The Circle of Six had mocked his words as a poor attempt at bravado when faced with certain defeat by superior forces. Zi recalled how some who attended Shadow’s execution even celebrated while she screamed from inside the Emory Tree. It was during that moment when Zi first became self-aware of her role in facilitating an atrocity that would have devastating consequences. Aysgarth’s warning came to pass in one defeat after another until no one was left to remember a man named Aysgarth, or the woman he had fallen in love with.
Eventually Zi got weary of answering Elinor’s questions. She suspected Zi’s guilt had something to do with it. Or perhaps she grew reluctant because she too had dismissed Aysgarth’s words as frivolous. Elinor wedged herself between two dermal plates and then tied off as a precaution against falling. As the first raindrops began to fall, she fell asleep under darkening skies. But her sleep was anything but restful. She struggled to remain warm. The constant rocking upset her stomach. Wind and rain, and thunderclaps that seemed as though they were occurring right above her made it almost impossible to find comfort. It was when Zi rapidly descended that Elinor felt the most squeamish.
A tumultuous sea appeared with waves that made Zi look small in comparison. She made an abrupt cut that sent Elinor off balance. If she hadn’t been tied off she would have plummeted into the water. Zi evaluated the spacing between waves as she flew parallel to them. Once she had her timing down, her wings became stationary and she glided above the surface. Her mouth opened, taking in copious amounts of seawater and with it, the algae that thrived in the warm waters. Towering waves and whipping crosswinds forced Zi to repeat the process several times, leaving Elinor curled in a ball. She dared not try to stand again. Elinor closed her eyes and longed for more favorable conditions. Exhausted and sickly was not how she wanted to announce her arrival to Raven Rock.
It seemed they had been in the storm for at least one day. Clearing skies slowly gave way to calmer seas. In every direction there was nothing but water. Now sunlight percolating through the shroud reflected off the sea’s surface made it appear crystalline, like Elinor’s pendant. She watched Zi’s shadow dip and rise between rolling waves. Her query about how much farther they had to go was answered by the gargan equivalent of a shrug. Zi mustered a throaty grunt and focused ahead. Elinor sighed and proceeded back to the location that she had learned was the ideal spot to ride—where there was less turbulence and rocking. She munched on her own supply of algae and thought about Morbis and the other light-bearers again. Elinor drifted off, wondering how they were faring against Ka΄Phar and the horde. How they existed in their current form and whether they could be hurt or killed again was of great interest to her. Once she had found Aysgarth, and fulfilled her promise to Morbis, she intended to return to the temple. After all, that is where her tribe resided and was the place she had come to know as home.
Elinor was jolted awake by a rumbling moan. Thick fog blanketed the sky. Low-pitched pounding from crashing waves led Elinor to believe they had arrived at their destination. She untied herself and stretched her legs. Her head swiveled as she searched the area for land. Zi made a subtle course correction and then leveled out again. In anticipation, Elinor peered ahead, expecting any moment that Raven Rock would come into view. The emergence of faint light caught her eye. She looked closer but lost whatever it was in the fog.
“Zi!” Elinor called. “I think I saw something up ahead.” And then without warning the sky cleared. Elinor gasped. She reached for her polearm as she stumbled backward. Bearing down on them, menacing red eyes loomed large. “The man wolf,” uttered Elinor in reverence. “It’s real.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Erected on a barrier island off the southern coast, a colossal bronze statue guarded the entrance to Raven Rock. Its formidable size and physical appearance were meant as a warning to all who entered. With its left leg positioned forward and the way in which the trident was held across its chest, the sea wolf’s defensive stance was meant to symbolize Lancian fortitude. A sneering grimace and fearsome glass eyes stained crimson red were an indicator that whether friend or foe, any transgression against House Aysgarth would be dealt with swiftly. Although the statue had been neglected for some time, made apparent by heavy oxidation and climbing shoots that hung from its frame, the sea wolf was as menacing as on the day when it had first been unveiled. Elinor stared at the trident’s prongs as Zi flew underneath them, noticing how sharp the tips still appeared. Both sides had been filed down to dagger thinness.
Zi aimed for an opening between towering cliffs that bordered the sea. Crashing waves sent water skyrocketing. They entered Raven Rock’s keyhole, a prehistoric canyon with turbulent wind that forced Zi to fly erratically. She maneuvered closer to the water and then to one side in search of a more favorable flight path. Once she located stable air her thrashing tail steadied and her wings slowed to a measured pace.
On both sides, a sheer rock face rose to the heavens. Tentacles of intertwined plants grew from the top of the ridge to the water’s surface. Plummeting waterfalls pounded the sea and strong tides coursing around protruding rocks created volatile whirlpools. As they flew farther into the canyon, a series of suspended platforms appeared. Hollow cylinders that could be extended and used to douse enemy ships with hot tar protruded from observation posts. The bamboo construction appeared sturdy, but the lashing was heavily frayed. They continued along a meandering path through the canyon. There was no sign of Ka΄Phar’s army. Elinor did, however, observe skeletons scattered across the platforms where Lancian warriors had likely made their final stand. She suspected their task was to fend off the horde while the fleet sailed through the opening en route to Wenceslaus.
Zi and Elinor emerged from the gorge, flying over a natural harbor sheltered from the sea. On the northern edge an iconic city stood sentinel. Buildings with vibrant color schemes, which had since become dull, lined the shore. In the distance, a snow-peaked mountain range partially concealed by a blanket of thin clouds encircled a valley. A river surged through rolling hills along its winding journey toward a silver-hued lake and petrified trees dotted the landscape. To the east, an extinct volcano glistened under sunlight that peeked through cracks in the sky. At its base the sea disappeared into a massive opening. Elinor realized the cavity was the seamount Ma΄Vastor had spoken of.
As Elinor’s eyes moved up the valley, she gazed in admiration. Built into the side of the mountains and overlooking the valley, an immense gray-and-white polished fortress surrounded by a curtain wall with high towers and dense battlements merged with the skyline. A warm russet-colored dome capped a centralized rotunda that had a sea wolf constructed at the center, making the structure appear like a burning candle. Elinor scampered forward.
“Do you see that clearing in front of the dome, Zi? Looks like a good spot to land.”
Zi proceeded to make a measured descent, circling the fortress from above while falling in a spiraling pattern. She searched the area for signs of movement or any inclination of a trap. While they corkscrewed down, Elinor made final preparations. The rope she had used to tie off was tucked in her satchel. She took a long drink and then packed her flask. With Raven Rock’s warmer climate and increasing likelihood of a confrontation, she removed her cloak and then placed the satchel across her shoulders. To check her nimbleness and ensure everything was properly stowed, Elinor extended her polearm and spun several times while thrusting and performing blocking maneuvers. She had learned from Morbis that a parry could be just as potent as a strong thrust. Reassured everything was in its place and that she could adequately defend herself, Elinor dashed between dermal plates as she made her way down Zi’s back.
Forewings beat rapidly whereas Zi’s smaller hind wings were used like a boat rudder to keep her steady during hover. Zi lowered her tail and Elinor slid the rest of the way to the ground. She speedily darted away from the gargan’s powerful downdraft. Zi moved off and took position above the fortress, high in the sky where she had a wider vantage p
oint of the surrounding area. Although she appeared far off, Elinor knew she had a trustworthy ally that would be there for her if needed.
Raven Rock. Elinor had finally arrived. She would have preferred a light-bearer army supporting her during her incursion into the fortress, especially since it appeared to offer countless blind spots for aurora-hunters to ambush her from, and the amount of ground she would have to cover in her search for Aysgarth seemed insurmountable, but regardless she had made it. Her promise to her father had been fulfilled. All that was left was to find Aysgarth. Or any Lancian for that matter. If Morbis had been right in his stern belief that Lancians could turn the tide of war, that they held the secret to light, then perhaps any Lancian would do? But Elinor knew deep in her heart that her wishful thinking was nothing more than a fantasy. Aysgarth was the one she needed. He was like an unbridled force steering her to victory.
Elinor looked up to check Zi’s position again. Confident she would be able to make a hasty rescue of her, Elinor proceeded along a path that led to the fortress’s main entrance. She stopped in front of the first of two portcullises. A drawbridge spanned the gap between gates, both of which were raised. She admired another statue that had been built inside the first barbican. As passersby entered, the depiction of the youthful woman would have been unavoidable. The statue’s left foot was placed forward. She was slightly bent at the waist with her shoulders rolled back and arms raised skyward. Her left hand was even with her shoulders while the other was marginally higher. Her slender fingers were curved and parted. The statue’s head was canted to the right as lifelike eyes looked up in search of divine inspiration. Etched in the base an engraving read Courage and Wisdom on Equal Footing.
Elinor felt the need to reach for the statue; to run her fingers along the writing. When she contacted the raised inscription, she was afflicted with sudden pain. She became dizzy and her pendant beat vigorously while releasing lively radiance. The pendant’s unusual reaction to her connection with the statue resulted in a series of profound visions.
An adolescent Shadow stood before the statue, holding Aysgarth’s hand. The sun had dropped behind the mountains, bathing both in a pinkish hue that made them appear as though they possessed their own afterglows. Aysgarth was explaining to Shadow the symbolism behind Mother Lancia and how all Lancians were born of her. The engraving was meant as a reminder of the importance of balancing a warrior ethos with a peaceful existence. He continued by saying, “Violence must always be a last resort. When odds are stacked against you, when you feel there is no option left but to fight, always remember your teachings. Knowledge can be a most powerful weapon. It can lead you along the righteous path, or provide clarity when all else is shrouded. It has a way of steering you true, Shadow. But if you do choose the warpath then remember—strike with wisdom at your back. A cunning warrior will always prevail over brute force. Learn to harness wisdom, and courage will follow.” The scenery changed from the fortress to an open meadow. White ravens soared overhead while Aysgarth and Shadow sparred. Giddy laughter rose above the sound of wood swords knocking together.
Elinor tried to steady herself by leaning against the barbican’s inner wall. She took deep breaths, hoping her pain would subside. The scene transitioned again.
This time Shadow was sprawled out by a river that Elinor recognized as the same one the fortress overlooked. Aysgarth was lying next to her, pointing at the stars. He lectured about how the visible horizon and celestial bodies could be used to navigate on land as well as at sea. Midlesson, Shadow rolled over. She silenced him by gently placing her fingers on his lips and proceeded to kiss him. By the expression on Aysgarth’s face, Elinor suspected it was their first. Shadow pulled away giggling, and then ran off, heading for the woods. Aysgarth eagerly pursued.
The final recollection was the most emotional for Elinor and caused her the greatest pain.
Shadow was held tightly in Aysgarth’s arms. He was twirling her around a grand ballroom lined with spectators that oohed and aahed as they moved across the wood floor in cadence with string instruments. The music slowed. Aysgarth took the lead and transitioned to a gentle rocking motion that was more appropriate for the lighter tempo. Shadow leaned into Aysgarth. As if the words had been whispered in her own ear, Elinor heard Shadow declare, “No matter what may come, I will love you forever.”
Elinor was momentarily blinded by a flash of light, becoming overpowered by a feeling comparable to having one’s heart ripped out. Searing pain followed by a twisting force within her chest caused her to fall back against the wall. Tears filled her eyes. Gasping for air while clutching her chest, Elinor felt like a passenger in her own body. She became highly aware that what she was experiencing was not her own pain. It belonged to another. That other was Shadow. Elinor was recalling Shadow’s memories; it was her emotion and pain that were surging through Elinor like it would her own body. As she tried to steady herself, she looked down. Her pendant was glowing profusely. And its rhythmic thumping was growing more profound.
After a short pause to collect herself and much internal debate about how her pendant was somehow linking her with Aysgarth and Shadow, Elinor passed under the curtain wall’s arched gates, and then proceeded into the citadel’s courtyard. She followed a flagstone walking path that wound toward the rotunda. Along the way she noticed there were no carcasses or remains of any kind, only weapons and armor. Scavengers had obviously cleaned up behind aurora-hunters unleashed upon the stronghold. Cautiously and very quietly, Elinor followed the footpath until it ended at parted doors that were severely scratched and showed signs of being subjected to an external siege. She steadied her nerves and then squeezed through the doorway.
Once inside, she walked across the expanse to an extravagant staircase. Ornate scrollwork and sphere-topped stone posts provided a glimpse into Lancian artistry. She continued up marble steps to a landing that provided an ideal vantage point of her surroundings. The room was tastefully orchestrated with its floor-to-ceiling windows and an opulent chandelier that hung from the copper dome, with crystal facets and bevels inlaid with gold slivers. Elinor imagined how beautiful the room must have been during better times as sunlight was reflected off the chandelier. As she stood overlooking the expanse, it was eerily quiet. A room built to welcome guests and demonstrate wealth and prosperity had become just another tomb. The space was littered with weapons and shields and helmets. Heavy staining covered surfaces both wide and narrow. Even the stair’s banisters were smeared with dried blood. Raven Rock had become the first battle in a losing war. Elinor hoped her fate would be different from those of the Lancians. And she badly wanted the next battle to have the opposite outcome as the first.
At the top of the staircase she located two possible routes marked by floor runners. One veered to the left toward a closed door, the other extended into a darkened corridor. Elinor considered her options and settled for the door. It seemed logical to her that survivors would use any available means of protection against the horde, and a closed door seemed like a better choice than most.
Suspiciously she advanced. Her head swiveled to cover every possible angle a threat could materialize from. She tiptoed forward. Elinor reached for the door’s handle and then froze midprocess. The pendant’s vibrating had slowed; its glimmer had dimmed. Unsure of why the thought had even come to mind, Elinor stepped backward and retraced her steps. As she did, the pendant became lively again. She couldn’t believe her assumption had been right. Somehow the pendant was trying to steer her along the correct course. But to where? she wondered.
Elinor made a firm decision to trust her instincts and the pendant. If she had learned anything from her ordeal it was that there were powerful forces at work that she was unable to explain, and ones that she certainly had no intention of ignoring again. She moved into the corridor. Her afterglow activated, triggered by strong light emanating from her pendant. It acted as a torch illuminating her way. Elinor looked around. The space seemed familiar to her. When she looked up
and saw the ceiling covered by a mural, she realized where she was. The corridor was the location of her first interaction with Aysgarth. Elinor grew more assured that she was on the right path and continued.
The corridor opened into another vast room with several doorways. Elinor walked in a circle, gaging the pendant’s reaction. Tapestries that had been ripped from their anchors covered the floor. In a centralized location, delineated by sconces that Elinor had an urge to light, hung a coat of arms. At the center of the shield was a sea wolf, bordered by a raven on each side with their wings spread. The shield was capped by a likeness of the fortress’s dome that was cloaked by a Lancian cape. At the very top was the slogan Hold the Line. At the bottom was the same motto depicted on the statue of Mother Lancia. Although the colors had significantly faded over time, the coat of arms still held some if its original opulence. Elinor felt chills as her eyes studied the image. She took a deep breath and exhaled. There was no way for her to tell whether the intense emotions she was experiencing were of her own making or caused by the pendant. Regardless, the sensations were rather remarkable.
First there was the magnitude of the situation bearing down on her. Its weight was palpable, and Elinor’s shoulders felt heavy. She was so close to achieving what Morbis and her bloodline had set out to accomplish. Of all the scouts that had been sent, Elinor was the only one who had made it. Pride and a sense of relief blended to the point that she was unsure which one was more dominant. Then a great sadness settled over her. No matter what kind of tribe the Lancians were, she couldn’t imagine any people capable of building such wonders deserving the vicious rumors that had been circulated about them. Next came anger. Immense spaces that had once been filled with life stood empty. The reminders of death were everywhere. The notion that Aysgarth and his people had been deserted and betrayed by their allies resonated deeply with Elinor. She herself had been the victim of similar actions. Subconsciously, she gritted her teeth at the recollection. In a show of support, and motivated by her compassionate nature, Elinor’s fingers caressed the sea wolf.
Shadow Kalloire Page 20
