The tunnel ran in an unending path forward, without a bend or break in sight. Thia shrugged her shoulders, adjusting the straps on her pack, and kept walking. I told Adam to keep going until they needed a rest. One of us will find Jinaari. We have to!
She stopped, put her back against one wall, and let her body rest. Her legs ached, and her nerves wound tight. I can’t give up. He didn’t give up on me. Once I find a door, something, I’ll turn back. Unless I find Jinaari behind it, that is. Glancing back, she realized she’d walked far enough that she could barely make out the exit. When we have time, I’m going to have to talk to Adam. There’s got to be a way for me to figure out distance and time when we’re underground!
A surge of strength flowed through her body, followed by a driving need to be out of confinement. Confused, she pulled the pack off her back and opened the flap. The scepter was on top. “You want out, don’t you?” she whispered.
Thia threaded her hand through the loop and closed it around the bottom of the shaft. Feelings flooded her; belonging, acceptance, and a rightness that she’d only felt around her friends. “Tomil was right,” she whispered. She pulled the weapon out of her pack, taking the time to look at it closely. “I may not want what you give me, but the choice isn’t mine to make.”
The bands of gold and crystal were thick, and the weight felt good in her hands. “The lore never said how you were to be used. Then again, Lolc Aon stole you before anyone could discover what your purpose was.” She looked closer at the bands. Almost all the symbols were clearly etched. The crystal band bore dragons for Nannan, the mother of the Gods. The other bands were reserved for the individual deities: a sunburst for Hauk, a closed fist for Silas, a bow for Lexi, sword and shield for Garret, scales in balance for Keroys, a branch with three leaves for Ash. The final band, the one that should hold Lolc Aon’s scorpion tail, was faded. The symbols were barely visible.
If I give in to Samil, her rebirth is guaranteed. That symbol will return. If I don’t, will Nannan create another God to replace her? Will it be someone kinder? Or will the Thahion choose one of the other Gods to follow? She attached the scepter to her belt, surprised at how light it felt, and put her pack back on. I can’t worry about what may happen. I know, now, that doing what Samil wants would destroy Avoch. I can’t let that happen.
Resolutely, she started back down the corridor.
Fifteen minutes later, she stopped. The sound of feet shuffling echoed from the path ahead of her. The light from her hands illuminated enough for her to see the sharp bend the tunnel took. Extinguishing the sparks, she took a deep breath. No sense alerting them, she thought. Flattening her body against one side, she peered around the corner.
The tunnel bent sharply one more time. Beyond that, the flickering glow of torchlight illuminated an arched doorway. The wooden door was open. Someone or something was beyond it; Thia could hear them pacing. Even steps, probably human. Something tickled her nose and she sneezed.
“Who’s there?” Jinaari’s deep voice carried through the opening.
Relief flooded through her. She turned the corner and walked through the doorway. The next room was lined with cells, three on each side. Jinaari stood, his hands grasping the bars, in the middle one on her left. “Thia?” he asked, “where’s Adam?”
“Down another tunnel, looking for you.” She ran toward his cell door.
“Keys are over there,” he said.
Twisting her head, she saw where he was pointing. A large iron ring with six keys rested on a hook driven into the wall. Quickly, she grabbed them and went back. “What happened?” she asked as she began to try keys in the lock.
“Alesso knocked me out, left me in here. I got to keep my armor, but my sword’s gone.”
“I’m surprised he could touch it,” she muttered.
“It’s not here, that’s all I know,” his voice was quiet. “How far until we rejoin the others?”
“I’m not certain. I lose track of time easily when we’re underground. We had a plan to walk so far, then go back to the area where we split up. No one besides me could see this tunnel, so I came alone.”
“No one else could see it?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she replied. “It was like the one door in Drogon’s tower, where Caelynn got hurt.” The key twisted and the tumblers moved. She pulled the door toward her, opening it enough for him to get out. “Come on,” she said, turning toward the way she’d come from. “We need to get back to the others.”
“Thia,” he said, grabbing her hand, “wait a minute.”
She turned, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”
A smile crossed his face. “Nothing, not now anyway. I spent way too much time in there, thinking.”
“About what?”
“You and me.” He sank to one knee, his hands grasping hers tight. “I can’t hide this, not anymore. Whatever I need to do, I will do it. Just say you’ll bind yourself to me. You’re a priestess. Say the words now, and I will honor them. I want the world to know about us.”
She pulled her hands from his and took a step back, stunned. “You’re not Jinaari,” she whispered.
He stared at her. “What are you talking about? It’s me! Thia,” he grabbed for her again.
She took two more steps back, her hand going to the scepter at her waist. “No, you’re not. Jinaari would never say that.” She loosened the tie, her hand catching the shaft as it came free.
His face shifted into Samil’s, a tight smile on his face that didn’t reach his orange eyes. “It would’ve made things so much easier for you if you believed it.”
“I don’t fear you, Samil. Why don’t we do this now? That way, no one else gets hurt.”
“Oh, no, Thia. I tried to give you a better way, but you rejected it. I won’t give you a second chance. Next time you see me, you’ll wish you’d taken me up on my offer.”
Her arm snapped forward, swinging the scepter at his head. It hit him hard, and she stumbled back from the impact. Samil’s eyes rolled back into his head as his body fell to the ground.
Adrenaline surged through her. Run! Her feet found the strength and she bolted for the door. Slamming it shut, she threw the bolt into the hasp before continuing back the way she came. It was Jinaari’s armor. I know it was. That had to have been the real part of the illusion. But I can’t be sure what else in that room was real.
After a few minutes, she stopped to catch her breath. The tunnel was the same, but she knew she had to slow down. He was unconscious. I don’t think I killed him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t need to be careful. Looking down, she rubbed her thumb against the shaft of the scepter. It felt right to use it instead of magic, but now he knew she had it. Does it matter? That’s just one more thing he’ll add to the list of what he wants from me. But maybe he won’t realize how deep my stores go, either.
Pushing herself forward, she slowed her pace slightly. It wasn’t a leisurely walk, but she wasn’t running anymore. Keeping her eyes on the path ahead, she made sure to listen for anyone coming up from behind her. One foot at a time, she thought. If they’re not in the cave, I go after them.
The opening came into view, and she let herself relax slightly. Resisting the urge to run forward, she kept her steps even. Voices reached her, and she paused.
“Not good enough. Keep going.” Adam said.
A man answered, but his voice was too low for Thia to make out what he said. Or who said it.
“We won’t tell you until we know you’re who you say you are,” Caelynn’s voice carried a note of challenge.
“What more do you want?” Jinaari asked, his voice tight.
Thia let out a sigh of relief and ran forward. “It’s him,” she said as she emerged into the chamber. Adam and Caelynn turned around, and she saw Jinaari sitting on a rock. His clothes were dirty and torn, but the sword rested at his hip. One dark eye was surrounded by a sickly yellow and purple bruise, the swelling reaching past his hairline.
“How do you know?” Adam asked as she rushed past him.
“Because I just knocked Samil out down that way,” she replied, pointing toward the tunnel. She brushed aside his hair, assessing the size of the bruise. “I know you don’t have the stores I do, but you could’ve healed this,” she scolded him. Pressing her fingers against his skin, she let the spell weave into his skin.
“Hey,” he winced, “that hurt. I thought you were a healer, trained to help people who are hurt.”
“And I thought you were a paladin, trained on how to avoid getting hit.” The swelling began to go away as the color faded back to his normal skin tone. “Better,” she whispered, staring at his face.
“Better.” The trust and relief in his voice sent shivers down her spine.
Adam coughed, and she stepped back. “You said you knocked Samil out?” he asked.
Thia nodded. “He was impersonating Jinaari, wearing his armor. I don’t know why, but it felt right to use this,” she gestured to the scepter that hung from her hip, “instead of magic. That fight’s still to come.”
“He’s not dead, then?”
“I don’t think I hit him that hard. And I didn’t stick around to check for a pulse.” She looked back at Jinaari. “I know it was your armor, but I didn’t think to try and strip it off of him.”
“I can get another suit. Is that what I think it is?” He pointed to her.
Thia worked the tie as she spoke. “Yeah. The Thahion found it in Lolc Aon’s lair, brought it back to the surface. For some reason, it likes me.”
Jinaari let out a low whistle. “That changes a lot of things.”
Caelynn said, “They presented it during court, after Tomil and Amara got married. The entire nobility present saw Tomil bend a knee and call Thia, ‘Her Majesty’.”
Thia threw her a dirty look. “It’s not something I want. Ever.”
“We know that, Thia,” Jinaari said, his voice quiet. “A lot happened to all of us, things we have to catch up on. Here isn’t the place, though. How are your stores, Adam?”
“Good, though I’m not sure about getting us back to Almair tonight.”
Jinaari shook his head. “We need to go to Cirrain. Can you get us there?”
Adam looked at him, puzzled. “That’s doable. I may sleep in tomorrow, but I can get us there. Where do you want me to put us?”
“The center courtyard of the manor should work. Pan’s there already, and enough of Thia’s family will recognize us that it shouldn’t be a problem. We rest, catch up in the morning. Then talk with the Baroness and Drakkus, get word to Tomil.”
“Why Cirrain?” Thia asked.
He rose. “Alesso said that my brother’s working on a forced march of the army, with the purpose of burning Cirrain to the ground before the snow gets too deep. If it falls, Almair will follow suit before spring comes.”
“We can’t let that happen,” Thia breathed.
“We won’t,” he replied. “Adam?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” the blonde man said.
Thia and the others moved closer to the warlock. Glancing over, she saw Gnat sitting dejectedly on the ground. “Gnat, come on.”
The cobalus raised his head. “Friend Thia want Gnat to come with her?”
“He’ll be stared at,” Jinaari whispered. “Staying here might be better.”
She glanced at him. “He comes if he wants to. He saved you, Adam, and Amara. We owe a debt to him for that.” Looking back at Gnat, she smiled. “Of course I want you to come with us. We’re friends, right?”
With a cackle, Gnat pulled the pack and shield onto his shoulders, scampered closer and hugged Adam’s leg. “Gnat ready!”
Thia grabbed onto Adam’s red cloak and steadied herself. The room shifted around her as he worked the spell. When it stopped, they were in the courtyard. She released her grip and swayed, though not as much as earlier.
“You’re getting used to it,” Caelynn said.
“I’d rather not,” she replied. “My muscles may ache when we’re on horseback, but this way takes too much out of Adam.” She turned her head to her left, examining the warlock’s face. He leaned on his staff, noticeably effected by the casting.
“Thia! Cousin!” Pan’s voice rang out and she looked toward it. The young man was running full speed at her. Baroness Elizabeth and another man followed quickly. Pan reached her first, throwing his arms around her. “You came! How did you know? We just told Mother this morning! You’ll officiate, right? Promise me you’ll do that!”
“Pan,” Elizabeth chastised him. “Your cousin and her friends have just arrived. And something tells me their visit isn’t solely for pleasure.” She met Thia’s gaze. “Come, bring your friends. You can all clean up, rest. When you’re ready, I’ll be at your disposal.”
Pan grabbed Thia’s hand, pulling her toward the other man. “This is Eli. He’s my fiancée. Promise me you’ll perform the rite, Cousin! I know you follow Keroys and not Ash, but that’s okay. Ash won’t care, and it’d mean so much to me!”
“Hello, Eli,” she said, ignoring Pan’s chatter. “It’s good to meet you.”
The young man blushed but didn’t reply.
“Thia,” Jinaari came up next to her. “Come on, we’re going inside. Pan, we’ve been busy for a few days. Give us time to rest, then we’ll catch up.”
“Oh, yeah. I mean, I want you to be my best man, you know.” He kept talking as they began to enter the house. “You’re my closest friend, so there’s that. And we want Caelynn playing and singing during the feast! Do you think Adam can use his staff to shoot off fireworks? Eli loves those and it’d be a great way to end the whole thing, with fireworks going off when we kiss. What do you think? Oh, and who’s that?”
Thia looked to where Pan was pointing. “That’s Gnat. He’s a friend of ours.”
“I’ve never seen a cobalus before. That’s what he is, right? A cobalus? Is he staying with one of you or does he get his own room?”
“He can stay with me,” Adam said. Thia saw Gnat relax slightly. His eyes were wide with curiosity and fear as they walked through the halls to their rooms.
“Gnat just want warm place near fire. Gnat not need a bed.”
“Gnat,” Thia looked at him, “you deserve a comfortable place to sleep. Everyone does.” She stopped at the door to her room and dropped her pack to the ground. Rummaging inside, she pulled out the key. As she stood up, she watched Adam lead everyone else down the hallway. Glancing the other way, she saw Jinaari disappear into another room.
She picked up her pack, unlocked the door, and went in. Nothing had changed in the few months since her last visit. Fresh logs waited in the fireplace, and the room was chilly. Without thinking, she used some magic to light the fire.
As the heat began to warm up the room, she put the bag on the bench. Sounds came from the bath chamber. Sighing, she began to unbutton her coat. A bath wasn’t going to hurt, and food was a must. She sat down next to her pack and tugged off her boots. Something didn’t feel right. If this is an illusion, then . . . She stood up and walked to the workbench. Tucked into one of the drawers, behind some old rags, was her necklace. The one given to her as a token of the title she inherited from her father.
Her fingers found it and a sense of relief flooded through her. It’s real. No one, including Jinaari, knew where I put this. We’re in Cirrain, together. It’s not something Samil created.
Someone knocked at the door and she turned around. “Who is it?”
“It’s Elizabeth. May I come in?”
Thia put the necklace away and closed the drawer. “Of course,” she said.
The door opened and her aunt came in. “I wanted to make sure you were all right. Pan cornered you so quickly I wasn’t able to ask how things were going.”
She smiled. “He’s like that all the time, isn’t he? I thought it was him being nervous around new people when we first met, but it doesn’t stop.”
“He only does that around those he trusts, or cares about. When the situation calls for it, he can control his impulses. Eli has a way about him that calms Pan down quite a bit. He’s still excitable, but not quite as loquacious,” she said as she sat down. “Word reached us from Almair, about what was found. Is that it?” Elizabeth gestured to the scepter.
“Oh,” Thia replied. “Yes, it is.” Looking down, she began to untie it from her belt. “Would you like to see it?”
“That’s not necessary. However, I did want to warn you. When we’re together, in view of others, I will defer to you. Until this mess with Agrana is cleared up, who rules is in question. We all talked about it, as a family and as nobility. Cirrain and the Beckenburg family stand with you. Some people, including the majority of the population of Cirrain, believe you are the rightful Queen of Avoch now. Others are more cautious, skeptical.”
“Because of who my mother was.” Thia nodded. “I expect that. Elizabeth . . . this is not what I ever thought of for myself! I didn’t ask for it, didn’t chase it! I didn’t want to be the Daughter of Keroys, and I still have days that I doubt I should bear his Mark! I don’t know how to rule an entire kingdom!” The words tumbled out of her mouth.
“That’s probably why the scepter responded to you. Any fool can rule over others. It takes someone who truly wishes only what is best for the majority of the populace, who is willing to sacrifice everything they personally hold dear to keep those they don’t know safe, to actually govern.”
“I understand. I think,” she said. “But this is only one of three symbols. Unless the other two are in the possession of someone who sees things as you do, there’s always going to be dissention. Unrest. People who will be willing to smile to my face while plotting to stab me in the back.”
“Thia, you’ve had that issue your entire life. What you’re facing isn’t any different than how you were treated at the cloister. It’s on a larger scale now, that’s all.” She took a deep breath, “What you say about the other symbols is true. Agrana has the crown; she’s not likely to give it up easily. And either you’ll have to wear it or place it on the brow of someone who will be not just loyal to you but honest. I don’t know about the shield, though.”
“Jinaari has the shield. It was given to him years ago, but he doesn’t know it’s that shield.”
“Then you have his support. With the scepter in your hand and the shield to protect you, Agrana will have a choice to make. Do what is best for Avoch, or watch her short reign end with needless bloodshed.” Elizabeth rose, and Thia followed suit. “I’ve stayed too long. I’m sure your bath is ready now, and I asked that some food be left in there for you, as well. I don’t know your friends as well as you do, niece, but the best path forward is always the honest one. Tell him what you know, give him the option to accept the role that his mother didn’t.” She smiled. “I doubt you need to worry about Jinaari abdicating his responsibility to protect you, but that choice must be his to make.” Walking past Thia, she reached out and squeezed her hand gently before leaving the room.
Thia went to the door, locking it after the Baroness left. Resting her forehead against the wood, she sighed. Her aunt was right. Jinaari needed to be told about the shield, and soon.
He’s probably taking a bath, eating. I’ll do the same, give him time, then go talk to him. Walking away from the door, the nagging worry in her mind wouldn’t leave her. We’re in Cirrain. I proved that. So why do I feel like things aren’t as they should be?
Thia shook her head, pushing aside the doubt. She went to her pack, pulled out clean clothes, and went into the bath chamber.