There was a brief moment of silence before Krendweil and Nexia rose their weapons to the sky and yelled. Their tribes responded in a deafening boom of noise as they all rose their weapons to the sky and responded in a triumphant cheer. Kalorah revealed her wings and leaped into the air baring her staff as she hovered a few dozen feet in the air. Glammdreing followed in suit, holding out his shield and sword, as it revealed a golden light that illuminated and shown through the forest floor. The Golden Army cheered to the Angels in a sign of commitment and unity.
As the sun set, the Golden Army rested and prepared for their journey to Riverton. Before the sun rose, Dathian was wide awake and was preparing for his journey to Riverton. He packed quietly as not to wake Savannah, but she woke anyway.
“You’re leaving so soon?” asked the tired socialite.
“The Golden Army has been mustered and is getting ready to leave,” replied the prince, “I don’t want to be late.” He fought to hold back his emotions as the Angel had taught him. As much as he wanted to avenge his mother and his people, he dreaded leaving his love behind.
Savannah approached him from behind as she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear, “Don’t worry my love, for this is not goodbye. I will simply see you later my love. Go save our people, and return for me. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Dathian turned around as he gently took her by the face, and replied, “I WILL see you again, I swear it to the Gods I will. Be safe my love.” He ended by giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. He then turned and grabbed his pack and new sword. Cheyanne was waiting for him outside of the tent. Dathian mounted the White Mare, and rose into the air to meet the Golden Army on the outskirts of the Great Forest. Savannah watched as her prince disappeared from sight. She then looked down to the ruby ring on her finger, and thought of her commitment she made to the Angel of the Forest. A sense of calm overwhelmed her as she walked outside of the dwelling and into the new sunlight. The forest was speaking to her, calming her fears.
Glammdreing and Kalorah were waiting at the outskirts of the forest for the Golden Army to arrive. One by one, the three tribes arrived at the outskirts. As they lined up in formation, the Angels then led the way as they left for the City on the Water to meet with the King of Kain and the Keeper Alandra. Once there, they would devise a plan to retake the capital of Kain, and rid the northern lands of the Dragonkin forever.
CHAPTER 6
THE CROSSING
Winter is vastly approaching the eastern slopes of the Karn Mountains, and an early frost has already frozen the moisture in the soil. The weakening nettles of the many pines that populate most the Andwaith forest are beginning to lose their grip on their masters. The berries are all but eaten by the soon to be hibernating bears. The air grows colder with each passing day. The days are becoming shorter as the sun begins to sleep earlier with each rising moon. The many creatures that live in the forests have almost completely grown their winter coat. As the tired sun creeps ever so slowly over the horizon, a young jake turkey scratches the cold earth in search of any yield. After a few strokes of his juvenile talons, he then pecks with his beak to see if this method shows greater reward. The jake is so consumed with his plight that he has failed to notice the presence of a foe hidden in the trees. While the other turkeys roost high in the pines, the determined jake once again switches his tactics, and with a swift swipe of his talons, he revealed the riches he so desired. Half of an earthworm wiggles in panic as the jake quickly reacts. He dives his beak down, but misses the struggling worm. The bird shakes his head and dives back in. The aim of his strike is precise… and… success! The worm is no match for the hungry turkey as he is swallowed in one gulp. The jake blinks his eye lids in contentment, still oblivious from the approaching danger from behind. Wait… that sound… the young jake has heard it before. The bending of wood… the creaking of a string… but it is too late. Before the unsuspecting bird could react, a wooden skewer pierced his thin and lanky body. Luckily for the jake, the skewer struck true, and he suffered little before the world left his eyes.
Several yards behind the turkey, a young Drykan teen slowly lowers his bow. The Five’s youngest member, Briev, then releases his gated breath and smiles over his victory. He puts his bow over his shoulder as he approaches his successful kill. As he bends down to pick up the bird, he says some silent thanks for its life. He then picked the bird up by the legs and flopped it over his back. With his careful eyes always scanning his surroundings, he quietly made his way back to the camp where his father and other siblings are just waking for the day.
It has been six days since the Keeper of the Staff spared the lives of the Five. The Keeper allowed them to live, but they were to return to their home in exchange. In truth, Caegan never wanted his family in this conflict, and desired deeply to go back to his home within the Kun-Kin villages. He will always be grateful for the Keeper’s mercy, and the kindness he showed change his feelings towards the Kain. With this newfound respect, he also knew that it didn’t guarantee his family’s safety. Without the drakes, the Five would have to travel home on foot, which was more than a hundred miles to the east. Not only would they have to remain hidden from the Kain and the Ela, they would have to survive the treacherous crossing of the Separation. The Arc of Unity was the only safe way across, and now it lies in ruin. Although Caegan and his children were physically fit for the challenge, something else worried the father.
His youngest son, Briev, is a spirited and passionate kid, and would fight to the death for his family, but there is something wrong with his mind. Not like Brownly Bill, but something different. Ever since the teen was just a small boy, he had a tendency of getting lost more than the others. He would venture down the coast in the Kun-Kin villages, and forget where he was going. It’s as if the previous hours would just fade away and he would be left standing still, turning in circles trying to figure out where he was and why he was there. As a small child, this caused great stress on him. Caegan and his other children were constantly trying to find young Briev, so after many scares, they decided to keep him close at all times, to protect him from himself. The episodes started shortly after his mom, Caegan’s wife, died when he was five years old. Innocent Briev is now sixteen years old, and he still suffers from these episodes, as his father calls them. It is partly why he feels so much anger all the time. It wasn’t until he was almost killed by the Keeper of the Staff that he realized that he was becoming reckless, putting his family in danger. Out of a mixture of embarrassment and pride, Briev has barely spoken to his brothers and sister over the last six days. His father knows when to give the young teen some space, he has always been good at that. He lets him fight it out with himself, just as he does when he gets lost. Although it kills Caegan to listen to his youngest child struggle to figure out where he was at that exact moment, and hearing it from a distance without calling out his name, he knows he needs to find his own way. Just like now, Briev needs to find his own way in dealing with the guilt and consequences of his actions.
As Briev walks with the yield of his hunt, the first warm embrace of happiness inches its way back into his heart. His family will surely be impressed with his kill and all the bad will be forgotten in an instance. He thinks about the long overdue meal that will finally include fresh meat as he stops at a tree and removes a brightly colored strip of clothing. He also thinks about how lucky he was to not have an episode in several months, although he still follows his own rules of precaution. A few years ago, Briev started taking dozens of stripped pieces of bright clothing anytime he would venture out alone. He ties the strips of clothing to every fourth or fifth tree, so that if he has an episode, he will still be able to find his way back. As he passes each tree, he unties the strip and puts it in his pocket. He walks for a good hour, following his self-tied markers. Just as he reaches the camp, he stops before his family can see him. He listens as they talk about him.
“Every year he grows more reckless,” said Kendraa to her f
ather, “he almost got us killed at the hermit’s home. We can’t keep taking the blame for him. You were the only reason the Keeper didn’t kill us all.”
Caegan replied with empathy, “I know sweetheart, but what do you expect me to do? He is still my son no matter what, and he’s your brother. You know he means well, he’s just young.”
Kendraa hears her father’s words as she says, “I know he’s my brother, and nothing will change the love I have for him, but there has to be a point where he just needs to grow up. Yes, he’s only sixteen years old, but these are different times. We didn’t ask for this war, none of us did, but here we are nonetheless. A hundred miles from home with no drakes, and in the enemy’s territory. We’re lucky we have remained hidden this long.”
Briev leans against a tree out of sight as his sister’s words penetrate him deeply. He knows deep down that she is right. He waited for a pause in their conversation before he walked around the tree with his prize.
Caegan notices his son approaching as he motions for Kendraa to stop talking.
“Briev, son, we were just wondering when you’d be back,” said Caegan as he stood up, “and you caught yourself a turkey! Well done son, I’m proud of you.”
Kendraa turns to acknowledge her younger brother as she says, “Wow, good job little brother.”
Briev tries to not reveal his emotions and acts as if he didn’t just hear them moments ago. He says with a forced smile, “I shot him with Prin’s bow. It was a clean kill, and no meat was ruined, at least I hope.”
Caegan smiled wide as he said, “Well bring him here, let’s have a look.”
Briev quickly walked over to his father to show him the bird. As he hands it over to him, he starts to say, “I waited forever for them to fly down from their roost just like you said they would, and then I… then I…” The young teen’s eyes grew still as his speech stopped. “I… I…” Subtle tears started to form in his eyes as he struggled to remember what he was going to say.
Caegan set the bird down on the ground as he put a hand on Briev’s shoulder and said, “It’s ok son, you don’t have to remember what happened exactly. All that is important is you got fresh meat for all of us to eat. You did well.”
Briev looks at the bird on the ground and suddenly doesn’t remember where it came from. He forced himself to hold back tears of frustration as Kendraa walked up to him.
She said in a comforting voice, “So after you shot the turkey, what did you do? Were you excited? I know it’s your first one.”
Kendraa was always good at sparking the hidden memories for her brother, just as this one started to come back to him. It took a moment, but Briev’s recent memories came back to him, although cloudy.
Brie stuttered, “I… I pulled back an arrow, and… and then I… I steadied it like you told me, and only released when I was ready.” Relieved that the memory came back this time, he continued, “After the arrow hit him, he flopped over and tried to move his wings, but died quickly after. He didn’t suffer any. I just wanted to give you guys something since I’m the reason we’re out here.”
Kendraa began to feel guilty about her words earlier as she pulled her brother into her arms and embraced him. She whispered in his ear, “None of this is your fault, and I’m sorry if I’ve been hard on you these last few days.” As she pulled back, she gently wiped a tear away from his cheek.
Noticing that Briev was growing uncomfortable since he never liked being felt sorry for after an episode, Caegan said, “Well this bird isn’t going to pluck itself! Come here son, grab your knife and I’ll show you how to clean a turkey properly.”
Briev was glad to escape his sister’s pity, as he saw it, and took his small pack off to get out his hunting knife. Kendraa knows that he doesn’t like being babied, but she can’t help it. She has been the only woman figure in his life, and always struggles between how much affection to show him, or sternness when he needed it. She decided to let him have his moment the way he wanted. The twins soon came back after they scouted the surrounding area to make sure that they were safe from danger. Caegan showed his youngest son how to properly clean a bird of this size, and once it was ready, they prepared a fire to cook it before they set off towards the Separation that they would soon have to cross. Briev felt comfort after his unexpected episode and was glad to just be around family. They were safe… for the time being.
As the Five cooked an unexpected treat, Dathian traveled with Kalorah and the Golden Army towards the edge of the fabled Separation. Once there, they would rest for the night before they prepared to make the journey across the massive canyon. Meanwhile, as Savannah forced herself to accustom to her solitude, night was vastly approaching the western lands. As the rest of the Ela prepared to rest for the evening, the Angel Teeca softly glides down to the borders of Brethiel. She lands just outside the edge of the Great Forest where it meets the Plains, the last place she felt the Keeper’s presence. As her feathery wings disappear, she looks around at her darkened surroundings. With her eyes still illuminated in a purple haze, she holds up her ring encrusted hand. A few faint sparkles start to ignite as the clusters of light begin to forge themselves together. As more and more conform, they begin to show the shape of an illuminated butterfly filled with magnificent light. Soon, several dozen of the mystical butterflies surrounded the Angel, giving her a light in the darkness. She walked forward ever so slowly as she tried to pin point the exact location that the Keeper fell. She felt an eerie presence around her, but chose to ignore it. After searching for several minutes, she felt her foot hit something hard. As she looked down, she saw the metal buckle of what was left of a leather belt. She bent down to investigate, only to find that the buckle was surrounded by powdery ash. Subtle tears fell from her light filled eyes as she picked up the only thing left from the Keeper’s demise. She brushed the ash away to reveal the intricate details of the etched buckle.
Suddenly, she heard a faint voice float towards her from the void, “He didn’t suffer, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Teeca quickly stood up, still clenching onto the Keeper’s buckle, as she replied, “I am warning you, whoever or whatever you are, I have no intentions of playing a part in your pointless charade of secrecy. Either show yourself rightfully, or force my hand and reveal the true power of an Angel of Aya!”
Through the haziness of the night, Teeca saw a shadowy presence start to form, as he replied in a youthful voice, “I bring you no harm, powerful Angel. This is not my war, though I am its cause.”
Her many tattoos continue to shine bright as the cloudy figure conforms, and from the darkness, walks towards her as a young Drykan teenager. Although he holds an ever-flowing presence, he does not hold the same appearance of the other shades. His face is pale, but kind. His eyes have a slight red glow to them, and he wears the garments of a time long forgotten.
“Who are you?” demands Teeca as her tattoos start to fade away, lowering her guard. “What do you mean, you’re its cause?”
The Drykan shade walks a little closer as he stops and replies with an innocent tone, “My name is Dreyvan. I died a thousand years ago from a single arrow, and now I have been returned to fight the King’s war, though it was not my choice. If he knew I was here talking to you, I don’t know what he would do. I can’t stay long, but I have to tell you.”
Teeca, stunned by the shade’s identity, replied, “Tell me what?”
Dreyvan’s face grew worried and scared as he said, “How to stop him. How to stop the Lord of the Shades.”
Confused by the Drykan teen’s word, she asked, “Stop him? Why would you want to stop him, are you not a part of him somehow? Was he not the one who released you?”
“Yes,” replied the shade, “and he will release more if he is not stopped. You must understand, I was good. I never did anything wrong when I was alive, yet I was still sent to the underworld. We all were. Every Drykan, no matter if they were good or evil were sent to hell by our creator.”
Teeca fel
t the sincerity in his voice as she became saddened, and said, “I don’t understand, why would your god send you to the very hell he created? Why would he deny his own children from ascending to Aya?”
Dreyvan quickly turned around as if he felt someone or something approaching from behind. He turned back around as more panic painted his face, “We don’t have much time. All you need to know is that the Dark Lord has been keeping every Drykan soul prisoner until he needs us. He is using the demon Archimus to release our souls under his command since he cannot do it himself. You need to stop him before it is too late! He cannot release the Demonkin, for if he does, this world as you know it will fall!”
Teeca knew that he was scared to say any more. Although she wanted more answers, such as who the Demonkin were, but needed to hear how to stop Archimus. She then said, “Tell me… tell me how to stop him.”
Dreyvan once again looked behind him, then back at the Angel as he said with urgency, “You alone cannot stop him. Only the ones who control the damned can dispel the demon Archimus forever. You must convince the Jailors to help you… they are the only ones who can stop him. Please, you MUST do this!” Before Teeca could respond, Dreyvan grew more panicked as he ended with, “Please…” He then closed his eyes and disappeared before he was discovered by anyone else.
So many questions were left unanswered, and what answers she did get, were unclear. Did the Keeper not suffer as the shade teen said? Was Alvane really denying his race from entering the Golden City so that he may use them as his demon slaves? Would the Jailors agree to help the Angel, or was it all just a trap to lure her to her death? When she lived in Aya, she was far away from where the risen mortals were sent. She was not aware if Drykans lived there or not. This troubled her greatly, and she pondered on whether to find Kalorah and Glammdreing and tell them about her discovery, though she had no way of proving it. No… she needed more answers first. She needed to find the remaining two Jailors, Valnor and Valkyre. She wasn’t sure where to find them, but legend tells of a gate deep in the Razor Hills. The Jailors are said to guard the gate to the underworld, so her search must start there. She then closed her eyes as the illuminated butterflies dissolved. Once it was black again, the Angel then transformed into her guise of swallows, and flew off to the northeast where the gates are rumored to be, for she did not know exactly since no Angel or Keeper has ever been there. Would the Jailors listen to her plight and help her destroy Archimus and the rest of the Shade Army, or will they choose to side with their maker and send her through the gates? She does not know, for only time will tell.
The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two Page 9