The Timeless One Read online

  To the loves in my life, who have inspired me, who believed in me, and who kept me moving forwardinspite of myself, thank you.

  Part Two

  Mending Time

  Chapter 1

  Like scattered stars embedded in the cavern walls, the moonstone glowed softly, shimmering across the cavern's spring-fed pool. The water's inky black color spoke to its unfathomable depths. A carefully carved and polished slab of stone occupied the space between the spring and the wall. A tall, pale-skinned man with pitch black hair, hands crossed over his chest, laid as if in death. His garments were elegantly refined, an indigo blue edged in silver that verged to black in the dim light.

  The moonstones glow increased to the intensity of the full moon on a clear, winter's night as the water erupted with the emergence of a woman. Her obsidian eyes were sharp contrast to her pale blonde hair and skin as white as marble. She pulled herself out, revealing her lower half to be fish-like. She regarded the unmoving man. "Kendle, you are a divine servant. Do you not think it is time you stop punishing yourself?"

  "No, Timeless One," the man stated simply, not opening his eyes. "I failed twice. The consequences and shame of my failure know no boundary. I betrayed her trust. That I must live with the memory of my transgressions for eternity pales in comparison to my sins."

  The goddess sighed, absently combing her fingers through her wet hair. "The First Sundering was hardly your fault. The separation had already begun and could not have been stopped much less reversed, regardless of what anyone would have done. Even we of the Ancient Triad. That the woman you grieve for had held it back for as long as she had is phenomenal. Remarkable for a mortal, really."

  "It does not absolve me of my failure!" Kendle opened his eyes, deep blue depths flashing with annoyance. "She asked me to stop the war that sundered the lands into two. To protect her people. We Roylat were to serve the mortals. Instead, some of us fractured into the Totani and Trisari factions. Those of us who remained undecided instigated quarrels to determine which was the stronger faction. Until we caused the land itself to shatter. We failed in our sacred duties." Rolling onto his side, his back to the goddess, he stated tonelessly, "We should have been slain, not given the mercy of eternal imprisonment."

  The goddess was silent, her expression filled with sad sympathy. When she spoke, her voice was gentle. "The others failed, Kendle. You did not. You made the honest attempt to stop the war between the Totani and Trisari. But they were beyond reason by that time. You were fortunate to have survived yourself."

  Kendle shifted to look over his shoulder dubiously. The Timeless One smiled wanly. "Mortals are not merely ignorant, helpless puppets that follow the whims and directions of the divine servants that protect them. Divine servants follow mortal desires as much as mortals follow divine ones. And once the mortals were entrenched on a specific path, it was impossible to change their course, only mitigate the damage that resulted." The Timeless One watched as Kendle rose, pacing the chamber. "You were not punished because you truly repented. You alone of the Roylat are not bound to the World Spine as are the rest of the Kings and Queens. The only thing that holds you here is your own sense of guilt."

  "It matters not. I should be imprisoned!" Kendle shouted, spinning on the goddess with fists clenched. "She counted me as her friend, and I condemned her to thousands of years of torment because when I had the chance to redeem myself, I gave into my own selfish wants and I did exactly as she said, not as she intended." Bowing his head as he sat on his stone bed, back to the goddess, he said in a low voice, "How can I walk free knowing she is trapped in an endless cycle of torture because of my actions during the Second Sundering?"

  "This self retribution has gotten excessive, Kendle." In a bored voice, the Timeless One stated, "I would have thought you would be eager to correct your mistakes after all this time and finally redeem yourself." The words did not register in Kendle's mind for several moments.

  The man looked up sharply. "What? How? The rift that divides the children of magic and the children of might is not simply one of ideology. It is physical. None have crossed paths since the world practically fell apart and nearly destroyed all the ancient trinity had created. The warriors do not leave their domain, and the mages do not try to enter it."

  "You do not know." The goddess tilted her head to one side, studying him speculatively. "Have you been turned within for so long, you no longer sense what happens without? Come to me." With only a heartbeat of hesitation, Kendle rose and stood before the mermaid. She reached out to him, touching his cheek in a tender caress. "Clear your heart and mind. Look beyond your prison."

  His eyes closed to the soothing touch. Moments later, they flew open. "By the sacred river, she is here?!" Kendle looked at the Timeless One, his anxiety tempering his hope. "They are all here?" Clasping her hand in both of his, he asked in a whisper, "Is this Your doing, Mistress? That they are here?"

  The Timeless One laughed quietly, withdrawing her hand from his. "Did I set things into motion? Only so much as it was My edict that inadvertently created this perpetual cycle. The world I and My siblings created is a life unto itself and always seeks balance."

  Kendle bowed his head as he sank to his knees. "Mistress, forgive me for allowing myself to become mired in--"

  "Stop. The time for blame and grief is past. There is much work to be done, My servant," the goddess stated, her interruption gentle but firm. "The time for waiting is ended. The cycle of suffering must end, else all that we hold dear will collapse. You are the only one free to do what needs to be done. Will you serve Me, Kendle?"

  "Yes." Kendle looked up to the goddess. "I will not fail You, my Lady."

  Chapter 2

  The Fortress of Time, a looming mountain that stood apart from the chain called the World Spine, cast its shadow over the sprawling town of Sharindel. The thunder of hooves echoed off the polished marble walls of the elegant buildings. The labyrinthine streets were already lined with the curious as word spread of Dusvet Guardian Almek's return and his new students he traveled with. Attention was given most to the unconscious pair borne by their fellows. "Did you hear?" were the words repeated so often, that they could be heard over the sound of the many horses. "They opened a portal!" "But isn't that impossible?"

  Skyfire seethed with anger, his golden brown eyes dark. He tightened his protective hold on the unconscious woman in his arms and tugged the cowl of her cloak up in an effort to conceal her from so many watching eyes. When he felt a hand on his shoulder, he tensed, arm raised to strike. He relaxed somewhat when he saw Terrence. "What is wrong?" the young mage asked.

  "I hate being at the mercy of outlander 'kindness.'" The bitterness off his last word spoke volumes towards the Desanti man's distrust.

  "Don't worry," the younger Forentan mage reassured quietly in the Swordanzen tongue. "None of us will let anything happen to Storm or Ash while they recover. Do not let these others witnessing their moment of weakness upset you." He added in a low voice, "Have faith in the rest of us."

  Skyfire growled, "I have no doubts about you and the others. You have earned our trust." He pressed his lips together for a moment as the animals slowed. "Being exposed when weakened is a risk even among our own people. I trust outlanders even less. I do not like this."

  Chuckling softly, Terrence replied, "I didn't say you had to like it, my friend. Just don't stab anyone today."

  The group came to a stop in the courtyard of a small complex of buildings. Wide stairs, in the same golden tan as most of the other buildings, led up to double doors of a sprawling edifice. Stable hands emerged from the accompanying stables to hold the horses still while the riders dismounted and collected their gear. The drizzen and drizar stretched out their heads, baring sharp, long teeth, hiss
ing as they shifted into an attack stance. Backpedaling, the stable hands wisely kept well away.

  The Vodani Unsvet in charge of the scouting party walked up two steps to assess the newcomers, the orange Guardian mark on his cheek flashing in the afternoon sunlight. "Adept Ophilia!" He waved a hand towards Skyfire and Emaris. "Show them inside so their companions can be made comfortable."

  The Forentan woman nodded once, not even looking back as she started up the stairs. "Yes, Unsvet Jaison." Not hearing the men behind her, she turned to snap at the pair bearing Storm and Ash. "Hurry up! You will be able to-- eeek!" Coming nose to nose with the drizar, Ophilia shrieked and fell onto her rump. Bronze-capped horns caught the light as he bared teeth at the woman, hissing balefully. "What the hells is that thing?!"

  "Don' worry, lass. They just be followin' their Swordanzen," Emil called helpfully.

  Ophilia skittered up a few stairs away from the growling creature. "They can't come inside! Look what they are doing to the marble!"

  "Drizar!" Skyfire went to the animal. He spoke in low, soothing tones, apology clear in his voice. The drizar nuzzled Storm with a worried sound before he reluctantly turned back down the stairs and followed the horses and the female drizzen into the stables. His mournful keen was as unsettling as it was poignant.

  Emil looked over his shoulder as he hefted his and his brother Emaris's gear from the horses. "Don't normally feel sorry for 'im, but I kinda feel bad." He looked up the stairs as Skyfire and Emaris disappeared inside. "I be worried about 'em, too."

  The Vodani bard dropped to the ground lightly. "I am more worried what will happen if something does happen to Storm," Mureln stated grimly as he adjusted his mandolin across his back. "The drizar is an untamed beast. She is the only one who holds any real sway over him."

  "Nothing will happen to Storm or Ash!" Terrence snapped, his blue eyes flashing with emotion. "They will be fine. Don't even think otherwise!" He turned away from the three's surprise and stalked up the stairs alone.

  "Is it jus' me, or do it seem he be actin' more like a temperamental Desanti than a cold Forentan?" Emil asked dryly as he hefted the last of the gear off the horses with a grunt.

  "We are all worried about Storm and Ash," Taylin said softly, her hand touching the slight swell of her abdomen. She blinked as Mureln took her gear and smiled fondly at the bard. "I am pregnant, beloved, not helpless."

  "I don't want you taking more risks than you need to, my heart," Mureln said, kissing her cheek. "Come on. Let's get settled in."

  Jaison went to Almek, hand to the aged Dusvet Guardian's elbow as the man dismounted. "Almek, are you sure about this?" the Unsvet asked in a low voice. "I knew you were seeking potentials who were masters like Taylin. But..." He looked up the stairs as the last of the group disappeared inside. "God-touched? And Desanti? You know this will not settle well with the traditionalists. They already have issues with the idea of lesser magic masteries mingling with temporal."

  Straightening, his eyes bright despite the weight of age that deepened his wrinkles and turned his once brown hair the purest of whites, Almek stated, "Well, then, that will be their problem, won't it?" Waiting for Jaison to collect his gear for him, Almek met the younger Guardian's eyes. "They possess undeniable gifts of the Timeless One's domain as well as their own masteries. Nor will they be intimidated by those selfsame traditionalists who inhibit many of the Adepts into failure." He smiled faintly as he started up the stairs. "I rather look forward to the ripples they will cause."

  "'Ripples' is being too generous, Almek," Jaison grumbled.

  Chapter 3

  "This building serves as the dormitory for potential Guardian Adepts," Ophilia informed the pair behind her. "The hall opposite this one leads to the Guardians' rooms and the servants' level." Skyfire growled, glowering at the young woman's pretentiousness. Falling silent, she opened the first door they arrived at which led to an elegant room. She stood to one side to allow Emaris entry.

  Interposing herself between the room and Skyfire, Ophilia stated with cold hostility, pointing down the hall, "This will be the Illaini Magus' room. The woman--"

  Skyfire lowered a flint-like glare on her. "They stay together," he stated implacably.

  "Impossible! It would not be proper--" Ophilia began when Lyra appeared suddenly in front of her.

  The more slender Lyra's fair features were contorted with a frown of disapproval. "Master Ash would wish Mistress Storm to be with him. We will take care of them." She pointed towards the main room imperiously. "I suggest you leave."

  Ophilia's eyes widened. "Excuse me? Do you know who I am?"

  "I don't really care who you are." Lyra crossed her arms as she stood her ground. "I know who they are, and they are who matter to me." Grabbing Ophilia by the arm, she firmly steered her out of the way, letting Skyfire pass through. Lyra shut the door behind him, but it did not muffle the loud, hostile discussion between her and Ophilia.

  Once Storm and Ash were resting on the beds, Skyfire and Emaris looked at each other. "I will stand first watch over them," the Desanti stated to the gypsy. Both men flinched when pottery smashed against the door. Mureln's sharp tones rose over Ophilia's outraged shout, then all was quiet again.

  The large gypsy smirked and gestured in sign language. Skyfire managed a smile through his worry for Storm and Ash. "Yes, Lyra has gotten much bolder. Storm would be proud of her." Skyfire nodded to Emaris's gesture towards Ash. "Yes. I think he would be pleased, too."

  When the hallway was quiet again, Skyfire asked in a quiet voice, "Watch over Lyra for me. Be her strength in my place." Emaris nodded once, clasping Skyfire's arm in a brotherly gesture before leaving the room. Skyfire sat on the floor between the beds. Once alone, all the fear he suppressed bubbled to the surface. He put his hands on their shoulders. "Please survive," he whispered, agonized. "Both of you. Don't leave me alone."

  Chapter 4

  The motley group looked up as Ophilia stalked into the main room, fuming. Turning to face the two behind her, she put her hands on her hips officiously. "Just wait until Dusvet Almek finds out what you--"

  Flinging her hands outward to brush Mureln's consoling hands off her, Lyra stalked after Ophilia, looking quite ready to continue their vocal discussion more directly. Lyra's fair skin flushed deep red with her anger. "I will do more than lay my hands on you if you interfere with Storm or Skyfire again. My duty is to the Desanti first!"

  "You nearly hit me with a vase! It is forbidden to lay hands on a Guardian in conflict!" Wagging her finger at Lyra, Ophilia stated archly, "You just wait until I tell--" Her words cut off when Lyra grabbed Ophilia's shirt front, her fist cocked to pummel the other Forentan-born woman.

  Mureln hurried over to step between the pair again before they came to physical blows. "Enough! This is not helping anyone!" An atypical frown darkened his Vodani features. "What is the matter with you two?"

  Lyra pointed back to the hallway, her eyes wild with emotion. "Have you seen them?!" she demanded. "I can't lose them. I-I don't know what I'll do if they... if they don't..." When Emaris put his hand on her shoulder, Lyra abruptly turned and buried herself against him, sobbing. Awkwardly, Emaris put his arms around her, patting her back uncertainly.

  Emil's normally jovial demeanor was strained as he walked over. "C'mon, lass, let's go an' sit over here. I be sure that th' mage and Swordanzen'll be fine. Just tired, ye know? Lotta work holdin' a portal open."

  Ophilia crossed her arms, muttering under her breath. She blinked and took an involuntary step back when Mureln leveled a hard look on her. "Guardians," he stated tonelessly, "are supposed to be open minded and understanding. You," he dismissed as he turned away, "have a lot to learn, girl."

  "What?! Hey, you can't talk to me like that," Ophilia began, flushing deep crimson when Mureln simply waved her off dismissively as he rejoined Taylin.

  "Yes, he can talk to you like that," Terrence stated in a low voice, neither condemning nor sympathetic to Ophilia. "Regardless of the diffe
rent disciplines, he is still a master, and you are only a student. He has every right to take you to task." Terrence absently ran the fingers of his right hand through his hair in an unconscious gesture of nervousness. "We are all very worried about Storm and Ash. They are our friends."

  Ophilia's eyes went wide as she reflexively covered her mouth with both hands. "Great Mother of Knowledge," she whispered. "You are Illaini Magus?"

  "I am," Terrence stated. Looking towards the hall, he said, "I am also Master Ash's student." He fell silent as the others did, their eyes drawn towards Almek and Jaison as the two Guardians entered from outside. Their own discussions fell to murmurs as they watched the pair from the corners of their eyes.

  The Unsvet's expression was grave as he stood before Almek, arms crossed. "Dusvet, I can remain with your students until they have been tested. You should return to Fortress immediately. Delaying further only risks--"

  Almek leveled an implacable look on Jaison. "I'm fine. You know very well there is no risk to me to wait here. Just being in the shadow of Fortress eases my deterioration."

  Feeling the eyes of the group on them, Jaison kept his voice low, flicking a glance towards them with a frown. "Don't try to placate me, Almek. You know I can 'see' beyond the grey hair and wrinkles." The Unsvet pressed his lips together as he paused to collect himself. "It is foolish--"

  Without his typical lightheartedness, the Dusvet stated flatly, "I must remain with my students." Almek looked towards them with a reassuring smile. "They need me, despite my aggravated antiquity."

  "There is nothing that you can do for them until the Unseen have assessed them," Jaison pointed out, his voice pitched for Almek's ears alone. "You were always the one who discouraged acts of sentimentality. It is more practical that you return so you can recover!"

  The Dusvet scowled, his voice flat. "The circumstances are different this time. My presence offers them the stability of familiarity when all else is unfamiliar to them."