Oriana's Eyes (17 page)

“He allowed you to go in there on your own?” I ask, still wondering why he was the one, even though he is our last half-blood.

Dorian chuckles. “Uh … no, not really. But he let me make the final decision. I think I was still a bit overconfident at that point, having been sneaking around the University, and also meeting you.” My cheeks redden, and I notice Azura’s eyes upon me.

He continues, “Plus, I was concerned about Azura, and at that point I was the best person to go. I wasn’t really thinking about anything else. I was certain I could do it, and no one else dared to enter Odon’s caves. Many of the others believed that once someone entered, they never came out, at least not alive.”

“So then how did you do it?” My eyes widen and I sound a bit like a small child hearing the tale of a great hero.

Dorian smiles at my eagerness. “When I finally returned to the Great Oak, I began revisiting the University. I had gone to seek anything I could find about my parents and then to see you.” His hand secretly finds mine beneath the table.

“Basically, he completely forgot about me,” Azura says, her green eyes flashing.

“Of course I didn’t!” Dorian insists. “When I wasn’t researching at the University, I was at the Great Oak discussing plans with Tor. We knew there had to be a way of figuring out Odon’s maze.” Dorian’s eyes light suddenly. “Then it occurred to me that it might be simpler than I thought. I realized that Odon’s guards were not actually there to keep people from coming in but from escaping. The whole time I had tried avoiding the guards, but I actually needed to use them to my advantage. My next trip to the caves, Liam accompanied me.”

At the mention of his name, Liam looks up from his plate and nods, acting as though the conversation bores him. Yet somehow I sense he is honored by the recognition.

“Together we simply began following the guards, which was not difficult, seeing as they carried torches, and began to figure out that many of the caves connected. After finding the most direct route, we planned a day when Liam and I would make the trip. The others would wait outside the caves as reinforcements. By then you had been captured as well and had been placed with Azura, making the rescue more of a success.” Dorian takes a drink of water with an air of finality.

“It also made Dorian some kind of champion,” Liam mumbles around a bite of bread.

Dorian looks down humbly. “It’s Tor that puts those thoughts in their heads. I couldn’t have gotten far without your help.” Liam catches Dorian’s grin but makes no response, pushing food around on his plate.

An idea comes to me, and I can’t restrain a mischievous smile. I force it away before it draws anyone’s attention. “Liam, are you coming with us then? To get Aaron and Malise?”

This immediately rouses Liam’s interest, and I settle back, satisfied. Unfortunately, Azura also hears my suggestion, and she is less pleased. “Certainly not, we already have enough people going,” she says imperiously. “You and I will accomplish this ourselves, once we learn Dorian’s plans.”

“I only thought it would be wise to bring someone who has actually done it before. I think it would be to our benefit,” I add, to make my intentions clear.

Azura glances at Liam waiting, for him to support my proposal, but he says nothing, although I can tell he is listening closely.

Dorian clears his throat. “Oriana makes a very good point. Liam is more experienced than anyone else you could bring.” Without knowing it, he’s helping achieve my goal.

“Only the two of us are entering those caves. That’s how it must be.” Azura’s lips are tight.

“Fair enough, but Liam might help us before entering.” I shrug offhandedly. “In case we were to forget something.”

Azura thoughtfully shifts her gaze between us. “Fine then, I suppose you’ve made a good point. Although I doubt that we will forget anything. I plan on making this a well-organized operation.”

I nod in complete agreement, grateful that Azura has submitted to Liam’s attendance a day from now.

It is as this conversation concludes that Tor strides toward us at a speed only his long legs could withstand. We look up in alarm, awaiting his urgent message.

“Toby has returned.”

 CHAPTER THIRTY

Toby sits at the head of the meeting hall’s long table, in front of the group that will be leaving tomorrow for the caves along with Dorian and Tor. A cup of water and plate of food have been placed in front of the boy, and he chews slowly, seeming to have little appetite despite an empty stomach. He takes heavy gulps from the cup, undoubtedly exhausted from his long run through the forest.

The rest of us watch him patiently but eager to hear his news. After all, we’ve only surmised that Malise and Aaron were taken to the caves. If they aren’t there now, that means a complete change of plans, or maybe even a total resignation.

Toby finally takes a breath, and I can hardly breathe awaiting his words.

“I followed them all the way there,” he sighs. “I thought maybe I could stop them, or at least keep them from harm, but I could only look on from below.” He shakes his head. “Once they were inside, I turned back, knowing I had failed.”

“Then they were brought to Odon’s caves?” Finley is the first to speak.

Toby lowers his gaze to the food now growing cold. He pokes at it listlessly. “Yes, deep into the darkness,” he says with a shudder.

“Toby”—Azura reaches across the table, placing a hand on his arm—“you did well. This is actually good news to Oriana and me.”

Toby looks up at her with curiosity.

“We’re going tomorrow to rescue them,” I add, resolving the confusion on his face.

He looks at me in disbelief brimming on hope. “But … how can you? We are so close to the Rebirth, it would be too dangerous to—”

“I know we can make it. Dorian is going to teach us how,” I explain with the same confidence as before.

Toby brightens. “Then I will come with you.”

Tor places a large hand on his shoulder. “No Toby, you are to stay here. I think the others will agree. You’ve had enough running about for a while. You’ll rest today, and tomorrow you can help here.”

Azura nods. “We already have plenty of volunteers.”

“You should rest and get your strength back,” I put in.

Toby sags as he gives in to his weariness. “I suppose you’re right …”

“Don’t worry, kid, we’ll get them both back safe and sound.” Finley gives a wink and rises to leave, gesturing to Jagger and Dugan seated beside him. “C’mon, guys. We’ll be heading to the fields to help out; there’s still time before lunch.”

Azura grins. “By that you mean diving into that river? One day you won’t swim to the surface.”

Finley has clearly heard because he pauses, trying his best to look wounded. “I’ll have you know we’ve put a lot of time and effort into our work.”

“That’s right, breaking our backs!” Jagger adds with mock offense. He glances over to Dugan, who looks on coolly at his other side. When he says nothing, Jagger jabs him in the side.

“Uh … yeah, sure, slaves almost,” Dugan finally states in his normal indifferent tone.

Azura laughs and shakes her head as they file out the door. I can’t help but grin after them. I’m glad they will be coming with us tomorrow. Their light spirits will be well appreciated.

I notice Tor watching, standing at the corner of the room. He seems to be deep in thought, his face drawn with worry. It pains me to see him so distressed. His usual charm has been waning, understandably so during such hard times. I wish to see him back to his old self soon. Remembering the brilliancy of his usual glow, I have to believe it will not be long before it outshines his concerns.

He addresses us. “Now that you have the room to yourself, I think you should go over the steps for tomorrow. From what I understand, it is a complicated procedure.” He studies each of us like a commanding father before leaving us to our work.

“He’s right.” Azura gives a nod. “We’ll need the time and practice.” She pulls out her piece of parchment scribbled with notes, and gestures for Dorian to begin.

Dorian starts to outline the steps, beginning with the first tunnel. I sit quietly, trying not to let my mind wander into all the things that could happen if I don’t remember every single thing he says. Azura stops every now and then to repeat what he has said or to ask him a question.

“Then the last turn is a left,” Dorian concludes.

“It’s a right,” Liam mutters. It is the first thing he has said since we came here.

“What?”

“A right.”

“Oh yeah, that’s it.” Dorian shakes his head. “There are lines of cells. You should have enough time to find which one they’re in.”

“Okay.” Azura sits back, lifts the piece of paper, and begins to reread what she wrote. “So it’s …”

Hearing Azura restate it, I am able to fine-tune my memory. Finally she finishes, with only a few corrections from Dorian.

“This is going to take a bit of studying.” Azura looks over her notes. “How are you doing, Oriana?”

I look up, not sure I should admit that I’ve already set it into my memory. Perhaps my memorizing skills are better trained, having been pressured to learn things quickly at the University for so long. In many cases I was asked to know lines of the text word for word and repeat it either orally or in writing. Yet I hesitate to explain this, unwilling to offend Azura by being ahead of her. She herself should understand the strict teaching in Odon’s schools, but maybe since she escaped earlier than I, she’s lacking in the same skill. I don’t dare remind her that she made a mistake at her last attempt, which was why they captured her.

“More time would be helpful,” I finally reply, trying to sound convincing.

Azura dismisses Dorian and Liam. After several protests, they eventually comply.

“We’ll bring you two lunch in a little while,” Dorian calls over his shoulder before following Liam out of sight.

“Good, now that they’re gone, we can concentrate.” Azura goes over the list out loud several more times. My mind begins to wander through the last few times. I can’t help but wonder if maybe I should be listening more closely; best not to grow overconfident. I listen to her last words and am able to recite them word for word inside my head.

“I think I’ve got it, how ’bout you?” She looks up and I simply smile. “I think we can do this! I mean I’m really certain now.” Azura folds up the paper and slips it inside a pocket within her robes.

“Of course we can.” I get to my feet, feeling the hunger for midday meal.

“You finished yet?” Dorian peeks through the door warily, as if expecting an outburst from Azura at having interrupted. The more I get to know her, the more I see that Azura is actually harmless. Together, she and Dorian are like quarreling siblings.

I speak up before any altercation can occur. “Yes, and starving, I might add!” I notice that Dorian is holding a tray of covered plates and two filled tumblers. As he walks in, Liam follows. His eyes immediately seek out Azura, but she is too busy snatching the food and cup off the tray to notice.

“Are you certain you’ve memorized it?” Liam asks once we are finishing up the last bit of crumbs on our plates.

Azura shoots a glance at him, probably about to vent her impatience. But before she does, I see her eyes soften at Liam’s honest concern. The earnestness in his eyes says everything. She shakes her head in assurance. “We’re both ready.”

Once outside the meeting hall, I see that evening has fallen. The clouds above are fairly heavy still. Apparently the sun’s work must wait until tomorrow. Dorian waits at my side as Azura departs to the fields, explaining she will catch Finley and his rogues slacking off at the river. Liam follows after her solemnly. I wave good-bye to him, but he has been too deep in thought to notice.

Now I stand struggling with a sudden idea. “Dorian, I think I’m going to see Falda.” Hearing her words always gives me guidance and calm; it feels like the right thing to do before our journey. She seems so frail, and yet she has accomplished so many great things in her life. The thought is inspirational.

Dorian’s visible disappointment causes me to reconsider, but he says, “I understand, I’ll meet up with you at dinner.” His hand pushes through my hair to settle behind my neck.

“Thanks,” I sigh, relieved by his response. I steal a kiss from his lips before he can say anything else and dash away toward Falda’s cottage.

Facing her door, I call from outside. When there is no answer, I hesitantly knock on the cottage’s side. I am uncertain how she will react to my unannounced visit. I have never come here on my own; Tor has always escorted me.

“Come in.” Her voice is a soft murmur from within.

I enter, seeing Falda in her usual position, this time layered in a few more heavy blankets. One is draped across her shoulders, completely concealing the beauty of her wings. It is darker in the room than I’ve ever seen it, and I stop for a moment, regretful that I might have interrupted a time of rest.

Falda motions me forward, her hand peeking from between two of the woven shawls and then slipping back out of sight.

I grope forward and take a seat across from her, squinting till my eyes have adjusted to the dimness.

“Forgive me,” Falda murmurs as her hands appear once again to light a candle on the wicker stand. As the flame lights up her face, I am forced to hold back a gasp. Dark circles shadow her eyes, and the lines of her face seem to have deepened. Her lips are surrounded by deep black niches. Even her pallor is a ghostly gray, despite the candlelight. I wonder for a moment if the change was occurring all along, or if it’s emerged all at once. Have I not noticed it on my previous visits until now that it’s unmistakable? I divert my gaze of obvious concern, not wanting her to see that her increasing age is becoming apparent.

“Tor has told me of your decision to leave,” Falda states levelly, erasing any opinion from her tone.

I look down at my feet, recognizing the hollow in my stomach as guilt. After all, she recently told me that I was most needed at the Great Oak and should refrain from taking too many responsibilities at once. I had even made a point of agreeing with her logic. At the time, it was a correspondence easily made. Now I know it cannot be kept. “Yes, I had to follow my heart.” They are the first words of explanation that come to mind.

Falda’s nod is grim. “I was once young and determined like you. In my old age I see the wisdom in staying safe, but having once been in your position I understand the passion for invincibility. Death does not become an option.”

Her reaction is a shock. It is neither a definite approval of my actions nor the reprimand I’ve been expecting. “Do you believe I will succeed?”

Falda smiles. “I do not think you will allow anything less.”

I can’t hold back a triumphant grin. These are the words I needed, the guidance I wished to receive by coming here.

My lips tense as I watch Falda’s face stiffen. “Still … there are many lessons to be learned by someone who begins to tempt fate. I can only warn you, they will come, and you will have to face them.”

I study her, not sure how to take her words. They seem to limit her original reassurance. She seems a mystery to me.

“Falda, what was your life like? I’ve visited you several times now, and yet I still do not know your story.”

She settles in her chair, sinking deeper into the mound of warmth so that the upper blanket sits just below her chin. “I will gladly tell you, my child,” she replies. “I believe the old have a duty to tell of the past. Every life is significant, every life can teach a lesson to those just beginning their own. Mine is no different.”