by Shawn Sodman
“They are probably half way over the mountains by now,” Arioch says.
“Perhaps this is not as bad as it may seem,” A’ranah says.
“What are you saying?” Chance asks. “When we first found out that they were in the scouting party you were just as upset as I was. What has changed?”
“Yes, Chance, I was,” A'ranah replies, “but listen, you did say that it looked relatively empty on the other side of the mountains. They may be safer there then at Sheathelm.”
“There is more,” Arioch says.
Chance sighs and asks, “What is it?”
“It is more than just Kianna and Ya'leigh,” Arioch says hesitantly, “Kelik and Ambra are with them.”
Chance shakes his head. “What are they thinking! I have to go.”
“Wait, Chance,” Arioch says, “listen to me first. If they are going through the mines and caves to get to the other side you won't be able to just fly over and find them.”
Chance, now pacing quickly, still looks frustrated as A'ranah says, “Chance, I am worried as well, but you need to calm yourself. I can use the amulet that Kianna wears to check on them. I am sure they are fine. The other Sisters of the Silver Moon are a few days in front of them. As long as they are close by I am sure Kianna and the others will not run into trouble.”
“You can see what they are doing?” Chance asks.
“Of course,” A'ranah says. “Come, we will do it now.” She leads Chance into her tent. In the middle of the tent, perched on a pedestal, is a large saucer of water. A'ranah takes off a silver and emerald amulet and places it in the center of the saucer. She then closes her eyes and slowly runs her fingers across the surface of the water. The ripples begin to settle as an image starts to come through the reflection.
It is of Kianna at first, then, as A'ranah moves her hand around, the image changes. Soon Chance can see the entire group in the watery image. A'ranah and the others listen as Kelik says, “I wish father could have seen that fire.”
Ya'leigh replies, “I am sure he would have been proud.”
“I am just glad you shot that spider,” Isen says. “It would have bitten me for sure.”
“Just make sure that if we come across orcneas you and Ambra stay by Isen or Garrin and let us handle it,” Ya'leigh says.
Kianna adds, “The only thing you two need to worry about is activating the gate stone if we need to get out.”
“I have it right here,” Ambra says as she holds up the small sandstone medallion. “I won’t use it unless one of you tell me to.”
Watching them through magic, A'ranah says to Chance, “Well, it certainly sounds like they have their escape plan ready.”
“Thank you,” Chance says as he begins to calm down.
“Isen is with them,” A'ranah says, “and I helped Arioch choose him to be Kianna's personal guard. He would give his life to protect them.”
“I know,” Chance replies, “and Garrin would, too.”
A'ranah drags her finger across the water again creating more ripples, and as they clear this time an image of Evelena appears. Just as before, A'ranah moves her hand to change the angle. The group walks by, and each of the sisters come into view including Kristieana. A'ranah glances up at Chance who cannot help but to smile at the sight of her. She says to him, “It is good to see you smile, Chance. You should do it more often.” Chance looks up at her embarrassed. He doesn't say anything as A'ranah reaches in and removes the amulet form the water.
“Chance,” A'ranah says, as she puts the necklace back on, “there is something I need to talk to you about.”
Before either of them can say another word, Arioch bursts into the tent and says, “Come quickly both of you!” They come out of the tent as Arioch says, “Quickly, to the medical tent.”
They run to the medical tent and as they go inside they see a man writhing in pain on one of the beds. “I am not sure what is wrong with him,” a crossbowmen at his side says. “He was fine a moment ago, then he just collapsed. We brought him here.”
Namos enters the tent and approaches the man lying on the bed. The man, in his leather armor, appears to be very weak and struggling to breath. “Let me take a look,” Namos says as he starts to examine him. He looks down and can see dark veins all over his abdomen. Namos closes his eyes and soon his hands glow with a green aura. He moves them over the man's body and the dark veins begin to fade and the man begins to breathe easier. “That should do it,” Namos says.
Chance makes his way over to the bed. He recognizes the man as the guard who was shot with the arrow earlier. The guard looks up at Chance and says. “It was the arrow.”
A sinking feeling fills Chances chest as he turns and says, “Finna...”
“What's happening?” A'ranah asks.
Chance runs from the tent yelling, “Finna!”
Fear comes over A'ranah's face. She turns to Namos and says, “You, follow me. We have to hurry!”
They leave the tent and follow Chance. By the time A'ranah and Namos reaches Finna's tent Chance is already there, holding Finna's motionless body in his arms. Dark veins from the poison cover half of her body. Chance looks up at A'ranah with tears running down his face. “She's gone...” He says.
A'ranah lets out a cry and Leanara embraces her. Other Amazons soon enter the tent and as the look upon their fallen sister many of them burst into tears as well. As strong as these women are, their bond to one another is even stronger. They are family, and when they lose one of their own the loss is very hard. Leanara is the first to step forward. She casts a spell on Finna, removing the poison from her, and the dark veins disappear.
Serena La'harn wipes away her tears and says, “I say we try to resurrect her.”
A'ranah looks up at the other Amazons of the Silver Moon who all nod their approval. She then says. “Leanara, prepare a location far away from camp. I'll go and gather the others who can cast the spell.”
Chance approaches A'ranah and says, “I may not be able to cast the spell, but I am willing to lend whatever energy I can.”
A'ranah puts her hand on his shoulder and says, “I appreciate the offer Chance but we will need to make sure we are not interrupted. If the orcneas should find some way to strike at us we will need you to fight. We can only attempt this once.”
“I understand,” Chance answers. A'ranah gathers her sisters together as Chance walks to the front line. He stares at the wall of Northwind far off in the distance. He walks past the trenches and spikes, and stands all alone in the pouring rain glaring at the horizon.
At the far end of the open field the orcneas are having another meeting. Lortec Ka stares out over the wall and surveys the damage from the flood. “It looks like they have bought themselves more time.” He says to the other two generals.
“I say we let the drakes loose and make them pay for this.” Borak Cron says.
“No, Borak,” Lortec replies. “Even if we manage to kill some of them, we will need the drakes to defend against those goblin air ships.”
“Lortec is right,” Vork says as he sharpens his blade. “They would eventually bring down our drakes, and then we would have no defense from the air attacks.”
“We must make them suffer soon,” Borak says. “They are growing too confident, and we have suffered two losses of our bridge.”
“They will pay, Borak,” Lortec says. “In time they will all pay.”
Chapter 37
Warmth of the Light
Just outside Arioch's camp it is still raining as the Sisters of the Silver Moon are exiting the tent they had set up to cast the ritual spell to resurrect Finna. With their heads held low they walk back to the camp. A'ranah makes her way over to the King. Arioch is watching Chance who is still standing out in the field staring out over the horizon. A'ranah asks Arioch, “How long has he been out there like that?”
“The entire time,” Arioch answers. “So how did it go? Did you save her?” A'ranah looks down and shakes her head. “I am so sorry,” he
says as he puts his hand on her shoulder. “I'll go and tell Chance.”
“No,” A’ranah replies as she looks up. She wipes the rain and the tears from her face. “I need to do this,” she adds. She walks slowly out beyond the spikes through the rain. Chance continues to stare across the field at the distant city. Her boots are now covered with mud from the ground as she approaches him.
Arioch watches from afar as she puts her hand on Chance's shoulder. Chance turns to face her as she says something to him and shakes her head. Chance falls to the ground as A'ranah kneels next to him. He leans against her as she holds his head on her shoulder. Arioch can no longer watch his friend suffer, and he turns to walk back to his tent.
“It's my fault,” Chance says to A'ranah.
“How is it your fault?” A'ranah asks.
“I didn't think to check the arrow,” Chance says. “Then I told her to go rest.” Chance puts his hand over his eyes and says, “She could have been saved had someone seen her fall.”
“You cannot blame yourself for this, Chance,” she says as he pulls away. She places one hand on each shoulder and continues, “It was not anyone's fault.”
Chance shakes his head and says, “I should have known better. Why does it feel like I always fail those who need me?”
A'ranah stands up and as she helps Chance to his feet she says, “Chance, there was something I wanted to tell you earlier. Now I think it is more important than ever that you hear what I have to say.”
“What is it?” Chance asks, unable to look her in the eyes.
“First of all,” she says, “Finna's death is not your fault. You were not the only one there. No one thought to check the arrows, not just you, and the fact that you asked her to get some rest did not cause her death either.” Chance tries to look her in the eyes but can't. “Secondly, Chance, Arioch tells me that you still blame yourself for Sha'al.”
Chance looks away, searching for the right words, “I should have been there for her,” he finally says with a quivering voice.
“There is no possible way that you could have known the orcneas were going to attack,” She replies. “Sha'al did not need you to follow her everywhere she went.” She takes Chance by the chin and lifts his head to look him in the eyes. “Chance, no one blames you for her death. Some of the sisters were upset at the time, but I don't know a single Amazon of the Silver Moon who blames you for anyone's death.”
Chances takes a deep breath then says, “Rehma La'harn does.”
A'ranah sighs and asks, “Did she say something to you?”
“It was not so much what she said,” Chance says as he looks away again. “Her actions spoke clearly enough.”
“Did she attack you?”
“Yes,” Chance answers, “and if not for the others, she very well may have killed me.”
“I am sorry,” A'ranah replies. “I didn't know she still harbored such feelings for you.”
“Well, she does,” Chance says. “When the others pulled her off of me she yelled out to everyone within the inn that I was responsible for her mother's death.”
“Oh, Chance,” A'ranah begins to explain, “Rehma is young still. She will understand in time.”
“What is there to understand?” Chance asks. “My carelessness in battle cost Teresa La'harn her life.”
Frustrated, A'ranah says, “Chance, we have been over Teresa La'harn's sacrifice many times. You have to stop this! You cannot be responsible for everyone's fate. You are killing yourself with guilt.” Now firmly grasping his face she continues, “If you want to blame someone, Chance, right over there is the enemy!” She points across the field to the city of Northwind. “The orcneas are the ones to blame, Chance, not you!”
Chance looks back over to the walled city and says, “I understand. I am going to make them pay for what they have done.”
He looks back at her and she says, “Chance, I still see a spark in your eyes. While war has defined who you are to everyone else, I know there is more to you than that, but you need to let go of the guilt before you can move on. You are not the man that my daughter fell in love with years ago.” Chance tries to hold back tears again as she continues, “It has been a long time, Chance, and you need to find a way to forgive yourself.”
Chance looks down again and doesn't know what to say. He looks over at the city again as the rain begins to stop. “I don't know how,” Chance finally says.
A'ranah sighs deeply, then says, “Come on, let's get back to camp.”
Chance and A'ranah make their way to the tent where the Amazons attempted to bring back Finna. As he enters Chance can see Finna still lying on the round table. Leanara is at her side. She looks up at Chance and sadly says, “I am so sorry, I failed.” A tear rolls down her cheek as she begins to cry.
Chance walks over to her and puts his arms around her. “It's not your fault,” he says as he looks back at A'ranah standing at the entrance.
Leanara replies sadly, “I was the one in charge of the spell. It didn't work. I failed her.”
Chance looks down and reflects on his thoughts. He looks up and says, “Her spirit may simply have chosen to enter the light rather than return to us.”
Leanara replies, “I can't believe that she would want to leave us now.”
“I know,” Chance replies. “It doesn't make sense to me either, but it is not your fault. The only ones to blame for this are the orcneas, and not anyone else.” Chance glances back over his shoulder at A'ranah as she nods to him before leaving.
Chance then says to Leanara, “Wherever Finna is now, I am certain it is a beautiful place. Someday we will all join her, but I don't plan for that day to come anytime soon.” Chance then steps next to Finna. He leans down and kisses her forehead. He closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. He slowly exhales as he opens his eyes and whispers, “Goodbye, my sister. May the warmth of the light embrace you.”
Chance and Leanara leave the tent as the sun begins to shine through the breaking clouds. Chance looks up at clearing sky and as the sun begins to warm his face he feels as if a great weight has been lifted from him. He closes his eyes and smiles.
Chapter 38
The Wait
In the Captain's quarters on the Red Dawn, Ariella sits reading Fernando's letter again. There is a knock at her door that startles her a bit, “Come in!” she calls.
Torgus enters and says, “Captain, we are still on track to make it to Bastion by tomorrow.”
“Excellent,” Ariella replies. “I want to get rid of that orcnea as soon as possible.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Torgus says sounding concerned.
“What is it, Torgus?” Ariella asks as she stands up and walks over to him.
“It's just that I have always known you to despise the idea of slavery,” Torgus says, “and yet here we are about to sell an orcnea just like a common slave.”
“I understand, Torgus,” she says with a heavy sigh, “but this orcnea was part of an attack on our ship. We are at war, Torgus, and I do not plan to keep him as a prisoner, and if he is to die, I'd rather sell him than kill him myself.”
“As you wish, Captain,” Torgus replies.
“I assume you still have had no luck with locating either Fernando or my locket?” Ariella asks as they walk out onto the deck.
“No, ma'am,” Torgus replies. “I am still trying every few hours. Sooner or later he will take the locket out of that bottomless bag. When he does I will find him. As for Fernando, I am sure he is still wearing an amulet that hides him from my searches. He is bound to take that off as well. Until then, Captain, we just have to wait.”
“I hate waiting, Torgus,” Ariella replies, “and every day that Fernando makes we wait, the more severe the punishment will be when I find him.
To the north, the caravan that Fernando has been traveling with arrives at gates of Sheathelm. As they enter the capital city, Fernando breaks away from the group and makes his way to an inn called the King's Shield. Just inside the entrance is a stat
ue of King Arioch. There is a small stage at the far end of the main hall with a smaller version of Arioch's throne in the middle. There are tables throughout the room.
Fernando looks around for someone. Looking disappointed he sits at an empty table in the corner and says to himself, “I hate waiting.”
“You have a lot of nerve showing your face in here, Fernando,” a woman’s voice says from across the room.
“Trisha?” Fernando says as he stands back up.
A short curvy woman with long black hair angrily makes her way over to Fernando. “Don't you Trisha me!” she snaps.
“Please, my lady,” Fernando begins to say, but he is interrupted by a slap across the face.
“That is for sleeping with my best friend!” Trisha yells.
“Lo siento, I am sorry,” Fernando replies as he rubs his stinging cheek. “I did not know she was your friend.”
She slaps him hard again and says, “The fact that she was my friend isn't the point! You were with me the night before!”
“Please do not be mad at me,” Fernando says as he brushes her hair back with his fingers. “Even though you are most beautiful with that fire in your eyes.”
“You!” another woman's voice says angrily.
“Of course,” Fernando sighs, “she is here too.”
“Look who came to say hello, Lee,” Trisha says to an attractive blonde who joins them.
Lee draws back her hand as Fernando closes his eyes and braces to be hit again. Just as he expected, the young woman wastes no time in slapping Fernando as well. “How dare you show up here!” Lee yells at him.
“Ladies, please,” Fernando begs. “It is such a tragedy to see such beauty with so much anger on your faces.”
The women look at each other in disbelief. Lee says, “Don't you try to use your lines on us.”
“Yes,” Trisha adds. “We know what kind of man you are.”
“Oh, and what kind of man is that?” he asks with a smile.
Again Fernando's calm demeanor throws them off, and they are at a loss for words. “You are a liar!” Trisha finally says.