The Immortal Game

by Talia Rothschild

  As soon as his fingers met the cool stone, the surface began to glow.

  “Over here!” he bellowed.

  The others came running, guiding their horses with them. Iyana dropped to her knees beside him, bending over to read the silver and gold writing that appeared across the marker.

  Take to King Aegeas’s realm and sail toward winter’s dawn.

  Two days on.

  “King Aegeas’s realm. That’s the Aegean Sea. But toward ‘winter’s dawn’?” Iyana looked up and stared out at the water. “It’s summer, we can’t wait—”

  “Southeast,” Galene interrupted. Braxtus turned and caught Kostas shooting an appreciative glance at her. “The sun rises farther to the south during winter. We sail for two days southeast.”

  “Sail on what?” Demitri studied the marker. “We don’t have a boat.”

  “We don’t need one.” Galene turned to her horse and slapped its rump, sending it fleeing across the sand. Then she sprinted into the water.

  “Galene!” Iyana stood. “What are you doing?”

  “You’ll see!”

  Kostas sent the other horses after Galene’s. Braxtus swallowed as he watched them go.

  Galene stood knee-high in the sea, digging through a pouch at her belt. Pulling something free, she began whispering to her cupped hand. Her fingers lit with a green glow, light blazing between the cracks. She pulled her arm back and threw the object out into the waves.

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “My father’s boon!”

  “But we needed that to breathe underwater, not to travel.” Demitri pushed out after her.

  “I did use it for you to breathe.” She turned to them, eyes glowing. “Leave the traveling to me, and get in the water!”

  No one moved.

  Galene looked at them desperately. Braxtus met eyes with Iyana, mutual apprehension running between them. Underwater. Away from air, away from fire. His flames danced a little brighter on his fingers.

  Galene threw out her hands. “Fine, I’ll go by myself.” She turned to run deeper into the sea.

  “Wait!” Iyana leapt forward at once. “Just … just tell us how this works.”

  Galene shifted, eyes flicking toward their pursuers as she answered in a rush. “It’s a magical shift of your lungs breathing water instead of air. The transition can be jarring. The air or water already in your lungs doesn’t just disappear when you change elements. The best way to do it is to exhale everything so your lungs are empty. Then you can take in the new element without having to choke anything up afterward.”

  “What if it doesn’t work?” Braxtus asked, heart racing at the thought of intentionally sucking in a chest full of salt water.

  “Then I’ll be here to pull you up and make sure you’re okay.”

  Her words didn’t do much to comfort him. Galene’s obvious impatience grew.

  Kostas blew out a long gust of air, then ran into the waves. He dove under, and Braxtus shuddered, staring at where he disappeared. They waited in silence.

  After what felt like eternity, Kostas’s head popped out of the waves. He sputtered a little, staggering to his feet, but his eyes were alight.

  “It works!” he exclaimed, voice hoarse. “Don’t worry, it’s easy. Come on.”

  Fear squeezed Braxtus’s chest, but it seemed to be enough for the others.

  Iyana quickly braided back her hair. Casting one more look of anxiety at Braxtus, she took Demitri’s hand and dove with him under the water.

  Braxtus couldn’t bring himself to move. His memories of the water weren’t fond.

  Shouts of Chrysander’s comrades sounded in the distance. He looked back. Lights sprang into view at the edge of the tree line.

  Galene stretched her hand out to him. Smothering his flames, he swallowed and accepted her gesture, letting her lead him into deeper waters.

  She breathed out, signaling for Braxtus to do the same. He did so, glancing at the night-black water around him, lengthening his exhale as much as possible. He could see nothing. Anything could be down there.

  “Ready?” Galene asked.

  No. He nodded.

  Galene sank down, guiding him with her. It took all of his strength not to suck in a breath before his head went under. He kept his eyes closed, knowing the salt water would sting.

  “Braxtus?” Galene’s voice sounded strange as it rippled through the water to his ears. He held his breath.

  “Braxtus!” someone else called.

  He shook his head. He couldn’t do this. Hands grabbed his shoulders and he opened his eyes to see Kostas, hair undulating, tunic flowing around him. The water felt fine against his eyes—he could see clearly, and it didn’t sting at all. But he could taste the salt pressing against his lips, wanting to flood his lungs. His chest ached and his head swam.

  Kostas shook him. “Breathe.”

  He shook his head, starting to kick upward.

  A fist slammed into his gut. He gasped.

  Cold liquid flooded his lungs. He clutched his chest, but the water moved smoothly and easily. He took another breath.

  “See?” Galene said. “Easy.”

  “But not pleasant,” he coughed, testing out his voice as he shot Kostas a glare. His friend didn’t look at all apologetic for punching him.

  “You’ll get used to it. Now, let’s get moving.” Galene swam farther out.

  Braxtus blinked a few times, keeping his breathing slow and cautious as he looked around. He could see his feet and the sandy floor, and the others around him. Iyana and Demitri were floating farther off, Iyana’s eyes understanding. Beyond them was only darkness.

  “We’ll need to swim for a bit,” Galene explained, striking out into that abyss. “When we’re deep enough, I can use the tides to speed us along.”

  “Won’t you get tired?” Iyana asked.

  Braxtus pushed himself forward, kicking toward her.

  “If my plan works, I won’t be using my power for long.” Galene put her fingers to her lips, then a loud whistle cut through the water.

  Braxtus didn’t ask. He focused on Iyana, her hair shining like a silver beacon in the night. He tried to ignore the seafloor dropping away into nothing.

  Sooner than he would have thought, pressure built around him. Galene stopped swimming, but she didn’t stop moving, the water now towing them along.

  It took a minute for Braxtus to stop trying to swim with it, letting Galene’s tide just push him. Iyana picked it up fast. She and Demitri remained linked at their hands, gliding along.

  At least Kostas didn’t look nearly as graceful.

  “Here they come!” Galene smiled.

  Braxtus snapped his eyes ahead. There, in the distant, midnight waters, a clump of shadows began to appear. Racing toward them.

  He threw his arms out, trying to stop moving forward, but Galene’s tide wouldn’t release him. The shapes began to form, fins standing out.

  Sharks? He floundered.

  Galene slowed their approach, but the things were almost upon them. In the dim light, he made out the long, slender faces of horses.

  He blinked. “What…?”

  Galene swam forward, waving at them to follow.

  “Great Gaia!” Iyana struck after Galene, Kostas close behind.

  Braxtus stayed back, watching as the sea horses spun and whinnied, acting delighted to see them. They were just as large as the stallions they had left behind. Their manes swirled in the water, and their wide horse eyes were bright with curiosity. Their front legs were strong and muscular, but instead of hooves, wide, powerful fins pounded the water. About halfway down their backs their bodies shifted into thick, sleek tails like sea lions. At the end of the tail was another wide fin. The skin by each fin was pearly and translucent, the webbing in the fins a startling white.

  Galene and Iyana greeted them warmly, catching their manes and twirling around with them. Demitri didn’t get close enough to play with the beasts, but hovered near Iyana, watching her g
lee as she and Galene played with them.

  “My father’s creations!” Galene said. “We’ll ride them so we don’t have to keep using my powers!”

  “Brilliant!” Kostas grinned. “And they’re gorgeous!”

  Braxtus considered this alternative. If they were riding sea horses, would they even have to breathe water? Hesitantly, he kicked forward. He had to admit they were beautiful. Majestic, even.

  As if reading his mind, Galene said, “We won’t even have to stay underwater. We’ll ride over the waves with them as long as possible.”

  “Are we far enough away that we won’t be spotted from shore?” Demitri asked.

  Galene nodded. “We’ve traveled farther than it seems.”

  “So how do we mount?”

  With one swift movement, Galene took hold of a mane, swinging a leg over and settling onto the sea horse’s back where it melded from horse to fish. “Above the waves, it feels just like riding a horse.”

  Iyana took hold of one and glided onto it. Kostas and Demitri took a little longer, but were soon astride. Galene looked to Braxtus and he felt his cheeks warm. She whistled, and a larger sea horse appeared from the back of the group. It swam fearlessly up to Braxtus, who cleared his throat and did his best to look composed as he laced his fingers into the slippery hair and pulled himself onto the mount.

  Galene nodded her approval, then kicked her horse. It struck for the surface.

  “Remember to breathe all the water out of your lungs!” she called, then her head disappeared into the open air.

  Grateful for the idea of air again, Braxtus urged his mount after hers.

  He broke through the surface, water streaming off him, and sucked in a breath of the cool night air. Though it was summer, goose bumps rose on his skin.

  Iyana emerged beside him and rubbed her arms.

  “Here,” he said, guiding his sea horse over to her as Demitri and Kostas surfaced. Lighting as bright a fire as he could within his palms, he held it beside her.

  She smiled and closed her eyes. A strong breeze whisked through his fire, almost guttering it. He shot it brighter.

  The now warmed air swept over them, drying their skin.

  “Don’t keep that lit too long.” Demitri rode past him. “It’s a beacon to the shore.”

  Braxtus gave him a narrow look, but let it die.

  Galene waved to the rest of the herd, now disappearing back under the waves. Then she motioned for the four of them to follow her once more, farther into the Aegean Sea.

  15

  IYANA

  Breathing air again was blissful. The winds off the water were crisp and playful, and though they chilled her still-damp clothes and hair, the feeling was freeing. The sea swelled and rocked, stretching out to the horizon. Skipping above the surface, the five of them rode swiftly. Waves shattered over their knees, breaking into glittering foam that drifted away behind them. She dropped back, leaning over the side of her sea horse to trail her fingers through the water.

  “It’s a beautiful night.” Braxtus slowed his sea horse and joined her. Combing his wet curls back with his fingers, he nodded toward the brilliant sky. Thin clouds veiled the familiar constellations, but light still glimmered through.

  “It is,” she agreed. “The water makes a stunning reflection, like the sky wraps all around us.”

  “You like it out here.”

  A pang went through her. “I already miss the mountain. But what we’re doing is important.”

  Braxtus glanced at the dark water. “Still … I’d prefer the avyssos to be somewhere else.”

  “I know. I would, too.” She lifted her lips into a smile. “Thank you for coming anyway.”

  “You mean despite the dark, bottomless, airless pit stretching out below us?”

  “Why, Braxtus, I didn’t think you were afraid of anything,” she teased.

  He returned her mischievous grin, but it shifted into a wide yawn. Iyana looked more closely at him. Dark gold ringed the underside of his eyes.

  “Did you sleep at all before we left Chrysander’s camp?” she asked.

  He grimaced. “No.”

  “When was the last time you slept?”

  He rubbed his beard. “On Mount Olympus two days ago.”

  “Braxtus!”

  “We had to push hard to catch up to you. I’m fine—”

  “No you’re not.” Iyana leaned forward, and her sea horse sped up. “Galene! We need to find somewhere to sleep.”

  Ahead, Galene let out another whistle, and the sea horses all slowed to a stop, rocking in the currents. She turned hers around. “We have a good head start on Anyss. If there are another two days of riding ahead of us, resting now would be a good idea.” She looked to Braxtus. “But we’ll have to sleep underwater. There’s no way to anchor ourselves up here and no islands for miles.”

  Iyana frowned, but Braxtus rubbed his eyes. “At this point, I don’t care.”

  Galene nodded, reminded them once more to breathe out, then submerged. Iyana hardly had time to bid a mental farewell to the wind before her sea horse followed suit, lurching below the surface. She exhaled, then drew an uncomfortable breath of water.

  Galene guided them down through the darkness to the sea bottom. Iyana could hardly make out Demitri beside her, but with Galene’s help, she managed to tie a long strand of seaweed around her waist.

  “This way the tides won’t carry us off in the night.”

  Drifting weightless turned Iyana’s stomach, but finally exhaustion won out and tugged her into a restless sleep.

  In her dreams, black, soulless eyes and grinning ghosts chased after her. She ran through a cold, dark night in search of Demitri, and when she found him, he threw flaming javelins into their hearts. As the taraxippi scattered, Demitri wrapped her protectively in his arms.

  She woke to rippling, weak sunlight. Clear blue waters stretched all around them, reeds waving in the currents. Galene had already gathered seaweed for a measly breakfast, and Iyana tried not to mimic Demitri’s disgusted faces as she choked it down.

  As soon as they finished, they rode to the surface, the light growing increasingly bright until she burst into open air. The glare of the morning sun on water stung her eyes, and she had to cough some liquid from her lungs before she could breathe normally. Still, warm air felt wonderful and she immediately sent it flying through her hair.

  “Did you say there were islands around?” Braxtus asked Galene as she surfaced.

  She smiled at him knowingly. “There’s one directly in our course, actually. We should reach it by evening.”

  His visible and audible sigh of relief made Iyana giggle. “Thank Gaia. I’m going crazy with nowhere to put my feet.”

  * * *

  THEY ARRIVED AT the island just after sunset, weather-battered, burned, and sore from a long day on the waves.

  The “pile of rocks,” as Braxtus noted, was “hardly worthy to be considered a landmass.” But he seemed happiest of all as they tested their weak legs on solid ground.

  As Iyana clambered among the rocks and coral, working her legs, a glimmer of gold caught her eye. She focused on the sparkling granite stone tucked away by some tide pools.

  “Is that a marker?” she asked. It looked almost identical to the one they had found on the beach the night before.

  Demitri, close behind, followed her line of sight. “I guess we were supposed to end up on this island.”

  “Between the tides and the sea horses, we traveled faster than a ship.” Galene caught up to Iyana and bent to inspect the rock. The friends glanced at each other, then together reached out to touch it. Words glimmered to life.

  Sink beneath the horizon to the realm below

  Hold the course

  Through surviving the insatiable thirst.

  “The whole thing is a riddle,” Kostas said, joining them, “split up into markers along the route.”

  “What’s the ‘insatiable thirst’?” Braxtus asked.

  Everyo
ne looked at each other, but no one seemed to have any answers.

  “Well, sinking below clearly means traveling underwater,” Galene offered.

  “Clearly.” Braxtus shuddered.

  “I’ll think it over,” Kostas said, stringing his bow. “Let’s scout the island and find some food.”

  They found a small plateau that overlooked a long, rocky beach and split up to make camp. Kostas spotted a couple of cormorants and shot them for dinner. Demitri took a look around, and when he returned with a confirmation of its “perfect dullness,” they cooked their food over Braxtus’s fire.

  Iyana devoured her meal, then licked her fingers clean with a happy sigh.

  Across the fire, Braxtus caught Iyana’s eye. He looked skyward and raised his hands, mouthing thank you. Iyana giggled. Beside her, Demitri looked over at Braxtus with raised eyebrows, but he was innocently poking at the flames again.

  “You’ve never liked him much,” Iyana whispered.

  Demitri draped an arm around her, not answering at first. “He’s annoying, but fine, I suppose.” When Iyana gave him a skeptical look, he pressed his nose to her cheek, admitting, “I don’t like why he’s here.”

  “Demitri.” Iyana shifted uncomfortably, turning to face him. “We’re just friends. He knows that. Besides, he might have come for my benefit initially, but that can’t be why he’s still here. He must believe what we’re doing is the right thing.” She looked into his eyes. “Clearing Galene’s name, saving Olympus, showing the Olympians that we’re capable and worthy…”

  He looked unconvinced.

  “Think of it this way,” she pressed, taking his jaw. “Between all of us we have”—she glanced around the circle—“tides, a brilliant mind, fire, wind, your insane combat skills…” He smirked. “My point is, we have a lot of power and ability on our side. We should be grateful for all the extra help to get the avyssos before Anyss.”

  “Yes, because fire will be really helpful underwater.”

  She elbowed him, and he unapologetically pulled her in for a kiss, then stood, moving toward the other side of the fire to shed his armor.

  Iyana watched the flames for a minute, then called for her wind to make them dance higher. The air responded more readily than usual, sweeping in with a solid gust. The fire jumped, and Iyana smiled. The wind seemed to have more natural movement out on the water, making it easier to manipulate. I wish it was this easy all the time.