TBC: Chapter Three

The day stars of Elsaria sunk into the horizon, making room for the silver-white rays of the moons to highlight the land.

Gyan closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet scents of the exotic flowers from where he stood at the edge of the old familiar forest trail.

The Ceiabré Forest, which rested east of Yevani, was one of his favorite places to explore as a child. There was hardly a childhood memory he possessed that didn't include adventuring with Aderes through the forest.

Gyan's mouth set in a determined line as he thought of Aderes and his skepticism about Jalena's feelings. Maybe too much loss of love makes one guarded against the love others have to offer. He could understand Aderes's doubt based on Jalena's reserved behavior, but after their shared night of passion on the beach, Gyan knew that despite Jalena's controlled exterior there was a depth of emotion and thought that only those she was closest to would ever witness. Besides, warriors intuitively relied on the unseen. It was common knowledge that some things you just knew without really understanding how or having any evidence for. This was another reason why Gyan didn't hesitate in pursuing Jalena. He couldn't imagine being with anyone else, but more importantly, he couldn't fathom life without her. Although her presence seemed to steal his breath away, it was also true that she made him feel more alive, as if she both stole his energy and then returned more than what she took. He knew their union was meant to be.

The path narrowed beneath his feet and Gyan quickened his pace toward the Tran Ceiabré, where three consecutive waterfalls shared the same pool. The falls had become a popular place over the years for Yevani residents, including the warriors. The cascading waters were unique in that each time the two moons of Elsaria reached their fullest point, the waters would emit a blue-white glow. No one understood exactly why this happened, but many in the kingdom still clung to the belief that the fall waters possessed magical properties.

The moons of Elsaria cast their white gleam on the clearing that surrounded the falls. It was there that he saw her—her back was to him as she stood watching the water ripple across the falls' pool. The moonlight clung to Jalena's form, casting an outline of white around her and highlighting the shine in her long, black hair. Gyan stopped at the edge of the trail to watch her in silence.

I already know you are there, she said.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Just enjoying the view," he whispered.

Jalena sighed and turned into his embrace and Gyan kissed her deeply, pulling her tighter to him.

After several moments, Jalena pulled back from him and searched his eyes. "Everything okay?"

"Why? I mean…yes. It seems like I have been waiting for days to kiss you—I want to run away with you even though I know we cannot… And in between my thoughts of you, I am wondering what our next steps against Mordán will be. And then there is something that Aderes said earlier—"

"Sounds like you need to think less—"

"—and kiss more." He raised an eyebrow. "I concur."

Jalena chuckled as Gyan buried his face against her neck. The two stood for several moments in silence, listening to the rush of the falls cascading over the rocks.

"I love it here," Gyan said. "It's like I am in a dream…especially with you here."

"You remember the first time I met you here?"

"I'll never forget." Gyan pointed to the group of trees that grew at the top of the cliffs near the waterfalls. "I was asleep under that tear tree, when you crept up on me, kissed me awake, and said," the pitch of Gyan's voice raised, "Oh, Gyan, you are my dream come true'."

Jalena laughed. "I don't think it quite happened like that."

He shrugged. "That's my version."

Jalena took his hand and led him to a large boulder sitting at the edge of the falls. "Come up. It's almost time."

He obeyed. "Time for what?"

Jalena pointed to the sky. "You see how the moons are nearing their peak?"

He nodded. "I'm guessing that they like several days until they're full."

"Now you see where the moons have cast a light over the clearing?"

Gyan's gaze followed Jalena's outstretched finger to the ground near the pool. The moonlight had almost reached the water's edge.

"Not too long from now, the light will reach the pool, and then you will see what happens to the water. It is the beginning of the Aléise a Estel."

Gyan nodded. "When the stars align."

"Yes. When the stars of the priestesses overlap the edge of the full moons. The stars will not become visible until the moons are at their peak.

"I don't even remember the time it happened last," he said.

"I was six."

He nodded. "I remember your story."

Jalena smiled. "The alignment will occur fully within a week's time, which is perfect given that you need moonfire to forge your gladaé."

"Moonfire?"

"During the Aléise, Malik casts a spell over the waters of the falls to create moonfire. It is a special type of fire that possesses magical properties. He collects it for many reasons, but it is always needed to create a master's sword. After his spell is cast, only the warriors are allowed around the falls during that time."

"What happens to the sword once it is subjected to the fire?"

"You have to wait and see."

"Tell me."

"It's better if you just experience it. I don't want to tell you."

"Are you saying I will get the best education through experience rather than words?"

Jalena raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

Gyan jumped down from the boulder, grabbed Jalena's arm, and pulled. "Then let's educate through experience."

Jalena attempted unsuccessfully to suppress her laughter as Gyan yanked her down the rest of the way onto a patch of grass.

"Now, stay still," he whispered into her ear. He lifted her arm and kissed the inside of her wrist. As Gyan traced his lips further up the inside of Jalena's arm, she looked up at the sky and gasped.

"Look Gyan, it's time." She turned onto her stomach and pointed to the Tran Ceiabré's pool. She smiled and pulled her knees up under her.

"Um…class wasn't dismissed."

"Gyan."

He smiled. "All right." He stood and extended a hand to pull Jalena to her feet.

She hurried to the water's edge. "See. Look what's happening to the water. When the Aléise peaks, it's beautiful, but this is my favorite part."

Gyan looked down to where the light reached the edge of the water. Rather than reflecting off the top of the pool, the rays seemed to dive deep into it as if someone was pouring melted silver into the water. The bright, white streams of light twirled and danced beneath the surface. Silver flecks of light bounced off the surface of the pool, making a soft popping noise.

Jalena's smile widened, the glittering light reflecting in her child-like gaze.

"Amazing," Gyan said in awe.

The water in the pool began to gently bubble. A solid stream of blue-white light formed and ran the length of the pool's edge and then up both sides of each waterfall to the top of the cliff.

"The light will spread across the falls during the week until the entire water is alight. At that time, we will have the Rite of Nysa ceremony here," Jalena said.

"The master ceremony will be held here?"

"Yes. It is private, unlike the Ceremony of Pyhron."

"So, what happens at ceremony?"

Jalena smiled. "Wait and see. If I tell you what to expect it may—"

"—interfere with the full effect of my own experience," interrupted Gyan. He pulled Jalena closer to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Like how you interfered with my experience a moment ago?"

A mischievous look suddenly appeared in his eyes as he stared at the pool. "What if I jump in now? Will I get my Lumsigne before the others?"

Jalena quickly put a hand on his arm. "Don't. You'll lose your power."

"What?" He stepped back with a look of alarm. "You're lying."

She smiled. "Yes."

Gyan grabbed her arm and pulled her hard into him. "Think you're funny, do you?"

Jalena, laughing lightly, yielded to kiss. She abruptly broke away seconds later and looked at the forest trail.

"Nán! It's already started!" A small child's voice carried through the trees. "Hurry!"

"We are coming as fast as we can, dear," the child's mother called out.

Jalena met Gyan's disappointed gaze.

"No," he protested.

"Looks like we'll have to reschedule," she whispered.

Gyan sighed. "I hate it when random strangers wander the forest at night."

Jalena smiled and took his hand. "Come on. Let's take the long way home."