Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians (19 page)

“And?”
Twisting himself, he rounded both his blades and forced her to parry left.

“The
Magistrate,” she grunted as she swung her right blade hard into his to block.
“is immortal.” Her left came up and shot forward, the tip resting at the base
of his throat and held. “He’s been collecting magic from his kills for the
better part of a century at least.”

Astonished,
Allos held, not reacting to her attack at all. “He’s certain?”

“He’s
the one who took Reign’s wings, and killed the last of his kin.” They pulled
their blades, letting them drop to their sides a moment. “This fight, when it
comes, we’ll have no idea what we’re going up against.”

“What
do you mean, took his wings?” Aryaunna explained how the Dragon’s wings were
like bone lace. They moved like wings, but were no longer functional, and that
Reign hadn’t been able to fly in over a hundred years.

“How
is it you didn’t know this? I’d have thought everyone knew.”

“No
one has seen the last Dragon, Reign,” he corrected. “in many decades, if not
since he lost his wings.”

“How
did you know he was even alive then?” Twisting her wrist, she swung her right
sword to lay flat against her arm, guarding it as she came forward with a swing
to his neck. Allos blocked, and as expected brought the flat of his other blade
against her arm.

“Because,”
he grunted as he pushed her blade up. Aryaunna was much stronger than she
looked. A life time of hard labor would do that for a woman. “we can hear his
cries.” Their swords screeched against one another as she forced her left blade
to drag and slide up, to brace against his throat. To gain leverage she lifted
to her toes.

“Ary,
haven’t I taught you better? Never sacrifice your balance for what looks like
the upper hand.” With his feet securely planted, he rocked his body forward and
sent her stumbling back.

“What
do you mean you hear his cries?”

“Sometimes
at night, we hear him call to his kin in the heavens.” Walking forward he swung
each sword one at a time back and forth at hers, tapping the broadsides
together as he advanced. “Foot work, Ary.” She was stumbling back over the
limbs. “You’ve gotten too used to the arena.”

“I’ve
never heard this.” Gasping suddenly, she fell, landing hard and fast on her
backside.

His
right blade swung swiftly through the air only to be sheathed at his side.
Reaching out, he offered his hand. “You all right?”

“No.
My pride is badly bruised.” Keeping her sword tipped down, she reached her arm
out. Allos grabbed her wrist and pulled her up to her feet. They both sheathed
their weapons.

“Nothing
I can do for that, I’m afraid.”

“Of
course there is. I need to fight more,” she confessed. It was exhausting.
Especially when she was so busy as it was. “Think Raif and Lena would help
more?”

“They’d
be honored to have you ask. I think you should stop fighting inside the arena
though. It’s a great resource for the basics or for just having some fun. You
need to get accustomed to the elements though.” He pointedly looked down at the
little root that had landed her in the dirt. “If I’d not been a friend, imagine
how this would have ended.”

A
stern frown of frustration settled onto her. “Aryaunna, I mean no insult.
You’re skilled for as fresh as you are with a sword.”

“Tomorrow
my life may depend on my abilities with a blade, as well as the lives of many
others. You are no insult to me, Allos. It is I that is an insult to these
weapons.” His jaw set sternly. “Don’t. I’m fine. The elders should hear about
the Magistrate and what else I’ve told you. Will you go to them for me? I wish
to stay here for a time.”

What
did one say in response, he wondered. She was more than his friend. Aryaunna
was the Emissary, and more importantly she was precisely right. The Emissary
wasn’t meant to be a diplomat, but a warrior and a leader. “Stay close to the Hollow,”
he advised as he gave her a nod and turned to leave her.

He
stopped, turning back to her. “You haven’t heard the Dragon’s cry because he
has not done so since you’ve arrived. You may not yet be a great fighter, but
you’ve already brought hope where there was once only pain. Try to remember
that when the weight on your shoulders feels crushing, my friend.” With a deep
nod of his head, he turned and left her.

Dusk
had come, but Aryaunna hadn’t noticed the darkening skies. The snow fall
reflected the brightness of the moon well, lighting up the woods. Swords in
hand, she panted softly as she maneuvered as if in battle. For hours she’d
practiced, though her only opponent was the wind.

A
fallen tree aided her balance as she walked its trunk, jumping over limbs again
and again while arcing her sword in practiced swings and swift hits. A slight
shake of a tree limb sounded. It was enough to freeze Aryaunna in place. A
melodic hoot of an owl’s call echoed through the night.

Stepping
down from the tree trunk, Aryaunna swung her blades up and sheathed them
smoothly. “I’ve lost track of the hour. Forgive me,” Aryaunna spoke into the
night as she lifted her cloak from a low hanging branch and swept it about her
shoulders.

Gazing
up at the owl she waited quietly, standing still. It called to her again. Large
golden eyes glistened in the light of the moon, looking back at her. Its head
turned at a drastic angle. “I know you,” Aryaunna whispered, recognizing the
owl not for the maiden she also was, but as the owl who accompanied her the
first night she’d come to the Hollow. “You stayed with us that first night,
following us to the Hollow.”

Her
glorious white wings stretched wide as it lifted from the branch and came
swooping down. Snow flew up around the owl as she landed with a graceful power.
Aryaunna’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the magic before her. The
owl’s feathers slicked out, as if liquefying. Her body elongated as the owl’s
head bent down as blonde hair seemed to cascade where down feathers had been
seconds before. Feathers on her wings curled in as she stretched and became
fingers. A beautiful white robe hung over her body as she straightened herself.

Skin
like fresh cream seemed to glow under the light of the moon. Her eyes were
still golden, though she certainly appeared more human than she was. “I’m
surprised you remember me.” Her hands clasped together in front of her.

“I’d
never seen an owl that close before. I wouldn’t have soon forgotten such an
experience.”

“Nor
would I. The moment I saw you running through the woods, I knew who you were.”
Head tilting, wild silken tendrils fell down over her shoulder.

“Are
you a Seer? Like Elizabeth? Have you seen my future?” She hadn’t intended to be
so blunt about it, but there it was.

“I’m
not a Seer.” The smile that spread over her fair lips was apologetic. “How I
wish that I was. It would be of comfort to us both for me to be able to tell
you without a shadow of doubt that you would succeed.”

The
fair skinned maiden walked so light over the snow that it nary made a sound
under foot as she crossed the forest floor to the fallen tree that Aryaunna had
been practicing on. Sitting down, she looked back up at Aryaunna. Her gaze
seemed sad, filled with pity.

“Your
name is Evangeline?” Aryaunna asked as she watched her. No sadness could be
found in her gaze. Her pain motivated her to strive on. It wasn’t something she
wished to wallow in, nor was it something she cared to see in the eyes of
others. Especially when the sadness was meant for herself.

“Yes,”
she seemed happy to answer something with a more sound answer than ‘I don’t know.’

“Well,
Evangeline, if you cannot tell me what the future holds, perhaps you can tell
me about this prophecy?” Evangeline’s hand waived out gracefully at the fallen
tree.

One
step at a time brought Aryaunna to the trunk. She was tired, and not near as graceful
as the Wood Nymph seemed to be. “Aren’t we a pair?” Evangeline seemed joyously
amused as she looked Aryaunna up and down. The young Emissary didn’t seem keyed
into the joke. Her brows rose in question. A question Evangeline was pleased to
answer, “The mighty warrior, dressed in fine black leathers, rich ebony suede.
Masterful weapons, deadly yet beautiful. Even your hair.” Evangeline reached
out her delicate hand and brushed wild tendrils back from Aryaunna’s brow.

“Your
wild black curls frame skin only light in a winter’s cast.” Her knuckles
brushed Aryaunna’s cheek before returning to her own lap. “While I am quite the
opposite in every way.” It was true. Evangeline’s hair was fine corn silk in
sweet looping curls that fell perfectly over her shoulders which were covered
in her pure white dress. A dress Aryaunna thought looked too cool to wear for
such a winter, though the Nymph seemed far from cold. The maiden’s eyes were
golden while Aryaunna’s were emerald green.

“War
and peace,” Aryaunna commented with begrudging amusement as she noted the
differences in the two. Such as Evangeline carried no weapon. Aryaunna carried
enough for several hands.

“War
and peace. I like it. Though not at all in the way you may think.” A sultry
laugh giggled from her lips. Once more Aryaunna’s brow rose in question. “Owls
are a majestic creature, but we are predators, my dear Emissary. Best that not
be forgotten,” Evangeline warned with a coy smirk. “You will fight until your
last breath, my young friend. You will do this for peace. While every life I
take, human or not, will be for no other purpose than my own.” She seemed
strangely proud of this fact.

The
maiden’s words brought a tingle to the back of Aryaunna’s neck. Could this
woman, nye a woman but creature, mean her harm? Was she dangerous? Clearly-but
to whom, Aryaunna wondered.

“You’ve
yet to tell me about this prophecy,” Aryaunna noted, changing the topic
smoothly.

“So
it seems.” The Wood Nymph’s cheeks became hallow as her golden eyes rounded.
Her fair skin paled to the white of snow. The look in her eyes could cut with a
knife. Her lips grew dark and glistened as if they’d become hard. “The prophecy
tells of the grown child. The child without innocence with but one weakness.
Once damned, she will bring salvation to the lost and destroy the riotous. Life
is made forfeit as the Guardians grant their power unto the child and will her
to hand.” Evangeline’s voice did not seem her own as she spoke of the prophecy.

Sighing
out heavily, her shoulders slumped as her head bowed forward. “Are you all
right?” Aryaunna questioned, placing a hand onto the maiden’s shoulder.

When
she looked up, her face had regained her more human features. “Yes. I’m quite
fine now.” A slight smile came to her lips though she looked tired now. “Just a
bit drained is all.” Letting a sigh pass her lips, she seemed sorry as she
looked to Aryaunna. “I wish the prophecy was a happier one for you.”

Folding
her hands together, bracing her elbows onto knees, Aryaunna leaned forward as
she thought about it. “I didn’t know what all it would mean to swear myself to
the Guardians, but no part of me regrets it as some might think. Everyone seems
to think I’ve given up everything now. I just don’t see it that way.” She gazed
out at the trees and the Hollow just beyond. Small lanterns lit the streets
between houses and doorways.

“The
Guardians have given me more than anyone will ever understand. They gave me
freedom, released me from my pain. I understand my life going forward won’t be
blissful, let alone easy. But it never was to begin with.” Aryaunna looked back
at the maiden without sitting up. “If there is anything I can do to keep people
from suffering as Elizabeth and I had, I’ll do it. I’m only sorry I cannot do
more.”

A
sad smile spread her pale pink lips. “Brianna and Levy were their names. They
were good people, kind and generous. Like you, Aryaunna, they knew the risks of
taking me in. They did it anyways. Brianna told me before they took us to the
stakes that she held no regrets for her actions.”

It
wasn’t of real comfort, but it was a small relief to hear these words. Aryaunna
looked back towards the Hollow. She’d hoped to learn more from the maiden, but in
all truth she knew there was little anyone could tell her that would help her
know what to do. There was nothing else she wanted to hear about the future
just then.

“The
Drow are going to have a feast soon. Every day I can feel the tension building.
One should always find a reason, even if they have to make one, to find joy in
their days. It would be good if you came to the celebration.” Somehow, Aryaunna
had the distinct feeling that Evangeline was preparing to leave. Looking back
at her, the hesitation was clear in the Wood Nymph’s eyes. “They want to honor
the lives of your friends, Brianna and Levy.”

“It’s
kind of them to do so. They should be honored. I shall certainly be there.”
Wistfully, the Wood Nymph looked to the heavens above. “Tonight, though, I must
fly.”

Without
having to look at the Nymph, Aryaunna could feel the stir of magic beside her.
Chin still lifted to the skies above let the moon light wash over her pale
features. She was a beautiful creature, elegant. Her cheeks hallowed as she began
to morph from a fair young woman to the great white owl.

Shoulders
lifting, her spine began to ripple as a new form took hold. Her skin seemed to
shimmer and fade as if she were more spirit than being. Her body became
iridescent. In moments the woman beside Aryaunna was gone.

The
owl looked up at her as its wings spread wide, not for flight but to feel their
strength. “What wonder it must be to fly,” though she spoke aloud the thoughts
were for herself. “Peace be with you.”

Suddenly
the owl lifted off from its perch, gracefully taking flight as if the air had
surrounded her to carry her high above the trees. Aryaunna’s gaze followed the
owl up through the forest until she had disappeared from sight. The hour was
growing late, and her body tired and hungry. Hands on her knees she braced her
tired body to stand when she happened to look down. Something out of place had
gotten her attention.

There
beside her upon the fallen tree was a single white feather. If it had fallen on
the snow, she’d not have seen it for they matched perfectly. Picking it up, she
admired its perfect shape and color. Brushing her fingers lightly over the
barbs she felt the silky texture as she recalled what Allos had said.

Feathers
of Owl Maidens were great gifts. Unbuttoning her vest, she carefully tucked the
feather inside a hidden pocket inside the lining. Re-buttoning her vest, she
stood up, gathered quiver and bow, and returned home to the Hollow.

Through
the night Aryaunna found sleep would not come. Though she’d taken to sleeping
fully dressed, she even tried to kick her boots off. Her belt had been hung
over a large spike she’d had to tack in next to her bed. After a couple hours
of tossing and turning, she sat up sluggishly. She was tired. But her mind
couldn’t rest.

Elizabeth
rolled onto her side, facing Aryaunna though she didn’t open her eyes. “What’s
wrong?”

“I
don’t know,” she confessed. “Sorry to keep you up.”

“It’s
all right. I don’t mind. Is there anything I can do?”

“You
never have.” A soft laugh fell from her lips though it was weak and interrupted
by a yawn. “Nye. I’m going to go see if Mayla is up. Perhaps she has something
that might help.” Pulling her boots to her by her toes, Aryaunna tugged them on
and buckled them up her shins. “At least if I’m not in here tossing, I won’t
keep you awake.”

Though
she started to walk past her belt, heavy with blades, she thought better of it,
slinging it on as if it were already a part of her. The boot blades sat on a
small table between her and her sister’s bed, but she left them. Pulling her
cloak around her shoulders, she opened the door slowly, trying to be quiet.

Before
she even had the cloak clasped, Elizabeth called to her. “If you’re going to go
talk to Mayla, why is it you need your swords and the cloak? Mayla’s room is
only down the hall.”

Mayla,
the Hollow’s prime healer, lived beneath the apothecary. There were many rooms
that branched off in one direction or another from the main front. This was
where Aryanna and Elizabeth had been residing since coming to the Hollow. A door
led to a flight of stairs, which took them down to five rooms underground.
Mayla’s was at the farthest end of the hall. Aryaunna and Elizabeth had the
first room to the right at the bottom of the stairs.

“It
is best to be prepared for anything when one walks out their door,” she gave no
room for argument as she eased the door shut behind her. Her steps were utterly
silent as she made way up the stairs. Normally they would creak, if one walked
right in the center. Aryaunna had already learned however that if she walked
carefully along either side that she could move quietly.