The Veils of Valoria

by Kirsty F McKay

  “What is it about this place?” he panted.

  Rowan’s eyes were dazed and heavy with desire. ‘I don’t know what came over me. I can’t believe I almost wanted to… and here.”

  Finn took hold of her hand. “We need to go.”

  She nodded and followed him in silence to the Meridian’s entrance.

  Bessie raised a brow as the two of them approached.

  Finn cleared his throat. “I have no explanation.”

  The heat in Rowan’s cheeks flushed deeper. “Neither have I,” she managed.

  Before the older woman could respond, Rowan dived between the parted branches. Bessie immediately followed. Stealing a few moments for himself, Finn took a steadying breath in and out, willing his heart to resume its regular rhythm.

  “Enter Warrior. We must begin.”

  The Meridian’s energy greeted him warmly as he complied, the entrance sealing quietly behind him. A sudden sense of panic swept through him as he joined Bessie. She was stood alone.

  “Where’s Rowan?” he demanded.

  Her finger pointed towards the centre of the Meridian. Finn’s eyes widened at the vision in front of him. Stood in a whirlpool of silver and purple rays was Rowan, her arms outstretched and head tilted towards the sky.

  “What is that?” he murmured.

  “All you need to know is that she is perfectly safe,” Bessie whispered.

  Finn’s stomach clenched. Rowan had levitated into the air, light flying free from her hands and feet.

  “Are you sure? She’s at least ten feet in the air.”

  The older woman grinned. “Quite sure. Now it’s your turn.”

  Finn cleared his throat. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

  Bessie didn’t reply, instead she signalled for him to follow her. They strode towards the far edge of the Meridian and away from where Rowan was floating, oblivious and in a trance-like state.

  “Now what?” he asked, glancing around nervously.

  The ground trembled beneath Finn’s feet, branches breaking through the surface, spiralling together and spinning upwards. They formed into the shape of a tree.

  Bessie stepped forward and caressed the trunk with her hand. “Hello, old friend.”

  Finn’s eyes widened, the tree bursting into a lavish bloom of white and silver. His nostrils filled with the divine scent of its blossoms. Their fragrance soothed his inner turbulence and left him with a profound sense of peace and calm.

  “Enwen only reveals herself to those who are deserving,” Bessie explained.

  Finn reached his hand upward and gently touched a petal. A soft chime sounded from its centre as the bloom tipped towards him and revealed a pearlescent orb.

  “You mustn’t remove the orb without Enwen’s consent.”

  He gently released the petal and stepped away from the tree. “Of course. But why is she here?”

  “The Meridian summoned her,” Bessie said.

  “For what purpose?”

  She gestured towards the tree. “I cannot answer that question. Only Enwen can.”

  An opening had appeared in the centre of the trunk. The older woman nodded encouragingly, and he stepped forward. Tentatively he placed an arm inside.

  “You must go in.”

  Finn glanced towards Rowan.

  Bessie placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll keep an eye on her. Now go and find the answer you seek.”

  Taking a deep breath, Finn stepped into the darkness.

  “I have waited a long time for you.” Enwen’s voice spoke in soft lyrical tones.

  “Forgive me for asking, but I’m not sure why?”

  There was a gentle pressure at the centre of his forehead.

  “Now, you shall see,” she whispered.

  A blinding white light and everything changed instantly around him. When Finn’s vision returned, he found himself standing in the chamber of a great hall. There were seven men gathered around a large oak table.

  “Can they see me?”

  “No, this is but a memory of the past,” Enwen replied.

  Finn moved closer. His heart thumped wildly, as he caught sight of the giant golden rune carved in the centre. The very same rune that Rowan had shown him a few days ago. Fascinated, he observed as each man stood, retrieved a sword from their belt and swore an oath.

  “By the grace of Enwen, I do hereby swear my allegiance to Morvantia. Guardian of the Light and Protector of the Realm. Blade to Blade I stand by my brothers.”

  The swords were lowered in silence, a pearlescent orb gleaming from each hilt. When the last man had taken their seat, all seven turned in the direction of Finn. A chill ran down Finn’s spine and passed through his core, the coldness releasing when another man appeared, his back kept toward Finn as he passed him and quickly joined the others. The oath was repeated, his blade placed to the direction of the rune. Finn’s legs almost crumpled beneath him as his father raised his head and clasped his hands.

  “It is done, my brothers.”

  “Regretful that this must fall on your shoulders, Kyle.”

  His father’s eyes filled with sorrow. “We knew this day would come.”

  The one who had spoken hung his head low.

  Finn sensed the depth of his pain and his heart ached in response.

  “You cannot blame yourself, Frieyll. The child died in Hannah’s womb.”

  Frieyll turned to the man seated to his left. “But I failed to protect them, Calyd.”

  His father shook his head. “The failure was mine. I had not anticipated such magic existed. It is only just that I give my life for the one taken.”

  “Morvantia’s lack of blessing suggests a failure by us all. It is not right for you to carry this alone, Kyle,” Calyd insisted.

  “Have faith, brothers. All is not lost. Morvantia has granted Enwen’s protection of my unborn child and agreed to the exchange. What is mine shall soon be his.”

  “When, Kyle?” another spoke.

  His father sighed. “I have forty seasons to prepare him, Saadu.”

  “But he is so young?” Saadu argued.

  Tears slowly slid down Finn’s cheeks as he waited for his father to respond.

  “I have no choice, Saadu, nor do any of us in this.”

  “I sense there is something else. What is it, brother?” Frieyll asked.

  The burden was evident in his father’s face. “You should know that when I fall, I will be the last.”

  “Then, we must prepare. Do all we can to prevent this evil from taking grip. Ensure that this doesn’t come to pass,” Calyd shouted.

  The other men nodded.

  His father’s voice was solemn. “I will fight by my brothers’ side until my very last breath. But I fear this will come to pass. Let us hope that we have done enough to secure the new order.” He turned to Frieyll. “How is Hannah?”

  “The night terrors grow each day. I fear that she is losing her mind.”

  “Myrialle may have a salve to ease the pain. She’ll prepare it tonight after Aaron is asleep. Come by in the morning.”

  “I am grateful to you both, Kyle.”

  Finn did not hear his father’s reply. All eight men had disappeared. The great hall dissolved into particles of silver dust.

  “You understand?” Enwen asked.

  “That I let him down? I spent so much time in the forest with my friends and not with him,” Finn replied angrily.

  “No, you were where you were meant to be and under my protection.”

  “But he said he needed to prepare me. I never gave him the chance to do that.”

  “Search your memories, find the truth,” Enwen replied.

  Finn closed his eyes and scoured the furthest recesses of his mind. The images swirled in and out of focus until one remained.

  Kyle crouched beside Finn as a boy and pointed towards the stag that observed them from the trees ahead. He whispered encouragement in his ear and the boy nodded.

  Finn smiled as the younge
r version of himself placed his hands firmly onto the ground and reached forward with his senses. Even now, Finn could feel the strength of the stag’s heartbeat that day as it thumped a wild rhythm in his chest, his thoughts connecting and power pulsating through his core. The stag bowed its head, before it turned and sprinted off into the undergrowth.

  Kyle rose and reached for the young Finn’s hand. “Follow him.”

  Finn recalled the sudden pull of energy as he released his awareness, allowing his senses to take him further and deeper into the forest. It was as though he were watching the world through the stag’s eyes. Their hearts beating together as one. Speed and strength coursed through Finn as they ran in and out amongst the trees. The stag reaching the summit of the forest looking down at his kingdom with pride.

  Kyle’s voice broke the vision. “How do you feel, son?”

  “Free,” Finn had replied.

  The memory faded, and with it, the weight of guilt. “I had forgotten,” Finn said.

  “Your father had many gifts that he wished to share with his children. But you were destined for another path, the moment Morvantia bestowed her blessing. You are her child now. You are ours.”

  “I am not sure I am deserving of my father’s sacrifice.”

  “The fact that you question this speaks otherwise. Morvantia does not share her life force with those who are not pure of heart,” Enwen confirmed.

  “But I have done things I am not proud of.”

  “You have done what is necessary.”

  Finn sank to the ground. “He stopped coming into the forest with me and spent most of his time training Aaron. Although he offered for me to stay, I refused.”

  “Your father accepted that you were ours. He set you on your path and when you were ready, released you to us. Kyle knew you would be safe but he needed to ensure the protection of your brother for what was to come.”

  “And what of my mother, and her protection?”

  Finn sensed Enwen smile. “What do you know about your mother’s childhood?”

  “Very little.” He considered for a moment. “But I guess I never really asked.”

  “Do you know of her friendship with the Fae?”

  “Not really, I know that she holds a connection. She taught me how to communicate with them when I was a boy.”

  “Their friendship had begun long before your father met her. Myrialle had leapt into the waters of Tahlia to save a young Fae trapped amongst the Gylliac reeds. In doing so she almost drowned herself. Touched by the strength of her heart, I gave her a helping hand, and your mother and Lilly survived.”

  Finn’s eyes widened. “Lilly? As in the Queen Lilly?”

  “Yes.”

  “What was she doing in the Tahlia?”

  “Lured into the waters by one who claimed to love her. But Bryndell never loved anyone, other than himself of course,” Enwen said.

  “What happened to Bryndell? His name is not spoken of in the Fae realm.”

  “His brother Tymoria banished him as soon as he’d discovered what he had done.”

  “Tymoria? The Queen’s Guard.”

  “And lover, at least he was up until a few nights ago. Tymoria has disappeared.”

  “Could Bryndell be behind this?”

  “A possibility. He was banished to the Winter Marshes. No one knows if he survived.”

  “Does my mother know about Tymoria?”

  “Myrialle and Lilly have not spoken for some time.” Enwen sighed. “Such a shame, theirs was a beautiful friendship. I had so looked forward to their visits to the forest.”

  “It all explains where my mother’s knowledge of healing comes from. My father always joked that the Fae had secretly birthed her.”

  “Some, but not all. Morvantia had blessed you while you grew in your mother’s womb. It was inevitable that her life force would pass onto Myrialle, enhancing her knowledge and gifts beyond anything that the Fae could teach.”

  Finn shook his head. “I knew none of this.”

  “Which is why the Meridian summoned me. I am to undo the damage caused by the Margorian Worm and heal the wounds of the past. For me to achieve this, you must understand what took place and why it had to be so. You must understand who you are and why the Elders chose you.”

  “Thank you, Enwen.”

  “You are welcome. Now go, give my blessings to Bessantia.”

  “I will.”

  Stepping free, Finn was surprised to find moonlight bathing the Meridian. The ground vibrated beneath him, Enwen’s branches unfolding and spiralling back beneath the earth once more. Finn hurried towards the centre of the Meridian.

  Rowan jumped up from where she sat. She ran towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “I was starting to worry.”

  Finn released himself from her hold. “What about you? Levitating at least ten feet in the air. I think I had more cause to worry than you.”

  Her smile quickly turned into a yawn. She tried to smother it but failed. “Sorry, I’m exhausted.”

  “It won’t have helped you not getting much sleep last night.”

  “After today, I’m hoping I sleep much better. It’s been such an incredible afternoon.”

  Bessie approached them. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine. Enwen sends her blessings to you.”

  “She never forgets,” Bessie murmured and lowered her gaze.

  “Never forgets what?” Rowan asked.

  The older woman shook her head. “Perhaps another time, dear. Shall we go? Mortimus will have supper ready. Then it is straight to bed. Finn is right. You do look exhausted.”

  “I could do with a long sleep,” Rowan admitted.

  Finn took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. “Let’s eat and then get you into bed.”

  Silence fell as they crossed the Meridian, and made their way back towards the small cottage. Finn couldn’t recall much of the journey, a vague awareness of lifting Rowan down from the gate, but that was all. His thoughts were consumed by Enwen’s visions. What had happened to the other men in the order? Was my father murdered, or did he sacrifice himself for me? And what of the news shared. Who had captured Tymoria? Had it been Bryndell’s revenge or another of the Master’s attempts to weaken the Council’s position? Why do Queen Lilly and my mother no longer spend time together?

  The past continued to haunt him through supper, his questions circling. Finn sought another distraction. “Can you tell us about the amulet now?”

  Bessie nodded and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Yes, but there isn’t much I can say.”

  “You said that the Council of Elders had seen an image of my amulet?” Rowan asked.

  “The drawing is faded and there is only a brief reference in the ancient texts to the amulet. From what Mercadia tells me it is an oval shaped pendant hanging from a silver chain, given the nature of its abilities. The jewel is an emerald discovered in the dwarf mines during the war of the ancients. It was last known to be in the possession of a mage named Aurora. There are no references in the texts after that.”

  “I don’t understand how the amulet could be mine,” Rowan said.

  Bessie smiled. “I am sure your friend can help you there.”

  “My friend?”

  The older woman nodded. “To find the amulet, you need to take a step backwards. Your friend will know how.”

  “What do you mean, Bessie?” Finn asked.

  “She means that she knows about Charles and that I am to regress,” Rowan said.

  Bessie stood from the table. “I shall leave you and Charles to explain this to Finn. I’m off to bed now. Mortimus will straighten the kitchen, so leave your dishes. I suggest you get your rest too. Tomorrow is another big day for you both.”

  Rowan’s face flushed. “Good night, Bessie.”

  As soon as they were alone, Finn turned to her. “I didn’t tell her about Charles, I promise. It wasn’t my secret to tell.”

  “Don’t worry, I be
lieve you. I have never discussed Charles with Bessie either, and he only ever visited me when I was alone. Although it doesn’t surprise me that she would sense his energy.”

  Finn sighed. “What does she mean about showing you how to regress. What is that?”

  “She’s referring to past life regression. It’s a form of hypnosis which takes a person back through time to a previous incarnation and allows them to access memories or experiences,” Rowan explained.

  “Have you ever done it before?”

  “No, although I have always been curious about it.”

  “I take it from Bessie’s parting comment that Charles is here with us too,” Finn said.

  Rowan smiled. “No, he’s just left. Aliyah needs to speak with him. But he will be back as he wants to do the regression tonight once I am asleep. It will be easier to guide me through then.”

  “Whose Aliyah?”

  “She’s my mum’s spirit guide.”

  “Right, do all humans have spirit guides?”

  “Yes, they do, Harry is Jake’s guide. But I don’t really talk to him, and it is only recently that Aliyah has connected with me.”

  “I see, and is this regression thing safe?”

  “There could be a risk I unlock a memory that isn’t good. It depends how far back in time we have to go and what previous incarnations I have held. Don’t worry, Charles has promised he will keep me safe, and at the first sign of trouble he will waken me.”

  Finn frowned. “He’d better. Is there anything I can do at all?”

  “No, it’s something I must do alone. But thank you for offering.”

  Finn rose. “It would seem today is one for revelations.”

  Rowan released a loud yawn. “Sorry, I hadn’t realised how late it was. Perhaps today is what the Meridian intended.”

  Finn reached for her hand and lifted her to her feet. “Come on, let’s get you into bed.”

  She giggled as he scooped her into his arms and gently carried her upstairs and into her room. The covers were already turned down as he placed her on the bed and removed her shoes.

  “I could get used to this,” she whispered.

  He pressed a brief kiss against her forehead and pulled the duvet around her shoulders.

  “If you need me?”

  She smiled. “I’ll shout for you. Goodnight, Finn.”