Dusk Falling (Book 1) (48 page)

“What?” Serrtin exclaimed, gaining her own feet. “I have no idea wh-”

“You touched me.” Genlo said as if that would solve the entire argument.

“
And
?” Serrtin said impatiently. “Did I break your concentration Elf?”

The Jrahda-trethen made a face. “I could easily have taken your arm off at the joint. It was either that or your mage friend loses her mind.” He looked at Aya. “You are welcome.”

The Bren stood and bowed her head. When she looked back up she smiled. “Thank you. I think I understand now.”

A little of the prior puzzlement was reflected in his amber eyes once more. “Ah…” He tugged at the neck of his shirt, the cloth feeling constrictive. “Practice while we walk.”

Watching him walk away, Serrtin shook her head. “Was he serious? Did I risk your life?”

“Not really.” Aya said, expression bright. “He is very capable and could have shut me out before that. He is… remarkable.”

Serrtin snorted, tousled the girls hair and they shared a good-natured laugh.

~ ~ ~

“From here, we fly down.” Avarice stated flatly, looking off the edge of the Sigil with a disinterested expression.

The wind whistled by, whipping clothes and hair into a frenzy. It was chilly and Demaria looked so very far away.

“
Fly
down?” Serrtin asked, an edge of incredibility to her voice.

“You wish to test the Sigilarian Stairwell again?”

“No! No, of course not.” Serrtin said, the speed in with which she replied bespeaking much. She coughed into her fist as if to clear her throat. “Th-that would merely be a waste of our time. We have already gone by way of that tower, I don’t want to do it again so soon.”

“Think of the battles though Serrtin, would you not miss…”

The Yarcka eyed Agemeer, hearing the amusement in his tone even though she could see none on his canine face. “Don’t tempt me, scholar. Just remember where I go,
you
go.”

Agemeer’s ears went back. “I see your point.” He mindspoke. “And I do not think the Guardian would be so pleased to see us again within such a short passage of time.”

“Fly down though? How…?” The Bren mage asked.

Avarice fixed his eyes on SkyRift. Before the Kiyomouri could protest, Serrtin spoke up. “A Yarcka rides no creature! I will not!”

“You can be left. My plans need not include you.” Avarice said. “However there is no guaranteeing the Divinari will allow you safe residence.”

“Ah, I regretfully must restate my inability to carry the weight of more than my weight in shiftshape, especially when flying.” SkyRift said, hands up. Despite his displeasure of being used as transportation, he would not argue with the Godling.

“Stating the weaknesses of your kind does little to raise yourself in my eyes, Kiyomouri.”

SkyRift’s cheeks burned and he lowered his head, not wanting to see the looks his companions gave him.

“Vermarryn’s offspring will provide us with a way down.” The immortal told them. “The dragon will meet us here as I requested.”

‘Requested’ being an unstated word. As if drawn by their conversation, a red dot appeared in the distance. Flying at a great speed, the dot quickly became a small red-scaled Divinari. Even as youthful as this dragon was, she was still much larger than SkyRift in his true form. Flapping leathery wings, the Divinari landed. With head held high, she glared down at them with an imperious gaze that rivaled Vermarryn’s for warmth. “Petitioned me my sire did to be of your service (of your service). I am Quhrron (Quhrron).”

“You will take us to Demarian soil.” The Godling told the dragon. Quhrron’s large yellow eyes flashed with indignation and resentment but much like her father, she knew better than expressing it. After a brief internal struggle, she lowered her head in acquiescence.

Serrtin was shaking her head adamantly. Agemeer sidled up to her. “It is for the best, my friend. There is no other way down other than the Stairwell.”

“Flying? Riding dragons? Yarcka
donot
-”

“Afraid?” Genlo cajoled. Serrtin turned on him as if struck, eyes immense then she frowned. Looking back at the dragon, the warrior considered her options and none of them were any good. Slowly and carefully she climbed atop the dragons back. Agemeer leapt up in front and lay down across her legs. Avarice deigned to impose himself on SkyRift. Though large, Aya wasn’t so sure Quhrron could carry a third person or a forth.

Genlo, seeing the girl indecisive, grew impatient. Demons and dragons were mortal enemies just as their descendants were still; he did not want to be found dawdling in their den for too long. With a sigh that bordered on a growl, Genlo snatched the mage up like a bag of grain in his arms and marched for the edge. Before Aya’s mind could register what he was about to do and before that mind could incite a startled yelp, the wind rushed at her intent
on sucking out her breath and a terrible falling sensation took over. For several chill-inspiring moments, the mage thought the Elfkin had simply gone mad though it didn’t keep her from wrapping her arms as tight as she could around him. Then the horrible free-falling sensation halted with an abrupt jerk. They were still descending rapidly but no longer were they plummeting without restraint.

Quhrron spread her wings and followed after, marveling at the small insignificant creature’s bravery. SkyRift, managing to keep his eyes in their sockets despite the display of recklessness, went after ever so careful not to dislodge his passenger.

After the paralyzing fear faded and Aya was able unbury her face from Genlo’s shoulder she beheld Demaria from a view she would forever remember. The horizon was blue, there were no clouds. Green and brown and all colors in between, Demaria was beautiful. The air was chill but Genlo was warm. The sight was perfect but it was what was closest to her that she could recall the swiftest later on. Her eyes were tearing in the wind so she took the excuse to rest her cheek on Genlo’s chest. Even over the din of the air rushing past and their clothes whipping around them, she believed she could hear his heart beating steady and strong.

Their descent caught once more and two conflicting winds buffeted her brow then none at all. She knew Genlo now stood on solid ground but she did not want to relinquish how it felt to have him hold her in his arms. With a sigh she half-hoped he couldn’t hear or at least not recognize, Aya opened her eyes to survey where they had landed. Genlo sat her on her feet and she saw the spell he had used still remain visible.

“It is a variation of a levitation spell- an evolved aero element spell, if you will.” Genlo responded before she could post the question. Upon his back, peering over his shoulders were two wings black as void and fluttering like oil on water. The outer edges of the wings were wispy as smoke. With a movement like shaking out a cloak, the wings deteriorated back into the air whence they were spawned.

Quhrron and SkyRift landed nearby, Serrtin quickly sliding off to the ground where Yarcka feet were best. Agemeer thanked the dragon extensively though she did not even spare him a glance. Avarice dismissed her with a wave of his small hand and she launched herself back into the sky, blasting them all with the air from her wing beats.

Whether he knew it was against SkyRift’s tastes to be treated like a horse or not, Avarice remained where he sat, keeping the dragon in his Kiyomouri shape. SkyRift, however, deigned not to say anything as was his way
when dealing with Deities. Especially ones as devious and manipulative as the one who held his most precious item hostage.

Chapter 34

Night fell quicker than any had hoped or expected. Talk was held in quiet pockets that burst and drifted hastily away in the cool air of late evening. They decided on a small campfire, no one speaking aloud their reasoning behind hunted travelers feeling safe enough to create a beacon to their whereabouts should anyone be near enough to see to bright flames through the gloom.

The young Deity in their midst sat upon his heels with a stiff formal back, small hands curled in his lap. His expression was bland, giving no hint as to his own thoughts or worries- if he had any. The flames did not reflect in his flat gray eyes but warmed his face with a flush of life. Perhaps Avarice was recalculating their odds, arranging things in his unfathomable mind to fall in their…
His
… favor. Or perhaps he was simply waiting patiently, knowing those he chose to assist him needed to rest their weak bodies and spirits before the final battle arose before them like a creation of their most troubling nightmares.

He remained so still and silent that when he did choose to move, all of the small team’s eyes naturally sought him out. Avarice tucked a hand under his cloak and pulled something out of an inner pocket. It glinted in the campfire light but none were at a vantage to see what it was he held. Whatever it was seemed to hold an immediate allure for SkyRift for the Elf suddenly sat bolt upright on baited breath. That, too, was noted by all.

“I debate on whether your services have been rendered to their entirety, dragon.” He said in his child’s voice. “If releasing you from your obligation in any way sways my favor in this matter, I will be very unhappy.

“So far, however, I see no more reason to keep you around. Your lifethread does not seem wound in this collective fate.” Avarice raised his hand, a chain wrapped in his fingers. He swung it around like a toy, eyeing the Elf with tormenting judgment.

SkyRift’s own eyes widened as he intently watched the chain of delicate spun gold, its unique pendant, one created only for him, by him. With a snap, the boy released the chain and it flew through the air into SkyRift’s eager grasp. SkyRift grinned then chuckled to himself, the noise tinted with a nervous sort of relief, as he scrabbled to remove the bracer on his wrist. Tossing it to the ground, the Elf lowered the pendant reverently over his head to lie on his chest where his heart beat erratically in its cage.

The team looked on, not at all understanding the significance but seeing the change immediately in their Kiyomouri friend. The underlying loss was gone from his eyes, which now gleamed feverishly with an almost mad delight, and his aura itself seemed to take on a new glow. He was whole now.

“You are of no further use to me. Pray, dragon, that I find no reason to call you back into servitude. Now, leave us.”

“Leave?” Aya said, jumping on the idea quickly with a frown. “SkyRift, you aren’t going to leave us are you?”

The mad light left the Elf’s honeyed brown eyes as he looked at the young mage. He had been waiting for this day for so long. He had his possession back. He had his
soul
. The loss was gone, the bracer that allowed him to change his shape was now a filthy reminder on the ground. SkyRift wanted to test his wings, take flight back to Jade and revel in that the whole ordeal was over.

Suddenly he was disheartened at the thought of departing.

The Deity may have no need of him but what of his friends? They were all looking at him with eyes that reflected something akin to how his once were- could he really leave them like this? As selfishly as this?

Aya and Agemeer both were staring at him with sorrow in their large dark eyes. Even Serrtin was looking a bit miffed at the prospect. SkyRift looked to Genlo. The Jrahda-trethen was staring into the fire, gloved hands steepled in front of his face, elbows on his knees. When all attention was off the Elf and on him, Genlo sighed in irritation, closing his eyes momentarily. “Just leave, Yierhna. I am tired of looking at you. Damn Yierhna don’t know when they aren’t wanted anymore.”

SkyRift laughed softly, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Only for a second did Genlo glance up at the Elf, proving his words were not spoken out of harshness for his expression was not unkind. Then he turned back to the fire.

“Thank you.” SkyRift replied softly in understanding. He knew then that it was alright for him to leave them, they would carry on, they would live and they would triumph. The Elf took a deep breath.

~ ~ ~

Watching as the fire light danced over Genlo’s distracted features, Aya was reminded of the time Serrtin, Agemeer and she had made a mad dash after him through the woods near Barda. She dearly hoped the small fishing community had managed to gain some stability after their unfortunate run-in with… With what? They still had not named who or what it was that had attacked the town- whether it was coincidence or something more sinister.

A chill wracked her small frame and she snuggled deeper into the blanket. A bird sounded in the distance, inciting a whole repertoire of unpleasant thoughts to begin circling around her mind. “We should still take care. Now that we are back on Demarian soil, they may send more of those Demons after us. Like they did in Barda.”

“Those were not Demons and no more will be venturing to this land.”

“What? How can you be so sure?” Serrtin said, glad to no longer have to think about the loss of one of their teammates.

“You were not even there, Avarice. How could you know what they were?” Aya questioned.

The Deity looked at them pointedly. “You still do not realize..? Those were
my
creatures, minions I enslaved many eons ago.”

“
You
attacked that town?” Serrtin erupted, coming to her feet. “You did that? Why? Why the hell would you do that?!”

Not liking the insolence in her tone, his steely eyes narrowed but he did not rise from his place on the ground. “I did what I had to do to ensure you and the Dark Elf were to remain together. I could not allow him to escape for I calculate my odds fair the best with you three together.

“I’ve been leading you for quite some time, all without your apparent knowledge. Small details, coincidences that were nothing of the sort. His exact whereabouts- inscribed onto the scroll the moment it came into your possession. Did you think the Votalo had that kind of information available to them? If they had, would they been pressed into contacting the Bounty Circuit?” He paused to let them consider before moving on. “Should you fail in capturing him there, I would be forced into using the town to my advantage. And I did..”