by Morgan Wylie
Her mind brought her back around to being in the cave—the Way of Adbertos, literally meaning the way of sacrifice. She didn’t know what had happened from the time she tried to free Daegan from his bond to Maleina to waking up in the cave. Walking into that light and speaking with the guardian of Adbertos, whom Kaeleigh nervously and inappropriately named “Abi” and watching Hunter be killed right in front of her by Maleina, stirred not only deep sadness and utter loss but an anger and a rage that she didn’t know what to do with. Her breathing became labored and her energy levels began to rise higher and higher.
Chel gripped her hand tighter, trying to get her to calm down, but it wasn’t working. The next thing she knew he was there at her side, turning her toward him, gripping her shoulders gently.
“Kaeleigh, look at me,” he spoke with soft authority. His words and his touch infused within her a calm energy as his magic wrapped around her. “Focus your magic. Contain it... only for now. I will find you a place and a time to grieve, but it is not safe here for us.”
At that, Kaeleigh suddenly sensed she was not alone. She could feel Finn at her back with his hand against her. Chel held her hand, gripping so tightly she thought her hand might break. Daegan in front of her, the gentle tone of his voice talking her down while his magic soothed her own, and their new companion, Aidón, watched her with eyes of compassion. She felt love and reached for it desperately, pulling her out of the despair she quickly had spiraled into. Taking deep breaths, she felt a peace come over her. She could feel Hunter with her—she didn’t know how, but she could actually feel him near her so strongly she even looked around and up into the trees for him or the white bird his spirit had taken on. Kaeleigh saw nothing, but held onto the hope that perhaps he had not really left her.
With a barely audible whisper for fear of making noise, she said, “Thank you.” Looking into each of their eyes she gave a grateful nod, lingering a bit longer on the chocolate orbs directly in front of her that held her gaze intensely as he searched her strength, finding it solid. Turning abruptly, he took the lead once again as they slowly made their way deeper into the shelter of the ancient forest.
Trying a new tactic, Kaeleigh decided to see if she could make contact with her inner magic. She wanted to understand her magic and become more in tune with it. The best way she understood to do that was to become familiar with it—how it felt and moved within her, how it responded and reacted to her emotions. She took deep breaths of the clean, oxygen-rich air of the forest into her lungs. Holding it for a second, she then slowly released it, focusing on the way it felt. The way the air moved from her tightly expanded lungs, bringing a feeling of peace and relief as she exhaled it. It was heady and even made her a little light-headed, but there was power in the control she was exercising. Feeling her magic respond to her gentle coaxing as she mentally stirred it deep within her core exhilarated her and pushed her to stir it even more. She kept control for the first time. Kaeleigh willed it back into submission, then stirred it up again. Unsure of what she was doing, Kaeleigh felt like it was working—she felt right—so she kept at it as they walked.
Wanting to experiment, Kaeleigh looked out at the forest around her to see what perhaps she wasn’t truly seeing with only her eyes, if anything. At the same time she internally guided her magic from its source in the core of who she was up her chest, through her neck, and up the back of her neck into her head, culminating at her point of sight. She could feel the buzzing electricity of her magic as it seeped through her eyes. Not knowing what to expect as she looked out with eyes of magic, she remained open to anything. Nothing unusual until... there! Off in the distance there was a large old tree with a canopy of branches that extended over a large expanse. This tree had a vibration of energy that was stronger than any of the other trees around it. It reminded her of Holly—the tree she had met by the stream before they had gone to Feraánmar—except the energy in this tree was even stronger than hers. She could see the green threads of energy that flowed swiftly throughout the trunk, into each branch, then cycle back. There was no beginning and no end to the magic.
At her intake of breath, Finn was right at her back. “Kaeleigh? What is it?” He was poised for a fight, his hands gripping sheathed daggers in anticipation.
She shook her head back and forth, having a hard time putting words to what she was seeing, afraid that if she spoke she might break her shaky grasp of control over her magic. Hoping he would understand there was no threat, she signaled an “okay” sign with her hand—cheesy, but effective.
“You’re all right?”
Kaeleigh simply nodded. She could hear them just fine, even though Chel spoke like she couldn’t hear them. “Why isn’t she talking?”
Both Daegan and Aidón had also stopped looking for a sign of a threat. Aidón looked at her and followed her gaze out to the trees. “I think she is looking into a glamour or possibly just seeing what is beyond your sight, but I am not seeing it either.”
“The trees. I think she is seeing the energy of the trees. She is not in danger. I can feel her awe.” Daegan shifted a little, sounding uncomfortable revealing that.
“Do you see the trees as well, Daegan?” Aidón asked curiously.
Daegan turned out towards the trees, giving a slight and awkward nod. Aidón patted Daegan on the shoulder. “There are not many who can so easily see into natural glamours. It is a gift. Your secret is safe with me.”
“How is she doing that?” asked Chel.
“She must be trying to learn about her magic,” Aidón mused.
“She is doing quite well. Kaeleigh has been practicing for the last few hours. She learns quickly,” Daegan said quietly as he turned, surveying other areas of the forest. “We have remained here too long as it is. We must continue if we are to make it somewhere safe to camp.”
Finn spoke after a long time of silence. “Where are you leading us, Daegan?”
“There is a place I know that will be well guarded and safe for a short period of time to rest. It is where the base of the Gáraldrath Mountain ridges gets swallowed by the heart of the Forest of Lumei.”
Finn nodded thoughtfully. “Taking the back way into the lands of Kandri?”
Daegan nodded slowly in return, watching Finn’s response.
“That seems wise. There are ruins to hide throughout that area as well. That should help traversing towards the Kandrian Mountains. Thoughts, Aidón? Do you know that land well?”
Finn seemed to direct his question pointedly at the newcomer to gauge his reaction. There was something Finn didn’t trust about their tagalong. Daegan, too, seemed to watch the man carefully. The more he noticed of him, the more he realized the man’s appearance had actually changed quite significantly since they had first entered the forest upon fleeing Elnye. He had begun an old and weak man only to gain in strength and stature, growing younger again as if reversing time itself upon his physical being. Leading to one solution: he was himself glamoured. But why? He obviously appeared to be an Elf with his pointy ears, fair and opalescent skin, sharp features, and silver hair. His build was thin but strong, similar to Finn’s structure. He was shorter than the average Elf.
Suddenly feeling Chel’s receptive hand squeezes, Kaeleigh made a note to be more aware of her surroundings when she was activating her magic. Feeling the uncertain tension building between the three men of their entourage, Kaeleigh whipped around to see Finn and Daegan glaring warily at Aidón. Daegan spotted her eyes on them first, breaking contact with the newest member. Then Aidón turned his eyes toward Kaeleigh. Eyes of sharp emerald green pierced her own. Wait! They were blue. Weren’t they blue? Kaeleigh cocked her head to the side, confusion clearly written on her face. Both Daegan and Finn reacted to her expression, stepping back from Aidón and drawing their weapons in case something dangerous was about to be revealed.
Aidón’s eyes grew large with surprise and shock. “You can see through it?”
“Your eyes... they were blue, weren’t they?” Kaele
igh stammered as she continued to stare at him. She refocused her eyes several times and squinted to try and see what else was revealed.
“They still look blue to me, Kaeleigh,” Chel interjected.
“This glamour is one of the strongest created. I had no idea your gifts would be able to decipher it.” He spoke as if in awe and not concerned with what she was about to see. “I... Kaeleighnna, I was hoping to share this with you at a better time, but I do not know when and if there will be one. I know you will be able to see through it given some time, but I am not sure how you will react to my presence.”
Still confused, Kaeleigh took a deep breath. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”
“I’m curious how far you can push your magic while still bound,” he plainly asked.
Furrowing her brow, Kaeleigh looked to her friends. “Wait. I’m still bound? What happened while I was unconscious?”
“Kae, there’s still a lot we don’t know and we don’t have time for it here. We have to find shelter,” Finn reminded them all.
“Right. Just one more second. I feel like I’m so close to seeing what is behind Aidón’s glamour. I’m assuming”—she addressed Aidón—“that since you are letting me break your cover, you are not going to turn into a dark monster and eat us as soon as I de-cloak you or whatever.”
Chel whispered with a sparkle of excitement, “De-cloak him. I don’t know what that means, but do it, Kae!” She giggled. But then she thought and added, “You aren’t a monster, are you, Aidón?”
He chuckled under his breath. “No. I am not a dark monster, but I guess you will have to take my word for it until your magic is strong enough to puzzle it out.” Aidón winked at them then gestured for Daegan to lead the way. “We should keep going.”
“I will figure it out. But you’re right. We need to keep moving.” Kaeleigh looped her arm through Chel’s as much for her own comfort as for that of her friend.
CHAPTER TWO
“Are you hiding something, Aidón?” Chel asked innocently.
“I told you we shouldn’t trust him to come with us,” spat Finn from the back of the line.
Kaeleigh knew by his tone that Finn was clenching his knives at his side not only for what might come from the outside, but also from within. She took a deep breath. Kaeleigh felt an urgency to help Aidón get in touch with his magic and to unveil himself once again. She had a good feeling about him. There was a sense of familiarity in his magic. She could almost put her finger on it when she tried to strip the glamour back from him, but it would then slip from her grip.
“Patience, Finn...please,” Kaeleigh whispered to him, looking back at him with pleading eyes. His gaze found hers, then consented with a short nod, but still he moved up behind her right into her personal space. His eyes were concerned and warm; he took a deep breath when he whispered in response, “Be careful, Kae.”
Tiny butterflies swirled in her stomach at his close proximity as she remembered how Finn had kissed her. It had seemed ages ago and yet still not long enough to make the awkwardness she felt a mere memory. She didn’t want Finn to be hurt; he was her family but she still resented that he took that step. At some point they were going to have to discuss it. She couldn’t lose him. Her love for him as a friend was sincere, but she couldn’t give him more than that.
Kaeleigh focused again, pushing her magic to swirl around Aidón as they continued to walk. She could see his shoulders flinch when her magic touched him, and then they relaxed again, allowing her attempt to chisel away at his glamour. She could almost see the glamour dissolving as she focused on it doing that very thing. Aidón’s hair began changing from silver to dark, wavy, shoulder-length hair. Just when she thought she was making progress, the image would falter and so would Kaeleigh’s steps. Chel was there gripping her arm to keep her from falling.
Aidón’s shoulders sagged momentarily, then he turned to her with a sad smile. “It is hard to focus out here on the road under the threat of possible capture. When we are safe, please feel free to attempt another try.” He turned and continued to follow Daegan down a slight decline in the landscape.
At the front, Daegan’s steps staggered and he rubbed his forehead with one hand while leaning briefly against a thin tree that was suddenly quite close to him. “No, no, no...” he muttered. Then shook his head and stood straight and in control once more.
“Daegan?” Kaeleigh whispered as she moved closer to him.
“I... I am all right. I had a dull pain that was similar to the ones...” His voice quieted then he looked her in the eyes. “But it was not the same, it could not be.”
“We can rest for a moment.” Kaeleigh reached out and gently grabbed his arm, igniting the tiniest of blue sparks. He pulled away from her abruptly, causing Kaeleigh to jump back at first, and then she raised both hands in mock surrender. She shook her head with annoyance as she returned to her place by Chel.
“We must get as far as we can. I feel their pursuit is not as far away as we would like. Or perhaps it is not even Maleina’s men.” Daegan looked slowly about the forest all around them, seeing with more than his eyes. “Hurry. We do not have much time.”
The five of them began to move quickly across the thick forest floor, skirting around trees and shrubbery, rocks, fallen branches, and roots that rose up from the ground to slow their movements. The trees seemed to grow thicker the further they went. Kaeleigh was surprised to find how large the forest in this part of Alandria truly was. She thought by this time the forest should be thinning, as they had to be getting closer to a town or village. They had been walking for so long. Her feet hurt and she was tired.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck began to rise and a dangerous feeling began to creep around them. Looking behind him, Finn saw the look in her eyes. Fear. He grabbed her arm and yanked both her and Chel so they ran even faster until they arrived side by side with Daegan at the front.
Daegan, unfazed by what they were doing, pulled out his large sword from its holster attached to his back. “Stay close!”
“I do not have a weapon.” Aidón looked to each of the warriors. “I can fight. I will help.” He held out his hand expectantly to Finn, but it was Daegan who gave him one of his knives that he pulled from a holster at his waist.
“I know you were in that prison for a reason. Do not make me regret this,” he growled out.
No longer was there time for debate, nor was there time to run. The only time they had was to prepare to fight whatever was rumbling through the forest behind them. Kaeleigh and Chel were once again pushed into a tight triangle of fierce protection. They had been backed up to a large tree, their strong male defenders on every other side. Eyes searching everywhere, looking for the enemy, but Kaeleigh’s eyes found Chel. She had gone white with fear. Mumbling something incoherently, she closed her eyes, trying to breathe. Kaeleigh’s senses picked up no sound other than a strong wind picking up not far from where they were. A flash of images flew through Kaeleigh’s mind. Images of darkness surrounding them and flying like the wind throughout the dense trees, and images of red eyes that were locked on hers. She gasped deeply.
“What is it?” Finn shouted now that the rumbling had grown louder. It sounded like the roar of an earthquake.
“Not warriors. Darkness with red eyes. Almost here.” Choppy and broken, she tried to get the warning out as fast as she could.
Daegan uttered something that sounded like a curse in another language.
Finn grew pale as well. “The Droch-Shúil?” he questioned hoarsely to Daegan, who only nodded.
“We have to find a way out of here,” shouted Aidón nervously. “We cannot fight and win like this.”
“Daegan?” Kaeleigh whispered for his ears only. As his eyes found hers, they were filled with fear... for her. “I do not have my sword, like last time. It’s gone.”
He looked from her to Chel and then to the other men. “We do not need it. When I give you the order, you run. No question
s. Do you understand?”
With understanding, her eyes got wide. “No!”
“Kaeleigh, this is not negotiable. Do you understand?” His fierce gaze bored into her soul. Another might assume that he resented her, but she could see the truth in his eyes; they were full of a life of loss and he could not afford one more on his count. She nodded.
Braced for battle, they waited what seemed like forever as anxiety reached heightened levels. The sky darkened. The few sounds made from creatures of the forest silenced. Low moans and creaks arose from all around them and behind them.
Chel looked about with a little more color in her cheeks and her eyes hopeful. “The trees are helping us again!” The trees were not actually moving, but something was happening, she was sure of it.
Kaeleigh looked to her, confused. “Again? Did I miss something... again?”
Chel was about to explain what she meant when Finn interjected. “Later!” he shouted at them, confounded they could have conversations at the most inopportune times.
Slowly, the darkness circled about them, weaving in and around the trees not too far out from where they stood. The wind roared so loudly, Daegan flinched and Kaeleigh couldn’t help but cover her ears. Swords were extended at the ready, but there was nothing solid to even pierce the darkness in front of them. Kaeleigh’s sword was special, the metal enchanted with magic and infused with light, but they did not have it this time. Not for the first time, she wondered where it went when it left her. The black, inky wind moved faster and faster, creating a funnel cloud that threw loose and broken parts of the forest all around, branches coming close enough to strike them.
“KAELEIGH!” screamed Chel.
They all turned just in time to see multiple small twisters come out of the larger one, morphing into long, sinewy tentacles made from the darkness. Each snakelike appendage reached out from the center of their funnel, wrapping around Kaeleigh’s waist from different directions. Those tentacles of smoke and darkness seized her and lifted her off the ground and out of reach, a nightmare come to reality. It did not take her away, but held her right in front of her friends trapped in its octopus-like clutches, suspended in air and surrounded by other moving shadows of darkness. The only clear things visible were eyes of red.
