The Drifting

by L. Filloon

  I bow my head, shaking it in disbelief. And just like that, all the anger against my parents disappears. How could I hold on to it? It was the anger of a child, lost and alone who wanted her mommy. I’m not that little girl anymore, and I’ve grown strong to ask, to reason and to forgive. I look up at Jarhan, choking back my emotions, “Can you call her back?”

  “I am sorry, Lilianethia, I cannot. It is the queen’s wish that you live in peace and with the love of those who surround you.”

  I nod slowly, “Will you tell her I’m sorry?”

  “I will give her your message, my queen.”

  I shake my head at her and say, “I’m not a queen.”

  “Yes, you are. You are the daughter of my sister, Senestra, and you will rule the people of Velesi as you were meant to.” After another pause, she continues, “I do have a gift for you. A gift handed to only a few in your bloodline.”

  “What is it?” Not really caring, my mind still on my mom.

  From below, she lifts her large forelegs with claws as big and long as the trunks of the biggest white oak and places it gently on the cliff. Water cascades off it like Niagara Falls. I step back, afraid I would be caught up in its pull and drown at the bottom of the lake. She lifts her talons and with one pointing directly at my heart, she reaches out and touches the center of my chest with it. A sudden flash of opalescent light blinds me and I feel my body jerk up and back. A feeling of white hot liquid burns through me and I hear myself scream as the serpent’s face comes in line with my own.

  “You now carry all that has come before you from the day Tileanith and her lover created the first healer of your line.” She gently puts me down and I lay on the wet ground trying to shake the sudden nausea overwhelming me. I put my head down and feel the drops on the back of my neck. It takes me a moment to realize that it’s not from the sea creature, but it’s raining once again, the sound of the howling wind deafening me. I look behind me for Cessa, but she’s gone…back to Malainisi. I feel strong hands grab at my shoulders turning me over carefully. I lay in Alorn’s arms for a moment before realizing that Phoris, Mellis and Julia are also with me.

  I give a look at Alorn and nod to let him know I’m okay. He helps me up and I hold onto him for a moment before seeing Julia across from me. I let Alorn go and reach for her and she catches me, wrapping her arms around me. She hugs me to her as we make our way back to the grove to get out of the rain.

  Julia takes me to one of the trees and I lean against it. “Lily, what happened?” she asks giving me a worried look.

  “It was my mom, Julia. It was my mom all along.”

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Thirty-One

  ~ Tharin ~

  I listen as Phoris explains why he took Lily to the Gastah Point to, of all things, speak with Jarhan. I didn’t even know that Jarhan could speak. And now I’m here listening to the future clan Summoner explain his reason for endangering his future queen. I look over at Alorn who’s been staring out the window, his own thoughts in conflict with his actions last night. This is the first time that I know of where he didn’t come to me and let me know what was happening. He’s not one for explaining his actions to anyone and I don’t see him doing it now. I look over at Mellis and stifle a frustrated sigh as I watch him stuff his mouth with a plate full of breakfast. I hold back the urge to throw something at him.

  Phoris, Alorn and Mellis, are my most trusted above all others with the exception of Tolan. I’ve seen them face opponents twice their size, including Phoris and not once have I seen any of them back down from a challenge. Warriors to the core, all of them, and yet, my five-foot, hundred-and-five pound bride-to-be talked them in taking her to meet with a First and then convinced them not to tell me about it. I’m going to have to speak to Lily about her actions and forcing my Greaneths to take her on a dangerous task without my knowing.

  “My prince,” calls Milina, stepping up to stand next to Phoris. “The princess gave us an order we could not disobey. We know of the serpent Jarhan, the Mother spoke to us about her. If she was in any danger, I promise you we would have been at her side immediately.”

  “But she was in danger, Milina,” I say quietly, causing her to lower her gaze, “and she faced it without you and Glynnis by her side.” She keeps her eyes on the floor and I watch as her shoulders sag slowly as the weight of my words sink in.

  I look at my cousin as he unwaveringly stares back at me. Phoris is trained to become a Summoner like his father, and his father before him. He answers to a different set of rules when it comes to communicating with nature, but he still has to live by the clan rules. He betrayed his prince when he didn’t make me aware of Jarhan’s call to Lily.

  “Tharin, if it was any other than a First, my initial course of action would have been to find you. But Jarhan was adamant that I bring Lily alone because the message she had for Lily was a personal one.”

  “And Julia? Did she get the same request?” demands Tolan from his seat beside me.

  “No, she didn’t, but she came with Lily on her own accord and knowing Lily, she wouldn’t have gone without her,” replies Phoris defensively.

  “Then maybe you should have tied Julia down, that way Lily would have stayed with her instead of running off talking to Firsts in the first place,” retorts Tolan.

  “Sorry, cousin,” says Mellis with a full mouth and waving his fork at Tolan. “But it wouldn’t have done any good. Julia spent most of the night telling us that you’re not her prince and doesn’t answer to you.”

  “It didn’t have to come from me. You could have just tied her up on your own. What were you thinking? She could’ve been killed.” He glances over at me and quickly adds, “They could’ve been killed.”

  “Alorn,” I call quietly, “what do you have to say?”

  Alorn continues to stare out the window, “If we kept Lily from going to Jarhan last night, then she would have tried again and again and sooner or later she would have made it there without any of us with her. She was determined, Tharin. At least we were there with her.” He turns from the window and faces me. “You can’t protect her all the time. And since you can’t, at least trust that when she’s with any of us, we would do and give all we have to keep her safe.”

  The room becomes quiet, even Mellis stops eating to stare back and forth between Alorn and me. Alorn is right and there’s nothing I can do about it now, but I’m still having a talk with Lily later. I nod, sighing as I turn to Tolan letting last night’s event drop for now. Too much is happening with Lily for me to not know more of the prophecy. “Have you found anything else in your search?”

  Tolan, still frowning about being kept out of any news in regards to Julia, shakes his head. “Somewhat – I think I know what Jarhan’s message to Lily was, or I should say what the gift was…more like a passing of the torch.”

  “What are you talking about?” asks Alorn, moving to the table and taking a seat.

  “Well, we all know that the Willow Clan is the strongest clan only second to the Oak. But what everyone assumes is that it’s in the number two spot because of the size of its military. Remember, it was the Willow Clan at the front lines holding off the armies of Kolinest and the human king Millim. The truth is, the Willow Clan was and still is the second throne to the Oak because of their long line of healers. They, including Senestra, are the most powerful in any realm. But here’s the thing, not all of the healers in Senestra’s line were granted the true gift of the healers. It’s like the gift is only given to a selected few and only three queens within Senestra’s direct line were chosen to carry it. The three includes Lily. What Jarhan gave Lily last night, I believe is that gift…the gift of the healers. What it is exactly, I don’t know. But there is a small passage that I found that gives a vague reference that the gift is the pure energy of the universe, or something like that.”

  “Who decides on what queen gets the gift?” asks Mellis as he finishes his breakfast.

  Shaking his head, “I don’t know,”
admits Tolan. “I’m still pulling books and scrolls related to the prophecy, which the Willow Clan is deeply involved. I believe there might be more information at the Willow’s library. But as you know, it’s off limits to us at the moment. Oh, and Tharin,” Tolan says hesitantly. “There’s a passage there about the child queen’s ‘crown prince’ and her death. I believe it’s referring to you.”

  Lily’s death. Is the prophecy saying I’ll somehow help cause her death? “Did it give you any indication when this is supposed to happen?” I ask, holding down the panic.

  Tolan shakes his head again, “No. But I’m assuming it’s going to happen soon.”

  Alorn leans in, “What gives you that notion?”

  Tolan turns to Alorn, “We have to assume when the prophecy speaks of the ‘child’ it refers to an innocent, which means it has to happen before Tharin marries her and…well, you know, hence the several references to the ‘virgin queen.’” All eyes turn toward me.

  Ziri leans back in his seat, chuckling. He’s been quietly sitting next to Tolan as Phoris, Alorn, Mellis and the sisters were called. He tosses me a knowing grin, enjoying my frustrating situation with my future wife.

  “It ends with death, Tharin. The only way to save her is for her future and past to become one.”

  Then it hits me. Ka and Father meant to take Lily to the doorway without me. They know once I learn of how it would end, I would do everything in my power to keep Lily with me.

  “I’m sorry, Tharin.” We turn quickly to find my father at the door, looking like his old self again. Tall and regal, he wears the king’s hunting clothes, his coat thrown over his shoulder casually. It seems his melancholy over the anniversary of my mother’s death is gone. Ka stands beside him still in disguise. I give my father a hard look and he puts his hand up. I bite back the remark I was about to throw at him and instead wait for his explanation.

  “It’s true. We were going to take Lily to the doorway without you,” he says, walking up to the table. “But I thought it would’ve been obvious. We knew at the signing of the treaty that you and Lily would be tied to each other even before your Binding. We had hoped you would have waited, but we understand the situation you were in. What we didn’t know was that you would actually fall in love with her.”

  He looks over at Tolan and says, “I forgot about your love of books and the hours you use to spend reading anything and everything you could get your hands on. Hmmm, I hope the Willow Clan has a library full of books that will entertain you and your new life there.”

  Tolan sits up slowly, “What do you mean my new life there?”

  “After the wedding, Lily will be of the Oak, allowing me to choose a new successor for the Willow throne. You will take the throne of the Thirteen and be accepted as the clan’s new king.”

  Tolan stands quickly almost knocking his chair over, “Father, you can’t. I have other plans…and…”

  My father gives him a stern look, “You have other plans? The only plan you will have is to rule the second clan of the Thirteen.” After watching my brother’s face turn white with shock and then red with anger, Father says in a softer tone, “I know of Julia, Tolan. She is only one compared to many that depend on you and your leadership. You have shown your mettle as a warrior fighting beside your brother and me. You have shown wisdom and patience with the people of our clan and I know you will do so with your own. I have made up my mind. You will rule the Willow Clan once Lily becomes queen.”

  Tolan tries to find reason against our father’s order. “What of Harlu and Falsad? Once you make the proclamation, their reaction will be quick and swift…they won’t let go of the seat they’ve had for the last several years. Besides, once Harlu finds out that he’s Lily’s true brother, don’t you think he will fight tooth and nail for his right to the throne?”

  “The throne will never accept him, there’s too much innocent blood on his hands,” answers my father. “As for retaliation, we have men throughout the Willow city and in court now, ready for my orders to move in. You’ll prepare for the takeover and leave for the Willow Clan tonight. While Falsad and Harlu are here for the Seating, you and your men will be within the Willow Clan walls. I have removed their entire natural defense and the Kufftai are there now.”

  “So it was you who called the silver wolves from our woods,” questions Tolan, trying to hold back his anger. “You put our lives at stake, father.”

  “We had no clue there would be an attack on the path that night. Besides, we sent out Kalis and her men to escort you safely to the bridge once we heard you were outside the gates.” I step up to Tolan’s side as our father continues with his reasons behind his motives.

  Ka steps forward, “I’m afraid I’m the cause of all the secrecy. However, I won’t apologize for it. We did what we felt was necessary.”

  “You’ve had this plan for a while it seems, yet you left us out of it.” I stare at the old man and finally ask, “Who are you really?”

  “There’s no time for that,” interrupts my father. He looks over at Milina and orders, “You will return where you came from. Tharin has told me who you are and I don’t need you here for now. Give the Mother my gratitude, but Lily will be taken cared of and your services are not needed at this time.” Milina hesitates, looking over at me to speak on their behalf. After a moment’s thought, I nod at her. She straightens her shoulders, looks over at her sister and walks out with Glynnis, who gives Ziri one last glance. I watch as his eyes follow her out of the room.

  “Is there anything else you would like to share with us, Father?” I ask.

  “Tharin, have you forgotten what’s at stake here? What will happen once the four remaining Ancients are gone?” questions Father, stepping closer. “We fear for them and they have been warned. They are powerful in their own right, but by no means are they safe.” He turns to Tolan, “Nedleid is dead. He was discovered this morning in his suites, poisoned. That only leaves three. Soon the energy of the realm will shift and it will only be a matter of time before it starts to break apart.”

  Tolan sits back into his chair, shocked to hear of his mentor’s death. Out of the six, he was closest to Nedleid.

  Softening his tone, Father continues. “Do you understand now why you need to take the Willow throne as soon as Lily is made queen? She has to remain here. She will be vulnerable at the Willow Clan and I need Tharin here with me.”

  Father turns back to me. “I would have told you about our plans in regards to Lily after the Seating. It was my choice to keep it that way.”

  “When do you plan on taking her to the doorway?” I ask.

  “Immediately after the wedding, in fact, right after you and Lily say your vows. The formality with her advisors will be completed by then and she will be queen of two clans, a first for our realm.”

  To Tolan he says, “I need you to prepare to leave.” He makes his way to stand directly before him. “I know it’s not what you expected for your future and I’m sorry that it has to come about this way. The Willow Clan was always going to be yours, and if it weren’t for the current circumstances, I would have presented it to you as wedding gift.”

  Tolan stands stiffly and doesn’t make eye contact until the mention of a wedding. Anger flashes in his eyes and he stares at our father, locking gazes with him. In the end, it’s Tolan who looks away, gives a curt nod and walks past our father without a word.

  Father looks over at Ziri, “Go with him, stay by his side.”

  Ziri stands, giving me a look before walking out after Tolan.

  “I will have your cooperation on this, Tharin,” demands Father. “I know you feel cheated and I’m sorry about that, but my first concern is of the people of Velesi. Promise me you won’t interfere in any way that will stop us from taking Lily to Eirrell.”

  After a moment’s thought, I nod, saying, “Yes, Father, I promise…on two conditions. And if you refuse, I will take Lily from here where even Ka can’t find her.”

  It is Tolan who finds me fi
rst. I’ve been sitting in the Summer Garden since leaving the war room about half an hour ago. My brother approaches from behind and sits down on the long bench beside me. He leans forward placing his elbows on his knees and clasps his hand, identical to my own posture.

  “So now what?” he asks.

  “Now, you prepare to be king of the Willow Clan,” I answer quietly. “You will make a good king, brother.”

  Tolan drops his head, eyes closed. “I don’t want it, Tharin. For the past weeks the only planning I’ve done is to break through Julia’s stubbornness, find out what the hell is going on in her head, marry her and live the rest of my life in blissful exile lying next to her, listening to beautiful sonorous lullabies every night.”

  I smile at his description of paradise with Julia and I feel for him. “Who would have thought that the one command Father gives each of us is one we each hesitate to follow because of a woman.”

  “I certainly didn’t think I would be king before you,” he muses.

  “Neither did I,” I reply.

  “I didn’t think things would turn out like this at all. I knew that one day we would find our own paths, I just didn’t expect it to happen now,” says Tolan.

  We both become silent, lost in our own thoughts of the women we have come to love and the responsibility that comes with our birthright. Silently, Alorn sits on the opposite side of me. I didn’t even hear him approach. I look over at the side bench and see Mellis and Phoris have joined us, too. I notice Ziri leaning against the tree that the benches are set under, staring out into the garden.

  Tolan asks once again, this time out loud. “Now what?”