Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (25 page)

              The form was visible now, the magic in Barek’s sword breaking its invisibility. It had been human once. Now, however, it was nothing more than bones encased in ancient armor. The shield was broken in half from Barek’s sword. The creature raised its own massive weapon to respond to the blow as Arwenna quickly traced a sigil in the air, releasing some magic. Without a sound, a gentle breeze turned the skeletal form to dust and carried the remnants out to sea.

              “You’re going to have to let me deal with some of them, Arwenna,” Barek’s voice dripped with annoyance. “You’re going to be exhausted before we’re done if you keep doing it that way.”

              “I could send a wind all over this island and turn them all to dust and not break a sweat, Barek. If we didn’t have to talk with one of them, I’d do it right now.”

              “Yeah, but at least let Y’Dürkie and me have some fun while we’re here!  I didn’t just come here to watch you kill them all, I wanted a few as well.”  He towered over her, a finger pointed at her nose. Arwenna tried very hard to keep a straight face but couldn’t help but burst into giggles after a few moments. It proved contagious and everyone else soon laughed along with her.

              Wiping at a stray tear, Arwenna conceded. “Fine, Barek. I’ll make sure you two get some practice time in.”  She gestured to the path ahead, waiting for Barek to start the march to the ruins again.

              Another spirit or two tried to chase them down with little concern from the group. Barek and Y’Dürkie dispatched them quickly enough. Arwenna got the feeling of being watched as they approached the ruins. “We need to keep on our toes,” she alerted the others quietly. “Things might get tough really fast this close to the mausoleum.”

Gabby called out, her voice eager. Entering the ruins of a building, Arwenna saw her brushing some dead leaves and debris off a large sarcophagus. Carved into the stone making up the lid was the figure of a man holding a sword in both hands. There seemed to be a place for a stone to rest on the pommel of the sword, but the area was empty.               Remembering what Sal had told them, Arwenna took a deep breath and looked at Bah’Laush. “This is the one, Bah’Laush. His name was Hector. He had a relic by the name of the Gem of Tiren stolen from him when he died. We need to talk with his spirit and find out where the stone was taken after his death.”  She gave him a look of understanding. This kind of magic tended to weigh heavily on those who wielded it. “We’re not going to harm him; we just need some kind of location or name to work with so we know where to go next.” She stepped away from the sarcophagus and motioned the others to do the same. Gabby, Barek, and Y’Dürkie took up defensive positions around them, ready to repel any possible attack.

              Bah’Laush inhaled deeply before moving to the head of the sarcophagus. Placing his hands on the carved head, he met Arwenna’s eyes one more time before closing his own to start the working. A dull aura surrounded his hands, slowly traveling down into the stone and the bones of the one buried inside.

              The wind picked up, blowing the stench of death and decay across the ruins with it. Barek spoke over the top of the sound at Gabby and Y’Dürkie, warning them to get ready. The attack came as a ghastly white figure rose from the sarcophagus.

              “Who disturbs my sleep?”  The voice rumbled across the island like thunder.

              Arwenna took a step forward, her insides churning. “I did, Mighty Hector. We seek the Gem of Tiren that was stolen from you so long ago. Who took it from you, and where did they take it?”  Concentrating on the spirit, she barely heard Barek scream for her to hurry up.

              The spectre looked down at her; empty eye sockets burned holes into her own. Swallowing hard, Arwenna did her best to ignore the feeling of her skin crawling as the spirit searched her mind for the truth of her quest. With a sigh of relief, she all but collapsed as the spirit ceased probing her mind.

              “I see the need, but know that you are not the one who will wield it. I shall give you what you ask, but you must do something for me in return.”  Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the creature spoke. “Many of those who remain here with me do so for the wrong reasons. Their debts of duty, honor, or penance have long since been paid. Promise me you will speed them on their way so that they will no longer walk this island.”

              Arwenna nodded her head in agreement. “It will be done.”

              “Look to the mountain directly north of here. Along the eastern slope high into the peak is a cave. The thief did take the Gem to a dragon there. I know not if the dragon still lives.”  With that, the spectre slowly faded back into the stone. The glow around Bah’Laush dissipated as he collapsed in a heap from exhaustion.

              Arwenna drew a deep breath and called on some of her deepest magic, sending out a cleansing wind that ate away at the dead still present and sending what was left of their souls out to the sea. Grabbing onto a small pile of rubble for support, she waved away Barek’s arm. “I’m fine. Get Bah’Laush up. We’re done here. We need to get off of this island and head north. There’s a dragon lair that we need to visit.”

              Barek darted over to where Gabby was trying to help Bah’Laush stand. Leaning down, he easily slung the exhausted man over his shoulder. “Let’s move, then,” was all he said as he led the trek back to the beach where they’d left the boat.

              Bah’Laush regained consciousness by the time they reached the boat and gave Arwenna a questioning look. “He told us, Bah’Laush. We know where to go now. Thank you. I know that’s not easy magic to do, even if you have the talent for it.”  Arwenna kept her voice hushed. There was still so much stillness on the island, even though the despair had been wiped clean. A smile touched her lips, however, as she saw a pair of birds land on a branch as they slowly made their way around the end of the island and to shore. The musical trill of the birds was optimistic as life returned to Hector’s Island.

              Lexi came out of the forest as Barek and Y’Dürkie pulled the boat onto shore, holding the reins to their horses. “Did you find out anything useful?”  She waited until they were mounted and back into the forest before asking.

              “Plenty. We have to head north to that mountain there,” Arwenna pointed to the rugged peak looming over them. “There’s a cave on the east side, pretty high up. A dragon lived there at one time and took possession of the Gem. Who knows if the dragon’s still alive, but Hector seemed certain the Gem was still there.” 

              Barek squinted up at the mountain, “It’s going to take us a few days to get there, at least three. The climb might add another couple of days onto it. At least it doesn’t look high enough to have any snow right now.”

              “Considerink it is almost noon now, ve need to get movink,” Y’Dürkie added her own thoughts. “I do not think ve should ride very fast, though. It has been a busy day already.”  With that thought, they slowly began to make their way north.

Chapter Thirty

            
 
B
arek’s prediction fell short of the mark as they finally reached the base of the peak around noon on the fifth day. The forest in the area wasn’t well traveled and making their own path had slowed them down considerably. Y’Dürkie, ever the optimist, was quick to point out that there weren’t any signs of dragons about. “The land is too overgrown,” she declared. “Too many vild animals. No dragon alive vould desert such a feastink ground vithout a good reason.”

              Arwenna chuckled at her friend, glad to have her with them. Glancing up the rocky side of the mountain she could see the faint traces of what looked like stairs heading up the east side. “Barek!  Gabby!  Are those stairs?”

              Barek and Gabby came over and followed her finger as she pointed up the side of the mountain. Nodding in agreement, Gabby spoke up. “I think you’re right, Arwenna. They’re old and broken apart in places, but it does look like stairs. I’ll be right back.”  Before anyone could stop her, she darted off towards the steps.

              “Might as well let her investigate for us, Barek. Let her be. We can make a camp here. As long as the cave entrance isn’t too far up, we might be able to make it up and back in one day.”  Arwenna watched Gabby begin a slow ascent up the stairs for a moment, then turned to help get camp set up.

              Gabby returned to the camp around dusk, her face aglow with excitement. “It’s not a bad climb. A few rough spots here and there, so I don’t recommend we have a lot of gear with us. I got clear to the mouth of the cave. There are some really big bones in a heap near the front. I snuck right up to the skull and the thing didn’t move, so I don’t think we’ll have to worry about it being undead when we enter.”  She eagerly dove into the stew Y’Dürkie had cooked up for dinner.

              “I would still rather be cautious, though. I don’t like fighting dragons, live or dead, if I don’t have to.”  Arwenna scooped a mouthful of stew into her own mouth.

              “Where’s the fun in that?”  Barek asked with a grin.

              “I do not care about the fightink part as much if ve can find any loot it may have left behind. Gettink a hoard from a dragon vithout fightink it is a neat trick vhen you can do it.”  Y’Dürkie jabbed at a piece of carrot with her fork.

              “Are you coming with us, Lexi, or will you have to stay out of this as well?”  Arwenna glanced over towards Lexi as she spoke.

              “I can go with you; I just can’t touch the Gem. It does have a mind, though, so don’t be surprised if it talks to you on occasion. It picks the person who is destined to wield it, after all. It may need to have more than one of you carry it around on the way back before it makes up its mind.”  Lexi absently tossed a log on the fire.

              Arwenna curled up in her bedding near the fire, the knowledge that the end of the quest was so close helped her to drift off.

              A barren, rocky plain surrounded her. The obscuring haze kept her from seeing anything else. Turning around in near panic, Arwenna desperately sought out some kind of landmark to tell her where she was.

              “Having trouble finding your bearings, Arwenna?”  Senyan’s voice echoed behind her. Whirling around, she saw him standing a few feet away. Shadows in the haze alerted her to more forms hidden behind him.

              “More trickery, Senyan? I thought you would’ve grown out of that by now.” Arwenna kept her voice even, waiting.

              “Unlike you, I don’t need trickery any more. Illusions can only do so much, after all.”  With a wave of his hand, the mist in front of the other figures dissipated. Irini stood there, a blank look on her face. In front of her, on a cold stone slab, lay Joss.

              Arwenna’s eyes narrowed, fear slowly creeping into her heart. “What is it you want this time, Senyan?”

              “You think your puny little blessings can match the power I wield these days, Arwenna?”  Senyan sneered at her, malice dripping from every word. “If I had my way, he’d be right there next to Irini now. How would you explain that to the child you carry?  That his daddy serves a demon lord?”  His cold smile sent a shiver down her spine.

              “It’s not your choice, though, is it?  I know his heart, he was devoted to Hauk. There’s no way you can touch him.”  Her voice cracked a little.

              “Corse can, though. And he just might yet.”  Senyan walked over to the slab. “I was told to make you an offer, Arwenna. Abandon this quest, leave your companions and walk away. In return, Corse will bring Joss back to you, whole and without any curse in his blood. The two of you can go off to some quiet corner of the world and be the perfect little family.” The tone he gave his last words bordered on mocking.

              “And if I choose to refuse this offer?”  Arwenna swallowed hard, fearing the answer.

              “Then Corse brings him back as a cleric of his own. He will send him to hunt you down and bring you back screaming. Joss will willingly surrender you to Corse and you, and the child you carry, will spend an eternity serving him.”  Senyan’s eyes bored into Arwenna.

              “You have one day to decide. He expects your answer tomorrow. Run off and live in peace, or spend your life serving Corse.”  He chuckled again.

              Hands shaking her jolted her awake. Lexi knelt next to her, a concerned look on her face. “What is it, Arwenna?  I could tell you were dreaming and woke you as fast as I could.”

              Sitting up, Arwenna stared up at the mountain as she told Lexi about her dream. “Why make me make a choice like that, Lexi?  What does he get out of it?”

              “Senyan isn’t getting anything except the chance to torment you. Corse, on the other hand, stands to gain a lot. What are you going to do?”  Lexi kept her voice low so as not to wake the others.

              “I don’t know!”  Arwenna’s voice was thick with emotion. “How can I make a choice like this?  Joss died because he refused to become what Senyan is. And now his sacrifice would mean nothing!”  She looked at Lexi, her anguish over the decision before her written all over her face. “You’re a god now!  How can I make a choice like this?”

              Lexi reached out and folded Arwenna up in her arms. “I don’t know, Cousin. I really don’t know. Don’t tell the others, okay?  Let’s keep this between you and me for now. Between the two of us we should be able to figure something out before tomorrow night.”

              Arwenna nodded in agreement, still quietly sobbing into the chest of her cousin. Her hand absently rubbed at the very small bump in her abdomen, her mind churning over the choice laid before her.

              By the time the others awoke, Arwenna had gotten over the initial shock of the dream and did her best to appear normal. Y’Dürkie gave her a sidelong glance once or twice as they picked through the gear they’d need for the climb ahead, but never said anything. Arwenna gave Gabby the go ahead to lead the way up the stairs shortly after dawn broke the horizon.

              The rocky ground was soft, making it slow going up the staircase. Here and there, steps had broken off or were missing entirely, making them step gingerly around them. About halfway up, Gabby stopped. “The next area’s the worst. A landslide took out about ten steps. Watch where I put my feet and you should be fine.”  Very slowly, she reached out a hand to a small outcrop of rock before placing her foot on another smaller rock. The smaller rock was barely three inches wide. With a small leap, she jumped over a gap in the stairs. Her hands reached out to grab onto a larger rock on the other side as her foot knocked some loose gravel off the edge of a broken step. Deftly, Gabby climbed up on top of the larger rock. “Okay, I’m going to swing a rope over your way. I’ll anchor it on this side so we don’t lose anyone if they slip.”  In quick fashion, the rope was secured on her side and the loose end tossed back over.

              Bah’Laush went next, making the jump look easy. Barek followed once Bah’Laush moved around the large rock. Lexi darted around on the mountain face, finding foot and hand holds the others didn’t even know existed. “Show off,” Barek rumbled under his breath. “Okay, Y’Dürkie. Send Arwenna over next.” He braced himself to catch her.

              Arwenna tied the rope around her waist and grabbed onto the outcropping with her hands. Slowly, she placed her foot on the tiny ledge. Her hands clenched onto the outcropped rock as the one beneath her feet gave way, leaving her hanging in midair.

              Panicking, the others all started to scramble to help. Barek took a good look at the rock face and began to chop at a spot just at the edge of her feet. “Just hold on, Arwenna.”  He kept his voice calm. “I’m going to try and make another ledge here.”  He chopped at the rock face with as much leverage as he could without slipping himself.

              Arwenna did her best to keep from panicking as Barek worked on making a new hole in the rock. “Hurry up; my hands are slipping.”  She shifted her hold to compensate. Without warning, her hands lost their grip and she started to fall.

              The rope around her waist halted her fall abruptly. “Stay still!” Barek yelled down to her. Very slowly, she could feel the rope move, raising her inch by inch towards the ledge. After a few minutes, one of Barek’s hands appeared in front of her face. “Take my hand.”  Arwenna grabbed his hand with both of hers as he finished hauling her back onto the ledge.

              Y’Dürkie motioned everyone to the other side of the large rock. “I can jump this.”  Before anyone could stop her, she jumped the gap and landed on the other side, grabbing onto a rock to steady herself.

              “Please tell me that was the worst spot,” Arwenna asked Gabby, her voice still shaky.

              Gabby smiled back reassuringly. “It really was. Rest of the way is in great shape. Come on.”  She darted up the stairs waving the others to follow.

              They stopped for a moment on a large ledge. “The cave entrance is around the next turn,” Gabby informed them. “Still think we should be careful, just in case.”

              Arwenna took a long drink from her water pouch. “Agreed. I’d rather be sneaky about this than wake the dead.”

              Cautiously, Arwenna followed Gabby and Barek around the next bend in the path. A large cave opened up into the side of the mountain. Staying close to the wall, she silently made her way behind Gabby and into the cave itself.

              Her eyes adjusted quickly to the dimmer light, letting her see the giant skeleton before it could startle her. Only the bones of the dragon remained. A check assured her that it was nothing more than a pile of bones now. Still, she and the others gave it a wide berth as they sidled past it and into a deeper passage into the mountain.

              Arwenna kept one hand on the cave wall as she gingerly picked her way through the darkness. The blackness engulfed them as the feeble light filtering from the mouth of the cave died out. Bah’Laush spoke a word under his breath and a small ball of light appeared in his hand. Gabby pulled a lantern out of her almost empty pack for Bah’Laush to put the light in. With the bobbing light from the lantern to guide them, they delved deeper into the cavern.

              The glow from the lantern reflected off the damp walls as the passageway opened up into a large cavern. Veins of gold and silver illuminated the room in a metallic glow. Here and there, small piles of gems and coins beckoned a welcome. Arwenna took in the sight, and then looked around at the grins slowly forming on the faces of her companions.

              “Before we go diving through this, we need to find the Gem. Any ideas on what it looks like or what it would be in, Lexi?”  Arwenna’s voice gently reminded them all why they were here.

              “It’s green, like an emerald, but much bigger. It’s a smooth oval shape, not cut.”  Lexi’s voice conveyed a sense of awe. “You’ll hear a voice if you pick it up. Even if you aren’t the one it wants, it’ll talk to you.”

              Gingerly, Arwenna began to pick her way around piles of gems and started to slowly sort through a stack at random. The others were doing the same. The piles weren’t large, but numerous. There was enough treasure here to buy most of the known kingdoms if they wanted to.

              “I found it.”  Bah’Laush’s voice echoed in the cavern. Arwenna dashed over to his side as he rose from the floor. In his hand was a large oval stone. Even uncut, the Gem seemed to shimmer with light.

              “Put it away, Bah’Laush.”  Arwenna closed his hand around the stone with one of hers. “Carry it out of here and we’ll see what it has to say later. Right now, I wouldn’t mind trying to find another way out.”

              Bah’Laush nodded and placed the Gem carefully in a small pouch on his belt. Arwenna smiled at him before turning to the others. “Gabby, do you mind checking how far back this passage goes?  If there’s another way down and out, it might save us some time. I think Barek and Y’Dürkie are going to have fun filling up our packs with some overdue hazard pay.”  The answering grins from those two as they started shoveling treasure into the packs with both hands almost made Arwenna forget how late it was.

              Gabby returned in about half an hour, right as the last of the treasure was being packed away. “There’s a tunnel heading down. I didn’t follow it the whole way, but I think it’s going to lead us out. I got a whiff of fresh air at one point.”