Page 42 of Aofie's Quest
A wave of dizziness passed over me and I turned to see who Takari was speaking to. A shrouded figure in a dark cloak appeared out of the mist. Clawed fingers reached out, trembling as they grasped at me.
“Aofie.” The figure spoke so gently, it sounded as though my own imagination had pulled the words together. “Aofie. My daughter.”
“The voices aren’t real,” Romulus shouted, but his voice sounded thin in the wavering mist.
Something curled around my ankle. I kicked out and stomped my spear down hard.
“Aofie.” That hallowed voice came again, crooning around my head. “Daughter of mine. My warrior princess.”
“Leave me alone. You are nothing but a shadow,” I whispered under my breath.
“Aofie. Don’t forget your promise. Your word. You were made for this. Don’t walk away from your destiny.”
A shrouded figured moved in front of me and skeletal fingers reached out, the white bone aiming for my neck. I brought up the butt of my spear and smacked it away. The thing hissed, retreated, and appeared again, glimmers of white coming from its hidden face. Sweat froze down my spine.
“Aofie Mor. You lied. The gods will have words with you regarding your destiny. You can save us. Save us all. Save your bloodline.”
Bloodline. The magic in the air drained away and the fog left my mind. A ripple of anger surged through me and I lashed out, aware the magic in my blood had flared up. Red pierced the mist, and with a hiss and a shriek, the waif disappeared.
Takari babbled behind me, her voice growing louder before it faded away into silence.
Shapes drifted around me but I kept walking, searching for Romulus, who seemed to have turned into one of them. Just as the silence grew so thick my heart constricted, the mists parted.
A breath escaped my lips and my eyes widened at the vision that arrested my eyes. Ancient trees rose to the peak of a red mountainside and blue lights twinkled like azure fireflies lighting up the shadows of the forest. The wood smelled like fresh rain and there were low murmurs, whispers coming from within.
Romulus pulled Takari and I up on either side of him and wiped sweat off of his forehead. “We must tread carefully here. The elves follow the old ways. They are deeply respectful of their land and careful of who comes here. They will have many questions, particularly for the both of you.”
I nodded but couldn’t help the relief that surged through me. We’d passed through the gates. We were safe.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Romulus?”a surprised voice called through the clearing mist.
I shielded my eyes. Riders moved toward us, sitting gracefully on the back of delicate beasts with doe-like eyes and great antlers towering above their heads in intricate patterns. They were stags! Gray and white stags, some even black. I breathed out slowly, enchanted at their magnificent beauty, but the elves were even more glorious than their beasts. They wore clothing of green and white that blended in with the dark green of the lush forest and faint shreds of the dissolving mist.
The elf who greeted us raised a hand and brought it to his heart. He had long, dark hair, pulled back from his face by a series of braids. His jawline was long and hard and his deep-set eyes looked like the night sky. His skin was as brown as bark, as was the skin of the other elves. For some reason I’d assumed they would be fair, but their skin tones varied from honey brown to almost black. They were magnificent beings, tall and dark with white swirls on their faces, much like the runes that ran across Takari’s dark skin. If I hadn’t known she was a wood nymph, I would have assumed she was an elf, for their appearance was similar. Although her wild curls were a stark contrast to the long, straight hair of the elves.
It took no more than a heartbeat to take them in and a sudden reverence came over me. It felt like I had come home even though it was yet another sacred forest. The sight of it, and such ancient, powerful creatures, reminded me of the Beluar Woods. I knew I’d do anything, say anything, in order to stay.
Romulus stepped forward and placed his hand on his heart. “Lindir. I come with news and with guests. This is Takari the wood nymph. Her people were raided by soldiers and she seeks refuge here.”
The elf called Lindir examined her and nodded, his lips curving up in acknowledgment although he did not smile. “You are welcome here, Takari. You will be pleased to hear some of your people have joined us.” His eyes flickered over her runes, and then his penetrating gaze turned on me.
Romulus gestured toward me, speaking evenly and never taking his eyes off of Lindir.“This is Aofie Mor, firstborn daughter of Queen Ceana Mor—may the gods guide her spirit in the afterlife. She has come here to learn how to use her magical abilities.”
Lindir’s eyes narrowed just a hint before he turned away to address Romulus again. “The council will want to hear of this. Come. We will show you to your quarters.”
The elves turned on their stags, and Lindir motioned to an elf, who set off, his beast racing through the wood, likely with news of our arrival.Lindir swung down from his stag to walk with us while the other elves gathered around, escorting us deeper in.
“Romulus, there has been much talk. The scouts we sent to the capital, Dedrick and Geir, returned a fortnight ago with grave news. Your arrival could not be more pertinent.”
Romulus’s fists clenched but he gave a brief nod and said nothing more.
The stags moved through the trees, silently and swiftly. I studied the forest as we walked. Broad leaves let in little light and giant trees, rising hundreds of feet into the air, were broad and thick. Doors appeared on tree trunks. Some were open, giving me a glimpse of stairs leading up into hidden branches. The elves actually lived in trees! I’d assumed it was a myth. Every so often a face would peer between the leaves, watching us pass.
Eventually the wood opened up to a drop-off on the top of the mountain, where gray clouds sank down to kiss the earth. A bridge—wide enough for five stags to walk across in a row—appeared. The mounted elves led the way across and in the distance, bells rang and trumpets sounded, heralding our arrival.
A hand touched my arm as Takari looped her arm around mine. Her skin was cold and she trembled, her eyes tearing across the landscape.
