by Shelley Cass
I smiled, peering down at her. “My mother is a wise woman,” I explained. “She never used to tell me to stop making a fuss, no matter what troubled me.”
Kiana sagged against me slightly. “It’s just so frarshking hard to be unable to do anything by myself.”
I lifted her chin with a finger. “So what are you doing out here now?” I asked.
She shrugged and then leaned back to look me in the eye, roughly rubbing the tears from her cheeks.
“I couldn’t stand it,” she answered almost defiantly. “I forced myself out of bed and made myself make it out to the balcony. When you came up I was recovering.”
“So it’s not really that you can’t do anything by yourself,” I reasoned. “It’s that you haven’t been pacing your efforts.”
She rolled her eyes as I moved, but she let me steer her towards the bed.
“You can’t expect to regain your strength so quickly. You almost lost your life to Agrona’s poison, and would not have survived but for Frey and the Lady.”
“Yes,” she answered slowly. “But I’ve come to the edge of life in the past. I’ve suffered the effects of cuts from poisoned talons and have had raging fevers, yet I’ve never been left so completely helpless. It’s different this time.” The fear was being restrained from her voice.
“It is different this time,” I agreed. “This time the poison was dark magic, not venom or some worldly toxin.”
She ducked her head. “I’m afraid I won’t get better this time.”
“You will,” I responded, because I had resolved that nothing could ever hold Kiana back. “I’ll be here every step of the way. We need you.”
She gave one of her dry half smiles. “If I’ve got you to help me, I will be unstoppable. And we can resume the Quest as soon as possible.”
I gaped in exasperation. “You’ve missed the point.”
“I understand that I won’t recover immediately,” she placated me. “But I’ll make myself strong again. Day by day I’ll push myself further.”
“Slow sounds reasonable,” I agreed carefully.
“Yes,” she stated. “Just not so slow that we miss the war and end up under Darziates’ control. The Quest must go on whether I am strong enough or not.”
I sat beside her on the bed in resignation. “What’s your plan then?”
Kiana tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, thinking. “Today I got down into three rooms. Tomorrow you’ll help me get through the entire tower and then help me to make it back up.”
“Right,” I agreed. “And from there?”
“We’ll add exercises when I can start getting back up the stairs myself. And after that you’ll be taking me out to see the City,” she said in a way that invited no disagreement.
“Oh joy,” I slumped mournfully. Then I gave her a sharp look. “This will be a frustrating process. You’d best leave your knives up here in the closet.”
She grinned. “I’ll be awake the whole time, and as weak as a lamb. You have nothing to fear.”
I straightened her bed covering as I rose. “Lambs don’t get violent when they are angry and tired. They go to sleep and eat grass.”
Chapter Six
Noal
There were roars of appreciative laughter around the rock pool as Asha told dirty Nymph jokes in her high, soaring voice.
She wobbled where she stood on my stomach as I chuckled, laying on my back beside a waterfall where her friends were diving and splashing in the water.
“No wonder we used to love the mortal race. This one’s a good sport,” chortled one dripping Nymph, Flash, as he slapped the water surface with a small hand.
“We’re a lovable bunch,” I grinned from the grassy bank. “Very likeable.”
“Have you got any mortal gags?” Rebel, an orange haired male asked after resurfacing and floating above the water. “I can store them up to tell Chloris for a bit of a laugh.”
I shrugged unhelpfully. “I’ve got none as sickening as Nymph ones I’m afraid.”
“And it won’t be Chloris laughing at jokes like that,” Flash kicked around in the water.
“It’ll be me laughing at her face when she hears ‘em,” Rebel smirked sinisterly. “But she’s used to it. I do my best to keep her head away from the seriousness.”
“Is she having trouble with that?” rumbled a surprisingly deep voiced little Nymph called Ace, one of the Council members and the Nymph army commander.
I’d thought he was cute at first, but his stout little body, pointed teeth and reverberating voice overruled his enormous green eyes, baby feet and dimpled cheeks.
“With all the excitement of having these humans and the One to take care of, she and Silvanus have been kept lively,” Rebel admitted. Then he snickered. “But I’ll keep the jokes for a rainy day.”
“Frey has been quiet lately, with so much on his mind,” Shiva, with aqua coloured hair and eyes, commented from where he hung. He was upside down in the air, drying off.
“You’d best do something about that,” Flash gurgled from under the waterfall now, poking his head out from behind the falling water to speak. “You know how hard he goes under when the seriousness starts.”
“Sati can fix him,” Rebel stated confidently. “Frey has a soft spot for Sati.”
“So do I,” Shiva sighed dreamily.
“Is the seriousness still that bad?” I asked in surprise. “I thought the coming of the Nymphs, and the Elves taking on a warrior lifestyle ended that problem.”
“Well, we’ve got to do something, so we spend a lot of time making sure all our past hard work on the Elves isn’t wasted,” Asha explained good-naturedly. “It’s our duty to brighten up their sedate lives. But sometimes the seriousness can creep over them again.”
“Once Frey was missing for two days before we found him in the Forest,” Rebel gave an example. “He’d just gone out alone, sat down for a break and started thinking too much. Then he never got back up.”
“So he’d fallen asleep?” I asked.
“No,” Flash shook his head, standing on the water surface as he flapped above it. “He was just thinking. His eyes were open and he was breathing, but that was it.”
“Gods,” I said, amazed that someone could actually die of being too serious.
“We keep an eye on them just in case something like that happens,” Asha explained. “It was worse when the Nymphs first came to the Forest. We often heard of Elves perishing before old age, or being found half starved. Now it’s less common because our dutiful antics help them stay wakeful.”
“For instance, yesterday Flash and I went to see Chloris and Silvanus,” Rebel told me. “We put on an explosive fight for them, right on their kitchen floor.”
“And while Chloris swept around us and Silvanus stepped over us to keep cooking – they were terribly entertained,” Flash added knowingly.
“Irritated, entertained – it doesn’t matter,” Rebel grinned. “Better than a case of the seriousness.”
“Well this morning I helped enliven Vidar’s drills,” Asha told the other Nymphs. “I swiped his spear and had to rush through the City so that it wasn’t too easy for him to catch me.”
“Of all the Elves, Ailill loves it when I visit to help him out,” Flash reflected. “He acts like he really wants to be reading those books of his. And he acts like I’m this big nuisance. But he secretly enjoys me flapping around his healer head, pointing out what’s going to happen in the next paragraph.”
“Speaking of healers and health, how are the One and the Raiden?” Ace growled in his gravelly tones.
“Kiana and Dalin,” I corrected, “are better. Ailill took Dalin’s stitches out and Dalin’s helping Kiana to work toward getting slightly stronger every day. That’s why I’ve been spending my time out here with you lot.”
“Aren’t you invited to their training sessions?” Rebel teased.
I rolled onto my side to face the orange haired Nymph and Asha slid off my stomach with a
squeal.
“Obviously with my sunny nature and fabulous humour I would be an asset,” I told the Nymph. “It’s more that I am wise enough to stay away.”
“Ah, yes, I made myself scarce after their first try, when Kiana made it all the way down to the last room in her tower, but couldn’t make it back up,” Asha cringed as she lounged against me again. “I couldn’t endure the daggers of her sullen, blood-curdling stare over the Raiden’s shoulder while he carried her up as I followed behind.”
“Dalin has always been brave hearted,” I agreed. “He endures her sharp barbs when she’s frustrated. He says the two of them have begun light exercises after they walk up and down the tower.”
“She’s definitely got spirit enough to regain her full strength,” Asha laughed as she rose upward now, doing a flip in the air and diving with a dainty little splash into the water. Flash swam over to where Asha had dived. “Every time I fly past, I hear the One cussing something awful at the Raiden,” he remarked, and he put his arms around Asha as she bobbed back up to the surface. “So she’s got the spirit and the swear words to get her through.”
Shiva, the quietest of the males, floated over the water serenely. “My little Sati is quite spirited too.”
Flash rolled his eyes and swam away with Asha in tow, kicking water at Shiva as he propelled. “Why don’t you just mate with her already? Its been a few hundred years.”
Shiva looked mortified.
“He wants Sati to be his life partner, not just to mate with her. They even want to have Nymphlings,” Asha explained patiently, patting Flash’s silver hair and giving him a kiss on the lips. He grinned, satisfied, and swam languidly away while she dived under like a playful fish.
“It’s good to hear of the One regaining strength,” Ace rumbled back to the previous topic. He was every inch a miniature military General, with his straight posture and tough stance while he meandered up and down the pool bank. “The Lady and Council will surely soon wish to talk to the Raiden, the One and yourself.”
I sat up uncomfortably. “About?”
“Your Quest and the prophecy of –”
Asha gave the General a stern stare so that he stopped and cleared his throat with a grunt.
“We’ve explained that we’re not the three you seek,” I told Ace. “And we truly are sorry for disappointing the two races who rescued us.”
Asha zipped from the water quickly to press her small, wet hand to my cheek. “You, my dear,” she purred, “could never be a disappointment.”
“But what if you were the Three?” Flash pushed. “Hypothetically.”
“The One – Kiana – does have a talent for speaking Aolen … the lost Larnaeradee language,” Rebel contributed helpfully. “What if you were all destined to meet and save the world? If every good or bad thing that ever happened in your lives was fate, pushing you on a path to get to here and now?”
It was too much to consider, and I felt nerves bubble up in my stomach.
“If that was the case, what would that mean for us?” I inquired. “Was this prophecy very prescriptive, to help us know how we are supposed to save everyone?”
“Well, if it’s your destiny, you’ll probably just do the right things without realising,” Shiva speculated, tapping a teeny finger against his chin as he mused.
“And seeing as we are most likely not anything beyond three unlucky, hopeful travellers on a Quest, what will we talk about at the Lady’s Council?” I asked dryly.
“The weather,” Rebel supplied with a chortle, and I felt myself relax again.
“Oh good,” I remarked airily. “I do love a good chat about the climate.”
“Sure you do, and out of everyone, the Lady would give you the most informed answers,” Asha piped up easily, toddling back into the water and splashing droplets at me with a little hand. “But before you use the chance of a lifetime to speak with the oldest Lady in the world about that, why don’t you join me for a paddle?” she smiled coyly, her little pointed teeth giving her a sinister look.
“Madam,” I scoffed haughtily, “I am the master of paddling.”
Flash choked on a snort of laughter as I stood regally, and yanked my light shirt over my head to toss it onto the grass, much to Asha’s delight.
Rebel pretended to make room respectfully while I sauntered to the bank, holding my head high as I did professional looking stretches – before delivering a massive flop into the water.
Asha squealed with delight as her pint-sized body was swept easily away in the waves, and Rebel roared with laughter as Flash and Shiva were also enveloped by mini tsunamis.
I swam over to collect Asha from the swirling bubbles, and her little arms hugged around my neck as her hair sprang upright once more and I gave her a ride back to the others.
In this way the day passed quickly, and we carried on together until late afternoon, when I carried Asha out of the water, lounging in my arms as if I were a hammock.
“Should we go to see the little man now?” Asha questioned from where she nestled. “He’s so cute.”
“Yes, we should visit Agrudek in his tree tower,” I replied, heading in that direction.
“I feel sorry for the little man,” she said with a yawn, one leg dangling down to swing out of my arms while we walked. “He’s so timid.”
“He misses his family,” I told her, knowing that nobody could ever really recover from such a loss.
“He is yet another victim of the Sorcerer and Witch of Krall,” Asha snarled suddenly, her pointed teeth gleaming. Then the creases left her face. “Poor little man,” she crooned mournfully, throwing an arm over her eyes.
I sighed. “Yes, I feel sorry for him too. He doesn’t come out of his tower often, and when he does he’s jumpy and nervous. So we’ll visit him to make it easier.”
“Mmmm,” Asha’s eyes were closing, and I marvelled at how Nymphs, after all of their wild trickery and energy, could simply fall asleep for short bursts at odd times and in random places, as if they needed to recharge. Then they would wake abruptly, springing up from wherever they had floated down to rest.
By the time I’d carried her to Agrudek’s tower, where the door opened to us automatically, Asha was dozing like a cherub.
I missed her chatter for a moment, as the atmosphere in Agrudek’s tree tower was hushed and somber – despite the noise of scores of Nymphs pestering their Elves outside, and despite the glorious sunshine pouring through the windows as I climbed.
“Good afternoon Agrudek!” I called cheerfully as my head poked up through the stairway hole in the kitchen floor and I spotted the little fellow in the midst of making tea.
He quickly shuffled around to face me, trying a shaky smile as he reached for a second teacup with his one hand. It rattled on its saucer while his shaky fingers set it down next to his own cup, already waiting on the table.
I despised tea as much as apples, and would have relished even just plain water. But I didn’t have the heart to refuse.
“H-hello friend,” Agrudek smiled. “Please, please take a seat,” he stammered as he collapsed into a chair at the table and I followed suit.
He pushed a warm detestable cup towards me, and while Asha was now snoring softly in the crook of my arms, I resignedly settled the un-stirring little Nymph so that she leaned comfortably against my chest and I could accept the cup.
“I haven't seen you,” I commented conversationally to Agrudek. “I thought I better check you hadn't been kidnapped by lady Nymphs.”
He hiccupped a nervous laugh. “No, no. The wife wouldn’t like that!” Then his eyes grew distant.
“So how have you been spending your time?” I asked hurriedly.
“… Just … thinking,” he answered sadly.
“You shouldn’t do so much of that,” I cajoled. “Learn from the Elves.”
Agrudek tried to smile. “You-you’re a good man … and Dalin and Kiana, tr-truly good people,” he said honestly. “You all did so much, I … don’t deserve �
��”
“Don’t say it,” I stopped him. “You’ve obviously irked Darziates, so in my opinion you’re as good as a God.”
His eyes lowered and he fidgeted uneasily with his cup. “I - I just worry about my family. I don’t know if they’re alive or … or …” he choked back a sob and quickly took a sip of tea to steady himself. “I would do anything to free them.”
To be polite I took a gulp and set my cup back as the heated liquid was forced down in a torrent.
“You have to believe that Darziates will be brought to justice either way,” I said gently. “That’s what you can try to focus on. Your family would want you to keep going.”
For a moment Agrudek stared miserably down into his cup, pulling at his carrot coloured hair. Then he peered up at me questioningly.
“H-has Kiana looked at the Krall General’s red globe?” he asked.
“No,” I answered gladly, relieved at the change of topic. “I think it’s still out of harm’s way with her other belongings. She hasn’t lifted even a dagger since she woke.”
“And, the Elves and … the Nymphs, they still think you are called the prophesied Three?” he asked then. “They believe Kiana has some kind of … power?”
“They haven't really addressed the issue with Kiana while she recovers,” I told him. “But,” I sighed uneasily. “Their claims are making me slightly nervous.”
“W-why?” he asked curiously.
“Because, our little Quest has received much more attention than it should have. As soon as Dalin and I even set out we were attacked by Darziates’ beasts.”
Agrudek spluttered his mouthful of tea back into his cup. I was too busy letting another gulp coat my throat to really notice.
“That’s how we met Kiana, when she saved us,” I went on. “At first we thought it might have been coincidence that two enemy beasts had somehow found us. But Agrona and those same beasts began to follow our trail, even before that entire Krall troop was sent for us.” Asha wriggled in my arms and rolled over to rest her face against my chest. “I can’t really believe that our Quest isn't somehow important with all of that going on. And when the Nymphs and Elves mention what Kiana could be, I start to fear that we are the prophesied group that the Forest dwellers want.”