“It worked, didn’t it?”
“Guess so.”
Storgen sat up and gathered up his spilled belongings.
“You said you’d meet me at the academy,” Nyfitsa scolded. “I waited for you all morning.”
“I never said I’d meet you. I said ‘you go and wait at the academy, and I’ll get dressed and leave.’”
“You missed your time management seminar.”
Storgen sat down on his haunches. “Time management?”
“Oh, it’s simply lovely, it teaches you how to increase the amount of free time you have by eliminating unnecessary items.”
“That sounds swell.”
“Doesn’t it, though?”
“In fact, I’m going to start applying that wisdom right now.”
“Marvelous. How?”
“I’m not taking the time management seminar.”
“Look, you can’t just not take the classes.”
“Why?”
“Because it just isn’t done that way.”
“Says who?”
“The people who are paid to teach the classes.”
“Sounds like a conflict of interest to me.”
“Of course there’s a conflict of interest. That’s how bureaucracy works.”
A group of hoplites filtered in, slowly creating a circle around the pair. Storgen scrambled to his feet but immediately found himself yanked back. He stood up slower the second time, finding himself contained in ghostly stocks that bound his neck and hands, spectral chains rooting him to the ground.
Nyfitsa flicked a bit of dirt from his robes, revealing the glowing ring which cast the stocks. “Now, these fine gentlemen have come to make sure you are not late for your next lesson.”
“We wouldn’t want me to get lost on the way, now would we?”
“Indeed.”
The hoplites arranged themselves into two columns and lifted him up onto their shoulders.
As they carried him off, Storgen leaned back and relaxed. “See? I got my palanquin ride after all.”
* * *
The cottage leaned slightly to one side, cracks forming in some of the timbers, a hole in the thatching in one corner of the living room, the cabinets warped, the pictures on the wall a little faded. But it was warm, and cozy, a safe place.
Naenia stepped in, tying back her long brown hair with a ribbon and snatching an apron off a waiting hook. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and took a moment to primp, her long, pointed ears perking up approvingly.
Stepping into the middle of the kitchen, she closed her eyes and began to sing. The clear notes became energy whirling around her in the air, currents of glass dancing to the beautiful melody. The song picked up in tempo, shifting between ancient siren to the common tongue. The swirling glass took on new colors, peach and watermelon, orchid and apricot. Then her voice split, and two melodies harmonized at once, a duet sung by a single person. The colors began to take shape, pulling together into individual rivers of color and form. The air became sweet with the vibrant aria. Just as the song neared its crescendo, she split her voice yet again, and now three voices harmonized at once, soprano, contralto, and mezzo-soprano, all weaving their voices together, each taking their turn as lead, each adding their own emotions and passions into the lyrics.
The vocal weight was immense, the register flawless. The colors took shape, one becoming a ghostly broom and dustpan, which began to sweep the floor, another becoming a pair of spectral kitchen knives, chopping the vegetables and sliding them into the simmering pot on the stove, and a third becoming a translucent washboard, dunking itself into the soapy water of the wash bin and scrubbing the clothes within.
Satisfied, Naenia sneaked over to a cabinet and reached behind a serving dish to her secret spot, removing a small bag from its hiding place. Giggling to herself, she tip-toed over to the couch and laid down, unwrapping a decadent chocolate and placing it into her mouth.
“Mmmmmm.”
A man poked his head down through the hole in the thatching. “Hey honey, when will dinner be ready?”
Naenia nearly jumped out of her skin, quickly shoving the bag between the cushions.
“I-I just started dinner, Lachan. “It will be a while,” she answered, trying to hide the fact that her mouth was full.
Lachan’s long ears drooped. “You only just started? It’s nearly nightfall.”
She glanced over at her spells as they cooked, cleaned, and washed. “Hey, give me a break, being a housewife is hard work.”
Lachan grunted disapprovingly and pulled his head back out, covering the hole with fresh thatch.
The door opened and Agaprei walked in. “Evening mom, evening dad.”
“Well, about time you showed up,” Naenia scolded, standing up. “Where in the Forests of Desmas have you been all day, young lady?”
“What are you talking about? I’ve been here all day.”
“So, I’m just supposed to believe you were invisible?”
“Mom, you know I love you, but I’m twenty-one years old, I shouldn’t need to check in with you like you’re my parole capo or something.”
“Parole capos don’t pay your room and board,” Lachan said, climbing down the ladder from the roof. “You’re an unemployed ex-student with a mountain of debt, I don’t think it’s inappropriate to ask you to follow a few rules to keep your mother and I from worrying about you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Oh, sweetie, how can you say such a thing, after all you’ve been through? What if you got lost or hurt again? I just want to keep you safe.”
“Hey. You’re treating me like an invalid. We talked about this.”
“I’m sorry. You aren’t an invalid, but you do have…special needs. My stars, I can’t think of how many times you almost got maimed or worse because you couldn’t cast a warding spell to protect yourself, or how many times we had to lead a search party into the woods because you took off on your own and couldn’t use a homing song? It’s a miracle you ever survived childhood.”
Lachan placed a gentle hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Your mom worries because she cares, sweetie.”
Agaprei huffed. “If you must know, I was getting the last of the crests I need.”
She took out the bag and jiggled it, becoming excited as she heard the jewels clattering within. “You see? Pretty awesome, huh? Now I can participate in the trials without a degree.”
Naenia placed her hand on her face. “Oh my, she spends her days beating up champion instructors. Whatever happened to that sweet little baby I held in my arms?”
Lachan ran his fingers through his short brown hair. “She hasn’t been the same, ever since she met with the oracle.”
“What did you see in there, anyway, sweetie?”
A bedroom door swung open and a young siren called out from where she lay on her bed, her head upside down as it draped over the edge. “Maybe she’s trying to impress a guy.”
“Pffft. As if. I’m not going to waste my time on men, I have important things to do.”
“Oh my, I’ll never have any grandkids at this rate.”
Lachan scratched his chin. “Kaia, it’s gonna be up to you, then.”
The tween siren gave a thumb’s up. “I’ll get right on that, dad.”
“See that you do.”
“Oh, how about that nice siren boy down the street?” Naenia suggested.
Kaia stuck out her tongue. “Orrin? Yuck, mom.”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“He’s got acne on his shoulders and a face like a bass.”
Agaprei entered the girl’s bedroom and put down her things. Kaia’s side was filled with stuffed dolls in the shape of jellyfish, drawings of attractive young men plastered to the walls, scattered makeup brushes, frilly bedsheets, and a crop-dusting of candy wrappers. Agaprei’s side was more utilitarian, dusty medical tomes, faded anatomy charts, crystal stethoscopes with a bit of cobweb clingi
ng to them, and a call bag of disused surgical tools. Then there was one corner, which she kept meticulously clean. Her shrine. Several dozen pictures of waterfalls clung to the walls, a pair of waterfall clocks, a collections of waterfall-shaped mugs and spoons, a trio of stuffed toys in the shape of waterfalls, a gaggle of waterfall candles, and a world map with all major waterfall locations meticulously pinned and rated.
Kaia chewed on the tips of her brown hair as she watched her sister take out her new waterfall carving and found a spot for it among the others. Agaprei tried out different combinations and arrangements, carefully considering each one before finally settling on her favorite.
“You are so weird, sis.”
Lachan sang a quick note and his favorite mug flew out of the cupboard and into his hand. “The Chief is asking for volunteers to trim the foothills next week. I told him we’d help out.”
All three of the women groaned. Naenia loudest of all.
“Dad, let the humans cut their own trees,” Kaia complained.
He gave them a gentle scolding glance. “We need to be neighborly. If we don’t help them keep the trees from spreading they’ll threaten the city.”
Agaprei grabbed her jacket and headed for the back yard.
“Where are you going now?” her mother asked, quickly gulping down a fresh chocolate before her husband noticed.
“I’m going to go out back and work out some more.”
“Again? Sweetie, you have to slow down. Too much training can be bad for you.”
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” Lachan agreed as he rummaged through the pantry.
“Are you kidding? Slow down? When I’m this close to achieving everything I’ve worked for? No way.”
Agaprei looked out the window, her eyes shining with excitement. “Think about it. By this time tomorrow, I’ll finally be a champion to a god.”
Her parents look at one another worriedly.
A knock at the door caught everyone’s attention.
“I’ll get it!” Kaia shouted, rolling off her bed and running as fast as she could.
“Wait, not yet!” her mother crooned, quickly trying to straighten her apron and hide her chocolates.
Kaia threw the door open, revealing a wiry man with oversized ears.
“Why, hello, Sonata family.”
All of their ears drooped in sync. “Hello, Zaan.”
He played a quick note on his piccolo and his cart wheeled closer, the top folding open to reveal rows of magical trinkets. “Oh, does the godfather have something special gifts for you this time!”
“We already gave this month,” Lachan said.
“That is true, that is absolutely true, and don’t think he hasn’t noticed it, but we’ve having a special pledge drive right now.”
“Pledge drive?”
“Exactly. The godfather needs ambrosia for the coming war. Every family that gives double tribute will receive this amazing bonus gift. A special pouch that can expand to three times its starting size. No more trying to cram everything in when you go on a family outing. And, because the godfather is good and generous and loving forever, if you pledge today, you will receive also, at no extra charge, this amazing automon apple peeler!”
Zaan did a little jig and played a song, the runes on his instrument glowing as the magical gifts were plucked free without hands, floating and spinning around the room invitingly.
“Ooh, shiny,” Kaia gushed.
Naenia looked at the magical device suspiciously. “An automatic apple peeler?”
“How much would you expect to pay for such a time-saving and essential kitchen device? Twelve pennigs? Ten pennigs? Well, call me the village idiot and lock me away, because today only, the godfather is offering you this choice blessing for a mere four, fully-charged pennigs!”
“We don’t eat a lot of apples in the house,” Lachan said.
Zaan was undaunted, leaning in close as if whispering a secret. “I see that you are interested only in the exceptionally valuable. I respect that about your kind.”
“No, we just don’t want to die,” Agaprei explained. “Apples are poisonous to sirens.”
“I see you need further convincing.” Zaan played his piccolo and a golden chest floated up out of his cart. One by one, each lock opened around the seam. The chest opened with a dramatic whoosh of golden mist, revealing a velvety cushion within, cradling four hollow coins made of priceless corridian.
Agaprei stepped in closer. “Are those…danegelds? The new tribute war coin?”
Zaan nodded. “You have a keen eye, young lady. Corridian can capture something far more valuable than human worship. It can absorb your powerful beastman magic. The equivalent of ten thousand pennigs worth of tribute in a single coin.”
Lachan raised a brown eyebrow. “So that’s why you’ve been inviting our kind to move to Agadis. Why you offer us so many tax incentives.”
“I’m not asking anything of you, I am offering you a one-of-a-kind gift from the godfather. A true miracle of living metal and convenience.”
Zaan stepped aside and let his assistant pushing the cart step into view. A bronze statue of living metal shaped like a cute little girl. She wore a frilly maid costume, a pair of cat ears atop her head, and a long swishing tail at her back. It bowed deeply, its voice soft and metallic. “Please take good care of me, nyah. I need a good home.”
Agaprei’s eyes went wide. “An automaton.”
“A super-cute cat-girl maid automaton!” Lachan gushed.
Zaan did a larger and more elaborate jig. “Every full coin enters you in the drawing for this little miracle. She’ll clean, she’ll wash, she’ll cook, she’ll…”
“Give me those coins!”
Lachan snatched up the four coins as fast as he could. “Girls, go find a quiet spot and fill these up as fast as you can!”
Naenia took her coin reluctantly. “The godfather really knows what his customers like, doesn’t he?”
Zaan smiled, a twinkle in his eye. “Yes, he does.”
“It’s not for me, honey,” Lachan said, bouncing up and down excitedly. “Nekko-chan can help you with all the housework. You said yourself how hard it is for you.”
“Uh huh, sure. Who’s Nekko-chan again?”
“That’s what I’ve decided to call her.”
“Riiiiiight, this is for meeeee.”
“Of course it is.”
Kaia and Agaprei each grabbed a coin and headed off for the family shrine.
“What are you doing?” Kaia complained. “Make room.”
“I’m going to worship too,” Agaprei said, closing the door behind them.
“Why? It’s a waste.”
“No, it’s not. My prayers are just as acceptable as yours.”
“Yeah, right.”
Kaia knelt down on the cushion and set up the coin on the receptacle atop the alter. Templing her fingers, she began to pray, her aura kindling like fire, spectral flames rising up off her body and drawn into the coin, which began to glow peacefully.
The coin primed, Kaia began to sing, the energy of her siren voice filling the room with colors like gently falling snow. Falling particles of magic. When her voice split into a duet, they became like falling leaves. Winter and Fall sung together, and the coin accepted them. It drew them in hungrily, happily, lapping them up in great swaths, filling itself to the brim, engorging itself on her magic. The runes along the walls responded to the magic, sparkling as each glowing speck passed over them.
Kaia sang one more note than was necessary, leaving a few leaves in the air. So many colors, more colors than Agaprei could count. Without thinking about it, she reached out for one of the leaves, but it vanished before her like melting snow.
A beauty she could not touch. A special skill, a sacred talent of her people, to which she was merely a spectator. Always in the wings, always in the audience, never on stage, never able to participate. A choir she could never be a part of.
Agaprei balled her fists. “No,
I am a siren, too. If she can do it, then I can do it. I just have to try harder.”
Kaia stood up, removing the brightly glowing coin from the alter. “Whoo, that really takes a lot out of you. I’ll need a good nap after this.”
Agaprei knelt down and set her own coin. She took a moment to center herself, making her mind calm and her heart still, as her mother had always taught her to.
Kaia sniffed. “Why does it smell like goat droppings in here?”
“Shh, I’m trying to pray.”
“This should be good.”
Agaprei gathered up her lavender hair and templing her fingers, she began to pray.
“Godfather of the skies, Master of Storms, Shield of the Heavens, Seer of all,” she began reverently. “I have not been as loyal as I could have been. I have not kept you in my thoughts as often as I could have done. I have not kept my eyes focused on your glory; I have not applied my strength with all my will. I humbly ask for forgiveness, and implore your mercy and generosity…”
Agaprei cracked an eye open.
Nothing happened.
She closed her eyes and began anew with more fervor. “I pledge myself to your glory, I offer my services to you. Your goals shall be my goals, your plans will be my plans. Please, accept my prayer, accept my heart. I offer myself without reservation, without withholding. Will you please accept my humble offering and allow me to serve you loyally?”
She looked again. Still, nothing happened.
Sweat forming on her brow, she prayed even harder. “Great Godfather, please, if I have done something to offend you, make it known to me and I will change it. If there is something inside of me that causes you to abhor me, then I will abhor it too. Please, answer me. I have prayed long and hard, I have prayed every day since coming to your domain. Please, tell me what I must do to earn your love. Please, tell me what I must do to earn your favor, and I will do it. Please do not stay your hand. Punish me, if it pleases you. I will accept it. Lash me, curse me, anything. Please, please please, what have I ever done to earn your approbation? Just tell me. I am willing to serve, I desperately want to serve. Please, hear my prayer and accept it, and I will love you until the end of time. I ask you humbly, please do not leave me in the dark any longer!”
Ambrosia Page 20
