The Heartstone Saga by Archibald Bradford (short novels in english .TXT) 📕

govern our world, it exists to balance the light of creation. It is dangerous beyond words and shouldn’t be meddled with. Beyond that I cannot say.”

Dawn Morrow shook her head.

“Maybe you can’t help us against Evadne’s magic, but surely you can use yours to help restrain the Tenebrae Jonathan has created!”

“I’m not one for crusades.”

“We’re not asking you to join a damned crusade.” Booker snapped; “We’re asking you to help stop one.”

The Witch lifted one eyebrow as tension mounted in the room.

She moved towards Booker and he let out a grunt as her bone needle jabbed him in the forearm.

Adrian rolled his eyes.

“Not this again.”

Olena stepped back as the surprised Aegis councillor held his bleeding arm, the Witch tapping the end of her bloody needle against the rim of a vial she had produced from nowhere.

“The emotional nuances you humans carry in your blood is invaluable for-”

A big gob of water splashed into the side of Olena’s head, cutting her off; twin coils of more water flowed above an enraged Juni as she glared at the Witch.

“Stab my man again and I’ll drown you in your own blood!” The normally effervescent girl snarled.

Blinking away the wet, Olena looked down at her vial, swirling now with a mixture of blood and Juni’s water.

With a huff the Witch upturned the vial.

“Useless now.”

“Serves you right.” The elemental growled as Booker patted at her arm placatingly.

Olena tilted her head to one side and twisted her mane of thick dark hair to get the water out of it.

“If my people had ever found a way to harness the power in an elemental’s blood we would have won the war. Such passion.”

Before Juni could retort, Miranda stepped in.

“Look lady, I get that you have this whole aloof and mysterious shtick going for you, but everyone in this room very recently lost a lot of friends. So either get your head out of your ass and help, or get the hell out of here before I start force-feeding you knuckles.”

Olena bit her lip, a flash of remorse coming across her features as she spotted Miranda’s clenched fist.

“My... apologies. I have lived most of my life in the wilds, having only encountered a handful of humans in that time. I am not used to being around so many at once.” With her hair as dry as she could make it she righted her posture and nodded her head; “Yes. Of course I will help. I didn’t save Adrian’s life just for him to die here.”

“Why am I dying all of a sudden?” He mumbled.

Though she was frowning at the Witch’s behaviour, Tiana chose not to comment on it, instead she address Alcaia.

“Warleader, I am Tiana of Brael, and I have spent a great deal of time with some of your people. I can direct you so that you might speak with your second.”

The Saenga leader nodded.

“I came here to ensure that Adrian and these weapons were returned safely. Now I must see to the safety of my warriors, and I am most eager to see my daughter again.”

After she spoke though, Tiana adopted a pained look, causing the Amazon leader’s eyes to narrow.

The council had many things that they had to do, and bickering with Olena simply wasn’t one of them, so after Tiana and Alcaia left the meeting soon broke apart.

Shortly thereafter, the Saenga leader was standing beside the cots where two of her warriors were recovering, having a serious talk with her second.

“I had assumed that you and the others were enjoying your time away from the village, an adventure to further the growth of the younger ones like Kaylee and my daughter.”

“We were, at first.” Myrina shook her head mournfully; “But then this evil awoke, and we sought to aid the Aegis in combating it.”

“You should have sent word to me Myrina!” Alcaia rebuked her sternly; “If I had known I would have led all of the Saenga to your aid!”

Myrina hung her head in shame, but Volka came to her rescue, having sought them out after learning of Alcaia’s arrival.

“Do not be over harsh with Myrina, Warleader.” The Valkyrie declared as she picked her way amongst the many injured people in the tent; “We cannot see all ends, and the Chimera is something none of us could have predicted. Ever has Myrina sought only to keep my husband safe.”

The reaction of Alcaia and the Amazons she brought with her served as a reminder that the last time she’d seen Volka the Valkyrie’s soul was still trapped in her shield.

Once she had recovered her composure, she shook her head.

“I dreamt of adventure and war when I was a girl, as we all do. But now I stand before a Dominar of the Valkyrie and long for nothing but peace.”

“Such are not the complaints of a warleader!” Volka chuckled, the warmth of her mirth causing the people and monsters recovering around to perk up; “Peace will come again, though we shall have to fight to obtain it.”

It was a statement she was getting a lot of use out of.

“I will follow you.” Alcaia promised immediately; “I wish I had more of my people though. And I wish I knew where my daughter was.”

Myrina had since informed her of Escrya’s quest, and she was greatly troubled by it.

“We all have wishes. I wish I did not need to send her out as I had.” Volka admitted.

“Helena and Kaylee are with her.” Myrina assured them both; “Kaylee is not much older than Escrya but she is already a canny warrior, and Helena is wise enough to keep them out of trouble.”

Alcaia bit her lip, but accepted it, leaning over to kiss one of the wounded Amazons on the brow.

Though the medics appreciated