The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil

by Melissa Collins

  Callum frowned. He couldn’t deny the validity of her concerns. They were all justified simply by Ireni’s threats made during their last confrontation. She would do anything to cause pain and humiliation to Aiva and her family at the hope of it somehow injuring Callum as well. “I wish there was something I could say which would ease your mind, but you are no fool,” he gazed at her solemnly. “All I can tell you is that we will get Shae back and take down anyone who stands in our way.”

  “Even Ireni?” she hated to ask about that woman, but the question burned in the back of her mind. Callum had a history with her. It was only logical for there to be concern of his ability to hold the sword responsible for her death. “Do you think you would be able to kill her if faced with the opportunity? I know you two were close…”

  “Aiva.” Callum drew in a breath. Slowly he exhaled, steadying his gaze once again. “I feel nothing for that woman beyond hatred. She compromised my ship, tried to seduce me, kidnapped your sister, nearly got us all killed by the Feh Noq in Palinon, threatened every unmentionable horror possible against you, and above all, she is responsible for killing my sister’s betrothed. A man I had already begun to consider a brother. There will be no hesitation on my end of the blade to see her head severed from her shoulders. Do not worry yourself on that.”

  She jumped to feel Uttae’s hands upon her shoulders, beckoning her to stand. Ihklos was waving toward her, the guests on their feet, their applause echoing through the spacious hall. Reluctant, Callum released his hold on her, a warm smile crossing his lips while motioning for her to go. “They cheer for you,” he whispered, his eyes following her hesitant movements as she rose.

  It was like a dream the way they hooted and clapped, staring at her as if she was some great deity in their midst. She didn’t feel special enough to deserve their praise, but it would be rude not to acknowledge it. Forcing a smile, she waved at the people, hoping they wouldn’t notice her anxiousness to return to her seat.

  When the applause began to die down she took the opportunity to situate herself at Callum’s side again. As the celebration was underway, she found the time passing quickly. Plates of food were brought to the table, laid out before Aiva and Callum, steam rising from the different meats and vegetables, their aroma like heaven to their starved bodies. She was grateful to discover the meal to consist of game killed during the hunt. Nothing appeared questionable like the food in Palinon.

  They filled their plates, laughing joyously over the taste, comparing each dish to the terrible things they had eaten since leaving Tanispa. It was relaxing. A reminder of how comfortable Aiva had felt in Callum’s company when visiting Phaezut the night of their negotiations. Her only fear was that something might ruin it. Once they reached Luquarr, they would have to begin their work to pick up where they left off on their mission and without the men from Callum’s unit, they only had one another to rely on. They would fail before even beginning if they couldn’t manage to get along. The relaxed nature at present boded well. It gave Aiva hope that they could do anything as long as they worked together.

  Their laughter continued long into the night, regaled by stories from Uttae and Ihklos of past hunts and battles, reminiscing of the late King. Aiva found herself intrigued by any mention Uttae made of the war in Tanispa. She loved to hear people talk of the victory over the Ven’shal. Uttae spoke of her parents as if they were characters in some great fairy tale one might tell their children before bed. Callum leaned forward, chin rested on his hands, listening with interest. Aiva found Uttae a wonderful storyteller, the details and descriptions of everything creating such vivid images in her mind. She felt as if she were right there with him in the battle, watching General Cadell and her father cut through the Ven’shal, the bodies of the fallen enemy revived by the tainted magic of their nemesis. The legendary Arcastus. Resurrected from the dead after centuries of lying in his hidden tomb only to be struck down by the blade of Aiva’s mother. Ihklos was engrossed in the tales as well, excitedly asking questions to draw more information from Uttae.

  Aiva couldn’t be sure how much time had passed when she started to realize the crowd was thinning. After all her talk of wanting to be away from Tunir, she almost hated to see the evening come to an end. Once she and Callum set foot on the boat to the islands, there was no guarantee they would ever see Uttae or Ihklos again. It saddened her in a way. The experiences within the jungle would always be with her.

  “I suppose we should discuss the transportation promised to you both,” Ihklos said suddenly, as if reading Aiva’s thoughts. “I believe the agreement was that I would see you safely to the islands in the morning. That will be upon us soon. Is it still your desire to leave with such haste?”

  “Regretfully, we must. Our family awaits us on the mainland of Luquarr. Time is already against us in reaching them before they are forced to move on,” Aiva frowned, idly twisting a fork between her fingers. It felt rude to rush from Tunir when they had only just begun to enjoy their stay. She hoped Ihklos would understand. “I explained our situation to General Uttae, however, I did not mention it when I spoke with you. I understand your General has informed you of the reason for our journey and the events which led us to your shores.”

  “Unfortunate circumstances indeed.” Ihklos nodded, the crease in his forehead deepened with thought. With a crook of his finger he motioned Uttae to lean closer, whispering something in his ear. They mumbled in their own language for a few moments before Ihklos focused his attention on Aiva once again. “General Uttae can have a longboat prepared by dawn to take you to the islands north of here. The distance is not great and should only take a few hours to reach the docks. If you depart in the morning, it not only allows my men to be home by nightfall, but it also grants you the afternoon to seek a trade ship to take you to the mainland. I suspect I don’t need to warn you about exercising caution while in their cities.”

  Callum straightened in his seat, head bobbing in agreement. “Yes, we are familiar with the dangers we face while there. It is a risk we must take. My only concern is our lack of provisions. The clothing I arrived in remains wearable, however, the Princess’s dress was ruined and she will draw significant attention if she is seen around the city dressed as she is.”

  “Do not concern yourself on the matter of provisions. I will see to it that you are well prepared for the journey,” Ihklos smiled. “There isn’t much I can do about your wife’s clothes, but currency is not hard to come by for the shops on the islands. You will be provided with enough coin to outfit yourselves as you see fit and to secure food and water before setting out to sea again. I must advise you be careful. Storms are bad this time of year and if you already crossed paths with one divastru, it would not be unheard of to see another.”

  “If that occurs, you may see us again sooner than we thought,” Aiva chuckled. Distracted, she set her fork on the table, glancing to where Callum remained seated at her side. “We cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. You are a gracious king and General Uttae is the finest of men. The kindness you have shown us will never be forgotten. If ever you require assistance from my people…”

  “Your thanks is appreciated, but not necessary,” Ihklos rested his hand on Aiva’s arm. “I honor my father by assisting the allies he gained during his reign. My only hope is that our friendship will continue for years to come.”

  “I promise you it will,” Aiva gave a benevolent smile. Any hard feelings she once held for Ihklos dissipated. He wasn’t the terrible person she thought he was in first making his acquaintance. The only thing he was guilty of was curiosity. A desire to know her people. Without Ihklos’s help, she and Callum would be lost. His kindness would not go unrewarded when they returned to Tanispa. “I look forward to a long and happy alliance with you and your people. You can consider the Vor’shai a trusted friend.”

  Ihklos nodded sharply, rising to his feet in a fluid motion. “It is settled then,” he stated assuredly. “General Uttae, I leave the final arrangements
in your hands. A single boat will suffice. Gather your strongest men to see the rowing is done with ample speed and have our friends on the water by sunrise. I have business to tend to before I retire, but my dear Princess, you and your husband can consider my palace your home. Feel free to wander as you choose. My only recommendation is that you remain indoors. It is safer.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Callum stood, bowing to Ihklos in a deep and formal motion. Aiva watched him, awed by his grace before quickly rising to follow his lead. She was used to seeing him in the role of a soldier. It had been years since she witnessed him utilize the etiquette and poise of a nobleman. Ihklos returned the gesture of respect, his smile widening before turning away. He said nothing more, leaving them to stare after him as he made his way around the table and toward the wide door of the dining hall.

  “Be ready in the morning,” Uttae stated calmly. “We will leave at the first light of day. Do not be late.” He bowed to them stiffly in farewell, quickly following Ihklos from the room. Aiva watched him leave, her entire body tingling with excitement. In a few days they would be on the sea toward Luquarr. Finally, everything felt as if it was starting to come together. We’re coming, Shae, she thought confidently, clasping Callum’s hand in hers as they made their way from the deserted dining hall. She had no intention of sleeping, but they couldn’t stay there. If only morning would come sooner. Unfortunately, all she could do now was wait.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Aiva stood outside the door to their room, pacing the floor, heart fluttering with anxiety. It was almost time. She was dressed and prepared for the trip, wearing everything she owned. Packing had been the easiest part of the morning. When she dove into the sea after Callum, there was no thought about bringing personal belongings and the clothing she wore then had long since been damaged and discarded. All she possessed was the outfit Uttae provided while in Iachoor and the weapons he bestowed upon her for protection. Little else seemed necessary until they reached the islands.

  Her hand lifted impatiently to knock on the door when it opened suddenly to reveal Callum on the other side. He was dressed in the pants from his Tanispan military uniform, the fabric only somewhat worn from the journey. The issued doublet was clutched in his hand, turned inside-out to conceal the markings. “I thought it best if you put this on,” he said calmly, offering the doublet to her with an air of insistence.

  She laughed at him, accepting it from his outstretched hand. “You are only half-dressed yourself. Don’t you think it best if you worry about covering your body first?”

  “It is one thing if I show up amongst those people without a shirt. You, however, are different. I would be more comfortable if you concealed yourself a little more.”

  “I am clothed, Callum. You worry too much.”

  “You are barely covered. Humor me, Aiva. I know what these people are like.” He took the doublet back, ignoring her protests while sliding the sleeves onto Aiva’s arms. She couldn’t bring herself to stop him. If it made him feel better, she would do as he asked. He was more familiar with the people of Luquarr than she was. While she thought he was being overly protective, it was possible his concerns were well-placed.

  His fingers fumbled over the buttons from inside the doublet. She giggled nervously to feel his hands against her bare midsection. A look of intense concentration could be seen on his handsome features, working diligently to cover her exposed skin. “You know, it would be easier to fasten if you let me wear it properly.”

  “If you wear it properly, it will announce to everyone that we are military. That is a detail best left unknown by the natives.” Managing to get the bottom clasped he coughed, pulling his hands away awkwardly. Aiva looked down at his progress, her laughter returning to find the reason for his sudden discomfort. “I’ll let you finish the top. I… probably shouldn’t have my hands that close to… you.” He stepped backward, adjusting his belt in attempts to mask the color visible in his cheeks. “The good news is that most of my coins survived our little swim. With those and whatever King Ihklos provides, we should be in good shape for the rest of our trip, so long as we avoid drawing the attention of thieves.”

  From her vantage it was easier to finish fastening the buttons on the doublet, giving it a solid tug at the waist to make sure it fit securely. It was larger than she expected. The sleeves were loose, designed for Callum’s muscular physique. She felt like a child playing dress-up in her father’s clothing. “We’ll need to invest in new clothes when we arrive,” she stated, examining herself carefully. “If our goal is to not be noticed by the locals, we are going to fail. We both look as though we have been marooned.”

  “It could be worse,” he nodded. Bending his elbow he offered his arm to Aiva. She accepted it gratefully, allowing him to guide her forward down the long corridor.

  Her limp remained, the discomfort of her injured ankle having increased throughout the evening hours. Despite Callum’s protests and urges for her to sit, she’d been unable to stay off her feet. Her entire body was on edge. Afraid of what dangers they might encounter. Aware of her uneven gait Callum moved in closer, providing a support for her to lean against, easing the weight applied to the injury. She smiled at him, appreciative of his assistance. With him by her side, she knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. And with his help, her discomfort would be less noticeable to the Tuniron warriors. Her concern was Uttae discovering the pain she endured and demanding they stay in Tunir.

  When they reached the door of the palace, Uttae stood outside, nodding to them in greeting. He stepped aside to let them through, indicating with his hand toward the litter which awaited them. “The shore is a slight walk from here. My men are already there to finish preparations for sail.”

  Aiva let out a sigh of relief to see the familiar platform. Callum guided her to the side of the litter, helping her onto the cushions before settling himself next to her. The number of men surrounding it was fewer than when they left Iachoor. Only enough to support the weight of the platform and provide a watch in case of an unexpected attack. They had barely situated themselves when Uttae gave the order to move, the men hoisting Aiva and Callum into the air, falling into step behind their leader.

  Torches burned brightly from the hands of the men at Uttae’s side, leading the way through the darkness of the trees as they set off into the jungle. The sun had yet to fully rise. From the ground Aiva strained to see the sky, finding nothing but the twinkle of nighttime stars still bright overhead. There was time before dawn. She hoped it wouldn’t slow them down. The sooner they were on their way, the better.

  She and Callum said nothing throughout the trip. From the way his eyes gazed out into the shadows of the trees Aiva could tell he shared her anxiousness to be away from Tunir. By the time the shore came into view, they were both seated at the edge of the litter, watching the hint of light visible over the horizon. Callum was on his feet before Uttae gave the command for them to be let down, twisting back to take Aiva’s hand. She let him lift her from the platform, gently lowering her onto the sand, careful not to place too much weight on her injured ankle. “The islands aren’t far from here,” he smiled, pointing off into the distance at the wide expanse of water which covered the horizon from end to end. “Are you ready, Aiva? Once we’re there, our focus must return to the mission. If we can arrange a ride with one of the trade ships, we may be able to catch up to Edric and the others, or at least find ourselves not far behind.”

  “I’ve been ready since we first reached these shores,” she chuckled, gazing out over the water. It was a beautiful sight, the sky orange and red, lit like flames consuming the clouds in the distance. Uttae called to them, waving toward a longboat just off the shore, several men already seated on the benches, oars in hand, waiting for the order to push off.

  Her excitement made it easier to conceal her discomfort, moving swiftly along the sand at Callum’s side. At the water’s edge Uttae assisted Callum in helping Aiva into the boat, directing Callum t
o follow. “I hope you are well rested,” he winked at them, motioning to the oars at either side. “We are working with minimal crew. That leaves part of the work in your hands.”

  “Fair enough,” Callum nodded, clutching the wooden handle tightly. He looked to Aiva, his smile widening to see her staring down at the object in confusion. She had never been on a boat of this style before. Though she had seen men row the smaller vessels across the lakes, she’d never been required to partake in the effort. “It won’t bite,” he grinned, leaning across her lap to place the oar in Aiva’s hand. “Just follow the motion of the others and you’ll do fine.”

  The boat moved with a jerk, nearly sending Aiva tumbling backward. Uttae called out to the men in a series of grunts, his long legs lifting him easily into the skiff while the others went to work pushing them further into the water. Aiva was impressed with how quickly she picked up the technique with the oar. On occasion she felt herself lag behind, their rhythm disrupted until she managed to regain the motion.

  There was little time to think about anything throughout the trip. Sweat dripped from her brow, the only reprieve coming in the form of a cool sea breeze wafting off the deep water. Her eyes drifted periodically to Callum where he sat at her side, staring straight ahead, deep in concentration, easily keeping pace with the other men. Every push and pull of his arms flexed the muscles in his back and shoulders, adding to the already clear definition of his chest. She couldn’t help admiring his strength. Even after the injuries he sustained, his body held its tone. It distracted her, creating a strange desire to reach out and touch him.