“Zarc,” Thya called. “You are entrusted with the task of attending Alkazar. Untie his binds; bring him refreshments and fresh garments. Treat him as you would a loyal Tsinian. If I perceive otherwise, you will be dealt with by me. Is this understood?”
“Your command will be obeyed, my lady.”
“Valcan, tend to Alkazar's hurts. Sight that he is comfortable and that his mind is relaxed.”
“It will be done,” he answered.
“Pertius, I require your council. Omad, prepare in readiness for Siren's ceremony,” she instructed.
“Will you not disclose what you ascertained,” Omad asked.
“Not at this instant. Alkazar is not in the correct mind to be judged, be patient,” she answered, then withdrew with Pertius.
“Advise me, Pertius. Is there naught I can do to prevent Alkazar's death?”
“I am currently searching just this. I yearn to locate a means to stay the punishment. Alas, so far I am unsuccessful in my findings. I am optimistic that I could find a clause in the ancient code. Tis necessary for me to hold an understanding on what was conversed if I am to aid him.”
“Alkazar has informed me that he removed Siren's breath, although I will not disclose why.”
“Tis grave. It does not fare well. I will exert myself in aid to Alkazar.”
“I require another reply, prior to your departure,” Thya said. “Would the Queen of Tsinia retain the authority to permit leniency?”
“I am satisfied the Queen of Tsinia would possess influence. Nonetheless, I am unfamiliar with how much power you would have. I will attempt to discover this at once.” Pertius gazed thoughtfully at Thya before asking. “If you are considering what I imagine, then indeed your love for Alkazar is strong. Tis a huge sacrifice, Thya. Deliberate carefully prior to deciding. I believe that love as strong as yours and Alkazar's cannot be prevented even by demise. Rest well, my lady.”
Thya smiled and then turned to walk into the Recas.
“I hold an opinion, my lady, if I am permitted to express it.”
She turned and bowed her head in acceptance.
“I do not consider Alkazar capable of committing such an evil act. He has not the heart.”
“I am in agreement, good Pertius.” Thya smiled, for that is what she believed also. “Locate me if you retain disclosure. It matters not the lateness.”
She turned and entered the Recas. As soon as the door closed, she collapsed to the floor.
Thya woke to find the stern and worried faces of Valcan and Omad staring down at her.
“What has come to pass?” she whispered.
“I fear the strain has taken its toll on you, my lady,” Omad explained. “Your suffering is great, and Valcan will agree that you will not be fit to depart for some while.”
Valcan was silent.
“I do not intend to depart as yet, so concern yourself not,” she replied faintly.
Omad appeared content with her answer. “With your permission, my lady, I will withdraw, for there is much to prepare.”
Thya dismissed Omad with a wave of her hand, which then fell limp to the bed. Valcan walked Omad to the door, then once it had closed, ran to Thya's aid.
“Valcan, what has occurred, for I sense your distress?”
“You are on the brink of fatality, Princess,” he told her. “I revived a little of your strength so not to arouse Omad on the seriousness of the situation. There is not a natural remedy that will heal you. The only prevention will be the employment of my power. You will slumber, and when you are wakeful, you will be healed and feel refreshed.”
“Why be so cruel,” Thya whispered. “If you love your princess permit her to slumber forever more and do not awaken her to this nightmare.” Thya then mouthed the words, ‘only when you arrive at this light will you truly be together.'
Valcan couldn't make out her words and did not ask for she had fallen into a deep sleep.
Thya woke to find Valcan asleep by the side of her bed. She felt revived and strong as though she had slept for days. She nudged Valcan gently, waking him from his doze.
“Oh my,” he exclaimed. “My pardon, lady. The employment of our gifts generates exhaustion, does it not?” He gazed at her questionably before continuing. “Are you refreshed?”
“I am, as you declared I would be,” she answered. “How did you come to discover my fatigue?”
“After tending to Alkazar's hurts, he bade me attend you in the belief you would require assistance. I praise the Changlins that he did.”
Thya remembered Alkazar's plight and sat up in alarm. “Oh, my poor Alkazar,” she cried. “I had forgotten. Has Pertius called upon me? For what duration have I undergone slumber? Is Alkazar with breath?” she questioned.
“Worry not, Thya. Your endurance of slumber failed for your attendance of Siren's farewell. Pertius too was not sighted. Tis believed he is scrutinising the ancient code and has been for some while. Alkazar is active and I am certain you will desire to heed, being treated justly.”
Thya tried to smile, but it was too difficult.
“My lady, twice I have met with your unique fatigue though this is the severest I have witnessed. You barely survived. I am in requirement to understand what causes this ailment. I believe a successive attack could possibly be your last. I conclude that a will, or power, not of your own drains you of strength, energy, and even your essence on employment. Reveal to me, did you employ your gift of late?”
“Not of my awareness,” she answered. Not that I am aware of. A realisation hit. Oh Alkazar, she silently cried.
Being in a sudden need of Alkazar's counsel, she plotted her escape. Turning to Valcan, she said, “Only one Tsinian can respond to your query, and unfortunately, he cannot be summoned forth. Hold onto your belief and notify me of any new conclusions. Meanwhile, I present you with my oath; I will not employ my power until it can be deduced why this occurs. You demand me to rest, and I will if you withdraw.”
“With certainty, my lady. I will depart promptly and begin my study of this difficulty. Already it has lost me rest. Never has an ailment defeated me, and I am determined to understand it. By your leave,” he bowed.
As soon as Valcan left, Thya jumped out of bed and dressed. Then, climbing over the balcony, she made her way to the Escos.
She found Alkazar asleep on the soft pillows that had been laid on the floor. Thya ran over to him and fell to her knees. “Alkazar,” she whispered. “Alkazar.” She nudged him slightly, stirring him from his sleep. “Alkazar, wake up.”
This time, he woke and with a start. “Thya, why do you appear?” He sat up in alarm. “You ought to be in rest!”
“So you recognised the symptoms?”
“Symptoms? No,” he looked at her. “I summoned Valcan to attend to you in the cause of your distress. I was aware of how ill you were becoming. Are you rested?” he asked.
“I am compelled to convey something to you.”
He tried to interrupt only she put her fingers to his lips.
“Permit me to continue,” she said. “It did not occur to me until Valcan quizzed me on my gift… I am getting ahead of myself, am I not?” She took a deep breath then explained what she could remember of the happenings in Senx.
Alkazar listened intently. He was disturbed and angry to learn of Kovon's attempt to subdue her. He had concluded for himself most of what had occurred.
“I do not recall the attack upon Kovon, and yet I am convinced I put those horrific afflictions upon him. None were present, and he was not capable of harming himself to such a degree. I understand that it was I that caused him to suffer so terribly.”
“Tis what he deserved,” Alkazar commented.
“Yet, I recall naught,” she said. “I sight destruction. The sight sickened me and will remain in my memory for as long as I breathe. I understood at once that it was my doing, and I believe the same has occurred since.” Alkazar shifted uncomfortably. “I recall conversing with Siren in your dwelling though I
do not remember departing, as you state I did. Then, I discover myself some distance away from your abode with no awareness of how I came to be there.”
Alkazar remembered all too well that sorrowful morn.
He was about to enter his home when he heard raised voices, and so hid around the corner. Listening to the argument, he was shocked to hear Siren confess that he was not the father of her child. He had felt anger exploding within him. Only he suppressed it when he heard someone gasping as though short of breath. He ran to find Siren holding her throat; a seemingly invisible hand was crushing her windpipe. He faced Thya and was amazed to see a bright light emitting from her eyes.
She was past the Owto. His only hope had been to deliver her from it.
“Thya,” he called. “You recognise this voice and hold trust in it. Be attentive to what I remark. This voice calms you. Follow it, Thya. Return to me.”
Thya turned to face him. As she did, Siren fell to the floor.
“Thya, heed the sound of the voice and follow it.”
It was obvious to him that something else had control of her. This was not her own will at work.
“Thya, if you can perceive me, I require you to pursue my voice. I am located in the centre of a field that is yellow in colour. I am standing in wait for you. Peruse my voice, can you perceive me?”
“I heed you,” a ghostly voice rang out.
“Approach the direction of my voice. I am waiting. Walk through the field. The wind is blowing. The scent of grass relaxes you. You are close. Pursue my voice. Soon, you will encounter a dark, hollow space. Do not side-step this. I require you to halt in front of the hollow space. Do you comprehend?”
“I do,” she replied.
Already her voice was softening and her eyes seemed to dim. He had some control over her at least. Though he deemed it dangerous to continue, what other choice did he have?
“I am present,” she told him.
It was too late to stop. He had to continue and pray that he could bring her back.
“Thya, step into the black, hollow space,” he commanded. Thya's foot moved as if unsure what to do.
“Concentrate, Thya. Regard only the sound of my voice. Do as I command. Proceed onwards.”
As soon as Thya's foot stepped into the black hole only she could see, she fell into Alkazar's waiting arms, unconscious. He laid her gently on the floor then lifted one of her eyelids. Her pupils were back to their normal colour. He had done it. He had brought her back. Praise the Changlins. But could her powerful connection to the Changlins be the cause of this possession?
He left Thya and went to Siren's aid, only she was beyond help, even from Valcan's gift.
He felt compelled to transport Thya away with haste, prior to her awakening. She need never discover what had occurred. It was not of her doing, yet he doubted the council would understand. The penalty for removing Siren's breath would be to forfeit her own. Only Thya's existence was worth more than any other Bora, including his own.
Alkazar came back to the deadly serious present.
“And then there is the fatigue,” Thya continued. “A side effect that drains my strength and energy. You sighted upon this yourself. Valcan declared I was adjacent to fatality when he discovered me. You were aware of this, were you not? That is the real reason you summoned him to attend. You sensed my ills.”
Anxious on hearing of the seriousness of her illness, he praised the Changlins. If anything were to happen to her now, it would all have been for naught.
“I will declare what I believe occurred.”
Alkazar remained silent.
“I terminated Siren, or rather, the power within me did. You either sighted the attack or arrived to discover Siren's body. Either means, what you are undertaking is wrong.
“If I am the blame for Siren's demise, which I am convinced I am, then I alone ought to suffer, not you. Alkazar, my love, your existence merits two of mine. I will not permit you to sacrifice yourself for me. I will surrender myself to the council, explain what occurred and hope they will be lenient. I hold not doubt that Valcan will agree with my findings. Already he retains suspicions.”
Alkazar heart raced. He never guessed Thya would realise her involvement, and he had Valcan to contend with also. Surely, if Valcan knew of the situation, he would defend, rather than sign his princess' death warrant. It was a risk Alkazar was not willing to take.
“Nay, Thya,” he answered. “I did not retain comprehension of your unique power, and it grieves me to be informed of your plight in Senx. I am grateful for your frankness for I believe carrying the burden of your dark secret has eaten away at you for some duration. I understand how you arrived at your conclusion, and if I could, I would aid you in gaining an understanding of this second will you deem to possess. Only, I assure you my love, tis not yourself that removed Siren's breath. I watched your departure. At that moment, Siren was breathing. I even observed you walking through the forest. I can only conclude that in the shock of Siren's confession, your mind blanked out memory. I believe Valcan will concur.”
Alkazar prayed that he had convinced her. Thya stared into his eyes.
“Then why did you eliminate Siren? Why did you not converse with the council? I believe there is a clause that could have annulled your wedlock.”
Alkazar sighed. “My anger possessed me. I had not control. I despised her for the grief she brought upon us. I had not thought for the child, and I am saddened by its death, though not for Siren's.”
“It pains me to perceive you utter those words,” Thya cried.
It cut Alkazar up to speak them. He was certain Thya would not converse with Valcan and that the dark secret would lay undiscovered. This only left his farewell to Thya.
“Light will shortly be upon us, my love. The sands are running low. My breath will be removed come the next tril moon. Despite this, you, my love, will continue with yours. I implore you to depart prior to my demise.”
“I cannot. I will not!” she cried.
“I will not permit you to witness my conclusion. You have suffered enough distress,” he argued.
“You behave like a Tsinian that has lost all hope. Pertius is studying the ancient code. He believes he will discover a clause—”
“Thya, there is not a means. Death is the punishment for death.”
“Then I will accept the crown,” Thya announced. “I will become queen and ruler and pardon—”
“Nay, Thya, I would not permit you to sacrifice your freedom for me. Your authority, though great, would not extend far enough.”
Thya fell to her knees. He stroked her face. “Do not weep, my love. We will encounter one another again, and then we will be together for eternity. We are one, Thya, never disregard this.”
“This is what he meant. Athron stated that we would unite at the meeting of a bright light, only then would we truly be together. I understand now. Nay,” she cried. “I will not permit this. It cannot come to pass. I will not lose you.”
Alkazar took Thya in his arms and embraced her. “While in my solitude, I reflected upon my past. It appears as some strange illusion as though naught occurred. Having you present in my arms is as genuine as it gets and the memory of your smell and touch will forever be in my heart. Remain with me, Thya. Permit me to touch you once more.”
They made love for the last time; beautiful, slow, sexual love. Every moment, every kiss, meant and held.
As they lay beside one another, Thya struggled to stay awake, but eventually her eyes closed, not knowing if it would be the last time they would see Alkazar.
Alkazar would not waste precious moments in sleep. For the rest of his short life, he wanted to look upon his love. He intended to sacrifice his existence to spare hers. Though the conclusion was close, he was not unhappy. He was grateful. He was sick of this cursed existence. Why had it all gone so wrong when everything was once perfect? How he desired for it all to be a crazy dream he could wake from.
“Rest well, my darling Thya, for
you will not lay sight upon me again.”
The light did not bring joy with it. Alkazar was still awake, watching Thya sleep when Valcan entered the Escos.
“I imagined I would locate our lady here,” he whispered.
“She is near to waking. I implore you, dear Valcan, lay upon her a deep slumber until her departure. She has been through so much. I cannot bear to surmise her pain and anguish.”
Valcan agreed. He raised his hand over Thya's eyes and held it there for a brief moment. “Tis done,” he announced.
“Summon Omad to my council,” Alkazar instructed.
He kissed her lips before lifting and placing her into Valcan's arms. He wanted to scream at the unjustness of it, only he could not make a sound.
He was gazing out of a small window when Omad arrived. “Will you permit a condemned Bora a final desire?” he asked.
“Certainly,” Omad replied.
“When our lady awakes from the false slumber which by my request Valcan has put her under, I ask that you announce to her that by my order, the judgement was brought forward and I am deceased. When she implores you to reveal my body, which I deem she will, inform her the body was burnt and my ashes scattered. You will announce to all my desire. Our lady is not to lay sight on me again. This is my ultimate request.”
“It will be carried out, Alkazar.” Omad looked to the floor. “If it were in my power, if I held any influence, I would not permit this to pass. You believe this do you not?”
“With certainty, my loyal friend. We exist by the code, and we expire by the code. Now, please, permit me my solitude. I desire not for visitors.”
“Very well,” Omad said and bowed mournfully.
***
“My lady, tis the duration for your departure. You ought to hasten to the orb.”
Thya opened her eyes. Once again, she found herself lying on her bed. Omad, Pertius and Valcan were present in the chamber.
“It was dark when last I shut my eyes.” She sat up in alarm. “Where is my love? What has occurred,” she cried.
Pertius sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. “My lady, it saddens me to be the one to bear you grave tidings. As his final desire, Alkazar requested that his judgement be brought forth.”
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