by Toni Cox
It was a fresh morning and mist still shrouded the trees. It was an eerie, yet strangely beautiful sight. She stepped onto the first rope bridge and was half way across it when she felt an odd sensation on the back of her neck. She turned, but there was nothing behind her.
She carried on walking, but then stopped again as she realised what the scene reminded her of. Vividly, her dream came back to her mind and with it the fear. The mist from her dream had also been thick and cold, just like today. She glanced around, but could not see further than the nearest house. She felt like she was being watched. Imagining malicious eyes staring at her, she pulled her light shawl tighter as she hurried the remaining distance across the bridge, and only relaxed once she entered the hall.
The newly finished Elder Hall was a hendecagon, an eleven-sided structure, and the only building with a steeply pointed roof. More than thirty rafters held up a wood shingle roof, all converging at the apex, with cross beams connecting them, making the ceiling look like a giant spider web. Jaik told her that over one hundred Elves had helped to encourage the trees to accept the hall; it had taken nearly a full Moon Cycle.
The oak entrance door was arched and richly carved with the symbols of their clan. The entrance was just below the roof and stairs led down past the tiers of circular seating that led down to the round speaker’s platform and the secretary’s desk. The speaker’s platform was made out of dark walnut wood and the Elemental symbol was inlaid in light maple wood; the contrasting timbers making the symbol seem to pop out as you looked at it.
Maia touched the new medallion she now wore around her neck. She had discovered it was made from five different metals, intricately melded together to form the whole, and was inset with sixteen emeralds. It depicted the four elements as well as Life and Death. It had taken the best Metalsmith in Grildor almost ten Moons to forge.
The hall consisted of three levels of tiers. Space enough for over one hundred clan members. This morning, however, it was almost empty. Her father stood on the bottom tier, speaking to Ramaer, one of the Elders. Her brother, as well as other members of the Guard, was already seated on the second row of tiers. Maia went to join them.
“What is this all about?” Maia whispered as she sat.
“Has father not told you? Another bird arrived last night with news about more attacks.”
“What attacks? Jaik, what is going on?”
“I am surprised you don’t know; everyone is talking about it. There have been several attacks this past year. Each one was recorded in a different place, but all within Grildor, as far as we know. There have been numerous deaths.”
Shocked, Maia stared at her brother. “Are the different clans at war?”
“No,” her brother shook his head, “it is not clear yet, but we believe that whoever is killing our people might not be an Elf. It seems to be some kind of animal.”
Maia was about to ask another question when the rest of the Elders filed into the hall. She had known them all her entire life, but it was still impressive to see them together. Besides the regent, they were the most respected members of their culture. Although not all of them were born of nobility, they were treated like it. They made the important decisions for the clan and ensured its wellbeing.
It took a few moments for them to settle down. Jagaer took his place on the speaker’s platform and waited until everyone’s attention was on him.
“If you will indulge me for a moment, I would like to recap for my daughter’s benefit.” Jagaer looked around and, once everyone had nodded their assent, he continued.
“Since early summer last year, Elves from various cities within Grildor have been disappearing under odd circumstances. At first, we thought the incidents were just accidents, but, after a while, we noticed certain similarities between the disappearances and when we investigated further, we found evidence that some of our missing had been killed. Scouts and Hunters were sent out to look for further victims and to find a cause to their deaths.
“But, as suddenly as it all started, it ended. No more disappearances, no more deaths. After a while we all relaxed again and for Moons nothing happened. Then, as winter came to a close, news arrived that a trade caravan from the Red Forest had been attacked and all seven members slain, even their horses. Since then there have been five more incidents we are aware of, plus the one that was reported last night.”
Jagaer stopped for a brief moment, giving Maia time to absorb what she had heard. Then he continued with the more recent news.
“This latest attack happened right on our door step. Cinaed dispatched two members of his Regiment a few nights ago to bring us a new batch of pigeons. Somas was tracking a horhog in the woods when he discovered them. Both were dead and their bodies mutilated and partially devoured. It is too early to say what attacked them. Archer and Riker left during the early hours of this morning to recover their bodies, they should be back just after noon. We will examine the corpses then.”
Maia clasped her brother’s hand as she realised what that meant. The attack must have happened within half a day’s ride from their city, for Archer and Riker to be back so soon. She remembered that feeling of being watched while she was on the bridge and shuddered. Could whoever or whatever had done this be in their city already? Was it watching her this morning? She stood, asked her father permission to speak and voiced her concern.
Jagaer knew to heed his daughter’s warnings and immediately implemented double shifts of the Night Watch.
Hours later, exhausted, Jaik and Maia made their way home. Measures would be taken to ensure the safety of the city. A bird had been sent to Cinaed at Tarron Heights with the news; they would be here in a few days to claim their dead. Maia felt terrible.
Not only because the dead had been so mutilated, but also because she had been unable to help them. Death had claimed them and there was nothing she could do about it. Feeling ill and weak, she cried that night, fighting the images of their mutilated flesh, until, eventually, she fell into a restless sleep.
“You are really good at this,” Maia said to Jasmin as she hit yet another target.
While Jagaer had taken Aaron for a tour around the workshops and Silas had taken Luke to his cave, Maia spent the morning with Jasmin trying various crafts the women of the city practiced. It was as good a task as any to distract herself from the fate of the two warriors whose lives had been taken. The thought still made her shiver.
Although Jasmin enjoyed candle making, she had no real talent for it and they had all laughed at her misshapen attempts. She tried basket weaving, glass blowing, making jewellery and sewing. Nothing quite suited her. Several hours later they had still not gotten anywhere.
Frustrated, Jasmin had sat down and had mumbled something about letting off steam and wishing she had her crossbow with her. After some prodding, Maia learned that back on Earth Jasmin had been part of the London archery team. Although she could also wield a long bow, her favourite was her crossbow.
They had immediately gone to the weapons store and found Jasmin a suitable crossbow, before hiking the short trip to the archery range. At first, Jasmin had been a little unsure. The weapon was unfamiliar to her and she had never shot outdoors. But after a few practice rounds, her aim became true and her confidence returned.
“Wait a moment, let me move the target another twenty paces further.”
Maia jumped up and dragged the heavy target to the one hundred paces marker, then stepped aside and held her breath as Jasmin aimed. As before, the bolt flew straight and hit the target dead centre.
There was a whoop of laughter behind them and Archer came striding towards them, clapping his hands.
“That was amazing.” His eyes shone as he looked at Jasmin and she blushed under his admiring gaze. Turning to Maia he said, “I thought you were at the workshops today, looking for work for Jasmin.”
“We did,” Maia said. “We spent the entire morning going from one activity to the next, but nothing was quite right for her. We came here t
o express our frustration, but I think we might just have stumbled on our newest addition to the Hunters.”
Jasmin glanced at her with a questioning look, but Archer immediately agreed.
“From what I have seen so far that might be a distinct possibility. And we could always use another Hunter.” Turning to Jasmin, he said, “I can introduce you if you feel you are up for it.”
“I don’t know anything about hunting,” Jasmin blushed again. Archer’s admiring looks were making her nervous. “I would like to learn, if you are willing to teach me.”
“Lady Jasmin, with Princess Maia’s permission, I will teach you everything I know.” He grinned.
Although Maia caught the double meaning in his words, she did not say anything about it. Jasmin had not noticed and, for some reason, Maia did not want her to either.
“That would be great, Archer. I will speak to my father and he can make the arrangement with the Hunters.” Then, with a smirk, she added, “Just be careful, that is my daughter I am placing in your care and I will be watching you.”
The next few days brought with it numerous meetings, but whenever Maia did not have to be present, she spent the day with Jasmin. Her progress was astonishing. She practiced with Archer every chance she got and the first time they went into the forest, Jasmin returned proudly holding up a squirrel. Aaron had been shocked at first that his daughter had chosen to join the Hunters, but he was aware of her talent with a crossbow and, after wringing several promises from Archer, and Maia, he relented and gave his blessing.
Of Luke, they saw little. He ensconced himself in Silas’ cave and devoured all the information the old sage provided him with. Because Silas was so preoccupied with Luke, he had given Maia various scrolls on Travel to read in her own time.
Aaron on the other hand, was trying to spend as much time with Maia as possible. She didn’t notice at first, because often either her parents or Luke and Jasmin, or someone from the workshops, was with them and, only when the day came that they were left alone in the house, studying scrolls about the planets, did she become aware of the way he was looking at her.
Luke and Jasmin left early on their various tasks for the day and Silas had dropped off these scrolls with instruction for Maia to find anything relating to Travel between Earth and Elveron. By lunch time they had gone through all the material, but were no closer to a solution. Maia was frustrated. She couldn’t give up, but didn’t know what else to do. She looked up to apologize to Aaron, expecting him to be as moody as her. He was completely relaxed, a lazy smile on his face, looking at her.
She frowned. “Did you hear what I said?”
“Huh?” Aaron blinked and sat up a little straighter.
“I said; I am sorry we have not found an answer yet. I know you want to go home.”
“That’s all right; I know you are doing your best. If you want to stop for today, then we can carry on tomorrow.”
Aaron watched as Maia gathered up the scrolls, put them in a satchel and then gracefully rose from the table and made her way to the door. There was a small frown on her forehead and her lips were pursed just a little, making her look infinitely sexy.
He remained at table, savouring her lingering smell. He smiled as he remembered her confused face. Her eyes always seemed to shine a darker green when she was uncertain; he thought it was endearing. Sighing, he eventually got up and left as well. He needed a distraction; the memory of Maia’s body so close to his while they were studying the scrolls made his loins tighten.
Maia almost ran down the tunnel to Silas’ cave. When she didn’t find Silas there, she dropped the satchel with the scrolls on one of his benches, left the cave and via a circuitous route, so she wouldn’t be seen, left the city. While she jogged towards open ground, she reached out with her mind and contacted Midnight. She heard him roar somewhere in the distance, probably by The Crags, as he perceived her state of mind. She ran faster and let him know she would meet him there.
By the time she had reached the top of the hill on which stood The Crags, a strange granite rock formation to the north of the city, she was breathing harder. Midnight’s leathery wings beat the tall grass flat as he settled on the ground. Smoke curled from both his nostrils as she greeted him; he was visibly upset. She leant against his foreleg for a moment, catching her breath. Midnight rumbled deep within his chest, voicing his concern.
“What am I going to do, Midnight?” she said as she nimbly ran up his leg and settled on his shoulder.
Midnight beat his wings, pushed off from the ground and within moments they were so high up, the city but a speck below them.
While they flew, Maia replayed the incident with Aaron in her mind. Midnight paid close attention and she could sense his disapproval. Maybe she had imagined it. She shook her head. No. The way he looked at her had been clear, as were the signs of his body and the new hue to his Eläm. She wondered why she had not noticed it before; maybe, subconsciously, she had been blocking it, as there had been so much animosity in the beginning. It would be reasonable to think that she had missed the change within him.
She shuddered at the thought, but she struggled to get the image out of her head. There was something there now that had not been there before. She felt it radiate off him. Desire that reflected in his eyes. What had changed? Why was he suddenly so enamoured with her? They had been here for almost three Quarters and, until now, he had expressed only anger towards her. His new feelings unsettled her.
Dreading to go back, she let Midnight fly where he wanted, letting him take her further and further away. Gliding above the clouds, nestled warmly against his skin, she lost all sense of time.
When night came, Midnight landed besides a small waterfall high up in the mountains. She sat staring up into the night sky until the moons set behind the peaks in the west and she was too tired to think. Midnight then folded her into his leathery wings and, warm and safe, she fell into a deep sleep.
Later that night, she had strange dreams of eyes watching her. Black eyes, that looked at her with such intensity she felt completely helpless and vulnerable. The eyes tracked every movement she made and she could find no way to escape them. In her dream, she struggled and fought the magnetic pull the eyes had on her. Although terrified, she was strangely drawn towards whatever was watching her and it took all her willpower to resist. Only when it was revealed that the eyes belonged to a big black wolf, Death they called him, did she wake up.
Midnight lifted his wing to let her up. She blinked into the bright light of midday. She felt groggy, as if she had only slept an hour all night, and wondered how it could possibly be so late in the day. The memory of her dream came back to her and she shivered. Midnight growled.
“We better go back. They will be looking for me.”
She sighed as she ran up his leg and climbed up onto his back, careful not bump into any of his many great spikes along his spine. She didn’t want to go back. What if Aaron expected her to pick up her duties as his wife? Would she be able to do it? She shuddered and Midnight let out a puff of smoke. Then, with one great push, he jumped into the air, beating his wings with such speed that her ears popped as they ascended.
It was evening by the time they reached the city. She had not realised how far they travelled the day before. Midnight landed in the fields beyond the Silver Forest and was at first reluctant to let her go. He eventually relented, but told her that he would stay by The Crags in case she needed him.
With heavy footsteps she made her way home. As she went past Silas’ cave, she turned into the tunnel, giving in to her weakness. She did not want to go home and come face to face with Aaron just yet. There was something she needed to know first.
The torches were unlit and only one of the many crystal lanterns illuminated the tunnel and she was afraid that Silas was not there. However, as she stepped into the cave, she saw him sitting by the fire, sipping tea.
“Ah, Maia, I have been waiting for you.”
He rose and poured her a cup of
tea, handed it to her as she settled on one of the pillows by the fire. He waited until she took a sip of the steaming liquid, and sat next to her.
“Tell me,” he said simply, waiting patiently for her to gather her thoughts.
He had known her all her life and knew when she was upset. Malyn and Jagaer were unaware of any incident, but Jaik had said he heard Midnight roar and then saw him fly over the village.
When Maia looked up, a single tear rolled down her cheek. “It’s Aaron.” She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “I don’t know what to do about him.”
Silas nodded. He had expected this. Until now, Aaron had been too preoccupied with their situation and the loss of his wife, but Silas had noted a change in him after Maia’s ceremony. He was surprised Maia had not noticed it before. Gently he wiped the tear from her face.
“What am I to do, Silas?”
“Tell me what happened yesterday.”
Maia told him about the morning spent with Aaron, studying scrolls. He exhaled with a sigh of relief when he found out there had been no physical evidence of Aaron’s passions. That would have been more difficult to deal with.
“It is normal for him to feel this way. You are a beautiful young woman and now that he has accepted who you are, it is only natural that he wants to test the boundaries of your relationship. How do you feel about him?”
“I don’t really know him. During the first fortnight, we didn’t get much chance to talk and when we did, it usually did not end well. Then we made the decision that they were to learn our ways and things became a little easier. But …” She hesitated. “I had never really been alone with him before. Yesterday, when he looked at me that way, I saw his thoughts as clearly as if he had spoken them. It scared me.”
Maia tried not to sound like a petulant child, but tears were welling up in her eyes.
