Ascension

by Selena IR Drake

  “He wishes to know why you have sought us out.”

  “I thought Teka explained that to the man she spoke to in the woods.”

  I looked at Teka for an answer, but she only shrugged. I sighed and returned my attention to the girl.

  “I came here to find a direction, I guess.”

  “So you are lost?” The girl crossed her arms. “Why would you risk your life and come to Feykin lands to ask for directions?”

  “You probably won’t believe a word I say.” I sighed. After a moment, I rummaged through my satchel and pulled out the strange book. “I am being hunted by two Dákun Daju women, a high prince wannabe, and an ugly judge all because of this stupid book. It is written in runes that I cannot read. Teka cannot read them either, so we came here to get it translated and come up with a direction to take with it.”

  The Feykin girl betrayed no emotion as she looked at me. Without a word, she turned away to translate what I had said. The five Elders grew ever more shocked as the translation went on. When at last the girl finished, the Elders excused themselves and disappeared.

  “They have gone to decide what to do with you,” the girl explained. She waved her hand and muttered something. A stump suddenly grew from the floor. “I am called Thera, by the way,” she said, sitting.

  “Nice to meet you. I am Xyleena.”

  Thera’s intense gaze held mine, leaving me feeling awkward.

  “You…remind me of someone.” Finally, she looked away.

  “Who?” Teka asked quicker than I.

  Thera waved the question off. “An old friend of the family.”

  “I hope you don’t think me rude, but how did you learn to speak Standard?”

  Thera chuckled, looked at me again. “My mother taught me after she returned from her adventures.”

  “Your mother must have been brave to leave the safety of the isle,” one of Teka’s crewmates replied.

  Thera smiled “Thernu Onyx was brave, as brave as the companions she traveled with.”

  “Thernu? Where have I heard that name before?” I mumbled.

  Had Ríhan been beside me, he would probably laugh before stating the answer as if it were obvious. I lamented at that thought.

  “Thernu was the Necromancer who brought life to Amorez’s Twelve,” Thera said proudly.

  My jaw fell slack in surprise.

  “Wow!” exclaimed Teka’s crewmates.

  “I am honored to meet the daughter of a legend.” Teka bowed her head in respect to Thera.

  “But that happened almost four hundred and fifty years ago,” I pointed out.

  “Time does not flow as quickly here as it does beyond the island,” Thera explained. “For each year here, seven pass outside.”

  “That means only about sixty-four years have passed here since the days of Amorez and Agasei,” Teka’s crewmate explained.

  Thera nodded.

  I took a closer look at the Feykin girl. She could not have been more than twenty, which I found odd given the amount of time that had passed. Surely Thernu was not in her sixties when Thera was born.“Do Feykin age slower than Humes, too?”

  “I do not know enough about Humes to say for sure.”

  “Amorez was a Hume,” Teka stated matter-of-factly.

  “Yeah, but an immortal one,” I muttered, earning a chuckle from Thera.

  “That is true. In all the time Amorez spent here, she did not age.”

  I could not help but wonder about the Dragon Keeper. The false prince had called her out at the Festival, but she had not shown herself. How did he know she was even alive? “Say, Thera, do you know what Amorez looks like?”

  “Of course. Red hair. Green eyes. Sometimes wears glasses. Stands about your height.”

  That description reminded me of someone I had recently met, but I had to be sure. “Does she wear a white cloak, black leathers, and silver armor emblazoned with scrollwork?”

  “On occasion.” Thera’s brow creased. “Why do you ask?”

  I was amazed. The mysterious Judge Zamora and Dragon Keeper Amorez were one in the same! “You’re not going to believe this, but a woman by the name of Judge Zamora came to the Temple of Five Souls a while ago. The first day I really got to meet her, she was in black leathers and silver armor. She had a duel with Freya, the Wolf Demon subst– ”

  “Ah, dear Freya.” Thera smiled.

  “You know Freya, too?”

  “Oh, yes. Amorez’s entire team– Djurdak, Freya, Amorez, Moonwhisperer, Artimista, and Mother– spent many a fortnight here.”

  “I have never heard of Moonwhisperer or Artimista,” I said.

  “Moonwhisperer was Kadj-Aramil’s chosen name. He was the alchemist who also helped birth the dragons. Artimista was Kadj’s older sister and only surviving family member. Both were Dákun Daju.”

  “That is probably why I’ve never heard of them. Dákun Daju are often written out of Hume history.” I sighed and vowed to never forget their names.

  “I could get you one of our history books,” Thera said. “But you would have to learn the Ancient Tongue to read it.”

  “At this point I think it would be wise if I did learn. And I would love to read an accurate account of history.”

  It was then that the five Elders filtered back into the room. They eyed me as they once again took their places at their respective platforms. Thera stood and waited for them to speak.

  “Meoja ker dumakunga…” The voice of Thera’s uncle continued in a wheezy drawl.

  Thera nodded and turned to face me.

  “They have decided to declare you friend, and they have a gift to present to yo—” She spun back to the Elders. “Iríjhone Reshé?”

  “Vero, Thera.” Her uncle nodded, bemused. He pointed at me. “De wa et nena ni Amorez.”

  “I should have known,” Thera muttered and turned to face me. “They have a gift for you, Dragon Keeper.”

  “Dragon Keeper?” Teka and her crew exclaimed.

  My mouth fell open in surprise. Then the words of Zahadu-Kitai came back to me, You will begin to realize who you are then. After a while to recover from the shock, I said, “There is no way that I can be a Dragon Keeper. I cannot… I am not strong enough or smart enough. I couldn’t even protect the person I loved.”

  “I know you are Amorez’s daughter; you look just like her,” replied Thera in an obvious tone. “Besides, do you think Amorez was instantly battle forged when she first rose against Agasei?” She asked, crossing her arms. “She had to learn, and she lost many friends on the battlefield. It is not an easy job. It is, however, a necessary one.”

  Teka placed a hand on my shoulder. “She’s right, Xy. I’ll bet my boat that the guy chasing you is Agasei’s descendant.”

  “That would explain a lot,” I muttered, looking at my feet.

  Thera suddenly knelt in front of me. She extended her hand, revealing a gorgeous necklace. It was elliptical in shape with gold and silver filigree around an amber jewel that looked like the eye of a lizard. Twelve empty sockets were hugged by the filigree and appeared as if jewels had fallen out of them.

  “This was Amorez’s dragon eye amulet. She left it with us to protect until it was needed again. It is the key to summoning the Dragons of Light.”

  Thera clasped it around my neck, and a strange sensation of being tugged in different directions overcame me.

  “How does it work?” I asked, admiring the amulet.

  “I am not sure how it works. Amorez never said.” Thera stood and turned to face the Elders.

  They conversed in Kinös Elda again while I tried to figure out why I felt like I was being tugged in so many directions. Could it be the dragons calling to me?

  “Well, looks like we have a new traveling companion.”

  Teka’s voice called me out of my thoughts. I looked up to meet Thera’s violet gaze.

  “The Elders want me to teach and protect you while you quest for the Dragons of Light.”

  I slowly looked up at the
Elders, then to Thera. “Is seeking the dragons really necessary? I mean, why not just take out the bad guys now?”

  Thera gaped at me. “You said yourself that you are not strong enough. You will need the Twelve to make you stronger. Plus, what if your attack on the Dark Keeper fails, resulting in him winning the Dragon Diary and releasing the Shadow Dragons?”

  “With the help of the Feykin, an attack on him shouldn’t fail,” I pointed out.

  “We have no real reason to get involved,” Thera answered quietly.

  Her answer left me confused.

  “Agasei’s heir has made no move against us. Therefore we do not see him as a worthy threat to stand against him.”

  “But if he gets the Shadow Dragons he’s sure to wipe out every non-Dákun Daju. Isn’t that reason to—?”

  “No,” Thera curtly answered. “Chances are likely that he does not know the location of our home. Therefore he is no threat to us.”

  “What if you’re wrong and he does know where to find the Sorcerers’ Isle?”

  Thera shrugged. “Hopefully you will be on your dragon quest by then.”

  I sighed. “I think we should take him out of the picture now before he can amass any sort of arm—”

  “Why are you afraid to go on this journey?” Thera interrupted.

  I looked up to meet her gaze once more. “There are a few reasons…” I muttered, looking away.

  “Such as?”

  I sighed and stood up in such a rush that the guards jumped as if expecting an attack. “First, I just lost my best friend, and I need time to myself. Second, I have never seen the world outside the Temple walls. I would not know what to do or where to go. Third, I am not strong enough. And lastly, Amorez is alive, so I am not needed.”

  Thera shook her head. “The killing of your friend is reason enough to become stronger. Do you not want to avenge him? And I know that seeing the outside world is an exciting idea. I have never left the Sorcerers’ Isle, and I would love to see what lies in the world beyond. Amorez might be alive, but for some reason the dragons are looking to you to be their Keeper. Questing for them will make you stronger.”

  “Thera’s right, Xy. You need this,” Teka replied.

  Her crewmates nodded in agreement. I sighed and met the gaze of each of the Elders. They simply stared back. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what Ríhan would say at a time like this.

  Do it, Xy! Think of how much you could learn! It will be exciting! His voice echoed in my mind.

  As much as I wanted to fight it, I felt myself giving in. This quest would be to avenge him; him and everyone else that false prince and those Dákun Daju murdered. I exhaled slowly and opened my eyes.

  “When do we leave?”

  “Hope! You still continue to hope?” Kúskú laughed harshly, and lowered his head until he was eye-level with Amorez. Darkly, he said, “Hope is naught but a waking dream.”

  – FROM “AN ONLOOKER’S JOURNAL” BY THERNU ONYX

  I followed Thera out of the hollowed tree that served as the Elders’ chamber. Thorna had grown dark, lit only by more of those strange, floating orbs. Few people wandered the bridges and platforms. Night had descended quickly.

  I cast a glance skyward only to see thick foliage and no sky. Disappointing. Just when I wished to see the familiar constellations, they had become obstructed. That small comfort would have been welcome in this strange place.

  Teka’s voice pulled me from my reverie.

  “Return to the ship and tell the crew we will be staying a few days. I’ll send word should anything change.”

  “Aye, Captain.” Her two crewmembers left.

  “May I see the Dragon Diary, Xyleena?” Thera asked after watching the two men vanish into the darkness of night.

  I quickly pulled the old book from my sack and handed it to the young Feykin. She began to flip through the pages, and a frown etched its way across her features.

  “It will take me some time to convert these ancient runes to Standard. You are welcome to stay with me while I work on this.”

  “Very generous of you, Thera. Shíkai ja,” Teka replied as she and I followed the young Sorceress over a bridge.

  “Gratíe.”

  Thera stopped mid-step, causing Teka to almost bump into her.

  They both faced me.

  “Eo du capel ja nan lig Kinös Elda.”

  I stared blankly at Thera as she studied me for a long minute.

  “It ja hakaní?”

  I crossed my arms in irritation. “What?”

  “Xy, you said thank you informally in Kinös Elda,” Teka explained.

  “Really?” I uncrossed my arms.

  “You truly did not know?”

  I shook my head. “Honestly, I do not recall anything about my life. I am not sure what happened to me, but I was found washed up on the beach by the Temple of Five Souls. When I woke, I had no memories of who I was or anything. It is possible that I really do know Kinös Elda, I just cannot be certain.”

  Thera and Teka looked at each other then back at me. It was Teka who came out of the shock first. “Have you spoken other Kinös Eldic words before?”

  “Well… I have used heile pricé once befo—.”

  “Wait a second!” Thera exclaimed. “You have used magic before but you are not trained? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to attempt such a thing?”

  “I just repeated the things that I heard Ríhan and Zhealocera use, among others.”

  “Who is Zhealocera?”

  “A Dákun Daju warrior at the Temple of Five Souls.”

  I watched as Thera pondered over my words.

  “I did not know a Dákun Daju lived there,” Teka muttered. “What is she like?”

  “She’s actually really nice, but she can be rather intimidating when you aren't used to Dákun Daju like I was."

  “Though some Dákun Daju are adept with magic, it is best to learn from an experienced Feykin or not at all,” Thera said rather haughtily. She turned and once again started across the bridge. “What do you know of magic, anyway? Aside from the few phrases you overheard others use.”

  A voice from an old memory suddenly flooded my mind. I repeated the words as if I had heard them a million times. “There are three rules. One, the caster must know enough Kinös Elda to summon an element and command it. Two, the amount of magic summoned cannot exceed the limits of the caster or the caster will die. Three, magic, like most things, is best learned through time and experience.”

  “Wise words. I am impressed that you know so much.” Thera was silent as she led us around a platform. She stopped in front of a hut and pulled aside the curtain hung in the doorway. “This is my home.”

  “Thank you again for letting us stay here,” I replied as I followed Thera and Teka into the hut.

  “Luminös!” At Thera’s command an orb of light formed in the center of the room, forcing the shadows of night to retreat and momentarily blinding us. “Pox is late.”

  “Pox?”

  “My younger sister, Piper. Pox, affectionately. Please make yourselves comfortable.” Thera disappeared behind a curtain to another room.

  I took in the features of the room I stood in. It was so plain that I could not believe I was in a house on an island long thought nothing more than myth. I had imagined all sorts of magical knickknacks and instruments. Instead, there were only plain walls with a few shelves laden with books, strange crystals, and bottles. A long couch occupied one wall, and a woven rug lay on the floor before it.

  “Did you find these crystals on the beach here, Thera?” Teka asked as she admired a particularly large sample on a shelf.

  “No. Mother brought them back from a Hume city…Gesa, I think.” Thera returned from the other room, arms heavy with blankets, which she laid on one end of the couch.

  The curtain leading outside was suddenly pulled aside, and a young girl, no more than twelve, walked in. She looked similar to Thera, but her silver hair fell to the middle of her back, a
nd her eyes were jet black– the same as her wings.

  Thera frowned. “Ja lah tarlé, Pox. Da du la ja?”

  “Kíen la déoja?” The girl I figured was Pox pointed at Teka and me.

  Thera hissed at her.

  “Eo dur ir né et izvucí tig Tarik bó Valadri.”

  Thera sighed. “I thought I told you to stay away from Tarik.”

  “You are not mom! Stop telling me what to do! And who in the name of Régon are these two?” Pox crossed her arms and glared at me.

  “Xyleena is the new Dragon Keeper. And you should remember Teka,” Thera answered as she faced me.

  “What happened to Amorez? I like her. She should be the only Dragon Keeper.”

  “Silence, Pox! You’re being rude.”

  Pox pursed her lips in a pout. “I wish mom were still here so you can stop acting like a bossy ta– ”

  “Nan vocé!” Thera shouted, waving her hand in Pox’s direction.

  The younger sister stomped her foot and shoved her way past Thera. She disappeared into a room behind a curtain.

  Thera sighed. “I apologize for Pox’s behavior. After mother died, her attitude changed drastically.”

  “I understand,” I muttered.

  “It’s fine, Thera,” Teka said as she took a seat on the couch. “What happened to Thernu? I have not heard any news.”

  “She was on her way to Saathoff on Arctica’s western shore when a storm blew up. The storm destroyed the ship she was on. It has been almost a year now, and there have not been any reports of survivors.” Thera sighed and sunk into a seat on the couch. “Pox has hated me since. It wouldn’t surprise me if she turned into a Necromancer.”

  “This is where I get confused.” I said. “What is the difference between a Sorcerer and a Necromancer?”

  Thera smiled briefly. “There are two castes in our society: Sorcerer and Necromancer. Sorcerers use the elements in the world around them, while Necromancers delve into darker magic that often deal with curses, soul breaking, and the undead.”