Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

Tesnayr stood in the crowd watching with admiration the round of singing that the five kings started. He never thought he’d live to see the day when bitter enemies joined in the telling of tales. Quickly, he wiped a tear before it could escape his eye. Perhaps we can win. The seeds of doubt flittered away as the soldiers gathered and continued singing, continuing what King Edrei had begun.

  He moved away from the group seeking solitude. He needed to think. Everything depended upon what he had planned. If the least little thing went wrong, it could upset their chances. He hoped that this time, he had planned it right.

  The cool breeze tickled his skin as it blew past him. It had a touch of warmth to it telling him that spring had reached them. The lack of moonlight shielded Tesnayr as he walked. He sighed.

  “Such anxiety,” said a voice. Ernayn stepped out of the shadows and strolled with him. “War does that to a man.”

  “What do you want?” asked Tesnayr. He tired of Ernayn’s comings and goings. Her mystique always wore on him.

  “Not even a friendly hello? You need to work on your manners.”

  “And you need to quit sneaking up on people,” said Tesnayr.

  “I would not be a sorceress if I did,” said Ernayn.

  “What do you want?”

  “Tesnayr: wanderer, warrior, and merciful. Tomorrow shall determine if you are a leader of men. I find it interesting that Max knows about your big plans and I do not.”

  “You are not a part of them,” replied Tesnayr.

  “I could make you tell me,” said Ernayn with a hint of a threat.

  “No, you cannot.”

  “So certain are you?”

  “Powerful you may be, Ernayn, but even you cannot force a man to do anything against his wishes.”

  “I can be very persuasive.” Ernayn closed the distance between her and Tesnayr. She caressed his cheek with her soft hands.

  Tesnayr shoved her away. “If you are so interested in my big plans, as you put them, why don’t you ask Max?”

  The sorceress’ face contorted slightly. “That tightlipped wizard will never tell me. And I know that you have included that cat in your schemes. But for some reason magic prevents him from saying a word.”

  A slight smile crossed Tesnayr’s face. He liked having an upper hand on the sorceress. “Then, perhaps you should ask the dragons.”

  “Who are bound to you. I know that they must keep your secrets for eternity.”

  “Indeed.”

  “But you already knew that. You forget, Tesnayr, that I made you what you are.”

  “On the contrary,” said Tesnayr, “You had nothing to do with it. I made myself. These people follow me because they choose to. I do not know why you helped me in the past, but I am not beholden to you.”

  “You ought to choose your words more carefully,” said Ernayn.

  “I tire of these games of yours,” said Tesnayr. “I thank you for what you have done, but you have given me no reason to trust you. If you wish Galbrok destroyed, then trust in me.”

  “Trust is not easily come by,” said Ernayn.

  “Then, maybe you should try it,” said Tesnayr. “I have to go.” Tesnayr walked away back to the encampment.

  Ernayn stared after him.

  “Perhaps you should have faith in him, mistress,” said Quesha appearing from nowhere.

  “And what makes you say so?” asked Ernayn.

  “The Stone of Elya,” said Quesha.

  “You are not ready for the stone,” said Ernayn.

  “I apologize, mistress, but the stone called to me. I can’t explain it, but it pulled me in.”

  Ernayn eyed her student with curiosity. Rarely did the Stone of Elya call to an individual. “And what did it show you?”

  “Tesnayr, at a place. It was a palace, but not one that we know of. He was richly dressed. I do not know what it means. But my intuition tells me to trust the man.”

  “Strange that it should show you these things,” said Ernayn. “We will watch and wait.”