Dusk Falling (Book 1) (31 page)

SkyRift returned before dusk, alone. He brought with him a haunch of freshly killed deer. “I apologize for my lengthy absence but I figured you would be terse with appetite by the time I returned.” He offered the still-bleeding leg to Serrtin. “As it was, so was I.”

The saurian could not help but go over the meat with a critical eye. Now how was she to put this in a non-offensive way? “How do you expect us to eat this? You could have easily have put something in this meat. You were gone long enough.” Blunt but not
too
outright rude.

SkyRift blank. He had not expected such distrust. “I could… taste it in front of you so that you know I did not do anything to it. Like I said earlier, I am not here to hinder or harm any of you.”

“Surely you understand why we still have our misgivings?” Aya asked. The mage sat tucked in between two jutting stone formations, arms folded against the coolness of approaching night.

“… I suppose.” The Elf replied thoughtfully as the wind ruffled his golden locks. Such a figure was difficult to not trust for Aya despite her words. In general, Kiyomouri were thought as good and just creatures.

After proving his lack of ill-favor, Serrtin set to the task of skinning the haunch. A small fire was set, just enough to cook the meat and was put out as soon as the task was done. Serrtin did not want to take the chance of being spotted, the Mirskarr had too many places for an ambush party to hide.

“From Le’insurad- that is where I am supposing you will head- have you decided your direction after that?” SkyRift asked, clacking his palms together softly. He stared at his feet, giving the impression he had more to say.

“Our dear Prince does not wish a direct fight, so…” Serrtin gestured with her hand, waving her fingers to symbolize her idea flying away.

“Don’t start with me.” Genlo said, as cheerful as he always was. “My plan doesn’t need to involve you. It would have worked just fine.”

“I’m not so sure. I do not think a God likely to care much for the passage of time. He would only gain newer younger followers to carry out his designs.” SkyRift said matter-of-factly.

That did not sit too well on the Jrahda’s frame of mind or his stomach. The damn dragon was probably right. “You seem to be well-informed. Get all this information from your Master?”

SkyRift’s eyes slitted but he did not deny the use of the term used. He was utterly in another’s control, which made him the foolish slave, did it not? Moments passed where personal thoughts were the only sounds to each individual. Serrtin was trying hard to shove away thoughts of the bounty on her and Aya’s heads. Agemeer worried for the lack of supplies- the cold was not good for those without fur. Genlo kept his daily train of thought, one he was getting used to. Aya was thinking about their newfound ally- if that was truly what he was. Genlo was correct in saying SkyRift was well-informed, the Kiyomouri seemed to know all about Genlo, the Verca and even the Votalo. Now it seemed he knew a bit more than they in regards to the true evil behind the Verca.

“SkyRift,” Aya said, breaking her companions’ trains of thought. “Do you have any suggestions?”

Everyone ignored the barely-intelligible epitaphs from the pale-haired lump sitting nearby that flat refused to be helpful or accept any help without squabbling.

SkyRift looked over at Aya for a moment and then went back to staring at the dark sky above. “I can offer my thoughts if you ask the right questions.”

“Alright then, dragon, how do I kill a God? That is the only way this will all end. You’ve made that blatantly clear.”

“You… wish to do that?”

“It would be my pleasure, if it were at all possible. Killing…” He stumbled on the God’s name, couldn’t bring himself to say it. “Killing Him would give me some damn peace.”

The Elf nodded without taking his eyes off the stars. “Have you given thought to how such might be accomplished?”

“There is little I can do against a God.” Genlo replied, voice more subdued.

“Hey! What about a Seal of some kind? Like the kind Kcrie uses?” Serrtin suggested.

“You would need the help of all noteworthy Magi in this world to create a Seal spell of the magnitude you would need.” SkyRift told her.

“Do you know of another way?” Agemeer queried.

“… perhaps.” SkyRift stood and paced off, turning back after a few steps. “As I see it, your best chances would be to make the God mortal, therefore defeatable by mortal means.”

Genlo was on his feet in an instant. “That would mean my going back, going through with the avatarism ritual and then while the God is in
my
body, someone must kill him. Do you honestly think I will let-”

“No, honestly, I do not.” The Yierhna said with a smile. He could see why the Hunters stayed their hand on this one; his spirit was molten fire. The smile fled however as he readied his next words. How he did not wish to say them… “It is quite feasible that the knowledge exists that does not involve the likelihood of your death though the road will be hard to follow to its end. I cannot guarantee the answer will be the one you were hoping for.”

“You know someone who has this knowledge?” Aya asked.

“
They
know but they may not be wont to tell it- it is risky just to stand before them prior to posing the question.”

“They who?” Serrtin said, nervous for the answer. Who could know such in Demaria?

SkyRift turned to face them. “The Divinari.”

Chapter 24

“The Divinari, the Great Dragons of Demaria…” Agemeer mused. “If any were to have such information, it would be they. Truly the most powerful and the wisest amongst all beings in Lisaria Realm.”

“It is because they are originally not from Lisaria that they may know a way to help you.”

“I have read the Divinari are very private in their countenance…”

The Elf bowed his head. “They are. Very much so. In order to even speak to a Divinari one must prove worth in their eyes. They will not see you otherwise.”

“You’re a dragon too, aren’t you? Can’t you talk to them?” Serrtin asked.

“I may be a dragon but that doesn’t make me any more special in their eyes.” SkyRift admitted, dropping their gazes. “The Kiyomouri and the Sitomouri are but distant cousins, much the weaker. If we wished audience, we would have to go through the same measures to prove our worth. If you still wish to go after hearing this, I could… take you… to them.”

“By all accounts, the Divinari…” Agemeer said, trailing off incredulously.

“…live upon the Floating Sigils high above Demaria, the Isle of Bren and Ilzer, yes.” SkyRift finished. “All of the Divinari live upon one of the three Sigils, no where else.”

“How do you propose we get there? Fly?” Genlo asked, looking daggers at the Yierhna Elf. Not liking in the least where the conversation was leading.

“No. In order to reach the Sigil, one must travel by way of the Sigilarian Stairwell.”

“Sigilarian Stairwell? What’s that?” Serrtin asked, the corners of her mouth downturned.

“The Great Paradism Stairs.” Agemeer said. “Said to be the most extravagant of paradoxes. It was constructed by the Serrhnafae to be a gateway to the Divinari, who remained to be wards of the Realm.”

“Anyone else only understand every other word of that?” Serrtin said plaintatively. “Gateway? You mean like that one that connected Wizards Roost with Zelenest?”

“The Sigilarian Stairwell has never been documented. It is not known what you will find there.” SkyRift replied, spreading his hands palms up.

“Are you saying no one has ever survived it?”

“Not at all!” SkyRift exclaimed. “The Stairwell will pass those it finds worthy.”

“Apparently it doesn’t pass too many…” The Yarcka wryly remarked. She rested her chin on her upturned hand, her elbow on a bent knee.

“How does it determine who is worthy and who is not?” Aya asked and was answered by an apologetic shrug.

“So we’d be going in blind without knowing what’s in store for us?” At the Elf’s confirmation, Serrtin swore. She didn’t stop swearing until she ran out of things to say that suited her feelings on the subject.

“Quite.” SkyRift mumbled, impressed to hear such originality from a being so young, at least to him. He coughed politely and returned to the conversation. “I must say, however, it is the only option at this time.”

“Why is that?” Genlo suddenly spoke up, catching scent of something he did not like.

“Do not take affrontment.” SkyRift held up his hands. “I mean to say it is the only option that has been put forth that could be feasible.”

“My option is much better.” Genlo said, not meaning to sound at all like a pouting child and failing miserably. Aya couldn’t help but smile any more than Genlo could help storming off.

“Don’t go too far, Elf!” Called Serrtin. At the Jrahda-trethen’s hunch, she gave a chuckle. Yep, he still hated to be called that.

Agemeer yawned hugely, prompting SkyRift to say, “All of you must be tired from your ordeal. You need a good nights rest to regain your strength. I will keep watch along with the Jrahda.”

~ ~ ~

If it sounded too perfect to be so simple, it probably was. Those were words Serrtin practically bled so when she promptly leaned back from where she sat till she lay flat on the ground, Aya was more than a small bit surprised. The Yarcka got comfortable, turning on her side and before she shut her eyes happened to catch Aya’s. “What? I’m tired, ya hear? Too tired to fend off dragons should they wish to tear me apart while I’m sleeping so what’s the point arguing. If he’s on the straight and narrow then this is a good opportunity to recoup. Plus he can keep an eye on the one I would really be worrying about doing something as we sleep.”

“Do you… still think he may try something?” Aya asked softly, trying not to be overheard.

Serrtin blew out, disturbing the granules of dirt and rock nearby. “Not sure. He’ll come around eventually when he sees we’re on his side. Given time maybe he’ll even stop looking death at you all the time.” She cracked an eye to gauge her companion’s reaction with a smile.

The Bren blank her eyes as if having never thought that Genlo had ‘looked death’ at her but was now considering it. She sought the antagonist out of the rocky shadows but couldn’t locate him. SkyRift had moved away as well but only to locate a scar large enough to hide his full form in. He transformed back into his Kiyomouri form, much to the transfixion of the mage. The change was unfailingly beautiful in itself. Aya had thought in the past she would have been timid to meet a dragon but after making SkyRift’s acquaintance (though his motives were grayed) she came to think that they were simply-put another race of Demaria. In fact, Kiyomouri seemed much like her own people, at least this one did. Their true forms were daunting but they possessed ideals and personas as did all other races.

There was a quiet dignity to him as he gently folded his wings. His eyes gleamed in the light of Eleuin. Once more they were tinged with a grief Aya could only guess at. Something was truly amiss in the heart of the gallant creature of the skies. As if sensing her watchful gaze, SkyRift turned his slender head towards her. Inside her mind, the mage heard his soft voice. “Sleep now. Please do not worry. I will watch over you this night.”

Despite the comforting words Aya slept fitfully. She had removed her small shoulder guards and chest plate- careful not to agitate the healing wounds across her chest- and had settled beside the furry form of Agemeer. The temperature had dropped dramatically with the setting of the GoldenSphere. She awoke several times shivering. At one point during the night, the Bren awoke to a bone-chilling breeze that ran through the Mirskarr like a wraith. Pulling her limbs in tighter to conserve heat, her eyes caught sight of Genlo standing atop an angular stone. The white of his hair and clothing stood out next to the backdrop of dark sky. The wind whipped about him to no effect. If he was cold, he did not act so. He slid down the side of the stone on the soles of his shoes, landing him near SkyRift’s roost.

“All will be revealed soon enough. I wish you no harm, please trust in that.” The Kiyomouri said before Genlo could post a question. “Of all, I know this is hardest for you.”

The Jrahda-trethen quickly masked his surprise. “What do you know…”

“A lot. I know what you were forced to endure and what it has cost you. I wish I could offer more than my sympathy but it is all I have to give.”

Genlo eyed the dragon, wondering just how much the other truly knew of his past and how he had come to learn of it.

“I know what it is like to have something dear to you snatched away and be unable to stop its passing. To place trust can be… daunting… after that.” SkyRift rested his head on his clawed feet. He did not look at the half-Elf; he felt it would be disrespectful to do so right then. SkyRift knew his story, knew his pain and to look him in the eye and see it there, the Kiyomouri just could not.

Aya bade her body lie still as she listened. She did not know what SkyRift meant by what he said but knew it was important- a key to unraveling the spiked armor shell that Genlo shrouded himself in. She heard steps and dared to peek. Genlo had not remarked on what the dragon had said, he had turned and walked away. His snowy hair hid his eyes as he paced over to a place nearby and sat. He leaned back on the smooth surface behind him, placing one foot flat on the rock in front of him. Crossing his arms loosely over his midriff, the trethen stilled. Aya watched him until she felt certain he was asleep.

When the mage woke the next morning, limbs stiff from sleeping on the hard ground in the cold, Genlo had already moved from his sleeping place. SkyRift had moved on as well and stood early morning guard. Serrtin was stretching, also feeling knotted from the unpleasant sleeping arrangements. Agemeer was scouting ahead, using his nose to guide him. Fast with routine, she buckled on her light armor and got to her feet.

They were all hungry. With protesting stomachs, they put their feet to path. SkyRift had the easiest time due to his size. Climbing rocks was not normal for one used to flying but he did not once complain. He ranged farther east to keep watch for unwanted ‘company’ out of the lands beyond the Mirskarr.