Evermoore: Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER 12

The Weirwood was quiet and undisturbed. Padding lightly on the soft forest ground, they journeyed north, away from the fires, away from the Arachnid’s, and away Tree of Hope. Pillars of black and grey smoke rose into the sky behind them, as the first light of dawn began to appear. Fayth could smell and taste the putrid smell of ash and brimstone even as the orange flames flickered far behind them.
Hardly a word had been exchanged between them. Corindra forged ahead, never pausing, never slowing her pace, and never looking back. Sirius and Fayth followed, with Shay following farther behind. It was Corindra who had chosen to head north too throw the Arachnids of their trail. They followed without question.
The canopy became free of the webs of the Arachnids, and the autumn shades of the leaves had dwindled as the bright green hue of life returned. The air was crisp and cool, with the sweet scent of the morning dew. The sky was bright and blue, with a few scattered clouds.
Here, the beauty of the Weirwood was once again pure, and untainted. Yet it’s beauty was lost upon Fayth, who could only picture the herd of slaughtered Unicorns, and the burning of the trees.
Soon, the leaves were free of the autumn colors, and the canopy was clear of the Arachnids webs, Corindra turned their bearing east, towards the Tree of Hope once more. They journeyed on, until Lady Sun had just passed over the Mountain of Courage, when Corindra stopped. She stood perfectly still her ears were perched. Beside her, Sirius also stopped and perched his ears. And as she opened her mouth to ask why they had stopped, she felt the ground tremble, and a soft pattering in her ear.
It was soft, yet unmistakable. It was coming from the south-west, and was growing near. The ground shook harder as the pattering became louder. Behind her, Shay took his bow and armed an arrow. Hesitantly, he looked to Corindra, who returned his gaze with an icy glare, before nodding slightly. “Quickly, hide yourselves,” Shay said, hastily, to Fayth and Sirius while pointing to a nearby bush.
The bush stood taller than Fayth and had long thin branches with deep green leaves and bright flowers. As Fayth squeezed her way through the thin branches, Sirius slipped between them effortlessly with his feline grace before hunching himself low to the ground.
“Stay perfectly still,” Sirius whispered, as he readied himself to pounce.
Shay kneeled between two large protruding roots of a giant oak, while Corindra hid herself within a curtain of long low hanging braches from a nearby willow. They had said nothing to each other, yet stood ready to fight.
The thin branches clutched within her fingers began to vibrate furiously as the pattering became a roar. Whoever was charging through the woods would be upon them soon, and Fayth held her breath as her pulse began to race.
Suddenly, as the roaring thunder passed by them, Fayth did not see a torrent of black and red, but rather a sea of white. Her fears vanished and she gasped as the white creatures swarmed past them. They ran through the trees, galloping with grace and ease as though they were running on air. As they passed by, the bark of the trees became began to glow, and the leaves sparkled as the bright rays of Lady Sun gleamed off their pure and spotless white manes.
“Sirius,” Fayth said, her voice a faint whisper of awe. “Unicorns.”
“Indeed my Lady,” Sirius said breathlessly.
Together they stared as the herd of Unicorns passed them by. And as the glow of the trees began to fade, and the ground began to settle as they passed them by, Corindra and Shay quickly emerged from their hiding places.
“Hail! Brothers and Sister of the Wood” Shouted Corindra Lifting herself to her hind legs, she whinnied loudly, and the herd began to circle.
Fayth and Sirius gathered by Shay and Corindra as the herd began to circle around. They moved as one, galloping lightly over the forest terrain and circling themselves around the companions. Fayth smiled brightly as the Unicorns, moving as one, formed a tight circle them, before coming to a halt.
They dug their hooves and snorted fiercely while shaking their mains. Hunching their shoulders and lowering their horns, the Unicorns began closing in around them. Shay held his bow low, though he kept his fingers tightly on the shaft of his arrows. He moved so his back was against Fayth‘s, while Sirius moved in front of her. Meanwhile, Corindra lifted herself tall, her deep blue eyes meeting each of the herds, before resting on one who stood before them all.
The Unicorn stepped forward. Standing taller than the rest, it’s eyes were deep and dark. Like the others, the light of Lady Sun glinted off his mane as his horn gleamed brightly. He came before Corindra, and their eyes looked deeply into each others. Then he bowed himself low.
“Casper,” Corindra said, returning his bow.
“Lady Corindra,” the Unicorn said. He stood tall, and his was tone proper. Yet when he looked to Fayth, Sirius, and Shay, his eyes narrowed, and he spoke cautiously . “I was not aware you had returned to the Weirwood.”
“I have not made my presence known,” Corindra replied. “My companions and I passed into the wood four evenings ago.” She turned and eyed each of the Unicorns, who all turned to her. “I was not aware of the Arachnid presence,” she continued. The Unicorns began to whisper amongst themselves. Turning back to Casper, “Tell me,” she continued. “When did the Arachnids escape from the Underdark?”
“It was less then two ten days ago,” Said Casper, slowly. The Unicorns became silent, their eyes turned to him. Fayth looked to their eyes, seeing their anguish and regret. “They came like a whisper,” Casper said. “In small numbers, and the trees barely felt them. They spread their webs amongst the canopies and began to fill the roots with their venom. Ensnaring all who crossed their path, there was hardly a whisper to be heard throughout the wood.”
“And nothing has been done?” Corindra asked, sharply.
Casper looked at her lowly, before continuing. “They have taken most of the southern wood, and far into the east,” he said. “It wasn‘t until the woods became dark were we then aware of their presence. They are swift, cunning, and have killed without prejudice or remorse. Many of our brothers and sisters have fallen,” he said, his voice low and mournful.”
Corindra’s face softened as the Unicorns bowed their heads solemnly.
“I have seen their darkness first hand,” Corindra said, her tone now soft and mournful. “We came upon a slaughtered herd, beyond the vale to the west.”
The solemn silence was broken as the Unicorns began to whinny and neigh furiously. Fayth’s ears rattled as they shook their manes and clapped their hooves. Their was a fierceness within their eyes that stilled her breathing as they worked their frenzy. Casper narrowed his eyes and nodded sharply.
“Yet, there is more,” he said, slowly. Hearing his words, the Unicorns became still once more. Turning to Casper, Fayth watched as their anger simmered, and Sirius began to stir next to her. Casper’s eyes became narrowed and his nostrils flared as he spoke. “They have taken the Great Tree.”
“What!” Corindra shouted with exasperation.
Hearing this, Fayth’s eyes grew wide and her heart stopped. Her mind and emotions began to spin. Fear began to fill her thoughts. Fear for the Light of Hope, fear for the Corindra’s people, and fear for herself. She feared she would never see Jorumangar, feared she would never hear his tale. She turned to Shay, hoping to find reassurance. But behind her, Shay’s cat like eyes were filled with disbelief, pain, and anger.
“How could this be?” Corindra asked, aghast. “The Queen…”
“There was nothing Queen Saphira could do,” Casper said quickly.
“Where is she?”
“She has gone into hiding…”
“Hiding!” Corindra shouted in outrage. “My mother would never hide herself like a common beast.”
“Queen Saphira has done what she must,” Casper said, his voice louder and sterner. “The Arachnids are a numerous, and their venom lethal. What hope we have left lays with the strength of our people. The Queen has been searching for what remains of our Herds. It is the task she gave our herd, and have been searching the north for many days now.”
“And have our people gathered?” Corindra asked.
Casper shook his head. “I do not know We have delayed our journey, for last night, our scouts spotted orange and crimson flames. We came back with fear gripping our hearts.”
Fayth and Sirius glanced to each other nervously as Corindra’s eyes narrowed. Shay remained still, his arms held stiff against his sides.
Casper stepped forward, his shoulders hunched and his head held low. “Lady Corindra,” he said, gravely. “They have set the wood ablaze.”
The wood became silent, and still. The Unicorns stood quietly, their eyes all turned to Corindra.
“Indeed,” she said, darkly. “This is a dark time, for all of us. For now though, I seek your aid. I have an urgent matter to discuss with my mother, and I require your herd to bring us to her, with haste.”
The Unicorns began stir. Casper remained still as his eyes hung low beneath his brow, bearing into her.
“Lady Corindra,” he said, gravely. “Even now, the flames continue to spread, killing more and more our the trees we have loved for so long. Yet it gives us and unintended advantage. Within the soot and ash our retribution can be given. They will face us on open ground, without the cover of the trees to hide themselves. If we act swiftly, we can deal them a decisive blow, and time is of the essence.”
“Time is of the essence for me as well,” Corindra replied, sternly. “And once more, I ask that your herd escort us to my mother, your Queen.”
“My Lady, I plead to you…” Casper replied.
“There will be time for retribution, in time,” Corindra said. Then, she stood tall, and raised her voice. “I am Corindra,” she said so all could hear. “Daughter of Queen Saphira and of Halion, Avatar of Hope, and I ask that you take us my mother at once.”
A hushed silence fell over the forest as the Unicorns became still. Looking between Casper and Corindra, Fayth felt the tension around her grow. Yet despite her charge, and the manner from which it was given, Casper remained unmoved.
“With all courtesies implied,” he said, slowly. “We serve your Queen Mother, not you. And we seek retribution in her name.”
Angrily, Corindra stepped back and shook her mane. Her narrowed eyes fell upon Shay, who remained unmoved. But Fayth’s heart began to race as she saw his face soften and his shoulders fall. Her eyes widened as he sighed and let his bow fall from his fingers and land softly below.
“Very well,” Corindra said as she turned back to Casper. “If retribution is what you seek, then I shall give you the one who set the Weirwood ablaze.”
Casper’s head tilted as his hard gaze changed to one of confusion. “My lady…” he began, uncertainly. But before he could say more, Corindra broke in.
“It was he whom we brought amongst us,” she said, turning to all the Unicorns. “We welcomed him into the Weirwood when he was a mere child. Scared, alone, the last of his people. Had we not shown him this kindness, he would have surely perished.”
Her voice was filled with sneering anger. Fayth turned to Shay, feeling stung by each of her words. Resisting the urge to scream and shout as a wave swept over her, she hoped at least Shay would speak and defend himself. Yet he remained silent, and still, his eyes fixed on Corindra as she continued her charge.
“Shay,” she said, with a tone of disgust. “It was he who set the Weirwood ablaze. It is he whom you seek for your retribution.”
Her charge finished, the Unicorns all turned to Shay. Swiftly, they moved in on the companions, surrounding them with their horns held low. Aimed towards Shay, Casper stepped forward, and faced Shay face to face.
“Is this true, Elfling?” he asked, the anger seeping from his voice.
Slowly, Shay lifted his eyes to meet Casper’s. His bow laid at his feet, and his arms limp at his sides. Swallowing, he took a slow, deep, and regretful breath, before nodding.
Casper lowered his gaze as his lips curled over his flat teeth. The other Unicorns remained still, waiting for the leader of their herd to speak. Slow and stern, with his anger and contempt barely contained, he spoke.
“Take him.”
They swarmed Shay. Neighing loudly, a pair of hooves found Shay’s chest, causing him to stumble backwards. Gasping loudly, he clutched his chest before another kicked him from behind. Shay fell to his knees before another kicked him from the side, causing him to crumble over.
“Stop it!…” Fayth shouted, running towards Casper. Her mind whirled as she pictured all she might do, but they stopped as Corindra stepped before her, blocking her way.
“Hush, child!” Corindra warned, while lowering her horn towards Fayth chest.
Corindra’s eyes met hers, and they glared at each other as Shay was kicked one last time before he collapsed. His last gasp drew Fayth to him, and she felt a lump in her throat as he fell motionless to the Earth. He laid still, blood seeping from a wound in his forehead, and his chest laboring.
Meanwhile, Sirius slipped in between Fayth and Corindra, gently pushing her away. “I think it best to stay back, my lady” he said. He spoke softly, but did little to conceal the anger in his voice as he glared at Corindra as well.

Slowly, the Unicorns stepped away from Shay lifeless body. Trotting beside him, Casper nudged Shay with his hoof. Shay’s body moved limply against Casper’s nudges.
Satisfied, Casper said dismissively, “The Elfling is subdued.”
Nodding slowly, Corindra came to his side as well, and gazed down at him.
“So he is,” she said, dryly. “Now, will you lead us to my mother, your Queen, so he may face the judgment his actions demand?”
Casper looked to the members of his herd, who, one by one in turn, lowered their horns. Lowering his own horn, Casper said, “The Weirwood still burns as the Arachnids continue to spread their venom. But if he is the one to set the wood ablaze, then we shall lead you to Queen Saphira.”
“I give you my thanks, Casper,” Corindra said, bowing.
But Casper stood tall, and looked to Corindra contemptuously before saying, “But you will be responsible for carrying him.”
Corindra’s jaw became tight as her lips curled behind her clenched teeth. “You, dare,” she said, darkly, as her shoulders became tense.
Swiftly, the Unicorns trotted behind Casper and stood before the companions. Corindra stirred, uncomfortably, while Fayth and Sirius stood silent.
“He is your companion and friend,” Casper said, once his herd fell in behind him. “You led him to the Weirwood, along with these others, so you must carry him to your mother.”
Anger flashed in Corindra’s eyes, while Shay continued to lay still, blood seeping from his wounds and painting the green leaves beneath him. Fayth looked to Corindra and clenched her fists as her cheeks grew warm.
“I, am…”
“I shall carry him,” said Sirius, loudly, angrily, before stepping in front of Corindra and Fayth. Her anger left as Sirius glared at Casper and his herd. “What Shay has done is tragic,” Sirius said. “But he acted only with the most noble of intentions. If he must face your judgment, then so be it. But I for one will see him brought before those who will judge him with dignity, for he has been as loyal and faithful a companion as one can be, and a good friend.”
Beside her, Fayth saw Corindra, who watched Sirius closely, face become long, and nearly shameful. The Unicorns snorted and whinnied in anger and contempt, but Casper merely shrugged indifferently.
“Very well, as you say, Andule Tiger,” he said, snidely.
Coming to Shay’s side and using his nose, Sirius began to lift Shay upon his back. But Shay’s limp body rolled unsteadily before falling. Clenching his jaw tightly, Sirius tried again, then again. Each time he tried, Shay fell with a hard crash to the ground. Fayth looked to the Unicorns and grew angry as they remained still and uninterested. Frustrated, she turned to Corindra, who regarded her coldly.
Feeling her cheeks grow warm and her shoulders tense, Fayth kneeled beside Shay and steadied him as Sirius tried once more. Together, they lifted him, and Fayth steadied Shay once he was upon Sirius’ back.
Stepping away, a cold stare formed on Fayth’s face as she turned back to the Unicorns. They returned her gaze with snide glares and dismissive snorts.
“Right then,” Casper said. “If you are ready, we shall begin…”
“Wait!” Fayth said. Her voice was firm and assertive. Casper‘s eyes widened momentarily before resuming his stern gaze. Several of the Unicorns clapped their hooves as Corindra glared at Fayth with narrow eyes. Satisfied that all eyes were upon her, took Shay’s hand in hers, and closed her eyes.
Pain ripped through her ribs, back, knees, and head. She could hear her bones cracking and breaking, yet she held her self still. Her knees tried to buckle, yet she stood tall. With each breath piercing sharp pains stabbed her chest, yet she did not wince. Opening her eyes, she held her gaze strong, as the Unicorns ceased their murmurs and stared at her in stunned silence.
As before, in Ole’ Darby’s place, wings of celestial essence appeared behind her. The shadows fled as they spread brightly behind her. Fayth could see their glow reflected in the Unicorns wide eyes as they gaped towards to her.
The pain continued as his wounds became her. Several gasps escaped from their mouths as the would faded from his forehead and appeared on hers. And as tiny drops of blood fell from her fresh wound to leave their tiny stains on the leaves below, she closed her eyes once more, and pushed away the wound.
The pain faded, and she opened her eyes before releasing his hand. Beside her, Shay’s breathing became steady as the color began to return to his face. Meanwhile, Fayth remained tall, though her body felt weak and shaky.
The Unicorns, even Casper, looked like ivory statues as they stared at her breathlessly. Beside her, Corindra stared ahead, unable to look at either Casper or Fayth. When Corindra would not regard her, Fayth turned to Sirius. He nodded to her slightly, and began walking forward. As he neared Casper and the Unicorns, Fayth turned to Casper, who looked at her now with a mixture of fear and reverence. But her gaze remained still and cold, and she spoke in the same tone she had used before.
“Now, you may lead us,” Fayth said.

They were led towards the East. Staying north of the Arachnid’s territory, Casper and his herd took the companions through ancient paths and trails. Seen and known only by the Unicorns, they stretched through the thick foliage of the Northern wood filled with white furs and silver tipped pines. However, the beauty of the Weirwood was lost upon Fayth, as she now felt more a prisoner than a guest.
The herd had encircled themselves around Fayth and Sirius, while Corindra and Casper led side by side. Neither said a word to the other, and the brooding silence stretched throughout the wood. To the south, the Tree of Hope still loomed large over the forest like a long dark shadow with thin fingers reaching far into the distance.
As the day neared its end, Fayth began to hear the sounds of water. Beginning as a light trickle, it grew louder as the air took a chill. They came to a row of tall pine trees whose tips were frosted. As they stepped through, Fayth found herself facing a waterfall.
Corindra stepped before the pool, the moonlight glimmering off her white mane. “So,” she said, sternly. “My mother has sought refuge within the mirror pool.”
Behind her, Casper said nothing as he moved along the banks, his herd following.
The water roared as it fell into the pool below, creating a pale mist which caused the air to be chilled. As they walked along the banks, Fayth marveled at the pool. For though the water fell from a great height, the pool rested perfectly still with the stars above reflecting in its surface as though it were a perfect mirror. It was yet another beautiful wonder adding to Fayth’s awe and admiration of the Weirwood, and of Evermoore.
Her thoughts were interrupted though, as a Unicorn nudged her impatiently. The Unicorn nudged her along the banks, where they fell into a line before making their way around the rocky banks. With familiar ease, Casper took the lead, with Corindra behind. As they drew closer to the waterfall, a path appeared which wound its way against the cliff walls, and behind the waterfall.
Behind the waterfall, the path led only into darkness. Staring into the darkness, Fayth swallowed nervously as Casper stepped through, and disappeared. Corindra followed, and disappeared as well. One by one, each Unicorn followed, each disappearing, until it came to Fayth. She paused, only for a moment, and was slightly startled as the Unicorns snorted behind her impatiently.
Clenching her fists, and holding her breath, Fayth stepped into the darkness.
But as she stepped through, Fayth found herself standing within a large cavern. The cavern stretched far and wide with glittering gems embedded in the walls, and green vines growing amongst the cracks and crags. Lit by torches resting upon crevices within the rock, the gems glimmered and glittered from the dancing flame causing their shadows to dance along the walls. The air was cool and damp, and the sound of the Unicorns hooves echoed far into the distance. Before them was an ancient looking path, worn into the stone which led far into the depths of the cavern.
Following the path, they passed through a cavern with sparkling gem stones protruding from the ceiling and walls. Then through a small cave filled with tiny creature hanging by their talons, watching them closely as they passed by. They passed other paths, some leading towards the surface above, while others to the dark depths below. Past pools of still water with no bottom to be seen, and a cavern blanketed with exotic flowers and tree’s bearing vividly colored fruit. They came to a long stone hallway with a hollowing wind which chilled Fayth to her bones, then through another with red lava flowing below. Last, they ventured through a narrow passageway littered with the fossils of creatures whose time on Evermoore and long since passed.
Reaching the end of the passageway with the fossils they stepped into a new cavern. Larger than all the others, it was lit by a large diamond protruding from the ceiling above. It glimmered and glowed, casting its light throughout the cavern below, causing Fayth to squint her eyes. The herd stepped onto a large plateau surrounded by dark waters. Blanketed by lush green grass and a with few trees, Fayth saw several Unicorns galloping and frolicking about in pairs or small herds.
As they made their way across the plateau, the other Unicorns paused and took notice as they passed by. Feeling their eyes fall upon her, Fayth noticed their expressions were mixtures of apprehension or curiosity. However, none seemed openly friendly. Hoping to ignore their unwelcoming looks, Fayth looked ahead and caught sight of where Casper and Corindra were leading them, and stared in awe.
Standing on the farthest edge of the plateau, overlooking the dark sea surrounding their stone sanctuary, was another Unicorn who stood taller and prouder than the others. Yet it was not her posture which caught Fayth’s eyes, but her beauty and majesty which her eyes could hardly believe.
Hearing the herd approach, the Unicorn, with a mane shimmering as brightly as freshly fallen snow on a bright morning, and a coat spotless and pure, turned to face them.
Gazing upon them softly with eye’s that shined like stars against the blackness of night, the Unicorn spoke with a voice as tranquil as the birds morning song. “Greetings,” the Unicorn said. “I welcome you to the Cave of Mysteries and Wonders.”
The herd all bowed in respect as Fayth’s breath became still as she was struck by the Unicorns queenly features. Her horn, standing tall and proud, glinted brightly against the light from the diamond above, her coat, free of any blemish or stain, appeared soft and sleek.
“Casper,” the Unicorn continued, smiling sweetly. “I see you found my daughter.”
With this, Fayth’s eyes widened as she realized who they had been brought before.
“Queen Saphira,” Fayth whisper, only so she could hear.
“Greetings, Mother,” Corindra said before stepping forward and placing her neck against the Queen’s.
“It is good to see you my daughter,” Saphira said as their embrace ended. With a nod, the herd was dismissed, leaving Corindra, Casper, Sirius, Shay, and Fayth alone with her. Once alone, her dark eyes passing over Fayth and Sirius slowly before falling upon Shay, then returning to Corindra. “You look weary, troubled, and you have come to me with strange companions,” she said. “And what has happened to Shay? It is most troubling to see him in such a state.”
“It is a long tale, mother,” Corindra said. “And I am not sure where to begin…”
“Then let us begin with introductions,” the Queen said. Turning to Fayth and Sirius, she smiled warmly. “As you said earlier, I am Queen Saphira,” she said. Realizing the Queen must have heard her whisper, Fayth’s cheeks became warm as a wave of awkward embarrassment ran through her. However, upon seeing her discomfort, the Queen’s smile only grew larger. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said, lightly. “As I am sure you have not seen many Unicorns in your life, I have never seen a human in mine.”
Fayth’s embarrassment was swept away by a warm and welcoming feeling which made her smile. The Queen was not what she had expected. Corindra had always spoken to Fayth as though she were a burden or nuisance, but Queen Saphira regarded her thoughtfully and seemed more like the tales and myths she had read as a child.
“Yes, she is human,” Corindra said, a slight edge in her voice. “She was brought here from a place called Earth, by Shay, with her companion, the Andule Tiger.”
Turning to Sirius, the Queen’s smile faded as her dark eyes fell upon Shay‘s lifeless body. Stepping closer, she leaned her ears close to Shay, and listened to his soft breathing.
“It has been many ages since my kind have welcomed an Andule Tiger amongst us,” the Queen said. “Yet, I sense you are unlike those of the jungle. I feel love and devotion flowing through your spirit, and I do not see the red taint of hate within your eyes.”
Gazing upon Queen Saphira with a deep regard, Sirius sighed deeply before speaking. “Your words are most kind, Queen Saphira,” he said. “I have been away from Evermoore for a long time. Upon my return, I have seen firsthand what has become of my people, and it distresses me greatly.”
The Queen stood over Sirius and gently pressed her lips to the top of his head. “I can sense your distress, as strongly as I can sense your love,” she said softly. “Take this, the blessing of Hope. For as long as we have a hope, and a will to act upon it, then we shall never be overcome by despair.”
Lifting her head, her star like eyes fell upon Shay next. Dried blood caked his skin near the deep wound in his head. Fayth absentmindedly placed her fingers near the matching place on her face, and remembered how deep the wound had gone.
Turning back to Corindra, Saphira asked with distress and concern in her voice, “What fate has befallen Shay? Your oldest friend?”
Corindra’s eyes narrowed, and she shook her mane. Fayth watched her coldly, her previous anger threatening to rise once more, yet it stopped, as she peered closely into Corindra‘s deep blue eyes. A faint hint of remorse and regret nearly broke through the layers of stubborn pride. However, with another shake of her mane, the faint hint had vanished, and the pride was all that remained.
“Shay has…”
“He set the Weirwood ablaze,” Casper said bluntly, cutting Corindra off. Anger seeped into his voice. “Even now,” he continued. “His blaze continues to spread throughout the wood, consuming every leaf, twig, and seed in its path.”
Distress and shock filled the Queen’s star like eyes. She turned to Corindra and asked, “Is this true?” with pain and regret in her voice.
A moment passed as mother and daughter gazed at each other before Corindra replied with only a slight nod. Then, she told of their coming to the Weirwood. From their first few uneventful nights, to their discovery of the dying wood, and their encounters with the Arachnids, the Queen listened intently. The pain and sadness behind her star like eyes grew deeper, and when Corindra had concluded their tale, she turned back to Shay and looked upon him pitifully.
“How unfortunate it is,” she said. “The Darkness spreads through Evermoore like a thick fog, clouding our judgments and obscuring our paths before us. As we try to resist, we stumble over ourselves and each other. Never before has the consequences to our actions seemed to unclear.” She sighed and shook her head lightly. “If the Darkness does not defeat us from without, perhaps, it will cause us to defeat ourselves from within.”
Fayth hung upon every word the Queen had spoken, and bit her lip as another wave of guilt passed through her. “He did it for me,” she said, unable to hold it in any longer.
The Unicorns turned their cold gazes upon her, but the Queen regarded her as before. “What do you mean, child?” Saphira asked, without anger or judgment.
“Shay…” Fayth began, though she could not think of the words to say. Gathering her thoughts, she tried again, but was cut off by Corindra. “He thinks I …can…”
“Shay believes Fayth can save Evermoore,” Corindra said, flatly.
The cavern became still as Queen Saphira’s gaze shifted between the two, a curious expression coming over her.
“That can only mean one thing,” the Queen said, turning back to Corindra. “Is Fayth, this young human child, is she the one revealed to you by Lady Moon’s stars?”
Corindra turned back to Fayth, her deep blue eyes bearing into her. A moment later she answered, hesitantly. “Yes, she is,” Corindra said. “Shay searched tirelessly for over two years before finally finding, and bringing her here.”
Turning back to Fayth, an expression of awe filled the Queen’s star like eyes. “How extraordinary,” the Queen said in a hushed whisper. Drawing herself closer to Fayth, Saphira’s eyes gleaming brightly from the diamond above. “Tell us of your tale, Fayth or Earth.”
As the Queen gave Fayth her full attention, her nerves began to stir. Yet, she gathered her thoughts, and told her story, at least that which she knew. Beginning with the day she decided to visit the library because of the long check in lines at school, she told how Shay found her, then fought the Wraith before they escaped to the Crossroads. Then, she told the Watcher, and the Crossroads, and how once they stepped through the portal leading to Evermoore, they arrived within the canopy of the Andule Jungle, and Sirius had regained his true form.
From there she told of their plight through the jungle, and the sanctuary of Queen Ashanti and the Orangutans of Dionysus, who summoned the King of the Western wind who brought them to Haven, where she met Halion, and the Avatars. Listening to her tale intently, the Queen never stirred or moved to interrupt until Fayth had concluded their tale with their arrival at the Weirwood.
Smiling gently, the Queen said, “Your tale speaks of steadfast courage. Yet I sense there is more.” Queen Saphira drew herself even closer to Fayth, her star like eyes peering closely into Fayth’s violet eyes. The Queen drew so close, Fayth could feel the warmth of her breath as she breathed softly.
“You have the eyes of one who is of Evermoore,” the Queen said after a moment. “Violet, as was the first dawn of Evermoore in the long ago, when the worlds first rose from Primordial chaos. Yet Shay discovered you on Earth. So tell me, how did you and your companion come to be on Earth?”
Fayth mind began to spin. Flooding her visions with images, her dreams all flashed before her eyes. For most of her life, she had regarded them as simply dreams, but now, they seemed like small pieces to a large puzzle. Now, she knew they were more than mere dreams, but memories. Yet the puzzle could not be completed, for she not every piece had been revealed to her yet.
“I’m not sure, Queen Saphira,” Fayth said, properly. “I don‘t remember Evermoore, at least not consciously.”
“And I, unfortunately, remember even less,” Sirius said, mournfully. “I remember very little of Evermoore, and even less of the life I led here.”
“And all I have are dreams,” Fayth said. all my life actually,” Fayth added, quickly.
The Queen tilted her head curiously. “Dreams,” she said.
“Yes, Queen Saphira,” Fayth said. “Dreams of when I was just a small child. They are vivid dreams, so vivid I can feel the heat of the air, and the arms of those who carried me.”
The Queen‘s ears stood on end. “Tell me of your dreams,” the Queen said.
Fayth opened herself to the images which danced through her mind. She tried to separate them, see them clearly, capture the essence of which they flowed through her mind. “They’re dreams of my life, here, on Evermoore,” she said, as the dreams now passed through her slowly. I lived in the White City, in the north, along the edge of the world. It‘s where the humans lived. But they‘re not like the humans I lived with on Earth. They‘re…“ she paused, remembering how Halion had explained that Evermoore was the template from which all life throughout the universe was based upon. “…perfect,” she continued, airily. Then, she directly into Saphira’s diamond like eyes.
“I see them, and I think that’s how the humans of Earth are meant to be,” she said. “With pure hearts and angelic wings. Love flows through them, strongly. You can feel it, even in the air. I could feel it, when my mother held me in her arms.”
“And whom was your mother?” Saphira asked, they‘re eyes locked within each others.
“Lady Abatha,” Fayth said, slowly.
“Of course,” Saphira said, breathlessly. “Then, your father….”
Fayth nodded. “Agape, the Avatar of Love.”
Saphira’s star like eyes grew wide as his name left Fayth’s lips. Though the Queen had not yet been born when Humans lived on Evermoore, the name of the lost Avatar was familiar to her. Halion, her mate and father of her daughter, had spoken of Agape often, and lamented his loss.
“Can it be so,” the Queen said at last. “But how can this be?” she asked, faint skepticism in her voice. “The fall of the White City has been a mystery to us all. I first took breath many ages past the disappearance of the humans. Yet their tales have been passed down by the ancient races ever since. Yet here you stand before me, the daughter of Lady Abatha and Agape. The last human of Evermoore.”
Her gaze shifted between her and Sirius.
“Both of you must have been there, at the fall of the White City,” she said. “Can you recall anything? Anything that can bring light into this oldest of mysteries?”
Sirius shook his head, miserably.
“But if I could, Lady Saphira,” he said. “My memories only extend to my time on Earth, where I awoke one day to find the Lady Fayth, a mere babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed within a basket. All I knew was of my love and devotion for her.”
“No?” Saphira said “How could this be?.
Sirius shook his head as the whites of his eyes glistened with mournfulness. Fayth felt another wave of guilt wash over her, as well as the words of her mother in another dream. All he will know is his love for her. She decided Sirius deserved better.
“It was because you were hurt,” she said. Turning to her, she recalled her latest dream, when she and Sirius had been taken.
“A wound to the head,” she said. Sirius’ brow wrinkled as his head tilted. Then, slowly, he lifted his paw and reached behind his head. Parting his purple fur with his claws, he gently ran them over a large scar before turning back to Fayth.
Fayth nodded, remembering the blood which flowed from the same spot in her dream. “Lady Abatha, my mother, healed you,” she continued. “But…not at all the way. There was…something…I don‘t know what… she didn’t want you too remember.”
Sirius opened his mouth, but there was only silence. Anger, hurt and confusion flooded his face all at once. Fayth reached for him, but he backed away.
“What would she want me too forget?” he asked, a moment later when he finally found his words.
“I don’t know…” Fayth said, carefully.
“I’ve spent the last eighteen years, watching over you, grasping at the gaps in my memories, desperately wanting to know what it is I have forgotten,” he said angrily. “Now I come to find they have been hidden from me! Possibly lost, forever!”
“Sirius, calm yourself,” Saphira said, sternly. “There must be a reason…”
“Reason’s be damned!” he bellowed, angrily, his voice echoing off the cavern walls. The Unicorns frolicking about the grassy plateau ceased their activates, and turned to him. Sensing their gazes upon him, Sirius paused, and lowered his head between his shoulders, ashamed. “I apologize,” he said. “This is … this is just startling.”
Lifting his gaze carefully, his eyes wandered to each of them. Corindra and Casper remained still, but Saphira nodded gently, and Sirius lifted his head in relief.
“There may be someone who knows,” Fayth said once Sirius’ shame had passed. “It’s why we came to see you, actually.” Fayth continued to Saphira. “There is someone else in my dreams who was there when the city fell. He took Sirius and I away, at the request of my mother. I think he was the one who brought us to Earth.”
Saphira eyes narrowed and she spoke carefully. “Who?”
A final image stood firm in Fayth’s mind. Her most recent dream, where she watched her mother place her within the folds of the golden beasts neck before he took her away. She could still picture her mother the crumbling White City falling behind her, growing smaller with each flap of the beasts mighty wings.
“Jorumangar,” she said. “He took us away from the White City, just as it fell.”
The Queen stood as still as a stone statue as her eyes became cold, and wary. Behind her, Fayth could see Corindra watching her mother intently, while Casper titled his head in confusion.
“Jorumangar,” The Queen said, moments later. “Long has it been since I heard his name,” she said.
Corindra clapped her hooves impatiently before uttering a sharp neigh. “Who is this Jorumangar?” she asked sharply. “Father says he is being held in the Underdark beneath the roots of the Tree of Hope. Is this so?”
“Indeed it is,” Saphira said, aloofly, without looking towards Corindra directly.
Angrily, Corindra asked, “Why was I not told?”
Now, Saphira turned to Corindra, anger flashing in her star like eyes. “That is a decision your father and I made, and it is not to be questioned,” she replied in a voice strong and deep. Then, she turned back to Fayth, the anger in her eyes softening, but not their sternness. “Halion must have revealed this to you.”
“Because of my dream,” Fayth answered quickly. “There are many things neither Sirius or I know, many missing pieces to this puzzle,” she continued. “But Jorumangar may have more to tell us.”
The Queen said nothing, and trotted past Fayth towards the edge of the plateau. She stared out over the dark blue lake their plateau rested upon, an uncomfortable silence filling the cavern as they watched.
“How curious,” she said a moment later. Then, turning back to Fayth, “Did Halion mention why Jorumangar is being held?”
Sirius, Casper, and Corindra turned to Fayth and listened intently for her response. Recalling all that Halion had told her, she realized he had not told her this, and shook her head slowly.
“Indeed,” Saphira said. Turning fully around, the Queen stood before them, tall and proud. Yet her deep Star like eyes reflected sadness and regret. “Jorumangar is being imprisoned for the most, unusual, of reasons,” she said.
Fayth braced herself as she imaged all the great golden dragon could have done. To her, there was no doubt his crimes were great, if he had been imprisoned for hundreds of years beneath the surface of Evermoore. She wondered if she had perceived her dreams correctly, and if he was truly a friend of her mothers. Or, she wondered, perhaps they thought he was responsible for the fall of the White City, as he would have been the last creature on Evermoore to see it before it fell. Since her arrival on Evermoore, she had learned many truths. Some had been pleasant, even joyful. Yet others had been hard, and tragic.
“The Dragons, have not walked the surface of Evermoore for hundreds of years,” Saphira said. “There were once numerous, with many flights and families. They were tasked with watching and safeguarding the spaces between the worlds, and the fabric of life itself. However, one day, they vanished.”
Fayth listened intently. If what Saphira said was true, then Jorumangar, like Shay and herself, would be the last of his kind on Evermoore. Even though the truth had been painful, she yearned for it now. Jorumangar had the answers she was seeking, he had too. He would know what had happened to her people and the White City. What had happened to her mother. How she had arrived on Earth. Perhaps he even knew what had happened to her Father, the Avatar of Love. And Jorumangar was here, on Evermoore, alive. Her insides became still as she felt close.
“They vanished with the arrival of a new flight, the Black Dragons,” Saphira continued. “With scales the color of ash and brimstone, they spread themselves throughout the Universe, their red eyes a sign of their servitude to the Darkness. There was a battle, in the folds of time and space. I know not how long this battle lasted, for time has no meaning in the space between the worlds. But when it had finished, Jorumangar came to Halion and I, broken and beaten. He fell before our feet, and begged that we place him in the Underdark, never to be disturbed again.”
Fayth found herself without words.
“You mean, he’s imprisoned himself?” she asked in disbelief.
The Queen nodded slowly while looking carefully at Fayth. “We have kept his secret, as he requested. He wanted to be forgotten, so no one would ever seek him again.”
“But I must see him,” Fayth said, desperately. “He may know what happened to the White City, my father, and the Diamond of Love!”
As the words escaped her lips, she found herself in surprise. When Shay had told her Lady Moon had shown her to him when he asked what could help save Evermoore from the Darkness, she had agreed to journey with him more out of gratitude. The thought of actually fighting the Darkness had never crossed her mind. Yet now, after being taken within the lights of Evermoore, seeing the people of Haven, and the beauty of the Weirwood, she felt a desire to save the land. She felt at home.
Saphira’s star like eyes looked into hers once more. As their eyes met, Fayth felt as though Saphira was looking past her body, and into her soul. Searching her motives, intentions, and her heart. They stared at each other, unmoving and unblinking, until Saphira drew in her breath, and lifted her head.
“Very well,” she said. “I will take you too him.”