Age of Valor: Awakening

by D. E. Morris

  Blue and gold flames sprang into life in the foyer of Oceana Palace in Caedia. After three nights of deep, dreamless sleep, Ashlynn was beginning to feel like herself again. She realized how much she'd taken for granted when the time she spent with her son and her husband was lost, and soaked up as much of them as she could. There was still a nagging at the back of her mind, however, something that would not let her stay still for long, even if she was happy. Nealie was dead and there were a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the entire thing, including a mysterious unknown book. She knew she needed to see Wessely and ask him about the odd scroll he'd shown her long ago, and the sooner the better. With a promise to return as soon as possible, she'd left Altaine to return to her childhood home in Caedia.

  She willed the flames away once her feet were on solid ground and found Elas standing there, a chunk of bread halfway to his mouth, blue eyes wide and frozen in surprise. “Hello,” she said with amusement. “Need to go change your trousers now?”

  “Was that necessary?” Elas relaxed some, though still looking at Ashlynn with half-hidden awe. “I nearly walked into that.”

  “That would not have been very good for you.”

  “Exactly,” replied Elas, unable to keep laughter from his tone. “To what do we owe this surprise visit?”

  Ashlynn stepped away from the charred spot that encircled her on the floor and looked around. “I need to see my father. Is he able to spare a moment for me?”

  The blue-haired man chewed his bite of bread slowly, suspiciously. “He was in his study reading, last I knew. Is everything all right?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Lynnie?” Kenayde appeared on the second floor landing above them. She saw her sister and took the stairs swiftly, concern on her face. “What are you doing here?”

  “I only have a little time,” Ashlynn told them. “Perhaps it will be best if you come with me to see Papa. Then I will only have to tell the tale once.” She did not wait for permission or any form of agreement before walking up the stairs Kenayde had just come down, both her sister and Elas quick on her heels. This palace used to be her home and she knew it as well as she now knew Altaine. The way to Wessely’s rooms was mapped into her brain permanently.

  Drawing up before the closed door of the study, Kenayde pushed in front of her sister to block her way. Unlike the grander capital of Siness, there were no guards stationed outside the king's door to announce them. Ashlynn was simply going to knock and let herself in, but she looked at her sister in confusion. “Be prepared,” Kenayde cautioned in a whisper. “Mama’s passing has not been kind to him.”

  “I have seen him since the war, Nadie.”

  “But not since you have been with child.” Kenayde’s lips curled in a grimace. “He is not the man you are used to seeing.”

  Ashlynn looked at her sister queerly as Kenayde moved aside. She steeled herself, expecting the same friendly face of Wessely to greet her as it always did, perhaps with a few more lines, and knocked on the door with a quick glance at Kenayde.

  “Yes?”

  “Papa,” Ashlynn called through the thick door. “It’s me. It’s Ashlynn.”

  “Lynnie?” A heavy chair moving, then footfalls across rug and stone. The door swung open, illuminating the king from behind. Before Ashlynn had a chance to really look at him, he took her into his arms and held her close. “My daughter,” he whispered.

  Ashlynn wrapped her arms around him, hugging him just as tight. “Hello, Papa.” She let him hold her a moment before saying, “I have to speak with you about something important.”

  Wessely pulled back, looking her full in the face. There was a smile to his lips, but his tone was sad. “And here I thought you came just to visit.”

  They filed into the large study and Ashlynn took the time to really look at him. His hair, fine and golden was turning silver near his temples. There were more wrinkles to his face and his shoulders were no longer perfectly squared. Blue eyes that were once the color of a summer sky seemed clouded and softer in tone. He looked like he’d aged ten years in one and it was startling.

  “How can this be a woman who was pregnant not two months ago?” Wessely asked, trying to deflect attention from himself.

  Ashlynn gave a fleeting smile, hands pressed to her stomach. “That is what corsets are for, Papa.”

  Wessely chuckled and sat, extending a hand to invite everyone else to do the same. “How are you feeling? Kenayde and Elas told me what happened on Mirasean.”

  “My physicians said if I had not been among elvish magic, I would have died.”

  “But you did not.”

  “No,” she agreed, “I did not.” She paused briefly. “I’m sorry it has been so long since I’ve come to visit.”

  “You are a high queen, Ashlynn. The matters of family in another country come after those of the people in your own. I understand.” He watched her frown and leaned forward to grasp her hand. “I understand.” Sitting back again, he looked at her seriously. “Now, you said you have something important to discuss.”

  “Do you remember the day you took me into your secret study? When you told me about my mother?”

  He nodded. “Of course I do.”

  “You showed me a scroll that had different signs and symbols on it, runes of some sort that you had hoped I would recognize.”

  “You did recognize a few of them,” Wessely reminded. “Not at first of course, but after a few moments.”

  “I need that scroll, Papa.”

  Wessely’s brow wrinkled. “It is yours if you want it, but my curiosity begs me ask why the scroll is important now.”

  “The Water Elemental has been killed.”

  The other three in the room gasped and asked questions all at once. Ashlynn shook her head when they quieted. “There is very little I know, only what Badru could tell me. He said he could feel her die, and that it was a slow and painful death.”

  Elas shuddered. “I can barely handle my own thoughts and feelings. To have someone else in my senses...”

  “He said he could hear or feel her last thought, and it was about a book.”

  Wessely was pensive. “What kind of book?”

  Ashlynn frowned. “I’m not sure, really. There is a lot we are unsure of, but Cavalon and Badru are much older than I am and I want them to see the scroll. I can’t explain why, but I feel that it may be a connection to this book that Nealie’s killer is after.”

  “I do not understand.” Everyone looked at Kenayde. “Lynnie, you told me that Elementals cannot speak to each other through telepathy. I remember that you and Luella could not hear each other when she was searching for us. How could he have heard Nealie’s last thought, or even know what it meant?”

  “We can’t,” Ashlynn confirmed. “He is just as baffled as we are, but he is certain of what he felt and heard. I have little room to doubt him.”

  “What about the new Elemental?” asked Elas. “Can Badru find him or her?”

  “He would be able to feel Nealie’s child when he or she shifts, but not until then.” She shook her head. “The problem lies in whether or not the child even knows what it is. If Nealie never told them...”

  “They would not know,” Wessely supplied. “It could also be a grown man or woman. It could be someone on their deathbed because they are so aged.” He looked at his daughter. “It seems you have a quest on your hands.” Getting to his feet, he turned for the door. “Let me fetch the scroll.”

  As the door closed behind Wessely, Kenayde frowned. After a few moments of thoughtful silence she asked, “Why would someone murder her?”

  Ashlynn did not have a solid answer for her sister. “Cavalon told us she was a person who had more enemies than friends.”

  “So you think this was an isolated event and not the beginning of something? Do the others? Cavalon and Badru?”

  “We don’t know yet,” Ashlynn answered honestly. “But until we know anything more I don’t think it would be wise to worry about
it being bigger than just Nealie.”

  “I disagree,” countered Kenayde. “You are an Elemental, Ashlynn. I think it would be careless of you to not even entertain the possibility of this death being more than someone killing someone else who made them angry.” She looked at Elas for support. “When all of those bodies were burned last year, Merrik’s was not among them. All three of us have talked about it before.”

  Elas nodded. “She’s right, Ashlynn.”

  Ashlynn gave a little laugh as Wessely reentered the office. “You really think Merrik killed Nealie? That he’s targeting the Elementals?”

  “Why does that sound so preposterous?” Elas asked. “Wasn’t that the point of his and Laidley’s invasion of Siness?”

  Ashlynn frowned. “Yes, but if he were going after us again, why go after one of the oldest of us first? Misuzu is now the youngest of the Elementals. She would have been the most vulnerable of any of us.”

  Kenayde peered into her sister’s face. “I am not saying it makes sense, Lynnie. I just cannot help but worry and I think it would be foolish of you to be so cavalier about any of it.”

  “I’m not trying to be cavalier,” Ashlynn protested. “A woman died, Nadie. A kin to me by magic. But she was not a good person and if I jumped at every possible threat I would be on guard all the time.”

  “Your sister is right,” Wessely told Kenayde. She sat back in her seat, not shy in giving him a scowl as he passed her. “But so are you,” he added, raising an eyebrow at her. “If you would have let me finish.” He handed Ashlynn the scroll which she took and immediately unrolled.

  It was just as she’d remembered it: stained with the passing years of dust and fingerprints, thick black lines that formed odd symbols and shapes were faded. Elas, sitting closest to her, leaned over to look at the old document as well. Ashlynn glanced at him. “You are my senior by a few years, Elas. Does any of this look familiar to you?”

  He took the scroll with gentility, frowning as his eyes scanned the page. “No. I’ve never seen any writing like this before.” He looked at her. “But you can read this?”

  “Only some.” She pointed to a circular symbol with a wavy line running vertically through its middle and an oddly shaped Y beneath it. “That’s water.” She pointed to another and said, “Earth. I can see each and every mentioning of it, but that is all.”

  “Perhaps Badru or Cavalon will have some further insight since they are the two oldest Elementals.” Wessely rubbed his chin. “Will you keep us updated on your findings?”

  Ashlynn nodded, rolling the scroll carefully and tying it with a leather thong. “I will send word as soon as I know anything solid, or if one of the others can translate this when they return from searching for Nealie's killer and her descendant.”

  She fell quiet a moment, sorting through her thoughts. Before long she turned to her sister and gave her a half smile. “Would you mind if I had some time with Papa alone? I'll come say goodbye before I go back to Altaine.”

  “Of course.”

  Ashlynn watched her rise and noticed her grace for the first time. Some of the roundness to her face had gone and there was wisdom in her eyes where there had once been whimsy. How had she missed this transition? It didn't quite seem fair.

  When the door was closed and they were alone, Wessely smiled fondly. “She will want you to be surprised when she tells you so be a good actress and pretend I said nothing, but Elas has asked Kenayde to marry him.”

  “Really?”

  “You sound surprised now.”

  She shrugged inelegantly. “I suppose I am. She is still so young. Political systems are just coming back into alignment and Elas is neither titled nor does he have money. Though I suppose Oceana is a small enough kingdom that no one would notice.”

  “Says the woman of title who married a wandering minstrel.”

  “I was eighteen, practically nineteen. And there were no rules against royalty marrying a commoner only last year. Besides that, I was to be high queen.”

  Wessely smirked. “All the more reason you should have been held to such strict standards. Though you are right, Kenayde is young. That gives me some worry as well even if I have known others who wed younger than she is now and have had happy lives. I also have to remind myself that times are changing and more is expected of and for those in high societal standings. The good news for Elas is that he has land.”

  Ashlynn quirked a brow, doubtful. “He does?”

  The smirk on Wessely's face almost made him look younger. “Did you not hear? Elas is a war hero. As a sign of their gratitude, the new high queen of Caedia has granted him five acres by the ocean. He is an official lord now.”

  “That was very kind of Luella. How does Elas feel about it?”

  “Oh, he hates it.” Father and daughter laughed together. “He has servants to help him with the estate when he is away – which means while he is here – and he is constantly asking me what he is supposed to do with them. The house staff and the guard here have all been made aware of his new status so they address him properly. It drives him mad.”

  “Poor thing.”

  “You are laughing. You cannot pity someone if you are laughing at their circumstances.”

  It felt good to laugh, though. She was glad to finally be getting back to normal at home, though she'd yet to move back to her rooms with Jaryn. She smiled now, felt happy and comfortable again, but there had been nothing to laugh about for days. The feeling was almost cleansing, yet Ashlynn remained somewhat reserved.

  “Papa, this is not something I like to think about...but what will happen when you are gone? Do you think Elas could truly be the ruler here at Oceana?”

  Wessely paused and took a thoughtful breath, though Ashlynn could already see the answer on his face. As ever, he was diplomatic in choosing his words. “There is plenty of time for me to groom him for his future.”

  “Papa...” She lowered her chin and raised her brows. “What if, heaven forbid, your heart gave out tomorrow or you tripped and toppled to the bottom of the stairs?”

  He feigned injury to his pride. “How old do you think I am?”

  “It has nothing to do with your age and you know that.”

  “I do know that. And if that happened, Kenayde would be ample leader in my stead. With my steward here to guide her and you as an example of a woman who is strong and knows how to take charge, I have no doubt she would be able to handle herself for awhile.”

  “For awhile,” Ashlynn repeated, disapproving. Her lips pursed, hesitant in giving voice to a thought she had. The way Wessely looked at her now, however, he knew something was on her mind and would likely badger her until she spoke up. With reluctance, she asked, “Have you thought of remarrying?”

  “Not even once.”

  A painful silence settled between them. She knew he loved Emiline and the loss of her was still so new. Theirs had been an arranged marriage, one that began with two young adults who could hardly stand to be in the same room as one another in the beginning. But then they became friends, so close over time that they shared stories and secrets. That friendship turned into a deep love that was just as present on their wedding day as it had been the day Emiline had died.

  “I'm not trying to upset you. You know that, right?”

  “I do.”

  “And I would never think you should try to replace Mama, or that you ever truly could. But if you found a young bride you could have more children. Then the pressure would be off of two people who never wanted to rule anything in the first place. One of my girls is a gorgeous Volar who has quite the spirit, but she would make a-”

  “I am not remarrying, Ashlynn.” He hadn't used that tone with her since she was much younger than she was now, and it took her aback. “I am not going to pledge myself to another woman when my heart still belongs to Emiline, just so I can potentially produce an heir.”

  She lowered her head in the way she had when she was a child and was scolded. “Of course not. Forgive me.�
�

  Wessely sighed loudly and shook his head. “No,” he muttered after a moment, “forgive me. It is not an easy subject. Think of how you would feel if you lost Jaryn and someone was suggesting these things to you.”

  “I'd hate them for even thinking it.”

  Wessely's harsh expression loosened some. “I do not hate you, Lynnie. I simply do not want to talk about it anymore.” He took his daughter in with an analytical gaze. “What I do want to talk about is how drawn you look. You are too thin.”

  “I know.” Her reply was defensive only because that was the very thing everyone seemed to be focusing on. Thankfully Jaryn's story of her being ill had served as a good cover to her weight loss, but now that she was returning to daily life as it should be she could hear whispers in the halls. Everyone who dined with her noticed her disinterest in what was set before her, though she forced herself to partake at least in something small. She hoped the more time that passed with regular sleep the quicker her appetite would return. For now, however, she would have to live with the gossip.

  “Are you all right?”

  There was concern in the quiet question and it made Ashlynn look at her lap. How much should she tell the man she'd always told everything to? He was no longer with her all the time and incapable of fixing things as he always tried to. Would the worry be worth the knowledge? Looking at him, she knew it was the right thing to confide in him. Once the decision had been made it all came tumbling out in a stream of words that didn't stop until they completed the story that ended with her visit. Wessely looked at her with pity and it made her uncomfortable. She could feel her walls rising as though she had to protect herself from whatever was to come of this change in topic.

  “You don't believe me. It's all right. I don't think Jaryn completely believes me either, even now.”

  Wessely's brows drew together. “Of course I believe you. Of anyone I know, you have the most sense about you. If you say you saw Tadhg, I believe you saw him.”

  Relief washed over her and she fought to keep herself from rushing to sit at his feet and put her head on his lap as she had done so long ago. “But how did I see him, Papa? As my husband has so frequently reminded me, Tadhg is dead – has been dead for a year now.”