Nightshade: Chapter IX
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IX–The Vault and The Sea
Noë followed Orion’s lead as the vault in the distance drew nearer, the cliffs increasing in size as they continued their trek down from the forest.
She stopped overlooking the shore, the stormy sea pushing and pulling in a fury of navy and white far off the spiked rocks of the coast.
Orion joined her side.
“As we go farther west the weather will turn warmer. More humid–but warmer.”
She continued to look out to the water's edge. “I’ve never been this far away from home before. A few days ago all I wanted was to be free and see things like this for myself. Now I just find myself wanting it all to go back to the way it was.”
His eyes shifted to her.
“Regret is a feeling you cannot give into. It's an invention of the mind designed to torture us for choices of the past. You are here now, and Dahlia is gone. There’s no changing that.”
She turned to him with a flicker of irritation. “I lost her only yesterday, and this is what you say to me?”
He closed his mouth and placed a fist over his chest with a hung head, recalling Haemir’s words. “I… apologise, Vala. Sometimes I suffer from apathy when I have communed with the fates for too long. It’s the… elevated sense of being. I… tend to forget my mortal nature.”
Noë accepted his apology.
Not all was always in their control when divinely blessed.
Who knew that better than she?
“You are right to criticise me. I never believed my aunt when she said I was still too childish for a journey like this, and now I whine of the past when our current survival is more pertinent.” She smiled up at him. “It’s kind of you to try to comfort me. Thank you.”
Orion nodded once, surprised at her reception of him. With others it was at the first mention of opposition that ceased their acknowledgement of him. But it was true that he could not help himself from speaking the truth of what simply was.
As they arrived at the shore below at the cusp of the sea facing vault, they looked downward into the water where the steps lead to the gold metal door, round and towering.
Haemir waved at the rogues nearer the shore. “There they are! It looks like the water is still a bit high. Another two hours at least unless you want to swim there.”
“Scared of a little water, Haemir?” Glea teased as he prepared to follow orders.
Haemir turned his head to their small team, seven additional elves from Tiere and the outlying villages armed and prepared to traverse the wilds for the goddess Orion prophesied to arrive.
If they were headed by any other elf, Haemir himself would doubt their effectiveness and survival capabilities. But led by Orion, Prince of Vertan and Nornorë; he had every confidence in their safe return.
Even without his power of foresight the Prince was well versed in battle, a master archer and an exquisite swordsman.
Haemir had not seen a rival to him yet.
“I just want to give you another minute to discover how to use a sword, Glea.” Haemir chuckled with the rest of the elves as the young blond elf crossed his arms and turned red underneath his green eyes.
Glea pouted with pink pursed lips. “It was one time.” He had only just woken and the Prince was watching. The embarrassment that followed was enough for him to ensure he would never hesitate that way again.
Haemir turned to a brown haired elf, her long straight hair tied into a tight braid down her back, shifting as she laughed vibrantly, doubled over. “Are you laughing Fendell? After your shoddy display of archery at Callonwood?”
Fendell stood straight and called out loud, “Shoddy? Your mother!”
“Big talk from the one who got stuck in a human trap just last week, Haemir!” another blond scout shouted as all but Orion and Haemir laughed heartily, holding their sides as they traded jokes and took a rest before trekking the water pass.
“Aye, I heard that you shits.” Haemir waved a hand, muttering, and turned back to the waves Orion watched.
Haemir noticed Orion’s unease.
“Should I even bother asking you if you’re sure?” he whispered for fear that the rogue's good spirits would dwindle at the thought of uncertainty.
Orion lifted a blackened red brow, straining his eyes, cool clear pools of azure blue on his second. His hair, deep red blood tinged currants blew steadily, its shorn nature short a top his head as he preferred it. “We made a lot of noise last night. I don’t want to take any chances.”
Haemir nodded. “By your lead.”
Orion took Noë’s pack from her back and tied it on his own. “You’ll have to dismiss Hrim. He won’t fit in some stretches of the mine. Are you a strong swimmer?”
Noë looked at the water and Hrim in fear. “No, I–”
He stood next to her, steadying her shoulder’s for confidence. “He’s tied to you. He will come and go as you ask him to as if no time has passed. Simply look within yourself and tell him to part for now.”
Reluctantly she obeyed.
She took his reins and held his cheek.
“Sorry if I banish you eternally somehow.” She closed her eyes and prayed over him. “Until next time.” and with a flash, he was gone.
Haemir nudged an awestruck rogue. “You’ll get used to it.”
It was time to conquer the water next.
Orion waded out and held out a hand for her to take.
As it slipped against her own he pulled her further into the cold water and turned, placing her arms around his neck.
The elves, taller than she, began to wade out behind them, following Orion as he began to further sink into the cold of the sea water towards the brownstone of the mountain doorway.
“Hold your breath.” he warned before they dove further into the water, her grip tightening on his submerged tunic.
She obeyed, closing her eyes tightly to fight the sting of the water as his arms splashed water around them, pushing them closer to the vault as dweller cries could be heard in the distance.
Gaining closer to the other side of the shore Orion’s feet touched the sunken steps, leading them out of the water. Soaking, they helped one another onto the platform as they looked to the cliffs above where dweller warriors cried out.
Orion gave a hand to Haemir, pulling him out next as several of the rogues sputtered out sea water. “Don’t say I told you so.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Orion said as a black raven circled overhead.
“Huginn!” Noë said excitedly as she wrung out her hair and waved him down.
Orion gave three sharp whistles, the bird echoing in response as he flew over the mountains.
“Sending him ahead?” Haemir asked as he twisted water out of his top.
Orion nodded and looked to her. “He’ll do better in Vertan if we have to bunker down for a few days.” he watched her bird take west, disappearing into the mountain peaks that awaited them. “Fen, help Kleax get this door open.”
Noë stepped back as the two elves turned the rusted gear of the vault door, holding it in place. Orion placed his arm in the now exposed keyhole, feeling for the switch within and turning it manually as they all heard a deep metallic clanging of the lock turning.
Glea and Haemir pushed at its opening, sliding the heavy door as several other rogues began to help.
A rush of stale air blew outward, dust, iron, and old rancid water greeting them as they covered their faces.
“Quickly, inside.” Haemir encouraged Noë first as the rest tunnelled in, the dwellers still running down the cliffs with no hope of catching them before they escaped.
Noë looked around in the darkness as Haemir and Orion held the last of the door, pushing it closed behind them all. Only their heavy breathing could be heard amongst them.
“Let’s get this path lit.” Orion commanded breathlessly.
“The torches are all wet.” Glea added, feeling the wet wood in his satchel.
Listen…
Noë turned in a circle in the dark as she heard its whispering.
Listen…
It dragged, chilling words tingling up her spine.
She stepped closer in front of herself, feeling the chill radiating from the steel. She slipped her finger against it, leaning into the cold as she felt a presence around them. “There are forges here within the walls. Do we know how to get them started?”
Haemir wiped at his brow in the dark. “These mining tools haven’t been in use for some time. I doubt they still work.”
“We can’t sit here forever. The water will recede and allow them in behind us.” Glea said in panic.
Orion spoke patiently. “I’m not eager to step on a trap, are you?” He turned his head to where he felt her in the dark. “There’s more than one way to light a fire.”
Noë heard his suggestion and leaned further into the quiet metal in the mountainside. She focused on the stagnant oil, sparking white flame in the slim canals holding the liquid as fire danced on the surface of the aged black liquid.
“I’ve never seen them do that before.” Haemir quipped to Orion.
Noë listened as voices continued through the channels, the loudest dwarven spirit voice excitedly speaking in her ear. For once the chills did not scare her.
“There’s someone here who wants to guide us. He says he built these tunnels four hundred years ago. A Dwarf named Millir.” She turned to the rogues behind her, Orion the only one without surprise on his features.
Orion looked around the space now lit, the grey stone path and walls empty of all but her and the rogues. Interesting as it was, he believed her. “Hello, Millir.”
She watched Orion smirk as he put away his bow. His blue eyes carried wit and wonder although his words were few. It warmed her heart that he believed her right away while the others stared incredulously. “He says hello in return. He’s happy to speak to someone alive after so long.”
Haemir felt chills on his arms. Even dealing with Orion’s visions accompanied with the fates were frightening. Now there were two of them. And this one spoke to spirits.
Noë was pretty, but she was weird.
“She speaks to ghosts… Eerie.” He shuddered as he put his sword away.
Noë stifled a full laugh. “He’s quite the joker. But he says he will guide us clear of the traps in place. Like there, Haemir.” She pointed to the ground just beneath his foot.
Haemir stopped walking and looked down at the firm black line in the stone disguised to look like a break in the slab. “Clever.” he muttered as he went around it.
Noë followed Millir, leading them further down the descending hall where overturned white bricks and crumbling walls lined their path. While the others hung back, she could feel Orion near her side, the electricity between them heating her skin as they pushed and pulled.
Reaching a high step that the others took gracefully, a tan ledge high above her knees she prepared to reach out and grip it when large hands took the small of her waist, thumbs moving slowly up her spine and settling over her hips.
Warmth and spice filled her as he lifted upwards.
Orion felt his ears perk up as he helped Noë onto the edge.
The small surprise gasp that left her pretty lips was almost…
Sensual. Quiet.
Filled with submissive undertones.
He looked to the other rogues too busy on guard and looking into the dark cavern ahead to notice.
He fought a rising blush forming at the thought of Noë submitting to him.
Perhaps he was incorrect?
She had innocently made a noise in surprise after he touched her without permission. He would keep from doing it again.
He gripped the edge easily and lifted himself over it, standing tall above once more as she looked to the wall, hiding her face.
Orion watched as her face shifted to displeasure as they descended further into the mine. “What is it?”
Noë stayed quiet as Millir began panicking. His image came in and out, as if he was struggling to use his energy to stay in place, his body turning into a lit mist painted with colour. She could only catch every other word. “It seems he’s upset by something, but he won’t say. He says that we should go back.”
Orion looked ahead. The aura in the mine was one of sadness. To be a pinnacle of dwarven wealth and to fall to disrepair after the war could inspire that feeling in anyone.
Haemir spoke the thoughts Orion manifested. “Going back will lose us half a day, and it’ll be hell fighting through dwellers rounding the mountain instead.”
Millir looked at her with worry in his eyes and shook his head.
Noë looked to Orion for guidance.
He saw the plea for help in her light eyes as she stood unsure of herself. “These mines are filled with what remains of the dwarves before the war. It is possible his fear is for what memories this place holds.” he added, allowing her room to make the decision herself.
He lifted a hand to touch her shoulder, but remembered his restraint. “We will do what you think is best, Vala–but consider the alternative.”
At his words, he saw her strength blossom. “We’ll go forward.” she confirmed in his gaze as she turned to Millir in warning.
Millir called them to stop as they came to break in the mountain cave. He was frantic now, his mist hardly a form. “He’s urging us not to. Something is in the cavern below. I hear them.”
Orion could feel it too.
Far beneath them in the underground river where the stalagmites formed with silver gold peaks were Hel’s shadows circling like sharks within the misty water, still lingering for a vessel to control.
“Ferrum.” At Orion’s word everyone lifted their veils over their mouth and nose.
“What is that?” Noë questioned as Orion pulled a spare from his wrist and put it on her, tying it behind her neck. She lifted her hair for him and held it in place.
“Iron Cloth. It’s a veil we made from spun Narwe and iron ore weaved into fabric to protect from Hel’s shadows.” He spoke into his own as he continued to lean down, adjusting her cover as her silver eyes searched him, full and round.
He smelled bitter orange as she lifted her hair to give him better reach, and pulled back quickly after it was done.
Noë stepped further into the tall cave portion of the vault they entered, its brown ceilings high and dripping water from the mountain into a river of mist running through the room, blocking their way forward.
Orion stepped forward. “There used to be a bridge across. We’ll have to take the boats down there against the current to cross.”
She could feel the cold of the lost souls from where she stood, their listless thoughts bounding, hungry, and searching for a vessel to call their own to rot from the inside out.
They followed him to the black sand of the pit below, nearing the ravine, the voices overwhelming her mind as she tried to maintain focus.
Orion noticed her discomfort. He stilled his eyes to her own and signed to her slowly.
‘Breathe. You alone are within.’
Patient and caring, she nodded slowly, breathing deeply as she focused with him.
They boarded the abandoned boats, paddling slowly through the thick water as they did their best to remain quiet and still.
Orion motioned forward at the head boat as the ground began to tremble. They all stilled as a stalactite came loose from the ceiling, plunging deadly and black down at Glea and Fendell’s boat below.
Over they turned as the spirits began to ripple and wail, pulling them underneath the covered water like layers of living moss as their panicked screams echoed around them.
Haemir grabbed the oars from Orion quickly, unsurprised as Orion dove in after them.
“Stop!” Noë called to Haemir’s deaf ears, paddling to safety to the other side.
“Orion’s got them. Stay back!” He scooped her out quickly, helping the last boat to the shore.
She stood nervously as the water continued to fluctuate, no movement or sound coming to indicate that they were ascending.
They were trapped underneath.
“We have to do something!”
She stilled her heart.
She had to do something.
It would be the first time dismissing this many away at once, but Hel’s shadows had hunted for her since she was a baby. She had learned from an early age to pull them into her core, and maintain sweet thoughts to keep them from overwhelming her.
With a step forward, Haemir held her back.
He saw her slowly approaching the edge and held her back with a firm tug on the tunic Orion gave her.
Noë sensed his hesitation as he let her go. “I’ll be careful.”
“Not a chance. He'll kill me if I endanger you.” Haemir contested, but her look of determination did not fade. “Don’t make me regret this, Vala.”
She nodded, stepping slowly to the rock peak over the water with a shiver. The cold was strong so close to the spirit current. The tortured voices enlivened, their requests demonic and cruel.
Out her palms went, seeking their essence. Back and forth she moved her arms over the white water, churning it black as they reacted to her cleansing. The smoke began to pulse, rising from the trench with each pass, shaking the cavern.
It was then that the wave of black grew, spilling upwards towards the rogues watching near the exit.
Haemir moved between it and the scouts, preparing to take it himself until Noë quickly intercepted, her eyes a brilliant blue watercolour, luminous far beneath the earth.
She pulled the shadows backwards, their smoke entering her palm as the left continued to take the shadows in the trench.
The rogues watched on as several minutes seemed to pass, the gusts of black nearly empty now, leaving the water clear as the chill began to lessen.
With cheers the three elves surfaced as Noë continued to work, finely spinning the spirits, weaving within herself as the rogues climbed from the rushing waters.
She maintained her focus, unable to celebrate until her task was completed as the chill grew within her, her control lessening.
Orion breathed deeply as Glea and Fendell spat up water, comforted by the other rogues gathering around them as he stood tall, dripping water as he watched her keep going.
If she stopped now they would all rush out, taking what they wanted despite her efforts. But it was clear that she was beginning to struggle, her white hair whipping as it stirred black.
Noë breathed in and out.
She felt Orion come closer, and smelled the spiced leaves and rain she was coming to grow fond of. The warmth of his body reached her though they were not touching.
His voice was soothing and low as his wet hands slid close to her. “Take a deep breath. Letat.”
She obeyed, breathing in once. “Letat.” she repeated, feeling her cheeks warm. The encouragement she felt was beginning to turn into something far more heat inducing.
“Hold it. Feel your strength here, in your back.” He said next, touching the middle of her back gently, pushing his presence forward to renew her resolve.
Noë gasped lightly at his touch, feeling his presence moving against hers. It renewed her efforts as the last of the shadows entered her palms with little issue, faster than it had before.
He grinned as her work began to improve, her muscles relaxing into him. “Well done.”
He heard her blow steadily outward as the shadows settled within her. She hoped the lost souls would find their way to rest peacefully.
Noë felt her neck warm as he spoke, his breath fanning against her skin. She could hear the smile in his voice even though she could not see it.
Suddenly her stomach curdled, the overwhelming negative energy forcing it upside down.
He took her hand quickly, holding her as she bent over the water to keep her from falling in, her hair drifting into the cleansed current, wetting her white strands.
She could not keep exerting herself this way. Since the night of the storm she had used her powers more than she had in the last hundred years, her body rejecting the constant changes in energy. But she had little choice.
“What was that?” Glea asked between them.
Haemir looked to Orion. “Nothing like I've ever seen. Not in all my years.”
Orion nodded. “Spirits overflowing from Helheim. There may be a portal nearby. This land becomes Hel’s more and more each day.”
If not for Noë absorbing the spirits, they never would have made it past the heavy density of the spirit layer in the water.
He helped her stand as she signalled she was alright.
With relief, Orion looked to Haemir. “There’s an area ahead for us to rest for the night if we wish.”
Relieved, Haemir thanked the Gods. “I do wish. I’ll lead the way.”
To be continued...