by Joe Naff
Zehlyr was silent. She had him there.
Azalea sighed and looked off to the north. She knew her friends were only looking out for her well-being, just as she knew how drastic and foolish her decision sounded. “I…I can’t stand being a mystery anymore. I don’t even feel real most of the time. It may be drastic, but there’s no other possible way.”
“Azalea,” Heeska said. “I understand your frustration, but I—”
“No, you don’t,” she retorted coldly. “None of you do. You all have a history, a sense of where you came from. You even have family.” She stole a quick glance at Cherin and Zehlyr standing near each other. “Even if you don’t like them.”
Heeska started to say something in response, but a strange sound caused his head to snap around suddenly. A rustling in the shrubbery to the south stole everyone’s attention. Weapons were drawn; Zehlyr inched slowly in the direction of the sound while stringing an arrow into his bow.
“More balisekts?” Viyana asked softly with her sword held tightly in her hands.
“I’m not sure how much more of this I can take,” Cherin said. With his complete lack of combat skills, he didn’t know how many more times he could cheat death.
Zehlyr’s bow creaked and groaned from the tension as he stepped lightly towards the source of the sound. Azalea stood with Viyana near the shore with a small dagger in her hand. There were no more sounds coming from the forest, so this wasn’t another large faction of soldiers. What could be sneaking around like this?
“Come out,” Zehlyr demanded. “Show yourself.”
“Please, don’t hurt us,” a voice said from the bushes. Zehlyr stepped back as Sunrise and Firefly emerged with their hands held over their heads.
“Who are you?” Zehlyr demanded. He didn’t let up on the bow at all, keeping the arrow tip trained on the elf’s chest.
“Please,” Sunrise said calmly. “We mean you no harm. I am Sunrise, and this young faerie with me is Firefly.”
“We are acolytes from the Temple of Tranquility,” Firefly exclaimed. The young faerie glanced over to Heeska who was standing at the water’s edge. “A balisekt!” she shouted in alarm.
“He won’t hurt you,” Azalea reassured.
“I’d be more worried about the human with the bow if I were you,” Heeska said. “He doesn’t look too trusting right now.”
“You said you’re from Tranquility?” Viyana questioned. “You mean the place where the Great Blight ended?”
“Yes,” Sunrise said with a nod.
“I’ve heard that the Temple of Tranquility is massive,” Viyana said.
“Indeed it is,” Sunrise answered. “An enormous structure built atop stone bridges stretching over the water.” He was relieved someone in this group was meeting him with questions instead of outright hostility. He and Firefly had been hiding in the Wilds all night. Finding this small pond had allowed them a chance to find water and rest, but it didn’t offer safety. It had been a long, sleepless night for both of them, and these humans were the first non-threatening group they’d stumbled across. Even though they were obviously far from trusting, they at least seemed more interested in self-preservation than outright violence.
Firefly fluttered towards the shore where the others stood together. “The Grand Seryan herself sent us here to seek the Sorceress of the Wilds the dwarves had spoken of,” she said. She didn’t see any need to mention that only Sunrise had actually been sent, and she was simply tagging along
“You’re really popular,” Cherin said as he glanced over at Azalea.
Zehlyr groaned and glared at his brother. “You idiot!” he shouted.
“Lady be blessed for putting you in our path?” Firefly said. She fluttered over to Azalea and hovered in front of her sparkling, green eyes.
“My name is Azalea,” she said grudgingly.
“It is an honor to meet you,” Firefly said, bowing her head respectfully. “There has been a great deal of talk about you in the Temple.”
As Zehlyr finally loosened the tension on his bow, Sunrise made his way from the shadows to the edge of the water. “Are the stories true?” he asked. “Do you have the power to make things grow at your will?”
This line of questioning made Azalea feel uneasy. She didn’t know these two and, though they weren’t balisekts, she wasn’t sure if she could trust them. “Yes, I suppose,” she answered.
“May we see it?” Firefly asked with wide eyes and a voice full of excitement. “I’d love to see your magic in action.”
“This is not a stage show!” Zehlyr insisted. “She is not here to entertain you.”
Firefly raised her hands beside her face and lowered her head humbly. “Apologies, I meant no disrespect.”
“We’ve just heard so many amazing stories from the dwarves,” Sunrise added. “There are acolytes and even seryans at the Temple from each tribe in the Lands of Order. Our priests from Stonemouth told us of the Sorceress of the Wilds who tends to an enchanted Grove, producing copious amounts of food, even in this drought.”
“It’s not as if I know how I can do it,” Azalea said. She was truly becoming tired of all this. “I don’t know how I gained these powers, but the balisekts do.”
“I don’t understand,” Sunrise said.
“The balisekts performed a strange ritual in the Savage Lands north of Meadowgold three years ago,” Viyana exclaimed. “We don’t know what they did, but Azalea was somehow involved. Their ritual infused her with these strange powers.”
“The balisekts did this?” Firefly asked.
Azalea nodded as she looked away. “And now they’re killing innocent dwarves just to get me back.”
“Then it’s a blessing from the Lady that we’ve found you,” Sunrise said. These new insights made the situation direr. Until now, his only hypothesis for the balisekt invasion was that they intended to take the food for themselves. Not only did they know about the Sorceress, they seemed to have had a hand in creating her, and now they had come to take her back. This was no longer a journey of discovery; it was a rescue mission.
“Yes, you found her,” Zehlyr snapped. “But, what do you want with her?” He couldn’t help but be protective of Azalea. Could no one else see how much this was hurting her?
“Azalea, we humbly ask that you come back to Tranquility with us,” Firefly said. “It’s not safe for you here.”
“Tranquility is a very long journey from here,” Viyana noted. “You’re talking about crossing through three territories and into the Savage Lands before we make it there.”
“And one of those territories is currently under balisekt occupation,” Zehlyr added. “Going around Stonemouth would add days to the journey.”
“Tranquility is a great distance from the balisekt occupation and heavily fortified,” Firefly assured. “The journey would be dangerous, yes, but there’s no safer place for you to be.”
“There are more than just acolytes in Tranquility,” Firefly assured. “The forest around the lake is home to the Lady’s Royal Guard.”
“That army enlists recruits from every tribe in the Lands of Order,” Viyana said. “How large is it?”
“Ten thousand strong,” Sunrise said with confidence.
“Compared to the balisekts, that’s not much,” Viyana noted.
“If you know of another standing army ready to take on this force, I’d love to hear it,” Sunrise said. “The Lady’s Royal Guard is always battle-ready. It’s your best chance at keeping the Sorceress safe.”
“I’m not interested in safety,” Azalea stated boldly. “What I want is answers, and the balisekts are the only ones who can give them to me.”
“What do you mean?” Firefly asked.
Azalea sighed. “I have no memory before the balisekt’s ritual. I don’t know who I am or how I became a part of their plans. Only here can I hope to get answers.”
“And get yourself killed or captured in the process,” Cherin grumbled.
Azalea watched as Firefly
and Sunrise turned to look at each other at the same time. She couldn’t tell what they were thinking, but the same idea had clearly come to each of them at the same time. “What is it?” she asked inquisitively.
Firefly turned towards her again with a big smile. “I think we can help with that,” she said.
“What do you mean?” Zehlyr asked.
“Come with us to Tranquility,” Sunrise said. “We can get you the answers you seek.”
Chapter 18
The plan was in place, but none of them liked it. The long journey to Tranquility seemed like the best course of action, but it meant crossing right through the heart of dwarven territory, which was still crawling with balisekt soldiers. There was no going around the hoard. Their best option was to cut right through the decimated dwarven marketplace and keep moving south.
The area would likely be abandoned, so the soldiers would have no reason to patrol it. All of their efforts would be concentrated in the city where the dwarves had retreated. They could be in the southern Wilds before the army was any the wiser, but only if they moved fast enough. From there, it would be on to the elven city of Moon-hollow, a quick pass through faerie territory, and lastly the Savage Lands to the south, where Tranquility, the Temple, and a massive army would be waiting for them.
It was a risky plan, but it was all they had.
Heeska led the way through the trees as they descended the rolling hills of the Wilds towards the small clearing where the marketplace once stood. If they accidentally came across a balisekt patrol, it would be better for them to see one of their own than a wondering human, elf, or faerie. The forest had an eerie chill to it, despite the warmth of the spring sun.
“I hope you realize that this is suicide,” Cherin whispered loudly.
“Be quiet,” Zehlyr insisted while ducking under a low branch.
“We’re marching right back towards the army,” Cherin retorted. “What part of any of this makes it a good idea?”
“If you don’t like it then run back to Meadowgold,” Zehlyr snapped. “You’re being more of a nuisance than a help anyway.”
“Lively conversation isn’t the best thing for sneaking around,” Heeska reminded everyone. A twig snapped under the balisekt’s foot, causing everyone to suddenly stand as still as the trees. When only silence filled the air, they continued onward.
The trees thinned considerably at the bottom of the small hill. Even before they came out from under the foliage, their senses were bombarded by the aftermath of the slaughter. The air stank of blood and smoke. There were bodies, too. The fallen corpses of fleeing dwarves lay scattered at the base of the trees, growing more and more numerous as they marched onward. Altogether, it told the chilling story of the sudden battle better than any words could hope to.
The sight made Azalea’s stomach turn. These weren’t soldiers or warriors. These were merchants and shoppers. These were farmers and miners; innocent men, women, and children, all dead for no reason and she couldn’t help but feel that it was all her fault.
The trees and shrubs were especially thin just before they entered the trampled marketplace, forcing them to spread out and each find their own cover, but still remain close enough to communicate in whispers. Azalea crouched down behind a low bush next to Zehlyr and peered out upon the carnage. The dry ground was so saturated with blood that it looked like clay. Dying fires still smoldered in the debris piles.
Azalea had never seen anything so horrible before. She cupped her hands over her mouth as a faint whimper came up from her throat.
“This isn’t your fault,” Zehlyr said warmly. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. Azalea reached up and put her hand on top of his. Zehlyr knew her so well. She didn’t know what she would do without him. It still amazed her how he had sacrificed everything in his life for a complete stranger he’d met in the woods. He could have easily left her and Heeska to Lord Sansehr’s wrath and gone back to his home, to his family.
“I wish I could believe that,” Azalea answered. “This happened because that army is looking for me.”
“Well, they’re not going to have you,” Zehlyr said boldly. His confidence and devotion put a smile on her tear-streaked face.
“I don’t see any soldiers,” Viyana said from behind a tree farther back.
“It’s a wide area,” Zehlyr mentioned. “There’re too many hidden areas from this vantage point.”
“I could get a closer look,” Firefly suggested.
“Sounds good to me,” Cherin said with a hint of sarcasm. It was still obvious he was completely against this plan. “Send the bug in.”
Firefly zipped off towards the ruined marketplace as fast as she could. Her butterfly-like wings hardly made a sound when she was close and were impossible to hear when she was gone. Azalea and the others watched anxiously for their tiny new ally to return. She felt very blessed to have crossed paths with these two members of the Lady’s Temple. The faster she could get out of harm’s way and get some answers, the better.
“So, what’s in Tranquility?” Azalea asked Sunrise in a whisper.
The elf shot her a puzzled look. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“You said there was something at the Temple that could help me figure out who I am,” she continued. “What is it?”
Sunrise looked forward again, his eyes searching for their absent scout. “The Ashes of Shimmer.”
Azalea was puzzled. “What is that?” she questioned.
Sunrise couldn’t help but look perplexed as his eyes turned back to Azalea. “Surely you must have heard of the great elf, Shimmer.”
“Azalea remembers nothing beyond the last three years,” Zehlyr said.
“It’s not just my history that is lost to me,” Azalea said. Her cheeks turned red as she spoke. It was all still just so embarrassing. “Everything I know about the forest, Zehlyr and Heeska had to teach me.”
Sunrise nodded. “I can only imagine how hard this has been on you,” he said sympathetically. “Many years ago, when the Great Blight swept across the forest, the Lady chose a young elf named Shimmer to be her champion. Shimmer led a destined few into the heart of the Blight. There, they and the dryads fought a great battle against the forces of death.”
“It was there that Shimmer fought and defeated the Vailrock,” Viyana added. This was all common knowledge in the Lands of Order. Since they were all just sitting and waiting, she felt compelled to join the conversation. “She ended the Blight and restored life to the forest.”
“So you still have her burned-up body?” Cherin asked.
Sunrise nodded, though he cringed at the human’s lack of reverence. “After Shimmer’s death many years later, her body was cremated, and her ashes kept in a sacred place in the Temple.”
“But how are the Ashes going to help Azalea?” Zehlyr asked.
“Shimmer was, and is still, the only mortal to ever feel the physical touch of the Lady herself,” Sunrise explained. “This infused her body with amazing, divine properties. Even after the Blight ended, Shimmer was able to perform miraculous acts. Her touch could heal the sick, bring sight to the blind, and many other feats of wonder. Even today, there are those that say touching the Ashes of Shimmer can bestow amazing blessings from the Lady.”
Azalea looked down at her hands. “So, if I were to touch the Ashes, it could give me my memories back? I could remember who I was again?”
“It’s very possible,” Sunrise said with a smile.
Firefly came zipping back through the air towards Azalea’s hiding place. She rested softly on a leafy branch sticking out from the brush that hid her. “There’s a path between those huts with no soldiers around,” the faerie reported with a point of her small finger towards the wreckage. “We just need to move fast.”
“Thank you, Firefly,” Zehlyr said. Lifting up onto his toes, he motioned with his hands for the others to follow. With a quick glance in all directions, Zehlyr began moving swiftly but quietly into the decimated marketplac
e. Azalea stayed close behind him. She couldn’t hear the footsteps of their friends, but she knew they were there even without looking back. She couldn’t see any soldiers in the area, but a single loud noise could travel quite a long way in the very quiet marketplace.
A collapsed shop a few hundred feet in served as their first place to stop and regroup. The once humble shack had housed the wares of a noble blacksmith. A fine collection of swords, daggers, and other weapons lay scattered in the dust amongst the splintered boards. Azalea cringed and turned her head away at the sight of a bloodied dwarf’s arm protruding from the rubble with a small hammer lying in the dust next to the open palm.
“You may want to consider taking up a weapon,” Viyana suggested to Sunrise. She reached down into the debris and plucked a short sword from the rubble.
The young elf took up the weapon and turned it over in his hands. He was very uneasy. “I’m an apostle of the Lady, miss,” he said politely. “I’ve no skill with a blade.”
“You can’t be worse than him,” Zehlyr said, pointing to Cherin.
“Do not worry about me?” Sunrise said with confidence. The elven acolyte opened his palms down by his knees, letting twin balls of fire roar to life above them. “The Lady blesses me with all the weapons I need.”
“You’ve got to teach me how to do that,” Cherin said with wide eyes.
“Look, there’s a shack up there that’s still intact,” Azalea pointed out.
Zehlyr raised his head and looked. Indeed, there was a large hut at the edge of the marketplace. The structure sat against the tree line to the southern Wilds, and it looked big enough to merit having a back door. “That’s a long run through a very open area,” he said. “It’s a very risky path.”
“But that shack is large and near the trees,” Viyana pointed out. “If we can get to it, we’ll escape into the Wilds and be on our way into elven territory.”
“Not to mention the likelihood of fresh supplies in a building like that,” Heeska added. “I say we risk it.”
“Anything we do from here is a risk,” Firefly mentioned.