Chapter Chapter Three

As quick as it had come, the flash of lilac vanishes from the sky the moment the sun reached overhead. I quietly grab my things and peak my head out a bit. There is a man curled into a ball sleeping. He’s wearing a dark velvet hooded cloak over his deep red shirt and gray trousers. His face shows the impression of a growing beard. He has several weapons on him, including a bow. He has a bag with him made from deer skin. Interesting. Those are usually found with hunters. Villagers go with the more traditional cow skin bags.

I’m about to head out when I hear whistling. I look over and see a man coming down the hill. He has a bit of shaggy onyx colored hair with a thick beard to match. He’s burly and I can see his deep green eyes from here. There is a gray cloak to match his boots that he has over his tanned pants. He’s wearing a white shirt that is stained in sweat.

“Arin wake up!” The man yells as I pull my head back into the cave before he can see me.

I groan silently as I sit back down. I need to start moving. My bet is Gstalt is not far behind. If he does find me before I find out the reason he summoned me, that might mean I die in purgatory again. I do not want to go back. I will not go back. They aren’t kidding when they define it as hell.

The man on the ground wakes up. He rubs his eyes as he groans. “Alaric? What are you doing here?”

“Catching up to you.”

“Where are the guards you’re usually attached to?” He demands as he stands up.

“I finally ditched them.” He says as he grins. “How’s my little favor coming?”

Arin huffs. “The trail is cold. What is this girl to you anyway?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know, but if Gstalt wants her so badly that he’s got me looking for her then she’s something. He doesn’t risk setting me loose for anything other than life itself.”

Arin takes a step back. “You’re still working for that beast?” Glad to see their feelings about Gstalt hasn’t changed.

He snorts, “No. That demon can rot for all I care. He does have us Demigods captured after all. So, it’s really hard to say no to the man.” He runs his gaze over Arin. “Well most of us. Where is Gstalt now?”

Arin shakes his head. “I don’t know. I can’t track two trails at the same time.”

“Well you said the girl’s trail has gone cold. Try his.” Alaric has caught up to Arin by this time.

Arin nods and turns his palm up, curled in. He slowly releases his fingers, bringing on a green glowing ball. I thought his magic signature was blue? The ball releases and shoots up above his head. After a second it darts over the waterfall. Arin folds his arms as he waits. “What are you going to do with the girl when you find her? You can’t give her to that man. He’ll hurt her. Just like the rest of them.”

“That’s none of your concern. I paid you for this. If we don’t find her before Gstalt does this argument will not matter.”

“Alaric, no matter how well you think you can negotiate with Gstalt, he will not release your mother or sister. This girl is innocent. If she truly is someone Gstalt would risk his own life to revive, why would we give her to him?”

Alaric rubs his face. “Look, I don’t want to answer your questions okay? The truth is, I don’t know what to do.”

“You live in those camps. You know what they’re like.” Arin very nearly yells.

Alaric raises his hands. “Look, I haven’t decided. All I know is, if we don’t get moving those guards are going to catch up to me. If I don’t find that girl by the time they bring me back to that hellhole, I’ll still be killed. This is in a no way win situation for me. They refuse to acknowledge that I cannot track this girl without something off of her. You can, so you have to help me.”

“What about her physical trail?”

He waves him off. “Rain washed most of it away.”

Arin would have answered, but his ball of magic zips in front of his face. His face whitens. “He’s coming this way. Fast. He’s on horseback.”

“Run.” Alaric yells as he starts running. Arin grabs his things and follows him. Well that means I better get moving. I hop out of the cave on the opposite side of the river they’re on and start running. If they’re on horseback, they’ll be here quickly. I knew staying still for a whole day and night was a mistake, but I had little options. Gstalt knew to exploit that rule. He knows me and I know him. That is both hurting and helping me. Gstalt has more of an advantage. He now knows these lands better than I do. Half the stuff I am used to may no longer be around.

Right as I hit the edge of the trees, which is three miles from the clearing, I feel a dark pulse of energy. I look behind me as I hear horses scream and men swear. I’m more than dead if they’re that close. Gstalt must be weak if I’m just sensing him. He’s trying to get his full power back, which is why he brought me back. He has something bigger planned than ruling the world. What though? A war with the Gods perhaps? It can’t be to destroy this world. He loves himself too much for that.

If he’s weak though, why am I running? Because he has an army of Demigods behind him that likely don’t know how weak he is. I’d be captured and restrained before I can get within five hundred feet of him.

Think Callia. What weakens a linking spell? It’s a long shot, but it honestly is my best shot. He didn’t technically perform one, but he still has the same benefits. I need my blood and the blood of the castor. If the castor’s blood is not available, the blood of a hawkraven will do in a pinch. Why? Because the hawkraven has some similar magical traits as Gstalt. Those are in the ridges of Nore Lands Canyons. That’s south and likely a six-day journey from here. However, it is my best shot.

I’ll keep running until I hit the next town. I’ll need to steal a horse, or at least find one, to get through the Lochi Desert. I hate running. Why am I always running these days? That’s right, a mad man is after me. Only I think he’s more demon than man at this point. There is only so much you can follow black magic before it starts to take over. The only way to purify yourself of the darkness, and still retain its power, is to mostly kill yourself and revive yourself in the blood of your nemesis. That way you stay dark but you’re out of reach for the God of Darkness. That might be another reason he revived me. He needs to kill me again. Well that isn’t happening.

I make it to the next town just before nightfall. There is a festival going on that has people drinking and laughing. From what I can gather, the Warming Festival is still going on. It’s usually a weeklong so I wonder how long it has been going. I pick people’s pockets as I go. They really do not pay me any mind as they dance to the music of string instruments and people clapping. Lanterns line the road so people can make their way through.

I hear a hallow screech as I near the center of town, looking for a horse that is willing to leave with me; and won’t be terribly missed. It’d be more than evil to steal a farmers’ mare. I take Merkth’s advice and shy away from those who are old. I keep a hood on my head to help keep my face hidden.

“Come! Come see the birds of mystic lands. They’ll tell of the future in this rotten land.” A woman cackles from across the square. Most giggle and walk on but she does manage to gather a few to her.

I push past the crowd that is gathering in front of the stall, trying to focus on locating a horse. They’re usually on the back end of the town. I really shouldn’t be stealing, but I have little choice after being dead for a century. It’s not like you can earn money, or they don’t take your things, when you’re dead. I do have some coins hidden away for emergencies. It’s a little far. Maybe I’ll go after it after I take care of this link Gstalt has on me.

“The birds can see most can’t!” The woman calls. “Come and see your future! Madam Ziona knows all.”

“

,” I think as I roll my eyes. Frustratingly the crowd grows thicker the further I press in. “

,” I shout repeatedly in my head as they try to stop me from passing. Once they see I’m just trying to get through the crowd, they step to the side to allow me to pass.

As I finally clear the crowd, I hear several birds screech. People scream and start ducking. I look behind me to see a massive bird with black and brown feathers flying at me. I hunch down, avoiding a claw to the head. What the-That is a hawkraven if I’ve ever seen one. The bird turns around and starts to fly towards me again.

Ignoring all instinct, I stand and hold my arm out. The great bird perches on my arm and starts preening its feathers. The feathers are thick to help stay warm in the cold desert nights. They are a half and half color on each feather. Black on the bottom, brown on the top. Its beak is long, black, and extremely sharp. Its eyes are black, absorbing everything it can. It is believed they can see magic in others, and spells before they are cast. Its long black talons can easily rip through my arm if it’s not careful.

“Ambra! Ambra!” The stall owner yells. “Return to Madam Ziona.”

The bird gives a deafening screech in response and continues cleaning itself.

“Don’t bring that attitude towards me. You’re much needed, now return.” The woman orders, causing the crowd to giggle. The crowd starts parting as the woman walks her way over to us. “Ambra, what is the matter? This isn’t like you?” Madam Ziona demands from the bird when she reaches us.

I keep my face away from the old woman and look at the bird. I try to hand the bird off to her, but she holds on tight. Madam Ziona attempted to grab her, but Ambra takes a warning snap at her. “Go.” I encourage Ambra after that. The bird just gives me a defying stare. I sigh as I roll my eyes. I hate these birds. It’s impossible to get them to do something they don’t want to do.

“Ma’am, if you could just come with me. There is a treat in the tent that might lure her from your arm.” The woman takes my free hand in response I follow her through the crowd as whispers follow. Most of them think this is just an act, but I’d give anything to get out of their sight. The woman leads me to the back of the tent while she instructs her partner to take over.

In the back there are cages without doors. Nests are built in the bottom, and they look bird made. It appears the woman lets them come and go as they please. Plants and potions cover the round table she has sitting in the middle of the tent. Wooden boxes hold more and are stacked on the ground underneath the table. She pulls out a wooden bird perch from the corner and opens a trunk in the back corner. She pulls out a dead rat and places it on the perch. The bird screeches and zooms over to eat the dead rat. I resist gagging.

The woman turns to me, allowing me to look at her. She’s tan with dark black curls twirled around her head. Emerald eyes have a gravitational force as she gives a withered old smile. She’s old, but not old enough to be dead quite yet. Her skin is wrinkled with age but there is grace in every fold. “Now, why is Ambra so drawn to you?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea.” I say as I keep most of my face hidden. She’s old enough to recognize me, even if I haven’t seen her. My face spent a good amount of time before I died plastered on posters.

Her eyes narrow as she circles me. “Let’s see if Madam Ziona can guess. You travel a lot it seems. Your shoes are filthy as well as your clothes.” She stands in front of me. “You also hide your face from me. Are you on the run?”

“Depends on what your definition is.” I breathe as the bird flies back to me. I hold out my arm and it lands immediately.

“That is a yes.” She chuckles. Madam Ziona eyes the bird. “Ambra is very picky with who she lets touch her. She’s drawn to those with power and are in need of help. Ambra has never been one to shy from giving help. She’s a big hearted bird.”

I stroke the bird gently. “She’s got good instincts.”

The woman’s eyes narrow as the bird rubs her head against my palm. Before I can react, she grabs my hand and squeezes hard, causing me to yelp. The startled bird screeches and bites at my hand, following her masters’ example. I cry out in pain as I try to pull my hand away. “What are you doing?” I demand.

The bird bites hard again, drawing blood. Before I can say anything, Madam Ziona draws a knife and cuts the birds wing. A pink mist begins to grow as the woman’s eyes fade. I gasp in pain as I feel as if life is being sucked out of me. The crowd outside begins to yell as she releases my hand. As soon as her hand leaves me, lilac shoots out from me, which leaves me breathless. My vision goes black, and I fall to my knees.

“You must go!” She yells as she grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet, my vision slowly returning. “I’ve terminated the link. Your power is returning to you now, so you must go before he finds you.”

“What did you do?” I demand as I slowly begin to feel stronger. I know what she did; but I’ve never seen this spell performed or have done it. I didn’t know this is what it was like.

“I removed the linking spell from that evil creature on you. I didn’t remove the other, I swear.” She reaches for Ambra, who quickly bites at her. As she yanks her hand back it knocks my hood off, revealing my face. Her skin goes white as her eyes widen. “Callia, you’re alive?”

Shock is in every inch of my being. What is going on? Why did she do this? She doesn’t know me. “How did you know?”

She grins. “Madam Ziona knows all. I knew you were girl with great power in need of help. Ambra only nuzzles those with linking spells. You had mentioned you were on the run. I did the math.” She grabs my arm and pulls me to the back. “You must go. Gstalt is here. I can sense him. The spell isn’t fully lifted since his power is so strong, and it wasn’t his blood. If you are in a city length, he will feel you.”

Madam Ziona shoves me again. “Now, you need to leave. Gstalt will have seen where you are as that connection broke. I don’t know how you’re alive; but if you are, you’re our last chance. Run. I’ll hold him off.”

“But-“ I start as I’m cut off. If she performed the spell, that makes her strong. Pink is the color of a love god. They’re strong. She’s definitely not a god, but she is the child of one. Gstalt will likely kill or imprison her.

“Never mind. Go! Take my horse. Her name is Liza. Ambra, go with her. Keep her safe. Get her to Mother. Now!” She shoves me out the back as my head is left spinning. What is going on? “You’re our last chance. Thank the Gods you’re back.” It isn’t long before I hear a scream come from inside the tent.

Well, I’m already found out. I touch the tent and picture a bubble. The bubble that I picture is realigned with steel and iron, making it impenetrable. I picture pink magic being able to exit and black as the one that is trapped. It won’t hold him long, but it’ll be enough to stall.

As I pull my hand from the tent the lilac bubble grows around it. Ambra shrieks as she pulls at my hood. Madam Ziona appears with blood on her forehead and down her arm. I reach in and pull the woman out of the shield.

Madam Ziona grabs my arm. “You must leave. He’s strong.” Her grip is weak, and she is tired.

I look her over. “I’ll run, if you do.”

She’s interrupted by a maddening shriek. I turn my head slightly and see my enemy. Gstalt is trying to push through the magical barrier to grab me. His eyes are a pure maddening black. His hair is short and choppy, the ebony color matching his eyes, highlighting his ashen skin. Muscles exist on the man; but I cannot make out an ounce of fat. He can tower over me easily. He’s baring his somewhat pointy teeth at me. The power radiating off of him is deafening. He’s not as strong as me, but I can feel he has other magics to help him. It won’t be long until he can break this shield, especially since I didn’t put all my strength into it.

Madam Ziona pulls at me. “I’ll leave. Go! Please.”

“Callia!” Gstalt yells as he pounds at the shield.

“Now!” She yells as she pushes at me. “Take Liza.”

I nod and start running, Ambra following me. Ambra leads me to a black horse with a streak of silver down her snout. I take it this is Liza. She’s about a hand taller than me, but my shoulder lines up with hers. The horse immediately turns to allow me to climb onto her. She’s already saddled so I at least don’t need to worry about riding bareback.