Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Thirty-Seven: First Blood

Brenna silently stepped outside, leaving Prince Donovan to slumber quietly. The forest was speaking to her in whispered warnings of what had awakened and was on the move.

“Neeri, the evil ones seek to destroy you. For the light within you grows stronger and is death to all who dwell in everlasting darkness. The dark ones seek to end your threat now before you gain your full powers.” The leaves of the trees surrounding Brenna stopped rustling and broke the link holding the Neeri in sway.

With a deep breath, Brenna turned to speak with her mother, whom she sensed was waiting for her. “It will be different, Brenna. Many good people will die before it’s finally over.” Her mother looked at her as if waiting for her to respond.

“Yes—soon the world will be on fire, great change is coming! The Age of Death shall pass; as the Age of Rebirth begins. The dead will be beyond counting, and the numbers of those who survive will depend on brave deeds and courage!”

Brenna stared into the forest’s greenery. She longed to be walking within its vastness of cool towering trees. “Her parents would build a new home, the Neeri knew this, yet she had seen the forest she knew would never be the same."

“All of us have but a brief stay in this world. How each of us spends this time says a lot about what we believe is important in our world and our place in it,” her mother said. Myrna placed a hand softly on Brenna’s forearm and stood there quietly.

“Yes, the contest between dark and light will hinge upon courage, strength, wisdom, and power,” Brenna said in a lowered voice. “We are as a wood-chip, upon a storm-tossed sea, and there is no safe harbor in sight.

Myrna stepped beside Brenna. “You fret while wondering if all our efforts will make a real difference. Do we have any other choice?”

Brenna chose not to answer the question. Her mother was right, and as always, her keen senses and intellect had laid bare the facts. “There was never any choice. They either rose together and fought side-by-side for the freedom of all or all of us are doomed,” she thought silently.

“When Prince Donovan and I leave, it’s vitally important you and father leave this place. A firestorm will destroy the forest and our home; I have seen it. You must travel to Kandalare for the forests will no longer be safe,” Brenna warned while staring into her mother’s eyes, seething images filled her mind with seas of flame, devouring field, and forest alike.

“It never ceases to amaze me, to note how far you’ve come. Your father and I have already discussed this at length. Both of us will move far from this place to Kandalare and rebuild.” Brenna’s mother stepped up beside Brenna and pulled her softly towards her for a hug. The Neeri hugged her back, fearing this might be the last time she could do so.

“Now—I am going to spend some time with your father. He knows you will be leaving, and he worries.” Having said this, Myrna walked towards the garden, where Brenna’s father was busy weeding.

Later in the evening—once again, a sensation of vague unease stirred briefly within Brenna. A faint sense of danger replaced the feeling of uneasiness she felt. Abruptly, it once more vanished. Quietly the Neeri stood still, trying to determine the source of her growing anxiety. The flapping of wings attracted Brenna’s attention, and she held up her right arm for Nadu. In a flash, the small winged-lizard landed lightly and scurried up her sleeve, while murmuring tiny chirrups to her. In no time at all, her little friend lay in his favorite place upon her right shoulder, beside her neck.

Brenna walked down the forest path where it bordered a spring brook. Something splashing in the flowing waters abruptly stopped. The stone upon her staff now glared brilliantly, casting all about her in the same bright silvery-blue light.

Crouched at the edge of the water, stood a vaguely man-shaped creature with brown toad-like skin. The vile being snuffled wetly and opened its mouth, revealing jagged greenish-yellow teeth. The beast stepped menacingly towards Brenna with its powerful arms raised. Long sharp brown claws tipping each finger drew the Neeri’s attention.

In a silent silver blur, Timitz placed himself between the horror and Brenna. With bared teeth, raised hackles, and a menacing growl, the silver wolf, faced the beast head-on. Nadu stood upon her shoulder and hissed threateningly, startling the Neeri more than it did the approaching beast. Brenna swallowed, taking a step backward while fighting the fear which threatened to consume and fill her with panic.

“Begone foul one. Leave this place. Only death awaits you here!” Brenna said while trembling.

“I need—to get out of here,” The Neeri thought, but she couldn’t move a muscle. Somewhere, in the back of Brenna’s mind, she knew she was badly failing her first test with the enemy. “I’ve got to regain control of my emotions, or it will destroy me.” The Neeri slowly managed to overcome the wave of panic which had swept through her.

With a hiss, the creature at first shrank back, then suddenly advanced towards her. Its yellowish-green eyes stared unblinkingly at her, full of hunger. The loathsome beast approached her in a determined manner, ready to attack. Beneath its slimy brown toad skin, powerful muscles rippled.

“The Master has sent me to search for one, such as you. Yeessss—I sense your warmth. I don’t fear you or your pets,” the beast hissed and lunged at her.

Words flowed from Brenna’s lips unbidden, as she took a step backward. With a loud c***k of thunder, bright silvery-blue energy arced to strike her attacker. The bolt hurled the foul creature backward as it screamed in agony. The odor of charred flesh filled the air. With labored breathing, the beast forced itself to stand erect once more. Across its chest was a thick black welt of blackened smoking skin.

With a bellow of anger, the foul creature stepped towards Brenna. Again, a searing arc of silvery-blue energy arced from the Neeri’s staff to strike the horror before her. The blast drove her attacker backward upon stumbling legs, which barely kept it upright. It grasped a standing tree for support as it bellowed in rage and pain while turning towards her once more. Each blast from Brenna’s staff, felt as if it was draining her strength. She was getting tired yet dared not turn her back to run. Something was warning her this beast was much faster than it appeared to be.

Greenish ooze bubbled forth from its mouth as it approached. The monster crouched as if preparing to pounce, while Brenna was trying her best to present some semblance of courage. Timitz advanced half a step and was preparing to spring upon her attacker. As one, Brenna and her friends waited for the beast to attack.

Abruptly, a brilliant flare of light bathed the trees behind Brenna’s attacker. Within the circle of illumination stood a figure whose form was concealed by the bright glare. Whoever it was, the Neeri could not tell.

“How dare you enter these waters without my consent, bag of filth. Thou, art a long way from the mire of the marsh. You shall pay for your arrogance, foul one!” A voice spoke clearly from the aura of light.

Abruptly the creature started to rip at something down by its feet. With a roar, the beast tore at vines which were entwining themselves around its body. The woody growth seemed to come from all directions while snaking upwards and enveloping her attacker. More and more of the fibrous tendrils climbed up the beasts struggling form, winding around its legs, arms, and head, wrapping it in layers.

The intense aura of light diminished to a radiant glow. It revealed a slender, lightly garbed woman with long brown hair standing behind the creature. Her clothing was the green of forest leaves and grays of tree bark. Her boots were of green and silvery-gray. Atop her rescuer’s brow was a delicate gold diadem, within which clear blue stones were inset. Their color was of a clear blue sea. The gems were unlike anything Brenna had ever seen before. For, instead of glittering brightly, they glowed with a faint blue inner light.

Brenna knew this was the lady who had given her the small green crown, laced with delicate Tae Layneata flowers when she was a child. Upon her back was a strung bow. At her waist was a sword of light that glowed brighter than the moon above. The lady spoke in a light-lilting voice while weaving patterns with her hands.

The vines wholly engulfed the creature. The tangle trembled briefly, and its leaves glimmered with pale white light. From within the greenery before Brenna, sounded a cry as soft as a whisper. Beautiful white trumpet flowers appeared, which filled the air with a sweet, heady fragrance. Within five or so minutes, the vine-covered clump before her slowly opened, revealing a large tightly closed bud that glowed. Something stirred within, making its surface quiver briefly from time to time.

The lightly garbed female stepped beside the now gleaming bud with a pleasant smile while gazing down upon it. Slowly, the bud opened. Within lay a figure, which appeared to be rousing from a deep sleep. The male figure stood, gazing at her with blue eyes, which spoke of high intelligence.

The creature uttered a few words which caused the air about Brenna to shudder, as power was released. Before Brenna, appeared a knight astride a mighty white steed. Both the knight and his mount wore armor, which gleamed with mirrored silvery brightness. Upon the knight’s back were a bow and quiver. At its waist was an edged weapon that sparkled brilliantly. He nodded his head in a sign of respect to her. Afterward, the knight and his mount galloped away and disappeared into the forest.

“He is now a Fetwyn, a spirit of the land. They have long served to protect you and others of your kind, Neeri. The evil sent to destroy you have been changed into a guardian to protect you. The Fetwyn as beings are a potent force and will serve you well.”

“I thank you for your help and for the beautiful crown you gave me long ago. Might I please learn your name?” Brenna asked while bowing.

“At another time, I was called Lenaya, Lady of the Waters. You will not fight this battle alone, Neeri. As an oath, I swear this, for I have come bearing a mighty gift for thine own hand.”

Brenna smiled and nodded while listening to everything Lenaya said. “This is the Ring of Fey’ Nele. It will warn you of impending danger even as its powers help protect you. Child—should evil stalk you and the moment be dire, call my name.”

Lenaya held out her open hand. Within lay a beautiful gold ring with a clear stone that shimmered with white light. Brenna took the ring and placed it upon a finger of her right hand. Lost for a moment in the ring’s beauty, Brenna raised her head to thank the Demi-God. Only to find Timitz, Nadu, and herself now stood alone upon the dark wooded path. She padded home, remembering Lenaya’s words to her. “You will not fight this battle alone, Neeri.”