Chapter 20

  The Whispering Woods. Moonshade could be found in the forest. Or at least that’s what she’d read in one of Sophie’s many books on herbology. The page dedicated to it had not revealed much. It was a common flower, in the north, but this far south could only be found in one place. So that’s where she was headed.

  Fia had not been able to discover the flower’s uses. The text stated “no known magical properties” and left it at that. There was a small section about a failed attempt to use it as a salve. Apparently, it had caused the wounded to bleed out nearly twice as quickly. She could not imagine a use for something that made you bleed faster, but then Amani did come from a very different land. Perhaps their blood was quite different from her own.

  It was good to be back on the road. There had been far too much excitement recently. The Whispering Woods were close enough to reach in half a day or so, but far enough from all the battles and betrayal. She’d had enough of that to last her the next dozen cycles.

  Just there and back again. Quick and easy. She’d even brought her canvas. The last time had been such a failure, and she was anxious to give it a second go. Her fingers itched, unable to keep still in eager anticipation.

  But there was another reason for excitement. Fia hoped she’d timed it right. He’d probably be getting there now. Or perhaps he was already down below, struggling with the door's locks, waiting for someone to show him the way. Her heart sang as she walked, her feet so light that it almost felt like skipping. He could be quite foolish, but it was good to have a friend.

  It was just past midday when she finally reached the forest's edge. Just off the road, she saw a wooden cart. And in the shade of the tree line, two horses stood grazing. One lifted its head as she approached. It brayed, stomping its feet, prancing excitedly in place.

  Fia smiled, just as she’d hoped. She stayed with them a while, resting in the shade, dipping her feet in the nearby creek. The sun was too high to do anything more; it beat down on the forest, and even hiding beneath the leaves offered little respite from its heat.

  But it did not stay so hot for long. Soon the sun began to fall, dipping behind the clouds and disappearing from view. It was time to go. She walked along the creek's banks, following it deeper into the woods. The lazy waters rippled in and out of the afternoon light, lapping at smooth rocks and broken twigs, dragging clumps of green moss and mushy leaves as it meandered through the trees.

  Beneath her feet, the loamy soil teemed with life. Amidst the rotting wood and festering detritus was a thriving ecosystem of insects, mold, and fungi. And nestled in patches of the rich, spongy soil were clusters of a strange pale mushroom. They were a sickly color, bone white stalks with marbled iridescent caps. When Fia had crushed one beneath her boot, it had burst like ripe fruit, releasing oozing yellow spores. Curiously, after this, though they lined the dell around her, the toadstools always seemed to recoil at the last moment, shifting just beyond her step no matter where her foot landed.

  There was no Moonshade near the waters. The book had not mentioned where it grew, but she’d thought that, needing water, near a stream would make sense. In fact, there were no flowers to be found nearby. Perhaps Eike would know. He was from the north, though north had come to mean a rather large portion of the empire.

  Ahead, the trees opened up, giving way to a bright glade. Her lips curled into a half smile as her pace quickened; she was almost there. In the meadows of long grass, she saw him. He was sitting, knees pulled up to his chest. Rocking back and forth, sun-kissed in the fading light.

  “Ei—”

  His head jerked, and he sprang into the air, spinning around, hand on his blade.

  “—Hi,” she coughed, clearing her throat uncomfortably, “Hello there.”

  “Oh, Hello.” He replied, staring at her. “Sorry, I didn’t think anyone else would be around.”

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  “No, I’m sorry…” It was always a little awkward, meeting someone for the first time…again. “I was just… I’m looking for something… I read it might be in these woods…”

  “Then I hope you have better luck than I’ve had.” Eike shook his head, pointing across the grass. “I’ve been searching all day for this, but something seems to have happened to it.”

  It was only then that Fia noticed the missing hill. In its place, a sunken void remained. A tangle of roots, earth, and stone slumping inward like a half-dug grave. She could just see the top of the long stairway, peeking out from beneath the crumbling ruin. What had happened here? She thought of the many-armed beast and was glad to see it buried.

  “I heard there was a dungeon here,” she heard him mutter. “But I guess someone else got to it first.” He looked at her again, and his head tilted ever so slightly. “Are you a mage?”

  Fia sighed, “Because of the robe?”

  “The staff too,” he mumbled, indignantly, toying with the hem of his sleeve. “All the mages I’ve ever met wore robes like that.”

  “Have you met many mages?”

  “I’ve met plenty!” He retorted, turning a deep crimson. “Powerful mages! Maybe even more powerful than you!”

  “Well, that would not be saying much.” She smiled, “But you’re right, I am a mage.”

  His face brightened, breaking into a smile of his own, “I knew it! Are you here for the dungeon as well?” The words spilled out of him in gushes, “We might be able to move the rocks around a bit, clear a path!”

  “Actually, I’m here for a flower.”

  “Oh.” His shoulders drooped, and he kicked at the grass, exhaling wistfully. “A magic flower?” He finally asked, eyes begging for something more.

  “Not really…”

  “But it might be guarded by some terrible beasts?” She could hear the desperation creeping into his words.

  “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “It is a big forest…” His voice trailed away, head bobbing as he nodded to himself, “Probably filled with beasts. Yea…”

  “I’m sorry, are you still talking to me?”

  He looked up, smacking his hands together. “Alright!” he chirped.

  “Alright?”

  With a flourish, Eike lifted his arm, swinging the great sword from his back, and pointing it towards the setting sun.

  “I, Eike, of house Aalder, would be honored to join your party!” He spoke boldly, sweeping his arms back, as he sank into a deep bow. But the sudden shifting weight of his blade sent him toppling into the long grass.

  She buried her face in the hood of her robe, “You may call me Fia,” she choked, failing to stifle her laughter. “And let’s call this a trial run.”

  Eike struggled to his feet, grinning sheepishly. “It’s the sword… Not used to one so big…”

  “Where’d you get it? It looks ancient.”

  “It’s an Aalder family heirloom.” His chest swelled with pride. “Someday I’ll add my own legend to this storied blade!”

  “Well, it seems kind of brittle. If it's as old as you say, I’d be careful swinging it. Could break for no reason whatsoever.”

  He scowled, eyes searching her face, “Have we met before?”

  “I think I’d remember meeting someone from the famous house Aalder.”

  “There’s no need to tease,” he sniffed, turning away as the crimson returned to his cheeks.

  “Heaven’s Gate, right?”

  His eyes widened, and he turned back to her, beaming. “So, you have heard of us! I’m sorry. It's just here in the south, no one really has.” He slung the great sword over his back. “That’s what I’m doing down here. Someone’s got to spread the word! Each good deed raises our standing with the king. Now tell me about this flower!”

  It was twilight now, and the forest had settled fully into the gloam. A thick fog was rolling in, blanketing the glade in its shadow.

  “It’s called Moonshade.”

  “What wildflower? Are you sure that even grows down here?” He eyed her skeptically, “It's far too hot for such a delicate blossom.”

  “That’s what my book said…”

  “Hmmmm,” He scratched at his neck, “It’d have to be somewhere cool, by the water or where the trees are quite dense…”

  The fog was rising, swirling around them, the air growing thick with its musk.

  “It’s likely to be thicker, deeper in.” He suddenly sounded so far away, “But much more dangerous, you’ll be glad to have me…”

  Where had he gone?

  “Eike!” Fia cried, “Eike! Where are you?”

  “Not that you can’t take care of yourself…” His voice was so faint, barely more than a whisper. “We can help each other…”

  “Eike!” She screamed, staggering through the mist. It was getting so hard to breathe. She choked, gasping for air. But the more she struggled, the more her lungs filled with the noxious fog.

  The world began to spin, shadows in the murk whirling around her. And she fell, dark soil rushing up to meet her. She hit the ground hard. Dazed, eyes blurry, all she could see was the blinking of tiny lights, pale stalks, like little drops of moonlight, covered in an iridescent glow.

  There was a noise, the crunching of footsteps amongst the dry leaves. Stepping between the toadstools was a hunched figure. An old crone, back bent so low that her face seemed to sink beneath her ribcage, stringy hair fell from her head in clumps swinging just below her knees. She was covered in cracks and sores, weeping blood that dripped down her legs, pooling in the twisted mass of jagged nails that grew from her feet

  She walked right past Fia, humming to herself. The high-pitched vibration rose and fell like ragged breath. A soft cry, a whisper upon the wind, it pressed against her skin, sinking into her bones. The last thing she saw was the mushrooms swaying to the rhythm of the siren’s call. And then, only darkness.

  Cycle: Timor 5-1