Ithia: Book One of the Magian Series

by Jen Valena

  “He visited Earth?”

  “Yes, observing. He asserted there was much to learn. He sensed a link between Earth and the problems developing on Ma’thea.”

  “Master?”

  “Master is a teacher. A Sauvant is a person of knowledge and wisdom.”

  Ithia thought about what he had said for a minute. “I don’t understand where I fit into all of this—”

  “I am certain that you are meant to be here, however, the why needs to be made clear.”

  Ithia was sure he knew something more than what he was saying. She hardened the corners of her mouth. “Take me home.”

  “I cannot do that.”

  “Why not? Take me to one of these cracks and throw me back.”

  “It is not that simple. I was not taught their locations or how to find them. Even if I could, those men would only come for you again. I may not be able to stop them next time.”

  “You don’t know they would come for me again. They will have figured out by now it was a mistake.”

  Tyrsten’s face showed he did not agree.

  “If you can’t get me out of here, take me to someone who can. Or I will figure it out on my own.”

  “There is a Sauvant in a town north of here. He may be able to assist you.”

  “You want me to trust this guy?” she asked, unsure that his answer would relieve her concern. “Or you, for that matter?”

  “I give you my word, if I sense you are in any danger—any at all, I will protect you with my life,” Tyrsten swore, hand over his heart.

  Ithia crinkled her brow with concern. She was taken aback by his manner. He appeared sincere. But risking his life for hers? She couldn’t imagine why he would swear to such a thing. “I hope that won’t be necessary.”

  “As do I,” he agreed. “If you are feeling capable, we should leave as soon as I pack.”

  She asked herself, What else can I to do but trust him for now?

  ✹ ✹ ✹

  Ithia found Samara in her cottage tidying up. “You saved my life, didn’t you?”

  “You are strong of will and body, it was not difficult to allow the space for you to recover.”

  That’s a strange way to put it, Ithia thought, but she was becoming used to not understanding all that was going on anymore. “Okay. Then thank you.”

  Samara stared at Ithia for long moment. “It was my pleasure to aid in your recovery.” Samara hesitated again and asked Ithia to sit.

  Ithia complied.

  Samara began gathering Ithia’s hair back into a braid.

  Not accustomed to the kindness of others, the gentle touch made Ithia recoil. Realizing it was an irrational reaction, she began to relax. After a moment, she settled back into her seat.

  “Listen to your truest guide, your instincts. You have more potential than you imagine.” Samara fastened the braid with a tie. “There are those that will want to harm you for what you are, however there will be others who will aid you.”

  Ithia tensed with the idea people wanted to harm her.

  “Do not succumb to fears. Your questions will be answered soon enough.” Samara smiled and ushered Ithia to stand.

  Samara picked up a simple, brown hooded cloak folded on the table. She pulled the long, heavy material around to rest on Ithia’s shoulders and fastened it at her neck. Ithia noticed a large, wooden button. Delicately carved into it was a giant tree with an animal paw print embossed on the trunk. “What does this symbol mean?”

  “The emblem for Land. It suits you.”

  Ithia admired the craftsmanship by running her finger over the engravings.

  Samara embraced her. “Fates be on your side.”

  Ithia knew she had been dismissed.

  ✹ ✹ ✹

  Ithia wandered outside to Tyrsten, her guide through this confusing situation. His smile put her at ease as if he cast a spell over her. Which, in turn, made her more defensive. He could just as easily end up being one of the bad guys.

  From his position astride an exquisite, milky-colored mare, he offered his arm for her to join him.

  “A white horse?” She snickered, staring up at him. “Don’t tell me you’re a prince, too.”

  Puzzled at what she was saying, Tyrsten asked, “Are you making fun of my horse? Lewana is a fine mare.”

  “No. Never mind. She’s lovely—as horses go.”

  Even if it was at his expense, Tyrsten smiled at her laughter. “You are like no other on my world. Someday, I would like to understand your way of thinking.”

  Ithia bit her lip.

  Tyrsten deduced her lack of experience by her false starts at joining him on top of his horse. “You have never ridden?”

  “How did you guess?” Ithia said flatly.

  Tyrsten began to instruct her on how to mount safely. Ithia’s impatience got the best of her and she attempted to clamber up without listening.

  Her legs flailed in all directions.

  Lewana remained indulgently still through this disturbing display that lacked any coordination on Ithia’s part.

  Tyrsten raised his eyebrows in amusement.

  “I feel like a fool,” she muttered.

  “Focus,” Tyrsten said with a slow calculated exhalation.

  A wave of clarity came from his words. Within seconds, she was properly perched behind Tyrsten. She secured her arms around his waist. Somehow, he had contributed to her gaining composure.

  “Hold fast. Lean into me. It will do you no service to fall.”

  Her grip on his clothing tightened, turning her knuckles white. She pressed her body close. His steed charged forward at a swift pace, and she was immediately glad she held Tyrsten so securely.

  ✹ ✹ ✹

  After many miles, Ithia relaxed. Miraculously, she hadn’t met her death by being catapulted off the horse. She loosened her steel trap grasp.

  Tyrsten noticed her adjustments. “How are you managing?”

  “My arms are numb from holding on too tight,” she shouted over the thundering hoofs.

  Tyrsten slowed and placed the reins in one hand and took hold of her arm with his free hand. His strong, adept fingers crawled down along pressure points to release the strain built up in her muscles.

  Ithia’s first instinct was to pull away. She was not used to being touched or held, even to be comforted, and now within hours two strangers had invaded her space. She frowned at how easy it was for her to be near Tyrsten.

  They rode until the evening. Ithia was relieved when they stopped. “I couldn’t have taken much more today.” She was sure her legs were going to be permanently sore.

  “It was a rough ride, but I want to avoid complications by gaining as much ground as we can. I fear they may foresee our destination.”

  “The men that found me on Earth?”

  “Yes. They could be searching the area.” Tyrsten then changed the subject by asking her to prepare their site while he refilled their canteens at a nearby rivulet.

  Instead of unpacking, Ithia gaped at the color of the sky. She had been too busy trying to stay upright on Lewana’s back to consider the lighting. The daylight cast a soft salmon tone that glittered on the plants. Now the evening sky slowly turned a golden red with an onset of violet. Her mind strained to come to terms with the otherworldliness of this beauty.

  She found the color changes disconcerting. She had once read that the human mind could adapt to even the most stressful conditions. She hoped her mind would do that soon.

  Again, she had the distinct feeling someone’s or something’s attention was on her.

  Ithia surveyed the area around the camp and found nothing but trees and brush glinting in the fading light. Was she becoming delusional?

  Becoming? I’m starting to believe I’m not on Earth.

  She shook off the creepy feeling. As Tyrsten had instructed, she placed their belongings in a small shelter created by an overhanging rock.

  A giant tree grew opposite of the rock outcropping. The other trees looked l
ike saplings in comparison. Its trunk was as wide as a small house and stood over a hundred feet high. The branches had broad, heart-shaped leaves. The tall roots rose up from the ground and merged with the trunk like buttresses, similar to a banyan tree. Its yellowing leaves had begun to fall and many speckled the ground.

  She amused herself by naming it, The-Mother-of-All-Trees. It was much like the tree on her cloak’s button. She wanted to rest against the trunk and roots to rid herself of the jarring impacts of the last several hours.

  Ithia still sensed a presence, but disregarded it as likely being an over-interested squirrel. She wandered over to the massive tree, sat down and leaned into one of the deep nooks. Cradled between two thick roots that came up like arm rests, she was quite comfortable in the living chair cushioned by a layer of fallen leaves.

  The exhaustion of traveling sank in. Her eyelids became heavy. Her mind, so full of questions, emptied of thought.

  Until she heard the sound. Faint at first, it sounded like a lullaby hummed very slowly from far away. She couldn’t ascertain the source as if it came from all directions. The frequency seemed to be below what she should be able to hear with her ears, instead hearing it with her heart.

  It reminded her of a loving tune sung for a child, for her.

  Tyrsten returned to find her humming, eyes closed, cradled within the massive tree roots. Stupefied by her divine contentment, he approached noiselessly to listen to her song. She was at peace, pure serenity. Her unadorned appeal disarmed him. He asked warmly, not seeking to alarm her, “What are you doing?”

  “Humming,” she answered sleepily, “I hear a tune in my head.”

  “You hear the song?”

  “Well, yeah.” Her eyes popped open defensively. “Why? You have a problem with me humming?”

  “No.” Tyrsten asked, “Where does the tune come from?”

  “I dreamt it came from this tree.”

  “Please tell me if you experience things of this nature again. Even if they are only dreams,” he said in a friendly but commanding tone.

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong.” He helped her up onto her feet since she was still a bit drowsy. Tyrsten stayed behind as she shuffled back to the campsite. When she was out of ear shot, he touched the trunk and whispered, “Old friend, please keep watch over us tonight.”

  Ithia discovered her ears, too, were keener. “What?”

  “We should keep watch tonight.”

  “I see,” she said, but her reply should have been I heard. Maybe his tree prayer was a traditional sentiment his people had. She, herself, often personified animals and trees, and was in the habit of naming her house plants.

  This forest didn’t feel like the ones around her home. There were no metaphorical price tags hovering over the trees and land for future development. These trees, she sensed, were loved and admired—valued for what they were, living things, not for how much their destruction was worth.

  There was only one bed roll and wool blanket. Ithia stared at Tyrsten, interested in his solution.

  He read her face. “We should take turns at watch. You may sleep first.”

  “You think they might find me out here?”

  “Unfortunately, I do.” He sighed. “Will you be able to take watch later? I need rest as well.”

  Ithia nodded. She laid out the bedding and scanned Tyrsten for clues about him. The word mission kept coming to mind. “What is your part in this? How did you know about my abduction? Why risk your life for me?”

  “You are full of questions for being so tired,” Tyrsten said with a grin. He discerned that she wouldn’t rest until she had gotten a few answers. “I had a vision of you being taken against your will. I am able to see things, at times,” he said, then quickly added, “I cannot see everything. I do not have all the answers to your questions.”

  Ithia waited patiently for him to reveal more. He gazed out into the looming nightfall. Emotions bubbled under his calm demeanor.

  “I could not let them take you,” he said, with such intensity that Ithia didn’t inquire further on that subject.

  “Why have my eyes changed to look like yours?”

  “I would like my theory to be confirmed by a Sauvant.” Tyrsten handed her something from his pack. “Drink this.”

  Ithia accepted a small glass bottle of clear shimmering liquid with suspicion. “What is it?”

  “It will aid in your recovery.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  “Samara’s blessed water from the Springs.”

  Ithia stared at the bottle wondering why should she trust him. She sensed no deception, but he might be able to mask his intent.

  She sniffed and detected no odor. “Okay, I’ll drink it. But if it kills me, I will haunt you.”

  “I would expect nothing less.”

  The spring water was like electricity. “Not like the water back home.”

  Feeling suddenly relaxed, she studied Tyrsten.

  Now dusk, the stars in his eyes shined. Magnetic.

  “I’ve never seen eyes like yours.”

  Tyrsten sighed and considered his words. “They are uncommon, even on Ma’thea.”

  “Were yours always like that?”

  “Mine were also once brown.” He inspected the gloaming sky as it had shifted to a royal purple. A sternness took his voice, “I need to focus.”

  Ithia’s interrogation would have to wait until the morning.

  Under the rocky overhang, the autumn wind chilled her face. Ithia rolled over to make herself more comfortable. But she slowly turned back to sneak a peek at Tyrsten in a meditation pose. She noticed that his eyes were closed. What a bizarre man. “I thought you were going to be watching.”

  Keeping his lids shut, he replied, “And you were going to be sleeping.” A slight smile eased over his face removing his normally austere expression. “This is how I keep watch. Now please sleep.”

  Intrigued, she speculated about him for a while longer.

  He sensed her unbroken stare. “If you are going to stay up, you can take first watch.”

  Ithia rolled over to suppress her curiosity.

  ✹ ✹ ✹

  Hours passed. When he could no longer maintain focus, Tyrsten crawled over to Ithia’s sleeping body. She had unwittingly shown him part of her soul, yet she was still a mystery. He had to know if she was all that he expected her to be.

  If she woke up while he stared at her, she might find him unnerving, so he nudged Ithia until she opened her eyes.

  “Five more minutes.”

  He commanded in an intense whisper, “Look!”

  “What?” She sat straight up, wide awake. “What’s out there?”

  His voice filled with expectation, “What do you See?”

  It was the dead of night and everything should have been completely dark. Instead the plants and rocks glowed. All of her surroundings radiated distinct subdued colors in varying intensities. The Mother Tree shone the brightest—pure and white.

  Enchanted, Ithia sprinted out to the small clearing. She stood still for a moment and then began to spin, delighted at the magical sight.

  Tyrsten emitted a golden luminescence from his skin. She held up her hands, in comparison, next to his. She illuminated a white, silvery aura. She responded in awe, “Everything is glowing.”

  “I knew you would have the Sight.” A childlike joy found itself in his tone. As he hovered over her shoulder, he asked himself, does she always smell of sweet jasmine? He pointed to the Mother Tree. “You see her then?”

  Her mouth struggled not to fall agape. “Breathtaking.”

  “Yes.” He ignored the tree as his eyes absorbed Ithia’s radiance. “Beautiful.”

  “How is it possible?”

  “Have you ever seen things that were considered beyond normal perception?” Tyrsten took her hand and led her back to the place where he had sat during his watch.

  “I imagined I saw what was going o
n while I was blindfolded, like a picture in my head.”

  “That was not your imagination. And you will see much more, over time you will learn to control it.”

  “Because of my new eyes?”

  “Partly and opening your mind to possibilities. You have had visions of the future. Am I right?” His earnest smile was irrepressible.

  She was a little taken aback by his enthusiasm. He had seemed so controlled up until now. “I have sensed things were going to happen. Gramps didn’t like it when I talked about seeing stuff. It freaked him out. I thought there was something wrong with me. I try to suppress it.”

  “Do not be ashamed of your gift.”

  “Not much of a gift. I usually sense bad things.”

  “That isn’t the only use. Have you ever felt someone come up behind you, but you did not hear or see them?”

  Ithia nodded.

  “Expand that narrow scope beyond a few footfalls, reaching out as far as you can handle.”

  Ithia concentrated her intent to push out in all directions from inside her skin until the pressure broke free of constraints. She envisioned a large bubble of consciousness inflating out from her. She sensed nocturnal animals on the move. She sensed the lay of the land. More than anything, she was aware of Tyrsten’s intense energy paying close attention to her.

  “Very good. Now, you are on watch, wake me if anything seems wrong.”

  Tyrsten’s enthusiasm was conquered by his lack of sleep. He ended his lesson with a grunt of a goodnight and his sleep’s soft breath.

  Ithia investigated her new sphere of acuity until the early morning replaced night’s muted gleam with sparkles of daylight.

  ✹ ✹ ✹

  Ithia’s hunger had come back with a vengeance. She hardly chewed, scarfing down the cheese, fruit and bread. Tyrsten grinned, pleased to see her appetite return. Even if she ate all their rations, they would arrive in Charlan that afternoon and could acquire supplies there.