Page 10

Chapter 10

A Thief in Estea

T he cool night air clung to Elnok causing the hair on his arms and neck to raise. It reminded him of winter nights sitting around the campfire with his crew, telling stories, and eating scraps together with watered-down ale that tasted like piss. Standing before the Estean temple, those days felt like a distant dream.

Sandstone pillars stretched up towards the sky, the reflection of a nearby river draping the building in silver flames. Films of gold cracked along the sandstone like ripples of lightning. A breeze swept into his lungs, smelling sweetly of earth and herbs. He was surprised as a deep well of emotion ran up his nose into his eyes.

When was the last time he smelled something that wasn’t dry dirt and rotting fish?

Unlike the rest of Druenia, Estea was alive .

“Quite the temple, isn’t it?” Kharis asked, the warrior twisting his hair into a topknot, “Wait until you see the gardens.”

“I’d rather sleep,” Elnok muttered, his eyes drooping while his body begged for respite.

He’d barely slept more than a few hours during their trek through Lhaal Forest, the fear of monsters coupled with the strange sighting of the glowing tree keeping him awake.

“Your sword, Prince Elnok,” the guard who had led them commanded, his hand outstretched.

Elnok raised a brow. “Aren’t you all… magical? Can’t the royal human without god-like assistance keep his only weapon?”

The guard laughed. “An excellent point, but I’m afraid not. Only Dynameis are allowed to carry weapons on temple and village grounds. But don’t worry, we’ll take good care of it in our barracks. I’ll even sharpen it for you if you’d like?”

He had known they’d strip him of all weapons, so he pretended that the sword was his only, and his favorite. In a way, the sword was a guaranteed form of escape whenever he found himself in trouble, his one-on-one combat more decent than most, but he excelled with his rope and dagger. At first glance, people hardly took notice of either. The sword would always be seen as more dangerous.

But before he could continue his performance of dignified anger, Kharis’ strong grip squeezed his shoulder.

“You won’t win this argument, only waste our time,” the warrior said, “Besides, our men are fantastic at sharpening weapons.”

Elnok feigned frustration, sighing in defeat as he unsheathed his blade and handed it to the guard.

“The rope as well.”

“My sword isn’t enough?” Elnok questioned, real frustration flickering in his gut, “Are you going to ask for my crown too? Are the points too sharp?”

The guard hesitated. “Are they?”

Elnok rolled his eyes. “My rope assists me with inconveniences, as well as…” he ran through every excuse he could make, finally arriving at one that usually did the trick, “… other endeavors.”

The guard’s dark brown skin turned the faintest shades of red. Elnok smirked as Kharis held back a laugh.

“It’s not to harm people,” Elnok lied, “unless requested, of course. If you understand my meaning?”

The guard opened and closed his mouth, incoherent words and sounds causing Elnok to smile.

“Just the blade is fine,” the guard finally sputtered.

“Great,” Elnok replied, patting his rope against his thigh, the hidden dagger underneath his leathers still strapped tight. “How long do we have to endure this banquet before we can finally sleep?”

“The High One wishes to greet you both upon your arrival; he’ll let you know his expectations for the night and the remainder of your stay.”

“Delightful,” Elnok replied.

It was anything but delightful. Stomach rumbling and throat parched, Elnok and Kharis followed the guard through a protected sidewall, the large sandstone gate lifted by a group of guards and a complex pulley system.

Impressive.

If this had been a mission to steal an item from inside the temple, this entrance would prove useless as an entry point. Heavily guarded, multiple people needed, and a cracking sound echoing for miles. But it could prove a decent distraction. As they passed through the wall and into the gardens, he couldn’t stop wondering, even in his tired state, how someone could get into this place undetected.

“ Praise be to Aretta !” a woman suddenly yelled in Elnok’s face.

He stepped back, the wine on her breath assaulting him.

“Praise be to Aretta, indeed.” Kharis said as he gently redirected the woman back the way she came, “How’s your evening faring?”

His voice grew distant as he talked to the woman. Elnok swallowed hard. Damn it all if the wine on her breath didn’t smell exactly the same as the kind his brother wasted himself on.

His brother.

Tosh.

Quickly, Elnok forced the memories of his daily beatings away, redirecting his focus to the gardens. Drooping trees stood everywhere, lining multiple pathways flanked by glowing torches. Dynameis stood tall and vigilant, their chests bright with orodytes. Masses of people roamed the pathways with delirious grins and goblets in hand. Breaths strained, Elnok followed Kharis into a large clearing of trees and garden beds. He sucked in as much air as he could, yet the stench of wine only grew stronger.

“Welcome, Esteans, to the annual banquet!” A deep voice rumbled across the gardens.

“That’s the High One,” Kharis whispered, pointing upwards.

The temple stood over the clearing, a lone balcony stretching out from its side. Green vines draped over the railing, tangling themselves in the light breeze. Standing on the balcony were a man and a woman, both dressed in white robes.

“This evening, we have a special announcement from the most powerful Kreena in Estean history. Praise be to Aretta!”

The garden erupted in a slurred cheer, echoing their leader’s words. Elnok grabbed Kharis’ shoulder, the scars on his back burning.

“Elnok,” he said above the noise, “Is everything alright?”

“She created over half of the willows in this garden, a true testament to her strength and power. Everyone, please join me as we raise our glasses with Sylzenya Phatris!”

More cheers.

Elnok forced himself to stand upright, ignoring the pain and distant memories burning into his back.

The woman stepped forward. While the leader’s robes covered him in one swoop of fabric, hers seemed to be made of one thin strip, wrapping around her body in intricate designs, pockets of lightly tanned skin exposed at her hips, shoulders, and chest. A rather attractive piece to wear, and Elnok couldn’t help himself as he stared at her curves, letting her beauty distract him from the pain searing his body.

She carried herself with the grace of a ruler, long ash-colored hair floating behind her in the soft breeze.

A Kreena , the High One had said.

One of the women Kharis had warned him about, the ones who lived in the temple since they were young; women saturated in piety, trusting their High One above all else. But by the way the High One stood next to this woman, she must be something more. A wife, perhaps, or a concubine? Kharis hadn’t spoken of the High One having either, but he supposed it didn’t affect their goal.

Either way, he needed to steer clear of this woman.

“Welcome, people of Estea,” she said, her voice carrying across the clearing and into the gardens, “Two days ago, more acolytes took up the title of Kreena—women who have pledged their lives to see our kingdom prosper during the continent-wide famine. A day worth celebrating!”

Everyone in the crowd clapped.

The woman smiled. “And yet, I know many of you heard of the terrible event which also took place during the rite.”

She paused, a falter in her smile. Faint enough for most to dismiss it as a natural break, but Elnok saw something else in her features. His painful memories faded as his curiosity piqued.

A building tension hung in the air, so thick Elnok might’ve thought everyone had forgotten how to breathe.

She smiled wider—an overcorrection—a common fault for novice thieves, and a habit Elnok tirelessly trained out of his crew. This woman would make a terrible gambler, and an even worse thief.

“My own flesh and blood betrayed me. Betrayed our entire kingdom.” She continued, lowering her glass to the banister, “However, in their attempt to strip me of my connection to Aretta, our goddess blessed me with something greater.” She stared towards the sky. “ Hope .”

The crowd cheered.

Elnok scoffed.

Bullshit .

“Our goddess has blessed the High One with a cure to orodyte serum, and I’m already nearing full strength.”

Cheers erupted in the clearing. People clanked their goblets together, drinking laboriously, dancing and jumping at her words.

“It is good to rejoice!” she yelled over the cacophony, “For where people sought to destroy our kingdom, Aretta protected us yet again. Now please, enjoy the food and wine the High One and the Kreenas have so graciously provided us this evening. Let it be a sign that the famine will never touch Estea: Not now, not ever. Praise be to Aretta!”

The crowd erupted into chants. Elnok grabbed a nearby tree trunk to keep himself steady as people shoved and yelled, wine spilling from their goblets and onto the soil, their clothes, and their mouths. Memories returned, threatening to drown him as he followed Kharis through the clearing towards the temple.

“We’ll request a meeting with the High One immediately,” Kharis yelled over the crowd, “Then we can leave this place and go to the main village.”

Elnok couldn’t manage a response, squaring his shoulders against the crowd of drunks instead. He shoved as many of them away as he could, their twisted smiles shaped so much like Tosh’s during those nights in the dungeons. He could feel the scars on his back burning hotter with each step.

Someone was looking at him. He could feel it. He turned his gaze skyward.

Hands clenched on the banister’s balcony, the woman in intricate white robes leaned forward, her eyes steadied on him. Estea’s leader towered behind her, his hands gripping her shoulders as he whispered into her ear. The woman’s eyes widened. Before Elnok could make sense of it, someone elbowed him in the ribs, knocking the air out of his lungs. Coughing, he bent over.

When Elnok looked up again, they were gone.

“We’re almost there,” Kharis said as he grabbed Elnok’s arm.

Drooping branches scraped his face as they rushed forward, the mass of people thinning as they emerged on the other side of the trees. A woman in a long gold robe stood in front of the temple’s large detailed doors, two guards on either side.

“Elnok,” Kharis whispered, “Are you alright?”

Elnok released himself from Kharis’ grasp. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“The wine,” he replied.

Elnok scoffed, heat rushing to his face. “A bit of wine isn’t going to burn me with a rod of steel, now is it?”

The warrior let out a long breath.

“Good evening, Priestess,” Kharis announced, “Would you please alert the High One that his Vutrorian guest has arrived?”

The priestess bowed her head as the guards opened the large doors.

“Wait here,” she instructed before entering the temple, the doors shutting behind her.

“Say nothing about Aretta’s Willow,” Kharis whispered.

“Pity. That was going to be the first subject I brought up.”

“ Elnok. ”

“Can’t take a joke, can you?”

Kharis grunted. “Recite to me why you’re here in Tosh’s place.”

Elnok cracked his neck. “To make sure he wasn’t eaten alive by this High One’s sharp teeth.”

“ Elnok. ”

“I do have a nice name, don’t I? Much better than all my aliases.”

“By Aretta’s blood herself,” Kharis cursed, “Answer seriously. I need to know you remember your task for these treaty revisions.”

Elnok spun around, smiling widely as he patted Kharis’ armor.

“Are you blind?” Elnok whispered as low as he could, “We’re being watched.”

“I need to know you understand what we’re doing.”

“And you need to understand how precarious of a position we’re in.”

Kharis clenched his teeth. “It’s difficult to trust someone who offers none to me.”

He smiled. “Should’ve thought of that before getting on your knees for Vutror’s king.”

Kharis’ face turned bright red as the doors opened. Elnok spun back into place, hands laced together as he forced a wide princely smile.

“ Kharis, ” the High One said, striding past the priestess, “This trip took longer than usual, although I now see why.”

Estea’s leader turned his gaze towards Elnok.

Yellow eyes.

Despite his shock, Elnok didn’t falter, keeping his smile wide and beaming. The man’s stare was sharp, like a beam of sunlight focused on a singular point, intent to burn whatever it touched.

The High One extended his arm.

The woman in white wrapped robes emerged from behind the priestess. If the High One’s eyes were meant to tear through bone, then hers were meant to be its salve. The deepest blue, like the ocean right after sunset—full and endless. But her gaze stayed steady on the High One, her face expressionless as she took his arm. Elnok waited for a reaction from her, wanting that mask he’d seen earlier to fall for even the slightest moment.

It didn’t.

“Your Grace,” Kharis said with a low bow, “may I present Elnok Rogdul, Prince of Vutror.”

The High One narrowed his gaze. “I have treaty negotiations set for King Tosh, do I not, Kharis?”

“The king has fallen gravely ill, Your Grace. He was unfit to travel through Lhaal Forest.”

“Are you suggesting you’re not fit to accomplish your tasks?”

“My apologies, Your Grace,” Kharis said. “You’ve offered me your trust to return with a Vutrorian of royal blood who can discuss the terms in which we may continue to receive the weapons we need; I found the king unfit to hold such important discussions.”

The High One raised his glass of wine and took a sip.

Kharis continued, “But it was a miracle by Aretta’s hand herself that the king’s brother, Prince Elnok, was willing to take his place and make such arrangements. I don’t doubt you two will come to a painless form of negotiation.”

“This man was rumored to be dead,” the High One said.

“If I may speak for myself, Your Grace,” Elnok interjected, “Rumors are simply unverified speculation.”

“You never thought to ease this rather dire conjecture?”

“A tasteless prank of mine, I must admit. But it resulted in quite the spectacle upon my return.”

“Then where have you been all this time, Prince ?”

Elnok didn’t let his smile fall as he replied, “Touring the continent. My brother was so determined about staying in our family’s castle, but I always found it far more appealing to get to know the people of the land on a more personal level.” He splayed his hands to the bustle of the banquet, “I’d say we can agree on this notion, wouldn’t you?”

The High One raised a brow. “I suppose we can.”

Elnok turned to the woman; her jaw remained set, eyes never leaving the High One’s face. Even if this woman was a wife or concubine, the behavior felt unnaturally controlled.

“Prince Elnok, this is Sylzenya Phatris,” the High One finally said, patting the woman’s arm, “She gave a splendid speech, didn’t she?”

It took everything within him to keep smiling. “It was excellent.”

“We’re glad you’re on the mend,” Kharis said to her.

“You’re too kind,” the woman, Sylzenya, replied, a thin smile replacing her stoic features.

The High One smiled. “I’m glad you both think so, especially you, Prince Elnok.”

“Is that so?” Elnok asked, a tension rising in his gut.

“Quite, because while Sylzenya was originally going to be your guide only if you ever desired to tour the temple, she’s extended an even more gracious gesture.” The High One looked at her. “She’s volunteered to be your guide during your entire stay.”

Elnok’s stomach dropped.

The woman finally looked at Elnok, eyes glinting in the torchlight as she offered a trite nod.

“Yes. I’ll be by your side at every moment, Your Highness, so I can educate you in our people’s ways. I’ll make sure you receive a rich exposure of our kingdom.”

He didn’t let his smile falter despite the rising heat in his body. There would be no privacy for discussing plans with Kharis. She wasn’t his guide—she was this leader’s pet, sent to watch his every move.

My personal godsdamn hell.

The High One smiled, a glint of triumph in his features.

Elnok wished he still had his sword.

“Sylzenya, go ahead and gather your things,” the High One said, “Kharis, you’re dismissed to the Dynami barracks until your next mission. And Prince Elnok,” he paused, a smirk on his mouth, “I’m afraid we won’t be able to discuss treaty revisions for the next few days due to my schedule. But you’re free to roam the kingdom as you please with Sylzenya during this time.”

Elnok offered a low bow, curling his fists until his knuckles ached. “A few days is fine, as long as it doesn’t take longer than that. Afraid I’ve many things to attend to when I get back to my brother.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” the High One said. “I do hope you enjoy your stay.”

Elnok returned with a smile of his own. “I plan to.”