Time immediately slowed to a crawl. He could feel it. The flow. Only this time it was immeasurably stronger than before. The pain from the Vrykol’s blow was banished, and the sword in his hand suddenly felt as if it had no weight at all.
Though Sayia was no more than a heartbeat or two away from death, from Jayden’s new perspective, it was as if he had all the time in the world to save her. Movements that until seconds ago were a blur to his eyes now appeared virtually suspended, as if time itself no longer existed. A fire raged within his spirit. This was more than the flow; this was a power unlike anything he had ever imagined. The words he had heard kept repeating in his thoughts: The power of heaven is within you.
Was this what he was now feeling? The power of heaven? It seemed impossible. Yet there could be no other explanation. The world around him had all but halted. What else but heaven itself could accomplish such a thing?
His eyes fell upon the Vrykol, its blade threatening to end Sayia’s life. Emotions instantly raged. Fury...Hatred...A Need to Destroy. In an instant, he felt them all tear through him as never before.
Rising to his feet, he ran headlong at the Vrykol. Only then did the passage of time resume. His rage was all encompassing as he swung his steel at the beast’s neck. The Vrykol looked up in wide-eyed astonishment, but for only the briefest of moments. Jayden’s steel found its mark, the flesh and bone of his victim no barrier whatsoever to the strength he had unleashed.
Even after its head had rolled from its shoulders, the body of the Vrykol remained standing. Jayden regarded it with a sinister smile before kicking it contemptuously to the ground.
Sayia was still on her back, staring up at him with an unreadable expression. In his eyes she now seemed tiny...insignificant. No more important than a pet or pack animal. The world around him had changed as well. It wasn’t a place in which he dwelt any longer. It was his. A possession. A thing with which he could do as he pleased.
He closed his eyes. He no longer felt human. Nor did he feel the elf blood that ran through his veins. But if he was neither of these, then what was he? The answer quickly came. He was quite simply...more. Everything was now clear. He knew what he had to do. It was all so simple, so very obvious. He realized that he was laughing.
No. This is not the way.
The voice felt like claws raking at his mind. His anger returned tenfold on realizing that the power was leaving him. A furious scream escaped, though he could not be certain if it actually passed his lips or if it was contained within the torrent of his spirit. Frantically he tried to hold on to whatever power remained, but it was like trying to wrap his hands around a gust of wind.
A great weight crashed in. It was gone. The power of heaven had completely deserted him, as if it had never been there at all. He was only vaguely aware of dropping to his knees. The pain in his head from where he had been struck returned. He toppled over onto his side, unable to move as darkness began closing in around him. He could not fight against it. As strong as he had been only moments ago, he was now equally weak.
He thought he felt a pair of hands touch his brow, but the sensation was fleeting. Only seconds later, the darkness became total, and the last vestiges of consciousness disappeared.
Chapter Ten
Once settled into his blanket in a dry corner of the cargo hold, Linis ran a hand over the cover of the book Sayia had passed onto him. Her instructions had been not to open it until they were at least two days away. An odd request, he thought. She had said simply that it contained sketches dating back to the Great War and was an interesting piece of history. However, the dire expression on her face as she handed it over suggested that it contained something of great importance.
“Do not show this to Penelope and Maybell until their mother is safe,” she had instructed. “I cannot have them chasing after us.”
“If there’s something I need to know –”
“If there were, you have my word I would tell you. For now, I can only beg your trust. Please do as I ask.”
They had been at sea for two days and were due to arrive at the port of Zinia by the morning. From there they would purchase mounts and head northwest until reaching the Goodbranch. A roundabout way to go home to be sure, but it ensured that any pursuers would have great difficulty in following. The rest of the temple residents were to be then transported on to Althetas, where King Jacob would give them sanctuary.
While reaching over and turning up the lantern, a mild sense of dread came over him. Yet again he recalled the troubling way in which Sayia had looked at the book before handing it over. This alone had made the temptation to view it prematurely hard to resist. But seeing as how there had been no ill intent in Sayia’s voice, and the fact that both Penelope and Maybell seemed to trust her, he had waited for the instructed time. Now all would be revealed.
He opened it to the first page. Visions of Life and Death by Nor Byrathisen.
Linis had never cared for human art. The themes were too common and the perspectives narrow. Not that he had ever been particularly enthusiastic about elf art, either – with the exception of that created by the elves of the Steppes.
The first few sketches were of various animals and flora found mostly in the west. He guessed this was likely where the artist had originated from. Then his eye was drawn to the top of a red ribbon poking invitingly out midway through the book. It had to be there for a reason. With curiosity now peaking, rather than wait until reaching it page by page, he took a deep breath and jumped ahead. He was immediately struck by what he saw. Reaching over, he brightened the lantern.
For the next twenty minutes he could do nothing but stare in shocked disbelief. Several more pages had been marked out, each one of them further verifying his suspicions. But it was impossible. Even though it was here before his very eyes, he still could not force himself to truly believe what he was seeing.
Hearing footsteps approaching, he quickly closed the book and shoved it under his blanket.
Penelope moved with careful steps, hopping over the packs and blankets of the passengers, most of whom were currently on deck or in the galley.
“Is that the book Sayia gave you?” she asked. When Linis didn’t reply, she laughed and took a seat beside him. “I saw her give it to you. There’s no need to hide it. I won’t pester you about it.”
He gave what he hoped was a casual smile. “It’s nothing important...nothing you need be concerned over.”
Penelope shrugged. “Whatever you say.”
“Where is your sister?”
“With the navigator again. Maybell’s determined to learn how she controls the flow of wind and water.” She rolled her eyes. “As if she could learn all that in a matter of a few days. I told her not to bother, but she doesn’t listen.”
“She was always stubborn,” Linis remarked.
To him, they were still the small children who had left Sharpstone years ago. Though they had grown in body, their personalities had remained exactly the same. Dina had always thought Penelope to be far too detached for one so young. Linis, however, saw through her façade. She was deeply emotional, but unlike Maybell, was afraid to let it show.
“Are you excited to see home again?” he asked.
Penelope lowered her head. “To be honest, I don’t know how to feel about it. What with Mother being ill and Father missing, it doesn’t really feel like I’m going home at all.”
“Your mother is strong,” he assured her. “She’ll make it through this.”
“The funny thing is, it’s not Mother or even Father I’m worried about. I know I should be. But I’m not.”
Linis sat up and leaned his back against the ship’s hull. “What is it, then?”
“It’s Jayden. I fear what will become of him. What if the vision Father had is true? Could it have been more than a warning? What if it really was an image of the future?”
Linis smiled warmly. “Jayden has a good heart. You have to trust in that, as I do. He is not capable of evil, and has no
desire to rule and conquer.”
“Maybe that was true before. But what about now? Back home he had no knowledge of his power. There, he was just the son of a farmer. Now, suddenly, he has discovered that he’s the son of the mighty Darshan.”
“He is still Jayden. I’ve known him all his life. Only your parents know him better. He will not become what your father’s vision foretold. I’m confident of that.”
“I pray you’re right.”
Linis could see there was more on her mind. He reached out and placed a hand on her arm. “You can speak freely with me, Penelope. I may not be as wise as my wife. But perhaps talking might help.”
She sighed. “It’s just something Sayia said shortly before you arrived in Baltria. About how troubles in the world would make it easy for someone strong…like Jayden…to make themselves an all-powerful king or emperor. We’ve already seen the start of it in the west. Rebellious nobles have tried to dethrone King Jacob three times because of his relationship with the elves. The last attempt was nearly successful.”
“And you think your brother would attempt such a thing?”
“Like you say, he has a good heart. What if he thinks that to save the world, he must first rule it? Isn’t that what originally motivated the Reborn King? He wasn’t evil in the beginning, either.”
“His rise was born from anger,” Linis pointed out. “He felt betrayed by those close to him. Jayden is –”
“He feels the same way,” she said, cutting him short. “He feels betrayed by our parents for having lied to him. Haven’t you noticed how angry he gets?”
“All young men get angry. It’s part of being young. I was no different myself. As far as feeling betrayed, I agree that he isn’t happy about what they did. All the same, I think he understands. He loves Gewey and Kaylia very much. He will learn to forgive them.”
“Will he? Are you sure? Are you willing to risk the fate of the world on it?”
Linis could see the pain in her eyes and hear it in her tone. “I am. I have seen all manner of evil in this world. I have witnessed the very worst in both human and elf. Jayden is not like that, and never will be.” He paused to look Penelope directly in the eye. “You cannot compare him to the Reborn King. That man was raised to serve the gods in a world corrupted by their influence. He was taught there is only one path to salvation, and he learned his lessons well. Jayden was not brought up with such a narrow vision of the world. Despite being sheltered in Sharpstone, he is well aware of the realities of life. He has no false beliefs to cling to. The foulness of the world will not shatter him as it did the Reborn King.”
Penelope forced a weak smile. “I want to believe that – more than anything. I know I don’t show it, but I love my brother very much. I could never stand against him.”
“It’s a choice you will never need to make,” Linis assured her.
He could see in her face that she meant every word. Should he be wrong, and Jayden did in fact one day seek to accomplish what the Reborn King could not, it would be much worse. Her love would not allow her to oppose him. Rather than that, she would possibly stand with him.
His mind turned back to the sketches hiding beneath his blanket.
“If you’re going to keep hovering over that book, you’re going to make me too curious to leave it alone,” Penelope told him.
Linis realized that he had subconsciously placed his hand on the blanket directly above the book. “I’ll show you what it is soon,” he said. “Just not now.”
Her smile widened. “I’m sure it’s some dread secret Sayia thinks should be hidden from us. Ever the mysterious elf, she is. It took her a year before she even told us that she knew Aaliyah. Of course, we already knew; Aaliyah had sent us word Sayia was coming. Yet when she sat us down to tell us, it was as if she were revealing the very secrets of heaven.”
That might well be what the book contained, Linis considered. The secrets of heaven. The implications of what he had seen in its pages were like a cyclone whirling through his mind, jumbling all his thoughts. It had to be a forgery. Yes. But telling himself this did not make him believe it. And if it was real, then the future was already fixed – made irreversible by the past.
He felt a hand push on his leg.
“I’m supposed to be the broody one,” Penelope teased. “Remember?”
Linis chuckled, trying to disguise his worry. “This is true. At least, that’s what you like people to think.” He pushed himself to his feet. “Come. I am hungry. Join me.”
Penelope rose and took his arm. “I hope they don’t serve any more of that dreadful stew.”
“Dreadful? I thought you liked elf cooking.”
“I like my mother’s cooking,” she corrected. “And I like elf candy.” She gave him a lopsided grin. “You don’t happen to have any, do you?”
“Sadly, none with me. But I think there’s a jar in a cupboard in Sharpstone that will please you very much. Though I think you might have to fight your sister for it.”
They both burst into laughter.
In spite of this merriment, Linis’s thoughts lingered on the book. He almost stopped to retrieve it. Of course, that would only further heighten Penelope’s curiosity. Besides, the time was not right. If what he had seen was true, then there was nothing that could be done about it anyway. So there was no need to burden her further.
All the same, bearing this knowledge alone was proving unexpectedly difficult. He wanted another pair of eyes to point out something he had missed – something that would disprove his calculations. Both Maybell and Penelope had studied the history of The Great War extensively. Perhaps they would be able to see through it and lift the growing weight pressing down on him.
Deep in the recesses of his mind, he knew this hope was futile. He knew the histories well enough too. It was true. All of it. And he was helpless to change it.
Chapter Eleven
When consciousness returned, Jayden’s head was throbbing wildly. He attempted to move, but it was as if all his strength had been completely drained away. The chirping of crickets filtered through the pounding. It was this sound, and the coolness of the air, that told him it was well into the night.
Peeling open his eyes, he tried to call out, but no sound came. Not even his voice would obey his commands. What had happened? He concentrated on the events of the day. At first, he could recall only the fight between Sayia and the Vrykol. Then, little by little, the fog surrounding his memory lifted.
“Lie still.”
He heard Sayia rummaging through her pack. He wanted to ask about her injuries, but was still unable to speak. Surely she was in pain. Yet without the skills of healing, there was nothing he could do to help her. There was also the not inconsequential fact that the only time he seemed able to use the flow was when he was enraged.
He lay there motionless and mute for several minutes until he felt a hand gently touch his brow. A cold chill shot through him, sending a wave of welcome relief to his paralyzed limbs.
“I...” he started to croak.
“Don’t try to move yet,” she told him. “I can restore only a small portion of your strength for now.”
“Are you all right?” he asked. “What about your wounds?” At least he could talk, even if his dry mouth and swollen tongue were making each word an enormous effort.
“I will heal,” she replied. “You needn’t concern yourself.”
He saw her silhouette moving against the moonlight a few feet away. She was limping severely. “How bad is it?” he asked.
“I said I’m fine. Self-healing is difficult, but I will manage.”
“What happened to me?” Ignoring Sayia’s order for him to remain still, he struggled onto his side and propped himself up on one elbow. Even this slight movement made him a touch dizzy, and for a moment his vision blurred.
“You’re as stubborn as your sisters told me,” she scolded.
Despite there being only dim moonlight, he could see the dark stain of blood seeping throu
gh the bandages on her shoulder, arms, and legs. “Can you still travel?” he asked.
“I’ll be slowed for a few days, that’s all. Fortunately, I brought with me salve made by the desert elves as a precaution. That will aid in the healing.”
Jayden cast his eyes around for the dead Vrykol, but Sayia had apparently moved it. “Do you think more of those things will come?”
“There’s no way to know. But we should assume they will.” She locked eyes with him. “Now, I want you to tell me how you did it.”
He shifted up a bit. “Did what?”
“How did you kill that creature?”
“You were there. You saw for yourself what happened.”
She leaned in closer, as if attempting to peer inside him. “I saw…something. Though I cannot tell you what it was. One moment you were standing a few yards away; then there was an blinding flash of light. The next thing I saw was you lying on your back beside the decapitated body of the Vrykol. No amount of the flow could have enabled you to do that. So, I ask again: How did you do it?”
Jayden paused to consider what he had experienced. The power of heaven. Yes. That was it. The feeling was like a distant memory, but it was still there. It had been bliss. Pure bliss.
“I heard a voice in my head,” he began, unsure how to describe the experience. “Then it was like time had stopped. After that, I don’t know. But you’re right. It wasn’t like the flow. It was something different.”
Sayia narrowed her eyes. “What did the voice say to you?”
He hesitated before replying. Though his sisters trusted this woman, he did not. And as for revealing that he was able to channel some mysterious force even more powerful than the flow…no. That was a secret he would keep for now. “I can’t remember,” he said. “It was just a voice.”
“Was it male, female, neither? Surely you can recall something about it.”
“No. Nothing. It all happened so fast. I just remember that you were on the ground and I had to stop the Vrykol from killing you. The next thing I knew, I was lying here.”
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