“You’ve been missing, Xeviat,” Targus Andus said to him, dark blue eyes scrutinizing the younger elf. The other Moon Elf brushed his white hair back before continuing. “We were beginning to wonder if you had perished. However, we never received a sign as to who would replace you.”
Xeviat shook his head. “Forgive my lack of communication. I attempted to establish further trade in Nudomri.” Eleven sets of eyes focused on him. He was stiff, not knowing what to do. Even if he attempted to let on that Thaos controlled him, he wondered if they could do anything.
Alosa Lilas regarded him with thin blond eyebrows heavy over her hazel eyes. “We received word months ago that negotiations did not succeed. You should have come home.”
Xeviat stared blankly, wanting to tell them the truth of all that had happened. He so desperately wanted them to find a way to help him escape the demon god who held him captive within his own mind. However, Thaos was right. Even from this distance, even with the ward up that kept him from physically visiting the islands, the tight hold came over his mind. If Thaos heard Xeviat’s thoughts, he didn’t know. But a loud buzzing began in his ears, causing him to feel ill. Pressing his hand against the wall, he bowed his head, trying to make it stop.
Tell them, Xeviat. He heard Thaos’s voice now. Tell them what happened. For your sake, I hope you lie.
“I returned for a second attempt on my own,” he quickly said, wanting to retch. He could taste bile at the back of his throat but held it back. With his lie, the pain subsided, but the queasiness did not. His voice went lower, sweat forming on his forehead. “I wanted to bring glory to Ghela, to not let anyone know. I was probably selfish in doing so.”
What a good friend you are, Thaos said, the words causing him to cringe. Ghela was meant to bring him freedom. But he was imprisoned in his own body and mind. Thoughts were more than likely his own, they had to be, but Thaos heard everything said. It unsettled him greatly knowing he would never again have the privacy he had been so used to.
“You don’t seem well. Perhaps your travels have made you ill. You should rest more,” Alosa gently told him. “We may speak before or during the feast. Two days’ time. That should give you enough time to rest, should it not?”
Xeviat nodded, a fatigue washing over him. It wasn’t long before he lost the contents of his stomach in the corridor as he stumbled his way to his quarters. His still beating heart grew weary beneath the long, glowing scar Sinead had left on his chest.
One day, his bond would end. The end of his bond, he was told, would be when he killed Sinead, the one who traded Xeviat’s life to further her own.
So, in his anger and anguish, Xeviat continued the cycle, accepting Thaos’s call just to have a chance to wrap his hands around her neck.
MAIDA
Elona’s forces had worked a way around the guard of Angels’ Pass, and their camp was made to mingle with that of Thaos’s people.
Thanis lay just on the horizon, surrounded by waves of grass and flowers, though still far enough away that Elona felt it necessary to take rest beside Thaos’s camp before marching into the city. Maida understood Elona wanted everyone to be as well rested and presentable as possible to the queen and people of Thanis. Even now, all that belonged to Elona were busy preparing for the day to come.
Though Maida was a constant presence at Elona’s heels, she found it increasingly difficult to take the orders of her goddess these last few days. It strangled her heart knowing their mistress was giving into the monster that had haunted Maida’s dreams nearly every night since he had touched her. Meekly, she followed in faith that Elona, older and wiser than any of them, would lead them through safely. It was, after all, something she had done for thousands of years. Something Drudan continued to remind her of.
Maida always followed the others, but there was a time when she had tried to make her own path. There was once a time when she had smiled through all the hours of the day; she had not hidden behind Elona. There was a time when she had been confident, and she had been strong willed, and she had joined in with her brothers’ banter against others.
That time was no more.
The interaction between Elona and Thaos buzzed in Maida’s ears. Standing at Elona’s side, Maida’s eyes were locked on the tallest one in Thaos’s company, his dark cloak lighting achingly alluring features. Another torment of her dreams, Craith gazed back at her. Maida stared at him to keep him in her sight, afraid of what he might do. And while his face was emotionless, his eyes would flicker between her and Drudan. Drudan had kept a constant barrier between the two of them when he first learned of Craith’s indiscretion. Despite the others being gods, mounting much more power than an immortal with borrowed gifts, her brother was unafraid to challenge them the further Thaos fell to his cruel treatment.
Maida looked away from Craith, listening to the agreement made. They would all march in the morning. Elona stated that she and hers were to remain untouched, to which Thaos agreed with chagrin. Afterwards, Thaos led his brood away. Maida spotted Craith glancing over his shoulder as he walked away, showing her that she was just as much a part of his thoughts as he was hers. It was her hope she had given off a feeling of indifference.
It had been hundreds of years since the two had seen one another. Some thought it strange that Maida had grown as old as she had but remained celibate for so long. The human desire most experienced was ripped from her when Thaos had forced himself on her with Craith’s help. Maida sometimes thought it would not have been such a heavy burden on her life if she and Craith had never given one another a passing glance. But through the years of building their relationship and moving from close friends to courtship, it had ripped her soul in half, never again allowing herself to come so close to another.
Craith had proposed to abstain and wait until they were bound to take pleasure from one another for always. Theirs would have been a pleasure that moved far beyond the reaches of the bed.
He had not been the first to betray her, but she made sure he was the last.
After the meeting, a dull ache began in her head as she directed the sorcerers and undying to rest for the evening while remaining vigilant. Even though Maida had become more reserved, she had also become more aware of what happened around her. Levin, her high sorcerer of thirty years, sensed the stress she carried. Smiling, he agreed to watch over her followers for the night.
Levin was one of many high sorcerers that had passed through her life. While Maida refused to take a lover or husband, she grew attached to each and every one of those who followed her. So many funerals, so much grieving, she always made an attempt to place a veil over her feelings. While their country celebrated life, they understood death was an essential part of life. They understood too that they would serve a purpose after they were deceased. Levin made the decision long ago that though his body would be offered up for use when time claimed him, his soul would not, and Maida dreaded the day he passed from the world.
To make certain nothing was amiss, Maida now eased her way through the camp with her head held low. She listened to the chatter, the laughter, and the playful fighting amongst the living and aware. While their camp was alive, even in the darkness with their troops dancing as much as the flames of their fires, she could see the others.
The damned of the world, those who held darkened souls in their bodies or truly evil hearts. She could see the evil intent when they merged with those that followed Elona. All who lived in the south understood the clear line between Thaos and Elona. Even if some under Elona indulged in their carnal desires with the forces of Thaos, they were nothing like them. But if they became corrupted, Elona would give them a fitting end.
To the north a clear distinction had never been understood, they demonized both kingdoms, following the desires of their gods and not faltering from the faith. Maida prayed that would end soon. She prayed that even if their presence was not Thena’s intent, Thaos would forever be torn from them, to never again be compared to the shining life that was
Elona. To the gods, she prayed, hoping that even though they denied the pleas Elona, a lowly follower would be heard.
One human from Thaos’s troops broke free of his companions and walked close to her. The heavy darkness on him caused her to cringe. Maida knew he had touched some kind of magic; he had allowed himself to become saturated to the point that he reeked. With her cloak pulled tightly around her, Elona’s mark and the crystals about her neck were not visible, and none would know who Maida was unless they were as old as or older than she was.
She grimaced at how close he came to her now.
“Does Elona forbid her people to commingle?” he asked heavily. Disappointed she had not maintained her usual ability to remain undetected, she stopped in her stride and looked up at him, cringing at his grin.
“Elona bars us from nothing,” she replied, head low but she kept her eyes on the tall man’s hands, “but you’ll not have anything from me; move along.” Undeterred, the man reached out and placed his hand against her cheek, his dark skin contrasting greatly against her own. “I said move along,” she said through clenched teeth.
“You do not mean that,” the large man grumbled, stepping closer. Magic darker than her own choked her.
“She does,” grunted a familiar voice from behind her. Unmoving, she watched her older brother shove the man to the ground. Shock ripped across the lines of the stranger’s face as he stood. “Find someone else to warm your loins. Neither god nor mortal will touch Maida.”
“Maida,” the man stammered, finally understanding. The strength that Maida had at her side now, the strength within Drudan, was comparable to what she could wield. Stronger than sheer physical force was the Thrason name, their names would be held by none outside the Forgotten Kingdom lest that person wanted their children to be pariahs.
When the man left and the eyes of the surrounding parties busied themselves elsewhere, Drudan smiled at her. “You could have harmed him.”
“I could have,” she replied with burning cheeks, allowing her brother to lead her safely through Thaos’s troops. “But what example would that have set?”
“It would have intimidated for sure.”
“Elona would not have wanted that.” She smiled when thinking of their queen. “We follow Elona and all she has ever done. From her guidance, I strive to be like her. Forgiving, forward, passive, and selfless.”
Drudan smiled, placing his hand on her shoulder. The heavy eyes of the enemy fell on them. She didn’t care. This was what Maida wanted, to set her eyes and ears in their midst; her petite presence would speak great volumes and hopefully keep the other side in line.
“Forgiving,” Drudan repeated thoughtfully, fingers tapping against her shoulder. “She has forgiven Thaos, sister, in ways. And he has done many unforgivable things. Would you—”
“Hush,” Maida gently interrupted him, pained eyes looking upwards. “I say I strive; I cannot do everything she has done.” They stopped in the middle of a large opening with a great fire pit. Banners stood in front of every tent here, all bearing the white circle against blackness. True night.
“I do not mean to wound,” Drudan whispered, hand tightening around her shoulder before releasing. In the silence Maida looked at those who sat around the pit. From humans, serving blindly, to the Fallen, those angels or humans who had forsaken their vows to Thena and had their wings torn from them or blackened by the night.
“I do not wish to receive the wounds they did,” she muttered. “A tiny scratch of your words is nothing compared to where I could have been had I forgiven him long ago.” Drudan gave a curt nod, their eyes meeting but only for the shortest moment. Quickly turning, he gestured to one of the larger tents that circled the area.
“I want to show you something,” Drudan said, placing his hand against her shoulder, gently easing her to turn towards where he gestured. A heavy feeling settled around her, draping itself across her mind.
“I do not think—”
“Look again. The others are unaware of your presence or are at least feigning indifference. I think they desire to merge with us as cleanly as possible.”
Narrowing her eyes, Maida looked over her shoulder at the forces of Thaos. It was true. Other than a passing look, they now had their backs to them, privately conversing. Even others passing by gave no mind to their presence. Was it some spell? Reaching out, she could feel nothing, and if something were there, it was much more powerful than her capabilities.
Or Drudan and Maida blended in more than Maida was comfortable with.
“Keep your voice low, come on,” Drudan urged again, pushing her towards the larger tent. Unquestioning, she followed. His powerful presence had never led her astray. Even as children he had been there to protect her, guarding her from their parents’ discipline.
Drawing back the cloth, he allowed her to step through first. Rugs and silk pillows lined the ground inside; bright colors shone in the dim lighting. Though something felt wrong, she continued on through the short entranceway set by the tent at the urging of Drudan’s hand. She heard grunting the further she edged inside. Familiar tones and smells drifted through her senses. And even though, by now, she knew what it was she came into, she could not help herself.
Vari cocked his head to one side at Maida from the corner before she spotted his master. Bare and hunched over an unknown woman was Craith. For so long she wanted nothing to do with him. Still, seeing him this way with another pulled at her heart in ways she dared not explain.
“Why?” she shouted, unsure at whom she directed the question. Craith’s glowing blue eyes shot open. His movements ceased, and he was quick to act.
“Maida?” Craith cried out. His brow turned heavy while strong hands shoved the woman away from him. She fell into his makeshift bed and stared at everyone present. Wrapping a nearby blanket below his stomach muscles, Craith quickly stood and rushed forward, saying her name again. Though his hand reached out, his power pulling at her skin, she took a step back. While she’d known something was amiss, shock still pooled through her veins, tightening around her throat and making her sway.
“Drudan, why!” she screeched, burning eyes turning on her brother. However, it was not her brother that had led her there. Maida fell against a nearby pole and watched Drudan’s strong features slowly turn more feminine and demonic.
“Eusa,” Craith spat, shaking hands running through his hair. “Why would you do this?”
“No, no, Craith,” Eusa taunted through bouts of laughter, thin arms wrapped around her bare waist, “why would you? You asked me to bring her to you; you wanted her. You did not say how or when.”
Maida took a step back, her hands trembling and her head spinning. Elona and Thaos had just reunited, albeit if only for the moment, and the younger gods already took to provoking Maida.
“Maida,” Craith gently said, leaning forward to touch her. This time she let him for the briefest moment, fingers slipping past her cheek. Eusa continued in her laughter.
Slapping his hand away, Maida took two more steps backwards. “You and your family are still so twisted,” she hissed, the energy of the crystal jewels about her neck awakening. It would do her no good to fight against gods without her siblings’ assistance. While mortals and even immortals held power, the gods held what seemed a bottomless well of energy, and it would take many in a fight to contain that power.
Still, she would do what she could to not allow the two of them to touch her. Seeing Craith pained by this incident meant nothing; his appearance had been the same when he’d held her for Thaos.
“Maida, I did want to see you, but I had no idea this is what she would do.”
“He lies.” Eusa leaned forward, red lips spreading back across jagged teeth; her second illusion was fading. Whether on purpose or by accident Maida did not know, nor did she care at this moment. Turning on her heel, she rushed from the tent, leaving behind the sounds of Eusa’s laughter.
Craith followed. Keeping the blanket pulled tight around his waist
, he rushed to keep in step with her. His bare feet left great impressions in the still dry earth as though he were wearing boots.
“Maida, please wait,” Craith begged. “I did not want to see you that way.”
“Stay away, Craith,” she hoarsely replied. Her heart fluttered when, down the narrow pathway of the tents, she saw Drudan and Eamon pushing through. Lights from lanterns and fires illuminated the strong traces of anger in the lines on their faces. Their presence relieved her, but it was different for Craith when he stopped and allowed her to rush into the arms of her brothers.
“I only want to talk!” Craith shouted over the many loud whisperings that had gathered around them. Both Eamon and Drudan scowled at Craith. She accepted the comfort of her brothers without a word, taking her away from the enemy’s side.
The enemy wanted to talk.
The enemy wanted to gain ground.
The enemy would not be forgiven.
FALLON
All night he had not slept.
There was no comfort to be had in this place even as fatigued as Fallon was. While Evert continued through his drunken sleep on the stairs, Fallon continued to clean. Smashed bottles, fallen items, and day old food lay scattered all over his brother’s home. The only items Fallon did not move were the scrolls and maps strewn across the table. It had always been Evert’s habit to leave his study tools in disarray and moving them would disrupt him.
The rest of the mess is what surprised Fallon. Evert had always been cleanly, often helping their mother with her many chores.
His demeanor so far was not what Fallon remembered.
When Fallon tried to delve into what his brother was studying, the stairs creaked. Looking up from the scroll in his lap, he saw a short, naked elf maiden peering at him from just above Evert. Though her light blond hair shone bright, her red roots were dull in comparison.
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