Wardens of Archos

by Sarina Langer

  “With stars?”

  “I can show you something closer to home if you prefer.”

  Reeve turned away. He needed to move away from this now, before he was no longer able to. He was strong, but he had always known he'd find his limit one day. Apparently, Ludo was it.

  “I'm sorry I made you jump before. I'm still not sorry you pounced on me, though!” When Reeve didn't turn back around, Ludo walked around him. “You don't like Rachael, do you?”

  “She's not what I expected.”

  “You mean she's not full of magic?”

  “I mean she's not what I expected. Stop twisting my words.”

  “You mean she's not full of magic. Some prophecy promises you a hero, someone who can make all the bad guys go away by snapping her fingers or whatever the gifted do, and Rachael doesn't live up to that. You're disappointed. I get that.”

  Reeve was torn between throwing Ludo overboard and kissing him. Anything to shut him up. He hated how easily Ludo had figured him out, like he saw right into Reeve’s mind and plucked the right words from there. “I'm not—I just thought the Sparrow would know what to do. We all did. Instead she can't work her gift, at all.”

  “Some would say that's a good thing.”

  “Some like you?”

  “Never me. Have you seen my face when someone works magic near me? I don't know how anyone can hate that!”

  When Kaida had conjured their spheres of light in the temple, Ludo had looked like a child confronted with the miracles of the world for the first time. Sweet, and innocent. Could someone like that be a cold assassin? Which one was the real Ludo?

  “Magic can destroy life, too,” said Reeve. “It's quite easy to hate when you've seen what it can do.”

  “Ah, so you're the one who hates magic?”

  Reeve sighed. “I don't hate it, I just don't trust it.” How could Ludo see through him so easily? He wasn't sure if he loathed it, or wanted to like it. No one could read him when he didn't want to be read. Why did Ludo have to be an exception?

  “Not trusting things you're not familiar with is healthy. But taking risks is fun, too.” Ludo took the step closer that Reeve had wanted to take, until he stood altogether too close. “Some unknowns might surprise you if you let them.”

  Reeve didn't want to walk away. He wanted to close what was left of the gap, and meet Ludo's shadow. But there were so many things that could go wrong, and he never stepped out of his comfort zone unless he knew the outcome.

  After a few painful seconds, Ludo moved away.

  “Don't miss the sunrise. I hear it's spectacular out here.”

  Reeve watched him walk away. Was the real Ludo kind and sweet, or cold and deadly? Reeve needed to find out.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Rachael watched the sun rise over the horizon. She had never witnessed anything like it; no matter where she’d been, the rising sun had always been obstructed by trees, buildings, or mountains. Out here, nothing stood in her way. Out here, the sun set the sea on fire, a dance of orange light reflected on its waves. The fresh breeze kept her mind sharp and her senses alert despite her lack of sleep.

  Rachael couldn’t shake the feeling her dream had been a vision. She didn’t know enough about magic to know how her gift might evolve, and she suspected Cale and Kiana wouldn’t know, either, but Kaida would know. Rachael made her way down into the belly of the ship, and went straight for the Mist Woman’s cabin. She knocked, hoping it wouldn't wake Kaida, and entered when she was asked inside.

  “I was hoping we might speak,” said Kaida. “Please, sit down.”

  Rachael nodded, but realised Kaida’s offer had been a gesture more than anything. Besides the bed and a stool there wasn’t much room. It was only a small cabin, and every free spot was occupied by the relics they had recovered on Temple Isle.

  “I understand you are nervous about going to Midoka. You have only had two encounters with Mist Women, and the first tried to kill you.” Kaida's brow creased. “You have not seen us at our best.”

  “And what is your best?”

  “We are not all deluded fools like Aeron. We are powerful, yes, but we do not wish to rule the world.”

  “Am I supposed to believe you sit around in a circle all day, discussing peace?”

  Kaida chuckled. “You are not far from the truth. This world is the only one we have, Rachael. We have no desire to see it end. Mist Women are not common in the Northern Reaches; you know the reasons for that. But here, in the South, Mist Women hold positions of power. We often advise our leaders on matters of peace.”

  Or war, Rachael thought.

  “I want to show you that not all Mist Women are servants of the Dark One. We have known about politics in Rifarne for a while, and support you as queen wholeheartedly.”

  Something inside Rachael grew cold. “Is that why you came? Were you sent to place a Mist Woman in my court?”

  “No.” Kaida frowned. “Not entirely. We do hope you will see the benefit of such a relationship, but I did not come to force you into a friendship you are not ready to cultivate. Above all else I came to meet you. The fate of all our lives depends on you. We take notice of such developments.”

  “How many of you are there?”

  “It would be best if I showed you.”

  “I'd prefer to know what I'm walking into.”

  Kaida sighed, but her smile didn't waver. “Of course. I will give you the most important details then, and you can see the rest for yourself once we are in Naikino. Will that do?”

  Rachael doubted she had a choice, no matter how Kaida phrased it.

  “We are well respected in Midoka as well as in Krymistis. You will meet only a few of us in Naikino. Many of us travel the world or act as advisers, while our head temple is in Maishi Hou. Most of us go there when we come home to Midoka. Magic is nothing to be feared where we are going. We are free to practise our gift as we see fit, but we are not directly associated with witches or even sorcerers. You could say they are a different school of the gift, or that they hold different beliefs to us.”

  “And what do you believe?”

  “Are you asking me personally, or shall I speak for all Mist Women?”

  Rachael was tempted to ask for the former, but didn't want to push her luck. “The latter.”

  Kaida nodded. “How much do you know of Midokan mythology?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Legend claims that, a long time ago when the world was new, magic was in all things. But there was an abundance of it, and it leaked out of nature, for the world could not hold it. This leak created beings strong enough to hold that much power, and it gave them wings so they could watch over the world like no other.”

  Rachael frowned. “You believe in dragons?”

  “Of course not. Dragons went extinct a long time ago, but this is only a legend, remember? Who can say how much truth it holds.”

  Rachael doubted it held any, but didn't want to interrupt further. Ridiculous as the legend sounded, she became more interested in it the more Kaida told her.

  “The leak supplied the dragons with too much power, and some became greedy. They sucked the magic out of all things until there was nothing left, and nature shrivelled and died. But not all dragons craved more. They fought those who did, and a fierce battle raged for many years. Many dragons died. Those who were content with what they had outnumbered those who wanted more, and finally, after seven hundred years, the last greedy dragon was slaughtered.

  “Their magic leaked out of their bodies once more, and returned to the world. Where the soil had dried up before rivers now ran clear, and where the ground had died new life sprang forth. Eventually, people evolved from the magic that had returned to the world, and therefore everyone holds at least a small amount of the gift inside them. While not all wish to use it, or know how to, magic is in all of us. The dragons fought for peace, and equality. That is what we believe and what we wish to achieve.”

  “So Aeron was like one of those
greedy dragons, who wanted more for herself?”

  “You could say that.” Kaida laughed. “Aeron could never have been a dragon. Some are greedy, like those dragons of legend. Others would fight those who crave more than they deserve. Not all of us serve evil. My sisters and I want peace, and the freedom to be who we are.”

  A thought occurred to Rachael, and the fine hairs on her arms stood on end. “Are the Mist Women dragons?”

  “No.”

  Rachael sensed that was all Kaida had to say on the matter, and let it be for now.

  “There's something I meant to ask you.”

  “Of course.”

  “Last night I—” Rachael hesitated. Could she trust Kaida? How could she know beyond a doubt that Kaida hadn't lied to her? Her gut feeling told her to believe Kaida, but there was no denying Mist Women had more power than anyone else. Perhaps more power than anyone should have. Rachael stuck to the basics. “You said my gift will evolve now that you've strengthened my amulet.”

  “It would always have evolved, Rachael. I merely sped up the process.”

  “How will it change? Will I know when it does?”

  “It is hard to say. It might be obvious, or it might be subtle. No one has had your gift since the war. I am afraid I am not the best person to ask.”

  Rachael didn't believe it. “You must know something.”

  “Because I am a Mist Woman?”

  Rachael swallowed. “Yes.”

  “I do not know as much about the old sorcerers as I would like, and what I do know I cannot be certain applies to you. I have read that the old seers were able to walk dreams freely. That their conscience could surpass time, and enter days long gone to find answers to impossible questions. They could call their visions at will, and observe ancient events. How far back they could go depended on the individual's talent, patience, and commitment.”

  “Commitment?”

  “It is said a journey such as this came with a price. It could be that those seers of old paid with their life force, or with their mind. Perhaps both. I cannot say.”

  Rachael shivered. “So, if I keep having visions, I will die?”

  “I am sorry, Rachael. I do not know how your gift will develop. I only know there are slight differences for everyone. What I have told you might not apply to you at all. Either way, you would be wise to be cautious.”

  Rachael wished she hadn't asked.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The first things Rachael noticed were the colours. The smells reached her shortly after, carried to their ship by the warm breeze. Laughter followed. She had watched the horizon, desperate for solid ground under her feet, and had waited as patiently as she could for either Midoka or Krymistis to come into view. Neither Cale nor Kiana had been to the South before, and stood with her at the front of the ship.

  Her heart skipped at the sight, her feet were itching to leave the ship and explore the small port town of S'saros Gora. Ever since her first visit to the market in the White City, she had a fondness for such places. The market back then had been colourful, bustling, and full of foreign scents and accents, but it paled in comparison to what little she could see already. In the White City, the market had been an instrument of trade to showcase Rifarne’s trading agreements with other countries. Here it was a way of life, and Rachael was eager to get swept up in the excitement.

  “What are they selling?” Rachael didn’t take her eyes off the market. “Will it be different to Rifarne?” She inhaled. “It smells amazing!”

  “We’re not here to sightsee,” Cale said next to her. She pursed her lips, and he smiled. “Although, I suppose it can’t hurt to look around.”

  Kiana grinned. “You can learn a lot from market gossip, you know.”

  Rachael had never seen such a dreamy expression on Kiana’s face, her eyes far away and half hidden behind her thick red hair. Her grin had softened into a wistful smile, her arms propped up on the railing.

  “Do you think they’ll have more swords like mine?” Rachael set one hand on her sword’s hilt.

  “Unlikely,” said Cale. “Your sword is Krymistian, but it’s ancient. We were lucky to find it.”

  “How far away are we from Midoka? Lady Nerine said the countries neighbour each other.”

  Kiana pointed to her left. “They do. See that over there? In the distance?”

  Rachael nodded. The shape was too far away for her to make out details, but it was there.

  “That’s Midoka,” said Kiana. “It’s not as far as it seems. I hear the Mist Women have cast spells over it to hide it from enemies. We can see it because we’ve been invited here, but it’s still shrouded in mist. It’s a demonstration of their power.”

  “I heard two of the Parashi say a dragon lives on the island, and the mists around it are there to hide him.”

  “Dragons went extinct a long time ago, Rachael,” said Cale. “If they do have one, they’re doing a terrible job of keeping it secret.”

  When the ship slowed down and met the pier, Rachael braced herself. In the background, sailors shouted orders and laughed, excited for their shore leave.

  Now that they were so close, Rachael didn’t want to take her eyes off the market. The one in the White City had been beautiful and exotic, and her brief glance of the harbour's fish market had shown her a rougher side, but neither compared to the market before her now. Colourful drapes and sheets had been spread over and between the stalls, creating a dance of colourful light across the people and the ground. Vibrant fabrics clothed the people, and—she broke into a wide grin when she saw it—children played with magic. Small flames whirled in their palms and danced together with the children who passed the fire between them and laughed as it changed colour from orange to blue to green to white. Despite what she knew about Krymistis, she hadn’t expected such a public display within five minutes of their arrival. Krymistians still valued steel as much as they cherished the gift, but Midoka had mastered it and worshipped it. If it was treated like this here—in such a beautiful, carefree way—she couldn’t wait to arrive in Midoka.

  “What are your first thoughts on my home?”

  Rachael pulled her eyes away from all this life and activity to face Lady Nerine.

  “It’s incredible.”

  “I’d welcome you in Paranossa, if your travels lead you there. You would enjoy my home.”

  “Thank you. I’d love to see it.”

  “Then I will bid you farewell until then. I’ve send a messenger to my summer house to make arrangements. You’re welcome to make use of it should you need to stay the night. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, Queen Rachael. I await our next meeting.” Lady Nerine offered her a courteous nod which Rachael returned, and took a deep breath in with her eyes shut, her head raised toward the sun. “It feels good to breathe the Southern air again.”

  Reeve and Ludo joined them.

  “We should be on our way,” said Cale. “We have a lot of ground to cover before we reach Midoka. The sooner we get there, the better.”

  “I could not agree more,” said Kaida. Rachael couldn’t remember her arriving. Given the magical games which took place before her, she wouldn't have been too surprised if Kaida had floated in on the breeze. Kaida was at home here, and entirely in her element. She could be herself without worry about who saw.

  The market was a bustling crowd of excitement, and Rachael got swept up in it the moment she set foot among the tents. She wanted to see everything, hear the beautiful foreign accents and words she didn't understand but that made her feel welcome regardless. The play of light from the fabrics over their heads dipped everything into a stunning display of vibrant dance. Several shops sold crystals and gems, and the light bounced off their smooth surfaces. The rows of stalls led toward the centre, where a scarcely dressed woman danced with a fan in each hand, her face hidden behind a veil. She was dressed in red, barefoot, only her eyes shining out from behind the thin fabric hiding her features. Her movements were as silky as the
finest dresses in Rachael’s wardrobe. Two men played music on tall instruments, an energetic rhythm that the dancer’s movements embraced until they were one.

  Kiana browsed a stall selling delicately designed knives, Cale leaned against the wall behind a food stall without taking his eyes off her, and Kaida had disappeared inside the crowd. She’d hoped Cale would take at least a small moment to breathe and enjoy the market, but his eyes were focused on her. Perhaps she could order him to take a break next time they stopped somewhere.

  Rachael couldn't see Reeve or Ludo, but hoped they could go five minutes without trying to kill each other. She wanted this moment to herself, lost inside a crowd of strangers who didn't know and didn't care who she was.

  A table displaying a large variety of gems caught her eye. She’d never been interested in jewellery, but she loved the bright colours they possessed. Elyn had wanted to dress her in fine earrings, necklaces, and rings, but she’d declined all of them. Her necklace was the only piece of jewellery she was comfortable wearing.

  “My lady!”

  Rachael looked around to see where the raspy voice had come from, and found an elderly woman sitting cross-legged on a cushion in a small tent with incense sticks surrounding her. She almost disappeared in the crowd so low near the ground. The woman broke into a grin when Rachael spotted her, and waved her over.

  “You look lost, child. Perhaps your fortune could give your life purpose and direction?”

  Rachael thought her life had plenty of purpose already, but she was curious nonetheless. The woman was part of this wondrous market, and Rachael wanted to see it all while they were still here.

  “Sit. Be comfortable.”

  Rachael sat on a plush silk pillow with her legs folded under her. The too-sweet incense filled her head and invaded her senses. Rachael didn’t care for prophecy, but this woman wasn't a prophet. If Rachael could believe everyone she had talked to over the last few months, then she was the only seer alive today; she doubted one had been hiding here, in a busy market. Whatever this woman was about to do, it was a bit of fun, nothing more.