Trials

by Hannah Parker

  We took a seat along the shore, Mara updating Yefilda on our journey, and our encounter with the Marauders. I could see Yefilda’s glow falter for just a moment at the mention, her eyes flickering in response. It had been the Marauders that slew her as well.

  Yefilda had been off on a hunt with a few other Arcanon from the village. It was easier to hunt wild game without the flight of Dragons so they chose to travel light, and on foot. They were ambushed, blind-sided on the edge of a cliff where their option was to stand and fight, or flee over the cliff and be at the mercy of the rocks below. After my village, and several others had been destroyed, they stood to fight but, they were out-numbered and with Yefilda’s last breath she summoned a powerful windstorm to carry both herself, and her enemies, over the edge and down to the rocks below.

  Her body had somehow floated down from the rocks, where we were able to retrieve her, and the other Arcanon. Arden promised she died when she hit the rocks but, looking upon her and the others, we knew it was she who had used the last bit of her magic to float them down water where they could be retrieved and given a proper burial. I never bothered to suggest otherwise, it would’ve been too hard on Mara, and it was already too hard to begin with.

  “I see things have only gotten worse in Odaer’s search,” she said.

  We nodded.

  “He knows Alina has the gem. And he knows who she is,” Mara added.

  “How? We spent so long hiding her away after Signy’s death. He’d never find her, not even with Hondor’s tracking abilities.”

  “My eyes,” I whispered. “He stared into my eyes.”

  Yefilda turned to me, “Odaer is truly your grandfather, Alina. If he’s found you, no good will come of your meetings.”

  “What?” I said, confused.

  “You have your mother’s eyes, his eyes. That some fierce and determined emerald gaze that always brought out so much fury into the world.”

  “Grandmother says she’s Skyborn,” Mara interrupted.

  “Then Odaer’s legacy continues.”

  “Lord Arden...father, sent us so Alina could train. Speak with the others. Learn to control her power before Odaer gets ahold of her.”

  Yefilda paused, looking off toward the tower we’d spotted on our flight.

  “I’ll take you,” she said sternly. “The path is not as easy as they make you believe. The Skyborns are well-protected by their companions, and always watching. This is no easy feat.”

  “Companions?”

  “Many of the Skyborns were Mages, and their companions and familiars followed them, even into death,” she replied. “You aren’t the only ones who have come here in search of Skyborn knowledge. And you certainly won’t be the last.”

  Chapter Six

  The atmosphere seemed to shift as we made our way toward the tower. Yefilda called it the ‘Unalter’ where the Skyborns chose to reside to both watch over the Further, as well as the other realms from high above the clouds. Visitors were permitted but, the process was often long and one had to pass a test of truth simply to ask for an audience which deterred many, if not all, from proceeding.

  I kept back a few paces, once more admiring the lay of the land while Mara and Yefilda conversed. She had been a mother to both of us but, I knew this time was better suited for Mara than myself. After all, I was here to train, and not to be lost in reminiscence.

  “You still alive back there Alina?” Mara joked.

  “Kind of,” I laughed.

  “I hope you’re ready,” Yefilda interjected.

  “What exactly are these companions?” I questioned.

  “A companion for each Skyborn that will test your worth through a series of trials. Each trial pertains to the Gossamer Gem they once held in their possession.”

  “Mind. Spirit. World. And Body. Right?”

  “And Heart.”

  “I thought I held the heart?”

  “That may be but that doesn’t permit your passage through that trial by default.”

  “How am I to prepare myself when I don’t even know what I’m up against?”

  Yefilda stopped, turning to face me, “you prepare your body, mind, world, spirit, and heart for whatever they may throw at you. And they will be merciless.”

  “But I don’t know what they will throw at me!”

  I felt flustered, watching once more as the embers began to spark from my fingers in their strange orange glow. How could I fight what I could not see? We had encountered the Marauders and knew their tactics so we knew what to expect when they attacked again. But these trials were different, and if no one else had undertaken them before, how was I to be ready to face what would come before me?

  Yefilda placed her hands on my arms and I felt the warmth of her own spirit wash over me. She’d always been good at calming, even those in an utter panic were left at the mercy of her tranquility. I felt the flames slowly begin to dissipate once more as she held me close.

  “Is that how you and Arden bonded?” I asked. I couldn’t help but spit it out. It had been in my mind for so long and their personalities seemed so mismatched that I always wondered how they truly united.

  “In a sense,” she laughed.

  They’d both been excellent negotiators and healers. I watched them as they easily calmed the most hateful mortals, and as they commanded armies of frightened soldiers with only a few short words. Mara had explained it was their gift, something more that they’d been gifted at birth from the Aura; the ability of compassion, and empathy.

  “Thank you,” I said softly.

  “It is a lot to ask, Alina, I know. But you must expect the unexpected. These trials will no doubt test your limits, your deepest desires, and your greatest fears.”

  I swallowed hard; I was transparent to the other Skyborns. My emotions, my thoughts, they would read me and test me without so much as making a move or saying a word. Expect the unexpected; well that sounds easy enough.

  We continued on, and I felt the wind shift. The warm breeze grew cold with its gentle flow becoming wild and untame. A large shadow swooped overhead and for a moment I thought it was Graven but, when it finally blocked out the sun, I knew I was mistaken.

  Feathered wings seemed to span for miles and a long, edged tail snaked behind a massive body like a ribbon on the mast of a small ship. It let out a tremendous screech, bringing us to buckle our knees and cover our ears. Its form shook the ground as it landed, causing us some unbalance before we rose to greet it.

  Mara prepared her bow but, Yefilda held her hand down. This beast was not here to fight us. It was here for me. This enormous bird was the first companion chosen to initiate my trials.

  “Alina,” a strange but gentle voice cooed through my mind.

  I looked around to see Yefilda and Mara staring forward as well; did they also hear her?

  “My name is Karah, and I belong to the Skyborn of World.”

  I could see the wide eyes on both their faces. They could hear her, just as I did. So it wasn’t just me being afflicted by this odd voice.

  “Though I only instruct you, yes, they can hear my words as well.”

  A long brown beak peered out from tufts of blue and burgundy feathers; magnificent golden eyes staring down upon me as her head tilted back and forth in response to our own curious nods. Two long feathers stuck out from either side of her head like horns but their deep blue hues bent and wobbled in the wind, just like our hair, and the rest of her feathers.

  “I wish to speak with the World and all the other Skyborns.”

  “Yes,” she responded in her dual-layered tone. As if two people were speaking at once, layered over one another just enough to match but still sound slightly off. “They’ve known of your arrival for quite some time, which is why I’m here.”

  “My first trial,” I whispered.

  “Shall we begin?”

  I took a deep breath, closing my eyes before finally exhaling.

  “I guess so.”

  Chapter Seven

>   I felt a strange rush of air like my body was being pushed from behind by some unseen force. Was that it? Did I just have to withstand some wind? No. It wasn’t that simple. I watched as the world around me changed, colours becoming mute and grey. Birds could no longer be heard chirping yet I still spotted them flying about. The wind ceased and I couldn’t see either Yefilda or Mara who had been standing beside me only mere minutes ago.

  “You must believe, Alina, if you are to succeed.”

  “Believe? Believe what? Who?”

  I watched the world change again, flashed of my life flashing before me. My childhood with my parents, smiling and laughing. The fire that destroyed my life, and my home. My new family, and my friends. And now, in the Further. I stood atop a platform; a golden cloak wrapped around my shoulders as a crowd of onlookers looked up to me as if awaiting my command. Soldiers, not just any soldiers, the Marauders. The gem I’d held was tacked onto a chain around my neck, its orange hue glowing dimly. I heard the cries above and looked up to see a swarm of Dragons flying overhead.

  “What is your command, your face?” a Marauder asked.

  I looked around, spotting no Mara, or Kiyne, and not even Odaer. It was me he was talking to, and only me.

  “We raid the village at nightfall! Shall we give them no mercy!?”

  Village? What village? I looked into the distance to spot the wall of mist to the west. Unadine! They meant that village! Had I gone back in time? Or was this happening now? Could I stop it? How!?

  “There will be no attack!” I stammered in a panic.

  What are you doing, Alina? A voice called out from beyond.

  Confused faces met my words, voices beginning to grumble before growing loud.

  “They took our homes! Slew our families! Destroyed our lives!” they began to shout back. “They deserve to see vengeance!”

  What will you do, Alina?

  I looked around to see the anger, the screeching and growling growing around me and closing in. Did the village really bring them so much harm? Was that why they attacked us? Had the Unadine betrayed them without us ever knowing? Were they merely out for revenge? No. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t. Even if it were true, there was no justice in bloodshed. Even in our defense to their attack, we’d built barricades. I’d put up my wall of flame. I didn’t want anyone to die, not on either side of the battlefield.

  “No,” I said lowly. “No! We shall not seek out vengeance!”

  That’s it. I had to believe. I had to believe I was right. I had to believe bloodshed wasn’t the answer. I had to stand for what I’d believed in all these years. No more hatred. No more death. The world couldn’t change under revenge, and the constant back and forth of differing opinions.

  I felt the heat of fire growing around me, the crowd had swelled against my tiny platform but I held firm. There would be no attack. Not on my command. Not today, or any other day so long as I stood there.

  My body lurched forward, the wind pulled from my lungs as I was once more met by greenery. The sound of bees buzzing awakened me; birds chirping a welcome sound to my ears. I sat up in the field of grass, eyes darting around for my company.

  “Alina!” Mara cried out, running to my side. “Are you okay?”

  She offered me a hand, and I took hold as she pulled me to my feet. I wiped the dust from my body, taking another quick look around for Karah, or the Marauders. I heard a voice, nothing more than a whisper on the wind this time before it slowly faded out.

  You’ve done well, Alina. Your journey continues...

  “Where is-”

  “Gone,” Yefilda answered, looking up at the sky. “Just as you fell into the grass, she simply...vanished.”

  “I passed,” I said with a shrug, half unsure of my words.

  “That’s excellent news!” Mara said, curling me into a hug.

  I smiled as her arms nearly crushed me, “only four more to go,” I whimpered.

  What trial awaited me next down the road to the Unalter? My morals had come into question. My beliefs and what I held to be true to my view of the world. What hardship would come next?

  Chapter Eight

  Every snapping twig or brush of grass nearly sent me bolting into hiding. I had no idea what trial awaited me or who would bring it. My thoughts ran rampant from riddle-telling spiders to dancing dogs. I still had four trials ahead and we were edging ever closer to the tower as the day seemed to escape us.

  “If we’re lucky, we’ll reach the base by nightfall and we can make camp there,” Yefilda said rather confidently.

  “Yeah, if luck allows us no more trials till we get there,” Mara laughed.

  I groaned. I didn’t want anymore. I didn’t even want the first one. I knew deep down another was coming, and soon but, after the first, I was already done with the process. Yet, I could feel the Skyborns still watching me, waiting to strike.

  The sun had begun to fade, painting the sky in a rich colour of lavender and magenta that sat below an ocean blue. Stars twinkled above us as they began to glitter into existence and I couldn’t help but wonder if all realms truly looked upon the same sky.

  “Alina! Look!” Mara cried out, pointing ahead. This time she didn’t falter, firing an arrow off from her bow into the distant trees before us.

  “A stag!” I cried out. My stomach rumbled. Venison would be a tremendous treat for all of us, especially after walking all day with little more than berries and bread to fill us.

  Both Mara and Yefilda gave chase, Yefilda leaping into the tree limbs whilst Mara continued her pursuit on foot. I was left to stand, along, waiting as the daylight dwindled and hoping for their victorious return.

  I could at least build a fire. I’d watched Mara, Kiyne, and everyone else at home do it with ease. All I needed was some dry grass and a rock. Luckily, we were close enough to the tower that a few stray stones had fallen away, breaking into small bits and pieces that I could carry by myself. I made a small circle with the broken stones, filling it with small bunches of dry grass and leaves. I’d built the pits before, many times but, the spark part still frightened me.

  “Deep breath, Alina. You can do this,” I said to myself.

  I puffed my cheeks, pushing out a whoosh of breath before snapping two small stones together in my hands. I had to learn not to close my eyes every time I struck them together. The idea of fire still haunted me. If I let it grow too large, or if a spark strayed from my target, I could burn down the entire Further with the flick of my wrist.

  I shook my head. I was being dramatic. I knew what I was doing. I could control this. Everyone else could do it. I had to learn. I needed not to be afraid anymore.

  Another flick, and this time I watched as sparks fluttered from my work. I smiled, which shocked even me. Once more. One more go and that’s all I needed.

  I struck the stones together once more, creating a barrage of sparks this time with several landing in the bits of grass I’d thrown together. Smoke began to slowly rise and I dropped to my knees, throwing the stones from my grasp as I began to blow gently on the small embers that had sprung to life.

  I did it! I finally did it! And all on my own! I couldn’t help but jump around a bit. Excited at my own accomplishment. To others, it was likely a minor feat, something they learned at a young age for survival but to me, it meant everything.

  “You’re growing quite quickly,” a deep male voice called out.

  I stopped bouncing, turning to stare into the tree line as two eyes peered back, their black mirrors reflecting the flames now glowing brightly behind me.

  The large stag we spotted earlier strode out of the trees with poise and confidence. He seemed unphased by his pursuers and even less fearful of me and my newly acquired skill.

  “Where are my friends?” I demanded.

  “Not far behind,” he replied. “I always admired the Elven Huntresses. But I cannot deny I fear them. They are quick, clever, and most determined.”

  “You’re another trial, aren’t yo
u?”

  He must’ve been more than ten feet in height. His body surpassing the size of a common field bear back home in both size and presence. He bowed his head, his large, velvet-like antlers nearly touching the ground as he did so, despite his tall stature.

  “I am Rolan, companion of the Mind.”

  “I thought I’d at least get some sleep before another trial came for me,” I replied rather bluntly.

  He reared his head back, laughing.

  “We’re trials, Alina. We are not bound by your bedtime.”

  I glared; Perhaps it was unfavourable or disrespectful but, after a long road and an empty stomach, my temper had become remarkably short.

  “Ready or not,” I sighed.

  “Here we come,” he said as he lowered his head and charged at me in an instant.

  I could see the foothills, the Unadine as its torches burned against the dark and mist. Arden had gathered many of the Arcanon, and even a few villagers once again, each one equipped with some manner of armour, and a weapon. Were they going after the Marauders? They couldn’t be!

  “Use caution,” Arden instructed “We don’t know where they could be hiding. Trees. Caves. Burrows. Tread carefully.”

  The small crowd nodded, each following his steps as he moved into the mist and away from the torch light.

  Arden had said they would be scouting but with this number of recruits, and their armour, I knew he had prepared for a fight.

  They wandered along the random rock faces that sprouted out like trees for what must’ve been hours. Their steps were light, cautious, and calm, with even the villagers following their Arcanon guides with the utmost precision to avoid detection. They had sprawled out into several small parties, some heading toward the mountain and others into the valley. Arden had prepared them well but I knew the Marauders would be ready and waiting, wherever they were hiding.

  I could see a faint glimmer in the forest ahead of Arden but, he didn’t seem to notice. It was like a glint from metal, a sconce or rather, an arrow tip.

  “Lord Arden! They’re right there! Right in front of you!” I screamed but, there was no response.