Curse of Ash & Shadow

Three

Three

The winds howled through the forest, shaking off the newly fallen snow from the branches above as the man walked on the path. The morning sun was just breaking the crest of the mountain ridge, rays casting pastel oranges and reds across the cloud’s underbellies. A lone man broke through the thick trees, finally being free from the hands that gripped his clothing. His deep ocean blue eyes scan the area, nose twitching with his head c****d slightly to one side. The forest was silent for this time of day. Too silent. The man didn’t like how the silence hung heavily over this land like a heavy, fleece blanket. There should be animals lurking in the corners, deer waking from their slumber but instead not even a bird let out a peep. 

“Thought you weren’t going to be here,” the rough voice of Jurio Klaines sent the man’s spine snapping straight like a pole. Nothing was more scarier than this man being deathly silent and not being seen when he stood out like a sore thumb. His black clothing was dusted with snow, black hair shining with the light. Emerald eyes pierced his ocean ones, challenging him and the man looked away, cursing himself. “Scared boy?”

“No sir,” the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Years of drilling had gotten the habit to grow and stick to him like a parasite. The man wished it was someone else in the clearing with him, anyone but him. 

“Just like the little soldier you are, Elijah,” Jurio remarks, hands being stuffed into his jacket as a smirk grows on one side of his mouth. Everything was a joke to this man, everything so funny. Elijah’s hands turn to fists, anger coursing through his veins as he watches Jurio walk towards the large oak tree. Looking down at the disturbed snow where he halted, Jurio said, “I need you for an important mission and you better not disappoint me again, boy.”

When Jurio moves from the spot, his movements fluid like a cat's Elijah stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket. All he wanted to do at that moment was disappear, yet he was being forced to listen to this man drone on like a broken record. Elijah scuffed the ground, snow dancing across the surface until they slowly rolled to a stop. Another boring mission. Another boring job he had to fulfill, or this man would kill him. There was no point in trying to weasel out of it, not when there was something being held over his head. 

“I need you to get a girl for me,” Jurio said, emerald gaze piercing him like knives. “If you disappoint me again then your mother will pay the price. So, I’d advise you to not screw up like you previously did, son.”

The last word was spat out like something foul was on Jurio’s lips. This didn’t faze Elijah at all for he was used to it by now. He was nothing but dirt under his father's boot. Never once did Jurio look at him like other fathers did with their sons, with their kids. No, this man was as strict with Elijah as he was with anyone who served him. That was why Jurio Klaines was the leader of the Uka Clan. Why no one dared cross him in a fight unless they wished to die an ugly death. His mother claimed he was a good man, one worthy of the title and had nothing bad to say about him. Elijah just labeled her weak but a part of him couldn’t let harm come to her. If Jurio turned his wrath upon her then she would definitely die. She was simply only half Dark Elven. 

Be glad you’re more than half, Elijah reminded himself as he listened to the mission that he was being forced into. Whoever this girl his father wanted had no idea what was coming. Eyes drifting to the disrupted spot close to the pond, Elijah noted that it was in the shape of a blanket which had someone on top. A question rose up to the tip of his tongue, wanting to be spoken but he bit the words back. Whoever Jurio wanted, he would get. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it. Without saying a word Jurio turned away, ending the conversation but before he entered the dense forest, he spoke one last time. His voice rang loud in the silence that lay over the land, deadly and powerful.

“Make up a story if you must but Elijah, fail me and not only does that half-breed die but so do you.”

With that said Jurio disappeared into the thicket, Elijah left only to stare at where he used to be. This was not the life he had wanted but if he didn’t then his sibling would be forced into this life and that couldn’t happen. He wouldn’t let it happen. Cursing profoundly Elijah spun on his heel, snow flying behind him and his fist met a tree trunk. Bark ripped through the skin, blood seeping out at the cuts and dripping into the snow, dying it a deep red. He didn’t feel the pain. Mesmerized by the slow growth that his lifeblood was creating. Why was his life so messed up? He wished that he was never born right then. A fleeting thought that repeats itself when situations grew dark and he hated himself. It was just that, a fleeting thought. If he took his life or his wish was true, then his younger siblings would be put into the same situation as he was 

Shaking his head, Elijah turned away from the tree that was covered a little in his blood and he looked up at the sky. Snow trickles down in big flakes, slowly covering the marks of anyone being here. Where he once stood was now empty, void of any trace except the blood in the snow.

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The harsh winter wind cut deep into Elijah’s bones, tiny knives burying themselves into his skin. Teeth clattering loudly in the air he scanned the area hoping the smoke from the fire in front of him would grab someone's attention. Either this woman lived under a rock or was blind, Elijah wasn’t sure. Hunkering further into his furs, shaking off the snow that was clinging to his blanket, Elijah, let out a breath. A white transparent cloud formed in front of his faze, drifting lazily until it completely disappeared. Jurio never said there was a time restraint on this mission so Elijah hoped that he didn’t have to be back any time soon. 

“b****y hell,” grumbling to himself he put out the flames before diving into his tent. With a small incantation the inside warmed up, so the cold inside was thawing out faster. These were simple Magik spells, but he couldn’t do them outside, or he’d give himself away. This realm was particularly dull compared to his home. Why the humans loved it so much, Elijah would never understand. Back home the world feels so alive! The flowers would glow when the moon rose into the dark sky, people came out to dance in the town centers. 

Here these people just stole, killed for fun, and their rulers beat their subjects like garbage. It was disgusting to even breathe the same air as them, but he had to tolerate it. Tossing and turning in spot, Elijah unable to fall asleep in this strange realm. Groaning loudly, a hand running down his face he got up, stepping outside in the freezing wind. Elijah had to admit to one thing about this realm, it was beautiful during the quiet times when no life moved. With the snow drifting from above, the moon peeking over the tips of the pine trees casting a silver glow over the land. In this time of silence nothing could disturb the peace. Moving through the deep snow, Elijah just let his body relax, mind drifting to a different place.

“Hey mama! Look what I found over in the forest!” Elijah yells, hands waving in the air holding a shell. A big smile was on his face, small legs carrying him over the courtyard. A big smile covered his face as he ran, people glancing at him with disgusted looks on their faces. He ignored them all. He was focused on the woman in front of him.

Twirling a branch in his fingers, Elijah let out a huff of air and watched it drift with the wind.

“That’s amazing dear,” her voice was like chimes dancing in the wind, her smile reflecting his. She was beautiful in her own way, grey hair swaying in the breeze. Wrinkles could be seen on her skin but that didn’t bother Elijah one bit. “It’s such a beautiful shell. I will cherish it forever.”

The twig snapped in half, pieces flying in all directions as he turned his gaze upward. 

People muttered to their companions, not hiding their nasty words. ‘Half-breed’ was thrown louder than the rest, the insult digging itself in its mark. The area was full of life, the sun reaching the c****x before making its slow descent. The mother led Elijah away from the courtyard, into a more secluded, peaceful area. Cherry blossoms had started to bloom, rustling with the wind and they sat underneath one of the trees, eyes watching the flowers dance. The smell within the clearing was so pure, so pretty that Elijah was addicted to it. The woman was twirling the shell in her hand absent-mindedly, a faraway look in her eyes and the little boy frowned. 

Halting at the edge of the pond, Elijah looked down at its frozen surface, seeing his distorted reflection staring back at him. 

“Ma? Where is-” the little boy started to speak when a loud cough disrupted their peace. Eyes snapping up to find a man wearing all black standing there, the little boy cowered behind his mother. His body shook with fright as his piercing emerald eyes shot daggers their way. He didn’t speak, didn’t need to for the woman to look so defeated. Her eyes looked at her child, tears leaking out from the corners as a small sad smile creeped onto her lips. Nothing was said but her hand left the child’s, an empty feeling surrounding him as the bigger man looked down at him. Who was he? Elijah wanted to know but couldn’t ask as the man forcibly grabbed his thin arm and dragged him as he walked away. Elijah tried to fight him, looking back at his mother with tears brimming along his eyelid but she wasn’t looking at him. Not anymore. Her back was turned away from their retreating forms.

“Disgusting fool,” Elijah spat out at his reflection, silver hair glinting in the sun. Curse him for everything. Curse Fate for throwing his life into a living hell. Hands tightening into fists, Elijah punches the ice enjoying the cold that seeps through the cuts. The cold ran up through his arm, but he ignored it, watching the cuts slowly seal up. Elijah stayed there, crouched and staring at nothing until the sun broke over the horizon. The morning rays told him another day passed, another failing day. 

Get moving! Mentally screaming at himself, he pushed off from his spot where he was last standing, feet crunching loudly in the silent air. Somehow, he would have to get the girls attention but the plan to do so was still very unclear. The small, beaten down cottage lay on the small hill not far from where the treeline started. Its roof needed repair badly, the windows holding cracks but couldn’t see in since they were boarded up. Part of the house that looked like it was once a shed had collapsed on itself and Elijah wondered how they lived here. It was slowly falling apart piece by piece, yet they never did anything to fix it. Wait. Wasn’t there two people in this house? Elijah wracked his brain, trying to think back to when he first observed the house and he did recall seeing two people moving about. But now there was only one person, the young girl. What happened to the other? Elijah wondered, leaning against the trunk of a tree and his head tilted slightly. 

The girl left the house, bundled up in a wolf pelt coat and thick boots. Her silver-white hair shone brightly with the sun from above that bounced off the snow-crusted land. He didn’t move fast enough, didn’t get behind the tree in time before she spotted him. Even from this distance he knew that she saw him there against the tree. Cursing himself, he backed away as his nerves picked up and he panicked. The one thing he should not have done, he did. He ran. Ignoring the stings of branches slicing at his cheek and arms. Ignoring the crunching of his feet and pounding of his heart. He was such a fool to think he’d have time to observe the house to form a plan before she woke up. Believing he was far enough, Elijah stopped running, bending over to place his hands on his knees and catch his breath.

His heart stopped for a few seconds, eyes widening as the sound of pursuit was heard behind him. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Trying to calm his racing heart, Elijah tried to think of a way out of this. Why was he such a fool to do something that would alert the other of his presence? He even led her right to his camp which could indicate he has been here for some time. Hands tightening into fists for a brief second, Elijah calmed his racing heart. Eased the tension in his muscles, straightening up right as she broke through the dense forest into the clearing.

Turning to face the woman, Elijah had to admit she was beautiful. From afar he couldn’t take in the details but up close as they were now, he could see every single one. Her eyes, those aqua-blue orbs held specks of a soft gold around the iris. Silver-white hair looked soft like silk, tied back in many braids, two on each side of her head and one down the middle, small ones tying into the larger one. Her body was slender, yet he could imagine the strength in her arms and legs as she shifted her weight to one leg. Elijah mentally shook himself out of his thoughts that ran wild and looked back up at those gorgeous eyes.

“Who are you?” Her voice was a whip, cracking in the cold winter morning. Elijah never noticed the object in her hand until the sun gleamed along its pointed, sharp edge. He knew that knife from legend, never imagining it still existed to this day. It was said to have been destroyed once the cursed First Rider bloodline ended. His father said so. If that was to be true, then how did this peasant woman have it in her possession? “I said, who are you?”

Inhaling slowly, eyes stuck on the knife in her hand that is pointed at him he replies, “Name’s Siv.” Unsure of how she would respond, Elijah tore his gaze to look at her eyes which had narrowed on him. This was a situation he wished to have not been in, but nothing could be done about that now. Trying to lighten the mood, Elijah smiled at her and made simple conversation. Nothing would change her speculating gaze, always cautious of him and it was good that she was cautious. 

Looking around the campsite he tried to organize his things better, but he felt clumsy under her watchful eyes. This is going to be a long day. Coughing Elijah pulled out a blanket, spreading it over the log he had dragged over some days previous. Sitting down with hands in his lap, Elijah felt useless at trying to break the ice between them. The sun above peeked over the treetops, casting a harsh glare as the rays bounced off the crust of snow. The woman sheathed her knife, leaning against a tree far from where he sat. The look of wariness never once left her face, but he could tell she was curious about him.

“I got lost travelling through the mountains,” Elijah started to spew out lies, a garbage story in hopes it sounded believable. These things were not easy for him. “I saw your house and was contemplating asking for directions.” 

“Then why did you run?” She was a sharp one, this girl he had been watching for days now. Wracking his brain for an answer, Elijah bit his lip. Bad habit of his when he had no idea what to say. What good answer could he give to her that would sound believable? There was nothing that surged to the front, screaming ‘pick me!’ 

“Panicked,” was his reply and he mentally slapped himself. That was a lame excuse if he ever heard one. Yet he said those words like it was normal. Normal for people to run when spotted by another when it really wasn’t. It raised questions that the other didn’t want to answer or held answers to. 

The woman only nods her head, turning away from him to look around the clearing they were in. It was a foolish idea to set camp here but at the time he thought it would get her attention faster. Elijah never expected her to not come out this way for days. The large oak tree stood bare of leaves; the mark of a diamond still etched into the bark. A reminder of days long past. The pond at its roots lay frozen, its shiny surface reflecting the sun’s rays blindingly. He had trekked the forest around him, getting to know this land a little bit more. Something to do to kill time waiting for this moment. It could have gone more smoothly if he wasn’t such a fool but there was no way to change it. If only life had a rewind button, he thought dryly to himself before shuffling away. 

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The days that passed seemed to be in slow mode for Elijah, feeling like a year had passed by before he saw her again. He kept to the shadows this time, crouching under the bushes that gave a good view of the cottage but hid him well. She emerged from her home with a bow across her back and a quiver at her hips. The wolf pelt was tied tightly to her form and layers could be seen covering her body. A pack slung over one shoulder indicated she meant to be out for a while and Elijah swore profusely. If she was leaving and wouldn’t be back, then how would he get the plan to go into action? He was hoping she would’ve gone back to the clearing once more for them to speak. Wasn’t she at least curious about him like he was with her?

Slapping his face to snap out of the thoughts in his head about the woman, Elijah slowly starts to leave. No point in staying when she was leaving. Maybe another chance would arise for them to speak but not yet. The wind was howling through the trees, ripping over the land like razors and Elijah wished he brought warmer clothes. If only he was back home then he could summon them with Magik but here in Therinian, his powers were limited. Very limited. So lost in thought, he never suspected to be followed until the tiny hairs along the back of his neck stood on end. Whoever was behind him knew what they were doing, staying out of sight and not making a single sound. Scanning the area, his ocean-blue eyes scouring the open area around him, Elijah slowly moved his hands to his waist. 

The twin blades at Elijah’s hips left their sheaths silently, smooth as silk. They twirled across his fingers, catching the light every now and then. His heightened hearing picked up the soft crunch of snow and he acted, knife flying through the air. No sound was made except a loud thunk as the knife buried itself into the bark of the tree. Now he could see faint footprints leading from one tree to the other. From this angle Elijah could guess it was a female from the size of them, but he couldn’t be sure. The second blade in his palm grew warm, the runes lighting up with a faint blue glow on the runes imprinted on the silver. Whoever they were, they had Magik. Who stepped out from behind their spot took the breath right out of his lungs. Like someone punched all the air out of his body. Eyes growing wide Elijah couldn’t find any words to say. 

The woman stood beside the tree with the knife, staring right at him with those cold aqua-blue eyes. They were like icicles piercing him and an arrow was notched loosely on the string of her bow which was held lightly at her side. Her body was slightly tense from her posture. Why did she follow me? The question was asked for a short second before the answer came to him. She wanted to find out why he was here, what he wanted without him knowing. 

“Nice blade,” her voice was like smooth honey. It was like a d**g to him, listening to her talk all day would be fine with him. Snap out of it! His brain screamed at him, snapping him out of the trance her voice put him in. He didn’t say anything, didn’t need to. She moved back when he approached, eyes tracking his every movement. Pulling the knife free from the trunk, Elijah flipped it in the air once before sheathing the ruined blades. No reason to show off. 

“Thanks,” his voice was void of emotion, dead. There was no point in trying to impress this woman for she already had the skills of a hunter. Of a warrior if he could guess from how she watched everything with calculating eyes. “Like anything to eat. Drink? Or are you going to go back to the shadows and lurk? I know I’m sexy, don’t need to admire it from afar.”

She scoffs, disgust covering her beautiful face and it only made him want to smirk. This was too much fun to bug her. She was an easy target, an open book one might say. The sound of a bow being knocked filled the area, Elijah’s eyes growing ever so wide. Without a doubt the woman had her bow notched towards him, arrowhead pointing straight at his back. Everything about her screamed that she was calm, in her element and she knew it too. This was something that was second nature for her. Surviving on her own. She was also dead serious. The coldness before was nothing now in her eyes. If looks could do harm, Elijah would be dead a thousand times over by now. Gulping too loudly, Elijah tried to play innocent, pretending that what was said wasn’t true. Nothing worked. The arrow was still pointed at his heart with deadly seriousness on the woman's face. 

Nothing was said in the clearing, the wind howling over them reminding that winter was still coming on hard. What could be said to calm her down? Nothing. Maybe his head on a spike or even better, him gone for good with nothing remaining. Elijah knew he messed up bad this time, couldn’t talk himself out of the situation he was in, but he couldn’t turn back now. Letting out a long, slow breath, he turned his head upward, eyes closing so his mind could clear of unwanted thoughts. 

“If I tell you the truth, would you listen to me? Would you believe a fool of a man like myself?”