Zelia's Lost Path

by Zora Marie

  “But I can’t use my powers, Xander will know where I am.”

  “I’m not talking about your powers, I noticed something else when we tried the blood magic yesterday and we must get to the bottom of it before Nikolas returns from Fregnar.”

  “What about me?” Linithion asked.

  “Do you know about the magic the Guild uses?” Zivu asked.

  Linithion lowered her gaze, ashamed of knowing as it was forbidden.

  “It’s alright if you know it, we didn’t forbid others from learning it as only members of the Guild could perform the spells,” Yargo said.

  “That’s not wholly true, with Father’s staff I can perform some smaller spells but because the power isn’t bonded to me larger spells are unstable.”

  It was the first time Zelia had seen Linithion speak with her shoulders slumped forward rather than drawn back as the princess she was. Then Linithion straightened as though just realizing something.

  “If we can get her mother’s staff from Xander, Zelia should be able to use it since she absorbed power from her mother.”

  “I don’t know much of that magic and there is no point in learning it when we are going to destroy it.”

  “What if we don’t need to destroy the power? What if the power just needs to be given to new people? They’ll still need time to learn it so they can defend Mineria, but at least that gives you a plan that doesn’t mean destroying the Guild.”

  “And what’s to stop these new people from trying this again, years from now?” Zelia asked.

  “You,” Rogath said, startling Zelia as he had been separating himself from the conversation. “You’ve suffered the most from all of this, so there is no one better to keep it from happening again.”

  Zelia shook her head. “I don’t want to live forever and watch everyone I care about die. Even without that power, I still might.”

  “What if we made Linithion a member with you?” Zivu asked.

  Zelia’s jaw quivered as she debated how to respond. “I don’t want more power. I can hardly control what I have.”

  Zivu looked to Yargo and back to Zelia. “The first time I worked with you, I told you I couldn’t understand why you could only use ice and fire, or why it reacted within you as it did, but I think I know why now. The power you absorbed from your mother has left you unbalanced, there’s a reason we had given the power to men and not women, but giving you this power now could give you control of the power you already have.”

  Zelia didn’t understand, but she nodded, trusting Zivu to know what she was doing.

  ~

  A while later, Zelia and Linithion joined Zivu in the open air pavilion, which they found to be far warmer than they expected given the frigid air of the morning. It was as though a barrier spanned between the columns. A table and chair had been placed to one end and a great tome sat atop the table. Linithion almost squealed with glee at the sight of one of the Guild’s books as Zivu gestured for her to take a seat.

  “I have written what Yargo and his guards can remember of the spell Asenten used the day they rescued Zelia, I would like you to figure out what spell he used and how we can reverse the bond the shrapnel has to her heart and lungs.”

  Zelia eyed the book, recognizing it as Asenten’s copy.

  “Don’t you have your own copy?” Zelia asked Zivu as they moved to the podium at the other end of the pavilion.

  Zivu shook her head. “We may have gifted the Guild their power and given them limitations, but they developed their own spells.”

  “So, what did you notice the other day?” Zelia asked, unsure if she wanted to know.

  “I got a sense that they have far more of you than we thought.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Can you recall a portion of your body ever being separated from the rest in death? Or perhaps a time when you had no sense of your body.”

  Zelia folded her arms across her chest as she tried to recall, to think about all the times she tried not to remember. She shivered at the feelings the thought stirred. “The first time was different from the others. I remember feeling as though I was being swept up, but maybe some of me was missing.” She shrugged, trying to shake the strange tingling feeling she always felt when thinking of her deaths. “Other than that time, it was always more like I was just trapped in my body.”

  Zivu nodded, seeming to stare through her to the frozen pond.

  “Are you saying I have another body somewhere else?” Zelia asked.

  “I am not certain, but maybe.”

  Zelia’s thoughts turned to what it could mean to Xander and even herself. This opened so many possibilities. Maybe this other body could free her of her constant pain. Then again, what was Xander planning to do with this other body?

  “Come, we need to know for certain. I did some reading last night and I think I know of a spell that will tell us for certain without letting Xander know.”

  Zivu picked up the rune covered blade from the edge of the pedestal and gestured for Zelia to give her hand to her again. Zelia sighed through her nose, looking out at the snow-covered hills around the pavilion, hesitation taking hold of her with a discomfort that tugged at her chest.

  Zelia flinched when Zivu touched her shoulder, breaking her hesitation. “Sorry,” Zelia said as she removed the bandage from her wrist and pulled her sleeve back. She put her wrist in Zivu’s hand and before she could hesitate again, another small cut dripped blood into what now seemed to be fragrant water.

  Zivu muttered strange words as she pulled a handful of something from a pouch that hung at her waist. She threw the powdery substance with the last drop of blood as she pulled Zelia’s hand away from the water. As the water stilled, a dim image formed. There, trapped in some strange orangey substance, lay Zelia’s other body. It seemed to be the same age as her, though the joints were knobby and muscles thin, just as her body had been the first time she had come back.

  Though thin, it seemed untouched by the years of torture she had endured. For a moment, Zelia longed to not have scars to hide, to remind her of what she had been through. Then her thoughts turned to what Xander must have planned for this body, for her.

  “We should destroy it,” Zelia said, not sure if she had just spoken those words.

  “That body could free you from the shrapnel,” Zivu said.

  “It’s not worth it. We don’t know what Xander has planned for it, for me. I will not risk being under his control again. Can we destroy it from here?”

  “Zelia, are you sure you want to do that? If you do become a member of the Guild, you may live with this,” Zivu gestured to her chest, “forever.”

  “It’s fine, I don’t remember what it’s like to live without pain. At least in this body I’ll always have a reminder that the nightmares were real and I’m not just losing my mind.”

  Zivu swiped a hand across the pedestal, causing the water to ripple and the image to disappear.

  “I want you to think seriously about what you’re asking me to do, before we go through with it.”

  Zelia nodded, accepting that Zivu would not accept a rushed decision. “May I go for a walk?”

  “You may, but have Yalif wrap your wrist before you go.”

  Pulling her cloak tight, she headed for Yalif’s chambers once more. When he had wrapped her wrist, she pulled her hood up to where it obscured her face as she walked to the barn at the other end of the town. She recognized a few of the boys bartering with one of the few shop owners who had opened their stalls. She turned away so they wouldn’t recognize her. She knew she should think about this other body, but she just wanted to walk without thought, so she did.

  Soon she stood at the edge of the pasture by the woods. A lean-to had been constructed near the gate since she had last been there, yet Thunder stood under a tree at the far end of the pasture, seemingly unaware that sh
e was there.

  “Zelia?” She turned to see Donequen standing at the corner of the barn, a shovel of poop in his hands. He looked down at the shovel and flung its contents at the compost pile. “So, um, I just finished cleaning if you want to come in.”

  Zelia shrugged and followed him into the barn. He hung the shovel on the wall and turned to her. “So, how long are you back for?”

  “I don’t know. It depends on how fast Linithion heals and when all of this is done. How’s your mother?”

  Donequen’s gaze fell as he raked his hair back out of his face. “She passed away not long after you left.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “She’s not in pain anymore. At least I knew that was coming, but losing you, that was different. I lost my best friend and my mother in the same month.” Donequen shifted. “So, how is Linithion? I’ve heard the healing magic works better on Elves. That true?”

  “Seems to be. She’s up and moving, though she’s in a lot of pain.”

  “Sounds like she’s the perfect match for you, tough as nails and just as stubborn.”

  Zelia couldn’t help but smile at that. “I am sorry I left you the way I did. I hope we can still be friends.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. There is this goat that has been there for me through everything.”

  Zelia rolled her eyes and Donequen shrugged.

  “So, why are you here anyways? It’s cold for a ride or a walk in the woods.”

  “Zivu wants me to think about something and this is where my feet brought me.”

  “Think about what?”

  “I… ” she broke off, unsure if she should talk about it.

  “Come on, best friends tell each other everything, and well, you’re my only friend, unless you count the goat.” He shoved his thumb in the goat’s direction, and she stretched her neck out to nibble on it. “Ouch, you have teeth!” he said, giving the goat a light bop on the nose with a finger.

  Zelia shook her head again. At least some things hadn’t changed since she’d left.

  “So come on, spill the beans.”

  “I… apparently, I have another body. Xander must have made it when I died the first time. I think we should destroy it to keep Xander from using me again, but Zivu wants me to contemplate using it instead of this body because of the shrapnel. Using this other body would keep me from spending the rest of my likely to be extraordinarily long life in pain, but is that worth the risk?”

  “Have you talked with Linithion about this?”

  “No.”

  “This sounds like something you should talk with her about. She is your soulmate and all.”

  “Wait, how did you...” she asked.

  “What? You think it wasn’t obvious yesterday? Here, you want a ride up the hill? Some of the horses could use some exercise.”

  Zelia looked out the barn door, ajar from Donequen’s coming and going. Above them rose the snow-covered rooftops, and soft streams of smoke streaked the sky.

  “Sure. Who’s due for a ride today?”

  “Yargo and Zivu’s horses, Goldy and Silver here.” He pointed to the gold and silver buckskins, the two most beautiful horses in the barn.

  “What are their real names?” Zelia asked.

  Donequen shrugged. “You think I remember every animal’s name? Besides, I don’t think I’ve seen Yargo or Zivu talk to them.”

  “Fine. Do they prefer to be tacked or untacked?”

  “Goldy seems to prefer being tacked, probably has to do with the armor Yargo wears, and Silver doesn’t seem to care.”

  “Then I’ll ride Silver so you’ll have one less horse to untack when you get back.”

  “Works for me.” He put a halter over Goldy’s head and led him from the stall. With Zelia holding the lead, he put a pad and saddle on his back. Next, he put a halter on silver. “Come on, I’ll give you a lift.” He intertwined his fingers and Zelia placed her knee in his hands rather than her boot so as not to get snow all over him. With them both mounted and outside, he slid the barn door closed.

  It wasn’t long until they were back at the open air pavilion. No one was there and the tome was gone from the table.

  “They must have gone inside. Thank you for the ride,” she said as she slid from the mare and gave her a light pat. “You too,” she said to the horse.

  “Anytime.” He gave her one of his goofy grins and took Silver’s lead, turning both horses back towards the town.

  Her boots were dry by the time she made it to the inner halls, where the study and other rooms were. A guard stood at the cross section in the hall. “Do you know where Linithion is?”

  “I believe she’s with Yalif.”

  “Thank you,” she said as she turned to her right. She knocked on the door.

  “Yes?” Yalif asked.

  “May I come in?”

  “Yes.” This time it was Linithion who spoke.

  She closed the door behind herself as she entered, seeing that Yalif was in the middle of wrapping Linithion with a fresh bandage.

  “It seems that Linithion here is far better at taking instructions than you,” Yalif said. Linithion covered her mouth as she let out a long yawn, and Yalif smiled. “Though she hasn’t completely caught on to the whole rest thing.” He tied off the bandage and helped her back into her dress. “How about the two of you go get some rest?”

  “But it’s the middle of the day,” Linithion said, “and I’m helping Zivu with something.”

  “You won’t be helping anyone if you don’t take care of yourself first and Zivu knows that my instructions always come first.”

  “Fine, but Zelia can keep helping Zivu.”

  “Hm, she looks pretty tired to me, but she may do what she will. It’s not like she listens to me, anyway.”

  “Here, I’ll show you to our room and help you into a sleeping gown,” Zelia said. “Thank you, Yalif.”

  She helped Linithion from the examining table and led her to the room.

  “This is your room?” Linithion asked as she spun in a circle, taking it all in.

  “Yeah, I didn’t expect it to still be mine after what I did, but they seem to understand even better than I do.” She untied Linithion’s dress and pulled a folded nightgown from the bottom of the wardrobe.

  “So, what is it you wanted to talk about?” Linithion asked as she straightened the gown and twirled her hair over one shoulder.

  “Did you hear any of what Zivu said earlier?”

  “About you having another body?”

  Zelia nodded. “What do you think we should do? What should I do?”

  “I wish I knew.”

  Zelia kicked her boots off and sat on the bed as Linithion climbed in. “Then what do you feel I should do? You’re the one who is likely to be stuck with me forever.” Though she joked, she found it hard to smile and gave up as Linithion placed a hand over her chest, above her heart.

  “If what you feel is anything like what I have been feeling, then I think we should give you a chance to be free of the shrapnel and plate. Even if we can reverse the spell that binds the shrapnel to you, Yalif will have to tear you apart to get it out.” Linithion laid her head on Zelia’s chest, as Zelia usually did to her.

  “I love you,” Zelia said.

  “I love you, too. Now get some rest. Yalif was right. Your heartbeat is a little off, you need some rest…” her words slowed as she drifted to sleep.

  Zelia couldn’t help but smile a little as she stroked Linithion’s hair, her own eyes growing heavy.

  33

  It was a while before the bed moved from someone sitting on the edge. “Girls,” Zivu’s voice was soft. “It’s time to wake up or you’ll miss dinner.”

  Their stomachs growled at the mention of food, yet Zelia found herself reluctant to open her eyes.

 
“We have news from Nikolas. It seems he’s going to stay with his father for a while, but Fregnar says that he will prepare for the worst.”

  Zelia rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and Linithion shifted beside her.

  “Did you decide on anything?” Zivu asked.

  “I would like a chance at the other body, but I don’t want anyone to risk themselves for it.”

  “So, what’s next?” Linithion asked.

  “We prepare to strike. Yargo has sent warriors to Mineria to guard against outside attack, so we must figure out where Xander and his followers are. We should be ready tomorrow, so I want you both to eat well and get some rest. Tomorrow we will perform the spell to find them and then it will be up to Yargo and Skylar.”

  “Shouldn’t we go?” Zelia asked. “They may be warriors, but they are facing wizards.”

  “They will have magic users with them, some of the best I’ve ever trained, but we cannot risk both Yargo and me. If we both went, we might play right into Xander’s hands.”

  “But to not go you will not be sending your strongest force,” Linithion said. “At least bring Father and Vainoff in on this, it is as much their battle as ours.”

  “There will not be time for them to travel there on foot and our agreement does not permit members of the Guild to leave Mineria.”

  “Are you saying that once you give that power to us, we won’t be able to return here?” Linithion asked, sitting up as she did.

  “Those were the conditions we set forth when we first put the Guild into place. However, Yargo and I have been discussing the need to change the terms as the original rules do not seem to have worked.”

  “Then why not let them help? These are your terms, are they not?”

  Zelia ran a hand through her hair as she sat up against the headboard, making a mental note to avoid arguing with Linithion. Zivu’s expression shifted as her gaze fell away from Linithion’s.

  “You’re right, I’ll speak with Yargo when I see him. For now, you two should go eat with the boys, I have things to see to.” She stood and left, closing the door behind herself.