“Where exactly is the Border?” Zora interrupted. “And why has no Commoner ever found it.”
“It’s located beyond the swamps of Montanisto,” Liam responded as he put his cup down. “Past all existence of civilization where the world becomes nothing but mirrors of shimmering water.”
“Can Commoners see it?”
“No, not really. There have been those who’ve tried to make truth of our legend and seek out the Border, but the swamp just ends up leading them to their watery grave. It was a control put in place to ensure the Border is never discovered by Commoners; another control used to keep us separated.”
Zora’s mind was getting muddled with all of the information Liam was throwing at her, and the beginning of a headache was slowly forming. She rubbed her temples methodically to ward it off.
“Let me make sure I understand this correctly. There is another land populated with humans just like me that are interconnected with their environment through a primordial bond of life that you call Ithillium?”
Somehow, the explanation didn’t sound so absurd to her. In fact, it seemed to make sense of things in her life that she’d never been able to understand before: her ability to be one with nature, her connection with all living green things, the meeting she’d had with Madame Fae back in Samaria, and, with a heavy heart, the surreal, metaphysical encounters she’d had with the man in her dreams. Despite everything, Liam’s explanation seemed right to her and provided an answer as to why she felt so detached from her life all the time. Liam was about to respond, but Zora interrupted him.
“So why the knife to my throat?” she demanded again. The Warden looked at her dourly.
“The gift can surface in anyone in the Commoner world,” he explained. “Which makes sense since the Border went up years after population migrations, and the war displaced a lot of people causing the races to commingle with one another. When a sorcerer comes across one in the Commoner world who can harness Ithillium, usually we let them be because their talent isn’t strong enough to warrant uprooting them from what they know.”
“I found your case to be somewhat exceptional, though. The first time I saw you walking the streets of Alumhy as a child, your inner Vim glowed like something I’d never seen other than in the great leaders of my country. I thought it worth investigating. Ithillium is an extremely powerful force, Zora, and those who don’t learn to control it and use it eventually die by it.” Liam could tell he had Zora’s attention now. “And trust me, it’s not a pleasant death.” He moved in closer to her.
“I didn’t want to displace you from all that you knew, but at the same time I didn’t want to see you die that death. I didn’t want to see you suffer daily because you didn’t know what is was that made you different, didn’t have anyone to entrust in, and most importantly, didn’t know how to exert all the energy slowly building up in your body needing to expelled.”
“Sorcerers need to flow Ithillium. It’s what we were made to do, just like the songbird was made to sing. You probably don’t realize when you create a Bond, because you’ve never been taught before. But if you do, and don’t transfer the energy, it stays within you and accumulates in your Vim.”
“Vim?” Zora asked.
“That’s what we call each sorcerer’s core of energy within themselves,” Liam explained. “I’ve witnessed what happens to those who were never trained in how to use their gift. It’s a slow, painful death that destroys first the mind and then the body. I care for you, very much, and I didn’t want to see that be your fate. You’re too special.”
With this new information, Zora immediately thought of all the sleepless nights she’d had since she was thirteen. She thought of all the bizarre and downright terrifying dreams she’d walked through and of how she could never differentiate if the visions had actually occurred. Zora felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe the fact that she was untrained in how to use Ithillium was slowly killing her mind, and that was the reason behind her otherworldly experiences. Maybe she wasn’t crazy after all. Maybe she could stop these phantasms by learning how to use Ithillium.
Zora suddenly exhaled loudly, as if she’d been holding her breath in for hours. Liam could see her hands trembling slightly.
“My dear friend,” she whispered. “While I can now understand that your decision to repress me was driven by compassion for my future well-being, I don’t think you should have followed through with them.” She paused. “You are someone I’ve known for a long time, Liam, and while you may look different, I can tell your heart is the same. Ultimately, I know you mean me no harm.”
Zora could see that her vindication gave him some sort of relief, and he mouthed the words thank you to her. The young woman felt a slow yawn creep into her throat, and she couldn’t help but submit to it.
“I’m sorry to keep you up so late,” Liam apologized, mimicking the yawn himself.
“My mind is buzzing with millions of questions,” Zora admitted. “You’re going to get tired of hearing my voice once I start asking them. But I think this is enough for tonight. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Why don’t you come over here and sleep?” Liam asked innocently. He scooted over on the makeshift bed to make room for her. She must’ve had a look of revulsion of her face, because Liam suddenly barked a laugh. “C’mon. You said yourself I wouldn’t harm you.”
Zora bit her lip, somewhat unsure, then finally yielded to her weariness. She crawled over and lay on her side facing him, her arms tucked in close to her chest. She admired his face for a moment. He had the same smile like Milo did, with dimples in his cheeks. His blue-green eyes were vibrant, even in the darkness of the tent, and his brown hair stuck out in all directions. Liam caught her looking at him, but she wasn’t trying to hide it anymore.
“What?” he asked out of surprise.
“How were you in Samaria?” she questioned. “Since Cerendova is your home and no one is allowed to cross the Border.”
“Wardens are the only people who have the authority to cross the Border. That was written in the creed of the Great Severance. We are protectors of both Realms, although most don’t realize it.”
Zora yawned again, and her headache was beginning to worsen. There were so many unanswered questions, so much history to catch up on, and so many phenomena that still needed explaining.
“You were in Samaria for a long time,” she said. “More than three years. Is that normal?”
“It hasn’t really been that long, Zora, at least not for me. Time passes a lot slower in Cerendova than in the Commoner Realm, about a third slower actually. Although no one really knows why.”
“Really?” Zora asked out of surprise. “So how old does that make you, in Commoner years.” Liam thought for a moment, doing the math in his head.
“About sixty-two,” he replied. Zora’s eyebrows shot up.
“The old man illusion was probably more fitting for you then,” she laughed. Liam just gave her a sour look.
“I created the illusion to get close to you. Did you think Queen Evangeline would believe I was a well educated scholar looking like this?” He pointed to his younger face. “She’d think I was up to no good.” Liam ran his fingers through his thick, messy hair and glanced at her.
“I wasn’t completely misleading, though. Wardens are extremely well educated because we have to be. My Brothers and I travel all over both Realms. We have to know what we are doing, because one slip up will get us burned alive at the stake when someone uncovers we’re Slythos.”
“You fooled me,” Zora admitted shyly. “But only a little bit. I saw you outside Madame Fae’s cottage that afternoon, sneaking around. Remember? I thought I was deranged for sure! So did Arianna.” This time Liam laughed.
“I thought you saw me! I could feel your eyes boring through my Vim like a bolt of lightening slicing through a cloud.” He smiled warmly at her. Zora squirmed underneath his tender gaze and repositioned herself so she was more comfortable.
“There is so mu
ch I still don’t understand,” Zora continued. “What could you possibly have to protect your country from that would have you travel to the northern end of the Realm? I just don’t know your purpose in all of this.”
Liam suddenly became serious. “There is a lot of history you’ll have to learn. It’s a shame that I’m not able to teach it to you all in one night, but in time you’ll understand it. Then you’ll realize why we do what we do. There is evil constantly permeating this world, and its effects will impact everyone if fully unleashed, not just Cerendova. It’s my job to ensure our world is protected.”
Zora was overtaken by another yawn, this time more intense. Her eyes were beginning to flutter open and closed as her exhaustion began to kick in.
“Will you train me then?” she asked. “Will you show me how to use my gift so I don’t die a slow and terrible death?”
Liam waited to respond, knowing that in a couple of moments Zora would be fast asleep. Sure enough, she curled into a ball finally giving into her lassitude.
“Yes,” Liam heard himself say quietly to her, although he knew that doing so would be the riskiest thing he ever did, even if he was an Imperial Warden. The man put his hands underneath his head and stared up at the seams of the tent for the remainder of the night while Zora slept peacefully beside him.
Chapter 14
Zora awoke the next morning to the soothing sound of rain pelting the roof of her tent and the rhythmic breathing of Liam lying close next to her. For a couple of moments, she watched his chest rise and fall and found herself bothered by the remaining mud smeared all over his skin from the night before, as if he was too beautiful to be soiled.
She was suddenly aware of how ragged she probably looked and quickly sat up and went to look for something to clean her face and hair with. It was early morning, although Zora wasn’t exactly sure what time. If Dakota was awake and the caravan was packing up to move, he would’ve already woken her. As she combed the knots out of her hair, Zora thought she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and voices over the sounds of the falling rain outside the tent.
“Are you sure that’s what you saw, sergeant?” The voice belonged to Spencer. “That they were Commoner? There shouldn’t be any persons traveling through these lands without authorized documentation from King Andre. And from my understanding, he’s forbidden anyone from venturing so far south. If there is, then we need to address it as soon as possible.”
“I’m positive that’s what I saw,” a man replied whom Zora assumed was another soldier. “It was two armed men clothed in reptile skin. We approached them peacefully, but they became defensive when we made inquiries as to who they were. When we began to pull our weapons on them, they fled into the surrounding brush. We know these lands better than anyone…but…well…we seemed to have lost them. George and Philip are still out there trying to track them. How do you want us to proceed when we get them into custody?”
“Well that depends, now doesn’t it?” Spencer sounded annoyed. “Use the Dust, then bring them to me for questioning, regardless. Wake Dakota and take him with you. I don’t want this group causing us any problems.”
“Aye, My Prince. What about Lady Winnser? Who should I send as Dakota’s replacement to watch over her, especially since there are strangers roaming about.”
“I’m not worried about Zora’s protection right now. Just find out who these people are and bring them to me when they are secured.”
Zora listened as one set of footprints faded away, feeling slightly insulted by Spencer’s lack of concern for her safety. The groan of Dakota awakening from his deep sleep filtered through the tent’s flaps, and a murmured conversation between two soldiers followed as Dakota arose to do his Master’s bidding.
“Lady Winnser?” his deep voice broke through the tent. Zora peeked her head out, careful to keep the flap from opening too far to reveal Liam asleep inside. She cringed when she saw the Misou mercenary. He looked dazed and confused; side effects of the tea she’d made him.
“I’ve been called away by Prince DeVore,” he slurred as he rubbed his bloodshot eyes. “Try and stay close to camp this time. There have been strange folk sighted. Do you still have the dirk I gave you?” Zora nodded that she did.
“Good,” he replied. “Keep it handy.” Zora nodded again thinking Dakota would probably have been proud of her for slashing Liam if she’d told him about it.
“Be careful,” Zora instructed with a grim smile.
“Always am,” Dakota replied. After she watched him walk away, the woman withdrew into her tent and continued wiping the mud off of her skin and combing the debris out of her hair.
“Good morning,” a sleepy voice greeted from behind her. She turned and met those blue-green eyes framed by dark lashes and all the unhappiness surrounding Spencer disappeared.
“Good morning,” Zora replied.
“Are you ok?” he inquired. “I overheard your betrothed’s comment outside…” His voice trailed off when her face went stone-like. That always happened when Zora didn’t want to talk about something.
“Never mind,” he said quickly, deciding it wasn’t his place to enlighten Zora of Spencer’s ugly treatment towards her. He propped himself up on one side with his elbow. “I was thinking that we could start your training today, just like you wanted. What do you think?”
“I thought I dreamed asking you that,” Zora chuckled then blushed. “I didn’t mention anything else too revealing, hopefully.” Liam raised a playful eyebrow and grinned.
“No. Nothing. Can’t say I wasn’t hoping for a little peak into the lock box you call your heart, though. But that’s a conversation for another day. As for training, yes or no?”
Zora looked skeptical as a low roll of thunder rumbled in the distance. “It’s raining and stormy outside. Wouldn’t you prefer more hospitable conditions for you to impress me with your skills?”
“Actually, that makes it even better,” he said. “More sources to draw Ithillium from.” He winked at her then quickly got up and began putting on all of the gear he shed the night before.
“How about you meet me over by the lake in an hour? We shouldn’t be disturbed there.”
Zora just looked at him, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. All she could feel was her heart skipping a beat with the thought of having a secret rendezvous with him. Liam gave her a half smile then exited the tent leaving her nervous about what was to come.
***
Zora barely had enough time for one of the slave girls to draw a bath for her so she could finally clean up. When she questioned the girl about Spencer’s whereabouts, the slave admitted he’d gone off with some of the Misou mercenaries earlier in the morning. Zora didn’t know what would cause Spencer to abandon his camp with an entourage of lethal mercenaries, but at this moment she didn’t care. With him gone, she was free to do as she pleased, and right now that meant training with Liam.
Soon Zora was trudging through the sodden wetlands trying to retrace her trail from the night before. Light rain was dripping through the upper canopy of the forest causing a delicate pitter-patter rhythm to accompany her as she walked. She didn’t have to go far and soon spotted Liam standing in the distance, cleaned up and without armor except for his leather belt with attached scimitar. The rain had already soaked through his shirt and his hair lay matted against his forehead.
“Are you sure this is a wise idea?” Zora asked when she reached him, peering uncertainly through the trees at the moving storm clouds above. She couldn’t help but feel excited to learn how to control what it was that made her so different, but at the same time she was terrified of having such a powerful force at her disposal.
“As certain as I can be,” he replied, clapping his hands together. “So… I’ve never really had to train anyone on how to recognize Ithillium before. Where I come from, this is common practice. But I guess we can start with the basics and go from there.”
“Wait, let me get this straight,” Zora interrupted. “You’ve
been my teacher for three years and the one subject that’s most important, yet also the most dangerous for me to learn, you’ve never taught before?” Liam considered this for a moment.
“I guess,” he said cautiously, clearly not understanding Zora’s apprehension. “You’re just going to have to trust me. Can you do that?” All Zora could do was nod. She had no other choice at the moment.
“Ok then, “ he continued. “Can you tell me about the couple of times you’ve really used Ithillium. What was happening in your life that prompted you to do so? How did you control the mangrove tree?”
Zora bit her lip as she thought back to the recent events that could only be explained by her newfound gift.
“Well, I consider myself an amateur botanist, right? All plants are alive, just like us. They breathe air, metabolize food, drink water, and produce offspring. I just knew to feel for the life of the tree, the energy from the sun that flows through its veins, sustaining its existence. And when I searched for it, I found it. I could feel the tree feeding off of the same life source that I was. I was able to connect to it somehow, then use it to do what I wanted.”
Zora hoped she didn’t sound like a raving lunatic in front of Liam, but he stood still, genuinely listening to her, with surprise written all over his face.
“The energy you felt in the tree was Ithillium, Zora. The Bond between all of us is deeply intense, and the link you made with your surroundings was strong. What you taught yourself already is incredibly rare. Children in Cerendova go to school from a very young age to learn how to do what you did on your own.”
He took a step closer to her and looked into her eyes, clearly wanting her to understand how important his next statement was.
Azurite (Daughter of the Mountain Book 1) Page 22