by Taylor Leigh
Victoria decided that the wisest course of action was to put as much distance between her and the Blaiden’s land as possible. She didn’t want to run into any more spore-crazed giants, or their huge pet lizard. Getting eaten was not very high on her ways-to-go list. Come to think of it, freezing wasn’t either.
She was eerily reminded of her first night in the forest on Scottorr. While she didn’t have the same wild fear in her now as she did then, she still had to fight down the urge to cry. She had no idea if she was turned the right direction and she knew once it grew dark her chances of survival were dramatically going to drop. The air was growing steadily colder too, more noticeable by the second. Very cold. She cursed herself for not dressing more appropriately.
Her hand automatically went to her neck and she wrapped her fingers round the amulet Tollin had given her, once again sending out a quiet prayer that she’d make it back in one piece. An odd peace settled over her. She didn’t know if he was out searching for her now, she didn’t know if anyone would trust she was still alive. She didn’t even know if she’d survive the night, but Victoria decided right there and then that she wasn’t going to give up. Molly wouldn’t have done, neither would Tollin. If they would stay strong then Victoria damn well thought she should as well. She wasn’t going to panic or cry. She was going to do her very best to find her way back. And when she got back—and she was going to get back—she was going to find a way to help Andrew. And then she was going to save her world from the spores.
The last resolution surprised her slightly. She had just fought so hard with Andrew to stay, and now what? Now she was just going to leave him? She lifted her eyes heavenward. She couldn’t see her planet in the sky, not with the growing clouds, but she knew it was there. Her mum was there, her uncle, her cousin, all of them falling into darkness while she stayed here in happiness. She swallowed and tore her gaze away from the sky. It wasn’t something she had to bother with at the moment. For now, she had to find her way back. The rest would come later.
With her new confidence, something began to spark around her, like visible hope. Light. And it was very real. It blinked to life before her, materialising out of thin air. She laughed at the sheer strangeness of it. It must have been some natural phenomenon, some tiny glowing creatures—that is what Andrew would have called it—but Victoria didn’t think so. It looked like the lights in the sky. She watched as it continued to spring to life, growing constantly. The light illuminated the trees, reminding her of a school of fish, till it was a brilliant ribbon, winding through the air. She stared at it in fear and wonder. What was it? Where could it have come from? It gently swirled around her, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth and comfort. Victoria held out her hand and the light twisted through her fingers, lighting up her face.
‘Tollin,’ Victoria said with a disbelieving laugh. She knew it was completely preposterous, but somehow it made sense. Tollin had sent this light to her. To guide her home.
The golden light swirled round her a moment more before twisting past her in tendrils, weaving off through the trees, like blood in water.
With her shoulders squared, and a new purpose—perhaps knocked into her by her fall—Victoria broke into a jog after it. It might be mental, and perhaps she was hallucinating, but for now, it was the best shot she had. And if a mysterious light in the wood might help her get back to Andrew, then she’d sure as hell take it.
* * * * *
‘Everyone, we need to move fast!’ Tollin cried, slipping on the stone floor as he threw open the library doors of Watcher’s Keep. He realised his wild-eyed, startling entrance probably wasn’t the best way to break the news of an imminent Blaiden attack, but after running for an hour through the forest to get there, presentation of the news wasn’t exactly at the forefront of his mind.
The others in the room, Andrew, Thedric and two guards, all stared at him as if he’d just set himself on fire and sprouted feathers. Andrew was the quickest to recover. His slightly raised eyebrows dropped back to their normal hunch over his eyes and he went back to his book, fingers flicking against the cover.
‘Um,’ Thedric said slowly. ‘Okay. Why are we moving fast?’
Tollin leaned against the doorframe in an attempt to steady his breathing. ‘Blaiden.’ He swallowed some air. ‘Possibly coming tonight, most likely tomorrow. They mentioned the deep freeze so I’m not sure. They’re going to take a stand against Miol Mor and they’re not coming to negotiate. This is going to be a full-fledged attack!’
He started pacing, running his fingers through his already wild hair, brain whirling. Hardly aware his words had turned to a quiet muttering, as he forgot his audience. ‘But they don’t know we’re here…Yes! They think all of you are still back at the lodge for the funeral. Well, they will soon enough. Andrew and I are at the top of their list. We could still warn the village in time then…there has to be a way out of this without bloodshed. But what?’
He turned to look at the group again. ‘Righto, people, we’re in for a tough one. It’s about to start storming outside and the village is completely unprepared! We do have an advantage, because we’ve got an advanced warning. They don’t know we’re here but that won’t last long!’
No-one moved.
‘Come on, people!’ Tollin clapped his hands together in frustration. ‘Quick as you can! We’ve got to make this place look deserted so they’ll pass us by and we can think up a plan!’ He dashed over to the nearest candle and blew it out somewhat violently.
‘Where’s Victoria?’ Thedric asked.
Tollin jerked upright, surprised. ‘What? Oh, dear. She isn’t back yet?’
‘No,’ Thedric eyed Tollin. ‘She went with you, didn’t she?’
‘Yes, but…’ Tollin turned to look at them fully. ‘But we had to split up.’
Thedric stared, disbelieving. ‘You just left her out there?’
A pause. Flick, flick, flick. Andrew’s fingers on the cover of the book the only noise.
‘I had to,’ Tollin said numbly. ‘There is a lot at stake here. Please, you have to listen to me!’
His Guide couldn’t have betrayed him. She’d promised Victoria would be safe. She’d never let him down before, no matter how difficult the situation she got him in to. How exactly was he going to explain to the others that his invisible companion had promised to protect Victoria from harm? He’d sound like a total nutter.
‘You chose us over her?’ It was Andrew who spoke now. He did not sound shocked, but rather casually interested. ‘How very important you are, deciding who’s the best to save.’
Tollin moved towards Andrew, desperate, gritting his teeth in aggravation. ‘I’m sorry, Andrew. Really, I am so sorry. I didn’t want to leave her and I promise you that if she keeps her head out there she’ll come back to you alive but right now we’ve got more important things to worry about—’
‘Oh,’ Andrew interrupted. ‘I’m not worried about her.’
Thedric gaped at his brother. ‘You’re not? You, who’ve spent every day with that woman since she arrived. What’s it been, four months? And you’re not worried about her?’
‘Of course not,’ Andrew replied coolly. ‘The only reason I spent that time with her was to get the book on Scrabia finished, and now it’s nearly complete. I don’t need her anymore. Why should I care what happens?’
Flick, flick, flick.
Thedric gaped, horrified. He stood to his feet. ‘Sometimes I wonder if you’re human,’ he snarled. He turned to Tollin. ‘We need to go after her!’
‘No,’ Tollin replied frankly. ‘Look, just trust me on this. Victoria is smarter than you think. Just ask Andrew.’ He cast a glance to the man, but Andrew made no move to reply, he just kept his gaze glued on the new book he’d scooped up. ‘I have faith in her. She’ll make it back. But right now, there is possibly a pack of blood-hungry Blaiden marching towards the village with the sole purpose of burning it to the ground and killing everyone in sight. Not to mention that if they somehow win
d up here they’ll do the same. Now, obviously we can’t let that happen. Do you understand?’
Thedric studied him. ‘No. And I don’t understand how you or Andrew can sit there and not feel any emotion over losing two of our friends in less than two days. But fine, I’ll go along with this. I’ll help you, though if you ask me, we should all just ride back to the village and warn them!’
Andrew looked up sharply. ‘If we leave then Victoria will come back to an empty keep.’
Thedric narrowed his eyes. ‘I thought you didn’t care!’
‘Do you?’ Andrew asked. ‘I’m simply pointing out what might happen if we do leave.’
One of the guards cleared his throat. ‘We’re meant to keep you boys out of harm at all costs. Bard’s orders. He’d want you to stay here where it’s safe. If the Blaiden are running towards the village then they’ll leave this place be. If they want Andrew, then he’s safest here. All of you are.’
‘What?’ Thedric snapped. ‘I’m not a child! I’ll ride back! I’m not staying here while the fighting happens there!’
‘No sir,’ the guards shook their heads. ‘We’ll ride back with the information. You all stay here, wait for the girl to return, keep this place dark and stay out of sight. When it is light and no longer storming, then you can return.’
‘Rubbish!’ Thedric kicked a chair with little results other than a sore foot. ‘I should be fighting! I’m the captain of you bloody lot!’
Andrew rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, do shut up, Thedric! You’re too much of a coward to fight!’
Thedric dove forward, gripping the edges of the couch Andrew was reclining on and leant over him menacingly, a deadly look in his eyes. After all he’d been through with losing Molly and now this, Tollin thought he seemed ready to snap. ‘I. Am. Not. A. Coward!’ he said through clenched teeth.
Andrew wasn’t fazed. ‘You don’t know anything about fighting. Breaking up a few drunken fights here and there hardly counts. I can see it in your eyes. I’ve always known. You’ll run.’
Thedric lunged for his brother but one of the guards had been anticipating it and grabbed his arms, hauling him off. ‘I don’t blame you for wanting to strike him, sir. He no doubt deserves it, but you can’t start this now!’
Tollin groaned, torn by the brotherly conflict, and tried to shut out the drama unfolding around him. ‘I really, really, really should go…but the answer is here...’ He bit his lip. He couldn’t fight the nagging feeling in his gut that told him to stay put.
After some arguing, the guards, amidst Thedric’s protests, took their leave—once making sure Thedric wouldn’t murder his brother. The three in the library listened to the sound of the horses’ hooves growing distant. Andrew was still flicking the book, unable to stop, seemingly. Tollin swallowed loudly. His brain was racing faster than he could keep up with. Spores, flowers, Blaiden attack, Denizens, the Guardian, the Light. What did it all mean?
Thedric paced, unable to keep still. He turned to Tollin. ‘You said we need to get these lights out? C’mon then, Andrew! Get up! Let’s make this place look dark!’
Andrew didn’t move from his spot on the couch.
Tollin cast a look Andrew’s direction on his way out. The normal human being would probably not notice the stiffness in his arms or the whiteness of his knuckles as he held the book in his hands. The normal human would probably miss the way Andrew’s eyes were locked on the page without really seeing, or the tightness of his lower lip. And the normal human wouldn’t have the eyesight to see what was on the page Andrew was staring at. But Tollin was not a normal human and he noticed all of this. And he could see what Andrew was looking at. It was her name. Written over and over and over again. Filling the entire page obsessively.
To the normal human, one might think it nothing more than one of Andrew’s obsessive tics, but to Tollin, who knew Andrew did not do anything without a reason, he saw the meaning. Andrew did care where Victoria was, at least some very small part of him did. He was probably calculating where she might be right now, planning how he’d find her.
Tollin’s eyes locked with Andrew’s. He stared, firm and unwavering. He could only hope that Andrew would trust him and have faith that Victoria would find her way back and not do anything on his own. He needed Andrew here. Now. If they were going to survive this, he’d need all the brainpower he could muster.
Andrew’s fingers continued to flick, flick, flick, faster, and Tollin left him to brood.
* * * * *
Victoria wrapped her arms around herself, shivering, as she trudged on. It was dark, to the point that she could no longer clearly make out her surroundings. Scrabia was steadily growing closer in the night sky and though it was shrouded behind clouds, the red glow from above set the forest alive with an eerie gleam. The only comfort she had was the light, which steadily guided her onwards, winding like a snake through the trees.
Although predators abounded, nothing bothered her as she noisily stumbled through the brush. No wolves or cats or packs of raptors came her way, and the forest had slumped into a peaceful rest. Perhaps it was the presence of Tollin’s light which kept them at bay. Still, the night noises made her jump and every shadow seemed a menacing figure.
Having only the twisting ribbon of light to guide her way, Victoria had no way of knowing if she was heading in the right direction. The forest appeared the same every way she turned, even more so now that it was dark. The only thing she was somewhat shakily certain of was the fact the light was guiding her away from the Blaiden’s land and onto the Druid territory. It was no real comfort knowing she was moving onto the Druid’s land, but it was far better than the staggering, drugged figure she’d seen on the hill, or the beast. That terrible beast that had devoured him.
Victoria tried to ignore the gnawing fear growing in her by simply pushing it out of her mind. It was easier to think about anything other than how lost she was. Easier to think of far-off problems and silly little thoughts that she had no right to think, considering the situation she was in.
At times she wondered how Reginald was faring—or if he was still alive. She was surprised to find that there were moments when she almost missed him. Looking up through the growing clouds in the sky and seeing the bloody glow of Scrabia sent waves of nostalgia through her that she hadn’t expected. How was it possible she missed the hot, dry, miserable world she’d grown up on? As far as Victoria was concerned, she had no bonds there, no reason to stay or want to. So why did she miss it now?
She’d only been away less than a year, but her allegiance to Scottorr was already much stronger than anything she’d felt towards her own planet. In the little amount of time, she’d made more friends than she had ever had in her entire life on the Red World. How could she go back and leave everyone behind? Would they miss her if she left with Tollin? More to the point, would Andrew miss her?
She still found him agonisingly desirous. Her attachment to the man who was so detached to everything else was surprisingly awful. Was he truly a stone? A beautiful stone, yes. A piece of art perhaps. A sculpture. But nothing more? As she thought on it now, Tollin’s words slowly began to eat at her as she staggered through the darkness.
Perhaps it was true that Andrew cared for no-one. His reaction to Molly’s death, once he’d realised he could not save her, proved that. Unemotional. Not simply locking it away as Tollin had, but pushing it out of his mind as if Molly meant nothing at all to him. Perhaps Andrew’s desperate attempts to save Molly had been nothing more than vainglory. It was all he lived for: constant, complete adulation from everyone. The thought made her ill to think on. It was painful because deep down she suspected it was true. In all of her time with him, his desire for recognition was the only real spark she’d seen that made him come alive. It hurt to accept as truth. For, if it was true, then it would mean that he would forget her as quickly as she left him.
The light leaked around her, like golden spilt milk, brushing past her in comforting waves, painting her skin with warm
th. It was as close to holding Tollin’s hand as she was capable of being, lost in the dark woods.
Victoria yelped as a branch slapped across her face. She was growing giddy in the darkness. Her thoughts were no longer coherent. She’d probably convince herself she was going to marry Andrew and become a sailor if she kept stumbling round like this. If she ever got out of the forest alive, that was. And by the looks of things as they were now, it didn’t seem to be a likely prospect, unless the strange light of hers somehow brought her back to him.
The light had stopped. It gently drifted round her, reminding her of a dust devil set in slow motion. And then, to her horror, it blinked and faded into blinding darkness.
It had left her! Abandoned her in the forest to die!
The hooting of an owl made her jump.
Victoria thought back to her own planet. There were stories of spirits that guided poor souls out of the city walls and into the desert, then abandoned them to die in the wasteland in some twisted joke. She trembled for a moment and then burst into miserable tears. After everything she’d been through, now all her hopes were lost! She’d been following a glowing light, thinking it was her salvation, but it had been nothing more than a will-o-wisp. Nothing but firebugs or a ghost. Not a saint sent by Tollin to guide her home. And now she had no idea where to go.
She let out a wracking gasp and buried her head in her hands. She had failed. It wasn’t Tollin’s light. It was something dark, something evil. Whatever had stolen Molly had dragged her deeper into the forest to a no doubt terrible fate.
Through her sobs Victoria smelt something familiar. She stopped dead and inhaled deeply. Smoke! Victoria turned round in a tight circle, sniffing wildly and then noticed something; a pinpoint of light, flickering. Off in the distance were flames from what could only be a campfire.
Victoria felt a wild grin pull at her lips. Perhaps the light hadn’t abandoned her! Had it guided her to a saviour? Her smiling was completely uncalled for, since there was no-one friendly to her in the forest, but someone else was alive out here, and maybe, just maybe, they could help. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but she felt with certainty now that the light would not have guided her towards something that would harm her. She was wasting her time debating and shivering. Victoria started in the direction of the fire without another thought. It was mental, she’d be the first to admit that. But perhaps it was something else as well: salvation.