Safe With You

by Sharon Coady

  “Not today!” he muttered as he raised his hands and threw fireballs, one after the other, blasting the tracker backwards. The tracker hit the ground on his back, trying to block them. Easton felt his power surge as he got closer, never letting up with his bombardment until the tracker stilled completely. He didn’t have a moment to breathe before more shouts gained his attention.

  “Easton!” Keene bellowed, running to him with sword drawn. “Look out!”

  Easton ducked and spun, feeling the sting of the steel blade ricochet off his shoulder just before he hit the ground. Pain spread through his arm as he rolled back to his feet, blood running down his arm. Keene struck the tracker with his sword, slicing off the hand that was holding a long knife meant for Easton.

  “A knife? You were going to stab me with a knife?” Pulling his arm back, Easton punched the tracker full in the face with everything he had. A sickening crunch filled the air as bones gave way in the tracker’s face. Easton pulled his fist back, feeling ill at what he’d just done as he watched the life blink out of the druid’s eyes.

  Keene slapped Easton on the shoulder as he ran by. “Good job, young druid. Ione won’t be doing any more damage. Let us help finish this up,” he yelled as he ran into the midst of the fighting.

  Dirt and grass flew up as spell after spell blasted around them. The sound of clashing swords and yells of the men going down were just as loud. The sky lit up with blasts of magic, like a fireworks display. Easton had only a second to hope that the magic held around the mansion and the humans weren’t being exposed to this.

  Running through the yard, Keene and Easton rushed to Allanon and Beorn, joining the battle going on with the last of the four trackers still left. Keene roared as he swung his sword, slicing one of them in half, blood soaking the ground where he went down.

  Easton rushed forward, throwing fireballs when suddenly something moved in his peripheral vision. Four druids appeared from the woods behind Beorn and Allanon, swords drawn charging them. The fighting was so loud, he doubted they would hear them coming.

  Easton’s vision sharpened as the rest of the battle blurred around him. He stopped and closed his eyes, seeking the energy from the dark hunters. He drew in a breath, opened his eyes, and moved quickly behind them. Using the skills Nalia and Beorn had taught him, he raised his hands, freezing one of the attacking druids where he stood. With another sweep of his hand, he sent him careening into the sword of one of the other warriors, knocking them both to the ground. From the corner of his eye, he saw Liam finish them off.

  Racing toward the last two, he felt the shift in the energy as they turned to face him. He saw the movement just before they threw their spells at him. He deflected them, sending them shooting into the dark fighting warriors all around. The warriors that were hit now disintegrated into dust.

  As soon as he was within a few feet of the two, he raised his hands once more, thinking of fire. He watched in both horror and satisfaction as both trackers burst into flames. They staggered around, screaming and crashing into the bushes and remnants of the statues around them.

  Feeling the dark energy from one of the trackers, Easton turned just as the druid raised his arm in preparation to slice Easton through with his long sword. He raised his arms and threw him back, causing the hunter’s sword to fly through the air, no longer at the mercy of its owner. Without a moment’s hesitation, the tracker sent a powerful spell Easton’s way.

  Easton raised his arms once more and just barely managed to block it. Spinning on the spot, he punched out, shooting out a fireball twice the size of any other he’d created. It hit the druid square in the chest, the force of it knocking him on the ground as he burst into flames.

  Easton walked calmly over to the burning tracker. He looked down as the last of his features melted away. Suddenly, the sounds of battle rushed back to his ears. Easton turned and rushed behind the three trackers that were still attacking and used his magic to place a barrier behind them. He nodded and Beorn, Allanon and Keene started moving in on the dark hunters.

  “Beorn, son of Kerloch, betrayer of the dark realm, this is not over. We will be revenged, and you will die for your betrayal!” Kirwyn bellowed.

  Beorn looked down in disgust at the remaining trackers. His eyes held no mercy for them or their fates. Spells flew from Allonon, Keene, and Beorn, hitting the trackers all at once. Dubv’s eyes widened, his mouth went slack, and his knees buckled, dropping him to the earth.

  “Keene, you may finish the last two for what they did to your brother.” Beorn stepped aside and crossed his arms.

  Keene stepped forward, placed his hands out with palms facing them, and the last two trackers slumped to the ground, no longer moving.

  Easton stood stock still, chest heaving as he tried to get his breath and understand what had just taken place. The sounds of the battle slowed as other men were stilled. His mind had not caught up to the horrors he’d seen and the violence he’d done. Turning slowly to survey the damage, he realized they were missing more than just Rune. He sat down hard on one of the rocks, ran a hand down his face, and felt the shock of what he’d done hit him.

  Beorn sat beside him. “You did well today. Because of your magic, we did not lose everyone.”

  Glancing at his father, he felt the tears flow down his face. I did well? Does he not see the destruction and death around us? He scrubbed a hand down his face. “How many did we lose because of me? How many humans were destroyed today?”

  “None. The ones we lost were because of the trackers, not you.”

  Easton shook his head. His mind seemed not to comprehend the damage he saw or the death he saw around him. “How many did we lose, Beorn?”

  “The dark trackers did not fight fair. Never have. But honestly, did we expect anything else from creatures of the dark? However, the important thing to remember is that you are safe. You survived your first battle and proved yourself a worthy warrior. You should be proud of that fact alone. Now you will be able to rule with your grandmother and wife until your son comes of age to sit on the throne in your stead.” Beorn sat beside him. He placed his hand on Easton’s back.

  “I know nothing about ruling. I can’t even run my own life without messing it up. How do you expect me to rule a realm?” He shrugged. “Everything that happened here today is because of me.” Taking a deep breath, he faced his father again. “How many did we lose?”

  “I do not know yet. Once we get the reports, I can tell you.” Beorn placed his hand on Easton’s shoulder. “What happened today is because of you. You have taken on a great responsibility. . One you were born into. One you did not know you were taking on.”

  Easton shook his head. “Whether I knew or not does not change the fact that people died here today.” Putting his elbows on his knees, he dropped his head into his hands as a shiver ran through his body.

  “You ran into your first magical battle without hesitation. You fought alongside your brothers fiercely and honorably. Because of you, Ebon Forrest will live in harmony and peace a bit longer.”

  “I will honor the druids who died by doing what is expected of me. I will continue to learn and defend them.” He drew a deep, ragged breath. “But you will tell me everything about the dark realm. You will teach us and tell all of us how to defend Ebon Forrest. I want all the druids and the witches to know and understand what we are up against. Do you swear this, Beorn?”

  “I do.” Beorn sighed heavily, causing Easton to look up. Suddenly in the pale light of night, he saw how tired Beorn was. Easton couldn’t imagine the life the druid had to carry on until this moment.

  “How do we tell their loved ones?” He thought of Tegan waiting for him to return. His heart ached for the families of the druids who would not return.

  “We bring their bodies home, and we honor them with a ceremony. We promise the families our protection. We help raise their young. That is what we do.”

  “When will Tegan and I be allowed to return to my home?” Easton stood, s
urprised to see the other druids standing quietly behind them; the bodies of the men they’d lost laid out carefully on the ground.

  “You cannot return. We will send someone else to take care of the house and protect the portal. He has agreed to protect the secrets as Tegan has done. But you and Tegan must remain in Ebon Forrest. It is the only way we can protect you. No one in the dark realm knows about our new druid, so he will be safe. New spells will be put in place. Because you and I will remain in Ebon Forrest, they will no longer be able to sense us and will believe we are gone.”

  “Won’t they wonder why their hunters didn’t return?” Easton glanced around again, surprised to see a small group of druids magically repairing the damage the battle had done. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

  “It is not something you need to worry yourself with. Our warriors will make sure everything is cleaned up and they are disposed of.”

  Easton walked away from his father and knelt beside Rune. “I’m sorry, my friend. I would have liked to have known you better.” He dropped is head and placed a hand on the fallen warrior’s shoulder.

  Keene stepped forward. “You fought well and you honor his memory by ending the one who ended him. Please, honor all who paid the ultimate sacrifice today by stepping up and helping your grandmother rule. We need you beside her.”

  “I will,” Easton answered quietly as he stood to face the men.

  Allanon stepped forward. “I hope you will soon think of our realm as your home. It is rightfully so. I wish your mother could have brought you safely to Ebon Forrest when you were a newborn druid. Maybe things would have been easier.”

  “Easier is not always better.” Beorn squared his shoulders and stood tall as the men’s attention turned to him. “Easton would not have grown into the man he is now, if things would have been different. We would not have the proud man who stepped up and into the unknown to fight beside you.” Beorn looked around at the bodies of their enemy strewn over the lawn. “Let us get this cleaned up and get back to the forest. We have loved ones waiting.”

  Once the last of the dark hunters’ bodies were disposed of and the damage repaired, the druids carefully carried their slain down the stairs to the portal. Allanon gathered oils and spices, mixed them together, and as everyone gathered around, he sprinkled the potion over the bodies of the fallen druids. “Guide the soul of our fallen comrades on their journey of the setting sun. Guide them through the darkness of the night into the place of peace.” Raising his eyes, tears streamed down his face. “I know we will go through the ceremony later, but I felt something of honor needed to be said in the sacred place where they sacrificed their lives.”

  Keene swiped the tears off his own face. “It feels right to have done so.” Bending down, he placed his hand on the shoulder of the first slain man. “May your journey be swift, Erwin.” He moved on to the next. “Gwillherm, I will personally protect your family, they will know of your bravery through my stories.” Hauling himself to his feet, he moved on to the next man. “Morvan, you will bring much joy to the heavens. Tailesin…” His voice broke as a sob escaped. Dropping his head, Easton saw his chest heave and his shoulders tremble. Everyone waited until Keene was able to move on. “You were the most powerful of us all. I do not understand how it came to this. But by the gods, I swear to you, I will train harder and learn what I can to make sure nothing like this happens to your son.”

  Keene moved to his brother, sat down, and pulled him to his chest. “Rune, my brother, I cannot believe you are gone. The man I have looked up to my entire life. I promise to keep your memory alive every day. You will be honored as long as there is breath in my body. I will see you one day, this I swear.”

  Beorn stood statue-like while each of the other druids did what they needed before they were ready to begin the journey home. When the last of them finished, Allanon nodded. “It is time for us to return home.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  When they stepped through the portal and back onto the soil of Ebon Forrest, Easton felt his heartbeat quicken as he was filled with Tegan’s presence. He felt the connection so intense that his heartbeat changed and knew it had somehow synced with hers.

  They carried the dead to the center of the field where Nalia had already gathered the witches to create the sacred circle. It was decorated with beautiful flowers and greens. He saw everyone gathered, dressed in flowing, white outfits adorned with flowers. The women had flower headbands, and the men wore greenery around their heads. The bodies were placed on white linen cloths, each with their heads toward the outside of the circle, their feet meeting in the center.

  Nalia stepped forward and raised her hands to speak for the fallen. She raised her arms to the sky and spoke softly. “I ask for peace and love as we gather within this sacred spot to witness the right of passage for Erwin, Gwillherm, Morvan, Rune, and Tailesin. We have come together to honor them. We shall finish our circle so our spirits may be blended in one purpose, one voice, and one sacred space.

  “Let us begin the ceremony to honor these brave men.” Nalia spoke softly as everyone gathered around the circle, closing it off with their presence. “I ask that the spirits of the skies guide us. I ask for the spirits of the sun, stars, and ancestral light, along with the spirits who paint the skies and the spirits of the winds, to help guide are fallen warriors to their final rest. Spirits of this realm mixed with the power of the nature that surrounds us, we ask that you honor those we give to you on this gentle night.”

  Allanon walked up to stand beside Nalia. “I would like to honor the ancestors, if I may.” He bowed to her.

  Nalia nodded and took his hand. “Please, you are more than welcome to do so.”

  Allanon faced the circle and spoke. “I ask for peace from our ancestors whose feet have walked our realm through all of our lands. I ask for peace for those who died today to protect Ebon Forrest and those who dwell here. I ask that you honor these fallen warriors who bravely fought to keep all of us safe.”

  “I ask for peace from our ancestors that they give us spiritual guidance in this dark hour. Please guide us now with whispers of your wisdom, fill our hearts and minds with your love, and let it be known they are honored.”

  “I ask that we know peace for those joined through birth that they are not separated in death.

  Please comfort us with love and strength to support us in our weakest time.”

  “I ask the ancestors to give peace to Erwin, Gwillherm, Morvan, Rune, and Tailesin and their families that have lost them. Those of the bloodline that have lost their companions. We are gathered together on this day to say goodbye and pray you will guide the souls of Erwin, Gwillherm, Morvan, and Tailesin, and in doing so, you will guide and honor their loved ones so they will know peace.”

  “Thank you, Allanon. Let us go feast now while the ancestors look over these brave, young druids. Come and join us as we share what we have in their honor.” Nalia turned and Easton watched as everyone followed her single file, heads down, hands clasped in front of them.

  Easton walked behind, holding Tegan’s hand and wondering how these people could appear so calm with all they had lost. When they rounded the bend, he saw large tables set under the great tree decorated with white, wispy cloths that fluttered in the breeze. The tables were adorned with large bowls of apples of every color, some he could not recall ever seeing before. Tegan placed her hand in his, and they formed a circle around the tables.

  Tegan stepped slightly forward, dropping his hand. “Apples have long been thought of as the fruit of immortality. We offer this fruit as a symbol of rebirth and pray that they will join with the magical power of nature to honor those who have gone before us.”

  Easton watched as each person chose an apple, cut it in half on a board with an ornately carved knife, and placed one half on a large plate and the other they held in their hand. He stepped forward and did the same. When everyone had cut the apple in half, they each began to eat. Someone began telling a sto
ry about Tailesin. A story of his bravery soon turned into a story of some of his funny escapades during his youth. He listened carefully, taking in the stories and words spoken by the family or friend, wanting to know as much as he could about this man.

  Next, a small, delicate woman stood and started speaking of Erwin, her pain evident in her large brown eyes. Easton’s heart hurt just looking at her. When she placed her hand over her stomach protectively, he knew without a shadow of doubt this woman was carrying Erwin’s child. His arm snaked around Tegan, pulling her closer to his side, thankful he made it back to her and his unborn son. He swore to look over this woman and her child for Erwin. Tegan laid her head on his chest, and he knew she understood the other woman’s heart as well as he did, probably more than he did. How much more of this would he be able to stand, knowing it was because of him these five men died today? His stomach churned, causing bile to rise in his throat.

  Beorn was suddenly beside him. Hear me son. I told you before, none of what happened today is your fault. If it was not you and your son, it would have been someone else. You do not understand the workings of the dark realm. The king is always looking for reasons to attack the other realms. I know your heart is heavy, as is mine, but we will not defile the memories or bravery of these men for our own sorrow.

  It breaks my heart for their loved ones. How can they not blame me? If I had never come here, their men would still be with them. He excused himself and walked away from the gathering. When he made his way to the far side of the tree, Easton leaned against it before he allowed himself to slide to the ground.

  You are wrong, Easton. They would have found you and the portal, which would have brought the battle here. The people of this realm would not have fared as well.

  I need a moment, Beorn. I am having trouble dealing with all of this. He leaned his head back against the tree closing his eyes.