by B. A. Scott
“That’s actually comforting,” said Gabrel. “Alright then, let’s do it.”
“Very well,” Kade said. “Off with your armor, both of you. And your shirts.”
“Excuse me?” both Gabrel and Kaven asked.
“I need to see your markings.”
Gabrel and Kaven began removing every article of armor and clothing above their waists. While they disrobed, Kade found a dry patch of earth beneath an overhanging of stone—what appeared to formerly be a portion of the ancient statue’s arm. A few moments later, Ayden left a conversation with Asos and Domini, and approached Kade.
“Why are my ambassadors taking their clothes off?” she asked the Sage.
“They wish to be mind-marked,” said Kade. “It’s necessary for the ritual.”
“Is it?” Ayden asked.
“Is this good enough?” Kaven asked as he and Gabrel walked over to Kade, slightly shivering.
“Ayden,” Gabrel addressed the Queen in a very formal tone.
“Gabrel,” Ayden said forcefully, finally acknowledging his presence, then returned to Asos and Domini.
“I’m not sure what’s colder,” said Kaven. “The air or the conversation.”
Kade walked behind the brothers, and observed the crest that each of them bore—the sickle-shaped letter ‘C’ in the center of their upper backs.
“What are you doing?” Kaven asked, curiously looking over his shoulder.
“I must have the clearest image of your markings in my mind,” said Kade.
“Why?” asked Kaven.
“As you have the gift of magic, both you and Gabrel could forge your connection on your own. But it will be much, much easier with my help.”
“And how’s that?” asked Gabrel.
“Your minds will be less divided. To forge a mind-marked connection, you must be bonded in four ways. Through identical markings, through blood, through magic, and through your minds.” Kade grazed her fingertips over their skin as she soaked in every detail the tattoos could offer. When she was finally able to hold a strong, clear image of them in her mind, she turned the brothers around to face her. “We should kneel for this,” she said, and all descended to their knees.
Kade presented a knife from her belt, and filled it with the Celestial Blaze.
“What’s that for?” Gabrel asked.
“I’m cleansing the metal,” said Kade.
“No, I meant, what’s the knife for?”
Kade released her magic, and handed the blade to Gabrel. “Slice open your palm,” she instructed.
Gabrel closed his left hand over the blade, and swiped it across his palm. The pain was sudden and intense, though he gritted his teeth to conceal his reaction from the others.
“Ow,” he said dully.
“Now Kaven, your left palm as well,” Kade spoke, and Gabrel handed the knife to his brother. Kaven wrapped his hand around the blade, then sliced a gash across his palm.
“Done,” he grunted and handed the blade to Kade, who cleaned it, and sheathed it upon her belt.
“I can heal your wounds with Revival when we’re finished,” Kade told the brothers. “Until then, try not to concentrate on the pain. I know it’s difficult, but you must clear your minds of it completely for this to work. Now, grasp each other’s hand. Make sure the hold will not break.” The brothers did as they were told, interlocking their hands such that their bleeding wounds pressed firmly against one another. Both Gabrel and Kaven winced at the tenderness of their injuries.
“You are now bonded through blood,” said Kade. “Next, you must surrender your minds to each other. Grant one another permission to know every thought you have, every memory you can recall, every secret you’ve buried deep down. Complete and total surrender of all you hold inside.”
“Everything?” Gabrel asked.
“If any trace of you is reluctant, Gabrel, you will fail,” Kade warned him. “Complete and total surrender. Nothing less. It will require great concentration. That’s why I will help you.”
“And what exactly are you gonna do?” Gabrel asked.
“I will hold the thought of your marking in my mind, and bond you through magic—the spark that ignites the connection.”
“Couldn’t we do all of that on our own?” Kaven asked.
“Whilst offering every corner of your minds to each other?” Kade asked. “You could try. But maintaining such focus on so many different things— just trust me. It will be easier with my help.”
“If you say so,” Kaven yielded to her advisement.
“Let’s begin,” said Kade. She filled herself with magic, and placed her hands on the brothers’ shoulders. “Clear you minds,” she told them. “Think of nothing but each other.”
Gabrel and Kaven did as they were told. Blood dripped from their grasped hands down to the cool earth below.
“Now,” said Kade, as she envisioned the Caladen crest clearly in her mind’s eye, “surrender your minds to each other. Let down your guard.”
The brothers closed their eyes, and concentrated on doing as the Sage instructed. But Kaven could only yield halfheartedly to Gabrel. Deep down, he feared what his brother might do—or say—if they were truly bonded through thought. There were many things he didn’t want Gabrel to know.
Gabrel, on the other hand, battled with his inherent stubbornness like he never had before. To permit Kaven with such a license to his mind went against Gabrel’s better judgment. He knew he had to allow it, but couldn’t bring himself to make the final step—the final sacrifice of all his mind.
As the brothers strove to form their connection, a breeze picked up around them. It seemed to emanate from their interlocked hands. Then, streams and particles of light slowly faded into existence, and swirled swiftly around Kade, Gabrel and Kaven. The closer the brothers grew to allowing each other permission into their minds, the faster and brighter the light flowed over their skin.
“You must submit!” Kade demanded as the wind about them increased. “Complete and total surrender! Complete and total surrender! Do it NOW!!!”
Gabrel, distracted by the lightshow around him and the throbbing of his wounded hand, tried to regain his focus. I will not fail at this, he yelled in his mind. I’ll not be the reason it doesn’t work! But still, his stubbornness prevailed. Then, a sudden revelation occurred to him. Of everyone I know, Gabrel thought to himself, Kaven’s the one person I would allow to know my mind. He’s the one person I’d ever trust. And with that, Gabrel surrendered his mind to Kaven, and the marking on his back glowed bright white.
Rays of light burst from inside the brothers’ interlocked hands, and the racing streams and particles of light swirled around Gabrel, Kaven and Kade all the faster, until they appeared as a great snake winding its way about them in a complex, ever-flowing knot.
I just have to trust him, Kaven thought to himself. Come on, Kaven. Just let go.
In that moment, Kaven submitted, and his own crest glowed brightly. As the connection between he and Gabrel forged, beams of light shot out from the brothers’ tattoos into the dark night. The winds about them grew so strong that Gabrel and Kaven thought it would rip them from each other’s grasps. But then, a final explosion of wind and light erupted between them. With its demise, Gabrel’s and Kaven’s tattoos lost their glow, and all the rays, streams and burstings of light around them faded away.
As silence fell upon the camp, the brothers noticed that Asos, Domini, and the Erygian warriors had been observing them all the while. Surprised and curious faces stared at them, waiting for something to happen next.
“Did it work?” Ayden’s voice came from behind the Sage.
“I can’t tell,” Gabrel’s voice sounded in Kaven’s mind.
“Good glory!” Kaven gasped. “I heard you, Gabrel! I heard you!” Then, Kaven thought, “Can you hear me?”
“Yes,” Gabrel answered aloud. Not only did he hear Kaven’s thoughts, but he could feel his brother’s emotions as well. “It’s bizarre as hell!�
� he continued. “You’re in my head, but I also feel what you’re feeling in your heart.”
“Then your bond is strong,” said Kade.
“You know, Kaven,” Gabrel said, “for a moment there, I didn’t think we were gonna do it.”
Kaven tried to suppress his thoughts—the reasons for his hesitation. But it was pointless. The moment they entered his mind, Gabrel already knew them.
“What was that?” Gabrel asked, though Kaven hadn’t spoken a word. “You didn’t think you could trust me? I’ve never given you any reason not to trust me before.”
“What about stealing the Amulet of Oblivion?” Kaven’s voice sounded in his head. “Have you forgotten about that?”
Gabrel paused. “That’s—you know why I did that, Kaven,” he said. Then, a thought skimmed across the surface of Kaven’s mind. “You blame me for Father’s death?” Gabrel asked, shocked.
“That’s not what I was thinking,” Kaven spoke quickly in his defense.
“That’s exactly what you were thinking! Just now! Don’t try to deny it!”
“How did Daro get the Amulet, Gabrel?”
“Stop this bickering, both of you.”
“Looks like it worked a little too well,” Ayden commented.
“It is not uncommon for people to instantly regret mind-marking,” said Kade, taking Kaven’s bloody hand in her own. She summoned Revival, and healed his wound, leaving a slightly raised scar.
“I can see why,” Kaven spoke.
“It has been known to turn the best of friends into the worst of enemies,” Kade continued, reaching for Gabrel’s wounded hand. She closed her eyes, and healed his injury. “The first few days—and weeks, even—can be very interesting. To truly know the mind of another is a scary thing. How they really think. How they really feel. But as the trust between you grows, it will become easier.”
“I don’t think I like this,” said Gabrel.
“Some find it easier to get the surprises out of the way,” Kade told him.
“What do you mean?” Gabrel asked.
“She means put everything out on the table,” said Kaven. “All our secrets. All our true feelings. Right here, right now.”
“The sooner they’re shared, the better for your own sanities,” said Kade.
“And the sooner I’ll regret it, I’m sure,” said Gabrel.
“He will instantly know you better than anyone ever has,” Kade told him. “He may even know you better than you know yourself.”
“No one knows me better than I know myself,” Gabrel spoke.
“I knew you were gonna say that,” Kaven said.
“Alright, Kaven,” said Gabrel. “Let’s do it then. Out with it all.”
The brothers found a secluded pocket on the outskirts of the camp, outside the cave, and proceeded to reveal all of their secrets to each other.
Inside the cave, the rest of the group rested, though Kade and Ayden watched the brothers curiously from afar. For them, it was like observing a staring contest, punctuated by random outbursts of, “Are you kidding me!?” “I knew it!” and “WHAT!?”
“This will not be an easy night for them,” said Kade. “And they’re already exhausted after traveling all day—and everything they did in Estimus last night.”
“All that effort, and it didn’t sway the Enchanters in the least,” said Ayden. “It was pointless.”
“They saved several lives last night, Ayden. It will not go unremembered.”
After roughly half an hour of intense confession, Gabrel and Kaven’s minds could hold no more.
“That’s all I can take, Gabrel,” Kaven said.
“Aye,” Gabrel agreed. “I don’t want to know any more about you.”
They joined the others in the cave, and laid down to sleep. But sleep didn’t come. Each other’s thoughts still passed through their minds.
This is really unsettling, Gabrel thought to Kaven. How do we make it stop?
Kade told us once that she only used her connection with Athiux when she needed to, Kaven thought back. No offense, but I’m gonna block out your thoughts for a while.
With that decision, all of Gabrel’s mutterings drowned away. Gabrel silenced Kaven as well, and when both of them finally had the peace of quiet minds, they sighed an audible breath of the utmost relief.
Sleep took Gabrel quickly, though Kaven still pondered everything that happened that day. Having forced his body to remain awake for so long, he found difficulty falling asleep, despite finally giving it permission.
Nearly an hour passed with his eyes closed, but his mind racing. He heard tramples around him—the others shuffling about. Warriors coming and going from the cave, others changing watch. The crackle of firewood. Snores echoing against the rock. The wind outside.
After what seemed like an eternity of sleeplessness, he got up, stepped over Gabrel, grabbed a burning limb from the fire and walked deeper into the cave. With every step, he felt warmer. The air misted with the scent of spring water. Tunnels twisted and delved deeper into the earth until finally opening to a small cavern.
The aqua-colored spring was illuminated by its depths, casting wavy reflections on the cavern walls. No longer needing his torch, Kaven set it aside, appreciating the quiet stillness the spring afforded. Only the soothing sounds of trickling water and hushed steam entered his ears.
A frigid breeze found him, having made its way through the tunnels, and at once, Kaven sought the spring’s comforts. He disrobed, and eased himself in, resting his back against the rock. All troubles left his mind in the reverse order from which they were created. Mind-marking with Gabrel was the first to depart. Estimus, then Avenalora. The journey to Allestron and back. Then, Kiara entered his mind. But she would not leave.
I miss you, Kaven told her. You always eased my mind.
He opened his eyes, and took in the cavern’s beauty. Then, he submerged himself completely. When he opened his eyes underwater, he saw a large opening—the spring continued into another chamber. Curious to explore it, he rose, took a deep breath, then swam through the opening.
He emerged in a slightly larger cavern, whose walls were glittering like a star field. But even more astonishing was the person he’d intruded upon.
Kade stood naked, just less than waist-deep with her back to him, a single beam of moonlight catching her deeply tanned skin from a corner of the cavern. She poured water over her shoulder, then ran her fingers through her hair.
Kaven froze. All the sounds of trickling water had thus far masked his subtle splashes, but he feared to move, else he’d be discovered.
I’ve got to get out of here as fast as possible, he thought. But just as he did, the awareness came to Kade that she was not alone.
Chapter 12: Passage
Kade turned inquisitively, and Kaven caught two full eyefuls of her beauty.
“It’s me—it’s Kaven!” he blurted, averting his eyes.
“Kaven! What the hell!?” Kade yelled, startled, immediately sinking to her neck in the spring.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t know you were in here!” Kaven said. “I couldn’t sleep—and—the spring—I got in—and swam in here—and—I didn’t know you were—”
“Shhhh, quiet down, will you?” Kade said.
“I’m sorry,” Kaven said again. “I’m leaving.”
“Wait, Kaven,” said Kade. But Kaven was already swimming back through the opening, leaving Kade in silence.
He stepped out of the spring and quickly donned his clothes, unable to keep the image of Kade out of his mind. It was only then that he noticed her armor tucked behind a rock. Kaven shook his head, cursed, and returned to the camp.
When he laid down, Gabrel stirred.
“You ok?” Gabrel asked.
“Fine,” said Kaven.
“Where were you? Why is your hair wet? Did you go somewhere?”
“No,” said Kaven. But he knew his answer would not sate his brother’s curiosity. The next thing he knew, all his thoughts pour
ed into Gabrel’s mind. Gabrel’s eyes shot wide open.
“Holy shit, Kaven,” he said. “You did what!?”
* * * * *
“Kallenshar is close, mainlanders,” Xado informed Dareic and Vega, who stood near Phynn at the wheel. The ship sailed southward, just off the rocky coast, whose terrain appeared dark and treacherous. “We shant be at sea much longer.”
“Excellent,” said Vega. “I’m eager to get ashore.”
“So we can get this mission over and done with?” asked Dareic.
“Partially. I’m a creature of the skies, Dareic. Robbed of my birthright.” Vega pointed back to his wing nubs. “The sea unsettles me.”
“I’ve never seen an Aerolus without his wings,” said the Captain. “It must be strange for you.”
“It is unbearable,” Vega said. “And humiliating. I feel unwhole.”
“How’d you lose ‘em?” Xado asked.
“Lord Daro cut them from me.”
Xado’s eyes widened. “Did he really?” asked the Marinean. “Well, you may be mainlanders, but you’re a curious lot, aren’t you? A Human, a Skaelar and an Aerolus. Not my typical fare. And that Vexen creature over there,” he nodded aft. “Whatever the hell kind of vermin she is.”
“Well put,” said Dareic. “She’s Daro’s daughter.”
“Come again!?” exclaimed Xado. “His daughter? What cursed cargo have you brought aboard my ship, boy?”
“It seems we finally agree on something, Captain,” Dareic said calmly. “I’ve a strong distaste for her, myself. The Skaelar Sage, on the other hand, believes she’ll help my cause—hence her presence here.”
“I don’t care what that old fool of a Skaelar thinks,” Xado expressed his feelings bluntly. “You’ve painted a target on my hull! I took her for a demon defector, but if I’d have known who she is when I first met you, I’d have never let her come on board. Buggar me! Should any Tri-heart ever find out about this, I’m gonna have a world of explaining to do.”
“What’s a Tri-heart?” Dareic whispered to Vega as Xado continued to rant.