Soliyah closed her eyes, spread her arms, and took in a deep breath, allowing her body to rise to the edge of the water and float. She could feel the warmth of sun as its rays reached her exposed breasts and knees, quickly drying off any excess water. The juxtaposition between the cool water and the hot sun gave her chills, but it felt good. She could feel her long hair flowing in the water underneath her. The coolness on the back of her head was tremendously welcome after a long day of riding.
“Soliyah!” Zerik’s voice filled her mind. Instinctively, she jumped from the sudden interruption and lowered her body back in the water, for fear of being seen. As soon as she realized Zerik was simply communicating with her via their new and strange connection, she rolled her eyes. “Riders! Stay hidden.” Without hesitation, she slowly and as quietly as possible, swam towards the shore. Her clothes were laying on a rock a few feet in, her horse grazing in the grass a few feet from there. “Stay where you are!” He whispered harshly. Her heart quickened as she kept her breath steady and calm. Did she have enough time to run to her clothing, dress and draw her weapons? Could she run back to their camp quietly enough so as not to alert the riders?
“How many of them, Zerik?”
“I said stay there! Do not move!” She rolled her eyes and sighed. What felt like too many minutes passed by in silence. It seemed unfair that he could see and read her thoughts, even when she was out of sight, while she could only read his thoughts when she touched him, or he projected them to her. Very slowly and quietly, she walked onto shore and dressed herself. “They don’t know you’re here,” his thoughts interrupted. “I will go with them. To keep you safe.” Soliyah hurried to get her final garments on and run. “No!” He practically yelled. She stopped. “They don’t appear to be threatening.”
“Then let me reveal myself,” she thought.
“It’s too dangerous. Stay here. I will go with them, discern what they want.”
“I don’t think we should separate, Zerik.” She rolled her eyes, worried she sounded dramatic. But she didn’t want to end up alone again. She’d been alone for three years before they’d found one another and it had been awful. And then, she’d almost lost him a year ago when they’d fought the Riggans in Terim. Miraculously, through some sort of deep magic, Trig had saved his life, though he’d lost his ability to speak and it had created this strange bond between them. And though the bond was often a nuisance and an invasive source of irritation, it was almost familiar now, and it had some advantages.
“You’ll not be rid of me that easily,” he joked. “I’ll find you.”
”Or I you.” She smiled and swore she could feel Zerik was smiling too.
As the sun began to set, Soliyah grew impatient, concerned she hadn’t heard anything yet. She began pacing again, trying to decide whether she should go after him or not. She tried calling out with her mind, but nothing would come of it. Perhaps it no longer worked if they were too far apart, she surmised. But how far, she wondered? How far had these strangers taken him?
Her pacing was making her horse nervous. She needed to decide her next course of action. For the last year, she and Zerik were traveling south west to seek an audience with the High Counsel and it was imperative that they get there before the end of the Time of No Shadows. She looked up at the sky. Though the moon was still hidden, she could see a few stars. A sign, she decided. Should the stars give her a sign, she would leave immediately to find him. Should they not, she’d camp for the night and await his return.
Just then a star to the right brightened immensely, and disappeared. Soliyah nodded, accepting that as her sign. She grabbed what was left on the site and attached it to her horse's pack. Within minutes, she was on its back and on her way.
Time passed and her horse was leading her without issue through the dark terrain, following the tracks the riders had left. She reached her mind out every so often to try and connect back with Zerik, to no avail. Fear was beginning to grip her heart, though she pretended to ignore it. What if they’d killed him? What if she were doomed to wander alone again? She tried to shake it off, but couldn’t deny its presence.
She finally came to the edge of the forest and was about to walk out into the open when something made her stop. Was that giggling she could hear? She stopped her horse and quietly dismounted, keeping her hand on the horse's neck to keep it calm and quiet. The giggle-like sound reached her ears again. It was coming from the west, inside the trees. She found a low branch to tie her horse to and began creeping toward the source. As she got closer, it was clear it was the giggling of a young girl. She could also see a light bleeding through some leaves. She stepped closer and stopped when she heard a twig snap beneath her foot. She winced.
“What was that?” The girl whispered.
“It was nothing,” a boy told her, half mumbling.
“Stop for a second,” she pleaded. “Get off me.”
“Argh! What is it?” Silence. Soliyah moved a bit closer to see the outlines of two youngers in the bushes. She had to stifle a laugh when the wind pushed the leaves in such a way to create room for their lantern to shine on his bare bottom. He was standing there, clearly holding himself, while the girl looked on fearful, holding her loosened shirt over her chest. The boy reached out to the girl, taking her hand in his.
“Come on,” he urged her. “It’s fine. We’re safe.” He pulled her back toward him and she allowed it, her body gently falling against the trunk of a tree.
“How can you be so sure?” She asked as the boy pulled her shirt open and started kissing her breasts.
“It’s the time of no shadows,” he reminded her in between kisses. “How could anyone see us?” He kissed her lips and their mouths open and closed in unison. The girl finally pushed his upper body back.
“You’ve left the lantern lit, you crazed ninny.” She pointed to the lantern. He looked at it and huffed a laugh. He turned back to her, smiling.
“Crazed for you,” he said and began kissing her again. He suddenly stopped and walked over to the lantern. Soliyah was thankful his shirt was long enough to hide the rest of his mid-section. He bent down and extinguished the light. “How am I supposed to find you now?” He said, a slight whine in his voice.
“Quiet,” she pleaded, laughing. “I’m over here.” There was some stumbling and a whispered curse as the boy made his way back to her.
“There you are,” he said and she giggled. “Now, where were we?”
Soliyah could hear the noises of their kissing and moaning as she walked quietly back to her horse. Clearly, the youngers were not a threat to be worried about. Though, she figured it would be wise to keep her eyes and ears open should any elders be out looking for them. She led her horse away from the road before climbing onto its back. If youngers were running off to the forest to play, clearly, there was a village or homestead nearby.
She continued on in the pitch dark for several minutes, her horse guiding her through the terrain, when she came across the outskirts of a decent sized town. It was dark and quiet. As far as she could tell, not one home had a fire lit inside. She didn’t think it wise to yet enter the boundary and so waited in a small group of trees to the south. She sat near her horse, her body resting up against a tree, and closed her eyes. She hoped Zerik would reach out to her soon. He had to be there, she told herself. Where else would the riders have been from or going to? She tried to reach out with her mind, but found herself drifting off to sleep.
Soliyah stirred and felt an unbelievable ache in her hips. She was still curled up against the side of the tree and groaned as she moved to stretch her legs out in front of her. She could feel the sun was already out, though not yet high in the sky, and so avoided opening her eyes, urging her body to allow her just a little more sleep. She heard her horse shuffle its feet and give a short squeal. Despite knowing it might be trying to communicate something, she still couldn’t open her eyes. They felt too heavy. There was a slight hissing sound and then her horse snorted and she could hear it chewing. Finally, she forced her eyes open.
“Alright,” she said. “I’m up.” She turned to find a young girl feeding and petting her horse, smiling. Her long golden hair was braided to one side, the braid hanging over her shoulder to her belly. She appeared to be wearing a long undergarment under a brown vest, but it wasn’t transparent as most Soliyah had seen. Its cream color was quite clean, indicating the girl was either from a good home, or didn’t like getting dirty. Soliyah quickly stood and readied her hand to catch her dagger.
“No need to worry,” the girl said without looking at her. “I will not harm her. Or you.” She sighed. “I came out to feel the sun and could practically hear her belly rumbling for food,” she laughed. “I hope you don’t mind.” Soliyah shook her head, no. The girl finished feeding the horse another handful and then turned to Soliyah. “You must be hungry too,” she smiled. “Come,” she began untying the horse. “Mimsy will nearly have breakfast ready.” Without another word she began leading the horse toward the village. Soliyah wanted to protest but wasn’t certain what to say. “No need to be anxious or afraid. I promise.”
The girl led the horse as Soliyah followed. “You must be travel weary,” the girl yelled over her shoulder. “You’ve been on the road a long time.”
Soliyah scrunched up her face in confusion.
“How do you know that?” The girl didn’t answer. They walked the outskirts of the village for some time. Soliyah could see and hear people starting their days, including children playing in the fields. The girl finally turned, leading them to a mid-sized home with a large garden in the back. Smoke was rising from the chimney and three smaller children ran up to the girl.
“Rivelle, where have you been?” A young boy with yellow hair asked as he approached, smiling.
“You know Mim doesn’t like it when you disappear,” a yellow haired girl slightly older than the boy said.
“Well, I didn’t disappear, did I?” The girl named Rivelle smiled and bent down, lifting the boy and holding him on her hip.
“Mimsy! Mimsy!” A much younger girl with even lighter hair yelled and jumped up. Rivelle laughed, taking her hand.
“Silly girl, I’m not Mimsy. Let’s go find her.”
“She’s finishing up breakfast,” the yellow haired girl told her with a know-it-all tone.
“Sounds like I’m right on time then,” Rivelle continued walking toward the house and Soliyah followed.
A large man came from around the side of the house. He was tall, broad shouldered with the sand-colored hair on his face longer than that on his head. At the sight of Rivelle, he sighed in relief. Rivelle stopped just in front of him.
“Rivelle! How many times do we have to tell you not to wander off…”
“I’m here. There’s no need to fuss.” She put the boy down, released the hand of the girl and the two ran inside while the yellow-haired girl stayed close by. The man looked down at her and nodded toward the house.
“You too, Jesna.” The girl sighed and stomped away, into the house. “What strays have you brought home this time?” The father looked at the horse and finally saw Soliyah. Confused, he looked her up and down. Rivelle didn’t look back.
“I found them sleeping and starved in the forest,” she told him. “I was able to bring the horse food, but invited the stranger to break fast with us.” The man nodded and Soliyah nodded back. He looked at her sword and sighed.
“You’ve too big a heart for lost creatures,” he smiled, taking Rivelle’s hand in his own. He squeezed it and then brought it to his lips to give it a soft kiss. He gently pulled her toward the house. “Get inside and help Mimsy. I’ll help our new friend with her horse.” Without a word, or looking back, Rivelle nodded and left them. The man watched her go in and turned back to Soliyah, a slight smile on his face. “The stable’s this way,” he motioned around the corner and turned to lead the way. Soliyah followed until they reached the doors. The man didn’t move to open them so she placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. The man turned to speak and his eyes widened. He immediately put one hand up. “Whoa!” He said. “What are you doing?” Soliyah wanted to pull her hand away and apologize, but she didn’t. She was on high alert. She still didn’t know where Zerik was. How was she to simply trust these strangers? Each encounter she and Zerik had had over the last year they’d had to run or fight. The man kept his hand up and looked back to the house and back at Soliyah. “Please,” he begged. “Take what you want and go.” His breath quickened. “I have no weapons, no gold, but food. Perhaps a few trinkets you could sell in a market.” He was begging for his life. For the lives of his family. Ashamed, Soliyah immediately removed her hand from the hilt, lifted both of her hands and slowly lowered them.
“I don’t wish to steal from you,” she told him. “I thought you were going to steal from me.” The man lowered his hand and gave an uncomfortable laugh. He was clearly still unsure of her, and she couldn’t blame him. “I’ve not been met with kindness for a long time,” she explained. The man nodded and moved to open the doors.
“I’ve heard ‘tis the way of the world now.” Soliyah nodded. “Not here,” he told her. “Our town is small, but isolated and while some would say kept in the dark, I would argue our isolation allows us to keep in the light.” Soliyah nodded and stepped toward him. He panicked and took a step back so she slowly put out her arm in greeting.
“Vedra,” she gave him her alias. Though he seemed nice, she still couldn’t be certain he could be trusted. Truth was, it was just as much to protect him as herself. He finally nodded and slowly brought his hand to her forearm, taking it in his grasp. She did the same and he smiled as he felt the dagger beneath her sleeve. His eyes widened and then he laughed uncomfortably.
“You’re of the world, friend Vedra. I can see that.” He let her arm go. “I’ll not pretend to be comfortable with it.”
“I understand.” She nodded and he pointed into the stable.
“There’s plenty of room for your horse. I’ll wait out here for you, and bring you inside.” Soliyah nodded and led her horse into the stable. It was small and already held two other horses. They were small also, likely used more for farm work than anything. She tied up her horse away from them so as not to cause any issues.
“I won’t be long,” she patted her horse and it snorted. As she walked away, she felt her sword on her hip. She stopped and looked down at it. Perhaps she should take it off, she thought. She removed the belt and scabbard and hid it underneath the bags strapped onto the horse’s back. When she came out of the stable, the man was waiting for her as promised.
“Name’s Delig, by the way.” Soliyah nodded and smiled. “Welcome to Kolrest.” Soliyah’s ears perked. She’d heard that name before, but couldn’t recall where or when. “I’m famished. Let’s eat.”
Breakfast had been a delicious and satisfying meal, though the company, loud. Soliyah hadn’t realized how accustomed her ears had become to the silence she’d always experienced while traveling with Zerik. It didn’t always feel silent due to their new way of communicating, but her ears certainly felt the difference.
“Apologies,” Mimsy laughed as she stood and began tidying. “It’s near impossible to get six youngers to get quiet, let alone stay quiet.” She ushered the younger ones off and Rivelle stayed seated, smiling.
“Six?” Soliyah asked as she stood and helped collect the dirty dishes. She’d only counted four, Rivelle, Jesna, and the two littler ones she’d met earlier. Mimsy smiled and nodded.
“We’ve a grown son on his own now, and a littler one still in the back sleeping.” Mimsy and Delig didn’t appear old enough, but Soliyah knew nothing about such things.
“Crayick is here,” Rivelle suddenly said. Delig and Mimsy looked at her and then Delig out the window. He looked back at Mimsy and nodded.
“I’ll be but a moment,” he told her.
“You promised to help with the gardening today,” Mimsy reminded him and he nodded.
“And I will,” he assured her as he opened the front door and walked out. Soliyah placed the dirty dishes next to the water basin on the counter and turned back to grab more.
“Please, sit. You’re a guest.” She turned to Rivelle. “Rivy, wash please.” Rivelle nodded and rose from the table. Something about the way she did so, and walked to the water basin, appeared strange. She watched closely as the girl felt the parameter of the basin and felt for the soap as though she couldn’t see it. Once she had the soap in hand, she reached out for a dish, again searching as though she couldn’t see. ”She lost her sight about a turn ago.” Mimsy was suddenly by her side and whispering. “No explanation, just gone.” Soliyah didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t even noticed until now.
”Many feel it tragic,” Rivelle suddenly spoke up. “But one advantage is it has heightened my other senses, especially my hearing.” She turned to them, smiling. Mimsy sighed, walked to her, and kissed her on the head.
”But gone? Just like that? You just… woke up one day without any more sight?” Rivelle opened her mouth to respond but Mimsy beat her to it.
“Tell us where you’re from, Vedra. Such an unusual name.”
“Is it?” Mimsy nodded. “I’ve not heard Mimsy before either.”
“Oh,” Mimsy laughed. “Mimsy is not my name. It’s a term of endearment meaning mother. It’s often used in these southern parts of Serenia.”
“Of course,” Soliyah nodded. Silence rang in the room as Mimsy and Rivelle waited for her to divulge more information about herself. As before, the lies came easily. She remembered having used the alias before when she’d first arrived in Terim. She told the same story she’d shared that day. Mimsy listened attentively and smiled until the front door swung open again. Delig walked in, a heavy look on his face.
“Rivy,” he sighed. “Are you up for a session in the counsel’s house?”
“When?” Mimsy asked.
“Now,” Delig answered. Mimsy sighed. “It won’t be long. I’ve been assured.”
“I am happy to go,” Rivelle answered, already moving toward him.
“Of course!” Mimsy blurted, clearly annoyed.
“What’s happening?” Soliyah asked, confused. Delig began leading Rivelle from the house and Mimsy removed her apron.
“Jesna, keep watch of the youngers. We’ll be back soon,” she yelled.
“Yes Mimsy!” Mimsy followed Delig and Rivelle, and Soliyah was right behind her.
“What’s going on?” she had to almost run to keep up with Mimsy until they were only a few steps behind.
“The town counsel… often… call on Rivelle to… aid with….things…” Mimsy was struggling for words. Soliyah was completely lost. Why would a counsel call on a younger for help? What could Rivelle do for them? Curious, she followed. They finally came to a good sized building with a crowd forming outside. As Delig led Rivelle through the crowd and into the front door, others stared and whispered. Once the door closed, voices of all kinds and at all levels burst out. The crowd was loud. Mimsy stayed back and watched, a look of worry on her face. Soliyah turned to her.
“What do the counsel want with Rivelle?” She asked. Mimsy hesitated but then sighed and turned to her.
“When Rivelle lost her sight, she… changed.”
“Changed how?”
“Like she said, her other senses heightened. She could suddenly hear things no one else could.” Soliyah recalled how Rivelle had said she could hear the horses stomach rumbling. She’d assumed it was a joke. “We indulged it at first, Delig and I, because it seemed to make up for her loss. But now,” she turned back to the building. “I fear it’s gone too far.” Soliyah nodded. “The whole town uses her, for all kinds of things. They think she has some sort of magical ability.” Soliyah could see the worry in Mimsy’s eyes. She wanted to comfort her, but had no clue what to say.
“Rhiella!” A voice called from nearby. Mimsy and Soliyah looked out into the crowd and saw a woman break away and come toward them. “Rhiella!” She grabbed Mimsy’s hand and squeezed it. “Are you all right?” Mimsy nodded.
“Why has such a crowd gathered?” Mimsy asked. The woman leaned in closer.
“Apparently, the chasers and trappers were out yesterday and came across a lone traveler who cannot speak.” Soliyah immediately looked to the building, her eyes and ears sharpened, looking and listening for Zerik. “Or perhaps he won’t speak.” Soliyah tried to open her mind to Zerik again, but found nothing. It felt as though it were before the connection had been made, like it had never existed.
“What did he look like?” Soliyah suddenly asked the woman. She looked Soliyah up and down.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him. They’ve kept him in the Counsel House,” she turned back to Mimsy. “Though I don’t know why. It’s not like us to take prisoners. They must have found him threatening.”
“What will they do to him?” Soliyah asked, worry filling her heart and mind. But the woman simply shrugged. Without hesitation, Soliyah pushed her way through the crowd to the front door Delig and Rivelle had disappeared through. She opened it and walked in. A man approached her immediately, his finger at his mouth, insisting quiet. She nodded and covered her mouth to show her understanding.
“It’s alright, Rivelle,” a woman’s voice filled the room. Soliyah turned to see a small crowd of less than a dozen people looking up onto some sort of platform, where Rivelle was slowly walking toward someone. It was Zerik! Soliyah felt such relief that he was alive. Their eyes met and she could see anxiety written plainly on his face.
“I won’t hurt you,” Rivelle told him as she got even closer and reached her hand out to touch his face.
“Sol!”
“Stop!” Soliyah suddenly screamed, but it was too late. Rivelle took his face in her hand and they both went stiff. Their faces twisted in pain.
“What’s happening?” Delig yelled out from the floor. Suddenly, Rivelle grunted and yelled out in pain. “Rivelle?” Everyone seemed frozen in place, watching helplessly. Soliyah ran through and jumped onto the platform to Zerik’s side. There seemed to be a strange aura encircling him and Rivelle. It was faded, but white. Soliyah wanted to try and separate them, but the aura made her stop. What was happening, she wondered. “Rivelle?” Delig was at her side. “Just let go!” He reached out and grabbed her before Soliyah could stop him. He winced and immediately fell to the floor, silent, eyes shut. Everyone gasped and continued watching in horror. Rivelle suddenly screamed as she lifted her head to the sky. Her eyes opened and streams of light protruded from them. They were beyond bright and strong, making it seem as though they could break through the roof. Zerik continued writhing in pain. It seemed to go on forever until the lights in Rivelles eyes suddenly flickered out, and her eyes closed. Within seconds, both Zerik and Rivelle fell lifeless to the floor.
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Ⓒ March 2023. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.