by Casey Odell
“Do you know what this is?” Claire held her left arm up, her mother’s bracelet dangling from her wrist, the snake’s ruby eyes glinting in the bright light.
Lianna coughed suddenly and she set the tea she was sipping back down on the table. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “That is not the first question I had expected.”
Claire just looked at her, waiting for her to begin spilling the information she so desperately wanted. Needed. Besides, she wouldn’t even know where she was, even if Lianna told her.
“Do you know nothing?”
Claire remained quiet.
Lianna sighed rather theatrically. “I suppose that is to be expected. You have run into the Ophiuchus Syndicate before. That’s who those lovely men were that our dear Farron was so valiantly trying to fend off. I have had my fair share of run-ins with them before as well. They are a persistent bunch, no? Not much is known about them, however. For as secret as the Syndicate is, their slimy fingers reach far, and very deep. They are involved in all levels of wrongdoing, from the petty to the highly secretive. Things that even we don’t even know the details of. Their symbol is a snake with red eyes, the very same that graces your wrist. But, I don’t suppose that is yours.”
“It was my mother’s.” Her voice quivered slightly, knowing she wasn’t going to like what she heard next.
“Ah, I see.”
“Are you suggesting that my mother was involved with them?”
“It is highly coincidental to think she had come by that particular piece of jewelry if she wasn’t, mien anaire.” Lianna shrugged. “I do not know your mother. Though I could guess what she was if she was in possession of you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t think you really existed.” Lianna studied her with a pitying look on her face. “Tell me, Claire, were you adopted?”
“Yes,” she said, though she didn’t see what that had to do with anything.
“Since a young age, you have lived in a small town, never leaving, always being kept under close watch.”
She perked up, wary, and a little confused. “How did you—?”
“Your mother never told you of her past, or about your parents, never let you marry, keeping you safe and hidden—”
“Enough!” Claire shouted, getting frustrated, and frankly, a bit scared. Everything she mentioned hit too close for comfort. “What does all this have to do with my mother?”
“Everything, Claire.” Lianna sat up straight in her chair and leaned in. “She was one of them. It was her job to raise you, to protect you, and most of all, to hide you.”
“I don’t…” Claire collapsed back against her chair. She didn’t want to believe it, and she still had her doubts, but deep down she knew it was true. Why else send her away that night instead of taking her with, along with the rest of the townspeople? Somehow Mother had known of the Elves in the forest and that they wouldn’t shoot her. It couldn’t all have been coincidental; Claire knew her mother was too smart for that. “Then all along… she knew what I was.”
“I heard a tale once, a while ago, after I came here and found out what I truly was…” Lianna began picking up various treats to set them on the tiny plate in front of her. Claire watched her hands in a daze. “It was about others of our kind, long ago. It told of children, where the flower blooms with the star’s glow. Star Children, they were called. In the night, they would be visited by the men dressed all in black, never to be seen again.”
“Are you saying I was stolen from my real parents?” The horror stung her deep inside. Was that what Farron meant when he’d asked her about her real parents that night back in Rodem? Had he known all along?
“I do not know for sure.” She simply shrugged her shoulders. “It sounded too cruel to be real, but back then I hadn’t become acquainted with the Syndicate, either.”
Claire just watched as Lianna’s delicate fingers picked apart the sweets. Her own appetite seemed to have vanished. A tale like that could do that to a person.
“I remember thinking how lucky I was, not to be stolen like that from my home, my family. I cannot even imagine what it is…” She trailed off after she looked at Claire. “They claim it’s done to protect the child. To keep them hidden from people who would use them. ‘It is for the good of the land, and all living things,’ they say. And after the Great War, I cannot say I truly blame them. Their intentions are good, I suppose, just not their practices. I am sorry, Claire. And I’m sure I am the last person you wanted to hear this from.”
Claire shook her head. “No, it’s…” She was still trying to comprehend all the new information. There was something that stuck out to her, though. “The mark, it didn’t show up until about two months ago. How come? All my life it hasn’t been there. Why does it show up now?”
“There must have been something, a spell or enchantment, perhaps. Most of us have our awakenings in the presence of great stress or emotions. Was there anything she usually did to soothe you?”
“You mean magic?” Claire asked. “But I thought humans couldn’t use magic?”
“Not without the use of a talisman.”
Claire nodded, remembering what Farron had told her.
“Most of them were destroyed after the war, but a few occasionally surface now and again, some even still imbued with magic. Though most people don’t know what they are, let alone know how to use them. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to believe that someone like your mother would have one, however. Then she would be able to draw magic from you and use it if she knew how. But given that she was in the Syndicate, she probably knew a lot of things most people don’t.”
Claire just stared at Lianna for a few moments. Was it possible that Mother knew how to use magic? On more than a few occasions it certainly did seem like it, how easily she’d gotten rid of unruly drunks on her own, how she had always seemed much stronger than she looked, and how there was never a gray in sight in her lustrous red hair. Little things, for sure. Things Claire had never really thought about until now. No wonder mother was always so protective of her jewelry box if she had one of those things lying about.
As for a certain spell she might have used, it was hard to remember. Everything seemed like such a long time ago now. Mother used to braid her hair for her at times, late at night, using a comb to smooth all the knots out, sometimes humming a silly little tune she’d sung to her since childhood.
“That’s it!” Claire gasped. “There was a song that Mother always sang to me, ever since I can remember, especially after something bad would happen…” She sunk back against the chair again.
Lianna was silent. She didn’t need to say anymore. The dots were slowly being connected, making everything a little too… real. It all made sense now. Well, most of it anyway.
Mother had known all along. All this time she had been a member of some syndicate, tasked to raise the poor little girl with the flower and star’s glow. Did she ever really love her? Or was she just some job? Was everything a lie?
No. Claire shook her head. It wasn’t. She loved her mother, and she was quite certain Marion felt the same. Syndicate agent or not, she was the only mother she had, and a good one at that. And that’s the reason she sent her away that night, into the Elvin forest. To protect her from the Syndicate, or so she assumed. She had to send her away, because she did love her. As a daughter, as a person, not because of some mark on her arm, or what kind of powers she possessed. And that— that was enough. One way or another, she was going to find her mother. She had to.
With a new resolve, she asked, “So, you know what we are?”
“The lucky ones,” said a deep voice from behind her, decorated with the light notes of an accent.
Claire whirled in her seat to face their new visitor.
Barely into his twenties, by the look of it, the man that strode towards their peaceful little tea party was the most exotic person she’d ever seen. Excluding the elves, of course. He was slender, tall, and walked with all the over
confidence of said elves. All he lacked were the pointy ears and the ethereal aura. Long black hair was tied loosely back; his skin a copper brown, but not due to days in the sun. A slight hint of red tinged his dark eyes. His clothing was understated, except for the rich burgundy sash around his waist. A white button down shirt was tucked into dark brown slacks with knee high black boots, which let the mark on his right arm stand out all the more. Only his was different, the lines more geometric and square than flowing and rounded.
“You’re late, Razi,” Lianna sneered.
“Old men beckoned,” he said as he stood next to the table and poured himself a cup of tea, not bothering to introduce himself.
What was with the men in this castle? Did they all lack manners? Deciding to be the better man— err, woman— Claire stood up.
“Yes, yes,” Lianna sighed. “Claire, Razi. Razi, Claire.” She motioned between the two with her hand. “The newest member of our little family.”
Claire gave her best curtsey and Razi finally turned towards her.
“My pleasure.” He took her hand and bent low over it, but instead of kissing it, he touched it to his forehead. “Me chaqana.”
Stunned, Claire glanced over at Lianna.
“Do not mind him. He is a Salí from Zaqar, the desert region to the west.” Lianna shrugged again. “Their customs are just a bit… different, is all.”
Razi straightened up and sat in the chair next to hers, bringing the delicate cup up to his nose before tasting it. Silver rings edged up each of his ears all the way to the top.
Claire sat back down, eyeing the new arrival. She could almost see the arrogance emanating off of him. “What you said before, about us being the lucky ones. I would have to disagree with that. This thing has brought me nothing but trouble since it showed up.”
“That’s because you don’t know how to use it yet,” he told her.
“You can control yours too?”
“Of course, even better than her.” He smirked and threw a glance at Lianna.
Lianna shot him a look of her own, the first hint of tension between the two.
Claire shifted awkwardly in her seat. “You still haven’t answered my question from before, about what we are,” she said to no one in particular.
“Claire, have you ever wondered where all the magic went?” Lianna turned her gaze to her.
“I didn’t even know there was magic a few months ago. But I did— wonder, I mean— when I heard the story.”
“It was hidden inside of us,” Razi stated matter-of-factly.
“Well, we don’t know that for sure.” Lianna gave Razi another look. “We could just be the keys or something. There aren’t too many written records about us. Whatever happened, it seemed that we were meant to be kept a secret.”
“But the fact remains. We are the only ones that can still use magic without the use of an amulet, be it vessel or key.” Razi started to sample some of the sweets, shoving whole cakes into his mouth before licking his fingers.
“I guess that could explain why so many people want us,” Claire said. “Why does the King want us? And why is he gathering us here? Does he want to create some sort of army or something? Because I’ll tell you right now, you’ve recruited the wrong person.”
The two exchanged another look, a look that both dared each other to say something, and nothing at all.
“Maybe that’s best left for another time,” Lianna said, keeping her gaze on Razi. “In the meantime, we should work on those powers of yours.”
“You’re going to teach me how to use them?”
“Oh no, I don’t teach.” Lianna grinned and looked at Claire.
“I will,” Razi chimed in. “Besides, you should learn from the best.”
The amusement faded from Lianna’s face.
Oh yes, this was going to be fun, she could tell already. Claire joined in on the sweets feast. If she learned to use her powers, then she could use them to help search for her mother. Even after everything she had just heard, she wasn’t ready to give up on her yet.
“Have you trained before?” Razi slowly circled around Claire, the heels of his boots clicking on stone. A single dagger sat at his waist, gold inscriptions crawling up the dark wood of the grip and pommel, the blade in the sheath curved and wide. His black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, displaying the silver earrings to great effect. Dark slacks and a crimson shirt completed his lively ensemble.
“A little,” Claire answered. She was dressed in her finest— well, her cleanest brown slacks, boots and green shirt, complete with her dagger.
They were in the middle of a courtyard, surrounded on all sides by the tall palace walls. Vines climbed up the gray stone, framing a few of the windows that dotted the walls. The space was another burst of life, although not as magnificent as Lianna’s garden, with fewer flowers and smaller patches of green.
And of course, she would have to practice in this one. It seemed like she was going to have to work her way up to a garden like that. But then again, perhaps a magnificent bath wouldn’t be too bad either…
“With your powers?” He stopped in front of her and crossed his arms.
“Oh, those. Well, not exactly. I’ve only used them once before, or should I say, they used me.” A shiver ran through her at the memory, how her body had moved on its own and did things she’d never thought were possible.
“But you’ve awakened. That’s a start.”
“Tell me, Razi.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why exactly should I help you anyway? I don’t know anything about you, the King, the kingdom, or what you want from me. It’s not very nice to kidnap people, you know.”
“Because,” he said.
She raised an eyebrow, waiting.
“Because you want something. I can see it.” He touched her chin lightly and tilted it up to face him. The light caught the red in his eyes, making them a tad bit unsettling. “There, in your eyes. That kind of fire doesn’t die easily, me chaqana.”
Claire looked away. She didn’t like how he and Lianna kept reading her so well. Was she that transparent? No wonder the General caught on to her charade so fast.
“What were you, before all this?” he asked.
“I was living a peaceful life with my mother.”
“The Syndicate agent?”
Claire looked back at him again with a look that clearly showed he was toeing the line.
“There are two powers that rule The United Nations of Derenan. That fool of a King, and the Council: twelve men, each from one of the regions that make up the kingdom, elected officials meant to keep the King in check.”
“I’m guessing you work for the Council. And Lianna?”
“She is the King’s mistress, so naturally, her loyalties lie with him.”
Her mouth dropped open. She couldn’t help it. It all just seemed so scandalous. She knew Lianna was the woman Farron had been so hung up on, so what was she doing with the King, his brother?
“Nine months ago I was sleeping in a tent in the sand.” Razi started to circle around her again. “My family was deep in debt, with only scraps of food. Now I live in the Palace, my family has all the food they can eat, and each has their own room in a villa in the city. Power, wealth, status.” He whispered the three words behind her, his breath touching her ear. “The Council could give you anything.”
“And what do I have to give in return?” Surely there must be more to it. They weren’t doing all that from the kindness of their hearts. She was starting to learn that about people in power.
“Just your loyalty. And maybe a few missions here and there.”
Ah, there it was. The catch. Somehow, she already knew the ‘missions’ probably weren’t of the noble kind. “I-I’ll have to think about it.”
“Of course,” he said. “But know that the King wastes his time trying to live up to his father before him.”
“Why?” she asked, suddenly curious. “Was the previous king such a great man?”
&nbs
p; “Of course. The Great King Earnehard. It was because of him that the humans were able to claim their victory.”
Her mouth dropped open again. “An Elvin king helped humans? Is that why one is still in power here?”
“I suppose,” he replied.
“Are there a lot of elves here, in Derenon?”
“Some, though most of them went into hiding after the war. They keep to the Northern provinces and only occasionally wander out to mingle with… us.”
Claire nodded. So it was the same here. Though with an Elvin king, surely there wasn’t as much hatred for them among the people as in Lendon. But considering the way Razi sneered when he talked about them, she had a feeling that might not be entirely true.
“It is unfortunate, but the people loved their King. Most of them still do, even though the kingdom is mostly human now. But this one, all he thinks of is chasing women and useless fairy tales.”
“As long as he rules fairly, I don’t see the harm.” She shrugged her shoulders. As far as she knew, whatever the king decided to do in his free time was his own affair.
“It was after the Great War that the Council was formed. One of the concessions to him being able to stay in power— though everyone knows who truly holds the power in Derenan.” He stopped in front of her again.
“War is brewing, me chaqana. Soon everything will unravel. And we… we will be on top.”
She gulped. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because, when the time comes, I just want you to choose the right side.”
She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “And that would be yours, right?”
He smirked. “But of course.”
Claire just rolled her eyes.
“So, tell me, Claire: what do you want from me?”
“I want you to teach me how to fight like you, to use my powers.”
“That was the plan.” He grinned as he drew the dagger at his waist. “Let’s get started, shall we?”
Claire’s eyes widened. They weren’t going to use real blades, were they? She gulped again. Perhaps her last teacher wasn’t so bad after all.