Seekers of the Soul

Chapter 1

Hava Nordquist, Andlynia's notorious treasure hunter, was utterly and entirely confused by the locking mechanism keeping her away from her goal — a golden locket that was rumored to protect the owner in the chance that they were to fall off a horse. Seemingly useless, but to some, even the smallest of charms helped.

"Hava, have you unlocked it yet?" A high, fluttering voice asked from above. The voice belonged to Aishlyn Woodbury, a lovely wood nymph and Hava's partner in crime. Currently, Aishlyn waited at the entrance to the cave in case any trouble would arrive.

Hava let out a long breath. "No." She cocked her head to the side, trying to see a new angle, trying to morph the lock into something she could understand.

Nothing.

Maybe the thing was just old, so old it couldn't be opened without a greater show of force. After all, mildew and moss covered the lock to such an extent that even the keyhole was barely visible.

Hava leaned back onto the cool rock of the cave. "Where's Weslyn?" Hava asked, more to distract herself than out of actual interest. The locked still taunted her, asking her to open it.

A pause. Then, "I think he's having one of his moments."

A sigh broke out of Hava's lips before she could contain it. Weslyn Stratosa often disappeared. That wasn't a problem. It was out of his control, so Hava didn't usually mind it. It became a problem when they were in the midst of a sensitive job.

"I'm not having a moment," Weslyn hissed into Hava's ear. Hava jumped forward, swearing.

"What did we say about using your peculiar power to sneak up on people?"

"That's my exact job on this team."

He wasn't wrong.

"Well, don't sneak up on me."

Weslyn Stratosa, sky sprite, was a painting of wispy blue and cloudy grays. His hair flowed around him, a deep blue, matching his drifting form that faded in and out of existence like the barest of clouds.

"Any ideas on this particular lock?" Hava handed him the lock picks. Weslyn immediately handed them back.

"No."

It was quite possible that the lock picks simply would not work on a lock so ancient. Sometimes one had to sing to a lock to open it, or present it a gift, or tell it a particular story. Hava hated those charmed locks, even if she did have a certain affinity with them.

"Hava, it's time to go!" Aishlyn called from above. Voices that didn't belong to the trio barked something at Aishlyn. Hava slammed her fist against the metal. "Give me one more minute!"

Not again.

They couldn't botch another job again, because they needed money, needed enough to survive.

She slipped the picks into the lock again, hoping, praying, that the metal cylinders would give.

Nothing.

"Hava, now."

Weslyn grabbed her wrists. "Let's go."

"I'll be fine."

"But Aishlyn won't be."

He was right. Securing the picks in her pocket, Hava stepped back and reached up, pulling herself into the small tunnel that led back to the main cavern. Weslyn transformed into mist and smoke, a cloud that slipped between her and the wall. She clambered up behind his being, listening closely to the muffled thumps that came from Aishlyn's direction. The wood nymph could hold her own against whoever attempted to attack them, but for only a short time.

When Hava emerged from the tunnel, Aishlyn and the intruders were engaged in combat. Long green limbs attacked and dodged, while two figures dressed in heavy leathers parried and hit. One threw a punch as Aishlyn ducked, but the other kicked her in the gut before she could evade them. She crumpled to the ground, clutching her stomach.

"Stop!" Hava barked, lifting her hands up in surrender. "We will leave. Just let the wood nymph go."

The taller of the two intruders glared at Hava. "You're lucky this time. If we spot you raiding our territory again, the price will be your head. Get out." He motioned towards the light illuminating the entrance of the cave.

Weslyn appeared before Aishlyn and offered her an arm to help her rise. Coughing, she weakly clung to his arm.

Hava looked away. They couldn't finish even a simple job without one of them being hurt.

Together, the three raiders left the cave empty handed and heavy-hearted.