Lights of agramont trilo.., p.63
Lights of Agramont Trilogy, page 63
“I think Argrin is in there.” Kriv says.
“Really?”
“Yes. Satan sounds a lot like him.”
Ravier chuckles. “I guess so. Weird.”
“I’d like to have a ship that is big enough to hold two of every animal. Think about the crew I’d need to sail it.”
“How did I know you’d like that part?” Ravier asks.
*
The second meeting of the nine went a lot smoother than the previous one. Maybe because everyone was drinking beforehand. Either way, it worked.
Now, they’re all on Kriv’s ship and headed to Agramont. Kriv sits on the railing and looks out over the waves. What is waiting for them? He honestly doesn’t want to know, but the others are hopeful. He wishes he could be hopeful like they are. However, over the years Kriv has learned that it is never good when secrets are revealed and now many are going to be shown in the open for all of them to see. There’s no way of knowing what they are going to be and that’s what scares him. Kriv smiles when Serilom sits next to him and puts his arm around him.
“It’s going to be all right. I promise.” Serilom says.
Kriv rests his head on Serilom’s shoulder. “I can’t be so sure. You heard what Ravier said. People have fought one another over what has been revealed there. I don’t want to cause any fighting.”
“Don’t worry so much. If it was really that bad, then Ravier wouldn’t have even brought it up.”
“You don’t know Ravier very well, do you? He likes to uncover secrets and pry into my life.” Kriv says.
They are quiet for a few minutes as the wind picks up. Serilom’s hand moves down to Kriv’s side. “You’re not going to use that dagger, are you?”
Kriv draws it and holds it up. “Why not? It’s a perfectly good dagger.”
“Argrin gave it to you.” Serilom says.
“So? Despite what you think, I don’t have unlimited money. We can’t just throw away useful weapons for no reason. We need everything we can get our hands on, no matter where it comes from. If Argrin wants to contribute to his own demise, then by all means let him. It’s poetic justice.”
“You mean irony?” Serilom asks.
“Serilom, irony is poetic justice.” Kriv says.
“I see.”
“But in all seriousness, we need more resources. We may be stationed in the wealthiest country on the planet, but without financial backing, we might as well be in Vernition. No offense.”
“None taken.” Serilom says. “What do we do then? We can’t go around begging.”
“Why not?” Kriv asks. “If the people want a revolution, then they can help pay for it. I have already talked to some of the guild leaders and procured some help. If they are truly behind me and the cause, then they will help in whatever way they can.”
Kriv and Serilom watch as a large black bird swoops down from the sky and lands on the railing next to Lens Aren. He reaches out to it and slips a piece of paper from the bird’s leg. The bird takes off again. He unfolds it and reads it and his face goes white. The paper falls from his hands and is blown into the waves.
“Lens? Did something happen? What was that?” Kriv jumps down from the railing.
Lens Aren is visibly shaken up. “Divine Commander, Alamay has been destroyed.”
Kriv’s heart races. Tyrran and Valen. They were in Alamay. “What do you mean destroyed?”
“I don’t have details. One of my agents managed to escape. His message says that everyone else was slaughtered by Ievas, Garonwon, and their forces.”
Nivalaya cries out. Serilom slides to the deck and takes her in his arms. “Shh … it’s okay.”
Then the realization hits Kriv. Lynn was in Alamay too. Every part of his being falls apart. A deep and overwhelming hollowness fills his mind and he feels sick.
“Divine Commander?” Commander Cailen puts his hand on Kriv’s shoulder.
“Kriv? What’s wrong?” Lens Aren asks.
Kriv feels small and insignificant. His mind is racing and he feels cold all over. “My daughter was in Alamay.”
*
An hour passes and Kriv is standing alone at the bow of the ship. He wants to scream out and curse The Creator for doing this to him, but he knows that it’s not the answer. He has no answers. The other eight will want answers to their questions, but not even their Divine Commander can give them peace. How can he soothe their wounds if he is bleeding as well? The one thing he can do is attempt to make things right, as right as they can be now. It’s his fault for all of this. He should have been more cautious. Now the universe decides to take his daughter from him? What could he have done differently to prevent this? He searches his mind for any answer, but none come to him. Still he blames himself solely and completely. It is unforgivable. He promised that he would protect Lynn and care for her. Now … now … he can’t bring himself to form the words in his mind.
Kriv calls them all on deck and looks around at their faces. “Everyone listen to me for a minute. Serilom and Nivalaya, your loss is great and I apologize for Valen and Tyrran being in Alamay and therefore in harm’s way. I swear I thought they would be safe or I wouldn’t have let them stay with Nathisa. However, my daughter Lynn was in Alamay as well.”
Everyone is silent.
Kriv holds his face in his hand and chokes back tears before he continues. “They were too young to die. No innocent lives should end for me. That’s why I’m going to Cierson and turning myself in. Garonwon and Ievas can kill me and stop all of this violence. The blood of those three children is on my hands and nothing I can do will bring them back. What I can do is prevent more from being senselessly slaughtered just to keep me safe.”
Admiral Faren goes up to Kriv and takes his arm. “You will not go to Cierson. We need you and nothing will be accomplished by you dying now.”
“What would you have me do?” Kriv catches his breath and dries his eyes on his sleeve. “I’m out of answers.”
“We need to continue to Agramont.” Ravier says. “Maybe something in our futures will be revealed to us that will explain things and give us a direction to go from here. Like Lens Aren said, we don’t have all the details and there’s no way of knowing for sure if the children are dead or not. We have to wait until we receive further information. For now, we continue to Agramont, perform the ritual, and get back to Agareth. By then we should know more from Alamay. Divine Commander, have hope. We are so close and there’s no point in turning back now.”
Kriv knows he has one person to talk to first, the only one whose opinion matters. “Allow to me con-verse with Serilom before I make a decision. Come with me, Serilom.”
Serilom follows him to the bow of the boat and throws his arms around Kriv. “I can’t do this. Even though I never wanted to be a father, Valen and Tyrran meant so much to me. They made me happy in a way I thought I couldn’t be. Now they’re gone. They were so little and never had a chance to live. Who could they have been? What things could they have accomplished for the world? It’s sad. I have no other words for it than that. When I found out that Alistiria was pregnant when she died, I was devastated. Now I’ve lost three children because of Argrin and the Damned Ones. I’m tired of watching women and children die for those bastards. And then there’s you. You always wanted to be a father, you adopted Lynn, and now she’s taken from you as well. This has to stop one way or another. You can’t go back to Cierson. That’s not the answer. You have to lead us to victory against the Honored or things like this will continue to happen. It may be in a hundred years or more, but it will happen again. The only way to stop it is for us to remove the Honored from the universe. I swear that I will not have another child die because of their actions.”
Kriv looks at him. “Because of my actions.”
“No. Kriv, none of this is your fault. None of it. Do you hear me? You are a victim as well. Argrin, the Honored, and the Damned Ones have been using you and controlling you for years. It’s time that we put a stop to it. You of all people should have a need for vengeance, especially now. Do this for my children and for Lynn. Ievas and Garonwon knew whose children they were. Don’t think for one second that they gave them a peaceful and quick death. Remember what they did to you? What do you think they did to our children? I hate those bastards, parading around like gods and friends of the people, then torturing them and slaughtering them like animals. You have to do something. Please. Don’t let more innocents die because you won’t take action. I don’t give a damn if all nine of us die trying for peace. At least then we will know that we did all we could.”
Kriv looks in Serilom’s eyes. “If I do this and commit to moving forward with the plan, you have to be at my side. Through all of this, you have been the one thing keeping me sane. I may be the leader and the one who people look to for guidance, but you are the one keeping me going. I need you even more now. Without you as my support, I will fall and won’t be able to climb back up. Do I have your support, Serilom?”
“Always. My place is at your side. I don’t need glory or fame. I only need to know that you are accomplishing your goals. That’s enough for me. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. We can do this together just like we have done so many other things we thought were impossible. I will be right here to keep you strong. Nothing will keep me from you. I owe you my life.”
“I hope that’s not the only reason you stay with me.” Kriv says.
“No. I love you, Kriv. I need you just as much if not more than you need me. I want nothing more than to be with you. I have everything I need in you.”
“Good. Then get everyone together and let’s get this ship moving. The sooner we get to Agramont, the better. There’s one more thing I need you to do. I know you’re not the most devout person, but I need you to pray. Pray for Valen, Tyrran, and Lynn. Oh, and your mother as well.”
28
It takes them an hour to reach the top of the mountain and step into the large cave. Kriv looks around at the four braziers that look like they haven’t been lit in a hundred years. Everyone files in and he turns to Ravier. “Well, tell us what to do. You know what’s going on.”
Ravier takes a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll take this one. Each of you go to one and then we’ll begin. Everyone else stand behind us. Look at the braziers. There are three separate parts. The four of us will take turns lighting first the one on the left then the one on the right. As you light it, you stare into the flames and clear your mind. The first one will reveal an important memory in the middle of the room. The second will be a vision of your future. After that, we will light the third one at the same time and that will show us our collective future. Keep in mind that what your future shows can’t be changed. If we’re all ready and understand, I will go first.”
“Go ahead, Ravier.” Kriv says.
Ravier’s flames dance in his hand and he lights the fire. He turns around as the middle of the room lights up with the memory.
Ravier is sitting in the Mage Council building and he looks bored. He jumps up when Garonwon steps out of a room.
Garonwon smiles. “Ravier, you can come in now.”
Ravier steps inside and crosses the room to the crib. He leans over and picks up the baby. “She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”
“Nivalaya.”
“Nivalaya? It’s perfect. Garonwon … it’s her. She’s the one I’ve been waiting for. Look at her, brown eyes like mine and black hair. The Creator made her for me. I’m going to marry her.”
“Really? Wait until she’s older. Let her get to know you first. Become her friend then tell her how you feel after she trusts you.” Garonwon says.
“Do I have your blessing?” Ravier asks. “Can I have her hand in marriage?”
“If you believe that she is the one, then who am I to deny the will of The Creator? I trust you with my daughter. However, she will make the ultimate decision. You are the only man I will ever trust to be around her. You are a good man, Ravier.”
Ravier kisses the baby’s head. “Someday you will be my beautiful bride, little one. For now, I will protect you and help you grow. I love you, Niv.”
The memory fades and Ravier holds Niv close. He’s smiling.
“Awe, that is so sweet.” Captain Myar says.
Ravier blushes and turns back to the brazier. He lights the next one.
Ravier is running through the streets of what looks to be some kind of military fort and lighting everything on fire. He dodges an arrow and then sends a ball of fire at some archers on the roof of a building. A guard grabs him from behind, but he pulls away. Just when he is about to send his flames at the man, Ravier trips and falls on his back.
The guard swings at Ravier, but Serilom runs in front of the blade and calls up a wall of water, blocking the sword. As Serilom fights off the guard, Ravier stands and finishes the guard off. He then takes Serilom’s hand. “Thanks, man. That could have been bad.”
Serilom grins. “Maybe fire and water can be a good combination.”
The vision fades and Serilom laughs.
Ravier turns to him. “I guess I have to thank you for that, Serilom. Niv, your turn.” He pushes her to the brazier.
“Okay, here I go. Let’s hope it’s not embarrassing.” Nivalaya says as she pulls out some flint and steel, lights the fire, and then turns around as the memory appears.
To everyone’s surprise, a younger Kriv and an even younger woman are sitting on a bench in Agareth.
Kriv takes the woman’s hand. “I know we’ve only known each other for two days, but I have to say, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
She blushes. “I’m hardly a woman yet, you know. But thank you, Tide-Storm.”
Kriv flashes his bright smile and runs his fingers though his long blonde hair. “Call me Kriv.”
“Okay, Kriv. You know … you aren’t ugly yourself. When I first met you, I thought you were famous or something.” She says as she places her head on his shoulder.
“Me? Famous? I doubt even twenty people will ever know my name.” Kriv says. “I’m not the best at making friends. We call it the Tide-Storm family curse. We make people hate us without even trying.”
“Well I don’t hate you.”
“You’re one of three people. Though I think Zixis hates me.” Kriv says.
The girl looks up at him. “He doesn’t hate you. He’s just never met anyone like you. I’ve never met anyone like you either.”
“Be grateful.”
“There should be more people like you.” She says.
“Please don’t say that. I’m worthless.” Kriv says.
“You are worth more to me than all the gems in Agareth. I don’t need sapphires when I have your eyes.”
Kriv giggles. “I thought men were the ones with the bad pickup lines.”
“Shut up, Tide-Storm.” She says.
“Make me.” Kriv moves closer to her.
She pushes him away. “You think you’re so irresistible, don’t you?”
He takes her hand again. “No. I know I am.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Am I?” Kriv asks.
“Yes.”
Kriv pouts and stares at her.
She shakes her head and her blonde curls bounce around her shoulders. “Stop doing that. You aren’t going to win this battle.”
“Then I’ll have to change your mind, Raesa Iliven.” He pulls her close and they kiss.
The memory fades and the room is still and quiet again.
What was that? Why did Nivalaya have Kriv’s memory? Kriv looks at her. Niv is grasping tightly to Ravier’s arm and Ravier is staring at the floor. What is going on? “What was that?” Kriv asks.
Nivalaya doesn’t move. She’s trembling and Ravier shakes his head.
Now Kriv starts getting angry. “Nivalaya, what the hell was that? If you know something, tell me now. I demand that you tell me.”
Nivalaya looks up at Kriv and goes nervously to him. “Kriv … I … I know why I had that memory.”
“Why?”
“Please don’t be mad and don’t yell at me.”
Kriv sighs and takes her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m not going to yell at you. No matter what it is, tell me and it will be fine.”
“Kriv, I … am Raesa Iliven.”
All at once, all of the memories with Niv rush back into his mind. That explains his attraction to her, their kiss on the beach, the intimate connection he felt with her. Back in Cierson when Serilom had spent the night with her, Kriv had been mad at Serilom for taking Niv for himself … he just didn’t know it yet. “You’re Raesa?”
“Yes. I would go into the realities to play around when I was little. I wanted to be a bard, but Garonwon wouldn’t let me so I found Agareth and pretended to be a student there. Raesa Iliven was completely made up.” Nivalaya says.
No. No, this isn’t happening. “You’re lying. Raesa had blonde hair and blue eyes like me.”
“I was in disguise. Ievas helped me. I never meant to hurt you.”
“So you were Ievas’s little spy?” Kriv asks.
“Yes.” Nivalaya says. “He wanted to keep an eye on you. I couldn’t stay with you. When Briggan attacked me, I saw my chance to get back to Ravier. After he hurt me, I had to pretend to be dead as Ievas had told me. Then once the funeral was over and they lit the funeral pyre, Ravier kept me from burning and Ievas brought me back to Cierson.”
“I don’t believe you.” Kriv says.
Niv digs in her bag and pulls out a flute. “Will this prove who I am?”
As she plays, Kriv immediately recognizes the song. He has kept it with him since he lost Raesa. Hearing it again … he knows. He can’t believe it. He can’t accept it … but here she is. Ten years later she is here in front of him. When he starts to cry, he hides his face from everyone. They can’t see their leader cry. When she finishes playing, Kriv’s tears have been replaced with an overwhelming anger. He wipes his face and goes to her. “Did you never think to tell me the truth? I have been dying inside because I thought that Raesa was dead. Now here you are and it was all an illusion?”
