Beite’s last entreaty had opposite her intended affect. The tiny opening that had come with his inability to deny his feelings snapped shut. He stood up straighter and glared down at his sister.
“Then I only have another ten days until this nonsense is over.” Darag turned and disappeared into the forest.
CHAPTER 20
REMNANTS OF THE WAR
Niri closed Laith Lus’ journal, a finger still marking the page. She placed her other hand across her eyes and breathed in. Her fingers trembled against her forehead. She looked up into the stone blue pools of Laith Lus’ eyes.
“I told you what you found would not be to your best hopes.”
“I know, but you are the only person I know who actually saw the war. I needed to know what happened.”
Laith Lus shook his head. “I was a boy, younger than Beite when war came. I did not understand everything then and when we closed our borders, never had a chance to learn more. There is much I still do not know.”
“But you saw the Temple of Mist fall.”
Laith Lus held Niri’s eyes. “Yes, that much I saw. The Temple’s lands border the Forest of Falin. I went and watched to be sure the battle did not cross into Kith lands. That fight came later.”
Laith Lus’ eyes were tired and held old pain. Niri reached over and squeezed his forearm. He smiled sadly at her.
“I do not think this gives you more information than you had. Just more questions.”
Niri’s mouth twisted with unhappy agreement. She opened her mouth to ask another question, but a soft knock sounded on the door to Laith Lus’ house where it sat nestled between the Sentinel trees of the great clearing.
Laith Lus stood and left Niri at the desk amid the pile of books. To Niri’s surprise she heard Lavinia’s voice
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but I think I’m missing something.”
Laith Lus chuckled as he led Lavinia to another seat. “You’ve misplaced something?” Laith Lus’ tone was serious but Niri felt a teasing undercurrent to his voice.
Lavinia looked fretful, but it wasn’t the same worry that clouded her eyes when she asked about Ty. She sat on the edge of her seat, leaning forward with her left elbow on her knee. “No, there is something I don’t understan . . . oh.” Her mouth twisted in half a smile when she realized Laith Lus was laughing silently.
Lavinia sat back with a sigh and took in Niri with her hand still in a book. “We were looking for you yesterday, Darag and I.” Lavinia’s voice hitched on Darag’s name and she blinked quickly. “We were supposed to look for you today, but I haven’t seen Darag all morning.”
“Harumph.” Laith Lus stood up with a frown. He scuttled over to his firebox, messing about with pots for a moment. “Tea, children?” he asked kindly, but his eyes were still disappointed.
“Yes, please,” Niri answered for both of them. Lavinia tapped the armrest with her index finger. “Why were you looking for us?”
“We were talking. I was telling Darag about how we came here and Ria. He wondered if Laith Lus had heard of powers like Ria’s?”
“I have,” Laith Lus answered, handing Lavinia and then Niri steaming mugs. “They are what started the war.”
Lavinia sat up now, her eyes clear again. “How? Is that why the Church hunts them down?”
“Yes, that is the short of it,” Niri said sadly.
Lavinia’s gaze pivoted to Laith Lus as he started speaking in a low voice. “There were always Elementals and there has always been, that I know of, four orders. Each order had its own temple, tended its own business. Then over nine hundred years ago, one order thought of the strength if all the orders came together and that there was a Church of the Four Orders. Not everyone agreed. There was arguing, stalling. The orders were very proud. But then, something happened to begin to unite them.”
Lavinia was wide eyed, her mug forgotten in her hand. “What happened?”
“The Temple of Stone fell,” Niri said for Laith Lus.
Lavinia swallowed. “I’ve never head of the Temple of Stone.”
“It is called the Temple of Dust now, child, for it is lost to the Great Desert of Ak’Ashanti.”
“Where we are headed.” Lavinia’s voice faded in dawning awe. “Who attacked it? People with magic?”
Niri shifted uncomfortably. “Supposedly. It isn’t clear.”
Laith Lus sighed. “It is so very far away. I was young and traveling along the Archipelago when it happened. The Elementals, calling themselves Priests then, said it was attacked and felled by magic users, mages who were not Elementals but some sort of unnatural deviation. They called for the remaining Orders to join them as one Church to stand and fight.”
“But there were rumors that the very Priests who asked for unity were the ones that caused the Temple to fall.”
Lavinia’s face was pale, her lip curled like she might be ill. “Which Order was it?” She looked from Niri to Laith Lus.
“The Order of Fire,” Niri said without inflection.
Lavinia gave a slight tremble. “Your friend . . . ?”
“I know,” Niri looked down into the depths of the floor.
Laith Lus leaned forward and touched her shoulder. “Drink your tea, child.” Both Lavinia and Niri took automatic sips.
“The next Temple to fall was the Temple of Mist, now the frozen Temple of Ice to the North West of Lus na Sithchaine. I saw that happen, but even then was not sure who attacked. There was fire and shaking, strange events inside and out of the Temple. I have only known a few who held magic. I do not know what they are capable of in truth. I only know that the Temple fell, freezing overnight to eternal winter. That left only two Temples standing: Fire and Wind.”
“And the Order of Fire wanted them to join, so it was the Temple of Winds against the other three?”
“Yes,” Laith Lus answered Lavinia’s question. “It fell too, but I never heard the how of it. I had come back to Lus na Sithchaine by then. After the last Temple fell, the Church came here demanding we join as part of the Order of Earth. We refused.” Laith Lus’ expression was grim. “The battle lasted for months, but now the Church does not come here.”
The fire contained in Laith Lus’ stone box crackled and hissed. He raised an eyebrow at it, breaking the grim tension in the room. Niri sighed.
“You asked if I was going to the Temple of Ice when we came. I almost would, to see where it was my Order lived once.” A wistful pain twined around Niri’s breast.
“I have heard of the library once held in the Temple of Stone. The records there predate the war. Before it, I had never heard of this Curse. Your best chance to help Ria is to go there. It was why you came and so you must continue on.”
Niri nodded, leaning back in her chair. She chewed the inside of her mouth absently, wondering about Ria and Sinika, the Church and the ancient war.
“You said you were looking for something, child?”
Laith Lus’ eyes were on Lavinia. She blushed, pressing her palms together between her thighs and not meeting Laith Lus’ gaze. He chuckled at her sudden discomfort. Niri’s eyebrows raised. She had not ever seen Lavinia so flustered for words.
“If you don’t mind, I would borrow this a while longer and take it out to read under the trees.” Laith Lus barely glanced at Niri, nodding permission. Niri gathered the yellowed journal. All but the beginning was written in the language of trade that Laith Lus had learned while traveling as a youth back when the borders of the Forest were more open. He had forced himself to write in it to master the language and so he had. Niri admired him more and more with every page she read.
Book carefully bundled under her arm, Niri showed herself out. Lavinia had gone to Laith Lus for advice, not her. Niri liked the young woman, but appreciated the difference. Curiosity pulled her to stay. Laith Lus had told her Darag was teaching Lavinia to use a sword. She wondered what nights were like in Lus na Sithchaine. So many questions rose that Niri could have kept Lavinia talking until night fall. Which b
y the look on Lavinia’s face was not what she was after at the moment.
I’ll have the boat and crossing to the Southern Shore. This is Lavinia’s time now, Niri assured herself. As she walked the stone path away from Laith Lus’ house, she heard Lavinia’s voice distantly.
“I have some questions about the ways of the Kith.”
CHAPTER 21
COMPLICATIONS
It had been something in the way Beite had been talking about the coming dance, her fingers weaving strands of Lavinia’s hair into braids. Lavinia hadn’t wanted her hair braided but after Darag had left so abruptly, she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. Beite had come back to her house and insisted on helping her get ready for the nightly community dinner.
Beite had been talking about Cuileann.
“I just hopes he asks me to dance, just once. But all the girls flirt with him. I’ll never stand a chance! You know he can choose next year? He’ll never wait for me.”
Beite had said the words lightly, but the word ‘choose’ had sent a quiver of turmoil through Lavinia’s stomach.
“How old are you then, Beite?”
“Only forty-five. I cannot choose for another ten years.”
Lavinia’s heart had begun to hammer. “So Cuilean must be 54?”
Beite had finished braiding and flopped on the bed next to Lavinia. She drew her knees up to her chest, face unusually troubled for her normal light hearted smile. Up until that moment, the idea of choosing had seemed from Beite’s enthusiastic talk not so serious. An uncomfortable idea had started to root.
“Your brother could have chosen by now.”
Beite had sighed and picked at the coverlet on her bed. Loose strands rewove themselves under her fingers. “Oh, there is no reasoning with him. It isn’t even like he enjoys the attention. Half the girls moon over him, but he rarely dances and never flirts. Mother tells me to leave him alone, but I know she worries too. He isn’t like Cuileann or Laireag. I know they will choose soon.”
“Well, we can at least see if they will dance with you tomorrow night.” That had brought a smile back to Beite’s face.
Darag hadn’t been at the dinner. For a few minutes, no one showed Lavinia any deference, as if everyone were waiting for something. Beite bit her lip and looked into the darkness. And then Laireag had invited Lavinia to sit with him. After that, the night had gone on as it had the last three.
Cuileann had brought her mulled cider with a charming smile, but his eyes had been dark and kept glancing around looking for someone. She had talked to the same Kith lads she did every night, Beite by her side. Suileag had stopped by, her expression kind as she chatted with her daughter. Her eyes had slid sideways to Lavinia several times. Lavinia had felt like everyone was holding their breath, waiting. She had been aware of every look, every breeze, every laugh, the feel of grass beneath her feet, the solid wood of the table, and Darag’s absence most of all.
Laith Lus’ answers had only helped a small degree. Yes, Kith choose once for life and when life was measured in centuries, it was advisable to make that a careful choice. Yes, foreigners had been chosen before and lived as the Kith in Lus na Sithchaine. It wasn’t unheard of, was even welcomed, but did not always work out. Without a tree, both partners relied on the health and longevity of just one. A troubled marriage could cause a tree to sicken. The sudden addition of years, outliving relatives and siblings, caused strain and sadness that had no cure. But it had also worked out enough times that such a match wasn’t forbidden.
Laith Lus had smiled at her warmly, taking her hand.
“There is no pressure child. I did not invite you here to choose or be chosen, but to spend time with us and take a break from the journey you have taken up. You are young yet, even if old enough for such things as love. It is not always necessary us Kith be only serious. Laugh, flirt, bring us your joy and we will be glad of it.”
Laith Lus’ words helped soothe Lavinia’s growing unease, but he could not answer the questions that really kept Lavinia awake that night. Why was Darag avoiding her? Because he didn’t want to choose her, or because he did? Only Darag could tell her and he had disappeared overnight.
Now it was early afternoon and Lavinia felt at a loss. Every day had been spent with Darag and she was uncertain what to do with her time now that he was gone. Niri was under a tree reading about the war, reminding Lavinia of another worry and of what awaited at the end of another week. It gave Lavinia an idea.
She found Beite encouraging her house to grow. She raised her arms slowly, spreading her arms wide with fingers outstretched. The tree in front of her obliged, stretching upwards and wrapping a branch around the edge of the roof.
“Do you want to go to Drufforth to see the work on the boat?”
“Really?”
Beite’s excitement made the forty-five minute walk to Drufforth feel much shorter. They emerged from the forest into sunlight and sea. Beite stopped at the edge of the forest, gazing at the harbor with wide eyes.
“I don’t leave Lus na Sithchaine that often,” she whispered. Lavinia smiled and reached out for her hand. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
Ria ended up showing both of them around. Ty was off for the day along the shore. His absence left a hollow ache in her now, like after he had left for his apprenticeship. Only then she had dreamed great adventures for him. Now she hoped he simply came back in one piece. She had heard of his outbursts all the way in Lus na Sithchaine.
Ria had virtually been adopted by Kara, the innkeeper and her older sister Tatla. They were trying to grow a small vineyard on the south side of a hill. The forest had been pushed back by the Kith to make way for a scattering of straggly vines. As the days had passed, Ria made herself useful by tending the young plants and helping in the inn.
“I’ve meant to come to Lus na Sithchaine,” Ria said in answer to a question from Lavinia. “But, I got so busy here . . . .”
Beite flexed a grape vine in her fingers. “You’ve done a good job, as good as a Kith.”
Ria grinned.
“You should come tomorrow night at least, for the dance.”
Beite rolled forward onto the balls of her feet. “Oh yes, you have to come!” It did not take any further convincing.
They walked to the boat after that, Lavinia straining her eyes to see if Darag was among the Kith working. Ria and Beite exchanged a glance, causing Lavinia to blush. Her hopes fell to her feet as she saw only Nuin and Cran Laoibhreil. She sighed, scuffing the sand for a moment.
“Say Beite, have you ever been sailing?”
“You mean on water?” Beite’s dark eyes filled her face so that Lavinia laughed. She and Ria raced Beite to Skree’s skiff and the three took the small boat out to the harbor for lessons for both Ria and Beite.
The light was still bright but shadows were lengthening as Lavinia and Beite headed back to Lus na Sithchaine. Lavinia’s contentment dissipated the closer they got to the city in the trees.
“Darag said he has left twice,” Lavinia said suddenly.
“He told you that?” Beite smiled, glancing over at Lavinia. “Yes, he has always followed his own path. Restless,” Beite frowned slightly and shook her head. “He said what he was looking for wasn’t here. But he came back without anything so I don’t know if he found what he was looking for there.”
Lavinia smiled at the tangled twist of logic. “Well maybe it is why he seems different.”
“Or he just is,” Beite laughed merrily. “He is the most skilled in Lus na Sithchaine. It is why Laith Lus includes him in council though he isn’t even 100 and why Nuin asked him to help on your boat. He won’t admit it, but I know he can even out match Laith Lus. He just says ‘Laith Lus has more experience.’” Beite sighed. Lavinia smiled, hearing the words not as Beite said them with a mocking bite but in Darag’s calm tone and timber. It gave her heart an ache. It was not a feeling she was used to.
“Well, there is no reasoning with brothers. I should know!”
Beite giggled.
Sunlight glinted ahead with the promise of the central clearing. When she glanced up. Lavinia saw Beite stopped in her tracks. Darag in the sunlight just beyond, arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the trunk of a tree, Lavinia’s heart skipped a beat.
Darag’s eyes were shaded as he glanced up at her. His expression flickered between an apology and something akin to sorrow.
“I thought you would have asked Cuileann to practice with you,” Darag said with a rasp.
“No,” Lavinia answered, stopping a foot from him. She looked up into his eyes. “I was waiting for you.” For some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to be annoyed that he hadn’t shown up to practice with her.
Darag closed his eyes for a breath. When he opened them, there was warmth there again. Lavinia’s heart leapt above her lungs, drumming away with a pulse that made breathing difficult.
“We went to Drufforth,” Lavinia said, feeling detached from her words.
“She taught me to sail,” Beite chimed in with a rock forward on her feet. “You should have come!”
“Yes, then I could have taught you to swim.”
Beite stuck her tongue out at her brother while Lavinia giggled. Darag glanced at Lavinia from under his lashes, a slight smirk on his lips. His voice was light but his next words were serious.
“I half wondered if you would come back.”
“I think I need to protect Beite from you for awhile longer.”
Beite pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows at her brother, underscoring Lavinia’s words. Darag chuckled.
“Besides, I thought you would still teach me while I’m here.”
Darag pushed himself away from the tree. “Come then.” He offered her his hand.
Shadows scattered across the stream side clearing more than sun when they reached it, neither talking during the walk. Lavinia forgot to worry about her brother, about the journey, Ria’s gift, or Darag as she moved with the sword in her hand. Darag hardly had to correct her stance, but she found her heart fluttering each time his light touch adjusted her hand. Otherwise, she was fluid grace moving with a deadly certainty she had never felt before in her life.
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