by J. D. Netto
The men around us nocked their arrows, drawing out their bows.
Alistar raised his right hand.
“Lower your weapons.” A wide smile appeared on his face. “Girl, your courage is indeed inspiring.” He walked closer to her. “Though pride can sometimes make us forget the danger that surrounds us.”
He shifted his gaze to me. “The reason Isaac’s face is not strange to me is because his mother and father are in the Village of Tears. They headed there after they left Bellator,” he said. “He is the spitting image of his father.”
“My parents?” Isaac dropped his sword to the ground. “They are alive?” He raised his eyebrows. “Will you take me to them?” Isaac grabbed ahold of Alistar’s right arm.
“I am taking all of you to see them. I have answers to many of your questions.” Alistar trailed his fingers across his hair. “I apologize for the way I greeted you all. Our enemy is moving and few are willing to join the war.”
“I have never heard of the Village of Tears.” The cold wind blew my hair as I sheathed my sword.
“We chose the Weeping Mountains to establish our village because many fear them. You will not find this place on any map the kingdoms possess. The ever-lingering mist shields us,” he said.
“How soon until you take us to your village?” Isaac’s eyes glistened. “Is it far?”
“We can go now, if you wish,” Alistar replied.
“Isaac.” The edge of my right hand was pressed on my forehead. “Though I know you want to see your parents, let us not forget the reason we took the Road of Ahnor in the first place.” I turned my eyes to Alistar. “We are looking for King Ohmen, King Folletti, and Queen Valleree. We were informed—”
“Please.” Alistar interrupted with the raise of his hand. “You must come with me.” There was an unsettling urgency in his voice. The men around him exchanged distressed looks.
“Isaac,” I said, and his glistening eyes shot up to mine. “It is your decision to follow this man. Let us hope it does not delay our quest.”
His shoulders rose as he took a quick breath. “They are alive, Devin,” he said in a brittle voice. He shifted his face away from mine, looking at Alistar. “His people must have answers to our questions. It would be wise to follow him.”
“I trust Isaac’s judgment, Devin,” Adara whispered from behind me in her soothing voice. “I also think we should follow Alistar.”
“Trust me.” Isaac sniffed, wiping his nose with his wrist.
“Trust you?” My chest rose as I took in a deep breath. “I am trying to.”
XIV
I let Isaac and the others walk ahead of me as we followed Alistar. Though his men were mounted on their horses, he had chosen to walk with us, leading his horse by the reins. Despite the struggle to see as we traveled through the fog, Alistar led us effortlessly. The eyes of his men did not sway from us as they drank from their wineskins.
“I know the thoughts and questions that haunt you, Devin.” My heart accelerated as the voice hissed. “Why do you continue to fight against who you are?”
I looked at my companions, realizing that they were unaware of the voice in my ears.
“They are all fools,” it whispered.
Lucifer’s voice was drowned out by a familiar melody. To my surprise, Alistar hummed a melody that I knew far too well. The words of the song drifted from his lips.
“Through pain and trial, war or rain.
Through storms and calms,
Our hearts steady remain.
Through a journey unseen,
As we walk through fire and water
Victory is found in the light that shines from within.”
During the days when I lived with the Council, Athalas would sing the Song of Hope prior to every gathering. He said the Stars had written this song before the fall of Lucifer.
“Where did you learn this song?” I shouted. The tip of a few branches brushed against my cheeks as I strode to him.
“Do you know it?” He darted a surprised look at me.
“I do,” I replied. “I remember Athalas singing that song while I lived with the Council.”
“Our ancestors valued the old teachings. They thought it was important to preserve the songs that had been passed down to them.” His eyebrows rose. “Unlike so many,” he placed his hand over his heart, “my people have never abandoned the old teachings of the Creator.”
“Do you see this man, Devin?” I attempted to conceal my emotions as the voice started speaking to me again. “In his mind he thinks he is superior to you all. Have you not grown weary of being treated like vermin? Will you continue to waste the power that is inside of you?” From the corner of my eye, I looked at Alistar, walking with his head held high.
My eyes glanced over my shoulder, catching sight of Xylia. Her eyes fidgeted as she pressed her eyebrows. She trailed the tip of her fingers over her ears. Did she also hear the voice?
“Here we are,” Alistar said, spreading his arms wide. “Welcome to the Village of Tears.”
I looked ahead, failing to see any signs of a village. After we had taken a few more steps, the fog thinned, revealing a wooden wall with a rusted iron gate. Each piece of wood had been painted white, causing the monument to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Atop the wall was a man clothed in garments similar to Alistar’s.
Alistar looked up and waved his right hand at the man. A few seconds later, the gate creaked as its rusted doors swung open.
There were very few people walking on the streets of the village. Small quaint houses were built around and atop the snow-covered hills. An old willow tree encircled by a stone courtyard was located at the entrance. The sound of clanging metal echoed to my right. I saw a blacksmith’s forge. A slender, tall man held up a sword, analyzing every single detail of his creation. Men shoveled the snow from the cobblestone streets. The occupants of the village watched us as if we were thieves that had been arrested.
I found it odd to see that every building was painted white. Those that were out on the streets wore matching white garments with shades of gray and red.
“Is white your favorite color?” I asked Alistar.
He chuckled. “It conceals us. The white color merges with the lingering mist, creating a natural shield.”
Alistar came to a halt, standing next to a frozen lagoon surrounded by five two-story houses.
“I will take it from here, men.” Alistar tipped his head down.
“Let us know if you need anything else, Alistar,” one of his soldiers said, riding away in the opposite direction. The others followed him.
“This way.” He pointed to house that sat on the far right. Across from us was a pub. Though we were on the other side of the road, one could not help but hear the booming laughter and loud bellowing of the men that drank inside.
We walked up the three stone steps to the red door. Alistar knocked three times. He kept looking around while he waited for the door to be opened.
“Are you waiting for anyone else?” asked Isaac. “You seem apprehensive.”
“I have to make sure we were not followed. Few outsiders are ever brought to this village.” He looked over his shoulder, fixing his gaze on Isaac.
A young girl opened the door.
“Papa.” She leaped on top of Alistar, greeting him with a tender hug.
“I missed you, baby girl,” he said, bending his body down so his eyes could meet hers. “Where is your brother?”
She gave him a loving smile. “He is upstairs. He was out hunting in the woods.”
“Did he catch anything?” Alistar asked, fixing the young girl’s hair behind her ear.
“He caught three rabbits. It isn’t much, but it will do.” Her voice was sweet and mellow.
Alistar smiled, giving the girl a tender shake with his hands.
“Come in.” Alistar beckoned us to enter.
“Who are these people, Papa?” The girl grabbed her father’s hand, watching us as we walked inside her
house.
“They are our new friends.” Alistar gave his daughter a broad smile.
I felt the warmth of the burning fireplace. Jars filled with grains and seeds sat on the shelves affixed to the walls. There was a staircase that led to the upper floor; a wooden table with three stools sat on the left side of the room.
“I apologize that I do not have enough seats for you all. I am not one to receive many visitors.” He removed his cloak, laying it on top of the settee beside the fireplace. “Please try to make yourselves comfortable. I will prepare us something to eat.”
The girls sat on the stools while we sat on the ground, resting our backs against the wall. Petra sat next to me.
“Sela, help me serve our guests some hot tea and bread.” Alistar signaled his daughter to approach him.
The girl shot me a dubious stare. “Of course,” she said.
“Who is he?” I heard Sela whisper to her father.
“He is with them, Sela,” Alistar replied as he laid some plates on the table.
From the corner of my eye, I examined the young girl. Her white dress had long sleeves that covered half of her small hands. Atop her head was a thin silver tiara.
Isaac struggled to remain seated. With great anxiety, he moved his legs as he nibbled on his lips.
“Do you trust them?” Petra whispered, his arms stretched over his knees.
“What other choice do we have now? Isaac seems to trust them,” I answered. “At least we will have a roof over our heads and food to feed us today.”
Ballard sat by the window. With a pensive expression, he gazed through the glass. Demetre sat beside Isaac.
“Trust no one.” I gasped as the unexpected voice sounded in my ear once again, drowning out all other sounds. Why was this happening? Why was Lucifer speaking to me?
“Where are you?” I thought, hoping that the voice would respond.
“I am everywhere,” said the voice, and my heart palpitated. “You desire evil, yet you want to fulfill a bidding that does not belong to you.”
I was startled by rapid footsteps descending the staircase.
“Father, I didn’t—” The boy’s eyes widened as he gasped in surprise. “Who are these people?” He had a young appearance, no older than eighteen. His gray eyes met my own as he walked to his father. I noticed his boots were damp and covered in mud. His white, laced shirt was covered in dirt.
“These people are our guests, Arundel,” Alistar replied, handing him a plate with a piece of bread. “Please, help me serve them food.”
Arundel tightened his brow into a scowl. In silence, he strolled his way to Isaac while looking at me.
“Is there a problem?” I asked the boy.
He shook his head before speaking. “No. There is no problem,” he replied. He handed the plate to Isaac. Wrinkles creased the skin between his eyebrows when he laid eyes on Isaac.
“Thank you.” A thin smile crossed Isaac’s lips. He tilted his face to the side as he grabbed the plate, noticing Arundel’s strange reaction.
Arundel started making his way back to his father. He came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the room. “Are you…a Nephilin?” He shifted his eyes to me.
“He is with us,” Petra said in a sharp voice.
Arundel strolled his hand through his raven hair. “I am sorry. I did not mean to be rude. You are our guests.” He was about to turn his back to us when he looked at Isaac once again. “Have we met before?”
Isaac shook his head. “You have probably met my father, Dustin Khan. People say that we look alike.”
“Diane and Dustin are your parents?” Arundel’s eyebrows rose. “They are here! They are ups—”
“Arundel, keep handing out these plates, please,” said Alistar in a strong voice.
Isaac frowned, standing to his feet. “They are here? In your house? Why did you not tell me?”
“Isaac, you have to listen.” Alistar dropped the plate he held in his hand on the table.
“I want to see them,” Isaac said, his voice rising.
“Something happened.” Alistar crossed his hands in front of him, holding his head high.
“What happened?” Isaac spread out his hands, looking at Alistar with fervent eyes.
“It is not an easy thing to explain…” Alistar’s voice trailed off as he made his way to Isaac.
Isaac’s chest heaved with heavy breaths. He clenched his hands into fists. In an instant, he turned his back to us and shot his way up the stairs. His footsteps sounded like rocks falling down a cliff.
“Wait, Isaac!” Demetre leaped to his feet, running to him.
“Demetre!” I shouted. He turned to me. “Let him be.”
He raised his eyes, looking up at the staircase. “Why would you lie to him?” He turned his gaze to Alistar.
“Your friend is not ready to face the harsh truth that awaits him,” Alistar said.
“What harsh truth?” Demetre’s shoulders rose with a slight turn of his face. “After all we have been through, no truth or lie would ever have the power to break us again.”
With his right hand, Alistar scratched his forehead.
“Do not speak of things that you do not know, Demetre. You know a fraction of the truth.”
An uncomfortable silence lingered.
“I am sorry, Alistar,” Adara said with her head low. “We should all be grateful for what you are doing here today.”
Alistar reached for a plate holding a piece of bread. “Don’t worry about me.” He walked to Adara. “Your friend is the one that will need your support and courage.” He stretched his hand, handing her the plate.
ISAAC
XV
I marched my way up the stairs, determined to find my parents. Why would Alistar lie to me? What was he hiding? Like a pursuing enemy, rage kept coming after me. I had to forget about him—at least for now.
There was a door to my left. Its silver knob glistened under the candles that burned on the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
With fumbling hands, I twisted the doorknob.
“Mom! Dad!” I shouted at the top of my lungs.
I peeked inside the room. An empty bed covered by a colorful quilt was sitting next to the window, and a ragged white rug sat at the foot of the bed.
I closed my hand, slamming my palm against the door in frustration.
Another door was in front of me. I repeated my previous act.
“Are you in…” My voice disappeared. Numbness shot up my entire body. My knees trembled.
Here they were. The most important people in my life were lying on a bed, covered in white blankets. They were alive.
I could not move for a while. So many times I had fought against the belief that their lives had been taken. With tears streaming down my face, I tromped my way to them.
“Dad.” I took in deep, fast breaths, sitting next to him. His skin was pale, his face covered in bruises and wounds. “Dad,” I repeated, this time, shaking him. He did not wake.
I gazed at his face. In my childhood, there had been such pride in me when people talked about how my dad and I had the same face.
“All this time I thought you were dead,” I said, disregarding the fact that he was unconscious. “And here you are, right in front of me.” I laid my head on his chest; his heartbeat was nothing more than a soft murmur.
On the other side of the room was my mother.
I stood to my feet, making my way to her.
“Mom, I am here.” I sat on the edge of the bed.
Her golden hair cascaded above her shoulders. Though she lay unconscious, I found a way to wrap her in my arms.
“It was not easy for me to wake up and not find you in the kitchen that morning. You were gone…” I shuddered at the memories that invaded my mind.
Her skin was pale and cold.
“Can you hear me, Mom?” I waited for her to react to my voice. She did not move. My eyes watched her for a few seconds. I laid her back on the bed, releasing her from my a
rms.
With elbows rested on my knees, I bowed my head. What had happened to them? What had led them here?
There was a soft knock on the door. I looked back and saw Demetre. It would have been impossible to miss the surprised look on his face as he surveyed the room.
“They are alive, my friend.” My trembling lips curved into a thin smile.
Demetre’s eyes filled with tears as he rushed his way in.
“I cannot believe it.” He stood beside me, looking at my parents.
My smile turned grim. Though I was glad to see them alive, I was also worried.
“We will take this as a sign.” Demetre had a soft grin stamped on his face.
“A sign?” I furrowed my eyebrows, tilting my head to the side.
“That we will succeed in this journey. I thought I was never going to see them again.” He sat beside me. “Yet here they are, alive.”
I placed my arm around his shoulder. “You know, Demetre, I could never have gotten this far without you, my friend. It was because of your companionship that I was able to remain strong in the Wastelands of Tristar.”
He let out a low laugh. “Do not forget that it was you that always protected me.”
It had been a long time since I had felt hope spring up in my heart. Though the world had changed, the three people I cared for the most in my life had not. They were here with me, inside this room.
“Why do you think Alistar did not want to reveal to me that my parents were here?” I wondered if I had made the right choice by following him to this village.
“Maybe you should go ask him, Isaac. If it had not been for him, you would never have seen your parents again,” Demetre replied.
My eyes shied away from his. I nodded, thinking about how I had reacted. Despite the fact that I was uneasy about Alistar, he had brought me to my parents.
“You are right.” My hands pressed on my knees.
Demetre and I rose to our feet, walking out of the room. I glanced back, looking at my parents once again.
I descended the stairs, avoiding any eye contact with my companions or my hosts. Demetre was at my heels.
