Marten thrust a hand through his hair in the way he often did when considering how to tackle a difficult problem. Judging from the slump of his shoulders, their daughter was successfully bullying her father into doing something for her once again. Deciding quickly that if Marten was to have any hope of resisting Asha’s charms backup would be needed, Romana climbed out of bed and let her wytch clothes transform to form a light robe over the top of her nightgown. She snuck up behind her husband, her arms twining around his waist as she kissed his nape. His response was to draw her around to his side and kiss the top of her forehead.
“Mother,” Asha looked exasperated and Romana was impressed that Marten had held out long enough to get to this point. “I need to meet with Uncle Endis! It’s a matter of urgency!”
“I was trying to tell our beloved daughter that her uncle is also a king.” Marten huffed. “If she won’t even tell me why she needs to talk to him so badly, how am I supposed to arrange a meeting?”
Romana chuckled, “Is it something to do with the dark wytches?” She asked, Asha shook her head, leaving Romana puzzled. “Then why can’t you tell us?”
“Because it’s important!” Asha groaned.
“Sweetheart, you’re forgetting that we know how to deal with important things. We do it all the time. You can trust us with this.” Marten tried to reassure her.
Asha paused, thinking. “I guess, if I have to.” She sounded resigned. “Aunt Silver visited earlier,” Marten caught Romana’s eye and they shared a concerned frown. Just how long had Silver been visiting Asha without their knowledge? And why was their daughter keeping it a secret? “Don’t worry,” Asha read their expressions easily, “It was the first time she’s come to visit me since I came here. She mentioned Kier and it was then that I realised she’s been alive longer than all of us! She knew things about gryphons that we can only guess at!” Asha’s excitement was clear. “I asked her if gryphons were still alive and she told me that I had to ask Uncle Endis!”
“So the important reason for summoning your uncle in the middle of the night is to ascertain that a species that died out over half a millennia ago is actually extinct?” Marten groaned. “Why not?”
Romana’s eyebrows rose so quickly she was surprised that they remained below her hairline. “Why not?” She repeated dumbly.
“We still owe him for that time he woke us both to tell us his mad sister was on the loose.” Marten explained. “So why not? Let me get dressed Asha and I’ll come with you. I want to see his face.”
Her husband walked back into their room, leaving Romana and Asha both more than a little stunned by his actions.
“He’s gone mad.” Romana whispered, hurrying after him, her nightdress changing into her wytch robes as she went.
“Marten, are you sure about this?” She asked as he sat on the edge of the unmade bed, tugging on his boots.
“Why not?” Her husband repeated. “I’ve wanted to visit my cousin for a long time without the fanfare that usually accompanies a royal visit. This seems like the perfect excuse to me.” His smile was blinding. “Asha gets her answer; I get time with my cousin. It’s the perfect solution. Are you coming with us?”
Romana was rooted to the spot; temporary insanity seemed to have overtaken her family. When the word ‘yes’ left her lips, she felt strangely liberated and surprised at herself. A feeling that only intensified as her family stepped through the portal and into the twilight world of the elves.
Though their portal to Elvardis was hidden in the bowels of the palace for security, the elves kept their one in an open air room at the end of one of the taller branches of the palace tree. Romana looked down as she always did when she came to the elven forests, mesmerized by the faint glow of roots through the soil a seemingly impossible distance below her. People she had once thought were her own walked along branches as if they were corridors, and roofs were constructed of leaves that were bigger than she was. Even now she still felt so at home in Elvardis that it would have seemed strange had Kate not explained the connection she felt with the elves years ago.
According to her mother, the elves were the first intelligent creatures she had created to live on her world. Because of Kates’s trepidation at trying to create a new species she had made the elves very similar to the Ancients. Giving them long lives so that she wouldn’t be saddened by them leaving her world so soon after she put them there, and an affinity for nature so they would feel called to take care of the world she was giving them. Dwarves, dragons, humans and the other races had come later. Romana shook off the memory as she turned back to where her family stood.
Keir was awake in Asha’s arms, his tail curling around her as his eyes surveyed the scene with interest. It wasn’t long before one of the elven pages approached them, his eyes wide.
“King Endis awaits your pleasure in his parlour, your majesties.” The young elf stammered. “Would you like me to show you the way?”
“No need.” Marten shrugged off the servant and proceeded along the branch to the steps that were half carved, half grown from the tree. The climb only took a short while and when they entered the room carved into the trunk of the tree.
Endis was waiting for them.
“You just wanted to get me back for waking you up in the middle of the night all those years ago!” He correctly guessed with a mockingly accusing tone.
Marten enveloped his cousin in a hug, “You had to know it was coming,” He replied, laughing.
“Romana,” She was the next to be enfolded in one of Endis’ hugs. “Are the wytches still keeping you busy?”
“Always,” she replied, but her tone made it clear she’d never minded the responsibility.
“And how is my—” Endis stopped suddenly, his eyes locked on Keir. “Where did you find him?”
“Keir is my familiar.” Asha said quietly. “I asked my parents to bring me here because Silver said you would know more about his kind than anyone else.”
Endis looked pleased as he did every time he heard news of his sister, and Romana wondered what Asha had gotten herself into by mentioning Silver’s name.
“We can swap information if you like.” He suggested. “If you give me news of my sister, I will give you news of the gryphons.”
Asha was silent for a long moment and Romana wondered idly if her daughter was contacting Silver for permission. “As long as the information doesn’t come at the risk of Dark Coven security,” Asha finally said slowly.
“Excellent!” Endis beamed, leading them all over to the comfortable chairs that were dotted around the table filled with light breakfast snacks and fresh juice in the centre of the room.
“My question first,” Asha insisted, continuing at Endis’ nod. “Are other gryphons still alive?”
“Yes.” Endis replied. “Is Silver well?”
“Yes.” Asha replied, following Endis’ lead of not giving more information than necessary. “Where are the gryphons now?”
“They live in the mountains far to the south of the elven forests.” Endis answered. “Very few outside of our race know of those mountains, so it is best you keep that information to yourself.” He paused, “Does Silver ever mention her family?”
Asha was quiet, and Romana got the sense her daughter was trying to arrange her answer in a more diplomatic way so as not to offend her uncle. “She does,” was all that was said in the end. “Why are the gryphons thought to be extinct?”
“Because they made a deal with us once the dwarves had hunted them so badly there were but a few dozen of them left alive.” Endis replied. “In the years after our wars with the dwarves, we remained wary of each other. My mother gave the mountains to the south to the gryphons fleeing the dwarves in exchange for a promise of their aid should war come once again.” There was no pause between his answer and his next questions. “What has she said of us?”
“Often she curses your father, and blames him for many things.” Asha replied, biting into a fruit she’d selected from the table.
“Your brothers and yourself she considers well-meaning idiots. She deeply resents your part in the beginning of her new life, and that – with the exception of Roan – you continue to refuse to accept who she is. But Silver does not speak of the past often, she lives mostly in the present.” She took a gulp of juice. “Would the gryphons be amiable if I were to meet with some of them?”
“If you took Keir with you, otherwise I believe they would not show themselves. Of your aunt’s associates, we have heard her relationship with a master thief is quite close.”
“That is not a question.”
Endis smiled slightly. “How do they know each other?”
“They met as part of a business arrangement with the thieves guild, Silver was hired to train the new enforcer. After the master thief finished his training he retained ties with Aunt Silver.”
Romana knew her eyes must be yo-yoing back and forth between her daughter and her cousin. The exchange that was occurring between them was difficult to describe, neither side was hostile, yet at the same time both were holding their cards as close to their chest as possible.
“Do you plan to try and recapture Silver?” Asha asked, taking an unexpected turn from her previous theme of gryphon related questioning.
“No,” Endis replied slowly, “However I would not be averse to meeting with her once again in the future. Who is the thief to Silver?”
“I don’t know.”
“But you suspect.” Endis cut her off before she could ask her question.
“You can suspect all you like with Silver; however it will likely mean you end up further from the truth.” Asha smirked. “I shall say only this; Silver’s relationship with the thief is not something I am privy to. Asking about it would likely lead to loss of limb.” She paused, “Why do you care so much about her personal life?”
“Because I’m her brother, I wish to ensure her safety. Would you tell me his name?”
“No, that would compromise the security of the dark wytches.” Asha’s response was instant and caused Endis’ eyes to narrow slightly.
“I see.” He replied, and then sighed, reaching into the long flared sleeves of his robes and withdrawing a crinkled letter sealed in green wax. “I have been carrying this letter for months, debating how or even if I should deliver it.” He passed it to Asha. “I entrust it to you in the hope it finds its way to my sister.”
Asha accepted it wordlessly and Marten, sensing an end to the question game Endis had been playing with their daughter, turned the conversation quickly onto a different topic. Romana tuned them out; her thoughts focused on the way Asha examined the letter and the spikes of magic she could feel coming from her.
She knew her daughter could read the energy of things, and that was how her power over balance worked. Was Asha reading the energy of Endis’ letter?
The question puzzled her as the dawn rose and they said their goodbyes. Marten exited the parlour first, and Romana gestured for Asha to follow. But her daughter turned in the doorway.
“Aunt Silver won’t want to see you. You’ll be waiting a long time.”
Endis’ gaze was steady as he answered. “I will wait as long as it takes.”
Asha nodded and took a final glance at her uncle before leaving. Romana wordlessly gave Endis a final sympathetic hug before following her daughter back towards the portal and home.
Asha had grown, she thought as her gaze lingered on the bronze curls that were Gaillean’s legacy to both of them; sometimes it was hard for her as a mother to realise how much.
Chapter Thirty-Two
FEAR
Silver was not expecting any communications from Asha for a while after her last visit. Yet, to her surprise, only three days passed before her niece decided to contact her.
“Aunt Silver?” The hesitant mental call woke her instantly.
“Yes?” Silver was instantly awake, despite the late hour.
“I want you to come on an expedition with me.” The words were unexpected and caught her off guard.
“What?”
“An expedition,” Asha repeated. “To find the gryphons in the southern mountains,”
Silver smirked at hearing that Asha had garnered the closely guarded location from Endis. “What did my brother charge for his information.”
Asha mentally pushed an image of a sealed envelope at her. “He wanted me to give you this.”
Silver brusquely opened a portal, grabbed the letter and threw it on the floor. “Now you can safely say you upheld your end of the bargain,” She announced.
Asha’s disapproval echoed across the mental link they had in place. “How do you know it doesn’t contain important information?”
Silver snorted, “Endis doesn’t believe I should be privy to important information.” She paused, “He’s deluded.”
“I told him you wouldn’t read it.” Asha informed her. “He desperately wants you to.”
“What my brother wants ceased to concern me thirty years ago.”
“Maybe he just wants to make amends?” Asha suggested and Silver’s already short fuse over matters of family exploded.
“Enough!” She cut off her niece before she could start preaching the benefits of forgiveness. “My relationship with my brother is my business, and none of yours.”
Asha’s stormy tone screamed the topic was not closed, even as she voiced agreement.
“Fine, but you will come on the expedition?”
Silver sighed. “I suppose, when is it?”
“Two days’ time at dawn. We set off from D’Arville.” Silver cringed at the distance they would be travelling.
“How many people on this expedition?”
“Just yourself, Masozi, Keir, mother and I.” Asha replied.
Silver wanted to growl at the news of Romana’s attendance, but she restrained herself. “Does your mother not fear being the only light wytch?”
“You’re not dark and light wytches on this expedition.” Asha explained, “You’re my mother, aunt and best friend helping me to discover the truth about my familiar’s origins.”
This time Silver did growl, how naïve was this child?
“Fine.” She spat out after several long seconds of silence. “I shall meet you in D’Arville and this better not take long, I have a war to attend to.”
Asha sent an embrace down the mental bond and Silver cringed.
“Sorry!” Asha’s parting apology held more than a hint of embarrassed regret.
Silver shook off the lingering discomfort and left to find Keenan. If she was to be away for an unspecified period of time, it was best he be briefed as soon as possible.
It wasn’t a surprise to find him waiting for her outside her bedroom door. Silver wasn’t sure if it was his exceptional hearing or his demon bond to her but he was always there when she needed him.
That level of dependability made him invaluable.
“Glad you think so.” It was only when he spoke that she realised she’d spoken aloud. Such an action, if it became habit, could easily lead to unforgivable leaks of information and she made a mental note to reassert disciplinary mental exercises as soon as possible.
“Just because I have decided not to kill you yet does not mean you have something to smile about.” She retorted, but her threat was empty, and he knew it because he smiled wider. “Maybe I should kill you and spare myself a headache.”
Keenan shook his head. “But then you would have nobody dependable left.”
“I’m willing to risk it,” She muttered.
Keenan gave her a teasing look, one that spoke of his trust in her not to harm him.
“Maybe you will become less dependable with time.” She mused.
“Already you doubt me.” Keenan pretended to look wounded. “My original reason for being here, however, was to ask you if you wouldn’t mind accompanying me on a perimeter patrol.”
Silver frowned, “Do you expect an incursion?”
Keenan smirked, “Not exactly, no, however I would
appreciate the company.”
Seeing no harm in his request, she nodded. “I can spare an hour or two.” She needed to update him on the situation with Asha’s gryphon expedition anyway.
They exited Dalmorin through one of the secret tunnels, and having not glanced at the time Silver was surprised to find it was still incredibly dark outside. The only light came from the cloud obscured moons.
Keenan was unusually tense, despite his earlier playfulness, and it set Silver on her guard. This was the one man she should never have to suspect of betrayal, yet if it had been anyone else she would have said he was plotting against her.
Entering the woods obscured most of the light from the sky but it didn’t matter to their enhanced vision. Though they walked side by side Keenan seemed distant which only added to her suspicion. Although she had planned to speak with him of her plans for Asha’s expedition, the words dried up in her mouth.
So tense was that moment than when Keenan reached out and took hold of her hand she almost drew a blade on him.
Calm down, she thought to herself.
“Why so tense?” She asked to distract herself and break the silence.
“I could ask you the same.” And Silver realised he’d noticed her reaction earlier.
Instead of answering Silver smiled. “A storm is coming,” she announced “As the first raindrop hit her face.
“Doesn’t bother me,” Keenan replied, lifting his free hand as if to wipe the raindrop away from her skin. She caught his hand.
“Don’t,” She requested, turning her face up to the sky as more of the fat droplets fell.
The first flash came as they crested a hill overlooking Dalmorin, the same hill from which she had invaded the fortress with nycto-demons. White light that was almost pink to her eyes briefly illuminated the view before it was chased away by thunder.
“You like storms.” Keenan observed. “Theria told me that when you were young you used to dodge the lightning bolts.”
“When you are as old as I am, most things become inevitably dull. It is the predictable ennui of age. Lightning storms are not frequent, it is true, but in my life I have seen many hundreds of them. Yet the excitement has not died. I have learned to savour it.”
Asha's Power (Soul Merge Saga Book 4) Page 21