Failira, the Tahlet Vahllah (The Beautiful Whisper of the Goddess Saga)

by Orr, Krystal

  "Thank you for everything," Talliea said without turning around. Keeping her head down, she started off in the direction of the glade to change. As she walked, she swore she could hear Arizira's voice around her.

  "What do you think I am, Tah-li?"

  Without hesitation, Talliea answered, "A faerie, Ahmanae."

  Talliea smiled.

  Two days later, Talliea and Markahn were walking slowly through the forest. Markahn had found two other satchels full of supplies and their journey was as easy going as it could be given Talliea's condition.

  Few words were spoken as the two of them walked. Markahn's mind was awash with questions while Talliea's continued to replay her time with Arizira in vivid detail. Each walked in silence, both lost to the sounds of their own thoughts. Markahn wondered about what Talliea had experienced that had brought about such drastic changes in her personality. He found himself playing out scenarios in his mind about what could have transpired between Talliea and this 'Ari.'

  Talliea still had yet to identify what kind of creature the other woman was. Were there more of her kind in the forest or was she some lone creature living in the Northlands? He and the other men, through their scouting, had found no evidence of others occupying the forest. Had the woman been some abomination? Some Esu woman that Esuval had cursed for disobedience?

  Markahn was unsure. The brief look of her he had glimpsed suggested no curse. In fact, for all of the woman's differences, Markahn had found her to be rather pleasing in appearance. She had been attractive, in a completely savage way, of course. Her hair had been the color of the rays of the moon and her eyes...they had been the most alluring thing about her. They had glowed. In them, Markahn had noted the glint of intelligence alive in the woman. She was no animal, no matter what the other Esu men wished to believe.

  From a physical perspective, Markahn supposed he could understand what had attracted Talliea to the woman. She was beautiful with full, pink lips and delicate arched eyebrows. Her skin had been fair, yet radiant and her ears pointed.

  Had Talliea always fancied women? Was that why she had refused his joining for so long? Or, Markahn thought, were her feelings for Ari deeper than just physical lust and the sins of flesh?

  He supposed that did not matter, either way. Talliea was not going to tell him anything. Thus far, their journey together had been dull, quiet, and uneventful. Talliea walked slowly, ahead of him, toward a destination known only to herself. Every now and again, she would stumble or take a moment to rest, but otherwise she walked and walked and walked.

  Around mid noon, when the sun was high above them, Talliea stopped and lowered herself on the ground at the base of a large pine tree. She licked her dry lips and tossed her head back to feel the sun on her face. Markahn joined her and offered her a skin of water.

  "Have you any idea of where we are going?" he asked, slightly annoyed.

  Talliea ignored his question for a moment as she drank her fill of water. The liquid was cool and refreshing and did much to lift her spirits.

  "You do not need to continue with me if that is not your wish. Your promise to aid my escape has been fulfilled. There is nothing binding you to this journey."

  Markahn looked to his right and studied Talliea's profile. Her eyes were brighter and some of her color had returned. He wondered at the change, but chose not to speak of it.

  "I know I do not need to stay with you, Talliea. I do so because I want to ensure your safety. You are still weak and, by now, the clan has been alerted to our absence. Others could be in the forest in search of us."

  Talliea inhaled deeply and calmly and looked around her. Birds fluttered on heavy laden tree branches, the wind blew softly through the leaves, and the sun beamed down warm and bright on the ground around her. Everything was alive and vibrant. Yet, that was not what had her in such high spirits.

  No, the one thing that had Talliea feeling more alive than she had in weeks was that Arizira was in the forest. Talliea had noticed the sensation early morning as she and Markahn had walked a steady path northwest. The sensation had been as if a burden being lifted from her shoulders. Instantly, Talliea had felt a lightness in her chest and in her bones. Her senses had come alive and the weakness in her body had lessened.

  She had known, at that time, that Arizira was close -- still far away, but closer than before. The bond between them had alerted her to the change and, ever since, been leading her toward her love. She had not mentioned the occurrence to Markahn. He did not need to know, for his part in Talliea's story was over. He had done what he promised and helped her to escape. His actions, by extent, had saved her life.

  There was nothing more she needed of him. Arizira would not approach her with Markahn in tow. No, it was far more likely that, when Arizira found them, she would shoot first and ask questions later. Talliea could not allow any harm to come to the man, not when he had helped her.

  But, something Markahn had said did make sense. The Lat'sa'val were certainly aware now of Markahn's betrayal. They would be looking for the two of them. Even though Talliea was feeling better, she was still in no shape to defend herself or hasten the speed in which she was traveling.

  "You are right," she said, breaking the silence as the two of them sat under the sun. "We must assume that others now walk where we once trekked. They could come upon us while we slept."

  Markahn nodded and looked around him. "Yes, my thoughts exactly. You are still far too weak to be on your own. If matters turn ill, you will need my protection."

  His protection...

  No.

  She did not need Markahn's protection. She needed Arizira. Though Markahn's powers were great, she could not expect him to fight against a group of his brothers. He could be injured.

  Or worse.

  No. She could not risk him. He had proven his value and his friendship by helping her. For all of his arrogance, he was a good and honest man and she truly believed he loved her.

  "No," she said, staring off blankly ahead of her. "No, you must return and tell the others that I attacked you. You must not place the mantle of blame upon yourself, Markahn. Leave and give false information of my whereabouts. That should afford me more time."

  Outraged, Markahn stood up and began to pace. "I am not leaving you! I promised to keep you safe."

  "And you have, but another made that same promise before you and it is she whom I walk toward," Talliea countered, meeting his eyes. "This is how you can aid me farther, my friend. This is how you can protect me."

  Markahn stopped. Talliea had called him 'friend.' Was that what they were? Men and women were never friends, not in Esu society anyhow, but he supposed that was what the two of them were.

  Friends.

  He could live with that. Still, how could he walk away while Talliea, his friend, was in the condition she was in? Kneeling down, Markahn held Talliea's steady gaze and tried to garner some bit of understanding from her eyes.

  "I would have walked with you until the end, whatever that end may be."

  "I know," Talliea replied with a small smile.

  "How do I know you will be okay?"

  Talliea turned her head to the side as she continued to hold Markahn's gaze. The tattoos on his face appeared more vivid than she recalled and his eyes were a darker shade of grey. She knew, without a doubt, that he had always been honest with her. Never had he tried to deceive her or lead her astray. For a moment, she felt badly for ever having questioned his resolve, but the feeling did not last long.

  Arizira was who mattered. Talliea's reservation about Markahn had been for Arizira's safety, not her own. Her own life she could gamble with, but not Arizira's.

  "How do I know?" Markahn asked again with greater conviction.

  Holding up her hand, Talliea cupped Markahn's cheek in a platonic gesture and smiled again.

  "You do not. What I do now is beyond your understanding, Markahn. She is close and as such, so too is my safety. Another night and a day and we should be together again."


  Markahn did not understand, but he nodded his head anyway. Tears formed in his stormy eyes and he felt his throat tighten. He did not wish to leave Talliea. Even knowing she would never feel for him what he felt for her did not diminish his desire to keep her safe and away from harm.

  "Our people will continue to hunt you. They know you hold information on the woman. They wish to know more about her, if there are others of her kind, and if an attack is at hand."

  Talliea shook her head. "Attack? I know nothing of such a thing."

  "It does not matter. You were with her. She subdued Lao'dahn and managed to get away from three of our number without so much as a scratch. She is dangerous--"

  "She is no such thing!" Talliea retorted.

  Markahn sighed and backed away so that he could sit in front of her. "I know that. You know that, but you know our people see war in every action. They view her as a threat to our security. To think she is the only one of her kind is narrow-minded, Talliea. I tell you these things so that you know what you are faced with. Even if you find her, our people will continue to look for you. We are advancing into the forest, scouting new areas in search of Ari and others like her. This calm is fleeting, at best. You must take care!"

  Talliea took in Markahn's words and wondered when her life became so complicated. She did not wish for war or hatred. She did not want to be hunted like an animal or feel as if she was bringing harm to Arizira. Even if she died, Arizira and her people would still be in danger. The Esu were a people that, once threatened, adopted a single-minded view of everything around them. They would stop at nothing to ensure their superiority and safety.

  Eventually, open war would happen. Whether or not she and Arizira would be caught in the middle, Talliea could not say. Her only concern, at present, was reuniting with her love. Plans could be made after the two of them were together again. They could speak with the Arnira and see if a peaceable solution could be reached. Of the two peoples, the Arnira seemed the most amicable.

  "I will heed your words, Markahn. We each have our parts to play. Mine is with Ari-sera, always with Ari-sera. Yours is to bring me more time. Your place is with our people. They listen to you and follow your lead. Mayhap you can douse the flame of battle before it ignites and spreads its red death upon this land."

  Markahn shook his head again, but did not comment on Talliea's words. Instead, he spoke up and asked, "There is nothing I can say or do to dissuade you from this course of action?"

  "No," Talliea replied immediately. "There is not."

  "Then, I suppose this is good-bye."

  "I suppose it is."

  Markahn lowered his head as his tears finally fell. The enormity of everything hit him with a force he was not fully prepared for. This was the last time he was going to see Talliea. He knew, once she found the woman she loved, that the two of them would do everything they could to remain together. They would, most likely, not desire any part in the war that was coming.

  The thought of never seeing Talliea again left Markahn feeling empty and alone. All of his life, he had known the woman before him. They had been children together, grown into adulthood together, and if he'd had his way, would have been joined together.

  Now, all of those things were over -- never to be again and never to come to fruition. Talliea, the woman he loved, his friend, was leaving to follow her heart and Markahn, though happy for her, was filled with a sense of loss he had never before known existed. He thought back to years in the past when he had known who he was and what he waned out of life. His belief in Esuval and the laws of his people and religion had been without question. Back then, Markahn had understood his place in the world.

  Or, he had believed he understood.

  Upon Talliea's coming of age year, everything had changed. He had laid his claim on the woman he desired and for five years, that woman had denied him. His people were different now. No longer did they reside in the barren Southlands, fighting amongst neighboring clans for resources. Now, after many years on the open plains, he and his people were in a new land, with new beliefs and new laws.

  The woman he wanted was a new woman, with a new life and a new love. Whatever had happened between Talliea and the savage woman had changed the woman Markahn knew forever.

  And here at the end of all the things he knew, Markahn realized that his entire life had been in preparation for this moment. His people were different. Talliea was different. He was different, but different was not always a prelude to doom. Since arriving in the Northlands, Markahn had come to see that the world was larger than just him and his people. Like Talliea had told him, there were forces at work that he could not even begin to fathom.

  One such force was the love Talliea had for the enigmatic woman she was searching for. Markahn still knew so very little, but he was not so thick in the head that he could not appreciate the connection between the two women. That connection had matured Talliea. It had given her hope and stability and confidence. On the other hand, it was also responsible for her sickness.

  Still, Markahn knew that his life had been waiting for this moment. This moment where he defined the man he was going to be. This moment where he helped a friend, even if that friend was a woman in love with another woman. His brothers would say that he was turning away from Esuval, but Markahn knew he was embracing his god.

  This was his part, like Talliea had told him.

  "I will miss you, Talliea. Please be careful and tread lightly. I will do what I can to ensure your safety."

  "Honor and grace," Talliea replied, the words being a common Esu blessing or farewell.

  Markahn stood up and sighed heavily. He glanced around them and noticed how serene the forest was. It was hard to believe that his people could be out looking for them.

  "Are you certain of this? We have walked for two days without any sign of this woman."

  Talliea used the base of the tree to help herself up. Once standing, she looked farther to the west and in the direction of Li’nas Dei.

  "Yes, I am certain. Ari is close. With every step I take, I regain my strength because she is near."

  Markahn nodded before passing Talliea a second leather satchel full of food and supplies.

  "Here. Take this. It is extra food...in case the woman is hungry."

  Smiling, Talliea accepted the bag and strapped it over her shoulder. "Thank you. Now, go. Make haste and remember: you have my gratitude. Always."

  With nothing more left to be said, Markahn turned and began to walk back in the direction the two of them had come. He tossed his head over his shoulder one last time and watched as Talliea disappeared into the thicket of trees around her.

  * * * * *

  "We will leave at once," Lao'dahn said.

  "No! Our scouts have detected movement near our borders," Haldynn countered.

  "Movement? What sort of movement?"

  "The source remains unknown, but one of the men was shot down by a bowman."

  Lao'dahn rubbed his chin in thought. Since learning of Talliea's and Markahn's escape, he had grown increasingly agitated. The other men had been gathering a force to go in search of their two missing people, but as of today, had yet to mobilize. Lao'dahn knew, somehow, that Markahn was helping Talliea to escape. Why the dolt would do such a thing was beyond him. Did he believe his actions would make Talliea love him?

  If that were the case, then Markahn was even more imbecilic than Lao'dahn gave him credit for. Talliea did not care for men. Any man. No, she favored the soft and supple flesh of a woman. Her little pet.

  It was not for Markahn that Lao'dahn thought to search. It was for Talliea because that woman had mocked Esuval for the last time. The force meant to search for the two of them would have left the day before, but a scouting party had not returned and so the Lat'sa'val had been hesitant to risk other men.

  "The scouting party has returned?"

  "Yes, only moments ago," Halynn replied. "Only two men returned whole. Two sustained injuries while the one lies
dead with the healers."

  "Dead? An arrow you say?" Lao'dahn asked, his eyes glassy and unfocused.

  "Yes. It is not one of our make. The scouts said it was adorned with unusual characters. They believe the woman you fought is responsible, or others like her. We could be at the dawn of battle, Lao'dahn."

  Turning around to face the older and stern-faced man, Lao'dahn leaned his hands on the table between them.

  "You are correct, of course. We can not risk the lives of our brothers. Defenses must hold here if fighting breaks out. I will search for Markahn and Talliea. Alone. A party of one moves with less noise than a party of many. I will scout for a day and, if I do not find them, return to help in any further preparations.

  Haldynn shook his head. "You are risking much! Talliea and Markahn have made their decisions. How do you not know they were struck down like our scouts? You could be risking your life for naught but a fanciful belief!"

  "It is my life to risk! If I do not find them, I shall return and help you and our brothers. If they are still alive, we are obligated to aid them, Haldynn. They are our people and under our protection."

  Lao'dahn was lying through his teeth and he knew it. However, Haldynn did not know it and that was what mattered.

  "You are most noble," the older man remarked, standing to his full height. "You speak truly. Take what supplies you need and go. We will look for your return on the morrow. Walk with careful steps. This forest masks a hidden threat, brother. There are others among us. Of that, I am most certain."

  Lao'dahn grasped Haldynn's hand and placed a fist to his chest. Nodding, he made his departure.

  Talliea and Markahn were alive. He knew they were. Whether or not there were other warrior women in the forest was unimportant. They would not harm Talliea due to her relationship to their kinswoman. At least, Lao'dahn did not believe they would.

  He would find the two of them, kill Markahn and finally rid himself of the oafish fool, and have what he most desired.