Duplicitous Magic

by Linn Tesli

  The shadows of a multitude of wings stretched out underneath them. The dark shapes moved intently, like they were wolves about to circle their prey. Everine urged Ondox to fly faster, but instead the griffin slowed to a hover. Everine swallowed hard, and her muscles strained against the stiffness in her bones.

  “Hawks!” she yelled. “Hawks, Ondox, fly!”

  The griffin chuckled. “No, dear, not hawks. griffins.” Everine exhaled with relief. A band of more than thirty griffins of different sizes and colors was drawing closer.

  “I’ll speak with them,” he announced, swinging towards the arriving griffins to close the distance.

  Ayva stirred and giggled. Everine hushed her, and the baby fell back to sleep. Ondox focused on the other griffins, who continued to hover.

  Everine turned to Birken, tilting her head. “What are we hanging about for? Is this a staring contest?”

  Birken twitched his lips and leaned in closer. “They communicate with each other on a frequency not audible to men or Devlings.”

  “Oh. Interesting.”

  Birken reached down and pulled his long-handled pipe from his belt. “Indeed. This might take a while, however.” He ground a clod of tobacco between his coarse fingertips before stuffing it into the bowl of the pipe. He shielded it from the gusts as he lit it. The puffs of smoke turned to a series of foggy clouds, which quickly blew away. He had long since finished and tucked the pipe back into its container when Ondox turned his attention back to them.

  “These griffins are my family and friends. They’ve all escaped from Griffin Peak and might never return. The same monsters that hunt you invaded us. The Zila’r-nath have grown in numbers and continue to slay any griffin who attempts to land on our peak. My kin have been forced to abandon our home. Griffin Peak is lost to the Heartless King and his foot soldiers.” The words fell heavy from his beak.

  “That’s terrible.” Everine clasped a hand over her mouth. She searched the flock in front of her. griffins of all sizes, young and old, held their heads high. Their colors were not as vibrant as she remembered. Most carried deep gashes of red in their fur, and feathers were missing from their wings. One griffin had lost an eye, leaving nothing but a deep hollow of black and crimson flesh. Another had had half his beak cut away. Everine slumped her shoulders as a shiver traveled through her torso.

  “Where will they go?”

  Ondox folded his wings forward as the wind tried to force them back. “I think it’s time you paid your debt to me, Birken Earthling.” He flapped his wings and banked slightly left. “From what I remember, there are several floors at the top of the chasm used for nothing but storage. I think they would make an excellent home for a flock of griffins. Wouldn’t you say?”

  Birken made small noises of understanding. “I do agree there should be plenty of room, but I alone can’t grant you permission. I give you my word, however, that I’ll speak on your behalf to the council when the issue is up for debate. More pressing matters might speed the process.” He angled his head toward the bundle resting under Everine’s clothing. Everine held one hand up and pressed Ayva closer to her chest with the other.

  Birken scratched his chin. “You would be wise, however, to offer the council something in return if we're to convince them.”

  Ondox squawked from the depths of his throat. “I believe that would settle our debt, old friend.” He rustled his feathers with delight. “As to the council’s concerns, you may tell them that if they provide us with sanctuary, we’ll give our lives to protect our new nest—and every being who calls Bermunnos their home.”

  Birken took hold of Everine’s hand and squeezed it gently. With a determined voice he bellowed, “Let's fly then, you feather-cloaked beasties!” He patted Ondox on the back and received a mighty squawk in return as Ondox lifted his beak to the sky.

  The griffins turned in unison and allowed the air current to carry them toward Bermunnos Mountain. As they dropped towards the wild landscape of the mountaintop, what had seemed a solid, wide peak, now split and bent. A rift in the ground had cracked the mountain’s roof open in the middle. Little by little, the inside of Bermunnos unfolded in layers before them.

  The chasm had been created when the mountain range split during an earthquake on the day Georganna, the Queen of Sonûdor, had met her end. At least, this was how Everine’s father had told her the story. The Fall of the Elemental rulers was a known piece of history, but the circumstances were nothing more than a myth. Looking down at the rift now, Everine was not quite sure what was myth or not anymore.

  A strong headwind slowed their flight. The mountain naturally swung outward toward the borders on either side, revealing the immense hollow that created the Chasm of Bermunnos.

  The belly of the mountain was of an elliptical shape, and Everine found herself spellbound as they descended past the highest stone platforms. The chasm stretched endlessly downward into the darkness of the earth. A strong smell of sulfur and clay lay heavy in the air.

  Birken pulled out a small ivory horn and blew on it.

  Guards flooded out from every dark corner of the chasm’s opening. They raised whatever weapons were at their disposal and aimed straight at the travelers. The griffins hovered to a stop.

  A woman not unlike Birken in appearance, though with a smaller waistline and longer hair, climbed a spiraling staircase to the top of a watchtower that extended into the open air. She held a sword high above her head.

  “I’m quite sure no one hired you to bring a band of griffins to our door.” Her body was tense, as though she expected an attack at any moment. Her bronze-colored eyes glided over the griffins. Narrowing her gaze, she relaxed her shoulders. “Why are they here?”

  “Frida.” Birken smiled. “Nice to see you, too.” He summed up the siege of Griffin Peak, and Frida sheathed her sword.

  Frida’s sandy-colored hair was shaved close at the sides. Golden hoops tied together the rest of her mane, which was gathered at the top. It ran from her forehead all the way down the ridge of her back.

  She wore the least efficient armor Everine had ever seen. What covered her front was hardly a full breastplate, revealing the rolling muscles on her abdomen and her bare back. The armor was also gold, with matching greaves to protect her shins, accompanied by a pair of leather gloves.

  Fitted, green shorts completed her attire. They were so short that Everine couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. She silently swore she would never humiliate herself with an outfit like that; not even if her life depended on it.

  Frida crossed her arms. “As much as this saddens me, they can’t enter our land until the council agrees. They may rest on the top floor until a decision is made.” She paused and addressed the griffins directly.

  “If any of you should trespass on our land without permission, we’ll not be friendly.” Her words were heavy with authority. “I’ve given you fair warning. One of you may enter, but only to speak on behalf of you all.” She searched the flock, her eyes landing on Birken before she pointed at Ondox.

  “You should do fine. Besides, it looks like our friend, Birken there, might need help getting down.” Frida turned to Birken. “Now that that’s settled, I must ask whether you vouch for this woman?” She gestured at Everine.

  “I do.” Birken crossed his arms.

  “If she’s allowed entry, then you're personally accountable for any trouble she may cause.”

  “I accept the responsibility,” he said.

  “Very well. Then the woman and her child may enter as well. I always knew you would bring some bastard home to our doorstep.” With a smirk, she hurled herself into the chasm. As she fell, Frida grabbed hold of one of the hundreds of ropes that hung from the edges of the mountain and throughout the chasm’s interior.

  Frida slid downward on the rope with extraordinary grace and landed solidly on the stone surface many floors below where she had stood.

  The surface on which she had landed appeared to hover in the middle of the chasm’s mouth, po
sitioned about halfway down the hollow, though Everine was not sure how much farther into the darkness it truly extended.

  All around them, Earthlings went about their daily business. Farmers and blacksmiths tended to their work, a group of men sung merrily outside a tavern, someone hung clothes to dry—Everine even glimpsed a couple kissing in the shadows between two dwellings.

  The buildings were partly carved from the mountain itself, the structures extended with bricks, stone, and wood. Bridges, ropes and stairways connected everything together.

  There was an exceptionally peaceful air to everything. Everine had expected it to be dark, but once they had traversed the shadows, the chasm was illuminated with all the colors of the rainbow. Countless gems embedded in the walls reflected the sunlight back into the hollow.

  It was easy to picture Birken growing up here. Everine could not fathom why he would have ever chosen to leave.

  Birken pointed to the large stone platform that rose from the darkness and formed a focal point in the middle of the chasm.

  “That’s where we’ll meet with the council,” he whispered and took a deep breath. “There are five members. Myself included.”

  His last words came as a surprise. Everine had not expected him to hold high rank in Earthling society.

  Birken tapped his cheek with his thumb and smiled. “Frida is on the council, too. I think she’ll be on our side.”

  Everine frowned. “Why did she allow me passage and not the griffins?”

  “Humans are fragile beings, whereas a single griffin could cause a lot of mayhem, let alone what a whole flock of them could do. She also seems to think you're the mother of an Earthling child, and we take care of our own. Besides, you look absolutely harmless.”

  “I’m not harmless,” Everine huffed.

  Birken’s chest rumbled with a quiet laugh. “Of course not.”

  “And Ayva is not your child!”

  “No, but it doesn’t hurt that Frida believes it. At least for the time being.”

  Ondox landed next to a bridge leading onto the central platform. Three Earthlings already sat in their high seats on the opposite side of the circle of stone. A row of pillars rose upwards at every point where the stone surface was connected to the outer rim by a bridge.

  Frida approached Ondox. “We wish to discuss the matter of the griffins first, which requires your presence, Birken, as well as that of the griffin.”

  “His name is Ondox.” Everine slid off the griffin’s back.

  Ondox ruffled his feathers and chuckled.

  Frida shot her a cold stare, then tilted her head toward Birken. “As I was saying, the two of you need to accompany me to this impromptu council meeting. The woman and her child, however, we’ll discuss later. For now, they may stay on the thirteenth level.” Frida put two fingers in her mouth and whistled.

  Almost as soon as she had finished, an Earthling man swung into view and landed at her side. His armor revealed him as one of the Earthling guards, though he looked much younger even than Everine. His blonde curls formed a heavy crown on his head, and his sand-colored skin was free of any scars or tattoos.

  Frida gestured at the guard. “This is Rolf.” She put her hands on her hips. “For the time being, the lady and her child are our guests. Make sure they’re fed and well-rested before I call you to return.”

  Rolf touched two fingers to his heart and bowed respectfully. “Yes, my captain.”

  Birken slid off of Ondox, landing next to Everine. He stroked a hand over Ayva’s head, then leaned in and whispered in Everine’s ear, “You’ll be fine. We’re a friendly folk.” He hunched his shoulders and turned away, stepping onto the bridge to the platform. Ondox nudged Everine with his beak before following Birken across. Turning on her heels, Frida strode after them, and Everine was left in the company of Rolf.

  As soon as Frida was out of earshot, Rolf relaxed his posture entirely. His adolescent face lit up, and he practically glowed with excitement.

  “So, lady and her child. You got names? I’m Rolf Olavsson, a member of the Earthling guard. I haven’t been an Ahddamsson for more than half a blue moon, but I’m a fairly good axe-thrower. Swords aren’t really my mug of beer, though. You lot from Êvina? I can’t tell. Never been outside the chasm’s mouth. Not yet, anyhow. Someday I’ll travel all the corners of Aradria. So—food, eh? They got great service at The Hollow. The food isn’t all that, but it does sate the appetite. I say we go there now. So, names?”

  Everine giggled. “I’m Everine,” she said. “And this is Ayva.” She raised her chin and put her qualms aside. “I would like to feed my daughter somewhere private first. Her appetite is more pressing than mine.”

  Rolf’s eyes widened. “Yes, of course, just you follow me. I don’t know much about babies, and she looks tiny. Earthling babies are born bigger than her. I guess she could be any age really, considering she’s a human. Humans are strange creatures. You might be born the size of peas for all I know. Guess not, though, huh? Here I go, making assumptions as usual. The two of you're human, yes?”

  Not stopping for breath, let alone a reply, he carried on talking, which suited Everine fine. They climbed another stairway and reached a small cave that had been dug into the mountain wall.

  “This is a resting place, Lady Everine. It’s also a lookout. We’ve carved out a couple of these in particular spots on every floor throughout the chasm.”

  Everine made a mental note to map all the lookouts in case she would need to use them in the future. The space was designed to lie in the shadows and was an excellent hideout. It would allow a perfect view of any action while keeping oneself out of sight.

  Rolf took her arm and led her gently away from the light to show her to a stone bench where she could rest and feed Ayva. Rolf sat where a couple of big rocks faced outwards by the mouth of the cave.

  Left in darkness, Everine placed Ayva at her chest and cooed. “Drink, my love, and rest, for I’m not sure what lies before us after this day is done.” She looked up. Beams of colors danced within rays of sunlight on the walls. Her eyes could not escape the wonders of the chasm.

  “Your home is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It’s magnificent,” she said to Rolf.

  Rolf stretched his arms over his head and yawned audibly. “I guess. It’s a true masterpiece, but it’s ever the same. Most of us spend our entire lives down here.” He paused for a moment of sentiment. “We rarely get visitors like you. The days roll by, and we simply roll with them. Though there has been talk lately.” His body jiggled excitedly, and he twirled his fingers around a chunk of his thick curls. “Rumors. Most exciting stuff I’ve heard in—well—ever.”

  Everine put her cloak back on, cradled Ayva in her arms, and joined Rolf. She placed a hand over his for reassurance.

  “Tell me about it, please?”

  Rolf started to speak but shut his mouth and scratched his scalp vigorously. “I really shouldn’t. I mean…I don’t think I should. It’s probably not even true.” He stayed silent for a short while, but he was clearly having a hard time containing the thoughts in his head.

  “Okay, Lady Everine. I don’t think you should read much into this. I think, well, what they’re saying is that our combat training is not just training anymore—it’s proper battle practice, you know? We're practicing more offensive moves than ever. Get it? They’re preparing us for war—and a bloody one at that. Leave no prisoners and whatnot. Good thing my father is the lead bowman of the Ahddamssons archers.” He wore a look of pride.

  Everine had a hard time suppressing the foreboding that rose within her. She swallowed her fears.

  “What war?”

  Rolf tapped his fingers around the hilt of his sword.

  “They say—that is, she says, that the Silverlings will eventually march on Bermunnos. You know, to claim it for the Heartless King. According to her, we still have years to practice, though.”

  Everine tried to make sense of his words. Even with the threat of war, she and Ayva cou
ld hide in Bermunnos for a while. It would be easier to leave once Ayva was older.

  “She, who? Why now? He’s left the Earthlings alone for so long, and now he’s decided to strike? It doesn’t make sense, does it?” she asked.

  Rolf stared at her incredulously. “Doesn’t it?” Expectantly, he looked down and caught sight of Ayva, and his eyes widened at the images of rocks and soil reflected in hers.

  14

  The Bermunnos Council

  - Everine -

  “Ev, time to go.”

  Birken’s warm hand brushed Everine’s arm, and she struggled to open her eyes. The night had been filled with her usual dreams of blood, this time with dead bodies scattered across the many levels within the chasm.

  Everine had only just fallen asleep again when Birken woke her. It was the morning after they first arrived in Bermunnos. Pulling Ayva tighter to her, she squinted.

  “Give me a minute, would you?” she snapped.

  “I’ll give you two, but then we must go.” Birken raised an eyebrow.

  She scowled. “No, Ayva must eat first.”

  “You’re really not a morning person, Ev. Very well, of course.” He sighed and stepped outside to wait for her there.

  Everine sat in the bed she had been provided with, allowing Ayva her first meal of the day. The small house was surprisingly welcoming, which was a comfort after the night she’d had. It might not be so bad to have a place like this one. Ayva would need something warm and secure, and Everine was tired of running.

  A painting hung right above the stone desk on the opposite side of the bedroom. In it, waves crashed onto a shore where Siren banners featuring Njord’s trident swayed in the wind.

  A furry tail flashed by for the briefest moment within the frame. Everine shook her head and rubbed sleep out of her eyes. Whatever she thought she had seen was gone. She must have had less sleep than she was even aware.

  She changed Ayva’s soiled cloth, combed her own hair, and threw on her new gold-colored dress. Rolf had presented it to her the night before. He had given her a lecture, of the more amiable sort, on why he thought she should wear something more ladylike when she went to meet with the council.