Edge of Darkness ~ A Darkness & Light Novel Book Three

by K. L. Schwengel

  "I did not. Until just now, when your irritation caused you to lower your guard. Ask your question, Daughter."

  Ferris had disappeared from view, but as soon as Donovan started talking, he moved back into the periphery of Ciara's vision.

  "All right. How is it you found me at High House?"

  Donovan didn't move. "How have I ever found you?"

  "But why did you even come looking?"

  "Have I not made that clear?"

  "Where were you?"

  "Many places."

  "Andrakaos told me you were hidden, but not by your own doing."

  Finally, the glitter of midnight eyes through his lashes. "You were searching for me? How touching. Concerned for my wellbeing?"

  "Hardly."

  "We need to move on," Ferris said, leading Beya and Toora forward.

  Donovan winced as he got to his feet and, despite herself, Ciara went to him. "I should check your wound."

  "It needs no further tending. Your spell was adequate enough, and I have fortified it with my own. It is inconsequential."

  "Pity, that," Ferris said.

  Donovan's lip twitched upwards, but the Sciath had turned away to check Toora's girth and run the stirrups down. He held the mare while Ciara mounted, leaving Donovan to reclaim his own horse.

  The land they traveled remained a blend of lush grass and tall, smooth-barked trees covering gently rolling swells. In most places, the trees grew far enough apart to allow for quick passage between them. In others they grouped tightly together, forcing the riders to either slow their pace, or go around. A blanket of spongy moss and thick ferns covered the ground whereever the grass didn't, and even with the season leaning heavily toward autumn, the scent of greenery hung heavy in the air.

  As the shadows started to lengthen he slowed the pace considerably, stopping occasionally to rise up in the stirrups and survey the landscape.

  "Lost already?" Donovan asked after one such time.

  Keeping his eyes on some point in the distance, Ferris backed Beya until she drew even with Donovan's horse. He didn't look Donovan's way, but leaned slightly in the saddle and said something to him that caused Donovan to arch one slender brow. Then Beya skipped sideways, crowding Donovan's horse over before leaping forward into a canter. Toora bounded after without any encouragement, and by the time Ciara felt safe in looking at either of the men, Donovan's expression had gone tight and dark, and a smirk twisted Ferris's mouth.

  Not long after, the Sciath veered sharply to the left and began following what appeared to be little more than a game trail. They were forced to ride single file, which left Ciara bringing up the rear. When the trail broadened enough for Ferris to draw to the side, he motioned Ciara up to the front.

  "Just stay to the path," he said. "I'll let you know if you're going wrong."

  Ciara coaxed her mare to the fore, and kept them to a walk as the faint track twisted through the ever-thickening trees. Daylight faded fast beneath the dense canopy of leaves, even though the sun hadn't quite reached the horizon. More than once, Ciara lost the trail and had to have Ferris point it out again.

  "Maybe you should lead," she said to him, after they had to turn back for the second time.

  "We'll be entering Erret Maw soon," he replied. "It's not more than a league further. You're doing fine."

  "Her 'fine' is likely to drop us off a cliff," Donovan said.

  "If there were a cliff nearby, I'd be sure to put you in the lead."

  "Would you two stop," Ciara said, her voice betraying the spark of her rising temper. "If you want to kill each other when we're done with this, I won't stand in your way. Until then, just stop."

  Her thighs burned, the increasing chill of evening had worked through her cloak, and her stomach had been complaining for the last three leagues. All of which paled in comparison to the growing fear they would be too late to help Bolin.

  Toora stopped so suddenly Ciara lost her balance and lurched forward over the mare's neck. When she looked up to find the cause, she realized she hadn't done as Donovan feared and run them off a cliff, but rather, smack into one.

  "Um… Ferris?"

  "Turn right. Follow along the base. Stop when you get to the stream."

  Ciara did as instructed, casting glances upwards at the vine covered wall of stone rising up beside her. Closer down, the rock looked black. When she craned her neck back and leaned to the side, she could see where the last rays of the sun streaked it with gold, but still couldn't make out the top.

  The clear, fresh burble of running water tickled Ciara's ears. The stream Ferris mentioned came into view around an outcropping of stone and Ciara gave a surprised gasp, pulling Toora to a reluctant halt.

  A cavernous hole opened in the face of the cliff. Calling what lay beyond a cave would have been a grand understatement. Andrakaos, in his corporeal form, with wings extended, could have walked through the opening without worrying about brushing the sides or top. Though the fading sun couldn't reach the interior, it glowed with a soft bluish-green light as far back as Ciara could see. Most of the illumination appeared to come from the water. The stream opened to a deep pond just inside the mouth of the opening, then narrowed again, wending its way into the depths of the cavern.

  "Erret Maw?" she asked Ferris.

  "Aye. We'll go in a bit further before taking a rest."

  He took over the lead, giving Ciara plenty of opportunity to look around. She had never seen anything like Erret Maw. The walls were rough, giving the appearance of having been chiseled by time and the elements. The strange iridescence of the water glittered off them as though millions of tiny shards of broken mirrors were scattered throughout the rock.

  A thought occurred to Ciara, and she eased Toora up beside Beya. "Ferris? Why couldn't we see this from a distance? I mean, it must be immensely tall. Shouldn't we have gotten a glimpse of it before running into the side?"

  "Its magic protects it from being found, except by those who know where, or how, to look. Can you not feel it?" He tipped his head back, breathing deeply. He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them to look at Ciara, they were so bright they glowed. "It's very intense."

  Ferris brought Beya to a halt and dismounted, coming around to hold Toora's reins while Ciara did the same. She didn't miss the look he awarded Donovan before leading the mares to the edge of the stream to drink their fill.

  "We'll be able to take a longer rest once we're through the other side. For now, a quick meal and a short sit will have to suffice."

  ***

  Ferris insisted they go on foot since the stream and overall dampness made the footing dangerously slick. Though the strange, ambient glow lit the vast space like green-tinged moonlight, heavy shadows still clung everywhere. The stream itself varied in width and depth. In some spots it narrowed to a mere trickle on the face of the rock and, in others, it became so wide they were forced to walk a narrow strip along the wall. In those wider, deeper sections, Ciara swore she caught the shimmer of fish moving through the clear water.

  "None you'd want to risk catching," Ferris said, when Ciara asked him about them. "Not unless you intend to make poison."

  Even speaking softly his voice slid around the cavern, the vastness of which Ciara still had a hard time coming to terms with. There were parts so wide and tall, Nisair's castle could have sat comfortably within it with room to spare.

  "How is it you knew of this place?" Ciara asked.

  He flicked a glance Donovan's way as though considering his words. "I spent some time here once."

  "Spent some time? As in, you lived here?"

  "Not exactly."

  Ciara's brow furrowed. She would have asked him to elaborate, but he tipped his head to indicate the direction they'd been travelling in. "We should keep moving."

  Toora proved to be an inquisitive beast. She pranced more than walked, her head high, ears in constant motion as she scoured their surroundings. More than once she stopped and twisted her elegant neck to l
ook off to the side, or behind them, then she'd turn and bump Ciara with her nose as though wanting her to look as well.

  Between Toora's antics and concentrating on where she placed her feet, Ciara didn't notice the increasing brush of power until Andrakaos's voice sounded in her head, as strong and clear as if he stood beside her.

  Where are you? The question sounded like a demand, and brought Ciara to a sudden halt.

  "Are you free?"

  No. Where are you? I feel--

  Toora's whinny bordered on a scream as something huge passed overhead. She reared back, striking out with her front hooves. Ciara managed to keep hold of the reins, but couldn't do the same for her footing. Her boots slipped on the slick stone and she slid forward as Toora backed in panic.

  "Andrakaos, is that you?"

  WHERE ARE YOU?

  His bellow erupted in her head with enough force to cause Ciara to relinquish her grasp on the reins in favor of clapping her hands over her ears. She dropped to her knees and Toora danced away. Pain exploded through her skull as though someone had clobbered her with a blacksmith's mallet, followed by a wave of nausea, and then a sense of longing and desperation that stole her breath.

  A horse screamed, and Ciara jerked her head up in time to see Donovan knocked to the side as his gelding whirled in a terrified bid for freedom. It made it two lengths before being grabbed around the barrel by a clawed fist. Its bones gave way with a sickening crack, but Ciara couldn't make herself look away because the creature mantling the poor beast looked like Andrakaos, though much smaller and two-legged. It craned its neck down to look at the limp horse in its grasp before swinging its head toward the humans and remaining horses.

  Ciara took a deep breath and got slowly to her feet, her mouth dry, and her pulse raging. Donovan stood against the wall to her right, Ferris off to her left, struggling to keep a hold of both Beya and Toora. As soon as Ciara moved, the creature's lip curled back against fangs as long as she was tall.

  "Daughter?" The word held both warning and question.

  I must come, Andrakaos said.

  "Can you leave the city?"

  I must.

  Another longer moment passed in which the creature tightened its grip on the body of Donovan's horse and took a menacing hop forward, using one foot and the claw at the joint of its wing.

  She will help, Andrakaos said, an image of Ariadne accompanying his words.

  The creature lunged forward before Ciara could even think of a response. A blast of power pushed past her from Donovan's direction, at the same time, Ferris darted between her and those deadly jaws, sword drawn. Donovan's power clipped Ferris's shoulder, spinning him half around. The rest of the blast shattered against the beast as ineffectually as a raindrop against an inferno.

  The creature reared back, wings fanning the air, showering them with a mix of water and pebbles. Its screech bounced through the cavern, reverberating off the walls and ceiling and making it sound as though they faced many instead of one. Like a snake striking, it whipped down toward Ferris and Ciara leapt into its path, hand outthrust.

  "Stop!"

  Hot sour air pushed against her, and droplets of saliva flecked her face but the beast halted, the tip of its snout touching Ciara's upraised palm. She held her breath, no idea what to do next. Curiosity radiated from the creature, but any other feelings it had were a chaotic jumble. Ciara leaned slightly, angling to look it in the eye. Where Andrakaos's were solid, obsidian orbs full of light, this one's were dull orange with slit pupils, like a snake's.

  It took Ciara a moment for to realize the low rumbling vibrating the ground was coming from the creature.

  "M'lady," Ferris said softly from behind her. "Step away."

  "I don't think--"

  A challenging bugle shook the air and the creature craned its neck to look upwards. Another figure hovered above them, unmistakable in size and shape, though seemingly lacking in substance. The creature facing them released the mangled remains of Donovan's horse and scrambled backwards, rising up on its haunches and leaping skyward. Andrakaos roared again, folded his wings, and plummeted before the smaller creature could get airborne. He hit the ground in a spray of water and rock and, keeping his wings partially spread, crowded the smaller creature against the far wall. It struck out and Andrakaos slapped it with a forepaw, sending it skittering sideways and proving that, even in his ethereal form, he could inflict damage.

  Go, Andrakaos said. I will deal with this one.

  "Probably wise," Ferris said.

  Despite the circumstances, a grin tickled the corners of Ciara's mouth. Andrakaos's presence filled her with warmth and surety. If she could have, she would have run to him and thrown her arms around his neck. The power they shared had never left her, but Andrakaos's absence had created a hole nothing else could fill.

  "What is it?" Ciara asked, curiosity holding her in place.

  A wyvern. Andrakaos's mental voice projected disdain. Feral and loathsome lizards.

  "M'lady, we must go."

  The wyvern lunged forward again, passing half through Andrakaos before being flung to the side. Ferris grabbed hold of Ciara's arm and drew her away, and Donovan trailed silently in their wake.

  "Beya and Toora?" Ciara asked, belatedly looking around for the horses.

  "Likely to the far end by now, Goddess willing," Ferris said, his expression tight. "That, or halfway home."

  "A brilliant suggestion, coming this way," Donovan said.

  Ferris whirled, his face twisted in anger, but Ciara stepped in front of him and placed a hand against his chest to keep him from going for Donovan. Ferris's eyes flicked her way briefly, then past her to where Donovan stood. The Sciath's lips compressed, quirking up into a smile that never made it any further. He looked about to say something but turned around instead, propping his sword against his shoulder and walking away.

  "Stop pushing him," Ciara said, rounding on Donovan. "Or next time I won't get in his way."

  "As you wish, Daughter. However, keep in mind, this delay has cost us precious time, as well as a horse. Then again, perhaps your dog has no interest in getting to the general in time to save him. It would make things simpler for him, I imagine."

  Ciara didn't need to look to know Ferris had stopped. The air around them stilled the way it did in that instant of realization between a strike and the blow landing.

  "I'll not be questioned by the likes of you," Ferris said, and though he didn't face them, and still held his sword casually against his shoulder, the threat in his voice coursed down Ciara's spine. "In deference to the lady, I'll stay my hand until after this is over."

  "You assume you will live through it."

  "I'll wager you're making the same assumption regarding your own survival."

  An ear-piercing screech echoed through the cavern, followed by a thunderous roar and even more screeches. Ciara didn't know if there were more wyvern, and she had no desire to find out by having them show up en masse.

  "Andrakaos?"

  Are you away? His mental voice sounded winded.

  "Not quite."

  There are many.

  "Do you need help?"

  They are-- Pain flared in Ciara's leg across the link she shared with Andrakaos, followed by a burst of indignant anger. The cavern reverberated with noise, shaking stone from the ceiling, and sending ripples skating across the surface of the stream. Insolent lizard!

  Ciara sprinted back the way they had come, heedless of Ferris's shout behind her. She skidded around an outcropping and found herself face-to-face with a wyvern. A startled yelp escaped her as she ducked beneath the snapping of its jaws. Her fingers moved without conscious thought, sketching a quick sigil of power in the air. She flicked it at the wyvern just as it twisted for another attack. Ciara had no time to delight in the creature's sudden disintegration, because three of its friends noticed her arrival and broke from harassing Andrakaos to veer toward her. From the quick look Ciara could spare, the group surrounding Andrakaos li
ke a flock of starlings after a hawk, numbered in the twenties.

  Ciara took a deep breath of cool, damp air. She allowed instinct to guide her, and the power she shared with Andrakaos came at her bidding like quicksilver. It flowed through, and from her, as effortlessly as her earth magic ever had. No longer did Ciara fight it. No longer did she fear it would escape her control. Instead, she allowed it to wash over her like a gentle rain on a hot day. Wound in brilliant strands of light, it danced from her fingertips with barely a thought, and Ciara wanted to shout at the wonder of it.

  Another wyvern fell, then a third, and then suddenly they were coming fast and thick as gnats. Too many, far too quickly. Ciara's excitement faded beneath the assault. Sweat trickled down her temples as she struggled to keep the wyvern from reaching her. One slipped beneath its companions, darting in so low and quick Ciara didn't see it until there was nothing she could do except brace for the impact.

  A spray of warm blood showered her face and the wyvern tumbled to the side, dragging a partially severed wing. Ferris pushed past Ciara to follow it, bobbing out of the way as it whipped around in pain-laden rage to search for its target, his sword streaming gore.

  Ciara lost sight of sight of him after that, because the swarm continued its assault. Two more wyvern fell at her hands before another managed to land a glancing blow with a leathery wingtip. It burned across her ribs like the lash of a whip and, on the heels of her pain, came an incensed bellow from above.

  Andrakaos plummeted from the sky, nothing ethereal lingering about his form as he dropped onto a handful of the creatures and drove them into the stone floor beneath his massive weight. His tail lashed outward, felling even more. Ciara dispatched another wyvern, and as Andrakaos continued to guard against others reaching her, she started to form a working with both hands, fingers moving nimbly at first, but slowing as pain and exhaustion crept up on her. She backhanded sweat from her brow, blinking as it stung her eyes and blurred her vision. Twice she lost the rhythm of her spell. Once to dodge out of Ferris's way, and once to protect herself. Just before she lost the threads a third time, she threw her arms up, palms outward. The cavern went still and silent for the space of a single breath before an explosion of black flame and short-lived squeals filled it.