The Dark Magical World of Alamptria (5 page)

“There is nothing to be sorry about,” said Caprius. “I took your hands, actually.”

She leaned back in her seat. “How much longer before we get to Koriston?”

“I would say less than an hour,” said Caprius. Caprius gazed at her. She was so strong and so fragile at the same time. Her hands shook when she took up the glass of wine, but he could see the resolve in her, how the pain and trials she’d endured had marked themselves on her body. He realized she and Andromin had enjoyed a special bond; he just hadn’t seen it for what it was until she and Andromin drifted apart.

“Yet you and Andromin now speak coldly to one another. What has happened to cause such a rift between you?”

Calista tried to balance the consequences of telling Caprius some things without revealing her secret. If she revealed what had happened to damage her good friendship with Andromin, Caprius would understand that. But sharing that opened the door to more revelations, particularly that the man responsible for ravaging his mother before he was born was the notorious Cambrozes Genesis, her father. She worried that information would push Caprius away.

She looked at him, at his strong will, his sincerity. Perhaps he had strength enough to accept her despite what she was. She hesitated but decided against telling him. The stakes were simply too high. Alienating him could mean being cast out of Elysium.

She said, “I understand that you want answers. Andromin is your brother, and you care for him. But it’s as simple as this: my presence caused problems for Andromin with Fetrona. Fetrona blames me for the problems in their relationship. I see now that Andromin wants me. But I don’t want to be the cause of their dissolution. Fetrona is fragile, and I don’t think she would be able to live if she lost him. I’m not interested in being responsible for that, so I told Andromin I cannot be with him for my own personal reasons.” Calista began to silently cry. She longed for Andromin every day. It broke her heart not to be with him.

“You speak so calmly, yet you weep. There are things you are not telling me, Calista. I wish you would trust me. It’s hard to see you suffer so, and it’s awkward for me, knowing you carry more secrets. My father, he also knows that you hold things inside. He said that on the battlefield of Plamastu you looked him in the eyes like you wanted to strangle him. That, after he’s done you such kindness,” said Caprius. His face was taut with worry. “What is it that’s eating away at you?”

Calista swallowed, feeling terribly uneasy. “Caprius, please, can we not just leave this alone?” she asked. “Speaking of eating, why don’t we eat before our meal gets cold? I’m sure it’s delicious.”

“Very well. I shall leave this matter alone. But remember this: I am here for you, and you can be honest with me. Whatever you’re hiding, it will not be a burden to me or my family. You can be sure of that. I am your friend. Whenever you are ready to come forth with this, I will be here for you. But I will not pressure you anymore, Calista,” said Caprius. They took the silver covers off their plates and, without much gusto, began to eat the rabbit stew.

Caprius ate little but drank down his wine. His wedding ring clinked against the glass, making a hollow chime. Calista wondered about his wife, Melina. What an impenetrable bond they must have in order to sustain their separation. She wondered whether it was constantly on his mind and if that was why his behavior was so erratic. It would be a long, lonely fourteen years for him. Lantrinon needed Grongone’s protection, and until he was old enough he would stay in Petoshine. Once he was a full-grown teenager, he would be able to handle a sword. “Do you still regret not being the one who escorted Melina to Petoshine?” she asked innocently.

“No. Father made his choice, and he chose Dragus,” he said. Then he sighed. “It is what had to be. I only wish there was another way.”

“Dragus will take good care of her. She is certain to arrive in Petoshine safe and sound. You can trust Dragus,” said Calista.

Caprius’s brow furrowed. “Of course, I trust him,” he replied, fingers fidgeting on the table, “but she is my wife. I should have been the one looking out for her.”

“Yes, but can you imagine if something were to go wrong underway? You’d never forgive yourself. You’d never be able to recover from that. And, as a soldier, it might color your judgment.”

“On the contrary, I think I would have had an advantage,” he said.

“Or a disadvantage. If you land in deep water without a life raft and the current is swift, you might sink to the bottom.” She took a breath and let it out slowly. “I know you have the light of Petoshine, but if that flame was ever to burn out and you were alone, then you would die alone.” She looked at him squarely. “Imagine what that would do to the rest of us.”

Caprius returned her intense gaze and saw a flame of desire there. He began to feel stirrings of it in his own body. “Has anyone ever told you that you are not only beautiful, but also very intelligent?”

“Why, Mr. Caprius Seaton, I do believe you are paying me a compliment. So, which do you prefer: my looks or my intelligence?” Calista asked, batting her eyelashes comically.

“Actually, both. You seem to be the complete package,” said Caprius.

“Thank you.” She realized they were flirting and felt suddenly uncomfortable. She leaned back and feigned a laugh. “Melina certainly is lucky to have you.”

“It’s nice to know there is someone else who appreciates me,” said Caprius.

She smiled warmly. “How about this: you watch my back, and I’ll watch yours.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal,” said Caprius. “To your health,” he said, raising his water glass. Their glasses clinked together, and they laughed. “You know, I’ve never seen this side of you before. In fact, I don’t think I’ve even seen you smile, not like this,” said Caprius. “You’re always so serious and driven. But, I have to say, a glass of wine and you’re quite fun,” he laughed.

“We haven’t actually ever had a real conversation before, aside from that unpleasant day at the pub. Our lives have always followed separate paths. You have Melina, and I’ve got… just my disgruntlements,” she said sadly.

“Don’t say that. Good things are bound to come your way. When you least expect it, the right person will show up on your doorstep. Elysium has many decent men.”

Calista clasped her hands together beneath her chin and rested on them. “Well, I’m looking at one.”

Caprius smiled. “Look who’s the flatterer now.”

“Caprius. Tell me some more about the vim of Petoshine. How is it that this vim works?” asked Calista.

“The vim is a power that draws from the tower of Castle Petoshine. It immerses a powerful field of energy that is part of a very large Amethyst crystal. This energy is what links my sword of power. I can create a stream of fire or, if necessary, extreme cold. The claymore of power holds fantastic healing power as well.”

“You mean, you can heal wounds?” asked Calista.

“Yes. It can actually mend a broken body. Even heal a body from any diseases. In darkness, it can release a soft glowing light.”

“How was this created? By Grongone?”

“It was created by his father, Bremendalf. Well, he actually discovered this power. And he and the elves created what today is known as the vim.”

“What happened to Bremendalf and the elves?” asked Calista.

“Bremendalf was destroyed by Makoor. Bremendalf’s mistake resulted in the tragic death of the elves. Today, Grongone remains the last of the elves.”

“I see, such an interesting story,” she said.

With a bump, the train arrived in the Koriston station, interrupting the dangerous, rising ardor between the two. Caprius looked out the window at the bustle of people and rush of steam. “Well, welcome to Koriston,” he said. “How did you find your journey, Madam?” he asked debonairly.

“Stimulating,” said Calista.

“How’s that?” asked Caprius.

“I enjoyed our conversation,” she said. They began to gather their belongings.

“Do you mean the part when I mentioned how beautiful you are?” he teased.

“No, it was when you admired my intelligence,” she said.

They made their way to the exit. “Calista, I have a whole new appreciation for you, and…” he paused, “I think you do for me as well. But we should probably leave all of that on the train.”

“I’ve already forgotten our conversation,” said Calista, waving her hand.

He reached out and touched her shoulder. She turned around. “But…” he couldn’t bring himself to talk about these new feelings that pulsed in his heart. “Never mind. Let’s get started on our investigation. Our contact is meeting us in half an hour. That gives us some time to discuss our approach once we get to Tillie’s Fine Watches,” said Caprius.

“Yes. I think that would be for the best,” said Calista. She turned around and disembarked onto the busy platform.

Quantum Heights
- Excerpt 6

After eliminating a Goncool aboard a train en route to Koriston, Caprius and Calista find themselves obtaining horses for their travels to Jethro. Jethro turns out to be full of surprises. From every corner there is danger. And from the henchmen that the dark lord sends to eliminate the agents, Caprius and Calista find comfort in a nearby tavern. But little do they know that they are being watched. A surprise is waiting for them. And unless they intend to stay in the tavern eating with a greasy spoon that turns one’s stomach, they must face their fears and embrace a bigger vim of Petoshine.

***

After claiming two horses at the stables, Caprius and Calista rode over the trails mixed with dirt and snow out of the city of Galdington to the city of Jethro. Keeping his distance was Vernon Goncool, also on horseback. Vernon was furious over the death of his brother and felt not only stricken with guilt for not having been there to prevent it but blind with anger that the two had gotten the better of him. He wanted to the solace claymore and see both Caprius and Calista dead. But he knew he couldn’t be hasty and had to bide his time, so he remained in the shadows until he could give them their due.

The early morning was thick with fog, making it difficult to see more than an arm’s length in front of the horses. After Caprius and Calista went down a small hill, they could make out the barest outlines of buildings in the city of Jethro. They continued on, unaware that Vernon was standing on the hilltop behind them, obscured by the mist swirling around him and his steed. He made a dark silhouette against the gloomy background.

Calista and Caprius made their way through the gravel-covered main road and looked in the shops as they passed. It was a quaint town, but the people seemed to be deeply affected by the fog. They walked about listless, no one speaking to anyone else. Caprius stopped one man.

“I say, my good sir, can you tell me where the local pub is?” The man looked slowly at Caprius but said nothing. Calista nudged Caprius that they should move along. The man looked half-dead and very frail. They waited another moment to see if he’d answer, but he just stood there, his mouth dumbly open a bit. So Caprius and Calista rode on. “Not a very helpful chap, was he?” Caprius remarked. A moment later, Caprius called out to a woman on a porch rocker. “I say, old woman, is there a pub nearby?” he asked. The woman just rocked back and forth.

“This is very odd,” said Calista, shrugging. “I guess we’ll just have to find a pub ourselves.” They kept on until they finally came upon an old rundown pub beside a church with several large bells in the belfry. The pub’s sign was broken. “‘The Greasy Spoon,’” Caprius snickered. “That hardly sounds delicious.”

There was nothing else around, so Calista shrugged and dismounted. “I guess this place will have to do,” she said. They tethered their horses to a post and went in. A few people were sitting at tables with pints of ale before them. They lifted the glasses to their mouths, but no one spoke. Not a word. When the two walked in, everyone slowly turned and stared at them.

“Hello there.” Caprius wiggled his fingers to a middle-aged couple. But they just looked at him with the same sodden expression worn by everyone else.

“Caprius, I think these people are mute,” whispered Calista.

“Either that or they’re scared of something,” said Caprius. They sat at a small table. The place felt less like a pub and more like a funeral home. Caprius suspected he could stick a pin in the man beside him and he wouldn’t react.

After at least ten minutes passed, Calista raised her voice. “Are we ever going to get served around here?” Calista began tapping her foot on the floor impatiently.

“Is there a waiter in the house?” Caprius called out. Everyone turned to stare at Caprius. “Well, at least we know they can hear,” he whispered to her.

He tried to stare down a few of the people, but their gazes were unwavering. “Mathis never mentioned this place was so dead. I thought the village of Kasheema was dead, but this place has Kasheema beat,” said Caprius. A moment later, from behind them, the floor creaked. It was a waiter. Calista continued to tap her foot on the floor. The people were still staring at them. The waiter stood over six feet tall. He had a large belly; a receding hairline with long soft orange hair that fell down his broad back; and a scruffy, unshaven face.

The waiter stood by Calista. “Please don’t tap your foot. It makes too much noise,” he whispered.

Calista stopped tapping. “Sorry,” she smiled. “Can we get a menu, please? We’re starving!” The man just stood looking down at her. They both looked at the waiter, wondering if he would respond. Calista tried again. “Do you have any specials?” she asked slowly. The waiter didn’t say anything.

“Alright, let’s try this,” said Caprius. He spoke carefully, enunciating each syllable. “We would like two glasses of your finest ale and two specials. Do you understand?”

The waiter nodded yes and tried to smile. It took his face several seconds to arrive at the finished product. Before he turned, he said again, “Please, stop tapping your foot. It makes too much noise.” The waiter let his smile fall away and walked into the kitchen. Calista stopped tapping her foot. “Well, it seems they only serve one thing, so I hope it’s good.”