by L. S. Gibson
"And Remi?" Jhond asked bitterly.
"As sad as it is, Remi was always destined to have a troubled, difficult life. Walking into the nunnery that fateful day was always meant to be. Meeting you would prove to be the highlight of her short life. She fell in love, but she had a vital role in protecting the Eynan--"
"The price was too high," Jhond declared.
"Then prove worthy of her sacrifice! Protect and serve your people to the best of your ability. You were destined to be the Eynan and your ability is...boundless."
Boundless? Jhond wasn't sure he knew just what that meant. That his power was immeasurable, limitless? That as the Eynan his knowledge would become incalculable? Even thinking such words in relation to himself sent a chill down his spine. He was but a young man and felt he still had so much to learn. Each day he felt less justified in being the Eynan.
"You must finish it, Jhond," Ninian said, and Jhond jerked at the comment.
"Finish it?" He frowned, confused.
"Destroy the rod," Ninian said, and Jhond's brow cleared.
"Ah, yes." Jhond lifted the cracked crystal, staring at it as if he could see the rod buried deep inside, wondering if it was possible a tiny sliver of Remelin survived in the crystal. He shivered, horrified at such an idea, before dismissing it as the guilty fear it was. He bent to place the crystal on the lid of the closed box and hastily drew a sigil in the air, while reciting the spell that would encase the cracked crystal in a new pristine one.
Ninian watched, fascinated. This was the first time he'd seen a crystal being formed...the first time a crystal had been formed since the Withdrawal. It began at the base of the existing cracked crystal as a fine, mesh-like web of crystalline fibers and seemed to weave itself, crisscrossing and twisting its way around, the fibers thickening and joining until it reached the tip, where the new crystal formed a fine point.
Ninian glanced up at Jhond then to find him staring at the new crystal with distaste. Jhond picked it up, twisting it around in his fingers. "It's cold," he said absently.
"Didn't you expect that?"
Jhond gazed at him. "I didn't know what to expect. The instructions on how to create it were clear, but that was all. No description of how the process might appear or how it might feel when one handled a new crystal." He turned the crystal between his fingers. "Not that it matters. It's not going to exist for very much longer." Jhond put the crystal back on the box and intoned another spell, closing his eyes on the last word.
Ninian hadn't known quite what to expect--a small explosion, a bright flash, a disintegration of the various constituents? What he didn't expect was a wisp of white mist to form around the crystal, which then contracted until it faded away without a sound, leaving the small wooden box to remain empty and untouched on the floor.
"Well, that was impressive," Ninian said.
"It's about time the Eynan did something impressive," Jhond said bitterly. "Everything else I've done today has been decidedly lacking."
Ninian wanted to say something to encourage Jhond, but this time words failed him. How could he help his friend feel better about the death of a-- He'd thought to call her a friend, but, if he was honest, he knew Remelin had been much more to Jhond, which only made the whole situation worse. The best thing they could do now was to get out of this Lords forsaken place and get on with life. There was much already waiting for them to investigate back at the Temple of the Magi. He hoped that would help take Jhond's mind off his loss and allow him to follow his fate, wherever it might lead.
"Let's go find Amired," Ninian suggested.
* * * *
Following the incident with the snake, Amired had set a more careful pace, and both he and Warkist were much more vigilant. When they finally reached the entrance to the ruins of the nunnery, Amired was surprised to find there was no sign yet of Jhond, Ninian or Remelin. He had expected their delayed arrival might have found the mages waiting for them.
He and a somewhat more sedate Warkist had been waiting outside for quite some time now. Warkist was content to sit on a block of stone near the entrance, but Amired had resorted to pacing up and down to stem his impatience. He was tempted to go inside and see what was happening, but Ninian had made it clear he must wait until they came out. If, for some reason, they needed Amired's presence he would know it. Ninian hadn't said how, but Amired didn't doubt his word for an instant. The Eynan was inside the ruins and there was little of which he wasn't capable.
Amired stopped pacing when he saw movement by the entrance. Ninian came into view first, with Jhond just behind him. They were walking slowly, and Jhond's head was bowed. Amired was confused by how uneasy he felt at what he was seeing. Amired peered behind them looking for Remelin, but there was no sign of her. All at once, he had a really bad feeling.
"That doesn't look good," Warkist whispered from behind him. Amired hadn't even been aware the sailor had moved from his perch.
Amired didn't answer, but stepped toward them, aiming for Ninian. The mage glanced behind Amired at Warkist, and Amired felt the need to explain. "I brought Warkist as back up, just in case." Ninian frowned, and Amired added, "It proved a good move. He saved me from a nasty snake on the way here...a distinctly unnatural creature."
Ninian's eyes widened, but Jhond didn't appear to have heard a word. Ninian inclined his head in acknowledgement at Warkist, and the sailor smiled even as he shrugged, dismissing the gesture.
The reaction Amired was sensing from Jhond was not at all welcoming. He wanted to ask where Remelin was, though he didn't think he was going to like the answer. Instead, Amired decided to go with, "Did you destroy the entity?"
"Yes, eventually," Ninian replied, glancing at Jhond before continuing. Jhond ignored him and stared straight ahead. "It was made more difficult because the entity proved able to inhabit Remelin's body."
"Inhabit her... Hellas," Amired exclaimed. "How was that even possible?"
"It'd had a long association with Remi and apparently was able to link with her very easily. To a degree, it had already proved what a close connection they had with the way it could influence her while on your ship."
"Yep, can't deny that," Warkist said, and Amired elbowed him to keep quiet. Warkist mumbled something under his breath, but backed away a couple of steps.
"I tried to force it out of her." Jhond suddenly spoke up, his voice rough. "It fought back until I had to use a stronger spell." He stopped and turned away, as if unable to face them. "I killed her."
Amired was shocked by what he heard. It was difficult enough to believe Remelin was gone, but that Jhond had caused it?
"That's an unfair and untrue comment," Ninian said in a weary voice.
Jhond ignored him, but Amired wanted to know more. "What's your version?"
Ninian sighed and explained as succinctly as he could what had happened while Amired and Warkist had waited helplessly outside. Amired had no trouble accepting Ninian's description of what had happened. He knew very well that Jhond would never harm anyone on purpose, and especially not Remelin. Amired would have to have been blind not to see Jhond's interest in the pretty young mage.
However, Jhond wouldn't let it go at that. "I should've been able to tell she had called on her talent."
"Even the Eynan cannot know everything all the time," Ninian said.
It looked as if Jhond was about to argue the point, but abruptly he turned and marched on ahead. Amired exchanged glances with Ninian before the others followed him.
They hadn't gone very far when Jhond slowed his pace and said, "I've been thinking about those images we saw showing us in the future with Remelin."
Amired listened with interest, knowing some of what Jhond referred to, glancing over at Warkist with a warning glare not to ask questions. The sailor had no knowledge what Jhond was talking about.
"We both saw different futures, Jhond," Ninian said. "You know all such future visions are only possibilities, not certainties. The future is always fluid." He paused a moment befor
e adding, "Perhaps the visions we saw of Remi were cautionary warnings... the crystals trying to give us advance information of what was to come when she was possessed by the entity."
"That makes me feel so much better," Jhond said with bitterness. "I'm the Eynan. Shouldn't I have been able to understand and react to such guidance? However you look at it, I failed."
"Am I misunderstanding?" Amired asked. "The Eynan may be the most powerful, skilled mage ever to exist, but he is not a god-like figure, a supernatural being able to control all things. Don't give yourself such divine attributes."
* * * *
Ninian could have hugged Amired. He had put into words what Ninian was thinking, but hadn't known how to say. He caught Amired's gaze and gave him a nod.
Jhond just looked shocked.
"Is that what you think? That I believe I am some kind of supreme being?" Jhond gave a bark of laughter that sounded remarkably close to hysteria. "Nothing could be farther from the truth. I feel less in control than a small child."
"Is that why we're heading in the wrong direction?" Ninian asked.
Jhond stopped and looked around as if he had no idea where they were. He shrugged. "I didn't even think...just let my feet take me. Not the action of a god-like being."
"Which is precisely the point," Ninian said. "Don't take the blame for things beyond your control, my friend. You're powerful, but you are not omniscient."
"That is certainly true." Jhond looked thoughtful for a minute and then with an odd, rather sad smile curving his lips, he said, "It seems perhaps I still have much to learn. I think fate is sending me a message."
"What?" Amired asked, though Ninian had the oddest feeling he knew what was coming.
Jhond glanced at Amired and then looked steadily at Ninian. "That I am the Eynan. I am not like other men. My life will not follow the same pattern. I will not take a wife and produce children. I will be akin to the nuns and monks who served the ancient gods, only my life will be dedicated to helping those in need."
"How can you predict the future like that? I thought you weren't omniscient," Amired said.
"No, but I think two failures are a clear indication of the pattern my life will take," Jhond said.
"You might be correct, but perhaps if you allow life to take its own path?" Ninian commented.
Jhond shrugged. "I won't go looking, if that's what you mean. I'll make being the Eynan my priority and let that be my guide." Jhond looked first at Amired and then switched his gaze to Ninian, who read the silent message all too clearly and gave a slight nod. He would stay at Jhond's side as long as he was needed.
Amired smiled. "Now, will you take us back to my ship?"
Jhond hesitated, looking thoughtful. He glanced down the path they were on and then in the direction of the path leading back toward where the Horologue was berthed. "Perhaps my subconscious wasn't so wrong in taking me along this path to the village," he said softly. He glanced over at Ninian. "I think I'd like to call into Remelin's cottage one last time."
Ninian opened his mouth, about to ask why, but decided it was better to let Jhond do whatever he wished, whatever he needed.
* * * *
Jhond truly believed what he had told Ninian and the others, but letting go of the possibility of a family, of a woman who would mean the world to him, was very difficult. He still had Gallia in his life, albeit only as a friend, but she would always be there to lend an ear or offer a shoulder for him to cry on. Remelin was gone forever, and, his fault or not, it had been by his hand.
The village was just ahead now, and Jhond could see Remelin's cottage, the first one in the village from this direction. He swallowed as he thought of the last time they had been there. He wished he could turn back time and that they had never-- He stopped because that was the way to madness. He had to accept what was and learn from it. He turned toward the front door, resisting looking back at Ninian, not wanting to put his need into words for his friend.
He pushed open the door, staring into the dark interior. Taking a deep breath, he crossed the threshold. He stood in the center of the room, glancing at the drawn curtains over the sink, so thin the faint sunlight sparkled through them, at the dresser with the few pieces of pottery, at the fireplace now as cold as Jhond's heart.
"Jhond?" Ninian said quietly from behind him.
Jhond ignored him.
He sucked in a breath and walked over to the door to her bedroom, the one room he had never entered. Slowly he opened the door and looked inside at the bed, with its two pillows and thick quilt; at the simple nightgown thrown casually on top. There was a chest of drawers under the small window with its drawn curtains. On top of the chest of drawers was a small pile of books next to a little wooden box.
Jhond didn't know just what it was he was searching for, but he felt he would know it when he saw it. He walked over to the chest and opened the drawers, one after the other, finding only clothes. He glanced at the books, but none of them called to him. He opened the box and inside he found some folded papers and a couple of small drawings--one of a man and the other of a woman. Jhond saw Remelin in both of them and guessed they were her parents. Underneath them, he found a small brooch, the kind used to hold a cloak together, or perhaps to fasten a blouse. It was pretty, but it didn't mean anything to Jhond.
He sighed and turned back to the main room. It was then he saw it, sitting haphazardly on the mantle over the fireplace: the long silver clip with the twisted knot at the wide end that Remelin often used to hold her long hair back from her face. She had been wearing it the first time Jhond had seen her. He reached for it, and the instant he touched it, he knew that was it.
"Jhond?" This time Ninian was a little more insistent.
Jhond turned to face him, catching sight of Amired just behind Ninian and Warkist watching from the entrance. "It's fine now," he said, and Ninian looked puzzled. "I just needed something to touch, to hold. Something that had special meaning for Remi." He held up the clip. "This was her mother's, and it meant a lot to her." Jhond slipped it into an inside pocket. He took a deep breath. "We can go back to your ship now, Amired." Jhond walked closer to both men and bent both arms slightly. "Take hold."
"With pleasure," Ninian said. "It'll be good to get out of this place."
"Er, you forget about me?" Warkist spoke up. He walked up to his captain. "I thought he"--indicating Jhond--"could only take two people with that device of his."
"Ah, yes." Amired cocked his head to one side. "Never mind, Warkist. The walk will do you good. Perhaps you can use that excellent sword arm of yours to get us something fresh for our dinner."
"That's the last time I bother to save your life," Warkist declared, as Amired and Ninian each took one of Jhond's arms, Amired giving Warkist a sly grin.
Ignoring the by-play, Jhond quickly transported them back to the Horologue, and though Jhond was greatly relieved to leave the tainted cellar and nunnery behind, he knew he would never forget them.
L. S. Gibson
L. S. Gibson has been putting pen to paper, figuratively speaking, for decades, but only in the last few years has L. S. really pursued writing in a more serious manner, wanting to get the work published so others can read and hopefully appreciate it.
L. S. likes to write in various genres, though science fiction, fantasy and historical are among the favorites.
For more information on L. S., please visit:
http://www.lsgibsonauthor.com
http://lsgibsonauthor.wordpress.com
* * * *
Don't miss The Eynan, by L. S. Gibson,
available at AmberQuill.com!
When his dreams of marrying his beloved Gallia crumble to ash, Jhond of the House of Reeve knows he must leave home. Having grown up among the old legends of the time of magistry, he decides to follow the clues to find the fabled Temple of the Magi. On his journey there, he meets up with Ninian, who knows more than it first seems. Together they investigate the Temple, and Ninian helps Jhond to realize the truth
of his ability. Magistry is not simply a long past myth, it exists. Ninian is a mage--and so is Jhond.
It is only the beginning of their epic journey. They make new friends and dangerous enemies, become embroiled in a war of empires, encounter old loves and learn the value of forgiveness, while all the time Jhond refines his skills as a mage.
Gradually all the pieces begin to draw together, and Jhond learns he may be more than a simple mage, he might just be the answer to everyone's prayers--the much-vaunted Eynan of long-forgotten legend.
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