by Toni Cox
Once they were dressed, he stepped up to her again and kissed her.
“I have to go now,” he said, sadness in his voice.
“Why? Please don’t go,” she pleaded.
“They are coming and they will not like what they find here. I would prefer to meet your father under different circumstances. I love you, do not forget that. I will come back. And watch your back; you are in danger here.”
He kissed her again and then he was gone. She was left standing alone, surrounded by the forest they destroyed. Her weapons were still lying on the ground. Quickly she picked them up and sheathed them on her back. She was thinking quickly now; she could already feel her brother’s worried Eläm as he made his way through the forest in her direction. Her father, Silas and Riker were with him.
She could run, hide by the stables, but they would eventually find her and she would have to explain. Better to face it now. But what to tell them? Would she be able to lie to them? It was a concept so foreign to her and she struggled to come up with anything that seemed plausible for the situation she found herself in. Then her time to think ended as the men came over a small rise and saw her standing there amid the destruction around her.
“Maia, are you all right? What happened?”
Jaik was the first by her side and he quickly examined her many small wounds. She stood still while he checked that she had no serious injuries, but she did not reply to his question. She did not know what to tell him. Jagaer and Riker looked at her with concern, but Silas was looking around the forest, investigating the devastation around them. Once she noticed him looking at her and the look she saw in his eyes frightened her.
“What happened here, Maia?” her father finally asked. “Who attacked you?”
“I, um, it was…” She hesitated; she wanted to tell them the truth, but she was afraid of what they might think. But then Silas spoke and Maia tried hard not to look shocked.
“It was Death, Jagaer. He was here and Maia fought him.”
There was a sharp intake of breath from the other men, but they were silent as they listened to Silas’ report.
“He was waiting for her just over the rise back there. The fight started there and then moved further into the forest until they reached this point. From the looks of things, Death was better and faster with his blade, but I think what happened here,” Silas indicated the destroyed forest around them, “is that Maia lost control. It looks to me that he must have made her very angry to elicit such a big reaction from her. What was it, Maia? Air? Earth? I cannot quite figure out what you did here to create such chaos.”
Maia looked at her mentor; she knew the questions were to distract the others from asking too many of their own. Silas’ steel grey eyes had gone hard and cold and she heard in the tone of his voice that he was barely controlling his anger at her. But she was thankful, nonetheless, that he was trying to keep the truth from her father and brother, as well as Riker.
“I don’t know, Silas. I was so angry; it just exploded out of me,” she said softly, looking at the ground.
“Did you kill him?” Riker asked. “Or did he run away?”
“No, he is alive. He took off when he heard you coming,” Maia replied. At least it was the truth.
“Good thing we came when we did. Only the Mother knows what would have happened to you otherwise. If it had not been for Midnight’s roar, we would not have known that anything was wrong. We went to your dragon first, but he was sitting on The Crags and refused to speak with us.” Her father took a step closer to her and took her in his arms.
“True,” her brother agreed, “but Maia should not have been out alone in the first place. Why did you not wait for Rothea’s replacement? You knew I was sending her over to you?” Jaik looked at her accusingly.
Maia was silent. She had no answers.
“We should all be thankful she is all right. I think I should take her to my cave to have a look at her wounds. Maia and I need to have a talk.”
Maia’s heart sank as her father agreed to Silas’ suggestion. Her brother and Riker also nodded, but when Jaik asked to come along, Silas told him that it would be better if he spoke to her alone first. Reluctantly Jaik agreed with the old man.
Together they walked back towards the city. Maia felt like she was being led to the gallows. Never before had the path seemed that long. Finally, they reached the first steps and once they had gone down some levels, the other men went their own way. Stubbornly looking at her boots as she walked, she followed Silas all the way down to his cave.
“The situation has become more serious and dangerous than we first assumed. Your reports, Commander Ridgewell, are disturbing and the reports Jaik brought from Tarron Heights and Rathaés are just as dire.”
Jagaer paged through the papers in front of him. He had called the council early this morning and they had been in discussions all day. He was tired of all the bad news. They had assumed that their only threat was the Vampyres still on Elveron, but if all the reports were true, then more and more of them were arriving. Messengers and carrier pigeons now came on a quarterly basis with news of more attacks, some of them even outside the borders of Grildor.
“If all the assumptions are true and we are indeed heading for another war, then I propose we send a plea out to Stoneloft and Dragonfort immediately. They did not partake during our last struggle, as they believed they were not directly affected, nor did we fully understand the magnitude of what we would be facing, so we did not order their forces to be sent to us. It was an oversight for which I blame myself.”
Jagaer paused as the crowd before him protested his statement, but it did not deter him; he was Lord Regent and only he could be blamed for not keeping their people safe.
“So it is imperative that this time we do not underestimate our opponent again and assemble all forces available to us. Birds will be sent out in the morning, not just to Stoneloft and Dragonfort, but to all the other cities as well. We need to reassure them that we are taking this threat seriously and that we are doing everything in our power to protect our race. Lord Swiftfisher has already assured me that he will avail his entire fighting force to our cause, except for those that are needed to keep his city safe. I have similar assurances from Thala Yll and Alea Yll, as well as Tarron Heights. We are also going to send messengers into the country to speak to the people outside the cities. So far, the attacks have been concentrated around the larger settlements and the smaller villages have escaped mostly unharmed. But there have been incidents; such as the one Jaik reported of where almost an entire village was wiped out; and we are hoping to enlist as many as possible from the outlying villages and settlements. I will be writing the messages personally tonight. All Masters of Birds are to report to me in the morning to collect the notes.”
Jagaer nodded to Silas and his advisor made a few notes on the paper in front of him.
“As discussed earlier, the hunt for the Vampyres within our country will continue, but at the same time we must prepare our armies and cities for worse to come. We are not a numerous race, like on some of the other planets, and from what Somas reports, the population on Naylera far exceeds our own. We must assume they have resources far beyond what we have at our disposal and so we must do everything in our power to prevent them from invading our planet. Every city within the Yllitar plains has sent men and women to guard Greystone day and night. They are encamped around the gate even as we speak and they assure me no-one has come through since the war. But we do not know about the other gates. Messengers have been sent, but we are still awaiting news from there. Until then we can only ensure that Greystone is secure and hope that the other gates are too far away to be considered a threat to us. Are there any more questions?”
Jagaer looked around at the assembled group. Every Commander, Second-in-command, Lieutenant, Scout, Sentinel, and the Guard was present, as well as the Elders, some Nobles, and the ambassador from Braérn, Kanarel Longfisher. Jaik and Rowlean Ridgewell had given their reports of thei
r Good Will missions in front of the entire assembly. The similarities of their reports were troubling and some of their stories had incited questions, which had taken most of the day to sort through.
“My Lord,” Elder Oldenrift spoke up, “what about the wolf? Do you think it might be true that Death is working with the Vampyres?”
Jagaer had considered the possibility and in the beginning, he had been doubtful. Blaid, as he was now known to him, had helped them during the last war and had it not been for his efforts, they may not have survived. Yet nothing he heard about him since, had been in a positive light and then Blaid had attacked Maia three days ago. Jagaer did not liked the fact that Maia had to work with Blaid during the war and he had been relieved when they had not heard from him afterward. Now he had shown up here, had attacked and injured his daughter and the people were ready to believe that it was Death that was working with the Vampyres and making it possible for them to invade their country. If he considered it carefully, he had to admit that Blaid did have the powers necessary to execute such a plan. And, as Death, he might have the motivation.
“It is a possibility we are considering,” he said. “The evidence speaks against him, but we have no solid proof.”
“My Lord,” Kanarel stood from his seat, “if I may?”
“Go ahead, Lord Swiftfisher.”
“My father, Lord Swiftfisher of Braérn, has been tracking the wolf’s movements for many Moons now. At first, the Scouts were sent out to locate the Vampyres, but after a while, they noticed that wherever there were Vampyres, the wolf was as well. In the beginning, the Scouts assumed it to be one of the Werewolves, but then tracks were discovered where the paw prints changed to footprints and the truth came to light. Ever since then the Scouts have been monitoring him. He has shown up in some of the most unexpected places and often Elves have been found dead in those locations. I think it is fair to believe that he does have ill intentions and even though we might not yet know what they are, we should be wary of him.”
“Aye, you speak wise words, young Lord Swiftfisher.” He nodded to Kanarel and then turned back towards the others. “Death might not have revealed his full intentions to us yet, but we should be careful of him. Please be sure to report any sightings of him at once. I want to know of his whereabouts at all times.”
Slowly the crowd dispersed after the meeting and only Silas, Jaik and Jagaer remained in the hall.
“Do you think it wise to keep the truth from the Commanders and Elders?” Jaik asked, looking from his father to Silas and back.
His father shook his head. “I do not want our people to know how close Blaid has come to the city. It will cause a panic.”
“But surely people will draw strength from the fact that Maia managed to defeat him.”
“No, Jaik,” his father laid a hand on his shoulder, “it will only have them worrying about their princess. I have discussed this in detail with Silas and my decision is final. The less the people know about the incident, the better. As it is, she is still terribly distraught and others knowing will only add to her worry.”
“Yes, Father.”
“What you can do, is give her some more training. She is competent with her chosen weapons, but I am afraid she is not yet skilled enough. I shudder to think what might have happened if we had not arrived at the time that we did. Besides, it might distract her from the memory of the ordeal.”
“I will, Father, as soon as she is feeling better.” Jaik nodded to both and then turned to leave.
The older men waited until Jaik was out of earshot before they continued talking.
“How is she feeling?” Jagaer asked, his voice thick with concern.
“Her wounds are well healed.” Silas replied.
“Yes, I believe they are.” He gave Silas a stern look. He knew there was something the old man was not telling him and it bothered him. “It has been three days since the attack and she has not spoken to anyone. Not even Rothea can get through to her. What is going on, Silas?”
The old Elf considered him for a long moment, but Jagaer was unable to read his thoughts behind those steely grey eyes.
“Jagaer, the concerns of Primes are sometimes not as simple as they might appear, neither are they easy to understand. At the moment, all I can do is to be there for her, as I do not understand them.”
“But you are an Elemental, Silas; surely you have knowledge of such things?”
“There are many things I can teach your daughter, but she cannot be taught to be a Prime. And even if it was possible, I do not have that knowledge.”
“So how does she then become a Prime?”
“She already is, Jagaer. She always has been. But she is young and wisdom only comes with age.” He paused for a moment, thinking. “The threat to her people weighs heavily on her, more than you might understand. To have another Prime, an opposite, involved in everything she is going through is making it very difficult for her to think clearly. Give her some time; she will find her way.”
“Do you remember the chestnut filly I told you about when you came home last year and we had so much trouble with getting into her stable?” Jaik asked, excitement written all over his face.
They were sitting in the common room; Jaik, Riker, Rothea, Aaron, Jasmin, Archer, and Luke. Somehow, she was constantly surrounded by people ever since that day and she was sure it was Silas who had given the instructions for this. All she wanted was to be alone. Now that she was completely sure how she felt about Blaid and how he felt about her, she was devastated to learn that they could not be together. Could other people not see how pure he was? She had shared everything with Midnight and having seen Blaid through her eyes made him believe. He now also saw him for whom and what he was and agreed with Maia that he was inherently good. Midnight was the only one she could confide in. They mind-linked often during the night and exchanged their thoughts.
She had been quietly listening to everything that had been said within the city and everyone was talking about Death. The people were now convinced that he was one of the main reasons the Vampyres were here. Had they forgotten so quickly how Blaid had saved them all? She was frustrated, but unable to voice her opinion. What she and Blaid had done was forbidden. Her people would lose faith in her and she might be sent away.
It had been bad enough when Silas had taken her to his cave and he had made her confess. He had read the forest and had known what had transpired there, so she had to own up to her sin. The disappointment in his eyes had almost broken her heart. But Silas had been her mentor all her life and after he wrestled with his own feelings he had decided that it would be in Maia’s best interest to keep the truth hidden from everyone else. Maia could not imagine having to look into her parents’ eyes when they found out, nor the pain it would cause her brother and everyone else she was close to. Keeping it from them, however, felt little better.
Yet she could not find it within herself to regret what she had done. They were meant to be together; she knew it with a certainty that could not be shaken. If they could not be together, then what was there for her to live for? Quickly she shook the thought off; she was a Prime first and foremost and her people were what she lived for. But the thought that she would have to spend the rest of her life without him frightened her. Quickly she brought her attention back to her brother.
“Yes, she was a willful filly. Very pretty. Same colour coat as Fire.” She forced a smile for him.
“Since Stormborn died during the war, I have been riding a gelding from the ranks of the Regiment. He is a fine horse and he has done well by me, but I simply do not have the connection with him that I had with Stormborn. Then I went looking at the stables the other day and the Horse Masters have been training her. She has grown strong and tall and she is showing a lot of talent. When I went to her after watching her train, it was as if she immediately recognised me and we formed a bond. I have asked Father for her and he has given his consent. I have named her Firestorm. We have been meaning to go down to the stab
les today, so I can show Jasmin. Would you like to accompany us?”
Maia’s forced smiled settled easier on her face. To see her brother this excited about something made her happy. She remembered the filly well; a truly magnificent offspring of Fire; her own stallion. However, she also saw the other side of what was happening here. They wanted her to walk back up the path that led to the stables in the hope that she would come to terms with what happened. Everyone here had been informed about the incident; she had been attacked by Death and had barely escaped with her life. Jaik and Rothea had struck a deal concerning her protection and to Maia’s surprise, it was decided that Riker would take over Rothea’s duties on the days she had off. Riker seemed extremely happy with this arrangement, but it had made Aaron wary. At first, he had not noticed how much time the Guard spent in Maia’s company; always assuming that it was because of Jaik; but after a while, he saw it for what it was and the rivalry between the two was palatable. To make matters even worse, Kanarel, still here as an ambassador of Braérn, made it his personal mission to entertain Maia. He always seemed to be around, wherever she went and he took every opportunity to talk to her. His shallow conversations were annoying her. So, the thought of taking a walk to the stables without Kanarel was tempting to her, even if she had to walk past the place where it had happened.
“I would be delighted.” She finally replied and she noticed the relief on everyone’s faces.
Shrugging off his black cloak, he settled at his desk. He despised being here. The goal was so close, yet he was unable to accomplish it. He was being foiled at every turn. It was frustrating. It took all his self-control to maintain his composure, but it was necessary; he was learning so much. Thoughtfully he turned the ring on his finger, studying the strange symbols that decorated it. The item had become like an extension of his body; he felt naked when he took it off; and he had learned to use it well.