Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) (46 page)

“There’s one more favor.”

“Which is?”

“I have no knowledge of the sai. Would you spar with me?” I begged. “Shadow’s been teaching me how to fight, but I feel you know more about fighting with the sai than he does.”

“More so from the receiving end of the attacks,” Netira grumbled. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Thank you.” I stood up from the bench. “And Netira…don’t give up hope.”

She was confused. “Huh? Why do you say that?”

“I think it’s something you needed to hear,” I answered. “It’s an important thing to hold onto at a time like this.”

Callypso was on the path to the cottage when she found what she needed: her own set of dragon jewels. Only Talisa knew that Callypso was once a warrior, in the days when elementals freely roamed Arrygn. She was saddened when she realized the time was before Talisa became Kiare’s vassal.

The elemental only had a few curved daggers left in peak condition. She hoped that she could accompany Shadow to this blacksmith of his in Westyron, and she would have the master create a blade with the dragon jewels she earned long ago. Callypso knew she would spill as much blood as the rest of the group on this journey.

She only hoped that Artemis would not succumb to the strange power of her mother’s sai.

Irritated that she would have to wear the calf-high leather boots as well as the thick leather gloves from here on out, Callypso reminded herself that it could be worse.

She could have still been in hiding with the rest of her kind, after all.

Well, well
, a familiar voice greeted her.
The elemental thinks to return to the path of the warrior
.

Callypso saw the specter, Tamina, in the same black gown that trailed far behind her. Her long brown hair was now in a braid that lay across her bare, pale shoulder.

“What brings you to haunting me now, Tamina?” Callypso asked as she walked past her.

I thought to ask how the purification of my sai was going
, Tamina began,
but it seems that both you
and
the elf mage failed. I warned you that you wouldn’t be able to do it
.

“You don’t seem like the gloating type, Tamina,” Callypso said. “Then again, you
aren’t
really Tamina Ravenwing. You’re just an angry shell of what she once was.”

You still believe that I’m a mere lingering spirit who lost her mind after all these years wandering Arrygn? You naive girl. I thought you were much smarter than this
.

“Considering you’ve come to torment me in particular instead of your daughter,”—Callypso tried to keep calm— “I can only assume you have a message for me. Speak it, then, so that I can return to Talisa’s cottage in peace.”

I would be careful with that tone, if I were you
, Tamina warned.
Those boots and gloves of yours will not protect you from me forever, elemental
.

“I do not cower from threats, specter.” Callypso glared. “Speak your message.”

If you attempt to separate my daughter from the sai, you will face grave consequences
, Tamina explained.
The same consequences will happen should you or the idiot elf mage try to purify them again
.

“You cannot return from the grave, Tamina,” Callypso stated. “I will not stop any attempts to purify those weapons.”

You’ll kill Artemis before she even gets the chance to strike Arlina down
.

Tamina disappeared, and Callypso felt the words hit her heart. Somehow, she knew Tamina was telling the truth. Callypso rubbed her chest and looked to the sky.

“I know you all are watching!” Callypso yelled. “Don’t you dare let a lingering spirit succeed in creating the greatest imbalance Arrygn will ever know.”

Callypso didn’t return to the cottage until midday, and Talisa didn’t return until the early settling of night. The others strategized on what routes to take to Westyron and Blackwen City, as well as what veils were considered safe enough to hide behind now that Talisa had informed us of Lord Celstian’s decree of Shadow’s eventual status as deserter. Shadow seemed indifferent when Talisa told us what had taken place in the ruins of Ellewynth, but I knew he was suffering inside.

Talisa did manage to find the pouch of dragon jewels Shadow had mentioned to her, but that was the only success she had. She didn’t have much time to explore the ruins since she felt it prudent to warn the rest of us about the elven hunting party.

I hated politics. I understood the need for it, but I still hated it.

I hid myself away in my old room and searched for any article of clothing of mine that Jack could have missed once he moved in. If met with success, I prayed they would still fit.

Frowning because Jack had taken over every aspect of my room, I heard a strange noise outside the window; I saw Jack suddenly stumble onto the ground while walking. Leaning out of the window, I watched Azrael stand beside him and nudge his back with a hoof.

“Jack?” I called out. “What mischief have you gotten yourself into now?”

Jack’s head slowly moved and searched for the source of my voice. I tried not to chuckle when his earth-covered face finally spotted mine.

“I’m not drunk this time, I swear it!” Jack insisted.

I burst out laughing. “For once, I believe you. Your words aren’t slurred, and I’m sure Talisa would have your head on a spike if she found out you’d been drinking.”

Jack used Azrael to hoist him from the ground. She snorted into his face, causing some of the dirt to fly off. He swept away more of the earth from his clothes and then found the cause for his stumble: an outstretched tree root.

“Talisa’s garden is conspiring to end me,” Jack sighed. “Who or what isn’t, nowadays?”

“Consider it some sick sense of flattery, Jack,” I said. “At least you’re being noticed enough for someone to want to end you.”

“That’s a very morbid point of view, Artemis.” Jack shuddered. “Are you turning into a real dhampir on me?”

I frowned. “Shut up.”

“Why are you hiding away in
my
room?”

“Where were
you
running off to?”

“I don’t have to tell you that,” Jack replied with a smug grin on his face.

“Fine! I’ll leave you to be attacked by Talisa’s herb garden,” I yelled, while pretending to move away from the windowsill.

“I was going to say I could just take you to my destination, but since you insist on being sarcastic, I’ll just leave you behind,” Jack said while turning his back to me.

“I’m not sure this place of yours is special enough to warrant my attention!”

“Then why are you so bent on trying to annoy me if you aren’t so curious, hmm?” Jack winked.

I glared at him. “I liked you more when you didn’t understand the meaning of cleverness, you jerk.”

“I’ll be right here waiting for you, my pale bundle of sunshine.”

When I joined him, I punched the elf in the arm. I didn’t care if the action hurt my hand; he deserved it. “Don’t
ever
call me that again.”

“Why not?” Jack frowned. “It’s not as if Shadow heard it. If the man said such a thing to you, I’m sure you wouldn’t punch
him
.”

“I can hit you again if you don’t start telling me about this little place of yours,” I threatened.

“What little place?”

Jack froze as I turned around to see Callypso standing on the steps, amused.

“Jack was going somewhere and said I could come along,” I explained, as I enjoyed Jack’s sudden burst of nerves.

“Is that so?” Callypso joined us. “You wouldn’t object if I came along, would you?”

“N-Not at all, Callypso,” Jack answered while trying to straighten his posture.

“Excellent! Then lead the way.” Callypso linked my arm into hers.

I heard Jack curse under his breath, and I chuckled. Callypso grinned at me, and I winked back.

“Where did you disappear to earlier, Cally?” I asked.

“Home, of course,” she answered, her blond ringlets bouncing with each step we took. Jack walked a few steps ahead of us. “I needed a few provisions of my own.”

“Like what? I’ve never seen you carry anything whenever you’ve visited me in the past.”

“Not all elementals fight with their bare hands, Artemis.” Callypso laughed. “I can’t rely on using my abilities all the time. I may not be in hiding like the rest of my kinsmen, but neither do I want to give myself away to our enemies.”

“The fact that she’s coming with us is risky enough, Artemis,” Jack chimed in.

“I know that!” I fought the urge to punch his arm again. “I was curious like you. I was just faster in vocalizing it.”

Jack flashed a quick glare, and walked even farther ahead of us.

Callypso smiled. “You two are like siblings.”

“It feels that way sometimes,” I agreed.

“I know where we’re going. Jack, you’re taking us to the Grove of Kiare’s Mirror.”

“I am,” he replied, not looking back.

“What’s that?”

“It’s sacred ground to Kiare, the goddess of water,” Callypso elaborated. “It’s a tool of many uses, including the foretelling of the future. Well, possible futures really.” Callypso’s attention shifted to Jack. “Why do you feel the need to return there, Jack?”

“The mirror works differently for me,” Jack explained. “I have a hunch. I want to see if it’ll play out.”

“Why bring me then?” I asked.

“The mirror is how I saw your mother’s death.”

I stopped; Callypso almost tripped at the force of my halt. “Are you going to show me how she died?”

“To be honest, Artemis,” Jack began, “I don’t know what the mirror will show you. I have my own questions that need answers. I just have a hunch. Since you’re with me, it may or may not play out.”

“Did you inform Talisa at least?” Callypso asked.

“No, but she has known that when I disappear from the cottage around this time of night, I’m at the grove,” Jack explained. “Right now, she has her hands full with Netira and Shadow. I have no desire to get any head-slaps today for interrupting her.”

Callypso paused for a moment, and then nodded. “Yes, I suppose that is wise enough on your part.”

“Ah. We’ve made it.” Jack stopped in front of a large ash tree.

I was confused. “We have?”

“Still unfamiliar with the veils, Artemis?” Callypso asked.

I nodded. “During my time in Ellewynth there was never a time to escape to the veils.”

Not until now.

“This will be a more interesting event for you,” Callypso said, as we both watched Jack shut his eyes when his palm reached the bark of the ash tree.

“What’s he doing?” I whispered.

“Opening the gateway,” Callypso whispered back.

Once I did so, I realized we weren’t in the forest anymore.

We were in a small clearing surrounded by oak trees, and I was stunned at the sight of the large rock wall with a well sitting at the center. When we walked closer to it, I realized the well was made of small multi-colored pebbles, giving the illusion of rolling waves.

I felt power in this clearing, and I was in awe of the beauty that surrounded us. I felt Callypso move away, and Jack patted my back.

“My jaw was hanging the first time I came here,” Jack recalled. “Talisa snapped at me, of course. Said it was rude to gawk.”

“That is definitely something Talisa would say.” I laughed.

Jack led me to the edge of the well, and all three of us placed our hands on the rim. I felt a pleasant energy from the well, like small rippling waves. Callypso’s eyes were shut, and Jack stared with deep intent into the water.

He held a hand over mine, and I raised an eyebrow.

“I need something from you,” Jack said, while keeping his eyes on the water.

“What is it?”

He pulled out a thin, small knife from his back and held out a palm. “Every time I needed to use the mirror, I had to pay tribute. It’s asking for a tribute from you this time.”

“How do you even know this?”

“It is because he is a mage,” Callypso explained. “Mages are different from others when it comes to the workings of magic. There is always a price that needs to be paid for them.”

“So in this case, you need my blood?” I asked.

“So it seems,” Jack nodded. “I’m only going to cut your digit. A few drops will suffice.”