40. Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
Lucenna
T he sky was clear of any rain clouds for once. It offered warm sunlight as Eldred led them on a hike through the woodland. Lucenna tried not to wince on her sore ankle. It mostly healed, but the uneven terrain wasn’t helping. Klyde stayed close so she could lean on him when she needed the support, but she tried not to, aware of the stitches she’d sown into his arm.
After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the bottom of the mountain. Immediately, Lucenna sat on a boulder with a groan. Her ankle was throbbing.
“Take a minute to rest,” Eldred told them.
Only a minute?
The others sat and took out waterskins for a quick drink. Only Klyde remained standing beside her, his cool eyes trained on Von. The Commander, or former commander she should say, stood across from them leaning against a tree, away from the group. Only Dyna spoke to him in quiet tones, offering him water and something small to eat. Perhaps to make him feel welcome, since he clearly wasn’t.
The hike had been a quiet one, with strong tension circulated in the air coming from Zev and Klyde.
“We must continue,” Eldred said.
To where?” Lucenna asked, grimacing as she got to her feet. The others gathered up their packs again. “Not up the mountain, I hope.”
Otherwise, she may need Keena to sprinkle her with fairy dust so she could float on by because she was finished with hiking.
“No, not up the mountain. We will go through it.”
Through it? She exchanged a look with the others.
But the Magi Master offered no other explanation. They gathered around Eldred as he faced a solid wall of rock.
Lifting his staff, he tapped on the surface of it in a distinct pattern, murmuring in soft Elvish, “Anat’nom narg at’reip’sed.” With each tap, glowing gold runes appeared, lighting up to form a large hexagon about ten feet in circumference. Placing his palm flat in the center, he said, “ Ellaval emai’ug.”
The mountain groaned.
The center of the spell vanished, creating the opening that revealed a deep, dark cave. Lucenna’s mouth fell open in awe. The old Magi Master turned to them and held out an arm, indicating they should enter. They all hesitated, but it surprised her when Dyna went in first. The crystal in the Magi Master’s staff glowed white as he followed. Lucenna following, casting out orbs of light to illuminate a cavern. It led to a deep tunnel, and the distant rush of water echoed inside.
Her heart started to pound with dread.
“This way,” Eldred said as he continued.
“Where are you taking us?” Lucenna asked.
“To the waterways.”
She halted. “Excuse me?”
“The rivers of Naiads Mere have formed waterways beneath the mountain in the caves. We have learned how to navigate them through the kingdom. Some lead to the Saxe Sea, one to the White Woods, and others as far as Ledoga. The waterway we are to take will lead us to Sellav.”
She really didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“It should be safe,” Dyna told her.
Swallowing, Lucenna nodded. Though she couldn’t make herself follow the elf.
Dyna and Zev continued behind him. Keena fluttered after them with her glowing wings. Lucenna glanced back at Klyde to find him and Von eyeing each other silently. She thought they were going to take out their knives and have a go at each other, but the captain marched on.
Von released the reins of his horse and took the saddle off of him. He was setting him free since it couldn’t come with them on the boats.
“Keep close, lass,” Klyde said under his breath. He offered his arm, but she muttered she was fine.
Lucenna limped after him, briefly glancing at the Commander. He let them move several yards ahead before continuing behind them. She had overheard Von tell Dyna he heard of Rawn’s capture in Dwarf Shoe, so he came to help.
Why? It’s not as if he owned them anything.
Funny, she had almost killed him once, if not for Dyna. And she was the reason he was here now. But Lucenna didn’t trust the man, Zev ignored him, and Klyde seemed to hate him.
She would have to ask him about it alter.
Keena flew to Lucenna, fluttering around her head before settling on her shoulder. “Could you spare some gossip about the new Guardian?” she whispered. “Everyone seems to have fallen quiet the moment he arrived.”
“His name is Von,” Lucenna said under her breath. “He used to serve Tarn, Klyde’s brother.”
Oh…”
Up ahead, the others conversed with Eldred. Their voices bounced through the cavernous channel; Zev tilted his head to catch other sounds with his sensitive hearing.
“He also stabbed Zev in the stomach with a silver knife while abducting Dyna for his master,” Lucenna mentioned under her breath. She had seen the scar. It nearly took his life.
“Well , that certainly puts a damper on things.” Keena peeked back at Von, past Lucenna’s hair. “Why don’t you like him?”
“Other than the fact that he tried to steal my medallion from me, I don’t care for those who try to hurt my friends.” She grazed her fingers over the diamonds on her medallion, checking it was still hanging from her neck.
“Hmm. Since he’s here, does that mean he’s not an enemy anymore?”
She didn’t know what he was now. Only that Dyna had invited him along. “Apparently, he’s a Guardian.”
Keena canted her head. Her wings fluttered with a soft tinkling of bells, casting out a swirl of gold dust. “Why does he look so sad?”
Lucenna sighed. “His wife recently passed.”
Dyna had told them last what she’d seen in Tarn’s memories and even she felt sympathy for the man. How cruel of the fates to make him the Guardian of vengeance, knowing what misfortune needed to befall him for it.
“Now I feel terrible for him.” Keena pouted. “I should at least say hello.”
“No, stay with the others. Go on.”
The fairy princess pouted. She flew away and landed on Zev’s head, taking a seat in his hair.
It was best to keep their distance?—
Lucenna’s boot caught, and she almost went sprawling if not for the hand that caught her arm. She looked up at Von.
Klyde tore his hand away and slammed him against the cave wall faster than she could blink. “Don’t give me a reason,” he growled.
Von didn’t react. He didn’t even move to defend himself. Klyde looked ready to kill him, and the man didn’t care.
“Captain,” Dyna called.
Klyde didn’t move. His fists were white from how tight he clenched the front of Von’s coat.
Lucenna rolled her eyes. She didn’t need anyone to defend her. She tugged on his arm. “Leave him. He didn’t do anything.”
He scoffed under his breath. “That’s the thing, isn’t it? He’s done plenty, and nothing at all.”
She didn’t understand. Klyde marched on, leaving her confused as she followed.
The rest of the trek went quietly with only their soft steps in the dirt echoing off the walls. They reached two tunnels and Eldred chose one with stalagmites on the ceiling. The rush of water echoed loudly as they were led to an underground river. The current moved rapidly through a narrow tunnel. Wooden rowboats rested against the wall of the cave.
Don’t tell me we have to get in the water,” Lucenna muttered under her breath.
“Two per boat,” Eldred announced. “Be careful not to tip over. The currents are extremely strong. I have seen the best swimmers drown in these waterways.”
Oh. Splendid.
“Lass, you’re with me.” Klyde nodded her to follow him. He grabbed a boat and brought it near the edge. She didn’t argue. He knew she couldn’t swim, but she rather not let it be known to the others.
Zev had Dyna and Keena pair up with him. And because no one else seemed inclined to join him, Eldred ended up with Von. They climbed into the boats, and with a push of the paddle, they were off. Lucenna gripped the sides tightly as Klyde rowed. A cold spray misted her skin, the roar of river echoing in the cave. One by one, they entered the dark, narrow cavern. Her heart raced wildly at the sudden darkness. But the ceiling was lit with glowworms. Their vivid green light glittered against the minerals in on the rocky surface as they passed.
“Brace yourselves,” Eldred warned.
They dipped around a bend and were swept rapidly away along the current. They went so fast, Lucenna grabbed onto the back of Klyde’s coat with one hand and gripped the boat with the other. She prayed it would end quickly.
Klyde’s laugh floated to her.
Assuming it was at her expense, she scowled at the back of his head. “Why are you laughing?”
“This is fun.”
The boat suddenly plunged down a short waterfall and she choked back a scream. “You and I have two different understandings of fun!”
He laughed again, and the sound surprisingly put her at ease. She liked him better this way. Jovial rather than tetchy.
The rapid river continued to take them away. At the speed they were going, the journey would certainly take them through the mountain within the day. The waterways altered between winding tunnels and dangerous lanes with obstacles of sharp rocks they had to deviate, but Klyde had no problem dodging them. Eventually, she relaxed, choosing to trust he would maneuver them safely. It was hours before the current slowed and brought them to a wide cavern with still green waters. Lucenna slumped with relief at the sight of sunlight pouring in from the opening ahead.
Thank the gods.
They rowed out of the cave onto a steady river passing through a picturesque forest. At the cusp of a ridge appeared two statures of enormous, rearing horses carved out of stone. The statues arched over the river, facing each other. They passed under them as Lucenna gaped up at them in awe. They stood hundreds of feet high, their hooves easily dwarfing them.
The river led them through a canal with walls of bridges built into the stone, draped with vines and moss. They crisscrossed over each other, above the river, and along the ridge leading to who knows where. The rush of waterfalls tumbled down the rocky terrain into the river with a trickle that was almost musical. Evening sunlight poured in past the ledges, casting rainbow refractions in the mist.
Leaving the gorge, the landscape opened before them, and she was rendered speechless.
“The providence of Sellav,” Eldred announced.
A valley spread wide, resting within the protection of the Anduir mountains coated in a light fog. A clear blue river cut through the land, breaking off into many streams along the homes that had been exquisitely carved from the natural white stone of the rolling hills. And field upon fields of dynalya flowers fluttered gently in the breeze.
It was exactly as Rawn described it.
Lucenna’s vision misted. She couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of this place. There was a peace here she didn’t feel anywhere else. As if this little pocket of life was free of all that was dark and wrong with the world.
An estate rested on a peak within the center of the valley on the edge of the main river. It was a beautiful, four-story structure made of white stone coated in ivy, with several towered peaks and arched windows catching the golden rays of the sun. Nestled within a vibrant garden, stone steps led to an open courtyard with a glittering fountain and more stone bridges that led to the following floors.
“There stands House Norrlen,” Eldred said.
Lucenna gaped. “Rawn lives there ?”
Klyde let out a long whistle. “I thought he was only a general.”
Eldred frowned at them. “ His Grace owns the entire province. Lord Norrlen is the Duke of Sellav.”
“A duke ?” Zev repeated from the boat beside her, exchanging a surprised look with Dyna. “Well, he certainly kept a few things to himself.”
“So it would seem,” Dyna said thoughtfully.
Eldred led them toward the estate, and they passed through a busy town. Green flags billowed in the wind with the golden sigil of House Norrlen: a rearing horse atop a shield, framed in laurel. Elves stopped to watch them row past. They reached a harbor where they moored their boats with the help of the shoremen.
“Who is with you, Magi Carden?” one of the elvish boys asked.
“Guests,” Eldred replied. “Send word to the young master to meet me at the front gates. I bring dire news.”
The boy nodded and took off in a run toward the town.
“Follow me,” Eldred told them next. “I must introduce you to Her Grace.”
Rawn’s wife…
For some reason, that made Lucenna nervous. They had heard little of Lady Aerina, but she had gotten the feeling that she was very special to Rawn. Lucenna had felt it the day they cast a locator spell, and she saw it on his face whenever he spoke of his wife.
Taking his staff, Eldred motioned for them to follow him to the stone bridge that curved over the river with a path that led up the peak to the estate. Lucenna’s heart raced with every step. Clouds passed over the sun as they reached the top and shadow fell over the land.
They arrived at the gates, guarded with elvish soldiers. Hooves beat on the path behind them as another elf came galloping up the road on a white stallion.
Yanking on the rains, he came to stop, staring at them, startled and confused.
So where they.
“Rawn…?” Lucenna gasped.
He was nearly the exact image with the same horse. He had the same long blond hair braided away from his ears. He was dressed elegantly in a fine, dark green jerking trimmed in gold over a long-sleeved white tunic, and brown trousers. A pin in the shape of a silver horse pinned his matching green cape to his left shoulder.
For a moment her heart leaped with the hope that Rawn was safe, and Fair had survived. But then she took in his shade of his indigo eyes and the youth to his features and knew it wasn’t him.
“No,” Dyna said faintly beside her, astonishment lining her expression. “That must Raiden … his son.”
“Who are you?” he demanded. It was his voice that finally made it real for Lucenna. It was curt and sharp, nothing like Rawn’s. “What is the meaning of this, Eldred? Who have you brought to us?”
“My lord.” The Magi Master bowed his head. “Forgive me for the unexpected intrusion. They are acquaintances of your father.”
“Acquaintances?” Raiden’s eyes widened at that, and he dismounted. Eldred took the reins from him while he removed his riding gloves. “How do you know my father?”
Before they could answer, the guards at the gate opened the doors as a female elf in a pale green dress came running out of the estate’s front doors.
“Mother,” Raiden rushed to her, putting himself between her and them. “Stay back. I don’t know who they are. Halder!” He motioned at a elven guard in green uniform.
He stepped forward. “Your Grace, allow me to escort you inside.”
“No, I know them…” she said, her face falling to amazement as she took them in.
Aerina was beyond what Lucenna would describe as beautiful. She had waves of pale blonde hair the color of the dawn gracing the surface of the horizon, and her eyes matched the aquamarine stone on the circlet resting on her brow.
Inhaling a shaky breath, her gaze fell on Dyna. “Lady Dynalya…”
“You know my name?” Dyna asked in surprised.
“Of course.” Aerina smiled brightly. “Oh, how wonderful! In my husband’s last letter, he wrote about all of you. Of the tale of how he met the Maiden and her Guardians.”
Raiden turned to them with a mix of astonishment and recognition as he took them in again.
“Now you are all here … but …” Aerina searched among them, and her smile wavered. “Where is my Rawn?” Lucenna tried to answer but the words would not come. Zev lowered his head and Dyna could not keep the sorrow from her face. Lady Aerina she looked to Eldred. He bowed his head. Her smile slowly faded as horrible realization landed. Her chest heaved with shaky breaths, and she covered her mouth with a trembling hand. “I knew it … I felt something the other day. I knew something was wrong.” Voice trembling she said, “Tell me…”
Dyna took a step forward. “I am so sorry to have to convey such difficult news … Red Highland captured him three days past.”
The sound Aerina made a sound came from deep within her body. A tortured gasp that was part whimper and part gasp. Turning away, she held her stomach as if she had been stuck with a blow that took all her air away. She stumbled and Raiden caught her as she fell to the ground.
Aerina broke down there in the dirt, her whole-body slumping into the arms of her son. The sounds of her cries brought instant tears to Lucenna’s eyes. She took Dyna’s hand as they silently cried with her.
“God of Urn, please ... take him with you …” Aerina begged as she wept.
That confused Lucenna, not sure if she heard her right.
Holding his mother, Raiden looked past them to the land, his expression caught between disbelief and shock. “If you knew what Red Highland does to their prisoners, you would wish for the same,” he murmured. “He will be locked in the bowels of the Blood Keep in the dark, without food or water, enduring the unimaginable. Death would be a mercy.”
Lucenna didn’t have the nerve to say, “stay strong” or “don’t worry”. She wanted to say something of comfort, but she couldn’t. Because she could see herself there on the ground as well, utterly distraught when her mother had been taken.
Because she knew they would never see each other another again.
Aerina’s distraught eyes looked up at the Magi Master. “Tell me is dead.”
“They have taken him alive, Your Grace,” Eldred said softly as he knelt beside her. “For only one purpose. To break him until his mind gives up the secrets its holds.”
Aerina’s cries echoed over the valley.
And like the vanishing sunlight, that peace that had once laid in the wonder of Sellav was gone.