Curse of Innock: Dragon Legacy Book I

by R. G. Porter

"What is this?” Her voice held no strength as the onslaught of scenes continued to move before her. Screams surrounded her as the heat of fire embraced her body. A noise from behind drew her attention. She turned to find two horse riders, one man one woman, headed through the village. The closer they got Alayia recognized Elroy, his eyes gleaming with victory. The woman's face was hidden behind a lace veil, her hands bound to the reigns.

  "See my dear. I told you what would happen should you defy me again.” Elroy's voice rang into the night.

  A whimper came from beneath the veil. Elroy's hand moved to lift up the piece of cloth. Horror and fear coursed through Alayia as she found herself staring at her own image behind the veil. “You had no right to harm them. I promised to stay with you. I never promised you my love.” She'd given herself to Elroy. Why?

  "Yes, but I have it on good authority you tried to see your lover.” Gabriel.

  A gasp escaped the future her. “That's not true. Besides, what do you care? You won.” His hand raised Alayia felt the sting of his slap even in the present.

  "You are never to see him again. That is the only reason I've allowed him to live. Defy me again and I will not think twice about killing him.” Elroy had somehow gotten a hold of her and made her believe he knew how to kill Gabriel. It was the only plausible answer. She needed to make sure it never came to pass. Before she could see what more transpired the images shimmered out of view to be replaced by the demon.

  "See, I told you. It's your destiny.” A smug smile was plastered on the creature's face.

  "And I told you. I make my own destiny.” Now that she knew what one of the futures might hold she vowed to move heaven and hell to make sure it never came to pass. She would just need to be a bit more careful in what she did.

  "You are a stubborn mortal aren't you?"

  Her head snapped toward the demon, defiance flowing in her blood. “More than you will ever realize.” The moment the words left her lips she found her body drifting in space, the world around her fading into darkness. Cold unlike anything she'd felt before wrapped around her as more lights spun around her. Fatigue began to edge its way into her body, her need for sleep winning the fight against her desire to stay awake. In the back of her mind she swore she heard the demon whisper one final warning, his laughter following her into sleep.

  You will have to use the blind faith, the full moon at noon and the cold flame to win the battle. His words continued to move through her mind as Alayia succumbed to the black abyss of unconsciousness, her body finally giving in to the sleep she so desperately needed. She would figure out their meaning later.

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  CHAPTER: 14

  * * * *

  "Alayia wake up.” Talon's voice roused her from sleep. Groggy, the web of the night's adventures still hung heavy in her mind. Why had the demon warned her? Did it really believe she couldn't change the future as it saw it?” Alayia?” His hands began to shake her, his words held concern.

  "I'm fine, just a bit tired is all.” Dare she even tell him about her dream?

  "I bet. You tossed and turned all night.” Suddenly Alayia wondered if she'd said something in the midst of her visit.

  "It was a long night Talon. I swear when this is all over I need a long rest."

  "I doubt you are the only one that thinks that. What did you dream about anyway?” He was there, helping her up as she gathered her items. One look at his face and she knew she wouldn't lie to him even if she had wanted to. The scars that littered his skin were his testament to the battles he'd already fought on her behalf. How could she even think to keep anything from him?

  "Let's just say your little friend decided to pay me a special visit in my dreams.” By his sudden intake of breath Alayia knew she'd shocked him.

  "What happened? What did he say? Are you ok?” His barrage of questions swarmed her but she shrugged them off.

  "Talon relax, he was very evasive as usual. He basically said that he wasn't interested in Gabriel anymore. That I was the focus of this whole thing. I'm not entirely sure I believe him but I do think there was some truth in his words.” Her arms waved around the cave, a simple gesture meant to encompass the impasse they found themselves in. Dare she tell him the vision of the future that the demon had given? She wasn't sure.

  "And? You're holding back. Remember I can sense things that you don't say.” Of course he could. Why would she think anything less?

  "He said I was destined to end up with Elroy one way or another. No matter what I did that I couldn't prevent it."

  "That's not true. I know we can avoid whatever you saw. Can't we?” Alayia's heart sank at the falter in Talon's words. Could he be unsure of the outcome as well?

  A surge of power rushed through Alayia's veins as she thought of Gabriel and his arms around her. “No. I will not give into Elroy. I will die first.” Stubbornness, a trait that ran through her like steel, resurfaced to replace the despair she'd begun to feel. “Hell will freeze like the mountains to the west first."

  "Now that would be an interesting sight.” Another chuckle resounded through the cave. “So. . ."

  "What?"

  "What do you presume that we do now?” His stature hadn't changed, just relaxed to allow her time to refocus.

  "We continue on. I need that parchment. It holds the information needed. I know it does.” The fact that every instinct inside her screamed that danger awaited in the direction of home hadn't lessened, she knew she had no choice. Fate or destiny be damned, she would free Gabriel from the curse.

  "Are you sure about this? I have a feeling we may be walking into a trap.” Talon moved toward the entrance, his staff held firm in his grip. “At the very least Elroy would have left spies to keep watch over your family just in case."

  A sigh escaped Alayia's lips. “I know. I'm not a dolt. I was able to slip out before unnoticed, I'm sure I can do the same once more."

  A crack of thunder echoed in the distance. “Well from the sounds of it the storm has moved off to the west. We should be able to move through the forest without being caught in the down pour.” She'd not considered the weather when she awoke.

  "Talon, do you know much about the constellations?” Talon's foot stumbled as his arm caught the side of the cave, her question catching him off guard.

  "That is an odd question to ask me."

  "Not really. You were able to see once"

  "Yes, once."

  "You've not answered. Do you? Not just about the stars but the phases of the moon and sun?” Alayia was prodding and she knew it, still it felt the right path to go down.

  "Well since you are so persistent, yes, before I lost my vision I was very interested in the stars and the moon phases. Why?” Hope flared through her body.

  "I have a feeling we are going to have a long conversation very soon."

  "Why is that? What is going through that little mind of yours?” What could she say? She knew he was aware she was hiding something inside. Heck she was practically bouncing off the walls.

  "Nothing really, at least not yet. Trust me on this Talon. First things first, we have to get that page.” Alayia reached around to make sure she had everything she needed, her vision taking in one last glance about the cave. “Ok let's head out of here. I don't want to waste any time before night comes."

  "You mean you don't want Gabriel to figure out where you are headed."

  "As much as I value his insight we both know that I have to do this.” A weight felt as if it would crush her chest as she exited the cave. “I have no choice.” Whether she was sealing her fate or veering from it by going home she wasn't sure. Could the demon have known of her plans? She had no clue. Either way her hands were tied.

  "We will figure this out Alayia, one way or another.” She held onto his words like a talisman of light. She prayed they had the strength should the time arise.

  "What do you know; we have a clear path to the woods. By the way, what do you think about what the demon said to you last
night? Does any of it make sense?” Something about the riddle continued to edge into Alayia's mind. It had a meaning; one she knew had to do with the reversal.

  "I've actually been thinking about that a lot lately. To be honest I'm not sure."

  "But..."

  "But what?"

  "You've got something you're thinking about Talon. I can read it all over your face. Now out with it. We don't have time to waste on silence.” Her mind had not stopped replaying the visit she'd had with the demon. She knew there were clues in it; she just had to find them. “You mentioned a cold fire and the full moon during high noon. Now, I know that most times that is impossible. However, I have a feeling we can find out just how to make those times available to us.” Alayia watched as Talon moved toward down the ridge of the rocky ledge, his steps sure and never faltering.

  "You're persistent aren't you?"

  "If you are asking if I will let up? No, not in the least bit."

  "Fine. There is a woman that some speak of. She lives in the direction we are going. She's different than most.” His hesitation told more than his words. Someone who was of the old ways.

  "Have you spoken to her before?"

  "Once... long ago.” His voice held compassion, a light warm tone for the mystery woman. “She is the one who saved my life but couldn't save my sight."

  Sadness welled inside. “I'm so sorry Talon. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. Maybe we shouldn't go see her."

  "No. It's not her fault. I owe her my life.” Silence wove around them like a cocoon. “I just don't want you to be unsettled by her. She's unusual."

  Alayia moved closer, her hands a light touch on his arm. “Talon, if there is anything you should know by now. The way one looks does not bother me. I'm presuming she is a seer, one who still practices the ways of the ancients.” She'd heard rumors that some still lived in seclusion but never had she met one. Part of her actually felt thrilled at the idea of talking to someone who might hold secrets that had long been forgotten.

  A smile crossed Talon's face, his glazed blue eyes lighting up. “You never cease to amaze me. I think she will enjoy your company. If anyone would understand this riddle it would be Elza.” Even the woman's name held power. It was an ancient name, one that if memory served Alayia right, translated roughly to fire-holder. Butterflies converged inside her stomach as they entered the forest and the trail that lead toward the seer's home. So much had changed since Robert's death. Never in her life could she have predicted where her path would have led her even if she'd taken the time to listen to the old woman. The Wheel, had it meant something more than she'd realized?

  How many hours passed, Alayia wasn't sure. The canopy of trees above spanned into a canvass of greens and reds, the leaves drowning out the sunlight. How strange that this part of the forest she'd never gone into before. She knew she was only about ten miles from her home, yet it felt as if she'd traveled days from her parent's house. A sound from behind caught her attention, a snap of a twig alerting her that they were no longer alone. From within the brush a large wolf emerge from the darkened forest, its deep black eyes never leaving them. Alayia couldn't sense anger or malice in the beast, more of a curiosity that had brought it to them.

  "He's scouting us out for Elza.” Talon's matter of fact answer drew a chuckle from her lips. Of course. She'd heard that the ancients had learned to use the abilities of the creatures of the forest to help them identify friend of foe. She just never expected to see it first hand.

  "And why not child?” A soft voice came from behind, the words so light and airy Alayia barely caught them. “Just because we are not seen doesn't mean we don't exist. There are many creatures I'm sure you've read about as you grew up that you might never have seen before yet knew they were around."

  Alayia spun around to find an older woman, her silvery hair blowing in the early morning breeze. Her skin reminded Alayia of fine porcelain, the skin glistening in the warm rays of sunlight that found their way through the thick canopy of branches. “I'm sorry. How did you know?"

  "Now you don't think you are the only one who has the gift of insight?” Her answer, so matter of fact, that Alayia could barely believe her ears. “Come now, let's leave. I don't trust the forests during the day. There is much amiss as of late."

  "You've got that right.” The words left her lips before Alayia could censor her thoughts. Laughter erupted from the old woman's lungs, her enjoyment of the situation apparent.

  "Ah, yes, I see we have much to discuss you and I. Come, let's go. Talon, it is also good to see you again.” The old woman grabbed hold of both their arms and led them through the thickest part of the forest; a part she would never have guessed would have led to the woman's home. So many questions pulsed through Alayia's mind, things she had always wondered but had been fearful to ask when she was a child. They'd always been told the old ways were wrong, forgotten for a good reason. Now she wasn't so sure. Everything that the woman touched seemed to pulse with life, more vibrant than anything she'd witnessed before. Every imaginable color danced before her eyes as they broke through the forest and into the open clearing and the woman's house.

  "This place is amazing.” No other words could describe what she saw. Flowers of every kind blossomed in the area, their buds singing out into the day. Animals both big and small roamed about the area with not a care in the world. How could such a place go unnoticed?

  "It is as I deem it to be.” Try as she might Alayia couldn't understand why. “Most chose not to see the magick of this world and as such that which is innate within the land is gone from their sight.” Riddles, more riddles. “Nay child, not a riddle, just a fancy way of saying that the world is so blind to the beauty that nature has to offer that they can't see what is in front of them."

  "Oh, ok. Now see that makes sense to me.” Still, there was much the woman had said that she knew meant more than the simple explanation she'd provided. How she'd love to sit and learn from her one day. That was, if she was ever given the chance to.

  "You will. For now let's tend to the reason for your visit.” Alayia laughed as she'd forgotten the woman could read just as easily as she could. “What was it that the demon spoke to you about Talon?"

  The woman's attention must have taken Talon off guard, his head still turned back into the thick confines of the forest. When he turned to face them, his smile was gone from his face replaced by the memories of the past. Alayia studied Talon's face. He'd given so much for her and they'd just met. How many people would do such a thing? If there was a way to repay his help she wanted to, tenfold.

  "I'm fine, just deep in thought.” He moved toward them, his staff brushing the grass as he walked. “The demon mentioned something about a cold flame and the full moon during high noon."

  "I see.” The woman's tone was thoughtful as she turned his words over. “What about you child? What did it say to you as you dreamt?"

  Color flooded Alayia's face. She'd nearly forgotten about the dream. “Just the same as what Talon mentioned only it also talked about blind faith.” There was so much she didn't understand and even less time to figure it out.

  "Well there is truth in the words of the beast."

  The old woman didn't hesitate in her words, her motions as she moved flowing like the stream. “How is that possible?"

  "Your man has the dragon in him. Because of that there is a place not far from here that dwells at the heart of the darkened forest. Only once every hundred years does a blue flame burn bright for a few hours.” Her words struck a cord in Alayia's memory. The forest had always been forbidden, littered with tales of death and disappearances. Still, if the chance was there.

  "What about the full moon at high noon?” Talon's voice lifted on the wind reminding Alayia that he was still close. The old woman's face drew into a knowing smile her head turning in Alayia's direction.

  "Think child. You know the answer to this."

  "How can I know something that makes no real sense?” Her mind went over
every possible way to find the answer but only a blank slate was her answer.

  "The answer is not hard to find. It's very obvious.” Alayia couldn't help but notice the woman had moved back to her patch of herbs growing underneath the afternoon sun. “You were brought up on a farm, you know the cycles of the seasons as well as the position of the stars. Search your memories for a time told to you that meets that which we seek.” Her words bounced around inside Alayia's mind as she did just that. Visions of a moon during the warmth of the day moved through her thoughts. Something strange, a residual memory or something more, she wasn't sure surfaced.

  Her hands trembled at the thought. “Oh my, could it be possible?” A high pitch laugh erupted from Elza's lips.

  "Ah, it's good you remember child. I was afraid that I would have to rap you about the ears a few times to knock some sense into that brain of yours."

  Another thought shot through Alayia's thoughts. “How much time do we have?"

  "Wait. Hold up, I'm completely lost here. What are you two talking about?"

  Alayia took one look at the confused look on Talon's face and wanted to laugh. “Talon, there is a phenomenon that happens but once every so many years. It's not often but it does occur."

  "And that time is approaching.” The old woman's voice chimed in.

  "Do you know when Elza? I don't have my books to try and figure out the dates.” One of the few things she'd not opted to take with her; instead she'd left most of her books back at her parent's home. How she'd wished she'd grabbed at least a few.

  "That I do child. Well, if my calculations are correct, which they usually are..."Elza shot a wink that Alayia couldn't help but smile at. She found she liked the old woman more and more. “it should be happening in two days time."

  The moment Elza's words sank in Alayia's jaw dropped. “That soon?” Her mind raced at all the things she still needed to do in order to prepare. “I'm not sure I can be ready by then.” Gods if she couldn't get it all together by the right time she knew it wouldn't come about in their lifetime.