Citrine opened her mouth. She wanted to tell them they were wrong, she did not command Morag, he joined her of his own free will. Although the offer was tempting, she wanted to know more about the haven they offered her and the so-called power. What did they mean?
Aer’wyna stood and banged her trident on the stone. An audible gasp went through the crowd, and then a low tune was sung out. Aer’wyna marched down the steps of her throne to stand in front of Citrine. Her expression was stern and yet a glint of compassion shone out in her eyes. “We’ve heard of the mortals, and the war between the mortals and immortals. We know there was once a time when the people groups of the South World lived in terror and hiding, waiting for the Great Conqueror to arise. We face a similar situation living in hiding, waiting for an attack. If you should help us out of the kindness of your heart, so be it. But I also know you have mighty blood in your veins, and if you gain a kingdom for yourself and your beasts, it would be a worthy gift. We know about the power of an Enchantress, we know about spells and protection, and more than that, we know about treasure. Look above you and see our collection of gems. We have anything our hearts desire. And thus, if you fight for us, a great gift will be bestowed upon you.”
Citrine’s thoughts flickered. What about the stone and the treasure that Zilpha had attempted to kill her for? Would it be worth the adventure? She thought of Old Edna creeping into her cave, and the spell of protection she used to hide her beasts from wondering eyes. She already knew it would not be enough, and here she had been presented with a chance. She would talk it over with her beasts and determine how to help the Udi. Setting her jaw, she met Aer’wyna’s gaze. “Aye. I will help.”
29
Unfriendly Suggestions
Lord Nodin, in beast form, thundered down the stairs, leaping across steps until he was far ahead. Tor Lir followed, doing his best to keep up although he felt astonished by how quickly the beast navigated. The tower shook again, and he momentarily wondered how much control Lord Nodin held over the beast of shadows. What if it broke free? What would happen to the city? And then it hit him as clear as daylight. The chaos in the city was caused by Lord Nodin and his beast of shadows—it was the doom he’d brought to Sanga Sang.
The tower shook once more, but by the time Tor Lir reached the ground level where he’d first entered, it was silent, and he heard nothing. He paused, frowning, unsure which direction Lord Nodin had gone. As he wavered in indecision, a slapping sound arrested his attention. Spinning toward a gaping opening, he heard labored breathing, and then, bursting out of the depths, a young female appeared. She wore a tattered gown, covered in dirt and rubble. Blood smeared her arms and her eyes were wide in fright as they landed on him. Her expression changed from terror to surprise, and she paused in the archway, staring at him.
“Zilpha?” he asked, unable to hide his astonishment as the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Of course. She worked with Lord Nodin. It explained why she had gone to Citrine for knowledge and then on the treasure hunt. “I see.” He followed up coldly, crossing his arms. “You work with him.”
Confusion crossed Zilpha’s brow, and she glanced behind her. “Who? What?”
Tor Lir frowned. “Don’t pretend you know nothing of what I speak about. The treasure. Lord Nodin. I know. There’s no use hiding anymore. So, tell me, what happened with Citrine?”
Zilpha’s face turned red, and she looked away. “Lord Nodin? Have you seen him? Is he here?”
Tor Lir eyed her, wondering if it were possible she’d been kept in the dark. He turned his back on her, aware she would not give him further information.
“Please!” her tone was fraught with need, rising to a crescendo, almost on the edge of a scream. “Where are you going? Take me with you!”
“Why?” he snarled, glancing over his shoulder at her. “You refused to give me information before, I have no use for you.”
“But the beast.” Tears filled her eyes, a ploy to keep his attention. “It will surely slay us.”
Lord Nodin’s warning was pushed to the forefront of Tor Lir’s thoughts. It would kill them. He turned back around. “Did you see it?”
“It’s below. It saw me and thought I was going to steal its eggs. They are hatching.”
Tor Lir’s eyebrows shot up. Hatching? Did Lord Nodin have the ability to control the beast of shadows and its young?
The tower shook and groaned in warning as if it were listening to their conversation. Tor Lir held out his arms for balance while Zilpha cowered on the floor. After a moment she rose, her eyes darting about the entry way. She pointed. “There’s the door. We can leave!”
She sprinted across the stone floor, her long dark hair tumbling around her shoulders and her breath coming rough and ragged. Suddenly a roar erupted, and a sour odor wafted through the air, heavy like the scent of an animal. Tiny bird-like screeches pierced the air. Tor Lir and Zilpha ran as one, making for the door, yet before they reached it, the bull-like creature, Lord Nodin, dashed in front of them, bellowing. His amber eyes were wide in a rage, and he reached out hairy arms and snatched up Zilpha. She screamed in raw fear, and Tor Lir saw she was not aware of the power Lord Nodin had to shift his form. Her feet kicked out, but Lord Nodin did not seem to mind her thrashing. Twisting his horned head to Tor Lir, he barked out, “Time is of the essence. Go. Find Citrine and bring her to me. When the sun sets tomorrow, this city will be cast into chaos if you do not comply.”
Tor Lir’s eyes narrowed, furious at Lord Nodin’s ability to command him. He doubted they had until sunset, and yet he ran all the same, spinning to the door and throwing it open. As he fled, the last thing he heard were Zilpha’s screams. “Please. Come back. Don’t leave me alone with this monster. Don’t leave me—”
Her raw scream was cut off at the end and although he felt the need to help, he also knew no harm would come to her in the hands of Lord Nodin. He was something strange, but perhaps not a murderer. At least, not yet. Swallowing hard, Tor Lir dashed down the cobblestone road, winding down toward the sea. He took the passage that led toward the cave where Citrine hid, hoping she’d be there.
30
On Shore
Citrine’s ears rang as she walked, barefoot, along the shore. Aer’wyna had left her on a cove, far enough from the city so she would not be spotted, but close enough so she could walk back. The fishing boats weren’t out, and yet a growing din steered her in the right direction. Citrine considered calling Grift or Ava to take her back to her cozy cave, and yet she rejected the opportunity. Despite the spell of protection she’d cast over her beasts, it was still dangerous for them to enter the city or fly around it. After the message from the Under Water World People, Citrine’s sense of unease had increased tenfold. She needed to find Tor Lir, gather her beasts and flee the city before some other calamity could strike. Clenching her fists and setting her jaw, she made long strides as she strode toward the port.
White sails flared into view as she reached the wooden structure. She saw a mass of people shouting and waving on the shore as two gigantic ships slid gracefully toward the city. On the prow of each ship was carved a female with long flowing hair. Her arms were bent and hands cupped to protect a secret while the rest of her body disappeared into the wooden carving of the ship.
Citrine glanced at them and strode on, past the smelly fish, the white seagulls screeching in the air, and the shouts and cheers in the port. She raised her eyebrows, frowning as she saw a crowd gathering. She elbowed her way through the mass, frustrated at them for slowing her down. Just when she was almost through, she heard her name shouted out. “Citrine? Citrine is that you?”
Her first instinct was to run. She had to find Tor Lir, and the voice sounded unfamiliar. “Citrine!” The shout came again, a shout full of joy and excitement. Reluctantly she paused and glanced behind her. The person waving both hands at her made her pause and turn around completely. Relief swept through her. “Triften?”
Citrine’s cheeks lifted in a smile, and s
he held out her arms as she strode to meet her old friend. Triften slid his slender body through the mass of people congregating on the shore; some waved and clapped him on the back as he made his way to Citrine. He grasped her forearms in his hands, stopping short of embracing her, and squeezed. He grinned, his blue eyes crinkling and his open face lighting up. “Citrine.” He did not let go. “It gladdens my heart to see you. How have you been the past year?”
Citrine pulled back slightly. She and Triften had first met in the land of Novor Tur-Woodberry—a glorious paradise that vanished after Citrine and Tor Lir defeated the Master of the Forest. Although he was nothing but friendly and open, unease beset her, for Triften knew about her beasts. She’d seen awe on his face and questions she could not answer without betraying her heritage. It was one thing to tell Tor Lir and Novor Tur-Woodberry who she was, but it was quite another to reveal her identity to a mere mortal. She could only do so much with her book of spells to protect her beasts, and they were oath bound to never harm a mortal.
“Triften. . . I—”
“You’ve been here all this time?” he went on, finally letting go of her and running his fingers through his light hair. He was light-skinned and handsome, but he was shorter than her, forcing him to look up. He traveled the world telling stories of his first-hand encounters with wars and adventures across the South World.
Citrine caught her breath as she wondered what stories Triften had told about what he had seen and heard before the land of Novor Tur-Woodberry disappeared. A sudden chill shook her, but more important were the urgent words from the Under Water World People. She had to go. “Aye, I’ve been here for a time. What brings you to the city?”
Triften crossed his arms over his chest. “The autumn equinox is almost here. And the festival. I usually attend this city’s celebrations.” He stepped forward until she could smell the sea stuck to his clothing. His white shirt billowed in the breeze, showing off glimpses of his hairless chest. Citrine felt a twinge within, but she brushed it aside. It had been too long since she had enjoyed the warmth of a male’s embrace. Far too long. While she did not desire Triften, the fact that he was standing in front of her, smelling of sweat and sea, awakened her cravings. Or perhaps she was more aware now after being in the presence of the Udi.
“Oh aye, the celebration. Triften, I don’t have time to talk right now, I must be going. But I will see you during the festival?”
A flash went through his eyes, something wild and urgent. Triften’s hand came out, falling on Citrine’s arm. She paused just short of flinching. “Citrine, this is important. Does Tor Lir still travel with you? Is he here in the city?”
“Aye,” Citrine responded, and then cocked her head, wishing the words back into her mouth. “Why do you ask?”
“I desire to speak with him of urgent matters.” Triften’s voice dropped, and he leaned forward, his mouth coming inappropriately close to Citrine’s ear. “Do you know who he is? What he is?”
Citrine stood a step back, a smile coming to her face as she bit back a laugh. “Of course. He’d tell you if you asked him. He’s the Nameless One.”
A pink color came to Triften’s face. His eyes sought the ground, and he gave a nod. “Do let me know if you hear from him. I can be found at the temple.”
Citrine’s lips thinned, and her eyes widened. “At the temple? It seems rather an odd lodging. Why not the tavern?”
Triften grinned. “I have my ways.”
The clamorous voices around her suddenly took up a chant. “Make way. Make way. Disciples of Ithar. Disciples of Ithar.”
“I must go.” Triften’s smile remained, and an eager light came to his intense blue eyes. “Citrine, I hope to see you again very soon.”
Citrine almost missed his words, distracted. The words the crowd chanted whistled to her ears like arrows. A warning sounded in her mind, and a recollection came hard and fast. Disciples of Ithar. They were a zealous sect, a spin-off of the Order of the Wise and the Wise Ones. Their purpose was to guard against the rise of the immortals and keep those with great power from abusing the freedom of the mortals. Novor Tur-Woodberry had warned her and Tor Lir to stay away from them. There may come a time when they find out about you and seek to kill or consume your knowledge and power.
A fear gripped Citrine’s heart, and she momentarily forgot her mission while she watched Triften weave through the crowd. Within seconds, he was lost, and Citrine turned and pushed her way through the crowd, her footsteps speeding up into a run, her heart thudding with every footfall. The words doom, doom, doom rose in her ears.
31
Dire Choices
Golden leaves crunched under Citrine’s bare feet as she dashed up the slope to her cave. Out of breath, she called out reassurances to her beasts, letting them know she was home and safe. Although the word safe felt unkind on her tongue, like biting into a rotten apple. A sixth sense made her pause as she approached the dark entrance of the cave. A fire flickered inside, dancing across Ava’s blue scales. Her sides rose and fell, and Citrine smiled before ducking into the entrance, stepping over Zaul’s sleeping form. She ran her fingers over his tough green hide, a thrill coming to her as she saw her beasts again. Her eyes moved over to the fire and she saw a form rise, tossing back the hood of his black cloak as he faced her.
Citrine recoiled and then breathed a sigh of relief. She reminded herself that her beasts would permit no one to enter without warning her. “Tor Lir,” Citrine said. “It is good you’re here, I need to speak with you.”
“Citrine,” Tor Lir paused, his emerald eyes moving over her appearance. “What happened to you? Why are you wearing that frock?”
His words rankled her, and she scowled. She marched across the cave and snatched up one of her cloaks as she moved past the fire. She tossed it around her shoulders and stood over the fire, rubbing her hands together, grateful for the warmth even though Tor Lir’s words peeved her. “If you must know, that good-for-nothing girl, Zilpha, hit me on the head with a rock and left me for dead.”
Tor Lir snorted. “Zilpha? She’s quite tiny and doesn’t look like she has it in her. You let her wallop you?”
Citrine put her hands on her hips. “Why did you come here? To laugh at my misfortune?”
“Nay, I have serious news.” He leaned against one of the boulders, his voice dropping to a sonorous tone. “Remember when we last spoke, about the treasure?”
“What about it?” Citrine huffed impatiently.
“That’s why you and Zilpha went out to sea the other day, isn’t it? To find the treasure?”
Citrine blinked, her gaze falling into the fire. Again, she saw the crystal winged horse and the aura of sacredness that surrounded her. But before she could reach out a hand, the rock had smashed over her head and darkness took her. Citrine jerked out of the fog, meeting Tor Lir’s gaze. “Aye, that’s when she hit me and ran off with the treasure.”
Tor Lir knelt in front of the fire, meeting Citrine’s gaze. “I saw the treasure. I held it in my hands. It’s called a Clyear. Zilpha is in league with Lord Nodin, and he controls the beast of shadows.”
Citrine held up both hands. “Slow down. What are you talking about? Start at the beginning.”
Tor Lir did. He told her of the beast he’d seen and reminded her of his conversation with the friars in the temple. From there he admitted to questioning Zilpha at the tavern and following her to shore and then to the tower. “Lord Nodin is like nothing I have seen before. He is both Tider and beast. He says he is of the Therian, have you heard of such a thing?”
“Tor Lir.” Citrine frowned. “Yes. I know what a Clyear is, and I have heard, vaguely, of the Therian. How do you not know these things? If, indeed, it is a Clyear, then the words Old Edna spoke are true. Do you know where it is? Can you take me to it?”
“Lord Nodin requires that you and I return to the tower. He says we must help him break the curse over the Therian, and if we refuse, he will loose his beast on this city.”
&
nbsp; Citrine gasped, the sharp intake of breath almost choking her. She sat down heavily and tucked her legs under her. Gazing into the fire, she sought for some kind of sign to lead and guide her in the flames. This time, there was no friendly giant, Novor Tur-Woodberry, to confirm what she should do. She clenched her fists and met Tor Lir’s gaze. His eyes were cool and impassive, which made him appear haughty; however, she knew he was only hiding his true emotions. Still, his words made her feel unsteady, and an emotion she could not explain—a cross between anger and fear—made her fingers shake as she held her hands over the fire. Firmly, she met Tor Lir’s patient gaze and opened her mouth. “I have terrible news. The Disciples of Ithar are here.”
32
A Worthy Cause
Tor Lir’s eyes widened, and his brows lowered. First the Clyear and now the Disciples of Ithar? Was this a test of his will to keep the balance? His fists closed. “How do you know this? Are they searching for me? You? Us?”
“Listen, let me start at the beginning.” Citrine waved his words away and her lemon-yellow eyes gazed at the fire like she was weaving a tale out of ash and smoke. “Zilpha came to me, requesting help, and what she described was the treasure you and I discussed. I must admit, I wanted it for myself, and I told her instead of payment I would search with her. We set out the day before last from the port, following the shoreline until we reached a cove. I climbed out of the boat first, in my haste forgetting that mortals are selfish and evil. She tried to kill me, and I can only blame myself for not setting the necessary precautions. When I woke it was dark, and she’d left me for dead. I moved to escape, but a creature attacked me, and then the strangest thing happened. A being came out of the water, saved me, and then took me down to her home under the waters. Tor Lir. I met the Under Water World People, the Udi, and they need our help. They live in reefs under the waters but face daily battles from a clan of intelligent monsters. In fact, while I was down there, a great Cryptid attacked them. It was an evil beast, a demon…” A frown came to Citrine’s face, and a glint of fear shone in her eyes. “She is called Tretis, the mother of all. The Udi asked me to help them defeat the monsters, and I agreed. But first I told them I had to return to land and find you and my beasts. Tor Lir, we must go to them and help them fight off the Cryptids. You are the keeper of the balance. You can keep their line from dying out.”
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