At least the boy is not hanging around with his father.
He did not know why Rohann made him nervous.
There is something off about that man. I just cannot put my finger on what it is.
His brother was his brother. Never much for the outdoors, Alant seemed even more at odds with the wilds of the jungle.
He belongs in a city, not out here.
Then his gaze fell upon Elith. Try as he might, Arderi could not figure out the strange gray girl. Beautiful, exotic, intelligent, and deadly—he knew he was smitten. He could not help himself. She was deep and thought provoking, tough as worn leather, and probably more dangerous than a horde of those lizard creatures that attacked them more than a tenday gone. Still, something about her seemed vulnerable. And it was that vulnerability that attracted him to her. A smile sprang to his lips.
Besides, I think she likes me!
Each time they stopped, either for a rest during the day or to sleep at night, he tried to strike up a conversation with her. He felt he was gaining ground. She spoke to him more openly, and her questions to him were not as rigid as they once were.
Rounding a massive fallen tree trunk, he strolled into the campsite. A fire crackled away, its smoke rising high into the canopy above. Alant and Charver huddled over the fire, rotating a makeshift spit that held some type of large rodent he had killed with a bolt of lightning. The thing looked revolting, mouth gaping open and burnt legs sticking up, although it tasted quite good. It had the flavor of pork and the texture of chicken. One was large enough to feed the entire group, even with the Kith taking multiple helpings. Alant had bagged several over the past few days.
Elith leaned against a tree on the far side, picking dirt from under her nails with that amazing stick of hers. Rohann sat between her and the fire, talking quietly to himself. The Kith was nowhere to be seen. It all appeared so natural.
If you could forget that we are leagues from anywhere, surrounded by the gods alone know what.
Then again, other than the occasional flight of birds with bright, colorful plumage, the past tenday had passed by without turmoil. A pleasant change of pace, as far as Arderi was concerned.
Crossing to the fire, he set his burden of wood next to Charver. “That should last us the eve.” With a sigh, he sat down.
Alant reached over, picked up one of the logs and tossed it under the roasting meat. “Aye. It should at that.” Looking at his brother from the corner of his eye, he smiled. “I never thanked you properly.”
The statement puzzled Arderi. “What? Thanked me? What are you going on about, Alant?”
With a shrug, Alant turned the handle on the spit a quarter turn. “I do not know. Everything, I guess. Not judging me when you found me back in Mocley, for the most part.”
A pang of guilt passed through Arderi. His brother had never asked him about how he had helped him with those vines over the gorge. That alone was more thanks than Arderi needed. Reaching out a hand, he placed it on his older brother’s shoulder. “Alant. I do not care what newfound powers you have, nor how you came by them. It is not like you are the only one with secrets to keep. Besides, I know in my heart you are not what Master Rine claims a Mah’Sukai to be. I knew that in that dark alleyway. Well…I knew it once we stopped trying to kill each other.” He removed his hand and ran his fingers through his long, brown hair. “Yet, none of that matters out here. All that matters is that we find this person who has your answers and figure out what to do next.”
“Aye, that is true. Except…it does matter.” Alant smacked a bug off his upper arm. “You believed in me, Arderi. You did not have to, yet you did. Even after you were told what I had become. Even after you saw my eyes and I tried to kill you. You still accepted me. I just want you to know how much that means to me.”
Had it been Siln, the brother that was of an age between the two of them, he would have smacked him for being a wool-headed fool. Alant was different, however. He had always been the level headed, serious one. Arderi’s cheeks reddened, embarrassed by his brother’s words. “You would have done the same for me, Alant. We are family. We look out for each other.”
Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Alant nodded. He then stood. “Aye, brother. We are at that.” Glancing around the campsite, he waved a hand in the opposite direction from where Elith stood and glanced down at Charver. “Tend the food for me will you. I need to relieve myself.” He took one step before he leaned down and whispered into Arderi’s ear. “And if you could, try and keep that girl away from me for a few moments. It is nerve-racking that she always follows me, even when I want a bit of privacy.”
His statement brought a chuckle to Arderi’s lips. “Fine. I will see if I can keep her out of your business for a time. Yet, do not be gone too long or I will send her after you.”
“Thanks.” And with that, his brother walked into the jungle.
True to his words, as soon as Alant disappeared into the foliage, Elith extracted herself from her spot against the tree, slid her staff into its holding pouch across the small of her back, and started after him.
Waving her over, she angled Arderi’s way. “Do not think to stop her, Arderi Cor. She will not let the Mah’Sukai head out on his own. Even if he has an issue with modesty.”
Arderi shook his head and gave her a wide grin. “Oh, I would not think to stop you. I just wanted to say that it would be better to follow him without letting him see you this time.”
As he knew they would, his words caused her to bristle. Charver giggled and Elith turned her flat gaze on him. “If she wishes not to be seen, Arderi Cor, she will not be seen.”
Arderi and the boy laughed as Elith stalked off after his brother. Turning his attention to the meat, he reached out and turned the spit another quarter turn.
After they had eaten, the watch order was discussed. This was always an ordeal since trust hung in short supply between many of them. It usually worked out that Arderi took first watch with his brother taking the last. Elith would stand during the aurns in between. Klain and Rohann took shifts that overlapped the three, ensuring that most of the time, at least two sets of eyes and ears were alert to danger. After a surprisingly short discussion, this is how the eve’s assignments fell.
So, after helping his brother find a suitable resting spot, Arderi hitched his sword belt and toured the perimeter of the camp. He had almost finished the circle when the Kithian stepped out from the shadows.
“You gave me a fright.” Arderi shook his head in annoyance.
Klain grunted. “You Humans have such a disadvantage in the darkness. I am not sure how your race has survived so long.”
With his growling voice, Arderi was not certain if the Kith’s statement was meant to be a joke. He decided to take it as one, and chuckled. “Well, I am looking for dangers coming from the jungle, not ones from inside the camp!”
The Kith bared his fangs, and for a moment the urge to reach for the hilt of Dorochi came to Arderi. Then he realized the lion-man was attempting to smile. “I suppose you are correct in that. Still, you should be wary of dangers from anything in this god’s forsaken place.”
From the corner of his eye, Arderi caught a glimpse of Elith making her way up behind Klain. Raising a hand to swat at a non-existent insect, he waved her off. The last thing he wanted was for her to sneak up on the lion-man unaware. Thankfully, she took the hint and melted into the darkness. Though he knew she would not wander far.
Continuing on to a large stump he had seen on his initial survey, Arderi sat down, shifting his sword into a comfortable position. The Kith followed in his wake, stopping a few paces off and staring out into the darkness beyond.
So, our meeting is not happenstance then.
Turning around, Klain looked Arderi in the eyes. “You have handled yourself well for such a young cub.” Once said, the Kith looked around as if embarrassed he had sp
oken.
“Thank you. You, as well.” The last Arderi added as an afterthought.
An uneasy silence fell between them, and Arderi regretted having waved Elith away. Glancing to the Kith’s hands, he watched Klain extend and retract his claws. The lion-man appeared ready to strike.
Finally, the large Kithian took a step forward and glared down at Arderi. It took all of his self-restraint not to draw sword at the look. Then, in the blink of an eye, the lion-man’s features softened and he crouched down in front of Arderi. “I owe you a debt, Human.”
Flexed muscles relaxed, and a smile split Arderi’s face. “So, does this mean you are not upset from our first little encounter back at the Rillion villa?”
A low growl rumbled in the Kith’s chest and he ran a tongue over his front fangs. “I may have acted…rash at our first meeting.”
Of all the things Klain could have said, an apology was not high on Arderi’s list. “It is…” Arderi pulled in a slow, calming breath. “It was as much my fault. I should not have drawn a blade on you.”
At his words, the lion-man’s shoulders loosened. Placing his hands behind him, Klain sat down on the ground and pulled his legs beneath him. “Aye. You may be the only Human who has ever pulled naked steel on me and lived.” His fearsome smile came in earnest and he growled something that may have been a laugh. “Still. You saved my life from the lizard creatures, and I never thanked you. Then, you saved Charver when I could not.” The last few words the Kith mumbled so softly, Arderi barely understood them.
“You could have mentioned to me that you could not swim. I would have carried the boy.” Arderi had not meant to offend, though the look in Klain’s eyes showed a deep hurt at the mention of his lack of swimming ability. Leaning over, he plucked up a small flat stone. “Besides, it was my brother who killed that big lizard and healed your wounds. I was more a bystander for that one.”
“Be that as it may.” With a grunt, Klain stood. “I wished to thank you for your service. I will not forget your deeds.” Breaking eye contact, he headed back toward the fire.
Arderi watched him leave, chuckling to himself.
Aye, and I seem to remember you saying something to that effect the first time we met. Only, I had expected a different outcome from those words.
Returning his attention to his task, Arderi began his watch of the jungle.
Glancing over his shoulder at the Gralet’nar lumbering along in his wake, Delmith Bathooll tried not to let its ugliness destroy the beauty that surrounded him. The White City, as many called Hath’oolan, the capital city of the Isle of Elmorr’eth. He did not think a more appropriate name existed. Pristine white stone, all pulled from the natural bedrock of the island by members of his race long ago. They were Elmorr’Antiens who held a mastery over the Essence undreamed of by modern standards.
I am still amazed that we call this the “modern times.” Yet, the more I dig into our history, the more I discover how powerful our ancestors were.
Until his recent studies, like the rest of his race, he paid little attention to the city itself. And why should he? Hath’oolan had stood unchallenged for tens of thousands of winters. It had changed, of course. The stone melder’s guild still held the knowledge of how to manipulate the white building material and reshape it for new purposes. Demolishing one building and using the material to create another. It was the actual creation of the stone itself that had been lost.
Prince Aritian strolled along several paces in front of Delmith. Anyone who saw him bowed their heads in respect. Aritian either did not see, or did not care enough to acknowledge them.
How is it that I ever envied him? He is so…arrogant!
It was a rhetorical question, even if asked only in his mind. Prince Aritian was the epitome of what a Blue should be. He stood tall and thin, and until recently had always remained well composed. This last few turns of the seasons was when the change in him had manifested itself.
It was odd to think about his Prince as changed. Always, Delmith had been the proper Gray and never thought of any Blue in a negative way. Now, watching Aritian’s haughty gait, Delmith could not help noticing the flaws.
Mayhaps there is merit to my mate’s speculations about how we Grays are ruled. I might have to attend one of her “meetings” she always tries to drag me to after all.
Before he had hoped, they stepped onto the Boulevard of the Essence that ended at the Chandril’elian. Ahead, he saw the Chandril’chi tree. Its black bark, looking so much like burnt flesh, wrapped limbs that twisted as they reached into the sky. Many of its blood-red leaves had fallen now that the weather had chilled. He watched one leaf separate from its branch and float down. When it touched the ground it fell apart, turning into the red sand surrounding the tree. The particles of red sand swirled, adding themselves to the pattern that covered the area. It was so subtle, had he not been watching it, he would not have seen it happen.
No one knew why the leaves acted thus. As a student of the Chandril’elian, he had never given much thought to the red sand surrounding the tree. He, like the rest of his fellow students, assumed it was just another thing the groundskeepers did—like sculpting the bushes in the garden. When he started teaching at the Chandril’elian some seventy winters gone, he had been fascinated to learn that no one maintained the ground around the tree. That the fallen leaves themselves created the patterns in the sand—changing and melding as the moons rolled by.
When he learned this, he felt certain they held some well-guarded secret. For several turns of the seasons, he studied the patterns. In his office, he kept scores of detailed drawings. Yet, even after all the time he spent studying the tree, he had not made one single discovery. Not one hint of how the patterns in the sand were created, or why.
Delmith frowned and glared at Aritian’s back.
My inquisitiveness is what got me into this current mess. I am such a fool!
Walking past the tree, he followed his Prince up the stairs and through the double doors of the building proper. They did not pause nor take any detours. Instead, they marched directly down the long hallway, passing classrooms, the kitchens, the Human Quarters, and more classrooms on their way to the garden area. Down the crushed white stone path they went, entering the hedge maze. A few twists and turns later and Delmith found himself at the foot of the white stone statue that duplicated the black-barked, red-leafed tree sitting in front of the school.
Without pause, Aritian stepped up to the base of the statue and placed his hands on the two spots that allowed him to activate the hidden door. Stepping back as the door melted away, he motioned for the Gralet’nar to enter the stairway. He held out his hand and a glowball flared to life. Pivoting, he followed his Warrior Servant.
Delmith stood alone. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked between the tall hedge walls that formed the exit that led out of the maze. He could run, yet where would he go? And if he did run, what would become of his mate, Melisian? His Prince would not spare her, Delmith was certain of that.
The light cast by Aritian’s glowball disappeared, yet Delmith still did not move. He stared down the now dark stairwell. With a heavy sigh, he stepped onto the only path available to him—the one that followed his Prince. When he reached the bottom of the spiral stairway, his stomach lurched. Three Humans stood against the far wall, rough burlap sacks tied over their heads, their hands secured behind their backs with rope. All three wore plain brown clothes common to any sailor. A Gralet’nar must have been down here guarding them, for now there were two of the hideous creatures. In the closed confines of the hallway, the Warrior Servant’s smelly hide armor filled Delmith’s nostrils.
His Prince stood a short way down the hall. “It is about time you decided to catch up. I almost sent a Gralet after you.”
“Forgive me, my Prince. I—”
“I hear you speaking. Or singing. Or whatever that noise is.” A Human spoke th
rough his sack, fear filling his voice. “Please. Whatever it is you want, you shall have it.” The middle of the three Humans shuffled forward. “We are all members of the Shapers Order. Setting us free will go a long way to—”
At a nod from Aritian, one of the Gralets stepped forward and backhanded the man, cutting off his sentence and sending him sprawling to the floor. He twisted to the side, keeping his face from taking the full brunt of the fall. Still, with his hands tied behind his back, the man hit hard and lay gasping for breath.
Pointing at the fallen Human, Prince Aritian sneered. “Pick that up and bring it. He has just volunteered for this eve’s test.” He spun and started down the corridor at a brisk pace.
Without a pause, the hulking Warrior Servant trudged over, grabbed the upper arm of the man and pulled him to his feet. Then, half dragging the poor Shaper, the Gralet followed after Aritian.
The other Gralet’nar stood behind the two remaining Humans. Delmith wondered how terrified they must be after almost a moon in the hold of a ship, not knowing where they were headed. Then, being kept for the last tenday who knew where.
I cannot fathom the fear they must be feeling.
He looked down the hall at the back of the retreating Prince. Now that he thought on it, he figured he knew exactly what the Humans were feeling.
You are feeling the same sense of dread that I am.
“Come along, Delmith. Do not dawdle now!” His Prince’s voice echoed through the hall.
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