Page 39 of Aofie's Quest
“Is there more than one?” I scratched the back of my neck.
Takari leaped to her feet and paced, shaking her head. “No. No, no, no. Aofie, if you value your life you will stay far, far away from that sword. There are legends about it, and there’s a reason it is hidden. No one should take up that sword. No one!”
The venom of her words frightened me and I shrank away. “Bu…but…but why?” I finally stammered.
Takari crossed her arms over her chest, her words so low I almost missed them. “It is the sword of death, the sword of a slayer with potent magic. Legends tell of its deeds but no one has been able to control the sword—instead, it controls them, and always, always leads to a tragic end.”
My heart thumped in my chest and my mouth went dry. I focused on the shimmering light of the river, wondering, again, what purpose my mother had for me. She’d known that I was the child of a god. Was that why she destined me to be a warrior and fight the angel of death? Was it why she had other children, that they might rule when she knew, all along, she was sending me to my death? I recalled the way her arms went around me, hugging me tightly, fiercely, as though she knew we had limited time together. Was that all I was good for? Fighting and killing? I shuddered. Killing people was even harder than killing animals—necessary, but I still didn’t like it.
“Do you think the power of the sword was why the king and queen did not use it to thwart the plans of the angel of death?”
Takari snorted and pressed a hand to her mouth. “How could they, when they didn’t know who the enemy was until it was too late? I was born after the fall of the kingdom, but some of my people dwelled in the kingdom as representatives of the wood nymphs. All races went to the kingdom of men to form alliances, to make treaties and conduct trade, for all life centered around their whims. Those who fled said they tried, but the humans were too busy betraying each other to see the true enemy. Some say the kingdom of men fell because of corruption and it should never rise again. Others have taken a vow to oppose anyone who seeks to reclaim the kingdom for their own purposes, likely influenced by the angel of death himself.”
I’d never heard anyone oppose my quest before—although it was not a quest I was sure I wanted anymore. The more I spoke with Takari, the more alike I realized we were, despite the way she’d used her magic on me—a trifling memory now—I appreciated her honesty. “Do you believe the kingdom of men is beyond hope?”
Takari brushed two fingers down her arm and sent a sheen of blue into the river. It disappeared among the waters, like a shimmer of blue dust. It was lovely and for a moment I wondered if my magic could do anything as beautiful.
“We should find Romulus and discuss.” Takari picked up the basket. “I believe what Romulus believes. At its core, the kingdom of men was corrupt. You met their queen and even though you mourn for her loss, I am sure there are actions she took you did not agree with.”
I nodded although irritation clawed at my throat. Should I tell Takari who I was? Should I explain about my birth?
“If she was their best, their leader, what more did the others do?”
I stood, shaking back the feeling of gloom and desperation. “She never told me what happened to the king,” I admitted, even though it was a question I hadn’t found the time to ask.
“I’m sorry. You must have many unanswered questions,” Takari said.
I fell in step with her but did not respond as we returned to the temple. I was sorry to leave the river and thoughts churned within me. My task was far more difficult and dangerous than I’d ever imagined, and, I had to admit, I was afraid. Afraid of facing the open road, afraid of fighting, and afraid of uncovering more truth.
As we walked, I lifted my eyes to the elegant hills curving away. It was hard to imagine this land had once been a volcano, a land of ash and rubble. I eyed the summit, clearly visible in the daylight yet unremarkable. Part of me wondered, if I’d been lucid, had I dreamed up my encounter with a greater demon? But then I recalled the coldness of his touch and the strange heat that surged through me as we connected. I shivered and forced my thoughts away; it was not good to dwell on what could not be.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Takari ledme to the wide kitchens, where a group of women, children, and men worked, chopping and laughing amidst the spicy aroma of hot food. They paid us no attention as Takari and I helped ourselves to bowls of fruit, vegetables, and smoked fish. Before we could eat, Takari led me down a hall to a small chamber.
Romulus sat inside at a round table. A high window covered with bars let in the sunlight, which shone down on his silver hair. A scroll lay on the table before him, edges held down with stones. Slate-gray eyes passed over me, taking in my clean hair and fresh dress. My pulse quickened as my thoughts went to his hand on my knee, warm, inviting, something else? But I shouldn’t focus on those thoughts. Instead I took a seat on one side of him, and Takari perched across from me.
“Aofie. Takari,” Romulus said, tracing his finger down the map.
“What is this?” Takari asked as she gracefully scooped a slice of fruit out of the bowl.
“The route we should take.” Romulus pulled out his pipe and worried the end between his teeth.
I peered at the parchment, recalling my own map I’d quickly lost. Labraid unfurled before me. I made note of the Beluar Woods and the river I’d followed, which seemed to wind across the entire world, growing and shrinking. There were mountains and hills, trees and structures, temples, towers, and spiraling castles.
“Mind if I have a smoke?” Romulus asked, pulling out a pouch of what looked like dried leaves.
Tearing strips of smoked fish with my fingers, I shrugged. “Go ahead.”
My eyes drifted back to the map, scanning to see where we were in comparison to the Beluar Woods. My heart lurched. Labraid was enormous.
Romulus tapped dried leaves into his pipe, pressing and rolling them together. A heady fragrance filled the air, even before he lit it, and my thoughts drifted away, back to the Beluar Woods during harvest. We’d celebrate the festival of the harvest with food, dancing, and drink. The elders smoked long pipes, making shapes with the smoke. The young ones loved to run through them, laughing and hollering as they chased the evasive smoke. During those times, no one teased me and I was part of something much bigger than myself.
I shook my head, pressing back my rising tears and twisted emotions. I was many things—a warrior, a princess of Labraid and a child of a god, whether or not he cared about me. My mother was dead, the goddess of fire had tortured me, and the angel of death stole my throne. By all rights, I should be strong, determined, relentless, instead of letting my emotions overrule me. I should strategize with my newfound friends yet all I wanted to do was run away and hide.
Romulus lit his pipe and sat back, puffing out generous billows of white smoke. I inhaled the bold, rich scent, which filled me with peace. A comfortable silence stretched between us until Takari spoke.
“Romulus. She wants to know about the kingdom of men and what you and I believe about it. I think, because of what happened…I think we should tell her.”
