Chapter 8
Valsara’s Fate
Olivia looked out the window of a narrow, cushioned wagon as she
watched Crown Haven’s walls fade away. The battlements were slowly hidden by
the Hilled Country’s green knolls and villages. The thunder of horses’ hooves,
clink of armor, and hubbub of discussions filled the air.
They journeyed down a dirt road carved out by countless travelers,
horses, wagons, and carriers over decades of traffic. A few young trees cast
shadows over the road between fields of wheat. It was late morning, and the
mist had already lifted from the land. The sun’s warmth grew by the hour, and
blue sky broke through the drifting gray clouds.
Olivia could barely make out the tower where Theron and she had
secretly met the night before. She smiled as her eyes flickered to the prince
beside her, but her smile was short-lived. She glanced ahead past the caravan
of knights and servants on foot to a dark green line at the end of the horizon.
Wraith’s Hollow was waiting.
Wraith’s Hollow was the tip of a larger forest, Deep Wilds. In
turn, Deep Wilds was once part of another woodland, Fogrenna Line. All three
woods bordered the other, for the individual three were once one whole forest,
whose name had been lost in time. The tree line took root in Suvarian’s
northern coastline, the beginning of Fogrenna Line, and curved along the eastern
side and south through Suntar’s Pass, becoming Deep Wilds along the way. From
there, it grew into Tulaun, and curved to a point between the Flat Plains and
Hilled Country, known as Wraith’s Hollow.
The forest’s division was caused by Suvarian’s War of the Royals,
a decade of war and rebellion amid the imperial Solarics; the royal elvish
kidred. During the civil war, the Charnelics and Sulphuros aligned with the
rebellious Solarics whereas the Lunaris and Sylvaine stood beside their Solaric
king. The final battle had taken place where Deep Wilds currently lies. The
defiant Solarics and their followers were slain and left with eyes gouged out
in disgrace. Their bodies were eaten by birds and ravaged by wolves until there
was nothing left. Or so the Suvarians thought. In time, blind ghosts were
sighted, phantoms of the slain elves. They wandered Fogrenna Line’s eastern
side, and every elvish inhabitant fled from the haunted wood.
As time passed, five families of barbaric nature found the
abandoned land and settled there. They worshiped stones and called themselves
the KinFolk. The five wild families, Wolf Folk, Cedar Folk, Sky Folk, Sea Folk,
and Stag Folk, separated and established their own territories. Over time, the
families grew to form Kins, separate tribes within the Folks, and a new race of
people. Thus, the Wilders were born, and Deep Wilds was established.
Wraith’s Hollow, Deep Wild’s pointed end, was overthrown by Lord
Demus, as the legends say, and the Spellbinder allowed every kind of abhorrent
creature to infect the wood. The disorienting trees grew so thick that a strong
wind was unable to penetrate them. Nothing stirred within the shadowed forest,
and many believed all pure life had fled long ago. All that remained was the
decay of evil.
Olivia eyed the forest’s dark line that met the sky, knowing the
silent trees waited for them. She gulped a quivered breath and turned away, her
hands tightly clasped in her lap. A hand came to rest over hers; it was strong
and warm. Olivia glanced at Theron and saw that as one hand held hers, the
other gripped the hilt of his sword. She smiled and placed her other hand on
top of his; she knew he would keep her safe. Sobriina watched them as she sat
on the other side of the wagon, Duke Aldret next to her.
Theron took in a slow breath, and looked out the window to
Wraith’s Hollow. He lifted his chin and clenched his jaw. Olivia thought he
looked less like a prince and more like a knight. That morning, he had checked
and rechecked his men-at-arms, Elshender with him every step of the way, saying
all was as safe as it could be. The prince had ignored his Proxy, continuing
his inspection until he was satisfied.
Theron’s actions flattered Olivia. No one had cared for her as he
did and, even though she had just begun to know him, she knew he was sincere.
She lifted her chin and looked away from her betrothed, though the gleam of a
smile remained in her eyes. They bounced down the road in silence with their
cloaks on their laps. “How long will we be in the forest?” she asked.
“Two days,” Theron said. His eyes did not move from the distant
forest. “Not unbearably long.”
Olivia’s smile faltered as her brows drew close together. “What if
trouble falls, like a Charnelic or vampire or some dark being?”
“We’ll take care of them. Vampires are fables anyways.” She
scowled as he motioned to the ring of armed men who rode on horseback around
the wagon. “They’re my finest men. I’m sure that they shall easily take care of
whatever comes, if anything does.”
Olivia nodded as she whispered a sigh. “And Valsara, she’ll help,”
she muttered.
“Who?”
“Oh, um, Valsara. My double. It is amazing we are not twins; The
Wizard must have known I needed her. We are almost identical. Same height. Same
weight. Same hair and length. Same skin, though hers is a touch darker.”
Theron and Sobriina exchanged glances as they sat across from one
another. “Um . . .” the she-elf mumbled, “my lady—”
“Are you certain this Valsara came with you?” Theron asked.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “Why, of course she did. She would never
be left home during a journey like this! She is here! Isn’t she?”
Theron’s grip of Olivia’s hand tightened. “I’ll still keep you
safe.”
Olivia gasped with a shake of her head. “Why isn’t she here?”
Krea gave Olivia a glance as she walked beside the wagon behind
Cedany and Nan, their feet coated with dust from the road. Olivia noticed her
quiet look. “Krea!” The lady-in-waiting jumped. “What are you not telling me?”
Krea turned to Cedany for help, but did not respond. “Krea, what do you know?”
“My lady, I can’t say,” Krea mumbled. “Countess Primis’s orders.”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open as she looked to her aunt and uncle in
their own wagon. They were drinking wine and staring out the window like a pair
of solemn statues. Her eyes narrowed. “Where is Valsara?” she whispered.
Nan sighed and laid a hand on the wagon’s window as she walked
beside it. “Me lady, Valsara’s run off. No one knows where she’s at.”
Olivia shook her head. “No, Valsara would not do such a thing.
Something must have happened!”
Nan stared at her, but said nothing.
Olivia swallowed hard. “Something did happen. What? Nan, tell me!”
“No one knows, me lady.”
Olivia looked away and closed her eyes. She thought back to the
last time she saw Valsara, a few days before their journey to Crown Haven
began. Valsara had been helping Nan pack food for the saddle bags. She would
not run away. She is too loyal! Too valuable! What happened to her? Olivia
swallowed. She said nothing as her heartbeat quickened with dread.
Sobriina leaned toward Olivia, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Our Prince Theron’s men are the shining gem of knights throughout all the
kingdom, dear Lady Olivia,” she said. “They will guide us faithfully to Henricien.
No darkling could find victory there.”
Duke Aldret glanced at the Lunairs as he sat next to her, but
stayed quiet. Olivia shook her head and looked between her aunt and uncle and
ladies-in-waiting, her mind whirling in thought.
Sobriina studied Olivia and lifted her chin. “You do not believe
me, my lady? I still see fear’s hold in your eyes.” Olivia lifted her chin and
opened her mouth, but no sound came out. “Your mind takes in my words,”
Sobriina said, “yet your heart is uncertain.”
Olivia looked away, and color heated her cheeks as the three pairs
of eyes watched her. A laugh suddenly lifted from her. “It seems you know me
better than I know myself. But Valsara . . .”
Sobriina grinned. “I shall try a second approach to convince you
of our safe travels; it might be more effective than before. I have ventured
through Wraith’s Hollow before.”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open as her eyes bulged. “By the Silver
Eye,.” she whispered. “Did you know, my lord?” Theron nodded and Duke Aldret
stared at Sobriina with wide eyes.
“Did you come upon the mysterious tower?” Theron asked. “I forgot
to ask you when you first told me of your travels.” She shook her head and
turned away.
“Did you travel alone?” Olivia whispered in awe. “You must have
been guarded by seasoned warriors!”
“Yes, a portion of my father’s warmongers joined me. I have been
shown the art of weaponry as well,” Sobriina said. “Not like Celeste. Hum. Such
an odd one she is.”
Theron’s eyes narrowed. “Who’s that?”
“Oh, my younger sister. Anyway, I am comfortable with anything,
may it be bow, mace, sword, or dagger. My heart turns more to the anelace,
however. Something about the sword being short and sweet, I think.”
“I see,” Olivia said. “Do you have one on you now?”
Sobriina grinned and straightened her back with pride. “I have
two.” Theron’s eyes widened. The wagon wheel suddenly fell into a divot, and
rattled the passengers. They grabbed the walls, the open windows, and each
other so as to not fall from their seats. In a moment, the road evened out and
the horses snorted and stomped onward.
Olivia heaved a sigh and pulled away from Theron. She had not
realized she was clutching him so hard. She adjusted her done-up hair, and
leaned closer to the she-elf. “However did you survive Wraith’s Hollow?”
Duke Aldret gave Olivia a sideways glance and shook his head. “Why
so dramatic? It is a dangerous wood, yes, but so is every other country road.”
Olivia frowned and sat back against her seat. “Why travel with us,
Duke Aldret? You are not needed, are you?”
“The king commanded me to join. I believe he wishes my support in
your matrimony. I will mentor and guide when the king or myself sees fit.”
“I see.”
“Wraith’s Hollow is still dangerous, yet not as drastic as my lady
believes,” Sobriina continued. “However, The Wizard was merciful. When we
ventured off Savior’s Way, my soul should have drifted from me on several
counts, our lives were threatened so, but he barred its escape. And we shall
travel down Savior’s Way, my lady. The forest’s single road is much safer than
anywhere else in the wood. Therefore, the loss of Valsara will not bring dire
consequences. You are safe with the prince’s men, and again, my lady, Savior’s
Way is eerie, yet not as hostile as you believe.”
Duke Aldret, who had said very little the entire journey, turned
and faced her. “Why travel through such perils? ’Tis rash to leave Savior’s
Way.”
“I was not alone, my lord. My family’s Defender accompanied me;
Defender Durno De Sheem.” Sobriina’s purple eyes flashed at the half-blood and
her jaw clenched. “And it was anything but a rash act. I had to save my
father!”
Theron glanced between her and Aldret.
Olivia watched Sobriina in thoughtful silence. “What, um . . .
what did you find? Or are we prying into cracked areas of your heart?”
“No, no, it does not distress me to speak of it.” Sobriina waved a
dismissive hand with a smile. “As I said, my father was ill. No herb rooted in
healing or plea to The Wizard could restore his breaking body. Therefore, after
searching throughout Suvaria and seeking the wisdom of Healers and physicians
alike, I left my home and sought after a cure as fast as my feet could fly. And
I found myself there, my men and I . . . in Wraith’s Hollow. There was nothing
of value along Savior’s Way; therefore, we had to search deeper. Away from the
security of the road. And, amid the trees with all the shadows and coldness on
one’s flesh, it did seem, well . . . Wraith-ridden.” Olivia swallowed hard and
clasped Theron’s hand.
“And yet,” Sobriina said as a grin lit her purple eyes. “Yet, as
the minstrel GarishVerse said, The One in Red is still the master of the trees.
And that He is. Then. Now. And forevermore.” Sobriina looked Olivia in the eyes
and sighed. “The Wizard sang us a remembrance. Do you recall how it goes, my
lady?” At this, the she-elf lifted her head and began to sing:
Fear not the terrors of the night
Nor the arrow that flies in midday.
To not dread the disease that stalks in
darkness
nor the disaster that strikes in midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand may be dying around you,
but these evils will not touch you. 1
Olivia closed her eyes as the melody washed over her. “That he
promised,” Sobriina said, “and his promises are our armor and protection. Take
heart, my lady.” Sobriina patted her hand. “Take heart. These evils will not
touch you.”
___________________________________
Highest Melodies Reference
- Psalms 91:5-7 – Fear not the terrors of
the night nor the arrow that flies in midday. Do not dread the disease
that stalks in darkness nor the disaster that strikes in midday. A
thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand may be dying around you, but
these evils will not touch you.
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“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7
Hearts like fragile clay jars.
Fragile like glass.
Hearts of glass.
If you have any comments, critiques, or concerns, please comment below!!!
If you have any comments, critiques, or concerns, please comment below!!!
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