“Take them,” Kira says in a surprisingly calm voice.
“What?” Luke coughs. He attempts to sit up, but Kira pushes him back down while staring into his green eyes.
“I said you should take them in the way that they offer themselves to you. My culture has an old tradition, Luke. When two people consider themselves to be true lovers, they give each other permission to be with other people until they are married,” Kira slowly explains, placing her cool forehead against his. “You might think it’s strange to have an open relationship like this, but my people feel that it helps strengthen the bond between two people. It can also show that the two people are not meant to be together by testing the trust and love of the couple in a way that jealousy and faithfulness cannot. Of course, there are rules of conduct to make sure that this tradition is not abused. The true lovers must introduce each other to all temporary lovers who are more than one-time arrangements. This gives each lover a chance to bow out of the relationship in the face of a better match. This tradition allows my people to see if they are making the right choice or if they are going to have any second thoughts.”
“I don’t like these rules. I can’t introduce you to the people I meet and I won’t be around to see the guys that you test yourself with,” Luke argues, obviously flustered by Kira’s proposal and how calm she is. “This tradition can’t help us if we’re cheating on each other without meeting these people. Even with permission, the distance makes introductions impossible and it becomes no different than us trying to lose our pain in the arms of strangers. I don’t think I can do that.”
“It helps me to know that you can find someone to comfort you when I’m not there. Also, I want to have your permission to find someone who can temporarily comfort me when I miss you so much that I can’t eat,” Kira says, her body beginning to shake with worry. “Nobody can replace you, Luke. It’s just that . . . this is the way I was raised. I know it sounds wrong and strange to you, but please promise me that you will try to uphold this tradition.”
“Why would anybody make a tradition like this?” Luke asks in frustration. He attempts to wriggle out from under her before he notices that she has her legs wrapped around his. Luke begrudgingly stops moving as Kira gives him a kiss on the cheek.
“The reason for this tradition is that the concept of divorce was dissolved after a time where people would leave each other for any reason,” Kira explains, speaking slowly and choosing her words carefully. “Most divorces during this time were caused simply because one person became bored with the other. It was damaging cultural unity and children were being forced to live in shattered families. These children would grow up to either repeat the mistakes of their parents or avoid love altogether. It endangered the long-term unity and survival of Bor’daruk culture. So, the tradition of open relationships was made at the same time the elders designed a punishment for unnecessary divorce. Of course, separations caused by abuse were allowed with the abuser going to jail.”
She shifts in the bed to get a better look at Luke before continuing, “Since then, everyone has had to make a careful choice in a companion and they must live with that choice. Going through with an unnecessary divorce results in permanent exile and the city raises any children that the couple might have. Future children of these exiles are allowed to rejoin society if they pass some tests, but the parents are only returned after they have died and need to be buried. By the look on your face, I can tell you think that this is very drastic. Just understand that we are a culture that holds family above all else and it’s the foundation of our society. So, do you promise to do accept the rules of this tradition for me?”
Luke takes a few seconds to let everything sink in. “It isn’t a part of my culture and I barely understand it, but I promise to consider giving it a try. I also promise to return to you when I can settle down.”
Kira kisses him hard and lets her body relax against his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s getting late. Should we go to bed?”
Luke grins up at her before he kisses her lips. The two share a final night together in their pocket cabin. The vision of each other in the moonlight is burned into their minds and hearts. Luke would later say that it was a magical night, but right now he is simply happy to hold and caress Kira. Tomorrow will bring a morning that Luke prayed would never come.
*****
“I’m going to miss this place. What about the rest of you?” Nimby cheerfully asks as he joins the others at the front gate. The sky is filled with rainclouds that give the day a slightly depressing appearance. “I can’t be the only one who has so many fond memories of this academy. Like the time I stole all the apples from Betty or that time Fritz launched himself at the girls’ dormitory.”
“That would have been a great accident for me,” Fritz declares with a joyful gleam in his eye. He casually pulls out an oily comb and straightens his short, graying beard. “If only I had landed in the girls’ dorm instead of passing through the dorm, across the courtyard, and into Duggan. That dwarf sure was mad about that. You are right, my friend. It’s a memory that I will cherish. I probably speak for myself, but a few months away from here and I might be ecstatic to return. It might be hard to part with you boys when the time comes, but that is a bridge that has not been designed yet. Onward to adventure, knowledge, women, danger, women, and most importantly women! Fritz Warrenberg is on his merry way!” He pats Bessaria on the rump as he finishes putting the rest of his gear on the grumpy sheep.
“Speaking of women, how did things go with Kira?” Nimby asks curiously.
“Forget that. How did things go with the elf women, Aedyn?” Fritz inquires.
Both half-elves grumble as they stretch their legs and pretend that the questions never existed. Aedyn yawns as wide as his mouth allows, which causes Luke to copy the action without meaning to. They look back at the empty courtyard. There is no grand send-off since the student body is busy doing the morning run under the watchful eye of Theresa. Only Selenia and Kevin watch the small group from atop the wall as they begin to leave.
“You four take care of yourselves! It’s a dangerous world out there if you go looking for trouble,” Selenia bellows, watching them cross the treeless killing field. “I expect news of your victories, Callindor. The reputation of this academy is tied to your own now. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Remember what I told you, boy! Find something to fight for instead of your own fame and legend!” hollers Kevin, who is squinting due to a pounding headache. “And remind that gnome that he owes me ten bottles of elven mead. Tell him every day, so he doesn’t forget. I don’t want to have to chase after his greasy hide to collect my winnings.” Fritz turns to bow in Kevin’s direction before making a few quick hand gestures.
A small bird appears in front of Kevin and begins talking in a high-pitched voice. “My master wishes to say that you insult his honor and integrity. He will send you your winnings straight from Gaia before he leaves for places beyond your reach. He also says that you wouldn’t last two minutes if you were drinking gnomish spikers. That is the drink of a real man. Er, male gender of any species since he is a gnome and not a human.”
The bird vanishes as Kevin erupts in gut-wrenching laughter that can be heard even as the four friends enter Visindor Forest. They immediately notice how much life has returned to the forest. Areas that were devoid of birds a few weeks ago are now filled with bird song while squirrels leap after each other in the canopy. The influence of the Lich is a faded memory to the animals of the forest. It is the hero that saved them that they remember fondly. Luke can still see all types of beasts stopping to look in his direction with nothing more than a thank you in their eyes. It is a subtle look that only a forest tracker would notice.
“You never answered Nimby’s question. Are you going to be of a healthy mind for this trip?” Aedyn asks, trailing behind the speedy forest tracker.
“We didn’t have any other choice. I refuse to take her into danger and I refuse to give her u
p. We are taking a break for as long as it takes for me to finish this. We even gave each other permission to see other people until we are ready to settle down with each other,” Luke half-heartedly explains. “Don’t ask, Nimby. Don’t applaud, Fritz. My reason for this is simple. The Lich could continue being a problem for us even after we escort Kellia back home. Kira would be in harm’s way if she came along.”
“You two will be together again. It just comes down to when, which nobody can predict. Have an apple,” Nimby says, tossing the polished fruit to his friend. The apple lands on Luke’s shoulder and effortlessly rolls down his arm into his open hand.
“Excuse me, but I have a big question to ask that requires immediate answering. What happened with Aedyn and the elf women?” Fritz asks with a hint of desperation in his voice. Nimby and Luke try hard to stay calm only to fail within seconds and break out into laughter.
Aedyn clears his throat and turns to Fritz with a solemn look on his face. “It was a pleasant night.”
“That’s it?” the gnome inquires suspiciously.
“Both maidens were true ladies and I will not shame them,” Aedyn defiantly replies.
“True ladies? Shame them? You got both, you young dog?” Fritz sputters in shock. “I’m truly impressed. I bow to your superior womanizing skills.” The grinning gnome bows to Aedyn who is becoming very frustrated with the gnome.
“Stop that!” Aedyn yells. “You are making too big a ruckus about this.”
Fritz grins wickedly and points at the priest. “What about those red marks on your neck?”
“Stop talking about it, Fritz,” demands Aedyn, whose face has turned bright red. “What I do behind closed doors is not your business. I am a nineteen-year-old male and am free to make such choices. You have no business knowing about what I do in private.”
“Got it. Not my business what you do behind closed doors,” Fritz replies with a grin and turning away from the priest. “Even if other people can hear it.”
“Exactly. . . . I would curse you for the entire journey if my god wouldn’t punish me for such actions!” Aedyn shouts. By this time, Luke and Nimby have collapsed on the ground in fits of crying laughter. The priest casts a silence spell on them to get some peace of mind. He removes it immediately since watching his friends laugh with no noise turns out to feel much worse. Luke finally composes himself enough to drag himself to his feet and wipes the tears from his eyes.
“I needed that,” Luke mentions, helping Nimby to his feet. “I have to admit that you two have gotten closer over the last few months. It’s like you two are best friends like Nimby and me.”
Aedyn grimaces as Fritz continues talking. “I will freely admit that Aedyn is a good friend . . . for a stiff.”
“And I will admit that Fritz is a good friend too,” the priest concedes. “For a womanizing annoyance who takes pleasure in my humiliation.”
“I can tell this adventure will be a lot of fun since I’m with you three,” Luke says with a satisfying smile. He is about to start walking, but stops in mid-step. “That’s strange. I feel like something is missing. You guys know what I mean?”
“Come to think of it, I think we’re forgetting something,” Nimby agrees, scratching his head. “I can’t put my finger on it, though. Did we have a message to take with us?”
Fritz shakes his head and looks around the forest. “Not that I know of. Selenia would have handed it to us this morning if there was one.”
“I cannot think of anything,” Aedyn claims.
“Fizzle no know too. Maybe more apples?” asks a high-pitched voice from on top of Aedyn’s staff. Everybody jumps at the sudden noise while the adorable, purple-skinned drite materializes. He flutters over to each of his friends to give a happy nuzzle and shakes their hands with his tail.
“I’m sorry, Fizzle. We forgot to say good-bye to you,” Nimby says, reaching out to hug the little creature. A puff of smoke hits him in the face and the halfling topples over mumbling about flying pastries trying to buy his feet.
“This no bye. Fizzle go too. Luke need Fizzle. Nimby need Fizzle. Aedyn need Fizzle,” he squeaks while flying circles around his friends. “Fritz real need Fizzle.”
“I get no respect. Even from magical creatures of great power,” Fritz mutters under his breath.
Luke tries to hide how happy he is to have Fizzle join him, but a thought crosses his mind that he is almost too nervous to ask. “What about Visindor Forest? You protect this forest. You told me that the trees can feel your pain if you’re hurt and that you have been living here for centuries. We can’t let you leave this place unprotected because you want to travel with us. This is a simple bodyguard job and it isn’t worth you putting your home in danger.”
The drite lands on Luke’s shoulder, his claws gingerly gripping his shirt. “Fizzle know. Selenia watch dark place. Fizzle cousin watch home. It what Fizzle want. Luke not know. Fizzle know. Trouble big. Fizzle sense it. Darkness find friends. Fizzle protect. Darkness go poof.”
“What kind of darkness?” Aedyn asks.
“I just wonder what his cousin’s name is,” Fritz whispers as he helps Nimby get to his feet.
“Plimp is cousin. Darkness an . . . anch . . . old. Very old. All Fizzle tell. Please take Fizzle,” the drite whimpers.
“I can’t argue with that face,” Luke states, moving to lead his friends through Visindor Forest. “Besides, if you know something bad is about to happen then having you with us would be the best idea. Guess this means we all get to stick together. Let’s get moving to Gaia.”
“Where Luke mate? Pretty girl no come? Fizzle like pretty girl. Luke not with pretty girl? Luke lose pretty girl?” Fizzle rapidly asks. The questions strike Luke like a volley of arrows to his chest, causing his pace to turn into a stiff crawl.
“Great. Fizzle broke our leader,” Fritz quips.
2
The western sister city of Gaia is considered the beating heart of Ralian. It is the largest city on the continent with almost ten million citizens, including those that live in the farmlands just outside the city walls. Sparkling caster towers and exquisite mansions are scattered among the more common dwellings and places of business. A bustling seaport takes up the entire western edge of the city except for a solitary mountain on the southwest corner that is home to the trained griffins of the military. Gaia is well known for having a temple for every god and a sector for every civilized race of Windemere. With such a vast array of cultures and races, a person would expect massive in-fighting and daily violence between groups. Yet the strict enforcement of the laws designed to prevent fighting in the city keeps even the more violent races at peace with each other. These ancient laws are also responsible for keeping the criminal element to a minimum. Of course, there are still run-down sections of Gaia that are known for being criminal hives, but they are seen as nothing more than inevitable pieces of society.
“I never get bored in this city,” Fritz says as he leads his friends through the north gate of Gaia. He dismounts from Bessaria as soon as they pass the guards and pats the loyal sheep on the head. “There is always something to do. It has become even more splendid since the Grand Counselors passed a law that allows brothels to operate in certain areas as long as they keep to established health and safety codes. Now those are leaders who really know what the people want.”
“Who are the Grand Counselors?” Luke asks. He gazes at the brick buildings around him in an obvious state of awe.
“You don’t know about the Grand Counselors? I guess you do count as a country bumpkin,” Fritz laughs with a slap to Luke’s lower back. “They are the lawmakers and enforcers of Gaia who come from every walk of life and every race that has accepted a haven in this city. Each member is a specialist of some kind, which ensures that there are many points of view when new laws are required. For example, Daniel Skyblade is one of the more recently appointed Counselors and he specializes in honorable combat. This means that he is the one who judges combat in the arena. You
can’t see the arena from here, but it is huge and takes up the center of town. Nobody knows where the arena came from because it was here when the early settlers arrived. The architecture is believed to be elven and possibly from the era where all elves were the demon corrupted Hejinn. Sadly, no records of that time exist outside of oral records. Anyway, Gaia is actually built around the arena since it would have been too much work to take it down. That and the early settlers didn’t know if tearing it down would wake something up.”
“That was more information than Luke asked for. Guess we don’t have to hire a tour guide with this blow-hard around,” Nimby mutters under his breath. His legs throb in pain reminding him of the two-day journey as he continues to follow his friends through the streets of Gaia.
“I believe we can learn about Gaia later,” Aedyn says, his voice filled with exhaustion. “We should find a place to stay for the night since we arrived earlier than expected. Tomorrow can be used for gathering supplies and meeting this caster apprentice. We should also send a message to Kellia to let her know of our arrival.” His stomach roars soon after he finishes talking.
Fritz shoots Aedyn a sideways glance as the group steps out of the street traffic. “It sounds like we need food, too. Maybe we should split up to get all of these things done by tonight. Fizzle can teleport to Kellia and let her know that we have arrived. That way we don’t have to hire a messenger. More importantly, we won’t have to try to get into whatever mansion she is staying in. Some of the guards in this city can be on the jumpy side and take our road-worn group for kidnappers instead of guests. I would not be surprised if the guards are being kept in the dark about Kellia and us.”
Fizzle remains invisible on Luke’s shoulder as he chirps, “Fizzle go. No like city. Busy. Stinky. See friends at boat. Bye.”
Luke can feel the drite disappear from his shoulder and a small ring of smoke hits his cheek before the wind takes it away. The forest tracker pays little attention to the smoke as he continues to stare at the busy city around him. He can feel his palms sweat at the thought of pushing through the busy streets. It amazes him that anybody can get to their destination on time considering how clogged the streets appear. His nerves grow increasingly strained when he tries to listen to the noises of Gaia. A chaotic mess of yelling and talking combined with stomping feet, clopping hooves, and all manners of bells. Luke begins to feel like he is being choked by the air until he takes a deep breath and relaxes. He concentrates on filtering out the noises from his well-trained ears like his grandfather taught him when he was a child. Within a few torturous minutes, Luke’s anxiety melts into a mild sense of unease that he can easily ignore.
Legends of Windemere: 02 - Prodigy of Rainbow Tower Page 4