by J D Abbas
“But he didn’t choose this. I forced it on him.”
“No, you didn’t. You had no idea what was happening, nor what it would do to him. You have to stop blaming yourself.”
All of a sudden, Elena burst out laughing. Lillianna looked up at her as if she’d gone mad, which only made Elena laugh harder.
“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to control herself. “As I listened to myself just now, I had to laugh. I’m repeating to you the very things that were said to me over the last few months. Things I argued with fiercely. I didn’t think I would ever see things differently. Now, here I’m working to convince you of the same truths. It’s ironic.”
Lillianna scrunched up her nose. “I look at you, and I find it hard to believe that you were ever like me,” she said. “You’re beautiful and gracious and loving. You’re confident. A lord’s daughter. And I’m angry and dirty and, and...”
Elena dipped her hand in the pool and splashed Lillianna playfully. “Then let’s wash that filth off you.” She jumped into the water and splashed her again.
Lillianna blinked and stared at her. Then a smile crept across her face. She rushed into the water and chased after Elena, tossing water at her.
The two played and explored the pool until the sun had shifted significantly, able to forget briefly the things that weighed so heavily on their hearts. It was as if they had found their own little paradise.
~
Keymar stationed himself on the highest point of the cliffs overhanging the far side of the pool. He listened to the laughter of the girls that echoed in the rocks and smiled. It had been a wise decision to bring Lillianna to meet Elena. She understood the girl in a way none of the rest of them could. And although he regretted the price Mikaelin was now paying, he was also greatly relieved that the girl’s body had been restored. His hope was that one day soon her spirit would be as well.
Something rustled in the bushes behind him. Keymar spun around, yanking his sword from its sheath. A tiny pink nose twitched at him beneath startled brown eyes. Keymar laughed at himself. The rabbit bolted back into the undergrowth, as surprised to see him as he was to see it.
Keymar turned back toward the cliff and scanned the shoreline and the trees surrounding the narrow strip of sand. He quickly averted his eyes when the girls emerged from the river and threw their naked bodies onto the sand.
There was a flash to his left, like the glint of sun on steel. He studied the cliff more carefully, wondering if one of the guards had drawn his sword. He cocked his head as a dark shadow moved between the bushes. Another flash. He was sure this time. Footsteps crunched in the brush about thirty feet to his right. When he turned, he saw a shadow pass, then another. His heart pounded, and he broke into a cold sweat.
“Zakad!” he yelled out over the cliff as he ran toward the shadow on his left. He scrambled along the narrow trail, which curved inland before leading back to the cliff. When he rounded a turn, he nearly ran full force into one of the creatures. He reacted before he could think, lopping off the creature’s head, just in time to face another. He had inadvertently stumbled onto a group of six of the animals, who were standing over a Guardian they had just eliminated.
One of the Zakad rose onto his hind legs and drew his sword, but too late; Keymar had already swung his blade where he anticipated the creature’s neck would be when it stood. His sword struck true. Two creatures rose to replace him. Keymar removed the head of one before it had a chance to pull its weapon. The second thrust its blade at Keymar’s chest. He jumped back and swung his sword to block the blow. Keymar spun to his right and swung again, slicing cleanly through the neck of his opponent. The other three creatures disappeared, scattering into the bushes in different directions.
Keymar pushed his way through the undergrowth to the edge of the cliff. “Zakad!” he yelled again. He glanced down at the pool and saw the two girls staring up at him. On the cliff to his right, he saw the point of an arrow emerge from the underbrush. “Archers!” he hollered. “Take cover, my lady.”
He scrambled down the trail as quickly as he could. He ran into Shatur as he rounded the last turn. Across the river, they saw Silvandir battling with two of the creatures. They waded across, and Tobil met them on the beach, shouting, “Watch out!”
Keymar jerked his head back, and an arrow whizzed past his ear. He and Shatur jumped behind one rock and Tobil another. They looked back toward the cliff just as the body of one of the archers toppled over the edge. Haldor stepped into view.
“To your right,” Tobil called to him, pointing to another of the archers. Haldor disappeared.
Keymar scanned the water looking for the girls, and an icy hand gripped him. There, on the surface of the water, an arrow-pierced body floated.
“Lady Elena!” He scrambled into the water without a thought to his own safety. Arrow after arrow flew past his head before he reached her. She was face down in the water with three shafts sticking out from her back. He quickly flipped her over and pulled her toward the beach.
On the shore, Zakad emerged from every direction. Tobil and Shatur battled fiercely, soon joined by more Guardians. Keymar changed his plan and instead pulled Elena to a rock shelf that was hidden under the cliff wall. He scanned the water for Lillianna but didn’t see her anywhere. He pulled Elena’s body from the water, forced to leave her face down because of the arrows. She wasn’t breathing. He felt for a heartbeat. There was none.
~
“Celdorn, look!” Dalgo called, pointing at Mikaelin.
Celdorn dropped his ale and bread and jumped up. Standing over Dalgo’s shoulder, he watched Mikaelin’s burns disappear, one after another, starting from his foot and moving upward, until only folds of scar tissue remained.
Mikaelin gasped and sat up straight. “Where’s Elena?” he rasped, scanning the cave. “She’s in trouble.”
“Whoa, take it easy, Mikaelin,” Dalgo said, grabbing his shoulders to keep him from rising. “You have some severe injuries that haven’t yet passed through you.”
“Where is she?” Mikaelin demanded.
“She’s bathing,” Celdorn replied. “She has twenty guards with her. She’s perfectly safe, I assure you.”
“No, she’s in danger,” Mikaelin argued, shoving Dalgo back and struggling to his knees. “I saw her lying face down in a pool of water with three arrows sticking out of her back. Perhaps it’s not too late to stop it.”
“Mikaelin, she’s well-guarded.” Celdorn kept his voice even in an attempt to calm him. As Mikaelin rose, Celdorn stepped in front of him, grasping his arms.
“I know what I know, Celdorn. Don’t get in my way,” Mikaelin snarled. He attempted to move around Celdorn, but his left leg didn’t cooperate and he lost his balance. Unable to break his fall with his equally useless left arm, he tumbled onto his side with a curse of pain. He struggled to his feet, determined to continue.
Celdorn shook his head as he stooped to help. “If we can’t stop you, then Elbrion and I will go with you.” They each grabbed an arm and lifted him to his feet, steadying him as he wavered.
When they emerged from the cave, Celdorn whistled for Zhalor. “Mikaelin believes Elena is in trouble,” he told him. “She’s about a mile upriver at a secluded pool.”
Zhalor immediately let out a loud whinny and galloped off through the trees, followed by two dozen of the Ilqazar.
Mikaelin called for Lazhur. Celdorn assisted him in mounting, and the stallion bolted away. Elbrion whistled for Drendil and leapt onto his back. He pulled Celdorn up behind him, and they galloped after the others. A fear squeezed Celdorn’s heart. What if Mikaelin was right?
Chapter 48
“I’m so sorry, my lady.” Keymar wept as he embraced Elena’s lifeless body. She was so tiny, so frail. He extracted the arrows from her back and laid her on the rock shelf, brushing the hair from her face with great care. “I failed you.”
He suppressed a sob as he gazed down at her, blinking furiously at the tears that blurred hi
s vision. He pulled back with a gasp. “Lillianna? Oh no ...” A violent sob erupted as he recognized the girl. “It wasn’t supposed to end this way. I wanted you to find life.”
Keymar tensed at the whoosh of arrows behind him, followed by soft splashes. He spun around realizing Elena might still be out there. “My lady?” He scanned the water again.
Then he saw her. She was in the river hiding behind a pile of large boulders, ten yards from the beach, only her head visible. He dove into the pool and swam hard toward her, ignoring the arrows that swished overhead.
He came up sputtering. “Are you hurt?”
“N-n-no. I-I just can’t c-climb out of the w-water,” she said through chattering teeth, her lips blue from the cold.
“Allow me to assist, my lady.” Keymar lifted her onto a rock, which would provide some protection for the time being. He immediately turned his head, having forgotten in the haste of the moment that she was unclothed. He removed his tunic and handed it to her. “Put this on.”
She pulled the garment over her head and hugged it close. “Is she d-d-dead?” Elena asked, looking across at Lillianna’s body.
He followed her gaze. “I’m afraid so.”
“B-b-but she was playing. H-h-happy.” Elena hunched into herself sobbing.
Keymar patted Elena’s leg, swallowing the lump in his throat. “You should be safe here. Don’t move until we come for you.”
Elena looked up and gave a trembling nod. “B-b-be safe, Keymar.”
He pushed aside his grief and embraced the fury that burned in his belly. He had some Zakad to kill. With a nod to the lady, he turned and swam toward the shore to join the battle.
~
Elena watched helplessly as dozens more of the Zakad appeared. She studied the rocks around and above her to see if she could manage the climb in order to get to the shore to retrieve her clothes and weapon. It would require scaling a nearly vertical rock before she could move toward the beach. She looked at the cliff where the archers were and realized she would be an easy target if they noticed her. Steeling her will, she found a foothold and gripped the rock above with her still thawing fingers. She inched her way to the top of it, slipping several times. Once there, she quickly scrambled from one boulder to another until she had nearly reached the beach area.
She spotted a Zakad below her slinking through the bushes toward Tobil. Elena grabbed a large rock and flung it with all her might at the creature’s head. She hit her target squarely, and he collapsed into the undergrowth. Elena jumped down and crawled to the body, poking at the creature to make certain he was dead. With a cringing shiver, she ran her hands over his body until she found his weapon. The sword was far too large and heavy for her, but it would have to do.
When Elena rose and turned toward the beach, she found herself surrounded by four Zakad with swords drawn.
Help me do this, she whispered to the warrior inside, then retreated until her back was against the boulder.
The lead creature stepped toward her with a sneer, eyeing her breasts beneath the tunic. He growled as he moved. Or was he laughing? Elena’s jaw tightened, and her eyes flashed. She embraced the anger of the warrior and merged with her. When the Zakad took his next step, she swung without thought or hesitation and caught him by surprise. As the blade met his neck, the force jarred her arms and pain shot through her shoulders and neck. The creature’s head rolled to the ground, and his body slumped in a heap.
Howls went up from the other Zakad, and they came at her as one. Elena recalled Tobil’s teaching and closed her eyes. She focused her energy on the sword in her hands and united with it. Her arms swung wide and to the left. The blade struck and struck again in one sweep. The remaining creature chose to abandon his sword and lunged at her neck, teeth bared, ready to tear apart her flesh. Elena saw it more clearly than if her eyes had been open. She dodged at the last moment, and his face smashed into the rock. She pivoted and slashed his neck before he could rise. When she opened her eyes, they all lay dead.
Elena moved around the carcasses and crept through the undergrowth toward the beach. She saw a beast about to rise up and strike Keymar from behind. The young warrior was already battling with three Zakad, unaware of the ambush. Elena rose and, with a cry, swung her blade over her head and then down as if striking with an axe, hitting the beast squarely and splitting his skull. He dropped to the ground, dead. She charged at the creature farthest to Keymar’s left. Her blade plunged into its chest with fierce intent. She yanked the sword free just as Keymar finished with the other two.
Elena quickly scanned the area for Silvandir. Seeing him just past the oak entrenched in battle with half a dozen Zakad, she ran toward him, blinded to all else.
A surge of strength filled her. Her vision grew dark, her muscles taut. The sword she carried lit with white fire as she set to eliminating the creatures. Elena lopped off head after head, until she could see no more fur standing.
Before her eyes could clear and assess the situation, the sound of thunderous hooves filled the air and the ground shook beneath her. Elena leaned onto her sword, panting from the strain of the battle, as the Ilqazar surrounded her.
~
Silvandir threw down his blade and ran to Elena, enfolding her in his arms. “I was so afraid you were gone. I couldn’t get to you.” He pulled back and lifted her face, surprised to see the dark eyes that stared back at him. Then her lids slid closed, and her body slumped. The shadows passed from her, and once again he held the Elena he knew. He scooped her into his arms as he turned to Zhalor. “How did you know to come?”
Mikaelin informed Celdorn that Elena was in trouble.
“Mikaelin’s awake?”
He was on his feet when I saw him. I believe he followed us here. I am not certain how he knew what was happening. The Ilqazar were completely unaware of the presence of the Zakad until just now. I do not know how they were able to slip by us.
Zhalor nudged Elena with his muzzle. How is she?
“She battled like a true Guardian,” Silvandir replied with a proud smile. “She apparently shifted in order to do so, and the shift back seems to have overwhelmed her. I’m certain she’ll be fine.”
Silvandir carried Elena toward the beach with Zhalor following.
~
Mikaelin arrived at the beach ahead of Celdorn and Elbrion, having pressed Lazhur for all he was worth. Keymar was just emerging from the water carrying Elena’s limp body. Three holes gaped in her beautiful chest. His heart dropped into his stomach. He was too late.
Mikaelin immediately jumped from Lazhur, biting back a yelp of pain. He hobbled toward Keymar and ripped the body from his arms. “Why didn’t you protect her?” he snarled.
“I tried,” Keymar objected, stepping back. “I was too far away. By the time I got to her ...”
Mikaelin enfolded Elena’s body in his arms and fell to his knees on the sand. “Please let me take her wounds!” Raising his eyes to the sky, he laid a hand between her breasts. “Give her back her life. You need her!” He waited and when nothing happened, he pulled her against his chest. “I’m so sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “I failed you again.”
Mikaelin looked up as Windam approached and pulled to abrupt halt. Celdorn and Elbrion slid from his back, their faces conveying the same agony he felt.
“It was the Zakad,” Keymar said, moving toward Celdorn and dropping to his knees. “It was the Zakad. They had archers on the cliff. I couldn’t get to them fast enough. Elena managed to hide, but I was too late for Lillianna. I couldn’t save her.”
The words were nothing but a blur of nonsense to Mikaelin’s mind.
Celdorn staggered and closed his eyes. Pushing out the breath he’d been holding, he stepped toward Mikaelin and laid his hand on his shoulder. “This isn’t Elena; it’s Lillianna,” he said softly. “Elena may yet be alive.”
“What?” Mikaelin stared up at Celdorn, the words barely registering. He laid the body on the ground and brushed the hair away from
her face. It wasn’t Elena. “Th-this is Lillianna?”
“Yes. This is what she looked like after you took her injuries,” Celdorn explained.
“Where ... where is...?” He couldn’t finish. It felt as if someone were standing on his chest.
“Mikaelin, you are well!” a familiar voice exclaimed from behind him.
He set the body on the ground then slowly rose and turned, almost afraid to look, afraid she might disappear. “Elena?”
There she was, standing strongly on her own. Though clothed only in a tunic and with her body still bluish and shivering, she was as beautiful as ever.
When Mikaelin turned fully toward her, Elena gasped and covered her mouth. He hadn’t taken the time to change his torn clothing, so the scars down his body were clearly visible, though he hadn’t paid any heed to them until now. All he’d cared about was getting to Elena before it was too late. And here she was, alive and unharmed. She approached and tentatively touched his melted skin. The sensation was almost intoxicating, the relief overwhelming. He bit his tongue to fight back the tears.
“Oh, Mikaelin,” she said. “Does it hurt?”
He shook his head but held her gaze with his right eye, wanting to speak words he couldn’t. He was absorbed in the world of her mesmerizing emerald eyes, his heart nearly bursting—until he noticed the grotesque monster reflected there, flesh sagging on his face, only half-human. He turned away, filled with disgust.
Silvandir laid his hand on his shoulder and reached to embrace him, but Mikaelin pulled away. He immediately mounted Lazhur and rode off without another word.
The moment he saw his repulsive image in Elena’s eyes, he vowed he would never be seen uncovered again. Nor would he speak of Lillianna or the effects of her injuries upon him.
~
Elena’s heart ached for Mikaelin. Half of his body looked like melted wax, the crimson flesh sagging on his bones, his hair and beard charred to stubble that looked like it might never grow again. On the other side, his eye still drooped from her wounds. It was so unfair.