He didn’t reply right away. They fell into silence, watching the humans battle. Finally he moved to leave. “You realize it is him, don’t you?”
“What is?” she asked, confused.
“That feeling; that sense of wrong. It’s around him. It is him. I don’t understand what he is, but it’s not right.” He paused. “Good luck on your journey young one,” he offered, departing through the trees.
She looked at the spot he had disappeared through for another moment, before turning back towards the city with determination. Lily stepped out of the forest, her body low to the ground. In her green cloak, she was almost camouflaged in the tall grass. Her bow and quiver, as well as a thin blade, were strapped to her back. The village wasn’t far from where she was, but with every step her heart beat faster. It didn’t matter what Zachary or the others thought. She was going to help him, because for some reason it felt right. She picked her way over carefully, being sure to stay as low to the ground as she could. The closer she got, the more she could feel the presence of something; or perhaps, the absence of it.
A thought lingered in the back of her mind, but it was quickly forgotten as the cries of men filled the air. Something had happened. She was too low to the ground to see. Moving quickly, Lily backtracked towards a tree and climbed as fast as she could. From there she saw what was happening up on the ridge. As she watched, she remembered a thought she had forgotten before, and the truth settled in her stomach like a ball of ice.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
All fighting ceased as a cry rang out through the field. It grew eerily silent. Brutus clung to the hilt of a sword protruding out of his chest. His massive hands grabbed feebly at the weapon in an attempt to pull it out. He fell to his knees before he could find the strength.
Hawk looked down at the slowly dying man. This was a great figure in Eden, one who had been feared by many. Now he grew weaker as the life’s blood spilled from his body. Would there be a sense of peace now that he was gone? Hawk doubted it, not with Aziz gaining strength and power, and Callum still out for vengeance. A sound startled him. It took him a moment to realize it was Brutus laughing, blood spilling from his mouth.
“Well played,” the dying man said, sitting back on his heels. “I never pegged you for much of a fighter, Rider.”
“Perhaps that was your downfall,” Hawk replied, coolly. “My father taught me never to underestimate my opponent.”
Brutus laughed weakly again. “Yes, well my father wasn’t the type to give fatherly advice.” The two men looked at each other silently. “He will not stop, you know.”
This surprised Hawk. “Who?”
That brought a small smile to his face. “Ah Callum, I doubt he will either, Goddess love him.” He seemed to disappear into his mind. He shook his head before speaking again. “No, it is Aziz I speak of. He will not stop until he destroys us all.” His speech ended in harsh, erratic coughing, the grass around him splattered with blood.
“May the God and Goddess guide your soul,” Hawk spoke softly. The other man seemed to hear him, and looked over with distant eyes. Then he smiled slowly, and fell onto his side. That smile remained on his face, even after his spirit had left this place and entered a new one.
* * * * *
Aiden watched with a mixture of horror, and relief as the legend from the north fell to his knees. There was no feeling of triumph amongst the Riders as they watched the man slowly die in front of them. Hawk and Brutus spoke a few words to each other, but Aiden couldn’t hear them from where he stood. The man he had been fighting was also watching the events unfold. No one dared to move – until the large red-bearded man fell to his side. Even from this distance Aiden could see it was the end. After that, everything seemed to switch on again, and all hell broke loose.
The man beside him cried out in anger, turning his wild eyes back on Aiden. It frightened him momentarily, this look of emptiness and outrage. The north fought with a new sense of ferocity. Clenching his teeth together, Aiden pushed back with a vengeance, causing the other man to lose his footing and tumble down the side of the hill. Quickly, Aiden caught up to him just as the man was standing. He pointed the tip of his blade to the man’s throat.
“Your leader is dead,” Aiden spoke in a steady voice. “Throw down your weapon and tell the others to do it as well, and we will show you mercy.” He thought the man was actually considering it, until his mouth turned into the most vicious smile he had ever seen.
“We do not need your mercy!” he yelled at the top of his voice. The others from the north cheered back, pushing forward on the Riders. Before he could make another move, Aiden pushed the blade neatly through his throat.
“Your choice,” he said coldly, as the body fell limply to the wet grass.
“Aiden!” Moose yelled from atop the ridge. “My father needs help! Come on!”
Aiden started to run back up the side of the small hill, but he heard another voice that made his whole body freeze. Moose had already turned back towards his father, leaving Aiden to find the other person himself. It didn’t take long to see her.
“Aiden!” Rain yelled, waving her hand in the air. She was lying on the ground between two houses. Aiden quickly ran to her before any of the others could get to her first. He fell to his knees, searching her face urgently.
“What happened?” he said, his heart racing. She looked in pain, her face drained of any colour. “Are you hurt?”
Something passed over her face before she spoke. He didn’t understand it, but her next words made him forget the look all together. “It’s my leg,” she said, her voice wavering. He looked down to see blood soaking through the fabric of her dress. A knife lay near her, but there didn’t seem to be anyone else around. He didn’t understand.
Reacting only to the emergency he felt, he reached for the hem of her dress and lifted it almost to her waist. There was a large, deep gash in her thigh that was bleeding profusely. Stripping off his shirt, he tied the fabric tightly around her tiny thigh, hoping to put enough pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.
“How did this happen?” he asked, throwing a quick look around him. The hairs on the back of his neck were raised in anticipation. Anyone could take him by surprise from behind if he wasn’t careful.
“One of the men jumped me,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
He looked back at her quickly. “Why are you out here?”
She hesitated. “I-I wanted to help.”
“Rain, this isn’t time to be brave. We need you to stay safe so we can concentrate on winning this.” He didn’t mean for his voice to sound so angry, but he watched his words hit her like a slap in the face. Her lip started to tremble. “I’m sorry,” he breathed, placing a reassuring hand on her face. “We need to get you somewhere safe.”
“The Shaman,” she answered immediately. “He can help me.” Aiden nodded. Standing up, he bent down and lifted her gently into his arms. It was too dangerous if she walked on her own. Looking around again before moving, he made sure no one was watching them, and then took off for the Shaman’s small cottage. But where had the man gone after he attacked her? Of course, this thought came too little too late.
With both hands supporting her weight, Aiden swiftly kicked in the door to the Shaman’s house, making a mental note to fix it when this was all over. The old blind man was sitting calmly by his fire. His face turned towards the door as they entered. The look that was there sent a cold chill down Aiden’s spine.
“Ah, you came,” he said, as if they had been invited for a friendly cup of tea.
Aiden’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Rain is hurt,” he explained lamely. “She needs your help.”
“Yes, yes,” he said slowly, standing up to walk beside the table. “Lay her down here.” Aiden walked quickly over to the kitchen and put her gently down. He came up to stand beside Aiden, working mutely on Rain. Pulling away the shirt Aiden had tied, he moved his slim hands along the wound.
“My dear,”
he said, with an air of what sounded like admiration. “This was a bold move.”
“Thank you,” Rain replied. Aiden looked up to see her smiling at the old man. A feeling of dread began to descend upon him.
“You could have seriously injured yourself.”
She shrugged. “I knew what I was doing.” Aiden’s mind began to reel. He took a step back, causing them both to turn and look at him at the same time. Rain, with defiance and triumph in her eyes, and nothing but empty black holes in the other. Another voice filled the small cottage with laughter that made Aiden’s blood run cold. He looked around for the source, but saw no one but the three of them in the room. The Shaman’s body straightened to attention.
“My lord,” the Shaman said.
“I am pleased to see you have kept your end of our bargain,” the voice replied.
“Of course, my lord. I would never let you down.”
“Of course,” the other replied, sounding amused. “Bring me the boy immediately. Brutus is dead. There is no reason for the three of you to linger any longer.”
“Yes Aziz, we will be with you shortly.” The Shaman bowed slightly to the invisible speaker.
“Excellent.”
That was it. The cottage became silent again, except for Aiden’s quickened breath. He turned his attention to the Shaman, anger rising fiercely. He ignored Rain. Her betrayal was almost too much to bear. “Explain yourself,” he said, coldly. The Shaman turned with eyebrows raised.
“Don’t use that voice with me. You are but a child. I don’t expect you to understand the events happening around you, but just know that every man must do what he has to in this world.” The Shaman’s voice had grown as equally chilled as Aiden’s.
“You will give me to the sorcerer for what? How can you betray your own people this way?”
The Shaman laughed mockingly. “My people,” he spat in disgust. “I live among people who look at me as a blind, old fool. The only use they have of me is the spell under which I keep their city safe and hidden. Do you think I want to rot away in this hovel for this rest of my days? My magic, limited to what these plains will allow? Aziz has promised me a power I could never achieve on my own. Knowledge that only his people have known about until now. If I align with him I will accomplish so much more, and I will watch the rest of Eden fall at our feet.”
“You took the shield down.” It wasn’t a question, but rather a realization. The truth hit Aiden, betrayal turning his stomach. The Shaman didn’t answer. They both knew it was true. Hesitantly, he turned to look at Rain, who sat atop the table. “And you? You will turn your back on your family, the people who love you?”
She stared back with cold, emotionless eyes. “Those people only wish to sentence me to a life I never wanted. They will not let me be who I am destined to be.”
“So you go with them?” he spat, pointing an accusing finger at the old men. “You think a life with these tyrants will be more fulfilling to you while the rest of us die?” His voice filled the small space with anger.
“You can think of me what you want, but soon I will be one of the most powerful women in Eden.”
He felt sick just looking at her. There had to be a way to get out of here. Aiden turned towards the door, but felt his body freeze.
“Don’t. Move.” The Shaman had one finger levelled at him as he spoke. Trying desperately to move, Aiden soon realized his whole body was paralyzed. “We will not let you get away young man, not until I transport us to your new lord and master.” He moved around the table, back to the fire he had been standing in front of when they first entered. “Rain, bind him please.” He watched her wrap his shirt around her cut again, and then jump off the table to grab a coil of rope that had been lying near the front door. Her hands moved quickly, tying the rope tightly around his entire body.
“What does he want with me?” Aiden asked, directing the question at the Shaman.
“Our lord is weak and needs a source of energy to help restore him to his full strength,” the Shaman explained as he worked. “It occurred to him, after you left rather quickly last time, that you were the perfect vessel – a boy who cannot be easily killed. You are an infinite pool of energy for him, and when you become too weak, all he will have to do is let you rest and you’ll be back to normal again.” He turned to face Aiden. “With you by his side, he will be able to build an even bigger army. An army that will destroy anyone who refuses to live under his rule.” There was a crazed smile on the old man’s face.
“This is madness,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I cannot stay here forever. I have people back home who will notice I’m gone.”
The other man laughed. “Do you honestly think he cares about that? He helped me to bring you here, and now here is where you will stay. When he has taken Eden, he will turn his attention to your own world and take that too. And all the while you will be by his side to see it happen. Everyone you’ve ever known or loved, here or in your home, will be destroyed.”
“You’re insane,” Aiden snapped. He shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
Aiden looked to Rain pleadingly. “Rain,” he whispered. “You cannot seriously be going along with this. Think about what you are doing!”
“Stop talking to me,” she said, harshly. “I know exactly what I am doing. The Shaman has been more of a father to me than Hawk ever was. Every night he has taught and encouraged me to be more. I will not side with those who only wish to limit me.” The Shaman had turned then to hear the end of her statement. A proud smile lit up his face.
“She is my greatest accomplishment,” he said, affectionately. Rain bowed her head in thanks. Aiden felt ill watching them. “Now,” he continued, turning to Aiden. “In order to make this portal work we will need a sacrifice of blood from the one our great lord seeks.” The colour drained from Aiden’s face. The Shaman walked over to Aiden slowly, pulling a long thin dagger from a sheath at his side.
* * * * *
His father was surrounded by three soldiers from the north. As soon as their leader had fallen, a renewed anger and determination seemed to grow in each of them. Moose got to him just in time, blocking a blow headed for his father’s back. Hawk turned to acknowledge him, nodding his head in thanks. The two fought with everything they had. At the back of his mind he wondered where Aiden was, knowing he had seen him start to run back towards the top of the ridge, but he still hadn’t shown up. If there were not so many men he would have taken more notice and gone to find him, but as it was, he could only focus on what was happening right in front of him.
A large man charged at Moose, his head colliding with Moose’s stomach. The wind was knocked out of him as he slammed into the hard ground. Each breath he sucked in hurt, his lungs straining. The other man looked down at Moose, raising his large, broad sword above his head, a terrible smile on his face. Moose realized he might very well die right then. His sword had been knocked too far away from him. Killed, by a crazy northerner. Just my luck. As the sword began to circle down towards him an arrow flew, embedding itself squarely between the man’s eyes. A look of shock quickly struck him. His face stayed that way as he crashed to the ground, all life now gone.
Moose looked around to see who had saved him from an inevitable death. A small figure walked slowly towards where he sat. There was a grace about her that was uncanny amongst the carnage. As she approached, the figure lowered the hood from her head, kneeling beside him. It was a forest person; the girl that Aiden had been with. Her pale white hair was pulled back in a long braid, a few strands falling around her round face. Her purple eyes were strained and worried. He had no idea what to say to her. It was rare for any of her kind to approach his, and almost unheard of that they would help during a battle. He was confused by her interference.
“You can thank me later,” she said dryly, holding out a hand to help him up. He looked at her tiny frame and doubted she’d offer much assistance, but he took it anyway. Surprisingly, she pulled him up without effort. “Have you seen Aiden?�
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Moose looked at her with a bewildered face. As if this was the time for her to want to see Aiden. Did she not realize the battle taking place around them?
She let out a breath in frustration. “When was the last time you saw him? Is he here somewhere?”
Moose took a quick look around. “No,” he answered slowly, taking another look. “He was at the bottom of the ridge a while back, but I haven’t seen him since.”
“He is in danger. We need to find him.”
This got his attention. “Danger? What do you –” his question died as the girl moved swiftly, bringing an arrow up and shooting it over his shoulder. He heard it fly past his ear. He looked back quickly to see another man fall near the last, an arrow lodged in his neck.
“Let’s move,” she ordered, turning to go back down the hill. Moose could see no other option but to follow her. If Aiden was in trouble he needed to help him. Whether or not she was lying was left to be seen, but as of that moment all he could do was trust what she said was true.
* * * * *
The knife effortlessly sliced into his skin. A stinging pain shot through him as he watched the fresh wound bleed into the bowl under his arm. Rain now stood close to the fire. She avoided looking in Aiden’s direction. The Shaman had made him sit on a chair, tying more rope around him so he couldn’t move. Aiden had never felt so helpless in his life. The Shaman joined Rain by the fire, their backs to him and heads bent over a large cauldron of something, smoke billowing over the sides. As his blood was poured into the mixture a sizzling sound filled the air. Suddenly an eerie green ball of light appeared, hovering above the smoke. It was like someone had turned off the lights and switched on a green lamp. Aiden felt like he was in a bad horror movie.
“Time to go,” the Shaman said, happily, as though they were simply going out for a walk. A cold sweat dripped down Aiden’s back, a harsh contrast to the burning on his arm where he had been cut. Rain moved closer to the green light, her face a picture of excitement and wonder. Aiden couldn’t help but think she had also gone mad. He struggled against the ropes that held him. A pain seared his wrists, and across his bare chest where the skin had been rubbed raw. The Shaman moved around behind him, placing a boney hand on each of his shoulders.
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