“Adam,” Jinaari said, keeping his eyes on the darkness ahead of them, “I need more light.” The tunnel was pitch black, making it impossible to see beyond the first five feet.
“On it,” his friend said. Moments later, the gauntlet’s glow increased. “How’s that? Need me to make it brighter?”
He shook his head. “No, that should be good.” He saw farther into the tunnel now; no bends or offshoots. That would make it easier on Thia.
She leaned against him, and he knew it was only his arm that kept her from collapsing. She’d taken the last dose when they stopped the night before. The potion kept Valtikka at bay, but it had taken everything shred of strength from her as well. “Not much farther,” he whispered.
“You said that yesterday,” her voice cracked with exhaustion. How long had it been now since she’d slept? The fever raging through her body made it impossible to sleep. At least he’d been able to get her to eat something this morning, drink some water.
“Come on,” he said as he began to walk her down the tunnel. “Everything’s coming together, Thia. This is the right place. I know it is. Trust me.”
“Always.” It came out as a sigh as her head lifted off his arm.
He set a slow pace, trying not to tax her strength. We have to get her there, and it’s close. I know it is! Raising his glowing hand, he led them down the corridor.
“It’s perfect,” Caelynn said from behind them.
“What is?” Jinaari asked without turning around.
“The tunnel. It’s smooth, not a single bump or divot. Same with the floor. It’s not natural, or man-made.”
“Good.”
“Why’s that?” she asked.
Jinaari forced his voice to sound optimistic, light. “It tells me we’re on the right path. This isn’t a normal place we’re looking for.”
“And here I thought Adam and I were supposed to do the thinking,” Thia teased him. She made a sound that almost sounded like laughter before it descended into a coughing fit.
Jinaari stopped and waited for her to catch her breath. “Adam,” he said, “help Thia.”
The warlock walked up to him, his arms circling around Thia’s emaciated body, and letting Jinaari get his arm free. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said. “I want to scout ahead, make sure the path doesn’t have any rocks she can trip over.” He put a hand under Thia’s chin and raised her head. “Look at me.”
She did as he instructed; the spark hadn’t left her pale lilac eyes. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
“I’m just looking ahead. Adam and Caelynn are here. They’ll take care of you until I get back. I’ll stay within shouting range.” He stepped back, locking eyes with Adam. He was as worried about her as Jinaari was. They both were.
Turning around, he strode down the tunnel. It bent to the left, and he noticed the light coming from the opening ten feet away from him. Staying in the shadows, he saw lightning bounce off thousands of embedded crystal shards. It illuminated the chamber. A tiled floor surrounded a pool, with what appeared to be a set of steps leading down into the water. In the center, rising from the depths, was a raised stone altar. Seven marble platforms, wide enough for someone to stand on, rested on the surface of the liquid. Each one was within arm’s reach of the altar.
Relief flooded through him. They’d found it. He turned around and ran back to the others.
“It’s there,” he said as he approached. “Exactly as we were told.” He eased Thia away from Adam. “We get inside, then you take her again while Caelynn helps me get my armor off. I’ll take her out to the bier.”
“Why can’t you leave it on?” Caelynn asked.
Jinaari looked at her, “Lightning’s bouncing off crystals to illuminate the chamber. The armor will attract it, and she can’t absorb that kind of a hit.”
“I’ll be okay,” Thia said.
He shook his head. “Don’t argue. Not this time.” He adjusted his hold, making sure he had her firmly but not where he’d hurt her. She’s nothing but skin and bones now. There’s not much time left. “Ready?”
He felt her head nod slightly. Glancing at the others, he began to walk her toward the grotto.
Guiding her to the right as they entered, he stopped and waited. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
“This is going to work, Thia,” he said.
“If it doesn’t . . .” her voice trailed off.
“Don’t,” he said. “It’s going to work. Let Adam help you while I get rid of the armor.” Jinaari waited until his friend had wrapped a supporting arm around her. Sliding his pack off his back, he let it drop to the ground. Caelynn began to unbuckle the shoulder pieces. “I’m not worried about it being banged up,” he said as he tossed a gauntlet to one side. “Just get it off of me as fast as you can.”
As he started to unbuckle one of his elbow guards, he glanced over at Adam and Thia. She seemed to have shrunk since they got into the mountain. Her blonde hair, damp with sweat from the fever, no longer curled. Instead, it hung in dark strands that reminded him how sick she’d become.
“What about your sword?” Caelynn asked.
“It stays.” He looked toward the lake. If something was out there, ready to attack, he needed to have it. Or if he couldn’t convince them to help her. They’re going to do this! I have to make them understand!
“Thia!” Adam said, concern in his voice.
Jinaari looked their way. She’d slumped to the ground and Adam was trying to help her up. The last piece of armor came loose and he dashed over. “What happened?” he asked as he knelt in front of her. Her chest still rose, but it was shallow.
“She collapsed, slid right out of my arms.”
“Thia?”
Her head moved, but her eyes stayed closed.
Reaching out, he put his arms under her back and legs, picking her up as he stood. He stared at Adam. “Stay with Caelynn,” he instructed as he walked toward the pool.
He got to the first step and looked into the water. It was crystal clear. The lightning reflected off the iridescent white tile at the bottom, making it impossible to know how deep it was. Methodically, he stepped down into the pool. The water came halfway up his thighs; rushing over the tops of his boots. The ends of Thia’s hair dragged across the surface. He shifted his arm, drawing her head to him until it rested against his chest. “Hang on,” he whispered. “We’re almost there.”
“And then what?” she murmured.
“And then you get cured and I can get a pair of dry socks on.” Glancing down, he saw a small smile form on her lips.
The altar’s surface was even with his waist. Carefully, he lowered her onto the stone. For a moment, her eyes opened. The pale lilac orbs were filled with an intense pain that tore at his heart. “Don’t forget your promise. Make it fast,” she whispered.
“Only if there’s no other option, Thia.”
He pulled his arms out from under her. One of her hands grabbed his. “Don’t leave me,” she said.
“Not a chance.”
The lightning began to shift, drawing his gaze. It formed into a single ball of light before branching out into six thick bolts. Each one leading to one of the seven marble disks resting on the surface. The light became blinding, and he leaned over Thia’s body, shielding her.
“Why are you here, Althir?” six voices said in unison.
He straightened up, looking down at Thia first. Her face was flushed from the fever, and her breathing fast and shallow. She was running out of time. Raising his head, he looked around.
On six of the seven pillars that arched around the altar stood the Gods. To his left, Garret stood. Keroys was on his right. In the center stood Hauk. Ash, Silas, and Lexi were also present. A lone pillar, between Lexi and Hauk, was empty.
“She’s dying, Keroys. Your Daughter needs your aid, and that of your brothers and sister, to continue her work—your work—in Avoch.” He pointed to the scepter that hung on Thia’s belt. “Lolc Aon not only stole the scepter but imprisoned the soul of her Daughter within it. Thia cannot continue to do what you need her to until you get rid of Valtikka, make her whole again.”
Hauk raised a hand. “For what reason, Althir, would you have us do this?”
“The scepter is a symbol of power in Avoch. None of us would have any others who follow in her footsteps be subjected to this tainted soul as well.”
Silas shook his head. “For what reason, Althir, would you have us do this?”
Jinaari turned to him. “Because Avoch needs her in order to help the Thahion rejoin the surface world.”
“You aren’t listening to my brothers, Althir.” Lexi said. “Thia is special, yes. Keroys put his Mark on her. But that is not what we have asked you.”
Ash coughed. “I know I’m the youngest here, but we are dealing with your paladin, Garret. Maybe you should explain things to him.”
Jinaari faced his God. “She has done so much for Avoch already, why should that not continue?”
“I agree, Althir.” Jinaari’s head swiveled over to Keroys. “She has done much, more than I anticipated. It’s led her to the Path that Nannan first saw for her. We will rid her of the other so she can embrace that destiny.”
“What do you mean?” Jinaari asked. “What destiny?”
The heads of all six Gods looked at the empty pillar. “With Lolc Aon dead, Nannan would raise her up and join us. In this way, the Thahion would have a Goddess to look up to again, teach them that there’s a better life than what they’ve known for generations.”
Jinaari looked down at Thia. Raise her up? His chest tightened as what they were suggesting hit home. “Does she have a choice?”
“Does it matter?” Garret snapped. “She’ll be a Goddess!”
“Yes, it does,” he replied, looking at his God. “She’s taken on every burden thrown at her. Without question or hesitation. But she is still her own person. She’s not a pawn! She has a soul, one that is needed in the world. Heal her, let her decide for a damn change, instead of constantly moving the bar!” Anger rose in him, and he turned to Keroys. “You never asked her if she wanted to bear your Mark and put conditions on her to unlock her power. She did those because that’s what was right. She’s questioned herself a hundred times but relied on your faith in her in order to move forward. And now, instead of letting her have a life with people that care about her, you want to move that bar again? She’s still not comfortable with the role she has, the way people see her, and you want to make that even worse? She’s able to help the Thahion now, in life, far more than she could being worshipped by them! Right now, she’s one of them. Something they can aspire to. Make her a Goddess and it’ll kill her! If you love her at all, respect what she’s done, understand that stubborn nature in her, you’d at least give her a choice instead of forcing it on her!”
“Althir!” Garret said, his voice commanding his attention. “I told you before, you cannot serve two masters. I ask you now; for what reason would you have us do this? What hold does she have over you that makes you throw away all the training I’ve given you? Would you surrender your sword in exchange for her soul?”
Jinaari kept his eyes locked with Garret’s as his hands went to his belt. Deliberately, he unbuckled it and pulled it off his waist. Throwing it aside, the sound of the weapon hitting the tile floor echoed in the tense silence. “My sword was yours, yes. But she holds my soul in hers. I cannot wield it with honor if I won’t fight for someone I love.”
The room filled with light, and Jinaari threw up his arms to shield his eyes. When it faded, the pool was gone. Blinking, he looked around. They were in the common area of their home in The Green Frog. His armor, shield, sword, and all the packs were in a pile near the door to his room.
The Gods, and Thia, were gone.
Jinaari looked at Adam. He had wrapped Caelynn up in his arms; the woman’s shoulder’s shook with grief. Walking over to Thia’s door, he twisted the knob and opened it.
The room was empty. On the far wall, the illusionary sea washed onto the beach with small waves.
He turned around, not bothering to close the door behind him, and went toward his room.
“Is she there?” Caelynn stared at him, tears streaming down her face. “Please tell me she’s there! They can’t take my sister from me!”
Jinaari paused but didn’t turn around. “I don’t know where she is,” he said, his voice quiet. “Or what she’s going to be when we see her again. If we ever do.”
“We have to go back!” Caelynn cried, running over to him. “We can’t leave her there, Jinaari. She belongs here, with us.”
Looking past her, Jinaari met his brother’s eyes. The blue ones were filled with unshed tears. Adam pulled the bard away. “Come on,” he whispered, “we’ll figure something out. Right now, we all need some sleep.”
Walking into his room, Jinaari slammed the door behind him. Closing his eyes, he let the pain wash over him. They took her, he thought, with the idea that she’d become like they are. Join them. She’ll be alive, in a way.
But not the way she wants to be. Or I need her to be.
Crossing to the other side, his hand hit the worn patch on the wall. A panel slid aside, and he walked into the hidden room. The punching bag hung from the ceiling; designed by Adam to never fall apart, no matter how many rage-filled hits it took.
In his mind, he could see the last memory he had of Thia; lying on the bier, barely alive. She’d asked him to stay there, and he promised he would.
I broke my word.
His fist went flying, driving into the side of the bag. Followed quickly by the other one. Forcing his mind to go blank, he focused only on the sand-filled canvas dummy in front of him. Each punch was filled with rage, pain, and a sense of hopelessness he’d never admit to anyone else. Ignoring the blood that broke through the skin, he kept hitting it until, exhausted, he slumped against the wall.
He closed his eyes; his breath coming out in gasps as his lungs fought to regain normal function. Tears mingled with the sweat running down his face. It doesn’t matter.
“Are you done?”
Jinaari didn’t turn toward the voice. “I failed, Adam. I promised her I’d keep her safe and I didn’t.”
“She’s with the Gods, brother. How could that not be safe? Keroys said they’d take care of her guest. Wasn’t that the goal of taking her to the grotto?”
Shaking his head, he said, “What they’ll do to her… that’s not who she is, not who she should be. They didn’t even give her a choice. And now,” he paused, “I’ve lost her. Everything I did to help keep her safe was for nothing.”
“So, we rest and get her back.”
He opened his eyes, staring at the warlock. “How? That grotto’s too far for you to transport in a single trip. By the time we can get back, she won’t want us there. She’ll be too busy with the Thahion, setting up her church or whatever she wants to call it, to bother with us.”
“I don’t believe that. Caelynn doesn’t believe that. And I don’t think you do, either.” Adam leaned against the doorframe. “You need to sleep. I’ve already got Caelynn in bed. Tomorrow, when our heads are clear, we’ll figure this out. We may not love her like you do, my brother, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love her as well.”
Jinaari pushed himself up, grimacing in pain. Glancing down, he saw the bruised and bloodied knuckles of his hands. They’re as beaten and battered as my heart.
“It’s a wonder you didn’t break anything,” Adam said. “I’m going to heal those before you get in your bed.”
“Don’t bother,” Jinaari grunted as he walked toward the warlock. “Either they stay this way, or she heals them.” Brushing past Adam, he went to his bed and sat. Pulling off his boots, he threw them into a corner. He stared at his hands, knowing his friend watched him. “The last time she was alone with a Goddess, we almost lost her. I’m scared we won’t get her back a second time.” The words came out as a whisper.
“The first time was Lolc Aon, drugs and who knows what else was involved, and Thia was completely unprepared. This time is different. We’ll get her back, or at least have her tell us she wants to be there.”
Looking up, Jinaari stared at Adam. “How?”
“That’s what we need to figure out. Get some sleep. You can’t rescue her if you’re falling over from exhaustion.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Laying down, he stared at the meager light from the fireplace as it created shadows that danced on the ceiling. Adam’s right. You’re stronger now, stronger than any of us. Hold on, Thia. Be true to who you are. Force them to let you have a voice in this.