The Arrival: An Epic Fantasy Romance

by Nicole MacDonald

  Kassie jerked around, staring. 'Where?' I pointed and then hurriedly crawled after Kassie over the lumpy ground and patchy grass. She eased the cat onto her lap and looked at me, her face sharp with fear. Kneeling beside her I slipped my hand between Lucky’s front paws, my palm against her chest. The soft dense fur made it hard to tell anything at first and I hardly breathed while waiting. Then I felt the reassuring pressure against my palm as the cat’s chest rose with a breath and fell again. 'Breathing,' I muttered, mind rushing through the basic first aid course I’d done and I slid a hand down to the hind leg, groping carefully then pressed firmly with two fingers. The pulse beneath my fingertips brought an instant smile to my lips and I counted in my mind, lips moving. After another moment I let go of Lucky and sat back on my heels.

  'Good,' I said, flashing Kass a brief smile. 'Pulse seems steady.' As I said the words the cat made a soft noise and Kassie cuddled her close, crooning.

  Sian breathed out in a rush when she saw Lucky lift her head as Kassie held her. She exchanged a look of relief with Loi, her chest feeling lighter for an instant before the guilt snuck back in. But I hadn’t meant for it to do this, she thought; this isn’t my fault! I didn’t know this would happen. The rational part of her mind reassured her that she hadn’t done anything wrong but the other part didn’t feel so certain. The contradictory views made her feel nauseated and she stared at the ground in an attempt to stop the dizziness. A jumble of rough blue fabric near her foot caught her eye and she reached for it.

  'Hey guys!' Sian sounded excited. 'Look around you, I just found a pack and a cloak.' She held up a hooded blue cloak that dwarfed her in length.

  I climbed to my feet, arms spread for balance at the change in altitude and walked back to where I’d woken. On the ground, a bit crumpled from where I must have rolled on it, (or landed?) lay a deep red cloak. A pack in the same rough fabric lay beside it, along with something long and shiny. I bent to take a closer look.

  'Wow! I have a sword and two daggers! They kind of look like the ones from my costume,' I trailed off. Actually, they looked far more lethal. Of course mine had been costume pieces while these appeared the genuine article. I tugged one of the daggers from its scabbard, it slid out with barely a whisper. The curved blade inscribed with flowing lines reminded me of the swords I’d seen in fantasy shops. The copper colored scabbard and hilt had beautiful engravings of what looked like flames licking across the surface. The weight of the weapons felt both less and more than I would have imagined, light enough to handle with ease, but so very solid and real. I slid the dagger back in, unnerved at the strength of the steel. Dangerous weapons, I thought, unable to resist looking around. The forest didn’t feel threatening, with bird song drifting amongst the tall, tall trees that surrounded us and yet goose bumps rose on my arms as I set the weapons aside and sat, watching the others and Audrey, my eyes occasionally stealing up the enormous heights of those trees. I couldn’t think of the last time I’d felt quite so small.

  Kassie found a cloak and pack next to where she had woken and swung the light tan cloak around her shoulders. Well at least whatever brought us here made sure we had some supplies, she thought, no matter how basic. She began to feel calmer and her practical self took over while she thought about things like shelter and where the nearest city might be. When she leaned to grab the pack a metallic sheen in the grass next to it caught her eye. Groping, she felt for a handle and lifted, then stared in astonishment at the short sword.

  Why on Earth would we need real weapons?

  The voice in the back of her mind suggested that perhaps they weren’t on Earth anymore. Her rational voice dismissed that as ridiculous. Ignoring them both she drew the sword out and stared at the beautiful engravings on the blade. In kenjutsu they only used real swords for ceremonial performances. This sword out-shone any of those swords by miles—a beautiful weapon, well weighted with a matching scabbard. Kassie frowned; if someone went to the trouble to make sure we each got weapons then there must be a reason for it. Troubled by these thoughts she took care to belt it to her side and thigh, fingers fumbling with the tough leather straps. Done, she stretched her leg out then back, pleased with the clever scabbard design. It meant the sword wouldn’t flap around while she moved, something unavoidable with long swords—being almost twice the length of a short sword. Sitting between her legs Lucky watched curiously, her tail twitching across the dry earth. Clucking her tongue, Kassie coaxed the cat closer, scooping the purring animal up and cuddled her while watching the others.

  'Cat.' Loi bounded over. I blinked in surprise at her enthusiastic tone and unexpected speed; it appeared someone felt better. The sudden motions so close to me made my head pound for an instant and I winced, waving at her to continue when she paused at my expression. 'They’re real!' her voice and smile rang with glee. 'Look, it was plastic before and now…' She drew it out of its scabbard, her smile fading as she stared at the sword with something akin to reverence. 'It’s real.'

  The long sword had the same copper color as mine and a gritty earth like pattern. Sian came over to see what we had, then showed us the bow and quiver she’d found beside her cloak. I stared at it with envy, admiring the beautiful workmanship. The bow was made of wood, waxed to a beautiful shine and inlaid with copper through the middle for strength and at the tips that curved away. The quiver of arrows she wore slung over her shoulder looked just as beautiful, with copper colored tips against shining dark wood; it’d almost be a waste to use them. 'Really this is more your style, Cat. Though it’s much more beautiful than your antique,' Sian winked at me.

  'Obviously someone knows you’re the better shot.'

  She flushed at the compliment.

  Loi’s comment from before, about our weapons now being real, intrigued me. 'Loi, do you think they transformed along with our costumes?'

  'Maybe,' Loi shrugged. 'The spell did say ‘our lives entwine’ surely that would cover this.'

  Sian looked surprised, 'I guess you could interpret it like that.'

  'Which would explain the packs,' Loi pointed out.

  Curious, I sat on the ground to rifle through mine. 'Wow! Guys, look inside your packs.' I started to pull items out of mine: a loaf of dense bread, some strips of dried meat, apples and a small sack of grain. A little pouch at the bottom of the pack jingled when I picked it up. Loosening the drawstring I tipped the contents into my hand. Strange coins poured out, bronze, silver and some gold. I lifted a gold coin, rubbing my thumb over the raised image of an animal I didn’t recognize. Is that real gold? It felt real—solid and cool against my palm as I stared at it. I heard the others discover the same in their packs.

  'Wow,' breathed Loi.

  'Do you think it’s real?' Kassie asked.

  'Aren’t we meant to bite it?' Sian said with a smile and pantomimed biting a coin.

  Chuckling at Sian’s suggestion, Kassie continued to look through her pack and tipped the contents on the ground to make it easier. She tossed the empty pack to the side and Lucky crept into it, her pink tipped nose peeking out. Kassie laughed at the sight. Loi turned to see and she held a finger to her lips and then pointed at Lucky. They pretended not to see Lucky when she cautiously stuck her head out then snatched it back in.

  Sian glanced up in time to see Audrey freeze, ears pricked and tail stiff. She followed the dog’s gaze and saw the pack near Kassie’s legs twitching; from this angle the tip of Lucky’s tail was clearly visible, but not to the dog. Cat, absorbed in poring over her packs contents, didn’t notice when the dog dropped to her belly, beginning a slow, careful commando crawl toward Kassie’s bag. A laugh wedged in Sian’s throat as the dog froze when the pack made a sudden jerk. Fumbling, her fingers found a pebble amongst the grasses she sat in and she tossed it at Cat, who looked up in confusion. Sian nodded at the dog who’d just reached the pack. Cat covered her mouth to smother a giggle when they watched Audi poke the pack with her nose then freeze when it jerked away from her. The dog crept close to it again.


  This time she sat next to it, head cocked to one side then lifted a paw and placed it on top of the pack. They heard an angry growl and Audrey’s tail started to wag. The pack lunged, grabbed her paw and apparently bit it because the dog yelped and shot back to where Cat now stood, hiding behind her legs and peered accusingly at it. All the women laughed then. Lucky burrowed out of the pack and sauntered about the clearing looking smug, her tail straight up in the air. Audrey rushed across to the cat and snuffled her all over, then did a big whoosh of air straight up her backside. Lucky yeooowed and ran back to Kassie.

  Smiling at Audi and Lucky’s antics, I returned my attention to my pack and placed the items back inside. Then it hit me. Why would we need these at home?

  'I have this idea that we aren’t on Earth anymore,' I almost croaked the words and cleared my throat while looking at the others, anxiety making the hairs on my arms rise. I shivered, rubbing a hand briskly over either arm.

  Kassie frowned, 'What makes you say that?'

  'This doesn’t look like anything we’d need on Earth, not in our time anyway.'

  Loi interrupted me. 'Ever seen anything like that on Earth?'

  We turned and stared at where she pointed. Making its way down one of the numerous vines that enveloped a tree near us, hopped a bird about the size of a pigeon—its coloring a deep fire engine red. Appearing to spot something tucked amongst the vines the bird twisted sharply, its head jerking forward, beak jamming again and again into a fissure while it fought to reach something. The sharp jerky motions caused the bird’s tail to flick out and the four of us gasped at the sight. Large eyes like those in a peacock’s tail glowed in the sunlight that glinted down from the canopy. The stunning eyes tipped every other feather in the bird’s tail, all varying jewel tones; citrine, ruby, emerald and amethyst. It flittered about the tree hunting more insects, unconcerned at our presence, then made a pretty trilling noise and launched off flying past us further into the forest until out of sight. Well…

  'Probably not Earth,' I concluded.

  The others just stared at me, faces pale, their expressions a mix of shock, fear and confusion. With a chocked gasp Kassie sank to the ground. 'What are we supposed to do? How do we get home? What about our families? Are we stuck?' Her voice rose with each question. 'How did this happen? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING TO HAPPEN NOW?'

  The three of us winced at the noise level and Audi cowered behind my legs, whining between them at Kassie who breathed in rough gasps, sounding close to tears. Loi looked at Sian with a blank expression. 'Why don’t I feel bothered by this?' she asked in a confused voice. 'I should be terrified, right?'

  I swallowed, my mouth dry and head whirling at the mass of conflicting thoughts and feelings. Not exactly terrified, I thought though my stomach still churned; but worried, definitely worried. Sian walked over to Kassie and sat down wrapping her arms around her.

  'It’s likely you’re in shock,' Sian said, a faint wobble to her voice before it slid to a firm tone, a practical tone. 'Your body is designed to run on auto-pilot in a situation like this. Give it a few days before really considering it.'

  A few days, Loi flinched at that thought; not a pleasant idea at all. What to do next then? Basic stuff, the practical voice in her mind ordered. Set up a camp, keep busy, no panicking allowed. She spoke up, sounding calmer than she felt. 'Then let’s focus just on us for the moment. I think we should make a meal, food helps shock right? And then we should think about a shelter.'

  Sian agreed. 'Yep, food will help and a shelter’s going to be necessary.'

  The task provided just the distraction I currently needed. Everyone grabbed their packs and we sat close, placing everything out to be seen. Each pack had slightly differing contents; Kassie had vegetables instead of the bread I had, Sian some dried beans and Loi, a water bag, made from an animal’s stomach. The four of us stared at the strangely shaped pale tan bag that rippled when Loi placed it out. She prodded it again with one finger and we watched it jiggle. 'Is anyone else mildly grossed out by that?' I queried. The other three gave tiny nods.

  'Jellybelly,' sung Sian, nudging Kassie. The hint of a smile graced her friend’s lips. Sian gave her a one-armed hug, teasingly tugging a curl at the same time. She wanted to apologize but the words froze on her tongue; she hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. Of the numerous spells she’d cast since she’d began practicing, this had been one of the simplest. It just didn’t make sense. Trying to reason through her thoughts still didn’t make her feel better and her hand slipped from Kassie’s shoulder. Why? Why this time. She blinked away the tears that filled her eyes, swallowing hard; I didn’t mean for this to happen!

  Kassie glanced at her blonde friend who stared up at the trees. Sian’s jaw line looked stiff and she blinked rapidly holding both her knees, an almost angry pout on her lips. The panic, anger and fear Kassie felt faded while she regarded Sian’s expression. Loi and Cat murmured quietly between themselves, pointedly ignoring the two of them.

  Reaching out, she cupped her hand over one of Sian’s and squeezed lightly. Sian half turned away, eyes dropping from the trees to the forest floor before she slowly drew her gaze up to Kassie’s. Her blue eyes looked shiny and her lips wobbled.

  'I didn’t mean…' she sniffed, looking back down.

  Kassie squeezed Sian’s hand again, shaking her head and forced the words past the lump that swelled in her throat. 'I’m sorry. I know it’s not your fault.' Sian’s eyes looked huge and a tear slid down. With an inward grumble at herself, the stupid spell, life in general, Kassie reached out both arms and hugged her friend close. 'I mean it,' she said gruffly. 'I do.'

  The awkward tension between Sian and Kass faded and both looked calmer; we refocused on the camp plans. A loud grumble from Sian’s stomach caused us to giggle and that decided the first matter. 'Okay,' I pretended to roll up invisible sleeves. 'Let’s make a meal before Sian’s stomach eats itself. Now who’s got matches?'

  'Oooh,' Kassie started rooting around in her pack. 'Is that what these are for?' She held up a rounded flat rock and a solid rectangular piece of metal.

  'Yes,' Sian said excitedly. 'Let me try!'

  While Sian practiced striking the flint, which wasn’t as easy as it looked on TV, we hunted around for sticks and dry leaves. After we’d scraped out an obvious circle of dirt we set up the wood with the dry leaves underneath.

  Leaning close to the base of the fire, Sian took a breath and tried again, rapidly striking the flint to the steel. It took more effort than she’d expected at first and now her arms ached from her failed attempts. Finally a spark flew but hit the dirt and burnt out. Urrghhh not again, she grumbled to herself and she changed position to try again. Gritting her teeth, she smashed the two pieces together, her heart leaping when she saw another spark. This time it hit a leaf. With a pounding pulse from both exertion and nerves, she leaned forward and blew on it gently. It took another careful breath before the tiny flame absorbed the leaf then spread, catching other leaves. She watched, a smile hovering and excitement building as the rest of the wood pile began to burn. A shout from behind made her jump, then she twisted to grin at her friends who cheered loudly at the sight of the flames. WOO! Sian thought in delight; I did it!

  Chapter Four

  About an hour later we lay on our cloaks, full of food and feeling calmer, almost satisfied. Audi and Lucky seemed happy enough with their meal of beans and dried meat and we knew we had enough food to last a few days which helped soothe some of our anxiety. 'What do we do next?' Loi asked.

  We fell silent all considering then I spoke up. 'Shelter.'

  'Let’s explore,' suggested Sian.

  Kassie sat up. 'We really need to find a town or city, our supplies aren’t going to last that long.'

  We got into an earnest discussion of survival when Audi gave a sudden low growl. Surprised, I twisted to look at her then stiffened. The dog crouched, staring out into the forest with a lowered head, body tense and ready. The fur around her
shoulders and neck fluffed out mane like, with her tail low and stiff. Audi’s tan muzzle wrinkled with a snarl before she gave a short angry warning bark. I stared, feeling my heart start to race then turned, looking for whatever she’d seen.

  Kassie crouched, hands pressed to the grass while she slowly scanned the forest. Her heart pounded when Audi snarled again and she almost missed it, her eyes not deciphering the tall figure that stood back amongst a number of saplings; but her mind registered the shape. Her neck stiffened and stomach felt like it plummeted to the ground. Barely daring to breathe she dragged her gaze back, silently praying she’d seen wrong. A breath hitched in her throat and everything stopped for an instant. She gasped, pulling back and gestured with a harsh whisper. 'THERE!' The others froze.

  'Oh God, what is that?' Loi whispered.

  Sian shook her head, mute with shock. The creature didn’t budge. It just stood there observing them. It didn’t look like anything she’d seen before, not even in movies; at least six feet tall with long limbs and brown green mottled skin, the creature had a horrid humanoid face with a hint of muzzle protruding and a heavy brow ridge. The quiver and bow lay before her near the fire but she didn’t have any desire to actually use them, just to grab them and get the hell out of there. She twisted to look at Cat who sat near her.

  Sian’s eyes were as wide as saucers when she looked my way. Keeping my eyes on her I spoke softly, 'I think we should pack up. Quickly and quietly guys.'