People of Fae by M.M. Gavillet
Chapter Eleven
Eli
Elijah, Wes and Merlin stood by the door dressed in in slightly tattered glamour suits. Eli could only guess they were stolen, and Zoey was probably the one that got them. He shook his head and hoped to interrogate her when she got here.
“Be careful,” Lizzi whispered in front of Wes who looked like he could explode with his inflated ego.
“Don’t worry I will,” He replied softly before Lizzi gave him a quick hug and then walked away into the darkness.
“You know you should let me go,” Eli said, crossing his arms.
The three of them glanced up at him. Their amused looks answered his question without any words.
“I am a trained sentry for goodness sake!” His eyes darted between Merlin and Elijah. “I used to guard the Borderlands and fought many a foe.” Eli added to his verbal resume. “And for your information…” Eli pointed his finger at Wes. “This isn’t a job for children.”
Eli could see Wes’s face flush as he put on a matching cape to his glamour suit, Eli didn’t remember capes being added to the protective ensemble.
“And you’re this famous sentry who lost his men near Brota.” Wes’s word stung him like a thousand pricks of a dagger.
“That was an ambush—it couldn’t have been helped.” Wes only gave him a smug look.
Zoey must have told them about when his platoon became lost under his leadership. It was his first and last mission as lead sentry. He’d lost nearly half of his Faes when they accidentally wandered into Drake territory.
Eli turned away. He wasn’t going to speak about it, and kept a stone appearance as Wes only continued to smile. Eli clenched his fist secretly, and would hold that punch until the time was right.
“Enough about things that do not matter right now.” Merlin scolded Wes and then looked at Eli with the same stern eyes. “We have current pressing matters to handle right now. Eli you will stay here and help Lizzi prepare for our return, and I’m leaving you in charge of the Rebels.”
Eli looked into Merlin’s eyes letting his stare protest without words. Merlin held his ground unmoved by Eli’s stance. Eli knew someone had to stay behind to secure the compound, but thought Elijah who just his sheer size made him an easy target or Wes the young, arrogant and surely inexperienced Fae would have been better.
“Very well then. We will return in an hour and if we don’t send Bernadette and Jasper from the kitchen to come after us,” Merlin said as Elijah and Wes went out the door and into the blackness.
“Send the kitchen help?” Eli couldn’t believe his ears.
“They are not just kitchen help.” Merlin let out a sigh. “Look, we here don’t have titles or levels of authority. We go by who can do what. Some are good at many things and some at only one thing. We use everyone’s expertise for our survival and work together.”
Merlin gave Eli a pat on the shoulder before being swallowed too by the darkness.
Eli went back into the empty dining hall. He pulled a chair closer to the fire and grabbed the fire poker which sat beside the open mouth of the dragon’s head. The embers glowed orange and a few pieces of charred wood fell into ashes. The fire was warm and comforting, but couldn’t comfort what he felt inside.
“Now you would be brave if that was a real dragon. It looks like you’re brushing its teeth,” Lizzi said, smiling at him as she leaned against the wall nearly shrouded in shadow.
Eli looked up and then put the fire poker back. “I suppose you’re right, and probably make the Fae Times as well.”
“Now there’s something I haven’t seen in a long time,” Lizzi said pulling a chair next to Eli.
“To tell you the truth, I haven’t either.” Eli stared into the fire.
“I used to read the lifestyle section, especially the fashion page. I liked to look at all the collections and see what was trending. I am a huge fan of Vine and everything he does. His craft is in the details and I also like the materials he uses. They are always soft and flowing like every piece tells a story.”
Eli cleared his throat. He really didn’t care about fashion and found it a waste of time to talk about it, but what else was he going to do.
“I’m sorry, I am boring you,” Lizzi said, with a sigh as she also stared into the fire.
Eli looked over at her. She was young and not what he thought a Rebel should be.
“No, you’re not boring me,” Eli said as Lizzi turned her head and met his eyes.
“No, I am boring you.” She stated. “Come on I want to show you something.”
Lizzi tugged on Eli’s hand as they went down a long hallway from the dining hall. Lizzi held in her hand an orillion that lit up the grey stone walls and dirt floor. They then reached a door that she pushed on with her hip. It took several shoves and then the heavy door opened to another hallway or what was left of one.
“This is the north wing and as you can see we haven’t finished it yet.” Lizzi pulled Eli through the crumbled walls and past the once magnificent arched windows that only their frames remained.
The air was cool and the moon hung in the sky overlooking them.
“Where are we exactly going?” Eli asked.
“Over there.” Lizzi pointed with her orillion to a small building.
Lizzi easily opened the door that barely hung on its hinges. The room was merely stone walls with small trees and brush growing up and out its floors. It was a ground level floor, and Eli could only guess for its purpose.
“This used to be one of the rooms on the north wing. I think it was a drying room for herbs and their preparation or that’s what Zoey said. That is why she thought it would be the perfect place. Only Wes, Elijah and I and well now you, know about this.”
Before Eli could ask anything, Lizzi handed him the orillion and pushed a large, flat rock to reveal an opening in the ground.
“Not another hole,” Eli said, as Lizzi looked up at him and smiled.
“This one is much better, I promise.” Lizzi said as she slipped into the dark opening. “Throw me the orillion.” Her voice echoed.
Eli glanced down and then let the ball roll from his hand. Lizzi caught it and held it up over her head.
“Hurry,” she said as Eli a little more cautious than Lizzi, slipped down the hole.
Eli landed on his feet and onto a smooth rock slab. Lizzi then gave him back the orillion and went over to the wall where a giant wheel was bolted into the rock. She turned it and he could see overhead the rock slowly cover the entrance by a line of pulleys and cables.
“You have quite the elaborate system.” Eli commented in the cool light of the orillion.
“Zoey’s idea.” She replied leading the way into the darkness.
The dirt tunnel was small and a tight fit to pass through for Eli who had dangling roots brush across his face as Lizzi led him through the fairly straight passage. Only the floor was paved with flat stones. The tunnel, thankfully, wasn’t too long, and soon gave way to a larger room with a tall ceiling that opened slightly to the sky above.
Eli stood up straight and breathed in the damp air. Even though they were underground by only a few feet, Eli was surprised at the freshness of the air. A slight breeze came from the tunnel and pushed its way through the circular room and out the cone like opening at the top.
“Zoey is still working on this room and with everything that is going on it has come to a stop.” Lizzi walked around with the orillion in front of her. “It has to be here somewhere.”
“What are you looking for?” Eli asked looking at all of the wood crates neatly placed on shelves that hung on the rock walls.
Eli remembered Zoey telling him about her collection of artifacts. She never turned them into the Fae Museum because of its association with the Muses. She always promised to show it to him though.
“Here it is.” Lizzi pulled down a simple clay bowl that was large in size and not very
Lizzi placed the bowl on the ground in the center of the room. She then held the orillion over it and looked at Eli.
Eli gave her a baffled look between her and then at the bowl. He had never heard of a Scrying Bowl of Nezerith and if it was a bowl to see the future, it looked like a salad should be served from it instead.
“You look into it.” Lizzi instructed.
Eli cautiously stepped closer, and peered at it like he was trying to look down some animal hole to hopefully only see a rabbit.
“No, bend down and put your face up to it and then gently blow into it.” Eli gave her a confused look. “Do it, really, it will show you where Zoey is.”
“Why me?” Eli asked wondering if she was up to something.
“Because Zoey cares for you—a lot, and that is how the bowl works best,” Lizzi said, pointing at the bowl with the orillion. “We don’t have much time Eli.”
Eli bent down looking into the rough texture of the basin. There was nothing ornate about it, and was truly simple in design. He then gave it a small blow that lifted tiny dust particles into the air. It got into Eli’s eyes and began to sting them. Before he could scold Lizzi, a vision began to form before him.
It was a battle or actually more of a fight with Drakes. Deravon, Zoey and the man Eli had seen at the Etherling Lyssa’s house, were all swinging palm scepters at the large Drake. Then the scene shifted to a dense forest. He felt his body ache suddenly as white cliffs came into his view. He saw Zoey covered in blood followed by Deravon and two other figures. He felt his heart skip a beat as anxiety filled him. Zoey was hurt and hurt badly. The vision faded as quickly as it came.
“They are at the White Cliffs of Merk,” Eli said looking up at Lizzi who smiled back at him.
“Then you have better get going.”
Lizzi stayed behind giving Eli two palm scepters he hoped he still had the ability to use after so many years. Either by adrenaline or his concern for Zoey, Eli moved quickly and with great agility over the terrain. All he could think about was if Zoey would still be alive when he got there. To his own surprise he moved even quicker.
As if a map had been burned into his head, he knew right where to go without any hesitation. Through the trees he saw the moon’s reflection on the silver-white cliffs that looked like the ground had opened its mouth, and the jagged cliffs where its teeth. Eli had made it in remarkable time, but the forest was large surrounding it, and Zoey could be anywhere.
Eli stood for a moment with his heart still racing when he heard a loud yell followed by a splash. Eli ran up to the edge of the cliff and saw two figures swimming towards a third. Someone had fallen in. He scrabbled down a tricky slope to see who it was.
With the cliffs towering all around him, Eli cautiously walked closer with the sandy shore beneath his feet. He saw a large figure and three in the water. Eli stayed hidden behind a thick layer of scrub bushes when suddenly something metallic embedded into his back.
“Couldn’t stay away or did Lizzi put you up to this? Sometimes I think she thinks she runs the whole damn place,” Wes said with a cocky smile on his face. “Surprise,” he said when Eli turned around.
“Zoey is hurt Wes, we have to find her.” Eli’s only concern was Zoey.
“How do you know?” Wes asked.
“The Bowl of Nezerith. Lizzi showed me the relic’s room—I used it to scry.”
Wes shook his head and let out a groan. “There’s nothing secret with her.”
“Zoey is hurt, but she is still alive.” Wes finally said in a reassuring tone. “She and two other Faes along with another Etherling are with Merlin. He made a portal to take them back. We went after the other one that your Mog accidentally dropped off the cliffs.” Wes put away his scepter and half smiled at Eli. “And Merlin isn’t too happy with the care you have given it.”
Wes walked past Eli leaving him standing there relieved to hear Zoey was alright. Any punishment he received for the neglect of the Mogs didn’t matter. He was relieved that Zoey was alive.
“Eli, make yourself useful and hang on to him,” Elijah said looking over his shoulder at him.
Eli walked up beside a young boy about the same age as Wes. Eli looked at the boy who stood dazed as Wes flirted with the two Merfolk girls that evidently saved the Etherling.
“Quickly, into the forest, there are two Drakes in the area and I don’t want to meet up with them,” Elijah said, walking in front of them.
They walked as quietly as possible into the timber as to not awaken anything. Eli knew that this was the wild, and not one of the tame forests that surround Avalon—anything can live out here. He tightened his grip on the Etherling feeling his body tremble with either fear or coldness.
“Where are we going and who are you?” The boy suddenly stopped trying to loosen his arms from their hold.
“You must be…” Eli tried to warn the Etherling but was quickly snatched up by the vine of a Landmerrow.
Eli expelled his scepter before Wes. Surprised at his remarkable swiftness, Eli, between slashes, gave Wes a small triumphant smile. The Landmerrow let out painful cries and screams with each slice Eli made. He jumped from swinging limb to swinging limb escaping the flaying tentacles. He felt like a hero not stopping until the creature was in pieces.
Wes was beside him, face red and vines slowly curling around his ankles. Eli stabbed at the worm like vine causing it to quiver and loosen its grip around Wes before he made the final chop severing it from the main body. Eli only had enough time to meet Wes’s scared eyes that quickly turned to embarrassment mixed with jealousy. Eli smiled to himself.
Eli then continued his spectacle by twirling his blade around him, more for show than technique, and cut at the creature before Elijah pushed him back tearing at the constricting vines. He grasped the Etherling and warned him to stay quiet.
The Etherling was placed between Wes and Eli again, this time shaking and gasping for air.
“Next time let me handle the creature. You were just making salad out of it.” Elijah scolded at Eli in a harsh whisper before turning into the darkness.
“Good job, brave sentry, or should I say chef.” Wes made his jabbing remark as he pulled the shaking Etherling forward.
Eli stood for a moment only to look at the already decaying creature. He probably was making salad out of the creature, but he didn’t care. Eli would have slayed the Landmerrow given enough time, besides the look on Wes’s face was worth it.
Lyssa
Lyssa stood frozen. Her father was her father not some monster. She looked at Orzan. His eyes were steadily on her and filled with an empathetic compassion. Finally, she pulled her eyes away and stared blankly out the window at the glass-like city of Avalon.
“I know this comes as a shock to you, but Lyssa, you must understand that I want you here with me. I want you to know the truth.” He stepped closer and hesitantly touched her shoulder.
His touch was mechanical and had no feeling to it like he’d never displayed emotions very much, and uncertain on how to comfort someone.
“How do I know it is the truth? Like you said, people tell you this and that to suit them. How do I know you’re not lying?” Lyssa pulled her shoulder back letting his hand fall to his side.
“I don’t expect you to believe me on just my word. You are important to me and the time has come for you to know your destiny,” Orzan said, with a smile as a knock came to the door. “And it seems to be knocking on the door.”
He glided past Lyssa who turned towards the heavy looking wood door wondering what was going to happen. This time she picked up the letter opener and clutched it in her hand.
“Perfect timing Izett.” Orzan stepped aside to let in a tall, nearly albino looking woman in.
Her cool light blue eyes gazed over Lyssa. She nodded her head as Orzan said something to her.
“Lyssa, this is I
Lyssa looked at Izett who stood with hands together and head tilted downward towards the floor.
“How about the way to the front door?” Lyssa asked as Orzan replied with a robust laugh.
“Please, Lyssa, give me a chance. That is all I ask, and I will answer all of your questions after dinner tonight.”
Lyssa wasn’t going to argue with him. She would have to find another way to escape and find her father.
Izett quietly led Lyssa down the hallway to a room at the very end. Inside was like walking into an old jewelry box. A large bed with fluffy, white bedding graced the center of the grey stoned floored room that had magnificent windows showing the view of Avalon. Wood intergraded with cut glass was everywhere from the bed posts to the dresser across from it. Lyssa couldn’t say that it wasn’t beautiful.
“There are clothes in the closet.” Her soft voice broke the silence.
Lyssa turned to her. She was pale like a white flower drenched in moonlight. Her color looked like it had been drained. What little remained had an icy glaze over it.
“Thank you.” Lyssa said as she pulled the door shut behind her.
Quickly, Lyssa went over to the window and looked down at the blackness below her. She was several stories up and couldn’t see the ground very well. The door was no use either—locked. Looking back at the window, Lyssa went over and with a click of the latch it opened to the stillness of outside.
She found a shoe in the closet. It was a high heel red shoe in a satin like material. Lyssa hated high heels anyway and had no trouble dropping it from the window and waiting for it to hit bottom. Quickly, it landed with a flop followed by a splash. Probably rocks and water—Lyssa hoped the sheets were long enough.
She knotted together all the satin sheets and thin blanket under the puffy comforter and even found a long robe to tie into her ladder.
She tied it to the bedpost and then with one final tug testing her ladders durability, she flung it over the ledge, climbed up to the window sill, and began to slowly move down the building. She approximated that she was probably half way down and still had some rope left when suddenly she felt one of the knots slip from above. It dropped her a couple of feet down then caught the knot again. She let out a sigh of relief, and slowly proceeded when the precarious knot slipped.
The stone building luckily had deep cracks in it where the stones joined together. Lyssa managed to find a spot where she could tuck in the tips of her toes and fingers. The sheet ladder fell to the blackness like a silver streamer. With a deep breath Lyssa tried to find another ledge she could tuck her right foot into. She found one and then moved her left hand to find another crack. She did this a few times until she found a vine growing up the building.
Slowly, she grasped onto it hoping it could support her weight when suddenly, her hands began to burn. The air started to smell of burnt rubber all around as she tried to find a crack in the wall again, but it was no use her hands were numb and wet with something. Lyssa lost her grip and began to fall through the cool air.
She couldn’t hear herself scream as the air rushed around her. She stretched her arms out trying to grasp onto something only nothing was there but the cool air. Lyssa then closer her eyes, thought of her father, Toby and Zoey and waited for the watery and rocky impact. But instead of rocks and water breaking her fall, something caught her like a spring. Instead of freefalling through the darkness, Lyssa felt herself hover followed by a forward motion past the skeleton like tree limbs that covered the star lit sky.
The lights of Avalon streamed into one flickering line. She opened and closed her eyes; her body was numb and relaxed to the point she felt nothing, but only heard a whooshing sound in her ears like wings—angel wings.