by J. K. Barber
Their hosts had been surprisingly munificent to tolerate a jai-jin in their home, much more so to break bread with him. Neither had even looked at Jared though; it appeared they were doing their best to simply ignore him. The Illyanders noted that Courtan kept her veil up, even in her own home; the jai-jin’s presence or perhaps the jai themselves warranting the observance of proprieties. It had only been because Adraim and Olivia had become friends while working together previously. The Illyander had been hired by the tribe to assist its scouts, and through that association she was able to convince them to let her companions stay. Courtan was even less welcoming until she spotted Gabriel; she had bounced the babe on her knee for some time, sheer joy on her face. Apparently, the couple had been having difficulty conceiving a second child.
Tessrav, a girl of no more than four winters, had long since finished eating and was hopping around the tent. Her adorable curls bounced as she excitedly made a game of stacking cups. She would circle the dinner party, hop over the cups, and then add another one to the growing pyramid.
Their feasting finally came to an end, and Courtan cleared the platters and exited the tent to clean them. Talas offered to assist her, but Olivia placed a hand on his arm, shaking her head. Courtan smiled and continued with her task. The priest looked questioningly at his wife.
"It is custom here in the Eastern Kingdom for the woman of a household to do all household tasks unaided. It is a matter of pride," Olivia said, as Adraim excused himself, hoisted his daughter affectionately in the air and whisked her away to bed. He untied the tent flap behind him, providing privacy to the family's evening routine. Talas nodded, acknowledging Olivia's words.
No one had mentioned the failed ambush on Salamasca yet. The air was suddenly full of its heaviness though, with their meal done and the silence full bellies brought about.
"How do you propose we proceed with your Ice Queen?" Olivia inquired of the group. The twins sighed simultaneously, Sasha holding Gabriel a little closer. He was nuzzled up to her neck and sleeping.
"Are you sure you both still want to go through with this?" Talas asked, fixing each of the twins in turn with a meaningful glance. "The Great Mother knows you have certainly tried."
"I don't see how anyone else is going to be able to stop her, Brother Talas," Sasha replied. Jared put a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "We will have to try again."
"Agreed," Katya inserted. Iluak looked thoughtfully at her, more than a little sadness in his eyes.
"Okay, how then?" Jared asked. "Our element of surprise is gone. Where would we attack her next?"
"Ahemait will return to her main camp to the north now," Olivia said, sitting forward from her previous reclining position. "She has set up a command tent of sorts a day’s journey south of the city, Jal. I didn't mention it before because it would be suicide to attack her main army."
After a moment Iluak looked to Katya and said, "We would need a distraction for the army. Could you summon a sandstorm or something?" the therianthrope asked.
"I could, but I am not sure that will help us a whole lot once the fighting starts. The Ice Queen’s army would still overwhelm us," the sorceress replied, wiping her hands thoroughly clean on a cloth napkin. "Plus, it would take a considerable toll on me to use so much power. I am not sure how that will affect Akor'shi-kai's potency against Salamasca, and we'll need to be at full strength." She stifled a yawn with her last words, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Perhaps we should sleep on it," Talas suggested, noting the sorceress's gesture. "It has been a long day, physically and emotionally. I think it is time for rest." His friends nodded in agreement.
"I agree. We can brainstorm in the morning. For now, namaste," Olivia intoned, some of her former priestess occupation resurfacing. Talas' presence appeared to be bringing her old self out more every day. "Sleep and be thankful for the Great Mother's gift of another night to hold your loved ones in your arms." Talas laid a hand over his wife's, smiling. Her words were like a fine wine, savored and comforting to all.
Jared stood, taking Gabriel from Sasha, and helped her stand as well.
"Until tomorrow then," the hunter said, gathering his family in his arms and guiding them to a side sleeping area.
"Good night," the Master Swordswoman said, before untying the tent flap and letting it fall closed.
"Good night," the remaining Illyanders replied in unison.
"Shall the four of us share the final sleeping area then?" Talas asked everyone, but his eyes were on Katya.
"You two take it," Katya replied. Iluak raised an eyebrow at her, wondering where she and he would sleep. "Iluak and I can sleep out here. You guys still have a lot of catching up to do, I am sure," the Master Sorceress said winking. Olivia rolled her eyes but smiled, pulling Talas up with her.
"You heard the lady,” the scout said teasingly. “Enough talk. Time to make up for lost time, if you still can, old man," Olivia laughed. Talas looked mildly horrified at her comment, yet he did not stop her from guiding him back to the remaining sleep chamber. Katya noticed the priest was still limping a bit from Walron's devastating breath that had burned his feet. The injury was slight, but Katya made note to heal him, as well as his wife's hand in the morning after the sorceress had had a chance to regain her strength.
Courtan returned with the clean dishes and put them away in the small chest, containing her family's everyday items. She bid Katya and Iluak goodnight, turning down the remaining lit lamp hanging from a tent support and disappeared behind the drawn tent flaps where her family had retired. The sorceress and therianthrope had settled in, having made a nest from the pillows on which they had all shared dinner. As usual, they were resting near each other but without actually touching. Neither was asleep yet, Katya rolling her eyes at the low muffled moans coming from both of their friends' alcoves. The sorceress saw Iluak snicker at her expression in the scarce light. Concern knitted her brow, changing her expression, as the light illuminated the scabbed-over shallow cuts across the right side of his face. So intent on his minor wounds, Katya almost missed the grin on his face that made her more than a bit uncomfortable. She had no illusions as to what he wanted; the raven-haired beauty had put him off for months, ever since he arrived in Snowhaven. She had known the true reason he had come to the border town. It was to be with her and why he had not left after giving his report. They had made a connection in the Frozen March. They clearly cared for each other, but Katya had always resisted taking their friendship further. She saw no point in starting a relationship when she was fated to die soon. At least, she thought that was the case in her own mind.
Katya was suddenly aware that Iluak was much closer, feeling the heat of his body near hers and his warm breath on her face. He began stroking her hair, slowly and lovingly. His hand dropped to the curve of her jaw, hesitated for just a moment, then moved down her neck to cup her breast. Her heart was beating so fast she was afraid it would betray her excitement, as she rested her hand on his chiseled chest. His lips were almost touching hers, and he had rolled his body over partially on top of her so that one of his legs was between hers. He whispered softly in her ear, "Tupilek," which had become his pet name for her. Against her thigh, she felt Iluak's excitement beneath his leather pants.
She wanted this. She ached for him.
Katya's brain finally kicked in. She sat up swiftly, pushing away from the therianthrope.
"I am sorry, Iluak. I just can't," she apologized, as she composed herself, pulling her robe closer about her knees and wrapping her arms around them.
Iluak sighed from his supine position and then sat up, his arms open to her.
"Why? Give me one good reason," he asked, quietly.
The Master Sorceress steeled her face, clearing it of emotion. She knew he was not going to go along with her actual reasoning. Katya's heart ached with what she was about to do, but it has to be done, she thought. She had to end it here and now. Neither one of them had the luxury of hesitating on t
he battlefield because of feelings. She knew that was one of the reasons why Sasha had left Jared with Gabriel in the ruins before the battle on the butte.
"I have not been honest with you, Iluak," Katya stated. "I care for you as a friend, but that is all. I apologize for any indication that I have wanted more."
For the first time the sorceress had witnessed, Iluak scowled. Katya's heart wept, causing him this emotional pain. The therianthrope man was one of those people who was always genuinely happy. The frown lines that showed now were a blemish on his handsome face.
"I don't believe you," Iluak replied, his scowl softening. "You and I are cut from the same cloth. We both were born with magical talent, we both love knowledge, we find each other attractive, and we both enjoy each other’s company. That is what really makes a couple; a deep and abiding friendship. We have that." His eyes were sad and pleading, his arms still wide as he gesticulated to accentuate his points.
Katya sighed. She figured Iluak would fight her on this. She was fighting herself, in her heart. The sorceress didn't want it to come to this, but rationalizing the situation with him wasn't going to be successful; she would have to resort to being cruel.
"I should have asked this a long time ago, Iluak," she said, her face still hard and hopefully betraying none of her own inner suffering, "Why did you stay in Snowhaven?"
"You know why," the therianthrope retorted, his tone turning defensive. "I wanted to be with you."
"You wanted to sleep with me? That is telling," she retorted, the whispered words harsh.
"Not just that," he said, raising his voice a bit. "You know what I mean. I wanted to see if we could make a life together."
Katya put a finger to her lips and nodded her head to one of the side areas, silently asking him to keep his voice down. Iluak ducked his head a little, not wanting to disturb their friends.
"Well, maybe we should have had this conversation when you first arrived," Katya stated emotionlessly. "I would have told you I wasn't interested. I am sorry you had to travel across Aronshae like a love sick puppy to hear that."
Oh that did it, Katya thought, seeing Iluak's entire body grow still, rigid with anger. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He jolted up, causing Katya to flinch, and stormed out of the tent. The therianthrope must have transformed, because she heard his owl screech cry out and travel away into the night.
The Master Sorceress let out a heavy sigh and lay back down. She put her hand where Iluak had been resting. It was still warm, but rapidly cooling in the cold desert air. It was fitting, a physical representation of any chance that she and Iluak would be together. That prospect had now grown cold like the cushion. Katya retracted her hand, placing it under her pillow, and let tears flow uninhibited down her cheeks.
Chapter 9
Smoke swirled around Katya as she fell through darkness. This was the Void; she was supposed to be weightless. Her hands burned, and she raised them before her. White fire radiated from her palms, turning a more natural-colored, yellow-orange flame. Her skin was turning black, charred. The Master Sorceress tried to scream but no sound escaped her lips. Her skin melted away, revealing bone beneath. The inferno had spread to her arms and would rapidly consume her whole body. She was powerless to stop it.
The pain faded away entirely and white light crept into the dark, causing it to retreat and cower away from the increasing brilliance. Katya opened her eyes. She didn't remember closing them. A blue ocean was before her as far as the eye could see, its gentle waves peacefully lapping at her bare toes. Katya was completely alone and grateful, realizing she was naked with only her long black hair providing any covering. Her hair was like a river of onyx and solid in color, missing the heavy streaks of white it had been further marred with ever since the battle on the butte. She wiggled her toes in the sand. The little girl shoved away in a box inside of her giggled and threatened to break out. The sorceress wanted nothing more than to spin and raise her arms to the white clouds above.
Something caught her eye down the beach though. She walked over to an object sparkling in the sand. She bent down and wiped off a purple scale. It glistened in the sunlight, smooth yet multi-faceted like amethyst. The deep purple color reminded her of something. Eyes? she thought. As if struck, she fell onto her back. Her memories flooded her sight, including some that were not her own. At least, she didn't remember Jared ever kissing her, yet the memory was there. Katya could almost feel his lips on hers, the warmth of his body...
She realized now that she was sharing memories with her sister. Another effect of the Avatar blending us together? she thought. Eyes, she tried to focus, struggling for purchase in the mental whirlwind. Tomas' steady purple eyes settled on her. The memories stopped pummeling her and she sat up. The ocean was gone, replaced by an expansive amount of sand.
She recognized the place; it was the overlook outside of Simza. Tomas stood before her, wearing the robes of the Administrator and his eyes were as timeless as always.
"Katya, please join me here right away," he said.
She sat bolt upright on the pillows on which she had been sleeping. Looking around the tent, Katya spotted Iluak asleep in the corner, lying on his side facing away from her. His sleep was fitful, but the sorceress did not disturb him, nor did he wake. Her fingers found her staff in the low light, tightening about the inscribed wood instinctively.
She felt dizzy, thinking about her dream. Was it real? What should I do? she thought. There was really only one thing to do. She stood, straightened her loose gauzy robe with her free hand, and left the tent as quietly as she could.
Just as in the dream, Tomas stood on the rise, patiently awaiting her arrival. She opened her mouth to speak, but he put a finger to his lips, requesting her silence. He held out his tiny boy hand, and she took it. He led her into the desert.
Katya had pulled her hood up and wrapped her face in a makeshift scarf, squinting her eyes against flying grains of sand. A sandstorm was stirring, and they seemed to be walking right into it. Olivia had warned them about the deadly nature of a sandstorm, that the sand would scour the skin to the bone if fully exposed. If she hadn't trusted Tomas completely, she would have turned back. The desert seemed to glow in the moonlight with the sandstorm like a dark billowing monster on the horizon. The light reflecting of the sand was an aspect she had loved while traveling at night. It reminded her of the way the snow returned the moonlight in the northern reaches of her homeland. She found it strangely comforting.
She had become used to being awake at this time of night, so she was not weary; it was only the fight on the butte with Salamasca that had worn down her and her friends enough to actually sleep that evening.
After quite a bit of walking, Tomas finally broke the silence.
"Many of your questions will be answered through observation," he stated, his eyes still on the horizon. "We are on our way to a meeting, one that might very well save your life as well as your sister's." Katya's heart began to beat faster. She had brainstormed day in and day out, trying to think of a way to defeat Salamasca without Akor'shi-kai, without having to sacrifice themselves. "Don't get too excited just yet," the sandy-haired boy said, looking at her only as a glance. "You must remain quiet, and only speak if questioned. My elders are vastly more powerful than I and have very little patience with humans. Do you understand?" He asked of her.
"I understand," Katya replied simply, trying not to bombard him with the dozens of questions his words raised. Her years of training had disciplined her, and she trusted her teacher enough to still her tongue. Tomas ceased walking and dropped Katya's hand. He stepped away from her.
"You will want to back up," the former Administrator said gently. Katya looked at him oddly but complied, backing up a few steps from him. He continued, "We'll have to fly the rest of the way. I just wanted to get far enough from town that I was not spotted."
Katya remembered their last conversation at the sorcerers’ tower in Snowhaven, where she had spoken of placin
g Tomas' eyes with those of their dragon ally, Sirus. It occurred to her what he was about to do.
Tomas bent down on all fours, his spine elongating as he arched like a cat stretching. His face lengthened into a snout and his entire body filled out; so much so that Katya took several more steps away, gasping at the sheer size of the beast before her growing larger every moment. His skin turned purple to match his eyes, hardening into scales the size of her hand, exactly like the one in her dream. Ivory horns burst from his skull, spiraling out to an impressive length. Spines sprouted from the middle of his head and back. His teeth grew to the length of greatswords and filled his massive jaws. From the tip of his tail blossomed a ball of spikes. When Tomas had reached roughly the size of a tavern, he rose up on his hind legs and stretched wide his enormous wings. Katya gasped at their beauty, the moonlight illuminating the webbing connecting the wing bones. Tomas drew a deep breath into his expanded lungs, swelling his massive chest, much larger than Sirus'. In a word, he was magnificent. Testing his wings a couple of times and satisfied with their strength, he crouched down by Katya.
"Sirus told me you rode with his clutchmates before. If you remember, the best place to ride is at the base of my neck, in between the first and second spike. Hold tight with your thighs as well as your hands," Tomas summarized, the resounding words odd coming from a dragon's tongue. He extended a claw for her to climb up and onto his back. Shaking her head to break out of the shock of seeing a dragon transformation, Katya tucked her staff under her arm and mounted the largest creature any inhabitant of Aronshae would ever ride.
