Mark of Fate

by K. T. Webb

  It did not burn.

  Legacy sat up in the darkness, breathing heavily in the night air. Nearby, she heard Evander do the same.

  “What was that? Are you insane?” Evander demanded.

  Legacy waited for her heart to stop pounding against her chest. There was no real way to pinpoint what had come over her in their shared dream; it was reckless. Her skin still tingled where the mysterious flames surrounded her as she crashed through them. If only they had not awoken so suddenly, she might have seen what was on the other side of the flames.

  “What happened?” Justice sat up straight from the tree he had been resting against.

  “Legacy thought she would try to kill us both in one of her nightly vision dreams,” Evander accused.

  If looks could kill, Evander would have withered and died right there. Legacy dusted herself off. She had some serious thinking to do after that dream. It had always been her assumption that she would perish in the fire. Crashing into the flames had caused her no pain. If anything, it felt as though thousands of tiny feathers were tickling her skin.

  “I will return, I just need to clear my head a little,” Legacy paused giving Evander a pointed look, “alone.”

  Before he could protest, she was already walking away.

  Legacy tried to ignore the nagging ache emanating from her side. It was ridiculous for her mark to cause her any pain; it had healed years ago. She could only presume this pain had more to do with her conscience than the mark itself.

  Every moment since receiving her mark she had assumed she was stepping closer and closer to the edge, preparing to die for Alderwood. Now, she was forced to re-examine an entire worldview that had been based on that assumption. A view that now seemed to be screaming at her, telling her just how wrong she had been. Honor always viewed her mark and the accompanying visions as pieces of her destiny. Legacy had accepted a much darker outlook . . . certain her mark was an omen and her visions harbingers of a gruesome death. Something had changed. She knew the answer before she asked herself the question; it was Evander.

  A young man who had never been allowed to claim a destiny of his own had been thrust into her path. From the moment she began to open up to Evander, the visions started to shift and change as though coming into focus with greater precision. Somehow, their lives were intertwined, and something told Legacy that, without Evander, she would not return from the mission they were now on. If there was anything she had learned about the wild magic, it was that nothing was ever as it seemed. Now that her visions seemed less grim, a small spark of hope ignited a fire in her soul.

  If she was not destined to die amongst those trees, she might be able to embrace a future without the looming threat of the Shadow Mages hanging about her like a suffocating smoke.

  “The sun will be rising soon,” Evander’s voice came from nearby.

  Legacy yelped at the sudden break in the silence that had surrounded her. Her skin instantly gave off a soft glow as though trying to expose whatever threat was lurking in the darkness.

  Evander stared at her in awe. He was always surprised by her even though he had witnessed her tap into the wild magic many times. It still amazed her that one look from him was like the beginning of everything.

  “I promise I was not trying to scare you, we packed up camp and decided it would be best to get a head start on the day.”

  Legacy smiled, “No, I know you had not intended to startle me. I must have been consumed by my thoughts more than I had realized.”

  “I apologize for being so harsh with you. I know you would not intentionally endanger us without good cause,” Evander approached her with open arms.

  Legacy allowed herself to be enveloped in the safest embrace she had ever experienced. Evander kissed the top of her head before continuing to share what was on his mind.

  “I only ask that you give me a heads up before doing something so rash next time, can you do that?”

  She nodded and took his hand in her own as they began to walk back to the road to meet up with Theon and Justice. The group was trying not to grow discouraged as they continued searching for a place that did not seem to exist. Legacy was terrified she would find the Shadow Mages had harmed Noble beyond repair by the time they found him.

  Her mind wandered back to the blank expression on her brother's face when she had found him in the labyrinth below the castle. She was sure he had been under the influence of the Shadow Mages then; the real question was how long and how often had they been exercising control over him? If they’d had more time to unlock some of the mysteries surrounding the young prince, she might feel more confident in his resilience if she knew he was aware of the hold their enemies had over him. Renata never had the chance to determine how deep their influence ran. So many things had happened in such quick succession that Legacy was unsure of what they would be facing when they finally did find Noble.

  The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, illuminating the lush landscape that lay ahead. The further south they traveled, the more layers of clothing they were forced to store in the packs attached their horses. None of their party had ventured into this area of Alderwood and were surprised by the stark difference in scenery and climate.

  Despite the grip winter still held on Pallisaide and the villages to the north, this vista boasted climates that rivaled late spring. The road they followed had become overgrown in many places. Of course, there were villages south of Pallisaide; there had to be. It was illogical to believe the farthest northern reaches were inhabited by man and creatures alike, but life was non-existent in the south.

  “Have you noticed the trees are beginning to change?” Theon asked to no one in particular.

  He was right. It was difficult to determine if these woods were part of the Ternion Forest. The trees looked nothing like those of either the Ternion or Ice Forests; these trees were much broader at the base than any Legacy had seen.

  Some trees looked like many had grown in the same spot, fighting over which would earn the right to live. In the end, they may have become one rather than maintaining their own lives. They were both breathtaking and eerie. Higher, beyond the sturdy trunk, hung a canopy of dense leaves and tangled within the branches appeared to be long-dead leaves still clinging to the mossy bark. The ground under them had subtly morphed. Instead of the firm base they were accustomed to traveling on, they were now wondering if they would sink into the waiting sludge with every step. If this progressed, it would only be a matter of time before they would have to hitch the horses and leave them behind. If one of their steeds were to become stuck in the muck they trudged across, it would mean certain death for the creature.

  “Something about this terrain makes me uneasy,” Theon tossed a side-eyed glance at the cliffs to their right.

  “It is far from our typical surroundings,” agreed Justice.

  “I have a feeling we are only just beginning to encounter the strange and different things this area of Alderwood has to offer. We would do well to keep our eyes open and our wits sharp. Who knows what may lay ahead,” Legacy replied as she stared at the fog creeping low across the road.

  Mossy ground stretched from the dense wooded area on their left while the ground had begun to fall away on their right. Legacy climbed down from her horse. None of her travel companions seemed to take notice of the dense forest, it was as though they could only see the craggy peak that would be impossible to climb. Taking a closer look at what lay beyond the edge seemed prudent. At some point, the road would come to an end, and they would have to choose between climbing down the rock wall in search of the ravine bottom or venture into the formidable woods. It seemed impossible, but Pallisaide itself was situated just miles from the edge of a cliff. Legacy could not help but wonder if the cliff they had been inching closer to during their journey, was the same one. If it was, the view from this location seemed less appealing in every way.

  “Please be careful, Legacy.”

  She igno
red Evander’s pleadings as she boldly approached the unstable edge. In her mind, Legacy knew she was being reckless. The moisture level of the dirt on the road was high enough; closer to the edge it would be less stable. Inching closer to the precipice left her feeling exhilarated. A few more steps and she was as close to the cliff as she could be without plunging to a likely death. The tense gasp from her travel companions caused a slow smile to spread across her face. She was at least a foot from the edge, there was no way she would . . .

  All at once, everything moved in slow motion as the ground gave way under her feet. Falling to her death was not part of her previous visions. The sensation shook her as the entire scene unfolded. Evander, Theon, and Justice cried out in surprise as she disappeared from sight. Her body bounced off rough boulders protruding from the cliff in random directions. Each impact sent waves of pain through her. Legacy finally came to rest at an angle that was anything but natural. Every breath brought pain, then everything went black.

  “Do you see anything down there?” Theon shouted.

  The voice jarred Legacy from the darkness. She blinked hard and took in her surroundings, afraid to move. She was still standing on the edge. She had not fallen, but somewhere deep inside, she knew it would happen if she did not move back.

  “No,” she called back. “All I see over the edge is fog. There do not appear to be more cliffs on the other side. It seems as though the world simply . . . ends.”

  “Hey, are you all right?” Evander asked as he took her hand, pulling her back a few feet.

  Legacy nodded, “I just had a strange experience. I saw myself fall. I heard you all call my name. I felt every impact along the way. But it did not actually happen.”

  Theon and Justice exchanged a tense look. Both carefully approached the edge at different places. Legacy watched while gripping Evander’s hand. All too soon, Theon stumbled back until he fell onto his hind end; his face was white, and a sheen of sweat appeared across his brow. Justice’s response differed only in his slow retreat from the edge and the tears on his cheeks. It was clear to Legacy that they’d both had similar experiences to her own.

  “What happened? What did you see?” she asked as Evander helped Theon to his feet.

  Neither man seemed eager to share their experience first, ultimately Theon offered a glimpse into his brush with the edge of the cliff. From the way it sounded, both witnessed their own demise, but each experienced something different. Theon saw a large bear charge him from the road while Justice felt the cold hands of his long-dead sister grip his ankles.

  “What is this place? Why would we see such things?” Theon asked, shooting a furtive glance at the others.

  “I have no idea. I do think it is safe to say that making our way down the cliff is out of the question. Maybe the wild magic does not want us to approach the edge,” Justice replied.

  The unspoken decision to leave the edge and, instead, face the forest they had been avoiding passed between them. They would not be approaching the cliff again.

  “Maybe we should try to find our way through the woods. The trees look similar to those I saw in my visions,” Legacy suggested.

  The three men stared in the direction she indicated. It was strange to watch their faces morph from searching to recognition as the forest materialized directly in front of them. Now the four of them stood facing the creepy woods with no other options available.

  “So, into the woods, then?” Evander questioned.

  “Into the woods,” Legacy agreed.

  “We cannot take the horses in there, but I do not feel comfortable leaving them this close to that cursed edge,” Theon glanced behind him.

  “It would be dangerous to leave them along the edge of the road,” Legacy mused.

  Another thought struck her as she looked intently at the horse that had brought her so far. She could not help but wonder if there was a possibility that they could send the horses back to Pallisaide. Would they know the way? Something in the eyes of her steed told her they would fare well on their own. Legacy walked directly to her horse and gently stroked his long face.

  “We have to continue on, but it is not safe for you to accompany us. I will not tether you because I fear for your safety. We are not familiar with this place and do not know what could be lurking beyond these woods. Nor do we know how long we will be gone. Do not wait for us.”

  Evander and Theon looked at each other as though their queen had lost her mind. Justice remained stoic. He had been a member of the Resistance as they traveled toward Pallisaide. He knew just as well as Legacy did to never underestimate the Kingdom of Creatures. If the woldigo’s from beyond the farthest northern borders could understand her, perhaps these horses could too. Legacy and Justice removed the supply packs from the horses. Then, after a few tense moments of staring into its deep umber eyes, the beast released a huffing whinny and tossed his head as though he understood Legacy completely. He brayed to his mates before the quartet galloped back the way they came.

  “How did you know that would work?” Evander whispered.

  “I took a chance,” Legacy shrugged.

  Together, the party boldly stepped beyond the tree line. They hoped the forest would lead them to the prince. They hoped to unravel the last threads holding together the dark plans of the Shadow Mages. They had no idea what they might lose before anything could be found.

  Legacy had never seen anything so strange and intoxicating. Voices called to her faintly, mist lingered just above the ground, almost creating a path. Curiosity begged them to follow it. But beyond any curiosity felt, Legacy suffered an undeniable urge to leave, and before she knew it, Legacy was standing on the road once more. On either side of her stood the men she traveled with. Looks of utter confusion filled their faces.

  “What was that?” Theon’s face was pale.

  Evander shook his head, “I do not know. One moment we were stepping into the woods together and the next . . .”

  “We were back where we started?” Justice glanced around his middle as though he expected to find a rope used to tug him backward.

  “Such a peculiar place,” Legacy mused. “Maybe we have to enter one at a time?”

  Though she was trying her hardest, Legacy could not find a connection to the wild magic. She felt it . . . it was there, but it did not reach out to her as it usually did. These exotic woods were practically dripping with power, but it was a power she could not touch. It was a peculiar feeling to be unable to tap into the magic she had felt for so much of her life.

  “I will go first,” Justice offered as he stepped forward.

  The others released a collective sigh when their friend disappeared into the woods. Legacy counted in her head; he had been gone longer than they stayed the first time. He did not return after nearly five full minutes. Now, they were beginning to worry. If they had to enter one by one, so be it, but why had Justice not let them know it worked? Legacy did not think she could wait any longer and was about to offer to enter next when Theon took a step into the trees without any warning.

  “Theon! What are you doing?” Evander called.

  There was no answer from the woodcarver. The emptiness of their predicament pressed in on them from all angles. Legacy realized the sounds that typically accompany the wilderness were missing entirely. She heard no birds, no leaves, there was no breeze to speak of and no evidence of other humans. They were utterly alone. Two of their party had disappeared without a trace. They may be standing just beyond the nearest trees, but it seemed unlikely. Even in the distant mist, she should have been able to see her friends.

  “I think I should go next,” Legacy offered.

  “No way. I have no idea what is happening here, but there is no chance I will let you walk into those woods without me,” Evander insisted as he held her in place. “Perhaps I should go, and you should stay here.”

  “First of all, let me remind you that it is not up to you whether I do something or not. I know y
ou are trying to be protective, but you do not control my actions. I do. I am not helpless. Our friends are in there! My brother may be in there, I cannot wait outside while the man I love follows two of the men I admire into the strangest forest I have ever encountered.”

  Evander blinked. “You love me?”

  Legacy felt the blush creep up her cheeks, “Really? Out of all that I said, that’s the one thing you picked up—”

  She was silenced by his lips on hers. The kiss was intense, deliberate, sweet, and full of promise. Legacy allowed herself to ultimately succumb to Evander. It was not too long ago that she believed she would never get a chance to find love, she could not push it aside now that it was right in front of her. Evander slowly brought their kiss to an end and stared into her eyes.

  “I love you, too, Legacy. I did not see you coming, but now I can hardly remember what life was like before you arrived. Believe me when I say I refuse to accept a life without you in it.”

  She smiled and gently kissed him once more. “If you cannot imagine life without me, then make sure you find me on the other side.”

  Legacy released herself from Evander’s arms and immediately plunged into the tree line without giving herself a chance to second guess the decision. She did not look, she leapt. One moment she heard him call out her name, the next moment, she was miles from the edge of the forest and utterly alone in an unknown land. Neither Theon nor Justice was waiting for her wherever she landed. All she saw were trees surrounded by that suffocating mist.

  More than anything, Legacy wondered what had possessed her to make such a rash decision. She was not being a leader; she was being stupid. Now, she was lost and alone. The others had to be somewhere nearby. They simply had to be, even with the wild magic zipping through that forgotten place like a mouse scurrying from wall to wall in search of cheese.

  “Hello?” Legacy called.

  If she had expected an echo in response, she was sorely disappointed. Perhaps the moisture in the air and the wetland under her feet was too dense to allow sound to reach any useful distance. The only identifiable existence in the woods around her seemed to be the existence of silence. A silence so complete, she was not even sure she could hear anymore. It was frustrating, maddening even, to feel entirely abandoned by the people who were supposed to be with her until they found Noble.