Nyx stops short as they reach the bottom of the stairs, forcing Sari to cautiously peek over her shoulder. The girls see a warm breakfast waiting for them at the small kitchen table, but at the head of the table is a stern-looking woman. Her blonde hair rolls over her left shoulder while her blue eyes bore into Nyx and Sari. Next to the woman is a black-haired elven man, who is quietly finishing his breakfast. He looks up at the girls to give them an apologetic smile before collecting his dishes and limping to the sink. He drops them in the sink and is about to walk away when the woman clears her throat, causing him to grab the nearest scrub brush. Stoppering the sink, he pours a bucket of water into the basin and obediently cleans the dishes.
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Callindor,” the girls say in unison. Nyx leads the way to the table, making sure to keep an eye on the woman. She has never seen Vixen Callindor angry enough to turn her husband, Ilan Callindor, into a timid lamb. Though, she always thought it would look something like this.
“I hear that you and my son are leaving today,” Vixen says, folding her hands into her lap as the girls sit down. “That means I only have this morning to get some things off my chest.”
“Can you please pass the butter, Mrs. Callindor?” Nyx politely asks. She is relieved when Vixen hands her the butter with a warm smile.
“You’re mad at me,” Sari groans, staring at the smile given to Nyx.
Vixen’s smile disappears and she takes a deep, shuddering breath to calm herself. “I don’t know if mad is the right term. I’m concerned about your relationship with my son and how it will affect his life. I understand that his fiancée is okay with this situation, but I know that my son is uncomfortable and worried. As his mother, I feel that I should get involved and try to make a clearer picture out of this mess. After all, my son can’t handle multiple relationships without getting into trouble.”
“Actually, dear, it isn’t as complicated as you think,” Ilan interrupts from the kitchen sink.
“We already had our talk, honey. If I hear the words sow and oats from your mouth, I’ll give your other leg a matching limp,” she playfully threatens with a wide grin. “Now, go take care of business while I take care of family.”
“Good luck, girls,” says the elf with a worried speak in his green eyes. He swiftly limps across the room, grabbing a dirty apron off a row of coat pegs as he passes. Vixen waits for Ilan to close the door to the forge before turning back to the girls.
“I don’t mean any harm toward your son,” Sari defiantly claims, cutting off whatever Vixen is about to say. “He is very special to me, but I know that he will belong to another one day. For now, I’m happy to have someone who makes me feel loved, wanted, and drives my loneliness away.”
“Is that why you refuse to sleep alone?” Nyx asks, jumping at the chance to get an answer from Sari.
Sari quietly moves some scrambled eggs around her plate before she can bring herself to face Nyx. “I have nightmares if I sleep alone. They’re filled with screaming and blood and . . . death. It’s not something I want to get into. So, when Luke wakes up for his morning run, I go to Nyx’s room to get more sleep. I don’t mean to be annoying or make you uncomfortable, Nyxie, but I don’t like being alone with my dreams. I’m sorry if I’ve become too clingy and playful for you.”
“You should have said something, Sari,” Nyx says with a mouthful of buttered toast. “I could have prepared myself for you sneaking into my bed. That didn’t come out the way I intended. I meant that I wouldn’t be surprised when I woke up to find you sleeping next to me. I’d also be more decent.”
“So, my son is nothing more than a security blanket for you?” Vixen inquires in a steely voice.
“That’s not the only reason,” Sari insists, meeting the woman’s gaze with a challenging stare. “I have no family, so Luke and Nyx are the most precious things in this world to me. I’m very attached to them because they’re warm, loving, smell nice, and make me feel safe. I hope they feel the same about me.”
“She’s right, Mrs. Callindor. Sari always smells like honey and strawberries,” Nyx says, flashing a teasing smirk at the gypsy.
“I understand that you are defending your friend, Nyx, but I’m concerned about how this will affect Luke,” Vixen admits, her expression gradually softening. She shifts in her chair and stretches her legs. “I’m concerned about you as well, Sari. When Luke marries Kira, you will be alone again. Also, what happens if you and Luke have a child before he marries Kira? I would like to assume you’re being safe, but I would much rather hear you admit it.”
Sari looks at Nyx, who shrugs and goes back to her breakfast. Hoping to stall the conversation, the gypsy takes a few sips of her water while Vixen waits. Minutes pass as Sari thinks about the question and wonders if it is a smart idea to openly state what she and Luke do in private. Though, to be more precise, it is what Sari wants to do with her son behind closed doors.
“We haven’t done anything that would require being safe, but I always carry the necessary herbs. So far, we sleep next to each other with minimal physical contact,” Sari calmly assures Vixen. The gypsy cannot hide her disappointment and frustration, which causes Nyx and Vixen to chuckle. “If anything unexpected was to happen, I’m sure Luke, Kira, and I would come to a rational decision. That is after your son panics and has to be put into a magical slumber. Truthfully, I have no intention of stopping Luke from marrying Kira even if something like that happens. She claimed him first and I’m honored that she would permit me to become so intimate with her future husband. So, I guess I’ve already come to terms with the fact that my time with Luke will come to an end one day.”
“That is not a way to live, young lady,” Vixen mentions, reaching out to tenderly stroke Sari’s hand.
“You’d be surprised how easy it is for someone like me,” Sari happily claims with a proud smile. Vixen looks at Nyx, who gestures for Sari to explain. “I see the situation as everyone having someone to love and be loved by. In the end, I’ll still be close to Luke, Nyx, Kira, and everyone else I meet on this adventure. Maybe I’ll find someone who can love me until my final days. I’m not the type to dwell on what might happen, so I will simply enjoy my now.”
Nyx wipes her mouth clean and coughs for attention. “I’ll be watching out for both of them, Mrs. Callindor. They’re my little siblings, so I promise to make sure they avoid doing anything foolish. At least, I will try to minimize the trouble and damage because your son is hard enough to handle without Sari involved.”
“If we’re your siblings then you’re trying to set up some sick incest relationship,” Sari points out. She laughs at the grimace on Nyx’s face, but her laugh is abruptly cut off by a sudden kick to her knee. Scowling at her friend, Sari deftly scoops up a spoonful of syrup and flicks it across the table. The sticky glob hits Nyx in the eyes, causing her to let out a girlish shriek of surprise.
“No horseplay at the table!” Vixen demands without budging from her relaxed pose.
“Sorry, Mrs. Callindor,” the girls mutter.
“I think it’s a good thing all of you are leaving Haven today,” Vixen announces. She gets to her feet and collects the dirty dishes. “Luke is becoming openly restless, which means he’s getting to the point where he will cause a lot of trouble. Honestly, I’m surprised and proud that he made it this past month and a half without an incident. Well, except for that Caspar incident, which I still wish someone would explain to me. As for you two, I get the sense that you’re becoming too accustomed to the laid-back atmosphere of Haven. Nyx spends most of her days sitting around the house or sleeping under a tree. Sari is either watching Luke practice or heading to Goldheart Manor to listen to Zephyr play music. This lifestyle can’t be healthy for young girls, especially those that are going on adventures.”
“We’re fine,” Nyx defensively swears.
“You are putting on a little weight around the hips and cheeks, Nyxie,” Sari whispers, mockingly sticking out her tongue.
Nyx is ab
out to throw a spell at Sari when an orange blur leaps through the open window and skids along the table. A furry body crashes into Sari with enough force to tip her chair backwards. She fluidly flips off the falling chair, landing on her feet and cradling the panting, orange squirrel. Nyx groans at the sight of Zale, the talking rodent that has been living with Zephyr the blind child bard. Normally, he would be claiming how great a warrior he is, but today he’s wide-eyed and serious.
“There is a Serabian knight at Talos Callindor’s house and he is requesting your presence,” Zale announces through labored breathing. Sari hands him a large cracker from the table, which he gladly accepts and devours.
“Who does he want to see?” Vixen asks in a voice filled with maternal worry.
“He wishes to discuss a problem with Nyx,” the squirrel answers.
Nyx stands up and walks around the table to look Zale in the eyes. “Is this a problem that I can fix or a problem that I caused?”
“All he said was that it is in regards to Hero’s Gate,” Zale anxiously replies.
“You look pale, Nyxie,” Sari says, reaching out to steady the caster, whose legs buckle. “I’ve got you. Are you going to be okay?”
“I’m not going to like this,” the half-elf mutters, her eyes wide with fear.
*****
Talos calmly stares at the large, armored knight sitting at his kitchen table. The polite and humble knight has peace-tied his war hammer to his belt, which is an act of respect that Talos always found amusing. His twin longswords hang on the wall above his head, easily accessible if the need arises. Though, the bald elf doubts the large warrior means him any harm. This important-looking knight nervously rubs at the praying hands of Hekluvra, Goddess of Health and Meditation, which are emblazoned on his chest plate. An occasional clacking is heard as he grinds his teeth, his pronounced lower jaw identifying him as a half-orc. The silence is broken when Talos coughs and the knight’s perpendicular ears twitch in anticipation.
“You don’t have to be nervous, Lord Highrider,” Talos claims with a friendly glint in his green eyes. The old elf stretches his arms, noting the knight’s eyes follow his hands.
“I apologize, sir, but I have heard many stories about your adventures. I always hoped to have the pleasure of meeting you in person,” the knight admits, running a hand through his dark orange hair. “I expected to retain my composure and act like a noble emissary of Duke Solomon, but I guess the child in me has taken over. After all, how many people can say they have met a legendary warrior? There are so few of you left in Windemere that I find it humbling to have this opportunity.”
“That may be true, but we old legends don’t like to be reminded of our age or the death of our peers,” Talos politely states, his eyes narrowing into predatory slits.
“My deepest apologies, sir!” Lord Highrider exclaims while he salutes the forest tracker.
“Again, there’s no need to be so formal here,” Talos assures Lord Highrider with a friendly grin. “I’m not the one you came to see, so you should relax until they arrive. I should mention that my grandson has been taking long journeys through the forests lately. I promise to search for him once Nyx and Sari arrive.”
Lord Highrider’s eyebrow arches in curiosity and he leans on the table. “Who is Sari?”
“A new friend of Luke and an old friend of Nyx that will be accompanying them on all future adventures,” the old elf says with a mischievous smile. “She helped defend Haven against Kalam and a Sword Dragon, so she has proven her mettle in my eyes. I’m sure you will find her to be a unique agent to help you with your problems.”
The men hear a gentle knock at the front door and Talos quickly moves to let his guests in. Lord Highrider stands at attention, his head nearly hitting a ceiling beam. He smiles at the sight of Nyx, but the happy expression vanishes when he sees how timid she appears. The caster is gripping the hand of the blue-haired girl, who he assumes is Sari. Nyx’s breathing is labored and she avoids eye contact with the towering knight. Lord Highrider remembers hearing about the trauma she suffered during the goblin swarm incident at Hero’s Gate. He thought nothing of it since Duke Solomon assured him that she had fully recovered by the time she stood before him in Gods’ Voice. Now, the confident caster, who had battled three trolls, has been reduced to a twitching, scared child.
“Hello, Lord Highrider, my name is Sari,” says the shorter woman. She makes a low bow that touches her forehead to the floor and she makes a playful spin as she stands. It is a difficult display of flexibility and grace with Nyx holding her hand. Sari has to arch her back and get under her friend’s arm to avoid an embarrassing collision.
“You’re a gypsy. I can tell by the layered skirts and movements,” the knight politely mentions, cautiously eyeing the grinning girl. He subtly tucks his money pouch into an armor compartment. “I admit that I’m surprised to see one of your people in the company of a woman like Nyx. I was always under the impression that gypsies and city-dwellers don’t mingle without some level of mistrust. Yet, here I am watching you hold Nyx’s hand and prepared to protect her. Don’t think I’m unaware of the dagger that you’re hiding up the sleeve of your free hand. Your muscles are already tensed to throw in case I show hostility.”
“I like this guy, Nyxie,” Sari declares, revealing the dagger and placing it back in the folds of her skirt. “You’re right about gypsies and city-folk not trusting each other, your lordship. The two of us are a special case. You see, Nyx and I were childhood friends when my clan was living outside of Gaia and we were recently reunited. I’ve decided to help my dear friend with her adventures. For now that means I’ll be the stable arm for her to hold onto until she regains her courage. Though, I do request that she stop pressing her flesh-shredding talons into my skin. You’re starting to draw blood, Nyxie.”
“Sorry,” Nyx mutters, letting go of Sari’s arm and standing at attention. “I apologize for my appearance, Lord Highrider. Please don’t take it personally. I still have some . . . issues about my time in your city, but I’m working on putting them behind me.”
Lord Highrider gives a silent nod to Talos, who slips out of the house, the well-oiled front door closing without a sound. “Not to sound mean and callous, but Duke Solomon and I were hoping that you could settle your issues immediately. Hero’s Gate has been riddled with problems since your departure and the situation has reached a point where we can no longer handle it with knights, common guards, and mercenaries. We’re humbly requesting your assistance in bringing peace back to the city.”
“It has to do with what I did, doesn’t it?” Nyx asks. Her voice quivers as the memory of casting the genocide spell returns to her mind. “My spell cursed Hero’s Gate.”
“Sadly, it has everything to do with you, but I’d be hard-pressed to claim you cursed us” he replies, openly uncomfortable with the idea of making Nyx feel worse. “Your actions created a delicate situation that various groups have taken advantage of. I’m not at liberty to discuss the details outside of Hero’s Gate, but your spell scared everyone. This public fear allowed some very opportunistic people to gain a foothold in the city.”
“He means thieves,” Sari whispers to Nyx.
Lord Highrider smiles at the gypsy. “I have no comment. If you choose to return to Hero’s Gate, our temporary commander will tell you everything.”
“I’m confused. Nyx told me that you were the commanding officer of the city,” Sari interrupts. She moves to take a seat before noticing that Nyx is still standing in the middle of the room. With a gentle sigh, she leans against the back of the chair and mindlessly coils her hair around her fingers.
“I’m still the legal commander, but the mayor was killed several weeks ago,” Lord Highrider explains. He takes a shuddering breath as he remembers the incident. “The people requested that I assume the position until Hero’s Gate is under control and an election can be held. They feel I should lead because it would be difficult to assassinate me. The Duke agreed and hired an in
fluential mercenary to act as the city’s temporary commander. She has been an invaluable ally during this time.”
“Has anyone tried to kill you?” Nyx softly asks.
“There have been a few attempts,” Lord Highrider answers, grinning proudly and patting his war hammer. “I’ve been attacked on patrol, at dinner, in the bath, and even while I was within the barracks. Our enemies stopped trying over a week ago after one of my most trusted men made an example of the assassin. It’s best that you don’t hear the details. Even I don’t like thinking about it.”
“That must have improved citizens’ morale,” Sari happily claims.
“I’m afraid it did very little,” the half-orc knight replies. He scratches his lower jaw, his fingers rubbing his white teeth. “The city is under a strict quarantine with all roads heavily guarded. The seaport has been closed to all ships, except royal vessels. There are curfews, but we found a way around food rationing, so it isn’t the worst case scenario. Still, the people have begun to lose hope that peace will arrive. Several have done . . . drastic things to avoid what they consider a slow, torturous death.”
The room grows warm as waves of heat distortions roll off Nyx. The half-elf has her fists clenched and she is staring at her dull brown boots. A few tears roll from the corners of her eyes, but they evaporate before they can reach her chin. Crimson flames start to flicker around the caster, who ignores Sari’s attempts to calm her with soothing hushes. The fire licks at the ceiling beams while Nyx’s body shudders with sobs of fear and anger. No longer aware of her surroundings, Nyx’s aura fills the air with the smell of burning wood. Sari and Lord Highrider are about to run out of the house when a hand grabs Nyx’s shoulder from behind. They briefly hear the sound of burning flesh before the fire disappears and Nyx snaps out of her trance.
“I don’t think my grandfather would appreciate you burning his house down,” Luke whispers into her ear. The blonde half-elf is dressed in a simple, white shirt and brown breeches that are covered in dirt. His green eyes stay on Nyx as she gives him a small hug and lets him lead her to the nearest chair. Luke flexes his hand, feeling the freshly burned skin of his palm resist the movements. He struggles to hide his pain, so the emotional caster remains calm.
Legends of Windemere: 03 - Family of the Tri-Rune Page 4
