BDS: Chapter Seventeen

Craenal gazed at the darkened sky as he moved to the entrance of a large cave hidden among the violet-leafed trees of Relis Forest. He looked north to the Black Crystal River, then opened his black cloak, the only garment that hung over his bare shoulders, to remove the vials of blood Akila had given him from a pocket in the inner lining.

"Take it one hour before you attack," she had told him. "The effects should remain for several hours."

"That's all?" Craenal's second in command, Rasu, had replied.

"For the toll it will take on your body, you will wish for a shorter time than that, Vaznaun," Akila had replied before addressing Craenal again.

"There is enough potion to last you enough time to take out many of the villages in Feyla Forest. Nardan troops have been sent back into Velian to create a distraction so you have time to get the job done. Do not engage the light warriors if they arrive. Even with the potion, you may not be able to defeat them."

Rasu, followed by several other Vaznaun, presently joined Craenal's side at the cave entrance.

"The forest grows silent," Craenal stated.

"Even nature is afraid," Rasu replied with a smirk.

"Tell the others that we cross Black Crystal River tonight."

A sole raven sitting on a high branch of a nearby tree took flight.

Craenal looked up sharply as the bird flew north. "The Soma of the Divakae is already watching. She knows that we are coming."

***

Further away, north of Relis Forest, Sufina stood next to Nikan on a hill overlooking their small village. The night breeze blew her hair away from her face and billowed through her dark cloak. She ran her thumb down the lower edge of Tarak's bow that hung at her side. A red glow seeped beneath the sun and moon marking her forehead. She turned to Nikan. "Unlike the Kolar, we do not have enough warriors to fight what is coming this way. The energy is more forceful than that of the Kar's men. There is some creature energy that looms behind them. Our warriors must join with the Kolar after the villagers evacuate into the Coven Mountains."

"The villagers are packed and ready," Nikan said.

"Tell them to leave immediately. I will notify the light warriors."

Nikan nodded and took off down the hill.

The marking on Sufina's forehead brightened as her eyes lit up in red.

***

Up in the master chambers of Order headquarters, Tarak sat straight up in his bed with a loud gasp. Gyan leaped out of bed with his hands out before him, his stance instinctively lowered. He looked around wildly. "What is it?" he asked in concern as his eyes fell on Tarak, his heart pounding.

"Sorry, brother. I have just received a message from Sufina," he rubbed his face with a large gray hand. "They are evacuating the village. She claims there is a dark force coming into the forest."

Gyan nodded. "We must tell the elder masters."

Tarak stood to dress quickly.

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. Gyan gave Tarak a knowing look. "Jarek's here."

His violet hair disheveled, Jarek cast Gyan a confused look after Gyan opened the door. "Why are you up?" he asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Tarak received a message from Sufina." He looked at Tarak. "Are the villagers okay?"

Tarak nodded. "For now. They are evacuating to the Coven Mountains."

Jarek nodded. "That's what I came to tell you. My dream shows them walking through the forest and mountains." He looked at Tarak in concern. "But, it also revealed Sufina and Nikan fighting alongside the Kolar warriors. They—they were fighting Vaznaun I had never seen before, Tarak, and it didn't look good. These Vaznaun are…larger, like Pandians—stronger, too."

"Akila must have found a potion that worked on them," Gyan stated.

"I have to inform the elders," Tarak responded as he moved to the door.

"Reach for them telepathically first… I will go with you to Council," Gyan said. "Let me get my—"

Gyan suddenly dropped to his knees and grabbed the back of his head—the pounding in his mind blocked all other noise. He strained to keep his eyes open… Moments passed before he heard a muffled voice.

"Gyan!" Jarek exclaimed. "What's happening?" He turned to Tarak. "Wake the others and contact the elder masters. I will stay with him."

Tarak nodded. His eyes lit as he hurried out the bedroom door.

Jarek knelt beside Gyan. "Gyan, can you hear me? Is this a Shanlo thing?"

Gyan's head felt like a boulder ready to explode. Straining, he forced himself to look at Jarek despite the effort it took to lift his head. He managed to whisper only one word…"Kesól."

He collapsed unconscious to the ground.

When Gyan woke, he was back in his bed. His room was empty. He sat up in a panic, immediately wondering where Jalena was. The pain in his head had subsided, but his body was swallowed in fatigue. He suddenly became angry. Why didn't Jarek take him to Jalena? His thoughts raced with questions about Jarek's potential betrayal.

Kesól's voice broke through his thoughts. Do not leave the room. I will come get you. The thoughts and emotions you are experiencing are based on illusion. Allow them to flow through and fade away with the breathing technique I taught you.

Gyan paced the room floor. He took deep breaths to try to reduce the urge to go to Jalena, but the more he thought of her, the worse his urge became. He released the door in a rush when Kesól knocked.

Put on your cloak and draw your hood low over your eyes. Do not look anywhere but in front of you until we reach the simulation room.

Gyan wiped the sweat from his brow and followed Kesól's command, trying desperately to ignore the thought that Kesól was trying to keep him from fulfilling his promise to protect Jalena rather than help him.

Kesól held out his hand, palm up. A yellow glow spread through his eyes as a swirling sphere of gold glittering light formed above his palm. I want you to focus solely on this light until you are able to create a thought or amulet of your own. It will be your solace when you feel like you are losing control. But for now, just focus on the light I have created.

Gyan's heart began to race. He felt it wouldn't stop until he saw Jalena. I don't think I can do this.

Gyan, take the light.

Gyan refocused on the swirling light before him. He held out his palm, and Kesól placed the ball of light in his hand.

Take the back path—the long way to the training room. I will follow you.

It took every ounce of Gyan's concentration to stare at the light and stay away from Jalena's chambers. She's probably not there. Where would she be? She shouldn't be alone…

Gyan, concentrate, Kesól interrupted.

Gyan forced his focus back to the light in his palm, hurrying as fast as he could to the simulation room. The two arrived without incident to find a mock battlefield already created for them.

"No one will bother us until we're finished."

Kesól's light disappeared as Gyan shut his palm. He paced the floor restlessly, running his fingers through his hair "And when is that?"

"When you drop from exhaustion, of course."

"I want to see her," he admitted. "Just for a minute."

"That's not how it works," Kesól said. "You will tell yourself that and then you will not be able to walk away. There is no time for that now though, Master Gyan." Kesól's eyes lit up as a yellow glow outlined his frame. "It's time you learn how to fight solely against magic." The battle scene in the room transformed into a snowy mountainous landscape. "I hope you're ready."

Gyan narrowed his eyes and shivered as the cold air penetrated his bones. "I'm ready. Anything to rid me of this feeling."

Kesól's eyes gleamed. "Then I shall give it all I've got."