by Lexy Wolfe
"Nolyn wasn't kidding when he was talking about her, was he?" Tobias asked in a small voice as servants liberated the tattered garments from poor Nolyn's body. The master mage left with only his trousers and boots. Kelafy inspected him for injury while awaiting Kelli's return with replacement garments. "She worries more about his welfare than propriety."
"I did not know you talked to the Dusvet Guardian about her," Ana whispered, glancing up at him, hugging his arm.
"I had not to any great detail. But I did scry some, trying as it was, about Almek's time here. She was one of the things I saw with absolute clarity." Valerian chuckled at the banter between master and headwoman. "I can see why the Dusvet admired her and the other servants here. They are as dedicated as Sanctuary's servants, but nowhere near as, ah, invisible." Smiling, he tilted his head to the side. "She is very brazen. I like her."
Kelafy looked up from the arm she held. "Given the state of your clothes, I expected to see some wicked scarring at the very least."
Nolyn accepted the linen tunic the blushing girl handed to him, shrugging into it. He said in bland tones, "Had you given me the chance, my dear Kelafy, I would have been able to give proper introductions." He waved to the all but forgotten trio before taking the vest and slipping it on, not bothering to fasten it. "Unsvet Guardian Valerian, Journeyman Healer Tobias, and the Unsvet's personal servant Miss Ana. They will be remaining with us until their duties here in Forenta are completed."
Completely unrepentant of her focus on Nolyn, Kelafy did have the grace to blush again as she turned to Valerian and offered a bow of welcome. "Unsvet Guardian Valerian, Journeyman Healer Tobias, Miss Ana, welcome. Thank you for your assistance to Edai Magus Nolyn. He does give me grey hair, what with his going out and trying to cover for the... no, not 'the' since there are two Illaini now… trying to cover for Illaini Magus Ash while he is away."
"But I didn't—" Ana began to say, stopping when Valerian raised a hand to hush her.
Tobias blinked, tilting his head to one side with a confused expression. "But you already have grey— Oof!" he broke off when Valerian casually jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow while clearing his throat. "Er, I mean, you are most welcome, Headwoman Kelafy."
A small smile curled the corners of Kelafy's lips. She turned to Valerian. "Your rooms will be ready in short order. Please do let me or one of my people know what else you may require." Looking to Nolyn, she asked, "Would you like tea and cakes brought to the library or the study?"
"After you have me molested and the clothes stolen off my back, you do not think I might prefer, I don't know... whiskey?" Nolyn affected put upon suffering, eliciting giggles from the staff peeking around the corners of the various entrances into the common room.
Archly, Kelafy stated, "You never drink after you have argued with the Se'edai Magus, Master Nolyn." She turned back towards the dining room and shooed the servants hovering around the entrance. "Kelli, make sure you get the best of the apple cakes and take them to the study. The rest of you, back to work! We have dinner to make." With a considerably more restrained and gentle manner, the headwoman went to Ana, drawing her away. "Come, child. I will help you get acclimated to the house so you can attend to your duties for the Unsvet properly." She glanced back at Nolyn and nodded once, her expression revealing her awareness of Ana's delicate personality.
Tobias watch the archway where Ana disappeared to with worry, glancing at Valerian with a question in his eyes. The Vodani shrugged. "That woman," Nolyn complained with affectionate exasperation, leading the pair down the master's hall. "Don't worry about Ana. She is in excellent hands." He ran his hand through his hair with a smile. "Kelafy knows her apple cakes are one of my favorite, especially when, as she will put it, I am in a particularly foul mood."
"A quarrel with your Se'edai Magus?" Valerian chuckled, earning a look of annoyance regarding the topic. "So, that was Voice Zoe's impetus to offer to lead a trio of newcomers on a tour of the academy. And how did your Miss Kelafy know you were in need of cheering?"
"Not a clue. The best servants in Forenta have a magic all their own that I have learned never ever to try to understand or figure out." Nolyn opened the door to the study, the smell of hot tea and fresh cakes wafting in the air. Kelli just finished pouring three cups of tea as they entered. She curtsied and left, closing the door behind her. "And Kelafy is one of the very best. I wish I could claim her as mine, but she is officially Illaini Magus Ash's headwoman. All of this is Ash's, really. I'm just taking care of it while he's gone."
"Well, I think she has staked her claim on you as much as Illaini Magus Avarian." Valerian sat in one of the chairs, slouching back after taking one of the plates and a fork. He half closed his eyes in pleasure after his first bite. "Oh, yes, indeed. I do not think I remember having an apple cake quite so good as this in all my years."
Tobias blinked, wide-eyed in surprise. "Really? Aren't you old?"
The Vodani man arched an eyebrow at Tobias, smiling with infinite patience. "Compared to most other mortals, quite old, yes. I'm a little over one hundred fifty years." He took another bite, uttering a blissful sigh. "I don’t suppose I could steal her away?"
"You can try," Nolyn replied. He sighed, looking down at his plate for a moment. "Unsvet Guardian Valerian, forgive me for my behavior earlier. I have no words to express my gratitude that you and Journeyman Tobias arrived when you had."
"Please, you need not use my title so often." The Vodani man finished the last of his apple cake, shifting so he could lean forward to trade the plate for a cup of tea. "Especially not in private. We all know I am an Unsvet Guardian. Just call me Valerian, please."
Nolyn managed a wan smile. "Given how hung up on propriety many are in Forenta, you will have all those who cling to propriety beside themselves inside of a week, won't you?"
"Only if I pace myself." Valerian gave the other man a rougish wink. "Usually it is a matter of minutes if that is my explicit goal. However." He waved one hand in an aimless gesture. "I interrupted you. Forgive me. It has been a decades old reflexive action of mine when I can tell there is a 'however' chasing the tail of a statement." He studied Nolyn for a long moment. "I have somehow upset you."
Silent for a time, Nolyn said, "It is nothing you have done, Valerian. It is more a personal failing." His eyes closed after a moment as he sighed. "Ash used to scold me when we were younger. He would always berate me for not using magic more. 'You could be so much stronger if you tried,' he would say. 'You could be so much more than what you are.' And now, Forenta suffers for my lack in his absense."
Tilting his head with a thoughtful expression as he studied Nolyn, Valerian caught Tobias's eye and waved him towards the wine cabinet to pour drinks. The young healer looked confused until Valerian mimed drinking before he made an 'oh' with his mouth and jumped up. "But then you would not be who you are now," the Vodani pointed out.
"What I am is not enough to protect Forenta! Not without Ash here," Nolyn snapped, glaring at the Vodani man.
"Not what you are. Who you are," Valerian corrected, his voice remaining even. "You do yourself a disservice comparing yourself to your Illaini Magus. Ash Avarian is a multi-talented man. Those that the Dusvet brought back to Fortress... or rather, those who brought the Dusvet back to Fortress... are the first any Guardian has known who can touch more than one energy. Not everyone is as they are."
"But I could be stronger if—"
"Well, of course. You could have used magic as much as most people breathe to expand your strength." He paused as Tobias brought over the wine, offering to Nolyn first. "However, it is difficult to affect temporal shifters without being able to touch time magic."
Nolyn arched an eyebrow. "'Difficult.' Not 'impossible.' You are implying that someone who is not a Guardian could affect a darkling?" Valerian nodded with a small smile.
Tobias sat down, picking up his cup of tea. "You were doing really good, Master Nolyn! I mean, without being able do things like Valerian can do."
Nolyn looked surprised. "I always thought that it was because Ash was so strong in time magic that he could do what he did before."
Valerian laughed good-naturedly. "Of course, strength helps. But the best strategy for those who are not Guardians is to trap the temporal shifter until a Guardian can arrive to send them on their way. I would be happy to teach you." The Vodani smiled as Nolyn sat forward with rapt attention, his dour mood evaporated with eagerness to learn.
Chapter 9
The acrid smoke of the Southern Razors' distant volcanoes shadowed the stone spires of the Citadel. The intense sun burning in the cloudless Desanti sky revealed the hint of red within the black stone of the mountain. More mundane browns and tans imbued the surrounding rock and sand. Hanging from various stone structures and canvas tents, colorful streamers fluttered in the hot wind that swirled around the settlement. Motes of green from several oases broke up the never-ending emptiness of the desert.
As the sun continued its ascent towards its peak in the sky, no one gathered water from the oases. No one hunted the wild drizzen that grazed the stiff bitter grasses sprouting from the rocks and crevices that shielded them from the merciless sun. The training grounds of the Swordanzen were empty of Named Swordanzen, warriors hoping to become Swordanzen, and the Tyluri who trained them. Above, a single golden desert eagle circled, landing unnoticed on one of the six obelisks around the border of the arena. It cocked its head, watching what the rest of the humans watched.
The Su'alin of the na'Citali tribe, a tall, broad-shouldered man, stood before the settlement gathering. He wore golden tan robes covering him from head to toe, the hems embroidered with intricate symbols. He faced his tribe, the Swordanzen, Tyluri, and others gathered behind them in the arena. Just as all the spiritwalkers, male or female, kept their faces hidden behind ninon veils, the Alanis Su'alin gazed at those in the half-circle before him through his own intricately woven face-covering.
"Protectors of Desantiva," the man's baritone boomed. "An A'tyrna Ulan has spoken to Su'alin Kiya, one of the strongest of Citali's blessed spiritwalkers." He paused, letting the ripple of surprise run through the gathered, eyes falling to the slight, robed figure kneeling towards the front, her veiled face turned down. "She has brought a message to us from the Totani. The Githalin Swordanzen must return to Desantiva for the land to be healed! This task must be done by a Su'alin." Again, the gathered forced him to pause as the murmurs grew to animated speaking, echoing off the surrounding cliff faces. "Who among the na'Citali will make the journey to the outlands to find Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar and Githalin Swordanzen Skyfire il'Kailee and return them here?"
Utter silence met the question for a heartbeat until Kiya stood, her youthful voice ringing clear. "I will go, Alanis Su'alin."
"No," the leader of the na'Citali stated, his voice implacable. He looked to the other robed and veiled members of the tribe.
"I will go!" Kiya stated louder, her defiance ringing off the pillars.
The man's unmistakable fury shook through his shoulders and clenched fists. "I said no! You are a mere sixteen summers. That is too young to leave Desantiva! This task demands an older, more experienced Su'alin."
Kiya lifted her veil, revealing her tawny, golden brown eyes. The moment she lifted her veil, all observers quickly averted their eyes, even the other Su'alin save for the Alanis. "Who can perform this task has nothing to do with age or experience. None of our people have experience outside of our land."
The man crossed his arms. "I have made my decision, Kiya na'Citali. Sit. Down."
"No!" The atypical defiance stirred a murmur among those watching, a smug, proud smile on one of the Swordanzen's faces. "You cannot deny me the right to go, Alanis Su'alin. You have said so yourself. I am one of the strongest spiritwalkers of the na'Citali tribe. Of all Desanti!"
"You brought us the A'tyrna Ulan's message, and we have honored you for that. However..." Lifting the fabric that hid his face as well, the man glowered, his eyes glinting true gold in color. "I am the eldest among us! I decide who goes to seek the Githalin Swordanzen!"
The larger man's foreboding presence did little to deter the slight woman. "You asked for a volunteer to leave Desantiva. I volunteered while all others remained silent with hesitation and uncertainty. You cannot change your mind about who will go simply because it displeases you that it was me!" She took a step forward, her fist going over her heart. "I earned my name. The spirits have given me their blessings. The sacred flames have shown I will succeed when others merely might. You have no right to deny me. Desantiva's needs come before all else! It is not only Citali's way, it is the Heart of Desantiva's law!"
"You belong here, Kiya! We cannot lose more of our strongest blood to the Outlanders. I will not permit it!" the man bellowed back, his dark skin flush with emotion.
"And you cannot prevent me from going!" Kiya fired back. "It is my right! With or without escort, I will leave Desantiva to seek out the Githalin. The spirits will guide and protect me!" She drew the glittering Naming Blade from her waist sheath and hissed, "I am no longer your child daughter, Alanis Su'alin. I am Su'alin also! Answer my challenge or let the Citadel's elders decide and step aside from this decision if your heart is too full to see the spirits' wisdom! Citali, the patron Totani of the Su'alin, wills it so."
The man growled, stalking towards the woman as if to strike her for her impudence. He did not hesitate when she drew her knife, ready to fight him, but when the wind gusted. Powder-like white sand around her feet swirled and took the ghostly shape of a giant cobra, rearing back and hissing. Hot breezes gusted around the cobra, giving it wings before it faded away. The Alanis Su'alin grimaced, and then turned away with clenched fists.
Kiya relaxed from her combative posture, the anger smoothing away from her expression, sad compassion remaining. Sliding her Naming Blade back in its sheath, she walked over to the man, putting a delicate hand on his arm, ignoring the eyes of the entire settlement watching them. "Alanis... Father. You know why I need to do this. My brother is—"
"I know," he growled. Taking a deep breath, he reached up to lower the gauzy fabric over his face, then looked at her, tenderly caressing her cheek. "It is hard to let you go. I see so much of your mother in you." He closed his eyes tight but he could not stop the single tear from falling. Gently, he lowered her veil again. "I had promised her I would keep you safe. Our precious desert flower."
Smiling sadly, Kiya caught his hand, pressing it against her cheek through the veil. "I have not been a child for several summers, Father. Perhaps it was my own fear of the living world that poisoned my child and made him too weak to survive. My fear that drew the rival clan to my season mate's territory. My fear that lost you your eldest son and your mate." She lowered her tawny gold eyes. "Their fates have stolen the fear from my heart. It is time I face the world with the same bravery and love for Desantiva as the Githalin Swordanzen."
"Then only the strongest warriors should be your escort in the Outlands." He waved a hand towards the gathered Swordanzen, Tyluri and their students. "The Alanis Tyluri had promised me four warriors would serve Desantiva through the Su'alin who would go, Tyluri or Swordanzen. Choose who would please you."
"Four? But that is too many!" Kiya frowned delicately. "I do not wish to leave Desantiva deprived of so many of His strongest, Father. The Swordanzen's numbers have just exceeded what they lost during the Vi'disa extinction and the Dusvet Guardian's departure when he took our Githalin Swordanzen from us."
"And their numbers will continue to swell with the songs of Storm and Skyfire to fire their souls, give purpose to their hearts, and strength to their sword arms." The Alan
is Su'alin turned Kiya to face him, smiling wanly. "I cannot cage your body any more than I can cage your spirit, Kiya. But you are still my daughter, and by the Heart, I will protect you as I am able." He wrapped his arms around her in a fierce embrace. "But not even a Githalin Swordanzen's strength could compare to the strength of my love for you."
Kiya returned the embrace with no less ferocity. "I know, Father." They looked up as the eagle perched on the obelisk screamed, taking flight. As it passed over them, a single feather drifted down into Kiya's extended hands. She cradled the gleaming gold feather reverently, eyes half closed, before offering it to her chieftain. "Thandar the Golden promises the Totani will protect the people. I will choose my warriors without regret." Kiya's father nodded once, smiling with no small amount of relief to her agreement.
Chapter 10
All eyes looked up as one of the runners slid into the doorway trying to stop. Tugging his robes back in place, he approached the older woman with a slip of paper. The woman unfolded it, narrowing her eyes as she held it where she could read it. The room filled with apprentices ranging from thirteen to fifteen wearing basic student robes held their collective breaths. "Apprentice Zevrin Jesselir!" the older woman announced tersely. "Report to Master Erlin. You will be running for him today."
A collective sigh of disappointment ran through the group as the tall boy pushed himself to his feet, dragging his heels. "Yes, Apprentice Master," Zevrin called dutifully. He grumbled under his breath to his companions, "A grandson of an Edai shouldn't be running for a junior master." He looked at the tallest of the boys. "Hope you get a decent appointment, Aughas. The senior masters have turned down my application to apprentice to them for the whole month! I think I'm going to be stuck on the technical path to mastery."