* * *
Bronwyn and Alaura came to an abrupt stop. They couldn’t reach Isla in time before she returned to the others. They had made a wide circle and positioned themselves ahead of them on the trail.
While Bronwyn scanned the area, he slipped his hand into Alaura’s. I don’t think Tam will put up a fight if he sees the other two go down. I think he’ll help Isla. I’ll kill the gnome. He’s a slippery creature, and I’m unsure of his abilities. You disable Keiron with a spell. Have your dagger ready. He’s a creature of strength, so if you can disable him, he’ll fall easily. If Tam decides to fight, leave him to me.
Kill them even if they surrender?
They won’t surrender. He suddenly realised he talked to Alaura, not one of his men. What am I doing? She’s never killed anyone before.
I have.
Surprised, he eyed her. Stop reading my thoughts.
Then stop transferring them.
Still puzzled, he asked. You’ve killed a being before, an intelligent being?
She nodded.
I wonder where? When? I wouldn’t have guessed. When she gave him a strange look, he knew he sent his thoughts again. How in the heck does she keep her own thoughts to herself?
I’ll teach you later.
I can’t keep anything from you like this. He shook his head. Kill them. Show no mercy.
Alaura raised an eyebrow. Are you sure, Sergeant?
The title surprised him. Honour is nothing if I lose Isla. Anything I need to do to save her, I’ll do it.
I understand. I’ll do the same. She squeezed his hand. Let me battle the gnome. He’s a creature of magic.
He appears more dangerous than Keiron. I’ll deal with him.
It’s because he has magic that I should fight him.
He couldn’t get his thoughts around Alaura taking a life. I know she’s fought creatures before, but she talks as if she’s trained to do this. I don’t understand.
I am trained for this, Bronwyn.
Damn! The first chance we get, you’re teaching me how to keep my thoughts to myself. Then you’re telling me about the training you’ve had. He peered through the bushes at Isla. Keiron seemed to be giving her an order. Okay, you take out the gnome. I’ll be there to help as soon as I can.
From the trees or bushes? she asked.
Huh?
I think we should climb a tree and jump down upon them. We’ll be on top of them before they realise what’s happening.
Good idea. He fell silent and lowered his gaze. I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t want her to get hurt. If they get their hands on her… He shuddered.
Don’t start doubting now. We can do this.
Bronwyn stared at her. Listen to me. If you manage to get Isla, run. Get on Clover and don’t look back.
I won’t leave you here to be killed.
He pleaded with his eyes. Please, go. Get our daughter home.
Alaura squeezed his hand and with her familiar stern glare, sent a clear message. I won’t leave you. That’s final. We can do this, Bronwyn. Together, we are strong.
His eyes softened. But if things go bad and I fall, promise me you’ll take Isla and run. Don’t fight a losing battle and sacrifice yourself. I can’t bear to see you…I want you to live.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Promise me. He insisted.
She nodded.
Say it!
I promise.
Don’t break your promise. I won’t ever forgive you if you do. He squeezed her hand for strength. Are you ready?
She nodded.
Bronwyn pointed to two trees about fifteen feet apart. I’ll take that one. He prepared to move away.
Alaura heaved a heavy sigh. Finley, be damned!
Huh? She caught him off guard when she pulled him into her arms and kissed him square on the month. She held him so tight, he couldn’t pull away if he tried—not that he did. Her lips held his as if they would never kiss again. When they separated, he stared at her, an inch away, catching his breath. She smiled, and he had no idea of the size of his grin.
Alaura bit her lip, and her gaze swept across his face. Then, as if feeling the urgency, she mouthed, “Go!”
He slipped away, looking back at her once, puzzled by the sudden need for a kiss. Making his way to his attack position, he wondered what she had said before the embrace. Finley, be damned? Who was Finley? Certainly it couldn’t be Lord Finley Dunsworth of Petra.
Once Bronwyn had settled in the tree, he looked for Alaura but couldn’t see her. No doubt she had beaten him into position, given her nimble body. From what he could see through the thick, leafy branches, Keiron led the way; the gnome followed, leaving Tam and Isla last. Tightening his grip on the dagger, Bronwyn took pleasure in the knowledge he’d give the scoundrel what he deserved.
Just then, a hairy, four-legged creature ran down the path towards the small group. Bronwyn watched it go. It looked like a deformed dog with two large sweeping tails and eyes the colour of fire.
“Whoa!” Keiron yelled at his horse as the black animal rushed by. “Cursed devils!”
The dwarf hid near enough to see the scowl on the hauflin’s face. The scar across his cheek added to his menacing appearance. Keiron started again, but Bronwyn noticed his casual expression changed to one of deep thought, as if he wondered about the strange bypassing creature. Did he recognise it? The man looked from side to side as if expecting an attack.
Of all the luck, thought Bronwyn. Why did the creature have to run by at this time? He held his breath. As soon as the thief rode into position, Bronwyn would drop like a rock. He hoped to attack before Alaura. It’d give him a few extra seconds to silence the bastard before he turned to kill the gnome. He counted the seconds: eight, nine, ten. He dived from the branch and landed on the back of Keiron’s saddle.
Bronwyn brought his dagger down to strike the hauflin in the chest, but it froze mid-way. Before he could pull his arm free from the invisible force holding it, a flash erupted behind him. The horses jumped, and he and Keiron crashed to the ground. He sliced through the air with his dagger but only grazed the hauflin’s shoulder.
The thief scowled at the dwarf and stabbed with his own dagger.
Alaura had positioned herself on a thick branch and as she threw the magic fire ball at Reese, it gave way. She fell against the gnome, bounced off the horse’s rump and tumbled to the forest floor. Dazed, she scrambled to her feet. The blast startled the horses, and they bucked their riders. The terrified animals bolted down the trail as if a banshee gave chase.
Isla smacked the ground and the dwarf landed on top of her, knocking the air from her lungs. She tried to push him off, but he weighed too much.
Tam scrambled to his feet. He nabbed the girl and held her behind him as he drew his sword to fight.
Isla looked to see who had attacked the others. “Alaura!” She tried to run to her, but Tam grabbed the back of her vest.
“Stay here!” He raised his sword and prepared to meet the animal which had run by the horses earlier. The fanged creature snarled and jumped at him. The dwarf caught it in mid-flight and sliced it in two.
Alaura noticed Reese pulling himself out of the bushes with his sword drawn. Her hands flew into the air, and as they danced, she mouthed the words to a spell. Light grew around her fingers and when it reached its apex, she directed the energy at the gnome.
Reese braced his sword and reflected the power from her spell into the trees. The branches sparked and caught fire.
From out of nowhere, the dog-like creature tackled Alaura. They rolled across the forest floor. She stabbed it several times with her dagger before tossing aside the carcass. By the time she rose, the gnome had disappeared. She looked for Isla and saw Tam battling three of the animals. One circled the dwarf and leapt into the air behind him. To her horror, it latched onto the child’s arm and dragged her along the ground.
The galloping mongrel released the young hauflin and pounced on Alaura. They wrestl
ed across the dirt and stones until she killed it. Staggering to her feet, she looked up to find the gnome holding the child with a blade to her neck.
“That distance will do.” Reese glared at her.
Alaura froze in place.
Isla felt a sudden jolt from behind, and heard a wicked yelp near her ear. The gnome’s grip slackened, and he swayed from side to side. She managed to wiggle from beneath his arm, but when she tried to run, he grasped her hand. He fell to his knees, and she saw Tam standing behind him with a bloody dagger.
“Lindrum’s not going to be happy you killed his pet!” Keiron shouted at the dwarf. “You’ll never see your sister agin!”
Isla fought to free herself, but couldn’t. She shrieked in agony.
Warm air swirled around the gnome and the hauflin. As Reese’s body jerked forward, his eyes, wide from exertion, ogled her. He tried to speak but his mouth froze open. Pale colours of greens, reds and oranges danced in the air, climbing as the swirling wind ascended into the sky.
Alaura reached for Isla, but her hand slammed into an invisible force. She cast a worried glance at Tam. He tried to kick the gnome, but his foot hit the unseen shield.
The wind continued to swirl, sending the colours higher into the sky. Isla shook from the energy entering her body. She fell to her knees and continued to cry out in pain.
The rainbow of colours took shape, creating images of various races. They simmered into the air, as heat from a rock on a hot day. Released from their prison within the gnome, the chorus of the dead sang into the Plane of Peace.
Alaura gasped and stared in shock. Two familiar faces appeared amongst the freed spirits: Lady Dasia and Finola, Liam’s meeme.
When the last life-force escaped, the expression on Reese’s face calmed. “Thank you,” he breathed. He released his grip on Isla and fell forward, dead.
Alaura threw her arms around the shivering child and held her tightly. A quick movement off to the side startled them both.
Tam swung his sword and cut down the beast before it reached the females. With the dying animal squirming at his feet, he prepared to fight another.
As Bronwyn prepared to tackle the hauflin, another of the strange creatures jumped towards his face, sending him over backwards. He thrust his dagger into its chest and cut it wide open. Once on his feet, he drew his sword. “Let’s finish this.”
“I’m sick of dead men walking,” growled Keiron, gripping his weapon.
Their swords came together with a heavy clank. One strike after another weakened the thief’s position. Bronwyn forced him near the edge of the gully but didn’t push him over. He wanted to draw blood and know, without a doubt, this hauflin breathed no more.
From a nearby tree, a beast jumped onto Bronwyn’s shoulders. It drove him to the ground, and his sword flew from his hands. He punched the mutant dog several times, pulled a dagger from his belt and stabbed it. He lifted the animal off his body with his feet and threw it into the gully. He grappled for his dagger, but it had also fallen.
When Bronwyn turned, Keiron jumped on top of him. The hauflin’s dagger missed its target, and the pair wrestled across the hilly ground. Unarmed and on his back, Bronwyn struggled to gain control of the thief’s weapon. He grasped the man’s wrist, keeping the cold steal from driving into his chest.
“I should of dismembered yew when I had the chance.” Sweat and spit dripped from the hauflin’s mouth. “I won’t make the mistake agin.”
Although Bronwyn was overheated, he felt a warm tingling feeling in his right hand pressed against Keiron’s head. He watched a dagger materialize in his grip. “Such chances come but once in a lifetime, and you’ve wasted yours. I’m taking back my daughter!”
Startled by the appearance of the dagger against his forehead, Keiron’s hold slipped. Bronwyn closed his fingers around the weapon and struck the hauflin with his fist. He rolled on top and straddled the man who had turned his life upside down. He raised the dagger and plunged it deep into Keiron’s chest twice. As he pulled the weapon from the flesh, a beast tackled him. He killed it then stood to survey the area. Alaura cradled Isla in her arms. He locked eyes with Tam who stood near them, watching with a blank expression.
Bronwyn glanced back at Keiron whose lifeless eyes stared into the sky. It was done then. The wretched man would never harm Isla again. Bronwyn picked up his sword and turned to walk towards Tam then stopped. He searched the area for the mutated dogs he and the others had slain. All had vanished.
“Alaura!” When she looked at him, he pointed to the path leading to Clover. “Go!”
She rose with her daughter in her arms, looking around for the reason behind his order.
“What is it?” Tam sheathed his sword but grabbed it again when a dog-like beast ran towards the women. He cut it down only to turn and face three more.
A force struck Alaura from behind, throwing her to the ground and knocking Isla from her grip. One of the animals snatched the child by the arm and dragged her away.
Tam turned to save Isla, but four creatures jumped at him, pushing him closer to edge of the gully. As quickly as he fought and killed one, another appeared. They advanced, growling and snapping madly. He held them at bay as he struggled to keep his footing.
Bronwyn chased his daughter. She tried to grab hold of a tree but couldn’t maintain a grip. The canine circled back towards Alaura, and as Bronwyn turned to follow, he heard laughing.
Alaura jumped to intercept the animal, but it turned away. It ran towards Tam, now surrounded by five snarling creatures, then raced in another direction. She raised her hands and danced her fingers in the air. A bolt of energy shot out and dropped the beast to the ground.
As soon as Isla realised her ability to stand, another dog appeared, grabbed her by the back of the vest and dragged her away.
The laughing grew louder, and Bronwyn searched for the source. He believed the person behind the laughing also conjured the mongrels. Then he saw him—the same tall, slender man who had transformed from Isla’s illusion near the campfire: Lindrum.
Bronwyn sheathed his sword. Nothing in his military training had prepared him to defeat or defend against a magical being. Knowledge on how to fight magic should have been standard at the castle. Why wasn’t it? The lords were not the only ones who fought battles threatening the stronghold. He searched his memories. It felt as if he had swept away years of cobwebs to view them clearly. Then he remembered a story told to him as a boy by his uncle living at Goshen. He spoke about a magic-user who snatched a private’s sword from his hands. To protect himself, the private used a special stone. His uncle said all the guards carried stones for protection and the more experienced were versed in spells.
But Bronwyn had no stone for protection. None of his men did. Where had the stones gone? He cocked his head. Why hadn’t he remembered this story before? He scoured his memories. Many things came to him as he stood in the clearing, things he hadn’t thought about in years. Most of them concerned magic, potions and recipes his mum had taught him. Others were his observations of the castle guards. In his earliest years, citizens welcomed them into every dwelling, every shop. They worked alongside the citizens of Maskil, and he dreamt of being one of those men when he grew up. Things had changed drastically. Why hadn’t he noticed?
Isla’s scream shook Bronwyn from his thoughts. He watched the beast drag her in the same circle, past Alaura and towards Tam. The dwarf fighter who had befriended his daughter forced his way from the edge of the gully. The immediate danger of him falling to his death had passed. The dozen or so snarling monsters surrounding Tam followed him, taking turns snapping at him. He side stepped each one and struck out with his sword.
Bronwyn studied the fight as he raced to intercept Isla as she neared the dwarf. Once he seized her, he’d help Tam. At first he believed Tam controlled his own movements, but as the dog-like creatures continued to attack, he noticed they steered the man towards a huge oak. Backing up against it, the thief-turned-ally continued t
o kill the creatures, but as one fell, another came out of the shadows and attacked.
The beast dragging Isla didn’t turn as it had before. It ran full speed towards Tam. It leapt into the pack, released the girl and jumped onto the dwarf, forcing him to stumble backwards into the tree. Bronwyn gasped as he watched Tam disappear into the trunk. Had the bark frozen the man inside? Was he dead? Or did the tree contain a portal and transfer him across Ath-o’Lea? He stared in shock. Although he saw it happen, he couldn’t believe it.
The animals surrounding the young hauflin disappeared. She stumbled to her feet and threw her arms around the oak, wailing for the man who vanished. “Tam! Where are you? Tam!”
Bronwyn turned to face Lindrum. The wizard shrugged then a slow and malicious smirk spread across his face. His red-gemmed ring sparkled in the sun as he spread his palm and appeared to cast a spell. Keiron’s body moved slowly through the air until it dropped at the wizard’s feet.
Lindrum’s quick hand motion ignited a blast of energy and threw Bronwyn against a tree. His insides jumped and sizzled as if on fire. It stole his breath and gripped his stomach. Dazed, he clutched his head to regain his senses. Finding the wizard, he watched a faint glow shimmer around him. He had initiated the portal, the same which had sliced Rorie in half. Lindrum planned to leave with Keiron by his side. Alaura screamed, and he whipped around.
A beast dragged Isla near enough to Alaura for their hands to touch, but not for her to grasp the child.
Isla shouted for Alaura and her das as she bounced along the ground.
Alaura jumped to her feet and sprinted after her.
Bronwyn struggled to stand, but the dizziness sent him toppling. He watched Alaura and the mutant dog rush towards the portal. His heart raced, but he felt helpless to save her. Lindrum intended to do it again! A burning sensation erupted in his pocket containing the stone Isla had given him, and he felt a thrust forward. As he ran, he watched the mongrel drop his daughter on top of Keiron. The glow around the trio increased, and he knew it would close soon. The ache in his heart grew and burnt his throat when he realised what he had to do.
With every muscle pushed to the limit, Bronwyn dashed towards Alaura. In the last second, he threw himself at her, shoving her to the ground. She struggled to break free until she realised Bronwyn retained her. Dumbstruck, she stared at him.
He held her firm as he watched the portal close, and his heart exploded with grief.
Alaura grabbed his vest and shook him. “I could have gone with her! Why did you stop me?”
He gripped her shoulders, trying to hold her steady. “You’d have been slaughtered.” Taking a painful breath, he tried to explain. “He waits to see if anyone is foolish enough to follow. Then it’s too late.” He stared into her brown eyes, hoping for her to understand without him saying more. Her blank stare forced the words from his mouth. “When you’re partway into the portal, he closes it; you’re sliced in half. He did it to Rorie.”
“I might have made it.” Her voice shook. She lowered her head and sobbed. “You saved me, but we lost Isla.”
Bronwyn surrendered to an exhaustion he had never before felt. He had come so far to rescue Isla, only to fail. He wondered, if Alaura hadn’t been there, would he have foolishly attempted to enter the portal. His throat, dry from the fight, now felt parched as the ache expanded and threatened to cut off his air passage. He felt the moisture rise in his eyes and had no energy left to fight it.
He pulled Alaura into his arms and cradled her, seeking comfort in her embrace. In spite of their best efforts, they had lost their daughter to a man with unknown intentions. Portals opened and closed across Ath-o’Lea. Lindrum could take Isla anywhere. Their search had no starting point, no trail to follow.
There, in the silence of the trees, they clung to each other and wept openly.