by Toni Cox
In the distance, they heard a rumble as Midnight descended into the clearing they had just vacated. Wolf had run off into the forest, chasing some irresistible smell. Maia knew he would be back soon; he would not miss the scraps he would surely receive of the food they were about to eat.
Riker spread out the blankets and Rothea and Maia went to unpack their luncheon from the baskets they had brought. There were boiled quail eggs, freshly baked bread, preserves, cheese, sausage, sugared fruit, smoked meat, some fresh, raw vegetables, and a small flagon of mild, spiced wine.
Maia was glad for the selection, as she found it harder and harder to eat meat. She had felt a significant increase in her powers since spring of this year and with it came an aversion to eating meat such as she had never experienced before. Carefully she placed the sausages and smoked meat on the far side of the blanket, for the men were sure to enjoy these.
“I am glad we could make time for this,” Jaik said as he sat down and reached out to briefly touch her arm.
“So am I,” she replied and smiled at him.
“Let us eat then. Watching you all fight has made me hungry.” Silas grinned and reached for the bread.
For a while they were silent as they all helped themselves to the food. Rothea, decked out in her uniform as usual, was sitting relaxed, smiling. Jaik, for once not in his Guard uniform, but his sparring clothes, was piling up his plate with a variety of things and he too looked more relaxed than Maia had seen him in a long time. Silas, his grey robe overflowing in waves around him, looked deep in thought as he contemplated the food on his plate, but he too, was more at ease than he had been over the past few Quarters.
Maia, feeling happy that everyone was at such peace this very moment, was smiling by the time she looked to Riker. She was startled to find that he had been watching her and, finding her smiling at him, must have given him encouragement, for the grin that now spread across his face was big, exposing his perfectly shaped, white teeth. Maia blushed at having been caught looking at everyone, but even more so that Riker had been watching her in return.
She had done a good job of avoiding the male attention due to her vigorous training, but here, in this relaxed atmosphere, it was a lot more difficult to ignore. Riker was a good man; handsome and tall, strong, kind and funny, and the son of a noble. If it was not for Blaid she would eventually have to admit to herself that she had feelings for Riker. It was also clear that her father, as well as Jaik, approved of Riker and they allowed his courtship of her, even though it had not been made official. It saddened her to know that it could never be.
Suddenly a tingling of premonition shot through Maia and her stomach roiled at the possibilities. She received a brief warning from Midnight, before the Messenger burst from the trees and stumbled into their midst.
“Lord Longshadow, Lady Maia, your urgent presence is requested at the Hall of the Guardians. And you too, Sir Nightshield.”
For a second longer they looked at each other. Maia knew something terrible had happened.
“Go, go,” Rothea said, standing up, “we will pack this up. We will meet you there.”
Maia was on her feet in one fluid motion and then, flanked on either side by Jaik and Silas, they ran down the path that would take them to the House of the Guardians.
It was not that far, not even a mile, but the premonition was growing stronger and stronger the closer they got and by the time they reached the sprawling building, which was one of the few structures in their city built on the ground, Maia was breathing heavier.
They were quickly ushered in by an Elder waiting for them by the door. They made their way straight to their father’s chamber in the House of the Guardians, where half a dozen Elders were already seated, as well as some of the Commanders. Jaik went to take his place by his Guard, while Maia and Silas went to stand next to Lord Longshadow. Her father was seething with rage and Maia’s nausea worsened. It was absolute agony waiting for the last people to arrive, even though it only took a few moments longer.
Finally, everyone was present and her father took his seat behind his desk. He looked tired, dark circles under his eyes, and his hands were shaking.
“A Messenger has arrived,” he said simply and handed the paper to Silas.
Maia suspected that he did not want to read the message again. Silas cleared his throat and read.
My Lord Longshadow
It is with great sadness that I pen this note. On the tenth day of Blood Moon, we discovered the delegation from Stoneloft that had travelled to Shadow Hall and were on their return journey. Without exception, all were killed, even their horses. They were butchered and their meat taken, only the bones were left behind. Their belongings were plundered and all valuables taken.
My Scouts surveyed the area and it was clear that the delegation had been followed for a while. This had been a planned attack. There is also no doubt as to what attacked them. All of the spoor and signs confirm that the attackers were Vampyres. However, the precision with which the assault was executed and the fact that they were followed for such a long while, leads me to believe that there are other forces in play. Until now, Vampyres have always attacked at random, killing everything they come upon, but without any observable planning. This type of attack is new and I am afraid of what it might mean.
One of my Scouts tracked the signs almost all the way to Shadow Hall and, although he admits it could have been coincidence, the Vampyre tracks were mixed in with Elf tracks at some point. It leads me to a conclusion that makes me shudder.
News has reached us of the delegation that travelled to Dragonfort and the similarities between the attacks just confirm my suspicions.
I implore My Lord to consider this matter with haste, as the people are becoming restless and travel and trade have come to a standstill. If there are, indeed, Elves working with the Vampyres, then they need to be found and brought to justice with immediate effect.
I hope this note finds you well.
Sincerely,
Commander of the Guard, Erendal Baywater
Silence prevailed for a long time after Silas had finished reading. Maia shivered beside him, suddenly cold. Someone coughed. Then her father rose from his chair and Maia noticed that a terrible calm had settled over him and that he was now ready to discuss the matter. Her skin began to crawl with the force of his Eläm that washed over her.
“Commander Baywater had put into words what we have been suspecting ever since the attack on our own people. It is a tragedy to think that one of our own could be involved, but the evidence suggests that this could, indeed, be true. If there is a traitor among us, then it is imperative that he be found. Jaik,” Jagaer said, turning towards his son, “I charge you personally with this task. You may make use of any additional men you might require from the Regiment and the Legion. All Commanders are to assist you with anything else you might need as well. As of now, the Guard will put aside all other matters and only concentrate on this. You will not rest until this has been dealt with. I will charge each city with the same instructions.” Jagaer nodded to Silas, who immediately made some notes. “I am hereby also declaring additional curfews around the city. Besides the Night Watch and the Sentinels, people are to stay indoors throughout the night. Daytime activities are to be commenced under guard at all times. Commander Willowbay,” Jagaer turned towards the Commander of the Legion, “please assign a group of two to five men to guard each workshop. I also want men on standby to accompany anyone who has errands to run around the city. No-one is to walk alone. We have lost too many already.”
Maia watched her father give instructions to every single man and woman present in the room. She noticed it was a tight meeting; Elders, Guard, and Commanders only. It was only Silas and herself that were neither. But Silas was the royal advisor and she was their Prime. Her father spoke for a long time and when he was finally finished and the people left, it was already starting to get dark outside.
“Maia,” Jagaer finally said, turning to her, �
��I know that you have trouble adhering to the rules and curfews that get imposed on this city at times,” he laid his hand on her shoulder, “but it is of the utmost importance to me that this time you obey. You know what my suspicions are and if anything were to happen to you, I would never be able to forgive myself. I have released Riker from his duty as Guard for the time being and he will join Rothea as your daily protection full time. You are not to go anywhere without them, do you understand?”
Maia’s heart beat wildly in her chest with the force of her father’s plea, his Eläm laid bare before her. She knew he had opened himself like this on purpose and although she thought it unfair, it was effective. Tears sprang to her eyes with the force of her father’s feelings for her and she only managed to nod, the lump in her throat making it impossible for her to talk.
The days that followed the meeting were especially dark for Maia. Due to the strict curfews her father had imposed, they were not allowed to practice in the forest any more. Most of her days were now spent in Silas’ cave, with Rothea and Riker her constant companions. Rothea was now even sleeping in her room every night; her father was leaving nothing to chance. She almost felt like a prisoner in her own home.
If she could just convince her father that Blaid was not the threat that he thought he was. But in light of her father’s feelings about the matter and his current state of mind and short temper, she dared not approach the subject. She was sure that Blaid was not the reason the people of Stoneloft were killed, but if it wasn’t him, then there was someone else among them that was devising these heinous acts. Protected as she was right now, there was no way for her to make her own inquiries. She had shared her suspicions with Riker and Rothea, but there was not much they could do either. Maia knew that Riker had hinted to Jaik that there might be someone else involved and she hoped that Jaik would seriously consider the possibility.
Blood Moon finally came to an end and Maia wondered where the time had gone. It felt like this entire year had been one dark mass of bad news. The year had started with her holed up in her room, brooding about Blaid’s absence. Then they had gone on the ill-fated Good Will mission, which had seen so many of her people injured. Some still bore the scars even though she had spent hours trying to heal them once they had been back at home. What was dead she could not resurrect.
The entire year people had been dying, killed by Vampyres, and nothing they had done so far had been good enough to stop them. Everyone was sure that worse was to come and the only thing Maia could do was to assist Silas in making more of the Silva that had seen them through the last war. The potion would at least give them the extra strength and stamina required to fight the Vampyres.
Even with everything she had learned and all the training she had received, she felt helpless and it was weighing heavily on her. Making the Silva, though, gave her something to do other than brood over their current predicament. And it gave her the chance to work with Jasmin and help her master her Water magic. Silva was made with a wide range of different ingredients, from herbs and spices, to minerals and crystals. But to combine them in the way that brought out its powerful regeneration properties, one had to use magic. It was a complicated ritual of boiling, stirring, pouring, mixing and diluting, all without the liquid ever touching any kind of object. Only once it was made, was one able to pour it into a container without degrading its powers.
Jasmin was a quick study and Maia enjoyed working with her. Due to Maia’s duties and her training, she had not had much time for Jasmin and, she realised when she had had the time, she had not been in the right frame of mind to pay her daughter proper attention. She felt guilty about it now and used every moment she could get to involve Jasmin in what they were doing. Unfortunately, this also meant that Aaron was spending more time with her and although she liked him well enough, it was clear that he had motives that went beyond friendship. During the times that Aaron was present, Riker always stayed close to Maia and the tension between the two males could have been cut with a knife.
The other advantage that working in Silas’ cave brought with it, was that Kanarel had less opportunity to woo her. He had been sending her small gifts, stopping by in the evenings to bring her flowers and, on occasion, even little poems. His attentions annoyed her; she had never given him any reason to believe that she was interested in him; but he still believed that, because of the relationship between their two cities, the arrangement that they might wed, could still be in place. She would have to speak to her father about it soon if it did not resolve itself.
“Maia.”
Startled Maia looked up to find Jasmin holding a bunch of herbs out to her to take. She had been so deep in thought she had forgotten about what they were doing. Embarrassed, she took the herbs from Jasmin and added them to the roiling liquid ball that floated in the air above the fireplace.
“This is one of the final steps,” Silas said. “It needs to boil now for about a day before we can add the crystal powder. Once the powder has been added, we will let it cool for a few days before we can finally bottle it. This should yield about thirty vials, so we will need to make at least another twelve batches if it is to be enough for an army.”
Jasmin nodded seriously at Silas’ instructions, her eyes glued to the swirling mass of liquid in front of her.
“How are you holding up, Maia? Do you want me to take over for a while so you can rest?”
“I think I can go for a while longer, Silas. Why don’t you and Jasmin eat your supper and then you can take over.”
“As you wish,” Silas nodded to her and then rose from his seat. Jasmin followed his example and then they left together.
“You look pale, My Lady, are you sure you can go on?”
“Yes, Rothea, I will be all right. It does not take that much energy or concentration to keep the ball in the air. It is the lack of daylight that is making me pale.”
“Aye, and some fresh air would not go amiss either,” Rothea agreed.
Riker nodded his agreement and then sat down beside Maia. She was instantly aware of his smell and his Eläm and the Silva ball wobbled in the air for just a moment.
“Maybe it would be possible for us to dine on the veranda this evening. I believe Biandala has set aside our meal for when we are done here.”
Rothea and Riker now dined with her every day. Biandala, the Server of their royal household, prepared additional meals for mornings and evenings. Most of the time, the meals were a rushed affair, and they seldom got to eat with her parents. Her father had his duties, which kept him busy in the Hall of the Guardians for most of the day and her mother was also actively involved in helping the citizens of Shadow Hall prepare for another war.
Last year they had sent the people that were unable to fight to Tarron Heights, but that had almost ended in disaster. They would not take that chance again. So, this year they would fortify their city and help the very young and very old secure their homes and teach them how to cope with the threat. Maia marvelled at her mother’s strength and calm as she tackled this task every day, hardly spending any time at home.
To take some time out to dine on the veranda with the two people that had stood by her through the worst of the year seemed like a wonderful idea. Although she had not lied to Rothea about the ball not requiring that much energy, she was tired. Tired of the threat, the politics, the worries, and everything else she was dealing with. She turned to Riker and smiled at him, making his eyes sparkle.
“That does sound like a wonderful idea.”
Soon Silas and Jasmin returned from their dinner and Silas took over from Maia. Handing over the energy was a delicate business and there was a moment where they were afraid the ball might drop. But then Silas was in control and Maia breathed a sigh of relief.
“When would you like me to return, Silas?” Maia asked, knowing Silas would not be able to maintain the ball all night. Jasmin was not yet strong enough to hold it.
“Do not worry about tonight, Maia. I have asked Thangur Teakendru
m and some others to assist. They will help with the boiling phases of the potion, as those do not require any special abilities but to float the ball. They should be here shortly. You can return in the morning and we can start preparation for our next batch.”
“Thank you, Silas,” Maia said, feeling relief flood through her.
She nodded to Rothea and Riker and together they walked down the tunnel to its exit. Maia was surprised to find that it was fully dark outside, but the stars sparkled brightly between the branches of the trees overhead.
They made their way to her home, walking slowly along the winding pathways that criss-crossed the city. Maia loved the paths; the swaying wooden walkways, the stone bridges, the tunnels of ivy and other climbing plants, the multitude of stairways, each different in design. She had lived here all her life, but she never ceased to marvel at the beauty of her city. Lanterns lit up the paths and shone patches of light on the verandas of the houses around them. Whether one looked up, or down, there were lights; some white, some blue and some even green; and during the night it was clear to see on how many different levels their city was built. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
Finally, they reached the royal house and Riker and Rothea immediately busied themselves with bringing their dinner to the veranda. Maia unfolded a tablecloth and laid it across the oaken table that was a permanent fixture on their veranda. She added a few candles and soon the three of them were seated. It felt a little strange; a romantic, candlelight dinner for three; but Maia was delighted with the company. The evening was mild and the lights of the city around them twinkled like the night sky. For just a moment, Maia was happy, all other thoughts pushed to the back. They ate and drank, laughed, and exchanged stories and finally they all cleared up together and packed away the dishes.
It was only when Maia stood under the hot water of the shower that an altogether too familiar feeling resurfaced: premonition. She shivered, feeling cold even under the warm water, and she quickly finished and dried herself. Something was wrong, or was going to go wrong, and she hurried to find clothes to wear. Riker and Rothea followed right behind her as she hurried to the Hall of the Guardians to seek out her father.
