Tragedy (Forsaken Lands)

by Cooper, Sydney M.

  Do not worry for me too much. Be sure that Glya keeps my office in order, and do not allow her to fool with Pelle's taxes. We have long disagreed on that point. Say hello to River for me, and promise her that we will go on a long walk when I return. I trust that she keeps your feet warm as the nights turn colder.

  I cannot say how much longer I will be missing, but I will write to you again as soon as I am able. You always are, and will always be, first in my heart. I love you.

  Les

  Les read his letter for the thousandth time, the ink long dry on the sheaf of paper gifted to him by Idri. To b f coimht fine able to send Cadde a message was miraculous, yet it functioned like a curse. There was so much he wanted to say. He could not tell her where he was going for fear that the letter might be intercepted, nor could he give her an adequate timeline. No words were sufficient to express to her how much he wanted to be with her. The entire letter was a dim impression of his true feelings.

  Unable to improve upon his writing, Les finally folded and sealed the letter. He was mid-rise from the dining table getting ready to pack his things when Teveres and Aia strode through the front door. Teveres had bolted from the house not a half hour ago with no human explanation as to why or where he was going; Les assumed it had something to do with the sharp looks he and Aia were exchanging just before she departed.

  Judging by Teveres's sour countenance and Aia's downcast gaze, the two had not yet come to an understanding. Aia's shirt was torn and smeared with blood on one side. Les groaned softly to himself. More violence - pastime of the misled.

  "We have a new problem," Teveres announced, glancing about the downstairs. "Where is everyone?"

  "Mareth went to finish the horse deal, Idri's out tending the garden, and Garren..." Les shrugged, "Garren could be anywhere. What's wrong? What happened?"

  Teveres made a quick calculation in his head, crossed the room to the dining area and began emptying his pockets. "Maybe you can tell me. Your grandmother was an engineer, wasn't she?"

  "She was, but - " Les's eyes narrowed. On the table, Teveres had placed three uniform pieces of circular metal jewelry. They gleamed burnished gold in the midmorning light, their peculiar smooth shape elegantly contoured. Each circle was attached to a linked chain, every link perfectly identical.

  Curious, Les palmed one of the pieces, feeling the subtle tick, tick, tick of clockwork against his skin. The latch opened to reveal a simple clock face with sharp silver symbols he had never seen before. He pried open the other two to again find exquisite duplicates.

  Les had never seen anything like it even in his grandmother's workshop in Pelle, once the finest optics mistress in the world. She always had the most intricate, precise tools and metal fashionings. Nothing compared to the breathtaking craftsmanship in front of him.

  "This isn't possible..." he turned over the clocks to reveal an inscription on the back composed of more mysterious symbols. It could be neither Leyvada nor Kaldari in origin. He frowned. "Some kind of god work?"

  "A god of clocks?" Teveres dripped sarcasm. "There's no mention of a divine jeweler or a divine clocksmith in any of the texts or carvings."

  Aia, too, was wide-eyed, running her fingers over the foreign materials. She edged away from Teveres as if he had a disease. "You're sure it's not Kaldari?"

  "There's... it's..." Les frowned, "You don't understand, these can't exist. They're identical. No man or woman created this. How did... where did these come from?"

  "Aia was attacked by the Followers. These items - and this-" he clanked the communicating kelspar on the table, "Were on them. And since we are all looking at the same objects, you'd do best to place your faith in their existence."

  "What do the Followers want with this kind of... I don't even know if you can call it extravagance since they do not exist." Teveres's calm, cold look was anything but amused. Les carefully set the clock piece back on the table. "However, if someone, somewhere had this technology, then they have been keeping it from the world for a very long time. My grandmother dreamed of this kind of exactitude."

  Teveres was biting the inside of his cheek, looking surprised, but not as surprised as he should have been. "It could be a fluke. They might have stolen them."

  "I hope they stole them," said Les. "If they didn't, then the Followers are being supported by someone with resources that I can't imagine. Whatever made these is still out there no matter where the Followers got them from... and I hope all they make are timepieces."

  "We should show them to Garren," said Aia. "See if he knows-"

  "No." Teveres gathered two of the pieces into one hand and slid them back into place in his pocket. Les and Aia both looked at him with skepticism.

  "No?"

  "It might mean something or it might mean nothing. Garren is not one of us. He does not need to know."

  Les pursed his lips, still holding the third piece. He wrapped his fingers around it, warming the metal. "Garren hasn't done anything to harm us since Torvid's Rest."

  "And I have no intention of giving him a reason to. I get the impression that we don't have all the information we need. Something else is going on here. The destruction of the Divine Council is linked to the rise of the Followers of Shelm, and until recently, the Followers were just disillusioned farmhands. The Followers and the Kaldari have similar goals. It is entirely possible that they are working together."

  "But Garren isn't working with any of them," Aia defended. "He's our friend. I've never felt anything malicious from him."

  "That's what you feel, but you can't know, unless you've suddenly picked up the ability to understand Kaldari."

  "I'm more certain of his intentions than I am of yours." Her harsh words even took Les b ken ign="justy surprise.

  "Then will you tell him?"

  The clash of Aia and Teveres's personalities crackled in the air between them. Les backed away from the storm, unwilling to take either side.

  "No." Aia measured her words carefully, "I don't agree with you, but I won't tell him for now, if that's what you want."

  Eager to distract his companions from their disagreement, Les picked up the bar of communicating kelspar. The brick was surprisingly heavy in his hand, the silver casing ornate with a braided pattern etched in the edges. "I've never seen one of these outside a temple," he murmured. "Were you attacked by renegade priests?"

  "I checked for marks, but they were clean," Teveres replied swiftly. "Doubtful any of them were gifted."

  "So why would they have this? They wouldn't be able to use it."

  Teveres smirked. "A convincing myth, I suppose. The clergy created that rumor to justify keeping the crystals exclusively in the temples. Anyone gifted can call on the stone with the right training, and it takes no skill at all to answer it. I've called council twice before."

  "Well, having one is potentially good for us, right?"

  "If we need to contact someone who also has a stone, yes. For now it's just heavy." Teveres jerked his head towards the door. "We should get our things together. I wouldn't be surprised if more of them show up here sometime soon."

  "What about Mareth?" said Aia, "Shouldn't he come with us?"

  "He'd have to keep up. Garren went out?" Teveres asked Les.

  Les nodded. "I think he went to the market-"

  "Fine, get things ready here. I'll find Garren and Mareth."

  Les and Aia exchanged worried glances. "Shouldn't you-"

  Teveres retreated out the back door before they could finish their protests. Les rubbed his eyes, wishing he could scrub away everything he'd seen in the last month. One night in a safe place was nothing but a cruel reminder of what he'd left behind in Pelle.

  "Things will work out," Aia said. She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "If you want to go back..."

  "And leave you alone with these people?" Les squeezed her hand back. "I could never let you forgive me for that."

  "Still... you have a wife. Everyone would understand if you left."

 
"I wouldn't. If this fails and Nivenea falls, Pelle will not be safe. Cadde won't be safe. I have to do everything I can to protect her, even if it means being away from her." Clearing his throat, Les pointed at the blood-laced tear in Aia's tu kr iing I cnic. "Are you alright there?"

  Aia tugged at the frayed edges of the fabric, rubbing away the crusted blood on her skin. Beneath was a new silvery-white scar, a tribute to her efficient healing abilities. Les raised an eyebrow.

  "Ah," he said. "Never mind, then."

  "I can usually take care of the simple things when I'm not completely exhausted. The shirt will need some work, though."

  Left to themselves, Aia and Les made quick work of arranging the bags downstairs. Garren, Teveres and Mareth showed up just as they were finishing. Garren's bag was freshly stuffed with presumably food, and a newly acquired bow hung across his back. Les made a note to inquire about it at a more appropriate time.

  Mareth's drawn features signaled that Teveres had already explained the details of Aia's encounter with the Followers. The priest forced a smile at Aia when he saw her sitting on the sofa.

  "I am glad to see you are unharmed, Healer," he said.

  "I'm... me too." Aia hesitated. Garren already picked out his bag and had hefted it over his shoulder. Les and Teveres similarly began outfitting themselves. "Are you coming with us, Mareth?"

  "No, I am needed here. I would only slow you down."

  "The Followers-"

  "I may look old, my dear, but I am still quite capable of taking care of myself. I promise." When she approached him, Mareth hugged her. "You will do great things."

  Mareth had complete faith in people he did not know. It was an enviable, if unsettling trait. Les grew shy from the adoration, an emotion he was poorly acquainted with.

  "On horseback we will reach Nivenea in less than a week," Garren announced. "We are very grateful for your help, High Priest."

  Grateful. Garren's appreciation was downright moving.

  Mareth bowed his head. "You are a credit to your people. I hope that someday the Children of Elseth and the Kaldari will work together, as we have."

  Garren returned the gesture politely, contrasting with his rough exterior. He allowed Mareth past him to lead them outside. Clouds were beginning to gather over Vail, blocking out the sun.

  Four chestnut-colored horses awaited them, corralled in the front yard. Les approached with caution, the beasts at least twice as tall in person as in memory. They were already well-outfitted with saddles and gear. Mareth either had some extremely generous friends or a great deal of wealth.

  "They are called Winter, Ru, Lux, and Amber." Mareth pointed out each animal as he listed the names. "I should like them back when you are able to return." His confidence in their return far exceeded Les's own.

  Teveres's reaction to the animals was unexpected. Standi kectmbeng back, Les watched Teveres approach Winter with a streak of kindness in him that Les had never seen before. Teveres's voice lowered to a soft purr as he spoke to her, one hand running along her neck fondly. Aia, too, seemed at home, immediately befriending the mare called Amber.

  Garren spared his equine companion the briefest acknowledgment before he hoisted himself up in the saddle, leaving Les staring down the horse which would have to be his. Only Ru remained, staring at him with his giant, unreadable eyes. Les shifted his pack on his shoulder nervously.

  "You have to get closer if you want to ride him," Teveres said, noting Les's hesitation.

  "I don't want to ride anything," Les replied, "But I don't imagine walking is an option."

  Aia patted Amber lightly on the nose. Turning to Les, she motioned him closer. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

  Les nodded. He paused a moment to turn to Mareth. He held out Cadde's note casually, as if it were not in fact the most important thing in the world to him.

  Mareth tucked the note away in his robes. He reached out to clap Les on the shoulder, bringing him close in a short but strong embrace.

  "I'll see that it's delivered," Mareth assured him. "Gods be with you, Les."

  "Thank you," Les managed, at a loss for words.

  Mareth gave Les an understanding smile. The priest's attention slowly shifted onto Teveres, who regarded him with quiet anticipation.

  "It was good to see you," said Mareth. He took a halting step closer to Teveres. "I wish we had more time to speak."

  Les could see Teveres physically swallow back hurtful words. Instead, Teveres obliged Mareth with an extended hand. "Corners embrace you."

  Teveres's use of the clergy's parting words stunned everyone who heard it to stillness.

  When he finally moved, Mareth's handshake was firm, his smile constrained. Les could detect a shimmer of tears in the priest's eyes.

  "As they embrace you," Mareth said softly.

  Teveres's expression was unreadable. As soon as their hands broke apart he busied himself with his horse. Mareth watched him as if through glass.

  Aia's fingers wrapped around Les's wrist. She tugged him over to Ru, the horse's head bobbing up and down curiously. Horses had such large faces.

  "Ru," Aia said, petting the horse's flank, "We're going to be gentle with Les. You scare him."

  Aia returned Les's glower with a smile.

  * * *

  "I usually enjoy the rain, but this is excessive." Aia's hands seemed to shrink around the leather reins, the rain and the wind attacking them head-on. In the few days since they departed Vail a storm had picked up, worsening with time. The terrain was all rocks and hills with few trees

  "Darkness comes soon," said Garren, his voice rising just above the thrum of thunder. "We make camp as soon as we find shelter."

  "Shelter in this?" Aia rubbed the raindrops from her brow, only to have them replaced by a fresh onslaught. Her hood served her poorly. "Is that even possible?"

  "You sound so ungrateful," Les's voice came from behind her. "This is your fault for complaining about the droughts."

  "I didn't mean that we should get all the rain in one storm."

  "I've travelled this road before. That ridge-" he pointed out the highest hills in their path, smooth slopes interrupted by rock faces and boulders, "has several small caves near the trail."

  "Where's the next town?"

  "There are several villages off the path between here and Colita. Colita might take four, five days from here."

  "Wonderful." Aia sighed. If she were home she would take a hot shower and climb into bed with her notebook. She'd have a fire in the hearth and bread cooking on the stove, maybe invite Delia in for a chat... the dream of her little shack outside Nivenea only depressed her further.

  Aia was raw all over by the time they reached the ridge. The rain soaked clean through to her underthings, her legs chafing against the fabric of her pants when they brushed Amber's sides. Garren halted the expedition so he could take off on foot to find one of the mythical caves he spoke of. An uncharacteristically quiet Teveres went with him, no doubt to avoid a direct confrontation with Aia.

  Hopping down to the ground herself, Aia hissed at the ache along her inner thighs. It had been a long time since she spent so much time on horseback. Les awkwardly climbed off of Ru as well, cursing as he whipped his soaked cloak off his back.

  "Here, let me help with the pain," said Aia.

  "What? No, it's not that bad. You should save your energy."

  Aia laughed, "You will hate me and yourself tomorrow if you don't let me give you some relief. We'll travel faster if we are all relatively healthy. Kneel."

  He reluctantly obeyed, which told her how much pain he was actually feeling. Kneeling beside him, she laid her palms flat on his hips, thumbs pressed tightly to her hands in a manner which the healers insisted was less 'suggestive.' She closed her eyes and concentrated.

  Bringing balance to his body stole some of hers; she winced and braced herself against him when the familiar electric kiarspansensation travelled through her spine. He laid a hand on her shoulder gently. When she l
ooked up, he frowned.

  "Is it always like that for you?" he asked.

  "It's not that bad," she mocked him, sucking her breath through her teeth, "See? Fine now."

  "Hm." He helped her to her feet, visibly shivering from cold. He stood taller with some of the pain ameliorated. "Are you and Teveres on thinking terms yet?"

  Aia gave Les a sidelong look as she stretched her aching muscles, amusement quirked in her features. They had exchanged barely two sentences since the day in Vail, and he was still too skittish to look her in the eye. "I guess not."

  "Is that your fault or his?"

  "I don't want to talk to him, he doesn't want to talk to me. I'd call it mutual."

  "Well one of you needs to concede. I don't want to enter Nivenea with the two of you on bad terms. Garren and I are dispensable, but the two of you are the power behind this outfit. If you can't work together then all of this will be for nothing."

  Aia's brow drew together. She tugged her hood back, her hair already sopping wet underneath. "You aren't dispensable."

  "I'm not saying that no one would mind if I died," he gave her a sardonic smile, "I'd hope it might bother you just a bit. I'm a realist here. If one of you had a problem with me it wouldn't mean much for our survivability, but between the two of you, you quite literally control life and death. You have to function together if this is going to work."

  "I can function with him just fine."

  "He's not yours," Les stared her down, letting his words sink in. "You don't have any claim to him. If you want to make one then that's your business. It's unfair for you to be angry at him for sleeping with someone else when you weren't together in the first place."