by D. E. Morris
“It would be an honor.”
As one large group they all headed in through the inner wall and into the open bailey. Ashlynn bid her ladies take care of Lochlainn for awhile and the three of them left with Zarra only lagging a few steps behind. Ashlynn was quick to find a maid once they were inside and had her lead Jessiah to his own room to relax after what was sure to have been a long flight. Now free of the extra company, Ashlynn fell easily into step between her two Elemental brothers. “I'm sorry your trip was fruitless.”
“Not entirely,” Badru admitted. “We will tell you everything once Jaryn is with us.”
“Your new friend is quite the charmer.”
Cavalon snorted. “He's quite the talker, too, and enamored with you, apparently.”
Badru smiled. “How could he not be? Ashlynn is a beautiful woman.”
Linking her arm with Badru's, she ginned up at him. “I like you more and more each time I see you.”
“How did the potion work?”
“Wonderfully. I was just telling my ladies that I've not had a dream or a nightmare since I started taking it.”
The answer made Badru frown. “Are you still using it?”
“Of course.”
His frown deepened. “I would advise against taking it for much longer. Your body will become dependent upon it, if it has not already.” The panic she felt must have shown on her face, for he patted her hand and said, “We will discuss it more later.”
Jaryn joined them within moments of the three settling into the library. Unlike Ashlynn, he greeted both men with bear hugs and pats on the back. “Glad to see you've come back in one piece.”
“Barely,” Cavalon grumbled, rolling his shoulder.
“Tell us everything,” Ashlynn urged.
Badru took a breath in. “I will begin with our chance encounter with a charming young woman by the name of Cailin...”
The royal couple sat enraptured as the older man recounted the events of the past three weeks. Every now and then Cavalon would interject with observations of his own but for the most part, kept himself busy with the tray of bread and cheese that had been brought in for them all. Ashlynn was thrilled to hear about Cailin and her new role in the Ibayish high kingdom, pride swelling in knowing her old friend had been elevated to such a high position. Her heart broke, however, when the tale reached the castle ruins. She almost couldn't believe Cavalon had come so close to death and looked at him in shock. He offered to show her the scars later, smug, then let Badru complete his tale.
It made Ashlynn feel sick to her stomach.
“You think Nealie was tortured before she was killed?”
“I have no doubt of it.” Badru shook his head, solemn. “Many souls were trapped in that tower, unspeakable things done to them before their lives were taken from them. I have no definitive proof, but somehow I know Nealie's death was the worst of them all. Her remains were in a room all of their own. There was almost no blood, but the destruction to the stone walls within that room could have only come from someone desperate to escape.”
“She had to have been either killed mid-shift or something kept her from shifting all the way,” added Cavalon. “She was never a big dragon but she was big enough that a room that small wouldn't have held her without being ripped apart.”
“I am so sorry,” Ashlynn breathed, “for you as well as for her.”
“Her suffering has passed,” said Badru. “That is what is important. We will solve this mystery eventually, not for her because she is no longer, but for us.”
The heavy door of the library opened and a guard stepped inside, bowing. “Ories of Braemar seeks audience.”
Jaryn stood in surprise. “Let him in.”
The guard stood aside and a winged man with long black hair, onyx wings and a patch over his eye entered. He bowed politely. “Your Majesties.” His blue eye fell upon Cavalon and his usually expressionless lips twitched upward ever so slightly in greeting. “I have a message from High Queen Nuala.”
Cavalon's brow wrinkled. “Must be some message if she's sending her regent to deliver it.”
The dark man gave no answer but handed a scroll to Jaryn. The seal keeping it wound was broken and Jaryn sat beside Ashlynn so she could read it with him. What she read raised her eyes in alarm, first to Ories and then to Cavalon. It made the Badarian tense immediately.
“What is it?”
Ashlynn and Jaryn shared a look, then passed the scroll to Cavalon. He read it before looking at Badru. “She thinks she found Nealie's child.”
“What? Where?”
“A village in Ibays...Bás.”
Badru frowned in thought. “I suppose that would make sense.”
Cavalon turned a scrutinizing eye to Ories. “How did she find this information?”
“The queen has charged each Volar messenger to send word back to her if anything out of the ordinary is seen, overheard, or happens to be read.”
Cavalon shook his head. “That goes against the laws of the Volarim. They’re not supposed to read private messages. Why would Nuala do that?”
“It is not my position to question Her Majesty.” He shifted on his feet. “Bás is a small village in the south-western corner of Ibays. A young girl was sent there after collapsing in the middle of market. It was said that her eyes rolled back in her head and she was shaking uncontrollably. The high king sent her to Bás as soon as he heard.”
“The high king?” Cavalon turned to look at Badru. “I knew he was hiding something!”
“The messenger who gave us this news said Donnchadh has been rather over anxious with the wedding of his daughter. He hoped to keep as much illness away as is humanly possible.”
Badru crossed his arms. “A young girl. Young woman or a child?”
“A child.”
“I’m going back. Right now.”
“Wait.” Badru shook his head at Cavalon. “There is no absolute proof that this child belongs to Nealie.”
Cavalon’s brows shot up. “Really?” His gaze went between his friend and the royal couple. “You all have seen what it looks like when there is a power transfer.” He turned back to Ories. “How long ago did this happen?”
Ories shook his head. “Of that I am not certain. We only recently received this report because the messenger was kept so busy. A Volar in the employ of a high king rarely has time to visit Braemar. It could have been days or months.”
“I still think we should wait,” Badru suggested evenly.
“But if the child is in Bás she could be exposed to any number of dangerous diseases,” Cavalon argued.
Ashlynn looked between the men in confusion. “What is Bás? That means death, right?”
Badru nodded. “A village where the sick and dying are sent to spend their last days.”
“What?” Jaryn asked. “That’s appalling!”
“We need time to think of a plan,” Badru continued. “If this child is Nealie’s offspring we still have no leave to simply invade the village and look for her. She is one of us now so she will have better defenses against sickness than most. We need further proof, Cavalon. We need something before we act. We are not beastly men that would storm in and take what we think we need.”
“How do you propose we get more proof?”
Looking at the winged man, Badru tilted his head in question. “Every town has a messenger, do they not?”
Ories gave a singular nod. “While there is no direct communication with those inside the village of Bás, messengers are in contact with the gate keepers.”
“That may be good enough,” said Badru. “I will need some time to formulate a plan.” He turned once more to Ashlynn. “What would it take for an old man to get a quiet room with a soft bed and a hot bath?”
Ashlynn shook her head. “Nothing at all. I will have rooms prepared for you straight away but there is something I wanted to show you before you retire.” Knowing exactly what she was looking for, Jaryn pointed to the desk where her own scroll w
as carefully rolled out and held down at the corners by candles and books. She motioned Badru and Cavalon closer, bidding them to examine the document for themselves.
“What is this?” Badru asked, his brow furrowing as he looked upon the old writing.
“Do you recognize it?” asked Ashlynn, excitement building in her chest. “Either of you?”
Cavalon looked as well and Badru bent to be closer to the desk. He ran weathered dark hands over the faded lines as though reading them by touch. “I have not seen this writing for many generations.”
“Neither have I,” echoed Cavalon.
Ashlynn practically burst. “You can read it!”
“No.” Badru shook his head and looked up in time to see Ashlynn deflating. “It is very old. I have seen other symbols like it, but was never taught their meaning.”
When she looked at Cavalon with a flicker of hope, he shook his head and she sighed. “I’ve seen the writing before as well,” Cavalon answered thoughtfully. “I know that symbol right there,” He pointed to an open bottomed square containing several lines arranged in a star burst pattern. “That’s dark. And that one without the box is light.” He looked at Ashlynn. “Where did you get this?”
“It belonged to my father,” she answered. “How do you know what those symbols mean?”
In answer, Cavalon turned and pulled the side of his tunic up. Tattooed on his side by his ribs was the star burst design. “My mother had the same tattoo. She told me what it meant and I got this done after she died.” Pulling his tunic down, he looked back at the scroll. “I can only assume that other one means dark if there is a box around it to contain it.”
“That makes sense,” Ashlynn conceded. “This is earth and that one up there is water. Don’t ask me how I know,” she said when all three men looked at her. “I have no idea. I just feel like that’s right.”
Jaryn joined the group huddling over the scroll. “Well if you know those two, shouldn’t it be easy enough to understand fire and air?”
Once more, Badru shook his head. “Not necessarily. They may not all be as transparent as light and dark. There are many unfamiliar symbols here.” He rested his chin in his hand, eyes scanning the text. “I am Fire and I could only guess as to what the symbol for it would be.” He looked at Ashlynn. “Where did your father acquire such a treasure?”
“I don’t know.” She hadn’t thought to ask, though now it felt like such an obvious oversight. “He never told me, but I thought it might help you in your search for the book.”
“This needs to stay with you,” Cavalon insisted. “There’s too much potential of it getting damaged. Besides, maybe if you study it more, you’ll understand more.” She raised her eyebrows while he shrugged. “You never know. You’re the only one of us who knew anything about it without having to get tattooed.”
Badru stood, nodding in agreement with Cavalon. “I would not want to risk losing such an artifact, though I thank you for showing it to me.”
With a sigh, Ashlynn shook her head. “I'd thought of sending it to Tasarin. He has lived a great deal longer than I and has visited many nations.”
“We’re older than he is,” Cavalon argued irritably. “What would he be able to figure out that we couldn’t?”
“Don’t give me any of your attitude, Cavalon.” Ashlynn raised her brows at him. “Did so much time away make you forget exactly who you’re dealing with when you’re talking to me? Tasarin would be a fresh set of eyes. He knows things I’d wager neither of you knows. You want to take it so you can stare at it like some big dumb monkey, go for it.”
“If I may...” Everyone's gaze lifted to rest upon Ories. “There are several scholars in Braemar who study ancient and dead languages. Perhaps one of them would be able to glean more from the scroll.”
Ashlynn and Cavalon looked at each other and she shrugged. “It makes more sense than me keeping it. I've been looking it over practically every day since you've left, and I've gotten nothing more from it than I initially did.” Her eyes returned to Ories. “This scroll bears more importance than I can express.”
The winged man nodded. “I will not let it leave my sight. If that is all that is required of me, I will return to Braemar.”
“Thank you, Ories,” said Jaryn, “and thank your queen as well.”
Ories nodded once more and turned to Cavalon. “Will you be returning to Braemar as well?”
“If you're taking a few days, Badru, I think I will go back with Ories after I get a bath and maybe a few hours of sleep, and see how Nuala is doing. Can I leave the kid with you?”
“Jessiah will be fine here with me.”
Turning to Ashlynn, Cavalon surprised her by pulling her into a tight embrace. “I'm glad you're doing better, and glad I got to see that boy of yours, even if it was only a quick glance. He looks more like you than his father.” Glancing at Jaryn with a smirk he added, “Thank the Giver.”
“Indeed,” laughed Jaryn. “Give our best to Nuala.”
“See everyone in a few days.” With a nod to Ories, the Badarian walked out of the library and down the hall. The Volar fell into step beside him after he'd been given the scroll and they walked in silence. It was only when they were out in the bailey that Cavalon turned to Ories. “I haven’t been to Braemar in almost a month.”
“Yes, I am aware.”
“How do you think she’d react if I came back with you?”
The one visible eye on Ories’ face blinked slowly. “It is hard to say. The queen does not share her feelings or thoughts with me. I may be her second but only in position. I have never been a confidante.”
Cavalon considered this a moment. “How is she? How was she after I left?”
“For a few days she was quite unwell. If I am speaking honestly, I feared a relapse to the days after the war though it did not last long. She grew more self-assured as the days passed and has become the leader our people need.”
This was happy news. Cavalon smiled to himself. All his worry had been for nothing. It would appear his leaving truly had been the right thing to do. From all Ories said, Nuala finally knew that it was not Cavalon or anyone else keeping her strong. He could only hope it was her trust and dependency on the Giver that had let her grow so. “And Lucien? How is he?”
“The dauphin thrives. He will be overjoyed to see you.”
“If he remembers me.”
“He will.”
Cavalon’s smile grew. He could just picture the little winged baby with blonde hair. He’d thought of him often in the weeks that passed and it had been painful to acknowledge all the time he was missing. Now knowing he would see him soon, Cavalon’s spirit lifted significantly. “You should get going. I’ll be there sometime tonight.”
Ories gave a nod. “If I may suggest it not be too late. There is a matter to which the high queen must attend this evening.”
“Understood. Safe flight.”
A dazzling light began surrounding Ories seeming to come out of his very middle. It flashed in a quick blinding moment before dissolving and leaving a handsome raven where the winged man once was standing. The bird flapped his onyx wings and took off into the darkening sky. Watching him go, Cavalon felt excitement building. In just a few hours he would be home.
Chapter Thirteen
It was drawing on twilight by the time Cavalon decided to return to Braemar. He'd taken the time to get clean and even nap while he waited to be called for the evening meal. Jessiah supped with them and Cavalon watched with a mixture of caution and mistrust as the younger man asked question after question, both about Ashlynn personally as well as Elementals in general. At one point Cavalon lost his patience and snapped at Jessiah, asking him why he wanted to know so much. The questions ended then, and Jessiah turned to flirting and charm.
There was a great sense of unease with which Cavalon decided it was time to go. After saying goodbye to his hosts and making Badru promise to keep and eye on Jessiah, Cavalon left Siness in one breath and reappeared just
outside the capital of Braemar in the next. There was at least a fifteen degree drop in temperature from the summer heat in Siness under the thick canopy of trees. Though Cavalon was more fond of the heat by nature, this cool had become comforting and familiar. He jogged through the forest paths, the soft moss and undergrowth muffling his footfalls. It was silent in the woods and he met no one even once he was in the capital.
Rope ladders hung from nearly every residential structure thanks to Cavalon's suggestion, there for the disabled, the tired, the too young to fly and the human guests to the area. Though the high kingdom of Braemar was practically made up of all Volar, the country itself was home to every race from around the world, most of them without wings.
Cavalon headed straight for the ladder that would take him to Nuala’s apartments, the one he'd built for himself alone. Unlike all the other royals Cavalon had known in his lifetime, the Volar rulers had always lived among their people and never above them. Nuala’s housing was definitely larger and grander than the rest, but it was also open to the surrounding homes. This raised alarm in the Badarian when he had first become familiar with the setup, but Nuala reminded him that the Volarim had not been made war upon for centuries. They had nothing to fear from the outside world and they certainly had nothing to fear from one another.
The first person Cavalon saw when he reached the top of the ladder was the châtelain, the lilac winged man in charge of keeping the royal quarters in order. “Master Cavalon!” he exclaimed, violet eyes widening, “I was beginning to wonder if you had left us for good.”
“No such luck,” answered Cavalon as he looked around. “Where is everyone?”
The châtelain's expression darkened. “At the Isle of Contest.”
“The what?”
“It is only accessible by air and rarely used. It is not a wonder you have not heard of it. Master Ories has just arrived to the capital himself and is on his way there momentarily if you would like me to take you to him.”