The Borderlands (Book One): Journey

by Aderyn Wood

  Finally they came to an old tomb with an aged oak door at the front. Ness stopped and stilled her breathing, incanting softly. Her arms performed some sort of ritual and the door opened with a piteous screech.

  Dale sucked in her breath. “Wow.”

  “Come,” Ness said and they entered the tomb.

  Inside it was dark until Ness whispered a word, “Solas” and a candle came alight.

  The tomb had a number of chambers, all of which opened up to one main chamber. Dale could see the remnants of a living area – two comfortable lounge chairs, a rug, some cooking equipment. There was even some food stockpiled.

  Ness scrounged through a crate and smiled as though in relief when she found something.

  “What is it?” Dale asked.

  Ness held up a glass jar filled with money.

  “I’m hungry. Let’s get pizza.”

  Dale blinked.

  That evening Dale and Ness sat in the large tomb eating pizza.

  Ness had downed four slices and was on to her fifth. “I don’t know about you,” she mumbled between bites,” I’m always ravenous when I return from the Borderlands.”

  Dale smiled, she didn’t feel hungry, but the pizza was good, so she nibbled on a slice.

  “So Rhys lived here all that time?”

  “Aha,” Ness said as she took another mouthful.

  “Why? Why did he stay here?” Dale looked around. It was warm, cosy even, despite the darkness.

  Ness swallowed and wiped her chin. “Several reasons, this place is sacred. Its history goes back for many centuries, even before the Roman invasion. Spirits here are strong and benevolent, for the most part. If Rhys needed them they would have been powerful allies.”

  Dale shivered. “Spirits? You mean ghosts.”

  Ness shrugged. “It’s all semantics.”

  Dale raised an eyebrow. “So sorcerers can call on spirits to protect us?”

  Ness nodded. “Aye, but so, too, can the hawk.” She frowned. “But, he doesn’t seem to know about this place. It has been forgotten by most humans. I suppose he has forgotten it also.”

  “So why else did Rhys stay here? You said there were several reasons.” Dale didn’t want to stop talking about him.

  Ness looked at her. “Well there were two reasons, one is the spirits, as I just said, the other – it was close to you.”

  “Me?”

  “Of course, he watched you day and night. He had to ensure you didn’t come to harm. He didn’t trust Gareth, you see.”

  Dale blushed and Ness smiled. “Don’t worry, lass, he wouldn’t have looked for long, or maybe he would have. He is a young human male after all.” Ness laughed and Dale reddened even more.

  After dinner Ness and Dale strolled outside amongst the other tombs. Ness thought it would be nice to get some fresh air before they went to sleep. “Not for too long, though, we need to be safe.”

  The sky had turned a purplish colour, and there was now an icy chill in the air. The height of summer was long gone and autumn beckoned.

  “Tomorrow we face your past.”

  Ness had told her they were to return to St Nino’s, so that Dale could close all doors to her past. But she sensed there was something more to it, something Ness wasn’t telling her.

  “You need to be on your guard, and so do I. I must be ready.”

  “What for?” Dale asked. “Ness, is there something you’re not telling me about this visit to school tomorrow? I get the sense that you’re anxious about it.”

  Ness looked away. “Mayhap I am. I don’t know for sure.” She looked at Dale. “Rhys thought there was something more to that school and the people who were there.”

  Dale frowned. “What? Prudence? Yeah, she is a class A bitch but I don’t think she is an evil demon or anything.”

  Ness raised a brow. “No, perhaps not, but you never know.”

  Dale couldn’t sleep. She had a nice mattress and clean blankets but sleep wouldn’t come. She kept thinking about Prudence and the YouTube practical joke. Every time she thought about it she remembered how angry she had been at Rhys, and now she just got angrier. How could he have done such a thing? Her fury grew. She tossed and turned until she slammed back the blankets and walked over to the box of provisions to open a bottle of water.

  “What are you so angry about?”

  Ness lay on the mattress on the other side of the room. Dale gulped another mouthful of water and wiped her lips with the back of her arm.

  “How did you know I was angry?”

  “It’s written all over your aura. Look for yourself.”

  Dale opened her sight and the angry red of her aura pulsed all around her. She took another swig of water and imagined the fire within her cool.

  “That’s a little better,” Ness said. “So what is it, what’s making you so mad?”

  Dale screwed the lid on and found her way back to her mattress.

  “I keep thinking about the cruel trick Prudence played on me and how Rhys did nothing; he went along with it in fact.”

  “It would have seemed that way. He was always on your side, you know.”

  “Well, funny way of showing it.”

  Dale heard Ness sit up. “Dale, you must control your emotion. Think rationally. He would not want to hurt you. Don’t let this emotion get the better of you. Such anger can allow them in, allow them to hurt you.”

  Dale frowned. “What do you mean?”

  She heard Ness sigh in the darkness. “My dear girl, if our enemies are at this school, that means they were looking for you, and they may use any power they have to get you. We must be calm.”

  Dale nodded slowly.

  “Now go to sleep,” Ness whispered.

  Dale nodded again and lying down on the mattress, felt for Cat, before remembering they had left him at the old hospital.

  “What about Cat? Where is he?”

  “He’s the last thing you need to be worrying about.” Ness sighed. “We’ll find him tomorrow. Or on your next visit here. Now, get some sleep!”

  Dale turned over. But it was a long time before sleep came, and when it did it was filled with dreams of Prudence laughing and pointing. Prudence and Courtney and Natalia.

  It had rained overnight and Dale narrowly missed puddles on the pavement. A chill wind blew from the north. The signs of autumn were coming thick and fast. They walked past the imposing iron fences of St Nino’s, still a formidable barrier.

  This place seemed more like a prison than a school. Dale looked at it with fresh eyes. The grey cold stone of the building, the concrete floor and the grey St Nino uniforms of the students converged together to send a message: don’t be different.

  “Meow?”

  Dale looked sharply to her left. “Cat, what are you doing?” His return made her smile.

  “Shhh. Pick him up, lass.” Ness tutted. “Fool of a tom.”

  Dale complied and hugged Cat close. His purring was so loud she worried it would reveal them.

  Ness nodded toward a section of the college. Dale followed her gaze and saw the courtyard through the iron bars – the courtyard where Prudence and her cronies spent lunch. And there she was – the centre of attention as always. She sat in the middle of a group of students, as though holding court. Dale would have recognised her fake laugh a mile away.

  “Come,” Ness said.

  “Wait, where are we going?” Dale’s heart back flipped.

  Ness turned. “We’re going to face her.”

  The old woman sprinted off. Dale bit her lip. She thought for a second about running the other way, catching a bus as she’d done that day the YouTube clip played. But then she held her head up and followed Ness.

  They entered the grounds via the side gate and rounded the cafeteria so that after a few minutes they stood on the other side of the courtyard facing Prudence and her loyal followers – the plastics. Cat mewed and jumped down.

  They stood in plain view. Dale gulped down her fear but still felt like fleeing.<
br />
  “What do we do now?” she whispered.

  Ness held her attention firmly on the group of plastics. “I’m not sure. Let’s see.”

  “You’re not sure?” Dale glanced back toward the gates. If they moved now maybe Prudence wouldn’t notice them.

  “Oh, my God, look who’s back!”

  Too late. Not only did Prudence notice her but she’d drawn attention to Dale’s return the very moment she saw her.

  Prudence crossed her arms and tilted a hip. “So, elf, what the fuck do you want?”

  “What do you want?” Natalia came up behind Prudence, repeating her question.

  “I want to know what you are doing with her,” Ness replied.

  “Huh?” Prudence spluttered. “Who the hell are you?” she spat at Ness.

  Dale frowned. What was going on? Ness and Natalia seemed to be staring each other down. Do they know each other? Natalia snapped her fingers, a slight breeze flew by and everything froze. Everything. The trees stopped swaying and falling leaves held their position in the air. Prudence was stuck with a scowl on her face. Dale looked at the other students. They were all frozen. The world had stopped.

  The only people who moved were Ness, herself and Natalia. And Cat. He prowled under a bench, whiskers twitching.

  “Impressive,” Ness said, still looking at Natalia. “You have improved since I last saw you.”

  Natalia stepped forward. “You have no idea.”

  “I suppose it was you who found Gareth?”

  Natalia laughed. “Of course. The drunken fool made it all too easy.”

  Dale sucked in her breath. “You – You’re her – you once loved him. Gareth.”

  Natalia spun her head, hair tail flicking. “Well, aren’t you a fucking genius.” She nodded at Ness. “My old crone of a teacher told you a few pearls from the past I suppose and you managed to put two and two together.” She smiled. “Good for fucking you.”

  “She’s under your protection, I see.” Ness nodded toward Prudence.

  “And so it is with you, no?” Natalia gestured to Dale. “You release your protection and I’ll release mine.”

  “I think not.” Ness smiled. “My ward is worth a hundred fold of yours.”

  “Hush, you might bruise sweet Prudence’s ego,” Natalia droned. “But there are ways of getting what I want. I’m very good at it actually.” Suddenly Natalia lunged at Dale. Dale jumped back narrowly avoiding Natalia’s grasp to her throat.

  Ness threw her arms up and shouted a word, “gaoithe” then lunged her hands at Natalia. A great breath of wind picked her up and threw her back toward the cafeteria.

  Dale saw something change in Natalia’s eyes as she regained her footing. They glowed.

  “Don’t look into her eyes, lass. Quickly, when you see the mist, run. I need to get you back to safety.”

  Ness began her incantation.

  “No!” A loud shout erupted from Natalia who flew through the air like a bullet. Dale jumped aside, gasping. Natalia incanted a string of words, “Iarann slabhra” and a metal chain appeared in her hand. Ness was also incanting, arms working the air in front of her. Dale could see the wisps of fog – the beginnings of a portal.

  Natalia threw the chain toward Dale and it was as though she watched in slow motion. The chain twirled and lunged toward her. Its sharp hooks grasping for her skin. But something came between. Silver fur pounced in front of her and the chain landed with a thud. A piercing yowl echoed through the courtyard and Cat dropped at her feet, blood soaked his grey fur.

  “No!” Dale bent to pick up Cat. His small body was warm but limp. Her vision blurred as she heard herself wailing. “No. Cat, no!”

  Natalia had pulled back the chain and was now twirling it above her head, lasso style. She let it go and once again the chain took on a life of its own, spiralling toward her. But something pushed her from the side making Dale fall to the ground. Ness now stood in its path, her blue crystal glowing. Dale watched as the chain spiralled around Ness’s body. It scaled her skin as it touched her and Ness’s eyes revealed pain.

  But the old woman summoned the energy to command Dale one last time.

  “Turn, lass. Run!”

  Dale’s eyes widened. As she turned she saw the misty portal open and the Borderlands beckon.

  What about Ness? I can’t leave her like that.

  But Ness was in the grip of Natalia who had changed form again. Her eyes glowed red and long fangs now extended from her mouth, dripping saliva. Dale hugged Cat’s lifeless body to her chest and ran. The mists enveloped her and she cried as she heard Ness scream behind her.

  Epilogue

  The mountains stood like silent sentinels in the gathering twilight. Snow had receded over the summer but not completely. Just now a flurry swirled and powdered the three figures with a light dusting of autumn snow. The traitor blew into his hands just as he had the last time and bounced in an attempt to gather warmth.

  “Can I return now? I told you her location.” His voice wavered, the pitch changing in the cold breeze.

  The dark figure pulled back his hood, his widow’s peak and golden eyes stood out from white skin. “You did, but she has gone again.”

  “That’s not my fault. I told you. I’ve played my part.”

  The third figure drew back her hood and laughed as she did so – her black hair flying in tendrils, her eyes glowing red. “The deal has changed. You’d be wise to listen, traitor,” she hissed, fangs glinting.

  “We need you yet.” The golden eyed man stepped closer. “Where is she? Have you seen her?”

  But the traitor shook his head, tears forming. “I can’t, I’m not supposed to …”

  The woman was quick and deadly, in a flash she had his hair locked in one clawed hand. She pulled his head. He fell back into her clutch and yelled in pain. “You tell us, or you die, now.” She jerked her arm and released a handful of hair that now flew in the breeze, over the mountain.

  “All right! I’ll tell you. Let me up and I’ll tell.”

  The man nodded and she let go her grip.

  The traitor patted his head and wiped the shameful tears. “She’s with them, the Seelie; they’re going to teach her. They say she’ll be better than any – ever.”

  His golden eyes burned. “Teach?”

  Rubbing his head the traitor grimaced at the blood on his hand. “Yes, in sorcery.”

  “So, it has begun.” The cloaked man turned to face the vast valley below. The wind sung a mournful tune. “Natalia,” his voice just audible, “doesn’t the mountain air give you a thirst?” He flew forward and off the mountain.

  The traitor screamed, “No, you promised – you PROMISED!”

  “Shut up, traitor. We have one of them now. A hostage. Your usefulness is over.” The woman grabbed his hair again and pulled back his head. She sunk her teeth into the flesh of his neck and drank, deep. In a heartbeat she was sated and dropped him. He fell to the icy ground and watched as her feet lifted.

  “You promised …” he whispered.

  Want to know what happens next? Read on!

  Thanks for reading The Borderlands: Journey. If you have a spare five minutes, it would be wonderful if you could leave a quick review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews help me spread the word about my books.

  If you’re interested in finding out what happens next in this series, well… what are you waiting for? Go get Book Two – The Borderlands: War!

  One final thing – make sure you sign up to my monthly newsletter to get exclusive news (and treats) about the next book in the trilogy.

  Happy reading!

  Aderyn.

  Also by Aderyn Wood

  The Borderlands (Book Two): War

  ‘The saviour shall have fire for hair and emeralds for eyes – her heart knows both goodness and evil.’

  The prophecy predicted Dale to be the saviour. It's what everyone believed. But after a year of training, even a basic illumination spell proves impossible most of the time
. How is she supposed to defeat the dark sorcerer and thwart the Unseelie horde that masses on the Arcadia border, bringing war to their doorstep?

  The Seelie queen still has faith in her daughter – the fraught faith of one who believes in prophecies. But the belief has died in those left in Arcadia, and each day Dale is reminded by the fading hope in their eyes.

  Desperate to halt the destruction of her new world, and despite her flawed sorcery, Dale heeds the strange whispers in her dreams and embarks upon a dangerous and secret quest in an attempt to fulfill her part in the prophecy.

  If successful, Dale could be their saviour after all...

  Follow Dale's struggle to overcome grief, self-doubt, fragile friendships and mystifying romance as she attempts to discover her purpose and help save the Borderlands from destruction.

  The Raven – The Secret Chronicles of Lost Magic

  When a foreign tribe attacks the peaceful Onan people, a lonely outcast is forced to reveal her secret Gift – but will such power bring acceptance?

  It is the darkest time in winter, when suns, moons, and stars all wane from the sky. In the Wolf clan, a baby is born with a powerful Gift, but dangerous omens brand her an Outcast, and the Elders name her Iluna.

  Iluna struggles to find her place in the proud and distrustful Wolf clan, and as her powers bloom, she discovers a mysterious friend.

  Dark magic, war, and treachery soon jeopardize the life of every clan member; many suspect Iluna and her Gift.

  Is this Outcast girl to blame, or is she salvation?

  'The Secret Chronicles of Lost Magic' is a collection of histories that will take readers on a journey into a rich new fantasy world. Enjoy stepping into the dark days of time in this sweeping prehistoric fantasy. The Raven is the first Chronicle in a collection set in a vibrant new world by Aderyn Wood.

  About the Author

  From high fantasy to paranormal, Aderyn's stories cover the broad spectrum of Fantasy. Inspired from childhood by the wonder and mystique of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising and the adventures in Tolkien's The Hobbit, her love of the Fantasy genre has been life long. As a writer, Aderyn brings characters and places to life in stories filled with magic, mystery, and a good dollop of mayhem.