“Astral mother?” Rose echoed, cocking her head to the side. She knew he was referring to the astral fade but she was curious as to why he had named it otherwise.
“A long explanation would be required but I am forbidden to speak of such things with strangers, let alone prisoners, you understand. The fade if you will then why are you out in the astral fade? Not many brave the journey nowadays.” The captain said with obvious curiosity.
“Our journey and its destination are our own.” Liostro quipped in return with a little snip in his voice.
“That’s fine you don’t have to talk to me but you do have to talk to the council.” The captain shrugged and stood up heading back up the stairwell. “We’ll be in port soon and you’ll be escorted to the jail cells to await your trial.”
“We don’t have time for this.” Liostro spoke as they were left alone with the lone guard. “Gather in.”
Once they were all close enough and touching he put his hand on the breastplate he still wore and attempted to use his ability to whisk them into the council chambers unsuccessfully. Cursing their luck he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back again the ship’s planks. “We should have gone back the other way; we could have fought our way past the demons.”
“I doubt they would have been easy to bypass. I am sure they tripled their security when you all slipped past them.” Avreel shook her head at his suggestion. “No we made the only choice we could.”
“Another fine mess we’ve gotten into.” Liostro sat down against the wood of the rocking ship and sighed. “All I want to do is get out of here and continue on with our lives.”
“I doubt our lives will ever be peaceful if that’s what you’re hoping for.” Rose sat down next to him and smiled. “At least we’ll have something to tell the grandkids right?”
When Liostro blinked in surprise she laughed at his expense and nudged his shoulder trying to inject some humor into their currently grim situation. His grumble only caused her to giggle more and pinch his cheek to which he attempted unsuccessfully to bite her fingers. Talisbane made an odd grumbling noise as he lay his head down. “I’m sure we’ll be fine, I have a good feeling.”
“I’m glad one of us does.” Nina sat down against the bars and closed her eyes. “What do you think they’ll do with us?”
“If they’re a reasonable people they’ll understand that this was just an unforeseen accident right?” Rose answered optimistically, now looking at Nina who snorted in reply and shrugged.
Avreel rolled her eyes. “You’re so innocent and naïve sometimes it’s almost painful.”
“Better that than pessimistic.” Rose jibed.
They sat in silence from then on out and Rose paid attention to the feel of the ship. She had learned how to feel for the movement of the waves while they had been on the water but since they were floating in nothingness she couldn’t place the shifting craft’s motion. She did know, however, when they docked from the sudden bang near their heads and the halting of the ship. The captain followed by several of his crew came down and escorted them out of the hold.
The dock before them was just as odd as the sailors themselves. Without water it had been moored to the side of the rock formation with ropes and mushroom stalks and even wood. Several of the odd-looking detritus milled around the docks either hawking their wares or unloading ships as they came in. Rose could equate it to any other city if it weren’t so outlandish to her eyes. Everything was of a different architecture than the last item from the buildings at the end of the dock to the ships themselves. The detritus were indeed scavengers it seemed because even their bodies were made out of the debris floating in the plane. They allowed themselves to be led down off the ship and into the streets of the city. The buildings were the same as the dock, all made in the same strange freeform style that garbage and scraps would allow. The people were all pieced together just like the men on the ship, all save the children, most of them looked almost human but a little different to her eyes. Rarely a child would run by them laughing or playing and they would have one of the grafted appendages on. As they continued through the streets in the distance Rose could see a stone structure almost akin to a small castle on the hill. It was their destination she was sure of it even before they entered the yard of the keep. Through it all Talisbane kept his body pulled in tight and his claws in Rose’s clothing as he clung tightly to the woman. “It’s alright Talis, we’ll be fine.”
There were guards all wearing armor crafted from pieces and parts of different objects and all carrying weapons. They watched with more than just a passing interest as the prisoners were led past them. Strangely enough the inside of the keep had little of the detritus style of building more because it seemed to be a solid structure. Rose figured it was most likely left over from some land mass destroyed in the sundering. Rose took in the plain walls and stone blocks passively until they were led past a set of large double doors. The guards out in front called for a halt.
“The council wishes to speak with the prisoners.” The largest of them said, addressing the captain directly. “Follow me.”
Deferral was immediate and they changed course to follow the large man. His chest was half wooden and metal and a part of his lower jaw was solid metal as well. He looked dangerous so Rose couldn’t help but feel nervous. As they were led through a set of double doors the room opened up into a small chamber like the council chamber of the elves save this one only had one seat and it was seemingly reserved for the council. Upon the large four-seated throne sat two women and two men. They were obviously ancient from their wrinkled skin, or at least what was left of it. The gathered quad was mostly wood and metal and all of them had eyes of different colors. Of the four the woman on the far left spoke first.
“Do my scavenged eyes deceive me brothers and sisters or is this a naarabian?” Her voice was like the captain’s but softer and more feminine. It was still plagued of tinny metallic noise though. “Long has it been since the detritus have had a naarabian guest in our court.”
“We had thought your race extinct.” The male detritus on the far end said not long after the female had stopped talking. “It pleases us to know your people are still functioning however we beg the question of why you attacked our ship. You may speak.”
“We made the mistake of thinking your ship belonged to pirates.” Liostro said before Rose could speak.
“We were not talking to you dual blood.” The second woman said with distain. “We were speaking to your leader, the naarabi witch.”
“Revered elders I prefer the term sage over witch, though what he says is true. Initially we mistook your ship for pirates. We offer our apologies to you and your people.” Rose bowed to the four of them deeply and motioned for the others to do the same. Though Avreel was scowling she complied. “It was not our intention to start off our relationship with hostilities.”
“Penance must be paid.” The second male said to her while simultaneously scratching his chin. “Your ship will be taken in payment; the damaged one cannot fly again so we will integrate it into the city.”
“The cargo on that ship belongs to my house!” Avreel protested.
“Although your manners are somewhat lacking we will compensate you for your loss while simultaneously making up for ours.” The first female council member replied to Avreel in a coarse tone. “Ware your outbursts for we are being kind.”
“Your generosity is appreciated.” Rose put her hand on Avreel’s shoulder and shook her head. When the fiery tempered elf glowered but relented Rose did well to hide her relief. “I would ask how we are to reach our destination without transportation.”
“The circumstances surrounding your accommodations are your own problem. We have given our verdict and you are free to go. Make sure you do not cause any trouble in the clockwork city while you are here or we shall not be so lenient next time.” The first male said to them and then they all raised their hands gesturing for the gathered people in the room to depart.
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br /> Once they were outside the council chambers Rose turned to the three of them and put her forehead in her hand. “Are you sure you’re sure they’re pirates now? I swear you two are more bloodthirsty than a starved vampire.”
“It was an honest mistake.” Liostro shrugged at Rose and took his blade back as the steward offered it. They all got their belongings back in short order with Avreel gaining a small pouch of gems as well. “I suggest we go back down to the dock and try to secure some sort of passage away from here.”
“We don’t yet know how far we have to be out to teleport away.” Rose turned to Avreel who had belted on her mace and she stroked Talisbane’s head off-handedly. The little dragon purred a raspy sound and loosened up a little from his previously tight coil. “Any clues as to why we cannot teleport away yet?”
“I’m out of ideas. I thought just getting out into the astral would allow us to teleport out.” Avreel shrugged at her and pulled her hair back up into a tail behind her head. “I suggest we find someone who is familiar with this territory and ask them.”
Rose sighed and turned away as the three of them began debating their next course of action. She did not fancy herself the leader of anyone let alone this group and despite their protests she began walking off deeper into the citadel. The noise the three of them made behind her signified they were pursuing her but she did not attempt to avoid them. Her path brought her out of the hallway and into what looked like a garden of sorts. There were rock formations arranged in patterns on the floor and pathways carved into the stone beneath her feet. At the center of the large open courtyard was a tall crystalline structure stretching out into the sky. It was then that she felt the tugging sensation and she knew it was the reason she had turned away from them. Unable to resist she approached the cluster of crystals that were glowing a soft blue.
Suspended in the largest of the crystals was a woman who looked human for the most part but Rose knew looks could be deceiving. She knew that the woman was alive but barely and somehow in her mind she also discerned that the lady in the crystal had summoned them here. The others joined her but she did not hear their questions or protests. A detritus caretaker approached her and began complaining about how she was not allowed to be in the sacred garden. She ignored it and all of them fell silent when the woman opened her eyes.
“Alethia Rose Nalfys it has been a long time since I’ve seen you.” A melodious voice said to her from everywhere and nowhere. The caretaker fell to his knees but Rose stretched out a hand and touched the central crystal. “I am Kestrel, or what’s left of her anyway.”
“My lady Kestrel why am I here? Why did you summon me?” Rose asked through her awe. From her shoulder Talisbane was chirping happily as the goddess spoke.
“You are here because I summoned you and I summoned you because there are things you must know. Are you aware of the sundering, of how our world was nearly destroyed?” The woman in the crystal prison said softly.
“I am, my lady Kestrel.” Rose said with a nod.
“Then let me spin you the true tale. You are being pulled into a ploy created by the sage Leonidus. Long ago he created the prophecies and scattered them to the winds and set about making them come to pass.” Kestrel paused for a moment seemingly gathering her strength. “Leonidus was the first of the great sorcerer lords to drain your home of its life. The wizards following the scale of darkness began stealing the life force of all living things around them but soon that was not enough and it was then that they began draining the source of all magic.”
“I don’t understand, Leonidus was the first? I thought it was Xyroxyss.” Rose was confused and a little hurt so she looked down at the ground and cleared her throat as she attempted not to cry. “He told me it was Xyroxyss that began killing the planet.”
“That is untrue; Xyroxyss was the first to rebel against the sorcerer lords and the nypthians behind them. He used his power and influence to hide away a sanctuary for the elves and create a guardian to protect them. In the process he nearly died.” Kestrel shifted her gaze from Rose to the Nina. “I see the sunmane legacy grows strong young elf.”
“Yes, great lady, we survive still.” Nina curtsied as best as she could in her armor.
“Your people survived because of her brother Xyroxyss.” Kestrel looked back to Rose and smiled wistfully. “Yes my dear Rose Xyroxyss is your brother though he is old and near to the grave. It is he who created the red fever. It keeps the sorcerer lords from leaving this continent and draining the others for power.”
“When the source was nearly drained in full and the world began to sunder the gods all banded together and many sacrificed their lives to save the planet and her people. As it stands very few can touch the source; only a handful of humans who have worked hard all their lives, the elves, the nypthians, the naarabi and the most powerful of them all is you, Rose.” Kestrel closed her eyes for a moment. “In your veins flow the last drops of blood from the line of naarabi kings fused with the power of the former gods. Your command of magic comes from their providence.”
“Each of the ancient titans you merge with has an ability that will aid you on your quest. Mine will help you control them.” Kestrel paused for a moment then seemed to smile. “I am glad that your path will finally come to some good in this shattered world. I am sad to go for I have loved it so.”
“I am old and tired but the detritus revere me as a true goddess and that is all that has kept me alive.” It was clear that Kestrel was in some pain from the look on her face. “There is not much left of my divine spark. What I have I gift to you Rose and may you use it more wisely than the sorcerer lords did their brief sparks. Take a piece of my crystal tomb and know the truth.”
“No! You’ll die.” Rose said in reply but it was too late. She felt warmth and a sense of peace wash over her in a golden light and the crystals around her cracked loudly. Inside the central pillar Kestrel’s body disappeared. Rose took a sliver of the crystal that had broken off and put it into her tunic. “I do not deserve this.”
“There is none more fitting than you.” Were the last words they all heard as Rose’s eyes began to glow softly then the glow faded leaving all in attendance startled.
“The last remnants of Kestrel.” Avreel said reverently as she touched the crystal’s surface. “One of the few gods left to this world and she gave her divinity to you.”
“Kestrel was the one keeping us here. She would not let us teleport away because she wanted to give me this gift. She whispered her last wishes to me just before we merged.” Rose said softly.
“What was it?” Nina asked curiously.
With one last glance at the crystal and another at the detritus caretaker now kneeling at her feet and bowing she turned to her companions. “She wants me to kill the last of the sorcerer lords; Leonidus and Rahknand, the ruler of Rhakshas. I was brought into this life to overthrow them and bring down the Nypthian Empire. The magic tied to your armor will work now; take us away from this place Liostro.”
Part III: The Wrath
Chapter 17: Betrayal
Her only memory of the council chambers was one that made her cringe. Between her role as a blood guard and her confrontation with the head councilman she never thought she would be so happy to see the marble floors and wooden walls with their decorative tapestries. All of them breathed a sigh of relief and Rose fell to her knees with tears in her eyes. “It feels good to be home.”
The large room was almost unoccupied. Merek, the queen and former king were sitting near the throne on a few high-backed intricately carved chairs that looked like a series of vines choking a plush fabric cushion. Several guards looked startled at their sudden presence but one stood out from them all. From the back of the room Barius was striding toward them with a grin plastered across his features.
“Rose, Liostro, Nina, our wayward adventurers!” Barius embraced Rose tight for a moment then bowed to Nina and clasped hands with a weary-looking Liostro. “There were bets whether you’d return
or not.”
“Oh?” Liostro said with an amused look on his face. “How much did you just win?”
“Enough to buy you all a round of honey mead once you’ve rested.”
“Seize them!” Leonidus cried at the top of his lungs, indicating the four with an outstretched finger. “They are traitors to the throne and to the elven people.”
The silence in the room was near deafening as the guards all looked around between themselves and the gathered trio of ranking officers and royalty. Merek and Miralastra did not look as surprised as everyone else in the room. Even Barius looked perplexed. Rose arched a brow and strode around them all walking toward Leonidus without making any threatening gestures. “I demand to know why.”
“I know you have been corrupted; I know you have betrayed us!” Leonidus accused as he turned back to the queen and Merek to address them directly using only a finger to point accusingly at Rose. “Remember what we all saw with our eyes. The gathered army that even now marches toward us is their doing!”
“Why?” Rose asked with only enough volume for those around her to hear. She had been holding on to the question and the emotion behind it for long enough. “Why did you betray us? Why did you send us on this doomed mission? The demons who took me were under your employ. They captured me and tortured me mentally. They tried to break my will to gain some knowledge or hidden secret that I cannot name. I broke free and ran.”
Rose paused for a moment and sniffed hard trying to fight the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I was taken in by the people of the stone and cared for. But when it came time to leave the kurenai Namia betrayed many of her people and even her own brother to put me into the hands of the infernis elves.”
“The infernis attempted to chain me and dissect me like some sort of experiment. I broke their magic and laid waste to the house of those who kept me. The kurenai who had shown me nothing but kindness died by your hands.” She felt her chest rising and falling rapidly and in the back of her thoughts the Spellrage threatened to well up within her. Subsequently Talisbane jumped from her to Avreel then to Nina and hid behind the elf’s back, clasping her shoulder and growling. “Then the death eater, the fallen primordial god that we killed and I absorbed. I overcame that challenge as well.”
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