Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) (41 page)

“This isn’t over,” Jack muttered as he picked up a teacup.

“Far from it.” I winked.

The library door opened, and Shadow walked inside with Netira. She looked more depressed now than when she first arrived. I could tell she was in physical pain as well. I knew Netira was still suffering from the wounds she had when she first arrived in Ellewynth, but I couldn’t tell if she had any new ones.

“Netira, welcome,” I greeted her. “Do you require any treatment? You look ill.”

Netira waved me off. “It is nothing that can’t be cured through cordials and salves, but thank you, Artemis.”

“You will need to feed soon, yes?” Callypso said, standing up.

She strode over to her and took one of Netira’s hands into her own. Callypso’s face darkened, and I could feel Jack tense while we watched. “Goddesses…I’m so sorry.”

“What are you?” Netira said, her dark brown eyes now wide with fear mixed with amazement.

“Callypso is an elemental,” Talisa answered, catching Netira’s attention. Talisa laughed when she noted the apprehension Netira tried to hide. “Ah. I see my reputation precedes me.”

“There’s also the matter of someone we have in common,” Netira answered.

“If you’re referring to your mage, then yes, there is a matter,” Talisa replied.

“Mage?” I asked.

There was
another
mage involved?

“Yes, we will get to that,” Talisa explained. “Sit. All this standing produces more tension that we do not need.”

We all gathered around the table and took our seats. Shadow sat beside me, and Jack wiped the grin off his face when Callypso sat beside him. Netira sat at the head of the table, as she was uncomfortable being near both Talisa and Callypso.

“How is there an elemental here?” Netira asked, rubbing the same hand Callypso had grasped earlier.

Callypso chuckled. “My reasons for being here are my own.”

“You are of the wind,” Netira said, finally allowing herself to relax. “It felt as if there was a calming breeze when you held my hand.”

“I was trying to see what you saw in terms of the attack,” Callypso explained. “I saw…other things.”

“What did you see?” Jack asked.

Netira raised an eyebrow at him. “A dark-haired elf from the Woodland Realm? Interesting.”

“We can talk about my lineage later,” Jack replied, knowing full well what Netira’s implications were.

“I meant no offense, elf,” Netira apologized. “I was only voicing my intrigue.”

“Stick to Jack.” Jack sighed, annoyed at being called “elf.”

“Jack then.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d like to hear what Callypso saw,” Talisa said, irritated.

“Heartbreak,” Callypso replied as tears formed.

Netira looked at her hands in her lap, and Shadow sighed.

“I can elaborate on that,” Shadow started. “I rescued Netira as well as Karesu from the Hall of the Elders. Karesu is a full-blood from the Dark Fortress. Coincidentally enough, he’s a mage.”

“And Netira’s lover,” Talisa added, tapping her fingers along the dark wood of the desk. “Before the rescuing happened, this Karesu both
kidnapped me and forced me to show him safe entry into Ellewynth. Before that could occur, Ellewynth burst into flames. The vampire mage was…courteous…to release me so that I could aid the elves.”

“And now we know where those cuts on your back came from.” Jack sighed. “I never imagined my master in such a situation. You’re supposed to be untouchable.”

Jack yelped from the head-slap, and Shadow coughed to cover up his laughter. I wasn’t sure if I felt sorry for him anymore, seeing how Jack continued to put himself in harm’s way.

“Moron,” Talisa muttered, as she shook her now reddened hand.

“Where does the part of you attacking Lord Destrius come in, Shadow?” I asked.

“You did what?” Talisa and Jack yelled in unison.

Netira smiled at the memory while Callypso struggled to restrain her own smile.

“When I came to Netira’s cell, Lord Destrius was there. He was going to kill her, just as he was going to finish off Karesu.” Shadow folded his arms. He somehow managed to fit into Jack’s tunic, though his discomfort in it was obvious. “I happily interfered. I already know that I will be considered a deserter once the others return to Ellewynth’s ruins and find me missing from duty. I’m fine with that. I just wanted Lord Destrius to have one final fond memory of me.”

Talisa burst out laughing. “Avilyne’s hell, Shadow! I would have loved to see the look on that man’s face.”

“You still can, once you help Lady Clarayne return.” I smiled.

To be honest, I wanted to see Lord Destrius’ expression as well. It was still terrible on Shadow’s part to strike an Elder, but the sight would have been grand indeed.

“Yes, that is true. But still!” Talisa wiped a few tears from her face. “Apologies. Continue, Shadow.”

His visage darkened. “We encountered Arlina after we escaped the Hall of the Elders, which was already burning down on us.”

I felt myself shake at the mention of her name; Jack did the same. I couldn’t get rid of the image of her pointing that pistol at me. I rubbed my neck and remembered the feeling of Arlina’s grip on it.

Shadow continued to tell the tale of what happened in Ellewynth, and when he spoke of how the vampire mage, Karesu, stayed behind so that Netira and Shadow could escape, I understood Netira’s agony then.

A few of us flinched when she pounded the table with her fist. I was about to get up to console her, but Shadow grabbed my hand and shook his head. Talisa had already made her way to Netira and knelt so that they could look directly at one another.

“I know I have my private grudge with Karesu,” Talisa began in a calm tone, “but that does not mean that he isn’t a good man. Arlina will not kill him. He is still too useful to be disposed of. She
will
use him as leverage against us in an attempt to lure you away. I know what you’re thinking, Netira. Don’t succumb to it.”

“You do
not
know,” Netira muttered.

Talisa sighed. “I loved once, Netira. I lost him in the most horrific way possible. Believe me when I say that there is a chance to rescue him, and we shall. Once we reach the Dark Fortress, we will rescue Karesu just as we will aid Artemis.”

“Just so you can kill him once he heals?” Netira said, angered. “I won’t risk that.”

“I trust you will let Karesu deal with his own matters when the time comes.” Talisa stood back up. “I give you my word that I will help rescue him from Arlina. He let me go to help the elves, and I can repay the favor by helping him…just this once.”

“Talisa will give him the world’s largest head-slap, Netira,” Jack joked, and then he tried to distance himself from his teacher.

I hesitated at first, but I then found the courage to say what needed to be said.

“I don’t expect you to trust us…” I began. “I know you’ve been dragged into this game of revenge you mentioned when we first met, but you can at least trust Talisa and the rest of us when we say we will aid you. Once all of this is over, you would be free from my mother’s desire of vengeance. We will not disturb you and Karesu further.”

Netira smiled. “You are your mother, Artemis. You even bargain like her.”

“Now that we have that matter settled, we should discuss the actual details of the journey,” Callypso said. “We’ll need supplies and weapons.
We must map out the most discreet route we can take, and we must figure out what towns and villages are safe to stop in. Arlina will have her spies out there, as she will be desperate to know where Artemis is. We have to be wise.”

“You’re still bent on coming with us, Callypso?” Talisa asked, wary.

“I told you before, old friend,” Callypso replied, “I am coming no matter what. I can be useful to you all since I
am
an elemental. I will be able to sense—”

“All right, all right, you’re coming,” Talisa cut her off.

“Talisa, I should state the main reason why I’m coming,” Callypso said, confused.

“To sense certain danger, yes,” Talisa answered, giving her an odd look as if to say,
be silent
.

I frowned. More secrets…I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Secrets had a nasty way of coming back to haunt people, and I didn’t want that happening to us on the journey to the Dark Fortress. There was too much at stake already.

“When you return Lady Clarayne to the ruins of Ellewynth,” I said to Talisa, “would it be possible for you to check on our homes?”

“Is there something in particular you’d like for me to look for?” Talisa inquired. “It would be rare if anything survived the blaze, Artemis.”

“There could have been some trunks of clothing that might have survived,” I said. “For Shadow, maybe some of his weapons…it’s worth a try, yes?”

“It would have to be discreet, you realize this,” Talisa explained. “Once it’s discovered that you’re gone, they will try to destroy anything of yours that
did
survive. The same will go for you, Shadow.”

“There’s only one real thing of importance that I am certain survived the fire and would like to be brought back to me,” Shadow said, his demeanor weary. “I’m sure you are aware of what I am referring to, Talisa.”

Talisa took a moment to think, and then nodded. Callypso went to one of the shelves and retrieved several maps of Arrygn. Jack excused himself to fetch something from his room, and the rest of us huddled closer to the table to inspect the maps.

“I have limited supplies here, but we will need to make a stop in Westyron at some point,” Talisa said, pointing to a large city on the map far from the Woodland Realm.

Netira frowned. “Arlina will have scouts stationed there. We cannot risk stopping on that city.”

“Westyron is the one stop in this journey that we must take, regardless of the risk,” Talisa stressed. “I have contacts in the city, and they know better than to loosen their lips to others.”

“Westyron is a human-run city, Talisa,” Callypso reminded her. “And there are unscrupulous characters there. How are we going to disguise two dhampirs and two elves there? They are infamous in imprisoning anyone who isn’t human.”

“It can be done,” Shadow said. “There is an inn we can stay in and be assured discretion. I also have a merchant there whose services I require.”

“Oh?” I asked. “And what is that?”

“It’s weapons related,” Shadow answered.

Weapons for
me
. Soleil burn me.

“Speaking of weapons!” We watched Jack walk back in, and he carried a rather large cloth bundle in his arms. “This is for you, Artemis.”

“What is that?” I asked, staring at the bundle he held out in front of me.

Callypso distanced herself from us, and Talisa held a hand to her chest. I noted the look of intrigue on Netira’s face, as well as the look of concern on Shadow’s.

“Just open it, Artemis,” Jack said, rubbing his arms as if cold.

Moving the cloth he placed on the table, I stared at what was once hidden. I felt as if all the air escaped my lungs as I recognized the weapons from the dreams…from the nightmares of Mother and Arlina.

“Tamina’s sai,” Shadow whispered. “You’ve found them.”

“It is the weapon of your bloodline, Artemis Ravenwing,” Netira said.

“I’ve explained this to her,” Jack said.

“Netira, can you elaborate?” I asked. “It’s better to know as much as possible.”

“Full-bloods of Arrygn were once divided into clans. Blackwen City is home to a good number of descendants from these ancient bloodlines, and has been ruled by the women of the Ravenwing clan since the beginning of its existence,” Netira explained. “It was said that when a child of their respected clan came of age, they inherited their own set of the weapons their bloodline favored. The women of your line favored the sai, and that tradition was one of the few that survived throughout the ages. Had Tamina been alive, you would have had your own set rather than being forced to use hers.”

I picked up one of the sai and admired the embedded garnet and onyx in its hilt. As I rubbed them, I felt strange hints of energy transfer to me.

“What’s wrong, Artemis?” Shadow asked, noting my puzzlement.

“They…they feel strange,” I answered, while unable to take my eyes off of the gems.

“They haven’t been purified,” Callypso warned. She still kept her distance. “It seems you did not fare well either, Jack.”

“All I’ve learned is that the dragon jewels within the sai are difficult to purify,” Jack explained.

“Is that so?” Callypso replied, her sarcasm apparent.

“Goddesses, just how many more things do you know that you haven’t yet told me?” I asked him, now putting down the sai.

“I’m sorry, Artemis.” Jack sighed. “Everything has been happening so fast, you know?”

“That goes for all of us, Artemis,” Shadow added. “Everything will become clear in time.”

“Preferably before we leave!” I yelled.

“One thing at a time, Artemis.” Netira yawned while rubbing her eyes. “How secure is your cottage, Talisa?”

“Secure enough to be hidden from Arlina and her scouts,” Talisa replied. “For now.”

“Then I suggest we all get what rest we can before we continue planning for the trip,” Netira suggested. “You will take Lady Clarayne back to Ellewynth and search the houses as Artemis asked. The rest of us can prepare while we await your return. And yes, Artemis, you can use the
time then to learn what the rest of us know before we depart. I’d rather you have a clear mind going into this journey instead of being angered at your friends and myself.”

“That would be appreciated.”

“While Talisa is gone, Shadow, Callypso, and I will figure out our route to Westyron. Once we get there, we can figure out the next safest route to Blackwen City,” Netira added. “Talisa, you can look over the plans once you return and have a final input as well. We wouldn’t want you to feel left out, after all.”

“I suppose I can appreciate that,” Talisa said.

“What am I supposed to do?” Jack asked. “You left me out.”

“Ah, yes. You.” Netira smiled. “Any dark-haired elf from the Woodland Realm I’ve encountered or learned of in the past has always proven to be a mage. Assuming that you, too, are an elf mage, I trust you will figure out the right books to take with you.”