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33. The Toll

  The morning sun brought solace to Amethyst, who was sipping her tea on the porch facing the western sky. Cozily snuggled in a thick blanket, she sat with Tenya beside her. She also had a similar blanket wrapped around her. They sat quietly, staring out at the growing light that would soon appear over the top of the cliffs. Their vantage showed the sun rising out from the cracks of the earth. Clouds were gliding in from the ocean, their fluffy beauty hiding the snow storm creeping from the south, soon to engulf the sun’s loving light.

  Amethyst set her cup on a small table between her and Tenya. She hid deeper within the blanket, covering her head and face, leaving a slit for her eyes to peek out as the wind picked up with ferocity. The trees were bare, with little stragglers tightly clinging to their branches before being ripped away by the incoming storm.

  Her body ached even as she remained still. Nuru had not returned from her time with Bontu, leaving the frail party alone to lick their wounds. Although she couldn’t rely on Nuru for everything, she had become accustomed to her pain melting away after a visit from their esteemed healer. A wave crashed against Amethyst’s heart. The idea of taking advantage of her friend made her chest tighten. That line of thought extended to her other friends. Without a second thought, she had dragged her friends to help Stochastís, but was that such a bad thing? Relaxing, Amethyst’s chest loosened its claws, and she felt a small, but impactful wave of relief wash back into the sea of her vast anxiety. Some small drops of concern lingered with her while she contemplated the next step of their journey. Goodbyes always saddened her, and this time would be no different.

  The two girls stayed until the stiff wind chilled them to the bone, and snow covered the sleepy fields of yellowed grass and empty roads. They went inside, searching for their friends. There was no one to be found as Amethyst wandered through the museum. She aimlessly searched, ignoring exhibits. From the museum through the gallery and into the main sitting room, she had seen no one except Tenya, who shuffled behind her. She gave up and found a little spot next to a crackling fire in the common room. Tenya sat wordlessly next to her.

  Quiet.

  Cozy.

  Tenya was snoring softly in the chair beside Amethyst. *Could everyone else still be in bed? Perhaps that’s where I should be,* she thought, staring into the crackling fire. She could see herself as a brief flicker of light, dancing with her flickering friends. Her eyes closed. She was warm and sleepy, sitting in that chair by the fire. The distinct noise of movement dragged her from the embrace of sleep. Amethyst rolled her head to find that it was Busara that had made the noise while he sat down next to Amethyst.

  Amethyst sat up straight in her seat, the droop of her eyelids still played at her vision. Amethyst cleared her throat. “Good morning, my friend,” she greeted as he came into better focus.

  Busara smiled. He rubbed his hands together near the fire as he leaned forward. Then he looked at Amethyst. “You should still be in bed,” he whispered. “Both of you should be.”

  Amethyst glanced over her shoulder. Tenya was curled into a ball on the chair, her head snuggled into the corner of the blue cushions. “You are right, I should be.”

  “Yet here you are.”

  “I thought it appropriate to join the others, but it appears the others are still asleep.”

  Busara’s smile remained strong as he shook his head slowly. “The folly of youth to believe that they should push so hard.” He rubbed his hands together, then sat back in the chair, letting a groan escape his lips.

  Amethyst slumped into her chair. Her eyes wanted to fall closed, but she stared into the fire, hoping for her little dancing flame to return.

  “You should use this day to rest from your woes.”

  From a charred log, a small flame appeared, gazing upon her. It was shy as it danced, jumping out only to hide moments later. “Don’t be scared,” she mumbled.

  “Amethyst.”

  Busara distracted her from the dancing flame, and it disappeared. She sighed, then looked at him. His smile had not faltered. He sat forward, placing a hand on her arm. “Go back to bed, and when you arise once more, the peace of the day shall greet you. As will your friends.”

  Amethyst nodded. She hauled herself out of the chair and shuffled to Tenya. There was a static shock when they touched. Amethyst remained motionless as Tenya looked up at her. She blinked a few times before standing up and yawning deeply. Amethyst turned around and walked past Busara, letting her fingers brush his shoulder.

  “Good morning,” Tenya whispered from behind.

  “Sleep well,” acknowledged Busara.

  The drops of Amethyst’s worry didn’t fade, but the drowsy in her mind let her thoughts rest. By the time she reached her bed, she had forgotten what she was worried about. After closing the door, Amethyst fell onto her bed, curling as tightly as she could. The bed shook as Tenya fell beside her, wrapping her arms over the blanket before sneaking under. Tenya’s hot skin pressed firmly against Amethyst. She fell asleep, her final thoughts being about Tenya.

  §

  Lunch was as quiet as the morning had been, though everyone was up. Stochastís and Prátton were talking with Aféleia and Arketá. From Amethyst’s vantage point, Aféleia didn’t seem too pleased about their conversation. Garba and Wa Chini were in the middle of a game of Mancala, neither of them making a peep as they played. Ebba was full of energy, but respected Tenya’s pleas for silence. Ebba focused on her food, and was reading a Melydaesian book. Busara sat across from Amethyst and Tenya, eating peacefully too.

  Aféleia walked out of the room, her face tight, and her eyes narrowed as she muttered to herself while exiting the room. Stochastís had his head in his hands, and Prátton was patting his back.

  Amethyst looked at Busara. The two made eye contact before she spoke. “What do you think they were talking about?”

  Busara leaned over to examine at Stochastís. Then looked back at Amethyst. “I would have to say they were talking about the man she is with.”

  “Apaísios?”

  Busara nodded, then drank from his cup. “Though,” he suggested after a gulp, “I only guess from what íroas has told me.”

  Tenya had her head laying on the table, she was facing Amethyst as she spoke. “Well, the odds are that he was trying to kidnap her.”

  Ebba set her book down. “It’s not nice to talk about someone behind their back.”

  “You are absolutely right,” Tenya replied. “Nevertheless, someone was targeting her. Err, on the side of caution.”

  Amethyst reached across the table and ruffled Ebba’s hair. Ebba laughed, flailing her arm wildly. Then calmed down and went back to her book.

  “From my understanding,” Busara interrupted. Apaísios lacks the skill to execute this plan independently. I will side with Ebba for now; let us wait for evidence before accusing him.

  Amethyst reclined, gazing upward. “He gives me bad vibes.” She said, looking between Stochastís and Busara. I’m not alone in this opinion.

  Busara sighed. “I am not advocating either way. I simply mean not to draw a conclusion yet.”

  “I understand,” Amethyst said. “I will be patient with my suspicions.”

  Busara grinned weakly, then went back to eating food. Amethyst played with the little food remaining on her plate. Perhaps Sofía had some answers since they had held her with the Minotaur? If she didn’t, could the Minotaur have answers? It was a problem for another day. Stochastís would return to Sofía soon and he would likely inquire. Maybe she should ask Mágissa? Was it strange to go to your friend’s friend you had only met the once? Soliciting her expertise for this felt wrong. Stochastís would have asked if he thought it relevant, but it couldn’t hurt to at least see her. She had decided she would visit Nuru, then go to see Mágissa.

  §

  íroas sent Amethyst and Tenya to the city in the back of a cart. Guards escorted the girls during the snowfall by his order. Their first stop was the tavern Bontu and Nuru had been staying in.

  Amethyst watched the streets as they rode through the city. All around, businesses were closed and only a few people were out in the streets. A faint glow emanated from within the tavern. The shutters did little to hide the warm light. The guards followed behind, but left the girls for the bar, understanding that they would be ready at a moment’s notice to take them wherever they needed to go.

  The tavern looked like new. They repaired the tables and replaced the shattered brazier with a new, slightly cleaner one. Amethyst smiled as she looked around. Flushing, she recalled that drunken night. She wanted to hide away while thinking about how embarrassing it was. But things looked better today, and there were no signs of any mules.

  Near the center of the room, Nuru and Bontu were taking part in a game with several other bar patrons. She didn’t understand what they were playing, or how the dominos and cards interacted. All she knew was that there was money on the table and everyone was quietly excited. Nuru was standing behind Bontu. She left his side when she noticed Amethyst.

  “Oh, my heavens!” Nuru blurted. “What happened?”

  “The Manticore, then the Minotaur.” Amethyst replied.

  Nuru softly embraced Amethyst, then Tenya. “You both appear banged up. We should tend to these wounds before they get worse.” She stepped away from the girls and whispered into Bontu’s ear. He looked at the girls and tried to stand before Nuru stopped him. He nodded his head, then returned to the game, but was less focused than he was.

  Amethyst and Tenya followed Nuru through a set of curtains, which led to a hallway of doors. They entered one into a small room just large enough for a bed and a chair. Nuru pulled the chair to the bed and had Amethyst and Tenya sit in front of her on the bed.

  Nuru sat in front of Tenya first. She took Tenya’s arm and rubbed her hand over it, while moving the arm in various ways. “A simple elbow sprain,” Nuru said with a smile.

  “Glad to be easy,” Tenya said. “Not something I would normally say.”

  Nuru smiled as Tenya swung her arm. She then moved in front of Amethyst. Her smile vanished, and she shook her head. “Lay down and remove your shirt.” She left no room for question as she moved the chair and grabbed a jar of salve.

  Amethyst complied, laying back on the bed with nothing between her skin and Nuru’s tender hands. Amethyst looked at Tenya and felt her face flush as they made eye contact. Tenya looked away and crossed her arms, and Amethyst strained to glance at her stomach, which seemed to be Nuru’s focus.

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  Nuru pushed Amethyst’s head down and continued her work. “Do not contract your abdomen while I am observing.”

  “Sorry,” Amethyst apologized.

  Nuru shushed her and kept working. For several long minutes, Amethyst lay waiting for what Nuru would say. She wondered what could have Nuru in such a state. Her bedside manner was kind, but she seemed too serious for Amethyst’s liking. Nuru applied the salve around Amethyst’s torso. She pushed on various spots that made Amethyst wince.

  “What’s going on?” Tenya demanded.

  Nuru ignored the question and closed her eyes. Amethyst felt a warmth deep in her core. The warmth resonated from her stomach and radiated through her torso, then slowly crept to her limbs. Nuru lifted her hands and looked at Amethyst. She stared, then huffed.

  “What?” Amethyst asked.

  “What? well let me tell you what.” Nuru’s frustrated tone slapped Amethyst. “Your organs have been damaged!” Nuru declared.

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you should be on bedrest and I should have worked on this immediately.”

  “I felt relatively fine.”

  Nuru’s face flushed. Then she took a deep breath. “If ever you use so much of your magic that you feel pain,” she stated, slowly and deliberately. “You are to tell me immediately. The strain on your body is too great. You are stable now, but some damage can’t be reversed.”

  “I feel fine though.”

  “The damage will shorten your lifespan. You push too hard!” Nuru yelled. “Do not punish your future by pushing too hard now.”

  Amethyst looked away, tears welling. Despite being scolded like a child, she wasn’t angry. She was grateful that Nuru cared so much, but she remembered how her mother and grandfather spoke to her. Memories of the Sewers and torture chambers she had wandered resurfaced as well.

  “There was no choice.” Tenya responded calmly. “It was between saving her future self, or not having one.”

  Nuru lowered her head. “I know,” she affirmed. “But I still worry, and you should still come straight to me in the future.”

  Amethyst looked up at Nuru with tears streaming down her face. Nuru lowered down and hugged Amethyst. Amethyst put her top back on and sat on the edge of the bed. Amethyst stared at her hands, wondering how much life she had lost. Months? Years? The prospect scared Amethyst. But she was determined not to show it. She balled up her fist and stood. She smiled at Nuru and Tenya. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Nuru smiled back, then pointed her finger at Amethyst. “Immediately, do you hear?”

  Amethyst saluted with her arm crossing over her chest, her fist hovering over her heart. “Yes, ma’am,” Amethyst announced enthusiastically.

  Nuru and Bontu listened to the full story when they returned to the tavern bar. The hours passed by quickly as they enjoyed food and drinks together. Amethyst’s fatigue, along with her worry, had vanished, and she was full of energy. They played a quick game together, then they bid farewell. The guards that were escorting the girls stood from their spots and followed just behind them.

  Once back in the cart, Amethyst leaned between the guards. She had a wide grin as she looked at them. Her smile caused them to smile as well. “The Temple is our next stop, to see Mágissa.”

  The guards spurred the horses, and the cart jolted forward. Their neighs accompanied the sound of their hooves crunching in the soft snow. The gray of the sky had darkened the afternoon, but the snow had stopped falling. Since it was cold and gloomy out, Amethyst and Tenya snuggled happily together. They forgot tomorrow’s problems as they enjoyed the present.

  §

  The heat of the temple was a welcome break from the brief exposure to the icy air. Incense burned Amethyst’s nose. Her steps echoed through the empty chamber of the main hall. Amethyst wondered if Mágissa would even be there on such dreary a day. Amethyst tucked her worry behind her curiosity. She needed to settle the whole situation and find out who created such creatures and how it related to Aféleia.

  Tenya, as she had been the whole day, was right beside Amethyst. Her strides matched Amethyst’s but were considerably heavier. The two girls walked uninterrupted to Mágissa’s chambers. Amethyst felt unwelcome and overwhelmingly lonely, as the still fountains made her feel as though she were breaking in and secretly trying to meet with the Oracle. The idea thrilled yet unnerved her.

  Someone had parted the curtains that served as the chamber’s door. The inner curtains, however, remained closed. Amethyst took this as an invitation and pushed through the hall of curtains, Tenya following just behind. After each curtain, the heat and humidity rose. Sweat beaded atop their foreheads and their breathing became heavy.

  *This feels like entering a dragon’s lair.* She looked back at Tenya, whose face was red as if kissed by the sun. They passed into the main chamber. Without the sun, the chamber felt less overwhelming. Because of the subtle color differences, the small imperfections of the manmade structure were more apparent. Spring flowers and honey now perfumed the air, replacing the smell of incense. The warm layers which Amethyst had to help with the cold outside baked her. Not wanting to be disrespectful, she remained in her clothes.

  Mágissa’s shadow appeared silhouetted behind a large white curtain. Her skinny frame and boisterous hair matched the memory of the woman. The silhouette grew smaller as Mágissa passed by the curtain, revealing her naked, sweat soaked body. The perfection of her skin and tightness of her physique was as stunning as it was unsettling.

  Mágissa walked around the circular room with light and careful footsteps. “We are safe here. Doff your clothes to avoid overheating.” Her eyes switched between Amethyst and Tenya.

  Hesitantly, Amethyst removed the layers of her clothes. She was not embarrassed by being naked. Though small, she held her body confidently, as confidently as Tenya. The wet clothes peeled away, and the relief of the relatively cool air sent a shiver through Amethyst. Mágissa looked behind Amethyst at Tenya. Amethyst followed the gaze to see Tenya’s healthy form.

  She held her body as though she were being undressed in the public square, covering herself while looking at the ground. Amethyst turned around and put her hand on Tenya’s shoulder. The sticky sensation of their sweat mingling had Amethyst’s heart near bursting. She let her eyes travel Tenya’s curves longer than she had intended to. Amethyst looked back at Mágissa, who sat with crossed legs on the sleek surface. She shamelessly displayed her body as if it were artwork. Amethyst struggled to keep her eyes on Mágissa’s as she sat. She tucked her legs behind her, lounging to keep her most intimate parts well hidden.

  Tenya remained standing, covering herself as much as she could manage. Amethyst and Mágissa held eye contact. Mágissa’s face was gaunt, with a thin smile and her head cocked. A lengthy silence followed their mutual gaze. Amethyst heard Tenya move, then looked back to see that she was sitting too. Mágissa sighed, her smile grew slightly.

  Amethyst cleared her throat. “Sorry to bother you, Mágissa.”

  Mágissa tilted her head back slightly and looked up at the ceiling. “No trouble at all.”

  “We came to ask about an investigation we are doing.”

  “I know,” Mágissa replied, looking at Amethyst. “To find out who, what, why, and how.”

  “Yes,” Amethyst answered.

  “I am sorry. These are questions I simply cannot answer.”

  “Is that not within your power?”

  “I can offer you another service, if you please?”

  “What service?” Amethyst asked, eyeing Mágissa.

  “To delve into your past a little, to learn more to help your future endeavors.”

  “Cryptic,” Tenya interjected.

  “Indeed,” Amethyst agreed. “But even if that was something I wanted, it doesn’t help with the reason I am here.”

  “No,” Mágissa acknowledged. “But it is the service I offer.”

  Amethyst pondered the question at hand. She wanted answers to the mystery in front of her. The mystery behind her, however, was just as biting. Amethyst closed her eyes. She pictured her mother and grandfather, the twisted moments blurring in her imagination. She couldn’t be sure what had been real and what was fantasy. The faces of her family and the stranger she believed to be her father appeared in her mind. The image had faded away, leaving only dark skin and white hair remaining. She looked at Mágissa and nodded her head.

  With outstretched arms, Mágissa took Amethyst’s hands. Amethyst twitched as she grabbed Mágissa’s clammy hands. They were as soft as she looked. But her grip tightened like a vise. Even if she tried, Amethyst wondered if she could pull away. Instead, she closed her eyes.

  Mágissa’s gentle words opposed her firm grip. “I will show you what I can. But know, it may not make sense.”

  Amethyst wondered why she was bothering if it wouldn’t be helpful. Since Stochastís trusted her, Amethyst ignored the thoughts and relaxed into the experience. Her hands warmed as Mágissa’s thumbs rubbed into Amethyst’s palm.

  A light approached Amethyst as though she were looking into a dark, starless sky. The light morphed, and she saw the blurry image of her father as she remembered it. The image cleared more, revealing his scarlet eyes. His narrow jaw and sharp ears came into focus next. The tattoos on his face and arms were traditional. He had a devilishly sharp smile with fangs so long she wondered how they fit in place. Although he was a handsome man, he looked dangerous. The vision sharpened, and she lost herself in a memory.

  §

  Amethyst was looking up at the imposing form of her father. He had his arms crossed and had a displeased expression. Amethyst eyed the man opposite. A fat man with bits of food left in his beard.

  The fat man had a yellow smile and she could smell his breath from across the table. “Why am I working with you, anyway? You aren’t even Anesdari.”

  “You live up to your name, don’t you?”

  The fat man chuckled. “You have one week, Sankari. Tell the old man this is the last extension.”

  Her father stood, then grabbed Amethyst without a word, lifting her up so that she sat comfortably against him. When he left the tent, stepping into the warm night air, he looked down at Amethyst and gave her a wide smile. Amethyst giggled.

  The memory fell away, and a new one started.

  Amethyst stared up at her father, who had tears in his eyes. His face was tight and had simply hugged her. “Why are you crying daddy,” she inquired.

  He held her tighter. “I have something important I need to attend to.” His thick accent normally made her giggle, but she started crying instead. “I’ll be gone for a while, and I will miss you.”

  “Don’t go then. Stay here.”

  “I can’t I have friends who need my help.”

  “Well, as soon as you are done, you will come home, right?”

  “Absolutely, my love, absolutely.” His sobs barged in again and he couldn’t speak further.

  “It’s okay daddy, I’ll be here when you... get... back...”

  The memory faded away.

  §

  Mágissa’s voice rang out. “The past.”

  A figure appeared, searching a landscape like a painting. Carts that were like Amethyst’s home swirled into existence as though on a canvas. A figure was tall like her father and walked into the scene, towards the carts. A small bubble appeared, forming out of the figure’s mouth. “Amethyst?” The text read. Other figures shook their heads and the tall figure ran away from the camp.

  A forest formed, and another bubble came from the figure’s mouth. “Amethyst?” The text read. A small shape emerged from beneath a rock. A small bubble formed from the tiny figure’s mouth. “Topaz,” the text read. The tall figure’s head dropped, but its hand went out and the silhouette stood, then accepted. Trees grew and vanished as the tall figure and its companion walked past.

  With mountains in the background, the two figures walked. A bubble formed above them both. “Amethyst?” The text read. The two figures found something curled on the ground. It wiggled, then stood. A bubble formed above its head. “Sapphire,” the text read. The tall figure took the wiggling form’s hand, and they walked along.

  The sun and moon rose onto the canvas and fell over and over as the background changed and the tiny figures grew. A bubble remained over them. “Amethyst!” The text read. The motionless sun, ready to rise, and the moon, about to set, hung on the horizon. Each figure bowed their heads as the canvas spiraled away.

  Mágissa’s voice echoed. “This is the present.”

  Everything lay shrouded in darkness. A large white circle, like the moon, hung in the air, taking up the entire scene. Partially obscuring a section of the large circle, a slight curve grew, resembling a hill. A tree’s silhouette grew there, tall and proud. The tree started swaying as if rocking back and forth. And the dark, tall figure contrasted by the glowing moon stepped up the hill. It stopped and behind it followed the two smaller figures that remained at the bottom of the hill. They were larger, but not as tall as the first figure. The tall one kneeled before the tree and its hands met its face. On the tree, an expression of sadness formed. A large blue tear started below the eye on the tree, then stretched over the vision. “Oh Amethyst, I have failed you.” The text read. Everything blue, like an ocean, swallowed Amethyst up, and she fell.

  §

  Amethyst burst from the vision, trying to catch her breath. “Daddy!” She sobbed. She couldn’t help herself as a wave of anxiety crashed over her, and her heart ripped to pieces.

  Tenya pulled her in from behind, and Amethyst pressed her face into Tenya’s breast. “Shh,” cooed Tenya, softly stroking her hair and humming a peaceful lullaby.

  Amethyst wept in Tenya’s arms as the images of her father replayed. His deep, melodic voice. His vibrant eyes. The warmth of his chest as he kept her safe. She wanted her father to return. She wanted her mother too, and her grandfather, so that they could all be together again. More than anything, however, she wanted to hug her father and tell him it would be okay, that she was sorry she hadn’t been there to greet him on his return.

  Mágissa stood and retrieved a few towels, then covered Amethyst and Tenya. She retreated behind the curtain and returned in a white garb. She offered her hand to Amethyst, who had calmed to whimpers. Amethyst took her hand and used the towel to wipe her face and body.

  Tenya and Amethyst took up their clothes and dressed without a word. Mágissa escorted them out of her chambers and towards the Temple exit. The two guards sat inside, sheltered from the cold. Amethyst stopped before the exit and threw her arms around Mágissa. She held her for a while, sniffling into her neck. The gentle embrace of Mágissa calmed Amethyst almost as much as Tenya’s had.

  “Thank you,” Amethyst sighed.

  “Of course,” Mágissa responded.

  They ended their embrace and smiled at each other. Amethyst turned and took hold of Tenya’s arm. The guards stood and led the way down the cleared steps. Tenya wrapped herself around Amethyst and they sat in the cart. The snow had intensified, battering the cart’s canvas roof until it sagged.

  Although the sun had set a while before, the streets were still bright. The white of the snow left all around it glowing. The cart crunched in the snow as the horses plowed forward. Amethyst laid her head onto Tenya, and the two snuggled tightly for warmth.

  “My dad’s alive, and has been looking for me,” Amethyst said softly.

  Tenya rubbed her hand against Amethyst’s stiff arms. “That’s wonderful, misty,” Tenya responded. “Will you search for him?”

  “Of course I will.”

  “I’ll help you.”

  Amethyst looked up at Tenya. Her head fell softly on Tenya’s chest. She tucked herself in Tenya’s arms and under some extra blankets, then closed her eyes and felt safe.

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