by K.N. Lee
More riders landed behind him.
“We are the Brotherhood.”
Mother covered her mouth with her hands and exchanged a worried glance with father.
The Brotherhood? Amalia had never heard of them. Why were mother and father so afraid of these men? They didn't have weapons.
But, they did have dragons. That answered her question.
“We don't want any trouble,” Levi said.
“And, you won't have any. If the Mages come forward,” Father Marduk said, his expression darkening. It wasn't a request. Amalia could tell from his voice that it was an order. She feared what would happen if they didn't obey. For her entire life, Skal had been a peaceful place. No one bothered them, and they kept to themselves. They farmed, harvested, and feasted on their own land. They married within their borders, and raised their children to be kind to one another. Why did anyone want to destroy their peace?
“Why did you kill some of our people if you weren’t here to bring us trouble?”
Marduk shrugged. “We had to make examples of some of you,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “We were careful to leave the Mages unharmed. Come, now. You can lead the way.”
She gulped. How could he tell who was a Mage and who wasn’t?
Then, she realized that as the riders stepped closer to them, their scepters started to glow.
“Bring the red head and the girl with you,” he said about Amalia and her mother. He looked at the others. “Is that all? Just the three of you?”
“Not the best catch,” one of the other riders said with a sneer. He leaned his weight on his scepter and spat on the ground. “I could have stayed in bed for this. An old couple and a scrawny girl.”
“Now, now, Nin-Ildu. Anyone of them can be the one we’ve been seeking for.”
“Not likely.”
“Enough out of you,” Marduk commanded, and Nin-Ildu pursed his lips, his dark eyes staring at Amalia.
She stepped to the side, further behind her father.
“If you will not come peacefully, I will have to use force. I don’t want to have to do that. I am a reasonable man. Don’t make me show my nasty side.”
Amalia jumped when her father turned to her and grabbed her by both arms. He whispered to her, and the look in his eyes made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
“Amalia, I want you to run. Run into the Never Wood and don’t look back.”
Then, his eyes glowed a bright blue that was almost white and he blew her backward with an icy wind that flew from his lips like the winter frost.
The wind blew her backward and her hair wrapped around her face as the entire world became a blur as she sped through the trees—far from the riders—far from her family.
The coldness that filled her veins wasn't as shocking as what her father had just done. As she flew backwards into the deep Never Wood, she realized that she never knew what her father could do. For that matter, she had no idea what she could do. She'd never seen her father use magic, and no one ever spoke of it.
It was forbidden.
And so, as Amalia flew away, she wished she had clung to her father. She wished he had grabbed her mother's hand and together they could have escaped on the force of his power.
Her hair blew around her face and the wind pushed her at a speed she never knew was possible. When she landed in a pile of wet, black leaves, her face was soaked with tears.
Deep down, she knew that she'd never see her family again.
Still, as she stood and gathered her bearings, she had hope. The magic had left her a bit woozy on her feet, and it took a moment for her to steady herself. She closed her eyes and took several slow, long breaths.
When she opened her eyes, the quiet of the Never Woods awaited. She covered her arms with her hands and shivered. She'd never been alone before. And now, her future was uncertain.
She looked to the sky. Faint traces of sunlight spilled through the thick leaves that formed what was similar to a thatched roof over the woods.
The silence that smothered her was a reminder that she was all alone. Not even animals dared walk through those woods.
She needed to work quickly. Her father didn't risk his life just for her to get captured.
So, she tried to focus.
Skal was between two red rivers. On one side was Kjos, the Mage lands that had been ravaged by dragons. It was a desolate place, and one where it wasn't worth the risk to join her people. On the other side was Fjord, the Wolf lands. Enemy territory. She knew where she had to go, and the realization filled her with dread.
She turned and headed west. She blew out a long sigh and trudged through the thick underbrush.
“Enemy territory, it is.”
4
The Age of Dragons had ended, but their more vicious brethren still lingered the nine realms causing death and destruction. Unlike the dragons of the old age, firedrakes killed without mercy or prejudice.
They were a nuisance.
Kylan and Vidar stood at the top of White Beard Mountain, watching the firedrakes circle the frozen valley below. The sun had yet to fully rise, and snow fell from the gray sky in a soft dusting.
“Just be patient,” Kylan said, holding a hand up as Vidar readied his bow and arrow. “Wait for them to settle.”
“How about you shut your trap and let me focus?” Vidar growled between clenched teeth. His short brown hair lifted with the wind and he brushed it from his dark brown eyes. “I’m the archer. You’re just here for a share of my glory once I kill these beasts.”
Kylan shrugged. “Can’t deny the truth in that,” he said with a smirk. “A little glory and a little gold.”
“Not that you need any gold. Greedy bastard,” Vidar grumbled.
“One can never have too much gold,” Kylan said as he kept his eyes locked on the two red beasts.
They flew in circles, as if chasing one another. Though significantly smaller than the dragons of the old age, the drakes looked much like them. Their heads were similar to that of a dragon, and they had two legs, large wings and horns as well as maces on their long snake-like tails. Their wings flapped against the swift wind and loud screeches filled the air as they snapped their teeth at one another and tussled like baby cubs. Then, he realized that they were chasing one another.
“You leech.”
Chuckling, Kylan rubbed his hands together and blew into them. The cold chill of the early dawn seemed to only grow colder despite the rising sun.
“What are they doing?” Vidar asked with annoyance.
“They’re playing,” Kylan answered. His brows lifted as he looked back to Vidar. “I think they’re just children.”
“Explains why they’re so small.”
“Remarkable.”
“Well, a small firedrake is worth as much gold as a full grown one,” Vidar said.
“Aye,” Kylan said, nodding. The humans in the adjoining kingdom would pay handsomely to have their lands free of such a threat.
The fire drakes landed on a ledge of the mountain, and before Kylan could utter another word, Vidar shot one arrow, pulled another from the quiver, and shot another, killing both drakes.
“Dear Eris,” he said, stunned by his friend’s skill. “You are bloody brilliant with a bow, my friend. Never gets old.”
Vidar stood and peered at the bodies. “I killed them. You can fetch them.”
Kylan came to his feet and sighed. “Father’s going to have a fit when he sees us walk into town with two dead drakes.”
Grinning, Vidar nodded. “I’m more eager to see what Sassa has to say about it.”
Kylan shoved him and laughed. “Someone’s eager for a kiss.”
“Aye,” he said, his cheeks reddening.
“And, maybe more.”
“What of it? We’re both of age to get married,” Vidar said, growing serious.
“Come now, you’re only seventeen. That’s still too young to claim a mate,” Kylan said. “Once you pick one, you’re stuck wi
th her until one of you dies. Are you really ready for such a thing?”
“I am. Is that so terrible? Not only is she an even better archer than I am, but, she’s the most beautiful girl in town.”
Kylan made a face. “If you like red-heads, maybe.”
“Shut up, Kylan. You’re just jealous.”
“Not at all, really. I could have any girl I wanted. But, that’s the thing. I don’t want just one.”
“So, you’re bound to end up with none.”
He shrugged with a laugh. “We’ll see,” he said, and took a few steps back before running at full speed for the cliff.
Vidar moved out of the way as Kylan leaped into the open air toward the dead drakes. With the agility of a snow leopard, he ran along the craggy rocks of the mountain and took the drakes by the neck, one in each hand. He peered up to see Vidar also make the leap. He landed beside him and they marveled at their accomplishment.
“Think this will get you enough to ask Sassa’s father to let you take her from his household?” Kylan asked, catching his breath.
The old magic that coursed through his veins and allowed for the shift from man to beast allowed for his clothing to make the change as well. He was grateful, for the wind grew colder at the foot of the mountain where the tall trees blocked out most of the sun.
The smile on Vidar’s face almost made Kylan jealous. There was no girl or woman in town who he could ever see himself loving as much as his dear friend did. Perhaps it was for the best. In a year, he would join his father on the seas and travel the nine realms as their ancestors had always done.
It wasn’t the warrior’s way to stay at home where it was safe and warm. Their destiny was to reclaim their empire that was lost.
“I think it is,” Vidar said, and picked up one of the drakes. He threw it over his shoulder. “More than enough to also hold a feast that would rival any held this year.”
He slapped Vidar on the back. “Well then, let’s get these back and get you married.”
Vidar beamed as they took the drakes back to their town. They entered the forest and Kylan glanced up at the trees. A single eagle stood on a branch, watching him. It had a regal air about it, with its white head, golden beak and slick black feathers. Why did Kylan suddenly get the feeling he was being hunted.
He shivered, and frowned. As they walked past, something stirred within. A warning of some sort. Within the eagle’s eyes was wisdom, and when they began to glow red, he knew there was something more within them.
Magic.
He blinked once, and the eagle had vanished.
Kylan looked ahead, his face troubled as he tried to shake off the itch of magic that still lingered in the air.
5
Father Marduk had what he came for.
Validation.
As he had the Mages he’d found in Skal caged and taken aboard the ship, he stood at the top of the Weeping Mountain. Birds flew away in flocks as his firedrakes patrolled the skies.
Skal had been combed of Mages and only a handful had been found. Most were of the typical variety: fire Mages and water Mages. Nothing he hadn’t seen a million times during his lifetime.
There was something about that girl, though—something special. The fact that her father had sent her away with his magic wasn’t remarkable. Any father or mother would have done the same to protect their child if they had the means.
No. He’d seen the marks on her hand.
She was the one—the one to set the world right again.
He just needed to tear her heart out and sacrifice it for that to happen.
Peering down at the dense forest that stretched for miles, he sucked in a deep breath of the cool air. It still tasted of coal and red firedrake flames, but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was her.
The last true descendant.
“She went east,” Nin Ildu said, picking his teeth of dried meat they’d taken from the village food storages. “She only has a few choices. There’s Wolf territory, the human lands, and the dark elf kingdom.”
“I’ll find her,” Marduk said. “I can guarantee you that.”
“You’d better. Or, Eris and Enit will finish what they started.”
Marduk tensed. Slowly, he turned to Nin Ildu. His glower silenced the only man with any courage to challenge him, but that didn’t mean Nin Ildu was prepared to back down. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and met Marduk’s gaze, as if daring him to make move.
He’d love that. Marduk was fully aware that the only reason he came along was to make sure Marduk failed.
He’d die before he gave Nin Ildu the satisfaction.
“Are you going to do something, Nin Ildu?” Marduk asked, tilting his head. He drew his two daggers from his waist-belt and tapped them together, igniting a white light along the blades. “Because, you look like you’d like to try.”
Nin Ildu eyed the glowing daggers, now enchanted by Marduk’s superior rune magic and withdrew his hand. He gave Marduk a slight bow and whistled.
His firedrake swept in and Nin Ildu hopped onto its back, keeping his eyes fixed on Marduk.
“You better hope we find her,” Nin Ildu said, before flying toward their ship.
A crooked smirk came to Marduk’s lips. There was no doubt that he would. She couldn’t run forever, and if he had waited this long to find a descendant, he’d track her down to the very Land of the Dead.
Kneeling, he sheathed his daggers and summoned his rune spirit. The orb fed more energy to him and floated above his head until Marduk touched the liquid texture of its sphere and changed the color from blue to red.
He would have to deal with the exhaustion of being awake for nearly a century for a moment. Right now, he needed more than a recharge.
The hunt was on, and he needed a guide.
The orb bobbed and its light intensified until it shot across the sky and spun in the air. Marduk watched it until it cast its glow in the direction the girl had gone.
It was a start. He’d find her and fulfill his destiny.
Or, he’d succumb to his affliction and yield to the death that had been patiently waiting for so long.
She could save the world. But, first…she could save him.
6
On the seventh day of walking through the Never Woods, Amalia worried she'd never make it to the other side. She feared she'd have to settle in the woods, and build a home where she'd live her days as a hermit.
That wasn't the worst that could happen. She could be taken by the Brotherhood, or burned alive by dragons. She could very well be mauled by the demons folklore said lived in the woods.
As each day went on, she began to wonder who made those stories up. So far, she hadn't encountered any evil presences. Just tall dark trees, old stumps, and fallen branches. She drank from the brooks that cut through the woods and slept in piles of leaves where her only company was that of mosquitos and ants the size of the red berries that fell from fever bushes.
Night began to fall and she was both tired and hungry. Though there was plenty of fresh water, finding food was a challenge. She wasn't sure how long she could survive on just berries, edible flowers, and the occasional fish caught with her bare hands.
Settling onto the ground, she fed dry sticks to her small fire, keeping the smoke contained by a mini roof she'd built with leaves, bamboo, and sticks. She couldn't risk getting found by the Brotherhood, if they were still searching for her.
She warmed her hands close to the fire and yawned. Sleep didn't come easy, and she didn't allow herself much of it. Her mind was set on one thing: reaching Fjord. What she'd do once she arrived, she was unsure of. When she looked down, she traced the markings on the back of her hand.
Her birthmark. At least, that’s what her mother called them. They were dark lines that resembled a tattoo, or an ancient language she’d never seen. It was one reason she wore gloves so much in the village, to hide them, because they didn’t look natural to her.
A low growl broke her from
her thoughts. She sucked in a breath and grew tense as another growl came from beside her. Slowly, she looked to her right.
Wolves.
Swallowing, she realized she had reached her goal. She’d escaped the Never Woods, only to find herself prey to three large black dire wolves.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she came to her feet. One of the wolves barked at her, and before it could charge, Amalia did all that she knew how to do.
She ran the other way.
Her arms pumped and her feet thundered along the ground as she ran for her life. With wide eyes, she searched for a hiding place. The sound of rushing water caught her attention. She would use every drop of energy to reach it.
Wolves wouldn’t chase her into a running body of water. That was her only hope. She leaped over fallen logs and fought to control her breaths as she was forced to quicken her speed. The wolves were right at her heels, growling and frothing at the mouth for a fresh kill.
Ahead, was a cliff.
Her face flushed as she realized what she had to do.
Darkness cloaked the valley, as Amalia jumped from the steep cliff to escape the wolves.
Their teeth gnashed and nearly caught the frayed hem of her dress.
Her scream pierced the silence of the night, and the growls of her pursuers chased her down through the curling mists and into the river.
A million pricks of pain assaulted her as her body submerged into the water that was nearly frozen from a winter that came to Kjos a week too early. She swallowed water and snapped her mouth closed. Florescent lights awaited below at the bottom of the river, but she knew better. Though the colors were pretty and the underwater caves beckoning, Amalia knew that mermaids were not her friend, and if she wanted to survive, she needed to go up, back to the world of humans and creatures too horrific to speak of.
A deafening whistle came from the sleepy mermaid village, and Amalia realized that she was about to be chased by yet another dangerous foe. She kicked her legs and swam upward as the whistles made the water ripple all around her, sucking her in.