The Secrets of Brymar (The Elitherian Fragments Book 1)

by James Coy-Dibley

  William shook his head. “You’ll never come to terms with it.” He saw Max’s head lower ahead of him, knowing he could hear, and continued to speak. “You can only learn to live with it, though the pain will never dampen.”

  Max turned around to face his brother. “We make camp ahead,” he said, glancing at Elizabeth. He looked into her eyes. “That day changed everything for us.” He paused. “What we do is for our mother; it drives us to do and be better. These enemies receive retribution no matter the cost, not only for our mother but for your father, too; fate has finally provided us the opportunity to make them pay for what they did and protect our world. It’s what our mother, and your father, would’ve wished we do.”

  “As my father begged I take the stone to Durk’helm,” Elizabeth interjected. “I understand your motivation as you must understand mine.”

  “I do,” Max nodded with Victoria agreeing beside him. “But Brymar will be safe. We can formulate a plan when we arrive.”

  “Thrix won’t let the stone leave,” Elizabeth shot back. “He said it himself, he claims it as his own.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” Victoria turned around to say, though her voice faltered. “He means the best, you know that.”

  “You’ve heard the rumours about Eternals,” she countered. “Some don’t even believe the Eternals are good, that they’re power hungry and evil. He had lied to you for centuries, Victoria.” She lowered her voice. “I cannot trust him.”

  Victoria started to counter but sighed. “I find it hard now,” she conceded. “His deception unsettles me. And all in the realm believe that Durk’helm holds the secrets of this world.” She stared into her friend’s eyes. “I promise you, we will take the stone to Durk’helm. You have my word.”

  She nodded.

  “And mine,” William added, ignoring his brother’s concerned glance from ahead. “You have my word, too.”

  “Thank you,” she said, her eyes filled with relief and gratitude.

  Richard groaned behind them all. “I’m about to fall off this horse, I’m so tired,” he complained. “When are we going to stop riding and sleep?”

  “Soon, little brother,” William called behind him. “The next town isn’t far from here, and we’ll set up camp just outside.”

  “Good. I can barely keep my eyes open.”

  “What will we use for shelter?” Elizabeth asked.

  “The Arraci have tents,” he said, “but I doubt we’ll put them up unless it rains. They’ll draw attention if we do and slow us down. I suspect we’ll sleep under the stars.”

  She nodded. “I spent most of my childhood sleeping under the stars,” she said, reminiscing of Forelorne. “I feel at home beneath them.”

  William smiled at her but didn’t speak.

  The group rode in silence at a steady pace, the horses slowing with each stride. Noteral was further than expected, or perhaps it felt further because of their exhaustion. They rode towards the setting sun, the moons beginning their ascent to the North. It wouldn’t be long until the sun dipped below the southern horizon, plunging the land in silver light in the cloudless night. This area appeared much like the surroundings of Skee, still with desiccated dirt around them but with several more scattered trees. As the air cooled, their leaves unfolded. Max often said the trees ‘breathed’ at night, and that they hated the heat as much as he did.

  William watched as Elizabeth thought quietly to herself. He could see her brow lower in concern with each thought. “What is it?” he asked and broke the silence. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Many things,” she answered.

  “What do you think of now?”

  She thought aloud. “When I touched Adriana, I felt some kind of…power that fought against me. I struggled to withdraw my hand.”

  “With Adriana?” he glanced over his shoulder at Adriana in alarm before returning his focus on Elizabeth. “Has that happened to you before?”

  “No,” she said. “It reminded me of the force I encountered in the forest, the noxious mist that rose above the orange sap.”

  “Adriana was exposed to it,” William said. “Perhaps you should ask her about it?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “I think I will.”

  “Will you do it now?”

  She shrugged. “I see no better time. We still have quite a journey to the next town, even if the others wishfully say that it’s close.”

  Elizabeth slowed her horse, allowing Richard to pass, before matching the pace of Adriana. With an inquisitive look, Adriana stared into Elizabeth’s eyes, breaking her distant stare.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Adriana,” Elizabeth started, “I felt something when we fought in Skee, the moment you killed the commander of the enemy.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Adriana uncomfortably brushed off the observation.

  Elizabeth paused. “I thought I almost heard a voice, and I could see flutters of blue fluctuating in my vision when I touched your shoulder.”

  Adriana remained silent.

  “What’s going on?” Elizabeth finally asked. “I’m a healer, Adriana, you can tell me.”

  She hesitated, then sighed. “I inhaled the mist above the orange sap when we searched for Richard in the Artelian Forest. I’ve been having strange things happen ever since.”

  “Like what?”

  “My vision fluctuating, a pounding headache, voices, and even seeing movement when none exists to the others’ eyes.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “When I noticed it in Skee, I tried to heal you from it, but I couldn’t. Something or…someone prevented me from doing so.”

  “Why didn’t it afflict you as you ran through the forest?”

  “I could prevent the affects before they could take hold of my body, though my vision slightly changed, too. But whatever this is, it’s already taken hold of yours, and it’s a powerful force.”

  Adriana uneasily sighed. “I’m frightened by it. One of them spoke to me directly.”

  “What did it say?”

  “The voice claimed to speak for the Sages of Arborough…”

  “Arborough…” Elizabeth repeated, cutting her off. She thought to herself, the concern apparent in her eyes. “Is that really what it said?”

  She nodded.

  “The Sages of Arborough are an ancient order from the Woodland Kingdom,” Elizabeth said. “They vanished before the kingdom fell, predicted its demise and abandoned it.” She paused, her voice filled with anger and concern. “They’re an evil order, Adriana, traitors to my people. I’m not surprised they’re behind the disease in the forest. They must shroud the enemy and work against us.”

  “They called it the Shroud of Alikon,” Adriana added. She fearfully stared back at Elizabeth. “I don’t know what to do; I have no control over it.”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “I don’t know either,” she admitted. “Try to fight them.”

  Adriana nodded solemnly. “I’ve been trying, but it’s hard. I don’t understand what they’re doing to me or why.”

  “I’m sorry I cannot help,” Elizabeth muttered.

  “I fight this battle alone,” Adriana accepted. “I can only hope I win.”

  “But not completely alone,” Elizabeth countered. “Let me know if it happens again; I might not be able to make it go away, but perhaps my knowledge of them could help you through the struggle.”

  Adriana gave a shallow, comforted smile. “Thank you.”

  Elizabeth gave a subtle nod of empathy before catching up to William again. The news troubled her; she thought of what her father had said about the Arborough, the hatred he carried that had passed down from generations of her ancestors. Perhaps if they’d helped, her kingdom would remain, she’d truly have a home, and her father would still be alive. The thoughts angered her, and she looked at William next to her, readying to speak before she noticed that Max intently listened to them over his shoulder ahead. Clearly he’d heard their earlier conversation and was curious. S
he internalised the thoughts, deciding it was best to say nothing.

  “What did she say?” William asked.

  “Not much,” she lied but shook her head so that William saw it. “We can talk about it later. I’m too tired now.”

  William glanced back at her with confusion but noticed her motion towards Max in front of them. “I think we’re all tired,” William went along, and they fell silent.

  The group trudged down the road. At the base of most trees grew short grass or weeds, all vying for the tree’s shade. The dirt road appeared trodden from centuries of use; the horses didn’t mind it, though. They preferred the dirt roads to the brick ones closer to Orwell, even though the compact dirt didn’t feel that different from stone. Their heavy breathing and drenched necks worried their riders. Although all of the horses had to be well-conditioned to become an Arracian horse, even this trip pushed them to the limit. William gently held Lilia in one arm while patting Windrunner on the neck and rubbing his ear. As he did, Lilia slowly woke up and looked at him.

  “What’s happening?” she asked, confused as she rubbed her eyes.

  “We’re coming into a town ahead, where we’ll rest for the night.”

  “Where’s my mama and papa?” she said. “Will they be meeting us there?”

  William shook his head. “No,” he said quietly as he thought of Rachel. “I’m afraid they won’t be. But you’ll be safe,” he assured. “And that’s exactly what they wanted.”

  “Are they still in Skee?”

  William saw Victoria glance behind her. He’d heard what Thrix said, that the village had been consumed by the creatures. He couldn’t imagine what had happened to any villagers that remained; perhaps Rachel managed to save them all, including her parents, and made their way towards safer lands deeper within the Brutean Kingdom. The village no longer existed, but maybe the villagers still breathed thanks to Rachel. He had to hope it to be true, that Rachel was safe along with the rest, and patted the girl on the back.

  “I don’t think so,” he said. “I’m sure they left the village and are safe.”

  “Why would they leave?” She paused. “Is it because of those bad things that attacked the place?”

  “Yes, Lilia, I think it would be because of them.”

  She yawned and stretched her arms. “Where are we going?”

  “To Brymar,” William said, continuing to answer her barrage of questions, “a place full of beauty with grand halls and enough food to feed a whole city.”

  “It sounds magical,” she said.

  “It truly is,” William nodded. “It’s a safe haven. It’s my home.”

  She leaned back and closed her eyes. “I can’t wait to see it.”

  He stopped talking, and they made the last leg of the journey in silence. Brian slowed to a walk as the lights and rising smoke from the village became visible. It was a quaint little town with stone houses and roads, an upgrade from Skee and many other villages. Their water supply came from a small underground stream, which enabled a bit of vegetation to grow around the whole establishment much like Skee. A few patches of trees lined the road, and Brian chose to stop at one of them, motioning for the other Arraci to climb off their horses.

  “We aren’t exactly discreet,” he said to Aroden as everyone stopped riding and hopped onto the ground. There was a small expanse of open land between the road and the tree line, giving space for people to sleep off the road. “Anyone passing by will spot us.”

  “We have little choice,” he responded. “We will rest until the moon is directly above us and then ride until Brymar.”

  Max and William walked up to their father and Max spoke up. “The horses will need food and water.”

  “Do you not have any with you?” Victoria asked, approaching with Elizabeth beside her.

  “Not enough to feed all of them,” Brian answered, “and definitely not enough to feed all of us. We still use the same supplies we brought for the journey to Orwell. Though Porter’s contribution of bread helps, we’ll need to enter the town for more.”

  “Very well,” Aroden said while looking at the ground around them. “Well,” he shrugged. “Everyone should find a patch of dirt for themselves; that’ll be your bed for the night.”

  Richard lay right where he stood. “This is my patch,” he said while covering himself in a small scarf he removed from his horse. He covered his eyes, too, and quickly dozed off.

  Max slowly shuffled away from them to find a spot while William still sat on his horse, where Lilia stared down at Elizabeth and Victoria with fearful eyes. The two women took a pause to stare back. Victoria finally stepped forward and smiled at Lilia. “I can help you off the horse, little one,” she said with extended arms.

  The girl looked back to William before reaching for her. She was set upon the ground, and William jumped off the horse, patting Windrunner on the neck and mumbling some comforting words. Lilia moved closer to him again and followed him towards Elizabeth. He looked down at her.

  “How about you pick a spot to sleep,” he said while gently pushing her on the back. “Somewhere close to the rest of the Arraci.”

  “But I don’t want to leave you,” she said. “I’m scared.”

  William nodded and sighed to himself. “Me, too, Lilia, but it’s going to be okay. Go on; find a spot to sleep for the night. I won’t be far from you.”

  She gradually stumbled away from them, only a small distance, before plopping down on a patch of dirt. With her feet tucked beneath her small green dress, she looked up at the two of them proudly. “This will work,” she told herself.

  William smiled at her before returning his focus to Elizabeth again. “Will you be sleeping at all tonight?” he asked. “I can see the restlessness in your eyes.”

  “I doubt it.” She discretely checked on the stone before looking towards Brian, who packed a few horses with the rest of the Arraci. “I think I’ll go with Brian to the village.”

  “You will?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll come with you, then.”

  Lilia sat up again. “You’re leaving?” she asked and stood up with fearful eyes.

  William sighed while still focusing on Elizabeth. “I suppose I won’t be coming with you, then.”

  “No, I’ll stay here,” Elizabeth indecisively concluded and exhaled. “I must rest, tonight. I cannot ignore my own limits.”

  William gave a shallow smile. “Well, there’s plenty of dirt for all of us,” he said with a playful smirk. He saw her briefly smile back, which encouraged him to continue. “Pick your favourite spot, then.”

  She smiled again at his attempt. “I think I’ll lay right here,” she said and glanced to Victoria, who pulled a couple of items from her horse not too far away. “Victoria,” she said and her friend heard her.

  “Yes,” she said while walking up to them.

  “May I see the map?”

  “Of course,” she said, returning to her horse and bringing the map back.

  Elizabeth unrolled the parchment and looked at the detailed map. “Could you point to Durk’helm, please,” she asked.

  Victoria hesitantly pointed it out after seeing it, a large dot somewhere towards the East. “It’s here,” she said.

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth said, running her finger over the main road leading from near Brymar to the ancient library.

  “May I see the map too?” William asked.

  “One moment,” Elizabeth said, but William had already grabbed one of the corners.

  The map erupted in activity, the ink swirling around in seemingly random patterns. He continued to hold on tightly, while all three of them watched in astonishment. After a scatter of movement, it finally stopped, the ink settling on the parchment and illustrating a detailed map. The two stared at William in confusion.

  “You…used the map,” Victoria said. “You used it, something that only Thrix could do before.” She paused. “How did you do that, William?”

  “I don’t know,” he
shrugged while holding the corner. “I just touched it, and it happened. I didn’t consciously do anything.”

  Elizabeth saw in real time the armies moving from Skee south towards Brymar; Thrix was right, Skee had fallen to the enemy along with most of the north. William continued to hold onto the parchment with Victoria staring at his hands.

  “I see no movement around Durk’helm,” William commented and pointed to the small spot to the East. “It looks clear to me.”

  Elizabeth turned to Victoria. “He lied to us again,” she said.

  “I’m sure…”

  “What’s going on here?” Thrix interrupted while removing the map from their hands. Elizabeth brushed her hand over his, briefly closing her eyes, as he pulled it away from them. He looked at it before his eyes settled on William. “Did you touch the map?” he angrily asked. “William, did you touch it?”

  “Yes.”

  He rolled it up and angrily looked to Victoria. “I will keep the map from now on,” he declared. “You wear the ring?”

  “Yes,” Victoria answered.

  “Good. Now rest,” he said while walking away from them, trying to calm his voice. “You will need the strength on the way to Brymar.”

  The three of them stood silently and watched Thrix walk away. William inspected his hands and shook his head with raised eyebrows. “Well, I’m confused.”

  Elizabeth put her hand onto his and closed her eyes, wanting to check that her senses had been right. “I feel something strange,” she said. “I don’t understand it, some sort of light that I don’t recognise.”

  “What do you mean?” Victoria asked.

  “It is the same as I felt earlier when William took my hand, when I felt him restore my strength,” Elizabeth said. “And when Thrix took the map, I felt his energy when I grazed his hand, but I feel a stronger energy within William,” she said, directing her gaze to William, “something far greater.”

  “But I’m just a human. I can’t do any magic or anything, especially not what Thrix is capable of.” He chuckled anxiously. “I can’t even beat Max in an archery competition let alone do magic.”

  “And he wouldn’t be able to,” Victoria asserted. “He’s man, son of a long lineage of Brutean rulers. They lost their magic long ago.”