Part 3

The mountains of Rusulka, high barren and fierce, the only creatures to live there were the eagles whose young were protected by its rocky terrain. Fayna and Nahele had been climbing for several days now some of which was easy but most were a test of strength and determination, they still had a distance to go, once over the peak it was down into the dusty land of Drayad and then more mountains. Neither complained there was no point, Nahele had to be somewhere why she couldn't say but Fayna knew she couldn't ignore her feelings.

Finding a cave they settle for the night, with no wood there was no fire so Fayna held her close. Nahele was grateful, she would have gone alone for that was the Teleri way but if she wished anyone to be with her it was Fayna and now she couldn't imagine life without him. The wind howled through the mountain and whipped round the entrance as if trying to wrench them from their shelter. They held each other close nothing more as at this moment it was all that was needed.

Cailean watched as the child danced round the hall, whatever the reason it was causing her great delight “Why are you dancing?” Eirene didn’t stop as she replied “Can you not hear the music?” Music, what music? Cailean listened but heard nothing. Sensing his inability to hear it she opened her mind to his. Exciting toe taping music drifted into his head, somewhere there was a celebration and a fine time was being had. Taking his hand Eirene pulled him into the centre of the hall and together they began to dance. Her tiny frame made it difficult for him so scooping her into his arms he whirled her round the hall much to her amusement, if anyone was to see they would have thought he’d gone quite mad but for whatever reason Cailean knew her childhood was to be short and it would be criminal not to have some fun, fun something he had never had as a child himself.

Checking on his young ward Cailean felt guilty, was it wrong? Bringing someone into the world for the purpose of saving the Realm, even if she could do it what then, what would happen to her after? He stared into the fire, it should have been lit ages ago but then they didn't need it even Eirene never seemed to feel the cold. Lykaios entered and stopped, he felt the pull Cailean had towards the child, there was a connection between the two more than that, a bonding. “My Helmer!” Cailean sighed “Yes Lykaios, what is it?” Lykaios hesitated for a moment then stepped forward “Vega has vanished again” Cailean growled “Bitch!”

Kelsa was ready, obeying orders meekly she did as she was asked whatever she was asked but now it was time. Any day she would be given the nod to finish Fenn and this time she would do it with sadness, for the first time in her existence she would regret a death so her decision was made, she wasn’t going to hang around to do it. Huddling at the edge of her cell she told Fenn of her plans. “What do you think?” He looked round and noting what she talking about nodded “It should work” He was in as much as he loved his accommodation it was time to get out “Tell me, why haven’t they killed you” Kelsa was silent for a moment “I’m Quella” He knew that but why had they not done to her as they had done with the others. Kelsa remained quiet, all Quella had this secret and it was staying that way. The Hellion knew, found out the first time they tried to kill her, not having come across her type before they were curious.

Settling down she watched as the group headed out, their horses thundered across the fields and into the distance. With the changing of the guard came the inevitable routine, the new one with his eyes full of lust would enter her cell. She lay in the dirt and stared at the ceiling, the grunts of the guard fell on deaf ears. One was eating and the other was seeing to the few horses left, lifting her head up she pressed her lips to the Demons, his face showed surprise but not as much as what followed. His eyes took on a glazed look his mouth opened as he tried to yell but her teeth came down hard on his tongue.  It looked at her in shock then slumped, holding it up she whispered to Fenn. He watched as the one eating finished and leaving his dish on the ground disappeared behind a rock to relieve himself, the other had gone to his tent “All clear”

Removing her fist from his ribs she looked down at the sticky mass, his heart had been easy to reach. Grabbing the keys she unlocked her cell then Fenn’s. They were half way across the camp when they heard the roar, the warning of their escape. Reaching the bench first Kelsa found the swords chained, grabbing them in both hands she pulled hard. The metal groaned as it strained under the pressure then broke, she threw a sword to Fenn “May you die with blood on your sword and a rage in your heart” she called as they prepared to fight. The Hellion charged their voices raised in anger, swinging their axes high they brought them down but missed. Kelsa took one and Fenn the other, Kelsa caught sight of Fenn who was tiring fast, his kind not used to such fights. Ducking as the axe came down towards her it bedded itself into a wooden pole, frantically the Demon tried to free his weapon and managed it just as Kelsa's sword pierced his skull.

Fenn screamed as the axe came down on his shoulder, turning Kelsa saw him fall to the ground. The Demon raised his axe above his head and brought it down on Fenn just as Kelsa thrust her sword through it. It looked at his blood as it spilled onto the dirt, looking up it saw Kelsa and tried to lift his axe but it was no use. Shoving the creature to one side she knelt beside Fenn “Will you be all right?” Fenn shook his head “Afraid not” he answered breathlessly “Go, now before the others come back” Kelsa got to her feet and bowed before scrambling up the cliff. Reaching the top she looked back towards Fenn who lay dead, better to die in battle she thought as she slide down the other side and headed north.

Eirene stood and watched without seeing. Another was coming, this one was strong, fierce like a Vampire but she could go in the light did not have eyes the colour of blood it could only mean one thing, this one was Quella. Two were making their journey, following their destiny but four were needed and the last would come, they would follow their path as they all would. Lykaios watched from the shadows as she stood in the dim light oblivious to anything around her she watched the girl slid down the cliff. Now a teen she looked more like her mother than before, a constant reminder of what he had done.

Calista sat in the sand and stared at the young man. He had come from the ocean? The man moaned then went quiet. He was handsome in a strange way and it was obvious he was not from here. “You must wake, it is not safe to stay here” The man opened his eyes “Where am I?” Reaching down she brushed the hair away from his face “You are in the Clearlyn province, where are you from?” The man opened his eyes “California”  Calista had never heard of California “Can you stand, we must leave now” the urgency in her voice brought him out of his haze, with her help he got to his feet “Where are we going” Calista smiled warmly “Home”


Part 2                                                                Part 4