The Heart of the Ancients

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  Elaine closed her eyes and smiled. “The power. It’s familiar.”

  I stood next to Elaine and released a snippet of energy from Gavin’s amulet. Elaine was right. The scent of ancient power lingered, and the corridor hummed as soon as it felt my presence.

  My mind raced as hope seeped through. I had a feeling Jabez was right. There was no way the Cerberus would let me out. But if we could get back to Kailmeyra from here and Mia had taken Gavin back through the abyss, we might still be able to save him. “You’re right. This cavern leads to Kailmeyra.”

  “It is the path to the first. The path to redemption,” Jabez corrected.

  “What’s she going on about? Weylin, what’s back there?” Cali craned her head and squinted. “I don’t see anything but rock.”

  Everyone turned and looked at her.

  “What?” Cali put her hands on her hips. “Come on. There’s nothing back there, and you know it.”

  Conflicted, Weylin’s eyes froze on the gaping hole behind me. “She cannot see,” he muttered. “If she cannot see that means she cannot go.” Frantic, he clutched his hands at his side as reality sank in. Weylin vowed he would protect the Last Light of the Ancients. He was my Guardian, yet Cali was his source. He couldn’t abandon his post, but to leave Cali now would be unthinkable.

  Rena stepped forward. “You needn’t worry. I’ll protect Nora.”

  Weylin’s expression became haggard. “No. I’ve made an oath. It’s my responsibility.” His eyes darted from place to place as he desperately searched for a solution. “There is no other way.” His large palm rubbed across his face. “I’ll see Nora through safely and then come back for my source.”

  Despair rippled off him in waves; the ancient Dokkalfar stirred.

  “Weylin. You can’t do that.” I sighed. “First of all, leaving Cali here alone and unprotected is not an option. The Urisk have stated time and again that she’s important to the survival of Earth. She needs any protection we can spare. Secondly, you would weaken with worry, and, without your source, by nightfall, you wouldn’t be able to defend a flea.”

  Weylin’s eyes narrowed.

  “You know I’m right.” I took his hand in both of mine. “Your truth has changed. Your intent now centers on your source, as it should be.”

  Weylin’s eyes flew to Elias. “You are my captain. What say you?”

  Elias took a moment to answer. “Nora is correct. Melinda is your fate. You cannot leave her. I officially relieve you of your duties as Nora’s Guardian.”

  Weylin scowled, shaking his head at the impossible situation.

  Cali made her way through the cave. She took in Weylin’s pale face and grim expression. “What’s going on? You all right?”

  She placed her hand over his heart, and his turquoise eyes went from stone to liquid warmth. Weylin cleared his throat, his huge palm engulfed hers as he brought her hand up and kissed her bare wrist. “Seems you and I are destined to travel a different path.”

  Cali’s smile faltered, her fingers curling around his jaw. “What are you talking about? Looks like we’re all stuck here together.”

  Weylin looked at the threshold standing next to him. “Put your hand on the wall.”

  Bemused, Cali took her hand from his face and pressed it against cold, wet rock. “Okay, now what?”

  Weylin placed his palm next to hers and then eased his entire arm through the energy barrier.

  She gasped. “How did you do that?”

  I sadly smiled. Weylin would now be able to see into Kailmeyra’s mountain. He’d be able to enter the chamber of knowledge, visit the underground falls, and go to the Sprite’s respite. Ironic that the reason he’d strengthened enough to look past the barrier was also the reason he’d never experience any of it.

  “He’s learned to love,” I simply stated.

  Weylin pulled Cali close and kissed the top of her head. “Yes, he has.”

  Cali blushed and turned toward the Cerberus guarding the mouth of the cave. “Well, if everyone else is going that way, how are we getting out?”

  Weylin took a deep breath and exhaled. “They go forward. We go back. Someone needs to tell the Urisk all that’s gone on here. If Nora’s wrong and Gavin’s still on Earth, we’ll warn him too.”

  Cali glanced at the Cerberus still blocking the way. “Ummm... they still haven’t moved. You plan on digging around them?”

  Weylin took her hands in his. “I have a feeling they’ll let us out. They must know you cannot go forward, and we were never meant to stay. We’ll head back and fight.”

  “Now you’re talking.” Cali grinned. “I’m not a fan of spelunking anyway.” Her smile fell as she looked at each of us. “Will I ever see you again?”

  “Of course you will.” Rena’s Jasper brown eyes glittered in the firelight. “Weylin knows the way to the portal, and once the Prince has rid the world of Mia and order has been restored, we’ll be back to help Earth heal.”

  Cali rushed forward, hugging Rena and Elaine. “Please don’t take too long. I kind of like having friends.”

  Rena patted her back, while Elaine sniffled. They fussed over her, telling her not to let Weylin get away with too much. She laughed, let them go, and then faced me.

  “Be careful, and God’s speed to you, Defender of Man,” I spoke the formal words first in the Ancient Language and then in English. A calm fascination ran through me as I realized that even saying goodbye to Weylin and Cali couldn’t penetrate the numb hollowness that had surrounded my heart.

  Cali pulled me to her, whispering in my ear. “Listen, Princess. Blow up, shoot, stab whoever you have to, do whatever you need to do and survive. You know Gavin is doing the same. This Mia skank doesn’t stand a chance.” She held me tighter. “You have to have faith.”

  Before I could say anything, she walked away.

  Elias stiffly shook Cali’s hand, but Tark enveloped her in a warm embrace, rocking back and forth. “You take care, Cali girl.”

  Cali playfully smacked him on the arm. With goodbyes said, there was little else to do, and so, back straight, chin high, she made her way across the room and waited at the mouth of the cave.

  Elias shook Weylin’s hand. “There’s a stash of weapons in the cabin by the portal. Once you’ve helped the Urisk, head back to the last pure land. We’ll send word as soon as we can.”

  Weylin nodded. “When you get back, inform Micah that I’m staying here. He’ll know what to do.”

  “You knew, didn’t you?” I asked. “You knew you weren’t coming back.”

  “I plan for every situation, Princess.” Weylin’s expression softened. “Surely you know that by now.”

  He took my hand, pulling me away from the group. Hugging me, he muttered. “I’m worried about you. I’ve always been able to sense what you’re feeling. Even before the first simulation, I’ve used that as a guide to help better communicate with you. But you’ve been completely shut down since we entered this cave. I’m not sure what to say, except that I have faith the future King will survive. You need to believe that too.” His arms tightened around me, his tone darkened to more of a growl. “And for the love of God, please finish this. Whatever happens, you must see this through.”

  He held me for a moment more before making his way to Cali.

  The Cerberus stepped aside, giving us a glimpse of the carnage beyond. Wildfires raged, engulfing the tall spruce trees, their bright light casting the meadow in an unholy glow. Urisk roars echoed through the cavern, mixed with Dokkalfar hisses and screams. Black and gray bodies lay on the ink-splattered snow as the fighting continued.

  Cali grabbed her scythe while Weylin unfurled his whip.

  She turned back, her eyes held that odd combination of fierce tenacity and profound joy, and she grinned. “Hey girls. Thanks for the lessons. I have a feeling they’re gonna come in handy.”

  Weylin grabbed Cali’s hand, pulling her in close. As soon as they made it through, the Cerberus stepped together again, blocking the
cavern’s entrance once more.

  Jabez’ empty black eyes found mine. “Come, Last Light of the Ancients. I know not how long the path will remain open. We cannot tarry. It is time.”

  My heart sped at the last of her words, and I looked ahead.

  Elias and Elaine took the lead, lighting the rocky path. I was next, followed by Rena and Tark. Fearing the power lighting the way, Jabez allowed a small distance between the Alfar and the Lost. The clan of Jayril shuffled their feet in unison, their gait creating an eerie rhythm that echoed down the dark corridor.

  Rena glanced back at Jabez. “How is it there are so many of you? I thought Jayril’s clan was only forty or so.”

  “Darkness bred of darkness is created through despair and pain. These were from the original clan born of love. We intended to grow our numbers and fight that which we became.”

  The path grew narrow, and the discussion stopped. My clothes clung to my body, the dampness of the cave finally saturating through to my bones. My eyes stayed focused on the back of Elaine’s head while my mind raced with horrific possibilities.

  Gavin ... was he still alive? And if so, what was Mia doing to him? What about Molly, Rune, Finn, and Kyla. What if they were one of the dead we’d seen as the Cerberus stepped aside?

  Anger burned through the numbness surrounding my heart, and I glanced back at the frail creatures following me. It would be so easy to turn the clan of Jayril to dust. They were so weak, and I had enough energy stored to do it with no more than a flick of a thought. Honestly, part of me was tempted by the idea.

  The Alfar seemed to accept Jabez’s explanation of redemption. Even after all this time, they understood emotions in a way I didn’t. Personally, I thought Cali was right. Why did any of these creatures deserve to be forgiven? Countless had suffered for centuries because of them. The Earth was on the verge of annihilation because of what they’d done. They made their choice. Why shouldn’t they pay for it?

  “Quiet your mind,” Rena hissed in my ear. “I feel your struggle. Search your past, my lady. Edna’s compassion healed you. What would she say to the thoughts you now have? And does your judgment help the situation? Does it honor Gavin or ease his suffering?”

  The path widened, and Rena stepped forward. “Don’t let your thoughts become reckless. Now, more than ever, you must control your mind.”

  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Rena was right. If I weren’t careful, I’d let my thoughts fuel the anger demanding the Ancient Dokkalfar pay.

  Urisk memories sailed forward. A thousand songs of ages past rang through, comforting me. Each note came from their heart and connected with mine. The lilt of Rune’s melody floated above the rest. Putting my hand on my stomach, I rubbed the small bump that now lived between my hips. Our children would grow up hearing Rune’s melody. One way or another, I’d make sure of it.

  The tunnel widened and abruptly ended in a large cavern.

  “What now?” Elias asked, looking at nothing but solid rock.

  Chapter 30

  The Mountain

  Jabez sagged against the wall. “I know not. Perhaps this is our fate—to wander aimlessly through the darkened corridors of Kailmeyra, crying to the Creator for mercy.”

  “Not on my watch,” I muttered, looking around the room. There had to be another way, or possibly something we were missing.

  I thought of Molly’s cave, of the Urisk’s prophecy.

  “...For centuries, we have prepared for a time when she guides the lost back to the beginning, leading them to the path of redemption ...”

  Back to the beginning—in Kailmeyra. That was where all this started. Then why wasn’t the mountain letting us in?

  “Stand back,” I mumbled, not caring if the Jabez and her clan heard the warning or not. I released some of the combined energy stored in Gavin’s stone.

  The Ancient Dokkalfar groaned and shuffled backward, seeking the darkness of the tunnel we’d come from.

  Urisk gray and Alfar blue swirled and danced overhead, and I looked up, watching the colors swirl before the rock absorbed the energy.

  The mountain trembled as if it were making a decision. The shudder grew to a rumble, shaking the ground beneath our feet. A large slate panel shifted along the far wall, giving us barely enough room to slide through. The familiar smell of power wafted in the air.

  “Wait here,” Elias said, taking Elaine’s hand and hurrying forward. Their footsteps fell away, and a few minutes passed before they sounded again as they reappeared through the opening.

  “We’re south of the Stalagmite Fields. Siana and Ester are in the mountain. And before you ask, I don’t know how Ester got here or why, but I did speak with the child.”

  I rushed toward them. “Is Siana all right?”

  Elaine shook her head. “I don’t know. She sounded strange. Something is amiss.”

  The mountain’s crisp air sped around me as if to hurry us forward. One by one, we slid through the narrow opening, which widened into a small grotto. The space opened to thousands of jagged cones, shaped like tall evergreens, jutting from the floor.

  The Lost seemed to weaken with every step, their shuffling feet, no longer in sync, stumbled forward.

  “Look.” I pointed to a darkened cavern nested beside the Stalagmite Field. “That’s one of the energy storage caves.” Before we left, I’d filled the place full. Now it stood empty, dark.

  Rena sighed. “That means Siana distributed power to the southern region.”

  The slate floor beneath our feet shook as the mountain rumbled. The slab at the back of the grotto slid closed, sealing itself shut.

  Elias rubbed his chin. “We’ve got to find Micah and see what’s going on.”

  “And what about the Lost? What are we going to do to with them?” Elaine glanced at the aged creatures hovering along the back wall. They pressed against each other, seeking shelter from the mountain’s power.

  Elias’ eyes turned to solid chips of sapphire. “I don’t like it. This is the perfect storm—Gavin is gone, the mountain is weak, and we just brought the original Dokkalfar through a secret entrance that leads to the most protected place in the kingdom.”

  Jabez came from the shadows. “We are no longer Dokkalfar. We are the Lost.”

  “Yes, but you once hungered for the power of greed; what’s to say you won’t do it again?”

  Rena had a point.

  I looked to the left of the field. We were dangerously close to the hidden Sfera caves and Malachi’s tomb. Until I knew what was going on in the kingdom, if Gavin was still alive, and why Ester was in the mountain, I wasn’t about to throw the original clan of Jayril into the mix.

  Several stalactites formed into sharp points overhead.

  “Move,” I muttered to Elias, Elaine, Rena, and Tark.

  Turning to Jabez, I said, “If you want to live to see this through, you’ll stand back.”

  The Dokkalfar shifted, pushing and crowding until they were one mass along the farthest wall.

  I focused the energy on the top of the cavern, above a few stalactites hanging overhead. An earsplitting crack punched the air as the slate split in two. I rushed back as the pointed spears fell, impaling the floor in front of the small cave.

  The Lost hissed and growled, and Rena and Elaine channeled energy, fusing the top of the stalagmites to the lip of the cave. The clan of Jayril was now contained in large, jagged rock. Only a few slits, no wider than my wrist, allowed fresh air into their newly formed cell.

  “You have forsaken us to our doom. Do not do this Last Light of the Ancients!” Jabez cried, her arms reaching from between the makeshift bars.

  “You’ve waited this long.” Rena’s brow rose. “A little longer isn’t going to kill you.”

  “You are wrong, Keeper. We weaken. This place weakens us.” Jabez crumpled to the floor.

  What if she was right? I had no idea how the Between managed to sustain the Ancient Dokkalfar. And they seemed to grow weaker every step of the way here.r />
  I looked at Elias. “Figure out what’s going on outside the castle. Jabez is right. We don’t have long.”

  He turned to Rena and Tark. “Inform the Queen that we’re back, but don’t tell her about Gavin. Elaine and I will check with the guard.” He looked at me. “Siana is waiting for you in the energy field. We meet at the Keepers’ Hall within the hour.”

  Boney gray fingers desperately reached through the jagged stalactite teeth as the Lost cried out. “No, Princess!” Jabez begged. “Please, we must have a chance to be redeemed!”

  I ignored her and turned away.

  We ran through the Stalagmite Field and up to several corridors before the path split into two.

  “Do not leave the mountain,” Rena muttered as she hugged me. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Weylin would have my hide if he knew I was leaving you unprotected with Ester running around.”

  “I’ll ask Siana if she’s heard from her.” I hugged Rena back. “And don’t worry. If worst comes to worst, Rune gave me a secret weapon.”

  Rena’s eyes sparked with curiosity. “What is it, my lady?”

  “I’m sworn to secrecy, but know I’m well protected.”

  “I’m not sure if I feel better about knowing that or not.” She glanced back. “I have to go.”

  Rena, Tark, Elias, and Elaine sped down one path while I took the other, following the faint hum of power.

  I turned the corner and froze. When we left, the energy field was so full you could barely see your hand in front of your face. Now, the vast space held a light blue translucent mist.

  “Thank the Ancients you’re back!”

  Mahogany waves glinted as Siana ran toward me. I knelt down, and she jumped into my arms. Standing up and taking her with me, I held her tight, rocking back and forth. A thread of joy made its way through my chest, and the numbness turned into an ache. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Where is your Prince?” Her warm breath, so close to my ear, combined with her sweet morning dew scent, and the ache turned painful.

  “He’s taking care of things on Earth.”

  Siana leaned back to look at me, and I gasped. Her faceted aquamarine eyes were now rimmed in solid silver.