Silent Requiem (Tales of Ashkar Book 3)

by Kayl Karadjian

  “You are prepared for it, are you not?” she asked when he appeared reluctant to answer.

  “I have been prepared for some time, Sora,” he replied.

  “With Enept-Ihs reduced to nothing, and Raxxil and Arwynn taking care of what’s left of the Order of the Faith, that leaves only Arcadia before we set our sights once again on the Asmani,” Sora continued. “In their weakened state, it should be a simple task to rid them of another of their leaders, and following that, the other two. The kingdom should crumble after that.”

  Wu nodded. “I’ve waited for this moment for a long time. How fares Quinn? I do hope that he’s been putting the grimoire to good use.”

  “Quinn never arrived,” Sora replied. “I haven’t a clue about his whereabouts.”

  A long silence loomed as Wu frowned.

  “Our numbers decrease by the day, it would seem,” he said finally with a sigh. “With Serraemas and Erendil gone, our strength is greatly diminished. Are these orbs truly as powerful as you say? The Asmani have endured for centuries with nary a scratch on their walls.”

  “No army can withstand the power of the orbs,” Sora answered without an ounce of hesitation.

  Wu pondered something for a moment, but only ended up nodding. “I shall take my leave, then.”

  “Report back as soon as you have accomplished your mission,” Sora said.

  “If I may intrude,” said Caretaker Gorr, his face appearing from the shadows beyond as he stepped forward. His expression was grave, graver than his usual self. “I have news of import, Master Sora.”

  “What is it, Gorr?” Sora asked.

  Gorr reached under his garment, pulling out a teamdisc and showing it to Sora. The teamdisc had four runes, one of red, one of a dulled blue, one of gray, and the last a black one that had been inactive the last time Sora had looked upon it.

  But now the black one was active again, and Sora’s eyes widened.

  Erendil was alive.

  “How is it possible?” she asked as she moved her gaze to Gorr’s eyes.

  “I do not know, but it is certain,” Gorr replied. “Erendil is alive, somewhere.”

  _ _ _

  “My part in the Skyward Hands ended that day when I was struck down in the forests of Makka,” said Jorne. “My weapon shattered, my body bleeding, I had submitted to death. But it was not death that found me. A myth by the name of Dyraunt found me instead, giving me a purpose greater than any other.”

  Erendil looked over to Kalic, who returned a puzzled expression.

  “The Great Bear Spirit, as some call it, absorbed me as it had many others lying on death’s doorstep,” continued Jorne. “The image of me that you see is but one of its many forms. In truth, I am no longer Jorne.”

  “Then what are you?” Erendil asked.

  “One of Ashkar’s guardians,” Jorne answered.

  “Thy seeketh our help, then?” Kalic asked.

  “Not me,” Jorne said. “Ashkar does.” He turned to Erendil. “Your elemental could not let itself die, and it plagues you still. Your desire of release is admirable, but it is not yet time for you to return to the earth. Such is the same for the other elementalists, a fate that binds you all.”

  “But as you say, Akaba will continue to control me,” Erendil said, his gaze moving to the ground in shame. “How can I help in such a state?”

  “That is why I brought you to Kalic,” Jorne said. “He will help you to master your elemental.”

  Kalic appeared bewildered. “How can I do such a thing?” He unsheathed his sword, and Erendil saw it to be shattered in two with one end missing. “Elementalism hath not touched me for decades.”

  Jorne’s expression did not change. “The struggle to contain the soul of a dragon echoes Erendil’s. There is no one more suited to such a task.”

  “Thine knowledge is ancient,” Kalic responded as he sheathed his blade. “I had thought that the last person to walk Ashkar with such knowledge died long ago. Thou speaketh the truth, then. Ashkar seeks our help, but why? What threatens this world?”

  “Fret not over such things,” Jorne dismissed. “The time will come when you will know. Until then, you must help Erendil master his elemental. I bid you both farewell.” Jorne turned and treaded away from the two without pause.

  “Where are you going?” Erendil asked. “Don’t we need further guidance?”

  But Jorne did not stop, nor did he answer. He kept going, like a ghost disconnected from the world. His form grew smaller and smaller until he disappeared behind some foliage.

  Erendil looked at Kalic, who returned a confused smile. They remained like that for some time, the sprinkling of the nearby brook and the chirping of birds the only sound in the air.

  “What did he say about a dragon?” Erendil asked, finally processing what Jorne had just said.

  Kalic looked away, a heavy sigh leaving his lips. “Perhaps such a tale is necessary for thou to understand. Come closer, Erendil, and I will impart with you the first step to controlling the demons inside.”

  Chapter 21

  282nd Dusk of the 5010th Age of Lion

  Vanessa watched from the rooftops, her eyes glued to the path that the young boy would take to the girl’s home. Tonight was the final night of the month, and tonight would be the night where the girl would give her answer.

  But the boy did not come running down the street around the same time he had done for every other night. The hour grew late, and Vanessa worried that something had happened to him.

  Vanessa heard a door below open, and when she looked down she saw that even the girl had come out, her face stricken with worry as well. The girl waited at the door for a few more minutes before dashing out into the street, running down the same path that the boy would take to her home.

  Vanessa leapt from rooftop-to-rooftop in pursuit of the girl, both to see where she was going and protect her if need be. It was to her horror that she learned how much peril a girl could be just by roaming the streets alone.

  Lorine was never like that, or was it? Vanessa had also learned just how oblivious a princess was when it came to her own kingdom. Holed in her castle and away from strife, how could she know anything?

  And so Vanessa followed the girl as she turned corners and crossed streets until buildings gave way to open and grassy areas. They were in the Delanar Promenade now, a serene place that Vanessa enjoyed spending her time in.

  Now on the ground, Vanessa both kept her distance from the girl and from anyone else. Rumors had spread about her, and this night was not a night that she wanted to face any authority.

  Vanessa stopped and hid behind a bush when she saw that the girl stopped in front of a gazebo. To her surprise, she saw the boy standing inside the gazebo, waiting for his beloved with flower in hand. He beamed at her, waiting for the girl to be rid of her shock and join him.

  When she did so, they embraced each other for a while, neither wanting to let the other go. Vanessa approached the gazebo as cautious as she could, but she could not hold back a smile that revealed her teeth.

  “Thy answer must have been yes,” Vanessa said, and the girl jumped when she turned to look upon Vanessa’s ghastly features.

  “Who are you?” the girl asked, but the boy rubbed her back in reassurance.

  “She’s just a friend,” he said to the girl before turning to Vanessa. “I want to say sorry for that one night. Even though you saved me from those men, I was still shocked.”

  “I didn’t mean to frighten thou,” Vanessa replied.

  The girl looked horrified. “You mean… she’s the—?”

  “Tarrin, she’s not going to hurt us,” the boy urged as he grabbed tight the girl’s arm.

  “Do not be frightened, child,” Vanessa said. “I was merely drawn by thine love for each other.” She turned to the boy. “Tell me, why did thou not come to her home?” She then turned back to Tarrin. “And tell me, young one, how did thou know to come here?”

  The both of them smiled sheepis
hly.

  “Well, you see,” started the boy, “this spot is where it all began. It was here that I asked for her hand. That’s how she knew where to find me, and since she came, I knew her answer would be yes.”

  It was then that a realization struck Vanessa like a slap to the face. Kalic was no longer in Arcadia. He had been before, that was for certain, but not anymore. And there could only be one other place where she would find him.

  Without uttering another word to the young couple, Vanessa disappeared into the night.

  _ _ _

  Graeme stood alone in his tower, as he did on many nights. But unlike those other nights, he was not gazing at the stars and letting his mind wander. No, on this night his mind was focused on the things that he wished would cease consuming his attention.

  He never thought it possible, but it seemed that Liberty was not the only fanatic who desired the orbs. It was Graeme who had been foolish to think that way. It was now clear that more than one kingdom sought to abuse the orbs’ limitless power, and the exchange with the Asmani emissary was the primary source of Graeme’s many sleepless nights.

  He gazed at the Orb of Life resting atop his desk. His observatory was where he kept it, safe and sound. But like the War with the Order of the Faith, it would make no difference if Arcadia’s walls fell.

  And if the Asmani invaded with Arcadia in the state that it was, no amount of miracles would save them.

  “Peace may never be fulfilled,” said Samsara, a bitter pill that Graeme knew was not to deride him, but pull him out of denial.

  “Then is it useless to fight for it?” Graeme asked.

  “A virtuous pursuit is never useless,” replied the elemental. “But being consumed by it is as much of a vice as it is a virtue.”

  Graeme wrapped his fingers around the orb, its warm light filling him. He had no knowledge of its depth, and on many occasions he thought to seek its power as well.

  Perhaps I could utilize it to defend…

  He prevented his mind from tasting that train of thought further. Even if he could figure out how to harness it, would using it on other people taint its power? Would it taint him as well?

  The ancient texts only speak of them as salvation from the legions of Hell. What did that actually mean? Would the light from the orbs decimate the demon armies? Such a notion reminded Graeme of absurd bedtime stories. Even so, what else could the orbs’ purpose be?

  A series of knocks came at Graeme’s door, and he quickly shuffled to remove the orb from sight and return it to its hidden spot in the recesses of one of Graeme’s drawers. As a final touch he sealed the drawer shut.

  “Come in,” Graeme said, expecting Wu or one of the other leaders of Arcadia to visit him at such a late hour.

  As the door opened Graeme first saw one of his guard’s faces followed by that of Incindir’s and Halcyon’s.

  “Pardon the intrusion, Grand Arcanist, but you made it explicit to allow these two to see you at once should they ask for you,” said the guard.

  “Yes, thank you,” Graeme said. “You are dismissed.”

  The guard nodded, then closed the door behind him.

  To Graeme’s surprise, neither of the two were beaming at him. No, they held sour expressions, the kinds that Graeme often found himself making as of late even though he did not mean to.

  “Come, have a seat,” Graeme gestured to the two, but neither made a motion. “Is something astray?”

  “We failed to retrieve one of the orbs,” Incindir said. “Even worse, it is now in the hands of a purple-eyed executioner—and according to Halcyon she is on our trail.”

  A purple-eyed executioner… I shouldn’t be shocked. Not at this point.

  “Perhaps it would be wise not to lead her here, then?” Graeme said. “There are enough eyes on Arcadia as it is.”

  “It makes no difference,” Halcyon said. “Somehow, she can sense the locations of all the orbs.”

  “She seems bent on Halcyon, though,” Incindir said. “I doubt she’ll come near you unless she gets through me. Besides, we’re not staying long.”

  “I appreciate the warning,” Graeme said.

  “We need your help,” Halcyon pleaded, his eyes searching Graeme’s.

  Graeme leaned back, his eyes darting from Halcyon to Incindir. He then placed two fingers on his face, his brows furrowing. “I cannot.”

  Incindir looked away, his face revealing his acceptance. While the dual-eyed elementalist assumed Graeme’s response, the Child of Light’s pleading eyes were as if it was Graeme’s first time saying no.

  “Ashkar needs you,” Halcyon urged.

  “If Arcadia falls, there will no longer be a bastion to defend you and the orbs,” Graeme responded. “Even now, at the height of our vulnerability, I fear the Asmani to finish what the Order of the Faith began.”

  “The Asmani?” Incindir asked with narrowed eyes. “What have you heard from them?”

  “It is only speculation, but I fear that they might seek to collect the orbs as well, and judging by the tone of their emissary, with force,” Graeme answered.

  Incindir gritted his teeth, his nostrils flaring. “Let’s go, Halcyon. Arcadia is going to need Graeme if it is true.” He reached for Halcyon’s hand, but the boy would not have it.

  “There won’t be an Arcadia, or an Asmani, or anything,” Halcyon said, his eyes grave and his mouth firm. “Everything will die.”

  “I’m sorry,” Graeme said. “I can’t.”

  “Halcyon,” Incindir repeated, his hand already pulling the door open.

  Defeated, the Child of Light turned away from Graeme and trudged past Incindir to the other side of the doorway, the handful of guards staring at the child in wonder.

  “Halcyon,” Graeme called.

  The Child of Light looked back at Graeme.

  “I truly am sorry,” he said.

  The door closed without a response.

  _ _ _

  The night was quiet in Arcadia, a stark contrast to how Incindir saw it before the war. A suffocating silence blanketed all reaches of the kingdom. It was no longer just the dregs who roamed the streets aimlessly. There were fewer bustling districts, and even fewer festivities.

  Describing it as unsettling was an understatement. So quiet it was that Incindir heard whispers carried by the wind that whistled through the still air. That, or in the long gaps of solitude his mind had begun to fill the void with insanity.

  And even though such a circumstance was self-inflicted, some would deem it a curse. The curse was not in his solitude, but rather his name. And even then that was not enough, for it was becoming apparent that his hands were cursed as well.

  But, maybe, just maybe, circumstances could have been different. That was the illusion that he had fabricated for himself, but with every turn it cracked like the glass of a mirror ever so slightly. Incindir wondered when it would shatter completely, or if it already had and the illusion itself was an illusion.

  “Incindir?” asked Halcyon, drawing Incindir from his thoughts to the present world.

  “Yes, Halcyon?” he replied.

  “Are you well?” asked the boy. “Your face is stern, the kind of face that you make at the onset of battle.”

  Incindir closed his eyes and sighed. “It’s a curious thing, desire. When I was a child, there was nothing I longed for most than to be by myself. That was at a time when I had many people around me. And now, in a lonely existence, I struggle with the notion.”

  “You are not alone,” Halcyon said.

  “You are right most times, but in this case I disagree,” Incindir replied. “The few who walked this path with us are now gone. There’s no one left, Halcyon. Just look at this place now. I had once thought this place to be a sign of something better, and it could have been. People like Graeme are few and far between, but even then, look at what happened to this beacon of light that was a flourishing civilization.”

  “How many good souls perished on both sides, Incindir?” Halcyon
said. “The folly of man is that you are all blinded.”

  Incindir shook his head. “No, we are not blind. We’re fickle. We plainly see what is in front of us, and we make the wrong choices anyway.”

  Halcyon’s expression grew sad. “If you’ve no faith, then why bear this mission?”

  “Don’t misunderstand, Halcyon,” Incindir continued, “it’s not that I have none. I’ve put my faith in others many times, and it’s led me astray time and time again.”

  “Faith does not lead one astray,” Halcyon said.

  Incindir smiled at himself. “Well, I wouldn’t expect you to think any other way.”

  “And do you also expect Graeme to sit in his tower like that?” Halcyon asked.

  Incindir stopped. “What do you mean?”

  “You must have faith in him like I do to abandon his foolishness and instead lend his aid to what matters most,” Halcyon replied.

  “A man like him is not easily swayed,” Incindir said as he ran his fingers through his hair and looked back, contemplating on whether or not their approach had been the right one. “He’s holding onto something here, even if he hides it. And I don’t blame him for it. Whatever it is, Ashkar needs Arcadia. Without it, we have no safe haven for us nor the orbs.”

  Halcyon let loose a sound of frustration, an uncommon expression from him. “But—“

  “Halcyon, listen to me,” Incindir interrupted as he kneeled so that the two were face-to-face. He placed a hand on Halcyon’s shoulder and looked at the ground briefly. “I know that you want to see the best in us, but sometimes you have to let go. It is up to Graeme to decide what to do. Let go.”

  “Letting go means losing faith,” Halcyon replied as he turned away from Incindir and walked away. “There are darker shadows than the ones found in Hell, Incindir.”

  Incindir watched as Halcyon marched away for a few moments before picking himself up and going after the boy. He gave one last look over his shoulder toward Graeme’s tower. Graeme was justified in refusing again. Without leadership, Arcadia could not hope to recover. Even worse, the Asmani would sing its death knell. There was no longer anyone else to turn to for help.