Dryad's Touch

by A. W. Graybill

  Craith was the first to break Drudan’s long held anger. The god strode towards Maida with his hand reaching to touch her as she mourned. Leaping from his horse, Drudan shoved him away, surprisingly meeting no resistance from the much larger god.

  “You stay away from her,” Drudan growled, pointing an accusing finger at him. “You have done enough damage to her to last another thousand years.” Craith blinked, his hand curled at his chest and his lips pursed.

  Turning his head, Drudan spotted Thaos amidst the crowd. Elona rested at his feet with a torn and blackened dress, quiet and unmoving. His attention fixed where it should be, Drudan made haste towards the elder god.

  Nostrils flaring, he grabbed Thaos by the collar, pulling the God of Demons close. “What treachery is this?” he shouted, not caring that Thaos commanded more power than he. “You have fooled Elona, but you have not fooled me.” Thaos grinned, holding his hands up.

  Hathus came around to his father’s side, jagged teeth showing in a menacing grin. Placing a dagger against Drudan’s cheek, Hathus warned him, “I will see your blood if you do not release him.”

  Drudan shoved Thaos away and drew his sword. Hathus jumped back, cutting deep into Drudan’s cheek as he did. Warm blood trickling down the side of his face, Drudan cried out and charged. His anger was no longer tempered by fear.

  Hathus dodged in time, a taunting laugh on his lips.

  Before Drudan was able to proceed, Thaos threw him to the ground beside Elona. Drudan’s sword skidded to land some feet away. Thaos pointed at Elona and shouted, “Look at your goddess, Drudan! Look and see what Thena has done to your lover.”

  Reluctant to give in to the god’s desires, Drudan turned his head towards Elona. She was not resting as he had thought, but she was wounded. Elona’s eyes were distant and her hands were pressed against her chest, golden blood seeping from between her fingers and turning black as it covered her gown. Though pale, she still breathed; she was still a goddess.

  “Does this look like something I’ve done?” Thaos spat. “Elona, who first loved me, to think that I would want her dead. Through everything, I’ve never once wanted her dead.”

  His words shocked Drudan, but he still didn’t believe the god. Pressing his hands against Elona’s chest, he ached. It was far too soon for her to be taken from them.

  “Cowards!” Eamon shouted. Soon after, the sound of metal against metal broke the silence that had gathered. Quick to his feet, Drudan turned to see that his brother had engaged with Craith and Hathus. Thaos quietly overlooked them. Sprinting forward, Drudan joined in. Kicking out at Craith, he sent the wide eyed flying to the ground.

  Hands locked around Drudan’s neck. Claws dug deep in his neck and caused him to cry out as he clawed at the long fingers. “Feel the pain you deserve, slave boy.” Satisfaction oozed from Eusa’s mouth as she clung to Drudan’s back. Burning pain bit into his hips when her feet came up, the true form of her talons sinking in. The pain did not last long. A flash of light blinded Drudan before she was knocked from him. The crystals wrapped around Marun’s hands glowed faintly as he rushed to Eamon’s side to shield him from Hathus.

  “Enough of this!” Elona’s usually delicate voice sounded in a roar. Drudan froze. Silence washed over all but Maida, who sat quietly sobbing and cradling Levin’s head in her lap. Drudan turned with a grimace, his injuries making it difficult to move. His wounded lover slowly, and unsteadily, stood. Her voice was low. “Put your anger away.” She looked at Thaos and his brood. “You will explain this, Thaos.” Strength resonated in her ragged voice, anger and disdain overriding the pain that lay beneath.

  “I do not know,” Thaos responded.

  Elona lip curled. “Explain.”

  “It must have been a trap,” Thaos replied through gritted teeth. Drudan could see him appear just as upset as they were, but he did not trust it. Before him stood the Master of All Lies, not a hair on his head could be trusted. “I swear to you, she came to me, Elona! On my life I swear it.”

  “Wouldn’t that be something?” Elona spat, hand pressing more tightly to her chest. The blood cooled and turned black, yet she still grimaced. “Why would she want to attack us? We’ve done nothing to her. Unlike you and yours, we’ve kept to our boundaries.”

  “Think about it, Elona,” Thaos said, his voice like silk. He took a step towards her. Though heated and bitter, though pain coursed while his wounds sealed themselves, a thousand-year-old instinct moved in, and Drudan drew himself close to Elona, taking her to lean against him for support. While it elicited a disapproving look from Thaos, the god continued, “They need you dead to push into motion the coming war. You are a main catalyst. Can you not see that is what they desire most? Ever since your conception as a goddess, they have wanted you dead. That wound you received should be more than enough to tell you that.”

  “They need Void Waker first, Thaos,” Elona murmured. “This wound was a warning to those who serve us. I am not dead; I was only disabled. If they wanted me dead, Sera would have done it. Do not try to make me look like a fool.”

  “Elona, I no longer wish to be your enemy,” Thaos implored, clasping his hands in front of him. “Thena can have the sword any time she wants. She and her angels are not barred from it. They want me gone. Naturally they will want you gone to fulfill the prophecy. They only need to provoke you, to get you to a position where it will be justifiable to them. Thena is manipulative while appearing just. After all, Elona, she cast you aside for helping them take me.”

  Drudan looked at Elona, wishing she would look at him. Instead, her eyes stayed focused on Thaos, darting over his face. Whatever passed through her mind, he wanted her to make a decision that would sit well with everyone beneath her reign. It would be best for them to leave the demon behind. He knew her plans, and after what had happened today, he sent her a silent prayer that she would not go through with her original intentions.

  Elona was calmer when she spoke, eyes downcast, breathing more slowly. “I have to retrieve the bodies of those we left behind. I will have broken the trust and loyalty of so many people who depend on me, and I hope that can at least help keep things patched.”

  Thaos drew close, his hand reaching out to touch Elona. Drudan narrowed his eyes and his lips tightened. This was something Drudan could not allow despite whatever workings his goddess and lover had.

  Drudan ignored the pain it might have caused her and turned her. Placing his face close to her ear, he whispered, “You cannot believe this, Elona. Think of us.” Thaos gazed at them. The god was motionless when Elona closed her eyes and buried her face into Drudan’s chest.

  Thaos’s stillness was always the most dangerous. When he held some control over them, they knew he would lash out after the calm. Of course Drudan would stay with Elona regardless of anything she said, but he prayed she would protect them from the beast this time.

  “Arisa is missing!” someone shouted, their voice pained and panicked. Drudan turned to see Karasim standing at the edge of their group, blue eyes wide and sorrowful. Elona twisted in Drudan’s arms to look.

  Drudan became rigid, bringing a stony gaze down on Thaos who looked at Elona.

  “Have you attempted to find her through your blood bond?” Elona asked before he could speak. Drudan’s eyes widened, and he questioned if Thaos had deeper workings than what was on the surface. And he wondered how long Elona had known about this and why she had not told him.

  “I have,” Karasim replied, wiping his hand across his face. “I’ve tried and tried, but she does not respond. I do not think her dead but—”

  “I will send my men to retrieve the bodies,” Thaos blurted. His words were stiff but his gaze was focused. “I will send them to retrieve your bodies, and those that were mine I offer to you as an apology. While there, they can look to see if Arisa is disabled. Perhaps even look within the city. Those in Thanis shouldn’t be expecting us to return. In the meantime, I think we should begin the journey towards Choráis.”

&n
bsp; “No,” Drudan stated, “we will go to Talamnar.”

  “Drudan, hush,” Elona said firmly, placing a hand on his. “Thaos has just offered his men and women.” After clearing her throat, she continued, “He is also taking the risk to look for Arisa, we should be grateful for that. He made a mistake, but he is trying to rectify it.” Drudan began to speak again, but she squeezed his hand, and a slight burst of pain in his mark followed. “We accept. Bring all bodies to your city, Thaos. I will accept your deceased as peace offerings, and when we are ready to leave, you will have an escort to take the bodies to Talamnar. You and yours will leave my people unmolested through the time we spend at Choráis to the time we arrive in Talamnar. We will see where this liaison leads us.”

  Elona moved away from Drudan without a word. Placing a hand to his cheek, his fingers traced the fully mended wound Hathus had given him. But bitter and stinging thoughts rose in him. Anger and hatred mixed with a strong desire to overpower his goddess.

  ARISA

  Night fell heavy on the land but heavier on the many hearts of those within Thanis. Arisa heard the whisperings of the guards and the Maidens when they spoke of her mistress. She had not yet been given a chance to speak with the queen of Thanis again since the priestesses and Maidens had clothed her and seen her to a room. While it was a comfort with a curtained bed as nice as the one she had in Talamnar, pastries, and gold trimmed seating arrangements, there was only a single, large, barred window, and they kept the door bolted.

  She was told she was a guest, but she knew they were enemies.

  Feeling sorrowful, she clenched the white cloth of her garb. Several times through the day Karasim’s pleas touched her mind, reaching out to her for contact. Needing space to think, she had overpowered him and shut him out until she could determine what Thena wanted from her, and what had happened that morning on the field.

  Arisa gazed out the window, her long hands firmly grasping the iron bars that stood from waist to ceiling. Blood magic could do many things; it could even affect the environment around her. The use of life made it easy for her to tap into the mana of the world without the use of crystals. But she did not think she could break these confines. Not only this but also after the brief interaction she had had with Valia, she craved to know more. She wanted to eventually be free of Thanis and return safely to Elona. A return that, she hoped, would bring information and peace.

  Sighing at the full moon, Arisa continued to stare at the city below setting their lamps aflame. From this vantage she could see the ports over the edge of the short cliff the castle rested on. Long ago, when she was a child verging on womanhood, she had visited Thanis. But it had been somewhat smaller then, with hundreds of angels and griffins flying overhead. Her heart had raced when a gold-tipped feather fell at her feet and then later when she stood in front of the towering Sera who had smiled at her with warmth and kindness. Arisa remembered Sera’s gentle hand taking hers to lead her through the gardens that sat to the side of the castle. The angel’s large wings had trailed behind her and had sometimes playfully covered Arisa.

  Very different from the malice and life-threatening strength she had encountered that morning. Sera had swept down on Arisa and her mages with other seraphim. Before Arisa could slice into the elder angel to use her everlasting blood against her, Sera had gripped Arisa with hands as strong and sharp as the talons of the griffins. Passing her off to the other angels, they stripped her, tied her up, and waited for Thaos and Elona to retreat before becoming her envoy to Valia.

  Still she wondered why they had grabbed her and not anyone else.

  Hearing the heavy bolt of the door thump, she moved towards the only exit in the room. Valia stepped through, wearing robes of gold over a gown of white, one fit for the night. Behind her was a tall, blond Maiden, one who had been nearest to her earlier in the day. Arisa was well aware of the Maidens’ relationships with the queen and knew there would always be one above all the others that each queen favored.

  “Arisa Thrason,” Valia greeted with a curtsey, her white-blond hair swaying around her knees. This greeting was fit for an equal. Arisa laughed inwardly. It had been so long since she and her siblings had given up claim to their land.

  “I thought I was a guest, Queen Valia,” Arisa said promptly but politely. Her eyes traveled across the queen’s neck; the urge to draw blood was great in her. There were vampires that roamed the world seeking blood, and Arisa knew that many started out as blood mages. Or at the least they were drawn to the concept of power through blood. While they fell complete prey to the power that came with it, allowing themselves to be corrupted by demons and lust, Arisa and her kind controlled themselves well.

  There was always a time and place to use magic, now was not the time nor place.

  “We want you to be comfortable,” Valia answered. “But we cannot trust that you will not attempt to escape. I would like you to know, however, that I am surprised by what I see.” Arisa gave her a questioning look. “I was told you graciously accepted our clothing and our food, all without a struggle.”

  Raising her eyebrow, Arisa quipped, “I suppose I am a wild animal.”

  Valia shook her head and drew closer. The certainty on the queen’s face frightened her. Valia had the power of Thena, but Arisa knew even that would not be enough to avoid being slaughtered. “Why did Elona and Thaos move to attack our city?” Valia asked. A repeat of what she had asked earlier.

  Arisa’s answer would remain the same.

  “Your goddess attacked us.” She shook her head and backed away. “I’ve already told you what we were told and why we came to your city.” Skepticism was apparent on the younger woman’s face. “My goddess loves Thena and Thanis, for years we’ve kept to ourselves.”

  “That I cannot believe,” Valia murmured. “Your goddess harmed several of our men. It was reported that she knocked them backwards, ending lives on their own swords and lances. In the past necromancers have also done nightmarish things to my people. Demons rape women and men in the night. And many other demons have been ripped from the skies by our griffin guards. Elona may have stayed where she was, but those she commands—”

  “Elona was protecting those she loves. And she does not command all the supposed evil there is on Arlania,” Arisa snapped. Realizing the threat in her voice alongside the step she had taken forward, she kept her eyes on Valkyrie who stood tense behind Valia. “Elona keeps to herself and expects her followers to do the same. It is true that maybe some of her followers have traveled through or near to Thanis. But none of us brought any harm. It was Thaos who took us out of sanctuary and led us here. It was Thaos’s forces who have plagued your people all these years.” Arisa scoffed. “It is very, very frustrating to me that all those in the north have, even after more than three thousand years, completely failed to recognize the difference.”

  Valia glanced at the Maiden who towered over her, the disbelief still heavy in both their eyes. “If Elona is content with a quiet life, why did she attempt to aid us in a supposed siege? It is obvious we did not need you. If what you are saying is true, answer me that.”

  Arisa stayed quiet for a long moment, thinking of a way that would make the queen understand. At last she asked Valia. “Why do you acknowledge all of Thena’s festivals? Why do you pray to her in thanks?”

  Valia narrowed her eyes. “Because we love her and all that she is.”

  “There is your answer,” Arisa replied. “Elona has always loved Thena and has searched for a way to come back to her good graces.” Arisa’s lip twitched, frustration pouring through her. “While my goddess is no longer mortal and holds the same power as yours, she still prays and gives festivals and offerings to Thena. Their background is older than I, and I am not privy to all the details, but I do know there is something in Elona that longs for Thena. She would not harm those of Thena, and anyone who tries is either killed or banished.” Arisa’s voice echoed off the bare walls when she spoke next. “And I hope your goddess hears me since she
has done more harm than good to my beloved mistress!”

  The queen’s eyes were downcast. It took everything in Arisa to not spill their blood and seize their mortal minds. Though she didn’t know how much longer it would be before her patience wore away and she took the queen’s guard. She had prayed to Elona, but as much as Arisa boasted of the power the goddess had, she knew some things were shut off to her. Elona would not be able to pass through Thanis undetected, nor did Arisa think she would lend her any strength if she asked.

  “Trust is hard earned,” Valia said at long last, hardened eyes on Arisa. “You will continue to stay under my terms as I cannot allow you to return to Elona without us taking something away from this interaction.”

  Arisa scoffed, “You would stop me from leaving?”

  “I would,” the Valkyrie to the side spoke up, her voice beautiful, firm, and deadly, reflecting much of her physical form.

  Amused, Arisa shook her head and moved forward. She read every line of the woman’s body, searching for weak points. She saw places on the Valkyrie’s body where she could quickly strike her without deadly force. Arisa’s attack would be just enough to draw the woman’s blood and take hold of her.

  However…

  “There will be no need for an altercation,” Valia assured both of them. While Arisa knew she did not have the physical strength or fighting skills that this Maiden did, she was immortal, she was a blood mage, and she could see the fear in the woman’s eyes.

  Valia continued, “This could give us the opportunity to learn more about one another. You conveyed your anxieties about none of us knowing the workings of Elona, give me that chance.” Looking away, Arisa realized the queen was right. “If you do try to leave, Sera said to give word. A single utterance and you will be pulled back. Your magic may be able to fend us off, but angels?”