The Elemental Trilogy Box Set

by Toni Cox

  “Thank you, Selest,” Maia said, taking the woman’s hands to convey her gratitude.

  As their hands touched, Maia felt shooting pains run through her hands and she almost pulled away from the woman who had made the exquisite lantern for her.

  “Selest,” she said, turning the woman’s hands over to take a closer look, “you are in pain.”

  “It is nothing, My Lady.”

  “The joints of your fingers are inflamed,” Maia mused. “And I see that you have this problem not only in your hands. How long have you had this problem?”

  “Not long after the birth of Selena. Our Healer says that the pregnancy took too much from my body. He has given me special herbs to drink every day. They help.”

  Maia knew the woman was speaking the truth, but she could feel, although the herbs helped, they could not relieve Selest of all her pain. How this woman had managed to carve such an intricate lantern with her hands in such agony, was beyond Maia. It must have taken incredible strength of mind. Maia thought that Selest probably felt in her debt because she had saved not only her life, but that of her daughter too. As a Life Elemental, Maia required no payment, nor gratitude, from the people she helped; it was what she did and who she was.

  Still holding Selest’s hands, she closed her eyes and concentrated. It was as the Healer said, Selest’s body was weak from having carried the baby and had not recovered since then. Her immune system, usually so strong in all Elves, was weak, allowing the inflammation to spread to all her joints. Letting her energy flow into the hands she held and willing it to flow through the rest of the body, Maia slowly stilled the inflammation, built up the deteriorated joints and then worked on restoring the right levels of vitamins and minerals within Selest. Maia heard her gasp as her magic took effect, but Selest stood still, now strongly returning Maia’s firm grip on her hands. They stood like this, Maia knew not for how long, until Maia felt that Selest’s body was strong enough to ward off further inflammation.

  Maia opened her eyes and swayed. Riker, standing close behind her, placed his hands on her upper arms to steady her and she leant back into him. Burindor took his own wife in his arms, looking at Maia with wonder in his eyes.

  As the sun set behind the mountains to the east and darkness crept over the bustling city of Braérn, the long procession of people lit their lanterns and, led by Lord Swiftfisher, moved off along the narrow streets of the city. Besides Lord Swiftfisher at the head of the procession, there was no formal order to the march; the darkness of those days had affected all people equally, and so it was that Maia found herself walking among Servers, Seamstresses, Fishermen, Traders, and all other manner of folks. Proper rank and order were not observed that day and Maia felt wonderfully free. Not even Riker or Rothea dared call her My Lady this evening.

  Amid songs that praised the sun, light that made things grow and life that prevailed against all odds, the lanterns painted a wondrous sight across the city, casting multi-coloured patterns on the whitewashed walls of the houses and reflecting in sparkling lights off the windows.

  They marched and sang, sometimes stopping at a plaza for refreshments, until the first rays of the morning sun rose in the east. Exhausted, but feeling that everything was right with the world for a change, Maia extinguished her lantern and, followed by Riker and Rothea, made her way back to The Deep.

  It was almost mid-day when she descended the steps into the dining hall of the lodge, followed closely by a yawning Rothea. A few members of her delegation were already present, but most were still in their rooms, including Riker.

  “Your breakfast, My Lady,” a Server said as he stepped up to their table and set down two plates with fruit, bread, and cheese. “And this letter from Lord Swiftfisher for your attention.”

  The Server gave a short bow before he left them to their breakfast.

  “What does it say, My Lady?” Rothea asked as Maia opened the seal.

  “There is to be a meeting at the Elder Hall. It says By Invitation Only. It does not bode well. I fear there is bad news we will hear today,” Maia replied with a frown on her face.

  Closed meetings were only held for news so disturbing that the general population had to be shielded from it; at least for a while. She wished Jaik was with her now; she did not have much experience in politics and she did not know what she could possibly contribute to the meeting. As their Elder, Baltor Owen would most likely be invited as well. She looked around the dining hall, but he was not present. She wished Riker was here now, so she could ask his advice.

  “They will not permit you inside,” she said to Rothea. “But you will be allowed to stand guard outside the doors. I hope it will not take too long.”

  Maia poked at her fruit, but she had no appetite; she had a terrible feeling about this meeting.

  “Good morning, Lady Maia. And to you, Rothea.”

  Maia turned at the sound of Riker’s deep voice. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts about the meeting, she had not noticed him approach. He was freshly bathed; his wet hair bound at the back with a leather thong; and smelled of soap and manliness. It distracted her for a moment from the troubles of the letter, but as he pulled up a chair to join them at their table, she noticed he too held a paper in his hand.

  “I am not so sure the morning is all that good,” Maia replied. “I see you have received an invitation as well.”

  “Yes, it was brought to my room this morning. It can only mean ill tidings.” He studied Maia’s face for a moment, and amended his comment. “But we should not jump to conclusions. Let us hear what they have to say before we label it bad news.”

  Maia appreciated his efforts to make her feel better, but she knew that feeling deep inside of her and she knew she could trust it. Something had gone wrong and whatever it was, she was not going to like it.

  They took some time after their meal to check on the horses. Fire had settled nicely into the routine of being stabled and he nibbled contentedly at his hay net. Maia was glad; their journey was not yet at an end and he would have to spend a few more nights indoors.

  After the stables, they briefly visited the main market plaza, but not even the sheer amount of smells and colours and sounds of the trading stalls could lighten Maia’s mood.

  Eventually it was time and they made their way to the Elder Hall. Besides Maia, only Elder Owen, Riker, and Commander Ridgewell had received invitations; none of the Nobles had been invited to the meeting.

  “Keep your eyes and ears open,” Riker quietly instructed Rothea. “I see there are other guards waiting outside; maybe you will be able to pick up some information that might be useful later.”

  Rothea nodded before taking her position outside the doors. Maia and her companions entered Braérn’s large Elder Hall, which seemed to echo dully with their footsteps. Only nine other people were present so far, all seated on the lowest rung of benches. Lord Kyreon Swiftfisher was already waiting for them on the speaker’s platform. Quickly they also found their seats, but it took a while longer before the last people arrived. Maia noticed that only four Elders of Braérn were present, including Dorien, who ran the library of Braérn and whom she had met on her last visit. He was the one who had told her about Soul Reaping and had warned her that her actions of bringing the Humans to Elveron might have terrible repercussions.

  Besides the Elders, there were also three members of the Guard of Braérn and the Commanders of the Regiment and Legion, as well as a number of Scouts. Maia wondered why Scouts would attend such a meeting, but she did not have to wonder long. Once everyone had been seated, Lord Swiftfisher immediately opened the meeting.

  “I am sorry to bring you all here on such short notice. We have been keeping an eye on occurrences within the region for a while and they have recently escalated alarmingly. We are all aware of the threat the remaining Vampyres pose to our people, but what most people are unaware of is that the number of Vampyres within Grildor seems to be increasing.”

  A murmur went through the small grou
p seated in the hall. Every city had been actively searching and hunting Vampyres ever since the war and their numbers should be decreasing. Although Maia had taken Rothea’s assumptions seriously, she had harboured the hope that Rothea might be wrong. With the number of Vampyres increasing, it could indeed be possible that the Vampyres were gathering for another war. She shivered, suddenly feeling cold.

  “Our Scouts have travelled the country ever since the war and the reports they bring back are alarming. Attacks are on the increase, as are sightings of not only Vampyres, but Werewolves too. Attacks have plagued even Crook Island, begging the question as to how the Vampyres are crossing the sea. Vampyres have been spotted in the strangest of places, often very close to populated areas and some reports speculate that they may be receiving assistance from within our own community.”

  Now there were shouts of outrage from the assembled crowd, but Kyreon quickly restored order.

  “Other reports tell of a Death Wolf stalking the land, often seen together with the Vampyres. At first, we thought that it might be a Werewolf, but as the numbers of sightings increased, any doubt was erased. We believe that Death is, indeed, working with the Vampyres and that he is aiding them to achieve their ultimate goal. How else could they have managed to infiltrate our country to the extent that they have? The gates are guarded night and day; only a Prime Elemental would have the ability to cloak the arrival of groups of Vampyres and we believe that is how they have managed to come through.”

  Maia stopped shivering; feeling cold no longer. She was numb; her head swimming with what she had just heard. Could it be true? Was that why he had been avoiding her? He fought on their side during the war and had it not been for him, they would have surely lost. But he was Death and what did Maia truly know about death? Did he hunger for death as she hungered for life? A single tear rolled down her cheek as Lord Kyreon continued.

  “Rumours are already spreading and the people are restless. They fear to travel and we have noticed a decline in trade. Certain commodities are already in short supply, including steel for our weapons, which comes from the Crystal Mountains over the sea. Messenger birds have been sent to your father,” Lord Kyreon said, looking towards Maia, “as well as the Lords of all the other cities in Grildor. So far, we have kept this information from the smaller settlements and the folk that dwell in the countryside, but soon they will have to be warned of this too. It is imperative that we retain calm and order among our people, which is why the presence of Princess Maia is so important to us right now.”

  There was a murmur of agreement, but Maia did not acknowledge it.

  “The people need to know they are being protected and we, as the Lords, are doing everything in our power to prevent more harm coming to them. My Lady,” he said, turning towards her yet again, “I know that Braérn was to be your final stop of your journey, but in light of these dark tidings, I was hoping you would consent to travelling to Crook Harbour and Arrow as well. They wanted to be present during your visit to Braérn, but are too fearful to make the trip. There is a clipper leaving for Crook Harbour in the morning. If you consent, we would postpone the memorial we had planned here until your return. What say you, My Lady?”

  Every pair of eyes turned towards her. A trip to Crook Harbour and then Arrow would add at least ten to twelve days to their journey. The time meant little to her, but she knew Riker and Rowlean would worry about the security arrangements of an unplanned trip. She would go, if it would help her people, but she could not make the decision without her companions’ approval.

  “Lord Kyreon, of course I would be willing to do as you suggest, but I must confer with Commander Ridgewell and Guard Riker. They are my security detail and the decision will ultimately rest with them.”

  “That is wise, My Lady,” Lord Kyreon said. “Commander, what are your thoughts on the matter?”

  “If Lady Maia wishes to visit the cities, then I am confident in our ability to get her there safely.” He briefly looked towards Riker, who nodded. “However, we are travelling with other citizens from Shadow Hall and I recommend they stay within your city until our return. There is no need for them to accompany us there. That will cut our number to about twenty and will make travelling easier. Will we be able to take our horses aboard the ship?”

  “There will be space enough, but if your horses have never been aboard a ship, they might find it disturbing.”

  “The horses will not be a problem, My Lord,” Maia cut in. She was confident in her ability to keep them calm during their sea voyage. “For how long will we be on the water?”

  “Depending on the wind, it usually takes the clipper about three hours to reach Crook Harbour. It is a fast vessel and we have favourable winds and calm waters.”

  “Then it is decided,” Maia said, nodding to Lord Swiftfisher. “You may make the arrangements for our passage upon the ship in the morning.”

  The morning dawned bright on the day they readied the horses to head for home. The visit to Rathaés had been short, only three days and four nights, but it had been a success. It was a wondrous city, built on the slopes of Smoketop Mountain, and Jaik marvelled at the resilience of the people. The volcano did not erupt often, but during the long history of Grildor, Rathaés had been rebuilt four times. They had arrived just before the Dancing Lanterns Celebration. The crossing of The Divide had taken them five days, plus one extra day to reach the next lodge, Pilgrim’s Rest. It had been hard on them and he was relieved that on their way home they would take the Trade Route that passed the south-eastern tip of Nithril Deep, which was lush with vegetation due to the proximity of the lake. It was an easy road to travel and he estimated they would reach home within ten to eleven days.

  He was eager to get home; he missed his sister and although he could feel she was safe now, he knew her trip had been perilous at some point. He hoped she would arrive home not long after him. The other factor that worried him was the information he had gathered while in Rathaés. The people there had told tales of increasing Vampyre sightings and almost half the population of Renden, a small village to the south of Rathaés, had been killed in an attack.

  A bird arrived the day after the celebrations, sent from Braérn with dire tidings. He knew a great many of the Scouts of Braérn and knew they were some of the finest Elves Grildor had to offer. Their information would be correct and could be trusted. The assumption that Death could indeed be involved with the Vampyres sent shivers down his back. His sister had been so close to him, Blaid he called himself, during the war, and he now wondered if Blaid had ulterior motives then already. His sister could have been killed.

  Eager to be on his way, he mounted his horse. It was a sturdy gelding from their general stock of riding horses. He was strong and willing, but he missed the spirit of Stormborn; he had been a magnificent Stallion.

  Turning to his men, he gave the order to move out. The people of Rathaés were lining the streets, waving small flags of farewell, and shouting well wishes as they rode past.

  Once they reached the outskirts of the city, Jaik urged the gelding to a trot. At this speed, their horses could go for hours and he knew they would cover at least sixty miles by nightfall. Getting home was now his most important mission.

  “Steady there,” she whispered softly into the horse’s ear.

  Most of the horses had settled easily within the simple box stalls upon the deck of the clipper, but their Bird Master’s young mare was terrified of the constant dipping and rising of the ship. Maia stood by her, her hand firmly pressed against the mare’s neck, letting her energy flow into the frightened horse. Fire stood in the stall next to her, calm in the knowledge that Maia was close.

  “I wish I could do that.” Rothea spoke behind her, gently stroking her own black gelding, which contentedly nibbled on the hay net provided.

  “By the look of Black Rain,” Maia said, tilting her head towards Rothea’s gelding, “I would say you already can.”

  “He is always this calm, it takes no great t
alent. But I am glad to have him. He has been with me for over twenty years and has never failed me.”

  Maia smiled at Rothea. They had become great friends in the time they spent together, even if their initial encounter had been a little strange. Maia still felt embarrassed about the incident. But Rothea had proven to be strong, loyal and level headed, as well as good company and intelligent in conversation. Maia was not surprised that she served in the First Regiment, which only took the finest soldiers.

  “Lady Maia, may I ask you a personal question?”

  “Of course,” Maia said without hesitation.

  “I was wondering about the request for you to travel to Crook Island. If the people deem it to be too dangerous to travel to Braérn, what would make them think it would be safe enough for you to come to them? To be honest, I think it rude and thoughtless of them to put you in danger like this and I am amazed that Sir Riker and Commander Ridgewell agreed to it. Do you not fear for your safety?”

  “It is a good question, Rothea, and one we discussed in length, I assure you. The Commander is confident in his ability to protect me should we be attacked, besides the fact that Midnight will be with us the entire time. The people do not know this, of course, so the question as to why they would put me in danger remains. There is a simple answer and one you might not approve of. Only the people that know me personally see me as a real person; to everyone else I am something more, something other, and they believe, because of what I am, I am untouchable. By now, everyone has heard the stories about the war and what I did. No one believes that anything could happen to me.” Maia paused for a moment, stroking the mare’s soft nose. “It is sometimes difficult to live with; I do not like to be treated differently. But they are my people and I love them and I hope that one day, they will all get to know the real me. Until then, all I can do is be there for them and protect them if I can.”

  Rothea was silent for a long while after that and when she finally looked up, Maia saw a tear running down her cheek.