by A R Maloney
My thoughts went to Mera and Sonarim. Sonarim would return soon, but they would both need to leave again, not long after. Mera to her homestead and Sonarim back to Lucenia. We needed to pin down our plans. We walked slowly, hand in hand through the quiet streets. The clear skies and full moon above raised a chill in the air.
The breeze swept over her, blowing through the hair of the mane that ran down her spine. I could hear the chime of the small beads which were woven into the hair clanging against each other as she turned to me, asking, “Remember when we met?”
I nodded in response, “Of course.”
“I want to show you something.” Her words blew past my ears and I watched in curiosity as she pushed her wings out with a great stretch.
Gods she was beautiful, and I was still transfixed by her. Indigo skin, navy hair, black wings… iridescent in places. The light of the moon hit her feathers, throwing off varying shades of green, violet and deep rust. Exquisite. She pumped her wings hard, taking flight for the first time in her new body. I watched as she spiraled, dipped, and soared. The smile on her face exuded pure joy. Her eyes glowed fiercely with happiness.
Finally, she hovered above me, beckoning, “Come on! I said I want to show you something!” She took off fast, flying high over the fortress to the icy cliffs above. I followed her, my wings pushing hard to keep up. She flew the circumference of the fortress, turning back occasionally as if retracing her path, looking for something. Eventually she turned towards a cliff which jutted out far above the fortress, beckoning me as she landed. Her landing was graceful, I had never seen her fly before, it was something to behold. I landed next to her. She was on her knees in the snow, poking and prodding into the hillside.
“Why are we here?”
She just glanced over her shoulder, throwing a small smile at me as her hand found what she had been seeking. She spoke a quiet spell, melting open a hole which led to a small cave. Turning around, she grasped my hand and pulled me down. I followed as Skye crawled into the narrow cavern, smoothing away the ice and snowpack which had covered the entrance.
We reached the interior and she spoke another spell. I watched as a small flame rose into the middle of the small enclosure, driving shadows back into the corners. The light reflected off the walls, shining like tiny jewels.
“When I first came to Morland, this is where my teleport landed me. I had carved this cave into the ice on the morning of my arrival. I spent my first night in Morland here, shivering. I was chilled for hours; getting used to the cold.”
“I feel like you’re giving away state secrets.” I murmured into her ear softly.
“No, Eno and Sonarim’s secrets. But they are with us, I believe this fully. I spoke with Sonarim before she left. She agrees with this.” She paused to grasp my hands. “If we are truly to work together, we need to trust each other. We need places where we can assure safe passage for those who would come for help, and for those who join our cause.”
“What exactly are you proposing, Skye?”
She turned to me, her back straight as her eyes bored into mine. I hadn’t recalled her being so serious since the first time we met. I found myself straddling the razors edge, wondering for the first time in many months if this was really a good idea, her and I. Yes, our skin matched now, but was her heart truly still Lucenian? I chastised myself mentally. Stop. She’d given the ultimate sacrifice, not for me, or her, or Lucenia… but for Eluna. My mind was listing, but her next words brought me back.
“Your people, our people, because they are mine too now, Lance. We need to get them to the Kauri soon. Like immediately. If we can get them on board, this could be the perfect place to build our troops. You are far enough from the badlands that it would be difficult for our enemies to attack. The Lluren have never even made it in this far, and as far as I know, Eno is the only one who has ever utilized this entry point.” Her voice rose, filled with the edge of insistency as she spoke.
I sat back, rubbing my chin as I considered the option. “You have put some thought into this.”
Skye nodded.
“We would need to be sending large groups, and Nabaru would need to keep us aware of any who might think to work against us. I’m not even sure that he would do that, the Kauri have historically just sat by as silent record-keepers. I’ve never seen or heard of them being as involved as they have been recently.” These people, they have had a lot of blood spilled. So many families have been torn apart by the Lucenians.” My voice trailed off as I began to consider the pros and cons of her suggestion.
She sighed, “Perhaps it is too much to ask so soon. I can’t explain it any more than this. I feel it like a call, from deep in my bones. We need to push these people to get along. The only way we will survive is if we work together.” She climbed onto my lap, for a moment I thought she was trying to take advantage of me.
My eyes flashed with anger but cooled the moment she lay her head into the crook of my neck. I’ve seen inside her soul. She wasn’t being manipulative, it wasn’t intentional. This was just Skye, plain and simple.
I wrapped my arms around her soft body, pulling her close as I nipped at her shoulder, working my way up her neck until I came to the tender spot just below her ear. A small contented sigh escaped her lips, the sound amplified by the small space. She was panting lightly as I pulled her down on top of me. I let her cover my body as we lay together in the snow cave, so high above the place and the people I cared so much about. I would gladly give everything I had for them. My life would be a small gift if it would help bring peace to my people.
Chapter 28 - Attack on Espencheid
~Niera~
THE LOW HUMMING DRONE of an engine assaulted my ears. I heard it before I saw it. The expressions of shock on the faces surrounding me confirmed it. We all heard it. What had begun as a low hum deep in my ears, thrumming and pulsing, soon became a cacophony of sounds as the Lluren battleship emerged from the clouds overhead.
It happened so fast. One minute, we were all just lazing around. Ian and Torres had just arrived, bringing what would be our supplies for the next few days. I’d been laughing as Torres shared a story about some random silly gossip from his home at Ridott Village. The next minute, demons were jumping from the ship, launching themselves at the Kauri. Each carrying long heavy weapons of destruction.
“Espencheid!” My voice was panicked and insistent as I watched more falling from the sky, one after the other. “Unbind our magics and return our weapons, please! Now!” At final count there were over twenty Lluren fighters. They were attacking the Kauri! My mind was reeling at the thought. I felt my magic returning and began chanting, trying to raise a protective shield over the group and our beloved Espencheid, who appeared to be the target of the raid.
From the corner of my eye I watched as Ansker disappeared in a flash of light. The bastard had ported out, leaving us to the battle. He had actually winked at me, a cruel grin covering his face before he gave us the slip. I could do nothing but scream in frustration as the fight raged on around me. Andre had retrieved his bow and was trying to both cover his brother and find viable targets. Masio’s eyes were open. He was awake or appeared to be so. He still lay on his bed of boughs. He had each hand grasping a branch at either side of him. His eyes were closed, face white as a sheet. Yet it looked as if he was whispering prayers; his hands filled with energy, a warm white-gold mist flowed up and into the branches where his hands rested.
Sonarim and Kumar had leaped down, both perching on lower branches. They were fighting side by side, working as if they had been doing this for years as a team. They would take turns entrapping their targets, then sending forth a deluge of arrows and magic. As soon as one target was down, they would move on to the next.
Ian and Torres were working together as well. The pain on Torres’ face was palpable. He had given up warring so many years ago, hating what it did to him internally. Yet, this was as close to his home as these beasts had ever dared come. And the Kauri were some of his greatest friend
s. Though both men were old, Ian was near ancient, they were still fierce. I hadn’t known Ian was a warrior, but he was fearless. He didn’t have armor; he’d had no use for it in so many years. Despite this he threw himself deep into the melee, spinning and slashing with a knife in each hand; one which belonged to Torres. Torres would entrap the feet of a Lluren target while Ian would jab and slice, advancing and retreating. It was a beautiful dance, a deadly dance.
Most of the rest of us had moved down to the ground. Only Andre and Dimitri had stayed above, to watch over our Masio. My Dimitri was up and seated, his bow at the ready. He was still recovering from his beatings but was ready to act.
The Lluren were attacking Espencheid directly. Chopping at him with heavy swords and battle axes. I hadn’t thought it was possible… to take down one of these great ancients. The heavy bark of their trunk was almost like an armor of sorts. But the sound of the massive axes striking the Kauri changed from a metallic clank to a hollow thunk. I felt my heart skipping beats with each blow that fell upon my forest friend.
Sap began to seep, sticky and red, from Espencheid’s many small wounds, and he shuddered with each strike. Seeds, sticks and leaves fell from his tall boughs. The warship had turned and was moving back into the cover of the clouds. I had lost my place in the battle as I watched the huge flying monstrosity leave. Then I heard the cry of pain and the scream of anguish that followed.
Ian lay on the ground, his head lay several feet away, still wobbling and bloody. His long hair blowing in the breeze. Torres had let out the scream. A torrent of spells flew from his lips. His hands crackled with white pure energy one moment, and the next moment came the lightning strike. It left me blinded momentarily. It left the Lluren, who had killed his friend, a charred smoking crust on the forest floor. The intensity of the flash had stunned everyone that was fighting, but for only a moment. Three demons remained at the base of the Kauri, chopping into his bark with furious strength. Espencheid was now losing a significant amount of his sap. The ground at the base of his trunk was soaked red with his lifeblood.
We made short work of those last three, it was not long before we had killed the last one. As I looked around, the only one of ours who had fallen was Ian. Torres sat on the ground; his long arms wrapped tightly around his knobby knees. He stared blankly at the body of his oldest friend. I moved to Espencheid, laying both hands on his wounds and began chanting a series of healing songs. Could I even heal a Kauri? I’d never tried. My hands glowed and tears streamed down my face as I watched the sap continuing to seep from his wounds. It wasn’t working.
“Torres. Please, we need you! Please?” He lifted his eyes to me slowly and I continued, “Can you go to Plano and bring the high priests? I cannot heal Espencheid.” It took a few moments for the plea to register.
“But if they come… you cannot be here when they arrive.” Torres’ face was smeared with dirt and blood, sweat and tears.
Andre hopped down from the high loft, “Masio….”
Moments later Dimitri landed next to his brother with a groan, looking grim. “Dimitri? What happened?” I looked from one brother to the other.
Dimitri looked to Andre, who spoke, “Masio was healing the Kauri. He gave Espencheid everything he had left. He’s… dead.”
Dimitri leaned heavily on his brother before moving to sit on the ground.
I turned to the Kauri, “Elder Espencheid, tell us what to do, my friend.”
The tree was quiet. Another set of eyes opened. It was rare for any to speak other than the elder. “He cannot heal himself of this. Eventually he will succumb if not treated.”
“Kumar, Sonarim,” I took a deep breath, watching the exhausted faces of my company. “You came to ask if we can come to an accord?”
Kumar nodded solemnly. He looked to Torres, “Go, please, bring ones who can help Espencheid. We cannot afford to lose our ancients.” He then extended his hand, grasping my forearm. “Come, bring your people. We have much work to do, and quickly.”
Torres nodded. He pulled himself back together. “We will care for Masio. Fear not, he will have a proper send off.”
Kumar turned to face Torres. Holding a fist over his heart and bowing he responded, “And we will drink to your friend, Ian. He fought like a lion.”
We picked ourselves up off the ground and met back on the platform. Our meager belongings lay in a pile on the floor. I wanted to bring Masio with, but it would not have been right. And I trusted in Torres. We were almost ready. We needed one more thing. “We need a memory of this attack to share with the other Kauri.”
I hopped down to the other one who had spoken just minutes ago. “Please, I don’t want to take anything from Espencheid, can you give us proof of this battle to share?” The eyes of the Kauri were sad, but it nodded and moments later it produced a small crimson gem. I bowed, my fist over my heart. “My thanks to you all. Thank you for sheltering us in our time of need. I pray the gods will save elder Espencheid.”
“Go now, before the others arrive. You must remain safe.” Those words spoken, the younger Kauri closed its eyes, ending the chance of further conversation.
This was all the encouragement I needed. I opened my wings, pumping them hard, lifting myself up and to the rest of our group. “We ready?”
One by one the group nodded. Sonarim moved to stand in the center of our belongings and stretched her arms wide. Once we were all connected, she began weaving her spell. However, I could never have imagined stepping foot in the place where we landed.
I shook my head in disbelief as my surroundings came into focus. “Sonarim! Where in the hell did you bring us?!”
Then the calls of alarm began to sound.
Chapter 29 - Welcome to Morland, take two
~Skye~
MY EYES FLUTTERED OPEN and I leaned back into Lance’s chest. The weight of his arm on my waist and his breath on my neck while he slept was one of the best combinations in my recent memory. He murmured something unintelligible in his sleep and squeezed his arms again before sighing deeply. His breaths resumed, calm, slow, and peaceful. Contented.
I wanted to go back to sleep, but I had to pee. And as good as it felt to be held in his embrace, his leg pushed up between mine…. Maybe I could hold off for a few more minutes. My bladder said no. Regretfully, I tried to move his arm slowly. He stirred and pulled me back into his chest.
“Stay.…” his sleepy voice was low and husky as it blew lightly across the back of my neck.
Small tingles covered my skin where his words had passed. “Lance… I gotta pee.” I complained. “I’ll be back soon. Maybe I’ll even bring some breakfast.” His arm remained around my waist and he groaned, then pulled me closer. I slapped at his hand. “I’ll just be a minute. Wake up, soldier!” Then I slid from his grip. I could almost feel his sleepy pout hitting my back as I threw on my clothes and flew through the door.
After taking care of my womanly needs I decided to clean myself up quickly. I pulled fresh clothes from the supply closet and moved back into the bathrooms to make myself ready for the day. I relished the warmth of the water on my skin, maybe staying a couple minutes more than needed. I felt rejuvenated as I stepped into the quiet dining hall. It wasn’t quite time for breakfast yet, but I found a plate and helped myself to some fruit and bread, placing a bit of butter and jam on each thick slice. A few small slices of cheese balanced on the top of the plate as I made my way back to our room.
Lancer was just sitting up as I toed the door open, and made my way into the room, closing it with a swing of my hips. His gaze fell heavily upon me as I crossed the room and placed our food on the table. “Coffee?” I didn’t wait to see his nod. Coffee is always a yes in the morning. I filled the percolator and set it on his small stove. He watched me as I sat at the table. “Hungry?”
He gave a slow nod, causing a bit of his hair to fall over his crimson eyes.
“Come and eat.”
“I will eat… when you come back to bed.” His voice was dee
p and rich with innuendo, and I felt a flutter of excitement as I held his gaze.
I raised an eyebrow at him and cocked my head. Pulling a grape from the small bunch that sat on the plate, I rolled it around in my fingers. “Is that how it’s going to be?” A smile played across my lips and I blushed as I tossed the grape across the room at him.
He reached out, catching it with one hand and popped it into his mouth, chewing slowly and nodding.
Gods, he was handsome in the morning, his bedhead, and his sleepy eyes which glowed intensely. I had half a mind to crawl back onto the mattress and into his arms again, but I decided to make him work for it. “Come and eat, or next time I join you in the bed I will cast a sleep spell.”
He laughed, a rich deep tone rolling from his chest. “I remember how well it went the last time you threatened me with that.”
“I remember us both sleeping quite well that night.” I retorted with a smile. I stood and poured us each a cup of coffee, making a grand show of placing his mug at the table… where I wanted him to sit. I took my place in the chair I had claimed as mine and met his gaze. “Sit.”
“I could just throw you over my shoulder and carry you back here….”
“Not this morning!” I punctuated the phrase with a light slap of my palm on the table.
“But you said you would come back.” He sulked.
“And here I am.” I almost felt bad, I had implied I would be coming back to his bed, our bed… I corrected myself again. But the challenge had been thrown… and I wasn’t ready to back down so easily.
Finally, he stood and made his way to the table. He didn’t pause to pull on a single stitch of clothing. He gave me a crooked grin and snagged a bit of cheese. Walking around the table, he bent down, sliding one hand over my shoulder and whispering in my ear. “You may think you’ve won… but I learned to choose my battles at a young age.” I gasped as he bit my neck lightly. He popped the cheese into his mouth and moved to sit in the chair. My heart was still racing as he picked up his cup and sipped at the coffee. “Thank you for breakfast, love.”
