Silent Orchids (The Age of Alandria: Book One) Page 19

  Confused and startled for the briefest second, the black creature did indeed stop. But only for a moment, and then it continued moving toward her and Chel in that creepy floating way that they moved. It was only feet away and seemed to get bigger as it straightened from its hunched stature, preparing to unleash whatever kind of evil it had at Kaeleigh.

  It didn’t exactly have solid arms but more like wisps of smoke that snaked out from its body while at the same time unveiling a black and red sword that was hidden under its cloak. If there was ever an “evil”-looking weapon, his was it. Darkness literally radiated from it. Great terror and anger simultaneously welled up within Kaeleigh as she refused to let this creature of the dark have her friend. Refusing to give in to the fear and close her eyes, she stared this evil in the eyes and screamed “NO!” as it was about to bear down on her and cleave her in two.

  Instead, a blindingly white sword tip speared through the heart of this creature from behind, stopping mere inches away from her own heart. The creature stopped dead in his tracks, literally, but before he fell to his death, becoming ashes and fleeing once more into the ground from whence it came, Kaeleigh saw her reflection in its eyes. Eyes that once had fire in them now showed a reflective onyx black. But what she saw was not how she stood now, but rather falling to her own death, pierced through by another’s sword. Then it was gone; the reflection and then the creature. Standing where the creature once stood was Daegan. Fierce, intense Daegan.

  He looked at her with a pained expression. “I thought it—” But before he was able to finish, shock hit Kaeleigh fast, knocking her off her feet as she began to crumple to the ground. Daegan caught her and seemed to just hold her in an awkward embrace for a brief moment while he righted her to her feet.

  She looked up at him. “I did too. It would have without you. Thank you.”

  Finn rushed to her side. “Are you okay?” Once he was satisfied that she was, he yelled at her, “Are you crazy? What were you doing? It would have killed you! They wanted you! If they were going to kill Chel they would have already done it.”

  Kaeleigh flinched. Finn had never yelled at her before, but she knew he was reacting out of fear because he cared. She reached out and touched him on the arm. “I’m okay, Finn. Chel. We have to help Chel.”

  Finn grabbed her and pulled her to him in a crushing embrace, kissed her on the head, then let her go, making sure she was steady before releasing her completely. She grabbed his arm and pulled him over to Chel. Daegan stiffened, closing off any vulnerability she had just witnessed, and began to inspect the black chain.

  “Daegan, what kind of chain is this? How do we get her out?” Kaeleigh asked him.

  He studied the chains for a moment. “Stand back.” He raised his sword and swung up above Chel’s head—which wasn’t too hard as she was slumped over—hitting the chain dead on, expecting it to break. Except it didn’t. Daegan’s sword actually bounced off of it, not affecting the black chain at all.

  “Well, I did not expect that,” Daegan said, frowning. He then looked from Kaeleigh to her sword that was still on the ground and then back to her. “Kaeleigh, give it a try,” he said as he nodded toward her weapon.

  Kaeleigh reached for her sword, still shaking from the shock of her near death experience only moments ago and not understanding how Daegan and Finn could remain so calm after such an intense fight, like flipping a switch on and off.

  Finn jumped to her side. “No, Daegan. She doesn’t have the strength for it, especially if you can’t do it.”

  Sighing, Daegan shrugged his shoulders. “Then Finn, you try it using Kaeleigh’s sword. Let’s see what happens.”

  Kaeleigh interrupted. “Give it to me, Finn, I’ll do it. We don’t have time to play games.” But Finn was already raising her sword to the chains and following through, only to reach the same end as Daegan.

  “Her sword didn’t work either. We’ll have to figure out some other way,” Finn said as he looked around. He then began to study the chains where they latched onto Chel at her wrists and ankles and then again where they attached above her head and at the base of the stone wall, trying to find a weak spot.

  “Kaeleigh...” Chel whispered as she began to gain a bit of lucidity. Both Daegan and Finn looked to Chel just as Kaeleigh gripped her sword in both hands and raised it above her head with her eyes closed, steadying her breath.

  Kaeleigh visualized herself with strength enough to slice through the darkness of the black chain and the chains breaking, bending to the will of her blade. As she did her sword began to softly illuminate with a pure white light. She felt the warmth of it flowing from her sword into her body. She felt strong.

  Opening her eyes as she didn’t want to miss and hit Chel, she let out a fierce cry, bringing her sword down onto the black chain. It sliced through the chain effortlessly like cutting through water. Daegan caught Chel just as she was cut loose from the chains so she wouldn’t hit the ground. Kaeleigh cut each of the chains that held Chel’s legs too then very carefully cut the cuffs off that were around her wrists without cutting Chel in the slightest. When Kaeleigh was satisfied that Chel was free, her sword released the light it held and Kaeleigh collapsed, having lost all strength.

  An almost invisible black smoke began to hiss out of the black chains that had fallen to the ground. Finn sensed it, cautioning Daegan, “We can’t fight this one, especially not with these two.”

  Daegan agreed, looking down at both girls. “We need to get out of here.”

  Finn bristled as Daegan reached for Kaeleigh, but he was closest and the most important thing at the moment was to get out. He picked up Chel carefully, not sure of her injuries and trying not to jostle her.

  Daegan followed suit and picked Kaeleigh up, cradling her to his chest. He didn’t have time to acknowledge the warmth of her body against his or how fragile and innocent she looked being held in his arms. He had vowed to protect her and he would.

  They both moved quickly, more than humanly possible even with their new burdens. They had to get to the opening that led back to the tunnel. Daegan kept looking back over his shoulder at the rising black smoke that seemed to still be rising and forming some kind of shape. A driving need to get out into the light, or at least as much light as the old forest would give them, pushed him to go beyond what he thought his limits were.

  Reaching the end of the tunnel, Daegan could almost feel the light. It was there, waiting for them, offering safety in its embrace. They just had to make it a bit further. Kaeleigh began to stir in his arms, but he just hushed her with a low calming tone, knowing she would put up a fight. They didn’t have time for that right now. Daegan focused his mind and yelled for Finn to keep up. Finn was just fine, but Daegan needed something to say.

  There it was, the entrance to the cave—the exit to their immediate freedom. He and Kaeleigh made it through just as the black mist began to solidify behind them and threatened to block Finn and Chel from the exit. Daegan growled in frustration. They had made it this far and after everything, he was not about to leave Finn and Chel behind like this—even though it provided the perfect opportunity for him to “lose” them. Kaeleigh would never forgive him. Daegan wasn’t sure why it suddenly mattered to him, but it did.

  “Finn, RUN! Jump through it before it solidifies, or you will never get out,” Daegan yelled as he set Kaeleigh down in a small patch of sunlight he spotted. Running back, he grabbed Finn’s arm to assist in pulling them through the partially solidified black mist. It was like pulling something through a thick cobweb. He used his other hand to cut through the darkness, aiding in their release. In a matter of seconds, they tumbled through, barely clearing the entrance before the thing solidified.

  Breathing heavily, Daegan grabbed Kaeleigh, shouting at Finn to keep running. They had to get farther away. He looked back just as snakelike tendrils—or tentacles—began to grow out of the solid wall of black that suddenly had red eyes of fire. He didn’t know if this was a messenger of the Droch-Shúil
, or an actual part of it. With shivers of unease, he thought perhaps the latter. A hissing whisper of words began to flow out of the creature of darkness, audibly carried on a visible vapor of evil.

  “Run, but we will find her; there will be no escape. The Orchids will be destroyed.” The voice faded the further away they got.

  They ran until Daegan was certain it was not still reaching them. But to be safe he ran to where he knew the nearest clearing was, where there would be sunlight enough to keep out the darkness that pursued them. The darkness that pursued her. She was the one—the Sol-lumieth—and now he knew it without doubt.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Finally having settled in yet another small clearing, the entrance to which had been sheltered from the rest of the forest by some overgrown thorn bushes and worn down with time, they slept.

  Sometime later, Kaeleigh woke up feeling somewhat refreshed. Seeing Chel asleep next to her looking much better than when she was bound in that cave, she took a deep breath of relief. Slowly, gently, not wanting to wake her, she reached over and put her hand on Chel’s arm. She needed to make sure that she really was all right. Her eyes widened as she realized they were also alone, once again. No Finn and no Daegan. After everything they had just gone through, Kaeleigh couldn’t believe they would leave them alone again. They had to be nearby. Desperately, she wanted to wake Chel. She looked at wounds that were almost healed—much further along than she would have expected. She needed to let Chel’s body heal before they moved.

  Kaeleigh got up and dusted herself off. She still felt weak after everything that had happened the night before and hoped they would find some food soon. Looking down at where she had been lying, she saw her sword placed in some kind of scabbard that Daegan must have put there for her. She strapped it around her waist, feeling more confident having it on her person as she walked.

  At the edge of the clearing, she tried to get a feel for what was around her. Since being in the forest, her instincts had intensified. She felt a lot of things changing inside her; things she couldn’t even describe. Her thoughts, her emotions, her vision and hearing—it all seemed to be intensifying out of her control. She wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to contain it. Lately, she felt as if she might explode from within, but oddly she wasn’t afraid of it and consequently it felt more right than anything she had ever felt before.

  “There is an energy radiating from you now. I can see it—I’ve been watching it seep out, but the barrier holding it back is about to let loose. I’ve never seen it work like that before. You’ll need to learn how to suppress it,” a voice spoke from the shadows within the trees just beside her.

  Kaeleigh walked unafraid a few steps closer. “And why would I want to do that?” she retorted, knowing the voice to whom she spoke.

  “It makes you an easy mark. You are being hunted, you know,” Daegan replied nonchalantly. He didn’t show any sign of getting up to join her. “They weren’t after Chel in that cave, it was a trap set for you,” he continued. Then, standing up but not moving forward, he said with extreme intensity, “Who are you? Who are you really and what have you to do with Alandria? This is something you need to know.” It was almost accusatory.

  Kaeleigh stood tensely, offended at his inquisition. After all, he was the one who had sought her out and brought her here! Still, she was trying to answer the same question for herself. On a deep sigh she said quietly, “I don’t know. I mean... I’m just me. I don’t know what it is but I feel a connection to this place. I don’t understand it yet, but I will figure it out. It feels heavy and important.”

  Suddenly Daegan was in her face, staring intently into her eyes, his hands gripping her upper arms. “Kaeleigh, it IS important. This isn’t a game. They will kill you and I need to know why. I need to know why they are hunting you and if I should keep protecting you, if I should put my life on the line before we get back to those who’ve sent me,” he said desperately as they were so close they were almost touching. Heat from his body was radiating away from him, almost seductively surrounding her. Breathing deeply, heartbeat accelerating, he let his eyes wander slowly from hers, exploring her face landing on her lips, then quickly back to her eyes. He released her arms.

  Kaeleigh blinked, breaking the spell that kept her lost in the deep dark abyss Daegan had for eyes. She took a step back, releasing her body from the magnetic pull of his own, allowing her brain to think. Kaeleigh didn’t want to think when she stood so close to him.

  “I know I am here for a reason, and I can’t choose for you, but you gave an oath to be our guide and protection until we were presented to those who sent you. I will hold you to your word. Nothing more. I did not and will not ask you to give your life for mine. After we reach our destination, you will no longer need to risk your life on my account or that of my friends. I’m grateful for your service, Daegan, especially back in the cave for my life and for Chel.” Kaeleigh took a deep breath, suddenly angry but trying not to let Daegan see her slowly losing it.

  Daegan watching her intently, and without expression, nodded. “Very good. You just dampened your energy flow, even though you were angry,” he replied, as if everything she just had said was gibberish.

  Ugh! Suddenly feeling extremely patronized, Kaeleigh took another step backwards and started to turn away from Daegan.

  He reached out to grab her arm but she jerked it to her side before he had the chance. “Kaeleigh...” Daegan sighed with surprised regret at having lost his brief connection with her and took a step toward her.

  “If it’s not too much trouble, could you keep an eye on Chel until she wakes up and could you tell me where Finn is please?” Kaeleigh asked politely, covering up the anger that she was using to suppress the hurt that she unexpectedly felt.

  Daegan, feeling her shut off from him, did the same. The last thing he needed was to make this more than a business transaction between him and Maleina. “Finn couldn’t sleep. He had... things on his mind, I think you would say. You will find him straight that way, not far. He asked me to keep you here, but I do not care what he wishes. There are things you should know.”

  Frowning, Kaeleigh began to head in the direction Daegan pointed. Then she stopped and looked at Chel and, turning back to Daegan, she asked, “And Chel?”

  Daegan nodded then said, “Of course. She will be safe with me.”

  Kaeleigh nodded and headed in the direction where Finn was mysteriously doing whatever Finn was doing. Maybe he will finally tell me what is going on.

  He watched her go, taking a deep breath and wondering how she seemed to affect him so. He thought about how he had held her as he ran with her from the cave. When he saw that creature about to end her life, he couldn’t breathe. His reaction had been instantaneous. It wasn’t just to protect her as he had promised or to see what she could possible do for his realm; he wanted to keep watching her... to be near her. When he had brought her into this clearing, to his surprise, in her partially conscious state, she had actually seemed to try to get closer to him. Not quite sure what to make of that, he tried to ignore it. She probably thought it was Finn; they were close. Without meaning to, he had smelled her hair as wisps of it flew into his face. Vanilla and cinnamon mixed with the natural scent that seemed to be femininity infused with scents of the forest. Intoxicating. He found he could get lost in it, but he wouldn’t.

  ✾✾✾

  Kaeleigh didn’t have to walk through the forest far before she heard a small bubbling creek and followed the sound toward the base of a small decline. This part of the forest felt different than what they had walked through already. It felt lighter, airier, as the trees were spaced further apart. There was younger, newer growth here. It was even playful as the trees swayed with the wind. The sound of the creek slowly trickling over rocks was a welcome sound. Peaceful. She hadn’t realized that she was thirsty until now and headed to refresh herself and clean up a bit. Now that she thought about it, the rest of them could use some cleaning up too. She made
a note to bring them down here before they kept moving.

  ✾✾✾

  Finn was sitting at the base of a large oak tree right on the edge of the water, his back facing the clearing behind him. He felt like his skin was crawling and he wanted to do nothing else than scratch it raw, but he ignored it. He had been ignoring it since he got into Alandria, but it suddenly grew worse with their present location. This was a place of redemption, yes, but also of his shame. Finn became vividly locked in the regret and memory of another time as if it had happened yesterday...

  From the center of the circle, Finn could see the Elders cloaked in their ceremonial cloaks surrounding him. The white hooded one had released his bindings with a simple touch of his hand. Finn could feel the magic releasing his hands but also holding him captive where he stood on the boulder. He held out his left hand, palm up, waiting for the sting of sliced flesh. Closing his eyes, he could smell the coppery scent of his own blood before registering the pain. He refused to flinch or utter a sound. He wouldn’t dare. He deserved this, and more. This was the commencing of his punishment...

  “The blood spilled here tonight is not only an offering, but represents what will happen to the one who breaks the vow. The boulder is the strength of the bond created and serves as silent witness. The earth absorbs the secrets of the vows; it is ever present and will execute punishment as it deems necessary, even if all others are unaware...

  “Your crime of murder upon the Ferrishyn... You have been spared and commissioned with the guardianship and protection of a blessed child. Let it be known...” As the Elder paused, Finn hung his head and let the Elder grip his forearm. Looking him straight on, the Elder waved a hand over the space on his forearm, placing a magical brand that could never be removed. Head already hung with shame, Finn dropped his shoulders, his final stand of pride stripped, wishing for death instead. “You are hereby banished!” The words would forever echo in his mind.