ANWEN FELT LIKE SHE WAS standing still as the world rushed around her in a giant column of wind. Her hair blew all around, blinding her as her body rotated without her telling it to do so.
She didn't even think to scream as her life flashed before her eyes. Images from her childhood. Tyler and Courtney's faces. And, least expected of all, the face of Daphne, the girl who had accompanied them on their first journey up the mountain trail. Only she didn't look like she had then. Her face was lined with shadows and her expression was cruel.
I’m going to die, she thought to herself. At least the rush of wind is cooling off my skin.
She tried to inhale but couldn't, then decided not to bother. She was so dizzy it didn't even matter. Above her, something glinted silver, with hints of sapphire blue. It flashed in the sky, growing larger and larger as she continued to fall. She stared at it, transfixed.
What was that? And did it really matter? She wasn’t sure, too tired to really care.
Tyler folded his wings tightly. Using every ounce of his strength to push past the onrush of air, he streamlined his body to cut through the resistance. He was catching up to her. Anwen! he screamed, hoping he wasn't too late.
Thinking she'd heard her name, Anwen spread her arms like an eagle. She smiled; realizing the silver streak she'd seen was a dragon. I’m dreaming again, she thought.
Anwen!
Tyler gave another push with his wings and came even with her. With a mighty sweep of one clawed hand, he caught her as gently as he would a baby kitten. Doing his best to not jostle her, he slowed their momentum until it was safe to change directions. Once he'd determined it was, he headed upwards, back to the cliff's side.
Courtney stood on the ledge in shock. Having recognized that someone was casting a spell on Anwen, she'd done her best to counter it. Unfortunately, it hadn't worked. And when Tyler looked at her with such rage filled eyes, she knew he blamed her for this.
Then sparks had flown and Anwen fell. Courtney had gone to her knees, using an incantation to meld her clothes to the stone so she wouldn't fall as well.
She saw Tyler dive after her fallen friend, then transform like a super-heated bullet melting in its flight. In his dragon form, he was amazing.
Courtney had to blink a few times to be sure she wasn't seeing things. Her nails dug into the path's edge as she watched, drawing blood from her too tight grip. She inhaled like a swimmer too long without air when Tyler scooped Anwen into his grasp, braking with his massive wings.
Somewhere, the sound of laughter filled the air. Looking around, Courtney thought she saw something out of the corner of her eye, but wasn't sure.
It was almost as if some kind of glamour had been cast, keeping her from being able to see what was really out there. She quickly turned her focus back to Tyler and Anwen.
The two were now moving upwards and would soon overtake her. Courtney stood, readying herself for whatever might happen. As she moved, her feet struck something metallic. Looking down, she saw a small throwing knife, which she picked up and pocketed. Great updrafts of wind buffeted her, threatening to send her off the mountain as her minor holding spell broke.
Tyler decided to throw all caution to the wind when he saw Courtney pocket something as he reached the ledge. He grabbed her with his other front claw.
The rope tied to the mage's waist trailed out behind as he swooped over the chasm, bypassing the open section until he reached the area where the two canyons met back up. It created a nice place to land.
Courtney almost screamed as they came in for a landing. But Tyler controlled himself, bringing them to the ground with nothing more than a slight jostle. Finding she'd been released, the mage shakily looked to find Tyler had already returned to his human form.
Tyler carried Anwen in his arms, depositing her away from the mage. Everything about his posture screamed of his rage.
“Is she okay?” Courtney stumbled over, finally going down to her knees next to them as Tyler set Anwen on the ground.
“No thanks to you,” Tyler returned, giving Courtney a look that burned into her brain and made her soul quake. Seeing her tremble, he returned his focus to Anwen. He chaffed the almost delirious girl's wrists, thoughts of the prophecy filling his head.
Fire and water, earth and air.
Seeing Courtney moving into view, pulling out her water bottle, he almost thrust her back. “Haven't you done enough?”
Courtney fell back, arms uselessly at her sides, bottle on the ground, the water having sloshed from the open lid.
Tears coursed down her cheeks. “It wasn't me! I would never do something like that to Anwen! You know that!” She sobbed, her body rocking with the intensity of her emotions.
“Like hellfire you didn't!” Tyler yelled back. “I saw you! It was just like before. I should just kill you now.” His eyes went cold, hard as frozen ice.
Trembling, Courtney tried to extract the small knife she'd found from her pocket. “I was trying to stop it! That was a counter charm! I promise it wasn't me!”
Finally freeing the metal weapon, she flung it at his feet. “Here! I found this on the ledge. Maybe that will make you believe me.”
Tyler stared in disbelief as the small knife landed with a clank. One part of the blade had a notch where it had hit stone.
“And look at this!” Courtney thrust the end of her rope into his face. It was still tied around her waist, but the end showed signs of having been cut through by something sharp. “How could I have done that? Tell me! You know I didn't have a knife in my hands.”
Examining the rope, Tyler felt the fire inside him dim. He went to pick up the small blade but pulled back as the metal glowed a sudden deep red, burning his fingers. He winced, automatically sucking on the injured appendage.
“This is a mage blade,” he cringed, kicking it aside. “It was made to slay dragons, back before the Mountain was sealed. The metal has been infused with the blood of a Revenant.”
Courtney's face twisted with disgust and fear. “Who would want to do that? It's insane!” She glanced at the knife as it glittered back at her from the ground. “Who would want to slay a dragon?”
Tyler sighed as he released the last of his anger. “You'd be surprised, I’m sure.”
Anwen sat up at that moment, eyes fluttering as she gasped. She flung out an arm as if to stop herself from falling. Turning to one side, she noisily lost the contents of her stomach into the scrub. Finally finished, she rolled back over. “Someone make the sky stop spinning,” she croaked, flinging a hand over her eyes with a moan.
“Just lay still,” Tyler instructed as he moved to shade her from the sun slanting down into the small valley. Placing his hands a few inches above her temples, he bowed his head as his hands began to glow. “This should help.”
Anwen tried to be still, though whatever Tyler was doing made her head feel funny. Her stomach felt like it was tying itself into knots. “I want to be sick again,” she groaned, “but there's nothing left to come up.”
Looking grim, Tyler moved his hands closer, making contact with her skin. “I'm sorry if it's a bit uncomfortable, but please bear with it. It should help with the spinning sensation,” he apologized. “Just give it a minute and we'll see how you're feeling.”
Courtney watched with fascination. It reminded her of what another mage had done for her now deceased grandmother when she had vertigo. The treatment had been effective then. Hopefully it would be effective now.
The blonde crossed her fingers, choosing to forget that Tyler had accused her of trying to kill her best friend. Thinking back to the incident, she couldn't help but feel bothered by something though. It took a moment before she decided what it was.
“Tyler, when you were both falling, did you hear someone laughing?”
Tyler looked up from his ministrations. “Now that I think about it,” he admitted, “I'm sure I did. I thought it was you at the time, but now--” He looked off towards the Chasm as he trailed off. “I
feel like we're being watched,” he said. His body stiffened.
The mage turned to look around, scanning the skies. “I don't see anyone, but I feel the same,” she admitted with a slight shudder. “It's kind of creepy. I used to be the one doing the watching.”
Tyler raised his brows at her comment. “Let me see if I can sense anyone.” He closed his eyes and inhaled. A burst of what felt like static electricity flew out from him, like ripples on a pond spreading out from where a rock had landed.
After several seconds, the sensation repeated as the energy returned to his core. He opened his eyes and looked at Courtney. “I couldn't sense anything out of place, but somehow I think that's what our assailant had in mind. Whoever they are, they must be powerful. That or I'm losing my touch."
Anwen opened her eyes and looked up into Tyler's. “Please don't tell me whoever made me fall is still out there, wanting to finish the job,” she groaned.
Tyler bit his lip and laced his fingers together under his chin. “I don't know. What I do know is that whoever it is has to be a powerful mage or I'd have no trouble sensing their presence. Which means we need to get under cover and quickly. Chances are they don't want us to reach the Gate.”
Courtney stood, brushing off the dust. “Well then, we should get a move on, shouldn't we?” She glanced at Anwen, her eyes reflecting her unasked question.
“I'm good,” Anwen said, struggling to her feet. She swayed a little and put one hand to her head. “Be nice if the headache would go away though.” She didn't take Tyler's offered hand as he also stood. “This way, right?” She headed towards the next section of the path.
Glancing at Tyler, Courtney shrugged. She definitely remembered this part of the trail from last time and figured Anwen did as well. “You heard the lady,” she nodded towards her friend.
Tyler rolled his eyes but followed after Anwen. This part of the path was pretty straightforward, after all. It was unlikely any of them would get lost as it delved downwards once more, protected on both sides by the rising mountain walls. He was half tempted to just transform back into his dragon form but knew Anwen's approach was probably the best one. He'd already exposed his presence to every mage in the area. It would not do to increase the chances of others feeling his draconic soul.
Following Anwen, they all struggled with the downhill decent of the path. As they walked, the canyon walls changed colors once more, from brown to red, to black. It didn't take long for them to reach the glass-smooth walls of the Consecrated Hall.
Anwen stopped to lean against one of the canyon's walls. She pressed her cheek and palms against the stone while Tyler bowed his head, much as he had the first time they'd been there.
The Keeper closed her eyes as she felt the wall under her fingertips. It felt good against her burning skin. It was cool and soothing. Until the same overwhelming sense of sadness swallowed her whole. It threatened to make her swoon, but she held on, enjoying the coolness against her body. After a minute, the sensation began to change.
Courtney walked down the middle of the corridor, gazing around her. Her footsteps were slow and heavy as she remembered all the stupid tricks she'd pulled on her fellow villagers.
At the time, she’d thought herself quite accomplished for using her abilities as she had. It had been easy to ensnare the hearts of the boys around her. She paused when the memories moved to meeting Anwen and how that had changed her perspective. She felt ashamed for her pettiness.
Tyler stood several yards ahead of Courtney, between the blond and Anwen. He closed his eyes, arms at his sides as he relived moments of his life he didn't feel like sharing. They were too painful. He opened his eyes, feeling a change in the air around them.
Anwen continued to press against the stone, but it was beginning to feel warm. Veins of red and white quartz seemed to pulse, radiating out in fissure-like cracks in the wall.
All around, the quartz began to pulsate, even on the opposite wall. Blue lines of cobalt began to appear, with deep purple ones as well, spreading out like broken glass..
The floor began to vibrate under foot so Courtney shifted positions. She looked around, trying to understand what was happening. “Tyler,” she called out, eyes wide. She watched the dragon as he too looked around in surprise. “What's going on?”
Tyler waved a hand to silence her. He'd never seen the Hall do anything like this before and it disconcerted him. He glanced over at Anwen. The glowing light seemed to originate from where she touched the stone. He noticed the key around her neck also glowed, pulsing like a beating heart. He could see it as clear as day, despite it being tucked underneath her shirt.
Anwen felt as if thousands of voices were whispering in her head. They were like the ones she'd heard a week before when passing the supposed tombs further down the path. And again when the key had returned to its original form.
She reached out a hand as if she could capture the essence of the voices in her fingers, eyes still closed. The words swirled around her like so many will-o-the-wisps.
Cocking his head to one side, Tyler listened as well. “I can hear them. I can hear the dragons calling from deep in the Mountain.”
Courtney strained to hear as well but couldn't. There was nothing, outside the slight whistle of the breeze sweeping through the Hall. The only other sound was provided by the occasional bird overhead. But that was all. She closed her eyes, hoping that would help. Still nothing.
Anwen felt as though she were being lifted up by the voices, suspended above the world in a whirlwind of energy. Through her closed eyelids, she could see someone approaching. The closer he came, the more easily she could define him. With sudden realization, she almost let go of the wall, but her body wouldn't heed the thought. I know you, she said. You were the one who sealed the Mountain.
The man nodded. Under the direction of the dragon lords and the Nurrim himself. Granddaughter, this day has been long awaited by many, but not only dragonkind. There are those who are enemy to our cause, as you now know. They will stop at nothing to keep you from your task. As the Nurrim has said, you hold the key.
Anwen mentally reached for the pendant around her neck but Mathias Porter shook his head.
That is the key to the Gates, but not the key he spoke of. This key is something only you possess. It is the means to wake the dragons from their long sleep. Without it, they shall never fully wake, forced into a state of limbo. You must not let that happen.
I don't understand, Anwen said, shaking her head.
Mathias smiled almost sadly. You will. The Mountain calls you now, as it has all your life. In time, you will understand all. Be aware of your surroundings. You have one more test before reaching the halls of Tarragon. And even then, your journey is far from over. Be aware!
Mathias began to dissipate like wind-stirred mist. Anwen reached out her hand as if to stop him but to no avail.
“Grandfather!” Tears leaked down her cheeks, splashing against the stone as the voices swirled around her once more. It felt like they were giving her a warm embrace before scattering back to where they'd come from.
Tyler opened his eyes and looked around, hearing Anwen calling out. He saw her sobbing against the wall. Gently, he moved over and took her hand, pulling her from the stone. Courtney opened her eyes as well, moving over to find out what was going on. “Sh,” Tyler soothed, pulling Anwen into his arms. “It's all right.”
Almost as if some magnet had been flipped, the walls around them settled back to their original glossy pallor.
Anwen looked up into Tyler's eyes and saw an understanding in them that almost made her break down again. “I don't know if I can do this,” she admitted. “And I don't even know what I’m supposed to do!”
Smoothing her hair, Tyler began to lead her forward. “I know. But we'll figure it out together.”
Courtney followed behind them, much like a lost puppy tagging along for the ride. She bit the inside of her cheek, holding back tears of her own.
Before long, t
he small group was moving at a decent pace again. They passed the lattice-covered tombs, paying them little heed as they went. It took a good ten minutes of steady walking to pass them by. Then the stone archway separating the path from the Ruined City reared up ahead of them, breaking the dull colored scene. They all stopped short of it, waiting.
Goose bumps ran up and down Courtney's skin as she stared through the opening and out into the first courtyard. “I don't like the look of this,” she admitted. “Something feels wrong.”
“Our adversary is here,” Tyler confirmed as he followed her gaze and nodded. “I can feel the disturbance he, or she, is creating, but I can't rightly tell from what direction. We're going to have to make a break for it.” He glanced at Anwen, still holding her hand. He gave her a comforting squeeze.
“You ready for this?”
Anwen felt cold inside, despite the fire in her skin. Her mouth was dry as she tried to lick her lips. Unable to make her voice work, she simply nodded.
Tyler glanced over at Courtney, making sure to include her in what was going on. “On three, we run for it.”
Having had confirmation from both girls, he let go of Anwen's hand. “One. Two. Three. Go!”
They ran for all they were worth. Tyler navigated the courtyard, running down the columned street. Turning to the right, he avoided the cracked flagstones. Behind him, the two girls struggled to keep up. He finally slowed upon reaching the alcove between two buildings, slipping inside. The others were quick to catch up.
Just as they were about to step out into the round courtyard beyond the alley, the ground shook like a massive earthquake. Rock fragments tumbled down. Wood splinters and dirt flew on all three of them as they stared out into the open area. Something massive had landed, smashing the wooden beams over the amphitheater’s viewing section. Dust hung in the air from the crushed columns.
“That most definitely is not a good sign,” Courtney understated. She tried to shield her mouth and nose from the dust by pulling her shirt up over her nose. Anwen coughed, turning into Tyler's shoulder.
Tyler stood unmoving, staring out into the maelstrom, trying to determine what had just landed. “It looks and feels like another Fallen,” he finally offered as the dust began to settle. “I don't think we can get around it. Either we'll all have to fight it or someone will have to act as decoy so the others can get past.”
Anwen turned back towards the opening and stared. The creature in front of them seemed massive in the small area. It looked like a cross between a winged lion and a scorpion. Its tail swung, sending several more columns skyward, only to crash back into the Mountain or buildings behind them. “That looks like--like a--.” she stammered, unable to finish.
“The word you're looking for is manticore,” Courtney supplied as she stared. “Except it doesn't exactly resemble any I've heard about. It's not red, and from what I can tell, its head is just like a lion's.” The creature growled, making the ground shake. Courtney trembled.
“It's wearing a saddle,” Tyler noted. “I guess this creature is from our mystery assailant.” Everyone looked up, but the saddle was empty. “It wouldn't surprise me if it were sent here to keep us from going any further.”
Anwen shivered, pressing up against Tyler. “There's no way we can get past that,” she said, shaking her head. “We're all going to die here.”
The manticore paced the small arena, smashing the shelves holding the vision dust with one swipe of its tail. The dust swirled up into the air with a sweep of its wings. Faint forms appeared in the dust where it was momentarily trapped in the raised circle of the amphitheatre.
Catching a glimpse of those figures, Anwen leaned forward to try and see them more clearly. But before she could identify any of them, the dust swarmed into one area, sweeping across the courtyard. It hovered in front of her, taking on the form of a young woman. One dusty hand moved to caress her face.
The simulacrum then turned to look at Tyler, bowing. She flirted playfully with him, tugging at one arm. She pointed towards the smooth path at the far end of the yard. Then she turned to look at Courtney, a spear forming in her hand as more dust swirled towards her from the broken bottles.
Courtney stood transfixed as the earthen woman offered her a hand, the spear in the other. She swallowed, eyes open wide as her hand went to the pocket where she kept Tyler's bone knife.
“Guys, I think you should go on ahead. I feel like I’m supposed to stay here and,” she swallowed again, “distract this thing.”
Anwen turned to her friend, eyes wide in shock. She noticed Courtney's eyes had taken on a look of determination she hadn't seen before. Tears welled up, causing her throat to constrict. She put a hand on Courtney's shoulder, then turned to Tyler.
Taking in the earthen woman by her side, Tyler looked at Courtney. Something niggled in the back of his mind that he'd once known that woman, though he couldn't remember from where. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Courtney rasped, her throat dry. “We'll catch up later or something,” she confirmed as she hefted the knife. “Just go. I'll be okay.”
She turned to face the monster, blade in hand. The simulacrum turned with her. She had her own spear raised and ready for action as the beast turned towards them, sniffing the air.
Seeing the Fallen trying to scent them out, Tyler nodded, waiting. Suddenly, Courtney thrust forward and called out a command was all too familiar. The bone blade grew into a spear as she launched herself into the courtyard, the strange dust woman right by her side.
“Now!” Tyler yelled, pulling on Anwen's arm, leading her in the opposite direction. They headed towards the columned path leading further into the mountainside.
Tears streaked across Anwen's face and she almost tripped when the path curved away. "Don't die," she whispered.
“We have to make her sacrifice mean something,” Tyler urged, slowing only enough for her to get her footing. “The Gates aren't too far, but we have to hurry.”
Anwen dashed the tears from her eyes and broke free from his grasp, plunging ahead as the path snaked upwards. From below, she could hear the sounds of battle, rocks shattering, wood splintering. The occasional cry of something not human filled the air, though whether in challenge or pain, she wasn't sure.
The path curved several more times before coming to a dead end at a massive slab of stone. Anwen moved to examine the seamless rock, trying to find a keyhole.
Tyler ran up to join Anwen. “The key!” he exclaimed, his heart pounding.
Holding the dragon pendant by its folded wings, Anwen yanked the chain from around her neck. “I--I don't know how to find the key hole!” she stuttered, looking helplessly at the slab before her.
Voices whispered around them in a sudden wind, swirling Anwen's hair around her face. In vain, she tried to keep her long hair from flicking across her eyes. Her breathing accelerated as she tried to figure out what she was supposed to do.
The voices continued to whisper around her, using words that made no sense. She felt as though her feet were rooted to the stone. “I can't do this!”
Tyler moved to her side and placed his arms around her, moving his head close to hers and whispered into her ear. “You can. You know what you have to do. I have faith in you.”
Images from the Lake incident swam in Anwen's head. Breaking from the water to a shower of fire. Flying over the Mountain to this exact point. Seeing her many times great grandfather, Mathias Porter, standing firm with a crystal blade in his hands. Within a blink of an eye, seeing the Mountain being sealed.
What words had he used to seal the Mountain?
Anwen shrugged off Tyler's encircling arms and stepped towards the solid stone. “I am Anwen Kaida Porter.” Her voice shook. “And I am a Keeper of the Keys.”
She held up the key, the late afternoon sunlight flashing off the blue stone. “And I command you to open!” She thrust the key forward as though to pierce the rock in front of her.
Tyler put out a hand to stop
her but froze, transfixed, as the key seemed to pass right through the stone with a blaze of light.
A deep blue crack formed down the length of the mountain face, racing like fire to outline two giant doors. As Anwen turned the key, the doors flew open, shooting out great blasts of air that knocked them both off their feet.
TWENTY-ONE