The Starwalker drew several rune symbols in the air using his finger. The symbols became flame, hanging there while Aurellia studied them.
“This world will provide suitable fodder for your cravings, I imagine. A planet rich in humanoid life and vibrant in its diversity. It is an old world. Conquering it will provide you with a significant challenge.” Jared gave Aurellia a malicious grin. “But therein lies the fun, doesn’t it?”
The dark lord gave a curt nod. “I thank you—”
“Don’t thank me, thank the boy. If it weren’t for him, I would have left you here to burn. Honestly, I don’t know why he cares. It seems to me all you’ve brought him and his friends is misery and death. I would have left this world a long time ago if it wasn’t for the boy and his magical map.”
“Then it is a good thing for me that I hold the boy’s loyalty,” said Aurellia, giving Talis a considered look.
“Not my loyalty. Never truly that, for loyalty is earned along with respect,” Talis said. “Whatever I had toward you was always forced, as your master forced you. No, the only thing I feel for you is pity. For your anguish and your loneliness, as I imagine the road ahead will be filled with the kind of solitude that comes from not being understood. I pity you for that.”
The dark lord’s lip curled into a snarl. “Pity the world where my path takes me to. Pity the people there and the lives I will ruin. But never pity me, boy. My soul has traveled far past the point of pity. I may embrace the light and the darkness, but my soul resides in the realm of pure madness. The kind of madness that is filled with joy. For I know of no other feeling.”
Aurellia closed his eyes and began casting a spell. The earth vibrated and hummed with the power of his deep, chanting voice. A silver and black portal formed in the air in front of him, churning with a wild intensity. Millions of sparkles of electricity rimmed the outer edges of the surface.
Before Aurellia had a chance to enter the portal, Talis stopped him. “You must release us from your service. We have reached an end. Rikar is dead. The circle is broken. Will you let us go?”
The dark lord gave a scoffing laugh. “I’ll never see you again, boy. My path takes me elsewhere. Of course I will release you and your friends. You are no longer bound to me. And the oath of loyalty is broken as well to the Nameless. You are all free. I seal this declaration with my word and it is done.”
Thunder rumbled out from somewhere off in the distance and the rumbling echoed with the finality of Aurellia’s word. Talis felt a heavy weight of obligation release from his shoulders. He was free. He could feel it.
“Thank you,” Talis said, giving his old master a final bow. “What will you do there on that new world?”
Aurellia raised an eyebrow. “What I do best. Conquer civilizations, seed mistrust, destroy happiness, and ruin lives. You were never right for my service, none of you. All of you are simply too damn happy and optimistic. I tried my best to bring a bit of misery into your world in the hope you would gain wisdom. But all you ever did was seek to restore your home and happiness. So be it. Go and be the fool and return home and live out your empty, happy lives.”
He narrowed his dark eyes at Talis. “But you will never be truly happy. The kiss of the Zacrane Dagger has seen to that. The curse survives. The shadow lingers long over you. Your place in life will never be settled, for you will outlive all your friends and family, and outlive even your civilization. Your only solace will reside in the stars. And there, in that empty, lonely place, perhaps one day you will find wisdom.”
With that, Aurellia turned and leapt into the portal, disappearing from Talis’ life.
Talis clenched his jaw, wishing he could eradicate Aurellia’s words. But the portal closed up, sealing his chance forever. He looked to Mara and found sadness in her eyes, but they were also filled with hope.
They were going home.
33. The Storehouse
Talis studied the Surineda Map for the hundredth time that day. He released a long, tired sigh and scratched his head. They’d combed through every inch of the Starwalker storehouse searching for relics of various kinds, all based on Jared’s meticulous specifications and classifications. The place was now only three quarters filled with floating magical artifacts while the rest had been hauled off and catalogued according to their function.
It had been hours since they’d eaten and Talis was famished. He looked over at Jared and cleared his throat.
“Can we take a break? We’ve been at this all day. I’m starving.”
The Starwalker gave him a cold stare, his dull black eyes empty and unconcerned. “You can survive for several more days without food, foolish human. Your debt to me is very large. I intend to hold you to the bargain we agreed upon. Or are you attempting to renegotiate?”
“I simply don’t understand your urgency, that’s all.” Talis studied the map and waded through the floating artifacts until he’d located the correct relic, a copper chalice adorned with sapphires. He handed the artifact to Jared. “Besides, from the way I look at it, the value of discovering the latent power and curses of these artifacts is significantly larger than the value of my life. It pales in comparison.”
Jared chuckled in wry amusement. “So you were trying to renegotiate. What is it you want? Food? I doubt that’s the end of it.”
Talis shook his head. “Indeed not. I want a great deal more.”
“So let’s hear it, boy. Let’s hear these demands of yours. I will say, you know the right time to negotiate. Choose a position of power rather than a position of weakness. I imagine you would have promised anything to get off that damnable world.”
“And here we are, now, in the protected nest of your sanctuary.” Talis suppressed a grin.
“Well?”
“You never heard the story of the Zacrane Dagger, did you?”
Jared shook his head.
“You see, Lord Aurellia gifted me with immortality, while Mara remains mortal.”
“Ah, so that was what the fiend was talking about. So you desire mortality or you wish for Mara to gain immortality? Gaining immortality is easy, if you’re a Starwalker. We have many ways to bequeath such a gift. But, alas, boy, you are not a Starwalker.”
Talis gave him a significant look, causing Jared to fidget.
“It’s impossible. The council would never approve of it. The fact remains that you are considered murderers under our laws. And besides, why do you deserve to join our ranks?”
“We’ve proven ourselves useful to you many times over, haven’t we? I possess a valuable map from the gods and Mara wields magical daggers that are incomparable in their uses. We could aid your people and assist you in achieving your goals.”
Jared let out a long exhalation. “How little you know of what we want. We are wanderers, tinkerers, curious and bold. Though I must admit, we are not unlike you and your friend Mara in personality. Our aims are different, however, since you crave the contentment found in the idea of home. For us, our home is the stars, and we forever wander amongst them. We derive our contentment from the satisfaction found in adventure and the ceaseless discovery of new realms and new worlds and new forms of life. We are cataloguers and students of the immensity of the universe. How can our boundless aims compare to your finite goals? Unless your heart tells you a different story?”
The Starwalker put his hands on Talis’ shoulders. “You are still young. Let me help the situation by suggesting a period of pause and reflection. This will also serve to allow the memory of my people to fade in regards to your guilt. We will leave this task of sorting out the relics, for now, and return to it after a duration of ten years have passed. It will allow you to grow and reflect on your life. You will be a man, then, with a mind fully grown. After the time is complete, I will return to your world and we will discuss your future. Does that sound amenable to you? For it is all I have to offer you, right now. Nothing else is at my disposal.”
This seemed perfectly reasonable to Talis, so he gave him a determin
ed handshake. “Remember us in the future. Don’t forget what you’ve promised here today. You remember how the gods listen to us? Swear an oath to them now that you will return to Naru in ten years’ time.”
“Of course I will, I need you to finish cataloguing this storehouse, don’t I?” Jared gave an amused chuckle. “But if it is a vow you want, then you shall have one.” Jared raised his right hand, face solemn. “I swear before all the gods, both light and dark, of the living and of the dead. I promise to return to Naru in ten of your years from now. And I will give all due consideration to your plea. Though I cannot promise anything further than that.”
Talis figured it would have to suffice for now. He nodded to the Starwalker then rolled up the Surineda map and closed the case. It was time for them to go home. He glanced around the storehouse, drawing in the memories and the feeling of this place, and began to walk toward the exit. But before he reached the door he was stopped by Jared’s voice.
“We will need all the fragments.” The Starwalker’s face was tense, jaw set. “All the ones your friends stole from us. If it turns out we decide to allow you to join us, then you will receive new ones of your own. But for now, you must return yours to me. Nikulo has already given me the one he held. Though Rikar’s was lost.”
Jared held out his hand, eyes expectant. Was he worried that Talis would fight him for the star fragment? But Talis had no interest in battling the Starwalker. And he supposed he had no need for such power—not living in Naru. So he retrieved the fragment and handed the Starwalker the stone.
Immediately he felt an enormous sense of loss. The ability to channel an immense amount of magical power had vanished. All that was left was a void so empty he marveled how he had survived in the past without it. He thought to his room in Naru and hoped he could find the black stone he’d gained in Vellia. Worry crept in as he found himself uncertain where he had last placed the crystal.
He left the storehouse and was greeted by Mara’s curious face. Nikulo stood next to her, scratching Charna’s chin. The lynx looked positively radiant.
“Are you ready for a break? I’m famished.” Mara gave him a kind smile as she took his hand in hers.
“A long, relaxing break, yes.” He glanced at Jared who was preparing to cast a magical portal. “The kind where the only things we see are found in the bustling streets of Naru and in the shifting sands of the Nalgoran Desert.” He squeezed her hands. “We’re going home, Mara. Finally, we’re going home.”
34. Friends Remembered
The announcement of Rikar and Devonia’s deaths brought a wave of sadness to the group assembled in the royal gardens of Carvina. The last time Talis had visited the place it had been a time of joy and celebration. Rikar and Devonia had looked so happy and free. Everything about their lives seemed perfect. But now, only a short time later, they were dead.
Master Goleth, the Builder, came lumbering over toward them. The tall man stooped as he shuffled over, his eyes downcast. He had worked closely with both Rikar and Devonia and had grown fond of the couple. It looked like he was taking the news very hard.
“This is the worst day imaginable. We rebuild much of the city and now, after all we’ve suffered, we lose our empress? And I’ve lost two dear friends. It’s unthinkable.” The man raised his eyes to Talis then glanced at Mara. “When you all went off on that voyage together I had a knot in my stomach that refused to go away. I had the feeling I might never see you again. It was a strange thing. And now this has happened. What an awful curse.”
“If it’s any consolation, it seems they died together. They remained close right up to the end. It looked like they were holding hands when they passed to the other side.” Tears spilled from Mara’s eyes as she looked off toward the horizon. “Still, I ask myself, why did they have to die? Why wasn’t it me? It could have been any of us.”
“The loss of a friend is a hard thing,” said Master Goleth, his voice soothing and deep. “Especially ones so young and with so much of their lives ahead of them. They will be sorely missed.”
“I should have done more to save them,” Talis whispered, thinking of his dragon flight over the temple. Rikar and Devonia had been fiercely battling the temple priests, and from what he had seen, they were having a difficult time of it. Would it have helped if Talis had joined in the battle? Or would they all have been killed? Likely the latter, Talis admitted to himself.
“There was nothing we could have done.” Mara looked at Talis. “No matter how hard we would’ve tried, in the end, we would have died like they did. Going down there under the temple was the right thing to do. It saved our lives.”
“It doesn’t make me feel any better, though. I still wish Rikar and Devonia were here, at their home, where they belong. It seems unfair that we’re here, remembering them, while they’re dead.”
“May their souls find peace in the Underworld.” Master Goleth hung his head in a prayer.
Mara looked up at the blue sky blanketed in wispy clouds. Her eyes lit up as if she had caught sight of something sacred. As she gazed, mesmerized for a moment, her face turned euphoric. Talis was about to interrupt her trance, worried at her condition, but a quiet, inner voice told him to allow her experience to continue. Her hands reached out as if in an embrace. A tear spilled from her eye. After a long while, the trance was broken.
“He’s there with her along the Fair Seas. Also his father is there. They are resting and reminiscing about the past. I saw it so vividly, like you’re here in front of me now.” Mara’s voice sounded dreamy, as if she were still witnessing the vision.
With just a few words, Mara had wiped away the fear of the Grim March and Rikar and Devonia suffering. Peace came and flooded Talis’ heart. He embraced Mara, feeling her head rest against his chest. Rikar was going to be alright. It wasn’t the end for him, but the beginning of some new journey. His old friend deserved that, at least, after all he’d been through.
“I will construct the greatest statue the world has ever known!” exclaimed Master Goleth. “A statue displaying the bravery and fearlessness of Rikar and Devonia. The people of Carvina will never forget them. I shall see to this task and fabricate this memorial to our lost friends. They will not be forgotten.”
Talis and Mara bowed to the Builder, thanking him for his friendship and devotion to Rikar and Devonia. Together they took his big hands and gave them an appreciative squeeze. Master Goleth seemed feverish in his determination to create the statue, and promised to go to work on the project right away.
“It will take me time, to make it perfect. You must come back when it is complete. Visit us again.” He nodded to himself, his mind already seemingly lost in thought. “Now, I must go and prepare. There is much to do. Give my regards to Nikulo. Tell him to come and see my creation when it is ready. Promise me?”
They bobbed their heads and the big man lumbered off, leaving them in the royal gardens of Carvina with the whispering group of royals remaining.
“We will come back?” Talis said, eying Mara.
“Someday. But not for a long while. Being here makes me sad. It makes me think of them, so young and in love, but torn apart from this world. Although I believe they’re together, I still feel it’s a shame that their lives were snuffed out, unrealized. It’s sad, really. I want to go home, Talis. Can you take me home?”
Talis told her they would go right away. He retrieved the black crystal from his pocket and studied the dark flecks inside. It had been there, inside a small chest in his room at home, waiting for him. He cast the portal spell and took one more look around the gardens. The royals stared at them in wonder as Talis and Mara stepped inside.
35. A Queen is Born
On the day of Mara’s coronation ceremony, Talis worried whether their world would change once she became the queen. He felt uneasy because of the strange looks the royals gave him at various celebrations. It was like they were whispering behind his back, disbelieving that he and Mara could ever be a couple. But she had held firm again
st the pressure, insisting to her mother that she would be queen and leave things the way they were.
For Talis, this brought a great measure of relief to his worry, though the gossiping looks of other royals still made him uncomfortable.
“After all this city has been through,” Mara had told him, “we deserve to do whatever the hell we want. And if they don’t like it, then who cares? They’ll have to live with what we want in our lives. It’s our choice and I’m not going to allow anyone else to make my choices for me.”
He grinned now, thinking of the fire in her eyes as she’d said the words. She inspired him, her strength and her resolve in the face of opposition. In a way, he wished he possessed those same characteristics.
When he had come home, his mother and father had insisted that he live by their rules, despite whatever freedom he had enjoyed out there on his adventures. He still had many months before he was sixteen and considered an adult. Until then, his parents had certain expectations he had to live by. Not that he minded, because he always felt like they respected him. Still, the change had been hard to get used to.
Six weeks had passed since they’d returned from the Origin World and already the memory of the place seemed like a distant echo. From time to time, Talis thought of the Goddess Nacrea and the Goddess Veralia fighting in their mighty contest. Were they still there battling away? Had they brought the Origin World to ruin under the power of their struggle? Somehow Talis believed they were still at it and the world was in shambles. It seemed like the struggle between those two goddesses was ancient and never-ending.
He was glad to be back home and glad to be away from the chaos of that world. It felt good to wake each morning and not worry about their safety. No meddlesome Lord Aurellia to deal with. No devious Caisa to handle. And no battling goddesses to contend with. Just the ordinary life of the son of a trader living in a vast oasis in the Nalgoran Desert. This was a life he could get used to.
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