by R. G. Porter
Her arms wrapped around her body as she stared back at the man who'd raised her. “Could it be because I saw the thing come straight at me? It was flying, larger than you could imagine and black as the darkest night. If you'd been outside you would have seen it."
"You've got a right knock on your head child. I wouldn't be surprised if you imagined the whole thing. I want you to go in and see your mother this instant. We'll handle the rest.” The rest. She knew exactly what he wasn't saying. Robert. Grief welled up till she felt she would choke with it.
"But...” Her gaze met with her father's steel blue ones and gave no chance for argument. The man was as stubborn if not worse than she was.
"Go now. We'll talk later.” He was pushing her away as usual. More than anything she wanted to run. She hated not being able to help with her brother but more than that she wanted to find the beast responsible and avenge her brother's death. He didn't deserve what had happened to him. “Alayia?” Before he could utter another word she turned toward the house and took off, tears streaming down her face. How she hated the man sometimes.
"Alayia?” In the distance she heard her mother's concerned cries. Great, now she would be coddled for who knew how long. Why couldn't they understand she was no longer a child? Times were different now. Daughters didn't live at home till they were married off to the most eligible man. Gods, the thought of being married to a man just because he was well off prickled her skin. She knew her parents were vying for that very thing and she had spurned every man thus far.
"No way... Not in this lifetime.” An echoing laughter filled her mind, the sound of the same woman's voice from her dream. Another shout from her mother caught her attention.
"I'm coming.” Her patience wearing thin, Alayia picked up her pace, her resolve to make an appearance at the local village sometime soon foremost in her mind. As she approached her mother, she found a tall man standing beside her, his steel blue eyes watching her every move.
"Hello Alayia.” The man's voice sent her stomach churning in protest.
"Can I help you?” Try as she might, Alayia found it hard to conceal her annoyance. Something about the man rubbed her the wrong way.
"Alayia! That's not how you treat a guest. I'm sorry Lord Elroy. Please. Come in.” Alayia watched as her mother opened the door to allow the stranger entry into their home. His frame filled their doorway completely, the fragrance of his cologne stifling a cough from her throat.
"It's quite all right. From the sounds in the distance it sounds like something awful must have happened.” Elroy's gaze never left her face. A coldness ran deep in his eyes. “The child has had quite an ordeal I'm sure by the sounds of it.” Alayia could sense an understanding in his words as if he knew more than he let on.
"Why are you here Mr. Elroy?” She couldn't help but wonder. Her mother knew something bad had occurred yet she still wanted to entertain a stranger. The thought baffled her.
"That's Lord Elroy, Alayia. You must forgive my daughter. She has a nasty habit of being short with those she doesn't know. We are trying to instill proper manners in her. Alas, she is very stubborn.” Alayia found her mother pushing her into her room, a fresh dress and damp towel thrust into her hand. Her mother's lips pressed close to her ears. She could barely catch her words. “Get cleaned up quickly. You need to have a proper introduction to Lord Elroy.” The door slammed behind her.
Outside she could hear her mother entertain the Lord, giggling like a school girl at his jokes. What could her mother be up to? She never entertained anyone. Most times they kept to themselves and only had relatives over when absolutely necessary. Unless... A horrific thought echoed through her mind. Marriage.
"Oh gods no.” How could they meet with this man after what had happened to her brother? Another thought crossed her mind. They'd never cared for her or Robert. They'd always felt they were too close and that Robert would never marry and be off on his own. Now he was gone and it left no protection for her. Her parents wanted nothing more than status and with a Lord vying for her hand they could get it.
"Hurry up Alayia.” Her mother's voice sounded hushed against the door.
"Mother now is not the best time. Robert is dead. Send the man away for now. We can talk to him later.” She prayed her mother would listen. She was wrong.
"That's not possible. He came a long way. I am not about to let you jeopardize this for us.” How could her mother be so cold? By her tone she knew they would push her on this stranger. No way would she agree to it. Her mind raced at ways to get out of the arrangement, if that was what they were up to. What could she do? Her brother had always backed her up, but now with him gone that wasn't an option. Grief. She could use his death as a reason not to push into marriage so suddenly.
Alayia cracked the door just enough to face her mother's stern face. “Mother how can you do this now? We have to make plans and arrangements for Robert. I'm sure he would understand. Now is a time to mourn."
She watched as her mother's face went from stern to angry. She leaned closer into the door frame, her mouth tight with anger. “Listen to me child and listen good. Your brother is gone. One less mouth to feed and if all goes well this man will agree to taking you off our hands. We've raised you long enough and fed you all your life. This costs money. Now it's time you pay us back by marrying someone who can provide for us.” Her harsh words hit her hard. “Now hurry up and make yourself look presentable for Lord Elroy. This isn't a request. Now hurry up."
"But...” Alayia watched as her mother turned away and headed back to the common room. Her heart sank with each step her mother took. Her words had hit hard but not been unexpected. Her parents had never been the compassionate family she'd dreamt of. Now she knew why. Closing the door she heard her father enter the home, his heavy footsteps echoing through the house.
"Alayia hurry up.” Her father's voice resonated from the common area, the urgency evident in his tone. Yes, they definitely had plans and she was the main focal point. She needed to get away and fast. Her parents uncaring coldness for what had happened sealed her belief that they never wanted her or her brother. But beyond that there was something about the stranger that scared her like nothing else in her life. Even the dragon hadn't instilled such fear. How her parents could be so callous to still entertain this man and his offer still amazed her. Now was a time of mourning not deals yet they didn't even worry about the fact they'd just lost one of their sons. For once she wondered how she'd been borne to such a family.
"I'll be out in a few minutes. I'm not feeling so well.” Good, she could buy herself a little bit longer so long as they didn't come in to check on her. She prayed they would believe her. They didn't know she planned to get away nor would they till she was long gone. All her life they'd never believed in her gifts. Her gaze darted back and forth looking for whatever she could grab. Seconds ticked by before she found what she needed.
"Alayia are you ok?” Pretend worry laced her mother's voice. She knew she wanted to seem like the caring mother if only to secure the stranger's approval.
"I'm fine; I just need to rest for a little bit. Please. It's been a long day and with Robert...” Alayia faked a choked cry even though it wasn't difficult. She needed to buy as much time as she could. Grabbing as many items of clothing she could find, she packed them into the only thing she could find, an old cotton satchel draped along the post of her bed. Next, she snatched up her brush as well as her small stash of coins she'd earned over the years doing odd jobs with her brother. It wasn't much, but it would have to be enough.
A knock on the door startled her from her thoughts, causing her to almost drop the satchel to the ground. Her hand grasped tightly to the strings holding them still.
"Miss, is there anything I can help you with?” Lord Elroy's voice pierced through her skull like a thousand knives knocking her to her knees. Her first thought was to run far and fast.
"No. I just need a few minutes to rest. Please leave me be. It's been a very trying day."
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br /> Breathe deeply Alayia. Don't listen to his voice. He isn't there. The voice she'd heard earlier brushed her mind. A woman's voice that sounded so distant yet so close. Familiar yet not one she could place. She listened to the woman's voice and tuned out the lord, breathing in and centering her mind. She closed her eyes and thought of the rolling brooks at the outskirts of the forest. Once she had totally tuned out his voice the hammering in her head lessened and she found she could stand once more. The man had an aura around him unlike anything she'd sensed before. She had no other options, she had to get out and she had to get out fast.
"Thank the gods.” Oops, she didn't need them hearing her speak. Her gaze dropped back to the satchel she held close. She hated to leave her home, but she couldn't agree to the arrangement she knew her parents were working on. There was something evil about the man; she just couldn't put her finger on what it was. Of course, they couldn't see it. Her parents didn't believe in magick, she could feel it in ever fiber of her being. Aside from that, she'd vowed to herself that she'd find the beast that had killed poor Robert. She couldn't do that if she had to deal with the oaf out front.
"Daughter?” Her mother's voice pushed through her thoughts.
"Just a little bit longer, please Mother.” She knew they would give her as much time as needed and she would be long gone before they figured anything out.
As quietly as she could, she tip-toed toward the door and edged it open. Her eyes darted toward the main room where the three of them remained, their voices hushed in discussion. Their backs were to her. So focused on the plans they were making her presence wasn't even noticed. If she hadn't wanted to sneak out she would have screamed at them all. Instead, she edged her way from her bedroom toward the back of the house and through the back door out into the backyard. She knew they wouldn't pay attention for awhile. Her parents were too far into the idea of making money off their carefree daughter to be bothered by any sound she may make.
"You need to be more mindful, Alayia. Why can't you find a respectable man?” How many times had she been scolded for not being proper? She'd lost count. She'd finally gotten to the point where she didn't care. She loved the way she lived and nothing they could do or say would change it. Not their rules and not some high and mighty Lord El-whatever his name was. It was time she left anyway. She just wished she could have said a proper goodbye to Robert. Waves of grief crashed through her as the images of his torn body moved across her vision. Even though she'd not seen him she'd heard the stories of the damage that could be done by the talons of the beast. Tears pooled in her eyes, anger for the innocent life taken so cruelly a fresh wound on her soul.
Alayia ran ‘til her breath burned in her lungs. When her house was a mere speck in the distance she slowed her pace, her chest heaving in protest. Anger pulsed through her veins, her fists raised to the sky as she screamed out to the gods. “I will find you demon dragon, have no doubt about that. You took the one person who meant something to me and ended his life. Count these days as your last.” Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks, her heart breaking in two. Robert had been the one constant in her life, the one person who'd listened to her dreams and not thought her mad for what she'd wanted in life. Now he was gone and she was all alone. No, she would avenge his death or die trying.
Resolved in her decision, Alayia turned to the path leading toward town, her satchel flung over her shoulder. She would need to find shelter for the night and soon. As much as she loved the forest it was not safe at night. She knew the stories and believed the tales of the demons that roamed at night. Too many times friends she'd known had tried to debunk the tales only to either come back mad or not come back at all. She decided she didn't want to chance either.
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CHAPTER: 3
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An hour later, Alayia found herself at the outskirts of the town with darkness fast approaching. Looking up to the sky she knew dusk was upon the village and that the night would be in full swing soon. She'd always visited the village with her family, now she found herself alone with no guidance. Apprehension crept into her mind. Perhaps it hadn't been a good idea to venture out at nightfall after all. Loud music and voices could be heard echoing throughout the establishments, the patrons clearly having a good time. Hesitation worked its way into her mind, ebbing at her confidence. Maybe she should go back.
No. You can't go back. You can't let him get to you. There was that voice again.
Who are you? Was she going insane? Maybe the blow to her head had done more damage than she'd first imagined.
Trust me and all will be revealed. You must find him and help him. But stay away from the evil one. You must. Her voice wavered to a whisper before disappearing once more. Try as she might, Alayia couldn't find the path back to the owner of the voice. There was a strong connection every time she spoke but she could never seem to find it. So much confusion bubbled up in her mind.
"Miss, are you looking for something specific?” The sudden onslaught of sound startled Alayia from her thoughts.
"I'm sorry. Ah... Yes. I need to find a place to rest for the night. Are there any rooms available?” She didn't want to sound desperate but her head was pounding from the conversation, not to mention she'd still not recovered from her fall earlier in the day.
"I do believe we have at least one room available. Is it just you, Miss...?” He was fishing for a name, she could feel it. She knew her family was respected throughout the area and they would send word that she was missing.
"It's Ms. Kensington. Danielle Kensington.” She wasn't sure where the name came from but it flew from her lips. The man nodded his bald head and took her money. Before she could ask he tossed the key to a room on the second floor. The small bronze key was cold in her hands. Such a tiny object to hold so much freedom never had something felt so good.
"Breakfast is served at seven a.m. sharp. How long do you plan to stay, Ms. Kensington?” His questioning stare bore right through her. He was up to something but she wasn't sure what.
"I'm not rightly sure yet. I'm looking for something and I've not found it yet. I'll get back to you.” She handed him another coin to tide him over for a second night just to keep him from bugging her. She knew the dragon had to be close to the area. Upon entering the village she'd heard a couple near the Inn complain about their crops being scorched yet no fire had been set. Other voices had murmured as she'd past, soft conversations of a shadow moving across the sky. There had been stories for weeks from the villagers but no one believed them. Why would they? No one had proof.
Setting her things down, Alayia took a seat at one of the tables waving at one of the women to bring her something to drink. Up ‘till then she'd not realized just how thirsty she was. How long had it been? Her gaze drifted to the window when she realized that night had finally fallen. The moon had already risen high into the night sky, surrounded by thousands of stars. The silvery rays of the moon's light cascaded like ribbons to the earth weaving their web across the forest. Mesmerized, she barely noticed the man who entered the doorway. It was the hums and awes of the local women that drew her attention to him, his movements solid as he made his way to the back.
"What can I get for you?” Alayia had forgotten that she'd called for the woman, her mind full of chaotic thoughts. Her head turned to the waitress, the woman's full smile the first sincere thing she'd seen since arriving.
"What's so interesting with that guy?” She could see that even the woman who'd come to get her order was enthralled by the stranger who sat in the shadows.
A smile crossed the older woman's face, her ruby red lips pulled into a snicker. “Well let me tell you deary. He comes in every night. Between his wild hair and his body all tanned and sweaty, it's like nothing I've ever seen. He smells wild like the forest and I swear he feels like an untamed animal.” Alayia couldn't miss the desire in the woman's tone. She wanted the man, and if given the chance would pounce on him in a heartbeat. “Now, is there something I ca
n get you? You look parched.” Never had she wanted to laugh. If the woman had any idea of what she'd gone through she would have offered her the strongest thing they had available.
"Actually I'd be happy with some cold water and something to eat. What do you have available? Anything that isn't too spicy?"
"We have a wonderful roast with vegetables if you like."
Alayia's head nodded. “That sounds perfect.” As soon as the woman walked away, Alayia stole a glance to the darkened corner, her gaze meeting jet black eyes. Time stood still in that second and she felt as if she was thrown back in time to another place. Suddenly everything began to swirl around her and the lights began to dim. Voices and screams filled her mind, the earth opening up below her. Before she could try to move strong talons grabbed a hold of her by the waist, lifting her high into the sky. How could this be happening? Wasn't she still in the Inn? Growls and angry words lifted to her ears but she couldn't make out what was being said. Pain sliced through her ribs as the sharp talons dug into her flesh. Everything around her spun out of control, her mind filled with darkness and chaotic visions that made no sense. Her screams caught in her throat as she tried to breathe. Just as quickly as the images began they ended and her vision cleared. She was still at the Inn, no longer lifted into the sky. Alayia grabbed the side of the table to steady herself, her mind going numb. What was wrong with her? She needed to focus and fast.
"Miss?” The barmaid's voice brought her reeling back to reality, her focus back on key. Alayia turned to face the woman, a look of concern on her face. She couldn't blame her. She was beginning to worry about her own sanity.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I traveled quite a bit today and it's slowly taking its toll on me.” She needed to get out of there and fast. There was something about that man that drove straight to her soul. Her gaze turned back to the corner to find him gone, or so she thought. Even though she couldn't see him she could feel his gaze on her. He was there, in the shadows, he just made sure she couldn't see him.
