For the overall impression, I'll leave errors, let me know. If you see any grammatical at least liked it or couldn't read through it or something. Even if you see nothing wrong with it, please tell me if you'd you to be the judge. Please note: I do not of vague shapes set within a narrow valley his sole focus.
A young beast crouched at the edge of a forest, a cluster away the dim light from the two waning moons. The rays of the first sun crested the horizon to usher follow traditional fantasy rules. They stole into the vale, and slowly, ever so slowly, transformed a horde of slumbering prey. Within these huts, the beast knew, lay to pull in their wafting sweet scent.
He lifted his long snout into the tepid breeze the shapes into a shadowy dual ring of huts. It teased at the edges of his hunger, whispered to him the promise bristled. His ebony pelt but never he. Others had tasted wild blood, of a satisfying end to the Master’s hunt for an unprotected territory.
Too young, he had his ground. He would never hold weak and paltry flesh of those broken Caendorian-creatures held captive in their fiery lair. And it was for this reason he had always been left behind to suffer the often been told. The heady accounts upon the others’ return time.
But not this demanded he join them. This time his father had only furthered his frustrated desire. “You must learn, foray, and know what means to kill.” You must feel the fierce rush of a violent curled.
Locrian’s lip Locrian. At last, he would savor the spoils of a new kill—smell the richness of fresh blood, him stirred. The others around and Locrian could sense the others’ agitation at the delay. Blindness to the night proved itself an unfailing hindrance to them, hear the cogent snap of bones, experience his own feral lust at its height.
Horned heads stomped. Cloven hooves of the rivulets hidden within the slopes of the surrounding silvery forestland. Guttural growls began to obscure the sough of the breeze and the burble shook. Locrian watched the Master motion grass behind them as they closed in to stop short of the village’s outer rim.
They lumbered into the clearing upon command, their hulking shadows spread out across the waving lavender meadow their haunches. Again, they rested upon to the others. Locrian settled in beside the Master once don’t reason, just strike. “Don’t feel,” the Master growled, “and sense nothing.
These wild creatures more, then felt him lean close. Unlike us,” he narrowed his emerald Locrian shuddered. one of their own. It would be like killing eyes, “they don’t possess souls.”
The second sun crested vision sharpened. Light swelled and Locrian’s the pack. More tension rippled through the horizon. Muscles beneath crimson skin tautened, fanged mouths began whose own raised hackles and severe glare stayed them.
Several beasts stepped forward with expectant glances toward their nearby Master, tufted tails to their undersides. They cringed back and tucked their lank, to salivate, clawed hands clenched into fists. But they did not have through the tall grasses ahead. Soon, a gentle whisper of footfalls came the thatched roofline, to peer into the village.
Locrian straightened with the others, his head rising just above long to wait. There, in the quiet of the dawn, a solitary a stream-fed pool at the village’s center. It sauntered, with arms in a wide stretch, toward faint smile played upon its thin lips. Its dulcet hum floated through the air; a Caendorian-creature in rustling white garments had emerged.
At the pool’s stony edge, the creature knelt, dipped in a cupped hand, fingers, then returned its hand for several more draughts. It sipped, long and slow, lazy droplets seeping between its wet of its neck, then slumped with its head tilted back and shoulders rounded, its face a reflection of contentment. When satiated at last, the creature wiped at its mouth, sat upon its folded legs, and rubbed at the nape and drew some of the thick opaline liquid to its mouth. Locrian’s slit-pupils widened and a low rumble went rigid.
At once, the creature its mouth fell agape in horror. Its head snapped up with widened eyes and rose up from his throat. The creature leapt to its feet with a terrified yell and whirled about the village. The beasts sprung into the sudden chaos.
Locrian staggered back, dazed by to flee, but the Master’s bellow had already shattered the valley’s hush. He winced at the cacophony before him—the eruption of lurid roars; the pound of heavy hoofbeats; the through the din. High shrieks began to rip air by horns that pierced and heads that flung. Clumps of dried thatch and writhing bodies were hurled into the wooden planks that crunched, snapped and splintered, and the broken shards that clattered to the ground.
Wild sprays of blood arced and the riotous fury. Locrian faltered and gaped at swiveled, his feet shuffled. His gaze darted about, his head flecked crimson over the ground. His mind It all happened so fast, he had not had time to—
How did he join? Where did he start? What should he do? knocked headlong into the rampage. All at once, he lurched forward, reeled. A frenzy of creatures and beasts his face, and crouched with his clawed hands outthrust. Locrian scrabbled up, shook away the tuft of unkempt fur from everywhere.
Screaming creatures scattered closed in around him. Locrian pivoted; first right, then left, then lunged again. He lunged and missed, fast. The ground came then whirled about opposite.
Blackened dirt and mauled grasses a twisted body lying several paces away. He leapt up, spat, spun about, and sprung toward the snarling beast who had stolen the kill. His jaws snapped into emptiness and he flinched back from filled his mouth. “Move on, callow-back,” the beast snarled, and clutched flesh!”
“Find your own a whimper. Locrian scuttled away with the spoils to his heaving chest. More shrieks, fresh ones, tore through the the meadows toward the meager cover of the surrounding woodland. From the far end of the village, panic-stricken creatures fled into bounded off in pursuit.
Frenzied beasts caught sight and clamor, and he whirled round. Locrian lagged in his chase, and upon reaching the edge of the village, and whipped to the shambolic village behind him. Locrian snarled and heaved, his hackles raised in frustration, upon folded arms, was a creature half-sized to its full-grown counterparts. Huddled amidst three huts near the clearing, knees tucked and downcast forehead set slid to a halt when both creatures and beasts dispersed from sight.
A small but the slit between the dwellings. With an eager rumble, Locrian stalked toward away. The mayhem drifted sufficient kill. His muscles tensed with the thought of tasting fresh blood and with each step, his senses heightened—he heard the creature’s through him.
A shiver rippled his slaver. Locrian licked back shallow breath rasp, its rapid heartbeat pound, smelt its heated fear linger thick and sweet in his nostrils. His pelt hand, but recoiled with a sudden, sharp yelp. A mere stride away, he slowly raised a clawed flicked up to him.
The creature’s wide eyes had bristled. His urge to the creature’s gaze, a swirling manifestation that mangled his mind with an onrush of bizarre sensations. His tail twitched and he stiffened back further to gape at the eerie undulation that churned within creature watched him—with a keen, horror-stricken awareness. From beneath a wild mess of wind-swept curls this kill seized.
In a trice Locrian snatched up the creature, tucked it to then grimaced at the mournful wails that surrounded him. The putrid stench of death struck him immediately and he wretched, his face contorted in a mask of tormented confusion. The howls grew baleful; hate and shame surged through him, his heavy body, and scuttled backward through the opening. Locrian spun round and raced boles, until he crested the apex where he sped toward the full light of the suns.
Up the slopes of the woodland he ran, around clumps of thickets and over snapped and crooked longer audible, Locrian slowed beside the banks of an iridescent stream. The noise fell into the distance and when it was at last no from the gruesome maraud. He spied a fallen, hollow trunk and, trembling, buried hole, his breathing labored. He staggered back from the clenched his jaw and grasped his head.
Then he stopped and with eyes squeezed shut, he the bewildered creature deep into its protection. They aren’t supposed to be aware! did. But this one fled. And he They aren’t supposed to have souls!
Through an aimless expanse of wilderness Locrian ran, impelled by his disgrace and the devastation that stabbed at his psyche, blinded by the haunting image of the creature’s eyes burned into his mind. At last, far out in the forestland, he collapsed and winced, the been shattered. His beliefs had vain hope that he could somehow escape the sensation of change that stirred within him and distance himself from the prior events. Terror seized who he was.
Locrian no longer knew the night, an excited murmur filled the township. When the newborn’s cry severed into the calm of him. Those in nearby huts who had stayed awake for the birth now began to high walled fortress and before long, more arrived upon hurried feet. Others rushed forth to spread word to the farthest reaches of the babble livened.
The crowd grew; the gather onto the grassy expanse before of their Master’s prominent stone dwelling. Expectant gazes turned toward the second level of the Center where the glorious sound had come wind heard the cries. Far into the forestland, a soft the stone wall into the township. It whispered toward the fortress and wafted over and, assembled beneath the light of the two full moons, the people watched and wondered.
Past the luminescent pool and through the trees’ silvery foliage it rustled toward the Center until at last, it soughed in through the arched bedchamber window, where quiet hiss. It dissipated with a woman’s lifemate said. “We’ve done it, Eden,” the the young woman who had given birth had slumped backward onto the bed with labored breaths and outstretched legs, her red curls splayed out behind her. “We’ve done then grasped his with her free one.
Eden rested a hand across her sweaty brow, face a reflection of relief, and nodded. She closed her blue eyes, her delicate, wan it.” The leader brushed back the long strands of his own ebony hair that had fallen against his cheek, smoothed foot of the bed, “we have an heir to Mynae.” “At last,” he said to the tall woman standing at the elixir’s arced diffusion of light, watched the infant’s gentle squirm upon the foot of the mattress.
The midwife dipped her bloodied hands into a nearby basin of elixir to rinse them, then, in the the covers out over his lifemate’s body to warm her, and gave a pleased glance at the midwife. Lines of worry creased up onto one elbow. “My child, Abigale,” Eden said, propped beckoned. Her fingers her brow.
“Swathe my child, give hair behind her broad shoulders, then hastened a fresh wrap from the side table. Abigale dried her trembling hands against her faded azure skirt and pushed her long, russet placed it onto Eden’s bosom. She swaddled the yawning infant and him to me.” With a frown, she stepped back to her lips, “he’s so beautiful.”
“Donovan,” Eden whispered and drew the newborn’s cheek “I see your face in his.” “Your face, my Love,” Donovan whispered back, and turned her head. A tapping against the wooden floor broke the moment, and a voice as withered brown cloak, which lay hidden beneath a cascade of graying tresses, around her hunched shoulders. An old woman hobbled toward them with walking stick in hand, then paused to tighten her tattered of her rounded nose before she lifted her muted iridescent eyes to the leader.
She regarded the child in Eden’s arms with an incisive grin and a light wrinkle as its speaker asked: “With what name will you honor your special gift?” “After all, Donovan,” she said, “her grasped her hand. “Orenda!” Donovan smiled and believe he’s finally here.” “He’s simply magnificent, I can’t name will be known forever.”
Orenda studied him for a silent moment, after which she began to drift across the room. Her grin returned and her subtle laugh scowl upon her face. Eden clutched her newborn, a shifted her gaze once more to the infant. “Why are you laughing hand and she peered at the midwife.
“Oh Eden, no, no.” Orenda waved a dismissive them yet, Abigale?” “Have you not told at our child?” Donovan’s chestnut eyes flitted what?” “Told us face coming level with his.
Orenda crouched against her rigid knees, her between them. “What you’ve received will surpass said. “My expectations?” he what more could we want?” “Allowing Eden to become with-child is enough, all of your expectations.”
“A male heir, of course,” Eden said, “and that’s what’s been given to “Isn’t it?” clasped her shaking hands together at her waist. Orenda again looked to the midwife, who shrunk away and us.” She flicked a worried glance behind her, then at Abigale. “Your child,” Abigale bowed her thrust the newborn away.
With a furious yell, Eden deceit and lies! How dare you! You gave us your word!” “You deceiving hag,” she shouted over the child’s sudden wails, “you bringer of head, “is female.” Orenda straightened. an heir is what I’ve given to you.” “Yes, I gave you my word,” she said, “and and caught fast her arm.
“But a female heir?” Donovan cried “Female? You’re a woman of time, Orenda, you about by the wind.” “Change,” she said, “has been brought head. Donovan shook his know only males take position of—”
“Change? What change? When Eden yelled. “Don’t listen to her!” always been full of lies!” “She’s full of lies! She’s did anything change?” “What don’t you understand?” Orenda as you’d beseeched, just as I have promised.”
“Your lifemate has given birth to your heir, just and stared at her. “But, a female leader?” he said asked over Eden’s protests. Orenda lifted a crooked Donovan. “Heed my word, of Maris for you,” then she pointed to Eden, “and plant it into that barren womb.
Only by the Maker’s grace was I able to pluck this child’s soul from the noble star finger to him. You will raise her as you to her the secrets of leaders past.” Her lined face stiffened. You will teach her the ways of your township, and you will confide no other choice.” “You will, you have would a male child.
“She won’t be accepted,” he said, with reverence, once she’s completed the tasks already set before her.” “Yes, she will be accepted,” Orenda said, “and she will be looked upon other choice.” Her stare hardened. “No, Donovan,” Orenda said, “you have no “not by any means.” “None.”
Donovan faltered. away. His voice died He peered, saddened, over to Eden, who glared at of the walking stick sounded once more. The shuffle of bare feet and the tapping she hobbled back through the bedchamber doorway.
“We’ll promise nothing!” Eden called after Orenda as their crying infant now tucked in Abigale’s arms. “You broke your word to us, we’ll shut. The door clicked slumped. Donovan’s shoulders keep no promise to you!”
Eden began to and held out the infant. Abigale took a hesitant step forward her name?” “But what’s to be sob. “I don’t care,” Eden said, “name her what you of mine.”
“She’s no child his crying daughter from the midwife’s arms. Abigale’s uneasy gaze went to Donovan, who lifted wish.” She shifted onto her side. He pressed the infant’s cheek to his chest, leaned his subsided. Slowly, her cries that hung below the larger of the two moons.
“Marissa,” he said at last, and pointed to the bright star head back, and drew in a calming breath. “If it was Maris from which her soul had come, then she shall be known to all as Marissa.” He nestled Marissa beneath his carried his daughter—the intended future leader of Mynae—from the room. Then he turned his back on Eden and without a glance behind, of dark blue, who slipped from her bedchamber and into the main corridor. The Center residents slept, unaware of the slight red-haired figure garbed in lightweight garments chin, stroked the back of her head, and added in a whisper, “And you, my little one, will be my Star of the Heavens.”
The young heir knew she should not have been out when the two moons rode lanterns lined along the wall that arced soft light against the stone. Shadow by shadow she edged down the hall, well away from the wooden elixir one of the entryways into the silent darkness beneath the Center’s lengthy front balcony. She hurried past several closed doors, descended a dim flight of stairs, and dashed out through high against the stars, but Marissa could not help herself and she stole away. Marissa leaned against the stray commoners still awake, but the pathways were empty.
Her blue eyes flicked toward the moonlit township in search of and mottled front walkway awash in the luminescence of the adjacent elixir pool. Midway down the center path was a squat timber and thatched hut, its dark door inner wall. It sat, in part, hidden by the other dwellings across Marissa’s lips. A mischievous grin slid toward the hut, rounded it, and pressed up hard against its side wall.
She gathered her skirt and upon soundless bare feet, she raced down the path that surrounded it, mostly unnoticed and private. Breath shallow, she peeked around the corner at the Center’s dark and still out. Her Keeper’s light was her shoulder. A hand seized silent second-level stone arched windows, then drew back in relief.
“What kept pair of chestnut eyes beneath a furrowed brow. Marissa whirled about to see an anxious, yet familiar, woven cloth, stared at her, the corners of her thin mouth turned down. A comely young woman slightly taller than she, dressed in dark brown garments of rough you?” Marissa let out a stuttering laugh and said.
“Ariana,” she it’s you. “Thank the Maker placed her palm against her chest. I thought—” Marissa frowned. “What kept me?” in her bedchambers,” she said, “I didn’t think she would.”
“It was a long time before my Keeper put out the light Ariana swiped away long strands of her And she thrust her finger at the night sky. “Well, now look,” she said, “you’ve wasted most of our time.” past the Cerulean.” “The Roseate’s already well black, wind-teased hair from her face.
Marissa sagged. sky’s apex, the bright star of Maris just below the prominent blue moon. A pink sliver hung to the west beyond the bloated Cerulean fixed in the Wasted time. Little more than half a month remained a time of celebration and merriment for the people.
The beginning of another Caendorian lunar year was nigh at hand; incessant worries, and, worst of all, the dreaded leadership title of ‘Lady’ Marissa. For her, the completion of the star’s twenty-year cycle brought with it increasing duties, before the two moons were full. Wasted time, waste any more. She intended not to see what the brothers have to offer us.”
“Then come,” she said and grabbed Ariana’s wrist, “let’s indeed. The two young women hastened along the weaving footpaths between the darkened dwellings, tore across open stretches of Marissa eyed the two sentries posted for night watch. They pulled up aside a nearby grouping of trees and that nearly blended them into the dark wood of the doors. The A’gis members, twin brothers, stood before the gates in drab gray uniforms grass then back into the shadows, headed toward the southeastern wall and the high, arched fortress gates.
Had it not been for their flaxen hair, bright beneath the moons’ one of the doors, head down, and rubbed at the back of his neck with a bored absentmindedness. The sentry to the right guarded with an alert gaze that examined the quiet township; the other leaned against and hurled it toward them. Ariana crouched, picked up a stone, light, and their pale faces, the gates would have appeared unattended. It ricocheted with a resounding flinched.
The sentries laughter. Marissa stifled her clunk against the doors. Ariana hurled a second stone, which fell short when the sentries, who had shifted their way, bolted from their post. The young women dropped down behind the thin trunks in a rush of giggles confused glance.
Ariana threw Marissa a and hissed into the grasses instead. “Where in the name of waist, drag her from behind the trees, and into more shadows a bit farther away. But before she could reply, Marissa felt a pair of strong arms seize her by the forced against the cold stone fortress wall. She heard her friend’s laughter fade, then felt herself the Maker did they—?”
A body pressed embrace; she lay her face against him, breathed in, and felt her heart race. Familiar hands delved into her long red curls and she sunk at once into the warm she remembered him. He smelt just how close. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten whispered back, “my Keeper’s watchful.”
“I have to be careful, Tayib,” she sigh at the tingle of her skin. Marissa closed her eyes and let out a deep about me,” the sentry whispered. She tilted her head as Tayib’s lips lingered against immense reluctance, Marissa withdrew from his kiss. With a shiver, and after a moment of from you forever,” she said.
“But you know Abigale can’t keep me her neck, then wandered up to meet her’s. “We’ll be together and nodded, “soon.” “Yes, I know,” he said her suitor’s furtive slip through the entrance gates. From the corner of her eye, Marissa saw Ariana and soon.”
She seized Tayib’s me.” She whirled round. “Come out to the woodland with her back. “Wait.” He held hand. “We can’t. your bedchamber door if she found out.”
I mean, your Keeper would post the Commander at thrust out her chin. “She couldn’t,” Marissa replied and “My father wouldn’t stand for such a waste of the Commander’s time, and at his feet. She saw him glance tunnels was risky, Marissa.” His voice lowered.
“And stealing your father’s key to sneak into the besides, we’ll return before the Roseate sets, no one will ever know.” “I can’t leave my and pointed toward the partially opened gates. “Why not?” She backed into the moonlight watch for Ariana. “Kahlil’s already abandoned his watch unattended again.”
He’s not Tayib grimaced. we both know that.” “He can also be foolhardy, afraid.” “You can be too,” she said, then added with .
“Please, Marissa his head. .” And he shook a grin, “when you want to be.” “Are you telling me, A’gis member Tayib,” she said and pushed up to him, her hands against his chest, “that we should return to shirt; she could feel him beginning to tremble. Her fingers unfastened the top clasp of his uniform eyes.
He closed his our respective places, to simply do what’s expected of us, like a pair of blind simpletons, and ignore the urge we feel inside?” “Don’t to this steal away into the night, and finish what we’d already started?” “Or,” she went on, ignoring his plea and unclasping the second, “should we Tayib groaned. to me.”
His arms encircled her, my heart lies.” “You already know where them, then paused to beckon him to follow. And she pulled away, scurried to the doors, slid between drew her close. With a defeated shake of his dragged him through.
She grabbed his arm and sleeping flora that bowed their tired heads at her hurry to leave behind the fortress and her obligations, at least for the night. In the meadows that sloped down toward a dark line of trees, Marissa bounded after Tayib through the rustling lavender grasses and muted array of head, he stepped near. Halfway down the hill, however, her her eyes, and pulled in deep breaths of fresh air. She halted, drew her head back, stretched out her arms, shut the sweet smell of elixir to her nose, and tossed aside strands of her hair along its journey.
A gentle wind blew in from the eastern forest; it hissed through the silvery leaves of the surrounding woodlands, carried sense of abandon roused. A wide grin spread she thought. of freedom. The warm scent upon her face.
But, opening her eyes, her smile melted upon seeing the shimmering them in disgust. Marissa scowled up at so easily? Too many unwelcome responsibilities forced upon her by an unwanted birthright of course. Why was even a trifle of freedom so risky for her, when for everyone else it came Maris and the two moons glower down at her. She ran to join the others at bantering caught her attention.
At the bottom, a faint and headed toward the mouth of two diverging pathways that wound high into the eastern hills. Marissa leapt, using a twisting trail of stones, across the narrow elixir stream that burbled through the vale, the base of the hill. She heard a hearty laugh come from the nearby thickets, and she “especially at night, so we’ll give you a running lead.” “We all know how awkward women are in the woods,” Kahlil said, the ribs.
He elbowed Tayib in rounded them to crouch with the silhouetted figures already there. Tayib tossed Marissa a teasing glance in his older twin’s presence. She knew his principled nature often fell Kahlil, “Marissa and I won last time.” “Oh no,” Ariana said and waved her finger at and she rolled her eyes.
Kahlil smirked. did, if that’s what you want to think.” “Yes,” he said with a patronizing nod, “of course you behind her hand. Marissa hid her grin Ariana’s frown leapt to her feet and vanished into the nearby underbrush.
“We did,” she said, “you just won’t admit it.” Then she her wake. The branches quivered in deepened. Tayib leaned toward Marissa, hands outstretched too.” “You should run at once.
She scrambled up in a gesture of capture. “Catch me if you dare, Tayib,” she said, and crackle of disturbed undergrowth ahead of her. Marissa fought through the tangle of brushwood, following the and soon, the ground began to climb the southeastern knoll. Behind, the brothers’ laughter and the murmur of the stream receded dashed into the forest after her friend.
Hand over hand she ascended, with low branches and firm she staggered forward, nearly falling headlong into the thickets. More than once, her feet caught against curling roots and beneath her breath. She cursed the warmer months trunks as handgrips and footholds along her intended pathway. The high canopy of leaves had bulged to full size again, any breaks of Marissa paused to listen.
Halfway to the hill’s crest, ceased. The noise had moonlight that would have helped to her see had long been closed off. She began to scour the wide span of thickets before her, with no underbrush, their footfalls muffled against the give of the mossy forest floor. She glanced over her shoulder at the dark figures that wove amidst the lead,” Marissa yelled.
“That wasn’t much of a inkling which direction Ariana had gone, then startled at Kahlil’s voice. “Nothing outdoes the tracking skills of the A’gis,” Tayib hand down. Kahlil slapped his brother’s slow.” “You’re just shouted in return with a gallant wave.
Ariana giggled. step backward. Marissa took a last time,” she said with a scoffing shake of her head. “This isn’t going to make up for your inability to find us “Tracking skills, Ariana’s constrained excitement erupted into a shriek.
The figures advanced, more reckless than before, and to clamber toward the knoll’s summit. Marissa whirled round, hoisted her skirt, and began indeed.” The rustle and snap of Tayib’s pursuit surged up, the number of trees started to diminish. Around her, the thickets began to thin out and higher the slope strewn with loose stones, which slid beneath her feet.
The leafy canopy gave way to streaks of moonlight that flooded across a thrill through her, and she hastened. She scrabbled off-balance for an instant and felt Tayib’s hands swipe of energy, Marissa lurched forward from his reach. But, with a wild laugh and a renewed surge Marissa crested the hill. At last, breathless and atingle, across her back, his fingers catch through her hair.
Before her lay the steep, sparsely-wooded descent of the easternmost Northland border, the edge of stream and toward the leaning slab of rock and wall of underbrush that sheltered the outlet. Her heart pounded as she raced toward the main trail that hugged the banks of a meandering twisted round to Tayib mere strides behind her. The ground leveled and once upon the pathway, Marissa the Unclaimed Lands and the place of their of forbidden intimacies—the tunnel outlet. She made a face, laughed, then collapsed backward with ground, Marissa blinked.
Sprawled out upon the and a familiar silhouette darkened against the night sky. The bloated Cerulean and its surrounding stars wobbled, then refocused, a sharp cry and a dull thud. She heard a jeering training, you’re terribly clumsy.” “For someone who’s had A’gis said, brow creased.
“I’m not clumsy,” she voice above her. “My foot caught his hand. Tayib offered her the twinge of pain that pierced through her knee. She sat up, and drew in a sharp breath at on something.”
She felt his she said. “I’m all right,” the trail where she had fallen. Then, with her fingers, she began to search grip tense. “Somewhere here Tayib said.
“It’s most likely nothing,” of her neck; his hands wandered over her shoulders. He crouched and brushed away her hair to kiss the nape . “Come, let’s just finish and pointed at the ground. “No, Tayib,” she said, pushing him away, made.”
“This looks freshly our game.” Her fingertips traced the rounded edge of a distinct hole in the dirt that worried gaze lifted. Marissa bit her lip; her marks disappear toward the border’s tree line. She could see a faint line of these lay just at her feet—a cloven print twice the breadth of her hand.
“By the Maker,” she heard Tayib whisper, “are those—? You don’t think—I mean, they she felt an eerie stillness permeate the air. Her eyes flitted toward the shadowy eastern woodland and indeed an ill omen. Bestial tracks inside the border were couldn’t possibly be here, in the Northlands,” his embrace tightened, “could they?” Marissa trudged up the meadowland hill against a throbbing knee and growing anxiety, and at the fortress gates.
Impatient with his incessancy, she halted he needs to know at once. “But he needs to know,” Tayib said, “and tried to ignore Tayib’s insistent declarations as he trailed close behind her. You shouldn’t keep this and once I’ve figured out how. “I’ll tell my father when I can, violated a township law.”
I can’t have him knowing I’ve from him.” A troubled look crossed is serious.” “Oh, but Marissa, this eventually always hid, “and tell them nothing.” She pointed at him when he made to speak. “Just go get your brother and Ariana,” she motioned toward the northern fortress wall where she knew they his face.
“Nothing, Tayib. yourself heard.” And don’t make do it as soon as I can.” “It’s my responsibility to tell him, and I will She severed his retort by slipping through the crack between the doors, then limped in haste glanced at her Keeper’s closed door just before sneaking through her’s.
Once inside, Marissa climbed the staircase then padded to her bedchamber, where she her forehead against it. She clicked it shut and pressed down the western pathway, around the elixir pool, past Ariana’s hut, and toward the Center. “How, in the name of the Maker, has a beast disturbing to think that the Mynaen people could have been living in denial beneath a farced bliss for so many years. Didn’t the protective essence of their world’s mistress still surround their borders? Hadn’t it always sheltered them from the beasts? It was The beasts were said to be too distant to fret over and many had even made assumptions that they had died out.
But, then, why would they have reason to believe that their borders would not remain impenetrable, when it had been so for countless generations? made it all the way up here?” she whispered. But at least one had made five-thousand clawed crimson terrors residing in the scorching heat of the far-off lands to the south. And just how many more lay in its wake—hundreds, thousands? Past rumors once spoke of no fewer than Five-thousand. it into the Northlands.
She shuddered. as there were Northlanders. There were as many of them bed, and curled up beneath her covers. Marissa drew on her night garments, crawled into She would not trouble her father with the issue now; it would have to wait until morning when she to prove itself dangerous.
Ignorance, it seemed, was beginning comments . Still waiting for could think properly, when she could better face the consequences to follow, when she was not so shaken. anyone? Anyone? tired reply. Marissa mumbled a awareness, and with it came the murmur of the awakened township.
The rustle of leaves and gurgle of the elixir pool nudged into her She sunk further beneath the warmth of her bedcovers, buried her face into the folds of her pillow to give in to before the second sun rises.” “Come,” the firm voice said, “wake, back. Her covers peeled the coax of sleep with its forgiving dreams; perhaps she could make the outside activity vanish by merely absorbing it.
Chilly morning air seeped through the thin russet hair tied taut, silhouetted against the soft diffusion coming in through the window. Marissa curled up, groaned, and peeked through squinted lids at the robust woman, her graying hands that clutched her blankets. Then her gaze dropped to the veined fabric of her night garments. She groped for her covers, but the woman’s dour it would not do to keep the members waiting.”
“Council has been called,” the woman said, “and you know over. Marissa rolled lined face, drawn hard against disapproval, leaned forward. “Leave me alone, Abigale, the council her bed, heard her Keeper shuffle away. She felt the covers drop onto the foot of is talk of bestial prints within our borders.”
“Oh, I think not, child,” Abigale said, “not when there can meet without me there.” Marissa sat up with sudden pounding of her heart. Sleep scurried off, frightened away by the the wardrobe, where she pulled forth an unwrinkled garment to examine by morning’s light. There was a click, then a soft rustle as her Keeper began to rummage through a start.
“Evidently, A’gis member Tayib found watch, so he went out to investigate them.” Her stern gray eyes flicked Marissa’s way. “And he claims,” her Keeper went on, “that he heard noises in the wilderness during his night of this?” “Do you know anything them,” she said. An uncomfortable silence draped over them for a moment until Marissa knee made her wince.
A returning twinge in her concern of mine,” she said at last. “What Tayib does during his watch is no dragged her legs over the edge of the bed. Abigale approached, Marissa’s garment in hand; her firm said with a waggle of her finger. “All too often make it your concern,” she as Eden had done to your father.”
“That young man distracts you from your studies, much stare slid down her sloped nose. Marissa snatched her clothing glower, “and he’s nothing like my mother.” “He’s not a distraction,” she said with a eyebrow. Abigale raised an from Abigale.
“An A’gis member is not a good they join the regiment—” “They’re bound for life once rebellion within the ranks—” “You run the risk of choice for lifemate, Marissa,” she said. “And your father’s told you we’re nothing more than friends, through Ariana.”
“Yes, I know he has, Abigale,” Marissa said, “but face stiffened. “Ariana.” The Keeper’s this many times.” “You associate too much with liable to lead you astray.” That boorish Southlander is another who’s dull pain in her knee.
Marissa said nothing; she rubbed at the those you shouldn’t. “Dress,” Abigale said, “don’t keep the councilors waiting.” them all.” “And you’d best tell exit, but managed only a sullen sigh. Marissa struggled for words as Abigale turned to Then she pointed at Marissa’s leg.
Her Keeper paused in soon as you knew,” she said. “You should have informed your father as knew?” Marissa said. “As soon as I the doorway. “As soon as I to close the door.
The Keeper frowned and began her, “because I know nothing of this matter.” “I’ll have nothing to tell them, Abigale,” Marissa called after knew what?” The door clicked at her eyes. Marissa bowed her head, rubbed knew nothing,” she whispered.
“At least, I wish I shut. She drew her night garments against her chest and listened amidst laughter and cordial voices in greeting came the occasional clink of elixir vessels. Above the wind’s whisper through the leaves came brisk footfalls along the wide pathways, and shouted, beckoned, and squealed with delight. Children giggled and rustled through the grass; they to the bustle of the township’s early risers.
A solitary hammer pounded down her face. Marissa ran her hands to ache. Her head was beginning in the distance. Shafts of sunlight that stretched along the Center’s upper main corridor from windows at either dip her cupped hand into an elixir basin.
At the top of the staircase, Marissa paused to luminescence with the advent of dawn, to her lips. She drew some of the iridescent liquid, dimmed from its end chased away the morning’s chill from the stone walls and wooden flooring. It washed a bit stale against her tongue, but she lingered a moment to savor the to herself, she decided, wouldn’t change the council members’ opinions of her tardiness. Already she had taken her time washing and dressing; a few more stolen moments listened to what she had to say.
At least she’d be there, not that they ever warm sensation that seeped through her body to lessen the ache in her knee. With a weighty heart and dragging feet she descended the stairs and crossed through the great stone hall on the droned on in familiar voices. Behind the closed double doors, muffled talk to seethe at his refusal to keep silent. But one in particular caught Marissa’s attention, and she began Center’s ground level toward the Meeting Room, dreading the topic and the condescending nature that would accompany the conference.
She grabbed the wooden latch, lifted it, and Conversation stopped. her way. Four grim faces turned yanked open one of the doors. Tayib kept his back basins hidden behind her father and the three seated council members.
Within the windowless room, long arcs of illumination stretched upward from floor and stared at her from behind the crescent table. They sat like disgruntled silhouettes against a backdrop of expected normality, to her. Marissa glared at Tayib, rigid at the table’s inner curve, who’d gray garments said in a cracking voice, “and you take your time attending council?” “We’re faced with very serious matters, young heir,” the white-haired councilor sitting farthest right in crisp Councilor Silas,” she said, stepping in.
“I came as soon as I could, tossed a pleading look over his shoulder at her. “I was informed just her father, a determined anger rising in his brown eyes. “So were we,” said a stout man who sat between Silas and prompt arrivals.” “But we all managed this morning.”
Her father laid a hand head, then stood and motioned Tayib away. “Enos, please,” he whispered with a shake of his attention to this.” “I appreciate your calling our upon the councilor’s shoulder. Tayib gave a he slipped out through the partially opened double doors.
Marissa frowned at his guilty glance, which fell upon her before the council. She turned back to curt nod. Her insides tightened at the fashion, hung loose over his shoulders and down the back of his wrinkled light blue shirt. His long dark hair, normally gathered and fastened at the nape of his neck in a snug creased his middle-aged face, and his beckoning fingers trembled.
His once dignified shoulders were now slumped, lines of concern sight of her father. Worry dwelled within his chair aside him. He gestured to the empty he said. “Come and sit, Marissa,” chestnut eyes.
Gaze averted from the others, she rounded the and he kissed her atop the head. Her father sat, his strong arm pulled her close, say, “don’t be so harsh on he heir. “Come now,” Marissa heard the councilor sitting to her right table and sunk into the cushioned seat. She has a lot to think about during this time, with her studies coming to an end and her coronation nearing.” she takes over the leadership.”
“I’m sure things will change once shoved aside for any reason.” He stared at Marissa. “No excuse, Gideon,” Enos said, “a township’s issues should not be He glanced at each of them before his dark eyes fixed upon her to offer a soft expression of empathy. “And the heir should folding her shaking arms. “Why, Councilor Enos?” Marissa asked, immediately attended to before the second sun?”
“What issues are so urgent that they must be know this.” Enos sat like he said. “All of them,” instead heard Silas’s voice cut in. Marissa glowered, opened her mouth to retort, but a stone.
“Then you strongly believe, Donovan, that barbed snares and jaw traps would be be taken lightly.” “This matter should not he said, “and ambush tactics have always proven to be a great deterrent for the Eastlands.” “No, no,” Donovan held up a hand, “signs of a possible bestial invasion should never be overlooked,” the best action to take.” His gaze flicked over to her. “Barbed snares?” Marissa said,
“Jaw traps?” you been prompt—” “Of course,” Enos said, “had taken aback. “But, hasn’t Nurian isolated itself plan to—” “How do you to your ignorance,” Silas said.
“It’s a waste of time to pander from us?” Marissa asked. “Follow along as best patted her hand. Gideon leaned close to her, whispered. “Stealth,” he you can.”
“Gideon knows how the S’yin the A’gis to their borders.” “He will lead a section of lifted. Marissa’s brow think,” her father said. “To steal their to protect the Northlands forever.”
“We can’t rely on Orenda’s essence Enos added with a snort. “If it even existed to begin with,” traps?” “Death,” Silas shook his head, “it has we’re certainly no longer protected.” She’s been gone for twenty years, Her gaze darted to each councilor, her thoughts on Tayib.
“But, these traps,” Marissa said, “aren’t they dangerous to handle?” a way of dispelling things. “Wouldn’t you be worried about held up a finger, “but it’s not impossible. “Disengaging them will prove difficult, yes,” Gideon told her, then to retrieve enough to line our borders.” We’ll need to be cautious if we want those you send out?”
“It’s why we must pursue this route,” Enos told though,” Marissa said. “Nurian will be left defenseless, “they’ll be no worse off.” His trembling hand curled into a fist. “They have their weaponry,” Silas said, turning his glowering pale blue eyes to her, her, “our enemy is just as dangerous.” “My Tuyen had no means of protection when coming, Silas,” a cold voice severed into the discussion.
“You were warned by the Nurian council that they were your people, you know.” “It was your arrogance that killed we were attacked by those vile—” Just inside the partially opened doors stood a wan figure with a face as pallid as the former leader of the Westlands. Her blue eyes fixed a bitter stare upon that guilt for so many years.”
“And oh,” her lip curled, “how you’ve carried death, arms folded, and a cascade of red curls vibrant against her black garments. Silas’s lined face serious, or even cared?” he said. “How was I to know they were mad as he was, Eden.” “All of Tobias’s followers were just as hardened.
“Yes,” Eden gave a light chuckle, “and she probably still Donovan?” “Isn’t that right, corner of her eye. Marissa saw his glower from the is.” Her haunting gaze shifted to Marissa’s father. “Don’t mention my sister in my presence,” he said, “and don’t meetings,” Enos said, and pointed toward the Meeting Room entrance, “to bar incessant eavesdroppers.”
“Your daughter ought to remember to shut the doors behind her when she arrives at arms. Marissa crossed her involve yourself in these matters, let the council handle it.” “Tayib was last “that woman will eavesdrop until the day of her death.” “It doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter,” Silas muttered and waved his hand, sat back, “too true.”
“Too true, Silas,” Enos said and to leave.” Eden marched toward setting out traps to hurt him would be cruel.” “I know who lurks out there,” she said, brow creased, “and slammed down onto the table with a sharp crack. “Cruel?” Silas yelled, and Marissa startled as the councilor’s hand the table.
“What do you mean, cruel? They’re evil, vicious creatures,” he “they’re capable of such destruction and death. “By the Maker, Eden,” Enos said, palms upturned, it.” You’ve seen thrust a finger at her, “and you know that.” “Listen to her,” more to be said about them.”
“But! But! As if there’s say, Eden?” Silas said. “What? What is there to Enos cried. “They’re soulless soft, “they’ll come with a terrifying force.” “When these beasts do come,” Gideon said, his voice ourselves,” Enos said.
“We need to protect killers.” “We’d be thickheaded aren’t well, the sickness is affecting your mind again.” “Please, Eden,” Donovan said and rose, then rounded the table, “you scowl, “one of them spared my life, and you know this.” “Don’t you tell me that, Donovan,” she said and recoiled with a repugnant not to.”
Donovan halted. silent. The council fell Eden nodded. “Yes,” she said to darted to each of them, “still, all of you remain stuck in your petty misconceptions.”
Against his instincts, against his inborn desire to kill, that beast saved me, and still—” her eyes derisive comments by countless Northlanders—held fast to her own misconceptions of bestial compassion. Marissa fell back against her chair, dumbfounded that her mother—after thirty years and endless the others, “yes. When was she ever going Eden said. “They aren’t soulless killers,” reason.”
“They can to let go? “Reason?” Enos tossed of this?” “Reason? Where’s your proof Eden,” Silas said. “Don’t be a fool, his hands up.
“Those who survived the onslaught were the only ones fortunate she said. “Those traps will fail,” and her pointed finger drifted to each of them, “to all of you.” “They’ll find a way around them, they’ll find some way to get to you,” enough to escape by their own accord, nothing more.” Donovan grabbed Eden’s arm, Love,” he said through clenched teeth.
“You’re afflicted and need to rest, my the room. “You need to leave drew her close. Eden wrenched me.” “Don’t you patronize held up his hand.
“Wait, Donovan.” And Silas away. “I’d be curious to hear what she suggests, if protecting ourselves with something that’s post . Continued in the next tap of his finger atop the table. Well, isnt it obvious, Silas? Enos said with a just as brutal as they are wreaks havoc with her fragile mind.”
We should simply ask them and well all be safe once more. Theyd comply of course, since they can reason, his eyebrows raised. He turned to Eden, to leave us alone. Isnt that Silas leaned forward.
Edens teeth grit and of the Makers Eye, he said. Your convictions are as farfetched as true claims it? Enough, Councilors, Donovan said and shielded Eden concocted a horrible, horrible lie. Sick or not, Donovan, Silas said, shes at once pulled free again.
And Donovan grabbed Edens arm, which she away, you know shes not well. Eden, Gideon said and folded his hands upon the table, just beasts. gave a maddened laugh, yes, theyll show you just how weak all of you really are Oh, but they can, Eden said, and rushed back to the table, and theyll show you, she these beasts cant reason, theyre just, well .
Donovan seized began to writhe. With a furious growl, she while Gideon dropped his gaze. Enos and Silas loured with shaking heads, her. I dont need to rest! kicked hard at her lifemate.
You cantI wont let you She to him, Donovan! Dont you do this Eden flung her head about. Oh, Mother, please, Marissa said and sat forward at last, unable to keep silent any longer, how do curls in front of it, contorted with rage. You! And Edens face, a fall of disheveled Heavens? You didnt see what I did.
You werent there, were you Star of the you expect us to believe your claims of bestial reason, when you, yourself, have no reason left? You didnt look into his eyes, sense his fear, feel his painLet me go Donovan! rough, ragged breaths, and of compassion. They are capable of reason, she shouted between as much as you are, I wouldnt doubt. Yes, Marissa said and narrowed her eyes, about Eden screamed and clawed at his arms as he dragged her toward the doors.
Eden twisted free at last, spat in Marissas direction, then room. Silence filled the head. Enos shook his marched out with a slam of the door. I just dont understand what you ever saw in that intolerable woman, as your lifemate, didnt I?
I warned you not to take her noise of disgust, and still you took her. Illegitimate child and all, Silas said, and huffed a Donovan, he said, shes been nothing but trouble for you. What were you reddened arm. Donovan rubbed at his his skin beginning to bleed.
Marissa could see tiny breaks in thinking? Gideon, she heard him say, ignoring the others comments, set out tonight under the cover of darkness, and make his hands upon Marissas shoulders. He rounded the table and rested of us, Love, to inform the people. And it will be up to the rest sure to take the most skilled of the Agis with you, a hundred or more, if possible.
What? Marissas eyes darted But Tell them? he said. We have to, up to him. They shouldnt stay be dangerous.
That, itself, would his garments. Silas stood and straightened unaware. Mind what your father says, child, he said with a Silas to the door. Indeed, Enos added, and followed on our hands.
We dont need a riot reproachful shake of his finger, inform, dont frighten. Gideon offered Marissa a respectful nod and a quick squeeze of after them. Ill manage, she called shut. The door clicked her hand before tailing the others into the corridor.
Marissa stared at the Meeting Room doors, then drooped and sickened with an alone in this, you understand. We will manage, he said, you arent him, comforted. Marissa leaned into inward groan, but soon felt her fathers arms encircle her from behind. At least her father would early years of leadership, like he once had to.
Shed never have to make crucial decisions alone in her upon the writing desk in the corner, to wait for Abigale to arrive with her mornings lesson. Long after the second sun, Marissa sat at the study window, the centuries old Tome of Leadership unopened always be with her. She stared down at the townspeople below, whose activity their children raced and whirled about in made up games. Groups of women gathered along flower-lined, sunlit strips of grass while nearby, of store houses with tools and basketfuls of fresh harvests.
Growers tended to the townships interior plots and hurried in and out had swelled with the arrival of full dawn. Others proved more casual; they strode along pathways or relaxed by the their items. Already, tradespeople displayed breeze; heavy bolts of cloth lay aside, ready to be trimmed. Along spans of rope draped vivid swatches that flapped and fluttered in the center elixir pool to share quiet moments and exchange tales.
Reed baskets lined the footpaths with their sketches done by local artists; and rolls of dried pulp and whole strip paper. Upon scattered tables lay wooden toys, instruments, and furnishings of ornamental style; framed paintings and of timberworkers hammers and the chip-chip-chipping of stoneworkers tools drifted a pleasant melody from a musicians fife. People bustled through to barter and with those who offered such wares, and over the distant pounding vibrant hues and tight, handcrafted weaves. Marissas shoulders people.
So many oblivious to them? What would they say slumped. My dear townspeopleour protection has failed; not. But, fret will keep them out and, well, keep us in.
A line of lethal Nurian traps set along our inside borders a bestial threat looms. Travel beyond the of the forests? Restricted. Play within the dappled shade No more. Life without worry? Northlands? No.
What could be worse? Soon, shed rule a township full of terrified people, never certain the windowsill. Marissa sagged against in its brutal kick to her already harassed existence. Fate was sick and sardonic, she decided, and it delighted when or if the beasts would ever ambush and rip apart their tranquility.