Insignitis destiny, p.31
Insignitis: Destiny, page 31
The tree created a shell around them as they fell asleep. It swayed in the slight dry breeze, sending them into peaceful sleep. The leaves obscured most of the sunlight, keeping them cool, and protected from the sun-rays. Even the tree seemed to know how tired they were after their sexual escapade. Endorphins and Oxytocin be damned.
Saphira went into deep sleep, and found herself in the clearing. The pond was crystal clear, and completely still, as were the trees. She stood on the shore but her skin was crawling. She looked around - she was alone. Nothing stirred, not even birdsong broke the silence. The clearing was deafeningly silent.
Saphira jumped - there was the voice again, but there was something else. Something that resembled hissing. But it wasn’t like a snake’s hiss, it was something darker, and sinister. It chilled her blood, and made her nerves prickle with fear.
Saphira heard the voice - it was definitely Petra, but the way she was speaking was adoring and loving. Saphira realised Faoth was present - maybe the hissing came from him? But there were two different ones. The other was full of anger, and hungry, but she did not want to know what they hungered for.
Saphira jumped when she heard growling - she knew where it came from, or rather who it came from. She didn’t want to encounter whatever monsters Petra had with her. However, when she saw her marked hand glow, and painlessly, she knew she couldn’t ignore the possible reason why she was here.
Against her desire to (somehow) force herself to wake up, she approached the only opening into the clearing. It was between two large oak trees, thick with age. Roots as thick as arms, broke through the leaf-covered ground.
Saphira walked into the forest beyond the trees, and saw a fire burning nearby. Instinctively, she used the trees to hide her presence, and walked slowly to keep quiet. The ground was moist - it must have rained recently.
The light of the fire brightened as she hid behind an ancient oak tree. She was hoping the smell of burning logs would disguise her scent. But she realised her scent must be masked by Reilly’s considering what they did. She was wandering through forestry she now knew existed, but didn’t know where it was.
Saphira poked her head out of the cover of the tree. Two Barghests were present, both laying a distance away from the fire, as was Petra. It didn’t surprise her considering it was a blistering-hot day. But what truly caught her eye were six elves, but they didn’t look normal. Their veins, lips, and nails were pitch black, and their teeth resembled reptilian fangs. The hissing must have come from whatever the elves now were. They, however, were sitting near the fire - she could only assume whatever they were, was cold to touch, just like the dead were.
Near Petra, was a shadow-like creature, but it was simply bone and surrounded by a cloud of gas, resembling a cloak, as dark as night. From where Saphira hid, she noticed the skeleton wasn’t normal - every bone were elongated, and onyx black. In the light of the fire, the bones shimmered like tar. However, what made chills go up her spine were the teeth - they were long, canine, and serrated like knives.
Saphira was frozen where she stood - Petra had three types of monsters in her possession. All Saphira had no idea how to defeat. She still hadn’t learned control - things always got in the way. If she was spotted, she couldn’t defend herself. She was taken out of her inner thoughts when Petra spoke.
“Cerna has likely realised I have destroyed Imbla, and know I have used the Council members to create you all. As for you, Owen and Peter, I doubt they are unaware of you considering you ambushed Reilly.”
The Barghests narrowed their eyes, and growled in anger. Obviously they did not want to be at Petra’s beck-and-call. They may hunger for blood and sex, but being under anyone’s control went against their nature.
“Now, I have plans for you all, but first, we need to capture that girl. Reilly will come after her when he realises she’s gone. I need both alive, and unharmed. You can kill whoever gets in your way. As for my Reapers, well, we are going to have some fun.”
Saphira knew she had to wake up, but she was frozen. Something was telling her that the Reapers were going to attack Cerna, or worse, the Human world. She turned to go back to the clearing, but she stepped on a twig. Without waiting, she ran, and hopefully when she got back to the clearing, she would wake up.
***
Petra watched the Barghests raise their heads, and peer into the forest. She heard a twig snapping but she never heard or saw any animals roaming the forest. She stood and approached - footprints were present behind an oak tree. They were small and the shoe resembled a boot. She snarled as she realised Saphira had been watching.
“Go after her!”
The Barghests charged, smelling a feminine perfume, but something else was diffusing into the air. It smelled floral but not feminine, but there was also something else. It smelled like intimate fluids - Saphira had either let Reilly pleasure her, or take her into his bed. Considering the laws the Elven had, it was the first rather than the latter.
***
Saphira heard growling coming from behind her. She didn’t even need to assume - she knew who they were. Her chest ached from breathing swiftly causing her to get out of breath. Fear flooded her, her skin was crawling, and all she wanted was to wake up.
The moment she entered the clearing, she turned, and watched Owen and Peter appear. They were exactly how the books described them, apart from the dripping saliva from their tongue and teeth. Instinctively, she knew the saliva was deadly.
“I know who you are.”
Her voice shook with fear. They growled as though they were replying. It was sinister and dark - now she understood what she saw in Owen’s eyes. The all familiar pain flooded her hands as light appeared, revealing the Elven Star.
Suddenly, she felt cold and wet - she looked and watched every part of her transform into water. It was the very thing Barghests could not touch - it burned them like acid. Saphira watched them staring, knowing they couldn’t harm her. Without thinking, she turned and jumped into the pond before Petra reached the clearing.
It was warm and crystal clear making every plant visible and sway in the currents. Strangely, she couldn’t see herself, not even the Elven Star. She looked up, and saw the Barghests peering into the pond. They looked enraged but she knew why - Petra was going to punish them for failing.
Saphira was beginning to struggle to breathe - bubbles escaped her mouth and nose. Her lungs were beginning to burn - she was drowning.
Trust yourself, Saphira! Trust yourself!
Saphira had no idea who the voice belonged to, but it was a woman. She closed her eyes and thought about Reilly, and how he had shown her love without judgement. He did not reject her regardless of how many times she pulled away. She had to get back to him.
Saphira, trust yourself now!
Saphira felt her transforming back causing her clothing to become soaked. Her lungs were still burning, but her nerves were warming. She thought about Reilly and where they lay under the weeping willow tree. A sphere of light surrounded her, and she vanished.
***
Reilly woke up with a jolt, and instantly noticed he was alone. Worry pulled at his gut, and fear swiftly followed. Where was Saphira? He could still smell her scent at his side, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Light caught his attention making him look at his hand. It was aglow with gold light, and the mark was glowing like embers. Something was seriously wrong.
As he stood to go and search for her, a sphere of light appeared. It swiftly dulled, and he watched Saphira turn onto her side, and cough up water. It seemed to last forever, her skin was paler, and she was violently shaking. How did she nearly drown, and why wasn’t he affected?
“Saphira, take steady breaths.”
“I need to…talk…to…Taeral…now!” Her voice crackled and was hoarse.
“Just wait until you recover.”
“I can’t…it’s…Petra.”
“Stubborn as always. Let me heal you, at least.”
He pressed his hand onto her chest, and began to chant. He watched light flow through her veins, and the shaking soon stopped. He watched her breathing steady, but her clothes were completely sodden, and clinging to her body. He blushed when he noticed it emphasised her body, especially parts he favoured.
“Why are you blushing?” Saphira said, weakly.
“Your clothes are sodden, and…clinging to you,” Reilly said, still blushing.
“Oh…” It was her turn to blush. “I better change before we go and find Taeral.”
“I’ll transport us directly into your room.”
“I wonder why,” Saphira said, smirking.
“You’ve definitely changed,” Reilly chuckled. “Come on, before I lose my restraint.”
Chapter 37
Warning Given
Taeral’s office was in the Council building just outside of the market square, which was still alive with activity. It was larger than Reilly’s home, which was huge. It had five stories, and from where they stood, they could see a very large room protruding from the back. It was the Assembly Hall. The building was covered in runes, which some were obscured by climbing plant life. The door was larger and wider than others, and according to Reilly, it was to enable access to every creature, and vehicles used for mobility.
However, before Reilly could open the door, it was opened by someone she didn’t know. The expression she saw on Reilly’s face told her he knew who she was.
“Grandmother Elbereth, what you doing here?”
“Come inside.” Saphira inwardly jumped - she heard that voice in the clearing.
She was tall, fair-skinned, with aqua-blue eyes, and long auburn hair held back with two plaits exposing her Elven ears. She looked imposing due to how straight she stood that Saphira knew no book would fall from her head. She donned a crimson dress with gold ribbons, and a belt with the same engraving Saphira saw on the gold coins. A mark was on her neck - it looked like an intricate Celtic Knot. Saphira then remembered what Reilly revealed in Taeral and Mirrin’s cabin. When she wed Reilly, she would bare such a mark, but the marks were always different.
Reilly took hold of her hand as Elbereth opened the door wider. Without saying anything else, they followed her down a long hallway. The floor was wooden, and engraved with only a few runes. The walls were covered in paintings, and the side doors had gold plaques stating a name, occupation, and position. However, it were the lights that confused Saphira - they resembled electric bulbs but filled with fire. It was the first thing Saphira recognised in Cerna, apart from the fountain.
A large, arched, wooden door appeared but it displayed no runes. Saphira was confused again - the door had a keyhole and handle. However, the handle was in the shape of a wolf’s head - another reference to Mactire.
Elbereth opened it, and the moment they entered, they were in an extremely large room. But it was made small by the number of gurneys. Each one had two bodies wrapped in linen - regardless of how thick, small blood spots were present on one of each body. It was a morgue, but wasn’t for there was a platform where thirteen chairs sat behind a large oak table. Ten of the chairs resembled thrones.
Reilly felt Saphira’s hand shake within his, and watched her place her hand over her mouth. It muffled her gasp, and didn’t have to look to know her eyes were now full of tears. He wasn’t surprised - she had never seen anyone lying dead on a gurney. But he had, but not like this.
“She did this…” Saphira whispered through tears.
“I assume you mean Petra?” Elbereth said.
“Forgive my bluntness, but I think you know the answer to that,” Saphira said, almost snapping.
“Saphira, why are you angry?”
“I heard her. I heard her when I was drowning in that pond.”
“What pond?”
“Reilly, let her tell you in her own time.”
“You’re going to find out soon, anyway.”
“Saphira, calm yourself, my love.”
“No! I will not! Look at this, Reilly! She knows Petra did this, and probably knows exactly what I saw in that clearing, too.”
“Saphira, that’s my grandmother. She’s the Queen of Maiorum,” Reilly said, gently.
“Reilly, it’s fine. She has every right to speak to me in that manner.”
“I don’t understand any of this,” Reilly said, frowning in confusion.
“Where is Taeral?” Saphira said.
“He’s in the meeting room along with Mirrin, Lilith, Reilly’s parents, my husband, and the King and Queen of Siluas.”
“Why is he here? I know what he’s like, Elbereth, as do you,” Reilly said.
“Reilly, you’ll understand why soon.”
No-one spoke as they followed a path through the gurneys with two bodies on each. The air felt cold, and the atmosphere was still. It was eerie and chilling.
A door appeared, but it was open causing them to hear the overlapping conversations. They sounded worried, angry, and disgusted. But as they entered, the conversation instantly stopped.
Saphira didn’t need to ask who Elbereth’s husband was for Vesryn looked like his father. The other two elves she did not know, but she remembered their names - Nailo and Aestra. The look she got from Nailo was one of judgement and anger. She actually found that it riled her, and right now, her temper was raw.
“Hello, Saphira,” Aestra said - her tone was warm and friendly.
“Hello.”
“You’ll address her with her title, you silly girl.”
“Watch how you speak to her, Nailo,” Reilly said - Saphira heard the venom in his tone.
“No. I can smell her on you.”
“Nailo, stop!” Aestra snapped.
“Father!” Serrae said, just as angrily.
“You’ve bedded her, haven’t you?” Nailo said with a disgusted sneer on his face.
“No. I would never put her in such a position by breaking the law,” Reilly said, almost through gritted teeth.
“So, why is her scent on you?”
“That is enough! Nailo, you will stop this, otherwise I’ll have guards escort you back to Siluas!” Aestra snapped - her once pale cheeks were now red with anger.
“This isn’t over, Reilly.”
“Nailo, you’re in Cerna, which is part of the Maiorum Kingdom. You will watch your tone, and treat Saphira with respect! Now, we have more important matters to discuss,” Elbereth said. “First, I have to let Saphira reveal what she has discovered.”
Everyone went silent as they looked at her with expectation. How much should she reveal? Did she reveal it all, and risk mass panic? Or should she only reveal what parts she considered vital? Against her desire, she revealed everything she had witnessed, heard, and experienced in the clearing.
“Reapers haven’t been created for centuries,” Aubree said. “Are you sure you saw them?”
“I know what I saw and heard. It were six elves but their veins, lips, and nails were black. Their teeth were all reptilian, which I am assuming are venomous. Those creatures may look Elven, but they also don’t.”
“Reapers are incredibly difficult to defeat. They are resistant to elemental magic,” Aestra said. “Each one will have a weakness another does not. The bodies in the Assembly Hall were killed needlessly. She only needed the number she required.”
“It wasn’t her who killed the elves. It was Owen, Peter and Michael. They are Barghests. They obviously didn’t follow her instructions, and I know why. She sent them to the orphanage I grew up in. She used them to watch over me until I left. They tortured me every day, so I ended up isolating myself, for all the good it did, they still tortured me. They hadn’t transformed since they were sent there.”
“She basically starved them,” Mirrin said.
“Anyway, how did I hear your voice? I didn’t even know who you were, yet, I heard you,” Saphira said, staring at Elbereth.
“One of my gifts are the gift of Seeing. You have it also. It’s why you ended up in that clearing without knowing where it was.”
“I’ve been in that clearing multiple times, and I still don’t know where it is.”
“Saphira, it’s a clearing found in Siluas,” Reilly said, gently.
“So, it was you who I saw running through the bushes and trees in the clearing, and other forests I ended up in the Human world?”
“Most likely.”
“What in Goddess Solas and Mactire’s name is going on here?” Nailo said, breathing swiftly causing his jaw to jump, and nostrils flare. “What were you doing in the Human world? We have strict rules!”
“I would watch how you speak to me, Nailo. I am in no mood for your blatant prejudice. I had enough of it growing up. Now, you will stand there, and in silence, otherwise I will send you back to Siluas myself. You know I have every right to.”
Nailo stood, glaring at Reilly, but his anger was clearly aimed at Saphira for his face turned red every time his eyes darted toward her. However, he noticed Saphira did not react to his clear dislike of her. From what he (thought) he knew about her, it took him by surprise. Obviously being around Reilly and his defiant behaviour had made an impression on her. Or maybe he was simply making assumptions (like usual). Regardless, having a girl, who lived like a human for over a decade, in the family was belittling, especially when she grew up with limited means. But trust Reilly to bond with such a person.
“He hates me.”
“He’s like that to most people. Don’t let him get under your skin, Saphira.”
“Reilly, look at his face. He’s enraged.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“Okay.”
“Nailo, you will listen to her,” Aestra said - everyone heard the warning in her tone.
“The Reapers I saw follow her without pausing to think. I may not have lived in this world, but I know those elves are basically dead. They may be resistant to elemental magic, but everything has a weakness. Considering how she made them with combined venom from Barghests and her son, maybe they have the same weaknesses as they do as a result.”
