Page 6 of Fate of Echoes and Embers
I’m sorry.
I should have told her that night. After she slapped me, which I deserved, I should have followed her from the tavern and said those words. To this day, I couldn’t explain why they’d stuck in my mouth. Why I remained silent.
“That’s the reason we’re here. What we are about to tell you cannot leave this chamber.”
Issa’s brows raised. “My integrity is not in question, Marek.”
Hearing my name from her, even in that tone, was something I didn’t realize, until now, I craved.
“No,” I agreed. “It is not. I want you to know,” I said, “the woman you saw me with is my friend Nerys.”
Issa’s hazel eyes flashed. “Nerys, the woman who just challenged Queen Lirael? The new queen of Thalassaria?”
“News travels fast, even among humans.”
Issa’s chin tilted upwards. “We have our ways,” she said. I’d not meant it as a slight but should have realized Issa would take it that way. She truly did hate me.
“Yes, that Nerys. As you may have also heard, she partnered with a human by the name of Rowan of Estmere. My shared mission with him and Nerys, along with Mev and Kael, is the reason we’re here. We need your help.”
Issa’s laugh wasn’t at all like her. It was harsh, and bitter.
“You are the very last person in Elydor I care to help, Marek.”
“Then do it for us,” Kael said, leaning forward, elbows on his knees as if prepared to pitch our plea. “Though we still don’t know how Mev was able to pass through the Gate, she’s been unable to return.”
Issa’s eyes widened.
“You tried?” she asked Mev, who nodded.
“Kael and I were… not in a good place. I did try, and I am still desperate to get back to assure my mom and my friends that I’m okay. But as long as the portal… the Gate… stays closed, I can’t do that. How much do you know about how my father opened the Gate? Or how Kael’s father closed it?”
Issa looked back and forth between them.
“As much as most others, which is not a lot. They say both men relied on the elders and their deep knowledge of Elydor’s magic. I know your father had attempted to create a pathway to the human realm for hundreds of years before he was successful. And that it took King Balthor nearly thirty years to close it. I assume the fact that the two of them are the most powerful in their respective clans isn’t a coincidence?”
No one who knew me would believe it, but that was what most attracted me to Isolde. I heard her voice, appreciated her intellect, before I even saw her face. A brilliant strategist, Issa was as smart as she was beautiful.
“It is not,” Mev verified. “But neither of them, as strong as they are, could have done it without their clan’s most powerful artifact. And not just their own but all three.”
I watched as Issa took in that bit of information. Her eyes narrowed.
“I suppose… that makes sense. To open such a gateway… having the artifacts from all clans would symbolize an acceptance of Elydor for such a thing to come into existence.”
I never thought of it precisely that way myself, but it did make sense. I could tell Mev and Kael were equally as impressed. Also, if Issa was going to look so extraordinarily beautiful when deep in thought, it was probably a better idea that I perish in the Maelstrom Depths than have her accompany me on this voyage.
“There is more to it, of course,” Mev continued. “But essentially, to reopen the Gate and reunite my parents, along with all other humans who were separated when…” She cleared her throat. “Someone’s father closed it…”
Kael’s expression nearly made me laugh, but I didn’t dare. Issa was fully invested in Mev’s story and would not appreciate my levity.
“All three artifacts are needed. My father believes my ability to come through, even though the portal is closed, means it is entirely possible to reopen.”
Issa looked at me.
It was as if I’d just successfully smuggled enchanted crystals past a contingency of Gyorians. At least, until her neutral expression turned into a frown.
“That’s why you are involved. Your friend, the queen, has offered use of the Tidal Pearl. And now you seek the Stone of Mor’Vallis?”
Impressive. “Close. Nerys has indeed pledged use of the Tidal Pearl when the time comes. And getting the Stone of Mor’Vallis from King Balthor will become necessary as well. But that’s his job.” I nodded to Kael and reached for my wine. Taking a sip, I relished Issa’s attention on me. “In the meantime, we need to find the Wind Crystal. Apparently, when King Balthor stole it to close the Gate, he returned a fake to Galfrid and still has the original.”
