Ember

by Tess Williams

  I don’t think I was doing a very good job of this.

  “A painting,” I answered finally.

  His brows went into a slant. He looked incredibly confused now. “Considering that neither Cornelius nor I are collectors, I’d say it’s been there for a while. . . . We don’t get into those rooms often.”

  My chest dropped. “So there’s no—”

  “Way of telling, no.”

  I looked down, contemplating my next action. All routes were blocked. I either had to let it go or . . . my eyes hardened and I turned up.

  “Thoran,” I started, “are there any other factions other than the Meoden and the humans?” He stared for a moment. “Err, not factions, more like races.”

  As soon as I said this, I realized it was the real reason I had come to talk to him.

  He looked down to the pad in his hand, dropping the pen into it. “I knew this painting thing was too easy. . . .” He sighed. “You’re talking about the Gaeln right?”

  My eyes widened immediately. “Yes. You know about them? Have you ever seen one? Are they real? Are—”

  “Who told you about this?” he asked, giving me a quieting look. “Ikovos?”

  My head shook back and forth. “No. I told him about it, but I found it out myself.”

  “From the painting?” he questioned, obviously attempting to show at least some interest.

  “Err, no.” I cleared my throat. “From a book.”

  His eyes flicked up. “A book?”

  “Yeah,” I said, nodding. “Adzamaruha gave it to me.”

  His brow narrowed further, though only for a moment. Then suddenly he seemed to lighten up considerably.

  “Look, Evelyn . . . there’s not much too these creatures besides old myths and legends. I don’t mind if you’d like to study this in the future, but for now we need you helping here. I don’t want you looking into it any further.”

  Whoa, that was quick. I couldn’t just let it end there.

  “But, Thoran, what if it could—”

  “It’s just a fairytale,” he interrupted. “Now, you’re a part of the order and I expect you to follow my instruction in this.”

  I held fast for a moment under his strong glare . . . but then looked down and nodded once.

  After that a man came in calling Thoran to another matter. He dismissed me and I headed back upstairs a bit downtrodden. I just thought . . . Something had told me that this could help.

  I ended up at the cafeteria, deciding to follow Thoran’s advice and see if I could be of use to Sophie with the cooking. She’d returned early this morning. It was tough seeing her, she looked more troubled than any of the others let on. Or maybe I could just see it better with her.

  I stayed through dinner so that she could get back to Thoran. I think for a meeting or something. All the cleanup was pretty much finished by nine. I waved goodbye to Nathan, who’d been the only one free to assist me tonight, as he disappeared out the door. I was in the kitchen. All I had to do was rinse a couple more dishes, then I was free . . . would be good to go see how Tanis was doing.

  A knock behind me drew my head around. Ikovos was standing at the doorway with a slight grin.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey.” I smiled.

  “Still at it?” he asked, walking over to the counter.

  “Yeah.” I wiped the plate I was working on roughly with the rag. “Apparently it’s all I can do to help.”

  He made a questioning face.

  I shrugged. “I talked to Thoran about the Gaeln . . . sort of . . . He said it was just a myth and that I should stay out of it.” I continued washing as Ikovos crossed his arms.

  “And you’re going to?”

  My eyes narrowed down in consideration. “Yes.” Then I looked over smiling. “I don’t want to give him more to worry about.”

  Ikovos looked . . . relieved was it? Or disappointed . . . ? The space behind him was dark and ominous, the cafeteria long since emptied.

  “What did you do tonight?” I asked, looking back down.

  “Ah . . . I slept a bit. Checked on the guys downstairs.” He shrugged, leaning his back against the counter. “Not much to be honest.”

  I set the last cup on the towel, switched the water off, then turned around, whipping my hands dry. It was so quiet now.

  “Sophie said there was a meeting in the council chamber,” I noted. “Did you go?” I asked it nonchalantly, almost distractedly, but he moved his gaze off of me right away.

  “Umm . . . yeah. I went. Oh, actually I was going to tell you, I have to go back out on patrol tomorrow.” I frowned severely. “Just till noon.”

  “I thought you were off for a couple days.”

  “So did I,” he drawled, smirking humorlessly.

  With a slight sigh I threw the towel down and walked to the counter next to him, leaning in the same manner. “Did anything else important come up?”

  Again he seemed shifty. He didn’t answer though, eyes turned down. My own narrowed.

  “Ikovos?”

  “You know,” he sighed suddenly, lifting his gaze to me, “I never used to have a problem lying before I met you.”

  I pursed my lips. “Is that a good thing, or?—”

  Voices coming from the hall interrupted me, drawing both of our heads over. I could see the light of a torch moving closer. Before I could turn back to Ikovos, I felt his hand on my wrist.

  “Come on.” He pulled me quickly, past the tables of the dark cafeteria and through a nondescript door in the back.

  Out here we were sufficiently hidden from whoever had entered the kitchen. It was a small, dark, porch area with no windows heading back to the cafeteria and plenty of trees blocking the grounds ahead. Very windy tonight. He lit the nearby light with a match then turned back to me.

  “What was that about?” I asked, somewhat humouredly.

  He glanced out then, checking the forest. “If I’m going to be telling you things I shouldn’t, we can’t have anyone hearing.”

  “Things I shouldn’t?” I repeated.

  He moved closer to me, gaze following. “You know the meeting?”

  I nodded.

  “Thoran talked about you.”

  “About . . .”

  “What you said about the Gaeln.”

  My brow narrowed. “I don’t understand, I barely even got to say anything before he kicked me out.”

  “You didn’t need to.” Ikovos leaned to one side, looking around again. “He already knew about them.”

  “Yeah,” I said, head bobbing, “he told me that. He thinks they’re fictional, like you do.”

  Ikovos eyed me, smirk growing. “Now we’re to the good part.”

  My head tilted confusedly, then suddenly a broad smile crossed my face. “They’re not a myth?”

  Ikovos’s head went back and forth.

  I bit my lip excitedly, rising up on my toes.

  “I knew you would go crazy for that,” he said with a chuckle.

  I smiled again, pacing the wood slats momentarily, then I turned to him.

  “But why did Thoran tell me differently? . . . and why weren’t you going to?” I narrowed even further at the last bit.

  “See, now we’re too the not so good part.” He put a hand up to scratch the back of his head as the wind blew heavily again. “You now the thing you said about going to look for the Gaeln to get them to help fight the Meoden?”

  I nodded, moving closer.

  “Well that’s not a myth either. But as far as anyone knows it’s supposed to be more than a little dangerous.”

  “Wait.” I crossed my arms. “Has Thoran seen one then?”

  “No.”

  “Oh. . . .” I thought about that. “Well then how could he know whether it’s safe or not?”

  After a second of him not answering I started to pace the porch again, this time stopping to look out at the rustling trees. Suddenly a thought occurred to me.

  “So why did you tell me then?�
�� I asked, looking back at Ikovos.

  He moved beside me. “Because, like I said, I don’t enjoy lying to you . . . and . . .” I waited “. . . I knew what you would do about it.”

  This shocked me. My eyes widened immediately. “You mean you don’t care if I?—”

  “Oh, I care,” he stated, putting a hand up. “I just also think it might the right thing to do.’

  I bit my lip again, mind already running through how I would go about finding the Gaeln.

  “Did they say anything about how you can reach them?” I asked. He shook his head right away, but the heavy wind whistling past sent a rush of fresh hope through my body.

  “Something tells me they know . . . ,” he allowed. “But they didn’t mention it in the meeting.

  “Could you—”

  “They’d suspect something if I asked,” he said, head shaking before I’d even finished.

  Hmm . . . A thought hit me.

  “I’ve got an idea. I could go see Adzamaruha about it.” He gave me a deeply dubious look. “He is the one that gave it to me,” I reminded him.

  The light-haired boy looked out as if considering.

  “When could you go?” he asked.

  I thought about it, then nodded dutifully. “Tomorrow - when you’re patrolling. It’d be the perfect time.”

  He considered it again, then nodded. “Alright. It’s a start at least.” Then he turned to me. “Just make sure you don’t stay out long.”

  “Yeah,” I nodded, then I smiled brightly to him. “I’m still surprised you’re letting me do this when Thoran said it might not be safe . . . that’s pretty unusual for you.”

  He crossed his arms and smiled, leaning closer to me. “Well, I never said I was going to let you do it alone.” I turned down for a moment, then warmed, lifting my gaze back up. “Haven’t I told you enough times that I’d never really let you that far out of my sight?”

  I took a short breath. He smirked and chucked my shoulder.

  “It’s late, you better get to bed.”

  I obeyed, moving towards the door. When he wasn’t following I turned back. “Aren’t you coming?”

  His head shook, hands still wrapped around his waist. He looked rather menacing in the darkness. “I’ll go around out here. It’s quicker.”

  “It’s not a dangerous patrol, right?” I asked, freezing just as I was about to turn the handle.

  The corners of his mouth raised a fraction. “Would you believe me if I said no?”

  I considered this, then stuck a confident finger out. “Yes, because you said you don’t like lying to me.”

  He moved closer, calmly folding my finger back with his hands. “I’ll be okay.”

  I didn’t know how assured I felt, but I smiled back anyways.

  “Besides - you want me to go,” he noted, letting go of my hand. Suddenly he had a devilish sort of smirk.

  I narrowed skeptically.

  “That way I can find out how Jaden’s doing.”

  My heart hit a double beat. The statement wasn’t so bad, it was the look on his face and the way that he’d said it. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to darken further at him or run away.

  His grin just broadened.

  I scrunched my eyes and opened my mouth to argue at least twice, wimping out every time. Finally I just made a threatening face, turned the knob, and spun to walk through the door.

  When I got inside I had to stop myself from freaking out.

  I wonder if he knows . . . My face contorted at the prospect.

  Something about it felt painful . . . it shouldn’t feel painful. Strange maybe, but . . .

  I put a hand up to my chest, then started off.

  *

  The next morning I got up early to help Sophie prepare breakfast so that I would have time to visit Adzamaruha. I got to spend most of the morning with just Trevor and Nathan, which was nice because somehow I felt that if I ended up going after the Gaeln . . . I might not see them for a while.

  Once Sophie seemed to have things under control. I downed a mug of black coffee and picked up an apple, tossing it into the air as I walked out to leave.

  I almost barreled into Thoran at the doorway.

  “Oh.” He stopped, looking down at me. “Sorry, Evelyn.”

  When my eyes met his they were as piercing as ever. I suddenly felt like an eight-year-old that just got caught cheating on a test. I cleared my throat nervously. “Ah, that’s alright. I wasn’t watching where I was going . . .” I added the tiniest hint of a smile, but I think with my lowered brow it probably looked more like a wince.

  Thoran regarded me oddly for a moment, then nodded and walked on.

  I barely got out a breath before he stopped again.

  “Evelyn?”

  I looked back, expression innocent.

  “Have you talked to Ikovos at all this morning?” His gaze was hard and speculative. Internally I was flipping out, he obviously suspected something. Thankfully I didn’t have to lie.

  “No. I think he’s out scouting.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” he said, face relaxing.

  I smiled. “Anything else?”

  “No,” he answered, distractedly. “That’s all.”

  I walked off with his expression still contemplative. Jeez, could I have been more obvious. My head shook and I marched towards the closest exit dutifully.

  By the time I’d finished my apple I was close to reaching Adzamaruha’s shop. Still moving briskly, I looked up at the sky. There was something strange about it. It was probably too early to tell, but it seemed like one of those days where there were so many clouds in the sky that it didn’t even look like there were any. Rather that the sky had simply turned silver and the sun had decided to take a sick day.

  I wasn’t about to complain about the last part, but I couldn’t shake the troubled feeling.

  I dropped my head back straight, chucking my apple core in to the woods. This is what I get for letting my imagination win out for so many straight days.

  When I finally reached the magic shop it seemed quite abandoned. Out front absolutely nothing was visible, which had me immediately worried. When I walked around to the back there was little more. The pillars and walls usually loaded with items were all-but barren. The row of cauldrons was empty and unlit. I stepped over the hill to check on the colored sheep. Nothing.

  Again . . . very unsettling.

  With a frown and a furrowed brow I stepped around befuddled, noticing for the first time that the wind was blowing substantially today. Suddenly a noise came from within the house. I moved forward, then held my breath as a figure walked out. It took me a moment to realize that it was just Adzamaruha, he didn’t look like his usual self. He had on a large, brown, slick-leather, robe that covered his entire body. The only identifier was his wizard’s hat and long white beard.

  “Finally!” he burst out, eyeing me with a wide grin. “Hello, Evangeline.”

  I let out the air I’d been holding and marched forward. “Adzama, you’re here. I was worried with the . . .” I gestured around. “What happened?”

  He moved his eyes from me to study the area, then back. “Oh, you mean all the—” he adjusted his hat “—the merchandise.” I nodded. “And the ingredients.” I nodded again. He raised an eyebrow. “The cauldrons . . .” I sort of just rocked my head now. He took a heavy breath. “I cannot tell you, Evangeline. Though I trust you infallibly as my closest assistant, that information is far too dangerous.”

  “Dangerous?” I questioned. I didn’t like the word.

  “Yes, dangerous.” He nodded exaggeratedly. “I’ve been forced to relocate . . . surely you know the state of things.” He scoffed, then marched over to pick a pot off the ground.

  “You mean with the Meoden?” I asked, following.

  He straightened up. “No, the weather, it’s just been terrible of late.” I looked up confusedly. “Of course with the Meoden,” he clarified, tossing the pot he’s just picked up as he did so.<
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  I bit my lip. “Oh . . .” then I stepped forward again. “Adzama, that’s why I came. You know the—”

  He crossed his arms, leather robe flying about him. “I know why you came. I’m the one that gave you the book, aren’t I?”

  My eyes widened, more than a little surprised.

  “And now you want to know where to go.”

  Again, shock hit me.

  “Yes.” I answered.

  His hands went to his beard. “What will you do if you find them?”

  This was strange, he actually looked serious . . . as much as anyone could with a high pointy hat on anyways.

  I narrowed, thinking. “Well, I’ll ask them for help.”

  “And what makes you think they will?” he asked curtly. His own brows dropped dangerously.

  I thought about it, chest lifting. “They’re good, aren’t they?” My face was pleading, unsure.

  He looked down at me, then off. “Never for free . . .”

  I barely heard it, a breeze rushed past us.

  “What?”

  He turned up, cock-eyed face resurfacing. “I have what you need here.” He went back inside. “I should, I’ve only been dreaming about it for days now.”

  I waited. This was all moving a bit fast for me . . . but it usually did with him. When he came out he was carrying a small slip of paper, purple paper.

  “That tells you where to go,” he said, handing it to me with a nod.

  I opened it. It was a map, sort of, similar to the one in the basement, only Adzamaruha had scribbled all around it. A large circle marked what I supposed was to be my destination. He pointed to it.

  “You must go there, and soon . . . it’s the only chance they’ll have.”

  I looked up. “Who? What are you talking about?”

  He waved a hand. I think he was irritated. “I only know what I know and nothing else . . . honestly there’d be no point for it to be any different.” He put a hand to my shoulder. “Be brave, Evangeline. And prepare for a long trip . . .” His mouth fell. “I myself will not see you as such again.”

  He let go and moved back. I folded the paper, following him.

  “You’re leaving?”

  He went into the hut, came back with a bag, and pulled the hood over his head. “Indeed. I was simply waiting for you.”