The War God's Wife

Chapter 6: Rival

After an uncomfortably quiet lunch, I retreated out to the front yard to study my Well in an effort to distract myself from the uncomfortable feelings stirring in my gut and heart. Upon scrutiny, I thought it was larger than before. I tried holding the energy in again, bringing it down to the thin layer of light again. Again, my Well lurched, but, this time, I released the energy immediately. It felt like the same instant tension relief as throwing a weight off. I tried again, releasing the energy in a more controlled manner, like I was setting it down gently. It felt almost like working out some unknown muscle, stretching it for the first time. Somehow, I instinctively knew I was going to be sore all over tomorrow.

Cautiously, I began to go through a process of holding and releasing my energy, effectively exercising my Well.  Time passed slowly, though I had no way to see exactly how much as I kept my eyes closed for best concentration.  I felt sweat dripping off my face in rivers.  My body felt both full and drained at the same time, and I was starting to pant a little.  After a few more repetitions, I checked my Well.  It was definitely larger; where this morning it had felt full, now it seemed a whole eighth or so was missing.  It astonished me how much my Well had increased from such little encouragement and exercise.  Oh how excited Sister Fourth would be if she knew about this.  She'd probably spend a good decade hidden in some mountain just training like this so she could increase her Well by leaps and bounds.  The thought conjured up my sister's animated face smiling widely in excitement and made me grin.  I'd have to teach her it when I saw her next.

A sound caught my ear.  I opened my eyes, blinking to adjust them to the harsh glare of daylight.  It was just past midafternoon, I could tell.  I grunted to myself.  I would have bet it was dusk from how my body felt.  I stretched my stiff limbs when the sound caught my attention again.  Footsteps.  I glanced down the path.  A tall, young, male mortal was coming up the path from the village.  In one hand, he held a velvet box that obviously held something like a necklace.  In the other he held a bouquet of fresh, brightly colored flowers.  Somehow, I doubted they were for Lyterias.

He was courting Calliena.  The realization was like a lightning bolt to my head.  Instantly, I felt the voice in me snarling like a furious dragon, baring razor-sharp teeth and begging to bathe the mortal in flesh-liquidating flame.  I wrestled it away.  It wasn't my place; I had no right to say who she could and couldn't court.  Standing, I saw the mortal catch sight of me and pause, a look of suspicion crossing his face.  I shrugged and shook my legs out.  I have every right to be here, the voice sneered.  For once, I agreed and walked back up to the house.

"You have company coming," I called out as I ducked through the door.  Lyterias groaned and made to stand up.  I shook my head and pointed to Calliena, who was weighing out a measure of saffron to bottle.  She paused in surprise.

"A young mortal bearing flowers and a gift," I explained.  Calliena's eyes widened, and she smiled brightly.

"That's probably Jonathan!"  she exclaimed happily, setting down her task and throwing off her apron.  She quickly finger-combed her curls and dusted off her dress, looking around for a mirror to check her appearance in.  The sight of her preening for that mortal made my innards twist.  Suddenly feeling cross, I walked over to my cot and stretched out on it, allowing my still-stiff and sore body to stretch and rest.  A moment later, there was a knock at the door.

"Come!"  Lyterias barked, and the door swung open.

When the mortal walked in, I was able to get a better look at his features.  He was tall and well-built, at least a hands-width taller than Lyterias.  His shoulders were broad and filled out with muscle from hard work.  His skin was tanned, but not dark, and he had honey-brown hair and dark brown eyes.  Calliena smiled brightly at him, which he returned with a toothy smile of his own.