Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians Read online

He stumbled up to his feet and forced his legs to bring his body to help her. She hesitated to explain to him what was happening, but at last, realizing he was one of the few friends she counted despite his youth, she told him in detail.

  Together they moved swiftly after that. Soon Sita was harnessed to the cart, and Veyn was climbing up onto the small wooden bench. “What are you doing?” she asked, half scolding.

  “What does it look like I’m doing?” his condescending tone showed his years. “I’m coming with you.” Aryaunna’s brow pinched together, mouth dropping to argue. “If you come upon someone in the woods, while driving a cart full of supplies, how do you expect to steer Sita, guide the wagon, and fight them off? You can’t do this alone. So come on, let’s go.” He scooted over to one side of the bench, giving her room beside him. “Besides, have you ever driven a cart? You’d probably lose a wheel.” He grumbled as if it were a great tax to him, though he seemed eager to be going.

  Veyn was young, and often underestimated by his elders, but Aryaunna had never done so before. He’d proved himself far more than once. Carefully she climbed up and took a seat beside him. Sitting beside him, she kept her voice low now. “If we’re stopped in the woods, then they’ve made it too far, and we’ll be too late. I suggest you hope that doesn’t happen.”

  There was another bonus for Veyn coming with her. If he knew the way to Dia, the easiest paths to take, then he could get the others there safely. She instructed him to watch where they were going closely and to take note of his surroundings, explaining he would be in charge of guiding a group back through here safely.

  It was Aryaunna who had defeated the Dark Wood. No one else.

  Veyn clung to the cart so hard his fingertips went numb and his whole body ached from the tension. His eyes were wide. The Dark Wood was reaching out to him, into his mind, finding his fears and whispering them to the forefront of his mind. “You have to fight it, Veyn. I know you can do this. It’s not real,” she reassured him. “It’s not real.” A couple of tears stained his cheek as he sniffled. Swallowing down the crippling fear that caused painful shudders to ripple down his spine.

  Aryaunna pulled her sister’s cloak out from beneath Zane’s and wrapped it securely around him. She spoke to him as they rode on, helping him combat the magic the only way she knew how. Driving the cart gave him a task to keep focus on. The sound of her chatter kept him grounded to the moment.

  Aryaunna stood in the back of the cart, one foot propped up on the side to balance her as Veyn road over the uneven earth towards Dia. The trees were sparse here, but the ground was becoming steeper. They had reached Dia’s base. Her head tilted up to the bright sunlit sky, Aryaunna searched the skies for Reign.

  “Where am I going exactly?” Veyn asked, looking back at her.

  “Keep your eyes open. He’s had a few hours. There should be a stack of black trunks along this ridge somewhere nearby.” Reaching out, she tapped his shoulder and directed his attention further ahead. “There.”

  Reign circled overhead, keeping an eye on the wood, the Hollow, and the Emissary as he flew overhead. Circling out wide, he sought out the army. His long gaze found them swiftly. The fires were out. The tents were gone. The men were moving. From the looks of things, they’d been accurate at the estimated size of the army.

  Reign made an attempt at a smoother landing this time, but somehow his back talons still managed to tear into the earth. He was more used to stone.

  People were everywhere, running this way and that throughout the village. Most had stopped to watch him come down through the trees; hearts pumping so fast they couldn’t discern between fear and awe.

  Veyn was nowhere to be seen. Aryaunna was heaving the massive trunks from the back of the cart with other Drow. They didn’t bother taking them far. One by one the trunks were set on the ground. “How many archers?” she asked without looking away from her task.

  “Good ones? Less than we’d like. Maybe two dozen good archers, maybe. I think five of them are good enough to shoot from horseback, including Allos. Those who know how to shoot? I think four dozen, but I’ve not spoken to everyone yet.”

  Aryaunna paused a moment, catching her breath. Raif and Ollin seemed relieved for her to slow down a moment. Bracing her hands on her knees, she stood bent over as she took a moment of rest to address Nadegia. “Bows are in the long trunks, quivers of arrows in the deepest ones behind the long trunks. Archers will take to the trees, except Allos. I want him on horseback with me, but we’ll both have bows so you can add me to the count.”

  “I already had,” Nadegia spares a small smile for her. “You, Allos, Ollin, Baila, and myself are of the five.”

  “I’ve never shot from Sita.”

  “Yes, but I’m sure you can.”

  “You shoot?” Her brow lift in question.

  A slow smile spread Nadegia’s dark lips. “You could say that.” With no other comments, she turned and walked away from the cart. Her break was over.

  “You know I could get that for you,” Reign commented from behind her as she lifted a trunk three times as heavy as she was fully armed and almost as long. Ollin had the other side. Aryaunna and Ollin looked up at each other in silent debate before they put the chest down together.

  Raif and Ollin stepped back as Aryaunna stood just as she were, unbothered by Reign’s closeness as he came around and lifted the trunk as if it were nothing to him. Because it was nothing to him. The trunk wasn’t even a quarter the size of his body in size or weight.

  “You know, I’d not have agreed if I didn’t need to get to the main hall.” A half grin tugged at the corner of her mouth as she hopped down from the cart.

  “Would it kill you just to say thank you and accept that I’m stronger and better than you pretty much all around?” They both laughed at that. Those closest went wide eyed and stone still to hear the Dragon laugh. It was a strange thing to adjust to. Dragons were massive beasts of war and fire, but this one was laughing. Joking in fact.

  “Anyone ever tell you that you’re quite an ass, Reign?” It was then she realized everyone had stopped talking, stopped everything actually, as they were all just standing there watching the two of them.

  “Oh no. I’m fairly certain you’re the first being in history to call a Dragon an ass, in fact.” Though it felt awkward to be the center of attention, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Reign set the trunk down and turned for another. “Best get moving, Aryaunna. Don’t worry, I’ll be here.”

  “Promise?” she asked under her breath. Of the many things that Aryaunna was, Emissary, leader, fighter, healer, caster, she was one thing else that she couldn’t well control. She was a sixteen year old girl, with the weight of the world on her shoulders. A young girl, about to lead a village of people to war, whose best friend happened to be a Dragon.

  “My word, Ary,” he said so low that only she could hear him.

  Letting out a heavy breath, she turned away from Reign, Ollin, and Raif to head for the main hall. Veyn was there, preparing everyone to leave. The main hall was still being used as an infirmary.

  “Ary!” Elizabeth shouted from across the room, as she wrapped a fresh bandage around a gaping wound in someone’s arm.

  Raising her hand to acknowledge her sister, Aryaunna swept her eyes around the room. Three men. One of them elderly, but depending on his wounds he might be of some use. The other two were prime age, but one had a bandage around the full length of his left arm.

  Walking up to him first she let out another deep breath. “Malachi.” He looked up at her with a scowl set in his brow. “Hurting much?” Shame crossed his features as he looked away without answering. “Pain doesn’t make you weak.”

  Turning away, she walked over to a small cart, loaded with herbs and medicines. She mixed a tonic of oils and extracts, taking it back to him. “Drink up,” she said with the tug of a smirk at her lips. It wasn’t the most pleasant tasting.

  His whole face shuddered as he swallowed it down. Once he’d down
ed the tiny bowl of liquid, she held out a shaven stick with a dab of black oil on it. The oil tasted worse than the tonic, but was wonderful for pain. He licked the stick clean with another sneer. “What’re you doing here, Aryaunna? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the fight?”

  “I am,” she assured him as she looked down at his arm. He’d caught on fire the night of the attack. One of the men from the Church had thrown a lamp at him. He’d blocked it, saving the rest of his body in the process of losing most of the flesh from his arm.

  She didn’t say anything more for a while as she unwrapped his bandages carefully. “I have to ask something of you, Malachi,” she spoke so low he could barely hear her, but he was focused on the wall behind her to try and keep from looking at what she was doing.

  Taking his other hand in hers, she helped him lie back. Beneath him was a sheet, stained in oil and body fluid from others tending to his wounds. Now his gaze was forced up to the rafters. She was methodical about treating him. He’d inquired what she wanted twice before looking to him and meeting his gaze.

  What she had to ask would most certainly mean his death. A lump knotted inside of her throat so large she couldn’t find the ability to speak around it. The silence lingered between them as she poured more of the cool healing oils over his wounds.

  So focused on the task at hand of tending to him her heartbeat began to slow. Her breathing returned to normal. Finally, before she could think about it, she let herself say it. “I need you to fight with us.”

  The black oil kicked in quickly. Malachi was enjoying the dazed euphoria, staring up above him lost in thought as he thought of anything but what she was doing to him. Her words cut through the fog of his mind straight to the core of him.

  Gaze casting to his momentarily, she looked for his reaction before looking back to her nimble fingers wrapping a fresh bandage around the length of his arm. “You’re strong. Able bodied. You’ve sparred with me enough for me to trust you can handle a sword.”

  “Shut up,” he grumbled, letting his eyes close. “I’ll do it. Bind my arm to my body.” So she did. Without another word, she gave him more black oil, and placed the jar in his hand so he’d know to keep it with him. She wrapped long strips of stained bandage around his wrist and forearm carefully to secure it to his torso. He’d be less likely to injure it that way, and it’d be less likely to get in the way. It would hurt like hell from the touch of tight bandaging.

  When she turned to leave him, five people stood before her. Elizabeth stood across the room, tending to others though always watching. Their eyes met from across the room before Aryaunna gave the group her attention. Among them was the other two she’d intended to speak to.

  “Yes?” she asked hesitantly.

  “We want to fight.” The one who spoke wasn’t much more than a boy. Not yet full grown. Her brow sunk down, assessing the ones before her. There was a girl, about her own age in appearance, which meant little to the Drow. An older man, the young boy who’d spoken, and two grown men who were brothers stood before her. They were each injured in some way or another.

  Elizabeth was approaching. She didn’t know what Aryaunna had come here for. When she’d come earlier it was to tell her and Allos about the army. Allos was helping every able body prepare for war. Elizabeth was preparing the less than able for a journey through the Dark Wood. From what her sister had told her once, the first trip through the Dark Wood for anyone was not a pleasant experience.

  Her eyes were narrowed, half with confusion, half suspicion. “Ary?” she asked to draw her sister’s attention.

  Glancing from Elizabeth, back to the five before her she gave them a nod, not knowing really what else to say. “Help Malachi then, and take him with you to the yard. Reign is there with others unloading weapons. Allos should be there by now to fit you with weapons.” The brothers went to Malachi first, helping him sit up.

  They maneuvered past her to collect their brother and go. Elizabeth stood with her arms folded against her body defensively. “Aryaunna, what do you think you are doing?” her voice was low, her words over pronounced as anger tightened her chest.

  “My job,” she said simply enough.

  Cold from seemingly nowhere at all chilled Elizabeth’s skin to goose bumps. “Your job? These people should not be fighting! They’re injured, if you hadn’t noticed,” though she didn’t speak loudly, it was clear she was furious.

  “Right, and it’s better only the healthy risk their lives to protect their very right to exist. Because only the healthy have anything to live for, anything to lose.” They spoke in whispers furiously.

  “I said no such thing,” Elizabeth spat.

  “I am not forcing anyone to fight, Elizabeth. But I will ask them to. I would not ask anyone here to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself. I think I’ve proven that.”

  “Would you both just stop it?” Korena pushed her way between them, looking up to the two women. First she looked up at Elizabeth. “She’s our Emissary. You have to trust her.” Her chin turned towards Aryaunna. “I know you’re scared, but that doesn’t mean you can be mean to your sister. She’s your sister, Ary…” she waited a beat, staring up at her friend. “She’s just as worried as you are.”

  Elizabeth and Aryaunna lift their gazes to meet above Korena. Elizabeth started to speak, but Aryaunna placed her hand on her sister’s arm before she could. “I came to ask something of you, too.”

  Taken off guard, Elizabeth closed her mouth and waited. “I want to ask you to stay in the Hollow… instead of going to Dia. We need people here to help tend to the wounded during battle. We’ll have riders bringing in any of our injured. Dia is too far to take them. A wounded man couldn’t make the ride alone and we need every able body on the field for as long as possible.”

  Korena backed away without another word.

  Elizabeth folded down onto a bench, which thankfully was close by, or she might have found herself suddenly on the floor. Her hand rose to rub against her tired brow as she stared at her feet. She didn’t seem shocked, appalled or anything of the sort. She seemed hurt. Rubbing her hand across her face, she looked down for a moment longer before she took in a deep breath and let it out in a gust, standing back to her feet. Her posture over corrected to make up for her tire, making her look stiff. “Of course,” she said as casually as if Aryaunna had asked to borrow a dress, though that would likely never happen.

  As if nothing had happened, Elizabeth turned away to go see if there was anyone else who needed tending, though there wasn’t. Aryaunna followed. “What’s wrong?”

  Elizabeth continued onward, only stopping when she found a table scattered with supplies and trash that needed sorting and cleaning. “Elizabeth?” Still no response. “What is it, what’s wrong?”

  A huff of air let out as she turned to look at Aryaunna, clearly frustrated if the gleam in her eye was any indicator. “Nothing is wrong, Aryaunna. Nothing you can do anything about. We don’t have time for this right now, okay? If I’m going to stay I need to sort supplies for those that are leaving and for those who I will need to treat here.” Aryaunna wanted to say something, but she seemed lost for words.

  Turning to face her sister, Elizabeth placed her hands onto her shoulders. “It’s all right, Ary. Okay?” Her delicate hands lift to her sister’s cheeks. “Everything’s going to be all right. You can do this.”

  Bringing her hands up to hold onto her sister’s arms, she asked in a hush, “It’s not anything to do with visions is it? Have you seen anything?” Worry creased lines into her forehead that she was too young to carry.

  Shaking her head, Elizabeth forced a sad smile. “No visions.” Pulling Aryaunna against her, she hugged her sister tightly to her. “It’s just all so real now,” she said in a mumble against the thick fur cloak covering her sister’s body. Pulling back, she picked at a loose tuft of fur that had tickled her nose. “Your cloak is hanging in the kitchen. It should be dry now. Run and get it before you go.”

  It
wasn’t a goodbye, but it was the only one they’d say to one another. Pulling away, Aryaunna stepped back and pushed a forced smile onto her lips before turning away. Before leaving, she slipped into the kitchen. Indeed her cloak was perfectly dry and amazingly warm as she traded it for the two around her shoulders. It smelled of burning wood and baking bread.

  It felt right on her shoulders over the armor she’d donned in Dia, where others felt heavy, bulky, and still left her cold. As she left the hall, she gave a single wave of her hand to Elizabeth, who returned the quiet gesture solemnly.

  Reign flew overhead, gliding through the air like a fish in the water. He had to stay high in the clouds to avoid being seen. The sky was a mass of grey. His pure white body wouldn’t blend very well against it. He was their eyes.

  Those who could not fight had gone ahead to Dia. The others were gathering into the open field where they’d all gathered just hours before to say goodbye to their brethren.

  There were only four horses inside the Hollow. Sita, Allos’ horse, who’d seen fit to stay after they’d stolen him the night they’d freed the Nymph, the brown mare Veyn had taken to Dia, and Lena’s horse. Zane rode her now. She was wilder than the others, not used to being saddled. The mare had never been ridden by anyone other than Lena, and Lena hadn’t had her long.

  Nadegia walked with all the grace of a queen. She’d dressed herself in what looked like fine hunting attire. In her hand a long beautiful bow, gleaming a silver Aryaunna did not recognize.

  “The archers are to take to the trees. Make sure they spread out, and no one shoots until the entire army has reached the field,” Aryaunna directed with no preamble, pointing at some of the more desired trees as she instructed.

  “Aye, m’lady.” Nadegia bowed her head forward and held it a moment before turning to direct a large group that stood waiting.

  “Why did you tell them to wait to shoot?” Zane asked wearily. It seemed only right that the sooner they opened fire, the more quickly the soldiers would begin to fall.