Chapter 14: The Cry Of A Warrior

           Bastian made his way up the familiar path which lead to his father’s hut by the waterfall; he knew this would be where the tribe would be if there was danger. The path had been beaten down from many pairs of feet making their way up the side of the mountain. Bastian could not tell if the elves had been there, but it seemed likely that they had. As expected, Mythra’s hut had been raided and his things were strewn about the floor of the hut as well as outside. Other than the waterfall splashing it’s ever persistent lullaby the place was utterly quiet. Bastian did not understand how the entire tribe could have disappeared so quickly; the elves could not possibly have defeated the tribe, at least not in that short a time. Bastian began to climb the rock face, Deimos beginning to scout the perimeter.

When Bastian had scaled the rock wall he closed his eyes and listened. At first all he heard was the wind gushing through the trees, but then a sound erupted from down below. Deimos sensed his master and dashed to the cliff, Bastian leaped from the high ledge, as Deimos rebounded of the rock wall, catching his companion in mid air. Deimos flew down towards the sound that Bastian had heard, his paws were swift and precise as they made contact with the hard rock underneath. The sound became audible and Deimos’ slowed down so that they were not spotted. As they moved through several trees the scene became visible and Bastian saw what scared him the most.

Standing in front of a great cavern carved in the face of the stone, was Bastian’s father; on either side of him was Ennadia and Zenith with their riders Taya and J’vonte’. The wise warrior stood there, starring just past where Bastian's gaze ended. Moving in behind him, he also took on the same defensive pose as he met eyes with the remaining army of elves. Akeldama stood only steps aways, surrounding himself with some sort of blue sphere. The three younger warriors stood there ground but this was not their fight, Mythra stood alone. 

Akeldama met Bastian’s eye and grew a grin, it was clear that Mythra had taught his tribe well. The match was even, these men had both had the same training and both passed down their knowledge to those they lead. None the less, a show was in order. Deep down Akeldama knew that Mythra would give in, that he’d walk away without a scratch on him, one stone closer to success.

“Make this easy for me.” Akeldama raised his hand, pulling Mythra’s feet slightly off the ground and towards him. The closer Mythra was drawn, a blue light   emitted brighter from what looked like his palm. Eyeing the hovering unfazed warrior, Akeldama spotted the ring, gem turned inward. “You’re a clever man, tell me, who all here knows the power of which you carry with you?” Mythra said not a word but held his gaze strong with his opponent. “Do they know why they have a tough time defying your lessons? Does Taya know why she had a harder time following in your lead? Did you know she too possessed a stone?” Mythra was placed abruptly on the ground, bringing the old man to his knees. The pale sinister elf dropped his blue shield,  kneeling beside the man he traced his finger inside the fallen leaders palm. 

“I know what you seek, and I know you are mistaken. You count three stones  in your hands, I count two.” Mythra stood tall, and as he opened his arms wide every creature in the tribe let out a magnificent harmonious roar. As the sound fell to silence Mythra brought the elf to eye level, using only his finger under Akeldama’s chin. 

“The counsel spoke of five stones, in the destruction of the original.” Akeldama did not mutter, or fall short of certainty, “Each Kingdom in the counsel with their choice how to hide them. Do they know of the power you possess? You cannot defeat me Mythra, for that is your name; I possess the power of three.”

“You are weak and short sighted. Have you not seen, the earring around your neck, the one you stole from Garitarc is not the one you seek.” Akeldama raised himself up his feet lifting just off the ground as the two jewels in his hand became a blue energy that none but Mythra and Akeldama had seen before. Mythra did not move from the entrance, instead the blue gem attached to the ring on his hand grew even brighter.

“I will not let you hurt my people, you do not belong here, betrayer.” Mythra moved close to his enemy. “I know why you search for the stones, I know why your brother cursed you to a life of horror. You cannot escape your fate, and if I am the one to stop you, so be it.”

“Do they know your name is Mythra? Do they know your part in all this?” Bastian and J’vonte’ looked confused at their father.

“How does he know this father?” J’vonte’ asked in a fearful tone. 

“You are not so perfect after all, Mythra” said Akeldama, his voice booming out for all to hear. 

“Do not flatter yourself, traitor; you will never find the remaining stones.” 

“I know more than you think, I was there when they destroyed jewel, I know how to find them.”

“You have been mistaken already, how do you think you will ever succeed!?” Mythra said. 

“If we fight, it will be legendary, they will speak of this day, but are you ready to risk it all?” Akeldama asked. “Will you risk the lives of your people? I can take down the entire mountain if I want.” The blue light emanating from his hands. “You have two options old friend: give me the ring and no one gets hurt, or I will destroy your village and take the ring off your rotting corpse.” Mythra did not flinch, or show any signs of weakness; he analyzed his adversary and realized that he was capable, if not likely to follow through with his threat. The blue glow disappeared from Mythra’s palm, and he relaxed his posture, but there was no sign of defeat in his eyes.

“I will accompany you, Snake, under the conditions that you do leave my people alone, and I am the one who bears the stone of Yelya.”

“Fine, have it your way.” Akeldama motioned to several of his men to bind Mythra’s wrists behind his back. 

Ennadia let out a screech which echoed throughout the mountains, it was sorrowful; the cry and mournful call of a warrior. As the elves took Mythra and began to disappear into the trees one could hear the loud call, coming from a human, but the sound was similar to the call of an eagle. Ennadia rose high above the trees, J’vonte’ still riding her back and they began to fly past where the elves had started moving. J’vonte’ looked behind her, there was Taya riding on Zenith’s back, soaring above the clouds; her long brown hair streaming through the golden sky as the sun began to set.

Chapter 13: Portrait Of Sound

           Bastian awoke, pain streaming through his body. He was still as alert as he had been the fateful night that they were captured. He closed his eyes and listened. He could feel every movement; every sound played out to Bastian like a portrait that he was painting. The elves were preparing to leave, Bastian felt a sickly sensation arise in his stomach. They knew about Yelya. He was shackled to the center post and had been unsuccessful at loosening the chains. Looking around the tent for any means of escape, Bastian discovered that the center post that he was chained to was barely beneath the surface of ground. He grabbed his wrists and tried to pull the post high enough to slip his hands and the chains underneath it. It did not budge. Bastian continued to try to lift the pole, but alas nothing. Azar came into the tent.

“We will be moving soon, and you won’t be coming with us” Azar sneered. The elf drew a long sword from a sheath on his belt.

“I’ll make it quick, I think I owe you that much” he laughed.

Bastian stood, completely concentrated, awaiting the oncoming blow. As the sword came slicing through the air at his neck Bastian leapt in the air bracing against the post; he made contact with the elf’s hand, knocking the sword to the ground. With that, Bastian landed a clean right kick to Azar’s head rendering him unconscious. Bastian reached for the sword with his leg, hooking his foot around the handle. He then cut grooves in the wood to provide a better grip, the great young man heaved. The pole loosened. Bastian jarred the pole up by slipping his foot underneath it. He then managed to slip the chains under the pole that had held him captive. 

There on the unconscious elf, fastened to the thin leather belt, hung a shiv. Bastian knelt down and took it for himself, first using it to pick the lock on the chains to free his hands.  He could hear another elf approach the tent, Bastian took the appropriate steps taking cover against the side of the tent near the entrance. Listening carefully he could hear the approaching elf doing so in caution, Bastian waited. The elf entered the tent, he looked down at Azar who lay there out cold on the ground. Just steps in the tent Bastian slipped out of the shadows and took the elf from behind choking him. Dragging the struggling elf back in the shadow, Bastian raised his shiv and in one slick movement stabbed it into the struggling elf’s neck. Forever cutting off air supply. With the elf falling limp, Bastian let go, proceeding to harvest the elf’s attire for anything of use. With only his shiv, and a marked up map, Bastian left the tent.  

Through camp, it was quiet. An ominous picture still painted in the sky, Bastian feared yet another storm was in store. Rescuing the others would have to be a quick job, not just to escape but to beat the storm. Scouting the camp he watched the few elves on duty move in and out of tents. Noting the tents that were particularly avoided and which had a close eye on them, quickly gave him the impression of which tent held his sister. Working only in the shadows, sneaking past the scouts, he maneuvered his way to the tent under the watchful eye of three. Bastian once again closed his eyes, tuning into his perfectly precise senses. The three elves were out side the door, two of them talking. 

Bastian could picture a long and sturdy branch hanging over the entrance of the tent of interest. Slowly and stealthily Bastian moved behind the tent, he was invisible to the elves they were completely unaware of the young man. He reached the base of the great pine tree that over looked most of the camp. In several quick leaps Bastian had scaled the tree and was kneeling on the branch that was overhanging the three elves. He moved along it quickly and jumped forming an arrow as he fell to his opponents. He landed on the middle elf doing a shoulder roll as he made contact. He then used the momentum from hitting the ground to leap up drawing the long sword as he did and slicing the far elf’s throat. Blood gushed from the defeated enemy as he tried to call out for help. The last elf drew his sword, and the two warriors fought. It only lasted a few moments however as Bastian finished him off by stabbing the elf clean through his body, the sword protruding from the other side of the elf’s back. Bastian could hear the sound of other elves rushing to his location. He ran into the tent cutting the two women free and cutting through the animal skin at the back of the hut. They ran, Taya and J’vonte’ doing their best to keep up with the man who had freed them. 

Bastian sprinted deep in the woods, making sure the girls were close behind him. They jumped down onto lower ground to shield themselves from anybody that had been able to keep up. The storm had left any lower areas flooded, leaving the trio shin deep in water. 

“J’vonte’, Taya, are you two okay?” Bastian said hardly winded and clearly focused on escape and triumph.  The girls looked back, J’vonte’s face beaming with happiness to see her brother very alive. Taya looked at both of them knowing she was the one who endangered Yelya, and now her reason for doing it was shattered. Bastian read their faces and pressed the conversation forward, they didn’t have much time.“I want you two to head back to Yelya. I’m going to round back, and hunt them.” Bastian looked at Taya, resting his hand on her shoulder, “You did what you thought you had to, and thank you.” With that, he nodded to his sister and took off. 

The girls began to take off as well, of course much slower than Bastian, for they were submerged in water. Treading slowly through the large puddles, trying to stay in the shadows the two heard a sound. A sound that drew J’vonte’s signature smile upon Taya’s face. Picking up the pace as much as they could they came to a large, half unrooted tree. Standing just in front of it was Zenith, head already bowing and wings ready to take to the air. The warriors jumped upon his back and took to the sky, still ready to unleash at any moment. 

Bastian made his way back to the elves’ encampment being sure to stay clear of the path he had fled by. When he reached the spot where he had been captured, it was empty, not a sign that anyone had spent more than a few minutes in the clearing. Bastian looked around for a clue, anything that would lead him to his adversaries. He felt a presence, one that he had not felt in several weeks. Bastian closed his eyes and whispered.
“Deimos.” A loud purring sound came from behind him, and a large saber tooth tiger leaped from a branch, the same branch that Bastian had leapt from not to long ago. The great cat bowed his head in front of his master. 

“Tonight we ride” Bastian said softly to his companion. Deimos’ ears perked up when Bastian said this; the great cat had not seen action since the Phoenix War, and was hungry for a fight. Bastian mounted Deimos and the two warriors disappeared into the trees, tracking the enemy that hunted their village. 

The two friends rode through the night stopping only when they were unsure of the trail of the elves. Bastian found tracking them to be extremely difficult, as they would at times abandon the ground and climb through some of the larger trees in order to throw one such as Bastian off their trail. After tracking the elves for a day and a night they found themselves swimming in water. The area was familiar to Bastian and the cold sickening feeling he had felt earlier once again greeted him. He was approaching Yelya, and he knew that the elves had been there, but Bastian could not tell if the elves had located the people of Yelya yet. 

The walls of the village peeked up just above the water, villagers possessions floating in the now calm lake. As Deimos and Bastian swam into the underwater village, Bastian spotted an old leather journal floating on the top, like a cool mist floats above a green pasture. Bastian scooped it up, unaware of whom it belonged to. They continued to swim to higher ground, as that is where Mythra would have taken the tribe. Once they were on solid ground again, Bastian mounted Deimos’ back and they rode up the side of the mountain. The fear of what lay ahead of them growing inside Bastian’s heart.

Jasper On Horseback

Shout out to our illustrator for this awesome new piece of concept art!

This is Jasper on horse back by the lake.

A few weeks before Jasper left, the two friends went riding. (Ch. 4)

“Lets swim out there!” Jasper said as he jumped off his horse and tied to a tree. (Ch. 4)

Chapter 12: A Piece Of Cloth

           The sky was dark grey, and though it was day time, the elves seemed to have brought a darkness which surrounded them. The campsite was fairly small, only eight or nine tents, some of the elves choosing to spend their rest outside. There was always several elves on watch, but it was rare for them to be stopped in one place for over a day. 

Akeldama held both the pendent from Bastian and the locket from Taya, in his hands, both jewels were glowing the same hue of blue. He muttered under his breath, trying to find the connection between the two. The elf suspected a relation, but did not know for certain. He returned to Taya, she held the answers.

“This young girl will not stand in my way” thought the elf.

Taya had been unsuccessful in loosening the rope which had her wrists tied to the center pole, the hard cold earth seemed to stare up at her and mock every effort Taya made. The pale elf stormed into the hut; Taya refused to acknowledge his presence.

“Where did you find this!” He yelled, holding the locket in front of Taya. Taya responded by spitting in his face. The elf wiped away the saliva from his eye and in a motion hit Taya across the face with the back of his hand cutting her cheek with the ring that he was wearing. Blood started to run down Taya’s face, she remained silent and refused to make eye contact with her attacker. 

“I see that I may have to be a little more persuasive” the elf said between his teeth, once again exiting the tent. Several moments later, Akeldama reentered the tent dragging Taya’s close friend J’vonte’ behind him.

“Don’t tell him anything!” J’vonte’ called out to her friend, wincing in pain as she did. Akeldama threw his captive hard against the dirt, motioning somebody to gag her as he held her there. Taya stared into J’vonte’s eyes, they showed no weakness and told Taya to do the same. As J’vonte’ got handed off to the other present elf in the room, Akeldama crept closer to Taya and knelt down. 

“Little girl,” He laced his hand in Taya’s hair and gripped it, “tell me where you got this locket.” In front of Taya’s face, he dangled the present her mother had given her. Her eyes stayed fixated on the elf’s sickly face and continued not to say a word, with only her upper lip curling to form a snarl. Akeldama glanced at the elf responsible for J’vonte, just as their eyes met the elf drew his knife from inside his boot, pressing the edge against J’vonte’s neck. “Your friend there is in the hands of Azar. Azar has no soul, he has ripped many apart in search for one.” He looked back at Taya, “Now, where did you get this?”

“Okay, I will tell you.” Taya, her eyes glowing green, looked over at her pinned friend. J’vonte’ recognizing the difference in Taya’s eyes realized she was going to deceive the elves. 

“No tricks.” Akeldama moved into Taya’s sight and looked deep into them. 

“I found it,” the elf leaned in even closer to Taya, the cold air that surrounded him, embraced Taya. “I  have always been a wanderer, I have traveled many places, collected many things.” Akeldama’s hand glided from her hair down along her jaw, his hand was like ice. Taya continued, “I was out along the Claire-Marie, thirsty, I went to the river bed to quench my thirst. Knelling, I saw something shining through the clear water. Being curious, I grabbed it, but as soon as I did the river dried up.” 

“BRING ME THE MAP!” Akeldama boomed to anybody besides Azar who was in ear shot. A younger elf hurriedly rushed into the tent with an old map giving it to his master. Akeldama proceeded to analyze the map searching for the Claire-Marie. He noted its position, and looked back at Taya.

“When did you find this jewel?” he said, his voice chilled the spine of his captive. Taya again refused to speak attempting to make the lie more believable. Akeldama moved closer to Taya again running his fingers down Taya’s neck. 

“You are lying!” He lifted Taya up from the ground by her neck and pinned her against the pole, choking the very air that she breathed. “The Claire-Marie river dried up fifteen years ago.”

“I will never tell you” Taya’s eyes began burning as she said this. Akeldama loosened his grip letting Taya breathe again. 

“If you will not talk,” he turned to face J’vonte’ “maybe she will.” J’vonte’ stood there, her arms crossed in defiance.

“You can try” was written in her defiant eyes. The pale elf, moved behind her, letting Azar leave the tent.

“You will tell me everything you know” his cold breath resting on the back of J’vonte’s neck. J’vonte’ was silent. Without saying a word Akeldama raised a long knife and in one smooth stroke sliced her arm from the shoulder to her wrist. Blood began running down her smooth dark arm. J’vonte’ was silent. The elf removed the gag and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

“I will do whatever it takes to find out where you have come from.” In a hut nearby J’vonte’ heard screams, the screams of her beloved brother. A tear formed in the corner of her eye.

“I will kill you, fiend.” J’vonte’ said, again not moving, barely breathing. Bastian’s screams lasted for several hours. J’vonte’ remained still, not saying a word. Tears ran down her face, still refusing to speak, she would not give in. All of a sudden the screams of pain stopped and Azar returned, holding a piece of cloth. J’vonte’ recognized it immediately.

“What have you done with my brother?!” 

“So this young man was your brother?” Akeldama said. J’vonte’ realized her mistake, but it was all to late.

“I am sorry for your loss.” A smile came over the elf’s face, but a smile that darkened a room, a smile that could only be described as evil. J’vonte’ collapsed on the floor, as she wept for Bastian.

“If you wish no harm to come to your friend,” Akeldama motioned to Taya, “I would suggest you tell me everything you know.” Taya interjected, trying to save J’vonte’s honour, she broke down and spilled all the information she had, she couldn’t risk losing J’vonte’ as well as Bastian. 

“My mother.” Taya’s words floated through Akeldama’s ears like a sweet melody. Everything she said he repeated, his eyes growing wider as she told more. She told about Caelestis and about how she burned her own castle down, and since that day she hasn’t seen her parents. Akeldama heard what he need to and hushed the girl frantically telling her tale.

“Caelestis?” He grabbed for the map, his eyes scanned it for the location of which she spoke of. “That’s East of here, and we found you in the West. Who are the people you travel with?” Now Taya was hesitant, revealing Yelya would put everybody in danger. The long silence that stood after the question brought Akeldama’s eyes thin, “We have ways of finding out without your help anyways.” 

Azar re-entered the tent at this moment hanging onto yet another piece of cloth of which dressed Bastian. The two elves met in eye contact, Akeldama holding out his hand to receive what Azar had brought. As the cloth was handed over, draping over the long and bony fingers of Akeldama, he weaved his fingers through the cloth as if searching for something more than fabric. Clenching it in his hand, his thumb found exactly what he expected.
“You all are dressed in the attire not that of a kingdom, but as if you belong to a tribe.” The haunting elf turned towards Taya, bringing the cloth between their gaze. “Each tribe has a symbol. Luckily we have knowledge of the tribes, been tracking them to uncover the stones we need. Thanks for your help Taya.” He motioned again to Azar, “Do what you please to these two, just keep them alive, they may prove to be useful later on.” J’vonte’ looked up from her mourning, and gave both elves a sickly look. 

Leaving the tent, Akeldama motioned to Azar, who had finished tying J’vonte’ to the same post that Taya was tied to. Azar lead his master to the tent adjacent to the them. There lying on the dirt floor was Bastian; he was bloody from cuts across his body. His left eye was black and swollen, and many bruises could be seen on his face as well as his person. His small finger on his right hand was gone, blood still dripping from the wound. He lay there, motionless. 

Chapter 11: Akeldama

              Thunder cried out as lightening cracked through the day sky, that could’ve easily been mistaken for night. The first drop fell through the blanket of clouds, landing upon Zeniths brow. Zenith blinked but did not move from where he rested, a top the cliff where Taya and him had passed the final test, he was awaiting her return. Last nights storm had no doubt pushed them apart, Zenith was worried tonights would push them further. Another crack of lightening split the sky, swooping down this time to find safety lower. 

Zenith spotted all the villagers of Yelya moving their belongings to higher ground, to escape the flooding down below. He turned his head back to the mountain with the waterfall, there standing with his arms wide and his eyes closed was J’vonte’s father, the leader of warriors. Zenith swooped up next to the man, the man did not move, but Zenith felt as if he was aware of his presence. The man began to speak, but the sounds were sounds that no human could understand. Zenith heard the man, and knew what he said, and understood what he must do.

The father walked down to meet his people as they panicked to find higher ground, but he did not stop when he came across his tribe, he continued past them until he was wading in water and finally he was swimming. He kept swimming until he reached an island of rock that rose above the water. It was a steep climb for an older man, but he leaped hand over hand like it was what he did every day. On top of the great rock perched on a high branch of a tree was Ennadia. He could see that she was searching for J’vonte’ with her ever piercing eyes. The man began to whisper, again in a way foreign to man, but understood by Ennadia. The great creature reared up as if to show disbelief and confusion. In a booming voice the man called out.

“My name is Mythra, and you will listen, you have a duty. Do not forsake your destiny.” Ennadia immediately moved next to the wise man listening intently to what she had to do. Together they left the rock island, Mythra riding upon her back, dropping off to calm his people as she flew on. Leading all creatures and men back to his haven, he did not say a word to his people. Up the rocky base of the waterfall the man lived off of, there was a easy path to a large protruding rock. It would provide enough space to keep everybody safe in case of a flood, but not everybody dry. The people climbed up the rock as the man did, with hopes that there would be shelter. As each villager reached the landing their eyes grew wide as they saw many entrances to caves, their leader had provided them with safety. 

After the man lead his people to safety he took off before anybody had the chance to thank him. He walked deep into a cave until the light could no longer be seen, the man took a knee. As the man looked deep into the darkness he began transforming his breath into vibrations, the emitted sound caught the attention of which he was seeking. Two piercing eyes shot open and aimed directly at him, they glowed an orange yet there was nothing friendly that lay behind them. Mythra bowed his head and amplified the sound. The creatures eyes eased as it took steps towards the man slowly, mirroring the sound back in a more aggressive tone. Coming face to face, the two did not let up on the communication. Mythra began to back away, drawing the creature slowly into the light keeping the intimate distance between them. As the light met his face, instantly the tone dropped within the creature, becoming much more friendly. Suddenly the moment became clear, the sabertooth tiger emerged from complete darkness and bowed his head back at Mythra. The message was received, Deimos, guardian of Bastian took off through the cave and down the rocky base. 

The day had all been a blur to Taya, she did not know where she was or how she got there. When the blind fold had been removed she immediately began to search for a way to escape. It was a temporary hut made for the specific purpose of travel. She did not know where Bastian and J’vonte’ were, but they must be fairly close by. Taya attempted to reach down to her boot to pull out her bone knife. Her wrists were bound, making it extremely difficult to maneuver in a way to reach the precious item. A tall elf with a sickly complexion removed the piece of clothe which covered the door. 

“Escape is futile, you realize that, don’t you?” He said. His voice was airy and distant; the tone sent shivers down Taya’s spine. The crazed eyes analyzing her, every movement, every glance. Instead of fear, Taya felt enraged.

“How dare you” she hissed.

“My master will see you shortly” he replied turning his back to leave. In a fit of anger Taya bent over and grasp the concealed knife in her teeth lounging and slicing the elf’s neck. Not a sound was made, and Taya began to cut the rope that had her bound. 

Three elves burst through the door grabbing and restraining Taya immediately tying her to the pole in the center of the hut and taking her knife. Taya struggled knocking one of the elves down, but alas, she found herself again captive. 

“You cannot hold me” Taya whispered under her breath. She closed her eyes and envisioned her surroundings, attempting to use the skill that Bastian had taught her. She gasped for air, she couldn’t see, she could not save herself. Taya hung her head in defeat. She had failed Bastian, and J’vonte’; he was right about her, head strong and stubborn.

A tall elf with a solemn expression moved through the entrance of the hut, he  was older than the other elves and had several scars to prove it. He shifted his gaze fairly erratically and moved as if his feet barely touched the ground. His face was pale and he looked as if he did not eat, or sleep for that matter. His eyes were a light grey and his hair was pure white reaching down past his shoulders. 

“I saw you from afar, you showed great promise.” The elf’s voice was rough, yet quiet; a commanding tone which resonated through Taya’s body. Taya did not say a word, refusing to make eye contact with her captor.

“My name is Akeldama. I just wish for the strength to keep my people safe.” The elf glanced down to see the locket that was around Taya’s neck.

“That does not belong to you!” He said in a cold and icy tone; snatching the locket as he did. As soon as he had the precious piece of jewelry in his hand, the green gem glowed blue. With that, he rushed out of the hut in a panic. Taya was confused, she did not understand why he would think that her locket did not belong to her. She slumped down at the base of the pole, tears rolling down her face. The green light was the only way to summon Zenith, and without him, she was completely helpless. 

Taya's Locket

Enjoy this art by our very own illustrator Grace, 

This is Taya and her locket. 

“I’ll come back to you, I promise! Look for my light at dawn." (Ch. 2)
"...there it was! A sign. A light that slightly kissed the sky with it’s greenish glow." (Ch. 3)
""That does not belong to you!” He said in a cold and icy tone; snatching the locket as he did."(Ch. 11)

Chapter 10: A New Storm

         The loud boom of thunder echoed out over the hills. Clouds of streaming rain pouring out across the sky. They were dark and threatening. Taya felt the gentle drops fall on her face as she looked up at the ominous storm approaching.

“It’s gonna be a good one” Bastian said, again smiling that smile. Taya did not mind when J’vonte’ gave her that look, but as soon as Bastian smiled at her; like he was better, or somehow above her, she could not stand it. Taya knew that Bastian was probably one of the best warriors that the tribe had, but she still persuaded herself that he was a proud and arrogant know-it-all. Taya began to search the body of the scout looking for anything of value or use. In the meantime Bastian pulled his sister aside.

“We held them back, but I fear they will return with greater numbers.” He said.

“What are they? Did you see a leader?” J’vonte’ asked, fear sweeping over her eyes.

“They appear to be dark elves, they mostly move through the night. I took this off of one of them.” Bastian revealed a silver pendent with a jewel in the center. There were symbols surrounding it, symbols that neither Bastian or J’vonte’ had ever seen before. The jewel emitted a strange blue glow, like it was hot, but cold as stone to the touch. 

“I will take this to father, he will understand.” Bastian said. “I did see the leader. I could see the evil in his eyes, I could see the hunger for power, the utter corruption of that elf’s soul. Sister, I do not know where they have come from, or what they are after. They have moved Northeast past the Erebus over the last few months. I believe that it would be best for our tribe to avoid bloodshed and let them pass; they will not find Yelya.”

“You must speak to father, he will know what to do, but I will support you in your decision dear brother.” Taya saw the two siblings talking in hushed voices as she removed a coin pouch from the scouts satchel. She did not know what it was, but saw on Bastian’s face an expression of seriousness, something that she had not expected from him. The man’s face in that moment was quite attractive, the concern showing through his forehead as the rain poured down, highlighting his demeanor. Bastian turned his head to catch Taya’s gaze and shot her a smile, instantly the vision Taya had of Bastian dissipated and the first impression remained in its place. 

“We are a days journey back, and I sent the 80 men I had with me back several hours ago.” Bastian said. “We should leave now.”

The rain was much heavier than before and what once was an open field had become a lake of water which came up to Taya’s waist. The rain worsened and they heard the sudden crack of lightning. 

“We can’t keep going! Not through this!” Yelled J’vonte’ to her brother. Bastian whispered something in J’vonte’s ear and she looked back at him and nodded. 

“There is a place that we know, we went there when we were children” J’vonte’ said to Taya, raising her voice above the wind. 

The storm continued to rage as the three warriors made their way through the heavy wind, the pouring rain and the darkness that it brought. Taya thought she could make out a voice on the wind, but she dismissed it as her wild imagination playing tricks. Bastian was in the lead and J’vonte’ brought up the rear. Bastian raised his hand signaling for them to halt, he turned his head and in perfect stillness listened. There it was again, that voice, Taya knew for sure that it was not her imagination.

“There is someone out there!” Taya cried. 

“You do not know what they are capable of Taya. If you wish to live, then you will hide from them.” Said Bastian, his voice firm and unmoving. Taya resented him even more after he had told her off. 

“Someone could be in trouble” she thought. They had moved into a forrest, the water was not as high; it rose up to their knees. They continued to walk until they reached a rock face that protruded out of the landscape, like God had placed it there to shield the three wanderers from the rain. Bastian felt his way along the wall, as if looking for something, feeling for a familiar place or edge of rock that meant safety. After several hours of searching J’vonte’ called out to her brother.

“Here it is, I found it!” A symbol was carved into the face of the rock; a double spiral with a circle underneath.

“I’ve seen that symbol before.” Commented Taya reaching for her diary. It was not there. 

“I must have left it back in the hut.” She muttered to herself. 

“This symbol was here long before we came across it, we have not yet found a meaning for it.” J’vonte’ said. At the foot of the spot where the symbol was, there was a hallowed out space and when J’vonte’ cleared away the tree branches and leaves it lead down underneath the rock. It was a very small cave, only enough room for two adults to fit comfortably. The cave was fairly cramped with the three of them. Despite there being very little room and the discomfort of sharing such a small space with Bastian it was surprisingly dry and for that, Taya was thankful. They could here the pounding of the storm continuing to rage on for several hours and on into the night. Taya found herself falling asleep in J’vonte’s lap, it was warm enough, but the crack of thunder would not let up. She fell in and out of sleep and noticed that J’vonte’ was doing the same; but, when Taya looked at Bastian she saw the attentive, alert and serious face of one who was protecting, one who would do whatever it took to ensure safety for his sister, and Taya thought, perhaps herself.

Taya finally gave up trying to find that unconscious world that she yearned for. She realized that Bastian had not slept at all through the night, but J’vonte’ seemed to have found a peaceful enough dream to hide in. She turned to look at Bastian, who caught her gaze. He did not even show signs of fatigue, his eyes were just as alert as earlier that evening. 

“The rain is beginning to let up and the thunder has ended, but I fear we are being tracked.” He said.

“How could they have possibly tracked us through last night?” Asked Taya.

“I do not know, there is something about them that does not let my soul rest.” He replied. Taya looked out of the entrance and saw through the trees that the sun was just beginning to rise. The rays of light glimmered off of the droplets of water and pools that had been formed in the middle of the night. 

“Listen carefully” Bastian said. Taya turned her head tuning into the sounds of the forest; she heard birds singing their music and the rustle of the trees in the wind. Taya sat in the entrance, completely still waiting to catch a noise, a movement, a sound. 

“I do not hear anything” she said.

“There is the faintest sound coming from the West, it is steady, like many warriors moving in unison.” Bastian responded. Taya gave him a sarcastic look, she was not sure if he was making it up, or being serious; there was a lot about Bastian that Taya disliked. 

“How could he possibly hear that?” She thought, a frustration that she had never experienced before coming upon her. Deep inside her she knew hat Bastian was to be obeyed, but at the same time she wanted to prove she could lead them just as well. “We’ll move at nightfall, round our way to the camp. There’s less of us, we can make it past them no problem.” Bastian looked at Taya, puzzled.

“Taya,” he spoke softly as if his father was speaking through him, “Step out of the entrance for a moment. I want you to just stand there with your eyes closed.” Taya got up and made her up out of the burrow, shortly after Bastian followed letting J’vonte‘ rest. Without realizing that he was with her, Taya did as she as told. As her top lid met the bottom and she took a deep breath in her chest, holding it for a moment as she began feeling the environment without seeing it. A whisper met her ear as she exhaled. “What do you feel?” Bastian stood there right over her shoulder. Taya, startled opened her eyes and jerked away from him. 

“I feel your warm breath breathing down my neck.” Taya snapped back. Looking back at Bastian she saw what she had in J’vonte’, the patience to teach her. Without having to say another word she returned to where she was, and closed her eyes again. After following the same procedure, Bastian asked again.

“What do you feel?” Taya paused, she knew he wasn’t looking for the answer she was willing to give. Instead of responding she continued to try to feel what he was. “Can you see without looking?” Taya nodded slightly, she knew exactly where they were and what it looked like. Still taking deep breaths she began feeling more as Bastian continued to coach her, knowing what to feel was the key. Nature seemed to sweep through her, she could make herself foresee paths without having to be on them. The air, ground, and safety delivered a great deal of information through her senses. Bastian pointed her slightly to the West, she instantly shuttered and backed into Bastian who caught her and held her straight. Her eyes shot open, not only was she caught of guard of the intensity of the sense of evil, but looking around the two had wandered from where they had started. 

“Where are we?” Taya said collecting herself, looking all around.

“You got carried away, began actually moving. That’s why the feeling so intense, because you kept advancing towards it. Your body will do what it needs to in order to make you aware of anything dangerous. In time you will learn to control the drive.” Taya looked over Bastian’s broad shoulders and saw the opening to where they had spent the night, a sense of calm washed back over her. Suddenly Taya sensed a darkness approaching from behind them and she realized that J'vonte' was alone and asleep.

“J’VONTE’!” Taya was again on the rise, her eyes so wide Bastian could almost see the action reflecting in them. Quickly turning to catch a glimpse himself  as Taya took off towards the cave. As she met the mouth she slid straight in, kicking a unknown figure to the ground. In an instant she was pinned by figure she had taken down. Against the ground she looked back to see if Bastian would again save the day. Instead she saw Bastian being brought to his knees by a taller, much paler elf holding the jewel that Bastian had possessed only a few hours earlier. All three of them we’re tied and gaged, being forced to leave with their foes. 

Bastian, J’vonte’, and Taya all looked up to the sky as the blind fold came over their eyes. They then began trekking through the puddles of last nights storm. It stared back at them, the storm wasn’t over and now they were being lead even further away from home. Thunder cried out as lightening cracked through the day sky, that could’ve easily been mistaken for night. Taya imagined Zenith, that it was him crying out for her, that he would know she was in danger. The storm began raging, without any sign of stopping the group was pushed on.