by Toni Cox
Tiredly, she climbed the last few steps to the veranda, then stepped into the house and dropped her medicine bag by the door. Dragging her feet, she made her way to the washroom. She was so exhausted. She didn’t think she had the energy to run herself a bath. But, as she opened the door, the soothing smell of lavender made her look up. Malyn was bent over the tub, stirring the steaming bathwater with her hands. Candles were lit on the shelves all around the room. Her mother smiled at her.
“Luke said you would be finished soon; he suggested you would like a bath. Come,” Malyn wiped her hands on a small towel and beckoned to Maia, “let me help you with that.”
Gratefully, Maia let her mother help her out of her clothes. The shirt was ruined. She would never be able to get the bloodstains out of the suede, but she didn’t mind. With a sigh, she sank into the hot water.
The last three days had been torture. Every morning, Jaik had taken her to the pens on the outskirts of the city. Egron had shown them the animals that had been chosen for slaughter and they had taken them, one by one, to The Killing Grounds.
Just being in that place had made Maia feel sick on the first and the second day. On the third, it was marginally better. For centuries, the city had used this space to slaughter their animals and the stench of death was almost unbearable to her elemental senses. Once Maia had overcome the first few moments, Jaik had gone to work with her, making her kill in so many different ways. She shuddered to think of it.
On the first day she had killed three chickens and a duck and suffered each death as if it was her own. She had retched and shivered the entire afternoon and then pleaded with Jaik to let her continue. On the second day, she had killed four chickens and two ducks. She had cried the entire night afterwards and felt like an empty shell when she met up with Jaik in the morning.
“You don’t need to do this, Maia,” Jaik had said.
“The animals will die anyway, whether it is me that kills them or not,” she had retorted.
So, they had continued on to The Killing Grounds and Maia had killed another four chickens and another three ducks. She had not thrown up that day, but the pain she felt on the inside had not been less.
They had just called it a day and were returning to the city, when Luke had come looking for them. Maia had hurried home, had washed and grabbed her medicine bag and had then spent the rest of the afternoon, as well as the entire night with Ätta. Silas and Luke had assisted where they could, mostly keeping Burindor company.
It had been difficult. The baby was slow to come and Ätta had been in a lot of pain. Maia had spent most of her energy easing the pain for Ätta, but for her it had been bliss. After taking life for three days, she was revelling in the fact that she was assisting in a new life to be born. It was like a balm to her soul and she did not mind the blood, the pain, the long night or her exhaustion. When she had finally lifted the bloody baby to the mothers waiting arms, she had smiled with joy and tears had run down her face. This was what she was born to do.
Her skin was pink from the hot water as she dried herself. Her mother had brought her some fresh clothes and then left to make her some tea.
Maia wiped the condensation off the mirror and studied herself for a moment. Her green eyes were bright, her skin flushed and her wet hair dark and shiny. She had the same high cheekbones as her mother, the same nose and lips. But, she had her father’s arched eyebrows and his darker hair. She looked a lot better than she felt. She looked at herself a moment longer, searching for the sadness she knew was there, but then turned to blow out the candles.
Still buttoning up her blouse, she took the few steps into the common room and joined her mother by the fireplace.
“Jaik has told me what you are doing.”
There was no accusation in her mother’s voice, only concern. Maia looked down into her cup and watched the steam swirl over the hot liquid within. It was mint tea. Her favourite.
“I just don’t know any other way.” Maia sighed and took a sip of her tea.
“Killing is not something you can get used to, Maia, no matter how much you practice it.” Malyn turned towards her and took her hand. “You know death and have accepted it as a natural element within our lives. Even killing animals for food is a natural thing; it is for survival. What you must accept, is that defending the things you love most is also natural. Every living being will defend its family. Have you never watched a mountain cat kill a wolf to defend its cub? Or seen a pair of sparrows drive away the hawk to protect their nest? It is their natural right to protect themselves, just as our warriors protect us if we are attacked. It is necessary for our survival.” Malyn lifted her hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Maia’s ear. “So you see, it is not a matter of desensitising yourself to the killing, but accepting the necessity of it. Don’t make yourself numb, but realise that what you are doing has a place in the natural order of things. You are more than any mother could ever wish for. I am so proud of you and I know that you can do this too. You have more strength within you than you know.”
“Mother, I…”
They both looked up as Jaik burst through the door.
“Maia, Mother, come quickly. Father is holding a meeting. The bird from Greystone just arrived.”
Maia gave Malyn a worried look at the urgency in Jaik’s voice.
“Go.” Malyn said, taking the cup from Maia. “I will follow.”
Maia jumped up and ran for the door. Jaik was already running down the steps. She hurried to catch up with him. Her heart was racing and she knew it was not from the running. Whatever message the bird brought, was sure to change their lives in some way. She hoped it was for the better, but she had a bad feeling.
They met more people hurrying to the Elder Hall. They ran into Silas by the Tall Steps, joined three Elders as they crossed Willow Walk and were met by four members of the Guard by the Whispering Pines. All together, they finally arrived by the Elder Hall and found it to be full of people already. Quickly, they ran down the steps. Jagaer was pacing to and fro on the speaker’s platform, listening to Jadae read from a tiny scroll. Both were frowning.
“It does not look good,” Jaik whispered before he stepped onto the platform to hear the news from his father.
Maia stood by the bottom tier and watched the scowl on her brother’s face deepen. The burden of premonition lay heavy on her shoulders and she had a terrible urge to turn around and run away. She forced herself to stay and watched the men on the platform discuss the writing on the tiny scroll until, finally, Jagaer lifted his hand and motioned everyone into silence. Someone coughed, but then everyone was still. The silence seemed to have an oppressive presence and Maia noticed many a man shooting furtive glances around the assembly. Everyone expected bad news.
“Somas is on his way home. They should be back by this evening.”
The congregation released a collective breath.
“But his news is not good.” Jagaer looked down at the little paper and too a deep breath. “It reads ‘Prepare yourselves, war is coming, two Moons and two Quarters’.”
A murmur spread through the crowd, getting louder and louder, until Jagaer banged his staff on the floor and silence ruled once more.
“There is no point speculating about the details now. Somas will be here soon enough. We will meet again this evening. You can let your families know, but don’t spread panic.” Jagaer turned and motioned to Jaik. “I would like to meet with the Commanders of the Warrior Houses. Get everyone together and meet me in the Hall of the Guardians in an hour.”
Jaik bowed to his father and then walked up the stairs, the few Guard present followed behind. Other people also left, even some Elders. Uncertain, Maia stayed for a while longer, but when her father didn’t even acknowledge her presence, she also ascended the steps and walked out.
Once outside, she started running. She ran along the high paths, jumping down ladders and leaping across bridges without realising where she was going. Although they had been talking about fig
hting the Vampyres for a while now, to have it confirmed, had come as a shock. Why was all of this happening? Tears stung her eyes and she did not see where she was going. Only when she heard the deep rumbling of Midnight’s warning growl, did she look up. Sliding to stop, she stood gasping for breath. She stood right on the edge of one of the sheer drops that encircled the city. Only a small path led to this very point. It was used as a look out, mostly by the Sentinels. From here, the city was hidden by the canopy of the trees, but the plains to the east were stretched out to the horizon, the Oakin River glittering in the morning sun.
Midnight hovered in the air slightly below her, fanning the trees below with the wind from his mighty wings. He rumbled again and Maia realised that because she had been so preoccupied with her own thoughts she had not been able to hear Midnight’s thoughts. She dropped the invisible barriers and Midnight’s concern immediately assaulted her. She staggered back a few steps, windmilling her arms to keep her balance.
“Oh,” she gasped.
Midnight replied with a growl and hovered a bit closer. Images of her jumping flashed through her head and without thinking, she took three steps back, crouched down and then sprinted forward. At the edge she jumped off at the same time that Midnight swooped in and caught her as she started falling.
A nervous laugh escaped her as she grabbed the ridge above his neck and pulled herself into position. She only just avoided impaling herself on one of his spikes. She hooked her lower legs into the two crevasses on either side of Midnight’s neck, securing her position, and then Midnight suddenly dropped. She felt like her stomach had moved up into her neck and she had to hold on with all her might not to lose her leg hold. Then, just as it seemed they would crash into the canopy, Midnight spread his wings and she was pressed down onto his neck as gravity caught hold of her and they glided away over the green expanse.
They flew south for a while, staying over the forest and Maia shared the news with Midnight. Discussing Somas, and his news, gave them an idea and they turned back to follow the Trade Route instead. The Guard would be on horseback, travelling along the road, instead of through the forest. Maia guessed that they would be pushing their horses hard and would be almost half way by now. Maia urged Midnight on and it wasn’t long until he saw them in the distance. It was another few moments before Maia could see them too and not long after that they were flying above them, guiding them home. Maia asked Midnight to scan behind them, but he assured her that there was no sign of pursuit.
“Here you go,” Maia whispered as she handed Somas the special tea she had prepared for him.
He looked like he had lost half his body weight in the last three days, his skin was pale and his hands were shaking. Nevertheless, he had insisted of giving his account immediately and had been taken to the Elder Hall the moment they arrived. For an hour, they had listened to everything Somas had to tell them and for another hour, they had debated on a plan of action. By the time they were done, Somas looked like he would collapse. Maia had gone to make him his tea and had sent for Galina, his wife, so she could take him home. He would be fine, she knew, he just needed some rest.
Jagaer was still pacing, tracing the path along the lower tier of the hall. Jaik sat on the second tier, surrounded by his Guard, deep in discussion. The Elders, Silas and various others sat dispersed throughout the Elder Hall, going over and over the new information.
Galina finally came, gave Maia a thankful glance and took Somas home. Maia put the empty cup down and went to join Jaik and the Guard.
“I don’t think we really have any other choice,” Jaik said, his features grave. Several of the men nodded.
“We should send birds at once. It will take the other clans some time to muster their forces.”
“I agree, Archer. I will bring it up as soon as everyone is here.” Jaik looked up and around the assembled people. “When are the rest getting here?”
“They should be here soon. They are already arriving as we speak.” Aari pointed to the door, just as Malyn, followed by several more people, walked through it. Her face was grim.
“Ah,” Jaik sighed, “now it begins.”
They all rose and took their positions around Jagaer’s seat. This was an official meeting and code would have to be obeyed. The Elders took their official seats along the lower tier, while Malyn, Maia and all high ranking members took their seats along the second tier. Jagaer was still pacing. More people filed in. Maia noticed Aaron take a seat on the third tier. As a member of the clan, he had a right to be here. More people arrived. Things were getting crowded. Maia shifted uncomfortably on the bench, her nerves stretched tight.
When everyone had finally settled, Jagaer banged his staff on the floor and a hushed silence fell over the crowd.
“I am sure you have all heard the rumours by now.”
A murmur of acknowledgment went through the crowd.
“Somas has returned and has confirmed that all previous attacks have, indeed, been Vampyre. They have been scouting missions for a large-scale attack that is to take place at the beginning of Still Moon, just over two Moons hence. They are planning attacks here, at Greystone, in the east at The Wall, to the west at The Temple, the mid sector at The Pyramid and the far south at The Maze. Somas believes that their planet is short on resources and they hope to supplement their shortfall from our population.”
Shouts of disbelief rose from the crowd as they realised what Jagaer had said.
“They want our blood,” Malyn whispered next to Maia, who took her hand and held it.
Whispered conversations started all around the hall and Jagaer had to bang his staff again to obtain order.
“Please, everyone, let me continue.” Jagaer shouted and glowered at the people closest to him.
“I believe the first thing we need to do, is to notify the other clans. And I mean not just here in Grildor, but all over the globe. We have a very short time to accomplish it, but it needs to be done. We will send birds to all our cities and they in turn can send birds to the outlying towns. We will initiate the Siren. I have already asked the Keepers to uncover the crystals. We hope that within a fortnight, the global network of crystals will be linked and we will be able to communicate with the other Keepers.”
Another gasp went through the crowd. The Siren had not been initiated in centuries, To Maia, the stories about the Siren were more myth than reality. The Siren was a network of crystals that linked all the gates all over the globe. In each case, the town closest to the gate was in charge of these crystals and the people protecting the crystals were called the Keepers. In times of need, the different Keepers would be able to communicate via the link that the crystals established.
It was dangerous working with the crystals. Their energy was so powerful, that looking at them could blind anyone who looked at them for more than a fraction of a moment. The crystals were known to alter the rhythm of the heart, cause shortness of breath, weaken the internal organs and cause people to bleed from the ears. Under normal circumstances, they were covered beneath a special woven cloth that let no light shine through and locked away within a structure especially built for them.
“Birds will be sent to the other clan leaders tonight. I want them to assemble here as soon as possible for a war council. In the meantime, I want everyone who is willing and able to fight to sign up with the Legion. See Commander Willowbay to enlist. Leoro and his Smiths will continue with the production of shields and weapons and everyone who does not possess their own must make their requirements known, so that additional can be produced. We will hold training workshops every day as of tomorrow. Everyone will be required to attend. Silas will draw up a list of everyone who is unable to fight. Those we will send to Tarron Heights for safety.”
Maia was exhausted by the time the meeting was over. Malyn went home with Jagaer, Jaik had a meeting of the Guard to attend to and Silas wanted to be with Becci. That left her walking alone along the Garland and then up the Wisdom Steps. She didn’t know where she wante
d to go. She did not want to go home. Her parents were sure to speak about the upcoming war. She did not want to go to Silas’ cave, it would be depressing and lonely. She thought about Midnight and was about to make contact with him when someone touched her on the arm. She had been so deep in thought, that the contact startled her. Without thinking she whirled around, drew her knife and crouched into a defensive position. Something akin to a hiss escaped her lips.
“Whoa, it’s only me,” shouted Aaron, his hands held up defensively.
Maia quickly sheathed her knife.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, “I didn’t hear you follow me.”
“It’s all right. It was my own fault. I should have known.”
Aaron took a step forward and laid his hands on her shoulders. Wearily she looked up at him.
“Are you all right? You looked upset by the developments tonight.”
Maia hesitated for a moment. She tried to avoid being alone with him when at all possible, as he still sometimes made her feel uncomfortable with his innuendos and ill-disguised suggestions, but tonight she could really use someone to talk to and she saw only genuine concern in his eyes.
“No,” she said, her eyes already swimming with tears, “I don’t think I am all right.”
Aaron folded her into his arms and held her. She relaxed into him as the tears rolled down her face. His scent; the subtle combination of tarragon and sun-warmed rock; was soothing to her raw nerves. He gently rocked her from side to side, all the while humming almost inaudibly. For the first time, ever did she feel completely safe with him and she let him hold her until all her tears had dried up.