by J. M. Ivie
“Why don’t you join me?”
I shook my head, “I am not a man who swims with women at night.”
There was something in her eyes which shouted liar. “Be a little adventurous, Mr. Chigaru-Baraka. Something inside you must want to dive in and forget the world, even if it be for a few minutes.”
I looked up at the night sky, observing the moons drifting along the atmosphere amidst the billions of flickering stars. “Dracul, give me strength.” I peeled off my coat and boots. A knot twisted in my stomach. This wasn’t something I did, though, I had been tempted in the past. Somehow this woman walked into my quiet night and tossed it into a loop which I found upsetting… and amusing.
She clapped her hands when I stood from my spot on the rock as if congratulating herself on the accomplishment. “Ah, I knew you wanted to jump in!”
I crossed my arms, unsure about the plunge.
“Oh, come now.” Mairead stuck her lower lip out. “Jump in and I’ll show you someplace magical. If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss it, Chigaru-Baraka.”
I paused, looking at her. That name, it sounded so foreign on my ears. “Call me Barak, if it pleases you.”
Mairead nodded, holding out her hand. “Well then, Barak. Shall we get going?”
Ease pulsed through me when I grabbed her hand. “Where are we going?”
“Down.” She tugged at my arm before releasing her hold. She dove into the blue waters, nearly vanishing. With a deep breath I followed her into the darkness of the pond.
___
Mairead’s laugh echoed through the glowing cavern. Magenta crystals spotted the ceiling, fading color to blue and white. Chimes sounded throughout the cave, composing their own chorus as I surfaced the water.
“What is this place?” I sucked in a deep breath, tossing the hair out of my eyes.
“This is one of the many fingers that lead to the Siren’s cave. Don’t worry, as far as I have seen, her cave is miles away.” Mairead pulled back her hair and squeezed the water out. Her white skin almost glowed against the crystals, bringing out her sharp jaw and nose. The luminance of the gems silhouetted her taut figure. Amidst the light and darkness, the image held a beautiful mystery. A thousand arcane treasures concealed in the glowing rocks that stayed rooted into the walls.
She walked, looking back at me for a second. “This is the cavern Telia.” Mairead made a sweeping motion with her hand, tilting her head back as she stared up at the ceiling of gems. “It’s said to be named after the Luxterrian goddess, Estelia. From the tale, she searched far and wide, trying to find the glowing gems of Welkinia, for the beauty of the crystals enraptured her.”
“And it was said Estelia’s requiem was preformed on Oceland, in the waters of the blue waterfall,” I finished her story, remembering it vividly. “She was the goddess of peace, was she not?”
Mairead nodded with a smile. “Yes.”
I suppressed the laugh that built in my stomach. How ridiculous it is to believe there were beings who embody an emotion or idea. “Linsadi. Do the crystals only glow at midnight?”
Mairead nodded, “Yes, I agree. It is beautiful.” She turned and began walking up the glowing path.
It puzzled me, her not answering my question and only repeating my statement. My shoulder ached, removing my thoughts from Mairead’s unusual behavior and to the pain in my body.
It always bothered me when my shoulder acted up. It was a distraction.
“Are you coming, or are you going to stay down there?”
I looked up, seeing Mairead at the top of the slope, hands on her hips. “Sia, ni sonia.”
The grin that widened her lips was well-nigh infectious. We ascended the hill of the cave, entering a thin and winding path that dipped down.
“What made you come to the water?”
She looked back at me, moving her bare feet through the soft pebbles below us. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “And you looked like you needed someone to cheer you up.”
I allowed the tense air to escape my lungs, not looking at Mairead. “You are generous, but I do not deserve your kindness.”
“Why not?” She poked her head into my line of sight. “Everyone deserves a little kindness in their life.”
“Not me, miss Mairead.” She differed from other women I had known. The ones I had purposefully inveigled to pull out their innermost secrets. I wished to know why that was.
Mairead pressed her hand against my heart, “Yes. Even you, Barak. Especially you.”
T H I R T Y
FOUR DAYS PASSED SINCE I had woken up. Pain racked my body when I moved, but today was slightly more bearable. I limped into the hall. I had questions…
“Ah! Mr. Faithe!” Elric’s voice came from the opposite side of the hall. He hurried my way, smiling.
I bowed. “King Elric.”
“My daughter tells me you seek counsel?”
I nodded. “Yes, King Elric. There are things which… trouble my mind.” I looked around the room, leaning on my cane for support.
“Speak what is on your mind. I will do my best to aid you.”
I sucked in a lungful of air. “How would you come to grips with an internal turmoil? A secret you withheld from a beloved or loved one? One which has caused pain?”
Elric stroked his beard, looking me up and down. “I would ask myself whether the secret I withheld was one which was beneficial or detrimental to the one who I withheld it from. Tell me, what has bothered you?”
I sighed and settled down on a chair near the edge of the hall. “I withheld a secret from a woman I love. She didn’t deserve what I did…” I muttered. “King, ban me if you so wish after this. Sentence me to death if you so please…” I looked at him, and he wore the same expression as he had when I had entered the hall. “I am… an assassin. I've taken countless lives, and I did so without question.”
Elric scowled, waiting for me to finish.
“I want to escape that world. But, I fear my haunting past has followed me.”
Elric let out a breath. “Well, if I were any other man, I would sentence you to death. But, I will not. You are not a man I would slay, or punish, for crimes the system ordered him to do.”
I looked at him with unease.
“I can see it in your eyes. The regret. The pain. The memories. They surface and swallow you at night. It makes you hunger for an unearthly medicine, one which will not release its grip on your soul till you have purged your mind of what you have seen and your heart is free from guilt.”
I had trouble understanding him.
“I can see you do not understand. If this were to be made clearer, I would make it so. But, I fear that the only way in which I can explain my thoughts is abstract. The bizarre mixture of sense and chaos. It is how I am compelled to talk. Come, I wish to tell you of Laramie and the secret which I have held from her. A secret which I will tell you and you will forget. For the sake of my daughter, you will remain silent, even if she were to find out.”
It confused me… How, and why, is this man putting so much faith in me, trusting I will keep his secret safe?
___
Elric led the way down a stone passage. The darkness of the oddly shaped corridor twisted like a living creature. I found myself drawn to the center and avoiding any of the sides and shadows. I looked toward the King who walked just ahead of me.
“Down this tunnel is where I found the end of myself. My wife, Diana, she died giving birth to our child. The child… was stillborn. She wasn’t breathing. No beating heart, no eyes that shined like the glittering diamonds that had once shown in her mother’s. Just death. Still, silent, and unloving death. I couldn’t look at Diana. Not after the Reaper had so swiftly taken everyone I loved. So, I carried my dead child down these halls, eventually finding myself in a cave toward the end of this long and damp passage. It took everything in me to go forward. I thought, perhaps if I traveled far enough, I would drop into the ocean. My daughter and I, forever together. Perhaps be reunited
with Diana… But, it seemed destiny had other plans for me.”
I bit back the emotions stirring in my stomach.
“I took her, and I found a beautiful, glittering pool. The most ideal place for a requiem, I thought. As I knelt down to place my daughter into the water, I saw the most beautiful woman in front of me. Her skin was pale and as pure as the moons. Hair, as deep and dark as mahogany, and eyes the shade of a winter sky. I stared at her, and she at me. She asked why I would put my child in the water… I told her she was dead.
“The woman looked at me, and something filled her eyes with sadness. She seemed to care. She said no one came to her cave without a petition. I handed over the infant’s body with little thought. She said that, for a price, I could have my child. Alive, and well. I asked her what that price would be… What she asked shocked me.”
I tilted my head. “What did she ask for?”
“That I would bring my daughter back to her to visit when she came of age. I agreed. With a kiss, the woman breathed life back into my daughter. I noticed a gem hung around her neck, for the gem glowed. Bright and definite. At the time, I was not sure what was going on. I understand now, and I have made the choice to break my deal with the woman. It may cost me my life, but, if it means safety for Laramie, I will take it. I learned the woman was the Siren of Oceland, and, with the bat of an eye, she would turn my precious daughter into a Siren as well.” Elric looked at me, his eyes softening. “If Laramie were to make the choice to go to the cave, I would try my best to hinder her. But, if she was stubborn, I would accompany her.”
I let out an unsteady sigh, looking around the room. “So, your daughter is—”
“Part Siren. It seems odd, but yes. She is that way because of the Siren’s soul… it lives inside her. It waits for the moment to awake…” he looked at me. “I have spent years looking for a cure. Though, I am uncertain, I believe I have found something that could…”
His voice trailed off, and I tried to find his eyes. “Why do you not tell her? Perhaps if she knew of the danger she could be, she would be better prepared.”
“She must never know,” he snapped. “It would horrify her.”
I looked around. “Elric, why did you tell me this? How do you know you can trust me?”
Elric smiled. It was as if he knew something I didn’t. Not answering my question, he looked at me with a smirk. “Come along, Apollo,” he said and began his stroll back toward the palace.
Now confused, and unsure, I turned again and walked with Elric.
___
Night fell, and I tossed and turned in my sleep. I saw nothing but memories. Zahra’s scream rattled me awake. A cold sweat trickled down my back. I shook off my covers, rising from my bed. I wanted that potion. I needed the silver potion. I need it. I need the potion.
I looked around. I knew I wouldn’t find it. Darkness surrounded me. I saw Zahra’s figure in the shadow. Numbness spread through me. She is haunting me. Her eyes bored into mine. a stark and real vision. When I blinked, she was gone. Is she all right?
I couldn’t do anything till I recovered. Once I did, I would go to Winsdale, and I would demand to know what the men meant when they mentioned Azu’s name.
“Apollo?”
Barak’s voice interrupted my thoughts. He stood in the doorway with an upturned brow.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “Was I being too loud?”
Barak nodded. “It does not matter…” He walked into the room, striding over to the open window. “I only wish for you to rest.”
I sighed, “I don’t see the point. There… there’s nothing but pain in the realm. I just… want it to end.”
Barak remained quiet for several minutes. “You had to deal with a lot recently.”
I took in a sharp breath. My world had crumbled.
Barak placed his hand on my shoulder, looking down at me with a smile. “You are the closest thing I have to family, Apollo. Remember that. I will be here when you need me.”
T H I R T Y - O N E
THE SECOND MONTH OF spring emerged, kissing the land with a bountiful green glow. I was nearly healed, thanks to Laramie, the doctors, and the potions of the Woodlands.
“How is it you have remained an independent nation?” I asked Elric as we both sat on the balcony overlooking a glittering, iridescent waterfall. The calls of woodland creatures, and the music which poured from the town were drowned by the roar of the falls.
Elric smiled. “Diplomacy is key. Keeping on good terms with Oceland is hard, but not impossible. The Ambassador is quite a hard man to speak with. Frequently I have had to go to before the Oceland Court and clear my name. He has stated things that are untrue. I hope they change out the man for he is not one I enjoy conversing with… or enjoy for that matter. We hold true to our beliefs, which upset those around us, but we do what we can.”
“And what are your beliefs?”
Elric swirled his drink around in the goblet, pondering the question. “We in the Woodlands believe we must treat our fellow man with respect. That the earth, where which we stand must be loved, and that one King created the world.”
I furrowed my brow. “King?”
Elric nodded. “A powerful being that crafted the world from nothing.”
“Zahra, my wife, she spoke about this King. I am not sure whether I believe it…”
Elric smiled, “Then what is your belief, Mr. Faithe?”
I paused, unsure myself. I assumed all things were, and would always be. I expected nothing after death. No reward. No punishment. Just the end of consciousness.
He didn’t need me to explain. He must have seen it in my face. “Which is harder to believe? That all which is has always been, or that we have a beginning and an end? That the beginning was designed and predicted. Crafted and cared for, or randomly given?”
I opened my mouth to speak, though, no words came out. I hadn’t given my belief much thought before. To assume all things were always there and hadn’t a start. I looked down at my feet as I pondered what he said. Elric always spoke with the same eloquence, direct, yet, tender. He challenged my theory and not myself. He didn’t say he was ultimately correct, though, something inside me burned with a passionate fire.
It said he was right.
Everything in me screamed Elric spoke truth. But, one thing pounded in my skull. A burning question.
Why would a King create such a messed up world?
“Elric…” I said after a long moment. “If there is this King, then why is the land so corrupt? Does this mean He too is corrupt and inadequate?”
Elric scowled, as if I asked him an immodest question. “No, my dear boy. It is mankind. The King watches… His heart breaks seeing us suffer. But we have wished this… this independence from Him. Smacking His hand away if He tries to help. It is us, Apollo. We alone are to blame for how destitute our realm has become.”
___
I held my aching side as I walked. I had recovered much, but, my body still reminded me of the pain it had been in not too long ago. The gardens were bursting with life… life I hadn’t seen anywhere else. Flowers with glowing petals and plants with translucent green leaves speckled the yard. I stepped to the side, evading a small being, not even the size of my thumb, as it flew past my head. Little pest. I looked at the faint glimmer of light of the Älve as it vanished into the forest. I turned and walked up the stairs, entering the greenhouse. It was a large, dome shaped building, with six glass pillars which held the multiple glass panels up. Flowers and trees of all sorts sprouted everywhere, encompassing me with the smell of fresh life. Such a sad, stark contrast with how I felt inside.
As I walked about the dome, the clinking of metal echoed from beyond the barrier. With my curiosity taking the lead, I walked toward the noise. When I found the balcony, Laramie and Barak were sparring out in the courtyard just below. I almost laughed. She was so much smaller than he was. Yet, the care he used when instructing her was extraordinary.
“Are you sure?”
she asked.
“Yes. Hit me as hard as you can. We will work on your form.”
Barak was not a person to use care when directing another, but he stood here instructing a young girl on how to best avoid the strikes and blows of an enemy—gentle and allowing her to land blows. It was a sweet moment; however, something dark coursed through their lesson. If Barak was teaching her, he must think she would need it one day.
Her bubbling laughter cut through my thoughts.
“Mr. Baraka, isn’t that cheating?”
As if refusing to let her glimpse the smirk that pulled his lips upward, Barak turned his face toward the sky. “No, I do not think so.”
“I think it is!”
“Is any fight a fair fight?” The amusement in his voice bubbled to the surface as he placed her blade back in her hands.
“Well, I suppose not.” She toyed with the weapon, flipping it over in her hand. “How is it you learned how to fight like you do? Are you an officer?”
Barak shook his head. I expected him to skirt the topic of what he was; however, he stated bluntly, “No. I am a Ranger.”
I should have tried to do something… but, I stood there, remaining as still as death. Nothing inside me wanted to do anything…
“Oh?” Laramie seemed unfazed.
“Yes.”
“How? Aren’t Rangers… illegal?” She tilted her head to the side, placing the sword down on the ground. Crossing her arms she said, “If you are a Ranger… do you… kill people?”
“Does not a soldier also kill?” Barak’s posture shifted. It was as if he were uneasy.
She nodded. “But, only in battle. Assassins, they kill people who are unarmed and—”
“We kill people who are evil. They deserve their death.”
“But, doesn’t everyone?”
Barak remained silent for a moment before replying. “You are right, Princess. We all deserve death. No one is good. We are all—gray. Ultimately, we are all a little good and a little evil. It is our nature.”
