The Blood Forest (The Tree of Ages Series Book 3) Read online

  “Let us leave this place,” he instructed. “Hopefully Maarav and Rae will have already made their way to the gates.”

  Soon Naoki was back on Finn’s shoulders, and the party continued onward. Finn hardly noticed the corpses they passed, her mind entrenched in trying to recall her memories.

  She was not sure who would be able to command the elementals, but she felt it was critical she find out. If elementals could not be stopped by human means, perhaps they could be stopped by one of the Dair. If they could, she needed to figure it out fast, lest they come for her and her friends next.

  CHAPTER TWO

  A nna’s feet were beginning to ache, but she kept her complaints to herself. After so long at sea, her limbs and mind felt useless. She was surprised with how little she’d seen in Migris. After all that had taken place there, she’d expected to be jumping at her usual shadows, but the city had seemed dead. All that was left was a bit of magical residue and corpses.

  After meeting with Maarav and Rae, the party spent the rest of the day heading east down the Sand Road. Ealasaid and Finn had both spent much of the journey on the two horses, but Anna had refused her turn. She could walk as far, likely farther, than any of the men. She had, however, allowed the men to strap their proffered supplies behind the horses’ saddles. They had found unharmed food in several cellars, along with a few extra bedrolls, some cloaks, and a bit of coin.

  After leaving the horrors of Migris behind, they’d had no relevant encounters besides a caravan camped on the side of the road. They had been on their way toward Migris when they heard of what happened there, and were preparing to turn around the next day. The group did not know about what Finn claimed were elementals, only that the city had been burned.

  While the others had conversed with the caravan, Anna had kept her eyes cast to the side, waiting in the background with Finn while she clutched Naoki, wrapped in a cloak like a baby - an enormous baby - to keep her hidden. Anna had at least been grateful for the odd distraction of Finn at her side. She didn’t want to know if any of the caravaners were magic users. She already had to see Finn shining like a glittering star. She didn’t need to see anyone else.

  The only problem with keeping her eyes continuously cast askance was that she’d see things in the surrounding forest. Magic-type things. Unlike Migris, the woods were alive with movement. Nothing solid, really, just flickers of light, and numerous gray shapes that seemed to be watching the party as they progressed down the Sand Road.

  More problematic still, was the fact that soon it would be dark. She always saw more strange things in the night than in the day, whether she was awake or asleep. She did not look forward to her dreams that evening. The sea had offered a relative feeling of safety. There she only had to interact with a few people, and her direct surroundings. On a ship, she knew the gray shapes she was seeing weren’t physically there. In the woods, there was no telling what was real or illusion.

  “We should make camp soon,” Maarav stated, the black cloak draped over his shoulders fluttering in the icy wind.

  Anna clenched her jaw at the idea, though outwardly she agreed with a nod. She would have to rest at some point, and she might as well get it over with.

  “Somewhere away from the road,” Iseult added, walking protectively by Finn’s side. “We are safer where we cannot be seen.”

  Everyone nodded and muttered their agreement. After what they’d seen in Migris, they all feared what they might meet on the road, but it was also the fastest route away from the coast. A worthwhile risk. That same logic did not apply to sleeping. For sleep, they would hide in the shadows, and hope that the shadows weren’t what they needed to be hiding from.

  With everyone in agreement, Iseult led the way off the path and into the trees. While Anna would defer to the judgement of very few, she found she had no problem deferring to Iseult. She didn’t particularly like the gruff man, but she knew one thing about him for sure. He was a survivor. It was wise to follow survivors if one hoped to remain among the living, especially in times like these.

  Kai stuck close to Anna’s side as the party made their way into the forest, likely worried about her sanity. She’d kept him abreast of the things she’d seen, and fortunately he believed her, but his worry was evident.

  Worry, she could deal with. She was just glad she had someone to confide in. Of course, how could he not support her after all they’d been through?

  She flexed her palms, trying to banish her nerves. The trees seemed to be closing in around them, but she knew it was only in her head. Their broad leaves, shaped like large hands, cast eerie shadows in the dying light, but did not actually move.

  Her remaining crewmen muttered behind her back about the ships they’d left behind. Fools. They hadn’t lost out. It was her ship they’d left. Though she knew the friend she’d procured it from hadn’t charged her full price, it was still a greater loss for her than anyone else. The men didn’t know how lucky they were now to be traveling with skilled fighters. She didn’t know much about the girl, Ealasaid, but knew Iseult, Kai, Maarav, and Sativola knew what they were doing with their blades. Their party was better protected than most traveling these now forsaken lands.

  Now that they were concealed within the woods, Finn let Naoki down to roam around. The little dragon scented the ground and ran circles around everyone’s feet, but never strayed too far from her mother. Anna was surprised to notice Iseult smiling at the creature as she took the end of Finn’s cloak in her beak and tried to tug her along . . . or perhaps he was just smiling at Finn. Either way, Anna had previously thought him incapable of smiling at all.

  Soon they reached an area Iseult deemed secluded enough, and Anna exhaled in relief. Her feet felt like icy bricks, weighing her down with every step.

  There was enough of an opening in the trees for everyone to lay out their bedrolls, with a few fallen logs for seating. She knew they’d found enough supplies within Migris for a hearty supper, though they’d be wise to ration what they had, not knowing where the next batch of supplies might be found. Unfortunately, she had a sneaking suspicion it would be difficult to keep things fair, considering her crewmen already seemed to be arguing with Maarav’s as they set up their bedrolls.

  “We need to get to Port Ainfean,” one of her crewmen said. “We can sail the river Cair, far away from any Reiver ships, then return to the sea when it’s safe.”

  One of Maarav’s crewmen, Rae, Anna thought his name was, turned to the other man, Tavish, and muttered that they should head north.

  “North?” Anna’s crewman blurted. “Why in the name of the Horned One would you want to head north? Nothin’ up that way but Reivers.”

  Maarav’s two crewmen met each other’s eyes, but did not comment, and instead stood and walked off together, muttering quietly to each other. Soon Anna’s crewmen followed, demanding to know the reason for heading north.

  Finding Maarav’s crewmen suspicious, but seeing little she could do about it in that moment, she turned her gaze to the remaining portion of the group. Ealasaid seemed to be upset about something, and Finn was fussing over her like a mother hen, while Kai and Iseult started stacking wood for a fire.

  Ealasaid began to cry, and Maarav took Finn’s place, ushering the girl off into the woods to speak in privacy.

  Anna shook her head and turned back to her bag of procured supplies. They would all need to be sorted and doled out properly, and she was obviously going to be the one to do it, since no one else was offering.

  “I’ll get some more wood for the fire,” Sativola sighed, having finished tending to Maarav and Iseult’s horses.

  “Thank you,” Anna muttered, pleased she wouldn’t have to do everything.

  By the time she’d finished sorting the supplies, Kai and Iseult had a roaring fire going. While the fire might draw unwanted human attention, it would hopefully keep other creatures at bay. Plus, it was absolutely freezing in the forest, even though they were still well within the growing season by Anna
’s estimation.

  Leaving the bundled supplies behind, she moved toward the fire, holding her gloved palms outward to warm them. The sun had nearly set, casting odd, long shadows through the trees.

  “Where is everyone?” Finn asked, walking toward the fire with Naoki bounding behind her.

  “Are you truly so unobservant?” Anna snapped.

  Finn frowned, reaching a hand out absentmindedly to pet her dragon friend.

  Anna sighed. “Sativola went for more wood, and the other men clambered off arguing about where they want to go from here. Maarav went off with Ealasaid . . . ” she trailed off, glancing warily around them. That had been quite some time ago.

  “Oh wonderful,” Kai grumbled, moving to stand next to Anna with his cloak wrapped tightly around him. “They’ve probably all wandered off to be eaten by errant Faie.”

  “We should probably find them before that happens,” Anna sighed, lowering her hands to her sides.

  Kai groaned. “Why do I have a feeling this is going to be like the Blood Forest all over again?”

  Anna smirked. “Because you’re not an idiot.”

  Iseult didn’t speak, but it was clear he was not pleased. He offered Finn a hand up from where she crouched near the fire with Naoki. Still holding her hand, he said, “Please, stay by my side at all times.”

  Kai snorted. “Yes, please do. We all remember what happened last time we traveled into a forest filled with Faie.”

  Anna smirked as Finn’s complexion deepened with a blush. Anna had been held prisoner whilst her companions traveled through the Blood Forest to find her, but Kai had filled her in on what she’d missed. Finn had become even more Faie struck than anyone else, taking off on horseback in search of her family. She and Kai had ended up lost all night, not finding their other companions until the next morning.

  At the time, hearing the tale had been amusing. Now that Anna knew just who Finn’s family was, she was leaning more toward terrifying. Had the Cavari truly been in the Blood Forest that night, or was it simply an illusion? Hopefully Finn would not see them this night as well, because Anna feared she would have to abandon them all to run the other way.

  FINN’S BREATH fogged the air in front of her face. Naoki had chosen to prowl around near her feet, leaving her without the extra warmth around her shoulders. Iseult stuck close to her side, his hand on the pommel of his sheathed sword as his eyes scanned the dark trees around them. Behind them walked Kai and Anna. Finn grudgingly admitted to herself that she was glad the pair was currently safe, but only to herself. She’d never say so out loud.

  “I believe we’ve found our first missing party member,” Iseult grumbled, drawing Finn out of her thoughts.

  She peered past Iseult’s pointing finger to see a glint of golden curls in the moonlight. “Sativola!” she gasped, prepared to run off toward the man, but Iseult caught her by the arm.

  “We don’t know if he’s under a Faie spell,” he explained. “He may be dangerous.”

  She nodded, then glanced back at Kai and Anna.

  Kai sighed. “I suppose I’ll be going first then.” He walked around Finn, dodging a playful swat of Naoki’s talons to approach Sativola, who was happily dancing in the moonlight.

  Finn, Iseult, and Anna followed after Kai silently, though Finn doubted Sativola would notice their presence even if they shouted at him. He seemed entirely enthralled with his twirling dance.

  “Why is he shirtless?” Anna hissed near Finn’s shoulder.

  Finn tried not to laugh. They were all in horrible danger, and she should not find the situation humorous, but she couldn’t help a small smile. Sativola had given Kai a constant ribbing over becoming charmed by the Sirens when they were out to sea. If they all survived, she imagined Kai would have his revenge teasing the large, masculine man about his half-naked twirling in the moonlight.

  “Sativola?” Kai questioned, nearing his friend.

  Sativola didn’t seem to hear him, and instead continued to twirl.

  “Perhaps you should kiss him,” Finn whispered, stepping up behind Kai with Iseult at her side. She had been the one to kiss Kai to break the Siren’s spell, a memory she still blushed at whenever she thought of it. She would not mind if Kai had something to blush at too.

  Kai glared back at her. “I imagine one of you ladies should have that pleasure.”

  “I think he’d prefer you,” Finn teased.

  Iseult sighed and left Finn at Kai’s side to approach Sativola. He cocked his fist back, then hit poor Sativola square in the jaw.

  Sativola staggered backward, then looked up at Iseult in shock. His nose let out a small trickle of blood, but at least he’d stopped dancing. The shock and anger on his face slowly faded as he took in his surroundings, including Finn, Anna, and Kai standing off to one side. Next he looked down at the curly blond hair on his bare chest.

  “What in Tirn Ail happened?” he asked, returning his gaze to them.

  “Faie,” Iseult answered simply. He lifted Sativola’s tunic and cloak from the forest floor and handed them to him. With a glance at Kai and Anna, he returned to Finn’s side and urged her onward. Naoki chirped and began trotting at her other side.

  Sativola joined Kai and Anna, and they continued their search.

  They hadn’t gone far when Finn heard Anna sigh.

  “What is it?” Kai whispered. “Do you see . . . something?”

  Finn turned to see Anna gesture off into the trees. “Something over there,” she muttered, sounding defeated.

  Iseult looked to Finn, and she nodded. Anna must have been seeing into the gray. To their right was something . . . magical.

  Veering off their chosen course, the party all made their way toward where Anna had pointed. Before long, they heard soft giggles and masculine laughter. Finn resisted the urge to run forward, already knowing who was ahead of them. Ealasaid was the only missing female member of their party, and so, was likely responsible for the giggles.

  “Well this should be interesting,” she heard Kai whisper.

  They continued in the direction of the giggling until Ealasaid and Maarav came into view. They were seated near a small pond, surrounded by scraggly young trees. Finn watched in horror as Maarav leaned forward and stole a kiss. Rather than being offended, Ealasaid giggled again.

  Finn hurried forward and wrapped her arms around Ealasaid, pulling her to her feet. She knew a Faie spell when she saw one, and also knew that no one should have to kiss anyone they wouldn’t under normal circumstances.

  Maarav hopped to his feet just as the others reached them. “Unhand my bride!” he shouted, but Iseult cut him off before he could make a grab for Ealasaid, who struggled against Finn’s grasp.

  “Should we hit him?” Kai asked.

  Anna snickered. “I volunteer my services.” She walked right up, poked Maarav on the shoulder, then punched him as soon as he turned toward her.

  He reeled back from the hit, then laughed. “My lady,” he began, looking down at Anna, “while normally I’d encourage your behavior, I’m afraid I’ve promised myself to another.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, then turned back to Ealasaid.

  She had stopped struggling against Finn’s grasp and instead started to cry.

  Finn frowned, taking in the loving gleam in Maarav’s eyes as he gazed at his bride. “I don’t think the spell is broken,” she groaned, then finally let Ealasaid go. She couldn’t very well hold on to the woman all night.

  Free of her grasp, Ealasaid hurried to Maarav’s open arms.

  Sativola stepped up to Finn’s side, observing the loving couple. “This is more embarrassing than dancing in the moonlight. Agreed?” he whispered.

  Finn sighed. “I believe so, at least for Ealasaid. I think she’ll be quite appalled when she learns her first kiss went to Maarav.”

  “First kiss?” Anna and Kai said together.

  Finn was glad the darkness hid her blush. She wasn’t sure who her first kiss had gone to in her previous life, but in this
one it had gone to Kai, also as the result of a Faie spell . . . at least on Kai’s part.

  “She told me while we were on the ship together,” she explained.

  “Bring them with us,” Iseult ordered, putting an end to any more talk of kissing. “Hopefully the spell with break by morning.”

  Ealasaid and Maarav started kissing again.

  “Perhaps one more slap, just to be sure?” Finn questioned, wanting to slap Maarav herself for taking advantage of the young girl, Faie spell or no. Naoki let out a low growl that Finn interpreted as her agreement.

  Before anyone human could answer, a howl cut through the night, sending a chill down Finn’s spine. She’d heard such a howl before.

  Her canine encounter with Bedelia suddenly fresh in her mind, she turned to Iseult. “That sounded like one of the Faie wolves, the ones that bit my friend. Their bites cause illness.”

  “We should return to the fire,” he stated. “It should serve to keep them at bay.”

  “What about the others?” Kai questioned.

  Iseult shook his head. “I will not risk an encounter with the wolves.” He glanced at Finn. “Without treatment, their bites are fatal.”

  Finn pawed at her hair nervously, worried about the other crewmen, though she had no desire to face the wolves again. “Perhaps they’ve already returned, and are wondering where we are,” she suggested.

  Iseult put a hand on her back and guided her to begin walking in the direction of their camp.

  Maarav gallantly swooped Ealasaid up into his arms, carrying her in the same direction.

  Kai moved to walk at Finn’s side, opposite Iseult, with Anna beside him. “At least you weren’t the one to get Faie charmed tonight,” he whispered, leaning toward her shoulder.

  Finn smiled sadly at him. “The night is still young, and the Blood Forest no longer has a boundary for us to escape.”

  He let out a long sigh as their boots crunched over dried leaves and broken branches. “You’re right. It does feel just like the Blood Forest. Too bad we no longer have Anders and Branwen with us to explain the Faie lore.”