Power and the Dark Divide : Book Two, page 9
The changeling stared up at him blankly. “So, you captured me to experiment on me? Do you intend to release me?”
Nocris smiled. “I think you already know the answer to that.”
He thought he might have seen the first true sign of fear spark upon the creature’s face, but it faded quickly. “And what if I were to help willingly?”
Nocris’s smile deepened, curiosity bubbling within him once again. “You would be willing to help me?”
“It’s certainly a better alternative to being carved up on a plate.”
Nocris tilted his head. “I suppose it is.”
Chapter 15
Endra
The night sky was gleaming exceptionally bright tonight, as the moon was full and the star-stream projected waves of scarlet and winding torrents of golden-yellow. The party trekked alongside the kurikai who had come to meet them. They appeared quite seasoned, these hunters from Wellspring Village.
“I cannot believe I witnessed a blue-feathered griffon knock you two off the edge of the bluffs. That was one of the wildest things I’ve ever seen,” Herom said to Endra and Sendana. He was tall—even taller than Tristan—and quite thin. But he seemed capable. He had silvery hair tied back in a ponytail. It reminded Endra of Dren, and a heavy, sorrow-laced shadow settled on her shoulders for a moment. She shook it off as best she could.
“Aye,” Tristan said warmly to their new friends. “That was indeed a rare occurrence.”
“I feel as though I should apologize for that, Endra.”
Endra turned to Sendana as they made their way through the trees south of the Sandstone Bluffs. “Apologize? For what?”
Sendana shrugged. “I lit that female griffon on fire. My magic told me she was severely injured, and that undoubtedly angered the male. I feel like I’m the reason he came back. He was clearly enraged I had hurt his companion.”
Endra considered Sendana’s words for a moment as she ran her fingers through the coarse fur of the white-haired wolf she walked beside. Palo came up to her navel and had blazing orange eyes just like Endra. She rarely saw her own eye color looking back at her, and she was completely taken by this familiar. Palo panted happily, his tongue hanging out, as Endra petted and scratched him along the spine. His white fur was like the purest snow. He was beautiful.
“There is absolutely no need to apologize for that,” Endra said. “You held off a griffon singlehandedly. I’d be proud if I were you.”
Sendana shrugged, but after a moment a smile spread over her features. “Of course, they probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance if you and Tristan hadn’t been off gallivanting in the forest alone.”
Geldria barked out a string of odd laughter, and the rest of the new kurikai looked at her as if she were stricken with the laughing sickness.
“Your affairs are your own,” Herom said with a nod to Tristan, who responded in kind. They clearly had a mutual leader mentality thing going on between them.
“Aye,” Naomi said with a chuckle. She had dark skin like Zeriah, and sharp yet kind features. Her light brown eyes were soothing. Endra thought they looked like warm honey. “Gallivant together all you want. No concern of ours.”
The last member of this new party of hunters, Vern, was short and stout, completely bald, and hadn’t said a word since they had met them. He had a very standoffish temperament. He also reminded Endra of Dren. Endra wondered why the quiet ones seemed to all have single-syllable names. Dren. Vern. Was that a thing? Or was she just making it up in her head?
“So, you all heard the news then? Of what has befallen Pine Ridge?” Tristan said, and the conversation suddenly became much more serious.
“That we have,” Herom said, his voice low, full of anguish. He looked at Endra and Sendana. “I am so terribly sorry for your kin.”
Endra gave him a nod in thanks. Sendana did as well, though she seemed a little lost in thought. “Is that why you are heading to the capital?” Endra asked.
“It is,” Naomi replied. “We heard of the massacre by way of a messenger from Wind’s Hollow.” She gave Geldria a nod. “Our elder is certain that war will follow. Wellspring is preparing for it. We were sent to gather any information we could from the capital.”
“You are correct, Naomi,” Tristan said solemnly. “War may be upon us before winter hits.”
“That is what we believe as well,” Herom said. “Our village seer has been glimpsing some sort of great and terrible calamity.”
“The royal seers have been gleaning the same,” Tristan said.
“You have a seer at Wellspring?” Geldria asked. “Do not most seers live in the capital, where they can be of more use to the queen and the Kaelenwood?”
“Our seer is young,” Naomi said. “She just went through the Rising a few moons back. Much like you, Endra.”
Endra nodded at Naomi as Palo whined. Apparently, Endra had forgotten to keep petting him.
“You’re in for it now.” Naomi patted Palo on the rear. “Now that you’ve started petting him, he won’t let you go.”
Endra smiled and scratched the albino wolf along his nape. “That’s no problem at all.” He did make her yearn for Miri something fierce, though.
Endra and her party spent the next two days with their new traveling companions. They kept a swift pace, yet stopped to enjoy a few meals and each other’s company. Palo had become especially enamored with Endra; she even slept curled around the familiar one night.
It was very early morning on the third day when Endra spotted the glimmer up ahead. She had been here numerous times. As Tabatha’s heir to the Ridge, she was often invited to attend royal functions at the capital. It was always difficult to discern the entrance to the city, yet this time she could feel the pull of the light magic before her.
She looked around the group, the essence of the sun goddess emitting a soft glow around them. She knew the trees surrounding her were real, yet those in front of her were more of a mirage. If you didn’t take the exact path, the intricately woven camouflage would steer you around the capital entirely. They called it the light glimmer, and it was just one of many facets of protection the Queen of Light had installed for Kalenthia fifteen hundred years ago when she had inherited the throne. If a being was not familiar with this land, they would be lost and confused while trying to navigate the odd directional enigma that was the queen’s immensely powerful magic. It was the grandest illusion anyone had conjured up in the history of—well, anything. Endra reached out and caressed the mirage, faint vibrations humming against her fingertips.
“This still blows my mind every time I see it,” she whispered.
“Same,” Naomi said, looking up into the trees. She was a very sweet elf, Endra had decided. She could easily become friends with this entire kurikai. Except for maybe the silent one. “I don’t understand how she keeps these enchantments going indefinitely,” Naomi continued. “The power it must take… it’s just beyond my comprehension.”
Endra voiced her agreement as the party continued along the one path that would lead them fully into the heart of the glimmer. The trees flowed past in a way that always made Endra’s head spin; the enchantment refracted, causing their surroundings to bend and stretch unnaturally. They had only walked for a few minutes before a male voice called “Open the gates!” from beyond the veil of light magic.
There was a great creaking as invisible doors parted. The guard tower doors, perhaps forty feet tall, shuddered and took shape out of nothing, still holding their reflective light enchantment even as they opened fully. Golden light flooded out of them.
A handful of blue-striped elk took off into the trees at the opening of the gate. Wildlife was the only thing the enchantments didn’t keep out, unless the queen’s magic sensed ill intent from it.
Passing through the outer wall of the light glimmer, Endra and her companions stared out at the vast, beautiful landscape that was the capital city of Kalenthia. Rolling green treetops surrounded the magnificent city, which was about a mile away. Endra stared in awe at the great mother tree—twice the size of the one back home at Pine Ridge. Enormous. And unlike the trimetreun in her village, there was an elegant white stone city built around it with smooth, bending architecture. Faewood trees sprouted from the city, with the white walls built into them.
Marveling, the party and their new travel companions walked through the gates. “Greetings, General,” an elven guard called out from above, drawing Endra’s attention from the intoxicating sight. She’d spent so much time with Tristan lately, she had nearly forgotten that “General” was his official title.
Tristan snapped his wings and was up in the guard tower in a blink. “Any new arrivals, Indo?” she heard him ask.
Looking up to follow Tristan’s conversation, Endra was distracted by the gate’s Trimethian crystal, fixed atop the tower. Much larger than the one Endra had tucked away in her pouch, it was completely clear, and a golden beam of light shone right into the heart of it. Endra knew this to be one of four enchantments that made up the light glimmer. Four crystals, one at each of the four gates to the city, directed the queen’s light magic back to the enormous crystal at the top of the mother tree. They all created a camouflaged bubble that encapsulated the entire city and its surroundings.
Tristan landed beside her. “All is well?” Endra asked.
He gave her a warm smile and a nod. “After you,” he said, holding a hand toward the city.
“Such a gentleman,” Geldria said, rolling her eyes as she walked forward. Endra and Sendana shook their heads at the red-haired female, and Tristan winked at Endra as the rest of the party followed.
Sendana hadn’t said much these past couple of days. This wasn’t unusual; she was still dealing with the terrible heartache of losing her kurikai. Perhaps Endra would take her out for a drink tonight, help take her mind off things. If the mission would allow for it.
The mission… They were finally going to learn what was happening, once they’d taken the blood oaths Tristan had mentioned. Endra found herself anxious. Excited, yet a little wary about the scale of everything. Tristan often reiterated that the fate of the entire Kaelenwood was at stake.
Endra sighed and let the splendor of the capital wash over her as it grew closer, the grass soft and bouncy underfoot. She could never not be amazed by the sight of Kalenthia. The gargantuan mother tree sprouted up from the white castle as if it were hatching from the structure. The sinuous stone walls were intricately woven throughout the surrounding faewood trees, creating paths and branches of the great city. Endra was certain she would never see anything as aesthetically pleasing in her lifetime; the stark white walls against the immaculate greenery exuded pure, unfettered elegance. It was the epitome of beauty and grace.
To top it all off—quite literally—was the gleaming Trimethian crystal perched atop the great tree. It pulsed with so much power and energy that Endra could feel it in the air, her vibrations responding to it. The crystal’s four glowing golden beams thrummed in unison, almost creating a profound melody. The northern beam shimmered above them, reflecting the dawning sunlight. Endra was in awe of it all.
The party passed another group leaving the city—around eight of them, six elves and a couple of familiars. One violet-haired female leopard caught Endra’s eye. She had eyes that were a deep purple, much like Miri’s. A pang of longing shot through Endra’s chest. She suddenly felt the urge to cry, but brushed it off.
Kind nods and smiles were exchanged with the passing travelers; Endra thought of Shamus and Miri again. They would have left Pine Ridge by now. Ultimately, she had left that decision up to Shamus, but she was certain they would abandon the village. Endra certainly would have. They had no protection at the Ridge, only one hundred villagers with virtually no fighters or familiars and a handful of injured or disabled magic casters. Gods, poor Zeriah.
Her family members, Beatruce and Valendor, would be traveling with Shamus as well. Endra thought of her grandmother—and Dren… She swallowed back tears. She still felt so raw, fighting the urge to break out in violent sobs whenever her departed brother sprang to mind. Yet that was only a fraction of what Sendana had lost. She looked to the blonde elf once again. A look of determination was set on her thin, pretty features. Endra would take her out tonight. It would be good for them both.
She was so lost in thought that she was surprised to realize they’d made it to the entrance of the city. Elves and other fae folk were busying themselves around the open gates at stalls or shops. She spotted a few traveling gnome caravans, some centaur farmers with carts and tools for gathering crops, and even a band of harps that had perched in a grove of trees outside the city. The bird-like fae people, akin to harpies though not as aggressive, were all feathers and little intelligence. They were known to attack weary travelers on occasion, though this lot seemed content to ignore the bustling people.
But what really drew Endra’s attention was what appeared to be a dark fae camp just outside the gate, surrounded by dark banners.
Her breathing slowed. “What are they doing here?” she whispered, suddenly on edge.
“I’ll explain that later,” Tristan said in her ear.
She nodded, staring at the camp. These beings had murdered her father and countless other light elves over the centuries.
Other fae seemed to keep their distance from the small number of dark elves sitting around a fire, with their bluish, grey-toned skin and elegant features. Dark elves were just as fair to look at as any light elf; it was their dark nature Endra couldn’t stand. Their beliefs were the stuff of heathens and debauchers. They placed desire above all other natural laws and followed the god Mir, the lord of sensual desire and gravity—twin to the goddess of light and love, Mira, whom Miri was named after. Endra appreciated desire as much as any elf, but to devote your entire life to it, letting it completely rule your body and mind, was just incredibly—disturbing.
Voices were calling out. “General!” “General Hearthfire is back!” Endra snapped her attention to the great white gate that stood well over a hundred feet tall, letting thoughts of the dark fae wither away as her capital city welcomed her.
Tristan was clearly well thought of here. Endra glanced at him and he smiled at her, giving a slight shrug. She smiled back, even as doubts crept into her mind. What would her role be in all of this? Tristan was duty-bound to keep her safe and secure for his mission, and according to him, they had been just barely skirting the guidelines of his blood oath. They would have to at least attempt to keep their relationship under wraps, though anyone around them for long enough would easily be able to sense it. Now that they had mated, their territorial fae nature would be difficult to keep hidden—and Tristan had said the queen would quickly figure it out, so Endra had that awkward interaction to look forward to.
She had met the queen before, when she was younger; Tabatha had taken her to the capital when Endra was around fifteen years old. She remembered how tall and magnificent the queen had been. Not the most beautiful elf she had ever seen, but strong and graceful. In spite of her anxiety, she was excited to see her again.
Chapter 16
Reinhart
“This is the foulest thing I have ever smelled in my entire life!” Raine hissed.
Reinhart swallowed down a laugh as the twins moaned their agreement. It was about mid-morning, and Reinhart and his family had met Fitz outside the entrance to the Coremount sewers a couple of hours ago. The sewers he and his family were now trudging through. They had been making their way up through the very narrow waste canals for what felt like an eternity. They all wore cloth face-coverings provided by Fitz, with some lavender oil on them to reduce the odor—they didn’t help much, though. Their guide had one of his false light contraptions affixed to the top of a walking stick, lighting the way with a soft, golden glow. The glimmering stone was better than torchlight, especially with all the gases that were floating through the sewers. Reinhart found himself thinking that Fitz looked very much like a wizard he had read about in stories as a child.
“We’re nearly there,” Fitz said as he turned left around a corner. As Reinhart was about to follow, Fitz reappeared, heading in the opposite direction. “This way. Come now.”
Reinhart shook his head as he turned right after him. Hope you know where you’re going, Fitzy.
But he was right; their destination wasn’t far away. Fitz went up the ladder first, then Reinhart and the children, with Raine coming up last into the secluded alley. Raine coughed a little too dramatically as she emerged from the hole in the ground, gasping at the fresh air.
“It’s not that bad, Raine,” Reinhart teased. “I’d have thought your fortitude was a little stronger, having been subjected to all manner of foul smells as a mother.”
His sister tore the cloth mask from her face and stared daggers at him, her eyes burning with a familiar anger. Reinhart cringed. Uh-oh, maybe shouldn’t have said that.
Fitz snuffed his light, and Reinhart moved the steel grating back over the sewer access point. His family didn’t seem terribly pleased at the moment, and they were all covered in—well, in things he didn’t really want to think about. He could still feel Raine’s stare on him, heating the back of his neck.
“We’re just two blocks from my shop,” Fitz told them. “Come now. We can all get washed up, and I can feed you.”
“I don’t think I’ll be hungry anytime soon,” Sara groaned, holding her arms away from her body in disgust. In spite of his own distaste, Finly chuckled at his twin.
Only Greta and Mikael seemed mostly unfazed by the experience. Greta was just a bundle of baby bunnies, always happy and cheery, and Mikael wore a stern and determined look on his face. He was well on his way to becoming a man, his short brown hair framing the beginnings of a strong jawline. Reinhart wondered if the boy was acting unbothered for his benefit. Mikael obviously yearned for his approval, always trying to impress him with his hunting skills and overall physical toughness. It was a good thing, though. Raine and the children needed protection, and if Mikael was ready to provide it, Reinhart was proud of him.
