The Blood Forest (The Tree of Ages Series Book 3)

by Sara C. Roethle

  “What do we do now?” she panted, lowering her skirts.

  She and Maarav both jumped as a throat cleared behind them. They turned. Grelka was there, her sparse, white hair glinting in the moonlight. Warming her bony shoulders was a gray, heavy knit shawl, just as old and worn as her deeply lined face, and murky, puddle water colored eyes.

  “This way,” she instructed, gesturing behind them.

  Ealasaid turned and gasped. Where before had been a solid wall, now stood a doorway. As she watched, the door creaked open, and a young man with sandy blond hair peeked his head outside.

  “Are we ready, Grelka?” he asked.

  “This is the last one, Ouve,” Grelka answered.

  Ouve turned wary eyes to Maarav. “And him?” he asked.

  Maarav stepped forward as if to explain himself, but Grelka answered, “The soulless one may pass. The old blood runs through his veins.”

  Ealasaid noted how Maarav stiffened at being called, soulless one, and she wondered at the odd title. Before she could think further upon it, Grelka hobbled forward and hurried them inside.

  Ouve moved out of the way as they entered, then shut the door behind himself. Ealasaid whirled on him, half expecting the doorway to be a solid wall again, but the door was still there, real as ever.

  “Just an illusion,” Grelka explained, taking in Ealasaid’s wide-eyed expression.

  Ealasaid turned to find Maarav had already moved further into the room, observing those already present. Candles bedecked every surface, though they illuminated nothing remarkable. Empty, dusty shelves lined most of the walls, interspersed between boarded up windows.

  “An empty storeroom?” Ealasaid questioned to no one in particular.

  “So it would seem,” Maarav replied, moving to stand at her side.

  Ealasaid scanned the other people in the room, noticing most faces were shadowed in the hoods of their cloaks. Patting her blonde curls self-consciously, she wondered if she should be hooded as well.

  Ouve stepped into the center of the gathering, his lanky form towering over most in the room. He was almost as tall as Maarav, but with about half the muscle. His hood was off, readily showing his face, making her feel less conspicuous in showing hers.

  “Here we begin the first meeting of An Solas, the light,” he announced. “I thank you all for coming forward in trust.”

  Some of those gathered muttered and nodded their heads in understanding, while others made noises of confusion. It seemed about half of those present had been dropped into this situation without much explanation like she and Maarav had, though thinking of Maarav, he didn’t seem terribly confused.

  The boy continued to utter formalities, introducing the few who didn’t wear hoods.

  More curious about what her companion might have to say, she stood on tip-toe to hover near Maarav’s ear. “Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

  He leaned down toward her so she could stand normally. “There have been a few whispers across the burgh of magic users banding together without an Alderman, or other magic-less official to rule them. I know you desire to do good, but I’d rather you not stick your neck out on your own. This seemed the perfect opportunity.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. After how dutifully he’d required her to hide her magic, now he wanted her to join some sort of secret resistance?

  “You saw what happened up North,” he whispered, “and what happened in Migris. We are at war, and the rulers of this time are powerless against what is to come. I, for one, would like to be part of the new leadership once everything comes to pass.”

  “And you think these people are it?” she gasped.

  “They are the beginning,” he replied. “Their forces will grow. Magic users are our only hope of standing against the Faie. Now pay attention.” He pointed toward the center of the room.

  Ealasaid turned her gaze to find Ouve looking at her. “Would you like to introduce yourself, my lady?”

  She nervously shook her head, just as many of the others had done, and the boy moved on. “We must gather others to our cause,” he continued. “Those that have been turned away from their homes, and who have been persecuted along with the Faie.”

  Ealasaid digested his words as he continued on. The great cities were falling. Migris lay in ruins. Their people would need them soon enough, and a new order would come to the land.

  Her mind flitted to the ruined city in the North, and the Reiver, Conall, who had manipulated magic users to fight for him. What would it be like to have such a gathering without Conall? To be led by another magic user, perhaps with their best interests at heart?

  The only relevant question was, who would be that leader?

  Grelka ambled up to her side opposite Maarav, startling her. “Those riders,” she whispered, “the ones who chased your friends near the burgh, do you know what they are?”

  Her friends? Had Grelka been watching as she and Maarav were reunited with Kai and the others? There had been a crowd, but she hadn’t noticed Grelka there.

  Maarav leaned in front of her to quietly address Grelka. “Is it important?”

  Ouve glanced at them, then continued his long address to the group.

  Maarav placed a hand on Ealasaid’s shoulder and guided her toward the nearest corner. Grelka followed.

  Once they were out of earshot, Grelka began anew, “I’ve been seeing those riders in my dreams. They search for someone.”

  “Oh yes,” Ealasaid began quietly, “They search for-”

  Maarav gave her shoulder a painful squeeze, cutting her off.

  She blushed, realizing she’d almost given away something Kai and Anna had asked her to keep private.

  Grelka’s gaze was intent on her, as if reading the thoughts she’d almost spoken.

  Wanting to distract her, Ealasaid asked, “You said you saw them in your dreams?”

  Grelka frowned, then nodded. “I am what the old clans call a seer. I saw the riders coming here, and I saw you stopping them.”

  Ealasaid’s blush deepened. “I did what was needed,” she explained simply.

  Grelka shook her head. “I was not referring to your lightning today, I was referring to my dream. In my dream, you lead others to stop the riders.” She gestured toward the others at the meeting, who were now all conversing amongst themselves. “You will lead them.”

  Ealasaid looked to Maarav, unsure what to think.

  He stared at Grelka coolly. “I will not allow you to throw her into danger.”

  Grelka laughed, able to speak louder now that the room was filling with conversation. “She will be fine. You, on the other hand, your fate has not been chosen.”

  “What do you mean?” Ealasaid gasped.

  Grelka shook her head. “I can say no more. Meet me at the edge of town at dawn, and bring your hunted friends. Their task is not yet finished.” With that, she ambled away to address others in the meeting.

  Ealasaid turned her gaze up to Maarav. “Do you still believe this meeting was a good idea?” she asked caustically.

  His eyes followed Grelka across the room. “I think I would like to know what else the seeress has to say,” he muttered. He turned his gaze down to her. “Let’s return to the inn and get some rest, then we’ll speak with Kai and the others.”

  KAI TOSSED and turned in his bed at the inn. Anna seemed to be sleeping soundly in the bed beside his, divided by a narrow table. He expected Sativola to come crashing in at any moment, though he seemed intent on drinking his worries away.

  Kai couldn’t say he blamed him, and once would have been matching the man drink for drink. Not now. Finn had given up a portion of her power to save him. What type of man would he be if he didn’t risk his life to save her?

  His body erupted in goosebumps as he thought back to the cloaked riders. He hadn’t needed to see their faces to know there was something . . . off about them. Just like Moírne had said, they seemed almost like ghosts. Ghosts that could easily kill him.

  H
e sat up, ignoring the cold sweat dripping down his back. He knew well enough where Finn would be heading if she happened to decide it unwise to enter Garenoch, or if the lurking riders blocked her way. He could go there, but would he simply be leading the riders right to her?

  He stroked his fingers over the locket still dangling around his neck. Would the riders still sense it if he took it off and left it in the burgh with Anna so he could find Finn? Or, should he leave the burgh and ride far away from where Finn was heading, to once again lead them away?

  He shook his head, truly wishing he could speak with Móirne again, but perhaps she could not enter the burgh, just like her kin.

  Unable to quiet his mind, he silently crept out of bed and exited the room. He could still hear a measure of commotion below from the inn’s patrons. Perhaps he could persuade Sativola to buy him a drink. Or two.

  Or three.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  F inn crept back into the forest, away from the main road. She had almost reached Garenoch when she noticed the riders. Clouds obscured the moon, leaving her with little light to see by, but they were clearly watching Garenoch. The six figures, mounted on calm horses, stood side by side, observing the small burgh. For what, she did not know, but just seeing the riders filled her with overwhelming dread.

  Loinnir stepped lightly behind her, following her into the cover of the trees. Once the riders were well out of sight, she climbed onto the unicorn’s back, entwined her fingers with its mane, and took off at a gallop. She wanted as much distance between herself and the ominous riders as possible, and if she could not reach Garenoch, she would simply go to Greenswallow first. Perhaps she’d find Àed there, and if not, she’d retrieve the shroud then seek her friends.

  Once she felt a safe distance had been gained, she asked Loinnir to slow. It wouldn’t do to ride away from one danger, only to unwittingly ride into another. Her nervous breath fogged the air as they slowed. All was still.

  They continued on throughout the night. Eventually the moon was replaced by the sun, and her surroundings began to feel familiar. She was close to her meadow.

  “This was my home for a very long time,” she explained to Loinnir, though she was still unsure if the unicorn actually understood her words, or somehow just sensed her desires. “I hope we can find the correct spot,” she continued. “It might be a bit difficult to distinguish now that no tree stands there. We might be digging for quite a while.”

  Loinnir flicked her mane, but did not otherwise reply. Her ivory horn was still hidden by magic, so she just appeared a rather fine white horse. Neither of them should draw any extra attention as they passed the small farms leading to her previous home.

  She was pleased to see the first stream of chimney smoke as they neared. These people, at least, were yet to be chased off by the Faie or An Fiach. A few moments later, an elderly farmer came into view, tending his crops, though the cold had withered them seemingly beyond repair.

  The sight plucked at her heart. So many had been affected by the recent chaos, not just her. She’d venture to say they were affected even more, not less. She had never known a life of true peace, barring when she was a tree, and so, she had no true peace to lose.

  She began to search her meadow as they neared, attempting to pinpoint the exact place she’d stood as a tree. Eventually her eyes found Àed’s small stone hut. No smoke rose from its chimney, and the entrance was overgrown with vines. She tried not to cry. He might not be where she’d hoped, but she would find him. She had to.

  Turning her gaze away from the hut, she thought back to her first walk there, just after she’d turned back into her current form. Àed had found her in the middle of the field, and had helped her hobble to his hut as she slowly learned how to use her legs.

  Loinnir walked along unbidden, ambling serenely across the meadow. Finn observed each tree she passed, hoping for something familiar, then it hit her. As if sensing her revelation, Loinnir suddenly halted.

  “This is it,” Finn gasped. She turned her gaze to the distant mountains, then to a large boulder several paces away. Loinnir’s hooves had landed on the exact soil where Finn had once taken root. She felt it with every nerve ending in her body.

  She dismounted, then fell to her knees as Loinnir moved out of the way. Though rain and wind had mostly repacked the soil, it was still a little more loose in this area, with less yellow grass threatening to take hold.

  Her entire body trembled with excitement as she began to dig.

  ISEULT SLUMPED IN THE SADDLE, defeated. Bedelia had been the first to fall, dropping to her knees, unable to move any further. He went not long after. Now, they were both too exhausted to put up any fight. Though their chains remained, they were finally allowed to ride.

  Naoki had led them in a direct line southwest, no matter what lay in their path. Once they’d had to change course to walk around a wide lake, and for several hours after that fought their way through a forest thick with wild brambles.

  They’d long since crossed the Sand Road, and continued on the other side. By Iseult’s estimation, they’d bypassed Garenoch, which was further south. It was only a day’s journey from Garenoch to Greenswallow, which meant Finn was not far off. He could only hope she would find the shroud and flee before Oighear reached her, but he knew it was unlikely. Once Finn found the shroud, she would try to find him, which meant either waiting in Greenswallow, or Garenoch.

  In the state he was in now, he would only be able to watch on as Oighear confronted her. He honestly did not know which of them would win the battle, but Oighear had the upper hand. She was cruel and cunning, no stranger to using her powers for harm. Finn would hesitate to cause any damage, just as she had with the assassins.

  He stiffened his back, realizing Oighear was watching him from her mount, smiling.

  “Don’t worry,” she purred. “Once the Cavari girl is gone, you can follow a real queen.”

  Iseult simply stared at her, too tired to exchange insults, for what little good it would do.

  “Watch him closely,” she said to one of the Aos Sí. “He’s bound to try something foolish.”

  The Aos Sí riding around them nodded. Iseult slumped forward in his saddle once more. Even if he could somehow defeat Oighear, he would then have to deal with ten Aos Sí warriors. Part of him wished they would just kill him now, as there was little hope of saving his soul, or Finn. Yet, he would not ask for death. He’d been on this journey his entire life, and he was about to see it through to the bitter end.

  “ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?” Kai asked, his heart thundering in anticipation.

  Ealasaid nodded, her face grim. “If this will help Finn, we have to do it.”

  Anna, Sativola, and Maarav stood nearby, weapons ready.

  Kai swallowed the lump in his throat. He’d only meant to tell Anna and Sativola that he was leaving to lead the riders astray. He couldn’t risk Finn coming to Garenoch, unaware of what awaited her. He lifted his hand to the sore spot on his jaw where Anna had punched him for being a fool. She’d used many other choice descriptors, before Maarav and Ealasaid had interrupted. With little explanation, they’d urged Anna, Sativola, and himself to follow them to the edge of town were a group of magic users would be waiting. It had seemed utterly ridiculous at the time, yet here they all were.

  Kai shuddered and brought himself back to the present, surrounded by strangers with a horse at his side. Anna and Sativola waited amongst the strangers, weapons gleaming in the early morning sun.

  An old woman named Grelka, who he’d learned had orchestrated the early morning congregation, spoke in hushed tones to Ealasaid. Kai watched as Ealasaid frowned, then nodded to some quiet question. Both women turned then their gazes forward.

  One by one, more townsfolk showed up to gather around Ealasaid and Grelka. As their presence grew, an odd tingle began to circulate through the air, or perhaps it was just Kai’s imagination. They were all magic users, secretly banding together to protect not only themselves, but their
kinsfolk.

  “This will work,” Ealasaid muttered, quietly reassuring herself as she moved to Kai’s side, followed by Grelka. Ealasaid repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hands, as if warming up her magic.

  A sandy-haired boy Kai had not met stepped out of the crowd, grinning from ear to ear. “I, for one, cannot think of a better way to recruit more members to An Solas. Once others see what we can do, they’ll be flocking toward us in droves.”

  Grelka chuckled, then turned her gaze to Ealasaid. “Do not worry. This is the right choice. Everything will be as it’s meant to be.”

  Kai frowned at them, not understanding half of what they were talking about.

  “Grelka is a seer,” Ealasaid explained.

  Kai nodded in acceptance, though he didn’t really see it as much of an explanation. Anna’s visions of immediate danger were one thing, but no one could truly know the future. Still, Grelka thought his task of the utmost importance, and he wasn’t sure why. Upon his arrival to the group, she’d said to him the same thing she’d just said to Ealasaid. “Everything will be as it’s meant to be.”

  “It’s time,” Grelka suddenly snapped.

  Ealasaid raised her arms skyward, along with the sandy-haired boy, and the other gathered townsfolk. Many more townsfolk lingered near the buildings at the edge of town, awaiting whatever spectacle was about to take place.

  Anna met Kai’s gaze and nodded. It was time for him to prepare as well.

  He led his horse a few paces away from the group, then slung himself into the saddle. He lifted his free hand to grip the locket still at his throat and turned his gaze outward.

  One of the townsfolk had spotted the riders early that morning, waiting. It had proven true that they would not, or could not enter the burgh, so the magic users would bring the fight to them.

  As the final magic users raised their arms skyward, pressure began to build, like the eerie calm before the sky opened up to a massive storm. It continued to build for several heartbeats, then Ealasaid shouted, “Go!”