Page 29 of Darkness Births the Stars #1
CHAPTER
Rada
T he tendays following Vultaron’s attack were a nightmare, even if Noctis did his part.
Despite being unaccustomed to farm work, he never complained.
I knew he was struggling, though. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him when he dragged himself back into the house in the evening.
He seemed too tired even to provoke me, and our dinner conversations were surprisingly free of the barbs and insinuations I had been mentally prepared for.
I convinced myself it was my own tiredness that made me stop fretting over his presence, not the odd domesticity of those evenings spent together in the warm glow of the fireplace.
I prepared dinner for him, and he recounted the hardships he had faced throughout the day, his voice a low, oddly soothing murmur.
This morning, we had decided the weather was good enough to let the araks back onto the field.
I watched as they eagerly grazed on the dark green stalks of winter grass, their hooves leaving imprints on the soft earth.
When we had herded the horned beasts out of the barn earlier, vicious curses in sharp Aurean had rung out over the courtyard as Selma and Itzi nearly ran Noctis over in their eagerness.
Those two were my youngest araks, and troublemakers, clearly testing the mettle of the strange new Human on our farm.
When they raced toward the section of the fence that needed reinforcing and scraped their horns against the wood, I urged Noctis to examine the weakened posts.
He grunted, a resigned expression on his face, and walked to the barn to gather tools.
Knowing he would be engrossed in his work for a while, I seized the opportunity and silently slipped away.
I hurried into the kitchen and opened the secret compartment containing my lyr -stones.
Bypassing the red and blue stones, my fingers closed around the third one.
It glowed with swirling white strands of magic, flecked with burnt umber and forest green.
I filled a clay jug with water and stepped into the small corridor of the house, unlocking the door at the end with a key from my pocket.
The room, once designed for guests, had become a cluttered storage area after my friend Briseis and her son Varien had moved to their hut on Milford Ridge.
Squeezing past the boxes, I reached the cupboard against the outer wall.
Inside was a chest inlaid with fragments of unhallowed lyr -stones, emitting a constant hum that disrupted any tracking spells.
The light reflected off the metal bowl I used to bridge distances with magic as I lifted it out of the chest, where I kept it hidden next to the wrapped Chaosdagger.
I had reluctantly agreed to take the scrying bowl with me upon Tanez’s tearful insistence, yet I remained wary.
Although I had some level of trust in my friend, she was still one of the Ten, and I was loath to give the other Aurea any means to locate me.
I had only called on her thrice since arriving in Lasgallen, the last time being over three years ago.
For a moment, I hesitated, questioning the wisdom of contacting her now.
But what choice did I have if I wanted to uncover the truth?
Dalath was a remote outpost, with Rasga nearly a tenday away. Any news here was just rumors.
Resolutely, I positioned the lyr -stone at the bowl’s center and beckoned the strands of Air to come forward, skillfully weaving them into the spell. As I completed the incantation, I reached for the final element, Earth, and gracefully poured the water from the jug, infusing it with radiant magic.
“Tanez,” I whispered, my gaze fixed on the gently swirling surface that no longer reflected the room but instead fragmented into a kaleidoscope of brilliant, dancing lights. “Heed my summons.”
Silence followed.
Gradually, the liquid calmed, transforming into a clear pool that revealed the Aurea of Earth.
Tanez, resplendent in her full regalia, wore an intricate golden floral crown crafted by M’tar in her ebony locks.
Her silky green gown highlighted the vibrant hue of her eyes, while additional gems adorned her neck and fingers, catching the light with every movement.
“Baradaz.” My friend’s face lit up at the sight of me, her voice trembling with emotion. “Thank the stars. It has been years.”
The stark relief on her face sent a stab of guilt through me. I should have contacted her more often. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Tanez gave me a soft, reassuring smile. “I am just glad to see you now.”
“I hope I am not disturbing you,” I commented, motioning at her formal outfit.
The Aurea of Earth waved a tan hand in obvious annoyance.
“My morning was filled with yet another endless meeting of the King’s Council.
Sha’am has a talent for infuriating even the most patient soul.
I swear, today even Khiraz was ready to throttle him.
” She shook her head, her expression a mix of exasperation and amusement.
“It’s beyond me how my sister has tolerated that man for millennia. ”
“What agitated the Warrior so much?” I asked, not bothering to keep the derogatory tone out of my voice. One would think the Aurea of Fire would be ecstatic, with both me and Noctis gone from the Council forever.
Tanez’s expression grew somber. “Sha’am wants to mount another campaign to the southern realms. It wounds his pride that the Drakuul remain refugees, their fortresses reduced to ruins overrun by the Fallen One’s creatures.
Noctis’s former warlord Galator has claimed Tiamat, their once magnificent capital, as the throne of his dark realm, securing the border by tearing through the Veil to the Other and letting Chaos rage freely. ”
“So Galator has tried to cross the border?” I asked, my heart pounding. Her words confirmed what Tristan had told me a few tendays ago. “I heard rumors in the village.”
“There have been attacks. Mostly aimed at the Elves of Laurelin Forest and the Djein enclave at the edge of the Endless Wastes. This feels more serious than Galator’s usual needle pricks.
” Tanez’s tone was grim. “Rumors are spreading like wildfire. The latest one setting Lyrheim’s streets ablaze claims the Chiasma are back to their wicked ways, searching for the Chaoscrown.
They probably plan to use it to resurrect—”
My friend abruptly cut herself off, her eyes widening as she realized the implications.
“To resurrect their dead god,” I finished, my tone and expression carefully controlled.
I knew this wasn’t true, since I had witnessed firsthand that Noctis’s former servants wanted to kill him.
Still, I couldn’t shake the suspicion that he was involved in the threats to Aron-Lyr’s peace somehow.
Tanez mentioning the Chaoscrown, the powerful artifact Noctis had forged millennia ago to control the power of the Abyss, only deepened my fears.
The Crown had been lost since the end of the war, but perhaps Noctis or his former servants knew where it was hidden.
Had I made a terrible mistake by saving him? Again? I couldn’t bear the thought of being called out on it, not yet. If he continued to pose a threat, it was my duty to deal with him. Mine alone.
I needed to find out more. Without alerting the Aurea of Earth to the fact that the Fallen One was residing in my bedroom.
“I am surprised Aramaz didn’t side with Sha’am,” I said, shifting the topic away from Noctis. “I agree with the Warrior—confronting Galator now, before he becomes a greater threat, would be wise.”
So far, none of Noctis’s former allies had united, their rivalries too fierce. If they ever joined forces, it would spell disaster for the realms loyal to the powers of Order.
Tanez inhaled deeply, hesitating with pursed lips as she considered her response. “Aramaz is struggling, Baradaz. He has been struggling since the day you left.” The words, though spoken softly, still made me flinch and avoid my friend’s intense gaze.
Then perhaps Aramaz should not have torn out my heart. I did not say it, biting my lip to control my anger, but it cost me.
“No one needs a goddess without her powers. I thought that Khiraz had taken over the queen’s duties,” I remarked, struggling to keep my voice devoid of any icy undertones. “She must be delighted to help the king so much.”
“Khiraz’s compassion has indeed healed some of the rifts caused by the war,” the Aurea of Earth responded, her reproving look indicating my sarcasm was unbecoming.
Well, I had always been a failure at playing the gracious, selfless queen.
Tanez sighed, leaning closer to whatever surface she had chosen to sustain our connection on her side.
“But it is not enough. People are desperate for peace and furious with their gods.”
“Even more reason for Aramaz to liberate the south, as Sha’am desires. Surely a decisive victory would calm the situation and reinstall people’s faith in the rule of the Ten once more.” I wondered what exactly held my husband back.
Tanez scrutinized me for a long moment before answering in a low, halting voice, unlike her usual self-assured tone. It sent a renewed surge of unease through me. “Aramaz does not rally the armies because he does not dare.”
“What?”
“You seem happy, my friend, wherever you are.” Tanez’s lips curved into a melancholic smile. “Part of me is loath to destroy your peace.”
“Tell me,” I answered firmly.