Chapter 6 #2
My freedom. Access to the world that has been denied to me.
A world that used to house Addie’s soul, Alvar’s.
A world in which I was beginning to find myself.
A world where I strived to be better, to do better.
Not just for myself but for those around me.
A world filled with love and possibility. My gateway to my friends. To Dainan.
“Cold,” I said. “I see the cold.”
“Do you know the last time stratospheric clouds were seen?”
I knew the last time I had seen one of these clouds.
They were striking, painting the sky in a symphony of colors.
As if each ray of light vied for supremacy over the others while simultaneously blending together to form something from a dream.
Only once before had I been granted such beauty, and I had been in the presence of something larger than myself—the Primal of Storms, Ollo.
But it had just been a dream. I had believed it to be a dream.
“There is a rumor that one was seen not long after the ball in Azmeer.” The man’s voice broke through my reminiscing.
He had made his way to the window and loomed above me, gaze fixed on the cloud as it traversed the morning sky.
“Prior to that, it had been millennia since anyone had seen one anywhere. Let alone here in Tactras.” He smiled as he turned to face me.
“Do you think, Brida, that perhaps I could have a few minutes and we could talk?”
The request was quiet. If I weren’t a prisoner, I would have thought it sincere. But that had always been my mistake. Despite never being given a reason to, I’d always chosen to see the best in people. To hope that they would do better, be better.
“Even if I said no, I doubt you’d listen.
” I didn’t lift my eyes from the horizon.
The bit of cloud cover dissipated. The golden rays of the sun began cresting the hill.
Soon, it would be too bright to look outside.
With the final wisps fading into the distance, the sun shone brighter than I could ever remember seeing.
The earth below was littered with diamonds, each flake offering a bit of beauty to this dimmed world.
He turned first, returning to his chair, gesturing to the bed once more. “You’ll come to see we all have roles to play. Some we’re born to, others have been unwillingly thrust upon us, but they remain ours. It’s what we do with those roles that can change the world.”
I scoffed. “I had dreams of changing the world.” Changing my world.
I took a step towards him, wrapping my hands behind my back.
“My world looks vastly different today than it did yesterday.” Is there a way to go back?
To warn them? To save them? I knew in my heart that, despite Eldara being riddled with magic, there was nothing that would undo the strings of fate.
It had woven its web. And we had been lured into its clutches.
The stranger mused at my words. Whoever he was, whatever this was, he was more patient than most.
“Every day is a new day. Each Dawn rises anew. It is the individual decisions we make along the way that change the world. Do I turn left or right when I leave this room?” He asked, “Who do I encounter on each path? Each decision we make, impacts not only ourselves but every soul we meet along the way.”
“You make a good Court of Whispers member,” I murmured as I ran my hand through my ratty hair. I didn’t know how many of my tears had helped build the bird nest that was formerly hair atop my head, but the number had been plentiful.
“And what makes you say that?” A dimple emerged in his left cheek. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was charming, endearing even. I would have been wrong.
“We can drop this facade. Whatever act or game this is, it’s not necessary.
I won’t give you what it is you are looking for.
The only person I will speak to is Marsh.
” He held the answers I sought. Why had he brought me here?
What did he know about my mother? Once I learned of his plans and how I factored into the schism, I would find my way from this place.
“You don’t know why I’m here, Brida.” He crossed one leg atop the other. “I could simply be here to see how you like your accommodations.”
I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of this man, at the entirety of the situation.
But I had little energy left to give. “Very well. The accommodations are satisfactory if one were a murderer or a conspirator, neither of which I am. However, the view is lovely. Please give my best to the Tactras Mountains Elders of Tourism.” I lowered myself completely to the mattress, resting my head on my pillow.
A low chuckle emanated from the man in the corner as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his legs. “No one told me how spunky you are. I like this version of you.”
Version of me?
“But I see you’re tired. Rest, I’ll be back soon.”
I wanted to question him, to argue, but I knew this was just the beginning. He would be the first of many sent to me, and I would wait. I’d bide my time waiting for the one who I would force to answer my questions.
As his footsteps faded into the distance, I closed my eyes, picturing irises of flame and shadow looking down upon me.
I envisioned the Pool of Vitality and its song.
The song that had dragged me into its waters, encouraging me to touch it.
The song that had filled me with a strength, invigorating me with wills and desires I hadn’t known I’d had. A song that changed my destiny.