Lifelight: Calypso Returns

26.

The cabin was more of a shack hidden in a clump of dead or dying trees on the Eastern edge of the ridge they were on. Ice crystals had formed in her hair by the time she found and she was so paranoid she jumped at every shadow. The mountains were eerie, too cold to support most forms of life, the days passed in silence without bird song or normal night sounds. Instead icy wind whistled between the ridges like thin blades cutting through flesh.

The shack was well kept despite appearances, the fireplace dry and swept.The floors were old and rotting in places but the wood seemed to holdup well enough. She assumed that Diira had cleaned up even though the nymph was nowhere to be found.

She had slipped out at the end of a drill which involved swimming in a frigid lake. She was done faster than everyone else and exploited the window as Lam got an earful from Conte gliding next to him on a boat.She would be punished when she got back but at the time it had seemed worth it to meet Diira.

Hera made herself comfortable on the only piece of furniture in the shack,an old, damp armchair. Her nervousness was tampered down by Calypso's voice.

Azmythica lies close.

"Yes,a few hours north." Hera said.

Will we go?

"I don't think so. It might not be safe yet."

Your palace was a fortress. The greatest armies of Saira were crushed against its walls.

"It was not my palace. The queen is dead. We both saw her die."

A tide held back is a tide all the more ferocious.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

That you would rather take the battering of the waves now than drown in the storm to come.

"Hasn't your past caused me enough grief? I have mourned the dead as best as I could."

For us, there are worse things than the losses of death.

The image of her withering aunt flickered before her eyes and Hera felt a surge of fury against Calypso for summoning it. Later she would remember that Calypso had said 'us' and be torn up by guilt. No one knew more about sacrifice than the goddess.

Diira floated into the shack wrapped in layers and layers of wool. Hera had been waiting for close to an hour and was sure Thur would be furious.

"I hate the cold. The mountains are not even volcanic. Training does not suit you at all."

"It's nice to see you too."

"So...what are you doing here?" Hera said.

"Abu told me of your plans. I came to see if I could change your mind." Diira said.

"I want to see my family." Hera said.

"I know but things are different now. Changed. I have been to the shores on the other side of the ridge. Azmythica rises." Diira said.

"Do you know what is causing it? Tell me." Hera said.

"I only know that it is terrible. That you are right in your suspicion that the gods are involved."

"How do you know that?"

"The water nymphs were the goddess's own, her favorites. The last of their life light was sacrificed to the island to protect it until Sithera's return. It was your crossing the planes that started its emergence but now it being forced above the waters."

"Forced?"

"Azmythica is the seat of the ruler of Saira. Whoever wants it is powerful enough to defeat the curse of the water nymphs."

"So what do we do?" Hera asked.

Diira said, "It will still be a while before Azmythica is breached. You have the power to get there first and take your rightful place at the throne of Saira but there can be no stops in Azmire. I advise that you seek Thur's counsel."

"Theorder would have to come from Gelife and he is not letting me nearthat island. Not until he smooths everything over with the nobles."

"Ifear that as well," Diira said, "I do not want you alone."

"Iam never alone. So about beating the other guy to Saira's throne?"

"Howdo you feel about taking long walks on icy cliffs?"

Herahad not shared her deep concerns about Calypso's plans with Diira.It would only worry the witch who looked like she carried the weightof the Bithril Mountains on her shoulders and she could have beenwrong. As she lay in her cot that night, Lam sleeping next to her, itoccurred to her that she never really spoke to anyone about Calypso.

Shelooked at Lam wrapped up in eight blankets with his thin wispy hairsticking out of them and remembered his words, "War, Calypso willbe out for blood."

Itwas difficult to decide what she felt about the goddess. Her presencewas a comfort, because she was old beyond imagination and wise. Sheloved Saira, her people, and the sea.

Calypso'semotions surpassed hers by far. The goddess felt things in pureblinding clarity. Her anger raged like a tsunami and her fear madeHera lightheaded and nauseous. She knew Calypso the protector andguardian, only caught glimpses of the warrior. Hera shuddered at thethought of two gods going to war. Calypso had almost been thrilled atthe prospect. She had been lying in wait for centuries and she wasready.

Heracrawled out of bed feeling like she had just gone several rounds witha demon. The blinding white light reflected off the snow felt likepikes being driven through her eyes.

"Hera!You are dragging your entire unit behind. Pick it up or everyone willstart again!" Conte said.

Herathought of three different ways to kill him before he was doneyelling at her. Her lack of sleep was costing her and her unit. Dinasnarled at her from meters ahead and she picked up the pace. She wasnot sure just what Dina was but Hera was pretty sure she would eather if she had to go back to the start of the course.

Lamon the other hand was breezing through and Conte only had praise forhim. In the freezing cold of the mountains, Lam's ears were evenbrighter red from blushing. He stole looks at Conte when they werefinished and separating to wash up. Hera grinned at him despite herhumiliation.