Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians Read online

  Still yet, the melody hummed through her chilled lips: Haunting, enchanting, devastating, enthralling, powerful.

  Through the surrounding darkness something played with her vision ahead. Had she seen a cloak, maybe a dress? She fell silent. The trees seemed to bustle ahead of her. Without realizing it, she’d stopped where she stood. The cold snaked in around her, biting at her flesh where it could while frosting her clothes stiff. The longer she stood still, the faster her hear beat, and the more her stomach tightened.

  The crackling of limbs could be heard as a branch broke and snapped under foot. It wasn’t close. The sound seemed to come from ahead of her, where she’d thought she’d seen the figure move through the trees and shadows which threatened to consume the Dark Wood.

  “Aryaunna, help me! Help me, please!” A blood curdling scream cut through the darkness, pleading desperately. The voice could only belong to one.

  Without hesitating Aryaunna took off running. Elizabeth must have woken and come after her. With such little time to recover she’d be vulnerable and weak out here on her own. Horrific possibilities played out through her mind. She couldn’t lose her sister. Elizabeth was all she had left. The faster she ran, the thicker the trees seemed to become. Fog hung so heavy in the air that her breathing became strained, forcing her to rasp for breath.

  Limbs cut and tore at her as she ran past them, snagging her clothes, and pulling her back as she fought harder to move forward. “Elizabeth!” she cried out for her sister, fearful she’d already lost her way. “Where are you,” Aryaunna screamed to the forest.

  Faltered steps brought her to meet the ground more than once. Firmly packed snow made for no gentle landing. The ground would crunch and break against her weight, crackling when her knees broke through the thin sheet of ice covering the pure white.

  Running harder, she pushed her body onward, despite how haggard she’d become. The wind whipped past her, so violent that it seemed to take on a life of its own. Its howl became a daunting moan that cackled at her pain and fright. Her sister’s screams were scarce, and seemed to come from another direction each time she heard it.

  Hot tears splashed down her cheeks, and left her skin frigid as the winter’s wind consumed them. An agonized moan tormented her ears as she stumbled over a branch, hidden in the clouded dark. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I’m trying, I swear.” Aryaunna had buckled. Elizabeth was all she had left in this world. The thought of losing her was more agonizing than any storm.

  Aching cold hands braced against the hard frost as she looked down. Dangling before her hung her mother’s amethyst. Lifting herself to sit to her knees, she clasped the heart tight in fingers so cold they’d nearly lost all feeling. Bowing her head, she spoke to her mother, “Help me, mother. I can’t lose her, too.”

  Closing her eyes, she focused her every thought on her mother as she held the stone tight in her grasp. Perhaps she’d been hoping for some great revelation, or for her mother to speak to her and tell her what to do. It wasn’t like that though. Nothing so clear and simple. A whisper of a memory maybe, or just the only comfort she could so easily recall from her childhood, the lullaby her mother had sang to her and Elizabeth filled her heart so earnestly that it fell once more from her lips.

  “Tend a fire,

  With kindling and sticks

  And watch it burn strong in the wind

  And watch it burn higher and higher

  Tend a fire

  Tend a fire

  And brother

  Tend a fire

  Tend a garden

  With sunshine and rain

  And watch it grow strong in the wind

  Watch it grow higher and higher

  Tend a fire

  Tend a fire

  And brother and sister

  Tend a fire

  Tend a heart

  With wisdom and grace

  And watch it grow strong in the wind

  Watch it burn higher and higher

  Tend a Fire

  Tend a fire

  And children

  Tend a fire.”

  The wind seemed to calm, as if lulled by her song. Her heart calmed, as did the tightening ache of her stomach. Peace came over her, restful and warm like a warmed blanket enclosing her. Though her lids were heavy, she opened her eyes with a peaceful smile pulling up at her lips.

  Light seeped in through the shadows, as if a storm were being broken apart by the sun’s rays. Fog settled from the heavy cloud that filled the forest to a gentle mist which rolled along the floor.

  Looking around the woodland that surrounded her, she stood to her feet slowly. Lifting her hood once more, she trekked on cautiously. A haunting lullaby sang sweet off her lips. The shadows danced around her like ghosts in the trees. Her magic could do no more than keep them at bay, but it was enough to restore her sanity. The voices were gone, though she walked on in the same direction she’d heard Elizabeth’s call, she heard nothing more nor saw sign of her sister.

  Angered, the limbs of trees would lash at out her when she came too near, which was nearly unavoidable for the density of the Dark Wood. Each cut they left burned and stung from the bitter wind.

  Dusk was falling over the horizon. She could see the brilliant fiery glow of the blazing sun as it sunk lower into the sky. Looking up, she could see a crisp blue sky and a large white moon. She’d nearly forgotten tonight was the full moon.

  It seemed like days had passed since she’d entered the Dark Wood on her own. The trees had grown scarce though, and the land was becoming more steep with her every step. She’d reached the base of the mountain.

  Mount Dia touched heaven with her magnificent height. Aryaunna was given no direction other than climb. If she was truly the Emissary then she would find her way, and most importantly she would find Him. With no idea what she sought, she looked up the mountain and then back at the woods. While she’d not heard her sister’s call again, she worried still. Part of her wanted to go back, and not stop searching until she found Elizabeth or proof she was safe. Allos had sworn he would stay with her, and that he would protect her though. Could she trust a man she’d known for less than a day? What choice did she have?

  Looking onward at Dia, she looked up the slope that grew steep as rocks carved an edifice of strength. Somewhere within this mountain was the answers she needed, and perhaps even the key to unlocking her magic.

  The mountain needed no monsters to give pause to all those who found themselves at her wake. Dia, granted its name for the impossibly high peaks that reached well beyond the heavenly clouds above. There were slopes that were said to be carved by the Guardians themselves. Deep ridges carved not by streams, but by great talons. There was an arch carved into the mountain, though no one knew how it came to be. A hollow pathway, almost like a door. A door to what though? No one knew for sure.

  Mount Dia was strangely magnificent for many reasons. One being that the entire mountain of solid stone was utterly and perfectly white. Barren of all organic life, there were no trees, no grass, not even a single shrub. And perhaps the most peculiar thing of all, that despite even the most horrendous of winter months, snow had never once been seen to fall upon the mountain.

  For this, Aryaunna was blessedly grateful. Standing at Dia’s base, Aryaunna stood quietly with her eyes closed. She waited, listening to the world around her. The wind continued to whip against her, pulling the cloak every which way. Fed up with it, she brought her hand up and unclasped what was left of the ragged cloth. It had been warm while it lasted, but frozen stiff from being drug through the snow covered forest and torn into shreds it was little more than a nuance then.

  Ridding herself of the cloak, she stood clad in hunting garments given to her by Mayla. They were well-made, making them very warm on their own. She was grateful for them. They were far nicer than anything she’d ever owned before, made of thick black leathers lined in many places by thin fur. Boots came to her knees of the same make. They were well soled and kept her dry.
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  Aryaunna was a fit girl, having worked hard all her life as the Church’s ward. She was strong; though not being well fed she was thinner than she should be. Braided into an intricate braid, her hair was as black as night, which was coming fast to the sky. The last of the day’s sun had sunk below the trees. Dusk would not last long on such a night.

  Small rocks crumbled away under her feet, causing her to slide in some places as she began her assent. Her fingers were painfully numb from the cold. Only fingerless sleeves enclosed her hands down to her elbows beneath the long winter’s tunic that covered her body. Less than nimble, she jammed her fingers a few times while trying to secure hand holds. The further she climbed, the steeper the mountain became. In many places there were vertical cliffs that scaled hundreds of feet. It had crossed her mind to wonder if she would have to climb any, though she fought not to consider it too close.

  To keep from letting the doubt of her task consume her, she sang every song she’d ever known. It wasn’t loud by any standard, as it was becoming hard to keep her breath. Her body was wearing as the exertion was getting to her. It would be too easy to wonder if she was going the right way, too easy to let the many fears consume her. What if she fell and became hurt? What if she fell and died?

  Never before had she been to mount Dia. Nor did she know personally of anyone who had. Anything could live on the mountain. Aryaunna would think of nothing other than Him though. No creature of magic or man would matter this day. There was but one goal for her, and to reach it she had to keep all her focus.

  Hand over hand, foot over foot. Step by step, bit by bit, little by little. Aryaunna had come too far to turn back. As her foot slipped and she held precariously to the nearly vertical slope by her fingertips, she looked down. “Wow,” a whisper rushed from her lips. She’d not realized how far up she’d made it. It was full dark now, but the moon was full and reflected brilliantly off the white stone of the mountain. Pulling herself up to a small divot in the rock, she sat to take a rest. Turning her back to the rock face, she looked out over the land. Much smaller mountains and hills rolled out, creating the great valley of the Dark Wood.

  From this high up she thought maybe she could see Kenan in the day, though felt no more interest than knowing its distance from Dia. The view was incredible. The light of the moon lit the entire sky, giving life to the darkness in a way she’d never imagined. Being up here, with the moon so bright, it was almost as clear to see as if it were daylight. The mountain she climbed shown a glacier blue.

  It was dazzling, sitting there on the great mountain. The world was so much bigger when you were up so high. She felt so small in comparison. Time felt non-existent as the beauty inspired her thoughts to roam. Sitting up so high, Aryaunna couldn’t help but think about the Guardians.

  The Guardians were the spirits of the great Dragons. They were the embodiment of magic. Their Dragon brethren were rumored to still exist in remote parts of the world. Some in hordes, some so close in kin to the Guardians they themselves were said to be so massive they could block out the very moon. What might the mountain look like from the sky? Did they really fly with the stars, so close they could touch them? Some said the night sky was where the Guardians dwelled after they’d left the earthen world. There were many legends as to why they left, but Aryaunna believed she knew the real reason: more room to fly.

  As her body began to beg for sleep, she forced herself back to her feet. Though she was fortunate there was no snow, the wind was still bitter, and the stone of the mountain cold as ice. Once she realized how much she’d began to shiver, she knew it was time to get moving. If she was going to sleep, she had to get out of the wind. Sleeping exposed to the elements would be suicide.

  Another hour had come to pass when she was forced to stop again. It had been a miracle her water had lasted that long. The bota empty, she slung it over her back and licked her lips. There had scarcely been enough to wet her tongue. “This mountain may just be the death of me,” she spoke aloud to no one but herself.

  Looking over the mountainside, the light reflected clearly over every surface. Except for one. A black void shown in the side of the mountain, far off to her right. “Oh blessed Guardians,” Aryaunna gasped in utter relief. The void could only mean one thing, she’d found a cave. Caves would provide shelter, with any luck at all perhaps even water. Either way at the least she would get out of the wind, and perhaps she would survive the night yet.

  With her every limb trembling with cold and fatigue, it took more than an hour to reach the cave. She’d fallen once, and slipped down a twenty foot slope. Fortunately she’d suffered little more than scraped palms, bruised knees, and an ache that rang throughout her body.

  It felt like eternity before she’d reached the large flat pad before the cave. Turning around, she looked down the mountain. The great round moon above was high in the sky. How many hours had passed? It must’ve been the middle of the night. The flat surface before the opening of the cave was far more vast than she’d realized. It was too beautiful for words. Collapsing to her knees, her head fell back. Eyes closing, a smile crossed her lips. She’d made it to the cave.

  The Guardians had seen her this far, after a night of rest certainly she’d find Him. Turning her head, she looked back at the cave. Struggling, she fought to get to her feet. It was a harder feat than she’d pictured given all else she’d done.

  Inside felt thirty degrees warmer. It may as well have been paradise. She didn’t make it far before collapsing to the earth near the opening. The wind whistled outside the opening though didn’t reach her.

  Sleep didn’t find her swiftly. All she could do was lay there, listen to the wind, and feel her body throb. It didn’t entirely surprise Aryaunna when she heard shuffling behind her. A low deep snort of hot air rushed over her body. Too tired to move, she could do little more than look up at him. A soft smile spread her lips. “I’ve found you.”

  “So it would seem you have.” A soft scuffle on the ground echoed as he sat down. “Rest now. You’re safe here.”

  “I know…” she whispered as she rest her head on her arm, looking up at Him.

  “Sleep.” It was not an order, but permission. She was safe there with Him, and she knew that. For her awe though, she’d do anything to have found the energy to overcome the exhaustion. Instead, however, she let her eyes close and peace take her.

  The cave kept Aryaunna sheltered from the sun. This was a blessing, for despite the winter’s cold, the sun was bright and would burn the skin in no time. He’d stayed close to her through the night to keep her warm. Once the day had warmed enough, he let her be so that she might sleep longer. The cave floor of solid stone was certainly no plush bed, not that Aryaunna had ever known much better. As tired as she was, she’d slept like a newborn babe.

  It was nearly noon before she started to stir. Hearing her subtle movements, his head turned to watch her though he sat outside the cave.

  Brushing the dust from her cheek, Aryaunna lifted her head. It took a moment to pry her eyes open, but when she did she squinted from the light, reflecting bright off the inner walls of the pure white cave.

  Twisting herself, she sat up cautiously. Surprisingly to her, Aryaunna felt warmer than she expected to. She took barely a moment to look around her, until she realized the large white mound sitting outside the cave, near the lip of the platform of stone, wasn’t a rock as first glance told her. It was Him.

  His head had cocked back. He’d heard her moving. Standing was painful for her. There wasn’t a part of her body that did not ache. It didn’t matter though. More than her tire she was in awe.

  So frozen in her amazement, she stood still as she stared upon him. “You have no reason to fear me, child,” his voice was heavily accented. It rang clear like a bell, filled with reverence and power.

  “I am not afraid,” Slowly she walked outside of the cave and circled around to face him. Her eyes drank him in, and all of his magnificence. White skin was as hard as stone and gliste
ned like wet pearls. His muscles bulged and rippled with his slight movements as he turned to watch her as she walked to stand in front of him.

  “So I see.” Brilliant blue eyes, so vibrant she’d never seen the color before, shown at her. They glimmered like jewels. All she could do was look at him, so he let her. White horns twisted up off the slant of his massive head. They had shown like moonstone. Iridescent white, yet multi-colored. Shrewd eyes were rimmed with blue curling patterns that twisted down his cheeks. The same pattern displayed over the fans that sprayed backward, giving shape to his ears. His brow furrowed. “Why are you crying?”

  “I-I’m sorry.” Quickly, her hand brushed against her cheeks to wipe away the tears. They smudged the dust from her cheeks leaving nearly clean skin. “I never imagined I would ever get to meet one of you. To see a true Dragon, so close, so beautiful.”

  Her gaze continued to flicker back just beyond his face. His wings were the only thing that surprised her. She hadn’t seen many drawings of Dragons since her mother had died, except in one painting inside the Church. It was a mural that filled a very long wall. It had haunted her to see it. The painting was a story of murder. It was the story of how the Church came into power. Great prices had been paid to many men to bring what they called beasts to their deaths. They had succeeded.

  Wings she had seen in the painting, and what she thought she remembered of her mother’s books, were not like his though. They were full, almost like the wings of a bat. His were almost like lace, if lace were made of bone that could move.