The rising, p.6
The Rising, page 6
part #3 of The Onis Chronicles Series
“I don’t know,” Laila said forlornly. “I don’t like the idea of us splitting up. We are stronger together. And what if Aeris decides to attack either of you—or us—while we are apart?”
“Oh my!” Glondora said with alarm. “Fer that matter, what if she attacks the troops on their way ta the Trader’s Post? An army o’ dwarves might take on a dragon or two, but not a whole legion o’ them!”
Sighing, Nikolean added, “Glondy is right. I hate to say it, but I think we will need to do more than just inform them to come. With Aeris aware of our plan to gather armies from the other nations, she will likely be watching out for them. They will need protection on the journey over.”
“What are you saying?” Laila asked him, raising her eyebrow.
Nikolean, seeing the worry and panic in her eyes, briefly wished the thought hadn’t even occurred to him, but he knew he couldn’t just leave the Drakka open to Aeris’s attacks after they had pledged themselves to him. He owed it to them to provide a safe passage.
“I believe what he is saying,” Salyaman offered, “is that Nikolean and Glondora will need to stay with the armies on their journey over.”
Davion continued his stoic guise as he tried hard not to show his pleasure in the new plan they were hatching.
Pondering on the matter, Nikolean mused, “With Tury being the fastest, she and I should reach out to the Golds, Blues, and Reds and urge them to come. Glondora can have Turathyl’s Silvers join her on her way to Gortax. Perhaps if we can convince some of them to help us protect our reinforcements, it would give us a greater chance for their safe arrival.”
“It is a good plan,” Salyaman said, nodding agreeably. “If the dragons are willing to assist with the dwarven and Drakka armies’ journey, then you will most definitely need to stay with them to coordinate and act as mediators between the clans.”
“So…” Davion finally voiced, still leaning back in his chair, “It would just be Laila, Salyaman, and myself heading to the human and elven capitals?”
Scowling at the human, Nikolean said, “It will be up to Lady Laila.” He looked at Laila fondly and added, “If you tell me to stay with you, I will. However, I do think that if we are to be ready for Aeris, then we need to keep moving forward with the plan to have everyone reach the Trader’s Post in time—and safely. Although, it is possible that they would be fine on their own. My people are very resourceful.”
Taking in a heavy breath, Laila looked around the table at them all watching her keenly. She hated this plan. She hated this war. She wished desperately that there was another way to cure the land of the animosity so it could begin to heal. As she let go of her breath, Laila knew in her mind that they were right, even though her heart was paining her, but she was terrified that something could go wrong, and she would never see Nikolean again.
“I don’t like it,” Laila began.
“I understand,” Nikolean said, unknowingly interrupting her.
“But…” she said firmly, regaining their attention, “I agree that it would be safer for our allies to have our support, and hopefully the support of our dragons, during their journey.”
Salyaman nodded solemnly while Glondora stared blankly at the table, trying to process what all of this would mean for her and Astryma. Davion tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin, and Nikolean took Laila’s hand tightly while looking upon her face in low spirits.
As she gazed dolefully back at Nikolean, her heart panging at the thought of being separated, Laila was troubled by the blackness of his gaze from his new United eyes. She had always adored looking enchantedly into his blood-red stare, remembering how it would give her a tingling sensation every time they would lock sight with one another. In her heart, she knew it was still her love past those strange black irises, but it would take time to get used to them, time they didn’t have.
Interrupting Laila’s thoughts, Salyaman declared, “We cannot stay here for long. I suggest we leave at first light.”
“What about the mages?” Davion countered.
“Niko and meself can ‘ead out tamorra’. Twill take us much longer than yerselves. Ye should give the mages a chance ta think it o’er,” Glondora suggested.
“That would be agreeable,” Salyaman nodded.
“My lady,” Nikolean said softly to her. “Are you comfortable with the plan?”
Hesitating for a moment, she looked around again at the group all watching her. Of course she wasn’t comfortable nor happy at all with the plan, but did that matter? The weight of all Onis was resting on their shoulders, and they had to do whatever needed to be done, despite their own discomforts and anxieties.
“It is a good plan,” Laila said firmly, attempting to show confidence. “Nikolean and Glondora will leave in the morning, and the rest of us shall wait for the mages’ decision before heading to Roco.”
* * *
“I’m so relieved that Firemaster Thornton was able to have you released,” Laila told Nikolean. She rested her head against his chest, appreciative of finally having a moment of privacy with him in the room acquired for them.
“Is that who I have to thank for it?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her. “I wasn’t exactly invited to weigh in on what I assume was a rather interesting conversation,” Nikolean said wryly. “They just escorted me out in much the same manner of which they led me in and told me where I could find you. I’m quite surprised, honestly. Your firemaster must hold quite the sway in Mira.”
Laila gazed up into his eyes, and he brushed a lock of hair away from her face as she asked him, “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
Smiling gently down on her, he said, “Nothing that will leave any noteworthy scars.”
A frown came over her face as Laila looked away, worried about how he must have been treated.
Seeing her sadness, Nikolean told her, “I knew what I was getting myself into when I insisted on coming, but I am alright, my love. Especially now that I am here with you. That is all that matters.”
Resting her head back against his chest, Laila uttered miserably, “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“We both do, my love,” he said, holding her tightly. “But I think we all agree that there just isn’t time for us to stay together right now. With Tury’s speed, it will be up to me to alert most of the dragon clans as well as accompany the Drakka to ensure their safety.”
Laila knew he spoke the truth, and that this was what needed to happen, but it didn’t change how her heart felt like it was breaking at the thought. The fact of the matter was, anything could happen between now and seeing him again, including the dreaded possibility of never seeing him again, never holding him again. She knew that her destiny required her to make sacrifices when it came to her own wants and desires, but was it really so selfish to wish they could at least stay together?
“How soon will you leave?” she asked, her voice cracking as she attempted to stay strong.
Taking in a deep breath, Nikolean squeezed her tightly against him. “Tury and I will depart to alert the dragon clans at first light.”
Laila clenched her eyes shut and gripped on to Nikolean through his loose shirt, feeling his firm back as she clung to him while a few defiant tears rolled down her cheeks. After holding her tenderly for several minutes, Nikolean pulled back and lifted her chin with his index finger for her to gaze into his captivating red eyes. Except, the red irises she loved were no longer there. Staring long and hard into these strange new eyes, Laila tried to see Nikolean in them, but they reminded her more of looking into Turathyl’s, seeing only a reflection of herself.
“I will be thinking of you every moment I am gone,” Nikolean told her as she averted her sight again. “But, my love, I do not want you to worry or dwell on thoughts of me in my absence. You have nations to win over to join our cause, and they will need to see the strength that we all know you possess. I promise I will do everything in my power to make it back to you in one piece and be with you again.” Nikolean forced a smile for her benefit and continued, “Now, chin up, my love. Let us make the most of tonight.”
Smiling back up at him, Laila closed her eyes as Nikolean drew near and sensually kissed her lips. She no longer needed the redness of his stare as she felt the familiarity of his strong hands and passionate embrace. She would remember the feel and taste of his lips, no matter what else changed around them. Her body yearned for him in its entirety as they made their way slowly to the bed without parting from one another.
Trying their best not to dwell on thoughts of tomorrow, they made sure it would be a night that neither of them would ever forget.
CHAPTER FIVE
Angst
Scanning the strange orange sky, the Omi Méa felt a heaviness in her chest as she watched the flames flaring inexplicably all around, hearing them crackling as they danced in the wind. A thick cloud of smoke was rising from the ground like a heavy fog, emitting out from a peculiar blanket of something covering the surface. She squinted her eyes, peering at the mounds, and then realized they were bodies. As far as her eyes could see, bodies were littering the ground, completely motionless.
Taking a step forward, Laila stubbed her toe and looked down. She jumped back upon seeing a dark elf lying at her feet with a blood-soaked face and fixed glassy eyes staring up into the beyond. She did not recognize him, but as she analyzed the nearest corpses, she quickly realized they all shared a similar connection. They were all drow.
Startled, she began panicking as her heart beat hard in her chest and her breathing became labored. She feared the worst as she scanned the area, looking desperately for her love, Nikolean. Laila stepped between and over the bodies as she wandered the endless expanse of death, completely overwhelmed and panic-stricken. The faces all started to blur and look the same as she continued her search for him. He couldn’t be dead; she had to find him, she had to know he was safe, or at least heal him if he wasn’t. But not one of the dark elves surrounding her had a glimmer of life left within.
Her chest burned as though it were on fire as she moved faster and faster until her foot caught abruptly on one of the mound’s armor when she tried to step over it. The elf maiden stumbled, tripping and falling over the corpse onto her knees, thoroughly shaking with horror. I have to keep searching! she told herself, forcing her body to get back up to its feet.
Feeling utterly lost and defeated, Laila opened her mouth to call out for Nikolean, unable to take it anymore. But, no matter how loud she tried to yell or scream for him, her voice never came. Amidst her silent cries, there was suddenly another sound overtaking the crackling of the flames across the field of death, pulling her attention away from her own angst. It was the sound of a tormented girl weeping brokenly.
While searching around to find the source of the crying, Laila discovered a young girl sitting on the ground facing away from her amongst the endless bodies. Her head was resting before her bent knees with wavy blond locks curtaining her frame and flowing over her brown frock. She was cupping her face with her hands, hiding in the gap before her thighs whilst she wept. The little girl was trembling as her tears poured out, and Laila approached her cautiously, her heart paining to see her so distressed amongst such devastation. As she neared, she discovered one of the corpses lying at the girl’s feet, but it was blurred beyond recognition within the smokey haze. Its face was further hidden behind the girl’s frame, and Laila’s heart caught in her throat, afraid of discovering the identity of the body.
Making her way toward the girl, Laila felt as though her feet were dragging heavy boulders, wanting to see, yet not wanting to. Once she was near enough, Laila ever-so-gently reached out and touched the girl on the shoulder to get her attention. Her lips moved to ask the child if she was alright while trying to peek past her at the corpse, but she could still not make a sound, nor could she descry the dead body’s features.
The girl sniffled while lifting her head to look at the Omi Méa, pulling her attention back to her. When the girl’s face was unveiled, Laila screamed a soundless scream and jumped back upon finding a younger version of herself staring back at her. The scared little elf girl’s hands and face were entirely smeared and painted with tears of blood.
Gasping, Laila shot up in the bed, breathing rapidly, and she immediately began crying, her whole body shaking. It had felt so real, and she could still sense the devastation within her.
“My love, what is it?” Nikolean asked, sitting up beside her in the bed, concerned.
The elf maiden quickly wrapped her arms tightly around him, continuing to cry into the crevice of his neck.
“Please, tell me what this is about,” the dark elf pleaded with her, his concern growing as he held her compassionately.
“I can’t let you leave!” she wailed at him. “I can’t let you go alone! It was so horrible! All the dark elves were dead, and I couldn’t find you anywhere!”
“Look at me,” he told her sternly, pulling her back away from him so he could lock his eyes with hers. “It was just a dream, my love. Just your fears playing tricks on you. So long as they are willing, we shall have the other dragon clans with us to help bring us safely back to you.” Nikolean took a deep breath whilst cupping her face with his hands. With his thumbs, he wiped her tears across her cheeks as he continued, “Have faith, my love. I know you are scared, but it was just a dream.”
Laila wanted so badly to believe that it indeed was just a dream, but how could she be certain? She had had dreams of the like before that came to pass. Blinking her sad eyes at him, she tried to convince herself that he was probably right. The thought of him and Glondora going off separately had been causing her great strife. Of course she would dream such a thing in her worried state. It seemed obvious now.
“I still don’t like the plan,” she said softly, starting to calm down.
Nikolean kissed her lips tenderly, then pulled her back against him. As he wrapped his arms comfortingly around her in a tight embrace, he told her, “I know. I don’t either. But we must have faith that this day will not be the last that I shall hold you in my arms.”
“I can’t even bear the thought of losing you,” she told him as she clung to him.
“Nor I you, so let us not think on such things.”
Just then, there was a quiet knock on their door. Both Laila and Nikolean glanced at it, startled and confused, as the sun still had some hours left before rising.
Nikolean swiftly stood up from the bed and covered himself modestly with his trousers before heading to the door. Meanwhile, Laila pulled the blanket up to cover herself while quickly scanning the room for the location of her armor and weapons.
“Who’s there?” Nikolean asked firmly, with his grip securely on the handle.
“Salyaman,” a voice replied quietly from the other side.
After creaking the door open slightly and peeking through, Nikolean stepped back and opened it further, allowing the elf prince to enter.
“Lady Laila,” the tall elf said while bowing to her. “The mages have sent word that they wish to see the dragons and more of our United powers at dawn outside the city gates.”
“Oh,” she replied, a little surprised at the odd hour. “All of us?”
“Yes, Lady Laila. Nikolean and Glondora can leave afterward, as can we. I suggest we prepare now to meet with them and for all of our departure.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you, Salyaman,” Laila said, nodding respectfully to him.
The high elf then quickly took his leave.
Once they were alone, Nikolean closed the door and turned back to face her. “Are you ready for this?”
Wiping the rest of the tears from her eyes and face, Laila gave him a pained smile as she sighed and nodded. “I suppose I will have to be,” she told him, adding, “I doubt the master mages will be impressed by a blubbering Omi Méa.”
* * *
Staring blankly at the table past her plate, Laila was finding it difficult to focus on anything, lost in thoughts of Nikolean and the fear of the uncertain future for all of them. Her love and Glondora were still preparing for their departure, having a much longer journey than the others. Meanwhile, Laila, Davion, and Salyaman sat waiting in the tavern, finishing their early breakfasts.
The elf maiden had lost any sense of optimism following Aeris’s preemptive strike against her comrades and was still tormented by Hort’s death, wondering how many more lives would be lost in their pursuit of ending this war. She couldn’t help but feel the guilt of how much worse things had become because of her facing the great Silver monarch. She believed that had she never left her home and wolf-god mother, Hort would still be alive, and there wouldn’t be countless others preparing to travel across Onis, many of whom were likely to meet their demise as well.
“Lady Laila?” Davion said, trying to get her attention. “Is there something wrong with your breakfast?”
Coming out of her trance, Laila looked up at Davion and smiled. “Not at all,” she told him, trying to hide her pain. She knew she needed to appear strong and smiled warmly at Davion, despite her heart breaking in her chest. Aside from knowing Nikolean would be gone soon and they had no idea when they would see each other again, she couldn’t put her nightmare of the dark elves to rest in her mind.
“I was just thinking of everything we still need to accomplish before Aeris attacks again,” she fibbed. “I’m anxious to get going and meet with your King Lyson.”
Davion had been worried about how she would be faring with the dark elf scheduled to leave later that morning and was encouraged to see that she did not seem held up by it. “We should probably leave for Roco after we meet with the mages. I am eager to get going as well.”
“I agree,” Salyaman stated, setting his fork down on his almost-empty plate. “Everything is nearly ready for us to head to the human capital.” Looking pensively at the elf maiden, he added, “Lady Laila, I was hoping that, if we are able to, we could stop at Má Lyndor after Roco so that I may see Shakiera. With the speed of the dragons, it should only add a few hours to our trip.”
