The cold and rough kiss of brick came to pierce Sam's face. He was, at last, beginning to regain consciousness after days at rest. He felt cold, hungry, and his throat was as dry as molded bread. His eyes came to gaze upon nothing but darkness, his ears catching only the faint sounds of footsteps. "Where am I?" He thought he leaned backward onto the wall as he sat up. Its touch was as cold and unforgiving as the floor beneath him. Shivers took over his body in repetition, and only then did he come to realize what may have happened.
"Eaithira!" He called out. "Eaithira, can you hear me? Are you all right?" He pulled at the chains at his wrists and ankles. "Do not worry, I will get us out of here! I think we have been kidnapped.The chains rattled, and then a faint light across the room came to appear. Within its glow stood Tonisa, chalice in hand. "Eaithira, you're all right! Help me, help me get out of these chains...what happened?" He looked to her, but she did not speak. Instead within that moment, she stood adding several different powders and herbs to the chalice of wine. "Can you hear me? Help me out of these chains. We have to run we have to get out of here!"
"Calm yourself, boy. You are safe. You are chained for your own good. I saved your life, you know. While we were walking down that alley, a group of men attacked us. Luckily, I was able to fight them off and flee with you." "Were you hurt? And why do you have me chained? I would never harm you..." Tonisa smiled and moved to lean down to the boy. "Drink this. It will make you feel better. We are four days travel from the lands in which we met. You have not eaten or drunk since then. You were given a hefty blow to your head. I worried about you for some time, but now that you are awake, my questions can be answered."
His hands came to wrap around the chalice. "What are your concerns then? I will answer what I can," he said taking a sip of the dark wine. His face frowned at the flavor. "What is this? It tastes awful." "Wine with herb, to speed your healing...drink up, I will see a good meal follow it. As for my inquiries, I wish to know about Lord Farek." The boy guzzled the drink down. Despite its flavor, he was parched. "What of him? Everyone knows of Lord Farek. He's nothing special, just a Lord of his land." He drained the chalice and set it aside. Picking it up and returning it to a nearby table Tonisa continued, "Not long ago, he welcomed unexpected guests. Who were they and why were they there?" "Why do you need to know this? What does this have to do with me or why we were to leave together?" Sam questioned his head beginning to swim. He turned to the wall for support and rested his head. "Because you owe me a debt, boy. I saved your life. I could have run and let those thieves kill you, but I did not. No, instead I stayed and defended you nearly forfeiting my own life to preserve yours. I am a very curious woman as you proved to be a very inquisitive young man. Now, answer the question."
His stomach felt sick a moment, but as the nausea passed, he felt his limbs locking. "It was King Talon. He was there to discuss allegiance with Farek mainly. But aside from that, he was there to be given the Archers of Aleanthos. For some reason, the King wishes to storm Morgaideign, why I do not know." "Hmm...I see. And was there anyone particularly odd with him, other than the men of his court?" The boy sat silently thinking a minute. "Yes. There was, in fact, one woman that everyone was to address as Priestess Rosenwater. She was a rude old hag and had some kind of creature with her. My brother and I snuck into her room one night she and Talon were away. We found it to be an ugly thing, it was black as night with a temper as cruel as Dovium himself." Tonisa stood and began to pace. Her thoughts were running ramped, her heart pounding. She knew Calira had fallen behind, and now she would have to see him to the front lines once more.
"How many were given to Talon for his quest?" "Two hundred eighty-six. It is rumored their mother, Bryia, was the reason for this. She requested that fourteen of her daughters be left to defend their lands. Though I do not understand how fourteen blind women could protect anyone less long a city." "They are blind? So you mean to tell me that Talon risked his life to gain the might of over two hundred blind women?" "Well yes, they are gods after all. They are blinded at birth to enhance their other senses. Lord Farek told me as a young boy that they see as whales do. Their songs are feared more than the siren, yet I cannot say I am afraid them." "And why is that?" "Because I have never seen them kill, nor have I seen them protect anyone but themselves. To me, they are but a race riding up a legend never perceived by the eyes of the living."
The wine had begun to take its toll on Sam. He felt exhausted and suddenly wished to return to sleeping. "I am so tired...see me free of these shackles and to bed. I can eat when I wake." Tonisa shook her head. "A bed? It's too dangerous. If you were to move to rapidly, it could kill you. It is why I have you chained as I do now." She moved to gather a fur blanket and two pillows. "Here, rest on this. It is soft and warm and will bless you with pleasant dreams." Laying the items down, Tonisa gave his hair a stroke. It was not long before the boy came to curl into a ball and drift off.
The door of the dungeon swung open, and she was met by Calira."So what did he tell you? Anything worth revealing to me?" He spoke his hand moving to take hold of her shoulder. "He told me many things, things I know to be true." "How can you be so certain, my love? "Because dust of Topaz and leaves of Hemlock never lie. We have a huge battle ahead of us, one even I did not expect. Gods fight beside your sister, we are going to have to forge our own army. They head for Morgaideign, which means they seek either the Tribeentions...or what they may hold."
Calira took hold of her chin and kissed her. "And what might that be? The Tribeentions are nearly extinct it is why they hide behind the walls they do." "The Tribeentions that reside behind that wall are descendants of Riceana. She was the last documented being to hold possession of the elemental gemstone. It all makes sense now. If they overthrow Morgaideign and gain possession of the Elemental gemstone, they will become immune to this planet's toxicity."
The pair moved up the stairway from the dungeon and into the lower area of the castle. "How can they be sure the stone is still in Morgaideign? I mean Riceana lived nearly two millennia ago. What if it had been stolen between then and now?" "I am certain it has not been. In my culture, once we find something of worth, we keep it protected forever. From generation to generation, no matter the cost. The Elemental gemstone provides immortality to any who comes to touch it. If we find Riceana, we find our stone, and we find our immortality. Many think her to be dead, but I know that if that stone was hers once, she was sure to have touched it. That would mean she is still alive, somewhere hiding behind the security of that wall. We have to get to her before your sister does. I will need my own personal dungeon to do my work. I will have no time for rest once I begin." "I will see one built for you. Where should I start its development?"
"The mountains behind the castle...I need privacy. I will need iron cages built as well. If we are to face gods, we shall create gods ourselves." "Oh. There you are, my husband!" Shrieked Lady Alex, her arms outstretched towards her mate. "I have been searching everywhere for you." She looked to Tonisa cutting her eyes. "Do you not have a duty to attend? What are you doing down here alone with my husband? You know better you are not of trustworthy blood. For all, we know you could lure my poor mate down here and see him to an end."
"Alexandria, hold your tongue," Calira barked grabbing her by the arm. "What is it that you wish? I am quite busy attending pressing matters at the moment." "I wanted to ask you if you wished to go for a ride. The sky is as clear as it has been in the last decade." Tonisa stepped backward behind Calira, her eyes boiling with rage. She contained her fury by digging her nails into her palms nearly drawing blood.
"You expect me to drop all I am sworn to do to go and frolic in the woodlands? My apologies, but I lack the time. Why don't you take your ladies and see yourself to a ride? That way you can enjoy the outdoors, and I can enjoy not having to look upon you." "I only thought because you were healing..." "You thought wrong. I have a war to win if I am to ride it will be into battle. Now go and spare me the details upon your return." Tears had begun to swell in her eyes. Here she stood neglected and scolded by her husband before the witch he seemed to adore.
"As it pleases you, your Grace," she said turning upon heel and fading into the darkness. "The nerve of that dimwitted..." "Tonisa, ignore her ignorance. We have more important things at hand, remember? Besides, I have plans all my own for the two of us. We are running low on herb here, and I wish to revisit Lasmonat as we did in our younger years. I'll see my men begin the building of your dungeon and upon our return, it will be complete." "What of the boy? Shall we bring him along?" "No. Have either Abigelle or Zalia tend him in our time away. Think of this as a way to kill time while taking care of other matters. A journey to Lasmonat will be fulfilling and a way for us both to relax. As you said, once we begin our expedition there is no turning back, and certainly no time for rest and regeneration. So let us indulge in it now while we still can, before the Black Death comes to consume the green acres of land. Let us ride now and enjoy life in the dawn of darkness."
Tonisa nodded and kissed him deeply, her arms locking around his neck. "You never know what answers may await us when we arrive there. The vast open caves full of riches and sweet scents of the sands have been missed. I want nothing more than to share that experience with you again, Toni. I want to have you fully to myself and embrace nature in its purity. Why put off what we can do today until tomorrow? In the world we live in, my dear Tonisa, tomorrow is certainly not promised. Even if it were, would the day bring the same sights and sounds as the day past?" She gave him a kind smile and allowed her eyes to fall to the ground as if a child.
"No, it would not. The planet is in a state of never-ending change due to the havoc we wreak upon its soils. You are wise. Just say the word, and I will be ready to depart. I only ask that you give me time to settle the girls for my time away." He gave her a nod and kissed her forehead. "Do what you must, and I shall do the same." The two came to part heading for separate wings of the castle, their minds now set upon the future.
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