by Quil Carter
A smile came to Teal’s lips as he watched Anagin spin his old partner’s sword. Anagin was always favouring his hip but once he started doing the drills it was like he had become young again.
Teal did the same drill, pivoting one foot and kneeling forward, his sword out in front of him.
Anagin smirked at him, before swinging the blackened sword at its twin. The two swords clanged together. Teal drew the blade back with lightning speed, and pointed it at Anagin’s throat.
“Dead.”
Without responding, Anagin put his finger to the tip of the sword and brought it down, with a wry grin, then a fast movement, faster than Teal thought Anagin would be able to move, he shifted to his side and swung Talon, the blunt side of it whacking Teal on the side.
“Maimed!”
Teal felt a grin come to his lips. He raised Cyan, meeting it once again with Talon and with a clang of steel on steel they started to spar.
“Do you know you were named after that sword?” Anagin said after they had been sparring for the better part of an hour. Both of them were soaked with rain and exhausted, taking refuge under the fire tree as they rested before their next round.
“I was?”
“That’s right. Your brother Eagen’s name was derived from eagle of course, which was for Talon. As you know your House emblem was the two-headed eagle. Cyan is a colour similar to the colour Teal, which is what we wanted to name you.”
“We? Father and you?”
Anagin nodded. “We knew what your names would be when you were still just twinkles in our eyes.”
“What about Josiah and Malagant?”
“The first town I remember living in was Josyrah, and Malagant was a name Kelakheva suggested. Malagant had been nameless for six months and the demigod had had enough. I was dealing with Tes being dead, leaving me with a newborn and a toddler; I didn’t have time to think of a name.”
“Kelakheva was around then? Wow.” Teal had known Anagin knew the demigod a lot more than they had, but it was still weird hearing Anagin talk about him. Teal’s experience with Kelakheva had been traumatizing. “He didn’t like me very much.”
Anagin pushed himself off of the tree he had been leaning against with a grunt, and picked the sword back up. He shook his short black hair free of rain drops. “That experience in the other world is hidden tight and guarded by Throateater and his legion. What did he command of you?’
Teal picked up Cyan; he waved the sword around a bit. “What… what do you know?” His voice was quiet and small.
“Not much, you’re locked tight. I have seen bits of Tav, which is troubling. I never imagined the human world would be so…”
“Terrifying?” Teal said meekly.
Anagin’s sword move underneath his. He lifted Teal’s sword up with his own, making its steel match his. “Different. I look forward to meeting Ben.”
Teal’s shoulders slumped, as they always did when he thought about his human.
“You’re very attached to that human-hibrid. I don’t need seer abilities to see that.”
Teal nodded. “He was my first friend. He was kind to me. No one had ever been kind to me before, without wanting something in return.”
“First friend? You’re a friendly boy. How can that be so?” Anagin’s sword met his with a ring of steel. There was scraping as Teal lowered his before spinning around and stopping the sword right by Anagin’s neck. Anagin smirked.
“I lived by myself, in the woods or mountains. I didn’t like to be around elves… I still don’t like a lot of elves being around. It makes me, well… nervous, I guess – anxious. Now I’m just used to it being Malagant and Ben.”
Anagin chuckled, before he gave his sword a quick swing at Teal’s legs. Teal jumped quickly, landing with a squish on the ground.
“This must be torture for you then, living with three elves and a tight-knit town.”
Teal shook his head. “I like being here… you and Josiah don’t seem like strangers to me… not like in Lelan or Rhastt. I feel at home. All you Ahris elves seem to have the same energy. Friendly.”
Anagin smiled. “That makes me happy to hear.”
Suddenly there was a slam at the back door. Anagin and Teal lowered their blades as they watched Malagant step into the backyard. He was covered in mud and out of breath. Josiah was behind him, just as filthy. Their hair was soaked and pressed up against their paled faces, their cloaks nothing but wet blankets flung on their backs.
“Did you find him!?” Teal asked anxiously. He started to feel faint; Malagant looked exhausted, like he had been running. Did they find something?
When Malagant shook his head, Teal’s heart fell.
“Dad… hundreds… hundreds of animals, thousands of insects… fleeing, a wave of them. Jare, gruleon, moose, everything, heading north. Hundreds, Dad, scared… shekin’ terrified of something, just a… a massive herd,” Malagant gasped. Josiah was leaning against the fire tree; he seemed to be too exhausted to speak.
“Did everyone make it back safe?” Anagin asked. He picked up his cane and started limping his way to the door, leaning heavily on it as he did.
Teal felt badly. He had been having such a good time sparring with Anagin he had forgotten his bad hip.
“Yes, everyone is accounted for. Everyone is in the guard station and Lord Frankon is having a meeting with Pontis and Daneley. Are you going to go?”
Anagin shook his head. “They can come to me if they need me. I told them many times I will not be on the council. The only thing I care about is if this has to do with the prophecies, and Ben. None of that is the council’s concern.”
Malagant and Josiah stood back as Anagin limped past them and into the house. Teal just watched him, still holding his sword.
“Ben…”
Malagant’s eyes found his. He walked over and put his hand on Teal’s shoulder and started walking towards the door. “The herd will pass by here tonight. We’ll go back out tomorrow, I promise.”
Teal didn’t move for a moment, but as Malagant urged him on he walked inside. He tried to remind himself of the news Anagin had told him. He had demenos blood in him, he was stronger than this.
“Okay,” Teal whispered, handing Malagant Cyan as he reached out for it.
Josiah, though dripping wet and filthy, was putting wood and tsivia on the fire, which had become just coals in the hearth from it being neglected while they were outside.
Malagant was already taking his cloak and doublet off. Anagin was walking slowly up the stairs, probably to get clothes.
Teal watched Anagin struggle up the stairs. Anagin was soaked and in pain, but still he pushed through it to look after his sons.
“Sit down, Syr Ahris, I’ll get them clothes. I’ll get you some tea too. Sit down by the fire,” Teal said.
Anagin turned around and gave him an odd look, before letting out a breath and nodding. “I’ll take you up on that, boy. Grab a couple blankets as well.”
As Teal jogged up the stairs he could hear Malagant behind him. “What did you do to him?”
“I talked to him about Throateater and I told him why he was there. I told him about when he was born,” Anagin said. There was a hiss from the fire as Malagant draped his mud-soaked doublet over the metal railing which was attached to the hearth.
Josiah looked shocked; his eyes darted from Malagant’s to his fathers. “And… and he’s… he seems fine? Did you tell him everything?”
Anagin gave him a grunt. “Of course he’s fine, Josiah. He’s a strong boy and resilient. His mind may get damaged but he heals quickly. He will be just fine.”
Malagant looked at his brother, but as soon as Josiah saw him looking at him he turned away. He grabbed Malagant’s muddy cloak and threw it into a wash bin near the door, before turning around to make them all tea. It was obvious he was trying to ignore Malagant’s curious gaze.
“You know, nothing makes me feel more a part of this family than you and Dad keeping things from me,” Mala
gant grumbled. He pulled his father’s footrest to the fire and started trying to warm himself.
It had been a long and wet run back to Birch. He, Daesy, and Fenton were trying their hardest to stay in front of the herd. By the time they made it back the wave of animals were still a quarter league off. Josiah and his party had already made it back and alerted Pontis. The last thing he had heard before they had run back to their father’s was that the council was gathering.
Malagant felt something hit his lap. He looked down and saw his father’s book. His eyes widened.
“There, read it. I’m done storytelling for today.”
Malagant looked at it like it was the Jewel of Elron itself. His father had never let him look at the book by himself, Anagin always been the one to read from it. There must’ve been dozens of stories he had never heard before.
“Don’t read anything else. If you do, I’ll know, and I’ll break your new hands so badly even Kaul Avahlis will not be able to save them.”
“What did you tell him?” Malagant took the book gently ignoring his father’s threats. He opened the first page and saw a small bit of writing. Dedicated to Kelakheva and my sons.
“I told Teal about Cruz. I told him I loved Cruz. In another life he would’ve been your chaylen father, you would have been Teal’s brother. Teal’s birth is on page four hundred and forty-nine. Your brother remembered it, you were too young. Read it, it will explain a lot.”
Malagant just gawked. He shifted around on the footrest so he was looking at his father, behind him Josiah was doing the same.
“You’re admitting it. Finally?”
Anagin gave them both glares. “You don’t need to throw me a gods-be-damned party, Malagant. Now shut up, I don’t want to discuss it. I’m tired.”
Malagant grinned. He shifted back over to Josiah, who was still looking shocked. “Josiah, did you hear? Almost twenty-six years after the war ended, he’s finally admitting he loved Cruz. Did he really just say it out loud?”
“Malagant…” Anagin said in a warning tone.
Josiah pretended to look surprised. “He loved him? What a complete shock! I’m at a loss for words. I’m shaken to my core.” Josiah grinned. “And here I thought Mum was his true love. They seemed so happy together!”
Malagant and Josiah burst into laughter.
“Of all the things to pick up from me, you had to learn my cruel, inappropriate humour,” Anagin growled, taking his cup of tea from Josiah. “You had your laugh, now shut up and get warm. We have bigger things to pick apart than something that happened a quarter century ago.”
Malagant looked at his father, who was hottening his tea with his flames, looking surly and disgruntled. Malagant tried to hide his smile, his father was already shutting himself down after finally admitting his relationship with Cruz Fennic, but that was just his way. Malagant had been seeing him do it since he could remember. He had many more quips and teasing remarks to make to his father but he remained silent. Though it was taking every bit of will in him to do so.
Teal lightly stepped down the stairs, his hands full of blankets and clothing. He had already changed into one of Malagant’s tunics and a pair of trousers.
Malagant was reading a book, wearing only his skivs. He was paled from the rain and shivering, but seemed in good spirits. Anagin was heating his tea, looking annoyed. His cloak was off but his doublet still looked wet.
Josiah was standing beside Malagant, also stripped down to his skivs. Their doublets hissing and sizzling as they dried over the roaring fire. The heat and the white flames told Teal they had put a light dusting of tsivia on the coals. Malagant’s back was already red from sitting so close to it.
“Here you go, Malagant.” Teal handed him a blue tunic and trousers; he handed Anagin a dry doublet and Josiah one as well. “I found some wool blankets in Malagant’s closet.”
Malagant slipped the tunic over his head and tied a black sash around it. “Thanks, Teal, it’s brutal out there. Dad, there are flies everywhere; they were fleeing too. Not just flies either, every single insect, nocturnal ones too and ones who would never be out in rain like the luna moths.”
Anagin wiped his still wet face with his dry doublet, he looked weary. Teal felt bad about them being outside for so long. He should’ve suggested they went in sooner.
“I’m creating a beacon for Kelakheva tonight,” Anagin said, nodding to himself as if he finally had convinced himself to do it. “I am at a loss. I don’t know if this is prophecy-related, I wouldn’t trust that book to tell us anything. However if it was the…” Anagin glanced at Teal for a moment. “This is something that should be written about.”
“We should check the prophecies,” Teal said. Sure they weren’t writing properly, but they still did write. They might have given them more news regarding Ben. Teal looked around for the book, but he wasn’t sure where Malagant had placed it.
Anagin shook his head. “I wish you to not even touch that book anymore, Teal. Understand?”
Teal looked at him surprised. He looked at Malagant for help but Malagant was swirling his tea with his finger.
“Why?” Teal asked.
Anagin’s gaze was unyielding and firm. “Because I said so. You two don’t have any experience in dark magic, prophecies, or the gods’ games. I do. As it stands, both of you will be obeying any request I have of you. No questions, am I understood? My requests may seem over-cautious or unimportant to you, but I assure you, I expect them to be followed without hesitation.”
Teal nodded obediently, beside him Malagant did as well.
“That’s why we came here. We’re walking idiots right now with how that book is writing. It’s all on you right now, Dad.”
“It always has been,” Anagin said with a grumbled sigh. He sipped his tea and set it down beside him before reaching into his side table and rummaging around.
A few moments later Anagin pulled out a beautiful object from the side table. It was a crystal orb that reminded Teal of the moon itself. Wrapped around it were thick, smooth rungs of carved silver, which seemed to grasp the orb like claws. It glowed a pale, haunting light that coated the room.
“Dad… rest first,” Josiah said gently.
Anagin nodded and held the orb out to Teal. “I won’t light it until tonight. I just wanted to show the boy.”
Teal took the orb from him, it was cold and pale, and it seemed to hum with its own light. Teal was surprised to feel his jewel warm under his jerkin; it felt like it was answering the orb.
“This is Luna’s Tear. Do you know what a beacon is, Teal?”
Teal shook his head, running his fingers along the orb. The small moon was so bright he could see the red veins of his hands shine through his almost transparent skin.
“The Anean Prophecies say there is a beacon for each deity, Kelakheva included. When a powerful mage possesses it, it is said they can summon the gods themselves. It is said the gods took theirs when they left Elron, but Kelakheva gave me his after the Black War.”
“He gave it to you? You are important,” Teal said in a hushed whisper. He handed it back to Anagin, whose eyes were silvery under the orb’s glow.
Anagin placed it beside him on the table; the whole room seemed saturated now in its beautiful white light.
“Never forget, Teal, or you, Malagant,” Anagin began. “Kelakheva is a good deity. He’s taken on an entire world of gods’ games, of prayers and prophecies. Kelakheva is picking up the slack ever since those snot-nosed young gods disappeared. He may be a deity, but he is only a demigod and he does his best in his master’s absence. Kelakheva is a good demigod, and a kind one who actually has a heart.”
Teal had seen otherwise but he didn’t bring voice to his negative experience with Kelakheva. He only watched the glowing orb light the room, and as he did, he realized it was the same glow that Kelakheva himself let off when he appeared.
“I’ll light it tonight, and hope he answers. Sometimes it takes a while, but it is the only thing I ca
n do. We need answers, and our answer book isn’t working properly,” Anagin said in a low tone. He reached over and threw a black silk he had as a side table cloth over the orb to quell its moonlight. “I only hope he doesn’t take his time. Something is happening, Malagant; the animals sense it, and they run from it. But this is no priest magic, this isn’t Erick’s doing. I do not know who is behind it. We can just hope it means Ben is returning.”
48
The phlegm Ben was coughing up was jet black. He didn’t know why, he didn’t care why. His jerkin was black, so it seemed to mix right into it when he hacked into his sleeve. Most of the time though he just spat it onto the ground. He started to remind himself of a squid after a while, spitting black ink wherever he went.
A great deal of the mucus and gross bits that fell from his mouth however just ran down his chin and into his facial hair. He had a good bit of stubble now, or he thought he had. When he wiped his face it felt thick, but it was mostly thick with caked mucus, blood, mud, and whatever else.
And flies… yes, the flies, the insects, they were there as well.
Ben had woken up coughing and hacking them up, some of them still buzzing. They were dead or dying all around him, their swan song reverberating from the ground with a low hum.
As soon as Ben had realized what he was coughing up he started violently puking. And after wave after wave of rib shaking heaves that left his stomach twisting and lurching in pain, he thought he’d gotten up all of the flies.