Heart of the Ocean (The Equilibrium Cycle Book 2)

by Jason A. Gilbert

  As though he could sense what she was doing, the hissing voice came again. "Do not, Magusari. Now is not the time or place. I simply wish to speak to you."

  They were only a few steps from the alley now, but Laila spun on the man holding her. He had called her Magusari! The hood on the man's face was pulled up in front of his face. Laila stopped, planting herself firmly against the ground, her staff in front of her.

  "Who are you?" she demanded.

  Reluctantly, the man pulled the hood back away from his face. What had once been short, dark hair now hung disheveled in front of the man's face. Dark eyes darted back and forth, never staying on Laila for a length of time. Laila caught her breath. She had not expected Torin to have fallen so far so fast. The man in front of her was not the Consul she remembered.

  "Satisfied, child?" Torin snapped.

  "Torin, what...?" she stammered.

  "Come with me, just out of the way of the crowd. I know we won't have much time. Your friends will look for you soon. And I saw your mother as well. She seems...better," he hissed again. His voice held a strange urgency.

  "Don't speak of my mother!" Laila snapped.

  To her surprise, Torin raised his hands deferentially. "Please," he said, motioning to the small alley.

  Reluctantly, Laila followed the former Consul toward the alley, stopping just inside, wanting to be sure she could escape quickly if needed.

  Torin glanced at her planted feet, looked longingly deeper into the alley, and then shrugged.

  "What are you doing here?" Laila asked.

  "I could ask the same of you," Torin answered.

  "You really think I'll tell you."

  "No, I suppose not. I know of the attack against Terus, though. I would assume it has something to do with that."

  Laila did not answer him.

  "So be it, child." The anger in his voice brought back glimpses of the former Consul. "As I said, there is not much time. Powers are moving that you do not understand."

  "You said as much in Terus as you were being cast out." She tried to fling her words at him like stones, despite her curiosity. "Is that all you have for me? More vague predictions? I do not have time for this."

  She began to turn. Torin grasped at her arm, but she brushed him aside. Stomping out of the alley, she was determined to find a Guardian and report Torin. She was not sure what his exile from Terus would mean in Kios, but he was now a Xenos, and it would at least get him away from her.

  "Stop, Magusari!"

  That was the second time he had used that word. She could not remember him ever using that word before. Even when she had seen him on the day he was exiled, he had called her Magus. She stopped, turning back toward him.

  "Speak, Torin," she said, barely keeping a reign on her anger.

  "I bring a message. I did not think that I would see you when he told me, but here you are."

  "When who told you?"

  Torin did not respond to her question. "Your Aurai companion is not to be trusted."

  "I know that."

  Torin continued. "He may lead you where you wish to go, but in the end, he will betray you."

  "I am ready—" Laila began, but Torin cut her off.

  "You are not, child." An odd hysteria crept its way into Torin's voice. "You have no idea. Oh, but you will learn..."

  Before Laila could say more, Torin spun and disappeared down the alley. She stood for a moment longer, letting his words sink in. She knew not to trust Wyndam, but he had not shown her any signs of betrayal yet. Granted, they were still in the Confederacy, and any damage he might do now would be small. Once they were out on the ocean, however...

  Her mind jumped to all sorts of conclusions. She had to shake her head clear. That was likely what Torin was trying to accomplish. Confusion. But why was he here? In Kios? And who had told him she’d be here? There were too many questions. Laila spun on her heel and made her way back into the city center.

  Connor followed closely behind as Laila stomped her way back to the Slippery Fish. Something had happened while they were in Kios's city center, but he did not know what, and Laila was not being forthcoming. He berated himself once again for letting her slip from his sight. He could not continue to allow that to happen. He was the Warden, and it was his duty to protect her. And now something had happened that he was not aware of. At least, he thought, it wasn't something dangerous.

  But it had been enough to set her anger off. She had stormed back through the crowd, spotting Connor and quickly gathering him up, mumbling about needing to return to the inn. They had quickly found Dio and Lunete and were now trudging their way back down the damp dock road that led to the Slippery Fish.

  Laila led the way into the inn and quickly made her way up the stairs and toward their rooms. Laila and Lunete had their own separate room, while Connor, Dio, Icarus, and the Aurai shared another across the hall. Laila stepped into her own room, the door closing heavily behind her, and Connor thought it best to leave her alone. He saw Dio walk toward Laila's door, and he put a restraining hand on his arm.

  "I don't think that's a good idea," Connor said.

  Dio looked down at Connor's hand on his arm. Connor had meant the gesture to be friendly, but Dio shrugged the hand from his arm angrily. But he did refrain from approaching Laila's room. Connor watched him walk back down toward the great room. He considered following him for a moment, but then thought better of it. Apparently Laila was not the only one that had become angry as a result of their trek into the city center. Best for Connor to simply avoid agitating them further. He opened the door to his own room and slid in quietly.

  Icarus sat on his small pallet, a small book open in his lap. Wyndam lay on his own sleeping pallet, not quite fitting. His long, slim legs hung off one end awkwardly. The Aurai had been quiet for much of their journey, only speaking when necessary. He had also not tried to escape their custody, which Connor was thankful for. Icarus looked up as Connor entered.

  "Any word yet?" asked Connor.

  Icarus shook his head. "Nothing from the captain, no."

  Connor nodded.

  "What's wrong?" asked Icarus.

  Connor had gotten used to the way that Icarus always seemed to notice when something was bothering him. "I'm not sure. I think something happened with Laila in the city center. Everything was fine, then she disappeared for a minute, and when she came back, she was rather angry. I don't know what might be the cause, but..." He trailed off.

  "I'm sure it's fine, Connor. You worry too much. Sometimes you have to let things move along at their own pace."

  Connor raised his eyebrows at Icarus, not understanding what the old Magus meant, but the Magus did not elaborate and returned to reading his book. Connor stepped over to his own pallet and sat down, stretching sore muscles from his training sessions with Lunete. They had not practiced since they had arrived in Kios, but he could still feel the aches. He reached his hands over his head, feeling his shoulders stretch and loosen. With a sigh he sat back against the wall and waited. Hopefully the captain would return soon.

  Laila sat across the room from her mother. Lunete had said nothing as Laila stomped her way into the room, taking a seat on the bed opposite. Laila’s mind tried to make sense of what Torin had told her. She knew not to trust Wyndam. But these allusions to something greater continued to frustrate her. Nuriel was the threat. She needed to find a way to stop him. Then she could worry about the Aurai.

  Lunete cleared her throat.

  “What?” Laila snapped.

  Her mother cocked her head to one side, not saying anything.

  “I’m sorry,” Laila said, finally.

  “What happened?”

  Laila considered not telling her mother for a moment, then discarded that idea. She needed to talk to someone, and Connor and Icarus had their own ideas about what she should be doing. Perhaps her mother would have a different perspective.

  “I…I saw Torin.”

  Her mother’s eyes widened. �
�In the city center?”

  Laila nodded.

  “Why did you not say anything?”

  “I wanted to get back before I did. Nothing happened. At least, I don’t think anything really happened. He just wanted to tell me something. And even that wasn’t very much.”

  “Tell you something? Anything that man has to say to you is likely a lie, Laila-sa. You know that.”

  “I do. And I already knew what he told me…”

  “And that was?”

  “Not to trust Wyndam,” Laila answered.

  Lunete let out a quick laugh. “Indeed.”

  “There’s something else, though.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t know. Something he said. That I ‘will learn.’ He said it to me the day he left Terus too. There’s something to that. Something more. I…I don’t know.”

  “Speak, child,” Lunete pressed. “I want to know.”

  Laila looked up at her mother, seeing the genuine concern in her eyes. “I want to stop Nuriel. He’s the bigger threat. But I also want to protect Terus.”

  “You’ve done that, at least temporarily. As long as Wyndam keeps his word.”

  “That’s it. Will he? What reason does he have to keep it? He’s essentially told me that I have no reason to trust him. But I have to, if only to find these Waters and stop Nuriel. I…” Laila’s voice trailed off.

  Lunete sat quietly for a moment, considering. “What do you feel is right, Laila-sa?”

  “I don’t know.” Laila felt her emotions building up. She pulled at her staff slightly; the warmth helped ease her uncertainty. “I need to stop Nuriel.”

  “And Terus?”

  “Terus… I have to believe Terus can wait. I can’t protect Terus by myself. And nobody really wants me there anyways.”

  “Your father does.”

  “But I betrayed Father. I broke Wyndam free. I can’t imagine what the repercussions of that will be for him. I doubt he wants me back.”

  Lunete let her voice drop slightly. “Oh child, you have no idea how much that man cares for you. He would watch Terus crumble if it meant protecting you.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing. Your father is a politician, and he performs that role well. But, you are his daughter, his only daughter. There is nothing he would not do to protect you. The only reason he didn’t agree to let you take Wyndam in the first place is he knew that it would put you in greater danger. That is why I came. At least I can come. He cannot. There are things that still have to be done. But, never, for a moment, doubt how much he truly cares for you. Or me. If you feel that stopping this creature is what you need to do, then let us do that. Terus has lasted for a long time without you or me to protect it. I think it will last a little longer.”

  Laila pulled at her power more, feeling the warmth spread across her limbs and into her chest.

  “Thank you, Mother.”

  “Of course, Laila-sa.”

  Torin slid between the shadowed side streets, moving away from the city center. His confrontation with the Magusari had been brief, but he still feared what she might do. There was no love lost between them, and had he been working of his own accord he would have avoided any interaction with her at all. But the Voice had compelled him.

  “You did as was needed,” the Voice echoed through his mind as he walked.

  “I did.” It had been a statement, not a question, but Torin still felt compelled to respond.

  “You fear her.”

  “I do. But I also hate her.”

  “In time, she will fail. And when she does, I will give her to you. A gift, for your service.”

  Torin’s heart jumped slightly at that prospect. The Voice had been right so far. Perhaps…in time.

  “What would you have of me now?” Torin whispered.

  A couple, dressed in the simple robes of the Togati, glanced at him as they passed him, an odd look in their eyes. Torin simply glared back and sped up his pace, turning into another, emptier alley.

  “Come to me now. Leave your Confederacy. It is time you took your place at my side.”

  “Yes, Master.” Torin hated the word even as it crossed his lips, but there was no other that made sense. The Voice was his master now, and he would obey.

  A light knock on her door brought Laila back to the world. Her mind had been wandering, contemplating what Torin had told her and her conversation with her mother. She stood and walked over to the door, her anger and frustration from earlier now gone. She cracked the door open and saw Dio standing in the hallway.

  "The captain's back," her friend said softly.

  Laila nodded, opening the door fully and stepping out into the hallway. Having informed Laila, Dio knocked on Connor and Icarus's door to inform them. Laila walked down to the great room without waiting for the others, anxious to see what the captain had worked out for them. The great room of the inn was sparsely populated this early in the afternoon. The dock workers had not yet finished their work for the day, and any travelers would likely be out in the city, as they had been. Captain Drachus was sitting at a large table to the side of the room, near where they had sat the previous night. Seeing Laila, he smiled broadly and motioned her to join him at the table. A bottle of wine and a pitcher of ale sat on the table, surrounded by glasses, mugs, and a spread of food from the kitchen. The captain poured himself a mug as Laila sat down across from him.

  "So, you sure you want to do this?" asked the captain, the smile still not leaving his face.

  Laila stared at him dangerously. "You're going to ask me that now? You saw what happened in Terus. You've even seen what I am. Why would you question me?"

  Captain Drachus brought his hands up defensively. "I meant no offense, Magus." Laila noted that had been the first time he had ever referred to her in that fashion; it reminded her of the discomfort she had felt when Torin had called her Magusari. "I simply wanted to be sure you were ready. The Splintered Isles are quite the voyage, and few ships ever venture there."

  "Regardless..."

  "I understand. Meet me in the harbor tonight, and you will have your ship then." He finished as the others, except Connor, filed down the stairs. The captain motioned for them to sit and enjoy the spread on the table. He took his leave quickly, allowing Laila to explain what they were to do this evening. Together, they waited the hour or so left until the evening arrived. As the sun disappeared from the windows of the inn, Laila and the rest of her small group gathered their things and left, headed back the way they had come just the day before.

  The harbor was quiet in the cloudy, moonless dark. Lanterns lit the narrow roads, but they were spaced far apart, leaving large gaps of shadow and darkness between, each lantern giving Laila the sense of a distant destination that she had to reach out for.

  “The Guardians were created to protect the people, the Citizens,” she heard her mother saying, speaking to Connor.

  “But why? Why so specific a purpose?” Connor responded.

  “Do you not have warriors in Custos?”

  “We do, but there is no specific caste. Everyone contributes in their own way. Some are warriors, some are hunters, some are bakers. Everyone has something they do, but we all can do a little bit of everything.”

  “Terus is not that different. There’s just more of us, so some people have to have very specified duties, otherwise the population becomes too unwieldy, especially in times of war.”

  Laila’s attention drifted away from the conversation, feeling an odd oppression laced within the night. Wyndam walked behind her, between Laila and the others, silently. She’d had little interaction with the Aurai since their arrival in Kios, and the elemental had not made himself seem forthcoming. A part of her wanted to ask what the Aurai knew about Torin, but she feared that it would give away her brief conversation with the former Consulari.

  The darkness continued to press in around Laila. She could not help but feel her life pushing toward some crisis,
but she had no idea what it could be. There had been such a short reprieve after her confrontation with Torin in the Consulate. Now, with the Aurai's attack, Laila's situation no longer affected just her. Icarus had warned her that something was happening on a global scale, and her conversations with Torin had only helped to reinforce that idea. Now she was beginning to see the repercussions of that reality.

  Shaking off her dark thoughts, Laila turned the group down one of the steep staircases leading down to the water’s level. As they reached the bottom, a dark figure peeled itself away from a wall and moved in front of them. Laila's heart jumped a beat, her fear getting the better of her. She brought her staff up defensively but quickly relaxed when she saw that it was just Captain Drachus.

  "A little jumpy, are we, Shi?" the captain said.

  "I suppose," Laila answered.

  "Fear not," the captain began with mock chivalry, "for tonight you shall leave this place once again."

  Laila could hear the humor in his voice, but she was only able to manage an awkward grimace. She tried taking a deep breath, hoping that might calm her nerves.

  "Where is this ship you plan on leading us to?" asked Lunete.

  "Just down the dock a ways, Praetori. I want you to know that this 'deal' was not made easily, but I believe it will be in your best interest. Come." He motioned for them to follow.

  Laila wondered at what the captain meant as she fell into step behind him. They passed several of the familiar, twin-hulled river ships as they moved to the east, toward the other end of harbor. Reaching the last of the river ships, the harbor opened up into a series of long jetties. Most of the jetties were empty. They were meant for ocean-going vessels. Even trips from Kios to Ester could be done in the river ships; they just had to keep near the coast of the bay. There was one larger ship tied down, however, and Captain Drachus led them toward it.