The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (62 page)

No
! Elisa wanted to scream then. Why was her father doing this to her? Now they all looked at her, even Wolf. Was she expected to make her decision
now
? Markus’ eyes were bright with anticipation and confidence.
This isn’t fair
, she thought in a panic.

“Elisa?” he father said softly. She looked to him, her eyes wide with fright. Everything was happening too fast. Sure she had been thinking about how nice the south had been, but did she really want to live out her days there? What kind of life would she have then? One full of balls and gowns and meaningless encounters? There would be no more fighting or training, no more freedom to be as she was. What she needed was advice, advice from someone that knows her well.

“I’m sorry,” she said, turning quickly on her heels to run out of the room. She picked up speed as she ran through the halls, never faltering. She needed air. Badly. Her chest felt tight and desperate for the cool night breeze. When she ran into the open air she gulped it down, savouring the coolness. Not wanting to pause too long, knowing her father would soon try to find her, she continued on her path, running to the one person who would know what to say to her right now. At least, she hoped he would.

He was in the Sanctuary garden when she found him. The tall, slim figure of the High Priest had an instant calming effect on her. Elisa walked along the pebble path towards the large fig tree Alistair stood beneath. No one else she knew took such joy in plants and trees as he did. Often, when she arrived unannounced, Elisa would catch him speaking to the plants, as if they were one of his students. She’d laugh at him teasingly, calling him senile is his growing age. He would just smile and tell her that even plants needed encouragement to grow strong and healthy.

As she made her way, the small stones crunching loudly under her boots, she could hear him softly humming as he worked in the dark light.

“Two times in one day. To what do we owe the honour of this visit?” he asked, not bothering to look at her.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your serenade,” she replied dryly.

He looked up with a smile. “We don’t mind.” Elisa rolled her eyes with a smile. As if the plant cared that he was singing to it. When she met his eyes she watched his face quickly sober. “You look horrible.”

Elisa sighed, sitting down at the base of the tree, letting her back rest up against it. “I suppose you’ve said worse to me.”

Alistair chuckled, sitting down slowly beside her. “I am serious. You look like you just ran into an army of ghosts.”

Elisa scoffed. An army of ghosts was almost preferable to her at this point. “More like an army of suitors,” she replied sarcastically.

“Ah,” he said. “That would explain the arrival of our southern leader this evening. It would appear you made quite the impression during your extended stay down there.”

Elisa simply shrugged, absently picking at the grass around her.

“Has he come to ask for your hand?” Alistair asked, watching as her fidgeted.

“Yes,” she answered miserably.

They sat in silence. She could feel his eyes on her even though her face was lowered. Finally he reached out and gently lifted her chin. “Explain to me what is bothering you. If you do not wish to marry him then just say so. No one will force you.”

Why didn’t she just say no? A circus of emotions was whirling wildly inside her. “I don’t know what I want,” she admitted out loud. “Markus is so nice. And attentive. Not to mention he is the leader of the Sun People, which would give me opportunities I’ve never considered.”

“But?” he guided her.

“But, I’ve only just met him. How am I supposed to commit to someone for my entire life when I hardly know them? If we marry I would have to leave here, forever.”

Alistair chuckled. “Elisa, it is not as if we will never see you again. You will be allowed to come home and visit whenever you want.”

“I know, but it’s just not the same.”

“What about Wolf?”

Elisa’s body stiffened and her head snapped to look back at him. “What
about
Wolf?”

“Well, technically, you are already promised to him.”

“Yeah, well, he didn’t seem like he minded in the least. He doesn’t care.” Something clutched at her heart. Alistair was watching her closely again, but her eyes had sought out the twin moons, watching as the blue glow reappeared from the clouds. He had just stood there. It was as if he would rather be anywhere else. Didn’t he care at all? Did he really hate her so much that he wasn’t going to fight at all for his right to her hand? Wait. She shook the thoughts from her head. She didn’t care what he thought, they weren’t in the least bit compatible anyway. Wolf had a whole line of girls waiting to be asked for their hand, what would he care if he lost one? Elisa let out a frustrated sigh. Everything about the situation bothered her. She couldn’t pinpoint what was bothering her most; her thoughts and feelings were all just muddled together like a fog in her brain.

“I think,” Alistair started off slowly, “it would be best if you slept on this. Take some time to look into your heart and figure out what you really want for yourself. Those who care for you will not judge you on your decision.”

He was right. She needed time and sleep. Alistair walked her back to the street, giving her a long, careful hug when they reached it.

“Thank you,” she whispered against his soft robe. He gave her a quick squeeze before letting go.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Things had gone from bad to worse so quickly that Aiden barely had time to register the events taking place. A sword sliced past his ear, missing it by mere inches. He could almost hear the wind rushing by as it moved with expert speed. Quickly dodging the elbow that was now aimed at his jaw, he stepped around the massive man attacking him, forcing his axe to bite sharply into the man’s collarbone. The man screamed in rage and pain before dropping to the wet ground. Aiden realized, with a sudden lurch of his stomach, the wetness caused by blood spill. Quickly surveying the battle, he saw Moose fighting not far from where he stood. Both boys were on their feet while most of the Riders remained on their mounts.

“Moose!” he called out as his friend’s northerner opponent fell to his feet. He looked back, his face splattered with blood. Aiden pointed towards the upper ridge where he could see Hawk and some others struggling under the Northern army. Moose nodded, running back to meet him. The two ran over to where they had the left their horses. There was something to be said for the discipline of the horses of the west. Each of them swung up quickly, kicking off towards the Chief. Aiden cut down three more men effortlessly as they went. As screams filled the air, and the metallic smell of blood assaulted his nose, he couldn’t help but wonder how the day had turned into this.

* * * * *

“An hour’s ride sir,” an older man said, as he rode up to Hawk. Aiden and Moose sat on either side of the Chief, watching as the others readied themselves. All the women and children had been instructed to stay indoors. Avalon was well protected. With the shield up, the army would never be able to find them, but even so, Hawk insisted everyone be prepared for battle. Both Moose and Aiden had been ready as soon as the day began.

Sunny had prepared a large breakfast for them, her face warm and smiling, although somewhat more reserved than normal. Having the enemy army so close cast a sombre mood all throughout Avalon. Even Rain was abnormally quiet and subdued. At one point during breakfast Aiden caught her eye and gave her a reassuring smile. She gave him a long, levelled look before staring back down at her food. Aiden mentally shrugged. He would never understand women.

When they emerged from the small cottage, the rest of the village was already bustling with movement. Hawk was at the end of the road, yelling orders at anyone who stood near. Moose gave his father a weary look.

“We should go prepare the horses,” he said, starting for the opposite direction.

Aiden chuckled. “You’re such a chicken.”

Moose looked over with an easy smile. “An army from the north I can handle. My father while he is stressed, I cannot.”

The horses had to be fit with saddles and brushed clean. There were advantages to leaving the saddle off, like the easy movement and space it left for the rider to manoeuvre, but there were disadvantages as well. Having the saddle gave them better standing leverage. It also helped to protect the horse. The saddle Moose had given Aiden also covered the underbelly of the horse, just in case the enemy tried to knife it from below. This was not unheard of, and the Riders made sure to keep their animals protected as well as themselves.

Since neither horse was used to wearing them, it took longer than they expected to get everything put in place. Walking back into the morning sun, Aiden wiped the sweat off his forehead, looking out at the far ridge surrounding Avalon. That would be where they would come. Nothing stood there now, but soon there would be a whole army, looking down, ready to find a city waiting for them. Instead they will see nothing. The magic surrounding it would slowly lead them around. All they had to do was sit within the borders and watch. Just in case. Just to be safe.

Aiden and Moose joined Hawk shortly after, sitting on either side of him, ready to perform any tasks he wanted done. Most of his commands were directed at others. The two boys simply sat there silently.

Hawk let out a long sigh when the three of them stood alone. “I’m getting too old for this,” he muttered. There was nothing too old about Hawk.

“Whatever doesn’t break you makes you stronger,” Aiden said, encouragingly.

Hawk looked over with a grateful expression, but didn’t smile. “I can feel it in my bones,” he said gravely. “I don’t know what it is, but something is coming.”

Moose raised his eyebrows at Aiden over his father’s back. He moved his horse closer, slapping his father affectionately on the back. “There’s a whole army coming this way,” he said, as if his father didn’t know. “You really are getting old, you old coot.” His signature easy smile spread across his face as he looked at his father. Hawk cast a cold look at his son. Aiden braced himself for a rebuff, but instead the Chief started to laugh.

“My son, one day you will make a great leader,” he replied, placing his hand over the one still resting on his back. “It is a fine man who can make ease in times like this.” Aiden watched as other men around them saw their leader laugh. Everyone had been on edge because they sensed Hawk’s unease. Now that they saw he was laughing again they felt better. Aiden looked over at Moose and saw the other boy wink at him. Hawk was right, he would be a good leader. He knew just what to do to make everyone feel confident.

The next hour went by quickly. Before they saw the northern army they felt them; the earth shuddered under the weight of man and beast. The last battle flooded Aiden’s mind. The scouts informed them that this army was made strictly of men and some horses, but Aiden couldn’t help but think back to images of terrible creatures. He prayed the scout was right. Fighting humans was far less intimidating than large beasts with dripping fangs ready to rip your throat out. Or at least he thought.

When the men from the north stood atop the ridge, Aiden was amazed by their presence. Each man there was twice his size. He wondered what they were feeding the boys in the north. He gulped, moving his horse closer to Moose. They were just inside the border on the south side of the city. Hawk had chosen to guard the north side, leaving the two of them to defend the rear of Avalon.

He held his breath as the other army made their way down the ridge and into the flat fields. The mass of bodies moved slowly and methodically. Were they expecting to find the infamous Riders here? Just how well did the magic work? He had expected some sort of cry of confusion or anger. Instead, they walked unhurriedly down, the men seemingly unaware of the Riders watching their every step. Aiden almost wanted to laugh. He could see Brutus. His red hair and beard shone in the sun. It was a familiar and memorable sight to see him there. Aiden could remember seeing him at the last battle and thinking how terrifyingly big he was.

This was how it went until the army came to stop in the field. Moose had made a mental count of the men – it looked like Brutus had brought only half his men. This confused Aiden, but he remained observant and quiet. There was a stillness in the air that raised the hair along his arm. The army stood so close that he could smell sweat and leather in the air.

Then it all went terribly wrong.

Brutus, his massive body commanding everyone’s attention, turned towards the west, his eyes resting on Hawk. Aiden thought he was imagining it, or that it was simply a coincidence. Then the red bearded man smiled a thin wolf-like smile.

“Found you,” he growled. The Riders watched as the men of the northern army all turned to them. A cry was sent up into the air as they charged forward, taking the Riders by surprise. Brutus the Red galloped towards Hawk, taking down Riders as he went. Most of them, still confused by the absence of their shield, barely reacted at all. Aiden felt sick as he watched it unfold.

* * * * *

The fighting continued for what seemed like hours. His muscles ached and his lungs screamed. Sweat dripped from his hair and down his back. It didn’t stop him. No matter how exhausted he felt, the adrenaline flowing through his veins kept him going. Moving through the mass of people, he felt his blade rise and fall through flesh. The men that fell beneath his axe were nothing like the bloody, hungry beats he had slayed last time. They screamed in pain. They had families back home that would be waiting for their return. It was almost too much for him to handle.

The ease in which he killed was also disconcerting. The skills had come back to him effortlessly. His axe felt like a natural extension of his arm. Moose yelled at him to move further. The two of them quickly pushed through the group at the base of the ridge, and then began climbing quickly towards the top. The horses knew the land better than they did, so they had no difficulties manoeuvring over the terrain.