Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past (4 page)

To my horror water welled in my eyes. Had I
disappointed all? I loved my guardian as the father I had lost that
fateful day. For well over eight years, he kept well to his oath he
had given my mother. Unfamiliar with upbringing of three small
children, he had lamented his fate often.

“This is no job for a warrior! By all in
heavin! I have been saddled with a weight that would bring down a
lesser man!”

Though, through the years Falco and I cared
for Turstan at moments when he had given into his weakness.

“A real man has needs by Gotty!” he
contended while he drank his ale. His thirst lay evident with the
empty beakers on the rickety old table. At times he would disappear
for days, but had always returned to us.

Gunilda would preach upon the lack of morals
of a Sordarin warrior. In truth I understand naught of all of she
ranted about, but I knew only the need we had for the broken
warrior.

Falco had told me more than once that most
warriors would have taken this task as an insult, but Turstan stood
by us. I understood well that he had a morbid fear for our safety
and even though he would never admit it, he cared deeply for us
charges. Turstan became a man possessed when it came to defending
us siblings.

Tonight while I stood and waited, my thoughts
turned to the fate of our family. In all there was much confusion.
My father, Prince Mithelk Calledwdele of Sordarin, had been first
in line to the throne. Scarladin, land of prosperity, of fertile
lands and mighty rivers, was the land where hawk men ruled.

Turstan’s words affirmed our legacy. “When
you look up and see the regiment soar the skies, all is well. No
one dare threaten a Sordarin!”

But they had, I thought. Someone had ambushed
my father and killed him. My mother! Of how I still missed her.
When I smelled the fragrance of the first spring flowers my
beautiful mother’s face emerged in my mind, the smile, her eyes,
the love she held for all. She herself was the descendant from the
great line of Flandigana’s within the boundary of
Witheleghe, a place where most thought only a legend; in
truth a place where magical beings dwelled.

I, myself, was born strongly Sordarin. In
that I couldn’t deny.

“Your destiny is easiest to define, Kela,”
Turstan talked during one night of his drinking spells. “Ah, the
princess warrior born to protect. Protect the young prince. Protect
your sister. Caught within the middle for the others to fulfill
their destiny. Much as myself. Essential, yet thankless.”

Previous when danger had to be faced, we
woke in a new place, a new home. But Sareta had neither the
strength nor the will. She shook her small head laying quietly in
her bed. Olaf, our mongrel of a dog, had curled up by Sareta and
refused to leave her side.

“She says we need not run any more. It is
time,” Falco said to Turstan, who felt the need to take off once
more. But it was not meant to be. Turstan had always said there
were moments in life where one could not run from the past. So our
running ceased.

Suddenly we heard what we had been dreading,
a clamor in the distance. Sounds drew nearer. They were coming.
Falco jumped up and looked out the window. I could feel my heart
pounding fearing it could be heard by all. My chest heaved with
effort on each breath. Glancing around my home, I was torn by which
side to stand, my sister’s or the men. Gunilda stood by Sareta’s
door, pale and clammy. So I placed myself firmly between all. A
loud fluttering sound rose from over head.

Turstan’s ears alert to the sound.
“Sordarins!” he exclaimed. “I would know the sound anywhere.”

What did Turstan mean
Sordarins! Friend or foe?
Were we not
expecting Brixtone’s warriors? But I had no time to contemplate.
Nervously, I gazed down the hall. Gunilda had her arm around
Sareta, who had risen from her bed and stood silently with Olaf by
her side. Frightened, she met my eyes.

Within me my instincts
reacted. For the last few years Turstan had trained Falco in the
ways of our people, the only way he knew. In this I recognized that
Sordarins were an aggressive people when it came to protecting
their territory. Taught from a young age the techniques used for
centuries to defend their country. Turstan hadn't hesitated to
teach me along side Falco for I was a
Euchoun.

Euchouns, protectors for the warriors of
Sordarins, called upon only on the most pressing of times.

"Legend holds the Great One sends only when
the need arises. In this we must hold. You must train for the time
will come when you will have to fight. It is your destiny," he
explained. "Although, Kela, I have never known one to be female. I
don't know how you will do such upon the ground, but then again I
have never heard of one with your strength at such a young
age."

My mind raced. Sareta had
said it was time.
Time for what?
Turstan hadn't known. Sordarins were our people
or at least our father's people. Had they come in peace to bring us
home or were they trying to do us harm? My parents had been
betrayed by other Sordarins. That I realized, as did Turstan. Was
that not the main reason he hadn't searched for a way within
Scarladin? He had been betrayed, also.

Ominous, I heard thumps upon the roof. Clear
voices rose and fell. They alit all around. I eyed Turstan when the
locked door rattled. Outside, commands resounded. All of a sudden,
the roof shook. From the sound, I held no doubt it was being ripped
apart. The door rammed once. Turstan pushed against it. Without
another thought, I raised my arm, surrounding my young sister and
Gunilda with my shield. I moved closer beside my brother, while he
raised his sword. Olaf barked madly circling around us.

Screeches emerged louder in the loft. My
fear became my reality. They were in. The door again banged. I
looked upward. With a wave of my arm, the Sordarins that had landed
upon the roof thrust back with such a force that they landed within
the pasture. My other hand motioned toward the door, pushing the
door back taking with it all around.

Abruptly, I felt strong hands grasp my arms,
bringing them down roughly to my side. Struggling violently to free
myself, fear surged within me. In the distance voices spoke, but I
understood none for all I could see was a cloud of warriors
descending upon my family. Falco swung his sword while he pushed
Sareta back away from the assailants. His sword clanged against
another. Turstan grabbed Sareta with one hand and held his sword
with his other.

Trying vainly to wrench myself free, my eyes
lay intent upon all. Panic swept through me. All I could think of
was protecting my own. The dark shadows of the night cast an eerie
glow to the forms. My panic grew. The Sordarin tightened his hold
on me, pulling me back against his armored chest. Immediately, I
felt a surge of power. In the next instant a wave of light shot
forth from my eyes, fluctuating around the small group, exploding
with such force that I was thrown backwards with the Sordarin who
held me. A moment later around me I saw debris floating downward
toward the ground.

I was freed! Scrambling back up to my feet,
I stood, but could not move. All around where the house once stood,
now seemed a battlefield. I took in the awe of the sight.

"The dewill be hang and drawl!" the Sordarin
cursed under his breath, regaining his footing. He reached toward
me, catching my arm.

Stunned, I turned and stared at the
Sordarin, a young dark warrior. Tall, broad wings that flexed to
ensue they still worked, his dark bold eyes met mine. His hair hung
long upon his shoulders. His face was stern and keen. His chest
covered with a painted shield with his long sword secured at his
belt.

"Don't look at me as such! Look upon the
damage you have done!" he cried.

Turstan rushed to my side, jerking me out of
the warrior's arms. If I wasn't mistaken, I swore he had the look
of pride upon his face. Falco stood his arm surrounding Sareta, but
his face plastered with a broad grin. Around them the remains of
the house we once called home. It lay in pieces.

Slowly in the dim light of
the night, movement began from the ground. Sordarins began to
straighten up, flexing broadly their massive wings. Frightened, I
glanced
up at Turstan. He swung me back
with Falco and Sareta. Falling to my knees, I grabbed hold of
Sareta and buried my face into hers. I could feel Sareta gently pat
my back. The fear within my sister had dissipated, but the whole of
my body began trembling uncontrollably. I tried desperately to
stand, but when I did, my head spun. Everything went
black.

Movement woke me. I felt air beneath me and
wind in my face. My eyes opened, but I needed time to focus. Strong
arms held me. Someone whispered in my ear to remain calm, pleaded
in reality for me to do so. Gripping tightly to the arms that held
me, I realized I was flying. Glancing upward, I gradually
recognized the warrior who had held me so before the explosion.
Then Falco spoke within my mind, soothing me, allaying my
fears.

Sister, all is well. We are beside you.
Sleep. Sareta’s with Turstan, flying in front of you and
I’m flying on a fleogan ahead of all. We are going home. Home!
Sareta was right. It was time.

My head hurt. Staring at the young
warrior, he looked down upon me. A slight smile formed. "You aren't
going to cause anymore devastation, I hope. We are flying high and
the fall would be a long one."

Looking down, my hands dug into his arms.
From the sky I stared down upon the ground of shadows in the early
morning light. Trees, fields could be made out clearly. The river,
we flew high above the Kampar using it as a guide. The air so
crisp, I gasped. His arms tightened around me. I clasped my arms
around his neck.

"Have no worries, little one," he whispered.
"I won't let you fall."

Surprisingly, I took comfort in his words and
closed my eyes once more. To my surprise, I fell back into
slumber.

Chapter Four

Meeting of the King

I
tossed and turned for my dreams disturbed me. I stood in a
fog searching desperately for a way out, calling for Sareta, Falco,
Turstan… No one answered. I was alone in the haze.

Slowly a scene emerged before me. A wondrous
place where beauty abounded. Luscious green pastures, paths alit
with the amour of an assortment of flowers, multitudes of flowers,
around a large blue lake. Across from where I stood a grand
waterfall sprayed water upward in a mist of air while the water
poured off the edge of a huge cliff. My ears heard chatter and
laughter of children. Turning, I smiled as colorful dressed
inhabitants of this astonishing place appeared. Happy. Cheerful.
Warmly greeted, I recognized I was in a place that seemed vaguely
familiar.

Outside the gates of a majestic castle, I
stood. I looked around feeling out of place in clothes I wore,
nothing more than a gray tunic. When an older woman walked by me
and waved her hand in front of me. Instantly I wore an elegant
sapphire gown adorned with diamonds glittering in the sun. I felt
wonderful. Looking upward, the gates opened.

I smiled widely, but before I took a step
within the opening I halted. A richly dressed man ran by me
knocking me down. Stopping, he bent down to help me back up.

“Run, Kela,” he said. “He will devour you.
Run quickly.”

“Why would I?” I questioned. “I do not run. I
protect.”

“My niece, daughter of my
beloved sister,
Eufamia
. I know well who you are and where your destiny lies, but it
is not now. Trust the words of your uncle Halmir. Do not
tarry.”

I recognized him when he spoke his words.
“Where am I, Uncle? And who is set to do me harm?”

He looked back over his
shoulder. Then spoke in a whisper. “You have been called to see, to
understand…there is no more time…he will soon know of your
appearance…tell all that
Thardalf betrayed
us. He called forth Asmeodai from the darkening chamber…no one is
safe, no one not only Withelegheans, but also Sordarins,
everyone…Cyaika has already crossed. Asmeodai is assembling an army
for assimilation. Waiting for the sign…” His face grimaced as
visions relived, grisly, gruesome scenes.

“I don’t understand…I don’t understand,” I
cried, glancing over my shoulder. Looming in the distance, a cloud
of dust began to spread far and wide. Turning back around, all had
changed. My shock could not be hidden. The sun had set and the land
lay in gloom, gray skies. Gone were the luscious green pastures,
displaced with a barren land and dust over the desolate terrain.
The laughter and chatter replaced with unending screams and
cries.

The walls of the castle crumbled, exposing a
burning fire. Flames erupted. Within the blaze of fire and smoke a
loathsome creature emerged. He peered with red luminous eyes at me
beckoning to me. Instantly I was overwhelmed by a great evil.
Closer and closer the figure came toward me. Sordarins, courageous
and valiant, were not cowards, but I could not move for a terror
seized me.

Suddenly within the haze a voice called to
me, a warm, safe voice. “Kela!”

“Mother!” I cried.

Light illuminated around me where in a faint
outline of a figure emerged. A warm smile on a beautiful face of
one long gone, but never forgotten. Oh, never forgotten.

“My child.”

I heard the words and wanted nothing more
than to follow the voice. I moved toward the light. I wanted so
desperately to run into the light. As if frozen in time, I was no
longer afraid. I called out again, “Mother?”