Emerald- Good and Evil

by M. D. Grimm

  “Donations?” Aishe asked.

  I felt heat rise to my face, but I had no time to respond as Elissya spun around and gave Aishe the same greeting.

  “It’s so good to see you as well, Aishe. You look wonderful.”

  Aishe held her more comfortably than I had, but that was to be expected. He’d had a little sister.

  “I am wonderful, Elissya. And you seem not to have changed.”

  She laughed and looked back and forth between us, her eyes shining with pleasure. “I hope I haven’t. But tell me, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

  Before I could answer, she walked over and locked her front door, turning the “Open” sign to “Closed”.

  “I wanted to see how you were,” I said. “But I also wanted to inform you that we’ll be gone, and I don’t know for how long.”

  “Are you going on vacation?”

  I snorted. “Hardly.” I tried to keep my tone light but it was impossible. “I’m going home.”

  “Home? But...oh.” Her eyes widened again but for a different reason. She knew about my past abuse, at least vaguely, as she’d seen the scars. “Well, I hope it helps you, and doesn’t only bring you pain.”

  “I have questions,” I said as Aishe reached my side. “And my family, and I use that term loosely, are the ones with the answers.”

  She nodded. “I don’t disagree. Have you told Uzzie you’re going?”

  That secret nickname for our mentor never failed to make me smile. “He knows I’ve considered it. He agrees it’s time. But I need to do this alone.”

  Elissya’s eyes flickered to Aishe. I jerked my head at him. “Well, not completely alone.”

  “No one should chance such an undertaking alone,” Elissya said. “You don’t know what you’ll learn. I really don’t think your answers will be anything good.”

  “I don’t either, but they’re answers all the same.”

  She nodded. We were silent for a moment before I spoke.

  “I wanted to thank you, by the way, for sending that querian to Master Ulezander when the dogs of the council came to harass me.”

  Not long after Aishe and I had returned to Geheimnis after defeating Kayl, two enforcers of the Council of Mages, Dyrc and Nanna, had arrived and demanded I hand over Rambujek. What followed nearly resulted in my death as my magick was sorely tested. Elissya’s querian to Master Ulezander had saved me from taking up Rambujek. My mentor arrived just in time to tip the balance of the battle in our favor.

  Her eyes became troubled. “Of course, Morgorth. I didn’t like the questions they were asking, the things they were insinuating. And I know what the Council of Mages thinks of you. You can’t face them alone, not without Uzzie.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  She walked over and touched my arm. I looked down at her, once again struck by her beauty. Her light blue dress was tight around her figure, and her cleavage was modest while still managing to allure. A gold rope looped around her tiny waist, and a few small pouches hung from it. Her confidence in me, so steady, as it had been since our earliest years together, touched me more than it ever did before. There were times I thought I’d grown soft since meeting Aishe and allowing myself to love. But now I wondered if it was a strength. What was stronger than someone as powerful as me protecting those I love? What destruction would I wreak if someone in my circle of friends were harmed? What lengths would I go to, to protect them if they were in harm’s way? Was that a strength or a weakness? Their belief in me gave me hope, and I had to see that as a strength. Hope was the only thing standing between me and my destiny.

  “He knows how to play politics, Morgorth.” Elissya’s words brought me out of my musings. “He’s also respected, powerful, and tactful.” She raised an eyebrow.

  I chuckled. “All the things I’m not. I get it.”

  “You’re powerful, to be sure, but....”

  “But. I know.” I patted her hand.

  “Can you stay just one night?” she asked.

  “I don’t know—”

  “Please? I really would love it if you could see what your donation has done for us.”

  Aishe turned to me. “About that, what does she mean by that, Morgorth?”

  I blushed again, cursing inwardly.

  Elissya grinned and answered for me. “He sent trunks full of gold to pay for the repairs as well as lent us the muscle of some of his truls. They were quite docile, Morgorth, I don’t know how you managed that.”

  “We had a good, long talk before I sent them.” A talk that involved a few detailed threats of bodily damage, with examples, if they ate anyone in the town.

  “And why didn’t you tell me?” Aishe asked. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t approve?”

  I saw the hurt in his eyes and regretted it. “Aishe, this was early on, when I was still...uncomfortable with you and me. And, to be honest, I was uncomfortable with being nice or generous. I was still trying to be the villain. A villain doesn’t send money and minions to rebuild anything but his own home.”

  “And after? When your mind changed on that?”

  “I didn’t think of it.”

  He frowned, but didn’t look angry.

  “Sorry.” Elissya winced. “I didn’t mean to cause discord between you.”

  “Not your doing. But about us staying....”

  “I want to stay,” Aishe said.

  “You can leave at first light.” The hope in Elissya’s eyes caused me to waver.

  “Night won’t be far off.” Aishe touched my hand. “We can get an early start tomorrow and be at the shipyard by midday.”

  I was outnumbered. “Fine, we’ll stay.”

  ***

  Elissya showed us the newly rebuilt town, and I had to admit she hadn’t wasted my money or my minions. Not that I thought she would. Some greeted us or tried to hail Elissya, but none of us encouraged long conversations. The buildings were tall and much more robust and sturdy than those in Happy Valley. There was less variety of species living in Nisham, it mostly catered to seelas—non-magicakal creatures that produced mages, since mages were sterile—and the occasional dialen, like Aishe. But I did notice a small tribe of gVattaren, their short stature, green skin, and squinty eyes hard to miss. They were master thieves, and I made sure we gave them a wide berth as they passed us. Three morags, gray-skinned creatures and morose poets by nature, haggled over parchment and inks. There were various other species that came here to haggle or trade, with varying degrees of temperament.

  “Well, what do you think?” Elissya prompted as we stopped outside a pub where it sounded like a lively brawl was taking place.

  “It doesn’t look like it was attacked,” I said honestly. “You wouldn’t suspect the bastard was ever here.”

  Aishe nodded in agreement. Elissya beamed. Then, quite rudely, the pub doors burst open and a ball of tangled limbs, punching arms, and shouted curses rolled out. Elissya had to jump back or risk getting squashed by it. I raised an eyebrow at the stupidity and noticed Elissya scowl. She stepped forward and her magick rose, causing her eyes and skin to glow, and hissed a word. The ground suddenly jutted up, right in the middle of the brawlers, and it flung them away from each other. They flew a short distance before slamming back to the ground. Groans and slurred curses were their responses.

  “Enough, children!” Elissya stepped toward them, her arms crossed over her chest. It was impossible for such a petite beauty to look intimidating but I had to admit she was close. Her glowing eyes with hints of red certainly made one need a double take. The participants in the brawl slowly rolled to their feet, not daring to raise their eyes or give offense to their resident mage.

  “I think all of you have had enough of the pub today.” Elissya’s voice held a cold, sharp tone I completely approved of. “Consider yourselves banned from all pubs for the remainder of the month.”

  There were grumbles and some looked like they wanted to protest, but Elissya managed to stare them down. They all slowly shu
ffled away, and the witnesses to the events along with us nodded in agreement. Some, however, were wincing in sympathy for those banned from the places where most social gatherings took place.

  Only when normal activity resumed did Elissya turn back to us and allow her magick to fade. She blew out a breath and looked rather put out. “I don’t like that part of my job.”

  “Perhaps not, but you did me proud.”

  She smiled. “I should hope I did, I took a leaf from your book when dealing with stupidity like that.”

  I felt more pleased than embarrassed, and we returned to Elissya’s shop. She lived on the top floors and showed us her guest room before calling servants for food and drink. The evening passed quickly with good conversation, and I felt more at ease than I thought I would. Then again, it was hard not to be at ease with Elissya, she seemed to exude it in the very air.

  Aishe and Elissya carried most of the conversation, and I listened with pleasure, my eyes traveling back and forth between them. They were alike in some ways. They were both positive creatures by nature and tended to see the good in the world, while I always looked for the bad. I suppose it all came down to foundation: theirs had consisted of love and family, while mine with hate and agony. And I was going to dive right back into that world and sully my lover with it. My pleasure turned to brooding, and I stared down at my half-empty plate. I pushed it aside and drank the rest of my ale.

  “Do you remember that song we wrote when we were younger, Morgorth?”

  I coughed, nearly choking. Setting my goblet down with a smack on the table, I struggled to get my breath back as I stared at Elissya. “What song?”

  She giggled. “You know what song, don’t play dumb. I was just telling Aishe about all the fun we had as Uzzie’s apprentices. I don’t remember it being a very happy song, do you?”

  I wrinkled my nose and eyed Aishe. “No, it wasn’t. Considering it was about my childhood, what happiness could be derived from that?”

  Aishe covered my hand with his own, staring into my eyes. His showed nothing but compassion and love. Some of the tension brought on with the mere mention of the song began to ease.

  “You wrote a song about your pain?” Aishe asked.

  I shrugged. “Some write poetry to express their pain, I ended up writing a song. But Elissya wrote the melody. I wasn’t interested in painting at the time, or I would have done that instead.”

  Elissya rested her cheek on her closed fist. “I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject, Morgorth. But with you traveling back to your family...well, memories, you know.”

  “I’m not mad, Elissya.” No, not mad. I didn’t know what I felt at that moment. Part of me still wanted to cancel the trip and hide under a rock. Of course, I would never do that. I hadn’t allowed them to defeat me as a child, and I wouldn’t now that I was an adult. If my father had a stone of power, I would destroy him. I knew I would enjoy it, perhaps too much. What would I feel after that? I couldn’t even guess.

  “Where did you go?” Aishe murmured.

  I blinked. “What?”

  “You went somewhere.” He squeezed my hand. “Your eyes became unfocused. I hate it that I can’t travel with you into your mind.”

  I laughed genuinely at that. “Trust me, love, you don’t want to. Sometimes I can barely stand being in there.”

  “You two are so cute.” We both looked at Elissya as she smiled widely, her eyes shining, her face propped in her hands. The color was high in her cheeks, and she looked mighty pleased with us. “I always prayed to the Mother you would find a mate, Morgorth. I’m so happy she listened.”

  That stunned me. “You...what?”

  She shrugged. “Don’t look so surprised. I love you.”

  Heat entered my cheeks, and I cleared my throat, looking away, unable to form words. Her tone was so matter of fact, and it caught me off guard.

  “I’m glad she answered your prayers as well,” Aishe said, responding for me. “And I’m sure—if Morgorth could untangle his tongue—he would say he loves you as well.”

  “I know,” Elissya said with such surety, I could only stare. “I learned long ago to depend more on his actions than his words. He’s shown me he loves me many times.”

  “That does seem to be his way,” Aishe agreed.

  “Hey! He is right here,” I said, my tongue finally loosened.

  Elissya and Aishe laughed. I scowled.

  “Morgorth,” Elissya said a moment later. “Why the sudden journey home? I know there’s something you’re not telling me.” She looked back and forth between us. “If you wish to keep it secret, rest assured, I know how to stay silent on sensitive matters. I’m only concerned because I feel...urgency in you.”

  I glanced at Aishe who shrugged slightly, his way of saying it was my choice whether to tell her or not. I considered Elissya and knew I had no evidence to claim she wasn’t trustworthy. But I knew what her reaction would be if I did tell her. Did I want to deal with that?

  “I got a letter,” I said quietly. “It claims my father found a stone of power.”

  Elissya gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “By the cosmos! By the Mother! Master Ulezander—”

  “No.” I slapped my hand on the table and both of my companions stared at me wide-eyed. My hand curled into a fist as agitation and anger rose up. “This is none of his business. It’s none of your business. I’ll handle this as I see fit. My father, my fucking mess to clean up.”

  Unconsciously, my magick had risen with my anger, and I let it shine out of my eyes for a moment before I pushed it down. Elissya continued to stare at me, fear in her eyes. Aishe’s expression was blank, and he remained silent.

  “I have to do this, Elissya,” I said softly, grabbing hold of my control. “I have to. Can you understand that? Leave our mentor out of this. For now.”

  She nodded slowly and relaxed. “I can do that.”

  “Thank you.”

  It was an early night as well as an early morning. We said good-bye to Elissya with hugs and promises of visiting again. They were promises I knew I would keep. Focusing on my magickal speed, we reached the shipyard well before midday.

  Chapter Three

  Aishe

  I’ve never been on a ship before. I’ve never actually seen one with my own eyes. They were massive. Their sails fluttered in the wind, and their carved bulkheads were remarkable. I admired the craftsmanship required for such art. I’ve only seen the ocean once in my life, and that wasn’t a pleasant experience as I’d been kidnapped at the time. I stayed close to Morgorth as he easily maneuvered through the flurry of creatures moving in every direction. It would seem he’d done this countless times before. Cargo was loaded and unloaded, creatures of numerous species climbed up and down the gangplanks. Shouts echoed through the shipyard while cackling laughter sharply intruded now and then. All that cacophony of noise drowned out the gentle sound of waves lapping against the dock and the ships. I wanted to hear that as I was sure it would be far gentler on my ears than what was currently bombarding me.

  “Keep a hand over your coin pouch.” Morgorth glanced over his shoulder at me. “Pickpockets are rampant here.”

  I nodded and did as told. I also made sure my pack was secured on my back, and clutched my bow tighter before checking my quiver strap. I rubbed my thumb over the carvings on my bow. It was formed from black wood, and meant only to be used for the chief of the Ravena tribe. I was all that was left of my noble tribe and feeling their legacy in my hand calmed me. I began to notice specific things on the docks, and not just the pickpockets Morgorth pointed out. Fisherman held out fish, the scent pungent. Merchants also sold cloth, prices were haggled, and the ale and rum flowed freely. Brawls seemed to be the favored past time.

  Morgorth led us away from the crowded areas and down a few wooden steps where the land dipped. The ocean was to my left and the market and a few thatched cottages were to my right. The ships, I noticed, became steadily more ominous in their carvings and sail colors, alon
g with the emblems. I leaned close to Morgorth’s ear.

  “What plans do you have for us, my love?”

  He chuckled. “Easy, Aishe. I know these sailors. They’re pirates by trade but we have a cautious alliance. I’ve used them many times to gather rare ingredients and a few artifacts, all over the world. No one has better connections, and knows how to get things, than pirates. Also, you pay them well enough, secrecy becomes their names.”

  I wasn’t at all reassured. I moved closer to Morgorth as I eyed the black ships with their blood red sails. Their emblems were various knives, swords, or skulls.

  “Won’t you wear a disguise?” I asked as the thought hit me.

  “No.” His voice became firm with a slight edge. “I have to do this as myself. I won’t hide. I won’t be ashamed. I want everyone to know what I’m capable of.”

  I swallowed with some difficulty. Then I reached out and gently touched the base of his back with my hand. His muscles were tense, but I felt him slightly relax at my touch. I smiled. It thrilled me to know just what power I had as his mate. He didn’t allow many into his heart, into his confidence. I knew I was the closest to him, and it was a constant struggle to make sure I wasn’t a vulnerability to him. If Morgorth had a weak point, it was me. He’d even told me a time or two what he would do if I was harmed or even killed. I still shuddered to think about it. There were times I managed to forget the darkness inside him, since he was so gentle and loving to me. He blushed and laughed, and we made love so passionately that when reminded of his darker nature—the violence and horrors he was capable of—it was hard for me to comprehend. But I’ve witnessed some of his fury first hand and knew I allied myself with a mage on the edge.

  I’d done it willingly and with my eyes wide open.

  Morgorth stopped in front of the very last ship at the end of the dock. It was anchored a good distance from shore, and there wasn’t a rowboat for anyone to row over and board it. This one was black, with black sails imprinted with a grinning red skull, and a payshtha’s head carved into the bulkhead. It seemed to be of three levels and rather elegant in its structure. Unlike the other sailors, no one from this ship seemed to be on land. I could see a few seela bodies moving on deck, but couldn’t make out much else.