Heartless March

Heartless March
by Matthew R. McCarroll



Hues of gold and red filled the sky above the brilliant sun as it slowly descended beneath the calm waves. Soothing sounds floated in the air: the gentle lapping of waters which reflected golden light from the skies; cawing gulls that drifted lazily in the distance; a soft springtime breeze that tickled the skin. A light mist spread across the sandy shores, smelling oddly of sugarcane. God had swiped his paintbrush across the horizon; that was the only explanation for a scene so picturesque.

Eilis’s heart melted as she lay on her back just beneath the misty water’s grasp, arms crossed beneath her silky mane of gold rich as the ocean looked now, and watched the sunset with complete awe. Nothing could compare to such breathtaking grandeur apart from the young blonde herself. Though she would never admit it, Eilis was the most beautiful young woman on the entire island. Her fair skin seemed aglow in the failing light, though she had been told that moonlight suited her perfectly. The girl’s long, elfish ears were turned downward in bliss; she shut her eyes and let the cool wind blow across her prostrate body, taking in the sweet scent with a deep breath.

Timid squeaks fluttered in her ears and she felt a rustling on her abdomen. “I’m still awake, Ilk,” said Eilis with a soft chuckle, but kept her eyes shut. The squeaking persisted until finally she cracked an eyelid and tilted her head to give the tiny fuzzball an admonishing yet loving scowl. Satisfied for some reason or another, the small creature ceased its complaints and swiveled around to watch the horizon with its master, wrinkling her tunic in the process. Eilis let her head fall back onto the sand, enjoying its soothing caress against the back of her neck. She would have to shower in order to cleanse her hair, but now was not the time to worry about such things.

Nearly every day on Eldon was like this one. The youthful elementalist would enjoy a morning of delicious breakfast specially textured by her mother, and would spend the remainder of the morning carrying out basic chores around the house. Afterward, she would visit her neighbors on the island, aiding them in projects that ranged from constructing new houses to caring for gardens. On occasions, she would set out beyond the coastal dwellings into the dense forests to play with her pet, Ilk, or to hunt with her companion. Then, if there was any time left in the day, she would travel here to the seashore.

It had been a week since Eilis’s last hunting trip; tomorrow, she would set out for the third time this month to slay food for her mother and neighbors. But for now, she would enjoy the beautiful scene lain out before her, dazzled by its matchless glory. Perhaps tonight she would sleep by the waves. But then, this was to be the night of a full moon. The tide would rise and she would awaken soaked to the bone, possibly even catch a cold. Drat, the youth thought with mild disappointment. It would be nice to sleep under the stars tonight. Nevertheless, the future could not demean the pleasure obtained by watching the horizon. Eilis was satisfied simply to gaze out at the endless seas, let the setting sun bathe her in golden light.

***

Her ears twitched in irritation; until a mere moment before, soft sleep had blanketed her in its gentle caress. Now something attempted determinedly to pry her from peaceful bliss. It was still warm within her bed, but Eilis was not fully aware beyond that comprehensive thought yet. She released a groan, still unconscious, and rolled in the opposite direction by instinct, trusting that whatever bothered her would simply cease to be.

Twitch. It was still there. Twitch, twitch. In the back of her mind, Eilis registered a distinct and familiar sound, but it was not enough to rouse her from slumber.

…SPLOOSH!

Suddenly freezing, Eilis snapped her eyes open and bolted out of bed, dripping water all over the floor. She was sopping wet; her mother was standing nearby, holding an empty bucket. The young immortal frowned in discomfort, quickly registering what had happened. “Mooo-ooom!” she whined, holding her arms outward to prevent the fabric of her nightgown from contacting skin as much as possible. The effort was not terribly successful.

Prudence gave the adolescent girl a stern but motherly smirk, indicating that she was not entirely pleased with the fact that Eilis had overslept for three consecutive days. “Well, perhaps you should not sleep so deeply,” the elderly woman joked. “You make our morning rituals so overwhelming, child.”

Upon hearing the jest, Eilis’s ears downturned to further reflect irritation in conjunction with the frown. Sarcasm felt somewhat out of place since she was suffering so horribly. Thick fluid ran down her face, sticking to her lips. Her tongue flickered out, snagging the water, and she nearly gagged at the taste. “This is salt water!” cried Eilis, spitting furiously.

Angry squeaks sounded from beneath the comforters, and a small ball of lint emerged, glaring up at Prudence with large, irritated eyes. With a rather vulgar sound, Ilk’s body inflated to a dozen times his natural size, indicating that he wished to intimidate his elder.

But the woman did not seem to think a bucketful of seawater was severe punishment. Prudence returned from the nightstand next to Eilis’s bed holding a set of neatly folded clothes typical of the girl’s daily garb. Among them was a pink tunic hemmed with magenta along with stockings and a lavender sash. “Change into these, dear. You will be much more comfortable.” The pleased smirk had turned into a loving smile, the one which she wore most often.

Eilis found it impossible to be upset with her mother for too long. Turning the frown into as close to a smile as she could muster, young Saskia accepted her mother’s offering of garments. Prudence left the room swiftly, giving her daughter the necessary privacy to change. As she pulled her soaked nightgown over her head, Eilis tried not to think about the feeling of salt water grating against her skin. Instead, she considered the list of impending chores that the girl was so known for. All of the neighbors respected their youngest island dweller for the unorthodox routine tasks that she carried out. Most of those chores involved some sort of construction, seeing as how the youth was considerably nimble with her hands. Prudence preferred to think that this quality began with her grandmother, but Eilis was not so certain.

She did not remember dressing, but now Eilis was tightening the lavender, silk sash that held her tunic in place. Ilk had found his way on top of her head somehow and now rested there comfortably. This happened often; she would lose herself in thought, and be done with a task before she knew it. This was a truly helpful quality, but also a dire disadvantage when it came to weekly hunting trips. A thin thread sat upon her nightstand; she scooped it up and swept her hair back, snapping the thread into place and looping it around her ponytail. Ilk maneuvered in a most peculiar manner, stretching and flattening to avoid getting in her way. Prudence was always amazed at how quickly the girl’s hair dried; the soaked, blonde mane was now merely damp.

Ready to take on the day, Eilis rushed out of her small wooden room. Prudence met her at the front door, holding a bagged lunch. The youth snatched it out of her hands, giving her mother a quick peck on the cheek, and then darted out the front door. “Don’t forget to eat sometime!” Lady Saskia called out. “You know it’s good for you!”

Under any other circumstances, this would have seemed utterly ridiculous. Immortals, however, drew their necessary nutrients from the surrounding atmosphere, turning consumption of food into a less important necessity, and a mere luxury for some. Of course, Eilis knew none of this; no one on the island held a great interest in biological scientific advancement. Life on Eldon Isle was perfect, ideal. What need had they for knowledge of the inner workings of matter when daily life was such a pleasure?

As she rushed off across the glittering white sands, young Eilis called over her shoulder, “Don’t worry, I will!” But in reality she did not plan to. She had never been keen on the idea of eating raw flesh. The idea seemed repulsive to her, though many on the island believed it was necessary to consume the fatty meats of animals. In some respects, they were correct, but Eilis refused to ingest the grotesque substance.

Once again, the day was beautiful. Less than a mile to her left, the ocean waves lapped on the shore, glinting in morning light. Off to the right, Eilis could have seen trees marking the barrier between coast and forest. Beyond that line of foliage waited savage beasts that varied from herbivores, to carnivores, to omnivores. Every wild animal imaginable lurked in those shadowy depths, waiting for some hapless prey to pass beneath its hungry maws. Every time she thought about it, the young immortal cringed. Yet that was where she would be this afternoon, hunting the very same beasts that yearned for her flesh. Beneath her feet, pure white sand glowed in the sun’s radiance. If one looked at the proper angle, they might mistake the sands for a marble finish. In the distance along the shoreline, Eilis could see dwelling places of her neighbors. Most of the houses looked remarkably similar, but a few stood out due to creative design. All were built of wood and were roofed with thatched hay. Windows had been carved out of the walls, but the residents of Eldon did not possess the knowledge of how to produce glass. Nevertheless, the more creative houses were shaped in very unconventional ways. One was an octagonal prism containing four wings, while another was a set of spheres joined together at the sides. Eilis had helped to build that one. More than likely, she would be helping several of her neighbors to complete household tasks or lawn work. But she did not fret over this; it was her pleasure to help out her fellow islanders.

Time seemed to have passed without her knowledge again, and she now found herself face to face with the village elder. Rather, lower thigh to face. Alden Raghnall, the village elder, was well known for his diminutive yet imposing stature. Dressed in miniature orange robes and bearing an odd, white tuft of hair on the top of his head and his upper lip, he looked up at Eilis with beady eyes that never quite seemed to open fully. Wrinkles lined his forehead and tiny, impish ears stood out on either side. At the moment, he had his arms crossed, hands hidden in opposite sleeves. When he spoke in his surprisingly deep voice, his bleach-white mustache bounced up and down. “Good morning to you, young one,” said Alden, bowing respectfully. “And did you sleep well?”

Eilis bowed and nodded enthusiastically, glad to see the stout wizened imp. “Yes, elder!” she replied with an emphatic grin.

Alden’s mustache twitched slightly, a gesture that Eilis had come to recognize as a smile. “That is good to hear.”

Feeling a rustling in her hair, the girl rolled her eyes upward. Ilk tumbled out of her hair, plopping on the ground and producing a mouth that stretched nearly all the way around his tiny body. Grinning a broad, toothy grin, he formed an extension of himself in the shape of a hand.

With a chuckle, Alden reached his own hand out to take that of the small creature. “Ah, it is good to see you as well, Ilk.” Satisfied with the greeting, the tiny creature stretched himself to a startling length as tall as Eilis, and placed the extension on her head. Then, in a remarkable feat of flexibility, his body followed the extension, coalescing back on top of his owner’s head where he had sat comfortably a minute ago.

One tiny hand emerged from the elder’s robes, reaching down to grasp a bit of sand. Upon the imp’s contact with the crystalline grains, they spouted upward and congealed to form a solid object half as tall as Eilis herself. “Lady Yori requires your help this morning. She wishes your aid in replanting her gardens.” With a surprising display of strength, considering his size, Alden held up the shovel he had formed from the white sands.

“Thank you, elder.” Eilis accepted the offering politely and gave the wise imp a grateful bow. Alden returned it, and then the immortal darted across the shore again. Her destination was the dwelling of one of Prudence’s most trusted friends on Eldon.

Mitali Yori was a young woman only six years older than Eilis herself, but held a significant amount of wisdom for her age. Being an immortal, she possessed a characteristic appreciation for Mother Nature and loved to care for her plants and flowers.

Though the young Saskia girl was an immortal, she did not possess that trait which all of the other purebred immortals on Eldon carried; at least, it was not a dominant trait in her. She suspected that this had something to do with her father, whom Alden once said was a human. Eilis had asked what a human was, and the elder replied that they were not entirely different from immortals in appearance, but that they eventually ceased living after a number of years. This baffled the youth, for she knew nothing of death. Certainly, some of the islanders had been wounded before, but no one on the island had ever ceased living to her knowledge. Even Alden, an imp, possessed immortal qualities inherent to dwellers of this island. Over time, though, Eilis had come to believe that the elder had simply meant that humans eventually failed to live peaceful, harmonious lives after a while. The saying had been nothing more than a metaphor.

Before she knew it, she had reached Lady Yori’s house. The woman was already kneeling in her gardens just beyond the front door, fondling a seedling carefully. As Eilis approached, she called out a greeting. “Mitali!”

She turned to see the young Saskia lowering to her knees before the garden, and offered the young immortal a smile. Her rich, dark skin glinted warmly in the morning sun; when she smiled, she almost seemed to glow. “It is good to see you again, my young friend.” Her voice was textured as unusually as her skin. No woman on Eldon had skin or a voice as deep and rich as Mitali’s, which was one of the qualities that had attracted Eilis.

She smiled back, offering the shovel that Alden had created. “You too, Mitali.”

The young woman accepted the shovel and sat it down gently next to her. Then she turned her attention to the flowerbed, pouring out energy into the upturned earth. As if by magic, the flowers perked up, their petals stretching outward and suddenly seeming healthier. Eilis marveled at the feat; Lady Yori’s power over the earth always amazed her.

“Come. Help me with the next flowerbed,” said the woman with a pleasant smile. She rose and sauntered gracefully across the front porch of her house. Eilis swiftly followed, noticing that her grace paled in comparison to Lady Yori’s. Both knelt before the second garden that lined the opposite end of the house. “Would you care to water them?” requested Mitali.

The youth nodded and focused her inner self. Shutting her eyes tightly, she expanded that inner self as far as it would go. Just at the edge, very close to the waves, was a large patch of cold energy. She drew it in and let it fall out of her, landing in a solid form at her feet. Eilis opened her eyes to see the sheet of ice she had created. It was almost paper thin, unfortunately, but it would get the job done. Taking the sheet in her hands and holding it over the flowers, she crunched the icy texture until it melted in her hands. Moving her fingers back and forth, she let the water spill from her palms, landing gently on the flower petals.

But as she completed her chore, the youth found that her mind was wandering. How many times had she thought of her long lost father? Eilis had lost count long ago; she knew not why the man’s existence fascinated her so. Perhaps it was because there were only a few men on the island aside from Elder Alden? But every time the immortal thought of the missing patron, she felt a sadness well up within her. If only she could have known him. Why did he leave? Why did he come here to begin with?

“Is something on your mind, Eilis?” asked Mitali, jerking Eilis out of her daze.

She shook her head, dispelling the thoughts so that she could focus on her job. “No, it’s nothing.” Putting on a showy smile, she emptied the last drops of water into the flower bed. She wouldn’t understand… She knows her father. Prudence had often spoken highly of Michi Yori, claiming that he had washed up on the shores of Eldon more than seventy years ago when he was but a lad. Though Eilis had never met Michi, her mother had said that he was a very just individual with a good heart and a conscience stronger than his own arms. That was saying much, considering that Prudence had also claimed Michi built his body to handle very heavy materials. According to a tall tale that someone on Eldon had started, the man once lifted the corner of a house ten inches off of the ground. At one time, Eilis had been gullible enough to believe this, but she knew better now.

“It is about your father, is it not?”

Eilis froze, uncertain about how to answer. Mitali had her cornered; the uncertainty in the youth’s face was so clear that any lie would be apparent. There was no other choice but to tell the truth. And what better way to do so than with a question?

The immortal’s eyes turned toward the sea. Gentle waves caressed the shore in the distance, producing a soothing sound. A light wind ruffled her hair, comforting her with its cool touch. “Have you ever wondered if there was someone out there who cared for you?” she asked in a daze, eyes distant. “What is he like? What if he is afraid to meet you?” A thought crossed her mind, falling lazily off of her tongue. “What if he can’t come back?” The sea seemed so endless. He was out there somewhere, possibly wondering what his daughter was doing at this very moment. The thought was so tantalizing that it created an empty space in her heart.

Mitali sighed in pity, but Eilis did not notice. Her eyes were traversing the endless sea, seeking out that single life among countless others. It was a hopeless endeavor; even if the only man to leave Eldon behind did care for his lost daughter, there was no way that he could return now. Not after what he did… The mere thought of it sent chills down the gardener’s spine. She shut her eyes, trying to break the image of so long ago. After a long silence, she spoke calmly, “Best not dwell on the past, lest it return to haunt you.”

Eilis blinked, eyes returning to reality. She shook her head, scattering the thoughts that permeated her carefully preserved sanity. Sometimes it felt so hard not to fall into the hidden snare of regret. Dispelling stressful thoughts with a smile, she looked to her friend. “You’re right, Mitali. Let us tend to your garden.”

The bronzed woman returned Eilis’s smile gratefully. It pleased her that she could help the Saskia girl in times of distress. “Yes.”

Cool, I get to make the first post.

Let's see, you've beautifully described the scenery in this story. You've also given the characters realistic personalities. However, this story is somewhat boring, though I do understand that it is the beginning. I'm interested to see how this story continues, especially after reading Eilis & Ilk's bio. Keep up the good work. (You've probably noticed, I'm not to experienced in grading other people's work.)

Nicely done, WoTS. Loved the first chapter, although it just seemed a bit odd... I don't know why. Maybe because I'm just not used to not hearing about Blitz from you. Nonetheless, very nicely done!

Heh, heh... ^_^ I think the lack of DL-inspired thoughts is what gave me the motivation to start this fic, actually. I wanted to do something that wasn't necessarily related to the world of Blitz, Drake, and Amy for a change. And don't worry, things will pick up immediately when the second chapter begins. It will start with Eilis' hunting trip, and then... well, I don't want to spoil anything for you. Suffice it to say that there will be a bit less character development and a lot more action. I suppose that's not saying much considering that the first chapter had no action at all, but you get the point.

And don't feel bad, Graceful Sheik. I'm not very good at reviewing other people's fics either. That might be one of the reasons that I don't read too many of them anymore. Speaking of which... *Runs off to read SBtCE*

Good, I want ACTION! Action is what makes stories nice and happy.

And you know, I just noticed that the abbrieviation for my sequel will be EFR. (Ehf-Er) Wow, so I'll be inadvertendly cursing at people. Don't I feel happy?

Hm, I like this. It is very different from what you usually write but that's what makes it very refreshing. I didn't think it was boring at all. It held my interest without needing action to keep my attention. Very well done.

^_^ Somehow I missed your post, Shrub... Sorry about that. Anyway, that's what I was going for. Most of my exciting work is battle-related, and everybody loves that. What I'm trying to do here is set the groundwork for an peaceful island community so that everyone will become attached to the characters. Everyone who likes Mitali, say "aye!" ...Not really, that would clutter up the thread.

Chapter 1
Impurity In Perfection


Silence. Not a sound, Eilis whispered to herself. Shadows hid her crouched figure entirely, produced by dense shrubbery. The trees above and bushes below provided dual protection from voracious wildlife. Moonlight filtered in serene slats through the highest foliage, illuminating the ground just beyond her hiding spot. Her tunic made far too much noise when it brushed against foliage in the forest, so she had opted to cover her breasts, thighs and legs with tightly wound bandages instead. While these did not offer much protection, they were soundless and did not hinder her movement. The unorthodox hunter’s eyes were narrowed to slits now, focused on a single point through a parting in the shrubs. Past the shadows and in the clearing beyond, a beast was nearby. It was hunting… hunting and hungry. Eilis clutched the hilt of her poison-tipped spear even more tightly, poised to hurl it, waiting. She smelt a pungent odor from the furred, catlike creature, most likely the scent of its most recent meal still stuck between its teeth. A low growl wafted through the air as the beast sniffed the ground, testing the soil. It stopped suddenly, twisting its head in her direction. No, no, no… Now, now, do it now!

As if her mind had been read, the creature’s snout darted in the opposite direction. It stared at something for a brief moment before letting out a thunderous roar and lunging. A minute squeak followed, but Eilis could not see what was happening. Nevertheless, she knew that sound was the signal. With speed only someone as young as herself could possess, Eilis bolted from her hiding place. Ilk was between her and the catlike beast, which was lunging for her miniature pet. With amazing agility, Ilk bounced up into the air, flattening himself into a circle lined with rings. The creature pounced up at the small black being just as Eilis hurled her spear with a cry. Glinting in a ray of light that broke through the trees high above, the poisoned blade passed through Ilk, the bullseye, and met with its target square between the eyes. A dull Thunk! resounded in the otherwise silent clearing, and the beast toppled to the ground, dead. A thin strain of blood trickled from its parted jaws, staining the fur around on its snout.

Heart pounding in her chest, Eilis sat down and leaned her back against the bushes. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal. Ilk bounced toward her, landing in the youth’s lap and snuggling her abdomen. She gave her pet a smile and gently patted his head. “Thanks, Ilk. You saved me.”

With a gesture so befitting, and in a way so adorable that Eilis could not help but laugh, Ilk winked. A mouth spread across his face, stretching into a smile that matched hers. Then he turned away and bounced in the direction of their fallen pray, quickly forming himself into a black wheelbarrow and waiting patiently for Eilis to finish catching her breath.

Finally, her strength renewed, she stood and yanked the spear out of their catch’s forehead. Considering where she had struck her target, the poison seemed incredibly redundant. Fortunately, the toxin had a short half-life that would have passed by the time they returned to the village. Scooping up the oversized beast on her shoulders, she grunted with the effort. “Jeez! This boy’s heavier than he looks!” Supporting the weight with a bit of difficulty, she stumbled over to her pet and deposited the catch into him. It flopped over like a fish out of water and landed with a clatter, but Ilk did not seem burdened by their meal. Still, Eilis was a bit miffed that the beast had devoured the rest of today’s catch while their heads were turned. Slaughtering the creature was more an act of revenge than simply hunting for food. Well, he shan’t be stealing our food anymore! She took Ilk by the handles and tilted him forward, driving their prey through the forest across fallen leaves and dry sticks. One would not consider it, but the return trip was the most dangerous part of hunting, especially with something as loud and bulky as a wheelbarrow.

As Eilis trudged on, moonlight that filtered through the trees above played across her skin, causing it to glow. When she smiled, her teeth seemed so white that they could be blinding. Her usually blond hair was a fascinating shade of sterling silver that would have enchanted any onlooker. Some told her that moonlight was her best light, and she agreed whole-heartedly. Once, her mother had told her that she looked like a goddess when she danced on the night of a full moon, but the youthful girl denied this and said that no being other than a god could compare with a goddess. In a sense, she was correct, but that did not change the power of her beauty to captivate the mind.

As usual, Eilis was not focused on her appearance. Rather, her mind was on the unfortunate events of this hunting trip. All of the animals they had caught that day would have fed half the village were it not for the cat that devoured them. With only their fattened beast, Eilis would be able to feed only hers and one other family. The thought made her anxious, and she struggled to put it aside. In an attempt to strike up conversation, she put on a smile and spoke to her pet. “Well, Ilk, how shall we prepare tonight’s dinner?”

A series of incoherent squeaks filled her ears, muffled by the breathless prey. Eilis tossed her hair back and laughed; she knew that Ilk could speak from anywhere on his body, but he purposely squeaked from beneath the creature to amuse her. Sometimes the youth thought that Ilk might actually be sentient and not just an animal, but too many facts pointed in the opposite direction. No, the little creature was very witty, but certainly not a sentient.

“So, is that medium-rare or well-done?” More squeaks, and another fluttering laugh from the girl. She sighed, happy that her pet could always cheer her up when she was distressed. “Medium-rare it is, then!”

At that moment, a powerful scent wafted through the air. It was a most familiar scent, but Eilis could not quite place it. Not a particularly fragrant or delightful smell; on the contrary, it seemed much more thick and hazy like roasted meat, but without the greasy texture that made it so attractive. The scent reminded her of the day that her mother burned a collection of old garbage that they had planned to throw out. Burning…

FIRE!!

Ilk seemed to reach the same conclusion, for he suddenly morphed into a form similar to their prey and bumped into Eilis’s thigh. She fell onto his back, and the black shape-shifter surged forward. Ilk’s powerful self-formed muscles convulsed beneath her as he pounded the ground with all four feet, dashing through foliage at top speed. Trees and bushes leapt past in a green blur, possibly even an animal or two, but the girl’s attention was far from her surroundings. A fire in Eldon? Every muscle in her heart prayed that the villagers were burning garbage, but a feeling deep within her bones told her that something had gone horribly wrong. Please, oh please, oh please, she cried silently, clinging tightly to Ilk’s fur. Please don’t let anything be wrong, let everyone be alright! She squeezed her eyes shut, imagining everyone going about their daily business; imagining the village glowing the sands that reflected the sun’s bright rays out across the ocean, which shimmered with tiny, glittering lights. Yes, everything’s fine, nothing is wrong…

The two burst through the treeline suddenly, and Eilis let her eyes open slowly. Smoke stung her whites, making it difficult to see. She squinted to heighten her sight, and a terrifying scene met her. Eldon village was in turmoil. Every house had been set ablaze. The thick, dancing flames ripped through each dwellings; from some of those houses, people screamed in terror, trapped inside the blazing furnaces. Others were running about and screaming, not quite seeming to know where they were running to. The expressions on their faces were incomprehensible contortions of unfathomable horror.

Eilis stood stock-still, unable to move for the shock that spread through her mind. “No…” she whispered, shutting her eyes and crumpling to the ground. “No, this isn’t happening!” It was all a dream, just a nightmare. None of this was happening. Nothing was real. Curled in the fetal position, she shut out the screams and the flames, waiting, hoping with every ounce of her soul that it would all go away, that this nightmare would end. But the screams still beat at her, ripped through her ears and terrified her. Stop it! she cried, Stop doing this to me! Go away!

“Eilis…?” came a voice, an aged and soothing voice. But it’s only a dream… it’s not real… none of this is real! “Thank heavens you are safe!” Relief was in the voice, calmness; but she could not accept it. None of this was real. “Child, you must wake! You must help the others! …Eilis, what has happened to you?!”

Squeaks. Something tugged at her shirt, and she swatted at it. The action snapped her back into reality, slamming into her like a brick wall. Her body jolted out of the fetal position, and a hand hastily took her own. “Child, you will be fine. Just stay calm and breathe deeply.” Wishing to be rid of the horror that plagued her, Eilis obeyed. As fresh air filtered into her throat, she realized that her lungs were burning; she had not been breathing. Gasping for precious oxygen, she felt her heart skip a beat. After many moments of heavy breathing and trying to regain control of her lungs, her eyes finally fluttered open, and she was looking into the face of Alden Raghnall. The elder’s eyes gazed softly into hers with a calm, soothing expression, but she could sense fear and sadness behind the facade. When her lungs ceased to burn, she tried to speak.

“What…” Her throat went aflame again, and she coughed violently. The elder tilted her head back, but Eilis did not know why. When the coughing ceased, she tried once more. “What happened to everyone?” Her voice was frail and cracked, and she had to force the words out.

The impish elder stroked her hair, gazing upon her with sad, mournful eyes. “Men came to the island,” he said, a flash of anger behind his tiny, squinting eyes. “They took everything and set our houses aflame with a wicked power. Mitali…” His voice trailed off; the sadness in his hidden orbs increased. Tears streamed down the imp’s cheeks, and a sudden dread filled the young girl.

“Mitali,” she echoed, horror tearing through her body. Though no strength remained with Eilis’s legs, she rose and forced herself across sands which glowed with an unholy light, reflecting the furnaces that tore through home after home. Flames and the scent of smoke whirled past in a nauseating blur, but Eilis was too blinded by pain and fear to acknowledge them. Please, she prayed silently, Please let Mitali be alright. As if guided by an otherworldly force, her feet pounded the ground at dizzying speeds, but she could not feel the burning sensations in either her soles or the breathless tissue within her chest. Nothing of herself mattered any longer; only her friend whom had cared for her in place of Prudence since birth.

She was standing over her friend’s body. Mitali was limp, sprawled out on the ground. A syrupy crimson liquid was pooling around the head, emitting a terrible yet intoxicating smell. Driven by instinct, Eilis knelt by Mitali’s head, seeing that her eyes were closed. She is asleep, she is asleep, Eilis told herself again and again. Taking the woman by the shoulders, she gave the sleeping body a sharp jolt. To the youth’s unbridled horror, Mitali’s head rolled away, fiercely draining even more of that thick red fluid. Filled with a terror that she could not comprehend, she gasped and scrambled backwards away from the body, unable to tear her eyes from the ghastly sight.

“I am sorry,” came the sorrowful voice of Alden from behind. Eilis turned to see him, thousands of tears forming in her eyes. “Lady Yori is dead.”

“Dead?” sobbed the young girl, unfamiliar with the term. The tone of her voice began to rise, forced upward by the rising horror brewing within her soul. “What do you mean she is dead? What happened to her?”

Alden’s head lowered in sadness, furthering Eilis’s fear. Everything that was happening tonight was wrong. None of this was supposed to happen. “The thieves, they came so swiftly…” said the elder, now with hate beneath the sorrow. Tiny fists clenched and a thin brow furrowed, a gesture which Eilis had never before seen in the elder. “They think so little of life that they take it away without a second thought. With blades they took the life of Mitali…and Michi died as well, defending her.” Gesturing toward a body lying only meters away, the elder fell to his miniscule knees and uttered a prayer that Eilis had never heard.

Terrified by what she might find, the youth’s eyes turned hesitantly toward where Alden had indicated. The body of a strong, valiant man laid in a growing puddle of that same crimson. His head had gone missing, and was nowhere to be found. Retracting her face in fear, Eilis felt something in her stomach catch. On this night, something inconceivable had occurred; an unforgivable tragedy had stricken Eldon with heartless fury. Tears fell unbidden from the youth’s tightly clenched eyelids. She could not stop them, nor did she wish to.

“I cannot begin to imagine what you are feeling, child,” said the elder as tears of hate streamed down his face. “But I fear what may have become of your mother…”

Eilis did not need to hear another word. Her already drained legs pulled her up, and she bolted in the direction from which she came. Without even needing to know where to go, she ran, legs pounding the ground in the direction that they knew by heart. Time was nothing on this night. In an instant, Eilis was before her house. Thrusting open the door, she ran through the rooms screaming, “Mother! Mother!” No reply greeted her, and no body was found in the aged immortal’s room, nor in the living room or the kitchen. Eilis’s legs took her to the room which she knew best, the one that belonged to her, and it was there that she found Prudence lying on her back on the cold, unfeeling floor.

“Mother!” she cried out in horror, falling next to the woman. “Mother, wake up!” shouted Eilis, grasping Prudence by the shoulders and shaking furiously. There was no sign of that ever-present red fluid, but the woman’s eyes and lips were sealed shut stubbornly. Unwilling to let up, Eilis shook the only family she had left with fierce intensity, desperate not to loose all that remained of her life. “Mother, please,” she said, voice dying quickly. Her arms had long since expended all of their energy, and Eilis was left with an exhaustion that went beyond the previous burning throbs. As if consciousness itself had been exerted to its fullest, vision began to fade from her eyes. The warmth of her mother embraced her head as she fell, unable to remain kneeling.

“Wake up...” And then all faded into darkness.

That was a very emotional chapter. You did well in conveying her grief and the environment of the destroyed village. I really like Ilk, he's an interesting character.

Thank you muchly. ^_^ And yes, Ilk is a very interesting character... *Hint, hint* Of course, I don't want to give anything away, so I'll have to stop myself right there.

I was worried that my portrayal of Eilis's grief would come across as awkward, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have to admit, though, that it did feel awkward while I was writing the latter part of the chapter. Any suggestions on how to better get into character?

Um, you could maybe watch a sad movie or read a sad book to see how other writers convey grief. Or ask somebody how they would act in a situation like that. But it is your character, so how she acts and feels is really up to you. You're creating a person for the readers, not the other way around. You pretty much can't go wrong unless you have her do something really weird, such as looking at the destroyed village and then deciding to play ping-pong.

I was talking about the way it was written.

<_< I knew that...() It didn't come across as akward to me so...maybe the only way to make it better is to write so it doesn't feel akward to you. (And maybe I'll stop trying to give advice.)

I just finished reading the first part, and I'm about to go on the the second, but I wanted to point something out to you before I forgot it:

Ilk maneuvered in a most peculiar manner, stretching and flattening to avoid getting her way.

Shouldn't that be, "Ilk maneuvered in a most peculiar manner, stretching and flattening to avoid getting in her way."?

Anyways, just wanted to point that out. So far, I'm loving it, but I'll wait to give my full thoughts on it until after I've read the next part, too. ^_^

Wow, you were right. I reread chapter one, and there were a lot of mistakes. I fixed everything I could find; thanks for pointing it out. And I was right, too! A review from you is just what I needed to get the CJs flowing again! ^_^ Alright, MS Word...let's work the magic! *cracks knuckles*

Glad I could help. ^_^ I'm about to do the same thing and get started on the next part of Mariana's fic. Hopefully, I can just get a good bit of stuff down today and go back later to edit it. *forces self not to agonize over every single sentence*

After a display of procrastination unlike anything previously known to mankind, I give you the conclusion of this character fiction. But it isn't over yet... Eilis' story is just beginning.



Chapter 2
The Islet


Waves washed a nearby beach gently while gulls squawked noisily at one another. Beyond those meager exceptions, silence was everything. Peaceful bliss was a blessing, a gift of oblivion. A breath of fresh air, a burning sensation, an alarmed voice. Waking appeared inevitable, but resisting was the only available option.

Much to her chagrin, Eilis was thrust back into consciousness. A dull throb pounded in her head, and the sheets covering her were soaked with sweat, as was the silk gown she now wore. She let out a weary groan with some effort, then rolled over to face the wall, eyelids still shut. The girl’s bed felt old and decrepit, reminding her of some vague nightmare that had plagued her dreams. It had been the worst nightmare she ever experienced.

“Child, my child…you yet live.” Such a comforting voice, but an unexpected one for so early in the morning. “Everyone was so worried that you would not make it.”

“Make what?” The words were low grumbles, for her voice was scratchy and her throat was dry.

For a moment, there was another soft, peaceful silence. Then a very slow answer: “Eilis…do you remember?”

Like a waiting predator, the memory pounced on the young girl, and she began to sob tearlessly. Everything came back in an instant; the death of her closest friend, the burning village and, most painfully, her mother. “Mother…” Quietly seeking an answer, the girl rolled over again, this time to face the elder as he gazed sadly at her.

“She still lives, my dear,” Alden spoke comfortingly, sitting upon a stool next to Eilis’s sweat-stained bed. His robes fell past the small wooden seat, obscuring his legs and giving the appearance that his lower body was, in fact, the stool. “But she has fallen ill. She has not woken in four days.”

Four days? thought the girl in disbelief. I was a sleep for four days? Then why am I so tired?

“We are fortunate that you are still with us. We thought we had lost you….” The mourning in his tiny, squinting eyes was plain to see. To her horror, Eilis realized that Mitali, Michi and Prudence might not be the only ones who suffered.

“What about everyone else?” She forced the words with weary, tear-stained eyes, for her throat ached. “What happened to the others?”

Alden closed his small eyes and turned his gaze downward in regretful thought. Eilis knew better than to pressure him; she waited for an answer. “…Six lives were lost. More than three times that amount were injured or taken by the marauders. I fear what may happen to those taken from the isle. The wounded will survive, but we cannot reclaim the dead.”

Using every ounce of what little strength remained in her, Eilis propped herself up with her arms. Even the ankle-length silk gown draped around her otherwise bare body seemed heavy as a suit of armor. The effort of sitting up expended so much energy that she nearly flopped out of the bed onto the cold, hardwood floor. Her body was completely drained, despite the four days she had slept. And even now, the memories were still sharp, fresh. These burdening memories had been thrust to her, and there was nothing she could do to change them. A new feeling filtered through the haze of emotion, giving her body a sharp jolt of strength.

Alden’s expression changed suddenly as he looked upon her. It was a look of fear. “Eilis…what has happened to you?”

For a moment, the youth did not understand. But then she realized that her lips were pursed in a snarl of rage. Then, in a rush, that new feeling shattered, dispersing into nothing. A powerless fatigue washed over her again, though not as strongly this time. Throwing the covers back, Eilis climbed out of her bed and felt the chill air against her dehydrated skin. Dizziness swept over her, and she fell against the nearby wall to keep from toppling over. Standing had taken much energy; her legs shook with a cold emptiness as though her muscles had turned to kelp.

“My dear, you should drink. It will renew your strength.” The elder produced a small, wooden cup from his robes, proffering the article generously.

Eilis accepted the cup and tried to call upon her element. The ocean was some distance from here and the weariness made summoning difficult. However, after a few moments of focusing upon the mug, she caused a chunk of ice to generate within, clinking around the bottom rim. The youth looked at it curiously until Alden held up his hands, placing them an inch apart, and forced them closer together as if crushing something. When Eilis looked back at the mug, the ice had been crushed and was already beginning to melt.

“Go ahead. Drink.”

She did so, slowly at first, and instantly a small amount of strength returned. The girl’s legs no longer wobbled, and she could stand without leaning against the wall. As she let the cool water trickle across her tongue and down her throat, the anger she had felt moments ago returned. Though not as strong, coupled with the cold water it gave her the energy to walk. Testing this, she lowered the cup and took a single step forward, watching her feet carefully. They did this to me…to us. Why? What did we do to them? Her lips had turned down into a cold frown.

Alden released a sigh of weariness; that night had taken its toll on the elder as well. “Child, my child, you are much too young to have seen all of this.” His voice was sorrowful, filled with regret. “If only I could have prevented all that occurred.”

In her mind, Eilis was imagining what they must have looked like. Thieves and takers of life; they must have been hideous, foul-smelling creatures with eyes of stone and hearts of coal. Things such as them did not deserve to walk on these sands, to desecrate this lonely isle with their greedy hands. They do not even deserve to walk the surface of this world, she thought, that hatred returning with all its former intensity. “I’m going.”

Alden gave Eilis a befuddled stare, wondering what she could possibly have meant. “What are you saying, child?”

“I’m going to find them,” she said detachedly, the words on her tongue more formed than the thoughts in her head. “I’m going to take back what they stole, and bring it here. I will take back everything.”

Lowering his head again, the elder sighed. “It is a noble thing you say, my dear. But you cannot reach them. They left by sea; you know that none can leave the isle without a ship.” His words were calm, reasonable, but the elder knew that even his words would not reach the blonde-haired youth who had met such horrible tragedy.

Eilis’s eyes narrowed grimly. “I have something better than a ship,” the girl said, her words now further ahead than her thoughts. “Ilk will take me. He will cross the sea with me, and he will help me take back everything.” She spoke with fists clenched while the elder gave her a bewildered look.

After several moments of grappling with her firm resolve between both their eyes, Alden released a sigh of defeat. In one last attempt to make her question her decision, he spoke calmly and clearly, “Are you certain this is what you want?”

Eilis nodded in resolution. Her choice had been made, and she would not turn back. Ilk would follow the young elementalist’s every command without question, and there was no doubt in her mind that the pet was capable of a transformation as great as this one.

“Very well,” ceded the elder with a sigh, seeing her resolve. “But Ilk will not be able to shape himself properly without seeing a ship for himself.”

“He’ll get it right.”

“You needn’t force the poor thing to attempt something so difficult,” chided Alden. “Merely let him see that which he must become, and then he will be capable of that transformation without too much difficulty.”

Eilis thrust the elder a firm, uncharacteristic glare. “And where might I find a ship? You told me no ship has come to Eldon since my father left, and I’m not going to wait so long.”

The village elder’s tiny eyes twinkled mysteriously as he gave the young girl a knowing grin. “Perhaps there is more to this quaint village than you know, my dear.” The imp hopped down from his stool and motioned for her to follow with a flick of his wrist. “Come. Come and I shall show you Eldon’s secret.”

***

The sea glittered and glowed shades of gold beneath an equally golden sky. Salty mist filled Eilis nostrils, but she couldn’t taste it, nor could she feel the sands beneath her feet. Ilk was on her shoulder, though the youth did not recall him being there before. Alden was at her side, and the three of them were gazing across the ocean.

“Only one immortal at any time may know of this.” He spoke so quietly Eilis could hardly hear him. “It is a secret which could be the end of us all, were it ever revealed.” He stepped into the surf, letting the waves lap at his small garments. “The others sleep still. We must make haste.” She watched as the elder raised his stubby fingers and thrust them at the waters.

The ground beneath them shuddered slightly, and the waves parted. A walkway rose from the depths of the waters, and at the end, an islet outlined black against the sun rose from eternal slumber. It was nearly a mile at sea, no larger than fifteen meters across—the walkway itself covered more ground.

An inkling of wonder pierced Eilis’ sadness as she observed the islet and the large shed which sat in its center. “Come,” beckoned Alden, already starting across the path. “Time is short.”

The way seemed so narrow the girl was hesitant to set foot on it, yet seeing no alternative, she followed after the elder. Misty waters cooled her feet and the sea breeze soothed her troubled spirit. As she walked, her mind began to wander. Mother…what happened to you? Could I have protected you? The marauders struck while she was hunting. It had been chance, but knowing she could have helped had she not left tore at her. If only I had been there! …It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have gone, I could have sent Ilk, I could have waited till today… She was racing nowhere.

And before she realized it, she was on land once more. The shed door opened at the elder’s touch, and she followed him inside. “It’s empty,” she observed in surprise once her eyes had adjusted.

“So one would believe.” Alden reached out one hand, and the floor of the building fell away.

Beneath was a sea green jewel the size of the island itself. The sand outside was merely a coating upon this pristine stone. Eilis gazed in wonder at its glowing, reflective surface. She could see herself in the stone more clearly than she could in a mirror.

“It is the Eye, my dear,” Alden informed. “A link between all times, lasting to time indefinite. Nothing can change or destroy it, for it sees all.”

“The Eye…?”

“A piece of the Eye, rather. It was broken in ages long past, bringing great calamity to the world. But its power remains.” His beady eyes were on her. “Go on, my dear… Ask of it what you seek.”

Eilis knelt down for a closer look, and brushed one hand across the soft stone. What do I seek? “A ship.”

The surface of the stone rippled, and then shone so radiantly that Eilis shut her eyes and shielded her face to avoid being blinded. When the light faded, she hesitantly lowered her arm and looked into the jewel. What she saw made her gape in shock. Ilk squeaked excitedly on her shoulder. “A ship!” Indeed, it was a ship fully equipped with anchor, mast and four sails, each larger than the islet itself. The sea and sky were dark and forbidding; rain pelted the deck fiercely, yet it pressed on through rolling, unforgiving waves. This was precisely the ship Eilis needed.

She looked at the elder. “Can Ilk really become that? It’s so big.”

Alden smiled sagely. “Ilk is wise and strong. Have faith, my dear.”

The girl was about to respond when Ilk suddenly bounced off her shoulder, squeaking loudly, and shuffled out the door. “Wait!” cried Eilis, quickly giving chase. She found him at the shore of the island gazing across the sea in curiosity. “Ilk?”

His only response was a squeak. As the elder stepped next to her, they were both witness to a spectacle as the tiny creature began to grow. Black, wooden planks came into being, snapping together and still growing. The bow, the hull, the body of the ship was complete in moments. A mast grew from the deck high above, followed by two others. Sails formed upon them moments later. Rails rose around the edge of the deck, and an anchor winch emerged from one end. On the side, outlined in massive, black letters, was a name: SIAVUSH. A ramp then extended right down to Eilis’ feet.

She looked at the planks in disbelief, unable to speak.

“Go on.”

The elder’s words urged her forward. She stepped onto the ramp, and it immediately began to retract. She was now on the deck of the ship—her ship. To the right was the cabin; to the left, everything else. “Ilk,” she breathed, awed by the power of her pet.

“You mustn’t depart now, Lady Saskia,” called the elder from behind. Surprised to be addressed with the title of “Lady”, she turned and saw him standing upon a column of stone level with the ship. The sea breeze ruffled his robes a bit. “This pursuit of reckoning will award much hardship. You require supplies.” Before she could respond, he continued with another of his sagely smiles. “I shall entreat our neighbors. I am certain they will be more than happy to comply.”

Eilis watched as the column descended, until the elder disappeared behind the ship—her ship. She turned, then, and studied the black, semi-transparent craft. Her pet and this vessel, the Siavush, were her passage to revenge. I wasn’t there to protect mother and Mitali… But I’ll take back what’s ours. She snarled for the first time in her life. I’ll make then pay for this!

Epilogue


Alden had been right; the islanders were grateful that Eilis intended to reclaim their families and belongings, and were more than willing to offer up months’ worth of food and water. Now as she stood before the bowsprit, overlooking the waves, the stores were packed with supplies. Not only had Ilk mimicked the ship’s outward appearance and the captain’s cabin, he had morphed to create the ship’s inner compartments. There was even a roundtable in the mess hall.

Ten of Eldon’s strongest men were waiting at the stern for the signal to cast off. The elder was among them. It as almost time.

With one last glance at the ocean beyond, Eilis ran to the mainmast and gripped it strongly. “Cast away!” she cried.

“Ho!” returned the men. Hardly a moment later, the earth shook and the ship shuddered as it was forced offshore with the men’s’ might and Alden’s power. There was a thunderous sound when Siavush crashed into the waves, and Eilis was nearly thrown from the mast. Then there was peaceful silence as her ship slipped through seawater.

A light squeak filled her ears, and she looked at her shoulder to find a fuzzy, black ball. “Ilk! How…?” He had somehow separated himself from the ship. But then, with another squeak, the little creature leapt from her shoulder and again merged with the boards below.

An emptiness filled the girl then, and she turned back to see the island slowly moving away. Only now did she realize that she might never see her home again. Mother… But this was her task. She was the only one who could take back what the thieves had stolen. Steeling her eyes, she faced forward and the ocean filled her view. Whatever waited on the horizon, she couldn’t stop now. Revenge lay just over the next wave.