Into Vinsaule

Jevgenija

The sun rose in the sky, applying heavy heat to everything it touched. Although it seemed the heat did not affect Velna or me, the others were not taking it well. The carriage had slowed down to a stop for the third time today. Velna signed and hung her head out the window, "You must bear this heat and move further. We are getting close; this heat is only a physical illusion from one of the gods."

"Well, the horses need water illusion or not." I could hear the frustration in Kaz's voice as he yelled out his response.

Velna leaned back, knowing there was no recital to his statement. So why weren't we affected by the heat? In truth, I could feel it. It just didn't bother me. I was used to long hot summers with no water, building a solid heat resistance. But Velna seemed like the heat did not touch her skin.

"Velna?"

"Yes, my lady." she turned.

"What are you?" the moment I asked, I regretted it. It was rude to just ask like that.

"It's hard to explain." her eyes wandered off before they returned to me. "I believe I am of skin and flesh, but I was born from the earth only a few days ago. But I guess I am the child of Laima."

"So if you were made by Laima. You know the things she won't tell me?" I questioned her.

"I've only the knowledge she gives to guide you." her vague response annoyed me. Then, as if sensing it, she reached and grabbed my hand. "I have important answers to your questions. But right now, let me guide you to the safety of fejas."

It didn't make me feel better, but it eased something inside me that allowed my tension to loosen.

A loud slap on the side of the carriage jolted us out I conversation, and the carriage began to move on. Kaz slowly pulled his horse closer aside us.

"Dariusz has ridden up ahead. He says the path leads to straight woods that look dark and unnatural." Kaz informed us.

"Good. That's a sign that we have permission to enter." Velna answered.

"How so."

"If it wasn't, we'd be stuck in a looped illusion wondering for days before we even noticed." Velna smiled Sadistically. "Now, let's hurry. We can't take the horses or carriage inside, but the faster we get there, the heat illusion will dispel."

With that said, Kaz rode ahead of us, and the carriage also picked up its speed. As we got closer, the greenery around us began to wither away. The color looked like it had been sucked out of our surroundings. There were no signs of life. We were the only living things in sight. Kaz and Dariusz were already off their horses as Velna, and I stepped out of the carriage. As we walked towards the dark entrance of the forest, I could hear the hooves of horses straggling away.

"What is this?" Kaz looked into the forest, worried. "I thought the land of Fejas was more... lively."

"This is not the land of Fejas," Velna replied. "This is the border of Vinsaule. Therefore, those found worthy shall pass through to the land of Fejas."

"What if you're not worthy?" Kaz distrusted, looking uneasy from his imagination, overthinking the possibilities.

"They will be dragged down to the underworld," Velna admitted. "Now let's go. You guys have nothing to fear. It is not your fate to die today."

Velna progressed forward, pushing past the dead plants as they crumbled to her every touch. I followed behind her, and instantly after crossing over to the border, I felt an electric energy surge flow through me. Before me, everything looked dead, but it was as if I could feel this hidden pulse of life.

"Velna?" I called out.

"Yes, my lady?" She responded as she continued to move forward.

" What is the border of Vinsaule?"

" It is the land of the dead. Souls that are not really self-aware but are too pained to move on to Vinsaule."

"If this is a border to a place, why put an illusion on the outside of it? " I questioned.

"Some deities dont like to be disturbed with the troubles of the living."

Another god? And this one deals with the dead. The thought brought chills to my body. What kind of person was this god? Did they know my parents? With that thought, I pushed them aside and followed Velna; everyone stayed silent. On guard of our surroundings.

"Stay together and stay on the path," Velna warned. "We may have gotten permission to enter, but the creatures of this domain have no rules."

I could feel their presents, their shadows darting behind the trees as we walked by. We continued to follow Velna in silence, close enough to hear the unsynced rhythm of our footsteps.

As if tired of stalking their prey, the darting shadows began to gain more shape as they made their way from beyond the trees. When thoroughly in my sight, they looked like normal forest animals, turned into vicious monsters. "The souls of hunted animals. " Velna whispered. We were soon surrounded by growling foxes, drooling wolves, and rabid bunnies.

"What are we just standing here for? " Kaz growled as he went to take a step forward.

Velna quickly grabbed him. "You can not hurt the dead. " Kaz brushed her off. " Besides, the living committing violence here is the fastest way to be dragged to hell. "

Kaz growled in frustration. The dead souls neared closer, reading themselves for the first move to be made. As we stepped back to put huddling together to cover our open spots, one of the wolves was quick to make its move, pouncing into the air. But at that exact moment, it was stuck down, shattering the ground beneath it. The long staff to a scythe swiped across the floor, scattering the remaining animals. The area began to clear the sounds of their whins disappearing into the dead forest.

"Not the best of entrances, but welcome, Amber Queen," A woman in a long white robe spoke as she walked out of a mist. "I've been waiting for you for such a long time. "

"I.." my words were jammed in my throat as I tried to speak. Was she the deities of this forest?

" No need to fear my child. I've come to greet you, the greatest being ever born." Her voice became low as she reached for my face.

"We're to gain access to the land of Fejas. It would be kind of you to show us the way. " Kaz, of course, letting his alpha ego get the best of him. " I am Kazimieraz, King of the werewolves, you should know. "

The deity giggled as if he had said a joke. " Little Pup, you must not know who I am. This is my domain; I am the mother of earth, Zemes mate. " She grabbed him by the neck, the veins in her pale hands pulsing as she tightened slowly. " And I know exactly who you are. Son of a tyrant. You should be less proud of who you are before I feed you to the souls you and your father murdered."

Struggling for air Kaz managed to signal his submission. Releasing him, she now turned her attention to Velna. " Are you Laima's child?" She questioned.

"Y-Yes." Velna's voice was shaky.

"How's the mortal world to you so far, love?"

"Fine, I guess. Why do you ask, if you dont mind answering?"

"Well, there will be a day where you will have to make a choice, and depending on your decision, you will come to me." She smiled.

It looked as if Velna had more to ask now, but the deity's attention was back on the task at hand before she could. "Now, Amber Queen and friends, please follow me."

Following, the path in front of us seemed to quickly shirk. Then, as if fast-forwarding, we were in front of a castle and soon quickly inside it. I was amazed at how gorgeous the inside was. Finally, halfway through a long hall, Nave stopped and turned to face us. " Before I forget. I have a gift for you." She walked up to me, slowly leaning forward as she stared at me. When she finally puckered up her lips and bent for my forehead, flashes of the woman in blue ran through my head, and I flinched. Part of me felt protective of the spot the woman kissed, feeling as if I didn't, something terrible would happen.

As if reading my mind, she placed her hand on my arm. "You are right to be on guard. There's a spell within you. I just was to loosen it a bit and give it something special." She attempted again to lean in, and I allowed her.

I felt the same surge of electric energy from before, but stronger. And this time, different energy flowed as if unlocking something inside. "What... What did you do." I asked.

"The blessed to tell the stories of the dead and unlocked some of the power you already had inside."

"Power? What Power?" I questioned.

"Well, it's time to go, little ones. It's almost the witching hour." She waved her hand, and a doored appeared.

When she opened it, we were so stunned at the greenery and vibrant colors that we overlooked that we were no longer inside her castle. The door had vanished, and there were no signs of Vinsaule.

"Who's entering The land of Fejas?" Someone called out in the distance.

"The Amber Queen. " Velna yelled back.

Suddenly we were surrounded by people with fluttering wings. Fairies.