The Realms of Animar (41 page)

A thunderous roll then filled her ears. It came not from the sky above but somewhere to her front, deeper in the woods, in the direction she was heading. She stopped and listened. The sound steadily increased and grew louder with each panicked breath she took.

Trussil then felt a strange sensation in her feet and looked down only to notice to her dismay that the leaves had begun to shake as if the ground itself trembled with fright. She turned in a circle and tried to spot the source as the horrible sound grew louder, now almost on top of her.

A wave of movement then erupted from the depths of the forest. She quickly darted behind a tree, hoping to hide from the next wave of soldiers that had come to join the assault. She was now trapped between two carnivore forces. Her chance for escape had vanished.

Trussil closed her eyes and winced as each beast thundered past, knowing that at any moment a fatal strike could find her. She smelled their awful breath, felt the thumping of their paws on the ground and heard the shouts from the humans among them as the charge toward the village was ordered.

To her surprise a familiar voice called out to her. “Now that is a peculiar place to nap,” the man said.

Trussil looked up and was quite surprised by the figure that loomed above her. It was one of the lost triplets that had left with Mordigal and Caballus weeks prior. She smiled, not only because she was happy to see him, but also because the appearance of such a short man atop a giant elephant struck her as really quite humorous.

“Why mister, well, which of you is it?” she asked as she stood up and dusted the dirt from her tattered dress. A parade of animals continued by - horses, bison, hogs, and countless smaller breeds - the variety was impressive. Mixed in were quite a few in human form as well, armed and ready to fight.

“I would be Clotch of course,” the man replied with a grin. “I hope we aren’t too late. We got lost and had a devil of a time finding the way back.”

The smile then vanished from Trussil’s lips. “The village was overrun a short time ago,” she said sadly. “I don’t know how many are left. The carnivore army is lingering around the front and a pack of cats is heading this way. They should be here any minute.”

Clotch nodded and looked around as the animals he and his brother had recruited continued past. “Well, Blotch and I somehow convinced about five hundred or so that they had nothing else better to do. A few kittens won’t last very long.”

“Just you and Blotch?” Trussil asked, noting the missing third.

“Splotch didn’t make it,” he replied grimly.

Trussil was shaken. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.”

Clotch sat up a bit. “Well, Blotch and I decided that two of us are better than none so here we are.” He then quickly added, “We better get moving. Want a ride?”

“Absolutely,” Trussil said.

She waited for the elephant to slowly lower itself to the ground. Freshly invigorated, she ignored the pain in her arm when Clotch helped her onto the giant animal’s back. Help was on the way. She only hoped there were some left to save.

Chapter 39

N
ight had fallen over Avryndale, mercifully hiding the carnage that remained strewn about their once peaceful village. The remainder of the carnivore army had been dispatched by the reinforcements and although calm had been restored to the land a time of rebuilding had just begun. Families were shattered but life, for now, would go on.

Felia grasped the handle of the door and stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes. She needed to compose herself before entering the bedroom. She felt a faint breeze and watched as her shadow bounced around the surface of the door when the candle held by the man behind her was shaken from its slumber.

“You’re sure?” she whispered without turning to face Papio.

He paused. She already knew his answer.

“I’m sorry,” Papio replied softly.

Felia sighed, closed her eyes and then took a deep breath before she opened the door. In the dimly lit room Avryn was lying on a bed surrounded by a number of his friends. They watched in silence as she entered, anxious for news on his condition.

She looked over at Thane who was seated in the far corner staring at the floor. She knew that he was exhausted and needed sleep but despite her pleadings he would not leave his father.

It had taken all of her efforts just to convince him to concede a quick bath and change of clothes so that he might once again look like her son. The blood was washed away and the strange glow had faded from his eyes. But as she studied him she wondered if he would ever look the same to her again. In the blink of an eye her boy had turned into a man and had become the instrument of death that had so incredibly defended their village. She had not told him that she had been hiding, watching from a nearby shop while he had so savagely cut down their enemies. It was a horrific site that she would never forget.

Bandaged from battle, Guderian was standing beside the bed holding Avryn’s hand. Beside him was Joli, who clung to her husband in a warm embrace. A brief smile formed on Felia’s lips as she looked at the couple. Not all had been lost.

Felia closed the door behind her and approached the bed. She gently placed the palm of her hand on Avryn’s forehead and his eyes slowly opened. They were as beautiful as the day they had met.

“Rest my love,” she said softly.

Avryn’s gaze met hers for a moment and then he slowly looked around the room. “Thane?” he asked weakly.

“I’m here father,” Thane said as he jumped to his feet.

Avryn smiled. “Good. I didn’t see you.”

“Mordigal?” the king asked. “Trussil?”

“They were here but left with Airulli a few hours ago,” Guderian said. “They wanted to stay but they were running out of time. They had sworn to help the Avians.”

“It’s ok,” Avryn said. “I know what they have to do. What about you? I believe you also had a debt to repay?”

“I’m leaving with the Aquans in a few days,” Guderian replied.

“We,” Joli corrected.

The king smiled weakly then concern formed on his face. “And what of Arodon? Did he make it?”

“He survived but had some nasty wounds,” Guderian replied. “He and the other Aquans that survived are recovering in the river.”

Avryn took a pained breath and looked at the faces that surrounded him. “Everyone is so sad,” he whispered. “Please, please don’t let a wounded goat ruin our victory. We have so much to celebrate.” He then turned to Felia, “Organize a festival. The people will need it.”

She smiled and wiped a bead of sweat from his head. “Of course my sweet. I know how you love festivals.”

“Be happy,” Avryn said in a whisper before he shifted his gaze to Thane. “There is so much to look forward to.”

Then, with a faint gasp, he closed his eyes forever.

Chapter 40

F
iery embers climbed into the dusky sunset, cast forth from the ritual bonfire that marked the passage of life from the land. With so many having been buried over the days since the war had ended such ceremonies had sadly become commonplace. Unlike the others however, this particular event was witnessed by every surviving member of Avryndale – faithful followers who had adorned their very best attire to give final respects to their beloved king.

Although their love for him was deep, his pyre was no different than the others. There were no special ornaments or lengthy speeches. Avryn had simply wanted to leave the world as he had lived, as one of his people. To them however, he was more than a king. He had been a provider of dreams and a light in their darkness. Even in his passing he had left his people with hope.

Thane was awash in a warm embrace as he stood between his mother and Alia and stared into the surging orange flame, through his father’s shrouded body and into the hollows of his heart. Although he could hear the crackle of the branches and the words of comfort muttered by those nearby, all he could do was watch as the blaze slowly consumed the greatest person he had ever known.

Joining his sorrow, adding mercilessly to his pain, was a smothering burden that he could not shake. He could feel it in the countless eyes that watched his every move. He had fought off the carnivore army and with his father now gone he feared they would look to him for more.

Most his age would long for the power that came with being a king - the respect, the freedom. It was all within his grasp. Thane, however, wanted no part of it. His focus was elsewhere and it confused him.

He wondered why he was special, why his animalkind had changed into a mythical creature and he had been bestowed magical gifts that defied his wildest dreams. Had it been random chance? A bolt of lightning that had struck his mother’s womb?

No, there was something more and Thane knew it the moment he looked into the very eyes that had brought them so much pain. The monster who had slain his father, the madman who had brought destruction upon their peaceful village and shattered so many lives, that vile beast was a connection to him somehow. Although from far different parts of the world they shared in the one aspect that separated them from the others – they were different.

Desperate to free himself of this unwanted bond his mind pondered the possibility of others like them. There has to be others, those with a unique animalkind, strangers somehow connected by a thread of unimaginable power. It seemed too unlikely that he had crossed paths with the only other like him. No. There had to be more and he needed to find them.

Thane’s stare was shaken from the blaze when a figure stepped from the crowd and approached. It was Guderian.

The blacksmith gave Felia a brief hug then stood next to her and silently looked into the churning pyre. “How are you holding up?” he asked.

As if embarrassed she wiped her eyes, sniffled and then replied softly, “I’m fine. We’ll be fine.”

Guderian nodded and looked up at the stars. “You know what he would say.”

“I know, I know,” Felia replied quickly. She turned and glared at the blacksmith and continued, “He would say we should celebrate, he died for what he loved. I know what he would say and frankly I don’t care. I just want him back.”

Guderian lowered his head and returned his focus to the glowing cinders as they danced into the air. “The council will meet in a few days to nominate a new leader.” He glanced at Thane then added, “Temporary of course until he is ready.”

When the words struck his ears relief washed over Thane like a soaring waterfall. He glanced at Alia who stood silently next to him and when their eyes met he smiled and squeezed her hand. She had been there for him when he needed her most. He would have been lost without her.

“I know this is a sad time Felia but you know that we owe Avryn everything,” Guderian said. “His memory will last forever.”

Felia wiped her eyes then turned to the blacksmith. “I don’t want—,” she began before cutting herself off and issuing a surprising laugh. “Look at me. I’m a real mess, aren’t I?”

Guderian smiled. “It’s quite understandable.”

“So I heard you and Joli are heading back with the Aquans tomorrow,” Felia said, changing the subject skillfully.

Thane’s ears perked up.

“I hate to leave so soon,” Guderian replied. “They need our help but we could wait.”

Felia shook her head. “No, no go ahead. I’m sure they are anxious to get home. We’ll be fine. Just be careful.”

“So what is it they need help with?” Thane asked, finally breaking his silence.

Guderian glanced nervously at Felia before answering. “Nothing you should be worried about,” he said. “You have enough on your plate.”

“Come on, tell me,” Thane begged.

“Young man!” Felia scolded.

“I’m sorry,” Thane said. “But they just seem…connected to me somehow.”

An awkward silence fell upon them as glances were exchanged between Felia and Guderian. Finally the blacksmith turned to Thane and spoke, “Apparently there was a special girl among them, like you I suppose in that she had, well, unique abilities of some sort.”

Thane felt the rush of excitement as it sped through his veins. He couldn’t believe what he had heard, although one particular word disturbed him. “You said
was
?”

Guderian nodded. “Well, according to Arodon, a group of Aquans referred to as
dolphins
kidnapped this girl and are studying her on an island somewhere in the Great Sea. Arodon wants to rescue her but since they don’t move very well on land they need our help.”

“Did he say why these creatures kidnapped her?” Thane asked.

“No. I don’t think he knows for sure. The dolphins are the scholars of their kind but are evidently quite reclusive and devious, and likely quite dangerous. He thinks they are trying to figure out the source of her power.”

This was it! A clue to his destiny! Thane had to know more. “So they might know why this happened to me!”

Felia scowled. “What do you mean
why this happened to you
?”

“I suppose they might know something,” Guderian said. “I will tell you what we find when we return.”

“I have to come with you!” Thane blurted.

Felia grabbed her son by the shoulder and spun him to face her. “You will do no such thing!” she ordered. “I need you here with me. I can’t believe you would want to leave so soon after…”

“You don’t understand what it is like to be different,” Thane replied angrily. “Did you hear what I did to those men? Did you hear how I killed them? Why did I turn into this…this
monster
? Why did this have to happen to me?”

He took a breath and paused to fight the tears that had formed in his eyes. “If these Aquans know why this happened to me, how I changed, don’t you see why I have go? If nothing else you know I can help if there is a fight.”