Chapter 15 - Fated Unions

~ Eleven cycles of the seasons - 12 Years earlier ~

Early afternoon settled on the city, the streets calming somewhat after the rush of midday. It was mid-spring and the trees that lined the main roads were blossoming, their fresh leaves and flowers in full bloom. They walked among the falling petals, along one of the main thoroughfares that led from the city gates to the inner keep and the entrance of the Academy of Spyres. The street was broad and made of dwarven interlocking stone, bevelled edges and patterns that truly made it a marvel. The city itself was remarkably at odds with the surrounding blasted landscape that had been shaped over time to resemble sparse forests among the rocky shale and rippled earth of a sundered mountain.

Lia walked between Harks and Jaina, she had grown to ignore the curious glances, expressions and sometimes intruding actions of the people in the city when they saw her. Instead she took in the sights, looking up to see the spires of the academy towering above them. Pretending to be looking at the dizzying heights, she briefly glanced at Jaina, then Harks. Sighing quietly at the palpable tension in his posture and the obvious concern in Jaina’s eyes she thought back to the morning.

She had waked to the sound of an argument taking place in the dark hours before sunrise. What was unmistakably Harks’s voice, assertive and troubled. Lia made her way to the door and opened it to find Jaina standing nearby, her eyes wide in concern. Padding to Jaina’s side, she touched her arm, almost making her jump. They both stood there and listened carefully. Within a short moment, Lia looked at Jaina with a confused frown as they both heard Eira speaking calmly, her voice projecting clearly.

“What are they saying? I don’t understand.”

Jaina looked at her, “I am not sure, I only recognise a few words. They are speaking in Eira’s native tongue, that of the Wilderelves.” she thought for a moment, “A dialect? Or the common tongue from there? Dwarven?”

Lia stared at her, “But Papa?”

Jaina raised her eyebrows, “His hometown is not far from where she was born. Even the common tongue there is different to here.”

She met Lia’s eyes, “This matter is between Eira and Harks. Do not worry.” she said, giving Lia a comforting embrace and pursing her lips as they heard Harks’s sharpened tone in the distance.

“I want to learn how to speak it too.” Lia said quietly.

Jaina brought a finger to her lips before leading Lia back into her rooms and sitting down on the lounge, watching as Lia sat across from her, “I am sure Eira will agree. Being able to speak in different tongues is a blessing.”

She looked at Lia, the girl’s eyes straying to the open door as silence returned.

“Jaina?”

“Yes?”

“I know that you and Papa love each other.”

Jaina stared at her, lost for words at the sudden shift in topic as Lia smiled back.

“You keep looking at each other when you think the other is not noticing.”

“I, well…” Jaina frowned before laughing in embarrassment, “You don’t mind?”

Lia shook her head, her amber eyes with a hint of blue embers in their depths.

“How long have you…?” asked Jaina, her eyes widening as Lia deliberately counted out three fingers, “Really?” she exclaimed.

“The other day I thought about it, my first sunrise here.” Lia said, smiling.

“Did Eira put you up to this?” Jaina asked, watching as Lia shook her head.

“I was learning a new song. The words sing of love and a promise, hopefully kept. One of the verses tells of lovers sneaking glances until they know that they could not be without the other.”

Jaina sat staring with a bemused expression on her face.

“When I tried to play it from the sheet music, I realised it was my Mother’s favourite. I have been playing it all this time, just not knowing the words.”

“That song you love playing?”

Lia nodded, watching Jaina as she looked toward the open door, the darkness of night beyond it.

Back in the moment, Jaina caught her eye and they shared a look as Harks stepped ahead a little.

“Papa, is the new student coming today? The one like us?” she asked.

“Yes, dearest daughter. Near evening.” he said, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“I heard you arguing with Mama this morning, is it because of the new student?”

He nodded, aware that both Lia and Jaina were watching him, “The student’s parents have made a request I do not agree with. Eira understands my concern,” he stopped walking and turned to the both of them, giving a hollow smile, “but, I don’t have much of a choice in the matter. I am the best suited for her to apprentice under.”

Lia looked at him excitedly, “A girl? How old is she?”

“Maybe, four years older than you.” he said, trying hard to not smile at her enthusiasm.

“Will she be staying in the guest rooms? The ones that are empty? I saw the rooms being prepared before we left.”

Harks nodded, “It really depends how…”

“Maybe it would be better to have her in with Lia, until she gets her bearings?” Jaina offered.

“We shall see.” he said quietly, “Eira and I will meet with her first.”

“When will I?”

“Most likely tomorrow, dearest daughter.” he said with a smile, “Now, both of you. I know you heard Eira and I in the early hours. You are watching me like I will explode at any moment.” he said, looking from one to the other.

Jaina reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers into his before he could protest, “You need to calm down, Harks.” she said, her eyes on his, unflinchingly deep as her pale brown, almost gold eyes met his vibrant blue.

He looked at her questioningly, feeling her squeeze his hand, “Jaina?”

She looked at him then Lia, “Lia knows; she has known for a while.”

Lia smiled cheekily as he stared at her in surprise, she nodded to his unasked question, “Papa…” she said simply with a small smile and hugged him.

He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head gently.

As the afternoon drifted closer to sunset they entered the main receiving hall of the Academy. Kelis had flown down to them in the marketplace, finding Harks and signalling it was time to return. The main receiving hall was a magnificent room just within the entry. Polished marble floor and thick pillars standing in rows along the walls supported a vaulted inner ceiling painted with frescos that depicted the eight disciplines of the Arcana and their duality within the arches. The floor was marked with a number of summoning circles, glyphs and wards, but directly below the centre of the vault was a specific design.

Lia stared about the usually semi-busy hall. It was strangely silent, devoid of movement. The ever-burning flames of the lanterns lit the space, the sharp glow of the setting sun sending shafts of light through the upper windows, heightening the contrast of light and dark. She saw Eira sitting on a stone bench watching the design on the floor intently.

“Mama?”

Eira looked up, her startling ice-blue eyes finding them quickly. She stood and met them halfway. She slowed and met Harks’s gaze, concerned after she smiled at Lia.

“Are you ready, Harks? I can greet and welcome our new student alone, if...” Eira smiled gently, seeing his look, “As you wish.”

“The new student, will she be arriving soon?” Lia asked quickly in the silence.

“Yes, Lia. She is a little older than you,” she raised a finger, “you will be introduced in the morning.”

“Can’t I be here when she arrives?”

Eira shook her head, “I am sorry, Lia. Not this time. It will only be Harks and myself.”

Her last word echoing around the hall, a dull throbbing sound seemed to compress the air around them.

Eira glanced at Harks, “It is time. Jaina, could you please take Lia with you, do not wait for us.” she quickly gave Lia a hug, “Lia, I will see you in the morning.”

Jaina guided Lia to the path behind the pillars that ran along the walls of the hall, the throbbing growing more incessant; stealing the air and making their ears pop. Lia swallowed hard, sneaking looks between the pillars, seeing Harks and Eira standing at the design on the floor that was now glowing with an inner white light that pulsed with the air.

“Jaina, what is it?” she asked slowing to a stop and watching.

“It is a doorway, a portal. If you know how and you have approval, you can make a doorway from a few of the Academy’s allied cities right into this room.”

“But isn’t that dangerous?”

Jaina smiled, “Approval must come from Eira herself.”

She pulled Lia behind a pillar, “We can watch from a distance, come. I am sure it won’t be a problem.”

They quickly made their way to near one of the smaller side doors and watched from their partially concealed position. All Lia could see was Eira and Harks’s silhouettes with the blaze and pulse of the portal coming to life. A ring of light started to form over the portal, its edges touching the floor. She gasped, her keen sight making out a shimmering surface spread across the arch. She could see snow and a stone platform. There were a number of people watching on the other side, the shimmering surface making it appear like she were looking at a reflection off water as ripples disturbed the surface.

Two figures approached and stood just on the other side. Both wore furs and were rugged up from the cold, one taller than the other with haversacks on their backs and carrying a bag each.

“It’s time we go Lia.” Jaina whispered in her ear.

“Just one moment.”

“One look, then we leave.”

Lia nodded, her eyes glued to the scene before her, the two figures standing on the other side, the gently rippling water of the portal obscuring their features. She watched as they stepped forward, the surface of the portal rippling as they passed from the snows to the quiet of the hall. The taller of the two slid her furred hood back and let it fall to her shoulders. Lia’s eyes widened, the woman was a Wilderelf, her features haunting, her long midnight hair falling to the side and over her shoulder. Her bright blue eyes filled with inner-light and her complexion of honeyed cream. She immediately put down her bags and greeted Eira before turning to Harks, the deep thrum and pulse of the portal drowning out their words.

“Now, Lia.”

Lia nodded, allowing herself to be guided as she took another long look back over her shoulder. There was something about the black-haired woman, the way her look lingered on Harks as she spoke, introducing her daughter to her mentor. Lia turned, quickly looking through the door as it closed, her breath catching in surprise, the new student looked exactly like her mother, only younger.

“Jaina, have you seen that woman before?” Lia asked, watching Jaina’s thoughtful expression.

“No, never.”

The crescent moon cast its half-light down onto the forest, the notes of Lia’s guqin and song ringing into the quiet night. She had chosen a spot nearby Ivyana’s newest addition to the forest, a running stream and a series of crystal-clear natural pools that were deep enough to bathe in. The gentle babble of the water playing over the rocks in the stream proved too much of a temptation to have as a background to her music. She had wished to be deep in the woods this night and the sanctuary had granted her request.

Absently plucking at the strings she thought back to earlier, halfway between sunset and midnight. Harks had come to her rooms, tired and spent, his brows creased and his usually bright eyes dull with fatigue of the soul rather than of the body.

“Papa?”

Harks looked at her and smiled tiredly.

“Is it because of the new student?”

All the admission he needed to give came to his lips as they twisted into a bitter though genuine smile, “My dearest daughter, I never expected to have to apprentice another of our kind. I only agreed to return here at your side, as your father and mentor.”

“Is that what you were arguing with Mama about this morning?”

He tilted his head slightly in thought before nodding, “In a sense.” he said before leaning back into the soft lounge and resting his head.

“What is the new student like? She looks just like her mother!”

Harks sighed quietly, keeping his eyes closed.

“Papa?”

She quickly moved over and sat facing him on the same settee.

“Her name is Selera, she is a quiet girl, timid and shy. I am sure a few weeks around you and that trait will be solved.”

Lia frowned, absently picking at a loose thread on a cushion, “Is she like me?”

“Like you?” Harks looked at her and shook his head, “No, you are free spirited, your power flows through you and you are at one with it. Since you were little you embraced that thread within you, explored it and made it your own.”

“But, Papa…”

“Selera has been forced to restrain hers, to fear it without even exploring its nature. I do not agree with the method.”

“No Papa… Is she like me?”

Harks’s eyes softened, reaching out a hand and let her come in close an hug him, “No, my dearest daughter. She is nothing like you.”

Lia nodded, feeling his hand on her back and relaxed. With her head on his chest she could hear his heartbeat, steady and comforting as azure embers came to life in her eyes.

She smiled again, the sound of the water and her song rolling off her fingertips as easily as breathing. She had walked with Harks to Jaina’s door, meeting his eyes as he hugged her. She nodded to him and knocked. Within less than a moment, Jaina was standing in the entrance, dressed in nothing but filmy sleepwear, her ochre hair loose and tumbling in waves over her shoulder. Lia reached out and without a word took Jaina’s hand.

She held out her other to Harks, “Papa?”

Lia smiled as she looked at both of them, their eyes on each other. She drew them together, placing Jaina’s hand in Harks’s, her amber eyes flaring to life with ethereal flame. She laid her other hand over the both, flames charging into her palms and encircling the two, binding them.

“Jaina, Papa, I don’t understand it yet, but I know you are afraid.”

Lia looked to Jaina, seeing the longing in her eyes. Lia frowned as she concentrated, hearing a whisper of a voice that was not her own, guiding her in a language that she both did not understand but knew implicitly. She allowed her flames to saturate their joined hands, seeping into their skin.

“I don’t know how, but you now belong to each other as those of our kind do. Our family that is not made from blood, but of destiny.” she said, flinching as she felt a searing heat behind her ear as her family sigil of a fire encircled shimmered and returned to gold.

“Lia, how?” Jaina said, her voice only a whisper as she touched the sigil of fire on her chest before noticing the matching blue glow through Harks’s shirt.

“I – I don’t know.” Lia said in surprise before looking to Harks, “There was a voice.”

Harks nodded slowly, watching as the seal of destiny over his heart dimmed.

“Because I wanted you both to be happy with every part of me.” said Lia, with tears in her eyes, “You are not just my family in name, you are my family now.”

Lia smiled again, her fingers dancing over the strings, letting the notes flow out and into the night. That voice she heard, she had heard it before on the night her parents were taken, when Odessia died in her arms and occasionally in her dreams. Now, instead of a frail emptiness, there was comfort, belonging and certainty of a bond that was not just words and promises. Closing her eyes she began to vocalise the song that she played, her voice rising and lilting with the notes, winding through the forest, beckoning all those nearby to listen.

Faint blue mist stole among the trees of the Chancellor’s sanctuary, joining with the eldritch light shimmering off the pools, making the mist glow from within. Holding the note she let her voice drop with a sigh, a blue fiery gleam coming from the crack of her eyelids. A smile came to her lips as she let the notes die, muting the strings with her fingers. Midnight was special, the turn of one day to another. She took a deep steadying breath, the cool air calming her. Letting her fingers slide on the strings, she readied to start the next, breathing in and holding, her fingertip tensioning the string. Lia frowned, relaxing the string and resting her hand over them.

“You can come out.” she said with her eyes still closed, “I can hear your breathing.”

Hearing the footsteps in the grass, Lia let her power bleed off before she opened her eyes. A little more than a dozen paces away she stood, the girl with the midnight hair and bright blue eyes. She stood in soft nightwear and a gown with an uncertain look on her face. Lia watched her, realising that she stood a little taller than the sylph that watched her, despite being nearly four years her junior.

“My name is Selera.” she said, a confused expression on her face, “I did not mean to sneak, but I heard your playing.”

“Did it take you long to find me, Selera?” Lia asked, placing her guqin in its case and securing it.

“I have been walking for nearly an hour, I don’t understand, I swear that when the Chancellor showed me to my room that it only took minutes to get there around the perimeter.”

Lia gave an understanding smile and stood, “I am Lia.”

Selera stepped a little closer, “Are you new here too?”

“No, not new, I am Harks’s daughter.” Lia said as she picked up the case.

Selera’s eyes widened, “Harks’s daughter?” she watched Lia as she nodded, “The Chancellor said that I would meet her daughter in the morning. What is she like? I don’t want to accidentally say the wrong thing.”

Lia laughed involuntarily, “I am her.”

Selera stared at her in confusion, “How can… But, the Chancellor is not a bearer of the Demon’s Thread.”

“Demon’s Thread, is that what you call it?”

Selera nodded in earnest, “But, they are not…are they?”

“No. They are not.” Lia chuckled, “But, I am their daughter.”

Selera looked at her in shock, “Please, forgive me, I did not mean to…”

Lia smiled, walking up to her, “Well met, Selera. Come, I will guide you out of this forest.”

Selera fell into step beside her, looking at Lia sidelong as they walked, but remaining quiet.

“How is your room? I saw the servants preparing it earlier today.”

“It is so big, its almost as big as our whole house in the mountains. I am not used to being alone.” Selera’s eyes widened in bewilderment as she recognised the edge of the perimeter path.

Lia chuckled as she stepped onto the path, “I shall see you in the morning, Selera.”

Selera stood hesitantly, a worried expression on her face, “I wouldn’t normally ask this. Lia, can I sleep in your room?”

Lia stopped and stared at her, “You can sleep in my lounge tonight, if you must.”

“You have a lounge?” Selera asked with wide eyes.