Excalion

Excalion
Chapter Four: Lightning Flash and Thunderclap

=[ Part Two ]=


Jacen opened his eyes to see nothing but fog all around him. His left hand instinctively reached for the sword at his right hip but felt nothing but goose-fleshed skin. Looking down at his body, he realized that he was naked, and that the air was cool enough to remind him so.
He perked up, suddenly alerted of someone’s presence, when a faint utterance of his name was carried with a slight breeze. Still wary of any unknown presence, he began to walk towards the source of the breeze, where he thought the call of his name came from.

“Jacen…”

The female voice and his name were unmistakable. Despite being faint, it sounded as clear as a wind chime and the way his name was called sounded like something out of a bardess’ romantic ballad. Still on the alert, he found it impossible to move away from the source of the voice. With every step he took, he noticed that the fog began to clear up, and gradually began to make out stalactites and stalagmites, as well as smooth, rounded tunnel walls. Light spilled from a naturally eroded archway, creating a walkway of light that warmed his feet. His natural curiosity overcame his caution and he walked through the doorway.

Three women stood around a pedestal carved out of a stalagmite, a crystal ball with the image of a planet hovering over the top of the pedestal. The first woman, tallest of the three, had flowing raven hair that almost touched the ground. Her eyes were jet black, and as the woman looked up, noticed Jacen’s presence and grinned, he felt a chill go down his spine as he beheld the calculating wildness in them. Her lips were painted blood red and her skin was pale, almost white, though she wasn’t sickly. She wore a red toga, a black metal clasp on one shoulder, and a thick woven black rope around her hips. There was a slit that went up to mid-thigh, revealing black sandals and netted stockings that went halfway up her calves.

The second woman had her brown hair tied into a bun on the back of her head. She wore a simple blue toga, clasped at her shoulders with golden buckles, and a woven gold cord around her hips. She wore no facial paint, but wore a small pair of glasses over her verdant eyes. On her feet she had a pair of brown ankle-high sandals. Her face was peaceful, though seemingly detached from the image of the planet.

The third woman, the same height as the second, had shimmering, golden hair that flowed down to mid-back. A wreath of flowers crowned the top of her head, and her vibrant blue eyes held nothing but love and happiness. She wore a toga as green as grass and adorned with swirling patterns of gold. Her arms had swirling brown tattoos that flowed about from shoulder to wrist. She wore sandals that reached up to her knees, held only by two straps, one just below each knee, and the other at her ankles.

His heart leapt into his throat as the woman in green noticed him. She said nothing as she left the pedestal and the other two women, a smile on her face. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, she kissed him deeply and lifted her leg a little, her thigh brushing against his inner thigh. He shivered instinctively, fighting the growing urge in the pit of his stomach.

“I was beginning to think I’d never see you again,” the woman said, her smile unwavering.

Jacen frowned. “Who are you?”

The woman in the red toga scoffed. “So much like his father. His mother should have forced him to the Temple more often.”

“Don’t mistake his father’s foolishness for his innocence,” the blue-clad woman said.

“Don’t mind them, Jacen,” the green-clad woman said as she touched his cheek affectionately. “You know me very well. My name is Ameena.”

As soon as the name escaped her lips, Jacen fell to one knee, head bowed. “Goddess, forgive me.”

“Be at ease, Son of Omicronus,” she said gently. “I shall not keep you for long.”

Jacen stood and nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

“Such obedient little pets you have, Ameena.”

“Hush, Alaia,” Ameena shushed the taller woman gently. She turned back to Jacen. “We have brought you here to warn you that danger looms ever closer, and that overcoming it will be arduous.”

“I’ll make sure of that,” Alaia said, baring a fang in a playfully wicked smile. “Though, for someone raised in a pack of wolves, it will be most amusing to watch you persevere.”

Jacen ignored the Goddess of Chaos. “I know, my Goddess, but what my father is doing is wrong. Even if it’s just his own firstborn son that’s willing to fight him, I will do so.”

“Unfortunately, you are more right than you will ever know,” Ameena said, looking down and frowning. “With the coming of Dark Moon, you will be more right than you will ever know.”

The sight of a woman so beautiful, an avatar of life and pleasure yet smart and sincere, in such a dejected state drove a dagger into his heart and enveloped him with a wave of sadness.

“It is comforting to know that the heart I gave you is not as cold as your father’s,” she said, a smile returning to her face. Jacen blushed. “However, what he plans to do is more dangerous than even he realizes. Utlimately, his actions threaten all you hold dear.”

“If there is anything that can be done to thwart my father and save my people, I will do whatever it takes to make sure it is done,” Jacen declared.

Ameena smiled sincerely. “You will not be alone in your crusade, Jacen.”

“What?”

“You were born when all three of Us blessed your people,” Karysta said. “Someone born on the Eve of Our Grace is destined to be special.”

“There were two people born that night,” Ameena said, “so it is only fitting that I give my Gift to those two individuals.”

Surprise ran through Jacen at Ameena’s sudden declaration. “My Goddess, I’m honored, but…”

“Oh, I am well aware of your situation, Jacen of Omicronus, but this goes beyond the simple offering of my Gift to you,” Ameena said, her voice serious. “She is destined, just as you are, to save your people from destruction, from Our mistake.”

Jacen swallowed the lump in his throat and bowed. “Whatever you ask, it will be done.”

“I know, and am impressed by your loyalty,” Ameena said. “Because We have brought you here, We will show you who you are to share Our Gift with.” She turned back towards the pedestal and the crystal orb. The image of the planet faded into a cloud of smoke, which in turn faded to reveal a woman’s face. Jacen’s heart leapt into his throat, a torrent of emotions flooding his mind, and he nearly fell over.

“I couldn’t have made a better choice,” Alaia said, her taunting laugh echoing about him as everything around him began to swirl and fade, “nor could I have asked for a better reaction…”


* * * *


Naomi managed to dodge around Kai’s sword swing in a circular motion, the edge of her own weapon leading in a lateral arc. She watched as Kai’s other sword deflected her attack downward and smiled grimly as she brought her left leg upward. She felt the top of her foot connect with this cheekbone up until she followed through, twirling low into a defensive stance as she watched Kai reel, falling to one knee onto the leather mat.

“Nice,” he said as he stood and rubbed his cheek. “I should have seen that coming.”

Naomi shook her head. “There was no possible way you could have countered that.”

“You think so?” He slowly shifted into a low offensive stance. “Try it again.”

As she readied herself and nodded, his left arm came down in a diagonal slash, following through almost immediately with a lateral cut with the same weapon. Once more, she circled around the second attack, her own weapon flashing towards him. Kai brought the sword in his right hand down, parrying her attack at the extremely last second, and lurched forward, his right knee up and in front of him.

Naomi’s eyes widened as she thrust her left hand at him, palm opened and her index and middle fingers raised. A brief gust of wind blew past her, hitting Kai squarely in the chest and sending him flipping through the air and landing flat on his back.

“Fuh!” Kai managed to gasp, the wind knocked out of him. As he lifted his head and was about to get up, he came face to sword point with Naomi’s weapon.

“Can’t you just admit when you’re beat, Kai?” she asked, a grin on her face.

“No,” he answered her, a grin creeping slowly up the corner of his lip.

“Why?”

“Because…” He kicked upward with his left leg, knocking the sword out of her hand and high into the air. Using her surprise to his advantage, he swept his other leg out, tripping her up. He fluidly rose to a crouch and leapt up over her, grabbing her sword in mid-air. As she landed on her back, he loomed over her, one foot and one knee pinning her forearms. In a flash of light and a dull thud, Kai stabbed her sword into the leather mat a hairsbreadth from her face.

“…Like a cornered animal, I’m fiercest when I’m backed into a corner.”

Naomi pressed her lips into a thin line and closed her eyes, slapping the mat twice. Kai rose to his full height, wrenched Naomi’s weapon from beside her and offered his hand. Naomi took his hand and stood.

“You okay?”

She nodded. “I’m worried about Shanavale.”

Kai nodded solemnly as he walked to the lone window, Naomi behind him. “So am I. I can’t just stand around here and do nothing.”

“Dark Moon is tonight, Kai. The Barawani Traveling Fair will arrive in Overon tomorrow night.”

“And Jacen’s family will usurp the throne,” Kai said. He clenched his fist. “I won’t let those murderers get away with that.”

“Murderers?” Naomi asked. “But the assassins that tried to kill your father were from Overon.”

Kai nodded. “I know, but I have the feeling that House Omicronus somehow coerced those two men from Overon to kill my father.”

Naomi frowned. “What? How?”

“I don’t know,” Kai said as he turned away from the lone window and walked towards the door, “but I won’t find those answers here.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m taking Ezshara, as well as some opasha, and going to Overon,” Kai replied. “There has to be some sort of explanation for why Shana’s family almost destroyed the Forest Sanctum. And if Shanavale doesn’t know, Wynn or Jacen may have some answers.”

“You still think Jacen can be trusted?” Naomi asked as she trotted up to him. “And I don’t care what you say, Kai, I’m going with you.”

Kai grinned. “Ameena wouldn’t have it any other way.” They jogged out of the training room. “And yes, I think Jacen can be trusted, otherwise I’ll find out what I need and ask for payment for his family’s crimes to mine.”


* * * * *


Wynn continued to read the message, occasionally writing something down on a separate sheet of paper.

“Wynn, eat something,” Rohadin said with a chuckle. ”I can hear your stomach grumbling from here. I know a little bit of Arcturan, maybe I’ll be able to help.”

“It’s actually written in the Tundrii dialect,” Wynn corrected him as he put down Jacen’s message. “There are some nuances in Tundrii that don’t derive from Arcturan.”

Jaden looked up. “My mother and her family were Tundrii. She taught me some Tundrii, and my aunt continued to teach me to read, speak and write it after my mother passed away.” He gestured towards Wynn. “Let me see that message. I should be able to figure out the rest.”

Wynn gave him a defensive look, but Shanavale clapped him on the shoulder. “Wynn, let him read it. They have as much right as we do to look at it. Go and eat.”

Wynn smiled sheepishly and rose, handing Jacen’s message to Galia’s brother and turning his attention to the still steaming plates of food.

“Pardon me, Princess,” Galia said suddenly. Shanavale looked up.

“What is it, Galia?”

“Umm…” Her glance flitted once to her brother. “May I talk to you out on the balcony? I need to talk to you privately.”

Shanavale furrowed her brow as Jaden looked up at his sister. Galia turned to her brother as she and the Princess reached the doorway.

“Don’t worry, Jaden. It’s nothing you need to concern yourself about right now.”

“What happened?” Jaden was about to get to his feet when Rohadin stopped him with a hand.

“It’s a private audience with the Princess,” Rohadin warned him. Jaden glared at the Captain, who wore a grin on his face. “Not only that, but it’s a private matter among women. Best to leave them.”

Jaden grudgingly returned to his seat on the bed and grumbled to himself as he resumed reading.


* * * * *


“What is it, Galia?”

“I wanted to talk to you first, before I ask to visit the Temple of the Goddesses in your city.”

Shanavale furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong?”

“Your Highness…” She took a deep breath. “I’ve been graced with Ameena’s Gift.”

Shanavale’s face shifted to a look of surprise. “Oh, Galia…”

“Princess, this is a surprise to me. All I’ve ever had to worry about in my life was not to tarnish my family’s reputation as a representative of their Traveling Fair. I’ve never even had a lover.” She looked down at her feet. “I’ll admit, I’m…I’m a little frightened.”

“Frightened?” Shanavlae laughed once. “Ameena’s Gift, from what the servants of the castle have told me, is supposed to bring a certain amount of peace and closure, even joy to a person. Why would you be frightened?”

Galia sighed. “I’m afraid of who I may share Her Gift with.”

“You think it may be Jacen?”

Galia nodded solemnly. “With Grandfather’s concerns, I don’t know what to think about it.”

Shanavale laid a reassuring hand on Galia’s shoulder. “Ameena wouldn’t give you Her Gift without a good reason, Galia. I haven’t been blessed with Ameena’s Gift, but it should be something to be happy about.”

Galia smiled sincerely. “Thank you, Princess.”

“Did you want me to go with you to the Temple? I’m good friends with Father Michael, and I’m sure he can ask the Goddesses for some sense of who you share Ameena’s Gift with.”

“I was always taught that speaking to the Temple Keepers of the Gift was a private matter, but it would give me great comfort,” Galia replied. “I’d be honored for you to be there.”

“I’m equally honored, Galia,” Shanavale said with a smile. They walked back into the bedroom and past the three men, all of whom wore equal expressions of confusion.

“Princess?” Rohadin asked as he began to stand.

“Galia and I are going to the Temple, Rohadin,” Shanavale said, stopping him with a raised hand. “We may be a while. Once the message is deciphered, speak nothing of it, not even to each other. Wait here for our return.”


=[ End of Part Two ]=


AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know it's been a while, but inspiration, cruel mistress that she is, kept me away from this current project and had my writing pointed along other avenues, where I can't mention right away. Suffice to say, I'm pointed this way again. Also, I wasn't sure if the term 'bardess' was correct for a female bard, so I kept it as you see it now. If it's right, someone let me know.

As always, thank you for dropping by. Reviews and concrit are always greatly appreciated. See you next chapter!