Ever Shade (8 page)

“What about with a car? Or even by airplane? Why not go that way?” She felt utterly confused and not one bit satisfied with his answers. She was starting to wonder what was so great about being a faery if you can’t do regular stuff, like ride an airplane!

“No way would any fey ride in those things, they reek of iron! Like I have told you, iron is deadly to the fey. If faeries stayed around iron for long periods of time they become seriously ill and have poor quality of life.” He snickered as he beat back another branch as he walked along. He seemed amused and maybe a little frustrated that he had to explain the iron sickness again. “But, you and Jack can tolerate it. You guys didn’t seem one bit bothered. And it doesn’t bother me at all either, why? I’m part fey, supposedly. Is it because I’m part human?” She dodged a large leafy bush that was in her way just before it slammed into her chest.

“Yes, because we are Teleen, we love iron or any kind of metals. Again, we like the conductivity it provides us. You, I guess, it’s because you are part human. The fact that you’re Halfling gives you an advantage and a valuable strength. It is the human part of you that allows you to escape from danger and you can hide in the iron cities without any problems.”

“What else are the fey vulnerable to?”

He furrowed his brows and seemed to pause for a second to ponder her question.

Shade realized she would never get over how amazingly handsome he was. She wondered if he had a girlfriend in this faery tale life of his. He wore no glamour right now; he was just in changeling mode so none was needed. None of them did, besides Jack, for they were staying within the Guildrin forest until they reached the valley of the Teleen. She wondered how big the forest really was. She had so many questions that she just didn’t even know where to start. For now though, she pushed her fluttery feelings aside.

“Well, if you think about the stories about faeries, they can be quite useful in helping you defend yourself against the fey. Cold iron is toxic, as you know. People can fend the fey off by reversing their clothes. We also have an ointment of truth that humans can use to have ‘true sight’ and see past our glamours or tricks. Fire keeps most wild fey away; I guess they don’t like the burning carbon. I’m not sure though. Not much of it bothers me, and anything not related to nature is an anti-fey charm. I would always keep some sort of a memory charm on you to remember your way home. Those are impervious to spells any faery might throw at you to make you forget who you are and enslave you.”

“You don’t sound like a friendly bunch. Honestly, I can’t see you guys being that bad.” Shade waved towards the other warriors and shook her head. “I just don’t get it.”

Soap laughed the deep belly laugh that made Shade glare at him. She hated being laughed at. She shook her head and continued on, ignoring his giggling. The other warriors were already a good deal ahead of them.

They remained in silence for a good deal after that. No one spoke, everyone silently hiking along, slicing down branches. Only the crunch of dead leaves and twigs filled the afternoon air. The birds twittered above, sometimes flying in groups with their wings flapping loudly. It wasn’t easy moving fast in the forest. Roots and uneven ground were plenty, threatening every footstep with a fall or worse, broken bones if one was not careful.
This situation is just a twisted ankle waiting to happen
, Shade gritted her teeth concentrating on the loose rocks and roots that lay haphazardly across their path.

They came upon a clearing in the forest. The warriors paused, watching Jack and Ewan for a signal. Jack scouted the clearing’s edge and looked for any kind of movement. The rest of the group was hunched, and hiding behind trees and bushes, waiting for the all clear. Shade perched herself behind a large redwood tree, the bark was rough and crumbled under her fingers. It felt warm under her touch, like there was life pulsating inside the massive trunk. She wondered why she suddenly could feel the life all around her. Did it have to do with this forest being fey territory? She wondered if there was something new happening within her or if they all were being affected by an unknown force around them.

She suddenly realized then it had been quite some time since she heard ‘the voices’ in her head. She felt relieved but it also felt like something was missing. Maybe she would try what Ilarial had mentioned to her. Since she took the medicine that Ilarial gave her to control the voices, it was easier to think. She thought now she would try and speak to them with specific requests, and listen then for a specific answer. Ilarial had said that this exercise would help her get to know the voices and hopefully learn to use her spirit guides, to her own advantage.

Are we safe?
Shade waited, quieting her mind and listening for the response.

Yes,
they said as one
.

She jumped. The answer had come like a voice on the breeze, or like someone whispering into her ear. She spun around but saw no one. She glanced over to Soap who was behind another tree to her left. He placed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence and turned back towards the front of the group.
Wow, a one-word answer.
It was enough to make her freak out,
Ok, well that was a good little exercise
. She watched Ewan give them an ‘all clear’ signal. She then stood up and shuffled back into line behind the warriors.

The sun felt warm on her back. They worked their way across the field, and made sure they were not in the center because they would be exposed. They were near the edge and it would take longer to get through, but it felt safer knowing cover was nearby. Shade inhaled the fresh air of the countryside. Flowers, pine trees, and deadened mulch were on the ground and mixed with dirt, but perfumed the air. The forest was surreal, compared to her usual reality of constant smog, exhaust, honking cars and the smell of iron in the city. Out here none of that seem to exist and she let herself enjoy the beautiful afternoon. Dragonflies and ladybugs buzzed around her, and disappeared into the forest. She wondered if they were close to a body of water with so many dragonflies about. She was surprised to not see any other of the tiny winged fey she had encountered with Jack. There was no one besides them around.
Where is everyone? Are there more fey out here?

Yes, they are watching, wondering who you are. Wondering why so many are treading the trails with you.

Shade smiled, the voice was gentle and did not scare her like the voices had before. It seemed like a light caress, a lover’s promise in a whisper. She knew then that it would never be like before; Ilarial had channeled the guides to help her better and understand them with the use of the medicine. The voices would not be an overbearing force on her ever again. She had to remember to thank Ilarial profusely for this gift.
Do you have a name? Is there more than one of you?

Yes, there are three of us that remain with you. Each of us will answer you in a specific situation. We each are helpful in certain things. I am Duende; the others are Astrid and Elaby. We are your spirit guides. There were more but Ilarial has forced them away for they are too much for you to handle. We are entrusted with your wellbeing Shade. Ask us what you will, we will always answer.

Shade shivered despite the heat of the sun. Their whispers were like the gentle chill of winter, the feeling ran along prickling her skin, and was full of magic. She wondered if she would ever get used to these changes. The group re-entered the forest on the other side of the clearing. The cool cover of the forest canopy felt colder than it had before. Shade noticed how much darker it seemed on this end. It seemed quieter too; only a breeze rustling through the leaves broke up the silence. Even the forest floor was barer with packed dark dirt and had occasional twigs littered about. This was not the same territory. She wondered if this was the start of Teleen territory or maybe even something else.

“Keep together everyone. We are near the borders of the Teleen’s property. It is guarded well by their soldiers that were banished fey and are ghosts alike. Welcome to the haunted forest.” Ewan snickered, obviously thinking that everyone enjoyed his humor. No one was laughing. Shade hurried up to him as the group tightened. She was curious about the place, figuring he would be the one to ask about the name of the place.

“Ewan!” She slowed her breathing as she neared him; he had been a lot farther up in the front of the group than she had thought. She hunched over, holding her knees as her breath returned to her.

Ewan paused and looked at Shade. His eyes shined even without the sun breaking through the canopy, like small flashlights glinting back at her from his black irises. He was big; he had to be at least six eleven. He hovered over her, like he was one of the trees himself. His broad shoulders were wide and strong muscular arms followed. He mostly looked like a tall, husky human male. His stubble was almost long enough for a beard and was dark black, like his hair. He had a long ponytail tied near the base of his neck; it was black as night and lay just below his neckline. He had a rounded nose and full pink lips. He wasn’t that bad looking, his height and largeness made him scary though. Ewan never bothered with any glamour. “Well, little one, what heeds you?” Smiling brought out deep wrinkles around his eyes and laugh lines that creased at his mouth. This man had a smile that showed he enjoyed living. He nodded and started walking again when she had caught up and they were now moving together in stride.

“I was just wondering. Why do they call this the haunted forest? What do you mean it has ghosts? Will we see any? Will they hurt anyone?” She fired her questions at him all at once.

Ewan’s deep booming laughed echoed around them. The forest made no reply. “Slow down miss, won’t want to wake the dead would we? Nothing to fear now, there are ghosts and spirits aplenty here, hence the name. But since we will leave this forest for the Great Teleen caves before nightfall, we will mostly miss them. They can harm you, but only if you fear them and let them overwhelm your mind. So just ignore them, show no fear and stay calm, they will mostly leave you alone.” He grinned down at her.

She liked him instantly. He was like a large teddy bear. At least he was nice; he made her feel warm and safe. “Do we have a long way to go to the caves?”

“Hmm, well I’d say two to three hours journey, we will hit the hills first and then the incline to the mountains of the Teleen. They live in massive caves that run miles underground. You’ll be most impressed.” Ewan’s face stilled. He glanced at her, and his eyes intensified. “Miss Shade, may I ask a question,” he continued the trek forward, glancing forward only to assess each step.

“Yes, of course Ewan, feel free.”

“Are you alright with this, being the chosen one and all? Do you want to turn back yet?”

Shade’s eyes widened as she stared at him. She was scared. She didn’t want to go, but how could she say no? Her voice failed to answer.

“I thought so,” Ewan nodded, keeping in step with her, dodging the large tree trunks in their path. It was much easier to walk on the packed earth that was so dark and rich. The previous shrubs and plants they had to cut down were such a bother. The trees seemed to grow larger here too, flat out gigantic.

“Ewan, I can’t say no, something just tells me I should be here. I don’t even know how to explain it. It is as if I’m being pulled involuntarily along for a ride I didn’t sign up for; but I cannot unwrap myself from it. Besides, maybe I might find out who my real father is and more about myself too. I do want to learn my fey powers, if I have any. That would be kinda cool. I have so many questions about things now and no answers yet; and I’m guessing this is the best way to find out.” She stared at the ground. She felt weary already, and they hadn’t even gone too far.

Shade stopped in her tracks. The hair on her neck stood on end and a sense of being watched crept up her spine. Her eyes widened as they darted, glancing around them.

“What’s wrong Shade, feel something?” Ewan stopped also, listening hard and signaling a full stop with his hand, at the group. Everyone crouched by the trees looked around, studied the woods and they were still. No sound, not even the birds chirping could be heard; the silence felt deafening, heavy and forlorn.

Shade still felt a twinge of fear. She shook her head, and the sweat began to bead on her forehead.
What is going on?
She felt something hot pour over her, sticky as it clung like thick syrup. She felt her panic boil up inside.
What is this? What’s happening?

Ewan called out to the trees, “That’s enough of that now, the girl is harmless. She is with us. We are Guildrin Clan, en route to Teleen. Bring down your guard. We are invited.” Shade looked about, and saw nothing but tree bark and dirt. The wind gusts picked up and swooshed around her, bringing her hair to float around her like an aura. Shade stood with eyes wide and her heart jumping. The group unsheathed their swords and bow and arrows. They were readied and pointed.
Pointed at what
? She felt something was near but couldn’t see anyone or anything.

“Back down now or we will fight.”

“You dare defy
me
, mistress of these woods? You should have asked
me,
not the Teleen to pass. You insult my authority. Queen Zinara grows careless of her lands, and she forgets me. Forgotten, I shall never be.” The wind swirled around the group, sending everyone to their knees. “Beg forgiveness of your Queen now, Lady Blythe, Dryad Queen of the haunted forest.”

Ewan slowly bowed his head, kneeled on the ground and signaled to the others to do the same. “Forgive us, dear Lady Blythe, Queen of the Dryads of Haunted forest. We meant no disrespect. We ask to pass through your territory to the Teleen Caves. We had no knowledge of your return to these parts; afraid we were, as was your sister, that you had abandoned the Guildrin clan. We beg mercy of your majesty.” Shade looked up through her lashes to see if anything appeared, the wind made her blink constantly, her eyes watered from the whipping air.