by Shawn Sodman
Yentroc laughs and replies, “I'm sorry, I'll leave you two alone now. I need to go help the sisters cast the counter-spell to the orcnea storm.” She looks at Lyra. “Have a good time.”
Yentroc exits the library, leaving Sven and Lyra alone. Sven asks, “Where did you find such dress?”
Lyra replies, “I borrowed it from Princess Kianna. She said that she wore it a few years ago for a rose festival. It turned out to be the perfect size for me.”
“You wear it well,” he says as he opens the door. “Now, Sven will take you somewhere special to eat.”
Out in the courtyard of the castle, twenty Amazons of the Silver Moon are in circle with their hands joined together as they take part in a ritual magic spell. A'ranah stands outside the circle, watching over the sisters. A dozen more Amazons stand a short distance away, waiting to lend their strength to the spell.
The Amazon queen looks off at the horizon just as Belron and Nicari come into view on Nimbus. A'ranah walks out into the open, where Belron lands his flying mount. She says, “Nicari, you should not have gone alone.”
Nicari climbs down from Nimbus and replies, “I am sorry, Mother Elder, but I felt that if anyone else were to come with me, it would have only slowed us down. Nimbus is far too swift for someone to keep up with in their eagle form.”
A'ranah nods. “Perhaps you are right, but you still could have allowed us to try. By the time I realized you were gone, it was too late.”
“I am sorry, Mother Elder,” repeats Nicari.
Belron climbs down from Nimbus as A'ranah says, “I’m just glad the two of you are all right. Belron, what happened to you out there?”
“I came across the orcnea camp and was turning back when I was attacked by a spine drake,” he answers.
“I see,” replies A'ranah. “So they broke the cease-fire.”
Belron sighs and says, “According to them, they were only acting in self-defense, and I was the aggressor.”
“Are they on the move?” she asks.
“No,” he answers as they start to walk back towards the castle. “But it seems they have replenished their drakes.”
“How many did you see?”
“Only the one that attacked me, but it is likely not the only one.”
“Agreed,” A'ranah says. “I want you to get some rest. I'll inform Arioch of your findings.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Belron replies.
A'ranah enters the castle to inform the king, while across the city Sven and Lyra are having an early dinner.
The Black Rose Inn is renowned for excellent food. Sven and Lyra are having roasted quail with an assortment of vegetables. Lyra carefully eats her food, trying not to spill it onto her dress. Sven finds himself staring at her. When she looks up at him she asks, “Is something wrong?”
“No,” Sven replies. “In fact, everything about moment is right.”
Lyra smiles shyly. She notices that Sven is wearing a necklace under his shirt, and asks, “Did your mother make you that necklace?”
He pulls out a leather string that is strung with sea shells and polished stones. “Yes,” he replies. “How did you know that Sven's mother made this for him?”
Lyra explains, “The library has a book about Goliaths. It talks about your history, customs, and rituals.”
Sven laughs and asks, “You have been reading about Sven's people?”
“Yes,” she answers. She takes the last bite of her meal.
Sven says, “Please, tell Sven what you have learned.”
Lyra wipes her face with a napkin. She takes a drink from her glass of wine and clears her throat. “Well, I learned that Goliath women make necklaces for their children while they are pregnant. It’s a gift that they give to them when they reach adulthood, and it’s something that Goliaths give to each other when they are in love.”
Sven nods and says, “Yes, this is true. What else have you learned about my people?”
Lyra answers, “I learned that after the Great Collapse, the Goliaths who were brought to Runefell were almost wiped out completely. Your people were feared and hunted down like animals. Some fled to the mountains, and others retreated to the far north.”
Sven nods and adds, “Humans thought Goliaths were monsters. Goliaths were only safe in places that humans did not travel. Legends say that god, Loki, cast spell on Goliaths to hide their true size. Sven believes that largest Goliaths were killed while smaller were considered to be large humans and were allowed to live. It is said that ancestors could build mountains and touch stars in night sky.” Sven looks down with saddened eyes.
“I am sorry that your people had to go through that,” Lyra says.
“It was many, many years ago,” says Sven. “Goliaths found peace in north.”
Lyra smiles and says, “That’s when a lost tribe of humans came across your people.”
“Yes,” Sven explains. “They came from place they called Siberia. After Great Collapse they found themselves far from home. Goliaths took them in and helped them survive harsh winter. Afterwards, the two peoples became one.”
Lyra says, “I read that over time the goblins taught your people the common tongue, and that your native languages began to disappear.”
“Yes,” Sven replies. “There is very little left of Goliath language.”
“That is so sad,” says Lyra.
Sven stands up from his chair. “It is not so sad. If Sven did not know common tongue, then Sven would not be able to talk with Lyra.” He walks over to her side of the table. “Come, Sven will show you more of city.”
Sven takes her to the Colosseum. They view the arena from the top row of stone seats, then walk down to the center and look around at the empty arena. Lyra imagines a roaring crowd. She looks over at the gate at the far end, and pictures in her mind gladiators entering to fight.
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Sven's voice calling to her. “Lyra, come, there is more to see.” She looks back up at the empty arena before following Sven through the gate.
A short time later, they find themselves walking through the courtyard of the castle. There are tents everywhere. Lyra says, “This is where the Amazons are staying now. While I did enjoy sleeping in the castle, tonight we’re joining the rest of the sisterhood outside.”
Not far away, the ritual spell is still being cast by the Amazons to keep the skies clear over Sheathelm. Yentroc and Gelana are waiting outside the circle for their turn to lend their magic to the spell. When Yentroc spots Lyra and Sven, she nudges Gelana and says, “Look, there they are.”
Gelana replies, “Lyra looks great. I hope they’re having a good time.”
Within the small gathering of Amazons, Va'leen overhears Gelana's comments. She looks across the way and sees Lyra with Sven. Just then, A'ranah says to her, “Va'leen, it is your turn to take part in the ritual.”
“Yes, mother,” she replies. Va'leen looks one last time at Lyra before taking her place in the circle.
Lyra and Sven make their way to the top of the highest watch tower within the castle. From there, they overlook the entire city of Sheathelm. Off in the distance, the orcnea storm rages on.
“I read that Goliaths believe that when they die, they are reborn in a new body, but have the same soul,” Lyra says, leaning against the short wall.
“Sven does not believe in such stories,” he replies. “If it were true, it would seem that Sven would remember his past lives.”
“Maybe we don't remember because it would be too confusing,” Lyra suggests.
“What do elves believe?” Sven asks.
Lyra looks out over the city as she ponders. “We believe in a wall of light that we pass through when we die. I have heard some humans call it heaven. We elves also believe that our souls live again, just as the Goliaths do. After spending four hundred and forty-four years in the light, we are reborn.”
“That is same amount of time Goliaths believe it takes to be reborn,” says Sven.
Lyra replies wit
h bit of excitement, “I know, isn't that amazing? Two different races believing in the same philosophy. There are even some humans that believe this, as well, although they don't believe there is a specific amount of time it takes to be reborn.” Lyra looks at the harbor down below, and then to the rocky shoreline just to the south. “Can we go down to the ocean next?”
“Of course,” Sven replies. “Whatever you wish to do.”
It does not take long for them to reach the ocean's edge. The tide is low, and a tidal pool has been left behind on the beach. Lyra takes off her shoes and sets them down at the edge of the shallow water. Sven watches as she lifts her dress up and wades into the pool.
“I wish I could go swimming in this,” she says. “The water is perfect.”
The beach has little sand, but the rocks are weathered and smooth. Sven says, “We can come back later if you would like, but Sven believes tide is coming in.”
A wave crashes against a large rock nearby. Lyra looks out to sea at the waves. She says, “That's all right, I didn't bring any clothes to swim in, anyway.” She looks back down and spies a blue seashell not far from her feet. “Sven,” she calls. “I found a shell just like the one on your necklace.” She takes off her right glove and bends down to get the shell, but finds that it is just out of reach unless she submerges part of the dress. She says, “The pool is deeper than it looks.”
“Yes,” he replies. “Would you like Sven to get it for you?”
Lyra says, “I think I can get it with my toes.” Lyra takes a step toward the shell, and is able to grasp it with the toes of her left foot. She balances on her right foot as she brings the shell up and to her hand. Just as she is about to grab it, another wave crashes against the rocks nearby. The water comes over the edge of the pool, and the force of the wave knocks Lyra down.
Sven tries his best not to laugh as Lyra quickly gets to her feet and rushes out of the water, forgetting about the seashell. Her dress is soaked and the spiral in her hair starts to unwind. Though the flower in her hair still remains, it is now missing a few petals. Lyra looks up at Sven, who, despite his best efforts, is not able to keep from laughing.
While she is embarrassed, Lyra is more concerned about the borrowed dress. She says to Sven, “This isn't funny, I ruined the dress. How am I going to tell Princess Kianna?”
“It is only dress,” Sven says as he takes her hand. “Come, let's get you up to docks.”
As they begin to make their way to higher ground, Lyra says, “It may only be a dress, but it costs more than everything I own.”
Sven says with a chuckle, “Princess will not care about dress, and neither will her father. The Ravenguards are more concerned about wellbeing of people than gold.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Lyra says as they step onto the docks.
They find a nearby bench to sit on. Lyra takes off the other glove and begins to wring the water from them. Sven asks, “What made Lyra decide to borrow such dress?”
Lyra sighs and asks, “Do you remember yesterday, when we saw Kristieana at the library?”
“Yes.”
“You said she was beautiful and looked like a rose?”
Sven grins and replies, “So, you wanted to look nice for Sven.”
“Yes,” says Lyra looking away shyly. She laughs quietly to herself in an attempt to ease her anxiety. “I wanted you to look at me the way that you looked at her and think that I was pretty. I didn't want you to see me as the little girl that you had to carry across that bridge in Windy Pass, or keep warm at night like a shivering child.” She looks down at the dress. “Now look at me. I’m drenched, and instead of looking like a beautiful flower, I look like a dying one with wilting petals.”
With his right hand, Sven cups her chin and lifts her face so he can look her in the eyes. He strokes her hair back and says, “In mountains, after we stayed in dragon's cave, you threw snow at Sven and yelled at him. You told Sven that you were not little girl.”
“I remember,” she says with a laugh.
“Sven saw something in your eyes that day. Fire that Sven had not seen in them before. From that moment on, Sven has not seen Lyra as child.”
“Thank you,” says Lyra.
“As far as beauty,” continues Sven, “it is not ruffles of dress that makes Lyra beautiful, nor is it silk gloves or flower in her hair. Sven does not care if Lyra is wearing lace or rags. None of that is what makes you beautiful. It is who you are on inside that matters, and when Sven looks into Lyra's eyes, he can see true beauty. No matter how much silk and lace you wear, nothing can make Lyra more beautiful than when she smiles.”
Lyra blushes as she smiles radiantly. She looks up at Sven, who is still cradling her chin in his warm hands. He bends down slightly and waits to see how Lyra will respond. She nervously extends her neck upward and arches her back to draw herself closer to him. Sven leans in slowly as Lyra closes her eyes in anticipation of her first kiss.
The moment, however, is interrupted by the sound of a woman's voice calling, “Sven Litburg, is that you?”
Chapter 46
Collision of Two Worlds
Sven looks up as Lyra opens her eyes. They see a woman standing a short distance away. The dark blue daisy in her cavalier's hat catches Lyra's attention. While Lyra does not know who this woman is, Sven immediately recognizes his former fiancée.
“Fidelma?” Sven murmurs under his breath.
Though she couldn’t have heard him, Fidelma seemingly answers him. “Yes, Sven, it's me.”
Lyra, recognizing the name, looks back at Sven. “Is this who you were engaged to be married to?”
Sven stands up as Fidelma approaches them. Before Sven can answer, Fidelma says, “Yes, we were engaged.” She looks at Sven. “I’m surprised that you told her about me.”
Sven is still at a loss for words. Lyra stands up, steps forward, and says politely, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Fidelma looks at Lyra and asks, “And just who are you?”
“My name is Lyra,” she answers, still trying to show her manners.
“Hmph,” Fidelma grunts dismissively. Lyra steps back next to Sven as Fidelma asks him, “What are you doing in Sheathelm?” She looks at Lyra and adds, “Aside from stealing the hearts of the Amazon children.”
Lyra is taken aback by Fidelma's slight. Sven quickly tries to correct Fidelma, saying, “Lyra is not child.”
Fidelma replies, “Honestly, I don't care how old she is, and I don't really care why you’re in Sheathelm. All I care about is one thing, and that’s finding out the truth about the night before we were supposed to be married.”
Sven looks at Lyra and notices that she is rubbing her arms to warm them. He takes off his vest and tells her, “Put this on and stay in sunlight. Sven will be right back.”
Lyra nods and puts on the vest. Even though it does not have sleeves, it is large enough to cover most of her. She looks at Fidelma, who now seems to be ignoring her presence. Sven starts to walk along the dock as Fidelma follows him.
When they get far enough away to speak in private, they stop. Fidelma glances back at Lyra. “She’s cute. How old is she, twelve?”
“Lyra is adult,” Sven answers. “But this does not concern her. Sven has already told you about that night. Ami brought Sven drink, then red-headed woman showed up.”
Fidelma says, “You mean my best friend showed up.”
Sven nods and resumes, “Yes, best friend. She chased away Ami and Sven does not remember anything more until next morning.”
“When I found you in her room without your clothes.”
“Yes, Sven remembers that part.”
“Well, now I have a way to tell if you really don't remember what happened, or if you were lying.”
“Sven was not lying then, and Sven is not lying now. He does not remember that night.”
Fidelma smiles and says, “Then you won't mind letting me into your thoughts to see for myself.”
Sven asks, “You want t
o read Sven's mind?”
“Yes,” she replies. “Unless you have something you’re hiding from me.”
“Sven has nothing to hide,” he protests.
Fidelma smirks. “Good, then we can begin.”
Sven looks back at Lyra, who is sitting on the bench. He says to Fidelma, “Sven does not like people inside his thoughts, but if it is only way to show you that Sven is telling truth, you may start.” Sven sits on a nearby crate so that Fidelma can more easily cast the spell that requires her to touch his forehead.
Fidelma casts the spell, and while Sven relaxes she instructs, “Now, think of that night.” Sven begins to remember what he can, and soon visions of that night fill both their heads.
His thoughts turn to his night at the Smelter's Inn. A young woman brings a mug out to him and says, “I hope you like the Ogre's Mead. It just arrived today.”
Sven says, “Thank you, Ami. Sven is sure he will enjoy it.” He takes a drink as Ariella sits down next to him at his table.
Ami looks at Ariella and asks, “Can I help you, ma'am?”
Ariella says, “Yes, you can start by bringing me a bottle of your best wine.” Ami nods, then looks at Sven. Ariella asks, “I’m sorry, is he yours?”
“No,” Ami answers, shaking her head.
Ariella grins. “Well, then, leave and fetch my wine.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Ami nervously replies before hurrying off.
After that, Sven's memories fade into darkness. On the docks, Fidelma says, “No, that can't be it. You have to remember more than that.”
“Sven only remembers next morning,” he replies.
Fidelma continues to concentrate on the spell and says, “I don't understand. How can this be? I was so sure you were lying to me.”
“Sven is sorry, but he tried to tell you years go,” he says.
Fidelma takes a deep breath and asks calmly, “So, where did you go after that?”
Sven says quietly, “Please, Fidelma, don't do this.”
“Why?” she asks. “Is there something here you don't want me to...” She stops mid-sentence as the first image of another woman appears in his memories. She says, “Now I understand. Who is this?”