by Jaymin Eve
We walked in silence for a while. Except for the occasional chuckle from Lucy that made it clear – I was never living that entrance down.
Even with my bumpy start, I was relieved to be free. And back in nature. This area of the forest was different: less dense and more traveled.
And whilst we had a little more information, there were still so many questions.
Why was Grandier’s nickname First World? I couldn’t help but wonder. Was this an old world, much older than Earth?
Lucy broke the silence.
“What are those hugely round trees everywhere?” She pointed to the bulbous tree trunks surrounding us. She was a little breathless, her shorter legs struggling with our pace.
Brace flicked his eyes toward to the tree-line. “The sycaim tree?” He shrugged. “Don’t tell me there are no ‘thud trees’ where you’re from?”
I wondered what he would think if he knew that, before yesterday, I’d seen about five trees, and not one was healthy or green.
We shook our heads.
He gave me a half-smile, before he answered drily, “They’re First World’s native trees.”
Whoops.
He stopped suddenly and I almost collided with his bulk, but managed to avoid him at the last moment.
“They’ve been around First World since the beginning.” Reaching down, he gathered a few loose stones.
Without any warning, he flung them into the trunk of the closest tree. As they connected, a loud thud echoed. Nearby, birds screeched before evacuating the treetops. I stared for a moment, fascinated by the huge animals as they flew out of sight. They were so bright, two blue and yellow, and one dark pink.
Brace distracted me by throwing another set of stones. He seemed to enjoy the noise.
I smiled at him. “They’re hollow?”
He nodded. “When I was young, Father carved me a tree house in the hollow of a large trunk. They’ll still continue to grow, even after that.”
As we started along the path again, I realized I was enjoying having Brace as our guide, and my instincts urged me to confess our secret. We needed someone on our side; we needed answers. And if we continued with our obvious lack of local knowledge, he was going to figure it out soon enough anyway. As he led us through the forest, I couldn’t help but follow him with my gaze.
For a big guy, Brace moved almost silently – his strength was clear – and my traitorous heart already trusted him. I shook my head.
You don’t know him, Abby, I reminded myself for the tenth time that day.
“So, Deralick mentioned yesterday that things have been pretty rough around here lately.” Lucy had her innocent face on. She was digging for information.
Brace nodded as he continued ploughing through. “The last twenty years have seen changes I never expected from First World. Of course, after a hundred-year peace during the rule of Emperor Christian and Empress Elisnarra, it’s been extra hard to adjust.” He paused to move a large branch off the path.
I took that moment’s pause to contemplate how anyone ruled for a hundred years.
When we could move along the path again, he continued. “Now, with the emperor’s illness, it won’t be long before responsibility falls to Lucas and, at this stage, he’s not ready.”
Quarn hadn’t been kidding when he said these worlds were parallel. “It’s been chaos back home since ... well, our lifetime,” I added.
Brace grimaced. “Darkness continues to spread throughout the land. It started at the black mountains.” His eyes dulled, his expression grim. “The pure energies are being leeched away.”
Lucy looked at me in confusion. She wasn’t the only one baffled. I understood about a third of his words. But I knew the black mountains from my dream.
I had to ask. “Pure energies?”
“The energy of our land. The energy of our people. Those with active gifts have found a huge depletion in their abilities.” He glanced toward me, holding my gaze. “Have you noticed the change? Or has it always been this way for you?”
“We’re seventeen–”
Lucy interrupted. “Almost eighteen.”
I eyed her. “Yes, Lucy ... almost eighteen.” I let the sentence trail off.
A thoughtful frown crossed his features. “Well, I’m ... around twenty-two ... and I vaguely remember when things were better. But I’ll say you’ve never known the best of First World. Do either of you have a specialty?”
Around twenty-two? Who spoke like that?
I focused on his questions and, thinking quickly, replied, “Well, we aren’t really into ‘categorizing’ ourselves. What’re your favorite specialties?”
I’d go with the same half-truths and diversion tactics he was using.
He laughed. “Quite the individuals, aren’t you? There are many, but I do have a few favorites. Animal Affinity: they’re usually out in nature with their animal guides. A little scary when riled – you don’t want to take on the animal kingdom.”
I exchanged wide-eyed glances with Lucy as he continued.
“Nature Spirit: plants bloom in their presence. Moonlighters: walk only at night to use the energy of the moon.” He shook his head. “They’re quite the strange ones.” He looked around. “What else? The Flecho: love anything manmade. They’re generally the inventors of our gadgets. Felens: read the emotional resonance of any place ... its history ... memories ... past emotions. And speaking of that, Emoters: manipulate all forms of emotion, best to be avoided.”
I shook my head for a moment. Information overload. I wasn’t going to remember any of this. But I’d love some paper. The nerd inside me wanted to jot all of this information down.
Brace continued. “Another group to avoid are the Mesmerizers. Hypnosis is their skill, depending on the strength of an individual’s mind and shield.” His voice lowered. “You should always be wary of the gifted. Power corrupts.”
I speculated whether everyone on First World was ‘gifted’ in some way, or only a select few.
“Word.” Lucy nodded at Brace, her head bobbing vigorously. In typical Lucy fashion, she was just going with the flow, no qualms about people with powers. “Our entire city was corrupted, and there isn’t anything special about them.”
“Well, I’m glad you escaped.” There was intensity behind his words.
I liked that.
“So what’s your gift, Brace?” I was curious. There was no way he wasn’t packing something serious. I could feel ripples of electricity every time I was close.
And again I copped the full force of his eyes. Silky strands of his thick hair fell across his forehead.
“I have an affinity with energy. It’s not an interesting or common gift.” He shrugged as if to say, ‘no big deal’.
Yeah, right.
Brace smiled, but not with his eyes, just his lips. “I’m curious, though. I haven’t been able to get a read on either of you. Do you choose not to communicate telepathically?”
Lucy’s mouth fell open. In that moment she probably swallowed ten bugs.
“Shut. The. Door. Seriously? Telepathy?” She laughed.
Shaking his head, he opened his mouth to retaliate – I opted for the distraction.
“So what’s with the dark mountains?” Their oiliness was weighing on my thoughts. I couldn’t ignore them any longer.
His confusion was replaced by a forced exhalation of air – his anger enhancing his dark beauty.
“They were an amazing natural wonder. First Worlders traveled from all over to ski, mountain-climb and camp throughout their wilderness. But something happened many years ago; their energy changed.” He shrugged. “I have no idea what’s going on. There are thousands of miles of tunnels underneath. If it was me – and I have suggested this to the guardians before – it’s the perfect place to build and house an army.”
He said this without hesitation or doubt. I shivered thinking of the dead plants. An army of zombies maybe.
“Where are they located?” I was go
ing to make sure we avoided that area.
He looked back the way we had just walked. “They’re not too far from the royal castle. Less than a day’s walk and only four hours’ drive.”
I sighed in relief. We were heading in the opposite direction.
The landscape was changing as we walked. The forest had thinned.
“So, tell me ... is Lucas single?” Lucy winked at me as she pranced along.
It didn’t even look as if the heat was bothering her anymore. I sighed. If she’d been closer, I’d have kicked her.
Brace simply laughed. “Lucas is one of my closest friends. But I wouldn’t send him on a date with anyone. Being next in line for the royal throne, he’s been completely pandered to.”
I chuckled. What a picture those words painted. “We’re reading you ... Lucas is a spoiled brat.”
He shook his head. “It’s not exactly his fault. He was raised to believe he’d end up with his chosen empress. But it’s never happened. So now he likes to ... be indulged.”
“How is Lucas expected to rule all of First World?” I found that odd. Even on Earth different countries had different leaders.
The corners of Brace’s lips lifted slightly. “I’m not sure anyone is expecting him to rule at all. We’re all kind of hoping Emperor Quest hangs on for many more years.” He ran a free hand through his hair. “Fortunately, six of the seven lands have a competent Mayoral Head. No way could Lucas keep control of two billion inhabitants alone.”
Mirth danced in his breathtaking eyes. Apparently the very thought was amusing to him.
“You said you’re from the north, right?”
A quick glance toward Lucy told me she couldn’t remember what we’d said either.
“Uh, sure, sounds right.” I bobbed my head a couple of times.
His jaw tightened. “Yeah, well I think Mayor Johansson might be the one we need to keep an eye on. Lucky for us, even as a stand-in for his father, Lucas is mostly a figurehead and he can’t make any decisions without majority vote of the council. They’re actually meeting at the moment.”
A loud rustling in the bushland to our right distracted me from my next question. I stopped and craned my head higher. This section of the forest was almost barren, with lots of dead twigs and leaves. I shifted my pack, trying to ease the ache in my shoulders.
An echoing roar shattered the air around us.
Lucy pretty much dived into my arms. “What was that, Abby? Abbs. Seriously, did you see it? Is it a bear ... lion ... bigfoot?” Her panicky questions were rapid.
Brace stepped closer and took Lucy’s pack from her. “Keep moving. It could be any of the native animals. I’ve got your back.” He ushered us forward, bringing up the rear.
We set off at a dead run. I always thought I was fast, but now I know – Lucy is faster.
“Angelisian is not far.’ Brace’s voice came from behind me. “But we need to get out of the forest now. It’s a burber.” His breath came in rasps as we sprinted.
My pack felt like a feather, shoulder aches gone.
“What’s a burber?” Lucy gulped, her tiny legs flying.
Brace’s voice came in gasps. “Let’s hope you don’t find out.”
The thundering grew louder. I was losing momentum. Despite the adrenalin, the stress of the last few days was catching up to me. Brace kept pushing our pace. He was close behind me. I could smell his clean masculine scent.
I looked back, my curiosity demanding to know what was following us.
A large creature was barreling along about twenty feet behind. It was huge, like a bear crossed with a moose – with massive antlers. I focused again on the path. A second too slow.
My foot caught under a branch and I went sprawling along the dusty trail, just missing a few exposed tree branches. The impact sent shockwaves through my body; I couldn’t breathe.
“Lucy, keep running. Wait at the end of the path. I’ll help Abby,” Brace yelled over my head.
She hesitated, as I knew she would. “Go, Lucy!” His tone brooked no argument.
“Save her or I’ll kill you!” Lucy screamed as her footsteps pounded away.
“Abby, are you okay?” He crouched down next to me.
I couldn’t answer. My chest burned as I gasped for air.
“Come on, Red. Let me know what to do?”
I managed to suck in a gulp of air as an impatient Brace yanked me into his arms, heavy pack and all.
Spinning around, he stopped.
The creature was five feet away, staring but not approaching.
Despite the fact it had chased us, right now it seemed to be cautious. We were an unidentified threat.
Brace dropped me to my feet and shoved me behind him.
“It’s too close. Don’t run, little Red.”
I shook my head. Was I a fairy tale character? “Red?”
“I like your hair.” Then he glanced out of the corner of his eye. “You question everything, don’t you?”
I sighed. Now was not the time for an argument. But revenge would be sweet – he was getting a nickname.
The beast roared. It arched itself up onto its hind legs. It was dark brown and shaped like a moose, its four legs tipped by large hooves and a short thick fur. But its head, despite the antlers – that was all bear. Including the mouth full of massive, razor-sharp teeth.
Brace stepped further forward. “I’ll try and scare it away. Maybe my gift will actually be useful today...”
I waited, wide-eyed, to see what was about to happen.
“Mandalla altrecia conquesca zue.” He stood tall, hands held in front of him. Those four words flowed from his lips over and over. “Leave!” he roared in between the phrases.
As he continued to speak, I noticed the leaves, twigs and rocks in close proximity to Brace were lifting to hover around him. I rubbed my eyes. And when I looked again, everything was back in its place on the ground.
Seriously.
The animal paused. Sniffing the air a few times, it snorted into the space between us. After a few more scrapings at the ground, and snorts, it backed away from us, never taking its eyes off the one it viewed as the greatest threat – Brace. Then it turned tail and galloped away. The thundering of its hooves and its echoing roar tapered off into the distance.
“What did you say?” I whispered to his back.
What the hell kind of energy power did he have? My heart pounded in my chest.
He turned and looked down at me. “Just some of the old language – energy words.” He shrugged. “Sometimes it works. This time we were lucky.”
I gasped a few times; my pulse wouldn’t slow. That beast was worse than ten gangers. I knew how to handle them – but wild animals – no idea.
Brace cupped my face with his large hand. “You did well. Don’t worry so much. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said with quiet words and narrowed eyes.
He dropped his hand then and turned away. And in that moment I calmed. Don’t ask me why. It was some type of Brace magic.
He shouldered my pack as well as Lucy’s, and we took off.
I set a quick pace – worried where she’d ended up. It took us ten minutes to traverse the distance.
“Oh, thank eff.” Lucy was pacing frantically at the end of the path.
She ran to me. I swept her up in a hug.
“I thought for sure you were bear-kebabs.” Her voice was muffled against my arm.
I shook my head. “Nah, Brace went all Chuck Norris on its ass and it scampered off.” I turned to Brace. “And you just earned your first nickname. Chuck.”
Lucy’s relief was apparent, especially as she failed to contain her laughter.
“What the hell is a Chuck Norris?” Brace had the cutest confused expression on his face.
Lucy sighed dreamily. “The man of my dreams is Chuck Norris. He can rescue an orphan, build a fire and escape a bomb threat, all with his utility knife and a paper clip. He is all kinds of awesome
.”
Brace looked impressed. “In that case...”
Scrap that. He was too cocky already. “So where is the town?” My impatience forced the words out.
Lucy smiled. “Don’t mind Abby. She starts getting a little cranky when we don’t get regular food.”
That wasn’t it. I was frustrated by Brace’s ability to both entice and annoy me. Okay, and maybe I was hungry.
He smiled at me. “Don’t worry, Red. Angelisian is just over that crest. I have good friends there who’ll provide food and lodgings for the night.”
“Stop calling me Red.” I sighed. “And you’re staying for the night as well? Won’t your father be waiting at home, to crack you a good one?”
He definitely needed a right hook at times. Lucy was grinning hugely. I looked at her. “Don’t even say it.”
She shrugged, but kept her trap shut.
Brace answered me. “I spoke with Father this morning while we were walking, and he also thinks I need to be cracked a good one.” He raised an eyebrow in my direction. “But he knows how I feel. The Guardians think you escaped on your own. He sent them in the opposite direction.”
I had to assume this was the telepathy he had referred to, because there’d been no conversation in my hearing.
“So do you want to spend the night in Angelisian?”
Even now, when I wasn’t prepared for it, the accent still stunned me. It should be registered as a weapon against women. What did he just say?
“Uh ... what?”
Lucy, still grinning wildly, answered. “Yes, that sounds perfect.”
We were out of the forest. There was a path running parallel with the tree-line, and beyond that rolling fields of green, so bright they looked false.
Brace looked around. “I probably should have taken Deralick’s off-road vehicle. Would have been a faster journey.”
I hadn’t thought twice about transport. There were very few functioning vehicles on Earth. And those that did work were in the hands of the Gangers.
He continued. “Vehicles just haven’t been the same since the empress banned all polluting machines and converted everything to renewable clean energy.”
His crestfallen look was that of a boy who’d had his toys taken away.
We started along the cobblestone road. In the distance, trees were dotted around, and fenced-off areas held large herds of grazing animals. The grass was almost a lime green, so much more vibrant than anything back home.
But where were all the people?
The path was wide and, despite the appearance of large pebbles, smooth. The forest stayed on our left for some of the journey, but we veered off as the path dropped over a small incline.
As we walked up the other side I gasped in awe. As far as the eye could see was the most incredible sight. Something I’d only ever dreamed I’d have the chance to experience – the ocean.
Its majestic and vast beauty stunned me. Crystal blues, aqua greens, burnt reds – the most unbelievable colors threading through the crashing waves. In the distance a small town bordered the white sandy beaches. Angelisian, I assumed.
Lucy grasped my hand. “Can you believe...?” She trailed off.
“Better than shoe stores, Luce?”
She just shook her head, before taking a deep breath. “You know, I think it actually is.”
A single tear descended along her cheek. Her face was alight with an innocent joy I hadn’t seen for years.
“Are all of the towns here this beautiful?” I asked. “They certainly aren’t up north,” I tacked on the end, to keep up our charade.
He shook his head. “No. Angelisian is special. It’s actually the only town to exist on the royal Isle of Itowa, besides the castle that houses the royal family and the castle subsidiaries. Angelisian is exclusive and filled with many of the higher powered families.” His lips lifted in a half-grin. “That scene you can’t take your eyes off, that’s Bellus Ocean. One of our natural wonders.”
I couldn’t believe we were going to experience this city on the ocean. I nudged Lucy as we ran along the rest of the path, both of us filled with renewed energy.
“We should go swimming,” I called.
It was hot and sticky and the water was an oasis of temptation.
“Abby, we don’t know how to swim,” Lucy laughed. “But we can go for a drown, if you want.”
“Spoil-sport,” I muttered.
Either way, I couldn’t wait to get closer. And I was so ready to meet more First Worldians ... Worlders ... whatever they were called.
Chapter 8
