Terry Simpson: Ashes and Blood

“Taeria does not lie. You must feel the shift in the world, how events have caught up to us too quickly.” Jerem’s gaze remained focused beyond the foggy glass.

The wispy web of his hair, the lines around his eyes, and the way his silver robes hung loose spoke of the same weakened state she experienced. Time eventually took its toll, even on them. She remembered when he was a younger man, spry, ready to leave his mark on the world, hair shiny obsidian. She wasn’t sure if this was what he had intended. It certainly was not what she envisioned.

“How long do you think we have?” Galiana kept her voice low as if whispering would give the words a different meaning. Sometimes she wished making a change for the better could be as simple as uttering words.

He shrugged, his shoulders making little to no impression in the robes. “Not long, I suppose. A Bloodline Affinity may be one of, if not the most difficult of Forges, but whether we believe someone mastered it or not, that man knew to take Thania. To me,” he touched his chest near his heart, “that is proof enough. It is only a matter of time before they come for Ancel. Besides, we could not hide him for much longer. Not after the way he announced himself to the world. If not for the protection offered by the Vallum and the Sanctums of Shelter, I am sure his actions would have drawn much more unwanted attention.”

Bloodline Affinity. Galiana mulled the words over, a chill running through her body. In her lifetime, she could think of no one who perfected the ability. It was similar in ways to the Forge the Pathfinders employed to trace the ancestral history of a Matus they hunted. By using blood from that family line, they had a chance to identify the other members. However, a strong enough Matti could negate the Pathfinders’ skill or make subtle, misleading changes. On the other hand, a perfected Affinity allowed the Forger to delve into a person’s mind, trace their roots, and supposedly, their possible future siblings. The power of the one under such a Forging was of no consequence. According to research, the Bloodline Affinity was infallible.

“Do you believe he is an Eztezian?” Galiana asked.

“I doubt it matters what we believe.”

“But do you?”

He faced her, the silver pools that were his eyes steady and unrelenting. “Yes.”

The knot in her stomach clenched tighter. “And the one … this Ryne that you mentioned, him also?”

“Yes.”

The tension eased somewhat, enough to allow her a steadying breath. “Ancel might stand a chance with this master to help him.”

Jerem gave her a skeptical look. “Against what took Thania? I doubt they will be enough.”

She cringed at his words. No Skadwaz, no matter how strong in Mater, could have beaten Thania. At least, she didn’t believe it possible. After all, like her, the Skadwaz were only another form of Matus, not an archdaemon, a netherling, or a god. Employed and enhanced by the shade, yes, but still, in all her time she had yet to encounter a Skadwaz stronger than an Exalted. This man had treated her and Thania’s combined power as no more than a trifle.

“Added to what manner of creature he is, there are the forces the Cardian Queen have mustered.” Jerem looked to the north again. “And what Taeria says awaits in Everland as well as the Skadwaz marshaling their armies from the Great Divide. Add all of that to the Matii the Iluminus possesses, and we will need more than one or two Eztezians or even their entire contingent. We need a unified people. Even then, there is the other problem. How in all that is holy did the shadelings breach the Vallum of Light? Its wards worked fine against anything else trying to cross after Ancel released the power. So why did it fail in keeping them out? How is it that not one single Herald at the Bastions received any sign that the shade bypassed the wards?”

Galiana recalled the nightmares she had trying to find answers to the same questions. With all their resources, the Bastions to provide warning, the message maps and their near infinite range for communication, their own ability to Forge wards, the Heralds had not seen, heard, or sensed a single shadeling. Not one. The Heralds’ failure had left cities ravaged by the creatures, the majority of the attacks at other Mysteras.

“I wouldn’t place all the blame on the Heralds.” Jillian clasped her hands in her lap. Her helm with its eagle’s beak rested on the table next to her. The woman’s eyes reminded Galiana of the birds. Dark and predatory.

“Not that I disagree,” Galiana said, “but what makes you say that?”

“Something is amiss, maybe bigger than anyone suspects. Not seeing this threat doesn’t sound much different from what my eagles experienced in the Greenleaf. They confirmed the animals are acting out of sorts, but I cannot find a reason. Any creature’s mind I try to touch rejects me, especially the wolves.” Jillian appeared lost in thought for a moment. “Their habits have been erratic, much as if they’re afraid of something.”

“And you believe shadelings are the cause?” Jerem asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know. This is the first time my pets failed me. My suggestion is to bar anyone from entering the forest.”

Galiana nodded her agreement. “With that being said, Jillian, I need you to escort the next convoy to Torandil.”

Eyes growing steely as they often did when she was being stubborn, Jillian made a steeple of her fingers. “I’m much more use here with my eagles keeping an eye on the forest.”

“No need. There’s but a few months left before we abandon Eldanhill. I want you to ensure this next group reaches Torandil safely. We cannot have them falling into Giomar’s hands, or whomever it is that now holds Randane. Neither can we have them taken by the Tribunal’s armies. Also, both Jerem and I feel we need an older council member to take charge of our preparations in Torandil.”

Jillian opened her mouth to speak, but Galiana cut her off. “There is no room for discussion in this.”

For a brief moment, Jillian’s eyes flashed, and then her jaw relaxed. “As you wish. If there’s nothing else, I will join them now.”

Galiana knew the reason for Jillian’s wish to stay on. According to Jerem, the Tribunal had discussed the possibility of sending Irmina to Eldanhill. Denying Jillian a chance to see her niece wasn’t her primary purpose, but Irmina would have enough hostility toward the Dorns without adding her aunt’s volatility.

After taking a deep breath, Jillian clasped the chair’s arms and pushed to her feet. She tucked her helm under her arm, bowed to Galiana first, then to Jerem, turned on her heels, and strode from the room.

“I still have my concerns about her.” Jerem stroked the long threads of his beard while watching the door.

“She simply wants to protect what is left of her family.”

“As do we all,” answered the old man. “As do we all.”

“Anyway,” Galiana said, “how has the Tribunal taken the Heralds’ failure?”

“Not well. The Assembly squabbled over their punishment. Some even suggested recalling them and stripping them of their ranks. Whispers around the Iluminus were that the Heralds suffered from the shade’s corruption.”

Galiana felt her eyebrows climb her forehead. “Not a good rumor to start.”

“You can imagine how that went. The Tribunal tested the Bastions themselves since then, using captured shadelings. They sensed the creatures and any strong Forging just fine. In the end, they decided to send inquisitors to interview each Herald. They also stationed several cohorts at each Bastion in fear they could be taken.”

“No wonder they’ve thrown such numbers at Randane. What of Calisto?” Galiana asked, frowning. She doubted they would react the same to Jerem’s city.