Dark Children

TWOVisions-2

‘They just happen.’ said the child, meekly, as Rayna released her grasp.

‘When you are sleeping?’

‘Mostly. When I sleep, the images often come.’

‘With time and training, you should be able to control your ability. As such, I would very much like for both you and your mother to take up residence within the Tri-Spires, so that I can train you personally.’ she said, now shifting her focus back to Lyra. ‘Regrettably, my duties tether me to the Tri-Spires, therefore I am unable to visit you both here, at least not frequently enough for adequate training purposes. Of course, this is not a summons. I only request this of you both so that I can maximise my time spent schooling your daughter. Assuming of course, that you wish to accept my offer – you are in no way obligated to do so.’

should‘Thank you.’ said Lyra. ‘I hope you will understand that I need to discuss this opportunity with Rarni first?’

‘Of course. This is your home. Living in the Tri-Spires is very different and often scary at first.’ she said, followed by another reassuring smile.

‘Mummy, I would like to go.’

‘Rarni, are you certain?’ asked Lyra, whose voice was still broken with emotion.

‘I do not want to feel this way.’ explained Rarni, solemnly. ‘If this lady can help, I would like to go with her.’

‘Please, call me Kirika, or big head if you prefer.’

Rarni laughed again, the joyous sound of which prompted a weak smile from her mother, Lyra, who nodded in acceptance.

‘We would like to accept your kind offer.’

‘I am pleased.’ she said. ‘Make your way to the Tri-Spires in your own time. Ask for Kayla when you arrive. She is my administrative aide who will help to get you both settled in – I will inform her of the situation.’

‘Thank you. Rarni, please thank Kirika for her kind offer.’

‘Thank you, Kirika.’ said the child, earnestly.

‘You are most welcome. It will be an honour to instruct you. Once we begin your training, you will get to meet another young scrier, whom I also instruct. Her name is Keshar.’

‘Mummy, can we go now?’ asked Rarni, enthusiastically.

nowLyra laughed gently.

‘No, Rarni. We need to first pack our belongings, before we can make the journey to the Tri-Spires. I suggest that we start preparing for your grand adventure.’

‘In which case, we had best let you both get on with your extensive preparations.’ she said, rising from her seat, thus formally concluding their meeting.

‘Thank you again, both of you.’ said Lyra, before escorting her daughter to the door. ‘I am indebted to you both.’

‘You owe us nothing.’ said Rayna, before politely bidding the mother and daughter farewell. ‘See you both soon!’

After the pair had left, Rayna quickly closed the door, pressing her back firmly against it. She could see the look of concern on her ochre-coloured face.

‘They’re gone.’ said Rayna. ‘It’s time to spill it!’

She had known Kirika long enough to know when the scrier was withholding information. Upon her arrival in Freylar, its former queen, Mirielle – now ensconced at Scrier’s Post, following the end of her reign and subsequent self-imposed exile – had tasked Kirika with the responsibility of ensuring her integration into Freylarian society, specifically within the vale. However, since that time, she and Kirika had become like sisters, sharing their innermost thoughts with one another. As such, she knew her surrogate sister’s mannerisms well, in particular, when there was more information to be gleaned.

‘What did you see?’

‘One of the farmsteads has, or will be, attacked.’

‘What!’

‘I cannot be specific. It is impossible to narrow down the timing of events, since I witnessed the images second-hand through another. Though Rarni’s own visions took place in the past, I do not know if what she saw has yet to pass.’

‘I have The Blades garrisoned out there to prevent such attacks.’ she explained. ‘I will send word to those commanding them and have them report back to me.’

‘Leave that to me. I intend to call a council of war regarding the matter. As such, I need you to go and find Lothnar; despite agreeing to remain within the vale, I find it impossible to track his movements.’

‘You realise the irony, being a scr--’

‘Yes, yes – rub it in.’

‘He’s probably lying on his arse, down by the river. I will drag him back to the Tri-Spires for you soon enough.’

‘Good. Meet us beneath the arena.’

She half-expected Kirika to say more on the matter, but instead, the scrier stood opposite her in silence. Kirika appeared to drift off suddenly, lost in thought, distracting her from the task at hand.

‘Kirika.’ she said, trying to focus the scrier’s attention. ‘Kirika!’

‘Apologies, Rayna. I was…’

‘There’s more, isn’t there?’

‘It is Rarni. There is something off about the child.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The way her visions have manifested is abnormal for those with our ability. Furthermore, the clarity of the images was impressive for one new to the art. Typically, such vivid images are only made possible through practice for tens of passes – she has only just begun her journey.’

‘We can figure that out later. Our main priority should be to prevent the attack from happening, else deal with its aftermath. But, before we can proceed, we need to confirm the situation, immediately.’

‘Yes, you are right. I can satisfy my curiosities later.’

‘I do not mean to imply their lack of importance--’

‘Of course not. The safety of the people needs to come first. Go find Lothnar. I will assemble the others, with the exception of Gaelin and Natalya; both are stationed amongst the farmsteads – I fear for their safety.’

‘Nat can handle herself and Gaelin is no slouch in a fight, when the situation demands it.’

‘Even so, events are in motion now that I do no fully understand, and that unnerves me.’

‘You cannot follow that path, the one taken by Mirielle and your sister. Darlia hit rock bottom before realising the depths of its depravity, whilst Mirielle was completely undone by its destructive lure. With that said, this is not the time for second-guessing either. Make an informed decision, based on what you know, and see it through – no one can fault you for that.’

‘I know. Believe me, I have learned that lesson well. Still, I cannot prevent its dark presence from lapping at my shores. The weight of the responsibility of managing the welfare of our people is overwhelming at times.’

‘And that is why the revised council, the one you helped to put in place, exists, so that the burden can be shared – it is too much for an individual to shoulder alone.’

‘Since when did you become so wise?’ asked Kirika, expressing a playful grin.

‘Since someone voted that I should command The Blades, robbing me of my carefree lifestyle.’

someone‘Oh please, do not be so dramatic. That was a calling of your own making and you know it. Besides, you have both Nathanar and Natalya propping you up.’

‘I am not so sure about that. Natalya has always been a misfit and I fear that her free-spirited ways have corrupted Nathanar.’

‘Would it help to provide you with some much-needed perspective by going back to your mirror upstairs?’

‘Oh, shut up!’ she replied, followed by a grin of her own. ‘Run along and send your Sky-Skitters, whilst I haul Lothnar back to the Tri-Spires for you.’

He missed the adventure of the borderlands, the excitement of not knowing what dangers would present themselves from one cycle to the next. By contrast, living in the vale was boring and routine, each cycle bleeding into the next, with very little to distinguish them. Despite the comforts of living in the vale – for him at least – existence within its confines felt dull and uninteresting. He missed the cycles when he and Ragnar would talk, drink and fight during his visits to the vale, between his numerous scouting sorties. Since the battle for Bleak Moor and the skirmish at Scrier’s Post, the Narlakai ranks had been decimated. Furthermore, with no one to shepherd them, there was no longer a need for his scouts to manage and repel the soul stealers’ random incursions. To the south, the Knights Thranis defended Freylar’s southern lands, with little going on east or west of the vale. He sighed heavily. Essentially, the scouts had been benched, although Kirika had not worded his present situation as such, lamenting that his leadership and presence within the vale were paramount in helping to guide and embolden their kin in rebuilding everything that their people had lost following the Narlakai invasions. Despite the safe, boring state of affairs, it was spring in the vale – his favourite season. The flora and fauna had returned, enriching the forest once more, enhancing its natural splendour. Though he missed the borderlands, there was nothing quite like sleeping on a bed of thick lush grass beneath the open sky, gazing up at the Night’s Lights.

It was late morning. Unlike himself, his companion had barely moved from his spot since dawn broke. Krisis now lay comfortably sleeping across his lap, keeping him warm. Occasionally, the adolescent dire wolf’s ears would twitch abruptly, honing in on distant sounds seemingly worthy of attention. Since he had no pressing concerns to attend to, he allowed his faithful companion to sleep whilst he lazily watched the world pass by. Though he had quarters within the Tri-Spires, he rarely used them, preferring instead to make his home outside – neither he nor Krisis were suited to enclosed spaces, especially those made of stone. On the few occasions that he slept within his quarters, it was typically on the floor, next to Krisis. Sometimes the dire wolf would take his bed, but he preferred sleeping on a hard surface, having grown accustomed to it over the passes. The verdant grass took the edge off the hard ground, but he had no complaints.

The sound of a faint c***k suddenly caught his attention. Krisis leapt up on all fours, immediately turning to face the noise. He slowly rose to his feet, placing a firm hand upon the dire wolf’s back.

‘Easy boy. It is probably Rayna – at times, she is worse than Ragnar ever was.’

Easy boy. It is probably Rayna – at times, she is worse than Ragnar ever was.Krisis started to growl, clearly uneasy at the noise coming from the west. Focusing on the dense forest, he quickly picked out movement amongst the trees. Someone was moving awkwardly towards them. The figure’s movements were horribly clumsy, like someone trying to walk for the first time. He perceived no immediate threat from whoever it was that approached them, nevertheless, Krisis continued to growl angrily. Sliding a throwing knife out from a sheath strapped to the underside of his left arm, he crouched down slowly, alongside his companion, quickly blending in with the surrounding growth to conceal his silhouette.

‘Quiet boy, else you will give us away.’ he said, using his telepathic ability to commune with the wary dire wolf.

Quiet boy, else you will give us away.The mysterious figure continued to advance, sluggishly, as though something impeded their progress. Krisis’ growling abated slightly, like rumbling thunder slowly receding. Their gaze remained fixed on the figure, analysing its every move, looking for the smallest of details that would give their quarry away. The figure lurched forward on its right leg, before regaining its composure with the other. He had observed the same movement many times in battle, in each case the result of leg trauma.

‘They’re injured.’ he communed, tucking his throwing knife back into its sheath. ‘You take the rear.’

They’re injured.You take the rear.Krisis immediately ceased his growling and slunk off into the undergrowth to circle their quarry. He crept forwards, advancing slowly, allowing his companion time to get into position. The distance between them closed, enabling him to discern the true nature of their target: a female Freylarkin, who carried a bow in her left hand. Stained cloth had been tied around the Freylarkin’s right leg, confirming his suspicion. He stood up, alarming the Freylarkin, who then tried to shuffle around upon hearing the sound of Krisis’ vehement growling behind them.

‘Drop your weapon!’ he cried, in a deliberately intimidating tone.

The Freylarkin did as commanded, immediately releasing the grip on their bow, allowing it to drop to the forest floor with a dull thud.

Another c***k sounded. This time, the noise came from behind him. With deft movement and alacrity, he slid a knife from its place of rest, turned and threw it towards their fresh target.

‘Whoa!’ cried the familiar sound of Rayna’s voice.

The light bringer stepped out from behind a tree, before wresting his knife free from its thick bark.

‘Next time, check your target, Lothnar!’

‘You are still breathing.’

are‘Barely!’ replied Rayna, who slowly jogged towards him.

‘You got closer this time.’ he said, sardonically.

‘Hardly. You were distracted.’ said Rayna, before handing him back his blade. ‘Who is this?’

‘A good question.’

He turned to face their quarry, before being quickly passed by Rayna, The Guardian’s inquisitive nature getting the better of her once more.

‘Rayna, wait!’

‘Leyla, is that you?’

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