Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) (25 page)

The ring had been a tedious project, one that Arlina constantly praised him for once he was met with success. What the Mistress didn’t know was that someone else had begun the project ages ago; Karesu only added a few more tricks of his own. He was in the process of making one for Arlina, only she demanded it be a bracelet rather than a ring. And of course, she ignored his warnings that the construction of the bracelet would take longer. Karesu had the idea of adding other runes along with the protective ones for sunlight, but thought it was safer not to. He still had to serve the damned woman until he could find Netira in Ellewynth and escape.

Karesu remembered how Netira wanted to save their city. He recalled how he swore to help her do so. The dream was the only thing letting them sleep at night, considering all the dark things they had done in Arlina’s name. That dream of saving the Dark Fortress was lost now. He was certain he could hide himself and Netira from Arlina, even if
it meant isolation from the rest of Arrygn. Karesu knew he wouldn’t regret such a notion. He found himself enjoying the idea of solitude with Netira.

Ignoring the rest of the brood, he strolled around the camp and felt for any source of magic nearby. The forest of the Woodland Realm had its own deep, ancient magic, and it always fascinated Karesu. Had the circumstances been different, Karesu would have been delighted to stay and study the energy sensations the forest produced. The veils were the most intriguing aspect of the realm, and he made a mental note to apologize to the forest one day for the forceful violation he would have to commit.

While on his walk, he passed by Arlina’s tent. Karesu could feel the malice from where he stood, and out of sheer morbid curiosity, he thought to see the Mistress. Before he could announce himself, Arlina herself stepped out. Wearing one of the protective runes cloaks Karesu first created, she eyed him with caution.

“What are you doing here, mage?” she asked, her tone cold.

“I was curious to see if you needed my assistance,” he replied, amused at Arlina’s squinting. It appeared she hadn’t slept well again. “After all, we grow closer to the forest.”

“If I want your assistance, you’ll know it,” Arlina snapped.

Karesu watched Arlina gaze at the forest, and he couldn’t mistake her shudder at the sight.

It took some self-control for him not to smile at her misery.

“Mistress, are you well?” he inquired, taking care to sound concerned.

Arlina quickly shifted in his direction with visible annoyance. “Of course I am well. What kind of ridiculous question is that?”

“You were shaking,” Karesu answered, while desperately trying to hide a smirk.

“It was the wind moving my cloak!” Arlina barked. “I
do not
shake.”

“Very well, then.” Karesu started to take his leave. He then stopped. “Oh, I almost forgot. You do not mind if I take some time along the borderlands, of course?”

“What in Avilyne’s hell for?”

“You wanted me to discover the veils and their locations,” Karesu reminded her. “I’ll need some time in the borderlands. Alone.”

“Do what you want.” Arlina waved him away. “Get out of my sight.”

Making sure to bow, he walked away from Arlina. He returned to his tent and made sure to arm himself with his sword, which had unique, swirling calligraphy etched into the blade. Unlike the runes he created and worked with, the calligraphy was of something much older; there was great power in this sword, which he hadn’t been able to unlock. While Karesu hadn’t any knowledge of what or where the calligraphy was from, he had kept it hidden from Arlina and done endless research back in Blackwen City. Karesu could find neither what the calligraphy meant nor why it felt so much like a part of his magic. He’d always held the feeling that even without the proper knowledge it would prove useful one day—besides its obvious use.

He sheathed the longsword and took a deep breath. Karesu was ready to venture into the borderlands of the Woodland Realm.

Callypso sat cross-legged on the earth, staring at the pair of sai that lay a far distance from her. Ever since she’d retrieved them, Callypso felt the need to wear gloves and boots more and more. She didn’t want Tamina’s lingering energy within the weapons seeping into her spirit and tainting it. The conversation she’d had with the specter disturbed her enough.

Narrowing her gaze at the favored weapons of the Ravenwing women, Callypso recalled the growing number of failures she’d had in the effort to purify them. She had gone as far as taking them to the Grove of Kiare’s Mirror, hoping the water goddess would take pity on her and send some answers.

To her dismay, that failed too. Tamina’s will was far too strong, and it worried the elemental. She snatched up one of the blades and looked closely at the hilt embedded with garnet and onyx.

“Odd…” Callypso said.

The jewels were dull and remained so after Callypso rubbed them with a gloved finger. There was no shine to them, no luminosity.

It puzzled her.

Taking the other sai and hiding the weapons in a dark handkerchief, Callypso stood up and followed the path to Talisa’s cottage. It had been some time since she last saw the witch, and she figured Talisa might have been annoyed that she hadn’t returned to her with the weapons. Riding the wind, Callypso arrived at the cottage before the night set in.

Before she knocked on the small oak door, it opened. Callypso found herself face to face with the elf mage, Jack. His startled expression made her chuckle. His actions toward her in general were amusing.

“Hello, Jack,” she greeted him.

“C-Callypso!” he said, still catching his breath. “What brings you here at this hour?”

“I was in need of Talisa.” She crossed her arms. “Where were
you
planning on going?”

Jack straightened his posture and moved a few wayward brown strands of hair behind his pointed ears. “I was just going to sit out here for a bit. I needed a break from the homework Talisa left for me.”

“Homework?” Callypso frowned. “She’s not home?”

“She hasn’t been for some time,” Jack explained. “Something came up in Ellewynth, and she stayed behind. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”

“Do you know what’s going on?”

Jack snorted. “Like Talisa would tell me anything outside of what’s ‘necessary’ in my apprenticeship.”

“That is true, yes.”

Callypso had hoped she could leave Tamina’s sai with Talisa and then return home. She especially wanted to return to her more comfortable garb. The soft leather gloves and calf-high boots stifled her connection to the earth and the forest.

It was something Callypso hated.

She walked over to a little bench by Talisa’s herb garden, and Jack joined her. She noticed him staring at the handkerchief she held, and
Callypso thought hard about whether or not to inform him of Tamina’s sai. Her thoughts halted once she noticed the dark look on Jack’s face.

“Jack?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s something not quite right in that handkerchief you’re carrying,” he answered, while slowly moving away from her on the bench.

“Oh?”

Callypso was intrigued. Could Jack really feel the taint of the weapons? Was he finally learning to trust his intuition?

“That’s why you’re here to see Talisa,” Jack said. “Whatever is hidden in that thing, you’re afraid of it…so afraid that you don’t even want it to touch your bare skin.”

Callypso raised an eyebrow. “And why would that be?”

Jack smirked. “Last time I checked, elementals tend to cover up more when they’re near something with malevolent energy. They’re more likely to absorb it if they don’t.”

“I’m impressed.” Callypso patted Jack’s shoulder. “You’ve finally figured out my secret.”

“You once told me I had to learn to trust my instinct. That’s when I listened to the little voice in my head.” Jack smiled. Crossing his arms, he returned his gaze to the handkerchief. “So what mischief did you bring here?”

“I’m not sure you’d really want to know.”

“Callypso, I’ve been stuck in that cottage by myself for some time now,” Jack answered while rubbing the back of his neck. “I welcome anything different.”

Callypso burst out laughing. Someday, he will regret saying such things.

“How knowledgeable are you of weaponry?” she asked, laying the handkerchief in her lap.

“Depends.” Jack shrugged. “I’m not fond of swords. I know a little bit about smaller weapons, especially of the throwing kind.”

“Oddly enough, I can see you armed with throwing knives. Remind me to keep to your good side,” Callypso teased. “Have you ever heard of the sai?”

Jack grew puzzled. “Sai?”

“I’ll take that as a no.” Callypso shut her eyes for a moment. “They are unique weapons used in the Dark Fortress, Blackwen City. Only one particular bloodline, the Ravenwing, wields them.”

Callypso noted the dark look returning on Jack’s face, and it actually scared her. She saw his hands clench into fists and wondered if he too knew the truth of what was to come.

“Are they thin blades, forearm length, with curved prongs extending from a jeweled hilt, by any chance?” Jack inquired.

Callypso felt herself shake. “How did you know that?”

“Because I’ve seen them before,” Jack said, no longer facing her. “I’ve heard the Ravenwing name before as well. It’s…it’s not an event I can forget, no matter how hard I’ve tried.”

Callypso felt sorry for him. She almost asked how and where this happened, but thought to spare him from further torment.

She found she didn’t like seeing him so disturbed.

“You’re aware of what’s going on? Of what’s to come?”

“If what’s to come is my friend, Artemis, learning the truth and going to Blackwen City to avenge the murder of her mother, then yes, I’m aware,” Jack replied, massaging his temples. “You have Tamina’s sai then. Because you mentioned lingering spirits the last time you visited, I can only assume you meant her. You were sent to fetch them.”

“Yes.”

“And the longer a spirit lingers, the longer their anger changes and consumes them and their loved ones. Any article of theirs that was left behind at their grave site carries their taint, hence your extensive coverings.”

“Yes, and I’m supposed to give these to Artemis.” Callypso sighed.

“Can’t you purify them?”

“That’s the thing, Jack. I’ve tried.” Callypso threw the handkerchief to the ground, which exposed the sai. She couldn’t stop herself from flinching at the sight of them. “Tamina’s spirit is just too strong. I can’t get rid of the connection she shares with her weapons. I don’t know what they’ll do to Artemis, but I know it’ll be
very
malevolent. I don’t like it.”

“Leave them with me.”

Callypso nearly choked when Jack said the words.

“What?”

“You are still learning your gifts, Jack,” Callypso reminded him. “What could you possibly do that I couldn’t?”

“You’re uncomfortable around them, and I know how elementals prefer to be connected to the natural world,” Jack explained. “I may not be able to do much, but at least I can help give you some temporary peace.”

Sweet of you
, Callypso thought.
Foolish, but sweet. Perhaps he
can
be of some help considering how focused he seems now…

Callypso picked up the sai and wrapped them once more in the handkerchief. Handing them to Jack, she smiled.

“I wish you luck,” she said. “You don’t have much time.”

everal days had passed since the event at Netira’s cell. Shadow had yet to see Artemis.