The Knowing One

by Lexy Wolfe

  THE KNOWING ONE

  Copyright © 2013, 2017 Lexy Wolfe

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Published by Indigo

  an imprint of BHC Press

  Library of Congress Control Number:

  2017937182

  Print edition ISBN numbers:

  ISBN-13: 978-1-946006-81-3

  ISBN-10: 1-946006-81-5

  Visit the author at:

  www.bhcpress.com

  Also available in trade softcover

  Cover, interior, and eBook design by

  Blue Harvest Creative

  www.blueharvestcreative.com

  To the loves of my life

  who have kept me on track

  and believed in me, Thank you.

  Prologue

  "Stop fussing, Bella," the tall, shirtless Vodani man stated, dragging his heels as he was pulled by the hand down the walkway with determined resolution. He ran his fingers through his sleep-mussed hair, green eyes still reflecting his half-awake state. "You're being overly dramatic."

  The darker-haired Vodani woman looked over her shoulder. Her eyes flashed more in the lantern light than did the metallic Guardian mark on her cheek. "Ask me if I care, Jaison. If you're going to make me jump out of my skin by waking up with your heart in your throat and calling the Dusvet Guardian's name in a panic, I am going to share the joy." Stopping in front of a tall, wooden gate, she raised her hand to pound on it.

  The gate opened just then, the Unsvet Guardian pounding on the even taller Sevmanan man's chest twice before she could stop herself. "Aie! Dulain Tyrsan! Forgive me; I did not think you would be awake at this hour."

  The chiseled featured man smirked. "Come in, both of you. After that tremor, I was expecting I'd be seeing you both." He stood to the side, letting the pair pass him. "Get Jaison some of the brandy, Bella. He looks like death warmed over," he called over his shoulder as he secured the gate again.

  "I told you so," Bella said tartly. The two Unsvets stuck their tongues out at each other just as Tyrsan walked in. Both flushed as they looked away, the woman going to the cabinet to get the aforementioned drink.

  "I'm glad to see such dramatic improvements in the sense of propriety and maturity in both of you," he stated sarcastically.

  "Sorry, Dulain Unsvet," the pair chorused. After a moment's hesitation, Bella stated, "It happened again." She put the glass in front of Jaison carefully. "He woke up, gasping for air, and then the earthquake happened." Despite the earlier banter, her fear and worry for the lighter skinned Vodani man was apparent. "I thought he was dying this time."

  "It wasn't that bad," Jaison muttered. He put his hand around the glass but did not lift it, idly turning it in place. "I can tell you Almek's fine."

  The former soldier regarded the other man in silence, arms crossed. In a hard tone that brooked no argument, he stated, "Drink, Jaison." Hesitating, Jaison relented, obediently raising the glass to his lips. Nodding in satisfaction, Tyrsan stated, "Good. Now you do not look like a corpse." Still frowning, he asked, "What, precisely, did you do, Jaison?"

  "Do, sir?" Jaison asked evasively. "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Don’t give me that, Unsvet," Tyrsan growled. "Ever since the Dusvet Guardian has been obscured by normal Guardian scrying, I know you did something to be able to track his state of being. And while I appreciate knowing something of Almek's welfare, I don't want to lose one of my best trackers."

  Jaison closed his eyes, looking away with a pained expression. "I was worried about Almek, too. So I prayed to the Timeless One for help to see through the fog that has surrounded him." He waved a hand aimlessly. "The next I knew, the dreams began. That's all I had done, I assure you."

  "But why you?" Bella wondered. "Not that I'm not glad it's you and not me, but I know many had prayed for the same thing."

  Jaison shrugged. "She said it was because of my father's blood, but that it was up to me to learn how to focus. Right now, the visions come unbidden. The more I try to grab hold of them, the more elusive they are. When I do get them, I feel... like I am not myself." Interest piqued, Bella leaned down to peer narrowly at Jaison. Scowling at Bella, he raised a threatening backhand. Tyrsan smacked the table, making both jump.

  "I do not care about the why or the how. Both are irrelevant. The only thing I care about is the results." Tyrsan's expression was grim. "Every one of us knows that ground tremors are a result of when the goddess is upset. What I want to know is why? Why is She upset?"

  Glancing at the glass he still held while Bella filled it, Jaison reflected on the nightmares that woke him. "I cannot see anything," he cautioned. He got to his feet, pacing the Dulain's common room in agitation. "When the visions happen, I feel as though I were being smothered, wrapped in wet fabric and unable to break free. I—" Jaison jerked to a stop, eyes suddenly wide and unseeing. The half empty glass slipped from his hand to crash on the floor.

  Tyrsan and Bella went to the younger Guardian, each grabbing an arm to keep him upright. They pulled him back to the chair. Jaison's lips turned blue as he struggled to take a breath. Then, just as quickly as the seizure struck, it was over. If it were not for the two being so close, he would have passed out on the floor. His eyes rolled open as he regained his senses. "Almek," he rasped, grabbing Tyrsan's hand tightly. "Almek is... is close to death."

  Trading an alarmed look with Bella, Tyrsan growled, "I knew he should not have left so soon after returning last. Do you know where he is? Can we send word to someone to help him?"

  "I... no, I don't know." Gratefully accepting a new glass of brandy from Bella, he drained it before continuing to speak. "I do not think he is... near death right now." Swallowing past the tightness in his throat, Jaison looked at his Dulain. The ground shuddered, rattling the few ornaments on the spartanly decorated walls. "The shadows of winter are dark, Dulain. Darker than I have ever seen them."

  Chapter 1

  Chill autumn winds gusted, blowing fallen leaves in lazy circles around the hidden glade as the late morning sun shone through the overcast sky in a brilliant, grey white glow. Dragonfly-winged forest sprites drew back the curtain of flowering, evergreen vines to allow Almek and his students, all exhausted and battered from the battle to save the Forentan god from a shadow beast, to emerge from the tunnel. The small creatures flitted around the humans, chattering with worry.

  The last to emerge were Storm and Skyfire, the pair of Githalin Swordanzen leaning on one another. As if afflicted with palsy, the two Desanti were still troubled with the shaking cause by the poisons the sprites wielded in their attack only a week before. Both reflexively raised their arms in warding gestures when the tiny creatures buzzed closer to them. "No! Stay away!" Storm shouted, unable to repress her open fear.

  Shrieking challengingly, the desert-born drizar leaped over the horses that stood between him and Storm, sweeping bronze-sheathed horns at the air and digging his bronze capped claws into the hard ground. Skyfire's drizzen merely pushed her way past horses and humans alike to rejoin him, no less aggressive towards the cloud of winged beings, the reptilian mounts steadfastly standing by their riders. The sprites quickly scattered.

  Taking the reins for her own horse from Mureln, Taylin watched the two Desanti with worry, sensing pain from both still. "Are you certain you w
ill be able to ride? Do either of you require more healing?" Spurring her horse towards the two Swordanzen, Taylin jerked the reins as the drizar hissed balefully at her and angled his horns threateningly, wicked teeth bared. The healer's horse made a noise as it danced backwards, ears flattening back briefly. Kept at bay, the drizar relaxed from his defensive stance but remained protectively watchful.

  "Hush, drizzen," Skyfire soothed, scratching the coarse fur patches on the beast. He put his arm over his drizzen's back to lean on her for a moment as he raised his near-gold brown eyes to regard Taylin steadily. "I need no aid. I am certain I do not want to be out here longer than needed." The man patted the drizzen's shoulder. She lowered herself to the ground, watching him over her shoulder as he carefully moved to sit astride the saddle. With another shoulder thump, the drizzen surged to her feet. Grunting, he quickly grabbed tightly to steady himself as she rose. The drizzen made a worried sound, relaxing as Skyfire thumped her shoulder reassuringly.

  In comparison, the drizar was considerably more forward in his inspection of his rider, making unhappy sounds as he roughly nuzzled Storm between malevolent hisses towards a sprite that flew too near for his taste. Storm managed a weak smile as she mutely reassured him, patting his shoulder. "You must hold still, my friend." Reluctantly, he quieted and lowered himself to allow her to mount. However, he crouched halfway, enough for Storm to mount, but shortening the effort for him to stand again and her needing to hold on. Storm grimaced when Taylin repeated her question as she pulled herself onto the drizar's back stubbornly. "The day I cannot ride will be the day I rejoin my ancestors among the warriors of heaven."

  Taylin rolled her eyes, not terribly pleased to hear the Desanti euphemism for the dead. "The two of you are impossible sometimes," she muttered, turning away to prepare for the ride back to Ithesra.

  Grimly content to have Taylin's attention off of her, Storm turned back to settling in for the ride. She pulled her cloak around herself tighter as the cold wind gusted, grimacing in discomfort. Li flew to hover in front of the woman. With an inarticulate cry of surprise, Storm raised her arm defensively. The drizar danced back in response to his rider's reaction with a shriek of anger. The sudden movement forced Storm to grab the ragged bristle of mane to keep her seat. "Drizar!" The beast froze immediately before she was upset from her seat, baring his teeth malevolently in displeasure at the forest sprite.

  The sprite backed away a little, her demeanor contrite. With head bowed and hands clasped, Li said sincerely, "Li is sorry for hurting you, Warrior. Li was not understanding how things are different now."

  Staring with fear naked in her vivid green-gold eyes, the Desanti woman just watched Li intently, instinctively bracing for another attack, the small creature's words not registering immediately. As she calmed, Storm lowered her arm, then hesitantly extended a gloved hand, palm turned upwards. The tremors she suffered were still apparent through how badly she shook.

  The sprite accepted the offered perch, settling onto Storm's hand and kneeling respectfully with her head bowed in sorrow. Storm held as still as she could manage, expression unreadable as she studied the small creature. The only sound in the glade was that of the wind rustling the evergreen barrier and the horses milling about while their riders watched the interplay between woman and sprite.

  After several long minutes, Storm finally spoke slowly, choosing her words with care. "No. Do not apologize. You acted to protect your goddess. Were I you, I would have done no less if someone threatened my father, the Raging One." The normally acerbic desert woman's understanding and kind words drew surprise from human and sprite alike. Storm managed a wan smile. "However, honored protector of my father's sister, it is better to challenge intruders before attacking them."

  Standing to her full, six inch height, the forest sprite spread her glistening dragonfly-like wings as she offered a bow to Storm. "Li will remember your words, Warrior. We will be more careful." Taking wing, the sprite flew over to Ash, hovering near him nervously. "Ash?"

  The mage ignored the sprite as he mounted his horse, expression hard. Finally, Li said, "We not mean nearly kill warriors, Ash. We not knowing they friends! We only protecting All Mother."

  Azure blue eyes flashed such a scathing look on the sprite she drew back from him. Ash's tenor was sharp with the emotions he had repressed. "You ignored me! When I told you to stop attacking the Desanti, you did not listen. You did not trust me to protect Mother, Li, and because of your actions, Mother was nearly killed because the Swordanzen could not stand with us." His seething words made Li flinch. "You have known me nearly all my life, but you had no faith in me. You are no different than everyone else in Ithesra who consider me a flawed lowborn!" He jerked his mare around, turning away from Li. "I will never forgive you for that." The sprite visibly drooped as he turned his back on her.

  Almek intercepted Ash, blocking him. The Dusvet leaned forward to pat his mottled horse's neck to calm it when Ash's horse bucked in protest at the sharp reining in. The Dusvet Guardian's expression was stern, eyes hard as flint. "You are being overly harsh, Ash. You must not give in to anger and resentment so completely."

  "I do not have the right to be angry?" Ash demanded, waving a hand towards the two Desanti. "Storm and Skyfire were nearly killed! After I promised no harm to them!"

  "You, of all people, should know better!" Riding to put a hand on Ash's arm, he said more gently, "What happened was terrible, but by whatever miracles blessed us, we gained more than we lost." Ash's scowl was unrelenting. "Forentan are long lived, but not nearly as long lived as Guardians. Anger and lack of forgiveness are poisons to the soul. They are burdens that are barely manageable as a mortal when held too tightly for too long. You cannot afford them at all as a Guardian. Believe me."

  Ash closed his eyes, the muscles in his jaw jumping as he clenched his teeth. Finally, he said grudgingly, "Yes. You are right, Master Almek." Taking a deep breath, he turned back to Li, holding his hand out to her. The sprite landed immediately and crouched on his palm, resting her cheek against his thumb. "You hurt me a lot, Li," he stated tightly. "I gave the Swordanzen my word they would be safe. They trusted me as much as I trust you. I do not know if they will be as willing to trust anyone from Forenta now."

  The sprite was very contrite. "Li very sorry. Li not hurt warriors again if warriors with you unless you say so. Promise!"

  Unbidden, the thought of the Great War came to Ash's mind, of how out of fear of the warriors, Forenta had struck Desantiva without provocation; and how the land of Desantiva had been laid to waste and its people's daily struggle to survive. "Li! Don't hurt any Desanti... or anyone at all... unless they do try to harm Mother!" Ash reached forward to put his fingertip under Li's chin, turning her eyes towards him. "Do you understand? No attacking anyone unless they provoke an attack. Promise me!"

  The sprite blinked, looking confused, but she did not hesitate to reply, "Li promise. Warrior is wise." Li bowed again, her forehead touching his palm. "Li loves you, Ash. Li sorry for hurting you."

  Ash sighed, his shoulders sagging a little as he looked at the small creature. It was going to take a long time for the rift between Forenta and Desantiva to close. He could swear his life on promises to Storm, and he could not keep them because he could not control others' actions. He touched Li's back with a fingertip in gentle affection. "Thank you, Li. You are a good protector. Thank you for keeping Mother safe."

  "We always keep All Mother safe!" Li promised fervently.

  He could not help but smile sadly as the small creature hugged his finger tightly. "I must take my friends home now, Li. The Desanti are not used to the weather we have here. I do not wish them to become ill." The sprite nodded and flew into the air, a cloud of other sprites following. He followed their flight until they vanished into the colorful canopy of leaves above before joining Mureln at the head of the group. Troubled, the bard was polishing the flute he would play to extend the endurance of the horses and drizzen so they could ride longer and retur
n to civilization sooner.

  Ash noted the bard's frown. "Something is troubling you?" he stated more than asked. Mureln nodded, gesturing towards the two withdrawn Swordanzen. He said in a low voice, "I can smell rain on the wind and the Swordanzen are barely able to stay astride their drizzen. They should not be riding at all. But between their pride and the weather, there isn't any other option for them."

  Reluctantly, Ash had to agree with Mureln's assessment, flicking a look towards Almek as the Guardian spoke with the others. He frowned as he realized that there was no color to Almek's hair but varying shades of grey, the brown completely gone. "Winter sets in early in Forenta, and autumn is usually relentless in its misery."

  Sharing the worry he heard in the Illaini Magus's voice, Mureln looked at Ash. "I will do what I can to keep an even tempo to the ride, but if you can find as smooth a path back to Ithesra as possible, it will help." He sighed. "I dread the climb up the bridges to return to Naveene's Rest, but there is no other choice. We cannot wait any longer."

  The mage looked back to the two Desanti, agreeing grimly. "There is no other choice, no." He considered the limited options for a moment before resolutely deciding on a different destination. "No, not Naveene's Rest. We will return to my home. It is closer than Naveene's Rest, and on the forest floor so there will be no need to traverse high bridges and risk either of them falling." Mureln looked relieved and nodded once. As they filed out of the hidden glade to the trail to start their journey back to Ithesra, the bard readied himself to play.

  The group lined up in pairs as they moved forward. With Mureln's music filling the air, the animals settled into a smooth, distance eating pace. Next to last in the group, Terrence smiled fondly, watching Emil and Emaris in front of him as the pair bantered back and forth about pleasure girls and dice games. When the damp wind gusted and made Terrence shiver, he started to draw his hood up when he felt movement within it. His eyes went wide at a tiny voice squeaking in surprise then hushing him commandingly. "No telling!" Reaching into his hood's folds, he drew out a very small green and yellow forest sprite.