by Shawn Sodman
“Of course,” he says with a nod.
They both stand there, looking at the ground, neither of them sure what to say next. Lyra finally says, “I suppose I should be going to sleep now.”
“Goodnight, Lyra,” he replies. Lyra waits a moment longer, hoping that Sven will say something else. When he does not, she slowly turns away and walks back to the fire. Sven watches her walk off before shifting his attention back to the starry sky.
Chapter 8
Dark Memories
Far away, flying above the sprawling plains of southern Bruen, is the Sea Griffin. Fidelma and Ariella are up on the deck while the others sleep below.
“I think we're making good time,” Fidelma says as she checks her compass. She looks at a small flag tied to one of the ropes as it waves in the wind. “We should reach Sheathelm by early evening tomorrow.”
“Good,” Ariella says. “I can hardly wait.”
“Are you going to tell me what information Fernando has that you want so desperately?”
“He stole a map that belonged to me,” Ariella explains. “It was supposed to lead to my father's treasure. He said he destroyed the map, leaving me little choice but to let him lead me to it. Well, he ended up betraying me and stealing a locket that belonged to my mother.”
“Why do you think he did that?” Fidelma asks.
“I don't know,” Ariella answers as she walks to the side of the ship and looks out into the dark night sky. “I'm assuming it has something to do with the treasure, but I don't know for sure.”
“Well, I'm sure I can find out,” Fidelma says as she puts her hand on Ariella's shoulder.
“I've been meaning to ask you,” Ariella says. “How did you learn mind spells? Most of them are illegal.”
“I started with the basics that were allowed,” she answers. “To be able to tell when someone is telling the truth was easy to learn, but it doesn't always work. To actually be able to read someone's mind was much harder to learn. I had to pull in a lot of favors to get my hands on that spell. I can usually get into someone’s head, but if their willpower is strong, it can be very difficult. It's much easier if someone lets me into their thoughts.”
“So you may not be able to get the information from Fernando,” Ariella says.
“I'm sure it will take some persuasion,” Fidelma says, “but I think we'll get the answers you're looking for.”
“Speaking of answers,” Ariella says, “have you seen Sven since he left? I'm sure you'd love to get inside his thoughts about that night.”
“I have not seen him since he left New Waterford,” Fidelma says, “but yes, I do have questions about that night. In fact, I'm glad you asked.”
“Why?” Ariella asks.
“Sven always claimed he didn't remember that night,” Fidelma says. “He said he was drunk. Yet you had always told me that he had been drinking but was very sober.”
“Yes,” Ariella says, “I remember.”
Fidelma asks, “Would you allow me to see that night through your eyes so I can see for myself how he acted?”
“I don't think you really want to see those memories,” Ariella warns.
“I've spent my entire life from that moment on to learn the truth,” Fidelma says. “Now that I can finally see a person’s memories... I might be able to put everything behind me if I can see for myself.”
“But Sven is the one who can't remember,” Ariella says. “It doesn't matter what my memories are.”
“Please, Ariella,” Fidelma says. “I can see if he was drunk like he claimed, or if he was sober like you claim. Unless there's something you aren't telling me.”
“I told you all you needed to know,” Ariella says. “You don't need to see the details of that night. You would just be torturing yourself.”
“I can handle it,” Fidelma insists. “Besides, who knows if I will ever see that bastard Sven again? This may be the only chance I get to see it for myself.”
“Fine,” Ariella relents. “If you really want to do this, just tell me what I need to do.”
“All I need you to do is not fight the thoughts,” Fidelma says. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Ariella says as she sits down on a crate.
Fidelma holds up her hand, pointing her palm at Ariella's head. She says, “Now, I want to think back to that night.” Ariella closes her eyes, and as she begins to remember the night with Sven, Fidelma also sees the thoughts. She can see Sven slamming down an empty mug and asking Ariella to go upstairs to her room. Soon Fidelma's mind is flooded with Ariella's memories. One second, Sven is taking off his shirt, then, the next, Sven is making love to Ariella. “He's not drunk,” Fidelma says as the memories keep coming, “He's not drunk at all. I can't believe he did this.”
“I think you've seen enough,” Ariella says. She opens her eyes, but the memories keep coming. “Stop it, Fidelma.”
Fidelma continues sifting through the images in her mind. She asks, “How many times did he...?”
“Fidelma, please,” Ariella begs as she attempts to concentrate on something other than that night. Despite her efforts to keep her friend out of her mind, soon the entire night flashes before them, and Fidelma takes it all in.
Tears fall down Fidelma's face as she ends the spell and sobs, “I don't understand. How could he do that to me? Yes, he was drinking, but he was sober. He couldn't have made love to you so many times in one night had he been drunk as he claimed.”
“I'm sorry,” Ariella says. “I tried to tell you years ago.”
“I had always hoped that he was telling the truth,” Fidelma says as she dries her face. “I wanted so much to believe him. I'm sorry I doubted you.”
“You have to believe me,” Ariella says, “I never meant to hurt you. I didn't know it was him. He never once told me his name.”
“Well, to be fair,” Fidelma replies solemnly, “you never asked. If you had, you would have known exactly who he was.”
“You're right,” Ariella says. “I didn't ask. I never thought there would be a reason to.”
“Well,” Fidelma says with a smile, as if the last few minutes never happened, “it's all behind us now. Tomorrow I'll help you get Fernando Greythorn and find out about your father's treasure. Then, I'll turn him in for the reward and finish paying off my ship. After that, I can go wherever the wind takes me.”
Chapter 9
Second Night Watch
Sven stands guard away from the fire and watches down the pathway leading up to the farm. Everyone else has gone to bed except Yentroc, who is also on watch.
“I'm sorry about what Kristieana did earlier,” Yentroc says.
“It doesn't matter,” Sven replies. “She is right about Sven.”
“I don't believe that.”
Sven looks at her. “Sven hurt the woman he loved most in this world. Sven threw everything away for a one night encounter that he can't even remember.”
“It was a long time ago,” Yentroc says.
“You know,” Sven says as they start to walk back to the fire, “after that day Sven changed. Sven told himself that if he could not be the man a woman needed, then he would be a man the women wanted. It has worked well for Sven. Sven has never allowed himself to care for anyone like that since then... until now.”
“I knew it,” Yentroc excitedly. “Sven, you have to tell her.”
“No,” Sven replies, “and neither can you.”
“Why?” Yentroc asks, puzzled.
“Lyra just wants to be friends,” Sven says as he sits down by the fire. “She told Sven herself.”
Yentroc thinks for a moment and says, “Maybe she's just afraid to tell you how she feels. I am almost certain she has feelings for you.”
“That's because she is confused.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sven saved her from the bridge and kept her warm,” he explains. “It is affecting how she feels. Once those feelings fade away, she will see Sven the same way Kristieana does, as a man no
t worthy of her.”
“You're being too hard on yourself.”
“Sven does not think so. Besides, Sven gave his word to Chance that nothing would ever happen between Sven and you girls. Sven is going to keep his word.”
“So talk to Chance when you see him again,” Yentroc says. “I'm sure he'd understand.”
“Even if that promise was not made, and Lyra had feelings for Sven, it would still never work,” he says as he pokes the fire with a stick. “Sven only has about one hundred good years left, while Lyra will stay young forever.”
“You seem to have already given this a lot of thought,” Yentroc says. “Don't worry about the future.”
“It would only be a matter of time,” he says, “before Sven would mess things up, and hurt her just like he did Fidelma.”
“You don't know that,” scoffs Yentroc.
“There is one other thing Sven has thought much about,” he says. “What if Sven does his best to be worthy of Lyra? What if Sven did not mess up? And what if Sven was still not good enough for her?”
“You're not really afraid of hurting her, are you?” Yentroc asks.
“No.”
“You are afraid of Lyra hurting you.”
“Please, Sven knows that he has already asked this of you, but it important. You must not say anything to her.”
Yentroc sighs. “If that's what you really want, I won't.”
A short distance away, Evelena and Kristieana are sharing a tent. Evelena whispers, “Kristieana, are you still awake?”
“Yes,” Kristieana answers. “Why?”
Evelena says quietly, “I am certainly not trying to intrude in your affairs, but I can't help but wonder something.”
“Is this about Lyra and Sven?” she asks.
“No,” Evelena replies, “I understand why you did what you did.” Evelena pauses before nervously asking, “Yesterday, you said that you didn't remember meeting Chance Na'Moon, and I was just wondering how that's possible when he seemed to remember you quite vividly?”
Kristieana sighs and answers, “I met him at the inn in Copper Pass. I didn't want Ya’leigh to know because, Chance and I almost... you know?”
“Oh, I see,” Evelena says. “So you never met him in Elonfar?”
“No, and I made the mistake of telling Ya’leigh that I never met him,” Kristieana explains. “Now I can't take it back.”
“Does anyone else know?” Evelena asks. “Wait, never mind,” she says before Kristieana can answer, “I don't want to know any more than I do already.”
“Sorry,” Kristieana says as she stares up at the top of the tent. “I didn't mean to get you involved.”
“Well, I did ask,” Evelena replies.
Later that night, Yentroc and Sven wake up Gelana and Rehma for the second watch. As they trade places around the fire, Sven says, “With no man on this watch, Sven has nowhere to sleep.”
“What are you talking about?” asks Yentroc. “This tent is empty now. We can both fit inside.”
“Sven thinks it might be better if he sleeps outside,” he says.
“Don't be ridiculous,” Yentroc says. She looks at Sven, who is looking around for a place to lay down his furs. “Are you afraid to sleep next to me?”
Sven laughs. “Don't be silly. Sven is not afraid of sleeping next to any woman.”
“Yes, you are,” Yentroc insists. Then she smiles and teases, “I know I'm irresistible, but I think you can control yourself for one night. Unless Kristieana is right about you?”
“This is not about Sven,” he replies as he takes out his fur from his backpack. “Sven just remembers first night when you and Gelana wanted to come to Sven's room.”
“Sven,” Yentroc says with a laugh. “I'm not going to try anything, if that's what you're worried about.”
Sven smiles and laughs quietly. “That is funny thing to hear woman say.”
“I suppose it is,” Yentroc says. “You know, a few days ago when we first started out, I would have. But now, I couldn't do that to you or Lyra.”
“Good,” Sven says as he tosses his fur into the tent, “because Sven is not so sure Kristieana is wrong about him. Sven has weak will. His past proves it. It is why he is not good for Lyra.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Yentroc says as they crawl inside the tent, “and maybe someday you'll believe it.”
“Lyra is lucky to have friend like you,” Sven says as he puts his backpack in the middle of the tent, between their furs.
Yentroc kicks off her boots and climbs under her blanket, saying, “Lyra and I go way back. I got my first black bead of dishonor because I lied for her.”
“So you two are close, then,” Sven says as he covers up with his blanket.
“We used to be really close,” Yentroc answers, “but eventually we started to drift apart. We're not as close as we once were.”
“That is too bad,” Sven says with a yawn.
Yentroc also yawns and says, “May your dreams guide you safely, Sven.”
Out at the fire, Rehma throws another log on the flames and a few red embers float into the air. Rehma watches them as they rise high into the night sky. Looking up, Rehma says, “I love all the stars you can see out here.”
Gelana looks up and says, “Me too. The view is much better than in the Mana Forest.”
“I wonder if all of the orcnea territory is like this,” Rehma ponders.
“I guess we'll have to ask Lyra tomorrow,” Gelana says as she pokes at the logs in the fire with a stick. “She's the one with the map.”
“Speaking of Lyra,” Rehma says, “do you think there's something going on with her and Sven?”
“I don't know,” Gelana replies. “They both seem to deny it.”
“Kristieana certainly doesn't like the two of them being around each other,” Rehma says. Gelana smiles and laughs to herself. “What's so funny?” Rehma asks.
“Nothing,” Gelana answers. “I was just thinking about Kristieana.”
“What about her?”
Gelana leans in close to Rehma and quietly says, “If I tell you, you have to promise not to say anything to her or anyone else.”
“Is it something bad?”
“Not really,” Gelana replies, “but she doesn't want others to know.”
“Well, now I'm curious,” Rehma says. “What is it?”
“You remember yesterday, when Kristieana said that she didn't remember meeting Chance Na'Moon?”
“Yes.”
“She was lying,” Gelana says.
“Why?” Rehma asks.
“You may not like this, because I know how you feel about Chance,” Gelana says, “but Kristieana was there that night at the Pick Ax in Copper Pass. She spent the night with Chance in his room.”
Rehma shakes her head in disgust. “You're right. I don't like it.”
“Well, now, with Chance's children here,” Gelana explains, “she is too embarrassed to bring it up.”
“I don't blame her,” Rehma says. “So how did you find out?”
Gelana says, “Kel'ana and I talked with her that night in Lunarus's cave.”
“Does anyone else know?” Rehma asks.
“No,” answers Gelana, “just you, Kel'ana and myself.”
---------------------
Back in the library, Laura stops reading the book as Lyra enters the room. “How is it going?” Lyra asks.
“This book is so sad, Aunt Nica,” Laura says.
“Really?” Lyra inquires. “Why do you say that?”
“Well after Kristieana is a total bitch to Sven—sorry about my language—then Lyra breaks his heart with the most brutal friend-zoning ever,” Laura says.
“Friend-zoning?” Lyra repeats, confused.
“Yeah, you know,” Josh says, “when a girl tells a guy she just wants to be friends.”
“Right,” Lyra says with a laugh. “There's a lot more to that story than just Sven and Lyra.”
“Well, I hope so,” Laura
says, “because this is just making me sad.”
“Just keep reading,” Lyra says. “I'm going to order some lunch. Would you like pizza?”
“Yes!” Josh exclaims.
“Me, too,” says Haley.
“I'll order it, then,” Lyra says. “It should be here in about an hour.”
“Thanks, Aunt Nica,” Laura says.
“Thank you,” Josh and Haley say.
Laura looks back down at the pages of the book. She rubs her eyes and says, “I think all this reading is starting to give me a headache. I'll keep going though. It looks like it's the next day...”
Day 14
Chapter 10
We Meet Again
It is late afternoon on Sea Griffin. Vindalia plays her violin as the winds continue to push the ship towards its destination.
“I think I see Sheathelm,” Samantha says as she looks out the bow of the ship.
Faye and Janette look out and see the beautiful city come into view just on the horizon. Annalee joins them and says, “I've never been to Sheathelm.”
“We've visited a few times,” Faye says. “It's a beautiful city.”
“We're going to have to set the ship down in the water,” Fidelma says. “Otherwise, we'll never get Fernando aboard.”
“Let's just hope everything goes according to plan,” Ariella says.
“Oh, it will,” Fidelma says. “Vindalia, take us around the city. We don't want the guards to think we're attacking them.”
“Yes, Captain,” she says. She puts her bow to the strings of the violin and begins to play a different tune as the wind changes direction. Soon they are flying past the city instead of over it.
Fidelma pulls a rope that releases some of the hot air in the balloon, and the ship begins to descend. “Faye and Janette,” Fidelma calls out. “Teleport ahead onto the docks and prepare to catch the rope when Sam throws it down. Then tie us to the dock.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Janette replies. They look out over the railing and Janette points to a spot on the dock, saying, “Right there.”
“Looks good,” Faye agrees. They hold hands and disappear from the deck, only to reappear on the docks before the ship. Samantha readies the rope and tosses it down to the girls below.
