The Drifting

by L. Filloon

  “Sleep, Lilianethia. I will stay with you until the old woman has you back safely.” She’s back, the voice from the mountain.

  “Where have you been,” I ask, a little irritated with her.

  She gently laughs, “Always here with you, child. Always.”

  Her words comfort me and like her voice, I also fade. Unable to keep my eyes open any longer, letting the exhaustion take me.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Thirteen

  ~ Tharin ~

  Lily slowly disappears from my arms, leaving me feeling empty. For a moment while I held her close, my world was right again.

  In an instant, I’m back in my body and I start awake. Sitting up quickly, I look around me to see that the entire thela is crystallized. I walk to the oak’s wall and feel its surface with the palm of my hand and feel the smoothness of wood. I bend down to touch the floor and like the wall it’s the same texture of the warm oak wood instead of cool crystal.

  I ask the oak to let me out and I find myself looking at a crystallized landscape. The entire clearing; the grass, the trees, the plants, everything within a hundred-yard radius is crystallized. I turn to the oak and feel its trunk and as if in its original appearance, the bark feels like…well, it feels like an ordinary oak tree bark. I reach my hand upward and call a leaf to me. As it lands in my hand, I touch it gently and rub it between my fingers. An ordinary oak leaf that’s pliable to my bending of its corners and light twisting of its stem, but again in crystal form. I look down at the ground and bend to touch the grass, to run my fingers over it and again, the pliable edges of grass tickles my palm and its fresh scent reaches my senses. How is this possible?

  Lily. In the Binding the Earth Spirit had taken a small piece of our hearts. I remember seeing the piece she took from Lily, a crystal sphere as clear and pure as the clearing I’m standing in now. My own sphere was of pure gold. When she combined the two, the symbol of our Binding is that of a crystal sphere engulfed in a fire of gold. I look about me and wonder…what if…?

  I place both my hands to the ground. I picture Lily as she was positioned earlier and when she summoned her will to pass on her energy to the earth. I calm myself and take a deep breath. I will my energy into the ground and set it free to spread through the clearing touching all of what Lily’s energy touched. I watch as my energy flows out and hear the soft breathing of nature around me. The trees sighs gently; the grass and rocks, the plants nearby and the small critters dance with joy at my touch. Is this what Lily felt – this joy, this endless sense of freedom and wonder? The gold energy spread to the treetops and it covered all that was made crystal by Lily, and I find myself standing in a place of wonder. I marvel at how my energy dances within the crystal casings like specs of gold dust. Looking farther up at the leaves, I laugh as the sun catches the gold sending off sparkling brilliance everywhere. I walk to the middle of the clearing and serenity envelopes me.

  I become still, letting the creation of my will twist and entangle itself in an endless dance with Lily’s. The moment that she laid her hand upon my chest and gave a part of herself to me for the second time, I knew at that very moment that I love her. I love her and I don’t care who knows. I lift my hands up to meet the sky to let the heavens know that I love her. I spread my arms out to welcome all within the clearing to witness my newfound strength, my new world, my new will, my new life…my Lily.

  I am still caught up in the moment when I finally notice the two young women who attacked the trees earlier lying before me. I almost missed them, as they are now crystal and gold, blending into their background. They rise as if waking from a long sleep. Once on their feet, they look down as if seeing themselves for the first time. They reach out with their hands, fingers splayed and look at them with child-like wonder. They touch their faces, their hair; they run their hands over their bodies and the clothes they’re wearing. They look to one another and reach out touching the other in wonder, ending in an embrace. Their foreheads touch as I watch in silence. They start to smile, then giggle and then laugh out loud. They start to dance in a circle before me – happiness coming in sounds of laughter and joy.

  “Ahem,” I interrupt.

  The dancing suddenly stops and the two become still. Finally, the one at the left steps forward slowly.

  “My prince,” she says bowing her head, hands clasped before her.

  “Who are you,” I demand softly. “And why were you attacking the trees?’

  The girl glances back at the other before facing me again, eyes lock onto my own. “My name is Milina, and this is my sister Glynnis. We were recruited by the Black Prince to find and kill you while you were alone.”

  “So you answered to Harlu? Or is Falsad?”

  “We answered only to the Black Prince,” she repeats looking a bit confused.

  “I see. And now? Who do you answer to now?”

  Her smile is pleasing and her sister behind her smiles as well. Together they say, “We answer to you, our prince, and to the Princess Lilianethia.”

  “Why?” I demand, and the smiles disappear, replaced with confusion and silence. “Why do you answer to us? When only a short while ago you were here to find and kill me?”

  Milina nods, “Yes, my prince, we were. But Lilianethia has released us from our burdens, the chains that tied us to those such as the Black Prince. We are free from our pain, our hatred and most of all, from despair. She has taken all of that and like the oak trees in this clearing that we are now bound to, she has healed us.” She stares at me with a perplexed look on her face as if I should already know this.

  “I understand about you being tied to Lily, but why are you tied to me?”

  Glynnis steps forward. “The princess has given us the freedom to see the truth without burden, without the need to seek revenge and without hate. You have given us the courage to seek our own truth, to see with eyes wide open and a voice to speak with.”

  “You see, Prince,” continues Milina, “From the moment we were sold to the Guild, we have been prisoners of those who have owned us. We were raised in a world where there is no light, no truth and worse, the inability to voice our pain, our fears and our hate. Princess Lilianethia stripped all that from us and in its place you have instill in us all that was missing for so long…courage, pride and dignity.”

  “With the princess’ touch, the Mother’s words came with it. She gave us a choice to stay here and guard what has been created, or we may leave and start a new life,” states Glynnis.

  “We chose to stay and serve you and the princess should you call upon us,” adds Milina. “We will protect this haven and no one shall step foot within it without your blessing.”

  I look at the sisters who are still dressed as they were when Lily and I first saw them, but their clothes are crystal and gold like their bodies. I notice for the first time the daggers that hang from each of their hips. Milina also has two hidden daggers in each side of her boots. Glynnis boasts two more daggers of her own double-tied and resting comfortably against her outer thighs.

  “The Guild. Do you mean the Molker Guild?”

  “Yes,” they answer in unison. The Molker Guild is an organization of thieves, murders and wannabe assassins, and every lowlife scum in the Velesi realm. Any assassin worth his salt would stay a hundred feet from the Molker Guild.

  A deadly thief named Molker founded the guild. The story goes that many seasons ago Molker stole a priceless heirloom given to an ogre king by his late mother. The theft was kept from the public due to the nature of the item and of its use by the king up to the day Molker stole it. Try as he may, the ogre king could not find the thief until Molker himself paid the king a visit. Molker threaten exposure of the item and of its use to the public should the king not pay the thief a large ransom for its return. Needless to say, the ogre king got back his precious heirloom and Molker became the richest thief in Velesi.

  Despite his reputation as being a cheat, a liar, a thief and some say, a killer, Molker had a keen business
sense. Using what he made off the ogre king, Molker built a network of second-rate criminals. He found and hired the three meanest, baddest and most sadistic bodyguards who never leave his side. He has an entourage of humans, ogres, orcs and trolls at his disposal. And I’m sad to say, he has a handful of Sidhe spies in his pocket who are close to the royal court in each clan. They say he has eyes at the back of his head and he never sleeps. The worst of his crimes, however, are the buying and selling of children. Kids with no family, no future and no hope but the knowledge of knowing that to survive is to take or be taken. It’s not the first choice for many, but for some it’s the only choice. Having a network of thieves and murderers for a family and protection is better than having none.

  “You said that you would serve us if we should call for you. Does that mean you can leave the clearing?”

  “Yes, my prince,” answers Milina. “Once we pass the last oak tree that was cleansed by the princess and fulfilled by you, we can transform back to our old selves, but remain pure and true to you and yours.”

  I nod and say, “What of your family? Do you have children you need to return to? Husbands?”

  “We only have each other,” says Milina quietly.

  After a moment’s thought I offer, “You may leave if you choose. I will shield the clearing.”

  “No, my prince, that’s not necessary,” states Milina. “The clearing has been put in our care by the Mother for the new king and his queen. We will only leave when we are called upon. Besides, you will need all the strength and energy you possess with what’s coming.”

  “Is that so? And what would that be?”

  “The end of Velesi, my prince,” Milina answers as she steps back to stand beside her sister.

  “What did you say?” I take a step toward Milina.

  Milina stands her ground next to Glynnis, “I am sorry, my prince, but that is all that I can tell you.” The two stop talking. Holding hands, they wait for me to question them further. By the look they’re giving me, it would be a useless effort on my part.

  I look the sisters over and have no doubt that in their former life they were hired assassins. If there is one thing I have learned about human women in the past week it is that they are formidable in protecting what they believe in and those they love. Lily taught me that. I smile as I look forward to my many lessons with my future queen.

  I turn to leave when Milina stops me, “My prince, there is one thing that you should know.”

  I turn to her, “What’s that?”

  “You should know that you were betrayed by someone within your court. It was this person who informed the Dark Prince that you would be alone and unescorted.”

  That bit of news disturbs me more than I let on. We haven’t even reached the Tower, yet someone is aware of my movements. “Who betrayed me?”

  Glynnis shakes her head, “I am sorry, but we were not privy to that fact. Only that someone within your court sent instructions to seek out and kill you.”

  “That’s another thing,” I say, stepping closer. “Why you? Why did they send you to come after me?”

  Milina shifts her eyes to the ground, saying, “My prince, it is true that you are a great warrior. However, we were also told that you pleasure in the company of beautiful women. We thought to lure you out and then seduce you.”

  “Before we killed you,” adds Glynnis.

  I raise a brow at them and to my surprise they seem embarrassed, shifting uncomfortably before me. I actually feel insulted. Who would think that I would be so easily unarmed in such a way? I think of Lily. Since I’ve met her, she’s been the only woman on my mind. The only one I am interested in being with.

  “Sorry, ladies,” I say with a crooked smile. “But I’m taken.”

  “Yes, our prince, we know,” they answer in unison.

  I stare at them for a moment and become uncomfortable with the way they’re staring back at me. Something in the way they said that gives me the impression that I should always remember that I’m with Lily. A subtle threat lingers between us and I’m suddenly uneasy. I’m getting the same feeling I received from Cessa when I checked in on Lily while she slept. Do these women, including that feline of mine, actually think I would take advantage of Lily? I give them a last nod and without a word I leave them to their new life as keepers of the clearing.

  When I approach the edge where the crystal and gold ends, I stop and look out toward the forest. Trusting that the sisters have shielded the small clearing, I carefully scan the forest floor, the tree branches and shadowed areas. It’s a possibility that the women may have been followed should they fail at “seducing” me before killing me. Mellis comes to mind and I smile knowing this is the sort of situation my young cousin revels in.

  I sense no immediate danger and step out of the circle of golden crystal oak and make my way back to Tolan. When we reach the Oak Tower we will have to see who the traitor is who’s selling information to Falsad. But the first matter I need to deal with is Julia. Once home, I will introduce her to Kalis.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Fourteen

  ~ Lily ~

  I awake from a heavy sleep feeling refreshed and well rested. Stretching, I look to the far side of the bed and the small panswa gives off a soft glow allowing my eyes to adjust.

  And then the earlier events rush back at me.

  What happened? Did Tharin make it to his body okay? What of the two women? And what happened to me with the trees? I remember that the drifting somehow lulled the pain coming from the trees, but I still felt remnants of it and I felt their fears. There was someone else, a being or spirit, I don’t know, but her presence was felt. She seemed so old, but full of life and so vibrant. Was that the same woman who held me as Sema pulled me back? No, I’m pretty sure the spirit, or whatever she was, felt more ancient than the woman who seems to pop in my head whenever she feels like it.

  I have to find out if Tharin is okay. I head for the doorway knowing that I would find Sema there. But when I reach the wall, I stop before asking it to open. There was something Tharin said when he was in pain. He said he didn’t trust Sema. Crap. It’s just like Tharin to throw cryptic statements like that at me. So what am I supposed to do with that? After a moment’s thought…I have to trust him. Asi, the dryad, and Lucas both told me to trust my betrothed. God, I hope I only have one out there.

  I take a breath and ask to be let out. The opening appears and immediately the voices rush at me. At the table, now larger to accommodate the new guests, sits Alorn and Mellis. Alorn and Ziri are talking quietly, a little tension seems to surround them and Mellis is stuffing himself with…oh no…chicken pasta.

  Mellis stands immediately when he sees me. I’m so excited and happy to see him and Alorn healthy that I rush to him, throwing my arms around his neck hugging him tight. He lifts me easily and turns us in a circle at the same time making “yum, yum, yum” sounds as he pretends to chew at my neck. I laugh at his audaciousness and give him a smack on his shoulder before he puts me down.

  I turn to find Alorn also standing now and I throw myself at him, too. I wrap my arms tightly around him as I lay my head on his chest. I feel him hesitate at first, and then he squeezes me tightly to him, placing his chin on top of my head. I pull away looking up at him, “I’ve missed you,” turning back to Mellis, “both of you.”

  Alorn releases me and pulls out a chair between him and Mellis. I sit, unable to stop smiling at the both of them. Then I ask, “How’s Julia? Is she okay? I mean, I’m sure Tolan is taking good care of her, but…you know…” I look between the two and finally ask, “Seriously, how is she?”

  Mellis gives me a broad grin as he places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle rub, “You hit it on the head, Lily. Tolan is taking good care of her.” Something about the way he answered gives me pause. I look at Alorn, but he’s already facing Ziri again. I turn back to Mellis. He gives me a wink and then that smile of his brightens my mood instantly. I sigh and trust that all is good with m
y friend. Perhaps I’m still tired, reading his actions wrong.

  I smile back asking, “And Phoris? How’s he doing? If Tolan is with Julia, well, I don’t have to ask how he’s doing.”

  Mellis turns back to his plate nodding, “Everyone is fine, Princess. How about yourself? You okay after our beastly cousin here kidnapped you from Tharin?” He’s about to put a spoonful into his mouth when he turns to me, eyes twinkling, “Boy, I would have loved to have been there to see Tharin’s face.”

  I sit back shaking my head, laughing at him. “You’re awful.”

  “What? I just wanted to see his face so I can imitate it later when he needs a good laughing at.” He shoves the food in his mouth and looks at me with a furrowed forehead, squinted eyes and his full mouth is in a fierce scowl. I slap my hand over my mouth as I try not to laugh. Mellis grins at me as he chews. God, I missed him.

  I turn to Alorn and Ziri and find them laughing at Mellis’ impression of their future king.

  “Oh, I have something for you,” says Mellis as he places his fork down and reaches inside his coat. He takes out a black onyx stone with gold designs on it. It’s attached to a beautiful delicate gold chain and my eyes widen at its beauty. The gold catches the light, sparkling while I stare at it as if hypnotized, as it dangles from Mellis’ fingers. It looks familiar, but I can’t quite place where I’ve seen it before. That’s just it; I’ve never seen it before, so why do I have this feeling?

  “Here,” offers Mellis as he moves to place it around my neck.

  “Mellis, it’s beautiful,” I sigh. “Thank you so much.” When he’s done, I give him a hug. I try to pull away, but Mellis holds on making me laugh again.

  “Stop it,” chastises Alorn, hitting Mellis on the arm. He pulls away rubbing the spot where he was hit but throws Alorn a cocky grin. Alorn looks at me and says, “It’s from Tharin. He knew he couldn’t give it to you personally, and he didn’t want to wait until the Seating. So he asked we give it to you for him.”