Alliance of Blackbirds Page 4

  Chapter Four

  “He’ll turn you into something like me.” David’s echoing voice burrowed in my ears and his face filled my blurred vision. “I need you Emily…” I couldn’t keep my eyes open no matter how hard I tried. A sudden flash burst through my eyelids followed by the rushing force of a strong wind. As much as I wanted to scream out and see what was going on, my body simply gave out and the flashes of light faded to blackness.

 

  The next thing I felt was the bitterness of a cold wind. I looked down to see glittering snow everywhere. It shone like tiny diamonds twinkling back at me. The air was crisp and hurt my lungs to breathe.

  “David,” I said as his shoulder dug into my stomach.

  He didn’t answer, but I could hear his raspy breaths and feel his talon tipped fingers dig into my thighs.

  “Put me down!” I demanded. “I trusted you, David. I told them to give you a chance and this is how you take that chance?” Silence surrounded us except for the noises coming from David which were gasps of air and growling. “I said put me down!” I should be afraid of him, but I wasn’t.

  Suddenly he stopped and let out loud cry. He then grabbed hold of my waist and threw me to the ground. The fluffy snow broke my fall nearly swallowing me whole. Tiny flakes got caught in my hair and coated my face.

  “Do you think this is how I wanted things to go? I want help, but…I can’t stop what’s happening! Please tell me you understand.” I looked up at him with the snow biting me with its iciness. “The Blackbirds will never understand and time’s running out. I’m changing, I’m changing too fast and I can’t stop it. I’m growing weaker, Emily.” He sunk to the snow covered ground beside me. “I’m getting weaker and it’s getting easier to give into the poison.”

  We sat in silence as I looked at the white landscape with distant mountains surrounding us like a picture frame.

  “I want to help you, but you can’t keep running away.”

  “I’m not running away,” David said plainly looking at his now human hands. “I’m seeking the help of the High Alfheim. I went through an old portal to get here. If anything can be done, they can do it.”

  The Alfheim are also the only ones that can help Alicia. I pushed myself up with snow coated numb hands and looked at David.

  “They can also help Alicia,” I said more to myself.

  “They can help her too,” David looked at me with dark eyes and smiled.

  “Em!” Ian’s voice rung in my head like a bell, “Where are you? I…I can feel you.” His voice was like a pickax chipping at my head with each word. I tried to hide the discomfort of Ian’s message.

  “Emily, are you ok?” David’s voice was filled with an unfamiliar tone of concern. “Oh, I didn’t think. You’re probably frozen. I don’t feel temperature like I used to. The Alfheim are in a valley not far from here.”

  I was shivering not only from the cold, but from David. He was unstable, shifting from human to beast and I still wanted to help him, but I had to help myself first.

  “I’m with David!” I yelled internally. “On a mountain top...lots of snow…I’m ok…hurry Ian!”

  It took a lot of energy to send a message, more than before. I’m not sure if it was because of the cold or exhaustion, but I could feel myself becoming weak and being with David only added the element of fear.

  “Can’t find you Em. Give a better location…any landmarks because it’s a lot of mountain.” Ian’s voice broke in again as David lifted me and carried me through the glittering snow. I knew they’d be in a plane and I listen for the tiniest sound of its engine.

  I tried to collect my thought to send a message, but my head was scrambled.

  “Em! Answer me!” Ian demanded.

  Instead of sending a message, I screamed. I couldn’t think anymore. The cold and when David would change again was all that I could think about. I tried to summon the strength I had felt when I was in Eutopia, the kind that enabled me to fight and even kill a glass person. I could still see her hollow eyes looking down at me as I threw her towards the ceiling where she was impaled by a spike that hung from the thirtieth floor of Ulric’s hideout. I searched for that strength, because if David started to change, words may not be enough of a weapon.

  David tightened his hold on me and picked up the pace. I didn’t say a word only listened to his even breaths that sounded human, not mixed with growls and grunts. Flashes of snow, jagged black mountains filled my eyesight. I could still hear Ian’s voice in my head and it sounded like static on a radio. I didn’t try to send or make out messages. My vision was starting to go black and my ears muffled. Sending a message would take too much, so all I could do was hope Ian saw us.

  I let myself close my eyes trying to maintain what I had and letting Ian’s frantic voice fade.

  “Emily!” Ian yelled and my eyes popped open. “Where are you…running out of fuel.”

  “Going…High Alfheim…Ian…” I finally managed to say.

  “High Alfheim?” Ian was quick to question. “Em, I don’t know where that is. Tell me something about your surroundings.”

  I was becoming agitated at Ian and with myself. How was I supposed to give him a good location in a monotone snow scape? I looked upward and noticed there were thousands of spiked icicles all pointed downward like daggers. Blue and violet hues washed the walls like watercolor. Rushes of warm air moaned through the cavern mixing with the coolness creating a mist.

  “I’m in a cave with icicles…the air is warm…” I closed my eyes and hoped Ian heard me.

  “You’re in the valley! Hold on Emily, we’re coming!” I let myself relax glad that Ian finally had an idea where I was at.

  The snow faded slowly giving way to a rich greenness of the valley. It was a pocket of life among the barren mountains that enclosed the pristine land.

  David put me down and I walked beside him as we approached two men fishing beside a river of clear water.

  “These are the High Alfheim, they’ll greet us with hospitality.” He whispered in my ear. “Greetings!” He yelled.

  David walked a little closer to the two men with long black hair with clothes to match. Beside them was an oval wicker basket, they looked from it to us. Setting their poles down, they exchanged glances.

  David walked briskly up to them, leaving me behind watching them. Something didn’t feel right.

  “I come…” Suddenly one of them took his pole and swung it around like a whip at David.

  He yelled as it wrapped around him like a silver thread embedding the hook into his cheek. David fell to his knees and let out an angered growl. He was changing.

  Adrenaline burst into every cell as my mother’s voice echoed faintly in my head. “Poachers! Run!” I could feel the strength I tried to summon before fill me.

  The two men pushed David to the ground and started to tie him up as David struggled to fight them off and resist the change that was coming too quickly. I could see his skin pale and his hair fill with flecks of silver.

  “What is this?” One of the men said. “What beast is this?”

  “He’s no beast!” I charged towards them only to find myself on the ground with my feet unable to move.

  A thin leather rope had been curled around them. Confused, I fumbled with my trembling fingers to undo it just as something large flew over my head landing with a thud and barely clearing me.

  Several horses encircled the two men who immediately stopped tying up David and tried to use their pole-whips on the men on horseback. With their faces and heads covered, one of the men threw something towards the fishermen. It was a tiny rope that curled around their ankles like a snake. They fell to the ground with their flesh smoking and screaming as they tried to rip at the bonds.

  “I suggest you stop right now!” One of the men got off their horse with a pointed, black stick in front of him. “You are fishing in a prohibite
d area and with no proper authority either.” He stood in front of the two men on the ground.

  “Trying to feed the family,” one of them said.

  “You have no family, poacher.” He placed his stick under the man’s chin. “We’ll take them and these two.” He pointed between me and David.

  “No,” I said removing the rope getting up. “My name is Emily and we are seeking the High Alfheim. This is David, he’s with me and he is sick.” I tried to catch my breath. The man stepped towards me. All I could see was his black eyes squinting with curiosity. It was the only thing that was visible as his entire body was covered in grey clothing.

  He gazed down at me with his breath puffing out in a white cloud from under his handkerchief. On his head was a turban with a small, silver, pin in the shape of a crescent moon.

  I wasn’t sure what he was going to do as we stood in silence.

  “You seek the High Alfheim?” He questioned.

  I nodded. “Yes,” I said with my knees wobbling and everyone’s eyes on me.

  “Well, you’ve found them.” His voice sounded amused as I fell to the ground with the others joining his laughter.

  The first thing I noticed was the warmth that brushed across my face and the mumbling of voices. I still felt weak and pushed myself to my elbows.

  “Hey Em,” Gabe said leaning towards me.

  “Oh, you made it.” I wrapped my arms around him.

  “Did you have any doubt that I wouldn’t?” He squeezed me tight then cradled my face in his hands.

  I gazed into his grey eyes that had tiny flecks of blue that were hard to see unless in the right light and given enough time to find and savor the colors. I could easily get lost in them, letting everything go. How I would like at this moment to walk away from the amulet, Eutopia and the Alliance. I wanted to be with Gabe and unfortunately, if I wanted to be with him I had other problems to solve first.

  “You’re up, that’s good,” said a man dressed in a dark grey tunic leaning crossed armed against the arched doorway. He smiled crookedly with his curly black hair framing his olive colored skin. “The Empress waits for you.” He motioned away from him to the room beyond.

  “Where are we Gabe?’ I asked only after the man left. “I know we’re in the valley, but what is this place?”

  “It’s the palace of the High Alfheim and one of the most sacred places in Atlantis. It’s the birthplace of the Alliance and where the original laws were created. And now we get to speak to one of the first Atlantians.” Gabe smiled as I stood up.

  “One of the first?” I questioned.

  “Yeah, she’s one of the last remaining and even though age hasn’t destroyed her beauty, she’s hundreds of years old.” Gabe didn’t seem even fathomed by the idea of someone being that old.

  “What do I say to her?” I looked into the dim lit room past Gabe. I don’t know why, but I felt nervous.

  “Em, it’ll be ok.” He took my hand and curled his fingers around mine like a brace that held me up.

  The palace wasn’t what I would automatically think a palace to be. It wasn’t richly decorated with ornate furniture, tapestries or jewels and gold. It had high ceilings that were dome shaped and tiled floors of smooth grey rocks. The walls were plaster and smooth with the occasional painted mural of lined designs in thick black ink and nearly as tall as me in size. Floating orbs bobbed over our heads emitting soft light that made streams of moving light throughout the room.

  “Welcome, Emily. It’s nice to finally see you in the flesh,” said a voice from the darkness. “I’m the Empress of the High Alfheim and you and your kind our welcome here.”

  From the shadows emerged a tall figure. As if on cue, several of the lighted orbs swarmed over her head revealing her ageless beauty. She smiled and glided from the raised platform towards me with the orbs following.

  Her pale skin flickered with silver and intertwined in her long hair of many shades were tiny vines, some with leaves and some with small flowers of various blooming stages. Her eyes were blue and reminded me of the perfect summer’s day.

  “Your journey has been long and the amulet has traveled far.” Her voice echoed in the room I couldn’t tell how big it was.

  “You know about the amulet and me?” I asked.

  Her smile widened. “I’ve heard about your whole life, Emily Moore and I’ve waited for this day to come.” She motioned beside her.

  From a bare spot among the paved floor sprung thin, twisted vines that curled around each other until a chair was constructed. The Empress looked back at me then smiled. “Please have a seat and you as well Gabe.”

  Three chairs that came from the ground of twisted vines sat in a circle facing one another.

  “Even after all these years, I hate formality. Things go better when everything is at ease.” She clapped her hands and from the darkness, three clear gasses were handed to each of us by thin vines that came out of nowhere. “Water from the Eldon’s Spring, it’s the purist there is.” She kept her eyes on me as she took a sip, and suddenly, one of the flowers that looked wilted in her hair, came back to a full bloom. “Much better,” she said holding the glass out until a vine curled around it and took it away.

  I sat holding my glass as Gabe nudged me to drink. The water was cool and sweet leaving a tingling sensation on my tongue.

  “I will get to the point this time as time is running short and the glass people are slowly, but steadily pushing at our shields. The Alliance I know feels this is no threat, but they don’t know magic and power like I do. Unfortunately I’m no longer advisor to the Alliance and though they will listen, they think of me as simply a symbol of things past, a relic,” her voice rose and sounded slightly annoyed, “like an antique that’s pretty to look at and remember fond memories gone by.” She sat back into her chair as more vines twirled through her hair. “You see I’m only here for so long,” she shifted her gaze to Gabe. “You know this through fabled stories, don’t you Gabe?”

  Gabe nodded. “Yes through stories told when I was little.”

  “All the children were told stories. I’ve heard them myself and find it hard to believe that our history has transformed into entertainment that amuses those who listen. The words were warnings to be heeded.” The vines slowed in their curling and the Empress turned her cool eyes back to Gabe. “And one of those fables was no fable—was it?”

  Gabe drew in a deep breath. “No, it wasn’t a story, but came true.” I could see his eyes shift with colors.

  “Your mother was killed by an Etal, a creature of the rocks on Ring Island where you grew up. You lost,” she looked away and up at the ceiling as if something caught her attention. “Yes, your dog. You lost your dog and cried for him and when your mother didn’t return as well…” her words trailed off and she gazed at Gabe with curiosity. “This troubles you—losing your mother troubles you?”

  “Yes, your Empress, it does.” Gabe stated flatly looking uncomfortable.

  “Hmm, I am sorry to offend you and bring sorrow. Sometimes my distant ears only tell me things they see and feelings are unknown to us. We simply don’t understand people and these invisible emotions that inflict you like insects do us.” Her eyes then shifted back to me.

  “I’m old and yet young and forever changing as with the season, but that may come to an end Emily Moore.” Colorful flowers suddenly popped open throughout the Empress’s hair until it was nearly overtaken by vines, flowers and twigs. “The amulet is what they want and the poisoned boy draws them here. He cannot be here and we have no means to help him. I’m sorry for this, but all hope is not lost to those who keep looking.” She smiled as a slender vine curled beside her cheek and blossomed with tiny violet flowers. “My time is growing short and I know that the amulet and the poison boy aren’t the only reasons you seek me. A girl, a Phoenix girl, but only part Phoenix is caught in the fountain of youth. Her mother weeps and can’t get
her out. You seek an Alfheim to get her out, but you already have one. She’s a misfit one though, but her blood runs with the power of the Alfheim.” The vines became denser around her. “I’m sorry, but I must go, the seasons are changing and I must change, sleep to survive. I couldn’t solve your woes, but I’ve led you in a direction. It is up to you Eutopian girl and to listen to the amulet, it’ll guide you like a mother plant.”

  Twirling upward, the vines made a massive canopy of leaves that glowed in a golden light. The chair the Empress had sat in was now a tree trunk of the same twisted vines.

  “Sorry you couldn’t get any more information out of her,” said a voice coming from the darkness. “She’s honest and true and would never mislead because she sees all. But I don’t think we could’ve solved your problem anyhow.” The man that came to get Gabe and me earlier stood under the tree and gazed up at it. “Who knows how long her sleeping season will last.” He then looked back at us. “Come, don’t be despaired. All hope isn’t gone yet.”

  I looked at Gabe and laced my fingers through his. His eyes were casted over and his skin pale. I wanted to ask him about his mother and his family before he joined the Blackbirds that I never thought to ask about before. I never knew he’d suffered like that, but I also knew what it was like to miss your parents, especially ones you never knew.

  Gabe, as always, smiled back and wrapped his finger through mine.

  “By the way, my name is Liam and I’m head commander of the High Alfheim. Please follow me the rest of your company is waiting in the water gardens.”

  The light outside was filtered through massive trees lining a tiny stream that trickled beside the stone pathway. Instead of rocks or soil covering the bottom of the stream, intertwining roots cupped the water that looked almost like one big braid of brown hair. The water was clear and sparkled back showing our partial reflections as we walked by.

  “And here we are,” Liam said as the cluster of trees ended like a curtain to the openness of several round pools of water all connected by slender pathways. Tiny fish swarmed under the surface of the water and flocked to the edge as we walked by. Liam stopped, reached into his pocket and threw out what looked like tiny pellets.

  “These are merfish, a rarity to this area, but we’ve managed to keep them alive in our pools.” He pulled out some more pellets and threw them in. “They are the father of the Mers.”

  There were more fish than water along the edge and their metallic scales of greens, blues and yellows glinted in the warm sunshine.

  “Hungry little devils,” Liam said looking down at them brushing his hands off.

  “Emily!” I could hear Claire’s voice.

  In the center, and sitting on the largest of the circle islands in the water garden, I could see Claire, Ian and David with two of the covered men standing behind them. They sat under a large tree with creamy bark and greenish blue, needle-like leaves.

  “She’s been asking for you. Persistent little Alfheim.” Liam shook his head.

  Claire had told me she was Alfheim when I first came to Atlantis. Only, she’d been considered inferior because of her petite size and appearance. Abe knew her parents, took her in when there was an uprising with the Alfheim when she was a tiny baby. I thought Claire was a pretty girl all red hair and rosy cheeks, just like a porcelain doll.

  The dotted islands of various sizes made floating stepping stones through the clear water filled with what appeared to be thousands of the merfish.

  I looked back at Gabe who looked down at his feet as we stepped onto the island. I wanted to pull him aside and talk to him. Our eyes met and I could see a wound once healed; now oozing. He covered it up with a smile.

  Claire hugged me and I was nearly smothered in her long curly hair. Liam stood in front of the other two men and gazed towards the base of the tree. Sitting in the flickering shadows was David. He lazily looked up at me with glazed over eyes.

  “We gave him milk from the red poppy. It slows the poison—at least long enough for us to talk. Please, have a seat.” Liam motioned for us to sit in the low chairs that nearly sat on the cushioned grass.

  “They believe me, Emily.” David leaned forward as Gabe, who sat between David and I, stiffened and glared at him. “I know you hate me and I don’t blame you.” He pointed a wobbly finger at Gabe and smiled. “But they believe in Pandora’s Lock.”

  “It’s true,” Liam said. “Pandora’s Lock is what you seek as it’s the only place the glass people can be contained once in this world. What David of the Dragon clan says is correct and you’ve got the amulet, the beacon,” Liam motioned towards David who smiled at me and made a clicking sound from his mouth. “You have everything to end the threat of the glass people. They are the destroyers, the consumers of worlds. They eat the light, the energy it possesses until it’s gone. That is how they live, how they survive.”

  “Pandora’s Lock is in Meropsis, at least that’s what David said,” Ian said looming in the background.

  “Yes, at one time, but now it’s gone, to pirates.” Liam let out his breath. “That’s what the vines tell us.” He then looked up at the tree and gently ran his fingers through some of the needles.

  “But what pirates? What sea?” Gabe asked.

  “The last we heard they were headed north in the Sanudra Ocean and we believe the box was taken by The Black Ghost and his crew.” Liam stood looking down at Gabe. “After that the vines lost track and the Mers have been watching the ships. It was like it vanished into the air.”

  “Who’s The Black Ghost?” I asked.

  Liam turned his head to me. “He was once part of the Blackbird clan, but the lure of the magic was too strong for the oath he took with the Alliance. He left the Blackbirds right after several magical implements went missing, one of them being the fan of change made by a wizard and given to his deformed daughter so that she’d be beautiful. When the daughter died, the wizard gave the fan to the Alliance for safe keeping. The Black Ghost is just that, a ghost that can materialize from out of the shadows or even in a brightly lit room.”

  “So we have to chase down this,” I shook my head, “invisible pirate and get the box from him.”

  “Yes, and before he connects with the glass people as well, Ulric isn’t the only one who wants their power. They believe the glass people have pure power that’s untouched, but no one can control it.” Liam’s dark eyes were steady. “You have the amulet and it is like the carrot that dangles in front of the horse. It will draw them here and is doing so right now.”

  “But how are we going to find The Black Ghost?” Gabe asked. “We don’t even have a ship and our plane is damaged and out of fuel.”

  Liam smiled at Gabe. “You worry too much, especially being with the High and forgotten Alfheim. We’ve got connections. The Mer have ships that sail faster than any other. You can easily navigate through anything with them and I might say it’s an honor to travel with them.

  “But we’re in the northern lands. It will be a week minimum of horseback to the coast.” Ian rubbed his forehead.

  Liam smiled at Ian. “We do have portals. They might be ancient ones, but they still work.”

  “I thought certain portals were restricted,” Gabe said.

  Liam turned his attention to Gabe. “That’s right, certain portals. Our portals can never be restricted.”

  “That’s how I got here.” David looked at me leaning against the tree. “I brought you here Emily…I brought you here to be safe…so they could help me.”

  David blinked his eyes at me and each time they grew heavier until he fell asleep. Everyone watched him with uneasy eyes.

  “Times running out,” Liam said. “You best leave here, tonight.”

  “I don’t know if I can do anything. Why did the Empress say I could help Alicia? She knew I’m not like a true Alfheim.” Claire paced around the tree that was once the Empress. “I don’t see how I can
, especially since I haven’t a clue on how to get her out of the fountain of youth.”

  I watched her walk around the tree looking up at the green, heart shaped leaves. The tree was as beautiful as the Empress. Tiny, white, veins spider webbed through the glowing leaves and I couldn’t help but to stare at it too.

  “I can’t do it.” Claire turned to me. “What if I end up hurting her or what if something goes wrong and I end up killing Alicia? I don’t even know how to get her out.” She threw her arms up in the air.

  “We’ll find a way, Claire. There has to be something because if we do nothing then we’ll never get her out.” She shrugged her shoulders and folded her arms. “When I first came to Atlantis I was scared to death. I didn’t know what was happening to me or where I’d end up. But, I knew one thing. I wasn’t going to give up.”

  Claire looked at me with her large doe eyes and half smiled. “Now I feel like a clod of dirt. Here you are a foreigner in a world you never knew existed with Receptor abilities and the fate of many worlds hangs around your neck.” She pointed towards the amulet.

  “Claire…I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.” She held her hand up and shook her head.

  “No, I don’t mean to say it that way. What I’m saying is—you’re right. Only my situation is different than yours. I love Alicia like a sister and I don’t want to hurt her accidently.” She twirled her long hair around her finger. “I’m going to find a way, but Emily I really don’t think I’m strong enough.”

  “Claire…” I started to say when a tiny leaf floated gracefully between us.

  She caught it in the palm of her hand as we both looked at it and up at the quivering tree until it came to a stop.

  “Strength is found, not born.” Claire read aloud the glowing words that burned gold on the leaf before it faded and the leaf curled crumbling into powder.

  “A message from the Empress, very rare indeed,” Liam said standing in the archway leading outside. “Remember those words always because personal messages from her are special and…true to their words.” He walked towards Claire smiling down at her. “Here, keep her message in this.” He pulled out a small leather pouch and put the bits of the leaf inside. “Everything that comes from the Empress is powerful and can be used when needed.”

  Claire looked at the pouch with uncertainly. “But how will I know when I need it or even how to use it?”

  “When the time comes, you’ll know.” Liam took Claire’s hand folding it over her pouch. “The Empress saw a light in you that you can’t see through the darkness of your own doubts. And I can see it too.”

  Claire squeezed the pouch then smiled looking up at Liam.

  “Come, your time here is gone and your adventure is ahead of you.” He motioned towards the doorway.

  Outside was a haze of purple, blue and orange glow. The sun was fading and night crept through land.

  “Do you think it wise to travel at night?” Ian questioned Liam.

  “Night is the best cover and you’ll have the protection of the High Alfheim to guide you to the portal that will take you to Crestrock, the most southern city of Alfheim. The portal isn’t that far away—our lands are secure.”

  We rode on horseback through the openness of the valley. Liam, with David lead the way, Claire and Ian rode together behind him and then it was me and Gabe followed by an Alfheim soldier. I sat behind Gabe feeling his strong muscles under my arms. I squeezed Gabe tighter and rested my cheek on his back. I wanted to ask him about his mother and where he came from, but knew now wasn’t the time. Instead I held him tighter.

  “Em, we’re going slow enough. You’re not going to fall off,” Gabe whispered back to me. “I can hardly breathe.”

  “Sorry,” I said loosening my arms. “I was hugging you and trying to hold on at the same time.”

  “Well, I like it when you hold me and hug me, but not at the same time. It gets a little too tight.” He chuckled.

  “I just don’t want to see you hurt, that’s all.”

  Gabe didn’t answer right away and I hoped that maybe he’d open up.

  “Physically or emotionally?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “You don’t want to see me hurt physically or emotionally?”

  “Well,” I said not expecting him to ask that. “Both, but what the Empress said…”

  “I know what she said and I know you’re concerned, but some things need to be in the past, Em.”

  “So you’re not going to talk about it?”

  “The portal is up here and you should be able to get David through with no problem. I’m sending you extra poppy milk to quiet him until you find The Black Ghost and Pandora’s Lock.” Liam rode up beside us with David hunched over slightly in front of him.

  “You can’t come with us?” I asked.

  “No, we are never to leave the valley. The High Alfheim protects the Empress and to leave, any of us, would leave her unprotected.”

  Gabe helped me down and gave the reigns to the other Alfheim soldier and then took David with the help of Ian.

  “How are we going to manage him and Emily and Claire through the portal, let alone finding The Black Ghost.” Ian asked wrapping David’s arm around his neck.

  “I can handle David,” I said stepping in front of him. “Claire and I aren’t luggage that has to be carried.”

  “But you have no training. You can’t fight, Em.” Ian looked at me and then Claire. “I still think an exception should be made and we should at least have the company of one Alfheim soldier.”

  “They can’t leave the valley and…we can handle ourselves.” Claire poked her finger at Ian.

  “Yes, you have training, but,” Ian said in a long tired sigh.

  “But what?” Claire snapped.

  Ian tightened his mouth.

  “She’s stronger than she looks, Ian.” I stepped forward with raised eyebrows. “Just like me.”

  Ian looked back at Claire. “I might not be able to cover your back all the time. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “You have the wisdom of the Empress and her blessings. That is more than most travelers could even hope for.” Liam gazed up at the stone arch that hummed with electricity. “There are very few of these portals left and they lead to many places. At one time when the worlds were at peace and the threat of the glass people was nothing more than a fable, we would travel to Eutopia, Avalon and even Earth. We were connected and worked together. Now, fear has separated us and all I can hope for is one day that we might travel in the old ways again.” Liam stepped back with the other soldier and smiled. “This portal will take you straight to Crestrock. There you can ask for a man named Zim, he’ll help you. Tell him that I sent you.”

  “Thank you,” Gabe said with a nod before facing the portal.

  Gabe and Ian with David sandwiched between them, went first followed by Claire and I. I looked back at Liam standing and watching us go. He bowed slightly before the light and the humming filled my senses.

  I could feel Claire pull on my hand guiding me through the blizzard of light and wind. That all stopped suddenly and I found myself standing in a courtyard with stout, swarthy looking men with swords pointed towards us. The sound of the ocean could be heard in the distance. We were in Crestrock.

  “State your business!” One of them yelled.

  “We came from the valley, the High Alfheim sent us to find a man named Zim.” Gabe said looking at the man.

  “If you used the portal, you must be in a hurry.”

  “We are short on time and the Alfheim said that the man Zim will help us on our way.” Gabe stood in front of me.

  “You’re not Alfheim then,” he looked at all of us. “Well,” he chuckled, “you’re going to have to yell pretty loud for Zim to hear you. He’s dead.” His chuckle deepened with amusement. “The Alfheim don’t talk to us much, so they are not up on things outside the valley. They’re
kinda like a spider, recluse and secretive. Not every message gets sent through the vines.” He lowered his sword and motioned for his men to do the same. “How ‘bout, the gracious host I am, I take you to his wife.” His eyes twinkled and a few of the men snickered. “She likes to take in guests. Follow me.”

  Winding through the maze of grey stone buildings with windows high above our heads, we followed the man through well-lit passageways until all of that faded.

  “I don’t like this, Em.” Claire looked over her head. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

  I didn’t answer and could see Gabe and Ian exchanged hushed words. It didn’t feel right and I was wondering if the Alfheim were right or maybe they’d tricked us.

  The passage grew steadily grungier and darker the more turns we took through the buildings that resembled more of a labyrinth than anything else. Slime covered the walls and lumps of different sizes littered the edges. Some moaned as we walked by, but most lay silent. Claire and I were practically glued together walking side by side. With the moon as our only light, I tried my best to follow Gabe and Ian’s shadow.

  “We need to turn around this has got to be a trap.” Claire whispered in my ear.

  “Do you have a weapon?” I asked as she nodded. “Good, because I think we’ll need it.”

  Suddenly from out of the darkness a hand grasped onto my forearm, nearly bringing me to my knees.

  “Princess…don’t go to the witch!” His voice was harsh and strained. “Don’t…”

  “Off with you!” The man guiding us stepped back, pushed me out of the way and started beating the shadowed man with a short stick. I shuddered as the final blow made a cracking sound and he fell to a black lump on the ground. “Beggars should be exterminated like bugs anyhow, filthy creature.” He looked back at us putting away his stick and motioning for us to come.

  “Witch—what did he mean by witch?” Ian asked.

  “He’s a stupid beggar. They’re either drunk or stupid or both. That’s why they line the streets. Come, because I don’t feel like beating anymore of them, I’m getting a headache.”

  I looked at Gabe. “I don’t like this. I think we should turn around.”

  “I’d like to too, but where would we go? We can’t outrun them. We’ll get away when we can.”

  “I think the Alfheim tricked us.” Gabe only looked at me wordless and agreeing with me with his eyes.

  “Are you coming or are you joining the beggars?” The man asked. “Come, it isn’t far.”

  We stopped in front of a weathered door that was painted red at one time. The man knocked on the door with the end of his nightstick and grinned back at us. The door whipped open and gazing back at us was a woman with white hair hanging like sheets around her face. Her clothes were fluid and moved like silk around her thin body.

  “What brings you here this late?” Her voice had a cool edge to it. “I’ve got guests.” She motioned behind her with her eyes that were a dull blue.

  “My lady,” he said with a small bow. “I’ve brought you more guests.” He motioned towards us.

  She gazed at all of us and then when she caught sight of Claire, her eyes lit up and she smiled.

  “Well, then, please come in.” She stepped aside as Gabe and Ian hesitated. “I know the Alfheim sent you and I know you were seeking Zim. My name is Zara and Zim was my husband and now I’ve taken over his job. Please, or the wrong person might see you.” She nodded for us to come in.

  Cautiously, we went inside as our guide held out his hand, palm up, with a smile on his face towards Zara.

  “Thank you mutant, you’ve done me well.” She then shut the door on his face.

  “You must be tired and you’ve got a sick one there.” Zara examined David. “No, not sick, just a little under the effects.” She raised her eyebrows.

  The cluttered room had an array of different colored bottles of various sizes sitting on shelves along the wall. Some were filled with liquids while other had solid, unidentifiable things inside. Dried herbs hung from the rafters and a cauldron loomed over a blue flamed fire. Goosebumps suddenly cascaded up and down my arms.

  “If you know who we are then show us to The Black Ghost, we seek him,” Gabe said.

  She shrugged her shoulders and smiled crookedly at him. “My goodness my little Alfheim, you’re a rarity with that red hair of yours.” Her eyes flickered as she stepped closer to Claire.

  Claire gazed up at the Zara. “Thanks…I mean thank you.”

  Zara smiled with a tilt of her head then in one quick movement, she grabbed Claire by her hair into a ponytail and with a flash of silver, she cut Claire’s hair and held it over her head laughing.

  Claire screamed as I pushed her out of the way. Gabe shoved David on Ian and pulled his dagger out.

  Zara didn’t pay any attention to him. She joyfully laughed holding up Claire’s clump of red hair like a victory flag.

  “I’ve got Alfheim hair! And it’s red! I knew, I knew I’d have it one day!”

  Gabe looked at me and motioned towards the door with his eyes. I grabbed hold of Claire’s wrist and pulled her with me. Just before Gabe reached Zara, a black dagger flung threw the air and planted itself into her forehead.

  Zara’s body jerked and with her eyes wide open frozen in shock and still grasping onto Clair’s hair, she slowly fell to her knees, then to the floor. We looked at her then at the white harried man leaning against the wall with a giddy look on his face.

  “I would’ve let her kill you, goodness knows I need a little entertainment, but you asked about the Black Ghost.” His skin was tanned, but his hair was as white as snow and pulled back into a black strap. “What would you want with him?” His pale blue eyes became slits as he looked at Gabe.

  “Do you know where he is?” Gabe asked.

  The man shrugged. “I might, what business concerns him?”

  Gabe ignored him and motioned for us to leave as he helped Ian with David.

  “You won’t go far, especially with two delicate flowers and an invalid.” His words pierced through the darkness. “Where’s the rest of your clan, Blackbird?”

  Gabe stopped and looked back at the man smiling at him.

  “I don’t mind helping those of my clan.” His smile deepened.

  “Your clan?” Ian questioned.

  “Yes, I’m with you and you with me. Isn’t companionship and helping each other out still one of the values of Blackbirds? Or maybe I’ve sailed the seas and been gone for too long.” He rubbed his chin. “I guess things do change.”

  “What’s your name?” Gabe asked.

  The man smiled and chuckled looking at all of us. “I thought you’d never ask.” He cleared his throat. “I’m the one you asked about, I’m The Black Ghost.”