by Aubrie Nixon
“Valessa, the Keeper of the Tower of Light—do you know her?”
The mage nodded his head slightly.
“She can get inside your thoughts, right? Project her voice into your head?”
The mage’s fingers tightened, but he didn't look up.
“Brenner, I realize that you don't know me, and you have no reason to trust me. But there are bigger things at play here than you and me. I need someone on my side. Someone who understands.”
Finally, he looked up at her, his face unreadable, his eyes full of determination.
“Can you do what she did, Brenner? Did she teach you?”
The mage stood up and walked away.
“Dammit,” she swore.
They finished packing up their campsite. Sephera began to feel anxious as they headed in the direction of where she hoped her bag would be. She felt Zad’s eyes on her as she hopped off Winter and walked to where she had encountered Valessa.
“Wait, Seph. Whatever attacked you could still be out there,” he said, jumping off of his horse and tying it up next to Winter. “I sent the others ahead. They will meet us at the next village.”
“Good. I could use a break from them.”
“They aren’t that bad, you know. Daegan is different but seems to have a good head on his shoulders. And Brenner—it's kind of hard to get to know the guy when he can’t speak.”
“And Chantry? What do you think of the little goddess?” Sephera asked begrudgingly.
Zad eyed his friend nervously. “Goddess? Oh, Beasty, don’t let her hear you say that.” He laughed.
“Why not? She knows she's beautiful.”
“You would like her. Just talk to her and give her a chance.”
“No, thank you.”
Before Zad could reply they heard a rustle in the trees ahead. Sephera froze. She closed her eyes and listened intently. A branch snapped. Her eyes flew open, and she unsheathed her weapon, ready for a fight. She glanced at Zad, who had his shield and sword raised. The trees were thick here. If there was more than one enemy, they wouldn’t stand a chance. The bush ahead rustled, and a small figure limped out. It was a hound. She sighed and sheathed her weapons.
“Just a pup,” she breathed.
“He's wounded.” Zad approached the creature. “You should know better than to sneak up on hunters in the woods, little one,” Zad whispered gently as the hound whimpered and laid down at Zad’s feet. Sephera watched as Zad bent down and softly petted the poor creature’s matted and bloodied fur.
“Look at his markings. He's one of those war hounds.”
Sephera gasped. “A Krishna?” She walked over to the poor, mangled pup. He must have been the runt left for dead.
“Get him to the village. I’m sure Brenner can help. I’ll finish up here and meet you once I find my bag.”
Zad looked at her incredulously.
“I’m not leaving you here.”
“Zad, that hound is going to die if you don’t get him help. I can handle this on my own. I promise.”
“Sephera. I am not leaving you.” The look in his eyes told her not to argue.
She reached into her tunic pocket and pulled out a vial of ointment. She rubbed it on the hound’s wounds and set the pup down. Then she took her cloak off and put it over him. He whimpered in gratitude and fell asleep. “That should do for a couple of hours until we can get back to the others. Happy?” she asked Zad.
“Immensely,” he replied.
They continued the search for a few minutes. Finally, they came to the spot where she’d been attacked. Her leather satchel was there at the base of a tree.
“Thank the gods,” she sighed and bent to retrieve it.
She looked through the contents. Everything was there—her extra clothing, food, a bag of coins, extra supplies—everything but the letter. She felt her heart drop. She dumped the contents of the bag out, her hands shaking. No . . . No . . . NO! There was no way a thief would have taken it and left the other contents of the bag. It had to be Valessa. That stupid, stupid woman!
She felt a lump rise in her throat, and tears stung her eyes. She pushed them back and closed her eyes. Then she packed the contents of her bag and quietly walked to where the pup was sleeping. He opened his small eyes when she bent down to pick him up.
“Zad! I found it! Let's get going,” she said, climbing on her horse.
“Ah! Good!” He appeared from behind a few trees.
She did her best to keep her face neutral as she waited for Zad to mount his horse. She held the bundle in her cloak and waited for Zad to follow her.
“Sephera?” he called out.
“Yes?”
Her friend smiled his quirky half-smile and tilted his head. “We’ll get through this. I won’t let anything happen to us. If you need to talk, I’m here, okay?”
She furrowed her brow. He looked so sincere, so concerned.
“Okay, Zad,” she agreed.
“And Seph? There is no one on this earth that will ever replace you.”
She smiled and rode Winter off through the woods, clinging to the small bundle.
CHAPTER 10
They reached the small fishing village around noon and met up with their companions near the edge of Lake Eyleen. Sephera’s arms were exhausted from carrying the pup for so long. After dismounting, she promptly handed him to Zad. Then she peeled off her boots and went to sit at the water’s edge. She put her feet in the cool water. She loved how the sunlit water illuminated her toes. The refracted splotches of light danced over her pale skin, making it seem like a thousand fireflies danced over her.
She glanced at the shore. Brenner and Zad stood over the Krishna hound they had rescued. They seemed to be deep in their work, mixing herbs and poultices as Chantry softly stroked the pup’s head. She hoped they could save him. He was so small and deserved a fighting chance. If he lived she would call him Dorjan.
The Hounds of Krishna were said to be strong and deadly. Warriors used them in battle. They were flesh-hungry creatures who killed for sport. Feared by many and used exclusively by only the greatest warriors of Nostorra, they were bred for their cruelty and size. Now she had one of her very own. He was bred to be fierce and murderous. But like her, he was broken, scared, and small.
She stood, breathing in the cool mountain air, and started up the path. She was met at the shoreline by Daegan who held three dead rabbits in a trap. He obstructed her path. She glared, trying to go around him, but he cut her off forcing her to bump into him.
She growled angrily. “Can I help you?”
“Did you find everything you were looking for, buttercup?” he asked dryly.
“Did the leather satchel next to my boots give it away?” she retorted.
She saw a ghost of a smile dance across his face.
"Move."
He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "As you wish." He bowed and extended his arm, directing her up the path.
She stomped past, grumbling under her breath. She couldn't understand Daegan. He was hot and cold, his moods troubling and mysterious. Perhaps he was used to commanding respect and compliance, something she did not intend to give him. He had done nothing to earn her trust, so she would not bend to his will. She was Sephera, prodigy of Baleem, the greatest warrior who had ever lived. She was equal in skill to Daegan and just as intelligent. Perhaps he just wasn't used to having another person match him, let alone a female younger than him. She vowed not to let him get under her skin.
She sat next to Brenner. The hound was sleeping soundly in his lap while he busily worked on what appeared to be a small pack.
“How is he doing? Do you think he will live?” she asked Brenner.
He nodded and continued working.
“What's that?” she asked pointing to the pack.
The mage pointed to the dog and then back at her.
“A pack for the hound?” she asked excitedly.
“Just until he gets better,” said Chantry “He really is something, isn’
t he? Fate was on your side, little one.”
“We will need to leave here soon. We need to reach the mountains by nightfall. We can leave the horses in the village and trade for supplies,” Zad said
“I hate leaving Winter. She's been so good to me,” Sephera lamented.
“She will be here when we get back. We will come back, Sephera.”
Daegan boiled rabbit meat, and they all feasted on stew and potatoes before they started their journey into the Mountains of Dreer. From there, they would trek through the mountain pass to the mysterious altar and, if they were lucky, emerge on the other side in a few days’ time.
When they arrived at the mountain village they found it strangely empty. The market was closed, and the shutters were drawn on the houses. The few villagers who walked the roads avoided their eyes and hurried about their business. They came to the trading post and tied up their horses. The shopkeeper inside seemed surprised to see them.
"We haven't gotten many visitors in these parts lately," he said.
Sephera eyed him warily. She had a sinking feeling that something was not quite right in this village. She peered out the shop window while Zad spoke to the shopkeeper.
“What can I do for you?” the shopkeeper asked sternly.
“We need a place to leave our horses and trade for a few supplies,” Zad said. “We are about to head through the mountain pass, so any cloaks and gear would be appreciated.”
Sephera brought her head closer to the window, noting once again the barren streets. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a dark shadow gliding into an alleyway just outside of the shop. She watched carefully, waiting for the shadow to return. She was about to turn away, cursing her paranoia, when she heard screaming. Not pausing for even a heartbeat, she ran out of the shop into the street. Her hand gripped her dagger as she sprinted toward the commotion. A group of people rushed towards her, fear in their eyes. She pushed past them, running as fast as she could. She felt the familiar adrenaline rush that came before a battle against an unknown enemy.
A crazed man ran towards them, screaming uncontrollably. Black liquid oozed from his eyes and ears.
“It's the blood. He's infected. Don't let him touch you,” Zad yelled from behind her.
Sephera watched as the man ran towards the town square where a few villagers were standing near a large fountain, unaware of the impending danger. “We have to stop him!” she yelled at Zad. Then she screamed at the villagers, “Run! You need to run! Don't let him touch you!”
Fortunately, she didn't have to tell them twice. They seemed to have been through this before. They ran into the nearest home and slammed the door shut. Bolts slid into place as they locked the door. The crazed man screamed, clawing at the door. She sucked in her breath and motioned with a slight nod of her head for Zad to take the path to the man’s left. She took the path to the right. She watched the man pound on the door, growing increasingly frenzied. She crept up slowly near the fountain, the water’s passage from one tier to another just loud enough to mask their footsteps on the gravel.
She felt something flash past her left cheek. She stopped in surprise and watched as an arrow buried itself in the back of the man. He snarled and switched his attention to Sephera, staring at her for a moment before he charged, oblivious to the arrow in his back. She swore under her breath as another arrow zoomed past, grazing her cheek and missing the diseased man completely. She rolled her eyes, reminding herself to kill Chantry later for not knowing how to aim and once again wondering what exactly her use was within the group.
She raced toward the man, trying her best to mirror his angry, distorted face. Then she darted back to the fountain, thinking how glorious and beautiful their fight was about to be. She smirked as the man approached the fountain’s edge. He stopped just short of the water and suddenly changed directions, heading straight for Zad. She swore under her breath, charging through the fountain and soaking her clothes.
"RUN! ZAD, RUN!" she yelled frantically, throwing her arms in the air. He hurtled down a nearby street, the man following close behind. She hopped clumsily out of the fountain, cursing herself for her selfish need to show off. Following them, she called out, trying to yank the man’s attention away from Zad, but he was relentless. Out of options, she threw her dagger at the man. It missed, bouncing off his heel unnoticed. She swore, cursing the gods. She scrambled to keep up with the pair. Then Zad suddenly came to a stop.
They had reached a dead end. Zad rounded on his target. His grey eyes gleamed with adrenaline, and his brow was furrowed in deep concentration, making his features dark and oddly wild. He didn't seem to notice her.
The man lunged at Zad, baring his grimy teeth and growling like an enraged bear. Zad parried, his shield and sword swaying, ready for blood. He grimaced as the man threw himself at him, throwing him backwards with unearthly strength. Zad tried to catch his feet, but he tripped, knocking his head on a nearby cart. His eyes rolled back, and he fell, sword and shield clattering to the ground next to him. He was out cold.
Sephera swore. "Idiot." She lunged at the man before he could step closer to Zad.
She straddled his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. He screeched, clawing at her arms and lurching around the narrow alley. He knocked her into an old, rusted cart. It snagged her tunic. Releasing her grasp, she fell to ground, ripping her sleeve and flesh in the process. She rolled and unsheathed her curved blade. Before she could spring to her feet, the man barreled into her. She landed on her back. As he jumped on top of her, she raised her weapon to hold him at bay, one hand on the hilt and the other wrapped around the blade. The man howled, gnashing his teeth like a rabid animal. She tried to grab her other dagger, but the man’s inhuman strength prevented her from freeing one of her hands from the blade.
Her arms began to shake, and the blade sliced into her palm. She cried out as the blade sunk deeper into her skin. She struggled to hold it steady, but the weight of the man was beginning to crush her. He snarled at her, his rotten teeth close to her face, aching for a bite of her flesh. She turned her head and closed her eyes, her arms about to give out. Suddenly, the man stopped, and she felt the weight of his body slump against hers. Warm blood poured onto her face as the man's head rolled onto the street next to her, his face frozen in a permanent snarl. She wiggled her way out from under the body.
Sitting up slowly, she threw her blade to the side. “Don't touch me!” She yelled as Daegan offered her a hand. But she saw he was already covered in blood and black sludge. She stared at him in horror.
“The plague passes through the blood! Are you trying to kill me?” she screamed.
“Relax. Do you think Baleem would just let you go off on a journey without informing someone of your immunity?” he asked grabbing her under her shoulder and helping her to her feet.
She shrugged him off, furious. “You didn’t think that information might have been useful? Why didn't you tell me you knew?”
"I could ask you the same thing," he countered gruffly.
Staring at him in disbelief, she gestured to his armor, which, like her, was covered in black blood. He smirked.
“Your immunity is unique, but it does not make you special. I have been studying these creatures my entire life. There are few who share this ability. I am one of them."
She raised an eyebrow, catching her breath.
“Who are you?” she asked warily.
“Who I am and where I come from is irrelevant. All you need to know is that my people sent me to the king to search for a cure.”
“Are there are others who are immune?” she asked.
“Yes. It is rare, but there are a few.”
Zad thankfully chose that moment to sit up, grumbling and rubbing his head. Daegan turned to glare at him. "Useless," he muttered under his breath. Zad got to his feet and hazily walked toward them. Sweat and dirt had matted his golden hair to his forehead, making him look disheveled. His face drained of its remaining color as he caught sight of the blood
covering Sephera and Daegan.
Zad opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the others’ arrival. They looked equally horrified at Sephera and Daegan’s appearance.
“We need to wash off, and this body needs to be burned,” Daegan said to the shopkeeper.
“What's going on? Explain, please,” Chantry demanded, running after him as he shuffled past the group.
Snarling, he whipped around to face her. “There are few in this world who are immune to the effects of the plague. Sephera and I happen to be two of them.” Turning on his heel, he stalked past her.
“What do you mean? This is . . . this is insane!” Chantry choked, close to tears.
Sephera looked up at Zad. He looked like he was going to be sick.
“I will tell you everything I know, all right? But I need to get this filth off of me. I'm going to be okay. Everything will be okay,” she said more for herself than anyone else.
She turned away from them all and marched after Daegan.
CHAPTER 11
When she arrived at the lake, Daegan was nowhere in sight. She looked at the water longingly. Almost getting mauled by a diseased man had severely shaken her confidence. She needed a boost. A swim in the lake would be a welcome distraction. She stripped, removing even her undergarments, and jumped in. The water felt cool against her tired skin. She dove under the water and stayed there, looking at the hidden world beneath the surface. It was eerie, dark, and full of mystery. The light from the evening sun shone down from the surface of the lake, making the water dance like fireflies in the night sky. She wished she could stay beneath the surface forever. She didn’t want to face her companions, who would probably look at her with disdain. She was the Lady of Death—cold, calculating, murderous. She was not someone who broke down and wept.
Zad had looked at her as if she was broken. The pity and fear in his eyes had been infuriating. Nothing was going right lately—her uncharacteristic breakdown, the blood, the immunity, Daegan and his dark presence, the letter from Baal. Everything. The knot in her stomach seemed to grow more tangled and tight with each passing day. She was overwhelmed and scared.