He passed her the weapon. From the way Rin held it, Ari could tell that it was a little heavier than the spears she was used to, even though the slim silver shaft was thinner overall. She tested the balance and ran her finger down the shaft as though she was caressing its length.
“The enchantment will be useless to me in a matter of days,” said Rin. “Ravarians don’t produce enough base essence to recharge enchanted items on their own.”
“Closer to weeks,” said Ari. “It’s a mild enchantment, designed more to distract than to destroy. When it runs dry, just bring it back to me and I’ll fill it back up.”
Rin brought the spear through a few of her complicated, swirling offensive movements. Ari watched her expression shift in cute little ways as she apparently decided that the weapon passed the test she was giving it.
“Try the enchantment,” he said. “I want to bask in the greatness of my own handiwork.”
“I would expect that you would,” said Rin. She took a tight hold of the spear and stared at its tip.
“You have to trigger it with your will,” he said. “I can explain how, if you need me to.”
“I know how, chala,” she said.
She pulled the spear back under one arm, setting up for a basic jab. Ari made the mistake of watching the weapon as it moved forward. An explosion of pink and purple light so bright that it made his eyes hurt erupted from the tip of the spear at the end of her strike. He winced and shielded as much as he could with his hand.
“Ooh,” said Rin. “It’s some type of light magic. Does it do damage, too?”
“A small amount, I think.” Ari coughed, feeling suddenly nauseous. “I call it a ‘glimmer.’ Its main benefit is in the distraction it can provide if you catch your opponent off guard with it.”
“I like it,” said Rin. “I love it. I will call this spear ‘Varnasaria.’ Thank you, chala.”
“Varnasaria?” asked Ari. “Does that mean something in your language?”
“It does,” said Rin.
Ari stared at her, still blinking away what remained of the after image from the glimmer, but Rin stoutly refused to elaborate further.
“Anyway,” he said. “I also wanted to let you know that we’re having a celebration tonight. Your presence would be welcome, especially to the children.”
“To the children?” Rin smirked at him. “Not to you?”
“To me, too,” said Ari. “You push yourself hard, Rin. You deserve a chance to relax.”
She licked her lips, setting the butt of her new spear down and leaning against the silver shaft. She seemed to give the invitation an honest moment of consideration before shaking her head.
“I can’t,” she said. “I must run my patrol. I appreciate that you asked, though.”
“I understand,” said Ari.
Rin raised an eyebrow at him. “That’s it? I expected you to push harder than that.”
“You’re a complicated woman, Rin,” said Ari. “It would be easy for me to assume that your scouting adventures are all about the Sai and about getting revenge, but I think there’s more to it than that. I can see that you’re working through something, and I’m here if you ever need to talk about it.”
Ari watched as Rin opened her mouth, and then hesitated. She looked annoyed and aloof, as though she was itching to use her tongue to give him a verbal lashing for assuming she was that vulnerable. He saw her tamping down on her emotions, and she even closed her eyes and took a shallow breath. When she opened them, he could see her pain.
“I appreciate that,” she said. “I just might take up on your offer, chala. Eventually.”
Ari flashed a grin at her. Rin turned away, and he waited for a second too long before doing the same. She swung Varnasaria again, and Ari let out a surprised grunt as the weapon’s enchantment wrought havoc on his eyes again.
CHAPTER 21
Eva wasn’t on watch, and after grabbing the enchanted mace, Ari headed to the next-most likely place where he expected to find her. She’d taken to assisting Virgil with transplanting trees into the living fence they were constructing outside the arena. She was in the middle of dragging one that was nearly twice as tall as she was, with long, magically straightened roots, when Ari found her.
“Hey,” he called up. “Need a hand?”
“If you’re willing, milord,” said Eva.
With the enchantment he’d placed on it, carrying the hulking mace with one hand was no trouble. He took hold of one of the tree’s branches and started helping her along. They brought it to the front of the arena, where Virgil was in the process of shoveling soil to fill in the hole the previous tree had been placed in.
Ari was surprised at the progress that had been made, given that he’d only suggested the idea a few days earlier. With the tree that he and Eva had brought, the base semi-circle had been completed. They’d still need to fill in the space in between the main trees with lesser vegetation, perhaps bramble bushes or young saplings, but with Virgil’s mystica, the arena’s entrance was already far more defensible than it had been a week earlier.
“Thank you, Lady Eva,” said Virgil. “And Lord Stoneblood, you too, of course.”
The Sai teenager bowed to both of them as they shifted the last tree into the pre-dug hole. Virgil set about filling it in, and Ari gestured for Eva to follow him off to the side.
“I’ve got something for you,” he said. “I put an enchantment onto the mace that you were using down in the spire.”
Eva’s hands were covered in dirt, and her face was smudged with it, but her silver-blue hair was set into a pristine braid that she’d tucked into the hem of her tunic. She smiled, but the way she furrowed her brow undercut her expression and made her seem conflicted.
“Ah,” she said. “You shouldn’t have. Really.”
“Here,” said Ari. “Just take hold of the grip and you’ll see what I mean.”
He passed it to her and enjoyed the surprise in both her expression and posture as she accepted the mace, which now weighed less than a quarter of what it had originally when held from the enchanted grip.
“That’s… incredible,” she said. “Is the weight gone, or…?”
“It still weighs as much as ever, and hits as hard as it did before,” said Ari. “The enchantment I placed on it should make it far easier to wield.”
Eva gave the mace a test swing, nodding approvingly.
“It’s quite the weapon,” she said. “To be honest, however, it does not really suit my fighting style. What if we shared it between us? I think it would see more use that way.”
Ari felt an odd, immature sense of dejection at seeing the slight frown on her face and her lack of enthusiasm. He shrugged and accepted the mace as she passed it back to him, already considering possibilities for a weapon he could enchant that might suit her better.
“I could probably come up with something,” he said. “Yeah, I guess I’ll use it for now, then. I also have the option of selling it once we make the trip to Cliffhaven. I’m sure at least a few weapon stores would pay a premium for a mace like this.”
“It is an impressive weapon,” said Eva. “Truly, Aristial, it is. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“No, it’s fine,” said Ari. “Say, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we’re having a celebration tonight, just to help everyone unwind after the past few days.”
Eva winced and clasped her hands in front of her. “Someone will need to be on watch tonight, more than ever. Especially from what I’ve heard about Durrien’s Drakeplum wine.”
“That someone doesn’t have to be you,” said Ari. “You’re allowed to let yourself go every now and then, Eva, just like everyone else.”
“I don’t mind,” said Eva. “I’m more suited to it than most, given how my sword form allows me to rest myself with increased efficiency.”
“Maybe.” Ari frowned and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Even if that’s true, I feel sometimes you take on servant responsibilities because
you feel they’re expected of you, Eva. You don’t have to do that, you know. You’re an equal, like the rest of us.”
She stared at Ari, and there was a curious intensity to her deep blue eyes that made it hard for him to meet her gaze.
“Lord Aristial,” she said. “If there was a way for you to change the enchantments on Azurelight to give me my freedom, would you do it?”
Ari blinked, feeling a little caught off guard by the question. “Yeah, of course.”
“Even if it meant destroying the bond that we share?” asked Eva. “Even if I decided to leave afterward and never return?”
The edge in her voice made his heart burn with sadness, but Ari still nodded. He meant it, too. After everything Eva had done for him, all the times she’d saved his life, or Kerys’ life, she deserved her freedom if it ever became available.
“Your answer is why I doubt I’ll ever seek out a means through which to break our bond,” said Eva. “I care for you, and I enjoy serving you, and if either of those facts ever change, you’ll be the first to know.”
She took a step forward and kissed him. Ari stood there, feeling a hot flush in his face and cheeks, for whatever reason. Eva smiled at him when the kiss ended, and reached her hand down to the mace, which Ari was currently holding.
“Perhaps I will give this weapon a try, for a time,” said Eva. “Though I do think you should consider selling it once we get to Cliffhaven.”
Ari grinned at her. “Let’s just hope I get another chance to see you club some heads with it before then.”
“Let’s hope for the opposite, milord,” said Eva. “For everyone’s sake.”
***
The sun was setting as Ari made his way back into Etheria through the tunnel, and he spotted Durrien beginning the final preparations for the bonfire. It was lively in the main chamber, with Kerys, Grena, and Lady Prestia watching the children as they laughed and chased after one another.
“Ladies,” said Ari, with a sweeping bow. “Might I invite you all to join me at tonight’s celebration?”
“How sweet of you, Lord Stoneblood,” said Lady Prestia. “I would be delighted to accompany you.”
She stepped toward him and extended her arm for him to loop his through. Ari politely patted her elbow and moved to stand next to Kerys, who was rolling her eyes.
“Lady Kerys,” he said, in a mock formal tone. “Will you be attending?”
“Yes, Lord Aristial, I’ll be there,” she said. “Grena even offered to handle the cooking, so I’ll have the night off as long as we collectively keep an eye on the children.”
“That should be within our abilities as a community, I think,” said Ari. “Anything I can help with right now?”
“Not really,” said Kerys. “Maybe just keeping me company?”
Ari grinned and took her hand into his. He couldn’t resist running his thumb across her palm and fingers and silently taking a few more measurements in his head.
He and Kerys corralled the children while Grena, Selene, and Amber began taking the food outside. The sun had set completely, but both moons were out, though neither one was completely full.
Cooking over the bonfire was more for the ambience and the smell rather than practicality. Durrien had set up a spit over one end of the flames, and Grena and Amber began sliding meat and potatoes into place for proper roasting.
Virgil came out of the tunnel wearing a clean tunic and sporting wet hair from a recent shower. Durrien had gone through the trouble of moving a few logs into place to serve as benches, and Ari gestured for Virgil to take a seat next to him and Kerys.
“Are Rin and Lady Eva not joining us, as well?” asked Virgil.
“Eva is on watch.” Ari pointed toward where Eva was, midway through a patrol that took her in a wide circle around Etheria. “Rin is Dormiar knows where. On one of her usual scouting missions.”
“I see,” said Virgil.
“Here.” Durrien came up to the three of them and passed out a clay jug. “It’ll be a few minutes before the food finishes cooking. Have some wine to warm up your appetites.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you were trying to get people drunk, Durrien,” said Ari.
Durrien let out a cackling laugh. “I did use to own an inn, if you recall. It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity.”
Ari took a swig of the rich, sweet plum wine and then offered it to Kerys.
“I’m not really much of a drinker,” she said, though she accepted the bottle. “Maybe just a small sip.”
She let out a cough as she finished drinking, and Ari scooped the jug from her hands before any of its contents could spill. He noticed Virgil watching the wine jug with a hopeful look on his face and passed it his way.
“I’ve… actually never had wine before,” said Virgil.
“How old are you again?” asked Ari.
“Ah... I... uh…” Virgil’s face turned bright red, and he took a sip of the wine and also began coughing. Ari laughed and decided to take on the responsibility of babysitting the jug, for everyone’s sake.
CHAPTER 22
The food smelled incredible. Fat dripped off the gazelle meat, sizzling as it fell into the fire and coals below. The potatoes had a rich, earthy smell to them, and there was a pot of vegetable stew that had a hardy enough scent to serve as a meal unto itself.
Ari was midway toward being drunk when Grena and Amber began pulling the food off the fire. Everyone lined up with clay plates to get their portion, with the children in front and the adults at the back. Ari was at the very end of the line, but he didn’t mind, and there was plenty left.
He had a thick gazelle steak, a small bowl of stew, and two seasoned potatoes on his plate when he found his seat. Knives and eating utensils were rather limited, so outside of the children who had their food cut up for them, everyone else was forced to eat as carefully as they could by hand.
It didn’t make a difference in the slightest. The meat was lean and juicy, with a thin marbling of fat. The potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the stew did double duty, tasting delicious and offering further warmth from the chilly night on top of the fire’s heat.
“Oh…” groaned Ari, as he finished. “I think that was the best meal I’ve ever tasted.”
“Hey!” said Kerys, slapping him playfully on the shoulder. “The one time I’m not cooking and you say it’s the best? Where did the wine go?”
Ari took a quick sip from the jug and passed it to her. Virgil had gone over to sit with his sister, who was giggling at something he’d told her. Durrien was conversing with Grena in the Ravakkios language and doing what seemed like a passable job of it.
“Music!” Durrien said, suddenly. “That’s what we need, isn’t it? Lucky for you all, I thought ahead.”
He ran off, disappearing back down the tunnel into Etheria. A minute or two later, he returned with a handcrafted drum. It was a simple hollow cut of log with waxed leather tied tightly over it. Ari eyed the instrument skeptically.
“A drum beat alone seems like a poor substitute for real music,” said Ari.
“Selene can sing,” said Virgil. “I mean… she used to be able to.”
He shot a glance at his sister. Selene had only spoken a handful of words in the time that Ari had known her. She looked back and forth between Durrien, who’d started testing out the drum, and her brother.
Selene stood up and took a few steps toward the fire. Everyone’s attention locked onto her, and Ari wondered if it might be too much pressure for her. She clasped her hands and brought them to her chest, and then slowly began to sing.
The song was lilting and beautiful, though the lyrics were all in Saidios and incomprehensible to Ari. Selene had a wonderful ability to project her voice, and the sound of it filled the air like an audible spell.
Her first song was slow and entrancing. She paused once it was finished and let out a small laugh.
“It’s the first time she’s
sang since our parents died,” said Virgil. “I almost can’t believe it.”
Selene took a breath and then continued, singing a song that was faster and clearly meant for an accompanying beat, which Durrien quickly began to provide. Selene moved as she sang, stepping from side to side in a simple jig.
“We usually dance when Selene sings this song,” said Virgil.
Ari glanced at Kerys, who looked at him expectantly. He was already reaching his hand out to pull her onto the dance floor when heard Durrien call to him from where he sat drumming.
“Do you mind taking over for a minute, lad?” asked Durrien. “I’ve got someone I’d like to ask for a dance.”
The old man grinned at him, and Ari, despite never having played the drums before, felt as though he couldn’t refuse. He took a seat with his legs around the simple hand drum, doing his best to imitate the same simple rhythm Durrien had been playing. Selene kept singing without interruption, which was approval enough for him.
The children joined in, laughing and dancing around the fire and occasionally running from one another. Ari saw Lady Prestia watching Durrien and Grena dance, and couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps the grizzled former innkeeper might have a choice of partners to move across from for the night.
Virgil was still sitting next to Kerys, with an anxious and uncomfortable expression on his face. He’d look over at her every few seconds, and then glance away the second she met his eye. Kerys had a sly, patient smile on her face. She crossed her legs and tapped a finger on her knee.
It was close to a minute before the young Sai teenager finally worked up the courage to ask the question. He scratched the back of his head, and though Ari was out of earshot, he could see Virgil fumbling over his words and blushing furiously.
Kerys looked directly at Ari before giving her answer. He shrugged and fought to keep an amused smile from stealing across his face. There was something so earnest about Virgil’s crush on Kerys that Ari almost wanted to cheer him on, despite the fact that he was, from an objective standpoint, a competitor for her affections.
Reborn Raiders (The Weatherblight Saga Book 4) Page 13