He shrugged. “That’s my cover.”
“Cover? For what.”
He started to answer, then stopped himself. “I haven’t seen you in over two decades and I’m about to spill my secrets to you. What is it with Proctors?”
“We’re good listeners.”
“It’s more than that. Your magic is splendid.”
“I appreciate it. But our magic is largely passive.” She took a delightfully tart sip from her tea. “I ran into your brother in the tavern.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Then I’m sure you can imagine how that went.”
“I can, yes. He is a drunkard and a bigot. Our mother didn’t raise him like that.”
“War changes people.”
“That’s his excuse. I’ve had it with him. I used to let him sleep in the library when he’d have too much to drink to waddle home without killing himself, but I cut that out last year. A few months after that, his wife left him. For a while, I felt responsible…”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I know. I know. But people like him have a talent for making you feel all their problems are your fault.”
“Indeed.”
“Have you seen mother?” he asked. “Mauria, that is. I forget you have two mothers.”
She rested her teacup in its saucer.
“I can tell by your face you have, and it didn’t go well.”
Her voice broke. “She wanted nothing to do with me.”
His eyes softened. “I’m sorry, Shareis. Unlike our brother, her pain has a bit more reason behind it.”
“I understand she’s upset with Lilly—”
“That’s only part of it. After what she went through after you were born, I can understand her… discontent.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh… Lilly never…. I didn’t know. It is not my place to say.”
She sat on the edge of her chair. “Adrious, I was kicked off my mother’s… or rather Kytis’s front porch. I am trying to figure out what is going on. She certainly won’t tell me.”
“I’m sorry, Shareis. I will not betray my mother’s confidence.”
She relaxed a bit. “I understand. But… well… never mind.”
“But what?” he asked.
“Her primary complaint is that I haven’t come to see her since I was a child. I can’t fault her for part of that. It’s true, I didn’t make the effort in my younger years. When she found out I was coming to investigate Kytis—”
“Wait… Investigate Kytis? Officially?”
“Yes.”
“I knew it,” he said. “There’s something about that man that isn’t quite right. I mean, don’t get me wrong—I’m glad he gave mom a job, but… he’s… well, creepy.”
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Shareis said. “He’s currently in Selandis, and I fear he’s up to no good.”
“A reasonable suspicion. I’ll help however I can.”
“Thank you. I would be most appreciative.”
“Alright, since you’re not a fan of Kytis, I can open up to you.”
“Of course,” Shareis said. “I won’t betray your confidence, either.”
He stared into her eyes for a moment. “I believe you. As I mentioned, this librarian position is a cover. Though, a pleasant one. I through enjoy books, reading, and digging through ancient manuscripts.”
She looked around his cluttered office. “I can tell.”
“I need to tidy, but… I never seem to have the time. So many books to read, so many papers to translate.”
“Translate?”
“Yes… well, you see, I have always been interested in hidden knowledge. And, through extensive research, I have found we are not the first group of humans to have lived here.”
“Group of humans? What do you mean?”
“There was an accident… or disaster… I’m not sure which, many years ago. At least two or three signs ago.”
“I’m no expert in history, but three signs, or… let’s see…”
“Over seven thousand years ago.”
“Yes… I’m not aware of any catastrophes in that time.”
“That’s because it wasn’t documented—at least in our modern texts. But the Den’tari records spoke of an ancient land of beings who created us with mere thought.”
“The Den’tari Creation Myth,” she replied. “I’m aware of it.”
“A terrible sundering occurred during the transition of the Sign of the King to the Sign of the Thief. As far as I can tell, the Den’tari make no other mention of it, but it led me to some tablets that were recently discovered a few hours outside of town. I don’t have the tablets themselves, but I do have these rubbings.”
He handed her several pieces of paper with relief sketches. Curved, elegant fonts surrounded a circle that contained a five-pointed star.
“What is this?” she asked.
“I have no idea. And I can’t read any of the writing. It’s in a language I’ve never seen before. Make any sense to you?”
She took a second, more detailed look at the writing. “Not at all.”
“The remains of a human male were found near the tablets. Unfortunately, most of the bones were lost, but I did retain the femur.” He pointed to an upper shelf.
“An ordinary, if not unsettling, looking bone,” she said.
“I don’t know what to make of it. Regardless, I will translate this and determine the meaning of this symbol.”
“You are an intelligent individual,” she said. “I have no doubt you will succeed.”
“Thank you. I didn’t mean to go on about this… it’s consumed me over the past few months. I suppose after your lovely family reunion the last thing you need is for me to drone on about some archeological find.”
“It’s fine,” she replied. “It’s been a nice distraction.” She yawned.
“Are you tired?”
“Drained. I need to rent a room in the tavern.”
“Don’t do that. You can stay here, with me.”
“You live in the library?”
“I used to, but then the town built me a small shed in the back. It’s not big enough for anyone but me, but you’re free to sleep in my old accommodations.”
He removed piles of books from a couch that lined the opposite side of the room. She didn’t know it was there until he uncovered it.
“It looks rough, but it will give you a fair night’s sleep.”
“It will do nicely.”
He chuckled. “You’re a bit more optimistic of it than I was.”
“My stoic Proctor-side comes in handy quite often.”
He hugged her. “It’s so good to see you again, Shareis. Please, stay as long as you want. Or at least as long as you can tolerate our family.”
She sat on the couch. “I hope I can heal the rift between Mauria and I.”
He patted her on the shoulder. “You are an intelligent individual, Shareis. I have no doubt you will succeed.”
Chapter 31
Despite the open-air accommodations, Niv’s sleep was delightful. Her body rested gently in the natural cocoon formed by the branches of the tree. She transversed the precarious rope bridge and headed inside the main trunk to find Farius eating a bowl of fruit.
“Looks delicious,” she said.
Her father handed her a bowl. “It is. More than thirty fruits, berries, and nuts grow in the grove, and these bowls contain a sampling of most of them. The nutrients contained within are so concentrated that one serving could last a Druid all day.”
She put one of the berries in her mouth and adored the delicate combination of sweet and tart flavors. “Delicious. Is this all you eat?”
“In the grove, yes.”
She wondered how they didn’t get tired of constantly eating the same thing but had more pressing questions. “How long will I have to learn from Lyndoni?”
“You can benefit from her tutelage all your life.”
&nbs
p; “Yes, but… that’s not what I mean. How long until I will be able to help Mom?”
“You are a quick study,” he replied. “Soon.” He looked at her for a moment. “You probably want a more precise answer.”
“Yes, but I understand.”
“You are isolated from the flow of time in the outside world,” Farius said. He looked at the jar. “But that does little to soothe my despair.”
She put her hand on his shoulder. “As you said… soon.”
After they finished breakfast, Farius walked her through the grove, introducing her to other Druids in their human form. She thought she had become used to the nudity, but seeing other men and women walking through the forest without clothes was certainly an adjustment. She felt embarrassed that, in some cases, she had to work to maintain eye contact. She perceived on an intuitive level that they understood this, making the experience a bit less awkward.
They walked outside of the main cluster of treehouses until they reached another small brook. A small wooden bridge crossed the water, then a gravel walkway continued the path to a home built around the trunk of an old tree. Unlike the other homes, this building was constructed from stone and used the trunk only as part of its side wall. Regular wooden shingles covered its roof, and numerous flowerpots with brilliant, glowing flowers lined the home. Two tilled areas of crops hugged the gravel path.
“This doesn’t look like a typical Druid home,” she said.
“You will find Lyndoni is no typical Druid.”
The door creaked open and an older woman with a walking stick started toward them. Unlike the other Druids, she was fully clothed. She wore a dark green cloak over a tan dress. An earth-green crocheted pullover draped down to her knees.
“You’re… wearing clothes,” she said.
Lyndoni looked her up and down. “And you aren’t, my dear!”
She covered her chest. “I didn’t know…”
“Oh, no need to be embarrassed. I’m the one who’s out of place.” Lyndoni cast her hand in a wide circle. “Every Druid in the grove goes around naked but me. The strange looks I get…” Lyndoni took Niv’s hands and gently eased them to her side. “Be proud of who you are.”
She looked at her father, then back at Lyndoni. “Why do you wear clothes?”
Lyndoni chuckled. “Two reasons. One, I get cold easily. And two… well, there’s a lot of sagging here that I don’t care to swing around forest, you know?”
She giggled. “You look fine to me.”
Lyndoni nodded. “Of course! I’m wearing clothes.”
“But you told me to be proud of my appearance.”
“No, dear. I told you to be proud of who you are. I was young once, like you. I paraded around the grove with no care in the world. This is not vanity. No. This is a safety issue. I told you, I will not assault the eyes of my fellow Druids.”
“Nonsense,” Farius said. “You are a beautiful woman, Lyndoni.”
Lyndoni rolled her eyes. “Your father is a charmer. That’s how he ended up with such a lovely bride as Maeva. I see where you get your good looks.” Lyndoni ran her hand through Niv’s hair. “Naturally thick and smooth, just like your mother’s.”
“Thank you.”
“Your boy will be as handsome as ever,” Lyndoni said. “You’ll have to fend the ladies off him.”
“My son? But I am not pregnant.”
Lyndoni looked at her stomach. “Not yet, no. But it will happen.”
“Ah, well, it will be a planned event should it occur. My partner is a Proctor.”
Lyndoni nodded. “Yes, I know. You and Shareis will make fine parents, I promise you.”
She looked up to her father. “Did you tell her about Shareis?”
Farius smiled. “Not a word.”
“You aren’t like the others, are you?” she asked.
A big smile stretched from each of Lyndoni’s cheeks. “Oh, my dear, you are a charmer, too. Like your father.”
“And you use contractions.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Lyndoni asked. “The human language is so very verbose, wouldn’t you say, Farius?”
“Indeed,” Farius replied.
“It takes five, maybe ten human words to equal one Druid word. Since there are so many, why not take shortcuts?”
Farius sighed. “Not this debate again.”
“Oh now, Farius, you’ve done your bit. You’ve introduced us. I can take it from here.”
Farius nodded. “I bid you farewell for now, Niv’leana. You are in good hands.”
She hugged her father. “Thank you. I’ll be home soon.”
“Oh no you won’t. I’ve got plenty of work for you.”
“Thank you, Lyndoni,” Farius said, then left.
“You father is a fine, gentle man,” Lyndoni said. “But he has the most dreadful sense of humor.”
“He’s working on it,” she said. “My friend taught him a few jokes.”
“I have tried to bring humor to the grove for more years than you have been alive, my dear.”
“Any success?” she asked.
“Not a bit.”
She smiled. “I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy my time with you.”
Lyndoni started back to her house. She beckoned Niv to join her. “This won’t be easy. And you may not like me at times.”
“You’re lovely.”
“Eh… I am your teacher. Not your friend. If you love me before you learn what you need to know, then I’m failing somehow. You need to be pushed, Niv. You’ve had it too easy of late.”
She touched the amulet. “Not as easy as you might think.”
Lyndoni stopped and looked at the necklace. “I know about that, dear. That is part of why you won’t like me for a while.” Lyndoni resumed her walk toward her house. “That’s alright. I’m a tough old lady. I can handle your ire.”
She rushed to catch up. “There must be some mistake. I’m here to learn what I need to know to save my mother.”
“There has been no mistake, dear, I assure you. Come. Let’s have some tea. You can’t do anything without a proper cup of tea.”
Chapter 32
A compassionate hand took hers. Olivia knew who it was without having to open her eyes. The fire that flared in Frasie’s soul was a sweet, gentle flame to those she loved. And beyond any words, she knew that Frasie loved her.
“I’m worried, Olivia.”
Frasie’s economy of words scared her more than her voiced concern. When times were tough, Frasie’s bubbling personality smoothed, casting the protective shadow of a young mother. She felt her concern with every ounce of her spirit, and it showed.
The sunlight from her window slowly poured in her field of vision as she lifted her heavy eyelids. “Me too, Frasie.”
“Has Kytis been able to help?”
She took a labored sigh. “I don’t know. He tried his best, but… I seem to be beyond hope.”
“That’s not how we operate,” Frasie said. “You know what Nivvy would tell us if she were here, don’t you?”
“She’d hopefully heal me with her powers.”
“She’s say, ‘We saved the world, so we can certainly save a sick Skilla’.”
“That sounds like you, Frasie.”
“It’s my voice. I can’t imitate her very well.” Frasie nudged her head. “Scoot over.”
“Why?”
“I’m crawling in there with you.”
“Well, uh…”
Before she could move, Frasie nudged her way next to her. There was barely any room, so she quickly moved to the other side before Frasie fell off the bed.
“I’m moving in with you until you feel better,” Frasie said.
“That isn’t necessary, but I appreciate it.”
Frasie turned to her. “It is. I don’t like to be alone when I’m sick. You’ve been spending far too long cooped up in your room. It’s not good for a body. I’ve already told Aiden I’ll be spending all my time with you until you feel better.”
“That could be a while.”
“I know, and Aiden is fine with it. I’ve also made arrangements for all my other responsibilities.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know,” Frasie said. “I want to, because you’re my friend. You’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Honestly?” she asked. “I’d like to think I would. I’m not as good a person as you.”
“You’re saying that because you’re not well. But I know you and I think you would. You sacrificed so much to save so many.”
“I can be selfish,” she admitted.
“Maybe.”
“And I don’t always do the right thing.”
“Show me someone who does. Besides, I’m not doing this just because I know you’d do it for me. I’m doing it because I want to. And because I haven’t had a proper slumber party since Nivvy and I were in the Jeweled Woods.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You and Niv were… lovers?”
Frasie gasped. “Oh… no!” She scrunched her nose. “Eww… no, of course not. I mean… I don’t mean eww. She’s wonderful, and beautiful, but… no, I’m not into women. I don’t think sex between women is gross, either, I just want to make it clear. I mean—”
“I understand. It’s not your preference. I get it. You have been very supportive of Niv and Shareis. Surely you know most Skilla are bisexual?”
Frasie’s red freckles flared. “Yes, I did. Oh, I’m so embarrassed. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
“Not at all. Please, don’t think a thing about it. For what it’s worth, I prefer men.” She sighed. “At least I used to. I don’t prefer anything, now.”
“I stayed over at Nivvy’s house a lot, even slept in her bed. I never knew she liked girls, but even if I had known, it wouldn’t have changed a thing. I don’t think she knew, either, until Shareis came along.”
“That’s how love and attraction is sometimes. It’s the least predictable, yet most enjoyable feeling in the world.” She hung her head. “My life used to be so full of passion. For a Skilla, passion means far more than sex. It’s the very zest of life. We feel every emotion as though it were a bolt of lightning passing through every part of our body. Every sunset still brings a tear to my eye.” She rested her hand on Frasie’s shoulder. “And a kind gesture like yours, Frasie… that would have normally brought me to tears.”
Olivia Page 11