Blood of the Sorcerer

by B. C. Morin

  Alannah walked over to the chair in front of the fire where her now clean training gear hung. She slipped off the gown and folded it neatly onto the chair before slipping into her pants, blouse and corset, boots, and weapons. She reveled in the silence of her steps as she walked across the room, pulling the cloak that Anora must have brought over off of its hook and draping it around her shoulders.

  Time to see if you are still brave enough to try and leave the castle again, Isibeal.

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  Chapter 13

  Alannah got back to the castle just in time to see Isibeal sneaking through the courtyard. She was much more vigilant this time constantly searching the area behind her to ensure she was not being followed. It was difficult, but Alannah managed to stay hidden. She made her way to the wall and jumped over it with ease. Isibeal took a different path this time, leading Alannah through several patches of dense trees and around the massive lake near the entrance to Anrad. It was tricky to maneuver around this area as the light of the moon pressed to get through the branches of leaves, but could not. Alannah stopped behind a tree that barely covered her body. Isibeal stopped, looking behind her, just missing Alannah as she used her power over the wind to propel herself onto one of the branches. She stood still, watching Isibeal walk directly to the spot where she was standing. Alannah realized that it was a good thing that it had not started to snow yet, or there would be no hiding from Isibeal. Isibeal turned quickly and set off at a quick pace. Alannah was about to jump down when a group of Goblins approached, surrounding the tree. Alannah looked toward Isibeal who had disappeared into the trees and wondered if Isibeal had planned this.

  “You will have to come down sometime, sweet fae.” The goblins voice was raspy and his sharp teeth glimmered even in the darkness. It was a thought not comforting to Alannah. Alannah contemplated which of her powers to use when a low cackling sound invaded her ears. She looked down at the five goblins, who now were not only baring their teeth at her, but some were licking their lips in hunger.

  Wait, five? I thought I saw six. Alannah looked around desperately for the sixth goblin when the cackling began again. She slowly brought her head up, just in time to see the missing Goblin lunge himself at her, teeth bared and ready to bite. She put out her hand to stop him, but lost her balance and fell off the branch along with him.

  The pain of hitting the ground did not hurt nearly as bad as the teeth, which had embedded themselves into her arm. Alannah stood, grabbing the Goblin by the shirt and slamming him into the trunk of the tree that they had just tumbled from. The other Goblins jumped in quickly and began biting at her, and tying her feet together. They tried to restrain her hands, which kept her from successfully casting a spell, while one jumped onto her shoulders, wrapping a piece of cloth around her mouth to keep her from speaking the spells. One of the Goblins pulled out a dull stick and hit her on the back of the knees. The pain radiated up her legs as she dropped to the ground kneeling. One Goblin, who she guessed was the leader, stood in front of her sneering.

  “You will make for a tasty dish.” He raised his club and after a blinding light and searing pain, everything went black.

  When she awoke, the pounding in her head kept everything around her out of focus. She saw several small huts surrounding the large fire in front of her, which had a stick running across it for roasting. At the sight of the stick, she quickly understood why the Goblin called her tasty. The pressure of the rope around her was enough to keep her from breathing properly. The Goblins had tied a rope around her chest, keeping her propped up against the tree. The other rope surrounded most of her legs.

  Alannah watched as the Goblins walked from one hut to the other. Some dressed in armor, some in plain clothes. She guessed the ones in armor were to guard the campsite. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the one she assessed to be the leader walking toward her. Not wanting to give him reason to knock her out again, Alannah hung her head in mock unconsciousness.

  “Baren, when do we get to cook her?” One of the Goblins behind the leader spoke.

  “Silence!” He responded. “I have told you that we must wait for the other hunting group to return.”

  The goblin that had asked the question grunted in disappointment before walking away.

  Baren continued toward her. He stood just beneath her hanging head, examining her face to ensure she was unconscious. His breath assaulted her senses and she had to hold back her nausea.

  “Hmpf. Stupid faeries.” Baren walked away, yelling at one of the guards to inform him when the other group arrives. Keeping her head hanging and her hair covering her face, Alannah moved her jaw up and down, pushing the rag with her tongue in the hopes of getting it out of her mouth. After a few moments, and a sore jaw, the now sopping rag fell onto her chin. She had not practiced spells without speaking yet, but as she saw it, now was as good a time as any. She set her sights on the hut nearest the guard. Incendium, she thought to herself. Nothing. Alannah closed her eyes, envisioning the hut consumed in flames, opened them once again, and thought to herself, Incendium!

  Within seconds the roof of the hut burst into flames. Two Goblins came running out of it, yelling at the guard nearby for assistance. Within moments the Goblin’s entire campsite was out of their huts.

  Time to cause some chaos. Incendium! The hut at the far end of the campsite burst into flames and Baren came running out. Immediately, his eyes fell on Alannah.

  “It is the faerie! Kill her!”

  A guard that was but a few feet away unsheathed his sword and ran at her. He was stopped by a dagger that flew from behind the tree that Alannah was tied to. The dagger wedged into his throat.

  There was a moment where all the Goblins stood still, trying to figure out where the blade had came from, and in that moment, the attacker took advantage. Two more blades cut through the cold night air embedding themselves in one more guard and then a Goblin that was carrying a rather large knife.

  The figure jumped into the mass of Goblins in a blur. The blade of the attacker’s sword shone in the glow of the fire. The assailant, whose face was covered with a familiar black hood, kicked the first Goblin that attacked. The blade slicing through the air, it came down across the chest of the last guard. Alannah fixed her gaze on a Goblin that was lunging at the assailant from behind.

  “Incendium!”

  The Goblin screeched as his entire body caught on fire. He threw himself to the ground but the flames consumed him quickly. The assailant saw the burning Goblin and turned to Alannah giving a nod in thanks.

  “Enough!” Baren jumped in front of Alannah pressing a knife to her stomach. “I will kill her.”

  Alannah looked at the assailant, whose eyes she still could not see, and saw a grin from beneath the hood. The assailant nodded and Alannah nodded back.

  “Contúndere!” Alannah shouted, and the goblin standing before her, looked up at her with rage just as his body burst apart, causing Alannah to turn her face in an attempt to keep from getting any of the Goblin on her. The hooded assailant dispatched of the remaining Goblins, as others ran from their campsite.

  The stranger walked over to Alannah, swinging the sword twice in a circular motion before bringing it down on the ropes that held her to the tree.

  Alannah sucked in a deep breath at the release of the ropes, watching as the stranger sheathed the sword.

  “Thank you.”

  The stranger pulled back the hood revealing their face.

  “Isibeal.” Alannah whispered.

  Despite the fake smirk Isibeal gave, she could see she was brooding as she turned and began walking over the Goblin corpses. Alannah quickly followed suit, though she had no idea where they were going.

  “You were following me.” Isibeal sighed, glancing over her shoulder.

  Alannah looked at the ground for a moment, then back at Isibeal, the moon reflecting off of her smooth raven tresses.

  “Yes.”

  “This is not what you assume it
to be, Alannah.” Isibeal stopped and turned to face her, folding her arms across her chest. “You have no idea what this is about.”

  Alannah squared her shoulders.

  “Perhaps. But you were not exactly volunteering information.”

  Isibeal turned on her heal and began walking again. “It is none of your business.”

  Alannah stepped quickly to catch up. It was difficult keeping up with her as she took long quick strides.

  “It is my business, she called out to her. I care about Brennus and I will not let you hurt-“

  She was cut off by the icy stare Isibeal shot her over her shoulder.

  “Brennus is no longer your business.” Isibeal huffed as she continued walking.

  Alannah felt her blood boiling.

  “And is he yours? You, who said you were no more comfortable with this than I?”

  Isibeal jumped over a partially frozen creek landing gracefully on the other side. In the distance in front of her the faint glow of candlelight flickered behind the draperies in the house she had visited days ago.

  Alannah finally caught up with Isibeal grabbing her by the arm and forcing her to turn.

  “I believe I deserve an answer!”

  “Do you?” Isibeal’s hand was on the hilt of her sword

  “Yes, and while I am asking for answers I may as well ask why you went to find me, if you knew that I had been following you.”

  Isibeal shook her head slowly from side to side.

  “You are beyond your understanding here, Alannah. I have no intention of hurting Brennus. He may not be mine yet, but I care about him, also. And as for you,” Isibeal stepped forward standing mere inches from Alannah’s face. She had to tilt her head back to look into her intensely sad hazel eyes. “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. When I realized you were no longer following me, I tried to convince myself that you had gone back, but I could not. I knew something had happened to you, and despite the fact that you are in over your head, you did not deserve to die over it. Nor do you deserve the answer you seek. I have given you my word that I have no intention of harming Brennus emotionally, physically, or otherwise. That and that alone will be your answer, you do not need to know what I am doing out here.” She stepped back and looked her over. “Go back Alannah. Next time, I may not be willing to step in and save you.”

  Alannah opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. She’d gotten what she’d wanted, right? Fae cannot lie, and Isibeal gave her word that she was not going to hurt Brennus. But if so, then why is she hiding? Why sneak around to do whatever it is she is doing? Alannah asked herself as she watched Isibeal walk toward the small cabin. No, that answer would not be enough. There was still something strange going on and Alannah had no plans to let it go.

  * * * * * *

  The morning rays fought their way through the branches and leaves, illuminating some of the tents, and casting a light on the dying fire. Logres walked around the site checking for any signs of danger. He heard a rustling of the leaves on the ground and walked swiftly to investigate. He chuckled to himself as a small hare jumped out from between the trees. As he brought his gaze back up, he pulled his sword from its sheath, pointing it at the chest of the fae who seemed to have just materialized behind where the hare had been. Her hood covered most of her face, and she raised her worn hands in a peaceful gesture.

  “I mean no harm, Logres. I come for Evyette.” Her voice was melodic yet melancholy at the same time.

  Logres blinked at the sound of his name, not having thought that she knew who he was.

  “Awaken, fae! We have a visitor!” Logres called out over his shoulder but did not drop the tip of his blade from the woman’s chest.

  Brennus, Kaleb, and Ithor were the first to emerge from their tents, with their swords drawn prepared for a fight. The others followed close behind, with Tristan standing guard outside the entrance of his tent, asking Evyette to stay inside.

  Magister Morcant strode up to the woman, surrounded by the other fae.

  “Dara. We were just on our way to see you.”

  At the sound of her name, Tristan quickly moved out of the way and told Evyette to come out.

  “So I was told, Magister.” She looked at Logres and then again at the Magister who indicated to Logres to lower his sword.

  Evyette peered over between Tristan’s and Kaleb’s shoulders. She tried to relate her to the memory of receiving the Mark on her wrist, but it was to no avail. That memory was gone. She watched as the breeze, blew the white tendrils of hair that escaped from beneath the wine colored hood. Her skin was worn and had more wrinkles than you would normally see on a fae. It wasn’t until she locked gazes with her that she recognized the blue eyes. In the memory she had at the house, the eyes were surrounded by dark hair, and though these were surrounded by white, there was no mistaking them. It was a light blue color around the pupil, surrounded by a darker blue on the outside. Evyette stood still as Tristan and Kaleb moved slightly so that they weren’t in her way, though Tristan put his hand on the small of her back protectively. Even though they were surrounded by several fae, Evyette felt as if it were only her and Dara there in that moment. She wanted to continue examining the fae, hoping that looking at her, or her form of dress, anything, would spark a memory, but she couldn’t tear herself away from her eyes. The eyes that cried in her memory, the eyes that began to cry now.

  Dara did not move as the tears spilled out of her eyes. She gulped down her nervousness. “Evyette.”

  “Dara. Was it really you? Were you there?”

  Dara nodded her head, a kind smile eased its way across her face.

  “You look just like your mother.”

  Those words were the only ones needed to pull the tears from Evyette’s eyes. Evyette held up her wrist to be in Dara’s view.

  “This, this was you, wasn’t it? You gave me this?”

  Dara looked down, cleaning her face with the edging of her sleeve.

  “Yes. I wanted so much to tell you. To look at your face and beg you to remember me, but I did not think you would be ready, after just finding out about the Mark on your soul.”

  Tristan stepped up to Evyette, speaking lowly.

  “My love, why don’t you and Dara have a seat around the fire. We can leave you alone-“

  “No.” She turned to look at him, placing her hand on his cheek. “I mean we will sit, but I do not want you to leave.” She looked around making sure that the others knew she was talking about them. In fact, I will not make any of you leave. Most of you are on this trip because of me. You deserve to hear this as much as I. Please.” She motioned for them all to sit on the ground, and the broken logs around the fire.

  After a few moments of silence where the only sound heard was the shuffling of feet on the ground, the wind weaving its way through the trees, and a few extra logs being thrown onto the fire, Evyette spoke.

  “Tell me, Dara.” She sat next to the old fae, her eyes pleading. “Tell me everything.”

  Dara lifted her hand and touched Evyette’s cheek. Silent tears rolled down her face, tears of anxiety over her safety, of anger for the one who marked her soul, of all she has had to endure.

  “Your mother’s name was Olivia.” She began. “I promise you, you look just like her. Honey eyes, beautiful honey colored hair. A very skilled warrior faerie.” Her gaze fell quickly on Brennus, as did the gaze of everyone there. Without lifting her gaze from Brennus, she continued. “She was the sister of the Queen.”

  Brennus’s jaw went slack. His eyes only shifted from Dara to Evyette for a moment, gauging her reaction.

  “Oli.” He whispered just loud enough for Dara to hear.

  “Yes, that is what her sister called her.” Dara interjected, smiling to herself.

  “My mother told me of her. She loved her. Her disappearance nearly killed her.”

  “Well, let’s not get ahead of the story.” Dara smiled at Evyette. “As the sister of the Queen, she held a very high positio
n, and served as an ambassador for Anrad when Olivia or her husband could not be somewhere. I was her nursemaid when she was a child and continued to serve her as she grew. When she was sent to the Kingdoms I would ride or fly with her. I loved her as if she were my own daughter.” Dara shifted in her seat, staring into the fire, whose heat they no longer counted on due to the morning sun warming the air around them.

  “It was on one of these trips that she met a fae. He was handsome and kind, long blonde hair, and his words, sweet as nectar to her. He served on a council and met with your mother a couple of times to discuss boundaries of the Kingdoms, treaties, etc. By the time their business was done, Olivia was smitten.” Dara raised a corner of her mouth in a smirk. “As was the young fae. They would meet in the forest and spend days together. She asked him to come and meet her family, but he felt he was not worthy enough. She being the sister of the Queen he felt he did not have enough to offer her.” Her face filled with sorrow, the smirk was gone.

  “He told her of a plan he had, to obtain a higher position. Olivia told him over and over that it did not matter to her, nor would it matter to her family. But the longer he thought about it, the more obsessed he became. The last few times she saw him, his eyes were sunken in, his beautiful face had lost its glow, and there were circles under his eyes. He had become so fascinated with his plan that he did not even sleep. He began yelling at Olivia when she would try to talk him out of it. What started out as a gesture of love, became a sick fantasy that consumed him.” Dara paused for a minute to accept the cup of water that Magister Morcant produced for her. She held it between both her hands and put it to her lips. A few moments passed where she just stared into the fire, almost as if she did not want to re-live what she was to say next. She sighed, bringing the cup down to rest on her lap, though still between her hands.