Jewels from the Dark

Laoise’s heart fell with the man, dropping as he disappeared into the deepest darkness. Just as she was about to cry out, a hand gripped her face, covering her mouth. She didn’t think the shade could go deeper around her but it did, forming a barrier between her and the others.

“Do not call out. I will not harm you. Please – do not call out!” The voice was harsh, but calmly commanding. Laoise nodded against the hand, her eyes still locked onto the last place she had seen the fallen man. The two other men had stopped short, shocked as their companion vanished.

“Go left and grab that one. I will get the one on the right and meet you. Pull the shadows deeper around. Go – now!”

She felt a strong shove to the left just as the hand released her face. Laoise moved quickly, mirroring the actions of the…Nefas scout…. She moved her arms through the air, as if pulling on a cloak. As she did, the darkness grew brighter.

Laoise reached the younger looking man on the left. She repeated the movement, pulling a cloak of shadow around them both. It worked!

“Do not be afraid,” she whispered roughly, “I will not harm you. This shadow will not harm you. Breathe.”

She felt the man stiffen, refusing to take a breath. “You must breathe!” she said louder. “It will not harm you!” The man turned, shaking his head, fear flashing in his eyes.

Those eyes. Laosie knew those eyes. She searched his face, looking for a scar across his cheekbone – one that she had given him in a sibling squabble that went too far, so long ago. She drew the inner light up from her chest, just enough to see the faint silver glint.

“Lorcan…” her voice was barely a breath. Confusion filled the man’s eyes as he stared back at her, mixed with the fear. He slowly drew in a shuddering breath, the umbra nihili flooding his lungs.

~~~~~

Meirleach stretched out his hands, at once gripping the man’s arm while pulling shadow around them both. He could not move fast enough to halt the startled cry that tore from the stranger.

Meirleach groaned internally. He knew the Nefas would have heard that. The elation of one forced into the Waste would be short lived. Their attention would now shift to the two others.

He roughly covered the man’s mouth, closing off the noise. “I am try to save you – stop resisting!” he gritted out, as the stranger continued to fight. “Stop!”

~~~~~

Luan had lost sight of Darach, and a moment later, Lorcan also disappeared into shadow. Then his own world was plunged into darkness and a gruff hand was on his mouth. Anyone would fight back.

As he continued to strike out, the one holding him drew thick ropes of shade and somehow bound him with them, wrapping from his chest to his upper legs.

“I am not going to harm you! I am working with Líadan – the Grey Lady!”

At the name, Luan began to still. The bonds relaxed as well and soon faded. Using their continued momentum, the shadowed man steered Luan off the path to the left.

Luan allowed himself to be moved. It was his best chance at finding Laoise. As the man guided him toward another spot of shadow, he noticed it was…brighter…somehow. Less dense and anxious. It’s darkness was richer. He had no other way to explain it.

The two shadows merged and he found himself suddenly next to Lorcan. He grabbed his brother, pressing him in front of his chest. He was relieved beyond belief. His brain registered another form – a woman – pulling and pressing the shadows around them, yet somehow still emanating a soft light glow. Not light as one normally thinks of it, but a brighter shade of darkness that held invitation, safety, home.

~~~~~

Meirleach continue to propel both of the men forward but angled toward Líadan.

“Can you summon your cabin?” he rasped, using more of his strength to hide them all from the Nefas. He inhaled sharply as he felt the burning cold anger of his mother reach out and palpate the shade. They would be hunting him now too. He had made his choice.

“I can try,” she sounded nearly as strained as he was. “I have never used shadows like this before…” she sounded both pained and a little bit thrilled. He almost smiled.

He could feel the difference in how she maneuvered the shades of brilliant darkness. He had never met anyone – Lost or Nefas – who could make the darkness dance with light the way the Grey Lady could. He had seen her do it on many occasions, each time leaving him breathless.

He had let himself get distracted. A searing cold blow struck his back, knocking the wind out of him, and causing him to stumble forward. Laoise reached out to steady him and, at her touch, sent a shock wave of heat pulsing out between them, rippling like a heavy rock tossed into a still pond.