Talína sat back in her chair as she took in everything I had said to her. I’d told her all she needed to know while still leaving out a great deal, to Saibra’s obvious relief. Yet, when Talína remained quiet for some time, I began to grow nervous. Had I said too much? Was she able to read more into my words than I’d spoken, deciphering the full truth from what little I’d relayed? Finally, Talína spoke, giving me my answer.
“The ways of the Sintári have been lost to many, Empress, but not to all,” she replied, staring me straight in the eye as she did. “My people are not quite as ignorant as the rest. We took our knowledge of the past with us when we retreated to Isouri, and although we lost a great deal of that knowledge over the many centuries, the tale of the Tári is still known to us, at least to those few of us who cared to read the old stories.”
“Only two dusty old tomes remain to tell the tale of your people, but I have read them both, cover to cover, many times over,” Talína went on. “Most of it concerned the exploits of your ancestors; still, a few stories about the ways of your people were included as well. You seemed to already be aware of everything I’d read in those books, save the Tári, so I thought it was only a legend of sorts. Yet what you have just revealed tells me that they are real; that the honored companions of the Sintári now walk these very halls beside me. It seems that I am surrounded by legends, yet I did not even know they were here.”
“I will do as you ask, Empress, happily,” Talína concluded. “Tell me who it is I am to teach my magic to, and they shall have it.”
“You would honor myself and all of my Tári if you would teach your magic to my Tári, Líann,” I responded, holding Talína’s gaze as I spoke.
This time, Talína was not able to hide the shock of my revelation. Líann may have undergone a rather incredible series of transformations, but the nature of the changes she’d undergone was not quite well-known. She still had a rather poor public image in that regard, one that we didn’t bother trying to dissuade, as it worked to our advantage to have her perceived so.
“The Empress may forgive you if word of this ever gets out,” Saibra stepped forward to loom over Talína ominously, fingering the hilt of her blade as she did so. “But I won’t.”
Before I could rein Saibra in, Talína responded.
“I would never betray the Empress. Or you, honored Tári.”
Talína’s keen observation startled me for a moment, but then I realized my mistake—I’d told her just how few people knew the truth and allowing Saibra to remain beside me made it clear that my guardian was among those few. Saibra was no high advisor or confidant, leaving only one other reason why she’d be one of the small number who knew my secret.
“We can trust her, Saibra,” I said as I reached out and pulled my Tári back from where she still towered over Talína’s seated form.
“You can,” Talína assured us both. “I have read the tales of the Sintári many times since I first came across them in my youth. I never thought to have the honor of serving one of them, let alone to be included in their councils. There is nothing that would make me betray your confidence, Empress, or yours, Saibra Tári. You are both legends come to life, and I am honored beyond words to serve you.”
While Talína’s solemn promise did, in fact, assure me of her discretion, her disclosure was also troubling on another count.
“How many others have read those same stories, Talína?” I asked. “If these tales are widely known, my enemies may try to seek out and harm my Tári.”
“Very few, Empress,” she replied without hesitation. “And I’m probably the only one who studied them so closely. I can write to Queen Nadiel and request that these tomes be restricted, or even that she send them to you if that would ease your concern.”
“Do that,” I answered her. “Have them sent to me so that I can read them for myself. Perhaps there will be something in them that may even help me.”
“If that is all, Empress,” Talína said as she rose from her seat. “I will go now and see to your commands.”
I simply nodded back to her and Talína limped away slowly as she made her way back to her offices.
“I’m not sure that was very wise of you,” Saibra offered as soon as the door closed. “She knew far too much about you… about us than she had any right to.”
Under normal circumstances, I would have agreed with Saibra’s assessment. Talína’s knowledge of the Tári went well beyond anything mere coincidence could account for. Yet I’d learned that my life involved forces much more powerful than simple happenstance. I drew people to me, and the powers at play brought them to me for a purpose. Talína was clearly one of those people, as was Saibra; a fact that it might be helpful to remind her of.
“What Talína knows is where two books about the Sintári are,” I pointed out. Our own quick searches of the libraries we’d passed during our travels had found nothing on the subject, so discovering the location of two such tomes was rather remarkable.
“The fact that she’d studied those particular books is no mere accident,” I continued as Saibra looked on skeptically. “I have no doubt that she has been sent to me so that I could find those books, just as you came to me for a reason. You may think that you were on a mission to kill me, but in truth, you were sent because you are my Tári, and so I could heal you.”
I didn’t bother to differentiate between Insleí’s actions and Saibra’s as I spoke, and she didn’t try to correct me either. They were one in the same person, even if they’d led two distinct lives. We fell back on the fiction of their separation when it was required, but we both knew the truth: Insleí was the past; Saibra was the future, and that was the only real distinction between the two.
A simple nod was once again Saibra’s only response, and once I had it, we left the room together, crossing through Talína’s busy offices as we made our way to the guest suite we’d be sharing for a few days. My weekly breakfast with Líann was scheduled for the next morning, so I stopped to let Talína know that I’d have Líann come up to see her the next day, sparing her the tedious task of limping up and down the many stairs that lay between my offices and Líann’s chambers far below. Talína didn’t bother to hide her relief and whispered her promise again to keep the secret we’d entrusted her with before Saibra and I moved on.
We had a bit of time before having dinner with my companions and advisors, so I retired to our rooms for a while. I placed a trap across the lone entrance to the chambers, and after a quick inspection of the entire suite, Saibra took a seat across from me—far across from me.
In many ways, I found the return of her guarded glances and nervous reluctance amusing. Although we’d done little more than lay together during the nights we shared, she’d still come a long way from the woman who refused to even let me see her bare arms the first time she came to me. But I also appreciated the profound unease she must have been feeling. That night would be a very different experience for her. I would be delving deep inside her, making my first attempt at healing the scars that were hidden there. Despite the few conversations we’d had about that, I hadn’t really described the process to Saibra yet; a fact that had undoubtedly added to her unease. So, I stood up and took the seat beside her and began to explain just what she could expect.
“I’m going to start making you better tonight, Saibra,” I took hold of her hand as I spoke, and she didn’t resist me as I did. “You need to know what to expect when I do.”
“This is a very intimate process, but not in a physical sense,” she was visibly relieved as I revealed that fact to her. “I will only need to place my hand over your heart, so you can wear whatever you’re comfortable with, as long as it allows me to do that.”
“It should only take a few moments, but after I synchronize our heartbeats, I will be able to pull myself inside you. Once I’m there, I’ll be able to see what we’re dealing with, and I can begin the process. Until I know more, I can’t tell you how many times we’ll need to do this before you�
�re truly healed, but I can tell you this—the need for me to venture inside you this way will never end. I already know that your wounds will always need some tending, and I will do that for you forever.”
“Will there be pain?”
“I don’t think so,” I replied as best I could. “Although I’ve done this many times, it’s only been with a few different people. There’s never been any pain, but my experience is somewhat limited.”
“Then we will do what must be done,” Saibra declared with quiet words of resolve.
I sat beside her in silence, not wanting to disturb the moment. Saibra hadn’t let go of my hand when our discussion ended, and whether that was merely some odd oversight on her part or if she was aware that I was still holding onto her, I couldn’t be sure. All I knew was that we were sharing something special, and I didn’t want it to end too soon.
We sat together like that for a while, and before I knew it, it was time to head down to the dining room where our meal was to be served. Saibra remained beside me the entire time, seemingly unaware that our hands were still wrapped together because when I stood and pulled her up, she stared down at our clasped hands with a surprised expression.
“It can be nice to share yourself, Saibra,” I gave her fingers a slight squeeze when she realized just how long we’d been holding onto each other.
“It was,” she whispered back to me.
I pulled her along until we reached the door that led outside, and only then did I release her hand from my grip. She let go of me reluctantly, obviously sharing the simple pleasure of the contact, just as I did. It was good to see some of the closeness we’d grown into on the road home return again, and I hoped that once I’d done what I could to heal her, we could begin working on that again. Something about Saibra was profoundly special to me, and I wanted nothing more than to get to know her even better. She was my mirror image in some ways; rising from the ashes of her previous life to create a new and better version of herself, all the while battling her own inner demons.
“I’ll be ready for you once you’ve fixed me, Empress,” Saibra startled me by echoing my own thought so closely—and the intensity of her gaze let me know just how profoundly she’d meant her words.
“It’s alright, even if you’re not,” I replied. “I won’t rush you; you’re far too important to me for that.”
Saibra responded with just a slight nod before we stepped outside to make our way downstairs.
Nearly everyone I held dear had been invited to attend, and as I looked around the table, I couldn’t help but smile at seeing all their faces gathered around. My Ministers, companions, and Tári were all in attendance, in addition to Hollyn, who had also been included as the First Marshal’s wife. Despite the fact that I’d only left her a short while ago, I was glad to see that Talína was present as well. The promotion I’d granted her earlier included her in such gatherings, and I was happy to see that she’d taken it upon herself to attend, as I had somehow overlooked inviting her myself. I’d already come to learn that Talína was far too keen to allow such matters to pass by unnoticed, and she was obviously more than willing to take matters into her own hands when necessary.
I made no speeches or pronouncements; I only took my seat just like everyone else and joined in the banter that was going on all around me. The heavy topics of our recent battles or the struggles ahead of us were pointedly ignored in favor of lighter matters. Although it was obvious to all that this was the case, we still were happy to be relieved of their burdens, even if it was just for a while.
Talína herself was the source of many of the pleasantries we discussed, as she relayed the news of events that had transpired while we were away. She told us of the marriages, births, and new arrivals, along with some of the various details of the growth within the Imperial District during our long absence. Her happy demeanor as she spoke proved quite infectious, and once she’d recounted all of the positive events she’d administered over while we were away, I couldn’t help but be even more impressed by her ability.
Many toasts were made in honor of the pleasant occurrences, and although I joined in those, I took care not to drink too much—with one more very important task ahead of me that night, I simply could not afford to let myself get carried away. Líann kept trying to refill my cup, however, while constantly prodding me throughout the night. I knew what she was after, though, and I could feel the desire in her as she sat by my side. Even though I shared those feelings, Líann would just have to wait a little bit longer than she seemingly wanted to—I owed it to Saibra to follow through on what I’d promised her.
Still, I could sense Líann’s disappointment as I let Saibra lead me back upstairs when the night grew late. But once we started climbing the steps that would bring us to the privacy of the rooms we shared, I began to look forward to beginning the process of healing my stoic protector. Saibra was profoundly guarded, yet I knew there was much more inside her than the mere shell I’d seen so far. Healing Ella and then Irisse had been extremely rewarding for me, yet I knew that solving the riddle of Saibra would be my greatest accomplishment in that regard. Unfortunately, when we entered the guest suite, I discovered that we’d have to wait just a little while longer before we could begin—Nentai and Lady Death herself were sitting comfortably in the chairs Saibra and I had occupied only a short while before.
Saibra immediately moved to take a knee before the two Goddesses, but I quickly grabbed her arm and held her upright instead. Nentai looked on in amusement as I did so, while Lady Death’s expression was hidden from me behind the dark folds of her cowl.
“You have told me I should stay on my feet in your presence, Mother,” I reminded Nentai. “My Tári deserve that same courtesy.”
“I will allow this in private, Daughter,” the look of amusement seemed only to increase as she replied to me. “And in public as well—once you let them be known, that is.”
So now even my own mother was going to pressure me to reveal myself and my Tári to the world it seemed. Still, I took her concession for the half-victory that it was and nodded for her to proceed with whatever had brought the two Goddesses to us that night.
“Saibra,” Nentai startled both of us by addressing her directly. “Overcoming the consequences of the very difficult life Insleí led will not be an easy thing. I want to wish you—both of you, the very best as you begin working to heal those wounds.”
“But I am here to offer you far more than just my goodwill, or at least my sister is,” Nentai finished, as she gestured for Lady Death to speak next.
“Raithe was most displeased when you abandoned her, Saibra,” Lady Death’s soft whisper came to us from within the depths of her hood. “But before I name you my champion, you must know that I will not be quite so forgiving as her, should you betray me.”
The fact that Mother had finally persuaded one of her siblings to name one of my Tári her champion was incredible. Knowing that it was Lady Death who’d taken up the challenge and that she’d chosen Saibra for the honor was absolutely amazing. I was certain that whatever boons came along with Lady Death’s blessing, they would be extremely powerful weapons in Saibra’s deadly hands.
As if in response to my thoughts, Lady Death pulled forth a pair of matched swords from within one of the many folds of her jet-black cloak. Although they were clearly well-made, the weapons seemed quite plain and unadorned—as far as I could see, the twin swords were solid black; scabbard, hilt, and all. But as Saibra took hold of the weapons, the blades glowed with a black aura, unsettlingly similar to the dark pulse that had ended Zedd’s life. The quick flare of darkness ended abruptly without any apparent effects, however, at least not on us.
It was the blades themselves that had been altered by the magic, and when the darkness ebbed, the plain swords were not quite so plain anymore. The scabbards had a thin filigree of silver etching traced over their surface, and the hilts bore similar details across their crossguards and grips. Blue-gray stones had been set in the matc
hing pommels, perfectly mirroring the varied tones of Saibra’s eyes. It was that final detail which made me realize what had happened—the pulse of darkness had been the blades matching themselves to Lady Death’s champion; the weapons had taken their new form from Saibra herself.
“Your kills still belong to the Sintári, but as my champion, I will claim the souls of anyone you slay with these blades,” the Goddess explained as we stared at the reformed swords in awe. “They will not pass into the afterlife but will serve to nourish me instead. So long as you continue to wield these blades in battle, I will consider you to be my champion. You are free to use other weapons as circumstances may require, Saibra, or to spare some particular individual from the fate that these blades impose, but if you ever forsake my gifts, I will come for you, and you will know my fury.”
“I will honor your gifts with blood, Lady Death,” Saibra replied solemnly, and although she took a knee before the Goddess as she spoke, I made no move to halt the gesture. A pact had been made between them, and as far as I was concerned, Saibra’s motion was an appropriate acknowledgement of that contract.
“See that you do,” Lady Death commanded.
With her task complete, the Goddess’ form shimmered for a fraction of a second before she vanished completely, leaving us alone with Nentai.
“You have a great deal ahead of you tonight, so I will leave you now as well, Daughter,” Nentai offered as we stood before her.
“Thank you, Mother—for everything.”
“I’m not done yet,” Nentai winked back at me just before she vanished.
Although I truly appreciated all that she’d done for me, I was glad to hear that there was still more to come. Venna and Saibra were both well-equipped, but while Ella had the best armor and weapons we could forge, and Líann had my old bow, the Never Ending Quiver, and Zedd’s sword, I wanted even better for both of them, especially Líann. She was the most vulnerable of them all, as well as my Táriel, so only the best would do for her. Still, at the moment, I was most interested in Saibra’s new blades.
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