Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Midnight Conversations

Later in the evening, a bird sitting outside the window awakened Donovan with its continual cries before finally flying away. The reflections of the flames from the main room’s fireplace danced on the ceiling above the curtained doorway to the bedroom. Prince Donovan managed to sit on the edge of his bed. His injuries were slowly beginning to mend. The prince raised his hand to his head and softly explored its tenderness. The headaches were much milder, for which he was profoundly grateful. According to Jereme, this was a good sign.

“This is a hard night to get any sleep, Prince Donovan. Please come and sit by the fire and keep an old woman company. There are things you and I must discuss,” Myrna said from outside the bedroom.

Right now, sitting before a crackling fire sounded great to Donovan. He stood and walked through the curtained doorway into the main room. Prince Donovan’s headache was now barely noticeable. Light from a small brass oil lamp that sat on a cherry wood table beside Myrna bathed everything in a light golden glow.

Myrna reached over and retrieved the copper kettle from where it sat on the hearth. She poured him a hot cup of tea without spilling so much as a drop. Without hesitating, Brenna’s mother turned to him and unerringly handed him a fired clay cup adorned with painted delicate wildflowers. After putting the teakettle back by the fireplace, the kind woman adjusted the small red quilt, which covered her slender shoulders and turned to him with a pleasant smile.

“On nights like this, the aching in my bones keeps me awake. So, I drink a little tea and take the night powder Jereme makes for me at night, it helps with the achiness. In a vision, I saw you and I talking tonight.” Myrna raised her cup to her lips and took a sip.

“What is it like, to sense such things?” Donovan leaned back in the wooden chair while holding his cup of tea. He now believed powers existed, which he could not explain.

Some people believed, and some like himself days ago refused to admit the existence of anything they could not perceive themselves. The prince now knew those people were blind. In effect, they were self-absorbed in their own lives and saw little of the rest of the world. The telltale signs of those powers were, for the most part, subtle, but they were there, nonetheless.

“It’s a hard thing to be able to grasp what others cannot. When I was a child, many people looked at me in dread; they believed I was speaking about things I would make happen. Most people are inclined to fear what they don’t understand, so I stayed mostly to myself.” Myrna paused, taking another sip of tea before placing the cup on the table between them.

In the lamplight, Donovan studied the three deer within the forest scene carved along the border of its smooth top. It was, in a word, beautiful.

“As time passed, I started to look at my ability as more of a blessing than a curse. For some reason, the Goddess Elliana gave me this gift. After careful consideration, I believe it was to help you, Prince Donovan. Jereme and I have been placed here to assist in a mighty cause.”

Myrna took a small log and stirred the fire before placing the wood in the fireplace. The flames l*****g at the piece of wood started to burn brighter. Without hesitating, Brenna’s mother leaned back and turned towards him. “Everything, I’ve been shown as a child up to now, has always appeared as fleeting pictures in my mind. Some visions are vivid, and I sense it will soon come to pass. During others, it’s as if Elliana is testing me, for she gives me partial hints, like breadcrumbs in a dream.”

Donovan sipped his tea while contemplating everything Myrna had told him. Lightning flashed brightly, followed by the deep rumble of distant rolling thunder. A storm was rapidly

building in strength as it approached. Trees around the small house quivered and shook as they strained against the wind.

“Listen to the storm brewing out there,” Donovan commented. He sipped at his cup of tea while listening to the wind moan around them.

“Not all storms are shaped by the weather, Prince Donovan. Some result from evil corrupting the natural world. As we speak, a battle between light and darkness rages in the distance and is growing in strength.”

Myrna slid her cup of tea to the side and c****d her head as if listening carefully. She turned her head and was now also staring at the heavy oak door. Donovan heard something tap on the door three times, pause and tap again. Myrna stood and walked over to unbar the door and stepped aside. In her wake, a dark gray-clad individual with a hood stepped inside, holding a staff. After closing the door, Brenna removed her dripping hood and cloak and hung it on a wooden peg, beside the entry. In the distance, Donovan heard a faint bellowing roar.

Prince Donovan recognized the roar and now envisioned the swift dark shape flapping its mighty wings in a night sky filled with lightning and thunder. The Black Dragon was once more hunting for them. Brenna turned to face the direction from whence the animal’s roar had echoed with staff upraised. For three to four minutes, all three of them remained frozen in place. Donovan listened for any further bellow of the beast, but the storm drowned out all other sounds.

“The beast has moved on, far South of us.” Brenna turned to them with a sober face.

Donovan sat quietly for a few minutes. “The Black Dragon doesn’t give up easily and will continue to hunt for us. Our time here is slowly running out.”

“Yes, the Ebon One is doing its dark master’s bidding, Prince Donovan. The enemy knows we are in this forest but hasn’t yet determined where we’re hiding. We must use our wits and wait for you to regain your strength.” Brenna looked Donovan in the eye, and he could tell there was more she had to say.

“Brenna—what has happened?”

“Prince Donovan, we are in a race against time. The enemy is hunting the rest of us forest-folk, hoping they will eventually happen upon the correct home. Despite the enemies’ great numbers, they are now far to the South of us, searching every nook and cranny.”

“Perhaps, it’s best to take our chances and try to escape into the forest,” Donovan said. He sipped his now warm cup of tea.

“To do what, Prince Donovan? You’re recovering from a head injury and can’t afford any setbacks. If you venture into the forest on foot, you are as good as dead!” Jereme’s voice sounded from the curtained doorway of Brenna’s parents’ bedroom. The sound of movement betrayed the healer, getting dressed. A minute later, he stood in the doorway yawning, with his gray hair unkempt.

“Father is right. It’s best to remain here, while we wait for your friends to arrive. Once they’re here, we can depart on horses and leave here quickly,” Brenna commented.

Myrna seated herself and warmed everyone’s tea before facing Donovan. “We are somewhat off the beaten path, which is to our advantage. This forest is vast, and Brenna has cloaked us as well. We should wait a little longer before we say goodbye to this home.”

“I had a dream which warned me of the Black Dragon’s arrival, which was attacking the Hammerlin’s home. It’s why I went for a walk to study what we faced. I arrived while the great beast ravaged their home and breathed fire on what remained!” Brenna said with glistening eyes.

“My word. The Hammerlin’s were fine, honest folk. Our time in this forest is coming to an end, yet you’re not quite ready to travel,” Jereme said quietly, with eyes filled with concern.

Myrna retrieved a cup for Brenna and poured each some more tea and seated herself. “Time is running out before others enter this forest, searching for both of you. We must play a dangerous game while waiting for you to heal, Prince Donovan,” Myrna stated. She adjusted the coverlet on her shoulders and sipped her cup of tea.

“What about Changa, Maska, my mother, and my father? Will the alliance manage to survive?” Donovan asked with a quaver in his voice.

“Changa has already begun to assume his rightful place among his people. He has received a mighty blessing from the elder spirits and has become a Wind-Walker. He is among those who are searching for you.”

Once more, Myrna stirred the coals before adding another log. Slowly, she gazed at him sightlessly for a moment, before once more sitting in her chair. Muttering to herself, she silently nodded, before turning towards him once more.

“It pains me to inform you, Prince Donovan, while Maska was leading the search for you, he has fallen in battle. He will be—”

Donovan abruptly rose from his chair to make his way back to his room to get dressed. The hammering in his head immediately forced him to sit. The prince felt the familiar light-headedness return, which generally arrived before he passed out.

Brenna placed a steadying hand upon Donovan’s shoulder. “You are in no condition to jump about, Prince Donovan. You’re getting better but are in no shape even for a small journey.”

“Elliana has changed Maska’s path in life. Do not grieve for him, for it’s not yet his time. I sense he will play a much larger part, elsewhere.” Myrna nodded to him and sipped her tea.

Deeply shaken, Donovan paused, while attempting to regain his composure. The prince forced himself to calm down, realizing he could not hope to help Maska in his current condition. “What can you tell me about the sanctuary? Donovan asked and took a sip of tea.

“Brenna knows the direction you must travel. Why you must travel there and what lays within is hidden from me. She will not discuss with me anything about it. I sense this is to protect all of us.”

“Myrna, when Brenna and I leave, I would like for you and Jereme to travel to Kandalare, to act as court advisors. I will write a letter which will gain you entrance. We have great need of your insight into the future.”

“Prince Donovan, I don’t sense all things. The Goddess Elliana chooses what visions I have. A few days ago, she revealed we must move to Kandalare,” Myrna informed him, with a nod.

Myrna carefully set a small lidded jar on the table beside her cup of tea. Donovan hadn’t noticed the small crock before, though he quickly surmised what it held. “Now I know why I’m so tired,” he thought.

“I believe I’m ready to go back to sleep without any difficulty.” Donovan yawned. He felt relaxed and ready to go back to bed. The prince slowly stood and walked toward his bedroom.

“You have a good night, Prince Donovan. You must rest to heal, for you will need your strength. May you sleep soundly, and your dreams be pleasant ones.”