Wings of Arian (53 page)

“Sure I have, we talked about it remember”

“No, we talked about what we thought was on the other side.” They tried to talk about it at least, neither one of them had been able to get through the sentence without getting distracted. “But why haven’t you ever tried to go see?”

Emane thought for a minute. “I don’t know.”

“Has anyone in the kingdom ever tried to go over the mountains?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Don’t you think it’s odd? We live in this valley surrounded by mountains on every side. And not once has anyone ever even attempted to cross.”

Emane was quiet. “What are you trying to tell me?”

“I will explain when we get where we are going, but I want you to think about it.”

Kiora’s heart was racing. The closer they got to the mountains the stronger the pull became. Her magic felt like it was jumping underneath her skin, anxious to go.

Drustan flew higher and higher heading for the peaks. The air was colder up here and Emane wrapped his arms tightly around Kiora to combat her shivering. Landing on top of the mountain ridge, they looked out over to the other side. The land stretched out before them in an uninterrupted expanse. Speechless, the trio took it all in.

“It’s been a long time,” Drustan finally spoke.

“You have been on the other side?” Kiora asked.

The pegasus morphed back into human form and Drustan stared over the great expanse of land. His eyes began to water. “I didn’t think I would ever see it again.” He looked over to Kiora. “I was traveling with a group of Shifters.” He shook his head as he looked back out, “Our timing could not have been worse. Not long after we entered the valley, the gate was shut and we were trapped. We had no choice but to settle here and make a home for ourselves.”

“You know this land,” Kiora said, beginning to understand why Drustan was to be with them on this journey.

“Yes, very well.”

She looked over at Emane who was looking at the two of them utterly lost. “Drustan, do you think you could give me some time alone with Emane?”

Drustan nodded. “Call for me when you are ready. Do you remember the incantation?”

“I do. Wait, Drustan, why does calling use incantations, isn’t that old magic?”

“No. Some of nature’s magic just needs a little help, that’s all.”

“Hmmm, interesting,” Kiora said.

“Exceptions,” Emane said dryly. “There’s always exceptions.”

“Well, he gets some things right.’ Drustan smiled, morphed into a hawk and shot off into the new countryside.

Kiora sat down on a large cold rock, pulling her knees to her chin. With a jerk of her head she motioned for Emane to sit. “I am afraid this is a long story, you better sit down.” Launching into her night, Kiora recounted everything Epona had told her. When she was finished they both were silent for a time, looking out into the great unknown.

“They locked everybody in here, all this time,” Emane finally mumbled, shaking his head. “Are you sure that this prophecy is about… do you think they are right?”

Kiora sighed, “I have wished that they were wrong. But when you feel the truth, you just know it.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “You said you would follow me anywhere, did you mean it?”

“I would follow you to the ends of the earth, my love.”

“That’s good, because I think that is exactly what it’s going to take.” She chewed on the edge of her lip. “How do you do it?”

“Be so charming? Gee, I am not sure, born with it I suppose.”

Kiora couldn’t help herself, she laughed out loud before playfully shoving Emane to the side. “This is no time to make jokes!”

Laughing, he pulled her close pinning her arm against him. Kissing her on the forehead he asked, “Do what?”

She looked out over the land that Epona claimed was waiting for her. “Have everything riding on your shoulders.”

“My father calls it the ‘yoke of one’s calling’. I would suppose yours is heavier than mine.”

“I don’t believe that. You have the weight of being the Prince and of being the Protector. And don’t try to tell me that didn’t add weight to you.”

“You’re right,” he said glancing down at her. “I still would argue that you feel your burden heavier than I feel mine. You are too sensitive and caring. I imagine it makes the load heavy.”

“You are caring.”

“Not like you, Kiora. Your heart is something beautiful and rare.”

She fiddled with a wrinkle in his pants. She felt the river of magic flowing beneath her skin. “What If I start seeking power, like Dralazar? I can feel how powerful I am becoming.”

“But the power scares you Kiora, not like Dralazar.”

“But it feels good too,” she squeaked.

“But it scares you,” he repeated. “People who crave power and glory are not fearful of it.” Squeezing her they both looked silently outwards. Emane slyly looked at her sideways.

“What?”

“You know, we haven’t been able to be alone together for a while.” Emane hinted “And you still owe me at least sixty kisses.”

Kiora turned her face up to his. “Sixty sounds like a lot,” she teased. “Are you sure?”

His eyes darkened and he kissed her with a hunger. Her body was thrumming with feelings for this man, as well as magic that was threatening to spin out of control. Breaking away from Emane, Kiora held him at arms lengths, breathing hard.

“What’s the matter?” Emane asked.

“Nothing is the matter,” she said breathing heavily, “It was wonderful, but I am trying not to shock you again.”

He moved in to kiss her again anyway. “I can stand a little shock.”

She put her hand up to his chest and shook her head. “No. The way you’re kissing me, it will be more than a shock. I’m afraid I will knock you off the mountain.”

“That good, huh?” He smiled leaning back on one arm.

She was too busy trying to keep things under control to keep his ego in check. “Yes,” she nodded breathlessly, “it was that good.”

GET READY TO BUBBLE!
Drustan’s voice came screaming into her head.

Her head jerked upward, scanning the horizon. A hawk exploded out of the tree line, heading straight for them. Emane noticed her distraction.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. Drustan told me to get ready to bubble and he is coming fast.” The hawk swooped in and landed before them.

BUBBLE NOW!
The hawk demanded.

Kiora pushed a bubble out around all three of them, grateful for the release of magic. “What’s the matter?”

“Just watch,” Drustan said. Emane and Kiora stared out into the distance looking for anything, and then there it was— a gigantic animal, unlike anything they had ever seen before, came bursting through the treetops. It was the size of a large horse, but looked somewhat like a bird with large feathered wings. Ending however, its birdlike resemblance was its serpent’s tail. The juxtaposition of scales and feathers was a strange sight. It was brilliantly colored— reds and blues gleamed in the sun. It flapped just enough to hold its position in the air as its giant head scanned the area.

“What is it looking for?” Emane asked.

“Us. That is an Aktoowa. I must admit in all the excitement of returning home, I had forgotten some of the dangers.”

“Are you going to tell us what an Aktoowa is?” Emane asked rolling his eyes

“An Aktoowa,” Drustan said, pausing for dramatic effect. “Is a creature who quite enjoys the taste of magic.”

Kiora paled. “The
taste
?”

“Yes. It feeds on magical beings. The more magic the being, the more he desires it. He probably would have picked up on me, but by the time I saw him he was intently hunting something else.” He shot a look at Kiora.

“He was hunting me,” she groaned.

“Yes, your thread has become very strong. He picked it up some time ago, I’m sure. Don’t worry, once we get over there you will learn the threads to watch out for. Bubbles are very effective against an Aktoowa.” As if in response the creature screamed a horrible screechy sound and disappeared back below the tree line. “See, gave up already. Not the most patient predator.”

“How many more creatures like that are over there?” Emane asked.

“Like that?” Drustan nodded to where the creature had disappeared. “Not many. But I do not wish to mislead you. The world on the other side of this mountain is not like anything you can imagine. It is filled with dangers both apparent and not.”

“You realize, then that Emane and I have to go?” Kiora said.

Drustan’s eyes widened. Although he managed to keep his voice level, his chest was rising and falling rapidly. “I suspected. Has Epona confirmed it?”

“She says I am the one to restore the light.”

Drustan morphed back to his human form and knelt before her, “The True Solus.”

“No, please don’t do that.” Kiora tugged at his arm. “Please don’t bow to me, I can’t bear it.”

Drustan remained on the ground. ““You should get use to it. When people realize who you are, it will be custom to bow.”

“No please, Drustan please get up.”

“If My Lady commands it.” He rose to his feet. “I never thought I would see the day when the one who would restore the light would be born.”

“Will you go with us? Guide us?”

Drustan looked at her with excitement, “My Lady wishes me to join the quest?”

She smiled, nearly laughing at his excitement. “I think there is no one better. You have knowledge of this land that would be invaluable.”

“It would be my honor,” he said solemnly and bowed.

“Drustan, you can only come if you stop bowing!”

“Yes, My Lady,” he said with one more short bow. “Now, we need to get you back to Eleana, there is much to do before we can go.” He looked around at the bubble, “Can you make this bubble bigger, that Aktoowa is still close.”

Kiora stretched and pushed the bubble out giving him room to shift back into a Pegasus. As they headed back to camp Kiora kept the bubble up, not out of necessity but as a means to drain a little magic. Her magic seemed to be increasing nearly every day, and something about Emane’s touch today was sending her magic into a flurry. It bounced around, pushing at its boundries. Now, with Emane’s arms wrapped around her, Kiora felt as if she were about to explode.

END OF BOOK ONE

PREVIEW OF

WINGS OF TAVEA

Book Two in the Solus Trilogy

Chapter One

THE MORNING CAME ALL too soon for Kiora. Eleana had said they needed to leave immediately, before Dralazar realized who Kiora and Emane really were. Kiora stepped into a comfortable pair of pants and her usual white tunic, before reaching under her pillow to pull out a brown scale. Exhaling she plopped onto her bed, looking at the scale in her hand, remembering the wise dragon who had, quite literally, saved her at the gate.

It was happening, they were going through. And Morcant would never see it. “Toopai” she whispered, remembering his last request. Looking around, the leather cords dangling from the tent flaps caught her eye. Perfect.

A minute later she walked out to meet Emane, a dragon scale hung by a leather cord under her shirt. They walked together past the magical barrier just as the sun was peeking through the trees.

They found Eleana, Aleric, Arturo and Drustan waiting in the clearing with three horses.

“We have packed the horses with as many provisions as we could,” Eleana said. “We have food and clothing, as well as some books on old magic. If you would summon the book of Arian, we will send that too.”

“Isn’t it too dangerous to take?”

“It is not known outside of this valley, it should be fine.”

Kiora handed Eleana the book, which was promptly slid into the saddlebag.

“Drustan will be able to help you with the old magic for now. Please listen to him and follow his advice, he knows of the dangerous that await you.”

Dangers like the Aktoowa,
Kiora thought.

Eleana then held up three long cloaks with hoods. “You will need to wear these always, with the hoods up. Being recognized as humans will draw the attention of those that we do not wish.” Moving to Drustan she said, “I need you to lead them to Lomay.”

Drustan’s eyes widened. “The Ancient One? Eleana, I do not know where to find him. His location was kept secret long before you—” he stopped. “Before I came to stay in the valley.”

“He is in the Morow region. I trust you know how to get there.”

“I do.”

“The magic of the gate is still fading,” Eleana explained to them all. “Epona could not speak with Lomay directly. But she has sent him a message requesting that he send someone for you.” Turning her attention to Kiora she continued, “Lomay will teach you what else you need to know concerning the prophecy. He will teach you and arrange for some training for the both of you. I wish I could help you more but I must stay here for a time and fix the mess that I created.”

The three travelers climbed onto their horses. It felt strange to ride an animal without a magical thread.

“Kiora,” Eleana pulled out a glittering blue sapphire pendant with silver vines surrounding it. “Malena was concerned that you needed another one of these.”

Kiora gasped. “How did she know?”

“This pendant links you with the Guardians, and consequently with me. When Dralazar destroyed it we felt the link break. They have been working since the battle to make you a new one. As you travel, you can call us if you need us. Just be aware that the further you are, the longer it will take us to come. So, in essence it is up to the three of you.” Kiora slipped the pendant over her neck, sliding it under her shirt to sit next to Morcant’s scale. “The link will also help if we ever need to find you.” Kiora fingered the necklace. It was almost identical to the one she had lost. “The Guardians have also made weapons for you as promised. They are in your packs.” Eleana looked to Emane and Drustan, “Work together and keep her safe.” They both nodded their agreement. “I will go with you on Arturo until the gate, and then I must leave you.”

“Arturo is not coming?” Kiora asked jerking her head up.

“He will be near. As I said we do not need to draw attention to yourself and pegasus are rare, even on the other side. You will be able to communicate with him if you need to, but you will not see much of him.”