Fortunately Tristan managed to pull his arms to his sides and managed to get a grip on his sword. His hand wrapped around the hilt so tight that his knuckles turned a sickly shade of white, and then with all of his strength, he drew it. Without any heed to his own safety, he cut and slashed at the roots around his neck until they retracted, allowing him to take in a gasp of air. He sliced in every direction until each root retreated, and Kaina could swear she even heard the screams of the sentient roots as they fled in terror.
Tristan followed by slicing at the roots holding Kaina and then those on his horse until the roots slithered away in defeat. He then pulled her and himself onto the horse, and took off down the path.
“That was too close,” Kaina said.
“Speak for yourself,” Tristan said in a hoarse voice.
She noticed the marks on his neck where the roots tried to strangle him and it soon dawned on her just how close to death he had been.
They had little time to celebrate, however, as the trembling soon started up again. Both Kaina and Tristan turned to see the roots regrouping for another attack, but the horse took off again before they could get a good look. Tristan edged right away from the path to avoid a torrent of roots coming their way, bringing him into the denser part of the forest. This proved to be a fatal mistake, as the roots took only seconds to wrap around the trunks of the trees and go from trunk to trunk to catch up to them, and the brush became too thick for the horse to get through up ahead. Tristan tried to shift back left onto the path, but the roots blocked his way and forced him further right.
Tristan swung his sword left and right to avoid the roots and strike them when they came too close. He was less paying attention where he was going and more about getting further away from the hoards of the Black Forest. A tree root came flying at Kaina's head a second later, and out of instinct she reached out and grabbed it.
The root recoiled in agony as it was set ablaze by Kaina's touch. The flames spread to other roots, and before long the rest were writhing in an attempt to extinguish the flames. Kaina turned to watch as the light from the fire grew smaller with each stride the horse took. Even when she could no longer see the glow of the embers, they still didn't stop. Some time later, however, the horse finally slowed to a trot.
“How did you do that?” Tristan asked.
Kaina stared at her own hand and muttered, “I...I have no idea, but...”
“But what?”
“I think...I think it was because of the book.”
Kaina held the book out in front of her and said, “I think it helped me get away from Drake back at the hideout. Maybe it gave me the power to burn those roots...but that's just my theory.”
“Well I can tell you what isn't a theory,” Tristan said as he looked around. “I can't see the path or the river.”
“Wait,” Kaina said, “you mean we're lost?”
“That's right,” Tristan stated. “In the Black Forest. At Night. Where the plants are trying to kill us.”
Kaina stared ahead at the black surroundings, each sound an ominous melody that awaited their every wrong move. Mist gathered along the floor of the forest, giving no indication of where to go or even where they came from.
Mareth towered over the charred remains of his root warriors. Those that survived their ordeal simply squirmed around in the damp dirt waiting for their pain to end, and their master obliged by stomping the last few remaining roots into dust.
Mareth certainly didn't expect lesser creatures to be able to carry out such a simple task, but he still never could have anticipated such an outcome. While most people didn't know of his kind's existence, those who knew the little information about them knew that with all their power, there was one thing that his kind could be defeated by, and that was magic.
A figure in the darkness caught Mareth's eye, a creature much like him except small, grotesque, and mortal. He approached it and said, “Invaders have entered your forest. Perhaps you and your companions might enjoy a bit of fresh meat tonight?”
The creature licked its lips in response, then Mareth continued, “Here's what you must do...”
The creature listened, and when Mareth was done, the creature cackled and retreated into the darkness.
With the light of the sun nearly gone, Kaina knew they would have to find the path again soon or they would never hope to survive in the Black Forest.
“Maybe if we keep going left,” Kaina said, “we'll make it back to the river.”
“No,” he said, “we need to keep moving forward so we can get out of here faster. The longer we stay here looking for the path, the less our chances of survival will be.”
“Well according to you, we should be dead already,” Kaina argued.
“Exactly, and I am not going to keep testing our odds.”
Kaina shook her head, and that was when she heard another noise. She shifted in her seat, looking for the source, but she soon realized that the footsteps sounded too loud to be coming from something so small.
“You heard it too?” Tristan asked.
“What was that?” Kaina replied.
“You don't want to know,” Tristan said as he prompted the horse into a sprint once more.
After a few seconds, Kaina heard the noises grow louder. She looked around for the source and was horrified to see dark creatures sprinting through the brush and to her horror, they kept up with the horse.
“What are those things?” Kaina repeated.
“Goblins,” Tristan shouted. “They're very quick and very dangerous. If they manage to catch us, they'll drag us underground.”
“What will happen if they do that?” Kaina asked.
“I don't know, and I don't want to know. Now hold on tight.”
Kaina did just that and the goblins kept pace with them and shrieked in such a way that she was instantly reminded of death incarnate. Tristan swung his sword as the creatures lunged themselves at them, and he managed to knock a few of them away. Kaina drew her short sword and she was able to do the same, but the goblins retaliated by throwing spears, one of which sailed right past Kaina's head. The horse, on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate.
Another spear struck Tristan's horse in the head, causing him to tumble forward and send his passengers flying into the dirt. Kaina struggled to get up and help Tristan up so they could run, but the creatures swarmed around them and within seconds, something struck the back of her head. The last thing she could see before blacking out was the sight of Tristan being surrounded by ugly, grotesque creatures covered in gray skin, and in her dazed state she could have sworn she also heard a low, guttural laugh.
A messenger arriving late to the Manor was normally unheard of and unwelcome, so when the page entered Elias' quarters so late at night with an urgent message, he huffed and opened the letter. The contents quickly shifted his mood and prevented him from loosing his venom upon the young man. Instead, Elias sent the page away and told him to send for his sons, both of whom arrived in only a few minutes.
“Is it true?” Roland asked no sooner than he stepped through the door. “Did someone find Kaina?”
“Found her,” Elias started, “and found her 'kidnapper' as well.”
Hamelin and Roland exchanged confused glances.
“How can that be when she left on her own?” Hamelin asked. His face blanched. “Is it possible that she ran off with another man? Can you imagine the scandal?”
“Calm yourself, Hamelin,” Elias said, “remember, we have only Kaina's word that this man didn't abduct her.”
“But if the prince should hear her...” Roland trailed off.
“He will assume that she was brainwashed by her assailant. I've seen victims become attached to their abductors as a means of coping with their imprisonment countless times. Surely her denial of the abduction could be explained away by that,” Elias argued.
“That's true,” Hamelin said, “and I suppose we should just be relieved that she's been recovered and we can put this whole mess
behind us. Who found her?”
“A man named Drake and some of his associates,” Elias said.
“I've heard of that name...” Roland said. “Isn't he a gang leader around these parts?”
“The Blackthorn Gang,” Elias said with a nod. “I've heard of them and their...dealings, but I've never had sufficient evidence to warrant their arrest. If they truly have found Kaina, however, I will issue them a full pardon.”
“Where is she now?” Hamelin asked.
“In Crescent Calley, going towards Eldercliff and the Black Forest,” Elias replied.
“Eldercliff...that's where Aldis lives,” Roland said. “You don't think he was in on this, do you? Kaina always seemed to be taken with him, so it's possible that he masterminded the whole thing!”
Hamelin scoffed. “That Aldis is nothing more than a pompous old bore. It's his fault her head is so full of ideas and delusions of grandeur.”
“Well, now that she'll be married she won't have any need for a tutor anyway, so I've already sent out a letter of termination to Aldis, along with the last of his payment,” Elias said.
“If I found out that scholar was in on her escape...” Roland growled, “He'll be more than simply terminated.”
“Now isn't the time,” Hamelin said, “now we need to send someone to fetch her and bring her home.”
“Already done,” Elias said. “I sent a servant to wake Hugo and the others so that they may leave immediately. They should be able to pick Kaina and her 'abductor' up by dawn.”
“Will they be able to handle both of them?” Roland asked.
“You are talking about my son leading them,” Hamelin stated proudly. “If he can't handle a petty abductor, what good is he as a Crimson Knight?”
“We all know that, Hamelin,” Elias said. “I have full faith in Hugo's ability to handle the both of them.”
Hamelin smiled smugly and Roland was about to say something, but as soon as he opened his mouth there was a knock at the door to silence him. All three men stared at the door as though it just spoke to them.
“Who could that be?” Roland asked aloud.
Elias looked over to the servant standing ready just a few feet away and motioned for him to open the door. When he did, Prince Casimir stood in the doorway.
“Your Majesty,” Elias said with a bow, prompting his sons to mimic his actions, “is everything all right?”
“I was in my chamber when I overheard a few of your servants mention that my beloved Kaina was found safe,” Casimir said, “is this true?”
Elias perked up and replied, “That's correct. I received word this evening that Kaina was found in Crescent Valley and is being kept safe until someone can bring her home.”
“And her kidnappers?” Casimir asked.
“The people who found her also captured a young man who was with her, and it is presumed that he was either her sole kidnapper or one of the men involved. Either way, we will question him and find out who his conspirators are, if there are any. And rest assured, the wedding will go on as planned,” Elias said.
The prince entered the room and the servant dutifully shut the door behind him.
“I only hope,” Casimir said, “that Kaina will show a more favorable reaction to me the next time we meet.”
The Haventhorn men exchanged worried glances, at which point Elias said, “I can assure you, my prince, that Kaina's behavior at the ball--”
“It was my fault, as I admitted to Lord Hugo,” Casimir said. “I had not known that Kaina was not informed of the engagement.”
“I can promise you, Prince Casimir, that she will be much more respectful when she is before you again,” Roland said.
“I'm certain she will be,” Casimir replied. “Now then, I bid you all a restful evening and hopefully I will see my beloved by this time tomorrow.”
The men bowed again as the Prince left through the door that the servant opened once more. After the door was closed and they were certain he wouldn't be able to hear them, Elias spoke again.
“You shouldn't have made that promise, Roland,” Elias said. “After all, we don't know how Kaina will react when she returns.”
“What else can we do?” Roland argued. “Casimir will want to see her as soon as she arrives, so we will have to get her to behave herself somehow.”
“Just stick to the plan,” Elias said. “We will get Kaina to cooperate one way or another, and hopefully by the month's end we will have a Haventhorn next in line for the throne.”
Roland imagined the fame, not to mention wealth, that would come from his only daughter marrying into royalty. Even though he knew Matilde only married him for his status and wealth, he didn't blame her in the slightest. Now that an opportunity for more was staring him in the face, he couldn't help but take the chance.
Roland smiled and said, “I like the sound of that.”
When Casimir returned to his quarters, he had only one objective in mind. He knew fully well no kidnapping took place, so if someone claimed to have both Kaina and her supposed kidnapper in their custody, they were either lying or mistaken.
In order to clarify things, Casimir fetched his quill that he used to contact Mareth before and then began writing on a new piece of parchment.
I need an update, he wrote, I've been told that Kaina has been recovered, is this true?”
Casimir waited, and then a few moments later the following words appeared:
She was captured by the Blackthorn Gang, but she and her companion escaped and are now buried alive in the Black Forest.
Casimir's blood ran cold.
Buried alive? He wrote.
Seconds passed, then minutes, and Mareth answered, She is safe, but I cannot say the same for her companion.
Casimir wrote urgently, Who is her companion?
This time, he waited even longer to respond. Casimir considered writing again until Mareth's response began to appear. A single name was written, and when Casimir read it, he could hardly believe it. The fact that he was even alive, much less with the girl who would become queen, made his sword arm throb with anticipation.
In order to make himself finally accept the name on the parchment as truth, Casimir had to say it aloud, “Tristan...”
Casimir snatched the parchment and crumbled it furiously, then tossed it in the fire. He might have known that the Azure Riders would become tangled in all this mess, and if he would have anything to say about it, Tristan and the rest of his companions would finally pay for his crimes against the crown.
Chapter 13
Kaina awoke on the cold, hard ground, the smell of mud and decay fresh in her nostrils. It was unclear where the latter smell came from until she opened her eyes and saw a human skull staring back at her. She sprung up to her feet in less than a second, her heart beating a mile a minute. The skull, which was still attached at the neck to a rib cage, had the rest of its pieces scattered about as well as the bones of several other poor souls. As Kaina attempted to run from the graveyard, she realized that she was trapped in yet another cage.
This one was dome-shaped, with the highest point being only inches above her head. The bars had been fashioned out of bones tied together with thick roots and ropes. She peered through the openings, but all she could see of her surroundings outside of the cage was that she was in some kind of underground chamber.
Kaina soon began to wonder where Tristan could be, and she began to fear for his safety as well as her own. Her stomach soon lurched when she realized that she was probably being saved for later, and that the remains perpetually trapped with her likely suffered the same fate. She made up her mind that if she were to die, it certainly wouldn't be as some goblin's meal. She searched the cell and found a crudely made door with a locking mechanism on the outside. She reached through one of the openings and, to her relief, she was able to reach the lever to unlock her cell with ease.
Once Kaina was out in the open, she brushed herself off and examined the area around her more thoroughly. Even in
the dark, she could still see that she was on some kind of ledge overlooking a larger chamber. She crept down on her stomach and looked over the ledge, where she saw the largest chamber she'd ever seen. It had to have been twice, maybe three times as deep as Haventhorn Manor was tall and had walkways and tunnels going in all different directions. The walkways all connected to an enormous, cylinder structure in the center of the chamber. When Kaina looked up, she saw that the structure reached all the way up to the cavern ceiling.
The same gray creatures that swarmed them in the forest worked below, and even though Kaina couldn't see them up close, she could still get a better look at them than before. The goblins, as Tristan called them, had long, pointed ears and almost no hair. They had black eyes and wore rags of what Kaina hoped wasn't human skin and was embellished by bones. The weapons they carried were mainly axes and spears made of stone and wood, and their heads were disproportionately bigger than the rest of their bodies, as were their bare feet.
Kaina slowly rose to her feet as she moved away from the ledge. She patted herself down to see what she still had to work with, and though she didn't have her blade anymore, relief washed over her when she felt the book on her belt. She then went over to the tunnel entrance beside the cage and glanced around the corner. When she didn't see any goblins lurking around in the shadows, she tip-toed through the tunnel to begin her search for Tristan.
Kaina soon heard voices coming her way, so she ducked into one of the other tunnels that intersected with the one she was in just as two goblins turned a corner. She saw them from behind as they passed, and she could see that they were only as tall as her shoulders, yet just the memory of their numbers and the way they so easily surrounded her and Tristan in the forest sent chills down her spine. That all seemed like nothing when one of them spoke in the most chilling, unnatural voice Kaina had ever heard.
“The female needs to eat,” he said. “The Unmaker's minion wants her kept alive, and he wants the book she carries...”
Kaina's Dawn (Kaina Saga Book 1) Page 13