Forgotten by the Realms

Chapter 9: Chess Games

Báye's eyes slowly opened to look around the room. The bright late morning moonlight streamed lazily through the window. He was laying in a chair in Coven's room where they had relocated once it became too cold outside. Báye turned to look at Coven, asleep deeply in the opposite chair. He was messily leaning into the arm rest, his mouth parted slightly as a light snore escaped him occasionally. His eyelids fluttered as he shivered slightly. Báye stood up and quietly laid a blanket over him, before returning to the book he had been studying before he had dozed off. The one with the prophecy. Coven had said that it was boring, but frankly Báye found it quiet interesting, especially the detailed drawings depicting what exactly the Protector should
look like. He looked nothing like the description. Why would the prophecy choose him anyways? He was scrawny, timid, weak, and scared far too easily, he doubted whether he could protect himself in a fight, let alone all of the people he was with. Báye sighed as he set the book down and massaged his temples. It was going to be a challenge, he just hoped it wouldn't get more complicated then it already was.
Báye's heart raced a mile a minute when someone banged loudly on the door, he quickly got up and opened it to reveal a very anxious looking Yuri. Her fear melted considerably at the sight of him and she let out a huge breath.
"Phew! I was worried you left during the middle of the night, but I figured I might as well check Coven's room before I jumped to conclusions. By the way where is my son?"
Báye pointed shyly back towards the reading nook where Coven was sleeping soundly as if nothing happened.
Yuri shook him awake looking embarrassed at her son's laziness in front of a guest.
"Honestly Coven, when will you remember your manners!"
He rubbed his eyes sleepily and yawned as she bustled around the room, examining the impeccably cleaned surfaces.
"Did a neat spirit come into your room last night? This is very abnormal. But never mind, both of you come down for brunch Odëthella has been up since morning moons first light!"
Báye flung on his cloak excitedly at the mention of his older sisters name and practically flew down the hallway towards the dinning room. He hadn't seen his siblings for what felt like years, but it made sense since he never been away from them for more then a few hours when he went to school. Báye almost burst with joy when he glimpsed Odë's cloak hanging on the rack and leaped into her warm embrace.
"BÁYEDOLUNE THEOFIN ARYONWYN! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" She yelled in his ear as she gripped him tighter as if he would slip out of her arms any second.
"Odë please I need to.. breathe.." She finally released him and pouted in mock disapproval.
"Forshame Báye.. you made me worry so much I nearly turned into a grandmother! And Sasi went out to the market to look for you immediately after you didn't come home!"
"I'm sorry I couldn't really contact you! By the way where is Sasi?" Odë's smile faded as she turned away to mask her emotions, trying to sound cheerful as she sat down at the table.
"Oh well, they went out looking and I haven't seen them since, but don't worry Yuri says that the society will have the whole team looking for them. Besides how much trouble could Sasi even get in, I mean be realistic here! Let's just enjoy this food the Graxielli's prepared."
A muffled dissonant ringing permeated Báye's ears, and he couldn't hear anything else. Sasi was still missing. The dark servants were still out there, and searching for them. It wouldn't be long before Sasi would be in a whole lot of trouble indeed. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Coven interrupted his thoughts.
"Hiya Báye, how'd you sleep?"
"Ohh hi. Actually I slept much better then I did in my old room thanks.. ummm.. do you know where your mama is?"
Coven nodded his face softening.
"I heard about your sibling. Mama is organizing a search party as we speak. Don't worry, Xanothos is one of the best agents we have I'm sure they will find Sasi." Báye sucked in a deep breath, hopefully it would be soon. He looked back up at Coven as he seemed to read Báye's mind.
"It will be any time now, they'll walk through the door and you'll all be safe. It will be ok, I promise."
Báye nodded reassured, as he turned back to Odë who was looking at him like she had just seen a ghost, a piece of bacon halfway to her mouth.
His face flushed red as he realized he had been holding Coven's hand in his anxiousness, he quickly let go and turned away as his face grew hotter and hotter. He knew Odë was going to tease him mercilessly.
"Soooooo.. Báye. Who's your friend? Were you just not going to introduce me?"
Báye regained his composure enough and turned to see Coven amicably shaking Odë's hand as if he was completely oblivious to what just happened.
"Hello hello there Odëthella! I'm Coventini Graxielli. Báye told me a lot about you, it's just a shame I can't meet your twin at the same time as I meet you. I bet I wouldn't be able to tell you apart!"
Odë laughed boisterously, as she vivaciously shook Coven's hand.
"It is indeed a shame Coventini, but I'm sure they will turn up shortly! But tell me all about this Protector thing, I'm positive you know more about it then Báye does!"
Báye smiled, secretly relieved that the attention was now directed away from him, and he sat down and listened contentedly as Odë and Coven chatted nonstop.

~

It had been 8 hours since the search party had left, and still there was no sign of Sasi. Báye's anxiety had risen again as after each passing hour, the moon continued to sail across the sky, and Sasi didn't walk through the door. He had lost six games of chess to Coven and had just started the seventh, but his head wasn't in the game. He stared blankly at the board as Coven triumphantly wiped out his second Bishop.
"Ok that's enough. Báye, you have been disassociated for the past hour. You didn't even flinch when I took out your Queen! Talk to me."
Báye looked up into Coven's concerned eyes, but his face still remained blank. He wanted to scream. This was the most nerve racking thing that had happened since he lost his parents. If Sasi was really ok, they would have been found several hours ago. Even Odë knew. She had left two hours ago to help the latest team, hopefully she would be able to provide extra information and locations for them to search.
Báye groaned as his breath hitched in his throat and he felt tears prick his eyes.
"I.. I've never been so worried.. about Sasi.. they've... they've always been so strong and..... and I don't think I've ever worried about their safety like this before....... and if they die.." The remaining words disappeared as he heavily dropped his head into his palms, letting the tears pour. His breath came in short gasps, it was too painful to breathe.
Báye inhaled sharply as he felt Coven's warm body against his chest and his arms wrapping around his torso, his protective embrace surrounding him. He hesitantly leaned in closer as he struggled to force his breathing to slow down, and to stop weeping like a moth.
"It's ok, you will be ok. They are going to find Sasi, and they won't be dead. I promise you. Shh it's ok, I'm right here."
His words rang in Báye's head like temple bells, but Báye fought to keep his face calm as his breathing slowed to a ragged pace. His head was swarming with so many thoughts, he felt a rising heat of embarrassment at how he was acting, but more so at how close he was to Coven. Báye struggled to understand the rising emotion that was coursing through his veins, it felt good like he could hike all the way to Eden or destroy an entire hoard of Krill single handedly as long as he felt it, but suddenly the sirens went off in Báye's brain as he recognized it. No. Impossible. A raging war inside him started screaming, threatening to split him in half if he didn't do something.
He couldn't be in love with Coven.
Báye pulled away self consciously as he wiped his face with his sleeve.
"Thank... Thank you." He stuttered, standing up and trying to find an excuse to leave the room.
Coven stood too, clearly feeling the tension as they both struggled to find something to say.
The front door slammed making them jump and forget about the awkwardness spreading like wildfire. Quick, urgent footsteps rushed towards them increasing with volume as the terror rose in Báye's heart.
Yuri burst into the room, dirt and dust coating her face and a nasty ugly bruise surrounding her eye. She cried out in relief as she caught her breath leaning against the doorframe.
"Thank the Elders you two are safe!"
Coven moved quickly over to her, clearly worried by his mother's appearance, but not surprised by it.
"Mama.. your eye. What happened?!" He said in a fearful whisper as he reached out to examine Yuri's bruise. She absently brushed his hand away as she focused her piercing amber gaze onto Báye.
"We found Sasi..."