“Is it always like that?” she asked.
Krishani coughed, a mouthful of blood appearing on the sand. He pushed himself up and perched on the log, his back to the fire. He nodded.
“Without Tiki …” He spluttered, blood rising in the back of his throat. He leaned over to spit it out.
Shimma put Tiki back into the lantern. She buzzed with the energy from the Flame. Krishani thought she wouldn’t need the moon anymore, but he also thought that, knowing her, she would be greedy and she might like the idea of possessing the Flame.
Klavotesi pulled his black horse towards the fire and reeled at the sight of the Flame. “I will not stay with you if you insist upon tampering with her.”
Krishani coughed. “Put her in the knapsack Shimma.”
Shimma nodded and took towards the cabin.
Krishani looked at Klavotesi and shook his head. “She warned me of the danger.”
Klavotesi dismounted the horse. He eyed Krishani. “I don’t understand pain. I feel nothing. It was unnatural to see you that way.” He sat on the log Shimma had once occupied and looked into the fire. “I admired Kaliel’s strength.”
Krishani closed his eyes at the mention of her name and turned to face the fire. Talking about her made a dull ache mushroom across his chest. He contemplated a change of subject and stole a glance in Aulises’s direction. She sunk into the mud, resting her back against the log. Her face was buried in her knees and her shoulders heaved. It was easier to look at her that way, he couldn’t see her eyes. “Why?” Krishani asked, turning his attention to Klavotesi.
“She is the most fascinating of us.” His hands slid out of his cloak and their unusual transparency made Krishani shudder. “Natural magic.”
Krishani closed his eyes. He could pick any moment in history with her and relive it without the striking pain of reality. It was an awkward sensation, being able to think about her safely. “Why didn’t the Daed come for you?”
Klavotesi scoffed. “I’m not afraid of them.”
“What about Crestaos?”
Klavotesi took a deep breath. “I’m not fond of him, or the Valtanyana, or their intentions.”
“You know what they want?”
Klavotesi chortled in a low tone that sounded nothing like laughing. “You know what they want as well.”
Krishani frowned. “The Flames.”
“Aye, they want to merge the Flames.… ”
Krishani waited for him to continue. When Klavotesi didn’t he tried to understand. “Is it dangerous?”
“Tricky and catastrophic. I don’t want to see what the known lands will become under the control of the merged Flames.”
Krishani let that sink into his thoughts. “Why is Kaliel so fascinating?”
Klavotesi’s eyes didn’t move from the fire. “Without her the Flames cannot merge.”
Krishani frowned and focused on the fire. It wasn’t the answer he was expecting or hoping for. He wanted Klavotesi to see her for the beauty, depth and magic that seemed to teem off her body when she was alive with the Flame’s fire.
“Crestaos will not overthrow Tor without Kaliel. Her loyalty is the key to everything.”
Shimma sat on the other side of Krishani and looked into the fire. “Are you feeling better?” she asked.
Krishani nodded. “We need to leave at dawn.”
She rubbed her hands together as the winds picked up and pushed through the valley. “I hope my sisters arrive safely.”
“They are well. Clamose is with them. They will be approaching the shores soon,” Klavotesi said.
Shimma glanced at him. “Who?”
“The Azurite Flame.”
“Oh.” Shimma yawned and hung her head.
Krishani shifted away from her. “You should take the bed in the cabin. I’ll stay here.”
Shimma nodded and stood, stumbling towards the cabin, she fell against the steps’ railing as she ascended them. A moment later she was gone and Klavotesi moved towards the horse. “I need to check the perimeter.” He walked the horse towards the far end of the lake.
Krishani sighed and looked at the stars. The vastness of the lands stretched into a thousand tiny dots. The day had felt the longest since he left Avristar. He closed his eyes, getting lost in memories of Kaliel all over again, the softness of her smile and the shining greenness of her eyes.
Shivers ran up his spine. He would never let Kaliel go. She had entwined herself into his heart and it was her Flame that kept it beating day after day even when he had nothing left. He only fled Avristar because she told him to. If it had been up to him he would have had the axe of destruction fall on him, forcing his return to the Great Hall and leaving the Tavesins without a Ferryman, immortality or not.
He sighed and opened his eyes. Aulises stared at him, her green eyes full of innocence and curiosity. She looked away when he looked at her. He turned his back to her, but there were shuffles behind him, footsteps in the sand, a dress swishing around in the wind. He felt the log shift as she sat. He stole a glance in her direction. She focused on the fire, grief etched into her features. He thought she must have seen roughly sixteen summers, give or take a couple. Her tiny body made it hard to judge.
“I have no home,” she whispered.
Krishani gulped. He remembered the morning he had woken up with Kaliel in Nandaro. She said the same thing. Even with melancholy making the girl look distinctly unlike Kaliel, it was still a biting thought.
“I know the feeling.” He went rigid and watched the salamanders dancing in the flames. He tried to let his thoughts drift away from the girl and her similarities. As the silence ensued, he slipped back into the dark thoughts that kept him occupied every other moment of the day since the attack on Avristar. He loathed the idea of facing off with the Daed a second time. He needed to see the cold terror of the one who had taken her life. He shuddered unexpectedly and felt a hand on his leg. He glanced down, Aulises’s hand on his thigh.
Wild anger rushed into his body. He glanced at her, an apologetic and suggestive young girl with bright green eyes bored into him. It took no time at all to know what the girl wanted. He was disgusted and appalled. He ripped himself off the log and drew his sword.
“Harlot!” His eyes went wide and she turned fearful. Krishani held the sword at her throat, his entire body pulsing with debasement. “Look at me that way again and I won’t think twice about cutting your throat.” His voice was low and uneven. It hurt to get the words out.
Aulises scrambled backwards and fell in the sand. Her eyes flashed with the same murkiness as her family. “You like me,” she said with a sneer, her lips twisting into a devious smile.
Krishani stepped over the log, his lips turned up in disgust. He clenched the sword tighter and pushed it to her throat. “You’re a thief’s daughter. I feel nothing for you. I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Aulises dipped her head back and let out a sob that sounded more like laughter. “End me. I have no family and nowhere to go.” She said it slowly, her bare neck exposed, the sword pointed at it.
Krishani froze, blinked, heat rushing into his extremities.
“Krishani!” Shimma called from the cabin. She ran across the sand, pausing when she was close enough to the girl. “What are you doing?” she asked, her eyes panicked.
Krishani hung his head. Deep down he knew he couldn’t kill her, not when she looked so much like Kaliel. It would be like ending her himself, and he could never do that. He blinked and pulled the sword away from Aulises’s throat. He fumbled with it and eventually shoved it back into the scabbard. Shimma knelt beside Aulises as she sat up.
“He looked like he needed comforting.” Aulises sounded meek again, nothing like the devious girl Krishani faced moments ago. He made a guttural noise with his nostrils and stalked towards the cabin.
“Keep her away from me.”
• • •
Shimma watched him go and helped Aulises to the logs around the fire. She eyed the girl as th
ey sat. Traces of her family’s treachery etched along her face, inherited by blood. She sighed. “He will never be with you.”
Aulises crossed her arms. “He seems so miserable.”
Shimma saw her for exactly what she was—a lost little girl with a sorted past. That came with certain traits, things that would never go away.
Shimma half-smiled. “You’re too young to understand.”
“My father always took what he wanted.”
Shimma nodded. “Krishani was in love. He has been hurt deeply by it.”
Aulises stole a glance at the cabin and looked at the lake. “I heard them talking about Kaliel.”
Shimma hung her head. “Aye, we all feel gravely about her death.”
“She died?”
Shimma nodded and brought a hand to Aulises face. She pulled back the locks of curly hair and tucked them around her ear, showing off the girl’s elven heritage. “It isn’t a crime you resemble her in some ways.”
Aulises ducked away from Shimma and let her hair fall over her face. “He hates me, then.”
“No, Krishani hates himself for not being able to save her.”
“Oh.”
A cold gust of wind rippled across the rocks. Pounding hooves neared them as Klavotesi returned in a huff. He descended the horse and stalked over to Aulises and pulled her up by the arms. He smacked her hard across the face and she caromed onto the sand, yelping. Shimma leapt to her feet and backed away, afraid of what he would do.
“Liar!” He kicked sand in Aulises’s direction.
Aulises growled back as she slithered across the sand, putting distance between them.
“Illusionist!” Klavotesi roared. He towered over her as she stopped by the edge of the lake, her hands up in protest. He bent down and grabbed her by the wrists, peering deep into her green eyes. When he let go she slumped to the sand. Shimma heard him mutter something about the differences between blue suns and yellow suns as he stalked towards the stallion.
He glanced at Shimma. “Keep a watchful eye on her. She is a thief, too.”
Shimma nodded and cast a watchful eye in Aulises direction as the girl got to her feet and hung her head.
“You know I had no choice,” she hissed at Klavotesi.
He turned, and Shimma imagined his glassy stare beyond the folds of his hood. “You could have escaped. King Telper would have helped you. When we return to Amaltheia, I will see to it that you are executed.”
Aulises gasped and fell to her knees. She sobbed and buried her head in her hands. She shook, words rising from her throat. “I never meant … to hurt anyone.”
Klavotesi mounted the horse again. “I will be on lookout.” He pounded into a gallop.
Shimma stared at Aulises. The girl hugged herself, refusing to open her eyes. Shimma clasped her own hands together. “I’ve done bad things, too.”
* * *
31 - 7000 BCE
The heels of the tailored leather shoes clicked along the ground as Tor walked with a precipitant gait across the fields, the tails of his topcoat flapping in the wind. Interrupted from his evening, he traveled from another time and place to arrive at the ancient Tavesin compound. Of all the tricks he could perform, time travel was his favorite. He wore loose-fitting black trousers that fell over the low-cut shape of his shoes, a top hat and tight black gloves. When he reached the gates he tipped his hat to the guards in the tower and swung the cane in his right leather-gloved hand. He cinched his grip on the golden box under his left arm. The gates opened without the aid of the guards, leaving their mouths gaping open. His lips twitched a smile, the hairs of his moustache tickled by the gesture.
He looked straight ahead as he passed the barn, the smithy and the stables. His shoes click-clacked as he ascended the stone stairway and burst into the hall. He strode across the red carpet, placing the box on the wooden throne.
“Elwen Tavesin,” Tor boomed. He didn’t look in the lord’s direction, but felt his presence from the wings of the small castle.
Elwen emerged from the darkness, stumbling on his robes as he approached the strange man. He looked afraid as he regarded Tor’s polyester garments, vest and stylish white shirt underneath the topcoat. Tor had an eye piece dangling from a gold chain squished into his right eye socket, but it was hardly for seeing that he used it. He reached a gloved hand into his left pant pocket and pulled out a small golden pocket watch. He flipped it open and listened to it ticking. He glanced at the strange symbols and snapped it shut.
“You disappoint me, Elwen Tavesin,” he said.
Elwen fell to his knees and brought his head to the carpet. “Forgive me, my lord.” He was clearly in awe of Tor’s stature and composure. Elwen glanced up and it seemed like he was tracing the contours of Tor’s pristinely long face, sharp-pointed ears, perfect placement of facial hair, baby-soft skin. Tor ensured his eyes were the most glorious shade of gold. Elwen gulped as his eyes trailed over the thick sideburns protruding from the top hat.
Tor stepped out of the way and let Elwen lay eyes on the gorgeous puzzle box. Made of pure gold, and embroidered in jewels of all the colors of the rainbow. Elwen’s jaw dropped; Tor smirked.
“First you will tell me of your triumphs.” Tor pulled the glove off his hand finger-by-finger. It, too, was pale white and covered in gloriously jeweled rings.
Elwen rose, having trouble taking his eyes off the box. Saliva trickled out of his mouth as he seemed to fight to find his tongue.
“Drooling is rude,” Tor interjected coolly.
“I—” Elwen stopped. Then, “I have been meaning to ask your counsel, my lord.” He shook with apparent fear as he tried to bring his eyes to Tor’s.
Tor gracefully stepped down from the stairs and neared him. He cocked his head to the side, listening for the sound of something far in the distance. “You have a problem in your lands.”
Elwen gulped and nodded. “Nothing has gone as you planned,” he whispered. Elwen should have known better than to include Tor in his sentence.
Tor turned from him and nimbly skipped away. “I gave you my advice and you followed it. I’m not responsible for unforeseen circumstances.” He shot Elwen a reproachful glare.
“But you said he would be the strongest,” Elwen stammered, as if trying to hold his ground. Tor kept his face firm. “I apologize.” He took a step back, folded his hands behind his back and hung his head.
Tor was crestfallen at the insult. He glanced at the box and the attitude returned. “He is the strongest,” he stated plainly. He sniffed the air. He smiled, pleased. “Ah, Lady Talina,” he whispered, a hint of reminiscence hitting him as she floated into the room. Her seamless beauty wafted through the air like a summer dream and she immediately gravitated towards him. He recalled the last time he had seen her, and from her golden hair, to her hazel eyes to her smooth skin and elongated ears, she had not aged a day.
“Tor,” she breathed, sliding her hands into his.
He dropped a kiss on her cheek, then pulled back and stared into her eyes with amour. “How have you been my dear?” Tor slid an arm around her waist and led her down the stairs. He let go of her for a moment as he lifted the box off the throne and gestured for her to sit. She crossed her legs and looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. “A rightful place for a queen,” he added.
Talina rested her arms on the rough wooden armrests and continued staring at him. “I have seen better times.”
Tor bowed his head. “All of that will soon change, my dear.” He lifted her hand and brought his lips to the back of it; she lovingly smiled at him. He kept the box tucked under his arm and glanced at Elwen, who was still salivating over the enchanted box.
“I have come to present a gift from the land,” Tor said. He held the chest with his palms on both sides of it and faced Elwen.
Elwen bowed his head. “I am honored.”
Tor glanced at Talina with a smirk. “Is he always this pigheaded?”
Talina smiled widely and her eyes flashed. “He i
s an old fool.” She looked at Elwen with evident fondness.
Tor turned back to Elwen, his expression hard. “This is no gift for you, Elwen Tavesin. You, have failed me.”
Elwen took a deep breath and nodded. “I apologize, my lord.”
Tor smoothed his face into amusement as he warded off the disgust for the human he had chosen to turn immortal. “I disagree with the will of the Great Hall regarding this gift.”
“Oh?” Talina said. She coughed lightly and shifted her perch on the throne.
Tor stole a glance in her direction, his eyes filled with woe. “This is not a gift I would give, but it is not my choice.” He thought about what was in the box and the smooth enchanted parchment accompanying it. The Great Hall defied him, giving away his personal property. He wasn’t sure if the prophecy Kemplan had tried to burn would be safe in the hands of Elwen, but the Great Hall had been adamant. He firmly pressed the box between his palms and narrowed his golden eyes. “A promise made by the land will never go unfulfilled.”
“I will abide by your wishes,” Elwen said.
“Be silent,” Tor snapped, instilling fear in the human. Tor twisted his lips into a smile. “I can take back your immortality with a touch, and you will shrivel into a pile of dust at my feet.”
Talina drew a sharp breath. She leaned forward and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Do not be rash.”
Tor patted her hand as she drew away and leaned back in the throne. He let his other hand fall to his hip as the box stayed suspended in the air. “He will not think twice to cross me.”
“Aye,” Talina said.
Tor smiled to himself. He knew how much she admired him. She was lost in the din of his radiant glow and his epic eloquence. It was so easy to manipulate her. And he knew she loved his style: never shabby, preferring the finer things in life, and he spared no expense on drawing them to himself. The very creation of the puzzle box was a testament to that. Tor fixed his eyes on Elwen. “You will present this to he who defeats Crestaos.”
Elwen fell to his knees and buried his head in his hands. “Do not speak that name. It brings me pain.”
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