“Of course, I’ll teach you everything I know to strengthen every muscle of yours in that broken body,” he teased.
“Thank you, Vorsen. I appreciate all that you’ve done for me so far, since the night we first fought,” she said sincerely, “I’ve learned so much between Vilkinsen and you and can’t wait to become as strong as either of you,” she beamed.
“You’re already faster than me,” he added. “I can’t imagine the beast you’d become, nay, the bear you’d become, if you were as strong as me, too.”
Brisethi chuckled albeit painfully. “You have a strange obsession with bears.”
They were awkwardly silent for a moment, unaccustomed to her uncommon small talk, but he wasn’t ready to leave her alone for the remainder of the afternoon so soon.
“Oh, I nearly forgot,” Brisethi continued and attempted to reach for a small pouch. Etyne grabbed it for her. She pulled out a tiny trinket box carved from bone, with small purple flowers painted on the lid. “As you requested,” she grinned and handed it to him.
Etyne had nearly forgotten he requested her skill for the gift meant for Marinelle. He ran his fingertips along the smooth surface and admired the intricate flowers engraved and painted on it. “It’s very nice work,” he said. “I think my mother would appreciate this more, though. How much do I owe you?”
Brisethi chewed at her lower lip in thought. Charging him frakshins suddenly didn’t seem like something two friends would do. She eyed her empty water container. “Uh, since Korteni went out with one of her new friends, I’m kind of in need of a caretaker for the day, as in, I’m incredibly thirsty.”
Etyne nodded, took her water container and stood, “I shall return.”
She couldn’t understand why her heart was racing. Must be an effect of Ibrienne’s lingering mystics, she assumed, knowing her friend’s fondness for Etyne. Her throat was dry and couldn’t wait for Etyne, or anyone, to return with her container full of water. He had been gone longer than she expected, hoping the camp didn’t completely run out of water for the evening. She attempted to crawl toward the opening of the tent to see if anyone was on their way to check up on her, bumping into Etyne, causing him to nearly spill what he was carrying. She threw a curse word at him.
“I’m sorry about the wait, I was hungry and had a feeling you would be as well,” Etyne said as he placed the bundle of food between her bedroll and him. He unfolded the cloth to reveal fried bread and fresh seasoned chicken his tent-mates had been cooking up when he went to retrieve her container of fresh, cool water.
Brisethi was overjoyed at the sight and aroma of the meal he shared with her, fueling her small talk into ongoing conversations about the odd dreams she’d had while healing and various other experiences relating to her vivid dreams.
“And this dragon - he was an indigo color, so pretty, swooped down and took me in his talons to teach me to fly! But then suddenly I was just standing on top of a snowy mountain and he was gone, I was so angry that my dream switched just as I was enjoying it,” Brisethi finished her recollection of one dream.
“That sounds incredibly fun - I think my favorite dream had to have been about a year ago, when we were about to head into the mountains, I dreamt that I was talking to the wolves! They were all my-” Etyne’s story was cut off by the sound of recruits shuffling about, shouting, followed by gusts of heavy winds.
They were all shouting, “Sandstorm!”
“Aw, I want to see!” Brisethi whined as Etyne jumped up and hurried out of the tent.
Etyne shielded his face from the rapidly approaching winds carrying a massive cloud of sand. He couldn’t see in front of him and barely heard other recruits shouting and heading into nearby tents. The safety of his fellow recruits was his only concern but feared he was only putting himself in bigger danger when he could no longer see his hands before him. He retraced his steps back to Brisethi’s tent but was disoriented by gusts of sand blowing in all directions. He lowered himself to his hands and knees as unsecured debris flew all around.
Sergeant First Class Vilkinsen spotted Antuni and Sulica struggling when the first gust of wind had toppled over tents that weren’t properly secured. He directed them toward the command tent then searched for anyone else nearby who hadn’t sought shelter.
Ibrienne crawled, holding one arm out in hopes of finding somewhere to wait out the storm. Sand violently pounded at her face and whipped the hood off her head. She cried aloud in hopes that someone would shout back and guide her to their tent. Her shouts went unanswered. She crawled a few paces more until she bumped into someone.
Etyne grabbed the arm of the recruit that had bumped into him. He felt another hand grab the side of his arm to the right of him.
Brisethi pulled both Etyne and Ibrienne into the tent, thankful that both of her friends were safe. “It’s a good thing Ibrienne made sure to double post our tent!” She exclaimed while tying the flaps of the canvas tent.
Panting, Ibrienne replied, “Sounds like I was the only one who paid attention to his sandstorm lecture!”
A nearby tent flew into theirs, startling them all, but their shelter still held.
“I believe you were,” Etyne agreed.
Brisethi crawled back to her bedroll, still wincing from small pains in her body. Ibrienne followed her to relieve some of the pain where her mystics were wearing off.
“Ohhh, thank you Ibrienne,” Brisethi moaned in relief. “Hey, Vorsen, you sore anywhere? You should feel this,” she took his arm to drag him closer to them both.
“I don’t want you using up all your energy-” Etyne was cut off by the euphoric feeling of Ibrienne’s mystics relaxing his muscles. “But if you happen to have spare…” his voice trailed off as he laid his head down in between them both. Ibrienne smiled and laid her head down as well, letting her mystics flow to calm them all.
Soon, the sandstorm passed, and the recruits stepped out of the tents to begin recovering the items that hadn’t blown clear away from camp.
Chapter XI
Livian flawlessly ended the sweet melody with the draw of her bow across the strings, her fingers finding the correct strings with no sign of the struggle she’d shown initially.
Acolyte Elion Hadsen applauded his student’s violin solo at the end of the musical score. “Well done, class. Tomorrow, we will begin a final score for next month’s performance. Dismissed!”
The small class of students began to pack away their musical instruments. Livian placed her violin on her chair and hesitantly approached the acolyte composer. She cleared her throat and asked, “Mr. Hadsen, will you help me understand what I’m doing wrong?”
Elion Hadsen greeted Livian with a smile. He kept his long hair, dark as a raven, pulled back from his face and fastened with a pin, but a few strands always managed to escape during his exuberant displays when conducting. He brushed them back with his hand as he answered, “Of course, but I haven’t heard anything wrong with your skill.”
“That’s because you haven’t heard me attempt to play ‘Descension’,” she sighed.
“Dear spirits, Livian, why are you trying to learn such an advanced score?” Hadsen asked as he sorted through various sheets of music to find the piece.
“It’s one of my favorite songs and I was hoping - well I was hoping someone more skilled than myself could partner with me, to play the main melody,” Livian nervously asked, her eyes cast to the floor. She would have asked one of her fellow classmates, but, even after a year, she still could not seem to connect with them. However, she admired this particular acolyte instructor of the Citadel as a mentor, awed by his natural ability with the violin. Where many of the other instructors constantly demanded nothing short of excellence, Mr. Hadsen coaxed students to learn for themselves in a way that most of the time never even felt like learning. He was a favorite among many.
Hadsen found the score and reviewed it quickly, mentally noting the advanced key changes. He then reached for his violin case and opened it. “My dear Li
vian, I would love nothing more than to play this duet with you,” he sincerely replied, beaming. Livian’s heart raced with excitement.
Every evening for the next few weeks, Livian met with Hadsen in the sanctuary, for better acoustics, he had explained. When she needed to end early to carry on with her chores, he would offer to help her with them if they could practice another hour.
It was during one of those later sessions that Prelate Li’li had been searching for Hadsen to address a matter with him and discovered where he had been disappearing to. Prelate Li’li was enchanted with the duo’s performance of the dark score. After discussing the matter with Hadsen, an invitation was sent to perform for the emperor.
“What shall we wear, Livian?” Hadsen asked in mock seriousness after reading the invitation.
Livian shrugged wide-eyed. “I own absolutely nothing fit for an audience with Emperor Arquistas!” She flushed, thinking of the extremely modest wardrobe she’d been given upon her arrival to the Citadel.
“And General Satnir and Admiral Onilak,” Elion added, amused.
“The triad of the Dominion,” Livian whispered ecstatically. To every Resarian who held any regard to the military, General Riez Satnir and Admiral Sarina Onilak were the two most exemplary military leaders of the world. Livian could only ever dream to be half as powerful and graceful as Sarina.
“Tomorrow, we will spend the day downtown in search of the perfect outfits. How does that sound to you?” Elion suggested.
Livian nodded with a grin. Her life couldn’t be more perfect.
The thirty minute carriage ride to downtown Res’Baveth was filled with anticipation. Elion and Livian couldn’t decide what color or what type of fabric they should wear for their performance before the Dominion Triad. She was sure that she’d had enough frakshuns saved up to buy something that could pass as regal.
“Ugh, black and red? Why don’t we just wear Dominion dress uniforms if you’re trying to match everyone in the council room!” Livian teased.
“Well this violet color you’re so keen on isn’t exactly my type,” Elion retorted. “We will go to every clothing shop downtown until we find what suits us both as a pair, agreed?”
Livian nodded. Elion led them to a coffee and tea shop before starting their mission. He paid for their hot beverages and sat across from Livian on the patio along the canal. Though the sun was bright and shining, the spring breeze was crisp, making Livian grateful for her light jacket. They sat in silence at first, Elion absentmindedly watching the citizens pass by on their various errands. Livian kept sneaking glances at him, and he pretended not to notice.
“Elion,” Livian began. “Do you have a best friend?”
He swallowed his sip of tea and sought an answer in the sky. “Most of us acolytes spend a lot of time in solitary contemplation. We’re always in meditation to commune with the spirits to strengthen our own. When we’re not alone, we’re instructing other spirits to summon their mystics.” His dark green eyes met her piercing blue ones, and he smiled, “Since you’ve come along, I hadn’t spent this much time with anyone in years. I suppose that would make you my best friend.”
Livian’s face flushed as she grinned. “I consider you my best friend, too.” Mentally, she was kicking herself for sounding so lame.
In the first two shops they entered, they were immediately drawn to black and red silk dresses and suits. They shared an exasperated look with one another the second time. “It’s like we can’t get away!” Livian said. They finally entered a shop that had just opened up recently. The building had a beautiful ornate archway for the entrance, and the colors of the fabrics in the window were a wide variety of pastels. Livian favored the satin touch as she searched for a style and color she wanted.
After a moment, Elion approached her holding a suit and a dress of the same color and fabric. He held the dress up to her.
Livian’s jaw dropped in astonishment at the white satin dress that flowed to the floor. They smiled at one another and tried on his findings.
When she finished putting on the dress, she walked out to seek approval.
“Great divine spirits,” Elion whispered. “Do you know what an angel is?”
Livian arched a brow. “I remember learning about other nations that believed in them, yes. Winged spirits or something?”
“Celestial, beautiful, graceful.” He took her hand into his. “That is what you look like, Livian, an angel.” She glanced in a silver plated mirror nearby and was amazed at the transformation from her normal attire. Her platinum hair was still pinned up but strands had come loose from the effort of donning the dress. Still, she could almost believe his words.
After sharing dinner at a cozy restaurant, where Elion insisted Livian try a spiced drink he claimed originated from a distant land she’d never heard of, the two retrieved their altered garments. They carefully climbed into the carriage to begin their journey back to the Citadel.
“Livian,” Elion said suddenly. “What is it you desire most in life?”
Livian thought about the question for a moment. She gazed out the window at the various buildings they passed. “When I was a child, I wanted a home, I wanted parents. When that never happened, I wanted only to join the Dominion military to be a part of that family.”
“Is that still your life ambition?” he asked.
She let her eyes set on his again. “As I mentioned a year ago when I first joined your class, I’ve never been a spiritual person. I’ve slowly accepted this life, and respect the acolytes and your way of living. Prelate Li’Li has been nothing but kind to me. When I think about a four-year expedition training for the Dominion, I worry that I won’t make it.” She looked out the window again. “Sometimes, you create the most beautiful scores I have ever heard once we have mastered it. And then it makes me want to join a symphony. You alone have opened my mind up to many aspirations, Elion.”
“I’m glad that my music has at least touched one person,” he replied. “But whatever decision you make, whether military, spiritual or musician, I will be there to support you.”
Livian smiled graciously to him. “Thank you.”
The next few days passed in a blur. Before she knew it, the evening to entertain the Dominion Triad had arrived. Elion and Livian stood outside the ornately carved palace doors, giving one another compliments on their elegant dresswear. Elion’s dark hair was pulled back behind his ears while Livian’s blonde hair fell in curls to the middle of her back.
“Would you mind terribly if I said a prayer?” Elion asked, portraying anxiety before her for the first time since she had known him.
“Of course not, please, ask for their blessing,” Livian obliged.
They placed their violin cases on the ground to hold each other’s hands. They bowed their heads respectfully.
“Divine spirits of the Sea of Renewal,” Elion began. “Two spirits below seek out a simple blessing this night. Your descendants of Sariadne’s sovereign dragons ask only for the courage to calm our nerves, and the precision to perform the score created by your own, centuries ago. With sincere gratitude, your humble caretakers.”
Upon completion of the prayer, Livian lifted her head to steal a glance at her mentor, her best friend. “Good fortune, Elion.”
“Good fortune, Livian.”
Prelate Li’Li, followed by the Emperor’s trusted political advisor, Milia Kon, led Livian and Elion through the door and down a long hall towards the council room of the triad. The hall was adorned with masterful artwork, even by Citadel standards. Every so often they would pass a door presumably leading to some room or other halls. At the end of the hall was a room with a high vaulted ceiling and a grand mahogany staircase that swept up to the council room.
Livian couldn’t calm her pounding heart as they ascended the grand staircase. When she felt Elion take hold of her hand, her nerves suddenly settled. She briefly wondered if his very soul had inhabited her own to fill her with confidence.
Ambassador Milia Kon
was the first to enter the chamber of the triad. He swept in ahead of them and bowed gracefully, his thinning brown hair briefly visible to the triad. “Good evening, Emperor Arquistas, General Satnir, and Admiral Onilak. On behalf of Prelate Li’li and the acolytes of the Citadel, I present to you, Acolyte Elion Hadsen and his pupil, Livian Reej.”
Livian and Elion were both spellbound by the elegance displayed in the large room that served as an office and a council room of the Dominion leaders. Sconces along the wall burned brightly but the chandelier above gave off the most mystic light that seemed to somehow reflect into the room, and the heat emanating from the torches was light, playful almost.
Emperor Arquistas stood to walk to the front of his desk. Still considered to be in the prime of his life, the weight of keeping Sariadne safe had clearly taken its toll. He leaned against the desk as his two military leaders joined him to quietly talk to one another.
“They’re absolutely stunning,” Sarina softly spoke to Riez and Arquistas, strands of her strawberry blonde hair falling over her forehead as she leaned in.
“Indeed, they are,” Arquistas agreed, his cerulean eyes twinkling as he beheld the pair.
General Riez Satnir gently motioned to their guests. “If there’s anything you require of us?”
Livian was spellbound by the mighty leaders. Emperor Arquistas was lightly tanned with dark long hair neatly tied back. General Satnir had the biggest muscles she had ever seen, perfectly toned with his dark brown skin. But Admiral Onilak, in all her beauty, was fair skinned with hair nearly as blonde as Livian’s, tucked away into a styled bun.
“Thank you, Sir, but we have everything we need,” Elion confidently stated. With their violins at the ready, Elion gestured to Livian and began the dark melody of “Descension”.
Within seconds of beginning their score, Elion used his mystics to turn every burning flame from its natural yellow-orange to a deep blue. He then summoned blue sparkles of light to slowly fall around them, even swirled strands of light throughout the chamber. Their dulcet notes fell pleasantly on the ears of their small, yet powerful audience. Livian concentrated on moving her fingers and bow across the strings, feeling more at ease with the performance than she ever had in practice.
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