“I should have anticipated members of the Elder Clan being there.”
“You were fighting a serpent in the sky,” she deadpanned. “I think we were all a little distracted.”
“That’s not an excuse,” he retorted, the words sharper than he’d intended.
She studied him before she said, “You are upset?”
“With myself,” he affirmed.
She nodded, pulling her hair over her shoulder. “Can you tell me of the sky serpent?”
“Thenagaskyare some of the creatures of old. They are believed to have been here since the realm was created,” he answered. “For the most part they slumber, guarding sacred places from when the realm was born. It is part of our accords with the Elder Clans that they monitor the creatures of old and help keep them under control, and in return, we leave them be.It’s a tenuous arrangement, and it has gotten more so in the last century.”
“Why?”
“The Elder Clans keep traditions of old. Traditions from before the Sutara bloodline took the throne. The creatures of old fought in wars more ancient than this realm, and the Elder Clans fought alongside Avonleya in the Great War.”
“If the creatures of old have been here since the realm was created, why aren’t there any on the other continents?” Kailia asked.
She’d shifted closer as he spoke, and he was certain she hadn’t realized it yet. There was no pillow barrier between them this time, and he could feel her. So could his magic. And despite him having nothing left, it stirred, as if trying to seek her out. It only added to his restlessness at not having any magic reserves. A gnawing in his soul that he knew would become unbearable soon enough.
“At one point in time, the entire realm was ruled under one. Avonleya was the central continent, and a High Queen resided here,” he answered.
“In Elshira? The original capital?” Kailia asked.
Cethin shook his head. “No, the original capital was not Elshira. When the realm was created, there was another city. They say it was built into the sides of the mountains. We don’t know where it is. Some believe it never existed at all and is a myth of old.”
“And you?” she asked, facing him fully now.
“I’ve spent many decades searching for the Runic Lands and have never found them,” he admitted. “But the creatures of old guard sacred sites, and I’ve seen them, so I’m inclined to believe the Runic Lands exist as well.”
“You believe these creatures remain in Avonleya out of duty then? Not because the Wards trap them here?” she asked,absentmindedly braiding her hair, then unbraiding it before repeating the action.
“Not much is known about the creatures of old,” he admitted. “Only that they are powerful. For a long time, only the Elder Clans could contain them. It is why the accords were struck.”
“What changed?”
“I was born.”
She stilled, her hair partially braided and fingers wound among the strands.
“They were stirring before then,” he clarified. “My parents had kept them subdued, but when I was born, they woke. It has been a struggle to keep them contained since then. While it takes an entire faction of the Elder Clan to contain a creature of old, I am able to do so with my power alone.”
“The Elder Clans feel threatened,” Kailia said in understanding.
“Yes,” he answered. “They have been trying to have more say in policies, and I’ve been attempting to include them. But they rely heavily on signs and prophecy, and basing all decisions on those things alone is not in the best interest for anyone.”
She nodded, unwinding her hair again before shaking out her hands.
“But enough history for one morning. It’s far too early. How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Well,” she answered. Then she gave him a dubious look. “I slept.”
“Physically well, yes,” he replied, stretching his leg back out and ignoring her pointed words. “But external wounds heal differently than internal ones.”
“That is true,” she murmured, looking away from him.
“Did you learn the dances, then?”
