by Lexy Wolfe
"Tulis is not as fascinating as you, Mureln." Ilsa sighed again. "But you are right. They are more in need of you right now than I am." She drew a gauzy veil over her hair and straightened. "I will go speak to the Dusvet Guardian and your other companions to reassure them you had arrived in time. We can talk more later." Mureln closed his eyes as she left, looking less than eager.
Chapter 52
THE grand doors to the chamber Almek and the others waited opened and Ilsa entered with an ethereal elegance. She approached Almek, offering her hands to him as she knelt respectfully before him, eyes lowered. "Water’s Resonance is honored for your visit, Dusvet Guardian Almek Two-Tones. I am Ilsa, master apothecarist of Water's Resonance."
"What of my students?" Almek's worry for the pair shortened his patience with formality, though he did accept her offered hands, squeezing them lightly.
Ilsa smiled understandingly as she rose to her feet. "The black water is purged. Mureln is with them, bringing them ease with his music so they may recover their strength and heal faster." Her smile faded to something more serious. "It would have been otherwise had you arrived any later. You should permit them to recover fully before you resume traveling. All of you are welcome to remain among us until then."
Almek nodded, relaxing. "Your generous offer is very much appreciated, Ilsa. Thank you."
Emil was talking with Terrence quietly when the man suddenly laughed wryly. "Lad, I ha' been travelin' wi' Mureln fer almost as long as ye've been alive, land an' sea both, and I ain't never seen no beasts like what nearly killed yer master 'n th' Swordanzen." He glanced at Skyfire clearing his throat and amended, "th' other Swordanzen."
Ilsa shook her head, elaborate braids dyed in pale blues, greens and violets swaying with the motion. "It is very rare for the kraken to come so near the surface. They normally remain in the darkest depths of the oceans."
"Something must have disturbed it." Tulis entered, bowing deeply to Almek and introducing himself before taking Ilsa’s hand briefly, lightly kissing her cheek. "It is not unknown for ships to have been lost to one of the lords of the ocean. But it is equally not common."
"What may have disturbed it is what concerns me," Almek mused, half to himself. "It is too much for me to think it is merely a coincidence two of my strongest students were nearly killed."
Tulis considered. "There are many who are more aligned with the rhythms of the waves who have been complaining of dissonances in the currents. Lurkers who have become bolder each time the greater moon shines her face upon the waves."
"Darklings?" Taylin wondered.
The Vodani man shrugged one shoulder. "I suppose they would fit the definition." When the Sevmanen traded confused looks, Tulis explained patiently, "Light can only reach so far into the water's depths. You cannot have shadows where there is no light. For us, they are the things unnatural that lurk in the depths." A hint of amusement touched the Vodani man’s otherwise impassive face. "Of course, most landwalkers consider what we call ‘natural’ to be quite unnatural."
Ilsa was looking at each of the newcomers and tilted her head. "Was there not another Forentan with you? A woman?" Her eyes fixed on Skyfire for several moments, the Desanti man beginning to fidget under the intensity of her stare.
"She decided it would be best for all concerned, especially herself, if she stayed in her quarters on the ship." Taylin's voice held such uncharacteristic sharpness, her companions had to choke back their laughter.
"A pity. I am always fascinated when we have visitors from the mainland. It is especially rare for any Forenten to come here." Ilsa's strange gaze now studied the Sevmanan woman. "Interesting," she murmured, approaching the healer, offering her hand to her. Uncertainly, Taylin gave Ilsa her hand in return, looking uncomfortable. "It has been a long time since I have met a Sevmanan healer. One with true power. Your skills are quite the talk of the ship’s crew. Perhaps later we can meet to talk?"
Tulis approached and put a hand on Ilsa’s shoulder, giving her a long, meaningful look. "They are our guests. Should we not let them settle into their rooms before dinner?"
"Oh, yes, of course, dear Tulis. I am so forgetful sometimes." Releasing Taylin’s hand, Ilsa made a grandiose wave towards another set of double doors two young servants opened. "It is so rare we have mainland guests. There are rooms for each of you down the hall. Or you may share," she added with a twinkle in her eyes. "They are quite comfortable. One of the younglings will come to tell you when the evening meal will be ready."
Almek nodded to Ilsa. "The generosity of Water’s Resonance is greatly appreciated."
"Of course, Dusvet! We would never neglect our duty to Fortress." Smiling coyly, Ilsa said, "And do tell your other Forentan companion she is welcome to join us. It would be such a pleasure to meet her. If you will excuse me, I will go see how Mureln fares with your companions." With a final bow, she swept out of the room, leaving the group in a stunned silence.
"She must b’kidding," Emil finally stated, crossing his arms. "She can't be wantin' t' meet th' ice queen."
Almek shook his head. "Oh, stars no, I’m afraid she is not kidding. Vodani are... ah, rather unique. To some degree, they all live to experience the world. Joy, grief, pleasure, pain... Even death is seen as the last great adventure." He patted Taylin’s shoulder comfortingly. "If anything a Vodani asks of you makes you uncomfortable, just be firm and say no. It is rare they will impose anything on the unwilling."
Skyfire coughed, nervously scratching his jaw. "I have been looked at by many women before. Never like that." He glanced towards the door thoughtfully, and then shook his head.
Chapter 53
STORM gasped as she woke abruptly, looking around in disorientation as she reached for weapons that were not there. Looking around in rising panic, she relaxed when she saw them all neatly placed on the table at the foot of her couch.
"You are absolutely impossible to keep asleep." Mureln shifted to a new song. "I expect he will be waking soon if you’ve managed to wake despite my best efforts."
"Desanti rarely sleep very long out of necessity," Storm stated absently. She looked at the bard, and then followed his gaze to the sleeping mage. Green-gold eyes stared unblinkingly at the mage, the Swordanzen's expression unreadable, breaking her silence after several long minutes. "It was not a nightmare. It was real."
"Very much so." Mureln watched her as his fingers moved along the strings of his mandolin. "You and Ash saved the rest of our lives, however accidental your parts in it may have been."
"I am glad," Storm replied with distracted politeness. She pushed herself to her feet, wobbling a bit before she went to the window to look outside. "This strange place. It is your home."
Mureln arched an eyebrow. "I did grow up here, but I have not been in Water's Resonance for many years."
Shaking her head, Storm clarified. "I meant it is the home of your birth."
The bard blinked in surprise. "You can tell?"
"The essence of home is imprinted on all of us." She gazed out of the window in silence. "The currents are deep here, giving a hum to this island of crystal. It echoes within you. This is not Lord Almek’s. His soul echoes of crashing waves and whispering winds across the land."
"Almek is over five hundred years old! How can you—?" Storm turned, almost smiling. "Why am I surprised?" the bard asked the ceiling before looking at Storm again. "Are you all right?"
"I am whole." Storm looked over at Ash. Standing by the chair he slept in, she brushed his hair back in place gently. "Do you consider the Forentan mage a friend?" the Desanti woman asked very slowly, choosing her words with great care. Mureln nodded, watching Storm in silence as if not daring to risk interrupting the Swordanzen. "You must stop him."
"Stop him? From what?"
"Feeling anything other than duty towards me." Green-gold eyes met Mureln’s startled sea blue-green ones. "Swordanzen are forbidden ties to anything but our duty to Desantiva. It is especially forbidden of Githalin."
"You do not have to—"
"Understand this, Bard. Duty must always come first. Always. He deserves better than the likes of me." She walked to her couch, methodically putting her weapons belts back in place. "Before that... creature attacked the ship, he told me he thought Swordanzen had greater freedom than mages." She did not look at Mureln as she spoke, the bard wide-eyed. "It is enough I fear my and Skyfire’s association with Lord Almek risks danger to his students because a Swordanzen must answer all challenges."
"Storm," Mureln began, his playing long stopped. He started to rise, but stopped when she raised both of her hands.
"My father gave me His blessing to make new patterns. But there were reasons for the patterns that were made so long ago. I will not break the patterns just because I might..." She leveled a look at the bard, the man drawing back as if physically struck. "If you truly consider yourself his friend, stop him before he has to choose between his duty and his heart. Please."
Mureln inhaled sharply as he realized, "There isn’t anything going on between you and Skyfire, is there?"
"Skyfire and I are th'yala. We are an oasis to each other where we are now the outlanders. We are kinsmen and comrades-in-arms. Friends. Having that much between us will be dangerous enough. Skyfire understands that now more than ever being Githalin Swordanzen. But." She turned towards the door. "If it makes it easier for Ash to believe there is more, let him." She paused by the door, bowing her head slightly and said with a voice that made Mureln’s heart ache with its poignancy, "It would be better if we hated each other as Desanti and Forentan should. Then it would not hurt."
Mureln could only watch as the Desanti woman left, the door closing quietly behind her. "Oh, Storm. You deserve better than what you allow yourself." The bard looked over as Ash began to rouse, closing his eyes in a wince when it was Storm's name on his lips.
Chapter 54
Much like the Desanti, the Vodani did nearly everything together as a community. The main meals of the day were no exception. Striations of the same purple crystal that made the spires lined the walls of the massive cavern that served as the great hall, glowing softly with the sunlight that the spires captured. Lamps were hung on the pillars that supported the roof, adding to the illumination as the glow dimmed with the setting sun.
The Vodani clustered in various groups, from the various schools of learning within the community to ship crews that were often a single family, with the youngsters clustering together at smaller tables suited to their diminutive statures. The sounds of chatter and laughter mingled with the distant sounds of ocean waves coming from the outer windows.
Ilsa invited the Dusvet Guardian and his students to sit at her table, the Vodani woman watching the group’s interactions over the edge of her glass with keen interest. She spoke to the bard seated to her right with a careless nonchalance. "I can see now why you stay with them. It is like watching oil and spirits mix and needing only the tiniest of sparks to ignite things." She smiled faintly when Emil turned to scold Emaris again. "How fascinating!"
"Ilsa, just keep your curiosity to yourself." Not wanting to draw his companions' attentions, Mureln could barely keep his voice even.
She laughed quietly at the dark look the bard gave her. "Oh, do cheer up, Mureln. You are being far too serious. I will behave myself. Besides." She made a minute gesture towards the Desanti and Forenten. "It will only be a matter of time. You do not need my influence for that to happen."
At the far end of the table, Storm and Skyfire were quietly speaking as they poked at the unfamiliar food uncertainly. Without warning, Storm spun around on her bench and came nose to nose with a young Vodani boy no more than eight years old who froze in shock, his finger outstretched, caught mid-attempt to touch one of her swords. Wide eyes stared at the gleaming blade Storm had drawn, the point hovering right in front of his nose.
Storm smiled faintly as she put her knife back in its sheath. "You are very good. I almost didn’t notice you." The boy just stared in outright terror. "My name is Storm." She offered her hand in greeting, the boy shakingly responding to the gesture. "What is your name?" she prompted.
"J-J-Jakkee," the boy stammered.
"I am very pleased to meet you, Jakkee." Storm turned around on her seat to fully face the boy, crossing her arms as she studied him. "Do not worry. I don’t bite."
"Unless ye ask," Emil piped up. "Ow!" the Sevmanan yelped as he got an elbow from each side, glaring at Emaris and Skyfire. "Ye all got no sense of humor."
Jakkee clapped his hands over his mouth to smother giggles, relaxing a little. Storm glanced over at a small gaggle of children hiding behind the nearest column, whispering to each other and pointing excitedly. "I see you were the only one brave enough to come meet me."
"They triple dared me to touch your sword!" he said, as if there was no choice.
"Ah, I see." Storm nodded with complete understanding. "Of course a young warrior as brave as you could not back down from a challenge." She stood smoothly, the boy shuffling backwards and falling on his backside. "I should like to meet your friends, Jakkee. Would you honor me by introducing me to them?"
Jakkee’s eyes lit up. "Really?!" On his feet instantly, he grabbed Storm’s hand and pulled her after him.
"Your Swordanzen certainly makes an impression wherever she goes, does she not, Dusvet?" Ilsa asked Almek, smiling indulgently. "Already she has won the hearts of Home Port, the Wave Dancer's crew and now the youngsters here."
"She is not that impressive," Amelana stated loftily.
"Oh?" Ilsa replied before one of the others could say anything to the Forentan woman. "And what have you done to compare to the Swordanzen woman?"
"My family is-" Amelana began.
Ilsa interrupted. "Not your family. I neither know nor care about your family. This is Vodanya. We care little about your landwalker social hierarchy, but your own achievements. This is about you. Tell me what makes you better than the Desanti woman?"
"My great grandfa-"
"You," Ilsa repeated, but this time with more of an edge. "Surely you have done something to make your family proud to call you one of their own." She gestured towards the others at the table. "You sit among the Dusvet Guardian, master bard, master healer, Illaini Magus, and two Githalin Swordanzen." She glanced at Emil and Emaris, adding grudgingly, "And masters at other things. Surely you must excel at something to be more impressive than a Swordanzen." When the Forentan woman didn't respond, she asked, "At least equally as impressive?"
Amelana flushed as some of the others at the table began to chuckle, either hiding it behind their drinks or not even bothering at all. She glanced at Ash, who did not even look at her as he drank his wine. Verging on tears, Amelana ran out of the hall.
Mureln looked aggrieved. "Ilsa."
Ilsa rose as most of the others in the hall did, tables and benches being moved aside, ignoring Mureln. Gliding over to Taylin, Ilsa smiled warmly. "My dear, would you honor me with your company? Sevmanan healers have always fascinated me, but they so rarely leave their temples on the mainland. I would very much like to speak with you about your arts."
Taylin smiled at Ilsa, still chuckling from Amelana’s verbal smack down and nodded. "Of course, Ilsa." She easily fell in step with the willowy woman.
Almek put a hand on Mureln’s shoulder to restrain him. "Taylin can take care of herself."
"Ilsa seems to enjoy creating waves," Ash observed as other Vodani, emboldened by seeing Storm with the group of children, eagerly approached Skyfire, Terrence, Emil and Emaris to invite them to various entertainments of dancing, gambling, or storytelling. None were quite brave enough to approach Almek and Ash as they spoke together. "Another sister of yours?"
Mureln shook his head sharply before turning on his heel to stalk away. "My betrothed."
Almek nearly choked on his wine and stared after Mureln. "Betrothed? I suppose I can still be surprised, even at my age."
Watching Mureln stalk away, Tulis approached, offering the two m
en a respectful bow. "I see Ilsa has been seeing how many ripples she can create again. I apologize on behalf of my people, Dusvet Guardian Almek. She is not representative of our people with her behavior."
"She and Mureln seem to have a history," Ash commented, sipping his wine.
Tulis smiled warmly, shrugging one shoulder. "It is more the lack of history that makes him so intriguing to Ilsa. Because our people live in such small, distant groups, it is not uncommon for families to arrange marriages to keep the bloodlines strong."
"And he turned down the arrangement," Ash concluded, watching after the bard with empathy for his situation.
Tulis shrugged one shoulder. "Mureln could not abide Ilsa's manipulations and refused to make the match official. And once the music called Mureln, he never looked back." Waving one of the servers over to refill their glasses, he added, "He is the one person she has desired but has never been able to bed despite many attempts to convince him otherwise."
It was Ash's turn nearly to choke on his drink. "Excuse me? Isn't she your wife?"
Tulis tilted his head, puzzled for a moment. "Oh, forgive me. I forget how restrictive you landwalkers are about your pairings." He waved a hand absently. "Marriages are for having children. The act of copulation is a sharing of pleasure and company, a celebration of life. Something Mureln has outright refused Ilsa. That has made him something of a personal challenge for her."
"So, you do not stay faithful to one person?" Ash asked, fascinated despite himself.
"Why? Life is for living." He looked between Almek and Ash. "It is a belief that has its roots in our Desanti ancestry. Mureln says the Desanti belief is to enjoy the moment, for tomorrow you may die. Vodani are not so morbid." He smiled faintly. "But life is to be experienced to its fullest, do you not agree?"
