by Lexy Wolfe
Mureln closed his eyes, holding his hands apart as he focused. Beside him, Almek murmured instruction, working with the younger man to defend the Tree. Waves of raw sound coupled with time energy crashed into the monster that shrieked in pain, blindly trying to stop the bard and the Guardian.
Naiya crouched behind the roots near where the Desanti had been hidden. The inexorable march of the dark creature was slowed, but not stopped. She cried out in agony as hideous claws dug into the main trunk. The dryad looked down when Storm grabbed her wrist.
Storm looked into Naiya’s eyes. "C-call... Him," she said intently. "C-call m-my father!"
"We cannot! He will kill Us!"
"She... is His... s-sister..." Pulling out her knife, Storm demanded, "Call Him!"
Moments later, a thunderous crack split the air, followed by a challenging roar. Almek and the others looked up in shock to see the dark, scarred figure of the Raging One diving for the beast. They bolted away barely in time to avoid the impact of the massive dragon with the darkling monster.
The monster backed away a pace, hissing malevolently. "Two gods for price of one," it said ominously. "Master will be pleased."
The Raging One did not even bother to speak, lunging for the monster’s throat. The two titanic bodies crashed into one another, grappling and clawing viciously. The effects of having been so long imprisoned became apparent as the struggle lengthened. The Raging One's moves were not as quick or certain. Blood welled from deep slashes in the dragon’s flanks, black oozing from the dark monster's wounds.
Without warning, the conglomerate beast managed to shake the dragon off, flinging him into the cliff face. The darkling monster prepared to finish the stunned god when roots coiled through the ground, ensnaring the monster where it could not reach the dragon. Dragging himself up, the dragon lunged one last time, ripping the monster’s throat out. The beast broke apart into individual bodies that squirmed then vanished with tortured shrieks, leaving behind a nearly deafening silence.
The only sound that broke the sudden silence was the dragon’s labored breathing as he stood, swaying unsteadily. He staggered over towards the tree, standing in front of it, staring.
Naiya emerged from her hiding place, walking forward to touch the dragon's foreleg. He lowered his head to the dryad, sniffing at her. "You are wounded, Lord Desantiva."
"So is my sister Forenta," the Raging One replied. He staggered a few steps, collapsing and resting his head on one of the roots.
Taylin ran over to the dragon, ignoring the burn of his blood on her hands as she focused on closing the worst of the wounds. The dragon raised his head, eyes dull. He snaked his tail around her, pulling her away. "You are in pain," she rasped, trying to finish her work.
"I will not have you die for me," the dragon intoned. "Your assistance is appreciated. But I will heal." He dropped his head back to the root, closing his eyes. "Pain is nothing new to me. Your mortal family needs you more."
Naiya had gone to where the evil beast’s claws had dug into the wood, gently and carefully aligning the pieces as best she could. "Oh, Mistress," Naiya lamented, tears in her own eyes as she tried to mend the wounded tree. She jumped when Almek joined her.
Looking nearly as ancient as he actually was, Almek reached into an inner pocket to pull out the small wire-wrapped bottle given to him so long ago. He opened it and poured the water over the damage. The pieces melted together, healing completely, but evidence of the wounds remained, marring the formerly perfect trunk. "A gift from the Seeing One," he explained simply, wearily.
Naiya wrapped her arms around Almek briefly in gratitude, and then straightened as the branches above rustled. "The Mistress requests you honor Her by remaining here to recover." Looking to the Raging One, she added, "All of you. It should be safe enough for a time. It is the least She can offer."
Almek cast a wan smile towards the Vodani bard and Sevmanan mercenaries who were leaning on each other to stay upright. "I do not know if we have much choice whether we stay or not, but thank You for welcoming us."
Ash staggered over to the Desanti, dropping to his knees in exhaustion. "Storm," he murmured worriedly, pulling her deeply shuddering body into his lap and cradling her as he leaned against the tree’s root. He saw her ungloved, bloody hand and her knife half embedded into the dirt. He frowned. "Storm, what did you do?"
Skyfire, in relatively better shape than Storm, dragged himself to sit upright, leaning against the root near the pair. "Sh-she made s-sure He h-heard Her." Ash squinted at Skyfire. The Desanti man guessed the question behind the look. "D-Desanti... immune to p-plant p-poisons." He made a face. "B-but takes t-time t-to re-re..." He swallowed, shudders wracking him uncontrollably as they overwhelmed him. His determination to regain control was obvious, the shudders subsiding again. "Recover. C-cannot pr-protect se-self l-like th-this un-until b-body purges it."
Reaching over to put a hand on the other man's shoulder, Ash said firmly, "Skyfire. I will watch over you both. Rest." The Desanti man nodded slightly, closing his eyes as he stopped trying to fight the tremors that crippled him. Ash did his best to bind Storm’s bleeding hand. "Stubborn Desanti," he muttered crossly. A small, unnoticed smile touched Storm's lips.
Epilogue
THE Raging One sat along the edge of the ledge that opened out over the water, watching the sun glitter off the waves. He looked down at the sound of slow, uneven footsteps approaching and fanned a protective wing over Storm. She walked alone with sheer determination, fighting the poisoned induced tremors that still shook her, despite a week having passed since the attack.
"Daughter," the dragon intoned, lowering his head towards her.
Raising her hand to touch the tip of his snout, Storm managed a shaky smile. "F-father. I am glad y-you are f-finally f-free." She looked over towards the others seated together near the foot of the great tree. "Th-the mage h-helped very m-much."
The dragon rumbled deep in his chest in amusement. "He is tolerable for one of Hers." Exhaling warm air over her to banish the chill autumn air, he murmured, "My children will always surpass the children of magic. But none will ever compare to you, My beloved Daughter."
"I d-do not f-feel v-very im-impressive right n-now. C-can b-barely w-walk." Storm closed her eyes. "W-will be f-forever b-before I c-can... be u-useful."
Bumping her with his nose, the dragon chided, "You know your usefulness extends beyond your skills with the physical disciplines. What troubles you? It is unlike you to feel sorry for yourself."
Storm closed her eyes, leaning against the massive shoulder, soaking in his warmth. "F-father... I want t-to c-come home. Wh-where I b-belong."
The dragon brought his wing forward more, creating a small area of warmth, concealing them both from the others' eyes. "Is that what you truly want, Daughter?" Storm nodded, huddling in the crevice of the dragon's shoulder muscles. Blowing warm air on her, he said simply, "No."
Stung, the young woman looked up at the dragon. "N-No? H-have I f-failed you, F-father? H-h-have I n-not done all Y-You asked of m-me and m-more?" Stricken, she asked, "I-I am c-cast out?"
The dragon sighed heavily, touching her with his nose gently. "No, Daughter. In fact, you have done the opposite. You have done more for Me, for Desantiva, than any of my children since the earliest of days, both mortal and immortal. Desantiva needs you... here. You need to bring an understanding of our world to the outlanders. To begin the healing so the tribes can begin to trust again." Grumbling, he added, "And the outlands need your skills to protect them from the shadows."
"Father, please," she implored, burying her face against him. "I m-miss Desantiva. I m-miss my home."
"Daughter, Desantiva will always be with you because it is a part of you. You only need to seek it within yourself." He bumped her back gently. "You already know this. There is no need to return to Desantiva when it is already here."
"No! I w-want to go home! I w-want to leave th-this h-horrible place wh-where th-they hate us."
T
he dragon rumbled. "Storm, mine is the domain of the heart. You do not want to leave." With the utmost gentility, he shifted position so she was between his forelegs, keeping her close to him. "You are afraid to stay."
"I am afraid of nothing." Her whispered voice carried a note of desperation.
The dragon said nothing, simply letting her lean against him. Finally, he carefully rose, stretching his wings, drawing the attention of the others. "It is time. I must return."
"Father," Storm begged, kneeling on the ground, holding her hand out to him.
"Be strong, my daughter." He reared on his back legs, wings beating the air. "Yours and Skyfire's patterns will be the patterns of Desantiva's future."
"Father, please! Don't leave me!" Storm cried, stumbling to her feet, reaching as if to catch him as he leapt skyward. She would have stumbled over the edge except for Ash, who pulled her back firmly to safety.
The dragon's mind touched Storm's as he spiraled higher. I am always with you. As is he.
The others ran to join the Swordanzen woman at the ledge, all watching the dragon fly until he vanished with a soft rumble of thunder. All but Ash, who frowned worriedly at Storm. He put a hand on her shoulder, wanting only to offer some comfort. She looked back at him, eyes wet with tears that were, for the first time in her life, for herself. Pulling her close, Ash simply held her as she hid her face against his chest and cried silently.
Glossary
a'alisna — (ah-ah-LIS-nah) Vodani term for the nomadic urge to move from place to place
Almek Two-Tones — (AL-mek) The last living Guardian of Time bearing two colors on his divine mark Oldest wandering Guardian at over 500 years old; Sevmanen-Vodani halfborn
Amelana Avarian — (ah-MEH-lah-nah) Great grandniece of Ellis Avarian; Ash Andar's journeyman student
Ancestral agony — Vodani term for the Psia Re
Ancient Triad — The first gods, Creator, Destroyer and Time
Anton Ganessi — Head of the noble house that rules the port city of Ganessi
Arrowhawk — A black falcon with blue markings used by the Vodani people to carry messages
Ash Andar — Forentan man, youngest master mage and only living Illaini Magus
A'tyrna Ulan — (ah-TIR-nah OO-lahn) Stone pillars that are the remains of ancient Desanti-Forentan halfborn
Avarian family — (ah-VAH-ree-ahn) One of the oldest of the Ancient Houses in Forenta
Bard — A wandering minstrel and neutral arbiter, usually Vodani-born
Before Time — Desanti term for the time before the Great War
Bek — A crude Sevmanen caravan worker
Bella — A Vodani Unsvet Guardian
Bennu Avarian — (BEH-noo) Deceased Forentan mage, Ash's former master, twin to Ellis
Black water — The ink produced by squids
Blood Oath — A mystical bond created between a Forentan and another
Blue Rose Inn — A tavern the travelers stay at
Chlayxin — (CHLAY-zin) the buildup of pressure caused by using Forentan life magic, also called magic backlash
Chok — A crude Sevmanen caravan worker
Clarissa — Headwoman of the Avarian household
Corast — (KOR-ahst) A Forentan-Vodani border port city
Council of Elders — The ruling council of Desantiva comprised of the oldest members of the Desanti people
Creator, the — One of the Ancient Triad; The Unchanging One
Cursed child — A surviving child of a dead Desanti tribe
Darkborn — A human born with the soul of a darkling
Darkling — An entity that crosses into the physical plane from the River of Time that preys on the souls of the living
Defiler — A derogatory Desanti term for a Forentan
Dinnais — (dih-NAY-ss) A Desanti term for a darkling
Desanti — (deh-SAN-tee) Singular or plural term referring to a human from Desantiva; adjective describing anything from Desantiva
Desantiva — (deh-san-TEE-vah) The barren wasteland southern territory claimed by the Desanti people; The name of the Desanti's dragon god
Dessa — (DEH-sah) Ash's only servant, companion since childhood; Killed by a darkling
Destroyer, the — One of the Ancient Triad; The Changing One
Dove and Lily Inn — Upper class establishment in Ganessi
Dremmen — (DREH-men) A Forentan Unsvet Guardian
Drizar — (DRI-zahr) The term for a full male drizzen, synonymous to stallion
Drizzen — (DRI-zen) Vicious, reptilian omnivores that replace horses in Desantiva
Dulain — (doo-LANE) Senior Unsvet in charge of the Guardian city in Fortress
Dusvet Guardian — (DOO-sveht) A Guardian of Time marked with a metallic mark of two colors on the right cheek
Dylar — (D'EYE-lar) Guardsman captain of Ganessi
Dzee — Rainbow wyvern Totani
Edai Magus — (eh-DAH-ee) One of the mages on the Forentan mage high council
Edai Tredecima — (eh-DAH-ee treh-DES-ee-mah) The thirteen member mage high council
Elder — A Desanti who is 35 years or older
Elder bear — A giant bear native to Forenta
Ellis Avarian — (EL-lis) Forentan mage, twin brother of Bennu Avarian, second highest ranking mage on the Edai Tredecima
Emaris — (EM-ahr-ihss) Mute Sevmanan gypsy mercenary, brother of Emil
Emil — (EH-mill) Sevmanan mercenary-thief, brother of Emaris
Etaio — (eh-TIE-oh) Gypsy merchant in Ganessi
Final Dance — A Swordanzen attack that leaves the attacker impervious to injury, but kills the attacker once completed
First Home — The only permanent Desanti city in Desantiva
First Sundering — An ancient cataclysm that created the Forentan and Desanti nations
Forbidden arts — Forentan magic that has no limitations that end a spells effects
Forenta — (for-EHN-tah) The heavily forested northern territory claimed by the Forentan people; name of the Forentan god
Forentan — (for-EHN-tan) Singular term for a human from Forenta; adjective describing anything from Forenta
Forenten — (for-EHN-ten) Plural term for a human from Forenta
Forge, the — Desanti term for the hottest part of the day
Fortress of Time — Solitary mountain near the World Spine, home to the Guardians of Time
Ganessi — (gah-NESS-ee) A Sevmanan-Vodani border port city
Githalin Blades — (gith-AH-lin) The divine created single-edged paired blades given to Githalin
Githalin Swordanzen — A god-touched Swordanzen
Great Barrier — The dividing line between the physical plane and the River of Time
Great War — The war between Forenta and Desantiva that ended in the Second Sundering
Guardian Adept — A person formally identified to be training to be tested to become a Guardian of Time
Guardians — Short form for Guardians of Time
Guardians of Time — Nearly immortal servants of the Timeless One
Gypsy — Sevmanan nomads
Halfborn — Anyone with parents from two nations (example: Sevmanan and Vodani)
Hall of Remembrance — Chamber in the butte of First Home with mosaics depicting moments of Desanti history
Heart of Desantiva — Name for the Desanti God
Home Port — The first Vodani city, only non-Desanti city in Desantiva
Hollow — A Forentan term for an inn, usually lower class
Illaini Magus — (ill-AEE-nee) A god-touched mage
Ilsa — (ILL-sah) Master Vodani apothecarist of Water's Resonance
Immortal servant — a minor divine entity that serves one of the gods
Ithesra — (ih-THEHZ-rah) Capital city of Forenta
Jaison — (JAY-sun) A Vodani Unsvet Guardian from Desantiva
Jakkee — (JAH-kee) A Vodani boy of Water's Resonance
Joban — (JO-bahn) A Sevmanan man punished by a Guardian
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Kailee — (KAY-lee) A silver desert cat Totani
Knowing One, the — The Forentan tree god
Kraken — Giant, deep-ocean squid
Landwalker — Vodani nickname for anyone from the landbound nations
Li — (LEE) Forest Sprite guardian of the entrance to the Forentan god's home
Lowborn — Forentan term for someone of the lower classes
Lupine — Giant wolf native to Forenta
Lurkers — Vodani term for darklings
Lyra — Forentan servant at Naveene's Rest
Magelight — Light generated by Forentan magic, often imbued into lanterns to allow minor talents to use them.
Magus — Archaic term for a mage, used as part of titles for the senior most mages
Magus Academy — Forentan school of magic that occupies an entire mountain
Majestic Hall — Largest room within the Magus Academy
Maternasi — (MAH-ter-NAH-see) Largest of the Vodani ships, home to an entire Vodani clan
Mia — (MEE-yah) Mureln's sister, owner of the Silver Seagull Inn
Morelmi — (mo-REL-mee) a spell used to remove the magic from a living being, generally considered fatal to the caster
Morlaiz Clan — (more-LAYZ) The gypsy clan Emil and Emaris are from
Mureln Nadeesi — (mur-ELN nah-DEE-see) A Vodani master bard; Almek's student
Naiya — (nah-EE-yah) The dryad divine servant of the Forentan god
Naming Blade — A two-edged knife given to a Desanti child by a Totani to acknowledge their transition into adulthood
Navar — (nah-VAR) A Forentan village
Naveene's Rest — (nah-VEEN) a Forentan upper class inn
Nolyn Lirai — (NO-lyn lih-RAI) Forentan master mage and guardsman captain in Ithesra
Oberlain Family — (OH-ber-layn) One of the oldest of the Ancient Houses in Forenta, rival of the Avarian family
Perisi — (peh-RIH-see) The last Illaini Magus 300 years before Ash
Psia Re — (SEE-ya RAY) The tie between the Desanti born and the Desanti god only recognized by mortals as sharing the pain of the trapped god
