by Chanda Hahn
I looked at my hands and tried to mimic what Joss and the other healers had done, but all I kept picturing in my mind was what I had done a few minutes ago, and in the arena. All I had ever done with my gift was steal power and destroy. What if I accidentally destroyed Ruzaa, instead of healing her? I let my own fear hold me back.
Her breathing became more ragged and people rushed to aid us. All of them reaching toward her trying to help staunch the flow of blood from her wounds, but there were too many.
“Someone run and get a healer,” a large man yelled.
Ruzaa looked at me and I could see her eyes start to turn glassy, her face was pale. “No one will hurt no more…I did it.” Her hand became slack in mine and I let the people in the alley pull Ruzaa from me and carry her away. I knew it was too late, she had drawn her last breath.
Two pairs of hands reached around my waist and hugged me. I didn’t need to look down to know that it was Pim and Jury. I put my arms around them and cried. We didn’t know who comforted who but we knew we needed each other at that moment.
I felt a familiar pull on my spirit and somehow I knew Kael was near. He came running down the alley, out of breath and pale. He looked upon the mess of carriage parts and stared, he was the only one that noticed the blood pooling underneath the wreckage.
I didn’t care that he had come to rescue me, I was angry and sad, and hurting.
“Where were you?” I cried out loud, letting my frustration out on him. “You who are supposed to protect me, failed. When I needed you most, you weren’t here! And look! Ruzaa’s dead, and it’s all your fault!”
Kael stopped and stared at me, bewildered. Clearly he wasn’t expecting my outburst, but I had just taken three lives and I wasn’t prepared for the emotional havoc it was causing on me. I should never have had to face Scar Lip alone. If only he had killed him when he had the chance, instead of letting him escape then this would never have happened. I wouldn’t be a murderer.
I knew it was unfair, after all, this is why the Queen and the Adepts wanted me to be trained in self-defense. It was what Kael had been preparing me for, to attack, to fight back, to be able to save myself. And I did it, but at what cost? Ruzaa’s life.
Jury and Pim buried their faces into my hip and I turned them away and started walking with them toward the Citadel. Kael reached forward and tried to touch my arm.
I snarled at him, “Don’t touch me. You weren’t here, when I needed you!”
Kael’s hand dropped quickly to his side and he held his breath as if he were in pain, I could tell I just deeply wounded his pride. “You’re right, I should have been here.”
“But you weren’t, and it’s obvious I don’t need you to protect me anymore.”
“Thalia, let me explain…”Kael reached for me again.
“Leave me alone!” I slammed Kael with a flash of power. The blast lifted Kael off of the ground and sent him spinning through the air to hit the wall. I grimaced as I heard the smack of his body against the stone wall.
Kael’s reflexes were those of a fighter. He dropped and nimbly landed in a crouch, ready to spring back into action. Slowly standing to his feet, he circled me, keeping his distance. It was like two wolves sizing each other up, and I had two cubs I was ready to protect.
Kael’s jaw twitched in anger and his blue eyes stared into my own. I wasn’t expecting to hear a pained voice reply, “If that is your wish. You will never see me again.” Kael turned and was gone. Breathing a sigh of relief and remorse, I felt a sudden chill of apprehension of what I had done.
Chapter 29
The next morning I was woken by a very disgruntled Tearsa.
“Wake up!” she hissed, shaking my shoulder roughly.
Groggily, I tried to open my sleep-encrusted eyes.
“I already sent Forrest to wake you earlier, but you wouldn’t answer any of his knocks,” she went on, grumbling, but I only caught bits and pieces as I tried to make sense of my muddied memories from last night. Ruzaa had died and I killed three people. A pain in my chest felt like it was going to explode.
The curtains on the window were thrown open, and the light pouring into my room made me throw the blanket back over my head to block the blinding light. My armoire opened and the not-polite sound of shoes and other objects being thrown around the room made me want to burrow deeper in my covers and hide from the formidable Tearsa. She was obviously on a rampage because she had to personally wake me up.
I groaned because there was no justice in the world. The Adepts questioned the shop owner, Joss and Cooper, and they couldn’t find any deceit in them, even Syrani. Apparently she had nothing to do with the kidnapping and the Septori had been following me for days, and found a lucky moment to grab me. The truth was, Syrani was only being nice to me to get near Joss, but of course she didn’t want to be seen in public next to someone covered in dirt, so the stop was purely to dress me. How typical, how very much like Syrani. What worried me the most was that I hadn’t even had a chance to speak to Joss, to tell him I was fine. I had been sequestered in my room after the battle and given very little time to adjust or mourn for Ruzaa. It was not what I had wanted, nothing happened how I wanted it too.
“No one had a key, so I had to drop everything I was doing to come and help you. The Council Session starts in fifteen minutes and here I am playing maid to you.” Her words finally started to filter through the down comforter into my foggy brain and I sat up in a panic.
“Finally, you realize the importance of the situation,” she harrumphed.
Jumping out of bed, I put on the clothes she had laid out, barely giving them a glance. I tried to run a tangled comb through my disheveled curls from the night before. Using some water I was able to pull them back and secure the curls with a blue ribbon.
I had forgotten that the Queen had called an emergency session and the Adepts asked me to be there for the proceedings.
“Now remember,” Tearsa said as she looked me over, giving me a nod of satisfaction. “You have been asked to sit in, not participate. There is a viewing section to the side where you can watch and listen from. You hear me?” She placed her hand on her hip and began waving her finger at me. “You are not to speak unless spoken to.” Her fingers waved dramatically.
Looking at Tearsa, it was really hard to hold back my tears, she reminded me of Ruzaa. I had made it back to the Citadel last night and Tearsa took one look at Pim and Jury and immediately gave them baths, food and put them to bed. Yes, she was a rough and tough mistress, but she did it for the right reasons. Running to Tearsa I gave her a quick hug, which surprised her and made her blubber in admonishment at me. Shooing me away with her apron, she yelled at me to get going or I was going to be late.
Running down the halls, I was almost to the Council hall when someone grabbed my shirt and pulled me into a small alcove. Warm strong arms embraced me and I started to fight before I looked up into the concerned green eyes of Joss. I was once again struck by how handsome he was and I felt weak in the knees. His hand went to my face and he cupped my cheek before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. At first I was startled, then I struggled and then I melted. It was soft, warm, gentle. Before I could respond in turn to the kiss, he pulled back enough to whisper softly into my ear.
“I had wanted to do that yesterday before…” he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence without bringing up the horrible events.
“I know,” I whispered lamely. I didn’t want him to speak of it either. I buried my forehead into his chest to take comfort and let him hold me close as I tried to battle with the emotions that began to overtake me.
“I can’t tell you how worried I was when we couldn’t find you. It was then that I realized how stupid I had been. I know I had said I wanted to be your friend, but Thalia, I lied. I’m not happy with being just your friend.”
I pulled back and opened my mouth to speak but he pressed his warm hand over my lips and hushed me.
“Don’t say anything, I know you.
You will try and deny what we have, but the feelings I have won’t go away Thalia. So it’s better if you don’t say anything at all right now. I want to talk to you tonight, meet me after the Council Session by the arena.”
I nodded numbly. Joss quickly kissed my forehead before pushing me back into the hall and toward the Council room. I stopped a few paces in front of the Council hall doors so I could catch my breath before entering. The guards at the door watched me silently, knowingly and opened the double doors so I could go in. “You almost didn’t make it,” the guard on the right winked at me. “Another minute and you would have been late.”
My cheeks burned and I tried to put all thoughts of our kiss from my mind. It was hard, but once I remembered the importance of why I was here, I was able to settle the harried beating of my heart. But just barely.
Entering the main Council room I was astounded at the vastness of it. The room was a giant circle with raised boxed seating for each of the twelve clans, Guilds and Adepts; each clearly marked by banners. The viewing section was a small boxed area closest to the entry doors. The round room created equality among the clan leaders because there was no obvious head of the table. In the middle of the room, on the floor, was a small dais for the speakers. The room echoed easily because of the high vaulted ceilings.
Sliding into the viewing section, I sat among a few of the older Denai students. A few had quills and parchment, obviously prepared to take notes of the proceedings. I turned to Tydus, an older Denai, with small spectacles and brown hair and asked him if he had been to one of these before.
“Of course, I’m the council recorder. You?”
“Uh, first time.”
Tydus frowned. He obviously took his studies very seriously.
Queen Lilyana came forward to address all of the Clan Leaders and Adepts.
“We are here today because of an incident that can no longer be ignored.” She paused for effect. “And that is the persecution of our people, Denai and Human alike. Someone has been kidnapping the people of Calandry and performing heinous experiments on them. This will not be allowed and will not be tolerated. We don’t have all of the facts yet, but we have found the remains of an abandoned prison, where these crimes have taken place.”
I sat up straighter; this was the first I had heard of them finding the prison.
“We could not find the ones who are doing this, the ones known as the Septori, because we were looking for them in our land. It seems that they are not locals, but come from Sinnendor.”
Silence befell the room and then loud rumblings were heard as everyone began to talk at once.
“Impossible!”
“How can that be?”
“How do they get past Sinnendor’s elite?”
“Is Sinnendor behind this?”
The Queen raised her hand and the room fell silent again. “We don’t know how much King Tieren knows, for the Septori were hiding underground right along the river that borders both of our lands. But there were numerous paths that led straight into Sinnendor territory from the Septori’s hideout. We cannot lay blame without proof, and right now we don’t have any. I will not risk another war without more proof.”
Heads bobbed up and down in understanding. A few murmured disagreement and I was careful to watch those boxes closely. I couldn’t help but notice that throughout the whole proceedings there were two clan sections that remained empty. One was for the Skyfell clan, their Clan Leader’s wife was ailing and their leader refused to leave her side, so he sent his deepest regrets about his absence.
Leaning over to Tydus, I asked him about the other empty box.
“Oh, that’s for the Valdyrstal Clan. They’ve never acknowledged the actual delegation of the Council and have yet to ever make an appearance for a Council Session. Supposedly their clan leader, Bearen Valdyrstal, is extremely against any Council business and progress. He is supposedly even anti Denai.”
Something about the name made my pulse start to race. “But why do they continue to keep a spot for him on the Council then?”
“Well, they are one of the larger clans, and because of that and by clan right, they are allowed to have a vote. By his absence, his vote is automatically cast as a negative.”
“Where is this clan from?” I could feel something deep inside start to stir.
“Their lands cover the parts of the Shadow Mountains and the Ioden valley that borders the northern edge of Sinnendor.”
There was definitely something, a memory, a flicker of snow, of mountains. Sitting back from me, Tydus ended the conversation as he quickly scribbled notes on his parchment to catch up with what he had missed during his explanation.
Leaning back as well, I tried to adjust my weight in my chair to find another comfortable position, but no luck. The chairs were meant to be uncomfortable and to keep people awake during these proceedings. But I was now desperate to find out what I could about the Valdyrstal clan. I couldn’t sit still.
After two more hours had passed, Adept Pax stepped forward to address the missing children. Before he could go on the Council room doors opened, and one of the most fearsome looking men I have ever seen strode through the doors. Large, muscular, outfitted with dark furs and brown leathers, he looked like he was ready to battle the cold. On his back was a very large battle axe. His long dark beard covered a hawk-like nose. The retinue of men that came behind him was equally dressed in furs of all shades and kinds. A few wore wolf and bear pelts, and I could see one man wearing the red furs of a fox.
Their battle gear and leather armor looked out of place amongst the formal robes each of the Councilmen was currently wearing. The leader strode into the room, showing no fear and stood before the Adepts, not saying a word. His gait and demeanor looked familiar to me, but I couldn’t place where I knew him from.
“Bearen Valdyrstal.” Adept Pax stood up and addressed the giant of a man. The council erupted into titters of frenzied whisperings. “We are honored that you have decided to join us for the Council Session, albeit a bit late.” A few snickers were heard from Bearen’s men.
“You do realize that weapons are forbidden in the Council Rooms? And if you had been here earlier, you would have had time to change into your formal robes,” Pax stated stiffly.
Bearen showed his teeth then in what could only be considered a pass at a smile. Something I could tell didn’t come very easily to him. “Come now, friends,” he said in a slight accent, holding his hands out in an imploring gesture to the Council. “I am here now, and you must excuse my lateness and forgive me for my attire because we just rode in. We thought it…” he paused for a second, “prudent to come right away rather than miss more of the proceedings because of our lack of grooming.”
A barked laugh came from one of the men standing behind Bearen. Bearen spun and gave him a dangerous look. The laughter stopped and Bearen turned back to the Adepts and Council and waited patiently.
Adept Cirrus leaned over and spoke to Adept Pax. “Very well,” Cirrus went on. “You may take your seats. But be forewarned for next time that you will come in appropriate attire and be on time.”
Bearen then did the most amazing feat. He bent his large form into a deep and mocking bow. My eyes widened in awe and apparent horror at the disdain he showed to the Council Members. Walking past me to his seat, his men following close behind, Bearen caught me staring at him. Stopping abruptly, his lip lifted in an obvious attempt at another smile, but came out a sneer, before heading into his assigned box seats. My palms started to sweat as I felt his continued stare long after I looked away.
“It seems to me,” Adept Kambel said and stood up, looking over his notes, “that someone has been stolen or kidnapped or ran away from every large Clan, except for…” Dropping his parchment, Kambel stooped down and tried to pick it back up and in the process, knocked his glasses askew. Placing them back stubbornly on his nose, he looked at his parchment one last time before going on. “Except for Valdyrstal.” He looked pointedly at Bearen, who was
leaning back in his chair at that moment with his large boots stretched out before him and resting on a chair in front.
“Do you have anything you would like to add?” Adept Cirrus asked.
Bearen slowly stood up, lifted one foot off of the chair and turned to address the council. His deep voice rumbled in the room. “Ay, we have only lost one child, my daughter, but unlike you, we have actually found her.” Turning his hawk-like nose and deep blue eyes toward me, his next words dragged out into eternity, searing into my memory. “Hello, Thalia.”
Chapter 30
My hands started to shake and I grabbed the banister in front of me to steady myself in case I should faint. I stared at the man across from me who seemed familiar, yet at the same time, was a stranger. The family resemblance in our hair and eyes was undeniable. The joy that I thought would surround me at the thought of finding my family turned into trepidation.
All of the Adepts stood up at once and began talking. Tydus reached over a hand and slapped me on the back, making a joke about pretending to not know the strongest clan in Calandry and then being the Clan leader’s daughter. My eyes never left Bearen, who grinned at me in triumph as he walked down into the center of the room.
“Brothers!” his deep voice rang out. “I have been looking for Thalia for months and had only recently heard rumors that my daughter had shown up in Haven. I came to the Citadel not to participate in this year’s Council Session, but to retrieve my daughter.” Pointing a finger at me, he beckoned. “Come daughter, we shall return home.” Moving toward the exit, all of Bearen’s men stood up in formation behind him.
Pax Baton’s voice roared after him, “Stop! What do you think you are doing, taking one of our students and leaving?” Pax leapt from his box and strode toward Bearen and his men.
Bearen Valdyrstal turned on him in a flash and placed one large hand on Pax’s chest as a small knife appeared in his other. “Don’t come any nearer,” Bearen spat. “You know my viewpoint on Denai and your training program. How dare you take my daughter and bring her here into this filth!” Turning, Bearen spat onto the ground. “Now she must return home and be cleansed. She doesn’t belong here with your kind; she belongs with us, her family.”