His guilt finally took over, and he tore his eyes away from her and returned to the castle to help with preparations. Scouts had informed them that morning that the Minotaurs were nearing Qualsax’s land, and the destruction would begin. They weren’t sure if the Minotaurs would hit Qualsax castle with full force, or if they would split their forces and move faster through the land.
When Kyrin arrived back at the castle, the Knights were gathered and preparing their weapons for a battle she knew they couldn’t win. Alric was there too, and though his armor was shinier and in better shape than the Knights, it had obviously seen battle.
After picking an apple, Kyrin sat down to watch them get ready. Finn glanced at her often, and she knew he was expecting her to come forward with some newly remembered knowledge on how to massively exterminate the Minotaurs, but there was none.
No one paid much attention to her as she finished the apple and tucked the core into her pocket. When she left, she hoped to find a remote dimension that she could plant the seeds and have her own apple orchard, as she’d grown quite fond of the sweet fruit.
One of the scouts rode up on his horse and dismounted quickly before Alric. The Knights gathered around, and a commotion sounded. She watched them carefully and finally figured out that the Minotaurs were closer to attacking than originally thought, and they were beginning to realize that they couldn’t evacuate in time.
Finn looked once more at Kyrin, hoping she would have an idea, but she just watched them and leaned back against one of the apple trees.
She leaned forward when one of the Knights stepped back from the others. He looked more worried than the rest, and she got the impression that he was about to storm into battle alone.
Alric broke off from the others, and Kyrin listened in on the interaction.
“We’re doing all we can, Xan,” Alric said as he put his hand on the Knight’s shoulder.
“My wife, Sir… she’s having the baby today.”
“I know, and I’ve sent the Priests to see if they can help her evacuate.”
“She can’t. Last time she almost died.”
“We’re trying, ok? The Priests know best how to help her to the Fortress.”
“I didn’t want more children… but she begged…” The Knight was nervous and worried. Kyrin was still confused by Finn’s actions toward his pregnant wife, and couldn’t stop watching them.
“The Priests can help her. I promise you.”
“She doesn’t want to evacuate. She’s afraid if she moves too much it could hurt the baby. I tried to tell her that if she stays she’ll be dead, but she’s too concerned that the move will hurt the baby.”
“Would you feel better if I go see if I can get her to evacuate?” Alric asked.
Kyrin gasped at the offer.
“Sir…”
“I can get there and help the Priests evacuate her. I’ve delivered babies before and if she’s close, I can assist,” Alric said. “Sithias will guide us.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Xan said, and bowed deeply.
Alric called for Finn to take over, and then rode off into the city on his horse. Kyrin wanted to go watch, to see what Alric would do, but she had no desire to get closer to the Minotaurs that were coming in from the direction of the city.
Chapter 9
Kyrin continued to watch preparations, but her mind was far away in the city. She couldn’t help but think about Alric’s selfless act to save a pregnant woman. A new feeling emerged and she tried to push it aside, but it grew stronger. She started to panic when she realized that she had feelings for Alric, feelings that could get her punished by Daemionis.
When the sound of the battle horn rang out through the valley, the Knights rushed to their horses. The Minotaurs had been spotted by the outlook high on the mountain. Kyrin stood quickly, not sure why she was even contemplating going with them. This wasn’t her fight and she fully planned on shifting out of Paragoy Dimension the second she saw a Minotaur.
She felt a panic when she realized that Alric was in the town alone, and the Knights weren’t going to make it before the Minotaurs cleared the city streets. She didn’t care about the townsfolk. They weren’t her concern. The alarm she felt was for Alric.
Kyrin knew she could make better time with her boots of speed that Creteloc gave her. The horses had to stick to the winding roads leading into town, but she could go through the trees. Without another thought, she flew into the forest toward the town of Valhara.
The smell of the Minotaur hit her first, a familiar scent that brought terror into her. She ran harder. She had to get to him. He had no way to defend himself against that amount of Minotaurs, and she hoped her flail would aid him. When she hit the town, the people she passed were surprised at her speed and watched in shock as she headed for the crashing sounds coming from the front gate.
She knew Alric would be there. He wasn’t smart enough to run. He would face them head on instead of leaving the townsfolk to fend for themselves like most Kings would have.
When she got there, the Minotaurs were already past the gates and flooding into the city. Alric stood alone before them with his sword drawn.
The front Minotaur walked forward and looked down on the small human. Alric stepped back defensively, and the fight between them began. The Minotaur was too big, and his natural defenses were too strong. Kyrin flew at them, and arrived just as Alric fell unconscious at the massive hooves of the Minotaur.
He had blood pouring from his head, and she couldn’t tell if he was breathing. The Minotaur smelled deeply and crouched down, ready to devour the flesh of the King.
“No!” Kyrin screamed, and brought her hands together in a clap above her head. Red balls of light began to swirl around her, gaining speed and splitting rapidly until she was engulfed in their light. Hundreds of orbs whirled around her faster and faster as her anger grew.
The Minotaur stood up from Alric and watched her in horror as her black eyes met his.
“Nosfomora,” she whispered, and her hand shot out toward the lead Minotaur. Orbs began to fly off of her toward the now running enemies. Her other hand flew out toward the Minotaurs on her other side, and red orbs shot from it also, chasing down the Minotaurs and sending them to the ground in a lifeless heap.
She fell to her knees and lowered her head when the Minotaurs were dead. Such power drained her, and she was exhausted and afraid of what she’d just done. When she finally made it to her feet again, she leaned against a fencepost and then spun at the quiet sound behind her.
Her breath was knocked out of her when she saw that the Knights had arrived and seen her magic, along with almost every townsperson. She took a step back when Finn met her eyes.
A crack of thunder sounded, and the gathered crowd began to rush backwards when Daemionis appeared behind her.
His scaled green skin was in harsh contrast to the bright light of day around him. His gaze sent terror into the hearts of Valharans as he took a step toward Kyrin. She looked up at him, and her eyes were pleading for him to help her. She’d broken the laws of magic in front of Knights, who devoted their lives to honoring the laws and enforcing them.
Daemionis reached down and picked up a Minotaur in his hand, and then grabbed Kyrin and they all disappeared with a flash of light.
***
Kyrin looked over when Creteloc walked into the caves, “Did you get it?”
“I told you I would,” she said matter-of-factly. Creteloc held out a black leather vest, and Kyrin slipped into it.
“You said this is shadow elf made?”
“Yes, it won’t impede your fighting, but will help if you are hit.”
“Did Daemionis confirm that the Clemency Consortium doesn’t know what I did in Paragoy?” Kyrin asked her.
Creteloc walked past her and began to stir a poison that bubbled in the fire, “They have no idea. Paragoy is not within their grasp yet.”
“And Sithias?”
“Sithias contacted Daemionis to ensure you we
ren’t being punished for the use of magic.”
“Why does he care?”
“We aren’t sure, but believe that Sithias wants your power for his own.”
“Good luck, I’m not going back there.”
“Why is that, exactly?” Creteloc asked her. “You had food and water, shelter, yet you did as you wanted, and they were clueless as to your true nature. It seems to me like such a land, would be benefit you immensely.”
“You know why,” Kyrin whispered, and then sat down to re-pack her tiny bag.
“Ah yes, the King. I knew it would happen soon enough.”
“What?”
“You grew up, Kyrin. It’s natural to seek out a mate.”
Her nose wrinkled, “That’s not it.”
Creteloc smiled evilly, “Yes, it is. We’ve kept matters of the flesh from you, but you are a woman, and it’s raising its nasty head.”
“What do you mean?” Kyrin asked, watching her.
“It’s not my place to teach you.”
“Whose is it?”
“No ones. When Daemionis decides you can have a mate, he will let us know.”
“No!” Kyrin whispered. “He cannot make me marry.”
Creteloc began to fill vials with the bubbling purple liquid from the fire, “When the time comes, he will help you with that also. Daemionis won’t allow you to become the possession of another.”
“Well, he’ll have to find me first.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes, I’ve been here for six months, and I’m ready to go.”
“Wanderlust”
“I don’t have Wanderlust.”
“You do. It’s in your blood. Are you going to seek out Paragoy?” Creteloc asked.
“No, and even if I wanted to, I don’t remember how I got there. I was running from the Shadowmere and have no idea the path of dimensions I took to get there.”
“I would still think you would try.”
“You seem pretty intent on getting me to live in a land full of the good.”
“Your corruption would be good for them.”
Kyrin laughed, “You want me to bring evil into their land! That’s your plan, isn’t it?”
“No land should be without it.”
“Thank you again, Creteloc,” Kyrin said as she adjusted her belt over the new black leather vest.
“The Clemency Consortium will be out there.”
“I know, and I’ve avoided them for this long. I’ll be ok.”
“I’d hate to see Daemionis’ magic user disappear.”
“I won’t.” With that, Kyrin walked out with her tiny bag her only possession and quickly left Paramide Dimension, landing directly in Kyrstalis. Creteloc had given her a cloak to help conceal her identity while she traveled through Kyrstalis to the dimension at its furthest west borders.
The stench of death and decay filled her senses the second she appeared in the cemetery. The dry grass crunched beneath her feet as she made her way quickly across the city. The Shadowmere would never stop looking for her, and she felt exposed and vulnerable on their home turf.
Too easily she found the portal and then breathed a sigh of relief when she walked through and appeared in the dimension with the river of death. She ignored the bodies floating along with the current as they reached out for her, teasing her to come help them.
She knew better. The first time she’d been in that dimension, she saw a Priest of Kynekke reach down to help one of the bodies. His eyes had grown wide and lifeless almost immediately. He was then pulled into the water and screamed soundlessly as he was pulled beneath the surface.
Skirting as far away from the water as possible, she walked quickly toward the dimension she wanted. She knew the dimension connections within four dimensions from each direction off of Kyrstalis. After that it was all unknown, and she headed out to see if she could find safety away from the Consortium’s vigilant eye.
Chapter 10
Kyrin crouched down underneath the low bridge. The bridge rumbled with the footsteps of the Shadowmere Apprehension Crew as they marched toward the east. She’d barely managed to jump into the murky, slime covered water and ducked under the bridge when she saw them coming.
The crew was getting bigger, and she felt the fear return when she realized that it would be harder to get away from them, the larger they grew. When the last of them crossed the bridge, she peeked out from behind the reeds and watched them disappear over the horizon.
Careful not to make a sound, Kyrin crawled out of the slippery water on the opposite shore and then sat on the dead grass to remove the leeches from her skin. The slimy creatures were hard to grasp, but she managed to get all of them off. Leaving one attached to your skin could cause fever and hallucinations, so she was meticulous about removing them.
Chapter 11
The roar of laughter filled the inn, and Kyrin glanced over from the dark corner to watch them. She had killed one of the Shadowmere that had coins on him, and she took the opportunity to get some food and water at the busy inn.
The patrons were growing restless as the elven wine was passed around, but she refrained. She didn’t need her reflexes dulled when the Shadowmere could be anywhere around her.
She tore off a piece of the stale bread and dipped it into the thick, partially rotten stew she was eating. She gagged it down, not sure when she would be able to eat again. She couldn’t afford extra food and water, but hoped to find a dimension soon with something in it to drink.
Her mouth watered at the thought of the juicy apples that would be sitting, untouched, in the Valharan orchard. Eating the last of the stew, she looked around again and caught sight of one of the wenches sitting beside a ranger. They were kissing passionately, and his hands were roaming all over her as their lips pressed against each other.
Kyrin touched her lips softly, and had to admit she missed the soft kiss Alric gave her when trying to gain her trust. She’d been thinking more about him lately as loneliness set in. She missed his company and how he was amused at her actions and words.
It didn’t matter. She’d been gone from Paragoy for a year, and she knew that by now, Alric would have written her off as dead and more than likely had a wife to keep him amused. She would always remember his kindness and selflessness though, and she thought of it often at night before falling to sleep under foreign stars.
Kyrin reached down and unwound the bandages from her hand. She had a run-in with one of the Dieb Consortiums, and though she’d won, he managed to get a good dagger cut off on her hand. The wound was inflamed and smelled bad, so she knew there was an infection forming.
Picking up the wine one of the patrons had given her, she dumped a small bit over the wound, hoping to kill off the gangrene that was surely to set in. She winded it again with the same bandage, and then stood slowly and adjusted the hood to cover her face.
Chapter 12
She cut his throat and then peered into the dark around her as his deathly gurgles filled the streets. It was dangerous work killing one of the Clemency Consortiums, but he recognized her and was going to return her to Kyrstalis for a trial.
The streets were empty because of the late hour, so the fight had luckily gone unnoticed. She immediately began going through his things. After pocketing what little coins he had on him, she pulled his backpack from beside him and wondered at how light it was. She assumed it had to be empty, so she threw it over her back and then ran off into the night.
Two dimensions away she finally felt comfortable enough to stop and rest. She was covered in sweat, and her mind kept returning to the warm baths she got in Paragoy. Four months ago she decided to find it again. She knew Alric wouldn’t be happy to see her. She’d used magic in his Kingdom. With its food and water plentiful though, she figured she could stay in the mountains and never be seen by those from Valhara.
Her hope was to see him once in a while to make sure he was ok. When she had an established place to sleep, she could stay there indefini
tely and live off of the plentiful land.
Kyrin sat down beside a dying bush and pulled her new backpack from her back. She opened it to put her things inside, but found it already full. As she pulled heavy items out of the pack, it didn’t lighten in weight, and she laid each item out on the ground beside her.
Once empty, she looked over the items and realized that the backpack had to be enchanted. She smiled. It was a weightless backpack, and now it was hers. His items were useless, so she left them on the ground and filled the backpack with her few belongings.
When she grabbed the silver chain with the green amulet that she had pulled off of a Qualsax Warrior she’d just killed, she ran her fingers over it. He had been an easy kill, already wounded, but the amulet bore the emblem of the Qualsax, and she studied it. Her mind wandered back to Alric, and she wondered if he’d survived the Minotaur attack, and if he was even still alive.
From the sounds of it, Qualsax was also under Minotaur attack, so there was a chance they were wiped out. She hoped her magic had spared Valhara so Alric could be taken to the temple and healed. Figuring the amulet wasn’t going to whisk her away to Paragoy, she put it in the backpack and then started off across the mostly desert dimension.
Chapter 13
There was nothing in this dimension but sand. Everywhere she looked was sand and wind blowing sand. A dust storm was heading her way, but she saw no way to get away from it. As she lifted her shirt away from her chest to tap out the sand, she saw the portal key and smiled.
“It’s about time,” she mumbled, and picked up the small locket.
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