by Toni Cox
“I see,” Silas replied, just a softly. In a louder voice he said, “Do you think you will be all right to walk home now? Jaik could fetch a horse if you wish.”
“I’ll be all right. I am feeling better already. He just took me off guard.”
Silas poured the boiling water over the mixture of leaves he had put together for Maia’s tea. He had taken great care in his selection of the herbs. Maia needed something calming, yet strong enough to get her through the shock she had experienced. He stirred in a little honey, then carried the cup over to her and sat down beside her on the bench by the fireplace.
“Here you go, this will help,” he said as he handed her the cup.
She graced him with a smile, but it did not reach her eyes.
“Would you like to tell me about it now?”
He hoped she would open up to him. He could see how strongly this had affected her. He had sent Jaik away, although it had been difficult to persuade him that his sister would be fine without him. In the end Silas had simply insisted that he listen. He was his elder and should be respected and obeyed at all times. Jaik had grumbled, but had then left with a promise to return to fetch her when it got dark, so she would not walk home alone.
Maia took a sip of her tea before she answered.
“I have…” she hesitated. Should she tell him all of it? “I have had visions…dreams about him ever since I’ve come home. Strange dreams. Sometimes frightening and sometimes…different.”
Silas watched as Maia took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. He could see she was struggling, so he was silent, waiting for her to continue in her own time. The moments ticked by as he waited, but it eventually became clear that Maia was not quite ready to talk just yet.
He put his hand on hers and said, “Death, besides Life, is the most powerful Elemental in the world. They go through training just like you, but their training also includes the shape shifting. It isn’t something that comes naturally to them, although they have the power within them. It takes a lot of training and strength to remain in another form for any length of time. He looks like he has been fully trained for a while to be so comfortable in his wolf form, so he must be older than you. Most people see the Death Wolf as a bad omen and that death is coming. Even an ordinary raven is often seen as a death omen, which does not make the birds a favourite of our people.”
Silas took a sip of tea before he continued.
“It could be that he is here to warn us. We have reason enough to believe that there is death on its way. The Vampyre attacks have increased and we know that war will be upon us soon. So there might be a simple explanation on why he appeared to us. Even your dreams of him might be a warning. It might help if you told me about it. You know I will not judge you for it. Dreams have their own way of manifesting, and we might learn something valuable.”
Maia looked up into Silas’s wise, grey eyes. His long, grey hair hung lose today, making his face seem long and narrow. She had known him all her life and she trusted him. Yet she was not sure if she was ready to share that part of her life with him. She didn’t even understand it herself. Maybe confiding in him would help. Maybe he had some advice he could give her. She took a deep breath and began.
“I have had several dreams. They usually start out peaceful enough, until I become aware of a fear, a menace close by. I get scared and I try to run. Then he shows himself and I am unable to move. It is both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. They invoke feelings deep inside me I didn’t know I had.”
Maia looked down, blushing. She took another steadying breath and carried on.
“I have also met him in real life on several occasions. I was walking in the forest when I heard a terrible scream of pain. When I followed the sound to a clearing, there he was, in wolf form, standing over a deer he had just killed. I was outraged, as you can imagine and when the black wolf started towards us, I screamed. It was the only signal Wolf needed, because he immediately launched himself at Death. There was no contest. Death overpowered him within moments and if I had not stepped in, I think he would have killed Wolf.”
She took a sip of her tea. Silas nodded to her encouragingly.
“I met him again on the way to Braérn. I told Jaik it had just been a normal wolf that had frightened me and that Midnight had tried to protect me from, but it wasn’t, it was Death. We were standing facing each other in the little forest, it was dark, but I could clearly see him…and smell him. All sense and reason left me then and I would have gone to him if it had not been for Midnight. I cannot explain it, it made no sense, but I wanted to go to him.”
Maia paused and gently Silas said, “Go on, it’s all right.”
“Then I saw him in Braérn, at the feast. It was only for a brief moment, but he was in man form and I…I cannot explain it, but I was inexplicably drawn to him, yet I know that there is danger there. I just don’t know what he wants or what I am to do.”
She put her head in her hands and sobbed. Silas put his arms around her.
“It’s all right, don’t fret. He is a powerful creature and an Opposite. That kind of power can be confusing. Let me make you some more tea. The chamomile will help calm you.”
Silas rose and poured her another cup. She took it gratefully. She sipped at her tea, while Silas went to one of his shelves and rummaged through his collection of scrolls. He had some kind of order amongst his many things that only he was aware of. She could never find anything when he asked her to get something for him. After a short while, he came back to the fire with two tightly rolled scrolls. Both looked ancient, discoloured with age and frayed on the edges. Silas sat down next to her with a sigh and unrolled one of the scrolls.
“These are some texts about Elementals by the Elder Amala. She did a special study about the relationships between Elementals, especially Primes, and she has some very interesting notes. All Elementals have an opposite; Fire and Water, Earth and Air. There is always some attraction between opposites, but in the Minor Elementals, the consequences are minimal, and most don’t even notice it. In Primes, this attraction is more pronounced and mostly leads to some form of confrontation.”
Silas pointed to some tightly written text on the scroll he had opened.
“The relationship between Life and Death, however, has significant impact. You are much more powerful than any other Elemental and the difference between life and death is so vast, that most cannot overcome it. Their meeting is always fraught with disaster. Life cannot abide death and Death strives to extinguish life. One has to dominate the other, and they will fight. One of them will die. That’s why Life and Death Elementals usually do not exist in the same life time. There have been incidents, not many, but the ones that are recorded, speak of some terrible things.”
Maia’s eye widened in terror, but Silas held up a hand and continued.
“But Amala mentions here, that once, over eight thousand years ago, there was a pair of Life and Death Elementals that came together when their peoples’ need was great. It speaks of them as heroes that protected their people from some great evil.”
Maia sighed. Maybe there was hope after all.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much detail, so I cannot tell you what to expect,” Silas continued. “I would advise you to be careful. Although I hope that he has no malicious intent, we cannot know for sure what he wants. We should treat him with care and try to avoid him if at all possible. I will see if I can acquire more writings on this matter.”
“Why do we have to leave? I want to stay with you!”
Jasmin was pouting. She did not like the idea of having to leave Maia to go to some other city, with some strange people, just to be safe.
“Jasmin, it will be the safest place for you. Our city is the closest to the Gate and all the warriors from the other clans are going to be arriving here shortly. My grand parents will also be going, along with all the people that are too young or too old to fight. Malyn will also follow, but only once we have departed for the G
ate. You will enjoy the trip there. It is a four day march through the mountains, but it is very beautiful. There are waterfalls and rivers that wind through ravines so deep, the bottom never gets to see sunlight. The most beautiful flowers grow there, glowing most bright during the night. The valleys are full of flowers of every colour and size and there are trees that carry a fruit that looks like a nut, but tastes like honey. The mountains are full of precious stones that the people of Tarron Heights mine. You might be able to trade for some nice jewellery. And, if you pay close attention where you walk, you might just find a crystal by the waterfalls or along the river beds. You will like it, you’ll see.”
Maia smiled encouragingly at Jasmin, who was still moping.
“Once the war is over, you can come back. My father says with the strategy we have in place, it should be over quickly. I just don’t want anything to happen to you, or Luke and Aaron.”
She took Jasmin’s hand and held it. Jasmin smiled at her sadly.
“But what about you? I will worry about you the whole time. And Archer. I will miss him so much.”
“Archer is quite capable of looking after himself, and so am I. And I am not fighting alone, I will be fighting with Midnight, I could not be safer.”
Maia took Jasmin in her arms. Although they were of an age, and had become fast friends, Maia felt a strangely maternal urge to protect her. Going to Tarron Heights was the safest option for Jasmin. Soon, their city would be full of warriors, their War Horses and their Battle Dragons. Everyone would be training and preparing for the coming fight, and they would just be in the way.
“Come, I will help you pack. I will give you some of my suede, which you can use for trade. I might even have some Sheepvine. It is very rare and a powerful painkiller. People will line up to trade for it. I’m sure you will find something beautiful there for yourself.”
“There, that should do it.”
Maia dropped the last bundle of clothes on to the bed. Jasmin stuffed them into her bag, still feeling a little upset about having to leave. Luke and Aaron had also come home to pack what they needed for the trip. Maia had lent some rucksacks from her brother for Luke and Aaron to use. Jasmin was using one of hers.
“We’re done,” shouted Luke from the common room. “I am making tea. Will you have some with us?”
The question was obviously intended for Maia. She considered it for a moment. There was still so much to do, she didn’t want to waste any more time, but it was their last night here. They would leave very early in the morning.
“Yes, I would love some tea,” she shouted back.
She helped Jasmin tie the backpack closed and then they both went through to the common room. Aaron was sitting around the fire, which crackled in the pit. The evenings are getting colder, Maia thought, I should remind them to take their overcoats as well.
She found herself a place to sit by the fire. Aaron smiled at her. It did not make her feel as uncomfortable as it used to. Although she was aware of his feelings for her, during the last few Quarters, he had been patient and not made any advances or made her uncomfortable in any way. She was glad for it.
Jasmin helped Luke finish the tea and they brought the tray through to the common room. Luke poured and Jasmin handed out the cups.
“I understand why we have to go,” Aaron said, “but I wish you would go with us. Are you sure we cannot change your mind?”
“No, Aaron, I cannot abandon my people. It is my duty to serve and protect them and I will help in any way I can. Don’t worry about me; I have Midnight to protect me.”
She smiled at him, which took him off guard and he momentarily forgot what they were talking about.
“Do you know how long we will have to be away for?” he asked when he regained his composure.
“The warriors will start to arrive from tomorrow. The date Somas has given us is only one Moon away. The fight should, hopefully, not take long, so if everything goes to plan, you could be back here within five or six Quarters.”
They were silent for a moment then, each sipping their tea. It was Luke, who spoke next.
“We only know Vampyres from our stories on Earth. I believe these are different. Ours are mostly portrayed as beautiful, irresistible and deadly. Would you mind telling us about these Vampyres?”
Maia considered the question. She did not want to frighten them, but she did not want to lie to them either. Then she remembered the story the Elder Livarion had told at the last meeting. It was the truth, but it left out some of the more gruesome aspects of the enemy they would be facing. She set her cup down and sat up straighter. The Humans leant forward in anticipation. They had learned that Elves loved stories and there were stories to be heard most evenings around the fires.
“The Vampyres’ planet is called Naylera. It is slightly bigger than Elveron or Earth, but by far not as pretty as either. It is riddled with Volcanoes and whole areas of it are often covered in noxious fumes. Vampyres need very little oxygen to live.
No-one can recall exactly when the Vampyres changed. Trade between Naylera and the other planets stopped a few thousand years ago, as they had plundered their planet of resources and had nothing to trade with. So it wasn’t until about eight hundred years ago, that the Elders realised the change that the Vampyres had undergone. They used to be a tall, stately people, very handsome and elegant. But they were also proud and greedy, which is assumed to have led to their demise. More recent research has discovered that their physical change was a direct consequence of their life style and diet. Because of the scarceness of vegetation on their planet, they became complete carnivores and their bodies adapted. Vampyres have always had a taste for blood, but they used to eat a variety of foods. With the change in diet, some of their features changed. Their faces became slightly elongated, enhancing the visibility of their already prominent canines. Due to the lack of vegetables and greens, their skin has taken on a greyish, unhealthy pallor and is stretched tightly over their angular bones.
They also lack the natural materials to make cloth. They devised a way to make a strange material out of the oil they pump up from the depth of their planet, to supplement the furs and leathers they wear. It is hard and durable, but flexible enough to be shaped. It be dyed any colour and they use it for many things, including items of clothing. Most of their shoes are made from it. However, it melts very easily, unable to withstand any high temperatures.
We believe their army does not use the material in their combat clothing, but that it consists mainly of Werewolf fur, Vampyre skins and bone armour. Their beasts, the Werewolves, are even more horrifying to look at. They have the general shape of a wolf, but are much larger. Their humped shoulders are almost the same height as a horse. Inbreeding and selective breeding has also altered their appearance. They are bred for bulk, strength and viciousness, and are used as beasts for hunting and killing. It is believed that the Vampyres have made forays onto other planets to gather resources, but those visits have always been brief. This is the first time that they have come through in such numbers and the first time that they are actively planning a raid. We think that, what little food supply remained on their planet, has now dried up and they are forced to look elsewhere in order to survive.”
Maia took her cup off the low table and drank the rest of it in one go. Her throat was parched. She was not used to speaking uninterrupted for that long. When she set the cup back down she noticed the shocked faces of her family. It was Luke who recovered first.
“They sound like horrible creatures. And to think that they have Werewolves as well…” He shuddered.
“So it is true then? They do drink blood?” Aaron asked.
“Yes,” Maia answered, “but they also eat meat, any meat. Silas thinks that they are no better than the Werewolves they breed.”
“And do you know if they are good fighters? In our legends Vampyres are incredibly strong and faster than the eye can see.”
Maia heard Luke’s voice quiver, no doubt worried about the ans
wer she might give him.
“Yes, we believe they are good fighters. Somas has confirmed that they have a very large army. They are, indeed, strong and fast. But among the races, Elves and Vampyres are the most similar. We are also stronger and faster than Humans are, so in strength and speed we equal the Vampyres. The battle will be decided by the element of surprise, the strategies used and the skills of the individual warriors. We believe that we have a good chance and although Elves do not do battle often, we are good fighters and will do anything to protect our home.”
It was very late by the time Maia went home. The moons had already travelled half their circuit in the sky. She heard the Sentinels murmur a greeting to her as she walked by. Watch fires were lit all around the city and she could see the flames blinking through the foliage in some places. All the lanterns on all the paths were lit. Although she would have been able to find her way in the dark, she was glad for the extra security. It did make her feel safer.
She thought about the evening and wondered if it had been wise to tell them so much. But they were a part of their clan now and they had a right to know. She knew they worried for her safety, but she was probably more afraid for theirs She would feel better once the bird arrived with the message that they had reached Tarron Heights safely.
When she walked into the house it was dark. Everyone had gone to bed already. Wolf rose from his blanket by the dying fire and ran to her, tail wagging. She took a moment to greet him and to rub behind his ears.
“I am tired, Wolf, I am going to bed.”
Wolf cocked his head to the side, listening to her.
“You can sleep in my room if you want.”
Subconsciously, she made the motion with her hand as she spoke and Wolf ran up the stairs ahead of her. She smiled indulgently after him.
She washed quickly, changed into sleeping clothes and snuggled under her blankets. Her mother had put the winter bedding on already. The blanket was stuffed with goose-down and kept her warm even in the dead of winter.
