The sunlight broke into little rays of light as it passed through the ivy that grew on the garden wall. The garden itself was a collection of roses and shrubs planted in decorative rows and divided by moss-covered brick walkways.
She sat comfortably at a small wooden table in the middle of the garden. From here, she admired the view and took in the scent of the flowers on the gentle breeze. It wasn't often she made a social call, but the message said he would only speak to her. Her people watched his estate for a few days and she knew he came into the garden for tea every morning. She tossed her dark hair and drummed her fingers on the table as she waited for Duke Canterlor.
The duke wandered out moments latter oblivious to her presence. She smiled at his lack of concern as he walked blindly into the spiders web. He was dressed in a lavish purple and red robe, trimed with gold and tied at the waist. He yawned and looked up before coming to a sudden stop.
There was a long silence as he stared at her. She loved this part of meeting noble men. She wasn’t a vain woman but she knew they found her attractive. Her long black hair over her soft golden skin, and her mysterious almond shaped eyes, shadowed with a purple hue. She wore a lip paint a rich deep red that rivaled the darkest of the roses in the garden. She smiled again as her fingers continued to drum on the table.
“Who are you?” he asked while looking about for his guards.
“Your men won't be attending our meeting,” she said. “I prefer to talk to you alone and unobserved.”
His face went white as he understood who she was.
“You're her?” he stammered. “You’re Zhadain?”
She only nodded in reply.
He looked around again for his guards and she grew irritated.
“Your message said you had something of interest to me, some information?” she said in a sultry voice as she continued to drum her nails on the table. “I would like to know what you think was worth demanding my appearance.”
She watched as his eyes traveled up and down her body, taking in her dark beauty. She knew what he was thinking even as a slight smile curled his lips. His shock was fading, and now he saw just another attractive girl.
He straightened his posture and walked boldly forward. His body language told her she was right in her assumption. He had lost his fear of her and was already thinking of what he would like to do with her. He was known as a womanizer and wasn’t accustomed to being rejected. She knew he saw her as little more than a conquest for a nights amusement.
This thought lasted only as long as it took him to pass beyond the wall of rose bushes to see both of his guards lying in pools of blood.
“You didn't have to kill them!” he said, trying to keep his composure.
“You demanded the queen of assassins come to you. You pay the price for your ignorance!” she growled. “Now prove you're not wasting my time, or you will join them!”
The two locked eyes and he blinked.
“A day ago in the market, I encountered a woman,” he said with a tremble in his voice.
“I do hope you’re not about to tell me about a spurned lover?” Zhadain said.
The duke folded his arms, trying to appear defiant.
“She was tall as a man and had jet black hair. Her skin was as pale as snow, and her eyes were as blue as the sea.”
“And?” Zhadain asked, growing impatient.
“I attempted to gain the favor of this lovely creature, but she had a bodyguard of Priestesses from the local temple of Ulustrah. All in full armor and armed for battle.”
“I grow impatient,” she said as he seemed to be getting nowhere with his point.
“Then I will skip to the part you want to hear,” he said.
She nodded to encourage him to get on with it.
“I argued with one of the priestesses, and when words got heated, the strange woman attacked me. She has the strength of several men, and her eyes burned with blue fire. She spoke with a voice like a beast and threatened to eat me.”
Zhadain continued to drum her nails as she pondered what he said.
“A woman you say,” she said with a smile. “And protected by priestesses of Ulustrah. Do you know anything more about this woman?”
“Only this. The priestess I argued with said this woman was promised to another. The woman herself claimed to be waiting for someone named Thayle, and after the attack, I overheard one of them call her Lilly.”
Zhadain smiled at that thought of this mysterious woman being promised to someone.
“And where did this woman with eyes of fire go?” she asked.
“The priestesses ran her into the temple of Ulustrah,” he replied. “They barred the temple to the public immediately after and have been on high guard ever since.”
Zhadain nodded as she thought it over. She as sure Gersius was here in the city. He was seen boarding a barge going upriver with a man and three women. Two of them had dark hair, but only one of them was tall, and she was said to be of reddish skin, not fair. The third woman was fair-skinned and very tall. However, the source was clear that this woman had blue hair. She knew there was a connection, she just needed more time to puzzle it out, but now was not the time. Zhadain drummed her fingers as she put the thoughts away; there was a more pressing matter to deal with.
“Tell me,” she said, looking up at him and shaking out her hair. “Why did you think I needed to hear this in person? You could have told this to one of my men.”
He was silent a moment then started to sputter. “I don’t work through lackeys.”
“Is it because you think you're important?” she asked, ignoring what he said. “Is it because you hoped to see my face? Do you plan to use this as a bargaining chip?” Her fingers continued to drum.
“I don't understand what you mean?” he said, feigning a smile.
She smiled back as her fingers started to fall toward the table, but she stopped and lifted them instead. The duke fell to his knees with a groan and tried in vain to grab the crossbow bolt in his chest. His eyes looked up at her with panic as the poison did its job.
“Thank you for inviting me to tea,” she said as she got up. “I hope you found my company pleasing.”
She walked across the garden to the clump of trees where a man in black cloth and leather was hiding. He wore a small metal breastplate with a painted blood drop on his left breast.
“So the rumors are true then?” he asked.
“So it would appear,” she replied as she walked passed him.
“Who is this woman with blue eyes?”
She turned to consider him a moment. “I don’t know, but we can find this Thayle easily enough. We will ask her who the woman is. Have your men found out anything more?”
“We’ve asked all over the city. Some people saw them pass through the streets days ago. They all remember the girl with blue hair, but nobody has seen them since they went into the temple.”
“And the temple is closed to the public and under heavy guard,” she replied. “The temple must be protecting them. We will have to pay them a visit.”
“We take a big risk going into the temple,” he pointed out.
“The money they are offering for Gesius alone makes it worth it. Once we have him, he will lead us to his dragon. But we can't neglect the two new pieces on the board. This Thayle is somehow connected to this mystery. If we can lay our hands on her, we might have a way to flush him out of the temple. She should also be able to tell us who this girl with blue eyes and dark hair is. I have a suspicion we are being misled.”
“Misled, how?”
“Tell me, how do you hide a dragon?” she asked.
The man shrugged. “I don’t know how I would hide something that big.”
She nodded. “I suspect we are looking right at it and don’t recognize it.” There was a moment of silence as she pondered her thoughts.
“So where do we begin?” he asked.
“We find out who this Thayle is first. Then we plan our next move.”
“The priests of Astikar are in the city asking questions as well. If they don’t know already they will soon be eyeing the temple,” he added.
She paused to think that over. While the contract was generous, it did have the one flaw that she couldn't hinder the priests of Astikar. At least not in any way they would be able to trace back to her. She would have to wait and see what move they made first. In the meantime, she would have the temple studied, and its weaknesses found. This was a large and grand temple. There had to be more than one way into it than the front gate.
----------------------------------------
Thayle made her way to Prime Arlin’s office and found him in meditation with a silver bowl in his lap. She went to wait outside when he opened his eyes and smiled.
“Back again so soon?” he asked.
She smiled and stepped into the room. “I didn’t want to disturb your meditation.”
“I finished long ago. I was just enjoying the link with the Goddess.”
Thayle nodded. It was something she often did as well.
“So, how can I be of help to you this morning?” he asked.
“I need your help with a very important matter,” Thayle said.
“And here I thought your important matters were resolved,” he said with a smile as he set his bowl aside.
“This one is the result of solving the other one,” Thayle said. “Lilly wants to have a child for Gersius.”
“The dragon wishes the gift of a child,” Prime Arlin said looking up as if lost in thought. “She must truly love him. Of course, you already know that is not likely to happen.”
“I am aware of it. I was hoping you had an answer.”
He stood up and paced a moment in his office as he rubbed at his chin.
“I do not know of a solution off the top of my head. They are very different in their nature. I don’t think a simple blessing will do. This isn’t a simple matter of making her fertile, this is bridging the gap between beings of completely different races.”
“I know, but she’s desperate,” Thayle said. “You saw the strength of the bind in their auras.”
He nodded. “The double binding has created some form of magic between them. I have to wonder what secret the golden light between them holds.”
“I have learned something of it,” Thayle said. “Lilly can read his thoughts. She knows the desires of his heart, and he desires a child and family. It is haunting her to know she can't give him what he wants most.”
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“The bind has given her insight into his mind?” Prime Arlin asked.
“She says she can see his thoughts. She told me she saw a dream of his today. It was a nightmare, and she saw it so vividly it frightened her.”
“This is fascinating,” he said. “So, she knows what he wants, and desires to give it to him out of love.”
Thayle nodded. “And she’s certain she can’t.”
Prime Arlin rubbed his chin. “I doubt she can. We have no reference in our histories of men and dragons trying to procreate. There are plenty of reference to sprites and men producing children.”
“Lilly is far from a sprite, and they need men to procreate. It’s not the same,” Thayle said.
“Maybe, maybe not. I use it only as an example that sometimes men can breed outside their kind.”
“She is very sure it won't work,” Thayle said.
“Then, I will do what I can for her. I know of a few books that have stories of men and other creatures producing offspring. I am fairly certain the divines blessed these children, but there may be a path for us. I will also commune with Ulustrah and seek her guidance. She may give us an answer to the problem.”
“Thank you so much,” Thayle said. “You have no idea how much this will mean to Lilly.”
He smiled and looked at her closely as his face became serious. He stepped forward taking her hands to make sure he had her full attention.
“Have you considered the blessing of service?”
Thayle went pale at the suggestion. “I, I couldn't,” she stammered.
Prime Arlin smiled and held her steady, “Few can do such a blessing. It takes a great deal of courage, but when I look at you, I see more than enough.”
Thayle locked his eyes and shook her head. “It’s asking too much of me,” she said in a weak voice.
“Thayle, I know your heart, and I can see your aura. Are you going to tell me you wouldn't do anything to help them?” Prime Arlin said.
Thayle choked on her next word and took a breath. “I would do anything, but that would have to be the only option.”
Prime Arlin studied her aura with heavy brows, and Thayle felt naked to his sight.
“I see your feelings have not abated. So their binding has not altered your course?”
“My course never needed to be altered,” Thayle said, struggling to maintain a level voice. “I have dedicated my self to seeing them come to understand the love they share. I have done that. I have no regrets.”
“Your aura speaks the truth. I am grateful you can resist what you feel. Theirs is a special kind of love and could be easily damaged.”
Thayle nodded her head. “I have considered returning to my temple. My work with them is done.”
Prime Arlin smiled and released her hands. “Your place is with them.”
Thayle shook her head. “They are united fully in their love. It will be better if I helped Lilly with this one last problem, and then let them go.”
A firm hand came to her shoulder, and deep probing eyes looked into hers.
“I have spent much time in communion with Ulustrah since you arrived. She has told me that you were given this task, and you are not yet done with it.”
“She did?” Thayle asked.
Prime Arlin nodded.
“I cautioned you about what you felt because I know how difficult this path is to walk, but Ulustrah has told me that this is your path. You were called to shepherd this love. She wants you to go with them.”
“What are you trying to tell me?” Thayle asked, looking at his smiling face.
“That your heart's desire may be the right path after all,” he said with a smile.
Thayle looked at him with shocked, not understanding what he meant.
“I can see I have confused you,” he laughed. “Let me give you some advice, and then I will get to work.”
Thayle nodded her head and tried to hold firm.
“The time may come when she asks you for the blessing. I suggest you decide now if you are willing or not.”
“Thank you Prime Arlin,” Thayle said, looking away.
There was a sudden knock on the door, and they both turned to it.
“Come in,” Prime Arlin said.
It was a young priestess who looked very uncomfortable to be in the office.
“This just arrived for you,” she said, holding up a sealed letter.
Prime Arlin walked up to her and took the letter and noted the emblem pressed into the wax.
“Who delivered this?” he asked, looking the girl in the eyes.
“He called himself Markis Tulwinter,” the woman said.
Prime Arlin nodded and waved her out as he walked back with the letter.
“What is it?” Thayle asked, noting the worry in his aura.
“A letter from our allies in the city. I asked them to keep their eyes and ears out,” he said as he opened the letter. His brows deepened as he began to read.
“They know he's here,” he said quickly. “Our spies say a dozen men are working through the city asking people specifically if they have seen Gersius leave our temple.”
“Oh, no!” Thayle said.
“They say messengers have been sent with sealed notes. They suspect they are calling for aid so they can force a search of the temple,” he said as he kept reading. “An agent of an unknown guild has approached the Tulwinters and asked them specifically about Gersius and who he is traveling with. They are offering a sizable amount of money for any information. They believe they have him trapped in the temple.”
“What do we do?” Thayle asked.
Prime Arlin crumpled the letter in his hand. “We move first. Tell me as we walk, what are your friends planning?”
----------------------------------------
“Where is Gams?” Tavis said.
“Brackenwall,” Gersius replied. “He told me he was going to hide in an old house his family owned. I will write a description of it for you.”
“How did you manage to tell so many people to run and keep it a secret?” she asked him.
“I only told those I knew I could count on to keep it,” he said scowling.
“It will take some time to gather them all. They're scattered all over the common lands,” Tavis said.
“I doubt Lengwin will be able to move right away. Even if I can get him to talk to me, he will need some time to rally support,” Gersius said.
“It’s a fool's plan, but I will get it done if it’s what you want,” Ayawa stated.
“It is the only plan. We cannot hope to complete the prophecy while Calathen is a stronghold of Astikar. We now need to clear my wayward brothers from our path. There is no other way.”
“We don't have much choice, then?” Tavis said.
“Nor do you have much time,” came the voice of Prime Arlin as he walked up with Thayle.
They all turned to regard the sudden arrival of the head of Ulustrah.
“Unfortunately, our spies in the city have sent word.” He paused and looked directly at Gersius. “They know you are here. The priests of Astikar have not approached us directly, but we have received word they have sent for reinforcements. They wish to search the temple for you by force if necessary. As much as I despise what the Father Abbot has done, I do not wish an open battle with him yet. I need to allow them to search the temple. You must not be here when they do.”
“Then our time here has come to an end,” Gersius said.
“But how will we get out?” Tavis said. “They will be watching the temple. Once we leave these walls, they will waste no time in coming for us.”
Prime Arlin walked to the stone railing of the crevice and looked out into the open air.
“It would seem there are other exits to be found from our temple,” he said with a smile.
“We climb out,” Ayawa said, running to the railing to look at the walls. “The walls are steep, but I can find us a path to the top. Once we are on the upper rise, we can work our way west into the hills,” she said, still studying the walls.
Prime Arlin nodded and turned to Gersius. “I have some of the other priests preparing food and other supplies for you. They will be delivered shortly. I hope they are enough to see you safely to your destinations.”
“Thank you, Prime Arlin. You have done me a great service, and I will not forget it,” Gersius said bowing before him.
“Gersius, the light of your love for this woman has done our entire order a great service. We are blessed to have been able to witness such a powerful love,” the Prime said to Gersius. “Now go, your time grows short.”
Gersius nodded and ran off to gather his gear and hurriedly write down the instructions and locations Ayawa and Tavis would need.
Thayle saw Lilly’s eyes and could read the sadness in her aura as everybody ran off.
“Oh! Lilly must be upset were leaving. She was hoping you would help her!” Thayle said.
Prime Arlin nodded. “There is a scryer in our temple in Avashire. If I learn anything about how to help your dragon, I will have a message sent there. With any luck, it will be waiting for you when you arrive.”
Thayle reached over and hugged him.
“This is why you’re a prime!” she said as she squeezed him.
He smiled and waited for her to release him, then reached out a hand and held a small pouch out.
“Take this; you may need it in your travels.”
Thayle reached out and took the pouch. “What is it?”
“Three vials of emerald water from the green mirror itself. Blessed by the grand ceremony on the spring moon.”
Thayle looked down at the pouch. Emerald water was the most sacred of the waters of Ulustrah used only for special and specific purposes. Any blessing she worked with such water would be significantly enhanced, but she would have to be careful not to offend the Goddess using it.
“I cannot accept this!” Thayle gasped.
Prime Arlin folded his hands over hers and pushed the pouch to her waist.
“You were meant to have it. Remember I have spent much time in meditation about you. I know this is what Ulustrah wants.”
Thayle nodded her head in shock.
He smiled at her and walked away. As he reached the door he turned and spoke one final time. “When you are faced with the choice, don't hesitate, tell him what he wants to know.”
Thayle only nodded again as he vanished into the hall beyond.
Ayawa went into her room and quickly dressed into her armor and gathered her gear. Tavis was back out in his usual gray clothing, Gersius put on his new green plate over silver mail with the helm thrown in his pack. Lilly changed into her green and brown traveling dress but stuffed the green, blue dress, and white robe into her bag.
Priests of the order arrived with neatly wrapped packages of dried fruits and salted meats. They also brought lengths of rope to help make the climb out easier.
Thayle put on her armor nearly matching Gersius accept for the curves of her plate to fit her form. She too left her helmet off and shouldered a pack with her small wooden shield strapped over it. When she left her room, the others were already gathered at the railing.
Ayawa carefully climbed over the railing near the end of the hall and with a rope fastened around her waist. Cautiously she started to pick a path up the wall.
“She is very brave,” Lilly said as she watched the woman climb with ease and grace.
“She is very light,” Tavis said with a smile. “I made her lighter so she could climb more easily.”
“A good idea,” Gersius said.
“I will make you all lighter, so you don't have to climb while fighting the weight of heavy armor,” Tavis said.
They watched until Ayawa finally climbed over a ledge some fifty feet above the railing.
“Give her a minute to tie that off someplace and then we should be safe to start climbing out,” he said.
There was a sudden tug on the rope, and he handed his end to Gersius.
“One moment please,” he said and started to weave. With a touch, Gersius was suddenly lighter.
Gersius took a second length of rope and tied it around Lilly, Thayle, and himself.
“Tavis will make you both lighter, then I will go first and pull you up with me,” he said to the two women.
“Alright,” was all Lilly said, but Thayle looked like she was going to faint.
“Priestess, are you ok?” Gersius asked her.
“I am fine, Gersius. I get dizzy sometimes, and my eyes are, well it's not important,” she said.
Tavis touched them one by one, making them lighter. When they were ready, Gersius climbed out and started up the rope.
Lilly followed behind and pulled herself up without needing him to carry her, but Thayle struggled to get out of the ledge until they both dragged her up behind them.
The trip took only a few minutes before they arrived on a ledge with Ayawa.
“This ledge goes north to one of the steep rock faces. We should be able to move along it until we are out of the city and into the western hills,” she said.
“Good, from there you and Tavis will head out and start collecting the others. You know where to meet me,” Gersius said.
“You are still going to try and cross the mountain?” Ayawa asked.
“We have no choice. I have to get to Avashire as quickly as I can,” Gersius said as Tavis climbed up.
“Pull the ropes up, Tavis. We can't leave any trace that we were here,” Ayawa told him.
He quickly pulled up the rope, and they all headed out along the ledge until it reached a steep but passable mountainside. From here they picked their way through the lower rocks and crags of the range until they were well outside the city. Gersius kept the rope tied around Lilly and Thayle to make sure nobody slipped, but they all managed to cross the steep grade with little trouble.
“With any luck, they won’t know we left until we are days gone,” Ayawa said as they reached a flat rocky slope dotted with sparse fir trees.
“The weaves are going to fade soon. We need to be down from the mountain before they do,” Tavis pointed out.
“Lilly, Thayle and I are going over it, remember?” Gersius reminded.
Tavis shook his head and tipped his hat. “You always were a stubborn one,” he said with a smile.
“Even if you have good weather, it will take you over a week to cross those mountains to get to Avashire,” Ayawa said.
“That is why we are going that way. It will take over a month to go around them,” Gersius said sternly.
Ayawa had faith that Gersius would stubbornly push ahead no matter what the challenge but her gaze suddenly fell on Thayle.
“Send the priestess with us. She can rejoin you when you meet us with Lengwin,” Ayawa said.
“No!” Lilly interjected. “Thayle comes with me.”
Ayawa looked at Lilly and saw the face of determination.
“Let the priestess decide then,” Ayawa said.
Thayle looked at Lilly and saw the need in her eyes. She remembered that Prime Arlin told her she wasn't done helping Gersius and Lilly. She knew what she had to do. It was what she wanted to do anyway.
“I will go with Lilly and Gersius,” Thayle said.
Ayawa gave her a very stern look. “So be it,” she said. “Good luck, Gersius. I hope you don't keep us waiting.”