Labyrinth Wall (9780991531219) (7 page)

A spear buzzes through the air before striking and piercing both his unsuspecting hand and the fish in it. A Mahk drops down from a low branch in a tall black tree and wastes no time dislodging his winnings from the victim’s hand. He consumes the fish.

The other man sobs in pain. Brutally injured, the victim holds what’s left of his bloody hand as he rocks himself back and forth.

“That’s what happens when you flaunt a meal,” the man spouts. He licks the slimy fish residue mixed with human blood from his fingers.

We have managed to go unseen so far. I’m planning to reach the wall before he notices our presence. Despite the horror of the interaction, it’s less disturbing having encountered the Nabal.

Korun’s mouth hangs open, eyes narrow in response to the interaction. An ounce of gratification sweeps through me. He has witnessed firsthand the nature of my world. I’ve sensed he may consider me cold or callous, and I can’t blame him since I bit flesh from the guard’s arm. But compared to the Mahk standard, I could be called a gentle butterfly.

The familiar rough-textured walls actually make me feel safe after the near-death experience in the Blood Caves. Was all this even worth the distress? It would be easy to slip away while Darith and Korun are so worn from the battle. I could abandon this strange group I’ve assembled. It would be so easy to go back to my daily activities in the labyrinth. My life hasn’t been the simplest, but at least it’s been consistent. In my determination to meet the man in white, to get answers, I haven’t even considered what might happen to Blue if I don’t make it back to her.

Despite the brief stillness and normalcy within the labyrinth, a longing to know where Korun comes from tugs at me.
Could there be something or someplace better on the other side of that rippling wall?
For a moment, my fingers dance across the portion of my leg which Korun healed. It’s possible everyone where Korun comes from has the power to heal.

Too many questions and possibilities linger in my mind. I could live out my lonely life here in this labyrinth. An ounce of safety could be my haven in a brutal place I’ve learned to survive. Every day would be the same as the last two years: fingers burned by acid in the search for obsidian, hunger, fighting, and taking care of Blue.

Then again, have I really learned to survive?
Plenty of Mahk have starved in this place. I’ve only managed to delay my fate. Abandoning this whole adventure isn’t really an option.
How long can I survive at the Creator’s hands?
What about Blue?

It’s vital to learn answers to these questions. I need to know what and who is on the other side of the wall. Hope whispers in my soul that there must be something better, somewhere better.

After a couple turns and about an hour of walking, we reach a safe nook for a short break. Multiple exit points from this particular location make this stopping place ideal. Options are preferable in the event something or someone does attack.

My back slowly lies against a boulder near an exit as Darith hovers near a twisted tall tree. Dry bark is peeled in places, and a long hole on its side reveals its interior.

“She needs a bandage on her arm.” Korun points at the guard.

Darith shoots him a quizzical glance. “She’s not gonna bleed to death. It’s not like a lion bit her. You’re new around here but I can tell ya: fend for yourself and don’t worry about people like her.”

Korun shrugs with disdain as he tears a strip of white cloth from his sleeve. He approaches the unconscious woman and wraps a bandage around her arm.

Darith shakes his head. “So, remember anything, Korun? Anything comin’ back to ya about who ya are? Where ya come from?”

“I still don’t remember a thing.”

Darith lunges at Korun, forcing him into a headlock. “I can help jog your memory,” Darith threatens as he squeezes his arm tighter around Korun’s neck.

“Darith, are you mad?” I exclaim.

“I’m not mad. In fact, I’m thinkin’ clearly. What if he’s lyin’ to us?”

My dagger pulled from my red hair, I spring toward Darith. “Tone down your hissy fit and back off!” I demand. “I don’t think he’s lying, but he will if you treat him like that.”

Darith spins Korun out of his arms, drops to a crouch, and points his sword at my rib cage.

“Really?” I back away as the beating of my heart thunders in my ears.

He doesn’t follow, but his green eyes fix on mine. Now standing to his full height, his brows furrow, and his expression becomes stern. Even Creators would probably be scared by whatever madness is going through his mind.

Rushing air clashes against me as Korun comes to my side, axe in hand. He’s also got a knife in the other hand, which he must’ve found in the caves.

“Damn it!” Darith shouts, pushing sweaty chestnut brown hair out of his face. “I should’ve left the girl, taken that bird for a meal, and forgotten all about that wall.” He makes his way over to the twisted tree, slides down beside it, then closes his eyes.

Heat crawls through my cheeks. “We made it. We’re alive, Darith!”

“Barely,” he emphasizes, “made it.” His head turns away, eyes still closed.

Moments of silence pass. My muscles are tense from the altercation. I briefly question how I got myself into this mess with that fool.

“Think he’ll sleep it off?” Korun questions.

“I don’t know, Korun. One of us needs to keep an eye on him. That’s all I know.”

“Do you have any water?” Korun questions as my green eyes dart back toward him and the guard.

“Just a little.”

“I think she’s going to need it.” Sweat pours down his pitiable face. He must be miserable, knowing that a few hours ago, memories were stored in his head and the Creators took them all away from him.

“Why do you care so much? That woman helped take away your memories. She helped hold you captive and tried to get us killed in the Blood Caves.”

“It doesn’t seem right not to help her. At least she helped get us out of that place, even if it wasn’t voluntary assistance,” he finishes.

“Sure, helped serve us up to a bunch of cannibals.”

Unconscious suits her well. Her face is calm, her muscles relaxed, and her short taupe hair loosely hangs into her eyes. To someone who doesn’t know better, she might even look gentle. Thinking about her clever remarks and the Blood caves, I despise her. Still, we need her to get us through the wall.

“I don’t have much water. You can give her one little swig when she wakes.”

Korun pulls her toward a small twisted tree before propping her against it. He ties her rope to the trunk securely. His behavior is unusual, even uncomfortable. Like Darith, a small part of me does wonder why he helps the Creator guard. He seems to genuinely care.

What if he does remember something?
No explanation would justify his pity on her. She’s vile. Unlike me, he probably doesn’t realize we need her alive to help get us through the wall. Then I think about Blue and her unconditional gentle and loving nature. Korun could be like Blue. My mind laughs that possibility away.

“You know, if you really want to help her, you could try to heal her,” I suggest.

He looks at me questioningly. Then his stomach growls. An awkward minute passes. It’s a struggle not to let a smile cross my face.

“Heal her?” he questions.

“Yes, like you healed my leg yesterday,” I encourage. “Even though you don’t remember, maybe if you just try…”

“I don’t know how. How’d I do it before?”

“You grabbed my leg gently, and within a few minutes, my cut healed. Try it.” I want to know if he can still do it. Curiosity in me begs to see the process again. It is possible that wherever he comes from there’s a science behind his ability. Then again, his powers might be beyond explanation. I’m not new to unexplainable phenomenon in the labyrinth, but his ability is particularly incredible.

Gently, he removes her tattered maroon jacket to get a better look at the bleeding flesh. The guard’s eyes softly begin to blink open as she wakes. He reaches his hazel hands out timidly to set them on her arm.

At first, she flinches with fear, but then she appears to know what he’s up to as he places his hands on her wound.

“I’m sure you must have a name?” he pries, making an effort to keep the patient calm.

“My name is Rase,” she responds coldly. Despite her harsh tone, I sense a spark of gratefulness in her expression as her brown eyes watch him.

Korun focuses intently. For a moment, the tan skin at the edges of the bite on her arm starts regenerating. The process stops. Another minute goes by, and nothing happens. Korun shrugs and gives the guard a small drink of water. The woman remains silent, looking away from the wound with a wince.

“That’s a start,” I offer.

His mysterious eyes trace every line on his palms, like he hopes they’ll tell him the secret to his power. He doesn’t say anything. The emotions on his face are difficult to read.

It’s been a long day, so I let the others take watch and settle down to rest.

Pounding guard footsteps fill my ears as I run for my life in my dreams. Then I’m back in the castle trying to rescue the man in white, Korun. Next come memories of all the intricate details on the beautiful palace walls. My fingers trace the elaborate blue lines in circles along the smooth marble. Finally, I’m back to where I started: in my safe place with Blue. She’s nestled beside me as I’m drawing on the walls in our secret place. I’m creating all kinds of landscapes. Strange things I’ve seen in previous dreams creep out of my mind through the rock in my hand as I apply lines on the rough texture. Everything is almost right with the world, but even in my secret place there isn’t true safety.

“Araina, that’s your name right? Araina, wake up.”

My eyes blur as they blink open to see Korun.

He shakes my shoulder softly. “Araina, Darith is gone.”

Chapter 7
A Predictable Departure

I jolt awake at the mention of Darith. “What? Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He slipped away as I was tending the guard. Now I can’t find him.”

There’s the guard, tied up like I would expect, and Korun stands beside me, but Darith is missing. Rolling my eyes before the escape of an unwelcomed yawn, I stand to my feet. “Scrats! Should have suspected. While you were tending the guard? Were you that oblivious?”

Of course Darith decided the “team expedition” wasn’t his style. I, myself, had considered abandoning the group and staying put in the labyrinth. Keeping a closer watch on him should have been a priority. He hasn’t earned my trust.

“I can’t figure that man out,” I declare “We’re probably better off without him anyway.” Then it occurs to me, the last thing he mentioned was Blue. She could keep him full for three weeks, or even a month.

The guard is awake but silent. My green eyes dart back to Korun. We don’t have any time to waste. It’s too dangerous to risk Darith going after her. She’s my only friend in the world.

My breathing is heavy as the thoughts race through my head. Every minute I spend thinking of solutions, rather than taking action, might cost Blue her life.

“We have to get moving, now,” I blurt out.

My two companions stare at me blankly.

“I think Darith is going after someone I care about.”

“The bird?” Korun gleans.

“Yes. I have to go after him. I have to go now so I can save her. You heard what he said before he left. I hope you’re well rested, because it’s time to go.”

The guard glances up at Korun. She must be desperately searching for an answer to her freedom.

Korun reaches down to unbind our prisoner’s restraints, only to receive a kick to his leg. She struggles to dart away from him, but I catch her quickly.

“It’s too bad we have to keep you safe” I mutter.

Korun’s grabbing his sore leg as he eyes me inquisitively.

“We need her to get you back to your home on the other side of the wall.”

He stares at me. “You want to help me find my home? Think that’s even possible?”

“Of course, Korun, that’s what all this is about. Why’d you think I went trumping into the Creator’s castle?” This is a record selfish moment, telling him I’m trying to help him get home. Regardless of my true motives, pretending to help him will achieve the same results. “I don’t have time to talk Korun. Let’s get moving.”

Korun nods.

Time seems to fly now that Blue’s life is hanging in the mix. Everything is still. Ebony twisted trees and large boulders keep us company. Occasionally our path crosses with a Mahk statue. Cold and lifeless, they forever reside in the shadows. Even the Darktouch flowers are less active than usual. Despite the repetitive scenery boring my eyes, my brain feels overactive. Even though we ran for a good twenty minutes, my feet don’t fail me. Long stretches of barren passages mirror the unending dread rising inside me. Darith can’t possibly have mastered the labyrinth as thoroughly as I have, but there’s still a possibility he could get to Blue first. He might have a sizable head start. My only hope is to have courage and move swiftly.

Generally, it takes about three days to get to Blue from where I left Korun. If I only sleep one of those nights, it should shorten the time it takes to reach her.