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MillionNovel > The Twilight Chronicles of Magdalena Moonshadow > Chapter Two

Chapter Two

    Lena found the rest of Stonefist’s Sentinels huddled together near where the narrow corridor that led to the trogs cavern met the main passageway. Their leader, Thrain Stonefist, lay groaning on the hard rock floor while Zahra bent over his prone body, her hands glowing as she wove her healing magic. Their rogue Ssiltek, the ranger Castor Longfeather and barbarian warrior Ragna Bjornsdottir stood at regular intervals around the pair, thrumming with tension as each kept watch in different directions.


    She hovered nearby, feeling useless and alone. No one would look her way. In truth, they seemed to be making a pointed effort to avoid looking at her. The only exception was Ragna, who glared at Lena from time to time, her stare so caustic it could melt steel.


    “That’s the best I can do for now,” the cleric said finally. She straightened up, her face wan and dark rings below her eyes. Zahra must have used all her power on their leader. Stars help them if anyone else needed healing before the cleric could rest and replenish her magic.


    “We need to get you to the temple of Sylara in Stonehaven," Zahra said to their leader, her voice tight with worry. “They can properly repair your limb there, but it will cost us.”


    Thrain grunted in acknowledgment, his jaw clenched against the pain. “At least it was my left arm,” he said in an attempt at humour. “So, I can still use Ironfang.”


    The dwarf’s axe had been in the Stonefist family for generations. Lena had lost count of how many times she''d watched him polish it by firelight, crooning to it like a lover while his actual wife waited for him back home.


    “Lucky for us you’re strong enough to wield it one-handed,” the cleric replied, trying to match his light tone. But she knew—they all did—that he was in no condition to fight.


    “I''m sorry you got hurt rescuing me,” Elowyn said in a small voice. “I''ll ask my father to arrange transport for you, as thanks for rescuing me, so you won''t have to walk the three days from Briarwood to Stonehaven city.”


    Their leader smiled wanly. “Thank you, little one. That''s a kind offer.”


    Zahra and Lena exchanged a relieved glance. Thrain''s pride would never have allowed him to accept the suggestion if the Sentinels had proposed hiring a cart to transport him.


    The distant thunder of a club striking stone echoed down the narrow side passage, forestalling any further conversation.


    “Let’s get out of here,” their leader said, lumbered to his feet with a grunt of pain. “Before that fomorian brings the ceiling down on our heads.”


    The Sentinels trudged back the way they came, their progress slowed by their leader’s regular needs to rest. To Lena’s aching hands and hips, the underground tunnels seemed even damper and colder than before. What’s more, her spell casting had sapped her more than usual. She’d been fooling herself and it had taken almost losing Thrain to make her face the truth—she was too old for this life.


    Misery consumed her. Stars, how she longed to get back out in the sunlight again, and away from this heat-sucking rock and the perpetual darkness.


    Luckily, the other members of her group soon shared her wish. After a near miss when they almost blundered into a nest of giant spiders, Thrain declared they must seek a safer route.


    While the rest of them waited in a defensible side passage, Castor scouted the surrounding area. He returned about two turns of the sandglass later, saying he’d found a way back to the surface, although the route would add a good half day to their journey.


    Their leader considered his words, then gave a weary nod. “I’d rather be above ground than below it while we’re weakened, even if it takes longer.”


    The ranger led them through a warren of passages, which seemed to double back on themselves more than once, until they reached a narrow tunnel that climbed steadily upward. The tunnel twisted and turned, and more than once they had to clamber their way over rockfalls. At least the undisturbed dust showed they were the first to use this path in ages so they were unlikely to encounter trouble, apart from that caused by the terrain itself.


    Her calves aching from the steep ascent and her hips throbbing thanks to her rheumatism, Lena plodded along wearily. Soon, a slight breeze flowed down toward them, carrying the faint waft of pine resin. They must be near a way out of this hell hole. The fresh air lent them all strength, and the Sentinels moved along more quickly, as if buoyed by the thought of seeing the sky once more.


    “Silence,” Castor whispered back from the front of the Sentinels—not that any of them were speaking. They were all too bone-weary. “We’re almost at the surface and I don’t want to alert anyone or anything of our presence. I’ll scout ahead and make sure we’re not walking into danger.”


    The ranger loped ahead of them, but in a short while, he was back, waving them forward. “The way is clear.”


    Thank the stars. For once Zaldrin, the god of luck and chaos, was smiling down on them.


    They emerged from the tunnel into rugged, mountainous terrain. Jagged rocks and steep cliffs surrounded them, with sparse vegetation clinging wherever it could find purchase. A dense forest stretched out below them, the canopy of the ancient trees spreading out below them in a patchwork of vibrant greens.


    Lena inhaled deeply, letting the crisp air wash away the memory of underground stenches—the rotting-honey stench of the fungi, the fishy reek of the trogs, the mineral dampness of stone. They were still a long way from Briarwood, but after everything that had happened below, the kiss of sunlight on her face once more was a blessing.


    They started their descent, picking their way carefully along what appeared to be an old goat track. The path was difficult and jarring, and more than once she had to bite down on her lower lip and stifle a hiss of pain.


    “Can I help you over the rough bits?” Elowyn skipped along beside her, nimble as a mountain goat and seeming none the worse for her ordeal. “I’m happy to hold your hand so you don’t stumble so often.”


    Ssiltek sniggered. “Yeah, Lena. Do you need to hold someone’s hand? Ragna’s free if you don’t want to burden our little guest.”


    Lena shot him her most withering look, although she knew from long experience that the lizardkin rogue would pay her no heed. She kept her voice gentle as she responded to Elowyn. “That’s a kind offer, child, but I should be fine.”


    They continued down the mountain, but, as she found herself stumbling more and more often, the girl quietly slipped her hand into hers. “It’s so I don’t get scared,” she whispered to Lena. “Not because you need the help.”


    Lena smiled at her gratefully, and this time she wasn’t too proud to accept the aid.


    “Were you scared when you were with the trogs?” She was keen to know the answer—and distract herself from the difficult journey, and the difficult decision she knew she must make. Lena wasn’t sure if she should be asking the child such a question, in case it upset her, but Elowyn seemed remarkably resilient.


    “I was at first,” the girl replied. “But I soon realised they weren’t going to hurt me. They even lit that fire for me, when we stopped in the cave for the night, to keep me warm, after they saw me shivering.”This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Ah, so that explained the campfire. It was a stroke of luck for the Sentinels that the trogs were so soft-hearted. Although, such behaviour was not at all what she expected of them based on their reputation.


    “Did they say why they''d kidnapped you?” Lena asked. The question had been troubling her from the beginning. In all her years adventuring, she''d never known trogs to show interest in surface dwellers unless threatened.


    “Only one of them spoke Common.” Elowyn frowned. “He kept calling me ''earth-mover''s daughter'' and muttering something about ‘the turquoise water.’”


    Lena''s eyebrows rose. Earth-mover''s daughter? Turquoise water? What did any of that mean? Master Trader Pryce dealt in furs and cloth, not precious gems. Or could turquoise water be some exotic alcoholic spirt? She was too tired to think clearly, but something about this nagged at her. She was missing vital pieces of this puzzle.


    They’d made it about a third of the way down, before the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the rugged landscape.


    “I vote we find somewhere to stop for the night,” Zahra said, her concerned gaze flicked between Thrain, who was swaying from fatigue, and Lena, who was limping markedly thanks to the pain in her hips. “If anyone twists their ankle, I’ve no magic left to heal them until morning.”


    Their leader gave a curt nod, too tired to speak.


    Castor scouted about and then led them to a sheltered spot, in the lee of a large rock, where the Sentinels set up camp with practised efficiency.


    The ranger checked out the area, to make sure there were no nearby threats, while Ssiltek and Ragna gathered wood for a fire. The pair spoke quietly to each other as they worked, casting the occasional glance in Lena’s direction. Her cheeks burned in shame—they were discussing her failure. She knew it.


    A liability. The word had been echoing through her mind all day.


    While Zahra made Thrain as comfortable as she could, Lena recruited Elowyn help her gather up some dried grasses and moss from the alpine meadows just above the tree line. The icy evening air nipped at their cheeks and caused their breath to come out in visible puffs, while the distant call of a mountain bird, heading back to its roost for the night, echoed through the valley.


    The girl puffed up in pride at being given a task and set to her work willingly. “What is this stuff for?” she asked, holding up the edge of her skirt up to create a makeshift basket, which she was quickly filling. “Kindling?”


    Lena stretched out her cloak and piled the dried vegetation on top of it. “No, we’ll sleep on them. They’ll protect us from the cold ground and make our beds comfier.” She needed the insulation more than the younger, more hardy members of their group, who’d just as happily go without.


    Elowyn’s brow furrowed as she considered Lena’s words. “The grasses are a bit scratchy. Won’t they stick into us and keep us awake?”


    Lena let out a tired chuckle. “I don’t know about you, but I’m so exhausted, nothing will stop me from sleeping.”


    She finished piling the foliage onto her cloak, then gathered the four corners to create a crude knapsack and hoisted it over her shoulder. The day’s events weighed her down as much as the burden did, if not more so. Together, they lugged their bundles back to the main camp, with the young girl shooting concerned glances her way.


    Once they had made a few more trips and had a sufficient supply, Lena scooped out some hollows in the hard earth, one for each of the Sentinels, biting down on her lower lip to fight the pain in her knuckles.


    Elowyn giggled as she lay down on her makeshift mattress, testing its softness. “It’s actually kind of nice,” she admitted. “Like lying on a meadow.”


    Oh, to be young again, and so quickly able to forget your troubles! But hearing the lass chuckle was a welcome balm to her troubled heart. No matter what else came of this adventure, rescuing Elowyn made all the pain and whatever came after worthwhile. Although, they hadn’t got her safely home yet. She knew better than to count a job done too soon.


    “Hey, Lena,” Ragna called, as she arranged the wood they’d gathered in a small pit surrounded by stones. “Light the fire, would you?”


    She wandered over to the barbarian, with her young charge trailing her. Muttering the magical incantations under her breath and waggling her fingers, Lena drew heat from the air around the stacked lumber. Steam rose from the damp wood as it dried, and then with a whispered “Spark,” she sent a tiny ember dancing into the kindling. Flames caught and spread, bringing welcome warmth with it.


    “Oh, you’re a mage,” Elowyn said, her eyes as wide as an owl’s. “I knew someone was casting spells when you rescued me, but I was too distracted to see who.”


    “I’m the Sentinel’s battle mage,” Lena replied wearily. For now.


    Ssiltek snorted. “She used one of the best out there.”


    Lena''s cheeks burned as hot as the campfire, but what hurt the most was that he was right. Stars, she couldn''t bear to think about it now. "Do you like magic?" she asked the girl, seizing on the welcome distraction.


    Elowyn nodded, almost dancing with excitement. “You bet. I’ve hardly ever seen any cast before—no exciting magic, that is.”


    “You don’t have any mages in your village?” she asked, surprised. While magic users were rarer than other trades, most settlements above a hamlet in size held at least one.


    “We’ve got Aldrin Wayfinder,” the girl replied. “He’s an elemental mage. But he’s about a hundred years old and will only use his magic on village improvements, like making it easier for landholders to run their farms, and boring stuff like that.” Her freckled nose wrinkled, showing what she thought of such practical magic. “I’ve asked him to cast something fun, but he always refuses.”


    Lena''s gaze settled on the campfire, a frivolous idea taking root. It would be a waste of her power just to indulge Elowyn''s fancy, but the child had just survived a terrible ordeal...


    Using the light cast by the dancing flames, Lena wove a butterfly of vibrant crimson and gold that trailed sparks as it flapped its tiny wings. The creature flitted around Elowyn’s head, casting a gentle glow over her dirt-streaked face. The girl watched it, open-mouthed in wonder, as it circled her several times, then dissolved into the night.


    Elowyn gasped in wonder. “That was amazing. Make another, please,” she begged.


    “Another time, little one,” Lena replied.


    Ssiltek gave a slow clap. “Looks like you have a bright new future ahead of you, Auntie,” he sneered. “As a magician at children’s parties.”


    Ragna guffawed loudly, then an uncomfortable silence fell over the rest of the Sentinels, broken only by the soft chirping of some nocturnal insect and the crackle of the fire.


    Lena eased herself down onto the ground, staring into the campfire. The air was thick with unspoken words, and a heavy weight pressed down on her chest.


    "I let the Sentinels down today," she said, her head bowed, unable to avoid saying the words that they were all thinking. Twenty years of victories and close calls, of saving each other''s lives and building a reputation as one of the most reliable adventuring companies in the region—and now she was the weak link.


    "Nonsense," Zahra said, quick as ever to leap to her defence. "I had noticed the arthritis in your hands was playing up earlier. I should have made sure the symptoms were under control before we went into battle."


    Lena winced. The cleric''s attempt to shoulder the blame made her feel worse, not better. "No, Zahra. It''s obvious to me, to all of us, after my failures today that I''m too old for this game." She gave a heartfelt sigh. "This adventure will be my last."


    A hush fell, heavy as a winter cloak. Even the nocturnal insects seemed to fall quiet. Lena glanced at Ssiltek, expecting him to make a snide comment, but the lizardkin was uncharacteristically silent, only his twitching tail revealing he’d even heard her words. Elowyn’s brow furrowed, puzzlement written around her young face.


    A calloused hand covered hers. "Are you sure?" Thrain asked, his voice rough with emotion. "Not all our missions are as… arduous as this one. You are welcome to join us on less taxing jobs? And Zahra said she might be able to help you manage your condition?"


    Lena met his gaze, seeing in it all the battles they''d fought together, all the victories they''d celebrated, all the losses they''d mourned. "You''re kind to make such an offer," she said, tears stinging her eyes. "Kinder than I''ve earned, given my recent failures, and more generous than is wise for the Sentinel''s success. But my mind is made up."


    Ragna''s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Ssiltek''s tail stopped its agitated motion. Even Castor seemed to release a breath he''d been holding. She couldn''t blame them.


    "With Lena leaving, we''ll need another magic user," the barbarian said, breaking the silence. At least the barbarian didn''t waste her breath on false platitudes. "There''s a young shaman from my tribe, who''s keen to join us. I may have mentioned him before."


    "Yeah, once or twice," Ssiltek huffed. "No—make that a hundred times."


    "He promises to be powerful once he has more experience. Mayhap more than Lena was in her prime…." The barbarian trailed off as Thrain fixed her with a sharp look.


    Lena felt a sad smile tug at her lips. How many times had she been that eager young mage, certain she could outdo those who came before? The wheel turned, and now it was her turn to step aside and let a younger magic user take her place.


    "What will you do?" Zahra asked, her caramel-coloured eyes filled with concern. "Adventuring is all you''ve ever known."


    The question hit her like a physical blow. What did she have besides her magic and her place with the Sentinels? She attempted to summon a smile, but managed only a small lift of the corners of her mouth. "Don''t worry about me. I''ll come up with something. I always do."


    Stars, she prayed she was right.
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