Outcasts of Velrune (25 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Five days after leaving Alexandra’s camp, they reached the Urania Forest, arriving late in the evening. Alexandra stopped short of entering the forest.

“We will rest here until morning. It is not wise to travel through Urania at night.”

Lysander gave one look at the thickness of the forest vegetation and slumped his shoulders. “How far in do we have to go?”

“To the center, next to the mountain’s edge. It will take a day and half.”

“Is that where I can find out how to open my father’s box?”

Lysander snickered. “And where the Lifestone is?”

Alexandra let out a yawn, the first they had seen from her. “Yes, yes, now go to sleep.”

Skipping her tent, she found a spot free of rocks or other lumps and lay down. The others, glad for the rest, did likewise. They fell asleep quickly, but an hour later Eve woke with a start.

What was that?

Ears swiveling, she listened for signs of movement. All was still, with only the slow, rhythmic breathing of the others disturbing the night.

I know I heard a voice. Wait, I don’t hear Alexandra.

Eve rose onto her elbows and verified the sleeping forms around her. No Alexandra. The voice came again, a faint whisper from the forest.

“Come back, please, come back.”

Eve felt the pain in the voice. A strong desire to enter the woods washed over her. Standing without making the slightest of sounds, she crept to the edge of the forest. There she spotted Alexandra, her back towards her, sitting on a fallen tree. Not wanting to wake the others, Eve quietly sat down next to her, keeping her voice to a whisper.

“I, I think the forest called to me?”

Alexandra didn’t move as she gazed longingly into the woods. “I am not surprised.”

Eve waited for more, but, after several minutes, she gave up. “I feel it pulling at me, like the flowers at the church’s garden in Moenia, only much, much stronger. It almost seems, familiar. Like a person I met a long time ago, but can’t quite remember.”

Alexandra smiled joyfully, an act even Eve believed her incapable of.

“All lacarnians have a special connection to the spirits of their birth place.” Her smile faded away. “Except for those born in the villages among the dust and stone. They have nothing to bond with. They lose so much before they even have a chance.”

Eve caught her breath.
All lacarnians have a connection to the spirits of where they’re born?

“Wait, Alexandra, are you saying this is where I was born?”

Alexandra cautiously put her hand on top of Eve’s. The warmth of her hand surprised Eve as a joyous sensation flowed through her. A memory of lying on her back in a forest thicket formed in her mind. In it she could feel the same force that had called to her this night. All of a sudden, Alexandra stood over her, laughing with abandon. Eve gasped and the memory faded.

“This was my home and yours. Alexandra, we’ve met before.”

A single tear fell down Alexandra’s cheek, only noticeable because of the moonlight that reflected in it. “Yes, at one time, it was your home. I was only a guest.”

Behind them came Melody’s soft voice. “You were only a guest during Eve’s time here, but long ago it was once yours, wasn’t it?”

Alexandra sighed, her face revealing a deep sorrow. Eve, her hand still under Alexandra’s, could feel her pain too.

“Yes, a very, very long time ago. Before...”

Melody sat on the other side of Alexandra, staring off into the forest as well. “I’ve heard of only the Immortals having the power to control the spirits the way you can.”

Alexandra shook her head. “I have no more power than you, or even Lysander for that matter. I have only had time to better understand the spirits.”

Eve shook off the faded memory. “Wait, Melody, are you saying Alexandra is an Immortal? I thought you said they all disappeared.Well, except the Spirit Leeches, but Lysander said even they are all gone now.”

Melody shook her head. “No one really knew what really happened to the Immortals, and the Spirit Leeches would want to stay in hiding to avoid the Protectors. I honestly can’t say that neither still exist. Alexandra?”

Alexandra nodded. “As far as I know, there are only two of us left from those long ago days. In your terms, one of us is an Immortal, the other, a Spirit Leech.”

Eve flipped her hand over and grasped Alexandra’s. “You’re the Immortal, right? I mean, you sound nothing like how Lysander described the Spirit Leeches. You haven’t tried to harm us. You’re not mad.”

Alexandra remained quiet. Melody took her eyes away from the forest to look at Alexandra before speaking to Eve.

“The Immortals were not really immortal. They only seemed so from their much longer lifespan, and their abilities made them seem like gods. That is why they were given that name. In the end, they still grew old and died. On the other hand, the Spirit Leeches, at the time they became cursed, stopped aging.”

Alexandra sighed, giving Eve’s hand a brief squeeze. “At one time I never wanted to grow up. Now I dream that one day I might. Ironic, is it not?”

None of the three spoke, instead drifting into their own thoughts as the night passed. After a time, Eve realized she still held Alexandra’s hand and gently let go.

“Alexandra, will we really find someone in there that can open Max’s box?”

“Yes.”

“And, you’re not planning to hurt us?”

“No, Evangeline, that is not my intention.”

Eve gave a curt nod. “Kay, then I’ll help you get what you need. I just hope Lysander doesn’t find out about you before then.”

“He already knows.”

Eve seemed doubtful. “Are you sure? He’s not the brightest?”

“There is more to Lysander than you think. Like many, he does not show his true self. Besides, finding the Spirit Leeches is a core part of a Protector’s training and the highest mandate of Lord Avram.”

“Then why did he agree to come here rather than arrest you at the camp?”

Melody joined the conversation. “Because he’s waiting, Eve. Haven’t you noticed how Alexandra’s face has paled and thinned over the past several days? She’s slowed down too. Remember Lysander’s story, the curse weakens an individual over time. If she does not draw energy soon, she will be too weak to fight.”

“I don’t know, Melody. I don’t think Lysander would make the mistake of giving her the chance of attacking him before she grew too weak. Not that I’m saying you would, Alexandra.”

Alexandra smiled weakly. “It is alright, Eve. I know you meant nothing by it. As for Lysander, he has his own reasons for agreeing to come. I can also assure all of you that, while I have drawn from those willing to give, I have not attacked anyone in ages. I have learned to control myself and, in order for what I seek to come true, I need things to remain that way.”

Melody looked at her questioningly. “What is it that you seek, Alexandra?”

“To set things right. In order for me to explain further, we must reach the village in the forest. I only hope you believe when you see what is hidden there.”

Melody stood. “In that case, you need your rest, we all do.”

Alexandra stood. “Agreed.”

The three walked back to the sound of Lysander and Max snoring. Finding their own spots, they fell back to sleep.

A gentle shaking awoke Max.

“Come on, Maxy. It’s morning.”

“What, no morning attack? You’re slipping, Eve.”

Eve grinned. “Don’t get used to it.”

Max stood and joined the others in packing their things. When they were ready, Lysander stood in front of the trees, blocking their path.

“What is it you really want in there, Alexandra?”

“You will have to wait to find out.”

“That’s not encouraging. So far you’ve done nothing to allow us to trust you. Why should we risk following you?”

“I have already given you reasons to follow me. As for trust, I have not killed any of you. Does that not count for something?”

Eve stepped next to Alexandra. “I trust her.” Eve turned to Max for support. “Melody and I talked with her last night, Max. I believed her when she said she would not hurt us, and that there is a way to open your dad’s box.”

Lysander smirked. “You’re just a kid, Evangeline. You’re easily manipulated.”

Eve scowled at Lysander. Alexandra laid her closed parasol on the ground. “Fine, if I must do this now then I will. Lysander, you hold that Maxwell’s father was a good man, one to be trusted, do you not?”

“Yes, of course, most everyone in the Protectors does.”

Alexandra turned to Max. “Pull out your father’s box.”

Max hesitated at first, but, under the cold stare of Alexandra, decided it best to do as she said. He took the box out of his backpack and held it in front of him. In one smooth motion, Alexandra slipped a small dagger out of her sleeve and made a shallow cut across the palm of her hand.

“Lysander, the Protectors trusted Peter, I know that. Well, Peter trusted me.”

Blood trickled from the cut on Alexandra’s hand as she walked over to Max and placed her palm on the second latch of the box. It slid open.

“Sit the box down and give me your hand.”

Max followed Alexandra’s instruction. She took his hand and carefully poked one of his fingers with the dagger.

“Open the other latch.”

Max placed his finger on the other latch; it slid open.

“Open it, Maxwell.”

Max, filled with nervous excitement, lifted the lid. The excitement faded, replaced with confusion. Eve grabbed her tail in concern.

“What is it, Max?”

Alexandra turned to Eve. “Four pieces of bark.”

“What?”

Max pulled out a piece of bark an inch wide and three inches long. “Bark. Four pieces of bark.”

“Maxwell, your father and I, together, put those pieces in the box and sealed it. That is the reason I give you and Lysander to trust me.”

“But, what are they for?”

“Follow me, and you will find out.”

“Wait, you said you’re nine. How could you have locked the box? Your parents, maybe, but not you.”

Lysander stomped over to Alexandra, grabbed her hand and turned it, palm up. The cut on her palm had healed, but the surrounding skin had lost all color.

“As I thought, a Spirit Leech.”

Alexandra pulled her hand back. “Yes, I will not blatantly deny it, though I had hoped that you would not find out until we reached our destination.”

“That is because you are an outlaw, and it is my duty to bring you to headquarters.”

Max put the piece of bark back into the box and tucked it back into his pack. “No, not yet.”

Lysander growled. “Maxwell, don’t forget you are a Protector.”

“My father helped her for a reason. I need to know why. Don’t you?”

“You don’t know what happened. She might have tricked or forced him to help her.”

Max remained steadfast. “Do you believe my father to have been so weak or gullible?”

Lysander thought for a moment before speaking in a resigned tone. “No, I do not.”

“I intend to find out what my father thought so important. We can arrest her afterwards.”

“We don’t know what we are heading towards, Maxwell, or what she might do.”

“Then I guess we’d better be prepared for anything. Alexandra, take us in.”

Alexandra gave a simple nod. “You are becoming your father, Maxwell. I hope it is time for what is coming.”

Alexandra walked past Lysander and entered the forest. The others followed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Max felt as though he had stepped into a dream. The numerous trees bulged five feet in width or more. The branches, no more than seven feet off the ground, grew as thick as Max. Together, they weaved a canopy so thick that the sunlight could not penetrate it, giving the illusion they were in a cave.

Despite the lack of sunlight, they still had fifteen to twenty feet of vision. Everything in the forest gave off a slight glow that brightened and dimmed as Alexandra and Eve passed.

At first, Max marveled at the strangeness of the forest, but, as they walked farther in, he became aware of a heavy sadness hanging about them. It seemed to come from the very plants and trees that surrounded them.

Over time, the sadness and lack of sunlight slowly numbed them to the surrounding forest and each other. When Alexandra fell, everyone stared blankly at her as she lay on the ground, trying to put together what had happened. Eve shook off the stupor first, hurrying over to her.

“Sorry, Alexandra. I don’t know what happened to me.”

Eve extended a hand to Alexandra and pulled her to her feet.

“That is alright. I know what this place can do.”

Alexandra swayed a little, prompting Eve to steady her. “We have walked well into the night. I guess I need to rest.”