Part 1

Their journey was nearly over. Now half way through Grigor they sensed their destination was near. Sitting by a dead tree they ate in silence, the bond now so tight there was no need for words. Fayna could not remember the last time he had made love to Nahele and his body ached but this was not the place or the time instead he took a chunk of bread and chewed. Nahele could feel his desire, his need for she too felt it, she longed to be back at her tent, the river and trees but her task was not yet complete.

John listened as Calista explained he would be taking a trip that whatever reason he was here this was not the place he was to be. His thoughts turned to Maleah, the night before he left they lay entwined in each other’s arms, their body’s flushed and glistening from their intense love making. “What is it I’m supposed to do?” Maleah didn’t know but it was vital he was to go, to meet up with others “When it’s over you can go home” Home, he wasn’t all that sure he wanted to now.

Kelsa had slept soundly and with the sun rising she had sat and waited, and waited. The sun made its slow decent behind the mountains casting shafts of coloured light across the land, still Kelsa waited. Finally she heard it, a sound alien to the castle at this time of day, movement. With everyone asleep she was the only one here, even the old woman was away visiting another village. Discreetly leaving her spot she went in search of the sound.

She met the cause of the noise on the stairs.

The Hellion glared its hunger for her evident. “We meet again” Kelsa looked at her captor. Taking the stairs slowly she made the creature back down its snarl growing in volume. She swung her sword.

The sun finally settled allowing the stars to shin bright. Vaxur castle came to life with the sound of creaking. The dead woke and sitting up looked into the night. An intruder, they smelt it, the scent ancient but memorable …… Hellion!

Shoid and Vega went to Eirene to guard her while Cailean and Lykaios reached the hall almost instantly. They looked at Kelsa who stood watching the beast, looking into the face of their enemy they growled. “He is mine” She entered the Hellions mind ‘We have an old score to settle’ The Hellion snarled. Lykaios’s was suddenly filled with rage, hate; the Hellion wanted her, one way or the other. He felt sickened as images of her time in their prison assaulted his mind, and ‘he’ was the bastard! The beast moved towards the Vampires. “NO!” Kelsa yelled “Me first and if you beat me then them” She stepped towards it “But you won’t beat me, for I am Quella”

Lykaios’s and Cailean’s mind exploded with hatred, it wanted her dead. Lifting its axe it swung it over its head. “The axe, its poisoned” Lykaios called out smelling the scent. Kelsa nodded “So you think that will kill me, it didn’t last time” she smiled at it and lifting her sword waited for its move “May you die with blood on your sword and rage in your heart” adding “If you have one” The Hellion charged and swung for her head, Kelsa ducked and returned the attack with one of her own. It roared as it swung round and charged again…..

Lykaios and Cailean watched as they two fought, move for move, blow for blow. Several times the Hellion had almost made contact but at the last minute Kelsa reacted. Lifting its axe again it swung for her, Kelsa jumped out of its way but the thing had anticipated and sticking out a foot caught her ankle, bringing her down. Lykaios made a move towards her but she stopped him, she winced as the axe grazed her arm the distraction from Lykaios giving it a split second chance. Rolling onto her stomach she stood kicking out with her leg giving the Hellion a blow to the stomach which knocked it backwards against the wall.

With a sickening thud its head hit the wall. Taking the chance Kelsa jumped on him and pushed her sword through its chest. The beast screamed and tried to pull Kelsa off but she held fast. Using all her weight she pushed the thing to its knees at the same time removing her sword. Plunging it into its chest again she twisted the sharp steal round causing the Hellion to scream again. Cailean and Lykaios looked on in disbelief as her hand pushed through its chest; appearing on the other side she clutched its heart. The Hellion dropped like a stone; Kelsa let its heart land on the floor beside it. Cailean went over and stared at the corpse it had been so long since he had seen one of them, Lykaios went to Kelsa who was barely breaking a sweat and taking her arm studied the wound, Kelsa jumped away from him.

Lykaios insisted her arm was looked at, taking hold he stared as the wound started to close and finally disappear; he looked into her lucid eyes “What are you?” Kelsa wanted to get away, from him and his questions but she didn’t feel that great. The colour drained from her face and her legs felt weak, she swayed slightly. “Damn, the poison” lifting her off her feet he barked at Cailean that he would deal with the body later.  Upstairs he kicked the door open with his foot and laid Kelsa on the bed, she tried to protest but he would hear none of it. “It’s not finished” she mumbled. “The Hellions dead, it’s over” Kelsa shook her head “No….there’s someone….else…here” Lykaios gave her a shake “Here, who” but she was asleep.

The dry dusty land became darker; grass appeared from time to time then finally flowed before them like a green carpet. Fayna and Nahele stopped at a river and filled their flasks before moving on. Tall trees stood before them like watch towers keeping an eye on the land around it as the flowers danced round in the breeze. The lushness of the land meant one thing. Nahele felt his spirit sore his eyes brighten and understood.

Fayna was home.

Joining part 5                                                       Part 2