The Tears of Kas̆dael

They recuperated at the enclave a day before hitting the road once again. The enclave was the farthest west in the Empire Jasper had thus far been, and from there, it was only another week’s journey till they reached the shores of the River.

Having never seen it before, Jasper was unprepared for its true size. He’d certainly noticed, of course, the way people spoke of it with an almost reverent tone, and he’d often wondered why it seemed to possess no actual name. He understood, though, when they finally reached its banks.

It truly was the River. From where they stood, no land could be seen on the other side. Indeed, it could have easily been mistaken for an ocean if it were not for the lack of waves. Yet in their place was something even more dangerous. The waters charged past at a truly frightening pace, white froth churning against the numerous rocky pillars and tiny islands that rose above its waters. It was hard to comprehend how such a massive body of water could flow so fast and yet, from what Tsia had told him, this was one of the calmest spots on the mighty river. Indeed, Birnah’s importance to Sapiya lay largely in the fact that this was the sole point in the River’s entire route through the Empire where a land crossing was possible.

A web of bridges crisscrossed between the small islands, connecting them in a web of ancient, enchanted stonework that eventually reached the distant shores. On the far side lay Birnah, Sapiya’s solitary possession on the western side of the river and the place Kasdael had told him to look for the durgu prince.

They only made it halfway across the tangle of bridges before night fell, and they were forced to stop in a small fishing village that was perched on the edge of one of the larger islands. A beneficiary of the many trade caravans that passed through, the otherwise tiny village supported not one, but two, taverns. Yet, luck was against them that night, as every bed had already been claimed by a group of merchants. With no room left at the inn, they were relegated to crashing in the stables. They barely slept and were up at the first light of dawn.

The last leg of the trek over the River was a surprisingly pleasant journey. The sheer amount of water that surrounded them brought a cooling effect with it, enhanced by the strong winds that danced up above the rushing waters.

The pleasant temperature quickly rose, though, when they finally reached its western shores. The midday sun beat down on them relentlessly as they caught their first views of the endless plains that stretched all the way from the shores of the River to deep within the heart of Gemlir’s fallen realm.

The massive blue skies and an unbroken line of sight that stretched for dozens of miles in every direction were beautiful in their own way. And though the land was every bit as hot as Sapiya’s jungles, here nature had been tamed. Farms stretched in all directions, fields and vineyards, orchards and pastures. The only break in the bucolic scene was the massive fortress slightly to the north.

Everything about the city of Birnah seemed to have been engineered with warfare in mind. Its walls bristled with towers, and the sun’s rays bounced off the metallic coating that covered its walls with a harsh glare. It was a symbol of power, ugly and brutalist, that seemed out of place next to the quaint farms. How many battles must have been fought here?

They’d only traveled a few hundred feet beyond the River when a creeping sensation tingled down the back of his spine. With a sudden spike of paranoia, Jasper glanced behind but saw nothing. The presence lingered though, and when he turned a second time, it finally revealed itself.

A giant blonde man with a roguish grin stared back at him, flashing pearly white teeth that would have looked a little too good for even a toothpaste commercial.

His brows scrunched together as the man’s name wormed its way to his tongue. “Ivan?”

Tsia’s head whipped around at the name, and she nudged her horse in front of Erin’s to get closer to the man. “Lord Imhullu,” she said, bowing her head.

“Ivan’s fine,” the man replied with an easy smile. While it was true that the man so far had done nothing but help them, there was a certain fakeness to the man’s carefree grin and easy-going attitude that made Jasper distrustful, and he cautiously started to draw on his essence, just in case.

The Sidhe’s eyes flicked to Jasper’s hands, and an amused grin spread across his lips. “There’s no need for that,” he said calmly, and though he cast no obvious spell, Jasper’s essence suddenly ceased to move.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better,” he asked with a glare.

Imhullu shrugged. “I’m not here to make you feel better. I’m here to protect my descendant and - as a little favor,” he added with a wink, “I’ll even help the little elfling here too.”

“Protect-?” The question died unspoken as Jasper realized what the Sidhe was referring to. Elves didn’t cross the River for a reason. True, Tsia was only about 1/8th an elf and Ihra, despite how she appeared, was still a Corsythia - or at least, they figured she was. “Do you really think they’re in danger,” he asked.

“Tsia? No. At least not normally. If my kind tried to kill everyone with a hint of elvish descent, there’d be about ten people left in the Empire. Now your little friend,” he waved his hand in a gesture of uncertainty. “From what I’ve gleaned from your minds, she isn’t technically an elf, but she certainly looks like one. It’s not like my old pals are going to a DNA test before killing her.”

“What do you mean not normally?” “DNA test?”

Tsia and Jasper spoke over each other, each echoing their own concern.

Ivan shot his descendant a rueful grin, answering her question first. “I may have pissed off a few of my former colleagues. You should hear the things they’ve been calling me. Turncoat, SOB, Elf fu-” He paused, and changed course. “Actually, I suppose I shouldn’t repeat that in front of such fine ladies.”

“And you,” he added, turning to Jasper. “Yes, I do know what DNA tests are, and, no, I’m not going to explain how - wouldn’t want to ruin the air of mystery I’ve worked so hard to cultivate. Works wonders with the ladies,” he added with a wink.

“But that’s why I am here.” A halo of light began to emanate from his hands and the man placed a hand on the back of both girls, suddenly looming above them despite the fact that he was on foot and they were mounted. They both squirmed away from his touch, revealing a black handprint on their necks that slowly faded back to the normal color of flesh. “There, that should obscure you from any watching Sidhe, and if one does come around, I’ll know.”

For a brief moment, the easy grin was replaced with the glare of a predator and the primal promise of violence. A shiver ran down Jasper’s spine, reinforcing his opinion that the Sidhe, even if he was something of an ally, was once best kept at arm’s length.

“Also,” the man’s grin returned, and he scratched his head with a hint of awkwardness. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you, Tsia.”

“I know I’ve always been something of a grandfather to you-”

“You’re not my grandfather,” she retorted, “and I just met you.”

“Well, perhaps the grandfather of your grandfather’s, grandfather’s, grandfather,” he amended, “but nonetheless, I’m afraid our relationship has changed.”

Tsia raised an eyebrow but chose not to take the bait.

Unperturbed, Imhullu continued blithely on. “You see, sometimes people find other, special people, and well, sometimes, when you really like someone-”

The horror of a dawning suspicion slowly crept across her face. “Don’t tell me…”

Roguish delight glinted in the Sidhe’s eyes. “I’m not saying you have to start calling me ‘father’ right away, and I think we can all agree to stay clear of ‘daddy,’ but-” He ducked as Tsia slipped her shoe off and threw it at him.

“You slept with my mother?!”

“I’d hardly say we slept.” A second shoe came flying after him, as easily ducked as the first and he slowed a minute to pluck her shoes out of the mud, offering them to her with a flourish.

Her face bore a striking resemblance to a steamed lobster as she accepted them mutely. With a little laugh, he patted her cheeks affectionately. “Now, now, Tsia, it’s really not that embarrassing. And even if it were, it’s time to grow past that. You’re going to be a big sis.”

As the last word left his mouth, Imhullu vanished from sight.

“A-a what?” She spluttered, but her words fell on apparently empty air.

“I see Aphora hasn’t changed,” Jasper replied, his voice a bit choked as he tried to hold back his laughter.

“I-I…argh.” With a growl of frustration, Tsia looked away, her cheeks still burning.

“Surely you aren’t surprised,” Ihra cut in. “For an elf, she’s still quite young.”

Tsia ignored them all, pouting with all the petty anger that only a recently dethroned youngest child could muster until they reached the gates of Birnah.

The fortress town of Birnah was so heavily fortified that it had a second, smaller fortress guarding the only entrance to the bridge that spanned its massive moat, and a long line of travelers was backed up outside the entrance.

Stuck at the back, they couldn’t hear what the guards up front were shouting, but the line slowly began to dissolve as more and more of the people from the front turned back. And as they inched forward, they finally could hear what the guards were saying. “The city is closed. You can wait at Devur until it reopens.”

It’s closed? Jasper waited patiently in the line until they got closer to the guards, and waved one over. “Why’s the city closed?”

“What’s a Djinn doing out here,” the man replied with a question of his own.

Assuming it to be a rhetorical question, Jasper waited for the man to answer, and, after a lengthy pause, the guard gave in. “The surrounding villages have been under a series of attacks from Atrometos for the last two weeks. We’ve killed a few of them, but most of the time, they’re gone before we can get there.”

Jasper’s brow wrinkled, failing to see why that would mean the gates were closed. “Wouldn’t it be safer for the people to shelter in the city?”

The guard shrugged, a tinge of contempt flitting across his face. “The attacks are just an attempt to draw our forces out of the city. Once they see we won’t take the bait, they’ll stop.”

But what about all the people being killed? Will they spring back to life? Jasper had gotten used to having a certain amount of sway amongst the Djinn, but here, he was no one particularly special. It left a bitter taste in his mouth to swallow his protests, but he didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot with the local rulers.

“I see,” he replied with a forced smile. “Is there any way we could get in, just for a little while? Or at least get a message in? I’m looking for someone who was supposed to be here. A durgu prince, not sure what he looks like,” he added.

“You’re with the durgu?” What was left of the man’s friendly facade crumbled entirely. “You won’t find those dwarves in here, then. Lord Sarganil knows better than to let enemies in the gates.”

Enemies? He knew relations were strained between the two peoples, but they weren't exactly at war - at least, not yet. “Any idea where I could find them then?”

“From what I’ve heard, they’re guarding the villages. Might find them there. Might find Atrometos too,” the man warned. “Just go to Devur with the rest. It ain’t much of a settlement, but it’s got enough of a wall to fend off most attacks.”

“Thanks, I’ll do that,” Jasper lied, slipping the guard a few coins for his time, before turning to leave the line. Why can nothing ever go easy?