The Path Now Turned

by Colleen Connally

  “Foolishly, I left behind my wife and sons in hopes of quick riches. I lost my life because of my greed, as did the other Wood Spirits. We are bound to wander these woods to keep all who dare step within…no one escapes…not even one as powerful as you.

  “We have helped you, Euchoun, for we have knowledge of your fate. It is what is asked of you now…to hold to that fate. In turn, while you travel your path, you will save the family I left behind.”

  “How will I know of whom to save?”

  “As you do not know the way out, I know not the names of who I want you to save, for many years have passed. I know only that I can feel my blood still runs within Scarladin. Pledge to protect all. It is the price you must pay.”

  “It is who I am, Spirit. I can do no other than protect those.”

  “I accept that you are such,” the deep voice said. “Turn, Euchoun. Look upon your path. Stay upon it. Do not falter. You have been trained well in the art of protecting. You need only the belief that will only come from within.”

  “What do I face, Wood Spirit?”

  “What do you hear? You will soon see. Within you, you know.” His face looked upward. “They are coming. The shield has fallen. They know and are coming.”

  Stunned, she was speechless for a moment, before she regained her voice. “The Hallow Minions!”

  “You have not much time,” he said. “You know of what you have to do.”

  The portal! She looked upward to the sky, and then back toward the cottage. She couldn’t leave Guilda as she was. She couldn’t let the Hallow Minions take her essence.

  As if he understood, Daigh said, “Quickly, Euchoun. They are coming.”

  * * * *

  Kela ran.

  The wind blew snow into her eyes. She ignored the cold, having only one thought. I won’t let the Hallow Minions feast upon Guilda!

  The whistling grew louder. In the distance, a dark cloud loomed—the Hallow Minions!

  She wasted no more time. Rushing into the cottage, she grabbed their only torch and lit it in the morning fire that still flickered.

  With no time for prayers, she lay the flames against the side of Guilda. She waited only long enough for the covers to catch fire. Smoke filled the room as she exited.

  Outside, she lit the thatched roof from each corner. Even through the falling snow, the fire smoldered.

  Kela heard the loud screams of the Hallow Minions. They were close.

  Dropping the torch, she thrust her hands forth and sent a blast. The burning roof collapsed into the cottage…it flamed.

  The devils would not get my Guilda! Not this day!

  She watched only a moment. She had no more time.

  A swarming darkness covered the sky.

  The Hallow Minions were within the Forbidden Forest.

  With loud screeches, the Hallow Minions circled overhead, trying in vain to enter the flaming cottage.

  Not daring to turn around, Kela ran. The wind gusted around her, pulling at her woolen cloak. The snow kept falling. It was difficult to trudge through the trail she had made. The snow had deepened and the rocks on the hillside had iced over.

  She fell. Scrambling up, she saw the castle. The falling snow cast a gray sheen to the grim holdfast. She had to get there. Panting, she paused for a moment and glanced over her shoulder.

  The massive cloud of screeching minions had lost interest in the burning cottage. Their attention turned toward her.

  She shuddered.

  Leaping back to her feet, she pushed forward. Tripping over a rock, she stumbled, but stayed upright. She skirted down the hill. Her momentum didn’t wane on sight of the stone wall surrounding the castle.

  A loud, piercing shrill resonated from above.

  Amid the snow and ice, Kela blasted the wall. She didn’t wait until the dust settled. She climbed through into the courtyard. She had to get to the portal.

  Overhead, the fluttering of thousands of tiny devil fiends descended. She blasted, scattering the Hallow Minions.

  It gave her only a moment’s freedom.

  She dashed up the steps to the large wooden entrance doors. Pushing, she felt the door give and wedged inside. She slammed it shut with her shield.

  The Hallow Minions would not be denied.

  Kela heard glass shatter. The floor rumbled. The Hallow Minions had broken through.

  She was surrounded.

  The first one dove down and pecked her head. Immense pain surged through her, thrusting her backward.

  Her shield rose, keeping back the attack. Slowly, she edged toward the stairs in the open foyer.

  The Hallow Minions filled the chamber. More and more rushed toward her.

  Keeping her shield up, Kela walked in darkness up the stairs. She took care with each step. She used only feel and the knowledge of the castle.

  The minute demons assaulted her shield.

  She wanted to blast them again, but it would leave her vulnerable. Her shield would be down. She had to get to the portal…so close.

  Twiten’s chamber was on the left. She followed her instincts.

  The pressure intensified against her shield. Their chatter grew louder.

  Holding the shield with only one hand, she turned the handle to the chamber. A flicker by the hearth told that the portal was open.

  She faced a terrible truth. There was no Seeing Eye to guide her. To enter the portal, the shield would have to be released.

  Her hand quivered.

  The time had come. There would be only one attempt.

  Thinking of her desire to be within Yucca, she drew in a deep breath. She blasted and ran.

  The Hallow Minions swarmed. Kela lunged for the portal. Too late, the Hallow Minions attacked. Pain overwhelmed her.

  Yet in that moment, she felt a sensation as if falling into a sea of light. Her head throbbed. Every inch of her body hurt. A sudden thrust, and then she was hurled against a hard surface.

  For a mad instant, she saw light. Sunlight, bright and golden.

  There was silence.

  She pushed upward on her hands, trying desperately to gain composure of her trembling body. An overwhelming pain surged through her.

  This was not the Forbidden Forest.

  Kela was in a small garden surrounded by a walkway.

  She fought back the desire to close her eyes. It was too dangerous to fall unconscious.

  “Do not be afraid.” A kind voice spoke.

  Kela tried to focus. Her eyes blurred, but she could make out a figure of a man.

  “Where am I?”

  “Where do you think you are at?”

  She blinked. Her eyes made out a man’s face with kind eyes. Concern lay in his eyes.

  “I want to be in Yucca. I need to be in Yucca.”

  “Then rest,” the man said softly. “You are well within Yucca, in the gardens of the King’s Chapel. My name is Father Oliver. I give help and comfort to those in need. Are you in need, my child?”

  “Yes.” She sat on her knees. Holding her head in her hands, she answered. “I have need. I have a great need.”

  The Chapel

  So it was that Kela escaped her prison.

  Her past had been left behind to grasp her destiny.

  Kela rested in a small chamber. There had been no sleep. Each time she shut her eyes, she was haunted by flashes of visions. The confusing, perplexing dreams left her with a feeling of urgency.

  She was needed.

  Father Sadon Oliver had indeed shown her kindness by giving to her a bed to lay her head. He had not pressed her about her sudden appearance. Moreover, he did not seem overly concerned about how she arrived.

  He was a distinguished man, tall and thin with a long, gray beard. He had pale cheeks and piercing blue eyes. Sordarin by birth, he had no wings, only slight humps on his back that could be seen through his long black robes.

  For men in the faith, clipping of their wings was designed to show their faith in the Great One. The practice, called Daripada
Sayap, was extremely painful.

  A servant girl brought a bowl of leek and mushroom broth and a piece of stale bread. Kela had not realized how famished she was. She ate heartily.

  “I’m sorry it is nothing more than broth.”

  Kela rose from the wooden chair. Looking at Father Oliver, she smiled. “I more than appreciate your kindness.”

  He bowed his head slightly. “It is my calling to help those who have need of aid.”

  She hesitated to confide in the religious man. In truth, she had little choice but to place her fate in his hands. A telling omen, she convinced herself, that she had landed in his gardens.

  Alone within the city, fear gnawed within her.

  The Forbidden Forest’s shield had fallen. What am I to face here in Yucca? Falco had not answered her since her arrival. She had no knowledge of the whereabouts of Cono or Sareta.

  Her need laid with contact with her warrior and siblings. There was only one she trusted to be able to do so.

  Turstan.

  A sudden urge to see Turstan overwhelmed her. She hadn’t realized how much she wanted to find a semblance of comfort.

  “Were you able to find the warrior Turstan?” She had asked for only one thing from Father Oliver, if he had any way to discover where Turstan might be. “Turstan was with Prince Falco’s household.”

  “I have found the warrior of which you speak,” Father Oliver said. “I have sent for him. Come with me now. I will take you to a place you may wait for him.”

  Kela followed behind Father Oliver through the long stone hallway. He opened a door into an atrium enclosed with porticoes.

  The sky was gray. It smelled of rain.

  “By all that’s good!” a voice bellowed from the stone steps at the entrance of the atrium.

  She had no need to turn to know that Turstan had come.

  * * * *

  A soft patter of rain fell against the canopy over the bench Kela sat. Turstan stood at the post, looking down at her.

  She looked at his filthy hair, scraggly beard, and dry, cracked lips. His uniform was ragged and torn. He smelled foul, as if he hadn’t bathed in weeks.

  Yet, his telling eyes betrayed his emotion, welling up.

  Father Oliver moved over to their side. “You may speak freely. I have ensured you privacy.”

  Kela watched Father Oliver walk over to the portico. She was thankful for the sanctuary he had given her.

  She wasted no time telling her tale to Turstan.

  Pain crossed over Turstan’s face upon the knowledge that Guilda was no longer in the world. He constantly rubbed his chin, but said little.

  Finally, Turstan roared, “Holy Gotty!”

  From the corner of her eye, Kela felt Father Oliver’s eyes upon them. She placed her hands on Turstan’s chest to calm him. He needed to hear what she had to tell him.

  “Guilda died with no pain. Only I couldn’t give to her the honors she deserved…and Sareta didn’t get to say good-bye.” Her voice quivered with fervor. “Something is terribly wrong. I haven’t heard from anyone in such a long time. I should have never been sent back. Turstan, something cloaked the Shimmering Pool. The shield was lost, which allowed the Hallow Minions access.”

  Turstan lowered his head. Pressing his lips together, he gathered his thoughts. “Child, I’m so sorry. I don’t even know half of what you have had to endure for the king’s plan. I held faith with his plan, for I thought without question it was for the good of all. Now…”

  She took him by the shoulders to look into his eyes. “What do you mean, Turstan? I do not doubt my fate lies in protecting Scarladin. I know the dangers to be faced. I am not afraid to face them. It was you who taught me. Why now are you questioning? Why have you turned back to your drink? Do not deny it. I can well see it within you. Where is Falco? Why would he allow such?”

  His voice faltered with the sadness within him. “Prince Falco will not see me, talk to me after…after…”

  “After what, Turstan?”

  “Lord Twiten has passed away, Kela. When I heard, I went straightway to Falco, but he would not listen to what I had to say. I told him we should bring you back. My fear was as what has happened—that the shield would fall and leave you unprotected. Falco only uttered that all was as it should be.”

  Kela stared at Turstan in disbelief. Falco would not ignore Turstan! He had been as a father to the three of us. “I need to talk with Falco. My call to him has been unanswered.”

  Turstan grimaced. “Kela, Falco threw me into Torini.”

  Stunned, Kela was taken back by Falco’s actions. “The Black Tower!”

  “I lost my temper in my exchange with your brother, child,” Turstan said. “I was not the only one who would not be heard. Johannes came to me, telling of his concern about you. He had no time to make arrangements for you. He had orders to depart for the Payelaga Desert. He had only time to tell me of your need to return.”

  “Falco was separated from his Euchoun?”

  “Odd, but there is much amiss.” Grimly, Turstan heaved a deep sigh. “I have failed you, Kela. Look at yourself. You are so thin, so damnable pale. No one has looked after you. I gave my word to your mother to care for you. I should have never let you go back to the Forbidden Forest.”

  “There was nothing you could have done.”

  “I placed my trust poorly. I should have listened to Guilda.” A silent tear fell from his eye. “I know not who we can trust.”

  “Cono,” Kela said. Her confidence grew with the thought of her warrior. “Dark magic is at work. We will have to tread carefully. Cono will gain me access to my sister. Has he returned from the Payelaga Desert?”

  Turstan drew back. “Cono is another worry that bothers me. I see the shine in your eyes upon his name, but it was of him whom Johannes expressed one of his concerns. Guilt for not telling you all that he knew. He said it was not his place, but Cono’s.”

  Confused by his words, she stuttered. “I…don’t understand. Johannes said…I told him…Cono…and I are to be married.”

  “He declared such to you!” Turstan visibly winced.

  “Yes, he has declared his love for me,” she said, in a voice not much louder than a whisper. “It should not be shocking. We are bonded.”

  His anger spewed forth at her warrior. “Cono should have never done so, Kela. It is rumored that there is to be an announcement of the Lord Commander’s attachment. It is said King Edulf gave permission for Cono to marry your cousin… Amicia.”

  “No, no—you’re mistaken. Cono has declared to me. He…loves me. He told me above all else, we are to be together forever.”

  Kela paused for a moment. She saw the way Turstan stared at her. “No, you are wrong, Turstan. You don’t know Cono the way I do. We are bonded. In this I know, he loves me…I feel it within me. It has to be the dark magic… Once I’m with him, he will refuse what the king has offered to him.”

  “By all that’s holy! Child, he couldn’t refuse what has already been given…what he asked for!” Turstan exploded. His face flamed to a brilliant red.

  “No, Turstan, you are wrong,” she repeated. Taking a step away from her guardian, she steadfastly refused to believe the words he uttered.

  “This is what angers me so. The manner in which you have been treated. Expected to protect and yet…”

  “No,” she cried. Kela was in shock. Her hands began to shake; her body trembled. “Cono is all I have clung to…the belief in our love. With all that is within me, Turstan, you can’t tell me…ask me to believe…”

  “In all, you’re right, Kela. All needs to be taken into account. Rash decisions need not be taken. You have only begun to trust your own instincts. Do not dismiss them now.”

  Kela turned to face the steady voice that moved to her side.

  “Do not give the girl false hope, Father,” Turstan pleaded. “You do not know. She is innocent to the world. I have failed her. I won’t fail her again!”

  “In that, you are wrong, T
urstan. I do know. I know that you have fallen back into drinking away your sorrows. You have to find the strength to fight now, more than ever. Kela needs you. Do you not, Kela?”

  “How do you know what I need?”

  “Because I have dealt with one such as you before. She was my sister, your grandmother, Althea.”

  The Truth

  Never had spoken words inflicted the conflicting emotions Kela felt on the utterances she had only thus heard. Her heart fluttered with the mention of her grandmother.

  In truth, Kela had never heard the name Althea before Father Oliver mentioned her. She had no knowledge of Althea’s existence.

  Already her heart had faltered with doubts concerning Cono. She sat, quietly listening to Father Oliver tell her what she should have already well known.

  Unconsciously, she reached for her necklace, the one in which Cono had declared his unfailing love to her. Her fingers rubbed the smooth surface, trying to grasp the reality of the world in which she now lived.

  Kela sat distracted, lost in her remembrances. She tightened her grasp to the golden necklace.

  All of a sudden, Father Oliver took Kela’s hand in his. She saw his eyes mist before he embraced her.

  She started, for Kela had not been treated in that manner. She recoiled. “I’m not whom you believe I am.”

  “I beg your pardon, dear niece,” Father Oliver said. “I could not contain my joy at your appearance. Aye, I knew immediately who you were.”

  “Impossible. You do not know me.”

  “I’m well aware of who you are…what you are.” Father Oliver smiled. “I know not what you have endured that you come to me as a peasant girl, but I know of what you will become.”

  “Become?” Kela asked. “I doubt such. I doubt all now.”

  “No, my child, you should not,” he said imperturbably. “It has been so long since I lost my sister, but you hold a resemblance to Althea. You have given my heart great joy to have seen you. I had thought you lost.”

  Kela glanced over at Turstan, who sat silent. He nodded to her slightly, as if giving her permission to talk.

  Father Oliver gestured toward Turstan. “Turstan and I have been acquaintances for many, many years. He knows well I can be trusted. It was I who introduced him to Prince Mithelk. I know well the path that Turstan has worn, as I know well the rumors of a Euchoun emerging hold truth.