The Aspect: The Cessation's Harbinger Read online

  Riika shrugged. “I can think of worse ways to go.”

  Saïgra’s entrance into the room halted their laughter. She subtly waved before stepping into the open. Tempest had never seen her in this form before. Normally, her leaves, vines, and bark acted like clothing concealing her most important assets. However, now she was completely nude.

  Riika was the first to state something as Saïgra dipped her feet into the tub. “Wow, I think you almost have me beat with those abs of yours, Saïgra,” Riika said, pointing at Saïgra’s flexed stomach.

  “No, one can beat yours, Riika,” Saïgra said, smiling. “Queen Maileath makes sure all the dryads are combat trained from birth. The Queen drives defense and preservation of the Firegrove into us from the very beginning.”

  “She sounds like my da’, only it was defense and preservation of yourself and your family.”

  “It seems like we have that in common then.”

  As the others laid back and settled into their relaxation, Tempest couldn’t help but notice Saïgra sprout vines from her body, soaking in the moisture as she lay there. It reminded him of the thin root strands that hung off of the bottom of lilies in the ponds back at the Firegrove. Ella broke Tempest’s concentration as she spoke.

  “Saïgra, I know it may be a bit embarrassing, but I do think it’s important to address what occurred earlier today.” Tempest and Saïgra both glanced at each other and then back at Ella, before sinking deeper into the water.

  “What happened?” Riika asked, sitting up in the water.

  “Well, we found out that Tempest has an existing power that he didn’t know he had.”

  “Ooh,” Riika said, swaying her head side to side. “What does he have? Lightning magic like Queen what’s her face, or maybe he can shoot fire from his eyes?”

  Ella just placed her head in her palm and shook her head. “No, but you’ve already experienced it.”

  “Well, now, I have no idea,” Riika said, raising her arms and splashing the water.

  “Remember the smell that Tempest gives off—it seems almost at random—that can sometimes make you… you know?”

  “You mean want to rip his clothes off and fuck him until I can’t stand on my two legs anymore?”

  “Wow, not exactly how I would have put it, but yes.”

  “Of course, I remember,” Riika said, bashfully waving her toes at Tempest.

  “Well, Saïgra got surprised by it earlier today,”

  Riika opened her mouth, paused and then just nodded her head like a piece of music was playing over and over. Everyone sat silently for a moment before Riika turned toward Saïgra.

  “So, did you rip his clothes off and fuck him until you couldn’t stand on your own two legs?”

  Saïgra’s face lit up as red as her leaves as she stumbled over her words. “I-I most certainly did not!”

  “But you wanted to, though, right?”

  “Well, I…” Her eyes darted back and forth between them as she sought the right words to say. “T- that’s none of your concern.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t have blamed you,” Riika admitted, shrugging. “I would have done it.”

  Tempest and Ella both looked at each other in unison. Tempest held up his hands as he addressed her last response.

  “Wait, wait, wait, you wouldn’t have been mad if Saïgra and I…”

  “Yeah,” Ella said, slack jawed. “I am honestly surprised by that response.”

  “Why’s that?” Riika asked, leaning back in the tub and crossing her arms.

  “Well, I have known you to be quite jealous, Riika. Remember when we took the trip to Belaphama?”

  Riika waved Ella’s concern away with a snort. “That was years ago, Ella. Besides, you and I talked about things once we reached the Firegrove. We agreed, together, that we were going to stay with Tempest, knowing he was the Aspect. With that decision made, we both knew that it would be only a matter of time before he took on additional companions.”

  The big, blue she-orc’s shrug sent a ripple of waves across the tub. “And I was okay with it, as long as we had Tempest and each other.”

  “Wow,” Ella said, smiling brightly. “I know we’d agreed, but I honestly thought you would have a problem with that down the road.”

  “Nope!” Riika said, laughing. She sat up and scooted next to Saïgra, who was still in shock at the turn the entire conversation had taken.

  “Besides, I think Saïgra is a great pick. She’s beautiful, smart, and her plant abilities saved our lives back at The Academy.” Saïgra looked up Riika with a wet shimmer in her eyes before shaking her head.

  “Wait, this is absurd, you’re acting like you all have already made the decision.” Tempest moved toward the center of the tub, reaching out for and resting his hand on one of Saïgra’s hands.

  “When we got on the boat, I felt myself slip into despair. Queen Maileath took control of your body and approached me. She knew I was hurting and provided me comfort by listening to me and being there for me when I needed her. The reason I had trouble telling you what happened was because of what she asked me before we departed.” Tempest’s cheeks heated up. “She asked that I consider taking you as a companion.”

  “I knew it!” Saïgra shouted as she jerked her hand back. “I knew there was a reason why the Queen sent me instead of the others who were much more qualified to act as a diplomat. This was all just a ploy to get me to go with you, like I am some kind of…bargaining chip.”

  “No, not at all,” Tempest said. “When she asked me, I told her it would be your decision and your decision alone.”

  “He’s right,” Riika added. “What I said is what I truly believe, and Tempest isn’t the kind of guy who would do something like that.”

  “And that’s mighty praise coming from Riika,” Ella added.

  Saïgra hugged herself, rubbing her shoulders as her eyes darted around, looking back and forth between the other members of the group. “If what you’re saying is true, then I-I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”

  “And that’s perfectly okay,” Tempest said, smiling. “No matter your decision, we enjoy having you here, either way.”

  Saïgra gave him her best smile, trying to hide her anxiety.

  A voice coming from out in the hallway lightened the heavy atmosphere. “Knock, knock,” Kamilah said as she entered the room.

  “We’re in the bathroom,” Riika called out. The sultry sphinx smiled as she slipped around the doorway.

  “Oh my,” she said, fanning her face. “I may faint at the sight my eyes see before me.”

  “You’re more than welcome to join us,” Riika said, leaning her head back.

  Kamilah approached her from behind, purring as she draped the back of her paw along the huntress’ face. “Oh, darling, nothing would please me more than to sulk in the waters with such alluring company, but alas, duty calls. Many of the city’s nobles are seeking refuge behind the castle’s walls because of the rioting and looting occurring in the city. That means busy days are ahead of me.”

  “Sounds like a good problem to have as a purveyor of room and board,” Ella said.

  “Oh, most certainly, darling, maybe enough to finance a further expansion? A girl can dream.” Kamilah sat there and pawed at Riika’s face as everyone relaxed in the tub. Like a child realizing they were late for school, Kamilah shot up and pointed over her shoulder. “I came bearing gifts. The staff brought in an assortment of meats, vegetables, and freshly baked bread. I also have this,” she said, pulling a folded letter out of thin air.

  Maintaining contact as long as she could, Kamilah slid her hand off of Riika’s face and walked over to Tempest. She sat on the edge of the tub and handed him the letter. “A member of the city’s guard handed this to a member of my staff.”

  Tempest accepted the letter and slid his finger around the wax seal, popping it open.

  “What does it say?” Riika asked.

  “It’s from Sophia,” he said. “She wants us to
meet with her at her home. She says she and Headmistress Krenik have found a new lead.” Tempest brought the note back over to Kamilah and pointed to the address written on the back side.

  “Can you get one of your staff to get us directions to this address?”

  “Most certainly, darling, but the city is a nightmare out there. It’s safer for you to stay behind the walls.”

  “That’s not an option, I’m afraid,” Tempest said, his tone devoid of any doubt. “Are you aware of any way back into the city that won’t require us going back through the castle’s gates?”

  Kamilah tiptoed her fingers on the edge of the tub as she looked down at Tempest. “Maybe…but it will cost you.”

  “Name your price.”

  “So, determined…” she said, her vertical slit eyes widened as she stared deep into his own. “I’m getting chills, seeing you in this light.” She purred as she tiptoed her fingers up Tempest’s arm and onto his shoulder. “I’ll require a favor.”

  The relaxed atmosphere in the room instantly shifted, like a boiling pot suddenly spilling over. Ella sharply called out Tempest’s name, only to drop the warning in her voice as Tempest raised his hand.

  “There will be no questions asked, no discussions, and you will execute it to the best of your abilities when I call upon you,” Kamilah finished.

  Tempest watched as the sphinx took her nail and pricked a hole in the middle of her paw, then did so to his hand.

  “Do we have a deal?”

  Without hesitating, Tempest clasped her hand.

  The stone corridor was barely big enough for Riika to run through. Ella’s light elixir illuminated the hallway just enough to keep Kamilah’s tail in sight as she led them through the underground maze. Dirt and dust fell from the ceiling as the crowds roared above them.

  They were in smuggler tunnels Kamilah used to bring in all manner of goods her clientele required, goods that she didn’t want to be seen purveying by the castle guards. After a few more minutes of travel, the booming chants of the crowd faded until they were almost nonexistent.

  “We’re almost there,” Kamilah called out. They took one last turn before reaching a stone stairwell that led to a solid, stone wall. When they reached the top of the stairs, Kamilah pressed a pressure plate along one wall. The solid, stone wall in front of them dripped away like water droplets falling down strands of spider silk.

  Once it was completely clear, Kamilah stepped out into the muddied ground of an alleyway and looked left and right before waving everyone out. Once they were out, she snapped her fingers and a piece of parchment appeared in her hand. She placed it in Tempest’s hand while also pulling him close for a kiss on the cheek. “These are the directions to get you to your destination from here. The city is now under martial law, with sections of the city completely locked down. It would be best if you kept a low profile.

  “Thanks for your help, Kamilah,” Tempest said.

  “You’re welcome, darling. Now don’t you forget our deal.” Her body slipped back into the darkened stairwell, leaving only her bright green eyes as the last thing he saw before the stone door sealed itself shut. A wave of foreboding crashed upon Tempest as he wondered if he’d made a mistake, entering into the deal with her.

  He pushed that thought aside as he handed the parchment over to Riika. “Think you can get us there?”

  Riika unrolled the parchment, scanned through the few lines of text, and shoved the parchment in a pocket behind her breastplate. “Yeah, I think I can do it. Although this smoke, fog, or whatever it is,” she said waving her fingers at the air, “is going to make it more difficult. Also, if they’ve already started pulling down street signs, your guess is going to be as good as mine. She only provided directions, not a map.”

  “I’ll try to remember to ask for that next time,” Tempest said, smiling.

  Riika led the group out of the alleyway onto the main road as they headed further north. The smell of burning wood lingered in the air here, just as the smoke and fog hampered their vision. None of them could see more than twenty feet in front of them as they ventured into the unknown, relying on the directions provided by their questionable benefactor. The day’s descending sun provided just enough light to move without a torch, but Ella’s makeshift lanterns illuminated their immediate surroundings.

  This was the first time Tempest had gotten a good look at the city’s urban density. It reminded him of the sandwiched shacks of the outer layers of Ashwreath. This, however, was even worse.

  There seemed be little to no proper building codes, with many of the buildings leaning dangerously into the ones surrounding them. Crooked and cracked awnings provided an eerie style of architecture, as if designed with the innocence of a child—one who lived in a never-ending nightmare. Many of the buildings had broken windows, hanging doors, and dripping roofs.

  Nothing identified the random shops scattered between the buildings, save for a hanging sign or boarded-up windows.

  Very few people lingered along the path, with many of them immediately turning and sprinting in the other direction as soon as they spotted Tempest and his companions. Doors closed, windows shut, and feet scattered as the group continued down the road. The unfamiliar territory, exposed position, and foreign sounds had them all on edge.

  They ventured deeper and deeper into the recondite city streets until they approached a shouting voice centered at the middle of a major crossroads. An orange glow illuminated things through the wall of smoke as they approached. Dozens of bystanders stood around an elderly naga man as he shouted into the crowd.

  “For too long this city has been under the crushing heel of the hydra. For too long have they sat in their towers, hoarding wealth while we starve and scramble for scraps. We were complacent because they promised us safety against the threats of the outside world. But as we saw yesterday, brothers and sisters, that safety was a facade. In a matter of hours, The Academy, a sanctum of our brightest minds and powerful sorcerers, was destroyed. It’s been hours now, with no answers or word from the hydra.”

  Murmurs and dissent rumbled throughout the crowd of people.

  “You know what I think really happened? I think it was the hydra themselves! We all knew how powerful The Academy was. How every year, the faculty handed out patronage to the people of Halairim in the name of Yuria, our patron Goddess of justice and mercy. How they sent their healers out to help the poor—even those who could not afford it. My sister, may the Gods rest her soul, was one of those who benefited from the treatment of such kind individuals.”

  He briefly bowed his head, before looking back up with a harsh glare. “Never once have the hydra provided such needed services for our great city. Never once have they broken bread with the common folk. Therefore, they resented the great faculty and students of The Academy. Their jealousy for the love we had for those saints at The Academy pushed them to destroy them.”

  “That’s right,” another man shouted from the crowd. “My brother’s cousin, Theo works at the city docks. He said he saw Queen Vatia, and another dragon made of lightning destroy The Academy with their very breath!”

  The crowd grew loud with shouting and cursing as the stentor pointed down at the man.

  “There you have it, folks. A firsthand account of the treasonous acts made by our very own royalty. Their greed and treachery know no limit.” Tempest had been biting his tongue as he listened to the ridiculousness of the crier’s claims. The ignorance and absurdity of Queen Vatia’s efforts to get them into The Academy being manipulated to look like an attack was too much for him to hold back any longer.

  “That’s not what happened!” Tempest shouted, his voice completely silencing the mob.

  The crowd split, leaving a path between the group and the crier.

  “What say you?” the naga demanded.

  “I said that’s not what happened. I know, I was there.”

  “Oh really?” the man said, crossing his arms as a smug smile crept onto his face. “Please do sh
are. We’re all ears.”

  Saïgra pulled on Tempest’s cloak to get his attention. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked, furrowing her brow.

  Tempest squeezed her arm and smiled before turning back and addressing the crowd once more. “It’s true that The Academy was attacked. We all saw it, or know someone who did. However, Queen Vatia, the soldiers of Halairim, and my companions, and I all traveled to attempt to save it. The Queen’s attack wasn’t to destroy The Academy. It was to weaken a barrier that surrounded it, trapping everyone inside.”

  “If what you’re saying is true,” a voice called out. “What happened to everyone inside?”

  “A villainous creature suffocated them. Those who attempted to escape were incinerated by the barrier. My companions and I found everyone dead, but fear not, the dead were avenged when we slew the murderous creature.”

  The crowd’s shouts calmed as they discussed the newfound information. Tempest smiled at his companions as members of the mob dispersed.

  However, everyone’s attention was drawn back toward the center as the crier addressed Tempest.

  “And who do we have to thank as our savior?”

  Tempest puffed his chest out as he spoke. “I am Tempest, neophyte of Meadow…”

  Another member of the crowd cut off his speech. “A neo what?”

  “A neo…”

  Another shout from the crowd called out. “Oh, a neophyte! They are like the sorcerer’s lackeys.”

  That was all the information the crier needed to flip the crowd. “You expect us to believe a neophyte, and not the powerful sorcerers of The Academy, is our savior? Sounds like a bunch of marehund shit.”

  The crowd’s collective voice once again was raised, along with their disbelief.

  “Now hold on a sec…”

  “And look there with him, people. The deception is clear as day. Standing next to this hybrid, a member of the Queen’s guard, wearing armor worth more than your entire life’s savings.”

  Tempest turned, recognizing the Queen’s guard symbol on Riika’s breastplate. The crowd’s recognition turned into a roar of disdain directed at Tempest and his companions.