Fallon followed Nara, curious as to what his longtime friend was thinking. Even more curious about why the blood crystals of her and the new comer, Castien, reacted the way they had. When they touched, the air around them all had become charged, increasing Fallon’s heartbeat, causing chills to run through him. He would try to remember to ask Nara about it later.
His thoughts turned to the meeting they were called to. Elder Apprentice Cairne Eidon was a kind elf who tended to the gardens that took up a vast amount of land enclosed at the center of the temple. He was older than they were, albeit only by a couple of years, and they had known him before he took his apprenticeship. It was usually the younger elves, after training and passing initiation, who handled all of those who had yet to take their final rites.
The Elders probably wanted to know the path they would take, and Fallon and Nara were typically seen with one another. Though the day of his birth just passed, his coming of age having gone without a marking as they knew it would, he had decided to stay a bit longer. He knew what Nara’s decision was; they all knew she wanted to leave Vheria. She was born with a desire for great freedom.
Swallowing through a dry mouth, he briefly smiled at Nara when she looked back at him. He pushed his long hair back past the curved tip of his ear, taking a quick step to be beside her. They had come to the gardens without him realizing. The flowers were in bloom around them, the many colors standing just in front of the herbs, vegetables, and trees that bore plenty of fruits. Though winter would come, this was a garden constantly held in protection from the elements by magic. The many earth mages that tended to it held up an unfaltering barrier that sheltered the garden from the surrounding seasons. The mages made certain harvesting would be available at any time of the year.
Fallon glanced up through the garden. In early summer he could see that, at the moment, there was no soft haze of protection from the outside world. He often enjoyed coming to the gardens to pray, read, or see if he was needed anywhere, despite his lack of magic. In winter he would come out, letting the snow hit him while the air remained as warm as it was at that moment.
“I wonder if they’ve gardens like this on Ghela,” Nara said, touching a flower with many multicolored petals. As she smelled it, her fingers wrapped neatly around its thorns. Seeing the flower next to her delicate sun-touched skin caused the name of it to run from his mind.
Mirth was bright on his face; Fallon shook his head and replied, “I’m not sure. More than likely. It’s said they have far more people to sustain than we do.”
“Maybe,” she said. “There’s Elder Cairne.” She pointed off in the distance, drawing his attention from her. Standing beneath an apple tree was Elder Apprentice Cairne. He wore a typical earth mage’s outfit, sporting the colors of the earth on pants, boots, and a tunic rather than on robes. Seeing twigs and dirt within the Elder’s pale blond locks, Fallon guessed that their choice in clothing made it easier to move and clean in.
They continued their even pace towards him, and Cairne, spotting them, stood with twinkling eyes, nearly running to greet them. Nara and Fallon bowed to the Apprentice, who returned it with a simple nod. The number of times Fallon had had a personal interaction with the Apprentice were few. But he always felt great warmth from him, something so common with the earth mages. Their blood crystals set them so in tune with the world that they could calm nearly any creature by their mere presence, and it seemed to have that soothing effect on elves as well.
“You two are early.” Cairne spoke loudly but with great care. After removing his gloves and setting them in his belt, he patted their shoulders, leading them towards the tree. “I’m glad to see that you both are in good health. Were you released from your lesson early on account of me?” Fallon chuckled, locking his light blue eyes with Nara.
“No, Apprentice Cairne,” Nara said. She matched Cairne’s warmness. “I found a foreigner while hunting. Elder Theola released us early on account of his presence. She left in a hurry after releasing everyone.”
“Oh,” mused the Apprentice. Squeezing their shoulders, he leaned back against the tree. “Something I will hear about later, no doubt.” Taking a deep breath, he clapped his hands together once to draw their complete attention. “Right then, to the task at hand, shall we?” His eyes darted from one to the other, and Fallon saw thoughts taking shape behind his soft, dirt-smudged face. Worry took hold of Fallon. He hoped his path hadn’t been decided for him as they sometimes were.
“There has been a great deal of deliberation between the highest Elders,” Cairne said, his arms now crossed over his chest. “What paths have both of you personally chosen?”
Fallon blinked, returning to his earlier thoughts. He still had not yet decided. His path would begin with Nara, which, at the present, was a dead-end.
Of course, Nara responded quickly, “I’ll be leaving Vheria. My decision has not changed. Fallon is a dear friend of mine, so perhaps he will join. From there, I am uncertain. I only know what visitors tell me, but it all sounds wondrous.”
Cairne nodded, a kind smile worn. Fake, Fallon knew. None of the Elders wanted to hear that anyone would forsake Vheria for the outside world. Though they allowed traders and visitors and though they taught them the coming and goings of the world, they wanted to protect them from that.
Apprentice Cairne turned to Fallon. His eyebrows rising, the question did not need to be repeated. Fallon shrugged one shoulder and half lied. “I’ve never known. I thought about joining the forest guard or, at the least, returning to my village to continue the farm work my family has had for so long. I have no mark, my brother Evert left, and I’ve not been promised to anyone.” The Elder beamed, and it was at that exact moment Fallon knew what this was about. Before the words even left him, Fallon’s heart was pounding fervently in his throat.
“Well then,” Cairne chortled. “Maybe you will find joy in knowing that you two have been promised to one another.” Fallon was quiet, calm, and hopeful, reaching out to the gods with his mind to thank them. Eyes wide, he bit the sides of his cheek to keep from showing too much glee.
“What?” Nara exclaimed, causing Cairne to frown and narrow his eyes. That one word shattered Fallon’s heart. He did his best not to show it to her, to keep his appearance free of any pain. Not that she was looking at him. “There has to be a mistake, Elder,” she said in a softer pitch; a panicked air set in around her wide eyes.
Cairne stood his full height, towering over the both of them and shaking leaves from his hair with one hand. Though slender, he stood dominant; no longer was the warmth there. “The Elders make no mistakes, Nara. This is what the High Elder has decided. Shen spoke of this matter with the others before coming to the final decision, which took quite some time. You should feel honored that your fates weighed heavily on their time and minds. Most are not even given the care of having a promise decided by the High Elder.”
Nara shook her head. “I refuse to be promised to anyone. Promise Fallon to someone else. I truly appreciate him as a friend, but he deserves someone else.” Finally knowing Nara’s feelings towards him, Fallon felt his stomach tighten. Was it any surprise?
Cairne pressed more firmly. “You’ve been promised to Fallon. These decisions are never denied, even by those who leave. I knew Fallon’s brother, Evert. He was a good friend of mine. Even though he left, he bound himself to the one who was promised to him. She, in faith, followed him off the island. There are many others that have done the same.”
Nara scowled. “Evert should not have,” Nara said in a tone so bitter Fallon had never heard her speak in such a way before.
“You will take your vows, Nara, and then your fate will be left to Fallon.”
At the mention of his name, Nara whirled towards him. With all the anger that burned in her eyes, he wished she hadn’t. Though wanting to be a gentle reproach, he stayed silent, hoping the pleading in his eyes showed, hoping and praying that something would reach her. Perhaps they could be like his brother. If she asked he would tell her ye
s to most anything. Fallon would follow her anywhere and give her time to love him if only she would ask.
No such thing would happen.
“It is a mistake, Fallon,” said Nara, anger laced with sorrow. “Neither of us wants to be with the other. You’ve spoken of maidens you have become fond of. Perhaps you could make a plea for one of them.” He could only nod, the rest of his body stiff and aching. Nara shrugged. “It’s a mistake. I’m sorry, but please let the High Elder know that I decline. Within a week I will be gone.” Glancing once to Cairne, she left without the respect either of them deserved.
When she was out of view, Cairne placed a firm hand on Fallon’s shoulder. Quietly, Fallon looked up at him.
“I saw hope die in you, Fallon,” the Elder said lowly, moving a couple of fingers to Fallon’s neck and using the mana of the world to send a calm warmth through him. It was deliberate, nothing like what had happened between Nara and Castien, and Fallon was thankful for it. “Some react this way,” he tried to reassure him. “Even those who have decided not to leave. She will come around to the choice of promise, and nothing will be said to High Elder Shen.”
If only the High Elder had sent someone that knew them better or at least knew Nara better. Apprentice Cairne would have known that once Nara was focused on something, she made a path to it, even if that meant making a way through the opposition. Though often times, she didn’t intentionally hurt opposing friends.
Woefully shaking his head, Fallon pulled away from the calm energy. “I know she will not. Please excuse me, Elder, I have many things to think about.”
Cairne’s eyes swept across Fallon’s face, his pursed lips, his heavy eyes. Sympathetic, he nodded to the younger elf before Fallon too walked away, carrying his shattered heart with him.
CASTIEN
There was a special purpose for coming to Vheria, Castien Dreigsier told himself over and over, gazing out the single window of his stone-walled room. There were many others in the building he was placed in, perhaps due to the coming Summer Set festival. Melowyn had been skittish around him. Not a word had been said to him when she had shown him to his room, despite the charming manner in which he attempted to present himself to her.
Sighing contentedly, he looked at the light of Vhedril, seeing it was well past midday. Not wanting to venture far, he thanked the goddess Nysa for the luck in finding Nara, and he patiently waited for her to return.
Yes, there was a special purpose for his coming to the island.
He hoped Nara would come see him soon. He wanted her to show him to the prayer chamber he had heard of. There was a temple in the city of Ionus, but he had heard stories that the experience of praying on Vheria was more satisfying than on Ghela.
While he was not naïve enough to think those on Ghela held a virtuous life, he knew most still called out to the gods, seeking assistance or even retribution.
A charge entered his heart when a knock sounded, soft but continuous. The raps did not stop until he had opened the door and was staring down upon a delicate crescent mouth set against a softly curved face.
“Nara,” he said, leaning his head against the door, his earlier amusement rising again. “Or perhaps I should merely call you ‘maiden’.”
Nara tilted her head and smiled. “You may call me ‘Nara of the Dryads’ but only if I must call you ‘Castien Dreigsier’.” Her eyebrow quirked and fell quickly, a mischievous grin on a beautiful face. Castien shook his head at the sudden interest he had in her, as he’d had in so many before her.
This was not the time for that, he told himself.
Still he was compelled to tempt and test his limits.
He leaned in towards her, his face nearly touching hers. “Castien is fine, beautiful maiden.” Taking her hand, he kissed it just to watch the flush of red appear on her face. However, he did not escape what he had done. A jolt of energy ran through his lips. It spread throughout his body and caused a shiver to run through his spine.
Intrigued, yet frightened, he released her. Scratching his jaw, he focused his curiosity elsewhere when he asked, “Why are you called Nara of the Dryads?”
She quickly stated, “Tell me why you are here, and I will tell you why I am named as such.”
Chuckling, he shook his head, not believing the exchange. He knew her coming of age ceremony was approaching with the coming month of Kothaven. He had to keep his position a secret, not wanting to share more information with her than he had to.
Still, he would give her a clue.
“I will tell you why I am here in time,” he replied with pursed lips in front of a hidden smile. “For now, until you satiate my curiosity, I am guessing you are named as such because you have some deep personal connection with the dryads.”
Nara tilted her chin up, amber eyes alight. “Someone told you?”
“Perhaps.” Castien reached to touch her, letting the tip of his finger stroke the side of her cheek, feeling the rising charge that neither seemed to control. He curled his fingers and pulled away as her lips parted. “Perhaps you were brought into the world by the dryads.” Her smile faded. He knew more but would feign ignorance with his next remark. “No family name, at least not that you’ve told me. Perhaps you are a dryad and have given yourself a mortal form to interact with the elves for Kothes and our twin mothers.”
She shook her head and snorted. “No, by no account am I a dryad.”
“I’ve never seen one, so I am not so certain.” They stood still, staring at one another for the longest moment. Such a young one, it was apparent that she had yet to experience the deeper thrills of life. The fire in her cheeks showed she had yet to taste first blood or feel the touch of another elf. It excited him, ideas forming that he would eventually cast upon. For now, it was enough just to see her, to know that he was close to his destination.
He cleared his throat. “Could you please show me to the prayer chamber? I need to send offerings and thanks for a travel safely made.” Nara was a curious one. He noticed that she took pause for nearly everything she wanted to explore. While still, she was quick to her words and actions if it was not hindering another.
Narrowed eyes explored him before she nodded. She waved her hand to signal him to follow her when she walked away. Her bare feet were soundless compared to his boot heels against the stone in the hallway. He watched her soft curves sway in her steps. Her footsteps were not carefully considered as the ladies’ were on Ghela, and she showed much more skin than the fashions he was accustomed to, though now she was covered with more fabric than when they first met.
Watching her hands tug at her short brown dress when they stepped out into the air, adjacent from the temple, he asked, “Will you speak with me?”
Nara looked over her shoulder. Wearing a wavering smile, she shook her head. “I asked why you were here. There is nothing more for me to speak of.” The distance in her eyes showed and he somehow knew something troubled her.
Getting her to release her emotions to him would be a great feat.
“Can you tell me your thoughts,” he asked. Nara shook her head. “You seem troubled. Perhaps you need someone to talk to, someone who does not know you.” Again she shook her head as they approached the temple walls. The maiden frustrated him, giving him a challenge to break through. “Nara, speak to me of anything.”
She stopped walking, wheeling on him with her chin held high, causing him to skitter against the dirt. “I want to know about you, Castien Dreigsier. If you cannot answer what I want to know, then I do not wish to speak. If you want to be stubborn—”
Castien scoffed. “I’m the stubborn one?”
“Well, if you would answer me—”
“I cannot, not yet.”
“You say that again!” she exclaimed.
A sudden tightness gathered in his chest, and he took a deep breath to level his mind. There were many reasons why he could not tell her or anyone all of why he came to Vheria. Everything could be ruined had he let slip any piece of information that w
as not yet ready to show itself.
He held tight to his patience. She would know in time.
In silence, she started again, leading him through the large doors of the temple and the great entrance hall of the building. They walked to the back where an inset of gold overlays turned into a wide entranceway with doors that appeared to constantly open and close. Many Elders and their Apprentices came and left the area, speaking softly to one another and giving passing glances to Castien but saying nothing. He knew they were biding their time until he was brought under the watchful eyes of all the Elders on the island for judgment.
Stepping into the chamber, his eyes grew wide, seeing the great contrast from the outside grey and silver stone to how white everything was within. A sweet scent flooded his senses, instantly calming him. Flames, kept at a distance only by an ankle high wall, danced against a gilded backdrop. Many were on their knees in prayer while Elders and Apprentices oversaw the needs that ranged from lighting incense to praying alongside them. Looking up, he saw a short dome that opened at the top. It was the same as the temple on Ghela. The opening allowed either the sun or moon to shine through if they were in the proper position.
An Apprentice exited from the back door and strode forward, the surrounding area outdoing her shimmering robes of blue and white. With darkness creeping into the chamber, the flames illuminated what they could, casting soft shadows while keeping the tranquility of the space alive.
When the Apprentice handed him incense and a gailenia flower as an offering, Castien turned to Nara who took the same offerings. He smiled, thankful she had not left yet.
“Will you need assistance?” the Apprentice asked the two of them. When they both declined, she positioned herself in the back of the room. However, Castien saw from the corner of his eye that she would not stop staring at him.
He sighed as he eased himself to his knees in front of the short wall that kept them from the flames. Kneeling beside him, Nara placed the flower on the short wall before lighting the incense and placing it into a hole along the wall. Castien smiled, seeing how carefully she moved through each step. She considered the flower, running her fingers over the petals before she tossed it into the flames. After giving him a sidelong glance, she bowed her head to pray.
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