by Toni Cox
By the time they reached the gates of Braérn, Midnight was long out of sight and the inhabitants of Braérn opened their doors willingly to them.
An outlook had been set to await their arrival and when he saw them approach, he blew three short blasts on his horn to inform the city that they had arrived. People came out to greet them and walk with them through their city.
Braérn was bigger than Shadow Hall, numbering about five times as many inhabitants, and was one of the very few big cities on Elveron. Most cities did not have more than one to three thousand inhabitants. Shadow Hall’s total population numbered just over two thousand, and although small compared to Braérn, was actually one of the larger cities.
Braérn was set on one of the Trade Routes and trade flourished. One could procure a vast variety of goods here, some very exotic from as far away as the rain forests in the south. It was set along the banks of Nithril Deep, one of the Great Lakes of Elveron.
Their houses were built mostly from river clay, with great beams of oak for structure. The walls were whitewashed and their stained glass windows sparkled in the sunlight. Multicoloured cloth adorned every window and every roof sprouted a flag with the family’s crest. The narrow lanes between the houses were cobbled in river stone and were always scrubbed so clean that they shone in the sun light. In the middle of the city was a great market square, where the traders exhibited their wares. This also was cobbled, but interspersed with beautifully tended flower beds, sprouting a fantastic variety of local and exotic plants and flowers.
The delegation was led to the stables where they stabled their horses for the duration of their stay. Maia fussed over Fire, making sure he was comfortable, before shouldering her pack to follow Jaik out. She did not want to leave Fire there. She drew strength from his closeness and she knew how he hated to be confined. Jaik consoled her by telling her it would only be for a few days. It did not make her feel much better.
People came to help them carry their goods to their accommodation, but Maia insisted on carrying her own bag. They were taken to The Deep, the largest of the guest houses in Braérn, which was run by one of the old noble families of Braérn; the house of Falconfall.
Lord Kyreon Swiftfisher and the Elders of the Swiftfisher clan were with Burindor Falconfall as he greeted them when they arrived at the lodge.
“Greetings, people of Shadow Hall and Tarron Heights, may the Mother ever smile on you,” Lord Swiftfisher welcomed them in the traditional greeting, and then clasped arms with everyone in turn.
Greetings with everyone were exchanged, but when it was her turn to clasp arms with Kyreon, he whispered in her ear. “My Lady, you have grown ever more beautiful, it is an honour to have you among us, even for such a short while.”
Kyreon had been friends with her father for centuries and he had always harboured a hope that, one day, Maia might wed his son, Kanarel, to cement the bond between the two clans. Although Kanarel was a Noble and a man of standing in Braérn, he was not the kind of man Maia saw herself spending the rest of her life with. Her father knew this and would not insist on the union.
“You are too kind, Lord Kyreon. It is a pleasure to see you too and to walk once again within your beautiful city.”
Once the formalities were over, they were given some time to store their luggage, rest and wash. Tonight there would be a feast to welcome them and Maia was glad for the time to compose herself before attending the formalities.
When Maia entered her room, she was surprise to find a steaming bath ready for her. Candles were placed all around it and the water smelled faintly of lavender. Soaps, sponges and brushes sat on a low stool next to the bath.
She dropped her bag on the bed, which sat next to a stained glass window overlooking a small courtyard full of orange blossom trees. She was about to take off her clothes, when there was a rap on wood to her left. She briefly cast a look to her right, where the door was, and then turned towards where the sound had come from.
“It’s me,” Jaik said, then opened the wide curtain that divided his room from hers.
“Oh, I did not notice that when I came in. I like it.”
She smiled at him. She enjoyed being with her brother. Up until the age of seventy, they had been inseparable. They had done everything together, from learning the ways of the world from the Elders, to learning to hunt from the Hunters. They learned to ride and swim and fight together. Jaik had even stayed with her when she had her lessons with Silas.
Once they had reached seventy though, they had to take up the responsibilities of being Lord Longshadow’s heirs. Jaik got initiated into the Legion, where he spent ten years and had then risen in rank to join the Regiment. On his hundredth, Jaik had been made part of the Guard and eventually become Commander. Maia had been made ambassador to her clan. In the last twenty two years she had travelled to many places, meeting with many different clans on behalf of her father. Her stay on Earth was just one of her latest absences. So they had grown apart a little, each feeling the loss of the other dearly. She missed the times she spent with him and decided to make the most of their time together here in Braérn. They left the curtain open.
Once they had both bathed and changed, they went down the stairs to meet up with the rest of the delegation. In the foyer they were met again by the lodge owner, Burindor Falconfall, who led them into a large, square courtyard situated at the back of the lodge. It was set between three walls of bordering houses, the fourth wall being the back entrance to the guest house. Trees lined the outside borders, filling the yard with shade and their sweet perfume. Lanterns had been hung across the open spaces and long tables, set with candles and flowers, had been set up. Flags fluttered in the occasional breeze.
Lord Swiftfisher, and to Maia’s dismay his son Kanarel, as well as all the Elders and nobility of Braérn were already there. Musicians had set up a stand at the far end of the square and were playing a lively little tune Maia recognised as the The Swallows Feast when they entered.
Kanarel spotted her almost immediately and made his way across the courtyard to them.
“Here he comes, Maia, smile.” Jaik whispered in her ear and then suppressed a laugh, but he never let go of her arm, as if to protect her.
She elbowed him in the ribs and put a smile on her face. It was her duty to talk to him and maintain the relationship between the families, but it was a tedious task.
“My Lady, it is so good to see you. May the Mother ever smile on you.” He took her hand and brushed it with his lips. Maia tried not to squirm.
“And you, Commander Jaik.” Kanarel bowed to her brother.
Maia was surprised that Kanarel had thought to use Jaik’s title. He was probably trying to get into Jaik’s good books to get closer to her. Then, much to Maia’s dismay, Kanarel took her arm to lead her across the smooth flagstones of the courtyard. Jaik reluctantly let go of her and followed close behind.
Kanarel took them to the table that was set up a little distance from the rest. It was perched on a low step, giving it an elevated position over the rest of the tables. Standing by the table were Lord Swiftfisher and his wife Amandel. The Elders of Braérn were already seated, talking to Jadae, Ramaer and Lidvar, as well as the delegation of Tarron Heights.
Kanarel guided her to the head of the table. Maia disliked being put on display like this, but she let him pull her chair out for her and she sat down reluctantly. She breathed a sigh of relief when Jaik refused the other end of the table and came to sit to her right. A brief expression of annoyance crossed Kanarel’s face, but he quickly hid it and took his seat to her left. Although they had known each other for a long time, Maia still found it difficult to talk to Kanarel. He was always stiff and formal and his hawk-like nose and narrow face did nothing to soften his demeanour.
Maia endured some moments of small talk with Kanarel before his parents, as well as a handful of nobility took their seats at the table and rescued her from his single-minded attention. Everyone wanted to talk to her and find out how he
r ceremony had gone and how she had enjoyed her stay on Earth and how long she had been back and…she thought the questions would never end.
Finally, when Maia thought she could not bear all the attention any more, the food was brought out. Braérn was famous for their fish, which abounded in Nithril Deep, and this evening they didn’t disappoint. At first, there was a fish and vegetable soup, accompanied with freshly baked bread and salty butter. Next they served the main dishes. Grilled fish with vegetables, baked fish with goat’s cheese, fried fish in a maize batter and a fish stew with barley, wheat and ale. Served alongside the fish dishes were a variety of different breads, vegetables and fruits. To round off the meal, they were served a baked pudding of some kind of grain Maia wasn’t familiar with, but which was very tasty, as well as a platter of different cheeses. Maia tasted a little of everything, but abstained from the wine and ale they were serving and asked for water instead.
After the meal, there were some speeches, most to praise her and thank her for her presence, which annoyed her. Then there was singing and dancing and the evening progressed much more to Maia’s liking as everyone’s attention shifted from her. The atmosphere was more relaxed and the conversation turned to recent news and stories, instead of centering on her. She even allowed Kanarel to dance with her once, before they all settled down again to listen to Eleonar tell them the story of how had he caught his first fish. Eleonar was not a Fisherman, but an Elder and the story was so ridiculous that they were all soon laughing. Maia did not notice when Jaik left the table and only when Eleonar had finished did she realise he was not beside her.
She glanced across the court yard. The sun had set and the lanterns had been lit. They glowed in a variety of colours, giving the court yard a festive atmosphere and creating patches of dappled light and shadow underneath the trees. The throng of people was so thick that she could hardly see the opposite wall. She shifted on her chair, trying to get a better view, and then she spotted him. He was talking to a petite girl with flowing silver hair. Maia did not recognise her and wondered who she was. She was about to wave at her brother to get his attention, but then thought better of it. Let him enjoy himself for a while without having to worry about me, she thought and turned back to the conversation at the table.
The talk had turned to fishing yet again and she soon lost interest. Kanarel had gone off to dance with his mother, for which she was thankful. It left her free to glance around at the people at the feast. She noticed Durinn, Lord of Alea Yll, talking to Skylor, Lord of Thala Yll. There was Senriël, who traded with the people of Stoneloft across the lake and often bought horses from her father. Tamwen she also knew; he was a master Jeweller and she had bought a necklace for her mother from him once.
Kanarel came back to the table and poured them both a glass of wine.
“Are you sure you do not want to dance any more?” he asked her.
“No, thank you, Kanarel, I am still really tired from the journey.” She hoped her feeble excuse would hold with him, but when he didn’t press her, she sighed with relief.
She pretended to sip from her wine, but then set it back on the table and didn’t touch it again.
Maia was looking at a spot just past Kanarel’s ear while he regaled her with stories about Braérn. He bored her and she was not really listening to him, but he did not seem to notice. It was a few moments before she realised that someone was watching her.
It started with a small shiver that ran up her back and made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She was immediately alert and on her guard. Kanarel was still talking, unaware of her discomfort. She narrowed her eyes and scanned the crowd around her.
People were talking, laughing and dancing and she did not notice him at first. However, something kept drawing her eyes across the courtyard to the far side where the back entrance was. She strained her eyes to take a closer look within the shadow of the tree.
There, just out of the lantern light, stood a man. As she watched, he leant his lithe body against the tree, bringing his features more into the light. He stared at her lazily. He was tall, with unruly dark hair and a tanned face. He was clothed all in black leather, as far as she could tell, which gave him a roguish air. His leather vest was sleeveless, which left his muscular arms bare and she could distinctly see the play of muscles underneath his skin. Maia felt flushed, suddenly hot in the cool evening air.
Slowly, a small, knowing smile appeared on his face, exposing his slightly pointed eye teeth. Maia sucked in a sharp breath. Her heart fluttered. She felt like she was being watched by a predator. She knew she was in danger, but was unable to move. It was a similar sensation as when she felt Midnight fly above her in the dark. His eyes, dark in the sparse light, bored into her, seeming to touch something deep inside and she started to breathe faster. Her heart beat irregularly in her chest. She tried to look away, but her eyes were drawn to him and she drank in the vision of him, unaware of the little moan that escaped her lips. She felt like she knew him. He looked familiar, but every time she thought she knew who he was, strange memories flooded her mind and she lost the threat of what she had been thinking.
Just then, a pair of dancers moved between them and the moment was broken. It was so sudden, she almost toppled off her chair. She craned her neck, but when the dancers moved, he was gone.
“Did you hear what I said? Do you agree?”
“Hmm.” Maia made the non-committal sound in her throat, unable to speak.
Kanarel carried on speaking to her as if nothing had happened. She could not focus on him and eventually excused herself to go to her room. Of Jaik, there was nothing to be seen and she wished she could speak to him now about the disturbingly handsome stranger that had looked at her like that.
Climbing the stairs to her room, she could still see his face, the finely chiselled nose, the square jaw and the sensual lips she wished would kiss her. Her heart started to pound again.
“Urgh.” She shook herself. “What are you thinking?”
Cursing her momentary lapse of sense she entered her room. She didn’t even know the man. Who was he to make her feel like this? She sighed. Deep down she knew who he was and it did not make her feel better. What could Death want from her? Why did they keep meeting like this? Why had he looked at her that way? And, most important of all, why did he make her feel this way? No other man had ever made her feel like this. She had to admit to herself that she had probably never given anyone opportunity to make her feel that way. She thought of Aaron and wondered why she didn’t feel like this with him.
Maia paced around her room, unable to get the other Prime out of her head. She tried to distract herself. She readied her clothes for tomorrow, then took a bath and eventually sought the mind link with Midnight and let him show her what he had hunted that night and how he had frightened a herd of horses and of the colour of the sun as it had set behind the mountains. He seemed to be aware that she wanted to be distracted and did not pry into the strange feelings within her, but deep down she could feel his disapproval.
By the time the moons started to set, she thought she was ready to sleep, her feelings for the stranger momentarily subdued.
Then, when she closed her eyes to sleep, she felt another stirring within her. This was something she was used to, but had not felt this strongly in a long while. Someone was in pain; life-threatening pain.
She sat up. She felt the familiar tightening in her stomach and she had to breathe deep so the nausea would not overwhelm her. The Life Elemental within her protested at not being able to help, making the nausea worse, but in a city this large, she didn’t even know where to begin looking.
She started to sweat and her breathing became laboured. She went to the wash basin and splashed some cold water in her face. If others were aware of the person’s pain, surely they would come and get her, or at least one of the Healers of Braérn. She sat back down on the bed and waited, concentrating on not throwing up. But no-one came and eventually she started pacing, glancing out t
he window every time she passed it.
Just when she thought it would never end, the pain intensified and it felt like she was burning from the inside. She moaned and sat on the floor, resting her head on her knees. Then, as abruptly as it had started, the pain was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief, but then a terrible peace stole over her and she knew with an unshakable certainty that it was Death who had stilled the pain and taken the persons life. Feeling more miserable than when the pain had begun, she climbed into her bed and finally fell into a restless sleep.
Sunlight streamed through the window, waking her. She lay quiet for a moment and watched the dust motes dance in the rays of light. Although there was a dull throbbing at her temples, she felt strangely elated. Even the thought of last night’s events could not dampen her spirit. She got up and glanced into the other room. Jaik was lying on his bed, still dressed and fast asleep. She went to do her ablutions and get dressed before she woke him. Her hair still dripping from her bath, she went to stand over him and wrung her hair out so the drops fell into his face. He woke with a startled cry, and then reached out and wrestled Maia down onto his bed, knuckling the top of her head. They both laughed until their sides hurt. Maia could not explain it, but she felt happier today, than she had felt since she had come home. It almost felt as if something had finally clicked into place, as if something that had been missing had finally been found.
