Chapter 10
“Karis?” Serina said out of breath.
“Yes, Serina?” she asked calmly, sheathing her sword.
“What's wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
“You seem distracted.”
She shrugged, looking away from Serina.
Serina stared at her for a few seconds as she caught her breath. Her energy level depleted faster than normal because of how quickly her body was aging. Over the last eighteen months she'd aged about three years, not including the natural aging she was going through. When she was brought out of the enchanted sleep, she was a twenty-five-year-old woman inside a fifteen-year-old-girl's body. Now she was twenty-six inside of a nineteen-year-old body.
“Hey, I have an idea,” Serina said. When Karis looked at her again, she said, “Let's go down to the pools. I think the relaxation will do us more good than training will.”
Karis didn't agree or protest, but she followed Serina down to the pools. They undressed then entered the hot, bubbling water, letting the heat relax their muscles as they sat on the smooth, rocky ledges.
“What's on your mind, Karis?” Serina asked after a few minutes passed by.
Karis wouldn't look at her. She kept her eyes closed as she rested her head on the edge of the pool.
“You can trust me. Whatever it is, please, let me help you.”
Karis looked at her, red-eyed.
“Karis, please talk to me-”
“Did Mark really say he loved me?” she asked suddenly.
Serina smiled, saying, “Yes, he did. And he meant it.”
“How do you know he meant it?”
“Because I know him. I know his heart and mind. All that was on either one was you.”
Karis smiled but it faded as quickly as she'd shown it.
“What is it?” Serina asked.
“I don't know. I guess I just can't help but be a little jealous of how close you two are.”
Finally, the whole truth! Serina thought.
“You know there could never be anything between me and Mark, right?”
Karis didn't respond. She just stared back at Serina.
“For one, he's way too young. Granted, I don't look as old as I am...yet, but I will one day. For another, our parents share the same souls. We're practically siblings.”
“But you're not blood related.”
“True, but that doesn't matter. I don't love him the way I know you do.” Serina said, pushing back a strand of hair that had fallen over her eye.
Karis blushed slightly, looking away to hide it.
“I knew you did!” Serina said, excited like a teenage girl.
“And what of it if I do?” Karis asked, annoyed.
“This is great! You and Mark are perfect together. But are you willing to give up your immortality for him?”
Karis thought about it for a second then said, “I think so.”
Serina laughed, saying, “You better figure that out.”
Karis smiled, looking at the water to hide her embarrassment.
“I still wish I had the connection to him like you do.”
“Don't wish for that. It's not easy to deal with. For one, I know what he's thinking or feeling at any given time, and because I love him like a brother, I tend to get overly concerned about him. I have to ignore it most of the time. Secondly, if you knew him inside-out like I do, it would take all the mystery away. It would take away all the excitement of getting to know each other.”
Serina studied Karis as she soaked in what she had told the Elf. She could see it in Karis's eyes that she missed Mark and was worried about him.
“I wonder what it's like to die,” Karis said after a few minutes.
Serina watched her for a few more seconds before asking, “Are you really considering what it will cost you to be with him?”
Karis looked at her sharply. Serina saw the sureness in her eyes as she responded.
“I am. I'm wondering if it's worth living forever if he's not there with me.”
Serina smiled as she said, “That's the right thing to be considering.”
Seth sparred with one of Sasha's former Forest Guards, Tobiith. He was there more to keep Seth's muscles loose until they left for their next mission.
“Are you sure he's enough for you?” Arland asked, stepping into the courtyard.
Seth and Tobiith stopped their duel to face Arland.
“Arland, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Fortuna by now?” Seth asked as he walked up to him.
“I was nearly there when Sol,” he paused to receive Seth's embrace, “told me to come back here. He said I was needed. So I came.”
“Well, I'm glad to have you. I could use a challenge right now.”
Seth looked at Tobiith, noticing his offended expression.
“I meant to take both of you on,” Seth said to him.
Tobiith bowed to him his apology. Seth laughed then took a stance between both Elves with only a few feet between him and each Elf. He held both swords at his sides, blades pointed down and away from his body, waiting for an attack from either of them. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on listening for their footsteps or any other movement that might give them away. One by one he shut off surrounding noises. Birds chirping, leaves rustling in the breeze, wind moving through the trees, servants bustling through the courtyard. A Youngliff ran past, he muted the boy's sandal slapping footsteps. Two female servants entered the courtyard, whispering comments about the three warriors. After a small grin, he muted their voices as well. All was silent but for the sound of his own heart beating, and the calm, steady breaths of the two Elves at his sides.
The first sound he heard was the heavy swoosh from Tobiith's sword as it passed through the air, immediately followed by the quicker swoosh of Arland's sword. Arland's would reach him first. He swung his sword up to block the blow to his neck to the right, then jumped over the sword speeding for his ankles.
Flipping over Arland's head, he swatted the cross of Arland's hilt with the flat of his sword. Arland dropped his sword as Seth landed behind him, wrapping his arm around Arland's chest and pointing his sword at his neck.
“How did you do that?” Arland asked.
“Who says I'm done?” he whispered, staring at Tobiith. He gave Tobiith a wink, then the Elf attacked, running forward, holding his sword high above his head. Seth then shoved Arland to the ground, blocked Tobiith's sword, then kicking him in the stomach, sent him flying back three feet to the ground. Arland was nearly on top of Seth again as he recovered from kicking Tobiith. Seth ducked low and close to Arland. Grabbing Arland's wrists in one hand, Seth rolled back placing his feet on Arland's stomach he threw Arland through the air. Arland landed hard on the ground with a thud and a grunt from having the wind knocked out of him.
Seth rolled to his feet waiting for another attack, but neither Elf moved. Tobiith finally struggled to his feet with a smile.
“I surrender, sir.”
Seth laughed then looked back at Arland. He still wasn't moving. Seth then jogged to him and knelt at his side.
“Arland, my friend. Are you okay?”
Arland sucked in a deep breath, finally able to breathe.
“I'm sorry if I was too much for you,” Seth said prodding him for a response.
“Never,” Arland said straining for breath still.
Seth offered his hand to Arland, which he accepted. Seth helped him to his feet. Standing helped open Arland's lungs again. He sucked in deep breaths to regulate his breathing again.
“Thank you, Tobiith, I think that will be enough for this morning.”
Tobiith bowed then went into the castle.
“What's on your mind, Arland? You seem a bit distracted this morning,” Seth asked as they crossed the courtyard.
“I'm not distracted,” Arland lied.
Seth stopped and faced his friend.
“Don't lie to me,” he said. “It was much too easy to disarm you, twice.”
Arland averted his gaze elsewhere. He couldn't look Seth in the eye.
“Let's walk,” Seth said noticing how many people were still in the courtyard. He'd shut of their sounds while sparring with Arland and Tobiith, but they hadn't left. He led Arland down the switchback path towards the pools. It was a silent walk to the bottom. He thought a dip in the pools would be nice, but then he saw Karis and Serina in one of them already. They would have to go to the other pools a half a mile down the road following the river.
Changing directions, he noticed Arland staring at Karis and Serina. He grabbed his arm, pulling him along.
“Don't stare, it's rude,” Seth said as they walked in the opposite direction of the pools.
Arland didn't say anything. He just stared at the ground as they walked.
“So, is it Karis or Serina?” Seth asked him suddenly.
Arland flinched at his question. Seth guessed Arland had been hoping not to be asked.
“Who says it's either one?”
“Well, a year and a half ago when we met Garandol and the others in the cave before rescuing Serina, you seemed distant with Jennifer when you greeted each other. So, your heart obviously isn't with her.”
Arland sighed then said, “Karis.”
Seth didn't say anything for a couple minutes as they walked together. He was searching for the right words.
“Have you given up hope for Jennifer?”
“She's young. Very young.”
“Karis is the same age, if not younger!”
“But she's an Elf-”
“So? What does that matter?”
“She's more mature than Jennifer.”
“Says who? Jennifer sacrificed herself to Arnath for our safety. Tell me, what kind of immature girl does that?”
Arland let out a heavy sigh, “That's another thing. She's under Arnath's control. She probably won't ever be back.”
Seth was disgusted with Arland. How could he just turn off his heart towards someone like he has? Seth knew that if history had taught them anything it was that Sol never let his faithful go unsaved. Sol had a plan to bring Jennifer back.
“Have you forgotten Sol?” Seth asked.
“What?” Arland asked angrily, stopping in his tracks.
Seth turned towards him, ready to stand his ground.
“Have you forgotten Sol?”
“How can you accuse me of such a thing?”
“Because if you truly have remembered Sol, and his power and promises, then you wouldn't believe such a thing about Jennifer. You would have hope that Sol would be working out his plan to bring her back to us.”
“What if she doesn't want to be brought back? Say she's fully embraced this new persona as Seilnai. What then?”
“Do you really have such little faith? Tell me, Arland, what is your story? Born of a clan of Elves distorting and perverting our worship of Sol. Were you lost to them forever?”
Arland stared at Seth, jaw set and fists clenched, ready to fight.
“No! Sol spoke to your heart through the blood of your father. He placed a burden on your heart to not kill his creation in worship to him. Tell me what happened after that, Arland!”
“I wouldn't say any more, Seth.”
“You wouldn't? No, I suppose not. Do you know where Mark is right now?”
“Shut up, Seth.”
“No! Mark is in the dungeons of the castle right now, being beaten after sacrificing himself to save Karis's life. Tell me, who truly loves her? And who will she love back? One who longs for her or one who shows his love for her?”
Arland swung at Seth, connecting his fist with Seth's cheek. Seth had seen it coming but chose not to duck or block him. Seth went to the ground from the force of Arland's punch. Regardless if he could have blocked the slug to the face, Arland was still strong enough to take him down.
“I said to shut up!” Arland said through clenched teeth.
“I heard you just fine, Arland. But you need to hear this. I have seen how much she loves Mark. They have been there for each other these past eighteen months. Always saving each other from our enemies. But beyond that, Sol has brought them together. This is his will, Arland. I see it, Serina sees it. We all see it,” Seth spit blood out of his mouth. His lip was cut from Arland's attack. “And so do you.”
Seth stood up again, standing up to Arland.
“Seek Sol on this. He'll show you the truth. And believe me, we will get Jennifer back.”
Seth walked back to the switchback path and into the castle, leaving Arland alone with his thoughts.
Garandol stood with Efreal watching Seth and Serina's exchanges with Karis and Arland. They saw it all from the south facing balcony.
“Grown children,” Efreal said. “That's all they are.”
“From first glance, maybe. But see how Seth and Serina both handled each situation?” he asked pointing down at them with one hand, “They are already stepping into their roles as King and Queen.”
“Perhaps, but I'm very disappointed with Arland. He's above this. I mean, he's over one hundred years old!”
“Love knows no age. It makes the best of all men act like children.”
Efreal grunted. Garandol couldn't tell if it was in agreement or not.
“You don't agree?” he asked Efreal.
“Oh, I do. I remember trying to win Luma's heart. I was such a fool. I shouldn't be where I am right now.”
“Then you can't be too hard on Arland. He's confused about Sol's will. He doesn't see how, or if, Sol will bring Jennifer back to us, so he's given up hope on her.”
“I can see what's going on, Garandol. I don't need a narrative.”
Garandol laughed, “Then let them work this out on their own. They all understand what's at stake here. None of them will let their personal feelings or problems get in the way of what's really important.”
“I hope you're right, Garandol.”
They watched Seth enter the castle, assuming he was heading to his quarters they'd set him up in.
“Serpa is the last place they must try and sway,” Garandol said.
“Yes, and after that, I think they should head for Kushen to assist the Centaurs. By then our numbers should be great enough to get through Eranithia with little resistance.”
“I agree.”
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