by C E Johnson
CHAPTER 8
Inferno
The sun peaked up over the horizon as Emily’s band cast off their exhaustion and stormed back toward Luke’s family’s ranch. The first rays fell upon her skin, but she didn’t feel warmed by the growing heat. Fear was chilling her heart and the earth felt like it was shuddering in horror beneath her galloping steed.
We’re going to be in trouble if we find a large force, Xena warned. Xena could smell danger in the air. We need a larger army.
We’ll fight no matter the size of our enemy if our families are in trouble, Emily blurted. Her mind was nearly numb with agony and concern. She was certain a deadly enemy was before them. Ducking beneath scratching branches that reached for her, she gasped for air as she rode like the wind. Her heart was beating faster and faster.
I smell something burning, Xena growled while launching herself forward, gaining even more speed with every bound. Emily could smell the scent of fragrant resins burning in the trees through Xena’s nose, but it didn’t smell sweet to her. Everything smelled like dissolution, darkness and death.
“Look!” Luke called out from Emily’s side. “I think something’s on fire down at the ranch!” He kneed his mount and began to accelerate at a faster gallop.
Emily’s heart turned as cold as ice. She shook her head to clear her growing panic and she tried to focus on what was being revealed through Xena’s eyes and nose. As they came over a small rise in the road, she reined her mount to a halt. Only now could she begin to assess the destruction for herself. The ranch used to be right down there, she gasped to Xena. Her chest ached as she stared at the ruins, at stone that looked as if it had melted into a dirty black liquid.
Who did this? Xena questioned savagely, scanning for an enemy. Moving fluidly toward the periphery of the blaze, she let out a low growl and began whipping her head back and forth as she evaluated scents in the air.
Shivering in shock as frozen fingers clasped her spine in an ironclad grip, Emily sat deathly still on her steed. “Mom, Dad!” she called over the thundering noise of her heart beating frantically in her ears.
Search with me, Xena urged, powerful and demanding.
Speechless, Emily complied in a daze, following Xena’s guidance. She kneed Apache forward. Although her action helped melt away a portion of the coldness clouding her mind, she still felt numb. Why did this happen? Emily questioned weakly, but she knew the answer to her own question. This was all her fault. Tears in her eyes were limiting her view of the scene. The fires had engulfed beyond the main structures and was spreading through the woods around the foundation of Luke’s mansion. Her mind felt swollen and her breathing ragged. Could anyone survive this? Gazing into the flames, she pulled back on the reins and came to a stop.
I don’t think so, Xena whispered softly. Although she was focused on tracking a killer, Xena somehow was simultaneously sending care and compassion across their link. Flames were leaping hungrily toward the sky ten to fifteen feet above the cedars which contained an oil that made the wood burn fast and hot.
“Are they all dead?” Elizabeth wailed in question. She had appeared at Emily’s side. Elizabeth’s despair was so deep that it penetrated Emily’s stunned state. Forcing herself to look to her friend, Emily could see tremors shaking Elizabeth’s body, causing her to sway in her saddle. The air was thick with smoke, and the flames swirled like an unrelenting living creature popping and crackling as it spit its anger and fury in the form of red cinders to the gusting wind.
“Take a deep breath, Little Bit,” Emily called over the lump in her throat. Instead of complying, Elizabeth let out a screeching cry that spoke of an endlessly deep and heartfelt pain. Emily tried to choke down her own screams that were dying to flow from her mouth. Somehow, she managed to hold in her sorrow, pursing her lips into a grim line. I must be strong for my friends, she tried to tell herself, however her fear was stronger. Her dread attempted to engulf her with a more rigid grip and her inner terror continued to clutch at her soul. The billowing gusts of air tugged at the inferno pulling it randomly here and there.
“We should back away!” Mr. Henry called to their squad from behind Emily’s position. “This fire is unpredictable. It could turn on us in a second.”
I don’t like the smell of something here, Xena barked in Emily’s mind, tracking something that Emily couldn’t comprehend, a scent that didn’t even register in Emily’s mind yet. Tell them that something evil is close at hand, Xena warned.
“Wait, Xena smells something!” Emily choked out to her group through the scorching thick air. What is it, Z?
Finding some success in tracking down the source of the foreign scent that was furtively attempting to stay hidden in the smoke, Xena dashed here and there. A large host attacked the house, Xena whispered in Emily’s mind as she verified new smells of horses and steel.
“An enemy army attacked here!” Emily relayed.
“Enemies?” Luke asked. Loosening his greatsword from its scabbard, he wheeled his horse around Emily. His cheeks were red in the heat, flaming as brightly as the fire before them. The large chestnut horse beneath him shifted its weight, quivering with anticipation.
Sniffing and snorting angrily, Xena emitted an even more menacing rumble that growled unbidden from her chest as she tested the air. And something remains.
Emily regarded her friends wondering if they blamed her for this catastrophe. “Xena smells some of the ones who started this. They’re just over this hill!” Her voice was quavering with remorse, shame and anger.
“Rune will help Xena,” Luke promised. “Let’s follow them!” Emily and Luke shot forward with the rest of their squad close behind. Apache galloped smoothly beneath Emily, flying over the ground as her hooves rhythmically pounded out a drum beat of building alarm. Rune was instantly with Xena, and the two were scampering in and around the flames, trying to identify the origin of their unrest before the fire hid all evidence from them in the searing heat.
“I’m getting closer,” Xena roared. Emily could smell the battle more clearly now. A thousand details were in the air. There was the faintest whiff of blood, death, and pain, nearly hidden in fires. Beneath it all, there was also the stench of something rank and powerful. Half-deads, Xena thundered.
Half-deads? Emily groaned as she pictured her parents battling this horrific enemy. Are you certain half-deads are behind this horrid act? Xena didn’t answer in words, but she sent across more scents verifying the disgusting odor of a half-dead army. This was all because of me, Emily thought again. A wave of nausea washed over her, and she felt bile rise in her throat. Will I kill everyone I love? There was a darkness in the thought.
There were shades, goblins, vampires, and were-creatures in this glade recently. Xena continued to update Emily with her investigation. She and Rune were relentless in their evaluation. Something definitely remains!
Emily was now just behind Xena and Rune. Be careful, Z! Emily urged. Sparks were flying in their faces and settling on Xena’s fur, but Xena continued her quest.
I smell half-dead creatures close-by! Xena’s voice was shaking as her lust for justice grew. I don’t think they realize we’re here. Anger was flowing off Xena in furious vibrations. I will need your help to take them down! Xena roared. Fight with me, my link!
Waking her from her nearly insufferable guilt, Xena’s demands took Emily’s breath away. We will attack! she bellowed back to Xena. Wordlessly, she made signals to her friends to prepare for battle. Without hesitation, Anna, Isabelle, and Elizabeth unfastened their yew bows from their galloping horses while wiping tears from their eyes with the backs of their hands. On their strong and swift mounts, they all drew arrows from the quivers over their backs.
Luke and his dire wolf bondsmate, meanwhile, were streaking forward together as one. Rune was everything strong and terrible, fierce, and imposing. The fur on his face was blended in a harmony of silver, black, and gray colors. He was focused and strong, intelligent as a human. The dire wolf’s ambe
r eyes looked like a swirling mass of molten gold. They were intently focused on finding those who did this. Emily could tell Luke was deep in his mind-link, and Rune was steadfast in his pursuit. Hurtling into the flickering shadows, Rune dashed ahead with Xena at his side. Swift and unrelenting, they were like black and silver arrows shot from bows. Teeth bared, they promised to be darkness and death to those they caught.
“Stay together,” Emily called quietly to her group, hoping to keep an element of surprise. Her squad was right on her heels. All her friends were sailing determinably on their anger, but she knew they were aching like she was with pain that was chilling the marrow in their bones. They skimmed across the soot and leaves on the forest floor in a deadly rhythm of leather and lather as the horses’ hooves struck the ground time and again.
Just ahead, Xena warned. Their hoof-beats became louder and louder as they thundered forward. They hear us. They’re beginning to move. They’re trying to escape, Xena cautioned.
“Faster!” Emily called.
Luke was side-by-side with Emily now. His long blade, Joyeuse, was in his right hand. “I see something!” he cried. The pounding of their horses’ hooves surged more quickly as the fury of the entire group picked up with their greater speed.
Emily drew her staff from her pouch. She expanded Cadux to a fighting length and released a low-level light on their battlefield. “Nock!” she ordered.
They’re fast but we’re gaining on them, Xena revealed. She flooded Emily with the rank smell of were-wolves.
“Draw!” Emily intoned, loud enough for her friends to hear. As the were-creatures came into better view, they became bathed in the staff’s light. All at once, the wolves shifted tactics. They halted and turned, preparing to fight. Emily pushed the radiance emission from her staff to the highest limit. Roaring in a blue brilliance, the light reflected her fury aimed at those who had helped set fire to the mansion where their parents were housed. The creatures snarled at their approach. Their eyes of crimson red appeared blinded by Emily’s light. She roared, “Loose!” Arrows whistled past her head, several landing with a satisfying thuwmp. One of the half-deads rocked backwards. Absorbing two of their arrows and dropping dead with Xena’s jaws fastened on its throat, it had stood no chance against their onslaught. The other half-dead was wounded by one arrow, but still dangerous.
Watch out! Xena roared to Emily while releasing the dead half-dead and focusing her attention on the survivor who was leaping with a snarl toward Apache.
Emily defensively slashed her staff at the launching wolf. Light from Cadux and solid bluestone connected with snapping jaws, stalling the demonic half-dead in its tracks. However, the beast wasn’t dead. Its head whipped around, its teeth reflexively making a vise grip on her staff. Emily shuddered as the creature’s breath and rank fur combined to create a fetid scent that was a mixture of malodorous and putrescent horror. Threatening to pull her from her saddle as the wolf dropped to the ground with Cadux in mouth, Emily shrunk the staff down in size until the staff came free.
Luke was now off his horse and entering the fray. He swung Joyeuse in a deadly arc, slicing a wide gash along the were-wolf’s flank. Stay back, we’ll finish him off, Xena protectively cautioned Emily. She leapt as one with Rune toward the weakened were-wolf. The two made quick work of the wounded half-dead and the fight was over before it started.
Why did they have to come after our parents? Emily wondered as she stared at the dead beasts. Dismounting, she nearly fell to the ground on shaking knees. She felt overwhelmed as her situation became more real and devastating as her mind came to grips with all that had occurred. Burning stronger and brighter, the fire continued its rampage. It had become a blur of orange fire and death. After a time, she realized she was holding the fur of a dead were-creature while sobbing. She was filled with loathing and disgust. Xena was at her side licking away her tears.
“Perhaps they’re still alive,” Luke suggested with a hand on her shoulder. She could feel a tremor in his grip. “Maybe they escaped.” Even though he was attempting to soothe her, they both knew their families were likely dead.
“I don’t think so,” Emily sputtered. Smoke and ash swirled around her face.
I’ll search for them, Xena whispered in a soothing tone.
It’s too dangerous, Emily protested. Everything around her was fire and flames.
Rune will come with me. We’ll be careful, Xena promised. The two bondsmates bounded off into the bushes. Emily wasn’t sure how long the friends waited together in trembling silence, hoping against hope for a miracle. After a time Xena and Rune returned. There are no survivors, Xena whispered while sending Emily the horrible news with as much love and hope as she could.
Will they hold me responsible for all of this? Emily asked with a deep sadness in her heart. I’ll never be able to forgive myself. She looked to her friends solemn faces.
They love you as I do, Xena retorted. Always give them the truth and hide nothing as you’ve done throughout your relationship with them. They are your family. We are a pack.
Emily gave a brave little nod to her bondsmate while calling Xena to her side. She threw her arms around Xena and buried her face in Xena’s fur. Taking a deep, unsteady breath, she stood and informed her friends of the results of Xena’s search, reaffirming what they all knew to be true. All at once she began feeling as if she were choking as another round of crying wracked her body leaving her struggling to even breathe. Luke enveloped her in a hug and Emily collapsed against him. All at once, Anna, Isabelle, and Elizabeth were with the two of them, sobbing with their shared heartrending pain. A wave of darkness flooded again into Emily’s mind, heavy and deep, like a thick resin. The blackness threatened to drown her, but her friends were there and Xena was in her mind.
We will avenge them, Xena promised. We will make their death worthwhile. We will stop Iscar and save Earth.
Xena’s words lit a small spark in the dusky gloom of Emily’s mind, but she wasn’t satisfied. Her world was rocked and off-kilter. Is our fighting going to make a difference? Emily questioned herself. Have I caused all of these killings and battles? Am I good or am I evil?
We all have our doubts, Xena whispered, but doubt is a poison.
Is all the evil associated with this pain, suffering, and death even worthwhile? Emily asked. Everything in her body hurt.
We must experience this evil to know purity and light. You are goodness, my bondsmate, Xena whispered.
I’m a failure, Emily retorted, her mind stiffening, and her body rolling into a knot of agony.
You are grace, mercy, and wisdom, Xena spoke solemnly. You’ll rise above this and guide us. We need you. I need you.
Emily felt some semblance of calm slowly descend in her mind. Your words bring me peace, she whispered. After a time of grieving with her friends, like the passing of an eclipse, she found herself emerging from her mental murkiness, refocused and able to see again. They went to a camp the coaches had set up, near where they had killed the first were-wolf.
“What should we do, Em?” Anna asked in an agony-filled voice. The five friends were sitting together in a cluster on the ground next to a small fire that they knew wouldn’t draw attention to their position with the larger blaze in such close proximity. Their coaches were a few steps away talking together quietly.
“I don’t think we should stay in Austin,” Emily answered slowly. Her heart-rending pain was becoming overshadowed by a building commitment. “We should go to New Orleans.” She leaned against Luke. “Dr. D told me to meet him there.” Luke’s body was strong like his resolve. She knew he felt pain like the rest of them, but he wasn’t crying. His face could have been chiseled from stone.
“When?” Isabelle asked, studying their small group with eyes brimming with tears. “If the army that did this comes back, we don’t stand a chance.” Isabelle was shoulder to shoulder with Anna and both girls were leaning toward the fire for comfort.
“Now,” Emily said, brushing back her own
tears from her glistening cheeks. She was certain they needed to get away from this place. “Iscar knows I’m here.” Wondering if she should cast a spell of prophecy, she peered into the fire. “We won’t get a second chance,” she warned. Too tired to cast a spell, she decided to save her magus.
Their coaches had been rather quiet since the battle. Together they now circled the were-creature studded with arrows. “What are these things?” Mr. Henry asked. He squatted down and hesitantly poked at the enormous dead wolf with the butt of his rifle. He grabbed an arrow that was imbedded in the beast and tugged on it as he studied its coat of dense matted fur.
“It looks like something out of a book,” McAdams said. His tone was filled with both awe and disgust at the same time.
“They’re massive,” Oliver said with a wrinkled brow. He bent over to touch the claws of one of the beasts. “Their nails are like daggers.”
“You’ve got to tell them everything,” Luke said in a hushed voice to Emily. Determined and resolute, he was hard as nails. “They deserve to know before they go with us on a mission that could spell their death.” The men heard Luke’s words. They looked from Luke to Emily with raised eyebrows.
He’s right, Xena affirmed. You have to do it now, or we’ll lose them.
And so, their ragged band sat together expanding their circle just beyond their current small campfire so that they were all included in its warmth. “I’m going to tell you exactly what’s going on,” Emily said softly. She wiped away the last of her tears with the back of her hand. “Once you know all that I know, your perception of this world and life itself will change forever.” Soot and blood were smeared on her face. She took a deep breath and then she started from the beginning. From the tale of her birth, to her discovery of Acacia and the portals, to the rise of Samil, and now Iscar. She talked of war and of death, of wizardry and of magestones until the sun was fully raised in a smoke-filled sky. Once she finished, silence reigned in their squad.