by Ivan Kal
“I did not expect a magic beast,” Sabin commented.
“My people call them spirit beasts,” Vin added absentmindedly. He crouched down to touch the beast’s fur. It saddened him somehow to have killed a spirit beast so gorgeous.
“You did not say that you were a mage,” Sabin said.
“I’m not. I’m something different.”
“Well, whatever you are—thank you. You saved my life. I doubt that I would’ve gotten out alive if it weren’t for you.”
Vin’s eyes narrowed at the beast. “We shouldn’t have survived. It should’ve killed us—and with ease.” A spirit artist of the second step should not have been equal to a spirit beast so old and powerful. So Vin studied the beast, looking it over, until he noticed that which in the fight and the dark he had failed to see.
“It was already injured. Look there and there.” Vin pointed at the gashes in its side.
“You are right. Those wounds are a few days old at least. It was exhausted, probably hunting cattle to recover. The question is, how did it arrive here?”
“Are spirit—ah, magic beasts common in these parts?” Vin asked.
“Not at all. Usually you can find them in the wilds out on the eastern side of the continent, in Jahr Valled mostly. Anima-wells are their greatest export.”
“Anima-wells?” Vin asked curiously.
“Big gems, they grow inside magic beasts. They hunt magic beasts and take them out, cut them into smaller pieces. I don’t know what they do exactly, but they sell those pieces to mages—call them anima-wells.”
Vin nodded, that answered his unspoken question. The spirit beasts on this world did have spirit cores as well.
Sabin leaned down and continued speaking. “An uncut beast gem is worth a fortune. We might’ve lucked out big time.”
Vin glanced at Sabin. A spirit core would help him advance greatly, although it wasn’t without its risks. “Any chance that I can take it as my payment?”
Sabin laughed out loud. “I would be pretty stupid to just give it to you. Don’t worry—I won’t cheat you. We’ll split the coin we get from selling it equally.”
“I don’t plan on selling it.”
“Oh? And what use would you have for an uncut gem?”
“It can help me enhance my power,” Vin said. “I’m willing to pay you for it.”
“I doubt that you could get enough,” Sabin said as he scratched at his cheek. Then he shook his head in resignation. “Bah! It’s not like I have anything to spend all that coin on. And I guess that I can get something just for finding this place. Also, you did save my life… Take the damn thing. But that’s all of your payment.”
“Thank you, Sabin. I will not forget this,” Vin said. “May I have your knife?”
Sabin pulled a hunting knife and offered it to Vin, and he got to work. He cut into the beast’s stomach, looking for the core just below the beast’s heart. He found it exactly where he expected, and pulled it out.
“Damn, that’s a large one. I’m already regretting my decision,” Sabin said as he looked at the core Vin’s hands.
It was large, the largest one he had seen. Spirit cores on his world were smaller than this. It was large enough that he needed both hands to hold it comfortably. It was dark blue, the same color as the beast’s fur, and it pulsed with a black-and-blue aura. He could feel the ki inside, dense and powerful.
Sabin leaned down and pulled one of the beasts teeth. “We should get back. It will be dark soon.”
Vin stood, putting the core into his satchel, and followed Sabin out of the strange cave toward the hunting cabin. They reached the cabin just as the sun set behind the horizon, and decided to spend the night there. Vin was lying in his cot holding the spirit core in his hands and gazing at it. It represented an incredible stroke of luck for him—the power inside would be able to push him across the next boundary and to the third step of the path. It also meant that he needed to decide how to reforge his body, which way he was going to follow.
He put the gem down and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him.
* * *
Vin woke up to find Sabin gone. He frowned and looked around. He was not someone who lost all sense of his surroundings when he was asleep, yet he had not heard Sabin get up. He got up and walked out of the cabin. There was no one in front of it, but all of Sabin’s stuff was still there, along with the horses. Then he heard rustling from behind the cabin and went to investigate.
He found Sabin standing a few paces away, with a large red-and-white-feathered bird sitting on his forearm. It chirped at him and he tilted his head. Then the bird’s head swiveled to lock eyes with Vin, and it squawked and flew away into the trees, disappearing from site in moments.
Sabin turned to look and Vin. “Strange bird. I’m always surprised when animals trust people so much.”
Vin opened his mouth to speak, but Sabin interrupted him. “You ready? If we start now, we should reach the city before noon.”
“Yes, I’m ready,” Vin said.
They saddled the horses and began the journey back to Tourran.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
KYARRA
Who is the Hunter, and why does he watch over my sleep?
–Excerpt from the Journal of Vardun Con Aroch
Kyarra stood to the side of the room with her arms crossed, looking at all the nobles and those others important enough to get the invitation to mingle and dance. She disliked being around so many people, but she knew that it was a part of her duties. Duties that she had promised to try and uphold to the best of her ability. But looking at the mass of people, all she wanted was to be back in her library reading through her books. She had never been that good at talking with people, let alone at holding long conversations—and that seemed to be all these people did.
She noticed the looks pointed her way, questioning, even fearful. Kyarra had gotten used to them long ago. And there were few people who would actively seek her out for a conversation in the court. She could count them on one hand, and that was including Ovar—her guardian.
A sudden burst of laughter caught her attention, and she turned to look at its source. Several nobles and merchant lords were standing in a circle, laughing at something that had been said. The center of attention was the companion of one of Tourran’s nobles—Haris Olos, if she was not mistaken. The young woman had golden hair and was wearing a long, fitted green dress. Her palm was over her mouth, as if to hide her own laughter. The older nobles and their wives were hard pressed to contain themselves, although they didn’t seem to actually care. The woman then motioned them closer and whispered something else, eliciting another bout of laughter from the group.
Kyarra had noticed the pair moving through the room the entire evening. The woman on Lord Olos’s arm seemed to be the center of attention—everywhere they went, mirth followed. A part of her thanked the woman, as her presence had taken over the gathering enough that few wanted to approach Kyarra. Everyone seemed interested instead in the new arrival to court. Another part of Kyarra, however, envied the woman’s ability to take hold of the room with a gesture and a smile. Envied the way she moved with such grace, yet with enough allure to draw the admiration of the men and even a few women in the room. The only way Kyarra could hold the attention of a room was through intimidation and touches of fear; and most of that came from the illusion that all her previous lives had worked hard to build, not anything that Kyarra herself was responsible for.
“I see that you are enjoying yourself, Lady Kyarra,” Master Jeressi said as he approached her.
Kyarra turned to see the twinkle in his eyes and nodded seriously at him. “Oh, yes. I am beside myself with joy.”
Master Jeressi chuckled. “Frankly, I dislike these gatherings as well. But they are a part of my duties to the King.”
“Yes.” Kyarra sighed. “If only they would happen just a tad less often.”
“We can only hope, my lady.”
Kyarra stepped a bit closer, and mad
e a gesture with her hand, putting up a privacy spell around them. “Have you had any luck finding out who tampered with the wards?”
Master Jeressi shook his head. “No. All of the servants and guards have been questioned, but we know nothing new.”
“Could anyone of them be the culprit?”
“Possible, but unlikely. We’ve questioned them extensively, and none have magic. It must be someone from the outside. The problem is that no one saw or heard anything suspicious that day.”
“Whoever it was seems to be highly skilled,” Kyarra said, arching a brow.
“Aye.”
“Did you have the chance to confirm the Guild mage’s whereabouts?” Kyarra asked innocently. They both knew that the King had forbidden them from questioning her, but she knew that Master Jeressi and Commander Atiok would’ve at least learned of the mage’s whereabouts during that day.
Master Jeressi nodded. “As far as we can tell, she had been in her room for the entire day.”
“Hmm… That is strange.”
“The servants that brought her food say that she was certainly inside. She opened the doors to take the trays.”
“Do you think that she is capable of something like this?”
“The Mages Guild keeps its secrets close, and they are not the most powerful organization on Amiras for nothing. Who knows?”
Kyarra cast her eyes across the room, looking for the Guild mage. She found Master Galera and Princess Jarna talking with the Lashian ambassador and Grand Marshal Tou Benerof. There didn’t seem anything out of place with the mage, not outwardly… But something nagged at Kyarra’s mind. She gestured with her hand and dropped the privacy spell.
“Well, it was a pleasure talking with you, my lady. I really should mingle a bit.”
“Of course, Master Jeressi,” Kyarra said. He bowed his head and walked away, leaving her alone.
She stood there for a few more minutes, watching the crowd. She had almost nothing in common with these people, and to them she was nothing but a symbol. When they looked at her, they didn’t see Kyarra—they saw the Eternal Soul.
Tiredly, she walked toward the large glass doors that led into the garden. She stepped out and the cold air from the sea hit her. She took a deep breath and walked through the garden. Only a few people were outside, catching a small respite from the gathering inside. She saw a couple giggling in the corner, but as soon as they noticed her, they hurried away and went back inside. In short order she was left alone, standing close to the railing, illuminated by the mage-light orb suspended on a long pole, that overlooked the entire city.
“It really is amazing.”
Kyarra whirled around at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice, involuntarily releasing a startled squeak. She found herself face to face with the young, golden-haired woman in the green dress she had seen inside earlier.
“I’ve never really seen anything like it,” the woman said, her green eyes looking at the city.
“What?” Kyarra asked, confused.
The woman turned her head to face Kyarra and gave her a bright smile that made her cheeks dimple.
“The city,” the woman said, gesturing toward it. “It is a sight to behold, especially from a vantage point such as this. All those little lights, like stars in their own right. Nothing like my former home at all.”
Kyarra turned her eyes to the city. To her it had always looked the same: like a prison. Yet, at the woman’s words, she did see the beauty in the view. “And where was your former home?” Kyarra asked without thinking. It was rare for anyone to actually approach her of their own will.
“Oh…” she said, turning to face Kyarra fully. “Apologies. My friend would’ve chided me for my lack of manners if he could see me. My name is Ashara Ravena, formerly of Amberhorn in the Kingdom of Amaranthine. At your service.” She curtsied expertly, then turned her striking green eyes back at Kyarra, holding her gaze.
Kyarra was so shocked by her exaggerated curtsy that she just kept looking at her. Then she saw the woman’s eyebrow curl in question. It took Kyarra a moment to realize what she was asking. Embarrassed, she introduced herself.
“I am Kyarra Con Aroch,” she said quickly. “I am pleased to meet you, Lady Ashara.” She didn’t remember an instance where she’d had to introduce herself. She was always introduced by others, or they had simply known who she was.
She saw Ashara’s eyes widen in recognition. “Ah… I have always wanted to meet the Eternal Soul.” She clapped her hands in a manner that made her seem more like a little girl, and not the woman that had the entire gathering wrapped around her finger. It made Kyarra realize that she actually was quite young, younger perhaps than even Kyarra.
“So that is why everyone was leaving you alone,” Ashara said under her breath.
“What brings you to Tourran?” Kyarra asked awkwardly, trying to change the topic. She didn’t want to talk about her being the Eternal Soul.
A small smile from Ashara told her exactly how subtle her attempt at steering the conversation was. But Ashara went with it regardless, thankfully. “I am here trying to start a new life.”
“What happened to your old one?” As soon as she asked, Kyarra realized that perhaps it was a too personal of a question.
Ashara didn’t seem to be upset. “Let’s just say that I could not have continued on that path,” she said, vaguely enough that it was clear she didn’t want to discuss it further. Ashara leaned with her hands on the stone railing, looking down the cliff and the city below. “Compared to Amberhorn, this city is a true marvel,” she said.
Kyarra feared for a moment that Ashara was going to tip over and fall, but she pulled back. “Isn’t Amberhorn a city as large as Tourran?”
“Oh yes, but it is just somehow dull. Although I guess that that could just be because I grew up there.”
“That must be it,” Kyarra said lamely, and chided herself for not thinking of something better to say.
Ashara’s eyes glinted in the mage-light and she laughed. “It must.”
Kyarra felt her cheeks warm at that. She really needed far more practice in making small talk. But, in her defense, very few people actually wanted to engage with her. This woman was the first in a very long time who had so much as tried—and Kyarra was at a loss as to why Ashara even wanted to speak with her.
“So, why are you out here all alone?” Ashara asked.
“I needed a break from the crowd,” Kyarra answered.
Ashara put a hand on Kyarra’s elbow. “I know exactly what you are talking about,” she said, then moved closer. “A few of the older Lords tried to dazzle me with stories of their youth! And I am fairly certain that they were just inventing things to impress me,” Ashara whispered conspiratorially.
A chuckle escaped Kyarra before she even realized it. “Yes, the nobility can be…tiring.”
“That they are,” Ashara told her, casting her eyes back toward the doors that led back inside. A few people were looking their way, but were also trying to be inconspicuous. “Thankfully it looks like none of them are brave enough to bother me here.” Her eyes turned back and narrowed at Kyarra—and, slowly, she saw Ashara’s face take on a scheming expression. “Oh, I think that I know exactly how to make sure that they don’t bother me for the rest of the night.”
Kyarra watched as Ashara hooked their arms and led her back to the gathering before she could even form a word of protest.
* * *
Kyarra spent the rest of the night walking hand in hand with the strange woman from Amaranthine. And just as she had suspected, once she had been seen standing close to Kyarra, no one bothered her. Nevertheless, she did lead Kyarra from group to group, making small talk. It was the first time Kyarra had seen them so relaxed around her. But of course, that was all Ashara’s doing. Kyarra had learned that Ashara was working for Lord Olos’s merchant house, and had watched as she expertly talked about the business in one breath and made the people around her laugh in another. It was amazing to watch
, actually. Kyarra had never met anyone quite like her, someone from far away who was so beautiful and shone so brightly. It filled the part of Kyarra that dreamed about seeing other lands, and she soaked up Ashara’s stories of Amaranthine, her homeland, and the encounters she had with people from all over the world.
She envied Ashara the ways she could make men melt with just a look, or a smile, or a sway of her hips, all while still keeping all her mystery and never seeming to be loose. Kyarra had none of her charms, nor any of her skill in speechcraft. She couldn’t help but be pulled into the mood she projected all around her; and she kept Kyarra engaged, making sure that conversations around them included her as well. She made her feel appreciated, and as the night continued, Kyarra had even spoken to people she had never even spoken with before. She had fun, she had to admit, for the first time in a long time. By the end of the night she was sad to leave Ashara’s side.
“Well, Lady Kyarra, this seems like the end of the night. I have had a very good time. Thank you,” Ashara said as they were leaving the palace.
“It is I who should thank you. I can’t remember the last time I had been so entertained during one of these gatherings. Actually, no—I do remember. It was never,” Kyarra said with a smile.
“Then I am glad to have helped,” Ashara said with a smile of her own. “Hopefully I will see you at the next gathering?”
“The next gathering is the King’s feast in a few days. But the invitation list for that event is sadly much smaller than this one,” Kyarra said lamely.
“Too bad,” Ashara said, clearly disappointed. “Perhaps sometime after, then.”
“Or you could come with me?” Kyarra asked. Ashara raised her eyebrows at that, and Kyarra realized what she had just said. “No! I didn’t mean it like that—”
“Sure! Being Eternal Soul’s companion to the feast could be…entertaining,” Ashara said, giving Kyarra a knowing smile.
