by Isu Yin
He scratched Besil’s chin. “Even if I wish, I can’t hold a grudge against you.”
“I’ve been wondering... Solaris really seemed to despise Leoht. What about you?”
His eyes moved back and forth, appearing to study every facet of her face. He lifted one shoulder and shifted his gaze to the wall. “I wonder.” He paused. “Is that all you needed?”
“Oh, I need to gather my things from the brothel.”
“You don’t live in the palace?”
“No, why?”
“Perhaps the odds are less discouraging than I suspected.”
“What in the world are you talking about?” She moved ahead towards the entrance, certain that if she continued, Akira would follow.
He walked more carefully with Besil in his arms. “My fate.”
“That sounds like a pun. Is it?”
“Indeed. You understand me.”
“Your sense of humor is very opportunistic. Witty though. I’ll give it that.” She passed through the main gates and waved at some of the familiar shopkeepers in the community.
“Between like or hate, which would you choose?”
“For you? You’re weird, but I’d say I like you.”
“Kui’lla? Me’em ou ya do. Meil ren do jyarul en, Reinka.”
“Now you’re just being an ass.”
He laughed, lacking his usual enthusiasm.
“You think that you can get away with saying anything you want, and you’re wrong.” She opened the sliding door at the brothel and removed her shoes. “I’m back!”
Her sisters raced from the hall, cheering, and throwing their arms out to hug her.
Tori was the only one who noticed Akira, and she retreated. “Your aura is devastating!”
He leaned forward to analyze her. “Vem? You’re like Bes.”
“Bes? That name sounds familiar.”
“It should. It’s an alias. Maybe you know his real name. Not that I intend to share it. Ha.”
Fate patted her younger sisters on the head and bowed as the Madam approached the entrance.
Fortuna also jumped back at the sight of Akira. “Praise be, you’re the last person I expected to see. On an errand for the Queen?”
“It would depend on who you’re referring to,” he said.
Fate already saw Tori fawning over him, which she only did with exceptionally attractive men. As much as Fate wanted to ask what her sister saw, the timing seemed inappropriate, so she proceeded with business. “Madam, may I speak with you privately? Akira can stay here.”
“Of course.” Fortuna trailed Fate to her room and listened as she collected clothing.
“I’ve been invited to study in the Capital. Akira is going to reform my pact with Hero tomorrow, but I wanted you to know that I heard the truth about how Hero tricked me into playing Rota Fortunae. I also know that everyone thinks he might be a dead man, though I don’t see how it’s possible.”
“Fate, I think you should know that your efforts have been valuable. I feel more comfortable knowing you’re in safe hands. We failed to bring Hero onto our side without Abyssus, so you did us a service. None of our information has been validated. At the very least, Hero is also in the dark about a lot of things. ”
Fate shoved clothes into a bag. “I just wish you would’ve been more honest with me about the magnitude of this situation. It feels like everyone has been waiting for me to fail. Even now, I feel like I have to rely on a man I don’t know to learn anything. When were you going to tell me about Ussan? From the start, I’ve been completely blindsided by my supposed allies and family. If this is how it’s been for Hero, then I can’t blame him. Where’s the accountability for his condition? How can all of you overlook his illness when it’s that serious?”
Fortuna sat on her knees, at Fate’s side, and hugged her head. “I’m sorry. There are still many buried truths in this empire. I’m sure your trust in me will waver, but know I love you dearly. I want nothing more than to protect you. We’re not ignoring the miasma poisoning. Even though it may be hard to see, we’re all working hard to make it change.”
Fate understood how Akira might’ve felt when he said he couldn’t hold a grudge against her. She wanted to be angry because it seemed more logical to be upset, but she also wanted to trust her mother. “I’ll forgive you if you can tell me what this means: Meil ren do jyarul en, Reinka.”
“Where in the world did you hear that?”
“Can you translate it?”
“I suppose you can translate Reinka to mistress, or princess, or even lady. It suggests a woman of higher power.”
“That one has been bothering me for a while, so I’m glad you answered that, but what about the rest?”
Fortuna laughed. “Don’t tell me Hero said this. This language is extremely interpretive, so I can only assume the context. Roughly, it means, ‘I love Mistress more than anyone,’ or maybe he meant, ‘I love Mistress the most.’ I’m not too sure.”
Fate’s head reeled as she heard the words. They served as confirmation of the various connections between Akira and Solaris. ”Thank You.” She collected her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“In all of history, has there ever been a case where someone was Bound to two people?”
“What? Praise be. No. In order for that to happen, the first binding would have to be severed. I can’t imagine what that would do to the people involved. Surely, they’d die.”
“That’s what I thought, but don’t worry. I was just curious. I hope to see you soon, Madam. Wish me luck.”
“You know I always wish you well. Be safe, Fate. Please.”
“I will certainly try.” She returned to Akira in the hearth room, where her sisters had gathered to observe Besil. She guessed the topic of pets would resurface. “Akira, I’m done.”
“Then, we shall return.”
She hugged her sisters, wished them well, and followed him outside. “You can’t tell me anything about you?”
“I can, but I won’t.”
“Why not?”
“The truth is blinding.”
“I won’t pry if it bothers you.”
“Thank you, kindly.”
She patted his back, and he faced her. “I know I’ve apologized a few times, but I really am sorry for what I said at the palace. I’m not sure what got into me. I’d like to become your friend, if you’re interested.”
“I believe my interests are clear.”
His honesty stunned her.
When he perceived that she wasn’t going to respond, he added, “If you wish to be friends, then I’ll have to accept.”
She listened closely to his tone of voice, or really, his voice in general, which sounded smooth and pleasant. He possessed great control over his inflection, so no matter how he felt he managed to come across as fairly cheerful. “I like your voice. The sound of it makes me happy. I can’t explain it.”
He paused for an unusually long time. “You surprised me. How strange that you focus on the one thing I can’t change.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Wa’an re. If it pleases you, I will speak often.”
“I might like that.”
He moved closer to her side and waved an arm. “And so, our journey has ended.”
“Don’t say it that way. It sounds sad.”
“What’s this? You’re surprising.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Ma’ail do. Don’t say these things. I might abduct you.”
“You’re funny.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Sorry.” She tucked her hands to her chest. “Can I look this time?”
“Must you?”
“I must!”
“Ma’ail.”
“Seriously, what does that mean?”
Akira leaned against her. “Precious.” Darkness swelled up from beneath his feet and wrapped around them.
When it dispersed,
she gazed over the wall at the top of the hill in Inoue Community, and the vast ocean spread out before her. The breeze greeted her back, and the wind chimes resonated in the distance.
“Be well, Reinka.” He patted her head and swiftly began to step away, but she pulled him back by the sleeve.
“This might sound strange but we seem connected somehow, so I don’t want to leave you alone.” She perceived an air of loneliness from his aura. Solaris had mentioned that he felt abandoned, and she wanted to avoid hurting Hero or Akira in that way. Ever since her rude comment, a tinge of guilt lingered like the sting of a burn. “If you need me for any reason, just say so.”
Akira released a low laugh and stroked her head. “Aa, ma’ail. You’re too kind. These restrictions have become tiresome....” He sighed heavily. “If you saw my face, you’d come to my side in a heartbeat.”
“Are you that legendary creature?”
“Hmm?”
“A narcissist.”
“If it is considered narcissism to know you’re attractive, then it is a title I shall proudly receive. I’ve worked hard to become this handsome.”
“You have only your parents to thank for your looks.”
He laughed loud and hard, but lacked sincerity. “I’m afraid not.”
“Queen Heqet is right. You’re an enigma.”
“Doesn’t it make me more charming?” He swung his head side-to-side as though showing her various angles of his masked face.
“I can’t even see your face!”
“It is easy to tell if someone is attractive. Look carefully. I am the epitome of attraction.”
Fate couldn’t contain herself any longer. She laughed and shook her head. “You’re the epitome of eccentric. I can’t tell you if you’re trying to be funny or serious.”
“Both.”
“You’re amusing.”
He sounded almost sad. “I’m flattered.”
“Even though you say that, your tone of voice doesn’t say it at all.”
“I must use this voice you love wisely.” The cat in his arms growled in its sleep. “My friend has grown cross. I’m afraid it’s time for me to return.”
“Already? I guess you’ve been saying that a lot. I’ll let you go.”
“Do you wish for me to stay? Aa, it saddens me, but I must leave.” He waved. “Sael mir ven—I will see you tomorrow.”
“Oh! A translation? Thank you!”
“You mean vuin ya?” His eyes smiled, forming a small wrinkle under each side, not of age but character.
“Sorry to stall, but I’m curious. How old are you?”
“Hmm... I’ve lost track. I never stay in one place too long, so I never notice how much time has passed. What do you think? Would you like to find out?” He waved a hand from his head to his feet.
“Sure.” Since she grew up in the brothel, his commentary did little to faze her. She stretched out her hands, grabbed his waist, and patted him down. “You seem young enough.”
“Wh... dangerous. You shouldn’t touch grown men. How unexpected. I am alarmed.”
Her studies worked. As it turned out, he was bluffing, after all.
“I only grabbed your waist. Why are you so alarmed? It’s not like I meant to proposition you.”
He flapped his hand at her. “You mustn’t touch strange men.”
“You’re so weird. You gave me permission to do that. Since you couldn’t answer, I accepted your invitation.”
He paused and thought deeply, much deeper than usual. “Since you’re so interested, I am 185 centimeters tall. My measurements are 93-75-90—”
“I don’t need that kind of information! Do you think I’m going to buy you a suit or something?”
“You seemed curious.”
Besil awakened and jumped down from Akira’s arms, then nipped his ankle.
Akira complained. “Wa’an re.”
He said that again. I guess it means ow? Earlier, he must’ve meant I hurt him.
“Duty calls,” he said.
“Be well, Akira.”
“Sael mir ven, Reinka.” He collected Besil in his arms again and disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.
She stared at the place he had been standing, until the smoke completely dissipated, and her mind wandered with thoughts of Solaris. Needless to say, she considered him as strange as anyone else; however, she also enjoyed his quirky sense of humor. She saw nothing to be wary of, likely because of her bond with Hero as well. The concept of someone being tainted seemed less daunting after falling in love with him. She noticed the wonderful parts about the Tainted as much as the negative effects of their affliction.
Time to forgive him and turn in this journal.
Fate took her time returning to the cottage, so she could think about her current predicament. Towards the end, Akira had answered her questions more directly. She wondered if being happy caused him to open up, or if his outward affections towards her fueled his moments of honesty.
Hero had upset her, but she wanted to forgive him as well. She believed that every decent relationship meant overcoming obstacles and, therefore, she carried positive thoughts about their blunder.
She walked back to the cottage, fully prepared to resolve the argument, and almost stepped on Hero at the front door.
“Fate!” He shot up from the floor, grasping the air around her. “I tried to think of things I might not have told you but I really couldn’t think of anything important so then I started to wonder how much you wanted to know and I just wanted to say that I’m sorry and if you have questions please feel free to interrogate me.”
“I’m really amazed you said that all in one breath, but I think I’ve interrogated you enough already.”
“I’m sorry for lying.”
“It’s hard to say that you lied, considering you didn’t really say anything at all.”
“Right? I mean... no. I lied. Sorry.”
“Oh my, you just agreed with me.”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh? I think it is. It just slipped out, didn’t it?”
“Um... yes, sorry. You’re right.”
A red streak ran across his nose and upper cheeks, and he clenched his hands together so tightly the skin pulled beneath his fingers.
She roughly patted his head. “Oh, calm down. I’m just giving you a hard time. You should be more careful. When you get flustered you say the wrong thing.”
“Yes, sorry.”
“Never mind that. I got the journal.”
“May I see it?”
She opened her bag and passed him the journal, then followed to an organized storm of books and paper by the window seat. “I can see you’ve been busy.”
“You said you wanted me to translate, but some of these books are long. Even if I can read them quickly, translating takes a lot of time and paper. I’ve been recording important facts and summarizing each book for you.”
She picked up one of the pages, which had been neatly categorized by subject and bullet points. “My, you’re meticulous, even with studies.”
“What you mean is, especially with studies.” He snatched it and placed it back carefully with the stack she pulled it from. “Please don’t touch anything until I explain.”
“Sorry. What’s going on here?”
“I want to translate the cover inscription first.” He placed the three journals around until the gold pattern matched up. “There’s still one journal missing, but I should be able to read enough of it to understand.” He leaned closely. “Minu rul kklia sau—”
“What does it mean?”
“The subject is cut off, but essentially it’s referring to secrets being told at dark or in the darkness.”
“Let’s see what happens if we take the journals into someplace completely dark.”
They collected journals from the floor and took them into the guest room, shutting the curtain and blowing out the candles.
Fate held two of the covers by the corner. “Re
ady?”
“Ye.”
They opened the covers together, and the pages glowed with blue letters.
Hero ran his finger over the one in front of him. “This ink might be made of crystal dust. Ilrn re! Yaema en Abyssus.”
“If you said anything to praise Abyssus, then I have to agree with you.”
“I said he’s a genius.”
Fate opened one of the journals, Undal. “I just had you translate, but Abyssus might’ve finished the work first.”
“I haven’t finished yet, but you might be right. We’ll just have to read and find out.” He rested against the pillows at the head of the bed to read.
She crawled up, joined him, and used his arm to lean her head against. “I could fall asleep.”
“Then don’t lay on me.”
“Can’t you read a mood?”
“Oh, sorry. I was reading.”
She rested against his chest and his heart beat quickened. “Relax.”
His pulse wasn’t just fast, but irregular. “I’m supposed to relax like this? It’s impossible.”
“Nothing is really impossible.”
“Plenty of things are impossible. For example, I can’t turn my limbs to roots.”
“By all that is, must you always have the last word? The more you think about it, the more troubled you’ll be. Your problem is that you never allow yourself to settle into anything. Your mind is always racing and grasping at something new to worry about.”
“That... that’s true, actually. Huh. Maybe you’re right.”
“You can’t argue with logic.”
“That’s also true. Okay, I’ll just read.”
She shook her head and read the opening of the journal to herself.
There are many myths surrounding Undal, the Old World. I often wondered why it received this title when few people believed it existed. Recently, I had the chance to travel to the Capital for a conference, and I sat in to listen to the Elders tell tales in the Centre.
They talked about a kingdom called Chien, a thriving land of gold and fire. Supposedly, it was the home of the Igni and, also, the Capital of a graciously growing empire. I say ‘gracious’ loosely because I’ve unburied some horrific truths about this tale.
