by R. G. Porter
Reaching up Alayia stood on her tip toes and planted a solid kiss on Talons’ cheek. “Thank you for understanding...and staying.” If she wasn't so happy she could have sworn she saw him blush. “Let's go. I have a sudden need to find this village. Night is approaching and Gabriel is going to be looking for us."
A laugh erupted from Talon's throat. “Yes and he will be very upset with us both."
"Why?"
"Because I'm letting you take us to a place of danger and you kissed me. I must say I'll enjoy telling him the second one though. I just wish I could see the look on his face when I do.” Alayia reached over and smacked Talon's shoulder, a giggle escaping her lips as she did. Yes, he was every bit the same as Robert had been and he had vowed to stick with her through everything regardless of the danger involved.
They continued on until they reached the outskirts of the village. Music from the inn filtered through the evening air, a call to those who needed a place to rest. Apprehension moved through Alayia as she stepped into the roadway leading into the heart of the town. Could this be a bad idea? Her confidence began to falter. Talon's hand reached for hers squeezing it tight.
"It will be fine, Alayia. I've been here a few times and the people here mainly keep to themselves.” Something about the village nagged at the back of her mind.
"Just don't vanish on me. Promise me Talon.” Not that she expected that to be an issue, there was an unsettling feeling working its way through her body. “I hope Gabriel finds us soon."
"I do too, but not before I get at least one dance.” His words drew her attention.
"Dance?” Her breath hesitated. “You want to dance?” Another thought crept into her mind. “Wait, have you ever danced before?” She couldn't help but ask.
A grunt erupted and was his initial response. “Of course, I've danced before. Just because I can't see doesn't mean I'm a total beast.” His voice held a hint of laughter. “Come, let's find the Inn and grab a bite to eat. I have the need of roasted pork tonight.” His smirk, coupled with the pull of his arm in the direction of the warm glow of the inn, left no chance for argument. Perhaps he was right. What could it hurt?
"Fine, but I warn you I've never been one to dance very well.” Heck she'd not danced with anyone but her brother and Gabriel. The moment her mind drifted back to Gabriel she felt her cheeks heat. Why did he have such an effect on her it made no sense. All her life she'd been able to brush off men, this one should be no different. Yet he was. Why?
"Alayia, I've lost you again."
"I'm sorry Talon. My mind tends to wander..."
"When you think about him."
Her body tensed. “Am I that transparent?” She prayed she wasn't.
"No you aren't, at least not really. I'm just really good at sensing things. I can't say why but there is a connection between you two, something that goes deeper than just the physical world."
"What do you mean?” His assessment hit a cord that she'd been avoiding.
"I'm not sure but there is something there.” Talon raised his hand to brush the side of her cheek, the action comforting. “Soon things will be revealed, though I have a feeling it will be more than any of us are prepared for.” His admission couldn't have been more dead on had she not already considered the very same thing. At least she knew she wasn't alone in her fears.
"I know Talon, trust me I've considered the very same thing. I don't know why but, something is brewing and it is only going to get worse before it gets better.” Still, she prayed they would win in the end. If anything she wanted to at least free Gabriel from the curse that had been inflicted on him. No one should be condemned to live two lives. It just wasn't right.
"I agree. For now, let's not think about it. I need something to eat and you still owe me that dance.” She owed him? Since when had that been decided? A quick tilt of her head and she caught the most devilish smile cross Talon's face. Alayia found she couldn't help but agree. He had accepted her quest as his own without question. She couldn't imagine denying him at least one dance. Perhaps the night wouldn't be a complete waste.
"For you I will concede. Maybe I'll remember some of what my brother taught me.” Robert. His memory drew a fresh lump in her throat. He would have liked Talon and Gabriel. “Though, I fear he would have warned you to be wary of my two left feet.” Another round of laughter erupted from Talon's throat. She'd missed this, not worrying about who might be listening.
"Well, your warning has been acknowledged, though I must say it will not keep you from the dance.” They continued toward the inn, the warmth of the light illuminating into the night. Each step made Alayia's stomach knot. Her head turned upward toward the top of the doorway, her gaze catching the shape of a rose etched into the wood. Suddenly, the air around her felt heavy as if thickened by something she couldn't see.
"Talon.” Even her voice felt raw, like a vice had wrapped around her wind pipe squeezing it shut. “I...I can't breath.” What was wrong with her?
"I'm here. What did you see?” He knew her well enough to know something had triggered the reaction.
"The rose on the top of the door frame it feels familiar.” Alayia lifted her finger with her remaining strength pointing to the etching. “What is it from?” How could a drawing be affecting her so bad? Could someone have cast a spell around the building? Her mind flew through the possibilities when an echoing laughter echoed through her mind. The demon. It had known she was headed in this direction.
"I don't know of any reason for a rose on top of a doorway. I can ask the...” Forcing his words from her mind Alayia concentrated with her remaining strength to regain control over her mind. The demon would not win this round. She refused to be its pawn. “Alayia are you listening to me?"
"Wait Talon.” Drawing in a deep breath Alayia reached up toward the rose her fingers barely touched the outer edge of the tracing. The moment her finger touched the etching a series of visions flashed before her eyes. So much pain and sorrow had been instilled into the rose. Alayia felt lost in a sea of despair, she was sure she would drown in. Darkness began to wrap around her when above she saw a small light brighter than anything she'd seen before shine down.
Don't let it take you. We are in this together remember. I need your help as does Gabriel. Don't forget this. Use my strength as your own. The demon is an illusion sent to divert you. Don't give it power over you. Danielle's voice spread warmth through Alayia's mind, bringing with it a renewed sense of peace. Reaching out she grabbed onto the light, embracing it with every bit of her will. The second she gave into the power, she heard the hiss of the demon as it realized it had lost once more. Soon, the air around Alayia began to ease up, as did the weight that had been pressing on her body.
"Are you ok?” Fear laced his words.
Was she? Even she wasn't sure anymore. “I'll be fine. Let's go inside. I need to sit down.” They both moved under the doorframe, the warmth of the Inn enveloping around them. “I think I'll take that drink too. I need it.” Heck at this point she was ready to get thoroughly drunk if the night continued on the way it had begun.
"A drink it is, but take your time. You need food as well. Gabriel will be here soon and if he finds you in this condition he will have my hide. Besides, I still want my dance as well. Dinner and some wine and we can go from there.” He was still concerned from her bout with the demon and she couldn't blame him. If this continued, she wasn't sure if she wouldn't want to have herself committed. She could handle some things, but this was just getting out of hand.
"Fine, I'll take what I can get for now.” Alayia leaned her head back against the wall her mind pounding from the onslaught of memories that continued to pound her brain. God how she sometimes wished she could give away her gift. Gift. Most times it felt like a curse more than a gift. Still, it was a trait she'd been given by the gods and she couldn't give it back. No matter how much she wanted to.
"Here you go.” The fragrance of roasted pork, potatoes and fresh bread filled her senses. God, h
ow long had it been since she'd had a really good meal? Way too long.
Her fingers grasped onto the fork, spearing the piece of meat as if she'd never seen such a thing in ages. “Thank you.” What more could she say? They both felt the same. Hunger was a common thread that ran through them both right now. Silence was their language as they began to feast on their meal. Food never tasted so good in Alayia's opinion. Seasoned just right, it was tender and juicy; the meat practically fell off the fork. Even the potatoes were cooked just right, nice and soft. All her life she'd loved her mother's cooking but she couldn't hold a candle to this place.
Their silence, a quiet understanding between them as they ate, gave Alayia time to reflect on what had gone on so far. How had so much changed in so little time? Granted she'd traveled a great distance since Robert's death, but who would have thought she would be where she was now? She had to hold back a laugh. Not her mother or father, and definitely not her, so why? Would she have changed the present if she could have foretold it? The idea of never meeting Gabriel was the first thing to cross her mind. One single answer came. No. Something in the back of her mind told her she was destined to meet him, to help release him from the binds of the dragon.
"Alayia?” Talon's voice penetrated her thoughts. “How's the food?"
"It's delicious.” She couldn't help but notice he'd already finished his meal. “I will have to pay my compliments to the chef. I haven't had anything this good in a very long time.” She could hear the patrons in the Inn move about the tables their idle chatter registering in her ears. “I must have been hungry. I never even noticed the other people in the room.” Embarrassed by her lack of observation, Alayia felt the warmth of a blush steal across her face.
"Please, they are all into their own things. Most don't notice other's actions to begin with so why should you?"
"Because we are being followed, remember?” Alayia knew she shouldn't ever let her guard down. What was it about this place that felt familiar?
"We are safe here. I would know if Elroy was near. Trust me on this.” How would he know? Did he ask around? “Now, I do believe it's time for that dance."
"But...” Talon's hand reached out for hers, his smile a beacon in the night. How could she say no? “Fine, just one dance and only because I'm in a good mood.” Alayia placed her hand into his, the warmth of his touch so pure and innocent it brought a smile to her face.
They moved out to the middle of the floor to join the other couples that had already begun to move to the tempo of the music. The instruments drummed out a beat that floated on the air. The musical notes, haunting in their beauty, wrapped around Alayia as they moved.
"This song is very pretty. I don't think I've ever heard it before.” Talon's arms tightened around her, moving their bodies in sync to the beat of the melody.
"It's a song specific to this village. The minstrels from here are very well-known for their melodies.” They continued to spin and move as their bodies flowed with the fluid beat of the tempo. “You dance very well for someone with two left feet.” A snicker left his lips.
"Details...details. I only warned you that my brother told me this.” Her mind drifted off to the night she'd danced with Gabriel, his body so close to hers. Never had she felt so in tune with someone before. God she needed to think of something else. “You dance very well Talon, how many women have you graced the dance floor with?” She couldn't help but ask. He was a handsome man and pure of heart. He deserved to have a good woman in his life.
She felt Talon's body shift as he pulled away. “Not many.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice. “I fear not many wish to be with a man who cannot comment on their beauty.” Could women be so cruel? Alayia's hand reached back out to his pulling him back onto the dance floor. They continued to move in silence to the beat of the music.
"I'm sorry Talon. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories.” She hated to cause him pain. He had done so much for her already.
"Please. You are fine Alayia. Such is life.” Ok, no way was she going to allow him to believe his life would remain empty of love. At that moment she resolved to find him someone if they lived through this. If being the key word.
Gabriel woke to the smell of smoke and cinder that circled around him. He lifted his head to clear his vision and find what might have woke him from his sleep. Dreams. He'd not had one single dream in a long time, not since he'd been cursed. Still, he'd not felt restless from the night before. For once he'd slept well. The darkness had found him and wrapped him in its embrace and left him there. No death or destruction had intruded into his memory. The day for once had gone smoothly. Gabriel searched his memory and only found the feeling of flight and protectiveness. Relief swept through him.
Gabriel rose from the ground, his muscles protesting with every movement. He needed to clear his head and make his way out to Alayia and Talon, to make sure they'd not gotten into any more trouble. Trouble... it was something that seemed to follow that woman around regardless of where she went. There was a nagging familiarity about her that Gabriel couldn't place. He wanted to keep her safe but if he admitted it to himself to do that he would need to keep himself far from her to do this. Yet no matter what he did he found his feet always led right back to her.
"You still have much to understand Gabriel and very little time to do so.” The woman's voice was back. He turned to the back of the cave his eyes adjusting to the darkness of the interior. “Come Gabriel, we have much to discuss."
"Why are you haunting me? I don't know you and I can't help you.” He wanted her to leave him alone; he needed to get to Alayia.
"She will be fine. In order to understand who you are you must understand the past.” Her words echoed off the walls, each syllable hit with a force that raked against his soul. He could feel the dragon inside him roar in protest. “Come Gabriel, you must."
Before he could say more he found his feet move in the woman's direction, his body acting with a mind of its own. It was as if he was possessed by something he couldn't control, almost like the dragon had woken from within to move his mortal body toward the ghostly figure. He tried to turn, to stop his forward steps but found he couldn't. He was walking away from where he wanted to go and moving toward something that still made no sense to him. His heart pounded hard in his chest, out of fear or excitement, he wasn't sure.
"Why are you doing this to me? I don't owe you anything.” He didn't know these people or anything about them, so why did they persist in haunting him at every chance they could? Could it be due to the curse? Was this another one of Innok's games?
"Do not utter that name around me. Innok has nothing to do with the dragons. He is evil and has tainted the blood of a creature which is pure. It's by his own doings that the goodness of the Great Dragon's have faltered and gone by the wayside, nearly forgotten for the wondrous deeds they've done throughout the years. No, that demon has nothing to do with the dragons save the corruption of their majestic beauty.” Gabriel couldn't help but feel the pain in her words. No, whatever he'd thought of Innok beforehand, she'd had cause to feel even more so for the demon.
"What did he do to you?” Soon as the words left his lips Gabriel found the world around him fade into darkness. From below a grey mist lifted and wrapped around his body. His arms reached out to grab hold of something, anything to keep from leaving his world but to his dismay he found only empty space. “Not again."
"It is time you see some of the past which has been forgotten by those who choose to not to believe in magic.” Gabriel was beginning to believe he was never going to understand what was being asked of him, that he would continue to go on in the world being thrust into visions that made no sense. Around him the air began to shift once more the darkness changing to dull shades of brown and green. “No Gabriel, all things will make sense in due time. We cannot show what all transpired at once for your mind would not be able to comprehend it if we did. You must see it in short spurts, to absorb the knowledge as we explain it. Only then
will you truly understand what was, is and once again shall be."
"I don't get it. How can I do anything? I wasn't here. I wasn't part of this."
The woman's figure drifted out into the middle of the charred fields, her jet black hair flowed freely in the wind. She turned back to face him, her dove eyes once more full of untold sadness. “How do you know?” Before he could ask another question her silhouette faded into the mist leaving him standing alone in the middle of a place he didn't belong. Or so he'd believed. Could there be truth in her words? The reality that Gabriel knew was fading away faster than the dew in the morning sun. Each belief he held paled in comparison to the visions he continued to be haunted by. Deep in his chest it felt heavy with the weight of a world and life of the countless who'd died, those he didn't know, yet the very ones he was now being called to avenge.
Gabriel's eyes drifted out into the mist covered field. His body shook with the cool breeze that continued to blow across the barren waste of what remained. Every house reminded him of a skeleton of what used to be. Ghosts littered the windows; he could see their dead eyes stare out at him. They were calling to him; he could hear it on the wind. Each cry raked against every fiber of his being. Their souls were stuck in this place, both worlds linked in some way he didn't understand.
"We cannot escape. Our lives were happy once.” A young voice broke the silence. “You are here to help us, aren't you?” Gabriel turned to find a young girl staring up at him. Her deep blue eyes begging for confirmation.
"What happened to your village?” He prayed she would answer. He'd long had patience but this time it was wearing thin. His own life was full of questions he had no answers for; he didn't need another list full of them to add on top of it all. “ Looks like a fire burned throughout. Is that what occurred?"
