by D N Meinster
Aergo disagreed. He was concerned for her welfare, and for decks insisted that she remain in Kytheras. It was sweet, but her husband had clearly forgotten who he had married. The screaming in the royal chambers had never been so loud or so constant. They could not speak to one another without eventually ending the conversation in quarrel. Both refused to give in on their positions. That was, until Leaf died.
His death affected her husband much more than it affected her. And he did not have the will to keep arguing while he mourned for the departed servant. So he finally gave in to her demands. Eloris would be allowed to accompany him and her first born. Only their youngest would stay behind.
She was pleased with the outcome, though she wished it hadn't taken Leaf's death. She knew how Aergo cherished the boy. But he was not their blood, as she had tried to remind him years earlier, though Aergo continued to overlook that fact.
"You silly man," she said to the portrait. "You should always listen to your wife."
Peransic committed the map splayed out before him to his memory. It was such a small world, and half of it was uninhabitable. Mountains divided the continent, and seas had overrun the planet. This insignificant slab of land was somehow the focus of the greatest being to ever exist.
Magenine had brought him so low. She had exiled him to the Pit, an abominable prison that She thought he would never escape. Naturally, given the extent of his power, he did. Yet somehow, She had the foresight to create it beneath this world. So when he escaped, he emerged not in the Great Bastion, but in Ghumai. She would regret her prudence.
Neanthal had a plan. He was going to use this exile against Her. It was brilliant, and precisely what he would presume from his master. But it had its downsides.
Neanthal touched a finger to Belliore on the map. "You will stay here. This place is more important than Kytheras. If I fail, we will regroup here."
Peransic would never betray his orders, but he was disheartened by them. He wanted to be part of the battle; to fight alongside Neanthal while they demolished their enemies. However, he would never say so. "Of course."
"I don't suspect they will be the victors," Neanthal stated. "But I fear I may be underestimating them and Magenine. I have already been presented with many surprises. I do not know how many more these Kytherans may come up with."
"Aergo will fall," Peransic reassured him.
"Imagine if we had his son," Neanthal replied.
Peransic dropped to his knees once again. He could never ask for enough forgiveness. Peransic took responsibility, though he quietly blamed Cillian for the kerfuffle. He would never trust that mage with anything of importance again.
"Get up," Neanthal ordered. "The entire line of Tunsevs will be wiped out before we depart this world. That I can promise you."
Peransic stood back up, hoping that Neanthal would allow him to participate in their extermination.
"But Aergo is our priority," Neanthal said. "If we take out the King, his kingdom will fall."
Neanthal did not have to shift to return to Faunli. He merely thought of himself going back there, and then he was. He stood atop the red walls of Radite. This shining city had become his base in Ghumai. It was a shame to have to leave the golden buildings and humble servants for the bitter, hard realm of Kytheras. Many Fauns had welcomed him. The Kytherans would not. They worshipped their King more than they worshipped the Goddess. They would not be pleased to see him deposed.
He touched the silver heart embellished on his chest. It was time to add to his legions. To create an army Aergo could never overcome, he needed more soldiers than Ghumai had ever seen. Neanthal thrust his hand outward and a stream of black smoke shot forward. Demibeasts sprang out, joining the masses that had already assembled outside the city. There were no Ifta left to release. His bestial creations were all he could depend on.
The plated stood in formation, while the demibeasts scurried about and chased after any new formations. But Neanthal had more than his old Bastion army. Men had joined him. Thousands of them; mostly Fauns. They marked themselves with his brand and prepared to follow any order he gave. Aergo should not have spited them, for they were ready to turn on him with very little persuasion.
When he was satisfied with the amount of new demibeasts, he returned his hand to his chest and the stream of black smoke ceased.
There was no reason to count how many he had in total. It had to be enough. For as far as he looked from the top of the wall, he could only see creatures awaiting his command. They would not be ready for this.
The sun was setting. If they took their leave now, they would reach their destination by sunrise. It was time.
"Fauns!" Neanthal shouted out to his legions. "Ifta! Demibeasts! They call you Massku because you follow me. Tomorrow, they will call you master! We will take their city! We will take their castle! Kytheras will belong to us; its people will be our servants. They will beg for our mercy, and we will provide none! The Goddess will tremble as she watches Her precious world crumble before us. Because She knows what's coming. We conquer Ghumai! And then, She's next!"
Chapter Thirty
Healing
"So there's a human soul in that?" Doren asked, eyeing the denhare resting in Rikki's lap.
"He can understand you, you know," Rikki replied, tickling one of Ji-Ji's ears.
"Could you go back again?" Aros asked, eyes lit up with hope. It was obvious what he was thinking.
Rikki had to squash that dream immediately. "A mage is not allowed to interfere with history. Those that tried always failed. As far as I know, I'm the only one who's managed it. But I did not try to change the course of events, and I never would."
Aros deflated upon hearing her words. "It's not history. It's not even two decks ago."
"Aros..." Doren didn't know what he could say to make him understand.
"It's alright," Rikki replied, and she grabbed hold of Aros' hand. "We can't change the past, Aros. What if I had done something, and Neanthal's reign had never ended? What if the smallest alteration prevented us from being born? That’s why it's forbidden. I only wound up there by accident."
Aros pulled his hand away. "I get it," he said, though his tone indicated he was rather peeved about it.
Rikki faced Doren. Her joy at seeing him again was overwhelming. Was he feeling the same? "Who tried to take you hostage?"
"She's here, actually," Doren said before going on about his kidnapping.
The three companions were gathered around a campfire, set up as the darkness took over Faunli, leaving only the moons and the stars to provide light. Emperor Luewen did not require his men to keep marching through the night. He wanted them rested and ready for battle. Tomorrow they would reach Kuwain's camp. Tomorrow, the war was supposed to end.
Fires dotted the plains and hills as the thousands of men munched on not-yet-spoiled fish and gimbin taken from the vine. They joked and laughed and filled the empty lands with raucous noise. Luewen must not have been concerned about stealth. If his brother hadn't anticipated them already through the tremors, then their ruckus would surely give them away.
Rikki, Aros, and Doren partook in the food and drink they were offered. The cider vanished faster than the cooked pheasant. While they devoured their meals, they shared their separate stories. Though they had parted on less amicable terms, their reunion reminded each of them of how important this friendship was. None had fared particularly well on their own. Rikki had ended up in the past. Doren had been kidnapped. And Aros had almost died. As each recounted their stories, it was clear that they had avoided a potentially worse outcome. For all that may have happened, they were still alive.
"Magenine is looking out for us," Rikki stated confidently when Aros completed his tale. "She literally had her followers mend you, Aros."
"I feel like I should have stayed with them longer," Aros said.
"Then you never would have found us," Doren reminded him.
"We're supposed to recover the Keys together," Rikki said.
"The Keys," Aros repeated meekly. He had told them about Pudo and Magenine's Haven, but he had yet to mention Sarin and his offer. Was he so ashamed that he had considered it? Or was he frightened that his friends may agree that it's the best course to take? He didn't want to tell them, but they deserved to know. They had to make the choice together. "I ran into Sarin after I left Pudo's."
"Without your weapons?" Rikki asked.
"He let you live?" Doren asked, astounded.
"He didn't want to fight," Aros said. "He wanted to make a deal. He has the second Key, and he's willing to trade for it."
"How'd he get it?" Doren spoke.
"Shifted, I think," Aros responded, thinking back to the encounter.
"He stole my idea!" Rikki exclaimed, distressed that the Resurrected had beaten her to the Key.
"What does he want for it?" Doren asked.
"He wants us to let him be," Aros told them. "He'll give us the Key if we leave."
"I like that he'd betrayed Hatswick," Doren replied. "That damn mage has it coming."
"What do you think, Rikki?" Aros asked.
"Take it," Lady Yveen interrupted, intruding on the trio as they spoke around the fire. Her one eye examined each of them before she took a seat beside Aros. "You don't owe Faunli anything. Take what you came for and leave."
"Should we be listening to this hostage-taker?" Rikki said, reaching for her staff while keeping her eyes on Yveen. The last time they'd met, she'd needed it.
"It's my advice," Yveen replied. "You don't have to agree with it."
"Come on, Rikki. She's not as bad as a Thalian," Doren insisted. He trusted her enough that he'd be willing to fight by her side again.
"Yes, she is," Aros replied, his eyes burning more furiously than the fire before them. "I don't think we should do it, and knowing this one disagrees with me only proves I'm right. She'll do whatever is easiest, including shooting someone and leaving them for dead."
"Sorry 'bout that," Yveen said with a hint of a smirk. "You weren't worth anything. Your blades were."
Aros took hold of the hilt of one of his clawblades. He had a strong desire to strike her; to take her other eye. But instead of wielding it, he let it go and dropped his hand back into his lap. "You should be glad I'm trying to be more peaceful."
"Like you could take me with your shoulder like that," Yveen responded.
"Enough," Doren said. "Are you trying to antagonize us?" He had no hard feelings towards Yveen for his kidnapping, but it seemed like she was trying to stir them up.
"Not intentionally," Yveen said. "You see, I don't care what happens tomorrow. I don't suspect Luewen will keep his word. And Kuwain would definitely not be a better emperor. Whatever the outcome, I live here. I have to deal with it. You don't. You shouldn't care any more than I do. Take what you came for and leave."
Could they really do it? Could they really leave Sarin to continue terrorizing Faunli? Rikki felt guilty just imagining it. She focused on Aros. "You made a promise, Aros. Could you live with breaking it?"
Before Aros could answer, Doren spoke. "We're not taking his deal." He could tell both of his friends were reluctant to say what was so obvious, even if they may have been thinking it. He had almost defeated Sarin once. They could take the Key from him without a bargain.
Aros gave a brief smile and nodded.
"Agreed," Rikki stated.
It was final. Even if the result was more combat, they would not bargain with a mass murderer.
Aros was relieved. He had hardly tried to sway them, and even then, his friends had not let him down. They were going to get the Key and save Milo's soul.
"Selfless fools," Yveen spat. "Don't think you're doing this for Faunli. You do it for your own consciences."
It wasn't only for that. It was for Milo; for Leidess; for Aros. Sarin was part of something greater that Yveen had yet to comprehend. Or maybe no one had told her. Rikki knew Yveen was clever. If she had all the information, maybe she would have understood. But there was no reason to tell her, especially if her friends hadn't informed her already.
"What are three Kytherans doing cavorting with Lady Yveen Ethera?" Lady Simma asked as she came upon the trio. She refused to take a seat and instead remained standing, judging them by their company.
It was Yveen that answered. "Honored that you remember my name, Lady Simma. I wonder what concerns you about my presence among these outlanders. Could it be that you care about them? No, I think not. Could you have plans for them? Maybe not even all of them. What need do you have for a prince or a guardian? But a mage? Those don't turn up every day in Faunli."
Simma didn't let Yveen's act startle her. "All these years and you continue to show off."
"I have to," she replied. "I have yet to be recognized for my intelligence by our emperor. He's only recognized that my land is his."
"I had nothing to do with that," Simma shot back.
Yveen stood up and moved in on Simma. "And you did nothing after it happened." It appeared that the battle may start early, but Yveen made to leave. "I hope your plan works," she lied as she walked back to what was left of her gang.
The trio remained in an awkward silence until Simma took Yveen's place around the fire. "We were friends once. A long time ago. Lords and Ladies tend to throw fabulous gatherings for each other, mainly to show off. No one dares top the imperial family, of course."
Only Rikki showed interest in hearing the rest of the story. "So what happened?"
"They took her land and her eye," Doren answered, pointing at Simma. He looked at her like she was more threat now than friend.
"It's true," Simma said. "And she came to me for help, and I did nothing. It's my fault, I know, but family has always come first here. It's only recently that I've had my doubts."
Rikki kept hearing things that increased her dislike of the woman. Though she had no choice but to help her, there was a nagging feeling that meddling in Faun affairs was a mistake, and that providing an opportunity for Simma to rule was even worse. "Will you give her back her land?"
"Yes, I owe her that." Simma stared into the dancing flames. "Could you give her back her eye? With your magic?"
"I've never tried to do something like that," Rikki said. Simma kept asking more of her, and she wasn't sure she could do anything that was requested. Their entire plan might fail tomorrow.
"You could start with us," Doren suggested. If they were going to face Sarin, they needed to be whole. "Aros and I are both injured. If you could completely heal our wounds, maybe you could heal Yveen's too."
Rikki accepted the challenge. She propped herself up with her staff and pointed it at her friends. "Off with your shirts."
Simma's eyes darted away from the fire and toward the Kytherans. "I wasn't expecting a show."
Rikki shot her a dirty look.
Aros took his weapons off his back and then gradually removed the black shirt Pudo had provided him. He slipped it off one arm, then pulled it over his head, making sure he didn't accidently remove the necklace as he did it. Then he carefully tugged it off the other arm, doing his best to not disturb the bandage that had been meticulously wrapped around his wound.
Doren hastily shed his shield and green top, revealing the white cloth tied around both his shoulders. "This outfit needs to be washed."
"But it's not even been half a season yet," Aros replied. "Or do a prince's clothes need to be washed and steamed daily?"
"Everyone's clothes should be washed daily, Aros," Rikki said. "Those bandages have to come off, too."
Both boys eyed the dressings helplessly.
Simma rose and made to help Doren, but Rikki reached him first. She could've used her magic to undo the wrapping, but she decided to do it manually. Her fingers brushed against Doren's bare back as she reached for the cloth and began to unwind it.
Lady Simma went on to assist Aros without commenting. She knelt down and began pulling at the bandage. "Who patched you up?"
"Pudo," Aros
said. "Do you know him?"
"Magenine's Haven," Simma stated. "This is impressive work for someone who's not a healer."
"He's not?" Aros asked. Why would they send an injured person to a man who wasn't a healer?
"I've only heard of him referred to as the Emissary of Magenine," Simma replied. "Never as a healer." She finished unwrapping Aros' wound and threw the bandages into the fire. "Arrow," she said, recognizing what caused his wound. "Who shot you?"
"Yveen," Aros replied with irritation. He had hardly forgiven the woman for doing this to him.
"You Kytherans do keep odd company."
When Rikki had finished undoing Doren's bandages, she tossed them into the air and they carried themselves into the fire. She inspected the incisions Slythe had made into his shoulders. "These aren't too deep. Hopefully I don't make them worse."
"I trust you," Doren said.
Rikki took a step back and pointed her staff at Doren' shoulder. The channeling crystal flickered a few times, as if it were speaking to the cut and telling it what to do. Within seconds, Doren's shoulder was completely healed, without a scar or sign that there had ever been an injury at all. She moved the staff over to his other shoulder and repeated the process.
Doren rubbed the tips of his fingers against his shoulders. "It's like they were never there. I didn't even feel anything." He looked back at Rikki. She was truly extraordinary. "Thanks."
Rikki smiled at him and stared a little too long before she moved over to Aros. Simma moved out of the way, and she pointed the staff at his shoulder, which appeared to have a substantial hole torn in it. It was amazing that Aros hadn't been crying in pain since he received it. This one took a bit more time to heal, but when Rikki was done with it, it was like Yveen had never shot him and left him for dead.