by Sam Dogra
Copyright
All rights reserved. This book, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any form by any means, including electronic, mechanical, scanning, photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without explicit written permission from the author.
The event and characters in this book are entirely fictional and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
All content copyright © Sam Dogra 2013
Front cover design by Sam Dogra
Map design by Sam Dogra
For more information on the Chronicles of Azaria Series visit http://indigolightning.blogspot.co.uk
Other books in the Chronicles of Azaria series:
THE GODDESS SAGA
#1- The Binding
#2- The Parting (Coming Soon 2013/14)
#3- The Blessing (Coming Soon 2014/15)
For Mum and Dad, who taught me to read and cultivated my imagination
Full size view: http://fav.me/d55ct10
CHAPTER ONE
‘She hid her heart deep within, while the world begged to see its light once more...’
—Tale of the Binding
The first thing that struck me that night was the colour of the moon. It shone a brilliant blue, like the river Fende on a summer’s day. Perhaps it wasn’t that surprising, as it was the eclipse season, and it could turn anything from green to orange, even purple. Still, I’d never seen such a hue before, and the gentle light brought a smile to my lips. Blue was my favourite colour, and I’d take any small comfort when forced to spend a night out here alone. Even though I’d been visiting the forest every month for almost two years, I never did look forward to it.
A crisp wind cut through the branches, and thousands of leaves sighed as one. My stomach tensed, and I scanned the clearing. I knew nothing was there, yet the moment I relaxed my guard, something bad would happen. Or so I kept telling myself. No matter how often I heard the same creaks and rustles, I remained as jumpy as the first time I came here.
Because I knew getting caught would spell my doom.
I ran a hand through my hair, twisting the curled ends round my finger. It really wasn’t fair. It had all started on my fifteenth birthday, when I found out I’d fallen under that stupid curse, just like my sister and my mother. To say it was the worst birthday ever was an understatement. Heck, a punch in the face would’ve been a better present.
Yet as angry as I was to have fallen victim to the Binding, I promised I wouldn’t let it rule me; that I wouldn’t end up like my sister. So I started visiting the forest. For one night every month, I had to hide from the world, lest I be Bound and have my heart tied to another’s. Luckily my village, Velwall, sat near the Galgiza forest, and that made a good hiding spot. Nobody came here this late, and this kind of seclusion was exactly what I needed.
Still, the first night I spent amongst the trees, it didn’t quite go to plan. I’d mapped out a safe path, avoiding the animal dens and swamps, but half a mile into the woods, I stumbled across a lost fox cub. That wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t trodden over its tail, earning me some battle wounds.
I glanced to the scars on my wrist. To be honest, that was pretty tame, considering what else lurked in the Galgiza. It ranked amongst the most hazardous forests in Azaria. Wolves and bears clashed in territory wars, bogs swallowed up unwary travelers if they didn’t tread carefully, and hunters’ traps didn’t discriminate between hungry animals and lost wanderers.
Yet for all its dangers, I’d worked the unfriendly terrain to my advantage. Before my second bout with the curse, I explored the area with my best friend, Adam. After days of searching, we came across the patch where I now sat. A close crop of thorny bushes kept unwanted animals away, and a smooth tree stump became my personal throne. I used to bring a knife for protection, but once I’d seen attack through the foliage was impossible, I no longer bothered. My thicket was just too much effort to get into when there was easier prey elsewhere. The best feature was the gap between the trees that let me stargaze. It was surprising how boring it could get when I had to spend hours in the dark by myself.
No wonder I’d become such a daydreamer.
Another breeze sliced past, and I huddled into my jacket. It was my favourite; a deep brown serge lined with wool, though it wasn’t quite thick enough for this kind of temperature. With autumn about finished, I’d have to bring some warmer clothes next month. Which reminded me, Adam still had my scarf.
I grinned at the thought. I was looking forward to winter. My parents hated the four months of snow and ice, but for me, it was the best time of year. It gave me a chance to spend time with Adam. Two years ago, when he turned sixteen, he’d followed in his father’s footsteps and started training as a Guardsman soldier in Bane, our nearest town. So for most of the summer, I barely saw him. Yet he had leave every winter, and that was when we’d catch up. In fact, he was due home tomorrow.
Hopefully the night would pass quickly.
My eyelids grew heavy, and I yawned. Wow, had it gone midnight already? I was getting better at reading the time from the position of the moon and stars, but even without them, my drowsy spell was a good enough reminder. Yet another reason I hated these monthly ventures. Still, much as I longed for the warmth of my bed, I needed to remain aware of my surroundings. A second’s lapse was all it would take to destroy two years of hard work.
Blinking, I drummed my fingers against the tree stump, pounding out a rhythm. I’d hardly call myself musical, but if I concentrated on something, I was less likely to doze off. I’d made that mistake before and had been lucky to escape. Someone had decided to go hunting this side of the Galgiza, and as dawn approached, he came within inches of where I hid after my run-in with the fox cub. Thank the Goddess, the man had taken the western trail and left me alone. Had he run into me, it would’ve been a complete disaster...
A grunt from the bushes made me stop drumming. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. What was that?
Keeping as still as I could, I peered through the darkness. I regretted admiring the coloured moon earlier; the light had ruined my night vision. I hoped this was another false alarm, but a tightness in my chest told me I wouldn’t be so lucky.
The grunting came again, closer. Whatever it was, it was heading towards the gateway to my protection zone. I sucked in a breath. The twin oaks guarding me were a double-edged sword. On one hand, the narrow gap kept larger creatures away, as it was too difficult for them to crawl through. On the other, it was the only way out, making it a natural trap. Sweat began to pool in my palms. What was waiting out there?
Heart thundering, I tried to figure out what it could be. A wolf wouldn’t prowl this way; the thorns were too much effort to break through, and I was sure the wind would hide my scent from their hungry fangs. A bear wouldn’t be patient enough to stake out a target. And bogs tended not to move around much. That ruled out my main concerns. Anything smaller I could scare off.
If it were a human, I was in for it.
Keeping my eyes on the oaks, I crouched behind the tree stump. The scent of dew filled my nostrils, and I placed a hand on the grass, ready to run. Except with my only exit blocked, I didn’t have anywhere to go. The meadow was a fair size, and I was confident I could dodge a charging beast. People, though, couldn’t be avoided so easily. Strangers had a nasty habit of asking questions. A simple ‘Who are you?’ and my efforts of the last two years would be for nothing.
I closed my eyes and swallowed. Whoa, Eliza, slow down! Worrying about what might be outside the clearing wasn’t helping. I needed to stay calm, focused. If I kept quiet, maybe the person would lose interest and move on. After
all, what would anyone want from an empty patch of forest?
The wind threw my hair into my eyes, and I scowled. I should’ve tied it back before I left. Clawing it aside, I watched the space between the oaks. With my night vision returned, I could make out an extra shadow. It wasn’t moving, just blocking the gap. Frowning, I tapped the seconds out on the grass. By the time I got to four minutes, I clenched my fist. What was it waiting for? Either come and get me or get lost already!
Finally, the shadow moved back. I exhaled slowly. The Goddess must’ve been in a generous mood. Still, I didn’t move from behind the tree stump. A bit of excess caution never hurt. Adam would probably argue otherwise, saying it just made me indecisive, but hey...
Five minutes passed. Then ten, then fifteen. Good, it wasn’t coming back. I sighed and relaxed, leaning my head against my arms. That was too close.
I looked to the moon again. At least I could tell Adam I only got in trouble once in a blue moon. I chuckled to myself, knowing he’d disown me for such a pathetic joke. Nonetheless, I was disappointed it was hanging in much the same place. It must only be an hour past midnight. The whole night lay ahead.
Chewing my lip, I kept an eye on the tree trunks. My narrow escape had me wondering. Was it safe to stay here? I’d never thought anyone would stumble across the meadow. If that hunter—for it had to be a hunter—had friends, it might only be a matter of time before one came roaming in search of game, and that would be the end of everything. It had never happened before, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t.
That settled it. I needed to find another hideout.
I straightened from the tree stump, brushing soil and debris from my knees, then headed towards the oaks. I stopped a few feet away, listening. The shapeless person had moved with the grace of a drunken bull. Even with my self-taught tracking skills, I wouldn’t miss such clumsy steps. Thankfully, only the soughing leaves reached my ears, and I swallowed. Now was my chance to get moving.
Beyond the trunks, the forest depths loomed, and I slowly approached the trail that led back to Velwall. I stared at it for a long while. Home and a nice warm bed was a ten-minute walk west…but I couldn’t go back yet. I couldn’t risk running into someone. No, I had to stay here until I felt the stomach cramps again. Then it would be safe to return to civilization.
Brushing my hair over my shoulders—I really should’ve brought a hair-band—I stepped onto the track that wound deep into the Galgiza. I resisted the temptation to ogle the moon; it would only destroy my night vision again.
As I headed eastwards, I passed the bushes that formed the rear side of my safe haven. The shrub at the end was crushed, lying in a miserable pile of broken needles and leaves.
I stopped dead. Even the chunkiest hunter couldn’t have done that. Not unless he’d slept on it for several weeks. My heart started racing again. Was I wrong? Was something else stalking the woods? My imagination filled with shapeless shadows and black beasts. Something whispered in my ear, and I shivered. Was that the wind, or something more?
I almost slapped myself. Get a hold of yourself, Eliza! You’re seventeen and you still think monsters hide in the dark? Adam would be in stitches if he knew I was thinking such childish things.
A snarl echoed through the branches, and I jumped. My eyes darted towards the sound, and I realised I’d been stupid to have left the clearing.
The shiny black pupils of an enormous bear stared at me. Blue moonlight danced off its shaggy coat, and the shrub it had trodden over. As I stood there, frozen, its nose twitched. It had caught my scent. And it looked awfully hungry.
An owl hooted in the distance, breaking the bear from its daze. It growled, opening jaws thick with saliva. Fear smacked me like a cold wave, and before I knew it, I was running back towards the village. The bear bellowed and took chase.
The forest passed in a crazy blur of leaves, twigs and stars as I pelted across the undergrowth. The bear cried out, its footfalls slowing, but I didn’t dare look back. My lungs were tight, starved for air as I followed the moonlit track. I was such an idiot! The meadow had been safest; the bear never would have reached me. Now I was destined to be a midnight snack. It was too late to make my way back. I had to find someplace else.
My foot caught in a root, and the world spun over itself. The branches and sky turned to dirt and twigs, and a sharp pain pierced my left ankle. I groaned, falling onto my side. In the distance, I could hear the bear gaining ground again. Yet somehow the thud and thwack of broken branches was wrong. It had an irregular rhythm, as if…
I propped myself on my elbows and looked into the shadows. The bear was making its way towards me, but it was limping. It dragged its rear leg across the ground, catching on the forest debris. It must have broken it. No wonder it had been hanging around the clearing, waiting for an easy meal.
Ugh, don’t just sit and daydream! Move!
As I scrambled to get away, my left foot flared with pain. Hissing, I grasped at it. Damn, I must’ve sprained it. The bear growled, close enough that I caught its rotten breath in the wind. Reduced to crawling, I dragged myself across the trail. This wasn’t good—the bear would catch up in no time. My brow slick with sweat, I ran my hands over the ground, searching for a weapon. My arms shook so much, I could barely keep a grip on anything.
At last, I found a dead branch. Not a moment too soon, either, as the bear shot towards me. I whipped the branch around, letting it take the place of my neck, and the bear’s fangs latched around it.
The beast roared, shaking its head to get rid of its new chew toy. Splinters flew everywhere, so I held my forearm in front of my face. I’d get nowhere blinded by shrapnel of my own making.
With the bear preoccupied, I struggled to my feet. When I attempted to run, my ankle gave way, and I crashed to the ground. No, this couldn’t be happening! I was stuck. I had no-one to call for help—and if I did, I wouldn’t dare, given what was going on this particular night—and I had nothing to defend myself.
I was going to die.
The bear bellowed; it had almost broken free. Trembling, I flailed for the nearest tree. Too slow. The beast struck, and I cried out as it scored a tear across my face. I slammed back into the ground, gasping. I didn’t bother to get up again. There wasn’t any point. I couldn’t run, and I was so tired…
Something whistled through the air, and the bear screeched. I was facing the wrong way, so I couldn’t see what was happening, but I could hear it thrashing, cracking branches and disturbing shrubs. Another whistle, then another bellow, and finally a crash so heavy the vibration quaked through the undergrowth. The noises stopped, and I was left in an uneasy quiet. I held my breath, clenching my eyes so tight I saw lights. Yet I never felt claws gouging out my insides, or teeth ripping through my neck.
After a moment convincing myself it wasn’t a nightmare, and I hadn’t fallen asleep back in the clearing, I pushed myself to a sitting position and glanced around. The bear lay slumped a couple of metres away, its breathing deep and regular. I shuffled closer, wary not to disturb it. From ravenous killing machine to sleeping beauty in under thirty seconds. Something odd was going on. I checked its claws, its snout, its coat. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.
Then I saw them.
Nestled between the beast’s massive bicep and chest lay a pair of red darts. My eyes widened. Those were tranquilliser shots. The terror that gripped me during the chase flooded back, and I almost screamed.
It couldn’t be. No, no, no!
Footsteps crunched towards me, and I couldn’t breathe. I tried to stand, but my body had gone numb. I could only sit there and wait for the inevitable. My hands shook. No, I couldn’t be caught, not tonight! Any other night but tonight!
A gentle hand gripped my shoulder, and I heard the creak of leather as the person knelt beside me. I kept my gaze on the ground, but I knew it was futile. Please, no, not after I’ve been so careful for the last two years…
“Are you alright?”
CHAPTER TWO<
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‘...his touch renewed her senses, spreading warmth and life where there had been cold and darkness.’
—Tale of the Binding
He couldn’t have been very old, maybe in his twenties. In the moonlight, I could make out fair hair that reached to just below the nape of his neck, and a scar on his chin. A high collared shirt shielded his jaw, tucked beneath a dark leather coat, and I swore I saw something silver around his throat.
My gaze wandered upwards, but before I made eye contact, I forced myself to look away. A tiny part of me reasoned that if I didn’t acknowledge him, the Binding wouldn’t work. A tiny, quite hysterical part of me. Yet deep down, I knew it was too late. The curse had nothing to do with stolen glances. It was all about the feelings of the heart. Even the smallest smidgen of social interaction would set it off. And a life debt was more than enough to seal my fate.
I’d become Bound.
“Excuse me?” The young man gripped my arm. “You’re bleeding. Are you hurt anywhere else?”
I hardly heard him, lost in a semi-daze. Despite the sting on my cheek and the throbbing of my ankle, neither felt real. It was like watching someone else on the forest floor. This had to be a dream. If I closed my eyes, I’d be back in my own bed, with nothing to worry about except what blouse to wear as I waited for...
By the Goddess, who was I kidding? Fate had cast its tangled net, and I’d fallen right under it. Worse, this particular net was unbreakable. Nobody escaped a Binding. Those that tried went mad, turning into Unbound, and the only guarantee of true freedom was much too final to think about. Some might have argued that being dead was better than being Bound, but I wasn’t keen on either option.
Yet while I wouldn’t die to escape the curse, with my feelings now locked to this stranger, I’d already lost my life. Once Bound, you had to stay by your partner’s side, and judging from this man’s clothing, he wasn’t a local. My home, my family, my best friend; I’d have to leave them all behind.
