In A Time Of Darkness

by Gregory James Knoll

  * * * * *

  "We're going the wrong.... way!" Carsis snarled, almost ceasing to move altogether.

  "No, not to do what I originally wished." She spat, continuing the same pace with her horse. Her plan had worked much better than she thought. She simply had to place the Heart against his body and it seemed to have done the rest. At first, he sat completely still, only focusing, but moments after he had twitched, growled then finally stood up so enraged Valaira had to physically force him to head south instead of the place he believed his old group to be. Whatever it was that he saw, whatever planted by the Heart had infuriated him so much that he sought to kill Jeralyle—and most likely Merial—then and there. She had soothed him and convinced him for a time that they needed to head south before they could do anything, and it had worked. But just as he had done with their journey to Hensah, he played the images over and over in his mind. The further they drew away, the harder he fought to go back. Now it seemed as though he would not continue until he received the answers that Valaira had intentionally not given.

  "Where are we going? Valaira?!"

  "Yes, darling?" She asked, finally stopping in order to look at him. She knew when she did give him answers, if they happened before the goals were accomplished, he may refuse—be it because of his own selfishness to complete his desires, or because he still had a shred of dignity, and hurling Eldonia into chaos was still beyond him. She didn't seem to have a choice now. For as much as she could speculate him leaving after the truth came out, it was a guarantee he would if she said nothing. "We are heading south, well across the ocean to a very tiny island with a smooth black obelisk right in the center."

  "That tells me what, it does not tell me why."

  "Had Elryia—or any of the others—told you of Urvagh?"

  "Aye."

  "Good. That is what lies beyond the ocean. The door, the one entrance in and out of that dark abyss..."

  As Valaira began relaying the prophecy to Carsis—and his place in it—Estophicles listened intently along with him. Occasionally casting his glance back towards Hensah, tiny puffs of black smoke still rising, each one bringing a smile to his disfigured face. For the first time, he learned of the Mind, the Soul and the Heart from her story. Instinctively his hand wormed into his pocket, the very tips of his fingers tracing along the formed lines of the now black jewel, graciously given back by his mistress after she had finished with it. He knew from her description and her strange fascination with it earlier, it was what he held. A strange feeling crept over him. Perhaps it was still the emerald driving him mad, but deep in the recesses of his thoughts, he was prideful. Honored he had been bestowed with such a gift, and thankful he had held it sacred and close for this long, for now it may be used to bring about the one thing that brought excitement to his constant boredom—chaos.

  "And I am this Mind you speak of?" Carsis questioned the instant she had finished.

  Valaira nodded, half her mouth frowning, as though that part of her worried he would flee. Yet the other half was smiling, hoping he would join them. "You are... my devious little mind." She whispered, running her fingers through his darkening hair.

  "Why did you not tell me this to begin with?"

  "I worried you would not... appreciate my desire for change in Eldonia."

  It seemed, however brief, that he would do just as she feared and escape. Instead, he turned towards her, rather aggressively and gripped her arms hard, yanking her towards him and nearly pulling her off the horse. "Let us get one thing clear..." Estophicles jerked and went to intercept, but Valaira was wearing a look he didn't quite understand for the situation she was in; it was not one of pain, but exhilaration, and with a finger she held him where he was. "I do not care... about this world, or anyone in it. I only seek one thing: Jeralyle's death. If opening this door will further me on to my own goals, I will do it. We had an agreement. I help you, you help me." He squeezed, pulling her tighter to him, his nails biting into her flesh. "But if you deceive me, keep things from me, or try to manipulate me into doing anything as you do with others, I assure you I will know. And you will regret it. Understand?" She nodded slowly, her eyes wide and excited. Her response did not seem enough for Carsis. "Do you understand?!"

  "Yes... I understand."

  "Good..."

  He let her go, nearly flinging her back. As he rode on a slight snarl crept over his lips, but it held a soft edge, almost like a demented smile had formed from it.

  Valaira watched and remained silent until he was much farther ahead. Once the gap was long enough for her voice not to carry, she turned to Estophicles, then examined the gashes on her arm that were already beginning to heal. "What a... wonderful man. What do you think of him, Est?"

  ".... I like him."

  "As do I. This worked better than I had hoped."

  "And now?"

  "On to the ocean, where we will set sail for our tiny isle."

  Estophicles bowed cordially to her, remaining at her side as he always had. Without a word he reached into his pocket, the Heart within his palm, and suggested that she take it. She simply shook her head and pushed his hand away. The Heart was important to him, and without it he would certainly lose the powers it had given him. The speed, the magick, the ability to create illusions would be gone, but it was something he would cast off without regret. His desire was to serve only her. In life, she sought the same things he did. Yet unlike his brother, Gerin, or Idimus, she actually had the power to attain them, and they were now well on their way.