by Aimee Moore
“No.”
Ysiel’s face knotted into heartbreak, then she approached my mate. I stood and followed, ready to intervene, should she use her allure on him.
“Children of War are great protectors,” Ysiel said to Dal. “Your people fight for honor and for balance. What if my request restores balance to this world?”
“What if this world was ready to die, and your request served only your ends,” Dal said in a flat tone.
I gasped at his words. Was this conjecture, or more secrets?
Ysiel let off a song of laughter. “Oh, amusing man, will you not tell me your name?”
“No.”
“Very well then. Perhaps Seraphine will hear my plea? For my wishes serve not only me, but the people of this world. Humans and Nialae alike will benefit.”
The weight of this moment settled on my shoulders. I could decline. But Ysiel’s words tugged at me; the idea that I could once more do good for my people a deep pull in my chest. If not me, then who? I glanced at Dal, and sadness etched itself in his gaze. Already, he knew the choice I would make.
“I will hear it,” I said, defeat coloring my voice. I tried to convey apology in my eyes for Dal.
Ysiel lit up and turned toward me. “Sweet human, I knew that fate was kind when it brought me to you and your companions.” She took a deep breath. “You know that my people are not here by choice. Tanebrael, our queen, has brought us here against our will.”
“You said as much,” I said.
Ysiel nodded. “Tanebrael is here because of your world’s great power. No others offer up their power in leylines like yours, and once Tanebrael finds one such leyline and drinks from it, she’ll be unstoppable.”
“That is not our concern,” Dal said.
“It is, though. The most powerful of my people would take us back to Niall with but a thought, if not for her anger. Once Tanebrael gains the power of this world, all who have betrayed her will perish in her wrath. For she desires to make her kingdom flourish in this new world.”
“It is not a new world to us, we live here,” I said, gesturing at Lianne and myself with a scowl.
Ysiel cast her gaze at me, and all at once she seemed ancient, eons of burdens and politics in her eyes. “And what manner of creature lived here before you? Horses?” She gestured to Kalgar. “Fowl? Swine? Fish and gnats?”
I set my mouth in a firm line. “You’re saying that stopping Tanebrael keeps us from becoming swine to new conquerors.”
“War,” Dal said, defeat in his tone.
Lianne, resting her plated boots on the edge of the seat next to her, spoke up. “Bloody heroes’ quest, this is. Piss on the queen, set the handmaiden free, save the world.” Then she raised her glass to me. “You see now? We meet our destiny head on, and here I am. Let us save this cursed rock once more.”
I scowled at Lianne, who had no hand in the saving of this world the first time, and only half an idea of what it cost. I turned back to Ysiel, whose lilac eyes were piercing me. “I don’t know how you expect me, of all the people in this world, to stop a Nialae queen from finding a leyline.”
“Or drinking from it,” Dal said.
“Especially if our gifts are silenced in the presence of Nialae.”
“Cut the wench down, of course,” Lianne said from the tent.
“No, the sword will not best Tanebrael,” Ysiel said, “for she is far too cunning and powerful for any of you to fight. But when victory cannot be achieved through fair means, we must resort to more underhanded tactics. We poison the power that she craves. If Tanebrael cannot drink from your world, then her full power will never be realized, and my people are free to leave.”
“So everyone benefits,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Ysiel smiled.
“We know not what will happen when tampering with magic of this world,” Dal said. “Already it has carried a heavy cost; meddling with it again is unwise.”
“For Nialae, the magic of worlds is easy to comprehend.” She turned to me, then. “Your world has many great artifacts of power, but the one which achieves our goals is known to my people as the Helegnaur. You need only feed this artifact, this poison into a leyline and walk away. No battles. No struggles. And no other will touch it. Your home will remain unharmed while Tanebrael is forced to leave.”
Dal continued his scowl, as if Ysiel’s words weren’t adding up.
“And why can you not do this?” I asked. “Why do you need a Kraw and two humans to carry out this task for you? You can disappear and reappear at will; you can fabricate chairs and cabins and drinks. Surely this task is easier for you than us.”
Ysiel smiled. “This is why fate smiled upon me when it brought me to a Gifted. That is what you call yourself, is it not? Gifted?”
“Yes.”
“It is true, I carry more power than most of my people; it is why my queen keeps me. But Nialae cannot touch this item of power, this Helegnaur, and live. Its essence, being not of Niall, would tear us apart. But you, granted your world’s immense power, can touch it, channel it how you choose.”
“All bloody good, but where’ll we find this cursed Helegnaur thing?” Lianne asked.
“I do not know.”
“You can find me out here in the woods but you can’t find this object of great power?” I asked, sighing in exasperation.
Ysiel turned and pointed at Dal. “He can. His species have a great many gifts of their own, drawing them to objects of power. It is another reason my people choose to keep them.”
Dal did not move, did not betray any secrets whatsoever. I would ask later.
I shoved an escaped strand of hair out of my face in frustration. “It seems impossible to find this Helegnaur before your queen finds a leyline. Even then, I would have to find another leyline as well.”
Ysiel’s gaze searched my own for a long moment. “Of course; you destroyed it,” she whispered.
That event played in my mind with vivid clarity. The Warlord’s body igniting in the writhing purple mass that was the leyline, the way time seemed to still for just a moment, rocks and dust suspended in the burst of my shockwave. Then the flash of light bursting through my closed eyes. The pain.
“Give her free will with her words or be gone,” Dal growled, bringing me back.
Ysiel had the grace to flush. “Forgive me, your thoughts are so clear, it’s hard for me stay out. It is no matter, this leyline you destroyed, wherever it lies, can be accessed again if the need is dire enough. The rest of them are well hidden; their secrecy should buy us time for you to find the Helegnaur. I will offer what aid I can.” And then she took a deep breath, looking into my eyes, and said, “Will you aid our people?”
Lianne’s armor clinked as she stood. “Don’t give a damn about any Nialae, but I’d give my sword arm for my own people. I’ll help you betray the bitch.”
Ysiel winced. “I love my queen,” she whispered. “But I love my home even more.”
“I want no part of this,” Dal said. “Already you have inconvenienced us; delayed our parting and sown seeds of conflict.”
All eyes were on me, then, and the burden of this choice was an unwelcome battle within myself.
“Do not ask me to beg,” Ysiel whispered. The wind teased her hair and dress, belying the heavy weight of our discussion.
“How much time do I have to decide?” I asked in a flat tone, angry that I was once again caught between my own people and another.
Ysiel looked up into the afternoon sky, then back at me. “Until the sun is in this position again twice more.”
“Fine. You’ll have your answer then,” I said.
Lianne stood. “Finally, a task worthy of my time.” She took her time stretching, making obnoxious groaning noises.
I turned back to Ysiel to politely dismiss her, but she was gone, along with her fire and chairs. I let off an exasperated breath and turned to Dal, who was uncrossing his arms and stepping away from our cart.
“Where in the seven hells
did she go?” Lianne asked, armor clinking as she spun about.
Dal was frowning as he approached. “Something happened to you.”
“I was just informed that I have to save my world. Again. And I’ll be damned if you weren’t right to refuse every word that spilled out of her mouth,” I said.
“No. In the woods. You smell of spring water.”
My heart slammed into my throat as heat stole into my cheeks. Tucking a spare strand of red behind my ear, I ducked my gaze away. “I tripped and dirtied my clothes, so I rinsed before returning. I didn’t want you to know of my clumsiness,” I said.
I looked up into hazel eyes that held only the cold frost of winter subduing spring’s green.
“Your secrets do not belong to me, Sera, but your heart does. Choose wisely when obscuring one or the other.” And with that, he began to walk away.
“You’re one to talk of secrets when you tell me so little,” I said.
Dal turned his head over his shoulder as he walked. “I tell you all that I can, and all that I cannot.”
“Is my world really dying again?” I asked.
“Not to my knowledge,” he said in a flat tone.
“And this Helegnaur? When were you going to tell me that you could find that?”
Dal stilled, then turned to face me. “I only learned of that ability today, the same as you.” And with that, he stomped off into the woods on his own.
My hands balled and unfurled, and I nearly ran after him twice. Dal could hide oceans of secrets from me and I would never know what he came across alone in the woods. It would only be fair after I hid my own encounter with Karne today. But Dal was stronger than me, he could resist Nialae allure where I could not; couldn’t he?
I choked out a gasp of misery. The Nialae have plagued my existence for two days and already they’ve managed to complicate everything that was dear to me.
A hard hand met my shoulder, and I turned to see Lianne, head tilted, brow furrowed.
“So, Seraphine. Listen. I know men can really twist our lace the wrong way, but I’m thinkin’ Dal just ain’t the deceitful type, ya know? Maybe a bit of blade work will take the edge off, yeah?”
I stared at her as my heart thundered. Could she tell that I was lying, too? Or did she trust Dal so completely? Was she taken with him? Everything sounded paranoid and completely possible at the same time. I grasped at the most secure thing I had: Patroma. I pictured the superior smile from up on her throne of fur and bone, and calm settled over me as the world faded to the simplicity of blood and fire. I stepped away from Lianne, raising my chin as her hand dropped.
“Don’t stick your sword into flame you don’t comprehend, lest it be consumed,” I said in a low voice. And then I walked away. Lianne did not attempt to speak to me again.
When Dal finally returned hours later, the sight of him sent my panicked heart into a sprint.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I am in need of a bath,” Dal said.
I let off a long breath. “You’re sweaty.”
“Yes. That is what becomes of one who exerts himself.”
“Until the sun sets?” I whispered.
Dal trailed rough fingers down my cheek. “You needed space. I needed exercise. I have found a logical solution to both. I will bathe, and then we shall continue.” And then he walked toward the stream.
I would never know if he was lying, or if I just didn’t deserve him.
Chapter 10
Borrowed Time
“It is unusual for you to press my sword work,” I said with a slight smile at Dal.
We took turns driving the cart through the cold and lonesome night, and now made camp in the morning sun to have breakfast and a good stretch.
“Well, said yourself that your gift is about as useless as a limp dick in a whore house when those Nialae are around, didn’t ya?” Lianne said.
I cringed. “Yes, but I have a feeling that I would not be able to master the sword work required for defeating a Nialae. If they are to wield a blade at all.”
“I am not teaching you to defend yourself against creatures which need not engage in blade work to kill,” Dal said. “I am teaching you to hunt.” And with that, he handed me a small dagger.
Lianne chortled. “With that? She’d have better chance offing herself, she would.”
I shot her a glare, then turned to Dal. “You want me to hunt… With this?”
Dal gave me a humorous smile. Then handed me a small bow and a handful of arrows.
“Oh, well I suppose that’s better,” I said, examining the bow, which bore Elanthian marks.
“Come, let us find food, our stores grow short.”
And at that, we tromped through the brush in search of prey.
“You know how to use any of that?” Lianne asked, gesturing with her chin to the two weapons I had.
“You know I can barely even handle a sword,” I said.
“Lighter steps,” Dal said, looking at our feet.
Lianne and I cast guilty looks at each other and picked our footing with more care.
“Well then, I can throw a damn good knife. Wanna have a go? Nice clear spot here.”
“Um…” Not really. But Dal glanced at me, one eyebrow raised in challenge as we stopped in the space. “Why not,” I said at last.
Lianne thrust her pelvis out as she hiked up her armor. “Right. Knife.” She held out her hand. “And ditch the bow.”
I took the dagger Dal had given me and put the handle in Lianne’s armored hand, then handed the bow off to him.
“If there’s one thing I’ve had kicked into my teeth more often than not when it comes to fighting, it’s that sometimes, ya gotta fight unfair. Stick a man in the bung when he’s down. Throwin’ stuff counts as unfair.”
I glanced at Dal, who I considered to be an expert on weapons, and he gave me a small nod before seating himself on a fallen log to examine the bow.
I exhaled, returning my attention to Lianne. “Alright. What’s first?”
“Watch; I’ll stick that tree over there so good it’ll get wood.” Lianne cocked the dagger back by her ear with a snort of amusement, then raised her left palm as if taking aim. Her brow furrowed as she focused, then she threw the weapon. It tumbled through the air for a tense moment before embedding itself in the tree she had indicated.
“Goodness,” I breathed.
Lianne went to retrieve it with a nod.
“Your skill is admirable,” Dal said.
I didn’t miss the smile Lianne tried to hide. “Do alright, don’t I,” she stated. Then she turned to me. “Come up now, you’re gonna get so good at this the king’s own assassins’ll piss themselves.”
I exhaled, glancing at Dal again, and approached Lianne’s spot. “Ysiel returns tomorrow,” I said, taking the knife from Lianne.
“You risk much, Sera,” Dal said.
“Palm,” Lianne said, raising my arm. Then she muttered, “Still think Kraw read minds.”
“Well, we’re going to be stuck here for months more anyway, why not help? Ysiel said we wouldn’t have to fight any battles,” I said.
“Woman, act like you’re gonna throw the damn thing, not do a waltz,” Lianne said.
I let off an irritated sigh and tensed myself, letting her bend my right elbow how she needed.
“I do not trust Ysiel,” Dal said.
Lianne turned to look at him. “Why in the bloody hell not? Slip of a woman like that has to know you could break her neck with a twist of your wrist if she’s caught lying. I mean a strong wind would blow her right over,” Lianne said.
“A foreign creature arrives and asks you to manipulate powers beyond your understanding; it is suspect,” Dal said.
“Exhale and chuck the bastard like that tree deserves to die,” Lianne said to me.
I tightened my stomach muscles, forcing the air out of my lungs, and brought my right arm down, letting go of the knife when it lined up with my left palm. The knife tumbled throu
gh the air, right past the tree. I straightened with a sigh.
Lianne’s pretty brown eyes met mine. “Not bad for a first go. Again.” And she went to retrieve the knife.
I turned to Dal. “I agree that we need a better understanding, but even if we found the Helegnaur, I wouldn’t know where to find another leyline. The whole thing just seems like one hurdle after the next. I want to help my people Dal, but I don’t know how.”
“Your people would make note of leylines and the Helegnaur somewhere. Short-lived species keep better records.”
I frowned. “Like Elanthia, perhaps?”
Lianne returned. “Nah, that’s university talk, that is. Ambior, up north. Here,” she handed me the knife.
I worked on positioning myself how Lianne had taught me.
“Right here,” she said. “See; the crease of your hand is that knife handle’s lover.” Lianne demonstrated, then gave the knife back to me.
“What kind of people taught you this?” I asked.
Dal laughed. “University. The whiney one often spoke of it; there would be great knowledge there.”
The whiney one. Mindrik. Our old travel companion turned betrayer, now dead.
“Line the wrist up with the arm. Yeah, that’s decent there.” Lianne let go of my Kraw-marked arm, stepping back. “Throw it.”
I did as she said, chucking the knife. It hit the tree this time, but bounced off of the bark. I lowered my arm in dismay.
“You’ll hit it next, you will,” Lianne said.
Not wanting to make her do all the work, I limped toward where the knife landed. “Are you suggesting we go to the university, Dal?”
“It would be wise to learn of this Helegnaur on our own, without Nialae motives woven into it.”
“Thought you was gonna protect that fragile Kraw hide and run,” Lianne said to Dal.
“Kraw are hard to kill,” Dal said with a growl.
I smiled as I returned to the throwing spot. He wasn’t wrong, I’d once seen him take an arrow through the middle and keep on as if nothing happened.
“Well,” Lianne said, “I only know to go north to find the university. I’d have a better chance pissing into a mug standing than I would telling ya which way after that,” Lianne said. Then her body heat was close behind me, her breath in my ear. “Straighten that wrist again,” she murmured, face near mine, hands on my elbow as she lined me up.