“Hurry sons, run up to the forest and do not come back.”
“But mom-“
The woman looked sternly at them, her beautiful features marred by several long scars. Nevertheless, her bright green eyes shone brilliantly in the light of the fire. “Devyn, Leyl, you must be strong like your father would be right now.”
“Why can’t you come mom?” Leyl whined, tears coursing down his face.
“Because my son, those men are looking for me. And this,” she smiled sadly as she touched the sword in Dev’s hands lightly. “If they find this, I will not forgive myself.”
“Your sword?” Dev asked, eyes wide.
The woman knelt slowly, brushing a lock of smooth brown hair out of her eyes. “Yes, my sword. This sword has caused much grief, and I cannot let it cause anymore.”
“But mommy you can come with us!” Leyl tugged on her sleeve, but her expression remained the same, a sad smile painted upon scarred yet beautiful features.
“No I can’t. You wouldn’t understand. You’re too young. But you will one day.”
“Will I see you again mama?” Leyl whined again.
“I’m sure you will. Promise mommy you’ll be brave?”
Leyl nodded, and she turned to Dev. “Dev?”
“Yes mom?” said Dev bravely, holding back his tears while he looked straight ahead, knowing any glance into those brilliant green eyes would break his heart.
“These eight years you have been with me, and the six that I have shared with Leyl, have been the happiest of my life. But now you must go. Do not let Leyl come to harm. Promise?”
Dev nodded, still not daring to look at her. “Promise.”
The woman leaned over and kissed them both on the forehead. “Now go, before the men are here. I shall distract them. Goodbye my little soldier.”
Nodding, Dev and Leyl gave her one last cold hug before Dev ran out the door, pulling Leyl roughly along.
Soon they were on the hill, overlooking the village where the shouts of angry soldiers resounded in the cool night air. But they didn’t dare turn to look. Surely if they did someone might see them and come after them. As long as they looked straight ahead and didn’t look back, they were invisible.
Having made their way quite a way into the forest, Dev stopped to rest, and Leyl clung to his arm stubbornly. “I miss mommy.”
Dev closed his eyes, tears beginning to overflow despite his most earnest efforts. “I know. But you have to be brave. Mommy will be alright.”
Leyl turned and looked back, breaking the spell. “Dev, I want to see mommy.”
Looking sternly at Leyl, Dev placed his hands firmly on Leyl’s shoulders and opened his mouth, but his voice cracked and tears continued to flow freely. “You, you can’t.”
“Why not Dev? Dev you’re scaring me.”
Dev reached out and embraced Leyl. “I’m sorry. I’m so scared myself. I don’t know if I can be brave enough to keep going.”
Leyl wiped a tear from his eye. “I’m going to find mommy.”
“You can’t, Leyl you’ll-“ but Leyl ignored Dev’s protests and bolted out of his arms and began crashing through the undergrowth.
“Leyl! Stop, you’ll be caught by the bad men!” Dev scrambled through the forest frantically after his younger brother. His heart pounded like an earthquake with his every step, the fear of losing his brother fueling his weary limbs. He couldn’t bear to lose anymore.
Wiping hot tears from his face, he pulled his fathers sword from its black scabbard, the black blade singing softly in the chaos. As soon as he emerged from the forest, his senses were assaulted by a thick black smoke. He coughed at first and put his hands on his knees for a moment, but then kept pressing forward, remembering his promise.
The village had been set ablaze, and he didn’t spot Leyl until he emerged coughing from the cloud of smoke. He was standing just feet away from the village, his arms over his face to shelter it from the hungry flames.
“Leyl! Get back!”
“Dev,” he cried, running to embrace him. “Is mommy in there?”
Dev was about to answer but was interrupted by the shouts of angry men, and through the fire, he could see a large man pointing his sword straight at them shouting, “There it is!”
Dev stood frozen for a moment, but just as an arrow whizzed by him, he snapped out of his trance and pulled Leyl roughly into the smoke. “Come on!”
Running blindly through the smoke, Leyl closed his eyes which had been stung by the black cloud, fresh tears sneaking through his tightly shut eyelids. Dev clung tightly to Leyl in one hand, his other hand grasping the black handle of his grandfather’s sword tightly. It looked special, different from other swords. Maybe it had power. Maybe it would help them escape. But then again, it hadn’t really helped mother.
Dev and Leyl dashed out of the smoke, finally allowing their eyes to open. They heard the men behind them dashing into the smoke cloud, and shortly after, a crash and a chorus of angry shouts.
Dev started to run faster, his limbs all crying out in protest, but he hastily commanded them to persevere, telling them they would become fuel for the fires if they didn’t. Then Leyl tripped, and brought them both to the ground, the sword flying forward out of Dev’s hands.
Through sheer willpower and determination, Dev picked up the sword, replaced it in the scabbard, and then quickly hoisted Leyl onto his back before making it over the top of the hill and disappearing into the forest.
Once again he kept going for what seemed like an eternity until collapsing onto the ground. He was about to fall asleep when he heard the snap of a twig. Leyl tapped Dev’s arm lightly.
“Dev, the bad men are coming,” he whispered shakily.
Dev groaned silently before he managed to pick himself up. “Come on, we have to keep moving.”
“When can we stop?”
Dev began creeping carefully through the undergrowth as quietly as he could. “I don’t know. When we can’t walk anymore.”
“I’m scared Dev. Where are we going?”
Dev glanced around cautiously before dashing off through the bushes, dragging Leyl along.
“I miss mommy.”
Dev stopped, turned around, and looked Leyl in the eyes. “Look Leyl, mommy is busy right now.” A tear fell from his eye that Dev quickly wiped away. “Be strong for her Leyl. You need to be strong. Mommy said there was a camp ahead.
Leyl nodded and tried his best to hold back the tears. Dev smiled and gestured for them to move again.
The ferns whipped against their knees as they sped hastily through them, and the tree branches swung at their faces, intent on stopping them from reaching their destination. It seemed only the dimming sun was on their side, watching over them, illuminating their path. But soon that too would be gone.
Dev gripped Leyl’s hand tightly in one hand and in the other, the sword. Suddenly they heard a piercing shriek from above the treetops.
“Get down!” shouted Dev, pushing Leyl into a bush before following.
“A birdie?”
“A bad one.”
“Did it see us?”
“I hope not.” Dev peeked out of the bush and strained his ears for any sign of the Llyenya. Mother had once told them never to be spotted by them, or else the bad men would find you. So they waited wearily until it was gone.
“Let’s go,” whispered Leyl.
Just as they were about to emerge from hiding, they heard the sound of hooves pounding the ground. Dev hesitated but decided to take a look. Pulling Leyl along, they quickly made it through the brush and knelt behind a tree by the road. The ground began to shake with increasing intensity, and soon a man could be heard shouting in the distance.
“Hyah! Hyah,” shouted a man, the crack of his whip sounding like thunder in the distance. As the chariot turned the corner and into their sight, they first stuck out their hands for the man to stop, but he didn’t slow down. Several arrows that slammed into the rear of the caravan as it skidded around the corner explained why.
“Come on Leyl, we’ll catch them as they come by.” Dev handed Leyl the sword and picked him up, beginning to run on the side of the road.
“Slow down!” shouted Dev, and the driver reluctantly complied as he drew closer, just as several soldiers drew around the corner.
The caravan drew up next to them and the man pulled on the reigns while urging them to get on. Dev boosted Leyl up into the strong arms of a man who pulled Leyl in before coming back to reach for Dev, but was forced to withdraw his hands when an arrow flew right through the space his hand had occupied.
“I can’t stop any longer! We have to get the others to safety!” Shouted the driver just as Dev had grasped Leyl’s hand. A sudden jerk of the caravan caused their grip to break, leaving Dev behind.
Dev grit his teeth and began to run as fast as he could, the soldiers behind drawing ever closer.
“Come on young one! You can do it!” Leyl peeked out from beside the strong man and added his encouragement.
Dev ran as fast as he could until he drew up next to the caravan, which was also gaining speed. Reaching out his hand, he brushed the man’s hand once, twice, but then grabbed Leyl’s hands which was much closer. Suddenly an arrow slammed into the back of the caravan, one nearly missing Leyl’s face. Leyl screamed and in his panic, let go of Dev’s hand, who stumbled and fell. Lying in the dust, he looked back one last time at Leyl who was shouting hysterically at the driver to stop the caravan, tears running down his face.
“Dev, no!” shouted Leyl hysterically just as they rounded another bend and disappeared from sight.
