Aliandra: nymph: Book 1 The Nymph chronicles

by Jacqueline Marshall

  Dawn finally broke over the desert and the multipeds scurried away. Ali picked up the pace and the steeds settled into a steady canter. Ali changed steeds regularly again and didn't stop until the sun was high. She stopped for a short time to water her steeds and she pushed on again. She was making good time and could see the mountain pass when the trailing stead shied at the corpse of a multiped. The steed bolted and soon stepped in a pot hole. The steed hobbled around once it stood up again. Ali rode after it and dismounted quickly to check its legs. Just lame, not broken. Ali took the reins and remounted. She figured they would make it in time if they took it slowly. Ali rode with the trailing steed at a walk. She tried increasing the pace to a trot but the steed groaned with pain and limped heavily. Hours passed and the mountain pass was still some distance away. Ali trailed the rest of her cache of glow worms along the ground and hoped for the best as the sun began to set. Ali got out her bow and arrows in readiness.

  As the sun began to set, Ali heard galloping hoof beats heading her way. Donny, Trak and Kitch were riding straight at her. As Donny reined in he asked "What is the hold-up, Ali?"

  "The trailing steed spooked at a dead multiped and stepped in a pothole. He is lame, so I was bringing him in slowly" she replied.

  "Ali, you do not risk your neck for a steed!" shouted Donny.

  "He is just upset, Ali. We will all go in together. Donny, just breathe man. Ali is here and safe. Calm down, brother" instructed Kitch.

  As they rode towards the pass movement started around them. The steeds got edgier. Trak, Donny and Kitch got their bows and arrows ready. "We just need to get everyone close enough to the pass. There are wells of tar prepared and when they are set alight they keep the multipeds at bay. Trak and Kitch rode wide and began firing arrows at approaching multipeds.

  "Ali, ride on ahead to the pass and I will follow with the lame steed" Donny ordered.

  "No! I am not leaving you. Don't you dare ask me again" growled Ali.

  "We are going to be surrounded very soon and it's getting dark. The place will be crawling with multipeds" he said.

  "I get to practise my aim and we have each other's backs, right?" she replied. "I reckon I can shoot an arrow to hit one of those tar wells. They are those big dark spots in the distance, right? I have two fire arrows with me. Got a light?"

  Donny pulled out his flint and struck the sparks onto the arrowhead until it caught fire. Ali aimed high from her mounted position, her steed stood steady, and after a full minute she let the arrow loose. They all watched the arrow arc through the air until it struck its target in the distance. The tar caught fire and smoke billowed over the desert. Trak and Kitch got busy firing their arrows at the now visible multipeds in their path. Donny hitched the trailing steed onto his pommel and began firing arrows as they made steady progress through the now scattering multipeds. Ali stood rear guard firing at any multipeds that charged from behind. The tar fire attracted the attention of the braves at the forest encampment and about thirty rode out to assist them.

  By the time Donny and Ali made it through the pass they had used up their entire stock of arrows. When Kitch and Trak had run out of arrows they rode in hard. The rest of the braves continued firing arrows at the multipeds as they backed down the pass. At the mouth of the pass that led to the forest entrance a small wall of glow worms were positioned across their path. As the riders entered the forest the multipeds followed and began greedily feeding on the glow worms. In no time the multipeds staggered away to die. Piles of multiped carcasses soon littered the forest floor.

  The braves let out cries of triumph as they rode to the encampment. "Ali, it never gets boring around you. We are going to have to measure the distance for that amazing shot. It could be a record" exclaimed Kitch as he laughed uproariously.

  "Good shot" said Trak as Donny scowled.

  Ali sidled her steed up to Donny's mount. "Donny, I missed you" she whispered. Donny passed the reins of the lame steed to Trak, pulled Ali off her steed and onto his lap. He tossed her steed's reins to Kitch and took off with Ali at a gallop through the forest. When they finally stopped Donny lowered Ali down and jumped to the ground. Donny determinedly approached Ali, intimidation imprinted in his every step. Ali backed up trying not to giggle. "Donny? Honey? I don't actually mean to worry you. You will get used to it. Maybe?"

  Nose to nose he said angrily "Stubborn!"

  "As. A. MULE!" she shouted.

  "Bossy!" he growled.

  "Well, DUH! And double DUH!" she returned with equal fervor.

  "Willful!" he scowled

  "Determined" she retorted.

  "Imp" he snarled

  "Nymph!" she corrected.

  "Brazen!" he grumbled.

  "Exactly! That is why you love me, isn't it?" she shot back.

  "Yes!" he said as he grabbed her and kissed her wildly until they were both breathless. Eventually they curled up together and calmed down enough to speak.

  "Was that our first argument?" asked Ali.

  "I reckon" answered Donny. "It is hard to get too worked up when you agree with everything that I say. You can push my buttons but you also know how to fight fair. You know it makes me crazy when you risk your neck" he whispered.

  "No double standards allowed. I am certain you do plenty of dangerous stuff but I don't stop you from doing whatever it is that you need to do. I expect the same courtesy from you. You want to put your life on the line for me and don't want me to do the same? No way! When the times get tough I need to have the confidence to stand up for myself. I only get that through experience. If you want to take over all the hard stuff, then you will undermine my confidence for when I may need it most. I need you to stand by me, not stand over me" asserted Ali.

  "Understood" said Donny. "Is there any chance you could go a little easy on my battered ego for a while?"

  "I promise that I will try and stay out of trouble, ok?" answered Ali.

  "Good enough. I am not ready to share you with anyone else for a while. Do you mind if I just hold you tight tonight?" asked Donny

  "I would love that" replied Ali as she snuggled closer.

  Chapter 14

  At first light Ali and Donny returned to the camp. Kitch wore a huge grin across his face when he saw them. Donny let Ali down and left to unsaddle the steed. Kitch jumped up and waved Ali over as he filled a bowl with hot stew for her. Ali sat down to eat.

  "Ummmm, Ali?" began Kitch uncomfortably.

  "Yes?"

  "I hope you don't mind but Trak sent me after you and Donny to keep and eye on things. I have to say that was an epic fight. Well done!" grinned Kitch.

  "You overheard it?" quizzed Ali.

  "Yeah, it was loud but I didn't stay long. I left as soon as things got smoochy" he replied. "Donny has been a bit lost since you left. He really missed you."

  "I missed him too. It was great seeing my family. They are probably going to invite you, Donny and Trak the next time they have an island feast night. I guarantee you will love the food and dancing" said Ali.

  "Cool! Are there any more like you at home?" he asked as Donny approached behind him, filled a bowl and took his seat.

  "I have a sister, Lacy. She is really nice. Lace can cook real well but she isn't a sissy either" said Ali. "I have a brother too, Chet. He is a big football star at school. Another tough guy who always wanted to protect his little sister. I tried to show him I could take care of myself but he and his over-protective friends kept stepping in to warn people away. By doing that they made the problem worse; I already had trouble making friends and earning respect because I looked so different. It was jointly decided by my parents and the school that I should be home-schooled by grandma to avoid any more trouble with students" she explained.

  "Did you hear that Donny? We are all going to an island feast night at Ali's house" said Kitch.

  "Donny, my folks are fixing to invite you over for dinner to get to know you. That is, if you want to go of course" she said nervously.

 
; Donny took her hand and waited until she looked him in the eye then he said a firm "Yes".

  They had nearly finished breakfast when Trak arrived with a deer carcass stretched over his saddle. Trak cut it down and led his steed away to the stabling area. Donny and Kitch took out their knives and set about expertly butchering the deer. Ali looked on in fascination as they hung out strips of deer meat to dry on a line. Finally the hide was stretched out to dry.

  By the time Kitch and Donny had finished and washed up, Trak was leading four fresh saddled steeds over to them. They mounted up and headed back to the main lodges. By noon they had returned to an enthusiastic welcome and were ushered into the main lodge to eat more food. As Rom snuggled up to Ali, Kitch delighted in telling their attentive listeners every detail about the multiped encounter and Ali's flaming arrow soaring across the sky with pinpoint accuracy. Midway through Kitch's marathon story a tall elegant stranger entered the lodge and sat quietly. Once the stories were told with full effect the stranger stood and approached Ali.

  "Aliandra? I am Agenor, son of Poseidon. As a member of the oceanic realm I am delegated to accompany you to your college interview tomorrow" he said as he bowed to her. Ali stood quickly and held out her hand to shake his by way of introduction. "My apologies Aliandra. It is not the way of immortals to shake hands. No offence intended" he said apologetically as she quickly withdrew her hand. Oh crap! Not a great start. I wonder if I can make it two for two?

  "I thank you for your assistance. Is there anything I need to do to prepare?" asked Ali

  "No, all the required preparation is complete. You will show up to the interview and answer their questions as honestly and fully as you can" he replied

  "What if I don't know the answer?" asked Ali.

  "You tell them that. If you are unsure of an answer do not guess at it. Simply answer that you do not know" he said.

  "There is just so much I don't know" replied Ali.

  That is to be expected in cases such as yours. Do not concern yourself" instructed Agenor. "There is no problem as long as you answer all questions truthfully."

  "My cat, Rom, will want to follow. He will be with me on campus too" she said.

  "Your mountain lion is welcome to come, of course" he agreed. "We will leave early. It is best to avoid the crowds in these circumstances and you will be processed more quickly."

  "I will be ready at sun up then?" she asked

  "No, after your breakfast is soon enough. No need to arrive before the administrators. Dionysius and his crowd habitually arrive the earliest; however, they usually come straight from an all-night drinking session. There will be some young demons and demi-gods in attendance with him but you need not concern yourself with them."

  "How do we travel there?" asked Ali.

  "I will teleport you there. It will be instant" he replied.

  Teleport?"

  "Teleportation. A method of instant travel that most gods are capable of" he answered. "Young people may refer to it as 'porting."

  "Will I be able to teleport?" asked Ali.

  "Unknown. It depends on your abilities and capacity" he responded. "Best to leave all the details to your instructors and assessors."

  "Of course" she sighed in resignation. "I will see you tomorrow after breakfast then."

  Ali approached Donny and sat next to him a long while before she finally asked "Can you teleport too?"

  "Yes" he replied sheepishly.

  "All this time and not a word. All this riding around and excitement and you could teleport?" she asked. "Why?"

  "You were still getting used to us. We didn't want to overwhelm you by confronting you with all our powers. We rode out to get you yesterday because it was the easiest way to find you. When Kitch changes from a hawk he is naked and I doubt you would want that image stuck in your memory. At the campus everyone must wear clothes but the more senior gods and goddesses are used to walking around naked. We made some adaptations to help you acclimatize to us."

  "Are you telling me that all those dinner parties the elders told me about were with naked guests around the table?" she asked.

  "Yes, probably" Donny shrugged.

  "Are you used to walking around naked?"

  "Yes."

  "Is Hephaestus going to be naked?" she moaned.

  "No, he will probably wear clothes as your instructor. Your immortal father sent him a note asking him to make some allowances for you and to make sure Hephaestus took good care of you. Hephaestus has assured your father that he and his friends will be friendly and courteous to you."

  "They sent the note" said Ali flatly.

  "Of course, it was expected" replied Donny.

  Donny spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the main lodge and explaining the powers of each tribal god and what to expect at the campus. He told Ali about his years studying to be a god and the other gods and goddesses he studied with. Finally his words became intermingled with stolen kisses and tender caresses as the sun began to set. The young couple enjoyed their quiet solitude when everyone else was busy tending to the needs of Agenor and fixing the evening meal.

  "Send me word when you have your accommodation fixed and I will 'port in to see you as soon as I can" whispered Donny.

  "Which is likely to be real soon knowing you. I will send you my schedule so you visit me on my days off. I want to work really hard and I will probably have to study late. You are not allowed to interfere with my study schedule" insisted Ali.

  Nose to nose Donny looked deep into her eyes "Bossy!"

  "You better believe it!" she replied as he moved in to kiss her sweetly.

  Chapter 15

  Ali was dressed and breakfasted early. She sat ready and waiting nervously for Agenor to show up. Most of the camp has risen and breakfasted when Agenor arrived for his meal. He was served ambrosia and grilled fish. By the time Agenor finished Ali had moved from nervous to impatient. Rom had picked up on her mood and began prowling around her.

  Agenor signaled to Ali to step forward. Ali called Rom and they stood in front of Agenor. In a split second their surroundings changed from forest to a marbled hall surrounded by vast marble pillars. Agenor leaned forward "Impressive, isn't it? It was designed to humble the average student or puff up the proud ones. Here is your paperwork" he said as a file appeared in his hand. "Rom and I will sit over in this corner while we wait. You interview is right through that door. Go now. We will see you when you come out" he said as he headed to the seat with Rom in tow.

  Ali entered the room. There was a large circular desk with six people sitting on one side of the vast desk facing her. She stepped forward and sat down on one of the chairs.

  "Please deposit your file on the inbox in front of you" said one of the men without looking up.

  Ali put her file on the inbox holder and was amazed when copies of her file appeared instantly before each administrator.

  "Aliandra Brown?" asked a sharp looking eleven woman

  "Yes, ma'am" replied Ali.

  "Nymph and mortal-born? Both sides?" asked a small wiry man with a nasal voice.

  "Yes, sir" she replied.

  "Immortals use only one name; your records will now be corrected to show your name only as Aliandra" instructed the elven woman,

  "Yes, ma'am" responded Ali obligingly.

  "Capacity?" asked a large brawny man

  "Yes" said Ali brightly.

  "Do you know your capacity?" asked the man again.

  "No, sorry" she answered.

  "Do your know your power element?" he asked again.

  ""No, sir" she replied. Can I feel any more like an idiot?

  "What are your intentions in regard to your study?" a stout woman asked kindly.

  "I have skills in creative design and want to develop that. I have asked to use the first years of study to learn smithing with the god Hephaestus" she said.

  "Yes, he has approved your request" said a dark scowling man.

  Your spirit animal is..." asked an ethereal wo
man.

  "Dragonfly" responded Ali. A beautiful green one.

  "How lovely" she replied and noted it down.

  "Element?" asked the dark scowling man.

  "Water and earth" she replied.

  "Both?" he asked in surprise.

  "Yes" she said. Just write down mud.