Vitiosi Dei (Heritage of the Blood Book 2) (33 page)

“Ah, I can see you didn’t know he was alive still.” The Dracairei laughed. “Well, even though I’m a little surprised myself, I assure you he will not be so for long.” Respect entered his voice after the taunt. “These Dwarves are awfully tenacious creatures. He’s been in the pillory for the last few days. This morning he began to show the first signs of frostbite. I’m afraid that if the weather continues, he’s going to lose his fingers and toes by the end of the day.”

Elandria stared at the Dracairei, his pink eyes watching her for the smallest reaction. She was determined not to let him see how much his words hurt her. Sergeant Mcdowell wouldn’t want her to show the assassin any weakness, so she was determined to shove her despair away while he was in the room.

“You might be surprised. He’s tougher than you think.”

“Rest assured, we are well aware of who you are now. There are only a few special units that the Protectorate would send this far into our territory. Based on the composition of the members of your squad, we are fairly certain you are the unit known as the Vigilantes. According to our intelligence, there are several not yet identified members of your squad still at large.” The Dracairei pulled out a small slip of paper. “Let’s see. Twin Gray Elven brothers, who go by Za’erath and Za’kereth, a Priest and Mage respectively. A Human named Drake who specializes in scouting and infiltration, and a Dwarven Cleric named Bredwin.”

They don’t know yet that Bredwin and Drake died last year, and they haven’t caught the twins yet.
Elandria put every effort into keeping her face stony so as not to show any sort of reaction as he read off the names. “You have done your homework,” she said, figuring it was no use trying to deny the information.

“Yes, which would make you Elandria, expert archer and sometimes scout…” The Dracairei looked down at her with a smirk. “…or at least formerly so.”

She couldn’t help but wince at his jab, his remarks hit her solidly in her most vulnerable spot. For the last few days, she had been studiously trying to ignore the fact that she would no longer be able to use a bow, and had failed miserably in that task. The thought was with her every moment of her imprisonment. Who was she now that she wasn’t able to do the job she had excelled at?

“I see that one hit the mark.” The Dracairei laughed. “At least my leg will heal and I’ll be able to resume my duties. I’ve never heard of anyone regaining a limb once the wound began to seal, although I’m betting the Blood Mages will give it a shot if you let them. I hear some of them love trying to put pieces from one creature onto another. They call it grafting.”

“That’s just what I want, to be some insane Mage's pet project.” Elandria realized she had raised her voice when Rundig stirred.

“Luckily for you,” the Dracairei said, completely disregarding her sarcasm, “you will have that chance once our mission here is complete.”

“You’re taking us to Siniquity?”

“You, and any others that survive our attempts to capture them.” The assassin pulled out a bag from inside his cloak and tossed it onto the bed. “On that note, my superior seems to think our master would like it if you and your companion weren’t dead from starvation before we can leave.”

“I’d say thank you, but you seem more inclined towards letting us rot away in here in our own filth,” Elandria replied while grabbing the bag.

“Yes, I think it is a waste of resources. However, until I hear otherwise, you will be treated as our guests.”

The smirk he shot her way let her know that he didn’t have a high ideal on how one should treat a guest. He stopped on his way back towards the door and looked at the pile of waste that was frozen in the corner of the room.

“Hopefully we can get out of here before the thaw really hits, or this place is going to be rather foul.” With that he exited the room, closing the door behind him.

She listened as he moved the bolts back into place, waiting until she could no longer hear his footfalls before looking inside the bag. Inside the bag there was a waterskin, a half dozen biscuits, and several large strips of dried meat. It would be enough to keep them alive for several days, but from the look the Dracairei had given her she realized that they would have to make it last for as long as possible.

Unless rescue came soon, they were not going to be strong enough to fight back. Laying her head down, she decided to wait until Rundig awoke before eating. They were in this together, and his body needed the resources more than hers at the moment. If he saw that she was eating, he would be more inclined to do so as well. Elandria moved the bag down underneath the blankets between them so that it wouldn’t freeze in the meantime. She wondered where everyone else was, and how they were doing.

Part of her wanted them to swoop in and rescue her, but she knew that wasn’t likely with so many Dracairei around. Their best option was escape, but she also knew they wouldn’t leave without her. In the quiet morning light, lying beside her weakened companion, she did something she hadn’t done since she was a girl: she prayed.

Chapter 18

Loose Threads

“Mommy!” Liara said, running around the wood cabin she lived in with the Elf named Kellen. Since she had turned five, her mother had stayed with them less and less, only coming to visit a few times a year. Liara would turn eleven in a month and had hoped her mother would come see her before then; her mom rarely missed her birthday.

“Liara!” the beautiful redheaded woman said, placing her travel pack against the wall so that she could lift her daughter into the air. “You are growing so much!” A series of tears rolled down her mother’s cheeks.

“Kellen has been teaching me how to use a bow!” Liara said, pointing towards a small bow that was visible through the window of the little cabin.

“Is he now?” Her blue eyes twinkled. “What will my daughter become?!” she said in mock distress.

“A great hunter someday, would be my guess,” Kellen said, coming out of the nearby woods. His tall, lithe frame was built perfectly for this environment. “Though we probably won’t have a lot of time above ground for a while if what I hear is true?”

“Word has already reached this far?” Her mother sighed and hugged her even more tightly.

“It has.”

Kellen’s hand twitched like he wanted to reach out to his guest, but he resisted the urge. Liara had only begun to notice the tension in the man whenever her mother was around within the last two years. She figured it had probably always been there, but she had just been too young to understand it for what it was. Kellen loved her mom, but he also knew that she didn’t return the feelings. Liara wanted to give him a hug and let him know that she was there for him, but something inside told her to wait.

“You need to travel further north and meet up with the High Elves. Your chances of surviving what is to come will be much higher with them.” Her mother put her down and turned towards the man who had raised her. “I know you don’t want to, Kellen, but it would be the best place for Liara and her children.”

Kellen looked away from her mother and sighed. “I know, I just have never agreed with the hatred that they spew, Tyrdra. Why can’t she go to South Harbor with her father?”

Her mother tensed at that, but as she turned to look Liara in the eyes she seemed surprised that her daughter hadn’t reacted to the news. “She knows?”

“I’ve known for a few years now,” Liara said, waving the whole thing away. She had been mad and had asked a million questions when she had first learned that her father was not only alive but a high ranking member of the Protectorate, but her time spent with Kellen had lessened her need to go off and find her real father. “I don’t want to go where my father is, I want to stay with Kellen.”

Kellen looked taken aback by the statement, but a moment later a hint of a smile touched his features.

“Well, you heard her. One thing I’ve learned over the years is you don’t argue with a daughter from my line.” Her mother turned back to Kellen and put her hands on his shoulders. “Kellen Daystar, I know I have already asked much of you, but I’m reaffirming my trust in you today. Would you take my daughter north with you?”

“I will,” Kellen said. He seemed to be having trouble figuring out where to look, as anywhere his eyes landed seemed to make him even more uncomfortable. “If they find out she is not an Elf there will be trouble, though.”

“You have taught her well, and I have done everything I can to make her look as Elven as possible; it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. At the very least, you can say she is a Wild Elf and though they will treat her with disdain, they will still accept her.” Liara’s mother turned around and knelt in front of her. “I am not sure when we will see each other again, so let’s make the most of the time we have now.”

“You aren’t going with us?” Liara said, as the world began to blur.

“I cannot, the world is in danger and there are things that need to be done to prevent total catastrophe. Remember everything that Kellen has taught you, and don’t let anyone know that you are not an Elf. Those people will kill you, especially if they find out after you have married and had children.”

“Alright.” Liara wiped her eyes. “Will you at least teach me some magic before you go?”

“We’ll see if you are able, but those of us who can use it do not call it magic.” Her mother stood and opened the door to the little cabin. “Let’s get some food, and then we’ll see where we are at. I’ll be with you until your birthday and then I’ll need to leave, so we have some time.”

Liara grabbed one of the straps on her mother’s travel bag and tried to lift it, but only managed to make it an inch off the ground. Kellen grabbed the other strap and helped her bring the bag inside. She only had a few Eightdays with her mother and she would make them count, then she would go on an adventure with Kellen. She decided there were worse ways for a young girl’s life to turn out.

Year: 3045 AGD

Month: Midwinter

First Seventhday

Death’s Edge Forest

He awoke to the sounds of excited yipping outside of their temporary shelter. It took him a moment to remember who he was and where he was, as happened when the dreams were especially potent. That was the first time he had ever been a young girl in his dream, however, and the experience had been interesting.

He had been in the memories of men and women before so he knew that they tended to think in different ways, but having the memories of someone near his age allowed him to understand the difference on a much more personal level. The girl's mind had worked in a much different way than his. Things that would seem trivial to him were extremely important to her, and she had interacted with the world in a much different way on an emotional level.

The entire process was interesting to him, and he hoped that he would deal with memories of more boys and girls in the future so that he could more easily gauge if those differences were inherent or not. At that moment, more excited yipping occurred outside, drawing his mind away from his musings. He crawled towards the opening in the bower and saw what his friend was so excited about.

Dauntless stood over Troublefinder and swatted at the young Quaelyne with his paw. Troublefinder dodged each attack, as the blows were slow and easily anticipated, but the furry little guy seemed to be having a lot of fun anyway.

This was the first time that he had ever seen Troublefinder’s father in full, and he would be lying if he said the Quaelyne wasn’t intimidating; on all four legs, Dauntless was still easily a head taller than the boy, and probably twice that if he were to stand on his hind legs. Everything about the large Quaelyne screamed power and speed. The silver streaks in his hair gleamed in the morning light, making the black stand out all the more.

Good morning, nameless, we should be setting out soon.

Dauntless gave no visible sign that he had seen the boy, but the thought had been clearly directed at him. Troublefinder seemed to hear something of it, and he stopped mid-dodge and looked around, earning a gentle swat from the giant paw. Seeing his friend up and about, Troublefinder ran over and greeted him as well.

“’Morning, Troublefinder. Good morning, Dauntless.”

“Is it time to go?” Pershanti crawled out of the space and looked around. “Quite the snow storm last night. It should be a good year for crops in the lowlands.”

Looking around, the boy noticed that there was indeed a fresh coating of snow on everything. They had come into the forest late last night while the storm was just ramping up, so they hadn’t been able to enjoy their new environment. Looking around, he found the area both majestic and uncomfortable. He stood still for a moment as he tried to figure out why before a thought struck him.

Not enough line of sight, and too many places for an ambush.
The thought surprised him, looking around though he realized that was exactly why he felt uncomfortable. Dauntless exhaled abruptly, and if he didn’t know any better he might think the Quaelyne was laughing as the big furry shoulders rose and fell.

“What’s wrong with him?” Pershanti stepped up beside Troublefinder and the boy as the watched the big Quaelyne fall on his side.

Having a feeling that Dauntless had found something funny about his thoughts, the boy said. “Not sure, it just seemed to come upon him suddenly.”

Stop…
Dauntless said let out as he released another large exhale.

“Did something sting him?” Pershanti asked, clearly afraid for their guide’s health.

Sure now that Dauntless was laughing at him, the boy sighed. “I’m sure he’ll get over it. Which way are we going, Dauntless?”

A large paw appeared on the other side of the furry mound pointing southeast. Troublefinder sniffed at his dad for a moment as they passed before hopping along after the boy.

Dauntless caught up to them early on, and they traveled through the forest throughout the day. The boy had seen a lot of creatures out of the corner of his eye as they moved along. As soon as he turned his attention in the direction of the shape or movement, all he would see would be bare leaves or branches swaying gently back and forth.

Around midday, Dauntless led them to a cool spring and found several bushes full of berries for them to eat. Pershanti pointed out that one of the berries wasn’t something that either of them should eat, the Quaelyne could digest them fine, but it would give them stomach cramps at the very least. The rest of the day they spent sharing information about the area, Pershanti talking about the information he had learned from books and Dauntless giving them practical advice that he had learned growing up in the area.

There were still a few hours of sunlight left when they made it to the Quaelyne village. The difference was palpable from the rest of the forest as soon as they neared. Very few other creatures were willing to encroach on the Quaelyne’s territory. Not only was the density of living creatures different, but there were clear lanes through the underbrush, along with several areas where there were no plants at all.

Even with all of our strengths, it is sometimes nice to have a clear view of what is coming.
Dauntless sent them, a bit of humor bleeding through.

They were led to a large burrow near a massive tree whose nearest branch was well over twenty feet above them. The hole was a gentle incline that opened up into a room with three tunnels that branched off from it. Dauntless led them down the right tunnel, which opened into another smaller room that had two more tunnels. From here, they went left and ended up in a large round room that had been dug out so the outer edge was higher than the inner. A slight incline brought the top level down into the small inner circle, where he guessed they would sleep.

Looks like your mother isn’t home.

Troublefinder sniffed around before lying down in the middle of the room.

“I think he’s got the best idea,” Pershanti said. “Unless you have something you would like us to do?”

No, all is well. Sit, rest.

The burrow was much warmer than the boy had expected. As he sat down near Troublefinder, his hand fell flat against the floor and he could feel a slight tremble coming from far below. He reached out with his mind and felt his consciousness spread out below him. Not far below where he sat was a thin layer of rock that was porous, and those holes were filled with hot water that was constantly moving around underneath them. The water felt different to him than the water he usually drank, but he couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it. How long he sat there delving into those underground crevices he wasn’t sure, but when he came back into his own senses he noticed that everyone was staring at him.