by Toni Cox
She shuddered.
“There are events happing in our time that have not happened on our planet in millennia. We thought we would defeat our enemy, but after two wars, it is clear mere force will not resolve our problems. We can rebuild our war machines, train new warriors, shore up our defences, but in the end I believe it will come to naught unless we change the way we approach the problem. I also believe that the solution lies with you. Did you not have those dreams before the Vampyres attacked in the first war? Do you not still believe that the outcome could have been different had you listened to them? And do you now have strange dreams that keep you up at night? Listen, Maia. Believe in yourself. I know you have the power. I have taught you everything I know. The rest is up to you.”
Silas took his seat again on his bench. He looked old. Haggard.
Maia worried about him. Her mentor was the oldest, and wisest, man she knew. She should have confided in him. The only reason for her silence, now, was shock. They had spoken many times, but never like this. Never before had Silas acknowledged that Blaid and her dreams might be the answer to their problems. Even she had not been sure about it until a few Quarters ago. Now, with Silas talking about it openly, the urge to leave Shadow Hall to search for Blaid was hard to resist.
She took the old Elf’s hand. “I did not know you felt this way. I am afraid to talk about what troubles me in my sleep. The repercussions of what might happen run deep, yet I cannot deny that what you say is true. I do want to be with Blaid and I know, for certain, if we were together, we could find a way to neutralise the threat to our people. Yet, I am also afraid of what will happen if Blaid and I ever got together again. It would be against every law of our people. I would never be able to return to Shadow Hall.”
She looked down then, a tear rolling down her cheek.
“My Child,” Silas said, sitting up taller and returning the pressure of her hand, “I will always love you, no matter what you decide. Your family will always love you. These are strange times and sometimes strange times need strange measures. I know this is hard for you. The worry weighs on you and it is starting to show. Your parents have come to me with their concerns. I cannot tell you what to do - only you know that - but I do believe the time for you to act is now. Do not wait. Do not hesitate. I will stand by you and help you in any way I can. I have already made plans to accompany Jaik to Braérn in the spring, so I can do more research in Dorien’s library. There are many things we do not understand about our current situation and the issue with you and Blaid. Go; do whatever it is you need to do. We cannot fight the enemy right now and, with winter on its way, the raids will become fewer as well.”
Raising a hand, Silas wiped the slow tears from Maia’s face. For the past fortnight, she had agonised over her plan of action and now, with one simple speech from Silas, her path lay clear before her.
“I know what I have to do, Silas, but it will make many people unhappy. Until now I have lacked the courage to go ahead with my plan, even though I received another sign last night when I went hunting with Midnight. Thank you for understanding. I cannot promise I will find the answer to all our woes, but every fibre of my body vibrates with the possibilities.”
“Will you tell me of your plans?”
“I have no definite plans, except that I must find Blaid first.”
“Then say your goodbyes to those you wish to. I will inform everyone else that you are on a quest, as a Prime Elemental, and that they should pray to the Mother for your safe return.”
“Thank you, Silas.” Maia hugged him around his thin shoulders.
He returned her hug fiercely. “I will miss you. Come back to us, Maia.”
“I promise, Silas.”
Maia left Silas’ cave that evening feeling more confident. What she planned would upset a lot of people, but she had no choice. The only way to find Blaid was to leave.
No one would understand and everyone would try to stop her. Her only option was to slip away quietly during the night. Before she could leave, though, there were preparations. Winter was almost upon them. She needed provisions, weapons, clothes.
Midnight knew of her decision before she had even exited the cave. For the first time since the war, Midnight wholeheartedly approved of her and his excitement for the upcoming adventure was contagious. She had to be careful if she did not want anyone to notice the change in her.
When she entered her home, only Jaik sat near the hearth in the common room. His shoulders were hunched and there was a despondent look on his face as he absently stroked Wolf’s head. As Commander of the Guard, he had as many worries as she did. His responsibilities to keep Shadow Hall and their people safe weighed on him. The continued attacks on her worried him even more.
Just another reason for me to leave, she thought.
Suppressing her excitement, she went to sit with her brother. As her twin, he would pick up on her mood easily, if she was not careful. Wolf wagged his tail as she sat and she patted him, knowing he could as easily read her.
“Everything all right, Jaik?” she asked.
He shook his head. “It feels like we are going in circles. We are attacked, we prepare our warriors, we battle. Twice now we went to war and a third war is coming. I can feel it, yet there is nothing I can do about it. The Elders and Commanders meet every second day, trying to come up with a solution, but it is no use. Vampyres are still coming through. Although we have contained Greystone, The Pyramid of Senza has seen a lot of fighting over the past two Moons and they have now even breached the Gate in Salhandra.”
“Salhandra? The Gate to the far east?”
“Yes, the Wall of Andra. Word came to us yesterday.”
Maia fought her urge to panic and thereby alert her brother to her emotions. Her plans were based on the assumption they had some time. Never had the Vampyres attacked during winter, or even spring, and she thought she could use the winter Moons to find Blaid and a solution before they attacked again.
“Don’t worry, Maia.” Jaik laid a hand over hers, obviously having felt her distress. She further suppressed her Eläm, her Life-Force. “The numbers coming through are low and the raids sporadic. We believe the only reason they still do so now, this close to winter, is for more resources. We have established that the Vampyres despise the cold and will not go to war during winter. The only country that does not have a cold season due to its proximity to the equator is Velador, and they have not been attacked yet. I think the only Gate truly safe is the one in the deep south. The Maze is covered in perpetual snow.”
Jaik’s comment stirred something within her, but she could not quite grasp it. She would think on it later and find out what triggered the feeling. For now, she worried about her brother. He appeared as haggard as Silas.
“When last did you get some sleep, brother? You look exhausted. Can I make you some food before you go to bed?”
Jaik shook his head. “I have eaten. I need to get back to the Hall of the Guardians before shift change of the Night Watch. I will be home late. I do not mean to trouble you with my duties. You look like you have not slept much either.”
“Nightmares,” she confided. “About the war. Maybe I should take some of Luke’s sleeping tea to help me get rest.”
“Yes. Do you have it here, or should I send Luke over? I worry about you, little sister. You have become so thin.”
“I have some, thank you. I think I will retire early. Where are Mother and Father?”
“Still at the Elder Hall. They should be back soon.” Jaik stoked the fire and then looked at her with a slight frown. “I did not see you around today. Aaron was looking for you.”
“I was hunting with Midnight this morning and spent the afternoon with Silas.”
“Aaron has changed.”
Maia waited for Jaik to continue. She knew what was coming. Jaik told her at least once every few days.
“He is a good man. Dependable and steady in his work. Even his fighting has improved. I dare say he has become quite the s
wordsman. From a distance, it would be hard to tell that he is Human. The changes are starting to tell.”
“He is a good man, Jaik,” Maia agreed, knowing where the conversation would end.
This time she would agree with Jaik. When Jaik looked at her to deliver his final thoughts on the matter, she grinned, causing Jaik to frown before he spoke.
“Are you sure you want to marry him? No one would think differently of you if you broke off the engagement. You were distraught after Riker’s death and after the war and you were not thinking clearly when you accepted his proposal.”
“I do not believe him to be the right partner for me.”
“But …” Jaik broke off, his reply stuck in his throat. “What?”
“I agree with you. Aaron is a good man, but I do not want to marry him. I never have. You are right. I was distraught after the war and I was not thinking clearly. I have decided to tell Aaron by the morrow. Silas already knows.”
With a broad smile and a sparkle in his emerald eyes, Jaik leaned in to embrace his sister, clearly happy with her decision. “I was so worried about you. I am glad you have come to your senses. He is not the right man to make you happy.”
“Talking of happy,” Maia said, shrugging out of Jaik’s arms, “I hear you are going to Braérn. Is it final then? Will you marry Siya?”
“I will not wait, Maia,” Jaik said, suddenly serious. “I will be wed before there is another war. Our parents have agreed. We have been courting for over two years and I will make Siya my wife before I go into battle again.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful news,” Maia said, smiling, but crying on the inside. She would not be here for their wedding.
“Silas wants to go with me to Braérn when I fetch Siya. Research, he says. Will you accompany us as well?”
Cringing, Maia searched for an answer that would not include lying. There were some things she could not hide from her brother. “If I am available at that time, I would be honoured to accompany you.”
“I love you, Maia. I am so glad you have decided not to marry Aaron. I have come to like the man, but he would not be the right partner for you. Please let me know if you need me tomorrow. For now, I have to be on my way. Hope you find some sleep tonight.”
Jaik rose and kissed her on the forehead. He smelled of leather and pine needles. She would miss him.
“Good night, Jaik. I love you, too.”
Maia waited at the fire until her brother closed the door behind him. His mention of Riker made her sad. She still missed him and visited his grave often. With a lump in her throat, she suppressed her heartache. Riker was gone. Forever.
Rubbing the top of Wolf’s head, she rose and went to the pantry. Wolf followed, wagging his tail, hoping for a treat. She threw him a piece of sausage to keep him busy, and then looked for items she could take with. She had to hurry, as her parents would be home soon. She took a travelling food bag from the hook on the wall, added travel bread, biscuits, dried meat, dried fruit, dried mushrooms and a few fresh items, such as a small hunk of cheese and apples.
This would not last her long, but she could hunt along the way. Fresh vegetables would be more difficult to come by as it got colder. She decided to go to the storage caves before she left, for dried vegetables.
Quickly, she threw the bag over her shoulder and hurried up the stairs to her room. Wolf bounded ahead of her. Once in her room, Maia sorted through her clothes, deciding on what to take. She did not want to be burdened, but she needed warm items to see her through the winter. By the time her parents came home, frustration had already made her cry twice.
Once Silas gave confirmation that it was best to follow her instincts, all she wanted to do was leave. Now, however, she conceded it might need a little more planning than simply taking a bag of food and clothing.
Hiding the evidence under her bed, she went to greet her parents and to tell them about her decision not to marry Aaron. Although she was leaving, she wanted to leave as few loose ends as possible.
“I am sorry, Father. I know you were looking forward to the bonding.”
“Maia,” Jagaer said, lifting her chin to look at him, “I only want what’s best for you. Aaron is a good man and I hoped you would find the love you shared on Earth. You have been struggling, had to endure so much, my hopes were to make your life easier with a partner.”
Surprised, she looked into her father’s gentle eyes, then at her mother. Malyn smiled at her. Maia had expected a different reaction from her parents. She had been sure that the reason her father encouraged Aaron’s courting of her was because of Blaid. Now, she was not as certain anymore.
“Luke and Jasmin will be disappointed,” her mother said. “Have you thought of how to tell them yet?”
“I only made the decision tonight. I will speak to them tomorrow. I cannot carry on pretending. It is wearing me down.”
“We know,” her mother said. “We are worried about you. Look at you.” Malyn stroked her face, running her thumbs softly over the dark rings under her eyes. “And you have lost so much weight. There is nothing left of you. I am glad you have finally come to speak to us. You will see, it will be better from now on. If only I had known your misery was about Aaron, I would have spoken to your father.”
Malyn looked at Jagaer accusingly, making Maia feel bad.
“This is not your fault, only my own. Aaron is but a small part of my worries, Mother.” Turning to her father, she added, “Jaik told me another Gate has been breached. How is Salhandra dealing with the threat?”
With that, their conversation thankfully moved from the subject of Aaron, and they sat for a while discussing the threat of the Vampyres on their planet. It was nothing Maia did not already know, but she enjoyed the few hours alone with her parents.
By tomorrow night, she would be gone.
Later, Maia crept out of the house with her bag of clothes and her small supply of food. She took care this time not to encounter the Night Watch.
When she reached The Crags, Midnight glided down into the clearing at its base and took the small parcels from her to carry them to a location about ten miles from Shadow Hall. It was one of Midnight’s favourite lookout points; a sheer cliff, inaccessible from the ground. Her things would be safe there until they were ready to leave.
Once Midnight had left, Maia made her way to the storage caves. Evading the Night Watch along the way was not difficult, but getting into the storage cave without the guard on duty noticing proved more complicated.
As princess, she could simply demand access, but then her father would find out in the morning. Swallowing her pride, she decided to resort to magic. The whole endeavour she planned meant breaking the rules. Breaking into a storage cave using magic would be the least of her worries.
Cloaking herself using her Air magic, she crept past the guard. Once inside the tunnel, she felt for one of the crystal lanterns along the wall and removed it. She walked a few steps in darkness; when she was sure the guard would not notice the light from the crystal, she removed its covering.
The crystal was a light blue one and it shone an eerie glow around the narrow tunnel. She walked another eighty strides before she reached the door to the cavern that housed their winter supply.
Taking out a small, leather-bound bundle from the inside of her coat, she opened it and selected two of the thin utensils it contained. It took her longer than expected to pick the lock and she was sweating by the time she heard the satisfying click of the levers inside. Silently, she thanked Jaik for having shown her how to pick locks when they were younger.
Maia muffled the squeak of the door with her Air magic, and then she was inside. She placed the crystal lantern in the middle of the room, and went to take the covers off the lanterns hanging on the walls.
The cave, large as it was, appeared crowded with the amount of barrels lining its walls. The people of Shadow Hall spent all summer gathering food for the winter and Maia suffered another twinge of guilt.
She could ill aff
ord this kind of sentiment now. If she let guilt get the better of her, she would never leave. Steeling herself against the feeling in the pit of her stomach, she went from barrel to barrel and took two to three portions from each. When finished, she had filled a large, materium crate. It wobbled slightly as it floated about a stride off the floor, and Maia steadied it. It contained supply enough to last her up to two Moons, if she rationed well.
Maia made sure everything was back in place and then re-covered the lanterns. Only the light blue one lit her way as she floated her materium crate along the tunnel towards the exit.
When she reached the last bend, she draped the cloth over the crystal and hung it back on its hook. As she leaned forward, she bumped the crate. Even heavy and loaded as it was, the floating materium crystals made it feather-light. With a dull thud, it banged into the wall.
Maia quickly reached out to steady it, and then held her breath.
“Who’s there?” the guard on duty yelled into the tunnel.
Cloaking herself and the crate with Air, she remained still as the guard entered the cave to investigate. The man walked a few steps around the corner and Maia saw him look directly at her. More accurately, through her.
When he did not see anything, he eventually resumed his watch at the entrance. She let out her breath and proceeded to the exit. The man was alert, but she managed to get by him unnoticed.
Again, she met Midnight at The Crags, and he took the crate from her to carry it up the mountain. Mentally, she thanked him, because her plan would simply not be possible without him.
Maia did a few more trips. She visited the Armoury, the Weaver’s workshop, the Builder’s yard and some others, gathering supplies and taking them to Midnight to heft to the mountain.
As the Moons dipped towards the morning, Maia finally sank into her bed and into a deep sleep.
Maia ran through the forest, the ground soft beneath her paws with weak sunlight filtering through the thick canopy overhead. The earth smelled fresh from last night’s rain.