Chris Evans - The Light of Burning Shadows

Visyna looked at Chayii, who nodded. “Thank you, Yimt of the Warm Breeze. In the brief time we have traveled the same path, you have never once ceased to amaze.”

Yimt grinned a metallic smile, his pewter-colored teeth shining in the firelight. “One more compliment like that and I’ll blush,” he said, casually turning his gaze to Visyna.

“I can think of no higher one than to say it’s a shame we’ve been called away and won’t be able to stay and eat with you,” she said. She stood a little straighter and smiled, pleased with another quick reaction. It was an effort to keep her smile there a moment later.

“Well, that settles it. I am officially tickled,” Yimt said. He produced two more bowls and quickly ladled them full. Rallie helpfully took them and handed one each to Chayii and Visyna. Rallie’s eyes positively sparkled as she bade them farewell.

“How is your leg, Alwyn of the Empire?” Chayii asked as the three of them navigated the deck toward the middle of the ship and the bridge. “Your balance appears much improved.”

Alwyn nodded. He lifted the hem of his caerna slightly so that the women could see his wooden leg better. Where the magically woven wood wrapped around the stump of his leg, the flesh was bright red. A flicker of frost fire jumped from his skin to the wood, but the wood, burnished until it shone like warm brass, pulsed with a soft energy that quenched the flame before it could take hold.

“Looks like my new leg and my old one don’t exactly see eye to eye.”

“Is there much pain?” Visyna said, kneeling beside him and beginning to weave the air in front of her. Alwyn gently but firmly pushed her hands away. She stood back up.

“It helps me, if that makes sense. When things start to get too confusing, I can concentrate on the pain and block out everything else, at least for a while.”

Chayii’s expression did not change, but her hand reached out and rested on Alwyn’s shoulder. A flicker of black flame met her touch, but she kept her hand still. “We will find a way. You will be free of this one day.”

Alwyn smiled, though Visyna didn’t find comfort in it.

“Speaking of being free of curses,” Alwyn said, moving on, “we’re out of sight of Sergeant Arkhorn now if you want to toss your bowls overboard.”

Visyna looked down at hers and then let it fly. Chayii’s followed.

“Sergeant Arkhorn’s been cooking again,” Konowa said, walking along the railing toward them. He wobbled slightly on his feet and his eyes had a wild look about them only partially explained by the ever-worsening seas.

Visyna fought the urge to reach out and steady him. This was his doing. Perhaps the addition of seasickness would help bring him to his senses.

“I thought we were going to talk on the quarterdeck?” Visyna asked.

The first patter of rain washed over the deck. “Bit crowded up there at the moment,” said Konowa.

Visyna could tell from the expression on his face the Prince was on deck.

“I think it best we talk somewhere less…populated,” Konowa continued.

“I’ll leave you to your conversation then,” Alwyn said, saluting and turning to leave.

“Actually, Private, you’re the reason for our conversation. You saw something on that island, and you quenched the white fire, or whatever it was. We saw what happened at the funeral, and I’ve already talked with Private Vulhber, so now I’m talking to you. What was that magic back on the island?” Konowa motioned them all over to an area somewhat protected from the wind.

“White fire? I know of no such magic,” Visyna said, looking at Chayii, who shook her head in agreement.

“It was white, pure white,” Konowa said, “but it was burning the soldier’s shadow…Private Kester Harkon’s shadow.”

Alwyn tensed slightly, then relaxed, but clearly something had happened between him and Konowa on that island.

“I don’t know what I can add,” Alwyn said. His voice was calm and steady, but Visyna could see in his eyes the subject was an emotionally dangerous one for him.

“Perhaps this could wait for-” was all she managed to get out before Konowa interrupted.

“Tell them, Private, tell them what happened.”

Alwyn looked at Konowa. The hurt on Alwyn’s face was so clear the urge to cradle him in her arms was overwhelming. He stood up straight, almost at attention, and slowly, reluctantly, began to relate what had happened. His voice never betrayed any emotion throughout the retelling, even when he himself, through his shadow, was on fire.

“But this is terrible,” Visyna said when he finished. This time she did reach out and pat his arm. “It kills a person by burning his shadow. And you think this broke the oath?”

“Even if it does, it is no remedy,” Chayii said, her voice grave. “Whatever happened to Private Harkon sounds a terrible fate.”

“We don’t know what happened,” Konowa said. “And whether it truly broke the oath remains to be seen. What we do know is that it kills what She creates. It had killed many of the sarka har before we even arrived. It is a bane to Her.” Konowa’s eyes brightened. “It might mean we have an ally.”

“I do not think this is a friend you want, my son,” Chayii said. “There is much in this world even now we do not understand. Of what lived before, we know even less.”

Konowa tapped a boot against the decking. “Before? Maybe. I sensed something incredibly ancient, but what of it? It was killing Her forest. No, this is a force that hates Her power as much as we do. If we can find it, we can use it.”

“As you do with darkness pressed against your heart?” Visyna said. “How well has that worked out for you? For them?” she asked, pointing at Alwyn, then quickly lowering her hand.

“I did what had to be done,” Konowa said through clenched teeth. “I saved your precious land and gave up a chance to be free and this is the thanks I get? The point is, Private Renwar proved it can be controlled. He stopped it. Imagine what women of your skills could do.”

Chayii cleared her throat before Visyna could respond. The color in Chayii’s face surely matched Visyna’s.

“We strive to aid the natural order, to restore balance and harmony,” Chayii said. “I would never use such a power even if I could, and I know Visyna wouldn’t either.”

Visyna nodded. “This is madness. You have chosen a dangerous path and made poor choices while on it. You sought our counsel. Will you not heed it?”

Konowa looked to Alwyn for help. “Tell them, explain to them. You felt it. You controlled it.”

“I don’t know what I did,” Alwyn said. This time, his voice couldn’t hide the wounds. “The pain of the fire was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. When I stepped into their shadows I started burning deep inside me in places I didn’t know existed,” Alwyn said. “I…I don’t know if this is something we can use. The price might be too high.”

The words were right, but something in the way Alwyn said them gave Visyna pause. Would Konowa think the price too high, though?

A thunderclap reverberated above them, followed by a quick slash of lightning. The rain began falling harder and the ship rose and fell with greater force, making it difficult for Visyna to keep her balance.

Konowa’s voice rose above the storm. “Thank you, Private, that will be all.”

Alwyn stood to attention and saluted, his face specterlike in the rain. He turned and walked and was soon out of sight. Only when he was gone did Konowa speak again.

“I want to know what it was that can kill sarka har and burn shadow, and I want to know where to find it,” Konowa said. “Either it will help us destroy Her designs, or it will share Her fate. Private Renwar has shown we can defend against it if need be. If you wish me to heed your words, bring me ones that help me fight.” With that he turned and stalked away.