“You have an interesting perspective on the turn of events,” Eliesmore’s voice turned hard and clipped. “I have not considered what happens after this, should I survive.”
Zhane touched his shoulder. “What you do depends on if you want to survive this final task, the third deed. It is not without its dangers.”
Eliesmore crossed his arms but did not reply. Zhane’s words struck a chord within. Since returning from Daygone, he had considered nothing aside from killing the Dark Figure. Even at the thought bloodlust rose up within him and he blinked to keep his vision clear.
“It will take time to build the ships, in the meantime, I must go to Shimla. Would you like to come with me?” Zhane asked, watching a group of Crons hammering together the base of a ship. Shouts echoed across the landing, and a crash sounded as another dead tree fell to the ground.
“Why?” Eliesmore avoided the question.
“Arldrine has not returned from the mountains. She and Ellagine have always been close. I wonder…” he trailed off.
Eliesmore shuddered. “You should stay away from Shimla. The Iaen, if there are any there, will not tell you anything useful. If you seek the truth, you should ask the Truth Tellers. They alone know the wisdom of the world. They will give you the truth instead of mysteries construed to meet their purposes. Stay here, strategize with me. Leave the Iaen in peace.”
“You sound as if you no longer trust the Iaen,” Zhane’s voice dropped. “What happened in Daygone?”
A flame of fury burned within Eliesmore. He hugged his arms around his chest, attempting to hold it in. The world danced before his eyes until red frayed on the edges of his vision. He almost spit fire when he answered Zhane. “You ask what happened? You are not one of the wise ones, otherwise I would ask you, when did the mortals close their eyes? When did they stop seeing the truth? The Iaens own up to their mistakes. They turn on each other, they told me, again and again: ‘Beware the Green People. They are up to something.’ Tell me, have you heard those words before? And if you have why did you do nothing?”
“Eliesmore,” Zhane faced him head-on, a shadow coming over his stern face. “A conversation like this should not be held here, not now. Yes, I know some sayings, we did nothing because they were leaving, and look, do you see any of them here? Where are the Iaen now?”
“You knew!” Eliesmore practically spit at him. “You knew, and you did nothing!”
A storm of anger rolled over Zhane’s face. He took a deep breath, one hand flying to his sword, squeezing the hilt until his fingers turned red. “Eliesmore, there is more, much more than you know. It is difficult to explain the reasoning behind every action.”
“Difficult to explain? Do you know what they have done?” He stepped closer to Zhane, slowing down his words as he flung them like stones, ensuring every word struck home. “The Iaen aren’t our allies, perhaps they never were. They have always been on their own side, the side of the Changers and other immortals. It's never been about saving the world, not for them, it’s about saving themselves.”
Before Zhane could respond, Wekin ran up to them, grabbing them both by the shoulders. “The Silver Herd is here. It's time!”
Zhane spun and strode away before Eliesmore could utter another word.
61
Eliesmore
White horses circled the air. Eliesmore watched as the beasts alighted, one by one. Indonesia, Leaka and Sletaira dismounted and when they saw Eliesmore, they walked toward him. “Welcome,” Indonesia bowed her head and held out a hand. “Come, we will go the Cloud Kingdom.”
Questions rose and died on his lips as he allowed her to lead him to a white horse. As he looked at the doe-like eyes of the great stallion, he saw it was a dumb beast, even though it pawed the ground and bent its head toward him. Eliesmore mounted with ease, taking a firm grip of the horses’ silvery mane as the beast spread its white wings. One moment they were on the ground, the next they hovered in the air was the wings beat against the sea breeze. Eliesmore glanced toward the ground, searching for Zhane although he did not regret the words he’d said. His delivery could have been kinder, but leaders like Zhane needed to know the truth. Something white touched his face, and Eliesmore gasped in surprise as clouds swallowed his vision and a fine mist covered the sky.
A shout drifted to his ears as Wekin flew by, waving and shouting. “Isn’t this fun? I love flying!”
Yamier wasn’t far behind him. “How come we’ve never flown before? It’s almost better than sailing.”
“Oh Yamier,” Wekin laughed.
Optimistic’s mount flew beside Eliesmore. “They sing songs of the kingdom in the skies,” Optimistic remarked, his voice full of awe. “The words of a world beyond knowledge twining through my soul. The liquor gold of my soul poured out in surrender.”
“It’s beautiful,” Eliesmore nodded, recognizing it although the words failed to stir his hard heart. “How do you find the words?”
“I know all is not lost. We have a Creator. A purpose…”
A gust of wind blew up, taking the rest of Optimistic’s words away. Eliesmore put a hand to his ear and shrugged, letting Optimistic know he couldn’t hear him. Instead, Eliesmore turned his gaze forward as they swam in the white ocean of clouds.
Golden light blinked into view, and he saw a riot of color as a female Mermi flew by, arms uplifted. Her dark hair was held in place by a golden headband and she wore dark green feathers with wings on her feet. A pureblooded Mermi, unlike Indonesia, Sletaira and Leaka. A shimmering essence danced through the air and Eliesmore heard sweet voices lifted in song. Stringed instruments played along with flutes, a long, deep melody, a tune which spoke of the end of sorrow and a new year, a new age of hope. A scent imbued the air, the way he imagined sugar and gold to smell if he could give names to such a scent. He took a deep breath as the horse continued to climb before it finally burst out of the mist into clear blue skies.
The horse tucked its wings in and stretched its neck out into a gallop, thudding over the sea of clouds as if they were a silver road, leading the way toward a gold glitter which hid in the clouds. Eliesmore gaped openly as he stared. As far as his eyes could see was a white sea of clouds. Below the clouds, blue skies stretched onward. Although Eliesmore expected it to be cold, sunshine warmed them and pointed its rays toward the kingdom in the clouds.
A cloud passed in front of Eliesmore before his vision cleared one again and he saw a golden building, glittering with silver and gold as it hung in the sky, a towering castle swirling onwards as far as the eye could see. His breath caught, and he realized the sudden longing and pining the Mermis had. They desired to go home, and here it was, finally, a place only accessible by flight, the city in the clouds, the kingdom of the Mermis.
The Silver Herd rose before him, some with riders, others barebacked as they flew toward the spiraling citadel. A golden bridge rose out of the clouds, wide enough to allow ten horses to walk side by side as they entered the city. Mermis lined the bridge, welcoming the newcomers, touching the horses as they flew off in cycles of five, back and forth. Eliesmore dismounted and a blonde Mermi bowed. “Welcome to the hall of the Mermis, please, we have a prepared a feast to welcome you. Please follow the guides to the banquet hall.”
Eliesmore’s mouth felt like ash at the sound of food, yet the retort died on his lips as he entered the kingdom. His feet danced across an odd substance, and looking down he expected to see a carpet, yet the floors were silver and sprung back up at him. The walls turned into mirrored glass, showing Eliesmore a picture of himself. He looked like a Tider, tall and dark, with a lost look on his face. Startled he dropped his gaze, avoiding his reflection in the mirror, for he did not feel like himself.
When he turned, he saw Yamier and Wekin at his side. They were dressed like royalty with their light hair combed back from their tanned faces. Their jeweled eyes were wide in admiration as they gazed around the hall.
“Wow,” Yamier whispered, straightening his shoulders and pull
ing down his green tunic as if preparing for the presence of greatness.
Wekin gave a slow whistle and scratched the back of his neck. “How long have the Mermis been working on this?”
Optimistic joined them, shaking back his blonde hair, a smile coming to his kind face. “It is magnificent, isn’t it.”
Eliesmore nodded in silent agreement as he watched the light turn into a rainbow of colors, reflecting off the mirrors. Mermis appeared at the curves of the passageway, wearing silver shifts and pointing onward. Golden circlets covered their vibrant hair while they wore gold bracelets on their arms and legs. Some of them had pointed faces while others appeared more natural looking as if an immortal Mermi could be called natural.
As the Crons walked into the great expanse of the dining hall, Eliesmore’s eyes widened. He stared at the myriad of Mermis and the indescribable delights of the dining hall. Stringed music filled the air, while joyful voices called to each other, a combination of song and speech, both in the common tongue and the language of the Mermis. Long tables laden with sweet fruit, rich meat, and intoxicating liquor covered the tables. Low colorful couches with pillows and cushions lined the hall, many of them already taken by a mix of Mermis with Crons scattered in-between. Someone passed Eliesmore a glass of liquid and he drained it one gulp, his mind growing fuzzy as he relaxed it the delights. It was all too easy to let go of his anger and drift away on clouds of pleasure. He fell on a cushion as a dark-haired Mermi brought him a tray of fruit. She refilled his cup and sat down beside him, and thus Eliesmore let himself be seduced by the Cloud Kingdom, and his woes melted away.
62
Indonesia
The celebration continued long into the night. Just as the sunset, when the first stars were coming out, Indonesia found Idrithar and, taking his hand, took him to her airy chambers. She shut the door, putting a finger to her lips as she eyed him. They stood silent, face to face until his fingers brushed blue feathers and gray mist from her shoulders.
As if answering an unspoken whim her bright feathers gathered in a pile on the chamber floor while the mists floated above them, leaving her fully exposed to him. She tilted her face upward, enjoying the freedom of her naked body, and the expression of appreciation he wore on his face. Even though they had been together for over two decades, occasions like this were rare. It seemed they were always traveling, one, or the other was coming and going, leaving no time for enjoyment.
She recalled the first time she’d seen Idrithar when the Silver Herd arrived with Cuthan in tow. They were headed for their last adventure, to search for the truth of the Creator and see what lay at the Pillars of Creation. It was a journey many undertook, and none returned from, a journey Indonesia was excited to make until she saw Idrithar. He’d been sitting in the dining hall, listening to the elders speak. His light brown hair with blond streaks was piled up in a bun on his head. His chiseled face held the shadow of a beard and his eyes were deep set, intelligent, and beautiful. His head moved up and down as he listened and scribbled notes on parchment. He was bookish and odd as she found out later. He was set in his thoughts and goals, and although the Mermis danced around him, he ignored them and their advances. Indonesia saw him as a challenge, and she forgot about Cuthan the Charmer, Cuthan the Adventurous and his mischief. She forgot about traveling to the Pillars of Creation, searching for the Creator and the Beyond. The words of her grandfather rang before her and she determined to stay in the South World, find the One, and help turn the tide against the great evil rising in the world.
A yearning rose in her heart when she looked at Idrithar. He was delicious. She wanted him. It took time before he allowed her into the deep recesses of his mind, to his hidden thoughts and secretive ways. She saw nothing but potential in him even though he came and went of his own fruition. Years passed, moving them past the ecstasy of frantic lovers to a deep bond, yet something held them back. She knew with certainty they would never have a relationship such as the one her parents upheld.
She cocked her head, causing her long blue hair to swish down her back. She had him now; the present was all that mattered. Holding up her arms she reached for him, closing her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy each touch, revel in each moment, holding on to the memories. This moment would sustain her for a lifetime if she could capture each scent, each feeling. This could be their last time together. With the rapid change in events the immortals were being pushed aside, it was time for the mortal to rise and rule the world as they were meant to. Idrithar would take his place in the world of mortals, and she would take hers in the world of immortals. Their paths would no longer collide.
His lips touched her collarbone, a feather-light kiss and then a nip, his lips pressing her skin between his. She breathed in and his head drew near to hers, the warmth of his presence embraced her, although his arms were not around her. Her dark eyes flew open as he wrapped an arm around her waist and the other behind her knees, scooping her up and walking to the bower. She reached up, touching his cheek, running a finger across his beard. He kissed her fingers tips as if they were delicate crystal before laying her across the white bed.
Moving between her legs, he draped his body over hers as he propped his upper body up on his elbows. Using his hands to cup her face, he allowed his fingertips to trace the soft map of her face while he studied her expression. Pure joy and relief shone out of her eyes. She arched her back, reaching up to unbutton his tunic.
“What’s wrong?” Indonesia whispered. “Your eyes are wistful, what are you thinking?”
He blinked, shaking his head slightly as he let the transparency fade out of them. Instead of replying he lifted one finger to his lips, his eyes growing warm again. He bent his head, touching his lips to hers just like the first time when they were young, and everything was new. Her hands came up, pulling his hair loose until it flowed around his neck and shoulders. She kissed him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, pulling him close as if it were their last time.
Later on, as the midnight hour grew near, they stood out on her private balcony, watching the bright lights of the night. Idrithar held her in a rare moment of closeness. He felt it too. The end was near. He faced her as a concern swept across his face. “Indonesia. The desires of the world have changed. The mortals will look back and blame the immortals for the rise of the Changers. They will say the immortals, the Iaen, the only people group powerful enough to stop the Changers stood by and did nothing. Instead, they waited for a mortal to rise and seize power. They will be wrong you know because they don't know what we have been through. They don't know the delicate balance of power and knowledge we had to dance around. They will not know how much the immortals did to help us, especially you and the other Mermis. They will not see they are the ones to blame. They will take it upon themselves to seek retribution regardless of consequences. Please stay here above such folly. If they find you, they will not be forgiving.”
“My home is here now,” she leaned into him, breathing in, tasting his scent. “After the war ends, I will return to the Cloud Kingdom and nary stray. Our paths will no longer entwine, but as I have told you, wherever you go, if you need me, call me.”
“I am not sure where my road will lead me, but if the time arises, I will.”
Indonesia felt her heart drop although she did not wish it. Idrithar was proud; he would seek to live his own life in the next phase of the world, a life without her. She lay her head on his shoulder. “Let’s not talk anymore.” Reaching down she took his hand and kissed his knuckles. “Come back to bed.”
63
Idrithar
Idrithar shut the door before moving to the center of the room. He placed his hands on the table, leaning over the life-sized map of the South World. Some details were missing. He’d have Wekin fill those in when he arrived.
“What I have to say should stay between us,” Idrithar began. He lifted his eyes, meeting the eyes of those present. Zhane, Indonesia, Sletaira and Leaka. They nodded in understanding. “Elies
more is not himself, and I don’t mean because of the enormity of his quest. Something happened in Daygone, and he refuses to talk about it. He was there for seven days, talking to whom or doing what, we don’t know. I, for one, refuse to speculate but honestly, we don’t know what happened. We assume the Dark One is dead, yet we have no way of verifying Eliesmore’s words. I’m not sure what will happen when he faces the Dark Figure but we need to prepare, we need to have contingency plans in case everything goes awry.”
“Optimistic is close to him,” Zhane suggested. “We could ask him if Eliesmore said anything regarding Daygone.”
“Please consider that your responsibility then,” Idrithar agreed.
“He went to see the Dark One. Sarhorr, the Ruler.” Indonesia interrupted. “We should consider what we know about him from history.” She held up a hand, ticking off numbers on her fingers. “He lived in high altitudes as close to the sky as possible, he transformed mortals into monsters, and he extracted souls from their bodies. What we know can inform us of what might have happened to Eliesmore.”
“That’s the problem,” Idrithar glared at Indonesia even though she wasn’t intentionally attempting to undermine him. “We haven’t seen something like this before. We know the Monrages studied with him to understand how to use the Great-Black-Evil. Eliesmore was not there long enough to learn although something has been done to his mind.” Idrithar trailed off, unwilling to speak about the monstrous form he saw Eliesmore take. “Regardless, it doesn’t matter what it is. If there is the slightest inkling that Eliesmore will switch sides, we have to be prepared. Now, in a few minutes he will join us, and I hope this will be for naught. Let’s plan our attack strategy and discuss the contingency plan tomorrow.”
Eliesmore and the Jeweled Sword Page 24