by Toni Cox
A noise brought her back to the present. She looked around and found that the people were remounting their horses. She stepped up to Fire, patted his neck and then put her foot into the stirrup to mount. Normally she would ride him bareback, but this was a long trip and not only was the saddle more comfortable for such a long journey, but it also held some of her provisions, as well as her weapons. She had brought them all; the Vampyre threat was far from over and none of them wanted to be caught unawares. Her favourite weapon was her compound bow. It was small enough for her to carry comfortably, but, because of its design, it could propel an arrow with enough strength and speed to kill a bear. She shuddered at the thought; not long ago she had to kill a bear to protect Wolf.
Then she also had her Twin Blades. It was a set of blades; each about the length of her forearm, with carved black walnut handles that fitted into her hands perfectly. She had become very good with them and they had saved her life on more than one occasion. She also carried her sword. This was not her favourite and although she could wield it with proficiency, she would only use it if she had no other choice.
“Are you ready, My Lady?”
She turned in the saddle and looked at Riker. He was a handsome Elf; tall and well-built, with strong and masculine, yet refined features, dark brown eyes and long, dark hair held together at the back with a leather thong. She had known him all her life and she knew he was not only one of the best Guard and fighters of their clan, but was also a talented musician, as well as of noble birth. His father, Ramaer Moonswain, was one of their Elders. She wondered why it had never occurred to her that he would have been a fine match for her. Her father would surely have approved. She suppressed a sigh; nothing and nobody could ever compare to Blaid and he was the one person she was not allowed to have. She forced a small smile for the handsome Elf that was her companion and protector for this journey; it was not his fault she was so miserable.
“I am ready,” she said.
Their journey led them ever further north. The terrain was very mountainous this close to Shadow Hall and the constant difficulties of the road were tiring. Nevertheless, it was beautiful. They travelled mostly within the very outer edges of the forest and all the deciduous trees were starting to sprout their new greenery. Maia felt the new life of spring with an intensity that was new to her. She seemed to be getting more sensitive with her elemental powers with each passing year. Sometimes it frightened her how much more she was aware of than any other person.
It was dusk by the time they reached the tavern. It nestled right on the edge of the forest and its lantern lights bathed it in a friendly, yellow light. As they approached, Maia could make out the carved wooden sign that proclaimed the building to be the Featherstone Inn. Moments later, the large, oaken front doors opened. Warm light spilled out into the dusk of evening, soon followed by an Elf carrying a lantern. He was swathed in a thick robe to ward off the chill of evening.
“Welcome,” he called to them in a sonorous voice.
Three more Elves came through the doors and soon they were helping them to stable their horses, store their luggage for the evening and bring in the things they needed for the night. Maia saw to Fire herself, as he was not used to anyone else handling him, but he snorted nonetheless at being put into a stable; he preferred to sleep under the stars.
“I know, Fire,” she said in a calming voice. “This journey will be as difficult for you as it will be for me, but it has to be done.”
She brushed him down, doubled checked his hay net and then locked the stable door behind her. He would be fine and she knew, mushroom ragout awaited her inside. The thought cheered her up. She crossed the few steps to the barn door and noticed that she was the only one who was still within; the others must have all finished before her. She stepped out into the yard. It was fully dark by now, but the lanterns lit the way to the inn. She closed the barn door behind her and stepped out along the path, which wound between some fruit trees before turning a corner around the barn. Just before she took the turn, however, her senses were assaulted by someone’s equally worried and angry Eläm. She stopped in her tracks just as Riker came running around the corner of the barn and almost collided with her. For a moment, they stood so close that she could feel the heat of his skin, feel his breath on her face, take in his masculine smell and sense his absolute devotion. Taken off guard, she swayed, unsure of how to deal with the assault on her elemental senses.
“Lady Maia!” Riker said breathlessly and reached out to steady her.
Even through her leather jacket, his touch felt hot on her skin. Her vision swam and then her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she looked up into Blaid’s face.
“Lady Maia!” Riker said again, this time louder.
Maia blinked. The vision of Blaid was gone and she saw only Riker in front of her. She took a deep, steadying breath through her nose, then mentally cursed herself as she became aware of Riker’s smell. There was something there that reminded her of the way Blaid had smelled the last time she had seen him. She forced herself to be calm; he had taken her off guard and her senses had been completely unprotected. She was startled to learn the depth of Riker’s feelings, yet more frightened at her reaction to them.
For what seemed like a long time, but was only moments, they stood like that; Riker’s hands on her arms and she staring up into his face. Even in the darkness with only the lanterns casting their golden light did she notice his ears turning pink again. She giggled nervously. The corner of Riker’s mouth twitched. Then he dropped his hands from her arms as if he had burned them. He cleared his throat.
“My Lady, you should not be out here by yourself. Commander Ridgewell thought you had gone to the rooms with the Servers, but then someone mentioned that you were seeing to your own horse and then….”
“Riker, I am all right,” she assured him. “Lead the way, I am famished.”
Together they covered the short distance to the inn. She felt him relax as they walked, but her own feelings were more difficult to control. They reached the inn and he pushed the doors open for her. For a moment, she stared into the warm interior; a fire burning in a big hearth in the centre; lanterns hung from thick, oaken beams all around the tall ceiling; people sitting at tables throughout the room, conversing comfortably. It looked inviting.
Then someone noticed them standing in the doorway and the mood changed. There were calls of My Princess and My Lady as one by one the people stood and bowed to her. Maia had hoped that the inn would be fairly empty and would cater almost exclusively for her party tonight, but it seemed that there were many travellers on the road tonight that sought the shelter of the tavern. It was one of the largest and most prestigious on the Trade Route and it should not have come as a surprise to her. As it was, she was glad for the distraction. She smiled bravely as they made their way through the throng of people to the long table that had been reserved for them. Most of their party had already taken their seats and were enjoying some hot broth from steaming mugs. As she had suspected, she was given the seat at the head of the table and immediately two Servers were by her side, proclaiming that they were hers to command for the evening. She resisted the urge to tell them that she did not need anything besides some food; she knew that, although she did not like the attention, it was a great honour for them to be serving their princess. Riker helped her to her chair and then took his seat to her right; the place that should have been reserved for the most senior member of their party, which was Elder Owen; but he had taken his seat further down the table, along with the Nobles. Maia was acutely aware of Riker’s presence beside her.
“I am sorry, My Lady, I know you would have preferred a quieter evening, but the Innkeeper insisted on making the evening special for you. I believe there will be singers and poets.”
Riker gave her a crooked grin and gently laid his hand on hers. “I will be right here if you need me, even if it is to lie for you; you might just be overcome by sudden fatigue or nausea.”
Maia
almost laughed aloud; how did he know her so well?
“Thank you, Riker, I appreciate your valour.” She gently extricated her hand from his without making it obvious that she wanted to break the contact. His hand was disconcertingly warm on hers. “But I think I will manage for one night. Besides, there is mushroom ragout. I would not miss it for anything.”
He felt the burning steam rise to his flaring nostrils. She had briefly made mind contact with him and what he had seen in her mind was making him angry. Bright-Shining-Silver-Star was the centre of his life, yet at this moment he wanted to take her by the scruff of her neck and shake her like a misbehaving hatchling. Could she not see that she was destroying the light inside of her? He worried for her. Ever since she had mated with Dark-Silver-Moon, she had been different. To him it felt as if a piece of her had gone missing, but every time he had tried to engage her about it, she had shut him out. All through the long, cold nights of winter he had sat watch on The Crags, waiting for her to surface from her isolation. After a while, he had stopped initiating contact. The hurt within her was starting to affect him too; such was their bond. He was starting to doubt his own assessment of Dark-Silver-Moon and some part of him was starting to miss him too. Acrid smoke curled from his nostrils then and he let out a deep, throaty roar that scared away the birds in all directions. Why did this affect him so? This should be a problem for people, not for a dragon. He should be stronger than the worries of Elves!
He shuffled his wings and walked to the edge of The Crags. His long talons gripped the edge of the granite top and when he pushed himself off the rim, he left deep furrows in the rock. He dropped for a moment, then spread his black, leathery wings and soared off over the forest.
He had not intended to go with her on this journey. He had not been invited. Clearly, she did not need him. Yet, as hard as he had tried, he could not shake the feeling that something might happen to her. She was his partner of the soul; they were Soul-Forged; and he could not, would not, let anything happen to her.
Then He-Of-Unshakable-Courage, brother to Bright-Shining-Silver-Star, had come to him and pleaded for her safety. It had been unnecessary; he had already made up his mind. He would follow at a distance; far away enough so that they would not notice, but close enough for him to be with her, should she need him. No matter the state of her mind; he loved her and that would never change!
Maia struggled to calm Fire, who danced nervously on the spot. She managed to saddle him, but was unable to mount. She had a terrible night; dreams of war, Vampyres and the ever-nagging guilt that it was her fault it had all happened in the first place. When Neth, her personal Server for this journey, had come to wake her, Maia had sprung out of bed and put a knife to her throat. The young girl had run screaming from the room.
Riker had suggested to Commander Ridgewell that he send one of his female Regiment, Rothea Goodheart, into her room to see what the problem was. Rothea; a tall, fiery-haired Elf; had been very tactful and kind, yet firm, and had managed to calm and dress Maia within a short time. Maia had felt embarrassed that she could have lost control like that and, when she walked into the stable to get Fire, he had immediately picked up on her mood.
“Here, let me.” Riker’s voice was deep and soft and his hand was warm when he laid it on top of hers.
Maia flinched, but then felt Riker’s Eläm, which was calm and strong, and she closed her eyes for a moment, absorbing it. Within moments, she felt her own heartbeat slow and her tremors stopped. Fire stopped prancing and finally stood still. Maia opened her eyes and turned her head to look at Riker. He was so close; she could smell him again. His dark brown eyes were soft and kind and he smiled at her. For a moment longer she stood with her back to him, his hand on hers, feeling his calm and warmth. Then she put her left foot into the stirrup, pushed off and then swung her right leg over the saddle.
“There, that’s better,” Riker said, putting his hand on her thigh for just a moment.
Maia watched him as he turned and went to mount his own horse. His calm confidence impressed her, but she knew that he was trying very hard to hide the other feelings within him. And he was succeeding; with her senses shielded as they were now, she was hardly able to feel what she had felt from him last night. Except for his touch, the hand on her thigh, even for such a short moment, had told her more about his inner feelings than she had wanted to know.
The thought gave her a strange tingling sensation and Fire snorted beneath her. Riker turned his horse and looked at her. He held her gaze for just a moment, then nodded to Maia and then to Rothea, who had now been assigned to ride beside her, and then gave the order to move out.
There were shouts of farewell from the small group of people who had assembled in front of the inn. Maia waved to them as she rode by. Then they were past and turned onto the Trade Route to follow its way north, keeping the towering mountains to their left. They rode mostly in silence; Riker beside her and Rothea close behind. At noon, they stopped at a stream to water the horses. The Servers set out a small luncheon of fruit and bread and everyone gathered to eat. Maia sat a little away from the group, sharing a blanket with Riker. Rothea ate her lunch while she stood guard and Arahael was attending to Maia and Riker’s needs. Arahael; an older Server with more experience; had taken over from Neth as her Server and Maia still felt bad about how she had frightened the girl. However, it looked like the incident had not been mentioned, as no one else seemed to be aware of it. Maia was glad for it.
“Would you like some more water, Lady Maia?” Arahael asked.
“No, thank you, just an apple, please,” Maia answered.
When Arahael brought her the apple, she rose and went to stand by Fire. She held the apple out for him and let him bite it in half. She stood with him like that for a while, waiting for him to finish the apple. She felt bad about how her moods affected him, but her bond with him was almost as strong as the bond she had with Midnight.
She gasped and then blinked a few times as if she could erase what she had just seen in her mind. The thought about Midnight must have opened her mind to his and she was suddenly intensely aware that Midnight was watching her. She turned, scanning the flat country to the east and then the tall mountains to the west. But not even with her sharp eyes was she able to see him. Dragons had incredible eyesight and for all she knew he could be at least ten miles away or more and he would still be able to see her. She smiled at the thought that he must have been following them at a distance the whole time. Somehow, she suddenly felt a lot calmer. Fire nudged her, hoping for another apple, and she noticed that the Servers had already packed away the blankets and the food and people were starting to remount their horses. This time, she had no trouble to mount her own horse and was in position to move off before Riker had the opportunity to ask if she needed assistance. He nodded to her, trying to hide the smile that played around his lips and then mounted his own grey gelding. Without a word, he fell in beside her and together they led their party northward toward Thala Yll.
That night and the following night, they made camp at the edge of the forest. As Maia had feared, her sleeping arrangements consisted of many unnecessary items; a commode with a small mirror, a light room divider for her to change behind, carpets to cover the floor and her own dishes for dining in her tent.
They had also provided blankets woven out of various materials, as well as furs for her cot. The nights were still chilly and, although Maia was glad for the furs provided, she was cold in her tent every night. She thought of Midnight and his warmth and for the first time in a long time did she mind-link with him and they shared their thoughts and feelings. She learned from Midnight how she had behaved over the last six Moons and how it hurt the people around her. Midnight learned from her the depth of the feelings she had for Blaid and what he meant to her. Maia apologised for her behaviour and accepted Midnight’s scolding. Midnight on the other hand conceded that Blaid might, indeed, be the darkness to her light and that maybe, just maybe, there was something within Bl
aid that he had overlooked. Yet he still warned her to be careful of him and pointed out to her that there were other, safer, options open to her. He did not go into detail, trying to hide most of what he thought, but besides the rusty-red glow that she knew to be Aaron, she also sensed someone who Midnight thought of as a calm, blue sea. She did not pry now; she was just too happy that they were at peace again; but she would try to find out later who this mystery man might be.
By the time they reached the Horseman’s Inn on the fourth day, she felt much more herself. As they were leading the horses into the stables, she approached Neth to make amends for the scare she had given her.
“Neth, I am sorry if I frightened you, it was never my intent. Please will you forgive me?”
Neth cast down her eyes and hid a shy smile.
“My Lady, it is not my place to know what troubles a Prime. What you had to do to save all those warriors must have been terrible for you. I would surely have nightmares as well.”
Neth curtsied and returned to her task of unloading the luggage off the floating materium platforms.
Maia stood for a moment, reflecting on what Neth had said. What you had to do! It was no secret that what had saved them in the end was the fact that she, a Life Elemental, had teamed up with a Death Elemental and together they had defeated the army of Vampyres at Greystone. To her, at that moment, it had been the most natural thing to do and it had saved all their lives. However, in their culture, Life and Death did not usually come together. A meeting between the two most powerful Elementals in existence usually caused more damage than it did good. Their histories often spoke of terrible destruction should Life and Death ever come together. Although necessary, the Death Elemental was often seen as a pariah and they usually lived a solitary life, wandering through the world, doing what they did best. Most people did not even realise what that meant; they simply assumed he walked the land to take lives here and there, as he felt like. Sightings of black ravens, black wolves, or Razorback boars, were often seen as omens that someone would die. It was a superstition so ingrained within their culture that Maia could almost understand the fear the people had of Death. If she had to be honest about it, what did she really know about him? He had saved her life, on more than one occasion, during that war. He had told her that he could never, never lose her and then he had made love to her. After that, she had only seen him once, in Silas’ cave. She would never be able to forget that night, it had been magical, but they had not talked or made any plans. After that, he had left and had not returned. Was his love for her just in her imagination? Was that last night they had shared together just the last vestiges of the magic they had wrought on the battlefield? Or was what she was feeling simply the hormones of a young Elf, who had experienced physical attraction for the first time?