Eranithia: The Healing River: Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Serina's shivering caught Seth's attention. It wasn't any colder than it'd been when they'd entered Mandin's home a few hours ago. Putting his arm around her to keep her warm, he felt her trembling all over. Something was wrong. This wasn't shivering from the cold.
“What's wrong Serina?”
Resting her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him, she stared down at Trondil.
“Our people. They're scared. They're in pain.”
“We'll stop it.”
“They blame us.”
He looked down at the top of her head. It was the closest he could get to seeing her face.
“What? Why?”
“Because of our rebellion. They're grumbling against us, saying that things were better for them before we started to try and overthrow our uncle.”
“That's ridiculous.”
“Not completely. Before, all he took was their money. Now he's taking them captive. Making them slaves and forcing the men to become soldiers against their will.”
Seth knew all this, but what could he do? Things always got worse before they got better.
“I'm not saying we need to stop what we're doing. We're doing the right thing. It's what Sol wants us to do. My heart just breaks for our people.”
She gave him a tight squeeze before letting go and moving down the hill towards the town. He joined her where she stopped. They had a good view of the south entrance of Trondil. It was an open town, no walls enclosing it like Fortuna or Cathair Aureus. Just a couple years ago, Mark and Jennifer had entered the town through the same place Seth and Serina watched as Seilnai's troops began setting homes and vendor carts on fire.
Serina gasped.
“What is it?” Seth asked.
Pointing she said, “Some of her troops are our guard. Look!”
He saw two of their men dancing around, shirtless, waving burning branches and setting a building on fire.
“She's turned them already?”
“There have been rumors that she's found a way to speed up the turning process. It's almost immediate now,” Serina said, her voice shaky and hoarse.
“We have to stop them.”
“How? We don't have our guard, let alone any troops. She has hundreds down there that only she can control.”
“Well, we can't just sit and watch our people die.”
Families began to escape from the back of their homes, running into the woods for safety. Seth pointed, then he and Serina ran for the escaping citizens of Trondil. Mandin's servants followed close behind them.
It didn't take them long to find the people of Trondil gathering together. Following the sounds of crying children and mothers, and of angry men arguing over what to do led Seth and Serina right to them.
They were greeted by staring faces. The arguing stopped as everyone froze to watch the strangers enter their midst. A large, muscular man with a thick black beard and black, beady eyes stomped up to them.
“Who are you?” he asked with a deep voice sounding like a bear growling.
“My name is Seth, and this is my twin sister, Serina. We've come to help you.”
“Help us? You brought this on  us!”
Seth heard Serina talking to the servants behind him. Then they walked past him, helping the injured people.
“I understand you think things were better before this so called rebellion-”
“They were!” Bear-man growled. “None of us were dying, were we?”
“Tell me,” Seth said loud enough for all of them to hear, “how many of you have lost family members to the service of Arnath?”
Some stared blankly at him, others with sadness.
“In the eleven years he's been in power, how many of them have come back...alive?”
He studied each face he could see in the darkness, waiting for their full attention.
“It's my opinion, if Arnath takes one of your own into slavery, that's a death sentence. You will never see them again until you meet them in Sol's land. I promise you, when Serina and I take our place as rulers of Eranithia, we will abolish slavery. The old ways will be brought back.”
“What makes you think you can over throw Arnath?” someone called from among the crowd.
“Together, Serina and I have a power that not even Arnath can defeat.”
“Prove it!” came another voice.
Seth stared at them for a few moments. Then without saying another word he walked straight for Trondil. Mouths dropped open as he walked alone.
He heard some shouting to stop him, he was crazy, what he was doing was suicide.
Stopping in his tracks, he spun towards them again saying, “If this is what it takes for you to believe me. If I have to give up my life so you will stand by my sister and take back Eranithia, then so be it.”
After one last look at them, he turned and walked away, facing whatever fate may be dealt to him.
He stepped out onto the main street of Trondil. Underworld soldiers running around everywhere, destroying whatever they put their hands on. Werewolves, vampires, imps and Forsaken. They were all there. Plus other creatures from Underworld. As he walked down the dirt road, beginning to stain with blood, the Underworld creatures stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Stopping dead in their tracks. The town grew silent as he walked further down the street. A family sneaked past the distracted creatures.
Seth barely glanced at the evil creatures surrounding him. He knew they were shocked at his boldness to enter the town as they destroyed it. Then he stopped in the one intersection where the east to west road met the north to south road.
Cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouted, “Seilnai! Show yourself!!”
The Underworld creatures began to close in on him, but they seemed to hit a wall. Pushing on the air as if there was a wall in front of him.
You're safe from them, brother. Serina said.
Thank you.
Do you know what you're doing?
I sure hope so.
Seth saw the crowd of Underworld troops stepping aside to let someone through. Then she was there. Her black hair and black lips standing out against her pale, white skin. Beautiful, but horrifying. Her outer beauty would seduce any man, allowing her to corrupt his mind, turning him into one of her foul beasts.
“Seth,” she said sweetly, with a thin smile. He heard Jennifer's voice, but it sounded older, darker. “What brings you here? Have you decided to accept the inevitable and join your uncle?”
“Not exactly, Seilnai.”
“You're not here to stop me?” she asked with a laugh, her smile widening.
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
She laughed loudly, then said, “You and what army? From what I've heard, you and your sister travel alone, with a small guard.”
Looking around as if she'd lost something, she asked, “Where is your guard?”
His blood boiled with anger, his face growing hotter by the second.
“You killed my guard just a few hours ago.”
“Oh yes, I did. But things aren't always what they seem.”
Seth looked to his side. There stood three men he recognized. Two were human, one was an Elf. However, they were no longer themselves. The humans had been turned to vampires. He could see their blood lust as their chests heaved with heavy breaths. Hungry for his blood. The Elf was barely recognizable. His skin turned gray, his eyes blackened, his hair turned to black, seaweed-like dreadlocks. He was now a Forsaken.
“You're evil.”
Seilnai shrugged her shoulders, saying, “In your eyes, maybe. I see it as power. There is no good or bad, only the strong and the weak.”
“You will learn a lesson soon, that the good are not the weak.”
“Oh, I know that already. There are always two sides of power. However, we're not too different. We both use our power for our own gain.”
“Don't you twist my motives,” he said threateningly.
“Hear me out, Seth. Don't you use your strength and other abilities to fight me and Arnath? So you and Serina can take your thrones? How is that any different than what Arnath and I are doing?”
“We don't kill people for our gain.”
“Ah, that's where you're mistaken. You kill my people and the Cathians all the time.”
“This is wartime, they're soldiers, not innocent bystanders. You kill the innocent and defenseless. I kill soldiers under your command. Serina and I use our Sol given gifts to fight those who stand against him, so that we may one day rule Eranithia, as is Sol's will, and look after His people.”
“Sol? You think this is Sol's will?”
“It's His will that I stand against you and my uncle. Do you realize that this army you have is a prophecy of Sol's?”
“Of course, I never denied Sol's existence. I know he's real.”
“Yet you stand against him anyway?”
“Who says I stand against him? Who's to say who is following Sol's will? Maybe he was tired of the way things were. Maybe he's put me in power to change things to make them the way he wants. Obedient servants instead of grumbling, whining, selfish people who grovel at his feet.”
Seth was stunned by her words. Did she truly believe she was doing Sol's will? There was no possible way this was Sol's will. What kind of twisted logic was used to deceive her?
A smile spread across her black lips, “Seth is silenced? The great servant of Sol? How can this be? Don't tell me you are beginning to see things my way.”
He glared at her with hatred. Then he noticed her flinch. He looked behind him to see Serina walking up. Something about Serina unnerved Seilnai.
“Jennifer, what are you doing? This isn't you,” Serina said, stopping next to Seth.
“Who is Jennifer?” Seilnai asked mockingly.
“You. You are Jennifer. Our friend and sister. You follow the true Sol. Turmna has poisoned your mind. The great snake. That evil dragon who has given power to Arnath to control your mind.”
“Arnath has no control over me. I do as I please.”
Taking two steps forward, Serina said, “I know this to not be true. I saw you, the real you, before Arnath turned you. He's poisoned your mind farther than he ever did with Broc. Do you remember Broc? The one who killed Engard, the dark sorcerer.”
“Engard was nothing. I am much stronger than he could ever be.”
Serina sighed, then said, “I know. I already see that. Engard never had the strength it takes to summon an army of Underworld creatures. You have found a way, and they listen to you.”
“I am their queen.”
“No, you're not. Do not take that role. There is no coming back from that place.”
Tipping her head forward slightly and smiling widely she said, “Jennifer is lost. Nothing can save her now.”
Seilnai reached her hand back then threw it forward. A black surge of energy burst from her extended hand, flying straight for Serina. Extending her own hand, Serina absorbed the energy, but didn't counter with her own attack. She staggered backward a step and fell. Seth caught her in his arms, keeping her standing.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
“I'm fine. Just a little tired from taking that hit. I'll be fine though.”
Seth stared at Seilnai. No longer did he see Jennifer, but only the shell that once was her body. He believed Jennifer was gone forever. Never to be brought back.
“What are you doing? Get out of my head, Serina. You don't want to be in there.”
Seth shook his head, looking back and forth between the two.
“Get out of my head, Serina!” Seilnai screamed pressing the heals of her hands to her temples.
Serina collapsed further into Seth's arms. Seilnai glared at them, tears streaming down her face.
“Get out of here,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Okay, Jennifer, we're leaving,” Serina said. “Come, Seth. Let's go.”
Seth helped her walk through the crowd of Underworld creatures. None of them attacked. Whether because Seilnai ordered them back or because of Serina holding them back with her powers, he didn't know. Regardless, they made it back into the woods safely.
“Rose!” he called to the servant who helped them escape Mandin's house.
She came over and knelt at Serina's side as Seth lowered her to the ground. Serina sat, holding herself up with one arm.
“Get her some water.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“Are you okay?” he asked Serina, ignoring the fact that Rose had called him “sir.”
“I'm fine. But you may want to address our people. They seem to be more receptive now.”
Looking over his shoulder, he saw them stirring and murmuring as they stole glances at him and Serina.
“I could care less right now. You are my concern.”
“No!” she scolded him. He heard their mother in her voice. “Rose is attending to me. Address our people. You won them over. What was the point of confronting Seilnai to win their hearts if you aren't going to address them now?”
Staring into her dark brown eyes, he found himself unable to argue. She was right. She was always right.
Sighing, he stood and turned towards the people of Trondil. They looked scared and unsure of what to do next. The men who'd banded together against him before were approaching him with hard faces. He readied himself to pull out his swords if he needed to.
“Sir,” Bear-man said. His face was stern, but his eyes showed he had a respectful fear for Seth. They weren't coming to attack him, but to seek him for orders.
“We apologize for the way we reacted to you earlier,” he said in his gruff voice. “We are your humble servants.”
Seth grinned and extended his hand. Bear-man grabbed him by the forearm. His hands nearly wrapped around Seth's entire forearm. Seth was impressed. There weren't many who could grasp so much of his arm. Mark could just barely get his hand halfway around Bear-man's forearm.
“What is your name?” Seth asked.
“My friends call me Bear.”
Seth chuckled, saying, “Bear it is. Bear, I have a job for you. I need you to lead these people to Kushen. It's too dangerous to cross Eranithia to Ashenland.”
Kneeling down in the dirt he drew a rough map of the Gar Mountains, “Head west until you reach the foot of the mountain. Take the road north towards the Blood Mountains. The road will end after it turns north. Stay along the tree line until you find the mouth of a cave with a river running north coming out of it. Follow that cave as far as you can. You will come to a chasm. When you find that chasm, look behind you and you will see the glow of a torch. Go to that torch and ask for it. Say exactly these words, 'May I have the torch to light the way for my friends?' When you have the torch, go back to the chasm and dip it into the basins. It will light the way to cross. You must return the torch before leading your people across the chasm.
“Now, there will only be one way to go when you cross. Follow the river until you come to the waterfall. There is a path you can take that follows the river the whole way. When you come to the waterfall, there is a bridge where you can cross the river. We built it a few months ago. It's safe and sturdy. Take the winding path up into Unterhumus. It will come out into a great hall. There you will meet Dwarfs who will take you to Kushen where you will be safe.”
He looked up at Bear, he looked lost and confused.
“Bear, can you do this?”
“There's a lot of directions there, friend.”
“It's okay, father. I remember it all,” a young man, not much older than Mark, said.
Seth looked up at him smiling, “Good. And what is your name?”
“Randall,” he said, gripping Seth's extended arm. He had a strong grip like his father. Both men had rough hands. Seth assumed they were smiths of some kind.
“It's good to meet you, Randall. Together, you should be able to lead these people to safety.”
“We will do our best,” Randall said.
Seth looked to Bear who smiled proudly at his son.
“He's always been the smart one. A great blacksmith as well.”
Randall smiled humbly, looking back at Seth.
“I will send word to the Dwarfs to meet you in Unterhumus. Have them send me word when you've arrived.”
“Where are you going?” Bear asked.
“Serina and I must continue on. We have one last city to try and persuade to join us.”
“Serpa?”
Seth nodded, “We know it won't be easy, but regardless of their past, they are strong and can be of great help to us in battle.”
Bear and Randall looked at each other then back at Seth.
“Are you sure they will even help? It's possible Arnath has already offered them more than you can offer.”
“It's possible, but we have to try.”
Seth extended his hand again and, grasping them by the forearm, shook their hands then sent them on their way. Then he returned to his sister.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, kneeling at her side.
“Much better, thank you.”
“Let's rest for a bit before moving on.”
“We're not going on to Serpa. Not yet.”
Her eyes seemed distant as Seth searched them.
“Why not?”
“Mark needs our help,” she said.
“What's happened?”
“I don't know, but we need to go to him first.”
“You need to rest first.”
“No, call the horses. We need to go as soon as possible. I'll rest as we ride.”
Seth looked at the servants who'd stayed behind, “Go with the others. You will be safe in Kushen.”
“No, we want to stay with you. We want to help you.”
Seth smiled warmly, saying, “You have helped us plenty. They will need you more. Help take care of the sick and injured, especially the children. If either of us is hurt, I have healing powers.”
Rose was clearly disappointed, half angry and half saddened.
“We will see you again when this is over,” Seth said. “I promise. There will be worse dangers where we're going than where you're going. The caves have been flushed of all Imps and other dangerous creatures. We made it safe travel for all.”
Rose looked at the others. They seemed to agree with Seth. They wanted to go to Kushen with the others.
“Fine. I will go.”
“Thank you, Rose. Your help has been much appreciated. Send word when you have all arrived in Kushen.”
She lifted her nose in the air and stormed away. Once they were on their way, Seth whistled for the horses. They only had to wait a few minutes before the white stallion and brown mare came running through the woods to them.
Seth then helped Serina to her feet and onto the brown mare.
“You set?”
She smiled and caressed his cheek.
“Thank you, brother.”
He smiled, then mounted the white stallion, leading them away from Trondil. The flames tore through the town, burning everything in its path. Nothing would be left standing when the fire's hunger was satisfied.