Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians (28 page)

“Shut
up,” he grumbled, letting his eyes close. “I’ll do it. Bind my arm to my body.”
So she did. Without another word, she gave him more black oil, and placed the
jar in his hand so he’d know to keep it with him. She wrapped long strips of stained
bandage around his wrist and forearm carefully to secure it to his torso. He’d
be less likely to injure it that way, and it’d be less likely to get in the
way. It would hurt like hell from the touch of tight bandaging.

When
she turned to leave him, five people stood before her. Elizabeth stood across
the room, tending to others though always watching. Their eyes met from across
the room before Aryaunna gave the group her attention. Among them was the other
two she’d intended to speak to.

“Yes?”
she asked hesitantly.

“We
want to fight.” The one who spoke wasn’t much more than a boy. Not yet full
grown. Her brow sunk down, assessing the ones before her. There was a girl,
about her own age in appearance, which meant little to the Drow. An older man,
the young boy who’d spoken, and two grown men who were brothers stood before
her. They were each injured in some way or another.

Elizabeth
was approaching. She didn’t know what Aryaunna had come here for. When she’d
come earlier it was to tell her and Allos about the army. Allos was helping
every able body prepare for war. Elizabeth was preparing the less than able for
a journey through the Dark Wood. From what her sister had told her once, the
first trip through the Dark Wood for anyone was not a pleasant experience.

Her
eyes were narrowed, half with confusion, half suspicion. “Ary?” she asked to
draw her sister’s attention.

Glancing
from Elizabeth, back to the five before her she gave them a nod, not knowing
really what else to say. “Help Malachi then, and take him with you to the yard.
Reign is there with others unloading weapons. Allos should be there by now to
fit you with weapons.” The brothers went to Malachi first, helping him sit up.

They
maneuvered past her to collect their brother and go. Elizabeth stood with her
arms folded against her body defensively. “Aryaunna, what do you think you are
doing?” her voice was low, her words over pronounced as anger tightened her
chest.

“My
job,” she said simply enough.

Cold
from seemingly nowhere at all chilled Elizabeth’s skin to goose bumps. “Your
job? These people should not be fighting! They’re injured, if you hadn’t
noticed,” though she didn’t speak loudly, it was clear she was furious.

“Right,
and it’s better only the healthy risk their lives to protect their very right
to exist. Because only the healthy have anything to live for, anything to
lose.” They spoke in whispers furiously.

“I
said no such thing,” Elizabeth spat.

“I
am not forcing anyone to fight, Elizabeth. But I will ask them to. I would not
ask anyone here to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself. I think I’ve
proven that.”

“Would
you both just stop it?” Korena pushed her way between them, looking up to the
two women. First she looked up at Elizabeth. “She’s our Emissary. You have to
trust her.” Her chin turned towards Aryaunna. “I know you’re scared, but that
doesn’t mean you can be mean to your sister. She’s your sister, Ary…” she
waited a beat, staring up at her friend. “She’s just as worried as you are.”

Elizabeth
and Aryaunna lift their gazes to meet above Korena. Elizabeth started to speak,
but Aryaunna placed her hand on her sister’s arm before she could. “I came to
ask something of you, too.”

Taken
off guard, Elizabeth closed her mouth and waited. “I want to ask you to stay in
the Hollow… instead of going to Dia. We need people here to help tend to the
wounded during battle. We’ll have riders bringing in any of our injured. Dia is
too far to take them. A wounded man couldn’t make the ride alone and we need
every able body on the field for as long as possible.”

Korena
backed away without another word.

Elizabeth
folded down onto a bench, which thankfully was close by, or she might have
found herself suddenly on the floor. Her hand rose to rub against her tired
brow as she stared at her feet. She didn’t seem shocked, appalled or anything
of the sort. She seemed hurt. Rubbing her hand across her face, she looked down
for a moment longer before she took in a deep breath and let it out in a gust,
standing back to her feet. Her posture over corrected to make up for her tire,
making her look stiff. “Of course,” she said as casually as if Aryaunna had
asked to borrow a dress, though that would likely never happen.

As
if nothing had happened, Elizabeth turned away to go see if there was anyone
else who needed tending, though there wasn’t. Aryaunna followed. “What’s
wrong?”

Elizabeth
continued onward, only stopping when she found a table scattered with supplies
and trash that needed sorting and cleaning. “Elizabeth?” Still no response.
“What is it, what’s wrong?”

A
huff of air let out as she turned to look at Aryaunna, clearly frustrated if
the gleam in her eye was any indicator. “Nothing is wrong, Aryaunna. Nothing
you can do anything about. We don’t have time for this right now, okay? If I’m
going to stay I need to sort supplies for those that are leaving and for those
who I will need to treat here.” Aryaunna wanted to say something, but she
seemed lost for words.

Turning
to face her sister, Elizabeth placed her hands onto her shoulders. “It’s all
right, Ary. Okay?” Her delicate hands lift to her sister’s cheeks.
“Everything’s going to be all right. You can do this.”

Bringing
her hands up to hold onto her sister’s arms, she asked in a hush, “It’s not
anything to do with visions is it? Have you seen anything?” Worry creased lines
into her forehead that she was too young to carry.

Shaking
her head, Elizabeth forced a sad smile. “No visions.” Pulling Aryaunna against
her, she hugged her sister tightly to her. “It’s just all so real now,” she
said in a mumble against the thick fur cloak covering her sister’s body.
Pulling back, she picked at a loose tuft of fur that had tickled her nose.
“Your cloak is hanging in the kitchen. It should be dry now. Run and get it
before you go.”

It
wasn’t a goodbye, but it was the only one they’d say to one another. Pulling
away, Aryaunna stepped back and pushed a forced smile onto her lips before
turning away. Before leaving, she slipped into the kitchen. Indeed her cloak
was perfectly dry and amazingly warm as she traded it for the two around her
shoulders. It smelled of burning wood and baking bread.

It
felt right on her shoulders over the armor she’d donned in Dia, where others
felt heavy, bulky, and still left her cold. As she left the hall, she gave a
single wave of her hand to Elizabeth, who returned the quiet gesture solemnly.

Reign
flew overhead, gliding through the air like a fish in the water. He had to stay
high in the clouds to avoid being seen. The sky was a mass of grey. His pure white
body wouldn’t blend very well against it. He was their eyes.

Those
who could not fight had gone ahead to Dia. The others were gathering into the
open field where they’d all gathered just hours before to say goodbye to their
brethren.

There
were only four horses inside the Hollow. Sita, Allos’ horse, who’d seen fit to
stay after they’d stolen him the night they’d freed the Nymph, the brown mare
Veyn had taken to Dia, and Lena’s horse. Zane rode her now. She was wilder than
the others, not used to being saddled. The mare had never been ridden by anyone
other than Lena, and Lena hadn’t had her long.

Nadegia
walked with all the grace of a queen. She’d dressed herself in what looked like
fine hunting attire. In her hand a long beautiful bow, gleaming a silver
Aryaunna did not recognize.

“The
archers are to take to the trees. Make sure they spread out, and no one shoots
until the entire army has reached the field,” Aryaunna directed with no
preamble, pointing at some of the more desired trees as she instructed.

“Aye,
m’lady.” Nadegia bowed her head forward and held it a moment before turning to
direct a large group that stood waiting.

“Why
did you tell them to wait to shoot?” Zane asked wearily. It seemed only right that
the sooner they opened fire, the more quickly the soldiers would begin to fall.

Aryaunna
looked from the skies to Zane. “Because, if they believe we’re few in numbers,
they won’t think to look for the arrow that comes from behind them. If the
archers shoot too quickly, the army will focus on them long before they get to
us. Our people would be slaughtered, and we’d be left to watch.”

Zane
seemed surprised, though he knew he shouldn’t be. There were many things that
Aryaunna seemed to know that her years couldn’t explain.

The
sun was setting. Reign’s shadow cast over them as he swooped out wide to come
in from the side rather than from directly above. The other horses were
naturally afraid of the Dragon. It was only Sita’s calm that seemed to ease
them at all. “Zane, Allos, see to the others,” she instructed as she flicked
the reins and urge Sita to meet Reign. His massive back talons dug into the
soft earth, digging muddy ruts as his wings slowed, bending the air to their
will.

She
started to ask how much longer they had, but he cut her off before she had the
chance. “They’re heading for the Hollow. We need to lead them here. You must
send a rider at once,” he commanded.

“Allos!”
Aryaunna called, as she turned Sita away from Reign. They met each other half
way. “The army is moving for the Hollow. I have to cut them off and bring them
here.”

“Aryaunna,
I said send someone. I did not indicate that the someone was to be you,” Reign
spoke directly above her.

Allos
followed the size of the Dragon with his eyes before looking back to Aryaunna.
“He’s right, you cannot leave now.”

“I
told Elizabeth to stay in the Hollow, Allos, to tend to our wounded. She’s
alone! Sita’s the fastest of the three. No other horse will make it on time.
I’ll lead the army here. Tell the archers to hurry, and warn them I’ll be
riding in front of the army.”

“You
mean tell them not to shoot you?” Allos clarified.

“It’d
be appreciated, yes,” she called as she began to ride harder. Allos kept pace
with her and Reign kept on her heels.

“And
how do I explain that you’re leaving?” he asked her.

“Tell
them the truth. Tell them I’m the bait. Go, Allos!” She began to ride faster,
out pacing his horse easily. Even Reign had begun to glide above her to keep
pace, as he could not run so fast as Sita.

As
Sita gained speed, Aryaunna leaned over against her. It felt like moments
before they hit the wood though it should have taken longer. Inside the
woodland, Aryaunna had to keep her body low to avoid limbs.

“It’s
been too long.” Zane was pacing his horse anxiously.

“She
knows what she’s doing.” Allos sat still upon the horse. There was no point in
expending the animal’s energy too early. He’d said as much to Zane a few times
already.

The
possibilities of what was happening inside the wood were too many to speak
aloud. The thoughts alone were enough to drive one mad.

“What
is he doing? He just circles the skies above. Why won’t he come down and tell
us what’s happening?” Zane was watching Reign. Whispers had spread through the
Drow of how the Dragon could let out a single breath and destroy the army. So
why hadn’t he?

“Zane,”
Allos called for him to follow and rode ahead, away from the others who were
lined across the hillside. It was a feeble army, if they could even be called
such. Zane kept alongside him as they rode near twenty paces out. “You’re
afraid for her,” Allos noted after they’d come to a stop.

Zane
looked away from Allos. His brow set stern, his mouth turned down hard. “She’s
too young for this. Emissary or not. She’s barely more than an infant.”

“To
a Drow,” Allos corrected. Zane’s brow arched with confusion as he looked back
at Allos. “She’s human, Zane. We are quick to forget that, given her nature.”

A
heavy sigh let out of Zane as his shoulders slumped. Even under his leather
armor, his posture sank. “You and her are much alike. Though Druids live a long
life, even to myself you are still young.” A moment passed in silence as they
looked out at the looming Thuringian Forest. “I have seen my share of war. I
know what it can do to people, to those who die as well to those who survive.
No matter what her age, I would nye want to see someone so incredible succumb
to a life of blood and pain.”

“We
each have our fate. This is hers.” Allos wasn’t defending her. They were
excusing the sadness of her innocence on its last night of existence. Tomorrow,
Aryaunna would be a different woman. She’d killed before, but this was war. War
is a different beast. War is a demon, and is the only victor of battle. Every
drop of blood it takes feeds its evil. Such darkness changes everyone it
touches.

High
above them a shadow cast down upon the land. It moved like water over the
hillside toward them. With it, the call of the Dragon rang out, bellowing loud
as thunder.

Cupping
his gloved hands around his mouth, Zane took in a very deep breath before
letting out a loud cry to his people. They began to yell. Screaming into the
coming night sky, against the glow of the setting sun behind the Dragon,
surrounding its shadow in a blaze of light like fire. The cry of war resonated.
A moment rang out so loudly as all the sound combined to deafening volume on
the hillside.

The
hooves of horses drummed against the dirt and mud as they ran. One horse moved
faster than the rest, her rider calling out to meet the cry of those she’d
claimed as her own. Aryaunna sat high in the saddle, sword held out high above
her head.

The
army was closing in behind her out through the trees. They couldn’t match
Sita’s speed, but their archers on horseback could. Less than a thousand paces
separated the army from Aryaunna. More than five thousand land-yards spread out
between Aryaunna and the Drow.

Dropping
down suddenly from above, Reign crashed against the hillside. Wings spread out as
wide as if he were soaring through the sky. Reign let out another deafening
roar, as he separated the army from Aryaunna.

The
archers had taken aim, arrows mid-flight when he’d landed. Aryaunna’s loud cry
to the Drow had come to a sudden end as she pulled Sita around. She’d heard him
crash into the ground. “Reign!” though she screamed his name it wasn’t loud
enough to be heard over his bellowing.

A
dozen arrows hit him.

Not
a single one broke flesh or scale. The hide of his wings was too strong, his
scales nearly impenetrable.
‘Go, Aryaunna. I’m all right. Go! Warn the
others!’
The voice was his, but it wasn’t heard with her ears. It was as if
she’d heard it with her heart. “Sita, ride!” Flipping the reins, she turned the
horse around and rode away from him.

A
Dragon had not been seen in nearly a hundred years. No human before him had
ever seen one in person, nor had their horses. They’d come to a violent halt.
Bodies slammed into one another, horse and man alike. Screams of panic echoed
through the open field. It wouldn’t stop the army’s advance, but it could even
the playing field.

Allos
and Zane rode ahead of their army of Drow. Most were on foot, but they ran
fast, weapons of all kinds held at their ready as they ran for battle.

Aryaunna
rode to meet Allos and Zane. Sita came to a sudden stop before them, forcing
their horses to come to a halt. “Ride back! Divert everyone to the west.
There’s a second army coming from Valhanna more than two-thousand strong.
Allos, you’re with me.” Zane cursed out as he turned the mare around, back for
the charging Drow.

“We
take them alone?” Allos questioned as if he questioned her sanity.

“We
have the archers, and we have Reign. There’s no other choice if anyone’s to
survive this night,” her words held a finality in them as Sita took lead, not
waiting for any further discussion between the two.

Holding
her sword out to the right, she directed Allos to circle around. They’d come in
together from either side. A spare thought went to the trees. The best position
to take on the soldiers lie directly between them and the archers.

Many
riders had been rendered foot soldiers by Reign. Their horses so stricken with
fear, they’d reared back, throwing their riders as they collided and struggled
to get away. The screams of men echoed aloud as many were injured in the chaos.

The
last glance Aryaunna would have of Reign was his massive wing swept out like a
shield, sweeping away two soldiers and deflecting a slew of arrows in its wake.
Blade in each hand, Aryaunna rode into the thick of them. Metal sang out as
blade against blade collided. Sita reared back, inciting Aryaunna to scream out
for her to stop. The horse wore no armor to protect her from impalement. A hoof
came down against a soldier’s face, caving in his skull as he collapsed under
foot.

Left
sword came up to defend the onset of another. Right dove forth, finding the
unprotected flesh of the soldier’s neck. In the Adam’s apple. Out the base of
his skull. Blood sprayed out over her blade. The man’s eyes widened with
surprise, stunned at his death. As she drew the sword away, the light fell out
of his eyes. He was dead before he hit the ground.

She’d
not the time to witness it. As one sword fell away, another took its place.
Sita let out a terrified whinny, as a blade cut into her shoulder. Throwing
herself against the mare’s neck, Aryaunna’s sword found flesh and rendered life
from man.

Rolling
over to her left, she fell off of Sita and brought the butt of her blade
against Sita’s rear, yelling for her to run. Fighting on horseback had its
advantages and its disadvantages. Rearing back as Aryaunna fell away Sita
kicked her feet, pawing through two more soldiers before she went running for
the salvation of the trees.

Arrows
flew overhead from every direction. A red haze blurred her vision from the
blood in her eyes. The edge of a sword slid across her arm, tearing through the
sleeve of her tunic as if it were parchment. Heat consumed her arm, but little
else. Arcing her sword up and back, she brought the edge out across his face as
she pivoted. There was no time for anything else. Cut, block, stab, parry.
Again and again like the never ending rain of blood.