Darayan

by Cara Violet

  Kaianan explained the volatility on Layos, but that Chituma had at least returned.

  “You seem different though, Ka.” Archibel said noticing her old friend disappear into her thoughts. Archibel assumed Kaianan had worked out ways to hide a lot of what she was thinking. “I know you were always slightly in your shell, but you seem out of it now. Did Dersji push you to the point you broke or something?”

  “No, it wasn’t that,” Kaianan said blankly. “I think with the way it is, Arch, I’ve gotten to the point of no hope, no return, you know? I felt the Defeated King when I took him on. I know it’s up to me to correct all of this; I was born with that Mark. My parents must have guessed something. There’s nothing else for me to do now but to fight him.”

  Archibel saw how deflated Kaianan was; every part of her was fighting against something. But if there was no measure to how deeply she felt this burden, then perhaps she couldn’t do it alone. Maybe that slightly insecure princess was far nearer the surface than this new queen dare let on. “And you’re the only one who can do this?”

  “Yes, Dersji told me. He was going to assist me, but since he has taken a position on the Felrin Board of Principals, well, he has other priorities, like pleasing them and Sachin.”

  “I never met his wife.”

  “She’s a stage five clinger.”

  “Haha! Not like you, only stage three?”

  “I don’t cling.”

  “No, you don’t …” Archibel said observing the way Kaianan sighed and held her head high. There was always so much strength to Kaianan, but she was always the last one to see it in herself. Archibel shrugged; water filled the young Queen’s eyes, “Ka, you must know there is still hope, there are still people who believe in you. The entire universe needs you, and you have to remember even if you don’t see Darayan or I around, we have faith in you. It’s not just your smarts, Ka, we’ve known you nearly our whole lives—who you are and what you stand for. You’ve always been unusual, always seen things in a different light. I’ve marvelled at that, I mean you would question Dersji on everything, and I was terrified of the Liege. You never once let either the Gorgon or Felrin system mould you.”

  “When I met you, Arch,” Kaianan said quietly, “I thought you were going to break my legs!”

  Archibel chortled.

  “Now you say these things about me!”

  Finding composure, Archibel breathed out her truth. “I was an angry girl, Ka … because I was scared.”

  “You never told me why you ran away from Sari?”

  Because of what was done. Because she was a coward. Archibel gave her nothing to go on, but that she’d lost family. And amongst it all, she’d lost ridding herself of the guilt of it. But after all the trauma of the past few weeks, she was refocused on her own future, on what family meant to her now, that she wanted her own, and told Kaianan she deserved just as much.

  “… if we make it off this planet alive, and get to Earth, and you kill the Defeated King,” Archibel said trying to show she knew how Kaianan felt, “then you should find what you’re looking for.”

  “If that does happen, I hope I know what I’m actually looking for.”

  “Sometimes,” Archibel said cautiously, knowing her true self was buried deep, “it’s inside us already.”

  It took Kaianan a while to reply but in the end, she did: she voiced that strength Archibel admired. She brought up their friendship, and what it really meant to the young Queen.

  Archibel pulled her into a hug and told Kaianan what she thought of her, in spite of knowing the way Darayan felt about her—she was strong and worthy and a good friend.

  “I love you Arch; you know that.”

  Archibel did know that. She knew the friends she’d made on Rivalex she would have for life. That against all odds and even after her brief, interrupted childhood on Sari, she found Darayan and Kaianan, and was loved by Daley. Maybe that was enough. After all the turmoil she could see in Kaianan’s eyes, like a reflecting mirror of her own loss, it was the bonds she had found with these like-minded friends that got her this far.

  It comforted her to know Darayan was content with staying close by. She stared at Kaianan who was rubbing her face: did she have the same reliance?

  “How’s Xandou, have you and him—you know?”

  Kaianan snorted. “Oh my gosh no, I don’t see him like that. If anything, him and I have never been further apart.”

  “Really? You guys seemed good when he was helping you to escape.”

  “Well, I’m trying to forgive him. And I mean I have; I just have to let it go.”

  “What for?”

  “He just tries too hard to look after me, you know? Not telling me about my memory being erased of Dersji Brikin.”

  Her memory was erased? “What?”

  “Nothing, don’t tell Darayan, Arch; I want them to stay friends. Xandou only tried to hide these things from me, thinking he was protecting me.”

  She nodded, processing. “We try and save the people we love from pain by absorbing it ourselves.”

  Archibel hadn’t realised how much that statement reflected on her. It stung to replay it in her mind. Her own guilt about the information she’d hidden from Darayan about who she was still haunted her. Was it doing more damage to her than she realised? Or was hiding her past better for her future?

  “So, nothing with Xandou then,” Archibel rubbed her chin, finding relief in changing the subject, “what about any other boys?”

  Much to Archibel’s surprise, Kaianan spoke about a few flames she had encountered. But the last was the most interesting. The way Kaianan’s face would light up when discussing him was telling, and how much she critiqued him on—well everything.

  “What the Holom, Kaianan?”

  “What?” she said half-blushing, half-standoffish. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You’re in love with this man.”

  “I am not.”

  “Why are you lying to yourself? Did you just call him your skinny giant?”

  “Well he’s really underfed. I feel like I need to supply him with a world of food you know.”

  “I won’t say it again, but do yourself a favour and be honest with yourself. That’s one thing I hated about you, you lied about things that you didn’t want to see. You buried yourself so far inside yourself you never came out.”

  “Don’t you tell me I painted it pretty for everyone, like life is beautiful even when it isn’t.”

  “It’s not a bad thing Ka, to see the beauty in everything, it’s just dangerous when it goes too far and you miss what’s really there.”

  She frowned.

  “Life is flawed,” Archibel said reliving her own life as she spoke, “and so are people, but one thing we all have in common is sharing our pains as well as our joys, embracing the contrast. Don’t miss the real by focusing on something that isn’t. It’s in your deep and meaningful relationships with people that happiness lies. Don’t disregard that.”

  And there it was, Archibel’s own resolution. The past, to her, was buried. Here and now, where she could find hope and love, would be her focus for the future.

  The Dartanyan sneezed. Kaianan reached for him and he shifted slightly to be closer to her.

  Archibel squeezed Kaianan around the shoulders, “Let’s get to sleep, you. Enough worrying and more resting.”

  Everett elbowed Nash; he’d awoken in the other lattice-sealed cell to the rest of the captives sizing one another up.

  “Stop staring,” he said to Nash.

  “It’s okay,” the Giliou said.

  “So, who’s your girlfriend?” Nash said abruptly; Everett rolled his eyes.

  “I am Xandou of the Giliou Shielders, and I am Guardian of Queen Kaianan of Layos,” he said distantly. “And that’s Ryar,” pointing to the boy sitting further back.

  Nash waved at the young Giliou. Then went back to pondering. “Ah,” he said stroking his chin, “and what has any of this got to so with
the price of fish?”

  The Giliou laughed. “On this planet? Not much.”

  “How come Darayan knows you and her?” Everett asked.

  “We were all raised on the same planet: Rivalex.”

  “Ah,” Everett went on, “and what are you doing here?”

  “Good question, Kinsmen Ranger. Ryar and I followed the Rivalex Conductor through her Vector when she was being sent here against her will.”

  “And is she okay now?”

  “Aye, the Conductors are frankly, happy to be here.”

  “And what are you two going to do?”

  “Well, I was working with the Harpies prior to our confinement.”

  “You were working with the beasts?”

  “They are very intelligent and fair. They had given Ryar and I pardon.”

  “Damn right they did,” Ryar interjected.

  “There’s a good-spirited lad,” Everett said upbeat.

  “But now you’re in here?” Nash smirked.

  “Well with you lot foiling my attempt to rescue Kaianan, it seems the harpies trust us foreigners none now.” Xandou said then glanced to Ryar, “Ryar was added to that list too.”

  “What I want to know,” Ryar said temper flaring slightly. “is how you two are even trained aura users?”

  “Got a mouth on him this one,” Everett pointed with his thumb.

  “Not a bad thing, that,” Nash said turning to Ryar. “You ever been to Valendean? You’d fit in.”

  “Xandou,” Ryar said ignoring the Kinsmen. “When will we be able to save Jahzara and get back to Rivalex?”

  Xandou sighed, shaking his head at the frustrated young Shielder. “We’ve been over this. I know you’re angry waiting here, Ryar, but—”

  Noise filtered above them.

  “What’s that ruckus?” Nash wolfed.

  The weather had turned into smouldering dark clouds and, Xandou realised, so had the Harpies’ mood.

  “Are screaming and shouting the only things these creatures know how to do?”

  Other cries reached them.

  “That wasn’t a harpy,” Xandou confirmed. “Quickly.” He seized Nash and flung him to his feet. “Grab the lattice.”

  “It’s a bit hard,” he said short of breath.

  “Lean against the dirt,” Xandou said encouragingly.

  “Let me try,” Everett suggested.

  Everett climbed on Xandou, then latched onto Nash and climbed up him; he thrust his shoulder into the lattice.

  An aura beam singed past his face; Everett looked down at Ryar, who was sending off aura beams that simply morphed into smoke instead of breaking the lattices.

  “It’s enchanted, you fool! Only muscle will work!”

  “Sorry,” the boy ushered out.

  One more heave and Everett had broken through the trappings; one by one, he hoisted them up and out of the hole in the ground; elbowing Ryar in the ribs on the way up.

  “There’s a good lad.”

  Together, they forced away the lattice over the hole retaining Archibel, Owen, Darayan and Kaianan.

  “Move—”

  Amid a greyish, cloudy dust storm, the Harpies were on their knees in the dirt, bowing in some sort of ritual.

  “What’s going on?” Archibel said through the wind.

  Arms over their faces, Nash tried to stay close to Everett; the weather spun hard against them.

  “Why is it spinning?” Nash said to Everett, loudly.

  Then, in the next second, everything went dormant. The grey and white sparks simmered away like evaporation on a hot day.

  A glowing man walked forward.

  “Who the Holom is that?” Nash said.

  Queen Kaianan, who was not shielding herself from anything, walked toward the illuminating person, speaking with him.

  “Arlise,” she breathed out.

  “You got Matthew to Vector you out and you didn’t think I would come after you?” the no-longer-glowing man said loudly.

  Kaianan’s retort was too quiet to hear, but they kept conversing as if they knew one another.

  Everett cocked his head. “Do you think she actually knows him?”

  Xandou stepped forward, knocking Everett and Nash out the way. A small lime and strawberry rodent unsuccessfully yanking on Kaianan.

  “Kaianan,” Xandou called out, “don’t do this, it could be a trap.”

  Her eyes slithered to his. And over that devious look, a grin formed. Who had she become? Those glimmering eyes seemed completely cold. And who was this she was speaking to? This man who was now smiling back at her? An awning of sparkling white and silver aura spread over her. Xandou’s face filled with horror as he assessed her new aura.

  “No, Kaianan,” he whispered, pleadingly.

  “Shh,” she said raising one hand to silence them as she stared at the foreigner.

  Everyone watched on as the two of them stared longingly into each other.

  “Thank you, my harpy friends,” Arlise’s voice broke Xandou’s trance. Xandou did not like the way Arlise stared at Kaianan. After a moment, his eyes left her and he rarely looked at her again, even when he spoke: “Kaianan and I would like you to welcome our friends as you welcome us.”

  Daramid and Narchisme were the first to walk forward; and she embraced Kaianan as Daramid locked arms with Arlise.

  This was a strange turn of events, and when Darayan and Archibel flanked Kaianan, Xandou felt his anger rise uncontrollably.

  “Daramid wants us in the amphitheatre immediately,” Arlise said turning to lead the way. Xandou gazed firmly at Kaianan as she followed the rogue Felrin, the small critter trailing along in her shadows.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: Hidden Meanings, Transparent Feelings

  Darayan stood at the bottom of the amphitheatre, observing Arlise stand tall beside Daramid, facing the crowd.

  “Could be the same breed,” Archibel said in his ear, then she jerked her chin. “What’s she up to?”

  Darayan noticed Archibel’s line of sight went directly toward Kaianan, moving about in the crowd.

  “She’s found Jahzara,” he said.

  “Trying to get back home already?”

  “I’m not sure the Conductors want anything to do with the Felrin and Vectors anymore.”

  Daramid went on in his Lingua Franca, Arlise interpreting as he did.

  Archibel’s eyes didn’t waver from Kaianan’s new flame. “He’s very—”

  “Demanding,” Darayan offered.

  “Charming,” Archibel smiled back at Darayan, laughter flowing from her lips. It was the first sign of humour he’d seen on her face since Whidal. With all that white paint washed away in the icy rivers, he could see that bronze skin, those huge eyes under that blazing hair of hers.

  “I am so happy you’re alive,” he said.

  She looked away from him, then whispered under her breath. “I am also happy to see you.”

  Arlise paused his speech.

  “What the Holom is Kaianan doing?” Darayan frowned, eyes on her travelling down the wide amphitheatre steps to flank Arlise. Aachi suddenly appearing by her side.

  “Getting involved?” Archibel said suggestively.

  “As all of you are aware,” Arlise continued, “Kaianan and I are inclusive in aura, as all of you are, and we are happy to merge with you and assist you should the need arise. We will be—”

  “Leaving you shortly,” Kaianan cut in.

  “Haha, no we won’t,” Arlise said not looking to her. “Kaianan is feeling quite concussed after spending a small duration of time in the lattices.”

  “No—”

  Arlise kept talking over the top of her.

  “Will she explode?” Archibel said.

  “I think she may,” Darayan replied.

  Arlise went back to his Lingua Franca translation and Kaianan stormed away, fuming.

  Her eyes scanned toward them.

  “She looking to you or Xandou?” Archibel asked.

  “Either way
,” he said nonchalantly, “I think it’s best I go after her.”

  Archibel nodded in acceptance; Owen reached them with his fellow Kinsmen Rangers.

  “Why is no-one taking us seriously about the Aquamorph threat?”

  Archibel shrugged.

  “Where’s he going?” Owen said without letting her answer the previous question. But it wasn’t such an issue anymore. The Aquamorphs might be on their way, but, staring toward Darayan, and Kaianan further in the distance, Archibel knew that everything was going to be alright because they were back together. Her friends had all found each other.

  Archibel smiled. “He’s going to help his friend.”

  Breaking through the crowd, Darayan went after Kaianan.

  “Darayan,” someone called.

  Darayan watched as the Giliou trotted over to him—it reminded him of the times he’d jog after him before Kaianan and Darayan’s sparring. He wondered; was Xandou going to tell him to go easy on Kaianan now?

  “Xandou,” Darayan said with honest warmth, but a slight calculated formality, “how can I help you, old friend?”

  The Giliou’s blue eyes shifted, as if wanting to rekindle their close friendship but knew time wouldn’t allow it. Regardless of the way they’d patched things up after Daley died, there was always a fine line between them, especially when it came to Darayan taking Kaianan on as if she was another male sparring partner. Xandou hated him for it. “I just wanted a minute with you.”

  “Sure,” Darayan said casual enough to keep Xandou at a distance.

  “I know we are all friends,” he began, obviously choosing his words carefully, “I’m just a little concerned about this whole situation. I mean Kaianan doesn’t even know this Arlise.”

  “It would seem she does, though.”

  “But not like you or I? I mean he could be abusing her trust.”

  There he goes again, thought Darayan, fussing about what Kaianan can and can’t do under his watch. “I think Kaianan is very capable of working that out for herself.”

  “She needs guidance Darayan,” Xandou’s voice deepened, “and her Guardian to give it to her.”