by Callie Kanno
He nodded, but she wondered if he was just doing so to placate her.
They walked into a small storage room, where a hammock and a nest of blankets had been previously prepared. There was barely enough room for the two of them, but it gave a small amount of privacy.
Mar’sal and the crewman laid Ravi down on the blankets as gently as they could. The L’avan saw that he was comfortable and warm before stepping out of the room. Then Than’os helped Adesina into the hammock and spread a blanket across her.
“Will this be enough?” he asked in a solicitous voice.
She smiled at his concern. “Yes, thank you.”
“Try to sleep,” he urged. “You will need your strength.”
The door was closed, and they were left alone. Adesina took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She looked down at her guardian, anxious for some sort of sign that he was improving.
Nothing changed, but somehow Adesina could sense that he was in a deep, peaceful sleep.
This made her sleepy as well, and she closed her eyes gratefully.
***
He is waking.
It wasn’t a thought. It was a knowledge as automatic as if she were waking, herself.
Adesina opened her eyes and turned to gaze at Ravi.
He raised his head slowly and returned her look. The young queen gasped in surprise at what she saw.
One of his eyes had changed from a golden color to a metallic purple, just like hers.
“Ravi, the iris of your left eye has turned purple.”
His voice was quiet and grave when he spoke. “What happened, Ma’eve?”
She knew that he was not talking about his eye. “You called down a meteor and defeated the aekuor.”
An expression of amazement passed over his face. “It worked?”
Adesina smiled. “Yes, dear friend. It worked.”
His brow furrowed. “I have never tried anything on that scale before. Such magic of the Rashad has not been used since our First Parents became mortal. In fact, my very mortality should have prevented me from succeeding.”
“What do you mean?”
Rays of understanding began to permeate his eyes. “I do not have the strength for such magic. It should have cost me my life.”
Adesina tried to shrug in a casual manner. “Well, you are clearly not dead, so there is no need to worry.”
Ravi was not convinced. “Ma’eve, did it cost me my life?”
“How would that be possible if you are alive now?”
His feline face became austere. “Did it cost me my life?”
She lowered her eyes. “You were dying…but I healed you.”
“That should not be possible. No L’avan has ever successfully healed the spirit of a Rashad. How did you do it?”
Adesina wasn’t certain how to describe the process, but she did the best she could. Ravi’s expression didn’t flicker, but somehow she could sense his growing incredulity.
When she finished, he spoke in a whisper. “It was a Joining.”
She frowned. “What does that mean?”
“In ancient times, the Rashad were the guardians and the companions of the Serraf. A special bond was created through vyala to bind the spirits of a Serraf and her Rashad. This was called Joining.”
Adesina wasn’t sure how she felt about this new information. “What does the bond do?”
Ravi paused before answering. “I am not certain. It has not been performed since the time of the Serraf, and there are only legends about what it could accomplish.”
No L’avan should have the necessary vyala to create a Joining.
As before, this understanding came to her as automatic knowledge rather than a thought.
“I should not have been able to Join us.”
Ravi was clearly surprised. “How do you know that?”
The young queen had a flash of insight as she replied. “Because you know it. I think the Joining has connected our minds somehow.”
Yes, the sympathy between us has definitely deepened.
“Yes, it has,” Adesina agreed.
Again, Ravi was startled by her response. He smiled slowly, “Well, I shall have to guard my thoughts more carefully from now on.”
“I am not certain that you can,” mused Adesina. “Even if I do not know exactly what you are thinking, I have been able to identify each emotion you have felt throughout our conversation. Also, the knowledge you have seems to be seeping into my mind of its own accord.”
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Yes, I am learning things about you that I have not known before. Things you have never shared.”
Adesina was a naturally private person, and the thought of such an open connection alarmed her. “What kind of things?”
His two-toned eyes widened slightly. “You long to have a child.”
She blushed furiously. “I…have only considered it.”
His face was awash with disbelief. “If you truly believe that, then you are lying to yourself. Your desire for a child runs deep.”
Adesina felt exposed. She searched her own mind, trying to discover something personal about her guardian. She found the places where she had anchored his spirit to hers, and she followed the links outward.
What she discovered was a mass of information and intelligence that was beyond coherency. It almost seemed like a swirling mass of color, and it was almost impossible to single out the individual hues.
Ravi could sense her confusion and his expression became gentle. “I should not have pried, dear one. I am sorry. Perhaps, when we are not so tired, I can show you how to view a Rashad soul.”
His willingness to open himself up to her was strangely comforting. It made her feel less vulnerable.
“For now, we should get some more sleep. Our bodies have much recovering to do.”
Adesina could feel his fatigue, and it added to her own. She nodded readily, and settled back into her hammock.
Ravi hummed for a few short minutes before they both fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter Twenty-one: Recovery
Adesina awoke to Faryl’s gentle hand on her forehead. The apothecary gave her a stern glance when she saw that the young woman’s eyes were open.
“You are a foolish child.”
Adesina was bewildered by this sudden attack. “What?”
“You could have killed yourself. What were you thinking, using your magic so recklessly?”
She tried to defend her actions, but the older woman would not let her speak.
“What about your husband? Who will rescue him if you die? Do you think that we will succeed without you?”
“I—”
“Or, perhaps you think you are invincible. Let me tell you something, child. I have seen many powerful and skillful people die just because they thought themselves impervious to mortality. No one can stop death, no matter how much magic they possess.”
Adesina knew that Ravi was awake, but he declined to get involved. She could sense his amusement at the situation that she found herself in.
“Now, I am going to see you fully recovered, and if I hear even the slightest hint of complaint I will give you a tongue-lashing that you will never forget.”
The young queen had never seen Faryl so forceful before. She felt the wisest course would be to quietly submit to the apothecary’s treatments.
She was given a special herbal tea that would help her body to regain its strength, and then she was fed some mild broth.
“We do not want to give you too much too soon,” cautioned Faryl, “or you will sick up.”
Mar’sal appeared at the doorway after a few minutes, but his cheerful smile wilted under the challenging stare of the apothecary.
“Adesina is not to be disturbed.”
“But…she asked us to keep her informed on our progress.”
Faryl waved an impatient hand, which Mar’sal took as permission to continue.
“All of the serious injuries of the crew have been healed, but the mor
e minor injuries will have to heal on their own. I barely have the strength to stay on my feet.”
He laughed, making light of his comment, but Faryl frowned. Adesina supposed Mar’sal’s behavior fell under Faryl’s category of “reckless” use of magic.
“Than’os is still repairing the ship where he can. The crew hauled the broken mast out of the water and held it in place while he mended the wood. The crew’s ability to work together so naturally is impressive.”
Mar’sal shot a nervous glance at Faryl as he concluded. “He will probably be laid up for the remainder of the voyage, but at least the ship will be able to make it to Zonne.”
Faryl gave a fierce snort and muttered about the irresponsible disregard for personal health.
Adesina and Mar’sal shared a sympathetic look with each other.
“Thank you, Mar’sal. Please tell the captain that I would like to speak to him as soon as it is convenient. Then go get some rest.”
The soldier left the room hastily and seemed glad to escape Faryl’s wrathful gaze.
Ravi ventured a teasing comment. “I am surprised you did not choose the path of a healer, Mistress Faryl. You have such a way with people.”
Adesina braced herself for an angry outburst, but she was astonished to hear a rueful laugh.
“Oh, I know I can be abrasive. I do not like it when I lose my temper, and that makes me even more unpleasant. I have seen too much of pain and suffering, and I do not bear it well. It angers me when people do not take the effort to minimize personal harm.”
“You need to take into account necessity,” he admonished gently. “Is it not worth it to give all of your strength to save the lives of many?”
There was a trace of bitterness in her response. “You forget that I was raised among the Shimat. Self-preservation is the first consideration.”
Adesina knew exactly what she meant. The Shi, or students, were taught the same principle. The only thing that came before self-preservation was the Shimat order. For some reason, though, that idea had never sat well with Adesina. Perhaps it was the residual influence of her mother’s standard of morality.
There was a firm knock on the doorframe, and they looked up to see Satosh standing at the entrance.
“Captain Zulimar is busy right now, but he did not wish to keep you waiting. Is there something I can do to assist you? Or do you need the captain?”
Adesina smiled at the thoughtful gesture. “I am sure that you can help me. I wanted to ask about ship repairs. Is there anything that needs to be done that Than’os or Mar’sal have not been able to do?”
Satosh shook his head. “Your man Than’os has taken care of all of the major repairs. Everything else can wait until we dock. As long as we do not come across any unseasonable storms, we should reach port just fine.”
“And how long will it be until we reach Zonne?” she asked eagerly.
The little man shrugged. “That all depends on the winds. If we have favorable winds, I would estimate our arrival in three days. If we have unfavorable winds…well, let us just say it could take considerably more time.”
The young queen leaned back thoughtfully. Ravi seemed to have been successful in persuading the wind to aid them thus far, but he had warned about the unreliable nature of that element. Just because the wind had helped them up until now did not mean that it would be inclined to do so any more.
Your concerns are valid.
Her eyes turned to her guardian, who was studying her face with an impassive expression on his own.
“The captain greatly appreciates your efforts on our behalf,” stated Satosh sincerely. “Do not worry yourselves about getting to Zonne. Concentrate on regaining your strength, and we will see that Zephyr makes it to port.”
“Thank you,” she said in a warm tone. “Your willingness to take on passengers means more to me that I can possibly say.”
“We would have been lost to the aekuor if you had not been with us, so it seems that the gods have favored us by sending you our way.”
With this simple statement, Satosh turned and walked out of the room. Adesina and Ravi were not alone for long, though as Satosh was almost immediately replaced by Kendan and Maizah. The former Shar was leaning heavily on the Tracker, his face pale and drawn from seasickness.
“I hear you saved the ship.”
Adesina raised her hands, as if to ward off any praise. “No, it was not I. Ravi was the one who saved us.”
The Rashad was pretending to sleep again, so he neither confirmed nor denied Adesina’s assertion.
He does not trust Kendan’s intentions.
“Is it true he called down fire from heaven?”
She was disturbed by this new insight to Ravi’s behavior towards her former teacher. The Rashad was much more discerning of human character than she was. Perhaps she should be more wary of Kendan’s intentions as well.
Adesina answered distractedly as her mind turned over these new thoughts. “A meteor.”
“A meteor!” He studied the large feline with interest. “Is that a common ability among his kind?”
“No,” she replied flatly. “It almost killed him.”
“Oh.” There was a trace of disappointment in the word.
Adesina cleared her throat and turned to Maizah. “Have we closed any distance between Zephyr and Basha’s ship?”
Instead of Adesina being able to sense the Tracker’s emotions as she had before, something else began to happen. The colors coalesced into thoughts and images.
Adesina felt Maizah’s mind reach out, instinctually following the trail of the L’avan king. Maizah could visualize the entire world, and zoom in on any particular location. Her mind’s eye passed over the endless waves of the ocean and to the coastal city of Jame, Zonne’s main port. She could see the forms of thousands of people going about their business, but she focused on two figures disembarking from a merchant ship.
“They are only just arriving,” Adesina answered her own question. “That means we are only three days behind.”
Kendan stared at her in amazement. “How did you know that?”
She replied honestly. “I do not know. I could see what she sees, but that has never happened before.”
It is because our minds have Joined.
Again, Adesina was startled by this external source of insight, but she decided to set her questions aside for when she and Ravi could speak privately.
“What will Basha do now that she is in Zonne?”
Kendan rubbed his chin and frowned. “Well, that is difficult to say. It depends on how much independent power she has been given by her superiors. She may journey directly to the Threshold, or she may wish to find ways to delay us from following her.”
“I see no reason why she cannot do both,” Adesina pointed out.
“I believe she will need to find a guide before venturing out into the desert, though.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Oh?”
“The ancient texts refer to signs and landmarks, but one would need a thorough understanding of the land and its history to find the way. Basha grew up in Sehar, just like us. She does not know the deserts of Zonne well enough to find the Threshold on her own.”
Adesina found this new information pleasing. “How long will that delay her departure?”
Kendan blew out his breath. “I would say at least a day, if not more. There are those who make their living as guides through the desert and to the various villages, but few of them would be willing to venture into the deep desert. No one lives there.”
The young queen felt her heart lift. That would narrow the distance between them even more. They might even catch up to them before they left Jame, the port city.
“We should be arriving in about three days, assuming we have favorable winds. Mar’sal, Than’os, Ravi and I will need that time to get as much rest as possible. I do not want to face Basha with depleted strength,” said Adesina.
Her former teacher gave her an uncertain glance. “Now, you m
ust not be too optimistic that we will catch up to her in Jame, Adesina. She could possibly find a guide and leave today.”
She knew he was right, but she hated letting go of that thin ray of hope that she would rescue L’iam before he got into any serious danger. The thought of the ritual still hung over her head, and she felt sick inside at what would happen if she couldn’t find a way to save him.
“I know how to be realistic,” she retorted defensively, trying to cover her momentary naïveté.
The ship gave a sudden lurch, and Kendan’s face took on a greener hue.
“I think it would be best if I go lay down again. Mistress Faryl, if it would not be too much trouble, I would appreciate some of your herbs when you are finished here.”
The apothecary gave a sympathetic smile. “I will come with you right now. I have done what I can for these two. Now they just need to rest.”
She emphasized the last statement, and Adesina nodded in ready obedience.
“We will rest. I promise.”
They were finally left alone, and the young woman turned on her side to face her guardian.
“How are you feeling, Ravi?”
He gave a wry smile. “Can you not tell?”
“I can sense that you are tired, and that your spirit is recovering bit by bit. That does not give me the information I want, though.”
The Rashad looked up at her, and once again she was startled by the change in his eye color. “It will take me longer than three days to fully recover my strength. I know that you hope to catch up to Basha sooner rather than later, but I will not be much help if we have a confrontation before I have finished healing.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you?”
His expression became gentle. “You have done more than enough already, dear one.”
Looking at his feline face, Adesina felt affectionate warmth wash over her. She had grown to love Ravi very much over the years, and she didn’t know what she would do without him.
“I only did what you would have done in my place.”
He chuckled. “It is my duty to preserve your life, Ma’eve, even at the cost of my own. You do not bear the same responsibility for me.”