“You’re so cold. We lost two good friends and you lost a family member,” Nyx bluntly states.
“I’m not cold. I care as much as the rest of you, but I’m scared that the Lich will come for me any minute,” Kellia contends. She throws a piece of bread to a curious gull, but the sudden noise scares the bird away. “Besides, we lost one friend because of the betrayal of another friend. We can mourn again for Fritz once we reach the safety of Gods’ Voice and are safely behind my father’s wards. I am honestly trying not to sound uncaring since Fritz defended me against the Hellfire Elf. I just don’t want Fritz’s sacrifice to become a useless gesture because we wasted time whimpering. If you ask me, all of you shame his memory.”
“I’ve had it with you,” Nyx snarls as she gets to her feet. The half-elf’s fiery temper flares, which she struggles to keep in check. It is a fight that Nyx has become infamous for losing.
“Don’t start with me, caster. I have more influence than you and a lot more muscle,” the heiress snaps.
“Influence means nothing in a real fight and your muscle is worthless against a caster,” Nyx retorts, her red shirt appearing to roll around her like a wildfire. “You haven’t bothered to ask us any questions since you arrived, so I suggest that you get your facts straight before mouthing off. Don’t simply go by the rumors that you hear from the servants and those nobles you call friends.”
Kellia feels a wave of heat hit her face before the egg on her plate explodes. She casually wipes the egg from her face and neck. “I’ve noticed that you have a tendency to use your powers to intimidate. I am not impressed. Now, enlighten me about these so-called rumors.”
Nyx is about to speak when a loud crunching noise cuts through the air. The women look at a bowl of fruit where an apple is being devoured by an unseen creature. A high-pitched, gurgling giggle is extra proof that Fizzle has arrived for breakfast. The drite remains invisible even when one of the apples rolls onto the table and out of reach of his slavering, tiny-toothed mouth. He desperately stretches his mouth toward the apple, hoping to get his teeth into its sweet flesh. Instead, he nudges the fruit with his reptilian snout. The apple starts to roll toward the edge of the table as the drite scampers after it. Food and drinks go flying as Fizzle rushes toward his favorite food. It is within the reach of his jaws until Nyx scoops it up.
“You steal Fizzle food!” exclaims the drite. He appears before them and flutters into the air. The look on his face is one of anger and confusion while he looks from Nyx to Kellia.
“I just didn’t want you making any more of a mess,” the half-elf motherly says. She flips the apple into the air and makes a clawing gesture toward it. The apple neatly separates into sections that Fizzle happily dives at. He is a purple blur that snatches the apple slices out of the air as fast as he can. Only one of the pieces hits the ground, but it is quickly eaten by the hungry creature.
“Pretty Nyx strong. Get stronger. One day strong like Fizzle,” he says, landing on her shoulder. Nyx and Fizzle have become almost inseparable over the past week. Many of the servants have discussed how the temperamental caster and the playful drite make a very odd pair. Only a few have recognized how dangerous a threat they can pose to anything that stands in their way.
Nyx laughs as Fizzle nuzzles her neck. She abruptly stops when she remembers that Kellia is sitting across the table. “Thanks, Fizzle. Now, where was I? Ah, yes. I was going to tell you fact from fiction, dear Kellia.”
“You are so strange. Pick a mood and stick to it,” Kellia mutters under her breath.
“Like you should talk?”
“I can and I will.”
“I’m not going to take criticism from someone who refuses to cry for her dead friend,” Nyx announces, cringing as soon as the words leave her lips.
“Nyx make oops,” the drite interrupts.
The harsh words cut Kellia to her core and she crushes her fingers into the wooden table as she stands up. She tosses the heavy table over before charging at Nyx and throwing a punch that could dent a full-grown oak. Nyx is barely able to get a magical shield around her, but the impact sends her skidding toward the railing of the porch. Kellia is not far behind her with a flurry of punches that eventually shatter the shield. Nyx is cornered as Kellia glares at her and attempts a haymaker to Nyx’s head. It hits at the same time that Nyx sends a fist of solid wind into Kellia’s chin. Both girls collapse to the ground holding their jaws and cursing at each other.
“Been waiting a week to hit you,” Nyx gasps once she regains the feeling in her mouth.
“I was wondering what you were waiting for, Nyx,” Kellia admits, slowly rolling onto her back. “Your reputation for aggression is legendary within the noble courts of Gaia. I’m surprised you lasted so long without attacking me. Now, what information did you want to share?”
“Fizzle give up. Mortal girls cra . . . cr . . . not right,” claims the drite before darting out the open window.
“I’ll have to explain this to Fizzle later,” Nyx says with a tired sigh. “As for you, Kellia, there is a lot you don’t know about Nimby and our enemies. I admit that it doesn’t look too good for the halfling, but he left behind a mystery. The magical poison he was supposed to use on Luke was designed to kill him within seconds. Nimby put a natural poison into the mixture, which minimized the potency of both poisons. We have no idea why he did this, but we are sure it was intentional.”
“Why don’t you get Luke to track him down after you finish your business in Gods’ Voice?” Kellia suggests.
Nyx rolls onto her side and looks through the railing at the distant ocean. She lets the gentle, salty breeze calm her before she speaks. “I considered that, but I don’t want to push Luke right now. He hasn’t been dealing with this too well. Part of him hates Nimby while the other part believes he will return to our side. It has him confused and emotionally unstable. That’s another reason why we chose to stay here. Going on the road with a moody warrior is too risky.”
“Well, what’s your take on Nimby?” asks the heiress.
“I don’t know,” Nyx admits. Even though her face is calm, her chaotic emotions are evident in her sparkling, violet eyes. “Nimby tried to kill Luke and then vanished. He was supposedly on the Lich’s side this entire time, but he couldn’t go through with what I assume were his orders. Nimby still killed Fritz, though Aedyn believes Fritz forced it. It’s all confusing and convoluted. Personally, I don’t think Nimby is a cold-blooded killer at heart. After killing Fritz, Nimby lost his nerve and did what any panicked thief would do. He betrayed both sides and slipped into the shadows. I doubt we could find him even if we wanted to, so there isn’t any reason for us to consider searching. Honestly, I don’t consider him much of a threat to us anymore. The Lich, the chaos elves, and the forces that are behind them are more important.”
“The darkness in the shadows of Windemere is starting to grow,” drones Kellia, stretching her arms above her head. “I heard that so many times from the escort that I was traveling with. It’s like some disaster is coming and I had to be made aware of it every day.” Kellia pauses when she notices Nyx’s face turn pale. “Uh, why are you looking so serious? I mean, more serious than normal.”
“I was just thinking about how everybody laughs at the clichés used to explain a coming disaster. The darkness is always a joke or a rumor until it actually happens,” Nyx says thoughtfully while she stares at the morning sky. A few clouds move to block the sun and a shiver runs down her spine. “I guess that’s how the world works.”
“That sounds like a deflection. I can order you to tell me what you’re hiding. I have the authority,” Kellia teases, sitting up and curling her legs underneath her.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, your majesty. Just be thankful that your role in all of this has almost come to pass,” Nyx says, a half-hearted smile crossing her face as she thinks about her first adventure. “The journey began with you as their main target, but everything changed somewhere along the way.
The Lich personally came after me on the road instead of your double. Trinity and Sebastian’s doppelganger set a trap for Luke and myself instead of trying to find the real you. Then there is Nimby being sent after Luke when it would have made more sense to keep him a secret until you met up with us. Aedyn, Fizzle, and Fritz were ignored during our travels unless they stepped into the fight. This is why I think it is best that Luke and I part ways with everyone at Gods’ Voice. We are no longer safe to be around.”
The caster stays on the ground where the cold from the stone floor seeps through her clothes. For the first time since leaving Gaia, Nyx notices that her skin has started to regain its porcelain color, which had long been hidden by a fire-licked tan. She is not sure she likes this change, but she can’t think of a way to prevent it. After some thought, she considers it another sign that she is no longer the sheltered city girl who felt abandoned by her masters.
Kellia drags herself to her feet and makes her way to the railing. She leans her elbows on the sun-warmed stone as she thinks about what Nyx has said. The bustling city noises of Freedom sound distant even with the ocean breeze carrying them to the manor. The passing of a galloping horse, the banging of a blacksmith and the other daily noises bring an odd sense of serenity to Kellia.
“Does Luke know about any of what you just told me?” asks the heiress.
“I haven’t had the heart to tell him about Nimby and the poison. I think it would be best to tell him after we deliver you to Gods’ Voice,” Nyx blandly answers.
“True. He might go running after the Lich or get even more depressed. I’m starting to worry about him,” Kellia admits with a yawn. She blushes slightly when she realizes what she said. A quick glance at Nyx tells her that the half-elf is no longer listening.
Nyx sits up and looks at the open door of the patio. “That is if he hasn’t figured it out on his own. Where is little brother anyway? I thought he went out for a run this morning instead of his strict workout. Come to think of it. I haven’t seen Aedyn moping around this morning either.”
Kellia shrugs before turning her attention back to the noises of the city. Her eyebrow arches when the brief sound of wood striking wood from the other side of the manor catches her attention. After a few seconds of listening, a knowing grin crosses the heiress’s face.
“I think they’re just bonding and letting off some steam. It’s what boys do in times of pain,” Kellia declares with a relaxed smile.
*****
The gulls gather along the eastern wall of the manor. They make a unique audience for the pair of half-elves in the courtyard below them. The birds appear to be more interested in the blonde-haired warrior with wooden sabers than the black-haired priest. It is partially because he is moving around the courtyard as if he is in the midst of an imaginary battle. The gulls recognize the youth as a forest tracker, which means he might feed them if they wait long enough. Both of the young men are beginning to sweat from their morning rituals. The priest tries hard to pray and meditate beyond the sound of swinging blades and the occasional yell. It is not long before the priest gets to his feet, wipes some blades of grass from his dull yellow robes, and clears his throat. The warrior stops in mid-slash in response to the sudden noise.
“What’s on your mind, Aedyn?” Luke asks. He drops the practice weapons and scoops up his shirt to wipe the sweat from his body.
“Far too many things,” the priest sighs with a half-smile.
“You too, huh? It’s been a week and I still have no idea what I’m going to do,” Luke admits.
Aedyn chuckles softly. “That is a lie.”
“What do you mean by that?” Luke inquires, his eyebrow raised slightly.
“You are not the type to get confused and let things get to you,” Aedyn casually answers. “You plan on continuing to Gods’ Voice and then you are off to your next adventure. It is what a Callindor would do.”
Luke looks like he is about to scream at the priest, but he simply growls at Aedyn before picking up his sabers again. He is slower and obviously distracted as he tries to practice some more. Aedyn can tell that he unintentionally hit a nerve with the young hero and that Luke has more scars than the jagged one running across his torso. He realizes that they have never sat down to talk about the events regarding Nimby and Fritz. Whether it is out of fear or pride, Aedyn and Luke managed to avoid being alone with each other. It is not until today when they accidentally wandered into the same courtyard to pray and practice that they held any type of conversation.
“I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you,” Aedyn apologizes.
Luke stops as he says, “It isn’t your fault. I . . . I don’t know if I can go on with all of this. If I continue then I will have to face Nimby. I’m sure of it.”
“You fear that he will try to kill you again.”
“No, I fear that I will kill him.”
“This would be bad?”
“You don’t understand, Aedyn.”
“He killed Fritz and he tried to kill you. Even though you are still alive, Nimby is still a traitor. I know you figured out what he did with the poison and feel that it is a sign of his loyalty,” Aedyn argues, his fervor growing with every word. “I think you are wrong, Luke. Nimby’s dilution of the poison was because he did not have the spine to kill two people in one night. He could still make another attempt on your life once he regains his courage. Would you betray Fritz by having mercy on the one who killed him?”
Luke snarls and punches the ground with all of his might. “I would never betray Fritz’s memory, but I will not betray the friendship I had with Nimby. Unlike you, I don’t give up on friends so easily.”
“Do not be such an emotional child! Nimby is a traitor!” Aedyn angrily exclaims.
Luke reaches into his pocket to pull out a small figurine made out of a dark red wood. He tosses it to Aedyn, who clumsily catches it in both hands. The figurine is of a young man and a young woman embracing. Aedyn is confused until he takes a better look at the figurine’s details and sees that the man is a half-elf with a scar diagonally across his torso. The long-haired woman has no distinct markings, but the priest knows exactly who it is supposed to be.
“This is of you and Kira,” Aedyn assumes, his tension dispersing with a laugh. His laughter carries along the wind and is shared by the flock of gulls on the wall. “Let me guess. You found this after Nimby vanished and you believe it is from him. I can understand your reasoning since he was skilled at woodworking. Sadly, this figurine brings more trouble and confusion to the situation. I am getting tired of it all.”
“I have a question for you, Aedyn,” Luke says, an uncharacteristic expression of seriousness on his face. Aedyn hands him the figurine and silently beckons for Luke to speak.
“Why do you follow me?” Luke asks.
“We are friends,” Aedyn answers matter-of-factly.
“That isn’t the only reason. I don’t want to be paranoid about you, friend, but I want to know what I got myself into,” Luke contends, eyeing the priest with his piercing, green eyes. “I’ve thought about it a lot. Fritz had a secondary reason for coming in that he wanted to earn royal grants for some inventions. You and Nimby had no obvious reason to follow me other than wanting to help, but it turned out that Nimby did have an ulterior motive. I believe that you have one as well. I’m thinking your temple sent you to keep an eye on me. It is the only thing that makes sense given the dangerous enemies we have had to face. Also, I think you know why the Lich and his allies have put more effort into killing me than capturing Kellia.”
“You are a threat, Luke,” Aedyn cautiously states. “Your name and your skills have our enemies fearing you even if you are still a novice.”
Silence passes for a few minutes while Luke continues to stare at Aedyn and search his face for signs of lying. The priest has become a stoic pillar with his staff planted against the ground at his feet. With nothing to keep their interest, the gulls erupt into the air and soar toward the city. Their shrill cries ech
o along the streets as if the birds are trying to call attention to what is occurring at Silverstar Manor.
“I notice that you have no paranoid feelings toward Fizzle,” Aedyn points out.
“Fizzle is much older than me and he is a creature of the forest. I know that drites are as pure as the spring winds,” Luke claims.
Aedyn laughs gently. “Yet, you have no problem hinting that a priest of Durag could be a traitor. There are few things in Windemere that are as honest as the sun.”
“I never said you would betray me,” Luke argues. He looks flustered and hurt at the suggestion, which puts Aedyn at ease. “I just want to know why you follow me and will continue to follow me. I know you wanted to go to Fritz’s funeral, but you chose to stay here. I believe that you know something about the situation that I’m involved in and you don’t want to tell me.”
“You are quite perceptive when you are focused, Luke, but you jump to false conclusions. Did it ever occur to you that I sincerely want to tell you the truth?” Aedyn inquires with a twinge of victory in his voice. “Did you ever think that the reason I do not tell you is because I cannot?”
Luke blushes slightly as he looks down at his feet. “No . . . but Kira mentioned that it might be the case when I brought it up with her.”
“Well, she is correct. I have wanted to share my knowledge with you, but I have only been given permission to follow you and help you with my magic,” Aedyn kindly explains, pausing to carefully consider what he is about to say. “My situation has recently changed since I have decided to continue traveling with you beyond Gods’ Voice. My superiors are not happy with my choice, but they accept my reasoning. Sadly, I am still not allowed to reveal any of my information. This conversation alone risks the wrath of my superiors. Still, you did discern my motives on your own, but that does not mean I can tell you anything else.”
“Then, I have an idea,” states the blonde half-elf, mindlessly spinning his practice sabers in his hands. “We spar and I get information for every point I score on you. We fight up to three hits.”
Legends of Windemere: 03 - Allure of the Gypsies Page 3
