Etania's Calling, page 16
“Are you okay?” Etania asked, looking up at him. He nodded once.
The boat shook as Cam navigated around another Shard. Keyel tightened his grip around Etania’s waist.
“I guess you’ll have to stay like this a little longer,” he said, his voice gruff.
“That’s fine,” Etania said. “I feel safer this way.”
Keyel blushed. His heart pounded... and not because of Cam’s navigation.
“One more!” the sailor yelled. “Brace yourselves!”
Keyel closed his eyes as Cam swung dangerously close to another Shard. The wood splintered as the rock scraped the starboard side of the boat.
“My boat!” Cam cried.
“Do we really have time to worry about that?” Bayanna shouted. “Look there!”
Keyel opened his eyes. Before them, way too close, was the island of Zimita.
“Zaden, drop the anchor at the stern!” Cam shouted. “Bayanna—”
The Kinzoku was already dashing toward the anchor at the bow. Keyel could only watch, holding his breath, as his companions rushed to stop the boat in time. Cam, using his Neuma, tried to pull the vessel back into deeper water. Keyel heard the rear anchor plop into the ocean, the front anchor following shortly after. The boat stalled, the groan of wood echoing in Keyel’s ears.
Everything stopped.
“Well, we made it,” Cam announced. Keyel released a breath and untied the rope harnesses.
“It’s a beautiful island,” Etania said. “Look at those palm trees! And such green grass.”
“I hope it was worth it,” Cam said. “I’m exhausted. If you need me, I’ll be below deck. When I wake, I’ll be by the starboard prow making repairs.”
“I might rest, too,” Zaden added, coming up from the stern. “I swear my heart stopped when he squeezed past that last rock.”
“What are you whining about?” Bayanna said. “That was amazing! I’m so impressed, Cam!”
“Thank you, my lady. Now, if you don’t need me...”
“No, I think we will be fine,” Etania said.
“It’s almost noon,” Keyel pointed out. “Do you think we should explore the island now?”
“Let’s go!” Bayanna exclaimed.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“I, for one, am up for resting first,” Zaden said.
“You didn’t even do much!” Keyel retorted.
Zaden huffed. “This body isn’t meant for these kinds of adventures. I’m used to a more... peaceful lifestyle.”
Keyel glared at the man. He hoped Etania could see right through the phony prince.
“Zaden, stay on the boat and rest,” Etania said. “Keyel, Bayanna, and I are going to look around.”
Etania strode to the side of the boat, where the dinghy was kept. Keyel followed.
“Are you sure about this, Etania?” he asked.
“I know you’re worried, but we can’t waste any more time. Jazel could be here before us, for all we know.”
Keyel had to admit she had a point. They did not know where Jazel was, and if she was looking anywhere close, they needed to get the sword immediately. So he hopped into the dinghy and proffered his hand to help Bayanna and Etania climb in. Once settled, they asked Zaden to lower the dinghy into the water. Keyel paddled them to shore, where they dragged the dinghy onto the sand, keeping it anchored with some rope.
Standing on the shore, looking at the vast island, Keyel wondered if they would ever find the Sword of Zimita.
JAZEL YAWNED AND STRETCHED. It was finally time. Her wounds had completely healed, and she needed to enact her plan. Narak stirred, waking to her decision.
As if answering an unspoken question, he said, “I have an idea.”
“Are you going to make me guess?” Jazel retorted.
“Grumpy, are we? Not a morning person?”
“Just tell me what you were going to say.”
“Part of me is in contact with Damien because of the power in his sword.”
“So what?” Jazel rolled her eyes.
“Last night, he obtained something that will be useful.”
“Will you just tell me already?”
“He has dragons.”
Jazel smiled.
“How fast can we get one?”
“Already on its way,” Narak replied. “I told Damien over an hour ago that we would need one.”
“Hey, I didn’t approve of that!”
“But aren’t you glad, anyway?” Narak taunted.
Jazel huffed. She didn’t have time to complain. Indira was still sleeping, so she called for the nursemaid to care for the child. Before she handed the toddler over, Jazel kissed the girl’s cheek.
“Soon,” she promised, “it will all be over.”
Indira cooed and opened her eyes slightly. She gurgled happily, and the servant took the babe from Jazel, rocking her back to sleep.
A sigh escaped Jazel’s lips. A small part of her wanted to give up this quest. To let the past be the past, if only to be with her little girl. But a memory squashed that small part. The memory of seeing her mother executed right in front of her eyes fueled her fury. She would never forgive Jakin, never!
Quickly, Jazel packed her knapsack, stuffing it with only what she needed. She donned her armor and weapons before slinging the knapsack over her back. By the time she arrived at the kitchens, the servants must have spread word of her departure. They gave her food quickly, kowtowing and acting like slobbering idiots.
Jazel snatched a piece of flatbread for breakfast from a servant. She headed out of the palace, smiling as even the guards eagerly permitted her to leave. Either Prince Xavier and King Victor spread the word about her temper or the servants gossiped. Jazel couldn’t be certain.
Descending the stairs, she headed for the outskirts of Gotha. She could mount a dragon unnoticed outside the city walls. Narak must have communicated to Damien’s dragon, because she found it waiting for her by the time she arrived. Narak helped her float up to its back, where he created a cushion of shadow so that she would be comfortable. She gripped the dragon spike in front of her and smiled.
“You know, it can be scary when you read my mind without me knowing it.”
“I aim to please,” Narak said. “Shall we go?”
“With pleasure!” Jazel said. “Let’s go burn down some grasslands.”
HEAT SURROUNDED JAZEL as the dragon blew fire over a wide range of acreage. The acrid smell of smoke filled her nostrils. Jazel and Narak guided the dragon in a pattern over the lands, making sure that they covered the Equus grassland in flame. Once, they had to dodge the Equus’ arrows and spears, but Narak’s powers—and the dragon’s agility—made it impossible to be hit.
Jazel smirked at her accomplishment. This would be a great blow to the Equus! After all, the Equus were nomadic, traveling from place to place in herds and letting their unicorns graze in varying areas so that the grasses grew back. They only had one large city, Hovhan, where the women and children gathered. The men would retire there during the winter.
Jazel didn’t have to touch the city to fulfill her obligation to King Victor and Prince Xavier. This would cause enough chaos. For reasons she couldn’t quite understand, she felt... happy... that the Equus would be suffering. Why? This emotion wasn’t fully her own. She used to only feel delight when Jakin or his daughter suffered. But now, she enjoyed the suffering of others. Something had changed.
“Narak, are you the reason for this?”
“We are becoming more aligned, my lady. Our joining could affect us in ways that neither you nor I expect.”
Jazel bit her bottom lip. Something about Narak’s explanation didn’t quite seem right.
“What do you get out of this arrangement?” she wondered.
“Freedom to walk and use my powers, of course.” Narak paused, trying to probe Jazel’s mind. “Are you worried about our agreement, my lady?”
“No,” Jazel lied.
Sensing this, Narak said, “I promise I will accomplish what you desire, Jazel. My powers will help you get vengeance.”
His assurances eased her somewhat. Jazel steered the dragon away from the Equus lands and headed north, toward the Island of Zimita. She would need to rest during the journey there, but she would be near the island within two days.
Then, this would all be worth it. Wouldn’t it?
Chapter Fifteen
Etania felt it. A tugging in her heart, confirmed by the glow of the Mark. This way, Melchizedek whispered, and Etania followed. She heard her companions’ questions: Where are you going? Are you sure this is the right path? All she could say was: Yes, I am sure this is the way to the Sword. She felt as certain that the guidance from Melchizedek’s Mark would lead her to it, just as she knew that the sun would rise.
The Island of Zimita was populated by pine trees, closely packed together. A few paths wound among them, worn down by animals, but she didn’t take those. She followed where Melchizedek led until, at last, she arrived.
It was a cave. The entrance stretched taller than the trees, as if some chasm into the side of a mountain. It possibly was.
Etania waited patiently for Keyel to light their torches. The flames slightly illuminated the cave and they could see a stalactite hanging ominously from the ceiling.
“Feels like home,” Bayanna said.
“I don’t think we’ll find any Kinzoku here,” Keyel commented.
“I’m not stupid. I’m just making a general—”
Etania stopped listening to their banter because her Mark glowed again, pointing her in the right direction.
“This way,” she told them, walking ahead without waiting for them.
The cave narrowed and sloped downward as they journeyed farther inside. The passageway became thinner, and Etania noticed sconces with unlit torches lining the walls. She could hear Keyel and Bayanna lighting them, but she didn’t join in. She had to keep going.
“Etania, slow down,” Keyel cautioned. “We don’t know what is ahead. It could be dangerous.”
“I...don’t think it is,” Etania replied.
Keyel reached out, wrapping his fingers around Etania’s bicep.
“How do you know?”
“The Mark,” Etania said, as it glowed in response. “It’s telling me to move forward.”
“But—”
“Keyel, please trust me.”
His blue eyes darkened, but he let go of her arm.
Moving forward, Etania followed the tunnel until it widened again. This part of the cave was small and round. To Etania’s surprise, it looked like a living area, with a stove, table, and chairs. There was even a curtained area near the back that resembled a bedroom. Etania observed all of this in a moment, but her eyes were drawn to a sword affixed to the wall of the cave.
Could it be—? she thought, reaching for the handle.
“Back off. That Sword is mine!”
Etania whirled around to discover who could be the source of the voice. A man glared at her from the shadows. Around his neck, he wore an amulet with a diamond. The clues falling into place, Etania made a guess.
“Werdna?” she questioned.
“How do you know my name?” the man asked. For the first time, Etania noticed he held a sword in his hand. He pointed it at her.
“Drop your weapon or be pierced through,” Keyel threatened, coming behind Werdna with his own sword flourished.
“Keyel, don’t, he’s a—”
Before the words could leave her lips, Werdna whirled around and met Keyel’s blade with his own. Both men were at a disadvantage because of the furniture and small size of the room. Nevertheless, both expertly avoided the furnishings, sparring back and forth with expert precision. Despite being a Leici, Keyel’s skill evenly matched Werdna’s because Jakin had trained him.
Etania realized their duel had created a perfect distraction. She grabbed the handle of the sword and it immediately emitted a brilliant, white light in her hand. It blinded Werdna, Keyel, and Bayanna—the Kinzoku just stumbled in. The light faded, and the hilt felt warm in her hand. The Mark on her shoulder glowed, and Etania heard Melchizedek’s voice.
Are you ready to put your full trust in me? To know, even if you never regain your powers, that I will be with you and help you conquer Jazel?
Trust. Etania had lost the trust of her suitor. She had lost trust in herself the moment her powers disappeared. So when Melchizedek said trust—regardless of whether she got her powers back—she hesitated. She had resolved the night before that she would say yes. But now, with his question, she wavered.
Have I ever failed you? Melchizedek asked.
Etania thought about it. Even when she had been captured by King Toren, she still escaped because of her father and Deo’s providence. Even though she had believed she wouldn’t master her powers, she had, with Melchizedek’s help.
No, Etania admitted.
So then, will you trust me?
Her mind finally made up, she replied, Yes.
At that moment, the sword glowed again, transforming into a crossbow with a single bolt. As she examined the smooth, white wood, she somehow knew she would never run out of bolts with this. Werdna disengaged from his battle with Keyel and gaped at Etania.
“It hasn’t done that since my son—” Werdna cut himself short. “Are you half-Lehrling?”
“My name is Etania,” she confirmed, “and my father is Jakin Selali.”
Werdna laughed, sheathing his sword and slapping his knee. Keyel, Bayanna, and Etania exchanged glances.
“Jakin always wanted a son,” Werdna said, “but of course, he got a daughter! Serves him right! Always bragging he’d have a boy better than mine one day.”
Of course he did, Etania thought.
“Wait a minute, you’re a Lehrling?” Bayanna questioned.
“Yes,” Etania added. “That’s what I was trying to tell Keyel.”
Her suitor looked sheepish and sheathed his sword.
“We thought you were dead,” Etania told Werdna.
“Oh?” the Lehrling questioned.
“My father told us you pursued your son and that he died on this island, along with you.”
“A partial truth.”
“So, what really happened?” Keyel asked.
“My son did crash on this island, and we fought here, until I was forced to...” he paused. “My son passed away, and I come here every year to memorialize him.”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you tell my father? He thought you died!”
“I would much rather he believe that than let him borrow the Sword again,” Werdna said. “Because of them, my son... well, nevermind.”
“Whatever happened to your son is in the past now,” Bayanna said. “Etania needs the Sword of Zimita to defeat Jazel and Narak.”
“Yes, and you can see that it has bonded to Etania,” Keyel added.
“It doesn’t matter,” Werdna said. “I will take the Sword of Zimita with me.”
Etania hesitated. What had happened, that Werdna didn’t trust Etania with the Sword? What would they do if they couldn’t leave with it?
“Please, Lehrling Werdna,” Etania said. “Please let us have it.”
Werdna’s eyes softened. “I can’t.”
“It is very important that we take the Sword with us,” Keyel said. “I don’t want to, but I will fight you for it.”
“You impertinent boy!” Werdna’s stance shifted. “What is so important that you need to take the Sword?”
This isn’t good, Etania thought. They’re evenly matched. I’m not sure Keyel would win even if they did duel.
“Narak!” Etania blurted out. “Jazel, our previous queen, used a gauntlet to possess Narak’s abilities. If we don’t get the sword, we won’t be able to—I won’t be able to stop her from destroying Tamnarae!”
“Narak,” Werdna spat out his name. “That demon has given me too much trouble.”
“Exactly,” Keyel agreed. “Narak enabled Jazel to curse Jakin! That’s why we badly need the sword. We can’t remove Narak without it.”
“If you don’t give us the sword,” Bayanna also threatened, “I’ll join Keyel to fight you for it!”
Werdna stared at them and Etania eyed both of her friends. Even though Keyel had fought her father before and Bayanna was skilled, Etania wondered if they would really be a match for Werdna. Plus, she didn’t want to fight. She needed to think of something, and quickly! Her Mark glowed, as words suddenly filled her.
“Werdna, I am supposed to be a Vexli,” she said, her voice wavering. She gulped. “But I can’t seem to use my Neuma properly. With this Sword, I feel...”
What did she feel? She paused for a moment and smiled as a flicker of flame warmed her, originating from the Mark.
“...my Neuma is back. It’s like Melchizedek is with me again.”
Werdna stroked his beard and stared at Etania for a moment. Then, he walked up to her.
“Melchizedek is always with you, as long as you wear that Mark,” Werdna said, poking the glowing rose on her shoulder.
“You can see it?” Etania’s eyebrows rose. “Most people can’t see the Mark through our clothing.”
“Yes, I can see your Mark,” Werdna said. “I can see Keyel’s, too.”
Etania realized he hadn’t mentioned Bayanna. This concerned her briefly, but Werdna’s words brought her back to the present.
“That’s why I’ve decided to trust you with the sword,” Werdna said. “Besides, the Kinzoku is right. What happened to my son is in the past, and that can’t affect the future.”
“Thank you, Lehrling Werdna.” Etania curtsied as best she could with a crossbow in hand.
“You’re welcome. All I ask is that you come back here one year from now. Can you do that? I would like the Sword—Crossbow—at that time.”
“I promise,” Etania said.
“Good. Now sail out of here before I change my mind! Where is your boat, by the way?”
“It’s on the other side of the island,” Etania said. “Cam and Zaden are keeping it there for us.”
