by Lexy Wolfe
Everyone smiled in welcome, talking over each other in greeting. She arched an eyebrow at Emil when he took one of the serving platters and sat it in front of her. “Figured ye must be starvin’, lass. Look at ye. All skin an’ bones.”
“I am not skin and bones.” She crossed her arms.
“What are ye gonna do?” He made a show of dancing in place. “Ye can’t chase me.” He yelped, pulling up one leg and bouncing on the other. The others tried but failed to smother their laughter. “Hey! What did ye kick me fer?” he demanded of Bella.
The Vodani woman grinned impishly. “I figured I’d help a girl out. Probably safer than what she’d have done to you, you know.” The two stuck their tongues out at each other.
Tyrsan shook his head, lamenting, “Such maturity and decorum.” Nearly everyone erupted into helpless laughter.
Ash touched Kendle’s arm to gain his attention, drawing him away from the dinner table. “Thank you.”
The Roylat shrugged one shoulder, demurring. “It is the least I could do to help. She has always been incredibly stubborn. And a touch naïve when it comes to divine duty. But it has been one of her more endearing and enduring traits.”
“naïve?” Ash frowned in puzzlement.
Kendle smiled and shook his head. “I cannot explain further. Not right now, anyway. Perhaps someday, unless you discover Zhekali’s secret yourself before then.” His smile faded. “She could not have chosen a more worthy person to be her lifemate. Then or now. I am sorry I was not a more gracious loser.”
Ash looked over at the table, a gentle smile touching his face as he watched Storm bantering with their tribe, albeit not with the energy of the others. “I can hardly blame you. She is an incredible woman. I can’t imagine anyone could let go of her easily.”
The Roylat chuckled, but his chagrined expression perplexed the human mage. “You make it sound like I ever had a hold of her. Anyone who tries to hold onto her only ends up burned. Even the ancient trinity has been scorched by her fire.” He stretched, turning away. “So very glad Avarian took after his dam and not his sire.”
Ash gaped as the Roylat faded from sight. “Wait! You know who Avarian’s father was?” But Kendle was gone. The mage ground his teeth together, returning to Storm’s side at the table.
“Ash? What is wrong?” she asked, studying him with fierce intensity.
He forced a smile and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Nothing, beloved.” He poured water into her glass and handed it to her. “Drink. You still need to replenish your fluids.” She accepted it, settling back to sip the water, her dark eyes not leaving him for the rest of the meal.
From an overlook, the group gazed down toward the small cluster of buildings and the long fingers of dock reaching out into the water. Ophilia leaned on a rail, staring in wonder. “I had no idea there was a port in Fortress’ territory!”
“Jus’ goes ta show ye that Vodani be everywhere,” Emil said, a teasing look in his eyes for the bard and former archer. “Kinda like weeds.”
Mureln made a helpless gesture. “I do not know why you think calling us weeds is an insult. Weeds are hardy and tenacious, thriving where more delicate flowers cannot.”
Emil squinted. “Hey now. Are ye callin’ Emaris an’ me flowers?”
“If the bloom fits…” Mureln laughed as he sidestepped a shoulder punch, dodging the gypsies who gave chase around the overlook.
“You are being a bad example to Izkynder!” Taylin called, but the three were too noisy to hear her.
“It’s okay, Mama. I know they are just playing and being silly.” He hugged her, watching his father and uncles. “Papa isn’t going to see Uncle Emil or Uncle Emaris for a long time. I’m going to miss them, too.”
Taylin blinked, glancing down at her son. She watched the three men acting more like boys for several moments before she shifted him from her hip to her back. “Come along, Izkynder. A son should defend his father’s honor.” The boy brightened and yelled as he and Taylin joined the playful, oblique farewell. Chitta clung to the boy’s back, flapping his wings and shrilling in challenge on his human companion’s behalf.
Bella shook her head with a grin, leaning against Jaison as they looked toward the port. “As the land-bound of the north like to say, Vodani will put down roots in many places. Ports are anchor points that give us direction to our wanderings.” Her smile faded. “It has been a long time since I left this territory.”
“I have never been in one place for so long as we had been here,” Storm grumbled. The drizar glared over his shoulder. “No, I will not try to get down again. Stop glaring at me.” He snorted, dragging his metal-clad claws over the ground. After shaking her head at him, she looked out toward the glittering horizon. “I do not understand how the unending sameness does not drive treewalkers and grassdraggers insane.”
Ash glanced sideways, meeting the drizar’s eye, then smiled up at his lifemate. “I am surprised you do not blame that for our insanity.”
“Perhaps for the others. You are not insane,” she replied with a sniff and upturned nose. “Not anymore. Drizar and I are fixing that.”
He turned around, crossing his arms. “Oh, are you now? I do not think allowing drizar to eat my underthings is exactly a cure for insanity.”
“It teaches you to be more careful where you leave your belongings laying,” Storm replied easily. “You never know when, where or how an enemy will strike.”
“They were in my saddlebags!”
“He only ate one and you have plenty more. If you northborn didn’t wear so much—”
Skyfire chuckled at the couple’s lighthearted arguing, looking at Lyra’s profile. He gave a gentle bump to her cheek with the back of his finger. “Do not worry. Storm will be fine.”
“She has not recovered completely,” Lyra worried. “The other Guardians say that wounds to the soul take years to heal and it has only been a few weeks!”
“Warriors mend faster when they are not idle,” Tyrsan intoned, watching the ships at the dock. “Without purpose or meaning to our existence, we will wither no matter how much care or rest we get.” He shifted his shoulders, eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “Even when we are whole and uninjured.”
“You have seemed more…alive since Storm and Skyfire came to Fortress,” Jaison observed.
“I won’t deny that is true,” the large Sevmanan man stated. “Not that I did not enjoy the challenge being Dulain brought me, but it did not light a fire in my soul as my days when I wandered. Facing men and beasts, even the land itself!” He exhaled. “It has been far too long.”
Almek winked and smiled. “I did tell you that wandering served to rekindle our flagging spirits and remind us of the reason for our mistress’s blessings.”
Tyrsan looked at his friend and offered his hand to him. “Even an old soldier like me can learn the lessons his mentor tried to hammer into his head. Eventually.”
Almek laughed. “So long as they finally took hold, that is what is important. I envy you. All of you. You will be the first Guardians of Time to be welcomed into the interior of Desantiva.” He chuckled. “Well. As welcoming as the Desanti people will likely ever be.”
“It is less about what we are as individuals as what we are together,” Skyfire stated. He put his fist over his heart. “The na’Zhekali tribe will finally return home.”
“But we aren’t real na’Zhekali,” Lyra argued. “Well, except for Jaison. Most of us aren’t even Desanti. You said Desanti call everyone outlanders and hate us all.”
The dark man shook his head. “Not all of us are one of the people, but we are ‘real’ na’Zhekali because fire does not bring us harm. This tribe is a new pattern. We will be challenged, but none will be able to deny the truth.” His eyes sparkled with a feral anticipation. “I look forward to reforging many patterns and many more ‘discussions.’”
Bella arched an eyebrow at the tall warrior. “You do not need to be quite so eager about beating the tar out of people.” Befor
e the two could start a lively debate on the virtues of Desanti ‘discussion,’ Terrence gave a sharp whistle, drawing all attention to him.
The young man smiled in apology. “Forgive me for interrupting, but the tide is cresting soon. We need to get to the ship that will carry us to Home Port.” Despondency began to settle as they realized they would be parting. “But before we go, I have a gift to make to everyone.” Curious, Ophilia held the large pouch, watching as he pulled out a necklace of a finely wrought heavy chain holding a piece of glass shaped like a lens.
The first given one of the matching necklaces, Almek frowned as he studied it. “What is this, Terrence? I can tell it is not glass.”
“I have not named these specifically yet,” he confessed as he draped the last one around Ophilia’s neck. “But they are water shifted slightly out of the temporal stream. I call it ‘time frozen.’ It isn’t quite stopping time, because that must be released.” He held up his own pendant. “These are still moving with the temporal currents, just offset.”
“They have been imbued with the energies of the gods of the four lands,” Ash added. He smiled at the smaller gypsy. “I got the idea after talking with you.”
“Hah!” Emil puffed his chest out. “I be a damned genius!” He winked at the eye-rolling and laughter of the others. “Hey, I ken try, right?”
Ash shook his head in amusement. “And they are connected through Desanti blood magic. Scrying on them allows you to communicate with another who is scrying on them at the same time.”
“The connection to another can be made easier if they are placed in still or blessed water,” Terrence added, blushing when everyone focused their surprised delight on him. “Those who are not na’Zhekali can use them, but sharing bayuli-volsha will make it easier knowing if someone wishes to talk.”
“This is marvelous,” Ophilia said, hugging Terrence. “I feel a little better about not leaving with the rest of the tribe. Thank you.”
“Aye, t’is truly a wonderful thing, lad.” He started to offer his hand to the younger mage, then made a disgusted sound and grabbed him in a bear hug. “Ye keep an eye on Mureln fer us. Keep ‘im out o’ trouble.”
“Who’s going to keep you out of trouble, Emil?” he teased. He watched Emaris as the mute gypsy signed and laughed outright. “Oh, I see. Someone made an almost honest man out of you?”
Emil winked. “Almost. No’ quite, though.”
“It isn’t possible to make a gypsy completely honest,” Mureln said, his light tones belied by the look in his eyes. “After ten years, it is going to be strange not having you both to look after.”
“Don’t ye worry,” Emil promised after releasing the bard from a rough bear hug. The bard didn’t complain when Emaris nearly crushed his ribs. “We’ll be back fer our gold counter soon enough. Someone’s gotta teach yer boy the fine art of wooing women.”
Izkynder whispered loudly to his mother, “I know not to do whatever Uncle Emil says so I don’t get hit.” The group laughed.
“Bah!” Red-faced, Emil waved impatiently. “Get goin’ wi’ all of ye. Ye gots a ship ta catch.” He took a step back when the drizar stuck his nose in his face. “Uh.”
“A lesson I have learned since I met all of you,” Storm stated, looking down at the two gypsies, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Shedding tears is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of having been strong for too long.” She held her hands to each of them, both clasping of theirs firmly. “I will miss you, my brothers of the north. Thank you for being family to me.”
Emil dropped the playful teasing, his expression serious. “We will miss ye, too, Storm. Try not ta go dyin’ on us b’fore we ken catch up and watch yer back.”
She smiled. “I will do my best.”
Ash looked at Almek. “I do not think I have thanked you for finding me.”
The man waved a hand. “There is no need. Your thanks is what you have done for me.” He smiled warmly. “You have given me new hope for the future. Nor am I alone any longer. Our paths will cross again someday.” He touched the pendant. “This is an immeasurable gift. When I was young, the numbers of Dusvets were still few, and crossing paths was often rare.”
“It will not help if we are too far to reach one another if the need requires presence,” Terrence warned. “Portals require much more than these had.”
“If there is a means for mere mortals to create them, I am sure you and Ash will discover it,” Almek assured. “Now go. May your voyage be safe and uneventful.”
Storm’s expression soured as she turned the drizar away. “Yes. I have no wish to deal with another kraken. The last one—”
Bella stared. “You faced a kraken? And you did not tell me about it?” The group parted ways with their fellows staying behind, heading down the road toward the tiny port settlement for the ship bound for Desantiva.
Under the expert guidance of the crew, the large ship nimbly avoided the underwater spires that threatened ships nearing the coast. As activity picked up when the distant coastline neared and the settlement of First Port came into view, Ash left the deck to check on the rest of the tribe.
He paused with a frown, then went into the hold where their mounts waited. Expecting restlessness from the drizzen, the man blinked in surprise to find the drizar laying down. A moment later, his eyes adjusted to the dim light and he saw why. The beast whuffled at him, nuzzling his human companion who curled against him. “Storm?” He lowered himself to one knee, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Aelia, what’s the matter?”
“You would not believe me if I said nothing, would you?” The drizar tugged on the tassels hanging from her headband. She gave a light swat to his nose, but otherwise did not scold him. The animal heaved a sigh, meeting Ash’s eyes.
Ash tilted his head, puzzled by the feeling of shared concern and comradery with a beast. He dismissed that curiosity in favor of his and the drizar’s concern. “You are worrying drizar, beloved.”
“Not you, too?” She looked up, her smile wan.
“You need me to say so? You are in a state, aren’t you?” He smiled when she rewarded him with a swat to his knee. “The captain says we should be in port within the hour. Did you want to come up to the deck where the air is fresher?”
“I am not seasick. I am worried. And afraid. I cannot see when I scry First Home.” She hugged the drizar’s neck, hiding her face. “Something dark looms over the land. Pain. Rage. Despair. Grief. So much…” She took a deep, shaking breath. “Is Father angry with me for coming home when He did not wish it?”
“I very much doubt it,” Ash assured, caressing her hair. “You have done nothing to anger Him.” He closed his eyes a moment, focusing his mage skills on drawing a small amount of water from the nearest bucket. As the sphere hovered in front of him, he focused on scrying the desert settlement.
After several minutes, he sent it back to the bucket and turned his attention to her. “I cannot see anything either. You said paradox can hide things from divine sight and scrying?” She nodded. “What is a paradox in Desantiva?”
“For Father’s territory? Usually something that is not born of it. I think because it has been so long since anything outside of our borders has ever come inside.” She accepted his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. “Things I now know were temporal shifters. Others, anomalous events that fell outside the ingrained patterns.”
“Your instincts have never been inaccurate since our paths have crossed.” He frowned, looking in the direction of the shore. “Perhaps we should open a portal once we land to reach First Home more quickly.”
“…No.” Ash looked at her with blank surprise. “We are both stronger using temporal energy, but it will still be a heavy effort on us both, and I am…not as strong as I had been then. Not yet.” Before he could express sympathy for her weakened state, she stated tartly, “Nor do I want to risk being impaired without knowing what we would be taking the tribe into.” She hugged the drizar’s bony head when he stood and bumped her.
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“Are you certain?” He tried to catch her gaze, troubled by her atypical reticence to take action.
She nodded, still hugging the drizar, her eyes shut tight. “You know how poorly my people react to strange things. If we appear and they see you and Terrence, they will believe it is an invasion by the north. Something we have been waiting to happen since the Great War.” She looked up at him and gave him a wan, sad smile. “If it becomes necessary, we can. But, I do not want to kill anyone because they hurt you over a misunderstanding.”
He smiled, caressing her hair then placing a light kiss on her lips. “Your people should be grateful you take such pains to protect them. Very well. Stay with drizar as long as you need to compose yourself before we face the Vodani in port. I will go check on the others and get my things. Do you want me to get your gear?” he asked, then noticed the dark shapes behind the beasts. “Of course you have it with you already.”
“I am Desanti. If it became necessary, the entirety of First Home could be empty of all the tribes during the Time of Gathering within an hour.” She scratched the base of one of drizar’s horns, the beast crooning. “We are always ready to travel.”
“A sight that would be as astonishing to see as it would be terrifying to witness in person.” He smiled hearing her quiet laughter, but the tension across his shoulders eased only a fraction. His smile faded when he saw her hugging the drizar’s neck again as he turned away.
The ship slid into port, ending the voyage which passed without incident, bringing the group to Home Port. Ash looked bemused at the reactions of the Vodani when they saw the paired marks on the cheeks of every member as they disembarked. He glanced at Mureln beside him. “I’m not sure who is causing the greater stir. Jaison, Izkynder, or our Githalin with their Totani marks no longer blackened.”
