Twenty-eight
When we returned to the war room at Castle Bluff only Echo and Finley were still there. The crystal was dinging with a message. The King and Finley were engaged in greetings. I was not able to focus on what they said. I had a sense of dread weighing heavy on me. Each ding of the crystal made that weight heavier. Ignoring the war room I turned and walked towards it scared of hearing the message on the other side. How will I react? How will King Talon react. Will he call my bluff? Will he hurt or kill Garrik? There is only one way for me to find out. King Talon's voice rang out in cool collective anger the moment my hands touched the crystal.
“False Queen,” He spat, “You broke our contract for that I am taking Garrik's ring finger. One Finger for everyday that you have my flame!” I could hear scuffling in the crystal and then a loud THUMP and Garrik scream. It was as if it had just happened for me. I screamed for his pain. It is only a finger, but what kind of man would Garrik be if he ran out of fingers. I was not giving Queen Maria back. There is no way. I could feel the tears escaping down my cheeks. Could I handle sacrificing Garrik's hands to keep the upper hand? No. No. Of course I couldn't.
“Tomilson, Echo.” I said turning to face Garrik's father. “We are going to go get Garrik.” I then turned to hug King Rew. “If we are not back before then, meet us in Oklahoma. We will be there and I will have your son. I promise you.” I spoke with more confidence then I felt.
“You can find him my Queen. If I was able to find you, you can find him.” Finley spoke and I knew he was right. I knew I could find him. Though I wasn't sure where. “You can teleport anywhere into the Human Realm, but you can not teleport from place to place within the Human Realm. I suspect that is where you will find him. Otherwise you would have easily tracked him if he was here in Elmora.” I nodded at Finley.
“Thank you," I backed up grabbing Echo and Tomilson by the hands. “Focus on Garrik. Picture him and think of him alone.”
I allowed my body to think of nothing except Garrik. I could remember him in my old car in college. The smile of his lips that curl up slightly when he teases me. The smell of rain and fresh turned soil. I breathed him in. I could see him on the bow of his boat at twilight as we floated down the Missouri River. The moment I knew he was a part of me and I am a part of him. I could feel us lift into the nothingness that we float while moving from place to place. This time a string pulled at my navel. We were entering another realm. I continued to focus on Garrik. I remembered him sitting on my bed in my little studio apartment. The feeling of disbelief I had as I stared at him. He searched for me for years.
I felt another tug on my navel. We were entering yet another realm. I felt panic rise in my throat but instead I renewed the focus on Garrik. It was cold. Where ever we were going it was very very cold. We materialized outside of an old gray brick building. It looked like the Human Realm, but it didn't feel like it. Panic started rising in me again. I knew this place. I spent years hiding from the spirits or people here.
“Inferious. I would have never expected them to take him to Inferious. It is not safe here. There are lost spirits from the Human Realm and Hell.”
I turned to Echo. “Hell? is this the land of the dead? I always saw spirits that hunted me were they from Hell? I could travel hundreds of miles to see the same spirits haunting me.”
Echo shrugged his shoulders,“It is the land beneath the Human Realm. Barely beneath it. I imagine you would have accidentally crossed over a time or two. Many human souls end up floating here when they die confused. Any life that can see them acts as a beacon,” he paused, “Garrik is most likely in there,” nodding his head towards the dilapidated brick building. It looked like an 1800's style factory building with glass windows broken out. It appeared there were docks around back for loading and unloading supplies.
“How would a building like that get here?” I asked confused.
“Parts of the Human Realm bleed through. Generally area's that have lowered in vibration.” Echo answered.
“I know nothing of this the realm but if they have guards there is no way they haven't spotted us,” Tomilson spoke up. He was right we are here for Garrik.
“That is why he is here. No guards are outside because no one would have expected Vera to bring us through two realms.” Echo said.
“Will my magic work here?” I asked as I reached for my gifts. Wind always came the easiest so it is what I reached for first. It responded,but it was dampened in strength. Snowflakes had started to fall. I reached for them pulling them to me. They responded slowly. I had magic that much was true, but it was weakened. If my magic was weakened I know everyone else would have a similar experience. “So, we should just walk in and fight our way to him?”
Tomilson responded by pulling his sword, “Yes, that is as good a plan as any. Get him far enough away and realm walk him to the Human Realm.”
“Okay, let us do this!” I said as I pulled my own sword. I knew King Talon was not here. This is only a holding space for Garrik. It was obvious his main forces were not hiding in Inferious. Garrik must have been moved here after his finger was removed. We walked around the back to the old docks. The wood was cold, frozen, but still fragile from the rot of summer. There were no stairs up to the brick platform. Tomilson hopped up with ease and then Echo came from behind to lift me to Tom. Tom grabbed me and pulled me up briefly squeezing me tight. I could sense that neither Echo or my Tom wanted me there, but there was no choice. They wouldn't have found it without me.
Echo took the lead into the dark building. There was no light or sign of life. I sent out feelers looking for Garrik's energy. I couldn't get a good signal. A light flicker of teal on the top floor.
“They have to know we are here. Garrik is on the top floor.” I sent out.
“Shadow magic is going to be a foot. Tomilson stay next to Vera. Blend in the best you can.”
With that we moved forward through an empty warehouse. It was dark. There should be a gray light filtering in through the windows and it did. Kind of. Instead it entered the windows and then was snuffed out by the unnatural darkness. I get it. Shadow magic.
“Fuck this, I am done.” I put up a shield bright and strong around all three of us and marched through the warehouse daring any there to come attack me.
“Vera stop they may have orders to kill Garrik if someone comes for him.”
“They didn't even prep for us to come here. They didn't expect it or think it is possible and no one has attacked us!” I snapped back.
“Come out come out wherever you are!” I taunted. We were directly below them now. We hadn't found stairs or an elevator, but what I could see was a faint teal flicker above me. I stepped back and reached my arms up to the hard ceilings. Wood and metal beams. I have no idea how many are up there only that Garrik is one of them. I couldn't manipulate wood or steal like I could actual earth, clay, marble, and stone. We will have to find the stairs. I could bring down the entire building but I could not guarantee Garrik's safety. The frustration was giving way to the pit of anger in my core. The fire began to spark. I was angry at myself, at Talon, at all who have wronged me in one way or another. Most of all in this moment I was angry at the damn wooden floor that kept me away from Garrik. 30 feet above me was my flame. The sparks were beginning to rise up my body.
“AHHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed in frustration, in hurt, and in the pain that I knew my Prince Garrik was feeling.
“Vera, you need to stop.” Tomilson my voice of reason. I heard him, but it was too late. Flames erupted outside of our shield and rapidly spread along the dust and the old half rotted wood floors. We were safe within my shields although it was getting warm. I urged the flames out and up the walls. Relief was pouring through me. This magic needed release and for it to release so strongly in the Inferious urges one to acknowledge how dangerous this could have been if released in Elmora. The flames had begun to move along the ceiling. I released my power over it allowing the flames to run their natural course. Smoke would have risen into the second floor by now. I sent my shield out searching for Garrik above me. The floor will collapse soon and I wanted to be ready to catch my first love.
The fire was raging loud. I could not hear anything beyond the crackling and snapping at the wood and brick of the warehouse. My focus on the flickering teal flame above me never wavered. I couldn't get my shield through the wood floor to him, but I knew he was alive and that was enough. I saw the floors start to bow with the heat and one beam cracked and fell behind us. I heard people screaming with no clue who it was. Only that Garrik's area of floor had begun to fall. I couldn't see his body because of the amount of smoke. The wood bounced off my shield as Garrik's heavy body fell into it. Echo leaped forward to help catch him as he dropped. He missed, instead Garrik's lifeless looking body fell onto Echo's back bouncing off on to the floor. He was alive. I knew it because of the flame, but we had to get him out of here. I reached and grabbed his arms trying to drag him. Echo came forward taking Garrik from me as Tomilson grabbed his legs. We then ran towards the docks and out of the fast crumbling building. Never once did we see one of King Talon's Dark Elves, but we knew there was little chance they survived. Once outside in the cold Tom rolled Garrik over the edge of the Dock onto Echo's shoulders. I leaped over the edge landing next to him. Then we ran. I am not sure how far. Only that Echo was ahead of Tomilson and I and he was carrying my Garrik. The cold air piercing my lungs was a welcome relief.
Finally we came to a stop. Echo carefully laid Garrik upon the ground and then collapsed next to him. I did the same and Tomilson followed. We were all on the ground in the Inferious still surrounded by my shields. I crawled over to Garrik and felt for a pulse. It was there, he was going to be okay. I ran my hands all over his body and tattered clothing. He looked like death. Pale with light bruises in varying degrees of healing all over his body. Elves heal rapidly, so I knew that he had been beaten brutally in the last twenty-four to forty-eight hours. I have lost all connection to time. I found his hand, the ring finger on his left hand was very much gone. Cursing under my breath.
“I will kill Talon for this!”
Echo blanched at my words. I looked up to him pleading with my eyes that he understood. I knew he did, but I needed some reassurance still. He gave me a nod and then Tomilson spoke.
“We need to realm walk Garrik back to the Human Realm. I am not sure he would survive more than one realm at a time.”
“I agree, but we know that there is a good chance that wherever we go we may have to deal with Talon's scouts. We know his army is waiting in the Human Realm near all the gates.”
“Good news is you and Garrik do not need gates.” Echo responded.
“True, but we don't even know where we are in the Human Realm. What if we cross and we are in Alabama or something?”
“You are in Kansas City.” A voice whispered from outside of my shields. I stood rapidly pulling my sword. Echo and Tom stood with me. The voice came from a spirit of sorts. He was a young man in a union civil war uniform. He was more solid in form than any spirit I have seen before, yet there was no doubting what he was. His eyes were sunken and dark. His skin paler than pale. The only thing that was bright was the red ginger mop of hair he had on top of his head.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Calvin. That is all I remember. My name is Calvin. It is all I have held on to. You need to go quickly I am not the only one who would have been called to your power, and some of us have the ability to take power from the living. Those are not one's you want to meet.” He turned and began to walk away.
“Wait! Where in Kansas City are we in relation to the Human Realm?”
He turned slightly and said, “I don't know I am guessing near the tracks,” and then he faded into the gray landscape.
Tracks? “Okay, so we could be near Union Station then. That is not too far from my old apartment," I closed my eyes and touched all three of my men. With what felt like only a half step up we were pulled into the Human Realm. It was true we were very close. I pulled the hood of my cloak up over my ears.
“So, how are we going to carry Garrik through the Human Realm and to where?” I asked.
“It would do no use to take him to Elmora now. It would be too much travel to Tindril and take too much time to get him to Castle Bluff. I don't think teleporting him is a good option being this weak.” Tomilson said.
“We need a place for him to rest right now. Even if we took him to Elmora there would be no immediate place for him to rest. I have no human money here anymore.”
“That is not exactly true,” Tomilson spoke up, “Garrik paid for your apartment. He always worried you would want to return. So, he paid your rent for you. He told me that no matter what he wanted you to always have a choice and a place to go.”
That brought tears to my eyes again. I am too emotional of late, “Okay, that is where we will go then. Echo carry him, we can catch the tram about a block up we will need to blend the best we can. If we can.” Echo nodded and lifted Garrik on his shoulders. He walked close to the walls of the buildings. No one gave the oversized man carrying another tall man on his shoulders a second glance.
“Most humans won't be able to see us unless we wanted them to. Remember, our energy is different,” Tomilson was quick to remind us as we continued blending in to be safe.
The falling snow had kept many off the streets even though the streets were still pretty clear of snow and ice. Cars were driving at normal speeds. We made it to the tram stop safely. Echo and Tomilson supported the weight of Garrik. We all but dragged him onto the tram. The only person on other than us was the driver and he gave us a look.
“He had too much to drink,” I said not even knowing the time of day.
“A bit early for that eh?” The driver asked me, “Costume party?”
“Yes, we were celebrating with the Ren-Fest crowd. My boyfriend here drank too much too early and so we are taking him home,” I left it at that. I was using all my energy to make my skin and eyes appear as normal as possible.
“Every group has that one friend who can't hold their liquor,” The driver said as the Tram began to move. Less than ten minutes later we reached our stop and dragged Garrik off out into the elements again. The snow had picked up into thick big white snow flakes.
“One more block north to my apartment. It isn't much. Please do not judge me.”
I couldn't believe I was so insecure when my flame was unconscious, but I had nothing before entering Elmora. My three men had always had something. Well, maybe not Tomilson as much as Garrik and Echo, my two Princes. I watched Tomilson and Echo carrying my tall Garrik. He was in the same tunic he had left in. It was dirty with abuse and travel. It was obvious they did not treat him well, but I guess Talon never said he would. His hair was much longer than the first time I had seen him. Sandy blond strands loose falling over his face as his head was tilted down. When would he wake? I had no idea. I only knew I needed to get him somewhere warm and clean. Tom and Echo were tiring. Both focused on the extra weight they held. They have carried him so far already. The snow was falling faster now and we were leaving footprints on the sidewalk. Two men, a small female and two lines of a man being half carried and half dragged.
We turned the corner to the bleak parking lot I haven't seen in months. Last time I was here I looked so different. I was so different. The parking lot was full of cars. Everyone must be holed away to keep out of the coming storm. It is going to be a doozy. The gray clouds were hanging low and ominous.
“That door there!” I yelled through the wind pointing at an off colored dirty white door about fifty feet away. Tomilson and Echo picked up speed. I ran ahead opening the door. My apartment complex wasn't fancy. In fact it was downright cheap. There was no buzzer on the door to protect the residents within.
“I am sorry but my apartment is several flights of stairs up.” I frowned as Tomilson the smaller of my two Elf-men groaned. His dark hair was wet with melted snow and hung loose around his shoulders. Echo adjusted Garrik and took the heavier end holding him beneath his arms and across his chest. Tomilson picked him up by the boots and up we went. Up and up and up. Neither man stopped. I was impressed by both their strength and their endurance. We finally made it to my hallway.
“Shit, We have no key to get in.” They dropped Garrik next to the door leaning him against the hallway wall. Neither man had spoken much as all of their strength and focus was on getting Garrik somewhere safe.
“Simple, realm walk back to Elmora and then do your teleport thing into the apartment.” Echo's deep voice was right it was as easy as that. I am surprised that I am still finding myself forgetting that I am no longer just human. I did as he suggested. I didn't even open my eyes in Elmora, I went smoothly from there right into my small quaint apartment. I looked around, it still smelled of the same nag champa incense and spicy apple candles. My plants were still alive and all inside with the curtains to the old parking lot wide open. I went straight towards the door unlocking it and dropping my barriers enough my men could enter.
Echo lifted Garrik on his own and drug him to my bed. Tomilson grabbed him by the feet and lifted him up laying him out. I immediately started stripping him of his dirty clothes. I ran to my little bathroom which was also very clean. Cleaner than I had ever kept it, but it was still most definitely my bathroom. I grabbed a washcloth and soaked it in hot water and ran back to start cleaning some of the grime off of Garrik. I went over every bruise carefully. His body beneath his clothing was riddled with them. I went down his arm to the hand with the missing finger. They had chopped it off and cauterized it. Not really knowing what else to do I ran back into my bathroom and pulled out my first aid kit. I coated the stump with neosporin after gently washing it. Tomilson then stepped forward and used the dressings to wrap it up and protect it from infection.
We shimmied the blankets from underneath Garrik and tucked him into my small bed. I stood back and sighed realizing the apartment was still cold. On the wall I saw that the heat was off and turned it on. I was in a daze. I knew we could not stay here forever, it just felt so nice to feel safe again. I didn't want to think of our problems, but I had no other choice. Tomilson and Echo have been quiet while I was caring for Garrik.
“What now I asked?” as I walked over to start the coffee I knew would still be good.
“You will need to realm walk back to Elmora and then to Tindril to let the Queen and King know we have Garrik. That he is safe and will wake shortly,” Tomilson said. His violet eyes boring into me. He was willing the words on me even though he didn't possess that gift. I nodded and went into his arms. I needed comfort. I breathed him in as he hugged me tight.
“Are you sure he will wake soon?” He patted me on my back.
“Yes, he is in a state of healing. They had beaten him badly and he is also in shock from losing his finger. He will most likely wake by tonight.” I felt hope in his words, that was enough for me. I pulled myself free.
“I am going to take a hot shower and change into some clean human clothing before I leave.”
“Good idea, you stink,” Echo sent me a wink which brought the first smile to my face in days. We did it, we really did it. We got Garrik back.
The shower was a little disappointing after the magnificent bathing rooms I had used in Elmora. I wrapped my body in a towel and stood in front of my small steamy mirror. I needed a release. I wasn't sure what kind though. All of my obligations were weighing heavy on my shoulders. My wet hair was dripping a small puddle on the floor. Every time in my human life that I faced change I cut my hair. This time I faced the biggest change ever and my hair had continued to grow. It was long and very hard to manage. I pulled open the drawer and found my scissors. My eyes were shining green instead of the gold they had been stuck in while I was in emotional turmoil. I needed a re-do.
I began chopping at my long locks. I have been cutting my own hair for years. I was broke and could never afford for it to be properly cut. It has paid off. I made quick work knowing that when my hair dried it would be about shoulder length. It was still long enough to cover my ears and pull back if needed. I ran some hair product through it and then dried it with my blow dryer. I walked out into my single room with the towel still wrapped around my body. My hair bounced right at my shoulders. I felt sassy and fresh.
“If you would have told me you were chopping off your hair I would have demanded you keep every single long strand. Yet here you are with shorter curly hair and I like it. You look as beautiful as ever.”
I couldn't help but grin. “He is right, you look perfect, it fits you well.” Tomilson sent from his seat on the floor near my book shelves. His violet eyes shined a bit when I looked at him.
“Thank you both. Now I need to get some clothing and clean up my mess. I have enough weight on my shoulders my hair didn't need to add to it.” I pulled open a drawer on my bed grabbing undies, jeans, and a long sleeve white thermal shirt. I dressed in front of my men as they watched. It is not like they hadn't seen me in all my glory before. I topped my white thermal shirt with a black Pink Floyd t-shirt. My clothing was a little looser on me than when I was a human, but overall it still fit pretty good. I put on my Elven boots and fastened my sword belt around my waist.
“Can you bring us some clothing back from Tindril as well? I can wear a pair of Prince Garrik's jeans he keeps here, but Echo won't fit any of it.” Tomilson asked.
“Garrik keeps clothing here in my apartment?” I asked surprised.
“Yeah, he stayed here frequently when you were in your coma and has a few sets of human clothing stored here. Echo will still need something though. “ I nodded.
“So, I am going alone?” I asked nervous. I hadn't traveled anywhere alone since going to Elmora.
Both men could feel my concern, “She is right. I will go with Vera you stay with Prince Garrik,” Echo said. “I can gather clothing in Tindril while she makes contact with Castle Bluff.”
“That is a good plan.” Tomilson stood giving me a big hug. “Be safe my Queen.”
With that Echo and I found ourselves standing in an empty field in the middle of a blizzard, “Come on Vera, get us to Tindril!” Echo screamed as I surveyed our location. I closed my eyes picturing the war room. When we materialized it was completely empty. I didn't waste a second. I walked to the Tindril crystal room and called King Rew at Castle Bluff.
“We have Garrik safe and sound in the Human Realm. Is Queen Maria still at Castle Bluff?”
I decided to stay put and wait for a response as Echo left the chamber to go get a change of clothes.
The crystal dinged a short time later and King Rew's voice rang through, “That is great news! Yes, we still have Queen Maria. King Talon messaged a couple hours ago. He has moved up the meeting in Oklahoma. He says if we do not meet for battle in three days time that he will send all his forces to Tindril. Tindril is not set to withstand a full assault. Queen Lyra has been sent into hiding for her protection. Toby is now in control of the Tindril forces and Taryn is running the palace in Lyra's place. Be well Vera and take care of Garrik. Garrik has human money in his room. Use it. Tell Tomilson to bring you to The Fort. He will know which one. We will be waiting for you.” King Rew signed off. I took a second to send back a quick thank you and see you soon. I flashed myself up to Garrik's room and found the money, ID,credit cards, and a cell phone in the drawer of his night stand. I went back to the war room to wait for Echo. He appeared a short time later.
“Toby told me plans have changed.” I nodded and filled him in on the new plan. Echo had changed into new more human looking clothing. He had on dark brown pants that went over his boots rather than in them. He also had on a dark tunic and a basic black wool coat. His sword still fastened to his wide waist. His golden eyes took in everything I had told him.
“Can we get from Kansas City to Oklahoma in a day in the Human Realm?”
“Yes, we will have to rent a car. Do you think Garrik is awake yet?”
“Only one way to find out. “ Echo said as he grabbed my hand, before we knew it we were both standing in my old studio apartment. My traveling was getting smoother and faster.