge of a towering stone wall danced its light around them, giving just enough light to conceal what they were trying to hide but enough to be mindful of their footing. Not many windows viewed the lane, and even fewer doors exited to it, giving both women a peace of mind.
“The Rustling Willows is what we are looking for. Will have a rose coloured door and an odd rune above the door.” Gemini spoke softly to not raise any restful souls in the neighbouring homes.
Mara came to a full stop in the last shadows of their shortcut and looked out into the well-lit main thoroughfare where the odd couple or solo drunk would be stumbling their way to find a place to collapse.
“How is this place going to help us?” Mara pulled at Gemini’s wings again as she came in close.
“It’s a women’s only establishment. Has been a long time since I have been, but I had helped the owners with some trouble and been in their graces ever since.” Gemini patted Mara on the shoulder. “I have faith.”
The view from the dark alley framed in the establishment across the way. A tall four-story stone frame structure with many covered windows and a single red door at the base. Above was a steel framed sign of a willow reed emblem and a gilded rune that weaved into itself below it.
After a scouting of the quiet street, Gemini stepped out onto the lantern lit cobbles and crossed over the soft red door. Mara stayed close behind and kept an eye on the streets for any surprises while trying to keep an eye on the door ahead. Their movements were quick and fluid up the entry before slipping through the opening with but a shuffle of feathers, the metal framed sign above slightly swinging in a gentle breeze.
“Gemini!” Three naked girls stood at the bottom of a stairwell and called in echo of each other as they got a good look the new comers.
“Kaliin, Xhou, Taara. Good to see you again.” Gemini smiled at the three who had wide eyes and wide smiles s
meared across their faces.
“You’re different, this a new look.” The girl on the left asked.
“Definitely a new look Xhou. Is Burz awake?” Gemini asked trying to shrug off their curiosity.
“She’s in the back. Should we get your regular room together?” The girl on the right piped up.
“If you could please Taara, we will need it for the night.” Gemini smiled at her which made her giggle in a childlike shyness.
“Lani isn’t in tonight, but Krys is. Shall we go get her?” Taara asked politely.
“No need tonight ladies.” Gemini smiled again and shook her head.
“We could keep you two company tonight, been a little bit since we have been able to play together.” Kaliin spoke in a soft and sensual tone.
“Thanks again, but we are here for business this time sadly. Pleasure will have to wait until next time.” Gemini shrugged a little and dropped her hip slightly, placing a hand on it.
“Let us know if you change your mind.” Kaliin waved to Mara with a sensual smile and stepped off the step.
Exiting through a nearby arch, Kaliin waved her bare backside to the two in the entry as she left. The other two wiggled the fingers to wave to them before trailing after, whispering something about their wings. Their giggles disappeared into the dimly lit adjacent room, leaving Mara staring at Gemini.
“And what kind of trouble was this that you help with again?” Mara’s face had a lot of sarcastic curiosity and an incriminating look.
“I did!” Gemini paused. “I had to keep coming back to make sure they were alright.” Gemini’s face went flush with a few nostalgic thoughts that flooded forward. “And for some entertainment. They are good.”
“I could use a little pick me up after all that, you sure you don’t want the company?” Mara chuckled.
“We need to rest and be gone as soon as we can. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.” Gemini nodded towards a short hallway leading back behind the main stairs to get Mara moving.
“They could help with that restful sleep though.” Mara paused to poke fun at her some more and Gemini responded with a little shove to get her heading to the back.
Age of Souls Page 37
