by Lexy Wolfe
With a hint of urgency, Terrence asked, "Master. Who is teaching the Desanti? Who is learning from them? No one. Why should Mistress Storm consider herself necessary when all of us, even Master Almek, dismiss almost everything about her but her warrior skills as unnecessary?"
Ash opened his mouth to answer, then shut it again, frowning.
Chapter 79
THE atmosphere in Naveene's Rest was subdued, few Ithesrans venturing out of their homes in the continuing rain. The unceasing, low rumbling of thunder and falling rain provided a dismal background sound to the evening meal. All of Almek's students but Ash sat at the table. The Sevmanen and Forentan laughed at a story Mureln was telling with great animation. The Desanti sat apart as usual, sharing a plate of food, speaking quietly to each other.
All eyes were drawn to Ash as the self-possessed mage joined them, his hands tucked within his sleeves. Even though the others offered him greetings of varying degrees of warmth, his attention was only for Storm. "Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar, would you honor me with a moment of your time in private?"
Storm and Skyfire traded quizzical looks, Skyfire shrugging before Storm rose to her feet without a word. The two left the main room for a private room. A small table with a crystal lantern glowed with a warm, soft light on several platters of food. He moved to one chair, pulling it out and waiting patiently when she balked. "Please," he requested simply.
Hesitating a moment more, Storm finally acceded to the implied invitation, sitting stiffly. Moving to the seat across from her, Ash took bites from each of the platters before serving them both.
Storm watched him with silent intensity. When he finished, she stared him a little longer. "There was food with the others. And Mureln was telling some story you probably would have enjoyed."
"You did not seem to be enjoying it," he pointed out neutrally. Cheeks coloring, she looked away, falling silent. Ash reached towards her, resting his outstretched hand on the table. The gesture drew her eyes back to him. "I wanted to apologize to you. I reacted poorly when you told me of your plans to leave, and I have been behaving even worse since."
After a moment, Storm shook her head. "I do not fault you. There is no need—"
"Yes, there is a need for an apology, if only for myself." Ash looked chagrined. "I am the Illaini Magus. You are a guest in my land, and I have been negligent in my duties to you. And... I should have been more understanding." He took a deep breath. "When it is time for you to leave, I will not stop you." He added softly, "No matter how much it will pain me to lose you."
Looking sad, Storm started to speak. After a moment, she stopped herself, simply reaching to let him take her hand. Finally... "I accept your apology, Illaini Magus." Tilting her head to one side, she gestured towards the meal in puzzlement, "But why all of this?"
Ash smiled sadly. "Because I wish for you to teach me. About your people. Your culture. Your beliefs. Everything you can in the time we still have together." Feeling grateful for her surprised reaction, he could not help but feel some guilt for his own blindness. "When you leave, Desantiva leaves with you. I do not want to lose it... or you... forever." He extended his hand to her beseechingly. "Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar. Please honor me and teach me about Desantiva." He squeezed her fingers lightly at her nod of acceptance.
Chapter 80
WITHIN days of Storm and Ash's reconciliation, the rains finally began to ease, though the air remained crisp with the onset of autumn. The dark green canopy had changed to the brilliant reds, yellows and oranges of fire and the sun speckled the forest floor with pools of golden light.
Almek smiled indulgently, the others laughing, as the good humor of the Swordanzen returned with the change in the weather. "I was beginning to think we would never see the sun again!" Skyfire stretched his arms expansively, turning his face into the sunlight. "Kailee's tail, I will never again take it for granted."
Astride her drizar, Storm squinted upwards, shading her eyes. "I have never known the sun to be so bright yet the day so cold." She blew on her cupped hands to warm them.
"Githalin Swordanzen." Ash stepped off the ramp to the forest floor, followed by Lyra. Each carried a large bundle. Both Desanti looked over curiously, Skyfire's eyes lighting up seeing the young Forentan woman. "The days are only going to grow colder. I would be remiss in not assuring our Desanti guests were not better protected against it."
Taking the bundle from Lyra, Skyfire unfolded the heavy, fur-lined oilskin cloak dyed a rich rust color, putting it over his shoulders. Lyra beamed up at him as he fastened it securely. "It fits you well, Master Skyfire. And there are gloves to match!" She cast her gaze down shyly. "Allow me to help you with them?" She looked up when he offered her his hands, smiling brightly.
Ash offered a similar set of cloak and gloves to Storm with a small smile. "For you, my Swordanzen." She slid off the drizar's back, looking both curious and appreciative.
Storm arched an eyebrow as he moved behind her to drape the deep crimson cloak around her shoulders. "'Your' Swordanzen?"
She closed her eyes as he leaned close to whisper in her ear. "Yes. My Swordanzen." Moving around her to fasten the clasp, he stated, "In Desantiva, I met your father. Today, you will meet my mother." He smiled at her expression before reaching for her hands to help her with the gloves.
Chapter 81
WITH the help of Mureln's music, the ride went by swiftly. But the easy camaraderie that had grown between Almek's students was shattered when they reached the hidden glade. The moment the drizzen entered, clouds of forest sprites swarmed the two Desanti, cutting and stabbing the humans with thorns and other tiny weapons. Desperately trying to protect their faces, arms and legs, neither Swordanzen drew any weapons against the tiny guardians.
"Stop this!" Ash bellowed, but was unheard over the shrill voices of the sprites. "Stop!" Finally, given no choice, he raised his hands, a burst of wind sweeping the tiny creatures away from the Swordanzen. He ran to stand between the Desanti and the swarm. "I said stop!"
One of the creatures flew near Ash, hovering in front of him with angered agitation. "All Mother must be protected! They will kill All Mother! Why bring murderers?"
"They are not murderers, Li!" Ash glanced back over his shoulder, frowning. Both Desanti were slumped in their saddles. The others hurried to help the pair dismount their agitated beasts. "Do you think I would have brought them here if I believed they meant harm to Her?"
"Confuse you they must have." Li crossed her arms, adamant in her belief. "Li not allow All Mother harm."
"Skyfire, lad, what be wrong?" Emil asked worriedly. Emaris frowned as the Desanti man's knees buckled. "It just be little bee stings. Ye be tougher than that!" But no amount of cajoling seemed to help as the Desanti man's eyes rolled back. Emil felt his throat for a pulse desperately. Stricken, Emil looked up at Almek. "He-he be dead, Guardian!"
Taylin and Mureln were having similar issues with Storm, the woman limp despite their support. "I-I can't heal her faster than whatever is hurting her." Her expression fell moments later and she closed her eyes. "No," she whispered in disbelief.
Almek frowned as he tried to rouse the Desanti woman, calling to her. But there was no response.
Ash's eyes went wide in horror before he spun on the tiny creature. "Li, what have you done?!" He ran to Storm, taking her from Mureln and Taylin as he fell to his knees. "Storm, no." He cupped her cheek in one hand, trying to find even the tiniest spark of life and finding only emptiness. "Please, Mother, no. Storm!"
The sprite flew closer to Ash, looking perplexed. "Li do what must do. No more evil ones. No more danger to All Mother. Eep!" She squeaked as Ash grabbed the tiny creature. She stared at him. "You cry for evil one?"
"She. Was. Not. Evil," Ash grated out. With a wordless growl, he flung Li away from him to embrace Storm, burying his face in her hair as the drizar shrieked, slashing his horns at the cloud of sprites. "Storm, forgive me."
Without warning, Storm and Skyfire both su
ddenly jerked, gasping like drowning victims breaking the surface of the depths. Shaking uncontrollably, Storm tried to smile at Ash, one hand grabbing the front of his robes. She tried to speak several times, closing her eyes to focus. "N-no... need..." Swallowing tightly, she held tighter to him. "Forgive..."
Almek was as dumbfounded as the others at the unexpected resurrection. "You're both alive?! How is this possible?"
Clinging to Ash, Storm struggled to speak through the spasms that wracked her and Skyfire mercilessly. "Poi-poison... d-doesn't..." The woman whimpered as she tried to regain control of herself. "I-it..."
"Shhh. It does not matter. I did not know this would happen. We will protect you both, Storm. For as long as it takes you both to recover. I promise you this." He scowled as Li alighted on his shoulder to stare at Storm, starting to move to slap the sprite away again, but Storm caught his wrist in a tight grip.
Li fluttered to the shaking hand extended to her, crouching down. Storm managed to smile faintly. "Fearless... one... We-we ask... s-safe... pa-pass-passage..."
"Hush," Ash ordered softly, brushing Li away to take Storm's hand, holding it tightly. "Shhh. Rest." He brushed his fingertips over her eyes as he murmured the words of magic softly. Her body relaxed, the spasms easing to deep shudders. Terrence followed his master's lead, doing the same for Skyfire. Emaris hefted the man across his shoulders with a grunt, waiting patiently.
Li hovered near the mage and Swordanzen for a long time, and then slowly flew to the vines that continued to flower despite the coming autumn. The other sprites flew over without a sound and solemnly drew back the vines, exposing the passage.
Mureln put a hand on Ash's shoulder in wordless question. "I will carry her. I would carry her to the ends of the world if it was where she wished to go," Ash stated as he got to his feet determinedly, cradling the unconscious woman.
Chapter 82
THE colors of the coming twilight painted the sky in brilliant pastel ribbons as the group emerged on the other side of the passage. Naiya hopped down from the upper branches to the lowermost reaches of the great tree, her expression a twist of horror and fear. "Ash, what is this?"
"You are the voice for my all-knowing mother," Ash said coldly as he laid Storm's trembling form on the still sun-warmed stone before the goddess. "I am surprised you do not know."
Naiya stiffened at Ash's tone, the tree rustling in the still air. "I have never claimed to know all things. Neither has She. You know what they are to us. Why have you allowed her brother’s people in Her presence?"
The others kept back from Ash, even Almek knowing better than to try to intrude between the Illaini Magus and the Forenten god. Mureln’s gaze shifted away from the confrontation with a frown. Silently, he put a hand on Almek’s arm to get his attention, touching his ear with the other hand. Almek paused a moment, then frowned as well.
Defiant anger all but radiated from Ash's posture as he stood before the majestic tree. "She is Githalin Swordanzen Storm il'Thandar, daughter of the Raging One, the Heart of Desantiva. She wished to speak to you on behalf of her father because He is unable to speak for Himself." With one more worried look at Storm’s shuddering body, he returned his attention to the tree. "She came in peace and good faith. I gave my word that I would protect her. She was attacked unprovoked—"
"Her presence is provocation!" Naiya's voice and posture reflected the goddess speaking through her. "The warriors bear no love for My mortal children. They must be punished."
Ash scowled. "Nor do the warrior folk bear any love for the mage folk, but they honored our request for safe passage." He waved a hand at Storm. "What crime are they being punished for? For being born Desanti? For seeing the world differently than we do? For being the descendants of ancestors of a war that ended over two thousand years ago?" Glaring defiantly at the upper branches of the tree, he stated, "I gave them my word they would be safe. I failed that because You refuse to think things have changed. Because Storm cannot speak now, I will speak for her."
Naiya frowned delicately, the branches above rustling in agitation. "Very well. We will listen."
"Neither the Raging One nor those beholden to him will bring harm to You, Mother." Ash regarded Naiya with a hard look. "He has been imprisoned for far too long. He and his children suffer."
The dryad was still for a long time. "You want Me to believe He does not wish to harm Us?" Naiya shook her head once. "I will never believe that."
"You can't condemn the Desanti to keep suffering!" Ash’s hands curled into fists in frustration. He took a deep breath to reclaim his composure before speaking again. "I have been to Desantiva, Mother." His stony gaze fixed on the branches above. "I witnessed the devastation that was wrought on their land. I have seen, despite the deep scars that disfigure their land, a fierce determination to survive. I have seen the prices they pay for that survival."
Naiya shrugged one shoulder. "You know We only did what We had to. They were dangerous. Uncontrolled. They would have attacked us without a second thought to destroy Forenta."
"Lies!" Ash shouted, making Naiya flinch back. "The entire heart of their beliefs is about balance and self control! If they would have attacked, it would have been to test themselves against the best of Forenta. You allowed an outsider to play on Your fears and manipulate You to try to destroy an entire race! To destroy Your own brother!" He took a step forward. "You charged me to keep the Great Balance, yet You allowed my ancestors to use the most heinous of spells and nearly ripped the life from Desantiva!"
Naiya lowered her eyes. After a moment, she raised them again, squaring her shoulders. "We realized our mistake nearly too late. But We will not regret our actions. We acted on what We knew to be truth at the time. We ended the attack before all was completely destroyed."
"You left them to suffer! You left the land twisted and grotesque. You knew it was a lie, yet you willingly cursed them to watch their children die, their families suffer! Generation after generation, left only to look forward to their deaths because their lives are too short to truly live. No one," he said intently. "No one should have had to suffer as they had." He took a step forward imploringly. "Why, Mother? Why did you let them suffer?!"
Naiya crossed her arms, her expression chill. "If you met Our brother, then you know why. He would not hear Our words, Our reasons. He was unrepentant of the threat His children posed to Ours. Unapologetic."
Ash was incredulous. "You wanted Him to apologize? But they had not attacked first! We did! Their blood is on our hands."
"Irrelevant," Naiya stated with deceptive mildness.
"The Heart of Desantiva suffers the pain of each of His children’s deaths. Deaths that come far more frequently for Desanti than for any other race because of what we did to their land. And his children suffer with Him. He is trapped, chained to rock that gave Him no respite from His own pain, or that of His land, unable to free Himself from the bindings You put on Him."
"If anything changed, He would have been freed long before now. You know why the bindings hold," Naiya replied with maddening serenity. "He thinks as We believe. We fear He means Us harm. He wants to harm Us."
"How can you blame Him?!" Ash demanded hotly. "He loves His children as much as You love Yours. But He is unable to spare them the suffering they have been condemned to because of Forenten arrogance and ignorance."
"We have done what He allows. We have kept Our children away from His," Naiya stated, an edge to her otherwise mild tones. "It would have been simple to kill all that were left. It would be simple to finish it now. But We did not allow it then, nor will We allow it now." Naiya closed her eyes, speaking for herself. "She offered to help mend things, but He shut Her out. He shut everyone out."
"You want Him to accept blame for the chosen path of the Desanti." Ash shook his head. "You cannot ask that of them. They are no more at fault than we are for our beliefs. Their strengths and ours complement each other." Plaintively, he said, "They and we both believe that family is the most important
thing. Do you still honestly believe the Raging One would kill His own sister? That He would not come to You if You were in need?"
"Almek!" Mureln said sharply, interrupting Ash and Naiya, his eyes unfocused as if listening to something. "Do you hear it?" As the others looked around, trying to find the source of sound that slowly grew louder, the bard ran to the cliff edge, looking down towards the ocean far below and swore colorfully.
The Guardian did not waste time, barking orders. "Emaris! Emil! Get the Desanti to safety!" Almek looked directly at Naiya. "If you've others who protect You, call them."
"There are no others! The Trisari are still missing!" Naiya looked to the branches and nodded, then lightly ran towards the root that curled towards the cliff wall. "Over here, gypsy sons!"
A horrible screech tortured the air as a massive abomination of a creature cleared the cliff, its malevolent gaze fixed on the tree. Its hide writhed grotesquely, the distorted images of smaller versions of the giant creature moving independently within the greater whole, like a nest of snakes given a single corporeal form.
Taylin recoiled in horror. "What is that thing? It-it looks like-like it is made of many bodies crushed together."
Almek grimaced. "That is exactly what it is. They could not harm the Raging One as many separately." He pressed his lips together. "I do not know if I can banish so many at once. Together they possess the power of a god." His eyes went wide as he abruptly realized its ultimate goal. "It is not us they want. They seek to kill the Knowing One!"
With bellowing battle cries, Emil and Emaris charged the monster with weapons drawn, the mages pairing with them. The fighters' distractions gave the mages the time they needed to prepare their own strikes. The combined physical and magical attacks, while powerful and accurate, met with only limited effect on the massive beast that kept moving closer towards the immobile goddess.
