Folk Lore

by Joanne Ellis

  “Welcome, Athena, thank you for your vote. I will introduce you once the meeting is adjourned. The tally is now even therefore the decision rests on you, Keelor, which is fitting I suppose.”

  Whether this tied vote now influenced his final decision Sera could not be sure but it seemed he was taking forever to answer and as was his way it was a long answer.

  “Although the law is of the upmost importance to me my decision has not been based on the law as this is a circumstance which the law does not cover. My decision which has not been influenced by the tally here today was not easy to come by. Nermina depends on us to help her and our most important agenda at this time is to stop Mecaldorf from carrying through his plans, whatever they may be. It is for this reason my vote is for.”

  Sera gasped in surprise and she heard Keela mumble words to the effect of glutton for punishment beside her and realised now why she may have voted against. Did Keela know of their attraction or whatever it was that was happening between them?

  “Very well, Keelor. This is a short term solution until we have alleviated any threat from Mecaldorf and the human protector is fully trained. If there is any indication the law is violated due to this partnership, the due punishment will apply and you will be separated once more, understood?”

  They both nodded and Sera realised he’d come to stand behind her and was so close she could feel the heat from his body on her back. She suddenly realised how difficult this was really going to be.

  “Keela, perhaps you would seek out Calzu and inform him his presence is required earlier than expected.”

  As it was almost sunset, Kalar informed them there was little more they could do for the evening. Once again they would meet in the morning to devise a plan to retrieve Nermina. Keelor took Sera by the elbow and guided her into the forest so he could speak with her privately.

  “Sera, you need to be aware of my intentions,” he began without hesitation. “I have only voted in this manner so you will be protected sufficiently. Do not think any sort of fanciful notions such as my needing or wanting to be closer to you or any such ridiculous idea. This is about your safety only and I believe I am the best person to protect you right now. Once this is over and your protector is ready, I will step down and take my position within the army. Perhaps find a nice elfin as my life mate and enjoy my life. I have been doing this for so long I have forgotten about the simple things.”

  Her expressive face never failed to show every emotion and he realised he’d hurt her but decided it had to be done. If he was going to protect her to the best of his ability, he needed to push her away, to remain focused. It would be the only way to protect the only girl he’d ever loved. To do this he had to hurt her and distance himself from her emotionally.

  Sera felt hot tears sting her eyes and urged herself not to cry. His face was a mask of apathy and she realised suddenly his feelings did not run anywhere near as deep as hers. First she’d lost Sam, maybe forever and now the only man Sera had ever loved was rejecting her. She could feel the stirrings of the warm glow within her chest again however different from the previous time. Her emotion this time was heartbreak and not empathy.

  As the warmth spread she could feel it move up her shoulders and down her arms to her hands which began to glow but his time in a bright red. As her sorrow grew, the glow intensified until, like a bolt of lightning, two red currents flew from her hands, hit an overhead branch which fell instantly to the ground and smouldered like a fire doused with water.

  “What was that?” Keelor asked in amazement.

  “I don’t know. The warmth within my chest was like last time except this time it was ... a different emotion and it spread to my hands.”

  “You are more powerful than I ever imagined,” he said in awestruck amazement.

  She shrugged as her sadness remained.

  “Can you do it again? You should practice this along with the other power which seems to inhibit vampires. It could be useful against Mecaldorf’s army.”

  She sighed, he was right but she had no intention of telling him that.

  “Sure why not? Should we find a vampire I can try it on?”

  “No, let’s not torture anyone.” He smiled a little. “Though the idea pleases me. Let’s practice without a target, channel the feelings so you can utilise the correct ability at the right time.”

  She nodded, focusing first on empathy and worry. Soon enough the feeling rose in her chest this time much stronger than the last time. Now she knew how to summon the feeling she could also make it stronger.

  Holding onto the warmth, Sera turned to Keelor whose mask had completely disappeared and was replaced with ... something she’d never seen before. She intensified her worry thinking about Nermina and Sam until she thought her chest would explode. Keelor strode to her and grasped her shoulders. The worry was replaced with anticipation and an altered heat entered her body.

  “I think you have mastered that one,” he said in a quiet husky tone. “I ... you ... what you just did must heal wounded feelings because the overpowering happiness and pleasure just now was ... wonderful.”

  His lips touched her gently before devouring hers with a passion which almost consumed them both. Moaning into his mouth she ran her hands over his strong back before bringing them up to grip his hair. He stopped the kiss to look into her eyes while he held her tight against him, his face full of his unwavering desire.

  “I need to show you something,” he whispered.

  His cool hand took hers and led her through the trees to the elfin village until they reached a large two storey version of her hut but twice the size.

  “This is where I live.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Accommodation is generous for chosen elfin.”

  As he guided her inside, she looked around the first floor in awe. It was like something out of a fairy tale which ironically was her new reality. The furniture, exquisitely handcrafted in a pale wood appeared almost white. There was a ladder on the far wall which led to the upper storey and he gestured for her to climb ahead of him. She reached the top to find a generous hammock bed twice the size of her own. There was a large open window to the rear of the room with a view of the garden and river past the forest.

  “You can see the gardens from here.”

  “Yes, I look upon the river every day and have stared many times into the indigo depths when I need to find answers. It helps me think clearly. From here it looks the exact colour of your eyes. When close up the river appears slightly lighter like when you ...”

  “What? Do this?”

  The warmth easily summoned now spread fast as though it was second nature, which perhaps it was.

  “Yes just like that.”

  He pulled her to him again and kissed her until her mind cleared and her knees weakened.

  21

  Mecaldorf

  The birdsong of the forest and the brilliant sunrise woke Sera and for several moments she couldn’t remember where she was until she realised she lay entwined by elfin limbs. Joy instantly lifted her lips into a contented smile. Beside her he slept peacefully and with his guard down she could see him in his natural state. He was more beautiful now then he’d ever been.

  Recalling the events from the previous evening and the wonderful night they shared sent tingles across her skin. For someone who showed little emotion in the daylight hours, what a surprise he became, so passionate and intense during the twilight and darkness. She could hardly believe the events had occurred. There was little chance now of pushing her feelings for him aside.

  Watching as he slept, not wanting to disturb the moment, Sera wished the world around them could disappear. That they could stay in this moment, when Keelor showed her his true feelings, forever.

  He stirred, opened his pale blue eyes and smiled warmly.

  “Good morning.”

  His arm lifted to stroke her face with the back of his hand as he stared into her eyes.

  “I think I have maste
red that ability,” she replied contentedly.

  “Yes, you appear to be able to channel your feelings onto others. Last night you projected another too.”

  “Hmm, so you’re aware of my satisfaction then?”

  A deep spontaneous laugh erupted from his throat and warmed her from the inside.

  “Yes I do and it matches mine.” His face grew solemn.

  “What are we going to do now?” she asked him.

  “For now, I want you to project your feelings again.”

  With a warm fluffy rug wrapped around her nakedness, Sera sat on the edge of his hammock bed swinging with her tiptoes, which barely touched the floor, and watched him as he dressed.

  “You never answered my question,” she told him.

  “Which of many was that, Sera?”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “Well we have certainly broken the law now so stopping would be fruitless and I do not particularly want to.” He offered a slight smile before continuing. “We will simply have to hide our feelings from others. You will have to remember my detached face is not a true indication of my feelings.”

  “Which are?” she asked with hope in her voice.

  “You need to ask?”

  Kneeling before her so as to cup her face tenderly with his hands, he stared into her eyes. She nodded.

  “I love you. I would not be here with you if I did not. I would never break the law for just anyone.”

  “I love you too. I thought perhaps you weren’t feeling what I was feeling and that I was channelling my feelings to you.”

  “You were projecting your feelings to me. All it did was intensify what was already there. It was because I was feeling this way that my barrier went down. You broke it down with your intensity, your love for me. I cannot describe exactly how I feel when you do it, wonderful does not come close.”

  “I wonder why it caused Sam pain.”

  “It was probably because he was human once and your healing was trying to reject the vampire.”

  “Why doesn’t his healing power do it to him?”

  “He is not as powerful as you are, which reminds me, you did not get any practice with your other ability. You had better get dressed so we can go to the meeting before training.”

  “Always practical,” she mumbled as she kissed him affectionately before showering in his large luxurious bathroom.

  They snuck out to the garden hoping no-one spotted them leaving Keelor’s house together.

  After formal introductions were made with the new vampire princess, Kalar had begun to explain their next course of action when a mist appeared at the edge of the circle. In an instant Keelor stood in front of Sera, edging her back and the other protectors followed suit.

  “What is it?” she whispered to him.

  “A hologram is about to appear.”

  “A what?” she asked.

  An image appeared of a man of indeterminate age with long black hair and a pointed beard of the same dark colour. His eyes were almost black and looked cold, empty. His presence sent shivers down Sera’s spine and she immediately felt very afraid. She tried not to focus on the feeling because she could feel what was becoming a familiar warmness creep through her veins.

  “Easy, Sera,” Keelor told her quietly. “It is an image he isn’t actually here.”

  Taking a deep breath, Sera pushed her fear back down before speaking. “Who is that?”

  “Mecaldorf. Although he is hardly recognisable as he has regained his youth.”

  “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the circle, though I use this term loosely.” This provoked a guttural growl from the vampires. “I see your new princesses are fitting in nicely. Such a shame the beautiful Seraphina had to part with her protector and to a vampire no less.”

  Keelor placed a reassuring hand on her arm while pushing her further behind him. He did not want to alert Mecaldorf to the power Sera contained.

  “What do you want Mecaldorf?” Kalar asked him.

  “Shouldn’t you be asking about, Nermina?”A quick harsh laugh shook his body.

  “We know she is safe, we have foreseen.”

  “Of course, the visions, how absent minded of me. If you are not interested in a chat perhaps I will inform you of my requirements. I would like the shield lowered so my fellow banished folk can return to their home where they belong and I would like the book.”

  “You know we cannot lower the shield without Nermina and besides one of your warlocks surely has the power to lower the shield. How else were you able to abduct Nermina?”

  “Ah, you tease. You know a warlock, even combined with my power, cannot lower the shield permanently. The book though that is my greatest need.”

  “You must be more than absent minded to think we will ever allow you to have the book.”

  “Pity, Nermina is such a pretty thing.”

  Nermo, obviously unable to hold back any longer upon hearing Mecaldorf’s words about his princess, stepped forward and graced the wizard with a menacing stare.

  “If you harm her, Mecaldorf. I will hunt you down!”

  “You can try, pixie.” He barked the same harsh laugh once more. “You have two days to decide.”

  His image then disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

  “It seems we have to act quickly. It would appear Mecaldorf has restored his youth and is more powerful than before. I believe he must have somehow drunk from the river,” Kalar told them all.

  “We must save her before he hurts her,” Nermo said in the same protective tone.

  “Yes, this time we must be more prepared,” Keelor began. “There is something you all must see.” He turned to Sera. “You need to show them.”

  “Which one?” she asked him.

  “The less powerful one first.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Keelor nodded before putting on his blank expressionless face in preparation for the feelings that were about to take control.

  Before she began she turned to Angeles and Athena. “I’m sorry for this.” They looked at her in puzzlement.

  Sera concentrated on feelings of anxiety and concern and again the familiar warmth crept into her chest. Angeles and Athena began to claw at their throats before falling to the ground and thrashing about in obvious pain. Sera stopped quickly to save them more agony and they immediately recovered.

  Angeles was at her side in seconds and Keelor placed a protective arm between them.

  “What did you do to me?” Angeles demanded.

  “This is an excellent question,” Kalar declared. “The vampires were obviously affected with pain however all I experienced was a feeling of wellbeing, calm and joy.”

  “I did say I was sorry,” mumbled Sera.

  “She can somehow heal wounded emotions as well as injuries however this is merely the beginning.”

  Sera glanced around the circle and was surprised to see every face held a small contented smile and realised she affected them all in a positive way, apart from the vampires that is.

  Keelor turned her gently so she was facing away from the group and she focused again this time on her sadness and anger. As the heat grew within her she let all her pent up emotion for Sam and Nermina rise to the surface and she felt her hands glow red. Sending a pulse of emotion through her shoulders and then her arms Sera sent the same red bolt shooting from her hands, hitting a tree and dismembering a branch to leave it crackling on the ground.

  There was silence in the circle for endless moments as Sera waited for some sort of reaction from someone, anyone.

  “I knew you were special,” Nermo announced.

  “That’s my girl,” Anna said proudly.

  22

  The Power of Seraphina

  “Absolutely not!” Keelor said firmly.

  “It is the only way we will get anywhere near the castle,” Tanner told him in a gentle voice meant to sooth.

  “You will not endanger her.”

  “You will be with her, Keel
or. You will protect her,” Keela replied.

  “She is not going into the castle.”

  “Why are you so worried anyway?” Nermo piped up. “It is not as though you care about her as a usual protector would or do you?”

  Keelor shot him a look which had the desired effect and Nermo said no more.

  “She can disable the vampires from the forest, she doesn’t need to enter the castle,” Keelor continued to prevent what he knew deep down was the only solution.

  “Your concern is admirable, Keelor,” Kalar told him. “Yet you appear to be a little too concerned for a princess you only acquired yesterday.”

  Defeated, Keelor knew to continue his argument would prompt questions and would go down a path which would be unwise to travel upon.

  “Very well.”

  After Sera revealed her newly discovered ability to the circle they prompted her to display more. Sera realised with practice she would be able to control exactly where the beams would land. This was how the new plan came into fruition.

  At sunrise on the morning of the second day deadline set by Mecaldorf, they would return to the forest surrounding the wizard’s castle with a larger force and attempt to enter the castle and retrieve Nermina.

  Much to Keelor disgust, Nermo recalled further details forgotten from his vision during his trance. Seeing Sera use her power returned the images to his mind.

  He foresaw Sera incapacitate the vampires and strike down the enemy. He’d omitted the part that included him and how their paths would cross, it seemed this aspect he wanted to remain a secret.

  Kalar and the elders talked quietly together to decide how they would use this fresh information and power. While occupied Sera took the opportunity to turn her attention to Keelor and noticed he would not meet her gaze. She was fully aware he would be struggling to control the emotions stirring inside him with her ability. He glanced sideways at her then leaned over to whisper in her ear.

  “If you do not want to give us away, you must hide your feelings too.”

  She attempted to keep her face expressionless with little success and wondered how he had the fortitude to hide as he did. As the elders dispersed and Kalar prepared to address the group, Sera caught her mother’s eye and there was concern and warning within them. Sera determined she must speak with her at the first opportunity.