Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians (20 page)

“Trying
to sneak?” Mayla asked as soon as the door opened.

“No.
Just didn’t want to wake anyone,” she whispered. Korena slept in the room above
the cottage style apothecary.

“Not
to worry, my dear. Korena sleeps like the dead.” A warm smile was given though
she spoke in a whisper, too. Elizabeth was a light sleeper, though Aryaunna had
never been one to sleep well if much at all.

“What
keeps you up?” They kept their voices low as they spoke. Aryaunna, light of
foot, walked over to where Mayla worked by lantern over a small table near the
door.

A
small mortar sat before her, with some raw gritty stones on the table. Mayla
laid the pestle onto the table before brushing her hands off on a spare cloth
at her side. “Grinding more chrysocolla.” Chrysocolla, Aryaunna had learned,
was a stone that promoted harmony, but more importantly was a great stone for
healing. It relieved pain in the joints, soothed burns, and helped one feel
more awake, yet peaceful. It was a beautiful yet strange looking stone, marbled
lavender, bright sky blue, and foggy grey.

“Who’s
it for?” Aryaunna questioned as she took up the pestle and took her turn to
grind the larger chunks in the mortar.

“Thank
you, dear.” Aryaunna smiled. “It’s for Annette. She gets pain in her hands from
sewing.” Annette was one of three women that made all the clothes in the
village. She was working on new ones for Elizabeth and Aryaunna. Though,
Aryaunna had told her not to concern herself too much with things for her.

She’d
even gone as far as giving Elizabeth the night dress that had been given to
her. Excusing it by saying it looked much better on her. It was better fitted
on Elizabeth-that much was true. Her sister had a very feminine, petite
figure. Though she was strong and fit, she was too dainty to look it.

Aryaunna,
like her sister, was thin from years of barely having enough to eat at the
Church. However, her muscles were not nearly as slim and tightly knit. Her arms
were boldly defined. Also, since having come to the Hollow, her stomach was,
too.

“She’s
nearly out of the serum I make her. Now what do you think is in it?” Mayla
asked, ever the teacher.

“Chrysocolla,
clearly. Camphor oil and castor.”

“Why
those?” Mayla questioned, to be sure Aryaunna understood the two.

“Camphor
for the pain, castor for inflamed muscles and joints and brings necessary
moisture into the body.”

Mayla
smiled. “Don’t forget juice from the mint plant. Helps with the inflammation
and it makes for a pleasant smell,” she explained. “Very good, though. Now tell
me what keeps you awake.”

“I
can’t say for certain. My body is weary, but my mind tells me there is too much
to be done. Sleep feels like such a waste of time when there is so much to do
and learn.” As she spoke, she continued her work on the hard stone. It was no
easy task. Mayla had the harder stones broken up by one of the smiths. After
that, it weakened the stones and from there they were much easier to turn to
powder.

Nodding
more to herself than Aryaunna, Mayla walked over to one of the vast shelves
filled with jars, bottles, bags and boxes of this and that. Aryaunna and
Elizabeth spent time every day learning anything and everything Mayla could
teach them. When Aryaunna wasn’t training to fight, she was learning how to
care for the people in other ways. She had to learn how to treat ailments,
wounds, illnesses and a number of other things. These weren’t the only things
she had to learn, but they took up the most time as they were the most complex.

“If
it’s all right with you, I’d rather have something that keeps me from getting
tired than something to force me to sleep,” Aryaunna explained. She seemed to
have caught Mayla off guard.

Picking
up a little flip top bottle of blue liquid, she returned to Aryaunna who was
still busy pummeling the stone to dust. “Your body needs rest, Aryaunna. I can
certainly understand the feeling of urgency for all there is to be done, but it
will all be there in the morning.” She held the bottle out to Aryaunna
insistently.

“Is
there no magic that can let me stay awake?” Aryaunna frowned as she looked at
the little bottle, reluctant to take it.

“Of
course there is. It’s nothing you need this night. Come on now.” Persistently
she held the little bottle up until Aryaunna took it. “You won’t need much more
than a sip, but keep the bottle so you’ll have it when you need it. Don’t take
it until you lay down. It works rather quickly.”

“What
if something happens and I have to get up in the middle of the night?” She eyed
the little bottle filled with the sapphire blue liquid as if it might be
poison.

“Well
with any luck that won’t happen again, or at least it will be infrequent.
Though if it does, you’ll likely be quite groggy once you are woken up.”

“So
it will be difficult to wake me?”

It
was clear that Mayla was reluctant to answer. “You’ll sleep soundly, but you
will still be able to be woken.”

A
long pause of silence held in the air for a moment as Aryaunna seemed to
consider. And then a smile, weak as it was, pulled at her lips as she took the
little bottle and tucked it into the hem of her pants. “Thank you, Mayla. I’ll
use it tonight after I go for a walk. The powder is done. You should get some
rest.”

Mayla
looked surprised as she looked down at the mortar to see the rocks had been
ground to a fine dust. By the time she looked up, the door was closing.

Cold
wind kissed her cheeks the moment she walked outside. The nights were getting
colder as they fell deeper into winter. Without her vest she had to pull the
cloak tighter around her. No one else was out in the streets, and only one
lantern hung lit from the great tree at the center of the Hollow. The silence
was peaceful. A sense of security washed over her. For this night, the Hollow
was safe.

“Where
is Allos, anyways? It’s not that I have a problem helping you train, but
usually he likes to at least be present,” Lena queried more to herself than
Aryaunna as they prepped in the arena. Their cloaks were hung on the staffs
that lined the wall. They stood next to one another with one foot each up on a
long bench, unstrapping their boots.

“Not
sure,” Aryaunna dismissed the question easily. She hadn’t seen Allos or
Elizabeth all morning. Though she wasn’t sure where they were, she had an
inkling they were together. Pulling out her boot dagger, she set it down on the
bench. “Why do we need our boots off?” she asked to distract Lena.

“Today
I want to teach you more than what your body can do with a weapon in hand.
Today I teach you that your body is the real weapon.”

They
stripped themselves of all hindrances, belts, swords, knives, and bulky
clothing. Lena had her hair braided back in an intricate weave that hung long
down her back near her tailbone. Matte grey skin clashed with snow white
tresses. The Drow stood a head taller than Aryaunna.

Aryaunna
tied her unruly black curls into a low knot at the base of her skull. It was
thicker than both her fists when bound. Lena’s neck turned at an impossible
angle and popped, before turning the other way. Aryaunna’s brow just lift. This
was going to be fun. Or just very painful, she wasn’t quite sure which yet.

In
full contact fighting, Lena and Aryaunna fought brutally. The Drow weren’t
known for holding back quite as much as Allos did. Every hit that Lena landed
was a painful one, but she was good to teach Aryaunna how to hit just as hard
and defend as well. The way to pitch her body into it and land the most
devastating blows, and where.

They
fought even when Aryaunna was exhausted. Three cracked ribs later, Aryaunna was
finally given a reason to stop when Korena came running into the arena to fetch
her. “Aryaunna! I have been looking everywhere for you. The feast is starting.
Dusk will be soon and the Owl Maiden says she will show us her true form. You
have to come!”

It
took a moment for Korena to take notice of Aryaunna’s worn and somewhat bloody
appearance. Her brow had been split as well as her lip. Rolling up to her feet
she gave a nod to Korena. “Aye, Korena. Thank you.” Though she limped, she
walked over to the bench and pulled her boots on.

“I’ll
not be wearing my swords or vest tonight, Korena,” she informed as the young
girl had lifted the leather vest. “We’ll leave them in the front hall.” There
was a chest she could lock them inside.

Once
she strapped up her boots and donned her cloak, she took care of her laden belt
and vest. Lena gave her grief for not wanting the extra weight on her wounds
after the match. It was true though. She’d never fought like that before. It
was a rough lesson, but a necessary one.

Hanging
the chest’s key around her neck, she followed Lena and Korena up the stairs to
the Hollow. As they walked through the wood, she looked to the skies. Though
dusk was just coming, she could see the moon. Large as she’d ever seen it, and
brilliant gold.

Thinking
of Reign at the sight of the moon she gave the sky a faint smile.

Walking
into the great hall, she looked over the full room. Often it was bustling but
never had she seen it so full of life. Winter garland draped from the walls and
rafters. It was almost standing room only. Every massive table was full of
Drow, pale skinned and dark.

Three
among them would stand out. Allos, who spoke to Raif at the bar, with large
mugs in each of their fists. Elizabeth, who spoke animatedly with Sola, a young
woman by Drow standard. She was hyper and bubbly, and quite pregnant. Lastly,
Aryaunna, who walked over to see Mayla and the other Drow elders.

Kolin,
a proud gentleman. He was quite the traditionalist. Nadegia, prim, cool
attitude, but very wise. Zane. Hard as nails, and set in his ways. Some found
it hard to even like Zane, but Aryaunna liked him best. They seemed to
understand one another, and got along differently than she did with the others.
They could laugh together about some of the strangest things, when no one else
was around of course. Aryaunna gave them each a nod, holding him for last.
“Merry meet,” she greeted.

“And
merry meet, again,” Aryaunna bowed her head to Evangeline, the Owl Maiden.

“Merry
meet, Emissary,” the Owl Maiden returned. “You look weary.” The fair maiden’s
eyes narrowed as she eyed Aryaunna’s swollen cheek and bloodied lip.

“Training.”
Aryaunna said with a prideful smile. “No worries, Maiden.”

Mayla’s
brows were raised with quite astonishment to Aryaunna’s apparent injuries. Her
and Lena were the only ones not dressed in their finest. Kolin and Zane were
taking her in silently. Nadegia smiled and raised her glass to me. “Cheers to
you, Aryaunna. Tis no easy road to walk. We bow to your courage.”

“My
thanks to you, Nadegia. It is my honor.” The only one who bowed was Aryaunna.
Though Nadegia managed to appear humble. “The hall looks very beautiful. I have
never seen so many in one place for celebration,” Aryaunna addressed Mayla.

“Yes.
It’s amazing how joyful it is. I never imagined seeing our people so blissful
again. Hope is returning.” Mayla gave me a tender smile as she nodded to
Elizabeth. “Your sister is really becoming a part of the community. She’s
agreed to start midwifing and Sola is the first young mother she will be
bringing into motherhood with me. They’re both very pleased.”

“She
certainly does look happy,” Aryaunna commented sincerely. Her sister was happy.
Exultant. There was a glow in her eyes that she’d never witnessed before. “The
Hallow has been good for us both.”

Kolin
bid her well, and encouraged Aryaunna to try the bore and cranberry sauce.
Promising she would, she dismissed herself to go check in with her sister.

Elizabeth’s
cheeks had a deep rose hue to them. It was almost peculiar to see on the pallid
freckle faced girl. Her purely crimson curls were braided into a wreath of
garland that crowned her head. “Wow,” Aryaunna said with a happy laugh. “Look
at you.”

Elizabeth
was almost glowing with delight. Lifting her beautiful evergreen dress that was
a little long to the floor she spun on the ball of her foot to show her sister.
“Do you like it?”

“It
fits her almost perfectly,” Sola exclaimed happily, no doubt having loaned her
the dress.

“Indeed
it does. You look beautiful, sister.” As she stopped spinning, Elizabeth gave Aryaunna
a one armed hug. The dress was a rich evergreen, square cut on her chest, laced
up the front of the bodice. The sleeves hung long down her arms, tapering down
lavishly. It was a simple dress in make, but it was beautiful.

Sola
gasped, and both sisters looked up to her. “Aryaunna, what happened?” A
furrowed brow took Elizabeth as she finally really looked at her sister. She’d
been so caught up in festivities she hadn’t paid much notice.

“Oh,”
Aryaunna laughed when she realized what she meant. “It’s nothing. Training is
all. Is it that awful?” she asked when she saw her sister’s wide nervous eyes.

“You’re
covered in blood,” she whispered as if not to draw attention. Reaching behind
Aryaunna, she pulled the cloaks hood up over her. “We have to get you cleaned
up.”

Agreeing
wholeheartedly, Sola took to Aryaunna’s other arm, and the two women led her to
the kitchen promptly and discreetly through the crowd. Sola took her cloak.
Elizabeth got the water and a clean cloth. They fussed over Aryaunna until they
deemed her somewhat presentable. They begged her to go to Sola’s to find a
dress, but she declined. Adamantly. Many times.

At
long last, her ebony rats nest of hair was braided back tightly. The dried blood
was cleaned away. The swelling was lesser, and her skin was left red and puffy
but no bruises had formed yet. Reclaiming her cloak, they returned to the hall.

The
night was one to remember. The only feast Aryaunna had ever laid eyes on was as
a servant. There were no servants here. Still yet, she felt no surge of
pleasure to celebrate with her new found family. Inevitably after making rounds
through the room to greet all those she could she found a place beside Zane and
Mayla.

She
watched the festivities and those whom celebrated with a fond heart. Her
sister’s eyes were radiant with happiness. That glow flickered into a flame
every time she met eyes with another across the room. Aryaunna couldn’t help
but wonder if she was the only one to notice, but she said nothing. It wasn’t
her secret to share.

They
raised their wine as one as Evangeline blessed the days ahead. It was a great
sight to see the Wood Nymph take her winged form. Even inside it was quite the
thing to behold. Evangeline soared overhead in great arches and swells before
suddenly sweeping across the room and landing on Aryaunna’s shoulder.

In
front of Aryaunna laid upon the table was a bowl of roasted nuts, scattered
shell crumbs, a bowl of shell shards, and her belt knife, for it had the largest
hilt. Taking up the knife, she brought the hilt down onto another nut,
shattering the shell and breaking the nut into small pieces. Trading the knife
for pieces of acorn she held one up to the owl.

A
happy awe had filled the room, laughter echoed from the many tables telling
stories of old. Evangeline stayed with Aryaunna for much of the evening in her
lustrous feathered form. She enjoyed the meaty nuts. Aryaunna didn’t mind the
weight of the large owl perched on her shoulder, though she might have minded
more if not for the cloak cushioning the talons of the mystical creature.

Music
soon filled the room and many danced. The night seemed to happen like one would
recall a memory, or a dream of a memory.

Aryaunna
bid goodbye long before everyone else, though she spied some children asleep on
the long benches at tables in the back of the hall. Evangeline had morphed back
into the eloquent Wood Nymph of a woman so that she could dance.

Stealing
away to the loft where Sita slept, Aryaunna tossed a thick leather blanket over
the horse’s back. Climbing onto a wooden crate she urged the equine closer.
Easing her right leg over, she slid into place comfortably. Taking up the
mare’s mane, Sita turned herself around and began to walk.

“You’re
back again?” Reign walked slowly down the mountainside as if it were a lavish
staircase.

“Sita’s
homesick,” she lied with a bold grin as she walked alongside the mare. “That
and I missed the fish.”

“Did
you lose your sword along the way?” he eyed her completely unarmed self, with
just the cloak to shield her.

“They’re
in the Hollow. You might say I snuck away.”

“Again,”
Reign remarked. “Are you unhappy in your place?” What a loaded question, she
thought.

“Of
course not, but I don’t like to sleep. And coming here keeps me from waking
people.” Sita seemed to ignore the two entirely as her trot hastened so that
she might make it through to the valley. Though just an excuse, Sita loved
these visits to Dia. As the two friends met, Sita trotted past them.

“Why
don’t you like to sleep?” he inquired as his great body swiveled fluidly around
to walk with her. They strolled at a leisurely pace far behind Sita who was
nearly out of sight.

“Seems
like such a waste of time. And surely enough, when one takes time for leisure
and rest is when something will happen,” she explained vaguely. He waited for
her to go on, clearly assuming she’d give him more of an answer than that.
“Besides, if I sleep, then I miss the stars.”

Automatically
they both looked up. “They are incredible, aren’t they?” Reign spoke in
reverence.

As
they walked up, Aryaunna took a hold of Reign’s wing to aid in keeping her
balance as they traveled up a steep slope along the side of the mountain. It
was a difficult time, but was well worth the view.

Beneath
her fingertips his wings felt like slick stone, warm to the touch. A stone that
flexed and curved at his will. With his guidance the two made it swiftly up the
side of the mountain, though Aryaunna was out of breath by the time they
reached the ledge that acted as a balcony to the cave’s entrance.