Echoes of Fae: Book One of the Divine

by Monica Doke

  Jax began brushing the pretty stallion he was sharing with Melody. The Pramacretine frowned to herself. She could tell she had lost control of the situation involving her emotions for Jax. Seeing him injured had altered her sense of skepticism in his favor. Haroah returned on his horse, his face solemn. Melody looked for the two Helacorn guards questioningly.

  “Where are the Helacorn women?” Jennifer asked. Melody eyed Haroah with the same question flooding her face.

  “They are looking for an inn ahead of us. They are currently sweeping the place, looking for a girl and,” he paused with a look of amusement on his countenance. “They are scaring the drunkards with questions,” Haroah laughed, “Of course; they are so used to the smell of ale and stale vomit that the place hardly touches their stomachs. They get right close to their faces, with angry stares,” Haroah said. Melody looked slightly distressed. “Oh but Pramacretine, they are not hurting anyone, just scaring them. These are tough men, they will be fine, pride in hand through drunkenness,” he assured her. Melody chuckled.

  “You do not think the bar patrons will hurt the Helacorn, do you?” She asked Haroah. He laughed and shook his head.

  “No, not unless they want to die. I think it is virtually impossible to hurt a female Helacorn without Ether and believe me; those men have little to no Ether. Particularly when they cannot even form a sentence without falling hard on their noses,” Haroah finished. Melody smiled. She looked at Thane, who looked to be thinking the same thing. He turned to her, wonderingly, with a wide smile across his face. Jax and Jennifer, being between Melody and Thane saw the look exchanged and laughed, not really sure what was flying past them. Jennifer jumped very suddenly, her cat ears standing at attention, her tail still, wrapped around one leg. The whole company was looking at her. Her eyes were wide with alarm.

  “Uh oh,” Jennifer whispered. “I hear wolves, or wild dogs,” she said, unsure. “They are encased in Ether.”

  “That has become less unusual,” Thane whispered. He turned suddenly to his horse and pulled out some sort of flask. He walked around the group, forcing them to drink. Jennifer refused, but the Healer gently coerced her. “I came across these creatures on my way back from my healing journey. They are not wolves anymore. A force of strong Ether took over their bodies, which drained them of life. According to my master, they are the work of Rovingae,” Jennifer rolled her eyes at Thane's words.

  “That woman is all in little tricks; it will be simple to bring her down,” Jennifer scoffed. Thane’s look of dismay held fast. He mounted his horse.

  “She is making her way slowly,” Thane said - his voice husky with trepidation. “She has something big in mind, I can feel it. I can smell it in the air.” The Healer pulled the hood of his cloak over his black hair and pushed forward, the rest mounting and following close behind him and Haroah. Melody looked at Jennifer, who rode beside her. Jennifer felt her gaze and looked at her warily.

  “What is wrong, Melody?” Jennifer asked, her voice straining control.

  “I can feel it, too,” Melody said quietly, “And it says I have to die.” Jennifer looked at the pretty, brown haired Pramacretine beside her for a long moment. Her gaze was searching. She shook her head.

  “A prophecy is not a promise,” Jennifer said, her mouth was set in a tight line, “What is it, Melody? What do you and your brother feel?” Melody hesitated, searching for the right words.

  “It is like a buzzing under the skin. It happens every time someone uses or is using big Ether. That is not all,” Melody steered her steed tactfully closer to Jennifer’s horse. She leaned in to finish confidentially. “I have been having dreams, as well. I have dreams of Rovingae; I can see a forest of dead trees. Everywhere is death. In my dream, at least, she has cast some sort of deadly incantation on the world. I do not know how it helps her but she intends to use it to her advantage. I hear her whispering, sometimes. She says she is going to be Macretine, soon. Not a measly little Macretine, like Genewen, she will be the Macretine of the world, she will make all who live on it serve her,” Melody hissed. Jax tactfully pretended not to hear as he held onto the Pramacretine.

  “That would be very hard,” Jennifer said, her face was dark and unreadable, “Do you know what the incantation is, Melody?” Jennifer asked. Melody nodded, carefully.

  “I have heard her say it, and I know it is real because it is not like my other dreams,” Melody replied.

  A few moments passed before Jennifer replied, almost happily, “This is wonderful! You really are the Divine, you are Divine, dear Pramacretine of Agoura!” the Infeline chanted. Melody lowered her head as Jennifer continued, “Do not speak the incantation, Melody. Keep it in your mind and avoid commanding it to reality. I want you to do what you can with Thane and see if you can find a way to counter the incantation, or merely to keep it from affecting us.” Melody nodded. Her face had receded behind her cloak and the darkness hid her expression. Jennifer touched her arm consolingly and rode ahead, leaving Melody alone in the darkness.

  Jax tried to peer around the Pramacretine to look at her face. Melody looked up, allowing the moonlight to flood under her hood. Tears streamed down her pale face. Jax carefully turned her around and pulled her against him as he took the reins. Her hood fell and Jax could smell her hair. He allowed the horses to follow the convoy and pressed his lips against her neck. She was warm and smelled of lavender. She rested her head on his other shoulder, leaving her neck for him to touch. Melody felt reassured, her mind consumed by the comfort his face, eyes and lips brought her. The thought of his kiss consumed her. She knew in her heart that he was one person, at least, that her life could save and make the sacrifice worthwhile. She hoped she could trust him because her walls were crumbling and if she let him in, he could destroy her.

  After a long time, Melody had fallen asleep cuddled against Jax's chest. He pulled the reins as they came upon an inn with a sign that read ‘Heighman inn.’ Thane called for rest. They began to disengage their horses and put them into the inn stables. Jax and Thane led Melody into the inn. Haroah settled the horses. They entered Heighman inn and Melody grew less groggy only to find that she was starving. She sat at the counter as the group skirted around the building, checking dark areas suspiciously. Yirah called Melody from a very nicely walled corner table. Melody joined the woman at the table and smiled sleepily.

  “Aw, my lovely little Pramacretine, you look exhausted,” Yirah chirped. Issy smoothed Melody’s hair from her face and smiled. The group entered the dining part of the inn and sat around Melody, pulling up chairs to the table. Melody found herself growing lively with the humor and lightness of her friends’ conversations. She joined in quite often with opinions or jokes. Melody sat between Yirah and Issy, who sat beside Haroah. Thane and Jax sat facing them.

  Jennifer stood at the bar conversing with the large Human male standing behind it. A small, shriveled woman placed her wrinkled palm on his forearm. She stood to his waist. Melody smiled as she saw them. She always enjoyed the mortals. They were so lively. They lived short and painful lives, but Melody was often impressed in their innate sense of joy and their fortitude. She thought it had a lot to do with ignorance, but then wondered why they would be ignorant; they knew the same things Melody did. Therefore, she settled on the answer that they enjoyed life because it was so brief. She heard Jennifer ordering food and two rooms. Jennifer turned around and looked at Melody first.

  “What do you eat, Pramacretine?” Jennifer asked, smiling. Melody looked at her pleadingly.

  “Right now absolutely anything,” Melody said hungrily.

  “Good. Anyone else with preference?” Jennifer asked their group. There was a small uproar among them as they all expressed the deep desire to eat, but Yirah sang out above the noise.

  “My sister and I do not eat meat,” Yirah declared even though Issy looked disappointed. Melody looked at Yirah curiously.

  “Why not?” Melody asked innocently.

  “It is in our nature to be carniv
orous, Pramacretine. Unfortunately, since we have abandoned with pleasure our nature, we have vowed to remain meatless to ensure our dedication,” Yirah looked at Jennifer sadly, “Oh, but I do so love the pig,” Yirah whispered. Melody smiled slightly. She was never a big meat eater, merely because the salt was often too much for her.

  “I do not see why you cannot eat meat,” Thane said, his fork in hand, a giddy sideways grin on his handsome face. “I mean, you are not eating people or anything.”

  “It is against our violent nature, as intended,” Yirah stated again.

  “Of course, you are not tackling the creature and ripping out its throat. The animal feeds and lives a life, and as we all must, it loses its flesh. And it has had multiple prayers over its head in thanks for the sustenance, as we will offer once more tonight,” Thane spoke reassuringly. His covenant allowed meat, but they were to consume it entirely. There was to be no waste in a death. He had grown accustomed to being grateful to the life given in order for him to survive.

  “Who taught you all of that?” Jennifer asked, as she pulled up a chair to sit at the edge of the table. Yirah opened her mouth to answer.

  “Macretine Genewen, Milady,” Haroah said. Yirah shot him a glare.

  “Genny is the biggest vegetarian around,” Melody laughingly announced.

  Thane looked pointedly at Yirah as he said, “I mean, that is fine for her but she should not be feeding you so little. Your physical makeup, as intended by nature, requires a very thick amount of protein. Particularly for the use of your wings.” Thane smiled at Yirah, his bright eyes twinkling before asking, “How well have you been able to fly since you have been on Genewen’s diet?” Yirah looked at Issy.

  “Not very,” Yirah said, defensively.

  “I do not intend to tease you,” Thane said, his demeanor becoming less mocking, “I was just making a point. I feel animated about health, you understand. You see, as a Helacorn you are meant to eat meats as it has the minerals and protein in it, which certain muscles in your body need to develop and to keep you energetic. Beings your size require a substantial amount of energy to remain in flight,” Thane explained. Yirah stared at him appreciatively.

  “I like you, you know everything,” Yirah said, laughing.

  “It is my trade,” The Healer grinned, “in fact, just before my journey was completed we ran across an emaciated young Helacorn. He had been living off foraging and Helacorn cannot survive that way. We immediately shot and cooked him a wild boar.” Thane shifted his gaze at Melody and smirked, “Boar are quite scary close-up. There was a pack of them surrounding the Helacorn, though he was too weak to attack one. The animals were going to eat him, but we came up just in time. Anyhow,” Thane said, turning back to Yirah, “We fed him and he thanked us graciously. We left as he flew away.” Yirah looked crookedly at Thane.

  “Did you happen to catch his name?” Yirah asked, carefully.

  “I believe he said it was Ara’mere,” Thane said, not gathering the significance. He had gulped down half of his ale and leaned back, comfortably as the large man brought them their food. The thought seemed to have dissipated and the group regained their joking and storytelling. They hardly noticed the gathering of Freeroamers who sat staring at them from the other side of the room. The large man who had been serving them shot the Freeroamers a dirty glance. They had noticed the crests on the Helacorn guard’s cloaks. Melody smiled up at him.

  “Can I get anything else for you?” the Innkeeper’s son asked politely. “By the way, my name is Daarsh, behind the counter there is my mother, Anita. She’s real old and doesn’t hear well, all the same, she’s an amazing cook,” he said, his large face beaming.

  “She certainly is,” Thane stated and emphasized with a loud belch. Daarsh smiled. The congregation laughed.

  “Anyhow, if there’s anything you lads and lassies need-” as Daarsh spoke a tall thick man with bright red hair and a matching red beard strode up and stood in front of him.

  “Hey kids!” He rang out - his voice was gruff. Five men wandered up to stand around him as he continued to speak, “I would like to ask you to give me all of your valuables.” When Daarsh tried to interfere, three of the larger Freeroamers held him back. Yirah and Issy began to stand only to find that Melody was standing, holding the man’s hand behind his back and his own dagger to his neck with her free hand. The group stared in amazement. They had hardly seen her move. The group of men started forward but Melody glared, shoving the dagger closer to his throat.

  “Anyone of you want to be responsible for his death?” Melody growled. As the rest of her group drew their weapons, the Freeroamers reeled back putting their weapons on the bar where Daarsh gathered them. She let go of the first man and allowed him to drop to the floor. She held his dagger and another she had found in his boot in her hand. “Do you want to see what I can do with these? Since we only came in here for a meal and were minding our own business, I expect you to do the same,” Melody growled. Her face was red with anger and embarrassment.

  “Aye, Milady,” the first man said, standing. He held his wrist, a look of rage and fear colored his face dark red. “Kin we buy ye a drink?” He asked, his face gradually losing its fury. Melody glared.

  “Why would you do that?” Jennifer asked, standing beside Melody. The rest of them had stood.

  “I never met a woman so quick, or strong. I owe you great respect, if not fear. My name is Pinter,” Pinter replied, holding out a large, hairy hand for the Pramacretine to shake.

  “Oh, sure, buy us a drink,” Thane said dryly. The man called Daarsh over, who was staring at Melody. He wondered how such a small delicate looking thing could do that to a man. Daarsh was impressed and slightly anxious. The men sat back at their original place in the room, silently. Melody seemed unaffected by her outburst. She sat beside Jax, the group discussing tactics and different places an arsonist and kidnapper would go.

  Melody felt the ale, food, warmth and adrenaline cause a heavy wave of drowsiness to wash over her. She leaned her head on Jennifer's shoulder and fell asleep. The group continued to talk until Daarsh approached, looking at the sleepy faces of the guard and the little blue-eyed fighter. He gave them keys to their rooms. There were two rooms, one for the boys, and one for the girls. Daarsh suggested they have one of the boys stay in with the girls. They all looked at the sleeping Melody, then back at Daarsh. They did not have to say anything for the innkeeper to understand. He chuckled and wished them a good night. The company made their way to their rooms. Daarsh stopped them.

  “Oh and if you can, you might want to keep your doors hexed. I can see you are Fae. I see many Ethereal beings in this little inn and I know it comes in handy for them to hex their doors. Some men worse than the ones you have met tonight tend to steal belongings. We try to keep them out, but it’s hard,” Thane nodded, as well as Jax and Melody sleepily. They went up the dingy stairs and into their grimy rooms. The rooms had scented candles burning to eliminate the smells that the innkeepers just could not clean out. Melody hardly noticed any smells at all or any kind of unpleasantness. Jax helped a sleepy Melody into her bed, kissed her and went to his own room. Yirah shared a bed with Melody with Jennifer and Issy on the other bed. Melody fell asleep almost immediately.

  They had been riding on the trail of the man for three days without stopping and they were quite tired. Though Jax was not so tired, he felt the ale fogging his mind. He fell asleep slowly, imagining Melody lying next to him, rather than Haroah. The four men lied in bed thinking of something or someone they fancied and fell asleep after a while.

  Hours later Melody sat up straight in her bed. Yirah slept on her stomach because her wings kept her from sleeping on her back. Melody saw them and smiled. They were very beautiful. She accidentally woke Yirah with her start and the pretty Helacorn looked up at her questioningly. Melody shook her head, putting her finger up to her lip in a quieting motion. Yirah closed her eyes and dozed off. Melody went to a makeshift desk, which the innkeeper had placed i
n their room. She carefully lit a candle and shielded the light from the others. She scrawled her dream out on the paper. The ink on was old and thick, making the marks somewhat illegible. The pen was almost impossible to wield, torn up and dirty, the tip rudely chewed. She imagined the thoughts people were thinking as they unconsciously bit down on the utensil. She smiled to herself, which faded instantaneously.

  Melody put the pen tip in between her fingertips and let the memories flood like pictures into her mind. She saw a tall man with long black hair. He grabbed a girl, a skinny girl with slighted wings and stole her away. The house he had taken her out of had already been an inferno for some time. She saw him sitting in the very chair Melody was sitting in, chewing on the pen and staring at the sleeping girl, her back thoroughly encased in bandages. She saw him dip the pen into the sticky ink. He grimaced at the poor quality but used it regardless. He did not look like a murderer. His eyes were dark and warm and his mouth lined with years of smiling.

  Melody watched as the letters formed onto the paper by his hand. Distance and flickering firelight blurred them, so she could not see. She continued to watch as he finished the letter with a brandish, pulled out an envelope and put the wax seal on it. He did not press it, though. Melody waited to see what he would do. She watched as he pressed the wax against the underside of the table and let it dry to it. Melody pulled the pen away from her face and dove underneath the table. She spotted the letter, it had not been touched and there was no dust. The man was not far away. Melody pulled the letter off the bottom of the desk, ripping the paper from the wax and read the contents.