The Realms of Animar (28 page)

“Do you know why I have asked you here Ash?” Fatalis asked.

“I can guess.”

“You could but you would be wrong. I need you Ash. I need your kind in my ranks. Mordigal betrayed you - he betrayed all of us - but most of all you. That day, you could have been killed like most he took on that mission. It is only because you are strong that you survived.”

Ash shook his head slowly. “But I killed the vulture for nothing. He was right about Mordigal. If the oracle had not told you I would have always doubted…”

“On the contrary, that was one of your finest moments. Boldness creates respect and your actions created fear from everyone present that day and many who weren’t. Your kind is a master of death Ash and you need to remember that. Never regret your actions. That foul creature deserved to die long before your blade struck his throat. And this woman, Mordigal’s love, you knew of her from the past, correct? Your kind mates for life, does it not?”

Fatalis worked his words carefully. He had planned this conversation well in advance. He was brilliant.

“I knew about Trussil, he spoke of her often. He had dreams about her, sad dreams. I just never thought that he would betray me. Betray us.”

“And Ellyn, you loved her?”

“I did,” Ash replied painfully.

How sad
, Fatalis thought to himself,
Ellyn never even loved the pitiful wretch.

“A man of your talents, of your strengths, how can you not desire vengeance?”

“I have thought about it of course, if I ever see him again. But Mordigal knows how we fight. If he is helping them as the oracle told you he will expect the worst and be ready.”

“Not even your dear brother will know what is coming. Our lands have never seen an army like that I will unleash. When it is over this war will be the stuff of legends and the other realms will fear our kind for eternity. It will be a slaughter Ash, they will fall swiftly and they will feed our bellies for years. They are the weak and this is their purpose.”

Their eyes locked for a moment. Fatalis could feel the blood beginning to pulse through the wolf once more, the hunger building. He motioned for Ash to come to the ledge where he stood so that he could see what waited down below.

Curiosity showed on his brow as Ash approached the cliff. Slowly the valley floor came into view and where he expected to see an assortment of trees and rock, his eyes feel upon an incredible sight, an unbelievable, heart pounding sight that drove his rage and pushed adrenaline through his veins in a euphoric rush. There below, instead of a field of trees or a flowing river, were countless tents and hundreds, no thousands of soldiers, scurrying about like ants. An ocean of warriors of all sizes and makes who had answered the call of war and were hungry for flesh, anxious to serve and give meaning to their otherwise tedious lives. Ash had seen the village; he knew they would not stand a chance against an army of this size.

As Ash looked upon the masses waiting below, Fatalis continued, “Behold the strength of my voice. More are coming, thousands more from all across the land. Winter passes in just a matter of weeks and we will march toward victory. By my side you can lead us to them Ash. Only you can show us the way.”

The assassin did not reply, he simply continued to stare in awe, his jaw agape. As he pondered what Fatalis had said, his value finally stuck him. With Critias dead, only he and the other survivor of their original pack, Tobias, knew the way to the village, and Tobias was old and weak. At last Ash understood why Fatalis had not thrown him from the cliff.

Fatalis saw life return to the assassin’s eyes and he continued, “Imagine the respect, the power you will feel standing by my side as we march this hoard of mercenaries across the land. We will conquer them swiftly and feast upon their remains. Take charge of your pack and lead them to victory and the wolves will bow to you until the end of your days and your children will inherit your honor. Lead us to them Ash and this incredible force will be the element of your revenge.”

A dark smile then formed on Ash’s lips and Fatalis knew he had succeeded. The fire of hate had been stoked and the wolves were once again empowered. His mission had been successful and another pawn in his army had been placed.

Chapter 30

T
he sun warmed her body as the owl soared, a graceful creature slicing through the air with remarkable ease upon delicate wings formed from a palette of brown and tan feathers. Above trees and rivers, mountains and valleys she flew, pressing onward as an invisible force of cold surged against her, seemingly anxious to prevent Trussil from reaching her destination.

Far beneath her elegant glide, the wintry land seemed beautifully tranquil and, like all moments spent flying with the clouds, peace enveloped her in a calming embrace. Oh how she had missed flying, especially in the crisp morning air.

As Trussil flew her keen eyes surveyed the ground below, at times spotting movement from even the smallest of creatures, and she wondered where the others were in their journeys, in particular of course, the man she loved.

Although they had lived apart for so long since their recent reunion her heart ached from having to leave him yet again. She knew he had given up everything for her, his way of life and his family, he could never return to them. Now she only hoped they had another chance for a life together, away from conflict and war, where they could enjoy the rest of their days in peace and happiness. She had to hope, it was all she had in the dark days that lied ahead.

Trussil fought the worry from her mind as she spotted familiar trees on the horizon. Descending as she advanced, her mind was filled with conflicting, anxious feelings. She did not know how she would be received. It had been so long ago that she had left home, abandoned her kind in a bitter show of defiance for their way of life. She vowed never to return to Ovion, never again to walk among her heartless kind who cast aside their own so easily. Never again, that is, until she needed them.

The towering trees grew closer, massive reddish woods that stretched high into the sky, their tops still covered by a mosaic of brownish leaves, made possible by the more suitable temperatures of the southern region in which they lived. Her tired wings yearned for relief and Trussil searched for a place to land. Then her pace quickened, along with her heart, as the outer edge of the first platform came into view.

There were numerous bird habitats spread throughout Animar but Ovion was the largest and generally housed several thousand at any given time. It served as home for countless species and had been established long before Trussil had been born, long before the ground dwellers multiplied and the chaos of their ways threatened the peace that was the Avian way of life.

She had been born there, raised upon its numerous circular platforms and had planned to live out her days within the magnificently created wooden structures that had been built among the trees, connected by countless ropes and flowing bridge-like walkways.

Her people were skilled carpenters, master artisans of wood trained from birth, and their talents were evident throughout the settlement. The structures in which they lived and worked were angular and unique, with intricate latticework, sloped roofs to facilitate the run-off of rain and arched, open walls that allowed each structure to breathe the air that was their life. Although they lived over a hundred feet from the forest floor, there were no rails around the platforms, no safety measures or other means to prevent falls. Quite simply, such measures were not needed for a population that could take flight in an instant.

From the ground, there was but one point of accession to the sprawling habitat, a heavily guarded spiral stairway that ran up the central tree upon which Ovion had been constructed. This pillar of their home, an ancient, massive tree thought to be thousands of years old, was known by their people as the Tree of Life.

Apart from serving as the rarely used entrance to the habitat for those who could not fly, the main platform also housed the civil structures where laws were passed, crimes reviewed and punishment handed forth. These were necessary tools in a strong thriving culture such as theirs, yet despite the arrogant belief that so many of its inhabitants maintained, theirs was not a perfect society, far from it. Sadly, this was a fact Trussil knew all too well.

Ovion was spectacular and breathtaking and although never discussed, far beneath the community of beautiful people who cherished their idyllic lives spent soaring in the sky and living upon the amazing architectural wonder they called home, a much darker side to their world loomed. Ignored by their citizens, conveniently pushed aside from thought, it nonetheless existed, painfully close. Far below, dwelling in the shadows and buried under a canopy of trees and wood that cast the forest floor into everlasting darkness rarely pierced by light, there lurked creatures of a different nature, hungry and evil, anxiously waiting for the next to fall. They were the kind that fed the nightmares of the children above, their howls and moans at times lifting into the air and serving as a reminder to the Avians that they were not alone.

Trussil landed on the large wooden platform and morphed seamlessly into her human form. Although she could hear voices nearby, mingled with the familiar sounds of countless birds waking to the morning air, no greeters awaited and no guards manned the outer platform. She was alone.

A single wooden walkway, suspended by rope, led from the platform to more central areas of the habitat, where she could see people bustling about and paying her no attention. She was just another of their kind.

As she crossed the bridge and more of the place she once called home came into view, Trussil was surprised how little had changed. For some reason she had expected something else, a sense of unfamiliarity perhaps. But, alas, she knew her way well.

For weeks she had planned her return to Ovion. Although to many the return home might be a joyful moment, a blissful reunion to old friends and warm memories, Trussil had been terrified of the moments that drew near. Sleepless nights had kept her awake as she pondered her words to those that she intended to visit. Instead of stopping to visit long lost friends or distant relatives, she headed straight to the home of their leaders, carrying with her a heavy heart that struggled to conceal an emotional dam that threatened to burst at any moment.

After a brisk walk across several bridges and platforms, past several faces who stared at her as they struggled to place her in their past, Trussil arrived at the home of Airulli and Illuria, leaders of Ovion, and the very souls that had crushed her spirit one fateful day so long ago.

She glanced across the suspended walkway that led to the tree where their home stood and spotted the pair through a large open archway. They were seated side by side at a fairly ornate table, apparently enjoying a pleasant morning meal, sharing a laugh as they gazed out into the trees that surrounded them.

The leaders of Ovion looked unchanged despite the years that had past. Like most Avians, they were beautiful and thin, of low to average height and dramatically high cheekbones and angular features. Airulli was of equal height to his twin sister and had short blonde hair while she had longer golden locks as straight as an arrow. Typical of the twins, they were dressed in the finest of clothes that utilized nearly every hue imaginable to emphasize their elegance. As Trussil began across the bridge, she was fairly certain she was about to sour the mood of the regal pair.

Hearing her footfalls as she approached, Illuria was the first to notice their visitor. Her jaw dropped immediately and Airulli quickly turned to learn what had silenced his beloved sister. The shock that fell upon his face was a priceless treat that, no matter the outcome of their discussion, Trussil would cherish for eternity.

The twins stood as she approached. Although a decade had separated them, there were no screams of delight or rushed embraces on this day. Time had not healed the rift between them. Nothing would.

Feigning a smile, Trussil greeted them, “Airulli, Illuria, good morning to you both.”

After a rather uncomfortable pause hung in the air, Airulli responded, “Alexandra Trussil, how…unexpected it is to see you.” He motioned to an empty seat across from them at the table. “You look tired so please, have a seat. Would you like something to eat? Some water perhaps? Berries?”

“Oh no thank you,” Trussil replied. “My appetite has gotten away from me suddenly.”

Airulli and Illuria glanced at one another, obviously aware of the insult that had been thrown at them.

Trussil then pulled out one of the two empty chairs and lowered herself down. Her muscles ached; sitting was a relief. She watched as Airulli poured some water from a pitcher and handed her a mug.

After a brief moment to collect her thoughts Trussil peered into the eyes of the twins. They were both beautiful, without question. In a society filled with stunning men and women molded from the finest stock in all the land, the pair sparkled like stars in the sky. To Trussil, however, due to a painful past they were vile and horrible, as if misshapen at birth or maimed by some unfortunate twist of fate. She struggled just to look upon them.

Finally breaking the silence Illuria spoke. “Obviously you did not come here for a social call. You were quite clear when you left.”

Trussil took a nervous sip from the mug. Her heart pounded. Maybe this was a mistake. She swallowed hard and replied, “This is not easy for me as you can probably tell. I can assure you that I would have not come back unless it was absolutely necessary. I…we…need your help and quite honestly, we do not have anywhere else to turn.”

Illuria shook her head in disbelief and a sarcastic smile formed on her lips. She turned to her brother who had leaned back in his chair, not as amused.

Before either of the twins could reply Trussil continued, “As you may know, I have lived for several years in a settlement far to the East where I have taught children, children I could grow attached to without…without concern. It’s mostly a herbivore village but there are a few others among us. I have had to adapt a bit which of course has been an adjustment. Any way, this settlement is sheltered from the rest of the world by a dessert and mountains, so for quite some time we have been able to live peacefully, happily. A few months ago a vulture that was working with a pack of coyotes stumbled upon us. We were able to fight them off easily enough, but it turns out they were minions of a vile carnivore leader who has been scouring the land in search of a special boy who happens to be one of my students.”

“Another special student,” Illuria said with a smirk. “Of course.”

“Cut to the chase Trussil,” Airulli added. “We know why you are here. Melodia told us she warned you of the carnivore attack.”

Trussil was shocked.

“Oh please,” Illuria said. “Don’t be hard on your friend. You know we are not easy to deceive. She didn’t divulge the location of your precious Avryn, not that we really care.”