by Nichelle Rae
“Cairikson, I want you to understand that what I’m about to tell you happened because your mother was very, very brave. Can you understand that?” He nodded, though tears filled his big eyes.
I dove into the water and quickly popped up again so I wouldn’t miss anything she said. I swam to the rock they sat on, crossed my arms on top of it, and rested my chin on my arms. I listened and waited to comfort or support whoever needed it.
“Your mama told you who the White Warrior was, didn’t she?”
“Sure she did. She would always tell me stories about the adventures you had a long, long time ago, and the good things you did for the world, and the evil you fought.” Azrel smiled, seeming glad to hear Nekinda left out anything negative. I was pretty glad myself.
“Actually, those stories your mama told you were about my father. When he died he gave his powers of the White Warrior to me. Do you understand that?” He nodded. “Okay,” she said with a forced smile, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. “Now, I’ve been hiding for a little while, waiting for the right time to strike. Because I’m hiding, and I have something very valuable, I have some very bad people looking for me. They don’t know who I am, but they’re taking a lot of extreme measures to find me. If they find me too soon, a lot of good people will die. Do you understand me so far?”
“Yes.”
Azrel brushed some hair off his forehead and tears filled her eyes. “These bad people used your mama to try to find me.” She swallowed heavily and her tears fell. “So your brave mama ended her life so she could save mine.”
Cairikson squeezed his eyes shut, tears spilled from the corners. I rested my hand on top of his head and petted his hair gently in a small gesture of comfort. He sniffed, then opened his eyes, taking on a grim look of pride. Two more big tears fell, but his voice was strong. “My mama thought highly of you, White Warrior, and she wouldn’t have wanted to die any other way.”
Azrel smiled and lifted the boy up, holding him tightly against her shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I thought you would hate me.”
“No,” he said weakly. Then with great effort he lifted his arms up and wrapped them around her neck. “You’re going to save the world again. I can’t hate you.” Azrel laughed through her tears and held him tighter.
With a smile I pushed myself away from the rock and went under the water again, feeling it wash away everything negative and refresh me for the next leg of this journey. When I surfaced, both of them were looking at me. Cairikson looked up at her when I came out of the water. “What’s his name?” he whispered.
“Ortheldo,” she whispered back.
He turned his eyes to me again as I approached the rock. “Ortheldo, I’ve been really sick for a long time and I usually wasn’t awake when my mama bathed me. I forget what water feels like.”
I grinned. “Well come on in, kiddo.”
He beamed and Azrel gently laid him across her lap to take the blanket off him and undress him. She smiled at him. “After you’re done, I’ll give you a special treat that will help make you strong again.”
When she finished undressing him, she gently handed him down to me. I held him in my arms above the waist-deep water. “Now it’s going to be cold, but you’ll get used to it after a while.” He nodded and I lowered him into the water. He immediately tensed up, squeezing his eyes shut and sucking in a gasp of air. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll get used to it,” he squeaked. Both Azrel and I laughed.
“I’ll go get Cairikson’s clothes and a big cloth.” She stood from the rock and headed down the bank. “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded, then looked down at Cairikson again. “You ready? We’re going to go all the way under now.” He held his breath and we went under the water.
“That’s cold!” He giggled when we surfaced.
I laughed. “It sure is!”
He sighed, “It feels good though.”
I picked up Azrel’s Salynn liquids from the rock. “Let’s wash up, and then we’ll keep playing until Azrel gets back.”
“Okay,” he said. I cradled him in the crook of one arm and pulled the cork out of the first liquid with my teeth. “So Azrel is her real name?”
“Yes it is.”
“That’s pretty. Just like her.”
I smiled. “Just like her.”
I poured some of the pinkish liquid into Cairikson’s hair and began to rub it around. I smiled as the intoxicating smell reminded me of Azrel.
“It smells like home,” Cairikson said.
“It should. Azrel got these vials from Galad Kas. Her friend Isadith gave them to her as a parting gift a long time ago.”
“Isadith?” He smiled softly. “That’s my auntie.”
I froze and felt my heart sink down into my stomach. “Your mama was Isadith’s sister?”
“Yup.”
Azrel wasn’t going to like hearing this. I looked at him sympathetically. “I’m so sorry, son. You’ve lost so much in such a short amount of time.”
“I know my mama was glad to give her life for Azrel because the White Warrior saved so many lives a long time ago.”
“That’s right.”
“My mama is watching me from The Sky, and being with the White Warrior makes me feel safe.”
I smiled. “You are safe.” I was already falling in love with this little boy.
I dipped him under the water to rinse out his hair and then I put the second purple liquid in and rubbed it around. After rinsing that out I took the small cloth from the pile and dipped it under the water to get it wet. I put some of the orange liquid on that and rubbed his skin with it. The smells of the liquids seemed to fill me with hope and I felt more alive than ever. Some color even came back to Cairikson’s cheeks.
When I pulled him up from a final rinse I suddenly felt a presence behind me. It was silent, which made me go rigid. Cairikson’s blue-green eyes went wide as he focused on something behind me. My hand shot out and grabbed my sword from the rock. I spun around holding it out, keeping Cairikson tightly against me with my other arm.
“Whoa hey!” Rabryn said. He jumped, holding a hand up. “It’s just me.”
My eyes closed and my body relaxed. “You scared the hell out of me,” I said as I put my sword back on the rock.
He smiled. “A little jumpy today, Ortheldo?”
“A little.” My eyes settled on the big cloth he was holding and a small set of clothes on top of that. “Where’s Azrel?”
“She looked exhausted, so I talked her into taking a small nap.”
I nodded. “I thought she looked tired, too.”
“Well, it’s been a long day for us all. Actually it’s been a long couple days.”
“You can say that again.”
“I needed to talk to you anyway.”
I sighed and shook my head. “If it’s bad news I don’t want to hear it.”
“That’s good, because I actually have some good news for a change.”
“Really?” I said genuinely impressed. “Do tell, then.”
He stepped up onto the rock and sat crossed-legged at the water’s edge. “How are you doing, Cairikson?” he asked gently. “Azrel told me you were very brave when she told you about your mother.”
“I’m so sorry I don’t have the strength to bow to you properly, my Goldian. Please forgive me.”
Rabryn’s brow wrinkled with sympathy as he reached down and pet the boy’s wet hair. “Don’t you worry about that.” Rabryn smiled. “Besides, you’re probably more powerful than I am anyway.”
“But, my Goldian, that’s not possible.”
“Sure it is, and my name is Rabryn.” Cairikson face became worried. “See Cairikson, you and I are a lot alike; I’m half human, too.”
“You are?”
“Yes, sir. But I was raised in a human land, among humans. I never learned how to use my magic until now. The Redian Addredoc is teaching me.”
“There are Redians here?”
&
nbsp; “Three, actually. Their names are Addredoc, Meddyn, and Thrawyn. They’re a family.” Rabryn’s brows dropped. “Did I hear my sister correctly? You’re seventy-five years old? Soon to be seventy-six?”
“Your sister?”
“Azrel. The White Warrior.”
Cairikson’s eyes went wide and I felt his body tense up a little. “She’s your sister?” Rabryn nodded. “Are you part White Warrior then?”
Both Rabryn and I laughed. “No, no, no,” Rabryn said. “She’s actually my half-sister. We have the same mother, but our fathers were different races.”
Cairikson relaxed again in my arms, but still looked slightly confused. “Oh.”
“Now is what she said about your age true?”
“Yes. On April fourteenth, I’ll be seventy-six.”
“Well that’s not far off. We’ll have to plan something special.” Cairikson grinned. “Do you know how old I am?”
“No.”
“I’m seventeen. I’ll be eighteen on May second.”
“You mean you’re seventeen in human years?”
Rabryn kept smiling at him. “No, I mean I’ve only been alive for seventeen years.” Cairikson’s eyes went wide. “I inherited a human life span from my mother, just like you inherited a Salynn life span from yours.”
“Wow,” Cairikson said, and we both chuckled again.
“So you see? You’re probably more powerful than I am right now. You’ve lived longer and been able to use your magic your entire life, whereas I’m a lot younger and just learning how to use it.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“Pretty neat, huh?” Rabryn said, with a little mischievous jump of his eyebrows. We all laughed.
“What’s with all the merrymaking here?” We all went silent and turn to see Azrel approaching the bank. She still looked exhausted.
“I thought you were taking a nap,” Rabryn said.
“I decided not to because we have got to get going. We’re already late.”
“Azrel, all of us have been up for two days. We need to sleep before we get going again.”
“We’ll be fine. I have something that will give us some energy. Rabryn, could you pass me a big cloth?” Rabryn picked up one up from the rock and tossed it to Azrel. She caught it then squatted down at the edge of the bank, holding it open. “Ready?” she asked Cairikson.
“All set.”
Azrel stepped one foot in the water and leaned in to take Cairikson from me. I reached up and placed him gently in her arms, and she immediately wrapped him up snugly in the cloth.
“Thank you, Ortheldo.”
“My pleasure, kiddo.”
“How are you feeling?” Azrel asked, as she sat down on the bank and began to dry him off.
“Still weak.”
“I’ll give you your treat now then.” She cradled the boy in the crook of one arm and held her free hand out, palm up. A small white flame ignited in her hand and disappeared, leaving what looked like a small white cake in her palm. “Here you go.” She handed the cake to Cairikson.
My wide eyes went to Rabryn’s, just in time to see a gold swirling light fade from his. That’s what I needed to talk to you about, his voice said in my head, making me jump. It will have to wait until later though. You and she have unsettled matters that need to be addressed.
I nodded, stunned that he was getting so proficient in his magic so quickly, and then dove under the water. I washed up with the rest of the Salynn liquids as Cairikson ate his cake. When I was finished, I got out of the water and dried off with the second big cloth. I put on the set of clothes Azrel had brought me earlier, which consisted of a black long-sleeved top, light grey bottoms and a dark blue cloak. We’d gone through a lot of cloaks since leaving The Pitt, as the weather hadn’t exactly been agreeable.
“You know what, Azrel?” Cairikson asked between bites.
“What?”
“My mama was sisters with your friend Isadith.”
I saw Azrel freeze. “Sisters?” Cairikson nodded and Azrel deflated, her eyes closing. She’d have to tell Isadith her sister was dead when we brought Cairikson back to Galad Kas. After a moment, Azrel swallowed and looked down at Cairikson again. “Okay, I’ll tell her when we get there.”
Cairikson nodded and finished his cake. “I do feel better! Can you help me sit up please?”
“Sure.” Azrel lifted his upper body and sat him upright on her leg. I squatted down in front of him to make my eyes level with his face, just in case he looked dizzy or sick. I could catch him if he passed out. Azrel removed her arm from behind him and he sat up on his own. He smiled at me.
I smiled back and held my hands out to him. “Think you can stand?”
“I’ll try.” He placed his tiny hands in mine, and with Azrel behind him to spot him I gently pulled him to his feet. Azrel tucked the cloth he was still wrapped up in more tightly around his shoulders. He was unsteady but found his footing. “The ground feels funny under my feet,” he said with a giggle and kneaded the dirt with his toes.
I smiled and looked past him at Azrel. “Where are his clothes? It’s a little chilly.”
“Way ahead of you, Dad,” Rabryn teased, and I realized he was already holding Cairikson’s clothes. Both of them were smirking at me as Rabryn tossed Azrel the set of clothing. Cairikson looked over his shoulder and wobbled a little, but I held his hands firmly and smiled self-consciously.
“These are from Meddyn,” she said. “She used her magic to make them. They aren’t as fancy as you might be used to, but they’re excellent for travel.”
I saw a beautifully tailored grey pair of pants, grey cloak, and a burnt orange cotton tunic. Along with those was a brown pair of the special Salynn shoes all of them wore, only smaller.
“They’re wonderful,” Cairikson said softly.
Azrel smiled and patted her lap. “Let me help you dress.” I helped him sit on her lap again as she took his towel off and began to dress him.
“Azrel,” I began, glancing back at Rabryn, who nodded with encouragement. “We need to talk.”
“About?” she asked, not looking up from dressing Cairikson.
“About what was left unsaid when you ran away from me earlier.”
“Oh. You mean about my father loving you more and trusting you with secrets of his past that he couldn’t trust me with?”
I mentally sighed. Here we go.
Just be patent and understanding, Rabryn said in my head. Forgetting he could do that, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“He didn’t love or trust me more than you, and he didn’t keep secrets from you. He just didn’t tell you the whole truth about some things.”
“Well, great. That’s even better. My father didn’t keep secrets from me—he just lied to me.”
“No! He didn’t. I mean…just…you’re not understanding me. Will you let me explain? I really think you should know these things.”
Finally she looked up at me, annoyed. “Then why couldn’t my father tell me? Why did I have to find out from you years and years later?”
“You were completely dedicated to your training. He didn’t want to bother you with such details of his past.” It was almost the truth. I don’t know why he never told Azrel, but I really did think it was time she knew.
“Fine. I’m listening,” she said as she pulled Cairikson’s shirt over his head.
I started getting nervous and my mouth was going dry, but I said with a sigh, “Azrel, your father didn’t leave the battle because he was afraid.”
She froze from pulling Cairikson’s arm all the way through his sleeve. Her eyes widened and her face turned bright red. She slowly looked up at me with that steely expression that some people—well, most people—thought psychotic. Her eyes were wide and dangerous, her jaw was clenched, and her neck muscles were tight. It was a look that made you want to swallow your head for speaking.
“What?” she said in a throaty voice.
I tried to swallow to moisten
my throat, but couldn’t. “The Nameless One had Hathum’s power of mind corruption, and It had such a strong hold on your father, that…” I felt myself start to sweat. “That he was taken out of the battle.”
She started panting through her nose and trembling. It was terribly quiet for a few moments, save for her heavy breaths. “Are you telling me that my father didn’t flee the battle because he was afraid for the Sword? He was forced to flee the battle?”
I finally managed to swallow. “Yes.”
“Fleeing was out of my father’s control?”
“Yes.”
“It wasn’t his decision to leave? His magic forced him to disappear?”
“No.”
“What?!”
I swallowed again. “It was the Light Gods that took him out of the battle.”
She hissed inward through her clenched teeth. “Shut up.”
“Okay.”
“No, don’t! What do you mean the Light Gods took him out of the battle?!”
“He was under the Nameless One’s control. Had They not pulled him from battle, the Sword would have been lost. They had to save It.”
“They couldn’t save my father’s reputation in the process?” she screamed. “They had to destroy him and blame him for the mess They made?”
“Azrel…” I tried to interrupt uselessly.
“If They took him from battle why did They take away his magic? My father could have defeated Him! They didn’t give him a chance to try!”
After a moment, she seemed to force her eyes to close and try to slow her breathing. I waited precious seconds, which seemed to last for hours, before she visibly calmed down.
“I’m sorry,” she said in a softer but still throaty voice, when she opened her eyes. Clearly she was having a hard time reining in her temper, but I was extremely impressed with the effort. “I’m not angry at you.” She finished putting Cairikson into his shirt.
I stayed quiet for a long time. I hated telling her this. I hated to imagine what she must be thinking or feeling right now.
“All this time,” she said softly at last.
“I understand th—”
