Valleron (Book 2) Read online

  She winked, and turned at the sounds of Madame Persimmons, Dominic and Dub approaching. Madame Persimmons hugged each of them, and told them to be careful, her eyes watery. Their shared experiences four months ago had resulted in a bond not often formed between students and headmistress.

  Lyricus vaulted onto Fleet, while the girls’ horses, Solange and Midnight, folded their legs and dropped to the ground to allow Leah and Belle to mount. Rogue extended a wing for Raff to climb on, and they were all up and ready to go.

  No matter how many times they did this, Belle never failed to feel a thrill of excitement as they cantered down the meadow in single file, careful to allow each horse enough room to extend their wings. Midnight unfolded his glossy black wings, and with one massive down swoop, they were up and following Lyricus into the clear blue sky.

  She grinned as the wind caught her hair and tossed it about her face. In front of her, Lyricus was bent low, hugging his horse’s neck, and Belle sighed. She wondered if he would ever be that relaxed around her.

  She’d totally fallen for the handsome elf during their time in the Forever Forest. The night before she’d left, Lyricus had suggested they meet at the Fey Village one weekend, maybe even making a habit of it, and she’d been over the moon. She’d been bitterly disappointed when Lyricus' first letter had arrived, two weeks after they’d left to come back to the Fey Academy. She’d understood that it was his job to go to Ellissidil with the Oracle, but as the weeks had turned into months, she’d almost given up hope they’d see each other again. Until today, when he’d walked into Madame Persimmon’s office and she’d nearly fainted.

  Well, he was here now, and they’d finally be able to spend some time together. She decided to push all thoughts of Lyricus aside until they reached Ellissidil, and just enjoy the ride. This was the furthest they’d ever ventured from the school while flying, and she intended to enjoy every minute.

  They’d been flying for about an hour when she felt a shudder ran through Midnight’s body. Belle shivered in response, reaching out and touching his mind with her own.

  Midnight? Why the shudder? Everything okay?

  I feel the presence of evil, but am unable to locate its source.

  She looked around nervously, searching the sky for any sign they weren’t alone. She couldn’t see anything, but maybe because her mind was so in tune with Midnight’s, she shared his sense of ‘wrongness’. Something was out there.

  I have located the source. Two creatures approach from the east. They appear to be cloaked by a powerful magic, but are of equine origin, and thus visible to other equine creatures. Midnight’s message sent icy tendrils of fear up and down her spine.

  When Midnight sent an image of what he was seeing to her mind, the fear turned to horror. A pair of ugly, black, skeletal winged horses, their red eyes glowing like live coals, were heading straight for them. She looked back at Leah and Raff. She needed to tell them what was happening!

  A memory surfaced of the three of them merging their minds and their Gifts in order to reunite the pieces of the amulet. They hadn’t tried to communicate that way since, never having the need before today. Well, it would either work or it wouldn’t, but it was definitely worth a try. She closed her eyes and reached out towards their minds.

  Midnight says there are monsters are approaching! They’re cloaked by magic so we can’t see them!

  Wow, I didn’t know we could do this. This is so cool. Wait, did you just say monsters? Relief washed over her as she heard Raff’s response.

  Belle, what do you mean monsters? What are they? Where are they? That was Leah. It had worked!

  She sent them the image of the beasts Midnight had showed her, and felt both their minds reel with shock.

  Belle jumped as Lyricus’ voice entered her mind. Belle, ask Midnight how long we have until they are within striking distance. If we can close ranks, I can erect a protective field around the four of us. Hopefully, coming into contact with the magic of the shield should negate their cloaks and render them visible, so at least we’ll know where they are.

  Belle was floored. Lyricus, how did you hear the message?

  The same way I heard the call in the Forever Forest. All elves are able to hear the call of the Mother Elf, and it seems you carry her blood. You opened the channel, and I merely responded.

  Belle ignored Lyricus’ reference to the Mother Elf, just relieved he'd been able to hear her as well. There was no way she was going there today. The whole question of her possible link to the Mother Elf was something they had yet to investigate. But however Lyricus had heard her message, it would definitely make things a lot simpler with him knowing what was going on.

  How long do we have until they’re within striking distance? she asked Midnight.

  They are approaching fast. Perhaps ten wing beats? She relayed this to Lyricus, who immediately slowed Fleet’s pace and told her to get Leah and Raff to nudge their horses as close together as they could. She sent the message and shivered as the four horses closed into a tight knit formation. One wrong move when they were this close together, and one of the horses could easily sustain wing damage. When they were literally nose to tail, a shield enveloped them like a shimmering wave.

  Raff, do you think you could take them down?

  I can have a fireball ready to release as soon as they come into contact with the shield, but I’ll only be able to take them out one at a time. And only if I can see them.

  Okay, we’ll just have to hope Lyricus is right then. How quickly can you have the second fireball ready? I could probably send out a scream, like I did with the spider in the cave, but it will only give you a few seconds.

  No idea. I’ve never tried sending fireball’s back to back. Raff sounded worried, which only made Belle more nervous.

  Leah’s voice interrupted them. What if I call on the wind and try to pin them against the shield? That may give Raff enough time to build the second weapon.

  Belle nodded. “Awesome Leah, let’s hope it works!”

  Another shudder ran through Midnight’s body. They are here!

  Chapter Three

  -Battle in the Sky-

  Leah recoiled in shock as the creatures slammed into the invisible barrier, the impact sending rippling waves across the shimmering shield. Just as Lyricus had said would happen, contact with the magical shield had rendered the monsters visible. These things were the stuff nightmares were made of — and far more frightening up close than they’d looked in the image Belle had sent them. Their wings were ridged and rubbery, more like those of an oversized bat than the silky wings of their own horses. Taking a deep breath, she used her Gift to summon the wind. Relief washed over her at the sight of them struggling against the shield. The wind had answered her call.

  She shuddered as the glowering red eyes of the nearest beast found hers. Anger and hatred radiated from the creature at finding itself trapped, and somehow it knew she was the cause of its imprisonment. Terrified, she found herself caught within its gaze. The creature’s eyes seemed to be sucking her in, piercing her very soul with their evil intent. She fought the mind-numbing waves of dread and hopelessness pushing against her mind, desperately trying to hang onto her link with the wind. She was dimly aware of both beasts screaming in rage at their inability to break through the magical barrier.

  A heartbeat later, a fireball slammed into the first beast, freeing her mind from its deadly grip. Relief rushed through her as she released the wind holding the now burning monster against the shield. Its final death-scream pierced the air, until the sound spluttered and died as the flames engulfed it.

  Leah shook her head and concentrated on keeping the second creature trapped against the shield. She didn’t know how much time Raff would need to prepare a second weapon, but she hoped it wouldn’t be too long. Her mind felt bruised from the previous beast’s debilitating stare.

  Still bound against the shield, the second creature remained visible. Malevolence radiated from it in waves. Shuddering,
Leah concentrated on keeping it immobile. The pull of its horror inducing eyes burned into her, challenging her to meet them with her own. But she wouldn’t be making the same mistake twice. She gritted her teeth and ignored the pull with everything she had.

  She could feel her energy draining away, the strain of maintaining the wind trap and avoiding the creature’s eyes wearing her down. Please hurry up Raff, I’m not sure I can…

  And then, quicker than she’d thought possible, a second fireball slammed into the remaining creature, and she released the wind trapping it against the shield. The beast’s scream sliced through her mind, until the fire enveloping it swallowed the terrifying sound. It was over. They’d survived. This time…

  * * *

  Within minutes, she felt the shimmering shield around them evaporate, and Belle’s voice was in her mind again.

  Is everyone okay? Wow guys, that was incredible!

  Exhausted though she was, Leah felt a tingling rush of pride. She’d actually done something to help! She turned to look at Raff and frowned. His pale face told her more than words ever could what a drain sending the second fireball had been. He looked way more exhausted that she felt, slumped against Rogue’s neck. He looked up and must have seen the worry in her eyes, his face breaking into a tired grin as he gave her a weak thumbs-up.

  Lyricus says we’re nearly there. I can see the palace in the distance! came Belle’s excited voice again.

  Leah turned from watching Raff and was stunned by her first glimpse of Ellissidil. It was at least a hundred times bigger than the village in Naissance where she’d grown up. Sunlight glinted off the walls of a large sprawling edifice of rock, tiles and glass. For once, her usual fear of the unknown was outweighed by the feeling of relief at reaching this safe haven. In fact, she’d have welcomed landing anywhere right about then.

  As soon as they landed in the meadow outside the palace walls, Leah slid from Solange’s back and ran towards Raff. He sat on the ground beside Rogue scratching his head, although whether he’d landed there by choice or accident was anyone’s guess.

  “Wow that was intense! I thought sending that second fireball was gonna be the end of me!”

  Leah dropped to the ground beside him, and threw her arms around his neck. “When I saw how exhausted you looked, I was worried you were gonna fall off and die on me.”

  Raff chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. “Not a chance. I deliberately waited until we were on the ground to fall off. Besides, I have way too much to live for to allow that to happen.”

  Leah smiled and hugged him tighter. And then her jaw dropped at the view from over his shoulder. It looked like Lyricus was actually hugging Belle! She chuckled against Raff’s neck.

  “Hmm, apparently being nearly killed by flying monsters was all it took to break through Lyricus’ elven formality after all.”

  Raff craned his neck backwards to see what she was looking at, and then let out a loud wolf-whistle.

  “Do you mind?” Belle said, her eyes sparkling as she looked over at her friends. She turned back to Lyricus and whispered something in his ear. Then she stepped backwards out of his embrace, grabbed his hand, and headed towards them.

  Leah raised her eyebrows. “So Belle, what were you saying about beasts not being able to fly?”

  “Hey, the ones we knew about couldn’t! How was I to know there’d be new ones?”

  “Yeah I know. You’re right. So I guess this means we need to not make any more assumptions about what monsters exist, and what they can and can’t do. This day just keeps getting better and better.”

  She looked up to discover the Oracle hurrying across the meadow towards them. Raff squeezed her hand and gave her a look that was a mix of sympathy and apology. Honestly, she would never understand his excitement over adventure seeking! She just wanted to turn around and go home already.

  “So,” the Oracle panted as he reached where they sat. “The palace guards tell me you had an eventful trip? There are reports of fireballs streaking through the air. Something tells me you have yet another interesting story to tell.”

  * * *

  The four friends followed the Oracle into an enormous entrance hall with sweeping staircases to the left and right. Stunned by the grandeur of the Florisian palace, Leah took in the mammoth proportions of the entrance hall. She’d thought the Oracle’s home in the Forever Forest had been impressive, but it was nothing compared to this place.

  They followed the Oracle into a large meeting hall and sat down around one end of a table large enough to seat at least twenty people. Raff immediately launched into the tale of the skeletal horses as the Oracle sat frowning and rubbing his chin, waiting patiently for Raff to finish speaking.

  “Invisible skeletal horses? More creatures who shouldn't be able to enter Florisia. I have called an urgent Council meeting for this afternoon. I’d like you all to be there. I’m so sorry these things keep happening to you. I’d hoped this would all be over once Tyranius... Anyway, I assure you we’re doing everything in our power to find out where these creatures are coming from, and how they’re getting here. For now, though, Lyricus will take you to your rooms so you can rest. He has been assigned to stay with you at all times. I will send someone to collect you when it’s time.”

  Raff scratched his head. “Ummm, I have a question before we meet with the Council this afternoon. How do we know one of the new Council members isn’t a kitsune? I mean, Tyranius was a kitsune, and he ruled, disguised as an elf, for over a hundred years without anyone finding out.”

  The Oracle’s lined face creased into a broad smile. “Ah yes Raff, allow me to set your mind at rest. I have a feeling you will appreciate the humour of the vetting process we used to select the members of the new Florisian Council. At each of the interviews, an old friend of mine from the Forever Forest entered the room with his unusual companion. He has a wolf he raised from a pup, who obligingly sniffed each of the candidates. We did learn some useful lessons from our final encounter with Tyranius.” He winked and they all burst out laughing.

  “Nice!” Raff said when he’d finally stopped laughing. “So were there any surprises at the actual interviews?”

  “None. Although reports of the wolf’s presence may have leaked to other candidates, which may have thinned the ranks of those who initially applied. Oh, and my friend and his companion have kindly agreed to take up permanent residence in the palace, just in case some foolish kitsune gets the idea to try and replace one of the current Council members.”

  * * *

  Leah sat chewing her lip in the sitting room of the apartment she was sharing with Belle. She’d been thinking about the attack of the skeletal creatures, and something didn’t feel right. Belle emerged from the bedroom busily towelling her hair dry.

  “Belle, I’ve been thinking about those creatures that attacked us, and something the Oracle started to say. Shouldn’t the attacks have stopped after Tyranius was killed? ‘Cos it’s sure starting to look like he wasn’t the only one who wanted us dead.”

  Belle frowned as she flopped down onto the chair beside Leah. “You’re right. I hadn’t even thought of that.” She continued to dry her hair, then threw the towel down and groaned. “Which means disposing of Tyranius wasn’t the end of our troubles. Obviously our Gifts are still a threat to somebody. But why? We fulfilled the prophecy didn’t we?”

  A knock at the door interrupted them. Before either girl could answer, the door opened a crack, and a red mop of hair appeared.

  “Helloooo, anybody home?”

  Belle smiled. “Yeah, come in. Good timing, we were just talking about the stupid prophecy.”

  Raff entered the room followed by Lyricus. The pair exchanged a look and then dropped down into chairs beside the girls.

  “What about the stupid prophecy?” Raff asked.

  Leah was chewing her lip again. “Well, we were talking about that latest attack, and the fact that it means somebody or something still wants us dead
. I’ve been thinking; the prophecy talks about when three become one. So, we’ve dealt with the three pieces of the amulet, and we mind merged so the three of us became one. But what if there’s another part to the prophecy? I hate to say it, but what about the fact that the original world of When has been divided into three separate worlds for the last thousand years?”

  She shivered in the chilly silence that followed her words. She looked into Raff’s eyes, hoping he’d laugh at her for being so melodramatic. Instead, he scratched his head and looked at her with sad eyes.

  “I know it’s probably the last thing you want to hear right now, but I think you might be right! Lyricus and I were just talking about the same thing.”

  Lyricus was frowning down at his hands. “What you’re saying would definitely explain it, Leah. If the prophecy had been fulfilled, the attacks should have stopped when Tyranius was killed. Something tells me this is a lot bigger than we first thought.”

  Belle looked at them with anger smouldering in her eyes. “So let me see if I have this right. You’re saying there are more kitsunes, probably in Dragardia, who will continue to send monsters to try and kill us, because they don’t want us to reunite the worlds? Unbelievable!”

  Chapter Four

  -An Urgent Council Meeting-

  Raff studied the faces of the twelve members of the Florisian Council sitting around the large table. Leah had just finished relating their suspicions about the prophecy, and an ominous silence now hung in the room. Why did he get the feeling that persuading these people to do anything was going to be a nightmare?

  The Oracle cleared his throat. “I am afraid I agree with what the children have deduced. While the demise of the Elder Guardian Tyranius has allowed the citizens of Florisia to return to our old ways, I believe it is our duty to offer the citizens of the other worlds our help if needed. The amulet was created by members from all three races, and as such its power must be made available to all.”