I held my stinging hand and glared at the woman in front of me. Her hair was covered by a blue scarf that matched the dress that she wore. Her gray eyes bore into my brown ones as she picked up the knife and stuck it in a pocket. “You’re a bigger fool than I thought. Did you ask someone to kill you?”

“No… but I don’t deserve to be alive…”

“Why?”

I balled my hands up in the blanket that was wrapped around my waist. I realized then that my Grace was missing. Had I lost it? Had they thrown it away? Did it matter?

“I killed my husband,” I said softly.

“Excuse me? Speak up.”

“I killed my husband! The Bone God possessed my body and made me kill him!”

“That is the most interesting thing I’ve heard today.” The woman folded her arms and sighed. “What did you do to piss off a god?”

Tears filled my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. “I told the Mistress that I wanted to be her champion and not just some simple handmaiden. She said that a sacrifice would be required; my husband’s life for my power.”

“Did it work?”

“Huh?”

“You said your husband is dead, did you gain your power?”

“I didn’t. I rejected her terms so she forced me to kill him as punishment…”

The woman hugged me gingerly. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.”

“If I had only accepted my duty…”

“Shh… I need you to rest. First let me clean up your arm.” I watched silently as the woman cleaned and then wrapped my left arm in a bandage. It stung as I balled my hand into a fist. “Are you hungry? Is there anything you don’t eat?”

“Where am I?”

“Locksin village in Artus. We figured you were swept off a boat during last night’s storm.”

“Boat…yeah…” I said. So I was in a Landwalker village. They probably didn’t recognize my Grace for what it was. This made me all the more anxious to have it returned. I pulled the blanket around my shoulders so that I was no longer exposed.

“So, food?”

“Anything is fine. I’m not picky.”

“Well, I have some lamb shanks left over from last night as well as seasoned potatoes.”

“Alright…”

“I’m leaving my son here to watch you until Brent, our healer, returns.”

I nodded. I didn’t expect her to trust me. The woman opened the door and beckoned inward. A small boy, with short curly black hair cropped close to his head, entered the room. He looked to be around the same age as Aur, but where my step-son showed innocence, this boy showed a confidence beyond his years. He regarded me with a frown and lifted a long stick and pointed it at me. “I’m a mighty warrior. Don’t try anything funny.”

“Rolan, be nice,” the woman said and kissed his forehead. “I’m Melinde by the way.”

I looked up in surprise. Could she be? “Melinde Kane?”

The woman paled and gripped her son’s shoulder. “How do you know that name?”

I looked around the room. A white piece of cloth caught my eye. As I looked closer I saw that it was my Grace buried beneath my robes. I pointed to the pile. “If you could hand me that white underrobe?”

Melinde looked to where I was pointing and gingerly handed me the robe. I turned around and put it on. “Are you going to answer me? How do you know that name?”

“I knew your brother Ryaa, and you knew my mother,” I said looking over my shoulder.

“Okay, so you’re from Illuria. Were you sent here to find me?” By now she had folded her arms and was watching me closely.

I saw a pitcher of water on the shelf in front of me. I leaned forward and picked it up. I poured the water over my legs. They began to tingle before forming into a tail. I turned around showing my transformation. The woman’s jaw dropped. “You’re Waterfolk, but with your hair… I never would have guessed.”

“I was taking a chance that you were Melinde Kane. My mother was Dorotea.”

“What happened to your mother? She stayed behind to challenge some men that were chasing us.”

I twisted the blanket.

“She died protecting you.” Melinde’s hands covered her mouth. I could see the sheen of tears in her eyes. “And your brother… he died protecting me.” Melinde slapped me. I clutched my cheek stunned.

“My brother saved your life and you were just going to throw it away? How dare you!”

“Wha-”

“Don’t interrupt me. Knowing my brother, he would be furious to know that the woman he’d saved had tried to throw her life away.”

“I’m sorry…”

Melinde wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Well, you should be. Rolan, take care of Aunty while I get her some food.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” the boy said. Melinde left the room still wiping her face. “Aunty, why did you make my mom cry?”

I bit my lip. “It wasn’t my intention... We both lost that same important people. If it wasn’t for my mother, you would never have been born, and if it wasn’t for your uncle, I would not be here now.”

“Which uncle?” the boy said cocking his head to the side.

“Ryaa… he was very brave.”

“My dad is brave! He’s captain of the guard! I’m going to be just like him when I grow up.”

I looked closely at Rolan. I noticed that his hair did not have the sheen that marked Waterfolk. Did he have a Grace? Were halflings blessed like their Waterfolk parent or were they like their Landwalker parent?

I touched my own hair; it was still white. Did that mean I was still a handmaiden? I had unwillingly killed Vael, did that mean I was not a champion? I looked around me, but did not see any spirits. I felt my heart sink. A small part of me hoped to see his spirit so that I could explain to him what had happened. I wanted to apologize.

Would I be denied that too?

I looked at my hands resting limply in my lap. Even though they were clean it still felt as if they were covered in blood. I was a murderer, there was no denying it. Cia may have been self-defense, but I could not hide behind that fact with either Vael’s or the other’s deaths.

I was selfish and incautious. If I had done as I was supposed too I would never have killed my husband. I wouldn’t feel as if a literal part had been removed from spirit. It was like I had only one arm, the other gouged from my body.

Warm liquid drops fell on my fingers and I realized that I was crying again.

I held in my sob so it felt like I was keeping a rock from rising from my throat. My bottom lip stung as my teeth dug into it. Waves of heat and cold cycled through my body as I tried to force myself to breathe normally.

“Aunty, you don’t look okay. Do you need to lie down?”

I shook my head. “N-no, I-I’ll be f-fine,” I stuttered.

Rolan approached me and placed a hand where my knees would be. “Please lie down. You’re sick.”

I wiped my burning face with my hands before laying on my side. If I was in a better state of mind I would have questioned why I let a child tell me what to do. For now, I would lie here.

My eyes felt as if stone had been attached to them. I forced my lids apart and saw a gray hand resting over mine. I felt its chill sink into my skin. I lifted my gaze to follow the arm up to its owner’s face, but my vision blurred as exhaustion overcame me. “Vael?” I whispered before falling asleep.

When I awoke I was no longer in the healer’s room. I was laying on my stomach once more and a thin sheet was covering my body. I was still wearing my Grace, but nothing else. I felt groggy and wondered if they had drugged me in my sleep.

My back throbbed in time with my heartbeat, the tempo increasing when I pushed myself into a sitting position. My arms trembled under my weight as I shifted on the thin mattress of the cot that I was laying on.

The room I was in seemed to be a small kitchen. At the foot of the bed was a wide fireplace with a cast iron pot suspended by its handle over a banked flame. Every available wall space was covered in shelves filled with pots, pans and jars. A small window, covered by a curtain, was at the head of my bed as well as a door leading outside. Directly across from the outer door was a doorway leading deeper into the building that I was in.

I heard the shuffle of feet and Melinde filled the doorway. The scarf was gone from her head exposing the white hair she had been hiding. Something moved behind her and I tracked the movement with my eyes.

‘Hi, Sol,’ Ryaa said softly. I whimpered and fell back onto the cot. I gasped in pain as my wound was jarred. I curled into a tight ball.

I was not prepared to see Ryaa’s spirit. Had he been by my side this entire time or had he been near his sister? I covered my eyes with my hands. “How are you here?” I said into my palms.

‘Isn’t it obvious? I’m a ghost!’

“That’s not what I mean! Have you been with your sister this entire time? Why am I seeing you now?” I growled. I heard him sigh.

‘The simplest answer is, I didn’t want you to see me. I know how much it bothers you that you failed to save me. I may not be the love of your life, but it means a lot to me that you did care for me.

‘I have been kicking myself over and over because I died. I can never go back to Claire. She’ll probably never forgive me for dying. I-I wish that I hadn’t died, but I did. There was so much that I wanted to do and it sucks that when I finally see my sister again, she’s the one who’s alive!’

“Ryaa…” Melinde says softly.

‘I know, it’s not your fault. If I was more like you, I probably would still be alive…’

“Don’t say that, you couldn’t have known.”

“It’s my fault,” I said hoarsely. “If I had stayed on my side of the Forbidden Line then you would never have chased me and been captured.”

‘Sol, look at me,’ Ryaa said.

I moved my hands and looked at him. I flinched when I saw how close his face was to mine. I noticed that his eyes were still blue.

He smiled gently and rested his hand over mine even though I could not feel it.

‘No more what if’s, okay? Stop worrying about your forbidden line and start worrying about that demon! The Mistress gave you a task didn’t she?’

“What do you know of my task? Vael is dead because of me! Because I wanted to be her champion and slay Lemuete.”

‘I’m sorry… I saw the whole thing.’

I glared at him. “Good for you.”

‘Look, you need to stop throwing a pity party for yourself every time something bad happens to you that’s out of your control!’ Ryaa shouted. ‘You may not be the one personally slaying that monster, but it doesn’t mean your purpose is any less important. The gods need you, your people need you and so do mine! If Our friendship means anything to you get off your ass and complete your task.’

“B-but I’m weak and I lost the spear.”

‘No, you didn’t.’ Ryaa pointed to the shadowed corner of the room. I saw the spear resting alongside the broom.

“Where do I even start looking for the champion?” I squeaked. Ryaa rolled his eyes and groaned. He faded and reappeared right behind his sister and pointed to the back of her head.

‘I swear you’re being stupid right now!’ In a blinding flash of light he disappeared from the room.

His sister and I regarded each other silently before I spoke. “I just realized that you could see your brother.”

“Yes, isn’t that supposed to happen with ghosts?”

I shook my head. “The only ones I know of that can speak with spirits are those who serve the Bone God. Your white hair marks you as hers, and if Lord Faxon’s information is to be believed, your gray eyes mark you as a champion.”

Melinde laughed. She held her sides as she bent over her knees trying to breathe between snickers. “Me a demon slayer? Are you sure that’s not my husband?”

Our hair began to glow, their light brightening the gloomy room. The woman gasped in surprise and grabbed her radiant locks.

“I’m sure, though I don’t know the criteria the Bone God uses in choosing their champions.”

Melinde’s eyes were wide as she looked at her hair. “I need to sit down. Scoot over,” she said. Before I could protest she sat near my feet and continued to stare at her hair until the light faded. “I don’t suppose I can return my championship for my regular mortality?”

“I doubt it. Look what happened to me,” I said waving across my wound back. Did Vael not want to see me? Did his spirit pass on? I began to cry silently. Why did I miss him so much?

“I don’t think that I could slay a demon. What even creates a demon?”

“Well, Lemuete’s case he was originally mortal and was possessed by an old god.”

“Which old god?”

“The Silent God; we found a text with his true name. When his name is said everything falls silent.”

“That’s a very powerful name.” Melinde sighed. “So you really did know my brother… I was hoping that it was a trick, but when I came back from the house I saw him standing beside you watching you sleep. At first I thought someone had snuck passed my son, but when I touched Ryaa’s shoulder my hand went through it.

“I have never cried so hard in my life, not even when my son was born. Ryaa and I had always been close. It hurt me to leave him behind, but I thought he would be safer. Maybe I was just selfish…”

“Did he tell you how we met?”

“Yes, all of it. Thank you.”

I lifted my head off the mattress. “Why are you thanking me?”

Melinde grabbed my ankle through the sheet and gently shook my leg. “He would have drowned without you saving him. You also defied your lord to return him to our people knowing that it was dangerous. You also taught my brother that Waterfolk aren’t evil. I don’t know if he would ever accept Rolan if he continued his hatred.” She squeezed my ankle.

“You’re very comfortable around me,” I said carefully.

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

I opened my mouth, but could not think of a good reason why. Isn’t this what I wanted? Landwalkers and Waterfolk speaking together without animosity?

“I’m sorry. I feel nervous around you.”

“Don’t be.”

“But I’m the reason your brother is dead!”

“And I’m the reason your mother is dead.”

I sighed. We could argue over each other’s guilt all day long. Ryaa was right, I needed to stop pitying myself. There was a part of me that wanted her to hate me. Was I being self-centered?

I clenched my hands. I couldn’t change what I had done, but I could choose a better path. I don’t know if my people would accept since I had killed Vael. I had no reason to stay in Geyser now. I would take my father and leave for the capital once my task was done.

Would Aur forgive me?

“Melinde, that spear over there is meant for you. The Mistress wanted you to have it. There’s also a sword, but I think the other champion may have it.”

“So I get a demon-slaying spear. Let me take a look at it.” She got up and picked up the spear. A silver light encompassed the weapon and a word formed on the shaft. “’FIX’, that’s an odd name for a weapon. I think god-slayer or demon tooth would be more romantic than ‘FIX’.”

“I don’t know who chooses the names.”

“Well, maybe I can choose a new name for it. It’s mine right?”

“Yes… So does that mean you’ll slay Lemuete?”

Melinde put the spear against the wall and folded her arms. “I can’t just leave my family behind to go off and slay some powerful being. What if I die? What becomes of my son and my husband?”

“Lemuete caused the flood 400 years ago. What’s to stop him from trying again?”

“How do you know he caused the flood?”

“He told me himself.”

Melinde shivered. “I don’t know if I can defeat such a being. Several countries were destroyed back then!”

“That’s why the Bone God needs you!”

Melinde shook her head. “My husband will be home soon. He’ll be eager to meet you.” She went to the pot and lifted the lid. A spicy aroma filled the kitchen. Taking a ladle from a hook hanging on the stone fireplace, she dipped it into the pot and brought it to her lips. “Needs more salt.”

“The demon has settled in Naomi as a priest.”

Melinde stirred the pot. “Is that so…”

“How far are we from there?”

“By sea it would take a day to reach the mainland then maybe three or four days on foot. If we take the land bridge east it will add at least two days of continuous travel. The border between Artus and Illuria may be an issue.”

If I was able to convince Melinde to leave now we would reach the city in less than a week. I could not allow myself time to heal from my wound, but would I be capable of traveling in my condition? On my own, no, but if we had a cart or horses, we could make it.

‘I’m glad you’re starting to think un-selfishly,’ a voice said. I looked at my mother as she stood at the head of the cot looking down on me. ‘Convince Melinde to complete her duties and our Mistress will provide you with transportation.’

I blinked and she was gone.

“Rolan, set the table!”

“Yes, Ma’am!”

I heard the clatter of dishes coming from beyond the room.

“Do you like it here?” I asked.

“I do. It was easy hiding Arno’s nature. Here he’s just a foreigner and his bride. He keeps his and my son’s Grace hidden in case of an emergency. There isn’t as much dislike of Waterfolk here as there is in Illuria.”

“My prince is trying to create peace between Landwalkers and Waterfolk. He wants me to support his treaties after the demon is slain.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

I heard a door slam and flinched in surprise. “Mel! Mel, I heard you found someone on the beach this morning?” a gruff voice said. “Hello Rolan.”

“We’re in the kitchen!” Melinde said as she stirred the pot. I heard heavy footsteps and a tall man entered the kitchen. His head was shaved and looked smooth to the touch. His eyes were a deep brown with gold flecks. He regarded me silently. “This is Sol, Dorotea’s daughter,” Melinde said without turning around.

His eyes lit up and he smiled. “How is Dorotea? It’s been years!”

“Honey, she died protecting us.”

His face fell and he banged a fist against the wall. “Damnit… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take your mother from you.”

“It’s alright Arno,” I said as I sat up carefully. The throbbing in my back increased, but I refused to lay back down.

He blinked his eyes a few times before rubbing them. “I’m really not seeing thing; your hair is white! Mel! Her hair!”

“Yes, I know, Arno. I’m not blind.”

“Tempest! I’m sorry… l-let me, let me start again… How are you, Sol?”

“Broken,” I said smiling though I felt no joy in it.

Arno returned my smile half-heartedly and rubbed the back of his head. “Welcome to our home. We were able to make a good life here in Artus. They aren’t as hostile toward Waterfolk as Illuria, but we’ve been cautious with our identities.”

“Your son told me that you’re a guard here.”

Arno smiled brightly. “I couldn’t let my training go to waste. Since I’m naturally stronger than any of the men here, I’ve been more effective in subduing disorderly conduct.”

I chuckled. If I were to join the guards here I would probably be just as effective too.

Melinde tapped her spoon against the pot. “Okay, no more talking. Arno, carry Miss Sol to the table while I serve the food.”

Arno saluted his wife and gave her a cocky grin. “Yes, Ma’am,” he said then lifted me off the cot and carried me out of the kitchen.

***

Vael

My chest stung as I struggled to breathe. The air felt thick in my as it filled my lungs, but did little to help me catch my breath. Bran pushed me back into my pillows when I tried to rise up from the bed. “We…have to… find her…” I gasped. My eyes stung from unshed tears. There was no way that Sol would attack us willingly. The way that she had frozen after touching that spear had sparked suspicion in me before her eyes glowed with a cold silver light like a distant star. Even her words to me had seemed wrong.

My hands balled into fists against my will as pain caused my muscles to seize. I wish that I hadn’t left Holly behind in Meridia. His help now would be a blessing. I knew it was unfair of me to compare his subordinate to him, but their difference in skill showed in the way that he had sutured my chest.

An angry red line ran from the top of my left collar bone down to my right hip. Marino, Holly’s second, had bandaged my chest after sewing me up, but now blood was starting to seep through.

Bran dabbed at my forehead with a cloth. “I called for more bandages. Marino is working on another potion, stronger this time. It should help you sleep. Your guards are still looking for Eminence Sol,” he said.

I gripped his hand and moved it aside. “Thank… you,” I said hoarsely. I bit my lip as my chest throbbed; I had already screamed enough when I had gained consciousness in my hold.

“My lord, what are you going to do when you find your wife?”

I didn’t know. A part of me was worried that she was dead and small part of me felt relieved. I felt horrible, but I feared my wife. What was to prevent her from becoming possessed once more? It would be better if she lost her powers all together and we could live peacefully. What if she returned with her powers intact? Could I welcome her back easily?

I didn’t want to give up on her. Why did I keep losing her? Every time it seemed that I had her, some outside force would split us apart. How could I rest easily when she was in danger?

“How…is construction?” I gasped. I needed to concentrate on something other than my pain.

“The masons are still surveying the damage. The storm caused a few sections of the roof to collapse on the upper floors. We’ve moved most of the hold to the lower levels. It looks like your moss garden was also affected by the storm.”

“Do we have the money for repairs?”

“Yes, for now, but not if we keep losing the farms. Without them we’ll have to import more resources from your neighbors.”

“I… understand… Contact Gidean, ask if he can send… supplies.”

“Understood, but Lord you need to rest. If we lose you North Hold will fall to Lady Ai.”

“No, it will go to my wife,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Lord Aur is your son and we don’t even know if Eminence Sol is still alive."

I shook my head. "Sol... would... act as regent... until Aur... is old... enough to rule; Ai... will not."

Bran sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. I wondered how much stress he was under when dealing with me. Since I had become lord after my father's death, Bran had always loyally supported me, even when my actions were questionable. If it wasn't for him I don't know if our hold would have survived these last eleven years. An idea came to me.

"If we don't... find Sol, then you... will be regent... until Aur is old enough to rule." Bran's jaw dropped and I smiled. It was nice to catch him off guard. "Well?"

His eyebrows raised. "You're serious..."

"Should... I not... be?"

Bran's lips pressed into a thin line while he shook his head. "I see no reason for you to joke about such things,” he said and paused. “Thank you, my Lord.” He resumed mopping my brow. At that moment Marino was ushered into my room by a guard. They bowed to me.

“My Lord, I’ve brought a stronger potion. This one will make you drowsy.”

“Alright,” I replied. He came around the side of my bed.

“My Lord, Eminence Lasaro has requested to speak with you,” my guard said when I looked at him. “He’s outside your door.

I clenched my jaw. I had thought Lord Faxon was keeping him entertained.

“I will…see him… when Marino… is done,” I rasped.

“Lord Cadfael, is it wise to keep him waiting?”

I glared at Bran icily. “I am…wounded…and restricted… to my… bed. He’ll understand.”

“Yes, my Lord,” Bran said.

He helped Marino sit me up and remove the bandages. A brown salve was smoothed over my wound. I sighed in relief as the pain was numbed.

“Lord Cadfael, here is the potion. It should take half an hour to take effect,” Marino said as he helped me into a loose robe. “You need to take it once every six hours. It will make you extremely drowsy at first, but it should help with your pain.”

“Thank you,” I said. Bran propped more pillows behind my back before dabbing at my face once more to remove the sweat. He placed my fan within reach of my right hand while Marino poured a brown liquid into a glass.

I grimaced when the medicine covered my tongue. The bitterness lingered in my mouth even after I drank a glass of water. “Go get him,” I whispered to Bran. He bowed then left my side. I let my mask form on my face as Bran ushered the Eminence into my temporary bed chamber.

He was a taller than me, standing at six foot three. His white hair was in a warrior’s braid giving him a fierce look. His gray eyes showed little emotion when he looked at me. I sat up to bow to him when he waved his hand. “There is no need to bow to me; you’re injured,” he said a soft voice. “I wanted to see how you were doing after I saved you.”

“You mean… after you… attacked… my wife?”

Lasaro’s head tilted to the side. “I apologize for my conduct.”

“Apologize? She… is missing!”

“She’s in Artus. The Mistress said the storm carried her there.”

“So far?” I closed my eyes. Artus wasn’t as hostile as Illuria, but that didn’t make it safer. The small nation marked the border between North and East Hold. Where she landed would determine if I sent North Hold warriors or requested assistance from my cousin. “Is she alive?”

“Yes.”

No thanks to you, I thought as I struggled to keep my anger from my face.

Lasaro seemed to listen to something then his eyes softened as his attention returned to me. “Lord Cadfael, I know that you are angry with me for attacking your wife. If there was any other way I would have tried it. What can I do to show my sincerity?”

“I know… that you’re… m-meant to… slay the demon. Bring her…home…alive.”

Lasaro smiled and nodded. “As the Bone God wills it,” he said.

I knew that I couldn’t get a more definitive response from him. Sol was alive, and if I was in better health I wouldn’t hesitate to go after her. “Thank you,” I said.

“Lord Cadfael, I just wanted to let you know that I tolerated your disrespect towards me today only because of the conditions under which we met. In the future I expect you to show more composure,” Lasaro said to me. I bowed my head.

“I apologize, Eminence.”

“I wish you a swift recovery. Good day.”

After Lasaro left the room I looked at Marino. My eyelids were already feeling heavy and I fought back a yawn. “Marino, I want to… remind you… that… what you heard… is confidential.”

“Yes, my Lord,” the doctor said as he bowed to me.

I waved my hand at him. “You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Bran adjusted my pillows and gave me a second glass of water to drink.

“Lord Cadfael, was it wise to challenge the most powerful man in the princedom?”

I rolled my eyes. “It…wasn’t a… challenge.”

“I think some of Sol’s bad behavior has rubbed off on you.” I handed the glass back to Bran after only taking a few sips.

“Hopefully… she gained… some of my… good behavior.”

My eyelids felt heavier as I allowed my body to relax. Would I see my wife again? Did she find someone to care for her wounds? Was she still favored by the Bone God?

I clenched my teeth in frustration. I could only wait to see what would become of us.