Silent Orchids (The Age of Alandria: Book One) Read online

  “What are those?” Daegan asked Ella, pointing at the caves.

  “Those are our dwellings. This is where we live,” she replied with a sense of pride and honor. “Most have gone into their homes. They have been expecting you, but they still choose to remain hidden as they are not used to strangers.”

  “I understand. We are honored that you have allowed us here,” Daegan said, suddenly feeling the need to be respectful.

  “Come, let us go to my grandfather, he is waiting.” She began to walk toward the waterfall. It took longer to get there than it seemed like it should, as if the land were stretching the deeper we got inside. Hal couldn’t stop looking around. Daegan refused to let his guard down even here in this peaceful place. Especially in this peaceful place.

  The most exotic species of butterflies, dragonflies, and other tiny creatures fluttered closely to the trees. One small butterfly flew around Daegan’s head a couple of times before landing on his shoulder. It was shimmery white with larger than normal wings; the lower ones extended further than the tops and trailed behind her. She made a noise that sounded like she hummed a song. Daegan let her stay there, inclining his head toward her and accepting her invitation of friendship.

  “You make friends with insects faster than you do with Faeries,” Hal said sarcastically.

  Ella stopped and turned to see what he was talking about. She stared for a second, confused, then raised one of her eyebrows and smiled. “Do not offend her and do not take for granted her size. She is very special. You are being honored with her presence.” Ella inclined her head and closed her eyes for the briefest second. Daegan recognized that gesture as she listened. “She says she knew your parents and offers her services if ever you need them.”

  Completely confused, but not wanting to risk offense, Daegan quickly replied, “Thank you, I am honored. I do not mean any offense, but how does she know my parents? I barely remember them myself.”

  “They were good Faeries, and she is sorry for your loss, as are we. Some things are not easily forgotten. Many things were set into motion with their deaths.” Ella bowed her head slightly in solemn reverence then continued with a small smile, “All the information you seek will be made clear to you when it is time.” Ella then turned to find her grandfather.

  “You must be seeking a lot of information. That is the second time she has said that to you,” Hal said, slapping Daegan on the back and chuckling as he followed Ella.

  “I guess I am,” was all Daegan could mumble. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was seeking but it was starting to become more clear and yet more confusing at the same time, if that was even possible. There was a slight pressure behind his eyes that caused him to falter and blink excessively. It had happened before, but had never lasted this long. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took deep breaths. Hal came back to him, noticing he hadn’t followed.

  “You all right?” Hal said lightly, but with a voice laced with concern. Daegan simply nodded as the pressure decreased, and they moved forward to keep up with the beautiful white-haired Faerie.

  Ella had disappeared behind the waterfall through a narrow opening between the water and the rock behind it. Hal looked back at Daegan, who shrugged, and the two followed her. The fissure in the rock opened into a large room made of smooth tan stones. There was a homey warmth to it which was only added to by the large stoked fire built into the stone, a stark contrast to the bright whiteness on the other side of the water.

  It was furnished most comfortably and with all-natural earth tones and textures. A large area rug, a couch made of various leathers that looked like you might sink in it, and several mismatched overstuffed chairs took up the middle of the room. There was a coffee table made of stone on which stood a tea service that appeared to be ready and waiting for them. Ella offered them a seat and some tea.

  How do I know she’s not just wasting my time? Daegan mused. How credible can information be coming from Faeries who hide away in a rock?

  Ella looked sharply at him as if reading his mind; for all he knew maybe she could. Seeing her slight smirk, he thought perhaps he better watch his thoughts, just in case.

  Hal sat at the far end of the couch and Daegan stood behind one of the chairs that faced both the way they came in and an additional opening off to the side in order see all points of entry. Ready for whatever came next.

  It proved not to be necessary as Ella then held out two long pieces of material that we were meant to cover their eyes with as they had agreed. Daegan stiffened, on edge. He did not like having his senses at a disadvantage. He could still fight without his sight, but preferred not to. Seeming to understand, Ella looked him directly in his eyes, giving him the assurance he needed.

  “You will come to no harm here. You have my word,” she said solemnly, and Daegan nodded stiffly. “I will go get my grandfather now.” Ella exited through another small opening on the opposite side of the wall.

  “I wonder which Elder he is. Not that I could pick one out, I have never met one of the Elders. Daegan, have you?” Hal chatted as was his nervous tendency while they both put on their blindfolds.

  “No. Just the ones I heard last night. This should be interesting.” He took a deep breath and rubbed his hand through his hair. “There is something very familiar about this place, or at least about the feeling I get being here,” Daegan said, still trying to place what he was feeling.

  “You have been here before, young Daegan.” It was the voice of a very old man, sounding like he was already seated in front of them even though Daegan had heard no one walk into the room, which was a feat unto itself. He stiffened, really hating that he was blindfolded. He would have to depend on his other senses more strongly. Shocked, Daegan flinched when he heard the Elder’s voice in his head like he had with Ella.

  Open your eyes, Daegan. I’m allowing only you to see me through the blindfold. The blindfold will still be blocking your eyes and will not allow your brain to register what you are seeing in the event someone tries to steal it from your mind—as I fear has already been tried. Our wards are very strong here. Will this ease your mind and free you to hear what I have to say?

  Daegan gave a nod. The old man smiled and went on talking aloud, as though he hadn’t just invaded Daegan’s mind. It was weird looking at him through the fabric. He couldn’t see clearly—more like looking through particles or a veil.

  “I don’t remember being here, sir,” Daegan replied to what the Elder had said, although as he said the words they did not ring true.

  “You were very young indeed. You came with your parents. They didn’t deserve what befell them,” he said as Ella handed him a cup of tea. I regret that they were unable to fully realize who they were, who you are to be, and what part they had to play. We all have a part to play. Now it has been left for you to fulfill. I know you do not yet understand, but it is part of your journey to discover the truth.

  Daegan just stared at him through the blindfold. Angered. Saddened. Confused. His emotions spiraled out of control. Frustrated. Frustrated that everyone around him seemed to have known his parents when he couldn’t even remember them. Frustrated that everyone spoke to him in riddles about something they obviously knew about him, but weren’t telling the one person it most concerned... HIM! While Daegan sat brooding in his own thoughts, the old man continued.

  “Where are my manners? I do believe introductions on my part were passed over.” He inclined his head and placed his hand on his chest. “You may call me Arileas, and you have, of course, met my granddaughter Ella.” He gestured her direction. “And you, young warriors, are Daegan of the Ferrishyn and Halister, son of the Paladin of Feraánmar,” he finished with a smile and a wink.

  “How do you know who we are, sir?” Halister asked, clearly having not heard any of the other conversation going on in Daegan’s head.

  “I know much of the goings-on in and around Alandria. It is what I do. I am connected to her, you see”—her obviously referring to Alandria. “It is my
responsibility not only as an Elder, but who and what I am that I feel what concerns her,” Arileas continued, motioning his hands all about in an ethereal way. “Which brings me to why you have been brought here,” he said as he looked directly at Daegan. “You are seeking the rumors of a Sol-lumieth, am I accurate?”

  Daegan nodded rigidly with great suspicion, trying to figure out how Arileas knew their mission, when the Elder spoke into his head again. The Orchids, or you may refer to them as the spirits beyond—although they haven’t always been, spoke it to me. They have tried to get in touch with you without success. I think you have simply not known how to connect with them.

  Daegan’s mind suddenly flashed to the voices he heard when he was sitting under the oak tree. Spirits beyond? Contacting me, why? Daegan asked back inside his own mind, not sure if the communication was two-way.

  It is a warning that the mission you are on and who it is for will cause a great tragedy for Alandria. She is already weeping for what may be. When you find the Sol-lumieth—and you will—you must remove it from the hands of those you serve. As quickly as he was in my head speaking, he was answering Hal’s question about what he knew about the Sol-lumieth that Daegan hadn’t caught.

  “There is an ancient prophecy stating that in the time of the desolation and transition after the great battle, when Alandria sheds tears for the fallen crowns, darkness will enshroud the skies, the moons will grow weary, and the time of color and life will be drained by the hands taken by force. It speaks of a new power that will come of age out of the hidden places and outcast of the land. An heir from the mountains and the ancient oaks will be born and reborn to restore the energy and bring forth a united Alandria. BUT should the power be squelched by the darkness, hope will fade, the mountains will collapse, and all that is hidden will be lost.” Arileas spoke the prophecy first in the ancient tongue of the land and then again in the tongue of today so that they could understand.

  Arileas seemed to have gone elsewhere as he recalled the prophecy. His eyes were staring ahead, but glossed over and unseeing. There was a great and heavy power when he spoke; it left Daegan with shivers racing up his spine. Daegan didn’t know how to respond, but he was not about to give away any shock or confusion at what he just heard. Emotions were a weakness. He knew there was a lot of meaning behind the words, but wasn’t sure how it involved him.

  “What the...” Hal, on the other hand, had no problem showing emotion. He abruptly stopped what he was about to say when he remembered in whose presence they were. “I beg your pardon, sir, but what does it all mean?” he asked much more respectfully.

  Arileas, back to the present, smiled then and even let out a chuckle. “I was once young and feisty like you, Master Halister. Do not lose who you are as you learn to temper it, for it is one of your virtues.” Serious again, he looked at both of the warriors and said, “As for the prophecy, there is new power, or some would say new magic, that brings new power about to be revealed. It has been called the Sol-lumieth because it will carry an illumination so bright it will drive out the darkness. From what or who it comes, we do not know for certain, though there is rumor whispered into the dreams of those who dare to listen of it being someone from the human realm.” Arileas spoke with an odd expression as he slid a look of curiosity toward Daegan.

  Daegan’s eyes sharpened and his fists clenched as he began to feel like this could be a joke. At the same time, Hal gasped at the very idea of a human bringing power to Alandria. How could they? Daegan thought. Humans have no power! Daegan stood abruptly and slowly made his way, following the sounds, as he didn’t fully trust his limited sight to the backside of the waterfall.

  “I don’t believe it!” Daegan ground out between his teeth, but once again he couldn’t ignore the truth he felt in the words Arileas spoke. Maybe Maleina hadn’t heard the rumors right. She wouldn’t concern herself with a human, would she?

  To his shock, it was Hal who refuted what Daegan said. “Daegan, brother, he is an Elder. He does not lie, and I feel truth in his words whether we agree with them or not. I think you do too. Plus he is old, he probably was there when the prophecy was written,” he said with a smirk in the playful way he tried to lighten the atmosphere when he was nervous. Daegan looked over at Arileas, who was clearly amused, but Hal must have realized what he said because he added, “No offense, sir.” Arileas simply laughed heartily.

  Daegan turned, seeing Hal through the veil, and then at the ancient wise man. “How does this involve us? What are you asking of us?” And in his mind he added, of me?

  Looking directly at Daegan like he was searching his very soul, Arileas said both audibly and in Daegan’s head at the same time, “You must find the human child. You must find the child and bring it to Alandria. Protect it, both of you. The child will have to discover the power within, but right now it is vulnerable and can still be brought into the darkness. There are those that want to use the power for their own.” Suddenly, his voice, gone solo in Daegan’s head, said, You must keep her from them. You know what they would do, the power they wish to possess. Help her find her way as you find yours. Bring her back here to us. Everything depends on it.

  I don’t know if I have what it takes to turn from them. She cannot be my responsibility. I may not even have the ability, Daegan responded almost sadly in his head.

  It is your choice.

  Arileas turned from Daegan, releasing him from the eye-lock that Daegan couldn’t break out of as the Elder tried to anchor the importance of what the prophecy was asking of him into his soul. Hal spoke up while Daegan was regaining the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, surprising him when he simply and matter-of-factly asked, “How do we find this Sol-lumieth?” Hal shrugged when he must have felt Daegan frown over his direction even through the blindfold. Daegan had not agreed to this and it sounded like a waste of time. Hal knew this was something that they needed to discuss, which only frustrated him even more. Why did he feel so conflicted and on edge in his soul?

  “Ah, Daegan will know the way. The Orchids will reveal the path to be taken.”

  Again with the Orchids? Daegan mused, but then remembered her. He wanted to hear that voice again. Maybe he could.

  “They will begin to speak to you if you ask them,” Arileas told him directly, as if he had just read his mind. He probably had. You have been marked, have you not? Arileas added in his mind. Daegan instantly touched his waist, thinking of the small marking that had showed up the same time his srontas, marking him as Ferrishyn, was revealed. But this he had kept hidden unsure what it meant—the marking of an orchid.

  No, it could not be, he thought to himself, and Arileas nodded at him.

  Then Arileas addressed Halister. “You, young Halister, your role will be extremely important should you awaken to realize who you are.” Hal folded his arms, a question on his face, but did not say anything. Arileas continued, “Ella will now show you out. I have divulged as much as I am able at this time. Do not think on this too long, time is failing. You must return home for Rheina’s debut, then make your decision swiftly. Until we meet again.”

  And with that he stood, inclined his head, and took his leave behind the back opening before Hal could finish asking, “How do you know about Rheina’s—never mind.” He shrugged.

  Having almost forgotten Ella was still there, Daegan suddenly felt her behind him untying his blindfold. He had been pitched back into darkness as soon as Arileas left the room. After she untied Hal, she began to walk out from behind the waterfall where they had entered, but then she turned and said, “Remember when you agreed to come here you were bound by your oath of secrecy to the Ehsmia. Safe journey home.”

  They followed her out from behind the waterfall, but when they turned the corner she was suddenly nowhere to be seen and they were no longer in the land hidden within the mountain. Instead, they were suddenly in the middle of a crop of NaNai standing guard, creaking as they swayed in the wind. There was nothing behind them but forest and nothing
outside of the NaNai but more forest. Their horses stood there, looking at them with silent anticipation.

  Looking at each other in surprise and confusion, Hal and Daegan were left with their silent thoughts of an ancient prophecy that now loomed over their heads with the promise of forever altering their lives, whether they chose to believe in it or not. Quietly, they headed home.

  ✾✾✾

  It didn’t take them long as they had been placed closer than they knew. Just outside their village, Halister took a deep breath and turned to Daegan. “How do you want to proceed? They are going to want to know something,” he said, very diplomatically referring to his mother and father.

  “They are your parents, I cannot dictate to you your course of action. I can only speak for myself and even then, I have not yet decided.”

  “Daegan, my brother, yes, they are my parents and I love them, but I do not agree with everything they do and I have a bad feeling about what will be done with this information.” He took a long look around them, sighing. “This goes way beyond them and our people.” Then, in an unexpected show of fealty, Hal said, “I trust your instincts with this and am prepared to follow your lead.”

  Still conflicted, Daegan responded, “I appreciate that, but it is not I who should be leading this. You are the son of our Paladin and should decide for us what is the best course of action.” Even though Daegan spoke humbly and honestly from his heart, when he looked into Hal’s eyes they both knew the truth in this case was for Daegan to take lead. So again, Daegan bowed his head, humbled by Hal’s trust and easy acceptance.