Chapter 6 - the Price

Warrian cleared his throat behind me. I hadn’t even notice him come in. His hair was still damp from his bath, and he appeared to be freshly shaven. I moved over a little to make room for him at the table. Thoridor, who appeared to have been snapped out of his memory-fueled daze, poured him a cup of tea.

“There’s two things we need to do sooner rather than later,” he said. “We need to go see Aeloria, and need to get your strength back. In that order. I’ll ask Phaedra and Maista to make you a few potions or elixirs to get you up those stairs, and then we’ll figure the rest out later.”

Thoridor got up and left the room.

I looked at Warrian. “We’ll train together after, right?” I asked.

Warrian nodded. “I’ll go wherever you go, if you’ll have me.”

He finished his tea, and rose to his feet. “You’ll need something warm to wear. And some armor.”

I furrowed my brows. “Armor?”

Warrian nodded. “I’ll guard you, of course, but I’d feel better if you had on some protection just in case.”

“Wait,” I said, “what would I need protection from?”

“Aeloria, of course,” Warrian replied, “and since you’ve seen her quarters — do you think I should bring a sword or a spear?”

I chuckled uncomfortably. “I didn’t bring any armor, or weapons before. She was absolutely harmless that time. Perhaps going to see her dressed for battle would only rub her the wrong way?”

Warrian looked unconvinced. “I’d rather not take my chances,” he said, and left the room. I stared at my empty tea cup for a while.

Had Aeloria truly been that dangerous before? And if so, why had she let me leave without so much as saying an unkind word to me?

Phaedra came into the room, and handed me a glass bottle full of a murky blue liquid. “Drink it all,” she instructed me, as she began braiding my hair.

I took a sip, and flinched.

“That’s awful,” I protested, “what is that?”

Phaedra rolled her eyes at me. “I’ll be sure to add some nectar next time,” she said sarcastically, “you’re welcome.”

I smiled apologetically. “Right,” I said, “thank you.”

I plugged my nose and downed the liquid in one go. And although it left a bitter tasting burning in the back of my throat, it did make me feel better — stronger.

I straightened up and rolled my shoulders. “Okay,” I said, sounding fiercer already, “I should get going.”

Warrian walked back into the room, carrying some sort of chest piece made of hardened leather scales. “This is the only piece I could find that might fit you,” he said, “come, I’ll help you.”

He got behind me and began strapping the armor to my chest. Thoridor walked back into the room, and watched Warrian’s movements closely, like a predator watching its prey.

“Let’s go,” Thoridor growled as soon as Warrian finished strapping me in.

We swiftly left Warrian’s home, and crossed the street to get to the Aquatic Palace. We all remained silent as we approached Aeloria’s tower, and I pushed open the narrow door. The stone tower had changed since the last time I had been there. It was still dusty, and the air still moist, but now the walls had been overgrown with flowers — much like the walls up in Aeloria’s room. The three of us began our ascend in silence.

We made it to Aeloria’s room, and just like last time, she called us in before I had the chance to knock. She was standing in the middle of the room, with her back turned to me.

“Three at once,” she said, and I could tell she was smiling, “breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Thoridor and Warrian each stepped closer to me protectively.

“Hello, Aeloria,” I said, and stepped forward, away from my male companions, “thank you for seeing me again.”

Aeloria turned around, and I gasped at the sight of her.

She was still stunningly beautiful — possibly even more so than last time. The flowers that once had adorned only her scalp had now migrated down, and seemed to be sprouting from all over her face and body. The skin of her face seemed to be glowing with health, and her movements were supple and graceful, very unlike the first time I had met her.

“You came back,” Aeloria stated, and somehow I knew she didn’t just mean coming back to see her.

“I did,” I said, “this place is my home now.”

Aeloria smiled at me as she approached me, and held out her hands. I grabbed onto them with both of mine, and held on as she seemingly looked through my memories, her eyes locked somewhere in the distance.

“You found the answer,” she mumbled, and her eyes became clear as they met mine, “it’s very close to your heart, isn’t it?”

I held her gaze as I spoke. “It was me,” I confirmed, “I was able to open my own gateway.”

Aeloria nodded.

“Did you know it was me?” I asked, trying not to let my voice reveal my indignation.

Aeloria smiled again. “I am a seer, am I not?” she said.

I grimaced. “You could have just told me,” I huffed.

“And that’s where you’re wrong, my child,” Aeloria said. “Just because I know, does not mean I can just tell you.”

“Did you know I was a blood wielder too?” I asked her. Aeloria turned around.

“Yes,” she said, “I am all-knowing after all.” “How does it work?” I pressed, “and why do I have that ability?”

Aeloria walked to the bed of moss on the other side of the room, moving so gracefully it almost looked like she floated.

“You know how it works, child,” she said, “you’ve been doing it all of your life. But you can expand your power through training. And I suggest you do, if you plan on staying here.”

“I will,” I mumbled, “there’s one more thing I’d like to ask, if that’s alright?”

Aeloria nodded, making her crown of flowers gently rock back and forth. I glanced over my shoulder at the males behind me. They both seemed very on edge, as if the slightest movement could send them charging at Aeloria.

“It’s about—”

“I know what it’s about,” Aeloria cut me off.

I swallowed, and walked away from the males. I knelt down by Aeloria’s bed, and bowed my head. “What should I do?” I whispered, “I am so torn. My heart and soul are fighting each other constantly — I do not know which to choose.”

Aeloria smiled at me, and her eyes flickered mischievously. “Oh, but you do,” she said. You know exactly with whom you need to be.”

I glanced back again. “Right,” I lied, “thank you again, Aeloria. That was all — we’ll leave you then.”

“Yes you will,” Aeloria agreed. “But not the males. Consider them payment for my services.”

I whipped my head in her direction. “What?!” I called out.

“They stay,” Aeloria repeated matter-of-factly.

I jumped to my feet. “They will not!” I yelled, “you didn’t even answer any of my questions. We’re leaving— All of us.”

“Fine,” Aeloria said, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “I will make an exception, because you helped me last time.”

The mischievous glimmer in her eyes turned into a malicious one as her eyes focussed on the males across the room. “You can pick one. The other stays here.”