Lingering Fate (Silver Ones Curse Book 1)

by B. W. Catt

  “This is the truth of the worlds and the truth of Sebial and your ancestors. Sebial was cursed by her first grandmother's betrayal. That sprite fell in love with a human and told the human secrets no one is allowed to know. The prince told the elves in return for help with power. They worked together to change the course of the worlds. There is only supposed to be one world. The world we currently stand on. Because of the bracelet Sebial wears, she will be forever bound by the flames' decisions. If the flame deems her unworthy, she can kill her instantly. That bracelet can give or take her life. That is her burden. Given the fact Sebial hasn’t worn the bracelet for nearly a month the flame could deem her unworthy and kill her. This trial is taking a long while, so we will have to wait and see my dear elves.”

  They looked down at Sebial who was shaking, her hair constantly moving like waves, her body flickering from the immense magic being released.

  “How can the flame not recognize her after only a short time apart?” Elin asked with concern.

  “It's not the flame she is trying to prove her worth to. It’s the curse laid within the bracelet. It is making sure she is of blood from Sebial the first.”

  The sun began setting overhead. Xerlesis laid by Sebial.

  I am sorry I cannot be of help to you. But I promise I will stay near you for as long as you may need me.

  The two elves accompanying Elin returned from the forest holding stacks of wood and edible foods.

  “We shall stay with you tonight Woldiniar.” Elin stated as he stared at his elves.

  “Is that so elf? What changes your desires to stay here?” Woldiniar asked them as he chewed on a stick.

  “It so happens we are concerned for Sebial. After spending the night with her, we heard many stories of her life. She is indeed a unique one who we now know holds a very hard journey ahead. For someone so young to be trusted by a pegasus yet cursed by the flame. She is indeed an interesting one.”

  Woldiniar nodded. “She is. To be loved by those blessed by the flame, yet cursed by the flame. Who knew one could survive.” He paused to look down at her shivering. “I will be leaving her soon. I have learned of things that must be dealt with in order for her to live a normal life again. It will be up to her in the future if it will be one of royalty or not.”

  Elin rubbed his chin. “Why would you leave her alone? She spoke of you as kin. Would it not be best to bring her along on your journey?”

  Woldiniar nervously laughed. “There is no guarantee I will survive. But I need to try for her sake. As soon as she wakes from her trial I will take her South to Yosani. It should be far enough away from Olaris. I need her somewhere she can easily blend in for the time being. I heard most do not stay there for long so the chances of being attacked will disappear.”

  “I see. I will join you then. We cannot allow the stories you showed to continue. I am protecting nothing now. I had no idea my ancestors caused her grief. I will undo their ways and bring the worlds back to one in order to set her free.” Elin stated while clenching his fists determined and encouraged by his own words.

  “That is an interesting proposal Elin. But what of your men?”

  Elin glanced at the elves surrounding the fire talking amongst themselves.

  “I believe their wills are the same of mine. I know they will join you as well. As keepers of the realms, we are allowed to freely travel. There is nothing keeping us bound to these forests now that the deaths caused by the bracelet have been dealt with.”

  “So that is why you were here. All because my student went and got taken. How fate intertwines is enjoyable, is it not?”

  Elin nodded.

  The sky nearly dark from the setting sun. The fire illuminated Sebial’s face, glistening from sweat. Her body no longer trembling like before.

  She is sleeping lighter, I would appreciate it if we waited until morning to journey Woldiniar. This will be hard news for Sebial to handle and I wish for her to be fully recovered first.

  “I understand your wishes Xerlesis. But if she wakes up with enough energy then I will not hesitate to go now. It will take four days to arrive in Yosani. The sooner I enact this plan, the better it will be for miss reckless there.”

  “Sir, shall we make a cover for all of us to sleep under? Tonight’s weather feels less than favorable.” One of the elves said to Elin.

  “Yes, please make haste Denias. I agree with what you are sensing.” Elin looked at Woldiniar “It seems fate is siding with Xerlesis. We will be in for a long night of storms. As soon as the shelter is finished we will carry Sebial there. Xerlesis and Lunaria will be covered by staying underneath it.”

  “Underneath it? You expect us to sleep in the tree with you all don’t you? I am no tree dweller!”

  “Fine then, but Sebial will be for the night. You can sleep in the middle of the field and get washed away from the rains coming.”

  The roaring of thunder could be heard from far away. The ground shook as each bolt of the fierce lightning touched.

  “We are done Elin. It seems just in time as well. The storm will be here before we get everything in the shelter.” Denias stated as he picked up a bag to carry.

  Woldiniar laughed. “As if that storm will touch that quick! I have plenty of time! It probably won't even get here until sunrise! You elves are terrible at this weather predicting thing, huh?”

  “Mock us all you please Woldiniar. I will carry Sebial into the shelter while you wait until sunrise.” Elin bent down and carefully picked Sebial up. Doing his best not to wake her. Sebial squirmed causing the cape to fall off. Her body covered in sweat.

  “Woldiniar, cover her back up before she catches a cold. We will have to change her out of these clothes when we get her into the shelter.”

  He grabbed the cape and covered her up. Woldiniar grabbed Elin’s shoulder. “You will not undress my student. Do you understand me Elin?”

  “Humans are frail. If she stays in these clothes she will become ill.”

  Woldiniar removed his hand from Elin’s shoulders. He frustratingly rubbed his hand on his head. “I understand what you are saying but she will not fall ill so easily. Did you not see what I showed you earlier? She comes from sprites. Her body can handle more than a normal humans.”

  Elin rolled his eyes at Woldiniar’s ignorance and turned to walk to the shelter. Mumbling under his breath he spoke to Sebial. “I will keep my eyes closed in order to undress you. You cannot remain in those, sprite or not, you are currently in human form and your body cannot withstand being wet.”

  Sebial moved as if she heard him. He looked down to see if she was awake but her eyes remained closed. Denias tied a rope around Elin’s waist. He then climbed up a different rope in order to help the other elves pull Elin into the shelter as he held onto Sebial.

  Denias untied Elin. He entered the shelter and laid Sebial down in a corner of the room. “Please step out of the room for a moment. I need to undress her and if she wakes I would hate for her to be mad at all of us.”

  The elves nodded and went out of the shelter.

  Elin whispered as he reached for the buttons near Sebial’s neck. “Forgive me Sebial. I do not wish for you to become sick.”

  He slowly pulled the dress off her shoulders, whispering as he continued to pull on it.

  “I promise I am not looking more than needed. That Woldiniar is a fool. How could he allow you to remain like this? You will get sick if this continues.”

  Elin pulled a little more but felt resistance. He opened his eyes to see what buttons were stopping him. But there wasn’t any, instead he saw Sebial’s hand holding onto her dress stopping him from pulling it off past her waist. He jumped back and immediately closed his eyes.

  “I am sorry, I just didn’t want you to remain in those wet clothes. Please forgive me.”

  Sebial didn’t respond. Elin opened his eyes and glanced up to see her still sound asleep.

  He laughed nervously to himself. I guess I didn’t notice she was holding onto her dres
s when I started. He approached her again.

  “Sebial, are you awake?”

  She didn’t respond. Elin sighed.

  “Thank goodness, you would kill me if you were right now.”

  He reached out to move her hand off the dress. Before he could grab her hand he noticed the bruises along her body.

  “What in the world happened to you? Is this why Woldiniar didn’t want me to see you? Is this what type of teacher he truly is?” Elin paused and thought about it.

  “No, he isn’t. He rescued you and went to retrieve that cursed bracelet. This is why he wants to protect you. I see you have been through much.”

  Elin rubbed his hand along the dark bruise on Sebial’s ribs.

  “I can at least heal this for you.” He closed his eyes and placed his hands firmly on top of her ribs. Sebial jumped from pain.

  “If you are awake then please do not move, this will be faster if you stay still.”

  Sebial didn’t respond. Elin focused his magic into his hands causing Sebial’s ribs to glow, the bruise quickly changed colors from black to blue to green to yellow before disappearing. Elin opened his eyes and smiled.

  “That should help. Now back to your clothing.” He reached out to her hand once more and removed it from on top of her dress. Carefully pulling the dress off her waist, he continued to keep his eyes close. Once he finally had the dress off he smiled.

  “Thank you for not waking up. I couldn’t stand being your enemy, even if I was only doing it for you.” He placed his cape over her body.

  Elin stood up with the dress in his hands. He walked to a branch sticking into the shelter. Reaching up he carefully hung the dress.

  Elin opened the door. “You can come back in now. Just be quiet not to wake her.”

  The elves nodded and walked into the room. They found different places in the room to lay down.

  “Where are you going Elin? The storm is nearly upon us?” Denias asked.

  “I am going to try and convince that fool in the field to heed our warnings.”

  Denias laughed. “It would be easier to convince a dragon into believing it is a mermaid!”

  Elin nodded. “You are right but I must try. Starting tomorrow we will be his traveling companions on what seems to be an exciting and long journey.”

  Sixteen

  The storm raged through night. The shelter the elves made swayed with the trees during the night. Woldiniar continued to remain outside despite the lightning striking near him.

  “Will he truly be ok out there?” Sebial asked while looking through the door of the shelter.

  “Come morning we shall know how well he faired. I have already attempted more than once to get him to come inside, while you slept.” Elin said while placing his hand on Sebial’s shoulder.

  Sebial turned and headed away from the door. Her thoughts on her teacher being stubborn all from his fear of trees.

  Why must he be so scared of something like trees!? He is being ridiculous. Sitting out there in the weather like this.

  The sounds of the thunder continued to roll through. Sebial sat on the floor wrapped in Elin’s robe while looking at the three elves. Her mind wandered to the thought of everything that has happened over the past few weeks.

  Why did I have to go and get captured? I am not strong enough to defend myself yet.

  She gripped her hands tight on the cape.

  I need to be stronger. I must be stronger. Woldiniar will not always be there to save me. One day he will be gone. One day I will have to return to my kingdom. I just can't continue...

  “Sebial?” Elin spoke softly.

  Sebial looked up to him.

  “Are you ok young one? Your mind seemed to be leaving you.”

  “I am. I am just thinking about where to go from here. I need to be stronger and I do not know how to do such.” Sebial responded. The expression of defeat on her face.

  Elin smiled. “Life is too short to dwell on the life you couldn’t win. Humans disappear quickly. You must focus on the moment. What can you do right now to make things better for you?”

  What can I do right now? Well, I could try to drag Woldiniar in here but he would just fight me and win. I guess I could rest and regain more of my strength since there is nothing I can do to help anyone in this moment.

  “I see. I will have to think long and hard on that one. But may I ask why are you three helping us?”

  Elin looked to the other two elves who were keeping to themselves.

  “Well, they follow me, so if I want to help you both, then they will help you both. They don’t care for humans, that is why they haven’t spoke to you or Woldiniar. Over the centuries they have lost respect for your kind. But you are different. There is something different about you. And it is not the bracelet you wear. I feel you have much potential and I would like to see you succeed on your journey, whatever that may be.”

  “I see. Thank you and thank you both for helping him in this.” Sebial smiled to the three of them. “I think I will rest for now. It is very late and I hope we can leave as soon as the storm leaves.”

  Sebial went to lay down. Leaving the elves sitting in the middle of the room. Her mind continued to wander as she thought of her new travel companions and of Woldiniar.

  I will not let them down. I will change their minds on humans, I will become stronger, I will remove this curse. I will be free from all that holds me down. I have to be.

  Seventeen

  “Sebial! Time to wake up!” Woldiniar shouted.

  Sebial jumped up.

  It’s still dark out?

  “SEBIAL!!!!”

  She looked around and couldn’t see anyone.

  “FOR THE LOVE OF THE FLAME WAKE UP!”

  The elves jumped up to the yelling and glared at Sebial. She stood up and ran to the door of the shelter.

  “It’s about time you woke up!” Woldiniar shouted from the ground.

  “Why must you wake me up so early? The sun hasn’t even rose Master!”

  “It is time to travel. The sooner I get you south the safer you will be. It is time to go!”

  Sebial turned away from the door and went to lay back down.

  I need more rest. That insane man can wait.

  Woldiniar whistled and the shelter began to shake.

  “I CAN KEEP WHISTLING UNTIL THAT SHELTER YOU’RE HIDING IN RETURNS TO WHICH IT CAME SEBIAL!”

  “I’M COMING!!!!!” Sebial jumped up in fear of his words. “I am sorry Elin and you two, if you truly plan on traveling with us then we must go down there now. He will destroy this shelter with us all in it.”

  “HE IS INSANE!” Elin shouted while his arm still covered his eyes. He stretched and began to get up. “Denias, Sanu, get up. I believe she is telling the truth about him.”

  “Denias and Sanu... I am sorry. But I am telling the truth.”

  “GREAT! Now the human knows our names!!!! Elin, I swear on the flame I will destroy you one day for this.” Sanu shouted as he stood up.

  They all quickly grabbed their belongings and climbed down from the shelter.

  “I thought I was going to have to destroy this place with my beautiful little student in it.” Woldiniar said as he roughly brushed Sebial’s hair. He stopped and looked down at her. “Why are you wearing his robe Sebial?”

  “Oh because my clothes were wet. They dried while I slept so I wore his robe.”

  “DID YOU NOW!?” Woldiniar yanked the robe off of Sebial and threw it at Elin. “I told you not to touch her! That includes your belongings! If it's something of yours then that is the same as you touching her!”

  “That is just absurd Woldiniar. Should I have let her stay in her wet clothes all night and become sick?” Elin responded while putting on his robe.

  “You undressed her?!”

  Sebial blushed. “Master, please it's fine. I can breathe better too now.” She looked at Elin. “Thank you for healing my ribs. I feel much better.”

  “You’re welcome Sebial. I
t was the least I could do for you. How did that happen if you do not mind me asking?”

  “I was captured. They beat me in their attempts to have me submit to them.”

  “EXCUSE ME!” Woldiniar stepped in between the two of them. “Are we going to ignore my questions? I told him not to touch you! And Sebial! Why are you unfazed by this?!”

  “I am ignoring that fact Woldiniar. I am dry and I can breathe better. That is all that matters to me. Who cares if he had to touch me in order to do it.” Sebial said in a condescending tone.

  Woldiniar huffed over Sebial’s response.

  “It is in the past. Shall we get going?” Elin interjected.

  “Yes and I am removing your shelter since it is tainted now from you touching my student!!!” Woldiniar said angrily.

  Woldiniar stepped closer to the shelter and let out a whistle. The shelter slowly came apart; the wood pieces returned to the spots where the elves had picked them up, leaving the area exactly how they found it.

  “That’s impressive! Ever thought of being a tracker?” Elin asked with a smile.

  “No.” Woldiniar responded shortly. His patience nearly gone. “It is time to go. We will walk for now. The horses can carry our supplies. Are you ok with that Sebial?”

  Sebial nodded.

  They began walking South. What laid before them was going to be long and treacherous. The mountain path leading to the city of Delandero is known to be filled with old traps set by the original king who ruled there.

  “We will stop at a village before entering the mountains. They sell many supplies and we can also obtain three horses for our new companions, that is if they decide to join us into the land of agony.” Woldiniar said with a large smile hoping his words would cause the elves to lose heart.

  “That is very generous of you Woldiniar. Horses will make the journey faster. I look forward to our travels together!” Elin responded with a large smile, unfazed by Woldiniar’s attempts to scare them off.

  Eighteen