Entangled web of destruc.., p.20
Entangled Web of Destruction, page 20
“That is where you are wrong. We have all moved on from the past, but it seems you are still lingering there.”
Charnell takes a few steps forward, getting into position to fight, but the warlock withdraws from the battle.
“My skills are needed elsewhere. Until we meet again, Charnell.”
“This is not over, warlock!”
Charnell and Mitchell reconvene after the enemies leave the area.
“This felt like a distraction, Mitchell. He could have taken me out with a blast of magic.”
“I agree. Maybe they were moving their camp, while we were being entertained, or something else is in the works.”
“Can you check on the group to see what damage has been done? I need to take a minute.”
Mitchell nods.
Charnell sits on the overhang above the raging river. He can see the fires in the distance from what he assumes are towns or small family communities. There will be no need to hide their fires this evening, since their location has been exposed. He has no idea where they could travel to keep themselves hidden.
The best path to the Hidden City is to bypass as much of the weather as possible, and taking the outskirts would be the best option. He may underestimate Kyle, but he doesn’t see him doing that. If they know the warlock is in the area. He would take the longest path possible to avoid everyone, which would lead them into the northern mountains along a more dangerous trail.
“Charnell, there were no casualties,” Mitchel informs him.
“That is wonderful. I think the best option for us is to travel straight through the plains of the Wavering Mountains, and hopefully we will cross paths with the prince, Cora, and your family shortly before or after we arrive at Aurora’s kingdom.”
“There are towns along the river, and a few are connected on either side by bridges. This may allow us to gather needed supplies before we enter the harsher weather. Not to mention getting a good night’s rest and food.”
“Do you know if there are any healers on the river?”
“I haven’t traveled there in years. My oldest son lived in a nearby town, but he has since moved.”
“Can you see if we can get the fires going? I will join everyone shortly. It’s going to be a colder night, and we will need heat.”
47
Nelia
Splintered Vale
The heaviness of the humidity weighs on Nelia as she meditates in the castle’s flower garden.
Time has flown by, as she has been outside for hours, or so it seems. The sun has faded beyond the mountain peaks. The quick traffic of servants enters the garden grounds as several young lads light torches throughout.
Nelia ends her meditation, listening to the servants’ soft whispers as they hurry around. Taking off her cloak, she lays it on a bench and pulls her hair up off her shoulders to help reduce the warmth.
It’s hard to understand why she has been plagued with misfortune and cursed to live a life of unhappiness. The days continue to move forward without a word of her daughter or the prince’s whereabouts. Nelia did not expect Aurora to reach out, but after several attempts to summon her, she thought she would have the courtesy to do so.
In the distance, the howl of a wolf causes Nelia to shiver. They have never bothered her before, but something is not right, and her intuition is telling her that she needs to act fast before time runs out. The trees become unsteady as the wind increases, bringing in much-needed rain.
Flap. Flap.
A white flash disturbs the night as the doves shift into human form.
“Ladies?” asks Nelia.
“Prince Ainsworth would like to inform the queen of his safety and notify her they are traveling to the Hidden City.”
“Is my daughter safe?” she asks, fighting the tears from escaping her eyes, but she loses and brushes them away.
“She was safe when we saw her last, but there are dangers upon the horizon with the warlock tracking their movement.”
“Of course, he is searching for her. Do we know of his whereabouts currently?”
“No. We warned Charnell of an ambush when he was in the Valley, but afterward we came here to do an update and provide word to the queen.”
“Can you notify Aurora that they are traveling in her direction? I will guarantee the queen knows of the situation.”
They nod.
“Before you go, who summoned you?”
“Your daughter, with the help of the prince.”
The ladies vanish quickly, flying off into the darkness.
A battle with the warlock would not be beneficial for Nelia, especially without her black magic. However, it may be the only option to rid her daughter of his influence. She does not want to disturb the queen this late, but if she doesn’t, the queen will be outraged.
TRAVELING TO THE QUEEN’S royal chamber, she can’t shake the feeling something is going to go terribly wrong when her daughter arrives in her homeland. As far as she knows, the Elders continue to oversee daily operations and provide guidance to Aurora, who remains in charge. Aurora’s duties to her family always come first, and that is the only hope for Cora.
“Your Majesty, thank you for meeting with me.”
“Please take a seat,” she says. “What is the urgency?”
“I know you are aware of the doves. They have brought word that your son is safe, and he is traveling to the Hidden City.”
“This is wonderful news,” Constantina says as she brushes the faint tears away. “Do we have any news of Charnell?”
“Earlier this evening, the doves warned Charnell that the warlock was heading their direction. They were traveling in the Valley, and it’s unclear what happened afterward.”
“I appreciate you telling me this evening, Nelia.” Constantina embraces Nelia’s hands in hers. “Charnell will bring our children home.”
Nelia takes a deep breath, asking, “I would like your permission to travel to the Hidden City, Your Majesty.”
“We will be outnumbered, if the warlock and Richard end up here with both you and Charnell gone.”
“I understand, and I would not ask permission, if I did not feel that my daughter was in some sort of danger.”
“Please forgive me, but I am unable to approve your request. Your skills are needed here to protect my family.”
“I understand,” she lies.
THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES for her disobeying the queen, and she will deal with that later. She continues to gather a few items she will need for her journey when a knock on the door interrupts her. She allows Alexander inside as she goes back to her tasks.
“The queen sent you to watch over me, it seems.”
“Please don’t make this more difficult than it already is,” he says. “I can’t allow you to leave.”
“Are you going to lock me away in this tower until my services are needed?”
“No.”
“Why not? It seems that everything I want is so far out of reach I cannot prevail. I gave up my child at birth because her father wanted to create a powerful being, so he could rule over the realm. I cannot have a relationship with the person I love, because those around us seem to die. My duties were pushed upon me as punishment by the Elders. I may be a descendant of the Winifred family, but they have never really welcomed me in. I did not ask for any of this. All I want is to be free.”
“You know we are your family, Nelia, but we both have duties we have to perform, and if we fail, there are consequences.”
She closes in on Alexander. “I know every one of you feels, what happened to Jonathan was my fault. Family or not, we all have secrets.”
“Don’t try to turn this around on me. I was in that room. You were not. I carry around the guilt daily for not being able to prevent the events that unfolded. The images continue to haunt me every night.”
Nelia tries to speak, but he stops her.
“You are trying to justify what you are getting ready to do, and I will not allow you to do that,” he says as he steps back. “You have a choice to stay and protect the Ainsworth family or betray our queen and leave. Which is it?”
“Forgive me, Alexander,” she says as she tosses a vial at his feet.
The glass container breaks, and vapors rise, swirling around Alexander, who tries to step away, but he cannot, and he inhales the sleeping potion. He steadies himself against the wall as he slides down to the floor.
“You left me no choice,” she says as she grabs her supplies, including a few elixirs and potions she created to help offset the black magic.
48
Cora
Wavering Mountains
Cora shivers as she trudges through the knee-high snow and pulls her cloak tight as the frigid air presses against her body. The blistering wind swirls around them, bringing subzero temperatures and icy conditions to the plains of the Wavering Mountains. Deep snow drifts create challenges as they travel with no signs of shelter in sight for miles, only rocky formations scattered throughout.
Kyle uses a stick for support as he leads the group through the lowlands. His boots plummet into the depths of the snow as the ice wraps around his ankles and calves.
Her teeth chatter uncontrollably.
“I don’t think I can make it. It’s too cold,” cries Cora.
“Hang in there,” Kyle says. “Pugh, Jack, can you help find shelter?”
“She is right, it is getting too frigid,” says Pugh, his hands red, burning, and cold.
“What would you like us to do, Kyle? Build a house out of the snow?” Jack snaps. “There is nothing for miles. We will freeze before sunrise. Whose idea was this anyway?”
“Your attitude is not helping, cousin.” A gust of wind howls through the area. “Head to that rocky mound over there. It should help divert the wind so we can figure out a plan.”
The walk seems like an eternity as some of the snow holds their weight, while at other times it may collapse under their footing, throwing them forward. Pugh was right, as they reach the formation, the wind takes a detour around the rocks, but some gusts wail in through the small cracks. The sky darkens as an impending storm approaches.
Jack stabs the icy surface with a stick he found, not sure what he is looking for, but hoping there is shelter or something they can climb into.
“Here!” Jack says excitedly.
Before entering, he strikes flint against flint, trying to create a spark, but the torches are too damp to ignite. “Come on!”
“Take this.” Cora hands over her family pendant. “It’s not working. Where is the glow and light radiates off it?”
Kyle holds up his hands to try to help calm her. “Cora, you need to relax for it to work,” informs Kyle.”
“How can I relax when we are going to freeze?”
A faint orange glow illuminates the lair. Jack peers inside to see a small bonfire lit, and there are no signs of life. Each of them takes a turn climbing through the small slit in the earth. Shortly after Pugh enters, the ice plummets onto the surroundings.
The warmth of the fire helps take the chill out of the air, but they are still very cold from the elements, and their clothes and hair are wet.
“How did you light the fire?” Jack questions.
“I don’t know.”
Cora places her cloak and shoes to the side before wrapping herself in a blanket, leaning against Jack. Her feet are cold and burning.
“Whoever is on watch will need to keep an eye on the opening to ensure it doesn’t get obscured,” informs Pugh. “We need to keep the fumes from building up inside here.” He removes his cloak and weapons. “I honestly think the heat will keep it clear.”
“Do you think we took someone’s den?” Jack questions.
“A bear would have been in here sleeping,” Pugh says. “You need to get some rest to take the second shift tonight.”
“We can leave in the morning, if the weather doesn’t get worse,” Kyle says.
“DO YOU HEAR SOMETHING?” asks Cora.
The sound of horses traveling in their direction is powerful, as the crunching of the frozen ground withstands the impact and holds strong.
Jack grabs onto Pugh’s shoulder, shoving him back and forth.
“What do you want?” Pugh whines, stretching and rubbing his eyes. “I was dreaming.”
“There are people outside.”
“Friend or foe?” Pugh snaps.
“Kyle, what do you want to do? It appears to be daylight,” Jack questions as he peers up toward the entry. “If it’s Charnell, we can’t afford to miss them. If it’s not, we will be outnumbered.”
“Agreed.”
Kyle doesn’t say anything else. He grabs his sword, pulling it with him as he climbs to the top of the dirt ramp and out the opening.
“Could it be Charnell? I am tired and hungry,” Cora whispers. “I need a good night’s rest.”
“Don’t we all. My stomach has been growling all day,” Pugh harps.
“Do I need to remind you that you were asleep? There was no stomach growling, but other—”
“Enough!” Pugh snaps.
“Can one of you check on Kyle? He has been gone a long time,” Cora notes.
“Let’s give him a few more minutes before we do.”
Silence sweeps around them as a blistering whirl of air enters the hideaway. Cora shivers. The bonfire had gone out not long ago, and she was hoping that Jack could fix it when he woke up for his shift, but they face a different challenge. Cora gathers her belongings and conceals a sheath and a dagger at her waist on the inside of her pants.
“We are being rescued,” Kyle yells. “It’s Charnell and Lord Mitchell.”
“I anticipate your dad is furious at both of us,” Jack says as he gathers up his belongings. “I am going to blame you.”
“That is not going to save you,” Pugh says, laughing. “Cora, would you like to exit first?”
She nods.
Charnell reaches for Cora’s hand to help guide her out of the den.
“Your touch is like fire to me,” Cora says. She pulls his tunic, exposing the torn shirt. “The mage?”
“We had a few words. It doesn’t even hurt,” he says.
“You’re lying. Kyle’s injury is not as deep, and he has complained about the pain frequently off and on during our travels.”
“Don’t worry. There is a healer located in the Hidden City who we can both speak with once we arrive. I will double up some of our riders, if you can ride alone?”
“I was raised on a farm.” She smirks.
Pugh, followed by Jack, climbs out of the hiding place.
“Father, we had no choice,” Pugh says.
“No need for apologies. You and Jack did what you thought was right,” says Mitchell as he hugs Pugh and pulls Jack toward him for a group embrace. “We can talk about how this situation could have been handled once we are all safe.”
“Join one of the riders from our town. You both know who is with us. I will be there shortly.”
Charnell, Mitchell, and Cora talk privately, for a few minutes before joining the others.
49
Nelia
Forest
The whisper of the branches welcomes her as the gentle breeze wraps around her as she enters a small clearing, guiding her horse to the creek. The water filters through her fingers as she washes her hands and face. The ripples settle, allowing her to see the channel floor, and crabs scurry away into their holes as a few fish swim by.
The light filters in through the shadows as the branches dance with the wind, and the calmness of nature allows her to relax. Sitting on a fallen log, she listens to the birds singing and animals scurrying somewhere in the distance. A family of deer eats across the stream, unbothered by her presence.
Her mind drifts to that night her daughter was born. She still hears those cries as her child entered the world. The tiny fingers wrapped around Aurora’s finger as she carried her out of the room. She has a lot of regrets, and one of them is not holding her before she had to give her daughter away.
The soaring of an arrow rushes by Nelia, alerting her she is no longer alone. She turns swiftly, coming face-to-face with the warlock.
“Nelia, it’s been a long time, has it not?”
“Not long enough, Elbas. What do you want?” She keeps her distance, knowing he would not be here alone, but she cannot find the others at this time.
“You, of course. I can’t afford to have you running freely around and ruining the plans for our daughter.”
“You must have forgotten who you are dealing with, if you think I will disappear and forget about my daughter.”
A force pulls her toward him, and he grabs onto her arm tightly. His odor is overpowering, as he has not showered for days, and his clothes are covered in dirt and sweat. She attempts to pull free, but his grip becomes tighter.
“You seemed to forget who I am,” he says. “If you think you can intimidate me, you will fail. You are too weak to fight me.”
Nelia tightens her grip on a dagger hidden under her cloak.
“I forget nothing.”
She pushes the dagger into his side, and he instantly hurls her out of the way, sending her tumbling to the ground. She rolls a few times before stopping, and the impact takes her breath. She quickly realizes she must have hit something on the way down, as the pain in her left side radiates through her back.
Scrambling to her feet, she cradles her injury and tries to run, but she is surrounded.
“You have nowhere to run, sorceress,” one of the men says.
“I do not want to fight with any of you. All I want is my daughter’s safety.”
“You don’t want to fight, but you stabbed me. She can ride with me. Secure her hands,” he says as he gathers his horse.
“You will not win,” she promises.
“That is where you are wrong.” He places a necklace over her head and straightens the charm. “This worked so well for us last time to suppress your magic.”
