Landra's Heart

Here is the entire Chapter, as so many have asked for more. I'm not sure it will give you what you were looking for, but hey you asked nicely.. so I've relented. ; 0 )

Chapter One

Staring at a large fissure in an unassuming hill, Landra fingered her brother's protection pouch, where it hung beneath her mantle. The winds of the new cleansing howled, causing frozen crystals to lash her cheeks. She peered at the imprints her feet had made as she trudged across the plain. The last vestiges of light were quickly disappearing. The setting would be complete very soon. There was no leaving; her course was set.

Drawing in a steadying breath, Landra pushed her hood back and stepped into the fissure. Instantly a long line of firestones glowed from nooks carved into the walls. They illuminated a narrow corridor. Landra stomped her feet, shaking her shoulders to dislodge the wet crystals clinging to her mantle and slippers. Her fingers stretched out to touch the wall. It had been carved many, many sets ago, yet she could still make out fine chisel marks.

She'd heard of this place repeatedly as a child, yet the sight of firestones coming to light on their own was very disconcerting. Licking the dryness from her lips she forced herself to move through the corridor. As the end came into sight a disembodied voice beckoned, "Are your motives pure and unencumbered?"

Her heart pounded painfully into her ribs. She clasped her hands before her, responding, "I must trust the forces have sent me with good purpose."

The floor trembled, causing Landra to take a step back. Her eyes darted about looking for the source of the grinding which filled her ears. Dust clouded the stagnant air, as a doorway appeared. An enormous slab of rock swung away from her. "You may enter the temple."

The voice startled her out of her shock at seeing the wall pivot. She nervously tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear as she stepped forward. A small woman covered in many layers of thin gray veils approached. "You have risked much to summon me on this most sacred of passings."

Landra bowed her head in reverence. "You honor me with your presence, Senaris."

"Your pleas were heartfelt and sincere. What do you require of me as this end meets the beginning?"

Landra leveled her gaze with the woman. Gentle blue eyes looked directly into her essence. Drawing to her full height, she said, "I need to have endings made into beginnings. The men of my community were taken from this existence against the will of the forces."

The older woman narrowed her eyes, sweeping them over Landra. "You wish to breach the veil."

Firming her resolve, she offered a curt nod. "I do."

Softly walking toward her, Senaris coolly assessed her.  If she didn't receive her approval, this entire passing would have been for nothing. Landra opened her mind and heart, hoping the openness would earn the woman's respect. Senaris clucked her tongue as she circled Landra. "This is a man's mantle; it's too big for you. Whose protection pouch lies beneath? Are you here out of your own selfish need?"

Landra lowered her eyes. "The mantle belonged to my husband, Terid. My brother gave me the pouch. I wear it for him."

"Your husband is one of the men you wish to draw through the veil?"

"He is. " Landra admitted, adding, "The suffering has been great. Mothers have lost their children. There is hunger and despair; something must be done."

"And you believe disturbing the returned is the answer?"

"I do."

Senaris snorted, before walking toward an ornately carved pedestal, which sprouted from the floor with a wave of her arm. Landra stood quietly as Senaris conjured a tray, and began muttering incantations. The dimly lit chamber was much smaller than she'd expected. As her eyes adjusted relief carvings came into focus. She took a step to examine them when Senaris spoke. "Come child. I notice you have no bodies."

"No, they were cut and mutilated so badly it was difficult to identify them."

"No matter, if they were returned as you say, the forces will see to them. You understand the risks? If you're wrong, darkness will cross the veil. My abilities may not be sufficient to repress it."

Not wishing to appear cowardly, Landra maintained eye contact. Beneath Terid's heavy mantle her legs trembled. She couldn't fail. So many women depended on her to right this wrong. Without the men, what would they do?

She ignored the tears stinging her nose and eyes. "I understand. I will accept the darkness should it come; as punishment for disturbing the balance."

A cascade of silver hair fell over Senaris's thin shoulder, when she tipped her head. "The assimilation of so much darkness would see you returned. You are willing to lay down your essence for the return of others? If your husband isn't among them; then what? Will you be so willing to see the joy of others, in the absence of your own?"

Landra swallowed, squaring her shoulders. "I am willing to see as many of them cross the veil as the forces see fit."

"Are you certain their families will be filled by joy? Many do not adjust. Are you then willing to bear the hurt you cause?"

Flexing her fingers, Landra evenly answered, "If I could see any other path, I would take it."

"Picture them in your mind. Picture all of them. Do not focus on your man; to do so will create consequences neither of us is prepared to deal with. See them as they were before the massacre."

Landra's mouth went dry. She'd been granted her request. Unshed tears welled in her eyes. The edge of her hand pressed against her upper lip as she struggled to maintain control of her emotions.

Senaris's veils began to flutter as her hands elegantly unfurled from beneath the layers of thin fabric, lighting firestones as she circled the chamber. "Close your eyes child. Picture them cleanly, clearly. I've only the strength to do this once."

Landra closed her eyes and rolled her shoulders to ease the tension stiffening her neck. She could see them clearly. The festival of rebirth was underway. They were gathering to exhibit their prowess with weapons. They were exchanging good natured jibes. Their laughter floated to her as clearly as if they were in the chamber.

The ground trembled, her nose filled with dust, choking her. Landra stubbornly clung to the vision of the men on the lush, green field. They were laughing and chucking one another on the back. She heard a stifled scream from Senaris's position, yet she clung to her vision. They needed their men. There would be no second chances should this fail.

An acidic stench filled the chamber burning her nose and throat. It felt as if the chamber might collapse at any moment. The sound of groaning earth and scraping rock filled her ears as she held steadfastly to her vision. The ground pitched and Landra found herself face down on the dirt strewn floor. Her head ached where something had struck it as she fell. Her concentration was broken, Landra didn't know if she should cry or scream.

The chamber was filled with sounds she couldn't identify. She wanted to call to Senaris, but found she couldn't. Her eyes pinched together in pain as she prayed for forgiveness. A hand, large and strong, gripped her elbow, propelling her to her feet.

*****

             Taynok was battle-weary as he and a band of his warriors rode toward the fortress. The cleansing winds barely registered; all he could see were the women and children they'd evacuated from the ridge communities.

            "Milord!"

            He turned in the direction of the hale.  Jeric's thick arm thrust toward the temple mound. "Someone has entered. Should I investigate?"

            Taynok ground his teeth. "Get to the safety of the fortress. I'll take care of Senaris."

            Respectfully tipping his head, Jeric called for the others to follow him. Taynok pulled his mount around, muttering curses. He'd given Senaris explicate instructions not to open the temple this season, for any reason. Was the woman's head filled with sea water? Crystals bit at his face and neck as he wound his way to the temple entrance.

            The storm was worsening. He would have to extricate whoever was inside quickly. If they didn't make the fortress soon, he feared they might be walled into the temple by blowing crystals. His mount shied as they neared the fissure. "Easy boy, I'll not make you enter."

            Firestones emitted a warm glow, as Taynok stepped into the corridor. The fine hair along his spine instantly prickled. He shrugged his shoulders to adjust his mantle. Positioning his back against one side of the corridor, he padded toward the temple. The air felt thick, charged with an energy he couldn't explain.

            They were embattled with the Landolier. Taynok settled his mind on the instability as the cause of his wariness. Senaris had much to answer for. Opening the temple against his wishes was truly unwise. He had a mind to send her to Valaria with the rest of the refugees.  His brother could deal with her for a while. The forces knew Taynok had had his fill.

            A woman came into view. The temple started to quake. Hunks of rock began to fall from the ceiling. Taynok moved across the chamber in two swift strides. He grabbed Senaris by the arm, thrusting her toward the fortress passage. "Get yourself to the fortress. And if you know what is good for you, remain in your chambers until I call for you."

            He ignored her screech of fury as he stuffed her into the passage and depressed the doorway keystone. It felt as if the entire mound was shifting as he picked his way to the woman lying on the floor. He tossed one arm over his head as he grabbed for the woman. In his haste he hauled her to her feet in one movement. He could only hope he hadn't harmed her.

            The chamber filled with a deep resonant hum. Taynok shook his head to clear the sound, but it followed them as he rushed through the corridor. It was as if a dozen men were all talking to him at once. He clenched his jaw, pulling his charge into his arms. The walls of the temple began to pitch. A large slab fell, with a deafening crash, sending dust and debris careening into his back. His hand protectively cupped the woman's head as he stumbled forward.