Earthbound, p.34
Earthbound, page 34
A door rattled and soft voices entered out of Tehran’s line of sight. “I assure you, Ms. Emilia, he is perfectly comfortable.”
“I need to see for myself,” Emilia said.
Tehran tried to sit up at the sound of her voice and found himself pressed back as the straps auto-cinched tighter at the sudden movement. He grunted.
Emilia gasped. “He moved!”
Tehran let out a breathless chuckle. “Of course I did. Get me out of here.”
Emilia was at the glass before he finished speaking, madly mashing the keypad for the alcove. “You came back.” Her eyes filled with tears as the partition retracted. She squeezed his hand.
A tattered piece of himself clicked back into place seeing her. He truly would move earth and sky for this woman.
“I don’t believe it,” the medic said, staring at Tehran wide-eyed. “I’ve never—” He didn’t finish the sentence before shifting to his next thought. “Elder Venier will be relieved.” He gripped Emilia’s arm excitedly and then rushed from the cabin.
“Mind getting me out of here?” he asked, making a show of wiggling his hands at his side.
A mischievous smile pulled at Emilia’s lips before an interrupting thought had her frowning at him. “Since when do you patiently wait for someone to come help you?”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Since I have no choice.”
She stared at him uncomprehendingly for a moment before she sucked in a sharp breath.
“No.” Her hands shook as she pushed at the keypad and the straps retracted. “You were supposed to renounce your vow to me—not the Order.” Her face crumpled in distress. “Not again. Not for me.”
Tehran slid from the compartment, happy to find his basic coordination was still intact, and pulled her into his arms. “I told you I would never do that,” he said, and kissed the top of her head before he rested his cheek in her hair. She squeezed him tight and then stepped back, putting a little distance between them.
His chest ached with realization—the shared bond between them was broken. Without the oaths something had fundamentally shifted. He cleared his throat and forced a smile. “This was my choice.”
The tension in Emilia’s shoulders released, and her puffed cheeks let out a breath. She met his gaze. “Venier said it was the only way to help you.”
“Thank you,” he said, squeezing her hand. Her expression dropped, and a knot gripped his stomach.
“Since relinquishing our oaths, I can feel my bond to Knox.” She looked down at the chain around her neck, her fingers lightly tracing the thin line of white gold. “He was the love of my life.”
“I know.” It was never a question. Tehran had been a stand-in, and the private pain it caused him now was not hers to carry. He couldn’t even find it within himself to be bitter; he loved Knox too. Friend, brother, family; all titles fell short of the bond they held. He nudged Emilia’s chin, lifting it so she met his gaze. “It doesn’t change anything. We’re family.”
Her voice was soft when she finally spoke. “Releasing you was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It felt like I was tearing off a piece of my own soul.”
“I’m still here.”
“Thank the Sky for that,” Venier said, interrupting the moment. “I’m sorry to intrude.” Emilia stepped back and Tehran turned and bowed. Venier stood in the doorway between caravan cars with a genuine smile. Her eyes flicked between the two and seemed to be noting the distance between them.
“Elder Venier,” Tehran said.
“Good to see you up, Overseer. I’m not sure anyone has walked so close to a fracture and been able to tell of it. Are you well?”
An involuntary shudder ran down his spine. Venier’s final conversation with him came back with sudden clarity. She had pushed on every conflict within him, in the name of helping, but it didn’t change the fact her meddling nearly broke him. Why? Because I found her out? Or because she wanted me free?
“I found a new way forward.”
Venier nodded and smiled. “I am happy to hear it.” She turned to Emilia and stepped forward, reacting to Emilia’s red-rimmed eyes. “You were brave to release him. He’s here because of your sacrifice.”
Emilia glanced at Tehran, and he subtly shook his head in warning.
“Thank you, Elder,” Emilia said.
“I’m sorry to cause you more suffering, dearest,” Venier offered. “Tehran, when you are ready, come to my cabin and we can talk—”
The vehicle beneath them shuddered and slowed, before coming to a halt. All three had to reach for the walls, to keep their feet.
Charyls’ voice came over the speaker.
“Elder, you are needed in the pilot cab.”
Venier keyed the com in the compartment. “What is it, Charyls?”
His voice crackled back. “A blockade, Elder.”
End’s Beginning
Knox
A breeze whispered in his ear, toying with his hair. For a heartbeat Knox believed he’d joined the Sky before flashing pain danced along nerve endings and jarred him back to full consciousness.
His vision was dark, but he could feel the sun touching his face and dirt scraping under his feet. He blinked his eyes clear. Two burly men dragged him by his armpits. His hands, as ever, were bound in the thick power-blocking manacles behind his back.
He could hear the distinctive voice of the Tumultian Commander giving orders ahead. He tried to gather his strength and pulled against the restraints. Visions of snapping the Commander’s neck filled his mind.
The manacles arced, cutting his attempt short. His guards let out a string of curses and dropped him face first into the dirt as he sparked and crackled.
Dust filled his mouth and he coughed, trying to catch his breath. One of the guards kicked him in the side with a hard toed boot and Knox retched, coughing up a clot of blood, the dark crimson fluid dripping from his chin and beading atop the fine clay dust. Rough hands dragged him a few steps further and dumped him unceremoniously to the ground.
The Commander stood in front of him. If I kill her, Kipp will be safe. Kill her and possibly spare the whole of the Mercurial a drawn-out war. But he was powerless, lying at her feet, drooling blood. The Sky’s gift within him was a dying ember, its heat a forgotten thing. Knox didn’t look up.
“Take him to the tent; our guests will be here soon. Make sure everything is ready,” the Commander barked in Tumultian. The thick sounding language rolled like stones through water.
Again dragged forward, they crossed an open yard where groups of soldiers pulled up large stumps, before they stepped into one of the domed style tents Knox had seen outside of Beryl. This one was large enough to host a full Council.
Inside, they moved through partitioned halls created from tall wooden screens until they reached a heavy metal door. Knox’s heart stuttered. Not again. One guard dragged the door open. Instead of light and reflective metal, the space was dark. Solid wood panels created a box, blocking off the tented ceiling high above. A pile of rags was heaped in the centre with a single bucket in the corner. The guards dropped him in the room and the door closed behind them with a solid-sounding thud. Narrow beams of light cut across the room from window slits.
Knox didn’t move. He didn’t think of what the Commander had planned next. Instead, he focused on this small slice of paradise, a reprieve. Here there were no glaring lights, no lenses watching, no speakers barking at him, and most of all, no metal. His hand drifted over the floor mat of woven plant fibre and let out a long slow breath. He tentatively pulled on his power and the faintest hint of warmth moved through him as he closed his eyes.
◆◆◆
“Knox!” He woke with a start, sitting up. Emilia stood over him and he looked around confused. Instead of a thin mat beneath him, he lay on a thick burgundy blanket in a small clearing. Around him, ancient maples with broad limbs created a gentle canopy overhead. The air was warm and still. A younger version of Emilia laughed and held out her hand. “Come on, Sleepy.”
At the music of her voice, he flopped back on the blanket, looking up at her with a lazy smile. Curls danced around her face, and her dark eyes were warm and full of their usual fire. She wore dark, fitted pants with more pockets than he would know what to do with, but that was, no doubt, the very reason she picked them. The cut of her top highlighted not only her curves, but her strength. Skies above, this woman.
“We’re going to be late,” she said, cocking her hip and giving him a look of mock severity. “Since when are you late for anything?”
“I think I’m going to make it a habit,” he said and gestured for her to join him. After a moment’s hesitation, she smiled and lay down next to him, tucked into his side. “Who knew Tehran had it right all these years, skipping out on responsibility? This is far better than going to a Council meeting.”
She let out a light laugh and rolled to face him. “If we don’t go soon, people will get suspicious.”
He leaned in and kissed her on the end of her nose. “Forget them.”
“You were the one who said we needed to be careful.”
He kissed the edge of her mouth and then slowly up her jawline lingering at her neck. His hand found her hip and pulled her closer. “I feel brave with you.”
She pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him fully. He lingered in the warmth of it for a moment before she put a hand on his chest. “We need to go. Meet me behind the shop later tonight.”
He made a melodramatic groan and released her. She stood and he lay for a moment longer looking into the dappled light breaking through the trees. A cool breeze cut through the air. He turned and Emilia was gone. He sat up and looked around the clearing. “Emilia?”
He jumped up and investigated the trees and down the path. A spike of alarm filled his chest. “Emilia!” he yelled.
He pulled at his strength to run, and lightning shot up his arms, cutting him down.
◆◆◆
“Knox, wake up,” a voice whispered.
He released his power, and the manacles went quiet. Knox groaned and tried to open his eyes. The stale smell of stagnant heat replaced the dream. Dim light from the door mocked the sunlight of moments before. He repressed a shudder.
The sound of shuffling drew his attention and he turned toward the sound. His face dragged across the filthy floor mat, and an unbidden groan escaped his lips at the movement.
The mound of rags was crawling towards him. “Lay still. Breathe. That’s right. You’re okay,” a hoarse voice coached.
A voice he knew, no matter how tattered it sounded. “Maven.” A cold ember of hope reignited.
“I’m here.”
Through the Earth
Emilia
“A blockade?” Emilia echoed. This caravan was bringing aid to a region struck by what amounted to a natural disaster. “Who would restrict travel at a time like this?”
She, Tehran, and Venier made their way through the narrow corridor that ran the length of the linked cars.
“A raiding clan?” suggested Tehran, as he held the next compartment door open, and the two women slipped under his arm.
“This far inland?” Emilia asked.
Tehran shrugged. “I don’t know. Patrem Solace said there were reports of raids before communications went dark. Perhaps it’s a larger incursion.”
“Raiders may pose a concern to individual clusters, but are by no means organised enough to gather in force. They are too divided by clan politics,” Venier said, with a wave of her hand. They pushed into the final cabin before the pilot cab and paused. “Anything else I should know?”
Tehran shot Emilia a look before answering. Clearly, the Elder needed a crash course on what concerned those living in these mercurial lands. “Several clusters in the Outer Reaches had their trade cut off even before the earthbound trouble began. Raiders or not, the people here have been hard-pressed these last months. Maybe some have taken matters into their own hands.”
“I see,” Venier said.
Unease rattled through Emilia, a sickening weight settling in her stomach. A darker picture than farmers revolting filled her thoughts. “What of the communication failures? What if someone is trying to destabilize the area? We know messages were actively being intercepted to keep the Capital in the dark.”
Tehran stepped next to her, nodding. “Someone went to great lengths to keep word getting through to the Capital. This could be the culmination of their plans.”
Venier pressed her lips into a tight line. “I suppose we will know one way or another soon enough. Tehran, prepare the Overseers. No matter who these vagrants are, it is time to remind them who holds the authority of the Sky.”
A knot of worry lodged beneath Emilia’s sternum. Tehran no longer had his strength, but Venier clearly assumed he did.
“Yes, Elder,” he said with a short bow.
Venier disappeared inside the pilot cab and Emilia fell into step next to Tehran as they retreated back the way they had just come.
“You didn’t tell Venier you are not an Overseer anymore,” Emilia noted.
Tehran slowed his steps and dropped his voice. “My conversation with her last night was strange. I got the sense she wanted my loyalty or wanted me out of the way.”
“But she told me how to help you,” Emilia said.
“Did she tell you I needed to relinquish our bond or any bond?”
Emilia frowned. “Our bond. She said we would need your strength and that letting you go was the only way you’d survive.”
Tehran rubbed at the corner of his mouth and was silent for a moment. “She as much as confessed to stirring up dissent in the Order. I think she spoke of her treason to push me to the point of fracturing.”
“She wouldn’t. Venier is one of the few who have genuinely cared about us, about Knox. It was our bond tearing you apart.” Emilia’s voice hitched. “I never should have told you about the Book of Oaths or pushed you to share your secrets.”
Tehran stopped in the narrow hall and stared at her, slack jawed. “You believe it was your fault?”
Emilia wilted under his gaze, guilt and shame making her want to disappear. “When you didn’t want me to come to the Reaches, Venier told me you were oathtorn—I wanted to help, but it just kept getting worse.”
A huffed breath escaped his lips and he ran a hand through his hair, looking to the ceiling. “I was oathtorn because Dareous made me extend my primary oath to him personally, not because of a failure on your part.” He brought his eyes back to hers. “I was suspicious of Venier after your first conversation with her and worried that because my oath to Dareous, if you got too close to Venier I wouldn’t be able to separate my vows and keep you safe.”
Silence descended over the hall as they both digested the implications.
“Our bond didn’t break you?” Emilia finally asked.
Tehran’s brow arched and a smirk pulled at his mouth. “Not technically.”
A strange mix of relief and sorrow swirled through her. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Tehran.”
His expression turned serious, and amber eyes locked on hers. The golden pools stirred a warmth she’d thought banished with their broken bond.
“For you, I’ll break as many times as you need.” His voice dropped low with the statement, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed. Emilia’s breath stuttered in her chest at the words. His mouth quirked. “But maybe we wait a day or two before we put that to the test.”
Surprised laughter spilled from her, and Tehran joined with a chuckle. The tender moment passed, and they focused back on the matter at hand.
“Do we trust Venier to negotiate this blockade?” Emilia asked.
He rolled his shoulders as if trying to shake off memories. “Venier may have been willing to see me fractured, but I think she’s working for the good of the Mercurial. We need to be cautious though. Like Dareous, she’s willing to sacrifice whatever is needed to see it done. I am committed to seeing this through, but I’m done being a pawn in their shadow war.”
Emilia pulled in a cleansing breath. She’d hoped for this; for Tehran to belong to himself once again. At what cost? The unspoken question stabbed. They continued down the hall and Emilia studied him. Long, confident strides, easy breath moving through his chest, broad shoulders relaxed. He appeared in control, undeterred that he was about to face a blockade without his power. She pushed the worry aside. If he trusted himself, then she would too.
◆◆◆
The scout craft came to a stop at the northern edge of the barricade as instructed. In the front, Elder Venier sat next to Overseer Konr who was driving, while the other two Overseers, Hadin and Marel, stood in the open box with hands on the roll bar, long poles at their sides. Emilia volunteered to join the team as a specialist and keep an eye out for unknown tech and help if they needed her.
She and Tehran sat along the edge of the box, watching the barricade grow as they neared. Massive, felled trees formed the bulk of the barrier across the route, blocking any line of sight to what lay beyond. Thick forests on either side of the road created the perfect funnel.
“How do we get through?” she asked.
“A single message came through, but we were unable to respond. We were told to wait for the ‘way to open’,” Venier said.
Tehran’s scowl deepened at the words, and Emilia resisted the urge to thread her arm through his. Before they had left the Capital, he’d trimmed his beard short. Amber eyes bright, broad shoulders pulled back, he looked every inch an Overseer. The power of the Sky incarnate. And yet, he’s himself and nothing more.
Without warning, the earth around them began to roil like a bubbling pot. She screamed, and Tehran gripped her hand. The hovercraft floated over the changed earth and Konr looked to Venier.
She held her hand up. “Wait a moment.”
