Dark Skye

by A R Maloney

  We made love, feverishly and rough at first. Then again gently. We lay together, intertwined. As I finally let myself drift to sleep the thought hit me. No, not a thought but a realization. For the first time in so very long, I felt safe. I felt as if I didn’t need to be looking over my shoulder at every moment. This felt right.

  Chapter 24 - The Proposal

  ~Skye~

  WE DIDN’T LEAVE HIS room until nearly lunch the next day, and then we just snuck to the kitchen and carried our plates back to his room. By the time dinner came around, people were looking for us. Kumar was the first. He apologized for shooting me all five times. Moments later Naofa was there grinning stupidly at both of us. Cole, Mera, and Sonarim came in next. Finally, we gave in and said we would be at dinner.

  Naofa grabbed my hand, pulling me out the door and down the hall. The cleric reminded me so much of Niera, not in looks at all, but in general temperament and her sense of humor. Maybe in the way she always seemed to look like she was carrying some fabulous secret. I could imagine they would be fast friends, should they ever have the chance to meet.

  She held her hand to my ear and whispered, “You know, the general has never taken any woman to his room.” She smiled brightly, “He was devastated back near Rockton Village, at the west gate in Savannah. In all my years, I’ve never seen him like that. We all thought he was going to go feral on us.” She stopped and nodded to me, a very serious look covering her face. “Lancer is a great leader. He’s had the reputation of being a playboy. But he had changed in the last few months. We didn’t know why. Now I know. It was you. Skye, you alone are the one that was meant for him.”

  Again, I was reminded of Niera, and for a moment, Cooper too. Now I know the truth, that he and my mother and so many others will never return. Not until their wings have been freed. I looked at my new friend. “Thank you, Naofa. I think I needed to hear that.” I smiled graciously at her. “Let’s get our plates and find seats.”

  While we ate my mind wandered back to all the ones I’d lost. As the room had filled, noisy conversations echoed, bouncing off the walls. Boisterous laughs rang out as stories were told. Lance had taken the seat on the other side of me. I had filled my plate with foods I recognized from my life in Lucenia. Each time my attention was diverted he would sneak something from my plate, replacing it with something else. Sonarim and Mera sat across from us, egging him on. I pretended not to notice until I bit into something completely unfamiliar. My tongue burned with the hot spiced meat and I sputtered as my eyes searched for my glass. I took a huge drink. “What the hell was that?” I slapped Lance’s shoulder to punctuate my sentiment.

  He laughed. “Is what I have to offer you too hot?”

  “Careful, General. You may end up learning firsthand about the heat I can return.” My playful warning was sharp as those around us began to laugh at our sparring.

  “I’ll take on your heat anytime, anywhere.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and his hand moved under the table to slide up my thigh.

  “Gods, did you not both get it out of your systems last night?” Cole shouted from across the room.

  My jaw dropped; did everyone know? Apparently, news travels fast here! Lance smiled smugly at me. Arrogant man! I gently removed his hand from my thigh, placing his fork into his palm instead. Then I grasped the end of the fork and smiling sweetly at him, I whispered under my breath. “Ignis mina.” I held his gaze, biting my lower lip suggestively as the spell began to rapidly heat his fork.

  He dropped it with a sharp yelp and turned his eyes onto me, feigning a pained look. “You wound me! Why, love?”

  “You said you wanted my heat, anytime, anywhere… remember? I was just giving in to your desires, love.” My voice was honey-sweet, and completely sarcastic. Naofa laughed so hard the tea she was drinking flew from her nose.

  Lance whispered in my ear, “I think I like you more every day.” Then he made a show of reaching over me as he picked up my fork and continued eating.

  Sonarim was still red-faced from laughing when she spoke up. “I need to let you all know, I’ll be returning to Espencheid today, and then I plan to visit DuPage again directly. Is there anything you would have me pass along to anyone?”

  I looked over to see Lancer leaning back in his seat. “Yes. If you don’t mind, I would send a letter to Eno, letting him know of where we stand. You as well know that I have already begun sending patrols to the Kauri of Morland and we are implementing the cremation of wings here. This will be a hard sell at our other fortresses and outposts, but perhaps with some creative shuffling of troops we can begin to build more support. We don’t have a central city in Ustenia, not like Plano to the Lucenians. Morland is the largest fortress, but perhaps this will be an advantage. It will be easier to garner support here first. I will have something written out for you tonight.”

  How I longed to see Niera and Company Damagus. My heart ached at the thought that I couldn’t go back… not yet anyway. “I will write something as well, but please, send my love to Niera, tell her that though my appearance has changed, she remains my sister. Company Damagus is still my family.” I looked over the table at the new faces, the ones who have taken me in and accepted me through this crazy change. “And I cannot wait until the day when they can stand together with my new family.”

  Sonarim nodded. Mera looked on wistfully, a melancholy mix of happy and sad, knowing her daughter was leaving again soon.

  I squeezed Lance’s hand and smiled. Hopefully he would be receptive to my next suggestions. “I’m ready to meet him. The magus.” Lance looked at me, cocking his head slightly as he listened. “And we need to organize. It’s good Sonarim is headed back. We need to work together with Company Damagus, and whoever else we can get to join us. Those wings in Dusk Fortress, they need to be released. We will be needing every one of our sentinels for the fights to come.” As I spoke, I realized I had gained the attention of everyone in the dining room, so I stood, placing a hand on Lance’s shoulder for support.

  “I have had the unique experience of carrying both bloodlines, Sonarim has as well. Well, even saying it like that, it doesn’t sound right. We are one, but not the same. However, we need to break down these walls which set us apart from one another. Can anyone think of someplace that could be used as neutral ground? An unused fortress? Perhaps a village which was lost in the wreckage of the Great Break? We need a place to come together, meet each other… to find our common grounds. I’m sure there are more of mixed blood. We need to assure they can make it to a place where their lives won’t be at risk solely because of their parentage. Think about it. We could reunite families.” I pointed to Mera and Sonarim.

  I continued, “We have so many sentinels who have been denied their return from the skies. Think of how much stronger we will be when we can finally have the numbers to beat back the Lluren once and for all.” I looked around the room, squeezing Lance’s shoulder and moving away from him.

  My voice rang out loudly as I crossed the room, “You have grown up in the forever-shade of Ustenia. I know this is your home and you love it, as much as the Lucenians love their lands too. But there was a time when we all walked in the sun, together. We can have this again. We need to try, or we will all lose in the end. Consider this, not because of who I was or who I am now, but because of who you are, and who we all can be, together.”

  I returned to my seat, trying to pull my thoughts back together again. I didn’t know where the words had come from. I’d never been one for public speaking, and for a moment I thought perhaps I’d overstepped my bounds. But as my gaze slid over the faces in the room, I could see the impact of my impromptu speech. Several small discussions were taking place at each table. As if to answer my unspoken questions Lance took one hand and Naofa took the other, they both gave a gentle squeeze.

  “You spoke well, my blue haired beauty.” Lance whispered in my ear.

  I released my hand from Naofa’s grip and slid it up into my cropped hair. I had forgotten
just how short it was. I finished my drink and picked up the empty plates from those around me and carried them to the wash bins. One by one I scrubbed each clean, moving to the next bin, then rinsed them again and sat the clean dishes in the drying racks. Others were beginning to get up, stretching and moving around the room. A line began to form behind me as others helped clean up after the meal. Others heading for the common room, to guard rotations, or out into the fortress proper.

  Lance approached with Cole, Kumar and Naofa. “Are you ready to see the prisoner?” His hand moved up to cover my shoulder lightly. “If you would like to wait another day, that’s fine. We will all be here to support you.”

  I nodded firmly. “I’m ready. I know he cannot speak; can he be given something to write with?”

  “Certainly, I’m not sure if he will comply, but we’ve been very gracious captors, once our judgment was passed and our punishment completed.” I followed them down the hall and then around another corner to a room where two sentinel’s stood guard. “How is the prisoner today?” Lancer asked the first guard.

  “He appears to be doing well, he’s been eating some and his wounds have been healing nicely. The cleric has been changing his dressings with no complaint. He is taking some soft foods, but still broths and juices mostly. He has not shown any aggression, although he is still very weakened from the punishment.” The guard stepped away from the door as Lance placed his key in the lock and turned it with a click.

  “General Lancer enters!” The second guard called out as we all filed into the small room.

  I moved to the side so I could see and leaned against the cool stone wall. The room looked comfortable enough. A real bed, a desk and a sturdy chair. It was spartan, but there was nothing he would need that he wasn’t provided. A heavy comforter and thick pillows lay on his bed. He sat up, gaunt, shaking from weakness, but holding himself as straight as possible.

  “Hello, Cyrus. Are you recovering well?” Lance’s voice was actually tender towards this one who had caused so much harm. I watched as he approached the one who had assisted in my murder.

  Seeing that man like this, wings clipped and forever silenced, hit me in a way I had not anticipated. I bit my lip as I watched the interaction closely. The magus, no not magus any longer… the man, simply inclined his head and shrugged, the motion pulling a whine of pain from deep inside him.

  “May the cleric inspect your wounds? I’d like to see that they are healing without infection.” The prisoner gave a slight nod of his head and moved to straddle the chair, resting his arms over the back for support.

  Naofa crossed the room and whispered a spell. A small white globe of light lifted from the palm of her hand and moved to where it hung in front of the prisoners mouth. “Open your mouth please, don’t stretch, I will be able to see anything I need.” The prisoner complied. The light shone off his rotten teeth. There was a deep hole where his tongue would have been. Naofa nodded. “It’s nearly healed completely. Now let’s see your back.” She gestured with her hand and the white globe moved to behind the man. “Tap your foot if this causes pain, and we will find an easier way to do this.” They had given the man a soft cotton tunic that was huge, much larger than any man his size would ever use normally. Perhaps it was more comfortable this way. I moved to stand behind Naofa as she gently raised the back of the shirt up to his shoulders.

  I caught myself staring at the jagged scars which extended down each scapula. The scars caused by the removal of his wings. My eyes began to lose focus and I felt like I was being dragged back in time. I could feel the sensation of the cold serrated blade sawing through my feathers, skin, muscle, and bones again, and I reached a hand to feel my own scapulas. I could feel the tendons and ligaments protesting as if they were being stretched and severed again. I began to hyperventilate and sank down to my knees.

  “Keep your eyes forward, please.” Lance commanded the prisoner, who flinched at his tone. Lance was in front of me instantly, his hands cradling my face. “You don’t need to do this today.”

  Kumar and Cole silently moved in front of me, creating a barrier to help shield my emotional breakdown from sight. I was barely holding it together. On one hand… this raw memory had hit me so hard that I wanted to send this man to his death. But on the other hand, this was the worst fate possible for any sentinel. I nodded my head and made it back to my feet, stretching and shaking my head from side to side, as if I could shake the visions from my eyes. “Is there another chair?”

  Cole nodded and opened the door, whispering to the guards. Moments later, another chair was brought in and set at the table. Naofa had pulled the prisoner’s tunic down, stating he was healing well with no sign of infection. “You may remain in the chair or return to your bunk for now, whichever is more comfortable. You have a visitor.” The man turned to look at me, unable to voice the questions which covered his face.

  I sat at the chair, trying not to look nervous. “They tell me your name is Cyrus. Is that correct?” The man turned the back of the chair to the table so he could continue to straddle it. I don’t blame him; it would have to be more comfortable that way.

  He nodded.

  “And you were in Droghel’s death squad?”

  He squirmed, but again he nodded.

  “Tell me, Cyrus, can you write?”

  Another nod.

  I turned my head to the others. “May we bring this man materials to communicate?”

  Kumar was ahead of the game, he pulled a pad of paper and a pencil from his chest pocket and placed it on the table in front of Cyrus, who nodded and picked up the pencil with his right hand.

  “Cyrus, I would like you to take a very good look at me. Do you know who I am?” I leaned forward, allowing him to see me clearly in the dim light.

  He did look for many moments. After several long seconds he shook his head and shrugged.

  I leaned back. Taking a deep breath to steel my nerves, I continued, “Let me tell you a story. Nearly a year ago you and your squad visited a small cabin at the far edge of the Great Espencheid Forest. There you came across a woman, a retired sentinel. This woman, you accused of being both a spy and a traitor. Another sentinel, a warrior, tried to intervene. You killed them both. You removed the wings from both of them. Can you tell me their names?”

  His eyes opened wide and his mouth moved as if he was trying to speak, but only moans and the puffing of air could be heard.

  I reached out a long-clawed finger and tapped at the paper. My voice was a sharp bark as I commanded, “Write down their names. They shouldn’t be hard to remember. Both served in your very company at one point in time.”

  The man picked up the pencil again and his hand shook violently as he scratched out the names on the paper. “Serafina and Cooper of Company Hellfire”.

  I sucked in my breath, letting it out slowly as I tried to calm myself. I glanced at the others, Lancer, Naofa, Cole and Kumar. They stood in silent vigil at the edges of the room, ready to step in should the need arise. I focused on the prisoner once more.

  I slapped my hand on the desk. “Look at me again, ex-magus, do you recognize me yet?”

  He flinched at the reminder of his lost gifts yet shook his head.

  “Think back, more recently this time. There was a fight. Droghel and you, and the others in his death squad visited a small village near Savannah’s Western Gate. The fight was supposed to be one versus one, with no interference. Yet you decided to break the terms which had been agreed upon. Think hard. WHO AM I?” I pounded my fist on the table, watching Cyrus startle from the force of the impact. “You killed me! You ripped the wings from my back! This pain you feel now… is nothing compared to what I felt as you bound me to that post and mutilated my body. You laughed as you watched me die.”

  His eyes grew wide as saucers and he shook his head in disbelief. He knew.

  I slammed my clawed index finger onto the paper once again. My voice came out as a deadly growl now, “Write it! If you cannot say my name, I want you
to write it. Now!” The palms of my hands were beginning to glow again, yet I hadn’t even uttered a spell. Before last night this had never happened before.

  Naofa was at my side immediately whispering a calming spell, pulling the heat from my body.

  We watched the man shake as he wrote the words. “YOU ARE SKYE.”

  “And don’t you forget it!” The words fell from my mouth in a roar. I squeezed Naofa’s hand, calm once again. “I had come here with the intention of killing you, but I realize that isn’t what the gods would have me do. Your work in this world is not yet complete.”

  The look he gave me was a mixture between confusion and despair. Death would be release from this. What he was now… was nothing.

  I looked to the others. “This one needs to visit the Kauri, tonight.”

  Nobody questioned me, Lance nodded. After all, he did say that the future of this one was in my hands now. I looked to the prisoner once more. “We will talk again soon. I will have more questions for you, and from the look of it, you may have some as well. For now, you will live.” I had no more words for this piece of excrement for the time being, so I stood and made my way to the door. “We’re ready.” I called out to the guards. The door opened and we filed out quietly.

  As we made our way down the hall Kumar stopped us before we reached the door to Lancer’s room. “General, I would like to make a request, please.” Everyone stopped. Kumar rarely used such formalities unless speaking in public.

  Lancer opened his door and ushered Kumar inside. “I’ll head to the common room to write my letter for Sonarim so you can have privacy.” Naofa and Cole had continued down the hall, so I turned to follow them.

  Kumar stopped me, “No, please, you may stay, if you’d like.”