Authors: V. Lakshman
Skill is not revealed by striking hard or often,
but by striking true.
-
Kensei Tsao, The Lens of Blades
T
ime passed while Yetteje sat silently, clearly thinking about her father. Arek’s mind was working through the fact that he’d actually seen Ben’thor Tir when the double doors opened and the group, led by Thoth, were escorted back in. He looked at Lilyth in surprise, and her only response was to raise a single finger and say, “Wait.”
They neared the dais and his master stepped forward and said, “We will accompany Arek to rescue Niall and the red mage, but have a request.”
“Ask whatever you will.”
Master Silbane looked at Arek and then the demon-queen and said, “The dwarven woman has instruments she needs and,” he looked at Arek, “her collar needs to be removed.”
Lilyth looked at his master, then her eyes came to rest on Arek himself. She said softly, “I will have the tomb brought here—” two guards left immediately at that—“but the rest is beyond my power. I cannot remove the highlord’s torc.”
Arek watched in confusion as his master looked at him. “Do you think I can?” he asked.
“Most certainly. I ask you to free her.”
Arek’s caution reasserted itself, and where before he would not have questioned Master Silbane’s request, here he knew every action he took might mean his life. He trusted Silbane, but something had begun to change, a belief that he was no longer just an apprentice had taken tenuous hold. He thought of himself as an adept—that was true ever since the blackfire—but thinking of himself that way and having others recognize it were two very different things. It was difficult for him to not fall into the same relationship as before, yet time and circumstance had given him some modicum of objectivity. Furthermore, Master Silbane had been duped by Rai’stahn, proving he was not infallible. Instead of agreeing, he looked at his master and asked, “Why?”
Silbane seemed taken aback by that, then he said, “Because I asked you.”
Arek shook his head. “I’m sorry… I’m not able to agree, Master. These dwarves almost killed us at Bara’cor. I’m not sure why I kept her alive, but you’ve taught me to never squander an asset. Letting her go is not tactically viable.” He turned to Kisan and asked, “Correct?”
His sudden question to Kisan seemed to startle her as she snapped out of whatever she’d been thinking. Her eyes narrowed and she said, “Be happy we’re asking,
apprentice
.”
Her emphasis on the last word seemed intended to try to intimidate him, but Arek now had command of his emotions. He’d seen Yetteje’s plight, understood the offer Lilyth made, and realized that she was not in a position to demand. Part of him wished he could summon Piter and watch the expression on her face, but now was not the time to reveal the extent to which he’d prepared. No one except he, and perhaps his master, cared for his life.
So instead of rising to her jibe, he said, “Has ‘because I said so’ become a suitably tactical response?” He looked at her without blinking, and felt a small bit of pride when she acquiesced by shaking her head and stepping back.
He turned his attention back to his master and said, “You realize that she might just phase through the rock below and leave. That would mean we’d lose whatever she knows, which I think is important.”
“Nevertheless, I ask you to trust me.”
Arek considered this, and also the fact that his master may not know what he had surmised about the meaning behind Kisan’s presence. It was clear Silbane trusted her, but Arek did not. There could only be one reason for her being here, and it did not bode well for either himself or his master. So he did what Silbane had taught him. When you can’t dodge, deflect… and when you can’t deflect, pierce.
He turned, facing Kisan, and demanded, “What are your orders concerning me?”
His directness had the desired effect, as Kisan’s face blanched and she looked at Silbane. Then she said, “What?”
Arek stepped a little closer to Lilyth and said, “You heard me. What are your orders? I would know before releasing Brianna and creating another set of variables to deal with.”
“Silbane, you can’t—”
Lilyth interrupted Kisan and said, “You’ll address my son.” Though she had not moved, a deadly stillness permeated the air. It fell upon them like a reminder that any misspoken word could end in immediate violence, and for the first time the look on Kisan’s face reflected caution instead of disdain.
Silbane held up a hand, “A moment, please.” He turned then and faced Kisan, who reluctantly broke eye contact with Lilyth and looked down. Arek watched as his master waited, then asked, “Giridian ordered you to kill Arek?”
Slowly, Kisan raised her eyes and met Silbane’s own. Then she said, “What do you think?”
Arek stepped forward but his master held up a hand forestalling him, still facing Kisan, and asked, “Would you have?”
Kisan’s eyes flicked over to Arek, then back to Silbane. A small quiver passed through her as she took a deep breath, then she shook her head, “I don’t know. I think of the unfairness to Piter.” She looked down again, one trembling hand coming up to cover her mouth.
Thoth then said, “The blame falls upon me, for I told Giridian that Arek could not be allowed to enter Arcadia. Yet I have spoken to your Lore Father, and the orders concerning Arek have been lifted.”
Arek spun at that, his mind seething at the betrayal surrounding him. First Rai’stahn, then the King torturing him, now Master Kisan, and finally Thoth. Was everyone trying to kill him?
It was Thoth himself who answered that by saying, “Understand, it has always been so. No null has been allowed to enter Arcadia. Your death here is the only outcome Sovereign wishes to achieve, yet we risk you being here to gain a better outcome.”
“What better outcome?” Arek shot back.
“Life,” said Thoth, “for both our peoples.” He was quiet for a moment, then asked, “You know of the dark nephilim. You have seen them, yes?” Something in Arek’s expression must have conveyed that he had for Thoth continued, “These dark things are not just a by-product of fear and death, they are also Sovereign’s tool, created to destroy Aeris with a touch. Why do you think the Watchers exist at all?” He looked at Orion and Helios, “Born from necessity, for the dark depravities of your world come to life here as nephilim, and worse. Without the ever-present eyes of these stalwart guardians to destroy them at each turn, Arcadia will be overrun and Sovereign will win yet again.” He looked at the rest of the group, “This war has been waged for millennia, but we are few and becoming fewer still through Ascension. We cannot withstand his might indefinitely, and so must break the cycle.” He looked at Lilyth, releasing the floor to her.
“Arek,” Lilyth said softly, “what do you wish to do?”
Arek looked at her, angry and confused. Then he turned back to Silbane and said, “This quest, to close the gate, it was Lore Father Themun’s order to take me?”
Silbane was silent, then he took a breath and nodded, saying, “Until Rai’stahn chose to attack, we were truly meant to investigate. I could not let the dragon hurt you, and thus we were separated. Then it seems Thoth and the new Lore Father Giridian spoke. I surmised,” he looked at Kisan then, “during that conversation someone was ordered to insure you did not survive.” He looked at Thoth, “Clearly, Keeper, you told Giridian that Arek must die, and kept that knowledge from me.”
Thoth looked down and cleared his throat, “As I have said, that order has been lifted.”
“So you say, now, conveniently.” Then Silbane looked at Arek, sincerity shining in his eyes, “We have been searching since we lost you,
all of us
. Everyone acted with what they knew at the time, but clearly things have changed.” He looked back at Kisan, “What are your intentions now?”
Kisan looked at Arek and said, “I would see you leave here. Give up this quest for the red mage, leave Arcadia now.”
Silbane looked back at Arek, “But if you decide to dare Avalyon, we will come with you. We’ll not abandon you again.” At this, the rest of the group nodded, but Kisan was absolutely still.
Arek took it all in. His master was sincere, of that he was certain. He was less certain of Kisan, but knew being forewarned was forearmed, and she would not catch him by surprise. He could feel his power swell within him at the thought of combat, and knew he could not be so easily dispatched, even by those as deadly as his former teachers. He had plans that would insure the safety of himself and those he loved. He found himself including Yetteje, and was surprised how quickly she’d become central to his thoughts. That she seemed to like him too was almost too good to be true, and he risked a glance at her and smiled. She moved a little closer and smiled back, sending a small flutter of joy through him.
He turned his attention back, hoping no one had noticed, and looked at Brianna. He gestured with a small incline of his head, saying, “Come here.”
The dwarven woman stepped up to the dais, her gaze an equal measure of hopeful and fearful. When her collar was level with his head, she stopped. Arek looked at the metal was a dull copper that seemed to suck in the light when attached to a person, so unlike the bright ring that had bounced down the dais before. It looked dull and lifeless to most, but as Arek watched, he could see the very particles of force that brought its magic to bear. If he stared long enough, he was sure he could unravel the secret of its forging, but that was not important to him now.
He watched, then pulled off a glove. With his now uncovered finger he reached out and touched the collar. The metal at that point blackened and that blackness slowly spread like a stain. Behind him he heard a small gasp, proof Lilyth had not expected this. No matter, he thought, there were many things they would not believe he could do, but he was learning.
The blackness had now encircled the entire torc, and as everyone watched the metal disintegrated, falling like dust at Brianna’s feet. Her tattoos flashed and reconfigured themselves, becoming regular geometric patterns that resembled boxes with lines. Inside some of the boxes he could see strange glyphs, letters he did not recognize, and moving dots.
When he looked at her eyes, however, he saw an emotion plain for anyone to understand: simple joy. He could tell she was fully in control of her body again as her face broke into a hesitant smile. Then she looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, “I’ll not betray you, Arek.”
“Good.” He looked at Kisan then and said, “Anyone who does will find it to be the last thing he ever does.”
It is strange, but there truly is
someone in this world for everyone.
-
Toorval Singh, Memoirs of a Mercenary
P
reparations went quickly, with six Furies bringing back the tomb within which Brianna had awakened. It was a testament to the weight of the large rectangular box that it took six men, each standing at least three times the height of a man from Edyn. Arek watched as the dwarven woman gestured where she wanted the box placed.
It was oblong, about her height in length, and made of a dull gray metal that looked pitted with age. It had faded runes along the side etched in a dark maroon color, reminding Arek for some reason of dried blood. True to Lilyth’s word, the tomb itself was encrusted with mineral growth, broken off in places leaving a salt-like outline where it had once covered the metal.
“That was it,” Ash said from behind him “I saw this when I fell, but it disappeared into the clouds below.”
Lilyth then offered, “My men said Tempest blasted the hole in an effort to escape. Perhaps she inadvertently did something worthy of thanks.”
No one answered, and Brianna took that moment to step forward. She touched one of her tattoos,
entats
Arek reminded himself, and that symbol lit up on her forearm. A matching symbol appeared on the lid of the tomb, blinking white with its own light. Brianna then touched the tomb, and the entire lid slid sideways to reveal a white interior, also lit with a soft white glow.
There was a man-shaped indentation, no doubt where she had lain. Runes appeared at the top and bottom, most lit in green but some flashing yellow and amber. They indicated something undecipherable to Arek’s cursory glance, but Brianna’s reaction showed they were important. She looked over her shoulder at Arek and said, “Just a moment, it’s calibrating itself.”
Arek understood that, as the masters often spent many careful moments making sure weights and measures were properly calibrated on their scales back home. He knew that very precise measurements were necessary to make real deductions, and could appreciate Brianna’s need for the same, but how the runes glowing on her tomb did this was a mystery.
In a moment, all the symbols turned green. Brianna placed her palm on a panel at the foot of the tomb and it slid open. She reached in and withdrew a belt with a tube and handled instrument sitting in a pouch. Kisan moved forward and snatched the belt away.
“I know what this is,” she said. “It’s a device that fires projectiles. The dwarves that attacked us used these to kill Thera and the lore father.” She held the belt away from Brianna, waiting for direction.
“Is it a weapon?” Arek asked Brianna.
The dwarven woman nodded, her eyes clear and without guile. “Yes. I’m no sword wielder and where we’re going sounds dangerous. I want to be able to defend myself.” To Kisan she added, “I don’t know these dwarves you faced, but I don’t mean anyone harm. I took an oath to never take a life, and to only defend myself in need. If any harm was meant, I would not have been so open about reaching for this with all of you watching.”
Kisan held on to the belt, but her stance became less combative. “You understand that weapons like this were used to kill those we held dear?”
Brianna slowly nodded. “I’m sorry for that, but I’m not a soldier. If you want me to go unarmed, I will.” This last thing she said to Arek, clearly letting him know he was the final arbiter.
Arek thought it over, then said, “Give it to her. If she’d wanted to leave, she would already have done so, and she’s the only person I know for sure is not trying to kill me.” This last was delivered directly to Kisan, a not so subtle reminder that he had not forgotten her duplicity.
Brianna held out her hand, waiting. Reluctantly, and only at Silbane’s nod, did Kisan relinquish the weapon. Brianna belted it around her waist, using a black string to secure the pouch to her upper thigh. “We call this a gun. As Kisan said, it fires projectiles that can incapacitate or kill.”
“I know,” was all Kisan said, the disgust in her voice obvious. However, to Arek’s ears, he also heard remorse, no doubt she was remembering the attack on the isle. He realized then just how much he’d missed, how much had changed in their world while he was on his quest with his master.
“I trust you,” Arek told Brianna, “but understand how this must feel to everyone else.”
She nodded, then placed her palm on another panel, which slide aside. She withdrew a silver metal tube and a bunch of transparent squares. They looked like clear cloth, about the size of her hand, which she stuffed into a waiting pocket. Finally, she moved to the top of the tomb and the green numbers. “I’m just trying to get a sense of when…”
Her face turned white, and she sat back heavily. Then she grasped the side of the tomb and leaned forward, still looking at the glowing green runes. Heartbeats passed, and still she didn’t move. Finally, Arek went over, put a gloved hand on her shoulder, and asked, “What?”
Brianna shook her head. “It can’t be.” She rubbed her eyes as if to change what she saw.
“What can’t be?” he asked again, looking up quickly at the group.
“Ten…” Brianna looked at the group, her eyes tracking across everyone until they finally rested upon Arek. To him, she said, “There must be a mistake.”
“What?” asked Arek.
Brianna’s face went from disbelief to guarded once again. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“How long?” demanded Kisan.
The dwarven woman looked at her and then smiled and said, “I can’t say until I’ve confirmed it with an outside reading.”
Arek tilted his head. “Outside?”
Brianna nodded. “The stars. I can confirm things once I take a reading of the sky.”
Arek nodded, knowing that for some people, their fates were tied to the stars. Of course the masters of the Isle frowned on such superstition, teaching them the science behind the path of planets around their star, but personally he couldn’t fault someone who still needed the reassurance of faith. “Leave her alone,” he said. “Once she knows she’ll tell us.”
He saw the grateful glance that Brianna gave him there, and the flash of anger from Kisan. He’d started to care less about what the master thought, but her undercurrent of aggression was beginning to wear on him. Only the presence of Silbane stayed his hand. If he could do what he wanted to… the thought led to a sudden whirlwind of visions of him possessing all of them, turning them to his will.
“Do you remember any more of where you come from?” Lilyth asked as her eyes flicked from Arek back to Thoth.
That jarred Arek back to the here and now. He looked at Lilyth, only to be answered with a soft smile and nod, as if she liked how he thought. He found himself wondering what he and Lilyth could accomplish together. Certainly ruling Edyn was not beyond their capabilities. The thought left a delicate sense of propriety, as if his destiny was something tangible, only a grasp away.
Brianna shook her head. “It will take some time for my
entats
to fully heal me. Until then, I remember my skills but everything else is vague.”
“Perhaps you should consider leaving Brianna here, with us,” Lilyth said. “She will be of little use to you and as she’s said, she’s no soldier.”
Arek looked at Yetteje, who gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, then he turned back at Brianna and said, “You said you’re a healer. Do you remember how to do that?”
Brianna nodded hesitantly. “I’d need to learn more about your kind—organs, physiology—but yes… I think I can do that.”
It was enough for Arek, who said, “My father and mother may need a healer. So may Niall. She’s coming.”
Lilyth was about to say something but Thoth said, “Perhaps we should not force the issue now. As you reminded me, Arek must forge his own path.”
The demon-queen looked at him, then nodded. “We will have to insure everyone’s safety as best as we can.” She turned to Arek. “Are you still committed to breaching Avalyon?”
Arek stood up and motioned everyone to gather. “Yes.”
“Very well,” replied Lilyth, “I will deposit you at the location of the lens, which may or may not still be with your father. Valarius has opened a gate to Bara’cor. Find it, and you can leave with your companions.”
To Yetteje and Kisan she added, “Remember what hangs in the balance should Valarius survive.”
Kisan shook her head with anger, but Yetteje nodded slowly. Neither, however, looked as though she disagreed with the demon-queen.
Lilyth gestured and a gate opened. Both Silbane and Kisan transformed into their angelic forms. Arek couldn’t help but be impressed, their armor and wingblades looking keen and deadly. If he hadn’t already seen Orion and Helios, the new forms would have shocked him more. As it was, the group seemed somehow more complete with them arrayed like this.
The two Watchers bowed to the Keeper and then arranged themselves to the left and right of his masters, their silver and gold armor just as lethal and imposing. Behind them came the party consisting of Ash, who had replaced Tempest with an appropriately sized blade offered by the guards; followed by Yetteje with Valor; Brianna with one hand resting uncertainly on the handle of the thing she called a gun; and Arek.
The portal’s other side looked dark, as if it emptied into a small room. Lilyth said, “Be aware that I cannot gate you back. When used to anchor Avalyon, the lens will shatter but the island will become locked to Arcadia. You must find the portal Valarius has created if you wish to escape. She came and hugged Arek. “You are
special
, Arek. Do not falter, nor despair. What you do now will promise life for all our peoples. I’m so proud of you.”
Arek thought of all the things he wanted to say. Finally, he settled on, “I have to do this but… thank you.”
She nodded, stroking his cheek. “Find your father and mother, decide what’s best for them and your friends.”
Arek gave her a quick nod and another hug. Yetteje grabbed his arm and pulled him gently to the opening. They clasped hands, then the party moved forward with weapons ready and stepped into the darkness. The gate flashed once, and shut with a snap of displaced air behind them.
* * * * *
“We send them once more into the breach,” Thoth said sadly.
Lilyth watched the gate close, ignoring the Keeper, her thoughts on putting the next pieces in motion. “Summon Mithras, and bring me the Kinslayer,” she ordered her men.
Thoth watched her, his curiosity plain for anyone to see.
Guards saluted and left immediately. Within moments the newly created Aeris Lord came striding in wreathed in yellow flames like a cloak. Hemendra of the Altan Wastes was now Mithras the Morningstar, Aeris Lord and Fury of the Lady.
“You will diminish yourself before me,” chastised Lilyth, knowing the merging of the barbarian would forever give Mithras a violent, unbridled streak, like a wild animal. She wished she could make a more direct lesson to teach this god proper respect, but he was of no use to her broken, and his spirit would serve well in the coming war to bring Edyn under heel.
Mithras breathed in, then brought his flames under control. The Aeris Lord was still powerful and golden, shining like his namesake, the Morningstar. He bowed and went to one knee.
“Command me, for it is good to live again,” he intoned.
Lilyth waited until the guards had returned, carrying with them the sheathed Tempest. Even now she heard the blade sobbing.
“Betrayed! Discarded! He will rue the day—”
“Be silent, sister!” Lilyth warned, irritated that Tempest had still not grown up, even after all these years, still churlish and self-absorbed. The guards handed the blade to her and stepped back. The demon-queen rose, walking down her dais until she stood before Mithras, immense even as he knelt.
“Do you wish to live?” Lilyth asked.
Mithras did not answer, somehow knowing she was not talking to him.
It was Tempest who finally barked, “By your mercy, no! You who call yourself my sister, abandoning me just as they all do.”
Lilyth said, “Very well,” and turned back to the throne.
“Wait!” the blade said quickly. “I was angry, but meant no offense.”
“You have not changed,” Lilyth said. “Still pining for a man who left you. How far you’ve fallen that one man could mean so much you’d wager your sanity.”
“He loved me!”
“He left you because you were unhinged, demanding more and more until there was nothing left to give. This body you’ve chosen, a miserable sacrifice that meant nothing to anyone.”
“It did to him,” Tempest argued.
“Keep telling yourself that,” replied the demon-queen. “He died happy to be free from your embrace.”
The silence stretched behind that statement, until Tempest finally said, “I want to live.”
“Then listen to my offer.” Lilyth waited, her sapphire eyes cool and distant. The birth of Tempest was so tangled with her own past it was hard to remember the sister who had been a happy and laughing princess, instead of the creature now inhabiting the blade, so consumed with self-pity and need.