by Luna Lais
"Lissandra also possesses the Sun Arts." Darien cast a knowing glance at Eranen. "Prophecy sent her to you in search of a certain book that will reveal her abilities more fully."
"How is it that one of the Order of Colondone knows the Art of the Sun?" Eranen asked. He himself had some theories, but wanted Darien's input before reaching his own conclusion.
"I am not sure, but she is no longer a part of the Order, she has fled from them to save her life. They meant to execute her for her abilities." Darien said with heat in his voice.
Eranen was staring at Lissandra again. He did not know why, but he was relieved she know longer belong to the Order. "I see now that you are only helping me more, by bringing me more pieces to my own prophecy. How can that be an assistance to you?"
Darien watched his new friend closely. To often his eyes had drifted to his sister. "Her prophecy requires that she stay with you until harvest. If she does not then she will perish. For that reason I ask for you to provide us shelter until then."
"Of course, it is the least I can do. I will see you both safe for however long you need me. You do know it will still be several weeks before the cottage is completed. For now I am still living in the barn." Eranen seemed embarrassed that the best he could offer a prince and princess was a meager cot in the loft of a barn that housed animals as well as him.
"It is more than adequate," Darien assured him.
"Does she need rest or food?" Eranen asked Darien. "I was just about to review a few volumes myself, but I can wait if she needs to recuperate from the journey here."
"I am sure she is anxious to begin searching and can wait before eating or resting." Darien answered.
Lissandra having seen all she needed to spoke for the first time. "Excuse me" she snapped causing both men to jump at the sound of her voice. "Did either of you notice the head the Gods blessed me with? They even included a brain, which I have at times been known to use. They also gave me lips, but I am sure neither of you ever noticed them." Eranen had noticed her lush full lips, but he did not think now the time to mention it. Her tone did not indicate she would appreciate what he thought of her lips. Both men remained silent and looked at their feet. Much better she mused, this was her prophecy and she was going to decide how best to proceed.
"I would very much like to rest and while I am not starving I also would not object to some food. Anything would be better than the stale biscuit Darien gave me to break my fast this morning." Lissandra dismounted and began regally walking towards the barn leaving the men to stare after her. She smiled to herself. So this was the man who would shape her destiny. If her brother knew what the prophecies said about this man he would probably kill him where he stood. Darien had always been over protective of his sisters.
"Darien" Eranen said weakly, "She is not like a typical Calandorian woman is she?"
"Not in the least." Darien said proudly watching his sister enter the barn.
"When this is finished and harvest has come, if you feel the need to kill me I will understand." Eranen said softly.
Darien looked to Eranen then to the barn. "Do not worry my friend." Darien spoke seriously, "If I have to kill you after the harvest I will try to make it as painful as possible." Eranen only chuckled at his words and began walking towards the barn.
For two days the three of them went through Eranen's books. Darien had been surprised that the shack really was piled from floor to ceiling with books on every subject he could imagine. Lissandra had not corrected Darien's assumption that she was looking for a book on the Sun Arts. She had told him she searched for a book that would reveal her abilities. It gave him and Eranen something to do while she searched for the books Eranen had on prophecy. It was getting somewhat tiring to stop her searching every time they found anything relating to the Sun Arts. She would feign delight and place the book on the table next to the others in front of her. She was devoting her search to books that dealt with the Acumens or any prophecy they might have recorded. If she were wrong, well she did not want to think about that. She had chosen this path, she would have no regrets. Right now she just wanted the men out of her way while she looked for more clues.
Each evening after she retired for the night she would lay in the loft watching Eranen, which was what she was doing now. He always read until late in the night. Many of the books he was reading were the same Lissandra spent most of her time studying. To her Eranen was the most confusing individual she had ever met.
During the day around Darien he was always laughing and joking. Neither man seemed to have a serious thought. To them this search was more like a holiday from their normal lives. In the evenings when he studied he looked far too serious. He made notes and compared them to things he had found in other books. In the evenings he seemed almost scholarly. Regardless the time of day he was always handsome. She had hoped he would be, but now that she had seen him she worried less about what lied ahead.
Eranen did not laugh and joke with her as he did Darien, with her he was different. He never spoke to her unless she spoke first and he seldom looked at her. In fact since that first meeting Lissandra could not remember one time he had more than glanced in her direction. He was not unfriendly towards her, just disinterested, which may pose a problem later on she sighed to herself. Suddenly Eranen looked up and met her eyes. She quickly rolled over so he could only see her back. He had caught her staring at him. She was completely mortified, how would she be able to face him when morning came. She lay quiet and listened to the sound of him turning a page or picking up his quill to write more notes. Her thoughts drifted to her brother. Everyday he talked more of going home. Lissandra feared that he would want to leave before she found what she was looking for. If it came to it would she have the courage to stand against her brother and stay with here alone with Eranen? The man did not really seem to enjoy her company. Would Eranen even allow her to stay if Darien forbade it? They were friends after all. She could not tell Darien all of the prophecy that had brought her here and the importance behind it. If she tried she was certain he would give her a patronizing smile, pat her on the head and put her on his horse in front of him taking them both straight home. Luckily both of the men had seemed to forget that she had a book of prophecy. Neither had asked to see it since they began their search. She rolled over and looked at Eranen again. He was still reading. He was very handsome when he read she thought. She laughed softly to herself; he was handsome no matter what he was doing. Slowly trying to fight it as long as she could her tiredness over took her and she fell asleep watching him.
Eranen wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and looked up at the loft. She was finally asleep. Eranen wondered if Lissandra realized how often she used her powers and how much they revealed. Every night she would watch him for hours radiating an almost unbearable heat. It made him feel uncomfortable to think what would happen if her brother noticed. Luckily Darien had not yet noticed his sister's peculiar behavior. Eranen continued to stare, it seemed impossible, but she was more beautiful asleep than when she was awake. Now it was his turn to watch her before going to sleep himself. Once she had fallen asleep each night he would sit and watch her just as she had done to him. Tonight he let his gaze sweep over the length of her as he did so he frowned. He just noticed that she had only the one dress and she was sleeping in it as well as wearing it all day. Eranen sighed hardly believing what he was about to do. He stood and took some coins from the clay pot he had sitting on the mantle of the fireplace. If he left now he would make to town just as the shops began to open.
Chapter 11
When Darien and Lissandra awoke the next morning it was to find Eranen gone. He had not left them a note and had taken one of the black stallions. "Do you suppose he is okay?" Lissandra asked Darien while she cleared the remnants of their breakfast from the table.
"I assure you he can handle himself" Darien said rolling his eyes, this was the fifth time she had asked if he believed Eranen would be alright since they woke that morning to
find him gone. "Why are you so worried about him?" Darien asked worried by his sister's worrying. "I had the impression you did not really like the man." It was not Eranen Darien worried over, but his sister's obvious fascination with the man. He hoped it was only because Eranen was the first man she was not related to that she had seen in a long time.
"It is not him I am worried about. I have already told you the prophecy that sent me here stated that I am only safe in his presence. That can only make me believe that unless he is near I am in danger." She explained quickly to prevent Darien's thoughts from taking him elsewhere.
Darien sighed, "Lissandra, I will not let anything happen to you. You will be safe as long as I am here." He said softly trying to ease her fears.
"As much as I wish that were so it is not," She saw the hurt look in his eyes as she said the words. "Prophecy says I am not. Are you willing to risk my life being my protector despite everything you know of prophecy?"
"No of course not, " Darien said frustrated by the fact that the Gods thought him unable to keep her from harm and chose another for the duty. He really disliked prophecies.
In the distance they heard a rider approaching rapidly. Assuming it was Eranen, he and Lissandra left the barn to welcome him home. It was not Eranen that was riding for them at a rapid pace. It was a rider from Rorgrim. They could tell by the blue banner he carried. The man pulled up his horse immediately upon seeing Darien and brought his horse to a halt right in front of them.
The man quickly dismounted and knelt before Darien holding up a small leather pouch to him at the same time. "My lord I have urgent news from your brother." The man said. Once Darien had taken the leather pouch he rose and stood at attention waiting for Darien to issue him further orders.
Darien opened the pouch and removed a small rolled up letter from with in. He broke the familiar seal that proved this letter was from one of his family.
Brother,
It is not Jimreth who writes these words to you, but your youngest brother Makren. Much has happened since you left and now you must return to Calandoria and Rorgrim with due haste. I am sorry that I must tell you that our brother Jimreth and his wife Maureen are dead. I fear that at least our brother's death my have been by another's hand. Calandoria is without a king until your return and Raven is weak to its enemies. Rachel is acting as regent in your absence, but I still fear that whoever took Jimreth's life may attempt to see us all to our end.
Your brother,
Makren
As Darien read the letter all the color drained from his face. Seeing his distress Lissandra took the letter from his hands and read the words. "Dear Gods," she whispered, "Darien you must leave at once."
Darien did nothing more than nod at Lissandra's words. He turned to the man still waiting by his horse. "Tell my brother and sister that I return on your heels," the man nodded and remounted his horse. He spurred the horse back in the direction from which he came.
Darien quickly went into the barn to ready Nog for the trip to Rorgrim. "Lissandra gather your things we must make haste." Darien said as he placed his own things back into packs. Lissandra watched him race around the barn as she stood still by the doors. "I am not going." She had said it softly enough she was not sure he heard her words.
"What?" he stopped what he had been doing and stared at her.
"I can not go. I have to find that book and if I leave Eranen's presence I will die," She reminded him.
"Nonsense," Darien yelled. "Why would you believe he can save you and I can not."
"It is not me who believes that" she replied calmly. "It is prophecy that tells me so. Has it ever occurred to you that those who wish me dead will be waiting for me to arrive in Rorgrim. Are you prepared to defy the Order and bring a curse from the Moon to the people of Calandoria? What good will come from going to the aid of Makren and Rachel if the people revolt against Raven because you want to protect me? Here I will be safe. Those seeking me would not think that I have ventured to Hokaren. They would believe I travel to Rorgrim and my family. They would also not believe me to be living in a barn on a small farm. Their own assumptions of royalty will keep me safe."
"I can not just leave you," Darien looked away. "If I lost you as well"
"Your other sister needs you now brother she is the one in danger. I will be safe here." Lissandra understood his frustration. She wanted to leave and see her brother Makren. She wanted to comfort Rachel with her grief. Rachel never did deal well with sorrow. Lissandra herself felt only a little sorrow at hearing her of Jimreth's death. She had already grieved, right after she had left the temple. Her own destiny was not the only one in her book. Now she wondered if it would have made a difference had she told Darien about Jimreth when he first found her on the road. Most likely not, Jimreth had probably already been killed by that time.
"Trust in prophecy. Eranen will keep me safe from harm. You know him and trust him. Trust me when I tell you that there will be few in the coming months you will be able to trust. When war comes this spring we must win. You must be the King of Calandoria if we are to have a chance."
Darien looked at her puzzled, "What war?" he asked.
"Speak with Makren he will have more answers than I and his answers will have nothing to do with prophecy. He will be able to tell you only facts." Lissandra had revealed more then she had intended, but she had to say something that would make her brother leave her behind. "Make haste brother before Calandoria is lost to Raven."
Darien continued his preparations and left within the hour. Lissandra watched him leave from the entrance of the barn.
It was after midday before Lissandra saw Eranen riding down the road towards the barn. Lissandra had kept hidden in the loft not wanting to take any chances at being caught alone. Really she should have heeded her own words and not taken prophecy so lightly. She had been terrified ever since Darien had left. She should have insisted he stay until Eranen's return. Not that it would have made a difference the prophecy had named Eranen her protector, not Darien but she would have felt better with the company.
"Hello, " Eranen shouted. "Where has everyone gone?" At the sound of his voice Lissandra scrambled down the ladder of the loft to the lower level of the barn.
"Where have you been?" He turned at the sound of her voice.
"I went to town for supplies." He took one look at her panicked face and rushed to her grasping her hands with his. "What has happened, where is your brother?"
"Early this morning a rider from Calandoria arrived. My brother Jimreth the King is dead." For the first time since she read the letter she allowed tears to roll down her face. "Darien has left to secure the throne."
"Please don't," he said as he swept her up and carried her to one of the stuffed chairs by the fireplace. For a moment Lissandra took comfort in his strength, until he roughly dropped her into the chair closest to the fire. Lissandra looked up into his eyes startled. He was just staring at her. There was no look of compassion or concern. Tears were streaming down her face blurring her vision. She raised the side of her dress and wiped them away. More soon replaced them. Eranen stared at the exposed thigh where she had lifted her dress from her lap; he slowly tuned and left the barn.
She remained in the chair where he put her crying softly into the edge of the dress. A few minutes later he returned leading the stallion and carrying two large cloth sacks over one of his shoulders. He threw the sacks down in front of one of the empty stalls and led the horse into another. Eranen remained in the stall rubbing the horse down. Every once in a while he would glance towards Lissandra to see if she was still crying. He spent more time than was needed with the horse, but he wanted to make sure it was all out of her system before he spoke to her again. He had never dealt well with crying females.
Lissandra sat in the chair sniffing every now and then. The tears had run their course and now she just sat waiting for him to come back. He kept looking her way, but made no move to come any closer. Lissandra rose and filled the pot on the fire wi
th the water she and Darien had carried in before breakfast. She stopped in the middle of her actions and laughed at herself. She flung the bucket to the floor and sat back down into the chair. She willed the pot full of water and then lit a fire with her thoughts in the fireplace. "Mind if I have some tea?" she called over to him.
"Help yourself," he smiled. "Just be sure to clean up when you're done."
She shot him an annoyed glare. Of all the nerve he was just standing there smiling.
"Also if you would not mind we all can not command the elements," he pointed at the over turned water bucket. "Would you mind refilling that when you have a moment. I will need water to cook dinner."
She turned back towards the fire ignoring him.
"Are you finished…" Eranen was at a loss for words "leaking." Okay maybe that was not the best choice of words to use because she shot him a bone-chilling glare, literally bone chilling. He began shivering and moved closer to the fire in an attempt to regain the feeling in his hands and feet. After a few moments he sat in the chair next to hers. "That's quite a temper you have." He said flexing his hands. They were still stiff, but the feeling was starting to return.