Wings of Arian (7 page)

“Thank you,” she said, sliding off. “Emane, they are waiting for us in the–” turning she nearly ran right into him, “meeting hall,” she finished, jerking to a stop. He looked at her with one eyebrow raised.

“What?” she said putting her hand on her hip, “I told you, he’s telepathic.” When Emane’s eyebrow didn’t move, she shoved past him with a huff. “Come on.”

Over Emane’s chuckle she heard Arturo,
You should mention to him that if he continues to complain about my flying, next time I will leave him for the Hounds.

Kiora stopped abruptly, whirling on Emane. “You were complaining about his flying!”

Emane’s mouth dropped open a bit, before tossing an annoyed glance over his shoulder. “Not much.”

“Emane! He just saved our life!”

Stopping, Emane looked skyward shaking his head, “Alright!” Turning he looked at Arturo, “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry I was
thinking
that you nearly knocked me off with that last tree.”

Arturo snorted before turning and flying out of the Hollow the way he came in. Kiora glared at Emane.

“What!” he asked.

“That wasn’t an apology.”

“Oh my...” he fisted his hands, “You really are...” Blowing out a mouthful of air, he plastered a smile on his face, “Didn’t you say someone was waiting for us.”

Kiora scowled, “Come on.”

As they walked through the Hollow in the direction of the large red and white tent that now served as the meeting hall, Kiora had to keep slowing down to match pace with Emane. His head swiveled this way and that, taking in the beauty that was the Hollow.

Tiny Guardians flitted to and from their tiny houses that hung on silver lines from the canopy. A Guardian nearest them opened the door to his house as the sun glinted off the large ruby placed in his door, coloring the crystal walls of his home in crimson.

“These are spectacular.” Emane whispered.

“I know, when you get a chance you should look at them closer.”

The detail work was meticulous, and everything was done in crystal, silver, gold or precious stones. “Incredible,” Emane breathed, looking intently at the nearest little home.

“Are these… fairies?” he asked quietly, but not quietly enough. One of the Guardians heard him and let out a snort of disgust.

“No” she said with an apologetic look to the Guardian. Leaning towards Emane she muttered, “And they find that very offensive.”

“Why?”

“Come on,” she motioned, pulling him away from the irritated Guardian. “When the wars began, the Guardians were all fighting for good. Over time, a few began siding with evil and they started to change. Their beauty faded as their goodness did, changing over time until their outside was as ugly as their inside.”

Emane had stopped again to look at a sapphire house that had been gilded with rectangular cut emeralds. Jogging to catch up to her he asked, “How does that happen?”

“Aleric said that the reason the Guardians are so beautiful is because the greatness of their nature is too large to be contained in such a small package.” Kiora smiled. “The same goes for the ones who fell. The darkness of their nature is too great to be contained, it changed their outward appearance. The villagers began calling them fairies, but the Guardians refer to them as Fallen Ones.” One of the Guardians fluttered in front of them, smiling as he went past. Kiora smiled back with a little wave. “So, in answer to your question— No, these are not fairies.

“You’ve learned a lot in a few days.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Not enough.”

As she walked past the smaller tents where she and Aleric had been sleeping she noticed a third tent had been added.

Guess its official
, she thought,
he’s staying
.

Just past them stood the tent that had been erected for meetings and meals, she led him inside. A table stood in the middle of the room made of simply hewn pine planks. Around the table were four chairs made of artistically twisted vines. They were works of art, coaxed by magic into their current shape. Aleric and Eleana sat at the table with pale faces.

“Sit down,” Eleana said. Her blue eyes were hard and she sat stiffly with her copper hair flowing down her back.

Both dropped obediently into chairs.

“I should have been clearer about the dangers of running off the first time it happened.” She looked at Kiora, “But I was somewhat foolish and have underestimated Dralazar. I did not think he would be looking for you so quickly.” She sighed. “At least you are both safe. Unfortunately, you have been spotted, Kiora. They now know who you are and what you look like. We had hoped to avoid that specific danger for much, much longer.”

Aleric added, “Raynor also knows your thread and the Hounds know your scent.”

Kiora bit her lip, clenching her hands in her lap, “What does that mean?”

“Just as it sounds. Evil now knows how to track you every way possible. By sight, by smell, and by thread.”

Emane interrupted “The Hounds? Is that what those things are really called?”

“Yes,” Eleana answered. “They are controlled by Dralazar and are the deadliest hunters we know. Dralazar is the only one on evil’s side with enough magic to control the pack. But even then,” she shook her head, “his hold on them is precarious. Their desire to kill everything they come in contact with is overwhelming. Especially now. I am sure Dralazar has had them locked up for the last thousand years.”

“Who is Dralazar?” Emane asked.

Kiora saw Aleric wilt, looking as if he wanted to drop his head into the table.

“Evil.” Kiora answered.

“You should have known that Emane.” Aleric chided. “It was in your reading.”

Emane shifted in his chair, before running his fingers through his hair. “Ah, Aleric, you know I never…”

Aleric interrupted, waving him away impatiently, “Never mind, it’s too late to worry about it now.”

“Anyway,” Emane interjected. “How can they know they found who they were looking for?”

Aleric answered. “That little display of Kiora’s I am sure left them with no doubt.”

“Wait,” Kiora said, “how did you see that?”

Eleana motioned to a large basin set on the table filled halfway with water. “Much the way Dralazar would have seen it.” She waved her hand over the top, the water rippled underneath, colors stirring just under its surface as a picture came into focus. There in the water was Kiora, her dark hair flying out behind her, stretching out her arm, power rippling outward.

The table was quiet. Kiora had fixed her eyes on her shoes feeling like she had swallowed a walnut. Her eyes flickered up to find Eleana, Aleric, and Emane each staring at her. Her voice shook as she asked. “What do we do now?”

Eleana looked at them gravely. “The time table has been moved up. Dralazar knows you were with Arturo, and if you were with Arturo then he also knows we have you at the Hollow. It is only a matter of time before he finds it.”

“How can he find it?” Emane asked. “I thought it was protected.”

“There are those on his side who know how to find it. It won’t be easy but it’s not impossible.”

“But how?” Kiora asked.

Eleana sighed. “The Fallen Ones know how to look for the holes in the threads, areas where there are none. When they find a big enough hole they will know they have found the Hollow. And then Dralazar will come for you.”

“How long?” Emane asked.

“I don’t know. It could be a few weeks or a few days. It depends on whose side luck remains.”

“So, what?” Emane asked leaning forward across the table. “We just sit here and wait for them to show up?”

“Arrangements will need to be made for the both of you.” Eleana leaned back in her chair, evaluating the pair. “I had hoped to have more time to negotiate on your behalf, but it seems we’ll have to hope instead that their curiosity gets the best of them.”

“Whose curiosity?” Kiora questioned.

Eleana breezed past as if she hadn’t spoken. “I will work on that while you and Emane train here.”

“Train in what?” Emane asked.

“Magic,” Aleric answered.

“Aleric, I don’t have any magic.”

“Yes, sadly that is something I am well aware of.” Aleric said with a wisp of a smile. “Then what am I suppose to do?” Emane asked.

The smile disappearing, Aleric explained, “You are now in a magical world, you must learn its rules and how to abide by them. You are the Protector of the Solus. You must learn how to do your job.”

“What about me?” Kiora asked

Aleric pulled the Book of Arian out, and handed it to her. “You will work from this.”

She turned it over, the old leather smooth in her hands. On the front was an image she hadn’t noticed before. Two hands holding an orb, which glowed an eerie blue. Strange lettering surrounded the hands, forming a circle. Gently she touched her finger to it, tracing the lettering around the orb.

“What does it say?”

“With you all hope lies” Eleana answered. Her voice was thick, Kiora glanced at her. She looked guilty. Noticing her gaze Eleana straightened, neatly erasing whatever it was Kiora thought she had seen. Shrinking back in her chair Kiora looked at the book. As if she didn’t already have enough pressure.

“Open it,” Eleana encouraged.

Flipping it open to the middle of the book she looked at two blank pages. Thumbing through, she found more of the same, all blank.

“Try the front,” Aleric coached. “It only prints what you are ready for.”

Kiora turned to the front of the book, carefully moving the yellowing pages. As she reached the first page, words began scrolling across it, describing how to achieve a bubble, whatever that was.

“That’s it?” Emane blurted. “One page out of a whole book, that’s all she’s ready for?”

Kiora’s hands tightened on the book. Looking up through her hair, she glared at him. “Sorry,” Emane said, holding his hands in front of him “Just surprised. I would have thought with as long as you two had been working together there would be more, that’s all.” Clearing his throat he crossed his arms in front of him, leaning back in his chair.

“Don’t worry Kiora, his turn is coming quickly.” Aleric grinned.

Emane’s head swiveled with a frown, “What...?”

“It is late,” Eleana signaled that the meeting was over. “But before you go, there is something you both need to see.” Eleana waved her hand back over the basin and the picture changed. Standing in the water was a very handsome dark haired man. He was dressed impeccably with a smile that should have been warm and inviting. It wasn’t. Snaking out of the basin came something that resembled a thread, although it was muted— like hearing something underwater. But, even in its lessened state it was icy, painful, and powerful.

Kiora looked up, trying not to gasp.

“Dralazar,” Eleana said. “You should know what he looks like, especially now that he knows what you both look like. Now, you and Emane both have had an incredibly long day. In the morning we will begin training.” She finished abruptly waving her hand back over the picture in the mirror.

As they turned to leave the tent, Eleana left them one more reminder. “Make sure that you do not leave the Hollow.”

Kiora and Emane both gave a silent nod of understanding before they headed out to their own tents.

Emane walked in front of Kiora, his shoulders sagging. Slumping forward, his feet dragged behind him. Kiora trudged along in his tracks. The magic she had used against Raynor had left her empty and drained. Sighing she rubbed at her eyes. The sun was going down sending rays of light cutting through the leaves at a much lower angle than normal. They caught the Guardians homes at random intervals, sending bursts of greens, yellows, and reds around the Hollow.

Emane slowed as they neared the tents. “Which is mine?” he asked.

“That one,” she pointed.

Grabbing the tent flap he pulled it back, dunking to go inside.

“Emane!” she blurted.

He stopped, turning his head towards her, his eyes half open.

“Thank you,” she said, looking at the ground. “You saved my life today.” When he didn’t say anything she nervously glanced up at him.

“Your welcome.”

She smiled, her hands fidgeting. “Well, good night.” She turned quickly to disappear into her tent.

“Kiora?” she froze, one arm still holding the tent open. “Thank you for saving mine, as well.”

She flushed scarlet red. “You’re welcome.” she dunked inside, rubbing her checks.

Chapter Four

TRAINING

KIORA AWOKE TO SOMETHING humming in her ear, with a groan she rolled over. Opening her eyes, she yelped as she was assaulted by light filtering through the tent and she squeezed her eyes back shut. Opening one eye slowly, she squinted out. The book she had collected, The Book of Arian, was glowing, as well as humming incessantly. She sat up on her elbow, still squinting.
What was it doing?
She was so tired, she didn’t think she cared right now. Groaning she flopped back on her bed, pulling the blanket over her head. The humming grew louder in obvious protest, how the book realized it was being ignored she could not understand.

Pulling up a corner of the blanket she looked back at the book, the humming lessened. “You can’t be serious,” she muttered. Pulling the blanket back over her face, the humming returned, just as insistent as before. Flopping onto her back she kicked the covers down with a huff. “Alright, alright, I’m coming!” She rolled out of bed and reached over to grab the book. “You are the most demanding book I have ever met.”

She opened the book to the front expecting to see, perhaps, another page filled, but was shocked to see more than ten. She scanned the topics: bubbles, shields, summoning and calling. There were diagrams illustrating how things were to look and be done. As she scanned through the different pages she noticed that calling had some incantations listed.

In the world of magic, most things are performed with your mind and your heart. We do not need the aid of spells and incantations to assist in this. However, there are certain things that are beyond the scope of what we humans alone are capable of creating. As a result we have turned to other magical beings to assist us in these matters resulting in spells and incantations. Calling is the ability to speak to another person over long distances. There are some magical creatures, such as the pegasus, who naturally have this ability. But there is a way to talk to those who do not naturally have this ability. You will need a—