by Hoyt, Joshua
Tom read the book in the old library as often as he could. The reading was slow and painful. He learned that the group called the Forsaken Petal began to enlist women and taught them their magic. They taught them sacred codes of honor; serving others needs before their own, protecting the weak, and using magic only for good.
The Order of The Rose slowly began to withdraw. Those belonging to the forsaken petal worried that they would not be able to accomplish their task in time. They made plans to fake the deaths of some in their order. This would allow them to complete the training of the women they had chosen.
A problem arose with their plan; a member within the group became disenchanted with their goals and betrayed them. The Order of The Rose acted quickly and mercilessly. They began to destroy the women who had been chosen by the Forsaken Petal, and forced the members of the group to be the first to leave the world. There were a few women that escaped the orders wrath, they became known as enchantresses. They continued to train and learn the magic on their own using their counterparts as heroic guards who protected them while they wielded their magic with devastating power.
As the order began to leave and take their magic with them, the Forsaken Petal’s fear started to become a reality. A small group of women who the Forsaken Petal had taught had the ability to draw energy from those who were near them. These women called upon dark forces to gain power. The women became known as witches and were hunted tirelessly, but to the great despair of the Order of The Rose they had already grown too powerful and the order too weak. The Forsaken Petal, to their utmost grief, realized that they were the very cause of their greatest fear and lamented their mistake.
The order continued to withdraw and with them the magic began to leave the men of the world and so magic passed from men to women. The numbers of the order continued to dwindle as they left the world and of the Forsaken Petal only four remained. Those four men covenanted with each other that they would stay in this world until they had corrected their wrong. Tom learned that one of them had written the book that he was reading and the other three remained hidden from the order so that they could continue the fight.
The one who wrote the book sacrificed his life so that he could write the history of the Order of The Rose. The Forsaken Petal hoped that someday a person would come into the world who would re-establish the Order of The Rose. Their hope was that this new order would remember the old ways and protect the counsel and the people once again not making the mistakes the old order had made. The book warned the new order to beware of the witches and their power.
Tom pondered on the state of the world at this time. Was it really all that bad? He didn’t think that it was all that bad, so what had the order feared of the witches. He knew that they were evil and that some would occasionally steal boys to use as their slaves but this was rare. Maybe they were much subtler than this and he had just not noticed the changes. Maybe that was why the counsel had grown so corrupt.
Tom would read from the book as Kristiana wrote what he said. He loved to watch her elegant hands write in her book. Many times during breaks Kristiana would talk to him about magic and its history. These stories reminded him of his mother and how she would tell him stories of dragons and princes. This alone was motivation enough for him to keep reading the book even though it gave him nightmares and headaches.
As time passed Tom grew stronger both physically and mentally. He also began to rely more and more on his new friends. He learned to trust both Aithnea and Cody for their wisdom and strength. He knew that he would always be able to depend on them. They would spend countless hours talking and discussing the book and what they had learned that day. They would explore the nearby forest and once they found a small hut.
Karman told them that the hut had been used as a hiding place if something happened at the cabin. The hut was well supplied and had all of the equipment they would need if they needed to make a quick escape. John and Karman talked about an escape plan and decided that the hut would be a perfect place to meet should something happen.
Chapter 12:
Tom woke from another nightmare about the Order of The Rose. The Order had chased down yet another enchantress, snuffing her life out. The face of her counterpart twisting in pain and fury as he saw her struck down. The man turned on the Order with such fury that it took several bolts of lightning to take him down and even then several of the brethren had been seriously injured.
Tom walked out of his room and into the front entryway trying to shake the memory away. He looked out the window and saw that it was still early morning and that the first rays of the sun were glistening on a fresh blanket of snow. He looked at the beauty of the rising sun as it began to top the ridge so far away. He reveled in the power of the sun, it had seemed so small a short time ago but as it rose in the sky it now gained power over the darkness. The sun chased the shadows and darkness from every corner of the small valley. I need to watch the sun more. It has so much power and beauty in the renewal of life.
Tom continued to watch the sun rise for a short time when footsteps approached from behind him. He turned and saw Aithnea standing there with a blanket wrapped around her slim body. The sun warmed her sharp features and turned them into a soft glow. Her long black hair shimmered in the light of the morning rays as it fell lightly across her shoulders. She smiled as he stared at her and became mesmerized by her dark green eyes holding his gaze. Tom wished that this moment would never end.
Aithnea slowly raised her hand to his face and moved closer. He felt the warmth of her body as he drew closer to her and put his shaking arms around her, embracing her. He swallowed as he felt the small of her back with his hands and pulled her closer.
An energy rose from inside him as they stood close for several minutes. The energy filled him with peace and comfort. There was also a power in the energy. It was as if a small fire had been lit deep within him that he knew could never be extinguished as long as Aithnea was near him. He felt the energy rolling around in his body like a slowly building volcano.
Aithnea smiled at him and then rested her head softly on his chest. He felt her breath coming out slow and steady, as he continued to hold her softly against him. The power warmed him from the inside out. He closed his eyes.
The window exploded behind him. Glass fragments showered down on him and Aithnea. Warm liquid ran down the side of his face where glass had pierced his skin. Aithnea had blood on her face as well.
He pushed Aithnea toward the door to the dining room as footsteps crashed toward them from the outside. Running through the door he slammed the door behind them and turned the lock. Aithnea was already beginning to prepare a spell. Tom pushed his own energy toward her adding to her power.
The door splintered as a large axe slammed into it from the other side, a huge gash formed in the door. Aithnea finished the spell as another axe hit the door. The gash opened even further. The man standing at the door looked confused, turned and then began attacking those who were with him. Several of the men, surprised, fell to his heavy axe. Chaos erupted. The men with red dragon capes began turning on each other not knowing who was a friend or foe.
Tom turned to Aithnea, grabbed her arm and ran toward the kitchen door. I hope the others get out. They must have heard the noise. The servant looked up in surprise as the door slammed against the kitchen wall.
“You need to get out,” Tom yelled.
Tom held Aithnea’s hand and they ran toward the back door. The servant stopped what he was doing and stared at them.
“You must run now,” Tom yelled at the servant again.
The battle was growing closer as they reached the back door. He opened the door and to his horror he saw several of the black clad men running toward them. He had no weapons and felt completely useless as he held Aithnea’s hand, watching the men, with long swords, getting closer and closer.
“Tom concentrate,” Aithnea said.
She shook her hand loose from his grip and began to prepare another spell. He f
elt the power slowly increase in himself as he started to chant the words with her. The power grew between them manifesting in a shimmering sphere in front of them. Aithnea flicked a small pebble into the sphere and the pebble instantly grew to the size of Tom. The two simultaneously pointed toward the oncoming enemies and the boulder hurtled toward them.
The man in front had no chance, the boulder hit him square on. The two who were following leapt to either side of the man who flew past them thudding into the ground. The large boulder lay on top of him, more than ten feet away. Tom and Aithnea ran past the stunned attackers.
Their pursuers gained on them as they ran toward the forest ahead. Aithnea looked over at Tom. “We can’t go to the meeting place while they’re chasing us.”
Tom looked over his shoulder and saw that the two men were only ten yards back and gaining fast. He turned and began to move his hands. The men stopped and looked at him briefly before they turned and ran. Tom looked at Aithnea and smiled with a shrug. Aithnea giggled. “You were bluffing weren’t you?”
Tom laughed and nodded as they continued on to the hut. Approaching the hut they slowed their pace. “Do you think they know about the hut?” Tom asked.
“I don’t think so. There’re no tracks around,” Aithnea replied.
Tom couldn’t see any either so he crept closer looking for any signs that someone could be near.
They entered the small hut; Tom couldn’t see anyone inside. “I don’t think anyone has made it here yet.”
Aithnea’s lip quivered slightly. “What if they were all captured at the cabin?”
He grabbed her shoulders and said, “They’ll be all right, Aithnea.” Tom pulled Aithnea to him and held her for a few minutes.
“I’m ok, now. Thanks.”
Tom grabbed a bag and started filling it with supplies. He found a sword and strapped it to his waist. “We need to prepare for the worst...” he looked up at her quickly, “…it won’t be hard for them to follow our tracks through the snow…You must be freezing!”
She had only her nightgown and slippers on and he could see goose bumps on her arms and legs. She looked at the door and began to cry. He hurried over to her with a blanket and held her close again. They embraced for a moment and then she wiped the tears from her face. “I’m all right, we need to get going.”
Tom held her at arms length. “There’re some clothes in the chest, I’ll finish packing and then…” Tom looked around bewildered, “…and then I think we better head out.”
He looked at the door hoping that John or Karman would come through and tell him what to do. Looking away from the door he went back to packing while Aithnea got dressed.
Aithnea looked up from tying her shoes. “Tom, someone is coming.” She grabbed a dagger out of the supplies and held it close.
Tom carefully pulled the sword from its scabbard and snuck to the door. Tom backed into the dark corner behind the door crouching low to get even deeper in the shadow. His breath quickened; someone was coming closer to the door. Whoever was coming was moving fast and struggling as they ran. He waited ready to pounce on whoever came through the door.
The persons pace slowed and loud panting was just outside the door. The door started to open slowly. “Tom is that...”
The person started to speak as Tom pounced, grabbing him by the arm and throwing him in to the shack. Aithnea moved in quick and brought her dagger down to plunge it into the person’s back when Tom noticed who it was.
“Aithnea no, stop” Tom yelled as Cody deftly rolled to the side.
The dagger slid to the side of Cody.
“Cody, Cody are you all right?” Aithnea asked. She knelt down next to him and looked him over to make sure.
“I’m fine, lucky you’re slower than me,” Cody said wincing as he smiled at Aithnea. “I’m sure glad to see you guys here, we have got to move fast. I think they’ll be coming soon.”
“You’re bleeding,” Aithnea said.
She pulled his arm closer to inspect the jagged cut that was there. Cody stood and pulled his arm from her. “We don’t have time.”
“Cody if you bleed to death it won’t matter,” Tom said.
Tom grabbed a bandage out of the supplies and started to wrap Cody’s arm. Aithnea sheathed her dagger and began packing another bag. “Where’s Kristiana?”
“I don’t know. There was a lot of fighting. They were still fighting when I left them. Karman had already fallen.” Cody looked down at his hands. “I-I couldn’t help him, he, he....” Cody began to cry softly.
“What do you mean he had already fallen?” Tom said.
Cody wiped the tears from his face. “There were just too many of them…” he looked up into Tom’s face, “…he held them off long enough for me to escape but then....”
Cody couldn’t continue and Aithnea began crying softly. Tom put his head down grieving for the older man that had been like a grandfather to him.
Cody put his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Tom, we need to hurry…” he began packing another bag, “…John told me they would be coming soon and that we needed to be ready to go when they got here.”
They packed the gear waiting silently for Kristiana and John to show up.
“shhh, I hear something,” Tom said putting his finger to his lips.
Tom walked to the door and Cody pulled his pistol from its holster. The door burst open knocking Tom to the ground. A man swung his huge axe down toward Tom’s head narrowly missing as Tom rolled into the man’s legs. The man, losing his balance, stepped back and Tom heard Cody’s pistol go off. Tom swung the hilt of his sword into the man’s knee shattering it on impact. The man fell to one knee as another man came into the small room.
In one fluid motion Cody pulled his sword from his sheath and swung at the man on the ground. The man leaned back to miss the blade as it came within inches of his face. Tom took his opportunity and rolling to his knees plunged his sword into the man’s chest. The man fell back hard taking Tom’s sword with him, Tom seeing his mistake saw the other man moving in quick swinging a huge hammer toward him. Tom jumped to avoid the man but was too slow and he felt the hammer slamming him into the wall. He fought to stay conscious as he felt the pain start to overtake him. Aithnea unleashed a fury of small missiles that hit the man as he moved in for the kill. The man screamed out in pain before falling to the ground motionless.
Tom’s arm was throbbing. He dragged himself up using the table for support. “We can’t wait any longer,” he said.
Aithnea looked at him her eyes open wide. “Where will we go? We can’t leave them.”
Tom came close to her and put his unhurt arm up to her shoulder. “They can take care of themselves. We will meet up with them in Darthmoth.”
Cody put one of the packs on his shoulder and began to put another one on his other arm. Tom grabbed it from him with his good hand and slung it into place smiling at Cody.
“It was just a glancing blow. I’ll be fine in a minute or two.”
Cody smiled back. “Lets go, tough guy.”
Tom pulled his sword out of the man and cleaned it on him wiping it across the red dragon. Motioning to Aithnea, Tom followed Cody out the door. Tom stopped looking toward the cabin where smoke was rising on the horizon. Worry formed on his face. What was the smoke from? Had they burned it down to kill John and Kristiana?
Aithnea ran toward the cabin but Cody grabbed her arm. “No Aithnea, we can’t risk it.”
“Cody maybe we should circle around and see if anyone’s alive,” Tom said still staring at the smoke rising in the air.
“Tom, what if they are waiting for us?” Cody said.
The three watched the black smoke when Tom began walking toward the cabin. “We can’t leave them behind if they need our help,” he said.
No one talked as they headed toward the cabin, no one wanting to talk about the smoke that they saw. As they left the trail that led to the hut Cody covered their tracks with branches and they began to circle around to the
other side of the cabin. They walked slowly through the snow staying behind trees and boulders to stay out of sight. They came to a ridge that was in front of the cabin and went down on their stomachs and crawled to the top.
Tom looked over the top of the ridge and saw many bodies lying around the cabin but there was no movement. The cabin was on fire and it was sending black smoke high into the sky. Some of the trees that were closest to the cabin had started on fire as well but it didn’t appear to be spreading.
“I don’t see anything,” Tom said. “Do you think that it’s a trap?”
“I don’t know,” Cody replied.
“I could enchant an animal to go and have a look,” Aithnea offered.
“You can do that?” Tom asked in surprise.
“Yeah it’s a simple enchantment the tricky part is getting the animal to do what you want them to.”
“That’s a good idea Aithnea,” Cody said.
“Wait, what is that?” Tom said pointing.
A group of people came around the corner as Aithnea was about to start casting her spell. There was a woman leading them who was wearing a jet black dress with black feathers coming out of it at the neck. The woman was looking around in disgust at all of the dead bodies lying around. She scanned the horizon and another group of men came around the house.