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I sat at my desk with the Book rereading the introductory warning. ‘Reader beware: power lies in names. Naming awakes the slumbering. Do not name those you do not wish to summon.’ It again sent chills down my spine.
A quick look showed me that the Book had two main sections, the first for the Twisted Ones and the second for the Dark Children. Not all had drawings with them, some stating that no one who had had the misfortune of actually meeting one of the creature had lived to tell the tale. That made me wonder how they had any information on it at all. Perhaps from other of Rakadamon’s creatures?
The Book contained the makings of nightmares. Worse than my nightmares. Things beyond imagining. One was a creature aptly called Haze which forms as if from mist, but whose steel was stronger and sharper than any other known. Its only known weakness was fire. Faceless, a creature of stealth seemingly easily defeated or at the least scared off, if you see it before it kills you. Lakreay was another. The picture was of a creature covered in scales like a lizard. It had long sharp nails, almost claws. The next page described how a single bite or scratch from this creature could kill. It produces a poison, which slowly causes the flesh of its victim to rot and not only the initial area, but as the poison spreads through the bloodstream, it eventually affects the whole body. There was no known cure.
After some time of reading through the Book, I felt physically sick. How could humankind ever defend itself against such abominations? How was I supposed to do anything about this? I decided to get some fresh air. I found myself walking to Lake Uzuri with Sunder on my hip being a reassuring weight against all the terrible things that I had been reading about.
I sat at the water’s edge skipping stones. I remembered something the Cha had told me. He had said that I needed to learn how to call Markai without Navitas. I needed something to rid me of thoughts of those Dark Creatures and this was as good a time as any to try. I cleared my mind as I would when I reach for Navitas, but this time I brought to mind an image of Markai. I focused on her completely, willing her to appear.
I opened my eyes. Nothing. I sighed and started again, several times, but with the same result each time. If what you were doing was not getting you the results that you desired, you needed to change what you were doing or how you did it.
So, I started again with clearing my thoughts, but this time I did not simply imagine an image of Markai, but I thought about the feeling I get when we have physical contact. I focused on this so intensely that I almost felt the flames running across my body and the icy water running under my skin. Then, keeping this feeling sharply in mind, I thought of the connectedness I have with her. The way I could feel her emotions, almost hear her thoughts. While thinking of this I tried to convey my calling across this bond. It felt like I was trying to call someone that was on the other side of the great waters.
The fire across my skin became a blaze. The heat so intense, the only thing keeping me from burning must have been the freezing water running under my skin. The sensation came to a peak. I opened my eyes and found I was staring into Markai’s eyes, glowing with alarm. The intensity of my call had apparently been a little excessive and she was sure she would find me in a dire situation. However, when she realised what I was doing, this quickly turned to amusement. It seemed that with my forceful effort I had used a sword to slice a tomato. I grinned. It should be easier next time then.
I started wondering about where she went when she wasn’t with me. I hadn’t even considered this before and I felt a bit ashamed about that. She must have understood what I was thinking about because she ‘told’ me that she went home. I could see a place much like the area around Predaki, but with unfamiliar plants and there were two moons in the sky. Here Markai was surrounded by a pack of her own kind.
I realised I did not know what species she was. I knew she was of the Fae, but I was coming to realise that the Fae was as broad a classification as saying an animal or a plant. She looked over at me. She was of the Qupari. They were fierce warriors who have fought for the good of Fae and Man alike since before the Severance. I could feel her pride at this.
Embarrassment flooded through me. “I have just realised something. I named you as some sort of a pet. I did not know then that I would ever be able to communicate with you in this way, so I named you, but then afterwards, I never asked you what your true name is! I am so sorry; I meant no offence.”
I tried to sense what she felt about it. As far as I could make out, she had accepted the name I had given her as her own. It almost seemed like I would have had to name her once she became my bond partner. I felt a bit better for it, but I could still not believe I had not thought of this earlier.
Without any explanation necessary between us, Markai went away so that I could try to call her again. Having learnt my lesson from before, I cleared my mind and simply thought of the connection between us and called her name as if she was standing next to me. I could immediately feel her response and when I opened my eyes, I was not surprised to see her sitting next to me. Clearly, I had done better this time.
Markai’s sharp ears warned me of footsteps approaching and her nose told me of a faint smell of flowers. My heart skipped a little as I looked around and saw Aliana coming towards me.
She took my breath away. She was wearing a long red dress with intricate beadwork along the modest neckline and hem. Her hair was loose with a gazania tucked in behind her right ear. She walked so gracefully she seemed to float towards me.
She smiled softly. “I thought I might find you here. With the, ah, excitement last night, I did not get a chance to congratulate you. I heard that you were leaving again soon.”
She was looking for me. My stomach gave a flutter at the idea and at the same time, my embarrassment at the ‘excitement’ from the previous night was colouring my cheeks. I returned her smile and tried to answer in a light tone while avoiding saying anything about the night before. “So that is common knowledge now, is it?”
She sat down next to me and started picking at the grass. With a small mysterious smile she said, “Well you know, a few well phrased questions to the right people will get you all sorts of interesting titbits. Where are you heading then?”
I raised my eyebrows innocently. “So your well phrased questions don’t get you all the answers.” I was surprised to see her blush lightly. I pretended not to notice and continued, “We are going to Medirea. We are leaving tomorrow.”
She cocked her head to one side. “We? Who is lucky enough to travel with you?”
I barked a laugh. “I highly doubt Brant would agree with that sentiment.”
Her mouth formed a small circle and she started laughing. “Um, yes I see what you mean. You may want to sleep with one eye open with him anywhere near you.” I nodded my agreement.
She looked out over the lake musingly. “I hear Medirea is a beautiful city. Great old buildings, they say some dating back to merely five hundred years after the Severance. I have always dreamt of seeing it.”
“I am sure you will get to see it someday,” I replied.
Her lips went into a pout and she gave her head a shake as if to dislodge an idea. She sighed prettily. But then, I thought everything she did, she did prettily. “I suppose.” Her face brightened. “You must bring me back a keepsake from your travels. Oh, promise me you will!”
I laughed at her eagerness. Holding up my hands, I said, “I promise.” She gave me a serious look and nodded, apparently satisfied that I meant it.
She rubbed her hands together to rid them from the grass she had been picking. “I should head home before Mother starts wondering where I am.” She took the flower from her hair and put it behind my ear. She hesitated a moment and then quick as a heartbeat gave me a light kiss on my cheek. She grinned. “For good luck!”
My mouth nearly dropped open. Luckily, I managed to control my face, but before I gathered enough of my wits to respond, she was striding away. I could feel a blush creeping over my che
eks and I was glad she did not see it.
For the first time since she had sat down, I realised that Markai was still there. A low rumble was coming from her throat, but there was no mistaking it. She was not growling, she was chortling….at me. “Well, I am glad I could offer you some entertainment.” I said dryly. This simply managed to raise another chuckle from her. I shook my head. I sat there for a long while running through in my head everything she had said. Why had she even been asking about me? Perhaps she just happened upon the information and then made it seem like more than that. Women certainly could be strange.
I suddenly realised that the sun was already red against the horizon so I stretched and completed Shea-Rin. My body flowed through the forms so naturally now that it seemed I had been doing this since I was born, or that perhaps I had been born for this. Afterwards, I lay my clothes on the shore and had a quick swim.
As I strolled back towards home, I started thinking once again on what I had been reading. I shivered. I certainly hoped that I had a long time yet to prepare and figure out just exactly what it was that I was supposed to do.
I headed to the dining hall and as expected found the brothers already there. All except for Jamber. Missing one meal with us could have been coincidence; two I was sure was deliberate especially since I was leaving on the morrow. I collected my food and sat down with the rest. Prea was speaking. “…saw him today.”
I looked a question at him. He gave his head a small shake. “Jamber has been avoiding us all, even Jench. I just do not understand it.”
Guilt formed a pit in my stomach. This division was my doing. Nothing had ever before driven a wedge between us, but now this… “I knew he was upset with me, but why would he be avoiding you as well?”
Jench frowned. “This is what we don’t understand. We were working together today, but his scowl did not once leave his face and he hardly said two words to me all day. Any mention I made of his mood only made him mutter under his breath about lies. I was starting to think that perhaps he thought that we had known all along about Markai.”
Wilm gave his head a shake. “He was there at the feast last night. Having seen our reactions he must be half blind if he thought any of us had known about it.”
I grimaced. “Jench, I am sorry. I had pretended that you were in on it with me. Maybe he took that as true.”
Jench pulled his mouth into a tight line. “You have nothing to apologise for. Even if I had known about it, what does it matter? We are not five still to tell each other every detail.” The others nodded their agreement.
Suddenly, Jench grinned. “Where did you get the flower?”
It took me a moment to realise I was still wearing Aliana’s flower. I could not stop a smile from spreading across my face. “I met Aliana today. She gave it to me for good luck for tomorrow.” I left out the kiss only because I was not certain what it had meant.
They all smiled at this. Of course, they knew of my affection for her. They also knew that she had never shown me anything more than friendship.
Prea mockingly made his voice flat and serious. “You do realise Master Aken that a girl does not just give her flower to any man.” This brought uproarious laughter from everyone and a few stares from other people in the hall. Wilm’s laughter stopped abruptly and his face dropped. He was staring past me towards the entrance of the hall. I looked around.
Brant had just walked in and he was twirling a flower with his fingers. A gazania. His face was even more arrogant than usual if that was possible. My heart still dropped though. What were the chances that this was coincidence, that he did not get that flower from Aliana? Looking at his face, I decided no chance at all.
I turned around again to find their faces as sombre as I was sure my own face was. I pulled the flower from my ear, only just managing to keep myself from snatching it away angrily.
The awkward silence lasted a little while with Jench putting in, “Well at least she came to you first.” I tried for what I hoped was an easy smile, but it felt strained to me. I saw the same smile reflected on Jench and Prea’s faces. Wilm was staring daggers at Brant.
Prea ignored Brant’s presence pointedly. “When are you setting off tomorrow?” I shrugged. “Late morning, I guess.” I was about to add a comment about travelling with Brant, but I did not want to ruin the mood again. The conversation turned to lighter subjects.
Eventually, Jench and Wilm left. Once I was alone with Prea, I broached the subject of Jamber again. “Do you know if Jamber has become friends with Brant?”
He snorted. “You must be kidding? No, Jamber is no great fan of Brant. He has always made his dislike for him clear. What makes you ask?”
I shrugged. I did not want to seem like I was too concerned with it. “I just saw them talking together. I must admit, it did not seem overly friendly. I think it is the first time I have actually seen the two of them having a conversation though,”
Prea sniffed. “Have you asked him about it?”
I shook my head. “I did not want to stir up any more trouble between us. I really do not understand why he is so upset about this.”
He just shrugged. “You know Jamber; he gets upset about small things. I would not concern myself too much over it. He will get over it.”
I pursed my lips together. “I hope you are right.”
As soon as I opened the door to my house, a sticky sweet smell assaulted my nose. Moma was making jam with Lilana’s help. She only ever scrunched her snowy hair up into a bun when making jam.
Lilana was animatedly telling her about her friend who likes a boy who was in their letters class. She wore a tolerantly amused smile and rolled her eyes at me over Lilana’s head. I laughed. Lilana turned around when she heard me and the smile faded from her face.
“You didn’t tell me you were going away, Kadin,” she said accusingly. I took her by the shoulders. “I am sorry. It all happened so fast and I was dreading telling you, because I knew you would be upset.”
She looked up at me with her big eyes. “It sounds like you will have such an adventure. Can I come with you?”
I smiled sadly at the hope that flared in her eyes. “Sorry Lil, it will be too dangerous. Moma would kill me if anything happened to you.”
She shrugged out from my hands. She looked over at Moma who shook her head. “He is right. It is too dangerous. Besides, you cannot leave your lessons yet.”
She looked at both of us with defiance glittering in her eyes. “Someday, I will have my own adventure and I won’t let either one of you come along.” She crossed her arms over her chest and a pout formed on her lips.
I ruffled her hair. “Of course you will. So tell me. Is it just your friend who has a boyfriend or you as well?”
Her face went bright red. “I do not like boys. They smell and they always think they are funny when they are not.” I laughed and was happy when she joined in. I did not want to leave with any bad feelings still in the air. I sat down at the kitchen table. Well after the jam was done, we still chatted over a pot of tea. Lil eventually fell asleep in her chair and I carried her off to bed.
I closed her door quietly behind me and walked back into the kitchen to find Moma with a sombre expression. She was pacing up and down, but stopped abruptly and looked at me seriously. “Are you ready for this Kadin?”
I gave a tight nod. “I may not know what I will find and what I will have to do, but I do know that I am as prepared now as I will ever be.” Subconsciously my hand had gone to the hilt of my sword.
Moma gave a small strained smile. “I believe you are ready.” She paused a moment as if deciding whether or not to speak. “Just remember Kadin, people keep their enemies closer than their friends. Watch your back and do not lightly accept or trust an alliance whether new or old.” She was only a small woman, not even reaching to my shoulder, but she carried herself in such a manner that you felt as though you were looking up at her. I knew she was speaking of Brant.
“I will be careful.”
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nbsp; She reached up and patted me on the shoulder. “You better get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day for you.”
I bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “Good night Moma.” She gave me another pat before going into her bedroom. I spent some hours after that studying the Book of Remembrance.
The chills running down my spine had nothing to do with the cool evening air.
CHAPTER 6 – Leaving
The morning went by in a haze. After completing the Shea-Rin, I spent most of it packing and preparing. The sentinel went into my belt pouch and the Book I wrapped in an extra blanket and stuffed it into a bag. I knew in the back of my mind that I was also trying to keep busy to keep from having to think about the farewells that were coming. When I finally ran out of preparations, I went down to the stable. Breen had already saddled Balder and another horse that I assumed was for Brant. He came jogging out of the dimness of the stables and took my bags from me. In a matter of moments, he had strapped them to Balder’s saddle. I smiled at him appreciatively. “Master Trayde is obviously training you well Breen. The stable master is sure to be pleased with your good work.” I flicked a silver at him. He caught it and flashed me a brilliant smile before hurrying back into the stable.
I heard voiced behind me and turned around to see my brothers walking towards me. With some relief, I saw Jamber was among them. Jench stopped in front of me and pointed a finger at me. “Finally, we will be rid of you.” He grinned and slapped me on the shoulder. “We will miss you around here.”
Prea nodded. “We will be waiting to hear your tales of adventure when you come back.”
Jamber had an intent look on his face. “Don’t get yourself killed out there. You still need to come back and teach Jench a thing or two about arm wrestling.” His tone was light and he smiled, but it never reached his eyes. Jamber had always been the quiet one, but he had a kind heart. Today though, his eyes looked hard.
Book of Remembrance: The Forgotten Gods: Book One Page 9