by Jaci Miller
“Yes, the well was the one thing that remained untouched by the war and the destruction of the Oberon Fen. I don’t understand what happened.”
“Maybe the magic of Athir has not found its way here yet,” Killenn suggested walking to the structure.
“Is that where the Keltie emerged from?” she asked directing their attention to a glistening white circle hovering above the top of the well.
“It must be,” he said. “Somehow, Marlee’s transformation has allowed her to breach the plane beyond, releasing the Keltie fae from their infinite limbo.”
A crackling flash lit up the dark sky and a cascade of glittering rain began to fall from the circle. Torrents of water streamed down the well’s sides. The cracked and caked mud crumbled and washed away under the torrent of gold water leaving once dusty and dull stones gleaming. The moss, its color changing to a vital green, glistened as its velvety carpet returned. Dead flowers bloomed, covering the entire column in a multitude of brilliant colors. Gold, glittery water seeped through the cracks and spilled into giant gilt bowls protruding at different heights from the sides. Once again, the well shone with the beauty and robustness which had long forsaken it.
Killenn whistled in appreciation as the rain ceased.
“That is how I remember it,” Brannon said winking at Tauria.
The well certainly was breathtaking but what caught Killenn’s eye was the funnel of gold-dusted air now swirling above it.
“That may tell us something,” he said pointing to the churning air.
He stepped to the well and pushed the toe of his boot into a crevice.
Finding a handhold, he began to climb skillfully scaling the tall structure in minutes. At the top, he crouched and closed his eyes. Placing one hand into the swirling dust and the other flat on the well, he uttered an incantation.
Moments later he descended the tower.
“I have no doubt those creatures with Marlee are, in fact, ancient Kelties or the imprints thereof. The golden dust is saturated with archaic dark energy.”
“What did you do?” Stevie asked. “Up there.”
“I performed a simple yet effective spell. An ancient incantation passed down through generations of Dragon Gypsies. It determines if there is an essence or energy specific to a race in the air. I searched for something primordial.”
“And you found what you were looking for in the funnel?”
“I did, plenty of it. Their marker is strong in the dust. The Keltie fae has definitely emerged into this plane.”
“Now what?” Kai asked fidgeting with the knife strapped to her thigh.
Killenn gazed across the field at the pink horizon. The sun would rise soon and the Dark Forest surrounding Niramyst would be easier to traverse.
“We head to the ancient city of the elves.”
“But what about Marlee?”
Killenn frowned thinking about Marlee’s last words. “I have a feeling we might find her there.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because if Marlee is being guided by the Keltie, she will inevitably want to settle an old score. And as there is just one elf left on this realm, she will seek her out.”
“Elyse!” Stevie exclaimed. “But they’re best friends. Marlee would never hurt her.”
“Marlee is no longer the person you know. Her mind is corrupted by a bloodline long extinct and one who thrives on violence. The Keltie was a vicious race and I don’t think their endless exile changed that. Trust me when I say Elyse is in danger.”
Chapter 13
Elyse put her glasses in her pocket amazed at the clarity of everything since receiving her birthright. Shimmering dust coated the leaves on the trees and each blade of grass swayed methodically in the floral-scented breeze. Ripples on the water’s surface gleamed like a bed of diamonds. Athir was coming alive and it was extraordinarily lovely.
Her hand went to her cheek, fingers caressing the raised skin. Besides exceptional vision, her birthright left her marked. A filigree of scaring followed the line of her right cheekbone curling at each end with two raised dots at the top and a lone leaf branching off the bottom. Sebastian said it was the mark of her people, a sect among the elvish population known as the Elves of the Wood.
As they came to the edge of the forest, Sebastian said. “The Dark Forest surrounding Niramyst is very old and full of magical beings. The Elves of the Wood were its guardians, protecting the entities within.”
“And now it’s my turn.”
He placed a gentle hand on her forearm. “You will do well to listen closely as we pass through the Dark Forest. What you learn may be beneficial to our cause.”
“What am I listening for?”
He smiled. “What lies hidden.”
As they left the sunny flatlands and entered the shadowy forest the scent of pine and damp bark assaulted her nostrils. The air was cooler here, not an uncomfortable chill but rather a caressing freshness that slithered up and down her skin awakening her magic.
Needles crunching underfoot echoed around them as they went deeper into the quiet forest. Air magic saturated the woods. Wisps caught in the air drifted aimlessly through the trees causing the entire forest to sparkle. The bark of the trees shimmered with a golden sheen and moss-covered boulders shone without the aid of sunlight. Even the shadows caught in the recesses of the thick woods were less ominous than when they’d first entered.
As they made their way toward Niramyst, Elyse became acutely aware of multiple entities hidden in the shadowy forest.
What lies hidden, she thought as the energy of these beings reached toward her. Whispers rose in her mind as the hidden spoke amongst themselves—curious of her presence.
Branches on a large tree began to shudder as she neared stretching outward as if waking from a deep sleep. The leaves rustled as she placed her palm flat on its large trunk.
Closing her eyes, the scar on her cheek began to glow with glittering light. “I can hear the tree spirit it speaks to me in tongue, but I understand what it’s trying to convey.”
Sebastian and Drow glanced at one another. Neither had ever witnessed a guardian of the forest interacting with one of the most ancient of creatures. The tree spirits were legendary entities. They communicated using a long-dead language only the Elves of the Wood understood.
The tree continued to move. Its leaves and branches swayed even though the evening air was calm. Other trees joined in. A chorus of nature filled the air as the tree spirits awoke. The raised mark on Elyse’s cheek throbbed with pale golden light in response.
After a few minutes, the trees calmed.
Brushing her hand lightly across the tree’s rough bark she murmured something in elvish. The tree groaned as its branches shook.
She turned to Sebastian and Drow.
“There’s a darkness coming. The tree spirits feel the tainted energy. It’s primordial but it’s not the ancient dark but rather a darkness specific to this realm, and one which no longer exists on this plane. Its intentions are unknown, but the tree spirits are restless.”
“We must get to Niramyst at once. To the elvish fortress.” Drow said.
Sebastian agreed, and they set off again but this time at a hurried pace.
After exiting the Dark Forest, they entered a small stone tunnel in the side of a hill. On the other side was Niramyst—a sprawling city of waterfalls, bridges, gazebo-like structures, and towers, all built around a gaping chasm.
As they passed over the bridge, Elyse leaned over the side. Hundreds of feet down at the bottom of the canyon, white-tipped water rushed toward the far end. Numerous waterfalls flowed down the chasm’s rock walls spilling into the furious waters of the river below. Warm steam rose from its depths dispersing a strangely dry mist into the air that tickled her skin as it drifted by.
“The fortress is the best place for us to wa
it out the night.” Sebastian pointed to a tall stone structure in the distance. Its twin towers stretched skyward. “This is where we will find the elvish weapon cache, and we can rest in the sleeping quarters on the upper echelon. The fortress also houses a tower that overlooks the entire city, including the only way in.”
Elyse nodded knowing Sebastian was attempting to reassure her that whatever the tree spirits were warning her about they would be prepared.
The main gate stood ajar and a cooing echoed from the courtyard beyond.
Drow unsheathed his sword.
Elyse cocked her head listening. Soon, a smile spread over her face, and she began to laugh. “Put your swords away they won’t hurt you.”
“They?” Drow asked sheathing his sword as requested.
Placing her index finger on her lips she motioned for them to follow. She peered around the gate visually confirming what she already knew. At the center of the courtyard, jumping playfully on the fountain, were six furry creatures no bigger than a rabbit. Snow-white fur glowed in the sunlight. They had small heads accented by big pointed ears and long, slender bodies ending in a hairless, stubby, black tail. Their tiny feet had no toes making them look like fluffy white pancakes.
“What are they?” whispered Drow.
Sebastian’s face lit up. “Those wonderful little creatures are Zibits.”
“Whatever is a Zibit?”
“Did you ever venture off Kaizi?”
Drow looked taken aback. “The Velkia royals leave the realm of our people for diplomatic reasons and no other. Athir is the only realm I never had dealings with, therefore had no reason to learn of their culture or their strange inhabitants.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Then you are missing out on one of the most amazing creatures in this universe, my friend”
“It’s a rodent. What is so appealing about it?”
“Watch.” Elyse picked up a pebble and threw it at the group of cuddly creatures.
The moment it hit the fountain, the Zibits reacted. Tiny gossamer wings, the shade of night, unfolded from their furry backs, and they scattered. Zipping back and forth they searched for the threat, their black eyes growing until they were the size of silver dollars. As they flew, a shrill chattering erupted from their throats, and they pulled back their gums to display razor-sharp teeth.
“Not so cute anymore, are they,” she laughed.
Walking around the gate she made sure the Zibits spotted her before she continued toward them. They flitted like hummingbirds over the fountain their bulbous eyes never leaving her. Their back paws smacked together in warning, but Elyse was already using her ancestor’s powers to communicate with the ancient creatures.
She cooed at the furry animals as she stepped carefully toward them, a sing-song tone to her voice. The Zibits reacted. A couple stopped flying and came back to the ground. Tucking their wings back inside their fur they padded at the earth with their front paws. The braver ones flitted toward her, circling curiously. One landed on Elyse’s shoulder. Its tiny pink nose pushed against the raised mark on her cheek, and then pawed at it friskily.
Drow watched in awe. “What is it doing?”
“Playing,” answered Sebastian, a broad smile spreading across his face. “The Elves of the Wood have such an amazing relationship with the creatures of the Dark Forest. I suspected the tree spirits would still be in existence, but I had no inkling creatures of flesh and blood might be. It’s miraculous the Zibits survived stasis. They are such curious little creatures.”
Elyse waved for them to follow.
The Zibits black eyes observed them suspiciously as they passed the fountain. A small one thumped its back paw on the dirt drawing Drow’s attention. The creature hopped down from the fountain and jumped over to him. Its pink nose twitched, and it began to peep, a slow curious sound. Drow bent down, squatting until he was face to face with the strange little creature. Surprisingly, the Zibit reached out and touched his hair. It peeped again, this time with excitement, thumping its back leg.
Drow remained motionless.
Soon other Zibits joined. Their curiosity at never seeing a royal before stronger than their instinct to stay away from immortals. They tugged at his long white locks. One jumped on his shoulder and curled himself under and through his tresses. Another padded at his cabernet-colored eyes, tilting his head to the left and right methodically.
The childlike joy of these little creatures was intoxicating and Drow found himself beguiled by their presence. He laughed and pet their silky fur as they cooed. Never had he felt such unencumbered freedom.
“Zibits,” he said to himself, smiling as the word echoed in the air.
Sebastian glanced at Elyse, his jade eyes sparkling. “I think our Velkia royal just realized what he was missing.”
Chapter 14
From the balcony of the fortress’s central tower, Elyse could see the triple waterfalls in the distance. The rushing water plummeted off the top edge, spraying white mist into the air as it thundered into the roiling river below. The late-day sun warmed the sky. During this time of day just before twilight air magic shimmered like dew across the lands. It was breathtaking.
Drawn away from the beauty by a rumble in the distance her eyes flicked to the sinister sky above the Oberon Fen. It had been a few days since their arrival in Niramyst and there still wasn’t any sign of the others. Her instincts warned her something was amiss, and she worried about her friends who’d traveled into the cursed lands. Although the tree spirits hadn’t been specific, she assumed the darkness they spoke of would find its way from there.
“What has you so thoughtful?” Sebastian asked joining her on the balcony.
“I was thinking about the others. It’s been a few days and no word. Should we worry?”
“They will be fine. Rafe, Brannon, and Killenn are fine warriors and very astute when it comes to their surroundings. No harm will come to your friends, I assure you.”
Elyse always felt comforted by Sebastian’s words but this time she couldn’t shake the menacing feeling simmering inside her. Glancing back at the dark skies on the horizon she thought about Marlee and how afraid she must be alone in a strange world. Wiping a tear from her cheek she silently prayed the others had found her.
“What happened between the elvish and fairy races? What started the race war?”
Sebastian frowned. “Your birthright did not provide you with this knowledge?”
“There’s a lot of knowledge that’s still fuzzy in my mind.”
He patted her hand. “It will become clear in time.”
Gesturing to the golden mist sparkling around them he said, “The magic that flows from the air essence is very fluid and therefore can be used in different ways. Being a mischievous race, the fae preferred a more elusive use. They did not flaunt their magic, choosing instead to infuse the environment with it and allowing it to breathe organically. The race of elves was much more structured and aggressive. They used magic to protect the Dark Forest and its inhabitants and maintained strict control over the element. While their differences made Athir unique, it also caused much friction.”
Sebastian turned to face her. “However, for a long time, it did not complicate their coexistence. What exactly happened to cause the war, no one really knows. Smaller issues began to rile the populations. Fights broke out among lesser factions. Pettiness grew into mistrust and fear. The sentinels and Warlicians managed the situation for ages but then the uprising happened. The war itself was a surprising escalation. There was no indication it had risen to such an antagonistic level.”
Sebastian’s eyes clouded over as he remembered a time long past. “After the war ended neither race would explain, and the Guardian of Deities did not demand one. The war was over, the peace treaty signed, and both sides had already lost much. It was time to heal.”
“After such a long and bloody
war, it must have been difficult for them to forgive.”
“It was but the Druids helped with a gesture of unity among all the Thanissia races.”
“How so?”
“The Druidstones. They were crafted by the Druid priests and gifted to the races after the war on Athir. A gesture to promote peace and harmony and join the magic of the ether and the Five Realms together as one. It created a symbiotic relationship between the elements and the races they governed. It had long been rumored the stones were equal parts of each realm.”
Elyse lifted an eyebrow. “In what way?”
“According to legend, the stones were dug from the deepest parts of the All Souls seas where the magic is the oldest and purest. They were then cut by Kaizi artisans and carved with magical ice knives crafted from the ice glades of Viccinius. Each was washed in the sacred pools of Athir and dried in its golden air before being imbued with the rich earth of Dywen. Although similarly crafted every Druidstone is unique, a symbol of the realm to which it belongs. The Five Realms entered a new age of magic after the creation of the Druidstones, but the power of the stones would ultimately lead to our downfall.”
Absently he rubbed the scar on his face.
“The ancient dark,” Elyse said softly.
“Yes. The Druidstones pulled directly from the ether, filling the Thanissia Universe with an unimaginable magical essence. The Druids had no idea it would call to such unspeakable evil.”
Elyse looked away from Sebastian and back to the threatening skies over the Oberon Fen. “Why do I get the feeling peace and harmony are about to come to an end and history is going to repeat itself?”
From the edge of the Dark Forest Marlee surveyed the city of Niramyst. The elf stood on the tower balcony speaking with the elder Warlician. The moon would rise in a few hours and when it did, she would make her way to the fortress. She knew the tree spirits had awoken; their energy drifted through the treetops, but she paid them no mind. Under the cover of darkness, she would seek her ancestor’s revenge.