Oct 25

Oct 25 Darrienia

Darrienia: book excerpt

Chapter One - The Past

In her life, Elly had done many things, both mundane and extraordinary, but helping Marise, the sadistic assassin she had trained, to relocate was the most satisfying thing she had done for centuries.

It had been no small task to flee unseen from Blackwood’s mansion, especially given the level of security he maintained. His guards were something she had never understood. They were well-trained, loyal, vigilant, and unnecessary. A waste of resources which could have been put to better use elsewhere.

His home was located in a concealed area behind a circle of volcanoes known as Phoenix Landing. A location known only to those who lived and died there and, of course, to the employees of The Courts of Twilight, which Blackwood liked to think he controlled. Nevertheless, despite his superb security, for Elly, such a minor operation had been simple. She had, after all, travelled not only with skilled people whom this world had never known, but those who, in this time, were remembered as heroes.

She eagerly awaited the day of her reunion with Marise. It would mark the beginning of their greatest adventure. She fought with the curiosity that tempted her to see just how she had settled into her new life, to see if the gradual awakening process had been completed. But until the time came it would be too dangerous. Blackwood still kept a close vigil for any signs she had made contact. For now, she had to wait. Even when they did meet, everything would depend on Marise forgiving her for sealing her away in the darkness. Marise had needed to remain hidden in order for things to revert to how they were before she had existed, otherwise, what must come to pass could never be.

The time of their reunion grew ever closer. Soon their journey would begin and then the people of the world would learn their true place. Elly looked at herself objectively as she fastened her long hair back into a twisted bun. Her hair was by far her most striking feature. Even now, as she checked it for any imperfections, her gaze was drawn to its vivid blue colour; a shade that remained a constant reminder of the ancient punishment she had received. She had grown accustomed to it over time, but the same could not be said for any who looked upon her.

Even as she studied herself critically within the surface of the mirror, she knew Blackwood was finally taking action. The idea—which had been prompted by just the right source—had finally bloomed in his feeble mind. It was a solution so obvious he could not understand why he had failed to consider it before. In that moment of inspiration, he had sent a guard to summon her. A guard who would arrive at any second. All of a sudden, he had been filled with optimism. Just when he had been about to abandon all hope of finding her, the idea had finally come to fruition. Although it had taken longer than had been anticipated. She had been ready to leave for days. She had expected him to reach the conclusion far sooner, but he could be a little slow sometimes. Subtlety was not something he understood well.

She knew, as she sat waiting for the messenger to reach her chamber, her need for patience was almost over; and how did she know the guard was on his way to her? It was simple, she knew everything.

“Lord Blackwood has requested your presence immediately!” The guard barked the order, flinging open the door without so much as a knock. Seeing her angry stare, he felt himself retreat slightly. None of the guards liked to address Blackwood’s daughter. If asked why, they may venture it was her unnatural hair, or her strange purple shaded eyes. More likely, however, was that their ancient instincts recognised she didn’t seem quite human. Despite this fear they also respected her. She had always defended them when confrontation occurred. A number of them owed her their lives, even if they didn’t realise it. “Please, forgive the intrusion,” he added, seeing the unmistakable annoyance. He was new. She would forgive this mistake just once. She always allowed the recruits time to learn their place.

“Very well, inform him I am on my way.” A slight smile teased her lips as she smartened her appearance. It was finally time.

There was no time wasted in reaching Blackwood’s audience room. It was a simple room which overlooked the rise and fall of the mountains and volcanoes in the distance. In order to give the impression of great knowledge, to any who would stand before him, the room had been lined with bookshelves filled with both common and rare texts, none of which he had so much as cast his gaze over. For those outside his small fiefdom, there was but one reason a person would be invited to this hidden mansion, their time and usefulness had expired. Concealed within this room were numerous nooks and passageways which could be used either as a means of a quick escape or, as was more often the case, to allow his assassin to carefully observe her next target.

Although Elly had been aware of her destination, she had been surprised he had not requested this audience in his ‘throne room’. A room which gave him delusions of the powers he thought he was destined to possess. Upon entering, she offered him a quick smile. He sat in his habitual place behind a wooden desk that was currently littered with various papers that, given their contents of advanced sciences, seemed to be far above his level of comprehension.

“You requested me, my lord?” She gave a half-hearted bow as she approached. More than anything else it was an action to satisfy his ego. For now it was vital he continued to believe she was one of his loyal employees. It seemed over time he had forgotten her true reason for being there and, for the moment, she had no desire to remind him.

“Elaineor.” He acknowledged her presence before returning to the silence which had filled the air before her arrival. She waited patiently. A nervous anticipation of what was to follow washed over her. Thoughts of her reunion with Marise filled her mind as she willed him to say the words she longed to hear. Finally, he spoke again. “I miss her you know. I’ve tried almost everything to find her, but each effort has returned in vain.” As the silence descended once more she found herself wondering exactly how long this was going to take. “I was thinking, surely someone must know where she is, and then it dawned on me, you.”

“Me, my lord?” She felt her heart pound against the walls of her chest. It was so loud she swore he would hear. Part of her feared he had discovered the truth, maybe even how and where she had sealed his assassin. It was possible the notion could have led him to discover what had actually happened. She calmed her mind. This was Blackwood. He was by no means a fool, but he had a great talent in overlooking the obvious. Whilst she may have been filled with such turmoil, there was no betrayal of such feelings. She was an expert at acting how people expected. No one could live the life she had without becoming a master of secrecy and deception.

“Yes, after all you were very close. She spoke to you in ways none of us ever knew. I believe, given the chance, you could find her, after all,” he paused once more as if to consider his next sentence carefully, “you were more than just master and student, were you not? I worry, Elaineor. What could have happened, was she defeated, was she injured and could not return? That, I doubt. I think it was something else. You noticed the changes in her before she left. I think whatever happened to her is preventing her returning home, from returning to me.”

“So what do you have in mind, my lord? You know I, as much as anyone, long to see her again.” Elly sighed. She spoke the truth, only Marise truly appreciated her skills. She was one of the only people worthy of travelling beside her. During her absence she had felt so underappreciated, so bored.

“That is why I want you to find her.”

“Me, my lord?” It was a performance of surprise which would have had many travelling theatres begging for her skills, just the right level of shock and excitement mingled together as she drew her hands to her chest in surprise.

“Well you had, a special connection. I am unsure why I failed to think of it before.”

“Very well, my lord, I shall leave immediately.” Her hand almost rested upon the door when his voice stopped her. She did not look back at him as he spoke, in fear he would see her impatience.

“Bring her back with you, Elaineor.” Although low and almost silent, his words were filled with warning. Unseen to him Elly smiled. There were but a few things that could intimidate her, and he was certainly not one of them.

With his warning she departed. Blackwood sat for a short moment as if to ensure the person, who was publicly recognised as his daughter, had truly left. It was but a brief pause, one which reflected his impatience. Had she lingered outside for even a few seconds she would have heard him address the seemingly empty room.

“Eiji, do you understand your task?” A small wooden panel opened into the room to allow a young man to emerge. His blond hair was ruffled, unkempt, as if his tanned hand had anxiously passed through it many times in the same nervous manner in it did now.

He looked fatigued. Sleep for the last few days had escaped him as he was forced to this unknown place, bound and blindfolded. His brown hide trousers were creased from his less than hospitable journey here, and his linen shirt had fared no better, showing clear signs of the manhandling he had suffered during the long journey. Even should he have tried to escape he knew he would never find his way home. There had been too many twists and turns through his journey. Sometimes it seemed almost as if they backtracked just to fool any internal compass he may have possessed.

Given the situation, if they had simply approached him, he would have willingly accompanied them. He would have had no choice. But instead he had been struck from behind, dragged into the back of a cramped wagon, and left to wonder his fate. The only warning issued being, should he try anything people would die.

He looked to the figure who sat before him. He was known as Lord Blackwood and, for the sake of his master, Eiji had no choice but follow the requests of this corrupt lord.

“Yes, Lord Blackwood,” he stated somewhat begrudgingly. Unlike Elly he did not bow, his morals would not permit it.

“You will send word to Knightsbridge the instant she finds the girl.” Blackwood had been very careful not to reveal in his conversation who Elly would be looking for. In order for his plan to work, the young Elementalist had to believe he was in no danger. However, as soon as contact with Marise had been established, the appropriate measures would be taken to silence him.

“And my master, can I see him?” Eiji questioned nervously. He had no choice but to help this man. At least it seemed a simple task, confirmation his warrior had been located in exchange for his master’s life.

“It’s early days and your loyalties are uncertain, but I promise you, no harm will come to him from any of my men while you do what is asked of you. Now, be gone.” As Blackwood clicked his fingers the guard stationed outside entered, placed a bag over Eiji’s head, and escorted him away in a painfully familiar manner. They were to leave him at the outer parts of the volcanic caves. Blackwood knew no matter where Elly’s adventure took her, even with the ability to travel through Collateral, she had no choice but to pass through the labyrinth beneath Phoenix Landing. It was there his little spy would pick up the trail.

* * *

She erupted from the forest, running as fast as her weary legs could carry her. She pushed forwards, despite her fatigue, as if her life depended on it. She was right, it did. She looked desperately around for someone, anyone, who could come to her aid. But she knew the chances of finding someone were slim. This island possessed but a single town, and its location eluded her. She dared not cry out. The only people who would benefit from this would be those who pursued her.

Her tangled dark hair was filled with debris from the forest she had fled from just moments ago. Dirt was encrusted down the front of her tight, finely knit, jumper, and her leather trousers were torn from when their ambush had first been sprung.

She had known they were trouble on the boat, but never did she expect for them to take their prejudices this far. They had overheard the purpose of her pilgrimage as she spoke with the harbour master in Albeth, asking his permission to work her fare during the journey. She was almost certain that the only reason they had boarded the vessel had been to follow her. They had ridiculed her throughout the voyage. She had hoped it would end when the boat had docked and, for a time, it had.

She had not seen them hunting her from the shadows, not until the isolated path had made her the perfect target. She had worked the boat’s small bar as a waitress to pay for her passage. The purpose of the pilgrimage was to travel in the footsteps of priestess Cassandra. It was a voyage the temple insisted she make, should she wish to join them. It was a rite normally only required as the final journey of the current high priestess’ successor, and she was certainly not that. Due to her father’s treason, even the temple had refused to train her unless she completed this ancient rite. Now, because she had been so eager to prove them wrong, to prove she could accomplish something more than her family name would allow, she was going to die.

Fighting her way free from their drunken grasps she had fled into the forest, hoping to lose them, but amongst the camouflage they had gained the advantage. She had been left with no choice but to flee to the open ground, and no alternative but to trust her fate to the hands of the Gods. Even if it seemed they had abandoned her.