The Fallen One

by Lexy Wolfe

  She looked away, uncertain. "Father always taught… but you are right. He is not here, and here is not Desantiva. We will need to discover the patterns and truths outside of our homeland, not cling to Desantiva's truths and refusing to change."

  "Right." Seeker moved his hand to caress her cheek. "Warriors adapt to the situations they find themselves in." His smile faded. "You will need to spiritwalk. You cannot allow fear to hobble you."

  She sighed, lowering her eyes. "I know. But it is all so overwhelming! Nothing is like home. The air smells and tastes different. There is so much life energy, it is almost too much to bear. None of it is familiar." She leaned against him. "I miss home. All we have that is familiar is each other."

  Seeker nodded in complete understanding. "I feel the same way. But there must be some things that are not so different." He considered. "The captain has a small brazier. You can meditate on the Raging One's sacred flame. Perhaps when you have centered your heart and mind, you will feel free to spiritwalk." She nodded, letting him lead her to the main deck. "We have not much longer trapped on this ship, thankfully. The Vodani weather wisdoms have been kind to ask the winds to favor us and the captain knows the Vodanya's rhythms well. It should not be long until we are on land again." He looked at Kiya as she removed her veil headdress to make the practice bout easier. "You still trust the outlander spirit to guide us true?"

  "The spirits are not all knowing, Seeker. There is still risk to all of us on this journey." She looked to the door leading below deck and smiled. Bennu stood there, arms crossed and leaning on the wall like a living man might. "The A'tyrna Ulan trusts him. I trust Grandfather, too."

  Chapter 17

  With his heart in his throat, Marcus sat up, suddenly wide awake from a nightmare. As he roused, the moonstone lamp brightened to let him see well. Getting out of bed, he went to the small desk, pulling out his journal. Taking a deep breath, he murmured a spell, lighting the candle so he could write. He muttered what he wrote under his breath.

  "I hate dreams. They make so little sense. So illogical." Dipping his pen in the ink, he tapped the jar lightly before continuing. "Nightmares are less logical. But I have never dreamed like this before in my life." He paused, biting his lower lip. "Foreboding. Dark. It was unreal, but not. I do not know how to explain. Maybe I am worrying more than I need. It was just a dream. I think. I am pretty sure. Nevertheless, I should record my impressions of my nightmare. Perhaps it will make sense later."

  Pausing, he ran his fingers through his hair then picked up his pen again. "I was hiding. Looking into a shadowy place that was as strange as it was familiar to me. Master Nolyn was there. He was talking to someone. Something. It looked like a monster, but I know it should not. It isn't a monster. More, it appeared something had twisted it. It is being tortured by something dark and terrible. Master Nolyn tries to help it but it lashes out at him. It was killing him! I had to help but I can't think. What magic would work on this thing? Then I remembered Master Nolyn telling me that not everything is solved with magic. So I did the only thing I could think of. I picked up the biggest stick I could find and whacked the monster. It had giant bird wings that looked broken. Or at least, something was wrong with them. I nailed it somewhere sensitive because it reacted in pain. Then it swung around to look at me. The look in its eyes… goddess, I will never forget that look.

  "It hit me. But it didn't kill me. For some reason, I don't think it wanted to. The last thing I remember was seeing it reaching for me. Its hands were twisted like a really old person's, but like claws. It said..." Marcus closed his eyes, covering his face with hands. "It said, 'I am sorry.' Like it wanted help." Finishing the last thought in the journal, he put his pen down and sighed. "Well, that did not help as much as I hoped. Maybe something to eat would chase away these stupid, illogical emotions so I can sleep again. I hope that some of Miss Kelafy's cakes are left."

  Tugging on his night robe, Marcus stepped out into the master's hall. He headed to the dining room. He blinked in surprise to see Tobias there, peeking around the door frame. "What are you doing?"

  Tobias jumped and turned, making a frantic hushing gesture. "Don't let her hear us!" he hissed. He looked in again, sighing in exaggerated relief.

  "Don’t let who hear us?" Marcus asked, going to the other side of the doorway. He blinked. "Miss Ana? What is she doing awake?"

  "I do not know," Tobias admitted. "But she always wakes up long before anyone else does. When I first met her, I thought it was because she liked being alone. But I think she can't sleep." Tobias looked in again to watch the young woman, worry in his eyes. "See, she used to be treated... badly. Really bad. Sometimes, she could not get to the temple in time and with Taylin gone, she could not get healed and suffered so much." He sighed. "When Valerian showed up in Surthan, he found me where I was because I was looking for her. I was afraid she was not going to get to us."

  Marcus tilted his head. "And you wanted to help her."

  The healer nodded, lips pressed together. "Taylin never could explain how she could heal too old injuries to me. Just that she did." He sighed. "Apparently, she was already on her way to the temple. But I do not feel too bad, because I found Valerian and Valerian found her and we got out of Surthan." He looked towards the kitchen. "But..."

  Marcus considered, then headed into the kitchen, ignoring Tobias's hiss asking what he thought he was doing. He did not look at Ana when she jumped, startled. He opened one of the cupboards and took out a tray with several small cakes on it, then looked at her and said, "Could you make some tea, Miss Ana? Journeyman Tobias and I couldn't sleep, either. Miss Kelafy's cakes are wonderful to chase away bad dreams."

  "Bad dreams?" Ana asked slowly. "You have... bad dreams, too?"

  "Not usually," Marcus admitted. He looked away, but not before the young woman could see his cheeks had turned bright red. "Tonight, I did."

  "I will make tea," Ana said in her quiet voice. "Miss Kelafy showed me where everything is for tea." She managed a shy smile when he thanked her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

  Tobias stared as Marcus brought out the tray and sat it on the dining room table. "How... how did you know what to say?"

  "A lot of people like to make others hurt. I know very well what it is like to feel alone. And not safe." Marcus sat the tray down. "Sometimes, it helps knowing that you are not alone."

  Tobias chewed on his lower lip. "It sounds a lot like home." He shook his head and said cheerfully, "I will go get plates and forks." He smiled brightly as he passed Ana bringing out the teapot and cups.

  Ana poured the tea and set them out. She hesitated a moment then said, "Thank you, Apprentice Marcus." When he blinked at her quizzically, she said, "Valerian said there were good people in the world. I was not sure I could believe him until I met you."

  Puzzled why she considered him a 'good person', Marcus replied graciously, "Thank you, Miss Ana." Tobias returned shortly with the plates and forks. The apprentice served the cake and the three sat, sharing each other's company. Tobias started talking about home, both Ana and Marcus simply smiling and letting him talk while they ate. All three looked up when Nolyn, then Valerian, appeared at the dining room doors.

  "What are you three doing up at this hour?" Nolyn asked in surprise.

  "Bad dreams," Tobias said as he got up. "I will go get more plates!"

  Ana rose as well. "I will make more tea." She smiled shyly when Tobias gallantly offered to help her, getting the teapot and following her into the kitchen.

  Left alone with Nolyn and Valerian fixing him with intense expressions, the apprentice turned bright red. "Dreams are illogical," Marcus stated. "There is no reason for them. Especially nightmares." His words drew Valerian's even more focused attention, the Vodani studying him with keen intensity. Marcus turned deeper red and fidgeted as Valerian expression turned into a thoughtful frown.

  Nolyn put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You are not in trouble, Marcus."

  Valerian blinked a
nd shook his head as he slid into a seat. "Trouble? Mistress, no. Dreams are nothing to be ashamed of, Apprentice Marcus. However, to Guardians, not all dreams are simply nighttime imaginings of the mind and heart given free reign."

  The mages traded surprised looks. "Dreams are something more for Guardians?" Nolyn asked curiously.

  The Vodani nodded, eyes watching his finger trace the wood grain pattern. "To see through time, Guardians can scry the elements. Water, crystal, fire, air. While all of us have dreams as mundane do, some dreams are... much more than that. They are vivid. Lifelike, even. Sometimes, they are warnings. Sometimes, they seem to be a glimpse into a past not one's own. Not every Guardian agrees, but some whisper that it is a fifth element that is being scryed."

  "A... fifth element?" Nolyn sat beside Marcus, not taking the seat at the head of the table, as would be considered proper Forentan etiquette. "But Guardians are the only ones who can scry, so these 'scrying dreams' are nothing for us 'mundane' to worry about."

  Valerian shook his head, resting his head on his hand, elbow on the table, as he regarded the two mages in bemusement. "You must understand, Master Nolyn. Nothing on our world, living or not, is outside of the divine elements. A Forentan could reach out to the Raging One as much as a Desanti could reach out to the Knowing One. If they believed and desired to, at least. And all of us," he intoned, his other hand resting over his heart, "are manifestations of the three primary elements of creation, even the Knowing One and the Raging One. Order. Chaos. Time. You cannot not touch what is already a part of you. Only some have the capacity to consciously influence them, though. Fewer still have the capacity to bear the Timeless One's blessing."

  Nolyn frowned to himself. "I know Ash can touch time. Dusvet Guardian Almek seemed to believe as much, at least."

  Valerian shook his head. "Touching time and wielding it are two different things, Master Nolyn. I could step on a rock while climbing a steep hillside path, dislodge it, and set it rolling down. Perhaps it comes to rest and nothing happens. Perhaps it bounces, hits something else, which dislodges more rocks, which may dislodge more, and suddenly,"

  "There is an avalanche," Nolyn finished for him.

  "Yes. Anyone could attempt to climb that path. For some, perhaps it is too steep. For others, it is no different than walking a Sevmanan field." Valerian looked up and nodded to Ana as she poured tea for him and Nolyn. Marcus quickly served cakes and sat again, listening with rapt attention. "But the act of climbing, of accidentally or unknowingly loosening the stone that starts an avalanche. Any could do that. But a Guardian of Time... could see glimpses of the implications of picking up that stone and throwing it down the path. Or perhaps stop the cascading effect of the start of an avalanche. Or with effort... reverse the avalanche altogether. If it would maintain the great balance."

  "You could reverse an avalanche?" Tobias asked in shock.

  Valerian shrugged one shoulder. "Yes. The effort could kill me, but if it was what needed to be done, I could."

  Marcus sipped his tea slowly, staring into space. "So, someone who throws a stone on purpose might not know they are starting an avalanche. Or they might know it and do it anyway."

  The Vodani smiled and nodded. "You are very quick and clever, Apprentice Marcus. Your master chose well."

  "I think it is less a matter of my choosing Marcus than our paths crossing the right way at the right moment. With a little help from the Se'edai Magus." Nolyn winked at Marcus who blushed brightly again.

  "However," Valerian stated more seriously as he straightened up in his seat and taking up a fork. "These 'scrying dreams' are a mystery, even to us Guardians. It is difficult to study them since they are so... elusive. No one we know of can purposely dream-scry. Because of this, some Guardians deny the ability even exists, saying they are just very intense dreams that have little impact."

  "You think Marcus was dream-scrying?"

  Valerian was silent, poking at his cake absently. "I do not know." He looked up. "Would you be willing tell me about your dream?"

  Biting his lower lip, Marcus shook his head. "Not... right now. I'm sorry."

  "It is all right," Valerian assured. "Dreams are personal things, regardless if they are normal or these scrying dreams. Whenever you feel comfortable, you can find me anytime." Taking a bite of the cake, he said mildly, "But do eat your cake. Miss Kelafy's absolutely gifted with her baking talents." His blissful expression as he took a another bite drew laughter from the others. "It is absolutely divine."

  Chapter 18

  "Edai Magus Nolyn!"

  Marcus looked back towards the voice calling his master, then at Nolyn as the man stiffened, clenching his fists, closing his eyes and looking upwards. "Dear gods, what did I do in a past life to deserve—"

  "Master Nolyn!" Eptina Dyndrai slowed to a more regal pace as she entered the antechamber of the Magus Academy's great archives. "Master Nolyn, I wondered if I could have a moment of your time." She glanced at Marcus and added, "In private."

  Back stiff, the man turned to the other Edai Magus, wielding his most formal demeanor. "Edai Magus Eptina Dyndrai, I appreciate you feel that your dire need to speak with me take priority over life, death and tithes to the goddess Herself. However, I was in the middle of a lesson with my apprentice. The matter will have to wait until my schedule is open."

  "Beginning of the lesson, Master," Marcus corrected, earning a dark look from the woman.

  "The beginning! Even worse!" Nolyn's words and posture were entirely proper in the strictest sense. However, his tone of voice made it impossible for Marcus not to smile, forcing the boy to look away from Eptina. "I have not even begun to impart today's allotment of my wisdom to him. You should have sent word ahead to get yourself onto my schedule."

  A flash of annoyance marred the woman's aristocratic features. "If you had a proper assistant to attend to your personal schedule, I would follow proper protocol and arrange a meeting with you." She crossed her arms, her voice dry. "Of course, you do have a reputation for avoiding meetings."

  "I am a busy man," he replied without inflection and utterly unrepentant.

  Eptina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I assure you that I will not take too much of your time away from your apprentice, but it is an urgent private matter. My trip to Ithesra was specifically to meet with you; I must leave to return to Quoesia tomorrow." Stepping nearer, she put her hand on his upper arm and murmured, "Time is of the essence, Master Nolyn."

  Marcus could not decide whether to smile in amusement at his master's predicament or express his own exasperation at the interruption. "Master, we have no other matters today. I can wait a short while if you wish to speak with Master Eptina now." The woman frowned, torn between showing the boy gratitude and annoyance because he was lowborn.

  "A moment, Master Eptina," Nolyn requested, putting his hand on Marcus's back and guiding him away. He frowned, his concern apparent in his voice. "Are you sure? This is your time. With the demands on my time as Edai Magus, I do not want you to feel neglected."

  "I don't mind, Master," Marcus assured. He smiled at Nolyn's skeptical expression in reassurance. "Really, I don't. And it would probably get Master Eptina off your back for a little while. At least until she returns to Ithesra for the next congress of the Edai Tredecima."

  Nolyn tsked. "Speaking with such bluntness. We will have to work on your court speak to refine your oblique and indirect references."

  "I never realized we might take a class together," Marcus stated so seriously, Nolyn just stared at him before he realized he was making a joke.

  The man mimed raising his hand to backhand the boy, the latter muffling giggles at the laughter behind the man's eyes. "Unrepentant scamp. I will make this quick." He returned to Eptina and gestured to one of the private alcoves. "Come, Edai Magus."

  Eptina's disappointment flickered in her eyes. "I was hoping for somewhere more... private."

  "Beggars can't be choosers," Nolyn replied curtly, arms crossed. "I have told
you ever since the goddess chose me as Edai Magus, I have no interest in a marital arrangement between us. Edai Magi must maintain objectivity towards each other. Marriage would impair such objectivity. My position raises the standing of the Lirai family. Marriage to you would remove me from it and give the Dyndrai an inordinate amount of influence outside of Estania."

  "You have any care about what happens to the Lirai? I am surprised, Edai Magus of Verusia. For all the time I have known of you, you have never shown any love for your family. I am surprised they matter to you at all." He narrowed his eyes, remaining silent as he turned to leave. "Wait! Please." He paused at the unexpected sincerity of her humility when she spoke. He turned back to study her, surprised at the loss of courtly aloofness. "I… I truly do need your assistance, Master Nolyn. There have been some... troubles in Estania."

  Nolyn blinked once, but did not let his expression change. "Troubles? In Quoesia?"

  She lowered her eyes. Her open expression of shame shocked Nolyn. He was grateful she was not looking to see his expression falter. "No, not the capital of Estania, along the borders. Closer to... to Andar in Gallilae."

  The façade of indifference evaporated. Glancing towards the hall, he took her arm to turn her away, keeping his voice low despite the privacy barrier that kept sound within from leaving and vice versa. "Andar? What are you talking about? Gallilae had been abandoned ever since the incident there. The Andarian barrier should have trapped whatever caused it inside. "

  Eptina whispered, "There have been... weak points developing in the barrier. I had gone to investigate myself and…" She hugged herself. "I stepped outside of my realm into another Edai's realm without permission, but I could not trust Draustus Oberlain. You do not trust Draustus Oberlain. You can understand why I did not wish to air this in the council meetings. Especially not publicly."