tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11839958857382669812024-03-12T17:37:19.706-07:00Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave - Book IIIRichelle E. Goodrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483974841028946668noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183995885738266981.post-70274921240642346462013-06-08T10:40:00.000-07:002018-04-20T19:18:24.748-07:00Book Three in The Harrowbethian Saga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Buy it in </b><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">PAPERBACK</span><span style="font-size: small;"> or </span>E-BOOK</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>KINDLE NOOK KOBO </b><b>iTUNES</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: 48pt;">W</span><span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">hy is it we must<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">suffer
the loss of something so dear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">before
we realize <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">what
a treasure we had?</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">W</span><span style="font-family: "pristina";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">hy must the sun be darkened</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">before
we feel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">how
genuinely impossible it is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">to
live without its warmth?<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "pristina";">W</span><span style="font-family: "pristina";">hy within the misery of absence<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">does
love grow by such bounds?</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why must life be this way?</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-family: "pristina";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">t is a strange existence<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">where
such suffering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;">makes
us far better people.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "pristina"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pristina";"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span> -Kahm Derian</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #616161; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; text-indent: 28.8px;">Copyright 2013 Richelle E. Goodrich</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Pristina;"><a href="http://eenabookthree.blogspot.com/2013/06/chapter-one.html">Chapter One</a></span><br />
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Richelle E. Goodrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483974841028946668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183995885738266981.post-51432278092516371062013-06-08T10:38:00.000-07:002016-12-29T22:34:33.638-08:00Chapter One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I Told You So</span><o:p></o:p></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
don’t you just spit it out?” she said sharply.
“Just say what I know you’re dying to say—<i>I told you so!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“All
I’m trying to say is we wouldn’t be in this predicament right now if you had
never used those powers in the first place.
The dragon’s heart would have remained out of Gemdorin’s reach, and you
wouldn’t have had to abuse those cursed powers in order to defeat him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
summed it up concisely. “In other words,
I told you so!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
it’s true!” the captain finally admitted, throwing his hands in the air. “I <i>did</i>
warn you and so did your mother!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
were in the captain’s quarters arguing, a common occurrence for the pair. His eyes followed the young queen of
Harrowbeth as she pivoted about and stomped towards the exit. Having proven once again that his imposing
nature was more prone to lecturing than listening, Eena opted to end the
conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
do you think you’re going?” Kahm Derian demanded to know, irritated by what he
considered the worst stubborn streak he had ever seen in any woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
replied without turning her head. “I’m
going to go look for a time machine so I can travel to the past and do
everything <i>your</i> way. Then we’ll see if life turns out all
hunky-dory or not.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
wrinkled his nose. “Hunky-dory?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Being
too upset to explain the expression she had picked up during her twelve years
on Earth, she grumbled under her breath.
“Never mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">After
slamming the door quite dramatically behind her, Eena stormed down a lengthy
hallway towards a wide, wooden banister that curved along a descending
stairwell. Being cooped up in the same
dwelling with that frustrating man seemed unbearable at the moment, regardless
of the immensity of their home. At the
guarded entrance, she marched down the front steps of Lacsar Castle and headed
for the gates. Ian, her sworn protector
and closest friend, trailed close behind.
He started up conversation, trying to slow down her flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
I take it he wasn’t exactly understanding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
think?” she replied with an acerbic bite.
She was letting off steam, though her stride failed to slacken even
slightly. “I don’t know why I even try
to talk to that aggravating know-it-all.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite
being a head taller than his queen, Ian found himself hustling to keep at her
heels. “Do you mind telling me where
we’re going?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
sighed miserably. “I just want to be
alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Alright,
I understand. So where are you going
alone…..shadowed by your protector who can’t allow you to run off vulnerable to
who-knows-what kind of potential dangers?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ugh,
Ian!” This made her stop and turn to
face him. “Gemdorin’s dead,
remember? Enemy killed. War over.
Threat gone. Ring a bell?” She was being rude, but her protector
understood it was her way of dealing with the stress. He chose not to take offense even though her
anger was directed at the wrong guy.
When she started walking again, he kept at her side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There
were few people up and around in Harrowbeth at sunrise—probably a good
thing. Eena had been awake for hours,
finding it impossible to fall back to sleep after the unnerving ghostly
visitation in the night. Ian had
likewise struggled with sleep after witnessing his queen’s nightmare, but being
the protector of her dreams as well as her actual bodyguard, he had tried his
best to slumber in case she suffered another nightmarish incident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Dreading
the inevitable discussion with Derian, Eena had risen as early as she deemed
acceptable to visit his quarters. There
she informed him of the serious threat posed by two immortal sisters in her
nightmare. As expected, the discussion
had escalated into a heated quarrel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can understand why he’s upset,” Ian said.
“I mean, we finally have peace in Harrowbeth after all those years
battling Gemdorin. Everyone’s eager to
rebuild and recuperate, not take on a new enemy.….or two as the case may be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
know, I think I liked it better when you two were at each other’s throats.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We
were never that bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“At
least you weren’t always on his side.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena,
for crying out loud, I’m on your side.
I’m just saying I can understand why the man’s upset.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
clenched her jaw to keep from commenting any further. It wasn’t her desire to argue with Ian
too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For
a time they walked in silence across the extensive castle grounds known
commonly as Lacs Flats. The yard
eventually steered them through a main check-point marked by high, white
columns. They then changed direction and
headed away from town. Eena removed her
shoes when she stepped off a stone walkway that sloped downhill toward the
heart of the city. Ian kindly took her
sandals, freeing up his queen’s hands so she could touch the needy plants. Their world, Moccobatra, though smaller than
Earth, had a great abundance of plant life requiring her care and nurturing. Being Queen of Harrowbeth, natively called
the Sha of Harrowbeth, and bearer of an heirloom necklace that possessed the
power to heal life, Eena was responsible for the condition of all natural flora
existing on their world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Less
than a year prior, she had been oblivious to her heritage. Raised on Earth from five years of age and
called by the name Sevenah, she had adapted well to human life. At age seventeen her perception of reality
had been drastically altered when Ian, Kahm Derian, and those from the starship
Kemeniroc had come to retrieve their young queen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
months to follow had been filled with incredible revelations. She was told her real name was Eena and that
she was a queen, the next Sha by birth—<i>Sha
Eena</i>. A necklace that only direct
descendants of the Shas could wear turned out to be a sort of symbiotic life
form, now permanently secured to her neck and upper chest, its tendrils
embedded deep inside her bodily organs.
Eena and the necklace worked together as one, touching and healing
natural life on Moccobatra. This world
was both old and new to her. It was the
place where she had been born, the place she had fled when hunted by Gemdorin
as a young child, and now her home once again after twelve long years of
absence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Harrowbeth’s
vilest enemy, Gemdorin, no longer posed a threat, for she had killed him in a
fight to save her own life, protecting many others in the process. That terrifying confrontation continued to
stir up disturbing emotions whenever she recalled thrusting the fiend’s own
sword through his heart. Everyone
assumed the worst was behind them now.
And so it seemed, until her recent nightmare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It
had been no normal nightmare but a visitation from two immortal spirits—two
sisters responsible for the creation of the necklace Eena wore, a charmed
ornament they referred to as the dragon’s soul.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thousands
of years ago they had formed the necklace, anticipating imprisonment at the
hands of governing immortals for their destructive interference in mortal
affairs. These heinous, pompous siblings
had all but caused the annihilation of the Viidun people on a planet called
Rapador. Their punishment for this
atrocity was an eternity of separation from their immortal bodies. The necklace had been created as a secret
means of escape—a way to reunite spirit and body. They insisted that Eena would be the one to
help them do this, seeing how she was the Sha who had finally unleashed all the
powers of the dragon’s soul. She, of
course, was determined to refuse them, having no intention of releasing two
unscrupulous immortals to once again wreak havoc on the universe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
stepped lightly through the meadow preceding Lacsar Forest. As her bare feet contacted the ground,
grasses pulled energy from their healer, soaking up the vitality needed to
survive. A trail of green spread out
from around her, progressing with every step.
For the twelve years Eena had been stowed away on Earth, Moccobatra had
endured without a Sha—without anyone capable of tending to the well-being of
the flora. Over that time the foliage
had slowly withered down to a very sad state, most vegetation barely hanging
onto life. Now that she was home, the
whole population expected her to revive the planet. So far, only a small circle—a half-mile
radius around the heart of Harrowbeth—had been healed at her hands. The rest would take months of travel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
process was physically demanding, draining energy from the young healer which
she replenished by absorbing energy from surrounding sources. Each time Eena’s touch fell upon a needy
plant, pain and hunger were communicated before relief and gratitude settled
in. This transmission of emotion was
part of the healing. Eena felt what the
plants felt. It was typically momentary
yet difficult to bear at times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
walked over the green trail created by his queen as she headed for the crooked
trees of Lacsar Forest. Only a portion
of the wood’s perimeter appeared stout and healthy. The majority of the trees, the thicker heart
of the forest, still ached for much needed attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hurriedly,
she stepped towards her destination. Ian
marveled at how the flora leaned in her direction, reaching, craving her
healing touch. Being her protector and
best friend, his concern for Eena’s welfare was great. No one except perhaps Derian cared for her
more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While
they were children, Derian and Eena had been “promised” in a Harrowbethian
tradition of arranged marriage; however, only Derian had been old enough to
comprehend the arrangement. Due to her
youth and years of hiding out on Earth, Eena had remained ignorant of the
“promise.” Her initial reaction upon
learning the news had been less than positive.
Derian, on the other hand, had cherished the contract and devoted his
life to the welfare of his future wife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
sighed bleakly, thinking of how he had stood in the captain’s way, nearly
stealing Eena’s heart from the man. It
had been unintentional to begin with. As
her best friend and protector, constantly in her company and in her dreams, a
desire to become more than friends had naturally developed. In spite of these deep and earnest feelings,
any sort of intimate relationship between them was forbidden. It would violate tradition. It would break promises made by their parents
when they were children. It would bring
dishonor on them both. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Furthermore,
Ian had been promised to someone—a woman named Angelle. He smiled at the thought of her and the short
amount of time spent in her company. For
years Angelle had been lost to him, a pawn of the enemy, until finally rescued
after Gemdorin’s death. But convincing
the timid young lady to give Ian a chance had proved a real difficulty. Once past the initial awkwardness, however,
their relationship set in motion something sweet. Something comfortable and pleasant. Ian felt himself genuinely falling for
Angelle, despite the soft spot in his heart for Eena. He had accepted his lot. Things were as they should be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
looked up at the amazing woman in front of him.
In his preoccupation with personal thoughts he had missed crossing over
the line of healed ground into the withered forest. Circling them now was the surviving ruins of
a fragile, monochromatic wasteland. The
only greenery existed in the grassy steps beneath Eena’s bare feet. She wasn’t taking her time as expected, but
pushing hastily past the untouched trees on her way through the neglected
forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
in such a rush?” Ian asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
cast him a quick glance. “I want to get
further into the center.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
imagined she meant to repeat her performance from the day before, the
celebrated day of her return to Harrowbeth.
Her first act upon arriving home had been to touch the grand old tree in
the center of the village, restoring its strength and colorful canopy. She had extended her powers in a half-mile
radius from that point, creating a circle of green around the heart of the
city. It had been a miraculous show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena,”
Ian began again, “can I ask you something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
gave him a shrug which he took as a sign of consent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
was just thinking about that dream…..or nightmare. When Ishtura was speaking to you, she
mentioned Pallador. I know who he is
because Shanks told me he was the immortal who took back the dragon’s
heart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
sped up to walk next to his best friend before continuing. He glanced up frequently to catch her facial
reactions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Last
night, Ishtura said that you were tried and sentenced by Pallador and his
governing body, just like she and Anesidora once were. Is this true?
Because it just doesn’t make any sense to me. What reason would they have to try you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
frowned. Her eyes fell to the ground and
her pace seemed to hasten even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
sure it’s none of my business, but—does Derian know about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
shook her head, eyes rolling up at the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
Ian,” she huffed. “No one was supposed
to know about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena?” His face managed to convey concern and
disappointment simultaneously. “How can
we help you if you keep important things like this a secret? For crying out loud, why didn’t you tell
someone? When did this happen? <i>Why</i> did this happen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian,
there’s nothing anyone could have done.
Why worry you unnecessarily?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who
are you to say there’s nothing we could have done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
question stopped her in her tracks, and Ian had to turn around to face a
doubtful gaze. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do
you really want to know what happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
protector nodded absolutely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,
fine. I was forced to stand before a
group of immortals while they deliberated my fate. A governing council of pitiless people with far
greater powers at their disposal than I.”
She lifted her gaze to the sky for a moment, clearly upset. Her head wagged slightly as she tried to
explain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pallador
said I was being held responsible for Shanks’ abuse of the dragon’s heart—for
the two-hundred thousand people killed on the passenger ship he destroyed. He claims the tragedy was my responsibility
because I was the one to uncover the gem.
I was found guilty.” Her gaze
lowered quickly, catching the horror on Ian’s face. “But Pallador told me I was free to go. He said to consider myself on probation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“For
criminy’s sake, Eena!” Ian breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
fine. Nothing bad happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nothing
bad?” he repeated incredulously. “What
if…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No! No what-ifs.
Nothing bad happened; they let me go. The dragon’s heart is back in Pallador’s
possession, and it won’t be used to harm anyone else. My probation will be spotless. I’ll be fine, hence no reason to worry
you…..and especially not Derian.” Her
eyes bulged at the captain’s name, emphasizing her desire for Ian to keep his
mouth shut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’re
here to help you, Eena; you do know that, right? We can’t help if you insist on handling
everything yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
face softened at his show of concern. It
felt good to know he cared, but at the same time she cared about him too and
didn’t want to cause him needless worry.
Her actions had already stirred up more trouble than she was worth, even
though she knew they would all disagree.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thanks,
Ian, but sometimes there’s just nothing you can do.” Her feet moved forward again into the heart
of Lacsar Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
not true, Eena. I can always
listen.” He kept up with her quickening
pace, staying right at her side. “If you
would just tell us what’s going on, we could give you advice and maybe come up with
ideas you haven’t thought of. Heck, we
could speak in your behalf if it were necessary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t think they would have let you come to my trial, let alone speak. I was hardly able to speak in my own behalf.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Doesn’t
sound like much of a fair trial to me,” he grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
smiled half-heartedly. “I guess if
you’re a powerful immortal you can do whatever you want, fair or not. Anyway, it’s over. It doesn’t matter now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
guess.” The disappointment on Ian’s face
hurt the young Sha. She hadn’t meant to
upset him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuing
into the thickening woods, Ian went back to thinking—mulling over Eena’s
words. <i>“Sometimes there’s just
nothing you can do.” </i>More and more
he felt that was true around her. He
wanted to protect her. It was his job to
protect her. But with the incredible
powers she had developed through the necklace, his job seemed almost pointless anymore. When it came down to it, she was probably
more <i>his</i> protector now. Still, he
was determined to do whatever he could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
it seemed they had hiked at least a half-mile into the forest, Ian spoke up
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“This
is as good a place as any to stop, don’t you think?” He slowed down, expecting her to respond
similarly, but she kept on trudging briskly forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena?” He jogged to catch up with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not there yet, Ian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not
where? All these plants need your
attention and we’re pretty far from Harrowbeth now.” He looked ahead into the darkening cluster of
tree trunks. “If you go much further,
you’ll be in….” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His
voice trailed off as he realized what she was really up to. He had assumed her brisk pace had been no
more than an attempt to calm down after arguing with Derian. Coming into the forest had made sense given
the fact that she needed to heal the trees.
But now he understood the determined strides and her haste to reach the
core of Lacsar Forest. He ran a few
steps in front of his queen, blocking her progression. She halted, breathing heavily from so fast a
hike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena,
you can’t be serious.” His eyes begged
for a reasonable explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get
out of my way, Ian.” She tried to
sidestep him, but he moved in front of her.
Irritated by his interference, her hands planted themselves on her hips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena,
this is crazy! Does Derian know what
you’re doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
shook her head, scowling at the mention of the man who earlier that morning had
refused to listen to her for one reasonable moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can’t let you do this. You’re acting
impetuously again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
am not.” She really hated that
word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
you are! I understand that you’re upset
with Derian right now, but going to Wanyaka Cave is….well, it’s…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
exactly what I’m going to do.” She
successfully dodged her protector and launched into a run through the
trees. He caught up with her easily and
grabbed hold of her arm. She was a
little surprised by his aggressiveness as he yanked her to a standstill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena,
this is an awful idea! Do you even have
a plan or are you just making this up as you go along?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
shot him a dirty look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
what about<i> me?</i> What do you think those sisters are going to
do with expendable me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian,
I wasn’t planning for you to enter the cave.
I honestly figured you’d be running back to Derian to tattle on me by
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
tried to hide his hurt. “Eena,
please. Please reconsider this. Come home and we’ll talk to Derian together. Let’s at least come up with a decent plan
before you go hand yourself over to those wretched sisters!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not handing myself over…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re walking right into the witches’ lair!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
Ian.” She paused for a moment, trying to
find a way to explain herself.
“Look…he’s right. Derian’s right. This whole thing is my fault. If I had never used these powers, we wouldn’t
be in this mess right now. You guys have
been fighting Gemdorin for twelve years and finally…<i>finally</i>…he’s dead. At long
last Harrowbeth has a chance at peace, and what do I do? I go and attract an entirely new enemy! I can’t drag anyone else into this. It’s my problem and I need to solve it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
not going by yourself.” Ian squeezed
tighter on her arm. “You haven’t been
listening to one word I’ve said this entire time. I am sick of you keeping things from us,
Eena. I’m sick of you trying to handle
things all by yourself! You took on
Gemdorin alone, and then Pallador, and now this? How am I supposed to act as your protector
when you insist on handling everything alone?
For heaven’s sake at least throw me a lousy bone!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
couldn’t help but chuckle once at his silly, desperate plea. Ian formed the tiniest grin, but his face
sobered up fast as he continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
your protector; it’s my chief duty. But
as powerful as you’ve become over the last few months, I’m starting to feel
more and more useless to you. All I seem
able to do anymore is keep you safe from nightmares, and now with those ghostly
sisters showing up in your dreams, I’m not sure I can even do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian…”
she uttered softly, but he wasn’t about to listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
Eena, no. You’re coming back home where Derian
and I can help you. You are not facing
this one alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
took her hand and attempted to pull her behind him, but she wouldn’t
budge. He turned to look at her sternly,
almost glaring. This was surprising too. He wasn’t acting like himself—not like her
kind, patient, understanding Ian. She
had expected him to object to her decision, but only verbally, never
forcefully. This aggressive, pushy
behavior wasn’t Ian at all. It was more
like….Derian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let
go, Ian, I’m not going back. I already
talked to Captain Know-it-all and he doesn’t want to listen. This is <i>my</i> mess and I’m going to clean
it up <i>myself</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Like
hell you are,” he growled. His eyes
narrowed critically at her. She stared
at him, incredulous, seeing Derian’s intimidating look in her best friend’s
features. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian? What’s gotten into you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
tugged on her hand and pulled her forward a bit. Her shock at his behavior momentarily
distracted her resolve, but after a couple steps she successfully planted her
feet again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Give
it up, Eena,” he growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t think so.” She was half-stunned,
half-offended by his forcefulness. The
next thing Ian knew, a sharp electric jolt struck his fingers, climbing swiftly
up his arm. Her strike only increased
his determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not letting go, Eena. You can shock me
all you want to, but I will not let
you do this! <i> I will not be the reason
you end up dead!” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">All
at once she understood his extreme behavior—why the fierce determination to
make her return home. Her face softened,
a sullen surrender taking over where stubbornness had been fueling her
actions. The truth hit her hard. He wasn’t doing this for her, but for
himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
was worried for himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
didn’t want to bear the blame if anything happened to her—if Harrowbeth lost another
Sha. He didn’t want to fail as her
protector, not like his father had when Sha Tashi was killed by
Vaughndorin. Ian wasn’t protecting <i>her</i>, he was protecting himself and his
family. His concern revolved around his
future together with Angelle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
tried to soften the emotional blow with logic.
She told herself his feelings were as they should be. It was stupid for her to have dragged him
into this anyway. Her resolve melted
like butter as she gave in, not wanting to hurt him any more than she already
had. There was time to come back later
in the day—alone. If anything happened
to her then, Ian wouldn’t be to blame. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
feet complied to her protector’s will, walking behind him without
resistance. As he realized she wasn’t
fighting anymore, his grip loosened and he stepped in line beside her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
better this way—you’ll see,” he tried to convince her. “It’s the only reasonable thing to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
laughed once, a single low chuckle.
“Yeah, right. Like anything in my
life is reasonable anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
didn’t say a word, but Eena swore his green eyes sympathized. That was the image that lingered in her mind
when the world faded to black. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It
took a second to comprehend the abrupt change in environment. She was no longer outside in the shriveled
forest but confined by a cold, dank darkness.
The enclosure smelled rotten and mildewy. Tiny rays of light found their way through
fractures in the walls, helping her eyes adjust to the near blackness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Slight
trickles of moisture glistened in the scarce lighting as wetness dribbled down
jagged rock walls. Soft footsteps echoed
weakly…..hers. Her bare feet felt
uncomfortably cold on the hard ground.
She drew in a shaky breath as understanding settled in. She was inside Wanyaka Cave. It had found her, just like Anesidora had
said it would. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For
a second she panicked. “Ian? Ian!”
She heard her apprehension resound off the surrounding stone. Where was he?
Had her impetuousness, as he had called it, put him in harm’s way? <i>“Ian!
Ian, where are you?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Terrified
by the lack of response, she tried to suppress her initial worries by imagining
him still in the forest, almost certainly fine.
But how could she be sure?
Carefully, she felt her way along the cold stone, searching for a
concealed exit. If she could get
outside, back to the woods….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He <i>is</i> awfully adorable, isn’t he? I can see why you want to keep him, Amora.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
straightened up at the sound of a loud yet velvety voice she recognized from
her dream. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
is he?” Eena demanded. Her eyes scanned
the dark cavern, landing near two tall, jagged columns—the most likely place
she thought to find the ghost of Ishtura hovering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s
right where you left him, dear. Well,
maybe not <i>exactly </i>where you left him.
He seems to be searching the area for you now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
can you see him?” Eena asked, both alarmed and curious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
have my ways. The poor boy does appear
very worried. Perhaps I should bring him
here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No! No, please, leave him alone,” Eena
pleaded. “He can’t help you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
he’s such a darling! I could be content
for centuries simply gazing upon him.”
The spirit sighed longingly. “<i>Ahhh</i>,
you two do make a cute couple.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’re
not a couple,” Eena said, correcting the mistaken presumption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
you’re not? How wonderful!” Ishtura
chirped, clearly pleased. “Then I shall
have him for myself!” The ghost was met
with strong objection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No! No, you can’t! He…he’s in love with someone else.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
news received a note of skepticism. “Do
tell—who is this lucky girl?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Her
name is Angelle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
hovering spirit floated closer, her appearance now visible under thin beams of
light filtering through cracks above.
Eena shrank at the sight.
Ishtura’s spirit was ugly—a wretched likeness of the chocolate-haired
beauty imprisoned in one of two black-stone columns within the cave. The second column held an equally gorgeous
body, that of her redheaded sister, Anesidora.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
know of no Angelle. It is your name that
falls from his lips, Amora. I do believe
the boy is in love with <i>you</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
mistaken. He’s my friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>And</i> he’s your protector,” Ishtura threw
in. She smiled slyly at the young
queen’s stunned expression before answering the look of surprise. “Of course I know who the boy is. We did create the protectors after all—watch guards
for our Shas, to keep them safe. We
thought it wise to protect our interests.
That’s why he can see into your dreams.
What I don’t understand is why he hasn’t pressed his abilities
further….like you have. Perhaps he’s
just not as motivated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
do you mean?” Eena wondered what more
Ian could do if he tried. Seeing into
her dreams seemed intrusive enough—in a pleasant way, of course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
didn’t answer the question but floated to the tomb that claimed her perfect
immortal body. She spoke to Eena while
staring longingly at herself through a thick layer of sheer rock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
must admit I’m surprised to find you here, and so soon. I was sure we would have to summon you forth
against your pathetic stubborn will.
It’s nice to see you possess some good sense, Amora.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you saying you could actually force me to come here against my will?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
have no idea what we’re capable of. Just
as you truly have no idea what you, yourself, are in fact capable of, Amora.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“My
name is not Amora. Stop calling me
that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
laughed and taunted the girl. “Oh,
Amora, Amora, Amora. When will you learn
that there are things you can’t change, regardless of how you feel about them? Like who you are, for example.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
am Sha Eena.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Among
mortals. Not among those who matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Seeing
how her protesting was futile, the young queen ceased arguing. Ishtura attempted to move things along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Time
is valuable. We should get started.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
wait. I didn’t come here to help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh?” The ghost looked up, a crooked grin wrinkling
her distorted features. “Then what did
you come for?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
came to talk—to find out what it is you think I can do for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
want information, do you?” The spirit
laughed aloud. “Very well, let’s
talk.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
was instantly in the girl’s face, hovering directly above her. Eena shrieked at the impossible quickness
exhibited by the ghost. Succumbing to
panic, she took off for an adjacent wall.
When her hands reached solid rock, she pressed her back against it. Ishtura’s vile cackle filled the dank
air. Slowly this time, the apparition
approached.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
thought you wanted to talk. Have you
changed your mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
voiced a strong reply, attempting to make up for her cowardly lapse in
control. “I have not. Tell me what it is you expect from me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
was just getting to that, Amora, if you could manage to hold still for a
moment.” A translucent hand gave the appearance
of patting Eena softly on the head. It
was a patronizing act, but no actual touch accompanied the gesture. “The first thing you will do is free our
bodies from the stone prison that claims them.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
glanced beyond the ghost at two tall, jagged columns. The black, glassy stone shimmered wherever
slivers of light hit the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
kept talking. “Unfortunately, your
necklace is of little use for this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then
you won’t be needing my services.” Eena
stepped forward as if she would walk away.
A ghostly palm stopped her, though it lacked any physical stock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“On
the contrary, there is a star-shaped platform Pallador used to imprison our
bodies. You will retrieve this same
platform to liberate us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can’t. I don’t know where it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
chuckled without humor. “The star has
seven points, Amora. It was separated
into seven identical sections. Over the
years, each part has made its way to a different location on Moccobatra. You will find all seven points to Pallador’s
star and deliver them to us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
where’s the treasure map?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“There
is none. The pieces will find you, just
as the cave did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
young queen appeared troubled by this news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura’s
translucent finger moved to trace over the ovals impressed in the chest portion
of the necklace. The intimate gesture
caused Eena to hold her breath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Once
our bodies are liberated, the dragon’s soul will be needed. It was created to unite both spirit and body
into one perfect immortal soul. You will
use the powers of the necklace to do this for us. Then we will be free at last!” Ishtura closed her eyes and grinned
pensively, her crooked nose pointed upwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
what will become of me?” Eena asked, interrupting the spirit’s reverie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
ghost looked down on the girl and grinned.
“Concerned for your own well-being?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is
that so wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
laughed out loud while making her way back to the body she longed to
possess. “Free me, Amora, and you will
also be free.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
what of Moccobatra?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t care to remain here; I’ve had far more than enough of this measly
planet. We’ll leave it alone if that’s
what you wish.” Ishtura raised a heavy
eyebrow at the girl. “Satisfied?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But
before she could answer, the ghost looked up with irritation in her gaze. Within seconds she was pulled away—sucked
back to the scarlet-gem prison that held fast to her spirit. Her velvety voice echoed its last demand as
she disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Save
me, Amora!”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Left
alone, Eena resumed exploring her surroundings, skirting the perimeter of the
cave as she felt along each inch of wet rock for a clue to some hidden
exit. She was scolding herself for not
wearing the coiled bracelet King Wennergren had gifted her during a visit to
his planet, Primas Quar. The charmed
bracelet enabled the wearer to walk through solid walls unscathed, a trick that
would have provided a perfect way out.
Eena had barely begun her search in the dimness when Anesidora’s deeper,
silkier voice startled her from behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
well, well, if it isn’t our little girl.
Eager to leave, are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
tensed up, hating how this horrible woman spoke to her in a condescending and
arrogant manner. The last time this
sister had called her a little girl she had objected, accomplishing nothing
more than fueling Anesidora’s self-important ego. Eena bit her lip as she turned to glare at the
ghostly figure. She was met with a dark,
disturbing scowl in return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anesidora’s
ugly face somewhat resembled the red-headed beauty lying lifeless in one of the
stone tombs. Her long red hair floated
in the air, giving the impression of a bon fire blazing around angry, sparking
eyes. Eena feared this sister most; she
had proven herself extremely temperamental. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking
a step back without thinking, Eena found security against a cavern wall. Her actions only made the specter swell up
more haughtily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
afraid you’re wasting your time, Amora.
There is no way out. This cave
is…..enchanted, if you will. It not only
finds you, but it releases you when and if it so chooses. There is no other way out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That’s
what you think, Eena thought to herself.
She truly regretted leaving her coiled bracelet behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
understand my sister has informed you of your duties.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s
told me what you want from me,” Eena corrected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
apparition chuckled lightly. “You still
believe you can refuse us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
swallowed hard before answering, hoping her courage would prove greater than it
had earlier. “I won’t help you. I told you that before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anesidora
merely smiled at the response. “Hmmm,”
she hummed. “And how exactly do you
intend to deny us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
won’t do what you ask.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
Amora, I thought you had a heart. You
would callously turn your back on family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
not my family.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
bear our gene.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That
does not make us family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Doesn’t
it?” The spirit’s heavy brow crinkled
with the question. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
dug deep for the courage to respond the way she wanted to. “Pallador is more family to me than you could
ever hope to be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Two
lucent brown eyes narrowed angrily in response.
A growl was heard rumbling lowly like the sound of a dog warning a
trespasser not to take another step. In
less than a second the eerie ghost hung threateningly overhead. Eena cowered against the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You will not contact Pallador or so help me I will
destroy you, little girl! If you even
attempt to defy me I will know about it!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
covered her heart, her pulse thundering so hard and fast she feared it might
jump clean out of her chest and take off running for safety. She couldn’t tear her wide eyes away from the
temperamental apparition, fearful of missing something detrimental. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anesidora
seemed to grow a foot taller as she ranted on.
<i>“You will do nothing but what I
command! My brother is watching you
every moment of every day! Must I prove
to you that my eyes are truly everywhere?”
</i>She turned to face the darkness, calming her tone by degrees. “Edgar!
Brother, show yourself! Our Amora
apparently doesn’t believe in what she can’t see.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
frightful specter moved away, drifting towards the two stone columns. If ghostly hips could sway, Anesidora’s
appeared to, shifting slowly back and forth as she approached her imprisoned
body. Translucent fingers went to brush
over the surface of the glassy stone as she stared at the beautiful redhead encased
within. After a moment of silence, she
sighed irritably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>Edgarmetheus!”
</i>the ghost hollered. <i>“You are
trying my patience!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
new figure appeared in the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
slowly straightened up, staring at a handsome young man about the same height
as Derian. He shared the same build also,
but these were their only common features.
This man’s wavy hair was red and his eyes a striking sea-blue. It seemed an odd combination to Eena. Edgar didn’t appear ghostly in the
least. He bore a perfect, ageless body
as gorgeous as his sister’s bodies were beautiful. When he spoke, his voice resembled Pallador’s
compelling and unhurried tone. He
addressed Anesidora while his unblinking gaze rested on the young queen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“My
dear sister, you can’t try something you don’t possess.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
Edgar.” Anesidora seemed to croon as she
turned to face her brother. “Why don’t
you tell our little girl how much you enjoy watching over her.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
young man’s face suddenly beamed. His
blue eyes never strayed from its subject.
Eena found it difficult to break eye contact with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
like this one,” Edgar said. “She’s
spirited.” Then his focus shifted and
Eena breathed again, thankful he had broken the uncanny hold his stare seemed
to possess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar
began to whine, his lower lip protruding in a pout as he complained to his
older sister. “Why did you have to tell
her I was here? You’ve gone and ruined
everything now. It was much more fun
watching her when she didn’t know I was watching.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
get over it, Edgar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
I was enjoying myself.” He turned his attention
back to Eena as he mused aloud. “I like
how she tends to the flowers, how she giggles in her sleep, the way her fingers
twist absentmindedly around her hair when she daydreams, and how her little toe
plays with the faucet when she bathes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena’s
mouth fell open in horror, and she found her voice again. <i>“How dare you!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the man ignored her objectionable outburst.
“Anesidora, can I keep her? I
really like this one. Can she stay with
us?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
shrieked in response to his outrageous request.
<i>“No! Are you crazy? You can’t</i>…” But it was as if she were mute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edgar,
I still need her. Besides, she’s
practically your granddaughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Like
a hundred times removed! And I don’t
care anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edgar,
would you please try and focus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
turned to gawk at Anesidora. She spoke
up for herself—Edgar’s unbelievable request fueling her courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
will never get away with this! Your
deplorable brother is not the only one watching me!” She pointed to Edgar when she realized he was
missing. Glancing both ways, she felt
his big hands on her hair, stroking tenderly.
Eena turned abruptly, automatically batting at his arms. Her attention snapped back to Anesidora when the
ghost cackled mockingly, finishing Eena’s original thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you referring to Pallador? Or Ascultone
perhaps? The mighty dragon no longer
watches over you, Amora. He only did so
when you possessed the dragon’s heart.
As guardian of the gem he was bound to protect you, but I can assure you
he wasn’t the least bit happy about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
Anesidora spoke, her brother continued to play with the mortal’s hair, petting
her soft tresses, lifting a long strand up to his nose, taking in its sweet
fragrance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amora,
I suppose now I can tell you the cruel irony of that situation. You already know Ascultone hates you for what
you are—mortal and yet bearing an immortal gene. He finds your uniqueness threatening. You can imagine his disgust, discovering
himself obligated because you uncovered the dragon’s heart, the very gem he is
duty-bound to protect. Had he been able
to, he would have killed you. You know
that. But I bet you didn’t know this. When a dragon is obligated to the one
controlling his treasure, he must answer to his master’s authority. For as long as you had possession of the
dragon’s heart, Ascultone was bound to honor your wishes. You had the power to command him to do almost
anything! Ironic, isn’t it? He could have saved you a great deal of
suffering.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
failed to hide the shock on her face as she glanced aside to avoid Anesidora’s
smug grin. Was it true that her
hardships with Gemdorin could have been avoided? It didn’t matter anyhow. She had defeated him without immortal
assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
soft caress on the cheek pulled her eyes up again; Edgar doted over her like a
porcelain doll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop
touching me!” she cried, shoving his hands away. Eena headed for an adjacent wall, wanting to
escape his fondling. She shrieked when
he beat her there, her eyes filled with astonishment, having missed him pass
her by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amora!” Anesidora called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
looked up to find the redhead floating nearer.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
can’t outrun us. Edgar will always be
right there watching you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pallador’s
watching too,” Eena contended. “He said
so at my trial. I won’t have to contact
him because he’ll find me, you’ll see!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Two
hearty laughs echoed in the cave as both immortals dismissed the threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
right, Amora, Pallador did say he would be watching you. And it’s true he assigned someone to keep a
close eye on your actions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not
Edgar,” Eena breathed, concerned that her luck would be that bad. She swatted at his wandering hands again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“If
only!” Anesidora chuckled. “No,
child. It’s someone you know,
actually. Someone from the governing
body itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
thought of the eight members present at her trial—four personages and four
dragons. She was sure both Ascultone and
Pallador were wrong answers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Naga,”
she guessed. “Naga’s watching me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
little girl. He is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then
he’ll report to Pallador who will stop you…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anesidora
rudely interrupted, unable to wait any longer to divulge her next secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you referring to <i>my</i> Naga?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
wagged her head back and forth—disagreeing, disbelieving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
malicious spirit hovered closer to her doubter and commanded out loud,
“Naga! Show yourself, dragon!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
giant creature appeared on command, filling up most of the empty space within
the cave. His head drooped from a kinked
and lowered neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Incredulity
paled Eena’s face. “No,” she
breathed. “No, Naga. How could you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His
scaly eyelids slipped closed. The old
dragon appeared ashamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
doubt Pallador will be made aware of your situation, Amora. Isn’t that right, Naga?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
hunched-over dragon growled deep in his throat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“This
doesn’t make any sense,” Eena wailed.
She gawked at the dragon in whose company she had always felt safe; the
one she referred to as <i>her</i> dragon.
“Why would you follow this awful woman?
You don’t have to listen to her, Naga!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anesidora
watched the desperation play out, enjoying every tortured moment of Eena’s
discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Naga,
you guard the dragon’s soul!” Eena exclaimed.
“You guard my necklace….<i>my necklace</i><i>!</i>” Her eyes turned to the
hovering spirit. She addressed
Anesidora, determined to make sense of Naga’s behavior without accepting him as
a traitor. It didn’t seem possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
said every dragon is subject to the one who controls his treasure. Naga guards the dragon’s soul. <i>I </i>bear
the necklace! <i>I </i>control it! He’s subject
to <i>my</i> command, <i>not yours!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">An
evil laugh permeated the room once again.
“Brilliant, isn’t it? That’s
exactly what Pallador and the others believe as well.” The ghost floated right up to the girl, her
hideous face too close for comfort.
Edgar approached from behind, handling Eena’s hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
good would it do me to allow the bearer of the necklace exclusive control if
she refused to cooperate when called upon?
When I created the dragon’s soul, I made sure that ultimate control
would always be mine, and in so doing I guaranteed that Naga would always
answer <i>to me</i>. He never speaks to
you because I forbid it. And he only
tells Pallador what I want that hypocrite to hear.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
devious smile warped Anesidora’s sinister face.
Her red, fiery halo plunged downward as she thrust both hands up in one
quick motion. The necklace responded to
the apparition’s gesture, glowing brightly in the darkness. Eena felt herself lift off the ground. Her bare feet flailed as she tried to find
something to support her, but there was nothing. She grabbed at her neck as if hanging from a
rope. It was Anesidora’s doing. She was using the necklace as a choker—a
demonstration to prove her ultimate control of the dragon’s soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar
objected at once. “Sister, stop it! You’re hurting my girl.” He reached as if to assist Eena down from a
high step. His hands wrapped completely
around her waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anesidora
grunted with disgust and released her control on the necklace. Eena fell backwards into Edgar’s arms. He placed her feet gently on the ground and
proceeded to caress her face adoringly.
After sucking in a few necessary breaths, Eena objected to everything in
one great outburst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop
touching me! I’m not a toy!” </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">she screamed while pushing away from Edgar. “<i>And you!” </i>she yelled at Anesidora, “<i>kill
me if you choose, but I will never ever agree to help you or your evil sister</i><i>!”</i>
Then she turned to gaze at Naga.
He sat as motionless as the cavern walls, his head bowed in shame. “Naga?”
She didn’t know what to say to him.
How could this be—Naga a traitor?
She stood there shaking her head as the beast’s eyes narrowly
opened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
well, brother,” Anesidora huffed, “I do believe our little girl could use a
time out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar’s
offended expression seemed to agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
heard the harsh, silky words resonate in her head as everything faded
away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let
me know when you come to your senses, Amora.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
closed her eyes at an unexpected brightness that attacked her sensitive
pupils. The damp and musty darkness of
the cave evaporated, only to be replaced by a far worse environment. Whiteness reflected from every angle. It took a second for Eena’s eyes to
adjust. Feet that had felt so cold on
the bare stone ground now burned with iciness, pressed against frozen tundra
extending in every direction. Great
glaciers rose like jagged mountains on the horizon while a swift, frigid wind
beat against her face. This abrupt
change in temperature was a shock to her system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
heard a soft rattle and realized it was her teeth chattering. Both arms naturally wrapped around her torso,
seeking warmth. She groaned to herself,
observing how moisture escaped her mouth in a mist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Crud,
I really hate the cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://eenabookthree.blogspot.com/2013/06/chapter-two.html">CHAPTER TWO</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #616161; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Copyright 2013 Richelle E. Goodrich</i></span></div>
</div>
Richelle E. Goodrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483974841028946668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183995885738266981.post-29043953759490560312013-06-08T10:37:00.000-07:002016-12-29T22:36:49.341-08:00Chapter Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Iccarus Circle</span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On
the edge of Lacsar Forest, just barely beyond the border of Harrowbeth’s last
dwelling, Ian led the individual he had sought out toward the heart of the
woods. It was no challenge to follow the
healthy trail created by Eena where her bare feet had tread earlier that
morning. Kahm Derian matched Ian’s
hurried pace, scolding the young protector at every step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
could you let her do this? How could you
walk her halfway through the woods and then abandon her to face those witches
alone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his silence. He was growing tired of hearing the captain
berate his actions, and wondered how much longer the lambasting would go on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
in the world could she possibly have been thinking?” Derian complained. His arms flailed in frustration as he jogged
a few steps to catch up to his guide. “I
swear that woman has to be the most reckless, stubborn, unreasonable…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then
why do you want to marry her?” Ian snapped.
He should have bit his tongue, he knew that, but to hear the captain
criticize their queen in such a manner was intolerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian’s
response, though defensive, was sincere.
“I may find her stubbornness frustrating, I won’t deny it, but that
doesn’t mean I don’t love the woman. I
just wish she would think things through first and make it easier to help her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That
was something they could agree on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain continued trying to put his concerns into words. “It’s like she feels this need to prove
something; I’m not sure what exactly.
She already knows how much she’s needed.
She knows I love her. She knows
how genuinely I want to be there for her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
muttered a possibility the captain hadn’t mentioned. “Maybe what she wants is to know that you
don’t blame her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Blame
her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
you know, <i>‘I told you so….this is all
your fault.’</i> Your usual dose of
criticism.” Ian didn’t look to see if he
had hit a nerve, but the volume in Derian’s response attested to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
never said ‘I told you so.’ She was the
one who forced me to…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Forced
you to say it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!”
Derian huffed disgustedly before continuing with his defense. “She kept pushing me and pushing me to say
it. <i>‘Derian, just say I told you
so—just say it!’ </i>Well, I
didn’t. I refused! But I could only take so much of her
badgering before I finally agreed with her.”
The captain quickly added, “Even so, I <i>never </i>said the words!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
couldn’t help but snicker. “You two are
quite the pair, I swear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Something
incoherent fell from the captain’s lips.
Ian didn’t bother to ask him to repeat himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
know, if you’d just try listening to her sometimes…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
do listen,” Derian snapped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
groaned. “Right, I can see that. What I mean is, try actually listening
without commenting on every other sentence—without blaming her or correcting
her or throwing your know-it-all, two-cents worth in or anything like
that. Just open your ears and hear what
she’s trying to tell you. <i>Watch</i>
what she’s trying to tell you. I
guarantee she can’t argue with you if you’d keep your mouth shut.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
I suppose you think you’re better at communicating with her than I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Light
years,” Ian mumbled as if it were a clear and plain fact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
see. And that’s why she listens to you
so well….why she followed you home just now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
turned his head sideways to glare at the captain. “She <i>did </i>agree to come home. I told you, she disappeared the minute we
turned back. Neither one of us had any
control over it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain’s eyebrows skewed in a skeptical manner. “Right.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
slowed his steps to turn more towards his accuser. “She was headed home to talk to you, even
though she wasn’t very happy about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
she was more than happy to talk to you, huh?
Is that why she told you all about how she planned to confront those
wretched sisters today? Or were you just
not listening at the time?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Both
men came to a standstill to fully face one another. Four fists balled up in response to the
heightened tension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
growled through clenched teeth, “I think you’re getting us confused. <i>You’re</i>
the one who never listens, remember?
That’s why she comes to <i>me</i> all
the time. That’s why <i>I’m</i> her best
friend and <i>you’re not</i>.” His jab
was directed well below the belt, but Ian was too angry to care. Meeting Derian’s glower, he waited for a
defensive comeback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain drew in a deep breath. “I guess
it’s nice to know you’re good at something……considering your family’s
monumental failure as protectors.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
lost it, not expecting such a ruthless retort.
He charged forward and grabbed two fistfuls of shirt, forcefully shoving
his antagonizer against the crumbling bark of a nearby tree. Derian simply smirked, almost arrogant in how
he had caused Ian to lose his self-control.
A trembling grip tightened around the captain’s collar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“My
father did everything he could to protect Sha Tashi! He wasn’t prepared for what happened to
her! He would have given his life to
save hers had he known what <i>your father </i>had planned! Eena isn’t just my queen, she’s <i>my best
friend</i><i>!</i> I’d do anything within my power to keep her
safe, including lay down my life for
hers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“As would I.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
stared at the truth smoldering in the captain’s eyes and then pushed himself
away. He turned to trudge further into
the forest, not bothering to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
took a moment to breathe before following at a distance. It would require no special tracking skills
to keep on the trail. His weak victory
faded soon enough, and he felt an appropriate regret for his harsh words. Of course Ian’s father had done all he could
to protect Sha Tashi and Shen Laynn. The
man had been unjustly criticized by many Harrowbethians for the deaths of their
king and queen, but it was hard not to bring up that unfortunate error now and
then when Ian’s closeness to Eena threatened the captain’s confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
boys, Derian had developed a strong loathing for the young protector from the
day he had appeared at Lacsar Castle as her personal guard. That wasn’t Ian’s fault; he had been born
into the calling. But it was hard not to
feel a bitter envy toward the guy and his position in her life. After years of hiding, Eena had returned to
them, but who had successfully wriggled his way in as her best friend? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
grumbled in his throat, recalling his strict order to his entire crew,
insisting they not speak to Eena while looking after her on Earth. Those sent as watchmen were to observe from a
distance until the time was right to bring her aboard the Kemeniroc. Ian, however, had “accidentally” caught her attention and within a day had attached
himself at her hip as chums. The captain
could have recalled him to the ship then, but it seemed convenient to have
someone keeping an extra close eye on her.
The man was her protector,
after all. In hindsight, the decision
smelled of regret. Derian had failed to
foresee how over time Eena might fall in love with Ian—with the wrong guy! She was promised to Derian, a fact Ian knew
well, yet the conniver had allowed himself to grow overly attached to her. Consequently, she had developed improper
feelings for her best friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
combed his fingers over his scalp. It
didn’t matter that she was past those feelings now. The fact that it had ever happened was
unacceptable, and it made him angry every time he thought about it. None of the mix-up was her fault; Eena had
known nothing about their promise. But
her protector had been well aware and once again had stepped in where Derian
belonged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
true that after a good fist fight over the matter Ian had backed down. And yes, he had done his best to gently push
Eena away from their forbidden love.
Ultimately, he had done the right thing.
And once Angelle, Ian’s promised one, had entered the picture, winning
Eena’s heart had proved easier. In spite
of everything, those initial trials may actually have strengthened their
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Derian smiled feebly to himself, thinking of
the previous evening. A perfect
evening. After weeks of courting his
love, Eena had finally agreed to wear his promise pendant. He had vowed not to rush her, wanting to give
her time to make up her own mind, wanting it to be her decision to accept the
pendant willingly. It had felt like a
dream when she asked him to attach the gold chain around her neck. Seeing that symbol of commitment dangling
over her chest had meant more to him than life itself. And then later that evening when she
whispered those precious words to him for the first time….<i>I love you</i>. It gave him hope that her feelings for Ian
were truly changed. Not nonexistent, but
not a real threat anymore either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
only threat he felt now was Ian’s constant reminders of how the two were, as he
put it, best friends. It seemed like a
childish notion—a way for them to continue their closeness under an acceptable
label. Worse still was how Ian visited
her dreams every night. On one hand he
understood the necessity of it. Ian was
the only one able to keep her from suffering horrendous nightmares. But on the other hand, it was disconcerting knowing
another man existed in her dreams. The
fact that it was Ian—the guy whom she had wept anguished tears over not so long
ago—really stung. Derian wasn’t sure
there would ever be a time he would not envy Ian’s relationship with Eena. All he knew was that <i>he</i> was the one
promised to marry her. She loved <i>him</i>
now. They would be Shen and Sha of
Harrowbeth soon, and Ian’s dreamy, puerile friendship wasn’t going to stand in
the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain sighed at his own petty jealousy.
Of course he should apologize for his harsh words; it was the mature,
honorable thing to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But
he knew he wouldn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
two men walked on quietly for almost half a mile, well into the thick of the
withered forest. Dead, dry underbrush
crunched beneath their footsteps, loudly protesting the bitter silence. Derian continued to mull over his
emotions. Between his resentment toward
Ian, his concern for Eena, and the guilt he felt for both, he was quickly
sinking into a foul mood. He nearly
walked right into his guide when Ian stopped short in front of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“This
is it,” Ian announced at the end of the trail of green footsteps. “This is the place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
she disappeared?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes—no
warning at all.” Ian turned to point at
the surrounding graveyard of tree stumps.
“I searched all around this spot, but I couldn’t find anything. Not her, not the cave…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
mean Wanyaka Cave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
scanned the bare trees as he spoke, avoiding eye contact. “You still think that’s where she is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
sighed in an agitated manner before repeating what he had already explained
more than once. “Anesidora told her to
go to the heart of Lacsar Forest. That
has to be where she is; it’s where she was headed. Somehow the cave found her like the ghost
said it would.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
started forward again, moving into a wide cluster of knarred tree trunks that
had been cut low years ago. Ian
followed, grumbling behind the captain’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We
should’ve brought help so we could cover ground faster.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
told you, Ian, I don’t want anyone to know about this. Not yet.
After all we went through to get her home, can you imagine how the
council would react if we told them we lost her in one day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
grimaced, allowing a low groan to cross his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
if he felt the need to defend his decision, Derian assured his guide, “She’ll
be alright. They need her alive, they
won’t hurt her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
dry plant life seemed to multiply as they progressed past the cluster of stumps
and on deeper into the woods. Bare limbs
didn’t prevent darkness from closing in on them as tall, lanky branches mingled
high above their heads. Each footstep
seemed extra loud, broadcasted by the sound of brittle scrub collapsing under
their weight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
took off to the right when Derian veered left.
They could easily hear one another as the echo of crackling twigs
bounced from tree to tree. Progress
slowed the further in they hiked, the fragile forest giving the illusion of
huddling to keep out trespassers. Even
the underbrush appeared to thicken at their advance, growing taller and more
prickled as they progressed. When
neither seeker had found a cavern or even a hint of an entrance to one, both
men circled around and met up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
wiped the sweat from his brow, letting out a deep, discouraged sigh. He was growing more worried and impatient by
the minute. Derian stood tall and still,
his usual commanding stance. His jaw
stiffened and his dark eyes narrowed below a low line of furrowed eyebrows. He
focused on a hollow stump up ahead and questioned Ian again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you certain there wasn’t something more Anesidora told her? Some other clue as to how to find them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
pursed his lips, irritated. He had
already gone over this. “She told Eena
to come here and the cave would find her.
Maybe that’s the problem—maybe it was just meant for her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come
<i>here</i>,” the captain repeated.
“What do you mean by <i>here</i><i>?</i> What <i>exactly </i>did she say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Criminy,
Derian, do you think I’m lying to you?
You think I’m trying to hide her from you? I already told you everything I know.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain didn’t react to Ian’s defensive outburst but restated the same
request. “Tell me exactly what Anesidora
said, word for word. What instructions
did she give Eena?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
hung his head, letting it sway back and forth as he thought. “Okay.
She told Eena to come see her so they could talk more. Eena said something about not knowing where
to go, and Anesidora said to head into the heart of Lacsar Forest. Ohhh…”
Ian looked up remembering something.
“She mentioned the heart of the forest near Iccarus Circle. I’ve never heard of it. I assumed she meant some open grove in the
woods.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
frowned deeply. “I’ve heard of the
place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
dared to appear hopeful. The captain met
his gaze for a second before turning his attention back to the trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“When
I was a kid my father told my brother and me about a spot in the woods he had
stumbled across. He talked of a circle
of red bushes tucked in a narrow passage.
He instructed us never to go there—said it wasn’t a safe place.” A quick glance at Ian caught a silent appeal
for more details. “Of course we tried to
find the place; we were young and curious.
But we never did come across anything like what my father described.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“A
circle of red bushes?” Ian repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. My father said….” Derian paused as if unsure
about sharing his thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Said
what?” Ian prodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
he said, uh.…he said it was the forest bleeding for the treasure it held
captive there.” Derian caught the way
Ian’s eyebrows arched with skepticism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“The
words of a foolish old man,” the captain muttered. “But he swore he’d found the place. And he called it Iccarus Circle. You think….perhaps?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe,”
Ian shrugged. “But where is it? How do we get to it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
ran his fingers over his scalp and then down the back of his neck. He squinted, staring forward, recalling a
long-ago conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
remember him explaining how he happened upon it—that it wasn’t a traveled
area. He told us the circle rested in a
perfect hiding place because no one would ever think to step there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
what do we do? Wander blindly around
until we trip over a bleeding log?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian,”
the captain grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What? You’re not giving me anything to go on here,
and Eena’s still missing!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain groaned with frustration. He
wasn’t certain what they were looking for.
“Just keep searching.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
hunt continued, both men scanning their surroundings for any sign of a place no
one would think to trespass. Their
present conditions—in the center of a congested mass of trees, trying to avoid
the prickly twigs accumulated there—seemed like a perfect description of such a
place to Ian. Derian could hear his
companion’s exasperation in louder, more frequent sighs. Neither stopped searching, however. After another good hour of pressing through
the thickening forest, Ian stopped Derian in his tracks, yanking him back by
the collar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let
go! What the hell do you think you’re
doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look
at your feet,” Ian explained. “There’s a
cliff two strides away from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain’s eyes fell, making out an abrupt ledge. He might have walked right off had he not
been stopped. Crowded by trees, he had
been completely focused on maneuvering around them. Those growing up from below the cliff were tall
enough not to give away a lowered point of origin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
backed up and stared at the ledge. It
appeared they had hit a dead end. Or
perhaps not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
know, this sure looks like a place you might stumble across and yet never
purposefully step.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No
way. You have no idea how far down…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the captain wasn’t listening. He marched
determinedly forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Derian,
stop!” Ian cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain hesitated for only a second.
“Just think of it this way—if it kills me, she’s all yours.” Then he stepped out over the brink and
vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
rushed forward. “Derian! <i>Derian!”
</i>His knees hit the ground and he peered beyond the cliff, desperate
to glimpse any sign of the captain. His
head leaned this way and that way, but the mass of trees growing up from the
ravine below blocked any decent view. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Derian
are you alright? Captain? <i>Captain!”
</i>Ian stood up and took a quick look around, wondering what he should
do. Then a voice rose up from a
distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian,
I’m okay! You aren’t going to believe
this—Iccarus Circle is real! I found
it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Relieved
and angry at the same time, Ian called back, “Criminy, Derian! That was a really stupid move!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just
get down here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
decided against the captain’s way down, instead taking a running leap for the
nearest tree extending its limbs from the ravine below. On the climb down he estimated the descent to
be about sixty feet. It was hard to
believe Derian hadn’t broken a bone with his fall until Ian spied the curved
ledge. Loose gravel and fresh, dark soil
outlined his skidded slide down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Lucky
bastard, Ian thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
he reached a point about three feet from the ground, Ian jumped out of the
tree. Derian turned at the loud thud, a
crooked grin on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Took
you long enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
fortunate to be alive. You had no idea
what you were stepping into.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
had a gut feeling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
what if you’d been wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain chuckled in a derisive way.
“Like you wouldn’t have appreciated my early demise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
wouldn’t have,” Ian insisted, adding with an adamant rise in his voice, “And
Eena <i>especially</i> wouldn’t have.”
Derian appreciated the thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anyway,
I think we found what we’re looking for.
This definitely resembles a red, bloody circle, and that looks like
either an awfully big pile of rocks…..or a cave perhaps?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian’s
attention shifted to a heightened mound of jagged stone that rose from within a
surrounding hedge of crimson. The hedge
curved around the mound like an extended horseshoe moreso than an actual
circle, lost on either side as it merged with cliffs on the opposite flank of
the gorge. Every red twig was covered in
healthy foliage, strangely unaffected by Eena’s years of absence. No obvious entrance into the cave was
visible. The captain pressed forward
through the barrier, but his guide hesitated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your
father was right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
scoffed. “I guess, about one thing
anyway.” He turned to look at his
companion. “Are you coming?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sure,
sure,” Ian muttered, still not budging.
“I was just wondering…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hmm?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“If
your father was right about this place being here, then he’s probably right
about it being dangerous too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain cast him a harsh look that conveyed how little their safety mattered
while Eena’s was at stake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
quit hesitating and pushed forward through the fence of bushes, on up to the mound
of jagged stone. The cave’s exterior
wore spots of moss here and there—not the usual green moss, but a burgundy fuzz
that blended with the black rock. Ian
reached out to touch this odd-looking fur and felt a layer of beaded
moisture. He followed a trickle of water
up the rock and further on over the mound behind. Then his ear moved in to listen. His eyes closed at the same time, amplifying
his sense of hearing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anything?” Derian asked, wondering if Ian had tuned in
to some unusual sound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just
water. Dripping water.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain made his way around to the left side of the cave, feeling at protruding
edges of stone for some sign of entry.
Ian began calling out for their queen, feeling sure this was indeed
Wanyaka Cave and that she was somewhere inside its walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena,
can you hear me? Eena, are you in
there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
continued around to the right.
“Eena? Can you give me a sign
you’re in there? Yell or pound on the
walls—anything!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
any forewarning, a strong wind swept through the ravine, behaving like a sudden
tsunami of air flooding the narrow valley.
Ian was knocked onto his back, somewhat sheltered by the cave
outcropping. Derian, however, experienced
the entire force of the gust, tossed like a rag doll away from the cave. He landed a couple yards beyond Ian’s
location. His fingers grabbed for the
base of a nearby bush to anchor himself.
The harsh wind subsided for only a moment before a second, violent burst
of air pushed through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
captain tried to call for his companion, but his voice was drowned out by a
fierce crack of thunder. Both men
followed the boom upwards and watched fretfully as a dark mass of rolling
clouds gathered overhead threatening a violent storm. At the next break in the wind’s fury, Derian
jumped up and raced for Ian’s side of the cave.
He hunched against the rock, seeking protection from nature’s fury. Ian quickly scuttled to his side, shouting
above the roar of the storm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’d
say Vaughndorin was right about a couple things! I swear, Derian, if the ground starts
bleeding…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hunkering
down to keep from being blown away, Derian hollered, “How are we supposed to
get inside this thing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It
finds you, remember? That’s what
Anesidora said, the cave finds you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
what happens when you find it first?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?” A sudden crash of thunder made it impossible
to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
the hell do we do now?”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">No
response followed the captain’s question.
He did a double-take at his side where Ian had been crouched a second
ago. The man was gone. Nothing but a tiny swirl of red leaves
flicked against the black stone in his stead.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Derian
tucked in his head, raising his shoulders protectively against the battering
storm. “Great,” he murmured. “What next?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Overhead,
the clouds burst open releasing an ample supply of rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Darkness
blinded him for the first few seconds.
Ian rose from a hunched position beside a wall of cold stone, his hand
shoving him away from wet rock. His back
was drenched. The wetness chilled him
like a river’s icy touch. His eyes blinked
a few times before limited beams of light allowed him to focus on new
surroundings. He immediately understood
where he was. The cave had found him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Derian?”
he uttered without a reply. He could
only assume the captain remained outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
faint patter of rain was accompanied by a shrill hiss from wind that squeezed
through tiny fractures in the stone. The
sound resembled a ghostly howl—too ideal for what he knew lived imprisoned
here. Ian was aware that Derian faced
the storm alone now, but his top priority was their queen. He squinted, scanning the cave for her. She had to be inside somewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena? Eena where are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
swallowed at the lack of response.
Silence couldn’t be a good sign.
With cautious steps he moved toward two columns positioned in the middle
of the room. He understood that the
bodies trapped inside were lifeless, but this knowledge didn’t ease his hesitance
to approach. He fell short of the first
tomb when he froze at a soft cooing in his ear.
A cold shiver crawled up his spine.
Had he not recognized the voice from Eena’s dream, he might have been
seduced by its velvety sweetness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Protector,”
the air seemed to breathe, “you are persistent.
Amora is lucky to have such a courageous and dedicated young man
watching over her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
gave the voice a name. “Ishtura.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
turned his head to look for the ghostly sister.
No presence was visible even though her words seemed to originate from
beside him. A soft sigh warmed his neck,
and he stepped away, finding the sensation unnerving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
is Eena?” he demanded to know. “What
have you done with her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s
fine. Don’t fear for your queen, brave one. We’ve no intention of harming her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Give
her back to me then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
turned in a complete circle, baffled by how the seductive utterances seemed to
travel around him with no apparent source.
“I’m not leaving here without her, Ishtura. Let her come home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
voice chuckled softly, ending in a purr.
“She is home, protector. More so
than you realize.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
delicate laugh. “Come, young man. Come forward and look upon the beauty behind
the voice that soothes you. I am much to
be desired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.” He turned his back on the black columns,
refusing to even face them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“As
stubborn as your queen are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
jumped when the next words sounded in his ear as if the seductress were leaning
over his shoulder. “Be warned,
Protector, your interference will not be tolerated….no matter how <i>desirable</i>
I find you to be.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
quickly whirled about to face nothing again, staggering a few steps in the
process. The two stone columns stood
before him now. He stared at the glassy
tombs. They seemed to draw him forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
right,” Ishtura encouraged. “Come
closer. Look upon me. Tell me if I’m not the fairest you’ve ever
laid eyes on. Just….one….glance,
Protector.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
persistence sent warning signs churning in his gut. Ian forced himself to step away, feeling for
the nearest wall. He struggled against
temptation, battling an intense curiosity to see the immortal beauty for
himself. But something told him doing so
would prove detrimental. He remembered
what Shanks had said about the Viiduns being seduced by these women. It was hard to believe, given the hideous
appearance of their spirits in Eena’s nightmare. That’s probably why Ishtura wasn’t showing
her ghostly self to him presently. She
didn’t know Ian had witnessed her gruesomeness in Eena’s dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t need to look at you because I already know what you look like,
witch. You’re an ugly, repulsive
creature!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
realized too late that his insolent remark was a serious mistake. He shrank at Ishtura’s howl—a pained and
bitter cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
dare you insult me, you puny mortal!” she screeched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">From
out of the blackness her spirit appeared, looming above. Hers was a nasty, angry face glowering
down. She curled her fingers and swiped
at Ian’s head. He ducked, but not low
enough to escape the vaporous nails that appeared to claw right through
him. Luckily, there was no physical
consequence to endure. Ian scrambled to
put distance between himself and the apparition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
do you think you’re going?” she hissed, her sweet voice vanished entirely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not going anywhere without Eena,” Ian bravely replied. “You can’t harm me; you have no physical
body.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ishtura
floated slowly toward him. “You miss
her, do you? Is it just too difficult
for you—a protector with no one to protect? Is that your problem?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
is she? Tell me!” Ian took a wider stance as if cementing his
feet to the ground, determined not to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
spirit rolled her disproportionate eyes at his obstinance but answered the
question. “Your little queen was sent
away. Anesidora thought the girl needed
a time out. My sister has little
patience for you mortals and your insolent tongues. But not to worry. Your queen will be returned to
you……eventually.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
not good enough. Bring her back now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anesidora
is punishing her. She’ll be back after
she learns her lesson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
ghostly spirit dropped down directly before Ian, invading his personal space
with her ugly face. He wondered how it
was possible for this woman’s body to be so irresistible with such a revolting
spirit possessing it. He tried to
imagine her actual physical features, those only Eena had been close enough to
see in her dream. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
words he had spoken earlier to Derian echoed in his mind: <i>I would gladly die
for her</i>. It was this determination
that fueled his actions. Ian stood his
ground, knowing Ishtura couldn’t physically touch him, but not knowing for sure
what kind of limited powers she possessed.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
want to see Eena now,” he demanded.
“Right now!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
sly smile inched across the spirit’s face.
One green eye narrowed, making it appear to sink drastically lower than
the other. Ian squinted, wanting to look
away from the foul expression but not daring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very
well, Protector, if that is what you wish.
Go see your precious queen. I
hope you can tolerate the cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
heard an awful cackle resonate in his mind as the blackness withdrew. In a flash, everything glared bright
white. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His
eyes closed protectively against the unexpected brilliance. At the same time, he wrapped his arms tightly
around himself, feeling a drastic drop in temperature. A blistery wind attacked his back and he
realized his wet shirt was already frozen over, sheeted in ice. He was at once afraid. These subzero temperatures wouldn’t allow him
to survive for long; however, concern for himself was overshadowed by honest
fear for his best friend. If this really
was the place she had been sent—if Anesidora had left her here….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena!”
Ian shouted into the arctic air. He
could tell his voice wouldn’t carry far drowned out by the howling wind, but
that didn’t stop him from trying. He
searched in every direction, catching no sign of life. White flurries made it difficult to see far
ahead. Stepping with the wind, he called
out repeatedly for his best friend.
“Eena! Eena!” He could think of nothing else to do but
walk. Walk, hope, and pray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Outside
Wanyaka Cave, Derian contemplated the wisest course of action. Two people had disappeared from sight now,
both Eena and Ian. If he stayed long
enough he might be the third. In the
process he might find his queen.
Possibly. Of course, that would
leave no one to explain what had happened—no witness to the awful powers hidden
in the heart of their own forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Drenched
in the downpour of a thunderous rainstorm, Derian made the decision to
retreat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
took off running for a tall, twisted tree closest to the ledge on which he had
originally slid down into the ravine.
The rain made it difficult to maintain a good grip, but he managed to
pull himself into the branches. The wind
seemed bent on shaking him loose, threatening to break the overgrown twig in
half. With great effort he climbed up
far enough to reach ledge-height. He
managed a few more feet and waited for one powerful gust of wind before jumping. Reaching out, he grabbed onto the rocky cliff
and pulled himself up out of the gorge, helped along by a forceful blast of air
that wailed as it shoved him violently away.
As suddenly as it had started, the storm came to an unnaturally abrupt
halt as if to emphasize its wordless command: “Don’t come back—<i>ever!” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://eenabookthree.blogspot.com/2013/08/chapter-three.html">CHAPTER THREE</a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #616161; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Copyright 2013 Richelle E. Goodrich</i></span></div>
</div>
Richelle E. Goodrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483974841028946668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183995885738266981.post-56868283569704479012013-06-08T10:30:00.000-07:002016-12-29T22:38:31.274-08:00Chapter Three<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
The First Point</span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
soon as Eena’s toes curled under, chilled by the ice beneath her feet, she
created an all-encompassing force field to shield herself from the arctic
weather. It would enable her to stay
warm for a while. Even her bare feet
felt comfortable despite the uninhabitable conditions. It was hard to say how long her own energy
could maintain the protective blanket with no direct sunlight or perceptible
heat available to absorb. Although,
potential energy existed in the blustery air that she could possibly use to her
advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
young queen didn’t move for some time, contemplating what to do. Nothing but white surrounded her in the form
of ice and snow and sizeable glaciers.
Scanning the horizon, she noticed a violet glimmer that peeked through
now and then between blinding flurries.
This lavender light appeared to dance in the sky along glacial
peaks. She blinked and squinted,
uncertain of the illusion. Searching for
the easiest source of energy to tap into, she sensed a magnetic field in the
area that was especially strong. Perhaps
it was energy she could absorb. Anything
to keep her own strength up and the force-field blanket warm. Who knew how long Anesidora planned to hold
her in exile?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Absorbed
by thoughts of her own survival, she was startled when a large figure darkened
the sky at her back, creating a widespread shadow. It extended in front of her in the elongated
form of a dragon. Eena gasped, but then
covered her heart when she realized the beast was no threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Naga—it’s
you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
smiled weakly, looking up into his mismatched eyes. It was discouraging to know he served
Anesidora, willing or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
beast gave a single, deep nod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
are you here? Not to protect me from
Ascultone. He should be content now that
his precious dragon’s heart is back with the immortals.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
agreed with another nod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did
Anesidora send you?” Eena asked, wary as to what orders he may have been
directed to carry out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
shook his head. It circled once around
before his nostrils flared in a resentful manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“She
didn’t? I don’t imagine you’re here to
protect me from her….are you?” Eena’s
eyes grew big at a flicker of hope. She
sighed disappointedly when the dragon ruefully drooped his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
didn’t think so.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">With
the wind pushing at her back, Eena stepped into a leisurely walk. There was no reason to remain standing in the
middle of nowhere. Traveling with the
wind seemed the easiest way to go. Naga
tucked in his taut wings and kept at her side while the young queen glanced up
at him, curious as to why he had followed her to this icy wasteland. She had mixed emotions about his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tell
me why you’re here,” she finally said, unable to curb her curiosity any longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
beast took two giant steps forward and turned, putting himself directly in her
path. His head reared as he primed
himself for a fiery exhale. Eena didn’t
flinch. She understood his intent and
prepared to receive his gift of heat.
Flames shot from the old dragon’s throat—an extended blaze that blew
directly past her. She drew in the
additional energy through her force field and built a reserve to keep her
illusory blanket warm even longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank
you, Naga.” His head tilted in response
to her kind smile. It appeared he had
come to help—as much as Anesidora would allow anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Amora doesn’t need your assistance,” sang a
casual voice that originated from her other side. “She is fully capable of keeping herself warm
enough without you breathing your foul breath all over her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning
toward the fluid tone, Eena was met by eyes of mesmerizing blue. Her lashes blinked three times to Edgar’s
perfect stare. It was hard to glance
away and even harder to think. When he
finally blinked, the trance was broken; she quickly dropped her gaze. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
appreciate Naga’s help,” she said, speaking down at her feet. “It makes it easier for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can make it easy for you, Amora.” She
felt Edgar’s fingers slip around her own.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Shocked
by his boldness, she shook his hand loose.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh
come now,” he whined. “Let me help
you. I want very much to help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
growled lowly off to her other side.
When Eena looked up at the dragon’s stony stare, she felt her hand
snatched up again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Drop
your force field,” Edgar told her. He
smiled sweetly when she dared to meet his gaze again—his face so friendly and inviting
and gorgeous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“N...no,
I don’t like the cold.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
promise you will stay warm enough.” His
words were as compelling as his stare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
dropped her protective field as instructed.
A split-second of chill was overpowered by a wave of warmth even greater
than what the force field had offered. A
deep heat penetrated every cell in her body down to the core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“See?”
Edgar gloated. “It takes far less energy
to monitor your own body temperature.
And it feels much nicer too.
Wouldn’t you agree?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
nodded without losing sight of his beautiful eyes. They were like sapphires glittering against a
world of white. Or a clear blue lake in
a meadow of snow. Deep, translucent
blue. Deep enough to drown in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
growl from Naga helped her shake off the spell.
She tried to free her fingers from Edgar’s grasp, but he held on tight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let
me help you, Amora. Let me keep you warm
so you can save your energy for more important things.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can do it myself,” she insisted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
he didn’t release her, she tried again.
“Thank you for showing me how, but I can monitor my own temperature now,
really.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
waste your energy when I’m more than willing to share mine?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
didn’t care for the way he stroked her fingers in his hold, but his argument
made sense. Why not take advantage of
his offer? Besides, it was probably
better to keep his hands occupied. He
had proven that fact back in the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,”
she conceded, “for now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar
seemed delighted with his small victory and began swinging their clasped hands
back and forth between them as they started walking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
are we going?” he asked cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
going home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
immortal laughed aloud as if the notion were outrageous. “You can’t be serious…..all the way back to
Harrowbeth? You do realize there’s a
sizeable body of water between here and there.
Were you planning to swim?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
pulled a face, letting him know she wasn’t amused. “You could save me the trouble and send me
directly home right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
have my sisters strangle me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“They
can’t strangle you; they have no physical hands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’d
be surprised, Amora.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
it wouldn’t be fatal. You’re immortal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It
would still be terribly unpleasant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ugh,
what a coward,” she muttered, but the immortal heard her loud and clear. His mouth gaped, offended, and the casual
swing of their handclasp halted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That
was incredibly rude!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
flickered a glance at him, catching the childish pout of his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
true,” she insisted. She could feel
Naga’s head nod affirmatively beside her.
The beast’s strong concurrence made her snicker. “Honestly, Edgar, I would think you of all
people would want your sisters to stay locked up in that cave. If you’re afraid of them as they are now, it
will only get worse if they’re made whole again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not afraid of them,” he insisted, stubbornly puckering his pouty lip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
do everything they say,” Eena argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
no, no, that’s not true.” He pointed a
rigid finger at his criticizer. “I have
limits.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
groaned deep in his belly, and Eena struggled not to laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tell
me then, what <i>are</i> your limits?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
refuse to do anything that would get me in trouble with the governing body.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
you seduced a mortal woman. Wasn’t that
a serious offense?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
shrugged, avoiding a real answer. “Some
things are impossible to resist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
soft caress felt hot on Eena’s cheek, and she jerked away from it before
casting the scoundrel a glare of warning.
“Why don’t you stick to your own kind?” she grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
do you mean ‘my own kind’?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Immortal
women.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ahhhh,” he sighed with
understanding. “Because I find the
mortal female to be more interesting.
And far more passionate. They’re
fragile, fascinating creatures.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena’s
expression seemed to question his sense, so he attempted to explain himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mortals
are delicate and yet intense. It’s
invigorating to be with a mortal female because you girls know how to
live! With emotion and vivacity and
sweet, daring impetuousness!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Impetuousness,”
Eena groaned, rolling her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh
yes,” Edgar breathed dreamily. “It’s a
glorious thing! With the certainty of
mortality hanging over your heads, there’s no time to waste mulling over
potential consequences. You just jump in
with all your heart, regardless of how temporary it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Temporary?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. Your existence….so short and temporary. I find it fascinating.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
fascinated by the fact that I’m <i>temporary</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
cocked his head in confusion. “What’s
wrong with that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
here long enough to entertain you, but gone soon enough not to become a
bother? Is that it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can see why you don’t pursue immortal women.
You’re afraid of real commitment.
<i>Temporary</i> isn’t just fascinating, it’s convenient!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
not what I said.” Edgar’s grip on her
hand tightened as he went to defend himself against her accusation. “I am perfectly capable of a real commitment,
Amora.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“A
long-term commitment?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
about an <i>eternal</i> one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
could see, even feel his hesitation, but he still insisted, “If the conditions
were right….yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
shook her head, unconvinced, but said nothing more. What did it matter anyway?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
walked on for a distance in silence.
Soon enough, Edgar had their hands swinging between them again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amora,
shall we play a game?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come
on, it will be fun. It’s not like we’ve
anything else to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll
let you pick the game,” Edgar pressed.
“We could play tag. I know how
much you like tag.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
glanced up at his pleading eyes. She
wasn’t surprised he knew so much about her, but it was disturbing to think he
had been secretly watching for an unknown amount of time. Perhaps in this case ignorance was best. After additional pestering, she finally
agreed to a game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,
okay” she said, noting his sudden delight.
“How about we play a game of my choice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar
eagerly agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
called…..<i> Send Me Home</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Their
hands ceased swinging again. It was hard
not to burst out laughing at the way his face fell, but Eena managed to stifle
all but a tiny snicker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
not funny. You know I can’t send you
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“If
you weren’t afraid of your sisters you could.”
She sensed Naga nod in agreement beside her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar
yanked on her arm, pulling her to a stop.
He spoke curtly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
help my sisters because they’re family.
I am perfectly capable of standing up to Anesidora and Ishtura if ever I
needed or wanted to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of
course,” Eena agreed with a sarcastic roll in her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“They’re
your family too, Amora. You seriously
ought to consider cooperating with them.
You would be far better off if you did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
shoulders squared in response to his words.
Boldly she declared, “I will never cooperate with your awful
sisters. I am not your family and,
unlike you, <i>I’m</i> not afraid of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes
you are—on both accounts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Because
I have your stupid gene?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
and because...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
roared aloud before anything more could be said. Smoked spewed from his nostrils as his head
dropped low, neck bowing to meet Edgar face-to-face. The dragon’s swiftness startled Eena. Edgar, however, didn’t so much as flinch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“Oh shut up, you old fossil, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I haven’t said anything that Anesidora didn’t already
tell her!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edgarmetheus!” Eena snapped, objecting to
his rudeness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do <i>not</i> call me by that name,” he growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
it’s your name….isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His
blue eyes narrowed, darkening and intensifying.
One look seized her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amora,”
he breathed, moving in closer. His free
hand went to brush against her cheek, lingering on a soft stroke. “Oh, Amora.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t
do that,” she said, just remembering to breath.
It was impossible to turn away from his smoldering stare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t
do what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For
a moment she was hopeless to recall.
“Um…don’t….don’t…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
Amora?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t….don’t
call me that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amora?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“My
name is.….it’s Eena.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar
pressed his hand against her cheek. “I
like Amora better. It suits you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
soon as he blinked, it severed his hold on her.
She turned her eyes away and evaded his touch. “Well, I think Edgarmetheus suits you
perfectly,” she declared. The immortal
tensed from head to toe at the sound of his full name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hmmph!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
left without a warning—his large blue eyes there and then gone. Eena felt the next arctic breeze chill her to
the bone. She sucked in an unexpected
breath of cold air before reaching out to touch Naga. The old dragon allowed her to steal the heat
energy she sought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
good riddens,” she said, kinking her neck to look up at her giant friend. “At least now I know how to get rid of him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not gone,” her watchdog announced. He
was immediately standing beside her again, but only for a second. “I thought you’d like to know that your
friend…..what was his name? Oh,
yes—Ian. I don’t think he’s going to
last much longer in these conditions.”
With that announcement, Edgar vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!” Eena turned into the wind, scanning the
whiteness in a panic for a glimpse of color. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
spread his wings and let the air pull him up off the ground. He struggled to fly into the wintry gusts,
back to where Eena had originally entered the frozen tundra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Unsure
of his intent, she called out to the dragon.
“Naga! No, no, wait, Naga, <i>don’t
hurt him!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
ran as quickly as her legs would move, backtracking. It was hard to believe they had strolled so
far, and it felt even farther fighting the impeding gusts back. Naga seemed less encumbered by the wind and
soon looked like a small bird vanishing into the storm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Naga!”
she screamed again. “Don’t hurt
him! Please!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
mind was caught up in a frenzy of panic and worry. She knew Anesidora controlled Naga’s
actions. One fateful command and he
would have no choice but to obey. Eena
couldn’t prevent the frightening what-ifs from playing out in her mind. What if Naga were forced to hurt Ian? What if he burned him alive? What if her best friend was already frozen,
left for too long in these subzero temperatures? What if she was too late to save him? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>No! Naga!
Naga!” </i>she screamed, growing more and more certain that Anesidora
was behind his hurried flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
tried to hasten her sprint, to get to her best friend as fast as mortally
possible, but the winds thrashed against her body so strongly it felt as if she
were pushing through a lake of molasses.
Her concern for Ian overwhelmed her to the point that she ceased
bothering to warm herself. The
adrenaline racing through her veins shocked her system into a false sense of
warmth. Her bare feet ignored the sting
as they pounded against frozen ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian!”
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">she cried, praying it wasn’t too
late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">With
an arm held protectively over her eyes, she squinted into the storm. Naga’s figure hovered distantly above the
ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
continued to run after him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
her suspicions were wrong. Maybe the
beast meant no harm. Maybe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
tried to focus again, peering through the white, snowy flurries. The old dragon had landed on the ground and
curled both wings forward as if forming a shield. He must have found her protector. That had to be the case. She ran faster, pounding over sheets of ice,
forcing her way into the wind. She never
stopped running, even when a bright, orange blaze reflected in her eyes. Naga’s fiery breath raged between his wings,
pointed at the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
lungs screamed out at the unconceivable.
<i>“Noooo! No, not Ian!
No, Naga, NO!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
heart sank with the heaviest of emotions—regret, loss, helplessness. She nearly stumbled over her feet in a hurry
to reach her best friend. Yearning to
close the gap, she found herself standing right beside the old dragon, somehow
traveling yards in a blink. The only
explanation was that Edgar had pushed her along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
glared harsh accusations at the traitorous beast, but Naga’s focus remained
fixed on the body within his shielding wings.
Prepared for a ghastly sight, Eena held her breath and pushed a wing
aside. Her heart was instantly pricked
by guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian,”
she breathed, exhaling a mountain of relief.
“You’re alive!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
had done no harm to the young man but had protected and warmed him with a
surrounding wall of flames. Eena felt
awful for having doubted her dragon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
protector was on his knees, his chin held high as he stared up at the colossal
monster that had saved him. Their eyes
were locked intently on one another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian?”
Eena gasped again, almost weeping his name.
Her body shivered—a reaction not only to the cold but to the immense joy
of finding her best friend alive and well.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
turned to her this time. “Eena, you’re
okay!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
pushed aside the flames and ran into his embrace where they clung to one
another, aware of how tragedy had nearly had its way. As their fears receded, Eena sensed the
tremendous worry her protector suffered for her. The necklace transferred his physical
pain—his toes, fingers, nose, face, ears, even his back were all bitterly
frozen. The young queen closed her eyes
and concentrated, allowing the necklace to heal every damaged cell within his
body. His injuries soon mended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank
you,” Ian whispered. “I’m so glad you
found me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
can’t believe they sent you here.” Eena
shook her head against his cheek. “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Because
Derian and I went looking for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh
crud, no.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
had to tell him, Eena.” Ian peeled away
and took her face in his hands. “It’s
because of Derian that I found you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then
it’s because of him you nearly froze to death.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
no,” Ian disagreed, “that was my own fault.
I made Ishtura angry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“She
wouldn’t tell me where you were, and I refused to leave without you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena’s
face tangled up in horror. “So she sent
you here where I was? How cruel!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It
may have had something to do with me calling her an ugly, hideous witch
too.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Whoa,
what?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian’s
mouth pulled to one side as he admitted, “Yeah, that probably wasn’t my best
move.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
think?” Eena made a face of utter
disbelief right before she burst out laughing.
Ian joined in until Naga’s hazy snort grabbed their attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking
her protector by the hand, Eena approached the old dragon. As long as she kept hold of Ian, she could
warm him along with herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank
you, Naga. I should have trusted
you. But I was worried that Anesidora
might have given you an order to…” She
couldn’t bear to finish the thought.
“I’m sorry for doubting you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Naga
released a puff of smoke and lowered his head.
He forgave her. Eena stroked his
nose and smiled at her dragon. <i>Her
dragon</i>. At least his heart was
anyway. The old beast vanished from
beneath her tender touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
that’s the dragon that shows up in your dreams when I’m not around?” Ian asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
he’s one of them. Ascultone and
Herensuge are the other two, only they’re not so nice. If they breathe fire at you, you seriously
better duck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll
try to remember that.” Ian made an
anxious face as he admitted, “It was a little disconcerting this time. I thought I was a real goner there for a
moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
shook her head. “No. Naga’s a good guy……well, sort of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
do you mean by ‘sort of’?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s
obligated to do what Anesidora commands, but he doesn’t want to. It’s complicated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
Naga’s a good dragon, but you can’t always trust him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
I guess that’s right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ahh,
poor dragon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
smiled. She appreciated how Ian showed
sympathy for Naga’s plight, even without fully understanding the
circumstances. That was one thing she
admired about him; he was naturally compassionate. A good, kind person all the way around. A true friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So….this
is where they sent you for a time out?”
Ian released a long, discourageable sigh. He looked out at the violet lights gleaming
every so often on the horizon. “I think
I’d rather be grounded.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you sure about that?” Eena asked.
“Confined to Wanyaka Cave with those two ghostly women for who knows how
long?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
right,” Ian said, reconsidering. “Maybe
I would rather freeze to death.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
laughed at his quick change of heart.
“You mean you don’t want to be coddled and adored for all eternity by
two ageless females?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Ian twisted up his face in disgust, Eena laughed even harder. Ian’s green eyes softened and he tenderly
squeezed the hand that kept him warm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
so relieved you’re okay. You have no
idea how worried I was.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
should worry a little more for yourself, Ian.
Angelle would have killed me had I lost you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
and Derian would have killed me had I not found you.” After a quick glance at their surroundings he
added, “He may still have my head if I don’t find a way to get you out of here
and back home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Always
the protector, even when there’s nothing you can do.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
winced at her words. “There’s always
something I can do, Eena. You don’t give
me enough credit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then
what should we do now?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
let’s see. First, I need to size up the
situation.” He cast a look around in
every direction, squinting into the vast whiteness. He then announced with decisiveness, “It’s
cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
slanted her eyebrows. “I gathered that,
genius.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shush. Don’t interrupt me, I’m working here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
giggled, only to be met with a good-humored scowl. When Ian spoke up again, it was in all
seriousness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
think we should consider safety first and find you some shelter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
pointed to herself. “Shelter for
me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
I’m capable of keeping us both warm,” she reminded him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not
forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t plan on being here forever. I’m in
time out, remember? I’m sure Anesidora
will call me back soon enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
the possibility hit her. What if
Anesidora called only <i>her</i> back?
What if Ian were left behind—alone in the deadly cold?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Alright,
alright,” she quickly agreed. “We should
find shelter.” The necklace glimmered as
Eena closed her eyes. Ian noted the
concentration in her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
are you doing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Before
answering his question, the young queen finished her task. “I don’t sense any people.” Her eyes reopened. “I thought if there was a village nearby we
could head for it. But there’s no one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
sighed disappointedly. “I’m not
surprised. Who in their right minds
would come here on purpose?” He pointed
into the wind. “Let’s head for that
glacier.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Against
the wind?” She wasn’t thrilled with the
idea of fighting the strong gusts, even warmed by her powers. It seemed easier to have the air pushing at
their backs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“There’s
a better chance of finding shelter over there,” Ian explained. He looked down at her frowning face. “Just walk behind me and I’ll shield you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
was touched by his chivalrous offer and followed as he pulled her along, head
down into the wind. They had barely
begun their trek when she stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wait,
Ian. Let me try something.” She squeezed his hand. “Can you stand the cold for a minute?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sure,
sure,” he nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Releasing
him, she reached up toward the stormy sky.
Her eyelids fell closed as a brilliant flash of light emanated from
beneath her chin. Both arms made small
circles in the air as if by her actions she meant to direct the flurries to
follow a new course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
felt the sudden shift in the wind. He
stepped away when strong southern currents turned back, creating a vortex
around Eena’s small figure, making her the center calm in a developing
whirlwind. He uttered her name warily,
concerned she might get hurt, but kept his distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
an arctic twister developed, the young Sha became less visible—blocked from
view by heavy snowfall trapped within the spiral. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
called out anxiously again. “Eena?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To
his great relief the tornado died—dispelled almost as quickly as it had been
stirred up. The forces behind the wind
appeared drawn into the center, absorbed by the woman who had summoned them. Ian watched in amazement as his queen lowered
her hands, palms pressed together. When
her snow-covered lashes lifted, Ian’s jaw dropped open. Eena laughed at his reaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you….okay?” he asked, looking hesitant to come close to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of
course,” she said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Because
you’re, um……you’re glowing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh.” Her gaze fell fast to the ground. The same thing had happened once before in
Derian’s company when she had absorbed an overabundance of energy. Eena was certain it was disturbing for Ian to
see her aglow, especially her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
okay, really,” she assured her protector, purposefully avoiding eye
contact. “I just absorbed a lot of
energy, that’s all. The necklace turns
the excess into light—probably the easiest way to store it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
look like a night light, alright,” Ian agreed.
“Are you….hot?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
recalled Derian saying she was warm to the touch the last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come
and see.” She offered her hand,
flickering a glance up as he approached.
Her focus remained mostly on the snow-covered ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
he drew near, she looked into his face a few times. She wanted to read his reaction, but without
unnerving him with her glowing eyes. It
surprised her when he actually pushed her chin up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your
eyes—they’re extraordinary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
broke into a grateful smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
his other hand slipped securely into hers, she warmed his body, purposefully
sending a strong wave of energy through his system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
really warm,” he said, overcome by the rush of heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
glow in her eyes diminished, and the radiance of her skin subsided to a soft
shimmer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is
that better?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It
was fine with me if you glowed, provided it didn’t do you any harm.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
gave his hand an appreciative squeeze, and the two took off toward the distant
glacier. The winds had settled down to a
mild breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“This
is much nicer,” Ian admitted. “That was
amazing how you calmed the storm. Could
you warm the air too if you wanted?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
but it would take a tremendous amount of energy. Besides, things might start melting.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh. That could cause a problem.” He brought their clasped hands up to eye
level. “You keep me warm enough anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
turned back to look at the spot they were leaving behind. She was thinking about how both Ian and
Derian had gone looking for her after she had vanished from Lacsar Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Was
he very mad?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mad?”
Ian repeated. It took a second for him
to understand she was talking about the captain. The grimace on his face effectively answered
her question. She frowned in response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s
just worried about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
frown set in even deeper. “You don’t
think those sisters got to him too, do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
possible. He was right outside the cave
the last time I saw him. If he’s smart,
he ran home the second I disappeared.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
if he didn’t, he may show up here like you did.” She took Ian by her other hand and began
walking backwards beside him. “I’d
better keep an eye out, just in case.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
would be shocked if he showed up here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s
too diplomatic to anger those ghosts.
It’s more likely he would try to strike a deal with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
both snickered at the same time, knowing it was true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
kind of a deal could they possibly agree on?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe something like ‘if Ishtura returns Harrowbeth’s
queen, the ghosts can devour her protector.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
groaned and slugged him in the shoulder.
“That’s horrible; Derian would never suggest anything like that.” She thought for a moment and then voiced her
own idea. “I know, I know. He would say ‘bring Eena back and then her
protector will give you a big, long, grateful kiss!’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
wrinkled his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ishtura
thinks you’re handsome,” she explained.
“She told me so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ew!”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe
you should have been nicer to her. She
might have kept you for a pet.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe
your overly-diplomatic captain <i>was</i> nice to her and he <i>is</i> her pet
right now!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
thought about it for a second. “If
that’s the case she won’t keep him for long.
He barks too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
busted out in a guffaw at the taunting truth.
“Actually, I’m not so sure he would be all that diplomatic with those
women. Most likely he would <i>order</i> them to bring you back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
when they refused he’d say something like…”
Eena paused, preparing to do her best imitation of the captain’s deep
voice. “‘Now listen here, ghosts, this
is <i>my</i> planet and when <i>I </i>give an order <i>I </i>expect it to be
obeyed!’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
shared a good laugh at another mocking truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
shook his head in amazement. “I swear
you sound exactly like him!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Just
then, off in the distance, a flash of light grabbed Ian’s attention. He strained to watch for it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,
Eena, did you see that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
swiveled around to face forward. “See
what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
squinted harder, trying to improve his vision while staring at the glacier
ahead. A bright sparkle caught his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“There! Did you see that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
didn’t see anything. What am I looking
for?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“A
light…..a reflection….or something like that.
I know I saw it. There’s
something over there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian’s
strides lengthened. Eena kept right with
him. Soon they were jogging toward the
glacier, both squinting straight ahead, trying to spot the source of sporadic
reflections of light. After a few
minutes of hastened progress, they reached an area bordered by a high wall of
frozen ice. Mounds of snow sat in
smooth, rolling hills formed by winds that dropped their loads at the foot of
the glacier. They began to search for
anything unusual. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe
it was just the reflection off the snow,” Eena suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
no. I know I saw something. It’s gotta be here somewhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian
was so focused on his search that his grip on Eena’s hand slipped for a
second. One cold inhale had him reaching
for her again. He pulled her along as he
continued probing the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“There!”
he announced at a quick glint of silver.
“Come on!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
rushed over to a low mound. This time
Ian purposefully relinquished his source of heat as his knees hit the
ground. His hands delved into the snow. It wasn’t difficult to dig out the curious
object. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
is it?” he asked, handing over his discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
took it in her arms to examine—a long, thick, black, metal limb that came to a
sharp point. She gasped when it hit her
what exactly he had unburied. It was the
first of the seven star points to Pallador’s platform. The item had drawn them straight to it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Put
it back…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
words faded as quickly as the white scenery dimmed. She was again blinded by blackness. Her nose wrinkled at the unpleasant scent of
mildew. Anesidora’s silky voice echoed
in the dark before Eena’s vision could adequately adjust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well
done, little girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Someone
took the heavy object out of her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edgar?”
she whispered. What other physical being
was willing to help these intolerable women?
A few blinks and her eyes focused in the dimness once again. Brother and sister stood together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do
you still think you can deny me, Amora?” the ghostly sibling questioned. “Can’t you see you have no choice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It
wasn’t me who found it,” Eena quickly retorted.
“Ian did.” She glanced all
around. “Where is he? Where is Ian?
What have you done with him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
apparition threw back her neck and cackled eerily. The awful sound died off as Eena cried out,
“No, wait! I need him!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There
was another abrupt change of environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Eena
fell backwards, dazed by the adjustments her eyes were making too frequently
now. Luckily, her fall was stopped short
by a pair of big, strong hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eena? Eena, you’re back!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She
kinked her neck to look up into her captain’s startled face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
is Ian?” she cried as Derian pulled her to her feet. All she could think about was whether or not
her best friend was freezing to death on an abandoned arctic island. With panic in her voice she asked again,
“Derian, where’s Ian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His
brow creased uncertainly as he shook his head.
Eena didn’t wait for him to speak.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Realizing
where she was—in her own room at Lacsar Castle—she ran for the door and
sprinted across the hallway to her protector’s chambers. When she swung open his door, her whole body
slumped with relief. Ian stood facing
her, looking both stunned and confused.
Eena rushed into his arms, hugging him once again for dear life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
just happened?” her protector uttered, naturally providing the comfort he knew
she sought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“Uh-hem!” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">All eyes turned to face a stern-faced captain. “That’s exactly what I’d like to know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #616161; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Copyright 2013 Richelle E. Goodrich</i></span></div>
</div>
Richelle E. Goodrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483974841028946668noreply@blogger.com0