Mark of the Princess (12 page)

The pounding got closer, coming from the North, they thought, or is it the East? The sound grew louder and seemed to come at them from all sides. They quickly dismounted their frightened steeds and the boys gave them the sign to hide. They each reached to their waists and drew their swords in preparation to fight. Tristan grabbed Evyette and pulled her behind him, in an effort to protect her if they were attacked.

The pounding on the ground in the small clearing ahead became so loud it was thunderous. A sound they knew had to be made by a large creature. All three turned to face in the direction of the thunderous noise. Kaleb and Tristan positioned themselves with their swords forward and Evyette behind them.

There, in front of the faeries he stood. His enormous muscles glistening from the small rays of light that made it through the thick canopy of trees. His face seemed as though it was chiseled from stone, a jaw that was obviously
not
easily broken. Long black hair flowed from the top of his head, down his back. The muscles on the rest of his body were much like the ones on his upper body, seemingly indestructible. The lower half of his skin seemed darker than the rest, and the hooves were the largest the faeries had ever seen. In his hand was a bow with but one arrow, pointed at them.

“Centaur. We do not wish to harm you.” Kaleb stood tall trying not to show fear.

A deep laugh came from the centaur and slowly more of his kind appeared between the trees, surrounding the faeries.

“Do not worry. You will not harm me.” The large centaur glared at Kaleb as he surveyed the situation. All of the Centaurs that had appeared held either a bow and arrow nocked and ready to strike or a steady sword.

“What do you want Faerie?” The centaur asked in a deep voice that resonated off the trees.

Kaleb put his sword down to show that he was not intending to begin conflict. “We are looking for a princess. Princess Alannah of the Forest of Meira. She was taken ….”

“By Saros” The centaur interrupted.

“You’ve seen them?” Kaleb asked in surprise taking a step forward.

“We saw but a shadow fly through the clearing toward the mountains. That was but a night ago.”The centaur took a step back and bowed. “I am Alaricus.” He said straightening again. “You must be Prince Kaleb.”

“How did you know that?” Kaleb asked, taking another step closer to Alaricus.

“News travels fast in the forest, faerie.” Alaricus replied looking at his fellow centaurs and nodding for them to put away their weapons as well.

“What is there to the South besides the mountains? Why would he take her there?” Tristan asked, having already lowered his weapon also.

“You must not know the history of the land young faerie. The clearing you see between the forest and the mountains is where the battle of the Mallafays took place. The Mountains were home to them and their leader.”

“The Mallafays?” Evyette questioned, poking her head between them, taking a better look at Alaricus.

“The Mallafays were an evil race of faeries and creatures brought forth by Samil. He was the most evil faerie ever to have lived.” Alaricus responded.

“I thought that was Maligo?” Evyette wondered out loud.

“Maligo has done nothing in comparison to Samil. The stories say that Samil was born in the mountains to a captive faerie. She had been a prisoner of the trolls. One day she managed to escape, but they hunted her down and killed her before she was able to get very far. The trolls then took the child back with them and raised it.” Alaricus watched the group, surprised that they hadn’t heard of Samil.

“But why? I thought trolls hated everyone?” Kaleb asked.

“Ah, you are right prince. They do. And it was because of that hatred that they kept him. They intended to make the most corrupt faerie they could create. It is said that as he grew, they taught him the same hate that they carried for the fae people. It is also said, that there were many dark rituals performed on him as a baby. So that the evil they wanted in him would be deeply rooted. They used his magic for their own benefits. Building a castle where they would all live within the mountains and enchanting captured faeries and other creatures to follow them. Thus, the birth of the Mallafay. I am not sure what or who is there now, but it is not Samil. He was defeated long ago by your race. He and his army were wiped out. There was even a land beyond the mountains and the battle field where all the remains were taken. The entire area was enchanted. Many spells were put on the remains and the land to try and keep a resurrection from occurring.” Alaricus finished, surveying their faces as they took in all the information. The three friends stood in silence, taking in the severity of the information.

”Take heed faeries. The forest can be unforgiving when outside the walls of your kingdoms. Keep your wits about you.” Alaricus warned.

The leaves rustled once again and the sound of hooves pounding the ground quickly resonated through the area. The faeries turned to look and found that the clearing behind them was empty and the other centaurs were gone.

“Alaricu…” Kaleb’s voice dropped off when he saw that the giant centaur had disappeared so silently.

* * *

“The meeting you have requested is at hand.” The troll recited, bowing his head and pointing his stubby arm in the direction of the meeting room.

“Ah, Good.” The corners of Maligo’s mouth curled exposing an evil grin.

He made his way out the door and down the hallway, entering a set of double wooden doors that were falling off of their hinges and riddled with age.

In the middle of the room there was a long table, old but heavy and still sturdy.

Across from him stood three of the Drow, evil elves known more in these parts for their deadliness as much as their counter light elves are known for their love of nature.

The Drow were thin creatures with a blue-ish skin and large almond shaped eyes. They were not much smaller than Maligo but obviously steadier. Their hair was silver on one and black on the others, and fell straight down their shoulders and backs. They were dressed as if for battle, with their leather tunics draped across their bodies, tight against them so as not to inhibit them while fighting. Each had a belt around their waist from which hung potions, swords and any other weapon of choice.

The one in the center stepped forward, the candle’s light highlighting his somewhat fluorescent eyes and pointy ears.

“You have sent for us ?” His voice was dignified, and serious.

Maligo reached to his waist and removed a small velvet bag. He tossed the bag on the table and causing some of the coins inside to spill out.

“I have a job for you” Maligo said, looking them all over, a greedy smile spreading across his face.

“That is a large payment.” The one that had stepped forward continued to speak, looking briefly at the bag of coins and then back to Maligo.

“I need to be sure that the job is done.” Maligo said, stepping closer.

“I need you to find the sister of the princess of Meira and whatever companions she might be traveling with as I am sure by now they are searching for the princess.”

Maligo was furious. Celina hadn’t followed his orders. She failed him. He will summon Saros and have him search for her. He showed none of these emotions to the Drow so as not to incite any questions.

“Then the Prince will be your priority. You must be sure that they do not make their way here and find me.” Maligo’s voice reflected the anger that he had tried to hide.

“And what of his friend and the princess’s sister?”

“I do not care what you do with them so long as they never make it here.” Maligo said waving a hand and then turning to walk out of the room.

* * *

She sat in a corner of her cell, her body dirty, collecting the years of filth that had accumulated in the cell. There were no tears though, she was sure to hold those back. Constantly, she surveyed those that passed by her cell and those that stood guard, trying to come up with a plan for escape. She thought that with enough luck and a weapon she could take on the trolls, but she knew she could not count solely on that. Alannah prayed. Begging for her powers to manifest. But all she could think of were her mother’s words ; “Your powers will come when the time is right.”

The troll who had already started walking away, stopped in his tracks. He turned his head and looked around to see if anyone else was around and listening. “What are you talking about?”

Alannah knew he might be intrigued. She slowly got up from the corner she was sitting in.

“You know who I am. I can give you riches, get you out of here.” Alannah said looking up and down the corridor he stood in.

“
That
, my dear is not as easy as you think.” He said, taking a step closer, his dark eyes sweeping over her.

The voice got closer and a shadow began to appear. He was a younger faerie than Maligo and the trolls seemed to know that they had to obey him as well.

“Well? What were you talking about?” The fae demanded, crossing his arms impassively over his chest.

The troll nudged his head toward the princess. “Whining about the food.” He huffed at the end of his sentence showing his annoyance with the prisoner.

“Very well then. See that she does not use her
powers of persuasion
on you…. Or your fate will be worse than hers.” He finished, smirking slightly, clearly enjoying his power over these creatures.

The younger fae reached the front of Alannah’s cell. Although she was curious as to who he was she did not turn around.

“Oh come on princess. Don’t be rude.” His face inching closer to the cell bars, “Are you not going to turn and see who has come to see you?”

A broken piece of stone that had been on the floor lifted and flew at her. But the princess, who had observed magic before knew the spell and quickly moved allowing the stone to hit the wall.

“I do! I have seen you before at Meira!” She realized, lunging herself toward the rusty bars that enclosed her. “What do you want from me? Who are you and what were you doing in Meira? Spying on me?” Her tone was demanding, but it didn’t seem to faze him.

He looked her up and down. “Do not flatter yourself Princess, I was not there for you.” His eyes roamed from her face down the front of her bodice to her feet and back up again, sending a chill up her spine. “And to answer your other question, you will find out what we want soon enough.”

He took one more look at her, “It really is a shame though.” he remarked, turning on the spot and walking away.

As if she didn’t have enough to think about now she has a second captor that she has seen before.

~
Chapter
13~

After the encounter with the Centaurs, Kaleb, Tristan and Evyette sent the horses back to the kingdom with the new information and decided instead to continue on foot. They noticed that though they only stopped for food and drink that they drew far less attention to themselves without the horses.

They walked for miles, the daylight once again escaping faster than they would have liked.

“It will be dark soon. We have made good time so we should begin to make shelter for the night.” Kaleb said as he looked around in the gathering darkness.

“I can look for some berries or something to eat.” Evyette offered. Not waiting for a response, she walked away from them in search of food.