The Aurora Stone (14 page)

While Eve suffered through the early hours, up in a plush suite in the east wing, Eli slept. Ignorant of the fact the world as he knew it was about to end. The King and Queen had not lied to him; no, he had always known he was an elf, that he had been rescued when very young. Although he accepted this, Eli also felt like a fundamental part of himself was missing, sometimes when he dreamed, as he did now, he would glimpse a small chubby hand reaching for his own. Smiling in his sleep, he rolled over unaware that the owner of that once chubby hand was dying downstairs.

By sunrise Eve was dead; Caleb was inconsolable and refused to leave his opulent guest chamber. Jericho had been in a heated discussion with Una and King Efrin for over an hour; he needed to return Eve to her mother. Unfortunately, the poison that had been administered to Eve was likely to decompose her body before they reached Hermoria. The King was adamant that the only compromise was that Eve be cremated as a warrior would be, and her ashes returned to her mother, along with any special keepsakes and belongings she had with her. Unhappy with this, but knowing he could not simply take Eve, Jericho agreed, the cremation was to be held at sunset.

The ceremony plans were taking shape, flowers and silver chairs were being brought to the Queen’s garden. The plan was to row Eve out to the island that sat in the middle of the lake and shoot burning arrows of purple fire onto the pyre. This was to be warriors send off, with the Royal seal of acknowledgment.

Jericho helped with the heavy lifting, though the Fae could have just used magic to move the heavy logs to the island, they were aware that the Miscurt needed something to do and left him be. While the outdoor arrangements were underway, Eve was being prepared by Queen Sophia and her hand-maidens, they washed her in rose water and dressed her in a beautiful emerald shift that even in death made her skin glow and her hair flame with amber fire. The maids wept as they anointed Eve’s skin with oils, they too knew who she was and what her passing now meant for all of Orea. The future was to be a dark place and so they wept as they carried out the last honour they could bestow onto their would-be saviour.

Nimayaorin was elated, oh how she had suffered! The thought of the Elf trapped, a prisoner in her body suffering unimaginable pain sent shivers down his spine. Grimmer was to be decorated for his instrumental role in the destruction of the light, the only being that could have saved the mewling parasites of Orea from his rule.

Sweeping across his vast chamber
,
Nimayaori
n
cast his claws over his orb of sight. His legion of spies’ should reach Gloria soon, and he intended to have a front row seat for the decimation of that girl’s physical form.

Caleb stood at the lake’s edge, tears leaving tracks down his cheeks, Eve was gone and his heart along with her. So many wasted chances, so many opportunities and now he was out of time. He had seen Eve before she had been taken to the island, how beautiful she had looked. He had kissed her cheek and whispered to her the words he never quite found the right moment to say.

Jericho stood on his left, the Miscurt seemed smaller somehow, He too was mourning the loss of a friend. Jericho would not shed tears here that would be a dishonour to his own race. There would be time for tears later in the privacy of his rooms. They were due to return to Hermoria tomorrow. It was several weeks away unless they could somehow call Sapphire once outside the magical boundaries of Gloria. As sunset approached, both Caleb and Jericho lamented the loss of a great friend and their freedom.

King Efrin stepped forward to begin the ceremony. He was an eloquent speaker and though he had not known Eve personally, he was able to evoke her soul beautifully. Queen Sophia was next to speak, at that moment the island seemed to come alive with light, tiny fireflies began to dance and weave around Eve in a beautiful ballet. To all watching it looked like her soul rising from her physical form, a beautiful, if somewhat sombre comparison.

As each person who wished to speak stepped forward, the sunset cast its fiery glow over the gathering, bathing them in light on one of the darkest days they had experienced, though far worse was to come. Jericho had just given a rather brisk speech, though his unshed tears were clear for all to see in his black eyes. When the sun finally passed below the horizon. It was almost time to light the pyre and allow Eve to pass onto the realm of the dead. Caleb was the last to step forward, still unsure as to what to say he decided to keep it simple and speak from his heart.

“Eve was an amazing person, she saved my sister’s life the very first night she stayed in Clear Water Valley. I knew then she was someone I wanted to know. Eve was beautiful, not just in appearance, but her very soul shone with light. She was brave and full of compassion for all creatures, even those that wished to do her harm. I loved her…and now she will never know.” His voice catching in his throat on a sob, Caleb returned to his place and faced the lake.

“Archers prepare the royal flames,” King Efrin called. The archers, a dozen in all made themselves ready, their silver filigree dress uniforms flashing in the light of the flames. Each knocked an arrow to their bow and awaited the order to set them loose them across the lake.

Taking one last look at the island where Eve lay, Caleb turned back to towards the castle. It was over.

Nimayaorin held a ceremony to celebrate Grimmer’s, successful assassination. Holding his head high, the demon walked up to the grand throne and knelt at his master’s feet.

“I welcome you all to my Fortress. You have come from the dark places in which you dwell, be safe in the knowledge that no harm can now come to you. We can all move freely between the realms of Orea. The light has been snuffed out!” Nimayaorin exclaimed raising his arms over his head. Looking around the room, he saw creature’s that nightmares are made of, cheering and celebrating this most welcome news. Today was to be remembered for all eternity, as the day the light was extinguished from the Orea…forever!

Gesturing for the gathering to quiet, Nimayaorin reached into his robe and removed a star ruby its polished surface was akin to a pool of fresh blood; it was hung on a thick rope of gold. Gliding down the steps of his throne, he stood before Grimmer’s bowed form.

“Today we reward the one who was instrumental in the ascendance of the darkness. Grimmer, you have always been faithful and have served me well; I reward you with this star ruby,” Nimayaorin said, placing the golden rope over the demon’s head. The stones deep red lustre flashing in the candlelight.

“Thank you, my Master, I live to serve,” Grimmer replied keeping his head bowed in respect. This was indeed the best day of his existence. To be rewarded so handsomely was a sign that he was rising through the ranks.
Grimmer, the extinguisher of light
. He liked the sound of that.

“Now, let us feast!” Nimayaorin ordered, no sooner had he uttered the command that the double doors at the far end of the room slid open to reveal a grand staircase. Taking the lead Nimayaorin moved towards it with Grimmer at his right hand, the rest of the monsters followed at a respectful distance. The party was lead down to a lower level, at the end of a sconce lit corridor, the party emerged into a large dungeon. The moment Nimayaorin entered, the screaming began. Chained to the walls and great iron rings in the floor, were men and women, witches, fae, and elves. Grimmer’s yellow eyes flashed with glee when he spied a redheaded witch, who looked enough like the elf to make his mouth water. Knowing it was his master who was to pick first, he stood to attention and waited. Choosing a blond Fae girl for his first course, Nimayaorin opened the feasting, sinking his razor sharp teeth into the girl’s shoulder and tearing away a chunk of her flesh. Wasting no time, Grimmer, leapt across the room and pinned the red haired witch to the rough stone wall.

“Now I can take my time with you, let me hear you scream,” Grimmer whispered to the witch as he sliced open her arm. Soon the room was filled with the sound of screaming and the walls were soon painted crimson. The darkness was coming, to consume and destroy all who dared to stand in its way.

Eve’s body lay on a bed of moss and wildflowers, her hair woven with silk ribbons; even in death, she was beautiful. Across the lake, the archers were about to lose their flaming arrows that would consume her physical form. From out of the trees, the animals came to her. Gathering around her body, they rested paws, small heads and cold noses against her. Lastly, a snow white lamb approached, it looked at the other animals and laid its head over Eve’s left hand. As the fireflies danced casting a golden glow over the gathering, the order to lose the arrows reached their sensitive ears. The animals closed their eyes, in readiness for what needed to be done. The twang of bow strings acted as the signal. It was time the animals made their sacrifice. As if one being, the animals took a breath and gave a piece of their very souls to the maiden that they had come to save.

The energy transfer was intense; each animal gave a small part of their life force to Eve in the few seconds before the first flaming arrow struck. The wildflowers began to wrap their stems around her limbs, as they too offered energy from the earth.

The first arrow landed, but, it did not hit its mark instead each arrow that veered off course and landed a few feet in front of Eve and the animals blocking the view to the mainland. Eve began to glow; her hair crackled with the energy coursing through her. The emerald shift that clothed her, seemed to ripple in a phantom breeze. Deathly paleness was washed away by the warm peaches and cream complexion that had once been the envy of many elvish maidens. The glowing ebbed and finally dissipated into the night, the gift had been given, the sacrifice made. Behind the curtain of purple flames, Eve opened her eyes.

Sophia approached the east wing with a heavy heart; it had been decided that she would break the news to their charge. Knocking on the door, she was surprised that it opened almost instantly. Before her stood a young man of eighteen, his indigo eyes flashing with excitement and joy. Sophia had no time to ask what had made him so happy; he smiled broadly at her, his blond hair shining like spun gold.

“I must get to the island, Sophia!” He exclaimed, almost bouncing on the spot, his need to leave tangible. Sighing, Queen Sophia took his hand and tried to explain that, that simply was not possible; the island was partly ablaze and not safe. Unfazed he just smiled and assured her that everything was as it should be and he must go to the island right this moment.

“There is someone there who I must meet; it cannot wait.” He urged turning and hurrying down the hall towards the main staircase. Sighing, Sophia hurried as gracefully as she could manage after him.

It was fully dark now; the archers had cleared away and all that could be seen of the ceremony was the dying violet flames reflecting on the still water of the lake. Taking no time to collect a boat from the small boathouse, the young man waded into the cool water and began to swim with strong strokes towards the island.

Eve lay on the moss; her mind was clear; she was completely aware of what had happened to her. She should be dead and yet, here she was on her funeral bed surrounded by woodland creatures and being warmed by the violet blaze a few feet away. Sitting up slowly, Eve was conscious of everything around her, the sound of the animals breathing, the lapping of the lake against the shore, the crackling of the fire. It didn’t stop there; she could hear the trees growing! The world around her was teaming with life, and she was a part of it all. There was something else, looking around she stared in wonder, the world was alight with colour, Eve could see the aura of every living thing. This was going to take some getting used to.

Standing, she stroked the ears of a doe, as she made the connection, she heard a voice.

We are glad to have helped you, Light Carrier.

Eve was used to this kind of telepathic communication with Sapphire, but this was the first time she had heard another animal ‘speak’ to her. Looking deep into the doe’s eyes, she leant forward and kissed it between the ears.

“Thank you, thank you all. I am so grateful for your help,” Eve replied, stroking the doe and smiling at all the gathered animals. Suddenly the peaceful gathering was disturbed by splashing and then hissing as water droplets hit the dying flames. The animals scattered leaving Eve to face whatever had joined them on the island.

The first thing Eve saw was the person’s aura glowing green against the night. Instinctively she knew whoever it was meant her no harm. As the person came into view, Eve gasped. Indigo eyes gazed out of a handsome face, blonde hair that hung in wet waves just past his shoulders. He was tall and muscular, and without knowing how she got there. Eve found herself in his arms. After so many weeks of searching, they had finally found each other.

Eli held Eve tight against his chest, he knew without a doubt that this girl was his sister. He had dreamed of her, the chubby hand that reached for him was her. The King and Queen had said that he was found alone and that she must have vanished with his parents, but the dreams had continued and now he knew why.

“Eli, my brother, I have found you,” Eve sobbed into his sodden shirt. Making soothing sounds and rubbing her back, Eli held her in his arms. Realising that they could not stay on this island all night, the guards would be looking for him soon enough, Eli decided it best if he swam back and obtained a boat. Eve insisted that she was fine to swim. Smiling, Eli gently pointed out that she was very recently back from the dead, and maybe a swim in the cool lake was not the best idea after such an experience.

Once back on the mainland, the siblings went directly to the Queen. Sophia was at a loss for words when Eli and Eve walked in hand in hand. This should not be possible; Eve was supposed to be dead. Taking a moment to compose herself, Queen Sophia ordered a clean gown and robe be brought for Eve and asked that Eli leave to change himself; they would continue their conversation in the drawing room with the King present. Eve changed in the Queen’s dressing room. The gown was cream silk, it felt cool against her pale skin, shivering slightly she reached for the navy blue robe and tied it at her waist. Looking at herself Eve smiled, she was alive, and she had found Eli.

King Efrin was speechless, his mouth opened and closed several times before he gave up and ordered ale from the larder. Along with the ale, Jericho and Caleb burst into the room nearly knocking the servant to the floor. Caleb had no trouble articulating how he felt at seeing Eve standing before him. He ran to her, scooping her up in his arms he held her close.

“I never expected to see you again, you are a marvel, Eve. A gift from the Goddess,” he whispered to her as he looked into her eyes. Eve smiled up at Caleb, glad to have this second chance with him. Turning back to face the Royals, Eve cleared her throat.

“It is true that the demon murdered me, the pain was beyond belief, and I am sorry you all witnessed that.” Looking at the shocked faces, Eve raised her hand to halt any interruptions and continued. “Yes, I was aware some of the time during that experience. I do not want to dwell on it, there are more important things I must discuss with my friends and my brother,” she concluded, smiling at Eli and reaching for Caleb’s hand. Jericho huffed from the corner, not comfortable with the amount of love being handed out, he would much rather get down to business, though his black eyes were glassy with unshed tears at the sight of his friend once again standing amongst them.

“How is it even possible you are alive, Evangeline?” Asked King Efrin, finally finding his voice. Smiling at the king, Eve explained that she did not know how she was now alive, just that she was pleased to be. This wasn’t wholly true, she did know how but it felt wrong somehow, to explain her rebirth, it had been a deeply powerful and emotional experience; one she was not yet ready to share with anyone. Asking for permission to leave so she may talk with her friends, she curtsied to the Royals and thanked them for their hospitality and kindness. Eli lead everyone to his chambers in the east wing, he wanted to be as far from the servants as possible during this discussion, and he knew they we less likely to be overheard there.