“Let’s get this over with,” he said in a hushed tone, then moved to stand so everyone could see and hear him. “I want everyone to travel together in a group. Once we’re crossed over, you can find your families and join them. I highly suggest you keep your identity a secret, as much as possible. I understand some of you may have a harder time doing so than others. My advice is to stay out of sight from humans. Wait and be careful. Things have changed more than you may realize in the time our people left the mortal realm. And always remain wary of those who side with Jiren. You may find yourself in a trap before you can blink.”
With a nod, people started to file through the opening of the cave to the crossover and the mortal realm beyond. Marren rejoined me, with Enid and Raden by our side. Ildir stood at the mouth of the cave, assuring himself of the races safety.
“Do you plan to remain with us, Raden?” I asked.
“I intend to for a while, aye.”
“And you, Enid?”
“Of course, dear A’lainn,” he replied.
“What about Ildir?” I asked.
“The mountain on the other side is where his home is,” Marren said. “He will be rejoining his people there and will destroy the crossover when it’s time.”
I nodded as Naloud turned over a rock she found sitting at our feet. She stared at it intently opening and closing her hand several times. I reached down and picked her up, resting her on my hip. My mind once again drifted to Serid.
“I keep thinking about Serid, Marren. Do you think Jiren killed him and Okelo?”
“Jiren isn’t the type to take prisoners, Relena.” He grabbed my hand and led us to the mouth of the cave, behind the rest of the races.
“What happens to this place once we cross over?” I asked.
“It will remain until it is safe for us to stay on the mortal realm for good,” Marren replied.
“Are there others staying?”
“I am not sure. My hope is everyone will cross over, eventually.”
I stopped then turned to set my eyes one final time on the immortal realm. The looming forests ahead of me, the shadowed peaks beyond, the darkening sky above, and the slowly setting sun along the horizon. I would miss this place. The aromas, the sounds, and the sensations. Finally, I took one last deep breath of the air then said, “Let’s go home.”
We turned around and walked through the cave. Once again feeling the ink, thick as water, swell around me in a cold embrace. I held on to Marren’s hand and Naloud’s small body as we walked through the disorienting shield protecting the immortal realm. Slowly, the inky black lightened into dark gray and then lightened more as a light appeared in front of us, dotted by bodies of the races. Their cheers and excited murmurs filled the mouth of the cave and echoed back. The cool night air blew, swimming around me as if in a hug of welcome. The scents of the mortal realm assaulted my senses. Dirt, must, iron, and death. An aroma I recalled as being a part of the woods but after living in the immortal realm, where death seldom exists, I realized it was the sign of mortality lingering in the air, sweetening it, making everything—especially living things, seem much more sacred and special.
As we stepped out of the cave, we said our goodbyes to our friends and turned, with Enid and Raden, toward our home that waited for us.
I found myself longing for the white polished stone and enchanted wood carvings of my home. The home I was brought to, very much against my will. The magic surrounding the palace worked through my guard—my shield—over my heart, and allowed me to see it for what it was. Simple beauty and love. And Marren? I fell in love with him quickly. So persistent he was. Persistence that paid off in the end.
So caught up in my daydreams of remembering our home, discovering that there was people there who shouldn’t be came as a total and complete shock. Marren snapped something incoherent in his native language. Nevertheless, the sound forced the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. One syllable I recognizable in his rant froze me to my core. Cyrs.
I clutched Naloud closer. They were making good on their threat and would no doubt try to take my daughter in my place. I could tell with the way Marren stood in front of me, he feared that as well.
Don’t let them take her, Marren.
I won’t. I promise. He turned toward Enid, “Go check the stables. Try to remain out of sight. If it’s clear, come back and take Naloud. Hide there with her.”
With a nod, Enid ran as fast as he could within the shadows of the trees surrounding our home.
“What about us?” I asked, as the fear of letting my daughter out of my sight with the Cyrs around clutched my heart.
“You,” he said, turning toward me and pulling the hood of my cloak over my head, “will be with me. We’re going to scare them off.”
I couldn’t help the smile stretching my lips. The idea of just desserts replaced my fear. “Mm, I like that idea.”
Marren chuckled, sending my heart in a light, fluttering dance.
“Raden,” he said.
“Aye?”
“I’d like you to stick with us. But, I will understand if you need to go see to your forge.”
“Wouldn’t dream of leav’n ya.” Hearing the sound of rapidly approaching feet, Raden propped his axe upon his shoulders with both hands on the handle, ready to decapitate the intruder. I clung to Naloud tighter, who slept in my arms. Her head rested on my shoulders.