Blood of the Abyss

Blood of the Abyss Part 6

Chapter 6

Flashes

Caspian

The girl knew me. I had looked into her brilliant green eyes and saw recognition in them, but I could not return that look. I couldn't remember her. Within a day, two people had said my name and I had no idea who they were. And then I touched her hand. The shock jolted me into a daze of sorts, almost as if I had touched her hand before. I shook the thought from my mind and had helped her to her feet. When she turned to leave, I could feel the sadness emanating from her. She hid it well and hurried away. I watched as she left, wishing she would turn to look back. Just one more look at her, just one more question that she could answer for me. But, she didn't turn back. I shook my head and rubbed my forehead where she had smacked me. I straightened my clothing. Callan had already walked a few paces ahead of me before noticing I wasn't by his side.

"Everything is well, my lord?" Callan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." I said quickly. "Everything is alright." I sighed and looked back in the direction the girl had left. I needed to know who she was, needed to know how she knew me. Maybe she had the answers I needed to help my father.

***

As soon as we had reached the palace, I hurried to the library to continue my research. Using the Concordance of Magyks as well as other books, I found information about a wise sage deep in the orchard of Eodanor, the home of the elves. Father had taught me that the elves were a dangerous race, though I had yet to see it. The city elves seemed to be fine, but elves in the orchard were very unknown to me. If I wanted information about Lysandra and whatever the abyss was, this was my opportunity to find it. Determined, I decided to leave by the cover of night, as Callan would be asleep and Father would not be of any concern. This was my chance to learn more.

I turned in early to rest before heading out to ensure I remained awake while traveling. If the elves were dangerous, I wanted to be prepared. As my eyelids grew heavy, I saw long hair that matched the color of red leaves in fall, and bright green eyes. She ran and I chased, a game so familiar to me. I was close to reaching her when I suddenly felt myself falling into darkness. She's gone. I looked up to see my father clutching the girl by her throat. My father didn't look like himself, his eyes were blood red to the point where his pupils seemed to be absorbed, and his hands were coated in black. He laughed menacingly and snapped the girl's neck then tossed her into the pit with me. I moved to her and pushed aside her hair to see her face. Lysandra!

I gasped as I woke up and fell out of my chair onto the hard floor. Thwump! The sound of me hitting the floor was a little loud and I sat still for a moment to ensure that neither Callan nor my father would be coming to check on me. After a few beats of my heart and hearing only silence outside the door, I gathered the Concordance of Magyks, tucked it into my satchel, strapped my sword in its sheath across my back and started my exit from the palace. Thankfully everyone had fallen asleep for the night and only a few guards were stationed in areas of the palace that I could avoid. I had reached the stables and quickly mounted the chestnut horse and started at a gallop toward the orchards of Eodanor. Wind rushed through my hair and for the first time in my life, I felt free. No worries of Callan or my father being concerned about me, it was just me and the wind. I rode until I saw the edge of a village, deep within the orchard. I dismounted, slinging the reins around a nearby tree, patting the horse's neck in thanks, and then entered the village.

The eyes of elves followed me suspiciously, but they said nothing. I approached one elf and asked where I could find the sage. He pointed to a hut with blue light emanating from it and went back to watching the orchard. I thanked him, to which the response was a grunt, and moved to the hut. I knocked on the door hoping that they were home.