Alni Page 11

“Mine too, small world,” Dora mumbled, pulling her cloak tighter around her body as the chill of evening began to fall over them.

  By Alni’s calculations, they should have been nearing Swordstale at any moment. Still, the two of them had a small fear that the village would never come and they’d find themselves near the Oceans of Yurel before they reached Glade.

  “There’s another sign,” Alni alerted.

  Ahead on the trail, a wooden sign was staked. It was scarcely seen from their position at the trees, but once they merged with the main road it was clear they were in the right place.

  “Swordstale Village, right ahead,” Alni read the sign, leaning down to nudge her shoulder with his own.

  Surprisingly enough, she returned the nudge, and they both headed down the road. Alni tugged his hat lower on his head, Dora’s cloak hood covering her own pointed ears. It was the only attempt at disguise the two of them managed to come up with and it was only a matter of time before they were noticed. Thankfully, the darkness of impending night would shield them, heavy clouds moving above to cast shadows below.

  On their way into the village, rain started to fall. As passerbys paid them no mind and scurried off to their homes, Dora tucked her body close to the cottages they passed. Alni was quick to keep up as she made her way through Swordstale like she knew every alley and corner store.

  When she finally stopped at a door, Alni looked up at the swinging sign above them dubbing the location ‘The Red Fairy’. Dora opened the swinging doors and headed inside, holding one open for him to follow.

  The moment Alni entered the inn he was hit with the scent of spice, rich and exotic. The smell reminded him of both a well-cooked meal and of the merchants that often made their way into his old home. Their artifacts from far away and unfamiliar foods always made him want to travel to the town square and observe them; dreaming of the day when he’d finally experience such things himself.

  Dora approached the main desk, observing no others in the front room; although there was music and laughter to be heard beyond the entryway, leaving Alni wondering just how large the establishment really was.

  Seated at the desk was a male no older than the two of them. His chestnut brown hair was cut short and neat, eyes shadowed by dark eyebrows and framed with long lashes. When they approached, hazel eyes looked up at them from behind a novel. Closing the book he had been reading, the young man stood.

  “Can I help you? Looking for shelter from the storm out there?”

  Dora said nothing, lowering the hood from her head. Before she had a chance to move her hands, the man whipped around the desk and picked her up in a strong hug, swinging her around in the air. One small hand of hers awkwardly patted at the back of his head as her breath escaped her in a puff. Once she was slowly lowered to the ground, he spoke in an excited, hushed whisper.

  “I thought you were dead! Dora, it’s good to see you!”

  His eyes flashed over to Alni, then, pausing. They seemed to search him, making Alni feel like he was being judged for something; torn between feeling uncomfortable and slightly jealous of the interaction that had just transpired before his eyes between this stranger and Dora.

  It was an irrational feeling, of that he was certain. Straightening his back, he watched the young man with the same judgment.

  “This is Alni, he travels with me. Jack…are you able to get away for a moment. We need to speak,” Dora said, one hand resting on Jack’s arm.

  It was a touch that sent another wave of irrational possessiveness through Alni. Feelings he was not only untrained in, but one he’d wish to throw out altogether. It was like a mixture between wanting to run and hide away and wishing he could punch Jack in the throat.

  “Of course, of course. Your room is free tonight and we have food available if you’re hungry.”

  Jack led them away from the front room and back towards the music and laughter. Rounding a corner, he stopped in front of a room, grabbing for a key at his side. Unlocking the door, it swung open to reveal the room within. Dora looked over to Alni, nodding at the room pointedly.

  “I’ve got to speak with Jack, I’ll be right back and we’ll get some food,” she offered a smile, one that Alni didn’t return.

  “Right,” it was all Alni could manage to respond.

  Leaving him there, the two headed further down the hallway, taking a left at the end. Their shadows danced along the floors, only the candles along the way shedding light on their path. When they disappeared, Alni paused in the open doorway of their temporary room. Not heading inside but not quick to follow the two, either.

  It was an internal debate, one that the stubborn child within him was slowly winning over. He knew he should leave her alone, that he had no business knowing what she needed to settle there. On the other hand, he had left a promise of a home, a job protecting others, to ensure they reached Glade. Knowing very little to nothing about his comrade, Alni found the suspicion leading him down the hallway after them.

  Careful not to make a sound, he headed where they had disappeared. Alni took a left at the end and stopped outside a closed door. Although he didn’t have the powerful abilities of full-blooded elves, his hearing was quite keen and he quickly picked up on Dora’s voice coming from the room.

  “Well, I survived…just confirming that everything is in place in Glade…that we stand a chance and have a large group together. Has Bethinium contacted you?”

  “He has. Things have been hard here, Dora. We are barely keeping the inn together these days. I don’t know how much longer we’re going to last. It’s not as things were when you lived here…”

  “I hope to change that, you know I do. I just need to get enough followers…” Dora said, a sigh of defeat escaping her lips.

  “Looks like you have another one. That boy…”

  “He has a bit of the Stone of Dragons, Jack. He can channel the power inside, I’ve seen the Mystic Dragon shake down someone right in front of me. It’s real and somehow it has allowed him to control it. If I can get him to Glade, we can use the stone to lure Mallor out and destroy him. I know it. Mallor has tried to hunt me down but for some reason, the stone is not letting him see me when Alni is near.”

  Alni pressed his ear against the door further, his breath catching in his throat as her words registered, searching for some further reason behind them. Some way to make sense of it all despite the grumble that rumbled up from his chest.

  “The Stone of Dragons…I knew there was a reason you were using the boy. It makes sense. With the bit of stone, and the rightful heir to the throne leading them…Dora, you’ll restore hope in the people, a fight that wasn’t there before. Already we hear that the elves are leaving, that they feel the evil spreading and some want out. Bethinium has worked hard to get their allegiance in Glade. You are the true Queen of these lands and once you free the dragons the lands will be at peace once more,” Jack exclaimed, excitement filling each word.

  Queen? Elladora?

  The calling had always rung true in Alni’s mind. Certain he had heard the name of the dead Princess, daughter of King Herrick before his untimely demise before in stories. Was he truly registering this right now? Mixed with the surprise there was an anger, a whisper in his ear as the stone in his pocket hummed and warmed, aware that it was being spoken of somewhere nearby.

  It was fueled by his own anger; knowing he was being used to complete a quest that was not his to fight, used by someone he had grown to care about…have feelings for.

  Then there were soft whispers within, whispers he could not make out, Alni pushed against the door. His ear was pressed against the wood, cap lifted over the pointed end to allow him to hear better. The door had not been secured shut and the force against it pushed it open, sending him falling forward towards the ground and into the room.

  Dora moved away from the window, alarmed as Alni made his entrance. Jack seemed irate, hazel eyes narrowed at Alni.

  “Typical…for one such as he,” Came his cold words, arm
s lifting to cross at his broad chest.

  “How much did you hear,” came Dora’s strangled words.

  “Enough,” Alni shot at her, ignoring Jack entirely as he focused his attention on her, “You know, I’m not some pawn to be used for other’s gain. I had no say in this, and did you think…for just one moment…that telling me who you were would have helped? I could have…”

  His voice trailed off, running out of the right words. As defeat seemed to fall over him, the anger rose once again to cover it, the stone in his pocket a reminder of the power he had.

  A reminder that he didn’t need her or any of them. He could protect himself.

  “You know what? Have a wonderful quest, your highness, I’ll not be a part of this any longer. Goodbye Dora, it’s been an adventure,” he hissed, turning and running from the room before she had a chance to stop him.

  Alni heard shuffling behind him but did his best to drown it out, stopping by the room to grab his bag as he raced towards the front of the inn. It was as though he moved in a blur, mind still reeling over what he had heard, torn between trying to calm himself down and fueling the fire.

  In his rush, he didn’t see the brick wall of a man walk out in front of him; body hitting him hard, thick hands extended to keep Alni steady as he threatened to fall to the ground with the impact.

  “Where do you think you’re going that fast boy? Aye…have I seen ya from somewhere?”

  As the man leaned down to study Alni, he caught sight of the collection of wanted signs across the entryway near the exit of the inn. His familiar cap and pointed nose stood out to him, a reminder that he was a wanted man. Wanted because of Dora. The Princess.

  Alni wasted no time there, ducking around the man as he headed for the exit, leaving the stranger standing in the hallway. He continued to run into the night, past villagers and farmers heading home. He’d make his way back to Atair…to anywhere other than where he had been so readily used.

  Disappearing into the night, Alni didn’t seem to care anymore where he ended up, certain that no one else did either.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Alni had no idea how long he had been running, the back of his throat felt as though it would explode at any moment. Every emotion he had tried so desperately to suppress came to the surface with each step he took away from the village of Swordstale.

  He tried to forget Dora, forget who she was and what he was doing with her; forget what he had heard about her using him, forget how her hand had fit so perfectly in his. It was foolish and he had fallen for it so flawlessly, leaving everything behind in an attempt to get her to war. He was hand-delivering the proclaimed heir to the throne of Desin to her untimely death.

  Finally stopping, Alni lowered himself to the ground to rest, legs curling upwards to his chest involuntarily. It was as though his body craved the comfort, unsure of what he was doing or where he hoped to really go. There was a large chance Atair would not welcome him back after the stunt the two of them had pulled and that left him wondering what would happen next.

  Suddenly, he froze, picking up on a sound in the dark forest around him. It was a rustle in the leaves, but a soft whisper of a purr followed close behind.

  “Who’s there?” He spoke, forcing a confidence in his words as Alni released his legs.

  When there was no answer he stood and looked around the clearing, seeing nothing but darkness. The hair on his arms and the back of his neck prickled, a gust of air hitting him suddenly from the forest before him.

  “I said who’s there?” He spoke again, taking a step back when the words were met with a growl.

  In his pocket, the stone throbbed and burned against his skin. Reaching inside, Alni grasped it in his palm and brought his hand out. Although it had been burning a moment earlier, in his hands the shard was cool to the touch.

  Something moved before him, gliding across the forest floor. It seemed to slither and gain height the closer it got to him. Alni tried to move away but his body was frozen in place, petrified as he watched the approaching shape. In his hands the stone was glowing, confirming the shape that moved towards him as it lit up its face.

  The thing was taller than Alni when it reached him, lifting up higher still as dark wings erupted from either side of its shadowed body. The white sclera of its eyes shone from the darkness before the red irises rolled forward and focused on Alni intensely. The head of the dark creature shuddered and twitched closer to him, one hand reaching out to touch his face, hovering an inch in front of Alni’s mouth.

  The movement broke the spell and Alni stumbled backwards in an attempt to escape. Turning away from the creature, he started running through the forest with stone in hand, but didn’t get far. His foot struck a root on the ground and his body went sprawling across the ground. Turning from his position, Alni felt the creature suddenly atop him, claws pressing against his chest as it held him down. It was like a phantom of the night, the weight almost like hopelessness as he remained frozen in place.

  In his hand, the stone shard exploded power, so bright it appeared to repel the dark thing from his body. It rolled onto the ground but the brightness didn’t stop there, filling the forest around them until Alni lay in a room of white. Beyond the muted room he could hear the creature screaming in agony but bit-by-bit the sounds faded until nothing remained but the sound of his own breathing.

  He slowly rose to his feet, one hand moving to his cap nervously. Adjusting it on his head, Alni took a few steps forward, hand extended as he tried to find an end to the white room. A way to escape the prison that had both saved and trapped him.

  “Hello?” The greeting echoed around him, responding to him time and time again.

  “Alni, I have waited a long time to meet you formally.”

  The voice was rich and strong, masculine and ancient, making Alni whirl around and face the one who spoke to him. There was a familiarity to the voice, one he could not quite place. Like the Man in the Tree, it left his head feeling fuzzy and unfocused.

  Before Alni, almost translucent in the white room, stood a massive dragon. Easily twice the size of Silthia, its long, silver neck reached upward, scales shimmering a soft amethyst hue. It was so hard not to reach out and touch the entrancing colors, just being that close he could feel the unmistakable magic rolling off of the creature. But it was one he had seen before, he realized. The familiar voice one that spoke to him shortly after his parents’ death.

  Its long, leathery wings were silver as well, shimmering like the underside of a trout as they tucked against the side of the dragon. His tail was curled around his back legs, the white bone of the spikes both sharp and mesmerizing.

  It was an exact replica of the dragon he had seen before in his dreams and just the other night at Atair’s camp.

  “You’re the Mystic Dragon,” Alni whispered, standing up to full height as he took one step towards it, head lifted to meet the calculated gaze of the being he had only heard stories of.

  “So you know of me, Alni? You remember me?” It responded, lips not moving as the words drifted between them.

  “I know you’re part of the stone…that you are made of the magic and command the dragons.”

  “I am trapped in the stone, I am not part of it. I can be free once more or used to obtain immortality. It is at the will of the one who wields the stone. I have been used to kill and force the hand of dragons against the beings of Desin for hundreds of years. Your mother and father came into possession of me when I was to be destroyed, keeping this cursed stone alive. When you found me, I knew…”

  “-knew what?”

  Alni was trying to process the words, the story that was being told to him. But it was all blurring into itself, imploding in his mind as he realized what was being told to him.

  “Knew you would free me, free us all,” came the deep voice, the head of the Mystic Dragon lowering until it was level with Alni’s.

  He did not shrink away, instead extending his hand as it rested on the hard scales abov
e the dragon’s nostrils. For a moment, the ancient dragon closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, the small horns on the middle of its head showing a reflection of Alni as if they were made of glass.

  “I’m just some half-breed,” Alni sputtered, shaking his head, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not the one you're looking for. I don’t know how I got into this business and… I abandoned the Princess.”

  The dragon’s eyes slowly opened, eyes focusing on him as it spoke once more.

  “Do you wish to see the humans destroyed and the Kingdom in ruin, Alni?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “I tell you that you hold the ability to save it and you would prefer to run?”

  Alni paused, looking into the dragon’s eyes. For the first time he noted their color, a soft purple like the shard in his hand. There were shapes moving in the iris of his eyes, the shadow of flames that licked at the edges as a scene unfolded before him; homes in ruin as they had been in his dream, screaming as villagers scrambled from their homes and sought refuge.

  “These people have done nothing to better your life, Alni. But that is how we know where goodness truly lies. It’s in those that help those who have never helped them. They need you, Dora needs you. Return back to her and bring me with you, free me from this prison so the Kingdoms may be as they once were.”

  “How do I free you? I don’t know how to fight or protect a Kingdom! I don’t even know how to feed myself…please don’t go…”

  The shape of the Mystic Dragon seemed to fade before him, Alni’s hand slipped through the head of him, scales no longer hard and cool but nonexistent in the white room.

  “She is in danger, at this very moment she has been taken. Go to her now, Alni. The entire Kingdom rests in your hands.”

  Even the room was fading now, a darkness spreading across it as the screaming creature that had attacked him before started to come back into focus.

  “Please don’t go…What do you mean she’s in danger? Please!”

  It was no use, the Mystic Dragon was gone and Alni was back in the dark Nevina forests once more. The creature from before had stopped screaming and was lying on the ground in a heap before him. It did not move, shriek, or twitch as it had before but Alni dared not approach it to ensure it was truly dead.