“By the mermaids,” she whispered, hating to speak ill of Oldrilin or her kind. “That is the duty of the sirens… to lure the men and see to their end.”
“So, the legend is true,” he breathed, rubbing her arm anxiously. But then again, he had never trusted the mermaids despite how the others felt. “What changed, then? What did this Gwirwen do that made them stop doing their job, if you will?”
“I don’t know that he did anything. To be honest, I think those in Whitefair simply came to shore somewhere else and never met them, and as far as you lot…” Her voice trailed away as she searched for the right words. “I think that is the greatest evidence yet as to my suspicions about the girl. The sirens took her in because they recognized the dragon within her, and you were allowed to live by association.”
Stunned, he pushed at her. “So, you are saying that they are killing people now, any who wash up on Eriden’s shores. Those tiny, innocent-looking creatures really are murderers.”
“Well, it’s not like this is an easy place to find. You’ve seen how inhospitable the waters are,” she spat. “But yes, if any should, they are our first line of defense. As are the elves the second. The fact that they took you in rather than kill you on the spot of your discovery speaks volumes.”
“Then how did Humphray and the others get into Whitefair?” he demanded loudly.
“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “We have seen the number of wizard communities along the western shores. Perhaps they simply landed at another location and the wizards allowed it. It is the job of the dragons to protect our shores by destroying them as well, which leads us back to the original problem, as they have not. Not since Gwirwen became king, almost as if he is hoping to see the prophecy fulfilled.”
Looking away, as if searching for something he had lost, the Mate blinked rapidly. “This is horrible news. It sounds as if we have arrived just in time to watch the fall of the kingdom, whether Ami will be the cause or not.”
“And thus the reason we should keep it to ourselves,” she pointed out.
“Aye,” he nodded, finally able to agree wholeheartedly. “I won’t say a word. Not to any of them. But we can’t stay here, and we can’t go back the way we came. We have to move on, and get to the bottom of this even if we don’t tell the others.”
“It will be dangerous,” she warned. “The land only becomes more unfriendly the closer we get to the eastern shores.”
“Then so be it,” he agreed, placing his arm over her shoulder and drawing her near. “I love you, Meena Gavaan Massheby. Please forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive,” she smiled. “We all have our rough times, and I am only thankful I am able to face mine with you.”
Standing, Piers offered her his hand, and they strolled calmly back to their quarters. When they arrived, all had fallen asleep save Rey, who sat up on his blanket as they entered.
“Who landed the most punches?” the younger man teased.
“None of your business,” Piers shot back with a short laugh, holding his voice down so as not to disturb the others. “Good night!”
“Good night, Mate,” Rey grinned, lying back and staring at the ceiling.
Removing their shoes, the couple stretched out as well, and within a few minutes, the woman had drifted off to sleep. Piers on the other hand lay in the near darkness, his eyes roaming between the members of his group. Removing his shirt, he tried to get comfortable but to no avail. His bride had pointed out that he always did what he could to protect them, which was true. But how would he stop their destruction if Eriden was really headed to the end?
By the Numbers
The group awoke early, their lack of sunlight playing havoc with their internal systems. Hearing the others tossing and turning, Amicia groaned, “Is it time to get up?”
“I have no idea,” Bally replied, pushing himself up to sit.
The cave walls reflected the embers of their fire, illuminating their pod with red light. Staring up at the crack in the ceiling, where the smoke disappeared, he sighed, “The trolls are crazy to live inside a mountain.”
“Shh,” Ami rebuked, also sitting and pulling on her boots. “They have taken us in and protected us. The last thing we should do is speak ill of them.”
Across from her, Piers lay with his arm draped across his wife. His eyes closed, he breathed evenly, listening to the younger members of his group trade banter. “You should rest while we can,” he growled.
“Why? Is something going to happen?” Zaendra joined in with a shaky voice.
“We are only staying until the dragons are gone,” he reminded her, giving up on his slumber and sitting up as well. His chest bare, the dark hairs sprinkled across it stood out against the crimson glow on his skin. Pulling on his white shirt, he added, “If our past travels are any indication, we are headed for one disaster after another.”
Hearing his words, Rey laughed out loud, still on his back. “Oh, come on. It hasn’t been that bad. We’ve made it through every one of our misadventures.”
“Aye,” the Mate agreed, rubbing the scar on his chest through the thin material as Meena stood to face the day. He knew some had been very close calls, and by the numbers they would eventually lose a few of them. “Let’s get breakfast and plan the day,” he said instead. “But we might as well pack and be ready for the opportunity to depart should it arise.”
“I’ll go tend the meal,” his bride suggested. “Will you prepare my gear for me?”
“Of course, love,” he smiled up at her, glad they had repaired the rift in their relationship before it had become too large.
Washing her face and brushing out her hair, Amicia braided it first and then twisted it into a bun that sat neatly near the top of her head. Rolling up her blanket, she placed all of her things together, ready to leave. From the outside, she appeared calm, even collected, with her thoughts and preparations.
On the inside, she was a mess. Her head ran in circles with worry, and she called for Lamwen every few minutes. I can’t believe he doesn’t reply, she sobbed inwardly. “Lamwen, please speak with me!”
It was no use. Only silence echoed in her mind.
Deciding to test the distance and the rock, she tried for another. “Uscan.”
“My lady,” he replied promptly, as if he had been waiting for her call.
“Oh,” she gasped aloud, shocked at the ease of reaching him. Thinking quickly, she smiled to lighten her thoughts before she shared them. “How have you been?”
“I am well, princess. But I had not expected to hear from you. Has something happened?”
She stood still, toying with the merdoe between her breasts. What could she say? So much had happened since they last spoke. “We are in the north,” she managed.
“Ah, have you reached out to our kin, the great wolves of the northern pack?”
“No, we have not encountered them as of yet. Do you speak with them, Uscan?”
“I can make the introduction if you prefer. Where would you like for them to meet you?”
“Oh God,” she breathed, realizing she would have to explain more than she wanted. “We’re in trouble,” she confessed. “The trolls have hidden us within their mountain.”
“The trolls!” he gasped, obviously disturbed. “Amicia, what in Eriden have you done?”
“Nothing,” she denied. “We built a cabin and were working on a boat. We’ve been looked after by a dragon named Lamwen for months, but now he has disappeared, and three others have destroyed all that we have,” she gushed. The floodgates opened, she felt certain she sounded delusional.
On the contrary, what she said made perfect sense. “You need help getting out of there,” her old friend surmised.
“Yes. Please. If your northern kin do not mind, we could use quick transportation away from here.”
“I will send Edeill to you. He heads the pack and will know which route to take. Watch yourself, my princess.”
“As always,” she agreed, relief escaping h
er lips in a loud sigh.
“Have you reached Lamwen?” Rey asked, observing her trance-like state.
“No, but I have arranged for our transport,” she confessed, not revealing it had completely been by mistake.
“What kind of transport?” the Mate asked, joining them while the others prepared their gear.
“I contacted Uscan. He is going to send the northern pack to fetch us.” Her wide green eyes met his dolefully as she explained.
“Then they will be taking us to the east,” their leader explained.
“East?” Reynard clipped in surprise. “Surely we should go back the way we came and hide among Meena’s people.”
“No, we push on,” Piers replied, raising his chin. “Things are likely to get worse before they get better, so prepare yourselves.” Turning his back, he left their pod in search of that breakfast they had spoken of.
Catching up to him, Ami whined, “Why are we going east? It can’t possibly be safe there,” she pointed out, knowing the dragons resided somewhere on the eastern coast.
“We must face our demons,” he stated calmly, not missing a step. Entering the great room, his wife had already secured a fire for them, and their meal was being prepared. “Don’t make this harder than it is, love,” he said more quietly, turning to face her.
“You decided this last night, while the two of you were having your fight,” she accused, glaring at him through narrow slits.
“Aye, you could say that,” he confirmed. “It is what we believe is best for us even though our journey will be hard.”
Coming up behind, Bally agreed cheerfully, “We’re with you, Mate. Where you say we go, we will follow,” he added with a laugh.
Cutting her eyes over to glare at the younger man, Amicia wasn’t so sure of that logic, but at the moment she knew it would be pointless to argue. Their path would be hard no matter which way they took, as it always had been. “All right,” she approved with a pout. “Let us eat and discover if the dragons are still lurking about.”
In the midst of their meal, Yaodus joined them to give his report. “There have been no dragons sighted this morning,” he said with a rumbling laugh. “Perhaps you will wait another day to see if it holds?”
“We have friends who will see us through the woods,” Piers explained. “When they arrive, we will depart.”
“Friends?” the old king asked doubtfully, no longer smiling. “We are the main inhabitants of the Yilaric forest,” he pointed out, searching for a clue as to who else might come to their aid.
“The northern pack will see us through,” Amicia stated bluntly.
“Wolves?” the troll growled, baring his teeth.
“Aye,” the Mate nodded. “They are acquaintances of ours through Uscan and the southern –”
“You have given them permission to approach our mountain,” Yaodus interrupted, his eyes fixed on the girl.
“They won’t stay long, and they will not cause any harm while they are here,” Amicia assured, sitting up with a stiff back as she addressed their benefactor. “You have my word on that.”
Glaring at her, the rage radiated from the king’s pale blue skin, the red tint more than the gems of the walls. “You will leave today,” he stated gruffly.
“Yes,” she agreed with a nod. “If they do not arrive, we will head out and meet them within the forest.” His anger troubled her, and she suddenly felt as if they might be in danger, as the dragons clearly no longer supported her. “After we eat, in fact.”
“Very well,” he hissed, rising and leaving the group abruptly.
“What the hell was that all about?” Rey demanded after he had gone.
“We’ve worn out our welcome,” Piers clarified in a hushed voice, his eyes following the sovereign, “again. Finish your meals. We have already packed. We simply go to our pod and gather our things.”
“We can’t leave the way we came in,” Amicia pointed out. “Yaodus closed the tunnel behind us, remember?”
“There has to be another entrance. Perhaps Traok will show us the way,” Bally suggested, confident they were still on good terms with the king’s eldest son.
Meena could feel the eyes of those around them drawn to the group. “Something’s wrong,” she whispered. “I think we should leave the meal and get the hell out of here.” Her staff still leaning against the wall in their quarters, she suddenly felt as if she were naked in the room full of strangers.
“Aye,” the Mate quietly agreed, also picking up on the vibe. “Go gather the gear, now!”
Leaving their food, the party stood and made their way down the tunnel to their room with haste. Inside, they pulled their packs onto their backs and carried everything else, including their weapons. Openly brandishing them, in case the trolls were to get any ideas, they made their way back to the great hall.
“And so you run,” Yaodus called from across the open space, his voice loud as the rest of his people grew eerily quiet.
“We appreciate your hospitality,” the Mate hollered back. “But yes, the time has come for us to go. If you would be so kind as to point us to the exit, we will be on our way.” He smiled his best fake grin, his hand gripping the handle of his weapon firmly as he prepared to use it.
Not taking his eyes off the Mate, Bally lifted the siren, placing her in the pouch he had strapped onto his chest. Animir added the string to his bow so he could rain fire upon their hosts for all the good it would do. If the trolls attacked them, the group was as good as dead.
“Amicia,” Uscan interrupted her thoughts.
“Not now,” she replied. “The trolls are upset you are sending your friends.”
“You must flee then.”
“Yeah, we’re working on it,” she snapped, her features tense as she studied the posturing of those around her.
“Edeill and the northern pack are to the east of the trolls’ mountain. Leave and move towards them. They will take you where you wish to go.”
Stepping forward, she pulled every ounce of bravado she could muster. “Great king Yaodus, do not let our friendship end like this,” she commanded. “We wish to exit the mountain on the east side if you will allow it.”
Studying her, he lumbered forward, skirting one smoldering pit after another as he closed the distance. “Your flame is bright, my queen. Even within the darkness of the mountain, the light of your soul cannot be hidden.”
Clenching her teeth, the girl held her stance. “And you are a worthy leader of your people,” she agreed with a single nod. “Let us part as friends, that we may once again help one another should the need ever arise.”
Halting only twenty feet from the group, a single fire burned between them. His large eyes glazed, her target appeared lost for a moment as he considered the time he had known her. “Why would you bring the wolves to us?” he asked more quietly.
“I seek no enemies in Eriden,” she stated confidently. “All who have stood against us have chosen of their own accord. And so it is with you and with the wolves. I would call upon you all and protect you all to the best of my ability.”
“The true and noble words of a queen,” he nodded his approval. “Your greatness shall spare us our own destruction.” Turning to his son, he wafted at him, calling him to his side. “Take them to the eastern passage and let them out into the cavern. Do not look upon the wolves, my son.”
Turning to the girl, he glared at her, “You will vouch for my child’s safety?”
“Of course,” she breathed, blinking back tears. “I vouch for all upon my own life. No harm will come to you as long as I am able to prevent it.”
“Then fair well to thee, my queen,” Yaodus agreed, kneeling to bow before her, a ripple of whispers sweeping across the room.
Picking her way through the stones, Amicia walked calmly forward until she stood before him, where she also took a knee. “I never did ask you why you call me queen,” she pointed out, sniffing with tears in her red-rimmed eyes. “But I will miss you, my friend. And your p
eople.”
“Then leave us, and be safe,” he replied, lifting his chin to meet her gaze.
Offering her hand, he accepted the small appendage, touching it to his lips before he stood and commanded, “Traok. Lead them to the east, quickly. Let them be gone before any trouble can come from their presence.”
“Yes, father,” the younger version of him agreed. “Come come,” he beckoned with a quick wave of his hand.
With no will to argue, the group formed a single line as they weaved through the crowded room. The trolls stood stiff as stone as they made their way across and followed their leader’s offspring into a dark tunnel.
“Are they really letting us go?” Rey asked anxiously when they were all out of the massive chamber.
“It would appear so,” the Mate agreed, bringing up the rear.
“Don’t talk,” Ami warned from the front of the group, next to the troll that matched her height. Giving him a quick grin, she trusted that he would see them out as his father had required.
Coming to a rock-filled wall, they watched as he used his spear, tapping it against the crystals and dirt. Bubbling, as if it were made of boiling water, the dark surface parted, and light entered the tunnel, giving the crimson gems a faint glow.
“My lady,” Traok stated calmly, using a hand to indicate she should exit the trolls’ tunnel.
“Thank you, son,” she replied with a slight bow of her head. “Have a wonderful life,” she added as she stepped into the dim light of the cave that served as their hidden entrance.
Following close behind, they remained in the darkness until the wall had been closed behind them, then ventured out into the light. The day bright, Ami squinted against it, using her hand to shield her eyes. “It’s been a few days,” she said with a laugh, overjoyed that they had made it out of the mountain alive.
“My lady,” a voice called from the line of trees before them. Out of the shadow cast by the branches, a massive wolf stepped forwards. A magnificent creature, it matched Uscan in size and stature, but its pure white fur bore a sharp contrast to his smoky black and grey.
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