The Realms of Ethair (24 page)

Almost everyone had acquired minor injuries,
except the stranger with Arturion’s face. His hair was caked with
blood and the aura around his head was muddy in color.

“
Uncle.” Mindy ran to Reno’s
side.

Meanwhile, Sentries materialized,
surrounding Reno’s group. Their very presence was a warning. There
was no need to display weapons when they have direct access to the
magic within their realm.

“
You take too many liberties from your
connection with Liyanna, Commander,” Pellinor’s voice rang in the
vicinity.

Not a single person moved except for the
Rituvan. He stepped forward and raised a fist over his heart in
greeting. “Liyanna.”

“
Captain. Call off your men, please,”
Liyanna said. Kelor-dan suddenly appeared beside her, a more
efficient way to signal the Sentries to be at ease. They melded
back into the shadows as silent as they had come. Their
consciousness remained within the palace grounds. It was the most
Liyanna and her company would enjoy for privacy within the
forest.

Forgive them, Liyanna. My
people are not used to having so many humans in our home,
Kelor-dan said.

They’re just doing their job. I’m the one
causing more trouble for you.

The Prince gazed at the unexpected gathering.
A faerie appeared on his shoulder.

“
Bring our guests to the chambers at the
west wing. See to it that they are provided with medical
assistance, refreshments, food, fresh clothes and a bath,” he
instructed his tiny subject. To the Guards, he said: “Greetings,
Halflings. May peace continue to reign between our peoples.
Prosperity and good fortune shine upon you.”

“
As do yours, Your Majesty,” Reno
said.

“It is almost midnight. I suggest that
everyone retire. My little friend here will show you to your
rooms.”

“
Forgive my forwardness, Majesty but I
would like to speak with Liyanna first.”

“You may have an audience with Liyanna by
morning; unless your message is urgent, Commander?”

Reno acquiesced. He urged the man
assisting him to follow the faerie ahead of them. As they turned to
a corner, his gaze met Liyanna’s and dropped to the necklace around
her neck. Absently, her hand clasped the crystals he had given to
her earlier.

The cut of the stone in her hand felt
familiar. A memory tugged in her mind of a day in the family
archives. She realized then to whom it belonged to. Arturion would
never have parted with it…

Kelor-dan steered her inside. A thumb
brushed a tear from her cheek. Numb with shock, a part of her
wondered why her eyes felt so heavy. The world spun and then she
was falling.

Arms caught her and lifted her.

“
Forgive me, Liyanna.” The Prince sounded
very far away. She struggled to stay awake but the pull of sleep
was too strong. Finally, she succumbed to oblivion.

He still did not trust the Rituvan and neither did
Kelor-dan. Time had not dimmed the memories of the past – of Alena.
Their lives have been intertwined ever since she was hailed as the
first Liyanna. In fact, Pellinor remembered more as the days went
by. Having
the new
Liyanna in the forest would have been welcoming if her new
appearance was not a constant reminder of her ancestress. He was
torn between regret and longing for what was lost and what could
have been and anger against the Rituvan.

His respect towards Kelor-dan rose a
notch. The Prince showed better self-control than him.

Pellinor watched him carry a defenseless
Liyanna to her bedroom and tuck her in bed. Her face was too serene
as she slept. It was normally the case for people who have been
induced to sleep.

“
You can’t stop her,” he said after making
sure they were alone.

“She needed the rest. All this excitement
will bring nothing good for her nor for any of us.”

“Then, you will not stop her.” Pellinor
frowned, puzzled.

“
Truth is drawn to Liyannas. We have known
this fact for eons. We can only prepare her for what is to
happen.”

“
Kelor-dan, when she finds out your
deception—”

“Under different circumstances, I prefer to
shield her from the harsh realities she has to face as Liyanna. Be
ready for my summons.” Kelor-dan handed the Captain the scroll
bearing the Prince’s seal, an eagle holding a sword in its
talons.

“
Kelor-dan, I don’t think I like this plan
of yours.”

“
You have days to master your emotions and
to remind yourself that Liyanna is not her. Alena is long dead and
the memories she left behind will soon fade,” he said, not
unkindly. “Good night, Pellinor.”

“
Good night.” Reluctantly, Pellinor slipped
the paper in his sleeve.

Liyanna
was restless despite her busy schedule meditating and
studying history, politics, ethics and the arts, that training in
Indariki became a regular outlet. Her energy spent at the end of
the day, there was almost no room for thinking about personal
affairs. She had seen Reno the morning after he and his Guards
arrived at her doorstep. He had reported that Arty had been
captured by the Zertans’ men. He was sure of it now but the rescue
mission could not be executed. The Council had blocked travel to
lower dimensions.

A hard shove on her shoulder sent her
sprawling to the ground. The Rituvan, her new Indariki teacher, did
not offer to help her up.

“You are not yourself today, Liyanna.
Distraction in the middle of battle can cost more than your
life.”

Returning to her feet, she took position
several yards from her teacher. She heaved a breath, opened her
awareness to her surroundings and focused on her opponent. They
bowed to each other. Then, the Rituvan advanced soundlessly and
with surprising speed that Liyanna only had time to block and dodge
his relentless assault. A fist went past her defenses and stopped
short at her temple.

“Liyanna. You cannot continue defending
yourself. You must learn to counter your opponent’s attacks.”

“I can’t.”

The Rituvan waited.

“What if I accidentally kill someone?”

“In a fight, it is either you live or you
die.” He was talking about the Bloodbath in Gurmageheim, one of the
most brutal incidents in the Atlantean wars. He and three of his
compatriots lived to warn their allied kingdom of the incoming
attack.

“
Is that where you got your scar?” she
asked without thinking. The Rituvan didn’t like talking about the
war. Many people he knew and loved were taken from him. Before she
could apologize, the Rituvan returned to his position.

“Let us make a deal. I shall answer your
question if you can force me to use my left hand.”

“There would be no time limit or number of
moves allowed?”

An affirmative.

The Rituvan’s stance was open. If he had
offered this bargain at an earlier time, she would have
underestimated her opponent. Liyanna walked towards him slowly,
gradually increasing in speed, while she gathered energy within her
core. Her subconscious, however, was telling her to rethink her
strategy. When she pushed it away, a vision came unbidden, forcing
her to a halt.

The ground shifted underneath her weight.
Looking down, she saw sand stuck between her toes. A man, stripped
to his waist, stood opposite her. He bent down and touched the
ground with the flat of his palm. Symbols formed in the sand and
disappeared. She felt a tingling sensation and found the symbols
glowing momentarily on her skin. When it vanished completely, she
spread her arms upward. Similar figures appeared in the air and
dimmed. It reappeared on the man’s torso and sank into his skin.
They closed the distance between them. Her breath hitched as she
realized what the ritual meant. The man’s face changed to
Arturion’s. He spoke softly in the Old Tongue.

The scene vanished. Liyanna was back in
the present. In her hand lay Arturion’s pendant. It glowed as
images flashed before her. An island; a research facility; a
laboratory; Merleinans suspended inside liquid-filled glass tanks;
Arty.

The world spun around her. She had returned
to the man from her earlier vision. They were performing Indariki.
He was positioned behind her. Almost touching, they moved as one. A
hand slash; a back step right foot, then left; turn; a step
forward; a high kick then low; retreat; a twist in midair; and
kick.

She woke to the present with the Rituvan
pinned to the tree. His left arm blocked her right foot from his
throat. Liyanna lowered her leg and moved back. She couldn’t
remember what had happened. Was her vision somehow connected to her
teacher’s defeat? Her eyes strayed to the scar. A memory resurfaced
of his face bleeding from a long gash on his cheek.

“Did I hurt you?”

The Rituvan gazed at her quizzically.

“I just – I have to go.” She bowed to her
mentor. Without waiting to be dismissed, she stepped out of the
training area and headed towards the audience chamber.

The corridors usually filled with
courtiers were empty. It was still early in the morning, the part
of the day most Devatas devoted their time outdoors, except for the
palace staff and the Sentries. The chamber Liyanna approached was
guarded by two stoic Devatas. On a regular day, she would have
passed them by without being intercepted. Today, their spears
blocked the entrance.

“I wish to see the Prince.” The Sentries
would not meet her gaze. “It’s important that I speak with him.
Please.”

“
The Prince has a private interview with an
important guest. He has forbidden anyone to disturb
them.”

“
When can I see him?”

No response. They had resumed their initial
stance and stared past her. Disappointed, she turned about and
walked away.

Liyanna
sensed their gazes at her back. Once she turned to
a corner, she made sure no one had followed her and sneaked into a
dark alcove. She crouched low and focused on her goal.

She was in another alcove hidden from view by
a large flowering plant. Voices echoed in the huge chamber. The
predominant was not familiar. Its tone authoritative, teasing and,
like any Devata, melodious.

“
Your continued absence in the High Court
has been noted, Kelor. The High King himself has sent me to see if
things are going smoothly in your little kingdom,” the visitor
said.

“That is kind of him. I hope their Majesties
are in good health.”

“Well enough to have heard of the Liyanna in
your keeping.”

“Ah.”

“Yes, ah. The whole Court has been abuzz of
when you’ll be bringing her to see the rest of our Folk. It’s not
usual of you to make so little progress when it comes to
women.”

“Things are,” he paused, “complicated.”

“
Where have I heard that before? Oh, yes. I
remember now. It was unfortunate you never told her,” the woman
said, wistfully. “But after her, you became the favorite of the
female population. Even Mother loves you.”

“Cousin.”

“
Kelor-dan. A prince cannot rule alone. It
is time for you to marry.”

“Is this why you are here? Pray tell. Who is
the next Devata they have in mind for me?”

“This is a serious matter, Kelor. Marry the
person you wish to share your life with while you still can. If you
make their Highnesses wait too long, you must be prepared to accept
anyone they have selected or risk losing their favor.”

“That is a frightening prospect.”

“
I am reminding you what my parents are
capable of. It’s extraordinary how lenient they are toward you. But
now that Liyanna is in our midst, things are about to
change.”

At the mention of her name, she became
curious. Liyanna strained to hear the rest of the conversation when
an eagle swooped low and screeched. A few moments later, a hand
swept her plant to the side.

“
You didn’t tell me hide-and-seek is in
fashion again, Kelor.” Liyanna stared at blue eyes that danced
mischievously at her. “We might as well be introduced.” The blue
eyes were directed at Kelor-dan to make the
introductions.

Princess Elloria was petite for a Devarian
but her size was greatly compensated by her beauty. She smiled
warmly at Liyanna and held her hand.

“
I have heard many tales about you. Never
have they spoken how pretty you are. Yet, you are not as delicate
as they say,” she added as an afterthought, eyeing Liyanna’s
clothes.

“I’ve been training.”

“
It must be very important that you had to
dash here and sneak past the Sentries.” Both royalties looked at
her. Liyanna could not broach the subject with the Princess around.
The visitor, however, sensed her discomfort and excused herself in
search of entertainment.

“
You remember,” Kelor-dan spoke after the
door closed behind the Princess’s receding back.

“Why? Why did you do it?” The tip of the
pendant she clutched bit into her skin.

“
It was necessary.”

The door swung open, admitting Pellinor. He
glanced at her and said, “My lord, is it time?”

“You know what to do.” Kelor-dan rose to his
feet.

“
Where are you going?” Liyanna had grabbed
the Prince’s sleeve. Pellinor’s stance shifted but she had gone
beyond the point of caring.