Back in the Golden Bough garrison the guard told them lady Yustiel has not returned yet. May was worried about her, although this was not the first time she disappeared without letting anyone know when she will return. Of course, she was the Lady of Life and had the right to do that, she had also duties in other parts of Elysea, but she always returned at least twice a week. And now it has been ten days, no one remembered she's been away for so long. That meant everyone was getting nervous. And most of people started to look for May whenever they needed some healing or other delicate work with aether. Although the young cleric was happy she could help at least a bit, she didn't like all this attention.
She found the map and looked at it for a while. Between Kyola and the Lodas's hill weren't much places where those people could change their direction. Assuming they didn't go to the desert, where the Elyos were patrolling, she found one place she was absolutely certain about. The Kyola's Fountain wasn't their only target today.
„Syll, we have to go!" she ran out of the tent looking for her companion. Not friend. Though everyone was kind to her, May didn't have any real friends here. No one knew about her past and some were suspicious she remembered, but hid it. Syll was her guardian assigned by lady Yustiel. And, as May knew well, also her guard.
„Food first," the silver haired ranger rejected.
„Another Fountain is in danger, we have to go now!"
„We're not going anywhere until you eat your lunch. Especially if the Fountain is in danger. You will need energy to fix it."
„I'm alright, we have to..."
„Eat. Now we have to eat. Understood?" Syll frowned.
„Fine," May sighed. „But quickly, please. And we will need help, I don't want us to get into fight unprepared or in disadvantage."
May almost literally devoured her lunch in an instant. Syll has never seen anyone to eat so quickly and was confident that May will feel sick from it soon. After the lunch Syll's friend, a sorcerer called Chromatic, joined them and all three set off to the Spring of Anathe, one of the first Fountains lady Yustiel created. It was already old enough to create small oasis inhabited mostly by spirits. May told them about the people the Asmodian saw and her suspicion and neither Syll nor Chromatic thought the prisoner could be trusted. But they agreed it was worth checking. When they arrived, all the water spirits turned to them and produced bubbling sounds of warning. May called the aether to calm them down and after few minutes she managed to convince them they are not enemies. The spirits then led them to the other side of the oasis. There they found one dead body, presumably torn apart by the spirits and one dying man. A fair haired woman knelt beside him and tried to heal him.
„Lady Yustiel!" May breathed out in surprise. „Are you alright?"
„Ah, May, it's good you're here," the woman looked at her and smiled. She seemed tired. „Help me heal him."
„Yes, my lady," May knelt beside him and gathered aether for healing.
„What happened here, my lady?" Syll asked after she looked around and found nothing suspicious at all. Except the bodies.
„These two came here in late morning," the Lady of Life recalled. „I was meditating under a tree, they did not notice me. And I only knew someone was near from the aether around. After some time I felt disturbances in the aether. They have been doing something with the Fountain. But before I woke up from my trance, the spirits arose and fought them. They were so startled and angry, I barely calmed them down few minutes before you arrived. I have never seen them like this. I'll have to ask Kaisinel to check them."
„So these guys are targetting our Fountains?" Chromatic raised an eybrow. „They don't look that strong. They're not even daevas."
„What do you mean by targetting our Fountains?" lady Yustiel was shocked. Those attacks begun after she has left.
„They broke our fountain few days ago and the Kyola's one this night," he explained. „May fixed them and thought it wasn't an accident."
„I am really sorry I was not there," the lady saddened. „But... She fixed them and found out what was wrong? May, are you feeling alright?" she asked with concern.
„I'm bit tired, but Syll forced me to eat something, so I'm fine," the cleric smiled and continued healing.
„Unbelievable," lady Yustiel whispered to herself and fell silent. She was looking at May and thinking. What she did the three months ago wasn't exactly what she wanted to do and today's events proved it even more.
„My lady," May spoke after a while. „He's stable now and will wake up soon."
„Good, we will question him as soon as he is awake and then take him to the scout camp," the lady decided.
„He's... um... Lepharist, I don't think he'll tell us something useful," May doubted. „They are real fanatics."
„You've made an Asmodian talk, what's the problem with this one?" Syll asked half in joke.
„Asmodian?" lady Yustiel wondered.
„The patrol from Sandinas's camp captured an Asmodian this morning. We thought she was behind the attacks on the Fountains, but May somehow made her talk and she said she saw someone going in this direction. That's why we're here," Syll clarified. „I don't know how she did it, but May even convinced Sandinas to stop torturing that Asmodian. And given his hatred for them, it was almost miracle."
„Syll, stop saying that, I just needed the information," May frowned. „And the Asmodian was barely conscious, there was no way she could tell me something in that state."
„I think you should stop talking, that guy is waking up," Chromatic stated.
„You'll be alright," May whispered to him.
„What..." he got alarmed by the unknown voice. „Daevas," he spat.
Syll immediately pointed an arrow at him.
„Please, calm down and answer us some questions," May said politely while pressing her hand against his chest and holding him down.
„Glory to lord Lephar!" he exclaimed and queerly moved his jaw. Then he coughed foam and his body spasmed.
„No, it's poison!" May frightened and cast a quick healing spell, but she was too late. The Lepharist died almost instantly. „No... I..." the cleric looked at his body with horror in her eyes. It didn't happen often that people died when he was healing them, but every time it brought great sadness to her. And the thought that someone would choose death while freshly healed was even greater shock.
„Come," the Lady of Life put her hand gently on May's shoulder. „Let us return to the garrison."
„Shouldn't we bury them?" May asked, her voice was shaking.
„The spirits will take care of them. We should not disturb their peace longer than necessary."
„I'm sorry my lady," May got up. „I wasn't able to heal him..."
„You did good," lady Yustiel smiled. „Come, as soon as we return back to the garrison, you need to tell me about the damaged Fountains."
„Yes, my lady."
„Syll, Chromatic, search the bodies and surroundings, please. They were no daevas, so they must have something they used on the Fountains."
„Yes, my lady."
~ x ~
„So that's what I found on the Fountain, my lady," May ended her story. „And Chromatic is analyzing the stones they found, I hope we can devise protection soon."
„It troubles me," lady Yustiel frowned. „The Lepharists are known for their hatred towards the Empyrean lords and their fanatism in worshiping their lord Lephar. But what would they gain from destroying our Fountain? Not even they can live in complete desert."
„I don't know, my lady."
„I do not like to say it, but maybe Nezekan's approach would be better this time," the lady thought aloud. „I will have to ask for advice on the next council. It is in four days, until then we need to hold up. That is everything for now, May. You can go."
„Can I... have a question, my lady?" May asked shyly. „Or probably two..."
„What troubles you?"
„Is it possible to transfer one's essence to another person? For example Elim?"
„Why... do you ask?" lady Yustiel was stunned. There was no was this young woman could know about that.
„It's the Asmodian who was captured by Sandinas," she explained. „I thought it was her who is damaging our Fountains and asked her why did she come to Eltnen. She said she need's Lodas's essence in order to awaken some Elim in Asmodae. I didn't ask for details, it was clear it had nothing to do with the Fountains, but could she be telling the truth?"
„Ah, yes," the Lady of Life was clearly relieved. „The Elims can transfer part of their essence to another being. Or assist if someone tries to do that. But the Elims take their life force from the earth under them. Lodas wouldn't give her any essence, as the land here is barely alive. And she can't take the essence from him, unless he wants to give it to her. But given the fact there are no rifts in Poeta and Arbolu is in the middle of our settlement, it is understandable that she came here."
„Thank you, my lady. The... the... other question... I... Did I... look like this when you found me? I... mean..."
„You were ill, May," lady Yustiel sad with consoling voice. „It influenced your appearence, you were pale and starved, but you looked the same. I am really sorry I could not restore your memories along with your body."
„No, no, no, it's okay, my lady, I... thank you very much for saving me," May babbled. „The memories will surely return. You are a great person, I thank you for letting me stay here even if you know nothing about me at all..."
„Calm down, child."
„Yes, my lady."
„If you have no further questions, could you check on Chromatic and his analysis?"
„I don't have any... thank you, my lady, I'll go at once," May bowed and left the tent.
She found Chromatic outside the garrison on small hillock. He was sitting on the ground and weaving aether around three dimly glowing stones, purple, blue and yellow. She sat not far from him and waited for him to finish whatever he was doing. In the meantime she reminisced the situation in Anathe and the dialogue with lady Yustiel after their return. It was weird. Something felt off, but she couldn't figure out what.
„Oh, May, I didn't even know you came," Chromatic said after a while.
„I didn't want to disturb you, have you found anything?"
„Yeah, something," he glared at the crystals. „It looks that they are some sort of code. See these irregular edges. Well, irregular is not exact, there's some system in it, but no two edges on one crystal are the same. It depends on how you put them together and they do... something. Emit energy. And you have three crystals, so there's hundreds of combinations, you see? I still haven't found the right one. These were certainly made by someone with great power, I'm not even sure if it was mage or priest."
„Or muse?"
„Nah, you can't find a muse powerful enough," he snorted disdainfully.
„Okay, so... do you need help?" she asked.
„I guess so," Chromatic reluctantly admitted. „My knowledge of the aether is not enough. I'll take one more look tomorrow and if I find nothing, I'll have to go to Sanctum and ask Bellia or Charna."
„Try to get some sleep tonight, I'm sure you'll find something out tomorrow," May smiled. „Ah, is it Syll coming? Probably about dinner. Come, clear your head."
~ x ~
The snow. The ice. The fear. All again. The soothing kiss. Fire.
May woke up and blinked. Usually it took her a while before she realised where she was. But not this time. She sat on her bed, watching her hands and wondering why she doesn't have claws.
„I'm an Elyos," she whispered. „I can't have claws. I am no Asmodian."
Or am I? Was Shien right? Wait... Shien? She said her name was Shienar. Why do I shorten it? Do I really know her? Who am I?
She needed fresh air. She got up and left her tent. It was still night and the camp was quiet. It wasn't dark, but the Elyos preferred to work in direct sunlight. She went in direction of Eracus temple, an ancient mysterious structure of still unknown purpose. The night breeze ruffled her hair and her mind was slowly calming down.
„Cannot sleep?" a gentle voice echoed silently.
„Lady Yustiel," May knelt.
„Please, rise. I do not require kneeling every time someone sees me."
„Yes, my lady. As you wish."
„I was too distracted today," lady Yustiel sighed. „While I was away, I missed so much events. Your job with the Fountains was remarkable. How are your memories, are they any better?"
„No, my lady," May looked down. „But the dreams are... I still see or feel or... I just know there is snow and ice and cold... but tonight there was also fire. And the fire felt familiar. My lady, please, if these dreams are fragments of my memories, why ice? There is no ice in Elysea. Was I... was I in Asmodae?"
„Yes, May," lady Yustiel admitted sadly. „You were in Asmodae for very long time and it almost destroyed you. I know nothing about the time you were there, but it has been years. That might be the cause of your increased ensitivity to sunlight."
„Why didn't you tell me this earlier, my lady?"
„I was afraid what this information might cause. I am no expert on... mind disorders, I still cannot tell what could happen if you find someone you knew. But if you wish, I can arrange you a meeting with Kaisinel, he possesses the best knowledge about minds and memories."
„No," May immediately refused. „My lady, thank you for your genrosity, but no. Lord Kaisinel is... his power is a bit terrifying. I would prefer if my memories come back naturally, without his intervention."
„I understand," lady Yustiel smiled.
„Thank you," the cleric was clearly relieved. „My lady, can you tell me... are you feeling alright?"
„Of course, child."
„My lady, please," May clenched her fists to give herself courage. „You can't fool me, my lady. I see... I feel something is not alright with you. Are you ill? Does something worry you that much? Please, tell me, I can't pretend I see nothing. I... I wish I could help you... somehow..."
Lady Yustiel looked at her, still smiling. But this time it was a sad smile.
„You are clever, May," she said after a while. „And you have a good heart. You have also great healing powers, but you are not almighty. Yes, I am... you can say I am ill, but you cannot help me."
„Can someone else help you? Tell me who and I will..."
„No. I have found a solution recently. It will require an assistance from other Lords, so please, wait until the council. Now, please, return to your tent. I would like to meditate a bit before the dawn."
„Yes, my lady, as you wish," May bowed and returned back to the garrison. She laid down to her bed, but she couldn't sleep. The discussion with lady Yustiel still echoed in her head. When the dawn crawled into the camp, she got up and helped others prepare breakfast. After the meal she found Chromatic. He was playing with the crystals again, but didn't appear to get any new results.
„I have an idea," she said.
„Yeah? What?"
„Could these be made by Asmodians?"
„It's Lepharist made," he looked at her like she said something really stupid.
„I know, but the Lepharists are also in Asmodae, right?" she tried to defend herself. „And if they don't want us to find out how it works, they would make it there, using their... resources and knowledge..."
„And how would they get it here, hm?" he objected.
„Rifts? Or Shugo mail? The Shugos don't care who their customers are as long as they are paying, you know?"
„Alright," he gave up. „It could be made by Asmodians. What is the big idea?"
„We have one Asmodian not far from here, we can ask her..." May suggested, unsure if it was becaues of the stones or she just wanted to see the prisoner again.
„You are insane, May," Chromatic rolled his eyes. „Why would she even help us?"
„She... she looked like a good person..."
„Everyone looks like a good person to you."
„Not everyone," she frowned. „Come on, we don't have to tell her anything. We'll just ask her if she knows something about these crystals."
„What makes you even think she'll talk to you?"
„She talked to me yesterday. She told me about the Lepharists that were going to Anathe, remember? And I asked Sandinas to treat her like a valuable prisoner."
„You can't be sane," Chromatic shook his head and got up. „Let's go then, I'm tired of thinking anyway and little walk can't hurt."
„Thank you," May smiled.
They left the garrison and after a while of silent walk they reached the scout camp. Sandinas wasn't happy to see them, but May's status of person-who-can-repair-the-Fountains and Chromatic's fame as a very good sorcerer who single handedly drove away a Lepharist raid few years ago, convinced him to let them talk to the prisoner. The Asmodian woman was sitting in the tent leaning to the wooden pole she was bound to. Apparently Sandinas didn't want to risk her escape and moved the pole to the tent. Or the tent to the pole, May couldn't tell for sure.
„I'm sorry, miss Shienar, for breaking my promise, but could you answer us few questions?" she asked politely.
„Promise?" Chromatic raised an eyebrow.
„I... I promised her she won't see me again," the cleric sighed.
„Not that I mind," Shien smiled. „You're the only one who talks to me this nicely, so you can come anytime you want. What do you want and why should I help you?"
„I told you so," the sorcerer muttered.
„If you help us, I... I will get the essence from the Elim and find a way how to get it safely to Asmodae. Is it enough?" May stated seriously.
„Ask."
Chromatic showed her the crystals.
„What do you know about these?"
„Why are you asking me?" she looked confused.
„Well, you're a sorcerer, right? I thought... if you're good enough..." May tried to explain.
„I won't ask how do you know that, but this is obviously technist's stuff, so why me?" Shien looked at them and shook her head.
„Technist?"
„This thing is too powerful to be made by technists," Chromatic refused. Even though the technists and muses and their daeva specialisations were officially accepted by Kaisinel Academy, he still didn't consider them equal to the mages, priests, scouts and warriors and their specialisations.
„For the Elyos technists, maybe," Shien smirked. „But our technists use crystals like these to power their aethercannons. Well, they use different colors, but otherwise these are the same."
„Why different colors?" May wondered.
„Because they are not idiots. Anyway, I have no idea what to do with them. You should really ask some technist. Of course, only if you know any competent ones."
„We're losing our time here," Chromatic snorted, put the crystals to his belt pouch and left the tent.
„Thank you for your help," May smiled and followed him.
„I hate her," the Elyos sorcerer said when they were out of sound's reach of the camp.
„Why? She doesn't seem..."
„She made fun of me!"
„But what if she's right and this is really used by technists?"
„Then you will go find one and ask. I'm not going to talk to them," he responded grumpily.
„I think Oakley in Sanctum would be the best option," May thought.
„Whatever," Chromatic shrugged. „What was the essence thing you were talking about?"
„That's... she came here to ask one of our Elims for their essence. They can only give it on their own free will, so I believe she didn't have some malicious intentions."
„And lady Yustiel knows about it?"
„I've talked about that with her yesterday."
They returned to the garrison in silence. May got a permission for the next day to visit Sanctum and then she followed her tasks and duties. In the evening, before she fell asleep, one disturbing thought crossed her mind.
How did I know she was a sorceress? No one told me...