by K. L. Morton
Just beyond a row of huge weeping Willow trees stood an old stone building, to Emma it looked like an ancient church without the cross and stain glass windows. It had a huge arched doorway and thick wooden doors that opened up on both sides, which is exactly how Morthos opened them, Emma had always imagined he had a little of the dramatic in him. The three of them stepped into the doorway to find that they were standing in front of five tall men with long dark dreaded hair tied at the back of their necks. They had fine pointy ears and noses; Emma thought they had stunning high cheekbones.
"Are they Fairies?" She asked Garus quietly.
"No. Elves."
Silence was not Trinny's favorite thing, she was used to a constant buzz of noise in her own world, conversations and music always filled the cafe, crashing ocean waves and street traffic met her when she left her house, now she had none of it. For three hours Aarion had led her through glades and farmlands, he avoided people he saw in the distance, and every now and then he would stop and motion for her to not make a move or sound, she was getting sick of it. Was he punishing her for kissing him, you would think he would have a lot more maturity after 300 years, she thought to herself. 'Old man', she mouthed toward Aarion mockingly, and let out a giggle.
"Something funny?" He turned and asked.
"Just thinking about how old you are, and how hard Emma is going to laugh when I tell her my first kiss was with an old man." Trinny was finding it hard to contain her laughter, but she couldn't help herself, she had felt annoyed for so long, she was starting to see the funny side of the situation, she wasn't meaning to be so honest, but she really didn't care if she hurt his feelings, he hadn't cared about hurting hers.
"Well, maybe next time you'll wait to be kissed by the guy, rather than making the first move." Aarion spoke very directly.
"Wow, we are very traditional aren't we? Is that why you're giving me the cold shoulder, you don't like the girl to take the lead?" Trinny wasn't laughing anymore but she was feeling extremely confident, she had never imagined she could have talked to a guy like this. Aarion turned and continued walking. "Is this a touchy subject for you?" Trinny asked as she came up beside him.
"No, but it doesn't seem important in the scheme of things, it's only a kiss, let's forget it." He hadn't looked at her. Trinny stopped, her heart felt like an anchor had been attached to it and it was keeping her from moving.
"A first kiss, it was my first kiss." She said softly. "It may not have meant anything to you, but it's something I will always remember. My mother told me my first kiss will be the one I never forget, I wish she was wrong." Aarion had stopped but had not looked back at Trinny, he knew if he turned now he would not be able to stop himself from taking hold of her and leaving her with a moment she could remember forever. His heart ached for her, but his duty was to save his father, to save the Ora, he had always been taught as a warrior to follow his head, until now he never realized that doing that would cause someone pain, until now he had never known his heart had a voice too. It took every inch of strength to force himself to walk on. Trinny felt a pain she never knew someone could feel. She was so sure he felt something for her; she thought if she brought it up, he would face his feelings. How could I have been so wrong, it felt so right? She wiped the tear that was rolling down her cheek. She heard a tweet behind her, it was the Milty bird, and she smiled.
"At least you don't hate me little friend." She whispered, and was very surprised when the lovely blue bird with the red-feathered head landed on her shoulder. "Oh, you are friendly, where are your family? Are you lost?" Trinny's heart lifted slightly, she suddenly didn't feel so alone anymore as the Milty bird tilted it's head from side to side; it was as if it understood her. "I think I'm going to call you Radish, it suits you." Trinny grinned at the bird, it tweeted at her, still clinging to her shoulder. Aarion had only glanced back once to notice Trinny's little visitor, he wasn't surprised anymore at the pull Trinny seemed to have with the things of nature, it only made him want her more.
Trinny was trying to put her bad afternoon with Aarion to the back of her mind, she had taken acting classes since she was seven, and was now putting them into good use by pretending that nothing he said had affected her. She happily chatted to Radish, who had been flitting from tree branch to twig, then back onto her shoulder. They came to a wide rocky stream, Aarion started to cross from rock to rock, making it look easy. Trinny took her first step and slipped off the wet rock into the shallow water, Aarion turned and smirked, but quickly covered his amusement when he saw the glare Trinny was giving him; he jumped a few rocks back and held out his hand to Trinny. Rejecting his help she pushed herself up and moved on leaving him behind.
"The Sanctuary is just through the Willow Grove." Aarion pointed up ahead then moved quickly passed her by jumping on some smaller stones. Trinny rolled her eyes, but as she turned her head slightly, she noticed a dark shape crouching amongst some bushes down the stream a little.
"Aarion, I think those Shadow things are in the forest there." She motioned toward the shape. Trinny moved quicker now, she felt vulnerable perched on slippery rocks in the stream. Aarion got to the other side and urged Trinny to hurry.
"We'll have to make a run for it, I don't know how much strength I have left to shield us from another attack." He said to her as she reached the bank.
"I can help, I did it before." Trinny offered.
"I can't risk losing you Trinny, you're to important, please, just do as I ask." Trinny could see real concern in Aarion’s eyes.
"Alright." He took her hand and ran. Aarion could see the dark figure more closely now as it moved in on them.
"It's a Gray Annis, a witch from the North Mountains, they never come this far south. The Dark Empress must be gathering all the dark ones to her." Trinny glimpsed back and saw a vile looking old woman, its feet were moving along the ground like she was barely touching it. She wore a dark gray cloak that dragged along the dirt after her, her face was old and haggard, it had been stitched up in so many places it was hard to see the true color of her skin. Her eyes were white with no pupils or iris, like she had rolled them into the back of her head. She had long tatty gray hair and Trinny could see that where her fingers should have been were really long claws.
"It's gaining on us." Trinny cried. Aarion turned and threw a bright orb toward the witch, the Annis sliced through it with her iron claws.
"The Ora is to weak to protect us." He moved faster, Trinny was finding it difficult to keep on her feet with the speed Aarion was pulling her. She could tell he could move so much faster than this, but had to slow down for her. The witch was at their back, her claws reached out for Trinny, Aarion threw Trinny out of the way, she hit the ground landing on her back, the wind knocked out of her for the second time in a couple of days. She looked up breathless, and saw Aarion receiving a deep cut to his stomach, his face winced in pain and blood quickly seeped through his shirt. He held his wound with his left hand while reaching for his sword with the other; Trinny could see that he said something under his breath as he realized he had given it to Garus. "Run Trinny!" He yelled out to her. The witch knocked Aarion to the ground and turned toward Trinny.
"Defend!" Trinny cried out. The earth around her shot up into a funnel as it had when the Stealth had attacked. But the witch’s huge, sharp claws swiped at the wall of earth over and over again until it fell flat around Trinny. As Trinny backed away she fell back over a rock, landing on the hard earth again. She looked up in terror at the vile creature in front of her; it was now so close she could smell its putrid breath. Trinny heard a loud tweet above her, Radish swooped down and started pecking at the Annis's head, the witch lashed out at the small bird, but the Milty was too swift for the witches clumsy hands, and each time she missed she would cut her own head with her claws, Trinny now realized why the Annis had stitches all over it's face. The witch gave up on the bird and with blood streaming down her hideous dark expression, hit out at Trinny who was still on the ground in front
of her. Trinny swiftly moved to a lying position, the witch missed her target by inches. It went to swipe at her again, Trinny had no where else to go and her body tensed ready for the blow, but to her surprise, the Annis's hand stopped in mid air as the Milty bird came in between the witch and it's prey. Trinny watched in amazement as the air around the bird shimmered like a vibration, Radish had gone, and in its place was a glistening fine silver and gold dust. As it grew, each tiny piece of dust joined the next until it formed the image of a person. The Annis hissed at the silver being as it descended to the ground and took the form of a woman. Trinny could only see her back, but long vibrant red hair from the woman’s head was wrapping around her body, each strand merging together forming a beautiful fabric, embracing her slim form like a dress. The Nixie Queen, she thought to herself. The Nixie breathed on the hissing witch, a silvery substance came from her lips and covered the ugly creature. Right before Trinny's eyes, she watched the Annis become imprisoned in a thick coat of ice, her body frozen to its core. Trinny didn't wait to thank the Nixie, she got up and ran to Aarion, he had managed to lean himself against a tree and was sitting in agony, blood pooling next to him. Trinny could see he was going in and out of consciousness.
"Aarion!" Trinny fell to the ground next to him.
"Please... leave me, go to the Sanctuary... you have to get to my father...." Aarion’s breathing was shallow, his heart was racing, and Trinny knew he was struggling.
"I can't leave you here to die." She could not control the hot tears she felt streaming down her cheeks.
"Go Trinny..." Aarion slumped to the side as unconsciousness won him over.
"Aarion!" Trinny screamed, she held his head and tried to wake him.
"You can help him Trinny." Trinny could see that the Nixie was next to her now but she couldn't take her eyes off Aarion, she knew she was losing him.
"How can I help?" She asked in desperation.
"You have the gift of healing, just believe Trinny. Believe." Trinny knew in her heart what the Nixie was saying was true; she had healed herself without trying, so all she had to do for Aarion was try. She closed her eyes, she held the pendant in one hand and placed her other hand over Aarion’s deep wound.
"Please." She whispered. "Please heal him." It was more of a prayer than anything else, but her whole heart was in every word. The ground beneath Aarion rippled and the dark mire crept up over his form like it was taking hold of him and burying him under its surface. The mass of earth continually moved over his body in swirls. Trinny could feel the life of the mire moving around her hand that rested on Aarion’s stomach, and then slowly the soil moved back to the ground from where it came. Trinny opened her eyes and could see Aarion breathing normally; she lifted her hand to see the deep cuts were gone. His eyes opened and he slowly sat up looking down at his body, he turned to Trinny.
"You saved me!"
"Nothing you wouldn't have done for me." She smiled, relief showing on her face. He could see her eyes were red and her cheeks were tear stained.
"Thank you." Aarion's eyes were locked on Trinny, she saw clearly he was grateful, but there was something else there, she wasn't sure what it was. He touched her cheek gently. "Your eyes Trinny, they're golden."
"She's growing more powerful, it's a sign that her elemental abilities are evolving." Aarion looked up to see the Nixie standing over the two of them, his mouth dropped open. Seeing the surprise on Aarion’s face, Trinny turned to look at her.
"Mum?"
"Did you hear that?" Emma said to Morthos, who was in deep conversation with the Elves.
"What?" He asked looking back at her.
"I was sure I heard Trinny's voice yelling out Aarion’s name." Morthos and Garus ran through the old wooden doors of the Sanctuary, Emma followed behind as they went into the Willow Grove. After only a minute they stopped frozen where they stood, Emma came up along side Garus. She looked to where they stared, there was Trinny, kneeling next to a huge swirling mass of what looked like dirt, and her hand was in the middle of it. The Nixie Queen from the pond was standing along side Trinny. After only a moment the dark earth crept back into the ground and Emma could see Aarion, was he okay? She thought. Relief flooded her as she watched him sit up. She gazed as Aarion touched Trinny’s face so tenderly.
"Oh, I see what you mean now." Garus said softly to Emma, referring to the affectionate moment. As Trinny turned to the tall red headed woman behind her, Emma saw that it wasn't the Nixie Queen; it was Lucille Gaia, Trinny’s mum. Emma couldn't contain herself any longer and ran toward Trinny, throwing herself at her friend and wrapping her arms around her.
"I was so worried about you, I'm so happy you're safe." Trinny’s shock turned to relief at the sight of her friend and she hugged back as hard as she could. Emma looked up at Lucille. "Mrs. Gaia, what are you doing here, and why are you all silvery?" Trinny looked at her mum.
"I was just about to ask her the same question."
"Girls, lets get you all safely into the Sanctuary, then I can explain myself." Lucille held out her hand to Trinny, she took her mothers hand and pulled herself up, then threw her arms around her mum and began to sob. She had longed for her mother so many times over the past few days, she had even wondered if she would ever see her again, the fear, pain and joy all came together. Trinny had tried so hard to be brave in the times of terror, and strong in moments of uncertainty through this journey, but now she couldn't hold her emotions back. Lucille held her daughter for a long moment, and then led her past the dumbstruck Garus and Morthos, and on to the old stone building that was nestled along side a huge river.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
'If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.'- Thich Nhat Hanh
Trinny and Emma were alone in a small room adjacent the main hall. Her mother had told them to freshen up and she would meet them by the river when they were ready, she said she needed to talk with Aarion to plan the river trip into Taeith. One of the Elves had brought in a neatly folded pile of clothes and handed both girls a set. There was a large bowl of water on a wooden bench with a rusty old mirror hanging above it. Trinny saw herself for the first time in days; she was not impressed with what she was looking at.
"Oh Em, I can't believe I've been walking around looking like this." Trinny had dirt on her tear stained face and leaves stuck through her long strawberry blonde hair, her t-shirt had a rip on the right arm and Aarion’s dried blood was on the front and down her jeans.
"I've seen you look better." Emma came up beside Trinny and smiled. "Looks like you had a rough time out there." Emma stared at Trinny’s grubby face. "Your eyes Trin, what's with that?" Trinny looked closer at her reflection, her eyes were a golden amber, the tiny flecks of green and brown were almost gone, it looked like she was wearing contacts, her eyes were now nearly the same color as her Earth pendant.
"Mum said it was because my powers were growing...I kind of like them." Emma agreed and picked up a piece of clothing from the chair.
"We better wash up and get changed...what's with these clothes, talk about medieval." Emma was holding up a long dress and did not look impressed. "The last time I wore 'dress ups' was for my 8th birthday party, this better not make me itch." Trinny laughed at Emma as she tried several times to put the dress on, in the end Trinny had to help her, and vice versa. After washing their faces and brushing out knotty hair, Emma braided Trinny’s hair so it fell over her left shoulder. "My goodness Trin, you look like a real princess!" Trinny smiled at herself in the mirror, she wore a long dark red sleeveless Kirtle dress. Beneath was a white chemise smock, it had sleeves to the elbows then flared out to the wrist on top and hung even lower underneath. The bust line of the Kirtle was laced up at the front and was a little lower than Trinny would have liked, but she felt comfortable in the beautifully woven fabric, this look suited her wom
anly figure.
"You don't look half bad yourself Em." Trinny said to Emma as she twirled her fingers around the gold-corded belt that wrapped around her hips and hung down the dress front. Trinny could see that Emma was not enjoying her new look, but she really did look pretty. Her chemise was white as well, but it didn't have flared sleeves, they were just straight, her kirtle dress was deep moss green and Trinny thought it really suited Emma.
"There better be a good reason I'm packing away my skinny jeans, at least you've got something to fill in the bust part, I'm sure dresses like this weren't designed for girls like me." She said, looking a little annoyed. Trinny laughed.
"Lets go find my mum, I have one or two hundred questions for her."
"Me too!" Said Emma as she followed Trinny into the large meeting area of the Sanctuary.
Trinny had not really taken a lot of notice of the building when she had arrived, but now she could see why it was called a Sanctuary. There was no roof in the meeting area but there was a tall Willow tree that grew in the center of the room, it was so large that the branches hung over the sides of the structure. Trinny could see that it was nearly nightfall outside and there were flaming torches lit around the edges of the room. Vines crept up the walls; each one was covered in the most vibrant colored flowers, blues, pinks and lilacs. The ground was covered in lush green grass that felt like a plush carpet, Trinny hadn't put her shoes back on and enjoyed the soft grass between her toes. Under the giant Willow tree were stunningly handcrafted bench seats, they had Celtic like carvings on the backs, and in one sat Aarion with Garus at his side, Morthos stood next to them. Aarion stopped his conversation and stood as Trinny and Emma entered the room, it felt oddly formal to Trinny after what they had been through together. She noticed they had all changed clothes as well; they seemed a lot more comfortable in their new attire.