by D E Boske
He took the water from Kyler and bathed her gently, washing the smell of the dragon’s lair from her skin. He washed her hair then dried her off. He used his magic to evaporate the rest of the water from her body, then went to her wardrobe to find something for her to wear.
When he opened the door, he saw the dress she’d worn what seemed so long ago. The dress that barely covered her body… He found soft pants and a tunic to match, then went through her drawers to find her under things. Many of them caught his eye, but he was looking for comfort, not sex appeal.
He dressed her, then pulled up the blanket to her chest. She would be out for a while he knew. A fortnight at least. He wanted to be here when she woke.
Of a sudden, everything went black around the edges like he was clawing his way through a very long, dark tunnel. He was fast fading, his body growing light. He forced out words he wasn’t sure would make sense. Then blackness. He did not remember hitting the ground.
“Darian? Are you okay?” Kyler asked the Mage. He looked exhausted. He didn’t know how the Mage had accomplished what he did today. It had been a serious drain on him and if it tired Darian to that extent, Kyler could only imagine what it would do to a normal Mage.
Then he began falling, collapsing from the exertion. He cried out as he fell. He knew what was happening. He said, “Stay… Tynuviel. Don’t… leave.”
Before Kyler could even react, the demon was there, catching the Mage before he hit the floor. The elf nodded his thanks and spread Darian’s bedroll on the floor next to the bed. It was the best he could do on short notice. Besides, he knew Darian wouldn’t care as long as he was close to Ty.
Tynuviel floated in a warm, cottony haze. For the first time in she didn’t know how long, she was warm.
And she felt clean and safe. The smell of that horrid place was gone, replaced with smells of home.
Had Kyler come? She remembered Darian standing above her, leering at her and pulling up his pants. That’s where she got more than confused. She saw another Darian dash into the chamber. Anger and sorrow on his face. He called to her, told her it would be alright. But her mind in its present state could not handle what her eyes were telling her.
She’d been held prisoner by the dragon. She’d been tortured and raped by the man she once loved. Then to see him here with her brother… Then that meant it hadn’t been him to do all those terrible things to her. Her mind shut down, not willing to work through the evidence that was right in front of her.
She doubted herself. She didn’t believe anything that her eyes told her anymore. She dismissed it as another vision the wyrm forced her to watch. He enjoyed teasing her. Darian was not the man she thought he was. He lied to her all along. Morphindinaetlus told her so.
Darian could not marry her. The dragon told her as much, so why did he then ask for her hand? So, she was to be his bedmate, but not his wife? Why hadn’t he been honest with her? He had a problem with honesty. He rarely told the truth. She could not live like that, never knowing if he was lying or not.
She felt soft, comfortable. She was so used to feeling cold and pain, but she did not feel anything digging into her sides. What was happening? She knew she should wake to find out, but she just couldn’t. Not right now. She was too sleepy. Besides, if she forced herself awake she would be right back in the lair. So why bother? She liked it here.
There was a knock on the door and Kyler knew it was the Monarch. He opened it to find his parents and Asa.
“How is she?” asked Tiriel, eyes swollen from tears.
“I think she’ll be okay. C’mon in and see for yourselves. Darian worked on her for more than three hours.”
“Shenna, Bless him!” Tiriel cried, as she made her way slowly over to the bed. She sat by her daughter’s side and wept, holding her hand. She touched her forehead, her cheeks; there was no temperature.
“Son, I’m glad you returned safely. Many did not, so I hear,” said Galavad.
“I’m sorry father. We did the best we could, but they had a force of goblins and orcs waiting for us.”
“What?” asked the Monarch.
“Didn’t Asa tell you?”
“No. He thought it best to wait until we were together.”
“Well, I think Morphindinaetlus thought they’d kill us all off. But Darian…”
“Why don’t we wait until he recovers so we can all talk about it?” asked Sigorna.
“What are you still doing here?” asked Galavad acidly.
“It is my job to protect Darian. That is what I’m still doing here,” he retorted, none too nicely.
“Alright, that’s enough,” warned Kyler, in a tone that brooked no argument. “Father, I cannot believe I’m about to say this, but if not for the Falahari, it would have gone badly for Kiri A’ Nouell. The demon fought viciously to protect Tynuviel. The pile of dead surrounding him was waist high. We couldn’t have done it without him. And I for one, am glad he was there,” Kyler finished, looking his father in the eye.
“I knew you were warming up to me, elf prince,” Sigorna joked and Kyler smiled.
“Don’t push it,” Kyler replied lightly.
Galavad watched the way his son and the demon interacted. He would have to trust his son’s judgment.
“It’s true father,” Asa chimed in, coming to stand beside the demon and his younger brother. “I never thought I’d say this, but I am glad he was there. It was an honor to fight by his side for a good cause.”
“Such extraordinary remarks, sons of Kiri A’ Nouell. My thanks. It uh… was… you know… Anyway,” Sigorna finished, obviously uncomfortable.
“The prisoner that you brought back, who or what is it?” asked the Monarch.
“Not me, Darian. I suspect he is responsible for much. Darian believes he is the one who killed Destiny. He also thinks he’s the main one who… who… Tynuviel,” Kyler choked out. He could not bring himself to tell his parents what she’d gone through. He wished he didn’t even know.
“Well, he is suspended above the forest in the cage under twenty four hour guard. How were Kelindril and his boys?” asked Galavad, in a tone that said he already suspected.
“They were a big help, but I don’t know about them, father. They seem heartless to me. I forced Kelindril to promise his loyalty and cooperation to Kiri A’ Nouell, though I know those are the farthest things from his mind.”
“How did you manage that?” asked Galavad, amused.
“I told him that Darian would leave them behind if he didn’t do as I said.”
“Kyler, that was ingenious. After traveling as far as they did, I gather they did not wish to spend another minute on the road. It was also dangerous to be sure, but very clever.”
The demon cleared his throat and they all looked at him in surprise. “I think you should leave now and let them rest.” Galavad scowled, but Tiriel guided him to the door.
“Thank you for helping to bring my daughter home,” she said, looking the demon in the eye. Without waiting for a response, they left, closing the door softly behind them.
Kyler remained with the demon, refusing to leave the Mage and his sister.
“You should rest and get something to eat,” the demon tried.
“I’m not hungry. What about you?” asked Kyler.
In answer, the Falahari belched loudly. Rubbing his stomach he said, “No, I’m not hungry either. I’m rather full.”
Kyler decided he did not want to know what exactly, the demon was full of. The only thing that made any sense, were the goblins and orcs that he killed. That just made the elf prince nauseous. He shuddered involuntarily.
“How long do you think he’ll be out?” asked Kyler, trying to take his mind off the grisly images. He had the feeling the demon might even have a better understanding of Darian than he himself did. The thought kind of pissed him off.
“He’s exhausted Kyler. The amount of energy it takes to heal is far more than regular casting. The healing magic comes from within the Mage as much
as the person being healed,” Sigorna explained, confirming the elf’s fears.
“What about the Orb of Healing?”
“That is only a vessel for a Mage. Darian does not really need it, though it does lend him more power. The Orb of Healing helps a Mage to gather more power and hold it as the power builds. When someone is near death, it certainly makes a difference. If Darian were to attempt to heal without the Orb when they are close to death, it would drain his energy to a dangerous low point. He could ultimately die by saving someone.”
“You sure have a lot of knowledge about the Mages,” Kyler observed.
“That tends to happen when they learn your name and call on you for centuries. I have learned much about them because they are a selfish lot. The Mages do not want anyone to be better than they.
“When Darian came along, rising in the ranks the way he did, pissed them off. They hated him because they could feel his power. Darian is far more intelligent than any other Mage I’ve met. He should rightfully be the head of his order, maybe even Shangmarrum, but he despises being chained to a desk. All that is about to change
now, isn’t it?” asked Sigorna, knowingly.
“You tell me. You seem to know him better than me,” the elf prince was hurt that a demon from Oblivion knew his friend better than he did himself.
“Hey, don’t be upset with him. You must understand the life he lived before.”
“Kinda’ hard when he won’t confide in me,” said Kyler.
“Give him time and I’m sure he will. You must understand, a Mage of The Order does not have friends. He is not used to having someone who cares for him simply because they love him.
“In Piri-Tuma, he had women aplenty who loved him because they wanted to. Let’s be honest okay? Most of them really did love him, though they dare not voice it aloud. He was good to them, treated them like queens. He never hit them, never spoke a harsh word unless they went somewhere they were not permitted to go.
“But The Order? They cared about him because they had to. He was their prized possession. Any one of them, if given the chance, would have killed him outright if they thought they could get away with it. Friends turn against friends there. A Mage will kill another just to get a peek at their spellbook.
“He has never let his guard down because he cannot afford to do so. One little slip and they would slice him open to see how he works. He is not used to people honestly caring for him and about him. He is not used to having true friends who want nothing more than friendship from him. He does not trust easily if ever he will. But you Kyler, you are special to him. I’ve never seen him open up to anyone like he does to you. Just give him time. This friendship thing is new to him.”
“What about you? Do you honestly care for him or is it just because your life force is linked with his?”
“To be honest Kyler, in the beginning I hated him. Not because he ever did anything bad to me. He never has. Just being bound to him… My pride was deflated, my freedom gone. I could not wait for this to be over and return home.”
“And now?” prodded Kyler.
“And now, I really think you must rest. Darian will need you in the coming days. He depends on you. He will need you to be strong for him when he cannot.”
Kyler went to the sofa in his sister’s room and laid down, slipping quickly into Ru Nay’ Sha. No sooner had the darkness washed over the elf, when an unlikely visitor showed up.
22
The demon watched as a bald eagle landed on the window ledge. It was about ten pounds and he knew it was more than two years old as its head was white. The bird sat there watching him as he watched it.
How curious. He thought. What is it doing here? He did not think it coincidence for some reason. The bird seemed to be deciding what to do next as it surveyed the room.
The eagle flew into the room to where Kyler lay, landing easily on the back of the sofa, watching over him as he rested. After a while, it flew away as quietly as it had come. Sigorna was baffled as to the visitation. He believed the bird knew exactly where it had been, he just wanted to know why.
The elf prince did not wake until morning of the next day. He rose refreshed and excited to see if Tynuviel was awake yet. He was sad to see she had not moved. She still lay in the same position. He noticed Darian had not yet risen either. This struck him as odd, he thought he’d be up and about by now.
Sigorna was standing where he had been the night before. It was like a statue had been placed in the room.
“My thanks, I feel much better now.”
“Good, because you’ve had a visitor come here a couple of times already.”
“Nephraete?” asked Kyler, hopefully.
“Nay,” said the demon, not elaborating.
Kyler did not have long to wait to find out for himself. The bald eagle returned once more. Upon seeing the elf prince awake, it screeched a greeting before flying straight to the elf. Kyler was surprised and delighted as he ran to get the leather glove over his hand and arm. He just got it in place when the eagle landed on him, fixing him with a concerned look.
“Keshowan, how are you? Haven’t seen you in a while,” Kyler said affectionately.
As if the bird understood him, it nodded its head up and down. Sigorna watched the elf talk to the animal and the way it responded. He found it amazing. How did Kyler know what it said? How did the bird for that matter, understand the elf?
Without warning, the eagle hopped from the elf’s arm to the floor by the Mage. He looked the figure over then looked quizzically to Kyler. The elf laughed.
“That’s Darian, he’s my friend Keshowan. You be nice to him. No pranks, please.”
There was a knock on the door and the elf let the demon answer it. It was Nephraete; Kyler could smell her from where he stood. He turned and she smiled at him. She went to hug him as the eagle flew back to his arm.
She jumped in surprise because she hadn’t seen the bird. She noticed the glove on Kyler’s arm and how the bird went right to him. He never ceased to amaze her.
“Keshowan, this is Nephraete,” he introduced them. Keshowan nodded her head up and down again.
“Keshowan, you are beautiful!” Nephraete squealed in delight. “Kyler, I don’t remember seeing her before. Where did she come from?”
“I found her several years ago. She was badly injured. The Shak Ta’ Ru healed her and we released her. I guess she likes it here because she built her nest and has remained close ever since.” At the elf’s words, she nodded, bobbing her head.
“That’s wonderful!” She grew serious, “How are Darian and Tynuviel?” she asked concerned.
“They are fine, but still have not risen yet. He was exhausted yesterday. I don’t know how he managed to do what he did. Tynuviel, the things she went through… He worked on her for three hours.”
“That bad?” she asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I want to visit her for a few minutes.”
The seer went to her friend’s bedside, holding her hand and talking to Tynuviel in her soft, soothing manner. She talked as if his sister were awake, but he was happy she did. He knew Tynuviel could hear her. She was just escaping from the horrors inflicted upon her. She would wake when she was ready, he suspected.
Darian was another matter. He would wake before his sister, Kyler was sure. The Mage was merely tired, his body worn out from the exertion of using his magic, combined with healing.
Kyler saw the way Sigorna watched over Darian and everything going on in the room. He feigned disinterest, but the elf prince could tell he was intent in his purpose. What was that about? The Falahari was an Oblivion demon who hated the living, right?
Lately, Kyler was less and less sure of the demon’s motives. If he could not understand what he was thinking, how could he trust him? No matter, he’d helped to save his sister and this was something the elf prince would never forget.
“Kyler, if you like, I’ll stay with him so you can be with Nephraete,” Sigorna offered.
&nbs
p; “No, I will not leave him,” Kyler replied adamantly. He did not want to leave them alone with the demon, regardless of what Darian said about the bond. That could be the one thing the demon waited for. If he were to be left alone with Darian, who knows what he would try.
“You still do not trust me, do you?” asked Sigorna, as if reading his mind.
“Hell no. How could I? Darian is my best friend and I trust no one concerning his well-being.”
“As you wish,” said the demon tightly.
Darian awoke late that night, feeling well rested, his spells replenished. He immediately checked on Tynuviel. She was deep in Ru Nay’ Sha, looking for all of Corillia like nothing had happened. She seemed to be at peace.
He went to her, holding her hand in his, stroking her face lovingly as he talked to her softly. He kissed her forehead then her lips.
“I love you, Shan Ta’ Zi. Come back to me, please. I miss you. Ac Quil’ Oh nu loa Shan Ta’ Zi,” he whispered to her softly, as he kissed her again.
“Darian? You’re up! How are you feeling?” asked Kyler, as he went to the Mage.
“I’m fine, Kyler, and you?” he asked.
“I’m alright. My leg feels great, like nothing ever happened. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. How long have I been out?” he asked the elf.
“A day and a half,” Kyler responded, glad that it was he who was asked and not the demon.
“I’m starving,” the Mage said.
“Give me a minute,” replied the elf as he went to the door speaking quietly with Tryndil.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, announcing the food had arrived. The tray held bread, cheese and fruit. The Mage devoured it hungrily, finishing the meal with Nykessa.
Once he was done, he looked to Sigorna. “Thank you for everything you did for me. If you like, you may go and rest, I will be fine.”
The demon nodded, the grey smoke swirling around him as he disappeared.
“He watched over you the whole time you were resting, Darian. He refused to leave although he tried to get me to, but I wouldn’t. Sorry to say, but I just don’t trust him. Anyway, how long do you think until she wakes?”
