Chapter 17 - Dawn

A deep rumble built in the forest, the trees quivered and water rained down from the boughs as a shower before dawn. They all stood at the edge of a small clearing as the air shivered and quaked, the deep vibration in the ground swiftly turning to a rolling thunder that rippled out and over the trees. Four Valkyrie stood positioned in line with the dominant points of the Eld, the waylines that coaxed iron and wrought steel to its will. At the intersection of the cross, a silvered shimmer formed, growing as the four points became two; the valkyries walking the circle until they met in pairs, facing each other across the way as they stood side by side. The air between them crackled and tore within the shimmer, the transparent film becoming luminescent in its growing opacity. With a final rending tear, an incision formed, splitting and broadening until a landscape that did not belong became clear beyond the arch of the portal.

Ja’Alexa stood at the edge of the clearing, staring at it in wonder as it stabilised, “By the maker, a Twilight Gate? I did not think they…”

“You are aware of them?” Winter asked with raised brow, “In the old world we only used them sparingly, less than a handful of times.”

“We are aware, Mistress.” Ja’Alexa said quietly, her eyes reflecting the sharp light, “But, only as described by Freya from distant observation. I never have seen one. But she had only seen…”

Winter glanced at her, “It is the same as walking through an open doorway into another room as long as each side is within the bounds of twilight, be it before sunrise or after sunset.”

“Walking through a doorway?” mused a lilting voice, “To another place entirely, and not just an adjoining room?”

“Yes, nothing more, nothing less.” Winter said softly, resettling Ja’Ekavira’s unconscious form in her arms and noting the wide-eyed stare of the sleekly robed leader of the Arcana nearby, “Your name, representative of the Ke’Shasan?”

“Aerinis of Ke’Shaadis.” the woman said, looking away momentarily to meet Winter’s eyes.

“Aerinis, do you know your role?”

“I am to speak on behalf of the…” Aerinis said, her voice faltering with Ja’Alexa’s shake of the head.

“You are to listen, to respond and to discuss your people’s needs, to furnish the Steward of Meliandra with understanding as the youngest head of the Arcana.” explained Ja’Alexa, “I have faith in you.”

“It is an honour, Mistress.” Aerinis whispered.

Ja’Alexa watched her, “It is through your eyes and words that the Ke’Shasan will find understanding. What will take place will not be a negotiation, it will be an agreement of terms to resettle our people, a formality.”

“Mistress, surely the second of the order would be better suited? She has far more experience…”

Ja’Alexa shook her head, “Experience? No. You know our custom, you might be our youngest and gifted, but you were appointed to succeed the role. She is your mentor while she is still able. This will be the first demonstration of your strength as a leader of the Arcana and of the people. A challenge you must rise to.”

Aerinis stared at her, a frown slowly forming, “...of the people? Are you not…”

Ja’Alexa glanced at her, “Our time as your keepers is fast drawing to a close. We will not abandon the Ke’Shasan, but our role will change and those of their own that the people respect and trust will come to the fore as we find our place in the Eld. We are extremely fortuitous that our benefactor has a mind to offer us and you this opportunity.”

“Benefactor?” Aerinis said under her breath, glancing at Winter in fear, “I understand, Mistress. I will prove my worth.”

“Not just your own, you must rally the people to prove their worth to both the rulership and to the people who will be hosting us. It is not easy to find true allies in a world that does not know of our existence. This world is not the world we once knew.”

Winter gave a small smile, “Do not fear, Aerinis, you will have no battle to fight. Ja’Alexa will guide you.” she said, closing her eyes momentarily, “He who vouches for you should only be feared when made an enemy of. Your people are safe.”

“But what of our Empress? She is…”

Winter nodded, her smile twisting slightly, “Do not concern yourself with Ekavira. She will remain your Empress, she will be unlike the woman you have known, instead she will return as the woman she should have been. Your people will be protected.”

Aerinis frowned, at a loss for words, jumping slightly in shock as Ja’Sessh’s voice dropped upon them from behind at a quiet rumble.

“Winter, we are ready.”

“I trust you have said what needed to be said?” she asked without looking.

“Karyan has voiced his concerns and stands for the people.”

Winter turned to look at the male of the Ke’Shasan, his dark build significantly heavier than Aerinis’s and visibly more grizzled and muscular while only reaching Ja’Sessh’s shoulders. Dipping into a curt bow, he gave a quick salute before meeting her eyes. His darkened rusty brown catching the colours before dawn, the quick glint and flash of the steel bands near the end of his tail.

“Mistress.” Karyan acknowledged, “The Order of Shadows is already in preparations to ease evacuation of the De’Kaalenstaad.” he glanced at Aerinis, “Do not worry, young one. Remember, I am the strength in the shadows you can fall back on.” he growled with a wink back to her nod.

“You both are familiar?” Winter asked.

Karyan’s lip drew back into an amused baring of teeth, “I am Aerinis’s blade in the dark, her shield in the light, I am her protection as I was her predecessor's. As the heads of the Arcana and the Shadows, we are each other’s counterparts.”

Winter smiled, “You bear no blade.”

“I do not walk the path of war this morning here in the Eld, this dawn of our people. My wits are my weapons, my knowledge is my shield, my patience is my cloak.”

“Karyan…” Aerinis said softly.

Freya exchanged a look with Winter, “He is her assigned intimate partner.” she said.

“That I am, a role I take seriously and privately, this is not the place to speak of such delicate matters, Ja’Freya.” he responded unapologetically as he caught Ja’Freya’s smirk.

“This is not my first sunrise in this forest, nor is this my first conversation with one not of my kind. Once we are settled, it would be my greatest honour to converse with this man that my General speaks of.”

Winter chuckled, “You have character, Karyan.”

“And more, Lady Death.” he replied quickly, his eyes flashing, “I see you, those wings you hide. I am honoured as one who conceals himself and strikes from your shadows. I hope to be of service to the force that gives me strength.”

Winter gave a small nod in acknowledgement, “We must pass to Dagnetheln, our time before the dawn is growing short and these discussions can be had…” she stopped, her eyes on Karyan.

He dropped his hand, “Before we cross, before our words are heard by all, Lady Death… I will speak on behalf of my Mistress, Mentor and Teacher, Ja’Freya after she departs with you as the Empress’s vanguard.”

Winter chuckled softly, her lips twisting into a smirk, “Aerinis, if you hold feelings for him, you would do best to mark him or be ready to be at his side every spare moment… Karyan would be of interest to my sisters.” she said with humour, seeing the Ke’Shasan’s shocked expression.

Stepping forward she led them to the twilight gate, “Vanguard, Freya?”

“Yes, Winter.” Freya responded in an uncompromising tone.

Winter sighed, “Alexa?”

A moment of silence passed as the distance shortened, “You know what I will ask for, Frey.” Ja’Alexa asked.

Ja’Freya nodded with a sharp snick of her tongue, “I will recover it… If it remains.”

Ja’Alexa gave Winter a quick glance, “It will not be a problem. I will oversee the preparations once you leave for Escorath.”

Winter gave an affirming nod and stopped directly before the gate, looking through at the nearby entrance of Dagnetheln. The apricot blush mixing with deep lavender shades over the mountains and reflecting in the errant puddles that dotted the roadway as it crossed before them. Looking to her feet, the crisp line where the leaf-strewn soil of the forest met the crushed and compacted rock of the road as it ran between the span of the arch. Directly before the gate and standing in the middle distance was Kenda, her bronze eyes flashing as she waited.

Winter stepped under the arch, the crushed rock crunching wetly under her boot and the heady scent of moss and damp leaf-litter instantly replaced with a fresh breeze off the peaks after the passing of the storm. She ignored the quiet sounds of relief and wonder from the passage that cut many leagues down to a single step. She walked out to Kenda, noting the first flares of orange cutting through the lavender between the peaks.

Kenda’s eyes flickered between the Rakshasa and Ke’Shasan before returning to Winter, “The Steward of Meliandra and escort arrived during the night.” she said calmly as Winter reached her, “The Chancellor of Knocht will be arriving mid-morning.”

“As expected, Kenda.” Winter replied, noting Kenda’s gesture and turning.

A deep rumble shook the small pools of standing water as the twilight gate collapsed, the empty doorway becoming opaque and shimmering brightly with light before a heavy rumble of thunder rolled through the surrounds. The four valkyrie that made the gate walked from their positions to meet them.

“Freya?”

Ja’Freya looked at the four to see a distinct russet among the sea of blond and ochre. She frowned slightly as they came closer, “Talessia?”

Talessia stopped before her, a smile on her features, “It has been such a long time.” she quickly glanced at Winter, “Winter told you my name?”

“Winter and Mathilde both.”

Talessia nodded, gripping Ja’Freya’s offered hand and pulled her into a firm half-hug, “It is so good to see you once again.” she brought her face closer and whispered in Ja’Freya’s ear.

Ja’Freya’s eyes widened before straying to Winter to see her affirming nod. Ja’Alexa glanced at her with a confused expression as she caught the silent exchange.

“Freya?”

The rakshasa shook her head, “It is…Complicated.” she responded quietly.

She closed her left eye and quickly untied a sash that banded her upper arm and folded it into a makeshift blindfold. Sessh watched as she covered her eye, taking the ends from her and gently tied it off.

Ja’Alexa stared at her, “What is this?”

Ja’Freya’s teeth bared in what could be seen as a wry smile, “A precaution, for my own good. I promise we shall speak of later.”

Talessia gently touched Ja’Freya’s shoulder before following the others, glancing over her shoulder at the group momentarily. Winter’s lips pulled at the edges as she looked at the Rakshasa and the Ke’Shasan, noting the shift in pre-dawn as the orange flare grew broader and more intense.

“Kenda, you can go ahead. We shall only need a few moments.”

Kenda glanced at the sky before looking at the group, a smile reaching her eyes and gave a small nod, “I will wait at the gates.” she said, turning, her wings rustling softly as she walked.

Not a word was said and all that could be heard was the sigh of the breeze and the sounds of the Dragon Sanctum of Dagnetheln awakening in the moments before the break of dawn. The orange glow slowly grew in intensity, chasing the lavender blush across the sky until it gave way to a dull blue at the opposite horizon. The last stars dimmed and hid from the dawn as the golden blaze shone down, hitting the distant peaks and racing across the forest until its first fiery sight looked down upon them. Between the peaks of the two mountains that stood proudly above the sanctum, the glory of Auryl shone on them, warming their faces and welcoming them back to the Eld.

She turned in the silence, the darkness invading every aspect of her being. The crushing absence and emptiness within her rushing up to swallow her whole. She turned over in the nothing, unseen currents tearing at her, pulling her this way and that, dragging her down, making her fight to breathe as it constricted around her.

“We all bear your scars…”

Her eyes narrowed as the words thundered in the void. She screamed to hear no sound, her voice instantly swallowed as fury raged within her. The sharp stinging chime of a blade hitting the stone path echoed, making her clench her eyes shut.

“Farewell, Ja’Ekavira, puppet of the Host…”

What was she, except for collective memories? She reached out in the dark to find nothing, no foothold, handhold or anything that could be considered tangible.

“Puppet of the Host?” echoed a sultry voice in the dark, an almost indulgent whisper that permeated her being, “Such a mess that needs be cleaned, you used them, did you not? You used them, their bodies, their minds.”

“Calm your racing thoughts.” came the sultry whisper in her ear, or was it inside her mind, she did not know.

She struggled further, snapping her head around, trying to find the source with eyes that saw nothing in the black as it invaded her sight.

“Calm and you might be heard.” said that soft lure, dancing just out of reach.

She continued to thrash in the impenetrable black, lashing out at the claws that dragged her down to find nothing.

“Must I have the demoness silence you?” the voice mused, playing with the thought, “Or are you simply, not aware?”

She slowed her struggle, letting the current drag her where it willed as she fought the urge to fight. A frown creased her fur, it was different.

“Can you feel the absence, the calm emptiness where the Host once stood?”

Ja’Ekavira turned slowly, feeling pressure under her feet, her weight resting down and settling into her legs. The claws that dragged at her, released her and let her stand free.

“Does this emptiness reflect that lack of will, the Host’s absent command that has possessed you for so long?”

She strained her eyes, their saffron flare struggling against the darkness, “Lady of Shadows?” she quietly whispered.

A low chuckle swept around her, “So soon, after an eternity, it’s only a single breath away.”

Ja’Ekavira stepped backward.

“You can feel him, your true Master’s thread, that which connects you to him. The demoness is protecting you now. Protecting you from being overwhelmed. She is bringing you home, where you belong.”

Ja’Ekavira looked about in confusion, “H-home? But, but, h-he is…” she stopped, feeling the tears behind her eyes.

“You have only one more role to play before you can rest. Before you can stop searching the shadows for your missing pieces.” the voice calmly reassured, “One more role, kitten. Just one.”

Ja’Ekavira took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes as she swallowed a sob, “But Winter, she was…”

“Have you forgotten what Winter is?”

“B-but she…” Ja’Ekavira cried, her voice breaking as her legs folded.

“I do not care what you think she is. One more day and before the next dawn, the Host’s demands and what was done to you will be undone.” said the voice softly, “Just one more.”

Ja’Ekavira’s sobs rang out in the silence, her cries absorbed in the night.

“Wake and Winter will guide you, she will lend you her strength, she will keep you safe from harm, dear kitten. The Host’s malice is no more.”

“I won’t have to do those things anymore?” she asked hopefully, her voice small and broken.

“I know you are tired, kitten. But open your eyes and feel the warmth of dawn, free of that which pained you.” said the voice as a flood of warmth surrounded Ja’Ekavira.

“Open your eyes and look upon the Eld as the child you will never be.” whispered the voice, “Bring that wonder to me when we meet.”

Ja’Ekavira quickly wiped at her tears and turned, glancing about as the black gave way to deep reds. A dark figure moved in the growing light, the shadow of a large cat prowling on the outside of thought.

“Toth?!” she whimpered, trying her best to hold back tears.

She blinked hard and opened her eyes, quickly snapping them shut again as the glare overwhelmed her. Warmth surrounded her, the sensation of arms holding her and chill air stung at her nose. A myriad of scents assaulted her and the gentle sway and shift came to a halt. She slowly opened her eyes to a crack, squinting against the bright dawn. She immediately recognised the eyes that looked down at her, the eyes of the one that had been made to take everything from her.

“Winter…” she whispered, her voice catching in her throat.