Faelali's Gift
an excerpt

Prologue

Nom'ed had finally seemed to become peaceful the wars with the surrounding nations had seemed to dull, and it almost seemed like Gaeia was returning to balance, and settling in for peaceful times. Nom'ed was beginning to prosper and flourish under this quiet lull of Peace. Even the other nations were seeming to prosper and flourish in the same way, and despite no demon or elf ever wanting to admit it, even the humans seemed to be flourishing. In Nom'ed particularly, Sonien, the eldest of the previous king three sons and now King was enjoying the lull, he believed that the time of peace was needed for his son to grow into a wise and fair ruler once he past. Even Sonien's baby brother and General of the Armies of Nom'ed, Ziony was enjoying the peace in their home nation.

However not all peace will last long, as the middle son Zitre grew envious of his brother, cast out and exiled from Nom'ed he began to plot his revenge on his brothers, silently waiting for the time when he could prove to them that he was the worthy one and not they. He'd kill their meddling kids too, so he could take the throne for himself. All were oblivious to Zitre's plans, as in the training room the sons of Sonien and Ziony were sparring, unaware of that shadow that was soon to pass over Nom'ed and the rest of Gaeia.

*CLANG* *CLANG*

Sounds of clashing swords echoed in the Training room, two young demons faced each other eyes intently focused on each other before their swords clashed again in a flurry of blows. The older of the two was a deep red, the wings extending from his back giving him his quick footed sureness, swinging behind him was his spaded tail as red as his own skin, white fangs glistening in his mouth with his smile, his black hair tied back swinging between his shoulders as he moved. A long singular sword held in his hands as he thrust it forward, to be parried by the twin swords of the younger demon, his skin a dark a blue as the nights sky, small silver stars running under his left eye to finish just before his long black hair, which like his adversary was tied back into a long pony tail, his reaching his knees. Two horns curved backwards from either side of his head above his two pricked ears, his black eyes surveying his oppodent, behind him out stretched giving him equally sure footedness and agilty were wings as blue as his own skin.

The sound on claping from the entrance ended their little spar, as they turned to face the new arrival, a grin split the younger demons face as he saw who had entered. The demon's skin was black as night, his hair a peppery dark silver and cut spikey short, black wings protruded from his back and in the centre of his head lie a single triangular horn, a foot in length, his eyes a flashing violet as he clapped.

"Well done, you two are improving beyond sight"

Striding up to them he place a hand on each of their shoulders, before speaking to them, turning first to the younger demon, a tender smile on his face as he reached out to ruffle the young ones hair.

"You my son, you will make a fine General after me"

Turning to the other older demon he smiled, ruffling his hair too much to the red demon's annoyance.

"And you, Pthoas, you will be a King as equally great as your father when the time comes. I hope Zhiryn will be the one you can count on for whatever help you may need"

His words of advice usually came at some kind of cost as the older demon took a step back and drew both his swords, revealing where his son gained his preference of weapons from, waving one in front of him he grinned at the two.

"Now how about a test of those skills?"

Chapter One

Everything was silent in the Seventh circle, the castle was quiet save for the guards wandering it's halls, however not all was what it appeared to be, as the death bells tolled at morning. The king Sonien had been murdered, no assasinated in his sleep and during the night the castle had been taken over. Pthoas thrown in the dungeon, his son Pthertai, grandsons Ptinis and Ptinstre joining him, Ptinistre managing to hide his young son Azariel away to safety before he was taken. Ptinis thankful he had no children of his own to worry about as of yet, hoping all would be reversed by the time he did. Zirte was seated in the throne room, lazyily drapped over the throne as he stared down the two men, bound and kneeling in front of him, swords and spears at their necks, the general and his son, his brother and his nephew. Distaste dripped like venom from his voice as he spoke towards his younger brother.

"I won't hurt our dear nephew brother if you leave, leave now and never return, and take your son with you, can't have any upsets now can we"

Ziony fixed his brother's distasteful gaze with an even deadlier glare, his violet eyes flashing with rage that he could do such a thing, and to his own brother at that. Zhiryn was knelt beside him, now a man and no longer the boy he once was all those years back, long years to a human but short to a demon.

"You won't get away with this Zirte, you can't keep me away forever"

Ziony spat back, struggling against his bonds, provoking the guards to pull on his wings, instantly halting his resistance. Zirte just laughed at his brother's pathetic struggle to free himself, his laughter stopped as Zhiryn was on his feet and running for him, hands tied behind his back, a light surrounding him as he readied a spell to throw at his uncle. Lightning flew at Zirte but it was deflected into the walls with a resounding crumble of stone, Zhiryn stopped mid run startled, before Zirte waved his hand and Zhiryn found himself being thrown into the wall with such force he was out cold, cuts covering him from the blast. Guards immeidiatly surrounded him, weapons pointed and at the ready for any movement or command given. Ziony struggled further against his bonds trying to reach his son but it was useless, instead he turned his anger towards his brother.

"You Bastard! Leave him out of this, I'm the one you want dead not him"

Zirte merely laughed, getting out of the throne he walked towards Ziony, his taloned fingers running under his brothers chin lifting it up to meet his black gaze. The two were locked like that, staring each other down till a chuckle rose from Zirte's throat and he leaned in closer to his brother.

"Ah but my dear brother what good would you be dead. I need you breathing, as for your son over there"

A sharp wrench of Ziony's face to the side, forcing him to look at his bleeding and unconscious son slumped in the rubble against the crumbling stone wall, Zirte's gaze becoming menecing and full of malice.

"If you do not leave here now, and take him with you, I WILL kill him, and you precious nephew and grand nephews too. If you return, it will be the death of them too."

Zirte's terms were certain and in no way negotiable, not all demons were as heartless as Zirte though a majority of them were. Sonien, Ziony and their children were all kinder in the heart, and cared more for family than most other demons did. So his heart hurt to see his son as he was, however he knew exile was the only choice and a better one too than bringing the deaths of his nephew, grand nephew and his son.

"You win brother, now let my son and myself go and we will leave."

"Never to return?" came the probing question from Zirte.

"Never to return."

Ziony's voice was defeated and his head was bowed low, this was enough to assure Zirte and he signalled the guards to untie them. Free of his bonds, Ziony made his way over to his son, lifting in to his arms as he once had when he was a small child, Ziony carried his son out of the throne room. The guards following them to the spire, where with strong beats of his wings he took off, flying off into the distance, Zhiryn in his arms and the guilt of leaving behind those who needed him most firmly in his mind. Family came first, he would wait for Zhiryn to heal before he tried to return, as defeated as he was, he wasn't going to give up on them, not by a long shot.

In the throne room six men knelt before the throne, six assasins that had been watching from the shadows before coming to kneel before Zirte. A malevolent air hung about him, and his voice dripped venemously with malice as he gave the order. The assasins bowed, wings flying out behind them as they rose and left, flying after Ziony and his wounded son Zhiryn, waiting till they were out of the demon lands before exceuting the order. Zirte's laugh echoed maliciously in the throne room and hsi order was etched into the memory of the stone walls.

"Hunt them down and Kill them"

Chapter Two

Into the sky the Assasins rose one by one after the other, following the scent they could pick up of Ziony and his son, keeping a distance far enough away from their targets not to be sensed themselves. Ziony stopped midflight, something not sitting right, turning to look over his shoulder he could sense something approaching and disappeared into the forest for cover, choosing to walk carrying his unconscious son Zhiryn in his arms. Night was closing in and Ziony knew he needed to find shelter, he stopped at the sound of running water, pushing aside the ferns with his free hand he stepped forwards, looking down when he felt his foot sink into sand, the clear water of a small lagoon came into view as did the grey stoney outcrop, ferns and waterfall. Walking towards the lagoon Ziony lay Zhiryn down against one of the rocks out of sight, moving towards the water he knelt down, scooping some into his hands lifting it to his mouth to drink he stopped when a sword was held to his throat.

"What're you doing here Demon, leave before I cut your head from your body"

Ziony rose slowly turning to face the voice and owner of the gleaming black sword, surprised to find a woman at the other end, her long brown hair streaming out behind her and green eyes sparkling with a dangerous gleam, this woman had killed before, Ziony could see it in her eyes, that she was no amateur. Her low cut dress revealed the ring of stars around her neck like a necklace, a large silver star sat in the centre of the ring, the stars a mirror image of the ones on his son Zhiryn's face. This caught Ziony's eyes and he was about to say something when he found himself being called.

"Papa?"

The woman hesitated for a moment looking away, enough for Ziony to move, not bothering to take her sword he moved to his son's side hidden behind the rock. Kneeling by him, he brushed the errant strand of hair that fell into his son's face. Black eyes blinked open and Zhiryn looked up at his father, sadly face full of pain from his injuries. Curious as to see waht had called the demon she followed him sword still ready in case it was a trick, the sword lowered when she saw the younger demon, injured and bleeding, her heart going out to him as much as she didn't want it too.

"It's okay my son, I'm here"

The reasurrence in his voice made the woman think twice, her sword clattering to the ground as the younger demon smiled at his father, slipping again into black unconsciousness. Ziony looked over his shoulder at the woman who's sword had fallen to the ground, leaving her unarmed, as she came to kneel by him he growled low, more worried about protecting his son at the moment than killing her. The woman stopped for a moment watching Ziony, trying to quell her pounding heart when she caught sight of the stars on the younger demon's face.

"I just want to help, he needs to be tended too"

Ziony could hear the concern in her voice and stopped growling, allowing her closer to his son, getting a closer look at the stars around her neck, this only confirmed what he had thought upon first seeing them. The young woman brushed the hair from the younger demons face to inspect the cuts, before moving down his body, inspecting each wound with gentle fingertips. Ziony watched her tenderness, assured that she meant no harm, he couldn't work it out though, humans were meant to fear and hate demons, not assist them. Reaching out he went to touch the stars on her neck, dropping his hand when she flinched away.

"You're maked by Kistre?"
She nodded in answer keeping her head low, remembering the taunts of the other children, calling her demon spawn, or demon lover because of her marks. Kistre was a demon goddess, not like Faeali who was the human goddess. It caused much greif and pain for the young woman, who had been outcasted by her clan for carrying such marks, as those of a demon. Ziony sighed, humans were not normally marked by those demon gods and goddesses, that was reserved for the human deities.

"So is your son"

She spoke her voice barely above a whisper, Ziony grabbed her sword turning to stand as he did, sensing the imminent arrival of the assasins, their positions finally being given away. The young woman froze, waiting for him to turn on her, blinking when the blow never came and she saw him standing in front of her and his son, protectively, she couldn't see what he could see and she didn't know what he knew, only that something was coming by his stance and the way he held her sword in his hands. Getting up she placed a hand on his shoulder, stepping back as he flinched and growled low at her.

"Look after my son woman, I'll deal with the demons hunting us"

Ziony growled low and the young woman shook her head reaching to take her sword from his hands, glaring at him as he pushed her away. "It's Kalvera not woman, and I know a safe place, give me my sword and I'll show you" she snapped back, standing up again, placing her hand on his her look full of honesty as she stared him straight in the eyes. Ziony heard and saw the truth, his hands releasing her sword back into her possesion, turning to pick up his son in his arms.

"Where is this safe haven you speak of?"

"This way"

Kalvera motioned for him to follow her, as she waded into the water of the lagoon, with a flick of her hand the waters rose and covered their foot prints to Ziony's surprise as he followed her, watching as she disappeared into the waterfall, following through the water, surprised at the vast expanse of the damp cave behind the clear blue water of the waterfall, that rushed down into the lagoon behind him. What surprised Ziony even more was the supplies hidden in the cave, he watched Kalvera pull out a few blankets, motioning for Ziony to lay his son down on the make shift bed that was in the cave. Grabbing her sword, Kalvera strode towards the entrace, slamming the weapon down into the stone floor, the black sword seeming to pass through the stone effortlessly, like a flame through string. A loud rumble followed as the entrance and the sword was swallowed up into a solid stone wall. Crossing the cavern with long strides Kalvera came to sit beside Ziony and his unconscious son Zhiryn, giving Ziony a reasurring smile.

"They can't get in, we'll be safe here"

Ziony was reasurred by how well Kalvera had everything thought out, it was as if this had happened before. He could sense the strength in her, it wasn't just physical strength, her mental strength was beyond some of the soldiers he had trained. Beyond his son, she understood, better than others what it meant to suffer, she could see when those needed help and acted accordingly never asking questions, he could see that as she began to fish through her supplies for her medicinal supplies. Pulling out the small bag she moved back over to Ziony and his son.

"Thank you, Kalvera. It is not often a human will extend kindess to a demon"

Kalvera shook her head, "Everything has a purpose and must be respected. You were in need and I came to assist" Ziony nodded, they were wise words for the young woman, she seemed to understand better than anyone else the workings of life. Lifting her head from where she was pulling a pot of salve from the bag she gave a little smile to Ziony, "You never told me your name" her voice was light as she pulled out a knife, seeing Ziony flinch and move towards his son she smiled, "It's only to remove his clothes" she reassured him as she cut through Zhiryn's shirt to reveal his bruised ribs and deep cuts. Placing the knife aside she grabbed the pot of salve and gently began to slather it on the Zhiryn's chest, and the cuts.

"It's Ziony"

"Huh?"

"My name, It's Ziony and my son there is Zhiryn"

Kalvera smiled, "It's a pleasure to help you Ziony" then all of a sudden she fell quiet, placing the pot of salve down she walked to the entrance waving her hand across the stone to reveal what looked to be a window out through the waterfall. She motioned for Ziony to join her, her voice dropping to a low whisper as he came to stand by her side and watch through the window. "They're here" her voice was low as she watched the demons land, a steadying hand placed on Ziony's arm to prevent him from moving to kill them.

"Damn him, he never wanted us alive to begin with"

Ziony's voice shook with anger, suddenly the window was gone and Kalvera was pulling Ziony away from the wall. Ziony went with her, taking his seat again as he watched her tend to Zhiryn, she slathered the salve on all the cuts, making sure to be gentle with his wings as she tended to their wounds too. Zhiryn tended to Kalevera turned to Ziony, applying a little salve to the cut on his cheek, she replaced the lid on the pot and moved the bag to Zhiryn's feet. Placing a large sheet of clean white fabric over Zhiryn's chest, Kalvera made sure all the places the salve was were covered before she tenderly drapped a blanket over him. Opening another box she pulled out some salted meat and bread she had put in there only recently. Grabbing her knife she sliced the bread a meat, handing some to Ziony,

"You can stay here as long as you want to, when they leave I'll have to go, I can't have you stay at my house but I promise to bring fresh supplies with me, I'm here every night."

Ziony nodded, taking some of the meat and bread, used to the staple diet having been a soldier for so long. His eyes slid to his son, who now just slept at ease, his pain allayed by the salve Kalvera had applied to his wounds. It was late night fall before the assasins finally left, and Kalvera taking one of the staffs from the back of the cave, left for home, leaving Ziony and Zhiryn to the safety of her cave, she would be back the next night, to check on them and to bring food. Her house was not a safe place to stay, but the cave was, Kalvera knew that from the many times she had hidden herself away in there.