Mercy (37 page)

She didn’t understand why he came back.

Why he cared.

But she understood with unwavering hatred why he didn’t help her remember. She struggled against the weight of the Flame, forcing her eyes open as the light snapped out. She rolled onto her side, the pain excruciating as it dulled, leaving behind all the knowledge, and suppressing all the crisp, vivid memories.

She didn’t know why she was alive.

Why after all this time, all this torture. She pushed herself to her feet and ran. Water—she needed to find the lake, the only thing that calmed her. Her legs stung and her throat burned and her lungs burst as she ran, but she pushed the body to its limits, need overcoming fatigue. She twisted her ankle and tumbled down a cliff, her head smacking against a jagged rock as she hit the shockingly cold water. She flailed as she sank, realizing with blinding panic she was going to pass out. She felt something slick and sticky press itself against her leg as air bubbled out of her lungs and she dragged in a deep breath of lake water, blackness encrusting her in thick frozen arms.

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Chapter 35
105 Main Street

Kaliel woke, curled into herself, fingers scraping along the thin fabric of a fitted bed sheet. She had a blanket tossed over her shoulders, a sheet tangled at the base of her feet, and a flat squishy pillow under her cheek. She recognized it, everything about it, and fisted the bed sheet in her hand as silent tears stained the pillow.

Krishani.

It was his bed and his room, the last he occupied, in an apartment with Elwen of all people. She remembered everything about the evenings they spent together, all his dark looks, weak smiles, fear hidden behind strength. She remembered the way he held her against him, the way he kissed her like she was fragile, the way he stopped when she didn’t want him to. Of all the places she could have woken up, this had to be the worst. It was every reminder of the worst thing she’d ever done.

The door opened a crack and she sat. Elwen stood in the doorway in trousers and a polo shirt, his shorn brown hair combed over. He had a steaming bowl of soup in his hands. She glanced at the end table. The pills and dagger weren’t on the nightstand anymore, just a cup of water. She reached for it and took a long sip, glaring at him. She lowered the cup.

“Are you okay?”

“How did I get here?”

“Christian pulled you out of the lake and brought you here.”

“Why?” She didn’t want to be there, she didn’t deserve to be alive. Suicidal thoughts clouded her vision as she stared at his flat brown eyes. She hated herself, and not in a way that other people hated themselves. She hated herself so much she was willing to pour acid over her body and set herself on fire. She wanted to endure a million hours of torture for the thousands of years of pain Krishani endured.

“Maeva …” Elwen took a step into the room and put the soup on the end table. Kaliel gritted her teeth.

“Elwen … my name isn’t Maeva.”

His eyes tightened as he reached the door, realization dawning on him. “You remember?”

She gulped. “I remember—I remember everything.”

***

The Guide

Timelines

First Era (Circa, 250 million years ago—65 million years ago)

The Lands Across the Stars were in their birth and growth stages, the Valtanyana was forming and gaining more and more power. The Flames were created by Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost, the final member of the Valtanyana. Aria, The Amethyst Flame and the other eight Flames fought against the Valtanyana and won, locking them away in Avrigost.

Second Era (Circa, 65 million years ago – 5000BCE)

Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost takes over as the High King of the Lands of Peace, ruling a Golden Age. Factions of Daed warriors rise up to oppose High King Tor, but without the rest of the Valtanyana backing them, they are nearly powerless. High King Tor gives Aria, The Amethyst Flame and the other eight Flames new lives. Aria is reborn as Kaliel of Evennses.

Third Era (Circa 5000BCE – Present Day)

The Valtanyana have taken power over the Lands of Peace and own everything from one end of the sky to the other. Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost is trapped in a human body and on the run with the only piece of leverage that still exists – The Amethyst Flame. He gives her new life in the body of a mortal child, and hopes she will become the catalyst the Lands of Peace need to vanquish the Valtanyana once and for all.

People

Kemplan (kemm-plan)

The Great Librarian

High King Tor (toar) aka Christian De Luca

High King of the Lands of Peace, born in Avrigost as the twelfth member of the Valtanyana.

Kaliel of Evennses (kal-ee-elle) aka Maeva Jonsson

Aria, The Amethyst Flame from the First Era. She’s been reborn as a Child of Avristar, a second chance after all of the destruction in the First Era

Krishani of Amersil (krish-aw-nee of am-er-sill) aka Michael Norton

Kallow, The Ferryman from the First Era. He’s been reborn and sent to Avristar by his ancestors the Tavesin Family from Terra (Earth), the Lands of Men

Pux of Evennses (puhx of evan-sess) aka Robert Goodfellow

A feorn (half man, half wolf) considered invalid, but in fact is a hidden genius

Lord Istar, Sovereign of Avristar (is-star)

Appointed in the First Era, is married to both Avristar herself and Lady Atara. Krishani’s second elder.

Lady Atara, Sovereign of Avristar (at-are-ah)

Appointed in the First Era, married to both Avristar herself and Lord Istar. Kaliel’s second mentor.

Luenelle of Evennses (loo-en-elle)

House Master at the House of Kin, Evennses.

Desaunius of Evennses (dess-aw-nee-us)

High King Tor’s former betrothed, originally from Tempia, fled to Avristar due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s first mentor.

Shimma, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (shim-ma)

Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s youngest daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the unrest in those lands.

Kuruny, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (koo-roo-nee)

Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the hex placed upon her by the humans.

Kazza, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (kaz-zah)

Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s eldest daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the growing unrest in those lands.

Mallorn the Kiirar (kee-rawr)

Fled to Avristar from Talanisdir, Lands of Immortals due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s last mentor.

Benir of Amersil (ben-eer of am-er-sill)

Member of the Brotherhood of Amersil, loyal to High King Tor. Krishani’s friend

Grimand (grim-ahnd)

Elder in Evennses, Pux’s mentor

Elwen Tavesin (el-wen, tav-eh-sin) aka Tom Norton

King of part of Terra, Watcher to the Ferryman / Valkyries. He trains them.

Talina Tavesin (tal-ee-nah)

Wife of Elwen Tavesin. Elven heritage, from Nazole, considered noble rank.

Bethula (beth-oo-lah)

Human, works in the barns with the animals.

Hyatt (hi-at)

Bethula’s husband, works in the barns with the animals.

Jack

Bethula and Hyatt’s son, Pux’s love interest.

Aulises (ow-lih-sees)

Thief’s daughter from Amaltheia, possessed by Kaliel, The Amethyst Flame.

Folki (foe-kee)

Skinny villager from Terra

Snorri (snore-ee)

Large villager from Terra

Ferrymen / Valkyries

Children from twelve chosen families appointed to keep the Vultures/Wraiths at bay and send souls to the Great Hall. All chosen boys are Ferryman, all chosen girls are Valkyries.

Krishani Mekallow Mekelle Tavesin

The Ferryman in the First Era, reborn on Terra but grew up on Avristar. Ferryman of Terra, successor to Davlin Tavesin

The Valtanyana (The Powers That Be)

A brethren of eleven powerful kings and queens whose only goal is to gain absolute power over the Lands Across the Stars

Crestaos (cress-tae-oss)

Former ruler of Draconis, Lands of Immortals and Lord of the Valtanyana. Dead.

Morgana (more-gan-ah)

Former ruler of Terra, Lands of Men, and Lady of the Valtanyana. Dead.

Cassareece (cass-ah-ree-ss)

Former ruler of Nazole, Lands of Immortals and Lady of the Valtanyana. Dead.

Darkesh (dark-esh)

Known as the Prince of Darkness, Dragonoid, he lords over Earth and controls the Vultures. Lord of the Valtanyana

Pendalyn (pend-ah-lynne)

Ruler of Terra, humanoid, shapeshifter, Lady of the Valtanyana

Grimassi (grimm-ass-ee)

Ruler of the Lands of Men, negotiator, humanoid, Lord of the Valtanyana

Rahedra (rah-heed-rah)

Ruler of the Lands of Immortals, ruthless, Lady of the Valtanyana

Syx (six)

Ruler of the Lands of Beasts, gryphonoid, in leagues with Hades. Lady of the Valtanyana

Zion (zigh-onn)

Ruler of the Lands of Beats, spideroid, Lord of the Valtanyana

The Daed

A group of anarchists from the Lands of Men, Lands of Immortals and Lands of Beasts and the loyal followers of the Valtanyana

The Horsemen

A brethren of four horsemen raised by Morgana to wreak havoc on Terra. Also known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Vultures / Wraiths

The embodiment of darkness itself, created by the corruption of humans, the Vultures devour souls.

The Flames

A collection of nine weapons created to defeat the Valtanyana. Also known as the hand-crafted jewels of the universe, each of them is one of a kind

Kaliel, Amethyst Flame of the Apocalypse (kal-ee-elle)

In the First Era she was a girl, reborn on Avristar, versed in psychic, healing and transmutation.

Klavotesi, Obsidian Flame of Justice (claw-voe-tess-ee)

In the First Era he was a scythe, reborn on Amaltheia, can see deepest darkest secret, acts as judge, jury and executioner

Clamose, Azurite Flame of Knowledge (clam-oh-se)

In the First Era he was a crown, reborn on Nimphalls, Lands of Men, absorbs knowledge through touch, empathic

Places

Isle of Avristar (see map)

Orlondir (Oar-lawn-deer)

Royal City, located in the center of the Isle of Avristar.

Elmare Castle (elle-marr-ee)

Located in Orlondir, it’s where Fire Festivals happen, and where the Lord and Lady live.

Mount Tirion (teer-ee-on)

Located to the East of Elmare Castle, it is where the Gatekeeper lives and where Avristar herself can be summoned.

The Waterfall

Located at the border of Orlondir and Araraema, it’s an unnamed river that leads to the lake surrounding Avristar.

The Lake

Less of a lake and more of a sea, it’s endless until someone activates the mists that allow the kinfolk to travel to other lands (like the Lands of Men)

Nandaro

Located in the North, it is host to villages of Centaurs, Kiirar, Shee, Feorns, and others who are considered permanent residents of Avristar. They often stay to their own affairs.

Gargoyle’s Keep

Located in Nandaro, these are the Northeast shores, where the boats go to and from Avristar. They are often manned by a gargoyle, and most travel at night when gargoyles aren’t stone.

Mallorn’s Cabin

Located in Nandaro, very close to the Northeast Shores.

Earth, Lands of Men

Kenora

Maeva Jonsson’s hometown

Thunder Bay

Pux and Shimma’s new hideaway

Sioux Narrows

Tor’s new hideaway

Goat Island

Home of Maeva Jonsson and her human family, Grace, Gord and Scott Jonsson.

St. Thomas High School

Maeva Jonsson’s High School

Red Boot

Maeva Jonsson’s place of employment

Big John’s

Tor’s place of employment

Bell Road

Tor’s house

Lands Across the Stars (see map)

The Great Hall

Center of the Universe, often thought of as a hollowed out planet. The Great Library takes up a large part of The Great Hall. Home to High King Tor of the Lands of Peace.

Lands of Peace

All Lands Across the Stars who have pledged allegiance to High King Tor and who benefit from his generosity and protection.

Lands Across the Stars

The Universe (usually meaning planets that are scattered across the sky.)

Lands of Men /Avristar

Home to Humans, Earth is over there somewhere too.

Earth (err-th)

Earth, circa 2005CE

Amaltheia (am-al-thee-ah)

Destroyed by the Valtanyana

Nimphalls (nimb-falls)

Destroyed by the Valtanyana

Lands of Immortals /Avrigard

Home to Elvens, Fae, Draconians and other creatures who live for a long time.

Lands of Beasts /Avristyr

Home to demons and nasty creatures.

Land of the Dead /Avrigost

That place nobody ever talks about. It used to be known as Land of Kings.

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