Thaddeus looked over at Rourk; he looked
focused as he used an oil cloth to clean the blade of his sword.
This was going to be the first real battle for both.
“Are you nervous?” Thaddeus asked him.
Without looking up, Rourk replied, “No, just
excited. I want to make the dark elves pay for trying to keep me
from your sister. I know I’m not supposed to be excited, but I
can’t help it. Are you nervous? You have a lot of pressure on you.
Not to mention, you are very young.”
When Rourk’s gray eyes met his own, Thaddeus
felt the urge to be honest with him. “I’m nervous; I really have no
idea how I’m supposed to pull this off. I have to keep reminding
myself the burden is not on me, but on my gift and yet I have no
control over it.”
“You are very wise for your age.”
Thaddeus shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve never
felt my age.”
“What do you think of the rules of war?”
Thaddeus stared at Rourk thoughtfully before
he replied. “Well, it sucks we can’t use guns. I have to admit I’m
glad that fighting stops at nightfall. Of course, I’m happy with
the fact that we can use magic. However, that also means they can
use magic. What about you, what are your thoughts?”
“I think it’s important that we honor our
ancestors and keep with tradition.”
“I agree with you, that is the most important
element in all of this. Okay, well I need to get some sleep. Keegan
arrives tomorrow.”
“Yes, I know. Goodnight.”
***
The flight was long and uncomfortable. Eleven
hours in such a small space had left Keegan feeling deeply
unsettled, particularly knowing where the plane was taking her. She
was glad when they finally stepped off the plane and into the
bustle of the Shannon airport.
She had always wanted to visit Ireland but
thought it would be under better circumstances. As it was, she
barely had time to notice anything as Emerald pushed the family on
to the rental car place, her face tight and distressed. Brigid and
Katrina were unusually quiet.
The drive to the battlefield couldn’t have
taken an hour, but to Keegan it felt like forever. She wanted
equally to get there for a glimpse of Rourk, but she also knew once
they arrived, it would be real.
Emerald steered the car far away from
civilization and deep into the countryside of Ireland. Keegan kept
her forehead pressed to the cold glass, watching the small towns
and farmsteads pass outside. The sun was high in the sky,
illuminating mothers pushing their babies in strollers down
cobble-stoned streets and laughing people enjoying a late lunch at
outdoor pubs. As they moved further in the country, Keegan was
struck by the sight of an abandoned castle only a few feet from the
road, and an old, crumbling church sitting on a farm where a young
girl in big boots followed behind her father in the sheep pen. Life
was moving forward around her, while hers was coming to a
standstill.
They were all struck speechless by the scene
waiting for them at the camp.
The tents seemed to go on forever. Thousands
of soldiers were walking around in full gear, laughing and joking.
Some were gathered around campfires involved in deep conversation,
while others wiled away time by kicking a dirty soccer ball around.
The air was electrified and filled with the sound of voices and
clanking metal. Emerald closed her eyes and let her husband know
they had arrived.
Keegan watched as her father made his way
through the crowd and stopped to talk to some of the soldiers. She
smiled as he picked up a gifted child and tossed him in the air
causing the child to break out into a giggling fit. Elves made way
for him to pass. Eventually, he reached them.
“You guys are a sight for sore eyes. Follow
me and I’ll show you to your tents.”
Keegan glanced frantically around hoping to
catch a glimpse of Rourk. She knew it was hopeless, there were too
many people. The battle would commence at sunrise. Her heart ached
knowing they were so close but it still seemed they were worlds
apart.
After they had settled in to their own tents,
Keegan decided to take a walk around the camp; she wasn’t ashamed
to admit to herself she was hoping to find Rourk. She was surprised
to see all the different types of creatures. A tiger followed
closely by a lion and a panther almost knocked her down as they ran
around her.
The tiger walked up and rubbed his head on
her leg. She looked down and was startled to see human eyes peering
back at her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling she had seen them
before. The three big cats ran off, playfully swatting at each
other and rolling around. They seemed to be circling her. The lion
nudged her leg, and she looked down again and saw human eyes. She
looked over at the panther and thought
this can’t be possible
. Looking at
the tiger’s green eyes, she said, “Donald? Is that you?”
Right before her eyes, he morphed into his
human form. She had been around magic her whole life, so she wasn’t
surprised by the transformation, but she had never expected it from
him. “How is this possible? What are you guys? I know you’re not
elves. Have you known all along that I was one?”
Donald shrugged sheepishly. “I overheard your
thoughts the other day about the battle. So I called a few friends
who passed on the word. Creatures of the light from all walks of
life will be showing up.”
She threw her arms around him. “Thank you,
thank you, thank you.” His face turned bright red.
When she glanced back, Sam and Spencer were
standing there. “So, what are you guys?”
Spencer said, “Nothing as fancy as an elf. We
are your everyday, run-of-the-mill shape shifters. You would
actually be surprised if you knew how many of the students are
creatures of the light. Not to mention the principal.”
Keegan was indeed shocked. “What about
Calvron?”
“Wizard,” Donald said. She was having a hard
time adjusting to this information. All this time she thought she
was the only non-human at school.
“Lauren?”
“Fairy.”
No, this could not be true. “Anna?”
“She’s an unusual case. Her mom is a spirit
walker, and her father’s human. So we’re really not sure about
her.”
This was all so fascinating to Keegan;
everything she had thought she’d known about her world was wrong.
She was also a little miffed that they had kept their secrets from
her. Like she was one to talk, though—she’d kept her own secrets.
“What about Katie?”
“Human.”
Keegan sighed. At least something was the way
she imagined it to be.
T
he next morning Keegan awoke to blood-curdling
screams and the sound of swords clashing. The battle had begun.
Looking around, she realized everyone was out of the tent except
her. How could they let her sleep in today of all days?
Keegan walked out of the tent and stared in
awe at the chaos surrounding her. She was too far from the battle
to see the actual fighting, but she could hear it. The noises and
smells overwhelmed her senses. The clanging of steel against steel,
the screams, and an overall eerie feeling filled her body. The
coppery smell of blood filled the air.
Just outside the tent, her mother was healing
a wounded soldier. The soldier was so young; she immediately
thought of Rourk. She couldn’t allow herself to think that way. He
would be fine. He had to be.
“Katrina, what can I do?” Keegan asked as
Katrina hurried up to Emerald, a dark bottle in her hands.
Falling to her knees next to her sister,
Katrina opened the bottle to pour into the man’s wounds. “Grab some
towels and bring them over here. After that, help tend to the
wounded. I know you can’t heal them, but you can do basic first aid
while they are waiting for a healing.”
Keegan rushed off to help. The reality of war
was starting to hit her.
***
Richard was in his element. His fingers
tingled as he touched his weapon of choice. This time it was the
Kusarigama, a sickle and chain combo that originated in Japan as
early as the twelfth century. A thick fog blanketed the green
rolling hills, reducing visibility to only two or three feet. It
had gotten to the point where Richard was unsure if one of his
weather manipulators had caused the fog, or the dark elves.
Many of the dark elves had chosen larger,
heavier bladed weapons. Those weapons needed to be swung with
considerable force to be effective. In the fog, they risked hitting
their own kind as much as hitting the enemy. The kusarigama felt
like it was alive. The way it blocked, entangled and then killed
each opponent brought into its path was like a dance, with Richard
moving naturally along, exerting just enough energy to avoid tiring
too soon. He killed many dark elves that day.
Thaddeus was grateful for the fog of war. One
of the gifted had covered the battlefield in fog so that one could
see the person they were directly engaged with. He could
concentrate better this way. The one-on-one was better for him.
When he could see all the fighting around him, it was distracting
to see flashes of their deaths. His visions helped when he was
facing off with only one enemy. A flash of his opponent’s head
flying caused Thaddeus to raise his sword and swiftly send his head
flying, and then it was on to the next. He felt slightly
exhilarated.
Rourk felt nothing. All that was running
through his head was to kill as many of the bastards as he could.
He had never felt so relaxed in his life. It was almost as if his
body was floating, although he knew he was firmly planted on the
ground. He wished the fog would lift so he could take on more than
one at a time.
The battle raged on all day. Eventually the
fog lifted; it didn’t last too long. Scores were killed on both
sides. The noise was deafening. Emerald was consumed with healing
along with all the other healers. They saved countless lives, but
there were also those that were beyond help. It was hard for her to
see the young soldiers she was unable to save. The older soldiers
she knew died doing what they loved. They would be remembered as
heroes; it’s what all great warriors hoped for. To die during the
great battle brought even more honor.
Night descended upon them and relief was felt
throughout the camp. Everyone was exhausted and in need of a hot
meal and sleep. Keegan helped served food to the soldiers. The men
looked a mixture of exhilarated and exhausted. Energy was
definitely coursing through the camp. In every face she looked
into, she longed to see Rourk’s grey eyes, but it was not to
be.
Keegan ran into the three cats. Once she
approached them, they morphed into their human forms. They were
talking excitedly between themselves about the battle and how it
was cool.
“Hey Keegan,” Sam said.
“You guys look like you enjoyed yourself,”
she told them quietly, still in shock herself.
“Keegan, it is amazing out there. I feel like
a different person. I’m so focused, and my senses are hyper aware.
I can’t really explain it, but it’s amazing.” Sam looked down at
the ground when he finally stopped talking.
“Well, glad you guys are enjoying yourself.
Be careful out there tomorrow. I have to finish passing out food.
I’ll let you guys get back to your war stories.”
They said goodnight and continued on with
their excited chatter.
Looking up and seeing the huge orange moon,
Keegan realized it was her birthday. Usually she made a big ordeal
of it, reminding everyone not to forget to get her a gift. This
year she thought she would give up all her birthdays if they
prevailed in the battle.
After helping clean up, she headed to her
tent ready to fall into a deep sleep. Bending down to crawl in the
tent, she was greeted with an exuberant “happy birthday” and a
homemade cake.
Her mother came over and gave her a hug.
“Your Jeep is waiting in the driveway.” Keegan smiled, but knew
she’d give up everything she owned for this madness to end.
After having a slice of cake she climbed into
her sleeping bag. She felt something scratch her, so she reached
down and pulled out a piece of paper.
It was a note:
Keegan, I am sorry I could not spend your special
day with you. I will make it up to you. Forever Yours,
Rourk
. Pressing the letter to her chest she felt a tear drop
down her face as she drifted off to sleep.
Later, Keegan woke to the same dreadful
sounds. She grabbed her sword and headed out. They all carried
weapons, even the elderly and children. The sun was already high in
the sky, though it was colder. This day was the same as the last,
and again she didn’t see Rourk.
F
our days came and went. The loss of life was
staggering. Keegan saw one of her father’s best friends being
carried off the battleground and it shook her to the core. She was
sick of sitting back and waiting, watching as men kept dying, so
she decided to get a closer look.
Keegan drew her sword as she approached. She
wasn’t planning on getting close enough to need it, but better to
be safe than sorry. She was horrified by the destruction taking
place before her eyes. Body parts were flying following the sharp
sound of blades singing through the air. Screams of rage could be
heard, as well as screams of agony. She was surprised to see the
three large cats. They looked majestic out there—she saw Spencer
pounce and swipe his claws across someone’s neck, severing his
artery. Sam’s jaw was clamped on an elf’s neck, and he thrashed the
dark elf like it was a rag doll. Donald looked massive tearing
through the soldiers. He took three out in the blink of an eye.
They looked so fierce; she would definitely be looking at them in a
new light from this point on. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from
them.