Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians (23 page)

Everyone’s
heads hung low as the horses trudged on. The horses’ burdens were not just the
riders, or exhaustion, but mourning. They had succumbed to grief. Grief of a
long night of blood and pain, death and loss, followed by a day of more.

Head
had turned their direction upon reaching the village. Many froze in what they
were doing, staring at the sight of them.

There
were people everywhere, trying desperately to repair what had been lost to the
flames of the night before. Zane walked alongside, Sita. Raif and Kolin had
gone on to the hills of Brisheer where their fallen were to be returned to the
earth so that they could prepare another pyre for their kin.

Zane
called to two boys hauling river stone up through the wood to come and aid them.
“Fetch blankets, and another long board,” he instructed of them.

The
four stood in silence as the boys ran on. Zane hadn’t yet asked Allos and
Aryaunna what had happened. Neither had spoken a word since descending the
hills to Kenan.

When
the boys returned, their faces were sullen as they steeled themselves for the
gruesome task. The two held the long board sturdily next to Sita as Zane helped
take Lena from Aryaunna’s arms.

Lena’s
body was scorched from having fought assailants wielding torches. Blood had
dried where it had spilt. And it had been spilt in plenty. She’d taken three of
them down herself. They’d found the bodies in the woods. But there had been too
many for just one to take on.

Lena
had been an intense fighter, but she’d never had to take on more than few
enemies at a time. They’d had ropes. From the condition of her body she’d been
drug back by one or more of the guards after they’d killed her.

“Take
care, my sons. This warrior must be treated with great respect, as she fell in
attempt to save our people.” Zane regarded the two boys as he placed Lena down
onto the long board carefully as they held it. Her pure white hair was stained
with her own blood.

Dragging
his heavy hand over her face, he closed her eyes for the last time. “Return to
the mother, great warrior. Sleep sweet.”

No
other words had been spoken by a soul since their arrival. No words were spoken
as the boys carried Lena away. Those working had stopped to honor their sister
as she was carried past them.

Korena
ran up to the three with tears streaming down her face. “
No
!” she cried
out when she reached them, seeing with her own eyes that it was true. Elizabeth
was on her heels, pulling Korena away from Lena’s body and into her. Korena
sobbed against her chest, clinging tightly as Elizabeth held the girl up.

Elizabeth’s
gaze sought Allos out. He looked defeated. Unable to hold his head up, he
looked back at her, grimacing to see Korena’s heart breaking in his beloved’s
arms. Dismounting from the horse, he stumbled a step back. His body was
battered, his heart was worse.

Walking
up to Elizabeth and Korena, he dropped to his knees in front of the two. Korena
turned around hesitantly, tears streaming down her cheeks. Bowing his head, he
brought his hand up, kissed his two fingers and lifted them above his head in a
gentle waive. Lifting his chin, he looked into Korena’s eyes. “She fought hard.
She loved fiercely. I was proud to call her my sister, and my friend. Your
mother loved you, Korena. She fought for you.”

Fresh
tears flooded over her lids. They glistened crystalline blue against her pure
white skin. Chin dropping, a tear fell off her snow white lashes. Mayla came
and placed a gentle hand on Korena’s shoulder. Reaching out, Korena took
Mayla’s hand.

Mayla
lead her away as a hush fell over the village. Lena had given birth to Korena.
Because Korena was blessed with magic she’d gone to live with Mayla to learn
from the old white witch. To keep her daughter safe, Lena had become a warrior.

Elizabeth
looked past Allos to her sister. Aryaunna didn’t want the attention.
Dismounting from Sita slowly, she unhooked her straps, reins, and the harness.
Zane helped, as he didn’t seem to know what to say. Aryaunna lift the saddle
from the mare’s back. Zane pulled the horse’s saddle blanket off next.

“Go
find Veyn. He’ll see to you. I’ll be back soon, friend.” Aryaunna spoke to the
horse, nuzzling the side of the horse’s face. Sita bumped her with gentle
affectionate before walking away as if she understood perfectly. On some level,
she really did.

“Let
me take that.” Zane tossed the blanket over the saddle as he took it from
Aryaunna. “You’ll see no soon end to this day, Aryaunna. You must go down to
the arena. Nadegia is waiting for you.”

“Life
is one long day,” she spoke seriously, but without foreboding. “Thank you.” She
placed the reins and harness over top of the saddle for him to take. Nodding
their farewell, Aryaunna and Zane parted ways.

Wishing
she could avoid all further conversation until she reached Nadegia, Aryaunna
lifted the hood of her cloak and pulled it over head. To get to the arena she
had to walk close by to Allos and her sister.

She’d
rather he not come along for this part. He’d been injured, he needed rest and
care. Elizabeth needed a moment of peace as well. That didn’t sway the two from
following after her. “Not this time.” Aryaunna spun abruptly on her heel to
face the two. “Elizabeth, take Allos to the main hall and look him over. He
needs rest, and food. See to him, please.”

Elizabeth’s
brows went up as Allos’ furrowed. “Do not argue with me. Not this time. I don’t
have it in me. You will both do as I say. Before anything serious takes place,
Allos, I will come speak with you about it. Until then, you’re both to do as I
say.”

On
any other day they would have argued. For as much as she was their leader,
Aryaunna had always been the little sister first, warrior in training second.
This night she had changed. It was a change there was no turning back from.
Without waiting for response of any kind she turned once more and continued on.
Leaving them standing still in her wake.

Down
in the arena, she stepped into the small room fit with table and chairs, but
little else. The torches weren’t lit, but it was day light above and some sun
had filtered through the staircase into the open room, which gave light enough
through the open door.

Stopping
just inside, she opened the satchel Korena had given them when they’d first
left the Hollow in search for Lena. In the only minute she’d give to herself
this day, she took a heavy drink from the flask and then took a lump of the
thick black oil and licked it from her finger. It would numb the physical pain
and keep her body comfortably able to continue on with whatever the day might
have in store for her next.

Stashing
them both away again, she took a piece of her cloak and rubbed her face
thoroughly. Not so much removing the soot and mud, but smearing it away where
able.

The
heavy door of the arena opened up. Fire light filtered out through the open
door. A lithe body cast a shadow over the entryway of the small room. “Who’s
there?” a male voice called out.

“It’s
only me, Ollin.” Wearily she pushed herself up from the brace of the table and
walked out to greet him.

Looking
relieved, Ollin bowed his head deeply to her. Her hand came up and dismissed
him. She hated it when they bowed in any sense. Walking past Ollin, she
unclasped the heavy cloak about her shoulders and hung it over her arm as she
entered the arena. Dropping the heavy fabric safely by the door, she proceeded
inside. Ollin closed the door after them, and remained there. It was quite
likely that was where he’d been standing all through the night.

Aryaunna
didn’t verbally acknowledge Nadegia, but they gave each other a nod of
greeting. The lit torches were all stationed at Nadegia’s back. They kept her
face cast into darkness. The prisoner sat facing the light, keeping his
disoriented with the mirage of bright light yet so much darkness.

Aryaunna
walked to Nadegia’s side, and turned to face the man. Thin black hair, grown long
though he was clearly balding. He’d been stripped of his tunic and the
chainmail beneath, as well the gambeson beneath.

He’d
clearly been put through a taste of hell being locked in this room with
Nadegia. Long talons had cut into his flesh strategically, to hurt, but not
draw too much blood. They needed him to talk before he died. “Has he said
anything?” Aryaunna questioned.

“Oh
yes. He’s said a great deal in fact.” Nadegia smiled in sick satisfaction.

“Has
he given you everything you need then?” she asked again, looking as casual as
one could, dressed in black and armed for a fight.

“More
than enough, though you’re welcome to him if you feel you can derive more,
Emissary.”

Upon
stating her title, the man’s chin lifted up. Squinting against the bright torches
he tried to see Aryaunna more clearly. “You want to see me?” she offered him in
a calm enough tone.

“Aye,”
he added a sneer to the word.

Considering
a moment, she turned her back on him and walked to the wall. The torches were many,
but they were small. Lifting one from its cast she stepped in front of him once
more. Holding it out to the side she let him see her.

Nadegia
held her hand out to take it from her, and held the light up so that the human
might see Aryaunna better. His lips curled back into a grin. “You’re the
Emissary?” he coughed out in what was intended as laughter. “You’re but a babe!
You are no threat to the empire!”

Aryaunna’s
head tilted in silent ponder, raising a hand to keep Nadegia from speaking out.
Her wild black hair framed her pale face like a demonic halo, lit by the light
of the flame. With grace and speed Aryaunna drew her sword, still stained and
crusted with the blood of his brethren. “Do you see this blade? Look closely at
the crimson coating, for that is the blood of your brothers.”

Kneeling
down, she kept the blade up for him to look down upon. So filled with hate was
he that rather than curse her name he cried out in rage. Body straining against
his ropes as if he’d kill her if not for his binds. Rising from her knee, her
hand twisted, propelling the deadly edge of her blade through his flesh. His
cry ceased on his lips. A softer gurgle echoed off the flame lit walls as he
fought to breathe through his bleeding neck.

Her
hand lifted his chin so that he would have to look at her as he died. “You’re
lucky I am kind. I could have burned you alive. This way you’re dying fast.
It’s better this way. Don’t you agree?” Blood spat from his lips as he tried to
speak. “I’ll take your silence as sign you’ve no argument then.” She smiled
down at him as his life flickered out like a candle down to the quick.

Nadegia
turned and returned the torch to the wall. “Ollin…” she addressed her aid with
her back to them all. “Your aid is no longer required. We thank you for your
loyalty this night.”

“Tis
day, m’lady,” he corrected with a heavy heart.

“Night
and day. You’re a good man for staying with me through it. Go find something to
eat, and prepare for the night ahead,” she bid him well with a soft caring
smile as he left them alone.

Aryaunna
waited a long moment as she listened to his footsteps ascend the stairs. “Lena
is dead,” she said with a sudden finality that ached through her.

Nadegia’s
head dropped low as she sat slowly down onto the bench between the arena and the
double oaken doors. “So much death. More than our Hollow has seen in a hundred
years’ time.”

“Go
seek rest, Nadegia. You’ve done your duty to your people this long eve. I can
finish here.” She could feel Nadegia watching her, though her gaze was upon her
own feet. After a time, nothing was said. She heard Nadegia stand and take her
leave. There was nothing more that needed said.

Sheathing
her sword, she rubbed her leather bound palms over her face. Raking her bare
fingers back through her hair, she looked down at the corpse tied to the
straight back chair. “Just as I’ve seen my fill of dead I realize that I’ve
just begun to see them,” she spoke to no one but herself in grim sarcasm. “I
hope you’re not heavy,” she complained to her lifeless companion as she went to
untie his binds.