The Fateless: Errata

by Seri Anne Lynn

  “Tatyana, you too?” Tybor accused, “I dought at leas’ you’s had better sense!”

  “Hey, wait a minute,” Rowen’s temper flared, thinking the last person Tybor should yell at was Tat who didn’t even want to go in the first place. “We’ve got as much right to be here or anywhere – just as much as you do!”

  “You’n says you’d stay put. I wouldn’a left if I dought fer one-minute you’n woul’ break yer promise an’ go puttin’ yerself in harm’s way.”

  “Harm’s way? We’re barely a block from the inn!”

  “Dat dun matter. Yer not where ya says you’n be. Dat’s as good as lyin’. And dis makes da second time you’s dun lied ta me.”

  Tat, feeling the tension in the air stepped closer to Aidan who was noticing that they were attracting attention.

  “Uhm, guys, maybe this isn’t the best place to be discussing this,” Aidan reminded them as several onlookers stared attentively.

  “I agree. Back to da inn now!” Tybor commanded, and the three of them decided it was probably better to go than to have it all out right here in the middle of the street.

  “I never dought you’s three coul’ be so stupid! I so dissapoin’ed in all of you’n,” Tybor slammed the room door behind them.

  The short walk back gave Rowen the chance to calm his tone down, but it seemed to have the opposite effect on Tybor. This alarmed him. He had seen Tybor become frustrated before, like when he messed up in the past on things Tybor instructed such as tracking and setting traps, but he never seen him this upset.

  “We were being careful,” Rowen attempted to rationally defend them.

  “Naw. Caref’l woulda been doin’ whatcher tol’ an’ stayin’ put.”

  “We’re not kids even if you think we are. And we’re not soldiers you can order around!”

  “Naw, you’s righ’ dere. If you’s one of mine un’er my comman’ an’ disobey an order, you wouldn’ be arguin’ da fact, you jus’ fin’ yerselves whipped or ya’s jus’ wouldn’a be here no mores! But, as fer not bein’ kids an’ all; sorry Hoss. Like I tol’ you’s. Yer amma says keep ya safe when you’s gots here, an’ das what I doin’.

  “An’ as fer you o’er two,” he hesitated for a moment looking in their direction, wondering if he should say it. “I got orders ta keep ya safe too. Dis worl’s a dangerous place. Not some place ta go lookin’ aroun’ like yer on some kin’a vacation.”

  “We were being safe! Nothing happened. So, what’s the problem?” Aidan summoned the courage to speak up. He felt guilty, even though he wasn’t happy that he was also being subjected to a lecture just because he wanted to get out of the room for a bit.

  “Why can’t you’n jus’ take my word fer once!” Tybor yelled. “Look, da Annokai are on yer tail. It’s bad ‘nuff we gots da Devotees an’ Myrr ta worry ‘bout, but someone dun gone an’ alerted da Annokai.”

  “The Annokai,” Rowen repeated, almost in a whisper, deciding perhaps he’d better sit down on the bed.

  “What’s that?” Aidan knew he’d heard the word before, just not sure when or what it was about.

  “The soldiers of the Gods,” Tat choked out, “the Errata... eradicators.”

  “How do you know that dude? Did you see ‘em? How do you know they are looking for us? Man...” Rowen’s voice trembled with fright.

  Tybor shook his head, “When I’s went to petition an audience wid da Ceil I heard one askin’ aroun’ ‘bout an elf escortin’ some human kids. I dought dough, I dought you’n woul’ be safe an outta sight stayin’ in dis room. Ya know? In here, like you’s said you’d be. I’s had no reason ta worry, or so I dought!”

  “Ok, we get it. It’s really dangerous to be out without you.” Rowen admitted.

  “Ya damn straight it is! Like I tol’ ya, I’m da adult here, an’ you kids better start mindin’ me.”

  Rowen rolled his eyes, he was sixteen; practically an adult, he hated being scolded like a disobedient child. His folks would’ve never sent him here alone if they didn’t think he could handle it. But Tybor did say his amma told him to keep him safe once he got here.

  This was Rowen’s first solo trip in the Notherworld, which meant she knew he’d be going by himself, and if she saw that, she probably seen all of it – her illness, the wyren, his failure, the Erratas, Tybor, the pits, the Annokai – all of it... and she knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it by himself.

  Emelda always had the gift of foresight, that was something Rowen knew well enough. She foresaw this entire thing and that had to be why she contacted Tybor.

  That must be why Tybor hasn’t asked any questions about her – he already knew about it. Well, if that was the case... then maybe he had made the right decision to stay with Aidan and Tat. Maybe this is what Amma wanted me to do all along.

  “All right. We made a mistake. We’re sorry,” Rowen tried to make amends. “We’ll stay in the room and not go anywhere without you while we’re here.”

  “It’s too late fer dat. I can’t trust you’n ta stay put now. Plus, I don’t have da time ta get to da appoin’ment anyhow, it’ll have ta wait ‘til tamorra.”

  “We just went a little piece down the road,” Tat slumped against the wall.

  “Which was righ’ out in da open. An’ prolly one of da worst places you’n coulda gone,” Tybor corrected. “An’ why was you’n out dere at dat market anyhow?” he focused his question at Rowen.

  “I dunno,” he shrugged, “why were you there?” Rowen tried to deflect the question back on Tybor who glared at him; and he regretted it the moment he asked. “We were just curious as to what they had was all,” he shrugged again, not wanting to admit it was so he could find a way back home.

  “Jus’ curious huh?” Tybor said, disbelieving, “No o’er reason?”

  “I dunno, I thought maybe… maybe I might find a map or something… something that would show me how to find some portals back home, maybe.”

  “Mhmm. An’ how was you’s gonna pay fer a map like dat?”

  “Well, I did pick up some sleight of hand tricks from the tribe...” Rowen chuckled, hoping to ease some of the tension.

  “Boy!” Tybor obviously didn’t think it was funny. “Do ya know wha’ dey do ta thieves roun’ here? Dey cut off dere han’s an’ feet. Is dat what ya want? How’s I suppose ta explain ta Emelda why her boy’s got no han’s or feet?”

  “Well, I was hoping I wouldn’t get caught,” Rowen added, knowing he was pushing his luck, trying to get Tybor to relax some. “No, seriously man, I’m just trying to lighten the mood. I wouldn’t steal anything here, I’m not that stupid.

  I wasn’t planning on buying it, I was just hoping to look at the info and maybe then go look for a gate around these parts. We’ve come a long way from Knottagin. I’m not familiar with the gates around here, and you know; I am worried about Amma and all, thinking maybe I should head back soon.”

  “Why you’s worried ‘bout her?”

  “You mean you don’t know?”

  “Know what?”

  “She didn’t tell you why I was coming here did she?”

  “All’n she said was dat you’s be comin’ by yo’self and dat you’d needed my help. An’ I need ta keep an eye on you’s an’ keep you an’ yer friends safe. I tried to ask for more information, but she said it wouldn’t matter.”

  “Man, I don’t know how to say this... but Amma...” He paused, forcing out the words, “She’s dying.”

  “Emelda?” Tybor asked, shocked.

  “I didn’t know that you didn’t know or I would’ve told you,” Rowen tried to explain, “she went into a coma. Mom sent me here, said the family was counting on me finding a wyren; ‘cause they think maybe the coma is magickally induced. I found the wyren, but couldn’t convince it to come back with me, so I stuffed it into a sack. It doesn’t matter though because it got loose and ran off.”

  “That’s when these two showed up, like they told you,” Rowen continued after a brief pause. “We looked for it a
while, but never found it or another one. I don’t know why, but I feel like amma would’ve wanted me to stay here and help them, so I did... But I wonder if I really stayed just because I’m too much of a coward to face my family. I failed Tybor, I failed Amma and everyone, and now I failed you too,” he began to sob.

  “Now none of dat. Yer amma woul’n’t want you’s ta be feelin’ like dat. You’s can guarantee she knew ‘bout all of it. Yer momma’s sure not da type dat woulda wanted you’s here alone, ‘specially widout Emelda. If’n she sent ya, it’s ‘cause yer amma tol’ her ta send ya an’ it’s important.

  “An’ I trust Fortuna woul’n’t want no harm comin’ to Emelda. She’s gonna be fine, you’s can count on dat.” Tybor attempted to reassure Rowen, hiding the fact that he wasn’t sure if it were true while fighting the want to find the nearest world gate so he could check on the love of his life himself.

  “So, you were just going to leave us!” Tat smacked Rowen in the back of the head, no longer able to repress her frustration.

  Rowen rubbed his head then cleared his throat, “well, eventually, yeah. I mean, I’d have to go back at some point. Besides you guys have Tybor here to help now and everything–”

  “At least you can go back. I’d give anything to get out of this stupid world!” Aidan whined, hurt at the thought of Rowen leaving.

  Tat turned away, doing her best not to cry. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. All of this... I’m the one responsible for all of it! I brought Aidan here and now he’s lost his seal and can’t go back. Rowen lost the wyren because I distracted him on the road.

  “All of it is my fault! I talked him into coming with us, that was my idea too. The storm happened because I messed with the order of things, so then we went to the outpost with Tybor and now he is stuck with us and now the Annokai are looking for us. I messed everything up, just because I was being selfish. I’m such an idiot!”

  “Dat’s ‘nuff of dat. All of you’n jus’ stop it. All dis blame, guilt, cryin’ an’ whinin’ it ain’t helpin’ no one much less you’s!” Tybor’s patience had completely worn through. He’d never been good with dealing with emotional stuff, that doubled when it came to children.

  “Rowen, boy, yer righ’ where Emelda an’ Fortuna wants ya ta be, an’ if yer here it’s fer good reason, so yer stayin’. Ya been down an’ angry at yerself fer a whiles now, an’ I gets it. Yer worried an’ mad at yerself an’ yer takin’ it out on me an e’eryone else, but e’nuffs e’nuff. Drop it now an’ I dun wanna see no more of it.

  “An’ you, boy;” Tybor changed his focus to Aidan. “Dat’s ‘nuff of dat whinin’ too. Yeah, yer stuck here in dis worl’ ya dun like or know much about; but lemme tell ya ‘bout somethin’ else I bet ya didn’ know. You’s was chosen fer dis. Did you’s dink of dat?”

  “What? Chosen? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Aidan stammered, not expecting to be called out like that.

  “Before you’s got here, ya had a seal didn’t ya?”

  Aidan shrugged his shoulders, unsure of how to answer.

  “Wells ya did. One of da Gods of Fate chose ya fer somethin’. Dey put you’s in jus’ da righ’ place at jus’ da righ’ time fer dis ta be happenin’. A God put you’s here. Each of youn’s, which means you each gots a part ta play in all dis, dat much you’s can be sure of. Dere ain’t no reason ta be complainin’ ‘bout it. If’n yer meant ta get back to da Otherworld, you’s will, but ‘til den, you’s jus’ migh’ as well gets used ta bein’ here.

  “An’ you Missy,” Tybor spun Tat around to face them. “You weren’ born ta dis worl’ but you’s been in it all yer life. You know how’s it works. You’s know dat if’n you’s decided to go to da Otherworld by yo’self an’ bump into ‘im; it’s for a reason an’ it’s not yer fault.

  “I’m sure yer ba an’ da taught you all dat. You shoul’ knows betters. Woul’ dey wan’ you goin’ aroun’ blamin’ yo’self like dis an’ cryin’ all da time? An’ do ya really dink dey sent you’s out here wid Aidan jus’ so you’s can pick up after him an’ actin’ like you’s dun matter? You’s smarter den dat. You’s got a good brain, an’ a good heart – so use ‘em.

  “All of youn’s do. Alla you’n are smarter an’ better den dis. An’ I dun wanna here no more cryin’, whinin’, complainin’, or anythin’ else. We’s got a mission ta do. An’ das ta get you’ns ta da Breah Dorn temples ta fin’ Serendi. An’ I’m gonna tell ya again. I need you’n ta do as I say widout questionin’ me, an’ if’n you’n do dat an’ put all dis petty stuff ta bed, I can guarantees I’ll get you’ns where ya need to go. So, can ya do dat?”

  “Sure.”, “I’ll try.”, “Yes sir,” they answered in very hushed tones.

  “Good, ya better or else...” Tybor didn’t finish to tell them what the ‘or else’ meant, and they were too afraid to ask the well-seasoned soldier and trained assassin to explain it. They knew he’d had enough of it; and he was right – they were being petty, and they had a mission and it was time to get serious about it.

  “Now’s I got a little coin left; I guess we should find some vittles er somethin’ ta eat wid it. If’n I go an’ get it, you’ns gonna stay put?” Tybor asked, changing his tone and subject, signaling to them the lecture was over.

  “Yes sir.”, “Mhmm.”, “‘K,” they stammered, feeling relieved that he was showing he was willing to try trusting them again.

  Chapter Twelve

  The Ceil

  “O

  k, now youn’s stay close ta me,” Tybor ordered, not feeling the need to double check that they understood. With the knowledge of the Annokai lurking, they followed his instructions to the letter.

  While the previous night proved to be a tad bit on the boring side; the three of them dealt with it without complaint, even though there seemed to be a lingering uneasiness between them. Fighting hard to swallow their feelings they moved forward with the mission to the best of their ability.

  Today Tybor figured it was best if he brought them along with him since he couldn’t afford to rent the room for a second day. At least this way he could keep an eye on them and wouldn’t have to worry about them putting themselves in further danger.

  “I need ta go to dat shop o’er dere an’ fin’ a gift fer da Ceil. Come on in wids me but stick close an’ dun go lookin’ ‘round. An’ Tat, you’s make sure dat cat of yers stays put in dat pack, las’ ding I’s need ta have ta do is pay fer damages if it goes ta knockin’ dings o’er.”

  Tat pulled on the cord that cinched the top of the pack tight, she knew Tok would be fine. When they were traveling on the roads before, the pooka kitten seemed to rather enjoy being toted around in one of their packs. Besides most cats prefer roaming at night, and as it was now daytime, Tok much preferred being tucked away out of the light where she could sleep comfortably undisturbed.

  “Why do you have to bring a gift when you visit the Ceil? And how are you going to get a gift? Aren’t we out of coin?” Tat gave voice to what the other two were thinking.

  “I’s jus’ do, an’ dun worry ‘bout it.”

  Rowen recognized the look Tybor wore on his face when he answered Tat; a faint look of guilt. Or maybe it was regret of some sort. Whatever it was, he knew there was something the elf wasn’t telling.

  After wandering around for some time in the gift shop that touted ‘unique and one of a kind rare items’ on a banner header displayed across the top of the picture shopfront windows, Tybor settled on a beautiful silver hair comb with ornate hand-carved roses on it. Covered with emerald gemstones making up the twisted stems, each rose petal had a single garnet at its tip.

  Rowen found it odd and very uncharacteristic that Tybor spent time on something like that, making sure the item was one of a kind and the finest around.

  When it came time to pay, the shopkeeper announced it would be 3,700 coin. Tybor reached into his pouch and brought out a scrap of leather with an unusual silver-copperish-gold badge of some sort pinned to it.

  �
��Ah.” The shopkeeper exclaimed, “I will bill the Crown straight away, just sign here please,” he asked presenting what looked to be a contract of some sort.

  “Ok, what was that all about?” Rowen dared to ask once they left the store

  “I’s been an Ambassador fer a lon’ time nows, only righ’ ta brin’ a gift wid ya when yer visitin’ ‘nother diplomat in dere territory.”

  “That’s not what I’m asking. How were you able to pay for it?”

  Tybor sighed, knowing he had to explain it or Rowen wouldn’t give it up. “Da Crown’s seal gives me some liberties, an’ works like an expense account at times.”

  “So you mean we’ve been slummin’ it and you’ve had an expense account like that this whole time?” Rowen’s anger flared again, but a quick glare from Tybor doused it rather quickly.

  “It’s not like dat, I can use it ta do dings like buyin’ gifts fer ceils, but not fer feedin’ an’ puttin’ human kids in cushy rooms. Gifts fer diplomats I can explain, human kid stuffs I can’t. Fer dat matter, unless it’s Crown related, I can’t even use it fer my own expenses.”

  “But an expensive gift like that is ok?”

  “Dat’s what I says. Dis ceil won’t want jus’ anythin’, she’ll only expect da best.”

  “Why do I feel like there’s still something you’re not telling us?”

  “Dere’s a lots I not tellin’ ya, but dat’s b’cause you’s dun need ta know,” Tybor answered, then quickened his pace, deciding the conversation was over.

  Rowen didn’t care for being dismissed like that, but after yesterday’s debacle he knew better than to get Tybor riled up again. He also knew that Tybor barely slept and had to be tired since the elf spent most of the night out on the lookout for Annokai.

  Rowen had no idea if Tybor encountered any; but it was in the early morning hours before he came in and settled on a thrown-together bedroll fixed into a pallet on the floor.