by T.M. Nielsen
***
Kyrin looked over when Creteloc walked into the caves. “Did you get it?”
“I told you I would,” she said matter-of-factly. Creteloc held out a black leather vest, and Kyrin slipped into it.
“You said this is shadow elf made?”
“Yes, it won’t impede your fighting but will help if you are hit.”
“Did Daemionis confirm that the Clemency Consortium doesn’t know what I did in Paragoy?” Kyrin asked her.
Creteloc walked past her and began to stir a poison that bubbled in the fire. “They have no idea. Paragoy is not within their grasp yet.”
“And Sithias?”
“Sithias contacted Daemionis to ensure you weren’t being punished for the use of magic.”
“Why does he care?”
“We aren’t sure but believe that Sithias wants your power for his own.”
“Good luck, I’m not going back there.”
“Why is that, exactly?” Creteloc asked her. “You had food and water, shelter, yet you did as you wanted, and they were clueless as to your true nature. It seems to me like such a land, would benefit you immensely.”
“You know why,” Kyrin whispered, and then sat down to re-pack her tiny bag.
“Ah yes, the king. I knew it would happen soon enough.”
“What?”
“You grew up, Kyrin. It’s natural to seek out a mate.”
Her nose wrinkled. “That’s not it.”
Creteloc smiled evilly. “Yes, it is. We’ve kept matters of the flesh from you, but you are a woman, and it’s raising its nasty head.”
“What do you mean?” Kyrin asked, watching her.
“It’s not my place to teach you.”
“Whose is it?”
“No ones. When Daemionis decides you can have a mate, he will let us know.”
“No!” Kyrin whispered. “He cannot make me marry.”
Creteloc began to fill vials with the bubbling purple liquid from the fire. “When the time comes, he will help you with that also. Daemionis won’t allow you to become the possession of another.”
“Well, he’ll have to find me first.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes, I’ve been here for six months, and I’m ready to go.”
“Wanderlust”
“I don’t have wanderlust.”
“You do. It’s in your blood. Are you going to seek out Paragoy?” Creteloc asked.
“No, and even if I wanted to, I don’t remember how I got there. I was running from the Shadowmere and have no idea the path of dimensions I took to get there.”
“I would still think you would try.”
“You seem pretty intent on getting me to live in a land full of the good.”
“Your corruption would be good for them.”
Kyrin laughed. “You want me to bring evil into their land! That’s your plan, isn’t it?”
“No land should be without it.”
“Thank you again, Creteloc,” Kyrin said as she adjusted her belt over the new black leather vest.
“The Clemency Consortium will be out there looking for you.”
“I know, and I’ve avoided them for this long. I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
“I’d hate to see Daemionis’ magic user disappear.”
“I won’t.” With that, Kyrin walked out with her tiny bag her only possession and quickly left Paramide Dimension, landing directly in Kyrstalis.
Creteloc had given her a cloak to help conceal her identity while she traveled through Kyrstalis to the dimension at its furthest west borders.
The stench of death and decay filled her senses the second she appeared in the cemetery. The dry grass crunched beneath her feet as she made her way quickly across the city. The Shadowmere would never stop looking for her, and she felt exposed and vulnerable on their home turf.
Too easily, she found the portal and then breathed a sigh of relief when she walked through and appeared in the dimension with the river of death.
She ignored the bodies floating along with the current as they reached out for her, teasing her to come help them.
She knew better. The first time she’d been in that dimension, she saw a priest of Kynekke reach down to help one of the bodies. His eyes had grown wide and lifeless almost immediately. He was then pulled into the water and screamed soundlessly as he was pulled beneath the surface.
Skirting as far away from the water as possible, she walked quickly toward the dimension she wanted. She knew the dimension connections within four dimensions from each direction off of Kyrstalis. After that it was all unknown, and she headed out to see if she could find safety away from the Consortium’s vigilant eye.
