by Joe Naff
“You seem to make a habit of that,” Viyana said to Heeska. She could hear him approaching from behind her, and it took every bit of her restraint not to spin around in fear and distrust.
“A habit of what?” Heeska asked.
“Saving human lives,” she responded. “It’s amazing. In you I’ve seen more civility and intelligence than I ever dreamed a balisekt could be capable of.”
Heeska stood beside Viyana and looked with her over the cliff. His heightened sense of smell could detect the sweet nectar of the fruits in Azalea’s grove a few hundred feet below them. “We could be capable of so much more. When the balisekts migrated north after the Blight, they split into many different factions. Some built homes, and markets. They established systems of trade and bartering. There were farms, communal spaces, and even schools. They made real communities.”
“It sounds no different than us,” Viyana said humbly.
“It wasn’t,” Heeska said. “In fact, there were many communities that voted to approach your tribes with an offering of peace, to see if we could be accepted as one of your ‘civilized species’.”
Viyana said nothing, but instead wrapped her arms around her torso and rubbed her hands against her elbows. She tried to imagine how such a thing would’ve played out. As much as she didn't want to admit it, the only outcome she envisioned was her soldiers chasing off the balisekt diplomats with swords and spears. “So, what happened?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.
Heeska sighed and hung his head. “Killika and the Shadow Chasers declared war on the balisekt tribes. With the powers they’d discovered, no one could stand up to them. All of our communities became one empire under his rule. He promised us the Lands of Order would be ours, but not by means of peace and understanding.”
“He sought to drive us out,” Viyana said softly.
“No,” Zehlyr said from behind them. “He sought to eradicate us.”
Heeska and Viyana turned to see Zehlyr and Azalea standing together outside of the cave. They were fully dressed with their weapons strapped and at the ready. Azalea was wearing a simply, hand-made dress instead of the green gown she’d worn the day before. Over by the cave door, Cherin still lay motionless on the ground.
“Killika’s hatred for all of our tribes burns hotter than his fire demon’s hide,” Zehlyr continued. He’d heard all about the Shadow Chasers after years of living with Heeska. “Blame was used as a rallying tool. He told his followers that we were responsible for their savage lives; that we cast them out to live like animals. His words inspired them to rise and fight under his banner. Once a large enough force was assembled, it was easy to bully the other balisekt tribes into submission.”
“None of this explains how they created that…creature,” Viyana reminded them. “No power in the entire Lady’s forest could—”
A rustling in the foliage down the eastern slope interrupted the moment. All eyes turned towards a small cluster of walnut shells shaking in the branches. It was clearly no natural arrangement. A thick piece of rope trailed off from them down the mountain. An unseen force jerked on the rope, making the shells clack loudly together.
“What is that?” Cherin asked as the noise shook him suddenly from his slumber. He rose to his feet, swaying back and forth as though drunk on ale.
“Early warning system,” Zehlyr said, his eyes growing wide. “Something is coming this way.”
Heeska lifted his snout and sniffed the air. “And it isn’t friendly,” he added.
Everyone quickly regrouped at the mouth of the cave. Viyana drew her blade as she turned in place. Her eyes scanned the forest below for any signs of movement. “I don’t see anything,” she said. “How far out does that…” A lone arrow shot out from the shadows of the trees, striking Viyana in the left shoulder with a loud thwack. She went down to her knees, grasping her shoulder. A painful cry escaped her lips as her sword fell in the dust at her feet.
Azalea rushed to her side. Quickly she gathered up the fallen sword and helped Viyana to the mouth of the cave. Everyone retreated tightly around them. They stood in a semicircle with their backs to the cave and their weapons at the ready. Zehlyr had an arrow pulled back tight in his bow. Cherin picked up his stolen sword off the cave floor and extended it out in his right hand. Heeska stood in a wide-legged stance with his claws outstretched.
From the shadows of the trees came the balisekts, quickly becoming innumerable. The sword in Zehlyr’s hand began to tremble slightly. There was no way they could take on a force this large, especially with more emerging from the trees with each passing moment.
Azalea pulled the arrow out of Viyana’s shoulder, causing her to whimper in pain. As Viyana held pressure to her wound, Azalea rose to her feet and joined the others in their defensive line. The balisekts continued to swarm in, all impatiently keeping their distance like eager dogs at the end of their leashes. As the soldiers hissed and snarled anxiously, one balisekt made his way to the front of the pack. This soldier was wearing nicer armor than the rest, leading Zehlyr to believe he was important.
The lead soldier surveyed the humans and rogue balisekt in front of him. Its yellow eyes dated from face to face. Zehlyr was puzzled. These soldiers weren't here for mindless killing. They were here to search for something, or someone. He didn't know what they were after, but they clearly felt they needed a massive force in order to secure it.
The lead soldier's eyes widened as it glanced over Zehlyr's shoulder. Puzzled, he looked back to see Azalea standing right behind him. The soldier began to hiss and click rapidly while pointing a clawed finger at Azalea. It was clear he was communicating something important to his squadron. When Zehlyr noticed Heeska turn nervously towards Azalea, he was sure of it.
"What did he say?" Zehlyr asked.
"We have to get out of here," Heeska insisted. "Right now!"
“Into the cave!” Azalea shouted. Everyone dashed into the mouth of the cave. Near the entrance, there were crudely made beds of straw and a few personal belongings. Azalea’s green dress, now soiled and torn, lay discarded on the ground along with some simple tools and a woven basket. It wasn’t much, but it was all Zehlyr or his two companions had in the world. The ground was flattened out, with the stone smoothed unnaturally to make it more comfortable to live on.
As Azalea and Zehlyr led the others into the cave, the army poured in after them. Out from under the noonday sun, everything rapidly became dark.
Robbed of their sight, the charge of the army slowed. Viyana and Cherin reduced their speed as well, but Zehlyr, Heeska, and Azalea were familiar with every crack and crevice of the cave they’d called home for three years. They each took the hands of their lost companions and led them through the pitch-black passageways. They could hear the balisekt army behind them. The long claws on their feet scraped against the stone floor and echoed off the walls.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Viyana said nervously. Azalea had her wrist firmly grasped in her hand, while Viyana’s free hand was extended out in front of her, hoping to find a stray stalactite before her face did. The footing was also becoming treacherous. The rocky surface was not only uneven, but also rather slippery. Her boots slid on the cave floor a few times, but she managed to keep going.
“Just stay close,” Azalea assured. The sound of running water had always been present in the dark tunnels, but it was getting louder and louder. Zehlyr, Azalea, and Heeska led the way with their arms out in front of them, feeling for the obstacles and leading the others around them. A few echoing bumps and angry hisses behind them suggested that the balisekts were having less luck.
“Are we heading towards the water?” Cherin asked. The sound was very loud now. There was a full, rushing stream running through the caverns, and the smell it was now heavy in the air. The spray misted against Cherin’s cheeks.
“We’re going to get lost in here!” Viyana shouted.
“Don’t worry, we know where we’re going,” Zehlyr said. “But, you might wan
t to brace yourselves.”
“What do you—?” Cherin began before his next step was swept out from under him by the fast-moving stream. He and the others were all quickly whisked away by the freezing-cold water. It rushed them through the darkness across the slick, smooth stone below them and into a narrow tunnel. The chute jerked them violently as they raced out of control through the cave. Zehlyr could feel his skin starting to go numb, but he knew the ride would be over soon.
Viyana took in a big gulp of air, holding it before a splash of cold water hit her face. The river didn’t have enough depth to be worrisome. If it were moving slowly, she could lay flat and it would only submerge her ears. It was the rapid movement of the water, coupled with the unpredictable course it took in the darkness that made it dangerous. A sudden drop sent her falling hard on her back against the wet stone floor, but the water continued to push her and the others along.
As the stream took them across another sharp bend, a beam of light broke through the darkness. The walls of the narrow chute filled with bright sunlight as it glistened off the surface of the water.
“Hold on!” Azalea yelled. They broke out of the tunnel and into the daylight, the rocky ground below them sudden disappeared. Everyone dropped like a stone down a tremendous waterfall. Zehlyr could see the tops of the trees hundreds of feet below getting rapidly closer. His arms and legs flailed wildly with nothing below them to find. Taking a deep breath, he splashed down into the small pond below the mountain.
When Zehlyr’s head broke from the surface of the water once again, he found everyone all around him. They were shaken and out of breath, but they were safe. “Is everyone okay?” he asked.
“Let’s…not…do that…again.” Cherin requested between gasps for air. This trip to the mountains marked the highest he’d ever been, and he was so far not enjoying the experience.
“Do I even want to know how you knew about that escape route?” Viyana asked after spitting out a mouthful of water.
“Probably not,” Zehlyr answered.
“Heeska,” Azalea called out. Frantically she searched the lake for him. Even on their perilous ride through the caverns, her mind had only been on one thing. As soon as she could see her balisekt friend, she quickly swam over to him. He turned to her. “That balisekt in charge, he said something about me, didn’t he?” she demanded.
Heeska looked nervous, and it was getting the attention of the others. Everyone waded over towards him as he stared awkwardly into Azalea’s eyes. She put a hand on his arm.
“Please,” she begged. “I need to know.”
Heeska sighed. “All he said was…it’s her. We found her.”
Chapter 17
“The power I wield is not my own, for my life is no longer my own. I am Her tool, an extension of Her will. I am powerful for She is powerful, and in my sacrifice, my destiny is bound to Her divine purpose.”
The Acolyte Oath
Ever since she’d witnessed the balisekt army’s descent upon the city of Stonemouth, Azalea had been haunted by the suspicion they were somehow there for her. It had been three years since she’d woken up in the Savage Lands north of Meadowgold, and she still had no memory of her life before the Phenomenon. Still, she knew her circumstances were tied to the balisekts that had performed the ritual.
Life in the Wilds since their escape had been relatively quiet. Heeska taught both her and Zehlyr how to survive in the uncivilized forest. He taught them how to hunt, how to forage. He taught them how to protect themselves from predators. Each sunrise they had the privilege to see, they owed to him.
Of course, their survival had also been due to Azalea’s rather peculiar powers. Food was never in short supply, for she could turn one berry into a berry bush, or a single apple into a bountiful tree, or a barren valley into a magical grove.
Before the attack, the dwarves feast had been such a joyous ordeal. Though they had been terrified of rejoining any civilized society, she liked helping others. She enjoyed using her power for the benefit of strangers. She was excited to be the guest of honor at their grand celebration. It was a welcome change from living in caves and eating off rocks.
Her heart sank like a stone once she saw the balisekt army descending upon the festivities. Only one thought had plagued her mind as the army and their fire-monster laid siege on the helpless dwarves: could they be here for her? Was she the reason such a terrible fate had befallen this peaceful tribe? Now that her darkest fears were revealed true, it consumed her with grief. As everyone sat on the shore of the small pond, letting the heat of the sun dry them off, she sat by herself against a nearby tree, and sobbed.
“Azalea?” Zehlyr called out softly as he approached her. He knelt beside her on the ground and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“It’s all because of me!” she screamed. “The dwarves are suffering and dying because the balisekts are trying to find me!”
“No,” Zehlyr replied, trying to calm her as best he could. “It isn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself.”
“But, it’s true!” she yelled again. Her breaths were heavy and her hands were trembling. “I just wanted to use my power to help others. I never asked for them, but I could at least use them for a noble purpose. Now there’s so much suffering and death, all because of me.”
Zehlyr considered his words carefully. There was truth in Azalea’s woes, but it wasn’t the whole story; it couldn’t be. “Yes, the balisekts were looking for you, but that doesn’t mean they sent the whole army to Stonemouth just for that.”
“Still a damn fool,” Cherin said coldly. His older brother was standing at the edge of the pond, crumpling his shirt in his hands to wring out the water. He gripped the shirt by the edge and snapped it outward, sending a spray of water droplets out to sparkle in the sunlight. “Of course they’re here for her.”
“Can you not be a complete goblin-brain for just a few moments?” Zehlyr snapped.
“Face it. Whatever those balisekts did to her, it gave her power and they want it back.”
“I hate to agree with him, but it does make the most logical sense,” Viyana added. The Lady of Meadowgold was sitting alone at the water’s edge. With her good hand she continued holding pressure against the arrow wound in her shoulder. “Just like your balisekt—I mean, Heeska—said, they made a long journey with a large army just to reach Stonemouth. If it wasn’t for you specifically, it was indeed for the bounty brought about by your power.”
Zehlyr opened his mouth, but Azalea placed her hand around his wrist and shook her head. “They’re right,” she said. Her tears had subsided a bit, but she was still greatly distressed. “They gave this power to me for a reason. I don’t know what for, but it must have been for something terrible if they would go to these kinds of lengths.”
“So, what do we do now?” Viyana asked.
“You’re not going anywhere with that injury,” Cherin said.
“Let me help,” Azalea said while getting back to her feet. She made her way over to Viyana at the edge of the water and knelt beside her. Her hands reached out and gently wrapped around the wound in Viyana’s shoulder. Azalea bowed her head and took a deep breath.
“What are you doing?” Viyana asked with a raised eyebrow. She hadn’t been able to properly dress the wound yet, and she wasn’t keen to the idea of Azalea placing her hands on her.
“Just wait,” Azalea requested calmly. From under her palms, a soft, white light began to emit. It reflected down upon Viyana’s shoulder, making her skin seem to glow like a full moon. As the light faded, Azalea lifted her hands away. Viyana’s wound was gone.
Springing to her feet, Viyana stretched out her arm. “Incredible!” she cried out in astonishment. She hadn’t seen such a miracle performed since Azalea healed Heeska’s wounds in Meadowgold.
“My power works on more than just growing things,” Azalea said with a warm smile.
Seemingly happy with the results, Viyana turned towards her healer with a wa
rm smile. “I owe you an apology,” she said with great humility. “I can only hope you’ll forgive me for the hardships I’ve caused you.”
With a big smile and a small nod, Azalea accepted the apology.
“I’m glad we’re all friends now, but that still doesn’t give us a plan,” Cherin said. “We’re on the southern slope now, so we’re closer to Stonemouth. If the balisekts found you on the top of a mountain, they’re sure to look in a valley with a water source.”
“As much as it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to say it, Cherin’s right,” Zehlyr admitted. “We need to get as far away from here as possible.”
“I agree,” Viyana said. “Everyone get ready. I think if we head northeast we can—”
“No,” Azalea said softly but sternly.
“What is it?” Zehlyr asked.
Azalea turned around, letting her green, sparkling eyes fall upon Zehlyr’s puzzled expression. “I’m not leaving.”
“Not leaving?” Cherin questioned with a smug inflection in his voice. “Why in Lady’s name not?”
“I don’t think that’s wise,” Heeska assured. “Killika will send more troops after you. They could be on their way here as we speak.”
“Killika is sending troops after me because he knows what happened to me,” she responded. “He has the answers I’m looking for.”
“Well, the only way to find those answers is to be captured,” Heeska reminded her. “You may learn something, but at the expense of becoming his slave or worse.”
“Heeska’s right,” Zehlyr added. “I know how badly you want answers, but there has to be another way.”
“What other way?” Azalea questioned. She was getting exasperated. “We’ve been trying to find another way for three years.”
