by Lexy Wolfe
"No, you are quite correct, child." Almek looked at the Desanti woman curiously. "But how could you even guess at such a thing? I know no other place that has a similar practice."
"That is because you had never gone deeper into Desantiva's territory," Skyfire explained. He shook his head in amusement at Storm, who was more interested in eating and waved a hand at him to continue. "Lord Almek, it is something practiced within Desantiva, with those who choose to follow one of the sacred paths, particularly the Path of the Sword. First Home is not the only permanent settlement in our lands."
Almek blinked in surprise, glancing at Jaison who merely shrugged mutely. "Truly? What is this other settlement?"
"What it is bears no importance," Skyfire stated, waving a dismissive hand. "But it is located in a part of the mountains the Paths of Sword and Spirit call their own known as the Southern Razors. The Razors are considered the holiest part of our lands. Swordanzen who survive to make a choice to become Tyluri often feel more kinship with other Swordanzen than their tribes, so gather there to train Swordanzen." He looked away from the eyes that were fixed on him. "Those who do not earn their Swordanzen Name are often too shamed to return to their tribes. They and their descendents remain in that settlement."
Storm reached out to put a consoling hand on Skyfire's arm, her voice oddly gentle. "It is similar to how there are some who choose to remain tribeless at First Home, to serve our Elders. It serves as a tribe of tribes. The shared bayuli-volsha is enough to give a sense of community. A true tribe must have a heart, which is its chieftain. Neither settlement has a chieftain."
Skyfire looked down at his plate and said in a low voice, "I was given the choice to remain among them despite my initial failure. I chose not to."
"I am glad you did not, th'yala," Storm murmured quietly. Ash quietly concurred with his lifemate's words, without a trace of the jealousy he once had for the Desanti man in his demeanor.
Almek watched the three with a mildly surprised expression. "I see." Clearing his throat, he looked back at the rest. "My being in the shadow of Fortress has eased my decline, but it has neither stopped nor reversed it. For that to happen, I must return to the Timeless One's embrace."
"So why have you not returned yet?" Ash demanded, echoing Storm's feelings with his words. He fell silent when Almek held up a silencing hand.
"Once I return to Her, I will have to remain in seclusion until She decides to release me again, and even then, She will not likely allow me to leave Fortress for some time." He looked at them all, his expression apologetic and serious. "I could not leave you. The uncertainty of not knowing both of you survived… not knowing you would be guided well in my absence." To their perplexed looks, he explained. "I will not be able to personally attend to your training as I had wished. I thought there was time to return, but you saved me from my hubris. However, I wish you to continue your training regardless of my presence. I will stay with you until you are settled in properly so my mind may be at peace."
The reactions were mixed of puzzlement and concern. Mureln finally asked, "Who will train us? Can we trust them?"
Almek glanced at Jaison, who had clenched his jaw, expression stony. "There are many you can trust in Sanctuary. Such as Unsvet Jaison here. He was one of my students." He looked at Jaison and said, "He will ensure that you are taken care of." The Dusvet merely smiled at the look Jaison gave him. "There is one more test for all of you to pass before you can settle into your Guardian training. It is to ensure your minds can handle the trials of being full Guardians. You will be sent nightmares for several nights until She has deemed you acceptable."
"Oh, feckin' goodie," Emil said sourly. "I kenna wait." The wiry gypsy scowled as he looked over at Storm and Ash. "But they only jus' recovered from--"
The Dusvet waved a hand, dismissing the concern. "I have been assured by the goddess Herself they will not begin until Storm and Ash are more fully recovered from their ordeal. She is not so heartless. And I am not leaving until I know you have been accepted by our mistress." As the group traded uncertain looks, the Dusvet stated, "Until we know, feel free to explore Sharindel and enjoy yourselves."
Chapter 13
"Are you sure neither of you wants to join us exploring Sharindel?" Mureln asked as he put his arm around Taylin's waist. He looked up at the cloudless sky as a flock of songbirds fluttered overhead. "It is a beautiful day for it."
"It would serve me little purpose right now," Storm stated evenly. "With my senses blunted as they are, I could not enjoy the sounds and scents very much. Besides, I have not tended to the drizar for too long." The Desanti smiled a little as the desert beast nudged her roughly, calming only when she put her arms around his head, her cheek on his brow. "Until he is content and has eaten finally, I cannot. Unless you think it would be better he decides to stop waiting on me and hunts for me through the town?"
Emil held up hands in surrender. "Dear gods, no!" He made a shooing gesture. "Ye go on right ahead an' we'll bring ye back a souvenir or something." At Storm and Skyfire's blank looks, he said, "Souvenir. It be a token ye keep t' remind ye of where ye been." Both Desanti looked to their Forentan companions in open bewilderment.
"They're to help jog failing memories about adventures past," Terrence said so deadpan, it took the others a moment to realize he was teasing.
The gypsy made a sound in disgust. "It ain't about being old and forgetful! Ye heartless mage." Terrence merely smiled serenely and bowed with great flourish, eliciting more chuckles from the others and grumbling by Emil.
"Come on," Ophilia stated with bridled patience. "I haven't been able to get away from lessons for weeks and the best things will be gone from the shops before we even get there!" Agreeably, the rest of Almek's students turned to follow Jaison's Adept. "Sharindel is the most amazing city I have ever seen! Everything is connected through tunnels! The ones that aren't seen above ground had been built beneath the streets. Without them, people could be stranded because winters here are incredibly harsh." She led them through the labyrinthine streets and enclosed walkways with ease.
"You certainly know your way around." Mureln glanced over his shoulder. "I'm not sure I could find my way back easily."
Ophilia laughed, blushing at the compliment. "Jaison claims my ability to navigate Sharindel is because I'm from Forenta."
Giggling, Lyra said as she looked up at Skyfire, "It isn't that difficult. There aren't nearly as many levels as Market Circle to remember." The tall Desanti man just rolled his eyes, drawing out more laughter from the slender Forentan woman.
"Do ye get any outside traders here, lass?" Emil wondered curiously. "I knows most of th' gypsy clans, an' I do no' remember hearin' about any who regularly come out this way."
"Oh, yes. We have a gypsy clan that come all the way here to Sharindel." Ophilia smiled and waved cheerfully to a woman sitting outside as she sewed. "But not until late spring and only through early fall. Most nomadic traders do not care to remain over the winter. The weather makes it too dangerous to travel any other time of year." She shrugged. "Sharindel is pretty self-sufficient out of necessity because of its isolation."
Taylin chuckled softly at the gypsies' bewildered expressions, lacing her fingers with Mureln's. "It is a very unusual place. I was from one of the largest Sevmanen cities and it does not compare to Sharindel with the variety of people and crafts that can be found here." She glanced upwards briefly. "There isn't any real central market. It's more like... many smaller regional markets with a few private shops tucked in here and there."
"So, it's like touring the Sundered Lands without getting blisters from riding too much." Mureln made a show of examining Taylin backside, winking at her when she playfully swatted his shoulder. "Sharindel sounds a lot like Corast, not having a central market area as you said. But being so isolated, how does it not stagnate?"
Ophilia considered the question. "Well, I know those who become journeymen and some masters will go to practice their crafts in their ancestral home
lands to exchange techniques." She paused as a wagon went past, loaded down with firewood. "Sometimes, craftsmen come here for the same purpose."
Emil squinted at all the signs with elegant script identifying each shop. "All of these signs only has words, no pictures! So how do ye know who does what or where they be at?" he asked grumpily. "An' don't they have no fun places?"
"You mean a pleasure house?" Ophilia asked blandly. Emil scowled at the others when they laughed at his red face. "There are a few places near the public ground where the seasonal traders will set up shop for games and other entertainments during the warm seasons." She looked him up and down frankly. "There might be a few girls of your kind there."
Emil stopped short. "What do ye mean, 'my kind??" he demanded, bristling with perceived insult. "Ye ha' somethin' against gypsies?"
Ophilia shook her head. "Oh, not gypsies. I mean, there are some of gypsy descents here, but I'm not talking about race at all. I meant the pleasure houses may have some women who are not too picky about their partners." Her smile grew as the others laughed more at Emil's expression. Even Terrence could not repress a chuckle. "I will confess, it is fun watching Guardians come down and play each other at the games of chance." She advised, "Never gamble when there's only one Guardian at the table. They can sneak a trick under your nose and you'd never even guess it."
Mureln and Terrence traded knowing looks. "I do not think Emil would need to worry about that much." The young mage thumped Emil's shoulder consolingly. "Though I think today would be better served just getting acquainted with the lay of the city before diving in to partake of its many offerings. Perhaps another day, eh, Emil?"
"Oh, aye, lad! I want t'see if there be any games I ha' not seen b'fore. Mebbe add t'my collection." Emil rubbed his hands eagerly in anticipation. Emaris just looked at his brother and rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
Ophilia arched an eyebrow at Terrence. "You go out gambling with them?"
Terrence shrugged dismissively. "Why not? It is a challenge to see if I can anticipate correctly without influencing the outcome. It is a very good practice in self-control." He smiled faintly at her. "You should try it sometime. It is surprisingly enjoyable."
"You can influence dice? And you're implying those two know when someone is influencing things subtly. I cannot do that yet!" Ophilia looked affronted, crossing her arms. "It just doesn't seem right that those who are not even officially Adepts have such level of ability. I've been here for over two years and I'm still working on some of the basics!"
Mureln regarded the young Forentan Adept. "Perhaps you learn best where you have a natural gift. Certainly, the mages will have the advantage with wielding the energies of time. Taylin instinctively works through time with some of her healing. The Desanti..." He looked over towards the small group of curious children surrounding Skyfire, the Swordanzen answering as many of their questions as he could. Lyra's cheeks were bright pink from laughter at some of the very blunt, forthright questions. "The Desanti and Vodani are both sensitive to the world around them. Emil and Emaris have a knack for sensing energy shifts around them." Smiling faintly, he added, "Especially when there is money involved."
Ophilia considered the bard's words for a time, drumming her fingers on her arm. After several moments, she said slowly to Emil, "I have never gambled before. I think I would like to learn some of these games of yours. Would you be willing to teach me?"
Emil smiled hugely and put his arm around Ophilia congenially. "Lass, I thought ye would never ask! I bet yer as much a natural as our boy Terrence here was. 'Specially if yer mother be that headwoman of Avarian's. Good gods, never could sneak anything by that one." He made a face. "Still need t'win back m' gold from 'er."
"Wait." Ophilia stared. "My mother gambles?!"
Taylin covered her mouth as she giggled, Mureln shrugging helplessly as Ophilia looked at him. "As my people say it, she's a shark." He smiled sympathetically. "We were rather surprised, too. She said a good servant learns a great many skills."
The young woman just shook her head, still astounded. "Still. My mother. I never would have guessed it." She looked up as bells rang the hour. "Oh! I know a place that has the best south coast style food! If Jaison hadn't found me, I probably would have made a home there if I'd reached it." Ophilia added, "You'll want to enjoy yourselves now while you can."
The men frowned at the foreboding tone. "While we can?" Mureln asked, looking at Taylin.
The healer looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. With everything going on... and it was not a pleasant memory so..." She sighed. "The nightmares Dusvet Almek spoke of are... I can only describe them as realistic. You feel as though you had never slept at all when you awaken. Everyone who enters Her territory for the first time are eventually afflicted with the nightmares, even if they did not come here with the intention to become Guardians. Some few who leave are tested again on their return, but not all. Unfortunately, they cannot be avoided. Those who have tried to flee the Timeless One's territory still suffer the nightmares."
"An' Almek dinna tell us 'bout this before we came here why?" Emil demanded, arms crossed.
Taylin smiled wanly. "The Dusvet is a wonderful man, but he does prefer not to dwell on the... less pleasant aspects of things. When you have five hundred years of memories..."
Emil sighed, throwing his hands in the air in surrender. "All right, all right. I do has t' give 'im that point, though I not be appreciatin' anyone makin' decisions on what I has t' put up with." He looked between Taylin and Ophilia. "Since we has no choice now, tell us. Be it worth th' trouble?"
Both women nodded without hesitation. Ophilia assured, "It's a miserable time, but worth it if you are found acceptable."
"If, huh?" Emil and Emaris traded looks and said, "After dinner, I think we need t' find one of them pleasure houses."
Chapter 14
After supper, most of the others disbursed to explore Sharindel. Giving Taylin a kiss on the cheek as she went with Almek for more teaching, the Vodani bard wandered through the place the group found themselves in. He looked in the open door of Storm and Ash's room and smiled at the idyllic scene of the soundly sleeping warrior and the mage writing in his journal. The bard carefully knocked to get Ash's attention. "Not willing to let her out of your sight, hm?"
Ash looked up with a smile for the Vodani man. "She sleeps better when she is not alone."
Mureln held up a bottle of wine. "Found a very rare Southern Sevmanan vintage. Thought you might like to try it." He flicked a look towards the sleeping woman, uncertainty in his eyes.
Ash waved him in. Finishing his writing, he gently blew on the ink to dry before closing the book and securing the strap that kept it from opening. "She just fell asleep," he assured. "Her sleep is deep with her need to heal and recover, and trust that she is safe enough to do so." He accepted the glass, savoring the aroma before taking a speculative sip. "Interesting flavor."
"It is, indeed," Mureln stated, sitting in the other chair. "The southern kingdoms in Sevmana are almost a land of their own. Of all the Sundered Lands, it is very nearly its own territory. The vibration there is barely that of the rest of its parent territory."
"Hmm." Ash frowned thoughtfully. "I hope that is not foretelling of another sundering. I am not sure we are ready for that."
"Certainly not like the last one," Mureln agreed grimly. He looked over towards Storm. "How has she been? I know it has only been a couple of days, but except for the rare meal and tending to the drizar, she doesn't come out much. I am worried."
Silent as he considered his lifemate, Ash finally said, "She won't admit to it, even to herself, but she is depressed. Her sense of touch is back to normal. Her hearing is back to normal, if not better than normal, but..." Closing his eyes, he shook his head with a heavy sigh. "There has been no change to her vision at all. Taylin has tried to determine the cause, and has found nothing to explain it. Just... that she is utterly without sight."
"Permanently blind?" Mureln shook his hea
d, expression sympathetic. "If I did not know better, I would never guess she was blind watching her train with Skyfire. But I suppose she is used to only temporary blindness and only during combat." Ash held his empty glass to him, the bard obliging him by refilling it, then topping off his own glass.
"Storm said blind training is done to compensate when an opponent attempts a trick like throwing dirt in the face to blind them. But I suspect that physical flaws such as blindness impinge on one's survival." Ash looked at Mureln with a grim expression. "Desanti are strict that an individual survives based on their own abilities and merits. Being a burden to the tribe causes deep shame and embarrassment."
Mureln tilted his head, frowning. "I have never known Desanti to outright kill anyone because of physical flaws or impairments."
"Not outright, no. But those who cannot or will not take care of themselves and provide nothing to compensate are often shunned, either explicitly or implicitly, because they cost the tribes in resources and manpower to take care of. As Skyfire said, when a Desanti feels they are a burden to the tribe, they often leave to seek out a good death." Ash exhaled gustily, closing his eyes. "No matter that none of us fault her, she considers herself a burden to us... to me... because she cannot even walk the hall without assistance. That is why I cannot leave her side. I fear what she may do to herself feeling as she does."
Blinking, Mureln asked in surprise, "She considers herself a burden? By the tides, that is ridiculous! Without her, we never would have gotten Almek here in time. Almek especially owes her everything."
Smiling sadly, Ash shook his head. "Storm will never accept special treatment for past actions. She lives in the moment. The key to getting here was how she could see the world, Mureln. She protects us through her skill with weapons. And I depended on her vision to get us here.
"She sees that moment as past. Worse, Skyfire sees things the same way Storm does. He does not shun her, but he mourns for her, as if it is only a matter of time before..." Propping his forehead on his palm, Ash made an unhappy sound, shoulders sagging slightly. "She is slowly withdrawing into herself again. I feel it physically, as I had when she nearly died while Taylin pulled Almek back from the brink. Like cold claws closing around my heart."
