by Jana LaPelle
Dagda hangs his head for a moment as he absorbs the meaning of his words before he responds, “Tarron, lad, you were never found lacking in my eyes. Maybe I went about things the wrong way. I was angry with Bres for his treatment of you and your mother and felt that the only thing that could make that right was for him to acknowledge you. I never meant for you to feel as though you were not wanted around Glenndale Lock.”
Tarron shakes his head in disbelief as he shoots back, “None of that matters now! I have chosen my path. I will stay the course. I have chosen to be the champion for all those that Faerie finds lacking. I have chosen to provide shelter and safe haven to those that are rejected by this Realm in exchange for their services. You’re right Alaric, Ashlinn is good, and she is light, and she will welcome those around me because she will see the good in them and their worth, where no one else does.”
I bristle at his bold statement, knowing it to be true, "I will never willingly allow you to take her, to corrupt her. If you do this, then we will forever be enemies. Is that what you want? Because… I don't… But make no mistake I will do what I must, to protect my kindred. Tarron, nothing else matters to me now. Don't do this!" I growl.
Tarron takes me in, assessing my words and his course of action before he says, "Forgive me, my friend." Then, turning his back on me, he cocks his head to one side angled back towards the courtyard he announces in a deadpan voice. "She is mine, and I mean to have her! You need to leave." He throws the doors open as he walks away from me, his coat billowing out behind him in the wind that has kicked up, his decision made.
He has stoked a fury in me that I have never known at his unwillingness to back down from his claim as I say, “So be it! You stubborn ass! If it is war you want… then war you will get!" Tempest is ready as I wield him to turn on his haunches. He rears up pawing at the thumbnail moon before heading out the way we came. Leaving behind the dark fae and Fomorians as they continue to cheer on their chosen prince and leader, the sound infuriates me, and I'm more determined than ever to find a way to keep my kindred from being drawn to this dark place.
As we exit Tarron's Keep I open my link to Ashlinn, it's then that I realize we have a problem with the Forrest Elves. This far away from her I mostly pick up on heightened emotions and feelings, but one image is being repeatedly projected. We're a good hour or so away from the Forrest Elves, and it would appear that Ashlinn is preparing to leave the Keep to battle a Shadow Demon and who knows what else. I push back through our link to hold off, that we're on our way. Declan is beside me, and I can tell that he's received the same information. I turn to Dagda and my father. Our mounts are racing out in formation under a brilliant waning moon illuminating a dark star-streaked sky. My concern is not only for Ashlinn but that I had left the Keep without its best warriors when I made the decision to bring them with me. Damn, but I'm constantly finding myself making poor decisions leaving Ashlinn compromised.
I lean over toward Dagda so that my uncle can hear me above the pounding sound of hooves, and shout, "We have a problem! The Forrest Elves are being attacked by a Shadow Demon. Ashlinn and the rest mean to take this demon on. Even at our fastest pace, we are at least an hour out."
“We can trace. Just you and I, we would be there before they take on the demon. The rest can arrive as back up.” He says to me as we are making our way back to the Keep.
"Declan too? Can you manage to trace the three of us?" I ask rather loudly. Then, as an afterthought, I think of my father. "Father will be pissed! You know Mother's going to be in the middle of this!"
"Son, three on horseback is pushing it! There is no way that I can trace four on horseback. By the time I make it back here, I'll be playing catch up, and it will be a waste of time."
"Okay, let's do this." I turn and pull my Guard up to a stop, and I announce to the rest of my men, "The Forrest Elves are under attack! I'm only getting bits and pieces from Ashlinn through our link, but it would appear that The Morrígan has raised a Shadow Demon from the Underworld. As you approach, do not engage! Avoid contact! If this thing touches any one of you, you will not survive. Dagda will be tracing Declan and me back to help Ash, Lexie, and the others. We're not sure exactly what we'll be up against, and we'll have no way to contact you once we leave to give you a heads up, so approach with caution. Lorcan I leave you in charge in my absence. We will be tracing straight into the courtyard of the Keep. From there we'll ride out to approach the Forrest Elves domain from the east. You will approach from the west. Be ready for anything. There could be more than just a Shadow Demon to contend with." Turning to my father I say, "I'll look out for Mother, she will be with Danu, and Dagda will be there, so the odds are stacked in our favor. Don't worry."
Muttering under his breath, I hear him say, "That's what they said about the first battle of Magh Tuired." A little more loudly he says with a tight smile, "See that you do, son. I want nothing happening to her. And Alaric, see that you take care as well. We will get there as soon as we can."
Even though I have the majority of my men here with me, my father has several of his men with him as well, so I know that he's in good hands. I can't just leave the King of the Northern Territories without assuring he has adequate security. Turning back to my uncle and Declan I say, "Let's move!" Declan and I move to flank Dagda on either side as he reaches out to us both nodding, and in the next moment, we find ourselves and our mounts in an empty courtyard. I look around expecting to see someone to inquire about the situation in the forest, but it's a ghost town, a very well-lit ghost town.
"Ashlinn, where are you?" I say more to myself than anyone else, and then through our link, I determine that she and the others are riding toward the Forrest Elves domain. "Come on; they're more than halfway there." I urge Tempest forward, and the three of us are racing across the bridge toward the forest. I hear the gate to the Keep close behind us.
(Ashlinn)
I can't focus on Alaric. I have to round up Lexie and the Druids and get back to the courtyard. As soon as I explain the situation, everyone promises to meet in the next few minutes. They hurry off to ready themselves, and I head back to see that the guys are strapping on their gear and the stable hands are readying our mounts. "Guys where's Garrik? I think he needs to come with us."
Tolin sighs heavily before saying, “Really Ash? We don’t have anyone to spare to keep an eye on him. We don’t even know what we’re up against.”
“My point exactly! We need all the help we can get with Alaric and the rest of the Guard gone. Trust me. He’ll be fine and I think he may even be helpful.” I say hopefully.
“Ash, seriously, A is going to kick my ass when he gets back. I hope you’re happy.” He sighs in resignation, “Torin, go get Garrik and have him gear up. I swear Ash, the next time A leaves me in charge of you I’m locking you in your room and throwing away the key.” Tolin grumbles.
Smiling up at Tolin I throw my arms around his middle and give him a tight hug that he reluctantly returns. "Thanks, Tolin. I knew I could count on you. We're doing the right thing. I know it. This feels right. Is there anything I can do to help?" I ask, and he gives me a verbal list of things to review and check on as we wait for the others to meet us. I see Maith and quickly pull her aside and give her instructions to light up the Keep as brightly as possible and then to have everyone gather together in a large and well-lit room until either our return or morning. Once everyone arrives, we quickly determine that we're going to have to double up as we don't have enough mounts to accommodate all of us. I'm riding with Tolin, Danu is with my father, Lexie is paired with Torin, and Alaric's mother is paired with Nemus. Garrik is on his own, as are several other men that are riding out with us. Our plan is simple, we make our way to the Forrest Elves to get an update on the situation. Then we plan our attack and join forces with the elves, the sprites, and the dryads. All we need to bring to this battle will be a little light and some light majic. That’s totally doable. Right?
We ride out as fast as our mounts can take us racing across the bridge from our island Keep heading to the forest, right toward a demon that has probably been raised from the Underworld just for me. Yippee. Sometimes it sucks to be me and right now is one of those times.
It’s not long after we enter the forest that I sense that Alaric is now close behind us, I have Tolin slow his pace somewhat thinking to give him time to catch up. I don’t remember coming through here the last time. I was unconscious and recovering from an arrow wound to the shoulder, so this is all new to me. We leave the main path and head deeper into the forest. The trees are enormous, and there are what appear to be luminous globes lighting the path, very fairy like. We’ve had to slow our pace a little more as we make our way through the densely wooded area. The path is only large enough for us to travel in single file. There’s a warrior ahead of us and one bringing up the rear. I tune into the eerily quiet forest around us. The only thing I hear is our progress through the heavy undergrowth. That’s just spooky and sets my nerves on edge. I see a light up ahead, but it appears to be situated above us. Soon we’re out of the thicket covering of the forest as we step into a clearing.
It's then that I see where the Forrest Elves live and it is a sight to behold. Jasmine was right, they live in the trees. The only way to get to them is to climb the winding staircases that wrap around the colossal giants. There's one central staircase that leads upward towards the first of many platforms and interlocking pathways from tree to tree. The entire area is flooded with light that feels very out of place in this setting. As we begin to dismount, I see that we are about to be greeted as an entourage of Forrest Elves are descending the massive staircase.
In the distance, I hear the thunder of pounding hooves as Alaric draws closer to us. Before anyone can say anything, a swarm of sprites enters the clearing with Jasmine leading the way, and for once it looks like she's channeling her inner ninja. All the sprites are dressed in combat looking gear that looks super adorable, and I wink at my miniature friend. The more, the merrier.
I turn to see Danu and Rhespen approach the elves as they reach the forest floor. I look over to Lexie and reach out to take her hand and ask as we approach the group, “Are you ready for this?”
Squeezing my hand, she replies with wide green eyes, “Not even close. You promised an adventure. I just had no idea what that would entail. It seems like a lifetime ago that our biggest problem was deciding on which college to attend. Was that only just a month or so ago?”
“Lex, I’ve lost all track of time since arriving here. When this is all said and done. I want to go home for a vacation. What do you say? Are you game for that? Because I’m kinda missing home right about now.” I say, squeezing her hand in mine.
She squeezes back and says in a solemn tone, “Ash, I think we are home. But I know what you mean. That piece of land and those houses and everything on it will always be home and will always feel safe and secure. I miss them every day.”
I sigh, knowing what she means. I watch the couple in the lead of the Forrest Elves’ procession advance. They appear to be in charge. Their expressions are grim as they greet Danu and Rhespen, Airmed, and the rest of those that we have gathered together. They're regal in appearance, and both wear a crown of sorts of intermingled branches, twigs, and forest flowers. The male in charge is dressed in a supple looking leather vest and matching trousers both of which are a mottled mixture of browns and greens that remind me of camouflage. He's armed with a recurve bow and a quiver full of arrows. His hair is long and straight. His companion is unlike anyone I have ever seen. Where he is all different shades of browns, she is different shades of green. Her skin is a pale luminous green. Her eyes are like sparkling emeralds, and her hair is a dark iridescent sage. She is a vision in her ethereal flowing gown.
I notice all of this as my tiny military looking best friend appears on my shoulders, hands tangled in my hair as she gains purchase. “Nice of you to join us, Jaz.”
Smirking she says, “I do what I can, Princess.”
Annoyed, I say, “Stop it, I’m Ash to you. So, what are you now? Super-ninja-Tinkerbell?”
"Tinkerbell has nothing on this! I'm one bad ass sprite. That Shadow Demon will rue the day that it entered this forest-wrecking death and destruction in its path. We are going to… take… it… out!" Jaz says in a hushed tone. I realize that we're probably missing an important part of the conversation as we move closer to hear the regal pair exchange greetings.
In a hushed tone I say, “Well Tink, I think we have our work cut out for us.”
Lexie chuckles as Jasmine retorts, "Look who's being a smart ass now. Tink? Really?”
I can only laugh as I divide my attention between my besties and the conversation that is taking place as introductions are being made. It’s about that time that Alaric arrives on Tempest. I quickly close down our link. I’m pissed as hell at him for pulling the stunt he did.
He sees me turn away from him and reaches out through our bond crashing through the barrier that I had erected, “Ash, we need to talk. But right now we need to work as a team. Okay?” I begin to laugh. It’s a rather quiet but sarcastic laugh none the same.
I say aloud for everyone to hear, "You have no right to lecture me on working as a team! None! What if something had of happened to you tonight? I had not the first clue as to where you were and what you were doing until dusk, and by that time you were long gone. I love you. I know you want to protect me but what you did tonight was not about protecting me. It was all about squaring off to see who had the biggest set of balls. Don't even try to explain yourself! You're right about one thing, right now we have work to do. We have to stop whatever this thing is so that the Forrest Elves don't lose their home, because of me. We need to come up with a plan on how to send this demon back to the Underworld, and then you and I will talk!" I say taking his right hand in my left weaving our fingers together as our binding markings flare to life, unlike anything I have seen before. They are glowing brightly, and for a moment we are both stunned into a quiet daze as we look down at our entwined hands as our connection flares to life.
I vaguely hear Jasmine say, “Whoa.”
The tingling that we felt before is more intense, and the binding markings appear to be alive. I whisper, “Don’t let go. Ever, promise you will never let go.”
Alaric looks down at me, and I see the utter devotion and love he has for me as he says, “Άliann, your very essence is written across my soul, you are so far under my skin that I could never survive without you in my life. I will never, ever let you go. I promise to always hold you close to my heart and soul." His words affect me so profoundly that I find I cannot speak.
Looking down at our interlocking hands, I ask, "Do you feel that? It's like a pulsing, humming, energy." I tighten my grip on my kindred's hand. As I do so, the binding markings begin to move and undulate under our watchful gaze. Everything around us begins to fall away, and it's as if we are the only ones present in this moment. But that's not entirely true. I look to my left and Lexie is standing with Declan in a similar pose, their binding markings are not as pronounced as ours, but they are experiencing a similar moment in time. Looking back to my handsome Elf-Man, I'm compelled to bring my right hand up to meet his left hand, sliding our palms up to meet fingertips as we slowly interlock our fingers. My breath hitches in my chest as I feel the binding markings come alive again. This time, they begin to move from the bracelet etched around my wrist to move up my arm. Standing face to face with my kindred, my mate, I feel the binding markings etch themselves all the way up my arm to my shoulder, across my shoulder blades to my right arm, down my right arm to my wrist, circling it in an exact replica, of my left and from there my ring finger. The markings are lit up and stand out in the night. I look into my kindred's eyes and smile as I realize that we form a complete circuit when standing here in this way. A thought passes through my dazed mind that t
ogether we can defeat the Shadow Demon. The second thought is that I'm now sporting a ridiculously wicked binding marking. If I were back home some of my friends would be seriously jealous of what looks like the most intricate Celtic Knot tattoo I've ever seen. It was beautiful before, but now it's simply stunning. The third thing that registers in my distracted mind is that something is messing with my hair.
No, wait. I have a pixie stuck in my hair as I hear a muffled, "By the goddess, get me out of here!"
“Jasmine, what on earth are you doing?” I spin around successfully breaking the intimate moment that Alaric and I just shared.
"I'm trapped! By the realms, tell your medusa hair to let me go! Ash, what is up with this rats nest you call hair? It's like, what is that stuff called in your Realm? Velcro! Your hair is like Velcro the more I move, the more tangled I get!"
"Then stop moving. Ouch! That hurts. Jasmine! Did you just pull my hair? I can't reach you. You're caught up right at the…" I stop spinning as I realize all eyes are on me as I'm trying to reach Jasmine. Everyone in the clearing is staring at me. Heat creeps up my cheeks as I see varying looks of amusement to disapproval. Yeah, I get it. This is not the time for foolish antics. I stand very still as Jasmine continues her rant, lost in my abundant hair. “Hush, Jasmine! Everyone is staring.”
“Then get me out of here!” She huffs.
“Lexie, can you help a girl out?” I ask in a tight voice.
Lexie can’t hide her smirk which quickly morphs into a chuckle, and then a full on laugh, as she comes to stand behind me. Her nimble fingers begin separating my hair and handing me strands over my shoulder as she works to dislodge my tiny, troublemaking friend from what is surely a wild mess of hair. I barely brushed it in my haste to get to Alaric, and yes it’s still damp. I hear Lexie whisper, “Jasmine, stop struggling, or I might not be able to get your wings free.”