Rebellion (21 page)

Isaac drew his head back, confused at the man’s statement.

“What is your name?” Demetre asked the stranger.

“I am Alistar, defender of the Village of Tears.” When he finished speaking, the other six riders that accompanied him approached us. They were all dressed in similar clothing as Alistar. All were armed with bows and arrows.

“Tell me, why is the Nephilin with you?” Alistar cocked his head in my direction, keeping his eyes set on Isaac.

I tightened my hands, trying to restrain myself from breaking his jaw. Who did this man think he was?

“I can speak—”

“He is my friend.” Isaac cut me off. “He has been by my side since I left home.”

Alistar strode forward, bearing his eyes into mine. “Do you all trust him?” he asked.

A part of me wanted to stick my blade into his gut. Another longed to hear the answer my companions would give him.

“Yes, we do,” Petra replied in an instant, taking a short step toward the man.

“Who gave you authority to answer for all of them?”

Petra’s lips moved as he tried to find words to contend with Alistar. In shame, he returned to his place. Alistar handed his bow to the man on his left.

“Do you all trust him?” He raised both of his eyebrows, creating wrinkles on his forehead.

“If we did not, do you think we’d still have him by our side?” Xylia marched up to Alistar. “Why does it matter if we trust him or not?”

“Do you not fear for your life, girl?” He crossed his hands in front of him.

She lifted her chin, leveling her eyes with his. “If my life is the price to be paid for a just cause, then fear is nothing but a mere enemy that can be easily defeated.”

The men around us nocked their arrows, drawing out their bows.

Alistar raised his right hand.

“Lower your weapons.” A wide smile appeared on his face. “Girl, your courage is indeed inspiring.” He walked closer to her. “Though pride can sometimes make us forget the danger that surrounds us.”

He shifted his gaze to me. “The reason Isaac’s face is not strange to me is because his mother and father are in the Village of Tears. They headed there after they left Bellator,” he said. “He is the spitting image of his father.”

“My parents?” Isaac dropped his sword to the ground. “They are alive?” He raised his eyebrows. “Will you take me to them?” Isaac grabbed ahold of Alistar’s right arm.

“I am taking all of you to see them. I have answers to many of your questions.” Alistar trailed his fingers across his hair. “I apologize for the way I greeted you all. Our enemy is moving and few are willing to join the war.”

“I have never heard of the Village of Tears.” The cold wind blew my hair as I sheathed my sword.

“We chose the Weeping Mountains to establish our village because many fear them. You will not find this place on any map the kingdoms possess. The ever-lingering mist shields us,” he said.

“How soon until you take us to your village?” Isaac’s eyes glistened. “Is it far?”

“We can go now, if you wish,” Alistar replied.

“Isaac.” The edge of my right hand was pressed on my forehead. “Though I know you want to see your parents, let us not forget the reason we took the Road of Ahnor in the first place.” I turned my eyes to Alistar. “We are looking for King Ohmen, King Folletti, and Queen Valleree. We were informed—”

“Please.” Alistar interrupted with the raise of his hand. “You must come with me.” There was an unsettling urgency in his voice. The men around him exchanged distressed looks.

“Isaac,” I said, and his glistening eyes shot up to mine. “It is your decision to follow this man. Let us hope it does not delay our quest.”

His shoulders rose as he took a quick breath. “They are alive, Devin,” he said in a brittle voice. He shifted his face away from mine, looking at Alistar. “His people must have answers to our questions. It would be wise to follow him.”

“I trust Isaac’s judgment, Devin,” Adara whispered from behind me in her soothing voice. “I also think we should follow Alistar.”

“Trust me.” Isaac sniffed, wiping his nose with his wrist.

“Trust you?” My chest rose as I took in a deep breath. “I am trying to.”

XIV

I let Isaac and the others walk ahead of me as we followed Alistar. Though his men were mounted on their horses, he had chosen to walk with us, leading his horse by the reins. Despite the struggle to see as we traveled through the fog, Alistar led us effortlessly. The eyes of his men did not sway from us as they drank from their wineskins.

“I know the thoughts and questions that haunt you, Devin.” My heart accelerated as the voice hissed. “Why do you continue to fight against who you are?”

I looked at my companions, realizing that they were unaware of the voice in my ears.

“They are all fools,” it whispered.

Lucifer’s voice was drowned out by a familiar melody. To my surprise, Alistar hummed a melody that I knew far too well. The words of the song drifted from his lips.

“Through pain and trial, war or rain.

Through storms and calms,

Our hearts steady remain.

Through a journey unseen,

As we walk through fire and water

Victory is found in the light that shines from within.”

During the days when I lived with the Council, Athalas would sing the Song of Hope prior to every gathering. He said the Stars had written this song before the fall of Lucifer.

“Where did you learn this song?” I shouted. The tip of a few branches brushed against my cheeks as I strode to him.

“Do you know it?” He darted a surprised look at me.

“I do,” I replied. “I remember Athalas singing that song while I lived with the Council.”

“Our ancestors valued the old teachings. They thought it was important to preserve the songs that had been passed down to them.” His eyebrows rose. “Unlike so many,” he placed his hand over his heart, “my people have never abandoned the old teachings of the Creator.”

“Do you see this man, Devin?” I attempted to conceal my emotions as the voice started speaking to me again. “In his mind he thinks he is superior to you all. Have you not grown weary of being treated like vermin? Will you continue to waste the power that is inside of you?” From the corner of my eye, I looked at Alistar, walking with his head held high.

My eyes glanced over my shoulder, catching sight of Xylia. Her eyes fidgeted as she pressed her eyebrows. She trailed the tip of her fingers over her ears. Did she also hear the voice?

“Here we are,” Alistar said, spreading his arms wide. “Welcome to the Village of Tears.”

I looked ahead, failing to see any signs of a village. After we had taken a few more steps, the fog thinned, revealing a wooden wall with a rusted iron gate. Each piece of wood had been painted white, causing the monument to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Atop the wall was a man clothed in garments similar to Alistar’s.

Alistar looked up and waved his right hand at the man. A few seconds later, the gate creaked as its rusted doors swung open.

There were very few people walking on the streets of the village. Small quaint houses were built around and atop the snow-covered hills. An old willow tree encircled by a stone courtyard was located at the entrance. The sound of clanging metal echoed to my right. I saw a blacksmith’s forge. A slender, tall man held up a sword, analyzing every single detail of his creation. Men shoveled the snow from the cobblestone streets. The occupants of the village watched us as if we were thieves that had been arrested.

I found it odd to see that every building was painted white. Those that were out on the streets wore matching white garments with shades of gray and red.

“Is white your favorite color?” I asked Alistar.

He chuckled. “It conceals us. The white color merges with the lingering mist, creating a natural shield.”

Alistar came to a halt, standing next to a frozen lagoon surrounded by five two-story houses.

“I will take it from here, men.” Alistar tipped his head down.

“Let us know if you need anything else, Alistar,” one of his soldiers said, riding away in the opposite direction. The others followed him.

“This way.” He pointed to house that sat on the far right. Across from us was a pub. Though we were on the other side of the road, one could not help but hear the booming laughter and loud bellowing of the men that drank inside.

We walked up the three stone steps to the red door. Alistar knocked three times. He kept looking around while he waited for the door to be opened.

“Are you waiting for anyone else?” asked Isaac. “You seem apprehensive.”

“I have to make sure we were not followed. Few outsiders are ever brought to this village.” He looked over his shoulder, fixing his gaze on Isaac.

A young girl opened the door.

“Papa.” She leaped on top of Alistar, greeting him with a tender hug.

“I missed you, baby girl,” he said, bending his body down so his eyes could meet hers. “Where is your brother?”

She gave him a loving smile. “He is upstairs. He was out hunting in the woods.”

“Did he catch anything?” Alistar asked, fixing the young girl’s hair behind her ear.

“He caught three rabbits. It isn’t much, but it will do.” Her voice was sweet and mellow.

Alistar smiled, giving the girl a tender shake with his hands.

“Come in.” Alistar beckoned us to enter.

“Who are these people, Papa?” The girl grabbed her father’s hand, watching us as we walked inside her house.

“They are our new friends.” Alistar gave his daughter a broad smile.

I felt the warmth of the burning fireplace. Jars filled with grains and seeds sat on the shelves affixed to the walls. There was a staircase that led to the upper floor; a wooden table with three stools sat on the left side of the room.

“I apologize that I do not have enough seats for you all. I am not one to receive many visitors.” He removed his cloak, laying it on top of the settee beside the fireplace. “Please try to make yourselves comfortable. I will prepare us something to eat.”

The girls sat on the stools while we sat on the ground, resting our backs against the wall. Petra sat next to me.

“Sela, help me serve our guests some hot tea and bread.” Alistar signaled his daughter to approach him.

The girl shot me a dubious stare. “Of course,” she said.

“Who is he?” I heard Sela whisper to her father.

“He is with them, Sela,” Alistar replied as he laid some plates on the table.

From the corner of my eye, I examined the young girl. Her white dress had long sleeves that covered half of her small hands. Atop her head was a thin silver tiara.

Isaac struggled to remain seated. With great anxiety, he moved his legs as he nibbled on his lips.

“Do you trust them?” Petra whispered, his arms stretched over his knees.

“What other choice do we have now? Isaac seems to trust them,” I answered. “At least we will have a roof over our heads and food to feed us today.”

Ballard sat by the window. With a pensive expression, he gazed through the glass. Demetre sat beside Isaac.

“Trust no one.” I gasped as the unexpected voice sounded in my ear once again, drowning out all other sounds. Why was this happening? Why was Lucifer speaking to me?

“Where are you?”
I thought, hoping that the voice would respond.

“I am everywhere,” said the voice, and my heart palpitated. “You desire evil, yet you want to fulfill a bidding that does not belong to you.”

I was startled by rapid footsteps descending the staircase.

“Father, I didn’t—” The boy’s eyes widened as he gasped in surprise. “Who are these people?” He had a young appearance, no older than eighteen. His gray eyes met my own as he walked to his father. I noticed his boots were damp and covered in mud. His white, laced shirt was covered in dirt.

“These people are our guests, Arundel,” Alistar replied, handing him a plate with a piece of bread. “Please, help me serve them food.”

Arundel tightened his brow into a scowl. In silence, he strolled his way to Isaac while looking at me.