Mara’s gaze shifted from me to her mother, her translucent hand struggling to take hold of hers.
“I am home, mother, with you. I want to stay here with you.”
Yefilda looked pained. Of course, a mother would want to be with her child but she knew deep down it wasn’t possible. She couldn’t stay. She leaned in close to Mara and spoke lowly, something in old Elvish, far exceeding my basic knowledge of the language just like the words spoken in the Ethereal.
Mara closed her eyes, nodding gently before trying to push herself up. It hurt to see Mara so weak and frail; it wasn’t like her at all.
I took hold of her shoulders, guiding her toward Graven as her mother kept up from behind. Mara wanted to walk, and she’d kill us before she let anyone carry her but Graven was not so understanding.
His large black tail slithered around Mara’s waist, gently pulling her away from our grasp as he picked her off the ground and placed her on his back.
I gathered Mara’s belongings as I listened to her lecture the large beast below her as if he was some stray dog who’d stolen her bread. Even weakened, she still had a sharp tongue. I couldn’t help but giggle a bit, slinging Mara’s bow over my shoulder and quipping her quiver to my hip.
“Take care, both of you,” Yefilda said, making sure I had everything we’d come with. “It was good to see you but, don’t come back and visit so soon okay?”
I laughed, giving my adoptive mother one final hug goodbye before I, too, climbed onto Graven’s back. Not only was I leaving my own mother behind to the unknown, but my surrogate mother, Mara’s mother, as well. It was a lot to bear, both emotionally, and spiritually.
We waved once more before Graven took to the sky with a single flap of his wings, prepared for the long journey home.
“We’ll put a stop to it this time,” I thought confidently.
“I hope you’re right, Alina.” Graven replied.
Chapter Fourteen
Our flight had been rather uneventful. Mara slept while I held her close in front of me, making sure she never slipped from Graven’s back whenever we needed to soar higher or float down to navigate the mountains. I watched as the wonders of the Forgotten Plains fell behind us, the freedom of the wild fading from my sightlines but, never from my memories. We’d managed to make no time there but, I kept its vision close, promising one day I would return there to truly feel the liberation of what it was like to be unbound.
Mara’s colour was slowly returning, her skin once more solid and less ghostly than it had been when we left the Further. I was worried it would follow her but, it seemed to let go the moment we escaped the clouds surrounding it. Her strength would return to her, Yefilda promised but, it would take a great deal of time, and rest so I made sure not to stir Mara, even as I excitedly watched the dawn crest upon the horizon.
One day remained before the meeting at Bindi’s Bay. I didn’t know what to expect or prepare for, but I knew I had to be there, whether Arden agreed to it or not. No one would stop me.
Graven’s wings had carried us fast and far. He didn’t take a moment to ask for rest, or even slow to glide on the winds that traversed the mountain passes, he could sense my urgency though I tried not to reveal my true intentions.
With my powers now broadened, I made sure to practice reluctance, and shielding. I couldn’t let my mind be exposed to anyone or anything that held great power and magic. I was an easy target to them before; easy to manipulate and read. I wouldn’t let that happen again; I would not be so easily subdued. As much as I trusted Graven not to disregard my desires, I knew he would still try to stop the exchange, even at the cost of his own life.
As the night escaped us, dawn finally carrying in the sun from its realm of slumber, I could see the snowy mountain peaks that once waved farewell to us as they bowed before us once more. I felt welcomed, and looked up to, even though the mountains were merely idle pieces of the land thrust toward the sky. Somehow I could feel eyes upon me, and I knew it was from the rocky surface now beneath our feet.
“Hmm?” Mara mumbled, stirring from her rest. I’d wrapped her in the thick of my cloak, making sure she was warm and comfortable throughout our journey home. It had taken us days before but with our endless and hasted flight, we’d made it just in time to greet mid-day.
“Hey,” I said looking down at her. “We’re finally home.”
Grey eyes flickered to life once more, the sound of home ringing through her ears and breathing new life into her form as if I’d waved a fresh cup of tea beneath her nose. She stretched her arms, careful of her position as Graven began to descend from the sky.
“Home already?”
“Mmhmm,” I replied with a grin. “We flew all through the night, we had to get you out of there as quickly as possible.”
“You worry too much,” she scoffed, looking down over the familiar landscape.
I folded my arms across my chest, letting out a protest in the sound of a huff.
“I wasn’t going to let you die.”
“I wasn’t going to die, Alina. I was just-”
“Going to stay,” I interjected.
She sighed, nodding lightly, “yeah.”
Mara had consciously made her decision to stay in the Further with her mother but, she chose to leave with me. She hadn’t been under some odd influence from the Further’s land or its magic but, rather she had seen the faces of eternity and she wished to embrace it. I had to know what had changed her decision, even in such a weakened state, that she would choose to follow me home.
“What did Yefilda say that made you change your mind?”
“She told me that the Aura had not chosen for me and that I was making this choice without exploring my life, my decisions, with rationality. I was being selfish. Childish. It was not my time. I was not ready,” Mara looked sorrowful. “The Further may lay claim to me but, without a life fulfilled, I would not be allowed to stay. I could be pressed into another realm, somewhere dark and void without any sense of joy or contentment. I couldn’t do that to my mother. I couldn’t stay only to be torn from her by ill will. And I couldn’t do that to you either, Alina.”
I smiled lightly, grateful for both Yefilda’s words, and her knowledge that managed to convince Mara otherwise. I needed her here, at my side. I needed her support, her logic, and her calm mind when mine went all sorts of mad during the most remedial tasks.
“I’m glad,” I replied, pulling her in for a hug.
Graven landed just outside of Unadine, taking caution not to interfere with the last few pikes being erected at the front gate.
Voices stirred around us, the mist veiling the source before they appeared from the front gate with torches lit and curiosity at its peak. I felt the tone change when they noticed the familiar form before them, their guard dropping only slightly to welcome us home.
“Alina! Mara!” Bryden called out, his voice a welcome change in the atmosphere.
I helped Mara down from Graven’s back; even as he lowered himself, it was still quite a jump, and I couldn’t risk her hurting herself any more than she already had.
“Careful,” I said to the approaching villagers. “She’s weak. She needs healing.”
They nodded in reply, careful to help Mara down before her protest to walk came back with more intensity. She didn’t let them lay a hand on her once she was safely on the ground. All they could do was stay nearby and hope she didn’t tumble or stagger too far out of the range of their hands.
I sighed, both relieved yet tense with the knowledge that still rest upon my own shoulders. Tomorrow we had to meet with Odaer but, tomorrow I would also get back my friend.
Chapter Fifteen
“How do you know of this?” Arden snapped, his eyes staring through me as if to search for the answer before I could reveal anything.
“I saw it with my own eyes!” I hissed back.
“Impossible! It was nightfall, in the fog. Even from above with the eyes of a Dragon, you’d see nothing more t
han a few glimmers of steel waving through the darkness.”
“The Mind revealed the sight. I saw the blood. I heard the arrows as they fired off from the trees and struck down your men. I watched as you dove out of the way to protect your own skin!”
My words were harsh and cold. Arden had been rather distant since our return. After he and Mara had spoken, he had become rather vicious and withdrawn. I knew she’d told him about her decision, and our meet with Yefilda. The meet didn’t seem to bother him but, her decision to stay there did and it rattled him to the core.
Arden let his shoulders drop, finally ending his verbal rampage upon me, “we weren’t prepared.”
I, too, finally let my guard down. Letting my emotions cool themselves before finding the words to speak. No glow had floated down my veins and into my fingers. No sparks to set the small hut on fire. I was finally in control.
“You went to scout with so many men, did you not know they’d expect you?”
“No. I knew they’d expect us. But, I didn’t know he would be leading them.”
He scratched his head, taking a seat by the small hearth as the flames danced before him, “he could sense my presence. I thought the time had passed but, it seems he is still connected to the Arcanon.”
“Connected?”
“Arcanon are bound to both their Companion, as well as the others, similar to Mages and their Councils,” he went on. “Odaer was the first mortal Arcanon appointed to our order. His blood still flows with our magic. It’s why he’s lived for years beyond his time, and how he can still track us.”
“But, my mother wasn’t that old. Nor am I. How has he managed to survive?”
“Odaer was a powerful warrior in his day. With our magic, his aging process slowed almost indefinitely. It was years before he finally committed to something more than battling and brawling but, with your grandmother’s death, all he had left was Signy. She was all that kept him level-headed and out of war. He had hung up his Warhammer, his armour; he wanted the best for her.”
I couldn’t fathom a time when Odaer had been kind and compassionate. He truly loved my mother with every fiber of his being, and I slowly began to understand the rage in his heart but, I could never condone it.
“Signy’s fate as a Skyborn was the end for him. When she vowed to take up her duty and make the final sacrifice, he went mad. His heart was broken. His world was shattered. I could understand his pain but, we both knew the severity of the situation. It was Signy’s choice, not his.”
“To lose your entire world in one person, just so others may have a long and peaceful life... when I lost my mother, I thought I’d lost everything but, I was wrong.”
“He didn’t see things that way,” Arden reiterated. “Had it been my own daughter. Had it been Mara. I don’t know if I’d have made the same mistakes.”
I placed my hand on Arden’s shoulder, feeling his body tense with the emotions coursing his veins.
“You are strong and wise. You would know it is Mara’s decision. Just as it had been her decision in the Further.”
“Had she stayed...”
“But she didn’t. Yefilda wouldn’t let her. I wouldn’t let her. She changed her choice. She made her sacrifice for all of us.”
Arden stood up from the fire light, finally turning back to me.
“We leave at Dawn for Bindi’s Bay. I expect you’ll be in tow, whether requested or not. So, I’d like to make things clear for you.”
I swallowed hard. I knew Arden would have a plan. He always had a plan, especially for something as big as this.
He lay out the map to myself and the other Arcanon that were to accompany us at the meet. The Bay was only a few hours south of our location, just down the hill, making the journey rather simple. Though someone could choose to flee into the open water, and hope to get to sea, there wasn’t much for options of cover with no rocks, or trees to offer any sort of defense should one side choose to attack the other. Even fleeing would only result in turned backs and scattered masses, making a hail of arrows rather deadly in mere seconds.
“Alina will take to the front for the exchange. Once Alina shifts and Kiyne is on the return, we will draw water from the Bay to seal her in a protective bubble. The Master Arcanon will quake the ground beneath us, so we must be ready. Our enemy will not expect such a result and will be left off-balance and forced to adjust. We get Alina out of there as fast as possible and use the cracks in the ground to prevent escape. We will not let the Marauders win this time.”
“He is expecting us regardless, so this time we’ll be on even ground,” another Arcanon piped up.
“Precisely,” Arden replied.
“Alina, you must be ready to flee with Kiyne should things go sour, do you understand?” he said, his eyes once more upon me.
I nodded simply. I would make sure Kiyne was taken to safety if it was the last thing I could do.
“Good. Get some rest. We have quite the early day ahead of us.”
Chapter Sixteen
I hardly slept at all. I kept looking at Mara and thinking about the rescue mission. I’d make sure Kiyne was safe. I’d make sure he was behind Arcanon guard before I even made a movement to return myself. Odaer’s focus would be on me and me alone so that’s all I had to do. I had to keep his eyes on me.
Mara had been adamant about coming along, but she was still too weak. Her bow arm still shook as she drew back the string, her arrows firing low and into the ground. I understood her frustrations more than anyone but, I didn’t want to risk her getting in the way or hurt, and neither did Arden, which is why we left Graven in charge of her safety.
I stared out the window, waiting for the birds to sing in the sunlight over the mountains. Dawn was still edging its way in but I could hear the Arcanon shuffling about outside, gathering their own armour and preparing themselves for a final battle. I’d never seen the Arcanon fight before. I knew they were powerful in the ways of magic and spells but besides a few odd tricks to amuse children, they were never ones to display their absolute power.
I’d made it to the door just before a hand threatened to knock. I’d heard the footsteps as they grew near, and made sure to greet them before they could wake Mara. Even in her refusal, she was still weak enough to fall into a deep sleep against her will, and I wanted her to stay asleep this time.
I kept my axe on my side, just beneath the length of my cloak. I had to be prepared too, even if I wasn’t very good. Odaer knew my magic, so I had to make sure I could defend myself in other ways against Marauder assault. I didn’t want it to get that far, I had to make sure Kiyne, and everyone else, was well protected before making my move to run and draw their attacks.
The road was long and dark as we glided down the hillside, looking more like a fire-serpent in the thick of the mist rather than some group of wanderers. The sun began to rise over us as we spotted the bay below, the water glistening beneath the early light like some beautiful oasis.
Bindi’s Bay was once home to a proud fishing village and marketplace that saw all sorts of creatures from across the world. Goods, services, and stories were all traded, purchased, and sold. I remember Yefilda telling me of the Elven across the sea, with their sun-kissed skin and fiery tempers that made them more like Berserkers than Hunters. Some would come for wares, while others came for exploration. But, when Scarlet Eels decided to call the Bay their new home, the fishing dried up, and so did the desire to land there. Slowly the marketplace dried out, vendors choosing to travel elsewhere to sell wares across the world. Fishing ceased, with the eels eating many of the local species and destroying any of the egg sacs left to hatch. Fishers moved to safer shores, and the bustling town died out, leaving nothing more than a rotting image of what was once a prosperous, and vivacious landmark.
I was curious to see the village, the eels, and hear more of the stories but, that would have to wait for another day. Today we had work to do, and I wasn’t going to let the desire to explore history deter me from my goal.
Odaer would be taken down, and Kiyne would be saved.
We stood along the shallow shoreline of the Bay, the village only twenty feet or so behind our backs. What ghosts would linger to watch our own story unfold played at the back of my mind while I watched the Marauders ride in. My eyes stretched far, farther than I’d ever been able to see before but, they still weren’t as perfected as they could’ve been. I could see Odaer, with his great horned helm, and I could see a horse attached to his side, carrying a chained man with a hood over his head. That had to be Kiyne.
I took a few breaths, trying to calm myself from hysterics as the truth unfolded before me. It was really happening. The exchange that was requested when the Mind had shown me only a few nights before... it was here, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready anymore.
“No grand entrance this time?” Odaer commented as he approached. His hand went up, stopping the rest of his men from their procession.
Their horses neighed, kicking up a mild fuss before finally coming to a halt. Many stood at his back, but we knew it wasn’t all of them. I imagined the others were waiting just over the hill. Waiting for someone to give the signal so they could fire off their arrows and take all of us down the moment the wind changed. If that were to happen, I would reign fire upon them in an instant.
Arden stepped forward, leaving me to wait for his own command as he and Odaer drew close.
“You ruined my entrance last time, so I didn’t want to risk it,” Arden snapped back.
Odaer removed his helmet once more, placing it on a small latch against his horse’s saddle. He glanced over toward me before returning his attention to Arden.
“I see you agreed to our terms,” he grinned.
“There wasn’t much choice,” Arden sneered.
“Ah, but you could’ve chosen to run again.”
“You’d only track us down once more.”
“Had you left the girl; I would have never pursued.”
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