by Lana Axe
“I’ve had more important matters to occupy my time,” he said coldly, drawing his hand away. He took a seat near the fireplace and leaned his head on his hand as if bored. “I see you haven’t come for scholarly purposes.” He raised his eyebrows and looked her up and down once more.
“Indeed not,” she admitted, a flirtatious smile spreading across her ruby lips.
“I’m busy, Sirra. I don’t have time for social calls.”
“Then perhaps I can assist you in your work,” she suggested. “I may not be a master sorcerer, but I have some rather useful skills.”
“Not unless you have experience binding essences,” he replied.
The statement took Sirra by surprise, and she searched his face for any sign he was joking. “Are you serious?” she asked curiously.
He nodded once in reply and offered no explanation.
Taking a seat across from him, Sirra shook her head. “I should have known you’d be working on something so outlandish. You never stuck to conventional magic, that’s for sure.” She laughed quietly to herself.
“You’re wasting my time,” he said, the annoyance clear in his voice. “If you don’t have anything to contribute, I’ll be getting back to my work.” He stood to leave, but Sirra grabbed his wrist.
“Wait,” she said. “Perhaps I can be of some assistance to you.” She patted the seat next to her, imploring him to sit.
“This had better be worth my time,” he said as he sat.
“First off, whose essence are you trying to bind?”
“Yelaurad,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“You can’t be serious,” she said, staring at him. No one had ever attempted binding a god, especially not the angry fire god Yelaurad. Such a task was unfathomable.
“Eventually, at least,” he added upon seeing her dumbfounded expression.
“That would be monumental.” Sirra had no idea that his ambitions reached so high. If such a thing were possible, she knew Telorithan would be the one to find a way. “Tell me how I can help,” she said. “Or at least let me see what you’ve discovered.”
“So far, I have practiced only on a single elf. The process was far simpler than I had imagined. The next step would be to trap something stronger, such as an elemental.”
“We should travel to the Red Isle.”
“I’m not ready for that,” he admitted. “I have managed to bind an elf’s power to augment my own, but he was weak. Before I attempt an elemental, I need to bind someone stronger.”
“I see your point. Binding an elemental isn’t going to be easy. They have immense power that we elves strive to emulate.”
“Exactly. I should challenge a master sorcerer to a duel and bind his essence when he falls.” Telorithan was sure he had the ability to beat any other sorcerer in battle.
“I know of something better than that,” she replied as if dangling a carrot in front of him. Feeling as if she now had leverage, she decided to tease him a bit.
“Tell me,” he demanded, his tone serious.
“Uh-uh,” she said, wagging a finger near his nose. “Not so fast. I need something in return.”
Telorithan stared at her, waiting for her to name her price. His arcane studies had focused intensely on fire and destruction, leaving no time to master the art of mind control. He regretted that fact momentarily, wishing he could drag the secret from her mind without having to play her silly games.
“I’d like a kiss first,” she said provocatively.
He grabbed her and forcefully shoved his lips into hers. Holding a hand behind her head a little tighter than she would like, he continued the kiss as long as he could stand it before pushing her away.
“Now tell me.”
“That wasn’t a nice kiss,” she said, the amusement draining from her face. “If you aren’t going to play nice, I guess I’ll have to keep what I know to myself.”
Telorithan sighed and rolled his eyes. Why did she insist on acting like a child? There was no time for this. If she truly had useful information, she should share it without a fuss. He placed his hands on her cheeks and once again pulled her in for a kiss. This time he was gentle, and proceeded to kiss the side of her neck and shoulder as well.
“Is that better?” he asked.
“Much,” she replied playfully. “There is an elf who is already bound by an elemental. If you bind him, you will almost certainly have the power to bind a full elemental.”
Telorithan shot to his feet, staring at Sirra in disbelief. “Where is he? Why have I not heard of this?”
“Because you’re too busy studying alone to pay attention to events happening around you,” she replied. “I’ll tell you where he is for another price.” She drew the jeweled pin from her hair, allowing her raven locks to cascade freely about her shoulders. Her dark eyes narrowed, inviting him closer to her.
A wicked expression crept over his face as he grabbed her, pulling her body close to his. “You always know how to excite me.”
Chapter 13
The waters of the Blue River danced and shimmered beneath the early-morning sunlight. Lenora had risen early and planned to have a walk beside the river and enjoy the beautiful weather. Her Coming of Age Ceremony would take place shortly after sunset, and she planned to savor her final day as an elf with no responsibilities. Tomorrow she would officially be an adult, and she would be expected to make her own place among her people.
As she arrived at the edge of the village, she removed her shoes and proceeded to the riverbank. She noticed River standing silently at the base of the waterfall, listening to the voice of the Spirit. A gentle mist had settled around him, but she could clearly make out his figure above the surface of the water. She smiled at the sight of him but chose not to disturb the interaction.
River was aware of her presence the moment her toes touched the water, yet his focus did not waver. He listened intently to the words of the Spirit.
A great evil has come upon the dwarves of the mountains. A presence resides in the water. To the village of stone you will travel, or many will surely die.
“What can I do for them?” River asked in earnest. “I would save the lives of those in danger, but I do not know what awaits me. How may I prepare?”
The magic you need awaits you there.
River waited for a few moments, hoping the Spirit would continue to speak. Though he could sense its presence moving away from him, he hoped it would return. He could not command the Spirit, and he still had questions about the dwarves. Today, it seemed, those questions would go unanswered.
Gliding through the clear waters, he stepped out onto the bank. Lenora still walked along the water’s edge ahead of him. Wrapping himself in his robe, he walked quickly to catch her. It was not difficult to do, as her pace was slow and gentle.
“Good morning,” he said from behind her.
She turned to see who had spoken and was pleased to see River approaching. As he drew closer, his sapphire-blue eyes preceded him, and she realized how handsome he truly was. She put the thought away for the moment and said, “Good morning.”
“Might I walk with you a while?” he asked, his eyes pleading for her to say yes.
“Of course, my friend,” she replied, turning to continue her course.
He strode along beside her, trying to think of an appropriate conversation. “Has your mother found out anything about the dwarf?”
“Unfortunately, no,” she said. “She’s thought of nothing except my Coming of Age Ceremony tonight.”
“You must be excited,” River replied.
“I am a little, I suppose,” she said with a shrug. “There will be music and dancing, at least.” She paused in her walking and turned to face River. “Will you be in attendance?”
“Only if you’ll dance with me,” he said, surprised by his own boldness.
“I’d love to.” Her eyes twinkled with delight, and she looked down at the water to hide her smile. It surprised her how attracted she was to him. Her
entire life had been spent studying magic and herbs. She’d had little time to make close friends, and she’d never before taken interest in a man. Perhaps she had put off her coming of age longer than she should.
“The Spirit of the river has said I’m to go into the mountains to a dwarf village,” River said. “I think they need my help to cure the plague that has come upon them.”
“Do you have skills as a healer?” she asked with much interest. It would certainly be something they had in common, and she wondered why he had not shared the fact with her before.
“Not really,” he admitted. “The illness has something to do with the water, and that is most likely where I come in. Perhaps you could come along as a healer.” His heart beat faster, hoping she would agree to accompany him. He dreaded that she might say no.
Pausing to consider his question, she finally replied, “I’d love to help, but please don’t mention it to anyone else. I’ll let my parents know tomorrow.”
“We need to leave tomorrow,” River said.
“I will tell them first thing.” She knew they would protest, but she was of age and free to make her own decisions.
The pair turned around when they reached the edge of the forest and made their way slowly back to the village. There was little conversation between them, and they enjoyed the sounds of the Vale instead. Just being near Lenora was enough for River. He found himself struggling when he spoke to her anyway, so walking in silence was fine with him.
As they reached the village, River said, “I should let my father know about tomorrow.”
Lenora nodded. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a smile, she turned and headed up the hill to her parents’ home.
River approached his father’s home in the silver tree and saw Galen waiting out front. “Afraid to wait inside?” he asked jokingly.
“Ryllak isn’t exactly my first choice for fun conversation,” Galen replied. “Anyway, I didn’t have anything else to do.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be copying scrolls in the archives? It’s required for your apprenticeship as a chronicler.”
“Sometimes I have doubts about my choice of profession. The words themselves interest me more than the histories,” he admitted.
“You want to write something else then?”
“No,” Galen replied. “I think it’s the words and letters themselves that I like.”
“Maybe you should focus your attention on calligraphy,” River suggested.
“Maybe,” Galen said. “What have you been up to? I didn’t see you by the waterfall.”
“After I visited with the Spirit, I went for a walk with Lenora.” His face lit up when he said her name.
“I see,” Galen said, taunting his friend. “Did anything interesting take place? Anything you are dying to share the details of?” He grinned and nudged River with his elbow.
“Nothing,” River said, shaking his head. “She does have her Coming of Age Ceremony tonight. She promised to dance with me.”
“Nice,” Galen replied, nodding his approval. “I’ll tag along. I wouldn’t want to miss a party.”
“I need to speak with my father, so I’ll see you later,” River said. With a wave to his cousin, he stepped inside to find Ryllak sitting in his library.
“Father,” he began, “I have some news.”
Ryllak shut the book he was reading and motioned his son to have a seat. “You’re leaving the Vale,” he said.
“How did you know?” River asked as he took a seat next to his father.
“The look in your eyes. You’ve never been away, and you’re afraid.”
River looked down at the ground, ashamed of his apprehension. Never before had he traveled outside the Vale and the woods that surrounded it. A journey to the mountains may as well be a journey to the moon.
“Having fear does not make you a coward. Fear prevents us from jumping into things that could be dangerous. If the Spirit has given consent for this journey, then it is necessary for you to go. Doing what must be done despite your fear is what makes a person courageous.”
River nodded, taking his father’s words to heart. Ryllak always knew how to make him feel better, even when he had been singled out as a child. Ryllak had known his son was special and destined for great things. He accepted his role as River’s father with great pride, and he hoped to guide him until his own journey came to an end.
Chapter 14
As Darvil was preparing to leave for town, he noticed a small group of dwarves crossing the field to his home. There were three of them, but from a distance he could not tell who they were. He rushed back to the farmhouse, hoping the men weren’t looking for a fight. Kaiya’s abilities were strange to him, but he knew she was capable of inflicting great harm. He had witnessed her powers occasionally as she practiced, and her magic was terrifyingly strong at times.
The three men paused outside the door to converse, giving Darvil the time he needed to reach them. He was relieved to recognize two councilmen, Anid and Gerry. They were known to him and had always been fair-minded dwarves. He was less pleased to see that Rudi, foreman of the mines, had come as well. Rudi was known to be a hothead, and he never seemed to know when to shut his mouth.
“Mornin’,” Darvil said to the men. “What brings you out here?”
Anid stepped off the front porch first, a friendly smile on his lips. The majority of his face was hidden among fluffy white eyebrows and a partially tamed white beard. He reached out to shake Darvil’s hand and said, “Good morning, Darvil. There’s some trouble in town, and Rudi insisted we check with your girl about it. Gerry and me came to keep the peace.”
“Where’s the witch?” Rudi asked impatiently.
Darvil glared at the mine foreman. He was in no mood to listen to his daughter being insulted, especially on his own land.
“We don’t need any of that,” Gerry said, chiding the dwarf. “We’re going to keep this civil.” He reached for Darvil’s hand as well, gripping it firmly and looking him in the eye. Gerry was a bit younger than Anid, and his yellow beard was well groomed and partially braided.
Hearing the voices outside, Kassie stepped out onto the porch, followed closely by Kaiya. Upon seeing the men, Kaiya knew they had come for her. They did not frighten her, and she stepped in front of her mother, holding her head proudly in the air.
“You’re here to speak to me, I take it.” She stepped down from the porch and looked up at the three men. Rudi glared openly, not bothering to conceal his contempt for Kaiya.
“Perhaps we should all go inside and discuss a few things,” Anid suggested.
“We can settle it here,” Rudi grunted. “Take the spell off, witch, or else!” He was unarmed at the insistence of his companions, but he clenched his fists as he spoke.
“This one should learn to shut the hole in his face,” Kaiya stated boldly. If these men had come for a fight, she would give them one they’d never forget. She had never used her magic to harm any living being, but to defend her family and her own life, she would not hold back.
“Let’s not be hostile,” Anid said, holding up both hands. “We want to speak to you is all. No one is here to hurt anyone.”
“Kaiya,” Gerry began, “you are the only person nearby with magic. We are hoping you can answer some questions for us, and then we will leave you in peace.”
Kaiya looked to her mother, whose eyes were wide with apprehension. Darvil seemed more suspicious than nervous, but he nodded his approval to Kaiya.
“You can come in,” he said, “but keep things civil.”
Without another word, the three men headed inside the farmhouse, followed by Kaiya and her parents. Each of them took a seat around the kitchen table, the only place in the house big enough to hold everyone.
“Let me start off with a more thorough explanation,” Gerry said. “Today the miners have not been able to enter the southwest facing cave. Anyone who enters is immediately attacked as if being strangled by an unseen hand.”
; Kassie gasped, putting her hands over her mouth. She stared at Gerry and did not look in Kaiya’s direction.
“Six more dwarves have fallen ill, and there is still no sign of Jeb. He disappeared shortly after falling ill.” Gerry searched Kaiya’s expression for any hint that she knew something, but her face remained unchanging as he spoke.
“What does any of this have to do with my daughter?” Darvil asked, growing impatient.
Anid and Gerry exchanged glances.
“A cloaked figure was seen leaving the cave last night,” Anid said. “It appeared to be a female.”
“This is ridiculous,” Darvil said, jumping to his feet.
Kaiya touched his arm to calm him, and he once again took his seat.
“It was me,” Kaiya admitted. “I sensed the magic, and I thought I could help.”
“I told you it was the witch!” Rudi pointed at Kaiya. “This girl is trouble. She’s cursed the mine, and she needs to be punished!”
“You come near my daughter, and you won’t live to tell about it.” Darvil’s brown eyes were serious as he glared at Rudi.
“We don’t want any trouble here, and Rudi is not the one in charge,” Anid said. “We came only to find out the truth so we might put our minds at ease. No one thinks Kaiya is a witch.”
“Nor do we believe her capable of harming anyone,” Gerry added.
“I went there to see if I could help,” Kaiya declared. “That’s all. There is an evil presence in the cave, and it is far stronger than me. I don’t know how to get rid of it.”
“If you do learn of anything that might help, Kaiya, please come to us first,” Gerry said. “We don’t want any misunderstandings, and your safety could be in jeopardy. Not everyone in our town is as open-minded as Anid and myself.”
Kaiya nodded, trusting in the validity of his words. She would have to stay away from town indefinitely or risk getting into a fight with ignorant miners.
“Do you know any type of healing magic?” Anid asked. “So far there is no treatment to alleviate the miners’ discomfort. Lives may be lost.”
