Only a Glow

by Nichelle Rae

  “I wouldn’t take her threats lightly, Sheriff,” a familiar voice said from the crowd. Everyone turned to see who was speaking. Thrawyn, in his human form, emerge from the parting crowd. Addredoc was in tow, looking broken and swollen and his jaw wired again, which I knew was only an illusion.

  “What are you talking about?” Kodeyer growled, obviously reining in his temper.

  “She is without a doubt a danger to you, to anyone.” He tapped his busted lower lip, another illusion. “She hit me yesterday when I threatened her.” Astonished whispers broke out through the crowd as Thrawyn continued. “I’d release these men if I were you, sir, for your own safety. The sooner she and her companions can move on, the better.”

  Kodeyer’s face was red. “They’re murders!”

  “Only one of them is!” I yelled in return, desperately trying not to unleash the rage that pounded at my temples. I had a headache. I was trembling with the effort to hold my temper back. “And he only did it to protect me. It was a defensive kill.”

  Surprisingly, Kodeyer smirked. “You expect me to believe that? You hit a sword master in the face and you suddenly need protection from danger?”

  I looked up at Ortheldo and Rabryn for the first time. Both were begging me for forgiveness with their eyes. Rabryn’s were the most apologetic, and Ortheldo had the intense, special look in them, but for the first time I felt nothing in response. I felt empty. I looked at Rabryn again, my little brother, and saw him mouth, “I’m sorry.”

  The corners of my mouth went up in a small smile, and I looked back at Kodeyer. “I was unaware the man was a threat to me, otherwise I would have taken care of it myself. He was plotting a later kill. My brother knew about it and killed the man to prevent harm from coming to me.”

  Kodeyer narrowed his eyes. “The law doesn’t recognize intent; it recognizes deed, and your brother did the deed.”

  “And I already told you, I have no respect for the law save for my own. Now release them.”

  Kodeyer’s face looked ready to explode. “I will not follow the orders of a woman!”

  “You’d better, or you’ll be very sorry.”

  Kodeyer started heaving breaths. Then with a yell he kicked the stools out from under my boys’ feet.

  As if time had slowed to a crawl, I saw my brother’s face and Ortheldo’s as they dropped. I watched as the rope tightened around their throats. I saw them dangle by the nooses. Red faces, bulging eyes. No air, no air.

  I would not lose them!

  I was thrown into the detached state of mind so fast I didn’t even know what happened. All I knew was that I was on my knees, screaming. White fire had erupted around me and white hair now rested on my shoulders.

  I took one glance at the ropes suspending Ortheldo and Rabryn, and they snapped. My hand shot out, sending a bolt of white light to them and catching them both before they hit the ground. I slowly and safely lowered them down. Only then did I become aware that the crowd behind me was screaming and running in every direction, though I kept my white eyes on Kodeyer. He cowered on the ground against the walls of the inn.

  I rose to my feet and approached him slowly. “It’s my job to enforce the law, White Warrior! I’m not evil for doing my job!”

  “I know that. But you did defy a direct order from me, didn’t you?”

  “How could I know it was you? I only recognize you now from stories I’ve read!”

  “Would any other dare to say they believe in no authority, from the smallest leaders to the greatest kings of the east, and mean it?”

  “I…I didn’t know! I thought you were only trying to save the lives of those men! Many people would say anything to save a loved one! Please!” he wailed. “You’re not stupid. I had no logical way of knowing it was you, White Warrior. You are but a myth, a distant legend.”

  The poor man was quaking at me feet. I really didn’t want to linger here any longer. “You may repent your mistake,” my voice said, surprisingly.

  Kodeyer’s eyes lit up with relief. “You…you aren’t going to kill me?”

  What did he take me for? A heartless brute that would kill on a whim? What exactly had he read about the White Warrior?

  “Do you want me to?”

  “No!” he cried. “I mean, whatever you think best, White Warrior.”

  “I want this town cleaned up before I next return.”

  “But when will you return?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then how can I fix my town in time?”

  “I guess you’d better get started now.” His face shadowed with worry. “And this had better be a nice place for me to visit when I come back.”

  He looked down. “As you wish, White Warrior.”

  I nodded, then turned around to such a gruesome sight in the street, that I flinched in my mind, though I doubted my face did. Dead bodies were scattered everywhere upon the ground—some sliced up, savagely, some halfway melted into a gory puddle, heads smashed in, all with some sort of weapon clutched in their dead hands and surrounding the spot where I’d been kneeling.

  Now in their Salynn form, Addredoc, Meddyn and Thrawyn stood in the misty rain with the Tan Stranger. All of them were breathing heavily; blood dripped from their weapons. What is going on? I wanted to scream. Why were all four of these people surrounded by dead bodies, bodies they apparently had mutilated? I was tempted to force back control, but the memory of the pain I endured last time kept me from doing so.

  My head gave a little nod of approval, then I turned and began to walk over to Ortheldo and Rabryn. They were sitting with their backs up against the building next to the inn. I noticed they were completely healed from their earlier struggle. The blood was even gone from their faces. They looked at me with wide eyed expressions as I approached. I smiled and squatted down in front of my brother.

  Rabryn was quickly on his knees, gathering me in his arms. “Azrel! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry for everything! I wasn’t thinking, I swear! I didn’t mean to hurt you! I…I don’t know what else to say. Please forgive me! Please still think of me as your loving brother! I’m so sorry!”

  “Of course, dear brother,” my voice said. “I forgive you.”

  He was smiling with tears in his eyes as I pulled away from him. I touched his shoulders and my white fire magic dripped down his wet, half-naked body and developed into a warm wool blanket for him. He quickly clutched it to himself, his teeth chattering from the cold. “Thank you.”

  I looked over at Ortheldo. He looked so wounded my heart actually broke for him. His eyes were helpless as if he had no idea what to say to me. I waited until he finally softly said, “I didn’t know…” I would hurt you were his unspoken words.

  I smiled—then I leaned toward him, and my lips touched his!

  I couldn’t breathe! I couldn’t think! What was I doing? I didn’t want to kiss him! Well, not now, anyway! It was quick and soft, and when I pulled away Ortheldo was looking at me with huge eyes, probably feeling as stunned as I was.

  Suddenly, I was leaning in again to embracing him tightly. Ortheldo eagerly gathered me in his arms and held me. My face turned in toward his neck, and I worried that I was about to start kissing him there. Instead, I began whispering to him. I couldn’t even hear what my own voice was saying. I strained to hear, but only airy tones came to my ears as I spoke.

  How annoying! Now I was really tempted to pull control back, shocked and angry that my magic had kissed him. But before I could demand control and risk the headache, I stopped whispering and pulled away from him. He looked deep into my eyes for a moment and then nodded. What was going on? I felt ready to scream!

  I smiled and pulled Ortheldo to his feet. Rabryn was already standing and clutching the blanket to him as he stared in wonder at the Salynns; the Tan Stranger was gone.

  “Azrel, are those Salynns?” Rabryn asked.

  “Yes, they are.”

  He blinked, then his eyes got wider. “Is that Addredoc and Thrawyn?”

 
I nodded when he looked at me. “Everything will be explained soon.” Rabryn went back to gawking in disbelief.

  Ortheldo stepped up to my side also looking stunned. “Red Sallybreath Flowers?”

  I looked at him and grinned. “Oh, you haven’t even heard the best part yet.”

  Ortheldo’s brow twitched. “Looking forward to it,” he said as he looked back at the Red Flowered Salynns.

  All three of the Salynn’s came up to me and dropped to one knee before me. “On your feet, my loyal followers,” I said. They all stood. “Well, it’s nice to see you all in this world at last.”

  In this world? What did that mean?

  “You, as well, White Warrior,” Addredoc responded.

  “Where did the Deralilya go?” I asked.

  Deralilya? What in the Shadow Gods’ Lair was that?

  Ortheldo suddenly snatched my arm. “The Deralilya is out?” he asked in a breath with his eyes wide.

  I felt like the world was spinning out of control and I was drowning in confusion and wonder. I could hardly catch my breath. What was happening? Damn to the depths all the forces, including Addredoc’s, that brought me here! I hadn’t wanted to come to Narcatertus! And since arriving here only yesterday, my world has completely fallen apart.

  “Yes, but she isn’t officially named yet. I haven’t given her a weapon, which is why I was asking where she was.”

  Oh, my Gods! I was going mad, that’s all there was to it. I was losing my mind. I had to get out of here. I had to get out of here!

  Meddyn gave a small curtsy. “Acalith wanted me to relate to you her apology. She had to leave right away, lest she be caught and discovered by her people.”

  “Acalith? Deralilya? Who? What?” Rabryn asked, looking from me to the Salynns and back.

  I smiled at him, then looked at Ortheldo. “Would you mind getting some clothes on him and explaining what you’ve learned? When you return, just remember what I told you, and savor that kiss.” Sadness flashed in his eyes, and he nodded. He and my brother headed into the inn. I turned back to the Salynns and gazed at the scattered dead bodies. My lips pursed and I nodded approvingly. “I see your talents precede you, Thrawyn and Meddyn. Very nicely done. Addredoc, you will serve me well, I have no doubt.”

  “Thank you, White Warrior.” His forehead wrinkled with concern. “What do we do now?”

  Yet again, I leaned forward and began to whisper words I couldn’t hear, this time in Addredoc’s ear. This was just beyond frustrating and maddening! Something was going on, something was very wrong, and I needed to know what it was. Addredoc occasionally nodded or shook his head, and at last I pulled away.

  “Of course, my Lady.” He looked back at his parents. “Did you hear?” They both nodded and mounted their horses.

  Argh! Why could they hear from a distance but I couldn’t hear my own voice speaking? Was my magic blocking my hearing? That thought made my stomach turn. What if it was? Was my magic plotting something evil, something I’d never know about unless I found a way to listen in? No, that was absurd. Rabryn and Ortheldo wouldn’t let me plan something evil. They’d stop me. But then what was the big secret?

  I nodded my head at them, then looked at Addredoc again. “I’ll be waiting outside. I won’t give up control until I see you.”

  “Yes, my Lady,” he said, then headed toward the inn. Meddyn and Thrawyn, meanwhile, turned their horses around and headed home.

  I walked toward the inn. I sat on the wooden sidewalk with my back against the outer wall. I gazed about at the empty street, wondering how long this mess was going to take because I really wanted to get out of here. I hated when things were out of my control, and right now I was loathing the entire world. Nothing made sense!

  Looking about, I suddenly realized the streets were completely empty! Everyone had locked or barricaded themselves behind some door. I never thought I’d see a day when Narcatertus was even remotely calm, but the street was completely deserted now! However, I felt thousands of eyes on me, peering from windows or cracked open doors from every direction.

  I sighed and pulled my white cloak around me tightly. “Well, Azrel,” my voice said, stunning me, “now the secret is out. It only has to reach Hathum and you’re done for, because you’re not even close to being ready for him.”

  Please, I thought to myself. Hathum probably already knows the secret of who I am; he’s just bidding his time, knowing I’m no threat to him. Whatever. This is what the Light Gods get for not looking out for me—a nice, big, fat defeat! Serves Them right, if you ask me.

  Forfirith suddenly leaped up the two steps of the sidewalk and laid himself at my side on the sheltered deck of the inn. He rested his chin right on my lap like a puppy as I stroked his mane.

  “Hey, how about taking a breather from those packs,” my voice said.

  “I wouldn’t mind a bit.”

  Did…did my horse just talk? I really was losing my mind!

  I smiled at him and held my hand over him. It began to glow white. I heard belts unbuckle and leather pull across leather as everything came undone. The entire bundle floated in the air a few feet away, and with a loud clank and a heavy thud, everything dropped to the wooden deck. I used my hands to remove his harness and reins and threw them aside with the other heap.

  Forfirith replaced his head on my lap and I continued stroking him. “Better?”

  “Much. Thank you.”

  “Hungry?”

  “Famished.”

  I smiled again and held my palm up. A small white fire erupted from my hand for a moment, and in its wake appeared a small white cake. “For some strength replenishment.”

  “Ooo, thank you. I’ll be needing that.”

  I smiled and placed the cake under his mouth as he lifted his head and swallowed it in one bite. He rested his head on my lap again as I rested my head against the wall and stroked his neck.

  “We’re in big trouble, aren’t we?” Forfirith asked suddenly.

  “That we are, my dear. That we are indeed.”

  I gazed out the window while Addredoc sat on the couch behind me. He had just finished explaining himself, as well as the instructions his family had to follow to find Azrel. “Why was it necessary Azrel be brought to you? And what, or who, is Deralilya?” I stared down the alleyway in which “Deralilya,” or ‘Acalith,’ or whatever her name was, killed that hunter.

  “The man she killed was named Glessar,” Addredoc said, “and her name is Acalith. The Deralilya is the name of the position she holds. She’s the White Warrior’s Deralilya.”

  Acalith. What a pretty name.

  “And what position does she hold, Addredoc?” I looked over my shoulder at him.

  “She’s the leader of the team that protects the White Warrior. Bodyguards, if you will; very unique bodyguards. My parents and I are a part of this team, which is why it was necessary that Azrel be brought to us. The responsibility of protecting the White Warrior passes from generation to generation, even in a human life span. Some humans protected the first White Warrior 3,000 years ago, and at least one member from their families is still bound to protect Azrel.” He paused and held his chin high. “My parents swore to protect Azrel’s father, so I am bound to protect Azrel. We had to find her so we could start doing the jobs we’d sworn to do.”

  I turned to face him, my brows drawn in confusion. “But Acalith found her over a week ago, in Oaksher Village. She saved Azrel’s life. Why did we still have to fulfill that prophecy you received to prove to you who she was?”

  “Right now, until the Deralilya is officially named, Acalith can only sense great evil disturbances in the world and can teleport herself to them in the blink of an eye. The White Warrior being killed would be considered a great evil. Acalith could feel that Azrel was about to be murdered. She could have chosen not to go at all, and Azrel would have been dead. Luckily, Acalith is wise. She was there when that girl stabbed Azrel and was able to save her. But the ability to feel great evil isn’t a certain
ty. Acalith was positive Azrel was the White Warrior, but the proof is in the prophecy that was fulfilled.”

  I turned to look out the window again. “Tell me more about the Deralilya,” I said, not sure if I wanted to know for Azrel’s sake or my own.

  “Well, she’s only outranked by the White Warrior herself in the Chain of Command of Light. She has a complex personality, much like the White Warrior. They must be ruthless when it comes to protecting the White Warrior and cannot fear death by any means. A high tolerance of pain is certainly good, but not really required. The Deralilya’s main characteristics are courage, fearlessness and loyalty.”

  What he was saying sounded like a job advertisement.

  “If for some reason an enemy doesn’t fear the White Warrior, they will fear the Deralilya, mainly because the Deralilya isn’t as bound to the rules of Goodness as the White Warrior is. They can be hateful and deadly, as long as they protect the White Warrior well.”

  I shook my head. What a mindful I was getting.

  “Acalith isn’t officially named yet, thus she has to cover herself completely in bland garments. She is also forced to use wood as a weapon until the naming: then she will receive her rightful weapon from Azrel. Acalith is lacking only because of Azrel’s...unique situation.”

  “Whoa, hold on!” I cried and turned to face him. “Azrel chose this Deralilya? When did she do that, and why didn’t she tell us?”

  Ortheldo cleared his throat. “I don’t believe Azrel knows that she chose her Deralilya.” I looked at him. “Our theory that Azrel and the White Warrior are two separate people is true. The White Warrior just told me outside.”

  I slowly sunk down into the bed. We were right. I ran my fingers through my hair and looked at the floor. It was one thing to theorize, but to actually have the notion confirmed that my sister…wasn’t quite my sister, was heartbreaking. Something was really wrong with her mind.

  I shook my head, then looked at Ortheldo again. “Beldorn,” I said, finishing our thought from yesterday before that hunter attacked Azrel. “Beldorn said your subconscious can abandon you while you sleep.”