Haze of Dusk (A trilogy) (32 page)

“We have to get you b
ack, before the arclaws find us,” I grimace.

“But they're not bad. They’re only trying to go back ho
me to Ecksoll,” Khysso chuckles. “I know that,” his words shock me. He knows. Of course, he’s one of them.

“Still, some of them are not merciful. They do not care if
you and I can understand them. They will kill us both for being humans. You understand me?” I miserably nod, and meet with Adenena. I gently draw her away from me. “Adenena, I have to go, but I’ll hide you b—” a loud growling interrupts me. We move our sight to the enrage arclaw, but I fall at peace to see it is Adelena. She's alarm by Khysso. Khysso stands straight and growls, demonstrating his arclaw fangs. His overprotecting roar relaxes her. “Who are you?” She asks him.

“He’s my friend, Adelena. He came for me.” S
he stretches her arms to her daughter. Adenena sprints to her mother and they embrace. “If you escape, escape now,” she tells Khysso. He nods and turns to me. Khysso takes me in his arm with no difficulty.“If you want to help end this war, locate Oracle Sepias. She will give answers…but she is dangerous. She trusts no one, not even arclaws. But you…” she points at Khysso, “you smell like her…” she says repel. Khysso narrows his eyes.

“What do you mean by that?” Adelena quivers her head.

“She is rare arclaw to ever exist. She is different… I see her once. She kills our kind…she trusts no one…” she repeats. “But you smell like her, like a child’s blood smells like its mother…” Khysso’s eyes widen, then darken. I gasp. I understand what she’s implying. “Where can I find her?” His voice roughens.

“He
els Mountain…” I gust out a breath. Heels Mountain is far southeast, a wasteland— a place where the heat of the suns burns life, no human has ever entered.

“Now go, my
brothers and sisters come, go now!” she commands. Khysso walks in a severe silence. As for me, I sentimentally wave goodbye to my new allies.

Khysso walks me a dark path. I
enfold my arms around his neck. The closeness between us heats up my body, but my weakness also plays a part. It brings me exhaustion. I can feel his heart beating. He breathes strong, for he climbs hills and cliffs, in addition, he holds me. I’m feeling incompetent, wishing to have at least the movement of my legs that way I can assist him.

The fragile night shifts away, giving us a tad of radiance, the dim light
gives away our surrounding. I slam a hand on my mouth— the path is filled with bodies and blood. There are many humans, and also dead arclaws, but what breaks my heart is a young magician boy, dead on the floor, a magician who could’ve been my brother. My heart tightens to see such dynamic atmosphere. The stench of blood nauseates me. I press my face on Khysso’s shoulder.
“Worry not, it’s almost over,” he whispers as I hold him closely. I can tell he’s concern of my thoughts, but he’s also concern with what Adelena said about Sepias. I can’t ask him about it, not when he closes his sentiments. “Where are you taking me?” I ask, breaking the silence that has taken over us for quite some time. He walks up a nonviolent hill, with no dead-bodies. “I’m taking you to the portal. You’re going back to the castle,” I raise my eyebrows. “Are you mad? Why would I go back? The war is on, and I’m in the lowest rank. I have to go back and at least pretend I’m fighting. I will be penalized if I return,” he shakes his head as he continues walking. His eyes still on the path.

“Because of what you did, a field that would take months to empty out is almost vacant. Do you know what impression this gives the leaders? They want to keep you safe. You’re going to be sent back,” I scoff.
Oh yes, perfect. I let out too much power. Now I’m going to get scolded for doing so. My stomach hurts just thinking about it.

“
Well, I assume it’s best if I return. That way I can tell everyone about the arclaw's need to return home.” I say somewhat eagerly. Khysso stops moving. He seems paralyzed by my words. He lazily looks at me, and softly rests me down in an isolated hill. He takes out a water pouch from his weapon belt and gives it to me. His indifference mood startles me. “Drink,” he commands. I take a sip of the bittersweet water. I scowl. Sickened by it, I hand it back to him, “drink more. It will give you energy. You’re dehydrated,” he wipes the sweat off my forehead. I frown, and quickly swallow some more of the bitter-water. “Judyala…” he starts. His severe voice gives me chills. I give him all my attention. “You are impulsive, capricious, thoughtless, and careless,” I bite my bottom lip. I just knew he was going to reproach.

“Your insensitive acts are not helping me. For yea
rs, I have lived knowing the truth about the arclaws, and for years, I have tried to figure out a solution to all this, but with these interruptions I will not be able to do anything.”

“What do you mean
by interruptions?” I say sensitive by his words.

“It is
spellbound. If you are in danger, I will know. And I can’t be in peace until I know you are secure. It’s the way of spellbound, since you are my…” he hesitates, I blush. Is he trying to say soul-mate?  I can’t believe it. It’s with me after all, although I always felt it in me, no wonder. “Spellbound brought me to you years ago. I felt and saw the danger you were going to encounter. It was not pretty by the way. It is why…I found you in that field seven years ago,” he says staring down the ground.

“Then,
you didn’t run away? You went to that place to save me— and the dragon. The attack of the arclaws, my fall in the arena…all of it… you, saw me die…” he strains a smile and rushes a nod. My cheeks burn. All this time he has known about me, and I have rejected him, no wonder he’s angry…no wonder his approach towards me. He’s really everything Casandree mentioned an arclaw is. But why is spellbound with me? I’m not an arclaw, and if my mother was one, then why can’t I turn into one like Khysso.

“Wow, then danger does find me,” I joke, but he's not amused by it.

“You are trouble and very difficult to handle. I never thought it would be so difficult to have you here. You’ve given me much work.” He says it as if I’m a bother. I wretchedly bow down my head. He holds my chin and lifts my head, our eyes meet. “Yet, it’s lovely… to have you near,” he continues, bringing out my smile.

“Judyala, we are a team. And as a team we need to keep our powers to ourselves. You
cannot tell anyone about this. If you do, our lives will be in danger. It’s best our secrets are kept secrets until I figure out an end to all this. You have to promise me you will speak nothing of our gifts.” How can I do that? The world needs to know of these issues. “But Khysso we—”

“You have too!
” he cuts in. “Judyala, you have to work with me. No more thoughtless acts. I need you to stay calm and when the time comes, and we find a way to send the arclaws back home, we will. Meanwhile, you and I will keep this away from everyone, you understand.” He’s serious about this. The obscurity in his eyes defines truth. I groan in disenchantment— but if he is saying this, it must be for a reason. I push a nod agreeing with him. He smiles, and strokes my cheek.

“Thank you,” he whispers and presses his lips on my forehead.

Our journey continues, and Khysso takes me a path
with a hill. We reach a noisy field with loud thunders and dark summoning creatures. The field has warriors whom wear a mustard cloak, “JUDYALA!”  I hear my name shout in union.  I view to my front to see a group of hundreds, but running my way is Corr, Ikumus, Ramuso, Osys, and Onnet. Joy embarks in me to see we've reached the sway grassland. 

“You found her, thank you.
” Corr grabs my hand and intends to kiss it but Khysso yanks me away from him. “She is weak. She needs rest.” I scowl. There’s anger in him, or more like jealousy. I giggle. I’m entertained by his foolish jealousy towards my friend. Only if he knows how my heart falls out my chest for him.

“I’m well, thank you.
” I whisper holding Corr’s fingers. He smiles.

“We looked for you everyw
here. You gave us a scare…again.” Ramuso says getting close to me, but Khysso begins to walk. “You can all talk later." He leaves my friends behind. I wave at them, loving them for caring and worrying. I thought I was alone when Srogeri left, but now I know I’m not. Besides my great friends I have Khysso now, who although is spiteful, he too cares for me; his caring behavior makes me feel secure, and helps me anticipate a better future.

We reach the area of the instructors.
A high mount, where the most powerful wizards, priestesses, and sorcerers remain, combining their strongest powers from afar, to darken the skies, and bring out a chilling weather. It’s there I would’ve been if I had not changed my rank. But I don't regret changing ranks. In me, I know I made the right decision because if I wouldn’t, I would’ve never met my new allies, and I would’ve never found out the truth about the arclaws.

Ronneto and Vaniele hurry to me, both
look distress. “Well done, Sorcerer Shorewen, well done.” Vaniele reaches out a hand to feel my cheek, but I jerk away from her. My hatred towards her is conspicuous.  Especially now that I know she stands by that witch’s side. I wanted to confront Vaniele about Srogeri’s death, but she has kept her distance away from me, up until now.

“We can take
her’r from here,” Ronneto obtains me in his arms. The protection I sense with Khysso instantly vanishes. Khysso’s eyes meet mine. I'm miserable by our separation, and I can tell he too feels odd about it. “Thank you,” I whisper to him one last time before Ronneto shifts me to a side, taking me to a lightning portal. Standing next to the gateway is she, the black widow. She’s wearing her hood, staring acutely. There’s no emotion from her part. Just a reverie stare that makes me question her thoughts. I look away from her. I can’t confront her, for I know from my mouth will come out unpleasant words that might bring me to my doom.

“Both of you are done here. You can take her, and please, conduct her.” She says staring at
Vaniele, who nods. “Thank you Madam, for everything.” Vaniele thanks her, and at the same time as us, Vaniele steps inside the portal—a wobbly light takes us back to Doomsvell. “Ye is a courageous girr’l. Nonetheless, if this continues I believe our-r plans will fail,” Ronneto says laying me on my bed. I glare at Vaniele, she stands next to him. “Judyala, you have to stop doing this. If we brought you to rank highest, a place
only
the instructors reside in, then it’s because we needed your assistance. Now because of your foolish act the exchanges of
any
rank tickets are strictly forbidden.” Vaniele reproaches. I scoff, and roll my eyes at her.

“And you dare to look at me. After you betray me and killed Srogeri,” I hiss. Ronneto
’s and Vaniele’s eyes expand. Their eye sight conjoins. They are obviously impacted by my accusation. “How did ye, find out?” I gasp, my eyes briskly water.

“You knew
, and you…you didn’t say anything. Ronneto…are you also a collaborator.” Ronneto shakes his head. “He told us explaining it to ye is ridiculous. Ye is a bad temper’r, hot-headed girr’l, consequently, he left ye a letter to read.” Ronneto waves a hand on the air, a letter appears on my lap. “Let us leave her. I will be back in a few with a relaxing-tea that will help you construct the loss of energy, come Ronneto,” they leave me alone to face my own demons. With shaky hands I take the letter. I'm frightened by my old man’s last words.  A smile grows in me to see my old teacher’s handwriting.

Dear Judyala:

If you are reading this letter it is because you now know about my death. Do not distress, and do not be angry with those around you, they’ve only tried to help. The headmistress is kind and attempted to make things better. She begged the great lord for my life, but he as the Lord rejected it, and sentence me to immediate death. I begged her to lie to you. To tell you I was going to be suspended, that way you did not hurt. I apologize for I deceived you. You know you mean the world to me. You are that daughter I always wished for. Nevertheless, do not think I leave you alone. There are people who will protect you. People you should trust, like my good friend, Ronneto. I know I said not to rely on Gemma, but after comprehending her desires, and speaking to her, I now comprehend her tactics. I was mad with my family’s death I forgot of all of our duties, to return the world to peace. I ran away from all troubles, ignoring our journey to liberate the world. It has been our objective for years, and because of my hatred, I had forgotten. I began caring for you as the future to the end of all this, as the key to our planet’s harmony. It is why I trained you well, but during time I see you no more as the future, but as my grandchild. At last, do not harass the world with your displeasure. I wish I could've educated your hot temper, but that involuntarily comes from your father. My child, take care, and do know this, I dearly love you.

Forever yours,
Vin Srogeri,

My tears drop down the sheet, smudging my old man’s handwriting. I fold the letter before any more damage occurs. I set it under my pillow. It hurts me to know he’s gone. And even though he says that woman seeks to help
, I still hate her with a passion. Because in the end, she’s responsible for my father’s death, and for hurting the only family I have left, Morgan. Vaniele enters the room with a cup of tea. I stare at her sorrowfully. She sits next to me. “Are you well?”  I bow down my head.

“Why… why was Srogeri
angry with you?” She hands me the mug of tea.