“My dad told me later that he ‘just knew’ it was because of the magic, that he must have seen her through a window making ice or something. He always told her not to use it, but she was stubborn. The mayor classified it as a random crime, and my father went along with it. He was fearful the villagers would find out about our family power, and wanted to protect me.”
“The ignorance of people when it comes to magic is unbelievable. The war changed the very psyche of the citizens. I’m sorry you had to witness your mother’s murder.” Kaia’s voice was stern, yet still had an air of caring.
“It’s in the past. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever told anyone what happened. My father and I never speak of it. It felt…good. In a weird way.” He smiled thankfully.
“I want you to promise me you’ll learn to be proud of your power. Don’t let the past hold you back, or let the fears of the masses prevent you from doing great things.”
Ryris chuckled as he shook his head. “The masses are what caused this problem in the first place.”
“Then take it upon yourself to change their views. Nothing will ever be different if there’s no one to spearhead a movement. Be the one to make a difference.”
The alchemist blew out a long breath and let her words echo in his mind.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The stones seemingly draw power from the ether itself. Never losing charge, never weakening. We believe it possible to harness this power for the purposes Your Majesty proposes.
--Notes from chief engineer of Farnfoss, year unknown.
Kaia sat across from Ryris, inspecting her bow. Her scrutiny was precise as she made sure it was still in working order after centuries of disuse. She snapped the crystal string a few times, testing the tension. Ryris had become quite accustomed to Kaia’s company, even after only a short amount of time. He wondered how long they’d actually be together, or if they would eventually part ways at some point. The alchemist found himself hoping she would stick around.
“So, if you don’t mind me asking—what were you doing in that little secret room of yours before you came out and attacked me?”
Kaia’s face flushed with embarrassment. Her posture stiffened, and she turned her attention back to her weapon, her voice quiet. “Vomiting, mostly.”
Definitely not the answer Ryris was expecting, he decided not to press the subject any further.
“I guess the side-effect of the stasis was nausea.”
“Can I ask why you tackled me? Both times?”
The warrior set her bow down across her lap. “The first time I was disoriented and had no idea if you were friend or foe. Fight or flight kicked in, and I knew I needed to get to my safe room. And…I was on the verge of being sick.”
“And the second time?”
“Again, I had no idea what your intentions were. You have to remember, I lived in a dangerous time. Yes, we won the war, but the reason I was interred in the first place was in case my skills were needed again. I had no way of telling when I woke up whether you roused me because you needed me, or if you were trying to hurt me. I’m a soldier, plain and simple—a soldier who can use magic.”
Ryris absentmindedly rubbed the dwindling knot on the back of his head. “Fair enough. I forgive you.” He winked.
“I didn’t ask for your forgiveness. I was well within my right to subdue you.”
The alchemist didn’t know if she was joking or not. It hit him that he still wasn’t that familiar with her, and was unsure of whether or not his humor would be appreciated.
“I, uhhhh…” He felt heat return to his face, and nervously tapped his fingers on his thighs. “…I was just joking. I’m sorry if I pissed you off.”
“No harm done. I was just being honest.”
Somehow, Ryris knew right then and there that things would be alright between them. He didn’t know why, but he felt a very tight camaraderie with her—and they had known each other less than a day. He had told her two of his deepest secrets, something he would have never done even a week prior. Trusting her enough to let her into his life—to his emotions. No one other than his father and Grildi had ever seen him shed a tear, and yet, there he was not ten minutes before, showing raw emotion over his mother’s death. She had truly cast a spell over him. And, she was stunning. Ryris caught himself staring at her from time to time, mesmerized by her beauty. His heart fluttered nervously whenever she smiled at him. He didn’t want to admit that he was quickly becoming drawn in by her—and that his heart was being stolen. He wondered what his father would think.
His father.
The business.
What was he going to do now? He had to get back to the shop and resume his work. Would he take her with? Would she even come? His mouth suddenly felt dry as sand, his stomach boiling with nervous butterflies. Kaia, obviously taking note of the change in his demeanor, leaned forward, concern crossing her face.
“What’s wrong?”
Ryris wrung his hands together. “I need to get back to Keld. My father will begin to worry that I haven’t contacted him lately. The shop needs to open again, or…”
“You can’t go back.”
“What? Why not?”
“Don’t you understand? Nothing else matters anymore. Not your shop, not Keld—nothing. I know you don’t like to hear about destiny, but everything changed for you—and for me—the moment you woke me up.” Kaia pointed to his chest, her finger boring a line straight through the amulet. “Isn’t that enough to convince you? You’ve seen the book, I’ve told you the story of the war, and we’ve spoken of that talisman and your family history. It isn’t just some bauble. You know what it does, and now you know who has worn it in the past. Did you think your parents just tried to scare you with it?”
He shook his head.
“Has it ever reacted to anything?”
“When I use my magic, it gets warm, and it burned me a few days ago when I killed the saberstrike.” He moved the amulet out of the way, and Kaia moved forward to inspect the scar underneath. Her fingertips were soft against his skin, and once again, nervous heat cascaded over his body.
“Anything else?”
“No, not that I can think of…” He sat for a moment, wracking his brain. “Although…a few months back… never mind, it was nothing.”
“What happened? Nothing is trifle now.”
“The prince, well he’s the emperor now, came to visit the shop after I first opened. He introduced himself, asked a few questions, and then I shook his hand. And…it was like a wave hit him. He got really pale and almost fainted. It took him a few minutes to regain enough composure to even speak, and he left in a hurry. He assured me in a letter the next day that his illness had nothing to do with me or my business and that was it. Weird thing is…” Ryris touched the talisman with a confused shake of his head. “…later on I noticed soot under my amulet. Nowhere else, just directly underneath. It never got warm, so I know it couldn’t have been a burn. I figured I just rubbed my chest with dirty fingers or something.”
“That’s troubling.” Kaia’s brows furrowed.
“Why?”
“You say he was fine until you made physical contact with him?”
“Seemed to be. I figured he was overwhelmed by the smells in the store. Most of my ingredients are pretty pungent.” He regarded Kaia cautiously. “You don’t think that’s it, do you?”
“I don’t think the mark on your chest was related to touching the fireplace. Something isn’t right.” She tapped her fingers on her thigh. “Now can you understand that my fears aren’t as unwarranted as you thought?”
“Why, because my amulet reacted strangely to the emperor?”
“What is it going to take to convince you that this isn’t a game?” It was obvious Kaia was becoming irritated with his reluctance.
“Oh, I don’t know…maybe more than just talk about destiny? This is a peaceful era, there’s no war!” Ryris immediately regretted his sassy tone. But, before he could make amend
s, Kaia crossed her arms over her chest with a huff and stared directly at him.
“There’s no war…yet.” Her words echoed in his head as he swallowed hard, suddenly very nervous. She continued before he could respond. “I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation.”
“You’re right, I don’t!” Ryris threw his hands in the air in exasperation, his raised voice echoing his sentiment. “A month ago, I was an alchemist running an extremely successful shop in Keld. Last week I was traveling to harvest aegis mold. Today, I’m being told by a mysterious warrior who has been sleeping in a cave for centuries that once again there’s an evil power in the world and my amulet’s reaction to a simple handshake is pretty much saying that I need to go and save the world.” He blew out a long breath with the end of his rambling rant. He stood and started to pace. “You’ll have to excuse me if I sound skeptical.”
“History has a funny way of repeating itself, Ryris. Especially when the lessons of the past are forgotten. My people felt the same way—and they were slaughtered by armies of zombies who ‘came out of nowhere’.”
His voice rose again, and he had to try and keep himself from screaming at her. He didn’t understand why she wouldn’t just believe him. “But that happened so long ago! That’s what I’m trying to say! Lyrax is gone. There’s no evil!”
Kaia shook her head sadly. “We don’t have much time, and I fear your inability to accept your new path will only lead to suffering—for you, for me, and for the world.”
Her words stung. He felt as if he were back in the presence of his father, Maxx belittling him for this or that, blaming him for wrongs that weren’t necessarily his fault. Although this time, it wasn’t over some inventory mishap or incorrectly-mixed potion. There was a warrior standing directly in front of him—one of the very same that his grandmother had told him about in his youth—and she was reaching out to him for help. Yes, here claims were fantastical and hard to believe, with nothing to back up her premonition other than a gut feeling. But—that gut had fought in a terrible war, against an enemy that was hard to believe even existed. Kaia had been at the center of it all, surrounded by magic and intrigue, desperation and terror. Whether he wanted to be involved or not, he was now in deep. He suddenly felt very small—and stupid.
“I’m sorry if I offended you.” Ryris sat down next to her with a defeated grunt. “This is just…a lot to take in. I’m not exactly the heroic type, you know?”
“Destiny does not choose her champions hastily, Ryris. One must allow her to take hold and not question what she asks of them.” He nodded silently as she continued. “It’s times like this when we must embrace what the stars hold for us. If we stop to question it, we lose precious time and end up making foolish decisions. Emotion can’t get in the way.”
She was right. He had been foolish—everyone had. Her words, though hard to take, bore elements of truth. He thought to the life he had led, to the lives all citizens enjoyed. There was no war, no famine, nothing that made their lives miserable. Sure, he had to contend with the magical stifling, but he had always believed it to be the product of age-old fears, and obeyed his father because it was the only thing he knew. And now, this woman—a warrior who had fought in the very war that ushered in this peaceful time in which they lived—was telling him that all was not as it seemed. He had no reason to believe her—and yet, he did. In that moment, his heart decided he trusted her—even when his mind wasn’t sure of what to make of it.
“I know it’s difficult to hear, and I’ll admit it unnerves me as well.” The flickering flames illuminated Kaia’s face. “But I truly believe that destiny has brought us together. This was not by chance.”
Ryris could almost hear Maxx’ voice in his head. “Are you crazy? Trusting this strange woman? Why’d you even wake her up?” All his life he had to endure his father’s scrutiny, live with the older man always looking over his shoulder and trying to influence how he lived his life. When he had gone to Keld, it diminished somewhat, but Ryris still felt as if he were living in his father’s shadow. The family businesses, after all, belonged to both of them. But now, sitting here in this freezing cave, he finally felt as if he were truly his own man. He alone needed to make the decision to follow Kaia.
“I can’t promise I won’t continue to question what’s happening. But you lived through something horrible, and that has to count for something. And, if I’ve learned anything from my insatiable curiosity, it’s that it gets me into trouble—and apparently makes me new friends in the process. I guess I’m trying to say that I trust you—even though we’ve only known each other a short time.” Ryris billowed out a long breath. “Hopefully I won’t regret my impulsiveness later, eh?”
Kaia’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she offered a sincere smile. “I’m honored that you trust me. I know first-hand that trust isn’t something that is given freely—it has to be earned. And I intend to earn it from you.”
“That means a lot, Kaia. Thank you.”
She smiled and got up to check the storm’s progress. As she passed the saberstrike carcass, she paused to inspect it. She turned back to Ryris and motioned to the body. “There’s a lot of good meat left. Come over here and help me.”
“You want to eat it?” Ryris wrinkled his nose in disgust.
“You may enjoy living off of jerky and dried beans, but I need some real food.” She held out her hand and shook it at him. “Bring me your dagger.”
Ryris reluctantly got up and approached the soldier—and her newest interest. She accepted the blade from him and immediately began slicing into the burned skin of the beast to get to the meat underneath. The sound of the flesh ripping made Ryris shudder, and he couldn’t help but notice the unpleasant aroma filling the surrounding area. “I think it’s rotten…”
Kaia huffed and pointed at the oinox carcass with the bloody knife. “That’s rotten. This just needs some careful carving.” She pulled a hunk of meat from the body cavity and tossed it at him. Caught off guard, Ryris fumbled the bloody projectile and dropped it to the ground, immediately swallowing back a mouthful of impending vomit. He dashed back to the fire and glared at her from afar, feverishly wiping his hands on the side of a sack.
“Are you crazy? I’m not eating that!”
Kaia blew out a long, irritated breath and picked up the hastily discarded meat. “Suit yourself. More for me.”
Ryris repositioned himself as far from the rancid meat and Kaia as possible when she returned to camp. The stench was definitely off-putting. She sliced the chunk into strips and laid them across a log in the fire. They immediately sizzled. She wiped the bloody dagger off on a cloth and handed it back to him.
“Our next step will be getting to Phia; she’ll be able to tell us more, and give us the locations of my comrades.”
“Phia?” Ryris begrudgingly accepted his weapon back, although he didn’t know if he could ever look at it the same way again. He thought about conveniently forgetting it when they left.
“An old seer. Giants can live a thousand years or more. If she’s still alive, she’s our only hope of getting some answers.”
“A giant?” Swallowing hard, Ryris tried to hide the tremble in his voice. The only ones he had ever seen were from a distance. People were taught to stay as far away from them as possible, that they were vicious killers who showed absolutely no mercy. Their settlements were hidden and cut off from civilization and anyone who wandered too close was sure to meet a grisly demise. And now Kaia was suggesting that there was not only one that was a thousand years old, but that she was kind and willing to help. “I’m not so sure we should be messing with giants.”
“Phia is harmless. She’s blind and wouldn’t hurt a skellin.” Kaia turned the saberstrike meat over with a long stick.
Ryris mulled over his options mentally before reluctantly agreeing to visit her. “Where does she live?”
“I assume it’s still called the Heaving Marsh?”
Ryris detested the Heaving Mars
h. Filled with every type of creepy, crawling inhabitant you could think of, its foul, humid atmosphere only welcomed the very brave—or foolish. Every time he had visited with his father, he ended up with leeches in extremely private places and a rash for weeks from the fetid water. “Great Goddess, that place is terrible! Why’d it have to be there?”
Kaia just stared at him. “You’re awfully whiny.”
“It’s just that…” Ryris scowled. “…it stinks in there!”
“It stinks in here! How long has it been since you had a bath?” Before he could reply, she spoke again. It seemed she had made their decision for them. “We leave as soon as the storm stops. It’ll be a long journey.” Kaia pulled the meat from the fire and set it on the log beside her. She picked it up with her fingers, careful not to burn them. After a quick sniff, she shrugged her shoulders with acceptance and took a bite.
Ryris’ stomach churned as he watched her eat the suspect meat. He couldn’t believe she would take that risk. When she held out a chunk in offering, he shook his head very sternly. He had a feeling she’d be vomiting in a matter of hours. He just hoped she’d go outside to do it.
“Do you have a wagon?” She talked while she chewed.
“I have a cart hidden down the mountain.”
“Is it large enough to stow my armor?” She spit some charred connective tissue into the fire with a grimace, then kept eating.
“Should be. But after all the vomiting you’re going to do after eating that rotten meat, are you sure it’ll still fit?” Ryris shot her a sassy glance. She just stared at him in defiance and took another slow, deliberate bite, narrowing her eyes as she chewed.
“Well, since we’re stuck in here until at least tomorrow, can I ask you something else?” Ryris was hopeful she’d be receptive to his questions. Now that they obviously felt more comfortable with each other, he was looking forward to knowing more about her personal life. Kaia nodded her approval. “Do you miss your family? I mean, because you’ve outlived them?”
The Alchemist: Dawn of Destiny Page 19
