“You are delusional.”
“Bold visionaries are often misunderstood. But history will judge my efforts differently.”
She sighed as she fully took in the level of insanity with which she was dealing.
“For what it’s worth, I do regret what I had to do to mother.” Vorea looked at the floor. “I also regret what you did to Lanica.”
“You won’t get the amulet, Vorea.”
Vorea proceeded to the door. “It, along with every scrap of power, every breath of resistance, will belong to me. Don’t worry, Maeva, I will put it to good use.”
Chapter 23
The intense shaking of the wagon roused Shareis from a semi-conscious state. Niv’leana healed Frasie in the back while Aiden drove. They proceeded at considerable speed. Each bump sent a shard of pain through her wounded shoulder.
“She’s awake, Nivvy,” Frasie said.
Niv’leana continued healing and ignored her. Her hands were bound with rope and her dagger was missing from its hilt. The leaves on the trees were green and yellow, signifying they had left the Jeweled Woods.
“Where are we?”
“Why would we tell you?” Frasie asked.
She managed to sit upright but with considerable pain. After some maneuvering she found a vaguely comfortable position. She tried to examine her shoulder wound, but with her hands tied that was a challenging task. Still, she was able to touch the shaft of the arrow. Each faint press on the exposed wood caused nearly unbearable pain, yet she knew it must be removed.
She closed her eyes and centered herself, gently shoving aside all extraneous thought. She was used to meditating with the aid of her dagger, but didn’t absolutely rely on it. As a child, before she acquired her dagger, she spent considerable time in a state of near absolute balance. Despite the overwhelming pain, her extensive experience in meditation gave her an edge. Within moments, she had attained a deep, contemplative state.
And then she pulled at the arrow, removing it in one swift motion.
“Oh no!” Frasie yelled, interrupting Niv’leana. Frasie moved beside her and gazed at the bloody projectile. “That’s amazing. That had to have hurt.”
“It’s a little sore,” Shareis replied.
Niv’leana eyed her with suspicion.
“Did you use magic?” Frasie asked.
“Yes.”
“Oh, like Nivvy?”
“No, not like Nivvy,” Niv’leana said. “Magic is not meant to be used for evil.”
Shareis chuckled. “Tell me, did you discern this profound philosophical treatise after you killed Lanica or after you tried to torture me?”
Niv’leana pointed a finger at her. “Don’t you lecture me on morality. You tortured Mae.”
“Evil and good are delusions,” she said. “We are all animals fighting for survival.”
“You soothe your conscience however you can,” Niv’leana replied.
She knew there was little use in trying to talk to her further. Niv’leana was hopelessly caught in the paradigm of good and evil. She leaned her head back and watched moisture-laden clouds pass swiftly overhead.
“I’ll work on your stomach some more,” Niv’leana said.
“No, I’m fine now,” Frasie replied, then pointed to her hand. “You need to heal that.”
Niv’leana looked down at her broken hand. “I had forgotten about it.”
“It is amazing the tricks the mind can play on the flesh,” she said.
Niv’leana glared at her. For the rest of the afternoon, she focused on healing her hand. By the time they stopped for the evening, it looked much better.
Rain fell as they setup camp. She offered to help, but no one seemed willing to untie her. She sat a fair distance from the fire to avoid contact with the others. Frasie handed her some food and water, which she found difficult to consume while bound. With some careful practice, she managed mostly by herself. She ended up spilling the water, so Frasie helped her drink a full cup.
“Why are you willing to help me?” she asked.
Frasie shrugged. “I’m willing to help anyone.”
“Even though I have attacked you and your friends?”
“You’re not attacking me now.”
She noticed Niv’leana was glaring at her, so she turned to avoid her stare. “That’s an interesting perspective.”
Frasie took a drink of tea. “Do you feel remorse for what you do?”
“No. There is no time in this life for regret. We do what we must to survive.”
“Even if that means hurting others?”
“We kill for food, do we not?”
“Well, I suppose. But that’s different.”
“It is not,” she replied. “You are merely biased toward your species.”
Frasie pondered her words a moment. “I guess I am.”
Niv’leana approached. “Are you done filling her head with lies?”
Frasie stood with defiance. “I am not that impressionable, Nivvy.”
Niv’leana ignored her friend. “I have some questions for you.”
“I doubt I’ll be inclined to answer them,” she replied.
Niv’leana knelt next to her. “We spared your life, gave you—”
“I saved myself,” she interrupted. “And as for food and drink, I could have obtained that anywhere. I owe you nothing.”
Niv’leana pulled out her dagger. “I assume you’ll want this back?”
She looked at the ground. “A simple weapon. I can obtain a new one anywhere.”
“I don’t think so. I know there is magic in this, and that it is somehow bound to you. It is engraved. I don’t read your language, but this must be meaningful.”
“What do you want?”
“Where did that vortex take Maeva?”
“To the Temple of the Ael’Shanar.”
“And Vorea’s plans with her?”
“I don’t know. I was supposed to deliver you both into her custody. She did not share anything further with me.”
Anger flashed in Niv’leana’s eyes. “You’re lying. You surely know more than that.”
“I assure you, Vorea did not entrust me with any more information than necessary to complete my mission.”
“She’s telling the truth, Nivvy,” Frasie said.
Niv’leana sighed. “I fear she is.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
Niv’leana handed the dagger to Frasie. “Give this back to Aiden, please. I want to speak with Shareis alone.”
Shareis gestured to a spot next to her. “Have a seat.”
Niv’leana sat across from her in a different spot. “I have a question of a more personal nature.”
“I hold no secrets.”
“Why did you do it? What did Vorea promise you that was worth making an alliance with her?”
Shareis took a deep breath. “I assure you, the thought of allying with anyone is distasteful to me. Nevertheless, these are challenging times for my people.”
“What does that mean?”
“Vorea promised to strengthen the position of Proctors in the new order.”
“The new order?”
“It’s what she calls it. A sanitized term for a malevolent dictatorship.”
“Do you believe she’d follow through with her promise to you?”
“I am not certain. But I considered the potential benefit worth the risk.”
“We cannot allow her to assemble her new order,” Niv’leana said.
“I agree.”
Niv’leana shook her head. “I don’t understand why you would do such harm for a woman you now agree must be stopped.”
“I never agreed with her goals. As I said, I did what I did for my people. And now that I have failed her, I have likely made matters worse. She does not tolerate failure. I am now just as much an enemy of hers as you.”
Niv’leana stood. “I assume you’re well enough to travel on your own now?”
“I am.”
“Then we wi
ll part ways at the nearest village. There, I’ll return your dagger and set you free.”
She bowed her head. “Thank you.”
After Niv’leana left, she re-entered her state of meditation. The temperature continued to drop and thoughts of cold and the urge to shiver permeated through her pristine blanket of calm. She ended her meditation, curled up as tightly as possible to conserve body heat, and drifted off to sleep.
She awoke to the frigid back of Frasie’s hand across her forehead. “I think she’s got a fever, Nivvy.”
Her teeth chattered, her shoulder ached, and she had a terrible headache. Niv’leana knelt next to her and appeared to be appraising her condition.
She grunted when Frasie touched her shoulder wound. “I think it’s infected. You’ll have to heal her.”
Niv’leana took a deep breath and searched the sky.
Frasie touched her face. “Are you awake, Shareis?”
She managed a groan.
“Come on, Nivvy. You’ve got to do something!”
“Time to go,” Aiden said.
“Help me get her back to the wagon,” Niv’leana said.
They tried to pick her up, but she resisted. “I… can walk.”
“She talked!” Frasie exclaimed. “Maybe she’s going to be alright.”
“Maybe she will,” she said.
Her head spun, and her gait was uneasy, but with their help she made it to the back of the wagon. Frasie took a quilt and pulled it over her, tucking it in under her chin. The initial jolt of the wagon made her dizzy, but the ride smoothed when they had all four wheels on the road.
After a few hours of travel, the early morning fog lifted. She drifted in and out of sleep, allowing her body to dedicate its energy to fighting the infection that raged within her. She overheard Niv’leana and Frasie arguing in the few moments she was awake. She wasn’t certain what their dispute was about, but she heard her name mentioned several times.
Just before noon, pangs of hunger returned to her aching body. Her shoulder throbbed, and her fever still flared, but her headache had calmed. She sat upright and slowly ate a biscuit. Just as she took her last bite, an owl circled overhead.
Frasie motioned toward the sky. “Look, Nivvy, an owl!”
The three of them watched as the owl descended to the wagon and landed on the sideboard. Its golden eyes glowed with warmth as it stared at them. The graceful animal didn’t flinch when Niv’leana scooted closer to it.
Frasie motioned to Aiden. “Stop for a moment.”
After they came to a complete stop, Aiden turned and saw the magnificent creature. “Incredible.”
A pulse of brilliant amber light circled around the edges of the owl’s eyes. Its large talons released their grip on the side and with one powerful beat of its wings, it lifted into the air.
A rustle of his feathers was the catalyst of an all-consuming change over his entire body. The owl’s talons lunged down and expanded until they were the size of feet. By the time they had reached the ground, a powerful transformation overtook the animal. An energetic ripple traveled upward until it reached its head, then, in a flurry of feathers and golden vortexes of smoke, a male human form appeared.
His brown eyes lost their amber glow as the transformation subsided. Long, straight ash-brown hair tumbled past his shoulders. Long gray robes, accented with earth-tone beads, draped his body. His long and distinguished face and his strong jaw contributed greatly in definition of his stoic countenance.
He looked at Niv’leana with a warm, reassuring gaze as he approached the sideboard and took her hand in his. She had no idea who the man was, and yet it was clear he and Niv’leana already shared a strong connection.
It was no surprise when he greeted her. “Hello, my daughter.”
Chapter 24
Out of sheer instinct, Niv replied “Hello.” It was a poor reflection of the thoughts and emotions that welled up inside her.
Frasie scooted to the edge of the wagon. “You’re Farius?”
“I am indeed. And you are?”
“Frasie.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Farius looked to the front of the wagon. “And who is this young man I have to thank for helping my daughter?”
“Aiden, sir.”
Farius turned his attention to the Proctor. Shareis offered no words while he searched her eyes. After a moment, she bowed her head.
“You don’t know what she’s done,” Niv said.
“I have an idea.”
“She hurt your wife.”
“And she went against the very essence of her nature. She has harmed herself more than any sword, arrow, or infection ever could.”
“Yes, well, her conscience isn’t my concern.”
Farius leaned over the sideboard. “Do you have room for another traveler?”
“Why don’t you just fly along?” Frasie asked.
“It’s easier to ride,” he replied.
“We have room,” Niv said.
Aiden hopped down and joined Fraise in the back of the wagon. “Why don’t you and Niv drive for a while?”
“Good idea,” Frasie said.
She climbed in the driver’s seat with Farius and took the reins. With a gentle flick, their journey resumed.
“I am sure you have many questions for me.”
“I do,” she replied. “But I need to talk to you about Maeva.”
“I know she has been captured.”
“How?”
“We have a deep connection. When we are together, we have little use for words as our telepathic bond is strong.”
“She is many leagues from here.”
“Even still I can sense her presence. There is always an exchange of energy between us.”
“And now?”
Farius sighed. “Our connection is strained. I believe Vorea is dampening it with magic.”
“The last thing she told me was to proceed to Lahara,” she said. “That’s why we’re headed north.”
“Cadrin, our friend, is the mayor. Hopefully he can aid our cause.”
As he spoke, she carefully examined his features for similarities in their appearance. Her eyes and hair clearly came from her mother, but she had her father’s nose and height. She was always taller than the girls her age throughout her childhood.
“Are you an owl, or a human?”
“I am not human.”
“I meant druid. So, is the owl your real self?”
“Yes,” he replied. “And so is this form. I am always my real self.”
“That’s not quite what I mean,” she said.
“I know, but that is your answer. You will understand when your animal form chooses you.”
She swallowed hard. “As you said, I have so many questions.”
“I know, my child.” Farius fumbled through his pocket and produced a small purple stone. “This is a charolite stone. It stores and transmits memories.”
She reached for it. “What do I do?”
Farius slipped it back into his pocket. “Nothing, for now. I will give it to you this evening.”
She extended her hand further. “I’m eager to know more about my past.”
Farius nodded. “Yes, and I am eager to not run off the road. A charolite experience is all-consuming.”
“I’m sure the stone will enlighten me, but will you humor the human in me and answer some of my questions?”
“Of course,” he replied.
“Where were you?” Her question was both inquisitive and laced with a touch of animosity.
“I had some urgent business in the grove.”
“No, no, I mean… where were you when I was a child? A teenager? I understand Vorea would have been aware of Mae’s movements, but you can fly. You’re an owl!”
“I checked on you from time to time.”
“I don’t recall an owl like you in the woods.”
“Discretion was important,” Farius replied. “I did not want to arouse suspicion. There were several times
you caught me, though.”
She shook her head. “I don’t remember.”
Farius looked at the ground. “For your protection, I erased those memories.”
The idea of someone tampering with her memory disturbed her. She bit her lip while processing this intrusive information.
“We regretted our actions,” Farius said. “We knew there would be significant repercussions and that you may never forgive us. We decided it best you have that choice rather than die at Vorea’s hand.”
“I may still,” she replied.
“Indeed. And this way, you have grown up in peace in the Jeweled Woods with wonderful adoptive parents. Vorea cannot take that away from you.”
She returned her attention to the team. “I told Shareis I would free her when we reach the next town.”
“I do not think she will live that long.”
“Frasie wants me to heal Shareis,” she said. “But the thought of helping her disgusts me.”
“Are you not helping her now?”
“No. How?”
“You could leave her on the side of the road to die.”
“No, I wouldn’t do that.”
“Her infection will spread and kill her soon either way. She is needlessly consuming your resources.”
She turned to Farius. “She is human.”
“No, she is not. She is a Proctor. They are technically not human.”
“She’s entitled to basic care and…” She sighed. “I see what you are doing.”
“We all, from time to time, need reminding that we are part of nature,” Farius said.
“If you had seen what she had done to your wife…”
“She is a pawn in a much larger game,” Farius replied. “Save your anger for Vorea.”
“How can you so easily forgive her?”
“I do not trust her, and I will not forget. But I refuse to let her actions lord over me. By the very nature of her magic, she will pay for what she has done.”
She pondered Farius’s words. She could see the wisdom in not holding a grudge, but his detached position towards Shareis seemed unusual.
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