Mythic (NaNoWriMo14)

Chapter 16 - The Problem With Plans

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Chapter 16 - The Problem With Plans

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Rena's cheek still stung by the time she reached the heart. 

Though she guessed that Svala's valkyrie was now the one in control after her unbinding, it still hurt, hearing the accusing words, the utter conviction in Svala's voice as she effectively proclaimed Rena a coward who refused to act. 

And I was the only one to stand up, thought Rena as she placed a palm flat against the doors. Does she blame me because I was the only one with a Mythic in control? What of the others?

The runes recognised her and lit up, opening and allowing her to step through and into the room. As usual, the sound of splashing water met her ears that now swivelled unconsciously towards their focus. Only a week had passed by, but Rena found the idea of her previous ears stranger than these. It felt right. 

They focused in on the sound of the djinn's voice on the balcony. "Ah, Emberheart! Please, join me up here. I have several new exercises planned that I believe may yield the best results yet!" 

Rena complied, silently making her way to the staircase and ascending to join the djinn. Her thoughts were a mess after the encounter with Svala, and Cayden's spoken words -- You need to find something we can use -- and those he hadn't said -- And if you don't, Nazine is going to die -- and honestly, Rena wasn't sure what part of everything had affected her the most. 

I obviously had the power to stop them from being drained since I saved Cayden. Does that put their deaths on me? 

She found a low table set up with two seats across from each other and, at Qariinn's gesture, took the one furthest from the balcony's edge. Instead of initiating the usual chatter that she'd use to try and squeeze information from him, Rena opted to examine the objects on the table. Some kind of carved crystal. What effectively amounted to a pile of sticks. A book. Nothing that seemed particularly mystical. 

"You're unusually quiet today," said the djinn, taking his place across from her. His eyebrows drew together. "Your face, were you struck in training? Has Kiou failed to oversee it correctly?"

Rena shook her head. "No. Kiou's rule of 'nothing above the neck' still stands." She rubbed her fingers over her tender skin. "Svala, the valkyrie that arrived with me, struck me in the halls on my way here."

Qariinn's jaw set. "Ah. I had hoped you might escape her notice, but I suppose with the way everything has turned out, it was inevitable." 

"I'm not the only one she's confronted?" asked Rena. 

"A number of the Unbounds were approached as a group by her, though she didn't strike them unless they were directly involved with the transport or restraint of the defilers," said the djinn, resting his staff across his lap. "She attempted to approach even me earlier, declared that the maiden's protection has been revoked though I question whether she is powerful enough for such thing. I fear she was not in a stable state of mind when she made the transition, that she has adopted her human's grief for the loss of her defiler and it is clouding her judgement."

"I see."

The djinn's eyebrows were yet to relent. "I must admit, I have had more problems with the group brought in with you than I have with any others, although your presence makes it infinitely bearable, Emberheart." 

Rena acknowledged the compliment by inclining her head. "Your praises exceed my own merit, Qariinn. May I ask what problems you are encountering with the others?"