Darkness Falls (The Dark Series Book 1)

by Steffany Steffensen

  "What if she ends up with another man? Or orc?" questioned the young blacksmith, not thinking about his choice of words.

  Jenevi shot him a look. "How about you go train with Simon."

  "Alright," said Simon as he started to get up. "What are you going to do?"

  The Magus laid down on the grass and closed her eyes. "You're looking at it."

  Mace and Simon left Jenevi alone to work on hand to hand combat.

  "Be the smartest one in the room," lectured Simon as he passed back and forth on the grass. "It's not about brute strength. Zeena, for example, favors her poisons when she is on missions. She can kill men without having even to touch them."

  "Are you going to teach me about poison?" wondered Mace. He sat on a log, listening to his mentor intensively.

  Simon chuckled. "No. I don't know shit when it comes to poison, even though Zeena tried to teach me at one point. But I know how to be stealthy. Are you patient?"

  "I'd like to think so. I've dealt with Jenevi thus far."

  "You have pretty good upper strength. When your target's back is towards you, approach as silently as possible and grab their neck with the crook of your arm. Then you have to cover their mouth with your free hand so no one hears their screams. If they go limp and you want them to live, release immediately."

  "And if you don't want them to live?"

  "Then it will just be easier to snap their neck and quickly hide the body out of view. When you go to snap someone's neck, make sure you jerk their neck upwards." Simon demonstrated on himself but ended up popping his neck instead. "You're going to do it harder than that, of course."

  Mace shuddered. "I don't think I'm ready for that."

  "No, you're not. Now stand up and fight me with that stick over there."

  Back at camp, Jenevi couldn't sleep. The only thing on her mind was Wilson. She wondered why he tried to kill her. Shouldn't he have been happy that he has found another Magus? She thought.

  The next morning, the two men woke up to the sound of Jenevi packing. "I was wondering when you two were going to get up. I almost left."

  Simon and Mace knew that at this point Jenevi was just kidding, but they knew she would never admit to it.

  Once they were all up on their horses, Jenevi stared at her map. "The quickest way is going to be through this area called...Aboles? Is this supposed to be a woodland?"

  Simon halted his horse. "Did you just say Aboles? We shouldn't go that direction."

  The other two slowed their horses to a halt as well.

  "And why not?" questioned Jenevi.

  "It's just bad news. I've heard it's almost as bad as the Forest of Despair."

  "Wait," said Mace. "What is it?"

  Simon sighed. "Well, I've never been there myself, but I've talked to many people about it. They say that the moment people enter the grounds, thick fog appears out of nowhere. There is a distant noise of some wild animal, and then the person is never seen again."

  Mace gulped. "Yeah, I'm with you, buddy. Let's go the alternate route."

  Jenevi continued forward without a word.

  "Jen!" Called Simon, still rooted to the spot with Mace next to him. "Where are you going?"

  "If it's the fastest way," started the Magus. "Then I'm going through it."

  Simon and Mace hesitantly glanced at each other before following Jenevi.

  "I think we put too much trust in her," whispered Mace. Simon nodded his head in agreement.

  "See," started Jenevi as the three got closer to Aboles. "Nothing's gone wrong. I see trees up ahead. Maybe there will be some water or something."

  There was a strange change to the weather. It was very subtle, but Mace noticed it first. He looked up at the sky and saw that it appeared normal, but when he glanced down, he saw a fog that rose up from the ground. "Um...guys?" he called.

  Simon looked back at him and then noticed the fog as well. But by the time he looked down, it was already starting to get worse. "Jenevi!" called the former knight. Ahead, he could barely see the young woman on her horse.

  Simon and Mace's horse whinnied and stood up on their hind legs.

  "Whoa!" cried Mace.

  "We need to turn around!" called Simon. When he got no response from Jenevi, he grunted in irritation. "That woman doesn't listen!"

  "We need to go after her," stated Mace.

  Simon looked back and forth between the exit where the fog stopped and where Jenevi disappeared. He sighed and urged his horse forward with Mace following behind.

  They circled the area for what felt like hours. With how dense the fog was, their sense of direction was thrown off. Finally, they heard a faint call. The two men raced to the sound.

  "I'm over here!" called Jenevi.

  The two followed the sound of her voice to the middle of a creek. They found Jenevi reading her map on top of her horse.

  "I think I know how to get out of here," she said as she tucked the map away.

  "You nearly gave us a heart attack!" shouted Mace.

  The ground started to shake. The three animals whinnied once again and Jenevi's horse threw her off. She landed on the rocks roughly, hitting her head in the process. The two men rushed to get off their horses to assist the injured woman, but once they dropped down, they stopped in surprise.

  Jenevi's horse ran into the shallow water but was abruptly sucked in, leaving no trace of the beast behind.

  "What is going on?" cried Mace.

  The remaining two horses sprinted off into the fog. Mace stayed rooted where he was, staring into the water, while Simon rushed to the Magus's side.

  "Are you okay?" questioned Simon as he dropped to the ground.

  Jenevi grunted, but with some help, she slowly sat up. "Yeah, I'm okay. Was that an earthquake?"

  "I don't think so..." said Mace.

  Jenevi and Simon turned towards the creek. The earth began to shake, but not as fiercely as it did before. The water started rippling as if a giant was walking past them.

  Then silence.

  Simon continued to hold on to Jenevi to support her. "What in Slarin's name-"

  A giant creature burst through the shallow water and jumped to the shore. It was covered with dark blue scales, stood on four legs, had a long tail and a long snout. Its eyes were large and bright yellow. Its teeth were sharp, and its long pink tongue hung out of its mouth.

  Mace and Simon slowly unsheathed their swords, unsure what to expect. The creature's eyes continually moved around as if it wasn't sure who to focus on first. Finally, its pupils focused on the Magus.

  The creature let out a shrill cry before lunging its tongue towards the young woman. Mace jumped to the side, avoiding the pink flesh.

  The tongue wrapped around Jenevi and tugged her away from Simon who ran after her. The Magus was dragged on the dirt as she struggled to break free.

  "Mace, do something!" cried Simon.

  Mace, not knowing what to do, jumped on Jenevi and proceeded to be dragged as well. He pulled out a knife and was about to try and cut Jenevi free when the beast threw its tongue up in the air and brought it down on Simon's side. The young blacksmith fell off as they made an impact, and the two flew away from the beast and landed in the water.

  The blue creature walked into the water with Jenevi still in its grasp. They descended. It seemed like a shallow creek on top, but the animal kept swimming deeper and deeper.

  The Magus struggled to reach for her fastened knife on her belt. It was pressed against her from the pressure of the tongue, but her arms were free. She knew she would be running out of air fast, so she had to hurry. She tucked her hand into the tongue and tried to squeeze her way through. She finally felt the hilt. Grasping it tightly, she pulled it out, slicing both the pink flesh as well as her side. Blood clouded the water around her as she tried to cut her way out. She could feel her throat tightening painfully.

  Jenevi finally cut her way through and pushed herself upwar
ds. She could hear the cry of the creature below her. It wouldn't be long before it came back. She swam as fast as she could. She could see the surface in the distance, but it was already too late. Her dark hair floated around her as she slowly started to float back down. Her mouth was partially open and her eyes slowly closed.

  A memory came back came back to her. She was just starting to learn how to swim, and being as stubborn as she was, she wanted to learn on her own. She was young, about five or six when she ran away to swim in the lake. Jenevi thought she was doing alright as she kept swimming away from shore, but the moment the child stopped to see how far out she swam, fear hit her. She didn't think that she'd go out as far as she did.

  Young Jenevi tried to call out, but her voice didn't go far. She continued to fight the water to stay afloat, but it tired her more and more. She couldn't stay up any longer and started to descend. The lake was dark and endless, but before she was able to touch the floor, a hand grabbed her arm and started pulling her up. A male voice called her name.

  He sounds so familiar, Jenevi thought.

  She opened her eyes.

  Above her, Mace dove into the water and started swimming as fast as he could. He grabbed her arm and started pulling her up.

  When she was out onto the surface, Jenevi started coughing out water and gasping for breath. She held onto Mace's shirt as she shook from the cold and fear.

  "Get her back!" yelled Simon. He was in the water in a defensive stance with his sword in his hands.

  The creature jumped out of the water with its tongue barely attached. When it saw Jenevi, it screeched before running towards her.

  "Oh no, you don't!" Simon swiped the sword at the beast's legs. It stumbled a bit before turning to face its attacker. "Come and get me!"

  The beast charged, its tongue falling off in the process. It tried capturing Simon in its jaws, but he was too quick. Once the creature sought to snap at him but missed, the former knight jumped on top of its snout, nearly falling off, and plunged his sword right in between the giant creature's yellow eyes.

  The beast swished its head back and forth, causing Simon to fall roughly into the water. The monster walked around disoriented for a few moments, letting out shrill cries before collapsing. Simon sat in the shallow side of the creek and heavily breathed as he stared at the corpse in front of him.

  After he finally caught his breath, he retrieved his sword and walked back over to Jenevi and Mace. He smiled at them and said, "Giant blue scaly creature thing. No big deal."

  Mace laughed. Still clutched to his chest, Jenevi smiled.

  The fog around them cleared. Once it did, Jenevi's eyes glowed and she regained her strength. She winced once she touched her wound, but when she looked at it, she saw that it wasn't that bad at all.

  Jenevi shook her head. "I don't understand this power. What is the point of it? Darkness? What good can that do? Am I supposed to be evil?"

  Simon and Mace glanced at each other. It was the first that they've heard Jenevi doubt herself.

  After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Mace spoke up. "I think it's amazing. You have a heightened sense of everything at night. I mean, I wish I could see while wearing a blindfold! And even when the sun is up I think you're incredible. You can fight really well, and you're very knowledgeable with many plants. You may have been mean to me in the beginning, but I think you're far from evil."

  Jenevi looked up at him with her bright eyes. It was a little painful to look directly at them so close, but this new feeling Mace had with her in his arms made him blush.

  Jenevi observed this, as well as his rapid heartbeat. She smiled up at him, and she almost thought that he might faint.

  Simon put a hand on her shoulder and said, "You also lost your memories. There could be more to your power than you think. Have you ever thought about that?"

  Jenevi shook her head, but it did get her thinking. What else can I achieve with my abilities?

  After a few more minutes of rest, the group continued on their way. The map was soggy and unreadable, but Jenevi remembered the way to the nearest town.

  With their clothes still wet, they walked in silence. For the first time since she started her journey, Jenevi felt happiness swell in her from being with whom she considered her friends.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The town the three travelers approached was of one called Halivaa. It had a small occupation and didn't have much going for it but its abundance of alcohol. It was bleak, dull, and boring. It didn't appear lively at all as the three entered the town on foot.

  "This place is a dump," said Mace.

  "Let's just hope they have a tavern with a decent bath," said Simon. He took a whiff of his underarm and grimaced. "I could really use a wash right about now."

  As they walked through the town, the natives looked at them suspiciously. The ones they saw wore either gray or black clothing, and none of them seemed friendly. There were two boys, both appeared to be around the age of twelve, torturing a small dog. One held the animal by its scruff while the other poked at it with a sharp stick. The dog squirmed and whined.

  Jenevi saw the look of horror in the dog's teary brown eyes and stopped, followed by the two men beside her. "What brats," commented Simon.

  The Tenebrae Magus walked swiftly towards the two boys, leaving her traveling companions behind. Her cloak fluttered behind her like a dark wave as she narrowed her eyes in anger.

  The two boys paused, looking up at Jenevi. She stared down at them with anger in her eyes.

  "Put down the dog," she demanded.

  People nearby glanced over.

  A woman jogged up to them and cried, "You leave my kids alone, outsider!"

  Jenevi ignored her and quickly snatched the stick out of the boy's hand and then glared at the kid holding the dog. "I won't ask again, child."

  The boy slowly let down the dog. The moment its four paws touched the stone ground, it took off with its tail between its legs.

  "We mean no trouble," said Mace, blocking the mother's path to Jenevi. "We're trying to get to the tavern."

  The woman had long dirty blonde hair tied into a braid. Her pale face reddened at the sight of Mace. "Oh, no worries," she said in a sultry voice. "I would love to show you to the tavern if you're interested."

  Simon, who stood several feet away from Mace, chuckled.

  The woman stayed close to Mace as she led the three to the tavern. Simon stayed behind next to Jenevi.

  "He's never slept with a woman before, has he?" wondered the former knight.

  "I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't," said Jenevi.

  "Well, I guess that's the next thing I'll be teaching him." Simon looked at Jenevi from the corner of his eye. "Has...has a guy ever broken your heart before?"

  "Not from what I can remember. I know I've been with a few other guys before Wilson, but I think they were just a one night stand. I guess I try not to get too attached. Why do you ask?"

  Simon's face turned red. "J-Just wondering," he stammered.

  They reached the tavern. The woman guiding them, whom Mace found out was named Gwendlyn, gave him a kiss on the cheek. She asked to stay the night with him, but he let her down as best as he could.

  When Gwendlyn left, Simon came up to him and crossed his arms. "I can't believe you just did that," he said with a shake of his head.

  The tavern, named Maestus, appeared as bleak and dull as the rest of the town, although they saw more people there than out in the streets. Many patrons were men who looked like murderers. They were large, had at least one visible scar, and each had a snarl on their faces.

  "We'd like three separate rooms, please," said Simon as he approached the elderly woman behind the bar. Her left eye was clouded over, and her silver hair looked like a rat's nets.

  "Eh?" she questioned with a shrill voice that harbored a thick accent. She stared at the trio in disbelief. "Three rooms? Look at this place. You honest
ly think we'd have three available rooms? We only have three rooms to give out! No. One is all we have available right now."

  "One?" inquired Mace in disbelief. "But-"

  "We'll take it for the night," said Jenevi, interrupting Mace before he could finish his sentence. When she threw some dirty coins on the counter, the old woman greedily gathered them up in her bony hands.

  "Enjoy your stay," she said with a crooked smile as she threw them a key. Her teeth were stained yellow and crooked. The three quickly walked upstairs, though the patrons followed them with their eyes.

  "I want to leave as soon as possible," stated Mace, throwing his pack onto the ground. The old wooden boards made a sickening noise once the bag hit and dust flew, creating a dirty cloud. Mace sighed as he saw the single, dusty bed. "What are we going to do?"

  "Well," said Simon as he placed his pack on the ground gently. "The gentleman thing to do would be to let Jenevi have the bed and we sleep on the floor. We've slept on worse, kid. At least we have a roof over our heads."

  "You're right," Mace replied, embarrassed he even asked.

  "Let's go out and talk to some natives. We need to find out how long it's going to take us to get the Strongwill City," said Jenevi, turning on her heels and walking out of the room. Simon exited last to lock the door.

  "We're running low on money," commented Simon as he weighed the coin purse in his hand.

  The three walked through the shops, though they did not sell as many goods as the Collis City did. Jenevi noticed a traveling merchant talking to a dark, skinny man standing behind a jewelry stall. She walked towards the two.

  "I'm sorry to bother you," she said to the merchant, interrupting the conversation between the two men. "My traveling companions and I need a map."

  Simon pulled out a small coin from his pouch and handed it to the merchant.

  "Sure thing, darling." The man dressed in dark purple robes pulled out a map from his satchel before taking the coin out of Simon's hand.

  The dark skinned man stared at Jenevi lustfully, causing him to receive two menacing glares from Simon and Mace.