“I have no idea. I cannot find her pulse. I’ve even sent my imps in search of her.”
“You would allow those disgusting creatures to touch her?” Eamon sneered.
“She is a blood mage—”
“And you are a demon,” Eamon quickly retorted.
“I am a god!”
“Eamon,” Craith interjected before their squabble could escalate, “if anything has happened to her, I am certain my brother had nothing to do with it. And even then, I do not think she is dead.”
“How can you be so sure?” Eamon asked with narrowed eyes, fingers tightly gripping the hilt of his sword. Craith looked over the nearly cleared field, his eyes darting back and forth.
“She is bound to Elona,” Craith stated. “If she were dead, my mother would have felt the energy return. I’ve bound people in the past whose power I was forced to take away. As a god, you feel it.” Stern eyes turned back towards them, jaw stiff. “And the only way death can touch her is by the end of Void Waker.”
“She is not dead,” Karasim murmured.
“Eamon,” Craith turned to him, “Karasim cares for Arisa. He has defended her name numerous times. Please do not judge us according to our father. Whatever it is he is doing, we want no part of it any more than you do.” There was a long silence. Both Eamon and Craith stared at one another.
“You speak truth,” Eamon said at last, pulling Karasim’s attention back to them. “I should judge you on your actions and not on your father’s.” Craith tilted his chin upwards, looking at Karasim from the corner of his eye.
“I will find a way,” Craith muttered, walking away from them. Eamon followed shortly after, not wasting a moment to scowl at Karasim as he did so.
Karasim looked towards the city’s walls. What if she somehow managed to get inside? If that were possible, perhaps she shut off communication with him to make herself more aware of her surroundings. But what, if anything, could she stand to gain from putting herself into the enemy’s territory?
Karasim turned to find the imps he had sent through the field, now flirting with the idea of sending them inside the castle walls to find his love.
NARA
Nara lay on her bed, hands over her stomach as she stared up at the canopy. She toyed with the idea of closing the thick purple curtains and pretending she had disappeared from the world. She had been in this room for four days with no one but servants coming to see her. While her quarters were more extravagant than she imagined she would ever have, she was frustrated. When she first thought of leaving Vheria, she had envisioned herself riding the waves alongside Taruk and helping him. She had always dreamed of exploring all there was while learning the many workings of Arlania.
After falling ill at sea, it seemed like a farfetched dream, and she was grateful to have been presented with an alternative, however surprising it was.
But now she felt as though she were a forgotten prisoner. No one had come to see her, no word was sent to her. She walked across the dark wood floors of her room several times a day, running her fingers across fabrics and furs softer than anything she had felt before. The bedposts, with their etched vines crawling up to the stitched flowers of the fabric on the canopy, made her realize that while this place mirrored nature, it also exceeded it. The beauty and grandiose found here put what even Gaia had fashioned for Arlania to shame. Things appeared natural but, at the same time, their forced design made her feel uncomfortable.
The first day within the city Ionus Nara had wanted to explore the city she saw through her tall windows. Beside the dormant fireplace, she could see the entire city as the inhabitants bustled about. Rooftops stretched across the land until they dotted the horizon. Some appeared made of straw while others had red stone or wood.
Instead she found that guardsmen were not only a constant presence outside her door, their antlered helms rising above straight faces, but also they followed her everywhere. Frustrated, she had approached the end of the hallway. Bare feet soundless compared to their metal footsteps, she walked from one end to the other several times. No matter where she went, they followed her. What freedom would she have, and when would someone come to see her?
She did not allow them to weigh her down, and she even made a game out of trying to lose their sights. While running through the gardens outside, bright flowers lining several stone walkways, she had nearly managed to lose them when she dodged in between the bushes. However, another saw what she did and pointed out her whereabouts to the guards who then proceeded to stand around the bushes until she crawled out from between them.
That same day, servants had found Nara several times and ushered her back to her room where an elf maiden constantly called upon her to take her measurements. Nara enjoyed looking at the many fabrics and furs the maiden brought with her, and the seamstress, Cilvreen, adored gazing upon Nara’s mark. So much so that Nara wondered if she only came so frequently to look at it.
After Nara bathed and Cilvreen dressed her in a chemise, a deep blue sleeveless gown, slippers, and a gold colored girdle, the maiden said that she would return with more. These were wonderful alone to Nara, things she had only heard about and seen outsiders wear. Most everything was abandoned if they were accepted; preferring to fit in with the animal skin or plain clothing most on Vheria wore. Only the elves of the port city wore the fashions of the world.
Memories of watching those outside drifted to Nara as she ran her fingers across the girdle, the threaded flowers slipping beneath her touch. Looking at her bow positioned near the dormant fireplace, she remembered all the times she had been able to sneak out of the temple. She nearly wept at the thought of leaving such freedom behind for beautiful things such as this.
A heavy knock sounded, and Nara waited. Usually the guards would open the door and Cilvreen would enter. But when moments passed and no one entered, Nara sighed. Standing, she crossed the room, stopping short before another knock sounded. Had the guards finally left, she wondered as she slowly opened the heavy door.
Amethyst eyes stared down at her above an inviting smile. She could have jumped into his arms right then had one of the guards not been watching.
Castien’s smile faded when his eyes passed over her, but his words came out as though he were short of breath. “You are beautiful.” He blinked several times, before gesturing inside. “May I?”
She turned to the side and allowed him entrance before closing the door. He wore a dark cloak over unmarred clothing and leather gloves blackened in some spots. It was refreshing to see he had left his tattered clothing behind on Vheria, though she wished he could do the same with the scars on his face. Looking closer at the silver brooch that held his cloak, she could see the design was the same long, thin dragon wrapped around a sword.
“You weren’t wearing that when we met,” she said, wanting to touch it. Instead, she crossed her arms over her waist. “It’s very beautiful.”
“Do you think so?” Castien looked at the brooch before taking it off. Tossing the cloak on a nearby chair, he stated, “Then you shall have it.”
“I could not accept it,” she said, shaking her head while her eyes stayed on it.
Castien smirked. “A beautiful brooch for a beautiful maiden.” He pinned it to the top of her gown, just above her chest. Lingering, his gloved finger traced the curve of her breast before moving downwards and taking her hand in his. Leaning into her, he brought his lips close.
She looked away. “I’ve been in this room for days; where’ve you been?”
He lit up at her words.
“I apologize for my absence, but I assure you I have good reason.” His other hand reached upwards, brushing her face with a finger. “I see they have bathed and dressed you. Has no one else been to see you other than the servants and slaves?”
She shook her head and glanced away. “I’ve not heard from Fallon and I wanted to see my father.”
“I know he is not putting you off, Nara. Alinar did not know when we would arrive, and he has ot
her things to attend to. You are important but…” Nara looked away again. His voice lowered but remained cheerful. “I will make you happy, Nara. I thought you would like to see a dragon today.” His thumb passed over the back of her hand. Even though frustration stayed at the corner of her mind, her eyes widened at his suggestion. Had the guardsmen not peeked in at the sound of her happy cry, she would have leapt into his arms.
“I’ve only seen them in pictures.” Squeezing his hand, she added, “Friends have said they saw them passing overhead, but I myself have not seen one. I’ve heard of fire breathing and signs of Llethra and that some are as small as a rabbit. Will we be leaving now?”
Chuckling, Castien nodded. “If you would like. I’ve been busy the past few days, making sure that during my absence all was well within the roost outside the city. Arriving back, I thought of you and how much you have not experienced.”
Nara’s cheeks turned bright red. Castien looked over his shoulder before he leaned in, pressing his soft lips against hers. It was welcomed and she found herself wanting the kiss to last longer.
When he pulled away, her hand lingered on his face. “What about the guards?” she asked in a hushed manner. “They told me they were to follow me anywhere.” She bit her lip. Castien ran his hand across her cheek once more before crossing to the door. Nara waited quietly and tried to listen to the murmurs in the hall.
Moments later, Castien returned. After retrieving his cloak from the bed and laying it over one arm, he ushered her from the room. Nodding to the guardsmen who, amazingly, closed the door and stayed where they were, he sped her away from her would-be prison.
Giving him a curious glance, she asked, “What did you do?”
He smirked. “I’ve worked alongside these men long enough that I have garnered more respect than the king himself. I asked them to tell any who came to call upon you that you were bathing.” She smiled and glanced back at the guards before Castien led her farther through the castle.
Familiar sights passed her by. Having explored what she could, she had memorized at least the layout of the exits. Banners hung all over the castle walls. They proudly displayed a deep purple gailenia resting above a sword in front of the sun and moon. Along with the banners and some mirrors, heavy tapestries decorated the walls. These tapestries were as intriguing as they were beautiful. Castien told her their art depicted the history of Ghela. A history Nara was sure the Elders had hidden.
Taking her final step down the stairs and into the sunlight, Nara twirled around on slippered feet. Her face upturned, she smiled widely and inhaled the sweet scent of the gailenia flowers that surrounded the castle entrance. Nara garnered a few peculiar looks from the people who stood nearby and giggles sounded from children passing by. Her excitement was not ebbed.
The garden’s many trees, shrubberies, and flowers lined the west. At its center a great fountain flowed, its water cooling off the air in the heat of summer. Several buildings to the east rose in varying heights and sizes, the paths that led to those were areas she had not explored, but off in the distance the sounds of metal clashing rang through the air.
Castien led her away from the main building. When she had explored, she never noticed the larger building in the back. Statues of Vhedril and Ghedril rose to either side of a tower that connected to a much larger building. Just as it was on Vheria, each held a sphere high above their heads with their backs placed against the wall of the tallest tower. The similarities to the statues on Vheria were uncanny, and even the spheres shimmered in the light of the sun.
She asked Castien, “What is that building back there?”
Stopping in his stride, he turned to see where she pointed before explaining, “That is the main temple beneath the statues of Ghedril and Vhedril. The tower they surround is where the council resides and meets. Original to Ghela, the rest of this was built on top of or around it.” She smiled and, realizing she had not devoted enough time to the gods, decided she would visit the temple later.
Urging her forward, Castien led her off the stone path towards the larger buildings to the west. Smoke rose from a few while men and elves rode or groomed horses at a building closer to the castle. Past them, the familiar rays of firelight caught her eyes. A shrine stood at the center of all the buildings in the enclosed area. It was such an outlandish thing to see it so disconnected from the rest of the world. The grass remained vibrant with thick flowers while dirt surrounded the rest of it. When they passed, Nara wondered where its keeper was, noting the many offerings piled before and on it.
Castien led her to a towering, stone structure just beside the horse stables. Its bluish gray walls rose higher than the outer walls of the area, towering above everything she could see. The wooden gates were open wide, large chains attached to them trailing off inside.
“This is the dragons’ stable,” Castien remarked, resting his hand on her shoulder. “This is where we train and keep them. Outside the city is the roost where we breed and raise them.”
“The walls are very tall.” She gaped, wondering now how massive and powerful the beasts they kept were. Castien gently took her arm in his, leading her forward past the gates lined with guards. They grew quiet, stood tall and beat a fist to their chests as Castien and Nara passed.
Inside, straw and rocks mixed over dirt while large iron bars lined the circular walls. Though the top was open, the light of Vhedril had not yet made it past midday so the towering walls of the structure shaded everything within. It made it impossible for Nara to see through the bars, but she began to understand what it was they were there for.
Hearing a loud screech, Nara stumbled backwards and fell into Castien’s arms. A man dressed in leather exited one of the open doors, holding a thick strap. Nara waited in aching anticipation to see what was at the other end of the strap. Soon, at another thundering screech, a beast taller than two elves emerged. Its long, serpentine body broadened in the center, framed by two tucked and veiled wings. The dark scales shimmered even in the absence of light. Her eyes traced down the dragon’s legs where three thick claws poked out on all four of its moving appendages.
The dragon reared its thick neck backwards, many great spikes framing its face; the hue of them was lighter than its scales and larger than the many spikes that lined its tail. The goddess Llethra had created the majestic creature. The leather that was strapped around its head and the saddle over its back did not suit this beast.
When she walked forward, Castien made an attempt to pull her back, his voice thick with warning. “Nara, they become fearful if not introduced correctly, even these that have been in our care for years.”
Nara glanced at him, her heart beating faster than when her crystals first sparked. A tingling began at her back compelling her to touch the regal beast. It overwhelmed her and ran through her in flutters. She needed to feel the dragon, to ground herself to it. In a jerking motion, she broke free of Castien and rushed towards the creature.
When Castien shouted, she remembered what he said about the dragon. However, the danger presented before her didn’t matter at that moment. The beast stumbled in its stride and reared backwards as she came closer. A long cry pierced the air. Still, she was not afraid. It charged at her, tearing loose from the keeper’s grip.
Still, she was not afraid.
As compelled as she was, feeling swept off her feet towards the creature, uncertainty could not stop her when her hands reached out of their own accord. The dragon then barreled towards her, pulling its rein free from its handler. Castien rushed forward, grabbing her about the waist but not before the dragon had finished its journey to her.
It nudged its large head into her hands, moving ever closer to her.
Castien’s mouth opened, but he would not speak. With great gleaming eyes, bright as sapphires, the dragon looked at her, nostrils flaring when her hands passed over its muzzle. The dragon’s feelings flooded through her, not unlike the sensation she had with the dryads. Its elation at seeing her was great and brought
tears to her eyes, softening her enough to allow Castien to pull her into his arms.
When her hand slipped away, she looked into Castien’s wide eyes.
“That was a very stupid thing to do,” he hissed. “Even if it did not attack you, look.” Gloved hands took hers, turning her palms upwards. Tiny drops of blood formed in nicks across her hands. Even so, the pain was nonexistent. “The dragons come from the north, and unlike those that dwell in the water or the drakes, their hides are sharp. Since our skin isn’t tough like the orcs’, we use leather when we touch them.” He turned towards the one leading the dragon. “Fetch bandages, gloves, riding goggles, and a thick cloak small enough for the princess.”
“It doesn’t hurt,” she murmured, eyes turning towards the dragon standing near them. Its long neck was angled to allow it to look at them with wide, curious eyes. She knew it was familiar with her, and while the circumstances should have frightened her, nothing but peace settled within her along with a great longing to touch him once again.
“It will fester if left unchecked,” Castien said, tossing his gloves to the ground. His hands grabbed hers again, passing his fingers over her palms. He turned her hands over several times and it became clear to her that something was wrong. Looking down, she understood.
The tiny flaps of cut skin had vanished and only the blood remained.
FALLON
Looking at his reflection as the tailor adjusted his clothes, Fallon hardly recognized himself, and he felt uncomfortable in his own skin. He had not even felt so awkward in the oversized clothing Evert had lent him.
That morning, Evert had cut his hair to the bottom of his ears with a sharpened knife before taking him to the buildings closest to the castle at the edge of town. His brother had told him that his clothes weren’t the biggest problem, his way of thinking was. Fallon had also been told that unless he wanted to be mistaken for a slave, his clothing would have to change in order to meld perfectly with everyone that resided in Ionus.
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