Spirit Followers

by Lydia Redwine

  Anyone who spoke of the occurrence would be killed on the spot, accordingtoApollyon’sdecree. “Why?” was all Riah could ask. “Why do you want this, father?”

  “I told Tyron of our secret meetings. Although he disapproves of Amelia and I joining the Spirit Followers, he vows to take the secret to his grave. I only hope the no harm will befall him.”

  -From the diary of Cassia Caddell written during the Third Age

  Twenty-Seven

  By the time Cam and her fellow travelers entered the first village

  of the Medulla Realm, the morning sun had hidden beyond the dense fog. The village streets were emptied. Not a single person appeared in the village or the treehouse homes overhead. Perhaps, after a drizzle of rain, they retreated indoors and apparently had not ventured out again, but this seemed unlikely. Cam found that by her sister’s furrowed brow and curious gaze, that she was thinking the same.

  Cam led the way through the village with Kane, Fiera, and Caleb behind. They guided their horses slowly, taking in the desolate view.

  A sense of unease shuddered through Cam. The whole atmosphere of this place was lacking the warmth of neighbors out and about conducting their business. "Where are the rest of the villagers?" Caleb stopped short to ask an elderly man, the only person they had seen thus far. Even on a day like this, the people should have been working. Instead, the village appeared to be a ghost town.

  "They said we didn’t need to work," the man replied, nodding towards the castle home which loomed just beyond the towering pines.

  “Do you know why?” Caleb inquired. Cam and Fiera exchanged puzzled glances. It wasn’t like their parents to cancel the workers’ labor. The man only shrugged and said before continuing on his way, “Death in the family they said.”

  Cam froze. She sened Fiera doing the same. His words clattered through her skull. Had they heard of…

  Terra’s face in her mind had her whole body reeling, her insides boiling to the surface.

  "Strange," remarked Kane, his voice clear enough through the fog that had gathered in Cam’s brain. She knew he wasn’t receiving the best first impressions of her former home.

  "This way," she managed to say. She led them through a denser portion of the forest, taking a shortcut on a less used path. They arrived at the rear of the castle, through a small door and into the garden where the magical tree grew abundantly, even when the rest of nature was shedding for winter. Cam galloped through the clearing to the door. She dismounted before awaiting her companions.

  Every vein in her body trembled, nerves burning as she pushed the back door open.

  The hall was bathed in silence.

  Only the chirping and caws of birds hunting for worms following the rain sounded from outside. Even the servants worked quietly, or were they not working either?

  "Camaria? What brings you home so early?” She glanced upward to find Silva gliding down the winding stairs. Cam became suddenly aware of her rather disheveled appearance and the fact that she was wearing pants, an item women in the Medulla Realm were forbidden to be seen in. Silva didn’t seem to notice as she wrapped Cam in a warm embrace.

  Cam’s gaze narrowed as she pulled away from the woman. Silva seemed...normal. In spirits at least. "Mother, why are the villagers not working today?" she asked slowly.

  "Oh, they've just been working so diligently lately that we thought they should have a holiday. Besides, the weather is so ugly." Although she said it sweetly, Cam was unconvinced that the halting of work was merely due to provide a holiday.

  “Death in the family, they said.”

  "Back so soon, my dear? Where are your sisters?"

  "I finished training," Cam told her quickly. “Fiera is the only one who came with me as well as our guide and the heir to Cinis Lumen."

  Just then Kane and Caleb appeared in the doorway accompanied by a rather muddy Fiera. “She fell from her horse,” Kane said with a hearty laugh.

  “Becauseyoufrightenedit!” Fiera spokebitterlybuther eyes were sparked, and her mouth curved into a grin. Silva laughed instead of scolding her daughter and ushered the group into the hall.

  "Your father is in the library," Silva told them. A wild rush of skirts and a scream of delight echoed through the hall and Mista bounded across the length between them with Adria trailing behind her. Mista fell into Cam’s arms.

  “Cam! I’m so glad you’re home! It’s been so dreadfully boringhere…”Mistatrailed off at the sight of Caleb. Her face turned pink. Caleb greeted her and after a moment Mista gave him a shy embrace. Adria approached Cam and Fiera and kissed them each lightly on the cheek.

  "Where's Grandfather?" Cam asked, peering around Silva’s wide skirts. A worried expression flickered across Silva’s countenance. Mista and Adria grew suddenly quiet. Cam caught their glances towards the front door.

  Cam broke them apart and rushed towards the entrance, flinging the door open. She emerged into the gray autumn day to find the front yard and gardens desolate. A sprinkle of rain peppered her as she darted around the wall. The forest crept up the castle so close on one side of the structure that Cam could barely edge between the wall and brush without being tangled in thorns.

  A stone was set into the soft mud. No inscription was written upon it. The lump of ground indicated digging had been commenced recently.

  "Grandfather passed a few nights ago,” Adria said gently. Her damp handcame to rest ofCam’s arm. Cam’s jaw fell open, and she shook her head. She trembled against her sister’s touch.

  “When?” she croaked.

  “He was slowly becoming terribly ill. It's best he has gone,” Silva added soberly. Cam’s rammed against her chest in inconsistent beats.

  "I never said goodbye," was all she could think to say, her lower lip quivering. Silva placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  "I trust Terra is doing well? Why in the world would she not come home?”

  "She wasn't feeling well," Fiera replied shortly. “In fact, she had a bad fall. She is still in Cinis Lumen.”

  Cam’s head snapped to Fiera. Relating where Terra truly was now was not ideal but…

  “Why are you lying?”

  Cam wasn’t sure who she was asking. Fiera for lying about Terra or the woman who had raised her who was lying about Grandfather. Cam glanced between Adria and Mista. They knew it too. Perhaps Silva wasn’t a bad liar. Just didn’t estimate how difficult it would be to deceive her daughters.

  Silva frowned. “You must relate this and all other events when we dine tonight. We will eat in a few hours. I must speak with your father now…” Cam grew still and watched her mother. Silva didn’t so much as glance in her direction.

  Cam looked instead to her two younger sisters and asked silently, “What has happened? Truly?” They didn’t look at her either.

  Kane asked for a tour, Fiera, Adria, and Mista led him into the castle, and Caleb joined them. Cam stood in the rain, her hair plastered to her face. “No inscription, no funeral, and a grave set among thorns. I know Silva never liked Grandfather much…but this is…” The words were washed out in a trickle of tears.

  Tears of confusion more than anything else. Because she knew that Marcus Briar was not dead.

  Hours later, the fog outside had cleared and the brilliant

  moonlight shone on the trees and into the partially opened windows. The table was set with eight places. Cam sat across from Fiera who, to her parents' elation, was flanked by the two young men.

  “This visit makes for a pleasant break from training,” Fiera declared. Kane laughed and made a joke about her inabilities to which Fiera quickly rebutted, her mouth full of food.

  “Which one is she leaning towards?” Kazbek whispered to Camaria with a grin. Cam displayed a wry smile knowing Fiera wasn’t leaning towards anyone.

  "She and Kane have become friends. She and Caleb had seemedtofind awaytoworktogether butnow…” Camdidnotfinish the thought aloud. “He is distant…” she thought. “More lies.” She remembered what t
hey had learned in the valley.

  “Such a shame. It wou ld be delightful to know our daughter is marrying a realm leader's son,” Silva sighed.

  “What was that?" Kane asked. A look of alarm crossed his countenance.

  "Oh, nothing," Cam replied with cadence. He and Fiera shot Silva and Kazbek questioning looks.

  Kane laughed shakily. "If you're thinking Fiera and me, please, dismiss it. I have made my choice."

  “And who might that be?” Fiera inquired, raising an eyebrow. Cam and Caleb exchanged confused looks while Adria and Mista giggled quietly.

  "Well...um...Lia." Cam’s mouth dropped open, and she almost laughed. Fiera couldn’t contain herself. It was not strange, just not as they expected.

  "Why don't you tell us your news now," Silva said to Cam, abruptly changing the subject.

  Cam calmed herself to prepare to tell the news of a quite possible oncoming war. "Is that really all?" Silva asked when her account had concluded. Cam nodded. Silva continued, "Because we already knew all this."

  "Well yes, you knew about the revolt because I told you-"

  "No, you don't understand," Silva objected, shaking her head. Cam frownedandawaitedher continuation. "It’s timewetold you.” She released an exasperated sigh. “We already knew about what you just told us. In fact, we know where and when the attack will take place-"

  "But how?" Cam interjected.

  “We also know why," Kazbek added. He looked steadily at Cam, anticipating her reaction. The intervening time stood in silence. Cam glanced around and met the eyes of the other young people in the room. No one seemed to understand what Silva and Kazbek were speaking of.

  "When were you planning on informing us that you have discovered the Spirit Followers and your true…heritage?" Silva asked. The question came as a shock. Cam stammered for a moment. She felt rather than heard Adria and Mista’s surprise. Their movements froze, their gazes fixated on her.

  She hadn’t told them.

  Before Cam could answer, Kazbek added, "We found out that Amelia released such information to you, never mind the fact that it was not her place." His last line concluded in a hard, cold manner.

  "Yes, I know of them. But why does it matter? How do you know about them?"

  "Don't you see Cam? The Spirit Followers are the whole reason this revolt is taking place."

  Cam sat back. “They are starting it. They want rebellion…restoration whatever it is…”

  Silva interrupted. “Is that thelie youhave been told?” Cam’s thoughts took and abrupt turn as Silva unfolded the story. She stood beside the table as she stated, "Apollyon wants nothing more than to rid our society of that group. The whole plan for this revolt is not to overtake the nation but to draw out the Spirit Followers."

  "I don't understand…” Cam said, feeling as though she had been knocked into a sea of confusion.

  "If the Spirit Followers hear of a war threatening the entire kingdom, they will come out of hiding to be of aid. But I'm sure you know this already since your father is one of their leaders."

  “The Spirit Followers are Apollyon's enemy, not allies?”

  Silva nodded. Cam held Silva’s stare for a long, tense moment. How could she know all this? What happened to Amelia? Cam’s sisters and the two boys wore blank expressions. "We're also sure you will have no reason to join Apollyon; that you have no wish to dispose of this group."

  "Why would I?"

  “Because perhaps, you would see as we do, the benefit of riding the nation of the group. You may come to realize that their fake stories of an Elyon being in control will manipulate minds, ultimately destroying the way our nation runs."

  "Are you on Apollyon's side?" she stammered. She knew the question was stupid and unnecessary. Silva's sweet smile turned upward into a sinister smile.

  "We are doing the right thing. Do you have any interest in doing this as well? Or will you go to protect your father?" Cam’s mind whirled furiously. Up to this point, she herself had considered Apollyon as an enemy. Anyone who would threaten an entire nation and the lives of its people must be corrupt. She had never aligned herself with the Spirit Followers yet she felt she could not allow them to just be murdered. Her thoughts turned back in time. Joanna had truly thought Cam to be a Spirit Follower. Some of the Royals were on Apollyon’s side.

  "What happened to Amelia?" Cam asked, almost hysterically. What Silva had just related was black and white, crystal clear. The unexpectancy of the whole situation was what made Cam’s mind swim.

  "Oh, she wasn't being cooperative so we had to dispose of her," Silva replied coolly, as if she was merely mentioning the weather. Cam’s entire body tingled with upcoming rage. The concept of the situation had dawned on Caleb, Kane, and Fiera, but they were just now reacting.

  “What did the Spirit Followers ever do to anyone?” Caleb burst out, bounding from the table. His sudden outburst surprised the entire audience.

  Silva scoffed. “They have murdered the innocent and well- being of many people,” Kazbek stated.

  “They are ruining you, all of you,” Silva said, looking icily at Caleb. He stared back at her. He was one of them, and though he had lied, Cam discovered it herself.

  There was a long pause in which Cam attempted to collect her scattered thoughts. Silva's next words confirmed a boiling hatred she never knew she had for those who raised and loved her as their own daughter. "As for your sister," Silva said, meaning Terra, "it was no surprise she didn't return home and no doubt she ever will." A look of fake sadness and indignation crossed her countenance. She sighed. "It's unfortunate that she never liked our dealings."

  Silva paused, expecting Cam to react, expecting her to know something. "Oh? She didn't reveal her little secret?" She said in mock surprise. She seated herself once again, this time not in preparation to eat but to tell a story, a story Cam was dreading to hear. "Terra didn't agree at first, as in her nature, to participate in our manner of securing an alliance with Apollyon. It was a small price she had to learn to begin paying. As we all do. We began the arrangements three years ago.”

  Cam couldn’t find it within herself to even gasp. They had been in allegiance with Apollyon far longer than she had imagined.

  “We only made arrangements three times. We didn't want to risk the possibility of the public finding out. You see, they would see it as scandalous, unlike us. The customers paid well. Everything was fine until a discrepancy appeared. The product was eliminated quickly, however, although Terra begged us not to."

  Cam’s reeled forward in horror, catching herselfon the edge of the table. “Finding out-” she managed to say, finding her own voice colder than shehad heardit before. “You mean, as in theform of a child.”

  Arrangement, they had called it.

  To Cam, it was abuse and torture. Selling, slavery. Terra was beautiful and everyone could agree. Cam pictured the long nights, sweat and sleepless, bathing in moonlight.

  Silva dismissed her comment. “We didn’t tell you before because...well we were going to. Before you left.”

  “What does me leaving have to do with anything?” Cam’s voice was quiet. Still cold, but too small in her shock.

  Silva’s expression softened. So did her voice. Cam hated it. “Because you were becoming involved with the Royals, some of which we did not know if we could trust.”

  “I sure as hell hope that noneof them would ever trust you!” Fiera had leapt up, her rage now simmering in the air.

  Kazbek rose just as quickly, his own expression boiling. "Leave," he ordered.

  Cam couldn’t speak, couldn’t form thoughts. "Leave this room." Cam stood still, her gaze focusing once more on what was before her. Two people she did not know. Thought she knew. She whirled to look at her sisters. Adria and Mista had risen. The former pale in complexion and clutching the later’s shoulders. Mista’s eyes were gleaming with tears.

  Cam whirled back to Silva andKazbek screaming, “Where is Grandfather!” But they were gone.

  “What
the hell!" Fiera screamed. A shattering of glass. Cam wasn’t sure who had done it. But it didn’t matter, for just then, her wrists were grasped in an iron grip and tied behind her back. She saw only flickering light of candles on the table, Mista’s tears and Adria’s white face. Someone was throwing a fist. Someone else was screaming. But it was all noise and blurred lights to Cam.

  There were questions being asked, she knew. But no answers.

  Cam never knew the Medulla Realm had prisons, but then there

  were many things she felt by now that she was ignorant of. The four prisoners were thrown into a pit approximately four feet in depth. They had to crouch down due to the overhead door constructed of twisting vines which formed bars. It was more like a cage located in a clearing far from the castle in a part of the forest that hardly anyone ventured to. The door in the vine roof was locked and guarded closely by two of the men who had brought them there.

  Cam was beginning to drip with sweat mostly from the exertion of struggle. “I must stay calm,” she reminded herself. Nevertheless, she couldn’t compel the sinking feeling to leave her. What could they do now? Escape was first on her mind, but returning to Cinis Lumen now would mean that they had failed their mission, for they had not recruited a single person. Without the help of its leaders, Cam felt as though such a thing was a lost cause.

  "If we use our teeth, we can try to free someone of their bonds," Kane suggested in a low whisper.

  "When do we escape though?" Fiera asked.

  "They will nod off eventually,” Caleb replied.

  "I need answers, and we need help. We need people,” Cam remarked.

  “And how do you plan on accomplishing that?” Fiera asked sharply.

  “Let’s sleep for now while we wait for them to drift off,” Caleb nodded towards the guards who were having a quiet conversation on whether or not they should be drinking on duty. Cam settled herself next to Fiera on the dirt floor. Kane and Caleb lay on the other side of Fiera.