Wings of Arian (51 page)

Eleana held up her hand, “You will have your answers, but I cannot...” she stared at the sky. “Kiora things have changed since I made that promise. There is much more you need to know. I have called Arturo to take you. But please, if you can find it in your heart, know that I ask for your forgiveness, for everything.” She bowed her head and vanished.

Kiora stared at the spot where Eleana had disappeared, shocked. She didn’t turn around when she felt Arturo approach.

Are we going? Or shall we stand out in the rain all night?

“She left,” Kiora said, dazed. “She promised me answers, and she left.”

She is giving you answers, just because she is not telling you herself does not mean she is not keeping her promise, Kiora.

“But why wouldn’t she just tell me herself?”

Guilt can be a powerful gag.

Finally Kiora turned to look at Arturo. Lacking whatever magic had kept Eleana dry, he was dripping wet. His normal colors were muted, white feathers sadly beige.

You don’t look so great either,
Arturo answered her thoughts.

Maybe it was the stress or the grief, or Arturo’s dry tone, but whatever it was, she started to laugh. Harder and harder she laughed until she was hunched over holding her stomach. “I’m sorry,” she wheezed to Arturo who stood silently dripping water “I’m sorry!” Trying to calm herself she climbed onto Arturo, still chuckling, “I’m ready.”

You need to bubble. Dralazar must not find where we are going.

She obeyed, finally calming down as they flew. “Where are we going?”

The Hall of Protectors, it is where we honor the memory of those who have protected our Soluses. But you are going to meet Epona. She is an Ancient One. Very few have ever met her.

“Have you?”

I have.

“She is going to tell me about the gate?”

And more.

She frowned, “Why can’t you just tell me, if Eleana can’t?”

You are under the impression that Eleana has told me why she did what she did. As I said, grief can be a powerful gag, and one that becomes thicker and harder to dislodge if you allow it to remain in place.

The two flew for some time before entering a canyon between two rocks shaped like wings. Kiora looked around in wonder. Arturo dove straight down nearly pulling her off his back.

“A little more warning next time.” she yelled into the wind.

Close your eyes.

She looked down to see the ground rushing up to meet them. Pinching her eyes shut, she screamed. The impact never came. Cautiously, she opened one eye to find herself flying through a large cavern.

I told you to close your eyes. I would have expected a little more calmness from you, Emane didn’t scream.

“Emane’s been here?” she asked, her eyes trying to take in everything all at once.

Against my better judgment, but Aleric insisted.

Arturo landed softly, and Kiora slid off, gazing at her surroundings. It was beautiful. The light was everywhere, and yet seemed to be coming from nowhere. There were exquisitely detailed portraits hanging up and down both walls in a oversized, soaring hall. Besides those and a stone bench sitting in the center it was otherwise empty. She walked, looking at the pictures, trailing her fingers over the frames.

“Are these the Protectors?”

Yes.

She looked at the different faces, all from different times. She was examining a portrait of a Guardian that vaguely resembled Malena when a soft angelic voice floated into the cavern.

“Kiora,” it beckoned her to follow. She looked to Arturo who nodded his encouragement.

Kiora’s wet clothes were sticking to her and she pulled her shirt away from her skin, trying to smooth down her hair as she made her way to the back of the cavern. Passing through a stone archway into a smaller, yet more elegant room she gasped, taking in the beauty of it all. The ceiling arched high above her in a perfect circle with orbs floating around giving off a soft beautiful pink light. The smoothness of the walls, the grace of the archways, it was one of the most beautiful spaces she had seen, even surpassing the craftsmanship of the Shifters. In the middle of the room, an ageless woman with shoulder-length hair that had just started to turn white, sat upon a delicate throne.

She spoke, “You have come at last.” Her voice was so, melodic. The only other time Kiora had noticed that quality so distinctly was when Morcant had spoke. Yet where Morcant’s was booming and baritone, hers was that of a soft soprano, calming.

Kiora didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing

“You are so young.” Her gentle eyes appraised Kiora. “So young to bear so much: you and your Protector.” Motioning, she said, “Please, sit.” Kiora didn’t have time to ask where she was to sit before a delicately carved chair rose from the floor. Kiora mutely walked to it, and sat. “I am Epona,” she said warmly.

Kiora forced a smile, “It is nice to meet you.” She bit her lip, shifting in her chair. “Why am I here?”

“You are here because it is the only place where you can see what you need to see,” Epona waved her hand towards the wall. There was a muted grinding as two large stone wings began emerging to the right of them, pushing themselves straight out from the wall between two of the archways. Once they had freed themselves from the stone surround, a small dot of liquid light appeared in the center, growing larger and brighter. It swirled and moved, very much like the Wings of Arian, but instead of gold feathers this matched the silver grey stone they had emerged from. Kiora looked to Epona, but she was watching the wings.

The light snapped into place, turning Kiora’s attention back to it, and without explanation the pictures began flowing.
There were creatures she had never seen before. Plants and landscapes which were foreign to her. The scene moved from place to place. Each different, each unknown. Waterfalls and plains, mountains and streams, oceans and islands. The inhabitants of which she vaguely recognized as many of their figures had been immortalized in the swirling ironwork of the gate.

When the pictures ended Kiora turned to Epona. “That is what is on the other side of the gate isn’t it?”

“Yes. It is the only record we have left of the place we came from. The Wings of Arian were constructed after the gate.”

Kiora stared back at the wings, “But why?” she asked, “Why did they put the gate up?”

Epona settled back into her throne placing her hands in her lap, one on top of the other, much like she was settling in for a long story. “Before I can tell you that, you need to understand a few things. The other side of the gate is much different than the world you have lived in. It is based entirely on magic.”

Kiora looked to the floor, trying to process that. “You mean outside the gate, they
all
have magic?”

“Almost without exception, yes. There were legends of a race, humans, that were nearly devoid of magical ability. We Ancient Ones worked hard to make sure that you remained a legend.” Kiora leaned forward in her chair, elbows on her knees. “Before the gate, we tried to keep you hidden ourselves, your kind was so vulnerable. But word spreads quickly, especially among the magical community.”

“What happened?” Kiora asked, scooting even further forward on her chair.

“In response, we took two of the more powerful youngsters of the time, a brother and sister, and brought them here, charging them to look after your people and protect you from any who might prey on your weaknesses.”

Kiora was beginning to understand where Epona was taking her, dropping backwards she said. “Dralazar and Eleana.”

“Indeed,” Epona nodded, looking over the top of her head as if remembering. “It went well for some time. But Dralazar began to enjoy his power more than he ought to have. He thirsted for more and wanted his sister’s help to get it.” Epona looked down to Kiora. “He came to her with the plans for the gate, presented under the guise that it would offer complete protection from outsiders.” Epona sighed, “Eleana came to me, and I advised her against it. They were both so young,” she shook her head, “but she headed my words and refused her brothers plan.”

Kiora frowned, “But then why…”

Epona motioned to the wings. “Watch.”

The void in the wings snapped, more quietly than the Wings of Arian, and a picture came into being.

A very young looking Eleana sat underneath a tree with a handsome young man, holding his hand. His dark hair was cut short, emphasizing his strong jaw and beautiful brown eyes. Those eyes looked at Eleana, much like Emane looked at her. She laid her coppery hair on his broad shoulder and smiled.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” she asked shyly.

“No, I can’t feel any magic at all today,” he said sweetly, running his fingers through her hair.

Snuggling closer she smiled, “I have been practicing.”

Eleana narrated the scene, “My poor Eleana was in love with a human. He was a wonderful soul, kind and gentle. A perfect match for her in every way,” Epona sighed, shaking her head tragically, “but entirely non-magical.”

The picture switched to the handsome young man walking alone through the forest. He was armed with a bow and arrow and crept slowly forward, hunting most likely, when something hit him from behind, throwing him forward. Scrambling to his feet he looked down at his broken bow that lay beneath him. Grabbing the arrow alone he spun around, holding it out in defense and turning on the spot, looking for his attacker.

A Guardian flew down from the trees, pelting and slashing with magic. Cuts opened around his face and body, blood seeping through his clothes. He flailed, trying to fend off the attack with his arrow, but the small weapon was useless against the magic. Sinking to his knees he slowly succumbed, and after one final shot, fell dead in the forest.

Kiora inhaled sharply covering her face.

“So was the first Fallen One,” Epona whispered.

Dralazar then appeared, unbubbling himself at the scene. He also looked incredibly young. “Let’s see how Eleana feels about protecting her precious humans now.” He grinned at the lifeless body at his feet. “Good work, Vitraya,” he addressed the Fallen One whose transformation had not yet begun. She was still beautiful and fair-haired with sparkling blue eyes. “Hide where we discussed. I will come for you after the gate is up.”

Epona added, “Eleana was devastated. She blamed herself for not keeping a closer eye on the magical creatures that inhabited the region. So when Dralazar came to her, you can imagine her weakness.”

Dralazar walked over to a sallow and sunken Eleana. “We can still protect the rest, Sister, there is no need for anymore to die.”

“I don’t know Dralazar,” Eleana said.

“I know what Epona said, but you saw what happened. He was attacked for no other reason than that he was non-magical, and by a Guardian, no less! If they will attack, what do you think is going to happen when other things start wandering into the valley? The word is spreading. A group of Shifters crossed the pass just a couple of days ago.”

Eleana started, “Shifters? Are you sure?”

“Yes. And you know there is more— dragons have already come and there is bound to be more on the way. And we have been lucky. There are much worse things that haven’t found us yet. Some of the species are growing very bloodthirsty, power hungry.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I know you love them, Sister, I love them too. But they are weak, and our presence is not enough to protect them. Please, help me protect this people, help me erect the gate.”

“Alright,” Eleana said with a sob. “Alright.”

“The day her love was killed, a piece of Eleana died,” Epona said as the wings grew silent. “She caved to her brother’s wishes in her grief, and they erected a gate to block the only way in or out of the valley. They used old magic to enchant the valley to ensure everyone in stayed in, and all others stayed out. It was her attempt at protecting the people that she had grown to love so deeply.”

Kiora’s breath leaked out in a slow and steady stream as she leaned back in the chair. “But, if she wanted to protect us,” Kiora began slowly, “then why does she refuse to fight with us, to put a end to Dralazar?” Sitting straight up she blurted, “Does she know what he did?”

“She does.” Epona nodded tragically. “She realized too late his betrayal. She tried to open the gate herself, but Dralazar, anticipating her regret, had altered it. Trying to right a wrong she could not truly undo, she laid some enchantments of her own, forbidding old magic. Try as he might Dralazar could have no access to it. This meant he could not use the old magic. It was a rather brilliant spell and the only thing that kept Dralazar from coming into power centuries ago.

“But, she could have stopped him, couldn’t she?” Kiora asked, searching Epona’s expression. “She is more powerful than he is.”

“She is,” Epona conceded. “But she feels that the last time she interfered, she changed the destinies of all who live here, in more ways than one. Sometimes old magic can have unforeseen consequences.” Epona raised her eyebrows at Kiora, looking like she was waiting for her to understand something.

“What?” she finally asked, feeling foolish.

“The gate had an unsuspected response to what it was asked to do. Can you think of nothing strange about this valley you live in?”

Kiora shook her head no. Not any stranger than being locked in a valley by a gate.

She leaned back into her chair. “This valley is small,” she prompted. “And yet Meros never gets any bigger.”

It bubbled to the surface like tar, slowly. “That’s why we can’t have very many children.” she replied, more of a question than an answer.

“Yes. The old magic controlled all the populations, both magical and non-magical, to prevent the valley from being overrun and its resources depleted. This is one more thing that Eleana blames herself for. She has watched more than one woman cry and plead to the heavens for more children, children that would never come.”