The Arcane War

by Tam Chronin

  Davri hadn't had much practice healing others, only himself. He closed his eyes, visualized the damage, and rearranged everything to as it should be. Things that had already healed incorrectly had to be ripped apart, and the beginnings of scar tissue were erased. It took a few moments, but—

  Krecek gasped and muttered a short curse. "Yes, but she’s gentle about it. The pain takes a lot out of me, you know."

  "You can sleep when we're done," Davri said. "We need to talk."

  Krecek looked away. "You talk while I recover."

  "I’ll be blunt," Davri moved around the bed to meet Krecek's gaze. "Nalia is jealous because you are the first high priest she’s had who loves someone else more than they’ve loved her. Right?"

  Despite the healing, Krecek didn't say a word. He just stared with narrowed eyes, radiating suspicion and resentment.

  Davri didn't have time for that. He needed Krecek to listen to him, damn it. Not hide from everything because his feelings were hurt. Taking a cue from how much healing Krecek's throat had hurt him, Davri grabbed Krecek by the shoulders and healed them just as quickly, just as forcefully. "I can do this to every inch of your body before anyone else would walk in. I have the sheer power for that, and you know it. I don’t flaunt it, but you know what I am."

  Krecek let out a whimper of pain and nodded.

  Davri let out a slow breath, letting go of his anger. He'd gone too far. It was time to concentrate on soothing the raw nerve endings. Convince them to ignore the pain...

  Krecek let out a relieved moan. "What do you want from me, Davri?"

  "I know you’re hurting, but I need you to listen to me. Aral…"

  "I know," Krecek interrupted. "I've heard it from everyone, now. She doesn’t feel for me what I feel for her. She never will. Between Porrellid and Nalia, I have no hope of winning her over, ever."

  "That may be true," Davri said slowly, running his hands over more of Krecek’s body, combining the soothing with the healing, now. He wouldn't go overboard, he didn't think Krecek could take it, but he owed the half elf this much. "It's not the point I want to make. I'm not here to mock your pain. I wanted to apologize for increasing it."

  Krecek stared up at him, skeptical. "You have a hell of a way of showing it."

  "I'm sorry," Davri said. He covered his face with his hands, closed his eyes. "You weren't listening to me. My temper got away from me." He opened his eyes, looked at Krecek intently. "That was stupid of me. I won't do it again."

  It was frightening. Davri had caused that much pain. Negligently.

  With healing magic.

  Hurting the people closest to him, with magic, because he didn't get his way. First with Aral. Now with Krecek.

  He was generations removed from godly blood. They had all been weak enough that the gods hadn't destroyed them for starting the wizard threat anew.

  Too weak for the gods to notice.

  Too powerful for most mortals to stand up to or fight against.

  And this rag-tag group of mages and refugees were fighting to bring wizards back into the world?

  Sure. There was no way for that to end badly. Not at all. Right?

  It didn't bear thinking about for too long. They were dedicated to this course of action, for good or ill.

  "Why you...with Aral?"

  The question sidelined all of Davri's fears and self-recriminations.

  "It just happened," he said as gently as he could. "I was half asleep and didn't think much beyond how nice it was at the moment. I assumed Byrek would be fine with it, because he has another lover. That assumption, well, it was a learning experience on my part."

  "But," Krecek interjected, "it is fine now?"

  "It is," Davri said. "I'm young. Stupid. Impulsive. And I didn't think much beyond the three of us. I didn't mean to add to your pain..."

  Krecek trembled as he lifted his arm, placed a finger against Davri's lips to silence him. "I don’t blame you," he said. "I want to. I could. But I also could have fallen in love with anyone else. And I'd still be alone right now."

  Davri shook his head. "That's not—"

  "It is. The problem isn’t with anyone else. It's me." He dropped his hand, exhausted. "It’s this fundamental feeling of being unworthy. I’m half elf and half human. I’m not pretty enough or delicate enough for other elves. I’m too short for human women to take me seriously. I am a priest, but I betrayed my goddess. I am a man, but I betrayed the girl I wanted. I’m nothing. I have nothing. I own two robes and a pair of shoes. One robe now, I suppose. I still frighten everyone who looks at me. I’m not even powerful anymore. The only thing left to me is my pride, and even that's rapidly eroding as Nalia dangles the promise of power over me. I've never felt so small."

  "If I can return that power to you, will you recant the rest?"

  "The robes are hard to recant. There's physical evidence."

  Davri bit his lower lip to keep from laughing. “The rest of it,” he said, chuckling despite himself. "Including new robes, because I’ve already replaced them for you and bought you more."

  "You did?" Krecek narrowed his eyes slightly in suspicion. "Why would you do that?"

  "Clearly," Davri drawled, "because you are a hideous, unlovable beast who gives me nightmares."

  "If I’d known you have a soft spot for hideous, unlovable beasts, I’d have tried to be more of one sooner."

  "You're unbelievable," Davri said, taking Krecek's hand in his. "After everything you’ve done for us…and you didn’t ask for anything in return. You suffered in silence. You left to sacrifice yourself so you wouldn't bring a goddess's wrath upon our heads. If I weren't in love with Byrek, I'd have chosen you."

  Krecek's eyes were half-lidded, drifting further closed in small increments with every blink. "You couldn't...have found...a better time...to tell me that?" His words were breathy, barely audible, but intent.

  Davri bent down, kissing Krecek so very gently. "You should sleep more, now. I promise to be gentler next time I come in to heal you."

  "It’s okay," Krecek said as he closed his eyes. "I feel better now...than I have in years." An instant later he was asleep.

  "I didn't tell you the best news that came in today. They're gathering armies, this soon into spring," Aral said triumphantly, eyes sparkling with joy.

  Just seeing her smile raised Davri's spirits.

  Seeing her sprawled naked across Byrek, also naked, was a happy bonus. A memory to treasure, to be sure.

  "So, that's the source of your enthusiasm tonight?" Byrek teased, pinching her nipple.

  She gasped and giggled. "Only part of it, I promise."

  "I don't care where the enthusiasm comes from," Davri said, laying back in full satisfaction. "It's just nice take advantage of it."

  "Don't ruin my good news," Aral said, nudging Davri with her foot in a half-hearted kick.

  Davri caught her foot in one hand. He made a tickling motion with his other hand, inches from her skin, making her squeal and pull from his grasp.

  "Go on," Byrek said, reaching to light a few more candles. "I'd like to hear the rest of the news."

  "Mmhmm." Aral settled in and relaxed. "I feel like I shouldn't be excited to say there's an army within a few days from us, and they're clearly poised to attack. Priests and other devout. Several elves, sadly, but not as many as we have. No dwarves, unsurprisingly. Many faeries, though. That could make things tricky."

  "They're delicate," Byrek pointed out. "Very susceptible to magic attacks, too."

  "Natural healers," Davri murmured. "Also adept at spying. We should adjust our strategies to compensate."

  "Already working on it," Aral said smugly. "Meran had a few insights into how to handle the faeries. You'll see."

  "Mmhmm." Byrek kissed her on top of her head.

  It was so sweet. Davri felt warm through and through, watching them. He was adrift in euphoric afterglow.

  He wanted to take this moment and wrap it up like a Nightwatch gift to himself. He'd open it at down
after the longest of nights and warm himself with how perfect life could be.

  "Davri," Aral said gently, after a few moments of content silence, "I hate to bring the mood down, but I wanted to ask. What did you and Krecek talk about, after I left?"

  Davri propped himself up with some pillows, frowning as he composed his thoughts. "I apologized to him. For what the three of us have here." He didn't mention the threats and frustration he'd felt, ashamed of his abuse of power. "He was depressed. Feeling sorry for himself. I told him that if I hadn't already been in love, I'd have fallen for him." He couldn't look either of them in the eye, just letting the words come out. "It sounds horrible, like I'm rejecting him too, but I think he understood. I think it helped." Deep breath. "Krecek mentioned that she-who-is-a-total-bitch is dangling his magic over him, tempting him with it. I don't think we have much time. He's strong, but..."

  Silence settled upon them.

  The last was bad news. About what they'd expected, but still bad.

  Aral sat up, pulling her legs up to her chest. "I’m sorry. I could go to him. I could try. But he'd know I was there out of pity. I'd just make everything worse." She closed her eyes, forehead resting on her knees. "I don’t think I can handle love, and he doesn't deserve anything less."

  "Don't be too hard on yourself." Davri reached over, put his hand on her shoulder. "He’ll find someone, eventually. So...don’t ruin that for him by offering more than you can give."

  Aral nodded, but it still didn't sit well with any of them.

  "What about in the interim?" Byrek propped himself up on his elbows. "Is there anything I can do to help him?"

  Davri grinned. Byrek wasn't asking for wisdom. He was asking for foreknowledge. Anything that Davri might have gleaned from visions.

  "He looks up to you." Davri said. "You were the only other elf he knew in Anogrin, and you made adapting seem so effortless."

  All gleaned through magic, none of it something Krecek would say aloud.

  "Effortless?" Byrek shook his head. "It wasn’t, believe me. I struggled constantly. I hated being away from home and family. He was raised among humans. He helped me adapt more than I could have helped him."

  "That's not how he sees it." Davri shrugged. "When he met you, he'd just met his father. He'd just failed at living with the northern elves. He needed to see it was difficult both ways."

  Byrek nodded slowly, thoughtful.

  "We’re drifting off the topic," Davri said. "My point is, I admire him. You admire him. He admires us. It could be the start of something. At the very least, a closer friendship. He needs that right now."

  Aral looked back and forth at them, a small line between her eyebrows. "What about me? What can I do other than make him miserable every time he sees me?"

  That was an easier answer. He didn't even need magic and visions to know what to tell her. "Keep doing what you've been doing. Be his friend. Don’t lead him on. Trust him. Be yourself around him. Leave the healing to us."

  Aral scowled, but she nodded. She clearly wasn't happy with the idea, but Davri wasn't about to suggest anything else. It was the only thing she could do that would help.

  "Davri, that's going to make you sound like a hypocrite when you tell them your plan."

  The bed had been a little crowded, but now it was full.

  Davri jumped, shocked to hear that voice. Here of all places. Now of all times.

  Aral shrieked and grabbed the closest blanket, pulling it up to her chest.

  The newcomer had dressed to fit in, showing his entire godly glory.

  Only Byrek seemed completely unruffled.

  "You’re later than I expected," the elf said mildly.

  "I’ve been a busy god," Agruet laughed and settled in against Byrek. "I've missed you, too."

  Byrek's response was to wrap an arm around Agruet and nuzzle his cheek.

  Aral stared, tugging the blanket tighter around herself.

  Davri just stared. This was the secret Byrek had been keeping?

  This had been his other lover, all along?

  That was completely unexpected.

  Although, it explained a few things.

  Agruet looked at Aral, then Davri, amusement dancing on his lips. "Should I have waited? Thrown some pants on? Joined the three of you mid-coitus, perhaps?" His eyes sparkled as he looked Aral over. "Relax, adorable. I’ve seen your body before, remember?"

  Aral pulled the sheet over her head. "I remember, thank you."

  "Let's get to the point before we get to the fun," Agruet said, tugging at the blanket playfully, just enough to make Aral squirm. "Tell them your idea, Davri. I swear that Nalia won't hear a word."

  No point in stalling.

  Davri took a deep breath. He outlined his idea as quickly as he could. "It really does make my advice sound hypocritical, I know. But, I’ve figured out a way to set a trap. All we need is bait."

  Aral poked her head out from under the blanket. "I’m bait?"

  "You’d certainly reel in something interesting," Agruet said, giving the blanket a sharp tug and revealing all.

  "You’d only be the initial bait," Davri said, trying hard not to let the conversation be completely derailed. "I want Nalia herself to be the bait for the other gods. If she screams loud enough, they’ll all come. Then, I kill her."

  "You?" Aral interrupted with a glare. She seemed to have given up on the blanket. "Is that why you won’t let me have my revenge? So that you can take it?"

  "No." Davri reached over and placed his hand on her thigh, assuring her. "I need to kill her so that I can release Krecek’s power. I know how to do it, and you don't."

  “Teach me," she said.

  "It's not that easy," Davri said. "I need you to distract her first. As soon as I attack her, you'll need to lead the others. Warn them that the other gods will be arriving. All of the armies, all of the mages. This area is going to become very dangerous for everyone."

  "It's a good plan," Agruet said before they could argue further. He'd grown somber, perhaps melancholy.

  Aral noticed, and she reached over to touch Agruet's arm in a show of compassion.

  "The rest of the details can wait a while," Davri said, watching that little byplay curiously.

  Had Aral found out how this all would end? Or, just part of it?

  Had she remembered? Or had she been told?

  Told, he decided, or she wouldn't trust him enough to be here right now. Probably Baedrogan, the other day...

  How she knew didn't matter. What she knew must have been enough that her heart was softened toward Agruet.

  She wasn't shying away in false modesty anymore.

  "You’ve got a week," Agruet said. "Maybe less." He covered Aral's hand and squeezed gently, then turned his attention to Davri. "Longer than that and Nalia has a chance of fighting her way through my spells. She’s relentless, but secrets are still my domain."

  Davri closed his eyes. Images flashed across his mind in rapid succession. "Three days, maybe less." He blinked.

  That soon?

  He wasn't ready for this.

  "I can't narrow it down further, and I can't tell how it's going to start. There's too much in motion. I'm sorry."

  "It's enough," Agruet said. He sat up, gave Davri a hug. "I understand," he whispered.

  Warmth spread through Davri's heart. He would understand, better than anyone.

  Agruet then sat back on his heels. "I seem to have ruined the mood."

  Byrek shook his head. "We were on the way to doing that ourselves. It's nothing that can't be fixed." At that, he grabbed Agruet's butt and gave a squeeze.

  "Is that an invitation?"

  Aral's face was turning red, but she smiled. "You never did seduce me, the way you said you might someday."

  "Consider yourself seduced," Agruet winked at her playfully.

  She hit him with a pillow. "Not until you've finished the job.

  That left Davri.

  Oh, hell, why not? There's no such thing as inces
t when it's among gods, right?

  And who would it harm?

  "Did we want to invite anyone else while we're at it?" Davri asked in mock exasperation.

  Aral smiled, though her face was red again. "We could see if Thera's busy. Too many men in here, not enough women." She giggled.

  "I like the way you think," Agruet said. "She's not busy. Go ask if she wants to join in."

  Aral grabbed the blanket back and wrapped it around herself. She was out the door in an instant.

  Silence fell upon the room.

  Davri cleared his throat.

  "So. The two of you?"

  Byrek nodded. "Off and on."

  "For a few centuries." Agruet shrugged.

  "Over a thousand years."

  "Really?"

  Davri watched them banter. It felt good. It felt right.

  Three days.

  In just three days, Agruet would be dead. Or they would.

  Or, they all would.

  Impending mortality grabbed Davri's heart. Squeezed.

  "None of that," Agruet said. He kissed Davri. Gentle, cautious at first.

  Davri didn't want gentle.

  There wasn't time for caution.

  Only passion.

  By the time Aral returned, Thera in tow, the party had already begun.

  Byrek raised the book to his nose, inhaling the scent and calming as he did so.

  It had been two days since Agruet's unexpected visit.

  He knew a time like that would never come again. Still. Any moment of peace needed to be appreciated. Savored. Even in the midst of chaos, he was glad to stand in the eye of the storm and breathe it in.

  Like now.

  He caressed the leather cover of the book.

  Sex and books were the purest pleasures, and he was lucky to have time to indulge before events came to a head.

  The others were in a strategy meeting, and he just wanted to feast his eyes upon new knowledge for an hour or two.

  With a self-indulgent smile, Byrek carried the book from the library and headed toward his room. He was nearly run over by a girl he vaguely recognized.

  "He's gone," the girl said, nearly in a panic. "What do I do? I can't interrupt their meeting. Can you tell her, Master Arsat?"