The Heart of the Ancients

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  “And if she had, what would you have done differently?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I would’ve been more prepared.” Weylin’s barrel chest lifted and then lowered as he took a deep breath and sighed. “My Kitten blindsided me, you know? That night, when she came out of the woods, charging the Dokkalfar.” His eyes twinkled at the memory, and he smiled. “Her conviction, tenacity more like it, hit me like a brick, and I instinctively grabbed her and held on. At that moment, while she kicked and fought and shrieked I drew her energy in —took it for my own—and hoped like hell she didn’t already have a mate.”

  Vulnerability flickered in his eyes, and I patted his back.

  “We’ll get through this. Including Cali. And then you can claim her for your own.”

  Weylin watched Elaine brush the snow from Cali’s hair. His tender expression softened his features. “I hope you’re right, Princess. Because she is now the seat of my soul. I won’t exist without her.”

  He cleared his throat and walked away.

  Rune jogged from the shore. He glanced at Gavin, and they both made their way toward me.

  “We’d almost be ready, Lass.” Rune’s feathers rustled in the icy breeze. “Prince, how far do you imagine they’d be?”

  Gavin closed his eyes; a hollow ache seeped into my chest.

  “The Dokkalfar are well south of us,” he muttered. “We have a few days on them.”

  The mention of Mia’s clan had my stomach churning. But as I looked over the land, thousands of Urisk’ memories filtered through my mind, and I began to understand how the Urisk had strengthened me. I now had countless experiences to draw from, not just my own. It calmed me, gave me insight, and allowed me to think clearly.

  Obviously, the Khiton had done the same for Gavin. He listened more attentively, took a moment before answering, and his emotions now held a strong sense of determination. It was as if he had made a decision and would not stray from it.

  Thousands of lifetimes existed, flowing through the seventh stream in my mind. The experience of them all gave me a sense of agelessness, wisdom I’d never thought possible.

  This must have been how Malachi felt.

  Gavin smiled as he walked up from behind. “I imagine so.”

  I squeezed his hand, and we watched the sun rise above the snow-capped canopy.

  Rune grunted. “The scouts’ll be settin’ up the next camp.” He took my bag. “It’ll take us most of the day t’ be gettin’ there. The Urisk’ll be carryin’ yers and the human’s pack. We’ll be goin’ a fair ways more than what you’ll be used to. There’ll be times yer mate’ll need t’ be carryin’ ya, Lass. Tis the way it’ll be, and I’ll not be hearin’ any nonsense from you, nor you neither, Cali girl.”

  Cali nodded that she’d heard him and unstrapped her pack, handing it to Rune. The wind died down as the morning sun blazed. This created a thin layer of ice, which made traveling by foot a little easier. Molly, Rune, and the Alfar walked single file while the Urisk fanned out, some jumping from tree to tree. At times the forest grew so dense, it felt like night had come early, and then the trees would give way to wide open spaces with blinding white snow.

  By afternoon, the breeze grew chilly, and the path ended at the bottom of a ravine.

  “Up you get.” Gavin cleared his throat, his voice husky with a combination of cold wind and lack of use.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, and he started up the steep cliff wall. The Urisk in the front jumped, leaping to the top in one fell swoop.

  Rena and Tark stayed on either side of us, while Cali and Weylin were flanked by Elias and Elaine.

  The trees thinned, and suddenly I felt incredibly exposed.

  “They’re not here. Not yet, anyway,” Gavin grunted, finding another foothold.

  “How do you know?”

  “When we were on the water, they couldn’t sense me. Now that we’re on land, I’m like a beacon, and you can bet Mia is traveling this way. We don’t have much time.”

  I quieted my mind, listening to kinder memories of the Urisk while Gavin finished scaling the wall.

  “We’d be makin’ good time,” Rune said. “It’ll just be gettin’ dark when we set our toes in the shelter.”

  Weylin’s broad shoulders popped over the steep drop. He hoisted his body up and set Cali on the ground.

  “Yeah. Just so you know. I don’t want to do that again,” she mumbled, standing to dust off her pants.

  “It’d not be necessary, Cali girl.” Rune grinned. “The rest o’ the way’s pretty straight forward.”

  Urisk darted in and out of the trees as we walked the rest of the day. My mind raced as I looked at every hill and valley, searching for something that resembled the mural in the cave.

  Nothing looked familiar.

  “That’s because we’re several days out.” Gavin inched closer. “The mural showed a ravine between two mountains.” He pointed ahead. “See that stream? See how it flows? Molly said we’ll follow against the current until it leads us where we need to go.”

  The air plummeted from cold to flat out frigid, and when we stopped, I put on an extra pair of gloves and another hat.

  “Have I thanked you for the long johns yet?” Cali came up from behind.

  I smiled. “They do come in handy, don’t they?”

  “I wish the witchy woman that made these would have added socks to the getup. Everything is toasty except for my toes.”

  “I think we’re almost there.”

  Cali cupped her hands together and exhaled into her gloves. “Well, let’s hope they have dinner waiting. We haven’t eaten since this morning, and I’m starved.”

  “Me too.”

  Gavin stood and motioned us forward. With a heavy sigh, Cali took her place in line, and we continued on.

  Dusk settled on the horizon; the sky grew dark. The bright moonlight reflecting off the snowy landscape added an eerie light to the blackened trees. Firelight flickered in the distance, and we hurried forward.

  A cove of giant black spruces towered over the small open space. Nestled within the spruces were several large pines. The scouts must have been here for a while because any debris had been cleared and large rocks circled an already blazing fire pit. A cast iron pot sat in the ash, it contents bubbling merrily.

  “Would you look at that,” Rena said, looking up. Ribbons of emerald green danced in the night sky.

  Gavin put his arm around my shoulder.

  “It’s the color of your eyes.” I watched the light ripple and play against the heavens. “It’s like this place knew we were coming, and the sky is trying to guide us where we need to go.”

  Gavin kissed the top of my head. “In all the time we were on Earth, I’ve never seen the Aurora Borealis until now.”

  “Aye,” Rune agreed. “It’ll be a treasure, that’s for sure. But one we’d best be appreciatin’ later.” Handing me a cup of soup, he growled. “You’ll be needin’ t’ eat, Lass.”

  Before I could thank him, he walked away.

  There was no place to sit, and so we stood close to the fire. My feet ached from the trek, and it was an effort to stay upright. Exhausted, I finished my soup while looking for our tent or whatever the Urisk had set up. There was nothing but snow-laden evergreens.

  “Gavin, where are we supposed to sleep?”

  As soon as I asked the question, Kyla came forward, her eyes mischievously twinkling. “You’ll be wantin’ t’ follow me, my Light.” She motioned me forward. “We’d be havin’ t’ make due, but I’m thinkin’ you’ll be restin’ well.” She walked to the edge of a larger pine tree closest to the fire pit. “Come, you’ll see.”

  Kyla pushed the bough back and invited us in. The lower limbs of the evergreen actually grew high up on the trunk, but through many winters of heavy snow, time and weight forced them downward, sweeping the forest floor. This created a hut-like space near the large trunk big enough for Gavin to stand. A lean-to, similar to t
he one we’d used on the way to the mountain, had been anchored to the tree’s base.

  “The wind’ll be pickin’ up tonight, and this’ll be addin’ a bit o’ protection.” Kyla winked and pushed open the branches. “I’ll be headin’ out, but if yer wantin’ anythin’, we’d be puttin’ yer packs over there.” She pointed to several rucksacks lying where the branches touched the ground. “Yer guardian’ll be t’ the left of ya, Yer other clansmen t’ the right.”

  She left, and I went to the pallet that lay under the lean-to’s protection. Kyla had piled pine needles and covered them with several layers of dried moss and then a thick blanket to create a bed. The heady scent of pine perfumed the air, and for once I couldn’t find the metal tinge of pollution. This was the scent of the mountain as it used to be.

  Gavin took Edna’s quilt from one of the packs and brought it over as I crawled in and lay down.

  Surprised by how soft and warm needles were, I settled in.

  “You coming to bed?” I yawned, as Gavin placed the quilt over me.

  “In a minute. Would you like some tea?”

  I shook my head. “Maybe in the morning.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Firelight flickered as Gavin pulled back the tree’s limb. The boughs overhead shook as the wind picked up, and I shivered again. Settling on my side, I nestled down, causing the covered pine needles to gather along my back. Now I knew why Cali made a nest.

  It kept you warm.

  The whisper of shifting limbs rustled in the night as Gavin came back through. I tucked Edna’s quilt beneath my chin.

  “Here.” He lifted the covers at the bottom of the pallet. “It’s a warmed stone from the fire pit.” He laid the heated rock between the pine needles and moss.

  I moaned as warmth seeped through my boots and into my toes.

  “Scoot over.” He crawled in behind me, effectively blocking the cold filtering through the branches.

  Edna’s quilt protected us from the wind, heat seeped around my feet, and Gavin’s chest warmed my back. I funneled energy to Gavin, naturally heating Ester’s undergarments. Now toasty warm, I drifted off to sleep.

  Low murmurs sounded. Vague strands of hostility filtered through, and I started to open my eyes.

  The voices stopped. Gavin’s emotions quieted. His lips found my cheek, as his hand dipped under my shirt, tracing circles on my midriff. I settled down and eased back into a semi-conscious state.

  “How far?” Elias whispered.

  “A day and a half. They haven’t stopped traveling since we hit shore.” Gavin’s deep tone rumbled above my ear.

  “Unless we’d be makin’ it to the cave within’ the next few days’ we’ll be needin’ t’ prepare t’ fight.” Rune sat close by somewhere.

  I sighed. “Why don’t we just break camp and go?”

  “You’re getting better at that,” Gavin commented, kissing my forehead.

  “I’m finding ways to keep you on your toes.” I yawned.

  Rune cleared his throat. “The lass’ll be right. We’d be needin’ t’ head out soon, and it’ll be best if we’d not be stoppin.”

  Elias shook his head. “Neither Nora nor Cali could keep that pace. And Weylin’s never fought when his source is at risk. No. Cali will need to be rested and strong before we face the Dokkalfar.”

  I looked at Elias and then Rune. “I’d never thought about Cali and Weylin’s relationship and how that might change his being a warrior.”

  They shifted in their seats, and I started to wonder how often they’d talked about this. It obviously wasn’t a new topic of conversation.

  I tilted my head, looking up at Gavin. “Have you talked to Weylin?”

  He pulled me close, choosing to stay quiet.

  Propped up on one elbow, I rested my head in my hand. “Listen, what about using a few of the Urisk boat-sleds, like you’ve done with the weapons and supplies? Cali will hate the idea, but the snow is packed so hard it won’t be difficult to pull us. That way, we wouldn’t have to stop.”

  “Good idea.” Gavin smiled. “Rune, see who’s willing to allow us the use of their canoe. We’ll start at dawn.” He nestled back down. “Now if you gentlemen will excuse us, my source needs to rest.”

  Elias and Rune slipped back through the pine’s branches.

  Gavin’s hand kept its lazy pilgrimage, making circles between my hipbones. Contentment washed through me, and I closed my eyes, loving the sensation. He used to keep his emotions from me while I slept, but since the Khiton ceremony, they coursed through until the morning.

  I loved being able to feel what he felt, but sometimes he surprised me. Like now. Usually, when his hands were on me, passion surged. But tonight, sweet peace trickled through.

  Gavin sighed and kissed my neck. “I’m content because we’re alone, and I want to appreciate every moment we have. They’re so rare anymore.”

  I placed my hand on his. Gavin was right. And there didn’t seem to be an end to it anytime soon.

  The air came alive as a Urisk battle cry trumpeted through the night. Gavin sprang up from his spot. Rena, Tark, Elias, and Elaine came through one side of the tree, Rune came through the other.

  “Grab the beddin’. Keep both the Light and Cali girl bundled. We’ve got two vessels’ waitin’, and we’ll be hopin’ they stay together. The crew watchin’ the boat’s reported a scoutin’ pack.”

  “So soon?” I whispered, knowing Gavin was as surprised as I was.

  “Aye. I’ll be gettin’ two Urisk t’ be pullin’ the sleds.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Rena looked at Rune. “There’s a pack of wolves who volunteered to help.”

  Soft growls rumbled outside the tree, and I got up from the pallet. Kyla rushed through with a few others, gathering the pine needles, moss, and cloth. They flipped the bedding upside down, allowing the blanket to carry the needles and then flipped it right side up once they reached the canoe. Other Urisks took our packs, settling them on their shoulders.

  “We’ll not be hinderin’ the wolves with things we can be carryin’,” one mumbled before walking off.

  Gavin grabbed my hand and pushed open the branches closest to the fire. His emotions raged with darkness, but within them were love and purpose. I no longer panicked when the sensation became so intense.

  If his feelings disappeared altogether. Now that was another matter.

  Rena tied the wolves to the front of the canoes, creating a makeshift harness.

  “Hop in and hang on,” Gavin mumbled, helping me into the woven boat. The bedding filled the entire bottom, and pine needles and soft moss bundled around me. Gavin put Edna’s quilt on top and tucked in the sides.

  “We have a way to go. Try and rest.” He kissed my head.

  “You’re kidding, right?” Cali shrieked. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

  Weylin took her hand pulling her forward. “We don’t have time for this, Kitten. Get in the boat.”

  A Urisk battle cry echoed this time a little closer.

  “Melinda Allessandro,” Weylin’s chest barreled out. “Get. In. The. Boat. Please.”

  Without another word, Cali jumped in the canoe. He covered her with blankets.

  “Stay still. I’ll be right behind you.” He bent down and kissed her full on the lips.

  Cali looked at me. “What is this, a drag-the-humans-behind-the-wolves contest? What’s first prize?”

  I forced a smile. Cali was a lot like Rena—her instinct was to lighten situations with humor.

  The boats jerked forward, slamming my head back into soft bedding. The wind whipped around us as the makeshift sled picked up speed. Snow dusted over me, leaving Edna’s quilt damp. I managed to doze on and off as we traveled through woods then open spaces and into woods again. As daybreak peeked over the horizon, I thought we’d stop, but the Urisk seemed driven, and we kept going until the sun was high in the sky. Gavin’s fatigue wore through me, and it was during those times I finally took energy fr
om the amulet and sent it his way. By the time we stopped, shadows had stretched across the long icy glade. The Urisk scouts were no longer ahead of us, and so we had to improvise on the camping arrangements. A clear stream trickled along the snowy bank with plenty of tall pines blocking the wind.

  “We’ll be stoppin’ here,” Molly declared. The Urisk started preparing in a flurry, and Weylin sank to his knees. He took off his coat, and his shirt was drenched with sweat.

  Cali climbed out of the canoe and stood behind him. She leaned in close, singing an Italian melody as she massaged his broad shoulders. He took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. He leaned against her chest, and she wrapped her arms around him, humming close to his ear.

  The Urisk scurried away, and I began to realize how intimate Cali singing to Weylin would be for them. While they readily shared energy, they rarely shared music.

  A space was cleared of snow, and stones were gathered, creating a fire pit. The Urisk found dry tinder beneath the boughs of the pines, and dead wood was collected and placed along the edge of the stones to dry. It wasn’t long before a fire roared to life. Kyla brought over a mug of hot tea.

  I took a sip, appreciating the warmth seeping through as I swallowed. The Urisk dragged the canoe under one of the large trees while Gavin laid Edna’s quilt as close to the fire as possible, allowing it to dry.

  Cali grabbed a bag of nuts, and she and Weylin headed for the tree the Urisk had put her sled under.

  Gavin stood behind me, his chest warming my back. “Rune’s asked that we keep the canoes ready to take off at a moment’s notice. The wolves have agreed to be back after they hunt. We’ll harness them as soon as they’re ready.”

  I looked at the gray wolves by the stream. The leader’s hackles rose as he bared his teeth.

  “Why don’t they like me?”

  “The pack knows of the Urisk and the Alfar through their legends. You are unique, as your scent is a combination of Alfar and human. The Alpha knows that you are my source and that the Urisk view you as extremely important to the future of Earth. That’s why they’ve agreed to help. Elias has explained Cali’s significance as Weylin’s source, but they’re barely tolerating her. Years of seeing humans destroy their home hasn’t exactly gained their trust.”