Ooohhh....eery chapter title.... wooooo
Chapter 4: The Unknown Secrets
Romeli's ankle never got better. It felt like a venom was burning her skin and nerves right to the bone. She tried to get rid of the pain with her healing Gift, but it only gave her massive headaches. Her parents were worried that something went wrong when she transformed into an animal, and they told her that she should rest. Romeli refused and told them that a little pain never hurt anybody, and continued to care for Shadowdancer and train with Daine and Numair.
On Sunday four days after war was declared, Daine, Numair, and Romeli were eating their dinner in silence. Romeli, hating the quiet, tried to bring up a conversation only to have small nods and hums of agreement in reply. Finally, she gave up and fed bits of bread to a crow that came to perch on her shoulder. Soon enough they were in deep conversation about worms.
Romeli jumped and the crow flew away when she heard Numair talk. "What was that, Da?"
"I said, the king spoke to me today after he recuperated from the trip to Scanra."
"It took him four days to recuperate?" Romeli snorted.
"He had to restore his Gift after he used it on a pack of spidrens." Spidrens were a mean immortal that stole livestock and people to eat. They were tall, with the body of a spider's and the head of a human's. Their webs glowed in the dark and the female's web had a toxin in it. Romeli shut up.
"He told me to get you, and Alanna. We are to arrive in Corus by next month," he said to Daine. You could see behind Daine's eyes that she was excited for another adventure. "So I thought we would leave next Sunday."
"Am I going?" Romeli asked, eyes fixed on Numair's.
"We never bothered telling him about you, but we could surprise him. Anyways, you'll probably be a lot of help for whatever he's planning to do."
Romeli was about to reply when a jolt of pain shot through her foot. "Great Merciful Goddess!" Romeli quietly whispered. She put down her glass and clasped her hands on her ankle. Tears were streaming down her face. She quickly looked inside herself for her Gift and pulled out an emerald fire. She rubbed the fire on her ankle, but the pain still screamed. Daine and Numair quickly came over to her ankle. Numair, who learned anatomy while at the university, put his fingers along the bone to see what was wrong.
"Her bones aren't broken, and they're not misshapen from transforming either," he said confusion filling his dark eyes. Daine rubbed her own fingers around the bone. She too, didn't feel anything.
"It's okay, really. It is just an ankle," Romeli pointed out. She said the spell for cold and produced a tiny pillow that numbed her ankle. The spell was simple, but helped some of the pain go away.
Numair scooped up his daughter into his strong arms and held her like a baby. Daine followed them carrying the pillow. Romeli made herself stop the tears, but gripped her father's shirt tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder and focused on his sweet smell.
Once inside Romeli's room, Numair set her down on her bed. She took the cold pillow that Daine offered her and pressed it on her foot. A pack of wolves howled in the night and a flock of sparrows came in through the open window to comfort her antlered girl. Outside, Romeli herd a familiar whinny of a horse.
Shadowdancer? Why are you calling?
Something is changing in you Ruler of People. All of us are panicked. You must stay calm. You are in an unstable position. If you use your magic you will corrupt everyone's Gift and destroy all the People.
But I'm not a Rul-
Go to sleep daughter of People.
Romeli mulled over Shadowdancer's words, confused. Corrupt everyone's Gift and destroy the People? That hardly made sense. She didn't know why a pain in her ankle would affect so many people in such a way. Obviously her horse had been mistaken. "Da? Can you make me go to sleep? Until morning?" she asked desperate to just dream. Numair nodded. His black Gift hovered in his palm and he rested his hand on her forehead until she fell into a dreadful sleep.
OOO
This dream was unlike the other dreams that she had. It was more realistic then her others as well. She was in a lush forest rich with great trees and bushes, mulch and flowers. Out of her sight, she could sense the presence of many animals hidden in the forest's dark foliage. A slight mist tickled her cheeks from the water sliding off the trees above her. Romeli heard a wolf pack cry to the moon.
She heard a rustle in the bushes and instinctively reached for her dagger that was always around her waist—it wasn't there. A glowing pair of eyes peeped out of a large bush in front ofher. It blinked. The creature then walked out of the bush and into the open. It was a wolf. Not just any wolf though, this wolf was larger then most. Its fur was as white as snow, and it seemed to radiate a glow that rivaled the moonlight's. She heard of this wolf before in stories that Daine told her. She also heard tales about him from the wolf packs that lived by their house. He looked much more powerful and wise then she ever imagined. The wolf's name was Old White the animal patron for all wolves. His eyes were full of amusement as she stared at him.
Hello Daughter of People. Old White greeted. His voice sounded of wolves singing and water streams.
Why do all the People call me that? I don't understand. She looked desperate for an answer that she could understand.
You are only a pup. You do not need to know until you have grown into yourself, said Old White calmly.
Why did you bring me here, Old White? Asked Romeli. She sat against a tree so she didn't have to hurt her neck by looking down.
You were brought here by me to discuss your future. I am one of your Guardians, and by tomorrow you will have two. After a while you will eventually earn three. When you have three Guardians, your powers will have finished blossoming and you will be the most powerful human in the Mortal Realms. That is also when you will start your true mission. No sooner, no later. When you earned me five years ago, it was because you learned to be clever. Now that you have earned your second and harder title, your years will be more dangerous. You will be close to giving up, but you can't. Your powers will also begin to change fast, but you must fight the pain. Two-leggers will also change around you too. After a while, they will look at you and see respect. Young male two-leggers will take a liking to you. You have a risky path that not even Mithros can foresee, but by the time you end your true mission, you will then know your parents and who you really are.
So the tattoo I have here is the mark of you? Romeli asked. Is it so you can watch over me?
You're catching on little one, Old White replied with amusement. His eyes began to dance.
Why didn't you tell me before?
You were too young to understand, he explained. I thought it would be best if I told you when the second Guardian came. Speaking of the second Guardian, it is now about time you get to meet him. I will leave you two to talk. At that, Old White disappeared in a wisp of silver fog.
If Romeli learned one thing about wolves, it was that they never said goodbye. They thought it was depressing. Nothing good could ever come from it. Instead they would wish each other a good hunt or bow.
Her thoughts evaporated quickly as another wisp of smoke appeared in front of her. Standing in front of her was a ten-foot long King Cobra.
Romeli saw many cobras before in the garden by the ponds. None of them were as long or as powerful as this King Cobra though. The patron was a smoky gray with black swirls on his flaring head. Romeli knew a lot about cobras and admired the way their heads flared or started to sway when they got a temper or grew defensive. Whenever Romeli talked to a cobra, she had to watch her tongue. They were known for their easy tempers. When she talked to them they talked with wisdom and understanding, almost like they carried the lives of their ancient ancestors.
Hello Daughter of Cobras, announced the snake. His voice reminded her of the slither of scales against sand and the sharpness of a cobra strike. My name is Sclythe. I am the animal patron of all snakes. You may be wondering why I am your second Guardian. Romeli blinked a silent yes. Sclythe continued. The cobra, for many years has represented wisdom. For the past five years you have shown true wisdom. You have now earned me as a Guardian. Tomorrow morning there will be a tattoo of a cobra on your ankle. If you need me or Old White in the darkest of times, call our names in the language our People speak. But only use it in the biggest conflicts because we can not always come.
Millions of questions buzzed in Romeli. Who is the third Guardian? What danger? Why am I different from everyone else? Who are my parents? Romeli held her tongue, aware of the cobra's infamous temper. She decided to ask a very simple question.
Can I tell my parents about this?
That is a very complicated question, snakeling, replied Sclythe. You can tell your parents as much as you want, but if you get into a corner where you are not supposed to be, we will stop you.
Romeli nodded understanding that it could be risky if she told her parents about her real parents.
You are a wise snakeling, commented the cobra.
Romeli smiled. She heard from Daine that comments from gods hardly ever happened. Not to mention a cobra god. The particular species usually didn't socialize with other animals unless they had an appetite.
There is one more thing I need to tell you. The cobra paused for a moment, then began to speak. You are the reason it started. Only you can finish it. If you don't do it soon, the People will suffer.
What? I don't understand, Romeli said. What is that supposed to mean?
You do not need to know until the time comes, said the cobra entertained. He seemed to be enjoying her cluelessness.
Romeli was about to talk back, forgetting her respectful manners, but before she could open her mouth, the cobra vanished in silver smoke. Soon enough the forest around her was enveloped in black as she drifted back to consciousness.
OOO
When Romeli woke up everything was a big blur of colors. She was so dizzy that she couldn't tell up from down. It was only when she fell off her bed that she came to her senses. Once her eyes were in focus, she looked around the room. A lone cat and sparrow stopped their game of tag when she tumbled off and were now chirping and hissing angrily at her. She apologized to both of them and walked to her dressing room. Next to it was her favorite soap that had mint leaves in it.
It was only after she got herself undressed and in the bath, did she notice that her ankle had a green ring around it. She quickly scrubbed and washed herself so she could get a closer look at it when she was dry. Only after she dried herself and got dressed in black pants, a green shirt, and a black robe, did she look at her ankle.
The cobra that she met last night left a clear sign of his visit on her right ankle. It was an emerald cobra that went all the way around her ankle. The head came up at a striking position, its mouth shut. The cobra's emerald ink eyes were pouring with wisdom. Its flared neck had an upside-down teardrop in the center that was also filled in with ink. There were even scales imprinted with meticulous detail. She quickly ran a brush through her hair and went to her parent's room.
She politely knocked on her parents' door knowing that they would get mad at her for storming in. When she heard her parents say to come in, she entered. Daine and Numair were dressed and sitting in a couple chairs that were in the fairly large bedroom. When Romeli entered plopped herself down on the floor in front of them.
"I need to tell you something." Romeli started, rushed. "It was a dream. Well—not really. Some animal patrons were there so it was real. Please don't interrupt me though, I hardly understand it myself." Romeli glanced at her father, knowing he would anyways. "It took place in a beautiful green forest. It was so real. You could hear the wolves howl and feel the mist on your face. Then Old White came. He looked so much bigger then I imagined him to be. He told me he was my first animal Guardian out of three and brought me there to discuss my future. That is why I have the wolf tattoo. It's how he watches after me. Like with you and the badger god, Ma. I got my second guardian this morning."
Numair made a noise as to ask a question, but quickly closed his mouth when Daine glared at him.
"I'll get to that later. Old White said that when I get my three guardians I…" But just when she was going to state that she was going to be the strongest mage in the realm, something stopped her.
I don't think you should say that, Old White told her seriously. Your parents could spread the word and could eventually fall into the wrong hands.
Good point. Sorry, Romeli said through her mind. She felt the tensions evaporate from her tongue and she continued with her story. "Well...when I also have all three guardians, I will start my true mission...I don't even know what that means." Her voice trailed off for a moment before speaking again. "When I earned my first Guardian five years ago, my powers began to grow and I gained new ones. Now that I have my second Guardian, my powers will evolve rapidly. I will even gain new abilities."
"And what is the second Guardian?" Numair asked. He hated mysteries. If he didn't have the right information, he would go crazy. Unfortunately, most of what Romeli said was a mystery to her too.
Romeli lifted up her pant leg to expose her new emerald tattoo. Both of her parents came over to look at it. Numair was in shock, and Diane had the look of memory sweeping over her blue gray eyes.
"Your second Guardian is Sclythe the King Cobra? God of all snakes?" asked Daine astounded. Romeli nodded.
"I earned the wisdom of a cobra, and the cleverness of a wolf. The third Guardian must be very important," she said looking into what might happen in the future. She was going to tell the last part of what the cobra said, about her and being the only one that can stop the People from suffering, but decided against it. "That's all I have to say. No—no it isn't. Ma? It's Monday, can we do the horse race today?" she asked. The spell of her eyes was drawing her mother in.
Daine knew that trick too well and shook her head. "How about when we get to Lady Alanna's house." The serious tone of her voice told Romeli that that was the end of the discussion.
OOO
Romeli and Shadowdancer were out at their favorite tree talking about which patches of grass were the most flavorful. Every day Romeli would walk Shadowdancer to their favorite tree and just talk, savoring the sun on their faces and the cool grass at their feet.
The Tuesday morning air filled her green hair making it sway with the breeze. The shiny streaks in it glimmered off of the summer sun. Romeli suddenly remembered the horse race they were going to have at Alanna's house. What horse was she going to be? She didn't know much about horses. She knew their anatomy and their diet from Daine, but she needed to ask an expert on horses.
Shadowdancer? Asked Romeli through her mind.
Yes?
What is the fastest type of horse? You know...the one that can outrun nearly any animal.
You insult me, answered the horse throwing back her mane. The Tortallan Quarter Horse of course. But if your looking for strength in the legs, you would want the Clydesdale. They are stronger than ox. Why?
I'm going to race as a horse with my ma. I want to be faster then her.
Well then let's start practicing! Shadowdancer urged. I'll train you how to run fast in exchange for oats and carrots. Come on, transform into a mare!
Boosted by Shadowdancer's enthusiasm, Romeli quickly thought of being a mare. This time she transformed a lot faster. With Shadowdancer always urging Romeli to gallop with her, she had gotten a lot of practice.
They ran for what felt like forever. Shadowdancer always improved Romeli's footing and taught her a couple of tricks of her own. When they were done, Romeli felt like she learned more than she did during any Wild Magic session with her mother. She even almost caught up with the lightning fast mare.
Romeli still didn't forget what Shadowdancer said that night her ankle hurt or the dream that followed after, but the training and running with her horse kept her from going mad with questions. Her parents didn't forget either. She would see them talk and stare at her when they thought she wasn't looking. Whenever she asked Shadowdancer what she meant that painful night, the horse would pretend not to hear.
By Thursday, Romeli gave up completely on getting answers from the stubborn mare. Her parents' act was worse than Shadowdancer's. They always tried to smile when she was around them, and when she wasn't, they would whisper as quietly to each other. Instead of always hearing their hushed talking, she would go into Numair's library and practice spells she never learned or ones that Numair thought were too dangerous for her.
She practiced her Wild Magic as well and showed Daine that she could transform and enter into another animal's mind almost as quickly as Daine. One thing that she couldn't get as well was transforming into an animal, but having the ears or power of another. When she brought it up to Daine, she too admitted that she had problems with it as well. Her mother told her the more she practiced the better she would get.
Her spare time was saved for archery or her double-bladed staff. She used to wander into the forest, until her parents told her it was too dangerous. That really rose her temper. There were animals there that could protect her if there was danger; not that she couldn't protect herself. And what she really pondered was why it was suddenly dangerous? She was fourteen and could handle herself in conflicts. She needed to socialize with other animals in the forest like Daine did when there was no one else to talk to.
"I'll save my emotions for later," she said getting ready to meditate in her room like she did every night to control her powers. "Maybe this is what Old White meant by people looking down on you. I'm sure this is only the beginning of people judging me. But I'll show them. I'll show everyone. I will be the most powerful human in the realm."
By Saturday, Romeli practiced so much that when she raced Shadowdancer, she went ahead of her by five feet. It was a moment to remember. They started off with Shadowdancer ahead as usual. During the race, Romeli quickly added the strength of a Clydesdale to her rippling leg muscles. She sped like an arrow past Shadowdancer. Her race-mate was so overjoyed that Romeli finally won, that Romeli made sure to give the mare extra oats in her feed to celebrate. Romeli was now ready for the race against Daine.
Later that day Romeli wanted to go show her father a new trick and as usual, he was in his library. Wanting to surprise him, she threw an emerald fire blast at him. Numair sensed the fire and turned around, blocking her blow with a magical shield. The defense seemed to take no effort at all.
"Is that a challenge?" asked Numair dangerously. Black fire formed around his hand.
"You bet." Romeli shot back darkly. Her Gift began to form around her like a cloak. The gain of her power made the air around her ripple. Let's see if he's prepared for a few spells of my own.
They stepped out of the house and on to an open field. Romeli charged so much power that she started to glow a faint green. She could see Numair have a second thought about this.
Right when he was going to protest, Romeli brought him back in again. "You scared oh mighty Black Robe?" she taunted, playing the game of insulting the dueling opponent. She secretly sent some of her gift into the ground and over to Numair without him noticing. "I thought you turned a mage into a tree once." She ordered the roots below her to attack anything black that came to their territory.
Numair's patience ran out and he threw a black fire at Romeli.
She disintegrated it with the flick of her wrist before it came even halfway towards her.
Romeli then said a spell that formed five large bubbles that flew over to him. He blew them all up.
Instead of the bubbles disappearing, the blown up pieces formed into smaller bubbles. He squeezed them to nothing with a complex hand movement.
Romeli then formed a giant emerald hand as hot as fire and sent it fast towards Numair. He slammed it to the ground where it stayed still and crippled.
Romeli did an assortment of complicated spells that she made up. Numair blocked them all, though each time it took more effort.
Finally, Romeli released her secret weapon. Underneath Numair, glass crystals formed around him. He immediately knew what it was and started a wind to blow the crystal towards Romeli. His eyes widened as he realized what he just did.
When the crystals flew towards her, it formed into clear glass. Romeli hurriedly used all of her power she had to form a shield. The conjured defense flashed brightly, blinding her for a moment. It reflected the deadly glass but she soon held up her hand in surrender. Numair quickly came over horrified.
"How in the world did you block that? No one can block glass!" His face was pale. Glass was the second most important ingredient in the Gift. The main essence, the person's will, also could not be destroyed by another's Gift unless it were completely drained. Glass, a tangible item, could not be blocked or destroyed by any Gift. Only a handful of mages ever blocked glass, and they all died due to a completely drained Gift.
"I have a pitless Gift. I could block glass if I wanted to, but I get really tired afterward," she explained to a very confused Numair. Romeli's breath was heavy with exhaustion, but she held her place. "And I don't want a dead father, so don't even try to top that. You know Numair; we should duel more often. Hey, I could win."
"Yeah right. I haven't lost a duel since I was at the university," Numair said. Romeli couldn't tell if he was joking around, but either way, a new determination filled her.
"Well those days are over, Da," said Romeli patiently. "Because I'm not stopping until I beat you."
Numair wanted to change the subject and quickly. "You used different spells. Where did you find them?"
"I made them up," She answered quickly. Seeing his face, she hid a smile. Numair looked astounded.
"Could you teach me those?" Numair asked hysterically serious. This time it was Romeli's turn to be astounded.
"The Great Numair learning new tricks from his fourteen year-old daughter?" she mocked. "You're a black robed mage. Surely you have some creativity in that genius brain of yours. Make up your own spells. Besides, a magician never gives away his secrets. I thought you knew that by learning sleight of hand when you first came to Tortall." And with that Romeli walked back to the house leaving Numair on the valley alone.
Time to work on some double-bladed staff work, she thought as she retreated.
Once she got out her bladed staff, she set out for the stables. She wanted to ask Shadowdancer if she wanted to watch. When she did ask her horse if she wanted to watch, Shadowdancer was overjoyed and the two of them set out to the tree.
Romeli's bladed staff work was very advanced for her age. She could do combat dances and attack almost as fast as a shang warrior. Today she started with simple dances that had a few blocks and attacks, then moved up to higher levels that consisted of spins and lunges. Eventually she was throwing it up in the air, attacking while rolling on the ground, and spinning so fast that everything became a blur. When she was done she was soaked in sweat and her mouth was parched. She took a swig of water from a canteen she brought and mounted Shadowdancer bareback to the stables.
The rest of the day she spent in Numair's library looking up spells that could be useful for her next duel. She would even combine a couple simple spells to make an advanced one. She would practice some of them, but most were too big to practice in her father's library.
"My Lady," called a maid who resided in the house as well. She curtsied. "It is time for dinner."
"Thank you, you don't need to call me My Lady though."
"As you wish." The maid said, leaving the room.
At the dinner table, Numair was still flushed and kept on making short glances at Romeli. She pretended that she didn't notice and stared at her potato. Daine looked quite normal. Her blue gray eyes seemed tired, but that was it.
"I heard you almost beat Numair in a duel today," Daine finally said. Numair blushed.
"I wasn't even close to beating him, but I did make it so he wasn't as full of himself." Romeli pointed out. Daine laughed.
"Way to go," Daine congratulated. That made Numair really flush.
"She thinks she can beat me," Numair pointed out.
"I can and I will," Romeli said as if it was a challenge. "We're going to Pirate's Swoop tomorrow right?"
"Yes." Answered Daine.
"Good. I've never slept on the road before. It will be a new challenge. And when I get there, I'll challenge Lady Alanna to a duel too," She said, excited. The last time she had seen Alanna was when she was eight.
After dinner, Romeli got packed for their trip tomorrow. It would be a heavy load. Her parents said to take nearly everything with her. They would not be back to The Tower for a long time. She also told Shadowdancer where she was going.
Am I coming? She asked excited for an adventure.
Of course.
Good.
When she finished packing, Romeli slipped into bed, a large grin on her face.
Well I suppose life is pretty good! And why wouldn't it be? I am a moose, after all. :D