Trials

by Hannah Parker

  I recalled seeing beds as I was dragged in, through a doorway along with the large, battered throne room. Of course, that was still left intact. Even Marauders liked acknowledging some form of leadership with honour, though it was kept as more of a monument where they could drink and bark orders at one another.

  I watched the day go by through a large hole in the wall, likely caused by Arcanon battle long ago, and only widening with time. It helped keep my mind in place, that I wasn’t so damned as to not see the sun.

  They’d come for me during drunken tirades when wine and women had faltered and only the thrill of inflicting pain would bring a smile to their already reddened faces. Fire pokers, daggers, and even bare fists were brought down upon me. Whatever their quarrel, I was on the receiving end. I learned not to scream, not to utter any words to make it less amusing for them. It’s likely what drew them away; I’d begun to bore them, so now I was just left here to die.

  “Not quite yet,” his voice would call to me. Every time I felt myself fading, he’d slide a plate of food my way, more than enough to keep me filled and functional.

  Just as I’d finally settled again, awkwardly seated against some old iron support beam, I could hear footsteps approaching. No sleep for me tonight, I guess.

  He pulled over a small stood, plopping it a foot from my position as he took a seat. Fierce emerald eyes stared down at me, ones all too familiar in my mind. For a moment I thought of home but, the clang of armour shook me, and I stared, once more, at the face of my oppressor, a gangly grin painted over a weathered, and scarred face.

  “Kiyne, is it?” he said gruffly.

  I didn’t reply.

  “That’s alright. I’m going to tell you a little story,” he continued. “So, listen well, and you may even learn something.”

  I felt the heat of his breath on my face, the smug aura of his being weighing down on my already aching body. A story before I was knocked out again? Sure, why not. At least then I’d get some proper rest.

  “You’ve been rather stubborn since you got here,” he went on. “I like a man that can hold up to a little interrogation now and again.”

  I remained silent.

  “That’s alright, don’t talk, just listen. There’s a lot more to this whole... predicament than you really understand, you see.”

  It didn’t take him long to stand, to pace around as he continued his tale. What truth there was in his words, and what was easily fabricated, I couldn’t tell. But, the passion in his tone let me know it was all too real, at least to him.

  “I know I’d seen those eyes before. Those green eyes, just like my own, and Signy’s. She stared at me so coldly, with so much hatred and grief. I knew right then and there who she was. Alina? Is it? I wish I’d gotten to know her growing up. I spent so much time away, trying to fix it all, that I never got a chance to meet my own grand-daughter.”

  A shiver went down my spine as his words rang through my ears. Grand-daughter? Alina? It couldn’t be true.

  “I am Odaer, first Skyborn to the Heart, and the first, and last, mortal to obtain such a title. Of course, I’m not so mortal now, am I?”

  He laughed rather hard at his own words, and I waited for him to reveal some magical amulet, or scarred body to reflect his long life but, he revealed nothing.

  “Ah yes. I was the only harbourer not to relinquish my power and sacrifice myself thus, even without the gem, I am still gifted, of sorts. But, alas, without that gem, and your friend, I am at a loss to complete my work. I never meant for it to become like this. These battles, the Marauders... I’d give it all for my dear Signy to return to me.”

  “Signy’s gone,” I hissed. “Alina’s family is gone!” “Mara. Myself. We’re her family now!”

  He grinned, almost relieved, but I could still see the mischief beyond his stare.

  “I never meant for the village to burn but, she wouldn’t listen. Not even to her own father! The gem was safe but, she was not. If she’d only listened to reason! I would never hurt my daughter, you must understand. I summoned them to lure them out, and away but she didn’t budge. I grew angry, irrational, and they set fire to the village, burning at my command. I knew she’d flee then, and I could speak with her but I never saw her. She couldn’t burn, she wouldn’t have. My power had become her own, or so I’d believed then...”

  The panic in his voice, the moment of vulnerability he’d displayed in his lamentations, were all gone in an instant. His emerald eyes became hollow and cold once more as he stared past me, to somewhere, some other time, long ago.

  “My daughter had turned to ash right before my eyes and I never even took the time to grieve...”

  “The fault is yours,” I muttered.

  “Yes. But this time I make no mistakes. Not with Alina. She has the stone and the power, and I’ve already worked everything out.”

  I was curious, watching as his own worn face displayed a devilish smirk as he began to pace quicker this time.

  “I exchange you for Alina, and then the ritual moves forward. Blood of my blood. Leaf of my legacy. And she will suffer no more.”

  “She’ll never agree to it.”

  “Oh? You don’t think so? I heard the way she screamed for you. For me to have mercy. It’s the only reason I didn’t kill you right then and there.”

  “She won’t. I’m not worth it. Not for your sick little game.”

  “This is no game, boy! I take back the gem, and the power, and no longer will my family suffer for my mistake. I should’ve destroyed the Ethereal when I had the chance. When we were to make the sacrifice. I won’t hesitate this time. That forge... those Elves... they’ll pay for Signy’s life with their own!”

  His words made little sense, it was clear to me now that he was truly the one who burned down Alina’s village and took her family from her. But, a ritual? What ritual? And what role would Alina play? Would he sacrifice her? No, he said his family would no longer suffer. His target was the Ethereal, where it all began, and if he gained control of the gem, it would only be a matter of time before he reigned fire down upon it.

  Chapter Four

  I awoke to the sound of birds chirping; singing their sweet melodies as they fluttered overhead. The sky was clear, and a bright sun greeted our eyes with warmth and delight. It was the first clear, promising day I’d seen in what felt like forever.

  Our landing was smooth, and the plains had allowed for Graven to use the full width of his wingspan to ease our descent. We huddled amongst the narrow cliffs of Mount Yeris’ edges to stay hidden from both above and along the horizon. They were nearly barren, and sparse of anything but dust and splits but in the dark it made no difference. Mara had built a small fire; enough for some warmth, and something she could cook a small meal on from the little kindling she could find but, it wasn’t enough to illuminate our presence to any unwanted visitors.

  I began to roll up my pack and ensure all our items were in order while Mara, of course, had awoken long before me and was likely off on another hunt. So I sat, waiting, and wondering what awaited us in the Forgotten Plains, and beyond, the Further.

  “Life. Death. And many emotions,” Graven whispered.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Those in the Further do not always know they are dead. It can be... difficult, to speak with them.”

  I never really thought about death; after my parents died, I refused to think about it. But then my adopted mother perished as well, Yefilda, Mara’s mother, and I was stricken once more with grief. I’d grown numb to the condolences, and apologies. The hugs and sympathies were all temporary and I soon learned that the less I relied upon them, the less likely I would be upset when they, too, were gone.

  Mara never really displayed any emotions; she, like her father, had been taught from an early age that all life returns to that which bore it at some time, and Yefilda’s essence was now returned to the Aura. They were to appreciate the time with her and relish in the fact they would return to the Aura as wel
l and be reunited with her.

  “Hey Dreamer,” Mara shouted.

  Once more I fell back into reality, turning to meet her gaze with a smile.

  “I found some berries in some scant patches of shrubs but, not much else. Seems this place must’ve cleared out after our pheasant hunt last night,” she said with a giggle.

  “That’ll go well enough with the bread we’ve brought,” I laughed.

  We ate in silence, taking large bites so we could get back on our journey.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” I asked Graven.

  He shook his head, “I ate before we left.”

  I looked at him, puzzled, “but, I never saw you...”

  “You wouldn’t like the answer if I told you what I’d chosen to snack on. Now, hurry along.”

  I threw my bag around my shoulder once more, polishing off my last bit of bread and berries in a single mouthful.

  Graven stood, shaking off the idle birds that had perched along his back. He spread out his wings, wide, letting them stretch as he shifted about.

  “C’mon Mara!”

  Mara rolled her eyes; her quiver already refastened and bow in hand as she stepped forward.

  “Why so eager?” she asked.

  But I didn’t really have an answer for her. I was eager to learn my powers, to meet the first Skyborns, but I was also eager for this all to be over as quickly as possible.

  “Everything... I guess.”

  Mara laughed, launching herself onto Graven’s back with a single swing of her arm along his spikes. I still was nowhere as graceful, climbing along his legs before I finally reached my seat. Mara had taught me the basics of my magic yet rarely did she flaunt her own. It made me curious; perhaps when we met the Skyborns, they’d teach her a thing or two as well. There was so much unknown to us, and I had no idea what we were in for.

  The cool morning breeze was a welcome awakening to my face as we pressed onward toward the Further. I watched as clouds shifted around us, from deep blues to bright yellows as the sun moved across the sky. When we finally arrived at the Forgotten Plains, the more wildlife began to spring up below us with herds of wild Elk, and even a few horses, to spot amongst the thick layer of trees. I admired their freedom, their lack of fear when they saw our shadows approaching overhead and simply continued to graze or roam. The land here was very much untouched, and still wild in many ways. I’d wondered how many people actually made this journey. Did they come to pay respects? Ask for advice? Or were we the few?

  “You ask a lot of questions,” Graven muttered. “Mara’s people are well-versed in the legends of the Forgotten Plains, and the Further. Perhaps she can answer your queries.”

  I hadn’t even thought to ask. It was, after all, Mara’s father, Arden, who had sent us on this journey. She had to know even a little about where we were going.

  “Mara?”

  “Hmm?” she replied, pulling her gaze away from the green fields below.

  “How, exactly, do we enter the Further? It’s a land of the dead isn’t it?”

  “Well, yes, and no,” she replied. “We can safely enter if our intent is good-natured but, if we tread too far, and for too long, we’ll be unable to return from it.”

  “You mean we won’t be able to leave!?”

  “Exactly,” she said. “The Further isn’t meant for most living beings. Those with great magical prowess have entered for longer stays but, it is still unwise to stay any longer than necessary.”

  Graven began to descend from the clouds, vast mountains coming into view as the wild below us gradually shifted into rocky terrain.

  “The Further is pure and beautiful; like a world of green trees that are always full. Wild flowers are in constant bloom and all manner of creatures co-exist in harmony. There is no hatred, or fear, only peace.”

  The Further sounded beautiful, far different than the barren land I’d imagined. There were no piles of bone or scary monsters running amuck, just the happiness everyone had always strived for their entire lives.

  “How will we find the other Skyborns?” I asked, quite unsure as to where we’ll even begin in such a joyous place without being distracted.

  “Oh, that won’t be difficult,” Mara replied rather simply. “Look!”

  Mara leaned forward against Graven’s back as we cleared the last round of mountains; there, a plateau stood surrounded by cascading waterfalls, centered where only flight would ever reach its surface. Trees scattered its lands, creating small woodlands for refuge while a great lake seemed to border each one. As we got closer, I could see a large structure begin to tower toward the sky, its beige form littered with crooked staircases that circled around its entirety. It seemed old, as if older than the land itself, and I knew what Mara meant. That was where we were going. That was where the other Skyborns would be met.

  Chapter Five

  We landed at the edge of the plateau’s ridgeline, as close to the tower as we could come without breaching the thick of trees. I couldn’t help but feel a bit queasy, staring over the edge at all the water falling away from us, from what I assumed, were underwater springs. Were we simply elevated on some narrow island? All the mist from the water blocked my view of below but, the water had to go somewhere, right?

  I felt a tug on my cloak as Graven’s single claw pulled me back. He’d folded himself into a comfortable position, like a cat on a windowsill ready to take in the afternoon sun.

  “You’re getting a little close, don’t you think?” he remarked, baring his fangs ever-so-slightly as if to mock my curiosity.

  I turned away, adjusting my bag on my shoulder and offering a mild glare in return.

  Mara had already scouted ahead, looking down the small footpaths to find a suitable route to our destination. I watched from afar as she lightly patted the ground with her palm, gently curling a bit of dirt into her palms before she closed her eyes and blew it into the wind. The dirt swirled in the breeze, blowing up before pulling to the left and out of sight.

  “There’s our path,” Mara said confidently.

  I quickly hustled to her side, knowing well her steps would always be ahead of my own but, I didn’t want her too far ahead. This place seemed small from above but, once we’d landed, I could see how truly vast the landscape really was.

  Graven was far too large to take the journey with us, even on foot, and I had no doubt his imposing stature would quickly draw unwanted attention our way, so I didn’t fight when he offered to stay behind. Besides, he seemed more than content with taking a nap and simply enjoying the sun.

  The breeze was gentle, not overly warm or cool, but seemingly perfect. Like the warmth of a late spring morning when the dew would awaken the flowers and fade away just before noon. The grass was long, flickered with greens and ambers as it waved in the wind. Stray goats munched just off our little pathway, seemingly becoming the caretakers of the fields without command.

  Mara seemed unphased by the land but I couldn’t help noting every creature, and every flower along our way. Birds would flutter alongside us, one or two taking a moment to rest on Mara’s shoulders before playfully flying off again. Wild pigs would sit before us, undeterred by our approach and often forcing us to go around them and through the long grass. Even the flowers seemed to wane in our direction as we walked by, following our shadows until we were no longer in view. It truly did feel peaceful here, with no gaze cast upon us in fear or irritation, only minor curiosity.

  Voices broke through my wandering mind, and I could see a few figures off in the distance. They looked to be plucking something from a riverbed, their laughter telling me that they were at least successful in their task.

  Mara paused, just enough for me to catch up before she took a few steps forward again. Her pace seemed to hiccup as if she was unsure of her decision to continue on.

  “Mara?”

  “It’s her,” she stammered. “It’s my mother.”

  I took a long gulp before finally, my eyes followed hers, landing on the lo
ng red hair of the woman who seemed to be staring back at us. I felt the atmosphere shift, not in a good way but, not in an overly bad way either. It was as if this wasn’t meant to happen and yet, here we were.

  “Yefilda?” I said aloud.

  “Alina?” the woman responded. “Mara?”

  I could feel the wind break as Mara hurtled forward, she and her mother clutching one another in the blink of an eye. Their embrace was long, sweet, and well overdue, and I felt my eyes well up in response to their joy.

  “Alina!?” Yefilda shouted, pulling me into their embrace as I approached. I couldn’t help but cry, my well of emotions finally tipping over the sight of a long-forgotten face. It had been so long since I’d seen her, her grey eyes like mirrors, always reflecting light and love upon me. I was not her real daughter but, she’d never treated me otherwise.

  “What are you two doing here?” she asked, finally letting her grip on us loosen but never letting go of our hands.

  “We’re here for Alina,” Mara stated.

  “Alina?”

  “To see the Skyborns.”

  Yefilda smiled at us, her gaze turning to me as she finally dropped my hand only to pinch my cheek, “I always knew you were different.”

  We followed her to the edge of the river where she and the other women had been pulling in piles of fish with their hand-woven nets and lines. They smiled at us, each one offering a warm hug in response to our introductions. It had been a long time since they’d seen anyone new, and they welcomed our visit without hesitation. They did not appear as ghosts, or pale reflections of their former selves like I’d anticipated. I looked upon Yefilda and she appeared just as she did in much of her life; warm, happy, strong, and beautiful. These women were no different.

  “We don’t need to eat but, it passes the time,” she said. “Besides, it is a little fun when you snag a big one, or a turtle, by accident.”