Okay, here's the second chapter.
Chapter two, D’zarin
D’zarin paced through the city. A towerguard had told him his mother wished to see him. The man seemed a bit uneasy around him and hurried of again as soon as he got the chance. He was used to it. He wondered what his mother wanted from him, he had more things to do this day. He was already angry, but did not show it, though people seem to sense it and stayed away from him. Most of the time he liked it when he was left alone because they feared him. Their fear was pleasant in a strange way.
“My Lord Commander?” a woman’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. He looked sideways and a bit down. A woman from the countryside was walking beside him, but in her eyes shone a strange light.
“My Lady Zaírd’lona.” he whispered, surprised. He had recognized the glow immediately. Besides, no one would have dared to come close now, except people he knew.
She smiled. “Zarin, you’re the first who has ever recognized me in this form, I’m proud of you.” she said, her voice seemed to come from a distant. “But I have to tell you a few things. First of all, your mother called you because of a newborn. I have created him and took care of him most of the time. But now he’s almost twelve years old and has to learn to be a Nightnimf and not some stupid countryboy who’s never seen anything of the world or did anything. His clan is Zaírd’lona’s Cat, he will grow wings when he is old enough and he will be able to carry souls, like my real cats. He needs someone to learn him to control his powers, carrying souls is really dangerous, especially for a child. You’re control is stronger than I’ve ever seen. I fear the moment you will ever lose control of that fire of yours.”
“I will train him as good as I can, my lady.” Zarin said softly. “I will serve you as you ask.”
“Of course you will. But there’s a thing I wanted to ask you. Are you mad at me?”
“Mad, my lady?” Zarin looked surprised at Zaírd’lona. “Why should I be mad?”
“Because I’m the Mistress of Life and Death.”
Zarin shook his head. “No, I do not blame you for what happened. I only blame myself.”
“Listen carefully now, Nykon told me this wasn’t supposed to happen. The threads of the future are messed up and he’s worried. You must warn Moran, things in prophecy can change now, the future is no longer bound to them. I share Nykons worries.” She smiled a bit. “Sounds strange, doesn’t it, a Allerièn being worried?”
“It worries me greatly. It sounds very strange indeed, cause I’ve always thought of you as forces of nature, not of some sort of people with emotions.”
“We are forces of nature and have emotions, that’s our strength, it makes us care for the world and our people. But things are about to change, Zarin, and Lairèn is needed for that change. Take care of him and I will make sure you don’t have to suffer the pain you feel now again.”
“You don’t have to promise me, my lady.” Zarin looked into the distance. “I will take care of the boy, as long as needed. Don’t reward me for being loyal.”
“I will still reward you in a way. But I leave you now. Farewell, Zarin, may your threads be strong, stronger than the forces that are messing with them.” Zaírd’lona left him.
He walked slowly to the tower. –The threads are messed up- he thought. –It was not supposed to happen, but why did it happen?- He shook his head. –Moran is not going to like this- He sighed, Moran was a kind man, but extremely impatient, even for a Nightelf. He thought of the books he still had to translate from Demonic. Too many things to do, too little time to do everything. And everything had to be done.
“Lost in thought, Zarin?” A familiar voice said.
“Good day, Taniël.” Zarin looked at his friend, his stormgrey hair completely messed up as usual, his black cloak swirling behind him in the wind, a storm was coming.
“Who was that woman? I’d never thought someone would talk to you when you’re irritated.” he gestured in the direction Zaírd’lona was walking.
“Would you believe me if I said Zaírd’lona?” Zarin asked.
“Really?” Taniël looked surprised. “What did she tell you?”
“My mother found a newborn she created. She wants me to take care of him and train him.”
“There’s more than that.” Taniël said. “I’ve been following you and you were talking to long for that.” Some sparkles of curiosity were seen in his grey eyes.
Zarin shook his head. “I’m sorry, Niël, I can’t tell you all she said. My head is still spinning about it and I’m a bit confused about some other things.” No, some things he couldn’t tell anyone yet, expect Zaron and D’elwé perhaps, he thought. Some things need to be a secret.
“I don’t blame you for not telling me. I haven’t told you all about myself and Nyla for a long time. I still remember the look on your face when I showed up with a three year old girl.”
Zarin smiled as he thought about his friends daughter, as stubborn as her father with the same color of hair but bright green eyes. “How’s your little girl doing?”
“Disappointed I left her at Stormbron today with here little brothers and Miranne. She wanted to see the recruitments today, but you and I know that she has other plans. She’s only eight and she already wants to join the army, must be her Wereldan blood.” Taniël smiled as he talked about his daughter. Zarin shook his head, he knew how fond Taniël was of his daughter, but his thoughts wandered off again.
“What happened?” Taniël asked. “You are very distracted.”
“Two members of my guard wanted to attack me, F’luwa warned me but they attacked her instead. Before I had them of her, she was already badly hurt because some others tried to stop me. I feel guilty about letting them hurt her and I’m very angry with them. But I don’t know how to get rid of them without ending up in a political hornets nest.” He felt the heat of anger rushing through his body again, but kept the fire in control.
“Send them to Nowenã, Lars was complaining lately about the number of proper guards and autumn is at our doorstep, and it’s freezing in Nowenã already and later the deep night comes as well. They will regret having angered you.”
“But what about F’luwa? She’s covered with bruises and some cuts. She suffers, not me.”
“Take a month’s wage from them and give it to her to spend on whatever she likes, that will learn them. Even the most stubborn Wereldan soldier understands what you mean with that.”
“Lower Helanian nobles are more stubborn than Wereldans, you know that, even more stubborn than you and you combine your own stubbornness with that of a Wereldan, you lived too long among them.” He hated the lower nobility. Always looking for weakness and advantage, trying to become better from others misery.
Taniël laughed. “That’s true, both. Still do it. You have to learn them that you can do everything to them, make them run around the city on some stupid errands and things like that. You are the Lord Commander, the only ones who can tell you what to do are Queen Savanna herself or one of the Lord-Knights.”
“Perhaps, I’ve never had problems with my authority till they showed up. I’ve been in command of the Guard for eight years now, this never happened before.”
Taniël nodded. “There’s more, but I think that’s something you don’t want to share with me.”
“There is, I will tell you when I’m ready for it, it’s something I need to think about for a while.”
“I’m okay with that. You should talk to Zaron, you tell each other everything. Don’t keep the secrets buried in your heart, it makes you feel horrible.” Taniël fell silent. “Oh, and I just saw Zaron, he was even paler than normal and a bit shaking.”
“He had to swear his oaths for the queen today. He’s the High Questioner now.”
“Nightnimfs at all high positions, the queen wants to make sure she can trust the people she needs.”
“Nihin is stirring, we all know a change is coming.”
“That’s dark talk, even from you, Zarin.” Both men turned around.
“Firon, how are you?” Zarin asked the man in black clothing and wearing a red cloak.
“I’m fine, and you?”
“Angry.” Zarin answered him. “And irritated.”
“I can understand. I heard my parents talk about what happened a few days ago. You can expect some support of my mother tomorrow. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen her angry, but she really was and it’s frightening.” Firon shook his head. “They really did something wrong as even the queen wants to punish them, they will learn not to anger a Nightelf.”
“Or a Nightnimf.” Taniël laughed. “Nowena it is.”
“It’s already freezing cold up there.” Firon said, shivering. “I hate cold.”
“At home it’s cold as well.” Zarin said. “You’re just not used to it, Fir.”
“True, and in the north they hate firemagicians, so I stay in the West, where it’s warm and I can use my magic without problems.”
They reached the tower. “Well, I’m going to see my mother now. Taniël, I hope Nyla will forgive you. Firon, if you see Moran somewhere around the palace, can you ask him to come to the Temple? I need to speak to him about things.” Taniël started to walk off but turned. “A storm is coming, a big storm, the first autumnstorm of the year. For twelve years, the first storm has been the biggest of the whole season and this year it’s even worse. I can feel the power gathering already. A few days and it unleashes. Be careful if you want to go flying, Firon, and beware of the lightning.” He walked away.
“Well, that’s interesting.” Firon said. “But of course I’ll tell Moran and I shall inform my mother about your plans with the guards. I think she’ll agrees, I already pity everyone that crosses you in the future.”
“I hope it does not happen soon.” Zarin touched his left forearm without a thought, feeling the scar beneath his shirt. “I don’t want accidents like eight years ago.”
“I hope so as well, you’ve become more powerful since that day.” Zarin looked at his friend, he looked concerned. “But don’t think about things that can be, future is Nykons land, not ours, we live here and now.” Zarin nodded slowly, he friend did not know yet that Nykons control over the future was weakening. “Sirgaleh e’is íne ‘waide.”
“Sirgaleh e’is íne toi ‘waide.” he answered and entered the tower.
Jorn looked up as a tall, slender man entered the room. He had black hair, a pale skin and deep purple eyes, darker then he had ever seen, almost black. His clothing and cloak were black as well. “You asked for me, mother?” the man asked. Jorn was surprised by his voice, it wasn’t as hard as he expected.
“Yes.” Dalya answered. “This is…”
“It’s good to meet you, Lairèn.” the man said. He looked at the man, the world started to spin and turned black.
He was floating in a dreamworld, but it wasn’t a dream. He heard distant voices…
“It’s a boy.” the first voice said.
“I don’t want him.” a second said.
“It’s your own child, give him his name.” said the first compulsory.
“Never will this monster be my child.” said the second. “He’ll better die.”
“As you wish, but I will not let this child die.”
“You’ve cursed it! You Nightnimfs curs our children to claim them later!”
“I did not curse him, but I shall give him a name.” the first voice said determined. “After that, it’s your concern, I shall ask Zaírd’lona to protect him of all evil you will cause him.”
The second remained silent.
“Lairèn.” Loud and clear the first spoke his name. Vague he saw the shape of a face, long blond hair en two lilac eyes. “Stormchild, I wish you all luck there is in this world, I hope you will forgive me for saving you and turning your life into a living hell.” The voice sounded weird, like she was speaking in a foreign language, a language he could understand now.
The second voice was screaming out of anger, and a third voice, a man’s voice, mixed in the conversation.
“Every child is a living creature and has the right to live.” the first voice was even more determined now.
He felt hard ground and heard the footsteps of the first slowly disappear.
“What now?” the second voice asked.
“Lay him outside, if he survives the storm, we’ll think about something else.” the man said.
Lairèn woke up, someone was holding him.
“Ah, you’re back.” It was D’zarin. “I had not expected make you faint by just saying hello.”
“How.. how do you know… my name?” Lairèn asked avoiding the dark eyes looking at him.
“Zaírd’lona told me who you are, what you are. I met her on my way to the tower.” He could not avoid the eyes anymore. “Where did you dream of?”
“My birth, I think.” he whispered, he did not want to tell this man about himself. Something about him made him uncomfortable, it was the darkness in his eyes.
“Interesting.” Zarin put him on his feet. He noticed how much taller Zarin was. “I’m D’zarin, Zaírd’lona asked me to take care of you and your training.”
Lairèn looked at him. He wondered if he spoke the truth. Dalya smiled at him. “It’s okay, Lairèn, Zarin doesn’t bite. I leave the two of you now, need to see Savanna.” She started to walk out of the room.
“Mother, wait, you must tell her something.” He saw Zarin took a deep breath. “Tell her that Nykon is worried, the threads are mixed up, a strange force changes the future, it’s no longer bound to prophecy. Thing happen that are not supposed to happen.”
Dalya’s eyes darkened. “I will tell her and Thomas.” she left.
“What does that mean?” he asked carefully.
Zarin turned around. “It means nothing is certain anymore.” he said softly. “It means the world is going to change like never before. Not even the Great Clan Wars or the Slaughter changed the world like what’s coming.”
“But what is coming?” he felt cold, the words of the man made him shiver.
“Nihin will unleash all its powers on us soon.” Zarin sighed. “But that’s not of your concern, Rèn, your too young to ponder about things like this.” Zarin took a chair and sat down. “Your first concern is your training. But first you need to tell me about yourself.”
Lairèn only looked at him, he did not want to tell this stranger about himself at all. “You first.” he said, wishing he would not by angered.
“That’s okay. I’m D’zarin, Fire of the Underworld in Demonic. I’m twenty-four years old, I have a twin brother, D’zaron, he is a bit older than I am. I have 2 little brothers, Zarn and Dalyon and two younger sisters, D’zaírna and D’zalya. Oh, and everyone calls me Zarin.” Zarin smiled a bit. “You’re turn.”
“I’m almost twelve now.” he said softly. “When the first autumnstorm comes, it’s my birthday.” He saw the man smiled at him.
“Niël was right, there’s something unnatural about that storm. It’s your name that causes the storm, it means Stormchild.”
Stormchild, he thought, just as the voice in my dream said. How can he know? What does he know about me?
“What are you thinking about?” Zarin asked. He looked a bit concerned.
“About my training.” he said quickly, too quick. Zarin frowned.
“Do not lie to me, Lairèn. I know when people are lying to me and I don’t like it.”
He bit his lip. “I’m sorry…” he whispered, he had seen a shadow moving in Zarins eyes. It made him even more afraid of the man. “I just wondered how you knew the meaning of my name.”
“That’s easy. Your name is build up out of three Elvish words, Djísar, storm, Twyra, child and Loiràn, lonely. Your name means Lonely Stormchild. I’ve no idea what the lonely part means, I hope it’s just because you’re the only member of your clan.”
He nodded slowly. “And what now?”
“Now? You’ll learn to read, write, some history, Elvish, magic and of course fighting.” He sighed. “But I won’t be able to learn you all of it, since I have many other tasks. I think I’ll ask Firon to teach you reading and writing and when you’re ready Elvish, he has more knowledge of Elvish. Taniël can learn you the basics of magic and perhaps some history and tactics. I will teach you fighting myself, you’re a Nightnimf after all.”
“Who are they, those men you speak of?”
“My friends, Firon is officially Prince Firon of Helana, heir of the West. Taniël is the Lord of Stormbron. But this still means nothing to you.” He smiled. “Can you wield magic already?”
He shook his head. “Why do I need to learn so many things?”
“A sword without knowledge is the most dangerous thing there is. All Nightnimfs are members of the Black Order, we are the Queens sworn sword and shield. Without knowledge we can’t do our job.”
“I understand, I think. So I will be a servant of the queen for the rest of my life?”
“I’m a servant of the queen and the Lord Commander of the Guard. I serve only the queen, no one else. You won’t be a slave, you will be a servant, like you can serve Zaírd’lona or Nykon. Being a slave is something else. I’m not a slave, I can do whatever I want to do, but when the queen asks me to do something, I will.”
“You never say no?”
“Never. I’ve sworn loyalty to the queen, for my entire life.” Zarin stood up. “But I’ve to talk to some people. Come with me, we will talk more when we walk.”
He did not move. I don’t want to serve the queen for the rest of my life, he thought, I don’t want to be a slave again. He can tell me anything, but why should I believe him?
“Is there a problem?”
“I don’t want to be a slave.”
“Lairèn, look at me, I swear to you, you will never be a slave again, never. I’ll do everything in my power to prevent that, Zaírd’lona is my witness. I will take care of you as long as you need me. I will teach you everything you need to learn to live in freedom for the rest of your live.”
“Just a promise.” he said. Zarins look darkened, the shadow again, in the edge of his eyes, a black void crawled over the white.
“A Nightnimf cannot break his promises, never. That’s our power and our weakness. I can never break this promise to you.” There was a tremble in his voice. “You have no idea what it means to make a promise. These are not just words, these are chains that bind me for the rest of my life. Never say that again.”
Lairèn felt a familiar sting behind his eyes. Tears were rolling over his cheeks before him knew it. “I didn’t know… In my village promises are easy broken.”
Carefully Zarin dried the tears with the sleeve of his shirt. “No reason to cry, I’m not angry with you. I just forgot you just don’t know much about yourself. Come, some fresh air will clear your mind.”
“Where are we going?” Lairèn asked. He was still not certain if he could trust Zarin or not.
“To the Temple, to see Lord Moran. I need to speak with him.”