Alni Page 10

  “Landra says yer elves?”

  Dora nodded, then, to Alni’s surprise, bowed. The woman clapped her hands together and smiled deeply at the display of respect, face transforming into one of glee as she turned to look at him next. He followed suite, taking off his maroon cap and bowing low, eyes catching Dora’s on his way back up.

  “We can feed ya. Haven’t had elves this way in many years, fed the last group too. Ya know, you type should be remembering to bring enough food.”

  She laughed, ripples cascading from her belly as she kept the door open and turned, slowly heading down the hallway. The small girl, Landra, was quick to shuffle behind, looking over her shoulder at the two newcomers instead of where she was stepping.

  “Don’t mind her none, Landra’s scared of everything she don’t understand. We’ve got some bread, sausage, and eggs for ya. Good timing, we were just serving up breakfast,” she said, stopping when they reached a white, simple kitchen within her home.

  “Thank you kindly. What may we call our host?” Dora inquired then, falling alongside Alni as they stopped at the kitchen.

  “Maria, you’ve already met my daughter.”

  Landra raced over to the family-sized table in the corner, taking a wordless seat in front of a plate of food Maria had placed down just a moment before. She turned and headed back to the kitchen, dishing up Alni and Dora before they had a chance to offer to assist.

  “Take a seat, the both of ya,” she shooed them off.

  After exchanging a quick glance, the two of them made their way over to the table and took a seat near Landra, plates of food soon set in front of them. They exchanged pleasantries, loosely reporting their mission to Glade village as the four of them ate.

  Maria was a widow, husband died of a sickness the previous year, but she was still able to keep up the farm. Although for how much longer, she seemed to be unsure. Thankfully, she had said, there was an offer on the home and land, someone new picking up all the estate around the neighboring villages. It was an offer she had no intention upon turning down.

  When finally the last of their food had been eaten and the table fell silent, Alni finally spoke up.

  “How can we repay you?”

  “I’ve got a cow, keeps getting out from the fenced-in area in the back. Don’t suppose the two of ya know how to fix a fence?” Maria asked, flashing them a grin that revealed several missing teeth, “It’s always such a bother huntin’ her down when she escapes and I don’t know how much longer I can do that for.”

  “That can be done, absolutely. We’ll have the fence fixed and be on our way before you know it. Thank you again for your hospitality and delicious meal,” Dora said, returning Maria’s smile.

  The two of them already felt refreshed and strong, fueled by the full meal and finally feeling safe for the time being.

  “Landra will lead you out to the fence and our tools, won’t ya?” Maria said, looking over to her daughter.

  The small girl looked between her mother and the two elves before standing, nodding wordlessly as she started towards the front door.

  With a bow of thanks, both travelers headed after Landra, entering the chilly morning. The sun had finally risen, illuminating the icicles that had danced along the exposed grass. It was getting colder and colder with each passing day and Alni was still surprised they had not seen snow as of yet. Winter was coming, a hard enough time for the villages, let alone with part of their rations going to the King…

  Landra’s finger extended and pointed to the fence over by their barn. One of the top boards was broken, swinging down and exposing it. She then pointed over towards the barn.

  “There’s some tools in there,” the words were said fast and under her breath before the small girl ran back towards her home and mother, leaving the two of them there.

  “That went well,” Dora said, making her way to the barn.

  She slipped inside and returned with a bag of tools that seemed to have been resting just inside.

  “Know how to use these, Alni?”

  “I’m actually quite handy, my dad taught me the basic mechanics of building,” Alni responded, reaching out and grabbed the tools from her, pulling out an old hammer as he inspected the fence, “I’m sure I can figure out the rest.”

  Alni offered up a small smile, grabbing the board and fallen nails on the ground. In the field, their cow had sighted them, mooing loudly.

  “I’m thinking I may take my knife and try to get them something small to eat, as well as ourselves. We are just a few miles from Swordstale and my friend, we can get there by nightfall if we hurry.”

  “You sure you want to head for the very place that put a bounty on your head?”

  “I have to, I promised. I’ll be careful. You can stay if you’re worried, or wait until after I get business handled in town. In and out, they’ll never know I was even there.”

  Dora had reached to her side, pulling out her knife and balancing it on one finger.

  “We’ll go. Go ahead and hunt, I should be done within the hour.”

  It probably wouldn’t even take him that long but while his feet ached from their run, an ache that she surely did not share with her full blood, a break was much needed.

  “Try not to scare off anymore girls while I’m gone,” Dora gave him a smile and wink, tossing her knife in the air a few inches before catching it, palming the weapon.

  As she headed off towards the forest, Alni remembered how happy she had looked, how calm she seemed when faced with everything they had and would overcome.

  It would be a long time before she looked that way again.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Dora disappeared into the forest, careful not to travel too deeply within Nevina. There were more than enough people after the both of them and she had no intention on making it easier by getting lost and separated. Besides, no one truly knew what lurked deep within the darkness.

  She did need some fresh air, and a moment away from Alni to digest everything they had been through; the things she had been keeping secret from him, and the stone she had every intention on using. It had only been a strike of luck that Alni decided to go with her; she had been certain she’d have to come back for him once the army was in place.

  She could not allow the stone to go to King Mallor, or all would be lost, but if it could be used against him?

  The idea of using Alni like a weapon did not sit right with her. He was growing on her in a great many ways she wasn’t interested in addressing, a distraction that she had welcomed after a short time. A light-hearted presence that had, for a bit, made her forget all about her troubles that lay ahead.

  Tucking against the side of a tree, Dora’s ears twitched and listened for her prey, silent and still as her knife gleamed in the sun. It was so serene standing alone in the forest and doing what she had been trained to do. Living without a mother and father had forced her to learn how to take care of herself.

  They were skills that had kept her alive, skills that not many others had mastered to the degree that Dora had. But she would have traded it all for just another day with her parents. They had been taken from her by evil and she would return and take it all back. Avenge her parents and stop the evil that reigned over Desin before it left an even bigger imprint on their world.

  There was a sound just across from Dora and she hunched down, ready to attack. Taking one slow step towards the undergrowth, she was poised to stab forward at whatever small animal was unlucky enough to cross her path.

  “You’ve grown up, Elladora.”

  The voice made her gasp and spin around, knife held close as her eyes searched for the one who had spoken. There was a fear that tore at her insides, reminding her that the voice was eerily familiar. How could she forget it? It was a voice that had haunted her for so many years. Behind her, the rabbit escaped and ran off into the dark forests of Nevina.

  “I was wondering if I’d get a chance with you alone. I’m here with a message, my dearest child.”<
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  There was venom in each dry word, coming at Dora from all different directions. She could not place where the speaker was located, even searching above her head for him as she stumbled backwards.

  “What do you want?!” But of course, she already knew.

  “You know who I am. The rightful leader of these lands, I commend your fight and strong will, Elladora, but if you come to stop me you will endure the same fate as your father.”

  “You mean you’ll kill me?” Dora spat, shaking as her knuckles turned white where she gripped her knife.

  Her body and mind begged that she find the one who taunted her and end his miserable existence. The being that had ruined her family…that had betrayed her father before coming for her mother and herself. This pathetic beast had slayed Dora’s mother maliciously. It had been a miracle and the help of her father’s warlock that led her to safety before she was as dead as the rest of them.

  Of course, her mother had no choice but to entrust Dora to a family outside the Kingdom, a group of elves that would keep her safe. It wasn’t long after Dora escaped when her mother was brutally murdered, as well.

  “Surely you mean the humans killed him, Princess?”

  “No. I meant you. I’m coming for you, Mallor. We know all about your plan and I will come for you.”

  Dora took a deep breath, trying to calm her breathing as she backed up until she was against a tree. The stability behind her brought her back to the present moment as she clutched her knife ever tighter in her hands.

  “You will fail. I see you, Elladora. I saw you the moment you stepped away from him. Who is he? The traveler without a face…what is it that prevents me from -”

  The voice was cut off as Dora whipped around the tree, certain she had found where the words came from. She yelled out, knife at the ready as she jumped upon the figure that stood there, knocking him to the forest floor.

  Her legs moved to either side of the body, trapping it against the ground as one knee rose up to rest on his chest. Dora’s knife stopped a mere inch from his face, shock crossing her enraged features as she registered who was on the receiving end.

  “Whoa…Dora! It’s me! It’s me!” Alni yelled out, hand on her wrist as he held her back.

  It took her a moment longer to fully register, but once she did the knife dropped to the ground near his head. Alni flinched when it embedded into the forest ground, his emerald eyes holding hers as he offered a slow smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” she breathed, panic seizing her chest as the distant sound of laughter echoed through her mind, becoming more and more faint until it was non-existent.

  It was a taunt that would take her a long time to shake, and one that she feared more than anything in their world. Even more than her birthright.

  “It’s okay, really. Are you okay?” He asked her softly.

  Concern clouded Alni’s face as he sat up, her body moving down his and shifting until she sat on the ground next to him, one leg remaining draped across his. It was a lazy collapse but her body would not allow but much else in the present time.

  “I’m not, Alni. I’m really not. I’m worried I’m running out of time and I have to get to my friend. I have to…” Her voice stopped, hands rising to her forehead as she pressed against the skin there, relieving the instant headache.

  His hands moved to either side of her head, thumbs pressing into her temples as he spoke.

  “I don’t know what your plan is or what’s going on, but we’ll get to Swordstale. We can leave now, the fence is done,” Alni’s voice was soothing, the pressure forcing a groan of pleasure from Dora’s lips as it further rid her of the words left behind by Mallor and her headache.

  “Thank you, Alni,” she said, golden eyes looking to him for a moment before her own hands lowered and she moved away from him, standing.

  He was quick to follow, grabbing her knife from the ground and handing it to her.

  “Scared the life out of me, you know that? You’re a fearsome elf. Think you can teach me some of your tricks?”

  Dora laughed, rolling her eyes as she forced herself to forget the threat, to forget the secrets that were lingering on her tongue, and her growing need to tell them to Alni. They had to get to Swordstale, she had to get to her friend and ensure plans were still in place. There was no time to spill everything when they were so close and danger was narrowing in.

  “You couldn’t do fearsome. You’re not the type.”

  “You’d be surprised,” he said, dusting off his trousers before following Dora, pulling his bag around his side, “I take it you didn’t catch anything we can leave behind?”

  He glanced at her, noticing the absence of meat.

  “I was only gone a few minutes, how did you get everything done so fast and find me?” She stopped walking, then, turning to look at him suspiciously.

  “You were gone for almost an hour. I heard you talking and followed your voice but didn’t see you until you jumped on me. Which, for the record, you could have asked…no need to scare me.”

  When she didn’t smile or laugh, a flush crept up Alni’s cheeks. One that almost matched the messy red hair poking out from under his cap.

  “An hour?” She echoed, voice seeming far away when it left her lips.

  “Yeah, must have dozed off. Guess we both haven’t had a good night of sleep. I hope your connection in Swordstale has a good bed we can use.”

  He had started walking once more, trusting that Dora would follow. When she didn’t right away, he paused, looking over his shoulder at her.

  Dora was looking ahead at her hands, knife tucked at her side. There was a frown on her face before it lifted to look at him. She seemed so far away, struggling to say anything or make sense of what was happening to her.

  “You okay, Dora?”

  Alni found himself wanting to go over to her, to comfort her in some way, but it looked like that was the last thing she could possibly want. Her body was rigid and uncomfortable as it stood in the forest, standing out from among the trees.

  “No, Alni. I don’t think I am.”

  He broke the distance between them, hand extending to grasp onto one of hers. Turning away from her, he began down through the trees towards the farmhouse. Dora followed behind, eyes on his hand around her own. The warmth seemed to scare away the remaining fear in her chest, leaving behind a foreign comfort she had not been prepared for.

  “Well, then, we shall walk until you feel better.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Well, this is a first.”

  Dora’s words broke the silence as they trudged on. They had both been following the map in Alni’s hand with a blind hope, trying to make sense of their route through the forest. There was only so far they could go without a compass and with such a flat bit of land between themselves and Swordstale, they were praying they were still heading in the right direction.

  “What’s a first?” Alni peered over at her.

  He had long let go of her hand but the warmth had remained there between the two of them. An unsaid presence as they traveled on through the chilly Nevina.

  “You have gone almost an entire day of walking without complaining about how hungry you are,” she said, the words coming out as a laugh as she reached for a nearby bush and grasped onto some blueberries as they passed.

  Tossing him one, Alni caught it and plopped it into his mouth. His eyes closed as the sweet taste filled his mouth, but it only managed to remind him of how hungry he was. As if on cue, his stomach growled in response to her words.

  “Well…” He said, swallowing, “You had an off morning. Some half-breed woke you before the sun was up and made you steal his personables back. I figured I’d give you a break. Besides, that breakfast was filling enough to keep us going this long, right? I mean in theory, but now that you mentioned it…still hungry.”

  He grabbed for some berries of his own as he walked by them, raising them to his mouth.

  Her hand l
ashed out and slapped them to the ground before he had a chance to eat them. Stunned, Alni stopped walking.

  “Don’t have to be an ass, Dora.”

  “If you eat those, you’ll be sick for the rest of the night, if not dead!” She yelled, pointing meaningfully at the berries he had plucked.

  Although similar to the blueberries she had collected, they were a deep red in coloring and the plant they had been plucked from had dark green leaves.

  “Ah, well I suppose I should start worshipping at your feet for saving my life, shall I?”

  He frantically wiped the juices from the remaining berries on his pants, ridding them from his hands as fast as he could manage.

  “Alni…Can I ask you something?”

  “Can’t stop you. Besides, I welcome the conversation,” He responded cheekily, sending a smile her way before ducking under a tree branch and carrying on.

  His hand jumped back at the last second, holding the branch for her as she ducked beneath it and followed him.

  “How did you come to be in the barn the night I ran into you? Why were you so eager to run off when I told you to?”

  “Thought we weren’t getting personal, Dora. I think I may really be growing on you,” Alni murmured, eyes looking over to her as they walked, but Dora did not meet his gaze, “I was looking for adventure, for a change of pace.”

  “You found it. But why were you alone? Where are your kin?” There was no suspicion in her tone, just a curiosity that he found hard not to respond to.

  “I had to be alone. I made a mistake back in my village, and with no living family there, I thought it would be better to take my chances traveling to a larger area. One where I could start anew.”

  Alni swallowed hard, clearing his throat as one hand moved up to scratch his chin. It was time for a shave, if he could manage it. There was a small, mussed shadow of hair along his jawline that had not been there previously.

  “Your parents are dead?” She pushed.

  “Yes, they’re dead.”