Page 12 of Aofie's Quest
“Do you feel equipped to fight her?” Romulus’s voice was rough. “Do you believe you can actually win against her magic?”
I shook my head. “I have to do something.”
His hand rested on the table and curled into a fist. He glanced to either side to ensure no one was listening and then said, “You don’t have to do anything. If you face the witch woman, she will kill you and take your blood. I suspect you have the kind of blood she desires above all. Royal blood. Blood that will grant her the power she needs to wage war against the gods who banished her. You are young and naive; you know nothing about the evil that creeps through this world. You have much to learn, and it would be best for all if you left. Don’t throw away your life before you have lived.”
I stared at him. Royal blood. My face burned as I recalled Jezebel licking my blood off the knife. But no, it had been a drop. It hadn’t been enough. Still, hope fluttered in my heart. He was going to help me. I’d forget about how bad he smelled if he’d take me to the river. “You know who I am?” I squeaked.
“Hush,” he scolded. “Aofie Mor. Last of the royal line. See how fast I discovered your secret? If I can do so this swiftly, it means you are in danger.”
“Danger? From whom?” Thoughts of the angel of death flashed before me. Surely his warriors would not be searching for me, not out in the remote wildlands.
“You really don’t know?”
“The angel of death?” I ventured. “Kedron Abaddon.”
“Do not speak that name here,” Romulus hissed, anger hanging over him like a black cloud. “Angel of death indeed. He took the kingdom of men and cast it into chaos, making the king and queen out to be traitors. He decreed they should be hunted, chased, and so should their bloodline until they were extinguished from Labraid. You know this story, right?”
I shook my head. Epona never shared specifics with me. My thoughts stumbled, curious about my father. If the witch woman had tricked my mother, who was my blood father? I had my mother’s royal blood, but what about my father?
Romulus sighed and grumbled under his breath, something that sounded like an oath. My thoughts flew to the centaurs of Beluar and their reactions when I cursed. Foul words were not allowed in front of the gods, for they were always watching and listening. “’Tis not a tale for tonight, but you should understand, no one keeps to the old ways anymore.”
“What are the old ways?” I twisted my fingers together as my face flushed. He was right, I was naive.
He scratched his head, flicking away a glob of mud. I averted my eyes, embarrassed about his uncleanness. The centaurs were not afraid to get dirty, for hunting involved dirt and blood, but they bathed each day to please the gods, claiming we should cleanse ourselves in their sight.
“The old ways. Worshipping the gods and goddesses, asking them for blessing and wisdom, and following their visions. Labraid is godless. Only those in remote villages like this one still believe, and among them the centaurs and the high elves. If you tell others about your vision, you set yourself up to be laughed at. Faith is rare.”
“But why? The gods are good to us, they give us life and grant us mercy—”
He held up his hand. “Don’t try to convince me. I still believe in the old gods, otherwise I would not be here, warning you. It is because of evil that so few believe now, they say: How can the gods love us and grant mercy when so much evil abounds? They don’t know the gods gave us free will, and we opened the door and invited in the devils. For that’s what the angel of death did almost twenty years ago. He concerted with fallen gods and made deals with demons, opening up the gates to the underworld and allowing the lesser demon-kind to enter Labraid. Nineteen years ago, they swept through the kingdom, one by one, invading the population, killing the peasants, blackmailing the high lords and ladies, and masquerading as knights loyal to the crown. They mated with the fallen angels, and the children they bore are called Nephilim—demons mixed with the blood of angels. Even now they continue to grow in number, bringing the lesser demons of the underworld to Labraid. The gates must be shut, destroyed even, but they are guarded by the angel of death and no one will stand against him. He showed his hand long ago. Men, elves, and dwarves came together, forming an alliance to destroy him. It resulted in the fall of the kingdom of men. Many were slain and the king and queen fled. Since then, those who formed the alliance are scattered throughout Labraid, planning, plotting in secret. There is hope—”
He broke off abruptly as breath left my body. Blood drained from my face and my magic, too stunned to work, sapped away my energy. I gasped, sucking in air like one drowning, my eyes watering at his words. I had no idea it was so bad, with half-demons running wild and the gates to the underworld open, letting in nightmares. I shuddered. Everything I thought I knew about my future changed once again. Who was I to go marching into darkness? If I was supposed to lead the alliance to destroy the gates, I’d surely fail. Romulus wouldn’t even let me face the witch woman, whose powers were far beyond what I’d seen.
“I am sorry,” Romulus mumbled. He reached out, rough fingers touching my arm. “I did not mean to tell that tale; I forget myself sometimes. You should go up to sleep. My room is the third on the right if you change your mind and decide to leave.”
He stood and swept away, taking his sour scent with him.
Chapter Eleven
As soon as Romulus disappeared,I hunched over and rocked back and forth, holding my face in my hands. A thousand terrible thoughts raced through my mind, questions budding and nipping away. Now I understood why Epona told me I could return—this was too big, too much, for me.
A hand touched my shoulder. “Aofie?”
It was Armis. I sat up straight and forced a smile to my lips, hiding the feeling that threatened to overwhelm me. “Thank you,” I breathed. “The soup was delicious and I appreciate your kind offer of a room for the night.”
“Nonsense.” He chuckled and then leaned closer, his voice dropping. “I hope that pesky ranger didn’t bother you. There’s not much I can do about him; he’s as wild as they come, dropping in from time to time with his sour attitude and dark words.”
“I—” I trailed off, unsure what to say. The ranger had upset me, but he’d also opened my eyes to reality.
“When you are ready to retire, just go up the stairs. The fourth door on the right is unlatched. My wife put a basin in there so you can wash up. We eat at first light but you’re free to stay until you decide what to do.”
“Thank you.” Time to myself was just what I needed, although, as I reached for my pack, I wished there were some way to repay him.
Armis bustled away again while I threaded my way between tables. The room had emptied while I spoke with Romulus, leaving only a few patrons who appeared in no hurry to leave. They shot a few curious glances my way before returning to their ale, and I hastily climbed the spiral staircase. It was made of a light-colored wood and the steps creaked under my feet. My heart caught in my throat at the sound. Had the inn been built out of dead wood? Or had the people of the vale violated the sacred trust the centaurs kept with the trees?
At the top was a dimly lit hall. I made my way down it slowly, noting there were only four doors on either side of the hall. The Vale Inn must not receive many guests but Armis seemed a generous man. I hoped being an innkeeper was a lucrative business for him and Marie, for they’d been kind to me, and it was their kindness that made me miss the centaurs all the more.
I reached the last door and noticed, with some annoyance, that my room was next to Romulus’. Dreading another encounter with the strange man, I opened the door. Like the stairs, it creaked, and again my thoughts returned to the trees. I shut the door and examined the latch. I’d heard of locks for doors but I’d never used one, and in my ignorance feared I might lock myself within the room. But no one would bother me, would they?
