Page 49 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Forty-Eight

LENA

I t wasn’t until the following evening that we finally reached the base of Mount Rozavar. The sun was just starting to set, so we still had some time left with light. The mountain was enormous—I recalled Igon telling me it was close to thirteen-thousand feet.

“We’re supposed to climb that?” Erabella asked with her mouth hanging open. My people looked at one another with widened eyes, various voices whispering in concern.

“No,” I replied, hopping off my horse. “I was told there’s an enchanted symbol here, only visible to a Mage’s eyes.” I looked around the massive mountain and let out a sigh.

Who knows what part of the mountain it’s on?

“Anyway, it should teleport us up. So long as we get approval.”

“Are you sure your people's clothing will be accommodating enough?” Hendry asked. It was already quite chilly by the mountain base, and because the top wasn’t visible, it was understandable to think it would be worse at the top.

“The top of the mountain is actually a warm climate, adjusted by the mountain dweller’s wife—her gift is weather control,” I said.

“So…does anyone see this symbol? What does it look like?” Merrick asked while squinting and glancing all around the mountain. His silver-white hair was down and moving with the wind.

I frowned as I recalled the drawing Igon had shown me. “It should be a swirl that slithers downward—little symbols along its tail.”

Merrick, Elowen, Viola, and I split up, searching alongside the base of the mountain, as well as a handful of those from Ames. We stayed close enough though—I didn’t want one of us finding the symbol and the rest being far away.

After roughly twenty minutes, we found it.

“Here! I think…” Elowen called. We all quickly ran over. Sure enough, the symbol from Igon’s map was present, glowing a light green.

“You see something there?” Silas asked with a quirked brow.

I walked forward, running my hand along the illuminated mark the size of my hand. “Indeed. This is it.”

“Who wishes to visit my mountain?” a man’s voice boomed, causing all of us to stagger back. Well, all us Mages, anyway.

“What is it?” Roland hissed.

I cleared my throat. “My name is Lena Daelyra. I come with my people from Ames.” I bit my lip for a moment. “Igon Natarion sent me here…more or less.”

“Igon…” the voice said. “Is he with you? ”

I steadied my voice. “I’m afraid not…he…he was killed.” I felt a lump in my throat but pushed past it. “We were attacked in our home. My people have nowhere else to go.”

There were so many moments of silence that I thought the voice may have left.

“I take it you are the Supreme now?” the voice asked quietly.

“I am.”

“And it is just your people wishing to come to the top?”

I tensed. “No, sir. I have with me the Prince of Otacia and a few of his subjects. He is the one who set us free.”

A moment of silence. “Who was it who attacked you?” the voice asked skeptically.

I cringed. “I know how all this must sound—but Igon gave me a message before he passed. I can trust them.”

I met eyes with Silas, who looked surprised, then relief washed over when the voice said, “Very well, touch the stone again, and you may enter. Just place a hand on your horses, and they will travel, too, if you wish.”

I relayed that information to Silas and his group, then obeyed by touching the stone of the mountain.

In a flash, I was standing atop Mount Rozavar. I gasped at just how beautiful it was. Lush, green grass with a medley of wildflowers, multiple wooden homes with smoke floating out of the chimneys. Behind them was the largest peak of the mountain with a cave mouth. And the view of the setting sun…an orange and pink sky with light fluffy clouds.

Just as Igon said, the temperature up here was pleasant .

Elowen flashed beside me, then Viola, then Merrick. Silas, his wife, and the men were next, and all of them gaped at the stunning sight as they held the reins to the horses. After them, one by one, my people found their way up the mountain top.

An older man and woman emerged from one of the homes, strolling hand in hand. I walked towards them, an anxious smile on my face.

The first thing I noticed was how familiar the older man looked.

“Immeron,” he cut in. He gestured to the woman smiling nervously beside him. “This is my wife, Ayla.”

She reached out, and I shook her hand. Both Immeron and Ayla had to be around Igon’s age—in their sixties.

“I must say, I was not expecting this many people,” he said. The company of one probably felt strange for him, after it being just him and his family for who knows how long.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I am so grateful for your hospitality. Igon told me of this place. He was a friend of yours?”

Immeron’s eyes went to the ground. “My brother.”

My eyes widened.

That’s why he looks familiar.

“My Gods, I am so sorry.” I could see the resemblance now—same straight nose, same full lips—though Immeron’s eyes were a contrast to Igon’s topaz; his were a deep blue. I wonder why Igon didn’t mention it…

“Who killed him?” Immeron asked with tears in his eyes.

I froze. I wanted to lie, considering I had no idea how Immeron would react to Silas if he knew he was responsible. But if Igon was a seer, there was always a chance his brother could be one, too .

“Silas,” I whispered. “But I assure you he has had a change of heart. Surprisingly, Igon even said he forgave him…with a smile on his face of all things…” I shook my head and then cringed.

Immeron stared off at Silas, then merely nodded. “That sounds like Igon.”

I looked over to Edmund, wishing to change the subject. “My…friend over here lost part of his arm and leg from an Undead,” I began.

Immeron tensed, and Ayla’s eyes widened. “An Undead? We…we have a necromancer in Tovagoth?” she exclaimed.

I nodded. “It seems so. One of them attacked Edmund, but thankfully, we were able to remove the limbs before the curse took his life.” I paused. “I was hoping there was some way you could make something for him to walk with. A new leg, perhaps. A new arm.” I looked at Ayla. “Igon told me of your prosthetic,” I noted, observing the black twirling of material that made up her limb.

She nodded as she raised her arm, and I gasped when she moved her synthetic fingers, the flow as natural as real fingers.

“By the Gods,” I breathed. “Incredible.”

Ayla smiled softly, and Immeron stroked his beard. Frowning, he looked to Silas. “Why should I help an Otacian soldier? The Prince has a reputation even us on the mountain are aware of.”

“Igon’s message was cryptic. But I know him mentioning your wife’s arm had to be for Edmund.” I looked over to Edmund, then back at Immeron.

“Perhaps him, but he didn’t say anything to you about Silas? ”

I bit my bottom lip, looking to the ground. He hadn’t…but Igon knew what Silas was to me. I knew there was only one way I could convince them.

“What I’m about to tell you can’t be told to anyone else, not even your children,” I whispered, walking closer to them.

They stood straighter, exchanging looks with one another before nodding.

I exhaled through my nose. “Silas…he is my Soul-Tie.”

Ayla gasped, covering her mouth. Immeron’s eyes went wide. I looked over to my group, Silas looking over with a raised brow, Merrick’s dark eyes swirling.

“You’re sure of it?” Immeron asked in a low voice.

I nodded. “I used to live in Otacia. He and I were together before the Queen died,” I said as quietly as possible. “Igon told my friend Torrin, the one who offered my mother and me safe passage to Ames, about Silas and me before we had ever met each other. He confirmed it when I met him myself.”

Immeron’s eyes went past me, looking to Silas, whose arm was wrapped around Erabella.

“But the Prince…he is married.”

“He believed me to be dead all this time.” I sighed. “It’s…complicated. But if you are willing, I would be thankful if Edmund could have new limbs, if you think it possible.”

His gaze stayed on Silas for a while. “I will do it,” he said after a moment. “But it will take some time. My family does trades in the local kingdoms, nothing of the enchantment sort, obviously, but I will have to see what I have.” He eyed my attire, then looked to his wife, who nodded before smiling at me .

“I make clothing—that’s my specialty,” she winked. “My boys can help with the armor and with some weapons for you. In the morning, I can measure you for some new gear.”

“You would do all that?” I tried to contain my surprise.

“You will need more than limbs for your friend,” Immeron noted. “Igon was an excellent seer. If he wishes for you to take this journey, I will help in any way I can. Let me know your group’s preferred weapons, and I will make them for you. As Ayla mentioned, our sons can get you better armor and clothing as well. Not the best out there,” he eyeballed my plain brown dress, then my friends’ prisoner attire. “But better than that.”

I laughed softly. “Thank you, both. We will pay, of course.” I then frowned as more of Igon’s words came to me. “Have you heard of Oquerene?”

Immeron nodded with a confused look. “Of course, I have. It is said to be the realm where we all came from. ”

“Some of Igon’s last words to me were ‘Find Oquerene.’” I sighed. “As fantastical as it seems, something tells me that place is really out there. But I have no idea where to start.”

He and Ayla looked at one another. “Well. Nereida seems like the place to go.”

My eyes broadened. “Nereida? I’ve never heard of the place.”

“It’s an ancient land, once ruled by the Sea Nymphs. It rests alongside the Southern Sea. A powerful ward blocks it from the view of those they wish not to see it.”

My Gods…could that be where more of my people are?

“Once ruled by Sea Nymphs?”

He nodded. “After the War of Three Pirates , the Sea Nymphs vanished, though legend claims they and other extinct species live in Oquerene,” he shrugged. “Now, anyway, Nereida is said to be ruled by the Mages.”

I was baffled. I had read no literature on this war. “Why wouldn’t I know of this place? Why would we stay in Ames when there was a place with better protection?”

Immeron shrugged again. “Igon was a seer. Perhaps for destiny to align the way it should, certain people need not be in Nereida.” He wrapped his arm around Ayla’s waist. “Plus, the journey is long and gruesome. It will be hard to survive the various obstacles, especially considering a necromancer is on the loose, let alone the trial that awaits at The Valley of Awakening.”

To that, I raised my eyebrow.

He continued, “I don’t know much of it, but there is a border between regular land and Nereida. It is said to show those who cross through it the truths of themselves. Not only that…” he sighed. “There have also been sightings of bloodsuckers. Bodies found drained of blood.”

My stomach dropped. In all my time on the run, moving from place to place, I had never once had an encounter with a Vampire.

“There are Vampires down south, too?”

He nodded. “Some rumor of a Vampire lord lurking about. Most drained bodies have been found in the north. I suspect that’s where they reside. Still, their sickness tends to spread like wildfire.”

I let out a shaky exhale, and Immeron put a hand on my shoulder. “That’s enough talk of dangers for tonight. Get your people situated. I’ll fetch my children to help. ”

I gave a thankful nod, then walked over to my group.

“Well, what did he say?” Elowen asked. She and Henry were holding Edmund up.

I smiled at him. “Looks like you will have a new arm and leg after all, Edmund.”

He looked at me in disbelief, then grinned, Elowen beaming as well. Merrick kept his arms crossed.

“And,” I continued, “his sons will be making weapons and armor for the journey ahead for us. His wife has agreed to supply our clothes.”

Viola’s eyes widened. “Enchanted weapons?”

“With the Prince’s gold, of course,” I smirked at Silas, who looked at me in surprise. I laughed. “I told him what Igon had told me. He’s given me an idea of where we should be headed.”

“And where is that?” Silas asked.

I tensed. “I am grateful for what you’ve done, what you’ve all done,” I stated, gesturing at his group. “But I still cannot trust you fully. Not yet.”

Erabella curled her lip. “He threw away everything for you, and this is how you repay him?”

Silas touched her shoulder, and she crossed her arms. She looked at Merrick, an uneasy expression on her face. I glanced at him, and his irises were swirling dark.

Merrick’s ability to read people could be…unsettling.

I sighed and looked back at Silas. “I will tell you where we are heading soon. I will say it’s south. Hitting the kingdoms you wish to will come first. But, for now, you will have to trust me,” I repeated .

Roland let out a laugh, and I glared at him. “I’m sorry, it’s just funny how you told him you can’t trust him fully, but he is expected to trust you.”

“Roland,” Edmund said in disapproval.

He put up his hands. “Continue, Ginger Snap.”

Silas shot a glare at him over my nickname, and I sighed again.

“Where we are headed is dangerous, and it will take them a while to make all of our weapons, let alone Edmund’s new limbs.”

“How long, exactly? And what dangers are we talking about?” Hendry asked. I looked into his mismatched eyes, his bright blue eye nearly white with the setting sun.

“A week, give or take,” Immeron cut in as he walked to Edmund. “I’ll need to do some measuring if you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” Edmund said politely, and Immeron squatted down and began using a tape measure while jotting notes on a piece of parchment.

“Where are we to shower? Use the…restroom?” Era asked shyly.

I glared at her. Pretty princess has probably never had to struggle in her life.

“There is a small waterfall on the eastern side of the mountain. It will be cold, but it will do. As for the restroom,” Immeron shifted uncomfortably. “There is an outhouse over there with a bucket,” he said, pointing to the outbuilding past their houses.

She looked at him in horror. “But…you have homes.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Hard to have plumbing on top of a mountain. ”

“Did you not have to relieve yourself in unsavory locations when you traveled to the fort ? Or anywhere else, for that matter?“ Merrick asked her with an amused look.

“No, the carriages I rode in had a toilet and a bed. I thought these past two days would be the end of it,” she snapped at him.

Merrick gave a taunting smile. “Well, hate to disappoint, Princess. Nothing like that around here.”

She glared at him as his dark eyes swirled, and a smirk appeared on his face. She huffed and looked away.

Immeron gave an awkward nod, then headed back to his family, his adult children now walking toward my people.

After a moment of silence, I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I thought that maybe we could…train together while we are here.”

Everyone looked at me like I was nuts. I crossed my arms and stood up straight. “I’ve taught what I know about weapon combat to my friends, but I’m sure there’s still a lot we could improve on.” I met Silas’s eyes and then looked around the group. “And I figure we could teach you about magic. Not how to use it, obviously, but ways to avoid moves that can be deadly if struck with them.”

The group remained silent, exchanging glances with one another.

“It’s the only productive thing I can imagine us doing during our stay. By all means if someone can think of something better, let’s hear,” I said with my hands up.

“Very well,” Silas agreed. “We start tomorrow.”

Before Immeron and his family were to begin on our weapons, clothing, and Edmund’s leg, I asked nervously about any food they had on the mountain. Because of Ayla’s ability to control the weather, it was perfect up here for growing fruits and vegetables. Their sons and their wives were hard at work cooking up a large stew everyone could enjoy later while my people snacked on fresh fruit from their trees. Apples, bananas, dates—all different types spread across the mountain, with different climates accommodating them. It was truly remarkable. Silas handed a pouch of gold to Ayla, whose eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the sight of it. While this place was well equipped to self-sustain, the near hundreds of us were not anticipated. The men were to venture tomorrow to the markets in Forsmont to see what they could bring back.

I wanted to bathe, as I’m sure the rest of my group did as well, but after two days on the road, all I wished to do was sleep. While the ground here was no more comfortable than the ground anywhere else, the comfort of having my people safe, my mother nearby, and even Silas here allowed me to drift into a deep sleep.