by Lelia Eye
“Considering the ineptitude of your god,” the Skychild said, “I’m surprised you had the wherewithal to track the temple this far.”
The Groundbreather laughed. “The chimera kit has claws, I see. It is a pity you shall not be able to use them before I kill you.”
“I fear you’ll find that you are not dealing with a chimera, but with a dragon!” the Skychild growled, shooting a whirlwind forward.
The Groundbreather had grown too complacent, apparently, as the funnel caught him by surprise and knocked him against a tree. He grunted at the impact and appeared to be struggling to breathe as he took a few steps forward.
The Skychild gave a harsh laugh and shot off another gust of wind.
But this time, the Groundbreather was prepared, and he used the earth beneath him to hold his own feet to the ground and keep himself from lifting in the air. Once the small funnel had passed, he said, “You think you are anything like that mythical creature? I dare say the Skychildren are quite deluded indeed if they believe they have anything in common with such imaginary creatures as dragons!”
The Skychild threw his hands out and sent a dozen small whirlwinds carrying the debris of the forest—rocks, nuts, tree limbs, leaves, dust—toward his opponent.
A large cage of dirt sprung up around the Groundbreather, and though the earthen structure was buffeted, it remained intact.
The Skychild took a few moments to yank at his feet and to use rough bursts of wind to remove the earth that kept him from moving. He succeeded in freeing one foot, but the other remained stuck to the ground.
As the wind attack waned, the dirt cage disintegrated, falling into dust at the Groundbreather’s feet. He gave a grim smile. “You may feel yourself to be skilled among your kind, but compared to me, you are nothing.”
“Pretty words for one who worships filth,” the Skychild spat.
The Groundbreather did not respond with words; rather, he formed a sharp spear from the earth and tossed it forward, unfazed when the Skychild batted it aside with the wind. This happened time and again, with the Groundbreather thrusting spear after spear forward, and the Skychild deflecting each aerial weapon.
But the Skychild, in his desperation to take to the skies, let himself get too distracted by the idea of freeing his other foot, and as he briefly glanced down, it provided the Groundbreather with the opportunity he must have been waiting for.
A platform of dirt shot up in front of the Skychild. Then it rammed forward. As it slammed into him, it knocked him loose from the earth's hold and slammed him into a tree. He cried out in pain. If his chest was not crushed, it likely would be soon.
She could take no more of this. “Enough!” she shouted, drawing the Groundbreather’s attention to her. With a wave of her hand, she called water forth from the stream and shot it at the Groundbreather in a small wave. He cursed and jumped backward, avoiding the water and allowing the platform of earth he had been controlling to crumble back into dirt.
The Skychild fell to the ground, clutching at his chest and struggling to breathe.
She surveyed his injuries with a quick glance. Though he was seriously wounded, she believed he would live.
“So, you are one of those who play with water, are you? You and your kind think to stop us?” the Groundbreather said, gazing at her with scorn. He was standing in a stiff-backed manner, and one might have never known he had been battling were it not for the slight sheen of sweat on his brow.
“You must stop fighting the inevitable,” she told him, refusing to rise to the bait. “The temple is invisible. Try as you might, you shall not gain access, and it is pointless to attempt to do so.”
“Who are you?” the Skychild gasped as he struggled to stand. “You can really control water?”
“It does not matter who I am,” she replied, glancing at him in pity. “What matters is that even should you defeat me, you will not be able to enter the temple.”
“You should mind your manners, godless one,” the Groundbreather spat, “or you might find the god of my people falling upon you with his righteous wrath and divine fury.”
She did not bother to enlighten him. She knew exactly who he was—she knew who they both were—and she was aware he would not listen to any of the truths she possessed. Neither would the Skychild, for that matter.
“I will take my chances,” was the only answer she gave him, but the wryness in her tone appeared to infuriate him.
“Terrain shall reward me if I deal with you here and now,” the Groundbreather snarled. “Your kind should have been extinct long ago.”
Noting the Groundbreather’s raised hands, she braced herself for his attack, all the while knowing that in this place, there was nothing the man could do to harm her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Skychild rise from the ground and then make a swift retreat. No doubt he had realized that he had no hope of accomplishing his mission while injured so badly.
A spear fashioned from the earth at her feet caught her attention, and she dodged to the side. The spear was followed by several more in quick succession as the man poured out his hate in an attempt to strike her down.
She lifted her hands, and from the very air about her, a massive wall of water appeared, absorbing the flying spears as if they were nothing more than paper. She then motioned her hands forward, and the wall rushed toward the surprised Groundbreather, crashing into him and bowling him over. He tumbled until he hit the base of a large oak.
The man was dazed, but he quickly recovered and rose to his feet, glaring at her with murder in his eyes.
“Are you ready to cease this pointless struggle?” she asked with a mildness which appeared to enrage him that much more.
“I shall find you—you and your kind,” the man said. “And when I do, it shall be the end of your people, as it should have been eons ago.”
“Go,” she told him with a wave of her hand. “Go, and do not return.”
For a moment, she thought that he might try to attack her again, but he seemed to sense that he was overmatched in this place. A few heartbeats later, he had left her sight in the maze of trees and underbrush.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She doubted that either man would make such an attempt again. At least not alone. But no matter. She understood some of what was to come, and that gave her comfort. There was much to be done before all was put to rights. But made right it would be. The Goddess had decreed it.
Coming in 2016 from
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Acknowledgements
Many heartfelt thanks to the following people for their support:
Amber Pye, Andrew Hawryluk, Andrew Rowland, Ashlee Jones, Bill McDaniel, Brad Manson, Christy Roberts, Clare Mauney, Dana O’Quin, Dana Rowland, Dave Mamczasz, Dawn Ackroyd, Elle McCarty, Eti Fridman, Gary Pearson, Glenna Pysz, Helen McDaniel, Hilary Keahey, Jana Duren, Joey Laborde, John Gavros, Joy Villa, Judi Bowers, Jules Stefanski, Kaiti Swanson, Kathy Scarsdale, Ken Stewart, Kevin Walton, Lacey Laborde, Lorrie Streeter, Mary Bishop, Mary Edwards, Mary Fleming, Matthew Rowland, Paul McBride, Peter Ries, Reuben Dykes, Rhonda Laborde, Rob Rowland, Ruby Lam, Sara Collins, Shane Hudson, Steven Burke, Stuart Scott, Sue Stewart, Tim Wadsworth, Tom Fitton, Tony Bagnoli, Travis Wahlfeldt, Vicki Choate, Vive Allen, and Zachary Johnson.
About the Authors
Jann Rowland
Jann Rowland was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He enjoys reading, sports, and he also dabbles a little in music, taking pleasure in singing and playing the piano.
Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interest in Jane Austen stems from his university days when he took a class in which Pride and Prejudice was required reading. Acting on Faith is his first published novel, but he envisions many more in the coming years, both within the Pride and Prejudice universe and without.
He now lives in Alberta, with his wife of more than twenty years, and his three children.
Lelia Eye
Lelia Eye was born in Harrison, Arkansas. She loves reading and misses the days when she was able to be a part of the community theater group in Harrison.
Lelia has enjoyed writing since she won a short story contest in the sixth grade, and she graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Master’s degree in English. It was while she was obtaining her undergraduate degree at Hendrix College that she took a Jane Austen class which sparked her interest in Pride and Prejudice.
She now lives in Conway, Arkansas, with an adorable toddler, her husband, three dogs, and two cats.
For more information on the authors, please visit http://onegoodsonnet.com.
