The Riddle of the Gods

by Lyra Shanti

  Pei didn't expect such a cynical reaction and was a little nervous about how to respond. It was in that moment, while Ayn looked at him with intense blue eyes, Pei realized his brother-in-soul had indeed changed. Ayn was no longer the innocent little boy Pei once knew and helped to raise. It became apparent that whatever Ayn had gone through, Pei couldn't help him feel better. He wasn't sure anyone could, and it tore his heart apart.

  Fighting back tears, Pei sniffed and said, “Well... I'm just relieved you survived, that's all.”

  “Yep...” said Ayn with a half-smirk and squinted eyes, “I... survived... whatever that means.”

  Not knowing what else to say, Pei felt helpless. For a moment, he thought about getting Meddhi, or whoever the man with his face was. The man was only down the hall in a room nearby. Pei wondered if seeing Meddhi alive again would make Ayn feel any better. Pei quickly changed his mind, however, realizing such a shock would only upset Ayn further.

  “Um... I was wondering,” said Ayn, noticing Pei's manic aura, “how did you get my medallion?”

  “Oh,” Pei replied, “believe it or not, I found it at a pawn shop on Xen. I was looking for a quick outfit to go undercover as a Deiusian noble, and there it was. I knew it looked like the one Meddhi gave you, but I couldn't imagine it was actually yours. I bought it anyway, praying it would bring me luck. Crazy, huh?”

  “Yes... and no,” said Ayn as he held onto the red medallion that hung around his neck, half-smiling at the strange way fate worked its wonders. “Listen, Pei...” Ayn added, “thank you for all you've done, but you don't have to do anything more for me right now. All I need is time... to be alone, and to rest.”

  Nodding, Pei bowed and headed for the door.

  Turning back around, he added, “Ayn... I just want you to know that I love you, and I'm so glad you're alive.”

  Ayn slightly smiled and said, “Thank you, Pei. I'm glad you're alive as well.”

  Pei smiled in return, then left, quietly shutting the connecting door to Ayn's room. He hoped, in time, Ayn would recuperate, and perhaps their relationship could be re-built. Somewhat hopeful, Pei took a deep breath, then put on his Lirhan's uniform jacket, which was adorned with the Viha symbol upon its upper left side.

  He was to meet Baran for breakfast. He and Hynfir were supposed to report what had happened and discuss their immediate plans. Pei hadn't seen Reese, which bothered him, but he figured he could ask Baran about where she was at breakfast.

  Walking out of his room, then down the hall, he couldn't get Ayn's sad eyes out of his mind. Pei couldn't imagine the hell his brother-in-soul had gone through, but he hoped Ayn would now be able to heal.

  Chapter 10: The Meeting

  Ona darted up, breathing wildly. “Damn it!” she yelled, annoyed she had the same exact dream yet again. It had been at least several weeks since she dreamt about the man in black, and she had thought she was safe now, finally over that nonsense, but apparently not.

  Angrily, she called for Frey as she put on one of her favorite dresses. It was long and silky with a light peach color and embroidered white Ona flowers. It had been a gift from her father on her sixteenth birthday, and she loved it dearly.

  “Yes, Ona?” said Frey as she entered the princess' room. “Would you like breakfast in bed this morning? I can alert Baran that you're not up to eating with-”

  “No,” Ona interrupted, “I just... I need to see Priestess Emelanthia. Get my driver ready, please.”

  “Oh, dear,” said Frey as she helped Ona find her comfortable, white walking shoes. “Was it another one of those recurring bad dreams?”

  “Yes,” replied Ona as she slipped on her shoes.

  “I'll send for the car immediately, Your Highness,” said Frey with a quick bow before leaving the room. She had seen Ona like this before and had no urge to anger her further. Even if they were best friends, the princess could be quite crass if upset; it was a situation Frey wished to avoid.

  After brushing her hair, then teeth, Ona walked into the hall, transfixed on her dream while walking. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost didn't see the three men as they stood talking. It wasn't until Pei loudly said, “What?” that Ona noticed them and stopped to listen.

  “What do you mean Reese left for Sirin already?!”

  “Well,” replied Baran, a little embarrassed, “that's kind of the way Reese is, Pei. She's highly impatient and does what she wants. The sooner you understand that about her, the better.”

  Pei was thoroughly annoyed, and worried. “When did she leave?” he asked Baran.

  “About two days after you left for Xen,” said Baran, “which means she's probably just reaching Sirin about now.”

  Nodding, Pei scratched his head and said, “I can't leave just yet, but I would like permission to join her on Sirin and help her find Atlar.”

  “Of course, Pei,” replied Baran, “but what about your... guest?”

  “Well...” Pei said, hesitantly, “I'm sure he'll be fine once he rests. He's been through a lot and...” Pei stopped when he saw Ona approaching them. He quickly put on a smile for her and said, “Oh, hello, Ona. I was wondering if maybe I could speak with you... in private?”

  Ona sighed and said, “Does it have to be right now, Pei? I was just about to go out for a little while.”

  “Well,” Pei replied anxiously, “no... I suppose it could wait, but...”

  “Come now, Your Highness,” said Baran with a teasing glint in his eye, “can't you spare a moment for Pei? He's certainly earned it with all his efforts as of late.”

  Ona looked at Baran, still cranky from her nightmare, not wanting to even deal with the man she suspected was the reason for her bad dreams. “Alright, fine,” she said, curtly, “if you make it quick.”

  Pei grimaced, not knowing if he could say what he wanted to tell her with a time limit imposed on him.

  “Come on, Pei, follow me,” she said as she walked toward Baran's office, where they'd usually go for meetings held in private.

  Swiftly, Pei followed behind her, which amused Baran. He couldn't help but think Pei was like a little duck, following the mother goose. Then again, he wondered if he too wasn't much different when it came to Ona. Despite trying to fight it, he had formed a strong crush on her, just like Atlar wanted. Unfortunately, Baran didn't think Ona felt the same way for him, or anyone, for that matter. Baran could only hope that if Atlar was found and returned safely to Kri, Ona might feel better and open her heart to him so they could give Atlar the future Baran promised him.

  Hynfir and Baran stood for a moment, smirking at each other, as if they were both thinking something similar about Pei.

  “He's come a long way, hasn't he?” said Hynfir.

  “Definitely,” Baran replied. “I trained him myself, you know.”

  “Ah, well,” said Hynfir with a grin, “so did I.”

  Baran smirked and was about to say something bawdy in reply, but his attention immediately turned when he saw Ayn walking toward the back exit of the palace, which led to the outside gardens.

  “Excuse me for a moment,” said Baran as he turned away from Hynfir and walked steadily over to Ayn, just before he had reached the gardens.

  “Pardon me, Your Holiness,” said Baran with a finger lifted, “but...”

  “Please don't call me that,” interrupted Ayn who was still dead-tired, though he had managed to get out of bed. He had even put on a Krian style, black, pull-string blouse, as well as black velvet pants. “I would prefer you call me Ayn. Not Bodanya, nor Shiva - none of that – just Ayn, thank you.”

  “Alright,” Baran slowly replied, “Ayn... I don't want to bother you, but... I just want to alert you to the fact that no one here, as of yet, knows you're still live. Obviously, Pei and Hynfir know, but I haven't yet told The Council, nor the princess for that matter.”

  “Why haven't you?” asked Ayn sleepily.

  “Well,” replied Baran, “for one thing, I didn't know if you were ready for anyon
e to know. I wanted your permission first before telling others. Pei said you needed rest, so I was waiting for you to be properly rested. Secondly, I'm not entirely sure that news of your existence would be a good thing at this particular moment, politically speaking anyway. You see, Kri is on the edge of war with The Tah on Deius, and perhaps Ohr as well soon enough, and once everyone knows you live, the game might be changed. Do you understand?”

  Ayn sighed and said, “Not really, no.”

  Baran winced, trying to think of how to explain the tricky circumstance better. “Well, it turns out that Yol Notama – the one who tried to kill you – is the very man who arranged the kidnapping and possible murder of King Atlar. Notama has secretly conspired against Atlar with my uncle, Councilman Octian, who I am quietly building a case against at this time. We also believe that the governor of Xen who held you against your will was involved, and possibly the Prime Minister of Ohr as well.”

  “So?” asked Ayn with weary eyes. “What does that all have to do with me?”

  Baran grimaced uncomfortably. “You know what?” he said, realizing Ayn's limited ability to stomach the galaxy's current politics. “Why don't you just get some rest? In fact, if you like, you may go to the stables nearby... in the gardens... down that way... on the right side over there. I have many beautiful horses in my own possession. Feel free to ride any of them. Just take it easy for a while, Your... I mean, Ayn.”

  “So... I am allowed to roam around at my leisure?” Ayn asked with squinted eyes, followed by a yawn.

  “Yes, of course,” said Baran nervously. “I'm merely hesitant for you to roam where The Council members might be. Although, they may not even recognize you since you've grown so much since your last known picture. I mean, look at you! You're around my height now! Soon, you'll be as tall as a tree!”

  Baran felt himself turning into a blabbering idiot and just wanted to finish his thoughts quickly and leave.

  Ayn made him very nervous for some reason. There was something otherworldly to the young Bodanya's presence, specifically in concentrated blue eyes. Baran didn't believe in Gods, certainly not Deiusian ones, but Ayn was different somehow from other people, and Baran could feel it.

  “Anyway,” he continued, trying his best to avoid eye contact with Ayn. “Just try not to go near the council-room area, and well, anywhere down by the west side of the palace. I'm sorry to ask you to stick with the gardens and the royal rooms for now, but... it really is in your best interest.”

  Ayn nodded and said, “I understand. You wish to announce that I am alive only once you know for certain what has happened to King Atlar. You feel my presence would make matters worse.”

  “Yes, exactly!” replied Baran, relieved that Ayn seemed to comprehend his position perfectly. “It's just for now though, and again, you are most welcome to the horses and the garden. There is a gorgeous lake here as well with a wonderful riding pathway, full of trees and flower beds. I'm sure you'll feel relaxed and at home in no time.”

  “I appreciate that. Thank you, Baran,” said Ayn as he turned toward the gardens. Squinting his eyes to the bright Krian sun, Ayn couldn't believe he was actually free again and standing in the sunlight. A part of him had truly believed he would be stuck inside the dark gray prison in Seith's mansion for the rest of his life. He never felt so good about being wrong.

  Baran watched as Ayn slowly walked through the statue-aligned gardens. He then sighed, hoping Ayn would be alright. Next, his mind turned to Ona and Pei as he wondered what Pei wanted to talk to the princess about. Baran could only imagine it had something to do with Pei's ridiculous crush on her. First Ona, now Reese, thought Baran. Does that oversexed ex-priest ever quit?

  Baran's assumption, however, couldn't have been further from the truth as Pei explained to her about Notama being his father, and Pira being his mother, which made him her half-brother.

  At first, Ona merely stared at him blankly in disbelief, but as Pei further explain about Dr. Hessen and how the doctor had verified that Pei's DNA matched both of his parents, she realized he spoke the truth.

  “Wait,” she said, trying to absorb it all, “so... you're my brother, and my mother was your mother? You're so much older than me though, at least by five years, right?”

  “Yes, I'm twenty-nine. You're what, twenty-”

  “I'm twenty-two,” she quickly answered. “You're seven years older than I am? So... that would mean that our mother was with that insane man when she was only sixteen! How is that possible? Are you sure about this, Pei? What if Hessen was lying to you?”

  “No, trust me, Ona, he was telling the truth. Dr. Hessen is an honorable man. He's just being used by Notama against his will. He was trying to save his children, that's all. Besides, Yol seemed just as shocked as I to hear about this, maybe even more so.”

  “I just... don't understand,” she said, tugging gently at the ends of her mid-back, dark auburn hair. “Why would my... I mean, why would our mother be with a man like that?”

  “Well...” said Pei with a sneer, “maybe he raped her. Of course, he claimed they were in love, but... it's possible she didn't have a choice. He is insane, after all. Maybe in his mind he's convinced she loved him. Supposedly, she gave me to the priests who hid me in secret, even from her, I guess. Then, only a year later, she married your father in an arranged marriage. But don't worry, Ona, I am certain it was your father she truly loved, no matter what Yol claims. He's just nuts and probably can't process reality.”

  “No, to some degree, that's true. My mother and father had an arranged marriage, but... my father told me they fell in love during their engagement.” Sighing, not knowing what to believe, Ona shuddered thinking about her mother's situation. She already had a disturbing morning with her recurring nightmare and had no urge to think about the idea of her mother possibly being raped.

  “Look, I believe you, Pei, I just... I'm really not up to this right now. Can we talk more about it later on?”

  “Well,” he replied as he scratched the back of his short, black hair, which still itched his neck from when he had worn his Lord Erys wig, “I'm actually leaving this morning for Sirin, so...”

  “You're going to Sirin too?” she asked with a stern face.

  “Yes. I want to do everything I can to help Reese find your father.”

  “Oh, Pei...” she replied with a smile, “you're just too good. You know that?”

  Pei half-smiled and said, “Well, the truth is, Ona, it's not just to find Atlar. The thing is, I've fallen in love with Reese, and even though I know she's a tough woman, er, warrior... I just don't want her to face whatever is there by herself. I want to protect her, if I can.”

  Ona smiled despite her bad mood. Reese having a sweet, honorable man such as Pei made Ona feel warmth inside her aching, confused heart. “Oh, Pei, I'm so happy to hear that! Not only for your sake, but for hers. There was a time I didn't know if Reese would ever find love again, and now she has, and with a man well worth her fiery, beautiful heart.” She then hugged him and kissed his cheek.

  Pei sheepishly grinned and hugged Ona in return. He now knew for certain that his earlier obsession with her had vanished, turning into sibling's love instead. Smiling, he replied, “Don't worry, Your Highness, I will protect Reese, and I will find your father. I vow it!”

  Ona smiled, proud of her half-brother. “I know you will, Pei... but please, call me Ona, or sister perhaps.”

  Pei nodded and said, “I think that will take some getting used to, but... I will try, my sister.”

  Pei lingered for a moment, but then turned to leave the room. Ona stood amazed, completely forgetting about the car waiting in the rear of the palace to take her to the Dryndi temple.

  Dazed from everything she'd just found out, she walked out of the meeting room and headed instinctively toward the gardens. She had gone there ever since her mother had died. Whenever she needed to clear her head or just feel safe and free, she could feel her mother’s spirit there, and it helped Ona to fee
l better.

  She sat down on a white, ornate bench, and became lost in the daze of her complicated life while surrounded by the beautiful white flowers for which she was named.

  –

  It was extremely peaceful, and exactly what Ayn desperately needed. As the pink and white blossoms slowly fell from the softly swaying Borna trees, Ayn felt as though he were caught inside a dream. With the breeze gently blowing, making his long, black hair sway, Ayn felt synchronized with the trees as he began to feel his soul awaken once more to the beauty of life.

  Walking along the garden's grassy pathway, which surrounded the back of the Krian palace, Ayn couldn't believe how beautiful everything looked. It was comforting and soothed his soul. Even after the hell of living as a slave for roughly two years, he could feel his heart opening once again.

  Not wanting to cry, for fear he'd never stop, Ayn headed for the stables and tried his best to keep his mind off the pain he'd endured. It wasn't easy since he kept seeing the faces of those he had lost in his mind: Meddhi-Lan, Hessen, Zin, Srah... Axis. Even his mother's face came to him, which hurt the deepest.

  To counter his negative thoughts, his mind turned to his reunion with Pei, and he reminded himself that not everything had been lost. Feeling slightly better, he aimlessly walked around the stables.

  Without realizing it, Ayn had made his way to a large, fenced in area that surrounded a few wild horses. One of them caught Ayn's eye immediately. It was a dark black stallion with intensely blue eyes. The horse reminded Ayn of himself, if he were a horse. The silly notion made Ayn want to laugh, a feeling he almost forgot existed inside him.

  As if hearing Ayn's thoughts, the black horse looked at Ayn with curious, yet wise eyes. Coming closer, the stallion shook his head, then grazed the grass. Ayn felt instantly warmed by watching the horse as it strode around in the glorious sun.

  “You're so beautiful, my friend,” Ayn whispered to the horse, though it was not close enough to hear him. However, it seemed to Ayn that the impressive animal could feel his words somehow.