Chapter: Powerful Reactions: 22 of ?
Author: Sam
Series: A Deeper Magic
Note: It was pointed out that Ahamo has blue eyes and Az dark hazel. I, too, caught that mistake after I had already given them brown eyes. However, I am enamored with the idea that they have identical eyes, so am leaving them with brown. Thank you.
Last Chapter: DG and Wyatt fight their growing attraction.
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The suns hung low in the deepening sky, only an hour of sunlight remaining to the slowly moving pair on horseback. Despite the faster mode of transport, Az and Dylan had been unable to take advantage of the promise of speed. Az's broken arm prevented any gait but a sedate plodding walk. They both had to bury their frustration at the unanticipated limitation.
Fortunately the road from the first curve of the Vinkus River to the second bend had been smooth and traveller-free. The river rushed by over boulders and among trees, lush grass interspersed with wild roots and flowers growing right to the edge of the road. On the opposite side of the paved road set the barren fields of the Papay.
Dylan slid from his gelding and turned to aid Azkadellia from hers. Looping the reins around a pair of branches hanging low near the river, spring grass abundant for their mounts, Dylan turned and stepped over the visible line that seemed to denote dried and gnarled Papay orchards as opposed to the road and grassy fields of the Mortem and Gale clans. Apparently the Papay, even in their annuals of hunger, had not strayed over the unguarded border; any non-Papay would have learned to their folly to be as respectful of their entomological neighbors.
Looking over the dead valley, Dylan squinted in the lowering light. "I think there might be one tree still alive out there."
Slipping her good left hand under her right forearm to ease the pressure from her silk sling, Az smiled softly, pain radiating through her eyes. "DG healed one for them during her Emerald Quest."
At Dylan's nod, the princess turned to study the barren orchards. "How do we parlay with them?" she sighed, stepping up next to Dylan. "I don't know their language. Ambrose never did get to teach it to me. He speaks it . . . if he hasn't forgotten." She snapped her mouth closed, realizing she was babbling in her exhaustion and pain.
Looking at her, Dylan turned, crossed to the horses, and reached into her saddle bag. He pulled out the small bottle of medicine Serra had given them, retrieving one pill, then carefully capping it and putting it back in the bag. Grabbing a canteen, Dylan moved back to Az's side, uncapped the canteen, and offered both medicine and water to the injured princess. "Take this, Az. We'll camp by the river for the night."
She took his offerings and glanced over to the small river glade they'd tethered their horses in. With a nod, Az swallowed the pill and some water. Offering the canteen back, her dark eyes opened wide as Dylan dropped to one knee, facing the decimated orchard.
"Now, let's see if they'll accept parlay," he said.
Whirling around, Az nearly dropped the open canteen, horror filling her at the sight of several gaunt Papay loping towards them. "Dylan . . ." she looked at a nearby tree, switching the canteen to her injured right hand. Trying to steady her voice, she said "maybe I can use my light to heal a tree like DG did?"
Dylan ran his hands over the loose dirt before him then smiled grimly. "No need." He plunged his hands into the dirt up to his wrists and closed his eyes. An odd greenish glow, dancing with brown and gold, began just at his visible skin above the dirt and climbed up his arms. As the glow seemed to envelope the young man, a low vibration began underfoot, radiating outwards, shaking the dirt and rocks. A sheen of sweat beaded Dylan's skin and his breathing grew labored, his skin paling further.
"Wait!" Az could tell he pushed himself; with his precarious health it could kill him. "Dylan, stop!"
The Papay came to a stop about a hundred yards away and seemed to watch them intently.
Az squatted down, trying to ignore their imminent danger. "Dylan," she gripped his arm, feeling the vibration and warmth of his Nature Magic through the contact.
He shook his head but apparently had to concentrate too hard to pull away from her. Opening his eyes, an intense almost terrifying look in the grey depths, Dylan watched the Papay. Slowly verdant shoots broke through the dry earth, writhing like bright green snakes, twining around the old, dead trees and overcoming them.
Sudden understanding came to Az and she released Dylan's arm to raise her left hand, trembling, over his head. Closing her own eyes in deep effort, she let her long unused light magic burst forth in a white-yellow glow, encouraging the plant life to grow and thrive. She still held the open canteen in her right hand and so, ignoring the pain of the sharp movement of her broken limb, tossed the remaining water from the near-full vessel over the new growth.
As if in joyous response to the water and light, the plants sprouted into young trees, branches spreading from half a dozen thickening trunks. Leaves unfurled and blossoms sprang to glorious life then fruit formed, full and heavy over the heads of the still watchful Papay.
Finally, Dylan pulled his soiled hands out of the earth and practically fell back into Az's legs, staggering her. She caught them both and stiffly bowed to the hunting party before them. Slowly, the six Papay hunters bowed in return then rose on long, powerful legs to begin harvesting the red and yellow fruits.
Az called, "we come on parlay for peace. We need to ask aid in defeating the rising evil. Will Somniabunt help in the coming battle?" She knew her words had been all wrong, but could not think what the proper address for the Papay was.
As one, the hunting party turned fruit gatherers looked at her then loped off further into the remaining barren orchard, presumably heading towards their burrows.
Kneeling, Az gripped Dylan's trembling arm in an equally shaky grasp, worried by his labored breathing. She tugged him up, the man barely able to rise to his feet and follow her lead. Az guided him back over the Papay border and across the road to their horses. She allowed him to collapse onto the soft grass. Careful not to tumble into the water despite her shaking limbs, Az refilled the canteen and returned to Dylan's side. Finally she sat on the ground beside him and offered the water.
He gave her a weak smile and took the canteen, drinking eagerly. His color began to come back and he let out a wavering rush of air.
At her rising anger, Az's voice deepened and she turned intense brown eyes on the weakened man. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
Dylan raised startled grey eyes. "Kill . . . myself?" he panted.
"Yes!" she rose and turned to look out over the rushing river. "You're weak from a terminal illness and have been traveling for two . . . maybe three days?" She whirled back to him, anger snapping in her eyes, "And yet you insist on weakening yourself to near collapse when I could have . . ."
"No, Az," he interrupted. "You and I know it's been too many annuals. The Papay wouldn't respond to just passcodes. But the Nature Clan's ability to heal plants . . . that was our only hope, Az." Dylan took another long drink.
She clenched her left hand, bunching the material of her skirt in her fist. Enunciating carefully, she said "DG used Light Magic to heal a tree. I could have done that, Dylan." She glared down at him. "There was no need to risk yourself like that . . . it was totally selfish!"
Grey eyes widening, the bodyguard looked up at the princess. "Selfish?" He shook his head, sweat drenched platinum hair plastered to his skull. "How can giving the Papay food so they'll help us be selfish, Az?"
Sinking down to the ground beside him, Az's voice softened. "Because you could have died, Dylan, when I could have done something. Yes, it wouldn't have been on such a grand scale, but I could have healed at least one tree."
"And now they have half a dozen more to feed their Clan." Dylan frowned at her.
Az shook her head, touching his arm. "I'm not trying to be callous, Dylan, but did you think that we have two more clans to parlay with and you've sworn to help and protect me? You know the codes, Leona told you them . . . and they require two messengers." She shook his arm to bring home her point. "I cannot do this alone, Dylan!"
He blinked, as if the thought had not crossed his mind in his attempt to be generous to the starving Papay. Slowly, his breathing coming under control, the newly sworn Tin Man nodded. "I . . . I'm sorry, Az."
Pulling back her hand, she nodded, still frowning. "No grand gestures, Dylan. Promise me . . . if someone else can do it, you'll concede . . . until we can get you healed."
Reluctance vibrated through his voice as Dylan nodded, "This I swear, Princess."
"Accepted," Az returned crisply then stood and rooted through their saddlebags, hindered with only one good hand. She managed to pull out a linen wrapped cheese, some bread, and a bit of dried meat. "Here, eat," she said as she sat next to him. "When we're done, we'll make camp."
Dylan accepted the food and they shared the trail rations. Several minutes passed before Dylan asked, "you're betrothed, Az? You said so earlier . . ."
Surprised at the unexpected personal question, Az nodded and turned to meet his grey eyes. Dylan hadn't seemed the type to pry. Perhaps that was why she answered. "Yes, though I don't know if . . ." She stopped herself. She had no idea why she'd been about to share that burden with Dylan. Explaining to DG about the two dead princes was one thing, but this man was practically a stranger, despite the day's adventures. Turning the question back on him, not expecting an answer from the quiet man, Az said, "and you? Do you have someone, Dylan?"
He nodded slowly, surprising her again. "Yes. It's not officially recorded, but I'm promised, too."
Az met his eyes. "And are you in love with her or is it duty?" Duty marriages were fewer and fewer these days, but they were not unheard of.
With a soft sound, low in his throat, Dylan looked down at his hands. "I'm in love, but not with my fiancee. But," he met her eyes, looking serious if sad, "I will not dishonor her. I will let my betrothed determine if we marry and abide by her decision . . . after this incursion is put down and we have Clan unity."
"And what of the woman you love?" Az asked, voice barely a whisper.
Dylan seemed to hear her with no trouble. "She is aware of my duty and will abide by it, as well." His voice sounded sad yet determined.
She nodded.
"What of you, Az?" Dylan took another drink. "Do you love your intended?" He seemed to wait almost breathlessly for her answer.
"Love him?" Az shook her head, wanting to end this very personal conversation. She had asked him, though, and felt she must answer honestly in kind. "I don't know him, so no, I don't love him. But if he presents himself, I will honor our union . . . it was arranged for Clan unity, after all," she sighed once more.
Dylan offered her the canteen, his voice just as soft as hers. "But is there someone else you love? Or do you go whole-hearted towards this marriage?"
"Someone else I love?" Az accepted the canteen but didn't drink. Instead, she let her mind wander over every man she'd ever known. With a frown, she shook her head. "In all these annuals, there has only been one man not related to me to deserve my love . . ."
"The bodyguard who stopped your abuse?" Dylan asked, his voice suddenly sharp. "You'd be better to hold onto your heart than to trust that Long Coat commander, Az!"
Shocked by the hostility in his voice, Az turned wide brown eyes on her companion. "How can you say that, Dylan? You've never even met Zero! He's defended me since we were children . . . has always been there for me . . ."
"He's not the child you remember, Az!" Dylan sprang to his feet, apparently recovered and now restless in his anger. "That man is the bane of the O.Z. He tortures and kills without the slightest qualm. Great Ozma, Az, he served the witch without complaint for fifteen annuals! It would be best if your intended declared himself to save you from your own foolish heart!"
Rising slowly to her feet, awkward with only one good hand for balance, Az stiffened to her full height. "Zero would never betray me, Dylan." She glared at him, her voice low, intense, "he has always served me, protected me. I trust him above all others . . ." she turned from him, "even you."
She ignored his sudden intake of breath as she put away what remained of their bread and cheese. "The suns set soon. We should set up our camp now," Az said in a cold, distant voice.
"Az . . ." Dylan sounded strained.
The princess held up her hand to silence him. "Don't Dylan. I don't wish to hear it."
He nodded, and in strained silence the pair worked to get a makeshift lean-to built between two trees before darkness fell completely.
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Continued in Chapter Twenty-Three: Realizations
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The Twelve Clans of the Outer Zone with the Ruling House of Each Clan:
Aquam Clan/ House of Rimi . . . (Ice- Mount Runcible)
Cogitatio Clan/ House of Idae . . . (Milltown)
Corde Clan/ House of Animum . . . (Viewers)
Fortitudo Clan/ House of Greyhatt . . . (Guilds- Munchkins)
Lux Clan/ House of Gale . . . (formerly House of Ozma- Gillikin)
Mortem Clan/ House of Shiz . . . (Alma Mata- Gillikin)
Nature Clan/ House of Terrae . . . (Vinkus- Thousand Year Grasslands)
Papay Clan/ House of Somniabunt
Phlogiston Clan/ House of Pyre . . . (Fire- Desert surrounding O.Z.)
Sapientiam Clan/ House of Quinolui . . . (Quadling- Realm of the Unwanted)
Spiritus Clan/ House of Aeris . . . (Air- Lake Country)
Tenebris Clan/ House of Fugae . . . (Witch's Dark Tower- Gillikin)
