Shellna wasn’t sure what she had expected. But it hadn’t been the collected young man who politely, yet strongly told her that he didn’t want or need her help. That there was nothing really wrong.
She might have even believed him… if she hadn’t been an empathic water mage. Not every water mage could feel another’s emotions. But she had always been able to. Even before her gift had fully been awakened.
And Kel had been very afraid. Traces of it had clung to him during much of the meeting. But every time he admitted to the terrifying nature of the nightmares that fear became fresher. What could possibly cause so much fear? Shellna frowned. Was he beaten? Bullied? She had worked with people who had been. And while there had been fear and shame and some anger… the fear she had felt from Kel was so much more.
Most worrying for her was that he was so very good at hiding it. He must have spent his life perfecting the art of hiding his emotions. Which meant she had a lot of work ahead of her.
She sighed leaning back in her chair. But then she smiled. She had always liked a challenge.
After a minute Shellna rose, cleaned up the tea and cups, then headed out. She had a meeting with High Zien dae Plavea.
“What did you think?” High Zien dae Plavea asked Shellna as soon as she entered his office in the Town Hall.
“It is still too early to tell, but my initial thoughts are your son is sound of mind.” Kel’s father relaxed in his chair at her words. Though he grew concerned as she continued. “But something has truly frightened him…” Shellna paused wondering how to ask what she wanted to ask without offering offense. “Zien Oakelen, has your son ever been traumatized in some way?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m just trying to understand the source of his fear, what fuels the nightmares you informed me about.” She explained.
He shook his head, frowning. “I do not believe so. He’s just always had these terrible nightmares. Ever since he was little. We hadn’t thought anything of it since kids have nightmares upon occasion… were we wrong?” He asked hesitantly.
“Nightmares are a normal thing.” Shellna was quick to assure him. “I’m going to have to find some way to get him to tell me.” She muttered more to herself than to the Oakelen.
“He didn’t talk to you?” Oakelen asked with some concern.
Shellna shook her head. “It was the first meeting. Very rarely do people talk about what troubles them on a first meeting. But I will tell you that boy has a way with words. He thanked me for my time but very politely told me that there was nothing I can do to help him. That he just suffers from terrible nightmares. That that was all they were.”
Oakelen winced before tilting his head curiously “You don’t believe him?”
Shellna bit her lip, wondering how much to say. But this was the boy’s father. He needed to understand that there was something more going on. That there must be something more going on. “Zien Oakelen, you understand that I am empathic.”
“Of course.”
She nodded. “Though Kel hid it very well, your son has such fear around him the likes of which I’ve never felt before. I am trying to understand what could cause such fear.”
He was silent for a moment, absorbing that. Eventually, he said, “my son is terrified and you think he is of sound mind?” Oakelen asked in disbelief.
Shellna crossed her arms. “I do. He’s got a will of steel. If I’d experienced that kind of fear, I would not be capable of normal activities. He is. And doing well from the reports I’ve read. So I ask again, do you know of anything that could have possibly traumatized him? Is still around?”
Oakelen began to pace. She could practically feel him searching desperately for an answer. “I can’t think of anything. But I will ask my wife. She might be able to think of something.”
“If she can, please let me know. I want to be able to help him to the best of my ability.” Shellna said with a bow.
“I will,” Oakelen promised. “Thank you again for seeing him at such short notice.”
“It was and is my pleasure. Good night.” He nodded as she showed herself the door.
Chapter 11
Salapril 28th, 518 AC
My day started out fairly well. I had breakfast and was making my way back to my room to get my stuff for class when Uncle Hawthorn stopped me. “Kel, I need to gather some Firestar Weed.”
“I have class though.” I pointed out.
Uncle Hawthorn waved that away. “Don’t worry, young man. I’ll let your teachers know that you are running an errand for me.”
“But Uncle, we have a test coming up, and I need to study –“
“Nonsense!” Uncle Hawthron silenced me. “You do nothing but study! Surely you need a break. And what better way to take a break than to gather some Firestar Weed for me?”
I wanted to shake my head, but I didn’t want to antagonize the man. “You do realize I’m not a full mage yet? I can’t go –“
Again, I was waved into silence. “My dear Ferna will be showing that metal mage the Old Wood. You will go with them. I told her that they were to protect you today already.”
I blinked at him. I opened my mouth then closed it. I had been outmaneuvered. Obviously, there was only one thing I could say. One answer that my dear uncle would accept. “Yes Uncle.”
Uncle Hawthorn grinned, clapping his hands together in pleasure. “I knew you would be willing to help your uncle out! You always bring back superior herbs. And I need quality!”
“Of course, Uncle. Is Ferna waiting at the rear gate?”
“She is.” He said with a nod. I started to walk in that direction. “Kel!” His call made me pause and look back. He pulled a folded note from his pocket, “Aunt Hazel has some requests for you as well.
Aunt Hazel didn’t make requests. Just like Uncle Hawthorn didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. I took the list, opened and stared at it. I stifled a sigh. This was not going to be a quick trip. But again, there was only one thing I could say. “Of course. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good lad.” Uncle Hawthorn bid me a good day with a grin before waving me along. I tucked Aunt Hazel’s list into my pocket and hurried toward the back.
Just as Uncle Hawthorn had said, Ferna and the metal mage, Teilnon del Kivna, were waiting for me. Ferna gave me a sympathetic smile. “I see my father tracked you down.”
“That he did. I hope you are both ready for a day hike.” I said glancing between them.
Ferna snorted. “Dad only had one on his list today. And it is not that hard to find.”
“True.” I agreed reaching into my pocket. “But Aunt Hazel found out about our errand and wrote a list,” I said handing it to her.
Ferna took it and scanned the lengthy list. Eventually, she folded it back up. Handing it back to me she gave Teilnon a look. “Well, you will get an extensive tour today.”
Teilnon’s brows rose almost to his hairline, which was incredible considering his hair was cropped short. It got hot in a forge. “That long of a list?”
Ferna and I nodded. “And all over. We’re going to need to leave now and pray we get lucky and don’t run into any hostile elementals or beasties.” With that, she led the way out the gate.
We were about halfway through Aunt Hazel’s list when I started to get the first inkling that something was wrong. Very wrong. I paused gathering Julvern. When I glanced over at Teilnon and Ferna, I saw that neither of them seemed all that alarmed. Teilnon appeared stoic, but he was obviously fascinated by the ruins we were near.
Known only as the Julvern Arch since its true name had long ago been forgotten, it was truly just an arch in the middle of the forest. Standing three times the height of a man, it was dwarfed under the trees that surrounded it. Its columns had been carved to a smoothness that nature had yet to find a way to exploit. Trailing moss, opportunist that it is, had found purchase at the crown of the arch and grew down, giving the ruin a veil.
Teilnon was admiring the polish of the
columns. Ferna stood beside him, a smile on her face. Though it was obvious that she was keeping an eye out for danger, she was enjoying this time.
If I didn’t know better, I would have thought my dear cousin was falling for the metal mage. Which I would have been very happy for her, since spending the day with Teilnon had convinced me that he wasn’t a bad sort. Perhaps a little arrogant at times, but not a bad soul… but such a match would never stand. As I had explained to Nimla years ago, mages did not marry outside of their type of magic. Plant married plant. Metal married metal. I don’t know why it wasn’t done, but I didn’t think the Bloodline Keepers would match Ferna with Teilnon. Likely, they already had someone picked out for her.
My inkling thought of unease swelled and crashed over me like a wave. It was now that I recognized its source with despair. And I knew neither of the mages had sensed it.
In the Wood? He hasn’t ever come while I was in the Wood before… I thought beginning to feel panicky.
I did my best to tramp down the fear. With the ease of long practice, my hands went about wrapping up the Julvern. “Shall we move on?” I inquired getting to my feet. I wanted to leave… but I knew there would be no forgiveness from Aunt Hazel if we didn’t return with everything on her list. She knew all of it was in season and she wouldn’t hear any excuse. A visit from my own personal nightmare would be the worst of excuses since no one else could see him.
“That was fast,” Teilnon said. He cast a last lingering look at the Julvern Arch “But yes, we can.”
“Mage Hazel is next on the list, right?” Ferna asked me.
I nodded, a cold chill running down my spine. Ferna led the way, Teilnon and I followed. Though I moved reluctantly. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we should just leave and face Aunt Hazel’s wrath. That would be much better than what waited for us out here somewhere.
The Wood got darker. Partially because it was afternoon now, though only just, but mostly because the trees were more densely packed here than most places. I stumbled to a halt when I saw the figure just outside the reach of Ferna’s sunflower crystal. Primordial fear froze me in place. A man in shape, but I strongly doubted was one, watched our little group.
Unaware of him, Ferna and Teilnon kept going. The light found him… and I really wished it hadn’t. Sure, I had seen my nightmare in daylight before, but he had been lurking in deep shadows and it had been only for a moment. This time he stayed in place. The light revealed the evil looking black runes marching along the hems of his rust red robe. His arms were crossed over his chest in a casually arrogant stance. His hands were tucked into black leather gloves. A black that matched his long black hair that he had tied out of the way. A strange sort of cape framed his tall stature… then I realized that the cape wasn’t a ‘cape’ at all, but black feathered wings.
The light revealed all this, but the facial features were harder to discern.
Not because they were not there, but because my stomach knotted uncomfortably when I looked at him. His skin rippled with strange patterns and colors. Many I couldn’t even name. Their shifting made me ill. It was like his skin couldn’t decide which it should be. The only things about his face that my gaze could safely rest on that didn’t make me sick were his lips and eyes. The lips because they were, from my brief glances, the only thing truly normal about him.
But it was the eyes that truly disturbed me. Even more than his changing skin. They were completely and utterly black. And yet I knew he was looking right at me.
Those eyes gleamed with predatory delight. My nightmare licked his lips and grinned. “I love your fear, Kel. It’s so sweet and delicious. Nourishing.” His voice, like always made my heart want to either flee from my chest or hide in stillness. Both made my chest ache. My hand rose to offer some comfort. But there was nothing I could do to keep from hearing that deep, maliciously silky voice. I had tried before, but nothing I did could keep me from hearing him.
“Kel? What are you doing back there?” I heard Ferna call. She sounded very far away.
“She is far away, Kel. So very far away. None of them understand how much danger you are truly in…” He grinned at this.
Flight finally won the battle with fight and stillness. I took a step back. Then another. And another. He followed me.
“KEL!!!” Ferna screamed. I didn’t know why. Maybe she saw him? I couldn’t look away from my enemy to check. The ground trembled around me. It shook, causing me to lose my footing. I fell down. Something blurred over me, but my eyes stayed on the nightmare.
He was laughing. I hated that laugh. Go away! Leave me be! I wanted to shout at him. But my voice strangled in my throat. He laughed even harder. He leapt toward me, his wings fluttering to give him extra distance. I couldn’t get up or scramble away fast enough. He landed beside me, the wind of his flight gusted around me.
As dumb as it is, I curled into a ball and covered my eyes. It was my only escape.
“Ah, my dear Kel. There is no escape for you.” Deceptively gentle hands pulled mine from my eyes. I was face to face with my nightmare. I could see my pale and very scared self in his black eyes.
Who are you? What are you? Why can’t I ever get away from you? I thought in despair. I couldn’t pull my wrists free from his grip. He was strong…
“I am your nightmare. Your destiny. You are bound to me. Have been promised to me since your birth. I am your Darkness. I am the stronger you… I am Lek.” He whispered into my face. There was a wild excitement in his eyes that made my fear of him even greater. How I hadn’t died from fear yet was a shock to me. “Surrender to your fate, Kel. Surrender to me!” He demanded, pulling me closer.
I struggled against him. I would not give in to him. He was evil. Purely evil. He might kill me, but I didn’t want to ever surrender to him.
Lek wrestled me flat on my back. He straddled me, his gloved hands at my throat. I frantically gripped at his wrists, desperate to pry him away from my vulnerable throat. Lek glared down at me, though he wasn’t actually choking me. It didn’t matter. I didn’t stop fighting. I was tired. I was scared almost to death. He was incredibly strong. But I was not going to surrender. “Surrender.” He growled down at me, his grip tightening on my throat. Not enough to stop my breath, but enough to threaten to do so.
“Go. To. Hell.” I gasped.
Lek leaned down close enough that I could feel his breath on my face. To my surprise he smiled, his eyes glittered again with that predatory delight. “Scared out of your mind but stubborn enough to think you can still win against me…” he chuckled. I trembled in reaction. “I like it. I even respect it to a point. Just know that one day, Kel, you will surrender to me.” I shook my head. He grinned “Just remember that I am the only one who knows you. Truly knows you. Everyone else is convinced you are a coward. You won’t be able to prove otherwise to them. Especially after this… You will be alone, Kel. When you realize that you will turn to me.
“I will always be there. Always in your shadow…” I kept shaking my head as he spoke. I closed my eyes to escape those certain eyes.
I opened my eyes again to find that Lek was gone. In his place was a very worried Ferna. Teilnon was peering over her shoulder. Both looked somewhat shaken and a little worse for wear. I wanted to ask what was wrong… but I couldn’t. My voice refused to work. My blood ran cold still.
Which meant only one thing.
Lek hadn’t left.
Ferna was saying something to me as she helped pull me into a sitting position. I was too busy looking for him to pay attention. It didn’t take me long. He was maybe twenty something feet away and crouched creepily in a tree. His black wings were spread slightly as if he was getting ready to dive down at me.
Looking at him, I knew that Ferna and Teilnon could do nothing to help me. They didn’t seem to be aware of him. I wanted to point him out, to see if maybe they could see him. But if they hadn’t seen him trying to choke me then what was the point now? Besides, my whole body felt stiff.
; “Kel, say something to me. If you don’t, we are leaving.” Ferna growled worriedly at me. She kept shaking me as if that would get my tongue working. I tried to speak. I really did. I stared at her and willed my mouth to open and words to come out… but my body refused. Primordial instincts kept screaming at me that to speak would call danger back. It wasn’t far enough away yet. Don’t call its attention back. Don’t tempt it into pouncing.
Leaving was an excellent idea.
Teilnon apparently agreed with this. “Even if he does say something, I think we should get moving. We barely survived that attack. What if there are more?”
I wanted to frown at him, but again my body refused to do even that. What attack? Had they seen Lek?! But no…I realized looking at them. Teilnon hadn’t said ‘Kel’ barely survived the ‘attack.’ It had been ‘we.’ And while the two of them looked shaken, they were not nearly scared enough to have known about Lek.
What had I missed?
“Good point,” Ferna admitted. With Teilnon’s help she got me to my feet. My body made it hard because of how stiff it was. “What is wrong with you, Kel?” Ferna demanded. My movements were stiff and wooden. But I finally managed to respond with a slow shake of my head. The two of them stared at me.
My gaze jumped from them to Lek who landed at a distance behind them. “You see, Kel? They cannot see me. They cannot help you… but I can. With me, you need not be alone.”
My head shaking got faster. Soft whimpers struggled out of my fear strangled throat. Go away! Go away! Please, just go away. I could only think it and whimper. I pulled at the anchors that kept me from running.
I started to struggle, pulling back. A vaguely familiar voice called to me, but I couldn’t understand. Not when Lek’s form was rippling unnaturally – not that anything about him was natural – as he strode toward me. Suddenly he vanished.
I yelped when I was suddenly embraced from behind. Rust red covered arms and black-gloved hands pinned me to a solid body behind me. Soft black feathers brushed against me. A blisteringly hot, wet tongue lapped up my neck to my ear. Lek’s darkly smooth voice crooned in my ear. “Your fear is truly the most delicious thing…”
Lore Rune (Rune Trilogy Book 1) Page 8