by Toni Cox
“My Lord,” Filithrin greeted him as he stepped into the stable complex.
“Fili.” Jaik nodded to him and Filithrin fell into step beside him.
They had been friends since children and whether as a friend or as a warrior Filithrin had never let him down. With Archer, Jaik’s Second in Command, not accompanying them to Braérn, Filithrin had taken it upon himself to oversee the packing this morning and, as far as Jaik could see, they were almost ready to leave.
“Has Silas arrived yet?” Jaik asked.
“I have dispatched a Server to fetch Master Nightshield and his belongings, so they should be here shortly.”
A soft whinny greeted them as they reached Firestorm’s stable. Jaik still missed Stormborn, his charger killed during the first war, but Firestorm had grown close to his heart and she was a feisty mare with more courage than some stallions he had ridden.
While he waited for the Horse Master to finish saddling his mare, Jaik discussed the details of their trip with Fili. Of course, every item, no matter how minute, had been laid out and discussed already, but Jaik believed one could never be too prepared.
He had been on enough missions to know that the unexpected could happen at any time. He brought to mind the sudden blizzard they had been trapped in last year on their way to Rathaés, or the syphon attack on their way home from Braérn. He hoped they would not encounter any unforeseen disasters, especially not when Siya was with them.
“We are ready to leave, My Lord.”
“Thank you, Henley. Is Master Nightshield present?”
“Yes, My Lord. On his horse and ready to leave.”
“Very well, then. Let us be on the road before the sun breaches the horizon.”
Once in his saddle atop Firestorm, with the mare prancing beneath him and blowing hot steam from her nostrils in the frigid morning air, Jaik’s worry and insecurities finally left him and he was once more the confident Commander everyone knew.
This he was born to do. To lead missions, to lead his warriors. Out in the open, travelling towards the plains of yellowed autumn grass towards his destination, Jaik felt at ease and in control. Gone were the frown lines of the past few days and his heart soared at the prospect of the days of travelling ahead.
He turned in his saddle and looked back at the thirteen men and women following him. It was good group. Three Guard, four Regiment and the rest made up of Silas, Horse Masters, Elders and Servers. Every one of them knew Jaik’s travelling routine and how he liked to conduct himself on the road.
Now, the only issue he needed to worry about were Vampyres. It was not so cold yet as to deter the Vampyres and the possibility of an attack was real. Vampyres, however, was something he knew how to deal with. Even their creatures, the Werewolves, did not frighten him.
As they made their way over the first bridge that led over the Oakin River, Jaik contemplated their situation. Two years ago the Vampyres had started their attacks, but from what they had learned in those two years, the Vampyres had been planning this for many years before and started invading their planet the past five years to establish their network of supplies, spies and traitors. The thought that any Elf could betray their nation made the hairs on the back of his neck stand erect.
Firestorm snorted beneath him as she felt his anger rise and he calmed himself.
All in the name of advancement, they said. The traitors had argued that Elveron stagnated in its old ways and where other races had development and industry, the Elves still did things the way they did them a millennium ago.
Jaik did not understand their arguments. One of the reasons Elveron was still as pristine as it was, was because the Elves lived the way they did. If they now started to condone industry such as the traitors had talked about, Elveron would soon be ruined.
The traitors said they had visited some of the other planets and had seen how technology - Jaik did not fully understand this term - improved the lives of those that lived there. Jagaer had called in Aaron during the debates about industry and technology and what Aaron had to say about it had been frightening. Air so polluted one could not breathe it, water so dirty one could not drink it. All wild animals extinct and the ones that were kept for food were bred in conditions too horrific to think about. Jaik wished never to see Elveron like that.
“We are almost at Cedar Rock. Do you want me to send the Servers ahead to start the fires?”
Jaik startled at Filithrin’s voice beside him. He glanced around and saw that Fili was correct; they neared Cedar Rock, the place usually used as a camp site on the first day of travel to Braérn. Tomorrow night, they would sleep at the guesthouse along the route.
“Thank you, Fili. Send them ahead. There are clouds gathering and it will get dark early tonight.”
“Aye, My Lord.”
Filithrin gave his orders. The two Servers, Nind and Amatphen, rode off at a fast trot, leading a pack horse each. By the time the rest of the party reached Cedar Rock, the fires would be lit and they would have started to erect the tents. He had chosen both Nind and Amatphen for their speed and efficiency, which could be crucial if they were under attack and needed to leave in a hurry.
What concerned Jaik now, though, was the fact that he had let the day pass him by, distracted by the thoughts in his head. He had not paid attention to his surroundings, his fellow travellers or even his horse. He was known for always being vigilant and careful and for putting the safety of those with him above anything else.
He now chided himself for his lapse in attention and the frown that had been plastered to his forehead over the past few days came back and stayed there. Something was not right with his world and, if he did not figure it out soon, it could easily mean injury or death to one or more of his companions, even to himself. He was Commander. He could not afford to lose control like this.
Clenching his jaw, he sat up straighter in the saddle. He saw Filithrin look at him and he nodded to his trusted Guard. No one knew him better than the members of his Guard and there was no doubt in his mind that all three with him today, Filithrin, Tallson, and Glark, were fully aware of his lapse.
He narrowed his eyes against the chilly wind that stung his face as the sun began to set behind the mountains. There was much to do and many hardships to overcome until their nation was at peace once more. Grildor and its people needed him. That was all that mattered. He would have to put his personal difficulties aside and concentrate on his people. He would not let them down. He was heir to the throne and his duty lay only with them.
When Aaron’s party made camp that evening, Aaron’s legs were sore from riding all day, but he had found his rhythm again and felt more comfortable on Mist King’s back than he had in the morning.
Rothea strutted around camp giving orders while Aaron walked the stiffness off, Wolf at his heels. The wolf had run ahead or wandered off for most of the day, but as evening dawned, the animal returned to them. Once Aaron had dismounted, Wolf came to him for some attention and Aaron scratched the wolf’s head. They had never been close, but he liked the animal and, in the absence of Maia or Jaik, Wolf seemed to enjoy his company.
Aaron walked over to a secluded area of shrubs to relieve himself and Wolf helped him mark the territory. He laughed at the wolf and then they headed back to camp together.
“He seems to know you need protection,” Rothea said, tilting her head towards Wolf, when he joined her by the fire.
“Oh, I thought he just enjoyed my company.”
“Or that,” Rothea conceded with a smile. “How are your legs?”
“Better, thank you. I will get used to it, I’m sure.”
“I have no doubt. I have seen you ride when you put your mind to it. Most people still see mostly the Human that came from Earth a couple of years back, but I can see the changes in you. You are not the same man you were when you came here.”
Aaron was quiet for a moment as he found his seat, Wolf settling at his feet. Indeed, he wasn’t the same man. He had changed; for the better;
he felt it with every fibre of his being. Some of the changes were obvious; like the slight tip on his ears, the grey disappearing from his hair, and the extra muscle tone on his body; but other changes were more subtle and, as Rothea said, many people did not notice them.
He could see better, hear better, smell better; basically, all his sense had become super-human. He was faster, stronger, and had more stamina, than any Human could ever claim. Essentially, he became an Elf and, although he struggled with the concept in the beginning, it was now something he was proud of.
“Neth will be serving grilled fish and vegetables tonight.”
“That sounds good,” he replied to Rothea’s statement.
“We are only a day’s ride from Shadow Hall and we have fresh supplies. We will eat well for the next few days, but I must warn you, on a mission like this, there might not always be a warm meal at the end of the day.”
“I am aware of it and prepared for whatever may come.”
“I hope you are, Aaron. You have only travelled a few times since you’ve come to us and all of those trips have been in relative luxury. I just want you to know there may be hardships ahead of us such as you have never encountered.”
“Yes, that was one of Jasmin’s concerns as well, but I am determined, if nothing else. Besides, I have you to look out for me.” He grinned disarmingly at Rothea and she smiled back at him.
“That you do, Aaron, and I promise to do my best. Here is Neth; let us eat.”
Wolf rose as Neth approached with their plates and the smell of grilled fish filled the air. The wolf stuck his nose up and sniffed, following Neth as she handed out the plates.
“Not for you,” the Server said, “I have wolf food for you. Come.” Neth made a motion with her hand and the wolf was immediately at her heels as she walked away from them.
“He is well trained,” Aaron commented before he took his first bite of food.
“Jaik spent some time with Neth and me to show us the commands he uses with Wolf. Did he not show you as well?”
Aaron frowned. “I know Jaik wanted to see me before we left, but there was no time. That was probably what he had wanted to talk to me about.”
“Don’t worry. I will show you. Wolf is well trained and he will listen to you. He likes you.”
“Hmm, I thought you said he thought I needed protecting.”
“Or that,” Rothea conceded, and both laughed.
After their meal, Rothea went around camp to check all was in order. Aaron accompanied her, to learn what a well-set camp should look like and how it should be run.
Aaron enjoyed learning and, during their time on Elveron, had studied diverse subjects - from biology to warfare - and even started his own collection of rare plants. Sometimes, he thought he should have been born an Elf, as he thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle, even if accepting it initially had been one of the hardest things to come to terms with in his life.
Rothea spent almost two hours with him, explaining why the tents were set up in such a way, and why the fires were placed as they were, and why she had stationed the night watchmen there and not there. She answered every question without becoming impatient with him and only when it was fully dark did she walk him to his tent and wish him a good night.
Aaron slept well the exhaustion from riding all day finally having caught up with him. When he woke in the morning, it was to Wolf licking his face and Rothea calling his name from outside.
“I’m up, I’m up,” he said, and pushed the wolf away. “Oh, Mother,” he groaned and painfully sat back down on his cot.
“Are you all right?” Rothea called from outside.
“Yes, I will be right there.”
“We are leaving in half an hour. Hurry, so you can have breakfast.”
Aaron waited for Rothea’s footsteps to recede before he tried to stand again. Every muscle screamed and it took him most of that half hour just to get dressed. He cursed himself for not riding more often.
“A little sore this morning,” Rothea commented as he joined her at the horses.
“I had hoped you would not notice,” he replied.
“It is hard not to with that funny gait of yours, but, do not fret, your muscles will become used to the exercise and it will not bother you for much longer.”
“I sure hope you are right.”
Rothea helped him into Mist King’s saddle. “Here, I saved this for you as you missed breakfast.”
Thankful, Aaron took the piece of travel bread Rothea offered him and she smiled when he took his first bite.
“Time to go,” Rothea said in a loud voice, and the others sprang into action.
Within moments, their caravan of twenty-six people, thirty horses and a wolf were on the march again, now heading in a northerly direction.
Yesterday, when they left, they took the route as if they were on their way to Eiken, which was where the people of Shadow Hall had been told they were going. Rothea had a few ideas of where Maia could be hiding and Eiken was definitely not one of them.
“Where are we heading today?” Aaron asked, trying to remember all the places Rothea had mentioned.
“Maia has a hide-out on the slopes of The Sentinel, the tall mountain next to Shadow Peak. We shall try there first, but it will take us two days to get there from here. If she is not there, we will make our way south again, hoping she did not go to Thala Yll or any of the other northerly places.”
“You seem confident she has gone south. What makes you think so?”
“I am only trying The Sentinel because it is close to Shadow Hall and if she has not gone to find Blaid, I think that is where she would be. It is close, so she could be back to save her people almost instantly. But, like we discussed, I think she searches for Blaid and the last time he was seen, he was heading south.”
“Let us hope she is at The Sentinel. The mere thought of Blaid gives me shivers, and not the good kind, either.” Rothea looked at him questioningly, and he continued. “I simply cannot fathom why she would want to work with him again after what happened last time. It took her two Moons to fully regain her strength and all because he abandoned her during the fighting. I do understand that working together enhances her strength, but then he should have at least the courtesy to fight alongside her. He is nothing but a rogue as far as I am concerned. I don’t care that he is a Death Elemental. If I should ever meet him again, I shall let him know exactly what I think of him.”
Rothea’s eyes flashed dangerously for a moment and then she looked down at her hands, almost as if she did not want Aaron to see what she was thinking. Her long, red hair fell forward, hiding her face.
“Rothea?” Aaron asked, uncertain. “Have I said something wrong?”
“No, Aaron, it is only that …” she hesitated. “I know it is not my place to tell you and it is something few people are aware of, but given the nature of our quest, I shall tell you now.”
“What is it?” Aaron asked, a sick feeling in his stomach.
Rothea cleared her throat, and turned around to make sure they were far enough from everyone not to be overheard. Her face looked pained when she faced him to speak.
“From what I have learned, Blaid made contact with Maia before the first war, just after she came back from Earth.”
Aaron raised his eyebrows; he had assumed they met for the first time during that war.
“Maia told me once, in confidence, she had dreams of Blaid before the first war and, had she listened to those dreams, they might have prevented the war from happening in the first place.”
“Do you believe that? That they could have stopped the war?”
“It matters not what I believe. Maia believes it, which is one of the reasons I think she is seeking Blaid now.”
“What is the other?”
“Aaron, I …” She hesitated again, but then lifted her chin and carried on. “I am sorry to tell you this, but I believe you should know. Maia has met up with Blaid a few times since the first war. He was there when we c
aught those traitors. I don’t think we could have done it without him.”
“That does not sound so bad.”
“No, it is not that. It is that I believe them to be more than just two Prime Elementals working together. I think Maia may be in love with him.”
“What?”
The harsh sound of his voice startled even battle-hardened Mist King and the gelding pranced nervously as Aaron leant forward, trying to catch Rothea’s next words.
“Shh.” Rothea looked around at the others, but they had either not heard or were ignoring the commotion. “Calm your voice. This is a sensitive matter. No one must know I suspect this.”
“You are not sure then?” Aaron asked with hope in his voice.
“I am sure there is something between them that reaches past the boundaries of Primes. I do not know how far their relationship has gone, but there is more there than anyone is aware of. I have seen them together and the way they treat each other is as if they have known each other more intimately than is proper between Primes. I love Maia, but I do not approve of it.”
Aaron was speechless, desperately trying to comprehend what Rothea had revealed. Was Maia sleeping with Blaid? He knew enough of elven culture to know that any kind of sexual activity before marriage was strictly forbidden. He did not think Maia was the kind of person to flaunt an important tradition.
“Are you sure? This does not sound like something Maia would do. She always follows the law to the letter.”
“Aaron, I know you do not want to believe it, but I am telling you, I have seen it. The way they look at each other is not how friends look at each other. I may not know much about Primes, but I do not believe that such behaviour is normal between Primes. As a matter of fact, our society frowns upon Primes being together. It is seen as an abomination and, should it be the case with Maia and Blaid, they will be banished from Grildor and never be allowed to come back.”
Aaron shook his head. “Surely, Jagaer should be made aware of this. Does Silas know? Rothea, why have you not mentioned this before? You said you wanted to come along on this mission because you believed Maia to be in danger by working with Blaid.”
