Aivar closed his eyes and sighed. It was hopeless. There was nothing to be found here, at least nothing he was looking for. He rubbed his temples and again sighed loud enough for the others to hear. He looked around at them, in annoyance, deliberately ignoring him. Closing the rather large heavy black book before him, he stood and stretched.
It was a beautiful day out, the suns--Daidra and Ekron were shining, birds were singing and a light breeze rustled the trees, filling the air with the scent of flowers. At least that was what the day was like before he was dragged in here by his Quorae.
He walked by them now, glancing at the books lined out in front of them. They ignored him and continued their browsing, skimming through book after book after book. He continued into the labyrinth of shelves of the rather impressive library, passing absent mindedly by hundreds of books. It was such a nice day out, another sigh.
The only part of the day available to him now was sunlight streaming through a massive circular window of stained glass at the top of the dome which served as the building's ceiling. The mural depicted on it was of the faithful, heads and knees bowed in prayer to the Rai of light; Uz, here shown as a pale skin youth with pointy ears, blue eyes and silver hair, wearing a white robe. In his hands was an overly large book and above his head was a halo as bright as Daidra herself.
Around the periphery wall of the library were other stained glass windows, all showing Rai Uz being praised and in his hands were gifts he had given the world. Fire, plants of many variations, many animals and a child, nymphs who spread the bounty of nature. All in all a grand library but still not as beautiful as outside.
So what if they were attacked by some strange creatures on their way to Erza, it has been three months and no word has come of any signs of these beings since. Why not put their existence behind them, it was not as if anyone was seriously hurt. Instead, here they were on such a beautiful day in the realm of Onra doing research. Typical, Aldien was such a slave driver.
He halted and checked the titles of the books before him, it seemed he had looked through all of them. The existence of these creatures, it seemed, has never been documented. He sighed again, damn it, what a waste of a beautiful day.
Life in the realm of Onra was not what he had expected it to be. He loved the warmth, the light and trees, the birds and bees. Strange enough, he had made friends. All the anxiety about living in a realm of light have failed to be realised.
Even so, he was warned ever so often by Auron not to let his guard down. It was hard not to. How he would love to be sprawled out on his back right now, gazing into the clear blue sky.
They did almost nothing all day, they were guests and were treated as such. Their one duty was to travel to the Daidran city, one Quorae every week, where they would stay for a day and return sworn to silence.
"Enough of this, I am going outside."
He turned and headed for the exit, walking by the table his Quorae was seated at.
He had asked, on many occasions, the Lamechs that have travelled to the Daidran city, what it was like, what are the Daidrans like? "A vow is a vow," was the only answer he had received.
He slowed his pace and looked around as if admiring the white walls and high windows of stained glass as his actions caught Adonis's attention.
Adonis looked away and smiled, it was obvious what he was up to.
Within the ranks of his Quorae Aivar was treated as though he was a kid brother. The others spoiled him, letting him get away with things no other member would get away with. Strange, for he was only a year younger than they were.
He exited the library and inhaled deeply, absorbing the scent of the flowers of the nearby gardens. The day was almost over, made obvious by the golden glow to the west, soon Daidra would be sinking below the horizon.
He made his way towards the western gardens, as he has done each evening. The white buildings, supported by pillars too numerous to be counted, towered around him. They were all temples and cathedrals littering the mountainside. They were watched over by a titanic white statute of the Rai Uz standing atop the mountain. It was called the holy city, though in Aivar's opinion it was too small to be so dubbed. It was occupied solely by priests, monks and soldiers, the few civilians were servants.
The gardens to the west were the best place to watch the sunset, as the Nandurans staying here well knew. He wondered, as the wind brought the golden cloak he wore to life, why did the sunset fascinate the Nandurans? Each evening they would gather to watch Ekron's and Daidra's descent. Basking in the last of their radiance, nature's life line.
He walked on the pathway of grey stone that led to the gardens. This was only because walking barefooted on the grass was frowned upon by the priests and monks. How can something so sensational be frowned on, he thought. He bowed slightly in respect and smiled as he walked by a group of monks dressed in golden robes. They do not have a clue what they are missing.
He twinkled his toes in his leather boots as he thought of the feel of the grass. Just one of the many things he loved about this realm, was it like this throughout, was the city of the Daidrans just as nice.
He found it peculiar that his Quorae with the alleged son of a Daidran was not the first to be chosen to visit the Daidran city. However with the many colourful distractions to be found all around, he had pushed it from his mind. After all Auron and Adonis could be wrong.
He chuckled as he remembered some of Auron's past hilarious assumptions, his mentor could be so crazy at times. He laughed out aloud and quickly looked around if anyone had seen him and thought him insane. No, noone, then an idea. In a flash he was barefooted and walking in the grass with his boots swung over his shoulders. If he was caught it would mean trouble. Worth it, he thought.
He continued towards the gardens mindful of the monks, priest and guards. Now and then he would pause just long enough to curl his toes in the grass. All too soon though he had to return to the stone path as he had arrived at the western garden gates. Still he did not replace his boots as there was a chance, a very slight one, that when the Nandurans gather to watch the sunset he could once again slip unnoticed onto the grass. He smiled at the thought.
"You look pleased... Aldien, no huh, don't tell me, don't tell me... Aivar."
Aivar turned his attention to the group of guards standing close to the garden entrance. Deinos, he was always getting them mixed up. Yes there were a hundred of them but it has been twelve weeks since their arrival.
Sure Nandurans shared the same physical attributes, same colour eyes, same physical build, all being tall and slender, they wore the same colour clothing and wore their hair in the same style but to mistake him for Aldien was going a bit far.
"What can I say, life is good." Aivar smiled, despite him. I am way more handsome than Aldien, Aivar mused.
"I guess it is," Deinos replied, peeking behind Aivar. "Where are the others?"
"Around." Aivar replied as he turned towards the western sky, watching the great sun coating the surrounding clouds a brilliant orange. Adonis and the others were going to miss the sunset if they did not hurry.
His attention shifted to the the garden terraces below filled with flowers abloom and Nandurans filing in, taking their places to watch the setting Daidra. The gold of the city cloak seemed more vivid in the setting sunlight.
"Are you watching the sunset with us?" Aivar asked without turning.
"Huh, well sure. I am here so I might as well." Deinos walked to his side whilst answering.
For a fraction of a second Aivar's eyes shifted to the captain but were drawn immediately back to the suns. The human was short, well, short from a Lamech's point of view, with brown hair and eyes, a peculiarly sharp nose and high cheek bones. He wore silver armour covered by the city's golden cloak like all the city guards. The various decorations adorning his armor that denoted his rank meant little to Aivar.
"I was sent here to..."
"Aivar... Shoes." Aldien walked to Aivar's side while the rest of the Quorae continued into the garden. He nodded towards the captain he had interrupted. "Deinos."
"Aegis, right?"
Aivar rolled his eyes and walked away. Blind, definitely blind.
"No, I am Aldien."
"Right, right, how could I forget. You are one of the twins."
Aldien smiled shook his head and walked away.
The sky was a brilliant orange. The light from a descending Daidra caressed the faces of a hundred Nandurans and shaded the white towers of the city a pale orange.
This was her city, the lamechs were taught, built before her ascension to the heavens, and was built in honour of the the first three Rais--Zohar the Creator, Uz the Rai of Light and Hagar the dark Rai. Today, though still grand, it was no where close to its former glory. It once stretched hundreds of miles, joining this site with the Daidran city so far away.
History spoke of its once great civilization, a civilization that tore it self apart, scattering its descendants all across the world. All this because of the war that is still being fought today--the servants of Rai Uz versus the servants of Rai Hagar, being fought because each side believes neither have the right to exist. The world would be better if it was all good, no, the world was already all chaotic and dark, anyone who thought otherwise was delusional. Either side was dangerous and their misguided philosophies would lead to Armageddon.
The temperature fell as the light of the great sun faded. Aivar curled his toes over and over again while basking in the last of Daidra's rays. She was leaving him, until the next day when her smile would once again warm his soul. What did she look like before her change, he wondered. The Sfin queen, her smile so beautiful it warmed the heart of all who beheld it. Radiance personified, no wonder she was made a star.
The eyes of the company of Nandurans stood out, as she sank beneath the horizon. Their eyes golden and catlike, matched the colour of the cloak of the city. The colour of the world retreated with the light, leaving the leaves, the flowers and all else a dull and tasteless grey. A chill wind blew across the grounds, tossing the hair and clothing of the Lamechs. They moved off, there was nothing keeping them there anymore, Daidra was gone.
Until tomorrow, Aivar thought as the wind made play of his hair. He looked around at the now colourless world, it reminded him now so much of the realm and his love that he had left behind.
"Forgive me," he whispered to himself as he turned towards the city with his head held down. "Sarah."
Aldien, the twins and, behind Aivar as always, Adonis headed for the city buildings.
The city looked so different at nights, it was cloaked in darkness with the lamps and torches standing out in defiance. It was now so much like the Lamechi city. During the day the novelty of Onra kept Aivar distracted, but when the light faded and the temperature fell he thinks of her. Her eyes, large and warm.
"I am hungry." Echelon cried.
It was a lie, they all knew it. Or at least it was not totally true. He was not craving food but the face and touch of the one he loves. It was Aivar's fault, the fringes of his emotions were travelling along their bond.
"Aldien, leader of Quorae thirteen, come with us please, you and your group."
They halted and their attentions turned to Deinos and the group of guards standing at the garden's entrance.
"Quorae thirteen?" Aldien asked.
"Yes, come with us please."
They followed in silence, each wondering what this was about. Deinos did not look displeased, so maybe it was nothing.
The stone path had lost its warmth, Aivar noticed. His feet were cold because he still had not refitted his boots. He stopped suddenly, causing the others to stop as well. He knelt, putting his boots on, but with his feet again warm he now realized that maybe the guards had seen him barefooted on the grass earlier.
"What is the hold up?" A grey eyed guard with raven black hair asked. He seemed agitated.
"May I ask what this is about," Aivar asked, a nervous smile painting his face. "If this is about me being on the grass earlier, I..."
"This is about why you filth were allowed to enter our realm. Now shut your mongrel mouth and get moving."
There was silence, only the wind whistling through the pine needles offered any relief from the sudden quietude. Aivar, with eyes wide, stood to face the guard who had spoken the words.
"What did you call me?"
"I know you heard me, now get moving and drop this act of innocence. We all know what lies beneath your smile, we know what you really are."
"Do you?" Aivar asked. "If you did, you would not have spoken those words. Not in my presence and definitely not this close to me."
"And why not?" The guard met Aivar's sneer from beneath his helmet. "What do you think you can do here, this is our realm, not the glorified ditch you call home, I dare you to try anything."
The guard's hand moved to the hilt of his sword. This was a mistake, a clash here could break the fragile peace both realms had work so hard to achieve and lead to all out war between Onra and Pejora. Was the guard too stupid to realize this, or could it be in his intention? There are some among this realm who desire this, for they saw the lamechs as not only abominations but as traitors who turned their backs on Rai Uz's redemption.
The lamechs were part Hagarian, the results of innocent maidens, the most beautiful of elven virgins, being ravished by the invading dark forces over three milenia ago. Their race was the abomination that came into being when the world was at its darkest, the period known as the dark ages, when twelve of Aeonra's then fourteen realms were under the rule of the dark Rai Hagar.
The first Lamechs were grudgingly taken under the wings of the followers of Rai Uz. The Hagarians had thought them too weak to be of any use, but one high ranking official among the fast fading realms of light had seen their potential. The Lamechs reproduced rapidly like rabbits and quickly had gained strength in numbers. So why not use this? The followers of Rai Uz did, but the Lamechs were no more than slaves used for war, cannon fodder really. They rebelled and in the process took the mineral rich Pejora with them.
Aivar backed away. He could kill this guard in less than a second and watch the life drain from his grey insolent eyes. He could slaughter a hundred men before he was overtaken by their sorcery. The urge to do so was overwhelming, it welled up in him, burning him.
The eyes of the guard hurt him. Those grey contemptuous eyes. He turned abruptly and bumped into Aldien who held on to his shoulders. He closed his eyes, trying desperately to conceal the intensified glow of Nandura.
His quorae surrounded him quickly feeling his mal-intent.
"Keep your blasted opinion to yourself," Deinos commanded.
"These bastards need to learn their place."
"I said shut your mouth." Deinos seethed. "Or you will taste the steel of my blade."
The damage had already been done. Deinos, who had been put in charge of the welfare of the Lamechs since their arrival in the realm, bowed before Aivar in apology.
"I am sorry, accept our apology on his behalf. We do not share his sentiment, believe me." Deinos cried. "We have to get going however. They are waiting for us." He continued. "I guarantee this will never happen again."
The other guards walked away, traveling along the city's winding streets. They still glared angrily at the guard that had spoken those ugly words. The one who had put their peacekeeping mission in jeopardy.
Were they angry because they disagreed with his belief or were they angry that he had chosen to voice it at this juncture? Either way, he was a fool to put his emotions before the greater good, if he had been struck down by Deinos nothing would have come of it. Orders were orders.
The quorae hesitated, for Aivar would not move. Was this why he was here, to be insulted and looked on with scorn? Had he given up Sarah for this?
Three months had already passed and he was not there to ask for her hand. Even if she would say yes to no one else, the High Council would not let her remain unpromised for long, not after her twentieth birthday. It was Lamechi law.
He moved forward absentmindedly after some coaxing from the others.
"Would you defy a Rai?" she had asked.
A Nanduran and a Jeaganite together, this was punishable by death. To be lost in her blue eyes he would do more than give up his life, he would defy the strongest Rai of all.
He bumped into Ethos who had stopped in front of him. He realised they had arrived at the city gates as he escaped the wanderings of his mind.
"Tonight we travel to Saon?" Adonis asked. "Tonight we meet the Daidrans?"
Deinos nodded, his eyes met and held Aivar's, as if to ask--will you travel with us? Aivar walked by him and mounted the white horse he was offered by one of the guards, in effect answering the question.
They rode from the holy city with their white horses at a trot. Their golden cloaks caught beautifully the glow of the rising Lumeira.
Lumeira; the largest, the brightest, the one who caught the eyes of all.
The moon of Rai Uz she was called, this is because it is believed the Rai of Light calls her light blue orb home. She was the first of the three sisters to rise tonight, this is the way it was at this time of the year. Soon the great triangle would be formed when Shii and Saphea rises. For now, there was only Lumeira, her soft glow caressing the world and her orb, only half risen, dominating the eastern sky.
The company rode towards her, six guards, including Deinos plus the quorae. Not as bright as when Queen Daidra and King Ekron graced the sky but just as beautiful. What were their stories Aivar wondered, did it include romance and tragedy as most stories about the heavenly bodies did? Lumeira, Saphea and Shii, the lunar sisters; love, sorrow and pain, it was almost certain their story to ascension entailed all three.
His very short story already did. He was an orphan who had found forbidden love. The sad thing was that his story was not an exception but more of a rule in this era of Aeonra.
This beautiful world was torn apart by conflict, but who could bring peace to it? The races of Rai Uz, the Hagarians or the Lamechs?
They were all trying and that was a part of the problem. They were all trying to force their ideals upon each other. The Hagarians believed in the survival of the fittest, the Lamechs in the Balance and the races of Rai Uz preached kindness and unconditional love.
It was a shame to admit, but right now Aivar could not care any less. All he could think about was Sarah. Did she think about him as often as he thought about her? Would she wait to die in his arms? They could not be together in life, they both knew this, so only in death. They had long since accepted their fates.
"Adonis, what is it?" He heard Aldien asked. He now noticed that Adonis, riding behind him, had halted.
"People approach." Adonis answered, he nodded to his left. "Six guards from the city and... And a prisoner it seems."
Not surprisingly the others could see no one. Five minutes passed before six guards, riding white horses, dressed in the golden cloak of the holy city and escorting a carriage came into view. They approached Aivar's group, the carriage being pulled by two white steeds. The windows of the carriage were barred.
"Deinos," the seeming leader of their group greeted. He was heavily bearded, rugged with blue eyes and greying black hair. Beneath the golden cloak of the holy city he, as well as his men, wore deep tanned leather armor. They were nothing like their refined colleagues that were a part of Aivar's group. They seemed accustomed to the open and the wilderness of the forest. Rangers maybe.
"Daimos," Deinos greeted in return.
"A good night it is," Daimos continued. He gestured towards the carriage. "We have finally captured one of the fugitives from the temple of Lumeira incident."
"Many good men were lost that fateful night," Deinos replied, "Who is he?"
"Not a he," Daimos answered. He was clenching his teeth causing his overly muscled jaws to bulge. Aivar found himself wondering what the person being held captive inside the carriage could have done to anger him so much. "She is a green eyed witch."
Curiosity getting the better of him, Aivar approached the carriage trying to see who was inside.
"Be careful Lamech, she is more dangerous than she appears. "
Aivar backed away, "She is a nymph?" He held her green eyes as she peered through the bars of the carriage. "By Rai Zohar she is... Beautiful. I have never seen one up close before, only drawings in books. What did she do?"
"That's none of your business..."
"Aimar...?" Her eyes were suddenly wide O's. "Aimar... Aimar! "
Daimos chuckled low and sinister. It was a laugh one would expect from a Hagarian not a disciple of Rai Uz. "No witch, but we will find him soon enough, as we did you."
"Aimar?" Aivar asked. No Nanduran he knew bore that name. Could she be speaking of someone other than the hundred that travelled to this realm three months ago. No other creature should look remotely like a Nanduran, not with their eyes. "Have you seen a Lamech... I mean a Nanduran before? Who is this Aimar of which you speak ?"
"Come along Aivar" Aldien called. "This is none of our concern. Come."
Gazing into her green eyes, Aivar felt sympathy but also he felt something else, something he was not sure what. He complied with Aldien's command. She reached out through the bars as he rode away.
"I expect to be fully briefed when I return." said Deinos.
"Sir," Daimos replied as he and his party rode away.
"What happened at the temple of Lumeira." Adonis cried. He and the others watched as the rangers escorting the nymph shrank in the distance. "Is not yet over."
"What do you mean?" Deinos asked.
"Just that..." Adonis whispered. His horse backing away and whinnying as he nodded towards the rangers in the distance. "There is death there."
Almost on que with Adonis's words the earth began to rumble. Next to the rangers a mound was forming, rising higher and higher as if something enormous underground was trying to force its way to the surface. Being slave to this unnatural movement of the earth the forest came to life. The cool night air was suddenly filled with leaves shaken free by the quake. An anomalous gale captured and whipped these leaves into a flurry, slapping the faces of the guards and rangers and obscuring their vision.
The mound exploded in an eruption of dirt and stone, and in the explosion a great oak tree was snapped like a twig. The crack was so loud that it was heard over the boom of the blast. The scream of a ranger that was close by ended abruptly as he and the horse he sat atop shared the oak's fate. Thousands of birds at once took to the sky, no doubt disturbed from their perches where they slept. Mixing with the maelstrom of leaves and dust, their squawking seemed to carry on where the torn body of the ranger could not.
A tree that had taken on a humanoid form, and had been expelled skyward by the force of the exploding mound, landed and roared at the remaining rangers. Their horses, frightened, reared and scattered. The tree--titanic, tall and monstrous, used this opportunity of disorientation to lash out with the back of its hand. It caught one of the rangers and sent him and his horse flying, pitching and tumbling, finally coming to a stop as an unrecognisable disarray of flesh against the trunk of a tree.
"By Rai Uz!" Deinos exclaimed. His eyes wide in horror as that thing ripped mercilessly through another two of the rangers. "We have to help them... Now!" He yelled seeing his men hesitation. "Charge!"
"They are foolish." Adonis whispered. The wind got even stronger, tossing his hair and ripping at his cloak. The moons shone down on them as Deinos and the other guards of their group left dust and grass leaping skyward in their trail. "They ride to their deaths, their comrades have already returned to the hands of Rai Zohar."
"Even so, should we not help?" Echelon asked.
"Aldien?" Ethos asked steadying his steed.
Aldien's eyes shifted to Aivar then to the guards in the distance as two more of the monstrous plants exploded from the the ground and into the air. They came down hard, shaking the earth.
"We will help," Aldien replied. "Adonis, how do we proceed?"
"I do not recommend that we do, you heard them earlier, this is not our concern. However, you are leader..." Adonis and Aldien's eyes met in a heated exchange. Adonis sighed. "Those... Golems are nothing but trees twisted by the nymph's will. We cannot face their strength head on, avoid them and get pass to the nymph. She is inexperienced, she is over exerting herself and soon her strength will wane."
"Aivar circle to the rear," Aldien ordered. "Ethos come in from the left, Echelon on the right, I will draw her attention by charging straight on, Adonis you are behind me. Avoid her summons and go straight for her. If you must... And only if you must, then take her life."
Lumeira, Saphea and Shii, the triangle had now been formed, if not fully. Shii was only half risen, her pure white orb signalled the presence of Rai Zohar. Aivar felt protected, under his gaze he grew bolder, more confident.
He watched as monstrous vines sprung from the ground and like tentacles lashed out at the remaining guards. He leapt to his left from his horse as a guard, no doubt dead from the moment of impact with one of these tentacles, came hurling at his head.
He ran forward, trying to circle behind her. He could not see clearly, there were chunks of earth, bits of shredded grass, dust and plants filling the night air. Monstrous vines too numerous to count lashed out at anything and everything that moved and did not move for that matter. Adonis was right, she was inexperienced and lashing out at everything in desperation and fear.
He leapt to his right and rolled left, fractions of seconds before the ground where he had been exploded from the impact with these vines.
He was not going to die here, not for these men, not for the grey eyed ignoramus that thought that he should not even be allowed in this realm. Why should he die fighting their battle? Deinos was kind, most of them were kind really, but the words that guard had spoken were not only his. How many of the group had he spoken for? What fraction of the realm?
Adonis thought that they should not be fighting, it was always wisest to listen to Adonis, even if Aldien is the leader.
Aldien is the leader...
He gritted his teeth, he would stop her. Aldien had ordered it and Aldien is leader of the Quorae. He leapt left then right as the ground exploded, sending chunks of earth and rock flying, tearing into his flesh, leaving him bloody.
A monstrous fist came down hard, shaking the ground as he landed. He rolled forward avoiding death by a hair width. Regaining his feet he ran forward, leapt and lashed out with his saber at the golem's knee, crippling it and bringing it crashing down.
A vine tentacle lashed at him, too easy, he saw it coming. It ripped into his left shoulder, almost exposing the bone. He was too slow, he had not realized he had taken that much damage before from the flying debris of earth and stone.
Blood ran along his arm, dripped from his fingers and darkened the grass beneath his feet. He fell to his knees, pain causing his body to tremble.
Another tentacle, it came now swiftly to return him to the hands of the creator. He gazed up at it, the stream of time seeming to slow to a crawl.
He was always at his quorae's vanguard, he was faster than the others and they used it to their advantage. It never bothered him, that was his asset, it was what he had to offer to the group. And to their group, a band of rejects, being competent was not enough. To be accepted by the lamechi society, by their peers, they had to out shine all the other quoraes, then Pejora would have no choice but to acknowledge them.
A blind outsider, the son of a disgraced Maesrai, twins that were useless when separated and him; the lonely child always wandering the halls of the athema like a haunting ghost. No one knew where he was from, no one knew his parents or any sibling and no one cared. He had been too young to be part of a Quorae, too young to be useful after all, why should they care? Their group wasn't even given a proper mentor, Auron had still been a student of the athema when he took them under his protection. Their group needed every advantage. And yet, seeing his death approach, he realized, he had risked their honour--all that they had worked so hard for.
"I am sorry, Sarah..." He leapt clear at the last moment, gritting his teeth. "I cannot..."
He had overcompensated for his injuries, he had leapt too high into the air and now he was exposed. A vine was coming his way and he had no way of dodging. He swung his saber with a bloodcurdling cry, producing a massive golden arch. It sliced through the vine and many others behind it effortlessly, then through the carriage right rear wheel sending it flying, before slicing the ground open, leaving a gash almost two feet at its widest.
He landed, rolling forward to ease the impact on his knees, leapt to his feet and sprinted towards the carriage. His eyes and his saber aglow.
Pejorium.
This is the black metal named after the lamechi realm, as that was the only place in the world where it was known to be found. Its ore could only be mined in the volcanic fields of the Divide. It was far stronger than steel, and stronger than all but one of the seven magic-ore metals of the world. It was ideal for use by a Nanduran as most swords wielded by them in battle melted from the heat their body generated. Pejorium high melting point and characteristic of dispersing heat build up with lethal effect when swung, seen mostly as a golden arch, made it one of the deadliest weapon in the arsenal of the lamech.
It was only known to glow constantly like it was now on rare occasions as the metal heat dispersion was so efficient it mostly remained black until swung. Once however, legend has it, such a sword produced a pure white arch that sliced through a whole mountain.
Such were bedtime stories for children...
He sliced through the side of the carriage as a hot knife slices through butter. She saw him now, her green eyes wide in horror. Her hands were up in defense, her green dress was soiled and torn, one of her breast was almost fully exposed.
"Stop Aimar... Please stop."
He tried to but could not deliver the final blow, his hands had been bound suddenly by vines. He grunted, straining against his restraints.
"Murderous witch, stop this!"
She strained in concentration, trying to keep the vines from ripping under his monstrous strength. "Aimar, please stop. What have they done to you, why do you not recognize me?
"You are mistaken," Aivar grimaced. "I am not who you think I am, now stop, do away with your summons and I will not have to kill you."
"I have been engulfed by your fury a hundred times before." At this her eyes seemed to soften slightly. "You would not harm me Aimar, not me."
She gasped as his arm ripped free of the vine and grabbed her by the throat, he pulled her towards him squeezing. Her eyes bulged as she clawed at his grip.
"Aimar stop." Her nails dug into the glove of his forearm as she fought. Losing her strength she seemed to give up, being barely able to breath. "I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you." She strained and tears welled in her eyes. "I knew it was not my place as a nymph, and you had eyes for another. I hated her perfection and that you would never look at me how you looked at her. I am stupid, I know. However, you touched me, it was against the rules, but at least I had what no one else in the world had, not your love, maybe not even your affection but the touch of your skin." Her hands fell limp by her side, veins stood in her forehead and tears rolled down her cheeks, mixing with his blood covering his hand. "My life as always been yours to do with as you pleased, Aimar, you know this, now do what you must."
Aivar growled at her in anger but realized it was not his place to execute a prisoner of the holy city. "Release your summons and I will allow you to live." He loosened his grip on her throat and she gasped for air.
"In captivity being tortured for information?" She gazed into his eyes. "I would rather die by your hands."
Aivar was captivated by her tear-filled green oculus. It was clear that she believed she was talking to someone else. He pitied her. However. "If you truly loved me," he replied, deciding to play along to save what life he could. What remained of the guards and his Quorae? "You would not ask this of me, you would not ask me to decide between you and my... Family."
She sighed, surrendering. "For you I would do anything, I would suffer through anything." The rumbling of the earth stopped, the screams, the sound of metal clashing with wood as hard as steel and the vines holding him loosened. She looked up at him, crying as she slumped to the carriage floor freed of his grip. She smiled at him weakly through the tears. "Maybe you will come see me." She tried to stand but collapsed to the floor once more. "No matter what they do to me, how bruised and unsightly I appear maybe just once you will look at me as you did the Sfin, the girl, Rhea."
"I... I promise to come see you." Aivar turned away from her gaze as he noticed the others running towards him. "Thank you..."
He gasped as a sudden shock of pain hit his left shoulder. Her index finger was deep in his wound. "Close your eyes Aimar, your injury, I will heal it for you."
He grabbed her hand that was exploring his wound, she did not try to withdraw but instead met his eyes. He searched them, looking for any mal intent. She tipped to her toes, leaning closer to him as he closed his eyes. She found his lips with the softness of hers. He pulled away after a moment of indulgence.
"There... All healed." She whispered.
"What is it with you and these...."
"Restrain her." Daimos commanded, interrupting Ethos. "All my men are... her head will roll for this."
"It will not," Aivar cried, rubbing his now healed shoulder. "I promised her her life if she spared yours."
"That was not yours to promise Nanduran, now stay out of it."
"With all due respect I can not, not when I am already involved."
"Might I remind you just where you are," Daimos bellowed. "I knew this would happen, I told them not to let these lamechi scum beyond our borders."
"Now, now..." Deinos tried.
"For your safety and the safety of your other ninety nine comrades, I suggest you stay out of our affairs." Daimos seethed.
"What was that?" Aldien asked approaching Daimos. "Was that a threat?"
"All of you shut your damn mouths, not another word." Deinos commanded. "I lost men too, but us turning on each other will solve nothing." He pushed Daimos away and came to stand between he and Aldien. "Execution of the prisoner is not your decision to make Daimos. You and two of my remaining men will take her to the holy city. I and one should be enough to take the lamechs to Saon."
"But..."
"This is not up for discussion, it's an order. Once you get to the city send a party to recover the bodies," Deinos looked around. "Or what is left of the bodies."
Daimos walked away, glaring at Aldien. He picked up the nymph, bounded her hands and feet and tossed her across his horse. He mounted with her in the saddle before him on her belly. He turned his horse about, towards the holy city, with one last long grudging look at Aivar.
"Well then shall we get going." Deinos cried.
"Yeah," Aldien answered. "Mount up, Adonis, Aivar let it go, come along."
Aivar watched as Daimos and the nymph shrank in the distance before turning away.
"Sorry... Leah," Adonis whispered.
..
It appeared suddenly from behind the trees, its white towers gleaming in the moon light. This was not a city, rather it was a sprawling, towering fortress, its numerous towers like trees of a great forest, stabbing with blue roofs at the night sky. At its center was a single dome, blue and semitransparent, seeming to have a radius of a half a mile. Magnificent, almost holy in appearance, it was fit for royalty. In the distance it stood white and glistening like a snow covered mountain reflecting the light of the moons. A field of white flowers, stretching two miles long separated it from the surrounding forest. The city fortress of Saon, the home of the Daidrans.
Aivar's breath caught in his throat as it appeared. The scene before him pushed all other thought from his mind, the events of the night before with the nymph and the situation he had left back home in Pejora. He began sweating in the cool night air, this place will be the cause of his death, he felt it. The curse of the Daidrans, there was no doubt now with the city fortress in view that they would all fall prey to it.
There were many stories as to the origin of the curse, but there was only one taught at the Maesra Athema, the one the lamechs held to be true. It is said that long ago the Rai of light, Rai Uz, fell in love with then ruler of Aeonra, the Sfin Queen Daidra. Jealous of King Ekron he conspired to have him assassinated. He turned to the person who admired him above all else, the being who had come to be called the Rai of the Oceans, his nephew, the Rai Aiden.
The death of the king in exchange for the one thing that could warm the heart of a Rai who was as cold as the deepest sea. The deed was done and with the queen in mourning her heart was won by the being who brought her joy and light. Rai Uz received what he wanted however Rai Aiden was punished by Rai Zohar. He was banished from the light forever.
Feeling wronged, Rai Aiden sought vengeance on Rai Uz by attempting to destroy Daidra. His plan was foiled as Rai Zohar protected her, placing her in the heavens as she was seen today as the larger of the two suns. Frustrated and outraged, Rai Aiden cursed the descendants of Queen Daidra and Rai Uz , all to be born as females, denying them a heir to the throne and all to know the pain of losing the one they loved, for anyone they fell in love with would die. Thus the celibate race of the Daidran was born, mating only once during their lives to ensure the continuation of the royal bloodline.
A strong wind arose as they rode towards the city fortress, it filled the night air with the fallen white petals of the flower fields. The triangle of the night sky had been formed, Lumeira nearing her apex appearing the smallest and Shii just above the city appearing the largest.
That's right, it occurred to Aivar, Adonis was royalty. The child of a Daidran and a direct descendant of Queen Daidra and Rai Uz. It was disturbing though to think the Daidrans brought them here for mating. It was beside the point, they were still without love and more importantly, would Aeonra accept a king who was part Nanduran.
"Please dismount and wait here," Deinos ordered. He hopped from his horse and vanished into one of the city's looming towers.
They had entered through the city's mammoth white gates. The ivory gates were engraved with the outlines of two eyes with the suns rising over the landscape within them. No doubt paying homage to the royal couple Queen Daidra and King Ekron.
At least eight feet thick Aivar noticed, definitely not easily breached but nowhere as thick as the black gates of the lamechi city, he smiled at the small triumph.
They did as they were told and now stood in a large courtyard of white stone. A single ancient tree with white trunk and branches covered in a thick foliage of silver leaves stood in the center of this courtyard. The cool night wind plucked a few of these silver leaves, waving them about in a random playful pattern before releasing them to gravity. They evaporated into shimmering blue light before they hit the ground.
"Did you see that?" Echelon cried.
"Yeah, I wonder what kind of tree it is," Aivar answered.
He and Echelon were the only ones taking notice of the tree, the others were looking around at the skyscraping white towers of the fortress and the brooding city guards.
The guards were all Sfins, dressed in white armor, pale and standing motionless - statue like, with spears in hand.
After centuries and the death of thousands, the noble houses of Aeonra would no longer commit their heirs to death by giving them to the Daidrans. The task, no, the duty of carrying on the royal bloodline was given to the bravest and strongest of these city guards. Every five years they would compete in a grand tournament to determine their worthiness. Risking death in the city coliseum only to be sentenced to death by Rai Aiden's curse. Seeing their stoic, ghost like expression Aivar pitied them.
And here he was, doing the same. He should pity himself.
He turned his back to them suddenly uncomfortable, stroking the white hair of his horse. He whispered and the horse whinnied.
"Aldien, Ethos, Echelon and Adonis, come with me please." They hesitated waiting, Deinos must have forgotten again, this was so like him. He continued back into the building, gesturing to them to follow.
"I will remind him that there are actually five of us OK Aivar." Echelon cried as he and the others excepting Adonis walked away.
"Yeah, you do that." Aivar answered. He turned to Adonis. "You should probably get going as well."
"Without you?" Adonis asked. "Are you sure?"
"I will be fine," Aivar answered, observing Adonis rather closely. "You do not have to worry about me that much you know."
Adonis smiled and walked away, joining the others. "Yeah, I know." He replied without looking back. "I can not help that I do."
"I know." Aivar replied. He turned away again eyeing the city guards. They still filled him with unease, a refuge was needed, a place far enough from their invasive eyes.
Stroking his horse one final time he walked away. Not far he found a well kept enclosed garden filled with sleeping flowers and luminescent plants. In the center was a a small pond with a fountain. He made his way towards this fountain with its soothing music of cascading water.
He looked down on his trembling gloved hands as he walked along the garden's narrow winding path of white stone. Defective, he thought. He always was, no wonder none of the female Nandurans chose him at the courting halls. (Not true. None could choose him, because none would allow another to have the one Nandura burnt the brightest within.)
Lamechi custom dictated that once achieving the age of twelve, the students of the athema would attend the Courting halls where they would chose one partner. This partner was to become their life companion, meeting twice weekly in the halls for their remaining eight years at the pedagogy. Asking for her hand in marriage at her twentieth birthday. In his eight years of attending he was not chosen, not even once. Was it the case again here.
He sighed and gazed down into the pool. It did not matter to him if he was chosen by the Daidrans or not, although it would have been nice to meet one in person.
Wait! Why are these here, he wondered. A creation of Rai Aiden, just below the pool's rippling crystal clear waters were the delicate white flowers known to most as...
"Lauriels."
He shot around in surprise as a Daidran walked to his side.
"You are Aivar right?" She asked. "You did not wait for me."
He stared at her dumbfounded as she gazed down into the pool. She was covered from shoulders to toes in a blue woolen cloak, the wind blowing strands of her silky golden hair across her face.
She was a deity, one of pure beauty. The moonlight washed her and became brighter for it. He felt like reaching out to touch her to see if she was real, her skin seemed so smooth. She looked up at him suddenly, her clear blue eyes meeting his, he looked away nodding, unable to find his voice.
"Do you know what they are?" She asked, he found it difficult to answer. "The flowers of love. They grow in abundance in this city as if to mock us. They can not be touched or smelt unless being held by the two right hands of two lovers."
"I... I smell them." Aivar answered.
She turned and walked away from the pool, turning her back on the mystical flowers as if in disgust. "Impossible." She replied, gazing up at the moons. Dismissing his claim without a second thought, in a world where stranger things have happened. "Do you know why you are here?"
Aivar was kneeling by the pool side, his hand in the water trying to touch the lauriels. He regained his feet with his failure. "I am here because the Pejoran High council and the Senate of Onra have formed a treaty."
She smiled, her face hidden from his eyes. "Yes, that is exactly why you are here." A frog croaked somewhere in the garden in the moonlight and another croaked in reply. "Do I frighten you?" She asked, turning to face him. "Are you afraid that you might fall to the Daidran curse?"
"Should I be afraid?" He held her gaze, the gold of Nandura trying to pierce her facade. "Is there any possibility of you a daughter of Daidra feeling anything but disdain for me?"
She looked away from him. "You do not wish to be here." She replied. "Neither do I, the higher ups chose our duties. We did not."
The critters of the night sang, bugs and crickets chirped, frogs croaked and the wind rustled the trees. The moons shone down, Lumeira, Saphea and Shii a perfect triangle in the night sky.
"What is it like not being afraid of feeling love?"
Watching the Daidran before him Aivar felt certain her story like the moons above included love, tragedy and sorrow. "I do not know." He replied. "Everyone feels fear when giving their heart, something so dear to them to someone else."
She seemed surprised at his answer. "Have you done it before, have you given your heart to someone?" She asked. "What is she like?
"I do not think this is what we should be talking about." There was silence, they gazed into each others eyes, the blue nor the gold shifting. "She is a Jeaganite." Aivar finally answered.
"A Jeaganite?"
"Yes." Aivar answered. "She is not possessed by Rai Aiden's flames. We are forbidden from being together for just that reason. She is beautiful, kind, stubborn." He smiled as he thought of her. "She is a flower in a realm of darkness, delicate yet still as tough as nails."
"Walk with me." She asked as she walked away. He obliged walking a pace behind her. "The night is beautiful is it not, radiant and cool, almost perfect."
"Yet it is not." Aivar answered, feeling the wind on his face. "Beautiful but not perfect... It is lonesome."
"Yes... Always." She paused in thought. "What was it like the first time you met her?"
"It was like it is now, a bit awkward." He watched her take a seat on a bench and gestured for him to sit beside her. He turned his attention to the moonlit garden but did not sit as he was a bit uncomfortable. He continued, seeking to fill the silence with words. "I was twelve years old, it was my first time in the courting halls and also it was the first time seeing a female Nanduran."
"Your first time seeing a female Nanduran," she asked. "What about your mother."
"I have never met my parents." Aivar answered. "I have always been a ward of the Maesra Athema, I have no recollection of any sibling or family member apart from my Quorae." His eyes followed the random pattern of a firefly in flight. "The female Nandurans are a lot like you actually. Quite beautiful with golden hair and eyes. I found their presence disconcerting, I was not sure why so I sought guidance from Rai Zohar. It was at the temple that I first laid eyes upon her. I guess we were both in a place of uncertainty and Rai Zohar brought us together."
They sat in silence for a while with Aivar awaiting her next question which did not come.
"Forgive me." He broke the silence. "I did not even have the presence of mind to ask of you your name."
"I am called Kai." She answered.
"Well Kai have you ever given your heart to anyone. Have you ever been in love."
"Have I ever caused the death of anyone?" She asked her voice low and sad. She then met and held his eyes, sure enough he had received his answer. She looked away, "he was only a child, worst of all I am not sure he knew I existed, he died not knowing why he had to die."
"I am sorry."
"Why, you did not kill him." Pain sharpened her voice.
"No..." Aivar answered. "I have caused you pain, it was not my intention but I did. I give you my word that it will never happen again." He found himself wondering what the others of his Quorae were doing. His night was not going all that well. He had to find a way to salvage things. His eyes shifted to the towering city fortress behind her. "Let us not speak of love anymore tonight. Would you do me the honour of showing me your city, at least the parts of it that you are allowed to."
"You want to go site seeing?" Kai asked a little puzzled. "That is not why you are here."
"I know." Aivar answered, offering her his arm. "But would you oblige me."
She stared at him not certain of what to do. Finally she took his arm in acceptance, so doing exposing her plumage; white feathers covering her forearms.
That's right, Aivar thought, she is a descendant of Daidra, she is a lesser sfin.
She led him through Saon slowly, providing answers to his various questions. In time what tension she held began to fade, he noticed, made clear by the stories she told. Stories from her childhood, and he found himself holding back his laughter on many occasions at some of her more embarrassing moments.
She was nineteen years old, a daughter of Saon's upper house. Aivar did not know there was such divisions amongst royalty. What he found more interesting however was her age, she seemed younger, maybe sixteen years old. Four of her nineteen years, she told him, were spent living at a temple surrounded by monks studying the Tractate of Rai Uz.
There were many similarities between the Daidran and Lamechi societies, not surprisingly as the lamechs were once slaves to the followers of Rai Uz hence many of the lamechi customs were adopted from them. Aivar pointed this out when she enquired about Pejora. Kai however seemed more interested in more personal matters and he found himself speaking mostly of his and his qourae's misadventures most caused by Adonis, back then a young seer honing his skills.
Morning found them atop the city's tallest tower watching the rising Ekron.
"Well?" She asked turning from the sunrise. "What do you think?"
"I think you are the perfect guide." Aivar answered.
"But you barely saw any of the city."
"That is not true," Aivar cried. "I have seen it all through your eyes."
Kai looked away a bit embarrassed. "So that means you will come back to Saon when the time comes?"
"I have to." Aivar answered. "It is my duty."
"No, no it is not." She gazed into his eyes. Nandura piercing her facade and seeing finally her true beauty. "You are obligated to come here just once, you may only return if you are invited." She looked away again shyly. "I am inviting you."
The rising king Ekron was radiant, his fiery rays warmed Aivar's soul. He stood there basking in his light, waiting for the rising of his queen.
"If you will have me Kai." He answered. "I will return."