The Tear of Gramal

by Phillip Jones

Celestria’s brow furrowed. “What else does Cadromel have to do with your plotting? I know you’re not telling me everything. You may want me at your side, but you’re not being forthcoming.”

  Alistar walked around the bed and took a seat next to the goddess. “I’ll never keep your mind in darkness the way Lasidious did. All you need to do is ask, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

  “Then tell me of Cadromel.”

  Alistar reached out and took hold of the goddess’ left foot. He then scooted back to the far end of the mattress and began rubbing it. “With the help of Cadromel, I intend to seize control of the worlds ... and the Source. The gods, however, will fall in my wake.”

  Celestria gasped. “You’re insane. You cannot defeat the Source. That’s impossible. The Mighty One would summon the Almighty’s army, and they would squash us all like bugs.”

  Alistar laughed. “I knew you’d say that, but you needn’t worry. You’re the one that I’ve longed for for more seasons than I can remember. I won’t fail you. You’ll be the glory that stands at my side for the rest of eternity, and my nephew ... your son ... shall reign with us as a beacon of power on the Heaven that the Source is creating.”

  Celestria pulled her foot away and moved closer. “You’re going to be the end of us. I don’t want to perish.”

  The God of the Harvest leaned forward and gently kissed his new lover’s cheek. “There are many things we need to discuss. But first, let us speak of Michael. The Collective is fuming about his return...”

  Meanwhile, Northern Grayham

  The Healer’s Vestry Inside the Undercastle

  Fellow soul ... Gage and Gallrum huddled next to the bed of the priestess after they returned from the edge of the chasm. Fosalia’s use of power had been tremendous, and it had taken nearly all of her strength to keep the weight of the gashtion from squashing the goswigs. And if that had not been enough, the energy she expended while focusing on the Tear during Clandestiny’s transformation had proven to be too much. After her collapse, she remained unconscious, and the healers were unable to assist in her recovery.

  With Gablysin’s lack of understanding of the Tear, the ruby eyed man reluctantly gave the crystal back to Clandestiny. In exchange, Clanny agreed to allow Gabs to stay at her side. Since that moment, they remained inside a separate room in the healer’s vestry where Clandestiny refused to allow the healers to take Medolas’ corpse to the morticians to prepare it for his Passing Ceremony. Those Isorians who tried to argue were frightened away as soon as the slits of her dragon eyes appeared to emphasize her control.

  It was not until Late Bailem when Fosalia opened her eyes.

  “Good evening, Priestess,” Gallrum said with a soft voice as he hovered at the foot of the bed, just high enough to peak over the mound of furs and hides the priestess had been sleeping between. “We thought you’d never wake.”

  With the badger hopping up onto a block of ice that had been placed beside the bed, Fosalia licked her lips as she pulled her arms from under the covers. “I’m thirsty.” Her belly growled. It was loud enough it could be heard through the layers. “And hungry!”

  Gage smiled as he looked across the room at a healer who was attending to a young boy. The badger tapped his cane against the block. “The priestess is awake. Send for food and water.” Seeing the healer was not going to move fast enough, the badger teleported into the royal kitchen and snagged a loaf of bread and a block of ice that had been made of fresh water.

  When Gage reappeared next to Fosalia’s bed, he placed the ice in a bowl that was sitting on a nightstand carved out of the element. He then used his power to melt the block and then served the water to the priestess.

  With Fosalia’s belly satisfied, the goswigs led her out of the room into a hallway and stopped outside the next door. Clandestiny and Gablysin were behind it, sitting next to Medolas’ corpse.

  The badger warned, “Before you enter, Priestess, Clandestiny has refused to allow anyone near the body. She has been unable to let go and cannot accept that Medolas needs to be prepared for his Passing Ceremony. Be careful when you approach, or she won’t allow you to remain in the room.”

  Fosalia looked through a clear piece of ice that served as a window for the door. Clandestiny was sitting in a chair with Medolas’ hand placed against her cheek. “Then she remains unstable.”

  The badger shook his head. “Not entirely, but it doesn’t take much to annoy her.”

  Gallrum chuckled. “You could say that again. Clandestiny has threatened to eat everyone who has tried to take the body away.”

  Gage smacked Gallrum’s tail with his cane. “You’re not funny. Her mental state is no laughing matter.”

  The priestess looked back through the window. Gablysin was on his knees at the foot of the bed that Medolas was lying on, and it appeared the ruby eyed man was praying to Helmep. Fosalia focused on his chest. “Where’s the Tear? Why isn’t it around his neck?”

  “He gave it back to Clandestiny,” Gage responded.

  “Why would he do such a thing? I already gave him the blessing. The Tear would’ve been fine where it was until I awoke.”

  “Clandestiny insisted,” Gallrum inserted.

  “Whether she insisted or not, the Tear should not have been returned. She has demonstrated that she cannot handle the burden of power.”

  “I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” Gage rebutted. “Clandestiny no longer needs the Tear to transform.”

  “That’s impossible,” Fosalia argued.

  “Apparently it isn’t.” The badger moved to the far side of the hallway and called the priestess to him. “The ice of the door is thin. We cannot allow her to hear us. It appears the power of the Tear has become a natural part of Clandestiny. Gablysin was forced to give her the crystal because he didn’t have an understanding of how to use the Tear to argue against her wishes. He figured it best to keep the peace.”

  Fosalia looked back toward the door. “Perhaps he was right. If Clandestiny no longer needs the Tear, the power inside the crystal was even beyond my mother’s comprehension.”

  Gallrum looked in the window and then hovered across the hallway to join them. “The Isorians are facing a bigger problem than Clandestiny’s refusal to allow Medolas’ body to be prepared for his passing. In her grief, she has vowed to return to the ocean as soon as Medolas has been cast into it.”

  The priestess’ heart sank. “This isn’t good. She would become the beast the Isorians fear most.”

  The serwin hovered closer and dropped the level of his voice. “I hate to say it, but Clandestiny needs to be ended. The Isorians cannot afford for her to reassume the form of the gashtion. Who knows what havoc she would wreak on Hydroth if she returns to the ocean without dealing with her grief?”

  Gage interjected, “We believe there’s no other choice but to have a Passing Ceremony for two.”

  The hallway fell silent as Fosalia returned to the window. She could see the yellow-blood stain from Clandestiny’s tears. They had become a part of the ice that Medolas’ bed had been chiseled from. “I don’t see the Tear around Clandestiny’s neck. Where is it?”

  “It is clenched in the palm of her right hand,” the badger responded. “It has been there for 5 Peaks.”

  After taking note of the small piece of the leather strap that protruded from the bottom of Clandestiny’s fist, the priestess returned to the far side of the hallway. “Ending Clandestiny’s life is unacceptable. The burden of the Tear would need to pass to someone else. It isn’t Clandestiny’s fault that she was chosen.”

  The badger looked up. “Fault or not, Clandestiny is a threat to the Isorian people. There’s a great possibility that she would not be like the other gashtions. She knows the people live beneath the ice. What if she remembers this after she returns to the ocean? The people would never be safe. There would be no place for them to flee.”

  “I believe he’s right,” Gallrum added. “Unless you have a solution, I still say Clandesti
ny must perish, and only you, Priestess, have the power to end her. You might have to forego your vows to save a race.”

  Fosalia took a moment to ponder the goswigs’ words. “Have you spoken to the king about this?”

  Gage nodded. “We have.”

  “What was his response?”

  “As much as it saddens him, His Grace believes we’re correct. There may be no other choice but to end Clandestiny’s life’s source. But his desire was to speak with you once you were awake.”

  “Where is the king now?”

  “He’s in the undercastle,” Gallrum responded. “He’s working with the leaders of the armies to determine how to unite the kingdoms. He waited 2 Peaks for you to wake before he returned to his duties as sovereign.”

  Fosalia leaned against the wall. “This is an impossible situation. I can’t abandon my vows. To do so would bring an end to my own life.”

  “I don’t understand,” Gage responded. “How does breaking a vow end your life?”

  Fosalia’s exhale extended over a long series of moments. “You needn’t understand for it to be the truth. For me to murder Clandestiny would carry with it an eternal sentence.”

  “But to end Clandestiny would save a people,” Gallrum insisted. “Clandestiny would return to the ocean, and the Isor would suffer. You must understand that.” The serwin looked down at his claws. “I would do the deed myself, but my power has already proven to be ineffective against her ... even with Gage’s help.”

  The priestess shook her head. “For me to take Clandestiny’s life needlessly ends two. I’ll hear no more of this.” Without saying another word, Fosalia walked across the hall, pushed through the door and entered the room.

  Gage looked up at Gallrum, shrugged and then followed.

  Lowering to her knees on the opposite side of the bed, the priestess bowed her head and said a quick prayer to Helmep before she found Clandestiny’s eyes. “I’ve been told you intend to return to the ocean.”

  Clandestiny did not respond immediately. Instead, she placed Medolas’ hand on his stomach. With the rigor mortis that had set in, the task proved to be a challenge. “Priestess, if you’re here to convince me otherwise, you should hold your breath. I will follow my Meddy to the sea. There’s nothing for me here now.”

  “What of your friends? Would you risk their safety to run from your grief?”

  Clandestiny closed her eyes. When she reopened them, her beautiful gray irises had been replaced by yellow ones and two elongated, black slits acted like pupils as a darkness appeared on her face. “My decision has been made. Would you challenge it?”

  Gablysin spoke out. “Priestess, perhaps it’s best to allow Clandestiny her escape. For more seasons than I’ve existed, our people have fought off the gashtion. I have spoken with Clandestiny, and we’ve come to a compromise. She has agreed to allow the Isor to relocate to Gesper before she returns to the ocean. She still cares for our well-being. Our people will be safe in the west.”

  Hearing that Clandestiny would be all alone in frigid waters broke Fosalia’s heart. Though her magic was protecting her from the cold, her power did not stop the chill of the air from freezing her tears once they rolled from her eyes and dropped from her cheeks. She had vowed to heal at any cost, and she would be unable to live with herself if she did not do everything within her power to take Clanny’s pain from her.

  “You should retire to your world, Priestess,” Clandestiny said as she stood from the side of the bed. “You should not be near Hydroth once the city has been abandoned. I intend to destroy all memories of the Isor and ensure all traces of my Meddy are buried beneath the ice before I’m finished.”

  Fosalia brought up the hem of her sleeve and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Your pain must be far greater than I can imagine. If you would allow it, I can take it from you. I can make it go away.”

  Hearing Fosalia’s sentiment, Clandestiny placed the Tear around her neck and then closed her eyes. When she reopened them, a softness had returned, and her gray irises reclaimed the priestess’ gaze. “I know what you would suggest. I have seen it done before. I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to sacrifice your life’s source for a soul as lost as my own. To do so would be unjust. It’s sad enough that one of us must bear the burden of what has transpired.”

  With Gallrum hovering next to Gablysin and Gage at the foot of the bed, the serwin interrupted. “What am I missing? What are you not allowing her to do? Is there some other solution?”

  Gage reached up and struck the serwin on his tail yet again with his cane. “Hush! You never cease to speak at the wrong moment!”

  Gallrum lifted his hands and shrugged. “What? I want to know.”

  Gage growled. “She speaks of giving her life’s source for Medolas’. Now hush!”

  Because of the interaction between the goswigs, Clandestiny had to chuckle. “I must admit, I hope that when I reclaim the form of the gashtion I don’t miss the humor of awkward moments. I hope the memories of my life don’t plague me and follow me into the ocean.”

  Fosalia dropped her head into the palms of her hands. A fair series of moments passed before she was able to stop sobbing. When finally she looked up, Clandestiny was sitting on the edge of the bed next to her, and a smile was on the Isorian’s face.

  “I misjudged you, Priestess. The willingness to give your life’s source for another makes you a good soul. Before we part ways, I do hope that you accept my embrace. I further hope that you would return to your world with a clear conscience. You’ve done all that you can, and because of you, I’ll be given the moments to kiss my Meddy before I fall with him from the cliffs to the ocean. I want you to return to Harvestom knowing that this is the existence I chose.”

  Fosalia nodded as she once again reached up to use the hem of her sleeve to wipe away her tears. “I shall return knowing just that.” She paused to clear her throat. “But there’s one issue that I must address before I’m able to return.”

  Gallrum was about to interject, but Gage poked him with his cane and gave him a look.

  “I’m listening,” Clandestiny said as she continued to hold Fosalia’s gaze.

  “If the Isor are to relocate to Gesper, the burden of the Tear shall no longer be necessary. We all know the territory you’ll hunt.”

  “You speak the truth. I’ll hunt the wilderness of the eastern kingdom,” Clandestiny responded.

  “Then you would also agree that there’s no longer a need for Gablysin to suffer the burden of the crystal. He should live his life as any other Isorian. I’m sure you would want that ... as would he.”

  Hearing Fosalia’s logic, Clandestiny looked at the ruby eyed man. Though Gablysin did not say anything, he did nod.

  “Then it’s agreed,” Clanny proclaimed. “We’ll remove the burden from him.” She grinned. “Your blessing doesn’t work anyway.”

  For a moment, though only a brief moment, the mood in the room was light. When Clandestiny stopped smiling, she addressed the priestess. “Will you destroy the Tear? I no longer need it to transform.”

  “No,” Fosalia replied. “I cannot be certain of the consequences that may come with its destruction. It’s clear that my mother didn’t divulge the full extent of its secrets before she passed. I deeply regret that.”

  “Then what would you do with it?” Clanny queried.

  “I will take it to Harvestom until I can determine the crystal’s fate. There, it’ll be safe in my possession until I can acquire the understanding of how to deal with it. Would you allow me to do this, Clandestiny?”

  A long period of moments passed while Clanny pondered the priestess’ offer. Eventually, she reached up, grabbed the leather straps and then removed the Tear from around her neck. “Take it. I care not what you do with it.”

  Gablysin exhaled with relief as the Tear was placed in the palm of Fosalia’s hand.

  As the priestess stared into the facets of the gem, she took the moments to admire their beauty before she looked up to
reclaim Clanny’s eyes. “I’m sorry for my deception, Clandestiny, but I cannot return to Harvestom in good conscience and allow you to flee to a life of solitude.”

  As Fosalia dropped to her knees and lifted her hands toward the ice of the ceiling, Clandestiny tried to reach out to snatch the Tear as it dangled from the priestess’ hand, but she was unable to move her arms or her legs. Her movements had been restricted by Fosalia’s power, and she was forced to watch as the Tear began to glow, empowering the priestess’ prayer as she called upon the power to restore life.

  “You can’t do this!” Clandestiny screamed. “I won’t allow it!” A moment later, Clandestiny’s eyes turned to slits, and her teeth elongated, ending in sharp points.

  With the priestess’ prayer continuing, Gablysin jumped to his feet and rushed to Clandestiny’s side. “Don’t do this, Clanny! You’re beneath 60 paces of ice. If you transform, the ceiling will collapse, and you’ll end us all. Would you end those who love you to stop her prayer?”

  Clandestiny’s head turned in Gablysin’s direction. “Get away from me!” she growled. “Run! Flee the city!”

  “I won’t!” Gablysin declared. “To flee would be to betray our friendship!” He reached out and placed his hand on Clandestiny’s arm. When next he spoke, his voice was soft. “If you’re determined to murder on this Peak, then you’ll have to murder me as well. My love for you is that great. Medolas was not the only Isorian who cared for you.”

  Clandestiny’s chest heaved as she dissected the ruby eyed man’s words. With the intensity of the priestess’ prayer matching her growl, she eventually closed her eyes and stopped the transformation. “I won’t harm you, Gabs. Please, forgive me.”

  The ruby eyed man was about to respond, but a blinding light filled the room and forced everyone to shield their eyes. A long series of moments passed before it faded. When it did, the priestess’ body laid draped over the edge of the bed.

  With Fosalia’s life’s source expired, Medolas’ corpse had been made whole, and his eyes were beginning to move beneath his eyelids.