Chapter 60
After an extended nap, I returned to reality surprisingly refreshed.
Pulling the drapes aside, I’d observed Galanta speeding past us.
Faster than this should have been possible, actually, but for the time being, I simply enjoyed that I could breathe more easily with every passing mile between Galrach and me.
Cantarlann and I had spent our first hours together in comfortable silence, but on the second day, I decided to interrogate him about his home.
“Tell me more about the Cuirt an Ghra.”
Cantarlann smiled. “For me, it’s the most perfect area in both worlds. Maybe the only place in this one that strives for harmony and positive emotions instead of power. We don’t care about politics.”
“Why are your people so different?”
“How much do you know about the history of Galanta?”
“Basically nothing.”
Cantarlann chuckled. “Fair enough. Not many humans these days do.”
“But I want to learn.”
“Then listen closely. When Kalag decided to become the patron-father of Galanta, he imbued the land with his power. He desired strong creatures inhabiting his lands, beings as close to his own might as possible. Creating someone equal to him would have been impossible, since no one could ever attain the potency of a deity.”
“Although some people believe they do,” I muttered, and Cantarlann laughed softly.
“True.” He took a moment to sober up before going on.
“He, with the aid of the other two Triad gods, created the first faelike creatures, six vastly different beings, one for each element. The six nameless godkin were tasked by Kalag to oversee and guard his next creation—the first elemental tribes inhabiting Galanta. The Doitean for fire. The Uisce for water. The Ainmhi for earth. The Aeri for air. The Dorchacht for darkness and the Graigh for light. He placed them in convenient locations across the world and allowed them to thrive under the invisible care of their respective godkin. But during the war of the revolting godlings, most of the originals came out of hiding and were slain. Kalag, Immaru, and the nameless god of fate intervened to save the rest of the creation of the god of battle and strength, even though their intervention had been too late for the godkin. Especially Immaru mourned their passing. She considered them her offspring with the other two, and to distract herself, she turned to Ivreia and formed the first humans, a virile and more peaceful species that she could dote on as much as she wanted. In a similar manner, Kalag returned to the elemental tribes, and from their combined essences, High Fae came to life. So, in a way, even though my species dropped the ‘high’ at one point as well as the capitalization, we all carry parts of those ancient tribes within us.”
“And whatever essence part is dominant determines which element you can wield?”
“That’s the theory, yes.”
My head was spinning. In Ivreia, we were taught that humans had been created by Immaru, but nothing more.
To hear that our origins were so deeply entangled with the fae was surprising.
Plus, I’d never heard anything about godkin at home.
“If the godkin were the creation of the Triad, what set them apart from the godlings?”
“Godlings, contrary to the godkin who had been created directly by the Triad, are sired by Kalag, born by Immaru, and blessed by the nameless god. Their strength varies vastly, their powers a product of coincidence.”
“Ah, that makes sense. But what does the origin story of life have to do with your court?”
“Kalag placed the Graigh on the island where the Cuirt is located, and they still live among us. Most of the ancient tribes are reclusive and withdrawn, if not in hiding. But not the light tribe—whoever approaches them and desires to follow their ways is more than welcome.”
“Their ways?”
“As I mentioned, we live in harmony. Selflessness, kindness, and genuine connection are most important. The Graigh value freedom above all. Hence, members of my court have only a few to no personal possessions, but no one considers this a loss. We share everything.”
“Very different from the mindset I’ve experienced in Galanta so far.
” Somehow, even though harmony and freedom sounded tempting, I wasn’t too sure if this life was for me.
Yes, I was curious to observe the Cuirt for a couple of weeks, maybe even meet some of the ancient ancestors and learn from them about history, but nothing more.
“For me, my home is a slice of perfection, and I’m certain you’ll appreciate the serenity too.
But be warned, we rarely have guests, so if we do, everyone gets very excited.
Prepare to be doted on.” Cantarlann smiled and winked.
“And if you feel like it, you’re invited to join some of our communal events and broaden your horizon. ”
“What kind of events?”
“We regularly come together and help each other, especially when it comes to embodying our principles.”
“Now I’m curious what these are.”
“Let’s have a deeper conversation once we arrive. What you ask is part of an initiation, which, of course, you’re welcome to attend. Maybe you’re interested in experiencing some rites. For that, a basic introduction is necessary.”
“Is participating in your rites mandatory to stay for a while?”
“No, of course not. In general, there’s nothing obligatory if you’re a guest at the Cuirt.
If you’re keen to partake in a ceremony, then yes, a simple commencement is essential, but just because you dipped your toes into our lore doesn’t mean you’re bound to us in any way.
We don’t believe in visible or invisible chains restraining us. ”
Cantarlann’s words eased my nerves, which had begun to flutter at the mention of initiations, ceremonies, and rites.
As I dwelled on everything, I realized there was no falsehood in what he’d told me.
After all, Thain had spent many winters with them before he’d left, and he was still friends with Cantarlann.
Just as Antas’ mother had originated from the Cuirt an Ghra, and I’d never heard him state anything negative about his childhood.
Besides, if something had been shady about this court, my friends would never have sent me there. “That’s a refreshing point of view.”
“Fits right into your own philosophy, hm? Thain mentioned how much you detest when someone controls you.”
Thain, the old gossip. What else had he disclosed about me?
But in the end, I had no real secrets, so I ignored his big mouth.
As a distraction, I observed nature passing by through the window. The landscape had changed massively since the last time I’d peeked outside. Lush meadows in all kinds of greens, pinks, and purples lined the road instead of the endless strange trees that had accompanied us when we’d left Alaiann.
A sweet smell hung in the air, reminding me of summer wine and carefree days, and for a moment, a pang of homesickness surprised me. So, I searched for a distraction.
“How can we travel so fast?”
“It’s daytime. I can tap into the light around us and increase the speed of the coach.”
“Your magic can do that?”
“Yes, it’s a minor facet I can use. Doing so doesn’t cost me a lot of power.”
“I’m still in awe of what Wielder can achieve. And everyone has such different talents, even if they command the same element.”
“True. Two Wielder having the exact same facet composition is unheard of.”
My face turned contemplative. “Do magicless fae exist?”
“Yes, but they’re very rare. And sadly, shunned by society. We’d welcome them with open arms, but so far, none of them have found their way to us.”
Only months ago, I’d been excited when I’d learned about Galanta’s existence for the first time, and I’d been so jealous of how female fae weren’t forced into marriages or treated as possessions.
I’d imagined this society progressive, something to strive for, but the longer I stayed—the more I discovered—the more the flaws of Ivreia’s twin world became blatantly obvious, and I wasn’t sure anymore which of the two was worse.
Galanta was a lot more cutthroat than Ivreia, and the only true equality among fae was that both males and females were viewed as inferior by those more powerful—without discrimination because of their gender.
Only time would tell whether the Cuirt an Ghra was the utopia Cantarlann described his home as. So far, I wasn’t yet convinced.
This damn heat. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn my armor and stuck to the loincloth instead, but—
No.
I could deal with a little sweat.
From my point of view, the meeting with the Doitean had been a full success. Directing my efforts against Galrach, who deserved every ounce of my defiance, fueled my resolution.
Once I’d escaped the fires of the Breocharn and was back in Alaiann, I’d toss the fake firestone in front of Galrach’s feet before throwing Nayana over my shoulder while setting my drapes on fire, maybe alerting my comrades, and then defecting for good.
And after committing high treason, I’d determine if I considered a potential pilgrimage to Bas, one of the most dangerous places in an already perilous world.
The more days passed, the tighter the invisible fist crushing my heart pressed whenever I was thinking about my tiny human. Not only did I miss her, no. My anxiety rose with each passing day she was close to my grandfather and not to me.
Would I sense if something very wrong occurred?
But no.
Nothing would…could turn sour. My uncle and my comrades would shield her with their lives, right?
Of course they would. After all, I’d ordered them to.
As much as imagining her while she was spending time with Antas, Fig, Ireas, or especially Thain drove me mad with jealousy, in this situation, I was thankful they cared for Nayana.
But only if no one protected her more than I did.
Because Nayana Garnet Ortha was irrevocably mine.
And I was hers, forever.
Soon, she’d acknowledge this ultimate truth as well.
What a fool I’d been, believing I could ever fight the torrent of my obsession for her. Why had I attempted to resist so hard against my emotions?
The inferno of the Breocharn outside my darkness-cocoon was nothing compared to the firebrand burning for her in my soul.
I spurred Cath to run faster, growing restless and impatient, especially since crossing this fiery desert would at least take two more days.
Upholding the protective shield for me and Cath strained me and diminished my power. Sleep would be nice, but keeping up the onyx layer around us during rest was complex, dangerous, and not helping with recuperation.
Much to my satisfaction, shattering my deception wouldn’t be too easy a feat for Galrach, and even though he’d eventually find out that the Doitean hadn’t perished, I’d bought everyone involved precious time, which was a win in my book.
And honestly, we all could use a victory after the last few weeks, and one over my grandfather tasted so much sweeter.
Distracting myself with daydreams until night loomed helped me cope with the constant threat of fatigue, and only when the flames remained the only visible light did I halt Cath. Both of us needed at least a short rest.
After dismounting, I transformed the inky cocoon around us into a dome with solid walls. As usual, I tended to Cath first before eating some food myself.
Sleeping was out of the question. Sure, I was tired, but if the price were potentially burning to ashes, I wouldn’t take the risk. But dozing was a possibility, so I unrolled my bedroll in hopes of isolating the ground enough so the temperature was endurable.
Just a few more days, and I’d reunite with my Nayana. Finally, I could hold her in my arms again. With a smile on my lips, I wrestled my churning worries into submission. Concentrating on my female, a blanket of peace surrounded me, promising me a better life in the not-so-distant future.
There was finally hope in my body, heart, and soul.