The journey through the streets of Yoria was mostly uneventful. Lia led the way through the busy thoroughfares, which was made markedly easier by how many people moved out of our way to whisper excitedly about seeing the King’s Shield. Valandra’s shining accoutrements made her a hard person to miss, and the level of reverence the people of Yoria held for her was interesting to see as we made our way out of the city.
By the time we exited the city walls, the horizon had begun to change to a pinkish-orange hue. As we walked down the main dirt road towards Tolamar, Lia’s pace gradually increased. The comfortable walk we had started with quickly morphed into long determined strides, and when the Corell residence finally came into view, she broke out into a headlong sprint. I could hear her laughing under her breath as she ran off ahead of us.
“Her parents’ house?” Valandra inquired, having now matched my walking speed.
The smooth, even voice instantly put a damper on my otherwise cheerful mood. “Yes,” I replied, still watching Lia run across the front yard. “Her parents, who haven’t seen their daughter in over a month. Who would most likely enjoy spending time with her without royal supervision.” We reached the walkway to the house as Lia burst inside and quickly vanished around the corner.
“I will not impose myself upon them,” Valandra said as she stopped at the edge of the yard, “but we have things that need to be discussed before we leave for Attetsia.” We stood together quietly for a moment as shouts of excitement rang out from the Corell household. “I will return here in the morning to meet with you.”
“Midday,” I countered sharply. “If you’ve somehow forgotten, Lia and I spent over a week as prisoners of your king. I am not going to cut short our first night of sleep in a real bed so we can discuss...logistics.”
Valandra observed me with a sidelong glance. “Midday, then.” She turned and started down the road, but stopped and turned to face me again. “I am not your enemy, Lux. It is my hope that, in time, you will come to understand this.”
I growled reflexively as my hands balled into fists. “Just because you don’t understand doesn’t make you innocent. You ARE my enemy. All of you.” The look of loathing on my face would’ve sent lesser men scrambling, but Valandra was unmoved. “Just go.”
“What do I not understand?”
“I said GO!” I closed the distance between us with a quick lunge and stared her down, our faces just inches apart.
Her eyes were calm as she met my gaze. “If I have done something to offend you, I ap—”
“What you have done,” I hissed, “is push me down the path of no return.” I jabbed a finger into her chest, and adrenaline alone saved me from flinching in pain against the scales. “All I wanted to do was live a normal life, just this one time. I was so close, too.” Any restraint I had before was washed away by the rage boiling in my gut. “But no, that was too much to ask, right? Now you’re here, and every day is a day closer to getting sent away again!”
My brain caught up with my mouth a moment too late. I clamped my jaw shut as I continued to stare angrily at Valandra. Too far. Way too far. My stomach churned as I tried to push the feelings down and gain control of myself.
She blinked at me as she processed the information. “Who is sending you away?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered. With a shaky sigh, I turned and walked back to the pathway. As I headed towards the house, I called back over my shoulder. “Midday. No sooner.” Valandra watched me for a moment before giving a small nod. She turned and started back towards the city, leaving her questions unanswered.
Before I reached the door, I paused and clapped my face lightly between my hands. Calm. Down. With a final shake of my head and a deep sigh, I entered the house and rounded the corner to the dining room. Lia was seated back to me at the dining table, filling a bowl from a steaming stewpot before her. Marten and Hana sat at the table as well, red-faced and beaming.
Marten spotted me first. “Lux!” he bellowed, shaking loose a torrent of breadcrumbs from his bushy mustache as he stood to greet me. “I was beginning to think Lia left you in a ditch halfway to Lybesa and came home!” He wheezed a gravely laugh.
Lia swatted out at him behind her back blindly. “You were not!” Her annoyance was trumped by her appetite, and she quickly refocused her efforts on the meal before her.
“You won’t be rid of me that easily, I’m afraid,” I chuckled. “The ditch wasn’t nearly deep enough.” Another blind swipe flew out from behind Lia, this time aimed in my direction.
“Of course, of course,” Marten smiled. He clapped a hand up onto my shoulder. “It’s good to see you, Lux. Come and have some dinner with us; Hana always makes more food than we can eat.”
Hana nodded in agreement as we took our seats at opposite sides of the table. “I’m still not used to cooking for just the two of us,” she lamented. As she spoke, her eyes remained locked on Lia, who was upending her soup bowl to finish the last dregs of broth from her first helping. “I’m so happy to see you home.” She looked at me with a smile. “Both of you, of course.”
Home? I took a bite of bread and grinned in an attempt to hide my awkwardness. Where is home now? It wasn’t a thought I had spent the time to consider since my arrival in Yoria. As I helped myself to a bowl of stew, I was grateful to find Hana’s focus had shifted away from me and back to Lia.
Our meal carried on well into the evening. Lia and Marten went back and forth trading stories of what had transpired while we were gone, while Hana and I listened contentedly. I was thankful that Lia avoided any mention of our arrest in Atsal and the subsequent events with the king; she focused instead on places we had seen and things she had learned in her training. By the time she and her mother began to clear the table, the sun had completely set outside.
“Marten,” I called out across the table, “do you need any help putting away the wagon? It seems we’ve kept you away from your work a while longer than intended.”
There was a mischievous twinkle in Marten’s eye as he responded. “So it would seem. I’d certainly appreciate the help.” He stood from the table, planted a quick kiss on his wife and daughter’s foreheads, and followed behind me as we headed out into the yard. The cool night air felt refreshing through the thin dress clothes I wore, and the moon provided more than enough light for me to make my way across the yard.
We made our way to the barn in silence. When we approached, I confirmed my suspicion that the lock was already on the door with the wagon and horse nowhere to be seen. Marten started the conversation before we reached the structure. “So. How has my daughter been since you left?”
“Things have been going well,” I replied as I removed the satchel from my back. “She trains hard every day, even when she’s tired and sore. I’ve never met someone more determined than her.”
Marten leaned against the barn door with a smirk. “I think of it more as bullheadedness,” he chuckled. “Don’t know where she gets it.”
I laughed. “Truly a mystery.” Placing the satchel on a stack of crates beside me, I withdrew the box from inside, keeping my body between it and Marten. “I can’t speak for Lia, but I’d like to think the trip was enjoyable for her. It was for me, certainly. I believe I’ve kept my promise to the best of my abilities.” While I spoke, I removed one of the five coin purses and the imperial writ from the box and slid them into my pocket. “Although, there is that business about a dowry we should discuss…”
“Oh, nonsense,” Marten huffed. “That silver was a gift. The whole dowry bit was just a joke.” Though I was facing away from him, I could hear a raised eyebrow in his tone. “Mostly.”
“Even so,” I countered, “I’d like to pay you back.” I crossed to where he stood and presented him with the ornate box. “Think of it as...insurance.”
“Insurance?” He popped the lid open and observed the contents. “I’m not sure I follow you.” Carefully, he withdrew one of the pouches from inside and set the box down on the ground. With
a last suspicious glance up at me he pulled open the purse, and froze at the sight of golden coins winking up at him in the moonlight.
“The others are the same; one hundred Imperials in each,” I said softly. Slouching back against the door beside him, I let out a heavy sigh. The jovial slant to my voice was missing when I continued. “There’s trouble brewing down in Attetsia, Marten. It might just be the pessimist in me, but I think it won’t be long until that trouble makes its way up here to Yoria.” I paused to let the information sink in. “You and Hana should leave before that happens.”
We stood together in the darkness for quite some time before Marten responded in a thin, wavering voice. “I’ve heard stories lately about Attetsia. Just tall tales; the usual stories the traders tell.” I gave a small nod in acknowledgement. After another reprieve, he tapped the wooden box with his foot. “I take it you’ve resolved your issues with the guards?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” I grimaced as I saw the sneering face of King Virram in my mind. “Once I do some work for them, I’ll be a free man.”
“You’ll be headed to Attetsia soon, then.”
“Three days from now.” I braced myself for the question I knew would come next.
“And Lia?” Marten’s voice sounded airy and far away. It was a strange juxtaposition to his usual fatherly bravado.
“She has no obligations. They don’t even know her name; I made sure of it.” I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “But she’s still coming with me. Unless you think you can talk her out of it.”
“We both know how that would end.”
I forced a small laugh. “We do.” Looking down at him, I saw a completely different man than the one I had left the house with. This one was small, uncertain and nervous; nothing like the Marten Corell I had come to know. “I know we weren’t gone for long, but...Lia is stronger now. She can take care of herself, should things get dangerous.”
“I believe you. I could see it at dinner,” Marten said, nodding. “Something is changed about her, for sure.” He rubbed his hands together in front of him absentmindedly. “I’m going to be honest with you, Lux. I haven’t decided yet if I should shake your hand or punch your teeth in.”
The statement brought an honest laugh out of me. “I know which one I deserve, although it isn’t the one I’d prefer.”
Marten laughed in return. “Aye.” With a quick clap, he pushed off from the barn door and picked up the wooden box. “We can postpone that decision for now. I’m sure Lia is wondering where you’ve run off to; best not to keep her waiting.”
“Aye,” I echoed, falling in behind him as he headed towards the house.
“Leaving Yoria,” he muttered under his breath. His usual confident demeanor had returned to him, but he spoke quietly as we passed by the house windows. “Where would we go? We’ve lived in Tolamar our whole lives.”
“I hear Lybesa is lovely this time of year,” I said with a wry grin.
Marten laughed and shook his head. “Has anybody ever told you that you’re too clever for your own good?”
“Oh, maybe once or twice,” I replied sarcastically. We were both chuckling as we reentered the house. I heard Lia’s voice from the living room and followed Marten around the corner to find her and her mother sitting together, knitting. He discreetly slipped into the master bedroom and returned a moment later without the small box of Imperials.
“What are we working on tonight, ladies?” he asked casually, walking behind their seats to place a calloused hand on each of their shoulders.
Lia held her needles out before her to display her work with pride. A small square of dark blue fabric hung only a half-dozen rows long. “I’m making a scarf!”
Hana smiled gently, keeping her eyes on her hands as her needles clacked back and forth at a measured, practiced pace. “I thought it was about time I finished the new quilt for Lia’s room. I’ve certainly put it off for long enough, but now that she’s home, I’d like her to get a chance to use it.”
Marten beamed over the pair, watching them work quietly. “It’s nice to have you home, Marlia. We missed you.” Hana nodded in agreement.
Lia huffed as her cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t gone that long!” She set her project down in the yarn basket by her feet. Hana laughed as she relinquished her needles as well and carefully folded the flowing gray quilt on the seat beside her. They both stood, Hana moving to Marten’s side and Lia crossing the room to mine. The casual nature of the pairing up made my stomach twinge awkwardly, but the moment passed without comment from Marten.
“Will you be staying with us long?” Hana asked.
“We’re in town for three days,” I replied. “If it’s not too much trouble, I was hoping I could stay with you while we’re here.”
“It’s no trouble at all. You’re always welcome here, Lux.”
The statement sent a blossom of warmth spreading through my chest. This is what home feels like. I realized I was standing unresponsive with a small grin on my face and stammered a response. “Thank you. I, uh, I appreciate that. A lot. Both of you.”
Marten laughed. “Are you tired, Lux? You don’t sound yourself.” He flicked his eyebrows up in a quick teasing gesture.
“Yeah, I guess I am. It’s been a long day. Right, Lia?” I looked down to find her glaring at her father through narrowed eyes.
“Yes,” she said, a suspicious slant to her voice. After another moment of staring, she turned and headed towards her bedroom. “Goodnight, Mother.” She disappeared around the corner, but her head poked back out a moment later. “Goodnight, Father.”
“Goodnight, darling!” Marten called out loudly. Lia disappeared again, and a door opened and closed a moment later. “Lux, I trust you remember where you’ll be sleeping.”
Hana patted Marten firmly on the shoulder. “It’s time for bed, dear.” She looked at me apologetically. “Goodnight, Lux.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Goodnight.” With a final nod to the pair, I turned and made my way to the bedroom. Pausing to knock gently, I entered the room to find Lia already changed into her nightgown, sitting on the edge of the bed. She stared through me with a frown and a furrowed brow. My soft chuckle only seemed to harden her expression.
I moved to the end of the bed and sat down in the wooden chair to remove my boots. When I kicked my feet up onto the edge of the bed next to her and leaned back in the chair, I realized I was unconsciously following our old routine. “So,” I called out with a grin, “do you have any questions for me?”
Lia’s face finally softened as she looked me over. “Just like old times.”
“Just like old times,” I agreed. “Now, you must have thought up some good ones at this point, right? We talked all the time on our trip to Atsal, but it wasn’t…” I waved my hand around in a vague circle. “...Whatever this is.”
For a brief moment I saw distress in her eyes, but her features quickly returned to a cheery smile. “That’s right! We were always so busy training at night that we never had a chance.” She leaned back onto her hands and swung her feet over the side of the bed. “I missed this.”
“Is there something on your mind, Lia?” I tilted my head and watched her face intently. “Remember, you don’t have to just ask about fun stories or magic tips. I’ll answer any questions you have, whether they’re pleasant or not.”
Her head fell as her legs stopped swinging. “Well…” she trailed off, “there is one thing.” A knot twisted in my gut as she spoke in a low, sad voice. “When we first got here, I was so excited that I ran off without you. I didn’t realize you weren’t with me until my parents asked where you were. So I, uhm, looked for you. With Detection. And Heightened Senses.”
My breath hitched in my chest as the confrontation with Valandra replayed in my head. “Oh,” I managed to say awkwardly. “You heard that?”
Lia nodded. “I couldn’t hear you at first, but I could tell you were angry.”
“I shouldn’t have yelled at h
er. I know none of this is her fault, and she’s just following orders, but I—”
“That’s not it,” she interrupted. “I mean, I wish you two could get along, but I understand where you’re coming from.” There was a long pause as she wrung her hands absentmindedly in her lap. “What did you mean by ‘every day is a day closer to getting sent away again?’”
“That’s…” I paused, struggling to find the right words. “There’s something I should’ve told you a while ago.” My blood felt cold under my skin, and my mind buzzed with a dull ache that made it difficult to think. “I told you once that I didn’t know how I got sent from one world to another. That isn’t a lie, but it isn’t the full truth, either.”
My eyes tracked around the room as I watched multiple memories play out at once. “I don’t know how it works, or why it’s happening to me, but I’ve figured out two things that cause it so far. The first one is pretty straightforward: When I die, I get sent to another world.”
Lia gasped. “You...you died?” Her eyes watered, threatening to send tears down her face at every move of her head.
I nodded. “In Hedaat. But instead of staying dead, I fell into that darkness again. And when it was all over, I was here.” The memory of my transition between worlds made me feel hollow and alone, even though I was barely an arm’s length away from Lia. “I haven’t had time to process that yet. Or the desire to, really. It might be best if those memories stay buried.”
As if she were approaching a wounded animal, Lia cautiously rose from the bed and padded to the side of my chair, never taking her eyes off of me. I continued to talk, my thoughts too clouded to notice. “I don’t remember what happened when I was sent away from my original world. It was so long ago, I only have memories of memories from that life. But Alderea…”
I was vaguely aware of the warm, soft brush of Lia’s hands holding mine. She had knelt down beside me and taken my hand, and she looked up into my eyes with tears streaming down her face. My own eyes stared vacantly through her, looking backwards to a different time. “I saved Alderea. I went on the King’s mission. I stopped the war, killed the enemy, and saved everybody.” My gaze swung over to my upturned hands, and I saw fresh blood running down between my fingers. “Almost everybody.”
Restart Again: Volume 2 Page 7
