by D N Meinster
“I’ll be back,” Aros stated. “And she’ll be here.”
Doren slipped two fingers between his lips and let out a piercing whistle. Upon seeing three creatures head towards them, he turned back to his friends. “So where are we going next?”
“Twilight Islands?” Aros put forth, figuring there was nowhere else for them to go. It was the only kingdom they had left to visit. If they weren’t going there, then he’d have liked to return home. Or even stay in Terrastream. He could probably still catch up with Loraya and M’dalla.
“I thought we might want to find out what Hatswick’s been up to,” Doren proposed.
Aros trembled as he recalled his vision of the Door. Though they hadn’t spotted him in Terrastream, Hatswick was still working toward opening it.
“He only has one Key,” Rikki reminded them.
“And you don’t think it’s suspicious he hasn’t come after us or Terrastream’s Key?” Doren responded.
“We might get to Twilight Islands and find he already has their Key,” Aros suggested.
Both Doren and Rikki looked at him like that was the worst thing he could possibly say. But they were distracted seconds later by the arrival of a miwolf, a mideer, and a denhare.
“Ji-Ji!” Rikki scooped him up and nuzzled his white fur.
“Do we take them with us?” Doren asked as he ran his hand across the tops of his pets’ heads.
“Of course!” Aros replied. He wasn’t about to leave Mr. Kwee behind.
Doren slid his hands underneath their bodies and lifted them both into his arms and against his chest.
“So, Twilight Islands?” Rikki was looking for confirmation.
Doren sighed before saying, “I suppose.”
Aros gave one last glance in the direction that Loraya had departed to. There was no sign of her or anyone else.
“Aros.”
His eyes fell back on Rikki.
“You better let me shift you there. I’ll teach you after we arrive.” She stuck out her staff for him to grab.
Kytheras was his home. Faunli was the site of his greatest regret. Belliore had overwhelmed and confused him. But Terrastream had given him something he thought he’d never have again. He didn’t want to leave it, even though he knew he had to. What would it be like when he got back? And how long would it take for him to return? Would Loraya feel the same way? Would she even remember him?
And what of Leidess? It felt almost like he was replacing her. He didn’t want to let go of her or the times they had spent together. How would she feel about Aros taking on a new girlfriend?
It was times like these he wished Leidess would appear again. He’d even accept getting an answer from the Goddess. But Magenine didn’t have an opinion on his love life like She didn’t have an opinion on whether they went after Hatswick or to the Twilight Islands. She remained silent.
“Aros?” Rikki nudged him with the silver rod.
“Right.” As Aros laid his fingers on Rikki’s staff, he could think only of the girl that gave him hope and the future where Hatswick was defeated, Neanthal remained imprisoned, and Terrastream was no longer at war. It was only then that he’d be able to fulfill the promise that he had made; one he would hold on to until he returned to the land that had begun to fade away.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The Great Parting
10 D.R.
Treatis Square had never been so full and so festive. Bands played in each of its corners, adding to the cacophony of noise that ranged from deep conversations to drunken howls. Drinks, both with and without alcohol, were handed out freely. Diverse platters of food had been brought from every kingdom and were dispersed to everyone in attendance. This was the last time many would be able to get melons from Terrastream or bass from the Unending Seas, and they treated it as such. Many were overeating, some to the point of puking in the middle of the party. Fortunately, there were mages present to clean it up with a wave of their staffs.
Underlying the uproarious fervor was a sadness that no partygoer was willing to recognize. In merely three days, the continent of Ghumai would be split apart. Each kingdom would be isolated from every other. If anyone wanted to move, they had little time to decide. But no one was thinking of that this day.
King Shine had demanded an integrated celebration, and he presided over exactly that. He breezed through the crowd, listening to tales of Neanthal’s oppression from those that had been left behind. He made sure to keep a beverage in his hand throughout, for the somber stories would certainly drag down his mood without it.
Queen Narai stayed by Eloris’ side, observing from the fringes of the gathering but hardly partaking. The Bellish woman had little interest in the festivities, and the Queen Mother’s sour mood had returned since Aergo’s funeral and had not left. They said little, though any that attempted interaction would merely bring about Narai’s bickering about how her name rhyming with Ghumai had never been of importance until she’d moved to Castle Tornis, where Kytherans would use both names in jest.
Amelia kept her eye on the royal family, including Slythe, who was deeply intoxicated and dancing wildly with M’dalla. She knew there were Thalians out there. They didn’t wear armor, nor did they have sickly pale skin or ink black hair. They looked like everyone else, though their loyalties remained to the Beast they’d locked away. They might seek vengeance for him, or even attempt to release him. That is why the land had to be split apart, and why the Keys had to forever remain separate.
Peace had a cost. Freedom had a cost. Her mages learned that now, for she’d forbidden them from drinking in case trouble arose. The rest of Ghumai would learn that soon, when each kingdom was entirely alone.
“Three hundred years.”
Amelia turned and found that Grace had snuck up on her. She was stoic, draped in blue, and rather unaware of the commotion that surrounded her. “That’s how long it will last. Three hundred years.”
“Does that mean it wasn’t worth it?” Amelia retorted, trying to speak above the crowd. “Or that it lessens what we’ve done?”
“It means you better find a husband soon,” Grace said, cracking a smile.
Amelia giggled, though the thought of finding a spouse inevitably weighed on her. She knew she had a great-granddaughter. What she didn’t have was any inkling of love or romance in her life. For the last decade, all that had mattered was getting to this point. Perhaps now that they’d reached it, she could start to concern herself with other issues.
“Where will you be staying?” Amelia asked, changing the subject.
“The Isles,” Grace replied. “I think I’ve done all that history has required of me.”
“I will miss that weather,” Amelia stated. She gave Grace a short embrace before moving on through the crowd.
It was not easy navigating through the packed square, leaving Amelia no choice but to use her magic to occasionally move a passed-out drunk from her path. As she began lifting a drunkard into the air, she was shocked to find it was someone she knew.
Hatswick’s trilby had fallen off and his beard was a mess. Though his eyes were open, they were cloudy and unfocused. He didn’t have his staff on him, nor his usual cloak.
“Hatswick?” Amelia tried to get through to her friend. Not only had he disobeyed her, but she still needed him for the final parting.
“Where’s Aergo?” Hatswick grumbled before his eyes rolled back into his head.
“Great,” Amelia groaned. She floated Hatswick over to the nearest mage, whose hair was glowing brighter than the setting sun.
“Pila, do you mind taking Hatswick back into the castle?”
“What happened to him?” Pila asking, moving closer and tapping his face.
Amelia didn’t have an answer. Hatswick could be grumpy and stern on occasion, but he was rarely, if ever, disobedient. She could surmise from his words that it might have to do with Aergo’s funeral, but she wasn’t sure.
“Just shift him to his chambers and you can come ba
ck.”
“You got it.” Pila poked him with her staff and they began to disappear from the square.
Another sight caught Amelia’s eye that was almost more shocking than Hatswick. Rantiford and the General Commander were knocking glasses and laughing with each other. Victory had apparently smoothed over their months of disagreement on the Islands.
Amelia grinned as she searched for the other High Council members that had migrated from the Islands. Dashel was chewing on the bones of a gull, while his overlarge companion had stuffed his head into a cake. Kavir and Lyle were dancing excruciatingly close to Azzer, their bodies bouncing off each other in a joyous romp. She had an idea where that was headed once the party was over. Azzer deserved a night like that, as it would be centuries before he could experience any excitement again.
The most unexpected appearance of the night, however, had to be that of Zrhsh. The Ifta stood out amongst all the people, his stoic manner and sullen expression an eyesore amidst the revelries. Amelia watched him, concerned he might have had a change of heart since the Isles and wanted to cause chaos. But he stayed still, merely observing everything that was going on around him. Perhaps the Ifta could not understand this kind of behavior.
“I’ll keep my eye on him,” Yuurei said, brushing past her.
Guardians were excused from their duties for the duration of the celebration, but Amelia wasn’t about to turn down his help. She almost felt bad that she’d be taking him away from Rantiford and Shine’s service, as there were few so professional and loyal amongst the Guardians.
“Has Hatswick gone mad?”
Pila had returned to Amelia’s side, her hair slightly duller than when she’d left.
“What happened?” Amelia inquired.
“He was going on about Aergo, acting like he was still alive,” Pila informed her.
Amelia put a finger to her chin. “It’s probably just the alcohol,” she said, though she wasn’t so sure.
Pila shrugged and checked the sky. “They’ll be letting off fireworks soon.”
The arrival of dusk brought along with it the bright light of the moons and stars, and also the sudden ignition of hundreds of torches and candles.
As Pila shuffled back through the crowd, Amelia felt someone grab her wrist.
“I don’t wanna go,” Zeniri stated.
Before he could say more, the arrival of King Shine scared him off. Amelia watched him leave, feeling guilty that she might be forcing Zeniri to do something against his will. But then, was it her forcing them, or was it the Goddess?
“They all think we’ll never be able to see each other again,” Shine said. “I almost want to tell them.”
“They can’t think anything else,” Amelia warned.
“I know, I know.” Shine pointed to Zrhsh. “You noticed who joined us?”
“Yuurei is keeping tabs on him.”
“What would we do without him?” Shine eyed the Grand Mage.
Amelia kept a straight face, though she worried he suspected. She hadn’t told him what she was planning to do with his brother or the others. If he objected, it could irreparably impair her plan for both the Keys and the succession. He couldn’t know until after.
“What will we do without the seas and the mountains?” Amelia tried to change the trajectory of the conversation.
“They will all have enough fresh water,” Shine replied. “And the stores of existing channeling crystals will be split up between the five kingdoms. Tell me, what will they all see in place of the other kingdoms?”
“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly. Her concern was in splitting up Ghumai, not in what might be left behind in their wake. “Emptiness, I suppose.”
“And what of the Door?”
“It must stay under my watch in Kytheras,” Amelia stated. “I will figure out a way to ensure it before we part.”
Shine moved on from her as the first fireworks were launching into the sky. Amelia stared at the colorful explosions, the stress of the Parting finally weighing on her. There was still so much to do, and there were only three days left.
“Have you been with them since the party?”
Azzer’s eyes were quick to open, though the two nude mages at each of his sides remained in slumber.
“Come along,” Amelia ordered. “We have to get the others.”
Azzer threw on a pair of blue slacks before Amelia shoved his staff into his chest.
“Wake them if you want to say goodbye.”
Azzer gazed wistfully at them but no words escaped his lips.
“Very well.” Amelia touched her staff to his shoulder and the room began to fade away.
The two of them shifted into the Prince’s chambers, where he too had company in his bed. M’dalla was snoring loudly while Slythe slept peacefully at her side.
Azzer gave a groggy grin to Amelia before he touched his staff to their mattress. In seconds, it transformed into a pool of water that unloaded its two occupants onto the floor.
Amelia contained her chuckle as Slythe and M’dalla squealed and reached for their weaponry.
“You should bring those,” she told them as two swords and a flail were raised up. “You won’t want to be without them the next time you wake.”
Yuurei barged into the Prince’s chamber with his sword drawn. “What is the commotion?” he begged as he analyzed the spectacle before him.
“It is time,” Amelia told him.
Yuurei lowered his blade to his side. “Some notice would suffice.”
“Apologies,” Amelia replied with a slight bow. She looked to the Prince. “I’m afraid I can’t let you say goodbye to your brother. But if you’d like to leave a note, I can wait.”
Slythe nodded. “I should.” He dropped his swords and reached for a pen.
“I will return shortly,” Amelia said, shifting away. She found Zeniri sleeping in Treatis Square, his red-striped robes standing out amidst the other partygoers who had yet to leave. He was curled up on the ground, stains added to his outfit anytime he rearranged himself in his sleep.
Amelia poked him with her staff, but he refused to wake. When she considered more intense methods, she realized it might be best to leave him unconscious. He did not want to go, but he could not protest if he was not roused.
She kept her staff on him and shifted them both back to the Prince’s chamber. Slythe was still finishing up his letter and paid no attention to the new arrival. The rest of them stood around, waiting for Amelia to take them to their destination.
“What’s with him?” Yuurei asked, nodding toward Zeniri.
“He doesn’t understand,” Amelia replied, pangs of guilt hitting her.
Slythe signed his name to the letter and left it on his desk as he joined the others gathered around Amelia. “So where exactly are we going?”
Amelia held her rod out in front of her. “Touch my staff and find out.”
Slythe showed no reluctance as he put his hand on the silver. M’dalla followed, as did Yuurei. Azzer seemed unsure, likely wondering why he couldn’t simply shift himself, but he did as instructed.
Amelia placed her free hand on Zeniri, and their location began to fade away. In place of a warm bedroom came damp, dark rock; jagged, foreboding, and all-encompassing. Both staffs had to light up just so they could make out each other in the blackness.
“Our new home?” M’dalla asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Amelia replied.
“You expect us to live here?” Azzer asked. “A cave in the Enduring Mountains?”
“Not exactly.” She took a breath and thought about what to say. Whatever words she came up with, Zeniri deserved to hear them.
Zeniri floated up from the ground and into a standing position, though his eyes remained closed. A minuscule spark shot out from her staff and hit Zeniri’s forehead, finally waking him.
“What?” he grumbled, not comprehending the situation as he gazed around.
“It’s time,” Amelia calmly informed him.
“No!” he bellowed. “No! No!”
The group seemed startled by his refusal.
“Send him back,” Yuurei sneered.
“I can’t,” Amelia stated. “I do not see it as a coincidence that you all saved me; that you all survived the invasion. Magenine’s hand is clearly involved. She wants all of you, including Zeniri.”
Zeniri shook his head but was unable to run anywhere as he was still floating. “I don’t believe in your goddess!”
“None of us did until Neanthal,” Amelia reminded him.
“Let him go,” Slythe commanded.
“We need five,” Amelia replied. “Five kingdoms, five of you.”
“We can find another.”
“No time.” Amelia touched her staff to Zeniri’s head and ran it down the length of his body. His shoddy attire was replaced by a flowing red cloak. “You will each get one.”
She moved to Slythe, examining the black and white cloak she’d previously given him. “I trust it hasn’t disappointed you.” M’dalla was the next to receive one. “I have enchanted them to protect you. Only the most powerful magic will be able to affect them. Blades and bombs will do little.” Azzer was soon sporting a blue cloak. “And they will provide you with the ability to shift. Spin in place and watch your location change. I suggest Azzer teach you more when you wake, but it should be simple enough.” Yuurei was the last to be adorned. “Though the kingdoms will be apart, you will be able to shift to them.”
“What exactly are we supposed to do?” Slythe asked.
Amelia pulled out a Key from within her white cloak. “Kytheras’ Key.” She held out her staff in front of her. “Please, put your hands on the crystal.” One-by-one they stacked their hands on top of the channeling crystal. Only Zeniri needed to be coerced into doing so.
She laid the Key atop their hands and the crystal turned bloodred. All of their hands began to glow, as did the Key. When her magic was done, Amelia snatched it back up and yanked her staff away.
“You are all now bound to it. Should it ever be disturbed once I’ve hidden it away, you will all wake.”
“To do what?” Zeniri spat.