The Call Of Shadows

Chapter Fifteen

Kiedra paced back and forth on the deck of the ship she and a number of other elves and fae had taken to reach the man's western shore. They had brought plenty of food and water on both her ship and the other two that rode with them, but the waters near the shore were beginning to get rough. A storm had passed through the area several days before- the winds whipping the ocean into a white froth, dangerous by anybody's standards. They had five mages aboard each ship to ensure safe travel from the elements. She was quite shocked they had made it this far if she were being honest with herself. She had doubted the Sirens would keep their word, but this queen had proven far more honorable than her predecessors. Zena came up behind Kiedra and leaned her forearms against the deck railing, taking a few moments to relax in the sun while it lasted. Even with the cool breeze at their backs it was quite warm on the ship.

"Can I ask you something Kiedra?" She said after a spell of comfortable silence. Kiedra glanced at her sideways, "I don't know, can you still gut a man?" Teasing her. Zena grinned and punched her in the arm, "That's a dumb question. It may have been a while since I trained with you, but never forget how far I was willing to go to get that stupid gauntlet!" She cleared her throat and resumed. "I was going to ask how- how he was. I haven't spoken with him since he left, and I was just wondering if he was ok now." She looked at her friend, crestfallen. She hated that she wanted to know, but there was a part of herself that would always care for him.

Kiedra smiled sadly. "He's doing better. He was among those who helped to hold off the attack near the wall when Me-Ree was marching on the capitol. I saw him across the field helping to carry away the dead. He's one of those that always did better with grief when he was doing something, even after losing the baby unfortunately." Zena bit her lip as she held back tears. "I'm glad to hear that." She said, hugging her tightly. "Can I tell you something if you promise to keep it between us?" She whispered in her ear. Kiedra pulled back and looked her in the eyes. "You can tell me anything!" She said fiercely. Her bottom lip trembled as she spoke. "I'm with child again Kiedra...and I'm so scared! When we were still in the Holy Lake, Rokan asked if I would lay with him and I did; I hate that I fell in love and I don't know what to do!"

Kiedra's heart sank. She grabbed her hands in solidarity before asking her if she had told him yet. "No," She said, "I didn't know until we were nearly halfway to the coast. I thought it was just seasickness at first but, you never forget that feeling. And I didn't start bleeding earlier this week like expected." Salwein's words came back to her as she looked at Zena. "Salwein said before he died to look at the stars because his replacement had been conceived but- I had no idea it was you..." Zena stared at her blankly. "What? No, that can't be right Kiedra. This child, this child is the first of its kind and the stars have never chosen an heir like this. His replacement was supposed to have been born already- who would the child study under if Salwein is already dead?"

Her confidence faltered slightly. "I- I don't know." She admitted. "Look," She said, "We can deal with this later. And I promise, we will deal with this. The other Elders will know what to do, and for better or worse I trust them." Zena pulled her in for a hug. "Thank you...thank you for not being upset." Kiedra snorted. "Are you kidding me? I know I don't see you often, but no child is ever going to change the way I see you. Half-human or not." She smiled and wiped her eyes. "So do you think we're getting close to the cost yet? We've been on the sea for how long now?" "Too long." Kiedra said grimly.

"We may be able to assist with that small matter." A voice crooned to their right. Zena practically jumped out of her skin as she saw the siren clinging to the edge of their boat. "I apologize for frightening you. But at the rate you sail, you will not reach the coast for another four and a half days at least. And, according to Queen Gianna of the Fae, the blood should be spilling by the end of two days." Zena stepped closer, albeit cautiously. "You said you could help with that? How so?" She asked. "We would be willing to pull you along. We can swim far faster than the wind can make you sail, and you will reach the shore with nearly a full day to spare."