by Toni Cox
“They must have had their camp already when we battled them the first time. Maybe they came through while I was still on Earth.”
“We can ask him again when we return, if you like, but I must warn you, he does not like the Vampyres and when he speaks about them, he often projects that fear that had you running for your life.”
“I wonder how he does that,” Maia mused.
“Do you remember when we found the traitors and made them bow to us? We projected our Prime power on them. I believe it to be the same principle, only he has mastered it. The first time I met him …” Blaid shook his head and chuckled. “I owe Belura more than just my life. I wish I knew how to repay him.”
They were silent then, for even Maia could think of nothing; Belura already had everything he desired.
Finally, the edge of the forest came into view. Bright sunshine shone through the small gap in the trees and they hurried towards it. Then the bit of sunshine disappeared as Midnight stuck his head in the small gap. Maia laughed and ran to him, leaving Blaid to catch up.
“I have missed your nearness.” She hugged the black skin of his muzzle.
As I have missed you, Bright-Shining-Silver-Star.
They stood, Midnight’s head resting on the ground with Maia pressed to his face, until Blaid reached them.
“Greetings, oh Mighty One. It is good to see you once again.”
Midnight rose to his full height and then looked down at Blaid. Maia knew Midnight’s feelings about Blaid and she was no longer worried he would eat him.
Dark-Silver-Moon. You are looking better.
“Thanks only to Bright-Shining-Silver-Star and your patience in keeping watch. I believe I was close to death when she found me.”
You are Death. Death should not become you.
Blaid frowned in confusion, but Maia only smiled.
“Come; let us fly the rest of the way. Midnight has given his consent for you to ride him. Can you make the climb up to his back?”
!!!
Midnight sent the warning with such urgency, both Maia and Blaid staggered back as it hit them.
Maia mind-linked with Midnight, to see what he had seen. She noticed riders heading their way. Distance was difficult to tell from Midnight’s point of view, but he told her they were less than five miles away and riding fast.
When Midnight settled his view on one of the riders, it took Maia a few moments to recognise who he was.
“Aaron.”
“I still do not think this a good idea, but I wish you a successful hunt. Be safe out there, Papa.”
“Thank you, Jasmin. And there is no need to worry. Commander Ridgewell has put Rothea in charge of an entire Regiment to accompany me and we are taking Wolf with us.”
Aaron draped his arm around his daughter and pulled her close. They had argued about him leaving, saying that love could not be forced and if Maia felt she needed distance from everything at Shadow Hall, she should be left alone. If he didn’t feel so guilty, he might have agreed with her. Love could not be forced. However, that was not the reason he was going. He had forced her away; he needed to undo it. That was his driving force now and Rothea agreed with him.
Jasmin stepped away from him and briefly talked to Rothea before walking away without a backward glance. Aaron watched her for a moment. She had grown into a beautiful and strong young woman and he was glad she had finally found who she truly was. If that meant that she was now a little more wilful and opinionated, then he was fine with that. She was confident and she walked along the paths of Shadow Hall as if born to this world.
With a smile in the corner of his mouth, he stepped up to his horse. Mist King was a grey charger, retired from the regiment and now mostly used by the city folk for errands and such. The gelding had been part of the second war and had proven he still had more to give than running errands. When Aaron had asked for a horse, Horse Master Eruben thought them a good pairing. Aaron hoped he was right.
“Thank you, Luke,” Aaron said as he took the reins from his son and put his left foot into the stirrup. Hopping on the spot a few times, Aaron eventually gathered enough momentum to pull himself into the saddle.
“I wish we had more time so I could teach you about healing and herbs. My notes are in the medicine bag if you need them. Be safe, Father.”
Aaron smiled at his son. Luke had tried to teach Aaron everything about medicine while he packed last night. Aaron had listened and, surprisingly, much of it he already knew. However, there was no real need to worry. Rothea was proficient enough in the healing arts to stabilise an emergency and two of the men from the Regiment had training as Healers. Even the others had basic knowledge, as every warrior had.
“Look after yourself, Luke. I hope this quest will not take long, but if it does, you might be a qualified Healer by the time we get back. I wish you all the best with your studies.”
“Thank you, Father. Silas has already planned out the next two Moons’ schedule for my training, but he has not set an examination date. I hope you will be back before then so you can attend my test.”
“Let us hope so.” Aaron looked up and nodded to Rothea, who was already mounted on her black gelding, Black Rain. “It is time for us to leave. Take care of your sister for me.”
“I will. May the Mother smile on your quest.”
Aaron clicked his tongue and nudged Mist King clumsily in the sides with his calves. Trained as he was, Mist King immediately started walking, unbalancing Aaron, who snatched at the reins to steady himself. With the pull on the reins, Mist King obediently stopped immediately, throwing Aaron forward in the saddle and he had to grab Mist King’s mane not to fall forwards off his horse.
“May I?” Rothea asked, suddenly beside him.
Aaron nodded, unsure of what she would do, but grateful for the assistance. The barely suppressed laughter from Luke irked him.
Deftly, Rothea clipped a lead rein onto Mist King’s bridle and held the end of it in her right hand, holding her own reins only with her left hand.
“It might be easier if I lead you for today until you get used to the motion of the horse. Do not fret, Aaron, by this evening you will feel as confidant as you did during the war.”
“Thank you, Rothea,” Aaron replied, feeling embarrassed.
Aaron did not glance back at Luke, or the twenty men that rode behind them, as they left the stables behind and headed towards the open plains to the west. He concentrated on the movements of his horse, reminding himself that he had successfully ridden one during the war only a few Moons ago, and soon the only thing on his mind was the task ahead.
“I cannot believe you agreed to this folly, Jagaer,” Malyn scolded, pouring his morning tea and setting the cup on the table with so much force, half of the liquid spilled out. “Why did you not consult me about this yesterday?”
“It was late when we made the decision. I did not want to wake you.”
“And how long have you known? When did he ask you?” Malyn glared at him.
“My Love, I am sorry, I did not think this would affect you so. It is merely a search party for Maia. One Regiment and Aaron, with Rothea as their Commander.”
“Jagaer,” she said, exasperated, “Maia does not want to be hunted down like some lost pet. I might not agree with her leaving and, yes, I do worry about her, but I also have faith in her. Sending Aaron after her is probably the worst decision you have ever made in your time as ruler. What were you thinking?”
Jagaer dared not look at his wife; he had not seen her this angry since … he could not even remember. They never fought and seldom had disagreements. He included or consulted her in almost every affair of state and she had proven herself an exceptional adviser. More often than not, he would consult her before making a decision, especially ones that concerned their children.
“Jagaer, answer me.”
“Malyn, I do not know what else to tell you. I worry about Maia and I would like to know where she is. I have a bad feeling about her absence an
d, since I cannot go after her myself, Aaron seemed the best person for the task.”
“Bad feeling? Jagaer, we talked about this and agreed that Death is not the reason Maia left. She will always put her people first, no matter the circumstances. I know she has a plan and just because she did not tell us, does not mean she has run away to defy your orders. And,” Malyn stepped dangerously close to his side, “even if that were the case, then that would be her decision to make and not yours.”
“Malyn, how can you say such a thing?” Jagaer looked up, shocked. “It would be against every law, every belief. The mere thought of it should be forbidden.”
Malyn rested a calming hand on his shoulder. “I am only saying that Maia should be free to choose who she wants to be with. Aaron is not that person, yet that is who you have sent after her. It will only drive her further away.”
Jagaer tilted his head. Her sudden change in demeanour worried him. He was sure a moment ago she insinuated that Maia would chose Blaid if she were allowed.
“I don’t think that is all you meant. Your comment only increases my fears and I am even more convinced now that sending Aaron after her was the right decision.” He stood, his tea untouched. “It pains me that we disagree on this matter, but I will not be sending out a rider to stop Aaron. If anything, I will send out more Scouts and send messages to all the cities of Grildor for any information on Maia. If she is, indeed, in league with Death, then she needs to be stopped at all cost.”
“Jagaer, do not do this. You will drive her away from us. Stop seeing her only as your daughter and acknowledge the fact that she is a Life Elemental.”
“That is precisely my concern, Malyn. As a Life Elemental, she should be here with her people. And, if my concerns have basis, then we have a lot more to worry about than a missing daughter.”
Clenching his jaw, Jagaer moved to pass Malyn without looking at her. He grabbed his coat from the hook by the door and was outside before he had even put it on.
The fresh morning air made him shiver and he put his arms through his coat as he made his way to the Hall of the Guardians. Aaron had left at sunrise and would by now be at least ten miles from Shadow Hall. Aaron could be back at Shadow Hall within the hour if he dispatched a rider now.
Angrily, he shook his head. Malyn had gotten under his skin. He did not understand why she was against Aaron looking for Maia. Jagaer had been disappointed when Maia told them she did not want to marry Aaron. He knew she did not love him, but it was the thought of her settling down that made a marriage to Aaron so appealing. He would rather have Maia marry Aaron, than be seduced by that … that …
The scene from the battlefield played out before his eyes as he walked. They had been losing, about to be overrun by the enemy, when Maia joined the fight. There had been something different about her, similar to how she was during the first war, when she had also teamed up with Death to save them.
This time, though, Death was not fighting by her side, yet she fought as if he was. Maia appeared completely unaware of her surroundings and had blown through the enemy like a tornado. Jagaer could not say how many she killed that day, only that she had not cared that she was injured along the way.
When the fighting was over, whatever had driven Maia left her, and she collapsed, bleeding from so many wounds Jagaer could not count them all. Maia had barely been conscious when Blaid came to find her.
Jagaer’s blood boiled at the thought of the Death Elemental. The man had corrupted his daughter and put thoughts into her head that she was stronger than she was. Maia was a Life Elemental and wielding death as she had that day on the battlefield was not what she was made for. Jagaer was convinced it had killed part of her soul.
It had taken Maia a long time to heal from those injuries and, when she finally got out of bed, she had not been the same. So, when Aaron asked to marry her, of course Jagaer had given his consent. It was the safest option for Maia.
Now, she was gone. Had she told them of a plan to save their people, he might have believed her and even given her warriors to aid her cause. But she left during the night, taking her dragon, without telling anyone where she was going or what she planned.
Malyn might not believe it, but Jagaer suspected Maia ran off to find Blaid. Jagaer had not wanted to speak to Jaik about it, but he mentioned it to Silas and his most trusted adviser gave him the same practiced speech he had given them when they first noticed Maia was missing.
The fact that Silas kept Maia’s secret - Jagaer was sure Silas knew where Maia was - infuriated him, but no matter what he said, the stubborn old Elf would not be swayed. Jagaer now only spoke to him during their meetings and war councils and it took all of Jagaer’s willpower not to let anyone see the tension between them.
By the time Jagaer reached the Hall of the Guardians, he needed a moment to compose himself. He had work to do and he could ill afford to let his anger dictate his actions. Besides, Jaik was to leave for Braérn soon and they still had much to discuss.
When he walked through the doors into his chamber, not a visible trace of his anger remained on his face. Composed, Lord Longshadow sat down at his desk and began his work, with Commanders coming and going throughout the day.
After a quick chat with Aaron and Rothea before they departed on their journey, Jaik made his way to the Hall of the Guardians. There was a chill in the air this morning that forebode colder weather; maybe even snow.
The cold weather meant less attacks, but it also made travelling more difficult. He hoped the weather would hold until he got back from Braérn, or even until his father reached Thala Yll.
Pulling the hood of his coat up, he stomped along the path towards the Sparring Grounds. As he neared the Hall of the Guardians, other Commanders joined him, also called to the meeting his father had ordered for this morning.
Jaik knew today’s meetings, of which there would be many, were to sort out the last of the arrangements for when Lord Longshadow was away.
Again, doubt gnawed at the prospect of becoming Lord of Shadow Hall, even if it was only temporary. Normally, he tackled any task; no matter how difficult; with a confidence rivalled by few. This uncertainty he felt inside was new and it unsettled him. He had never been this unsure in his life and suspected it had to do with Maia’s absence.
He hated to blame his sister for his shortcomings, but could find no other explanation for his sudden change. If he did not want the other Commanders to notice his newfound uncertainty, he would have to pull himself together. They would lose respect for him.
Working the muscles in his jaw, he stepped through the heavy doors of the Hall of the Guardians and pushed his way through the assembled crowd. He was the first in his father’s chamber and they went through some notes before they called the first Commanders in for their meeting.
For hours; with only few, short breaks in between; they discussed the running of the city, from setting the Night Watch to maintenance, from posting Sentinels to dispatching the Hunters. All of this Jaik dealt with on a daily basis in his capacity as Commander of the Guard. The actual tasks fell to the leader of the particular group, but final orders were usually given by Jaik, after receiving them from his father. During his father’s absence, though, he would make the decisions for final orders alone. Suppressing his urge to panic, he paid more attention during those long, strenuous hours than he normally would have.
By evening, he was exhausted. He preferred action and being out in the field. Sitting behind a desk, discussing plans, was more tiring than a day on the battlefield.
Drained, he gave the last orders of the day to his Guard and then made his way home. He needed to pack tonight, as he would be leaving at daybreak.
The thought cheered him up. He had known Siya for years and they had always been friends. More recently, they began courting and he wanted nothing more than to bring her home with him.
He had been elated when his father agreed to it. This was a time of war and Jaik would have understood if his father decided that
now was not the time for courting or marriage. Yet, he had agreed not only to the marriage, but also that Jaik bring Siya home with him as soon as possible.
Lord Swiftfisher of Braérn, as well as Lord Sparrow, Siya’s father, shared Lord Longshadow’s opinion that showing the people that the nobles carried on with normal life and still valued love above all else was important during this time of war and death.
Thus, trying to keep Siya in the forefront of his thinking, he packed. He would only be gone a fortnight, but during his few days in Braérn there would be meetings to attend. Shadow Hall and Braérn had always had a close bond - a bond which would now be further strengthened by his marriage to Siya - and Braérn was one of their closest allies in this war against the Vampyres.
Angrily, he threw his boots on the floor, where they landed with a loud thud. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking of Siya and calming his mind, to not think of the war, his new role as leader and all the other issues he had to worry about.
He would need to learn to accept what was and deal with it as it came. He had the training, the knowledge and even the ambition, so he did not know where this resistance came from. He needed to tame it, bring it under control and regain the upper hand on his emotions.
Jaik slept little that night, spending most of it repacking, writing letters and instructions, and going over the agenda for his stay in Braérn.
Just before sunrise, he shouldered his pack and headed out the door. Two Servers already awaited him outside and one immediately took his backpack, while the other went inside to fetch the rest of the gear he would be travelling with.
Together, they crested the ridge to the stables, briskly walking through the eerie morning mist lying low over the forest floor. Again, Jaik wondered if they would see snow early this year and was glad they were leaving today.
The stables already bristled with activity, the men under his command knowing he liked an early start.
