by Andrew Rowe
“Wait.” Taelien stepped forward. “Sterling...he was one of yours, wasn’t he? An ‘ess’ name, not a flower or a gem like the ones that work for Jacinth. Was he working with you from the start? Was he working for you when he killed Garrick Torrent?”
“Oh, I don’t believe I owe you any answers on that, dear.” She winked. “Our contract is broken, after all. You’d be wise to get on your way before I decide to extract a fee for the breach.”
“I don’t appreciate being threatened and manipulated, Aayara.”
She shrugged. “Then get strong enough to do something about it. Right now, however, you’re not worth another moment of my time.”
Aayara snapped her fingers and vanished.
After a heartbeat, he heard her voice whispering in his ear. “...Not one more moment of my time, but my siblings may disagree. I’d give you less than half an hour before they arrive. You may want to run. Good luck.”
Taelien scanned from side-to-side, cursed, and resumed the walk toward his destination.
He wouldn’t run.
If Vaelien’s children wanted a fight, he’d gladly give them one.
A few minutes later, Taelien knocked on the door of the house listed on the card Lydia had given him.
Erik Tarren opened the door a few moments later. “Come in. I’ve been expecting you.”
Tarren led him into a sitting room, then gestured to a pair of chairs that sat on opposite sides of a Crowns board.
“Is Lydia already here?” Taelien asked.
“No, not yet. I’m afraid you probably won’t have a chance to see her again for a time.”
Taelien quirked a brow. “And why is that?”
“I have a task for you. One that will require you to travel to another continent. It may take some time to complete, I’m afraid.”
Taelien folded his arms. “I’ll consider it.”
“I would certainly hope so. It would be...most unfortunate, if you refused.”
Taelien felt his hand drifting to his side. “Is that a threat?”
Tarren raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “No, no. Forgive me, poor phrasing. I didn’t mean to imply I would do you or anyone else harm. Rather, it’s that your help is very much necessary for something important.”
“And that would be?”
Tarren smiled. “Would it be overly clichéd to say it involves saving the world?”
“Yes. Definitely. Give me something a little more plausible.”
The old sage nodded his head. “I suppose I should be more direct. Very well. Are you familiar with the continent of Kaldwyn?”
“Only in passing. My history lessons on other continents were pretty sparse.”
Tarren gave him a sad look. “Unfortunate. I’ll be succinct, then. There’s an ancient goddess that lives there, one who has cut herself off from all others. And we are in dire need of her help.”
“For what purpose?”
Tarren’s shoulders sagged. “You may not believe the world is at stake. But could you, perhaps, believe that you may have just been involved in sparking a war that your people cannot win?”
Taelien nodded. “The vae’kes. They’re going to attack because we hurt Sterling.” It was more a statement than a question. Sterling had made it clear enough that they should expect consequences for hurting him, and Aayara had implied much the same.
“Ah, I suppose you haven’t heard yet. Sterling is a part of it, yes, but some of your friends also hurt the one called Lavender. You would have heard her referred to as the ‘Shrouded One’.”
Taelien froze. “Wait. They already found her? And fought her?”
I suppose it’s good that I didn’t hand the mask over, then.
“Indeed.”
“Who was there?”
“My sources indicate that your friend Velas was involved, but that the principal architect of the Shrouded One’s defeat was the oracle Asphodel.”
Of course. That’s why she’s been gone.
She wasn’t planning for fighting Sterling when she was sparring with me. She knew she was going to be fighting a different vae’kes...or guessed it correctly, at least.
“Velas and Asphodel...are they okay?”
“Injured, but alive. They will both recover from their wounds.”
Taelien let out a sigh of relief. “Okay. And they hurt this ‘Shrouded One’ badly enough that you think a war is brewing?”
“I know that one is. And I can tell you, with the utmost certainty, that it is a war that the Paladins of Tae’os have no chance of winning without significant help.”
“What about the Tae’os Pantheon? You must know something about them. You’re the one Aendaryn apparently handed me off to, after all.”
Tarren winced. “I...don’t believe they’ll be able to help as much as you’d like. Lydia will explain more to you when you see her next; I’ve already filled her in on what I can.”
“I’d like to know more right now.”
“I will tell you some things, but I will need to prioritize. We need to get you off this continent soon. And by soon, I mean within the next few minutes.”
Taelien tightened his jaw. “I suppose she was being literal, then. It’s fine. I’ll fight them.” Taelien stood up. “The vae’kes aren’t invincible. We’ve already beaten two of them.”
“Ah, yes, and you’re to be commended for your role in that. But when I say ‘they will be coming’, I don’t mean one at a time. I mean they’ll come with a dozen. Overwhelming force. Even if I tried to assist you directly, we would be overwhelmed.”
“Why now?” Taelien frowned. “They could have gone for the sword when I was a child. I was near Selyr, and they had to know.”
“Politics. You’ve caused one of them direct harm today. They have the justification to strike back. Moreover, fear. They’ve seen that you’re a potential long-term threat now. And with the mask, you can potentially disappear. Do you know how it works?”
“It’s an anti-divination device. It prevents people from recognizing the wearer and blocks forms of scrying in a large area around it.”
“Good. Once you’re on the other continent, you’ll largely be safe. They’re unlikely to pursue you there quickly, since the local goddess, Selys, is extremely hostile toward vae’kes. They’ll take some time to plan before pursuing. But if you sense any hint of them nearby, put on the mask and flee. You may be strong enough to fight one or more vae’kes by yourself someday, but you are not yet.”
Which...it seems like Aayara wants me to do. She could have taken the mask. She’s much stronger than Sterling, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
That means she wants me to get away. Why? What’s her angle? Using me against Jacinth, maybe, or even Vaelien himself?
He shook his head. He’d need to gather more information to figure out her motives, but now wasn’t the time. “So...I’m going out there alone, trying to, what, recruit some goddess? I’m not a politician, Tarren. That’s not my skill set. I fight.”
“You won’t be alone. I’ll be sending Miss Jaden there shortly. Kaldwyn may have some locations that can help with her condition. And I plan to send some of your other friends there as well, given time. For the moment, all you would need to do is gather resources and information, while staying safe from the vae’kes. Your sword must not fall into their hands.”
Taelien’s hand tightened. “How much of all of this was your doing? You just told me the name of the Shrouded One — did you know in advance?”
“I had suspicions, but I wasn’t certain. One of my agents reported her identity after her defeat.”
“Fine. But you had an idea of where this was all leading, didn’t you? Before you spoke to Lydia — you knew we’d probably be fighting one of the vae’kes, and where that would lead.”
“Yes.” Tarren acknowledged. “But I suspect you knew that as well. Once Sterling harmed one of you, there was little chance for this to end any other way. Now, we must all play the roles we’ve been given.” Tarr
en gestured toward the Crowns board in front of them for emphasis.
Taelien took a breath, then moved his hand.
A moment later, the Crowns board fell apart, sliced neatly into two halves. Broken pieces fell off both sides of the table.
He hadn’t drawn his sword.
“I refuse.”
Taelien stood up.
“If you want me to cooperate with you, it will not be a game. It will not be based on half-truths and vaguely-worded prophecies. And if you continue to try to play me like a game piece,” he leaned forward, “I will break the hand that tries to move me.”
Tarren pulled back, raising his hands in front of him in a warding gesture. “I...didn’t mean...”
“You did, though. You’ve been toying with me from the beginning. Not just me — perhaps I could have forgiven that much. But you’ve been manipulating others, too. Including Lydia. And I don’t take kindly to people who try to manipulate my friends.”
Tarren winced. “You’re making a mistake. I’m not your enemy.”
“Then prove that to me. No more games. Tell me about my parents, and tell me about my sword. Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll consider doing you a favor on my own terms.”
Tarren took a breath. “Very well. We have limited time, but I will give you what answers I can.”
“Good. Now, who are you, really?”
Tarren considered, then answered. “The name I’ve given you is true. It was my name as a youth, and as a mortal. But you would know me also by another name.”
“Eratar?”
Tarren nodded. “Is it truly so easy to guess?”
“You might have wanted to change at least a few more letters. Why are you concealing your identity?”
“Because we have lost, Taelien.” Tarren sighed, deflating. “We lost long ago.”
“Lost...to who, Vaelien?”
“It is so. When Aendaryn came to me, injured, that was not the beginning of our failures. It was the last of them. Others had already abandoned the cause long before. The others, those that live, are scattered. Lydia knows more, but our time is limited. Ask the questions you truly wish to ask.”
“What can you tell me about the Sae’kes? Is it true that it was built by the Tae’os Pantheon?”
Tarren shook his head. “No. It is far older than we. Have you heard of the Dominion Breaker?”
Taelien frowned. “I’ve heard the name, but that’s an old legend. One about a sword made before our world was first formed. Are you saying it is the same?”
“It is. The Sae’kes was a weapon forged by four worldmakers — Kelryssia, Velryn, Caerdanel, and Delsen — for the protection of the new world they were creating. They hoped the sword would never be used. It was intended to be a symbol of our strength. An unused threat.”
“A threat? Against who?”
“The Sun Eater.” Tarren sighed. “I presume I don’t need to explain that further.”
“He’d destroyed one world. They didn’t want him to destroy another. Sensible.” Taelien nodded. “Is it truly strong enough to be used against someone like that?”
“It is. Unfortunately, no one alive can properly wield it, as you yourself have found. Even the God of Swords himself was never able to fully unlock its powers. This is both a matter of strength and an issue of design. The greatest abilities of the weapon were sealed away, with one fragment of the key given to each of the worldmakers. And when they died...”
“Those keys were lost.” Taelien nodded. “I’ve heard about some of that before. I simply didn’t realize they were the same weapon, but it makes some sense.”
“I can tell you more about the sword, but we only have a few more minutes. I would advise you to use that time wisely.”
Taelien nodded. He knew what he had to ask.
“Who am I, really? What am I?”
Tarren took a deep breath, then answered. “I have suspicions, but I cannot be certain.”
“Just say it.”
Tarren nodded, more to himself than to Taelien. “I believe you inadvertently just gave me an important clue. Have you ever noticed any strange interactions with objects in your possession?”
Taelien frowned, surprised by the style of question. “My aura has been gradually damaging things I’ve been wearing. It’s getting worse since my last fight.”
“And what aura is that?”
“One similar to the one the Sae’kes generates. I’m making it on my own now, even without the sword.”
“Like how you cut my poor Crowns board with your bare hand just a moment ago.” Tarren gestured. “Tell me, why do you think that is?”
“Essence has been leaking from the sword back into me. Because it’s damaged.”
Tarren nodded. “I believed your sword was damaged when we last spoke about it, and that may still be the case. But I do not believe that is the reason you can use the aura in that way. If it was leaking essence into you of that type, an ordinary human — or even an ordinary demigod — would have simply died. Your connection goes deeper.”
“I’ve used the sword since I was a child. I’ve bonded with it.”
“That was my belief as well, at first. But upon further consideration, I find fault with that being the entire explanation. The aura of the Sae’kes is known to cut through anything — body, essence, and spirit. The only thing it does not cut is the sword itself. And, it would seem, you.”
“Because I’m generating the same type of essence...but the aura never harmed me. Not even as a child.” Taelien glanced down at the sword, then back to Tarren. “Wait. You’re not saying...”
“The Sae’kes is not harming you because it is you. Or a part of you, at least.”
“That...doesn’t make any sense. I...” His hand moved to the hilt of the weapon. He felt the essence flowing between him and the sword, even when it was sheathed.
He felt the aura around his body, and the sameness of the sword within.
“I have seen similar things, though not on the same scale.” Tarren shook his head. “Luck’s Touch is a sword that speaks to the wielder, for example.”
“And one of Vendria’s forms was capable of making and controlling bodies.” He lifted his hands, staring at them. “What does that mean, then? Is this body just...a puppet for the sword?”
“No, I don’t believe so. You bleed, yes? If I am not mistaken, you would be something like a sword elemental. A person manifested from the will and the spirit of the sword.”
That...is that why the Wandering War calls me cousin?
Am I a harvester, like he is? A harvester of...swords, perhaps? Or another elemental type entirely, like a gatherer or a star?
Taelien trembled. “If I’m some sort of elemental...how was I born? Aren’t they usually from other planes?”
“I do not know how you were made. Perhaps elemental is the wrong term...sword spirit might be more appropriate? The Sae’kes already possessed a spirit when it was first made, but it was not self-aware. Perhaps Aendaryn and Karasalia granted the sword awareness through some sort of ritual, and it formed a body on its own. You.”
“But that...why? For what purpose?”
“To continue their fight.” Tarren seemed more certain now. “To succeed where they could not.”
Taelien shook his head looking down. “...So, I was nothing but a weapon to them as well?”
“I am sorry, Taelien. Truly. But you should know that they were good people, and they—”
“I don’t care.” Taelien shook his head. “No one should be created solely to fight someone else’s battle.” His hands tightened. “I...think I’ve heard enough.”
Tarren nodded slowly. “Please believe that I would have told you sooner if I had known. And, even now, I cannot be certain of this. It simply fits the pieces we’ve learned.”
Taelien shook his head. “It’s fine. You’re not the one I blame.” He drew in a breath, then stood up. “I’ll find what happened to my parents. They’re the ones that will have to answer for creati
ng me.”
“You may not like what you find.”
“I expect I won’t.” Taelien cracked his knuckles. “But I won’t hide from the truth. In the meantime, however, I believe I have more pressing business.”
“You’ll do it, then? You’ll go to Kaldwyn and help convince their goddess to assist us?”
“If there’s a threat to my friends from the vae’kes, I can’t ignore that. I’ll fight for my own reasons.”
Tarren nodded. “Very well. I would advise you to travel in disguise. It will take some time for the vae’kes to follow you there, but it will happen. You should choose a new name and find some ways to change your features, aside from just the mask.”
Taelien glanced down at the sword at his hip, then with a moment of concentration, he altered it. Metal from the hilt stretched over the pommel, concealing the large blue crystal. The blade shifted as well, with metal stretching over the seven runes in the blade. And finally, the shape of the hilt shifted, retaining a winged shape but with a thinner and more elegant look. “A new name...hm. Maybe something similar to Aendaryn?”
“Perhaps a bit too obvious, I suspect, as you pointed out in regards to my own pseudonym.”
“Fair. Hm...I suppose you said his traveling name was ‘Vel’...but that’s too much like Velas.” Taelien shook his head. “Maybe something based on my mother’s name?”
“Karasalia was never as broadly known, since she didn’t join the Tae’os Pantheon. That would be safer.” Tarren nodded.
Taelien nodded absently. “What’s the male form of Karasalia...? Keras, right?”
“Yes. A common enough name that it would not be suspicious. I approve.”
Taelien felt a smile crossing his face. “Keras...and for a surname, I suppose something equally generic. Keras...sword-something? No, too obvious. Keras of Selyr?”
“Given that Selyr is on this continent, that may be too direct as well. Selyrian would be appropriate for the same concept, but without being so obvious.”
“Keras Selyrian.” Taelien turned the name over his mind as he spoke it aloud. “I like the sound of that.”
