Defiled

  "I don't like it either, Fern," Laelliandir added, but he couldn't think of anything else.

  "If you want time to get up that ladder, then this is our route. I ride." Albatros confirmed once more. "The rest hides out here. After the soldiers pass through, you ride for the wall."

  Regardless of how Laelliandir felt, he and Fern were outnumbered. The plan offered the best opportunity for success, but they would lose Albatros for the rest of the journey. This was a major concern to Laelliandir, along with his friend putting himself in such peril. "How do you get back to us?" Laelliandir finally asked after debating in silence their predicament.

  "I have a plan," said Albatros plainly. "I will catch up, but you toss down those ladders so as to not be followed." Albatros tried to reassure the others, but none of them knew how he would get back to them if he pulled this off.

  Nonetheless, they would follow Albatros's proposal and get into position. Markus and Fern stayed on horseback to control and quieten the horses for when the small host of Divoxians rode through. Bella and Laelliandir remained on the ground near them but focused their attention on the encampment in the distance. As planned, Albatros recklessly sped out of the forest on his seemingly untamed enormous rhino.

  The rhino put on quite a show. To onlookers, it appeared the rhino intended to throw Albatros off his back until he charged toward the Divoxian encampment grabbing their full attention. Sure enough, the soldiers raced to saddle up and give chase. Albatros, after all, was one threat their King had warned them about. By the time he neared the camp, soldiers had already begun chasing after him, and Albatros turned back towards the forest and took flight. The soldiers poured out of the camp to hunt him down and secure the area. Albatros's scheme seemed to have worked, but that changed after he rode into the forest, followed by countless riders tailing him.

  When the impeding riders charged their way, all of Fern’s efforts to calm his horse made no difference. Albatros, by himself, was more than fine, but the deluge of riders spooked Fern’s already nervous horse, and what the horse did, changed their plan for the worse. Abruptly it turned and ran like mad away from the soldiers with Fern on its back. Once again, Fern's horse was dragging him away in great haste, leaving behind his comrades.

  "Jump!" Bella shouted angrily to Fern.

  "I knew I should have taken the scared horse," Markus muttered under his breath as he gave chase after Fern. "I'll get him," Markus hollered to the others.

  "What? Get back here!" Bella shouted out in disbelief. Markus had a way of taming Fern's horse but now was not the time.

  This was a terrible idea, Laelliandir thought before yelling, "Markus, follow Albatros!"

  "I will!" Markus yelled back.

  "Sard!" Bella cursed in frustration.

  No sooner than Fern and Markus’s race began, Albatros burst back into the forest with Divoxian dragoons right behind him. Their horses, rhino, and three of their people were gone in a flash, leaving Laelliandir and Bella to figure out what they should do next. They had expected to ride the horses to reach the wall but now faced a ten minute run on foot to get there.

  "They're with Albatros in capable hands. We have to stick to the plan, Bell," Laelliandir coaxed, sensing her urge to chase after Markus. "Think of Luminear."

  "I know!" Bella shot back and pounded her fist in the dirt. "I'm aware of what just happened and what needs to happen. I don't have to be happy about it. Sarding dolt of a husband has gone off and left me."

  "He cares for Fern. I'm not sure I wouldn't have done the same. He left because he knows Fern can't protect himself, and he knows you can, Bell. Calm yourself."

  "Calm? Calm myself?" Bella’s jaw dropped. She squinted her eyes and blew out a long breath. "Don’t you tell me to calm down! There is nothing you can say that will make me happy knowing my husband and best of friends put themselves in danger."

  "I feel the same,” Laelliandir said, in an attempt to smooth things over. "Terrible unfortunate situation, but there is no other way. It is all we have. Don't you trust Albatros?" Laelliandir asked.

  Bella sighed in exasperation. "I don’t know! Yes. I think. NOT THE POINT! Just forget it. We could have planned this out a little better. Anyway, I'm allowed to worry." Bella snapped back as Laelliandir laughed.

  "Of course you are. I've missed that temper," Laelliandir said.

  He missed me or missed my temper? I don't hear that often, she thought silently, then spoke aloud. "That is an odd thing to miss."

  "It sure is, but I can't help it. I like what I like. Now get ready. Here it comes." Laelliandir pointed as the riders filled up the forest floor.

  Nothing had gone as planned, but there was little choice. With Albatros, Markus, and Fern in retreat, Bella and Laelliandir moved ahead alone. As soon as that last rider entered the forest, Bella and Laelliandir dashed toward the wall. Before them now was an empty camp and the unknown, while behind them, they left the rest of their company to uncertain fates.

  Chapter Five

  Walking the Wall

  When the soldiers who guarded the breach took flight in hot pursuit of Albatros, Markus, and Fern, they left none behind to interfere with Laelliandir and Bella. The two seized their opportunity and raced within the shadow of the gate to take the first ladder up the westward wall.

  Wasting no time, Laelliandir and Bella then scurried up the series of ladders placed throughout the rubble of the towering wall. When they reached the top of each ladder, they unhooked and dropped them to fall uselessly into the gap below. As Bella had hoped, another scrap of Luminear’s black torn fabric waited for them at the top of that last ladder, making her even more convinced that Luminear had taken this same route.

  The summit of the highest wall stood several dozens of feet above the ground, allowing them to observe far and wide, and the path upon the wall's surface was extraordinary in girth and able to hold well over a dozen people walking abreast. This structure surrounded Tragmont from east to west in a colossal oval, yet in the west, the formation did not connect. The massive black mountain was the end of the wall and the boundary of the entire country of Tragmont.

  From their vantage point, Bella and Laelliandir saw the unnatural mountain that seemed to grow darker and darker until it became solid black behind the city of Crusayla. With the benefit of the afternoon sun and a clear sky, they beheld the western edge of Tragmont, and the great city wall meant to protect Crusayla while also connecting to the main oval. The same wall stretched north to south to close off Crusayla from the rest. Tucked under the shadow of jagged black stone, Crusayla was inarguably the most hidden and secure place in the western point of the country.

  Unlike some other cities in Tragmont, Crusayla was built on level land. The abandoned city was rather small compared to Magwhen or Lockage, but certainly not tiny. Hundreds of homes and structures, painted in shades of blue, had tall pointed roofs. They wrapped around a castle which was nestled close to the mountain in the rear of the city. The castle stood much higher than the other buildings, but it was not its height that stood out, but the width. From the northern edge to the southern, it stretched along the entire back of the city like a wall of towers. Because of this, the castle was thin in depth, resembling yet another wall. It became obvious to those who spent any time in Tragmont that the elves had devoted a substantial amount of energy into building their barriers. The walls and what they represented was a vital part of their heritage.

  Upon the other side of the wall that separated the elven kingdom, and under them to their right, were the lands of Tarrith. A green field covered the grounds in front of the kingdom, followed by a long stretch of wild forests that encompassed the field from north, east and south. Walking the wall to Crusayla would take them the rest of the day. It was a five-hour hike to reach the lower wall defending the kingdom. The kingdom's outer walls were slightly lower than the countries' colossal walls.

  Laelliandir and Bella hoped they would find a rope or ladder waiting for them when they arrived. Laellian
dir remembered there had been one, but both time and events had transpired since he had last been here. If all went well, they would find themselves within Crusayla by nightfall.

  Tragmont was a small country and tightly confined. One could cross at its widest point in about two weeks upon the back of a young and capable steed. Kinelenn, where the Divoxian army had colonized, was dead center in Tragmont. After fighting their way in and taking that city, they spent years holding back western armies while eating away at the eastern side of the elven civilization. It had been a long struggle, but eventually, the Divoxians took the east and repelled the west until there was no more. They had no insight into where the remnant elven forces had scattered, but Laelliandir suspected they had not traveled in mass to any specific location.

  ***

  Bella persevered although apprehensive about the fate of her sister, Markus, and Fern. No matter how many times Laelliandir promised her Albatros would keep them safe and find a way to reunite, she couldn’t help but worry. In an attempt to free her mind from distress, she asked Laelliandir more about this dragon he claimed to have seen.

  He offered the account as Bella listened intently. "King Lamruil and the elves here have no friends in all of Murnia or Kaelliakie. They have remained in isolation for three thousand years with one purpose—that dragon down there. The elves have been safeguarding that mountainside all these years. Lamruil says the mountain is a sealed gate locked away by an ancient spell. A dreadful horror lies beyond it.

  How Lonewolf and Neighraellium found out about this place, I can't imagine and can't fathom why they are dragging Lumi here, but I fear for us all if that dragon wakes up. Lamruil warned me if the dragon awakens, it will see everyone as a potential threat, signaling the failure of the elves. At that point, the dragon will defend these lands from anyone and anything. If it is as powerful as the King claimed, what will happen if the dragon takes to the skies and targets more than just those in Tragmont?"

  Bella found the story almost unbelievable. Yet, until recently, she could not have been persuaded that a harmless looking medallion had the power to control or erase ones' memories. She now recognized there was much more she did not understand, but she did not care about these things. She had but one priority, retrieving her sister and getting as far away as possible, although she would gladly kill Lonewolf or Neighraellium as a bonus. His story did, however, help somewhat. His voice seemed to settle her nerves.

  "The Divoxian army will march upon Crusayla one day or another, and if this beast awakens, then it'll awaken," Bella said with a shrug. "I don't see why you have latched yourself to this."

  "Maybe so. But we save Lumi if nothing else."

  "How can you risk everything for her after losing so much already?"

  "Why wouldn't I help Lumi? I failed to protect her before, but I can help fix that. Just as I told you, Bell." Bella smiled.

  "Yeah, I guess." Her words trailed off a moment as she considered what she wanted to say as she watched him from the corner of her eye. He was still so dashing to Bella. Just as she remembered him. Tall and handsome as ever, aging hadn’t hurt him one bit. It was hard looking at him though, for he brought her guilt and pleasure. "Lae, this is hard for me. You being here is hard. It feels good. And wrong. But safe. I am so sarding sorry." She finally managed to get out.

  "You owe no apologies. We are bound for life. I will seek to protect you and Lumi until the end if you accept me. Whether or not you carry the name anymore, I'm pledged. Even if you didn't want me here, I would do this for her," he said. He smiled at her confused expression. Not but an inch or so taller than Bella, the two might have passed as twins with their matching eyes and hair.

  "I realize that, and I respect you all the more. But being with you. This is challenging." Bella tried to explain, balling her hands into fists by her side as she shot discontented glances his way. She needed to say something. She owed him that. He breathed a sigh and nodded in agreement.

  "This is not your fault, Bell. It is mine. I should never have trusted Lonewolf. I destroyed everything, and I am in your debt. I should have listened to my mother, but Akelda and I thought our plan was best, but I failed. Is that what you mean? All these years later? Our lives changed." Bella squinted and swallowed hard.

  "Yes, maybe. Sort of." She shook her head. "No, not at all. It is thornier than that." She hesitated, hoping he might speak, but when he continued to watch her, she carried on. "I may remember all those years, but I was a slave. Those other feelings don't go away. But now." Bella trembled while fighting through her thoughts. "I don't blame you. I want to kill them all! They defiled my mind. They told me what to think and how to feel. Everything was stolen. Right?" Bella wrestled to put her thoughts into words as she glanced between him and the sky and the ground. Her anxiety was palpable as she gestured with her hands while trying to explain. "It is not reasonable! I can't figure anything out. Now you are here." She looked at him and smiled, "Oh my. I think I still-I care for you!" she admitted before turning away abashed.

  Bella massaged her forehead then dropped her hand. "But part of me hates you! Because I was told I did for so long. Nothing makes sense. I can't control my thoughts." As she spoke, Laelliandir grasped Bella’s dilemma and what she faced with her emotions exploding in opposite directions at the same time. She was a mess.

  He reached out and patted her shoulder, which made Bella jump, a little spooked. Picking up on her alarm, he retrieved his hand forthwith and offered what he hoped were comforting words, "Hey, Bell. This will take time. I am not here to disturb your life, and I’m not expecting anything. My only purpose here is to protect and help. I'm your friend." Distressed, Bella shook her head.

  "My whole life has been disrupted since Magwhen. All fake. Everything is false. Even my husband. Poor Markus. I love him so. But even that is false. Right?" She asked aloud. Laelliandir had no answer for her. "My memories were confused. You and he were the same, but you’re not. I’m not sure I can get through this. I am a traitor. I'm a floozy." As she spoke, Bella’s thoughts jumped from one thing to the next. Unsure if she should look at him or not, she tried to explain. "I see Albatros and immediately, my mind goes to, 'Minotaur scum!' But I don't really think that way. You understand? It's so sarding unfair!"

  "Oh, Bell. They ravished your mind." His sympathetic voice almost took her down, and he watched her tear up as she walked faster, looking from side to side and blinking to dam up her emotions.

  "I want to kill them all. Defilers! I don't know, Lae." Anger, her old familiar friend, rescued her from bursting into tears. She bit down on her lip and drummed her fingers against her sides.

  "You aren't a traitor," Laelliandir said to reassure her. "You aren't disloyal. They used you in a way nobody deserves. You will find a way through this. One day at a time." Bella fought her surging emotions a few moments longer then shifted to a safer topic.

  "Whatever! Just find Lumi. Nothing else makes sense to me. Will it ever again? And you? You, Lae." Bella cried out, hitting his shoulder lightly without intent to hurt him. Why did you pat my shoulder? Laelliandir wondered if he’d done something to upset her, but before he could ask, she spoke again. "And what happened to us! It is all gone. My life. What is this? Now you are back and brave and passionate as ever. Here to make it all better. I love my husband!" she asserted, almost defiant.

  "I don't doubt you do. I'm not here to take you from him. We can never go back to how it used to be. As I said, it's who we are."

  "Don't you get it? I still love you! I think?" she cried out, hitting him again. Baffled and moved by her words, he studied her face, but she promptly turned away ashamed of her outburst. "I don't know why I'm hitting you, but you're a villain, okay, but also my damn champion all in one. I'm sorry."

  Laelliandir had no words to help her. What he wanted to say could only make everything worse. He also never stopped loving her. Now he understood she’d been stolen in the worst imaginable way, and it made matters more difficult. It had almost been easie
r believing she’d grown to hate him instead of having her mind manipulated. The life they imagined was taken from them both. And Bella’s fate worse than his. She would have to filter through her emotions to determine if they were implanted knee-jerk reflexes or if they were based on something real. Waking up to the truth of what she had lost would be an ongoing nightmare.

  "We work through this. Together. It won't happen overnight. May take years. But I will help you." Bella put her hands on each side of her face, then moved them together, covering her mouth and nose. She blew out an exasperated breath and lowered her hands.

  "You by my side, with my husband on the other. This is lovely! Sarding joke! Forget it. It is all cruel." The peculiar way her mind was jumping from one thought to the other again revealed itself in her words when she changed the subject without warning. "I'm keeping your sword! It is what you get for leaving me again, Lae. I'd give you back your mother's engagement ring, but I’m almost positive Lonewolf stole it. I'll kill him for you. Sword is mine, though. Teach you to think before leaving me again."

  Laelliandir smiled and glanced down where his old sword hung about her hip. "I came back again, at least. Just running late. And the sword is yours now. I never named it. Betrayer's Bane, is it?" Bella rolled her eyes.