Page 30 of Redeeming the Angel

“Of course not.”Kerainne laughed at the notion.“Medicia is my home.Aisthanesthai is my home.”

She said the last so vehemently that a stone dropped in my belly.Did she not like Luminista?Would we not live there if I was able to make her my bride?

I closed my eyes and forced myself to regain my composure.Kerainne was happy right now and I’d be an utter jackass if I ruined that.And I could be patient.When Kerainne had her next death, I’d be there waiting and this time, I’d show her all the good things that our home realm had to offer.

Then, she smiled at me again and all my thoughts vanished with the urge to kiss her again.But while we were among the Schitsu’umsh, we had to abide by their customs.I thought about how I could use that to my advantage.

After speaking with Yellow Root, the tribal councilman who was the most patient with my oddities and in whose lodge I was a guest, I learned how to court Kerainne in the Schitsu’umsh style.I carried water for her in the mornings, and in the evenings we were permitted to stand outside the partially subterranean dome lodge in which Kerainne was a guest with Auntie Bobcat’s family.We huddled under a blanket and talked until we heard a cough from the lodge doorway.

Life with this tribe was so rich and peaceful that I was confused as to why they were the focus of a rescue mission.Rescuing them from what?I’d frequently asked.

And then my question was answered.

A hunting party had gone over the Bitterroot mountains to the plains in the east to hunt buffalo.The tribe didn’t really need buffalo, but they enjoyed going on a long trip, evading other tribes, and the challenge of bringing down such large and challenging game.And, of course, the meat and hides were valued for food and for trading with the coastal Salish tribes, who didn’t have access to buffalo, but had many prized commodities from the sea.

But this time, instead of buffalo, the hunting party brought back people.They weren’t new wives or war captives, they were members of a tribe where almost every member used magic.They were isolated, but happy and prosperous.

Until Mephistopheles came and took their land.He didn’t occupy it like a conqueror, but literally stole it, the trees, the lakes, the creek.All that land would become part of Qua’ al-fán, the world he was building with vast miles of stolen lands like Atlantis and Thinis.All that was left was barrenness.He even took most of the people, aside from the few who’d read the signs and fled after the others didn’t listen to them.

Not long after the refugees from the other tribe told their story and were given food and shelter, the Schitsu’umsh tribal leaders summoned Kerainne and me to their lodge.

“Our magic elder has told us your purpose.”The chief pointed at Kerainne.“You’ve been here before and took people from us.Not to count coup on us as enemies, but to bring them to where they belong so they can find their destinies.”

“That is true,” Kerainne said.“And you know what I must do.”

The chief and elders nodded in unison, but then the chief crossed his arms over his chest and regarded us sternly.“You also seem to know of that evil god who stole from the world.Is he coming to us next?”

“I don’t know,” Kerainne’s eyes were tormented with sorrow at the idea of the tribe being harmed.“I will have to consult our own magic elder about that.We call him Keeper of the Prophecy.”

Before I could recover from her telling these people the sacred secrets of Aisthanesthai, she continued.“But if it is of any worth to you, I feel like your lands will remain safe from that evil god.Other enemies may come and take over parts of your lands, but your heart will remain and your people will endure.”

I didn’t know what compelled me to blurt out, “We can help perform a protection spell.To keep the Evil One from knowing of the magic you have, so he won’t come here.”

Kerainne gasped.“We can’t know if such a thing will work.It never has before.”

One of the elders whispered something to the chief.He nodded somberly and turned back to us.“Our prophecy-seers haven’t seen anything resembling the evil horned-god the people we rescued saw.They feel a protection spell won’t cause harm, even if it doesn’t work.”

There was a brief argument as to whether or not I could be included in the ritual, as the chief and council still doubted me because I was neither hunter nor warrior, but I halted the debate by demonstrating the smallest bit of my magic.When they saw me manifest a shield that prevented their war chief from being able to strike me, I was welcomed to be part of the casting.

Kerainne was welcomed with no objections.Although we’d never demonstrated our magic beforehand, somehow they knew she held power.

After following their secret purifying rituals, we gathered at the place by the lake where the portal to Aisthanesthai was.I won’t share the tribe’s secret magics, but I will say that I’ve never felt anything like it before.And the one time I returned to the area over two thousand years later, and over a century after the tribe was displaced to a reservation, I couldstillfeel it in the air.

After the ritual, the tribe treated us to a farewell feast and we took the people we rescued through the portal and to Tolonqua.

Once back in Medicia, a message awaited me in the palace.Jagwolfe clan wanted me back home to resume my duties.The ecosystem I’d built for the lizards needed a few tweaks to make it more viable.I hated leaving Kerainne.Fates, I hated leaving Medicia, for two important things were occurring.First, Nikkita had reached her first century of life without having her first death.So Queen Natalya declared that she had to die in front of the whole kingdom.Kerainne and I were repulsed at that, but the monarchs said it was tradition.

Secondly, Gelfed the Red, Keeper of the Prophecy, had died.A new one had been awakened, but we didn’t know who he or she was yet.

I promised Nik that I would be waiting in Luminista to greet her when she ascended.Then it was time for me to say my farewells to Kerainne.For the longest time, we held each other in silence.

“When do you plan on returning to Luminista?”I asked her.“There’s so much that I want to show you.”

“I’m not in a hurry to die,” Kerainne looked down at her slippers, avoiding my gaze.“I really didn’t care for the experience.Besides, Nik and I need to return to our mage studies if we’re going to attain the black robes.”

“You don’t even care about mage ranks.”Some of my bitterness escaped my tone.“You’re only taking lessons because that’s what your sister wants.”

“That’s not completely true.The more magic I have, the more people I can help.”

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