by B. W. Catt
“They said the winter I brought enchanted her and caused her to fall ill. She was a beautiful queen. Her long silver hair braided with red stones. It nearly reached the ground.” Sebial closed her eyes as she remembered following behind her mother and putting flowers next to the stones. She looked at Denias. “She truly was radiant. Yet, I never saw her for longer than a few moments each day. She couldn’t leave her bed for long, and the maids refused me entrance to her bedside.”
Sebial rubbed her eyes as tears began to form. She picked up the trim of her dress to dry her face. Denias walked around the fire. He wrapped his cape around Sebial before returning to his seat. Sebial wrapped herself tightly in his cape. “Thank you”
“No, thank you, and forgive me. I shouldn’t have asked your age. It only brought you pain.”
Sebial smiled at him. “You asked a simple question. It was I who wandered from your question.”
They sat there quietly eating their loaves as kindling on the fire crackled at their feet.
Denias sat his loaf on his bag. He clasped his hands and smiled. “Did I ever tell you what Elin used to do back when he was younger?”
Sebial looked at him and smiled. “No. What did he do?”
Denias leaned forward. “He used to grab a stick from the fire, and after it cooled, he would write on his body. He thought he could enchant his body to become stronger.”
Sebial laughed. “ That is just foolish. No ash can do that. How little was he? Six?”
Denias laughed hysterically. “Try fifty. Remember, he is an elf. We grow slower.”
“FIFTY?” Sebial shook her head and laughed in disbelief. “ There is no way he was fifty. Are you just trying to make me feel better, Denias?”
“If I said yes, would you tell me it worked?”
“Yes, it worked.”
Denias looked to the opening of the covering. “I am telling the truth, though. He would write on his body and then run around the woods yelling to The Flame to give him the strength of an elf.”
“He is an elf, though. Why would he wish for something he is?”
“Ahh, you don’t know. Elin is a half-elf. It is why he is a guard of the realm and not someone higher. He should be higher up. But no matter his strength, they will always look down on him. Sanu,” Denias looked down. “He and I are pure. We watched as Elin struggled to make himself known to the council. They refused to acknowledge his strength. Sanu and I left our high positions in the elven council to follow him. We knew he was destined for better.”
“He did all that?” Sebial’s cheeks turned red.
“Yes, he did. It is not like you needed more reasons to be smitten by him.”
Sebial jumped up. “It's not like that!”
Elin yelled the same thing as she did as he entered the room. Sebial gasped and quickly looked away from them, embarrassed. Elin rubbed his hand along his hair, his cheeks red. His other hand tightly gripped his stomach and side. “Denias, why are you torturing the girl.”
Denias patted the ground beside him. “Come listen by the fire instead of eavesdropping.”
Elin clenched his teeth. Denias smirked. Sebial walked over to Elin. She stood close to him, leaving little room between them. “You should learn not to listen to other's conversations, Elin.”
He laughed, stepping closer. Their chests, touching. “You should learn to not talk about others behind their backs.”
Sebial took a deep breath in. “I hope your wound can be fixed with the ash of the fire.” She turned and walked to the other side of the fire. She sat down gracefully while her eyes screamed mischief.
“So that’s what the laughter was.” Elin grabbed a stick, poking Denias between the ribs.
Denias jumped, letting out a small yelp. Elin and Denias laughed.
Denias rubbed his rib. “I thought you heard everything.”
“I heard most. It was her laughter I woke to. So Sebial,” Elin pointed the stick at her. “You find my ash attempts humorous.”
“I do.”
Elin winked. “I will remember that then, princess.”
“I am glad you will remember my laugh. Not many have been graced with it.” Sebial sat straight up. She grinned while scowling at him.
Elin dipped his stick into the fire. Slowly turning it until the tip was an ember. He pulled it out and walked towards her. Sebial backed up.
“Elin, don’t taunt her.”
Elin tapped the ember. “You have a cold heart. This won't hurt.”
“Do not touch me with that, Elin!” Sebial scooted back.
Elin grabbed the ember again. He clenched his teeth as smoke enveloped his hand. “See Sebial? It's not that hot.”
“Nonsense! Your hand is smoking!” Sebial trembled.
“Denias, stop him. He has lost his mind.”
“Do not interfere, Denias.” Elin smiled.
“Elin, stop this. Leave her be.”
Elin spoke in elven. “Denias, I would never hurt someone so precious to me. You know I wield fire. I already put it out. Just do me a favor. She will scream. Make sure Woldiniar cannot hear her.”
Denias placed a hand on his forehead. He responded in elven. “Just this once, Elin. I will put a barrier on this lean-to.”
“Thank you. And also, do not watch. I want her to only look at me.”
Denias sighed and walked out of the room.
“Denias! Do not leave me with him!”
Elin got closer. He grabbed Sebial. “Do not move, princess. This will not hurt...me.”
Sebial began to glow. Elin laughed. “You are insane. I will hurt you, Elin, if you do not stop trying to burn me!”
He released her hand and laughed more. Sebial went to shove him, but Elin grabbed her hands with only one of his.
“Sebial, I would never hurt you. I will draw on you, though.” He smiled.
“What are you saying?”
“Look at your leg, my sweet princess.”
Sebial looked down to see swirls drawn across her leg with charcoal. She glared at him. Tears ran down his face from laughing so hard.
“How did you do that without me knowing?”
“Easy. You were too focused on freeing your hand from my grip. So I wrote on you with the other. Now you should ask the flame for more power.”
Sebial laughed. “I want nothing from her. But you, on the other hand.”
Sebial wrapped her arm around his neck. She pulled him in close, their lips meeting. With her other hand, she reached around, trying to feel for the stick Elin had. Elin smiled as their lips touched. Sebial stopped to look at him. “Why did you stop kissing me?”
“Because you are looking for my stick. I threw it out of reach before we kissed. I knew your revenge would be quick. You don’t seem like the patient type.”
Sebial laughed. “You know me well.”
“You are irrational and fierce and wild,” Elin grabbed her hair. “and beautiful. Before Denias comes back, may I steal one more kiss?”
Sebial nodded.
Seven
Denias stood outside. His sound barrier holding steady. He looked around the area, skimming the tree lines for any movement. The slight winds coming from the north moved the branches giving him peace of mind.
No one is in the trees. I should check further in, just in case. Woldiniar mentioned there are still plenty who wish harm even after Nalenero’s disappearance.
Denias looked back at their shelter. He created an invisible thread, wrapping it around the camp to warn him if any should come near in his absence. He walked over to where Woldiniar was lying. Denias cursed under his breath.
Where did that warlock run off to?
He knelt down, checking for spots where the grass was pressed. Denias noticed a few footprints leading deeper into the forest. He headed that way.
What need does he have deeper in the forest? That warlock is nothing but secretive.
Denias heard Woldiniar yelling. He climbed into a tree and headed towards the yelling, jumping
from tree to tree. His hands barely brushing the limbs out of his way as he went. His feet landing lightly on each branch before quickly jumping to the next.
He stopped when he saw a man shorter than him wearing a cape covering his face standing on the ground just ahead. Woldiniar was angrily staring at the man. Denias quietly climbed down a few of the branches in order to listen in.
The man spoke softly. “The mages within Delandero’s castle work alongside Mathious. Beware of him. Mathious worships Nalenero and is suspected of working directly for him.”
“We need to form a better plan tomorrow. I will see you there.” Woldiniar angrily replied.
The man nodded and quickly ran off into the dense dark forest. His feet crunching the twigs as he went.
Woldiniar took a deep breath once the man's movements were no longer audible. He stretched his arms and smirked to himself. He noticed Denias standing above in the trees.
“Denias, do come down.”
“Tsk. I have failed as a guard of the realm. You detected me.” Denias hopped down in front of Woldiniar.
He chuckled. “You have not. The one with me didn’t notice, nor did I, until I stretched and glanced up to the trees. Besides, if you trailed the other one, he would have never noticed. I am seasoned. It is hard to hide from me.” Woldiniar turned serious. “But eavesdropping is distasteful. You should learn to trust your comrades.”
“I heard you yell.”
“That? Oh, I was angry by some of the things I learned.” Woldiniar stepped over an exposed root. “We can discuss it now. You need to know.”
Denias nodded as he followed behind, stepping over the same root.
Woldiniar cleared his throat. “That man is a spy for me. He wanted to warn me before entering Delandero of Nalenero worshippers within the castle.”
“I heard. Mathious doesn’t seem the type, though. He seems angry by the things that have happened-“
“That’s a ruse. Do not believe him. He could easily hide it. He is a well-trained soldier, and he is in command.” He walked through the thick brush, the branches snapping as he pushed through.
Denias shook his head. “You are noisy. Are you not worried someone will hear that?”
Woldiniar laughed and stepped further into the brush, snapping one of the larger branches. He looked behind at Denias. “Nope. I do not fear those within the woods. I fear what is to come within the castle.”
He sighed. “You are correct. We are unfamiliar with them. Even though we spent months there, we always left in scouting parties. Mathious could fool us, but how should we continue?”
“As if you know nothing.”
Denias glared at Woldiniar’s back.
“I feel your gaze Denias. You should work on that. But it is what is needed.” He stopped to look back at Denias. Woldiniar placed his hand on Denias’ shoulder. “We will not tell Sebial and Elin. Whatever they feel and learn on their own is enough.”
Denias nodded. “We can do that. I just fear him causing troubles for Sebial.”
Woldiniar waved his arm in the air as he walked away. “Do not worry about Sebial. She has regained her powers, she just needs to control them.” Woldiniar rubbed his chest, tensing in pain from her attack earlier.
“Yes, she is quite strong.” Denias smiled as he looked at Woldiniar’s chest.
“Moving on.” Woldiniar straightened his back. “Tomorrow, I am leaving. I must visit my informer at the pub. We will make a plan then. I just need you and them to act normal, or everything will fall.”
Denias took a long breath. He looked up. The branches slightly swayed up above, giving him a view of the starry sky. Looking back to Woldiniar, he huffed. “This will be difficult, Woldiniar. I work alongside him. Now I just want to harm him.”
“Just avoid him. Make yourself busy with the cure. He will think nothing of it since they want to return to normal.”
Denias ran his hand through his hair. “I can do that. I need to find the cure. For all, we know they will turn into orcs next.”
Woldiniar nodded. “I do not wish to deal with more of those for the rest of my years if possible.”
Denias laughed. “In other words, you mean for the rest of eternity? You are immortal, after all.”
“Well, it would be best that way. No one deserves to be turned, and no one deserves to be murdered by war-hungry beasts.” Woldiniar smiled as he saw the camp. “Let us rest. Hopefully, tomorrow my chest will feel lighter.”
Eight
Tall stone houses lined the cobblestone streets. People quickly walked around, entering the numerous shops. The guards stood near a few horses tied to a post at the kingdom’s northern town entrance. Woldiniar hastily headed over to them.
"Where is he running off to?" Sebial questioned.
"Oh, do not mind him" He is stopping to see some of the soldiers there for a drink, I would presume. Let us continue to the castle." Denias continued walking. His pace was not dampened by Woldiniar.
"I see. He has made friends in this place." Sebial followed behind.
"Friends? You mean drinking companions?" Elin interrupted.
Sebial laughed. "he does enjoy his drinks."
"Excuse me, miss, would you care for some lovely soaps?" a woman stepped out of a shop, approaching Sebial.
"I am fine, thank you."
"But miss, you smell less than pleasant."
Elin stepped between them. He looked at the lady holding a basket filled with bars of soap. "Your soaps smell worse than the darkest caves. I would know. Now, if you would excuse us, the king is expecting us." Elin held his arm out to Sebial. She locked hers with his.
The lady stood there aghast by Elin's words.
Sebial glanced back at the lady. "You should have been kinder to her. Her soaps did smell lovely."
Elin smirked. "and you smell better. her words were cruel."
They continued through the kingdom's town. Sebial paused to look at a fountain sitting in the middle of the town's center. Flames poured out instead of water. "Elin, how is that possible?"
Elin looked at the fountain, perplexed by its uniqueness. "Denias, do you know why it has flames instead of water?"
Denias walked over to them and pointed at the figure carved out of stone on the top of the fountain. "That is The Flame. It is said there are numerous places across the lands with fountains like this. It is said those places were created by the Flame. The flames do not harm those that worship her but are said to burn those who cross her. Now let us continue. The castle is not much further."
Elin and Sebial walked behind Denias, giggling and pointing at different places they saw.
"Are you two lovebirds done?" Denias called back to them. They jumped.
Sebial whispered to Elin. I forgot he was here."
Elin smiled. "As did I. I do wish to go to that small cafe back there. We could sit there enjoying a meal while watching those children play in the courtyard."
Sebial nodded. "I would enjoy that."
Denias stopped walking. "We are here."
Elin and Sebial looked to Denias. Their mouths dropped open from the sight of the castle. The walls, white with deep swirls carved into the stone. Gold framed the windows. "This is magnificent," Sebial exclaimed.
"Welcome back, Denias!" a voice called out from above. They looked up to see a soldier wearing fine cloth.
"Thank you, Mathious! It is good to be back!" Denias called back.
"Meet me at the gardens. King Carthin is there, and he will be excited to meet your companions."
Denias nodded. "Shall we, Denias?" A guard spoke to him. "Please lead the way."
"They know you quite well, Denias," Elin spoke as he walked close to Sebial. His eyes observing their surroundings.
"I did tell you of our time here. it would only make sense the guards and the people of the castle knew me."
Sebial grabbed Elin’s arms and whispered. "Elin, I feel a presence beneath us. It feels dark."
"I feel it as well. It might be so
mething left behind by Nalenero, but do not worry about such things. Woldiniar has spent a long time here as well. He wouldn't allow harm to come to."
Sebial laughed. "He is harm himself. He is too drunk to feel such things."
"Sebial, calm yourself. You sound nervous. why?"
It has been a long time since I was in a castle. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I was raised by him in a secluded cabin filled with books and his experiments. I no longer feel love for places vast and empty like this." That is good. Elin sighed in relief. "I could never give you such things."
"Elin, do not worry about those things. Someday I will return to Pasuria to claim the throne. Until that day comes when I am forced to return to such a place. I will enjoy this life even if it is filled with danger."
Elin smiled.
Mathious walked up to them. He held his arm out to Denias. They interlocked arms, smiling. "Welcome back, friend. The maids have missed you."
Denias laughed. "They can continue to miss me. They do not interest me."
Mathious slammed his hand on Denias' back. "Yes, yes, you are honorable, and duty comes first. I do hope you choose to remain here. You will choose one to be your bride. They are all beautiful."
Elin cleared his throat. Denias and Mathious looked back at him. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Elin, and this is Sebial.'
Mathious scanned them, his eyes locked with Sebial’s. "So you are the precious student Woldiniar whined about for nearly a year. Your beauty is unique."
Elin sucked his cheeks in while holding in his breath. He stepped in front of Mathious, blocking his view of Sebial. "I said my name is Elin."
"yes, you did. I was just introducing myself to the lady first." He stepped around Elin. Mathious grabbed Sebial's hand and raised it to his lips. "May I?"
Elin pulled Sebial's hand back, "you may not."
Mathious raised a brow. "I see. Denias, you did not inform me it was a pair of birds who went amiss. They might have been magnificent all of this time, cozying themselves in some,"
"Enough, Mathious!" a stern male yelled from behind them. Mathious jumped.