The Bonded: The Allseer Trilogy Book I (3 page)

“There has to be others ways than this,” Kirheen said.

“And we've tried them. This is the best method of strengthening your powers whether you like it or not. There is no argument to be had here. Either you learn to use your powers, or you spend the rest of your days toiling about and learning how to stitch.”

Kirheen grumbled under her breath, crossing her arms over her chest protectively.

“I know you've both heard of the Darkness. Garild, please enlighten us on what that is?”

“The Darkness is a plague that swept through the lands beyond Sanctuary, destroying both the land and those that lived there, often turning them into violent husks. There used to be people like us but without the powers of the mind. They existed until the Darkness came and drove them all to madness. Only those blessed by the Allseer survived and fled North.”

Herzin nodded. “Good. Do you have anything to add to that, Kirheen? What are your powers for?”

“Our powers are used to cleanse the Darkness. Our goal is to push back the corruption and reclaim the world that was taken from us.”

“I hope speaking those words makes you realize the importance of our struggle, Kirheen. Without our powers, the Darkness would have taken this world long ago. You were both born with these powers and it is the only reason you survive. It is a heavy burden to bear, surely, but it is a responsibility that ensures our survival.”

Kirheen sighed loudly, obviously bored by the history lesson. She had a tendency to disregard the dangers beyond their own bubble, believing it to be an exaggeration, something to spur them on the path of learning their powers. He wondered if the Darkness frightened her at all, or if it really was just the thought of having another in her mind that scared her so.

“You can be bored of this if you want to, but you can either grow to fight the Darkness or you can become a testament to failure and spend the rest of your days aiding those that were more dedicated to the cause.”

Something switched in Kirheen and a coldness seemed to grow in her stormy eyes. She locked her gaze onto her instructor. “I'll never be just a failure.”

Herzin smirked. “Then you better stop acting like one.”

The first night in their new home left Kirheen feeling bitter. She listened to the gentle breathing of Garild across from her and wished she were anywhere but in her bed, stuck within Sanctuary. It wasn't possible, she knew that, but it didn't stop her from thinking it. If she hadn't felt completely trapped before, she certainly did now.

Their instructor hadn't helped matters. The Judge of Trials, feared by all, was a bumbling old woman with a chip on her shoulder. Kirheen didn't like her. There was something about the woman that felt wrong. She wasn't looking forward to spending her days training with her.

Morning came and they were delivered a meal of bread and dried meat. It was tasteless stuff, but Kirheen was used to that. Until the rest of the Bondless went through their Ritual, all meals were confined to their home.

A foul mood hovered over her like a cloud and it got worse the moment Herzin stepped through the door. She didn't want to train, didn't want to learn about her powers. She wasn't ready for this, to have her mind, the one safe place she had, defiled.

They took their seats in front of the fire and Herzin stepped before them, her air of pompous superiority radiating about her as it had the day prior. The fish swam in their home, slowly circling each other and Kirheen watched them intently, arms crossed.

“I hope you both had a good morning. Are you ready for your lesson today?”

Garild was in a fine mood and he nodded his head enthusiastically. Kirheen tried to ignore it, tried to ignore them both but his eagerness grated at her nerves. She just wanted to go back to bed, to be away from them both.

“Good,” Herzin said, completely ignoring Kirheen. At least the feeling was mutual. “Today, we will talk about your gift and I'll provide a demonstration of the things you will be learning in the coming weeks. Tell me, do you both sense your powers? We've never had, nor allowed you to use them in the past, but they are there. Sometimes you've used them without trying. Garild?”

“I can sense something there, but I have to focus very hard. It's like it's just out of reach,” Garild said.

Kirheen knew what he meant. She knew she had powers, had even attempted to tap into them before, but they always seemed a little beyond her grasp. Now, faced with having to use them, she found she didn't want to. How could she just be expected to give her thoughts away, to drop her walls and let someone in that she hadn't chosen? It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. Everything had been chosen for her. The people she grew up with, the clothes she wore, the food she ate, the path she was expected to take through life. Nothing was her own. The only thing she had was her mind and her heart and neither of those was she willing to give up.

“Kirheen, are you going to answer me,” Herzin chided, looking at her expectantly.

“I feel the same as Garild. I feel it, out of reach.”

“Nothing else?”

“No.”

Herzin huffed. “Your powers are there, I assure you. It takes immense focus to use them. As we progress, you'll find yourselves feeling drained as you learn to hone and target your powers. Today, we will work on some very simple exercises, something to strengthen the bond with your power so you can find the use of it a bit easier.”

Kirheen felt her palms begin to sweat, her anxiety getting the better of her. She wasn’t ready for this intrusion. She couldn’t just let them in. “I think I'd rather have madness,” she whispered, instantly regretting her words. Herzin's eyes flickered to her, burning with malice.

“You
will
cooperate, girl. You don't have a choice. We're not doing anything today to harm your precious mind so calm yourself.”

She felt the panic rising. “It doesn’t matter. I won't do it. I won't allow either of you to just pull apart my mind and pick through it like a book you can just stick your nose into. You can keep your stupid powers. I don't want them.”

Garild looked at her like she'd just punched him in the face. His jaw hit the floor, his eyes wide with surprise. Herzin crossed her arms, puffing herself up as she prepared to talk her down. She wasn't having any of it. Pushing herself up from her chair, she locked eyes with Herzin defiantly and then turned to leave. She was almost to the door when Herzin spoke.

“Kirheen, this display is cute but unnecessary. One more step and I'll make you regret your brashness. I have not excused you.”

Kirheen realized Herzin probably wasn't used to people disobeying her, let alone a young woman, but she didn't care. Earning her ire wasn't exactly her plan, but she had to be free of them, to be out of the room before it all consumed her.

“I'll be excusing myself today, thank you. I want nothing to do with the Allseer, her powers and certainly nothing to do with you.” She looked back over her shoulder to give Garild a half-hearted grin. She didn't want to do this to him, but she couldn't do what they wanted her to do. She couldn't allow it.

Herzin spoke, her voice thick with anger. There was an edge of warning, a hint of the consequences that would follow. “Kirheen...not...another...step.”

It was too late to heed that warning. Kirheen reached for the door, her hand gripping the intricately carved door handle. It felt solid beneath her fingers, cold and smooth. As she went to turn it, the world shifted. A faint pressure blossomed in the center of her forehead, creeping outwards and gaining strength like the start of a bad headache.

Looking down, she watched the door handle melt, the glowing wraith wood oozing between her fingers and running down the back of her hand. She blinked, trying to comprehend what she was seeing. Pain followed the path of melted wood as it traveled down her arm, so intense she dropped to her knees. She reached out her other hand, placing it against the door as she tried to remain upright, but it had turned into a violent glowing pool. It pulled her close, covering her arms, her chest and finally her face.

Pain exploded through her body, spreading like a fire as it burned through her senses. In her mind, she could sense thousands of tiny black tendrils stretching out, poking and prodding, trying to find a weak point to pick apart. Each attempt felt like a needle stabbing into her flesh, like the strange white haired man stabbing her with inky blackness. Stab, stab, stab.

Suddenly the glowing hot fire that covered her shattered, just as the walls of her mind did the same. Out poured her thoughts, as powerful and overwhelming as a hurricane. She gasped for air, floundering about hopelessly in her own mind, searching for anything to repair the damage, to rebuild the walls, but there was nothing but doubt and sadness and an undeniable feeling that her life was not hers to control.

And then something appeared in the distance, bright and glowing like a jewel. It was an emerald, green and blazing. As it hovered closer, it took form and she realized it was an eye. A great hate filled emerald; the eyes of disapproval. It was Herzin, picking through her thoughts with clawed hands. Pick, pick, pick. “I warned you,” she teased. “Warned you. I warned you.”

“Get out,” Kirheen gasped. “Get out of my head. Get out!” She curled into herself, pulling together her thoughts and wrapping them tightly against her body like a shield. “I don’t want you here! Get out!”

The sensation continued, the hole grew bigger, the walls crumbling into the sea of her mind. She focused, breathing deep, tasting the sickly sweet copper taste of blood on her tongue. “GET OUT!”

With a scream, she threw her thoughts outward against the eyes, tearing through them with all the force she could muster. They widened and cracked, the emeralds shattering and filling the sea with green. She felt her own eyes open, those stormy eyes given to her by faces she could not remember. The pressure vanished and she collapsed against the floor, blood speckling the surface. She felt hands touching her face, heard her name whispered in the dark and then she was gone, sinking away into the only shelter she could find. Sleep took her quickly, embracing her in tranquil darkness. She welcomed it, letting her mind and body drift into oblivion.

Tomias was thankful for a chance to stretch his legs, to journey about the village and not be cramped on the floor, needle in hand. It was his first week of Rituals and while putting on a show for the Union Master was amusing, it was also tiring. He was happy for a chance to get away. His twin, Fenir, walked at his side. His expression was somber, his eyes scanning the trees but he could feel tranquility radiating from him despite his frown. Their bond was strong, probably stronger than most in Sanctuary. It was both a blessing and a curse and he was forced to feel much of what his brother felt, whether he wanted to or not.  

They had traveled South, away from the Temple of Union, meandering down the deserted path that led to the Circle of Rest. They didn't have a reason for going there, he simply wanted to walk and he'd let his feet carry him where they willed. He could see the giant wraith wood up ahead, towering over the circle of homes made for the Bonded. As they drew closer, he felt a strange sensation, an excess of power floating around them, crackling like the air before lightning strikes. Fenir glanced at him, tilting his head questioningly.

‘You feel that,’
he asked, forming the question with his mind and sending it out to Tomias.

Tomias nodded. “I do,” he said aloud. “I don't like it. Something is wrong.”

It was odd. The sensation was emanating from the home recently occupied by the Bonded they'd performed the ritual on the night before. Rumor had it Herzin had been tasked with teaching them. She should have been there now.

They increased their pace, stepping quickly towards the house. Fenir took the steps in a single stride with Tomias on his heels. The power was thick in the air, making his hair stand on end. His brother pushed the door open and nearly knocked over a brown haired boy he recognized from the ritual. What had his name been again?

It didn't matter. The smell of blood hit his senses and he instantly switched to the defensive. Fenir threw out a hand, catching the boy by the front of his robe and pulled him close. He looked terrified, his eyes squeezing shut as if he expected to be struck. He stammered out an explanation, words slipping out without control.

“I-I don't know what happened. They were arguing and Kirheen tried to leave and then...I don't know, something happened!  Please, I didn't do it! I didn't do anything! I was trying to find help.”

“Woah, slow down there! We're not blaming you yet. Fenir, let the poor boy go before he dies of fright!”

His twin grunted but released his grip. Tomias peered around them, taking in the scene. An ashen haired girl lay on the ground behind Garild's feet, blood splattered on the floor around her head. In the back an older woman, undoubtedly Herzin, lay in a similar state. He muttered a curse under his breath.

“You'll have to forgive my brother, he's far more suspicious than I. For looking so much alike you'd think we'd not differ so much in personality. And do forgive him, please, for he has not the tongue to ask for it himself. Quite a shame too, considering his ability to frighten children.”

‘Oh, will you shut up,’
Fenir commanded angrily.

On a good day, Tomias found it hard to still his own tongue. Today was not a good day and with stress came an endless stream of words. He sometimes wondered if his brother hadn’t chosen to be mute simply because he spoke enough for them both. “Ah, right. We have a situation to attend to. I’m Tomias. This silent, brooding companion of mine is my bond mate, Fenir. A pleasure! Now if you would kindly step aside, I must attend to this current crisis.”

And what a crisis it was. Tomias was beginning to stitch it together. Someone had gotten out of hand and he had a sneaking suspicion of who that was. Fenir stepped to the side, pulling Garild with him so he'd have enough room to work. He knelt down next to the girl and rolled her over, wincing as he noticed the blood across her face, a result of a sudden bloody nose. He gently pried open an eyelid and looked closely. Her pupil was huge, dilated well beyond what they should have been. “Hmm, she's suffered quite a bit of trauma. All mental of course but she’s having a physical reaction to it.”

Garild looked terribly concerned. “What is that supposed to mean? Can't you help her?”

Tomias ignored him. “Oh, Herzin, you cruel old bat. Seems you bit off a bit more than you could chew this time, didn't you? Serves you right, using this much power against her.”

“Wait! What do you mean? What did she do?”

“Hush. I’ve got to retrieve her. Unless you’d rather me not and then you can blame yourself when she doesn’t wake up.” He bent over the girl and focused his powers, forcing them out towards her. He gently prodded his way into her mind, slipping through the cracked surface of her walls with practiced ease.

“Kirheen, wake up.” The words were faint, a distorted whisper that carried through her mind. With a flutter of her eyes, she woke up, pushing herself up into a sitting position. There was nothing around her but darkness, an endless night that seemed to go on forever. “Kirheen,” the voice whispered again. She shrank back in fear, searching for those hateful emerald eyes but they were nowhere to be seen.

The pain that had been her prison was no more. She was now alone in the darkness. It was strangely peaceful, a quiet place, and she found herself wanting to drift off. Sleep would be so nice, she thought to herself.

“Don’t fall asleep, Kirheen. You’ll never wake if you do.”

“Who are you,” she questioned, squinting as she tried to find the source of the voice. “I can’t see anything. There is nothing here.”

“I’m a friend. Don’t worry, I’ll show you. Can you see me?”

She looked around again, but there were only shadows. “No. There’s nothing.”

“Look harder.” Staring into the distance, she thought she could see a faint glow, but it was far off and she felt weak. For all she knew, it was just a trick. With all the strength she could muster, she stood, feeling a wave of nausea roll over her. 

“Where am I? Why can’t I see anything?”

“You’re lost, Kirheen. Your mind has you trapped. You need to find a way out.”

“My mind?”

“Yes. Now focus. Find a way.”

“Alright, I’ll try.” Taking an uneasy step forward, she was suddenly blinded by a blue light shining just below her foot. It disappeared as soon as she stopped moving, and once more she was surrounded by night. Odd, she thought. She took another step forward and the blue light flashed again. “I see light whenever I walk.”

“Do you trust it?”

Kirheen considered his words. She certainly didn’t feel fear, not the way she’d felt when those terrible green eyes bore down on her. “I guess so.”

“Then walk.” And so she did. It felt as though her journey would never end. On and on the blue lights went until it felt as though her strength had been drained from her body. She trudged forward, slowing with every step.

“I’m so tired. I don’t think I can make it. I thin—“Before she could finish her sentence, she stumbled forward. The darkness beneath her exploded into a burst of bright light and then she was falling. Big puffy clouds floated lazily around her, unaware of her panic as she tried hopelessly to grab on to anything that would stop her fall. Her hands slipped through rolling clouds, coming away slick with moisture. Far below her, she could see an ocean, bright and blue. She sped towards it, racing faster and faster, her heart feeling like it had lodged itself into her throat.

“Help me, I’m falling! I'm falling!”

“Trust yourself, Kirheen.”

“I can’t.”

Just before she hit the water, a scream burst from her. The cold water filled her open mouth, freezing the scream in her throat and stopping her lungs. Her heart hammered a final frantic beat before it too stopped.

Garild watched as Kirheen awoke with a gasp, her eyes wild with panic. She thrashed under the arms of Tomias, digging at his arms with her nails. Tomias refused to let go despite the obvious pain he felt each time her nails caught his flesh. “Kirheen, stop struggling. You're going to be alright. Breath.”

His voice was nearly drowned out by the sounds of Kirheen gulping for air. “I can't,” she gasped. “I ca-can't breathe.” Her nails found his hands and she clawed at his fingers, trying desperately to break his grip. Garild didn't understand why he didn't just let her go.

“Tomias, let go of her! She's awake now,” he cried, voice thick with concern. He flung himself forward on to the ground next to Kirheen and reached for her. Tomias shot him a warning glare and his hand faltered.

“Don't you dare,” Tomias said between gritted teeth. “Get out of the way. Now!” He turned his attention back to Kirheen, grabbing her arms and pinning them down. Her breathing had become more controlled and she'd stopped thrashing about. “Breathe, girl. If you go back to that place, you'll never return. Stay here with my voice. Right here. Good.”

“I'm trying,” she moaned, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sucked in air through her nose and released it through her mouth, calming herself.

“That's good. Again.”

Garild stared helplessly. He wanted to do something to help her but he felt lost. Reaching out, he took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. Suddenly he could feel it, the panic coursing through her veins, her racing heart, the ache of her lungs. All of the fear and the pain was his and he gasped as it overtook him. He heard Tomias shout, but through the fog he couldn’t make out what he’d said. He struggled to separate himself from the pain, to hold it back but it was a violent rage, a tsunami of emotions that drowned him.

He felt hands digging into his arms and he was yanked backwards. His hand slipped out of Kirheen’s and he found himself flat on his back, Fenir looming over him with a disapproving frown. His head pounded, though whether it was from hitting the floor or the wave of fear he’d just felt, he couldn’t be sure. He pushed himself up slowly.

“This is the second time you’ve made a fool of yourself, Garild,” Tomias chided. Kirheen lay by his side sound asleep, her face peaceful. “But, lucky for you, it’s only your first day. You’ll learn.”

“I’m not so sure I want to learn anymore,” Garild groaned, rubbing his forehead. “What happened?”

“It would require far more of an explanation then I can provide now, but put simply, Kirheen just entered your mind. In her current state, she couldn’t quite control that.”

Garild looked horrified. “Is that what it’s like every time?”

“Oh! By the Allseer herself, no! Not in the slightest. If it were so, you really think anyone would let it happen? She merely transferred some of her feelings to you, her minds way of easing the pain she was feeling.”

“So what I felt…”

“Those were her emotions, everything she was feeling at that moment. While normally I would scold you for making such a stupid mistake, it did allow me the chance to seal her mind so for that you have my thanks. How are you feeling?”

“My head feels like it’s going to split apart. Is she going to be alright?”

Tomias smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked dreadfully exhausted, as if the use of his powers had aged him ten years. “Just fine. It might take her a few days to fully recover. Such a thing can be awfully tiring, especially when you aren’t expecting it. She’ll need lots of rest, so don’t let her go running off seeking revenge just yet… or ever for that matter.”

“What about Herzin?” He glanced behind him. Fenir had knelt down, scooping her up off the ground. She hung limp in his arms, in the same deep slumber as Kirheen. “Will she be okay?”