Vulture
Page 8
Elwen scoffed. “Our village is full. There isn’t a single space that isn’t occupied.”
Talina stood and moved to the bed, curling her arm around one of the posts. She faced Elwen. “The watch tower is empty.”
Elwen sucked in a breath. “Fine. It is done. You will live in the watch tower, and you will be mindful of the villagers and their beliefs.”
Krishani frowned. “They believe in High King Tor don’t they?”
“Yes, but Terra is unlike Avristar. There is no voice of the land to guide them so Tor has given them tenets they must keep if they want their crops to grow,” Talina explained.
Krishani nodded. “We’ll do what we can to help the village.”
Elwen chuckled. “That is of course if she can accept what you really are.”
Krishani didn’t have anything to say, but Elwen’s words raised the hairs on the back of his neck. He nodded to Talina, held his tongue and his urge to strangle Elwen as he fled into the hallway, desperate to be in Kaliel’s arms again.
* * *
9 - Mallorn
Kaliel watched Krishani disappear in the wings and turned back to Pux. He was acting silly, prancing around, making her laugh louder than she ever remembered laughing. He caught her by the hand and twirled her around and around until she was so dizzy she had to stop and put a hand on his chest while she caught her breath.
“Sorry,” Pux said smiling as she stood and gave him a knowing look.
“I’m parched,” she replied, a mischievous smile creeping across her face. “Have you explored the land? Are there any springs we could drink from?” She noticed there was still a pitcher of ale on the table, and mugs, but she wasn’t sure about it. The villagers called it mead and it made them act funny. It smelled like honey, sickly sweet but it was brown and that made her feel weird.
Pux looked down. “There aren’t any springs here. And don’t drink from the lake,” he cautioned.
Her eyes lit up. “There’s a lake?” She realized she wasn’t dancing anymore and people around her were jigging to the music, avoiding her. Pug slung his arm through hers and skipped around in a circle. She almost forgot where she was she was so happy. Clamose had left the hall and most of the villagers had retired for the night, but there were still a few who wanted to dance.
Pux continued skipping around in circles, pulling her along with him. “It’s not really a lake, more like a pond.”
“Oh.” She unhooked her arm from his, feeling dizzy again. She wended around the others and plopped down at the table, pouring herself a mug of mead and took a sip. It tasted as foul as everything else. Throughout the day, servants brought more food, which was gone moments after it arrived. All of it tasted better hot; otherwise it was sour or rotten. The mead was warm and it soothed her burning throat. She wasn’t used to her body feeling so fragile, so prone to weakness. Her shoulders were sore and she pressed her fingers into the flesh, loosening the muscles. Pux came up behind her and grasped her shoulders, rubbing his fingers in circular motions along her skin.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, sitting beside her. His brown eyes were big, but he looked thinner than usual. He also looked out of place wearing one of the sleeveless gray tunics and breeches to conceal his wolf-like legs. There was nothing to hide his small pointed ears and hairy face. No matter what he wore he was the same Pux she had known.
“I feel different.”
Pux rested his elbows on the table. “It’s harder here, but the people can be warm if you let them. They have spirit.”
It was like something of the past peeked through the clouds. “They don’t notice our differences.” She beamed. It was something she couldn’t say about Avristar. Everyone carried themselves with honor and grace, but Pux and Kaliel had always been the misfits. The humans were flawed so they didn’t notice the difference. Pux grimaced and cupped his neck with his other hand.
“It helps that I can’t do anything I used to be able to do,” he admitted.
Kaliel’s eyes widened. “Nothing? No birds? No skies? No transporting?”
Pux shook his head and dropped his hand. “I didn’t try to come here with Krishani. It just happened that way. You make it better.”
She pulled her hands into her lap and fidgeted with the cloth on her dress, taking the fabric between her fingers, curling it up and uncurling it. “How did you end up here? You and Krishani?”
“Well he was already leaving with Mallorn when I transported from Orlondir and ended up in the boat. It was too late though, so I couldn’t go back,” he said.
“Mallorn is here?” Kaliel’s eyes widened, her tone louder than she intended. Her head whipped around to see if she could spot him in the crowd. Her heart ached with longing to find him and embrace him. She wished to tell him that she was sorry for everything she put him through. She wasn’t angry anymore. She just wanted to apologize for the way she acted when he found her and Krishani, when he left her alone in the Village of the Shee. She went to stand but Pux grabbed her arm and she sat down hard. She cringed at the pain and shot him a confused look.
“He’s not here anymore,” Pux said softly, his eyes full of grief.
Kaliel studied his features, the ache in her heart growing until she couldn’t breathe. Pux pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair.
“He died in the battle.”
Kaliel was already crying. She buried her face in his shoulder and drew her arms to her chest. His gangly arms encircled her as she shook. There were so many people she missed, people she wanted to see again. Knowing she’d never see Mallorn made her hollow inside. She didn’t like Terra. All of her wanted to go home where she could erase the mistakes she had made in her past life. “I didn’t even know,” she whispered through sobs.
“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but with all the commotion…”
She wiped the tears out of her eyes and smeared them down her dress. “It’s okay,” she said even though her stomach was muddled with knots. “He died in battle?”
Pux nodded. “He was killed by one of the Daed. I was fighting with him, and they began striking at us with the Flames.”
Kaliel felt like she was falling off the top of a mountain. She gripped the table and tried to control the urge to burst forth with a shower of amethyst Flames. She blinked, trying to force her eyes to remain green. “You mean one of the Flames killed him?”
Pux nodded. “They weren’t like you. The Daed wore them around their necks. It made them stronger.”
Kaliel felt like vomiting but she held it in and swayed a bit on the bench. She glanced at the dancing villagers but didn’t feel like joining them. Her heart felt like a stone. She saw someone cross the floor, completely clad in black, his hood concealing his features. She panicked and tripped over herself as she stood, backing away from the table. Pux stumbled to catch up with her as she recoiled into the same corner they had stashed themselves in after the battle. She was white-faced as the Daed warrior approached them. Fortunately Pux was at her side.
“What is he doing here? I thought you killed all the Daed,” she hissed, pressing against the wall.
“He isn’t Daed,” Pux said. “And some of them ran away.”
The black figure stopped and she couldn’t help it–the Flame flared. She felt like she was on fire from the inside out. Her eyes snapped to a liquid amethyst and her aura spiked. She pulled her stomach muscles taut, knowing she had to calm herself so she wouldn’t explode. She heard her pulse in her ears and every breath was audible as she tried to stop hyperventilating.
The cloaked being bowed to her and she stared at him in bewilderment. “Kaliel,” he breathed.
“Who are you?” The energy felt familiar and it frightened her. Despite what Pux said and the fact that he gripped her elbow she didn’t want to let her guard down.
“Klavotesi, the Obsidian Flame of Justice,” he said ceremoniously.
Kaliel let out a breath but the tension thickened. “You’re not like the others.
”
Klavotesi righted himself and faced her. She felt him studying her, but she couldn’t see his eyes or his face or anything to define him. “No, I have been around much longer.”
“I …”
“I came to ask what it is you wish, lady,” he continued.
Kaliel shook her head. “Not you too,” she muttered, crossing her arms. Pux let go and pressed himself against the stone beside her. He eyed Klavotesi but didn’t say anything. “What will it take to convince you I’m not a leader?”
Klavotesi took a step back and tilted his head to the side. “You aren’t ready to lead us?”
“You should return to what you were doing before,” she stammered, really not sure how to sound authoritative in front of him. He had such striking presence compared to the other Flames. She imagined he could strangle someone with his faceless gaze. It bothered her.
“I’m not needed in Amaltheia any longer. I have already sent word to King Telper. I’m needed here on a more permanent basis.”
Kaliel tried to relax, the Flame’s fire slipping. She held her arms across her chest. “What do you mean?” She held back her grief. All she wanted to do was sit in Pux’s arms and cry until Krishani came back and took her away from all of this. There were things she desperately needed to ask him, questions only he could answer.
Klavotesi pushed the sleeves of his cloak together. “You need a proper mentor and I would be honored to fill that role.”
Kaliel glanced at Pux and remembered what Grimand said about her lessons in Avristar being nonexistent. Funny how dying made everything stop. It caused another hole to form in her heart. Thinking about home and the idea of never going back hurt but she nodded. “There’s a lot I don’t know.”
“And you have a body that’s both human and elven. That will make things more difficult.”
“Aulises was elven?”
“Part elven. Heritage is not what you think it is. There is both the physical and the energetic component to our makeup. On the physical side there are markers that create your body. They can be mixed depending on the species, much like the humans and wolves that created feorns. You are a product of an intelligent race and an evolving race. Humans are in their beginning stages, whereas elvens have existed thousands of years longer. You are physically both, but your humanity gives you limitations. Energetically you will always be a Flame, but that is something that should be watched closely,” Klavotesi explained.
Kaliel felt like her head was going to explode. It was too much information all at once. Even though she regarded Klavotesi as intelligent and better suited to train her than any of her previous elders she needed time to absorb the things he told her. She gave him a sheepish smile. “And if I agree, will you explain that to me again?”
“I will tell you many things about Terra and the Lands Across the Stars. I can tell you more about who you are and what you can do. I’ll teach you everything I can and help you reach your potential,” Klavotesi said. He bowed, as though the gesture bound him to his word.
Kaliel felt slightly uplifted. She could live in Terra if she was going to learn how to be herself again. She doubted there were merfolk, fae, feorns, shee or centaurs on Terra, but maybe there were other things she could grow fond of in time. Regardless, she would stay because of Krishani. He was the only thing that mattered to her. She dropped her arms and glanced at Pux. “If you agree to teach both of us I will accept it.”
Klavotesi turned to the feorn as though noticing him for the first time. “That is fair. This feorn has abilities he can’t access. I can help with that.”
Kaliel twisted her toe in the stone. “What were you doing on Amaltheia?”
“Assisting Ambrose Telper, another Ferryman. We were intercepting thieves. It’s work he can do on his own,” Klavotesi said.
Kaliel frowned. “What work?”
“The work of a Ferryman.” Klavotesi looked at the crowd then at Kaliel. “I think you should ask Krishani to explain it to you.” He took a step away, paused. “I will call on you for our first lesson soon,” he added as he disappeared around the corner.
Kaliel slid down the wall and rested her head against it. Pux followed, their shoulders touching. “What are you thinking, Pux?”
“I might be able to improve on the fashion sense of our poor villagers,” he said monotone.
Kaliel giggled. She couldn’t help it. “I think you’re hopeless.”
Pux smiled ruefully. “I’m serious. Everything’s too gray. We could do with a bit of orange.”
Kaliel scoffed. “I don’t like orange.”
“How about pink?”
“Sure,” she said, losing herself in the monotony of the music and the pale color of the stone above her. There were things to be sad about but she didn’t want to feel sad anymore. She was thankful everything seemed normal–well, almost everything.
* * *
10 - The Watchtower
Krishani rounded the corner and found the hall emptier than it had been before his confrontation with Elwen. A single flute and drum carried tunes lazily through the air as he crossed the floor, looking for Kaliel. He passed the drab table and his stomach growled at him. He hadn’t eaten much since the battle. Mushy orange and yellow vegetables glared at him, haphazardly strewn across silver platters. He wasn’t stupid enough to try them twice. All the meat had been stripped to the bones and there wasn’t any bread or mead left. He grimaced and left it, noticing Kaliel in the corner, Pux passed out on her shoulder. Her face brightened when she saw him and it made his heart ache with an instinctual longing. He glanced at the villagers but they were drunk. They whirled about the dance floor singing incoherently to the music. He wished Elwen would have had the sense to send them to their homes, but he didn’t want to talk to Elwen again.
He approached Kaliel and slid down beside her, interlocking his hand in hers. The traditions of Terra were foreign to him, and no matter his birthright, he wasn’t going to convert to their ways to placate the villagers. He’d be discreet, but it felt nice that for once he didn’t feel guilty about holding her hand in public. She squeezed his tighter and he ran his thumb along her palm and felt her shiver under him.
“I have good news,” she said while he continued tracing the indents in her palm with his thumb.
“What’s that?” Krishani asked. He felt better being near her, all the worry falling off his shoulders. He could do anything as long as he could be hers … fight wars, face Vultures, even face himself. As long as she loved him he would be strong enough to protect her.
“Klavotesi has agreed to teach me,” she said.
Krishani grinned. “Lessons.”
Kaliel hummed. “It feels like old times,” she said, unable to contain her glee. Krishani brought their interlocked hands to his lips and brushed them along the back of her hand. Her skin was smooth and pale, but it had tiny scars along the pores that looked like they came from rose bushes or brambles. He ignored them because they weren’t a part of her life, only part of something he couldn’t entirely explain.
“I hope he makes you do focus training,” he whispered as he dropped their hands into her lap.
Kaliel laughed and he loved the sound of it. “You’d love that wouldn’t you?” The corners of her mouth turned down. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t help.” She pouted.
Krishani let his gaze rake over her, the want in him too strong to ignore. “I’d do it for you if I could.”
She turned her attention to the villagers. “Is it night yet? I’m so tired and Pux is already asleep.”
Krishani nodded and unlocked their hands. He leaned forward and glanced at Pux who was resting on Kaliel’s other shoulder. “We should move him.”
“Where does he usually sleep?” Kaliel asked. “I hope Elwen gave him a bigger room.” She carefully raised her arm and shrugged Pux off her. He flinched as she set his head on the stone. He didn’t wake, just curled his animals legs towards himself creating a makeshift turtle shell.
“I
think he’ll be fine here. I don’t know where he sleeps.” He didn’t want to tell her that the one night he spent in the castle, Pux slept with the pigs. He stood, remembering the watchtower. “We should go.” He extended his hand and she took it, letting him pull her to her feet. He couldn’t help it; she smelled good. The dress he brought from Avristar was scented faintly with honeysuckle and lavender. She glanced at Pux and her forest green eyes streaked with uncertainty.
“Are you sure we should leave him?”
Krishani nodded. He wanted to get her away from the castle, the other villagers. Of the things he was thankful for, Talina giving him the watchtower was top of his list. “Come on, I have something to show you,” he said impatiently. He tugged on her hand and she followed reluctantly. He led her through the open doors and down the steps. They went to round the castle when she stopped short and looked at the sky. She turned and twirled and dropped his hand, spreading her arms wide as she tilted her head back, parallel with the sky.
“Even the sky is different; I can’t find the Phoenix.”
Krishani followed her gaze but he hadn’t taken the time to notice. Usually when he looked at sky it was because Vultures were descending on him and he needed to react fast to whatever was on the ground.
“Someone once told me beauty hides in plain sight on Terra,” Krishani said, quoting Shimma. He didn’t even know why he would repeat what she said, but it sounded appropriate. Kaliel smiled and put her hand in his. Familiar tingles ran up his spine.
“What did you want to show me?”
Krishani said nothing as he pulled her down the path past the trees and rows of cabins making up the majority of the village. He stopped near the steps to the watchtower and nodded up to it. Kaliel raised an eyebrow as Krishani went up before her, keeping her hand in his as he stepped onto the wide balcony. She wrenched her hands out of his and rubbed her shoulders. It was windy up there, gusts whipping black strands around her face as she looked out at the village. The watchtower stretched farther out than Krishani realized and included more functional structures than the ones he saw off the main road. He didn’t know what they were all for, but he liked the look of the little brown cabins with their triangular roofs and log sidings. It was encouraging to feel like he was in a place he belonged. If he closed his eyes he could imagine that this town was like Hawklin, nestled in the bounds of Orlondir, a part of Avristar. Kaliel’s hand pressed into his and he looked at her only to see her shining eyes.