Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 391
September 17, 2015
September 16, 2015
The King's Challenge #48
TKC 48
We cover three times the distance with the horse and by nightfall reach the ruined inn many travellers halt at after leaving the hinterland.
The ruin has a roof, which shelters us from the incessant rain. While the wind howls through broken panes and the gaping door, we are warmer and drier than in many days. The horse joins us inside, snuffling contentedly at grass Damin gathers. He is less wild now, as if proximity to people has given him hope.
Our fire is bright.
“You father was a Delver too?” I ask after we have eaten.
Damin nods. “He taught me and from him I heard of other talents also, including yours.”
“Damin, does this mean my mother was talented also?”
“Your grandmother was a Sage, apparently. I believe your mother knows the lore, but did not receive a gift.” He gazes at me in the flickering light. “It is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Not now, I agree,” I murmur. “The society we grew up with changes.” I take a breath. “You were not surprised when Emily called me an Elemental.”
Damin is unblinking. “You may have all four facets. We do not need a Rainmaker now, but we may in the future. As for Sage? Have you not ‘seen’ what is coming?”
I look away. I have, yes, but I thought it instinct based on logic. “Why does this happen to me now? You discovered your gift years ago.”
“Need, Lyra. It comes forth when the need arises.”
I look at him. “What need caused you to hear me singing at the river?”
Damin grins. “I was moon eyes in love with you. I needed to know how to talk to you.”
I roll my eyes and start laughing. “I had such a crush on you too!”
We cover three times the distance with the horse and by nightfall reach the ruined inn many travellers halt at after leaving the hinterland.
The ruin has a roof, which shelters us from the incessant rain. While the wind howls through broken panes and the gaping door, we are warmer and drier than in many days. The horse joins us inside, snuffling contentedly at grass Damin gathers. He is less wild now, as if proximity to people has given him hope.
Our fire is bright.
“You father was a Delver too?” I ask after we have eaten.
Damin nods. “He taught me and from him I heard of other talents also, including yours.”
“Damin, does this mean my mother was talented also?”
“Your grandmother was a Sage, apparently. I believe your mother knows the lore, but did not receive a gift.” He gazes at me in the flickering light. “It is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Not now, I agree,” I murmur. “The society we grew up with changes.” I take a breath. “You were not surprised when Emily called me an Elemental.”
Damin is unblinking. “You may have all four facets. We do not need a Rainmaker now, but we may in the future. As for Sage? Have you not ‘seen’ what is coming?”
I look away. I have, yes, but I thought it instinct based on logic. “Why does this happen to me now? You discovered your gift years ago.”
“Need, Lyra. It comes forth when the need arises.”
I look at him. “What need caused you to hear me singing at the river?”
Damin grins. “I was moon eyes in love with you. I needed to know how to talk to you.”
I roll my eyes and start laughing. “I had such a crush on you too!”
September 15, 2015
The King's Challenge #47
TKC 47
We leave it behind. Normur and its problems are now no longer ours. Folk there must make their own choices. After stocking up on trail food in the near deserted city, Damin and I take to the eastern road.
It is many days to Grenmassin.
“Alyssa promised to catch up to Attis,” Damin says as the city grows ever smaller behind us.
Soon the rain will hide all signs of civilisation anyway. Never have I been wet this long; even my cloak is drenched. I concentrate on putting one mud encrusted boot before the other.
By nightfall the mud plain surrenders to the first trees of the hinterland. We do not talk as we attempt to reach them, for trees mean cover from the rain and also prying eyes. As we close in, the wind starts to whistle. Never have I been this cold.
We sleep fitfully, huddled under a tree with spreading branches, and we go onward with the first light of day. Movement means warmth … and purpose. Chewing on an apple each, we take to the road without words.
Around midday a horse nickers amid the trees left of the path. We come to a halt. A horse usually means people. Dangerous as it is to confront strangers, anyone on this road should be pointed south towards the fort. A horse alone, however, means swifter transport.
Damin flicks hand signals we learned as kids. I nod and swiftly fall back to hunker behind a broad trunk. He divests himself of his pack and runs stealthily towards the sound.
A mighty thrashing in the undergrowth sees me abandon my post moments later. I run, my heart in my throat.
Grinning, Damin exits the treeline … seated on a horse. “He’s a bit wild!” he shouts. “But he is alone!”
I clap my hands in delight.
We leave it behind. Normur and its problems are now no longer ours. Folk there must make their own choices. After stocking up on trail food in the near deserted city, Damin and I take to the eastern road.
It is many days to Grenmassin.
“Alyssa promised to catch up to Attis,” Damin says as the city grows ever smaller behind us.
Soon the rain will hide all signs of civilisation anyway. Never have I been wet this long; even my cloak is drenched. I concentrate on putting one mud encrusted boot before the other.
By nightfall the mud plain surrenders to the first trees of the hinterland. We do not talk as we attempt to reach them, for trees mean cover from the rain and also prying eyes. As we close in, the wind starts to whistle. Never have I been this cold.
We sleep fitfully, huddled under a tree with spreading branches, and we go onward with the first light of day. Movement means warmth … and purpose. Chewing on an apple each, we take to the road without words.
Around midday a horse nickers amid the trees left of the path. We come to a halt. A horse usually means people. Dangerous as it is to confront strangers, anyone on this road should be pointed south towards the fort. A horse alone, however, means swifter transport.
Damin flicks hand signals we learned as kids. I nod and swiftly fall back to hunker behind a broad trunk. He divests himself of his pack and runs stealthily towards the sound.
A mighty thrashing in the undergrowth sees me abandon my post moments later. I run, my heart in my throat.
Grinning, Damin exits the treeline … seated on a horse. “He’s a bit wild!” he shouts. “But he is alone!”
I clap my hands in delight.
September 14, 2015
The King's Challenge #46
TKC 46
In the aftermath of that revelation, I walk away, needing privacy for equilibrium. I hear Alyssa and Emily question Damin exhaustively and his voice in answer, but what they say is akin to another language. My mind is in turmoil.
A Healer andElemental? These are terms Damin mentioned, but I have no idea what they mean. Damin needs to talk to me, soon, about what he knows.
I sit on a boulder. Rain sluices over me, but I feel nothing. My body is no longer relevant.
How long later, I do not know, but time passes before Damin hunkers before me.
“The sisters will speak to their kind. Hopefully all will follow, but the two of them have committed to the walk south. Lyra?”
“I am returning to Grenmassin,” I tell him, staring at my hands.
Damin is silent so long I am eventually forced to look at him. He is watching me, frowning. I have the clearest impression he debates with himself.
“What is it?”
“If we go back, Lyra, we will not make the deadline. Truthfully, it’s already too late for Grenmassin.”
A shiver passes over me, for I hear only truth. I refuse to surrender family and friends to that fate, however. “I am going back. For Horin, for Siri, for my mother. If it means I die with them, so be it.”
He stares at me. “What about us, Lyra? You and me? I have told you I love you, but never have you said those words to me. Do I not count, is that it?”
My eyes close. By the stars. I do love him. “I made a vow, Damin.” Opening my eyes, I kneel before him and kiss him. “I love you, but I will not break my word.”
His arms enclose me. “Then we live or die together.”
In the aftermath of that revelation, I walk away, needing privacy for equilibrium. I hear Alyssa and Emily question Damin exhaustively and his voice in answer, but what they say is akin to another language. My mind is in turmoil.
A Healer andElemental? These are terms Damin mentioned, but I have no idea what they mean. Damin needs to talk to me, soon, about what he knows.
I sit on a boulder. Rain sluices over me, but I feel nothing. My body is no longer relevant.
How long later, I do not know, but time passes before Damin hunkers before me.
“The sisters will speak to their kind. Hopefully all will follow, but the two of them have committed to the walk south. Lyra?”
“I am returning to Grenmassin,” I tell him, staring at my hands.
Damin is silent so long I am eventually forced to look at him. He is watching me, frowning. I have the clearest impression he debates with himself.
“What is it?”
“If we go back, Lyra, we will not make the deadline. Truthfully, it’s already too late for Grenmassin.”
A shiver passes over me, for I hear only truth. I refuse to surrender family and friends to that fate, however. “I am going back. For Horin, for Siri, for my mother. If it means I die with them, so be it.”
He stares at me. “What about us, Lyra? You and me? I have told you I love you, but never have you said those words to me. Do I not count, is that it?”
My eyes close. By the stars. I do love him. “I made a vow, Damin.” Opening my eyes, I kneel before him and kiss him. “I love you, but I will not break my word.”
His arms enclose me. “Then we live or die together.”
September 13, 2015
The King's Challenge #45
TKC 45
Talk is strained, largely because Damin does not know how to behave. He maintains and expressionless attitude and speaks without inflection, even when revealing to Alyssa what the situation is. When he speaks of the danger heading our way from the heavens, his tone is so neutral even I do not believe him. Alyssa eyes him doubtfully, as does her sister Emily, and I cannot help myself. I burst out laughing.
“Lyra, you are not helping!” Damin rounds on me. It is the first real emotion he has shown since we met Alyssa.
Shaking my head, I say, “You convince no one with your deadpan face. Speak from your heart, Damin.”
He glares at me. “My heart? Really? My heart says stuff all this and get a move on south. Those who want to come, do so, and those who do not are wasting my time. This is a fine margin, Lyra. We need to make choices.”
I glare right back, arms akimbo. “I feel the urgency, as you do, but I am going back to Grenmassin to get folk moving.” I look up at the heavens and point emphatically. “I wish the clouds would vanish! If they could see it, maybe we will not need to …”
Light suddenly surrounds me. I am still looking up and I see the dark clouds part as if commanded. A circle of blue forms overhead and sunlight pours through.
The sight paralyses me. It is not only the light, but the fact that something out there seems to have heard me. I stare up, my jaw slack.
Darkness returns seconds later. The blue hole vanishes and I feel abandoned by the fates. When I lower my head, Damin is smiling.
Alyssa whispers, “It shone on you alone. Who are you?”
“An Elemental,” Emily breathes.
Talk is strained, largely because Damin does not know how to behave. He maintains and expressionless attitude and speaks without inflection, even when revealing to Alyssa what the situation is. When he speaks of the danger heading our way from the heavens, his tone is so neutral even I do not believe him. Alyssa eyes him doubtfully, as does her sister Emily, and I cannot help myself. I burst out laughing.
“Lyra, you are not helping!” Damin rounds on me. It is the first real emotion he has shown since we met Alyssa.
Shaking my head, I say, “You convince no one with your deadpan face. Speak from your heart, Damin.”
He glares at me. “My heart? Really? My heart says stuff all this and get a move on south. Those who want to come, do so, and those who do not are wasting my time. This is a fine margin, Lyra. We need to make choices.”
I glare right back, arms akimbo. “I feel the urgency, as you do, but I am going back to Grenmassin to get folk moving.” I look up at the heavens and point emphatically. “I wish the clouds would vanish! If they could see it, maybe we will not need to …”
Light suddenly surrounds me. I am still looking up and I see the dark clouds part as if commanded. A circle of blue forms overhead and sunlight pours through.
The sight paralyses me. It is not only the light, but the fact that something out there seems to have heard me. I stare up, my jaw slack.
Darkness returns seconds later. The blue hole vanishes and I feel abandoned by the fates. When I lower my head, Damin is smiling.
Alyssa whispers, “It shone on you alone. Who are you?”
“An Elemental,” Emily breathes.
September 12, 2015
The King's Challenge #44
TKC 44
Steam billows out from the earth, but the strike harms no one. In the aftermath, Damin mutters, “They are like children. Too trusting, and woefully unprepared.”
He refers to the knot of highborn. I see what he means. The others are not surprised by nature’s power, but they squeal as if confronted by a demon of the underworld.
“We have to talk to them,” I murmur. “Everyone deserves a chance.”
Damin glances at me. “Alyssa is there.”
I have not looked too closely, for I suspected as much. Now I do look. The rain has flattened all features, and mud has spattered personality into submission. I cannot tell who Alyssa is. Perhaps that is best, for I will maintain neutrality until the moment of meeting.
“Maybe she will listen long enough to help the others,” I say.
Damin smiles. “Thank you, Lyra.”
“Just lead the way.” I scowl.
He does and, as we approach, two women break from the bedraggled clutch. We meet and I immediately know Alyssa. Firstly she stares at Damin in a manner most familiar and, secondly, she is much like me in appearance. Her hair is dark like mine and her eyes are green, both of them.
“Damin,” she says, “what is happening?”
Well, it is obvious what is happening, but no matter. I bite my tongue.
“Hello, Alyssa. The city is unsafe and it will remain thus. We are heading south to a warmer, safer place. You are welcome to join us, all of you.” Damin is expressionless. “This is Lyra.”
Her gaze moves to me and she smiles. “You are even lovelier than Damin revealed. Hello.”
Well, how does one react to sincerity? With sincerity. “Damin only told me about you recently. I admit, I did not want to meet you, but now I am glad I have.”
Steam billows out from the earth, but the strike harms no one. In the aftermath, Damin mutters, “They are like children. Too trusting, and woefully unprepared.”
He refers to the knot of highborn. I see what he means. The others are not surprised by nature’s power, but they squeal as if confronted by a demon of the underworld.
“We have to talk to them,” I murmur. “Everyone deserves a chance.”
Damin glances at me. “Alyssa is there.”
I have not looked too closely, for I suspected as much. Now I do look. The rain has flattened all features, and mud has spattered personality into submission. I cannot tell who Alyssa is. Perhaps that is best, for I will maintain neutrality until the moment of meeting.
“Maybe she will listen long enough to help the others,” I say.
Damin smiles. “Thank you, Lyra.”
“Just lead the way.” I scowl.
He does and, as we approach, two women break from the bedraggled clutch. We meet and I immediately know Alyssa. Firstly she stares at Damin in a manner most familiar and, secondly, she is much like me in appearance. Her hair is dark like mine and her eyes are green, both of them.
“Damin,” she says, “what is happening?”
Well, it is obvious what is happening, but no matter. I bite my tongue.
“Hello, Alyssa. The city is unsafe and it will remain thus. We are heading south to a warmer, safer place. You are welcome to join us, all of you.” Damin is expressionless. “This is Lyra.”
Her gaze moves to me and she smiles. “You are even lovelier than Damin revealed. Hello.”
Well, how does one react to sincerity? With sincerity. “Damin only told me about you recently. I admit, I did not want to meet you, but now I am glad I have.”
