"Maybe tomorrow, you will stay still for me and accept your cleansing."
I nodded. I could do that now. Now I knew what to do to endure the pain.
When he was done, he led me to my room.
"But I have work," I protested.
"It's good you are dedicated to your work, Auren, but it's not necessary. I have taken you off kitchen duty. You will be spending your days with me in the cleansing room for now. It's late, and you need food and sleep."
He didn't leave me in my room as I expected. Instead he sat on the floor next to where I was curled up, and held out a bowl, which he found on the floor. When I simply stared at it, he settled the bowl next to him and pulled me towards him, cradling me in one arm, while he fed me with the other. It was a simple broth, but it felt good to have something in my stomach.
"I will come and get you in the morning, Auren, and we will start again," he said, resettling me on the floor. He leaned and kissed my forehead. "You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you."
I believed him. Somehow, I felt safe. I closed my eyes and wondered why I had been afraid. He loved me, and would never turn me over to his father. I knew that now. As soon as Makari left, I sat up, remembering why I was there.
"I have to find my father."
Shadow Stalker:
Broken
(Episode 8)
Prologue
"It's a risk, Kado," Cathnor whispered, so their guards wouldn't hear. Luckily their guards were two elderly shadow stalkers, their hearing not the sharpest of tools.
"It's always a risk," he replied. "But they won't detect me."
"Just be careful. I can't rescue you this time."
Kado chuckled softly. "I haven't needed rescuing in many years. I'll be fine."
Staying to the shadows, Kado glanced out the window. They were being held in one of the smaller huts, and only the moons, Gauwai and Gauwin, offered them any light. The two elders stood several feet from the hut, engaged in quiet conversation. They likely thought their prisoners were asleep and wouldn't be checking anytime soon. Kado had no doubt they were content in the knowledge their prisoners couldn't enter the shadow world without being sensed. They didn't know about the Foramar's ability to fold the veil, essentially wearing it as a cloak and rendering himself invisible, for all intents and purposes. Unless one of them came to check on him and were alerted by his absence, they would never know he had left.
It was imperative he consult with the shadow people, because things were spiraling out of control. The Council of Elders no longer followed the code. Worse, they thought themselves above the code, and their actions would destroy the shadow stalkers and everything the shadow people had been trying to accomplish. Kado should have seen it sooner, but he had been so absorbed in protecting Auren, he missed the fact that the council had begun implementing their own agenda shortly after the last war had ended. He knew a few of the elders were friends with Drevin, but he hadn’t guessed they had a way to contact him. They had been acting on Drevin's behalf since Kado had left the Dark Isle with his foster daughter.
The shadow people were waiting for him when he entered the shadow world. There had to be a few dozens of them, and from what he could tell, they were all former Foramars. Usually when he consulted with them they were few in number, in fact, he had never seen so many gather at one time. Perhaps even the shadow people sensed the disquiet.
Kado. Their voices merged together in his mind until they became one.
He was about to ask for something that was unheard of, but these were desperate times. He could only hope they saw reason. The shadow people were rigid when it came to following their own rules, even when it didn't seem logical. They had never been wrong before, so even if they didn't grant his request, he would not question them. He wouldn't like it, but he would trust their decision.
The Council of Elders have broken the code and allied with the fallen one. They are intent on bringing about the destruction of the shadow stalkers. I ask that I be granted the position of Foramar, a temporary measure until this crisis is over and Zain returns to us, or passes into the shadow.
Auren has left the Dark Isle. You know what this means.
Kado was accustomed to their thought patterns, but still the change in direction surprised him. Yes.
She has been captured and taken to Nadiria. Her identity is known to one there.
This was something Kado didn't know, though he had accepted there was a chance she might be captured after leaving the Dark Isle. He had hoped it wouldn't happen so soon, and he certainly hadn't counted on her identity being discovered by a subject of the Galvadi Empire. She was in danger, which meant he had to find a way to help her. Though he didn't fully understand why or how, he knew Auren’s survival was paramount to setting things right in the Serpent Isles.
She walks her own path now, Kado. Do not interfere.
He wanted to protest, despite his decision not to question their wisdom. Surely it was foolish to allow her to remain in their hands. Saying nothing for a moment, he reached out with his senses and found her. She hadn't been incapacitated as Zain had, but she was in a tremendous amount of pain. He frowned, wondering why she wasn't protecting herself, and then he saw him—Makari. The boy was protecting her identity, though his motives were unclear. Kado didn't like what else he picked up. The connection between Auren and Makari was strong. It was all consuming.
He knew what it meant. She cannot be meant for him.
They belong to each other now, Kado. They need to find their own way.
But he is torturing her.
They need to find their own way. Do not interfere.
He felt their decision in every fiber of his being. They would not relent, nor would they explain their reasons. Reining in his frustration, he sighed, knowing he had little choice but to trust she would be okay. I won't interfere.
The Council of Elders and their supporters have broken the code. They have directly disregarded the mandate of the shadow people, and conspired to kill one of their own without cause. They have held their own people hostage and kept them from doing their work, and allowed an outsider to come to the Dark Isle with the intent on doing harm to the shadow stalkers.
It took Kado a second to process their words. Was the outsider they referred to Makari? Makari is a shadow stalker.
He has not been taught the code and is not aware of his purpose as a shadow stalker, therefore he is an outsider. Their voice grew louder, more intent.
I understand.
The Council of Elders and their supporters have been stripped of their powers and their lives are forfeit. You and the other shadow warriors are to carry out their executions. The Dark Isle has been compromised, so as the acting Foramar you are to bring the shadow stalkers to a safe place until they can return home.
The moment the shadow people began fading from his sight, he knew they had said all they would. He had his orders.
Cathnor let out a relieved breath when Kado returned from the shadow world. "What took you so long?"
"They had a lot to say."
"And?"
Kado sighed. No shadow stalker liked taking the lives of others, especially their own people. This would not be a pleasant task for any of them. "The lives of the elders and their supporters are forfeit. They have been stripped of their powers. We must gather the shadow warriors to carry out their sentence and get our people to safety."
Cathnor nodded, his face grim, though he didn't seem surprised by the outcome.
Kado strode to the door, pulling it open to draw the attention of their guards. He watched the elders pause before turning concerned gazes on each other. Kado saw the moment realization dawned that they could no longer use their powers. He gave them no time to dwell on their fate. Moving forward with Cathnor by his side, they executed the pair, snapping their necks before they had a chance to recover from the shock. While Cathnor pulled their bodies into the hut, Kado called to all the shadow warriors through the shadow world. He assigne
d them their task, projecting the names and faces of all those who were to be executed.
They didn't question his authority, rather they seemed elated the shadow people had finally decided to put an end to the Council of Elders' schemes. Everyone knew the council was corrupt, but until the shadow people gave them authority, nothing could be done. According to the code, the council was the Foramar's voice in his absence.
Kado and Cathnor were joined by Sephir, the one assigned to protect Kado's daughter, and two other shadow warriors. The remaining warriors dwelt in other villages or had traveled through the shadow world to help.
"We will split up,” Kado said, assuming command. “Cathnor, Sephir and I will take care of the executions. I want you two to wake everyone else in the village and have them travel to Appolia. The Coalition have been without our aid for long enough."
"Yes, Foramar," they both said, before disappearing into the mist.
The title brought everything into clear focus. It would take some getting used to, being called Foramar. Yet the hardest part was the knowledge he was now responsible for the welfare of his people. He had prepared for the role his entire life, but never did he expect to be assuming the title during their darkest time.
Chapter 1
It was so easy to become absorbed in the pain and let it carry me to other worlds, those which existed only in my own mind. It was a beautiful place; a world where my mother was still alive, and my father had never been captured. There was no such thing as a shadow stalker or the shadow world. We were a normal family, living a normal life. In this reality, Jade was my sister. It made perfect sense, since we had always been sisters at heart, and now we never had to say goodbye. We stayed up talking late into the night, giggling when our parents scolded us.
In my dream world Kado was my uncle, for I loved him too, and he would always play a part in my life. His wife hadn’t died, and he didn't miss out on watching his daughter grow up. I didn't need protecting in this dream because I was just like everyone else—completely oblivious to anything outside of my sphere of existence. The Galvadi Empire didn't exist because there was no delohi-saqu or shadow stalkers. We were ordinary people. All equal.
I couldn’t completely extinguish the annoying voice in my head. It reminded me constantly that I couldn't remain lost in my world forever. I rebelled against the voice. What did it really matter anymore? Surely this world was better than the pain of my reality. I didn't want to go back there, and the conviction allowed me to cling to my perfect little world. It was the only place I wanted to be, safe and happy with my family.
During the times when reality inevitably crept in, I would see my father as he must look now. Bruised and beaten. Malnourished and weak. I would try talking to him, but he only gazed through me, as though I wasn't really there. Then he would turn to ash and I would scream, earning myself a punishing beating from Makari. It didn't matter, because the beatings helped me find my way back to the dream, and I was safe again. Nothing could hurt me there.
"Where are you now?" the whisper of a familiar voice caressed my ear.
It wasn't a voice I wanted to hear. I just wanted to stay lost in my dream. "I'm with my father."
"You need to come back to me."
I shook my head, a difficult task with my forehead pressed into the ground. But it was too late. Makari had begun my transition back to reality. "I need my father. He can change my fate."
"No one can change your fate, Auren. It's set."
With a finger, he pushed my hair away from my face, and caressed my cheek. I gasped and turned my head to look at him. How could his touch affect me this profoundly? He was kneeling with his elbows resting on the floor, his face close to mine. For a brief instant, I wanted to press my lips to his, and then I scolded myself for the betrayal. He was my enemy. He didn't care about me. My father was all that mattered now.
"No, the shadow people told me my father can help. They said he is the only one who can." My words were resolute.
Makari sighed. "You need to let go of these lies."
"The shadow people can't lie. They're the only ones who know the truth." I closed my eyes and turned my head so my forehead rested on the ground again.
His eyes were still on me. I could feel them as though they were beams piercing my skin. He could see things I didn't want him to see. I was helpless to stop him, yet it didn't seem to make a difference to his beliefs. In a sudden need for reassurance I reached out, tentatively, raising my hand and risking punishment. To my surprise, Makari gripped it. A sob broke free and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"The shadow people are the biggest liars of all," Makari said, softly.
His tone wasn’t unkind, but I didn't want to hear any more. I wanted to dissolve back into my world, so I tried to take my hand back. He held it firmly, caressing my knuckles with his thumb. I felt something stir inside me. My breath quickened, and my desire to kiss him returned. He was doing it on purpose, I realized, attempting to distract me so I would focus solely on him. I was tempted. I wanted nothing more than to bury myself in him and let him be my world.
Stop it, I scolded myself. "No, they know everything. They know my father can save me."
Makari tucked my hand back under my torso, then lifted my shirt so my back was exposed. "Please, Auren. Try to see reason. Stop fighting this. Let go. That's the only thing that can save you now."
He didn’t give me time to respond. He placed the shock wand on my lower back and pain erupted throughout my body. He was using the shorter one, meant for punishment, and I cried out in defeat. What did it matter? I would let go, like he said, and go back into my safe world.
"No, Auren," he said, entwining his fist in my hair and yanking my head back so he could look into my eyes. "That's not what I meant by letting go. You need to let go of your former beliefs."
"They're all I have," I said between my screams.
"No. If you let all that go, you will have me. That has to be better than this, Auren. It has to be better than death."
Was it better? "Yes," a part of me screamed. Hadn’t my mother told me I was meant for him? If she was wrong then Makari was right about the shadow people, and it would make more sense to do as he asked. But if she spoke the truth, then this was all some cruel joke and either way I lost. My mind rebuked the thought because, even if the shadow people weren't as they seemed, I refused to believe my own mother would choose this path for me. I had to be missing something. There was more to this. I had to believe it. It was the only way I could survive.
*****
The days passed on an endless stream, each transitioning into the next as though there was no beginning and no end. Makari no longer allowed me to hide in my dream world. He found ways to keep me present, changing the intensity and frequency of the shocks so that as soon as I became accustomed to the rhythm it would change again, forcing me back into my agonizing reality. There were times the pain was so intense I believed it would kill me. Sometimes I wished it would.
No amount of begging ended my torture.
"If you want it to stop, then don't fight it," Makari whispered in my ear. "Your stubbornness is why you suffer."
"My stubbornness is wielding a shock wand? Impressive."
The sarcastic remark earned me another round of punishment. My only respite came when he stopped to force feed me a foul-tasting broth. Occasionally I managed to spit it out.
"Auren, stop. I know it doesn't taste good, but it will keep you healthy and strong," Makari scolded.
My strangled laugh seemed disjointed. "I'm not healthy or strong."
He sighed and continued to feed me.
I was wrong, though. It did make me stronger in mind, if not in body. In those moments of clarity, when I had consumed the foul-tasting liquid, I could plan. Not that I had all that many options. I could barely walk without Makari's help, and most days he carried me back to my cell. I had to wonder if this was what my father had endured all this time, and whether he was as helpless.
&nbs
p; My visits to the yard were limited, perhaps due to my lack of mobility, but Makari had been easier on me for the past few days, so I was more lucid than normal and able to walk. As I basked in the warmth of the sun, I thought of ways to help my father before it was too late. Judging from the previous pattern, my time was running out. Makari would up the torture soon, now that he’d given me a day or two to recover.
"When was I here last?" I asked, hoping to gain a little perspective on how much time had passed.
Makari watched me for so long I thought he would never speak. "It's been a week," he said.
It felt more like months to me.
"Auren, you won't escape, and you will never see your father. All this fighting is pointless and doing you harm."
I turned away. I'd heard it before, and I was growing tired of hearing the words. But Makari grabbed my arm and forced me to face him.
"I don't know what you want from me, Makari. I'm not who you think I am, and I can't pretend to be something I'm not. You can torture me until we're old and gray and that will never change."
Makari's gaze grew distant. "Why do you insist on calling it torture? I'm trying to help you."
"Call it what you want. It doesn't change what it is. If you really wanted to help me, you'd take me to my father and help us both escape."
He gripped my arm tighter and pulled me toward the building.
"We just got out here," I said, but didn't try to resist.
"You're obviously ready to start your full cleansing sessions again."
So much for having time to think of an escape plan, I thought bitterly. Then I didn’t think at all for a long time; it was over a month before he took me to the yard again. This time I didn't argue or try to speak my mind, but I wouldn't give in to him. A fact which only angered Makari further. He grew more frustrated and impatient as time went on, and instead of showing me compassion, as he once had, he often lashed out. Things were not going as he expected, and I feared he was preparing to hand me over to his father. I wondered, more than once, if I could convince him to kill me himself. I doubted Drevin had any intention of offering me a quick and painless death.
Shadow Stalker Part 2 (Episodes 7 - 12) Page 5
