Chapter I

Night Shadows

The black canopy conquered the skies, starless and plain, concealing Ashleigh temporarily in the underbrush. Perspiration dropped from her brow as she swung her head from side to side, her eyes searching the dark trees. As she strained her senses, a series of crackles reached her ears, sharp and uneven. She crouched. Her pursuer grew closer with every step. Her precarious respite neared its limit. Who did those swift feet carry? What horrid intentions did he harbor? Extending one leg behind her, she prepared to launch herself once more into flight.

A nearby crack broke the still air. She dashed out from the bushes, leapt over a fallen log, faltered, then sprinted on. In her haste, she had lost all sense of direction within the dense wood. The lone crescent moon provided insufficient light. Darting her eyes amongst the shadows, she spied a streak, then a gleam. She skidded to a stop, and slipped further into a clump of trees. Panic glowed in her eyes by the light of a small clearing, illuminated by thin ribbons of light.

Leaves rustled in the line of trees across from her. She scooted behind a bush, eyeing a young man as he wandered into the light. The brown mess on his head swayed in the breeze, his sharp azure eyes piercing the shadows of the wood. A smirk curled the corner of his lip.

“I can hear you breathing.”

She moved from the light, running her hand along the ground in search of a distraction. As her fingers touched a stick, she scooped it up and heaved it farther into the forest. The boy disappeared toward the sound. She relaxed her shoulders, and turned back to escape. A wicked sneer met her eyes. The young man towering over her, Ashleigh froze.

“Tsk, tsk.” he scoffed. “Oh, you’ll need more talent than that to fool me.”

His smirk melted into a cruel scowl as he thrust his palm against her chest. She somersaulted backwards into the clearing. Wincing, she staggered to her feet, and massaged her sternum. He couldn’t be more than a few years older, yet he held such power. The boy sauntered into the light; she stumbled back into a tree at the edge of the clearing.

He leaned over her. “Now, let’s say we co-operate this time.” His smug expression extinguished any comfort his smooth voice offered. He caressed the blonde tresses that fell in front of her eyes. “Where is the sword?”

She remained silent, her chest heaving.

“Come, come. This need not be difficult.”

She opened her mouth, but her lips merely twitched as she shook her head.

The young man’s scowl deepened. “Girl, do not try me. You do not know what kind of pain I can inflict.”

Shaking her head vigorously, she whispered, “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

His brow creased downwards, the boy suddenly grasped her throat and thrust her against the tree. As her head cracked the wood, she groaned, her vision flashing black and red.

A thin line of blood streamed from the corner of her mouth.

“I grow weary of such negotiations. Give me the sword and gem… now.”

He tightened his grip, holding her breath captive within her throat.

“I…” she coughed. “I don’t… know… what those are!”

The boy raised his captive to eye level, her feet dangling inches above the ground. She clawed in vain at his firm clutch.

“If you wish to lie, then it would be wise to rid yourself of all evidence.”

He tapped her hip. Gazing down, she spied an intricately designed belt tied around her slim waist. The boy fingered the exquisite sheath hanging from the strap.

“Beautiful… but empty.”

“I…” she grunted “…don’t know where… that’s from…”

He sighed. “What a shame…” His cold finger ran down her cheek. “…that something so beautiful should come to such an end.” He inclined his torso. “Yet, I shall grant you a last chance. Where is the Kiran?”

“I swear… I don’t know…!”

While the chill sharpened the air, a feigned smile crossed his face.

“So unfortunate.”

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, erupting rapidly into a deafening cackle. As his face distorted, morphing into that of a pale woman, Ashleigh released a horrified gasp. Suddenly a sharp pain split through her temple… and darkness overwhelmed her consciousness.

The red sky spun in a haze. Incoherent shouts sounded in the distance, followed by the frequent clashing of metal. She rolled slowly onto her stomach, then rose to her knees, absentmindedly gazing at the surroundings. Several minutes passed before the trees ceased their dizzying rotation. She lay at the base of a thick trunk within a thick wood. The dry grass snapped beneath her.

As she braced herself against the tree, she noticed a peculiar thickness polluted the pine air. Smoke. She wobbled toward the gray mist, following the stench through the webbed branches.

The collision of metal rang continually through the air, rising in volume as it vibrated off the numerous trunks. She stumbled through the brush, then halted with the abrupt end of the forest. Not a single green shrub was in site. Instead, a burning wasteland rolled before her.

She staggered back as an incredible site filled her vision. Men and women fought alongside or against hideous creatures. Several soldiers loaded an enormous boulder onto a large wooden catapult. As the rock crashed the flanks of soldiers, the earth shook beneath her feet. Several more catapults simultaneously released similar cargo. The air rang with screaming of the dying and avenger alike. Archers launched fiery arrows, dispersing the advancing columns. Cloaked by smoke and dust, the two sides became indistinguishable to Ashleigh.

“Girl!”

She spun towards the call, spying a tall man sprinting in her direction. Unsure of his intentions, she stepped back. Maintaining a steady pace, he whipped a bow from his back, smoothly notching an arrow. He lifted the weapon, aiming directly at the girl. As he released the arrow, she covered her head, and fell to her knees. A terrible yelp erupted behind her, followed by a tremendous thud. She fearfully peered over her shoulder, then scooted back. A repugnant odor rose from a slaughtered beast, its thick body hair twisted with flowing crimson. Its crude, bloodstained sword lay barely out of reach of its limp arm.

As a hand gripped her arm from behind, she fell back towards the beast, landing inches from its snarling mouth. She screamed and jumped away.

“Does this brute appear more frightful than the others?” the man yanked his arrow from the hairy chest in disgust. He then spun once more to her, and his stern expression vanished. “Kheia?!” He inclined his head slightly. “Malnr. We must hurry. Many fall as we tarry here. Take up your sword!” The man then vanished into the fray.

She stared; tremors coursed her chilled skin.

Kheia..? Wh-what does that mean?!

“Lenosai!”

The call erupted from the crowd as a mass of black arrows clouded the skies. Mouth agape, the girl stared horrified as the weapons produced wings, the shafts quickly transforming into slender birds. Their large talons and dark beaks shone red. The black bullets streamed down amongst the soldiers, large clouds of dust rising on impact.

As she scrambled to avoid one wayward creature, her foot caught an exposed root. When she crashed on the dirt, she felt a sharp pressure against her side. She rolled onto her back, grasping for the source of the pain, meanwhile rising to her knees. A peculiar weight pulled at her left hip. Peering down, she spied the same elaborate belt and sheath, no longer home only to air. An exquisite hilt protruded from its golden scabbard.

A screech emanated from the fallen bird. At the short distance, she could easily see the creature was no earthly animal. With wings disproportional to it torso, it was a wonder the beast was able to rise upon its bony legs. It snapped its jagged beak in bloodlust, launching into the air without warning. Beak poised for the kill, it targeted her chest.

Instinctively, she grasped the hilt. A sudden surge of energy coursed her veins, and she whipped the sword in an arch above her crouched figure. The creature released a deafening screech as it collided with the barrier, disintegrating onto the ground in a pile of smoking ash.

Awestruck and terrified, she staggered back, dropping the weapon. She shifted her gaze between the glowing sword and vile heap.

What the heck?!

A shot of pain suddenly raced up her shoulder nerves as the bark behind her exploded. Grasping her wound, she spied an arrow wedged deeply in the trunk, still vibrating from the collision. A holler sounded, triggering the attention of several creatures. Whipping around, the girl witnessed an armored man remove his sword from his slain victim. His eyes then locked onto a new target as he marched menacingly in her direction. She scrambled to rise, but there was no time. The soldier swung his weapon over his head with an increasing cry as the sword rushed to meet her abdomen…

Ashleigh bolted upright, her breathing laborious. Several seconds passed before she surveyed the dark bedroom. Her nightshirt clung to her skin. Shivering as tremors pricked her spine, Ashleigh stared at the door. She lifted her arms to her throbbing chest in an attempt to calm her heart.

After a few minutes, she slipped out from under the sheets. As she stumbled towards the doorway, she bumped the dresser, toppling several disorganized pictures and knickknacks that riddled the surface. She walked down the hall and turned into the bathroom, locking the door securely behind her. Ignoring the noise, Ashleigh lifted the faucet, releasing a refreshing waterfall. She splashed herself several times, then stared at her drenched visage.

Another one… ugh, third one this week.

She swiped the towel from the bar. Ashleigh wiped the moisture from her face, and tossed the crumpled fabric onto the counter.

“This is crazy.”

As she walked out the door, she grabbed her bathrobe, and continued down the stairs, securing the tie around her waist. Ashleigh groped along in the dim light for the switch. Her fingers curled around the familiar plastic piece. She flipped it several times, but no light streamed from the lamp across the room. Ashleigh jumped as the shades crashed against the window. In her distraction, she had not recognized the presence of an intense storm.

She sighed. Power must be out.

She walked across the carpet, then jerked the window closed, and stared out at the torrential rainfall. The post of the ‘For Sale’ sign, wedged deeply into the lawn, disrupted the growth of the moist leaves. As she gazed upon the ‘sold’ sticker, slapped crookedly at the top, deep lines creased Ashleigh’s brow. Turning, the girl leaned her back against the pane to survey the absence of furniture, the only inhabitants of the living room now several large boxes and a floor lamp.

Drawing her robe tightly around the curves of her body, she hustled to the front door. The wind ripped the handle out of her hand immediately, slamming the door against the wall. She stumbled down the pathway as the gale played with the flaps of her covering. Sucking in her breath, Ashleigh marched to the misfit post, and struck it with her foot. The post swayed from her many blows, a whimpering puppy before the gale. Drawing several strenuous breathes, she felt a tear tickle down her cheek.

Craw… craw!

A hoarse call attracted her attention from her wooden victim. A sole raven perched in a large oak tree at the edge of the yard. Ashleigh furrowed her brow; ravens did not live in that area. The bird hopped along the thinning branch, fighting for balance against the gale. A twig snapped from one of the higher branches, striking the bird’s chest, and the small creature plummeted onto the lawn.

Intending to assist, Ashleigh trudged up the path, pausing halfway, and prepared to rush once more against the raging wind and rough rain. However, sudden movement in the bushes drained Ashleigh of her resolve. Faint red glow slithered through the shadows, and in the moonlight, she spied a dark figure shift from a tree to the bushes. A hunched shadow rose against the fence.

“Is someone there?” Ashleigh called.

The figure vanished. She blinked, pondering possible tricks her mind might be playing in the dark. She stepped onto the grass and plodded to the fallen bird. Her gaze lingering on the fence, she saw another faint glow from the corner of her eye. Releasing the straps of her robe, Ashleigh halted and pulled back the wisps of drenched blonde from her face. A black form jumped among the branches of the tall oak. She shook her head, but the figure did not disappear.

“Someone there?” Ashleigh’s voice cracked.

The gust swirled through her loosened covering, chilling her saturated skin. She spun around, staring at the stagnant creature on the grass.

You’re just paranoid. Nightmares do that to people…!

Kneeling by the dormant bird, Ashleigh kept her back to the trees. She scooped her hand beneath its wing, but immediately pulled back when her skin touched a warm liquid. Recognizing the crimson liquid, she hastily wiped her hand on the grass and scrambled back. A twig couldn’t do that.

Her gaze shifted to the branches, a few leaves its sole residents. As she backed away, Ashleigh pulled her robe tightly around her shaking form. A cold spiked her veins that was not an effect of the weather. This chill originated in fear, a deep-rooted and unexplainable terror. An ominous familiarity suffocated her sense as her chest burned. She quickly ripped open her robe and stared at the red glow surrounding her neck. Dangling at the end of a faded silver chain, a gem pendant radiated. She lifted it before her eyes, her pupil dilated.

Her head snapped up and she saw the shadow crawled along the fence, its faint red glow shimmering in the bushes. A dark form shifted once more among the tree branches. She attempted to call out once more, but the words caught in her throat. As she curled her fingers around the blazing necklace, both figures halted, motionless shades in the dark. Ashleigh stood rooted, awaiting the next movement.

“Ashleigh!”

She whipped around to a see a man stand in the doorway. He rushed into the gale wrapping his arm around her frozen body.

“What are you doing out here?”

When did not respond, he hustled her into the dwelling. The man slammed the door, then rushed to a hallway closet, returning with two thick towels. He wrapped the cloth around her and re-voiced his question. Ashleigh did not answer. Releasing a breath, he dried his hair and ambled to the window. When he spied the crooked post, the man shook his head.

“Are you responsible for that?”

Ashleigh blinked as she recognized the voice, her mind returning to present. As her eyes fell on the man, her lips puckered, and she crossed her arms.

“Yeah, what of it?”

The man ran his fingers through his russet curls.

“Ashleigh… this isn’t a horrible thing. I thought you had accepted-”

“To acknowledge a situation is not the same as resigning yourself to it.”

He nodded his head and looked around the room. “Right.”

Walking across the living room, he ambled into the kitchen, flipping on the battery-operated light above the stove. Ashleigh trailed behind, thankful that the orange glow overwhelmed that on her chest. Her gaze shifted once more through the window to the empty yard. Ashleigh shook her head, convinced her mind was exercising much mischief.

The man opened the refrigerator, filling the dim kitchen with light. He placed a water jug on the granite countertop island, then turned to the mahogany cupboard to retrieve a glass.

“What are you doing down here, anyway?”

“How am supposed to sleep peacefully with the knowledge that this is the final night I’ll be in this house.”

“Ashleigh,” He set his glass on the counter. “Must we have this conversation?”

“I don’t know. Should we?” she replied, crossing her arms. “This lack of sleep is my punishment for not putting in enough effort to prevent the move.”

“No,” he gave a humorless laugh, “You certainly did that.”

“It didn’t stop the insane notions of the deranged and heartless!”

“Do not talk to me that way, young lady.”

“Why not? You haven’t earned my respect.”

The man extended his index finger. “Like it or not, I have the authority here.”

“Yeah, well you don’t deserve it…” Ashleigh retorted. “Jonathan.”

“Ashleigh Dendinyl..." He shook his head "Why won’t you respect your mother’s choice of a guardian?”

The girl slammed her hands on the island. “Because my mother would have never chosen you if she knew you were capable of such rash actions, the likes of which disregards others opinions!”

“Yours was not the only opinion. There were others’ feelings to consider.”

“Yeah, if you credit your intolerably self-centered wife and ‘mini-me’ of a daughter with having human emotions!”

“I think you need to examine who the selfish one in this situation is.”

“Answer me.” Ashleigh leaned forward, her voice decreasing in volume. “This house is nearly the last remnant of my mother I have. Could you so easily part with anything connected with those you held dearest?”

Jonothan heaved another sigh. “I’m sorry, Ashleigh.”

He silently returned the water to the refrigerator, and placed his glass in the sink. Resting a hand on the girl’s shoulder as he passed, Jonathan headed through the living room to the stairs. With one foot on the lowest step, he turned back with a soft smile.

“You best head back up to bed. Try to sleep.”

Ashleigh watched him disappear up the flight of steps, a twang of guilt pinching at her stubborn heart. Her gaze shifted down; indeed, the man had truly considered all options. However, her wounds ran too deep for her to admit this.

She drew her robe across her chest, submitting to dwindling adrenaline. Wandering past the low wooden wall between the walkway and living room, Ashleigh peered a final time out into the storm. She no longer spied the bird on the grass. As the lightning flashed, she saw two obscure shadows within the greenery. Ashleigh quickly turned up the stairs and down the corridor to her room. After shutting the door, she threw her robe on the ground, and climbed into the bed.

Propped against a pillow, Ashleigh fingered the jeweled pendant, still glowing faintly. Besides the house, this gem and the small picture on her desk were the only physical reminders of her mother’s existence. The woman had lived humbly, but after her death, it suddenly seemed like too little.

Not wanting to dwell on the subject longer, Ashleigh slipped beneath the covers, hoping to find a few hours of restful sleep.