Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Intempia ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: These characters and settings belong to me - please don't steal them!

 

Chapter Five

He was golden in the morning sun. He was breath taking. He set a fire burning in your soul.
Masye. The name echoed in her mind. His face was burning its impression into her brain. Then that familiar shiver passed over her skin. Turning her head, she saw him standing, watching. While Masye glowed, Estyrn remained pale. The light touched sparkles in his silver hair. As soon as he was there, he was gone. Frowning, Alsentia turned her gaze back to his brother. Only, he too was gone. A sigh dragged past her lips as she returned to her musings.

The evening was warm, even without the fire. The brothers sat a short distance away, talking quietly.
“They slaughtered them.”
“Merciless.”
“Moving to conquer more.”
“Crushing our peoples.”
“Well you shouldn't have tried to invade Algora.” Alsentia's voice rose as her temper flared. Both males looked over, their surprise evident.
“What?” Masye questioned quietly.
“You shouldn't have invaded Algora.” She repeated. Surprise was replaced with confusion.
“We've never attacked Algora. All we've ever done is retaliate against the forces pushing deeper into Intempia.” Estyrn's voice was level, his eyes flicking to his brother's.
“That's a lie.” Alsentia shook her head violently; nearly toppling over from her precarious position leant on her bound hands. “I read it in the newspapers. Father told me all about it.”
Estyrn snorted.
“Your father works for the Elders. All they care for is power and expansion. You hear what they want you to hear.”
She shook her head again.
“No, it's not true. They wouldn't. It's your fault! You attacked us! You two are in charge of this whole thing! It's your fault!”
Something flickered deep in Estyrn's eyes. When he spoke, his voice was as cold as his looks.
“You'll be perfect for them. You'll follow in your father's footsteps and they'll be proud. You'll send your troops out to slaughter the innocent and they'll reward you. You'll do well for them.” Rising, he vanished into the forest.
“Masye?” she whispered, turning back to the other. He shook his head, facing the flames.
“It can't be true.” Her voice sounded small to her ears.
“Sometimes we already know the truth, but everything we believe in forces us to contradict it. I must find my brother.” He followed Estyrn's path into the trees.

Two sunrises had come and gone since she'd last seen Estyrn. She'd felt him pass by, but never within sight. Masye passed through occasionally, sending her a smile that relit the fire within her. His words to her remained within her mind, and she spent the long hours pondering what had been said. Thinking about everything she thought she knew.
“What if he was right?” she questioned herself aloud.
“What if who was right?” Masye appeared from the brush and she flushed furiously.
“No one.” Her reply was too quick. He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer.
“No one... I'm not quite sure if I believe you.” He paused barely a foot from her, crouching and leaning forwards. “But there are ways to make anyone tell you what you want.” His eyes swept across her, leaving trails of fire. Alsentia found herself unable to move, this predator of fire's gaze held her in place. Then a chilling whisper seemed to wrap around her, and she turned as best she could to set eyes upon Estyrn. His arm was heavily, and crudely, bandaged. His silver hair was caked with dirt and dried blood. A cut was still trickling crimson along his hairline.
“You look awful.” Masye surveyed his brother critically, his quarry forgotten for the moment. Estyrn said nothing.
“And you're bleeding.”
There was still no response.
“Estyrn…” Her voice was small in her ears, and she shied away when his violet eyes rested on her. “Let me see to your wounds?”
His approach was swift and unexpected. With a yelp, she found herself on her feet, being dragged through the trees. Taking a brief moment to examine things more closely, she realised that in that moment he had also cut off all her bonds. Where had the blade been?
“You need to use your feet. I cannot carry you the entire way.”
Mentally scolding her stupidity, she took her weight off his arm and hurried with him.

High in the wooded mountains, where the snows sit for the longest, is a spring. The spring, though not much in itself, feeds the river that flows eastward, and into the heart of Intempia. The river's course, carved out by the centuries, takes it on long winding loops down the hillsides. At one particular point in its course, it loops lazily towards a steep cliff, and steadily roars over its edge. If one were to stand at the top of the fall and gaze around, they would realise that it was like a gigantic bowl. There was only one way in and out, and it was through that narrow valley the river flowed. Beyond the valley, one would just be able to make out the forest.

She could hear a steady roaring, and faltered, finally wondering where he was taking her.
“Come.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “You don't want to get left behind. There are worse things than the rebel soldiers lingering in these woods.”
Images from her childhood books came flooding back, and her pace quickened, bringing alongside Estyrn once more. As he turned back to the path, she missed the amusement that tugged at his lips and turned his eyes a lighter shade.