Zelia's Lost Path

by Zora Marie

  “Thanks.” Zelia tried to sit up, but her ribs protested, and she eased back.

  “Want a hand?” Alrindel asked.

  “Nope. I’m just going to stay here for a moment,” she wheezed.

  “Come, Alrindel, she’ll be fine.”

  She could tell Alrindel was reluctant to leave as he leaned towards Erolith but struggled to move his feet. Zelia forced a slight nod, and he finally left. Vainoff muttered something to himself as he came around the bed.

  “Vainoff, why is father acting as though nothing happened?” Linithion asked.

  “Because we must all grow used to this. While you were off helping Prince Connan,” Vainoff now spoke to Zelia, “we researched the spell Asenten used. We do not have the power to remove the shrapnel, though it is puzzling that Yalif could not do so with the help of Zivu. His healing abilities with her mastery of magic and the technology of Hyperia should have been sufficient to remove it.”

  “They didn’t know what spell Asenten used and likely feared doing more harm than good.”

  Multly seemed to have rubbed off on Vainoff as he muttered something to himself again.

  “Are you alright?” Linithion asked him.

  “Hm? Oh, yes, I’m fine. Come to the dining hall when you’re ready, I’ll have Orvi join us so she will not disturb you.”

  He hurried out the door before she could ask him anything else.

  Linithion was quieter than normal and stared at Zelia’s chest where the metal plate covered her heart.

  “I refuse to accept this as your fate,” Linithion said suddenly and Zelia forced herself to sit up against the wall. “And you shouldn’t either.”

  “I accept it because I must, for the good of others. Until all of this ends, I can no longer let what has happened in my past be my focus.”

  “But it’s not the past, and it is not just you that this affects.”

  “You know as well as I do that nothing can be done right now without endangering everyone. I would need Zivu and the last time I was there I nearly killed her.”

  Linithion grumbled in frustration and spun around to lean against her.

  “Just promise me you will find an end to all of this that will not end in your permanent death or you being trapped somewhere I cannot get to you.”

  As though I have control over any of this.

  “Zelia, promise,” Linithion pressed.

  “I promise to try, if you promise not to worry too much.” Linithion shot her a glare, and Zelia shrugged. “Thank you for getting help.”

  Linithion didn’t say anything, instead she stood and went to the window.

  “I don’t want you to go.”

  “You know I have to. They don’t know where they’re going otherwise, and I can ask the dragons about places they have been.”

  Zelia could see the tension in Linithion’s shoulders, in how she held them higher than normal.

  “Then I’m going with you, no matter what my father says.”

  She wanted to protest, but once Linithion set her mind to something, it was proving to be pointless to argue. At least the journey shouldn’t be too dangerous.

  “Alright, but please don’t let this put a wedge between you and your father.”

  “You ready to go to dinner?” Linithion asked, the determination in her tone still present as she ignored Zelia’s plea.

  “I’m hungry if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Here,” Linithion took Zelia’s cloak and draped it across her shoulders as she stood. Linithion froze as her hand brushed Zelia’s neck. “You know, it’s good to feel, right? If nothing else, you’re less likely to injure yourself.”

  “At least one good thing will come of it,” Zelia joked.

  Linithion shook her head and opened the door. “You know, sometimes you have the same twisted sense of humor that Skylar has, right?”

  “What can I say? It’s contagious.”

  24

  “One of you must go,” said Erolith.

  “Why not you?” Multly asked.

  “Because he cannot leave his people,” Linithion interjected as she and Zelia came to their seats. “If I did not know better, I would think you were afraid of the sea.”

  Multly muttered something to himself, or perhaps his squirrel. “I’m not afraid of the sea. I get seasick, alright?”

  “Then it is settled. Vainoff?” Erolith turned to him, and Vainoff neither objected nor accepted.

  “Please? I need someone who can stop me if needed. And bring me back if that,” she nodded towards her room and sat, “happens again.”

  Vainoff sat still as he thought, then he stared at Erolith. “You will tend to matters here as I would? And not just for the good of your people?”

  There was a fraction of a second where Erolith seemed offended, before he relaxed again. “I will do my best, to serve all the races.”

  “Including the Darkans?” Zelia asked.

  Again, everyone looked at her in surprise.

  “Not all the Darkans are bad. Some of them helped me, they even led me back to Alrindel on our way here. Besides, you would do the same as they have if you were in their position. No matter how strong you are, sometimes you can’t overcome your circumstances on your own.”

  No one seemed convinced, so she fell silent, thinking of what she could compare the Darkans with and she only came up with one thing.

  “Look at my past, I did terrible things just like the Darkans are doing, but if we fix this they won’t have to.”

  She let out a shaky breath, trying to release the emotions that always stirred with thoughts of her past. The steam of her stew spread away, as if it couldn’t stand to be around her.

  Erolith chose his words carefully, “I understand. I will do what I can for the Darkans as well.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything about meeting Darkans in the tunnel before now?” Alrindel asked, he seemed more concerned with her keeping these new things from him than her past.

  “There wasn’t any time. Besides, the ones I met were different from the ones chasing us. An older Darkan who still valued the knowledge passed down from one generation to the next had taught them. These few are not the only ones, but they are outnumbered and even those fighting us are only trying to secure a future for their children.”

  “Then we must find a way to fix all of this,” Linithion put in.

  Erolith seemed set to object to Linithion’s involvement, but she met her father’s gaze before he could speak.

  “You cannot coddle me forever, Father.”

  “She’s right, you know. You have taught her well, and it is time to let her prove what she has learned,” Vainoff said.

  Erolith rubbed a hand over his face. It was the first time Zelia could remember seeing him openly showing his emotions in this way.

  “Fine, but I hold you responsible for her safety.”

  Zelia couldn’t help feeling amused as Vainoff pursed his lips.

  “We’ll all keep her as safe as possible,” Zelia assured.

  It was as if her tone reminded him of his daughter’s interest in her, and Erolith’s piercing gaze turned to her. It felt as though some weight sat on her chest as she shrank back from his gaze.

  “Father,” Linithion warned.

  “We will talk later,” Erolith said to Linithion, before turning back to Vainoff. “Who do you think would be best to go with you?”

  “Kafthry of course, he’s more a local than any of us, and Zelia as she can speak to the dragons and knows the way. We’ll need Skylar because of his relation to Yargo. Together, Alrindel and Saria can heal most wounds. Linithion serves as an official liaison and can help Zelia and Kafthry make sure the rest of us all know the local language.”

  “What about the wolfblood?” Erolith’s tone making it clear that he did not wish
to host Nikolas.

  “Nikolas is not just a wolfblood, he may be helpful as well if he chooses to go,” Zelia said. “If he chooses not to go, I am sure he will leave when we do. He doesn’t stay where he is not welcome.”

  “What else is he?” Erolith questioned.

  “He is a child of the god of the dead, Fregnar.”

  “Does Eleanor know?”

  “If she didn’t, she knows everything I knew when…” she trailed off, part of her mind was yet to settle back into its proper places and she struggled not to feel anger towards Eleanor for how she had approached the issue.

  Then she noticed Erolith was quiet, his gaze set on the window framing the mountains in the distance.

  “She didn’t tell you that in her scrolls?”

  “No, but it has been hard to get birds across the mountains this year.”

  “And a lot has happened in the last few years.” Vainoff glanced at Zelia and back to Erolith. “We must consider the risks of bringing a child of Fregnar with us when seeking Yargo.”

  “It should not be an issue,” Zelia spoke, searching for any reason Nikolas should not go, “Yargo and Fregnar have not quarreled in quite some time.”

  Erolith gave a reserved nod. “That I will leave up to all of you as I do not know of anything for certain.”

  “So, how are we to get to Dragon Island?” Linithion asked.

  “I have already made a request to have one of our old sea ships repaired.”

  “What sea ship?” Linithion asked.

  Erolith gave a slight smile. “It is one of the ships we arrived on. We have kept them hidden in some caves on the shore ever since our people came here.”

  “I thought we had come through the equivalent of a portal,” Linithion said.

  “We did, but the rift between the realms that forms every one-hundred thousand years is in the middle of the sea. I planned to teach you this when you came of age, but it seems that the time has come sooner than I had hoped.” He took a deep breath, as if taking in the last of his daughter’s childhood. “As soon as the rest of your group gets here, I will take you to the caves.”

  There was silence for a time and Zelia could feel Vainoff’s gaze on her, but she did not meet it. She knew he planned to ask her something, but her chest hurt, and she hoped to sip her soup in peace for a while.

  “Zelia, do you know where we might find a spring or a portal?”

  “I- I have a few ideas.” She sighed, staring down at her spoon.

  “We have time,” Erolith gave her an understanding glance.

  Zelia gave a slight nod of thanks and took a sip of her soup, its sweet taste calming her still fried nerves.

  “Wait, where is Orvi?” Linithion asked.

  “She was playing with Bête Noire when I went to get her. It is funny watching a horse and dragon playing tag like puppies,” Alrindel responded.

  “Playing? He’s not scared of her?” Linithion asked.

  “No.”

  “Speaking of Bête Noire, would you mind if he stayed with Starling while you are away?” Erolith asked. “He seems to be a troublemaker, but Starling has him eating out of his pocket.”

  “Quite literally at times,” Linithion added.

  “If Starling doesn’t mind, I see no problem with it,” Zelia said.

  “Good, now eat.”

  25

  It was a few days later when Saria, Kafthry, Skylar, and Nikolas returned on the barge they had all taken down river. Zelia left her room and the scrolls Erolith had provided behind as she met Skylar at the city gates. When he saw her, he pulled a piece of parchment from a pouch on his belt.

  “Connan asked me to give you this.”

  She took the folded piece of parchment and leaned against Skylar in a half hug. He gave her a light squeeze, and she winced.

  “What did you do this time?”

  “Ribs, again. Only, more of them this time.”

  Skylar rubbed his new beard.

  “I thought you were trying not to get hurt.”

  “She fell asleep on her own…” Linithion shot Zelia a glare. “Vainoff had to restart her heart.”

  Skylar sighed and nodded to the parchment he had handed her.

  “You should read it. The night you left, James had to wake Connan as he was yelling in his sleep.”

  Zelia furrowed her brow.

  “He still feels guilty for leaving you in the cave and now he’s worried he has hurt you in a different way.”

  “He’s not worried that he has hurt me, he is afraid he made an enemy. Which he hasn’t, so long as he never goes after Orvi again. And if he does…” she shook her head, “if he cares about our friendship at all, he won’t.”

  She rubbed the parchment between her fingers and pushed it into Skylar’s hand.

  “I don’t need to read it.”

  “So, we’re going back to Dragon Island?” Kafthry asked, a hint of excitement in his tone.

  “Yes, I think there’s something near there that we need.”

  “If Kafthry is going, I’m going. Someone has to keep him out of trouble.” Saria gave him a mocking glare.

  Starling sauntered past and whispered, “No worries, they already planned for you to go.”

  Zelia raised an eyebrow at him.

  “What? You thought I wouldn’t find out and come with you to see her off? Erolith may not agree with Loboran and me being together, but he respects that Saria, and I have taken care of each other since we were little and asked that I come along.”

  “Speaking of which,” Erolith startled Zelia speaking from behind her, “I have already had supplies taken to the cavern for all of you, so we can head there from here. There will be plenty of time for you all to rest while aboard.”

  Kafthry snorted and was cut off by Saria’s glare.

  “What do you find amusing?” Erolith asked.

  “It’s just,” he squirmed under King Erolith’s glare, “I’ve never found sea travel to be restful. Last time I was at sea, Zelia barely got us through a storm and not in one piece.”

  It was obvious by how he stared at the river that there was more he wanted to say but couldn’t bring himself to. Saria gave a comforting squeeze of his shoulder.

  “Well, you have not yet traveled in an elven ship, so you may yet find rest at sea.” He spoke with a comforting tone but gave Zelia a questioning glance. “We’ll be taking barges down river. Linithion, Zelia, Orvi, Alrindel, and Skylar will be with me, the rest of you will be on the second barge.”

  Once there was some space between the two barges as they floated down river, Erolith pulled Zelia to the side, knowing the others on their barge could still hear.

  “What troubles Kafthry?”

  Zelia studied him, questioning why he wanted to know. Then she watched the rocky bank drift by as she sought the best way to explain.

  “We first met on a dragon trapper’s ship. The trappers had killed all the villagers from his island. Except him and Keller and the women. They were taken to work on the ship. Once the trappers had their fill, they killed the women. For most of the people on the islands, the sea is a way of life, but for him it is a reminder of what he has lost.” Zelia paused, thinking of Keller. “He left Dragon Island with his best friend, his brother at his side and is returning as the very last of his village, of his people.”

  “So, he is not from Dragon Island?”

  “No, he is from an Island some ways north of there. Dotchavitch had taken all three of us in as his people before we left.”

  “Dotchavitch?”

  “He’s a dragon rider and the chief. His father died while I was there. I tried to save him.”

  “You know you did everything you could, Keller and Kafthry told me about it when we were traveling to The Hold.” Skylar smiled to himself. “Back then I thought they
were exaggerating, but now, not so much.”

  “Trust me, they did exaggerate a lot of what happened. They make me out to be some kind of hero. You should have seen them when Elm and Evergreen first scooped them up, they were terrified of me.”

  “You realize that all of us here are or have been viewed the same way as you have? People fear what they do not understand, what they cannot match, and those who they do not know,” Erolith said. “Even just the title of King causes many to fear me.”

  Zelia raised an eyebrow at him. She may not have spent much time around the humans, but she knew that Erolith’s reputation for protecting his Elves above all else preceded his title as King.

  “I think what he’s trying to say is, don’t let what others think get to you. Do what you believe to be right and that is all anyone could ever ask of you.” Skylar leaned against King Erolith.

  Erolith cleared his throat and glared at him. Skylar grinned, removing his arm from Erolith’s shoulder.

  “Father was wrong, Elves can be quite entertaining,” Orvi quipped, her tail swishing in the river as she sat watching Skylar and Erolith from the edge of the barge.

  Zelia couldn’t keep from cracking a smile, and Erolith’s glare shifted to her.

  “And what are you smiling about?” The tone of his voice hinted at his own amusement, but his demeanor did not.

  “Orvi, she made a comment about Kniteoff’s perception of Elves.”

  “Um, hm.”

  He obviously didn’t believe her, but she didn’t mind and shrugged.

  “Father, weren’t you going to tell us about the Sea Ships?”

  Erolith pursed his lips and then plunged into another facet of his personality, the side of him that loved to teach.

  “I was and I shall.” He motioned down the river, “our people came to these lands from Hyperia through a portal out in the middle of the sea. Hyperian scholars had recently discovered that the population on Hyperia could not be sustained because the realm was so small. Mineria on the other hand seemed to have endless possibilities. The untouched mountains and forests called to us, the Dwarves, and the Fairies to take up roots and move. To move so many at once from one realm to the next was unheard of, but they knew there was to be a rift between the realms that would link the two seas as that is how the sea serpents came to Mineria long before. So, our people, alongside the Dwarves, set to work building a fleet that could move all our people into this realm. Once we arrived here, we disassembled some of the ships to assist in constructing new homes for our people, but we hid the others. We all sent a select few to guard the ships, but as time passed the Dwarves parted ways with us and we decided to hide the cave and watch it from afar rather than guard it.”