Wings of Arian (52 page)

Kiora stared at the ground, her mother had been viewed as exceptionally lucky for having not one, but two children. She had no idea. It had never been strange to her that there were so few children in Meros, it just, was.

The conversation at the battle played through Kiora’s mind. “When Eleana used the old magic- it broke the enchantment,” she said.

“Yes.”

Shifting awkwardly in her chair, Kiora struggled to keep her voice even. “But why would she do that? If there really are horrible things on the other side of the mountain, things that could destroy the people, why would she allow him to open it now? And why would he do it, he shut it to keep them out in the first place.”

“After you went through the change, Dralazar recognized that he may lose this battle. According to the prophecy, if he loses it will be final. Evil will be banished forever. He is searching for help from the outside.”

“He is going to recruit the creatures that you showed me?”

“I am sure that is his plan, yes.”

Kiora sat, trying to reconcile everything she had heard.

Epona rose from her chair, making her way down the steps, “Kiora, once a path is chosen, things align themselves in order with it. When Dralazar locked the gate, securing the valley as his own, magic intervened. It began calling Soluses and Protectors to keep things in balance to keep Dralazar’s evil from overrunning everything. But now that the gate has been opened,” Epona ran her fingers over the gray stone wings. “Things are changing.”

“Will we not need a Solus anymore?”

Epona turned, “Kiora, there is so much you will need to see and understand, much more than I can show you in one night. But you need to know of your calling. You asked why Eleana would open the old magic. She suspected your true calling from the day you went through the change. You are not a Solus, you are
The
Solus. There are prophecies about you, out there in the world, that date back thousands and thousands of years,” she stretched her arm out, “You will unite us all.”

The wings shuddered and once again rushed over a world that Kiora had never seen. Foreign faces flicked through, one after another, each whispering her name.

“What are you telling me?” Kiora asked, pushing herself back into her chair, desperate to deny the knowledge that was resonating within her.

“Kiora, it was said that the Creator gifted the people a collection of jewels that shone brighter than the sun. And from them sprang the source of light and joy.” Walking back to her chair Epona explained, “One by one over the years, some of the jewels were stolen. Nobody knows who took them, or where they went. Whoever took them was powerful— powerful enough to prevent themselves from being seen. Not even by wings, or visions. The only thing that has ever been seen is a dark shadowed figure.”

Epona continued, “When the treasure was lost, a darkness spread over the land. Some, such as your own people, were able at times to withstand the darkness and find peace and harmony despite this, but others lost themselves to the evil. It was prophesied that one day a child would come to restore what was lost. A child, and a Witow,” Epona said with a nod to Kiora before sitting herself back down.

“Eleana used that word,” Kiora interrupted. “What does it mean?”

“A Witow is an ancient word for those without any magic.” Tilting her head to the side, Epona continued, “I was intrigued when I learned your Protector was a human, a Witow in fact. It had never happened before. I could see how well he complemented you, but it was a dangerous choice. And then when you went through the change, Eleana and I began to wonder. Now that the gate is opened, I can feel the magic calling you.”

Kiora tried to imagine herself going through the gate, but her thoughts were still slippery. “If the gate is open why can I still not think of crossing the mountains?” she asked.

“The enchantment was strong and has been in place for thousands of years. It is pulling back as we speak, but it will take time before the entire residue is gone. The magic that calls you is stronger. Surely you feel it.”

Kiora stared at the ground in front of her, anywhere but in the eyes of the woman who sat before her. “What about Dralazar?” she asked. “What if he has already gone to get others?” “Dralazar is going to be distracted for a time. The spell Eleana used on him was particularly potent.” The old woman smiled. “ Dare say he deserved it.”

“Did it really affect his magic?”

“Oh yes. It will take him some time to repair the damage. That hand may never be the same again. Dralazar has no intention of risking an attack on you in his weakened state. Especially now that the gate is open, he will think time is on his side.”

“Does he know of this prophecy?”

“I am sure he does. But I would be surprised if he had given it a thought any time in the last three thousand years.” Epona chuckled. “He never was very good at looking at anything besides what was right in front of his nose.”

Kiora’s mind was eased at the possibility of a reprieve from worrying about an attack from Dralazar. But as it did, she felt a tugging, something pulling at the rivers of magic that already flowed through her. Something was calling her. Closing her eyes she squeezed her hands into fists. It would have been so much easier to think that Epona was wrong, or lying, but she couldn’t. Something was calling her, and a terrible weight settled onto her shoulders.

“I think that it is time for you to return to Emane, he is worried about you.”

Kiora opened her eyes, staring out into the room.

Epona rose and walked to Kiora, gently taking her hands and pulling her to her feet. Kiora reluctantly looked into Epona’s gentle eyes. “Kiora, I know it is difficult to understand. I know that this is not something you would have chosen. The magic calls you because it knows your heart. Your heart is incorruptible, a rare quality indeed.”

Patting Kiora’s hand, Epona said, “I will not burden you with anymore tonight. Please, go back to your Protector. Talk with him— he understands more than you know.” Epona leaned in and kissed Kiora on the forehead as a grandmother would her granddaughter. “Drustan will also be an invaluable friend on your journey.”

“What about Aleric?”

“Aleric has been called in a different direction, for now.”

“I don’t understand.”

Epona shook her head firmly. “You have so many questions and not enough energy left to listen to the answers. You must learn your limits child. Arturo will take you back now.”

Kiora heard the gentle clopping of Arturo’s hooves walking slowly into the room. Pulling herself onto his back, she looked to Epona who was watching her with a mix of pride and sadness.

“Kiora, please try to understand Eleana. What she wishes for most of all right now is your forgiveness.”

Kiora nodded wordlessly, laying her head down on Arturo’s neck. She closed her eyes as he left the Hall and she didn’t open them again as they flew home.

Arturo came in at the border of the camp. Kiora slid off, still damp and cold, inside and out. The sun had risen, painting the sky in fantastic pinks and oranges, but was unable to paint her emotions.

How are you?
Arturo asked.

“Not now,” she said softly. Her hand dropped off his back, falling heavily to her side. Without a glance backwards, she walked numbly into camp.

Almost making it to her bed, she was pulling back her tent flap when a wave of raw emotion slammed into her. Emane was coming. She sat herself down on her bed in anticipation of the onslaught.

***

Emane caught a glimpse of Kiora’s dark hair disappearing into her tent and he stormed after her. Throwing back the flap, he marched in. “Where have you been?” he demanded. “I have been looking for you for over an hour. I wake up and you are gone! No one has seen you, no one knows where you are!” he said ticking off the offenses on his finger.

“And would it be too much for you to call me? I know you can do it, you have used it before.” His voice grew louder, pacing back in forth in front of her. “So why is it that you do not feel the need to notify me when you choose to go missing in the middle of the night? Kiora! How am I supposed to protect you when I can’t keep you within twenty feet of me!” He looked around frantically. “And why is it that there is not a single hard surface in here for me to hit!?” He took to pacing again. “Do you think you could enlighten me as to what was so important that you almost gave me heart attack?”

Before Kiora could answer, Emane continued his rant.

“And it’s not just me anymore Kiora. Aleric was worried sick, as were the people.” He stopped yelling, and turned his back to her. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask for you to take me with you when you leave. And if nothing else, at least notify us.”

“I am sorry,” she whispered.

He spun around. “Sorry isn’t good enough, Kiora!” He looked at her, eyes flashing.

It was the first time since entering the tent he had actually taken time to really look at her. As soon as he saw her, he wished he hadn’t said anything. She was still damp. Her eyes looked cold and empty, her shoulders hunched. There was a hollowness about her that he had not seen before.

He deflated, “What happened?”

She looked up at him with pleading eyes and what was left of his anger dispelled. Plopping down on the bed next to her be put his arms around her and pulled her into him. “What happened?” he asked again.

She shook her head, “I can’t, not yet.” Burying her face in his chest, she murmured, “I am sorry I scared you.”

Pushing Kiora’s wet, matted hair out of her face, Emane kissed her forehead. “Will you promise to tell me?”

“I will,” she said her voice still muffled from his shirt. “It is as much about you as it is about me. But right now I just need you to hold me. Do you think you could forgive me long enough to do that?”

“Come here,” he said, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms tight around her. “I will hold you as long as you need me to.”

Emane felt Kiora relax against him, her breathing slowing to a steady even pace. Breathing her in, he leaned his forehead against hers.

Chapter Twenty-nine

FREEDOM

KIORA AWOKE TO THE heat of the sun beating on the side of her tent. Staring at the ceiling she smiled at herself, she had taken it better this time than last. At least she hadn’t run out of the Hall of Protectors screaming, and a dreamless sleep had left her better prepared to accept the enormity of what she had been told last night.

Trying to think about going over the mountains, Kiora found that for the first time in her life she could. Thinking on that, she felt the pull deepen. The magic was indeed calling her. She was ready to tell Emane what she had learned, but she needed to find Drustan first. It only took her a few minutes to track the Shifter down and set her plan in motion before she was off to find Emane.

She found him in a small clearing away from camp, running drills with his sword. Bubbling herself so as to not disturb him, she leaned against a tree to watch. He moved gracefully around the clearing, sparring with an imaginary enemy.

She envied his grace. It was not a gift she possessed. When she fought, she was awkward, her movements stiff. Emane promised her that fluidity would come in time, but she doubted it. Some people were just born with gifts, this was one of his.

Letting all of her worries melt away for a time, Kiora’s heart swelled for this prince whose path had just changed as much as hers. She felt guilty and grateful at the same time— guilty that she was responsible for taking him away from his kingdom, and grateful that he would be at her side throughout this.

With one more wide swing, Emane shoved his sword into the ground, breathing hard. Kiora dropped her bubble and begin a gentle applause. He whirled, hand still on hilt, before he realized it was her.

“Kiora!” He beamed, running to embrace her.

She hugged him back fiercely. “I have something I need to share with you.”

“Is this in regards to where you disappeared last night?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.

“It is, but it’s something I would rather explain somewhere else,” she reached out taking both his hands in hers. “Will you come with me?”

“I would go anywhere with you, don’t you know that by now?”

She truly hoped he would. “Come on then,” she said, pulling him.

“What about Dralazar?”

“I have been assured that Dralazar will be out of commission for a little while.”

“Really? By who?”

They walked across the camp hand in hand. “Epona”

Emane’s brow furrowed as if trying to remember why he knew that name. “Epona? You went to the Hall of Protectors?”

“Yes. It was beautiful.” She glanced at him sideways. “Why didn’t you tell me that you had been there?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Aleric and I came straight from there when you were attacked by the dragon. After that, it didn’t seem as important as what we were dealing with”

Emane and Kiora left the protection of camp and Kiora stopped. “Where we are going is not close. I have asked Drustan for a ride.”

“Drustan? Why not Arturo?”

She took a few steps before answering, “I have so many thoughts swirling around right now, I would really like, just this once, to keep them to myself.”

Emane nodded, “I completely understand.” A large pegasus stepped out through the trees. Emane inclined his head, “Arturo?”

“Hello, Drustan,” Kiora said with a chuckle.

Rolling his eyes, Emane went to help Kiora on, “Why did you have to look exactly like Arturo?”

Drustan stretched his neck back to look at him, “I really like to mess with you.”

Emane pulled himself up behind Kiora. Leaning over her shoulder, he said, “Have I mentioned how much I like this guy?”

Kiora and Drustan both burst into laughter as his wings took them high into the sky.

“Where to?” Drustan asked as they soared.

Kiora took a deep breath. “The mountains.”

Drustan’s bellowing laugh rolled over the valley. “I was hoping you would say that!” he yelled, picking up speed.

As they flew Kiora tried to prep Emane for the news he was about to receive. “Have you ever thought about going over the mountains? I mean really going over?”