Chapter 17; Son of Lamos

“Impossible,” Patronith slithered from behind a rock. His wrinkled face was twisted in confusion. “He spoke... and to you?

“You!” Trahern glared at Patronith. “You were eavesdropping.”

“They say the rocks have ears, but that is not true. Only those who are clever enough to hide behind the rocks have ears.”

Lydia frowned. “You could have helped us from the cave creature.”

“Never mind that,” said Patronith. “Do you understand what has just happened? Lamos awoke from a twenty year slumber, and he spoke to you – Ceirlonians. Lamos will not even speak to the high priests and priestesses here. Humiliating. You’ve just experienced the highest honor in our culture and you do not even seem phased. Disrespectful.”

Lydia and Trahern looked at each other.

“You must rest and meditate on what has just happened. I will take you to the settlement and arrange rooms for you and your companions to take.” He stopped and turned to look at Trahern. “You now understand what I hinted at before, Son of Lamos.”

Lydia watched Trahern’s face, searching for some kind of emotion. She searched in vain. He stared at Patronith, shoulders relaxed in a slight slouch.

Patronith snorted. “You don’t have to answer me. It wasn’t a question any how. You are the only relation Lamos claims, therefore we shall treat you as such – Ceirlonian scum for a father or not.”

Lydia felt something snap inside her head. It was something that was always there, sitting in the back of her brain. Until now it’d been dormant, sleeping through Michael, Shaun, and Odelia. Now it lashed out. “You are no better than scum. Your prejudices are unjustified and foolish!”

“Lydia,” Trahern said.

Lydia ignored him; she didn’t know how to stop herself. “There’s no reason for this foul treatment! What is it you have against Ceirlonians? Is it that they actually get to see the real sunlight?”

“Lydia.”

“No, Trahern, he called your parents scum! You can’t just let him!”

“Lydia!” He grabbed her shoulders. She swallowed her words, looking him straight in the eye. “He’s giving us a place to stay. Let it go.” He turned to Patronith. “I’m sorry if she insulted you. We appreciate your hospitality.”

Patronith smirked. “Do not worry about such things. I take everything Ceirlonians say with a grain of salt. It’s all we can do my boy. It’s all we can do.”

Lydia pushed down the lump that had just climbed up her throat.

“Now if you’d just follow me I’ll lead you to your slumber chambers.”

Trahern nodded and lifted a hand to Lydia’s shoulder. Lydia shook his hand off. She pressed her lips together and frowned at Trahern. She heard him sigh. It was a faint sigh, but still there.

…

Trahern sat in his room in the cryptic manor they had been allowed to stay in. He hadn’t had much time to be alone since they left Ceir. He was used to being alone, used to being able to think things over and scheme. His eyelids drooped with exhaustion and he fell back onto the soft bed. Why was it that when he finally had time to think he just wanted to sleep?

He looked to the ceiling, tracing the acrylic angels painted on the dome with his eyes. He could barely make out their little smiles. There was no Dust in Lamonia, so everything was powered by water and fire. The room was lit by nothing save the light of candle.

There hadn’t been time to explain things to Mica, Kyler, and Gray. They’d been led to their rooms, and that was that. They’d talk in the morning. He wondered how they would respond to Lamos’s suggestions to stop Nex. Mica wouldn’t want to follow Rainy Opal, but she’d finally get to find her father. Gray would mumble and say something about protecting Lydia.

And Kyler. Kyler wouldn’t care one way or another. He’d follow because he had nowhere else to go.

There was a knock at his door.

“Come in,” he sat up, the blood rushed to his head.

The door creaked open and a girl with copper hair poked her nose into the room. It was Pandora – the girl who’d told them of Larauna and Nex before they found out the truth from Lamos. He felt his left eyebrow rise. “What can I do for you?”

The girl smiled a wire thin grin. “You are Larauna’s son, aren’t you?”

“What’s it matter who my mother is? She’s been gone for a long time.”

“But it does matter,” Pandora tiptoed further into the chamber, carefully closing the door behind her. “I’ve dedicated my life to studying your mother. I’m the youngest scholar in Lamonia, and the most knowledgeable on Larauna Wellenberg.” She sat herself on the bed next to him.

He stared at an angel in the right corner of the ceiling. Its face was scrunched up in the dim light, almost demonic. Pandora gazed up to the ceiling and sighed.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it? The ceiling?” she asked.

“You could say that.” The demonic angel glared at him.

“My name is Pandora, and I’ve always known you were alive, Trahern Wellenberg. Always.” She set her hand on his knee. “What does it feel like to find out you’re a Lamonian?” she asked. “I assume it’s a bit overwhelming to discover you’re something so much greater than you always thought.”

Trahern shrugged. “I don’t feel any different.”

“It is truly grand to be Lamonian. With the power of the few crystals that are left down here, we can do amazing things. It is in our blood to find the full potential of the crystals. One day our civilization will be like ancient Crye – just as advanced, just as marvelous. Your grandparents are the Great Twelve, Trahern. You could help us.”

“I’d love to, but I have other things on my agenda currently.”

“We are Lamonians, Trahern. We are the Crystal Children. We belong together.” Her hand slid up to his arm. “Stay here Trahern. If Nex comes here, ward him away for us, but please don’t go off looking for trouble just to help the silly Ceirlonians.”

Trahern glanced down at her hand, her small fingers trailed up and down. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m helping you.”

“No,” he gently, but quickly moved the hand off him. “I’m going back to Ceirlonia. I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

“You just don’t get it, do you?” she snorted.

“What don’t I get? I understand everything.”

“Lamonians don’t help Ceirlonians. We’re better than that, Trahern. We are so much better than their selfish, stupid, arrogant ways.”

“I see no difference between us.” He watched as Pandora’s eyes narrowed and an unreadable expression overcame her face. She leaned against him, looking up at him.

“Stay,” she said pathetically before she forced her mouth on his, causing Trahern to freeze with surprise.

…

It was late in the evening, but Lydia made sure to find the time and the energy to go to the other’s rooms and tell them of what Lamos had said. Trahern had retired to his chamber without as much as a good night to Lydia, but that was fine with her. It wasn’t his job to inform the group – she was the one with Ceirlo’s Crescent. She was the one who would have to rule the continent.

Before returning to her own room, she couldn’t help but wonder what Trahern was doing. That doesn’t matter, she told herself. He’s a jerk, remember. He wouldn’t even stand up for you in front of Patronith. He kissed you and took it back. Yet, she found herself walking down the corridors, her feet guiding her to the room where Trahern was staying.

But he did kiss you.

Lydia hesitated before his door, pondering over whether she should open it or not. Her fingers grazed over the handle.

She heard voices. Trahern’s voice – then another.

Without much further thought and the new curiosity, Lydia barged through the creaky door.

She didn’t understand the rush of emotions that took over her body the moment she saw him with the other girl. The other girl was looming over Trahern, and she was kissing him. Lydia’s lip quivered and her body went limp. A sea of sadness overcame her, washing her body back and forth, drowning her in the foam.

Trahern looked at Lydia. Pandora slid away from him and he sat up and rushed towards the door. Pandora grinned at Lydia, her aqua colored eyes burning.

“He belongs here, Wielder of Ceirlo. You belong up above.”

“Lydia, it’s not how looks,” Trahern grabbed Lydia’s hands. Lydia pulled them away. She ran out of the room and through the corridor before she could give them the satisfaction of seeing the tears run down her cheek. She was stupid – just a stupid, ignorant teenager. Trahern was right. She was too inexperienced to rule a kingdom. Until now, she hadn’t known what it was like to cry over a man. She wasn’t a woman. She didn’t have what it took to be Empress.

She shut herself into her chamber and stuffed her face in a pillow. She cried and she hated herself for it. She felt the pillow dampen and punched at it. She punched it until feathers flew out. It was better than screaming; no one could hear her punch a wet feather pillow.

…

“Lydia!” Trahern jumped to his feet and attempted to run after her. He reached the door, but it swung into his face. He tugged at the handle in vain. The door refused to open. Pandora laughed. A glowing crystal sat in the palm of her hand. Her fingers closed on it and she placed it into her pocket.

“This is part of the magic of being Lamonian. I can work the crystals to my advantage. All it takes is a little practice to use the energy to move objects. Take this door for instance, I told it to lock itself, and look, now you can’t open it.”

“You just don’t give up, do you?” Trahern pounded his fist on the door.

“And I won’t until we are married,” she said, her face stone and serious.

“You’re just scaring me now.”

“Find a way to open the door and I’ll leave you alone,” she giggled.

Trahern grit his teeth. “Come on,” he shook the handle, “open!”

Pandora took the crystal out of her pocket and tossed it from hand to hand. She laughed with amusement. Trahern eyed the crystal.

“Give it to me,” he said.

“What? No.”

“Give me the crystal.”

“It’s not yours to touch.”

Trahern put his head between his hands. The crystal glowed within Pandora’s hand. “Ouch! It’s burning me!” She dropped the crystal and it rolled toward Trahern and rested at his feet. He picked it up and the door opened instantly.

Pandora screamed.

Trahern covered his ears. “Stop that. Was that necessary?”

“You, you’re inexperienced, it’s not supposed to work until you’ve had years of training,” she cried.

“Look, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, you probably just ruined any chance I might have had with that girl and most likely made her hate me. So I really must be going.” Trahern ran down the hall, not once looking back to see Pandora’s eyes watering.

“Lydia!” he rapped on her door.

“Leave me alone!” her voice was muffled.

“Lydia... don’t cry about this. It’s not worth it.”

“Go away!”

“Lydia, just hear me out!”

“No! I don’t want to talk to you today. We can talk tomorrow if I decide it’s worth my time.” He was surprised as he heard her voice raise and become stronger. “I don’t need you.”

He found himself banging his fist against the door. “Fine!” he yelled.

“Fine,” she repeated. “You’re just a big jerk anyway. Forget I said anything!”

“Forgotten.”

He waited for her to say something else... anything else, but it was over. He kicked at her door once more, waiting for a response. Nothing answered him. He turned and retired to bed, relieved that Pandora was gone.

…

When they were ready, Patronith showed the group another way out of the caves. They wouldn’t have to go back through the Lunar Valley, but they would have to fly over the desserts of Phen once more. The Lamonians offered two old doors that Mica fixed up to take them back across the desert.

Trahern glanced at Lydia. It had been two days since their dispute and she wouldn’t even look at him. It got to the point where he began to wonder if speech was even possible for her anymore. She was frozen and it seemed as though nothing could thaw her.

Not that he was trying.

If Lydia wanted to make a mountain out of a molehill, she could go right ahead. He didn’t have time for her teenaged drama. There were more important things at hand, and he hoped the continent’s future Empress would see that. If they were going to stop Nex, things had to be taken seriously. There was no room in their agenda for being love sick or heart broken.

He felt strange about his newly discovered heritage. He still didn’t understand what it meant. Before he’d never thought much about the Great Twelve. They’d been a myth, a part of Ceirlonian culture, but no more real than Santa Clause. Now he was one of them – they were real. They happened, and they were a part of him.

He figured he should feel humbled, or grateful, but he felt nothing.

A part of him wanted to go back to Eibil and forget about helping Lydia, but he knew there was no turning back. If he went back to Eibil he’d just end up with a rust colored glyph on his forehead. Bearers of that mark couldn’t make cash as mercenaries.

Selfish.

He knew he was selfish, but he’d never had to worry about anybody but himself. Having this kind of responsibility was new to him. It was a wet weight he would have shaken off in a heartbeat – given the opportunity.

What word had Lydia used to describe him? Jerk. It was a good choice of a word – fitting.

He climbed onto a door to find Kyler already sitting on the back of it.

“We’re gonna stop Kalida! We’re gonna get outta this dark, slimy place,” Kyler chanted. Trahern smiled, but he couldn’t find any glee for himself.

Kyler’s smile was short lived. The boy went stiff suddenly, like a stuffed animal, like a taxidermist’s dream. His hands twitched and his eyelids fluttered.

“Kyler?” Trahern waved his hand over the orphan’s field of vision. “Kyler? What’s wrong?”

Just as suddenly as the orphan had stiffened, he fell. Kyler sniffled and he shook his head, trying to snap out of it.

“What just happened?” asked Trahern.

“Trahern...” Kyler shuddered.

“What is it?”

“I just saw something.”

Trahern cocked his head to the side. “Tell me Kyler, what did you see?”

Kyler shook his head. “It was bad Trahern.”

“Tell me.”

“I saw Nex. He’s big, and he has these yellow eyes, like he has a liver disease. I’ve seen it on the streets before. And that mark, the one on the people’s forehead’s – it’s on his head.”

“You’re sure this is Nex?”

“Yes, but that’s not all. It’s a dark day. Nex is dead on the ground. You’re there and so is Lydia, only...”

“What?”

“Lydia is dead on the ground too.”

“Kyler, don’t lie to me.”

The orphan refused to look Trahern in the eye. “I’ve lied to a lotta people Trahern. I’d never lie to you. Not ever again.”

Lamos’s voice ran through Trahern’s head.

The desert Trahern, you need to cross the desert. Your journey both begins and ends alone. That is the way.

Trahern nodded to the words and turned around to face Kyler.

“Signal the others Kyler.”

“Why?

“I have to leave,” said Trahern.

“No! Why?”

“I... I have to go and learn something. I just need to go Kyler.”

Kyler shook his head. “We can’t do this without you.”

“I promise I’ll find you and come back when I’m ready.”

“Don’t be stupid! You’ll die in the desert. How is that gonna do us any good? Look, I don’t know if what I saw is really gonna happen. This is new for me... I’ve never seen something bad before. But I do know things won’t end good without your help. Lydia’s trying, but she, well I think she needs you to help her.”

Trahern looked at the orphan and his heart sank. “I promise I’ll come back. I swear I’ll come back, but I need to do this right now. Please understand Ky.”

“I don’t understand, but I trust you. Don’t let me down, Trahern.”

…

“I have to go,” Trahern explained to Gray, Mica, and a stiffened Lydia.

“Tray,” Mica frowned. “We can’t go on without you. The Blades are still out there. Two of us are not enough to hold them off.”

Lydia refused to look at Trahern, but she gazed at Mica. “Three of us are. I’m stronger than you think I am.” Lydia moved her eyes to Trahern for a moment. His face was stiff and blank. She didn’t need him. It was time to move on. His eyes briefly met hers. She jumped, she wasn’t expecting that.

Trahern looked away and turned his back to them. He swallowed, and looked out to the desert. “Don’t worry about me. We’ll meet again someday soon. That’s all I know, and it’s all I need to know to move on.” He walked across the Dust without looking back.

Mica motioned for Lydia to take over his door so they could get going before the sun got too hot. But Lydia could only watch the tattered figure disappear over the horizon and into the desert. We’ll meet again someday, we’ll meet again.