by Unknown
Allos was something else entirely. He had been born to the Druids. War had seen him orphaned as the only surviving member of his people. The Drow took him in and raised him from infancy.
As their stories went on, Aryaunna looked over the massive room. Like the apothecary, the walls were solid stone, almost cave like for they were seamless. Ivy crept up the inside corners of the room, creating intricate patterns of its own making.
The tables were thick, unpolished wood, but smooth as baby’s skin and well made. Everything there was made with care. No matter how small. Even the bowls, plates, and goblets were etched with Elvin blessings. Torches sat upon sconces, lighting the walls and casting golden lights that danced up the walls. A massive fireplace which seemed large enough for her to stand in fed the room all the light it needed.
Drow filled the room, and they all had eyes for the Emissary. Questions and worry filled her mind, ‘Do they know what I am? Why I am here? If they do, perhaps one of them will tell me.’ “She’s not eating.” Lena nodded from her plate to Allos.
“Perhaps she isn’t hungry. Perhaps she can hear you, Lena.”
“Are you worried for your sister?” Lena’s gaze locked with Aryaunna’s. There was a moment where all Aryauna could do was stare back.
“No. Mayla will care for her well.” Lifting the goblet she took a slow sip of the wine that warmed her from the inside out.
“You seem so sure. You’re not at all worried?” Lena’s brow arched curiously. “Quite honestly, I can’t tell if you’re in shock, or if it’s possible you’re really taking all of this so well.”
Brow furrowing, Allos looked up from his plate finally, looking to Lena. His query remained silent. Before Lena could say anything about what had happened in the Church, Aryaunna answered.
“It’s not something I can explain easily. I trust the Guardians. I can feel their connection to Mayla. I know that my sister is in good hands.” To satisfy Lena, Aryaunna picked up a slice of fruit she did not recognize and took a bite. It was cut and textured like melon, but marbled blue and bright red. The flavor exploded in her mouth, sweet yet fluorescent.
“Eat well, Aryaunna. Your day sees no end soon. You need your strength,” Allos reminded as he returned to his own plate. He made no comment of the Guardians or anything else.
“That’s what worries me.” Looking down to her plate full of food, she finished the melon as a sense of worry built in her stomach.
A sideways shrug of his head lifted his shoulders. “Better a day see no end than no beginning.”
“It doesn’t matter if she’s ready or not, Allos, nor does the state of her sister. Regrettable as it may be.” Mayla sighed heavily. “Will you stay with the girl Elizabeth?” Mayla questioned with a knowing affliction. Allos nodded. “Thank you, Allos. Aryaunna does not have the allowance of worry for her sister’s safety now.”
“She’s ready. She’s the one. I have no doubt she’ll make it-” Lena started.
“To the mountain? Or to Him? If she’s not, and she does find Him, she may be going to her death. If she doesn’t find Him then she’s dead anyway.” Allos paced himself into a corner as the possibilities raced through his head. He believed in the prophecy. What if they were wrong though, and something were to happen to her?
“Have faith, Allos. We must have faith,” Mayla reassured him. Placing her hands down onto Allos’ shoulders she whispered a spell to soothe his worry.
“Allos warned me that my day would see no end soon. I suppose he was being more literal than I realized.” Aryaunna tried to force a smile as she finished lacing the tall boots Korena had given to her.
Mayla stood just behind her, preparing a tonic. “Indeed. You must not fear this journey, Aryaunna. This tonic will keep you strong.”
“I am not afraid. But how will I know I am going the right way?” Standing up, she lifted a thick brown belt from the table where fresh clothes and things had been placed for her. The only remaining items had been the belt, and a long blade. Her gaze rest on it for a long moment before sliding it into the sheath.
“Trust your instincts. The Guardians will guide you, and Allos will be here to watch over your sister. He’s sworn himself to protect her. You must understand you do not have the luxury to worry over her now. You must find Him immediately.” Coming up beside her as Aryaunna straightened, Mayla placed the stone cup into her hands. “Drink, my dear.”
Raising the mug to her lips, she drank deeply of a thick liquid that sent tingles down her throat. “I trust Allos, and you.” Mayla’s head tilted, a pondering in her eye as a warm smile graced her lips. “Does that surprise you? That I trust you so? I know Lena doesn’t understand.”
“No. Those like us can feel the gift of the Guardians in others. I was actually thinking about your mother. When I knew her, she was just your age.” Mayla took the cup, setting it down on the now barren table.
“Tell me something about her. I never got to know her.”
“She was beautiful.” Mayla smiled, perhaps at a memory.
“I dream of her sometimes. Elizabeth looks like her.”
“Yes, she does. You have her hair, and her heart, though. Her heart was her greatest strength, and still yet her greatest weakness. I see the same affinity in you.” These were Mayla’s parting words as she walked Aryaunna from the small cottage, outside. Aryaunna had seen her sister before meeting with Mayla in the house. The time for goodbyes had come to an end.
Mayla walked with Aryaunna in silence to the edge of the village, which had been more formidable in size than Aryaunna had ever expected. She saw many faces, met many gazes, though no one spoke a word. Though she did not know what awaited her, she knew this journey was just as vital to these people as it was to herself.
To find Him would be a trial, hopefully giving evidence of who she was. She could only hope that it would bring her answers, whatever they amounted to be. A parting meaningful look passed between the two before Aryaunna lifted the hood of her heavy winter cloak. With baited breath she left the protection of the village, and the magic which hid it from the rest of the world as she set foot into the Dark Wood.
Bitter cold winds whipped the cloak around her body before jerking it away. Strange for so much wind in such a thickly wooded valley, she thought. Her destination lied at the mountain’s peak. Mayla would tell her nothing more than that. She had explained to Aryaunna that only the Emissary could find their way. Without saying it, she told Aryaunna that if she did not reach her destination and find Him then that in its own way was the answer.
In fair weather the woods were a dangerous place, and the mountain of Dia treacherous at best with its jagged loose rocks and no more of a foot hold than a goat would find. Though she wasn’t a pessimist, Aryaunna was hardly an optimist either. What would be would be. She knew there was no changing it either way.
She was strong enough or she wasn’t. She was the true Emissary… or she wasn’t. It was best not to think about the possible outcomes. There were too many possibilities and each of them just as or more so daunting than the last. So Aryaunna did the only thing she knew to do in order to keep the fear away. It was the way she’d survived every day of her life as a ward in the Magistrate’s Church… All thoughts of her future were stricken from her mind. She would not ponder more than one step at a time into what lie ahead.
One way or another, the Guardians would see to her fate. Nothing else mattered. These thoughts did not cross Aryaunna’s mind, for thoughts like that lead to worry of what may come or what may not. She thought not of Elizabeth, as Mayla had warned her of the repercussions of such.
Watching her footfalls and the surrounding trees closely, Aryaunna thought of nothing else but what surrounded her. As the cold tore at her cloak, pulling it this way and that, around her and away from her, she concentrated on moving faster to keep herself warm. Listening to the dense forest she listened for the song of birds. Yet there was none. Even in winter, during mid-day there should still be creatures of the wood out f
oraging.
As she walked, she considered their journey to the Hollow. Had it really just been the eve before? It felt like days, though perhaps that was because she’d yet to sleep since. Funny thing how not sleeping could make hours feel like days. Though it had been evening, she could recall but one creature alone in the wood aside from her companions. The great white owl. The owl had followed them from the moment they’d entered the woods bordering Kenan to the Hollow itself.
Midday, even a winter’s midday, should show signs of life everywhere. Birds, deer, rabbit, foxes, squirrel, something had to be out there aside from her. The feeling of being utterly alone was nearly overwhelming. The harder she sought out the company of any other living creature, the more alone she felt.
Light of foot she continued on, moving faster for her want to outrun this foreboding feeling. If she was truly so alone, why was it she felt so fraught? Heart beating franticly she had to grab hold to the trunks and barren limbs of dormant trees for support. As her mind spun in, dwelling on the fear, it consumed her. Why though? It made no sense at all. She was alone. There were no tracks of predators in the snow surrounding her. There were no tracks at all. It was quiet. But how was the silent peace of the wood driving her to run in fear?
All at once her hand grabbed onto a trunk, propelling her to wrap around it. “Just breathe,” she told herself, closing her eyes. Horrific images threatened her behind closed lid. “There’s nothing out here…” She forced her eyes open to rid herself of the visions. Before her she saw nothing but snow, and the dead of winter. “I will not be afraid of the nothingness,” she had to repeat it several times, forcing her heart and breath to slow as she did so.
Still yet, her hands clung to the rough bark to keep her in place, afraid if she let go that her feet would carry her deeper by her fear. It was with this focus that she could feel the subtle vibration that trembled her fingers. Releasing one hand, she held it out steady. Looking down at her free hand, her fingers did not shake, from cold nor fear. Confused, she looked to her hand which clung desperately to the trunk. Though slight indeed it shook enough for her to take notice.
The query was distracting enough that for that moment she could push aside her fear. Touching her hand back to the tree she focused. Could the tree truly be vibrating? Leaning forward she leaned her cheek against the rough bark and winced back, gasping. Warm blood trickled down her cheek. The bark had scratched her though she’d barely touched it. Carefully leaning in again, she inhaled deeply, smelling the crisp air. Sweet, woody, and something else. Something sharp and foul though it was masked by the sweetness of the wood. “Magic,” she whispered.
As she stood still close to the tree, a limb curled in around her wrist slowly. In the pit of her stomach she could feel the churning of her fear bubble like she’d eaten something wrong. It was as if the woods were trying to wash away her sudden realization.
Stumbling back, she yanked and twisted until her hand was freed and she were well away from the limbs of the black oak. A deep scratch was an angry red where the limb had grabbed her. Rather than cowering, her wounded fingers took hold of the amethyst hung around her neck.
Looking all around her, she watched as the trees seemed to shiver and twitch. It seemed clear now that it was more than the wind causing it.
Dropping to her knees, her head dipped low. “Guardians of old, though I have faltered I will not fail you. I trust you to watch over me as you guide my step to be true.” Kissing the amethyst, she squeezed it tight in her fist before rising.
The pit of fear that had threatened to consume her was gone. As if knowing the truth of it was enough to keep it at bay. A strange result, as often times prove true, magic was far more deadly than any living beast. Her gaze was vigilant though her eyes were weary as she started off again.
Her walk was brisk though not hasty. She couldn’t afford to lose more energy than she already had. Knowing what haunted her in the woods did not keep it from being ineffective. Limbs reached out for her, roots came up to grab at her feet. Walking through the snow felt like wading through thick swamp muds rather than light fluff. At times it was knee deep, and chilled her to the bone.
The magic of the Dark Wood had not succeeded in stopping her, but she couldn’t help but wonder if the cold would. Her legs were leaden and burned as she forced them to move on. The further she walked, the more she felt as if she were moving up hill. Hours had passed since she’d left the Hollow. Before long it would be nightfall. Could she find her way in the dark, she wondered. Stopping was not an option. Even if she could start a fire with wet frozen wood, what would become of her if she were to let down her guard so completely in this perilous place?
Exhaustion, however, was as real an enemy as any creature of the night or any dark magic. A fallen tree had come down at some point. From the looks of things it had likely been years ago. Magic be damned, the young witch sat down heavily upon its trunk, and thanked it as she did so. “Thank you, Mother, for gifting me with this place of rest.” Mother Nature was as real an entity as she in her eyes. Their mother, Annalee had taught the two girls that from the very beginning. Take nothing without need for it. Always be grateful for what the Great Mother provided. Give to the earth more than which you take, and in turn she will care for you always.
Her trembling now was for her cold and hunger she knew. Mayla had sent her with little food and water so she had to consume sparingly, least she have none for the return home.
It seemed no wonder to her now that this part of the Dark Wood was so barren. With such dark magic consuming the land, nary any living thing would want to stay long if it were to come near. What was it though that kept her from such feelings as they’d all made way to the Hollow? Was it Lena protecting them? Or was it this side of the wood protecting something else? Keeping all that dare come near at bay in the most efficient way one could: fear. Fear so powerful that it could overcome you; perhaps even cause such terror that some could not survive it.
It was not without great effort that Aryaunna kept it from consuming her again. That in itself was tiring, but she was managing. Now it lie within her, covered with a protective blanket of knowing the fear was false and could therefore be overcome. For strength she clung to her mother’s necklace and prayed to her Guardians. The whelp on her hand burned as if she’d touched fire, though it did not bleed as her cheek had. The cut on her face had dried, or perhaps frozen.
Chilled to the bone, her muscles were throbbing. It would be easy to curl up in her thick cloak and lay over against the fallen tree so that she may rest her eyes. It was this want that forced her to stand and dredge on. Night would soon fall. She had to reach the base of the mountain before then. If she could get out of the trees, the stars would light her path from there on.
To ease her mind, Aryaunna had begun to sing. Her voice did not carry far past the wind, but it did not need to. The only purpose of her song was to keep her from thinking about her ailments. She’d learned many songs of the Church, but there was only one she would willfully voice. It was a lullaby…
“Tend a fire,
With kindling and sticks
And watch it burn strong in the wind
And watch it burn higher and higher
Tend a fire
Tend a fire
And brother
Tend a fire
Tend a garden
With sunshine and rain
And watch it grow strong in the wind
Watch it grow higher and higher
Tend a fire
Tend a fire
And brother and sister
Tend a fire
Tend a heart
With wisdom and grace
And watch it grow strong in the wind
Watch it burn higher and higher
Tend a Fire
Tend a fire
And children
Tend a fire.”
Her voice cut off suddenly as a dark shadow moved, caught out of the corner of her eye. Aryaunna stopped. Cou
ld she be imagining things? Of course, in fact it was likely. She was worn, in so many ways. Yet she couldn’t believe her vision had been false. “Hello?” she called out into the snow covered wood. “Is anyone there?”
After a moment her eyes rolled. If someone had been there, and they indeed wished her harm, they were not likely to answer her call. She wished they would though. Company would have been such a comfort, though she knew that, too, was unlikely, especially that of a welcomed variety.
Keeping her cloak clutched tight around her with her left hand, her right touched against the hilt of her blade. As she wrapped aching fingers around the leather bound blade she began to sing again. Perhaps it had been her voice that had drawn it near. Perhaps she was going crazy.
Cautious of her every foot fall she continued on. Wide eyed, she tried hard to watch everything around her. Not long had passed before another shadow skirted through the trees. Instinct told her to stop moving and to fall quiet, yet she did not allow herself to succumb. She only saw the shadows when moving, and whilst singing. If she continued, perhaps she could see them better Aryaunna hoped.
It wasn’t long before the shadows filled the trees, stealing the glistening light that reflected on the snow from the sun above. Still fighting the magic that fought to make her heart race, to frighten her beyond all limits of sanity, it ate away at her willpower. She watched as the shadows whisped through the wood. Dancing through the trees they snuffed out the light bit by bit until she walked on in total darkness.