With finality and the sealing of fate, she cried aloud the name of the sword and the name of its master and drove the blade hilt-deep into the earth. The light went out, leaving only darkness.
Chapter 27
A Healer's Gift
THE darkness brightened as moonlight fell through the curtains. She found herself back in her bedroom in Castle Elune, dressed in her nightshirt and swaying at the foot of her bed. She turned around, but the sacred mound and forest were gone. There was just the wall as before.
Had that really been her? She felt very small and insignificant, with none of the cosmic awareness she had felt only moments ago. She had no idea where the knowledge of swords and eternal life had come from either. Whatever it meant she felt bewildered and overwhelmed, as she always did whenever she visited the sacred mound.
Each visit seemed to carry a great responsibility that she was not ready or willing to accept. It felt like there was a deeper ancient part of herself, who existed beyond the incarnate realm, but it was hard to put into everyday words. Maybe it’s my spirit.
She wondered whether to talk to Freydel. Maybe he could make some sense of it. The priestesses of the Temple must surely know all about matters of the spirit, they could help her. She stumbled towards her bed. She was desperately tired, though she wanted to think on everything. Sleep would not let her think, and she was soon asleep.
Issa slept late, and the noise of people woke her up with a start. Midsummer Celebrations. She leapt out of bed. It would not look good if she was late.
Whilst she was sleeping someone had lain a new piece of clothing on top of her riding clothes.
She held up the beautiful midnight-blue dress. The material was soft, gently tapered and flowing. It was dotted with silver beads that twinkled like stars in a night sky. The fit was near perfect too. Her dislike of dresses began to dissipate under the sparkles. She had never been able to afford fancy clothes on Little Kammy, and had had little need for them there anyway.
She quickly washed, put on her new dress, and ate a hasty breakfast before looking for Ely. She found her threading red roses around a garden table, and dressed in a silk emerald dress.
‘I love to use flowers in this way, it feels so creative,’ Ely said, looking up as Issa approached. ‘You look beautiful,’ Ely grinned. Issa smiled, colouring a little, and gave a twirl in her dress, almost losing her balance.
‘Maybe you shouldn’t do that,’ Ely said in mock horror, and they laughed.
‘You made the dress?’
‘No. Tagartha our seamstress adjusted it. She’s quite an artist,’ Ely smiled, ‘but the truth be known, it was one of my dresses that I had rarely worn because it’s too long and slender for me - and you are tall and slim. I have so many you see, most given as gifts.’
‘It’s lovely, thank you,’ Issa smiled. ‘You did all of this?’ she indicated to the flower-filled grounds and marquees already brimming with exotic food and wine.
‘Hah. Yes, and no. The maids and I, and a little help from Freydel,’ she said with a wink. Issa laughed. ‘Magic can be so helpful, it’s such a shame I never had the gift,’ Ely sighed.
‘I should think it makes one lazy,’ Issa mused with a grin.
‘Isn’t that the truth,’ Ely nodded.
They chatted about the flowers Ely was arranging, and the food and wine that had come from all over Maioria. Issa found herself enjoying Lady Eleny’s calm and friendly company. She felt there was much to be learned from this generous woman. Perhaps a friendship could be formed, and she was in sore need of those. Issa wondered, and not for the first time, if Ely had tried to find another husband. Before she could stop herself she asked.
‘Do you have family somewhere? It’s a large house to have so few people in it.’ She instantly regretted it, seeing a flicker of sadness pass across Ely’s face. She felt bad for listening to Maeve’s gossip.
‘My husband, Dargan, died many years ago,’ Ely gave a sad smile. ‘Like so many of the Feylint Halanoi soldiers, he’d been fighting the Maphraxies in the north, and was on his way home for a break from the war. The boat was wrecked.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Issa said, and stared at the ground.
‘Don’t be,’ said Ely. ‘I have no other family left. We were late to marry. It was hard at the time, because I was a priestess in training, travelling between temples in Frayon. These days it’s forbidden for a priestess to seek a lifelong partner and children, which is what we both wanted.
‘The Temple rules have digressed from their original teaching of love and unity, and are more about control and obedience. My views were always at odds with the Temple, though I kept them mostly to myself, and served the goddess to the best of my abilities.’
‘You are a priestess?’ Issa blurted. Her feelings were right, she could learn a lot from this woman.
‘I was,’ Ely replied. ‘It is normal for the Lady of Celene to be a priestess. But I am one no longer. I chose Dargan and left the Temple, my duties, my training. It wasn’t easy. The priestesses of the Temple have never really forgiven me, not even after all this time. I’m sure they placed Cirosa here on Celene to keep a close watch on me in case I try to influence others with my views. But it doesn’t bother me. I keep to myself, running Castle Elune. Works well for me,’ she shrugged and smiled with pursed lips.
‘Priestesses and priests will be here today for the ceremonies of thanksgiving to the Mother Goddess. We are at least civil to each other now, since Dargan died. Through his death it somehow pardoned me in their eyes,’ she looked up at Issa, lines of age visible on her face.
‘It was Keteth wasn’t it,’ Issa said. Ely looked away.
‘Yes. That beast sunk his ship, and took him along with many others. My one love, cruelly taken from me.’
‘The same ship as Duskar?’ Issa asked, frowning.
Ely nodded with a heavy sigh. ‘It was a strange twist of fate that they ended up on the same boat from the mainland… They say we must not grieve for the dead forever, we must get on with living,’ but the tone of her voice suggested she did not believe it.
‘Who knows how many lives he has taken. One day that beast will meet his match,’ Issa growled, angry for Ely’s loss and at her own persecution by the White Beast. Ely’s smile wavered on seeing the seriousness upon her face. Issa squeezed Ely’s arm. ‘I just know how it feels to lose those you love and to be alone.
‘There’s something special about this place though. It seems to heal the soul,’ she said on a lighter note.
Ely smiled. ‘Celene is a special place. Closer to the goddess in many ways. We cannot live in the past, but must be strong in our own truth as we live fully in the present.’
‘Well said,’ Issa agreed. ‘Are you a prophet? You should speak to Freydel,’ she added, laughing.
Ely jabbed her in the ribs playfully, then linked arms with her and led her into the morning sunlight.
‘Ahhh, let the sunlight banish those cold dark places of the soul where sadness lingers. Freydel and I have spoken a lot about the dark times ahead. Though I don’t understand all that he speaks about. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you to lose your home and family, but want you to know that you will always have a home on Celene, wherever your journey takes you.’
‘That means a lot to me,’ Issa smiled, blinking back tears.
‘Actually, I have a gift for you,’ Ely said, her blue eyes wide and smiling. She laughed and pulled Issa along behind her as she ran into the house.
‘Hang on, wait. What about the guests? I can hear them arriving,’ Issa squeaked.
The first of the guests were indeed arriving in the front courtyard, the sound of horses’ hooves and wheeled carriages clattered loudly upon the cobbles. The servants were in a whirl of final frantic preparations as they hurried to receive them.
‘Oh, they can wait,’ Ely laughed like a girl.
Along the black and green marbled floor of the hallway they sped. Up the spiral staircases, and past many
doorways and rooms that made sure Issa was truly lost by the time they entered Ely’s extremely large bedroom. Ely led her to an oak dressing table, and picked up a small wooden box. Issa felt subtle energy emanating from it, like the warm glow of an oil lamp, and wondered what was inside.
‘This was my mother’s. She, like me, was a priestess, but unlike me, she had a gift just like yours. She was a healer, and I was to follow in her footsteps, but I did not have the gift, it must have missed me somehow,’ Ely gave a wry smile.
‘Nevertheless, she gave it to me and not another with the gift. She said something like, “Though my beloved daughter does not have the healer’s gift, there are many other things she has been gifted with, and she will pass this on to the one who needs it… you shall know this person when you see them.” ’
Issa watched as Ely opened the box. Inside was a beautiful silver band, exquisitely made out of the leaves of many different trees. She instantly recognised oak and willow, but could not quite see the others.
‘It symbolises the tree of life, the tree of healing,’ Ely explained, ‘and it helps the wearer heal.’
For a moment Issa saw an older woman form around and within Ely. She had similar handsome features and fair hair. The woman smiled at her knowingly, and disappeared, leaving Ely the younger looking at her. Issa blinked.
‘The maker of the bracelet,’ Issa said.
‘You saw her?’ Ely asked.
‘I saw a woman, like you, but older. Was it your mother who made it?’
‘Yes. She said the new owner would see the old one, once and no more,’ tears glistened in Ely’s eyes, and she looked away. ‘Here, take it with my blessing, it’s yours truly anyway.’
‘It’s beautiful, but how could I possibly accept such a gift? I have nothing to give in return, and you have given me so much already.’ Issa was bewildered. How could she take Ely’s beloved mother’s bracelet?
‘These tears are not for the bracelet, but for my mother,’ Ely said as if seeing Issa’s discomfort. ‘Listen. I don’t think you fully fathom the peril we face. The war is coming to our shores like it did to your home, and we all will be forced to fight or die. I have dreams… they are prophetic, but only in terms of my fate. I’m not a coward, but I pray to the Night Goddess that she meets me swiftly, for I’ll not become one of them. This bracelet was meant for a healer, and I only pass on what my mother wished. If it were not meant for you, then you would not have seen her.’
Issa’s breath caught in her throat and her head spun. She reached for the bed and sat down.
‘Issa, what is it?’ Ely jumped to her side.
‘Nothing it’s… it’s just all too much. So much has changed so fast, I can barely breathe,’ she gasped. ‘I was just a girl, a farm girl if you will. I’ve never known anything beyond Little Kammy. You all think I’m something special, but I tell you I’m not.’
‘I’m sorry, forgive me,’ Ely’s voice was hoarse. ‘I’m afraid, for I have nightmares of what must come to pass. They darken my days as they darken my nights. I felt like you do now when Dargan and my mother died. We have time, so let Freydel teach you his art, it will be rewarding,’ Ely soothed and sat down on the bed next to her.
‘What I do know is the bracelet will help heal you faster. I fell off Izy a year ago, and landed badly. I broke my arm, but I had my mother’s bracelet on. In less than a week it had healed.’
‘I wish I could understand what it is you all expect of me. I wish I knew what I have to do to help,’ Issa said, feeling the emptiness opening as she spoke. ‘I’m not some great warrior or wizard who can save the world. I have no religion, no power, and no gift besides helping sick animals. I couldn’t even save my mother.
‘I have these experiences in which I go to another place. I’m me at first, but then I become someone else, something much more than me. Urgh, I don’t know. It’s hard to explain,’ she rubbed her eyes, wishing she hadn’t tried.
‘There’s much we don’t understand, but I know there is something special in you,’ Ely said. ‘I see it, Freydel sees it, and even my mother – who has never met you - saw it all those years ago. I’m glad you can talk to me. We must talk more of these experiences, but I fear the guests have waited too long for their poor hostess.’
‘Here, put it on.’ She slipped the bracelet onto Issa’s wrist. She looked down at the shining silver leaves.
‘See, it fits perfectly,’ Ely said, smiling once more. ‘Come, let’s go and greet the guests,’ she whirled away dragging Issa again behind her. Issa followed, feeling a little of the happiness she had felt that morning return.
Chapter 28
Karalanths
A sharp pain at his throat awoke Asaph with a start. He froze in fear, and stared down the haft of an arrow aimed at his neck, into the hostile eyes of a very odd-looking man. Asaph’s eyes darted left and right searching for Coronos.
‘Do whatever they say.’ Coronos’ strained voice came from behind him, and was swiftly followed by a grunt of pain.
The man before Asaph was unlike any man he had seen before. He had long brown hair hanging loosely down his back and over his shoulders. The top half of his heavily muscled torso was bare, but his belly and beyond was covered in soft brown down. That was not the oddest thing about him, for atop his head protruded deer-like antlers spreading high above him, and his body from the navel down was that of a stag.
Karalanth. He thought of the deer-people Coronos had once mentioned. The voices of men and women came from nearby, telling him they were outnumbered, at least in his human form, and he could by no means risk Coronos’ safety.
‘If you mean to kill me, then do it now,’ Asaph growled, catching a glimpse of his sword beneath his cape an arm’s length away. The karalanth followed his eyes and gave a kick from his cleft hoof, sending the sword clattering away. Another karalanth, a woman with a lighter pelt dressed in only a leather jerkin, picked it up.
‘We don’t allow trespassers on our land, and certainly not armed ones,’ snarled the karalanth, digging the arrow dangerously close to Asaph’s throat.
‘And since when did the lands along the Arin Flow belong to the karalanths?’ Coronos’ voice behind him was mocking.
‘Silence, old man.’ An unseen voice commanded. Another gasp of pain came from Coronos and then a thud as if he’d been pushed to the ground.
Anger boiled within Asaph, the distraction was all he needed. Quick as lightning he flinched back knocking the arrow at his throat upward, causing the karalanth to release it into the sky. In the same motion, he reached for the knife hanging at the karalanth’s waist and yanked it free, falling backwards to escape slashing hooves.
He got no further for the festering bloody wound made by Keteth shot pain up his side and he screamed in agony. Hooves from another karalanth hit him square in the back and he tumbled forward, winded.
Rage, made ferocious by his pain, consumed him. He closed his eyes, powerless to stop the dragon within awakening and taking over. In less than a heartbeat, he knew he was massive. Huge muscles as thick and strong as iron formed under his skin, a heavy tail snaked out behind him, and the rage became fire in his belly.
He opened his eyes and looked down upon the small pitiful karalanths. He could see them clearly now. Five deer folk, two females and three males, all trembling in dragon fear as they fell back from him. All were armed with bows, arrows and hunting knives. Ancient dragon magic surged in his veins and his belly rumbled with fire as he took a great breath in.
He opened his mouth wide to release it upon his enemies, but instead searing agony exploded in his side once more, and his wounds split open releasing toxic bloody puss. His head reeled and with a smoke-filled sigh he collapsed onto his side, poisoned blood oozing from his wounds. The fire in his belly did not ignite, and instead smoke billowed from his nostrils as he struggled in vain to cling to consciousness.
With dragon fear in their hearts the karalanths had stayed their arrows, but now they barked orders to eac
h other. Asaph’s human form returned and with it came blessed painless unconsciousness.
Coronos’ head spun. He struggled to his knees, and winced from the pain in the back of his head. Lights danced before his eyes, but beyond the lights, he clearly saw the biggest dragon he had ever seen covered in shining golden scales.
A Draxian and once a Dragon Rider had made him mostly immune to dragon fear, but still his hands trembled. He tried to stand, but his hands and feet were tied, and the world spun sickeningly. Instead, he knelt hunched over and watched in horror as Asaph’s wounds, made large by his change in form, split open and oozed poisoned blood. The golden dragon sighed a huge bout of smoke and crumpled to the floor.
‘Asaph!’ he screamed.
The five karalanths sidled around the dragon that heaved in pain before them, arrows still at the ready, but lowered. The dragon shimmered and became a man once more; weak, unconscious and badly wounded.
They talked hurriedly amongst themselves in their strange barking accent, and then tore strips of cloth from Asaph’s, clothing which they used to stem the blood. With surprising care after their aggression, they washed the bloody puss from Asaph’s side with water from their canisters. They tied the make-do bandages around him as best they could, and carefully lifted him onto the broad back of the largest karalanth, the one who had held the arrow to Asaph’s throat. They secured him there with rope from their belts.
‘Please don’t harm him,’ Coronos gasped, feeling wretched and pathetic, too weak to fight and cursing his age. Silently they lifted Coronos up too, and tied him onto the back of another karalanth, ignoring his protests. The one that carried Asaph turned to look at him. Coronos assumed he must be the leader.
Night Goddess (The Goddess Prophecies Book 1) Page 28
