by Alana Grerig
“Where is she?” Jericho asked Eve. His breathing was steady, but there was an edge to his voice.
“Not far ahead. We should see her soon. I can sense her,” Eve answered. What she didn’t say was how worried she was about her friend, Sapphire was always so calm.
Just ahead was a small coppice of trees. Although they could not yet see her, Sapphire's screeches could already be heard, carried on the breeze. Fear shot through Eve, and she broke into a sprint.
“Eve…wait! It could be a trap!” called Caleb. His new vampire speed was a blessing as he ran to catch the girl he loved. On reaching the trees, Eve was met not by a screaming Sapphire but an army of vampires and two black witches. The rest of her group arrived moments later.
“Great,” Eli mumbled and shifted swiftly into his blue jay form, hiding in the branches of a nearby pine. Jericho was disgusted by such cowardly behaviour. He would be having a word with Eli later if he lived long enough.
“So, you’re the Light Carrier who should be dead. Well, we can rectify that now,” leered a vampire clad in leather armour, his fangs fully extended. Jeers came at Eve from the men behind him. Clearly, he was in charge here. The witches stood impassively at the side of the group. Their eyes travelled lazily over the new arrivals and widened in shock when they spied Caleb.
“Where is the Protector? I know she is here. I heard her screams,” Eve said, squaring her shoulders and looking the vampire in the eye. His muted aura was a dull red. It was the witches that answered.
“The Protector is not here. We knew she could not accompany you across the lake, so we took a chance, and it seems to have paid off. She has not arrived yet.” They spoke in unison, which gave Eve the feeling of hundreds of spiders running over her skin.
She is not here. Her relief was short lived as the leather-clad vampire leapt towards her, fangs bared and claws extended. Eve was not prepared, but thankfully Jericho was. Launching one of his knives, he slowed the vampire enough to get in front of Eve. Slightly winded from the shove, Eve regained her balance and removed her dagger, ready for the next attack.
The fight was bloody, and it was clear that, even with Caleb’s new abilities, they were no match for fifty rage-drunk vampires. Thankfully, the witches seemed to keep out of the fray. Jericho was bathed in crimson; some was his own blood, though most of it belonged to the enemy. He looked for Eve and Caleb. Finding them both close together, he called, “We cannot win this; there are too many! We must retreat!”
Looking over, Caleb nodded in agreement as he shot a deflecting charm at two charging vampires, causing them to crash into each other. Suddenly, Eve found her feet taken from under her as she was dragged along the ground. Half buried rocks bruised her back as her captor continued to run at supernatural speed. The others had not seen her capture; she was sure of it.
Sapphire where are you? We are under attack! Please help us if you can hear me.
Eve felt the connection flare and knew Sapphire was still alive. What worried her was…why had she not been waiting on the bank for them? Thankfully an answer was swift, I am coming dear one. I waited on the bank for you, and I saw you disembark the ferry, but, try as I might, I could not come to you or make you hear me. Dark magic must have been at work. I know where you are. I can see the battle; the spell has been lifted. Hold on Evangeline, I am coming.
Minutes passed as Eve continued to be dragged. She could feel a warm wetness spreading along her back; she was bleeding, and that was never a good thing around a vampire. It happened so fast, it took Eve’s breath away. One moment she was being dragged along on her bleeding and bruised back, and the next her kidnapper was on top of her, fangs bared and ready to strike. There was no way she could fight him off. She hoped it would be quick and relatively painless. Eve looked into her attacker’s eyes. She would show no fear. Death held no secrets for her.
“You are brave, Light Carrier, but it will not save you now,” the vampire snarled, extending his fangs even more until they were almost two inches long, their sharp points glinting with venom.
“I am ready to die. Can you say the same, vampire?” Challenge laced her words, masking the heartbreak due to the fact that she still hadn’t told Caleb she loved him, even after her second chance at life. Eve was sure they could fulfil the prophecy without her. After all, they had the stone now. Then she remembered that the stone was in her pocket. The knowledge crushed her.
“There shall only be one death today, and that will be yo…” He did not finish his sentence. Sapphire had arrived. Silent and deadly, she had glided down and sunk her sharp talons into the vampire’s back and lifted him off and away from Eve. Sitting up, she saw her circle, and then the vampire was falling. His scream was short-lived as he landed with a splash in the lake of the dead. Taking a moment to assess her injuries, Eve waited for Sapphire to return to her.
You are hurt, Evangeline. Stay here. I shall go and assist the others.
No, I must go with you. I have the Stone, and I do not want to be left behind. I am fine, really; it is not as bad as it seems.
Clicking her beak, Sapphire knew there was little point in arguing. Eve would simply walk back if she did not take her. Sapphire extended her wing, and Eve smiled and climbed onto her back. They saw the men almost right away; they were retreating, but the vampires were not letting up. From the air, it was clear that they were herding Jericho and Caleb towards the lake. If any of them fell…
Then it happened. Jericho lost his footing. He tried to right himself, but it was too late. Sapphire dove down, and, in one graceful move, she rescued the two men. Eve let out the breath she had been holding. For a horrifying moment, she had truly thought that Jericho was done for. Moments later they had landed.
“That was far too close,” Jericho said. His breathing was ragged from the fight.
“You’re telling me. Even with my extra abilities, we were outnumbered,” Caleb panted, flopping down on the mossy ground and taking deep breaths and rubbing his palms, which were sensitive from all the spell casting. From out of nowhere, Eli appeared. Apparently, he had emerged from his hiding place. Eli said nothing. He was wounded, a broken arm, which had happened while he was in his bird form. Jericho felt vindicated. Hiding, it seemed, had not saved the coward from injury. Eve, however, went to him to see if she could help.
“Leave me. It is my own fault; I should have been more careful.” Eli snapped, jerking away from his sister’s touch. Hurt but not wanting to show just how much, Eve returned to Sapphire.
Thank you for your help, we would be very few in number had you not arrived when you did.
Sapphire’s jewel-bright eyes regarded Eve. A single tear welled and then gently over spilled her eyelid and made its journey down her feathered cheek.
Why are you crying? We are all safe, my friend. There is no need for your tears. Eve was shocked to see Sapphire cry; it made her uneasy. Sapphire was the one constant in her turbulent life. She was her moon: not always visible, but there just the same.
The great Protector did not answer. She merely opened her large wings and waited for Eve and Jericho to climb on. Caleb quickly grounded himself ready to fly a ley line. Looking over at Eli’s broken arm, Caleb muttered a charm to mend the break so that Eli could at least transfigure into his bird form and not be a burden to his sister. Eli looked over at where Caleb was standing preparing to launch into the sky and nodded his thanks. He knew he didn’t deserve this kindness. Closing his eyes, he concentrated. It was only a moment before he felt his skin rippling, and then he was once again a bird, his beady eyes trained on Eve for instruction.
We will make the journey to the Fortress of the Damned now, dear one. This will be the greatest challenge you have faced and a defining moment in your life.
“We travel to the Fortress of the Damned. I admit, I have no idea where that is or how we get there. It is not on my map,” Eve explained to her comrades. Jericho and Caleb looked defeated. It was clear from their expressions that they didn’t know how to reach
the fortress, either.
Sapphire, do you know the way to the fortress? We have no guide or map to get us there. Eve stroked the owl’s white feathers that crowned her head while she waited for their connection to flare with a response. She was surprised that an answer was not immediately forthcoming. This, along with the tears, was leaving an uneasy feeling within Eve. Sapphire was not herself.
I know how to get there, in theory. However, it is not easy to enter, and we would need to fly a great distance to reach the entrance to the Darkness’s realm.
Eve was sure that her friend was holding something back, but she did not wish to question her further. It was clear that Sapphire was ailing in some way, and Eve did not want to add to her burden with questions.
Realising that the vampires were regrouping and approaching them once again, they knew they needed to hurry. They were about to take off when Jericho turned sharply towards the lake. The Ferryman approached. This time, his passenger was the princess. She was dressed for traveling and for battle. A sword hung in a bejewelled scabbard at her right hip, and throwing knives adorned the leather straps that crossed her torso. It was clear for all to see that Winter was prepared.
Alighting from the vessel, Winter was almost immediately at Caleb’s side. Eve blinked a few times. Vampire speed was something she was going to have to get used to.
“I would like to join you on your journey. If the offer is still open, that is? I am skilled in many forms of combat; it would be an honour to aid you.” Winter bowed slightly at the waist, pleased that she had gone to her father directly after the group had left the castle.
She had explained all that had happened and of the trade she had arranged. King Fredrick had been shocked by the events that he had partaken in but had no memory of. When Winter had finished her tale, Fredrick knew that she must join the elf on her quest. The stone had been left to her, and so she should stay with it and ensure the safety of the Light Carrier, Evangeline.
“Of course, you are welcome to join us, though I am not sure how you will travel. Sapphire can only carry two of us at a time.” Eve smiled at her new companion, pleased that she was with them. It felt right that she was here, like the puzzle was complete. Winter looked crestfallen. Her shoulders drooped. She was desperate to stay with her mother’s stone for as long as she could. Sighing, she turned to head back to the jetty to call the Ferryman back when she suddenly had an idea.
“Where is it you are traveling to?” she asked, her eyes bright with poorly concealed excitement.
“We travel to the Fortress of the Damned. I must confront and destroy the darkness,” Eve replied, eyeing the slowing approaching vampires. They had managed to manoeuvre themselves in such a way that Eve and her party were surrounded on three sides with the lake at their backs. They needed to leave before it was too late.
“Would your protector be able to carry me in her talons for just a few miles? I know a way into the lands surrounding the fortress you speak of. It is not well known and it is not far.” Winter asked, pleased that she was able to offer assistance so soon. Eve asked Sapphire if that was, indeed, possible. She eyed their enemies the whole time. They were cutting it fine; time was running out.
“Yes, she says that would be possible, but we must leave now. Your kinsmen are not fond of us, and I would rather not have to fight our way out,” Eve rushed as Sapphire began to rise into the air. As Winter leaped into the air to be caught by Sapphire, Caleb shouted that he needed a direction. Winter pointed south, and Caleb vanished into the sky. With Eli at her side, Sapphire beat her powerful wings. They were finally out of harm’s way…for now.
***
Clear Water Valley was now under the control of Nimayaorin. The ghouls had possessed the most influential witches of the realm. Those who dared to oppose the new rules were killed. Nimayaorin was pleased with the swift capture and obedience of the witches; it gave him great pleasure to have them kneel in his name.
Lervirion would be rewarded for his skill and cunning. His execution of the raid had been simply flawless. Nimayaorin had spent many an hour watching his orb of revelation. The witches belonged to him now, and soon every other realm would too. He wondered how his vampire assassins were faring; he hoped they had caused the Light Carrier pain, knowing it was unlikely that they would manage to kill her. He stood and glided to the locked cabinet that housed his only physical weapon. The lock opened with a click. Reaching in, he withdrew an athame, its pewter handle embedded with Quartz, the perfect amplifier to any curse or poison he would cast on the silver blade. Taking his weapon to his throne, he placed it hilt deep between two of the bones that made up the right arm of the throne, which placed it within easy reach for when his guests arrived.
Soon it will be hilt deep in the chest of the Light Carrier and not in some old bones, Nimayaorin thought as he watched the quartz flash with white fire reflected from the candlelight. The wait would soon be over.
Chapter Twenty -Three
The flight took no time at all, Winter had directed them to some rather bleak scrubland. It was bare and completely devoid of colour. Eve felt closed in; the stale air seemed to press down on the group. Eli remained in bird form and perched on a nearby rock. Winter scanned the land before her while absentmindedly rubbing her shoulders. The vampire knew she would heal in a few minutes, but she felt sore from the tight pinch of Sapphire's talons.
“Which way? It all looks very much the same,” murmured Eve. She was suddenly feeling very tired. With heavy limbs, she dragged herself over to Caleb. Each step felt like she was wading through thick mud.
“Winter, I think we need to speed this up. Eve is acting very strange,” Jericho cautioned, watching Eve fall into Caleb’s arms. He was practically holding her up. It was clear that both Winter and Caleb were unaffected by whatever was causing Eve’s malady. Hoping she was not suffering further side effects of her resurrection, Jericho went over to Caleb to seek his opinion.
“I feel fine, how about you?” Caleb asked as he supported Eve’s slim frame. She was still awake, but every so often her eyes would turn a dull sludge green and roll in their sockets before closing completely. It was then that Caleb would gently shake her, and the process would begin again. Jericho was worried. This was not the time for sickness. They were so close to fulfilling their task.
“We keep heading south. The gate here has been closed, so we must reach another - and quickly. We do not want to be here when darkness falls,” Winter called over her shoulder, still scanning the barren landscape. Having no argument with the plan, they began to move out. Caleb passed Eve to Jericho, who then once again climbed onto Sapphire’s back. Then they took to the skies. They travelled for hours, the gloom of the sky getting progressively darker.
“I’ll run this time. It's not far, and I think we will move quicker if Sapphire isn’t having to carry me,” Winter said. The others agreed, too worried about Eve to care about how Winter chose to travel as long as she was fast. Winter insisted once more on keeping to a fast pace. She had meant what she said; they did not want to be out here in the open once darkness fell.
“What’s that?” Jericho called, knowing Winter would hear him just fine.
“I can’t see anything from down here. How far ahead is it?” Winter called back.
“Looks like a spilt in the land… about three miles ahead.”
The ravine, Winter thought, and a shudder passed through her. They were heading in the right direction, but the thought of passing into the land that nightmares were made of was not something she relished. Being a vampire was one thing, but the thought of the creatures so vile that even hell didn’t want them caused Winter to shudder. Calling back that they should head straight for the ravine, Winter once more picked up the pace.
Eve was drowsy. All she wanted to do was sleep, but she knew that it was important that she didn’t. Jericho kept her talking, which helped, and the rapidly cooling air was enough to stop her from getting too warm leaning into the Miscurt. Sapphire began her dece
nt. Extending her talons, she made the perfect landing fifteen feet from the fissure.
“This is it. The only other way I have heard of to get into the Wastelands of the Soulless and reach the Fortress of the Damned. I must warn you, this is by far the most perilous entrance that exists,” Winter explained to her new comrades, casting a worried look at the still listless Eve.
“If there are other gates, why not just head to one of those instead of this hole in the ground?” Eli countered, his hair sticking out at odd angles due to his swift shift back into his elfin form. Winter patiently explained that, yes, that would be ideal and then held up her hand to halt Eli’s interjection.
“We simply do not have the time to hunt for gates that may or may not still be active and open. It’s getting darker by the second; we need to be off this land now!” Winter was almost shouting by the time she finished her explanation, her eyes flashing with icy fury.
They simply didn’t have time for questions. Could Eli not see how the land was affecting his twin? Was he incapable of heeding a warning, even when it had been given several times? Winter’s anger fizzed in her veins. Eli could well be a liability. She would have to keep a close eye on him and make sure he did not jeopardise this mission.
They all approached the edge of the ravine. Looking down, they were greeted with a terrifyingly narrow path that was hewn from the rock face. The bottom was nowhere to be seen. Eli immediately began to protest.
“I am not allowing my sister to travel down that!” he all but screamed while pointing at the path. Winter had had enough.
Walking up to Eli and staring up into his puce countenance, she let rip, “Eve has no choice, you moron! Look at her! This place is leaching away her goodness; her soul is under attack, and she has lost a lot of blood. We have to be off the land, as I have told you repeatedly, before darkness falls, or we will be facing worse than a long drop and a broken neck at the end of it. In fact, you will be wishing for it if we do not leave now!”
