* * * * *
Gort lay there, groaning and completely still with Lanyan even more lifeless next to him—both dead asleep. Carsis and Merial had wandered away, choosing to walk the meal off rather than sleep. Jeralyle, Samsun, and Elryia all sat content around the dying fire. El with her back against a log, flames reflecting in her blue eyes; Jeralyle watched her silently for a while, and then spoke. “Elryia, do you mind if I ask you something?” She glanced up and nodded. “In Kaldus, when we were stopped by Kalinies, Graham said you were the only one who should end it… What did he mean by that?”
Elryia exhaled, and turned her eyes down. “Do you remember that Grahamas said he gave me to a family to be raised?” Once Jeralyle nodded she continued. “Although I knew that I wasn’t their child, I loved them like they were my own parents. I had never known anything else and they were very good to me.” Elryia paused, a mix of joy and sadness rushing through her mind. “I knew Graham since I was little. I had always thought that he was a friend of the family, as he would come by every two weeks or so, when I was young he would bring me toys and interesting trinkets from far off places. As I got older, he brought me books about magick, dragons, elves, and all sorts of wonderful things. He would spend time with me, teaching me spells and then continually having me practice them. I was completely fascinated with it, and as I grew older I became fascinated with him.” Elryia’s mouth pursed as she remembered that she was talking to two men and not Merial; clearing her throat, she continued, “When I was about seventeen, Grahamas asked me if I wanted to travel the world with him. Of course, I accepted. After reading all of those books, I was eager to see the things that I’d only heard about.” El smiled again, “I knew I was going to miss my parents though, so Graham promised me that we would visit them often.”
Jeralyle pushed forward, “So you’ve known him all this time?”
Elryia nodded, the smile still dominating her face. “Aye. We saw many things in those years and he taught me even more. We made it a point, no matter how far away we were, to return to see my parents once, sometimes twice, a year.” Her once smiling face turned dark and incredibly sad, “When I was twenty-four, and I’ll never forget the day, we were returning that summer…walking up the road to my home when I saw black smoke rising over the hill. I ran as fast as I could and when I made it to the top Grahamas pulled me back and forced me to hide. I wanted to charge in when I saw the home I grew up in burn to the ground, but he wouldn’t release his grip on me. It was only when I saw someone coming out did I understand why he wouldn’t let me go.” El’s usually gentle demeanor turned sharp, then her mouth erupted in a snarl.
“Who was it?” Jeralyle asked.
Elryia let the look remain only for a time before it faded away, and she spoke softly, “It was Kalinies.”
Jeralyle, partly wishing that he had not asked, bowed his head and whispered, “I’m sorry El.”
Elryia shook her head, “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know.” She murmured slightly, and lost herself in a blank stare, but eventually regained her composure. “After we believed him gone, we returned” she choked “to give them a proper burial, but there was nothing left but ash. Whatever spell he used was meant to incinerate anything and everything.”
“Why? Did he know about you? About Graham?”
Elryia dismissed the thought. “Doubtful. If he did, then he surely would have remained, or used my parents to set a trap. No, Kalinies was there for a different reason that I, to this day, can’t explain. All I know is that it was cold, heartless and completely unnecessary. It all is. And I spent a good many years with a strong hatred in my heart. If I didn’t have Grahamas, I don’t think I would have made it through. But he was with me every day, and was incredibly patient with my frustrations, and desire for vengeance. I wanted to take it that day, and I know now it would have got me killed. But back then I didn’t care. I only knew the pain, and saw what I believed as a way to make it end. But as a man who’s seen his fair share of loss, he helped me see passed that, and began training me so that I could have my justice, and live to talk about it.”
Sam glanced up, still only listening—now knowing that was why Graham wouldn’t let him kill Kalinies in Kaldus.
Jeralyle, still wearing a guilty expression, placed his hand on her shoulder. “I understand now why you held such hatred for him. I’m sorry you lost them.”
“Thank you. It did get easier, but when I saw him again after all this time…I suppose I just lost control.”
Jeralyle’s expression brightened slightly. “The important thing is you got it back before it overwhelmed you. And I’m thankful you did.” That prompted a smile from her, followed by fading eyes, and again that wistful, longing gaze.
The young Mage decided then that any other questions could wait. He stood up and put a gentle hand on her shoulder and the sadness began to fade from her face—returning to the soft, compassionate one that he was used to—and she smiled up at him. “You well?” he asked, prompting El to nod her head. “Good, I will see you in the morning?” and again, Elryia flicked her head. But still he paused, making sure that she was content before he turned to Sam, “Night Sam.”
Samsun raised, seemingly pulled away from his own thoughts, “Night Jer,” he replied and the Mage moved to the edge of the forest for the night. Sam stood as well, “I will watch tonight,” he informed El as he approached his horse.
Elryia quirked, “Do you ever sleep?” It was meant as a joke and she winked to imply such, but Sam didn’t waiver.
“Rarely. It doesn’t affect me,” he said with a serious tone in his voice—his face even more so. “Sleep well Elryia,” he bowed before mounting his steed and galloping off.
Elryia pursed her lips again and smirked, “You’ve spent way too much time with Graham,” she muttered to herself and turned her gaze to the night, now with him on her mind—wondering if he was safe.
In A Time Of Darkness Page 26
