by Jeff Gunzel
“No, it isn’t,” Viola replied quickly. She wasn’t even certain she believed her own words, but it didn’t matter at this point. She was committed. The Moon Mistress had even committed to the plan without her knowledge. “I am ready.” Her fists clenched and she rocked back on her heels to keep her knees from shaking. “When do we start?”
The royal ladies both smiled at her. “We already have,” Bella said, pushing off the table.
“Follow us,” Rishima said, walking around the table and heading for the door. Together, they moved down the hall and up a familiar flight of stairs. “We will be counting on you as well, Salina,” Rishima mentioned causally. “Viola will work with the lerwicks, training them, teaching them right from wrong. But the spiritists will need to stay informed as well. I have given my word to the humans that nothing will go wrong this time, and I don’t intent to break it. Are you up to the task, Salina? Will you be the eyes and ears of the spiritists as this new era unfolds?”
“I will do my very best to represent our people, Moon Mistress,” Salina said, smiling at Viola walking at her side. She liked the idea of working closely with her friend. The two had already become inseparable, and now they would get a chance to spend even more time together.
“I am confident that you will,” Rishima said. “The two of you make a fine team, and I see no reason to separate you now. Come, it’s just up ahead.” Feeling the temperature change long before they reached the top of the second set of steps topped with a trap door, they found themselves up in Rishima’s seldom-used private tower. Banners flapped in the breeze. The ever-present lightning flashed outside, illuminating the stone walls in a flickering light show. Bella and Rishima stood to either side of one of the banners and raised it up.
Viola gasped at the sight far off in the distance. A wooden skeleton of a structure stood high on a mountaintop. Even at this early stage of construction, she recognized its shape as the one she had seen on the blueprint. All around it were cabled scaffolds with humans working tirelessly. Even the base was already seeing a fair amount of stone being added to the outer wall. It was exactly as Rishima promised.
“I...” Viola began, choking on the emotion swelling up in her throat. “I...don’t...”
“You don’t need to say anything,” Bella said. “We are all in this together and must contribute in our own way. This is only the beginning, Viola. We admire your courage and we are going to do everything in our power to help you see this through. Your friends shall not leave your side.”
“Speaking of which, did you happen to mention that other thing to her?” Rishima asked, a sheepish grin forming on her face.
Bella snapped her finger in mock surprise, as if only now remembering. “I don’t believe I did,” she said, clearly having way too much fun with their little inside joke. “It must have slipped my mind completely.” Viola’s gaze bounced back and forth between them, wondering what in the world they were talking about. The subject seemed rather serious to her, and probably not something to be taken so lightly.
“A few of your friends came looking for you in the middle of the night,” Rishima said. “Well, we weren’t going to wake you over such a trivial thing. They stayed the night, but the rest is up to you.” Viola turned at the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. “I know you’re going to be very busy with everything that’s going on. I can send them away if you wish.”
Viola’s heart fluttered as tears streamed down her cheeks. Not sure if she should trust her tear-filled eyes, she blinked, trying to clear her blurry vision. Rishima said something else but Viola didn’t hear it as she streaked across the room, throwing herself into Liam’s chest. She wrapped him in a bear hug so tight, it threatened to break the old man’s ribs.
“I missed you, my dear,” Liam whispered, stroking the back of her white hair.
Standing next to them, Owen rubbed the back of her shoulder. “He’s not the only one, kid,” he grunted.
Sobbing, face buried in his chest, Viola couldn’t manage to utter even a single word. For the moment, nothing else in the world mattered. Not the lerwicks, not the ghatins, nothing. No longer was she a survivor of the pit, or even the new leader chosen to guide the lerwicks. There were no titles, no achievements, or recognition of any kind. All her suffering up to this point had suddenly gone up in smoke. In this moment frozen in time, she was just a little girl in the arms of her surrogate father.
“I missed you so much.” Her mumbled words were a sobbing, broken mess. They were music to Liam’s ears.
Chapter 4
“So what do ye do for fun around here?” Owen asked, briskly rubbing his hands together. The three of them had been given a room so they could catch up, but Owen just found himself growing bored and more restless by the minute. “You two,” he said, pointing at two female spiritists standing near the opposite wall. “I’m bored. Show me around this here castle...thing.”
“You are an honored guest here in Lunaris Tower, home of the spiritists,” one replied, her golden eyes briefly flashing with anger before composing herself.
“Fine,” Owen said with his toothless grin, tossing his hands in the air as he stood up. The more he aggravated those around him, the more he seemed to be entertained by it. “Show me around this...tower...lunaris...thing.”
“Very well,” said the other spiritist, her voice tight but her forced smile still pleasant enough. “Follow us, then.” Owen stepped across the room in two strides, then gave each of them a little spin to turn them in the right direction. With a hand centered at each of their backs, he gently steered them towards the hall. But by the time they were through the doorway, his hands had already dropped several inches.
“Oh, no,” Liam groaned, dropping his face down into his hands, unable to watch what he knew was coming. There came a surprised yelp from down the hall, followed quickly by the sound of a hard slap. Owen’s unmistakable cackle spoke volumes. Mortified, Liam just rubbed circles around his temples as he stared at the floor.
“He deserved that,” Viola said, a hand covering her mouth in disbelief. She was not judging, only stating a fact.
“He most certainly did,” Liam agreed, slapping a hand down on his knee as he sat up straight. “Anyway,” he waved off the unpleasant thought, eager to get off the subject. “How have these...spiritists...been treating you? Have you enjoyed your stay so far?” He watched her face before she answered, searching for any telltale signs. If she were somehow being held against her will, and required to only respond in a certain way, he would know. Suspicious by his very nature, Liam was still not so certain about this place.
“They’ve treated me well,” she said honestly. “I have no complaints. Well, not many, anyway. Their intentions are good, Liam. In fact, they think very much like you and Owen do. All they were trying to do was protect me from the ghatins. They are my friends, Liam, and that makes them your friends too. I hope you can accept that.”
“Indeed,” Liam agreed, satisfied with her answers so far. In some ways, she was probably better off in such an isolated region. He knew as well as anyone that reaching this place was not easy. If not for Owen’s durable lavics, the journey would have been much worse. “Um...Xavier went looking for you.” Her expression went blank. “Right after you went flying away with these beings, in fact.”
Liam tipped his head to the side, his casual gaze washing over her. “But you already knew that, didn’t you? And the only way you could have known that is if you saw him yourself.” She flinched. “Then my next question is simple enough. Where is he now?” he asked, his expression not a scolding, but one of deep concern.
“I don’t know,” she admitted, truly wishing she did. “But yes, he was here. Somehow he managed to track me all the way up here. But Liam...”
When her voice trailed off, Liam put his hand on her knee. “But what?” he asked softly.
“But it really wasn’t him at all.” Liam leaned back a bit, folding his hands on his lap as he listened carefully. “I mean, at firs
t it was. He came here to try and save me. Liam, there were so many of them. They were everywhere and all of them were trying to kill us!” Her eyes went distant as she began to relive the battle in her mind.
“Shh, shh,” Liam shushed her, stroking the back of her hand as he tried to calm her. Rishima had already told him the whole story. He even knew that Orm’rak was dead. In due time, she could tell him what she remembered of that battle, if she wished. But for now, there was no reason for her to relive any of that nightmare. All he needed to know was where Xavier might have gone. “Don’t think about the fighting,” he said, trying to divert her attention away from that part. “Just think about Xavier. You said it wasn’t really him. What did you mean by that?”
“I’m not sure,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “Orm’rak had him pinned down. We were both injured and I truly thought it was over. Then suddenly he...changed. His face, and much of his body, really. He became somebody else. Something else. He became some kind of monster. I didn’t recognize him anymore.”
“Did he recognize you?” Liam asked, hanging thoughtfully on her every word.
“Yes,” she said after thinking long and hard on what should have been a simple question. “At least, I think so. But he was so violent, so savage, and he didn’t seem to be in control of himself. Yet, when he looked at me...” She hesitated again. “I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me. I could still sense that he was not completely gone.” She turned and looked up at Liam. “But then he jumped over the side of the cliff and was just...gone. Liam, something has happened to him and he needs our help! We have to find him.”
“And we will,” Liam assured her. “All in due time. But Viola, we can’t do everything at once.” Liam stalled, his heart heavy with other news he could not hide from her any longer. Best to just get everything out right now so they could both move on.
“What is it?” she asked, sensing his distress. “Wait, where are Thatra and Assirra?” she asked when he still did not answer right away. “Why aren’t they here with you?” She stood from her chair and began looking around as if expecting them to walk in at any moment.
“Assirra has gone back to her people,” he said slowly. “The tarrins are counting on her return. We knew her journey with us was only going to be temporary. I am thankful she stayed with us as long as she did.”
“Thatra?” Viola squeaked, her eyes already beginning to tear up. Liam forced himself to look at her and shook his head. With a pained wail, she fell into him. Bawling, she alternated between hugging him, and smacking his chest. All he could do was sit there while her emotions played out. Thatra was gone? Her mentor, her sister...gone. How could this be?
When she finally calmed down enough, Liam told her everything. He told her about their capture in Shadowfen, about how they had to help save the city from the attack led by her brother. Except for the endless stream of tears, Viola’s face remained cold and emotionless while she listened. He hated telling her the details, especially so soon after telling her about Thatra. But it was necessary. She had the right to know everything. She needed to know what her brother was capable of. She also needed to know what the lerwicks could do when guided by the wrong person.
When he finished the sad tale, she rose from her seat and walked over to the other side of the room. She watched as fluffy white snowflakes came drifting down from just outside the window. Opening it, she reached out her hand and let a few large flakes settle in her palm. Normally they would begin melting immediately, but her cold hand seemed to do well in preserving them for a time. Shifting them around with her thumb, she sensed the old man walk up behind her. “Beautiful, aren’t they?” he asked, expecting no answer.
“Yes,” she answered softly. Pointed to rounded, each of their crystallized shapes held a very distinctive look. “They are unique. No two look exactly alike.” She looked up from her palm and thought for a minute. “That’s because they aren’t alike. Although each of them is made of frozen water and was born in the clouds, the moment they were free, their birthplace and origin no longer mattered. Thousands of them, and each will have a different fate even though they came from the same place. Some will collect on mountain peaks, others might land on the nose of a bear and get licked,” she looked down at her palm, “and some might get caught by a person who cares enough to give them a second thought.” She turned over her hand and let them sprinkle down outside the window.
“I think most things in the world are like that in one way or another,” she continued, still gazing out the window. “You and Owen are absolutely nothing alike, even though you’re both human. My brother and I couldn’t be more different, yet everyone seems to think that lerwicks are all alike. Maybe they’re right, maybe they’re wrong.” She turned to face Liam. “But I think they deserve the right to make their own choices. My heart bleeds for what they did to Thatra, as well as to all the many human victims who had nothing to do with this silent war. But I will not hold all the lerwicks accountable for the actions of a few.
“Any who come to me will be given a fair chance to prove themselves. They will be judged on their actions, not on reputation or where they came from. If they are worthy, they will stay. If not, they will be forced to leave.”
“And if they are undeniably evil?” Liam asked, daring to be so bold.
“Then they will be executed as the traitors they are,” Viola answered without hesitation. “Examples will be made swiftly. They need to choose which side they are on and I will not show lenience on this matter. Too many have died already, and for what? I am no fool, Liam. I know others will die before this is over. But as of today, ignorance is no longer an excuse. If you choose to attack the humans willingly, then you have forfeited your life. Remaining neutral is no longer an option.”
Liam found it difficult to hold her icy gaze, but he managed to do it anyway. Her blunt words served as a stark reminder of how different she really was from the scared little girl he once knew. That suddenly seemed so long ago. But her heart was still in the right place, her intentions still good, if not a bit colder and more callous than he remembered.
“Very well,” Liam said, taking her by the hand. “Your choice has been made and I will stand by your side. You have made a commitment, and for better or worse I will help you see it to the end.”
* * *
“Are you nervous?” Lindsey asked, helping Xavier put on his new fancy vest. Here in the back room of the tavern, they could hear the mumbles of a rather large crowd forming just outside the door. Word had spread of the new entertainer who would be performing at The King’s Head this evening. A few people had already seen some of what he could do, and were eager to see a bit more.
“Nah,” Xavier answered, holding his ear to the door. He didn’t realize how much he missed these sounds. Mugs clinking, patrons laughing along with the occasional squeal of a barmaid getting her rear pinched. It was all music to his ears. “Performing never makes me nervous. But I admit, it’s been a long time, so I might be a bit rusty.” He glanced at his new vest, then pulled back the collar to glance down at his numerous stitches. She had done a fine job patching up his wounds. “Oh, and thanks again for putting me back together. This night wouldn’t be happening if not for you.”
After the barkeep settled everyone down, he called out a brief introduction before stepping away from the bar. Then he started clapping to get the other patrons going. “You’re on,” Lindsey squealed, briskly clapping her hands as she bounced up and down on her toes. Good luck, she mouthed silently.
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” he said, flashing her a quick wink before throwing back the door. The crowd continued clapping with a few whistles mixed in. The timing felt good. The restless group was all liquored up and ready to be entertained. Xavier could have probably just told a bad joke or two and still gotten a modest ovation.
Bringing a white gloved finger up to his lips, Xavier hushed the room. He knew that in order to perform at a top level, he needed to control the crowd. He ne
eded to be able to make them feel suspense, joy or laughter at the drop of a hat. How to control the room was one of the first lessons any entertainer learned. Do that, and they were yours for the night. Pulling out a gold coin from inside his vest, he rolled it over his hand, dancing it across the back of his knuckles.
“You, sir,” he said, snapping out his hand, stopping the coin just short of hitting the man in the face. “Heads or tails?” he asked, pinching it between two fingers.
“Er...tails,” the drunk man said, swaying in his seat, wearing an ear-to-ear grin. A sprinkling of boos assaulted him from all around the room. “Wait, no...er, heads.” A second wave of boos rained down, prompting him to realize there probably was no answer that would satisfy this group. He waved around as if shooing bees away, then slapped the top of the bar. “Heads!” he barked, pointing right in Xavier’s face to ensure him that this was the answer he was sticking with.
“Very well,” Xavier said, flicking the coin into the air. Spinning like a top, it sparkled and flashed, reflecting the light from the room’s numerous yellow lanterns. At the last second, Xavier held out his hand. Landing right on its side, the coin balanced upright in the palm of his hand.
“Hey,” the man protested, swaying over the top of it to get a better look. He blinked several times, possibly trying to decide if it was the ale messing with his vision. “You cheated.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Xavier said, feigning hurt feelings. “That happens sometimes. Let me try again.” He flicked the coin up a second time and watched it tumble. Stepping aside, he let it hit the bar top where it bounced once, then began to wobble in place. But instead of slowing down, it began to speed up. Spinning faster and faster, it twirled itself upright before coming to a stop. Once again it balanced on its side and the crowd began to laugh and clap. It was unclear if they were laughing at the trick or the poor man who couldn’t seem to catch a break.