Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians (16 page)

Aryaunna
turned her head to look back but continued walking to the wood stack. “You will
address me accordingly when I speak!” The guard was an older man, with pure
silver hair, combed neatly back. He was no ordinary guard. He was a company
commander. It was a risk Aryaunna knew she faced, because none of the guards
could be identified by rank. The Church wanted all his people to respect the
guards equally. Only amongst each other would they have known the rankings of
another guard. This one wasn’t familiar to her, she realized as she turned. Her
eyes skimmed him closely. His beard was nicely trimmed. His armor was polished.
Even his chainmail glistened in the light of the torches that were lit
throughout the courtyard.

“You
guards have no respect. No dignity! Look at you, filthy as a pauper.” He was a
knight. A knight of Valhanna.

Aryaunna’s
heart began to race though she tried to look only properly chastised. Her chin dropped
down, letting her matty hair fall over her face. “Apologies, sir. Forgive me,
sir, I only meant to help,” her voice cracked and squeaked, forcing her to
pitch into a fit of coughing to hide the slip. The knight backed up, not
wanting to stand too close to the ill. She gurgled up some phylum and made a
good show of it as she did so.

“Don’t
mind him, sir. Got that nasty sickness thas been spreadin,” Allos bowed his
head to the knight when he looked up.

“Get
out of here then. I tied that one myself,” the knight instructed. “The pyres
will be lit soon, get that horse to the stables so it doesn’t spook.”

“Let
me just check the last one to be certain then, sir.” Aryaunna turned for the
third stack without waiting. She’d gotten a foot propped onto the first rung of
wood. “It’s something terrible when the ropes don’t hold and they start running
about while they’re burning.”

“Disregard
me again, and I will tie you to him myself, boy.” Aryaunna risked a glance at
Allos. It was now or never. She’d only managed to get the Wood Nymph untied,
but the thought of leaving the other two there to burn was unbearable.

“It
will just take me a moment,” she’d not done so well to hide the feminine
quality of her voice as she climbed. It confused the knight and made him take pause.
Aryaunna’s hands were already braced to the top stack. She had to scale it
quickly, which was difficult because they were not so well fit as the first
stack had been. As she stood to her feet, she drew her sword.

By
the time the Valhanna knight understood, Allos had the tip of his sword against
the man’s exposed throat. He was at a disadvantage however, because he had to
lean down to aim properly. All the knight had to do was step off to the side to
avoid being cut. The knight didn’t have to call his men to arms, though he did
as he backed to a safe distance from Allos’ blade. They had all been under
close watch and had been a focus of attention for several minutes.

Allos
played hell fighting off the guards who were able to jump up into the cart.
Many had a rough time climbing over the bodies of dying guards that Allos had
dropped before they could make it up the sides. Aryaunna managed to cut the
ropes that bound the man’s wrists, but had not yet gotten to his feet as she
had to fight off soldiers that were coming to surround the pyre. The stack
would not hold two, and this was clear as her balance was quite unstable and
she was forced from log to log as they began to tumble.

“Light
the fires!” They did not know where the order had come from, but the guards
surely didn’t care.

“Evangeline!”
Aryaunna cried for her to run while she tried to fight off the blades that came
for her. From the corner of her eye she saw the woman leap from the plank to
the cart. She fell into it with a cry of her own. Allos was now doubly charged
with defending himself and the Wood Nymph.

A
torch was tossed onto the pyre Evangeline had stood upon just as she jumped. It
lit into flame swiftly, filled with dry and ready kindling soaked in oil.

Aryaunna
drew her knife in her left hand as her right parried the swords that stabbed
for her legs. She felt heat against her leg, and feared it was the torch though
she saw no flames. There were too many guards surrounding her. The torch bearer
didn’t want to kill his own men, and so he was hesitating.

Warmth
spread down her leg. In the back of her mind she registered it as blood and not
flame. Dropping to her knees she drug the edge of her blade across the faces of
two men as she fought to get her knife to the last rope. Heat overwhelmed her
as the second pyre was lit. The screams were deafening over the roar of flames
and clashing of metal.

The
guards that surrounded her began to thin out. It didn’t take her a moment to
realize why. Taking the advantage she rammed her knife down into the trunk,
splitting the last rope. The man’s legs had been cut by the guard’s swords and
he stumbled, sending them both crashing to the ground as the stack collapsed
beneath them sending logs rolling out in all directions.

As
they fell, the final torch was thrown. Brushwood and dry logs soaked in oil
caught fire instantly. The guards had all backed up as the torch had been
thrown. A warning must have been yelled, but the only sounds she could hear
were the screams of the dying woman.

Rolling
to her feet, she grabbed the man’s arm to pull him to his feet with the hand
now free of the knife, lost in the fall. Fire caught to some of the logs that
had come loose from the third pyre. Townsfolk added to the chaos as they ran
like headless chickens screaming to match the burning woman.

The
heat licked at Aryaunna’s flesh even through her clothes. As she got him to his
feet, his body became an inferno in her arms. The sound of breaking glass
barely registered to her as the flames erupted. A lamp of oil had been thrown
at them.

At
nearly the same instant, something grabbed her by the arm and jerked her
backwards. Her feet kicked at the earth that moved too quickly beneath her
feet. She dropped her sword in favor of grabbing Allos’ arm as he tried to pull
her up. It took a moment of her kicking at the side of the cart with him
pulling before she was perched on the edge.

As
they raced for the front gate, their only exit, Aryaunna watched the madness.
No one was coming after them, because the burning man was running at the guards.
Even as he screamed in agony he ran for them. The Nymph was slapping Aryaunna’s
leg, as some of the oil had hit her and lit. She hadn’t even realized she was
on fire. The Nymph extinguished the flames swiftly.

Aryaunna
watched in horror with tears streaking down her face. Not even minutes had
passed since the first torch had been thrown. The woman bound to the post was
still screaming her pain of death, as the man fought to his end as the guards
took him down. She watched as he fell to his knees. A sword stuck into his back
was thee blow that brought him down.

“Ary,
this path will narrow soon as we hit the wood. We have to get the harness off.”
Allos was straining to get her attention as he made way for the harness.
“Aryaunna, call for Sita!” he demanded.

Her
bird like whistle chirped only twice before she saw the grey blur through the
trees. Allos maneuvered himself to stand against the harness as he helped the
Nymph onto the gelding. Aryaunna would have to release the harness for them and
get to Sita on her own. As Allos mounted behind the Owl Maiden, Aryaunna
released the leather straps that held the wooden harness of the cart.

The
gelding ran hard as he was freed. They were lost to the woods as the cart went
haywire without a lead. The wheels bounced on the frozen road, pitted with
holes where the ice had tried to melt and failed.

With
little other choice, Aryaunna bailed over the side and pitched herself to roll
when she hit the ground. It was a harsh landing, but one easily survived.
Coming to a rough stop against a tree trunk, she pulled herself up and started
into the woods. Her run was weakened with a limp, but Sita was already running
for her. As were three manned horses from the Church. Sita only slowed enough
for Aryaunna to grab her around the neck, being left to pull herself upright
while the horse rode on.

“Ride
hard, Sita. Ride hard.” Aryaunna lay against the mare’s neck, holding onto her
tightly.

They’d
remained in the woods for hours. Dawn was coming before they began the trek to the
Hollow. The guards that had followed hadn’t been difficult to lose. Aryaunna
had lost her weapons. Fighting them off hadn’t been a sure plan, so they’d
opted to lose them in the woods. It hadn’t been difficult in the dark. They’d
had to stop to rest their horses, the gelding being worn to the bone from his
burden of two riders.

Conversation
had been minimal since making it to the wood. Even when they were sure the
guards had given up their search for the night, the silence lingered heavily
between them. They were haggard, stricken with sadness, tired, and hurt.

Upon
reaching the Hollow Aryaunna remained mounted on Sita as Allos and the Wood
Nymph dismounted. Aryaunna called for Mayla to gift the Wood Nymph with sight.
“There’s no need. My kind is the very embodiment of magic. This cast does not
affect me.”

“She’ll
still wish to speak with you, and look you over to be certain you’re all right.
If you’d please, my lady?” Allos’ hand waved in front of him as he half bowed
to her.

“Perhaps
your bleeding friend is of more importance than I,” she said with a glance
spared for Aryaunna.

Righting
himself, he looked sharply up at Aryaunna. “I’m fine. Just nicked is all. Tend
to our lady. There’s something I must see to.” Without waiting Aryaunna
squeezed Sita’s sides with her feet lightly and the horse took off at a brisk
trot.

“I’m
starting to dislike it when she does that,” he mumbled under his breath as he
held out an arm to the woman at his side.

“Our
Emissary is young and therefor very stubborn, certainly.” His brow arched. He
hadn’t been sure if the maiden realized who Aryaunna was until now. “Still yet,
what she’s been through this night will mark her. She just needs some time. The
wound is heavy, but her heart is at greater risk this night I fear.”

Allos
watched Aryaunna ride toward the Dark Wood. She was going to Reign. “She’s
going to see a friend. Sita will see to it that she makes it safely.”

Sita
huffed every few moments as she rode on at a steady stride. The Dark Wood was
no threat to either of them now. While she knew it was important to speak to
the prophet, she hadn’t thought twice about where she was going. Sita rode at
such speed that Aryaunna had to keep laid flat against the mare’s neck to avoid
the trees.

Blood
stained the mare’s side where Aryaunna’s leg hung limp now. The moon was at its
peak when they reached Dia.

Aryaunna
let out a deep sigh as Sita panted heavily from her run. Aryaunna hadn’t pushed
her at all. Sita just had her own pace she liked, when she liked it. Some might
say their bond was just so strong that Sita knew when it was vital to make
haste, and when leisure was optional.

“Well,
friend, not sure either of us are up for the mountain just now. Perhaps we
should take a rest first, eh?” Sita let out an argumentative snort, and trekked
on up the same path they’d taken last time. “You’re stubborn,” Aryaunna
grumbled.

Sita
was well on her way up the path when a strange shadow cast over them, shielding
them from the light of the moon. A shadow of lace formed of bone. Aryaunna
wouldn’t have been able to tell if the pattern hadn’t danced over the rocks
just after drifting over them. Looking to the sky, she wasn’t surprised to find
it empty. She’d seen it though, she was sure.

Sita
came to a stop moments later. The shadow had indeed come from above, as Reign
scaled down the mountain with skilled majesty. His white body blended in with
the stone so well that she hadn’t noticed the movement along the side of the
mountain until he leapt from one cliff and landed as gracefully as such a
massive creature was able in front of them. Sita backed up just a step, though
she didn’t seem frightened by the Dragon.

“What’s
happened?” Reign sniffed the air, as if testing to be sure he was right. A step
forward brought him inches from the mare and her rider. “You’re injured. I
thought it was Sita when I saw the blood that soaks her.”

“It’s
not as bad as it looks,” Aryaunna insisted as the Dragon brought its head close
to her bleeding leg. Her pants were blackened with blood that still ran freely
and the char from the fire. Black smoke and ash stained her from head to toe.

Folding
his wings back, he turned his body to move flush against Sita’s. “It will take
her too long to reach the cavern. Climb onto my back.” Aryaunna looked down,
not willing to admit she was hurting. Stubborn, she slid herself off Sita down
the other side. “Walk the distance yourself and you’ll bleed to death before
you ever reach the caves.”

Sita
backed up, as if to force Aryaunna’s hand further. Reign laid his body as flat
as he could, and stretched out his forearm to aid her the best that he could.
His wing came out so that she could keep a hold of something as she climbed to
his back. “Pride does not suit you, girl. The color of it is ugly, and the
taste is bitter,” his tone was gentle though he lectured as she climbed into
place.

Despite
the size of his body, Reign was agile and fluid as he climbed the mountain as
if it were no challenge to him at all. What would have taken Aryaunna hours to
do, even healthy and able, took Reign minutes.

Reaching
back behind him, he extended his talons to her as she climbed carefully down.
She bit back the painful cry as she moved her leg wrong, and punctured her lip
in doing so. Her grip on him tightened as she swallowed down the urge to cry
out and continued her way down more carefully.

He’d
carried her to the beautiful spring that seemed to glow blue for the reflection
of the luciola. “Lie down,” he bid her. He kept his hand extended as she did so
slowly, lending her his strength as she needed it. Carefully, his sharp claws
tore back the soft leather of her pants around the wound. Some of the cloth had
adhered to the wound itself as the blood thickened and from the flames that had
touched her. “Is this your only wound?”

“If
only I’d been so fortunate.” The rest were small cuts, or bruises. Nothing near
as serious as the deep gash on her thigh that still bled openly and the burn
that started just beneath it and marked her entire thigh an angry red. The pain
was exhausting her. Slowly her lids close, wishing she could sleep.

“These
waters will help you heal. I shall tend to your leg, but then you must soak in
the spring. It will allow your body to heal completely.” Curling up, he laid
his body next to hers so he could work easier. A soft sigh of his breath
sounded before he looked up to her. “I fear this will hurt.”

“Pain
does not frighten me,” she assured him truthfully.

Holding
her wounded leg in his grasp, he licked the blood clean carefully. Though she
kept her silence, tears ran freely from her eyes. Though it hurt, she knew the worst
was yet to come. His serpentine tongue cleared the filth and drying blood away,
even the remnants of cloth blood-flued to her wound. With this he took with it
the infection that was sure to have settled in. His tongue was warm and smooth.
When he was done, her leg was clean, but still bled. He’d been careful of the
burn just beneath the cut, but there was no way to be careful enough of it.

By
the time he was done Aryaunna found it impossible to open her eyes. She was
exhausted from not only the lack of sleep, but the blood loss. “Ayaunna, can
you still hear me?” She gave a grunt to acknowledge him. “What I must do will
be very painful. It will make you sleep. But when you wake, you will be well
again. Do you understand?”

“I’m
ready,” she whispered.

Holding
her leg in his grasp carefully, he took in a deep breath and concentrated.
Breathing out slowly, he used great focus as he shared with her a gift he’d not
used in the better part of a millennia. The fire that came from inside of him
burned white and pure. It was nothing like the fire of the pyres.

A
sharp gasp took her and her eyes widened. Despite the pain she did not yell
out. In the next instant she fell back, losing all thought and consciousness.