Chapter 16

Naquista Venom

"My lord Navarre are you certain you do not wish my accompaniment on this task?" Haldir was worried for the advisor's welfare.

"I am certain. I have a difficult task ahead and have considered how I will accomplish it, without another person involved." He cast his glance over to his companion. "You did not have to join me to the Breach at all in fact."

"No, I still believe you will see your error and allow me to join you."

"I was ordered not to. Then again, I was ordered not to go myself, but as I informed my Queen I am the only one who could accomplish this. I will kill the creature and collect the venom directly from it."

"Are you certain there aren't more within the liar?"

"Yes, back when I was a boy they were wiped out by other Elfish warriors. Most do not realize, nor does the Queen that we are mostly immune to the toxin within."

"Why do you not tell her?" Haldir kept in pace with Navarre. "She is your queen."

Navarre laughed, "Yes, and I would give my own heart blood so she would not have to, but it does not mean I must tell her all things." He could see Haldir was confused by it, "She and I agreed long ago that if I didn't feel the need to tell her about the past of my people I would not have to. I have told her a great many things, this was not one of them."

Haldir halted his horse and dismounted, taking the reins from Navarre, "I will await your return Lord Navarre." He bowed slightly and watched the advisor make his way further into uncharted territory.

Quest

Though the terrain made for a difficult trip, Navarre reached the Balarian caverns in a short period of time, their jagged edges were going to make the trip down more tedious then he expect and he knew he'd have to rest before entering the liar itself; as he peered over the cliff he could see strands of webs that covered one particular entrance point. He looked out and around, almost as if he was searching for an easier access, though none were available to him, so he began his descent, looking out for anything that might come forward and block him.

Back at the horses Haldir looked into the territory Navarre had disappeared toward, in part wishing he could get the Dwarf's comments, about leaving a comrade behind, out of his mind. He shook his head, "Insufferable creature"; he looked down the hillside and believed he saw something rush from bush to bush. He gaze down and saw a boy peeking from behind a rock, it was one of the stable boys from Avalon. "What are you doing here, child?"

The boy, defeated in his task came out, "Sorry, my lord, I was…" he looked around, "I was trying not to be seen."

"Why?"

"I've been learning how to track. I thought if I could help…Where's Lord Navarre?"

"He's gone forward to the canyon."

"You did not go?"

"By his order. No." Haldir looked down at the boy, "What did you hope to gain? You know what he is going after and what it may cost him. Did you believe he would allow it or would allow you to assist?" Haldir relaxed a bit.

The boy shook his head, but did not comment. "Don't you want to go?"

"Yes, but I respect his authority, which is what I suggest you do as well."

"Have you ever seen the…thing?" The boy moved forward, sitting on a rock nearby, and smiled when Haldir shook his head. "It's massive they say, vicious."

"You've seen it?" Haldir seemed skeptical.

"No." The boy's demeanor changed. "I've heard the stories. I heard the Elves that once were in great numbers killed off all others of its kind."

"How many Elves?" The boy shrugged, "Have you seen any others beside Navarre before we arrived?" The boy shook his head at the question and they were silent once more, awaiting the return of Navarre; leaves falling around them as Haldir's thoughts returning to all that had happened up till this point.

Navarre entered the largest cavern, the mouth of the opening almost looking like teeth, the walls within covered in sticky webbing that blew each time the breeze blew in casting movement in all directions which caused a greater problem if something else was in there waiting. Navarre took a deep breath, allowing it to expel quickly before heading in further with great resolve to the necessary task, sword in hand.

Avalon

Jora began to read a large book, her finger moved over the words carefully, and her lips moving with the words, she rocked back and forth with Maeve watching her. She seemed to wiggle in the chair while she read, Maeve sitting near her watching.

"Do you read without moving your lips?"

"Helps me remember things." She never looked up, her normal jovial spirit dampened with each word, but she did not hesitate in her purpose.

"Sorry." Maeve was nervous, "She won't die will she?"

Jora paused then looked over, "If she thought it would kill her she would not do it."

"Not what I asked, Toadstool." She moved over to Jora, wringing her weathered hands.

Jora was saddened and Maeve could see it, "She…" Jora paused, "Not from the act of draining the blood…"

"But?"

"But possibly…" She hesitated.

"What?" Maeve was nervous.

"Possibly while she's healing. It's the only time the Evil can reach her, if it finds her, she must fight it in the In Between."

"She can do that." Maeve nodded speaking with certainty.

"Not if she's weak."

"Can someone go in with her?" Maeve became frantic again. "Can't you or I or Navarre…?"

Jora shook her head. "I am trying to find something, but no one can enter with her. You know this."

Maeve sat down again, as if defeat was setting in. "I…" Her eyes welled up. "I would be dead if not for her. If not for her decisions… She…" She fought back the tears.

Jora walked up, kneeling at the elder woman's knees, head resting on them, "All feel that way. Her family gave all, we don't want to lose her, but she would not take the risk if it wasn't necessary. She would not if the gain wasn't there." Jora smiled to the woman she bickered with on occasion.

"She's just found him."

"And he'll be here when she returns." Jora giggled. Maeve had to smile; Jora was always blunt in all comments, regardless of how it would be taken.

"Is there no way for me to…?" Boromir leaned up against the shelves.

"No, I explained. This is a place for the dead, a place where few may go." Alya smiled slightly. She moved over, hand on his as they were crossed in front of him. "I will be fine. I know I must return, for Maeve, Jora, Navarre, everyone and for you." She smiled, but saw it was not helping. "If I could take you I would, but I will not have you die not in this. If you did, you would not return and I don't know if I would want to at that point."

"There will be someone there for you?"

"Perhaps, my ancestors. It's been done before. I cannot guarantee, but I know you will not be there, nor Navarre or the others. I will find a way." She smiled as Boromir's arms dropped down. "I can't explain, except to say that if any of you went you would have no ability to do anything, but watch should something occur. You would be helpless in all of it."

Quest

Moving inward, but mindful of the webs Navarre held his sword at the ready; though the bite would not kill him it would not be something he wanted to feel. He move carefully catching a glimpse of something moving in the darkness, its many legs making it apparent what the thing was. Navarre took in a breath, he knew the creature was aware of him, he knew how it would attack and all he would have to do is wait for that moment so he could strike back. He crouched back, smiling as it made its way up to an opening above him, listening to its legs scuffle against the rock, he put his back to the rock wall and readied himself; a sword in one hand, and a small shield in the other.

As it ascended to the area where its prey was it wasn't intelligent enough to know anything about its prey or the reason for Navarre being there; it hung there upside down on a web, moving closer, hoping for food and as it reached the figure that was waiting it moved in quickly hoping for an easy meal. The actions caused Navarre to leap high and slightly back, drawing back his arm and lunging toward the Naquista who shifted a bit, attempting to bite, only to find a foul copper-like taste as it bit down which made it retreat and allowed Navarre to drive his sword deep into its body; into the nerve that allowed it to live. The creature reeled back from the blow and slumped down, dying almost instantly and allowing Navarre to retrieve the venom without trouble from an interior pouch near its abdomen.

Navarre finally stumbled out of the darkness a large jar in hand, and uncharacteristically covered in muck from head to toe; presumably all from the creature he'd just slain. He stopped at the edge of the now not so eerie cavernous mouth, feeling the breeze on his face before placing the jar into a messenger bag that was over his shoulder, before looking back into the darkness he'd emerged from; his legs and body weakened by the attack, but his mind was spinning on the next course of action.

Moving toward the area he'd left earlier he found Haldir and a young boy from Avalon who was anxiously awaiting him, bouncing back and forth on his heels. "I see you had company." He smiled, still somewhat covered in the muck.

"And you have completed your task." Haldir bowed slightly as Navarre approached, his hand sweeping over to the lake that was nearby. Navarre handed the messenger bag over to his companion before moving to the cool water, stepping in he moved further inward till he was able to dunk himself under the surface.

He reemerged drenched, but completely clean. "I will dry on our ride back". The group headed out, the boy riding behind Haldir, feeling impressed by how his day was transpiring.

Northern Lakes

Aron looked on as the elder wizard stood at the shoreline of the largest lake, "You do realize…?" Legolas and Gimli remained back, amused by the chatter of the two wizards.

Gandalf shot him a look to shut his mouth causing Aron to sigh loudly and become fidgety, "What is so necessary that you must interrupt me?"

"Because we will find more algae near the smaller lake to the east, this one has too much movement." Aron arm swung east unaware of Legolas attempting to hush Gimli from telling the boy to keep quiet. A fact that at first bothered the Dwarf, but upon seeing the impish smile of his companion he smirked and cleared his throat a bit.

"However, that one is not in the proper family of algae that is needed. It is one reason you have not advanced further prior to my arrival. Perhaps if you did as you were instructed you would understand that small details, no matter how insignificant to you, are very important."

Aron pinched his lips together, not expecting the comment. "Are there not times when other things should be tried?" He thought to make the experience more about learning.

"Only if the first does not work. But go; take some from the east lake." Gandalf watched the young student leave, "And give me a moment's peace." He shook his head after Aron was out of sight, the guard nearby chuckling under his breath, before his attention returned to Gandalf's actions and the language coming from him which none of the area understood. That's when the air turned frigid and breath could be seen, Gandalf raised his staff and a large area that had algae growing turned to a slushy ice, and the algae itself turned from a lush green color to purple. "Guard, collect this if you will." Gandalf stepped aside, overseeing the collection.

The guard moved in and quickly collected the plant, making sure to tighten the lid on the jar he was given. "Done, sir." The guard moved back up to the elder wizard handing him the jar which was put away quickly.

"We have some time, please rest yourself. He will be gone for nearly 2 hours." The guard bowed and found an area near the lake to relax, the elder man joining nearby. "You two could have been of some help." Gandalf shot a glance their way.

"We did not wish to interfere." Legolas smiled which gave way to a laugh from Gandalf when he realized their reason for it.

"I have not had to teach before and I do, at times, become less than..." He thought for a moment. "tolerant".

"You." Gimli blew out a swirl of smoke from his pipe. "Never." He smirked slightly himself, puffing on his pipe while they waited, happy in seeing a smirk from his wizard friend.

They remained in that location till Aron arrived, carrying a jar of his own, though the color of the algae inside was not nearly the same; this was black with white puss like spots, and as Aron pointed out was the foulest smelling thing to be collected which gave Gandalf as smile, since the smell would certainly be retained in his nose when he smelled anything for the next 30 or more days. After a short time of explaining what would happen should they use the particular strain of algae that Aron collected, it was discarded quickly and they began their journey home.

Avalon

Jora moved into her room, putting together several items before moving to a door covered over by a tapestry; something only a few knew of. Ascending the stairway she walked into a ceremonial room below the palace, a place whose walls illuminated with words from every language, whenever one of her kind would enter it; every word spoke the same prophecy and the prophecy spoke of this Queen and a coming peace. She lit a flame, using her torch, in a copper-like bowl that stood on a stone pillar in the center of the room and threw what appeared to be dust inside it, making the other torches illuminate as well. Smiling she set the torch in a holder and everything else down on the stone floor, before dropping down and crushing up bits of everything she put into the marble mortar that lay before her. Completing this she moved back to the pillar and threw all the dust in from the bowl itself, speaking a few words in an ancient dead tongue that made the smoke from the flame swirl and turn various colors, leading to the final color of blood red.

Jora moved back as her eyes rolled, her lips moving quickly but inaudibly as she rocked; it seemed to make the smoke swirl out into several areas and descending downward onto the stone floor. She spoke more fervently and rocked more steadily as the smoke took form, leading to a shape before dissipating and showing themselves to be women; each of differing ages and looks, but all with a similarity in their faces. At this point Jora stopped, and looked at each before dropping to her knees; she spoke rapidly in the same tongue as before.

In front of her smoke wisped around and formed into seemingly feminine forms before becoming more visible. All of the women were noble looking, standing tall and in various attire which indicating a high standing in society; most of them carried bows and other weapons and had long and winding tattoos which were similar to Alya's own.

"Why were we summoned?" An older woman with flowing white hair spoke clearly.

"You know why, great ancestor." A younger woman spoke in turn, her appearance mirrored Alya's in many ways, but she was definitely more aged.

"I wished to hear it from the vedʹma…" the elder woman shook her head. "the witch"

"I ask for protection for our Queen. Our revered." Jora bowed low.

"Why? For what reason?"

"She will be casting out an evil which plagues our very existence and will need you to protect her once she passes, till she heals."

"She is strong, she can return on her own."

"But not there, not in this case and she is needed here" Jora added knowing they next comment would be that all must die at some point. Jora then turned to the woman standing nearby, the one that had Alya's own features. "She just found him."

"He is a warrior, a…General." The elder woman scoffed. "A man like that will never accept…"

"We all chose warriors. This man fights for something few fight for. He has a pure heart for it; that should be enough." Another woman spoke up.

"Still, she has chosen, great ancestor. You know that we do not choose unwisely. You did not; your children and their children did not. I did not." The woman pointed to herself with long, strong, yet thin fingers before growing silent. "She has given all, she deserves to have something and if we can help then I say we should help."

The eldest woman looked down in remembrance. "Is he worthy of a Pazyryk?" She then blew dust from her hand and saw images of the time before and all the two in question had gone through. "He will become so…" she smiled, "like James did." Her eyes welled with tears looking upon her children and theirs that came after. "Her family will care for her, but she too must be strong."

"She will." Jora bowed low again. "Thank you, great mother of our people." She bowed silently again. "I swear it."

The women faded again into smoke before it dispersed into nothing, leaving the room silent and cold with the exception of the torches. Jora smiled at the feat and got up, running up several stairways toward her Queen, stopping short when she found Alya and Boromir in an embrace; smiling at it. She cleared her throat, but her eyes remained downward, not wanting to seem too intrusive.

"Jora?" Alya moved away, Boromir's hand remained in hers, he refused to let go.

"They said yes, My Lady." Jora smiled broadly, curtseyed and turned to leave.

"See. They will be there, which means they are happy that you are here for me." Boromir's brow furrowed, giving Alya a laugh. "They always have said that death happens for all and if it happens then it's meant to be." She moved back to him. "The fact that they agreed means they want me to come back, and if I'm right, they want it because of you." She smiled as his brow relaxed.

Boromir drew her to him and embraced her tightly, "When will you begin?"

"When all the ingredients are found, if it works then one drop for each beast will be all that's needed."

"How many beasts are there?" His mind swam at the thought of her need to do this act more than once.

"Unknown, but it must be done and the blood remaining will be dried should it be needed again." She held him close, not wanting to lose him.

"And I will be allowed to remain by you till you return?" The pain in his face as he spoke could have been seen by any who witnessed it.

Alya pulled away, "If you wish." She smiled happily at his request.

"Then I will be the first you see when you reopen your eyes." He closed in and kissed her longingly, his eyes closed, not wanting to pull away and happily feeling her sink into the pressure of his lips.