Insignitis destiny, p.43
Insignitis: Destiny, page 43
“Stubborn like always.”
“Always.”
Chapter 45
Ethora
Biala Forest was still as dense since the day Petra watched Faoth succumbing to Uisce’s curse. But its beauty had grown since they were last here (together). They walked through the trees, across every boulder, and moss covered stone, with a feeling of relief. After seventeen years, Petra had succeeded - her son was now a Nymph, and at her side.
The warmth of the sun caressed every part of exposed skin, making their pale-blue skin take on a pearly glow. Smiles appeared on their faces as they walked toward a cabin they once called home. Only Petra knew the condition it was in after years of abandonment. However, on rare occasions, she returned home to tend to the little things to keep it habitable. Still, she did not fail to place new enchantments before she had to leave.
A small clearing appeared, but most of it was overgrown by weeds, bracken, ferns, and shrubs. But the trees were vibrant, and full of healthy green leaves, and berries on the rowan trees. It felt charming regardless of the overgrowth. The way the sun crossed over the wooden cabin, it seemed to glow, as though it was welcoming them home.
“Mother, it hasn’t changed.”
“I tried to keep it habitable, my son, but I could rarely return. But now, we can repair our home.”
“I can feel the magic you’ve placed on the cabin. It’s powerful, but is it powerful enough to stop others from finding us? A few know where we live.”
“They may know, but the shield I have erected will hide the cabin, only leaving the overgrowth visible. We’ll be safe here.”
“As much as I want to go inside, I want to enjoy the warm weather. I haven’t felt it for a long time.”
“Okay. I’ll go and make something to eat. You must be starving, son.”
“Sure.”
The Assembly Hall wasn’t entirely empty when Reilly and Saphira entered. The Royal Families were present along with Mirrin, Lilith, Taeral, and a group of guards. All looked tired, and in desperate need for a full night’s sleep. However, it was Nailo their eyes went straight to - he was the only one sitting, and his wrists were bound by enchanted rope. They didn’t need an explanation - everyone knew what he had done.
Saphira knew Reilly’s eyes were glued to Nailo, and didn’t need to look to know his eyes were orange. She could feel the irritation leaking from his aura. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, which he returned.
“Why are you all here? You look exhausted,” Saphira said.
“We need to discuss Petra and Faoth. Also, Alice and William have been healed, but remain here because their home isn’t truly safe,” Serrae said.
“How are they, truly?”
“Confused, tired, and worried about you both,” Mirrin said.
“After what they witnessed, it doesn’t surprise me,” Saphira said.
“You both look exhausted, and weak. I can feel it leaking from your auras. How can you deal with those Nymphs?” Nailo said, frowning toward Saphira.
“Because we have to regardless of how we feel. This world won’t be safe if they remain alive. They will litter it with death because they will never change,” Reilly said, frowning straight back at Nailo. “And I see you’ve been arrested for what you did to my future wife. I am marrying her, Nailo, and you will never stop me from doing what I want. You’ve tried to take too much from me, but each time you failed. Now, you will sit there in silence. I don’t have the patience for your childish behaviour.”
“Reilly, forget about him. We have to go to Ethora.”
“Before you depart, Elder Delimaira wants you to have these. They’re enchanted to enable us to find you, if needed,” Serrae said. “Also, she wishes you congratulations.”
“Tell her, thank you,” Saphira said. “We’ll send a message before we return.”
If we return.
Saphira heard Reilly’s thoughts, and regardless of how negative they were, it didn’t make them untrue. Without speaking further, they took, and donned, the bracelets, and left without another word.
Ethora was vibrant, but still unlike Viridi Forest where life was heard, and seen throughout. However, the ground was different - it was more like stepping stones than a path. What undergrowth and leaf litter there was, it was trapped between the spaces, or cracks in the stones and boulders. Regardless of the canopy of the trees, it was hot in the forest.
Each sun-ray made each leaf, stem, and fern glow like green aventurine. If life wasn’t throwing them into endless situations where their lives were endangered, they would have seen the beauty of Biala Forest. But they couldn’t, not after losing her life, and risking Reilly’s.
“Saphira, I don’t like how quiet you are.”
“Sorry, I just don’t have the energy. My entire body aches, and my head is banging.”
“Saphira, you were poisoned, and lost your life. It’s going to take time for you to recover.”
“Reilly, I heard you before we left. We still might lose our lives trying to defeat those Nymphs.”
“Considering what your family said, I think our lives will be affected regardless.”
“I always thought I would have been glad, and happy, to meet them. But I just feel angry.”
“Saphira, your anger is understandable. You were stuck in a place you should never have been in. You belonged here.”
“Well, I wasn’t, and now, we are here searching for the very people who took my life…great.”
“Well, they still think you are.”
“A tiny advantage, but they are powerful, and have most likely hidden the cabin.”
Reilly turned her head to face his, and saw pain and exhaustion - her eyes were glazed. Against his desire, he noticed her skin was paler, and her veins were only just beginning to return to their natural colour. The only thing that had returned was the warmth he always felt whenever he touched her. But naivety wasn’t in his nature - he knew she had changed. He just hoped whatever was going through her mind, she would reveal it when ready.
“I can feel the exhaustion leaking from your aura. Maybe we can leave it for a day. They aren’t going anywhere soon.”
“Reilly, this exhaustion isn’t going to go away within a day, regardless if I sleep for that long. I was told by Meorise we would be weak, and I doubt she was wrong. She and those other Elders knew centuries before I was born. They didn’t reveal much, which doesn’t surprise me.”
“Hopefully, the answers you want, and need, will be provided after all this mess is cleaned up. Still, the mess they created will never be truly be cleaned up. They destroyed so many lives within a few days.”
“Which will continue to happen unless they are gone.”
“That is something everyone we know believes. We may as well find their cabin. I daresay you’ll see past whatever enchantments they have used.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You have the gift of Sight. You see everything around you in its purist form. I’ve seen images of the botanical garden in your mind, Saphira, and I saw things that I have never seen in that place.”
“Like what?”
“The first thing I saw was the waterfall. The water shimmered like crystal in the sunlight, and then I noticed how plant life reacted to you, regardless if it was stationary outwith your mind. It seemed to be watching you, for the lack of a better word.”
“You saw that?”
“Yes. Why?”
“When I died, I saw every type of plant grow, shine, and when I saw ivy approaching, I knew why. I was supposed to let them take my spirit wherever they were planning on going. I was about to when I heard whispering, which grew louder. I was confused, at first, because the voice was different. It was only when I heard the desperation in it did I realise it was you.”
“How did it sound different?”
“It was so far away, and it wasn’t everything like your voice. It sounded deeper. But when it got louder, I remembered. The plant life watched me turn, and it seemed to agree that I should follow it. The branches of nearby trees separated, and created a tunnel. I saw a shadow at the end of it, so, I followed the path the trees created. When I reached the end of the tunnel, all I saw was your predatory side. But something was off.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your veins were glowing like embers, and your eyes were losing colour.”
“I was dying, Saphira, and willingly. I belong at your side, so if I failed in bringing you back, I was going to let whatever took you, take my life. It seems overbearing, but I know I couldn’t survive without you. Even if I did, I would just be an empty shell. It’s extremely rare, but the person just loses everything, including their sanity.”
“That sounds like death without being dead.”
“Basically it is. It’s why bonded couples die together. No-one wants to live like that.”
“What happens to the afflicted?”
“They’re put in magically induced comas. Thankfully they die within days, and they always leave this world with an expression of peace on their face. No-one knows the truth of why, but most believe they see their bonded partner, and follow them into whatever world they now reside in the Afterlife.”
“That sounds rather like Heaven in the Human world.”
“Maybe it is. But if you were going to let the plant life you saw take you, you were being taken by Nature. You know you have a connection with it, my love, so maybe that is where you truly belong in the Afterlife.”
“But we’re bonded, doesn’t that mean you would join me?”
“You have deemed me worthy of you, so I would go wherever you decided to go.”
“Elder Delimaira spoke about me having more than one gift. All I need to learn how to truly use, but according to her, I have others yet to show themselves.”
“Whatever gifts you have, you will hone them, however fast or slow, you will succeed.”
“You’re the only one who truly believes that, Reilly.”
“I don’t understand. Everyone knows how gifted you are, especially Lilith.”
“Remember what we were told - I’m not easily fooled.”
“What have you seen?”
“Doubt and fear. Mostly from the very person who was supposed to protect me.”
“Why would Mirrin feel that way? She has been part of your life in the Human world, and in this one.”
“She fears the amount of magic that still leaks from me. I only felt it when I lost control that day. I just felt everything was burning, but wasn’t causing pain. You saw the fear Nailo’s face when I transformed into fire. That form I take isn’t normal fire, Reilly, and I realised that when you had to pin me on the floor.”
“Wait, when Lilith performed the location enchantment, you accidentally burned her. Elven can endure a lot of pain because magic can cause a lot of pain as it develops, but she immediately let go of your hands. Her eyes were wet, and her hands were covered in blisters.”
“Enchanted fire burns everything it touches. I daresay the Reapers were killed easily when the crystals were used.”
“They basically burned internally.”
“They were dead, Reilly, and went against nature. Enchanted fire easily killed them by internally cremating them.”
“Saphira, people are going to want answers, my love.”
“And I will be honest, but if I know something shouldn’t be revealed, then it won’t be.”
“That is understandable.”
“Reilly, we better go before anyone sees us here. I don’t particularly like the idea of encountering more Nymphs.”
“Come on, let’s follow this path. It’s the only one that looks well-worn considering how exposed these stones are.”
***
There was a deathly silence in the Assembly Hall, and everyone was staring toward where Nailo sat. No-one spoke, but the anger, disgust, and judgement leaking from their auras spoke louder than words. He may be a king, but that did not mean he was above the law. He knew what he had done went against multiple laws, but he simply didn’t seem to care. He was controlled and blinded by prejudice, snobbery, and the inability to extend an olive branch (as humans said) toward Saphira. He just judged her without knowing the truth of her upbringing, or what circumstances she was unwillingly, and unknowingly, placed into.
Nothing was never clear, especially when a prophecy was involved. Every high ranking individual knew the prophecy, and others only knew bits and pieces. But he was a king, but what was stated in the prophecy made no sense, or did it but he was too blinded by assumption to make sense of it? If he were, would he even be sat on a chair with enchanted rope around his wrists? The simple answer wasn’t one he wanted to accept. He knew Saphira wasn’t worthy of his grandson’s hand, but he knew how bonds formed, and there was absolutely nothing he could do to change it. Even if there were, he knew Reilly would never allow it, neither would the ones who were staring at him.
“Quit the staring. I know how you feel about what I did. I did it regardless.”
“You had no right!” Serrae snapped. “You invaded Saphira’s mind! I wouldn’t have been surprised if my son tore your throat out!”
“Reilly has bitten her.”
“So? That has nothing to do with you, Father. He has the right, under law, to claim his chosen in that manner! Furthermore, Saphira gave him permission, which means she knew, and understood, the meaning of it!”
“How could she when she grew up in the Human world?”
“That woman is so much more perceptive than you will ever be! She understands my son, and our race regardless of her upbringing. She was fearless when Reilly transformed, which means she knew of our predatory side. She knew exactly what my son had done. Now, you may hate her for reasons I will never understand, but she is now claimed, and by a prince. As a result you know she is now royalty, and you know the penalty for what you did!”
“Everyone knows, Serrae, and I know you would love to see it performed publicly.”
“I’m not that cruel, Father, but you will be flogged!”
“How many times, may I ask?” Nailo didn’t even look guilty, or surprised as he stared at his daughter’s disgusted and angry expression.
“One per year of Saphira’s age,” Serrae said. “Guards Yohan and Aego collect the materials. My father’s punishment will occur on your return.”
“Of course, Princess Serrae.”
“You will not be given anything to bite down on. You will endure every bit of pain inflicted upon you. Also, your wounds will only be partially healed. It will be up to you if you want to remain scarred or not, but your pride will always get in the way.”
The guards returned with their hands full. Yohan held a wound up whip as Aego carried a dismantled post where Nailo would be attached, and stretched out on using ropes. The moment the guards began to assemble the post, Nailo was stripped of his tunic. Soon, the sound of a whip and gasps of pain filled the room.
***
Faoth wandered toward the shore of an unnamed pond where his mother always sat as he grew up. It was where she came to release the guilt and pain in secret, but he knew why she went there. She may have been the cause of his transformation, but he felt no anger toward her. She was a doting mother, and treated him like a prince. Still, the cabin where they resided was, in no way, a castle, but it was home.
The pond came into view - it had not changed, but in the sunlight and slight breeze, it shimmered. The surrounding plant life was vibrant and thriving, and the water was so clear he could see fish swimming and plants swaying. It was serene and welcoming. The water beckoned him, and after a few moments, he entered and breathed a sigh of relief and wonder. He had not felt such a sensation for many long years.
Faoth just tread the water, absorbing and welcoming every sensation finally being provided. However, he wasn’t naive - he knew he and his mother were not safe regardless of enchantments. Saphira may be dead, and as a result, Reilly would have joined her, but others would hunt for them considering what they did. But it was the only way he was ever going to return to the way he now was. Selfish or not, they had littered so many places with death that nothing was likely to last. So, with the time he had, he was going to experience everything he had missed.
***
Chapter 46
Destiny
They stood between white birch trees that were meters thick, and tall enough to hollow out and make shelters. The foliage was thick and vibrant, and the bark was the colour of ashes. Each leaf ovate with sharp-pointed edges, and with the scent of charred wood yet floral. The sunlight struck each leaf making each vein clear and well defined. The entire forest was beautiful, but the knowledge of Petra and Faoth calling it home ruined its beauty, for they were anything but.
Reilly stood at Saphira’s side as she stared at an overgrown clearing. He couldn’t see anything but plant life and trees. But clearly something was there, for Saphira’s eyes were glued to whatever it was. Reilly could only assume whatever was there was hidden under multiple enchantments, but there didn’t appear to be a shield. If there were, the sunlight would reveal it and its boundaries.
Saphira could practically hear the cogs turning in Reilly’s mind, but needed no explanation. She was staring at something he couldn’t see. But what she was staring at was a wooden cabin that needed a lot of repair. However, the structure was still sturdy, but from what she could see through the windows, the furniture, walls, and floors were in disrepair. But her eyes soon darted away from the interior to a figure busy in the tiny kitchen. She didn’t need to look closer, for she knew it was Petra, but she was alone.
“There’s a cabin in front of us.”
“It’s well hidden because I can’t even see a shield,” Reilly said.
“There is a shield, but it has been filled with enchantments.”
“Why can you see it when I can’t?”
“The enchantments are nature based. It’s emitting floral scents, probably by using the overgrowth.”
“How am I supposed to help you? I can’t see anything.”
