Outcasts of Velrune

by Isaac Crowe

  “The front gate of course. Lord Avram assigned me to keep an eye on you, so the guards didn’t question me.”

  Melody sighed. “They’re going to have questions this time. I shouldn’t be in here in the first place, and you’re carrying a criminal.”

  Alexandra, half asleep, struggled to talk. “Go check the gate, Spook.”

  Spook scurried off while the others watched in disbelief. A few minutes later, she returned, climbing Lysander’s pant leg and onto Alexandra’s chest. Alexandra, her eyes closed, listened to her rapid squeaks. When Spook stopped, Alexandra opened her eyes.

  “Head for the gate, the guards are not an issue.”

  The others looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and walked to the gate. Once there, they found the guards bound and gagged and a young lacarnian girl, torch in hand, standing in the center.

  “It’s about time, follow me.”

  The lacarnian, whom Max recognized from Alexandra’s camp, led them to the west city gate. The guards normally stationed there were absent, allowing them to pass through unhindered. After walking another 100 yards, the girl stopped.

  “It’s safe.”

  All around them torches blazed to life. A group of Lacarnians stood around them, illuminated by the flickering light. He recognized several from Alexandra’s camp including Lycoris who stepped forward and greeted them.

  “The others are restless, I’m glad you arrived when you did. How is she Mr. Harris?”

  “She’s asleep and needs immediate attention.”

  “Bring her this way.”

  Lysander followed the woman off to the side. Max turned to the girl that had led them to the camp.

  “You were expecting us?”

  “We had a plan to retrieve Alexandra ourselves; however, one of the watches reported seeing the two of you sneaking into the compound. When she heard the report, your friend was convinced that you would bring Alexandra to us, and that we should wait. It appears she was right.”

  “My friend? Do you mean Eve?”

  “Over here, Max.”

  A weary, ragged Eve stepped out of the shadows wearing worn and ill-fitting clothes. Melody inched away from Max, taking hold of the lacarnian girl as she did.

  “I think we’ll go check on Lysander and Alexandra.”

  Eve watched the two go then walked over to Max. “I’m sorry, Max.”

  “It’s okay, Eve. I know now that Alexandra told you to run. After seeing what they did to her, I’m glad you did.”

  “No, no, Max, not that.” Taking hold of her tail she stared at the ground. “I mean about not telling you I could change.”

  Max laughed. “That was a bit of a surprise, even from you.”

  “Max, you’re not getting it. I really am a beast, just like the Protectors said.” Eve began to tremble. “In the canyon, I was the panther you saw. I was the one who attacked all those people.”

  Sobbing, Eve buried her face in her hands. Max took a firm hold of her shoulders.

  “Eve, look at me!”

  Eve, shocked at Max giving her a command, looked up at him.

  “Eve, why did you kill those men?”

  “Because they were going to hurt you.”

  “Did you enjoy it?”

  Eve’s eyes widened. “N…No, Max. I don’t like killing anything.”

  “Then why are you ashamed?”

  “Max, I’m part animal. A wild and dangerous beast that kills people.”

  “Then what do you think of me, Eve? You may have been born with the capability of hurting people, but I’ve spent years training to do so. I wasn’t born with claws, but instead choose to carry swords forged to hurt others.”

  “That’s not the same. You did that to help people.”

  “And that’s all you have ever done. Eve, I grew up hearing stories of the great things my father did, but those were only stories. You were the one I learned from. I watched how you protected people, how you respected all living things, how you put aside a person’s background to see who they really were. Eve, you’re the reason why I’ve strived so hard to protect others. I thought becoming a Protector like my father would be the best way for me to do that. You act as if you’re below me because you change into a big cat when all along I’ve strived to be as strong and good as you.” Max shook his head. “I’m still not there.”

  Eve sobbed into her hands. “Maxy.”

  Max pulled her in tight against him. “Since the first day we met, you have never questioned my friendship. I’ll do nothing less for you.”

  They stood, eyes closed, arms wrapped around each other, for an untold time. Neither of them wanted to let go. It was the unexpected voice of Mr. Penna that finally interrupted them.

  “Years ago I thought I lost my closest friend. Perhaps he did not go as far as I feared.”

  Max opened his eyes to find Mr. Penna standing a short distance behind Eve. “Mr. Penna, you’re back! Wait, how long have you been here?”

  “Long enough to know your father would be very proud. I know I certainly am, of both of you.”

  Max and Eve let go of one another, both their faces a slight shade of red. Eve dried her tears, her usual smile returning. Max crossed his arms.

  “Where have you been Mr. Penna?”

  “I had a hunch that I needed to satisfy.”

  “That didn’t answer my question.”

  “I will tell you more later, but first I would like to know all that happened in my absence. You both look like you had a bit of a rough spell.”

  Max scoffed. “You could say that. Actually, Eve, I don’t know what happened to you after you left the forest village. You look exhausted, and what’s with the clothes?”

  Lysander and Melody walked up behind Max. “We wouldn’t mind hearing that ourselves. Everyone else around here is too busy.”

  Max’s face flushed even more. “How long have you two been listening?”

  Melody winked at Max. “Don’t worry, Max, we kept our distance until you two separated.”

  “So you were watching?”

  Eve grabbed Max’s arm. “Come on Max, let’s go find a place to sit, and I’ll tell you what happened.”

  Eve dragged Max over to an open, grassy area. The others followed them, sitting in a circle to hear Eve’s story.

  “When Alexandra and I stayed behind in the cave, she warned me that the Protectors would come after us. She told me when that happened to run back to her camp and tell everyone. I don’t think she expected them to arrive so soon.”

  Max shook his head. “You ran based on that?”

  “I remembered making those handprints with Alexandra along with a lot of other stuff. She was my friend, Max. I trusted her with my life. I still do. So, I ran, even though I hated leaving you, Max.”

  Melody leaned forward. “Did Alexandra want to get caught?”

  Eve nodded. “I ran to the camp and told them what had happened. Without asking me any questions, they grabbed supplies they had already packed and headed for Moenia. Along the way, they told me that Alexandra wanted Avram to get the stone. She had hoped she would avoid capture, but had laid out a plan for them to set her free if she didn’t.”

  “Why would she want Avram to have the stone after hiding it from him for so long?”

  “Max, she and your father wanted to use the stone to free the lacarna. Unfortunately, before they could figure out how to provide it enough power, Avram ordered the attack on the village. They hid the stone and went their separate ways.

  “Later, Alexandra figured out a way to power the stone by somehow involving Avram. She tried to get word to Peter, but the bandits got to him first. Not knowing who else to turn to, she went into hiding.”

  “Why did she need my father?”

  “They said it was because both the lacarnians and the Protectors trusted him, and that he wanted the lacarna freed as much as she did.”

  Max bowed his head. “So my father really did help her.” He raised his head. “Did you k
now any of this Mr. Penna?”

  “Not in detail. I knew your father wanted to free the lacarna, in fact, many humans did, including myself. However, Peter decided to actually do something about it. He did not want to involve me, but I told him I had already managed to make my own trouble. He never told me what he had done; only that he had betrayed Lord Avram.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this, Mr. Penna? I’ve spent all this time trying to join the Protectors, like my dad, not knowing he had turned against them.”

  “Your father did not turn against the Protectors, Maxwell, he turned against Lord Avram. He believed they could be brought back to their purpose, but it would take someone who believed in those ideals, someone who saw no difference between the lacarna and the humans. That is why he made me promise not to tell you the truth about the Protectors, or about himself. He hoped you would take his place by your own decision and not anyone else’s influences.”

  “How am I supposed to do that when I barely know what is really going on?”

  “You will have to do as your father intended, Maxwell, and go with what you believe to be right.”

  “I don’t know what that is or what my father had intended to do. Lysander, is Alexandra awake? I want to talk to her.”

  “No, not for a few more hours.”

  Mr. Penna stood. “Then I suggest you rest, Maxwell. You have had enough thrown at you for today. In fact, we should all rest. I have a feeling the next couple of days will push everyone to their limits.”

  Max stood. “As much as I would like to sleep, there’s too much to think about. I’m going to wait for Alexandra. Lysander?”

  “She’s this way.”

  Lysander led Max to where Alexandra lay asleep under the watch of Lycoris. The others followed curious of what Alexandra planned. They took seats around her and waited for her to wake. When she opened her eyes a few hours later, she seemed unsurprised to find them waiting for her.

  “I assume you all are not here to see how I am doing.”

  Max shook his head. “You had me worried earlier, but now I only want to know what you and my dad had planned.”

  Alexandra sat up, her skin no longer bone-tight and the color, what little she had in the first place, had returned. Not all of her strength had yet returned; however, as she pointed a shaky hand at Eve.

  “I am going to destroy those accursed Controller Stones.”

  Eve gasped and unconsciously took hold of her collar. “How?”

  “The Lifestone created them from a single massive stone, so they share a link. By using the Lifestone to destroy one, I can destroy them all.”

  Max grew angry. “If that is all it took, why did you involve my father? Why didn’t you do it yourself years ago?”

  “When it first came to my mind, I wanted to, even though I knew releasing the lacarna with Lord Avram at the head of the Protectors would lead to another war. The lacarnians would win in the end, but the inevitable loss of life on both sides stayed my hand, for a while. I had almost given in when I met your father. He is the one who found a way in which, if done right, only a few will die.”

  “Only a few? Who?”

  “Avram and those foolish enough to protect him.”

  “All of the Protectors will come to his aide!”

  “Not if they are prevented from reaching his side.”

  “How do you plan to do that?”

  “Avram has taken care of that for me. I know what he intends to do with the stone and where he intends to do it. The place is perfect for separating him from any help.”

  Max paced back and forth. “Even if you can pull this off, what of the chaos that will follow? Won’t the lacarna attack the Protectors for the years of mistreatment?”

  “I have already spread the word of what I am attempting to do among the lacarna, asking for their patience. Also, those in my camp will spread out in the city to quell any disturbances.”

  “But how can you be sure? What about the Protectors, who will stop them from attacking the lacarna?”

  “Most of the Protectors are away from the city, the rest will not likely take action so outnumbered.”

  “They will return sometime, and without a leader.”

  Alexandra sighed. “Unfortunately, that is where your father was supposed to come in. The Protectors, and many humans, trusted him. He had planned to take over as leader once I had taken care of Avram.”

  Mr. Penna nodded. “So that is the betrayal Peter spoke of.”

  Max stopped and stared at Mr. Penna. “My father would really have done this?”

  “Yes, Maxwell, I believe he would have. He cared for both races, believing them to be equal. He wanted the lacarnians free.”

  Alexandra stood and walked over to Max. “The Immortals founded the Protectors as mediators between the races; their members consisting of both lacarnians and humans. Your father wanted to uphold that principle. The only person he would have betrayed is Avram, a murderer of many.”

  “And now he is dead.”

  “Yes, but, you are not. Maxwell, you are young, but you are Peter’s son. Your name carries more weight than you could know.”

  Max froze in disbelief. “You think they’ll listen to me, let alone follow me? I’m only a kid.”

  “Really? Maxwell, look around you, people have already begun to follow you.”

  “What are you talking about? No one is following me.”

  Eve’s hand shot up. “I am.”

  “Eve, quit fooling around.”

  Melody raised her hand too. “I told you earlier, anyone that calls me a friend, I’ll help. Lady Metis also believes in you, which means you have the Children of the Immortals behind you as well.”

  “But...”

  Mr. Penna stood, giving a slight bow. “Your father honored me with his friendship, I will do no less for his son.”

  Lysander remained seated as he scanned Max from head to toe. “Kids are idealist fools who run away when things get tough. You, on the other hand, have done whatever you could, despite the rules and the danger, to stay true to your friends. I can only hope to do the same. Lord Avram has led the Protectors astray. I want to try and restore their purpose. I know many others who feel the same way.”

  “Lysander?”

  “Max, that story I told you of the Spirit Leech, that woman survived because a lacarnian healed her. Other lacarnians offered to help my wife and child, despite my distrust of them. I have been unsure for some time, but watching Eve has cleared much in my mind.”

  A rare smile formed on Alexandra’s lips. “I knew you had more to you than big muscles, Lysander. You see, Maxwell, people will listen to you. I saw your father in you that night you entered my camp. With Lysander next to your side, you will give the other Protectors something to consider, at least long enough for us to explain what has happened.”

  Eve bounced up and down. “Besides, Maxy, we’ll be there to help you.”

  Max looked at everyone again, then nodded to Alexandra. “I really don’t know about this, but I want the same thing you do. “He sighed. “Why not, at least I’ll have Eve to get me out of trouble, again.”

  Alexandra’s smile broadened. “I will never compare you to your father again, Maxwell Laskaris, for that would only lessen who you are. Now, tell the others to be ready in the morning, I still need to rest.”

  Everyone began to find a place in the camp to sleep except for Eve who took hold of Max’s arm before he could go.

  “You know, I never did explain the clothing. You see, the problem with changing into my panther form is that my clothes get torn up. When I change back, I have nothing to wear.”

  Eve let go and walked away, looking over her shoulder as she did so. “I haven’t run around completely naked like that since I was a little kid.”

  Max watched her walk off, the troubles of the coming events, for the moment, forgotten.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  At dawn, Alexandra called everyone to the center of the camp where they w
aited anxiously. Rested and healed, she began giving out orders.

  “Those remaining here will spread the word of our actions to the lacarnian in the city. If we succeed, lead them to the forest. If any attempt is made to harm a human, you are to do whatever is necessary to stop them. We cannot give the humans any more reason to fear us if this is to work. Lycoris?”

  The old lacarnian came forward. “Miss?”

  “Please, do what you can to lead the lacarnians from here out, whether we succeed or not.”

  “Yes, Miss.”

  “Dismissed!”

  The majority of the lacarnians left the camp and entered into Moenia while three remained standing beside Mr. Penna along with two large panthers. Alexandra turned to Max and the others.

  “Avram will reach the outcropping within the next few hours. We need to leave now.”

  Max shook his head. “I think you skipped something. What outcropping?”

  “It extends from the base of the Mountains at the south end of the dead lands.”

  “The southern mountains? It would take over a day to get there by horse, three by foot.”

  “Two by horse and four by foot to be exact.”

  “Then how are we supposed to get there in time?”

  Alexandra smiled mischievously. “We are not. We are getting there before they do.”

  Max snickered. “I think your head is still a little fuzzy.”

  “I am fine, Maxwell. You see, Mr. Penna’s foresight has brought us another option.”

  At hearing his name, Mr. Penna walked over to the group, followed by the lacarnians and panthers. Max crossed his arms. “So what have you been doing?”

  “If only you had been this inquisitive during my classes.”

  Eve giggled beside Max. He tried to elbow her, but she easily dodged out of the way. Mr. Penna cleared his throat.

  “If you are ready?”

  Max straightened, forgetting for the moment that this wasn’t one of Mr. Penna’s classroom lectures. He waited for Mr. Penna to continue.

  “I am sure Evangeline told you that, years ago, I helped many lacarnians escape Moenia, many of whom came from the forest of Urania. I did my best to find them good homes and kept records of their placement. I had hoped that, one day, things would change, and I would have the opportunity to reunite them. The events that transpired during our trip here led me to believe the change I had been waiting for was coming. So, with records in hand, Neysa and I set out to track down any I believed could help in the challenges that might lie ahead. The ladies before you are those we could find in the short time we had.” Mr. Penna indicated to each of the lacarnians in turn. “Meet Lalita, Effie, Anemone, and our four legged friends, Callie and Cassia. They are how you will reach the mountains before Lord Avram.”