Dovetailed

by RaShelle Workman

  “She is a traitor,” someone shouted.

  “Just like her sister,” said another.

  “That whole family needs to rot in Helker.”

  Zaren pulled his new Ostwallow sword off his back. “Do not speak of Venus that way.”

  “The Formytian is a traitor as well.”

  “Let’s kill them.”

  A cheer roared throughout the room.

  The three other Formytians came to stand beside Zaren, their swords also drawn.

  Amberlee looked for Palmo. She wanted him near for comfort. He’d run back to the door and was pounding on it, trying to get out.

  What a coward , she thought, realizing she wanted to do the same thing.

  “Please,” Zaren shouted.

  The kels gathered together. Angry faces shouted and cursed her, Venus, and the war. Amberlee couldn’t blame them. She understood.

  A calm trickled down her spine and spread to her limbs. If she died she would die as a queen, without cowardice, without running, but facing the crowd head on.

  Moving in front of Zaren and the Formytians, she lifted her chin.

  Venus returned to the castle and to her bedroom. She hadn’t wanted to frighten anyone by just appearing out of thin air. At the sight of her bed she suddenly longed to lie down, fall asleep, and wake again in a month or so. It felt like forever since she’d had a moment of peace.

  She sat at her vanity and looked at her reflection in the glass. Her blue eyes seemed tired. While she stared, something happened. The mirror no longer reflected her image, but showed her images of her sister. She stood in front of an angry mob. It looked like they would destroy her, and suddenly she knew they would.

  Amberlee wasn’t Kelvieri. Killing her would be easy.

  By the looks on Zaren and Palamina’s faces, they would defend the newly appointed queen, but at what cost? How many would die?

  As much as Venus wanted Amberlee to learn how to rely on herself, this moment wasn’t the time. Venus had figuratively thrown Amberlee to the wolves.

  She thought of the tunnels, the large room where most of the Alayeahian people were. She was there instantly.

  Without wasting any time, she lifted her hands, putting up a shield between Amberlee and the furious mob.

  The crowd gasped. Everyone in the front stepped back, surprised, but they recovered quickly.

  “It’s the other one.”

  “We can kill her too.”

  “Traitors must die!”

  “We want Manny to be our King!”

  And on and on.

  Their words angered Venus. She felt her fury rising. It was bad enough they tried to harm Amberlee, but calling Venus a traitor? Her whole life had been about serving. The worst part of all was that some of the people in the crowd were those that she’d just given back their bodies.

  Talk about treachery.

  “Stop!” she yelled, throwing her hands up.

  The room went silent. No one moved—not because they were afraid, but because they couldn’t. Venus had rendered them all motionless. She took a deep breath, surveying the room. Even Amberlee, Zaren, and Palamina were unmoving.

  She hadn’t meant to do that. Her anger had gotten the best of her. But now that she had everyone’s undivided attention and the guarantee no one would be hurt, she decided it was a good thing.

  Except Amberlee. She touched Amberlee’s arm and the queen relaxed.

  Amberlee grinned manically. “Remind me never to make you mad.”

  “Right?” Venus said, moving to Zaren and Palamina. She touched their arms and they were able to move as well.

  “Thank you, Goddess,” Palamina said, relieved.

  “I think now is the perfect time to talk some sense into these people, Venus,” Zaren added, bowing slightly.

  “Agreed,” Venus said, turning to face the crowd.

  She searched their faces, meeting as many sets of eyes as she could. She needed the time to collect her thoughts. “Ith and Aetha, the original gods of this world, were sent to Kelari to save the planet and its people from the evil of a Ferether called Ramien. Nearly seventeen years ago they had a child. Me.” As she spoke she paced back and forth, keeping her focus on the people, meeting their angry faces with her intent one. “I didn’t know they were my parents. Up until a few days ago I believed your king and queen were my mother and father.” She glanced back at Amberlee. “I believed your new queen was my sister, and that one day I would rule this land.” Venus turned back. “I’m sure most of you know that even the most carefully laid plans never work out the way you want them to.” She gave them a melancholy smile. “The truth is I am not a member of the Carania family. Amberlee is.” She raised her voice. “Amberlee is meant to be your queen and, if you’ll open your minds, you’ll see the certainty of it. But more than that, you’ll feel the truth of it.” She brought a fist to her chest. “In here.”

  The crowd seemed to calm a little, at least enough that Venus could send out what she needed to: a smaller version of what she’d shown Modna. It was enough that they would understand how big of a mistake they were making.

  After several short seconds she spoke into their hearts. “I’ve shown every one of you, down to the smallest kelni, the truth. Now you have no reason for hope or faith because you’ve seen the kind of leader Amberlee will be.” Their faces became astonished and relieved at once.

  Like a thick cloud finally releasing its rain, Venus sensed the tension that had bubbled over in each kel evaporating. There were some who held onto their hate, those who still doubted, but for the most part the mood in the room had changed.

  Venus sighed internally, relieved. She still held on to some of her irritation, particularly for those who’d so easily betrayed her, but mostly it was for Ith and Aetha, her parents. They’d blessed her with an abundance of power, but they hadn’t given her any kind of training. She was a god without experience. She was alone.

  Venus waved her hands in front of her, releasing the throng of people from the hold she had over them. The room suddenly came to life. Kels began talking all at once. “Silence,” she said, her words biting the air. They quieted for the most part.

  “King Antyon wishes to bring a new world order to Kelari. He wants to crush those who disagree with his vision. He wants to take away the gift of immortality so that he can rule over you with force. Soon he’ll release creatures known as Leviathans on our planet. They have one goal: to kill everyone.”

  Venus stepped back and wrapped an arm through Amberlee’s. “Your queen has provided you with supplies to keep you comfortable until the war is ended.” She felt Amberlee stand up straighter. “Get to know your new leader. She is intelligent, loyal, and will rule over her people with fairness.” Venus cleared her throat. “If you wish to fight, help is needed and your efforts won’t be in vain. I encourage every strong and courageous kel to step forward. It’s helpful if you know how to use a sword or how to fight, but that knowledge isn’t mandatory. Preparations are being made to defeat King Antyon and the Leviathans.” She stopped and searched the crowd. “Those interested can speak with Zaren or Palamina.” Venus indicated the two Formytians.

  Several kels stepped forward, but not nearly enough. They bowed deeply, giving Venus their respect. She nodded her understanding and indicated they go over to Zaren and Palamina. Once that was underway, Venus took a moment to talk to Amberlee.

  “Are you okay?” Venus asked, checking her sister over for wounds.

  “I’m fine,” Amberlee replied.

  “Good,” Venus said. “You look beautiful, by the way. Just like Mom.” It surprised Venus that she hadn’t noticed it before; the gentle curve of Amberlee’s face, the way she held herself, and her mannerisms were exactly like those of her mother.

  Venus didn’t have any of those traits. The thought of not belonging choked her up and she wished she could turn away.

  “Thank you, Venus.”

  “Of course.” She stood tall and met her sister’s gaze, want
ing to say more, to utter the words that would make the years of tension between them vanish. Nothing came to mind.

  Behind her Venus heard the soft giggling of children. She turned to see a large group of kelnis.

  One of them stepped forward. Her voice was high and sweet. “We’d like to meet the queen.”

  Venus backed away. “I think that’s a great idea.” She gave Amberlee a ghost of a smile. “Enjoy. I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Where are you going?” Amberlee touched her sister’s arm.

  Venus leaned in. “I need to see if Seth has completed his task.”

  “I understand. Hurry back.”

  “I will.” Venus saw the worry on Amberlee’s face. “Put away your fear. You’re going to be fine. Great, in fact.”

  “Thank you,” Amberlee mouthed and then turned her attention to the group of small girls.

  Venus watched, enjoying the scene very much. She hoped that since they were no longer sisters by blood they could be friends by choice. It would be a nice change.

  Closing her eyes, she pictured the shop where the Daemon swords were being made and felt herself shift and move.

  Venus opened her eyes and glanced around. She was in the sword shop, the exact place she wanted to be. It was rather large and surprisingly filled with light. The stark white walls were filled with row after row of swords. They hung in groups according to size and the type of metal they were made from. None of them were Ostwallow, or the super-secret Daemon swords. Hamel wouldn’t display those for the average citizen.

  The roof was solar paneled, allowing light from the suns to shine in. A metal desk was just off the front doors. Behind her and all along that wall were doors. Against the back wall stood a huge painting of a Formytian. He was dressed in his uniform, his legs spread hips-width apart, and he held an Ostwallow sword. Between his legs was an opening. Venus heard the sounds of metal grating against metal.

  “Hello,” Venus said, startling the kel seated behind the desk. She had short dark hair and velvet black eyes.

  “By the Gods, you frightened me.” She cleared her throat while Venus waited patiently for her to recover.

  “My apologies,” Venus said when the kel finally looked at her again. She glanced out the window. This high up, the sky was clear: no haze or smoke from the fires and fighting below. It was almost as if the war didn’t exist.

  “Can I help you?” She held herself rigid, making her black coverlet seem too small.

  “Yes, I’d like to speak with Hamel.” She kept her voice light and courteous. Most of the kels didn’t know Ith and Aetha had left their planet. They didn’t know what Venus had become. This woman probably didn’t even know who she was; at least, she didn’t act like it.

  “I’m sorry…” she paused and waited for Venus to give her name.

  “Venus.” She stepped up to the tall desk, rested her hands on it, and waited. She was the only person with that name in Alayeah and probably all of Kelari, though she didn’t know for sure. It was a commandment set forth by her parents that no one in Alayeah should name their child Venus, but Nimbus wasn’t part of Alayeah. The city in the sky answered to its own government and rules.

  Still, recognition sank in and the woman gasped. She quickly stood and bowed. “Your Highness. I didn’t realize. Please forgive me.”

  Venus dismissed her apologies. “No problem. With the war, a lot has changed. In fact, Alayeah has a new queen. She’s known as Amberlee.”

  The kel’s face darkened. “Isn’t she a traitor? Why would she become the queen instead of you?”

  Venus leaned in as though she wanted to tell the girl a secret. “I am not of the lineage of Carania. Though I was raised in the castle, I had different parents.”

  The kel shook her head. “I’m confused. I thought Amberlee was on King Antyon’s side. I thought she was responsible for the death of her parents.”

  “Amberlee was young and easily influenced. She’s changed her ways. And I’ve taken on a new role. A different role.”

  “Oh?” The kel looked down.

  “May I show you?” Venus knew using her power on the girl would be the easiest way to get what she needed. Of course she could’ve gone all Scary God on the kel, but that wasn’t how Venus worked.

  “Show? What do you mean?” Confusion etched itself into her features.

  “Take my hand,” Venus said, reaching out for her to take it.

  The girl hesitated, but only for a moment. She took the offered hand. Venus closed her eyes and focused on what the kel needed to see in order to understand the changes going on below. When she was finished, Venus opened her eyes. The kel had tears in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” Venus pulled her hand away. As she showed the kel—whose name she now knew was Edith—the changes in Kelari, Venus had also seen Edith’s life. She was a good person. Honest. Kind.

  Edith wiped her eyes. “Thank you for taking the time to show me.” She bowed deeply.

  “Of course, Edith.”

  The kel’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “You know…” she didn’t finish. “Hamel is downstairs, working. Would you like me to show you the way?”

  Venus shook her head. “That’s alright. I know where I’m going.”

  Edith blushed. “Of course you do.”

  “Thank you.” Venus walked toward the opening and went down the stairs. With each step she felt the temperature rise. By the time she reached the bottom she was hot, the room sweltering. If she could’ve sweated, she knew she’d be drenched. The heat licked at her like the tongue of an irrihunter. The smell of brimstone, burning wood, and molten metal filled her nose.

  She stopped breathing. It wasn’t a necessity.

  The room was large and covered in tools, burning hot lava, and the sound of metal being pounding into perfection.

  Seth saw her first and walked over.

  Hamel was preoccupied. He leaned over a sword, a hammer in one hand and a half-finished sword in the other. He brought the hammer down on the sword, making a loud twanging sound, then lifted the hammer and repeated the process, each time turning the sword slightly. She knew Hamel was an expert craftsman. The king had brought her here more than once as a child. He’d said he wanted her to understand the process of making swords. Now she wondered if he’d known something like this would happen.

  She thought back on some of their conversations and the way he and Hamel would sometimes look at each other, like they were having a conversation she couldn’t hear.

  The King of Alayeah, the man she believed was her father, had shared the secret of the Daemon sword. The blue metal had been discovered on the planet of the Cairna spider. It was quite different than the Ostwallow sword. The metal was strong, but it was also porous, and, while the Ostwallow selected its owner, the Daemon sword could be used by anyone as long as the contents within the Illeyse had “awakened” its power. Without the Illeyse the swords would remain mundane metal.

  “Hello, Hamel,” Venus said loud enough for him to hear.

  He paused, his hammer in mid-air, and faced her. “Venus.” Sweat trickled from his hairline and into his eyes. With the back of his hand he brushed it away, then set the hammer down and picked up a cloth, using it to wipe his face.

  All Kelvieri looked young; with the gift of immortality they stopped aging after their sixteenth birthday, but Hamel still appeared older somehow. She guessed it was maturity. He’d been making swords for hundreds of years. The King had told her sword making was Hamel’s only passion and that he was the best. She knew he was right.

  “Hamel is nearly done,” Seth said, placing a hand over his heart in salute. “There was a little trouble. Some of King Antyon’s men came after Hamel, but I fought them off before they had a chance to enter the shop.”

  “Very good.” Venus stepped toward one of the newly made Daemon swords. Other than its dull blue color it looked like any other sword. Once the Illeyse awakened it, the blade would glow an electric blue.

  Hamel cleared
his throat. “If those Leviathan creatures come after us, these swords, no matter how perfectly they’re made, won’t stop them.”

  “I know. The rest is coming.” She patted Hamel on the shoulder. “Keep up the great work.”

  He nodded and turned back to his work. “This is the last of them. I’ll be finished in just a few minutes.”

  “Excellent. I’ll wait.”

  Hamel gave her a surprised look, as did Seth. She smiled, leaned against an unoccupied table, and crossed her arms and legs. Hamel shrugged and went back to work. Seth seemed unsure about what to do.

  “Why don’t you go ask Edith for a cart. You’re going to need a way to haul these swords,” Hamel mumbled. He picked up the sword and stuck it in the kiln. It’d cooled for too long and needed to be reworked.

  “That would be a great help, Seth,” Venus agreed softly, though if she wanted to she could just use her powers to transport them.

  The Formytian nodded and went up the stairs.

  It took Michael longer than he expected to find Tawny. Her trail had been difficult to detect and even harder to follow. She didn’t leave telltale clues the way humans did; her movements were those of a Ferether, and he followed her by tracking those humans whose souls had been tasted. She’d killed two and permanently damaged several more.

  There was nothing to be done to help them.

  When he finally located Tawny, she was in a house. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. Every light in the house was on, like a beacon in the dark, begging someone to knock and enter.

  Michael hovered in a tree across the street. He watched her a while, surprised. She sat in a rocking chair, feeding the child. As she rocked, she sang a song. It wasn’t one Michael was familiar with, but the baby girl seemed to like it. She stared up at Tawny with her trusting eyes.

  If he had been just some passerby, the picture before him would’ve been sweet. She looked like the epitome of the perfect mother, and that was exactly what she wanted, Michael knew.