by B. C. Morin
“Eternity.” Kaleb whispered, his brow furrowed as he looked around the room, as if there would be some indication of his time there. “Brennus?”
“He is here at the inn.” Evyette chimed in. “He has had to rest quite a bit as well, after what he did.”
“What did he do?”
“Of course,” Evyette rolled her eyes. “How silly of me, you were already unconscious so you could not remember.” She shifted on the bed. “Kaleb, Brennus saved your life. He had to transfer energy to you twice in order to keep you alive.” Evyette looked at Tristan for affirmation. “It nearly killed him.”
“By the time they got you here, you were fading again. Thankfully, Magister Morcant attended to you quickly.” Tristan finished. “We have not left the room since, keeping account of your condition. Evyette even sang to you last night. She said perhaps if you heard her, if you heard the music, you would come back.” Tristan looked proudly at Evyette whose cheeks had flushed. “Looks like she was right.”
Kaleb smiled sweetly at Evyette.
“Thank you.” Then turned to Tristan, clapping him on the shoulder. “And thank you.”
“You should thank me. I have not beaten you for not allowing me to go with you and perhaps preventing this from ever happening.”
Kaleb chuckled as he leaned back onto the pillows. “So tell me, what else has transpired?”
Tristan and Evyette exchanged serious glances, causing Kaleb to sit upright once again.
“What? What happened?”
Evyette proceeded to tell him the story of Rhoslyn and their plan to depart once he is able.
“So Dara holds the answers?” He rubbed his face with his hands, before running them through his wavy hair. “That is amazing. So then we shall go to the Kingdom of the Magi and find out what she knows.”
“My friend, you are not coming with us?” Tristan blurted, folding his arms across his chest.
“What do you mean?”
“Brennus has volunteered to take you to Anrad as soon as you are able.”
“What?!” Kaleb rubbed his stubbly chin. “Why on earth would he want me there?”
“For Alannah.” Evyette said softly.
“Alannah? Has something happened to her?”
“No,” She answered quickly dispelling his concern. “Brennus just feels that it would be beneficial for her to have you there, you know, someone she knows.”
Kaleb looked at Evyette as she chewed her bottom lip.
“Is that all?” His eyebrow raised in question.
Damn the fae’s inability to lie, she thought.
“So it would seem.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I should fetch the Magister as he will want to look you over and ensure that you do not need any more spells. I will also advise Brennus that you have awoken.
As Evyette walked out of Brennus’s room, she looked toward her room to find Tristan leaning up against the doorway. His arms were folded across his chest, strands of his hair fell over his eyes, and his supple lips were curved into a mischievous grin. She couldn’t help but smile in return. She loved watching him: how he stood, how confident he was, how much he loved her.
“Hello, there.” He began as she approached.
Evyette fell instantly into his arms.
“Hello, yourself.” She pressed her lips against his.
“I do believe that we have some unfinished business in this room.”
Evyette raised an eyebrow as she remembered when she last said those words to him, her smile turning wicked. She pressed her body up against his, kissing his neck softly, making her way to his ear. She gently brushed her lips against his ear, reveling in the soft sigh he gave. “I believe we do.” She whispered as she gently bit his earlobe.
Tristan reached down turning the handle of the door, as Evyette quickly slid in.
Brennus walked into the room just as Kaleb emerged from the bathing room. His trousers hung low at his waist, his dark hair smoothed back, allowing for a few drops of water to escape down his back. The Mark of his wind wielding ability had spread considerably, and now crept further down his right arm.
“Well, well. It seems Evyette was right. You have made quite the recovery.” Brennus sat in the seat at the far end of the room.
“Seems that you just could not let me go, from what I heard.”
Brennus chuckled.
“Yes, doing much better. Sadly, still not as good looking as I, but better in health.”
Kaleb walked over and extended his hand.
“In all seriousness, though. Thank you.”
Brennus took his hand and shook it. “Do not mention it.”
Kaleb walked over to the wardrobe, took out a white linen shirt and pulled it over his head.
“So Evyette tells me that you want me to go back to Anrad with you.”
Brennus adjusted himself in the seat. “Yes. I believe that it would benefit Alannah to have a friend present, since her sister cannot go.”
“I was under the impression that I would be …” he paused for a moment, rubbing his now shaven chin. “A distraction.”
Brennus huffed at having his own words thrown at him.
“You will be, but perhaps you will be able to refrain from at least interrupting her training.”
Kaleb folded his arms and stood facing Brennus.
“Then I will go.”
“Very well.” Brennus stood, adjusting his belt before beginning to walk out the room. “Oh,” Brennus stopped at the door, turning back to face Kaleb. “I have told the Magister that we will cross the Land of Accies, or rather, the clearing together, and then go our separate ways when we reach the forest line. We have no idea what Samil or Maligo are capable of at this moment so it would be better to travel in a larger group.”
The remainder of the afternoon was spent packing clothes, obtaining ingredients for spells, and preparing themselves to depart. Tristan and Evyette emerged from the room later in the afternoon only to be sent back in to pack all of their belongings.
By nightfall, the horses stood outside the inn, ready for departure. Several of the town’s inhabitants stood nearby watching the group. One fae in particular took a vested interest in them. He stood below the shadows of the trees, watching from a distance, his eyes strangely glossed over, portraying a sort of emptiness. Evyette had seen him a few times when she had come out to ready the horses. Earlier, though, she had seen him standing eerily close to Magister Morcant and the council members of Anrad. Evyette secured the satchel on her horse and when she looked back, she saw nothing but a plume of smoke where the strange fae had been standing. Must have been a Spirit Fae, she thought to herself.
“We should rest at the center of the clearing.” Magister Morcant called out to the others, as the last of them mounted their horses.
Evyette looked around at the group that was with her. Magister Morcant was settled in front, with Ithor beside him. Behind him sat her and Tristan, with Logres on her other side. Behind them, Brennus sat tall, above them all in stature, she was sure. Riding beside him were his two council members and the Spirit Fae, who had volunteered to come along with them as he tried to locate the final scroll. He was a frightening site. When she first had met him, his skin had a glow to it, and his eyes, though translucent, still had a warmth about them. Now because of his constant connection to the realm of the dark spirits, his skin was pale and his eyes had become dull, surrounded by dark rings. She felt so sorry for him, but when she told him that the day before, he assured her that once he ceased communication, he would begin to return to his normal self.
The moon sat high in the night sky that was riddled with stars. The ride had been long and, honestly, quite scary. Evyette turned constantly toward strange sounds that emerged from the surrounding woods, or more eerily enough, from the barren landscape they were trying to cross. As she approached the group of trees, she felt an ominous energy around them. She looked around and saw no other fae or creatures. The trees stood tall, blocking most of the moon and the
beautiful night lights hanging in the sky. She re-assured herself that with the surrounding group of fae, there was no way she would be in danger tonight.
The fae dismounted and immediately began work on their tents and a central fire to keep the area well lit.
Kaleb sat by the fire, the orange glow highlighting his hair, and causing his Marks to seem even darker. Evyette watched as Tristan spoke with Ithor and Logres by their tents.
“Are you alright?” She took a seat on the ground next to Kaleb, who was massaging the area of his leg that had the large gash.
“Oh, yes. I am fine. Trying to massage away some of the stiffness of the surrounding muscles.” He released his leg and crossed both his legs in front of him. “I will say, though, that I am quite uncomfortable leaving you and Tristan to go on to the Magi Kingdom. I know you will both be safe there, but I would feel better if I could at least ride with you, to ensure safe arrival.” He concentrated his gaze on the fire, the welcomed heat surrounding them.
Evyette pulled her cloak closer and shivered against the cold night air.
“I appreciate your concern for us Kaleb.” Her voice quivering on her last words.
“You must be freezing.” Kaleb turned to look at her. Her honey hair was glimmering in the glow of the fire, her cheeks red from the cold biting at her face. He could see the flames dancing in her honey colored eyes. Kaleb brought up his hands and gently manipulated the winds around them pushed the heated air coming off of the fire towards her, giving her momentary warmth.
“Wow. I did not know you could do that!” She looked down at the ground then back at him. “Thank you.”
“That should hold you until Tristan comes back.” He smiled at her, but the smile did not reach his eyes. From the moment he had awoken, he’d seemed different. She was unsure if it was the failure of not having stopped Samil from obtaining the second scroll, his brush with death, or having to face Alannah again. But she was concerned for him.
Tristan came and sat behind Evyette, wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her arms with his hands.
“Better?” He whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.
“Always.” She responded quietly, feeling him smile against her.
“Oy, Kaleb. How are you faring with having to go to Anrad?”
Kaleb glanced at Brennus, who was outside his tent speaking to Accolon and Halwyn.
“I am well with it. But I am unsure as to why Brennus really wants me there.”
“You think he has more reason to take you there?”
“I am afraid he may be trying to test Alannah. If that is the case, I would not appreciate being his tool.”
“I am sure that is not it.” Evyette said quickly.
Kaleb turned to her with his head cocked to the side.
“You have your own suspicions that you are not sharing with us.”
“Perhaps.” She said aloofly, while trying to suppress a smile.
“I do not suppose that you will be willing to share that suspicion with us?” Kaleb leaned back onto his hands.
“No. I am not.”
“Not even with me, my love?” Tristan questioned with a mock tone of hurt in his voice.
“Oh, I am sure you will be able to coax it out of me should you want to know badly enough.”
“Is that a challenge?” Tristan turned his head so that he could look at her.
“Well, on that note. I will leave you two alone.” Kaleb stood, brushing the leaves and dirt from his trousers. Two leaves drifted into the fire quickly falling into the clutches of the dangerous flames and instantly becoming nothing but small ash and smoke. “Goodnight, my friends.” Kaleb bowed mockingly before walking away to his tent.
“You are not going to tell me, are you?”
Evyette giggled at Tristan’s persistence.
“No. I promised Brennus I would not. But believe me when I tell you that it is not what Kaleb thinks.”
“Well, whatever Brennus’s plan, it cannot be too bad if you agreed for him to take Kaleb.” He squeezed her hard. “I know you, my love. You would not allow Brennus to hurt Kaleb any more than you would let him hurt me or Alannah. “
Evyette pressed her cheek against his chest reveling in his warmth.
“You know me too well, love. Better than anyone ever has, I am afraid.”
Tristan rested his chin on her head, indulging in having her so close, and marveling at how well she fit against him. Evyette pulled her legs up to her chest so that she was completely in his lap. Tristan smiled as he heard the deep breathing of his sleeping love. He contemplated sleeping out here by the fire with her, but instead slipped his arm beneath her legs, and tightened the one around her back, before pushing himself off the ground and walking over to their tent. Before entering, he glanced at Ithor who was patrolling the grounds and nodded, ensuring that Ithor was on guard.
* * * * * * *
Alannah awoke with a jolt, sitting upright in her bed and breathing heavily. Anora, responding to the movement sat up in the chair she had moved to sit beside the bed.
“Ma’am!” Anora stood from her chair and quickly reached over to check Alannah’s face for heat.
“Anora.” Alannah began as she looked around, stopping at the moonlight that was peering through the unfamiliar drapes. “How long have I been unconscious?”
“Hours, ma’am. I was under the impression that you were going to wake earlier, but you only stirred. Master Jadoc was quite concerned.”
“Jadoc!” Alannah rubbed her face with her hands, remembering the events of that afternoon. “What did he tell you, Anora?”
“He did not say anything, but I did hear him speaking to one of the council members who was inquiring about your condition. He said that you were able to create what he had asked, but you had forgotten to pull energy from your own creation to sustain you. You quite literally drained yourself.”
Alannah looked around at the unfamiliar room. It was smaller than the room she was occupying in the castle. The stone walls glowed with the light of fire at the far end of the room and the candles that sat on either side of the bed. The bed was also smaller but very comfortable. She felt as though she had been sitting on a pile of feathers.
“You are in the home of Master Jadoc, ma’am.” Anora said, as if reading her thoughts.“He did not want to take you into the castle in your condition, so he brought you here and Nara fetched me to stay with you.”
Alannah looked down at her clothes to find that she was in a clean gown. She smoothed her hand across the satin fabric.
“I also changed you so that you were not sleeping in the clothes that were full of sand.” Anora stood from her chair and began walking towards the door. “I must notify Master Jadoc and his wife that you are awake. Pardon me, ma’am.” Alannah nodded her head as Anora walked out the door.
She was disappointed in not having remembered to pull energy from the storm, but it was her dreams that plagued her more. In her dreams, she’d chased the shadow that was Isibeal into the dark forest only to lose her. As she had tried to find her way back to the castle, she stumbled upon Brennus. She tried to tell him that Isibeal was not being honest with him, and that something was going on, but he refused to listen, going so far as walking away from her when she begged him to hear her out. The dream jumped from there to Kaleb, Tristan, and Evyette. They stood in front of a home that had been burnt down a long time ago. As they walked toward the foundation of the home, Venator Animus came from all directions making it difficult for them to fight, until one of them took Evyette with them. It was then that she woke with a fright. Nightmares about her loved ones and her inability to help nagged at her emotions and her mind.
The knock on the door pulled her from the fresh memory of her plagued dreams.
“Come in.” Alannah sat on the edge of the bed, her auburn hair falling over her shoulders and framing her face.
“Alannah.” The stern, seemingly indifferent voice was unmistakable.
“Master.” Alannah
went to stand, but Master Jadoc held out a hand, indicating for her to sit once again. He looked different. His hair was not pulled back neatly and rained down his back. He wore a Navy blue house robe embroidered around the edge with silver markings. As he took a seat next to her, she kept her gaze on the floor, then shifted to his feet. He had very clean feet and neatly trimmed toenails, but strangely, even his feet seemed fit. The skin across the muscles was tight, and some veins lingered at the surface.
Alannah brought her gaze up to meet his.
“I failed you.”
For what she was sure was the first time, Jadoc’s expression softened almost to that of a father.
“You did not fail me. You forgot to feed yourself the energy, yes. But you still proved that you could do what I asked of you.” Jadoc patted her knee. “You should be proud, Alannah.”
Alannah smiled at him and squared her shoulders. “Thank you Master.”
“You are welcome to remain here for the night if you wish. If not, I understand that you would prefer your room.” Jadoc stood and began walking to the door.
“Master Jadoc.” Alannah called out as she stood from the bed.
Jadoc turned, his white hair swirling around him like falling snow.
“Thank you for not taking me to the castle. For not allowing anyone to see me that way.”
Jadoc nodded once and smiled as he walked past Anora who was walking back in.
“Anora, let us go back to the castle.”
Anora furrowed her brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I would like to sleep in my bed this night. If it is not too late, I should like to take care of a matter.”
“Ma’am.” Anora responded, and walked out of the room to advise Jadoc and Nara that they were leaving.
Alannah picked up a glass of water that sat on her nightstand and drank from the glass, leaving it half full. She held the cup out in front of her, and within seconds of her concentrating, the water inside began to freeze, and frost covered the glass. She put the frozen glass back onto the table and looked toward the fireplace, causing the flames to climb far into the chimney. Yes, she was proud. She had grasped quite a hold on her powers.