Soliyah had tried for several minutes to break Zerik free of his trappings as quietly as she could, but it was impossible. Having to keep low in a moving wagon, without getting heard or noticed in her weakened state was far too difficult. Besides, what chance did she have of getting anywhere with him if he couldn’t move? He was too heavy for her to make a quick escape with. She finally decided to just wait.
The wagon stopped after what felt like hours. She wanted to familiarize herself with the new surroundings but was too afraid to open her eyes. When the driver and other passengers finally disembarked, and she heard them move away, she took the chance. She could still hear them nearby, but not too close. She opened her eyes to see a wooden roof high above them. They were in some sort of barn or hall, she surmised. Zerik still lay next to her. She hoped to the stars that he was beginning to wake and was pleased to see his eyelids moving. She slowly, and very quietly turned towards him.
”Zerik,” she whispered. He didn’t move or respond. “Are you awake?” His eyelids began to flutter and his eyes slowly opened. Confused, he looked around and began to panic until his eyes rested on her face. ”Shhhh,” she pleaded and he slowed his breath. ”We might have to make a run for it. Are you well enough?” Zerik tried to move but the yellow wrappings were too tight. His eyes once again panicked. Soliyah nodded. ”I’ll try and get these off of you.” She tried pulling at them, even biting down on a piece while doing so, but to no avail. Clearly, they were made of some material she’d never felt or come across before. She looked around for something to cut them with, relieved to see her sword strapped underneath the front seat of the wagon. She moved and sighed in relief when she felt the scabbard in her hand. She pulled at it, though it weighed a ton, and dragged it as carefully and quietly as possible. It took some time, but somehow, she was able to cut through a few strands of the wrapping. Gently and slowly, she began unwrapping him. First, his feet, which were bare, and then his shins. She heard laughter not far off and stopped, scared they’d be discovered. She looked at Zerik, his eyes filled to the brim with panic. He began squirming harder, trying to get out of the wrappings himself. She brought her sword up to his hips and cut a few strands. Zerik squirmed a little more and felt them loosening. He sighed in relief and continued squirming until he felt his left arm come loose. It too was bare, up to his shoulder, and Soliyah realized he was likely naked underneath the wrappings. But they hadn’t a moment to care as she continued unwrapping his legs and he freed his arms. He was almost completely free and she looked for a garment, something he could cover up with. She found what looked like a blanket rolled up by her feet and grabbed it. When she turned to give it to him, she was caught by surprise. There stood Zerik. All of him. Right in front of her. It was clean, tight, well-defined, and hairless. Hadn’t she seen hair on him before, when they’d tried to revive him in the forest? She couldn’t stop herself staring. He was…beautiful. Confused and somewhat intoxicated, she fell into a daze. He quickly grabbed the blanket from her, a stern look in his eyes. ”Sorry,” she whispered. Zerik ignored her and wrapped the blanket around his body, bringing it above his shoulder and tying a knot. He then looked at Soliyah with intensity, waiting. ”I…I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where we are, who took us, where they’re taking us.” Zerik shook his head, no, and brought a finger to his lips, signaling her to quiet. They remained still and quiet, waiting for a sound or movement, for nothing could be heard. They felt the wagon move, as though someone were climbing aboard, and Zerik quickly grabbed the sword from Soliyah and stood. He pointed the sword to the front seat, ready to attack. A scream rang out and Soliyah stood to see one of the carriers fall back, their hands up in the air in surrender.
”Don’t kill me!” he screamed. Zerik kept the sword at the ready. ”Please!” Soliyah felt confused as she saw two bodies run toward them, including Trig.
”Soliyah! What in the name of all that is… Zerik! What are you doing?” He moved toward them, slowly, but unafraid, and then suddenly stopped. His face broke into a smile. ”Look at you!” He laughed in amazement and then looked at the others. ”It worked!” The two off to the side smiled, but the other remained still. ”You are not only alive, you are stronger!” Soliyah looked to Zerik, expecting him to respond, but his eyes only moved from Trig to the carrier, with great intensity and confusion behind them. Trig’s smile disappeared as he looked from Zerik to Soliyah. ”Enough of this,” he said and stepped closer. ”Put the sword down, Zerik.”
”What did you do? Where are we? What happened to Zerik?” Soliyah couldn’t stop the questions from pouring out. Trig looked at her, annoyed.
”I saved his life,” he said, matter-of-factly. Soliyah watched Zerik for his reaction, but nothing changed.
”What did you do?”
”What needed doing,” Trig said and turned toward Zerik. ”Come down. I will explain.” Zerik remained still, holding the sword at the ready. ”Soliyah,” Trig turned to her, a kindness and pleading in his eyes. Soliyah looked back to Zerik and nodded. Slowly, he lowered the sword. The carrier stepped back and ran to his friends. Zerik stood in place until Soliyah walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
”It’s okay,” she told him. He nodded and stepped off the wagon. They walked over to the fire and Trig followed. There was meat resting above the flames and it smelled delicious. Soliyah’s stomach growled in hunger, and she tried to ignore it. Before she could even say anything though, Zerik pulled some meat off of the carcass and handed it to her. She looked at him confused, but in his eyes read a directive to eat, almost like a command and she found herself accepting it and feeding herself. Zerik motioned for her to sit at his feet and again, she complied before she could think or say anything. She looked up to see Trig watching them, a strange smile on his face clouded over with confusion.
”It is done,” he said, though to himself or for all to hear she couldn’t be sure.
”What are you talking about?” She took another bite of the meat and felt her hunger pangs melt away and allow for a short spurt of relief, even joy.
”Let me look at you,” Trig said and moved to Zerik’s side. He moved the blanket in ways that allowed him to inspect his body and Trig continued nodding. ”One can never be certain how the transformation will inspire, what changes will actually be made.” Zerik hit Trig’s hand away.
”Stop poking and prodding. He doesn’t like it,” Soliyah warned him. She could sense that Zerik was not happy. ”Tell us what happened. What did you do?”
”I told you, I saved him. He was almost through to the other side when I called upon Nanoquioa to help me save him.”
”The Nanoqu…what?” Trig smiled and motioned for Zerik to sit and eat also. He hesitated and looked at Soliyah. She nodded and he sat next to her while Trig gathered food on a plate for him. He gave the plate to Zerik while studying him.
”What is your last memory?” he asked. Zerik seemed to be searching his mind, his eyes darting up and down, left and right.
”I don’t remember anything but the pain of the blade,” Soliyah heard him answer, but Trig continued staring at him, waiting.
”Do you remember the battle? Fighting?” Trig asked. Zerik looked flustered and she could see he was distressed. ”Do you recall Soliyah trying to save you? To keep your life from pouring out on the battlefield?” He didn’t answer and Soliyah could almost feel a fear rising in him. He was clearly uncomfortable. ”Do you remember the forest?” Zerik stood, throwing his plate and food to the dirt floor. His breathing grew louder and more laborious. Soliyah swore she could hear his heart beating faster and faster.
”Leave him,” she finally yelled, standing. Trig looked at her, surprised.
”The pain of the blade entering my neck. It was like fire.”
”Hasn’t he been through enough? Let him heal!” She continued berating Trig and Trig stepped towards her.
”He has healed. We saved him from death!” Trig took a deep breath to calm himself. ”But such powers require atonement. The Nanoquioa pay in earth, gold, and flame. But it is not enough. The beneficiary must also pay.”
”What are you talking about?” Soliyah could sense Zerik’s fear, almost feel it, though she couldn’t explain it. And how could Trig not sense it? He was supposed to be some wise Nano. She could see Zerik’s chest moving in and out quite quickly. Was he hyperventilating? She moved to his side and instinctively rested her hand on his chest. Their eyes locked and she could see pain and fear in his eyes. She slowed her own breath to encourage him to do the same and was surprised when he did so.
”What’s happened to me?” He asked her.
”We’ll figure this out,” she told him.
”Figure what out?” Trig suddenly blurted. Soliyah turned to him quickly.
”You’re scaring him!” She turned back to Zerik, giving him a small smile, her hand still on his chest, her breath still calm. Their eyes locked and she continued coaching him to breathe deeply.
”I don’t remember anything. Just the blade. And I feel… different. Something has changed within me.”
”It’s ok,” she assured him. ”Don’t worry about any of that right now.”
”Any of what? Nothing has been said.” Trig sounded angry, and confused. He moved to be able to see them both. ”What are you doing?” But Soliyah kept her eyes locked with Zerik. She could sense he was finding it soothing, calming, comforting. Zerik’s eyes closed and Soliyah smiled, sensing his being at peace.
”He needs to rest,” she insisted. Trig wanted to argue. He opened his mouth to do so but suddenly changed his mind and nodded. Soliyah nodded in thanks as two carriers came over and gently guided, and half-carried him to rest. Soliyah watched after him, feeling a strong sense of concern and protectiveness. When they were all out of earshot, she sighed.
”I cannot believe it,” Trig broke into her thoughts. She looked to find him staring up at her.
”What?” she asked.
”Soliyah, you must listen to me, and be truthful. What is the last thing you recall?”
”What do you mean?” she asked as she moved back to sit.
”It is important you tell me all you can remember.” He moved to stand in front of her, all seriousness in his look and manner.
”I remember it all,” she told him. ”The battle, seeing Zerik…” she hesitated, trying to find the right words. It was difficult as she suddenly felt a strong emotion she wasn’t expecting… fear of loss. ”I saw him get wounded and tried to save him. I tried to help him… keep him alive.”
”You succeeded!” Trig told her, smiling. ”Go on…”
”Then you and the healers came. We carried him off into the woods and the healers tried to…” she pictured them pushing down on his chest… so hard she’d thought they might kill him. She felt a sudden burst of anger but tossed it aside to continue. ”They worked on healing him but it seemed they were unsuccessful. And then… then…”
”Yes?” Trig urged her to continue. She tried to remember what happened next, but it was a struggle. ”You must tell me, Soliyah.”
”I’m trying,” she barked at him and sighed. ”I was wounded,” she suddenly remembered pulling her hand away from herself, covered in blood. ”And then it gets very blurry.”
”Try,” Trig insisted. Soliyah closed her eyes, hoping it would help. She could see the healers trying to help her. She could hear them speaking ever so softly.
”The healers told me you were working on Zerik, but I couldn’t believe them. I was certain he was dead. But then I could hear him.”
”Who?”
”Zerik!” She snapped, annoyed at his interruption. She went back to concentrating, furrowing her brow. ”He was calling for me. I looked for him, but couldn’t find him. I found you.”
”Me?”
”Yes,” she nodded. ”You were seated on the floor, looking up, as though communing with the stars, but your eyes were closed.” Her furrowed brow relaxed and she smiled as she remembered finding Zerik. ”Zerik,” she said.
”He was there?”
”Yes,” she nodded. ”He was sleeping, I think. I could feel his breath, his heart.” Her heart suddenly raced and she felt a sweat and fear take over as she recalled his screaming for her. ”But he wasn’t well. He sat up and coughed up blood. So much blood. I thought I’d killed him.” She felt tears form in her eyes. ”He kept calling for me. I could hear him.” She took deep breaths and swallowed back all of the tears and anxiety she felt. She slowly opened her eyes to find Trig staring at her, his face filled with a look she couldn’t discern. ”What? What is it?”
“My stars!” He suddenly bellowed, stood, and began pacing. ”It can’t be!”
”What? What is it?” She asked, but Trig kept pacing and speaking to himself. She couldn’t determine what language he was speaking. ”Trig?” He ignored her. She waited a moment or so but then couldn’t wait any longer. ”Trig!” He turned to her.
”Confound it Soliyah! Do you know what you’ve done?” He was clearly angry, perhaps even a little afraid.
”What? What have I done?” Trig turned away from her, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. He paced for a moment and then stopped, his back to her. She reached out and forced him to turn and face her. ”What has happened?” Trig met her eyes and the anger dissipated, turning to sympathy and confusion.
”You were not supposed to see what you saw,” he started. ”When you saw me communing with the stars, as you put it, I was in fact connecting with my fellow Nano, calling for the Nanoquiao.”
”Who is that?”
”The Nanoquiao is not a who. It is a union of all Nano power, pulled from the earth, gold, and flame within. I called and…”
”It came?”
”Yes,” Trig nodded.
“What does that mean?”
”I begged for his life,” he motioned to Zerik. “I feared it would ask for another in exchange and so offered up my own.”
”What? That’s crazy!”
”One can never be certain what atonement must be made for a gift Nanoquiao bestows.”
”Why would the Nano’s ask for such a thing?”
”Tis’ not the Nano who require atonement, but creation itself from which the Nanoquiao derives its power. Nano only borrow.”
”Still, a life for a life seems…”
”This is not a time for semantics, Soliyah. You intruded on a very intimate exchange!” His tone was angry.
”How was I to know?” She defended herself. It seemed unfair to be chastised for something beyond her control. She could see Trig agreed with her as he sighed and shook his head. ”What does it mean? I mean, did I affect the power or something? Zerik’s alive so…” Trig looked back at her and shrugged.
”I know not what your actions, though inadvertent, may have caused. But something certainly seems amiss.”
”What do you mean?”
”Soliyah,” he took a deep breath. ”Was Zerik…could he…” He was struggling to ask whatever he wanted to ask. Soliyah could see it and it was making her nervous.
”For stars sake, Trig, just ask the question!” she snapped. Trig took another deep breath.
”How did you know Zerik was scared just now? When I was questioning him.” She looked at him, confused.
”Wasn’t it obvious? He…”
”No!” he interrupted her. ”Do not do that.” She wanted to protest but he stopped her. ”Do not attribute it to the simplicity of body language. How did you know? Really?”
”He told me,” she answered honestly and was still flummoxed at the question. ”He said…” Trig shook his head, no.
”He said nothing.”
”What are you talking about? He literally said…”
”No!” Trig interrupted again. ”No words escaped his lips, Soliyah.”
”But I heard him say…” she hesitated, wanting to be sure she was remembering things correctly. She shook her head, yes. ”He said the pain from the blade was like fire.”
”You heard his voice?” Soliyah shook her head, yes.
”And that he felt different… like something had changed within him.” Trig nodded but looked off in the distance, pensive, concentrating. Soliyah waited patiently, feeling a little inexplicably nervous. He looked over to where Zerik slept, and then back at her.
”Come.” He grabbed her by the hand. His grip was surprisingly strong as he pulled her toward Zerik. They stopped at his side and Soliyah looked down at him. His body lay still and at rest, while his face twitched, and his eyes moved vigorously beneath his eyelids. She quickly kneeled down to his side and rested a hand on his shoulder. She wasn’t sure if she should wake him, though a part of her wanted to. ”Not yet,” Trig said. ”Let him rest a while longer.” She nodded and removed her hand from his shoulder. “Tell me what he’s feeling.” She looked up at him, confused.
”What? How am I supposed to do that?”
”Try,” he told her and smiled. She looked back down at him and sighed.
”He looks pained. Troubled.”
”Tell me not what I can see, but what he feels.” Soloyah looked back up at him, frustrated.
”I don’t understand what it is you’re asking of me.” Trig smiled at her, took her hand, and placed it on Zerik’s chest again, holding it there.
”What do you feel?” Soliyah took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She could feel his breath entering and leaving his body. And when Trig let go of her hand, she could feel his heartbeat, faintly, through her palm and the blanket.
”He is resting,” she answered.
”And?” She searched her mind for more but found nothing. She was about to remove her hand when she heard him.
”Soliyah? You’re here!” He sounded relieved. She quickly removed her hand and opened her eyes. She looked down at Zerik to see him still sleeping.
”Soliyah?” Trig called her name. She looked up at him.
”You’re still with me,” she heard Zerik say but, she looked down at him again and he was still sleeping.
”How…?”
”I told you, something has changed within me. But I understand it now.”
”Understand what? What is this?” She stepped back and stood, still staring down at Zerik, confused, and scared.
”You,” she heard him say. “Venera Profera, and I, Sparai id Holera, are now connected. Joined. United.”
”I don’t understand,” she stammered and looked to Trig for answers. ”How can I hear him? What’s happened?” Trig gasped and gave her a small smile as he looked between Soliyah and Zerik both.
”Creation has happened,” he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. “Sword and bearer have been united to guide us into balance.” He looked at Soliyah once more and his smile widened. “It has begun!”
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Ⓒ January 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.