Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)

Soon enough the haze began to clear, and she found herself once again surrounded by trees. Ahead of them, up an upward-sloping hill was a mass of buildings that seemed to be protruding from the rock face of a mountain.

The sight had her gaping in awe. It exhibited an extraordinary skill in architecture. Looking behind she could see what looked like a white cloud, it formed a line that extended further than her eye could see.

A theory hit her at that moment. But before she could say anything to confirm it, they jerked to a halt. How far did it extend, along the entire mountain? It had to be some form of barrier.

“The elves built this place originally; it was left abandoned,” Erosvent explained jumping down from the horse before tying the reins to a post. In front of them were some stables, though they were rather empty.

“The fog is hiding us away,” she muttered continuing to study the structure before her.

“Eros?” A soft voice sounded behind them. “I’m glad to see you’re back, I was worried it was taking too long.” A small blonde-haired woman came into view a welcoming smile spreading across her face.

When she reached for Erosvent it was evident that this was his love interest, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before returning to a slightly more professional demeanour.

Given Erosvent’s ability to still channel essence, she assumed the two had completed a ritual of some kind. It was a frowned upon ritual among her people, one that had not been taught after half-breeds came into existence; they posed too much of an unstable problem for her kind.

She thought she should feel happy for the two, but oddly no such feelings came. Instead, the display of affection seemed to sicken her to the point that she had to avert her gaze.

“My Lady, this is Elaina, my wife.” Erosvent introduced the female.

Elaina smiled up at her. She didn’t like that the woman was so short. It was odd for her to look down at people, she was reasonably short herself. The boys towered over the two.

Holding out her hand in greeting it seemed the woman wanted to help her down from the cart. She looked at the hand for a time and glanced at her surroundings, it was hard to describe the feeling that engulfed her. She wasn’t scared, it wasn’t fear, what was it exactly that made her uncomfortable?

Eros whispered something into the woman’s ear causing her to lower her hand and step to the side of the wagon giving Aveyon room enough to get down without aid.

She slid herself to the edge not noticing that Vincent had stirred. Flinging her legs over the edge, she tried to step down from the wagon. Her legs, however, were not quite ready for her weight, she stumbled nearly losing her balance, but Vincent caught her just in time.

She was shocked that he was awake, but more so that she hadn’t even heard him move. His hands rested on her waist as she heard a sharp intake of breath. Realizing the hastily spoken words she could not concentrate on was Erosvent telling Vincent frantically to let her go, the hands were gone from her body instantly.

She was simply standing there, the three of them looking concerned. Looking down at her waist, the warmth of his hand remained, why hadn’t she panicked like with Erosvent?

“Emerald?” She asked, breaking the silence, having no idea as to why she hadn’t reacted, she quickly changed the subject. Clearing her throat, she tried to force a smile, everyone was just staring at her.

“Sorry... where are my manners, it’s nice to meet you, may I please see Emerald?” She tried again, irritation slowly growing as she didn’t like so many eyes on her.

“Would you like to come inside and get cleaned up first? Erosvent has told me much about you, it’s such a pleasure.” Elaina curtsied slightly. It was clear the woman didn’t know how to act around her.

Aveyon shook her head. “I need to know she’s okay first.”

“In that case, follow me, I’ll take you to her.” Elaina stepped aside a motioned to the entrance of the main building.

Aveyon followed the woman but as they got closer to the building, she began to become panicked, this scene wasn’t that much different to what had gotten her trapped in the first place.

She glanced back at Vincent and Erosvent, why was she afraid? She was only going to go inside, right? That was where Emerald was, these people she could trust... couldn’t she?

Vincent saw the look in her eyes. “Eros, wouldn’t you think she may be claustrophobic after...well that?” He whispered.

Looking at the door that Eliana had opened Aveyon took a step back as she was motioned to enter. She was shaking now, fearful of being inside and of the possibility of being trapped again. Her body would not listen to her! Elaina looked confused for a second but soon realized what was happening.

“I... I think I would prefer to remain outdoors for now.” Aveyon finally mustered.

Aveyon glanced at the woman feeling ashamed of her own weakness. She was about to apologize when Elaina cut her off.

“Please don’t, it’s okay, you don’t need to apologize, you’ve been through a great deal. Familiar faces and scents will help you more. There is an outdoor bathhouse around the back, I’ll get the boys to show you and I’ll fetch some food and make up a room for you out there. Emerald’s room is around there as well, it’s just a longer trek to get to it from the front.”

Aveyon didn’t know what she felt at the moment, maybe relief? Her stomach was in knots regardless, so it was hard to tell.

“Thank you.” she managed as she turned and stumbled her way back to the horses.

Had she really grown so weak that she couldn’t even be inside a closed space? She felt like she couldn’t trust anybody to take her inside, it was unnerving.

She stopped by the horse and glanced at the boys; they immediately caught her meaning. Erosvent quickly unhitched the horse. He went to assist her in mounting the horse but stopped when he saw her condescending face.

“You need your rest before you start pushing yourself too hard or pushing me around for that matter,” he said with a wink. “I need to lift you up onto her.”

She glared at him. “I’ve been resting in a cage for the last ten years. I want to stretch my legs. I want to fall. I just want to know I’m free, to do as I please. I don’t want...I don’t....” her voice wavered, and she felt like her insides were not obeying her.

“Will you at least let me try first?” She paused. “Of course, you can help, but in other ways.” She placed her right foot into the stirrup and using what little strength she had she pulled her frail form on top of the horse. It was in no way graceful, clinging heavily to the horse’s mane for support.

“Lead me to where you have Emerald... Please.” She added, making it seem less like an order.

Erosvent took the reins trying his best to hide his smile. Her actions were far beyond her current ability. Her body was incredibly weak, he could see how fragile she was, but he was grateful she had the sense to get on the horse for the rest of the trip.

Vincent followed along a distance behind. Elaina had been correct it was much longer going this way, but she felt at ease enjoying the feeling of the night against her skin.

The mountain was more like a sheer cliff, they were walking along a small trail that lay around its base. The forest that surrounded them on the other side seemed to have grown in such a way that it concealed everything. The fog was still in view, but it was a fair distance away now.

The path wasn’t a challenging one, definitely man-made. Staying in the buildings was probably her quickest route to recovery, but she couldn’t handle that, not yet.

Looking up at the moon she savored its soft glow, she could however get used to this. Now that she had calmed down, she could really take the place in, it was vast and seemed to be brimming with people. She could hear murmurs as they passed under several different sections.

“Others...” She muttered slightly stiffening. An unsettling feeling engulfed her. Strangers, people she couldn’t trust surrounding her. She didn’t want to be near them at all.

Vincent’s voice reminded her that she wasn’t alone. “Yes. We do house quite a lot of guests here most of which have been found in much of the same situation as you and Emerald.”

She seemed a little surprised at that. “You found them all?”

“We find as many as we can and help them, but we are only touching the surface, My Lady,” Erosvent spoke with a hint of sadness. “I still try to keep to the beliefs and teachings of our people and pass on as much as I can to those willing to learn... but there just isn’t enough of us left.”

That piqued her interest. “Just how much has changed in the time I was...away?” Being held captive for several decades, it was to be expected. “It is okay for you to call me by name.” She added not liking the use of titles.

“Okay, okay, you never did like it as a child either.” She caught a glimpse of the smirk on his face before he turned his attention back to directing the horse.

“Is that all that is here?” She wanted to find out more about this place.

“No, we take in anyone that is having a hard time; but we normally have to turn away humans that know nothing about us.” He explained. “There are a few people here that you may know from the old days, they have been helping us try to fight back.”

“Fight back?” She questioned.

“You will need to be brought up to speed, I will explain, but not now.”

She didn’t argue, it was probably too long of a tale to get into at this moment.

“I won’t follow you into the hot spring Ava, you just go straight down there, and you won’t miss it.” He changed the subject and pointed.

She looked in the direction of his finger, taking the reins she was about to kick her heels into the mare when he spoke up again.

“If it’s okay with you I’ll leave Vincent on watch to make sure no one disturbs you.”

Looking at Vincent who smiled as their eyes met, she tried to object. “It is really not necessary-”

“Would you prefer a stranger to walk in on you down there?” Vincent questioned. “A lot of people like to use the outdoor springs as well.”

“You have a point...” Mulling over the thought she kicked the horse with her heels, making her way around the bend to the spring with no future objections.

“There’s a small room down there as well, I’m sure Elaina has done something fancy with it to turn it into a bed for you,” Eros called after her. “You rest tonight, and we will talk in the morning.”

“Thank you,” she called back. She stopped suddenly and spun the horse around. “How do I find Emerald?”

Eros quickly explained. “The springs are connected to a small outhouse; Emerald is the only person in the building at the moment. We thought it was best to have you two alone in your own space.

“I understand, is she...?” Trailing off but he caught her meaning.

“She will be fine, we have a great healer here and she’s female, Emerald really didn’t like me touching her, so I thought it was best,” Vincent spoke this time.

“I don’t blame her. No disrespect Vincent, the man that held us wasn’t...very nice.” She added before disappearing around the corner.

Erosvent turned to Vincent before he left. “Those scars are more than just on the surface of her skin.” Pausing, he didn’t want to say it, but he had to be sure Vincent knew. “They have been abused in more ways than you can imagine.” His eyes grew dark as a painful expression crossed his face.

“Be wary of how the ladies are handled.” He concluded before leaving Vincent to his guard duty. It was slightly amusing leaving him to see to Aveyon, he was starting to slip into Anzel’s role.

“I would never do anything to-” Vincent was cut off.

“I know, but we need to make sure they know that too.” He vanished back the way they had come.

Aveyon's eyes widened as the large spring came into view. She hadn’t seen anything like it before. The moon overhead was reflected so clearly in the large pool of glistening water. The elves had done wonders with this place, it wasn’t a natural formation, rather they had tapped into the hot springs from the mountain and somehow managed to make it flow too here. The pool was surrounded with smooth rounded limestone that created a great feature to the edge of the steaming water.

Taking in all the details she noticed the small outhouse. Matching the rest of the buildings, it was built out of the rock face of the mountain. She steered the horse over to the door and soon dismounted. Leaning heavily on the animal she waited until her legs felt they could hold her before stumbling inside. There were no doors on the outhouses, they were open and rather inviting. It was more like a small shelter from the elements than a house or room.

Inside had been set up for them but she didn’t stay long in her own dwelling to explore, she wanted to locate Emerald. The moment she saw the elf lying in the bed sound asleep she felt her lips spread into a smile.

She collapsed on the floor and let the relief flood her, finally letting go of all the tension. They were free, it finally hit her. They hadn’t locked Emerald up again, they let her do things at her own pace.

They were safe and they were together again. She curled up into a ball on the floor beside Emerald’s bed and relaxed for the first time in years.

“Ava, you should really use a bed. But before that, you really should have a bath and eat something as well.” Aveyon shot up right at the sound of Emerald's voice, she cringed as her body wasn’t ready for such fast movements.

“You’re awake, I didn’t wake you, did I?” Aveyon was slightly panicked; she didn’t want to disturb.

Emerald still sounded weak, but she at least looked relaxed and on the mend. She doubted the woman could move easily, however.

“Come on Ava, it’s time to take care of yourself, then come sleep up here with me.” She pleaded with her. Even now Emerald was more worried for others than herself.

Pushing herself up, Aveyon used the bed to aid herself in standing before she sat by emeralds side, separated just for a little longer she told herself.

“By your orders I will, but I will be back, I promise.” She bent over and lightly kissed the elf’s forehead.

“I don’t doubt it, take your time and enjoy it. Okay?” Emerald sleepily replied before her eyes fluttered shut again.