by M. S. Verish
Kariayla considered his words as Hawkwing stood and gathered his belongings. “I’m afraid the sun is gone,” he told her.
She wanted to tell him that it did not matter, that it was worth waiting to hear his tale. Yet when she looked around, she realized she had no idea where they were or where she needed to be. Eyes wide with panic, she stood with him. “I don’t remember how I came here.”
He gestured in a particular direction, but all she saw were mountains and forest. None of it was familiar. Kariayla searched for calm inside herself.
“You are beyond the boundary of the city. Don’t worry. I will lead you back,” Hawkwing said.
City? What city?
“Trust me, Kariayla,” the tracker assured her. “Bill and the others will be waiting.”
“Bill,” she echoed. “Oh!” She dug into her pocket and fished out the stone William had given her. She presented it to the tracker shyly. “He gave this to me. He told me you wanted me to have it, but I don’t know that I believe him.”
Hawkwing lifted her hand to gaze upon the stone, but he did not take it from her. Instead, he closed her fingers around it and smiled. “I should’ve known he would have no use for it. He is not so sentimental. You should keep it—just in case.”
In case of what? Kariayla wanted to ask, but she did not. She thanked him and replaced it in her pocket, surprised by how it brought her a sense of comfort. And she had also found resolve in her decision. She simply had to devise the best way to tell Arcturus that they would be parting company.
17
Interred
“No, Jinx, it is an illusion—just a very convincing illusion. As in, you will be thoroughly convinced, though you should keep in mind that it is an—”
“Illusion. Yeah, I know, I know. You keep sayin’ that, Bill. I’m not that dumb.”
“Of course not, but I just wanted to make sure you understand….”
Kariayla smiled at the conversation ensuing beyond the door. Her presence felt right—as did her decision. This was where she was supposed to be, and this was what she was meant to do. Strengthened by rare confidence and resolve, she pushed the ajar door open and stepped inside. Jinx was leaning casually against the loom, studying a sword in his hands. A sword? Bill was beside him, arms folded, and a stern expression upon his face. Ruby sat, pouting, in a corner, and Hawkwing was standing like a shadow against the wall, a cup clasped in both hands. Snowfire sat quietly on a perch with a hood over her head.
Arcturus was not present, she realized, disappointed. She had wanted to inform him of her change of plans last night, but the Markanturian had taken dinner in his room, alone. If that was not cause for concern, she was not sure what was. William, as if having read her thoughts, discouraged her from paying him a visit. Kariayla found it strange that the wizard should defend his solitude, but she heeded his advice anyway, preferring to err on the side of respectful privacy. Or was there more to the situation that she did not know?
Regardless, she had every intention of approaching him this morning…except that he had not been present at breakfast either. Now she wondered if he would make an appearance at all, though she could not imagine he would miss the awaited departure.
“Hey, Kariayla!” Jinx greeted. “Come see this!” He waved her over and struck a pose with the sword.
William sighed. “It is not a toy.”
“’Cuz it’s an illusion, I know,” Jinx said.
“No, the sword is real. Your fighting skills are the illusion.” William rubbed his brow and turned to Hawkwing, exasperated. “I do not know how else to explain this to him.”
The tracker set down his cup and drew his own blade.
Jinx’s smile faded. “Alright, I get it. I do. I can’t fight.” He backed away as Hawkwing drew nearer. The tracker’s face was unreadable as he made the first strike.
Kariayla gasped, and Jinx had closed his eyes, but the sword in the thief’s hand had parried the blow. The moment of stunned silence was broken by a second clang when Hawkwing struck again. As before, Jinx had managed to defend against the attack. Two more blows—quicker and in succession—the same result.
A slow smile broadened the scruffy thief’s face. “This is the best sword ever!” He awkwardly lunged at the tracker, nearly tripping over his own feet.
“It can’t walk for you,” William said. “So do not grow overly ambitious.”
“Grow what?”
“Do not use the sword unless you must,” Hawkwing said. He sheathed his blade and went to retrieve his cup.
“Why do you have a sword?” Kariayla asked Jinx.
“It’s parta my perso…persola…or something like that.”
“Persona?” she asked.
“Yeah, that. I’m ‘sposed to be the tough guy in the group. Bill said there’s an illusion stitched in those blankets that will make me look like someone else.” Jinx pointed to the neatly folded pile of material on the table next to the loom. Each woven “blanket” had a different palette of colors to distinguish it from the others.
“The remarkable attribute to them,” William said, unable to resist the conversation, “is that there is an element from each of you interwoven in the material.”
“He said Karrott stold our hair,” Jinx said, making a face.
“I did not phrase it quite that way.” William squared his shoulders proudly. “But the shrouds are a work of genius, I must say.”
“There is one for each of us,” Kariayla said, confused.
William shrugged. “I wasn’t sure who was coming, so I had to be prepared.”
She picked at the pile, admiring the colors and trying to place which shroud belonged to whom. “Then…you have one for me?” she asked. She was not certain she wanted to disclose her news just yet.
William gave a slight nod.
Kariayla lifted a bundle that was shades of gray with hints of violet and blue and thin strands of silver.
“That would be the one,” the wizard confirmed.
“It’s beautiful.” She found she was drawn back to the pile, wondering how upset Arcturus would be to find he had been included.
“This one’s mine,” Jinx said, reaching in front of her and grabbing material patterned in blue, brown, and green.
Kariayla glimpsed Ruby in the corner and nudged Jinx with her elbow. “She seems upset. You might want to talk to her.” The little imp looked as forlorn as any forgotten friend could look, and Jinx was immediately at her side, consoling her in a conversation only they could share.
Turning her attention to Hawkwing and Snowfire, Kariayla found their interaction was quite the opposite. The white hawk was like a statue, placid on her perch. Hawkwing remained on his feet, sipping lightly from his cup, his expression blank. There was, however, something different about his posture, the way his stare kept returning to the earth beneath the loom, the underlying pallor of his normally golden complexion. Was he nervous about this journey? The idea would not seem so incredible except that he had so recently related a tale to reassure her and allay her own reluctance. She had not figured him a man of contradictions.
Then she looked at her shroud and back at the others, a thought striking her. “But the loom was broken.”
“Your pardon?” William asked.
“The loom was broken just a couple days ago. And there are enough shrouds for all of us—including Ruby and Snowfire.” The smaller-sized garments had been tucked beneath the others, but not well enough that she had not seen them. Kariayla turned to William, awaiting an explanation.
“Now, now, my dear, don’t overthink these matters. I am merely a man of many precautions,” the wizard answered. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently steered her away from the pile.
Kariayla caught Hawkwing’s expression. His sight was yet upon the loom, but his sly smile assured her that her suspicions were correct. But even if William had managed to change their minds, why would Ruby have a shroud? William had already said there was no place for her in this mission
. Kariayla was about to question him again, when William stepped away from her.
“Good morning, Arcturus.”
Everyone turned to the Markanturian, who lingered in the doorway.
“You seem lost,” William said, approaching him.
“This is not, by any means, to be considered a victory on your behalf,” Arcturus said to him. “This is still absurd, but I do respect why concern has warranted this venture. Know that my reasons are rooted in curiosity and potentially my contribution from experience in my field… No pressure from the likes of you or another notable conspirator has pushed me thus, so…” He took a heavy breath. “Be certain to remember that.”
William smiled and patted him on the back. “I will. And thank you for your consideration. I am delighted that you will join us.”
“Not you,” Arcturus reminded dryly.
“No, not me.”
Kariayla was stunned. She never would have believed her adamant friend would have changed his mind, but for whatever reason he was unable to articulate, it was now clear that Arcturus would be traveling with them. Part of her was relieved, and part of her wondered if he was going to tell her that he would not be traveling with her. Of course, he could say the same of me, though I did try to find him and talk to him.
Arcturus looked at her, and then she saw it in his dark eyes: his apology. “My dear, it was my intention to tell you earlier, but my reservations left me…still leave me…in a state of doubt.”
“It’s all right,” Kariayla said. “I am also—”
“I think it’s time we discussed the details of this little expedition,” William interrupted, herding them toward Jinx, Ruby, Hawkwing, and the loom. “There is a role for everyone. Hold all of your questions until I am finished.”
The wizard stood before his audience, adjacent to the loom. “The shrouds are woven with magical connections. Each shroud is specific to its host, and they will serve as a sort of cocoon for those traveling to Orecir. You will be covered by the material and lay down atop this fine soil, which will act as a medium to your destination.” He held up a finger before Arcturus could interrupt him. “You may be wondering how I could have a connection to a place I have never been. The answer is that I do, in fact, have a connection through a specialized seeing stone called a Wizard’s Eye. It is physically in the possession of your contact just outside Orecir. The image surrounding the Eye will be the place you will emerge. Once there, you will meet with Othenis Strix and learn the details he has uncovered about the Priagent and his plans.
“When you arrive, you will feel disoriented and not at all like how you feel now. This is because you will look and feel like a completely different person—the result of a powerful illusion. You must remember, however, that it is an illusion, and once you reach Veloria, you will be restored to your familiar selves. We have in our party a brute of a fighter, Rourke.” He gestured to Jinx, who grinned at the description. “We have a brilliant wizard, Medoriate Argamus Dunn.” He nodded toward Arcturus, who merely sighed. “And we have our leader—Lord Sebastian Hale—with his messenger bird.” He patted Hawkwing’s arm, but the tracker did not acknowledge him.
“Remember your name and your role, and above all else, follow Hawkwing’s lead. He knows how the Seroko operate, and he will carry you through this mission.” He gave a final nod, but all eyes were still upon him, waiting. “That’s it.”
“You had said that everyone has a role,” Arcturus said.
“I did.”
“What about Kariayla?” Jinx asked as if offended.
William looked at Kariayla, and Kariayla looked back at him anxiously. In that moment, she knew he had not forgotten her. He had never intended for her to go. She felt her heart drop to her feet.
“I would not endanger more lives than necessary,” William said, turning away.
Arcturus snorted and thumped his staff. “She is our companion; if she wishes to go, we will not leave her here.”
“Calm yourself, Arcturus. I have a different mission in mind for Kariayla and for Ruby.”
“Which is?”
“I need her to go to Veloria to alert the Ilangiel.”
Arcturus frowned and shook his head.
William folded his arms. “Before you even consider arguing with me over the existence of such beings, think beyond your own logic, and open your mind. The Ilangiel are real, as you will soon learn. They will be the ones to take the Ravenstone and keep it safe.”
“Then why did the ‘elves’ not possess it in the first place?” Arcturus demanded. “Why this convoluted mission to divide our party?”
“It is not as though I created this scenario,” William defended. “The Jornoans were given charge of the Ravenstone after the Cataclysm because it was an item of Shadow. Because of the nature of the magic spirit within them, they were able to handle the stone. As it is, the Ilangiel will be less than thrilled to be involved, but as the rightful shapers of this world, they will need to decide its fate.”
“And you will send Kariayla—alone—to herald this news,” Arcturus said, his frown deepening.
William came to stand behind the Nemelorean. “Kariayla is the perfect messenger. She is an intelligent and capable young lady, and the Ilangiel are a benevolent people. And besides, Ruby will accompany her. You can put your concerns to rest.”
“You have not even asked her if she would accept this role.”
Kariayla did not know what to think. She had wanted to be in the company of her friends, and she had been prepared to face the risks involved in the journey to Orecir. It was shattering to think her decision had never been an option at all. The choice had been made for her, and her role had been reduced to that of a mere messenger. Redemption never seemed so distant.
She could not find the words to respond, so she managed a nod and fought back the tears that came upon her suddenly. She would not run from this. She would have to accept it—keep her mind open to whatever fortune might bestow upon her—just as Hawkwing had said. Of course, viewing her situation logically was very different from ignoring how hurt she felt.
Arcturus and Jinx replaced William at her side. “Be honest with me, my dear. Are you certain you are willing to undertake this task?”
Kariayla did her best to meet his gaze. “Yes.” She took a breath. “I’ll go.”
Arcturus searched her in the following silence before pulling her close in an embrace. “We will meet you in Veloria, I promise.”
“Yeah,” Jinx said. “And Ruby will be a good helper. I gotta say, I’m really glad you’ll be with her.”
Kariayla swallowed and nodded.
“Yes, think of your reunion,” William said. “Whether you believe it or not, what you are about to do is of the utmost importance, and I admire your courage.”
“That’s ‘cuz we don’t know what we’re gettin’ into,” Jinx said, taking a deep breath as William handed him his shroud.
The material was distributed to all but Ruby and Kariayla, and William enlisted Kariayla’s help in preparing her friends for the journey. He produced what looked like a glass sphere—the second Wizard’s Eye—and showed them their destination. Though it was difficult to see into the distorted crystal, they glimpsed a coastal plain, with sandy terrain, grasses, and scattered, scraggly trees.
Jinx volunteered to go first, and while he did not admit his fear, he was unusually quiet as he lay down on the earth, and the “blanket” was fitted around him. When his face was all that remained exposed, the others gathered around him. Ruby tugged at the shroud, distraught.
“It’ll be alright,” he told her, forcing a smile. “Kariayla will take care of you. I’ll see you later, I promise. Make sure you act good.” His eyes shifted to William. “I’m ready, I guess.”
The shroud was pulled down over his face, and the earth began to shift. It moved from beneath him and filled in overtop of him, burying him in a matter of seconds until his form disappeared completely.
“In the name of the Sovereign,�
�� Arcturus murmured, his dark eyes wide. “That is most horrific.”
William glanced at Hawkwing. “But it’s fast. You will be in Orecir in less than a minute. Why don’t you follow him, Arcturus? I just need one small token from you.” He reached out with a small blade and took hold of Whitestar.
“What are you doing?” Arcturus asked, flabbergasted.
“Just need a splinter,” Williams said, taking a thin strip of the wood. “Since this is from Veloria, I will need it to send Kariayla and Ruby to the proper site.”
Arcturus turned to the earth, where Ruby was patting the ground, searching for her lost friend.
“He’s gone, Ruby,” Kariayla said quietly. She crouched down and motioned for the imp to join her. Her head lowered and shoulders drooping, Ruby came and sat beside her.
The Markanturian grunted and eased himself down, holding the staff close. “This is hardly the time to ask, William, but if we should fail….”
“You won’t,” the wizard said.
“But if we—”
“I know that you won’t,” he repeated, “because I know very well two of the people I am sending.”
“I suppose that is a compliment.” Arcturus sighed and laid back against the earth. He smiled at Kariayla. “I will see you soon, my dear.”
The shroud was pulled over his face, and the earth swallowed him just as it had Jinx.
The room was eerily silent now but for the sound of ragged breathing. Kariayla looked up to find Hawkwing was as white as the mountain caps, his face speckled with beads of sweat as he stared at the earth.
“My friend,” William said in a low voice, “I am so very sorry for this.” He gripped the tracker’s arm. “But as I told Arcturus, it is the most expedient way to travel.”
“Of course,” Hawkwing whispered tightly. He drew a shaky breath and draped the shroud over Snowfire. The hawk did not struggle or make a sound, and the tracker cradled her in his arms and gingerly lay down upon the soil. His breathing quickened as the material was wrapped around him, and he closed his eyes until the moment he was ready to be sent.
