BDS: Chapter Twelve

"So," Kesól said with a gleam in his eye as he watched Malik enter his private chamber on the Vorclán a short time later, "tell me how you got past the hunters." He now stood, healthy once more, wearing white clothing beneath a yellow cloak. His long blue hair was braided back from his neatly trimmed, blue-bearded brown face.

"I know you are no modest warlock when it comes to skill, my friend," Malik claimed as he studied Kesól's face. "So, first tell me how you failed to escape their capture, and I shall reveal how I did."

Kesól sighed and walked to gaze out a nearby window. "Malik, I was tired of running."

"Why did you not send for me?" asked Malik in frustration.

Kesól remained silent.

"How many years have passed?" Malik continued. "I would have risked even taking on Garsaun's forces if needed. Many could have benefited from your skill—"

"I could never have left her!" Kesól said with sudden passion.

Malik's expression softened as he nodded. "It was only after I learned of your death that the high priestesses revealed to me that you were a Shanlo, conveniently leaving out that you were still alive. It has taken some time, but I have learned that there is truth in what they do not voice."

"I felt I deserved the imprisonment," said Kesól softly. "King Garsaun was right to send the hunters after me. At the time, I still could not control my desire to let Tikana roam freely."

"But, you can now?"

"Yes, I have found a way. As long as Tikana is alive, I will always feel the urge to go to her. Even now, my thoughts stray to her, pushing me—much like water seeping through cracks of a dam, constantly putting pressure on the barrier. However, while in prison, I learned to control the desire by assessing the patterns and learning mental techniques to keep the pressure at bay."

"Kesól, I do not agree that you deserved the imprisonment within the Kroslian Mountains. There are many other ways to repay inflicted harm rather than have someone of your integrity and power rot in a cell."

"How so?"

"You help another who has been bestowed the same fate as you."

"Another Shanlo—on Elsaria?"

Malik nodded. "I want you to help him learn to control it."

"Of course," Kesól replied as he approached Malik. "But only after you tell me how you escaped the hunters."

"I see your curiosity of advanced Mysteis magic still holds the same eagerness as it did in your youth." Malik smiled. "I used the Binds of Fabor."

"Your own creation?" Kesól asked.

"Somewhat. The basis of the magic was taught only to my people and I modified the spell. A star foundation is formed with the invocation of the original magic. With my adjustment, its legs bind to the captors to prevent escape. The star then solidifies into a dome cage with starlight running through its bars."

"So, the hunters are now in a cage of starlight?"

"Yes. They will remain there until King Garsaun learns of their absence through his spies. I left the key stuck to the entrance of their cave, along with a note."

"He will know you have freed me."

"He believes you to be dead. However, he is likely to learn the truth when he puts the pieces together. If he questions me about their imprisonment, I will tell him I entered the Kroslian Mountains to free you."

Kesól gave Malik an alarmed look.

"Rest easy, friend. He now knows the truth of what happened. He received a vision from the priestesses, so I am certain he will not request your imprisonment again. In fact…" Malik scratched his chin, "…he claims that he was not the one who sent the hunters."

Kesól raised his eyebrows. "Then who?"

"I am unsure. More importantly, however, I should also report that Tikana has forgiven you. She now understands the whole of what transpired."

Kesól's breath caught. He dropped into a chair sitting nearby and put his head in his hands. "Good," he whispered.

"Perhaps, friend," Malik stated softly as he put his hand on Kesól's shoulder, "it is time that you forgive yourself too."

***

Deep into the night, Tikana woke with a start and rushed to an open window within her palace chamber. She looked up into the night sky to see the Vorclán pass over, making its way back to Elsaria. Leaning against the window frame, she continued to watch the ship.

She relaxed her shoulders and dropped her hand to the window's ledge, drawing back her hand in surprise as it brushed a single blue linea flower resting in the shadows of the windowsill. A small smile fell across her lips as she lifted the flower to her nose. Her eyes trailed back to the sky.

"Thank you, Kesól," she whispered. "I knew you were alive. May your heart be at peace until we meet again."

***

Up high in his chamber of the Vorclán, Kesól smiled as the objects around the room slowly took clear form within his right eye. He blinked several times as the yellow of his iris and his pupil returned to normal. By the time Malik reentered the chamber to continue their discussion, only two small scars lingering on his upper lid and beneath his eye told of his injury.

Malik smiled in approval. "So, your forgiveness has joined hers, finally. The healing powers of the Krystalians have even surpassed that of the Mysteis in past times. It is good to see your vision restored."

Kesól gave Malik a small smile. "Self-forgiveness heals wounds in many as well as in the Krystalians—both visible and invisible. But yes, when pain is released from both sides, the effects can be miraculous."

"Indeed. However, I regret that celebration of your rescue and healing must be delayed, for I must put your memory to the test."

"What is it?"

"I wish for you to recall the times in which you apprenticed young students in the past. Did you by chance teach a star witch long ago?"

"I have taught many Mysteis that have either resided on or have traveled to Tridaun."

"And in the years after the Elsarian Wars?"

Kesól's expression turned thoughtful. "I was imprisoned then—wait, no…there was one just before."

Malik closed his eyes.

"I turned several students away after my Shanlo abilities began to unlock in full force, but she was persistent—a witch of black hair—she kept following me. She was somewhat younger than the other students, but she was mostly interested in the folklore of the Mysteis and kept asking questions about the history of her people and other races, rather than being concerned about deepening her spell knowledge as most other students are."

Malik nodded. "Did you give her the knowledge?"

"Of course—the knowledge that the Mysteis had approved for me to share anyway. I only saw her for a short time and soon after I was imprisoned. She tried to hide much of her identity in the beginning—always wore her hood low over her eyes. It was only after I told her that I had taught many Mysteis that she relaxed some, but she still preferred to stay in the shadows."

"She is my granddaughter, Akila, and was the only one other than me to survive the wars."

"You mean there are no others?" Kesól asked in surprise. "Not even in hiding or on other planets?"

"None."

Kesól dropped his gaze. "When the Mysteis on Tridaun returned home, I knew that Nemerus was dangerous. However, I did not know it had escalated as far as it did."

"How could you when you were focused on your own survival? Akila, however, is out for revenge against me for killing her father. The news of his death spread rapidly, so she must have heard of his demise somehow right after it occurred. But I must ask you, Kesól, of what materials did you lend her?"

"Only the basic scripts, some of them rare—" he broke off, his brow furrowed in thought.

"What is it?"

The response came barely above a whisper. "It was her."

"What do you mean?"

"She plotted the whole thing."

"You mean Akila?"

Kesól's gaze returned to Malik. "Yes. I was so consumed with protecting Tikana, that I never connected the sequence of events."

Malik's expression turned grave. "Tell me everything."

"She not only pressured me for the ancient texts, but she also wanted me to teach her how to translate runes…both Faborn and Alendrial."

"Alendrial?" Malik cast Kesól a sharp look.

"I gave her the texts on the Faborn but pretended to know nothing of the Alendrial runes. I did not feel as if she believed me, but she did not mention it again."

"She was too young to learn when the war broke out, so she received no training to decipher runes from the Mysteis instructors," Malik stated. "It is unusual that she even knows of the existence of the Alendrial."

"It wasn't too long after that the shadow hunters were sent after me. I left my facility unattended and never returned, although I heard rumors that someone had torn up my room as if searching for something. A short while later, I found a cove within the Emerald Caves on an island not too far from my homeland, where I remained for some time. Believing the hunters would eventually search the island, I left, which is when they caught up to me. I escaped their clutches the first time. It was then I received the injury to my eye. I returned to the cove only to find it destroyed. Malik…" his voice dropped, "everything was gone…I no longer have the book."

Seemingly impossible, Malik's white face paled. "You took it to the cove?"

"I have never parted with it in all these years. I left it behind, fearing that the shadow hunters would take it. I believed no one would find it in the cove."

"No one would have…except for a Mysteis."

Kesól nodded. "Except for a Mysteis. I fear it is the sole reason she sought me out, among the other ancient knowledge I had in my possession, including the magic within Sarlak's pool and—."

"The Magic of Seven," Malik finished quietly.

"Yes. I'm sure now that she was the one who sent the shadow hunters after me. She feared I would reveal her existence."

"Then she has the book of The Fallen."

"Do you believe she has learned to translate the Alendrial runes?"

"It's possible. Although the runes of light are known to only a few who have lived centuries, I am certain ancient scripts in the depths of temple archives still carry the knowledge of how to translate them. If she has found a way to read them and possesses the book, the warriors are in more danger than initially assumed."

"You don't believe that she has discovered the reason for the map hidden in the inner bindings of the book?"

"I am unsure as to why she would be interested in the Map of the Hidden Realms, although…" Malik's voice trailed off. His eyes carried a faraway look as his thoughts took him.

"Malik?" Kesól said after several moments.

"If Mordán is seeking out the help of the Avehkal to take over Elsaria and has traveled into Suál, he would have to possess a large bargaining chip to employ their services."

"What does this have to do with the Hidden Realms?"

"The leader of the Avehkal, Ralian, would never join Mordán in defying the Alliance unless he offered him something substantial and rare. Aeolus only allows him to reign over Rastar because of the agreement with the high priestesses. If, however, Akila has discovered the map, she would have in her possession the only thing Ralian wants."

"Which is?"

"The map to his homeland. The Avehkal were banished from Galinia to the Dark Regions of Suál long ago. There, he is allowed rule over Rastar and only under Mandopa supervision at that."

"I see. Even if Akila knows what the map is for, she still needs one of the Keys of Alendrial to open a portal to Galinia," Kesól speculated.

"Yes. Since the Mysteis elders have transitioned from this realm, none other than I and Priestess Ayuvana know of where the keys are hidden at this time."

The two spent several moments in silence.

"If ever I could rectify what has transpired, I would," Kesól finally stated, his voice heavy with emotion.

"It is not your fault, Kesól, but mine. Akila must have accessed information about you that revealed you were the warlock chosen as the inheritor of Mysteis knowledge. Had I foreseen that any of this was possible…but never mind that now. Any assistance you grant the Order—one warrior in particular—and myself in stopping Akila will be welcomed and valued. I just wish I knew the source of her knowledge and training."

"If you could obtain a sample of her blood, you could use the Enchantment of Time to see her past," Kesól offered.

"I have already tried, but she has placed a counter spell to block her timeline from me."

Kesól smiled. "But, not from me."

Malik caught Kesól's eye and a matching gleam appeared in his own.

"It could work if my power has recovered enough to enter the memories of a Mysteis."

Malik pursed his lips in thought. "Go on."

"If Akila had any of the arrogance of her father, she would not have presumed my rescue and therefore did not bother to block her memories from me. If I use her blood or even that of a family member and see into her past, I can open my thoughts to you. A sample of her father's blood would suffice, which you should have marked into your arm if I am not mistaken?"

Malik nodded.

"Your blood would likely work too, but given they are closer in the family line, it would be easier to decipher which timeline is hers if we use a sample of his."

"I have a sample of hers, actually," replied Malik. He smiled in response to Kesól's surprised expression. "Let's just say she ran into the wrong tree not too long ago. Wait here and I will retrieve the vial."

He exited the chamber and returned to the room moments later with the vial of Akila's violet-blue blood in hand.

"Are you certain, you are well enough for this?" he asked Kesól as he handed over the vial.

Kesól nodded. "However, as I sort through the visions and open my mind to you, we will only have a short amount of time before fatigue sets in and interferes with my concentration. Then, the vision will fade." He unlocked the vial and allowed a drop of Akila's blood to fall to the pad of one finger. A spark of soft yellow light appeared in the middle of his eyes and brightened in intensity as it spread fully over his gaze. Kesól smiled. "I have missed this—magic flowing freely."

Malik chuckled. "I imagine so."

Kesól brought his finger to his tongue. After several moments he nodded to Malik to indicate that he was ready. Malik's eyes lit with a silvery blue glow, and the two shared the vision of the scenes before them.

Scenes of Akila's life flashed by quickly. Kesól sped up the years until they reached the peak of the Elsarian Wars. Malik's eyes widened as he saw his own form battling Nemerus through Akila's eyes from the cave entrance. He watched with a teary stare as Akila pleaded with her mother to remain alive and then fell asleep beside her until her mother disappeared into starlight.

I must speed up the visions, Kesól said as his breath became labored. The next scenes were a series of quick flashes: Akila scared and alone moving through the tunnel; her arrival at a large silver door with strange carvings days later—exhausted and half-conscious; entering Nemerus's hideout and passing out on the floor; exploring every room of the underground home, which was packed with scripts and books belonging to the Mysteis—including the Silent Scripts; discovering a virtual assistant programmed to answer her questions; finding a small ship in an underground bunker…

That's all I can hold, Kesól stated as the visions began to fade.

"It's enough," Malik said as he pulled his energy back from Kesól's mind.

Kesól dropped into the nearest chair and inhaled deeply.

Sorrow filled Malik's gaze. "For him to have that much information stored in his hideout means that Nemerus had been planning his transformation into a Javen and his attack on Elsaria years before I even suspected."

"Akila saw you kill her father, then. It seems as if Alandria attempted to tell Akila the truth about Nemerus before she died."

Malik nodded in agreement and rubbed his forehead. "You have provided me with many missing pieces to this mystery, Kesól. I am grateful for your assistance."

"I would have done it regardless of any debt I owe you, my friend, and now I am at your disposal. So," he gestured for Malik to sit in a nearby chair, "onto the next task. Tell me the story of our Shanlo friend and what he knows so far about his role as a protector."

***