Whispers of Time

by Gwendolyn Ilimaris

  Jake’s eyes widened in shock and Wren tilted his head. “Do you have any combat experience?” he asked.

  “I have some,” Jake replied. “I’m a captain, so I have controlled troops in the past, but I’m a doctor and combat medic. I spend most of my time tending to the wounded.”

  Wren raised an eyebrow; he had been unaware that Jake was a military officer and a healer. After a moment he shook his head and looked back at his sister. “Why do you not wish for his father to control the riders?”

  “I do not trust him,” she replied without a moment of hesitation. “He seemed arrogant and overconfident the time that I met with him. I want someone who shall care about the men he risks.” She looked over at Jake. He sighed but gave her a small nod. While he was worried she was putting too much faith in him, he would do his very best. He glanced down when he felt Sara squeeze his hand. She gave him a reassuring nod and he relaxed a little bit before a loud knock caused him to look back up.

  “Come,” Ronin called, and a guard came up the stairs two at a time.

  “Pardon the intrusion, your majesty,” he said. “There is an old dwarf requesting an audience. He asked for you by name, sir.”

  “Bring him up,” Ronin replied.

  A few minutes later the guard returned with two dwarves. The older of the two was leaning on a cane as he hobbled across the room. Ronin stood up when he entered.

  “Baldrim,” he said with a smile. “What brings you here so late?”

  The old dwarf sat down in the nearest chair. “I have heard all sorts of terrible things and I figured you all would need my help.” His voice grew gruff. “Cannot leave so much trouble to children.”

  “Who is with you?” Ronin asked.

  Baldrim motioned the younger dwarf to come closer. “This is my nephew Bheldrom. I figured you all would need someone to break the ice if you want dwarven help.” He paused as a scowl appeared on his face. “That father of yours was a fool when he insulted the patriarch. They will not be too keen to see an elf.” Baldrim noticed Wren’s expression darken at the mention of his father. “Speaking of your father, have either of you heard that he is blaming your mother’s death on the two of you? He claims that you murdered her.”

  “What!” Wren and Rin exclaimed together.

  “Now, calm down,” Baldrim said looking back and forth between the two. “You both know that no one believes a word of it. The people are a little wiser than that.” He watched for a moment as the two struggled to get their emotions back under control before he stood up. “We can discuss my nephew heading for Khor Daeruk in the morning. This old dwarf needs some sleep. It was a long walk.”

  Ronin walked them to the stairs. “Thank you for the assistance. If you are up for it, I would like to discuss getting our forges running fully.”

  “Of course, my boy,” he said with a large grin. “I would be more than happy to assist with that. It has been a long time since I have used such a large, well-crafted forge.” He hobbled down the stairs before Ronin could reply. Shaking his head, Ronin turned to return to the table when he heard a sudden thud. He looked over and saw Rin rubbing her forehead. She almost fell asleep and hit her head on the table. Lyra hurried over and handed her a small potion bottle. She drank a small swallow with a slight grimace.

  “I told you it was a strong sleeping draught,” Lyra said glancing at Wren. “That is the last of that potion I can give her. Once it wears off, she must sleep.”

  He nodded before he returned his attention to Ronin. “We must know about Rin’s magic.”

  “All I really know are the legends,” Ronin began. “They state that one born of silver dragon royalty and elven royalty has the chance to inherit great power. The ability to control elemental magic and time manipulation is what is told.” He paused with a tilt of his head. “From what I can remember, the time magic can only affect short periods of time. Minutes at most. I believe that somehow the combination of the elemental and time magic gives the ability to open portals between different times and worlds.”

  Rin just listened in stunned silence. She still did not believe she really possessed the amount of magic they thought.

  “You can see some time magic, correct?” Wren asked.

  “Yes,” Ronin replied with a nod. “Any silver dragon royalty can see things that are affected by time, but we cannot change anything.” He paused and looked over at Paige. “I could tell the child was affected by time magic the first time I met her.” She shrugged when everyone looked at her.

  “Rin rewound time on her and saved her life,” Wren said.

  Ronin’s eyebrows shot up, “You have already used the magic?”

  “I do not know how,” Rin whispered. “An older version of myself appeared and she did it somehow through me.”

  “I fear that you must learn to use these powers,” Ronin said. “I believe this is the only way to close the portal.”

  Wren nodded. “I suspected as much but how does she learn? There is no one who can teach her. Are there any texts on the subject?”

  “We lost most of our ancient texts when our uncle was banished to the demon realm,” Ronin said with a heavy sigh. “The only way for her to view them would be to travel there and make her way into my uncle’s castle.”

  The entire room went silent before Jake could not keep quiet. “How’s your uncle in the demon realm? Isn’t he a silver dragon?”

  Ronin’s expression grew solemn. “My uncle was once a silver dragon but when his family was lost to him, he sought revenge. He used dark magic and fell into darkness. His fate was to change into a black dragon. He is now a powerful king of the entire nation of black dragons.” He paused. “I fear that he is the one behind all of this. I believe he intends to use the portal to break into this world so that he may reclaim his ancestral home.”

  “I believe that you are correct,” Wren said, his voice quiet. “I also suspect that since they have not started the invasion and keep attempting to take Rin, the portal must not be fully active. The demons and dragons that have made the crossing are all small and weak.”

  Rin looked up at the mention of the portal again. She stuck her hand into her pocket and pulled out the small black book with the willow tree on the cover. “Do either of you recognize these letters?” She showed them the drawing of the letters she had copied down from memory.

  Ronin looked at them before he shook his head. “No, I cannot say that I do. Where did you see this?”

  “In the cave, where Londar started all of this,” Rin whispered, and Ronin frowned at the mention of Londar.

  “How do you two not recognize this?” Riku asked. Ronin glanced back over his shoulder and found his brother standing behind him. “That is the language we made up as children.”

  Rin’s eyes widened as her gaze flew back to the lettering. “I cannot remember it anymore. It has been far too long. Can you still read it?”

  Riku reached over and picked up the book. He tilted his head as he studied it for several minutes. “Memories fade,” he said. “One will appear to open the way. Two worlds descend into chaos. Fate decided by blood. Good or evil reigns. Two worlds fall or rise by one.”

  “The other one?” Rin asked, her voice a barely audible whisper.

  Riku turned the page and saw the shorter transcription of another inscription. “The path is open. Beware! Death awaits the unprepared.” He handed the book back to Rin before she fell into deep thought. The messages were warnings to give them a head start about what was coming and her failure to be able to read it could have ruined the advantage.

  Everyone around the table sat in silence while they let the words Riku read to them sink in. It was not long before Sara tried to stifle a huge yawn. She was getting tired. Jake leaned closer to her so that she could rest her head against his shoulder. She covered another large yawn with her hand before she leaned on him.

  Rin glanced at the two before she sighed. “We must decide who is undertaking which tasks,” she said. “I believe that Rav
en, Hikaru, and Paige should be the ones to seek assistance from the gold dragons.

  “Why?” Wren asked, his voice sharp. “Should they not be with you? And, I believe that Paige should return home with her brother.”

  “Where I must go, I shall not take them,” Rin said as she fought to keep her own concern hidden. “As for Paige, the gold dragons are difficult to get involved with the issues of the world. I believe that they will need her if they are to be successful.”

  “No,” Jake said as he shook his head. “She has been through enough and is going back home.”

  “Do you really think I could make a difference?” Paige asked, ignoring the dirty look from her brother.

  Rin held her gaze for several long moments. “Yes, I believe it shall depend mostly on you.”

  Paige stared at her for a few seconds before she glanced at Raven. She could see the concern on his face. “Then I will stay.”

  “Paig--.”

  “No Jake, they’re helping us and if there’s something I can do to help them, I’m going to do it.” Her eyes filled with determination when she looked up at her brother. He stared back at her before his eyes narrowed in frustration. She was not going to back down and he decided to speak with her about it in private later.

  Wren watched in silence before a frown became fixed on his face. He realized he was about to have the same issue with his own sister.

  “Rin.”

  “No,” she said. “I must do this if we are to have a chance to close the portal. You know this.”

  “I will not allow you to go,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest.

  “How will you keep me in? You could not do it when I was a child, and I have a few more tricks now than I did then.”

  “I do not know, but I shall,” Wren said, his voice raising. “I am not about to allow you to go where Londar has been attempting to take you. You shall be giving them what they need. Do you not see this?”

  “Of course I do, but what else can I do? How do we close the portal otherwise?” He gave her a hard look but did not answer. “How Wren?” Her voice raised.

  Worry crept across his features and he sighed again. “I do not know.”

  “Then I shall go,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

  The worry did not lessen on Wren’s face as he glanced at Kaedin behind her. The dragon nodded as soon as he noticed his gaze.

  “I go wherever she does,” he said, answering Wren’s unspoken question.

  “I wish this time that you would not follow me,” she whispered looking back at him.

  “Not a chance,” he said without a hint of hesitation.

  She stared at him before she sighed. She already knew this would be his answer even though she only wished for him to remain safe in Caradthrad. After a few minutes, she looked back at Ronin. “Who shall accompany Bheldrom? We need someone to represent us to ask for dwarven aid.”

  “I shall go,” Riku said before his brother could reply. “My brother and the generals shall be otherwise occupied.”

  Ronin looked at his brother and his concern was not concealed. He never liked sending his brother on any mission that could put him in danger. “Are you certain? It could be dangerous.”

  An amused smile crossed Riku’s face. “I am certain I can handle it. If the ladies can fulfill their jobs, I can do this.”

  “Very well,” Ronin said with a frown. “However, you must be the one to inform mother that you intend to leave the city.”

  Riku grimaced at the mention of his mother. He already dreaded the conversation.

  “All that is left is to find a healer willing to accompany my rider’s to Jacob’s world,” Rin said.

  “There is no need,” Lyra interrupted. “I shall accompany them.” She looked over at Ronin, ignoring the blindsided look on Wren’s face.

  Ronin could not help but glance at Wren. “Lyra, there are plenty of other healers that could accompany them.”

  “No, there are not many fully trained healers,” Lyra said. “Now that Myrabelle has returned that frees me from my duties and I may join them. I shall not send one of the junior healers when they are not prepared.”

  “Lyra,” Ronin started again but she cut him off.

  “Are you forbidding me to go, your majesty?” She folded her arms across her chest with a dirty look.

  “Of course not,” Ronin said, his voice hesitant as he avoided eye contact with Wren. “The healers are always free to come and go as they wish.”

  “No,” Wren said.

  Lyra ignored him and looked over at Jake. “You have seen my skills. Will you accept me as the healer to accompany you home?”

  Jake glanced back and forth between Rin and Ronin for help. He did not want to make Wren angry with him.

  “Absolutely not,” Wren said, his voice rising involuntarily.

  “Jacob? Is this acceptable?” Lyra repeated as she ignored Wren again.

  Jake looked down at the table. “As I said before, I’m not in a position to deny aid that is offered to me.”

  Lyra nodded in satisfaction. “Very well, then I shall accompany you.”

  “Lyra!” Wren said.

  She again ignored him as she stood and headed toward the stairs. “Please excuse me, if I am to be prepared to leave in the morning, I must go prepare my herbs.” She disappeared down the stairs without looking back.

  Jake glanced over at Wren and for the first time, he could see that he was upset. It took every ounce of willpower Wren had not to jump up and follow Lyra out of the room. Jake looked away before Wren could look back at him. He did not want to be on the receiving end when Wren said what was on his mind.

  Rin covered her smile with her hand so that her brother did not see. She already knew how her brother felt about Lyra, even though he never told her. Her smile widened when she watched Lyra leave the room. Her brother needed someone that could stand up to him. Most of the women who fawned over him at court would have just done what he wanted. Rin knew he needed someone who would challenge him, which is why he gravitated to Lyra.

  As she chuckled at her brother’s discomfort, she suddenly felt her eyelids beginning to get heavy. She tried to reach for Kaedin when she realized the potion was wearing off but was asleep before she could. Kaedin was paying attention this time, and he caught her before she hit the table. Wren glanced over at the sudden movement.

  “It appears as if we are concluded for the night,” he said, his voice controlled as he fought to keep his emotions under control.

  “That does seem to be the case,” Ronin said. “However, there is one more piece of small business. It is not possible to have the weaponry ready to go at first light since it is nearly dawn now. We shall need a day to gather it.”

  “Very well, we shall leave at first light tomorrow.” Wren only waited for Ronin to nod in agreement before he stood, strode across the room, and disappeared down the stairs. The others watched him leave before they all retired to their various room for a few hours of sleep.

  Lyra paused with a heavy sigh when she reached the bottom of the stairs. She glanced back over her shoulder before she headed down the hallway. Her apprehension started to show the longer she walked. She knew Wren was going to be upset with her, but she could not stand the idea of just waiting on him again. Her resolve continued to harden when she turned down a hall that led away from the healing wing. She was determined that she would remain busy and help.

  After a fifteen-minute walk, she entered a large open area deep in the mountain. The large park was situated almost a mile from the front entrance. She paused and looked around before she followed the white stone path that branched in many different directions. A faint smile appeared on her face when she reached the ornately carved stone bridge that crossed the large creek. It ran through the whole park before disappearing into the mountain on the south side. She crossed the bridge and headed toward the massive white cherry tree in the center. Staring up at it, she moved around to the far side, that was
hidden from the path before she sat down with her back against it. She leaned back and looked up. There was a small carved hole in the ceiling to allow the tree to have sunlight during the day.

  She sighed as she allowed her body to relax as she stared up at the sky. A few stars were still visible in the faint early light of dawn. Wrapping her arms around her body to stay warm, she watched the sky as it lightened with the coming of the sun. Her eyes started to grow heavy when the strain of the last two days caught up with her and before she knew it, she drifted off.

  Lyra had no idea how much time had passed when she woke with a small yawn. She started to move but frowned when she realized she was quite warm. After she woke up a little more, a small smile crossed her face when she noticed she was wrapped in strong arms. She knew without having to look up that it was Wren.

  “You should not sleep alone in the park,” he said, his voice soft. He had heard her yawn and knew she was awake.

  “I did not intend to sleep,” she said.

  “Why did you not go to the healing wing as you said?” He asked as his arms tightened around her. “I was worried when I could not find you.”

  She sighed and tried to sit up, but he would not let go of her. “I knew you would be searching for me and I needed a little time alone.”

  “Lyra, yo—.”

  “I have decided that I shall help,” she said as she tried to sit up again. He appeared reluctant, but he let her go. “I cannot stand the idea of remaining here and only waiting for you again. I must…” She trailed off when she noticed the many emotions flash across his face.

  He reached up and took hold of her face with both hands. “I cannot lose you.” His voice held a hint of fear she had never heard him use when he spoke to her.

  “Do you enjoy how that fear feels?” She asked, her voice growing hard as she pulled his hands off her face. His brows furrowed before he shook his head no. “Do you realize this is how I feel every time that you leave?” She reached up and brushed her fingers across his cheek. “And, once you return, I must hold back for the sake of propriety. I cannot be at your side fully because you deny me.” Her voice cracked, and she turned away from him. His gaze drifted to the creek and he remained silent for quite some time before he took both of her hands in his, causing her to look up at him.