Mira's View (6 page)

Tark’s jaw dropped and then snapped shut in
anger. Even Taura and Venia seemed to be taken off guard.

“If you—” Tark started

But, Elenio cut him off. “You heard what that
torlic said. Can’t you see the elf he spoke of is Galena? Did you
see that she was able to use fire on a torlic?” Elenio said,
getting angry himself. “She is the one that they are after, and as
long as she stays here, she puts the entire village at risk. Do you
want another attack like this?” Elenio swept his arm around. “Your
father and brother would understand. You know they would. I think
we need to collect some supplies and be gone immediately.” Elenio
stared into Galena’s eyes, pleading with her to understand.

“He’s right, Tark. As long as I’m here, Rau
will sense me.” She turned her face to look at him. She saw the raw
pain in Tark’s eyes, just as she was sure, he could see it in her
own. “I can’t bear the thought of being responsible for more
deaths. It’s bad enough that I caused these,” she choked, placing
her hands upon her father and brother. “We must go and put an end
to this. The least we can do is make sure the rest of the village
is left in peace. Besides, you heard what father said, I must be
the one to search for the sword. It has to be me. I am a direct
descendent of Lamiria. If I have to leave the village, I might as
well search for the sword. I somehow feel as if it’s my destiny.”
Choking on this last statement, she broke down into new sobs, the
reality of the attack and this new concept, swept over her.

Nodding numbly, Tark silently agreed.

“I’m going too,” Elenio stated, causing
Galena to snap her head up in surprise.

“What? Why?” she asked. It was one thing to
risk her life, but another to risk his.

“I am too,” Tark said quietly, his eyes
focused on Taura.

Now this was getting out of hand,
Galena thought.

“No one is going with me until I know why.
It’s bad enough I caused all this, I won’t risk you further by
taking you with me.”

“Where you go, I go. We’re in this together,”
Elenio said firmly, grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles
lovingly. “I wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of not knowing
what happened to you.”

“And you’re my little sister, it’s my job to
protect you,” Tark added.

“Yes, but you have a family to protect.”

“What better way to then to find the weapon
that could destroy Rau.”

Galena shook her head. Clearly, she was not
going to win this battle no matter what arguments came to mind.
“Fine, you both can go.”

They decided they would leave once they had
hidden Tark and Melan’s families, reasoning that Rau would now know
who the magical elf was and strive to torture her family in hopes
of reaching her. This was something that Galena did not even want
to consider, because she knew that she would readily give her life
for any one of her family members.

“Let’s pack up and meet at the practicing
clearing tomorrow morning before Rau has time to send any more of
his minions,” Tark said.

Elenio stood, looking grim as he took in his
surroundings. He quickly embraced Galena once more before heading
in the direction of his home.

Looking down at her father and brother,
Galena blew them each a kiss. “I love you so very much, and I’m
sorry. We’ll see each other again in the afterworld, I promise.”
She put an arm around Tark’s waist and he around Galena’s shoulder.
With his other arm, Tark pulled Taura to his remaining side and
together they headed toward their home to prepare for their long
journey ahead.

Chapter
Five

Galena paced restlessly as she and Tark
waited for Elenio to come. Tark had hidden away Taura, Venia, and
the children in a secluded cave in the woods, telling one of the
elders of what he had done so that they could check on the families
frequently. While he was doing this, Galena had packed bags for the
two of them. She tried to keep their burden light, so she packed a
change of clothes, some food provisions, and what little money they
had. She packed Tark’s sword and intended on getting hers when they
met at the clearing. They had changed into clothes that were more
suitable for long traveling as well. By the time the families were
hidden and Galena had finished packing, it was already early
morning. Galena felt the wear of two sleepless nights and wondered
secretly if they were doing the right thing. She somehow felt that
leaving with so little sleep was a bad omen, but seeing no way
around it, they headed toward the practicing field.

Tark sat on the grass, tossing his dagger
into the air and catching it by the hilt. Galena sat down beside
him, pulled her legs up, and laid her head on her knees. Her grief
came in waves now, threatening to overwhelm her, but she couldn’t
give in. Not yet. When all this was over, then she would spend a
season in mourning, but for now, she had to do what they had
planned.

Jerking her head up as she heard someone
approaching the clearing, she prepared herself for anything. Tark
held his knife poised and ready as well. Crouching low to the
ground, Galena tightened her grip on the handle of her sword,
keeping her eyes focused on the direction from which the noise had
come. However, it was only Elenio. He stepped into the clearing,
his pack upon his back, dressed for the journey. Galena stood,
putting her sword back in its sheath as Tark gathered their
supplies.

“Sorry it took so long. My family was there
and I wanted to wait until they left before I snuck out.” He looked
grimly back at the village, as did Galena and Tark.

“I’ve never been farther than this clearing,”
Galena said quietly, tears streaming down her face. It seemed like
too much with the death of her brother and father. She just wanted
to go home to her room, to her bed, and forget about everything.
Jutting her chin out in defiance, she stooped down and picked up
her pack, slinging it onto her back. Tark picked up his pack as
well.

“Which direction should we start?” she
asked.

They began to head south, as their village,
Tomeka, was on the northern most tip of Tomiro. Their decision was
based on the strange rumors about a large mountain range known as
the Mountains of the Gods, which covered the southern-most part of
Tomiro. They figured this was as good a place to start their search
as any.

The three remained silent as they trudged
through the forest. Galena took in everything, though. She expected
the scenery and sounds to change as they got further away from
their home. However, the trees remained as thick as before, making
the road dim, even though it was almost noon. She was on constant
alert for any strange sounds, always conscious that Rau could sense
her and her ability to perform magic. Flexing her hand, she
realized that the numb feeling was almost completely gone.

That’s good to know
, Galena
thought.

Around noon, they stopped to eat and rest for
a while. Galena dug in her pack and produced some dried plums,
raspberries, and quork; bread made with special ingredients that
allowed the maker to keep it for long periods. It wasn’t the best
tasting bread, but it was ideal for traveling. She passed it to
everyone, then, sitting on a stump next to Elenio, she popped a
plum into her mouth.

“How far do you think we’ve gone?” she
asked.

Tark shrugged, too intent on his food to
answer.

Galena continued to eat, watching the forest
around her. The muscles in her back and neck were tight with worry,
and her eyes felt permanently strained from constantly searching
the woods for monsters. “How long do you think we have until Rau
sends more torlics after us?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think he was expecting
us to be able to fend off the last attack. I imagine he’ll find out
what happened and send more, especially when he figures out his
assassins didn’t kill the one they were sent to destroy.” Tark
looked gravely back in the direction of their village as he spoke.
His face looked forlorn as he continued to gaze toward the family
he left behind and Galena got the impression that he wanted to be
there now. “Since we’re on the topic, exactly how long have you
been able to use magic?” Tark asked, looking sternly at Galena.

It was Galena’s turn to shrug. “The last
couple of years, I guess. I never tried anything big. Just small
things like a gust of wind, a spark of fire, a drink of water.”

Tark and Elenio looked at her, stunned.

“I can’t even think of magic without getting
a severe headache,” Elenio said, eyebrows still raised.

“Galena, those are not small things. You’ve
been able to control three of the four elements. Have you tried
anything to do with the earth?” Tark asked, his eyes full of
surprise.

Galena shook her head. She squirmed
uncomfortably with everyone looking at her in awe. It made her feel
out of place, different.

“Try something.” Tark began looking around on
the ground for something, searching intently, until he came across
a small maple tree seed. Walking over to where Galena and Elenio
still sat, he pushed the small seed into the earth, covering it
completely. Looking to Galena, he commanded, “Make it grow.”

“Tark, I don’t know if I can. The last time
that I really used magic, it shocked my hand. I’m just getting the
feeling back,” she whined.

“It shouldn’t take a lot of magic; unlike
catching someone’s head on fire. Everything is already there—it
just needs a little persuasion to get started.”

“I don’t know, Tark. What if doing magic
allows Rau to sense me again?” She wiped her sweaty palms on her
leggings. Galena was scared. She didn’t want Rau to know so quickly
that they had survived the last battle.
What if he could
pinpoint her location by sensing her doing more magic?

“I’m pretty sure he’ll figure it out one way
or the other. But, if you’re scared, we’ll understand,” Elenio said
gently. He reached for Galena’s hand and gripped it firmly.

Galena sat up straight. She didn’t want them
to think that she was a coward. Looking at where Tark planted the
little seed, she thought of the tiny seed and how it would look
growing a sprout. She expected something to happen immediately as
it had always done in the past, but nothing did. The seed remained
in the earth where Tark had planted it. At least she hadn’t felt
the painful shock like she had before. As she turned her head in
defeat, she noticed a tiny little sprout slowly growing right
before her eyes. It continued to grow until it was roughly three
feet in height.

“Shape it with your mind. Try to make
something with it, like a small room within it,” Tark suggested as
they watched the tree in amazement.

Concentrating harder, Galena shaped the tree
with her mind. She thought of the buildings that she had seen in
scrolls, made of several different trees, and concentrated on a
single room within that building. Instantly, she saw the changes in
the sapling. Its base widened and split in the middle, forming a
doorway. The tree continued to grow as Galena’s foot with the
tattoo of the element, earth, began to burn. The burning increased
as the size of the tree doubled. Finally, she called a stop to the
tree’s growth, her foot burning so painfully she could hardly stand
on it. The tree was almost two-hundred feet in height. Far larger
than any maple that she had ever seen. The room that she had
created inside of it, had a wooden floor, but was very plain. It
was very smooth inside, almost as if it had been carved into the
tree. It had a small, circular doorway for them to enter, although
she had been unable to produce a door for it as well. All three of
them could have fit inside easily and, with room to spare.

She slumped to the ground, exhausted,
clutching her burning foot. It wasn’t as bad as the shock she had
received, but it came close.

Looking around, and finding Galena gray with
weariness and on the forest floor, Elenio knelt beside her.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice coming
out in a rush.

Galena nodded. Her body shook from weakness,
like she had been exercising for hours.

“What’s wrong then?”

Galena smiled at him in response. She felt as
if she could fall asleep right there. “I’m really tired, and my
foot feels like it is on fire, but I’ll live.”

Tark finally turned away from the tree,
looking at her with concern. “I assume the tiredness is from the
lack of practice. Like exercising, it will take a lot of training
in order for you to be able to use your magic without that
unpleasantness. As for the burning in your foot, I think that may
be from the mark of Rau. It would seem that you are not completely
immune to his chains.” Tark thoughtfully rubbed his chin, looking
back at the tree. “I think you should continue to use your magic,
otherwise, you’ll never build up the endurance needed for bigger
magic, should we succeed.”

“Do you really think it’s safe?” Elenio
asked, his forehead furrowed in concern.

“For the time being, I think it’s necessary
if we are going to beat all the odds.”

Galena dug into her pack once again, and
removed her flask of water. She downed the entire contents in one
gulp. Elenio sat down next to her as she placed the flask on the
ground nearby. Feeling somewhat better, she leaned against him.

“I just need to rest for a moment.” She took
a deep breath, smelling pine and something sweet upon Elenio as she
closed her eyes. She could hear Tark, somewhere in the background,
declaring that he would take the first watch while she rested.

****

Galena woke up, her head on her pack, and a
blanket covering her. Bewildered she looked around, seeing Tark
lying on the ground next to her, deep in sleep.

How long had she been sleeping? And where
was Elenio?
“Elenio,” she whispered, not wanting to wake Tark
or alert anyone else to their location.