Elvi

Into The Dome

Haydeon released Elvi’s wrist and quickly started shoving things into a rucksack at random. Elvi stood still, watching her brother's furious motions.

“We just have to get you to the dock and you can go to the dark elves” Haydeon said, more to himself than his sister, running haphazardly through the bedroom. “They will take you. They hate him as much as we do. If I can make it back to the rest of the Coven quick enough, they may just think we have you under a glamour. I won’t be able to port you there all in one go. We will have to do it in stages. Why do we live so far from the docks?”

“Haydeon,” Elvi said in a small voice.

“I will talk to the Priestess before we go so she understands and can raise the protections. If we divert him long enough…”

“Haydeon,” Elvi said, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. Her brother paused, frightened eyes staring into hers. “I can’t leave my Coven.”

“You have to. Have you not been paying attention to the tales about him?” he answered frantically. “You aren’t safe here. He was going to kill you just like everyone else. Before,” his voice cracked. “Before he realised.”

“I won’t run away to the Dark Elves. You can’t make me. No one can. I will stay here and defend my brothers and sisters. They will not die to hide me.”

Haydeon sat on the bed, its springs groaning under his weight. His hands made their way to his hair, pulling it roughly.

“Why would the Gods do this?”

“I don’t know. Maybe this is punishment for the lives I have taken in defence of our people. Either way, I need to find Priestess. If the shifters really have retreated there is much to be done.”

Elvi walked out of the room and through their small house. She heard her brother following her. She made her way to the village centre, signs of the invasion evident everywhere, in broken windows, doors and statues. People had started to trickle in from every direction.

“Why did they leave?”

“Are they coming back?”

“What happened?”

“What do we do Priestess?”

“I’m scared!”

“I can’t find my wife.”

Coven members shouted out to the Priestess as she stood on a raised platform, scanning the crowd calmly. She raised her arms high, silencing the crowd almost immediately.

“Brothers and Sisters, calm, calm down please,” shouted Priestess. “I need everyone to listen to me now. We need to strengthen our defensive charms around the village; for when the shifters return. I doubt they will stay away. All able coven are to join me in a circle around the village and all injured are expected to the healing cottage, immediately for care. We will need to create a dome shield. Afterwards I would like to talk to those adept in glamour magick. We need to make it appear as though we have moved on.”

The crowd started to move in every direction, preparing for the dome charm. Despite many conversations about installing the charm before, Priestess had not allowed it, owing to the fact that it would make it impossible to find them, by anyone outside of their Coven, not just the shifters. They were the only source of medical aid, supplies and shelter for some of the creatures in the forests surrounding their Coven. Elvi and Haydeon pushed through the crowd to the platform. Scared, bruised and bloody faces passed quickly by.

“Haydeon, can you see Morana? (more~ah~na) Elvi asked, hurriedly searching the faces as they passed.

“No, I can’t see her. We will find her. I promise.” Haydeon squeezed Elvi’s hand for comfort. “PRIESTESS” shouted Haydeon, “We have information.”

“Come with me.” She gave Haydeon a stern look before rushing on. “Tell me everything you know.”

Following her through the crowd Haydeon started.

“We encountered the Wolf King,” Haydeon started to an answering gasp. “He had tackled Elvi and I was across the clearing when it happened. He had her pinned on her stomach. I was fighting another shifter so I couldn’t help her. He had her hands immobilised, so she couldn’t attack. I tackled him to the ground when I was able and we fought. He overpowered me and Elvi created a shield charm around me. The King couldn’t touch me. He told Elvi she is his mate.” The Priestess stopped mid stride, and turned to Elvi, her eyes wide in horror.

“Are you serious? This best not be more of your pranking lies Haydeon. Now is not the time.”

“He isn’t lying, Priestess. That is what the King said.”

“Did you feel it?” Priestess asked, continuing her quick stride once more.

“No. But he stopped attacking, sent his back up away and told me he wouldn’t hurt me, or any of you. He seemed relieved to have found me, Priestess. How can that be? He despises our kind. He would have happily seen all of us dead. I don’t even know what it should feel like. What am I to do? Once my shield broke and Haydeon teleported us away so I don’t know where he is or what he is planning,” Elvi finished frantically. Priestess gave her a pitying look.

“So that is why they left. He will be back for you Elvi, mark my words, we haven’t seen the last of the King and his warriors. We will protect you, and our Coven. As is our duty and honour.”

Coming to join the circle the three spread out, filling in the gap. Priestess taking the lead, the dome shield was formed. Elvi focused on her breathing, keeping it steady and exhaling on the descent of her hand, envisioning the shield springing from the ground and extending into the sky, joining with the energy of her Coven, as she raised her hand. Elvi felt a shiver go down her spine as a pair of chestnut eyes came across her minds eye. The Shifter King. Her mate. How could the Norns do this? It was surely a death sentence.