by M. L. Greye
“Are you returning to your quarters, captain?” A young soldier asked from below him.
“No,” Archrin turned, “you can relay that on to the general. I know that’s why you asked.”
“Yes, sir.”
The soldier began for the house, and Archrin reined his horse for the countryside. He needed a break from his duties…and Tiara.
* * * * * *
She had only been out of the city for ten minutes, but already the temptation to return was rising. Foehn was droning on about some Ball the Kendrens were giving the people of Graymark. The Ball wasn’t for another two days, but Foehn spoke as if it was that night. And of course he couldn’t possibly go with anyone other than her. For she was by far the most beautiful woman in Graymark, no, Drivian, no, the Other Worlds. He should have stopped while he was ahead. Only from Foehn could a compliment become an insult.
“It’s a wonderful day, is it not?”
Tiara nodded as her response. She’d learned that when dealing Foehn it was best to say as little as possible.
“I hope it lasts.”
“Lasts?” Tiara frowned.
“Yes, for the Ball,” Foehn replied. “I would hate to be rained on.”
“Oh.”
“It rains a lot here.”
Well, at least it’s not always snowing. She liked the rain anyway. It kept her world green, much better than brown, or white.
“No wonder everyone is so pale here,” Foehn said, more to himself than to her. “It’s always so cloudy.”
“Yes, but how odd that Tlaidians get so tan when their world is so often covered in snow.”
Foehn smiled handsomely. “That’s just our natural skin tone. All of us have an olive tint to our complexions.”
“How fortunate.”
“Well, yes, in our world we are. Other ones, though, think the lighter your skin the better.”
Tiara blinked. “Which ones?” To have an olive complexion was something to be coveted. She had never heard of anyone wishing to be pale.
“Ryndyn was one, and so was Larthnyt.” He shrugged. “It’s just the current fashion of their worlds. In a generation they’ll all wish they were darker.”
“Good point,” Tiara admitted, surprised at his show of thought. Maybe he does have a brain, she mused.
As Foehn returned to the Ball, an idea struck Tiara. It could free her from Foehn for a few hours. Tiara grinned as she tightened her grip on her reins. “I’ll race you to the other side of Ildatch,” she interrupted him mid-sentence. She winced inwardly at her own rudeness, realizing she hadn’t been paying close enough attention to his pauses for breath. “We’re almost to the first trees now.” She smiled her apology.
“The Woods of Ildatch aren’t a small place,” he pointed out, as if she hadn’t lived beside them all her life.
“I’ve been through them hundreds of times,” she replied, maintaining her smile. “When I was a little girl, I would always ride through them by myself. I know them as well as I know Graymark.”
“You sure you won’t get lost?”
“Positive.” Tiara glanced at the trees ahead of them and turned back to him, pretending to grow excited. “Meet you on the other side!” And then she was off, galloping for Ildatch.
Tiara felt her hair fall loose from the leather strap she had bound around her locks. The wind whipped at her deep blue gown and gray cape as Foehn caught up to her, letting their horses race nose to nose. He turned his head and grinned. Tiara couldn’t help herself. For the first time in over a week, Tiara sincerely smiled back. She even laughed. To her own surprise, she was actually having fun.
When they reached the Woods, Tiara flashed Foehn one last smile before urging her horse to the left, slowly putting distance between them. Soon Foehn wasn’t visible beneath the cover of the trees and brush. Tiara laughed again and slowed her horse to a trot. She allowed herself some time to catch her breath as she gazed up at the treetops. The branches swayed in the warm breeze. She pushed back the strands of her hair that had fallen into her face and decided to go swimming. The sudden desire came from her renewed sense of freedom. Foehn wouldn’t realize she was missing for another hour. So, why not spend some time in the water?
There was a small river that ran through Ildatch. It wasn’t rapid, nor was it deep – maybe six feet in the middle, making it perfect for swimming. Growing up, Tiara had spent much of her summers in the river, doing exactly that. With the amount of time she had spent underwater, she was probably a better swimmer than half of Drivian, including the stationed Kendrens. Tiara smirked at the thought of Foehn struggling to keep afloat in the river’s shallow waters. If only it were true, though. She knew he had to be a good swimmer to become an officer among the Kendrens. Swimming was a part of their training, something they were tested on. Tiara sighed. Too bad he couldn’t drown… Alright, so maybe that was going too far. She shouldn’t fantasize about his death. It would come eventually, and most likely without her help. Tiara sighed again and eased her horse toward the river, remembering her original plan.
Her favorite spot for swimming was beside a small waterfall. It was the most hidden portion of the river, its little beach concealed by trees and undergrowth. Hardly anyone was able to find her there, which meant that Foehn most assuredly would not. He didn’t know the woods well enough to think of where to look. Tiara smiled, excited to spend a few hours away from any Kendrens.
* * * * * *
Sweat trickled down the sides of Archrin’s face. The summer day was stifling, and his ride had only added to its heat. He decided a dip in Ildatch’s river would cool him as well as relax his still tense muscles. His ride over Drivian’s countryside had done the opposite of its intended purpose. Since leaving Graymark, his stress level had only increased.
“Archrin!”
He turned to find Foehn riding towards him. “Foehn?”
“I’ve lost her.”
Archrin frowned. “Lost who?”
“Tiara,” Foehn panted. “She and I raced hours ago. I haven’t seen her since.”
“You raced?”
He nodded. “We went for a ride together, and she wanted to race to the other side of Ildatch, but we separated, and now I can’t find her.”
Archrin kept his face blank, holding back a sudden burst of laughter. Tiara must have grown tired of Foehn and decided to lose him, or herself, in Ildatch. “Have you checked the city?”
“The city? I lost her in here.”
“Remember, she was raised here. It’s unlikely that she got lost. After you were separated, she probably turned back home to wait for you there.” Archrin knew he was leading Foehn in the wrong direction. Tiara was guaranteed still in the woods. Archrin guessed she was asleep somewhere.
“You may be right. I’ll go back and see.” Foehn reined his horse toward the city. “Keep an eye out for her, though, while you’re in here.”
Archrin nodded. “I will.” As Foehn rode off, Archrin shook his head and muttered, “You’re welcome, Tiara.”
* * * * * *
Tiara opened her eyes to the sound of splashing. It was twilight. She’d fallen asleep on the river’s bank after her swim. She sighed and pushed herself up on one elbow. Someone was in the river swimming. How long had she been asleep? Foehn was undoubtedly still wondering where she was. Hopefully it wasn’t him in the water.
It wasn’t really surprising to find someone swimming beside her private waterfall. Drivians were often in water. Swimming was a popular activity. Most swam to relax, one of the reasons why Drivians usually went alone. In Drivian, swimming wasn’t a social affair. At a young age, Tiara had been taught to never disturb another swimmer. If one should arrive, she was to pretend he wasn’t there, unless she knew him. If he was an acquaintance, she could offer a brief greeting before ignoring him again.
Tiara stood, watching the man in the river. She couldn’t see his face, but the body didn’t match Foehn’s. She smiled, happy to still be free of him. The man in the water must
be a local. Who else could find her secret spot? Tiara turned and headed for where she had tied her horse, well, the horse Foehn had gotten for her. She didn’t own a horse. In Graymark, you rented horses. Very few people actually owned them. Tiara yawned and stretched her arms behind her head. She needed to get dressed and return to Graymark before it grew dark. As was the custom for Drivian women, Tiara swam in her sleeveless, knee-length shift. She had placed her dress on her horse. Tiara reached the tree she had tied her horse to and blinked. It was gone. She whirled back and forth, searching through the brush, but it was no use. Her horse had wandered off, dress in tow. Perfect, Tiara muttered to herself.
“What are you looking for?”
She jumped at the sound of his voice. The man wasn’t a local. Somehow Archrin had found her. She could recognize his deep voice anywhere, which bothered her almost as much as he finding her did. She turned slowly. “Captain? What are you doing here?”
“I came for a swim,” he replied, giving her the obvious answer. “What are you looking for?”
“My horse.” Tiara suddenly felt awkward beneath his gaze. Archrin was standing in the river, the water reaching his waist. He was barebacked, as was normal for Drivian men while swimming, but his build was far from normal. He had broad shoulders, a firm stomach, and strong arms that could only come from turns of hard labor as a soldier.
“What happened to him?”
Tiara blinked, still distracted by Archrin’s form. “What? Oh my horse,” she glanced over her shoulder, “I tied him to that tree before I went swimming. Now he’s gone.”
“That’s fine. I’ll just take you back to Graymark.” Archrin began toward her.
“Actually,” Tiara bit her lower lip, “there is a problem. My dress was on my horse.”
He stopped. “What?”
She ran her tongue along the back of her teeth. “You heard me.”
Archrin laughed, causing Tiara to gape. She’d never heard him so much as chortle. “This isn’t funny.”
“Yes it is.” He stepped out of the water and moved to his tethered horse. “You can ride through Graymark half naked or wait here until Foehn finds you with his search party.”
“You ran into Foehn.” It wasn’t a question. How else would he know that Foehn was looking for her?
He pulled a white tunic off his horse and wiped his face on it. “I told him you went back to Graymark.”
“How long ago?”
“About an hour,”
“Great,” Tiara groaned.
Archrin smiled and grabbed his dark green uniform. “Here,” he threw it to her, “you can wear this.”
Tiara caught it and held it up in front of her. It would go to her knees, covering her shift. But it was a Kendren uniform. On the front, embroidered in gold, was the picture of a lion on its hind legs, a sword through its heart. It was the Kendren symbol.
“What’s wrong?” Archrin asked, pulling his brown pants over the breeches he’d been swimming in.
“Do you actually think I’m going to put this on?” Tiara stared at him. “I refuse to wear the uniform of a Kendren.”
Archrin shrugged and slid his tunic over his head. “Alright, don’t wear it. I’m sure Graymark will enjoy seeing you atop my horse in your underdress.”
She glared at him. “Then I’ll stay here.”
“For the rest of your life?”
He was taunting her and she hated him for it. The sun was almost gone and her stomach was empty. She’d rather die than wear a Kendren uniform, but death seemed to be her only other option.
Something deep inside of Tiara suddenly snapped. All her unshed tears, burning red hot, and continuous irritation flared up inside of her. She was tired of being forced to live the way the Kendrens thought she should. She hated the Kendrens. Her mother had taught her never to hate. Hate would become her weakness. But at that moment, Tiara didn’t care. She wanted to see Archrin hurt in the same way she’d been hurting. She wanted his life to be torn to shreds as she watched. She craved the chance to see him crumble beneath the stress of torture. She wanted him dead.
Hot tears burned her cheeks as they fell. Her throat throbbed and her body began to tremble. She released the green uniform and watched it hit the ground. She was done being the Kendrens’ prisoner. She would escape that night – leave behind her beloved world forever. Drivian didn’t matter anymore. Nothing mattered anymore. Why had she stayed so long beneath the careful eyes of her new sovereigns? A week and a half had been far too long. She should have snuck out on that first night after the Kendrens had attacked. No one would have noticed. What was the disappearance of one woman? She meant nothing to them anyway; she was no Equilan.
“Tiara,” Archrin’s voice reached her as if it had been carried across an ocean, distant and dreamlike, “Tiara, calm down.” The concern in his voice disgusted her. He reached out and grabbed her wrist. His touch burned her skin. How dare he touch her? She pulled back, but his grip tightened. “Tiara, you’ll be alright.”
NO! Tiara’s mind screamed. Things were not going to be alright. And how would he know anyway? Tiara suddenly wished she was back in time, back when she was a little girl. Back when there were no Kendrens and she could do as she pleased without needing their approval. Back when she would swim in the river without any worries of what the next day would bring.
Wind began to swirl around her, causing her hair to fly into her face. She reached up and shoved it away angrily. The wind grew stronger. Tiara began to feel lightheaded. She felt Archrin’s arms wrap around her, pulling her close, as if in protection from the growing storm. But she knew there was no need for it – this wasn’t a real storm. Her heart began to throb against her chest, and she grew nauseous. It was coming now, only a few more moments. Tiara hated that Archrin was with her, but it was too late to do anything about it. The wind spun the scene of the river and forest around them, picking up speed with each rotation. Archrin held her tight, and then it was all over.
Both Tiara and Archrin collapsed to the ground, their lungs gasping in for air. Archrin sat up first. Tiara watched his head turn from one side to the other. “What the…” his voice trailed off.
Tiara pushed herself up. They were in the same place as before, but it was different, and yet familiar. The way the trees and undergrowth were arranged wasn’t the same, but it was the difference that was familiar. Her eyes moved to the river. There was a little girl swimming in it.
“Ohreen doveem naunt,” Tiara breathed the Eveon term her mother had used for a sight of wonderment or beauty.
She stood, staring at the girl. Tiara guessed she was about ten or eleven. The little girl had short brown hair – as was the style worn by all young Drivian girls – smooth, fair skin, slender figure, and dark green eyes. Tiara knew the girl; she’d seen her many, many times.
“Who is she?” Archrin moved beside her, placing an arm around her waist.
“That’s me.” She glanced up at him. “That’s me when I was a little girl.”
His head snapped downward, his eyes meeting hers. “How is that you?”
Tiara pulled a face. She had no desire whatsoever to tell this Kendren her most closely kept secret. But she should have thought about that before she’d allowed her emotions to get the best of her. Time always pulled at her when she lost control.
“How is that you?” He repeated slowly.
Her mouth opened and then closed. She couldn’t get the words to form. She had never told anyone, not even her mother. It had always been her secret, the one thing she didn’t share with anyone. How could she possibly let it go now to a man she most certainly did not trust? No, that wasn’t true. She did trust him. He’d known this whole time about her absolute distaste for him and his people, yet he hadn’t told a soul. For some reason, he had permitted her to continue with her charade.
“Tiara,” his voice was pleading now, “please tell me.”
His eyes were smoldering. Without thinking, she blurted, “I can travel to the past.”
“Like an Equilan?” He blinked.
“No.” She shook her head, regretting instantly that she told him. “When Equilan go to a different time, they can be seen and heard. When I go, I’m invisible.” She grimaced. “And I can only visit my own past, not anyone else’s.” She’d often wondered why that was the case. But then, why was she able to travel through time at all? She was no Equilan.
Archrin watched her while she ran her tongue along the back of her teeth, waiting as patiently as she could for his reaction. Part of her was expecting him to break out into laughter, finding her insane. But that was a very small part. She knew he believed her, and that terrified her. He was a Kendren after all. Maybe now he would show it in his dealings with her.
“How is that possible?” He finally asked. “Your eyes aren’t Eveon.”
True. She didn’t have the dark, royal blue eyes that were so characteristic of the Eves. And that was because she wasn’t one. Tiara frowned. “My mother was Avlin Delqueda.”
“The Equilan?” Archrin’s eyebrows rose.
She glared at him. “Your Drainers killed her.”
Archrin lowered himself onto the river’s bank, shaking his head. “Yet they didn’t affect you. Why?”
Tiara gaped at him. “What?” He glanced up and her temper flared. “Are you disappointed in your little toys?” Her upper lip curled in disgust as she decided to switch to Saerdian. She was sick of using Arthelian – it was far too exhausting. “Shall I try harder next time to die like my mother? Will that make you feel better?”