The Echoes of War

By M. M. Wedin

Simple refuge will not stop the threat of sorcery, it will only fuel the fire.

After the King's fall, survivors of the war fight to find a safe place to rebuild. Despite the dangers of the Wastelands, Hilaniue holds on to hope of reaching Astaures. Having been warned about the dragons and draelos lurking in the shadows, bu

• Language: English
• Publisher: Levereth Publishing
• Release date: Jun 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648341338

Book preview

Chapter 1

**Hilaniue**

The pulsing of her shoulder could no longer be ignored. Time didn’t exist, only the pain. All she saw around her now was mountains blending in with endless paths of stone and gravel. The world was starting to slip away from her completely.

She heard voices echoing around her. Arms, legs, faces she couldn’t recognise. Was it day or night? Were the faces of friends or foes? She didn’t know, and she couldn’t do anything. She felt herself being moved, the constant, pounding pain numbed all feeling of any other part of her body. Her head felt big and heavy, and the motions happening around her caused her stomach to churn.

Darkness surrounded her, but she couldn’t tell if it was because it was night, or because she was now inside a house, or a tent. More faces emerged, looking down at her. Hands touched her, but all she could feel was the stabbings of her flesh.

A glimmer of red eyes flashed before her. Meri. She was still there. Seeing her red hair flutter around her awoke a feeling of relief; starting at the chest and making its way through her stomach. Closing her eyes, an urge to fall asleep hit her like a rock to the head. Just for a little bit. Let me just sleep for a while. I’m exhausted, and in so much pain.

The first thing she noticed as she opened her eyes again was the sweat. Her hair lay wet on her shoulders, and what felt like hundreds of drops trailed down her face like tears. At first, the environment around her was all a blur of different colours. Blinking a few times, it all slowly cleared up.

A tent. Wooden poles held it up above and around her. A firepit held a small flame next to the thin layer of fur she was laying on. Turning her head, she could see the opening to the tent. It had been left half-open, darkness looming outside.

As she forcefully pushed forward any memories of the trip from Dragonhold to here, she realised they must have reached the Night God Tribe. How long had it taken them? A day? Two? More?

Hilaniue tried to move her arms, but the pain radiating down her entire side caused her to cry out. She turned her head to look at the damage as her own screams echoed inside her mind. She touched the open, now infected, wound, and noticed she had been dressed in a brown, sleeveless tunic.

Voices sounded outside, and the flap covering the opening moved. Hilaniue felt more sweat drip down her forehead as she turned to see who entered the tent.

Hilaniue! Are you okay? Elsie sat down on the ground beside her. Her eyes were bloodshot and her sweet face pale.

You don’t look so good, Hilaniue said, her voice sounding weak and almost unrecognisable to herself.

I just haven’t slept. Elsie grabbed Hilaniue’s hand and squeezed it. How are you feeling?

I don’t know. She didn’t. She had no idea how serious this infection was. Where’s Meri?

Elsie smiled as she picked up a small bowl and stirred the contents with a small, wooden stick. She’s asleep, in the tent next to us.

Why is she not here, in this tent?

Oh, they didn’t trust her. She’s alright, though. I promise.

A shot of fear travelled its way through Hilaniue’s chest. No. No, she should be here.

Lay down, you need to be calm. You are very sick, let me put some of this on your wound.

Hilaniue squeezed her eyes shut as Elsie rubbed something on her shoulder.

Elsie, she can help me. You need to get her. The ball of light, let her heal me.

The rubbing stopped, Hilaniue opened her eyes and looked at her sister.

What do you mean? She can use magic on you? I didn’t let her! Elsie’s face twisted and her eyes narrowed.

Oh no, no, no, no, I don’t need this. Listen to me, she is a healer, I’ve seen her work. It’s safe. You have to let her help me.

"I’m a healer! I can help you, without using magic."

Elsie, please, don’t be stupid. I’m telling you, Meri can be trusted.

Elsie frowned. Well, the others don’t trust her either. So I can’t get her here, anyway.

Hilaniue turned her head back and stared up the roof of the tent. Her limbs felt numb, and she could barely focus enough to move her aching body. She closed her eyes and let her sister attend to her wound in peace.

I’ll feel better tomorrow, I’ll tell them to trust Meri, and we’ll be fine. Just fine.

***

She didn’t feel better the next morning. The sweating wouldn’t stop, and she kept drifting in and out of sleep. She picked up a few unfamiliar faces and placed them in her memory, for when she felt better. A woman with light hair kept coming to her side. She felt her forehead, wiped the sweat from her body, and placed herbs on her wound. A man came a few times as well. She couldn’t make out his face, but she recognised the big helmet he wore. It seemed to be of iron, with two big antlers attached on each side of it. Judging by his tone of voice, and sheer size of him, she thought he must be a commander of some sort.

Meri never came. She never got another glimpse of her red eyes. Although she couldn’t speak or move, inside her mind, she prayed they had been kind to her. If something was to happen, and Hilaniue didn’t do anything about it, she could never forgive herself.

Hours, days, possibly weeks, passed, and Hilaniue didn’t move. Dreams of bright, never-ending paths through a forest of light occupied her mind when she was asleep. Eos and white, fluffy wolves danced around her as she rode on Midnight. She knew it was a dream, but staying there, in the forest, felt like the best thing for her to do. She knew that if she left, the pain would be back, along with the constant feeling of her skin melting away from her body.

Hilaniue! a voice called out in the forest. Hilaniue!

She turned her head, searching for the source of the voice, but realizing it didn’t come from there. It came from the real world.

Wake up! Please!

Taking a breath, Hilaniue focused on getting back. Back to the tent, back to Elsie, and Meri.

Hilaniue!

Her eyes flung open. Elsie was staring at her, both her hands clutching on to Hilaniue’s cheeks.

Elsie, she whispered as her surroundings became clearer.

Meri is here, I got her here.

A soft hand touched the top of her head. Just lay still and take deep breaths. It was Meri’s soft voice.

Feeling calm, and at peace, Hilaniue closed her eyes again. The bright light in the forest flashed before her, but this time she also felt an inner warmth. The pain in her shoulder eased, and the sweat on her forehead slowly dried. She could feel a cool breeze embrace her entire body.

Oh, my Lord! she heard Elsie exclaim. What is that?

The light of Vitus, Hilaniue thought, just let her heal me, I can feel it, it’s working.

Chapter 2

*Sarra**

Clutching on to her mother, Sarra tried to come to terms with what had happened. The carriage jolted back and forth as they rode through the woodlands, on their way to Ordea Mainland. Her stomach rumbled, and her throat was dry as a desert, but the pain in her heart was more than she could handle. Her mother had been quiet, the only sound she ever made was to the baby, or to Malconius, as she tried to keep him alive.

The King is dead, my father is dead, my love is dead, and so is my protector. Where is Old Edvard? Did he survive? The words kept repeating themselves in her head. The look on Emerson’s face as he fought fearlessly inside the castle was now imprinted permanently to her mind. So was the look of her headless father. Luckily, she barely saw Nikola die. At least the sight of it wouldn’t haunt her, only the pain and the loss of the only man she had ever loved.

As she closed her eyes, a flash of blood clouded her mind. It always did. Blood trailing its way down the stone stairs outside the Dragonhold Castle. Her father’s blood. Dark, red, and thick.

Giving up on sleep, Sarra glanced out the window of the carriage and watched as the sun rose behind the trees. She thought of her dream, the one she had before the battle for Ordea, the one that had felt so real. It was real. She couldn’t explain it, but it all came true. She had seen herself trying to flee, her father with a dead look on his face, Emerson furiously fighting for her, and Nikola dying by a cut to his throat.

It was all there, but she decided to keep it to herself, for now. Besides, her mother seemed so broken and empty, struggling to speak at all.

How long had it been? Sarra couldn’t remember them stopping for longer than a couple of minutes at a time. They must be replacing the horses, making sure the carriage, with them as valuable prisoners, arrive at the castle as soon as humanly possible.

**Hilaniue**

Her body felt cool and alive. The pain from her wound was gone. As she opened her eyes to greet her sister, and her love, a smile formed on her lips. Elsie tucked some of Hilaniue’s hair away from her face, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

I thought I’d lost you, she cried.

I told you Meri would help.

Elsie looked up at Meri, and Hilaniue turned her head. Meri’s red hair laid perfectly on her shoulders, and her red eyes glimmered with love and warmth. Hilaniue reached out to touch her hand and noticed she was bound by a rope.

What is this? she asked as she tried to sit up.

No, lay back down, you need to rest, a woman’s voice. The woman who had been looking after her.

Undo the ropes around Meri’s hands, Hilaniue said as she lifted her head and sat up on the fur. It is not needed.

The woman with light hair and a slightly wrinkled face shook her head as she came to Hilaniue’s side. It’s for the best, she’s an elf, we need to be careful.

Hilaniue noticed an accent, she was part of the Night God Tribe. She just healed me.

Meri touched her arm and gave her a sweet smile. It’s okay, Hilaniue.

Two men entered the tent. One of them being the man with the antlers on his helm. Their bearded faces appeared dirty, and their bodies stocky, built, strong.

Take the elf back to the tent, I need a word with the blonde one, the man with the antlers said.

Hilaniue watched as the woman gently grabbed hold of Meri’s arm and moved her out of the tent. Let her go, she is innocent, she would never hurt a fly.

That really isn’t necessary, Sir, Hilaniue said, trying to sound proper, and not like she had been laying there for days, dying.

The man with the antlers looked down at her, arms crossed over his chest. Your sister told us there was a war in Dragonhold, tell me what happened.

We never went to Dragonhold, Sir, we escaped from Watchers Point.

You can call me Sten. Do you know if the King has fallen?

Hilaniue moved to rest her back against a barrel as she spoke. I don’t, Sten. But we did see the flames. Dragonhold was attacked, and Watchers Point fell.

Sten rubbed his brisk beard and eyed the man next to him. If Dragonhold is no more, we have to relocate.

Hilaniue nodded, not knowing what to say to that.

We will be on our way, Elsie said, once my sister is ready to leave, we will leave.

Sten let out a deep laugh. And where will you go?

Elsie eyed Hilaniue as if looking for an answer. Hilaniue swallowed. We will go to Astaures, Meri knows the way.

Both men laughed. You won’t survive a day out there, young lady.

That would be our choice, to take that risk. Hilaniue felt the tension rise in the air around them. She didn’t know where this conversation was going. Would they let them leave?

For now, you will stay. Sten prepared to leave the tent. We’ll let you do whatever you wish once we have enough information.

Sten, Sir, I don’t know anything else about the war.

Sten turned to give her a last glance before he left. You do. But I don’t have the time right now. Later.

What do you want to know? Hilaniue’s question hung in the air as Sten left the tent with the other man.

Elsie led Hilaniue out of the tent at dusk. Orange light filled her surroundings as barrels of fire stood placed outside each cluster of tents. She followed her sister over to what seemed to the be middle of the settlement. A bonfire was lit, and a few dozen men and women dressed in brown skins and furs sat around it. Sten met them as they approached.

Wild boar. He smiled, a line of black teeth exposed. Eat.

Where’s Meri? Hilaniue asked, she wasn’t going to join without her.

Sten grabbed what looked like part of a boar leg and took a bite, chewing with his mouth open. Erika, go get the elf.

Relieved, Hilaniue pushed out a smile. Thank you, Sten.

Now, sit over here. Sten showed them to an empty log and gestured for them to sit down.

Watching the flames rise from the bonfire, leaving a trail of black smoke behind, Hilaniue could feel the hunger pangs kick in, she flinched in pain.

The man following Sten around approached and handed them each a leg of meat. Hilaniue thanked him and took her first bite. It was probably the best boar she had ever eaten. Cooked nicely, just a little bit burnt. The meat melted in her mouth, and she accidentally let out a moan.

Did James make it? Elsie asked before she took her first bite.

Hilaniue met her worried gaze and felt an icy cold wave flood her insides, almost killing her appetite. Elsie didn’t know anything. No, he died defending Myalis. The words stung, a flash of his lifeless face clouded her mind for a moment.

What about Lexa?

Another sting clutched on to Hilaniue’s heart. No, she died, as well.

You were lucky.

There’s only Meri and I left.

Elsie frowned. Who’s she, anyway? Why is she not with her kind?

Smiling, Hilaniue grabbed hold of Elsie's hand. I’ll tell you everything, once we have left this place. She couldn’t tell her now, not around the tribe. Only the Lord knew how they would react, or if not the Lord, the Gods of the Elements.

Meri appeared, the woman, Erika, by her side. Her hands were still tied together. Hilaniue rose from the log and hugged her. I’ve missed you, so much.

Meri rested her head on Hilaniue’s shoulder, but only slightly, not to wake any suspicions. We thought we were going to lose you. I wanted to help earlier, but they wouldn’t let me.

Hilaniue let go of Meri and showed her where to sit. I know. Let’s have something to eat, and hopefully, they’ll let us go in the morning.

Hilaniue found a knife among the pots and pans, all placed on the muddy ground. She grabbed Meri’s arms and cut the rope.

Hilaniue, Elsie hissed.

It’s not needed.

***

Shortly after the meat was gone, the mead came out. Hilaniue got given a horn, filled with sweet mead. As she drank and watched the men getting drunk, singing songs of their Gods, Hilaniue let the memories emerge from her mind.

The elves had left, at least that was being assumed. King Hawkin must have been defeated. She had seen sorcery at war, they would have had no chance. She remembered watching Harding die as he tried to save them, when they left Watchers Point.

She wondered if Malconius made it, or if he fell with the rest. She wondered if any of the royal family made it, and if they did, she would assume they were now prisoners of Wymark.

Home was no place to return. She wondered if they ever would. All they had to do now, was make sure they made it to Astaures, alive.

She finished the mead and placed the horn on the ground, turning to Meri.

I just want to leave.

Me too, should we head back?

Hilaniue turned to ask Elsie, who was already getting ready to stand, wiping off ashes from the fire off her tunic.

Erika approached. Heading to bed?

Yes. Thank you, for supper.

She smiled. Anyone who stays here gets fed.

Hilaniue smiled back and walked to the tent. She discreetly squeezed Meri’s hand before she got led off to the tent next to them. She wanted nothing more than to stay with her, to sleep next to her, and feel her skin against hers.

As she disappeared into the tent, Erika following, Hilaniue sighed and glanced up at the star-filled sky.

Are you coming? Elsie asked as she opened the tent behind them.

In a minute.

Closing her eyes, Hilaniue took a breath and focused her thoughts on the statue at Myalis. The one of the Phoenix. Concentrating, she made up a prayer in her mind.

Laelia, God of Fire and Light, protect us as we go on our travels. Give us strength to make it to Astaures. If you are one of the true Gods, show me the way, and help me protect my loved ones, the only ones I have left.

Chapter 3

**Sarra**

The carriage stopped as dawn approached. Sarra opened her eyes, emerging from a light sleep. She felt restless without the sound and movements of the carriage. It had been so constant; she had gotten used to it.

The door opened, and a mage stepped aside from the opening. Get out. Go clean up in the river.

Sarra