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  “I understand. We live in a harsh world. Besides, they would not want to live if they knew what they became. I will go with you also, to be by Marlay’s side.”

  “No. They need you in the fight. I will watch over her, I swear. If Faiyror discovers a large group of Gest’s humans without you they will not trust him. They will need to see you to believe.”

  Without speaking again Ragoor disappeared with Marlay into the tunnels where they had come.

  Julieth breathed deep, attempting to settle her nerves. Her chest was tight. She looked to Faiyror. “Lead on. I’ll watch our backs.”

  The massive beast bowed slightly, its wild eyes glinting in the illumination of the light-insects, and then went to all fours. It leapt into the dark before them, baying as its feet and hands pounded the cavern floor.

  Now, we have a chance, Julieth thought, fearful and yet in awe of her new comrade. She clutched her guns tight and spread her wings, lifting as she pulsed them, flying forward with the light-insects by her side. In her mind she envisioned Hailn’s blood and mutilated body nearby. She was thankful it was hidden by the dark.

  Chapter 3

  Ivanus’s stomach ached, his chest burning as out of nothing he felt solid ground beneath him. He tumbled, bracing himself with his hands on cold rock floor. Darkness swelled.

  No, not now.

  Bile rose in his throat.

  Where am I? He clutched Riad’s gun tight, the edges of its handle forming indents in his hand. He also noted the book he had taken still in his garb. Is Samuel defeated? Have I time-jumped again? Chanting voices echoed in a nearby hall and an herbal scent filled the air. This cannot be the citadel.

  He stood slowly, his head pounding as he began to see figures moving around him in his sight. They were blurry and indefinite.

  Daylight streamed through a nearby doorway and Ivanus walked toward it, moving into a hall where bouquets of flowers sat on ledges in vases. He stopped, touching a yellow flower’s petals and breathing in its aroma before following the light onward.

  “Lord, almighty. Lord, protector. Lord, creator.” The chanting grew louder as he walked. “Forgiver of sins and knower of all things. Praise to you for the fruits we eat. Praise to you for the blessings of our lives.”

  The voices speaking in unison warmed him, reverberating and lulling him in a way.

  “Lord, almighty. Lord, protector. Lord, creator. Forgiver of sins and knower of all things. Praise to you for the fruits we eat. Praise to you for the blessings of our lives.”

  Where am I? When am I? He looked around the corner.

  Three men in red robes kneeled at an altar. Their hands were braced in prayer and their heads bowed low. Another man who was also robed in red kneeled at the altar closer by. His robe had white, interweaving designs on it. Behind them was a balcony. Pure sunlight shone through its opening and Ivanus could see a vast blue ocean and green mountains through it. There were boats and rafts with men on them on the water.

  I am in the citadel. He stumbled, scuffing the ground as he moved, causing the chanting men to be silent.

  The man who had kneeled separately from the others stood and walked to him. “How did you get here? This tower is sealed off from city folk.”

  “I…” Ivanus stepped backward, concealing his weapon within his clothes.

  A far younger Samuel held out his hand. The branding of an essence was in the flesh of his arm.

  “However you arrived here, you are welcome to pray with us. The Lord has brought you to us and we will share our food, faith and what peace the Lord gives us with you.”

  *

  Time passed. Days became months. Months became years.

  *

  Darkness bled through Ivanus’s thoughts, nightmares of his past, of Solaris’s future.

  He shook violently in his sleep.

  Sweat stuck to his brow, dripping down his face.

  Then the warm glow of sunlight spread across his eyelids and he opened them, gripping his hands into the feather mattress below him. The nubs on one of his hands, where his fingers had once been, throbbed. He looked around the chamber, a large room with high stone walls. His dresser was across from the bed and several robes Samuel had given him hung from hooks in the walls. The holy book he had thieved from the future was secured beneath his pillow.

  Time is passing too quickly. He wiped the sweat from his brow and sat up, removing the covers from his legs. When I first arrived here the land was still rich and the people’s hearts were filled with love. The essences had only just come. He stood, walking over to the chamber’s window and bracing his hands on the sill. A vast sea stretched out from the land beyond the citadel.

  Solaris’s water is murky now and poisonous unless purified. Our people are dying of starvation and are being murdered by beasts in the heat-scorched woods. He eyed the field of grass below him, its dry stalks moving in the wind. And yet Samuel’s heart is true. He strives to provide for his people and does not use the power given him by the essence to control them. I have been speaking to him of the essences, of the possible danger of using them. He assures me his only intentions are to help his people and spread the word of his Lord. Is it possible to divert the future and save Samuel’s soul? He breathed deeply. Over the past years Samuel had become his friend and comrade. The two stayed up late watching the stars and playing the game, Faise, by candlelight. They spoke much of religion in those times. He found his friend wise and inquisitive, headstrong even, but never dark in his intentions. Dare I hope that all I have seen and been a part of in the future will not pass? Then Ivanus remembered, as he always did, that Samuel had recognized him when they confronted him in the citadel, before Bayne slew him with the sword.

  I of all people should know that the future cannot be manipulated, but what choice have I? I am trapped here. Attempting to steer Samuel on a good path is my only chance to help Julieth to be safe.

  Ivanus had not thought her name for months. She was constantly a part of him somehow, and yet the day when he left her seemed so distant. If only I could feel your lips on mine once more… or your hands’ touch.

  He saw in his mind that Samuel was approaching his door before he heard the man knock. He did not pay much attention to his future-sight since arriving in this time. There was little use in it. He learned quickly that he was now safe and somehow that had allowed his ability to abate. Ivanus also had not told Samuel that he had come from the future. He only told him the essence connected with his body had brought him inside the citadel.

  Knock. Knock. “Ivanus, are you awake? I need your ear, my friend!”

  Ivanus turned from the sill and walked toward the door, taking a red robe from the wall and pulling it over his head. “Yes, come in.”

  The priest’s brow was tense as he opened the door, sweat seeping from his pores. He looked exhausted.

  “Were you running?” Ivanus placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “A large group of men and women were supposed to have arrived here to listen to me speak yesterday. I sent a page into the woods this morning to look for them. The boy returned. The group has been mauled by beasts. Their bodies are torn and gored.”

  Images of the were-beasts who held him prisoner beneath the sieged city of Olan ran through Ivanus’s mind. Darkness. Blood. The screams.

  Goosebumps pricked his skin as he focused once more on Samuel. He did not know for sure that these beasts in this time were the same. He had not seen them in person. “What will you do?” he asked, realizing Samuel had come for a reason.

  Samuel looked toward the chamber’s window. “I will lead a company of swordsmen and archers into the woods in hopes of rooting out whatever animal is plaguing us there. A man who has seen them, who has seen them slaughter his family, will also join our company. I ask you, would you join us, my friend? You are good with a sword. I would trust no other more if my life is threatened.”

  “I will come. When would you leave?”

  “We leave before the first sun is high
in the sky. Change from your robe and sharpen your blade, then meet me with the others at the citadel’s main doors.” Samuel walked out his door and then, as Ivanus was about to shut it, he turned. “Why does God allow my people to be slaughtered? They are good, loving souls, who strive to follow his ways. Have I not given all of myself to spreading his word? Do my people not deserve peace and security? Look…” Samuel returned to Ivanus’s side, rolling up his sleeve to show Ivanus a small swath of scorched flesh that ran down his forearm. It opened and peeled in places, like a small canyon in his flesh. “These past few nights I have dreamt horrible things and have awoken in deep pain with this scarring on more and more of my arm. The Lord does not listen to my prayers. It is like he is blind to the world’s anguish.”

  It was sad for Ivanus to see Samuel’s doubt of his faith. Ivanus had never particularly believed in a higher power, but he knew this was what kept Samuel centered, what maintained the goodness within him. Then he remembered something Julieth had said to him. The essences bonding to her spoke to her. The essence bonding with Samuel was clearly what was causing this scarring. Ivanus had his own markings, but had never shown the priest. “Does the essence speak to you?” he asked.

  Samuel looked at him for a moment. “No, but my mind is rampant with doubt.”

  “If you hear its voice, tell me. Make sure you follow your own path.” Ivanus placed a hand on Samuel’s shoulder. The man’s body was ridged.

  “I follow the Lord’s path, no matter how he does or does not listen to me. It is my oath.” Samuel turned from him as Ivanus searched for response.

  He knew the truth of what was to come of Samuel and his faith. Believe. Follow the path you were on when I came to this time. Ivanus walked to his pillow and reached his hand beneath it. His fingertips met the old book’s binding. He took it out and opened it, reading a passage and committing it to memory. Perhaps if I remind you of this book’s words you will keep to the path of good.

  Chapter 4

  The cart bumped and jolted violently as the horses pulled it toward the forest. Ivanus was clad in full armor. He clasped his sword hilt tight in his fist as it rested on his lap. Several archers sat around him and Samual was at his side. The priest clasped a sword as well. “Are you sure entering their domain is wise? Few who encounter the beasts have returned.” Ivanus wondered what would become of this party of men. Two other carts filled with fighters also flanked their sides.

  “They leave us with no choice. I am tired of watching my fellow men slaughtered.” Samuel stared out towards the woods. “We have not provoked their attacks.”

  Sunlight glinted down Ivanus’s armor, shimmering light in his vision as the carts continued to roll. In front of them in the distance the woods opened to the road as it spliced through them and then was consumed by the shadow of their branches. His hands shook with nerve as sweat moved down his back. The men around him were rank with body odor. Ivanus closed his eyes. Do not let me die, Ivanus thought, hoping that if there was a god, whether it was Samuel’s or another, he would be heard. Allow me to reach Julieth’s side once more. Allow Samuel to become a good man and to survive. His mind went dark with that thought. He knew that no matter how hard he tried to change Samuel, destiny was already written. And if he did change there would be no way for me to return to Julieth. She is tied to the future I was a part of. Without that reality there would be no way. She would have no memory of me… of us.

  “Ivanus, be on guard. We will need every man if we are attacked,” Samuel’s voice broke his thoughts.

  The shadow of the forest fell over them and cooled Ivanus’s body as the carts rumbled away from the open expanse around Samuel’s citadel. Somewhere in the distance behind them trumpets sounded. It was a way to signal Samuel and their group off, but though it was beautiful, it sent a haunting chill through Ivanus’s mind.

  After an hour or so’s ride in the cart, and nothing but silence and the sounds of moving leaves and sparse bird calls, the men began to grow both skittish and lax. Some, like Ivanus and Samuel, clutched their swords and bows stiffly while listening for anything to break the norm.

  And yet others, like a man named Marl beside Ivanus, began to joke to pass the time. He leaned back against the cart’s boards. Ivanus feared his lack of awareness. Perhaps Samuel would have corrected him, but he himself was too engrossed in his own nerves.

  Wind whipped around them, playing with the men’s senses.

  “They will not come,” Marl turned and spoke to Ivanus. “Break that look of fear. If they are here, then they sense us and are afraid. They are but animals. They know when warriors are present. The only lives taken have been the weak.”

  “Watch your mouth and keep silent,” Samuel interjected. “All people are equal. Warriors are not greater than paupers. These beasts will attack us. Beware. It is our duty, as the strong, to eliminate this peril so that the weak may be saved.”

  I know you as this good man, in this time. Ivanus shuddered. It is so hard to believe that time will distort you so.

  A sudden movement in the bushes far off the path instantly caught Ivanus’s attention. He cocked his head sharply to the left, in its direction. I cannot see what is to happen moments in the future, he suddenly realized. Somehow the beasts blocked my future-sight before. It must be them now as well. No-one knows of my abilities here. I cannot tell them. “Be aware!” he shouted to the others while pointing in the direction where he saw the movement.

  The horses groaned and neighed as the men holding their reins halted them. Dirt rose around them. The wind calmed. The tree canopy was open above and a large ring of sunlight blanketed the company.

  “Help,” a frail male voice that Ivanus did not recognize came close by. It sounded like it came from below them. “Please help me.”

  Marl and Ivanus stood, as did the other warriors with the party. Samuel stood in the center of their cart. Their swords and bows were drawn, arrows taut in bowstrings.

  “Come out,” Samuel commanded, a touch of fear in his voice. “If we are to assist you, we must see you first.”

  Ivanus was stunned to watch a thin, pale arm, and then another, clasp the ground from below their cart. The young man was emaciated as he crawled from beneath them and into the radiant sunlight. His eyes were sunken and dark.

  “You must take me with you. The beasts attacked me and my family as we approached the citadel. My whole family was killed…” Tears welled in his eyes.

  “How did you escape?” Samuel asked, his voice steady.

  The young man wiped his tears away. “I hid. I have been hiding for days here beneath the dirt and leaves on this road, praying for someone to help me with safe passage.” He held a hand to his ripped shirt. His ribcage showed through. “My chest burns. My whole body burns.”

  Something nagged Ivanus’s mind. The beasts he had been taken by before had human flesh in the sunlight. He had never shared that with Samuel, afraid to tell the man his true past. But if it could prevent Samuel’s future, he thought. No. What if this man tells the truth? He is truly emaciated. We could not deny him shelter.

  Samuel took a step in the cart toward the man and the sword wielders relaxed their grips as the archers eyed the woods, wide-eyed, like hawks. “Have you heard the beasts? We believe them to be nearby.” Samuel eyed Ivanus as he spoke the final words.

  “Yes, Sir.” The young man shook. “I believe them to be nearby now. Please… please let me aboard and leave with haste.” The man gave a panicked glance behind him and there was a rustling in the woods.

  “Look sharp, men!” Samuel commanded as he reached a hand down to take the young man’s and pull him up.

  Ivanus watched as the man reached up, his arm passing from sunlight into the shadow made by a bird flying above them. The flesh in the shadow morphed and distorted, coarse brown hair growing for just an instant and then disappearing as the bird moved.

  “No!” Ivanus bellowed as the man clasped Samuel’s arm.

  With a thrust the foreign m
an threw the priest from the cart and on to the forest path.

  Samuel cried out as he began to stand and the foreign man leapt upon him in the forest shadow, muscles distorting as ooze and fur formed on flesh. A fanged maw replaced his mouth and moist eyes turned to glare at the carts of men.

  “One arrow at me and he dies.” Moisture dripped from the beast’s snout as Samuel struggled beneath his claws.

  “Let me die! Kill it!” Samuel shouted, blood oozing from his chest, though he had only been partly pierced through his armor.

  Ivanus looked at the others. Their faces were petrified. Some shook with uncertainty. “Where there is one, there will be more.” He warned them. “I will approach it. Fill its skull with arrows. Perhaps we have a chance.” His heart beat heavily and fear caused bile to rise in his throat.

  “And if we fail?” Marl asked.

  “Then I pray you have no loved ones, for we will not return.” Ivanus leapt from the cart to the hard earth below and struck the soil with his sword as he landed.

  The beast was struggling with restraining Samuel so that he could move him, but turned to look at Ivanus as he approached. It raised the flesh of its lips in a snarl. “You will die, mortal!” It spat, lifting Samuel by his armor with one hand and thrusting him through the air towards the dense woods behind him. More beasts emerged there, clasping at Samuel. One stood over him and struck him with its claws. The others approached the carts as the first beast went to all fours and then leapt at Ivanus.

  Ivanus raised his sword high to defend himself.

  An arrow struck the beast’s skull, knocking it off course and to the ground as Ivanus parried to his side and drove his blade through the beast’s heart. The crunch of the thing’s chest plate sent disgust through Ivanus but he squelched it down. One of the beast’s clawed hands struck Ivanus’s leg but it stopped and quaked as life left the body. “We must fight!” Ivanus shouted as the beasts approached. “Come with me now!”