Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) (17 page)

Without further prompting, Chel closed her eyes and got silent as she tuned in to listen for the birds. After not more than a couple minutes or maybe not even that long, Chel sat with her knees tucked up to her chest, her eyes closed, and smiling sweetly, said, “They’re singing.” The three of them stood close to Chel. Daegan and Finn were watching the trees and listening to hear the birds but all they heard were the tweeting and chirps that the average human would hear, except that due to their sensitive hearing they could hear them even at a distance. Kaeleigh, however, was watching Chel with the smile of a proud parent watching their child discovering a new toy. When no one said anything Chel continued, “They’re singing about
them
, the trees. It’s beautiful. It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Not even in complete sentences or thoughts, but more impressions and feelings: Strength, protection, guardians, growth, nurturing, alliances... then there is an element of sadness, pain, and betrayal at the sickness of the land and the darkness. Then another resurgence of hope and newness.” After a moment, Chel opened her tear-filled eyes and uncomfortably shifted as she regained herself.

After a few minutes of silence, they approached the river and lapped at it with their hands then filled the water canteens that Hunter had given them. He had said that their bottles they had for water would make them stand out and right now they were trying to blend in. The water was from the mountain spring—cold and fresh. Diamonds glinted off the surface where the sun was reflected. They sat and enjoyed the peace of it all, the slight breeze in the air, and the comfort from the trees. A tendril of Kaeleigh’s hair blew into her face. She reached back and tied her hair into a knot and when she looked up she caught Daegan glancing at her out the corner of his eyes. Quickly she looked up at the trees with gratitude for this brief respite. They were sitting on the grassy bank of the stream surrounded by random patches of flowers and small plant life that Kaeleigh had never seen before. They had a very ethereal look to them and almost a life to them as they swayed to an unheard melody. The trees scattered among them along the banks of the river on both sides appeared to be swaying as well, perhaps to the song of the birds. If Kaeleigh didn’t look directly at them, she swore she could see movement within the trees, like an overexposed picture where two images seemed to blur together creating the illusion of a single image unto itself. As soon as she looked directly at it, however, all she could see was the tree itself.

Kaeleigh frowned, wanting so desperately to see what the
trees
looked like. What had Finn said? They were part of the Dryad clan—they were part tree and part human in Greek mythology, right? Could that be more than just legend? As if sensing that she was thinking about him, Finn looked curiously at her, questioning the look on her face.

Looking over Chel at Finn on the far end she asked him, “You said that the trees are part of the Dryad clan. Is that the same Dryads Greek mythology describes as entities that can sometimes be in human form and sometimes in tree form?” Kaeleigh couldn’t believe that was the case, but as soon as she asked Finn, she saw the answer affirmed in his eyes before he even said anything. Her eyes widened, but she waited for him to respond.

Finn nodded slowly. “The Dryads are an ancient race, but they have been driven close to extinction. They are not from here, but have escaped...” His expression dropped and his eyes became sad and Kaeleigh realized there were depths of sensitivity in Finn that she had never seen before under his tough protective exterior. “Well, not all escaped, very few actually did, and they have taken refuge here in Alandria. In Lenoria, their birthplace—along with most of the races here—they were a revered and neutral party until the first of the uprisings began and threatened to destroy them if they did not take a side amongst the courts.”

“They didn’t, did they?” Kaeleigh asked reverently. Daegan stood now, but listened closely to Finn’s story. Chel sat riveted as she usually did when people talked about history, especially now that the history was hers.

Finn shook his head. “No, they didn’t, and the then black court began to burn and destroy the ancient woods. Legend speaks of their majesty that beheld a life and beauty unmatched by any forest you could find to this day.” He caught his tongue and bowed respectfully toward the holly tree as if he feared he just offended her, but nothing happened so he continued his story. “Those who could flee in their human form did so and were exiled here, but to their relief they were able to plant new roots, so to speak.” He cocked his head with a smirk, satisfied with his joke.

Standing up abruptly, Finn extended his hand down to Kaeleigh. “I have an idea, if she’ll allow it. Come on!” Kaeleigh took his hand, looking at both Chel and Daegan while shrugging her shoulders. Chel followed behind them and Daegan stood where he was, cautiously watching as they walked up to the holly tree.

“Holly? I’m glad to see that you are thriving well. I have never forgotten your kindness to me. If it is not too much trouble I was hoping you could show Kaeleighnna your history.”

Kaeleigh slid Finn a look at the use of her formal name, which he had never done before, but she waited to see what would happen.

Daegan sucked in his breath. “Finn,” he said with a low warning, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. It would be like she was living through it.”

Kaeleigh’s head snapped back to Daegan. “I can handle myself, and the more I can learn the more knowledge I have to help me understand this place.”

Daegan put his hands up to warn her off. “So you’ve mentioned,” he quietly grumbled though knowing she could hear him.

“I would be honored,” Kaeleigh humbly whispered to the tree. Her eyes lit up as she saw shoots of color emanate from the core of the tree and surround her, embracing her like a warm blanket of welcome. She nodded at Finn then brought her hand to rest on the trunk of the tree, feeling the smooth and knotty surface. Kaeleigh had always thought of holly trees as more of a bush but she was quite a large, substantial tree.

Instantaneously, she felt drawn in by Holly, mentally absorbed into the tree until she was looking out at the world around her. The perspective was surreal. Ironically like looking through a kaleidoscope and yet having perfect clarity was the only Kaeleigh could describe it. Brilliant colors she had never seen before, then it all faded into darkness as she was pulled into Holly’s memories, revealed to Kaeleigh in emotions, clips, and image flashes as they burst into her vision.

Danger. Fear. Adrenaline. Anxiety.

Children stood outside a circle of adults mixed amongst trees. Tall, willowy, adults, some even transitioning between tree and human, with branches retracting back into their bodies and trunks changing—separating—into legs. Limbs both tree and human were animated, intense in discussion. Something was happening.

All heads turned in one direction, perhaps toward a noise. Fear. Everyone scattered, gripping hands of the children. Up above, elaborate tree houses connected with swinging bridges. A young boy poked his head out in surprise and fear. He nodded, but couldn’t get down from where he was. He had to run across the bridge to the furthest end of the tree houses where the staircase that encircled the largest tree was.

Panic and chaos. The boy continued to find his way down from the trees.

It was closing in... they were suffocating. There were trees that were “grounded”—sacred. Dark Elves—Ónarach—fired arrows of fire. Smoke.

The boy ran out from behind the trees. Relief. He was getting closer, reaching out his hand.

Pain. The boy fell to the ground, eyes wild with terror, a flaming arrow sticking out of his back. Burning.

Running. The fires spread, burning and extinguishing everything in its path. Adults and some of the trees were fighting the Ónarach. Useless.

Death. Anger. Sadness. Loss.

The golden tears that seemed to be a new fixture for her were flowing down her face as she shook off the pain and sadness of Holly’s memory. It took her a minute to regain herself and to truly grasp that it was Holly’s memory and not hers. Feeling comfort flowing through her back, she looked up, shocked to see him there. At some point during the vision, Daegan had stepped up beside Kaeleigh and placed his hand on her back. She stared at him until realization hit her that he had wanted to
feel
whatever it was that she was being shown. Kaeleigh was glad he had experienced it too, that she didn’t have to bear that pain alone as her heat sank just a little. Not knowing what to say to Holly she threw herself at the tree and wrapped her arms around the trunk, whispering, “I’m so very sorry.”

After collecting herself, Kaeleigh recounted the memory for Finn and Chel, also giving Daegan a clearer picture than what he had been able to pick up through his empathic channels. Finn asked him about it as it wasn’t a common gift among “their” people, but all Daegan would offer was a shoulder shrug and “interesting” in a mysteriously, sarcastic tone which just infuriated Finn even more so when it came to Daegan.

After minutes of debate as to what their next move was considering the dawn was now starting to rise, they decided they needed to cross the river at the Crossing of Lumei and head toward the Ga’raldrath Mountains. Only once they were across, they were no longer alone.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

In a bit of a daze, still trying to separate her own mind from Holly’s memories, Kaeleigh didn’t see that her group had stopped abruptly right in front of her until it was too late and she ran straight into Finn’s rigid back. Immediately, she felt Chel by her side and Finn’s arm outstretched before her so that she wouldn’t cross him.

Confused, she blurted out, “What are you guys...” But her voice faltered as she looked up and saw what was blocking their path.

Six shiny and intimidating black horses stood side by side led by one white horse a ways in front of them, each saddled with riders garbed in what looked like warrior’s armor. The horses stood eerily motionless except for the one in the middle that took a couple steps forward; apparently not only the rider but also the horse were the leaders of this ethereal looking crew. Kaeleigh and Chel exchanged brief looks and then looked from Finn to Daegan, who oddly seemed a bit more relaxed than Finn. Still, Daegan held his hand on the hilt of the sword draped inconspicuously at his side.

The lead rider, face still as stone, began to dismount from his steed. Kaeleigh wasn’t even sure if these were called horses—they looked like horses but with a few additions and an overall fey look to them. Their ears were larger and more pointy than any horse she had seen. The horses’ fur was almost shaggy, making them look a little like gigantic dogs. And they had long manes and tails like the Pure Spanish horses she remembered learning about in school mainly because Chel couldn’t believe how amazing they looked. Their most striking feature, however, was their practically glowing silver eyes.

The height and authoritative air about the man from atop his horse was deceptive, as he was visibly younger than she had first thought. A little taller than Daegan, he had floppy brownish blond hair, sharp features including the pointy ears that indicated a kind of Faerie—probably one of the Ferrishyn if his build was any indication—and laced with an arrogance that made Kaeleigh want to slap him.
Yep, most definitely a warrior.
Kaeleigh rolled her eyes.

In fact, just looking at him made her jagged and exhausted emotions flare quicker and more out of control than she realized until the stranger approaching her gave her a quick glance. Daegan, clearly irritated if the look he had just shot her told her anything, turned his attention back to the young man as she quickly got it under control.

The arrogance flowed off the man when his fellow riders began to dismount presumably to stand at his side, but he merely gave them the slightest signaled wave to stay put, and they did. He was clearly in control and wanted to show it off. He gave a slight twitch of his mouth then said in a tone lower than what sounded natural, “Do you dare disrespect me, you insolent fool!” as he pointed toward Daegan. His shout was a bit dramatic in Kaeleigh’s opinion and apparently Chel’s since she rolled her eyes and stood up a little straighter with hands on her hips. Kaeleigh stifled a smile and a giggle and grabbed Chel’s arm and yanked her to stand down when Daegan glared at her most angrily. Finn gathered both Chel and Kaeleigh behind him in a protective stance.

Daegan grimaced and grumbled something incoherent even to Kaeleigh, who could usually hear him. Then louder for all to hear he replied with a slight inclination of his head, “My apologies, sire. I was merely caught unaware by your presence. What can your servant do for you?” The last part was said through clenched teeth, as if it cost everything he had not to lash out at the man who was obviously asking for it and enjoying seeing Daegan at this disadvantage.

Kaeleigh couldn’t believe what she heard and whipped her head around to look at Daegan. She wouldn’t believe that Daegan would ever allow someone to talk to him that way. Then Kaeleigh really looked at the man in front of them. There was some kind of knowledge in both their eyes, but she couldn’t understand what kind of danger they were in, if any.

“My lady is uneasy and requiring your presence with no further delay. I am to accompany you for the remainder of your journey.” The young man stared directly into Daegan’s eyes, as if willing him to understand more than what he was saying.

Understanding dawned upon Daegan without any break in their interaction other than the barest widening of his eyes. “I do wish to convey my sincerest apologies to my lady. We had unexpected deterrents as we progressed through the forest of Dul Isteach. All is well and we were taking the most direct route to her throne room.”

Shock ran through Kaeleigh at his admission to where he was leading them. She knew that in the beginning they were headed to where he came from, as that was his mission. Since they had left Holly and the other Dryads at the river they had decided to try to find her father to understand more of what her journey might hold. Anger rose up in her suddenly. She felt betrayed. Even though she quickly tempered it, somehow Daegan still felt it and she saw him flex his free hand into a fist. She didn’t care, she couldn’t believe that he would lie to them, to
her,
about where he was taking them.
Get through this situation, then confront him,
Kaeleigh thought to herself, taking a deep breath.