Seventeenth of Harvest
Belkai awoke to find Davos’ arm stretched over her. Absentmindedly, she stroked it as she stared into the early morning sky. She admired his devotion, his determination to stand by her even after she had revealed her secret. She fought off a sense of foreboding. Truth be told, she feared for him. Despite her best efforts, her mind drifted to what would happen to him should she fail to defeat Ashelath. What did the demon have in store for him? Would it be enough for him to simply break Davos’ heart? Or would he make her take his life? If the old stories were true, those were mercies in Ashelath’s mind. The Father of Serpents. She shuddered at the thought, not realising that she was squeezing his arm.
“Are you okay?” Davos whispered, slowly opening his eyes. He didn’t move his arm, even as he stretched in his bedroll.
“I was just thinking,” Belkai whispered back, and quickly released her grip. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Okay.” He knew it was a lie but chose to let it go. He leaned over and gave her a kiss, then dropped back down. “Are you feeling better?”
Belkai nodded. “Today we reach the Forest. I think that is a good thing.”
“The end draws closer,” Davos noted.
“Every end is a new beginning,” she told him. “Hopefully this will be a good one.”
He didn’t answer as the others began to stir. When it was time to rise and pack up camp, Belkai couldn’t ignore the heaviness in the air.
The previous day had been spent mostly in silence, each companion considering the fate of the Watchers. Belkai had wrestled with the Tormentor to keep her new plan a secret, fighting to keep some parts of her mind out of his sight. She had won, but the effort had left her exhausted. Davos found himself watching Belkai closely. What did it mean for her to have this monster guiding her steps? He found his heart growing heavy at the realisation that this whole quest had begun at the command of a demon. What madness was this that he still followed? He realised now the truth of Siara’s words to listen to his heart but not trust it. Yet despite that caution his heart still said that there was hope for Belkai, that there was enough light left in her to break free. Or was he fooling himself for the sake of love, for some dream that may never be fulfilled? He feared that by the time he knew the answer to that question, it would be too late.
For her part, Loranna was keeping her eyes on Roulson. He had changed since they found the bodies, become cold. There was a conflict inside him, Loranna recognised, but to her surprise, he announced as they set up camp that he would journey into the Forest with them.
“I’ve come this far,” he’d told them. “I might as well finish the course.”
Loranna suspected that something more was behind those words, but kept silent, not wishing to encourage him in whatever darkness was gathering in his mind. Time would reveal what had changed in Roulson. He was no threat to them, she was sure of that much at least. She had taken the measure of the man and was confident that she could kill him should the need arise. But still she watched him as she tried to discern what was happening inside his mind.
“There’s smoke to the east,” Davos called out, bringing Loranna back to the present. “Towards the Last Outpost.”
“The Recluse makes war from the south, the Aliri from the north,” Loranna said. “What hope does Svaleta have?”
“We are its hope,” Belkai announced, and all eyes turned on her. She was clothed in leather pants and the blue shirt she’d taken from the Watcher. She stood with a confidence that had been missing over the past day. “I was sent here to find the Recluse and discover why he has awakened. Today we enter Narandir. I do not know what we will find in the Forest, but it is a place of danger. You have all come this far for your own reasons. I thank you, but I do not demand that you continue.”
She reached into her pack, retrieved a heavy bag, and tossed it to Loranna. “You are paid in full, Loranna. You are free to depart.
“Roulson, I only intended to get you safely to Hirton. I have no hold over you, and I suggest that you find your way to your wife.”
She turned to Davos and took his hand. She lowered her voice. “I know your heart, Davos. Beyond my own father, no one has given his heart to me as you have. But I do not know what fate lies within the trees. You should stay here, where darkness will not consume you.”
She released him, and they saw the tears welling in her eyes as she retrieved her pack. “I head to Narandir. Thank you for your faithfulness. Should I return, I will find you.”
“You will not go alone, you stubborn goat,” Loranna said, shaking her head and giving Belkai a grin. “Call me a fool, but you have grown on me.”
She shrugged. “Then again, so does a fever.”
Belkai couldn’t help but laugh. “You are a fool.”
“Nonetheless, consider this a personal favour,” Loranna said. “I will follow.”
"It goes without saying that I will also,” Davos said. “I do not abandon those I love.”
It was the first time that he had spoken the word. Belkai nodded wordlessly, not trusting herself to speak. You fool, Davos, she thought. You do not know the darkness that lies ahead. It will be your doom. At the same time, she felt strangely warmed. The thought of facing the darkness with Davos by her side gave her a surprising sense of hope.
“I will come,” Roulson announced, and all eyes turned to him. “All of you saved my life. I stand in your debt. Perhaps I can repay it.”
Belkai’s eyes narrowed. There was a lie in what he said, but she couldn’t be sure what his true meaning was. Nonetheless, she nodded.
“Thank you, all of you,” she said. “Then we must go. If the Recluse is attacking, then time is short.”
* * *
Rangir had decided that he liked this militia deputy named Ukari. He had joined them the previous night and had confessed that he thought it was foolish to have them follow a murder suspect with a war raging. That honesty alone was enough to win Rangir’s respect. Ukari had shown his skill in tracking, though, guiding the detachment to within a few hours of where his superior, the man named Davos, had made camp.
“We cannot go much closer without alerting them,” Ukari told Rangir and the others. “This mage has skills that I do not understand, but it is difficult to track her undetected.”
“She may notice a hundred soldiers entering the Forest behind her,” Ertas pointed out, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“A smaller force would not stop the Recluse,” Andiri pointed out. “We must take the risk. If we succeed, it will be worth it.”
“Don’t forget, these are my men,” Ertas said, turning to the guard captain. “We enter a Forest tracking two mages who are apparently powerful enough to make the King tremble. Not to mention the Forest is full of creatures that are supposedly desperate to feast on human flesh. Do not take my concerns lightly, Andiri. I do not want to see a drop of blood spilled from my men without a good cause.”
“Your King’s command is your cause,” Andiri said, and his body seemed to tense.
“I head for the Forest, do I not?” Ertas spat. “I simply ask you not to be careless with our lives. We have lost enough already.”
Ukari watched the exchange in surprise. Though he should have known better, he had always thought that these army types would have better self-control. They were afraid, he realised. Afraid of what awaited them in Narandir. Should he have felt the same? With a growing sense of dread, he looked to the south and began to pray silently.
“Sir!” The yell came from a runner, who collapsed to his knees in front of Ertas, utterly exhausted. “I have been sent from the detachment at the Last Outpost. We drove off an attack, but we suffered heavy casualties.”
Ertas looked to the east and watched the smoke rising from the battlefield. “What did you face?”
“Feral orcs,” the runner reported, slowly coming to his feet. “At least battalion strength. I have never seen anything like it.”
“No, I imagine not,” Ertas said, and he ordered the runner to find some food and get himself rest. He turned to Andiri. “Prepare yourself for what lies ahead, Andiri. This may just be beyond all our skills.”
* * *
The trek to the Forest took Belkai and her companions through a shallow valley that hid them from the view of the wandering shepherds that frequented the area. It was around noon when they made their way up the slope and found themselves looking down at Narandir, about two hours distant. Belkai stopped when she saw the trees stretching out as far as her eyes could see.
“Narandir,” Davos whispered as he stood beside her. “It’s bigger than I imagined.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“They say that it’s two weeks’ walk to the other side,” Belkai confirmed. “Though some of that is no doubt because of how thick it gets.”
“When we reach the Forest, let me lead. We will have no way of tracking the Recluse by normal means. But I will be able to sense him and track him,” she continued. “Davos, we’ll rely on your senses to detect anything tracking us, but I will guide our path.”
“I know how strong your powers are,” Loranna said. “I’d say that you would detect more than Davos.”
“Perhaps,” Belkai allowed. “But my mind will be clouded in there. I dare not rely on myself if I have aid.”
“Clouded?” Loranna asked. Belkai turned to face her.
“There is ancient magic within Narandir, magic that will challenge me. It will not willingly allow a rival within its land,” she said. “Every step will be a test of wills. I will need to focus my being on tracking down the Recluse. He will not make it easy.”
“What power do we face?” Davos asked, his eyes locked on the trees. Now that he stood before Narandir, he felt himself hesitate. What awaited him in that dark wood?
“Creatures that we have never seen before,” Belkai answered truthfully. “I do not know how much power he holds over the Forest itself, but every creature within has been bent to his will. We cannot avoid being spotted. He will receive reports of our progress. He will know that a mage walks his ground. I will need every defence that you can give me.”
“How would you have done this on your own?” Davos asked.
I wouldn’t have, Belkai thought. That was the dark truth that she could never have spoken. She had known from the start that Davos and Loranna would follow. Loranna had a sense of loyalty that went beyond the coin that she demanded. The moral strength that had set her apart from Milton was also a curse that had snared her into following Belkai into the coming darkness. As for Davos, his heart was far too open for him to resist the need to protect her. The affection she’d given him, though she had enjoyed it, had ultimately sealed that connection. Roulson’s shame would secure his loyalty. All of this was part of the plan. What she hadn’t expected was her own warmth towards them. Despite the coldness that Ashelath was growing in her own heart, she felt a bond with them. Her manipulation of Davos had grown into something more, something approaching love. For a moment she regretted the path that she had walked, but she forced that away. It was too late for that. All she could do was pray that they would survive.
“I don’t know,” she finally said, and they didn’t sense the lie. “Nonetheless, we are about to pass into shadow that even the Prophetess cannot pierce.”
She didn’t speak another word but took the first step towards their goal. The others followed close behind, watching for hidden threats. With every step, Roulson’s heart beat faster. Who was this mage that they followed? Agatha had warned him of her danger, and only a few hours later she was dead, as were her comrades. Had Davos and Loranna fallen under a spell? Why was Roulson free of it? His hand rested on his sword as he walked in step with the others. He knew his duty, his service to the dead. This time, he would not fail.
* * *
As they drew closer, Belkai felt a heaviness in her spirit. Something seemed to sap her energy, calling her to turn away. He senses you, Ashelath whispered. He is afraid of you. Give him a reason to be. Belkai concentrated and cleared her mind of the growing doubt. A lone crow shot out of a tree and flew away south, squawking as it went. She paused outside the tree line, breathing deep as she focused her energy. Nothing stirred, nothing seemed to be awaiting their arrival.
“Davos?” she asked quietly.
“We are alone,” he confirmed. “Lead on.”
Belkai drew her daggers, holding them by her sides as she took the first step into another world. The others drew their weapons and followed close behind, stepping carefully as they navigated over thick roots and fallen branches. The sun was darkened here, but not completely gone. Early afternoon felt like dusk as they moved through the heavy air. A gentle breeze wafted through, and it felt as if they could hear soft voices in the wind.
“There are enchantments here,” Belkai whispered, reaching out a hand and running it along a thick oak tree. “Whispers among the trees. They wish to know our purpose, but they do not report to our quarry.”
“You can speak to trees?” Roulson asked, frowning.
“I can hear the gentle voices beyond your knowledge,” Belkai replied, her voice still low. She stepped away from the tree and looked up at its branches. “We are not welcome here, but they do not threaten us. Not yet.”
“Not yet?” Loranna kept her axe low as she turned in a circle, searching for threats. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” Belkai said, her eyes still on the tree, “That no one touches the trees. Not unless you suddenly gain the ability to hear them.”
She smiled as the others instinctively took a step back from the nearest plants. She sensed a shift in the air and she nodded. “Proper respect will go a long way. But our enemy knows this. The trees will not speak of his coming. Nor will they speak of ours. We have one advantage, at least.”
This was beyond Davos’ imagination as he followed Belkai through the undergrowth. Trees that spoke?
“Do all trees speak like this?” he asked.
“No. This is the ancient magic that I spoke of,” Belkai replied. “Be wary of it. I do not know what power it has given beyond speech.”
This was the first time that Roulson had heard Belkai speak of the Recluse as an enemy. He quickened his pace, coming side by side with Belkai, and asked,
“What makes the Recluse our enemy? He has stayed silent for a millennium, if the stories are true.”
“For a time, yes,” Belkai said, glancing over at him. “But he chose this hour to reveal himself again, and he has done so with violence. His purpose is hidden, but he does not bring peace. One with his power is a threat to all life.”
As you will be, Ashelath whispered. Given time. None will survive your wrath.
“And you can kill him?” Roulson asked, oblivious to the Arcane’s whispers.
Belkai took a deep breath. “If it comes to that, I may be capable.”
Roulson frowned. “What if you’re wrong? What if he isn’t the threat that we believe him to be?”
“Then he won’t oppose us too strongly,” Belkai replied. She stopped and looked around. “Now is the time for silence. I need to think.”
Roulson bit back a reply as she sat in the dirt and closed her eyes. Davos and Loranna turned away and began to walk an invisible perimeter, instinctively seeking to protect their guide. Agatha’s words came back to his mind, as if guided by another force. Whatever she seeks in the Forest, it will bring only suffering to your land. It was more than a memory, it was as if she were standing beside him even now. He didn’t see Belkai’s body tense as she detected the Recluse’s power come into focus. He stared at the back of her head, his sword rising to strike hard. She must die, Roulson. Before her darkness consumes us all. He lowered his sword. No, he couldn’t kill her. Not like this; defenceless, seated on the earth with her daggers laid on the ground before her. She must die, Agatha’s voice whispered again, but now it seemed more urgent. He closed his eyes and tried to force her words out of his head.
“You have done well,” Belkai suddenly spoke. Roulson’s head snapped over to her, and he found that she had stood up and was watching him. Her daggers were in her hands, but pointed at the ground. “They say that the Recluse seeks out the weak, and bends their will to his own. Few can resist.”
“I heard Agatha’s voice,” he said quietly. “She wanted me to kill you.”
Belkai nodded. “The Watchers tried, Roulson. That is why they are dead. You need to know that. I acted in self-defence.”
There was a deadness in her eyes that Roulson hadn’t seen before, and his blood felt chilled. She waited a moment before speaking again.
“Do you hear her now?”
“No,” he said. “It is silent again.”
Belkai didn’t respond, but called the others over. “I know the way, at least for now. The path is unsteady, as if the Forest itself shifts.” Her eyes shifted to Roulson as she added, “Beware of what you hear. Not everything is as gentle as the trees.”
“Did the Recluse create this magic?” Loranna asked as they continued walking.
“That isn’t clear,” Belkai replied. “Some say that he did, that he taught the Forest to speak. Others say that there was something in here, something that gave him the power to bend the Forest to his will.”
“What do you believe?” Roulson asked.
“I believe that it is irrelevant to us now,” she said darkly. “Either way, we are in his domain. This is a reality that you cannot comprehend.”
* * *
That night they made camp in the centre of a small clearing. At Belkai’s direction, they only gathered fallen branches to build a fire, avoiding touching anything still living. Though their muscles ached, they had not travelled more than two miles that afternoon. It would be slow progress moving through the Forest. Belkai sent Loranna and Roulson off to sleep, but Davos refused when she gave him the same offer.
“You need to talk,” Belkai whispered, keeping her voice low so that she wouldn’t disturb the others. Davos nodded, and she led him to the edge of the clearing. She leaned against a tree, and Davos stood before her, his powerful frame highlighted by the flickering flame behind him.
“You changed when we came here,” he said, but there was no accusation in his face. “You seem more…alive than before.”
Belkai smiled. “There is a power here that I cannot describe, Davos. It’s invigorating.” She rubbed her arms as she looked up towards the Forest’s canopy, lost in the darkness. “I can’t explain it.”
“It suits you,” he said. “There’s a beauty in your eyes, as if you have shed a weight that you carried for too long.”
But there was sadness in her eyes as she looked back down at him. “I have to kill him, Davos.”
“Who?” he frowned.
“The Recluse.”
“I don’t understand,” he whispered.
She sighed, and her hands reached out to rest on the tree as if to find strength in its sturdiness. “Ashelath sent me to gain the Recluse’s knowledge. That much you know.”
Davos nodded, and Belkai continued. Neither of them saw Roulson shift in his bedroll, his hand wrap around his sword.
“Such knowledge is not taught in books or speeches, Davos. The Recluse is no longer a mortal, he has transcended this plane. But nor is he Arcane. He is somewhere between, and that is something that few others have reached.” She hesitated before continuing. “To learn such power, you have to absorb it. Take it into yourself. You have to kill the wielder.”
“So you kill him, take his power, and Ashelath will be satisfied.”
“It’s not that simple. It never is.” A tear ran down Belkai’s face, and he could see the fear that lay behind her former pretence of confidence. For the first time, he pitied her. “When I gain that power, Ashelath will have all that he wants from me. He will consume me, take me into his realm and hold me as his hostage for eternity. There is no salvation from that darkness. Unless I can kill him first.”
“How would you kill him?”
“There is a chance that the Recluse holds that power. He could deceive the Arcane, perhaps he can destroy them.” Belkai shrugged. “My chances are slim. But when I kill the Recluse, when I take his power, I may gain the means of my own salvation. But I cannot say for sure.”
“So you may be consumed, or you may be free.”
“Exactly.” She sighed. “Davos, I have lied to you for too long. You think you love me, but you have never known my purpose or what lies inside me.”
“Belkai.” He stepped forward and took her hands in his own. “I do love you. I see your torment. Do you want to know what the Prophetess told me? She said that you had lost your innocence, that there was a deep darkness inside you.”
Belkai’s head drooped, but he reached out and lifted her chin so she looked up into his eyes. “But she also said that there was a peace that wanted to be freed. That there was still hope for you. And I believe her. I will be by your side, Belkai. I will not let Ashelath take you.”
“He won’t let you stop him,” she whispered. “He has no physical form that I know of. I am the only one who can kill him.”
“Then take strength from my love,” Davos said, and kissed her forehead. “I will not abandon you.”
She pulled his head down and softly kissed his lips. “I know you won’t, Davos.”
For that moment, as they held each other tight in the light of the fire, everything felt right.