by B. C. Morin
Kaleb looked at Brennus.
“The dragons!”
When they looked down the cave, an orange glow began to illuminate the path. The heat came upon them before the flames. Kaleb threw up his hands, creating a wind that cut through the flames, protecting them and only allowing for minor scorching.
Brennus threw himself forward, his sword at the ready, but when the smoke cleared there was no sign of Maligo.
“We have to leave!” Kaleb called out to him as Brennus tried in vain to penetrate the wall of flames that surrounded Samil.
Through the flames, a burst of fire shot out. Kaleb lifted his hands but was barely able to get the wind going before it hit him, knocking him down.
The flames around the pentacle began to lower and Brennus was able to see Samil. He stood taller and was not as transparent. His eyes were completely black and he wore a grin as his gaze moved from Kaleb to Brennus. Brennus tried shooting magic at him but Samil blocked it easily. His eyes narrowed, while he tried to enter Brennus’s mind. Brennus raised a hand to his temple, feeling the attempted intrusion.
Suddenly, another roar filled the cavern, and Brennus knew that he and Kaleb had to leave, or they would be cooked alive. Fighting the mental onslaught, he ran over to Kaleb, who was beginning to stand. Kaleb scanned the area and found Maligo in a corner behind Samil.
“Coward!” He yelled as he shot the fire spell at him, but Samil was quick to block it.
Brennus stumbled for a moment, fighting Samil. Kaleb looked at Samil and then at Brennus. Realizing what was going on, Kaleb concentrated all his energy and power into the small whirlwinds that were forming in his hands. As soon as they left his palms, they grew to almost the size of the cave, pressing against the fire that surrounded Samil. The winds lifted Samil and Maligo, crashing them against the wall of the cave. Then the roar came again, followed by a fire, which this time they were able to jump out of the way to avoid. Brennus looked in the cave again and saw glimmering white teeth crushing their way into the small opening they were in. In a moment the white teeth were gone and a large claw pushed through the opening one of the talons cutting through Kaleb’s leg.
“She will break through the opening and devour us all!” Brennus helped Kaleb up and they both turned to Samil and Maligo, who by now had stood again. Maligo leaned against the wall of stone behind him. Samil chanted a spell loudly and with a flash, disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
Brennus stared for a moment at the spot where Samil and Maligo had just stood, which was now covered in black soot and reeking from the smell of sulfur.
“Calling in a favor from your demon friends, Samil?” Knowing he needed much more than his own strength to transport himself and Maligo out of the cave, Brennus ran over to Torin, checking for any signs that he might still be alive, but found none. He picked up his body and hastily made his way out of the cave with Kaleb following close behind.
As they emerged from the opening, they saw Halwyn kneeling next to Kelan who lay on the ground with a pool of blood beneath him.
“We have little time before they return to the earth.”
Kaleb leaned against the mountainside and slid down until he was sitting on the ground attempting to assess the damage to his leg. Halwyn picked up Kelan and he and Brennus walked into the surrounding trees with their dead.
When they returned, Brennus walked over to Kaleb who was being healed by Accolon, his leg and the ground beneath him covered in blood. There were singe marks across his arms and legs, and a gash on his head which Brennus assumed happened as Samil threw him against the wall.
“Majesty,” Accolon began, looking at Brennus. “His injuries are too great.”
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Chapter 9
Alannah stood in a corner of the balcony, hidden in the shadows. The cold air reminded her of the impending winter. The Kingdom looked amazing when highlighted by the moon and stars. Many of the chimneys in the distance billowed smoke, and the Cascades of Anrad reflected the night sky. But she was not out here to enjoy the view. Tonight, there was a purpose. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, grateful that unlike some of her other cloaks, this one had long beautiful sleeves attached. The long sleeves of her gear fought against the cold, as well. She had grown to like the feel of the training gear. It allowed her to move more swiftly, more quietly, just as she would tonight. Alannah had been waiting on the balcony for what seemed like an eternity. Perhaps it would not have been so bad if not for the cold wind.
Finally, the moment she had been waiting for arrived. The shadow she had seen a few nights ago emerged from the castle, making its way across the courtyard to the gate. Alannah stepped to the edge of her balcony, perched herself on the ledge and manipulating the winds, jumped down and landed without a sound. She stuck to the shadows, following the hooded figure whose identity she thought she knew.
The hooded figure walked across the woods, past the walkways that led to the houses, the falls, and even other training grounds. Eventually, there were no more pathways. They were surrounded solely by trees and Alannah estimated that they must have been walking at least an hour. She ducked beneath branches and hid behind trees to avoid being seen. This was not as easy as she thought it would be. Eventually, the hooded stranger reached a dead end. Blocked by the wall of the Kingdom and surrounded by a dense population of trees.
Where will you go now?
The hooded figure looked around as if ensuring it was alone, before holding out a feminine hand, touching the stone wall, and within seconds walking through it as if it were nothing more than a shadow.
No! Alannah thought to herself. She ran to the wall and placed her hand on the same stone but felt nothing change. Alannah looked around for a moment completely bewildered until it hit her as strongly as if it were a stone itself. Mass Manipulation. The stranger must have that ability. No matter stranger, you will not get the best of me. Alannah used the wind around her once more to hoist her to the top of the stone wall and she was able to see the figure in the distance walking quickly out of site. I have to hurry. She thought to herself. She brought herself down slowly and took off at a quick pace, trying to catch up without being seen. There had been a few times when the stranger turned to see if she was being followed but Alannah managed to stay out of sight. The stranger made her way around the lake that sat just to the right of the entrance to Anrad, crossing through a path with barely any trees, making it difficult for Alannah to keep up. The wind began to pick up and Alannah was grateful once again for Anora’s ability to choose an impeccably warm cloak. In a gust of wind, the stranger’s hood was pushed back revealing an ocean of ink black hair blowing in the breeze.
“Isibeal.” Alannah murmured to herself, a smile of satisfaction crossed her lips. She knew she was right.
Isibeal looked around and Alannah caught site of her piercing hazel eyes from a distance. She quickly tucked her hair back into her hood and continued onward. She stopped just short of a small log cabin tucked away between the Argon Sea and the edge of the forest. It could not have been more than one bedroom. Isibeal knocked and the door was opened from inside, allowing her to come in. Candle light glowed, illuminating Isibeal’s smiling face when she strode in, closing the door quickly behind her.
Alannah cursed that all the draperies were drawn and she could not see inside. But it did not matter now. Alannah had been right all along. It was Isibeal that she had seen the other night, and now here she was again, sneaking out without guards or protection. The question was…why?
Alannah contemplated waiting for her, but decided against it, realizing that she had no idea how long Isibeal would be, so she headed back. She made her way quickly to the wall, and just before she took the leap to scale it, she heard a loud growl behind her. Alannah closed her eyes, terrified of what may be behind her. As she turned, she saw a wolf, standing as large as she, and ready to attack.
The wolf growled again, its lips curled back, white teeth shining in the moonlight.
“I do not want to hurt you.” She said lowly wishing the wolf could understand. But it couldn’t understand or didn’t care. The large paws took a menacing step forward and Alannah held out her hands calculating how fast she would have to travel for the wolf not to catch her. The wolf lunged itself at her and she pushed her palms to face the ground, a large gust of wind pushing her up along the stone wall. She stopped at the top, crouching down on one knee and expecting the wolf to crash into the wall, but it simply lifted its feet and tried climbing the wall as well, just barely missing Alannah’s foot with its sharp claws as it swiped at her. The wolf backed up and tried it again, but saw that the attempt was futile. After growling for a few moments more, it padded away. The hard thuds of its large paws growing fainter. Alannah let out a breath she had been holding and jumped down off of the wall.
The walk back was quicker than she had expected it to be. Alannah wondered if she should approach Isibeal, if she should follow her again to see what she was up to, or even take it to Brennus. No, she could not take it to Brennus and make it seem as though she was merely looking for things to come between them. But she also knew that Isibeal was up to something and was not going to let her hurt Brennus.
It was near sunrise when Isibeal came walking through the gate heading towards the door that lead to the servant quarters and kitchens. She made her way in, double checking the hallways before walking through. As she rounded the corner to her room, she did not see the young fae sitting on a luxurious oak seat covered in satin.
“Seems a bit late to be out for a stroll.” Alannah sat with her back straight, in her hand she twirled a small dagger that she usually kept hidden on her bodice. Her eyes never left the blade.
Isibeal let out a squeal at the unexpected voice echoing through the hallway.
“Alannah!” She said sweetly, though her voice shook. “You,” she began, as she fiddled with the tie of the cloak around her neck. “You frightened me.”
“I see.” A new found confidence rose in Alannah. Perhaps it was exhilaration of having succeeded in not being seen tonight, the fact that she was able to control her magic, or the fact that she felt the need to protect Brennus. Whatever it was, she was enjoying it immensely. She stopped twirling the blade in her hand and tucked it away in its pocket as she stood from her seat.
Isibeal took off her cloak, her cheeks still red from the cold.
“Is everything alright?” she opened the door of her room and Alannah followed her in.
“I could ask you the same question.”
Isibeal walked over to the fireplace, adding another log to the fire and rubbing her hands together in front of it.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I would think that something is amiss when someone sneaks out of this beautiful castle in the middle of the night, without any guards.”
Isibeal gave a weak smile.
“Alannah, I do not know what you are talking about.”
Alannah let out a chuckle.
“I should have known you would deny it.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I saw you, Isibeal. I saw you leave.” She decided to wait to tell her that she followed her.
“Alannah, it’s not what you think.” Her brow was creased, but not in anger. Sadness?
“I’m not sure what I think about this just yet. But let me tell you something, Isibeal,” Alannah stepped forward standing toe to toe with Isibeal and grateful that she had kept her boots on so that she was the same height as her. “Whatever it is you are up to, whatever it is you are planning, if you hurt Brennus, so help me, I will bring the whole of the five Kingdoms down on you.”
She saw a flash of hurt in Isibeal’s eyes, but her face portrayed only seriousness. Alannah turned on her heal and walked out of the room, her coat billowing behind her.
* * * * * * *
“You are going to wear a hole in the wood.” Tristan called out with a chuckle.
Evyette stopped hastily, and still biting her lip, looked up at Tristan.
“I just do not get it!” She said throwing her hands in the air. “We have been here every day since I discovered my old home, and Rhoslyn is nowhere to be found! I know she knows something, Tristan, and I know that there might be something in this store that will lead me to her.”
Tristan looked around ensuring that he would not be heard by anyone.
“There is another way to find out what is in that store.” He said with his eyebrow raised and a mischievous smile on his face.
Tristan held up a hand and using his fingers, waved her over as he turned and began to walk.
“Where are we going?” Evyette hurried to catch up to him.
He stopped to face her and caught the glare of her honey eyes.
“You know, this autumn weather agrees with you.” He raised his hand to her cheek caressing it softly. “Your pink cheeks are adorable.”
Evyette gave a soft smile and pressed her cheek into his hand. “You still haven’t answered me.”
“Oh.” He laughed. “We are going around the back of the store to see if there is a door there.”
“Tristan, there will most surely be a door back there, but I am sure it will be locked as well.”
“Yes, my love, but I doubt anyone will see us unlocking it.”
“Unlocking it?” She half-yelled.
“Ssshhhh.” He held out his hand over her mouth.“Yes, unlocking it.” He dropped his hand as they reached the door. “Evy, we cannot wait for the answers to come to us. We will have to get them.”
“I suppose. But I don’t feel right about it.”
“Well, I do not either, but I also do not see another way.” Tristan leaned in to the door. “Expediere.” He demanded, and he heard the locks tumble on the other side. He grabbed the door handle and twisted it, pulling the door to them. Instantly they were engulfed in a musty, mildew covered odor.
Evyette’s heart pounded hard against her chest, as she looked down to her most recent Mark. Tristan held the door open for her and closed it behind them as they walked in. The back room that they had entered into looked more like lodging than part of a store. There was a bed up against the wall, just small enough to accommodate one fae of Evyette’s height. To the right of them was a sink made of what she assumed was silver, but it was too tarnished to tell, and a small stove with a pot housing a collection of webs and spiders. Evyette shuddered as one scurried in from its perch on the handle.
Against the wall, to the left, was a chest of drawers, which Tristan had already helped himself to searching. Inside the first drawer, he found several female garments. In the second drawer, there were spell books and empty potion bottles. As he went to pull the third drawer opened, he was met with resistance. He yanked a couple of times but saw that it would not budge.
“Is it stuck?” Evyette asked, as she walked over and squatted down next to Tristan.
“No, I think it’s locked.” Tristan pulled again. Nothing. “Expediere.” Nothing.
“Hmm, let me try.” Evyette grabbed hold of the wooden handle comprised of twisted oak branches. “Expediere!” The drawer still would not give way. Suddenly a black and purple smoke twisted in the air beside them, disturbing the years of dust that had accumulated. Tristan stood, placing Evyette behind him and unsheathing his sword. In seconds, the smoke cleared and a small fae stood before them, hands clasped in front of her, head down, grey hair falling almost to her waist.
“Trespassers.” She whispered from beneath her cloak of hair.
Evyette peeked over and around Tristan’s shoulder, then moved to stand beside him. “Rhoslyn?”
The old fae lifted her hair and as her stone colored tresses fell to the side, they revealed a set of vibrant purple eyes staring at them, and a twisted smirk on her face.
“I warned you, child.”
Evyette stepped forward, despite Tristan’s hand on her arm, and trying to pull her back.
“I am aware of your warning. But I am sure of the answers I desire. Despite
the consequences. I need to know.”
Rhoslyn tilted her head back, releasing a cackling laugh, and Evyette and Tristan caught a glimpse of the Marks that worked their way across her chest and up to her neck. The laugh echoed through the tiny room, sending icy shivers down Evyette’s back.
“You are so sure?” She glanced down at Evyette’s wrist as Evyette lifted her sleeve to rub her arm and relieve herself of the goose bumps. “What is that?” She rushed over grabbing Evyette’s arm. Her brittle nails sinking into her skin.
Evyette tried to pull her arm away but the old fae’s grip was too strong.
“Release her.” Tristan cried out as he took a step forward.
Rhoslyn held out her hand stopping Tristan in his tracks.
“Where is the one that gave you this?”
“I – I do not know.” Evyette tried to keep her voice from shaking but she knew that it was still heard.
“What do you mean you do not know!” The old fae was shouting and her eyes glistened with tears that she was not willing to spill.
“I do not know! It was bestowed upon me at the Magi Kingdom by someone who erased my memory of it soon after it happened. No one saw her and by the time I tried to recollect what she looked like, the memory was gone.”
“She lives, still.” She said under her breath, just barely loud enough for Evyette to hear.
“You know her?”
Rhoslyn let out a snicker as she released Evyette’s arm. When she lowered her hand Tristan was finally able to move and rushed to Evyette, taking her in his arms.
“Explain what is going on here, old fae!” Tristan demanded as he released Evyette, while placing a protective arm across her.
Rhoslyn looked at Tristan, her eyes piercing through him as if she were going to hurt him.
“Do not demand things from me, inexperienced fae! You do not know or understand the forces you are both dealing with.”
She whipped her head around to look at Evyette. “How long have they been after you?”
